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 1807. 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 LORAIN COUNTY 
 
 OHIO. 
 
 WITH 
 
 Illustrations & Biographical Sketches 
 
 Some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 Williams Brothers. 
 
 —1879 
 
 PRESS OF LEADER PRINTING COMPANY, CLEVELAND, O. 
 
 i 
 

 I-S^UL' 
 
A 
 
 AT THE CONFLUENCE OF EAST aWEST BRANCH SLACK RIVER CAST BRANCH AT LAKE SHORE RI VIADUCT, 
 
 Scenes in and around e:lyria, ohio. 
 
.66 
 
 ± 
 
 mrc^ 
 
to 
 
 Prefatory Note, 
 
 N tlie preparation of this History, accnrafv has lieen the aim of the publishers. They have 
 endeavored to confine themselves within the limits of aseei'tained facts and reliable (hita, and 
 while they have not published every item of history belDngino- to the county of Lorain, all tliat is 
 realU' important is given, and that which is published may l)e regarded as authentic. 
 
 (ientlemen of experience, as writei-s, liave assisted the author in the production of this book: 
 and it is believed that the subjects, which eacli writer luxs severally dealt with, have been treated \\ith 
 care and thoroughness. In the general history department, A. G. Riddle, of Washington, D. C 
 contributed the cliapter on "Pioneer Life:"' Jay Terrell, the "Geology" and "Fossil Fishes:"" 
 P. H. BoYNTON, the "Bar of Lorain County:"" George G. Washburn, the "Press of Lorain County;"" 
 K. Baker, the "Lorain Agricultural Society." The history of "Elyria" was mainly prejiared by 
 Dr. L. T>. Griswold; that of "Russia,"" including "Oberlin," by Rev. Henry Matson; that of 
 '• Wellington,"" by Hon. J. H. Dickson, while iSL-s. Nesbett contributed the greater part of " Grafton."" 
 To the pen of President Fairchild, the publishers are indebted, in the main, for the history of 
 " Brownhelm,"" and the biography of "Father Keep."' They are also under obligations to many 
 others who have aided them greatly in collecting and furnishing data for this history. 
 
 The publishers feel that they have done the work, they undertook to do, faithfully; and while 
 the book may not be found entirely free from blemishes, they are confident that none of a serious 
 character Avill be discovered. 
 
 Hitherto the publishers have had their county histories published in Philadelphia, by J. B. 
 LiPPiNCOTT & Co., but this volume is from the press of the Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, who 
 have done themselves credit by the high degree of typographical excellence shown in the printing of 
 this book. Every inhabitant of the Western Reseiwe has cause for congratulation in the fact, — of 
 which this Histoi-y of Lorain County is proof, — that Cleveland is al)le to maintain successful rivalry 
 with Philadelphia, New York and Boston, in the publication of books whose beauty of typography 
 is of the highest standard attained by the " art preservative." 
 
^munvjiv} 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 h:istok.ig..^Xj. 
 
 ;erve 
 aiiv 
 
 are F 
 
 uund 
 
 HISTORY OF LOEAIN COUNTY. 
 
 (!H \PTER 
 
 I. — Biseovery 
 II. — The Connecticut Western Re; 
 III. — The Connecticut Land Comp; 
 IV. — Physical Features . 
 
 V. — Fossil Fish, and Where they 
 VI.— The Mound-Builders . 
 VII.— The Indians . 
 VIII. — The Moravian Missions 
 IX. — Pioneer Life . 
 
 X. — Civil Organization 
 Xr.— Civil List . 
 XII. — The Bar of Lorain County 
 XIII.— The Press of Lorain County 
 XIV. — Lorain Agricultural Society 
 
 XV. — Lorain in the Rebellion 
 XVT. — Roster of Soldiers . 
 
 HISTORY OF THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES 
 LORAIN COUNTY. 
 
 Errata 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Elyria 
 
 9 
 
 Columbia . 
 
 10 
 
 Ridgeville . 
 
 l.T 
 
 Russia 
 
 IS 
 
 Eaton 
 
 HO 
 
 Black River 
 
 32 
 
 Brownhelm 
 
 33 
 
 Henrietta 
 
 37 
 
 Carlisle 
 
 38 
 
 Sheffield 
 
 41 
 
 Grafton 
 
 43 
 
 Avon . 
 
 45 
 
 Huntington 
 
 55 
 
 Rochester . 
 
 fi8 
 
 Camden 
 
 77 
 
 Penfield 
 
 'JO 
 
 Lagrange . 
 
 
 Brighton 
 
 
 Amherst 
 
 
 Wellington . 
 
 373 
 
 Pittsfield . 
 
 or 
 
 PAGE 
 
 103 
 147 
 157 
 169 
 199 
 207 
 217 
 236 
 245 
 250 
 255 
 271 
 278 
 284 
 289 
 298 
 308 
 317 
 325 
 347 
 367 
 
 I Xj Xj TJ s a? I?, j^ T I o 3sr s. 
 
 Scenes in and around Elyria (Frontispiece) 
 Outline Map of Lorain County . 
 Dentition of Dinichthys Terrelli (Front View) . 
 " " " (Side View) , 
 
 ELYRIA. 
 
 Residence of A. Bccbe, Sr. 
 Edwin Hall . 
 " A. Beebe, Jr. 
 
 Beebe House 
 
 Tavern, opened in 1820, l)y A. Beebe, 
 Portraits of Artemas Beebe and Wife 
 Portrait of N. B. Gates 
 
 Wm. H. Tucker 
 
 Iral A. Webster 
 St. .Andrew's Episcopal Church 
 Portrait of Elizur G. Johnson 
 
 " Judge John C. Hale 
 
 Residence of Geo. G. Washburn, Esq 
 Union Hall Clothing House 
 Portrait of Dr. E. C. Perry 
 
 " Dr. Chas. F. Cushing 
 
 " Frederick S. Reefy 
 
 C. A. Ely (steel) 
 Residence of Mrs. C. A. Ely 
 Elyria Library Building 
 Portrait of Hon. P. Bliss (steel) 
 
 Dr. L. D. Griswold 
 
 W. A. Braman . 
 
 R. E. Braman . 
 
 E. D. Holbrook 
 
 Wm. W. Aldrich 
 
 E. P. Haines . 
 
 L. C. Kelsey . 
 
 PAGE 
 
 ; Title 
 
 il 
 
 30 
 
 31 
 
 between 1114, 105 
 
 104, 105 
 
 104, 105 
 
 104, 105 
 
 104, 105 
 
 104, 105 
 
 facing 108 
 
 112 
 
 113 
 
 115 
 
 lis 
 
 bi-twocn lis, 119 
 
 facing 123 
 
 " 123 
 
 between 130, 131 
 
 130, 131 
 
 facing 131 
 
 between 134, 135 
 
 134, 135 
 
 . 136 
 
 facing 137 
 
 138 
 
 140 
 
 140 
 
 141 
 
 141 
 
 141 
 
 141 
 
 Portraits of M. W. Pond and Wife 
 Residence of Martin W. Pond . 
 Portrait of Hon. Stevenson Burke (steel) . 
 " Houston H. Poppletoh (steel) . 
 
 COLUMBIA. 
 
 Portraits of Ransom Brouson anrl Wife 
 Portrait of Jesse Eddy .... 
 
 RIDGEVILLE. 
 
 Congregational Church and Centre Cemetery 
 Portrait of Harry Terrell . 
 Residence of M.ark Humphrey . 
 Portraits of Mark Humphrey and Wife 
 
 N. H. Hinckley and Wife 
 Residence of E. W. Hinckley 
 
 " N. T. Meach . 
 
 " C. L. Sexton . 
 
 Portrait of Richard Blain . 
 
 RUSSIA. 
 
 Residence of C. L. Freeman 
 
 Portraits of C. L. Freeman and Wife 
 
 Portrait of Sylvester Hart . 
 
 Homestead of Mrs. R. B. Hart . 
 
 Portraits of Mrs. Relief B. and Mi.ss E. C. Hart 
 
 Portrait of John Keep (steel) . 
 
 Residence of Charles Bassctt 
 
 Portraits of Charles Bassctt and Wife 
 
 Residence of Lott Parsons . 
 
 Portraits of Lott Parsons and Wife . 
 
 EATON. 
 
 Residence of Lemuel Abbey 
 Portraits of Ebenezer Abbey and Wife 
 
 PAGE 
 
 facing 143 
 
 143 
 
 144 
 
 between 146. 147 
 
 between 156, 157 
 '* 156, 157 
 
 facing 
 
 157 
 159 
 160 
 160 
 162 
 162 
 164 
 167 
 168 
 
 facing 169 
 
 " 169 
 
 between 184, 185 
 
 184, 185 
 
 184, 185 
 
 facing 192 
 
 between 196, 197 
 
 " 196, 197 
 
 196, 197 
 
 196, 197 
 
 199 
 199 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 IXjIjTJSTK...^TI03NrS. 
 
 Portraits of Lemuel Abbey and Wile 
 Residence of John Roacb . 
 '* Oel Durkee . 
 
 Portraits of Ocl Durkee and Wife 
 Portrait of William 11. Phillips . 
 
 facin' 
 
 BL.4CK RIVER. 
 
 Portrait of Conrad Keid .... 
 Residence of E. Gregg .... 
 
 BROWNHELM. 
 
 Residence of George G. Morse . 
 Portrait-^ of George G. Morse and Wife 
 Portrait of Anna Ray Jlorse 
 
 " Elisha Peck (deceased) 
 
 " Colonel E. F. Peck and Wife 
 
 Residence of E. F. Peck . 
 
 '• Solomon Whittlesey, 1S24 
 
 Portrait of Solomon Whittlesey . 
 Residence of Cyrus L. Whittlesey 
 Portraits of William Sayles and Wife 
 Portrait of Mrs. Sarah C. Sayles (deceased) 
 Residence of William Sayles 
 
 " Chester A. Cooley . 
 
 Portraits of Chester A. Cooley and M'ife 
 Residence of W. H. Cooley 
 Portrait of W. H. Cooley . 
 " Leonard Bradley 
 
 Portraits of George, Catharine, and Maria B. Wells 
 The Amherst Mill .... 
 Residence of John H. Ileymann 
 Portraits of John II. Ileymann and Wife 
 
 CARLISLE. 
 
 Residence of the Heirs of David Bennett 
 Portraits of David and Jane Bennett . 
 Residence of Lorenzo Clark 
 Portrait of William Patterson 
 " Chauncey Prindle 
 
 SHEFFIELD 
 
 Residence of L. F. Parks . 
 
 Portraits of L. F. Parks and Wife . 
 
 Residence of the late Geo. B. Crehore 
 
 Portraits of Geo. Crehore and Wife . 
 " Erastus Ileeock and Wife 
 
 " Zopher Irish and Wife . 
 
 Portrait of Isaac Burrell . 
 
 " Jonathan C. Bennett 
 
 facing 
 
 PACK 
 I'.lil 
 
 200 
 205 
 
 201; 
 
 208 
 21C 
 
 bet 
 
 veen 218, 
 
 219 
 
 
 218, 
 
 219 
 
 
 218, 
 
 219 
 
 
 220, 
 
 221 
 
 
 220, 
 
 221 
 
 
 220, 
 
 221 
 
 
 facing 
 
 222 
 222 
 222 
 
 bet 
 
 iveen 224, 
 
 225 
 
 
 224 
 
 225 
 
 
 224, 
 
 225 
 
 
 226, 
 
 227 
 
 
 226, 
 
 227 
 
 
 226, 
 
 227 
 
 
 226, 
 
 227 
 
 
 facing 
 
 228 
 23.3 
 234 
 234 
 
 234 
 
 
 facing 
 
 245 
 245 
 246 
 
 bet 
 
 tveen 248, 
 
 249 
 
 
 ■■ 248, 
 
 249 
 
 GRAFTON. 
 
 Residence of Henry B. Rawson . 
 Portraits of H. B. and Grindall R.-iwson . 
 
 " B. S. Corning and Wife . 
 
 Birthplace of Duke MeuncU, Yorkshire, Eng 
 Residence of " •' (Grafton, Mich. 
 
 Portraits of Crispin and Duke Mcnnell 
 Residence of A. W. Nichols (double page) 
 Portraits of A. W. Nichols and AVife . 
 Birthplace of A. W. Nichols, York, N. Y. . 
 Residence of Dr. C. B. Knowlton 
 Portrait of " " . . 
 
 " Mrs. Harriet I. Nesbett . 
 
 Portraits of Stephen H. and Margaret R. Brown 
 
 AVON. 
 
 Portrait of Edwin Snow 
 
 Residences of Edwin, C. 11., and T. L. Snow . 
 Residence of G. W. and W. 0. Hurst 
 
 facing 
 
 facing 
 
 facing 250 
 
 250 
 
 252 
 
 252 
 
 between 254, 255 
 
 " 254, 255 
 
 " 254, 255 
 
 " 254, 255 
 
 facing 256 
 
 " 256 
 
 between 258, 259 
 
 260, 261 
 
 260, 261 
 
 260, 261 
 
 264, 265 
 
 264, 265 
 
 264, 2G5 
 
 266 
 
 266 
 
 268 
 
 270 
 
 facing 
 
 272 
 272 
 
 274 
 
 Portraits of William and Lucina Hurst 
 Portrait of Albin Stickney 
 
 Joseph Schwartz 
 
 E. G. Moon 
 
 Dr. T. B. Dailev 
 
 HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Residence of Abram Holland 
 Portraits of Abram Holland and Wife 
 
 ROCHESTER. 
 
 Portraits of Roswell B. Boice and Wife 
 
 CAMDEN. 
 
 Residence of John Rose, Kipton 
 Portraits of John and Lueinda Rose . 
 
 PENFIELD. 
 
 Residence of William W, Penfield 
 Portraits of Truman Penfield and Wife 
 
 " Elisha and Sally Sheldon 
 
 Residence of Elisba Sheldon 
 
 " the late Beri Andrews . 
 
 Portraits of Beri and Amy S. Andrews 
 
 " Orrin Starr and Wife 
 
 Residence of Orrin Starr . 
 
 " Street Goodyear 
 
 Portraits of Street Goodyear and Wife 
 
 LAGRANGE 
 
 Residence of Dr. E. D. Merriam 
 Portraits of Dr. E. D. Merriam and Wife 
 
 " Roman and Amanda Freeman 
 
 " E. H. Sanders and Wife 
 
 Residence of E. H. Sanders 
 
 '* Boman Freeman 
 
 " Allen Sanders 
 
 " Delos M. Sanders 
 
 Portraits of Allen Sanders and Wife 
 
 " Delos M. Sanders and Wife 
 
 " R. B. Muuro and Wife . 
 
 Residence of " "... 
 
 Portrait of Nathan P. Johnson . 
 
 BRIGHTON. 
 
 Residence of James Whipi>le 
 
 Portraits of Leonard H. Loveland and Wife 
 
 AMHERST. 
 
 Residence of Capt. Samuel Flint 
 
 " C. Bailey 
 
 Portraits of Curtis and Lovina Bailey 
 Residence of J. J. Rice, and Foundry of J. J. 
 
 & Co 
 
 Portraits of J. J. Rice and Wife 
 Residence of Emeline Cook 
 Portraits of L. R. Cook and Wife 
 
 " Samuel and Jane Kendeigh 
 
 Residence of Samuel Kendeigh . 
 Late Residence of Geo. Dudley . 
 Residence of Casper Dute . 
 Portraits of Casper Dute and Wife . 
 Residence of Captain E. P. Frink 
 Portraits of Captain E. P. and Aurilla Frink 
 
 ** George and Adaline L. Bryant 
 
 " John J. and Cecilia Kendeigh 
 
 Views of Clough Stone Co.'s Quarries (double 
 Portrait of Henry Warner .... 
 
 " Baxter Clough .... 
 
 " A. A. Crosse, M.D. . 
 
 Portraits of Jacob Hildebrand and Wife , 
 
 Rice 
 
 P.\GE 
 
 facing 274 
 276 
 277 
 277 
 277 
 
 facing 
 
 283 
 283 
 
 facing 284 
 
 facing 297 
 
 " 297 
 
 facing 
 
 298 
 298 
 300 
 300 
 302 
 302 
 305 
 305 
 307 
 307 
 
 fa. 
 
 cing 
 
 308 
 
 308 
 
 between 310, 311 
 
 310,311 
 
 310, 311 
 
 " 310, 311 
 
 312, 313 
 
 312, 313 
 
 312,313 
 
 •' 312, 313 
 
 facing 314 
 
 314 
 
 316 
 
 facing 
 
 320 
 323 
 
 between 226, 227 
 
 facing 325 
 
 325 
 
 page) 
 
 between 326, 327 
 
 " 326, 327 
 
 326, 327 
 
 " 326, 327 
 
 " 328, 329 
 
 328, 329 
 
 328, 329 
 
 330, 331 
 
 .330, 331 
 
 " 330, 331 
 
 " 330, 331 
 
 332, 333 
 
 " 332, 333 
 
 336, 337 
 
 facing 338 
 
 341 
 
 342 
 
 346 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 IXjXjTJSTK/.A^TIOZsrS- 
 
 WELLINGTON. 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 "Evergreen Hill," Residence of F. S. Wadsworth 
 
 between 358 
 
 359 
 
 Residence of D. L. Wadsworth . 
 
 facing 347 
 
 Portraits of Roswell and Jane Smith 
 
 facing 
 
 361 
 
 " James Sheldon 
 
 between 348, 349 
 
 " Selden Hall and Wife . 
 
 . 
 
 361 
 
 " S. D. Bacon . 
 
 348, 349 
 
 Portrait of Abner Loveland .... 
 
 • ■ 
 
 361 
 
 Portraits of James Sheldon and Wife 
 
 348, 349 
 
 Portraits of Silas and Ljdia Miller . 
 
 . 
 
 364 
 
 " S. D. Bacon and Wife . 
 
 348, 349 
 
 Residence of Silas Miller 
 
 " 
 
 364 
 
 Residence of Homer Mason 
 
 facing 350 
 
 W. H. H. Sutliff .... 
 
 . 
 
 366 
 
 " and Portrait of J. H. Dickson 
 
 353 
 
 Portraits of W. H. H. Sutliff and Wife . 
 
 
 366 
 
 Carriage Manufactory of T. Doland . 
 
 354 
 
 
 
 
 Residence of B. B. Herrick 
 
 356 
 
 PITTSFIELD. 
 
 
 
 Portraits of Lawton Wadsworth and Wife 
 
 between 358, 359 
 
 Residence of J. T. Carter 
 
 facing 
 
 368 
 
 BIOGE^^IE'HIIO^Xj. 
 
 Ebenezer Lane . 
 Elijah Parker 
 Reuben Mussey . 
 - Woolsey Welles . 
 Frederick Whittlesey 
 ?. J. Andrews 
 Edward S. Hamlin 
 Horace D. Clark 
 Joel Tiffany 
 Albert A. Bliss . 
 Judson D. Benedict 
 Philemon Bliss . 
 Wm. F, Lockwood 
 Sylvester Bagg . 
 John M. Vincent 
 Lionel A. Sheldon 
 Artemas Beebe, Sr. 
 Nahum B. Gates 
 William H. Tucker 
 Iral A. Webster . 
 Elizur G. Johnson 
 Judge John C. Hale 
 Judge W. W. Boynton 
 Edwin C. Perry, M.D 
 Charles F. Gushing, M.D. 
 Frederick S. Reefy 
 Charles A. Ely . 
 Hon. Philemon Bliss 
 Dr. Luther D. Griswold 
 Wm. A. Braman 
 Ransom E. Braman 
 Dr. L. C. Kelsuy 
 William W. Aldrich 
 Martin W. Pond 
 Hon. Stevenson Burk 
 Elwood P. Haines 
 Edwin D. Holbrook 
 Houston H. Poppleton 
 David Bennett . 
 Ransom Brondon 
 Jesse Eddy , 
 Harry Terrell 
 C. Lester Sexton 
 Richard Blain . 
 Sylvester Hart . 
 Charles G. Finney 
 Rev. James H. Fairchild 
 John Keep . 
 Samuel Matthews 
 Charles Bassett . 
 Lott Parsons 
 Luther Freeman . 
 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 . 45 
 
 
 
 45 
 
 
 
 45 
 
 
 
 46 
 
 
 
 46 
 
 
 
 46 
 
 
 
 47 
 
 
 
 47 
 
 
 
 47 
 
 
 
 48 
 
 
 
 48 
 
 
 
 49 
 
 
 
 49 
 
 
 
 50 
 
 
 
 51 
 
 
 
 51 
 
 between 104, 105 
 
 facing 108 
 
 112 
 
 113 
 
 118 
 
 between 118, 119 
 
 " - 118, 119 
 
 130, 131 
 
 130, 131 
 
 facing 131 
 
 . 134 
 
 . 137 
 
 . 138 
 
 facing 140 
 
 140 
 
 . 141 
 
 
 
 141 
 
 
 
 143 
 
 
 
 144 
 
 
 
 145 
 
 
 
 146 
 
 between 146, 147 
 
 facing 147 
 
 between 156, 157 
 
 " 156, 157 
 
 facing 159 
 
 . 167 
 
 . 168 
 
 between 184, 185 
 
 . 190 
 
 . 191 
 
 . 192 
 
 . 196 
 
 . 196 
 
 . 197 
 
 
 
 198 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Lemuel Abbey 204 
 
 Oel Durkee 205 
 
 William H. Phillips, Esq 206 
 
 John Roach 206 
 
 Conrad Reid facing 208 
 
 Ebenezer Gregg .......... 216 
 
 Capt. Samuel L. Flint 216 
 
 George G. Morse between 218, 219 
 
 Col. E. F. Peck . " 220, 221 
 
 Chester A. Cooley " 226, 227 
 
 Leonard Bradley facing 228 
 
 Deacon George Wells 233 
 
 Solomon Whittlesey ......... 233 
 
 William Sayles 234 
 
 John H. Heymann 234 
 
 Henry Brown .......... 234 
 
 Rev. Alfred H. Betts 235 
 
 William Patterson between 248, 249 
 
 Chauncey Prindle " 248, 249 
 
 Erastus Hecock " 254, 255 
 
 B. S. Corning " 258, 259 
 
 Crispin and Duke Menncll .... " 260, 261 
 
 Mrs. Harriet I. Nesbett 268 
 
 Grindall Rawson 269 
 
 Henry B. Rawson 269 
 
 Allen W. Nichols 269 
 
 Dr. C. B. Knowlton 270 
 
 Stephen H. Brown facing 270 
 
 Edwin Snow 276 
 
 William Hurst 276 
 
 Joseph Schwartz .......... 276 
 
 Albin Stickney ........ facing 276 
 
 Elbridge G. Moon 277 
 
 Dr. Truman B. Dailey 277 
 
 Abram Holland 283 
 
 Roswell B. Boice facing 284 
 
 John Rose ........... 297 
 
 Truman Penfield ......... 305 
 
 Elisha Sheldon 305 
 
 Beri Andrews .......... 306 
 
 Orrin Starr 306 
 
 Street Goodyear and Family ....... 307 
 
 Nathan P. Johnson facing 316 
 
 E. D. Merriam, M.D 316 
 
 R. B. Munro 317 
 
 James Whipple 322 
 
 Leonard H. Loveland ........ 323 
 
 Selden Hall, Sr 323 
 
 Samuel Kendeigh between 328, 329 
 
 George Bryant " 332, 333 
 
 John J. Kendeigh '• 332, 333 
 
 Henry Warner facing 338 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 BZOC3-E.^I=I3:IC^Xj. 
 
 Biixtcr Clough 
 Asahel A. Crosse . 
 Curtis Bailoy 
 Joseph aud J. J. Kicc 
 Lewis Rodman Cook . 
 Caspor Duto 
 Capt. E. P. Frink 
 lion. J. II. Dickson . 
 Lawton Wadsworth 
 Francis S. Wadsworth 
 
 facing 
 between 358 
 
 PAGE 
 
 341 
 342 
 343 
 .344 
 344 
 345 
 345 
 353 
 , 359 
 359 
 
 Sereno D. Baeon . 
 
 Abner Lovcland, Jr. . 
 
 Roswell Smitli . 
 
 Homer Mason and Family 
 
 James Shelden " 
 
 Silas Miller 
 
 Bert B. Herrick '* 
 
 Dr. John W. Houghton 
 
 Wm. H. H. Sutliff 
 
 R. J. Robinson . 
 
 PAGE 
 
 360 
 361 
 361 
 363 
 363 
 364 
 365 
 366 
 366 
 366 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO, 
 
 BY W. W. WILLIAMS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 DISCOVERY. 
 
 The year 986 signalizes the first visitation of white 
 men to the New World. Then it was that Herjulfson, 
 a Xorse navigator, in sailing from Iceland to Green- 
 land, was driven by a storm to the coast of Labrador, 
 or, as some historians claim, to that of Newfouu-dlaud. 
 The uninviting character of the coasts of the new land 
 deterred him from landing. What Herjulfson first 
 saw, it was reserved for other discoverers to expore. 
 The Norsemen returned to Greenland, and there re- 
 lated wonderful stories of the land they had seen, but 
 made no further attempts at discovery. 
 
 Fifteen years later Lief Erickson, a brave and daring 
 Icelandic captain, with mind inflamed with the fabu- 
 lous accounts of his brother Norseman, resolved to 
 extend the discovery of Herjulfson, and in the year 
 1001 set foot upon the shore of Labrador. He directed 
 his course southwest along the coast, and finding the 
 country pleasant and attractive extended his explora- 
 tions, and finally reached the territory embraced 
 within the present State of Massachusetts, where he 
 and his companions remained one year. They pro- 
 ceeded along the coast bordering upon Long Island 
 Sound, and it is claimed that the persevering band 
 even found their way to New York harbor. 
 
 That this early discovery of American soil may not 
 be deemed a myth, we will say, that while ujitil 
 recently historians have been incredulous, they now 
 almost universally concede the fact; and by way of 
 trustworthy information we quote fi'om Humboldt's 
 "Cosmos," as follows: "We are here on historical 
 ground. By the critical and highly f)i"a'ise worthy 
 efEorts of Professor Rafn and the Royal Society of 
 Antiquaries in Copenhagen, the sagas and documents 
 in regard to the expedition of the Norsemen to New- 
 foundland, Nova Scotia, and Vinland, have been pub- 
 lished and satisfactorily commented upon. The dis- 
 covery of the northern part of America by the Norse- 
 men cannot be disputed. The length of the voyage, 
 the direction in which thev sailed, the time of the sun's 
 
 rising and setting, are accurately given. While the 
 Caliphate of Bagdad was still flourishing America was 
 discovered, about the year 1001, by Lief, the son of 
 Eric the Red, at the latitude of forty-one and a half 
 degrees north." 
 
 Nor did the explorations of these intrepid Icelanders 
 cease with the ex2)edition of Erickson and his compan- 
 ions, but in the following year — 1002 — Thorwald 
 Erickson, brother to Lief, stimulated with a desire to 
 see the new and beautiful country, made a voyage 
 to the coast of Maine. He is said to have ended 
 his days in the vicinity of the present town of Fall 
 River, Massachusetts. In 1005 still another brother, 
 Thoi'stein Erickson, with a baud of adventurers, made 
 a similar voyage, and was followed in 1007 by Thor- 
 finn Karlsefne, a celebrated mariner, who sailed 
 southward along the coast as far as Virginia. 
 
 The Norsemen must be regarded as a band of roving 
 adventurers, who effected no settlements, and of 
 whose discoveries but few imi^ortant records have 
 been preserved. The enthusiasm which the first dis- 
 coverers excited gradually subsided, and as there were 
 no spoils in the wilderness which might fall prey to 
 the Norse freebooters and pirates, further occupancy 
 of the country was not attempted. The shadows 
 which had been for a moment dispelled began to 
 darken over the shores of the New World, and the 
 curtain was not again lifted for nearly five hundred 
 years. Then came the achievement of Columbus, in 
 the year 1492. Born of a holy faith and an inflexible 
 purpose, it was the greatest maritime enter25rise in 
 the history of the world. He touched upon an island 
 subsequently called San Salvador, and planting there 
 the banner of Castile, formally claimed jjossession of 
 the land in the name of Isabella, Queen of Spain. 
 Marvelous were the results of discovery and explora- 
 tion which followed. England and France vie with 
 Spain and with each other for the mastery in the New 
 World. The Spanish nation, led on by an insatiable 
 thirst for gold, pushed forward her explorations in 
 America with such energy and spirit that in less than 
 fifty years from the time of the great discovery of 
 
 (9) 
 
10 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Columbus, she liad explored and laid claim to nearly 
 one-half of tlie present territory of tlie United States. 
 Her adventurers had visited the pi-osent States and 
 Territories of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North 
 Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, 
 Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, the Indian Territory, 
 Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Ne- 
 vada and California. 
 
 France likewise made large acquisitions of Ameri- 
 can soil, though of later date. Tlie discoveries and 
 explorations of James Cartier, of tlio patriotic De 
 Monts, of Samuel Chami)lain, of Marquette, of 
 Joliet, and of the gallant La Salle, secured to 
 France, before the close of the Sixteenth century, 
 claims to North American territory greater than 
 those of any other European power. At the time 
 referred to, her sovereignty in America embraced 
 Newfoundland, Acadia, Nova Scotia, Hudson's Bay, 
 all the Cauadas, more than half of Maine, Vermont, 
 and New York, the whole valley of the Mississippi — 
 including its eastern tributaries — the great chain of 
 lakes at the north and Texas at the south, as far as to 
 the Rio Bravo del Norte. 
 
 England's dominions in America lay along the 
 Atlantic seaboard. The thirteen original colonies 
 skirting the Atlantic from Florida to the verge of 
 Nova Scotia were the planting of the English people, 
 and constituted that nation's possessions up to tiie 
 time of the Treaty of Utrecht, in 1713. By virtue 
 of this treaty England obtained large concessions of 
 territory from France. The entire possessions of the 
 Bay of Hudson and its borders; of Newfoundland, 
 subject to the rights of France in its fisheries; and all 
 of Nova Scotia, or Acadia, according to its ancient 
 boundaries, passed from the dominion of Fra^.ce to 
 tliat of England. And now the strife in America for 
 the possession of colonial monopolies and territorial 
 sovereignty was confined to these two great powers. 
 France still maintained lier claim to much the larger 
 extent of territory, but her poi)ulation, scattered over 
 tiiis immense area, numbered only eleven thousand 
 two hundred and forty-nine persons in 1G88, while 
 that of the English colonics in tiie same year exceeded 
 two luindred thousand. A contest of fifty years' 
 duration between these two great powers for territo- 
 rial acquisition in America foHowed, resulting in the 
 Treaty of Paris, in 17fi:?, by virtue Of which France 
 lost and England gain(>d the whole foiintry between 
 the Allegheny mountains and tiie Father of \A^aters, 
 except a small tract lying at tlie montii of the gn^at 
 river. The valley of the Ohio, foi- wliose special 
 conquest a seven years' war li:iil Ixtm Ix^gnn, tJnis 
 passed to the possession of Britain. 
 
 Strangely enough, for the success of tiiis under- 
 taking the English nation was mainly indel)ted to the 
 very hero, who, a few years later, as Commander-in- 
 Chief of the American armie's, was eiiffasfed in 
 wresting it — in common witli tlie territory of the 
 whole country — from British rule, in order to transfer 
 it to the free jieople who should make for humanity a 
 
 new existence in America. In less than a decade the 
 dominions which England took from France were in 
 turn taken from her, and the United States of 
 America obtained a place among the nations of the 
 world, and undertook the glorious work of tilling a 
 territorial continent with commonwealths. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 * THE CONNECTICUT 'WESTERN RESERVE. 
 
 The Western Reserve of Connecticut lies l)etwecn 
 the panillels of 11'" and 12° 2' of north latitude, com- 
 mencing with the western boundary line of Pennsyl- 
 vania, and extending thence one hundred and twenty 
 miles westward. The entire tract embraces an area of 
 seven thousand four hundred and forty square miles, 
 nearly one-third of which is water. If the whole were 
 land, there would be four million seven hundred and 
 sixty-one thousand six hundred acres. It is composed 
 of the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull, Portage, 
 Geauga, Lake, Cu3'ahoga, Medina, Lorain, Huron, 
 Erie, Summit (except the townships of Franklin and 
 Green), the two northern tiers of townships in Ma- 
 honing, the townships of Sullivan, Troy, and Ruggles, 
 in Ashland, and several islands lying north of San- 
 dusky, including Kelly's and Put-in-Bay. This is the 
 land portion of the Reserve. The portion consisting 
 of water lies between the southern shore of Lake Erie 
 and the forty-second degree of north latitude, and is 
 bounded on the east and west by the same parallels of 
 longitude that form the east and west boundaries of 
 the land ])ortion. 
 
 There liave been numerous claimants to tlie soil 
 of the Reserve. In addition to the red man's title. 
 France, England, the United States, Virginia. Massa- 
 chusetts, New York, and Conneccicnt have all, atone 
 time or another, asserted ownership. The claim of 
 France arose by reason of its being a portion of the 
 territorv which she ])ossessed by right of discovery. 
 England laid claim to all territory adjoining those dis- 
 tricts lying along the Atlantic seaboard, whose soil she 
 jiossessed by right of occupancy, asserting ownershiji 
 from sea to sea. The greatest ignorance, however, 
 prevailed in early times as to the inland extent of the 
 y\merican continent. During the reign of James I.^ 
 Sir Francis Drake reported that, from the top of the 
 mountains on the Isthmus of Panama, he had seen 
 both oceans. This led to the belief that the continent 
 from east to west was of no considerable extent, ami 
 (hat the South Sea, by which appellation the Pacilic 
 then was known, did not lie very far removed from 
 tlie Atlantic. As late as 1710, the Duke of Newcastle 
 addressed his letters to the "Island of New England." 
 This ignorance of the inland extent of America, gave 
 rise, as we shall see, to conflicting claims of western 
 
 * For the facts upon which this chapter ishased we are largely indebted 
 to an address deUvered by Judge Boynton. at Elyria, July 4th, 1876. 
 
HISTORY OF LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 11 
 
 territory. Eiialand's valid title to the great west was 
 obtained through conquest, conipelliiig France, in 
 1713 and 1763, to surrender nearly the wiiole of her 
 American possessions. The United States succeeded 
 Great Britain in her riglits of ownorslii[) in American 
 soil, and tiius came to have a claim to tlie lands of 
 the Reserve. Tiie claims of Virginia, .Massaciiusetts, 
 Xcw York and Couueeticut were obtained by virtue 
 of charters granted to English subjects by English 
 sovereigns. The tract of counti-y embraced in the 
 London Company's charter, granted by James I. in 
 1009, whence arose Virginia's claim, commenced its 
 l>onndaries at Old Point Comfort, on the Atlantic, 
 and extended two hundred mdes south, and two hun- 
 dred north from this jioint. From the southernmost 
 l)oint, a line drawn dne west to the Pacific formed the 
 southern boundary; from the nortliernmost point, a 
 lino running diagonally northwesterly through Penn- 
 sylvania and Western Xew York, across the eastern 
 portion of Lake Erie, and terminating finally in the 
 Arctic ocean, formed the nortliwcstern boundary; 
 and the Pacific Ocean, or what was then called the 
 South Sea, the western boundary. Tlie vast empire 
 lying within these four lines included over one-half 
 of tlie North American continent, and embraced all 
 of what was afterwards known as the Northwestern 
 Territory, including of course the lands of the Ke- 
 servc. 
 
 The claim of Massaciiusetts rested for its validity 
 uiion the charter of 1630, granted by James I. to the 
 ('ouncil of Plymouth, and embraced all tlie territory 
 from (lie Atlantic to the Pacific lying between the 
 fortieth and forty-eighth degrees of north latitude. 
 This grant comprised an area of more than a million 
 sipiare miles, and included all of the present inhabited 
 lii'itisli possessions to the north of tiie United States, 
 all of what is now New England, New York, one-half 
 of New Jersey, very nearly all of Pennsylvania, more 
 than the nortliern half of Ohio, and all the country to 
 the west of tiiese States. In 1630, the Earl of War- 
 wick olitained a grant to a part of the same territory, 
 and in the following year assigned a portion of his 
 grant to Lord Brooke and Viscounts Say and Seal. 
 
 In 1061, Charles II. ceded to his brother, the Duke 
 of York, and afterwards King James II. of England, 
 the country from Delaware Bay to the River St. Croix, 
 and afterward it was insisted that the granted territory 
 extended westward to the Pacific. This constituted 
 New York's claim to western territory, of which the 
 lands of the Reserve were a jiortion. In 1662, the 
 same monarch granted to nineteen patentees an ample 
 charter, from which Connecticut derived her claim to 
 a territory bounded by Massachusetts on tiie north, the 
 sea on the south, Narragauset Bay on the east, and 
 the Pacific on the west. This grant embraced a strip 
 of land sixty-two miles wide, extending from Narra- 
 gansett Bay on the east to the Pacific ocean on the 
 west; and the northern and southern boundaries of 
 this tract were the same as those which now form the 
 boundaries at the north and south of the Reserve. 
 
 Thus arose conflicting claims. The extent of terri- 
 tory to which Virginia insisted tiiat she was rightful 
 owner was the largest, and included all the other 
 claims. That of Massachusetts was next in size, and 
 included the whole region claimed for Connecticut, 
 as did the territory embraced in New York's claim. 
 
 The United States did not appear as a contestant 
 until the time of the Revolutionary war, when she, 
 with good reason, insisted that these disputed lands 
 belonged of right to Great Britain's conqueror; that 
 a vacant territory, wrested from a common enemy 
 by the united arms, and at the joint expense and 
 sacrifice of all the States, should be considered as the 
 jiroperty of the conquering nation, to be held in trust 
 for the common benefit of the people of all the States. 
 To show how groundless were the claims of these 
 contesting States, it was pointed out that the charters 
 upon which their titles were founded had in some 
 instances been abrogated by Judicial proceedings, and 
 the companies to Avhom they had been given dissolved; 
 that the charters were given at a time when much of 
 the territory, to which ownership was claimed under 
 them, was in the actual possession and occupancy of 
 another power; that all the various grants were made 
 in the grossest ignorance of the inland extent of the 
 American continent; and that George III. had cither 
 repudiated the charters of his royal jiredecessoi's, or 
 denied to them the right of sovereignty over territory 
 of so vast extent, by issuing a proclamation forbidding 
 all persons from intruding upon lands in the valley of 
 the Ohio. 
 
 Popular feeling ran high. Contentions between 
 conflicting claimants frequently resulted in bloodshed. 
 The prospects of the American Union were darkened; 
 the ratification of the Articles of Confederation was 
 retarded; the difficulty and embarrassments in prose- 
 cuting the war for independence were greatly aug- 
 mented. Mainland would not become a member of 
 the Union unless the States claiming western territory 
 would relinquish to Congress their title. In the midst 
 of these gloomy and foreboding events, in which 
 disaster to the common cause was more to be feared 
 at the hands of its friends than of its enemies. Con- 
 gress made a strong appeal to the claiming States to 
 avert the approaching danger by a cessation of con- 
 tentious discord among themselves, and by making 
 liberal cessions of western territory for the common 
 benefit. New York was the first to resjiond, and in 
 1780 ceded to the United States the lands she claimed 
 lying west of a line running south from the western 
 bend of Lake Ontario, reserving an area of nineteen 
 thousand square miles. Virginia, in 1781, relinquished 
 in favor of Congress her title to lands lying northwest 
 of the Ohio, reserving a district of land in Ohio lying 
 between the Scioto and Little Miami, which came to 
 be known as the Virginia Military District, which 
 reservation was made in order to enable Virginia to 
 fulfill pledges to her soldiers in the Revolutionai-y 
 war of bounties payable in western lands. In 1785, 
 Massachusetts ceded the western territory to which 
 
13 
 
 niSTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 she had been a chiiniiint, reserviiiE; tlic same nineteen 
 thousand square miles reserved by New York, which 
 disputed territory was afterwards divided equally be- 
 tween tiiese two States. Connecticut was the most 
 reluctant and tardy of all the contesting States iu 
 sacrificing State pretensions for the common benefit. 
 Ilowever, on the 14th day of September, 1786, her 
 authorized delegates in Congress relinquished all the 
 right, title, interest, jurisdiction and claim that she 
 possessed to land within her chartered limits lying 
 west of a line one hundred and twenty miles west of 
 and parallel with the western boundary line of the 
 State of Pennsylvania. The tract of laud and water 
 lying west of Pennsylvania for one hundred and 
 twenty miles, and between latitudes 41° and 42° 2' 
 north, was not conveyed, — hence reserved by Con- 
 necticut, and hence was called the Western Reserve 
 of Connecticut. 
 
 As Connecticut's claim included nearly the whole 
 of the northern half of the present State of Pennsyl- 
 vania, it infringed upon the rights of the jseojile of 
 the latter State or colony, who alleged ownership by 
 virtue of the charter to William Penn. granted by 
 James II. of England, in 1681. Both States strove 
 for the occujiancy of the disputed soil, and Connec- 
 ticut sold to certain individuals seventeen townships, 
 situated on or near the Susquehanna river, organized 
 the tract into a civil township, called it Westmore- 
 land, and attached it to the probate district and county 
 of Litchfield, in Connecticut. Westmoreland repre- 
 sentatives occupied seats in the Connecticut legisla- 
 ture. Pennsylvania protested, and, when the Revolu- 
 tionary contest closed, sent an armed force to drive 
 the intruders from the lands. The shedding of blood 
 resulted. The controversy was finally submitted to a 
 court of commissioners appointed by congress, upon 
 the petition of^ Pennsylvania, as provided in the ninth 
 article of the Confederation, which gave to congress 
 the power to establish a court for the settlement of 
 disputed boundaries. 
 
 This court sat at Trenton, New Jersey, in 1787, when 
 the case was tried, and decided against Connecticut. 
 The title to lauds lying west of Pennsylvania was not 
 involved in this adjudication, and Connecticut still 
 insisted upon the validity of her claim to lands not 
 ceded by her to the United States. 
 
 At a session of the Connecticut legislature, held at 
 New Haven, in 178G aiul in 1787, it was resolved to 
 offer for sale that part of the Reserve lying east of the 
 Cuyahoga, the Portage path, and the Tuscarawas 
 branch of the Muskingum, and a committee of three 
 persons was appointed to cause a survey to be made 
 and to negotiate a sale. Nothing, however, was 
 immediately done. On the 10th of Feln-uary, 1788, 
 however, certain lands lying within the limits of the 
 Reserve were sold to General Samuel H. Parsons, then 
 of Middletown, Connecticut. This was afterwards 
 known as the Salt Spring tract. No survey had been 
 made, but in the description of the land conveyed the 
 numbers of the ranges and townships were designated 
 
 as if actually defined. General Parsons had explored 
 the country, and had found the location of a salt 
 spring near the Mahoning. He selected his tract so 
 as it should include this spring, from which he 
 expected to manufacture salt and to make his fortune. 
 The entire number of acres thus sold and conveyed to 
 Mr. Parsons, as afterwards determined by the survey 
 made by the (!onnecticut Land Company, was twenty- 
 five thousand four hundred and fifty. The descri))- 
 tion in the deed is as follows: 
 
 " Beginning at the northeast corner of the first township, in the third 
 range of townships; thence rnnning northwardly on the west line of 
 the second range of said lands to forty-one degrees and twelve minutes 
 of north latitude; thence west three miles; thence southwardly parallel 
 to the west line of Pennsylvania two miles and one-half; thence west 
 three miles to the west line of said third range; thence southwardly 
 parallel to the west line of Pennsylvania to the north hue of the first 
 township, in the third range; thence east to the first bound." 
 
 In 1795 Connecticut sold all the Reserve, except 
 the "Sufferers' Lands" and the Salt Spring tract, to 
 a number of men who came to be known as the Con- 
 necticut Land Company, The "Sufferers' Lands'' 
 comprise a tract of five hundred thousand acres, taken 
 from the western end of the Reserve, and set apart by 
 the legislature of the State on the 10th of May, 1792, 
 and donated to the suffering inhabitants of the towns 
 of Greenwich, Norwalk, Fairfield, Danbury, New and 
 East Haven, New London, Richlield and Groton, who 
 had sustained severe losses during the Revolution. 
 Upwards of two thousand persons were rendered 
 homeless from the incursions of the British, aided 
 by Benedict Arnold, and their villages pillaged and 
 burned. To compensate them for this great calamity 
 this donation was made to them. The lands thus 
 given are boundel on the north by Lake Erie, south 
 by the base-line of the Reserve, west by its western 
 line, and east by a line parallel with the western line, 
 and at such a distance from it as to embrace one-half 
 million of acres. The counties of Huron and Erie 
 and the township of Ruggles, in Ashland, comprise 
 these lands. An account of each sufferer's loss was 
 taken in pounds, shillings and pence, and a price 
 placed upon the lands, and each of the sufferers 
 received lands proportioned to the amount of his loss. 
 These lands finally took the name of '' Fire Lands," 
 from the fact that the greater part of the losses resulted 
 from fire. 
 
 The resolution authorizing the sale of the remain- 
 der of the Reserve, adopted at a session of the General 
 Assembly, held at H;irtford, in May, 1795, is as 
 follows: 
 
 " Resolved, By this Assembly, that a committee be appointed to re- 
 ceive any proposals that may be made, by any person or persons, 
 whether inhabitants of the tTnited States or others, for the purchase of 
 the lands belonging to this State lying west of the west line of Pennsyl- 
 vania as claimed by that State, and the said committee are hereby fully 
 authorized and empowered, in the name and behalf of this State, to nego- 
 tiate with any such person or persons on the subject of any such pro- 
 posal. And also to perform and complete any contract or contracts for 
 the sale of said lands, and to make and execute, under their hands and 
 seals, to the purchaser or purchasers, a deed or deeds duly authenti- 
 cated, quitting, in l)ehalf of this State, all right, title, and interest, 
 juridicial and territorial, in and to the said lands, to hira or them, and to 
 his or their heirs, forever. That before the executing of said deed or 
 deeds, the purchaser or purchasers shall give their note or bond, paya- 
 ble to the treasurer of this State, for the purchase-money, carrying an 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 13 
 
 interest of six per centum, payable annually, to commence from the 
 date thereof, or from such future period, not exceeding two years from 
 the date, as circumstances, in the opinion of the committee may re- 
 quire, and as may be agreed on between them and the said purchaser 
 or purchasers, with good and sufficient sureties, inhai)itants of this 
 State, or with a sufficient deposit of banlc or other stock of the United 
 States, or of the particular States, which note or bond shall be taken 
 payable at a period not mrre remote than five years from the date, or, 
 if by annual installments, so that the last installment be [layable within 
 ten years from the date, either in specie, or in six per cent., three per 
 cent., or deferred stock of the United States, at the discretion of the 
 committee. That if the committee shall find that it will be most bene- 
 ficial to the State, or its citizens, to form several contracts for the .sale 
 of said lands, they shall not consummate any of the said contracts apart 
 by themselves while the others lie in a train of negotiation only, but all 
 the contracts which taken together shall comprise the whole quantity 
 of the said lands shall be consummated together, and the purchasers 
 shall hold their respective parts or proportions as tenants in common 
 of the whole tract or territory, and not in severalty. That said com- 
 mittee, in whatever manner they shall find it best to sell the lanils, 
 whether by an entire contract or by several contracts, shall in no case 
 be at liberty to sell the whole quantity for a principal sum less than one 
 million of dollars in specie, or if the day of payment be given, for a sum 
 of less value than one million of dollars in specie, with interest at six 
 per cent, per annum from the time of such sale." 
 
 The following were appointed a committee to nego- 
 tiate the sale: John Tread well, James Wadsworth, 
 Marvin Wait, William Edmonds, Tliomas Grosvenor, 
 Aaron Anstin, Elijah Hubbard, and Sylvester Gilbert. 
 These eight persons were selected, one from each of 
 the eight counties of the State. They effected a sale 
 in separate contracts with forty-eight different indi- 
 viduals, realizing for the State the sum of one million 
 two hundred thousand dollars. Most of the pur- 
 chasers made their bargains each separately from the 
 others, although in some instances several associated 
 together and took their deeds jointly. The contracts 
 made were as follows: with 
 
 Joseph Howland. I jg,, 45, 
 
 Daniel L. Coit, ( ' 
 
 Elias Morgan, I c, .^9 
 
 Daniel L. Coit. f "''^"^ 
 
 Caleb Atwater 22.816 
 
 Daniel Holbrook S.T.jO 
 
 Joseph AVilliams 15,2;il 
 
 William Law 10..500 
 
 William Judd 16.250 
 
 Elisha Hyde. I =- ,nn 
 
 UriaTraeey, f ^••*'" 
 
 James Johnson 30,lM0 
 
 Samuel Mather. Jr 18,461 
 
 Ephraim Kirljy, I 
 
 Elijah Boardman, y 60,000 
 
 Uriel Holmes, Jr., ) 
 
 Oliver Phelps. I on nnn 
 
 Gideon Granger, f *''"™ 
 
 Solomon Griswold 10,000 
 
 William Hart 30,46J 
 
 Henry Champion 2d 85,675 
 
 Ashur Miller .34,000 
 
 Robert. C. Johnson 60.000 
 
 Ephraim Post 42.000 
 
 Nehemiah Hubbard, Jr... 19.039 
 
 Solomon Cowles $10,005 
 
 Oliver Phelps 108.180 
 
 Ashael Hathaway 12.000 
 
 John Caldwell. I lemin 
 
 Pel eg Sandtord, f ^^'"^ 
 
 Timothy Burr 1.5,2:31 
 
 Luther Loomis, ( j. 0,0 
 
 Ehenezer King, Jr., ( «,oio 
 
 William Lyman, ) 
 
 John Stoddard, }■ 21,730 
 
 David King, ) 
 
 Moses Cleaveland .32.600 
 
 Samuel P. Lord 14,092 
 
 Roger Neivljury, J 
 
 Enoch Perkins, V 38,000 
 
 Jonathan Brace, \ 
 
 Ephraim Starr 17,415 
 
 Sylvanus Griswold 1,683 
 
 ,labez Stocking, I ,, ,,,« 
 
 Joshua Stow, f "•^'^* 
 
 Titus Street 22,846 
 
 James Bull, ) 
 
 Aaron Olmstead, V 30,000 
 
 John Wyles. j 
 
 Pierpont Edwards 60,000 
 
 Amounting to 81,200,000 
 
 The State by its committee made deeds to the several 
 purchasers in the foregoing amounts, each grantee 
 becoming owner of such a proportion of the entire 
 purchase as the amount of his contract bore to the 
 total amount. For example: the last-named indi- 
 vidual, Pierpont Edwards, having engaged to pay 
 sixty thousand dollars towards the purchase, received 
 a deed for sixty thousand twelve hundred thousandths 
 of the entire Reserve, or one-twentieth part. These 
 deeds were recorded in the office of the Secretary 
 of the State of Connecticut, and afterwards copied 
 into a book, commonly designated as the "Book of 
 Drafts." 
 
 The individuals above named formed themselves 
 into a company called the Connecticut Land Company, 
 a brief history of whose doings will be presented in 
 the succeeding chapter. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT LAND COMPANIT. 
 
 The members of this company etiected an organi- 
 zation on the 5th day of September, 1795. This was 
 done at Hartford, Connecticut. They adopted articles 
 of association and agreement, fourteen in number. 
 Their first article designated the name by which they 
 chose to be known. Article number two provided for 
 the appointment of a committee, consisting of three 
 of their number, — John Caldwell, John Brace, and 
 John Morgan, — to whom each purchaser was required 
 to execute a deed in trust of his share in the purcliase, 
 receiving in exchange a certificate from the.se trustees 
 showing that the holder thereof was entitled to a 
 certain share in the Connecticut Western Reserve, 
 which certificate of share was transferable by proper 
 assignment. The form of this certificate is given in 
 Article IX. Article III. provides for the appointment 
 of seven directors, and empowers them to procure an 
 extinguishment of the Indian title to said Reserve; to 
 cause a survey of the lands to be made into townships 
 containing each sixteen thousand acres; to fix on a 
 township in which the first settlement shall be made, 
 to survey the township thus selected into lots, and to 
 sell such lots to actual settlers only; to erect in said 
 township a saw-mill and a grist mill at the expense of 
 the company; and to lay out and sell five other town- 
 ships to actual settlers only. Article IV. obliges the 
 surveyors to keep a regular field-book, in which they 
 shall accurately describe tiie situation, soil, waters, 
 kinds of timber, and natural productions of each 
 township; said book to be kept in the office of the clerk 
 of said directors, and open at all times to the inspec- 
 tion of each proprietor. Article V. provides for the 
 appointment by the directors of a clerk, and names 
 his duties. Article VI. makes it obligatory upon the 
 trustees to give to each of the proprietors a certificate 
 as named above. Article VII. imposes a tax of ten 
 dollars upon each share to enable the directors to 
 accomplish the duties assigned to them. Article 
 VIII. divides the purcha.se into four hundred shares, 
 and gives each shareholder one vote for every share up 
 to forty shares, when he shall thereafter have but one 
 vote for every five shares, except as to the (juestion of 
 the time of making a partition of the territory, in 
 determining which every share shall be entitled to 
 one vote. Article X. fixes the dates of several future 
 meetings to be held. Article XI. reads: 
 
 '*And whereas, some of the proprietors may choose that their propor- 
 tious of said Reserve should be divided tu them in one lot or location, it is 
 agreed that in case one-third in value of the owners shall, after a survey 
 of said Reserve in townships, signify to said directors or meeting a re- 
 quest that such third part be set off in manner aforesaid, that said 
 directors may appoint three commissioners, who shall have power to 
 divide the whole of said purchase into three parts, equal in value, 
 
14 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 according to quantity, quality, and situation; and when said commis- 
 sioner's sliall have so ilivided said Reserve, and made a report in writing 
 of their doings to saiil directors, describing precisely the boundaries of 
 each part, tlie said directors shall call a meeting oE said proprietors, 
 giving the notice required by these articles; anil at such meeting the 
 said three parts shall be numbered, and the number of each part shall 
 be written on a separate I)iece of paper, and shall, in the presence of 
 such meeting, be by the chairman of said meeting put into a box, and 
 a person, appointed l)y said meeting for lluit purpose, shall draw out ipf 
 said box one of said numbers, and ihe part designated by such number 
 shall be aparted to su h person or persons requesting such a severance. 
 and the said trustees shall, ttpon receivmg a written direction from 
 said directors for that purpose, execute a deed to such per-ion or per- 
 sons accordingly; after which, such person or persons shall have no 
 power to act in said conq)aii.y." 
 
 Article XU. eniiiowt^Ts the company to raise money 
 by a tax on tlie ]iroi)rietor.s, anil to disiio.se, iiiioii 
 certain eoiulition.s, of so niiicli nf a |ii-o[irietor"s in- 
 terest, in case of (leliiii(iHincy,, as shall be necessary to 
 satisfy tlie as.sessment. Article XIII. provides for 
 the apiiointiiu'iit liy tlie comiiaiiy of a successor to a 
 trustee who may have caused a vacancy in the ofilce 
 by deatli. Article .\i\'. places the directors in the 
 transaction of any business of the company under the 
 control of the latter "by a vote of at least three- 
 fourths of the interest of stiid company." 
 
 The following gtqitlemen were chosen to consti- 
 tute the board of directors: Oliver Phelps, Henry 
 Champion ("-Jnd), Moses Cloaveland, Samuel W. 
 Johnson, KiihraJm Kirby, Saiimel Mather, Jr., and 
 Roger Newbury. At a meeting liehl in April, 17!)U, 
 Ephraim Root was made clerk, ;ind continued to in 
 act this capacity until the dissolution of the company 
 in 1809. A moderator was chosen at each meeting, 
 and changes of directors were made from lime to time. 
 
 Tin; XAIIES OF TIIK MEMIilCRS OI? THE CONNECTICUT 
 ]..\N1) COMl'ANY. 
 
 The following arc Ihe names i.if the persons who 
 subscribed to the " .Vrticles of Associtilion and Agree- 
 ment constituting the Connecticut Land Company:'' 
 
 Ashur Miller, 
 Uriel Holmes. Jr.. 
 Ephraim Starr, 
 Luther L->oniis. 
 Roger Newbury for 
 Justin Ely, 
 Elisha Strong, 
 Joshua Stow, 
 Jabez Stocking, 
 Solomon Oowles, 
 J<:inathan Brace, 
 Daniel L. Coit 
 Enoch Perkins, 
 Elijah Boardman, 
 "Williaiu Hart, 
 Samuel Mather,, Jr., 
 Caleb Atwaler, 
 Nehemiah Hubbard, Jr., 
 Lemuel .Storrs, 
 
 ,lose[)h Ihnvland, 
 Pierponl Edwards, 
 James Bull, 
 Titus Street, 
 William .ludd, 
 Rol)ert C. .lohn.son, 
 Samuel F. Lord, 
 Ephraim Kelly, 
 Oliver Phelps, 
 (Jideon Granger, ,Jr. 
 Tephaiiiih Swift, 
 Moses Cleaveland, 
 Joseph Williams, 
 Peleg Saudford, 
 William M. Bliss, 
 John Stoddard, 
 William B.attle, 
 Benajab Kent, 
 Timothy Burr, 
 
 William I.,aw, 
 James Johnson, 
 Elisha Hyde, 
 Uriah Tracey, 
 William Lyman, 
 Daniel Holbrook, 
 Ejihraim Root, 
 Solomon Griswold, 
 Tliaddeus Levvett, 
 Ebenezer King, Jr., 
 Roger Newbury, 
 Elijah White, 
 Eliphalet Austin, 
 Joseph C. Yates, and 
 Samuel Mather, in be- 
 half of themselves 
 and their associates 
 in All)any, State of 
 New York. 
 
 Before this organi/.ed body of men lay the impor- 
 tant work of obtaining a perfect title to thciri)urchase; 
 of causing a survey of the lands to be maile; of making 
 partition of the same; and then of inducing colonies 
 of men to undertake tlie settlement. 
 
 To these tasks tlie purchasers addressed themselves 
 in right good earnest. In order to make sound their 
 title they must obtain from the United States a release 
 
 of the government's claim, — a very just and formid- 
 able one, — and to extinguish the title of tlie Indian, 
 who.se right to the soil rested upon the substantial 
 basis of actual occujiancy. Whatever interest \'irgiiiia, 
 Massachusetts, and New York may have had in the 
 Western Reserve had jiassed to the United States, and 
 if none of the claiming States had title, the dominion 
 ;ind ownership were transferred to the general govern- 
 ment by the treaty made with Gretit Britain at the 
 close of the Revolution. There was, therefore, a very 
 reasonable solitutude ujion the [lart of the Connecticut 
 Land ('omi)any, lest the claim of the United States 
 Would, if issue were made, be proven to be of greater 
 valiilily than that of Connecticut, the company's 
 graiitor. Another difficulty made itself felt. AViien 
 an attempt was made to settle the Reserve, it was 
 discovered that it was so far removed from Connecticut 
 as to make it impracticable for that State to extend 
 her laws over the same, or to make new ones for the 
 government of the inhabitants. Congress had pro- 
 vided in the ordinance of 17S7 for the government of 
 the Northwestern Territory; but to admit jurisdiction 
 by the general government over this part of that terri- 
 tory would be a virtual acknowledgment of the validity 
 of the government's title, and therefore an indirect 
 proof of the insufficiency of the company's title. The 
 right to siu;h jurisdiction was therefore denied, and 
 Connecticut was urged to obtain from the Unitetl 
 States a release of the governmentid claim. The result- 
 was that congress, on the :J8th day of Ajiril, ISOO, 
 authorized the President to execute and deliver, on 
 the part of the United States, letters i)atent to the 
 governor of Connecticut, releasing all right and title 
 to the soil of the Reserve, upon condition that Connec- 
 ticut should, on her part, forever renounce and release 
 to the United Sttites entire and complete civil juris- 
 diction over the Reserve. Thus Connecticut obtaine(l 
 from the United States her claim to the soil, and 
 transmitted iind confirmed it to the Connecticut Laml 
 ('onn),-iny and to those who had purchased from it, 
 and jurisdiction for the purposes of government vested 
 in the United States. 
 
 THE EXTlNtHlSHMENT OF THE INDIAN TITLE. 
 
 At the close of the Revolution the general govern- 
 ment sought by peaceable means to acquire the red 
 man's title to the soil northwest of the Ohio. On the 
 2 1st of January, 1785, a treaty was concluded at Fort 
 Mcintosh with four of the Indian tribes, the Wijnn- 
 ihts, Ddaiiidrcx, C/iijjpewa.s, and Ot fawns. By this 
 treaty the Cuyahoga and the portage between it and 
 the Tuscariiwtis were agreed upon as the boundtiry on 
 the Reserve between the United States and the Indians. 
 All east of the Cuyahoga was in fact ceded to the 
 United States. The luditms soon became dissatisfied, 
 and refused to comply with the terms of the treaty. 
 On January 0, 1789, another treaty was concluded at 
 Fort Harmar, at the mouth of the Muskingum, be- 
 tween Arthur St. Clair, acting for the United States, 
 and the Wyandots, Dclawares, Clivppeioas and Siac 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIlsr COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 15 
 
 Nations, l)y which the terms of tlio former treaty were 
 renewed and confirmed. Bnt only a short timeehipsed 
 before the Indians viohited their pompact. Peaceful 
 means failing, it became necessary to compel obedience 
 bv the use of arms. Vigorous means for relief and 
 protection for the white settler were called for and 
 enforced. At first the Indians were successful; ])ut 
 in 1794, General Wayue, at the head of three thou- 
 sand five hundred me:), encountered the enemy on the 
 2()th (lay of August, on the Maumee, and gained a 
 decisive victory. Nearly every chief was slain. The 
 Treaty of (h-eenville was the result, (ioneral Wayne 
 met in grand council twelve of tlie most powerful 
 northwestern tribes, and the Indians again yielded 
 their claims to the lauds east of the Cuyahoga, and 
 made no further effort to regain them. 
 
 We quote as follows from Judge Boynton's Histori- 
 cal Address, to which we are chiefly indebted for the 
 facts given in this and the preceding chapter: 
 
 "The Cuyahoga river and the portage between it and the Tuscarawas, 
 as between the United States and the Indians, constituted the western 
 boundary of the United States, upon the Reserve, until .July 4th, ISO.j, 
 On that day a treaty was made at Fort Industry with the chiefs and 
 warriors of the iVyaiidot, Ottawa, Chippewa, Munsee, Delaware, 
 Skawnee and Pottawatomie nations, by which the Indian title to all the 
 lands of the Reserve lying west of the Cuyalioga was extinguished. By 
 this treaty all the lands lying between the Cuyahoga and the Meridian. 
 one hundred and twenty miles west of Pennsylvania, were ceded by 
 the Indians for twenty thousand dollars in goods, and a perpetual 
 annuity of nine thousand five hundred dollars payable in goods at first 
 cost. And although this annuity remains unpaid, l)ecause there is no 
 one to claim it, the title to the laud on the Reserve west of that river 
 was forever set at rest." 
 
 SURVEY OF THE WESTERN RESERVE. 
 
 The title having been perfected, the comjiany made 
 preparations to survey the portion of the Ileserve 
 lying east of the Cuyahoga. In the early part of 
 May, 17'JC, the company fitted out an expedition for 
 this puri)ose, of which Moses Cleaveland was the 
 leader of a company — all told of about fortv men — • 
 live of tlieni surveyors, one a physician, and the rest 
 cliaiumeu and axemen. 
 
 By i)revious arrangement they met at Scheiiectadv, 
 New York, at which point they commenced their 
 journey, ascending the Mohawk in four flat-lioMomed 
 boats, proceeding by the way of Oswego, Niagara and 
 Queenstown to Buffalo, reaching the soil of tiie 
 Reserve on the -Itli of July. 
 
 The names of this surveying-jjarty, a company of 
 fifty-two persons, all told, are as follows: Moses 
 Cleaveland, the Land Company's agent; Joshua Stow, 
 commissary; Augustus Porter, principal surveyor; 
 Setli Pease, Mo.ses Warren, Amos Spafford, Milton 
 Holley and Richard M. Stoddaid, surveyors; Theodore 
 Shepard, ])hysician; Josepii Tinker, principal boat- 
 man; Joseph Mclntyre, (feorge Proudfoot, Francis 
 Gray, Samuel Forbes, Elijaii Uunn, wife and child, 
 Amos Sawtel, Samuel Hungerford, Amos Barber, 
 Stephen Benton, Amzi Atwater, Asa Mason, Michael 
 Coffin, Samuel Davenport, Samuel Agnew, Shadrach 
 Benham, William B. Hall, Elisha Ayers, George 
 Gooding, Norman Wilcox, Thomas Harris, Timothy 
 
 Dunham, Wareham Shepard, David Beard, John 
 Briant, Titus V. Munson, Joseph Landon, Olney F. 
 Rice, James Hamilton, John Lock, James Halket, 
 Job V. Stiles and wife, Charles Parker, Ezekiel 
 Morley, Nathaniel Doan, Luke Hanchet, Samuel 
 Barnes, Daniel Shulay ami Stephen Burbank. 
 
 It is a noteworthy coincidence that this advance- 
 guard of the army of civilization that was soon to 
 people the territorial limits of the Reserve, first 
 touched her soil on the anniversary of America's 
 independence. Thus, in this signal manner, did a 
 new colony, destined to play so important a part in 
 the future of the nation, l)cgin its existence on the 
 same day of the same month in which the nation 
 itself began to exist. Nor were these sons of 
 Revolutionary fathers oblivious of the day which not 
 only commemorates the birth of their country's 
 freedom, bnt should henceforth be to them and their 
 posterity the anniversary of the day on which their 
 pilgrimage ended, and on which Ijegan their labors, 
 toils and sufferings for the establishment, in the 
 wilderness of Ohio, of homes for themselves and their 
 children. Animated with emotions appropriate to 
 the occasion, these Pilgrim Fathers of the Western 
 Reserve celebrated the day with such rude demonstra- 
 tions of patriotic devotion and joy as they were able 
 to invent. 
 
 They gathered together in groups on the eastern 
 bank of the creek now known as the Conneaut; the}' 
 pledged fidelity to their country in liquid dipped 
 from the pure waters of the lake; they discharged 
 from two or three fowling-pieces the nati(nial salute; 
 they ate, drank, and were merry, blessing the land 
 which many of them had assisted in delivering from 
 British oppression; and they may have indulged in 
 glowing predictions as to the future greatness and 
 glory of the colonies they were about to plant. Could 
 one of their number who shared their fancies, bnt 
 who lived to see no part of them realized, behold to- 
 day the changes wliich have proceeded in so wonder- 
 ful a manner, we think that he would admit that the 
 boldest anticipations of the little party of 179G were 
 but a feeble conception of the reality. However diffi- 
 cult it might be for him to understand the stages of 
 the process by which so great a transformation has 
 taken ijlace, the actual truth would still present itself 
 for his contemplation, Wliat would astonish him 
 most would be, not the conquest of forests, but that 
 they have been succeeded by the numerous thriving 
 cities and villages and the multitudinous homes of 
 the prospering farmei', established on nearly every 
 quarter-section of land in this county; that distance 
 has been annihilated by the use of steam and the con- 
 sequent acceleration of speed; that wealth and popu- 
 lation have been so rapidly cumulative; that the com- 
 munity is so opulent and enlightened; that education 
 is fostered by so admirable a system of free schools; 
 that intelligence is universally diffused by so many 
 representatives of a free press; that moral oi^iuion has 
 gained such ground; that religion is sustained by the 
 
IG 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 convictions of :in cnliglitcncd faith, and that the hap- 
 piness of tlie people is universal and secure. 
 
 They christened the place where occurred these 
 demonstrations of patriotism and joy. Fort Inde- 
 pendence, and the following are the toasts which 
 they drank: 
 
 1st. The I'resiilent of the United State's. 
 
 2d. The State of Connecticut. 
 
 3d. The Connecticut Land Company. 
 
 4th. May the Port of Independence and the fifty sons and daughters 
 wlio have entered it this day be successful and prosperous : 
 
 5tli. May tiiese sons and daughters multiply in sixteen years sixteen 
 times fifty : 
 
 6th. May every person have his bowsprit trimmed and ready to enter 
 every port that opens. 
 
 The surveyors proceeded to tlie south line of the 
 Reserve, and ascertained the point where the forty- 
 first degree of north latitude intersects the western 
 line of Penn.sylvauia, and from this line of latitude 
 as a base, meridian lines five miles apart were run 
 north to the lake. Lines of latitude were then run 
 five miles apart, thus dividing the Reserve into town- 
 ships five miles S([uare. As the lands lying west of 
 the Cuyahoga remained in possession of the Indians 
 until the Treaty of Fort Industiy, in 1805, the 
 Reserve was not surveyed at this time farther west 
 than to the Cuyahoga and the portage between it and 
 the Tuscarawas, a distance west from the western 
 line of Pennsylvania of fifty-six miles. Tlie remainder 
 of the Reserve was surveyed in 1806. The Land 
 Company made a contract with Abraham Tap})an 
 and Anson Sessions, in 1805, for the survey of the 
 lands of the Reserve between the Sufferers' lands and 
 the Cuyahoga. The limited width of range nineteen, 
 emliracing in Lorain county the townships of Brown- 
 helm, Henrietta, Canxden, Brighton and Rochester, 
 is proof of the fact that the Reserve is less than one 
 hundred and twenty miles in length. Judge Boynton 
 says: 
 
 "This tier of townships is gore-shaped, and is much less than five 
 miles wide, circumstances leading the company to divide all south of 
 Brownhelm into tr.acts, and use them for purposes of equalization. 
 The west line of range nineteen, from north to south, as originally run, 
 bears to the west, and between it and range twenty, as indicated on the 
 map, there is a stri]) of land, also gore-shaped, that was left in the first 
 instance unsurveyed, the surveyors not knowing the exact whereabouts 
 of the eastern line of the "half million acres '" belonging to the Suf- 
 ferers. In 1801), .\mos Spafford, of Cleveland, and Alnion Ruggles, of 
 Huron, were agreed on by the two companies to ascertain and locate 
 the line between the Fire Lands and the lands of the Connecticut Com- 
 pany. They first surveyed off the "half million acres " belonging to tlie 
 SulTerers, and, not agreeing with Seth Pease, who had run out the base 
 and west line, a dispute arose between the two companies, which was 
 finally adjusted before the draft by establishing the eastern line of the 
 Fire Lands where it now is. This left a strip of land east of the Fire 
 Lands, called surplus lands, which was included in range nineteen, and 
 is embraced in the western tier of townships of Lorain county." 
 
 THE .\PPOIXTME.VT OF AN EQU.\LIZIXG COMMITTEE. 
 
 .M'ler this survey was completed, the Land Com- 
 ]iaiiy, in cn-iier tlutt the shareholders might share 
 eipiitabiy as nearly as possible tlie lands of the 
 Reserve, or to avoid the likelihond of a part of the 
 .shareholders drawing the best and others the medium 
 and others again the poorest of the lands, appointed 
 an eijualizing committee, whose duties we will explain. 
 
 The amount of the purchase-money, one million 
 two hundred thousand dollars, was divided into four 
 hundred shares, each share value being three thousand 
 dollars. The holder of one share, therefore, had one 
 four-hundredth undivided interest in the whole tract, 
 and he who held four or five or twenty shares had 
 four or five or twenty times as much interest undi- 
 vided in the whole Reserve as he who held but one. 
 As some townships would be more valuable than 
 others, the company adopted, at a meeting of share- 
 holders at Hartford, Connecticut, in April, 1796, a 
 mode of making partition, and ajipointed a committee 
 of equalization to divide the Reserve in accordance 
 with the company's plan. The committee appointed 
 were Daniel Holbrook, William Shepperd, Jr., Moses 
 Warren, Jr., Seth Pease and Amos Spafford, and the 
 committee who made up their report at Canandaigua, 
 New York, December 13th, 1797, were William 
 Shepperd, Jr., Moses Warren, Jr., Seth Pease and 
 Amos Spafford. 
 
 The directors of the company, in accordance with 
 Article III. of the Articles of Association, selected 
 six townships to be offered for sale to actual settlers 
 alone, and in which the first improvements were 
 designed to be made. The townships thus selected 
 were numbers eleven, in the sixth range; ten, in the 
 ninth range; nine, in the tenth range; eight, in the 
 eleventh range; seven, in the twelfth range; and two, 
 in the second range. These townships are now 
 known as Madison, Mentor and Willoughby, in Lake 
 county; Euclid and Newburgh, in Cuyahoga county; 
 and Youngstown in Mahoning. Number three, in 
 the third range, or Weathersfield, in Trumbull 
 county, was omitted from the first draft made by the 
 company owing to the uncertainty of the boundaries 
 of Mr. Parsons' claim. This township has sometimes 
 been called the Salt Spring township. The six town- 
 ships above named were offered for sale before partition 
 was made, and jiarts of them were sold. 
 
 Excepting the Parsons claim and the seven town- 
 ships above named, the remainder of the Reserve east 
 of the Cuyahoga was divided among the members of 
 the company in accordance with the following 
 
 MODE OF PARTITION. 
 
 The four best townships in the eastern jiart of the 
 Reserve were selected and surveyed into lots, an 
 average of one hundred lots to the township. As 
 there were four hundred shares, the four townships 
 would yield one lot for every share. When these lots 
 were drawn, each holder or holders of one or more 
 shares participated in the draft. The committee 
 selected township eleven, in range seven, and town- 
 ships five, six and seven, in range eleven, for the four 
 best townshijis. These are Perry, in Lake county, 
 Northfield, in Summit county, Bedford and Warren- 
 ville, in Cuyahoga county. 
 
 Then the committee proceeded to .select from the 
 remaining townships certain other townships that 
 should be next in value to the four already selected. 
 
HISTOKY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 17 
 
 which were to be used for equalizing purposes. The 
 tracts thus selected being whole townships .and parts 
 of townships, were in number twenty-four, as follows: 
 sis, seven, eight, nine .and ten, in the eiglith range; 
 six, seven, eight and nine, in the ninth range; and 
 one, five, six, seven and eight, in the tenth range; 
 and sundry irregular tracts, as follows: number four- 
 teen, in the first range; number thirteen, in the third 
 range; number thirteen, in" the fourth r.ange; number 
 twelve, in tlie fifth range; number twelve, iu the 
 sixth range; number eleven, in the eighth range; 
 number ten, in the tenth range; number six, in the 
 twelftli range; and numbers one and two, in the 
 eleventh range. These tracts are now known as 
 Auburn, Newbury, Muusou, Chardou, Bainbridge, 
 Russell and Chester townships, in Geauga county; 
 Concord and Kirtland, in Lake county; Springfield 
 and Twinsburg, in Summit county; Solon, Orange, 
 and Mayfield, in Cuyahoga county. The fractional 
 townships are Conueaut gore, Ashtalnila gore. Say- 
 brook gore, Geneva, Madison gore, Painesville, Wil- 
 loughby gore, Independence, Coventry and Portage. 
 After this selection had been made they selected the 
 average townships, to the value of each of which each 
 of the others should be brought by the equalizing 
 process of annexation. The eight best of the remain- 
 ing townships were taken, and were numbers one, 
 five, eleven, twelve and thirteen, in the first range; 
 twelve, in the fourth range; eleven, in the fifth 
 range; and six, in the sixth range. They are now 
 known a« Poland, in Mahoning county; Hartford, in 
 Trumbull county ; Pierpout, Monroe, Conneaut, 
 Saybrook, and Harpersfield, in A.sh tabula county; 
 and Parkmau, in Geauga county. These were the 
 slamlard townships, and all the other townships of 
 inferior value to these eight, which would include all 
 the others not mentioned above, were to be raised to 
 the value of tlie average townships by annexations 
 from the equalizing townships. These last named 
 were cut up into parcels of various sizes and values, 
 and annexed to the inferior townships in sueli a way 
 as to make them all of equal value in tlie opinion of 
 the committee. Wlien the committee had performed 
 this task, it was found that, with the exception of 
 tlie four townships first selected, the Parsons tract, 
 and the townships that had been previously set aside 
 to be sold, the whole tract would amount to an 
 eipiivalent of ninety-three shares. There were, there- 
 fore, ninety-three ecpialized townships or parcels to 
 be di-awn for, east of the Cuyahoga. 
 
 To entitle a shareholder to the ownership of an 
 equalized township it was necessary for him to be the 
 ])roprietor of twelve thousand nine hundred and three 
 dollars and twenty-three cents of the original purchase 
 of the company. This division by draft took place on 
 the 29th of January, 1798. 
 
 The committee appointed to make partition of the 
 lands west of the Cuyahoga divided the entire tract 
 into forty-six parts, for the purchase of one of which 
 the sum of twenty-sis thousand six hundred and 
 
 eighty-seven dollars was required. This draft took 
 place April 4, 1807, and the mode of procedure was the 
 same as in the first draft. The townships were num- 
 bered from one to forty-six, and the numbers on slips 
 of paper placed in a box. The names of shareholders 
 were arranged in alphabetical order, and in those 
 instances in which an original investment was insuf- 
 ficient to entitle such investor to an equalized towusliip, 
 he formed a combination with others in like situation, 
 and the name of that person of this combination that 
 took alphabetic precedence was used in the draft. If 
 the small proprietors were, from disagreement among 
 themselves, unable to unite, a committee was ap- 
 pointed to select and classify them, and those selected 
 were compelled to submit to this arrangement. If 
 after they had drawn a township they could not agree 
 in dividing it among them, this committee, or another 
 one appointed for the purpose, divided it for them. 
 That township which the first number drawn desig- 
 nated belonged to the first man on the list, and the 
 second drawn to the second man, and so on until all 
 were drawn. Thus was the ownership in common 
 severed, and each individual secured his interest in 
 severalty. John Morgan, John Cadwell, and Jona- 
 than Brace, the trustees, as rapidly as partition was 
 effected, conve3'ed by deed to the several purchasers 
 the lands they had drawn. 
 
 " The lands of Lorain county, that were taken for the purpose of 
 equalizing townships of inferior value, were those of Rochester 
 Brighton, Camden, Black River, and that pai't of Henrietta that did not 
 originally belong to Brownhelni. Tract eight in range nineteen, being 
 partly in Brighton and partly in Camden, consisting of three thousand 
 seven hundred acres, was annexed to LaGrange, to equalize it. Tract 
 number three in LaFayette township, Medina county, consisting of four 
 thousand eight hundred and ten and one-half acres was annexed to 
 Penfield. Tract one, in gore four, in range eleven, consisting of two 
 thousand two hundred and twenty-five acres, was annexed to Eaton. 
 Tract two, in gore four, range eleven, consisting of two thousand six 
 hundred and fifty acres, was annexed to Columbia; one thousand seven 
 hundred acres, in tract four, in Rochester, were annexed to Huntington; 
 two thousand seven hundred and sixty nine acres, in fraction number 
 three in range eleven, in Summit county, were annexed to Ridgeville; 
 tour thousand six hundred aci-es in tract nine, in Camden, were annexed 
 to Grafton ; four thousand acres, tract seven, in Brighton, were annexed 
 to Wellington; four thousand three hundred aeres, iu tract three, gore 
 six, range twelve, were annexed to Russia; fifteen hundred acres iu 
 tract fourteen, in Henrietta, were annexed to Shefflekl ; three thousand 
 acres in tract eleven. In Camden, were annexed to Pittsfield ; tract three 
 consisting of four thousand and fifty acres, in Rochester, was annexed 
 to Elyria ; four thousand acres in tract two, in Black River, were annexed 
 to Amherst; Bass Islands, numbers one and two, and Island number 
 five, lying north of Erie county, consisting of two thousand and sixtj- 
 three acres, were annexed to Avon; and Kelley's Island, consistmg of 
 two thousand seven hundred and forty -seven acres, was annexed to 
 Carlisle." 
 
 THE VARIOUS DRAFTS. 
 
 The first draft was made January 29, 1798, and 
 was for that portion of the Reserve east of the Cuya- 
 hoga. In this draft the lands drawn were divided 
 into ninety-three parts, each representing twelve 
 thousand nine hundred and three dollars and twenty- 
 three cents. 
 
 The second draft was made iu 1802, and was for 
 such portions of the seven townships omitted in the 
 first draft as remained at that time unsold. This 
 draft was divided into ninety shares, representing 
 thirteeen thousand three hundred and thirty-three 
 dollars and thirty-three cents of the purchase-money. 
 
18 
 
 HISTOKY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 The fliivd ili'iift was maile in ISO?, and was for the 
 hinds of the comjiany lying west of the Cnyalioga, 
 and was divided into forty-six parts, each representing 
 twenty-six tliousaiid .six luuKlrcd and eiglity-seven 
 dolhirs. 
 
 A fourth draft was made in 1809, at which time the 
 snrphis hind, so called, was divided, including sundry 
 notes and claims arising from sales that had heen 
 effected of the seven townships omitted in the first 
 drawinjr. 
 
 (JUANTITT OF LAND IN THE CONNECTICUT WESTERN 
 RESERVE, ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY THEREOF. 
 
 Land east of the Cuyahoga, exclusive of the Parsons tract 
 
 inacres 2,0()a,!)T0 
 
 Lanil west of the Cuyahofra, exclusive of surplus land, 
 
 islands, and Sufferers' Lands 827.291 
 
 Surplus land, so called 6,280 
 
 iC!unninj?ham or Kelley 's 2749 
 Ba.ss, or B.ay, No. 1 1322 
 " " " I;;;::;;:;:::;::::;::;;::;: 709 
 " " '• 4 403 
 "5 32 
 
 .5,924 
 
 Parsons', or "Salt Spring Tract" 2.'), 4.50 
 
 Sufferers', or Fire Lands 5IK1,OI10 
 
 Total amount of acres in the Connecticut Western Reserve. 3,300 921 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PHYSICAL FEATURES. 
 
 GEOGRAPHY. 
 
 Lorain county is bounded on the north by Lake 
 Erie, on the south by portions of Medina and Ashland 
 counties, on the east by Cuyahoga and Medina, and 
 on the west by Huron and Erie. Its capital town is 
 Elyria, which is situated in longitude 83° C 49" 
 west from Greenwich and in latitude 41° 22' 1". It 
 is divided into twenty-one townships, most of which 
 are five miles square, whose names ai'e as follows: 
 Columbia, Avon, Ridgeville, Eaton, Grafton, Shef- 
 field, Elyria, Carlisle, LaGninge, Penfield, Black 
 River, Aiiiherst, Russia, Pittsfleld, Wellington, Hunt- 
 ington, Brownhelm, Henrietta, Camden, Brighton 
 and Rochester. The principal towns and villages 
 named in the order of their population arc Elyria, 
 Oborlin, Wellington, Amherst, Kipton, and Grafton. 
 The population of the county in 1S70, by town.ships, 
 was as follows: 
 
 Amherst 2,482 , Henrietta. 
 
 Huntington 
 
 LaG range 
 
 Pittsfleld 
 
 Penfield 
 
 Ridgeville 
 
 Rochester 
 
 Russia.exclusive of Oberlin 
 
 Oberlin 
 
 Sheftieki 
 
 Wellington township 
 
 Welhngton borough 
 
 8;M 
 1,.3(I<.1 
 
 980 
 
 749 
 1,477 
 
 091 
 1.319 
 
 a,8HK 
 
 973 
 
 fdO 
 
 1,281 
 
 Avon 1,924 
 
 Black River 8;18 
 
 Brighton 508 
 
 Brownhelm 1,401 
 
 Camilen S'tfi 
 
 C'arlisle 1 ,219 
 
 Columhia 892 
 
 p:at(>n I,0ri2 
 
 Elyria, exclusive of city... 1,088 
 
 Elyria City 3,0;)8 
 
 Grafton 980 
 
 Total .30,308 
 
 * GEOLOGY. 
 
 There is perhaps no subject at the present- time 
 that excites a deeper interest among thinking and 
 .scientific minds than the science of Geology. Several 
 
 • By Jay Terrell. 
 
 reasons may be given for this, one of which is that it 
 is the newest among all the sciences; another is tliat 
 it upsets all of our old preconceived notions as to the 
 age of the world. Whereas we had been taught tliat 
 it was almost horc-'y to believe that the world was more 
 than six thousand years old, and that Moses' account 
 of the creation in its six solar days of twenty-four 
 hours each was literally correct, geology has proven 
 beyond a doubt that it has been as many millions or 
 even more years in existence, and that it was countless 
 ages before it was jirepared for, or even was jiossible 
 for man to have lived uj)on it. Hence at first many 
 divines were found opposing this new science with its 
 new theories. 
 
 These controversies have been fraught with very 
 much good. They have laid the fouiuhition for deeper 
 thought and investigation, and now, instead of lift- 
 ing up liands with holy horror at the teachings of 
 this great geological book, we find onr most eminent 
 divines quoting it as authority to substantiate just 
 what at first they supposed it disproved. 
 
 We have neither space nor time to go back over 
 these old controverted grounds, whose errors, like 
 cobwebs, are fast being brushed away by the hand of 
 time as new light lireaks in upon the intelligent 
 mind. Neither have we time to open out this grand 
 old book of nature, and commence at the beginning, 
 every page of which shines like letters in gold, telling 
 of the great Creator's power and goodness; how that, 
 stej) by stej), for millions of years, the earth was being 
 fitted and prejiared for the al)odc and ha])piness of 
 man. (We use the term "millions of years" not that 
 geological time can be counted or expressed in years, 
 but this term, perhaps, gives us the best idea of the 
 lapse of ages.) But we must begin almost at the very 
 ending and only study a portion of that chapter that 
 relates to onr immediate surroundings. 
 
 We do not propose, therefore, in this brief chajiter, 
 to take the reader all over the world to teach geology, 
 but shall confine ourself to Lorain county and that 
 which jiertains to and a£Fe(;ts it. 
 
 Nearly every farm in the county has material 
 enough upon it to fill pages with interesting matter, 
 and if the geology of Lorain county was fully written 
 up it would more than fill every page of this beautiful 
 history. I shall, tlierefore, merely give an niitline, 
 and confine myself to what I have seen and what the 
 rocks teach us. This will of necessity take us back 
 into the far-away ages of the past when there was no 
 human eye to behold the heauties in the morning 
 dawn of creation (no less lieautiful then than now), 
 nor human hand to record their history; and yet the 
 everlasting rocks have left their record as plainly and 
 distinctly marked as if "graven with an iron pen." 
 The geologist reads these " footprints of the Creator " 
 with clearness and just as much assurance as the 
 astronomer marks the course of the stars, or the 
 historian records the events of a nation. 
 
 Geology being the newest of all the sciences, it is 
 very probable that some of the theories now held by 
 
HISTOKY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 19 
 
 our leiuliiiij scientists will have to be abandoned as 
 new liyli( breaks in with the lapse of time. It would 
 indeed sliow but little progress and be very strange if 
 this were not the case. It behooves us, therefore, to 
 lie very careful about adopting new theories until we 
 are well assured that they are based upon solid foun- 
 dation, or rather solid rock. I hold it as a cardinal 
 l)rinciple that theories can always afford to wait until 
 fully tested and facts are brought to prove the validity 
 of their claims. There ai-e, however, some theories in 
 geology that must of necessity be founded on negative 
 proof. For example: the great Ohio fossil fishes are 
 said to have had no scales from the fact that none 
 have ever yet been found with their remains. This, 
 coupled with the fact that their structure was such 
 that they seemed not to have needed scales, is deemed 
 sufficient to establish the theory that they had none, 
 although it is based upon negative testimony. 
 
 In some respects the study of geology has been 
 with me a life work, and for manyyears some portion 
 of each year has been devoted to jiractical field work. 
 In Canada, and on the islands of Lake Erie; in Ohio, 
 and other States; in summer, under broiling suns; in 
 rain and storms; in winter, amid snow and ice, — have 
 I tried faithfully to work out these grand problems 
 of nature; and yet how little do we know of the great 
 Creator's power and 2)ur2JOses. Evidently the world 
 has passed through a thousand changes, all seemingly 
 for the benefit of the last crowning act of creation — 
 man. 
 
 We will now take up the geology of Lorain county 
 in detail, beginning with the clay drift, the first 
 formation or surface deposit, and so step by step, 
 along down to the Huron shale, the lowest exposed 
 deposit in the county. 
 
 The mechanical force which distributed this wide- 
 spread drift, we will sjieak of further on, under its 
 proper head, "Glaciers." The soil which rests im- 
 mediately upon this drift, or clay-bed, and which we 
 plow and cultivate, is of vegetable origin and produced 
 by the slow process of the decomposition of vegetable 
 matter. It is usually only a few inches in thickness 
 over the surface except where it has accumulated on the 
 lower lands, either by the wash from the higher lands 
 or water standing a sufficient length of time to collect 
 leaves, mosses, etc., which eventually became swamps. 
 
 This soil although rpiite thin, nevertheless bears the 
 evidence of having been ages in its accumulation, ere 
 it was able to sustain the first scanty growth of forest 
 trees. .Just what tliat first growth of forest trees in 
 Lorain county was, we are unable definitely to deter- 
 mine; Init from drift-wood which is more or less found 
 under all our ridges, and some other "foot-prints," 
 we are led to conclude, that our first forest trees 
 belonged to the pine or cedar family. 
 
 For several years I have been led to believe tiiat one 
 race of trees succeeded another in the cycles of time; 
 that is, they came in the order in which the climate 
 and soil are prepared for, and adapted to receive them. 
 This we know to be true of animals ; one race becomes 
 
 extinct and another follows in its course and takes its 
 place. As changes are constantly going on in the 
 world, new beings are created to meet these changes, 
 and the old ones, that can no longer exist under the 
 new order of things pass away. These climatic and 
 other changes, humanly speaking, are very slow: so 
 slow, that to us they are not percci^tible. To us there 
 seems to be a profound rest; but these changes are 
 just as sure and certain as summer and winter; sunrise 
 and sunset. 
 
 The evidence of the succession of tree-growth is 
 very clearly shown on Point-au-Pelee, one of the 
 islands of Lake Erie. All over the higher lands, the 
 soil is literally filled with red cedar roots, showing 
 conclusively that there once existed on this island a 
 dense groAvth of this species of conifers. These roots, 
 lying as they do, intermixed with the hard clay drift, 
 are as nearly imperishable as almost any thing can be, 
 except it be the "everlasting rocks." 
 
 In all probability this was the first tree or shrub (it 
 could only have been a shrub in its incipient stages) 
 that took possession of the soil, and it must have held 
 complete possession for a long period of time, until 
 their slowly decaying leaves, with other scanty vege- 
 tation ultimately produced a soil sufficient for the 
 sustenance of other trees, and a more rank vegetation. 
 Around the margin of the island, on the almost 
 barren sandy beach, I found the red cedar still flourish- 
 ing where scarcely anything else could grow. These 
 cedars must have been "nionarchs of all they sur- 
 veyed" for tens of thousands of years, until they 
 slowly gave jilace to the growth of another class of 
 trees, for which the accumulated soil of ages became 
 especially adapted. 
 
 The next growth in the succession we find were truly 
 " nionarchs of the forest," great oaks. No such trees 
 are now growing upon the island, nor indeed have 
 been for many generations in the past, but their 
 prostrate decaying bodies lie half buried beneath the 
 soil of centuries, and are scattered here and thei'e over 
 the surface, among the thickly wooded timber of the 
 present forest. As I stepped upon some of these 
 trees, they would sink beneath my feet, as nothing 
 but their moss-covered bark holds them together. 
 Probably within the present generation they will 
 entirely disappear, leaving no trace behind them as 
 evidence of their having once existed. 
 
 No doubt there is many a missing link in the long 
 chain of geological events, which, if we had them all 
 connected together, we could read the sequences of 
 time much plainer than we can now. Nevertheless 
 there is still enough left to give us a tolerably correct 
 idea of the progressive stages in the earth's history 
 since the dawn of creation. A mixed growth of 
 timber now covers the island, such as oak, hickory, 
 ash, maple, etc. I give this as an illustration, to 
 prove the succession of forest trees and the ages of 
 time that must have elapsed, from the dejjositiou of 
 these drift clay-beds, until they accumulated a suf- 
 ficient soil to sustain such a mass of vegetation as that 
 
20 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 whicli now everywhere meets our gaze. I am of the 
 o]iinion that the earth is, and always has been occu- 
 liicd at each successive period with the liighest type 
 of life, both uiiiiual and vegetable, that the conditions 
 will allow. 
 
 The drift formation of Lorain county, is mostly 
 the product of the Huron and Erie shales, intermixed 
 with other material that has been transinorted long 
 distances by the action of ice. These shales have 
 been plowed, torn uj), crushed, and massed together, 
 by the plow-share of the Almighty: an agency that 
 the All-wise Father has used to tit and prepare this 
 part of his heritage for the habitation of man — a 
 power that has plowed and ])laned down mountains 
 into valleys, and leveled the whole into vast plains. 
 Such a power is, and only can be, immense fields of 
 ice in the form of glaciers. 
 
 That these glaciers existed on the North American 
 continent at one period in the far-away-past, and that 
 they were the direct cause of the distribution of our 
 clay-beds there can now be no reasonable doubt. These 
 clays are more or less filled with fragments of lime, 
 granite, fjuartz, gneiss, green stone and other pebbles, 
 all foreign material, brought down from the moun- 
 tain-side, and transported hundreds of miles from 
 their place of origin — mixed and intermixed with these 
 shales which were so evenly distributed over the un- 
 derlying rocks. 
 
 The dairy-farmers of Lorain county owe to these 
 shales, which were thus ground up and mixed to- 
 gether, their peculiar clay soil, — hai-d, tenacious, 
 unworkable when wet, but when well drained, and 
 seeded, nothing can excel it for grazing and dairying 
 purposes. Along the border of tiie lake, especially in 
 Avon and Sheffield, this soil is jieculiarly adapted to 
 grape culture; and here may be seen nuiny beautiful 
 vineyards, from which hundreds of tons of grapes 
 are annually gathered and shijjped to all parts of the 
 country. 
 
 There is perhaps no part of the county where the 
 di'if t is so well shown as on the lake shore in Sheffield 
 township. Here commences a long line of beach 
 which extends almost to Vermillion. Tlie direct 
 cause of this beach is that the glacier dipped deeper 
 into the rock here than farther east, tearing up the 
 hard shale to a considerable depth below the present 
 surface of the lake, leaving the clay banks to come 
 down to the water's edge. Farther east the shale 
 being above the water, forms a bluff bank (we call it 
 iron-bound shore) against which the waves almost 
 constantly dash. At the eastern end of this beach 
 the banks are about eighteen feet high. About half 
 way from top to bottom the clay drift lies directly 
 upon the Huron shale; the line of demarkation be- 
 tween the two is as well defined as would be one board 
 lying upon another. Farther on we find the shales 
 torn from their bed and the upper portion thoroughly 
 mixed and incorporated with the lower stratum, or 
 base of the clay. The lower portion of the shale that 
 was torn from the rock, was broken up, ground and 
 
 shoved along, but still remained unmixed with the 
 clay above, and unexposed to atmospheric changes; it 
 therefore remains a stratum of broken shale between 
 the clay and the solid rock l)elow. 
 
 Still farther on we find where, in some way, the ice- 
 field got a foot-hold in a seam in the rock and moved 
 the whole mass bodily to the west several feet, making 
 quite a large fissure; then, passing on over, filled this 
 fissure to its very bottom with clay-mud and gi-avcl. 
 This great ice-field was working westward, and all 
 through Sheffield it was on a downward grade: that 
 is, working deeper into the rock. 
 
 Just before it reached the point wliere Lake Breeze 
 is now situated, (it wasn't Lake Breeze then,) it plowed 
 still deeper into the rock and soon dipped below the 
 surface of the lake (it wasn't lake then either), and 
 did not rise again above the present water level until 
 it reached almost to Vermillion in Erie county. 
 
 The glacial action in this drift formation is as 
 readily traced along this lake shore beach as may 
 be the course of a river, and its "foot-prints" are 
 as plain and unmistakable as those of a man or a 
 horse. No written record can be plainer or more 
 easily studied, than can be the drift along tliis lake 
 line. Wliilo so many scientific facts are left in sucli 
 obscurity that it takes a long life of patient toil and 
 research to comju-ehcnd only a few facts, here tlie 
 drift which has been so little understood in the past 
 is laid bare before us like a panoramic view, so that 
 we may study it at our will. 
 
 Tlu^re is no dei)artment in the science of geology 
 that has tieen heretofore so little understood as the 
 drift formation. Tliis is accounted for by the fact 
 that it was produced by ditferent causes and at widely 
 separated periods of time. We are now coming to the 
 light, and as we learn to classify these periods and 
 depositions of drift, instead of massing them together 
 into one general deposit, we are better able to under- 
 stand their formations. 
 
 BOULDERS. 
 
 The erratic rocks, wliich we call boulders or " hard 
 heads," that are so profusely distributed over the clay 
 soil of Lorain county, are from beds of different 
 deposits. They are composed of granite, quartzite, 
 diorite, crystalline lime-stone, gneiss, silician slate, 
 etc. Although of different formations and deposits, 
 they are all classed with and belong to the Eozoic age 
 of the world. It was called Azoic (that is, " without 
 life ") until within a few years. Although there have 
 been no fossils found in tiie Eozoic rocks, it is now 
 very generally believed among geologists and scientific 
 men that even in this very remote period in the earth's 
 history there did exist some of the lower forms of 
 animal and vegetable life. This, we think, is clearly 
 proven by the abundance of graphite, iron and lime- 
 stone that is found in these rocks, each of which is 
 the direct product of either animal or vegetable or- 
 ganisms: graphite and iron are the products of the 
 carbon of plants. When you pick up a piece of native 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 31 
 
 ii-oii ore to examine it, beiir in mind tliat it was not 
 l)ro(lnco(l like lava, by passing tliroagli a melting pro- 
 cess, bnt that it is of vegetable origin. Although it 
 may have, as all our Lake Superior ore has, passed 
 tiirougii this metamorphio process, yet heat has noth- 
 ing to do with its origin as iron, but was merely an 
 after result of internal disturbances. 
 
 Limestone is almost wholly made up from the 
 shells and minute skeletons of marine organisms that 
 have the power of secreting the carbonate of lime 
 which forms their shells. We have no reason to 
 believe that iron or limestone were produced in the 
 Eozoic age by any different process than it is now. 
 
 We find these rocks stratified, an:l tint they were 
 originally deposited in even horizontal bods, l)ut have 
 since been metamorphosed by heat, and are now much 
 displaced and broken up by upheavals and internal 
 forces. They are divided into two groups — upper and 
 lower — called Huronian and Laurentian: lluronian, 
 from their fine exjiosure ou the north of Lake Huron; 
 Laurentian, from the lower St. Lawrence region, 
 where these rocks abound. They are the surface 
 rock over a broad belt of country, extending from 
 Labrador, on the east, to Lake Superior, and then 
 stretching away northward to the Arctic Sea. 
 
 The Adirondac Mountains, although outside of this 
 belt, belong to the same epoch and formation, and 
 were raised above the oceen at the same time. They 
 are called the oldest rocks in the world, and deservedly 
 so; for they are the oldest surface rocks now known, 
 and never have been submerged since they were first 
 raised above the old eozoic ocean. While most parts 
 of our continent have been raised above the sea, only 
 to be submerged again, (and this occurring many 
 times, as each stratified formation plainly testifies.) 
 yet these old eozoic rocks have proudly held their 
 giant heads above the surrounding ocean almost from 
 the time that the sun first penetrated the thick cloud 
 of darkness that surrounded the eartli, wlien God 
 said, " Let there be light; and there was light."' 
 
 We call the eastern continent the Old World; but 
 the Adirondac mountains of New York, the region 
 around Lake Superior and the Ozarks, of Missouri, are 
 ages older than any land on that continent. The 
 igneous rocks which nnderly these metamorphic rocks 
 are of course much older than they; but all that we 
 know about them is by their being thrown to the 
 surface by eruptions, as they are nowhere found 
 exposed on the surface. They have jiassed through 
 inconceivable heat, first in the gaseous and then in 
 the molten state, and were the first rocks formed by 
 the cooling of the earth's surface, and are therefore 
 not stratified. They belong to that age of the world 
 of which they are the only record. We find these 
 fused rocks frequently among our erratics of the 
 * iceberg drift. 
 
 Sir William Logan, an eminent Canadian geologist, 
 estimates the eozoic rocks in Canada to be about forty- 
 seven thousand feet in thickness. When we consider 
 that all this vast rock formation was the accumulation 
 
 from the destruction and slow wearing away process of 
 an older continent, and that older continent perhaps 
 from the debris of one still older, we can form but a 
 faint conception of the myriads of ages that have 
 passed away since "in the lieginning, God created 
 the heaven and the earth." 
 
 The boulders were broken and torn from these old 
 eozoic rocks by glaciers coming down from the moun- 
 tainous region of the north. As they shoved them- 
 selves out into this great inland sea of fresh water, 
 which had been formed by the scooping out of the 
 lake basin, they were lirokcn up and floated out to 
 sea. No longer traveling by land and grasi)ing in 
 their icy arms massive boulders and all other material 
 that lay in their course; now they are icebergs, trav- 
 ersing the sea and carrying their boulders, sand, 
 gravel and ot\\Qv debris whithersoever the wind drives 
 them. We therefore call the boulders a part of the 
 iceberg drift, as they were deposited by icebergs and 
 not by glaciers. 
 
 The surface clay of Lorain county is glacial drift, 
 and was deposited at the time the Lake Erie basin 
 was formed. This was long before the period of 
 which we are now speaking. At this time the clay 
 had already been deposited, the glacier had passed on 
 and left the basin which was now filled with water to 
 the brim, from the summit on the south to the Cana- 
 dian highlands on the north, and extending east and 
 west from the Adirondacks to Lake Superior. We 
 sjTOke of the mountainous region of the north from 
 whence the glaciers which produced the icebergs 
 came. Nothing now remains but the bases of these 
 mountains to tell of their long ag<i existence, as they 
 were eroded and worn away by these immense fields 
 of ice. 
 
 Glaciers are being formed at the present time in the 
 monntainous region of the interior of Greenland, and 
 as they push their way to the ocean, the foot is shoved 
 out into the sea, is broken np and rises to the surface. 
 They are no longer glaciers, but icebergs. Floating 
 away to the southward, they are often stranded on 
 the banks or sand-bars of Newfoundland, and there 
 perform the same work that these did here in the drift 
 age, depositing large quantities of their debris over 
 the floor of the ocean. In ages to come, when the 
 bottom of the ocean shall have again been raised above 
 the water, the same conditions will lie found to exist 
 there that we now find here. 
 
 The northern border of this great inland sea was 
 along the base of the highlands in Canada, called by 
 geologists Laurentian highlands. They are about three 
 hundred miles north of Lake Erie. As these icebergs 
 pushed out into the water from this northern shore, 
 they were driven hither and thither by every stormy 
 change of wind. They deposited their debris wherever 
 and as fast as they melted. Sometimes being driven 
 into shallow water, they stranded. Here they slowly 
 melted away until they were light enough to clear 
 themselves and float again. At such points they 
 dropped larger quantities of boulders than elsewhere. 
 
23 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 These places may readily lii.^ i)i(jke(l out all over the 
 (•(Mint rv, and many of our farms are made less valuable 
 by the iiiimenjus boulders ou some of their lields. 
 
 That these boulders were dropped from floating ice- 
 I>ergs, is very clearly proven by their position as we 
 now find them in our lields. Almost every farmer 
 knows that these big boulders, or "hard-heads," are 
 very dillicult to get out of the ground, for the simple 
 reason that the largest end is always in the ground. 
 This of itself is almost conclusive evidence, aside from 
 any other, that they must have fallen S(jme distance 
 through water, and in falling the larger end would 
 naturally go down. We can account for this phe- 
 nomenon by no other theory. We find no boulders in 
 or upon the sand ridges, for the reason that the ridges 
 were deposited at a later period, and conse((uently 
 whatever boulders may have been on the surface are 
 now buried beneath the sand. 
 
 'I'he reader will observe that we have spoken of three 
 different and distinct drift de])osits, which occurred 
 at different periods in the earth's history. We will 
 therefore place them in the order in which they occur: 
 1st. Glacial drift — clay, sand, gravel, etc. 
 2d. Iceberg drift — boulders, sand and other deln'is. 
 3d. Water drift — Hood-wood and sand ridges. 
 The great ditiiculty in studying the drift has been 
 in not keeping the different periods and causes sepa- 
 rate: this will enable us to do so. I am aware, however, 
 that good authority dilfers with me on some of these 
 ])oints: but after great care and research, I think the 
 evidence will beai- me out in my drift theory. 
 
 It may be askeil, how do we know that these boulders 
 came from this northern region beyond the lake? In 
 the first j)lace, we Jiave no evidence of glaciers push- 
 ing themselves into this great body of water from any 
 other direction than on the north; and then, too, we 
 find that these boulders exactly correspond with the 
 rocks found in place along this northern belt, so that 
 now we may readily trace some of the erratic rocks 
 found here back to their original beds of deposition. 
 1 have lying before me a jiieee of granite, that is filled 
 witii graphite (black h^ad we call it, though there is 
 no lead about it). Tiiis fragment I broke from a 
 lioiildrron my father's farm, in Ridgeville, nearly forty 
 years ago. We can now trace this graphite directly 
 back to its home on the Georgian Bay, in Canada. 
 Copper is not unfrenueutly found in the boulders 
 of our county, plainly showing their Lake Superior 
 origin. 
 
 Tims, by iUc composition of these boulders, and 
 the minerals they carry with them, we are able to tell 
 where they came from; and l)y the position in which 
 we find them, ami the grooves and markings on the 
 surfiK-e rocks, we are enabled to tell how they came 
 here. 
 
 ANCIENT FOREST BEDS. 
 
 Beneath the sand ridges there are nu)re or less of the 
 remains of forest trees, called "flood- wood." It was 
 drifted into its present resting place when the lake 
 
 was from one to two hundred feet higlier than it now 
 is, and covered beneath the sand when the ridges 
 were formed. About forty years ago my father, in 
 digging a well (on the ridge), one mile east of the 
 center of Ridgeville, came upon trees altoutone foot in 
 diameter, at a depth of fifteen feet below the surface. 
 This wood, although changed, was not fossilized, 
 but was soft and yielding, and could easily be cut 
 with a sharp spade. I very well remember the men 
 examining it very closely by whittling, tasting, smell- 
 ing, etc., and after much deliberation pronounced it 
 cedar wood. Their decision was probably correct, as 
 all the timber, so far as I know, found beneath the 
 ridges, is coniferous (cone-bearing trees). We have 
 the record, however, in some localities, of hickory, 
 sycamore, willow and some other kinds of wood being 
 found beneath the drift. An old forest bed was very 
 widely distributed over the northern half of our conti- 
 nent. To give some idea of its nnignitude and extent, 
 I (juote from different authorities the following: 
 
 ■'Ross County, Ohio. — Wood apparently cedar, from a well thirty feet 
 deep." — Col. Charles Whittlesey. 
 
 "All through Southern Indiana.— Ancient soil, with peat, muck, 
 rooted stumps, trunks, branches and leaves of trees, sixty to one 
 hundred and twenty feet below the surface, called *Noah"s Cattle Yard.' 
 Wells spoiled by them. "—JoAh Collvtt. 
 
 " Iowa. — An old soil, with buried timber from forty to fifty feet be- 
 neath the surface, struck in sinking wells in several counties."— 3/orris 
 Miller. 
 
 *' Wadsworth County', Wisconsin.— Timber resembling white cedar, 
 from a well eighteen feet deep in the prairie region, and about two 
 hundred and fifty feet above the surface of Lake Michigan."— J. A. 
 Lapham. 
 
 '• Grand Sable, South Shore of Lake Superior.— Layers of roots, 
 and timber of trees, sometimes twelve or fourteen feet thick, resting on 
 clay, inter-stratified with gravel, three hundred feet thick." — Sir Wm. 
 Lf>tjan, in Geology of Canada. 
 
 "Montgomery County, Ohio. —Beds of peat, from twelve to twenty 
 feet in thickness, containing qu.antities of coniferous wood, with twigs, 
 branches and berries of red cedar ; also containing bones of the elephant 
 and mastodon, and teeth of the giant beaver; the whole covered with 
 ninety feet of sand."— Pro/ Ortoti. 
 
 "Toronto, Canada.— Trunks and branches of trees, embedded m 
 yellow cla.y, at a depth of from ten to twenty feet from the surface." 
 —Prof. Hind. 
 
 We do not wish it understood that these remains 
 of trees and animals were all buried beneath a drift 
 deposit at one and the same time; but we do say that 
 all over this wide extent of country there once existed 
 a heavy growth of forest trees, with animals of huge 
 dimensions roaming through tlieni. both of which 
 have become extinct, and are now deeply buried be- 
 neath a drift deposit. From all the light that we can 
 gather from these and other facts, it is evident that 
 our continent has been raised and again submerged 
 beneath the ocean several times since the eozoie age, 
 at least all of it except the few localities heretofore 
 mentioned. 
 
 MASTODONS AND ELEPHANTS. 
 
 Not only forest trees, but the remains of large ani- 
 mals have been found in many localities in Northern 
 Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. These remains ai'e 
 mostly found in deep marshes and peat bogs, which 
 were, when these animals lived, small lakes. In some 
 instances, the leg and other lower bones of the mas- 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COFNTY, OHIO. 
 
 
 todon and elephant have been fi)uiid in a standing 
 position, sliowing that in going to these places for 
 water, they mnst have been mired, and their great 
 weight and clnmsiness prevented their extricating 
 themselves. These lakes have now become peat 
 marshes by the continued accumulation of leaves, 
 mosses and other vegetation which now cover their 
 bones many feet deep. No remains of these animals 
 have been fo>ind in this county, but it is ])ossible 
 that there might be. upon proper search for them 
 in and about the swam])s of Brighton and Camden; 
 as, fi-om the location of these swamps, I have no 
 doubt that those places were favorite resorts for these 
 animals. 
 
 A few yeai's since, some of the ribs, vertebrsp, a jiart 
 of a tooth, the tusks and some other bones of a mas- 
 todon were found in Montville, Medina county. The 
 bones were more or less broken, and were supposed to 
 belong to a young animal. The tusks were broken off 
 at tJieir points, and were about four feet long, largest 
 in the middle and tapered towards the point and base; 
 the ribs, which were somewhat broken, were five 
 inches wide. 
 
 In Cleveland the remains of a large animal were 
 found in excavating a cellar on Ontario street. The 
 knights of the spade and pick, not knowing what they 
 were, or not caring, carted tlie most of them off, and 
 they were dumped away, broken and destroyed. How- 
 ever, a few teeth and vertebra? were saved, and are 
 now in the Western Reserve Historical Society rooms 
 in that city. Dr. E. Sterling called my attention to 
 these bones at the time. Upon examination they 
 were found to be the remains of a very large elephant. 
 (Elcphas Americanus.) These bones were not found 
 as nsual in a low marshy place, but on high land, in 
 sand and gravel. It is altogether probable that they 
 were washed in and covered up when the lake stood 
 at that level. These huge animals roamed over all 
 of northern Ohio for a long time after the accnmn- 
 lation of its ancient soil and great forests, up to a 
 recent period, geologically sjieaking, that is up to 
 aliout the time of the formation of the sand ridges. 
 Whether they became extinct about this time, by some 
 sudden climatic or otlier change, or gradually died 
 out, we are unable to determine. The only record we 
 have of them is their bones and the location in which 
 they are fonnd. Their bones not being fossilized arc 
 liable to decay on exposure to the atmosiihere, except 
 the teetli and tusks, which being enameled are usually 
 well preserved. There are, however, a few well 
 l>reserved whole skeletons of these great American 
 animals of our primeval forests. 
 
 TERRACES. 
 
 We now come to the last e}>och or ]ihase in the 
 series of drift deposits: "Terraces and Sand-ridges." 
 These belong to our present geological time, that is, 
 there have been no great changes since their deposi- 
 tion, or rather they are the result of the last change 
 in the Lake Erie basin. Although we speak of them 
 
 as of a recent formation, or the last, }'et we mnst 
 i-emember that they were formed ages before man 
 came into being. This was the last act in the geologi- 
 cal drama that was performed to fit and prepare the 
 earth for man's abode. 
 
 At no time previous to this epoch could man have 
 lived upon the earth for a single year, but now all is 
 changed, the right conditions have been reached as to 
 soil, climate, and the class of animals suited to his 
 wants; all is prepared and ready for his advent; and 
 in his own good time the Lord God formed man of 
 the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils 
 the breath of life and man became a living soul. 
 
 Of the terraces I can only give a very meager 
 description, having given them but a passing thought 
 among my other researches in the county until about 
 two years ago, when I became convinced that they 
 held a very conspicuous place in the topogrophy 
 of the county; I then commenced regular field work 
 upon them and have traced out and located two of 
 them quite satisfactorily. The last terrace now visible 
 I found about one and a half miles from the present 
 shore line, and at an altitude of forty feet above lake 
 level. It follows nearly the present contour of the 
 lake shore. It is very evident that the water receded 
 to a broad river after these terraces were formed, and 
 now by gradually wearing its way back inland, its 
 shore follows nearly the same lines that it left in its 
 recedonce. I have traced this terrace most of the way 
 from the Vermillion to Black River, and all the way 
 from Black River east fifteen miles into Dover, Cuya- 
 hoga county. I have no doubt but that it can readily 
 be traced the whole length of the lake shore. At 
 Avon Point it does not make the sharp angle of the 
 shore, but merely makes a gentle curve to the north. 
 The soil is clay, with its surface somewhat mixed with 
 gravel. The timber upon it is mostly hard maple, 
 beech and hickory, and that upon either side of it, is 
 black ash, soft maple, elm, &c. Its rise from the 
 north is very perceptible, and upon the farms through 
 which it passes it is usually selected as the building spot 
 if at all convenient, as it is the dryest land. These 
 terraces were formed by the natural wearing of the 
 water against the shore, at which level the water stood 
 for a considerable period of time, and then by a sudden 
 recedence caused liy the breaking away of the Ijarrier 
 at the outlet, the water dropped away from this line 
 leaving it a natural terrace. Should Lake Erie, by 
 the sudden breaking away of Niagai-a, be drained forty 
 feet lower than it now is, its present shore line would 
 form Just such a terrace as the one now under consid- 
 eration was when it was left by the retreating waters. 
 Its many years of weather-wear since, has given it its 
 present appearance and sloping condition. There is 
 a succession of these terraces, each one higher than 
 the last, as we go south through the county, one south 
 of Wellington has an altitude of three hundred and 
 sixty feet above lake level. Please remember that I 
 reckon all altitudes from lake level, — that when I 
 speak of any height, it is so many feet above the level 
 
24 
 
 niSTOEY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 of the lake. Lake Erie is five hundred and sixty five 
 feet above the ocean level. 
 
 These terraces no doubt continue on up to the 
 summit, tjiat is, tlie hi<;h-lands or divide, between the 
 waters of the Oliio river, and Lake Eric, which here 
 have an altitude of seven hundivd and seventy-tliree 
 feet. The liighest land in the State, whicli lies south- 
 west from here in Logan county has an altitude of nine 
 hundred and seventy-tive feet. Wellington stands at 
 two liundred and eigiity-six feet; Oberlin, two hun- 
 dred and lifty-three feet; Elyria one liundred and fifty- 
 tive feet, and Amherst one hundred and twenty-two 
 feet, gradually sloping away to the lake. These dif- 
 ferent altitudes are caused, partly by the glaciers plow- 
 ing dee]>er into the rocks in its center, and partly by 
 the formation of these terraces by the retreating waters. 
 The next terrace south of the one above described is 
 the largest and most distinct of all of them. This 
 was undoubtedly caused by the water standing at this 
 level for a longer period of time than clsewdiere. It 
 lies about four miles back from the lake, at an altitude 
 of about one hundred and five feet. In Amherst, 
 Sheffield, Avon and a i>art of Dover, the old sand- 
 beach, called the North ridge, rests directly upon it, 
 but in some places in Cuyahoga county, as in Dover, 
 liockport and Euclid, east of Cleveland, it is separate 
 and distinct from the ridge, and very marked in its 
 character. 
 
 I hardly deem it necessary to go back farther and 
 trace out others of these shore line terraces, a dcscrip- 
 tion (if these two being sufficient to give us all tlie 
 knowledge we need as to their formation and char- 
 acter. 
 
 SAND RIDGES. 
 
 Our beautiful ridges, running through the couiitv 
 nearly parallel with the lake east, and west, are tlie last 
 link in the geological chain. They are the last land- 
 marks, or rather the last water-marks, that were left 
 by the retreating waters. Upon these ridges the 
 liioueer first built his log-cabin; along them ran the 
 first wagon-roads. The first settlers all strove to build 
 upon, and cultivate the ridges. Their light sandy 
 soil, natural drainage, and easy cultivation, made 
 them a very desiral)le location for the pioneer. There 
 are several theories as to the cause of their formation: 
 one is that tiiey are moral ns left by the retreating 
 glaciers; (morains are the debris that is pushed out 
 from under the glacier and left at its sides as it moves 
 on over the suiface); another is that they are off-shore 
 sand-liars; luit the one that is now most generally 
 accepted is that they are old beach-lines left by the 
 receeding waters in their successive stages of rest. 
 There are three continuous lidges running through 
 the county besides several local ones. 
 
 The liulltrnut RUlye was the first formed. At this 
 level the water remained for a long period of time, 
 until all the accumulation of that old beach was 
 washed and binwn uji by the combined agency of the 
 water and the winds; then a sudden breaking away 
 
 of the barrier at the outlet cansed the water to fall 
 thirteen feet, and then another period of rest that 
 formed Chestnut ridge. A breaking away of twenty- 
 four feet more and we have Sugar ridge; of seven 
 more and we have Center ridge. Here was a longer 
 period of rest, which formed a continuous ridge the 
 whole length of the lake. Aiiotherrecedence of fifty- 
 two feet brought it to the line on wdiich the North, 
 or last continuous ridge now rests. I have examined 
 no less than ten of tliese sand ridges in our county 
 and have taken their altitude in many places. 
 
 The fact that both terraces and sand ridges were 
 the result of old shore lines, naturally led to the 
 question why do we not find sand-ridges as far south 
 as we do terraces? This question, to my mind, is 
 easily answered. The ridges were formed from the 
 sand that was worn from the rocks by the action of 
 water; hence these ridges are only found within the 
 limits of the horizon of sand-rock exposure. 
 
 It is evident that tliese rocks could be worn but 
 very little, if at all, while submerged; but when the 
 water receded and became low enough to expose 
 them as cliffs and shore lines, then the ever-ceaseless 
 waves of summer, of which no rock-bound shore can 
 resist their slow but sure advance, and the frosts and 
 grinding ice of winter commenced their destructive 
 eroding process, which ground from these rocks large 
 quantities of sand, which was taken up Ijy the under- 
 tow and waves and piled high upon the near shore 
 beach . 
 
 We will now take uji the ridges in the order in 
 which we find them, beginning at the lowest or last 
 sand lieaeh formed, giving only their location, altitude 
 and most interesting features: 
 
 North Ridge. — This ridge at Avon, one mile east 
 of the center and four from the lake, according to my 
 measui-ement in 1806, has an altitude of one hundred 
 and six feet. At the centre it is some sixteen feet 
 higher, composed of finer sand, blown up by the 
 winds into a broad knoll, upon which the early set- 
 tlers buried their dead, and upon which now" rests the 
 beautiful Avon cemetery. This ridge bears nearer 
 the contour of the present lake shore line than any of 
 the other ridges. It runs through Avon, Sheffield, 
 southeast corner of Black River, Amherst and Brown- 
 helm. I shall only give the townships in our county 
 in which these ridges are located. 
 
 Ceil/ re Ridfje. — In Ridgeville tliis has an altitude 
 of one hundred and sixty-two feet. In the eastern 
 jiart of Ridgeville, it takes the form of a double ridge, 
 liuginning on the farm of Laurel Beebe and extending 
 about a mile and a half to the farm of Ichabod Ter- 
 rell, when it divides into two distinct ridges, and 
 these continue on to the western part of the township, 
 where, on the farm of John Cahoon, they unite again 
 into one ridge. In this double ridge is remarkably 
 well shown the part the winds played in the forma- 
 tion of these ridges. The north, and very much the 
 lower half, is coarse sand and gravel, while tlie south 
 and larger part is comijosed of fine sand, which, being 
 
HISTOEY OF LORAIN" COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 25 
 
 lighter, was separated and blown up from the coarser 
 by the winds, day by day and year by year, as it 
 accumulated upon the beach, until it was piled high 
 above the other. I can give no other theory for this 
 phenomenon. This ridge was used as the first wagon 
 road in the county, and as long as stage coaches were 
 run, it was the old stage road between Buffalo and 
 Detroit. It lies through Ridgeville, Elyria, Amherst, 
 extreme northwest corner of Russia and Henrietta. 
 
 SoutJt, or Buttermd Ridge, in Ridgeville, has an 
 altitude of two hundred and four feet. It runs 
 through Ridgeville, northwest corner of Eaton and 
 Carlisle. A description of either one of these three 
 continuous ridges is a description of the other two, 
 with the exception of its location and altitude. The 
 balance of the ridges in the county are intermediate 
 or local. Of these. 
 
 Chestnut Ridge is the longest. It lies between the 
 center and south ridges. It commences in Olmsted, 
 Cuv'ahoga county, and runs through Ridgeville, north- 
 west corner of Eaton, and ends in Carlisle. Its course 
 is northeast and southwest, its altitude one huiulred 
 and eighty-one feet. 
 
 Siiijiir Ridge lies in Ridgeville, between the Chest- 
 nut and Center ridges; commencing a mile southwest 
 of the center of Ridgeville; it runs due southwest two 
 miles, and has an altitude of one hundred and sixty- 
 seven feet. 
 
 Stonji Ridge is another of the Ridgeville ridges, and 
 is rightly named, it is the stoniest ridge in the county, 
 and the stoniest one I ever saw. It begins about a 
 mile and a half northwest from the center, and runs 
 west-northwest. From its peculiar location with ref- 
 erence to the other ridges, and the topography of the 
 surrounding country, and also its formation being 
 water-worn sandstones, many of them quite large, I 
 am inclined to believe that this ridge was formed as an 
 off-shore sand bar in shallow water, and not as a sand 
 beach. These water-worn sandstones are from the 
 shelly cliffs of the Ohio sandstone, and are so thickly 
 scattered over the surface that in many places cul- 
 tivation is impracticable until they are picked up 
 and thrown into heaps. They are thin, flat, rounded 
 stones, from the size of gravel to fifteen or twenty 
 jMunds weight. It seems to me impossible that this 
 ridge could have been formed as a beach line. I 
 therefore give it as my opinion that it is an off-shore, 
 shallow-water sand bar. 
 
 Murray Ridge is a short ridge two miles west of 
 Elyria, in that township. Its course is ucfirly north 
 and south; it branches off from the main or center 
 ridge to the south; altitude, one hundred and ninety- 
 eight feet. 
 
 Middle Ridge commences in the extreme southwest 
 corner of Sheffield, runs through the northwest corner 
 of Elyria, and through Amherst in a southwesterly 
 direction; altitude, one hundred and forty-eight feet. 
 Wltittlesfij Ridge is about two miles from the lake, 
 and has an altitude of from ninety to one hundred 
 
 feet. It extends southwest from Beaver creek in 
 Amherst to the Vermillion river in Brownhelm. It 
 is the nearest of all the ridges to the lake that runs 
 parallel with it. 
 
 A ridge runs out from Elyria west of north through 
 the township upon which is located the Black River 
 road. Its altitude is about one hundred and fifty 
 feet. It is a spur or offshoot from the Center ridge. 
 Often while driving along this beautiful ridge, have 
 I looked off across to the east and north over the well 
 cultivated farms, and pictured to myself this arm of 
 a great inland sea coming up to the very foot of this 
 ridge and extending off to the east along the slope of 
 the Center ridge, forming in this obtuse angle a 
 beautiful bay. This was long before there was a 
 human being upon the face of the earth to behold 
 the beautiful things that God had created; and yet 
 there were no less beautiful things then than now, 
 with all the teeming millions of human eyes to behold 
 with wondering admiration. 
 
 The main ridges all run parallel with the lake, and 
 as a consequence presented a barrier to the natural 
 drainage of the land. The water coming down from 
 the higher lauds on the south, settled in behind these 
 ridges, forming ponds or small lakes, which, as vege- 
 tation slowly accumulated, finally became swamj^s. 
 Hence we find on the south side of all our ridges, 
 these swamps. 
 
 ROCK FORMATIONS. 
 
 By the fossil remains of the fauna and flora, in the 
 geological strata of past ages, the geologist is enabled 
 to read with tolerable certainty the condition of the 
 globe at any given period of its history. Fossils are 
 the working capital of the geologist, for by these 
 only can he tell equivalent rocks and their relative 
 positions. No Silurian fossils are ever found above 
 or below the Silurian age ; Devonian fossils are 
 never found in the Silurian or carboniferous ages; 
 but each distinctive age had its own peculiar animal 
 and vegetable life for which it was then adajited; 
 that is, the fauna and flora which belonged to that 
 and no other age. This is also true of the different 
 epochs and subdivisions of time. No fossils are found 
 in the one that belong to the other. Hence, when 
 the Silurian age closed, with it closed all the teeming 
 millions of animal life that then existed; and so it is 
 with each successive age. No bridging over from 
 one age to the other; no connecting link between the 
 two. But, on the contrary, the line of demarkation 
 is very plainly drawn between each successive age of 
 the world, by means of the fossils they contain. 
 
 I do not wish to be understood that we do not find 
 fossils in one age that may not represent in some way 
 those of another, for we know that we find trilobites 
 which are a crustacean in the very lower Silurian, and 
 we find living crustacean to-day but no trilobites. 
 The farmer knows that he gathers apples from ajiple 
 trees, and hickory nuts from hickory trees. Just as 
 sure does the geologist know when he finds a fossil 
 
20 
 
 niSTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 to what class of rocks and age it belongs. " By their 
 fossils ye shall know them." 
 
 CUTAnOCJA SHALE. 
 
 The highest or first surface rock in Lorain county 
 is called the Cuyahoga sliale, from its fine ex]iosui'e 
 on the banks of the Cuyahoga river. It underlies all 
 the souMiern ])art of the county, and is the first rock 
 above ilic sandstone, having its out-crop along the 
 streams through the middle and sontlieru portion of 
 the conniy. It is a fine, hard, impervious, argilla- 
 ceous, gray shale, with occasionally thin l)ands of 
 pearly sandstone running through it, but is of no 
 economic value. In its decomposition it produces a 
 cold, wet, tenacious soil, of little value for tillage; 
 and it is well for the farmers that they get but little 
 of it. It is one of the most uninteresting of all the 
 series. It holds no minerals of value and but few 
 fossils of interest. Much of its upper portion has 
 been removed hj glacial attrition, leaviug its average 
 thickness about one hundred and fifty feet. 
 
 The Cuyahoga shale is tlie uppermost member of 
 the Waverly group. The Waverly is of carboniferous 
 age and is the lowest group of carbouifereous rocks. 
 In Lorain county this group is subdivided into four 
 members, namely: Cuyahoga shale, Oliio sandstone, 
 Bedford shale, and Cleveland shale. 
 
 SAND ROCK 
 
 AND ITS ECONOMIC VALTTE. 
 
 In the fall of 1877 I made a tour of tlie rocks and 
 quarries of Elyria, Amherst and Brownhelm. For 
 years I have occasionally visited some one or more of 
 these magnificent quarries, but never before made a 
 tour of the whole. I was hardly prepared to realize 
 the vast magnitude of the work going (ui licre. 
 The stone annually handled is simply enormous. In 
 nearly all these quarries work was being vigorously 
 pushed although it was late and in the closing season. 
 It was cheery and pleasant to hear the click, click of 
 the pick, chisel and drill, as I went from quarry to 
 quarry. 1 found more or less fossilized wood, appa- 
 rently coniferous (cedar family), but no shells or 
 other animal fossils. Althougli at Berea, in the same 
 formation, tliere has been found shark's teeth {rJn- 
 (liitlus), and a species of shells {lingiihi srn/ii-n). 
 
 In Clough's quarry I found a seam in tlie rock tliat 
 deserves more tlian a passing notice. It was about 
 two feet wide from top to bottom and nearly vertical, 
 extending from the top to the depth they had quar- 
 ried, fifty feet, and how much farther we cannot tell, 
 but undou])ledly to the very bottom of the rock. 
 There ai'e two causes combined which could have pro- 
 duced tiiis singular break, although tliey may have 
 been long ages apart: an internal disturbance which 
 raised the rock and opened tlie seam. But had the 
 rock remained in its raised position the crevice would 
 not have been of uniform widtli, but would have been 
 V shaped, or widest at the top; or, had the rock set- 
 tled back to its original level, the seam would have 
 
 been closed. This last is probably just what was 
 done, as we find it of the same width all the way 
 from base to summit, filled with bluish clay and frag- 
 ments of stone, some of them showing erosion. Now 
 it hardly seems possible that this massive rock of 
 millions of tons in settling back to position could 
 have moved at its base sufficient to have left such a 
 seam as this, and certainly it would not have been 
 filled with such a mass of luird clay and other nuite- 
 rial that we now find in it. 
 
 But in the ice period there was another agency at 
 work: tlie great glaciers, whicli passed over these 
 rocks (for their marks are on them) from east to west, 
 tearing down mountains and filling up valleys in 
 their course. This jjower, and this alone it seems to 
 me, was adequate to have separated this rock (the 
 break having already been made) and moved it to the 
 west sufficient to leave this crevice which we now find 
 filled up with clay-mud and otiier debris. 
 
 I do not wish to be undei'stood tliat this is the only 
 possible solution of this strange plienomenon. But 
 after giving it careful study, this is the theory I have 
 arrived at. I also found a similar break nearly in 
 the center of the Worthington quarry. 
 
 We found upon inquiry at tlie different quarries 
 that the number of men employed dui'ing the season 
 is aboiit six hundred. And here let me say that the 
 gentlemanly jiroprietors and their foremen laid us 
 under many obligations for valuable information. 
 They were all, without a single exception, willing to 
 stop and show us through their quarries and machin- 
 erv, and also to give any information desired in regard 
 to the quality of stone, shipments, etc. We found 
 these foremen not only well informed, intelligent 
 men, but some of them quite good geologists, who 
 cduld talk about other rocks than Amherst sandstone. 
 
 In nearly all these quarries the rock is very mas- 
 sive but easily accessible; standing, as it does, in 
 ledges, the stripping is comparatively light. None j 
 of them have as yet gone to the bottom of the I'ock. 
 At Worthington's they have gone down some eighty 
 feet and not touched bottom yet. 
 
 There are many small (juarries scattered here and 
 there throughout this wliole sand-stone district, 
 mainly used for home consumption and local trade. 
 
 We will now try to give a description of this vast 
 deposit, its distribution, composition, economic value, 
 etc. It is the most valuable element in all our geo- 
 logical series, and reaches its greatest maximum of 
 excellence in quantity, quality and accessibility in the 
 quarries at Amherst and Brownhelm. These rocks 
 underlie the wliole eastern half of the State, and have ' 
 their out-crop from Brownhelm <hi the north and 
 west, through the entire central ]iortion of the State 
 to Portsmouth, on tlie Ohio river. Although dcei)ly 
 buried in many places by drift deposits or the Cuya- 
 hoga shale, yet they are readily accessible in more 
 than fifteen counties in the State: of which Lorain. 
 Cuyahoga, Geauga, Trumbull, Medina, Fairfield and 
 Pike are the most important. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 27 
 
 These rocks have a gradual thinning out as they go 
 east and south, so that in Tennessee and Kentucky 
 there is but very little if any sandstone in the series, 
 and in eastern Ohio and Pennsylvania argillaceous 
 material enters largely into the composition of its 
 beds. Its greatest thickness is ohtaiued at its very 
 mn-thwestern out-crop. Here it attains a depth of 
 eighty to one hundred feet or more. At Amherst and 
 Brownhelm tlie topmost layers are removed as strip- 
 pings, wlieu afew feet of flagging is generally obtained, 
 and then the solid homogeneous rock is reached. At 
 Independence, in Cuyaiioga county, nearly all the 
 flagging material has been removed by glacial erosion 
 leaving about twenty-five or thirty feet of massive 
 sandstone. At Berea it is still different. Hero the 
 flagging stone comprises nearly one half of its entire 
 thickness, or about twenty feet of flagging to thirty 
 feet of building stone; so that at Berea its entire 
 thickness is only about half of that at Amherst. 
 There are good ([uarries at Elyria, Ridgeville, Colum- 
 bia and Avon. Tiie stone at Ridgeville does not come 
 al)ovc the surface, but is of very suj)erior ([uality, fine 
 in texture, very white, and free from iron and clay 
 balls. The upper stratum of these ledges at Amherst 
 and Brownhelm, stands about sixty or seventy feet 
 above the natural drainage of the surrounding country, 
 consequently there has been for ages, atmospheric 
 moisture passing through these rocks, thoroughly 
 oxydizing the iron they contain; thus leaving those 
 cheerful mellow tints, so highly appreciated by the 
 architect and builder. The prevailing color is a light 
 warm bull or drab, changing as tlie rock dceitens 
 below drainage, to a light gray or dove color, and at 
 its base to a bluish tint, known as '' blue Amherst," 
 and very highly prized in the New York market. 
 
 The texture of the stone is fine and homogeneous, 
 usually without iron, and very few flaws or breaks, 
 so that it is very readily worked into any desiraljle 
 shape or size, working very easily under the pick or 
 chisel, and yet retaining with faithfulness all its 
 markings. 
 
 Its strength is equal to ten thousand pounds to the 
 square inch, one thousand pounds more than the 
 celebrated brown stone of Connecticut; four times 
 that of the best l^rick, and much stronger than the 
 best marble or granite. 
 
 Its durability is greater than any other known sedi- 
 mentary rock; being nearly pure silex, it resists the 
 erosive action of the atmospliere to a wonderful 
 degree, and is not affected by weathering any more 
 than the very best Scotch gi-anite. Its durability is 
 beautifully shown on the I'ocks north of the Haider- 
 man quarry, where there are very fine glacial grooves 
 and markings, which have remained intact for ages. 
 and also in the hierogly])hic markings on the surface 
 rocks on the farm of J. J. Rice, in Amherst township. 
 Here these markings must have lain exposed to the 
 denuding agencies of the frosts and storms of a 
 thousand years or more, and still the sharp markings 
 of the pick are plainly visible to this day. 
 
 It is also very refractory and will resist the action 
 of fire where limestone, marble and granite are en- 
 tirely destroyed. This was very clearly demonstrated 
 in the great Chicago fire. Its chemical analysis is as 
 follows: 
 
 Silicic acid (the substance of pui'o quartz) 00.22 
 
 iVlumnia ^■'■^ 
 
 Peroxide and protoxide iron 2.37 
 
 Lime 0.87 
 
 Magnesia tJ.26 
 
 Alkalies OO'i 
 
 100.00 
 
 Thus it will be seen that the great beauty, strength 
 and durability of this rock will command for it the 
 highest price in any market. Hence, as a building 
 stone, it is shipped to nearly every city in the Union, 
 irom the Atlantic to the Mississippi, and from Her 
 Majesty's Dominion in Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. 
 From the Amherst quarries some of the finest build- 
 ings of Boston, New York, Chicago and St. Louis 
 were constructed; as were also the Parliament build- 
 ings of Canada. 
 
 We have only spoken of it as a material for build- 
 ing purposes. Thousands of tons of grindstones and 
 coarse whetstones are made and annually shipped to 
 all parts of the civilized world, and in New England 
 they come into competition with the best Nova Scotia 
 stones; and for dry grinding they are not excelled 
 anywhere. 
 
 The annual product of these quarries is quite large. 
 We have the average figures before us, kindly fur- 
 nished by the difl'erent companies, which show the 
 annual shipment of block stone to be three hundred 
 and eighty-five thousand cubic feet. Of grindstone, 
 eleven thousand two hundred tons and of other stone 
 large amounts. Total annual receipts over 1500,000, 
 and the business is increasing from year to year. 
 This great deposit so widely distributed over our State 
 belongs to the Waverly series, and is of carboniferous 
 age. 
 
 The question is often asked, how and why are tlie 
 different names given to the different geological for- 
 mations, and how divided. The equivalent of our 
 Devonian rocks were first described and classified at 
 Devonshire in England, hence the name Devonian. 
 The Silurian from Siluria, in Wales. The Huron 
 shale (which belongs to the Devonian) was deter- 
 mined and located, as to its relative position to the 
 otlier rocks, on tlie Huron river, hence its name. 
 
 The Waverly sandstone was brought into note by 
 the large quarries at the town of Waverly, in Pike 
 county, from which this stone was taken to build the 
 massive loelvs of tlie Ohio canal. Tlie first geological 
 survey in 1837 gave these rocks the name of Waverly 
 sandstone; but they have been called by so many 
 local names since that we adopt the name "Ohio 
 sandstone." Our present State geologist called them 
 "Berea grit," from the fact that at Berea the first 
 grindstones were manufactured from it and sent into 
 market, which brought them into such a world-wide 
 reputation. The name Waverly is retained and at- 
 tached to the class of rocks to which this belongs. 
 
28 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 The outcrops of these rocks at Amherst and Brown- 
 hclni, of which we have been speaking, were once 
 liigh bhiffs against which a great, inland sea dashed 
 its ever-ceaseless waves for countless ages, wearing 
 away the softer portions and leaving those ledges like 
 little islands amid a boundless ocean. 
 
 BEDFORD SUALE. 
 
 The next rock below the sandstone is the Bedford 
 shale, which is about seventy feet m thickness. Its 
 upper portion is of a reddish color, caused by the 
 oxidation of iron from the sandstone lying immedi- 
 ately above. This is the only red shale in the coun- 
 try, and is a good guide to those in search of the 
 sandstone. This red shale is well exposed in nearly 
 all the creeks and gorges the whole widih of the 
 county along the base of the sandstone. The l)est ex- 
 posure of the Bedford, however, is shown on the Ver- 
 million river in Brownhelm township, at and near 
 the mouth of Chance creek. Here the banks are one 
 hundred and thirty-two feet in height, and nearly 
 the entire thickness of both the Bedford and Cleve- 
 land are shown together. The upper strata of the 
 Bedford are red, the middle and lower portions a dull 
 bluish gray. 
 
 The Vermillion river was so named from the color 
 this shale gives to its banks. The upper strata being 
 red, as it crumbles and dissolves, the storms wash it 
 down from above thus giving the banks at a little 
 distance the appearance of having been painted red. 
 On Black river the Bedford is also well exposed, and 
 here is shown its uneven upper surface which was cut 
 away by currents of water while it was soft clay. 
 
 These channels were filled with sand which was 
 eventually hardened into stone. This will account 
 for the uneven lower surface of the sandstone at 
 Grafton and other places. 
 
 There are some very interesting fossils in the Bed- 
 ford, although they are not numerous, for which see 
 chapter on " Fossils." 
 
 CLEVELAND SHALE. 
 
 I quote from Prof. Newberry, a description of this 
 shale which is better than any I can give: 
 
 *■ This is a black bituminous shale from fifty to sixty feet in thiclcness, 
 which is well exposed beneath the Bedford shale in the valles'S of Black 
 and Vermillion rivers. It contains over ten per cent, of carbonaceous 
 matter, and this gives it a black color by which it may at once be recog- 
 nized when freshly broken. Where long exposed, its carbon is burned 
 out by oxidation and it becomes gray; hence its out-crops, taking the 
 color of the other gray shales in the series, may not be identified with- 
 out some excavation. 
 
 "The only fossils found in the Cleveland shale of Lorain county up to 
 the present time, are rbomboidal enameled fish-scales. These belong to 
 a ganoid fish, probably a species of Pakisoitiscus but no entire individual 
 has as yet been obtained. The Cleveland shale has no economic im- 
 portance, except that it is clearly the source of the petroleum found at 
 Grafton and Liverpool." 
 
 Since the above description of this shale was written 
 by Prof. Newberry I have made this shale an especial 
 study, and have finally discovered in it the remains of 
 some of the most remarkable jolacoderm fishes the 
 
 world has ever known, nearly, if not quite equal to 
 those of the Huron epoch for which see chapter on 
 "Fossils." 
 
 This shale is literally filled with sea-wee ds and nther 
 carbonaceous matter. There are good exposures on 
 nearly all the streams emptying, into Lake Erie, from 
 the Vermillion, east; but the best are found on the 
 Black and Vermillion rivers. Here may be seen its 
 entire thickness at a glance, and the student in geology 
 may use his pick, and chisel, with a fair prospect of 
 success. There are thin bands of cone-in-cone lime 
 running through it. From its i)eculiar structure at 
 first it was taken te be fossiliferons, but ujion careful 
 examination it was found to be mechanical, and not 
 organic. Some of this cone-iu-cone takes the form of 
 half a clam-shell, and as they slip out from the rock 
 in this shape with their folds and serrated edges, it is 
 ditlicult to persuade one's self that tliey are not fossils. 
 We often find a group of these, very uniform in size, 
 shape, and appearance; but mostly the cones are 
 massed in together wedge-shape, and can only be 
 taken out by breaking up the rock. At present the 
 economic value of the Cleveland shale is but slight. 
 There can be distilled from it about ten gallons of 
 petroleum to every ton of shale, and the time may, 
 and probably will come when, with improved ma- 
 chinery and better knowledge, this will be made an 
 additional source of wealth to our county. It is 
 impossible for us to even remotely comjirehend the 
 vast resources of the earth. What wise provisions 
 there have been made for the comfort and happiness of 
 man! — "Treasures new and old" hid away in the 
 great storehouse of nature, ready to be brought to 
 light and use, as man needs tliem along down the 
 course of time. 
 
 One of the most wonderful of all these productions 
 of nature, is petroleum; and as the Cleveland shale is 
 unquestionably the source from which the petroleum 
 at Grafton is obtained, we will consider it in connec- 
 tion with these rocks. We shall speak of it only in 
 general terms, but for a detailed account of the oil 
 wells at Grafton, we refer the reader to the history of 
 that township in this volume. 
 
 The early settlers of Grafton found along the creeks 
 in that township sinkholes or pits, in which oil col- 
 lected. In many places the soil was saturated with 
 asphaltic tar, produced by the evaporation of this oil. 
 These pits bear every evidence of having been made 
 for the i)urpose of collecting the oil, by the ancient 
 peojile who inhabited the country long before the 
 white man trod the soil. AVhether it was the old 
 Mound-Builders, or the red man of a later period, we 
 of course cannot tell; but probably the former, as the 
 whites have no knowledge of the Indians coming to 
 these oil jjits, after they came into i)ossession. What 
 use this ancient people made of this oil is of course 
 all conjecture; but the most rational theory is, that 
 they used it for its medicinal qualities. This also 
 seems to have been the first use made of it by the i 
 whites. " 
 
HISTOEY OF LOKAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 29 
 
 These oil springs, as they were culled, extended 
 from Grafton into Liverpool, five miles east. And 
 here, as early as 1843, Harris Warner suuli a well in 
 one of these springs down to the rock, from which he 
 collected the oil and sold it as "rock oil," for the 
 cure of burns, sprains, rheumatism, etc., for which it 
 ac(|nired quite a reputation. 
 
 In 18G1, the oil excitement ran high, and wells were 
 drilled in Grafton. Tlie Jones well, about a mile 
 north of the center, was sunk to a deptli of six hun- 
 dred feet, but drew its oil from a dejith of one hundred 
 feet below the surface. The Rising well was sunk 
 one hundred and fifty feet, but drew its oil from a 
 point eighty-five feet below the surface. From these 
 and other experiments, it was soon learned that it 
 was useless to go below the base of the sand rock. 
 The oil from these wells is a thick, heavy oil, of a 
 specific gravity of 33° to 38° (Baum.): too heavy to 
 jirofitably distill for illuminating purposes — the only 
 use then made of petroleum. Since that time, it has 
 becQ discovered that this heavy oil is an excellent 
 lubricator, and consequently more valuable than the 
 lighter oils. 
 
 The rock in which this oil is found is the "Ohio 
 sandstone," which here varies very much in tliickncss, 
 and consequently makes the production of oil more 
 uncertain. In one place, it was found to V)e only one 
 foot in thickness, and a few rods away one hundred 
 feet thick. Now, we have before stated that this 
 sand-rock is nearly pure silex, or quartz: it is tiiere- 
 fore very evident that it cannot produce the oil — no, 
 not one drop in a thousand tons. Then it may be 
 asked, if it is found here, where does it come from, 
 and how does it get into these rocks? And why don't 
 we find it everywhere in the sand-rocks, as well as 
 here? We will try to answer these questions satis- 
 factorily by investigating these rocks at Grafton. 
 
 Now then, commencing at the turf, we go through 
 a few feet of drift-clay into the Cuyahoga shale, hard 
 argillaceous, of a bluish-gray color, and fine in tex- 
 ture. Its composition jjrecludes the idea of its being 
 an oil-producing rock. Then we go down some forty 
 or fifty feet to the sand-rock; tiiis we know does not 
 produce it, although we find it here. And now, we 
 remember that oil always works up, not down; and as 
 we find it here, we must still go lower for its origin. 
 So we go down again some eighty or one hundred feet 
 to the next shale below the sand-rock; this is called 
 " Bedford shale." A few feet of this is red, and then 
 the color is light and dark gray. This is -not what 
 we are looking for; so down we go sixty or seventy 
 feet more, and we strike a hard, black, bituminous 
 shale called the "Cleveland shale." Ah! this, we 
 think, must be it: bituminous it is, iu every sense of 
 the word. We will now take some of this shale to 
 Prof. Wormely, at Columbus, and have him analyze 
 it by distillation, and what is the report? Ten to 
 fifteen gallons of oil to every ton of shale. We have 
 now found where this oil comes from; and now we 
 want to know what produces it. Prof. Wormely tells 
 
 us, and our eyes can plainly see that these rocks (we 
 call all the members of the series rocks) are literally 
 filled with sea-weeds, and other fatty vegetable mat- 
 ter, so we conclude that it is a vegetaljle production, 
 and not of aniuud origin. 
 
 The conditions under which oil is found a,re alike 
 in all parts of tiic wdrld: whether in Oiiio, Pennsyl- 
 vania, China, or elsewhere. It must be an open, 
 porous sand-rock, which can absorb and retain the 
 od; or broken up into crevices, as reservoirs for its 
 accumulation, and a hard impervious shale resting 
 immediately upon the rock to prevent its esca))e. 
 These are the only conditions under whicli oil is found 
 in quantity. 
 
 At Gi'afton we find that internal disturbanc(^s from 
 far below the surface have 02)ened seams iu the rocks, 
 from below the Cleveland shale up to the sand-rock, 
 which permitted the oil to escape above; and as the 
 sand-rock was harder and more compact tluin the 
 other rocks, the shock was correspondingly greater, 
 thus rending them into fissures, into which the oil 
 flowed for ages by the process of slow distillation. 
 The impervious Cuyahoga shale resting directly upon 
 this rock, acts like the cover to a pot to hold tlie oil 
 in these fissures and prevent its escape. Here it has 
 remained foruntold ages, until man's inventive genius 
 has probed the earth and brougiit this wonderful 
 treasure forth. Tlie Cleveland shale is the lowest 
 mendjer in the Waverly group, which belongs to the 
 carboniferous age. 
 
 ERIE SHALE. 
 
 We might almost pass the Erie rocks, without 
 mention, so unimportant are they in our county. 
 They have no fossils, and hold no minerals or other 
 matter that can contribute materially to the wealth of 
 the county. I only find the Erie a few feet tliick on 
 the Vermillion near its mouth. A thin outcrop 
 aiq)ears about a mile or so east, on the lake shore, 
 and from this we find r.o more of it until we reach 
 Avon point, where it forms the rocky cliffs of the 
 shore. Here it has an exjiosure of twenty-six feet; 
 and four miles east, of sixty feet, and continues to 
 form the shore-line to Dunkirk. 
 
 In New York and Pennsylvania the Erie shale 
 reaches a thickness of more than two thousand feet, 
 so that we here in L(jrain county are on the extreme 
 western edge of the basin of that old l-Crie sea, which 
 in New York State was more than two thousand feet 
 deep when this deposit was formed. 
 
 This shale may readily be distinguished by its color, 
 which is a dull blue or greenish gray. There are tiiin 
 bands of lenticular iron ore running through it, 
 which were used in an early day for smelting botli 
 at Vermillion and Black river, but since the Lake 
 Superior and other iron mines have been made acces- 
 sible, this kind of ore has been abandoned for the 
 reason that it could not be obtained in any quantity, 
 as it could only be gathered along the shore as it 
 washed out from the cliff by the action of the waves; 
 
30 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 and also the expense and ditRculty of smelting. I 
 luivc lieen told by those who iiave worked this kind of 
 iron-stone that it prodiu-od aljoiit forty per eent. of 
 iron. The Erie belon^^s to the Devonian and is the 
 
 ii[ipcrniiist iin'inhcr in this jiroup. 
 
 Ill' RON SHALE. 
 
 We now come to the last or lowest rock that is 
 exposed on the surface in the county. Like the Cleve- 
 land, it is a black bituminous shale filled with car- 
 bonaceous matter. The oil, of which it is the origin 
 and of which it contains from ten to fifteen gallons to 
 the ton of shale, is of a lighter grade than that 
 obtained from the Cleveland shale. It is supposed to 
 be the source from which is obtained all the oil of 
 Pennsylvania. This rock underlies all of Ohio, has 
 its outcrop in Kentucky, Tennessee and some of the 
 western States. Its thickness here is about three 
 hundred feet, but in the eastern part of the State it 
 is nearly twice as thick. Aside from the petroleum 
 production the most interesting feature of the Huron 
 is its gigantic fossil fishes, fm' which see chapter on 
 "Fossils." 
 
 Not only is the llur.m the source of petroleum, but 
 it is the origin of the carburetted hydrogen gas which 
 escapes from the ground at numerous points all 
 
 through the county. Almost every township has 
 more or less of these "gas-springs." All along the 
 lake shore, in still weather, this gas may be seen 
 bubbling up, and in some places the flow is so copious 
 that they never freeze over in winter. Often have I 
 touched a lighted match to the escaping gas as I have 
 been sailing along, to see it flash. lu some parts of 
 the county these gas-springs have been utilized for 
 lighting and heating purposes, and it seems to me 
 the time is not far distant when this gas will be used 
 to a considerable extent. 
 
 I have now given as full a descrij)tion of these 
 rocks and their economic values as it is possible to 
 give in one short chapter in a work like this. I have 
 given their relative position to each other, as laid 
 down in the books. That this will be changed and 
 very much modified hereafter I have do d(Uibt, but at 
 present we leave them here. 
 
 I hardly think it necessary, or that the reader will 
 wish me to go on and tell about the Hamilton group, 
 that lies next below the Huron, and the coniferous 
 groui), which is next, and the Oriskany which is the 
 lowest member of the Devonian age. None of these 
 rocks come to the surface in Lorain county, but are 
 found as surface rocks in adjoining counties. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 FOSSIL FISHES AND WHERE THEY ABE FOUND; 
 Front View (Diagram) one-tentli natural size, linear. 
 
 Dentition of Diniclithys Terrelli. — Newb. 
 
 ITntil a few years since it was sujiposed that the 
 rocks of Lorain county were ban-en of fossils, except 
 small fragments of wood found in ([uari-ying the sand- 
 stone at Amhei'st, Elyria and some other places. 
 These, of themselves, are ([uite unimportant, except 
 it be to sliow that in the ejjoch of the deposition of 
 these sand rocks there existed coniferous trees. 
 
 In the year 186G I came to the lake shore and 
 purchased the place now known as " Lake Breeze." 
 In walking along the beach I found water-worn frag- 
 ments of a new, and to me unknown fossil, of which 
 Prof. Newberry, in the " Report of the Geological 
 Survey of Ohio," says: 
 
 "About the time of Mr. Hertzer's discovery of fish remains at Dela- 
 ware, Mr. Jay Terrell, of Elyria, found several large, water-worn frag- 
 ments of lilack. mineralized bone on the beach of the lake west of Avon 
 Point. These had evidently fallen out of the cliff of Huron shale which 
 here forms the lake shore. On examining these bones when brought to 
 
 »By Jay Terrell, 
 
 Cleveland by Mr. Terrell, I discovered that they were portions of the 
 'OS niedi'itm dorst ' of Dmichthys. This is a plate which covers the arch 
 of the back immediately behind the head; and was, in some cases, two 
 feet in length and breadth, and more than two inches thick at its cen- 
 tral anterior portion. Since his discovery of the first of these interesting 
 relics, Mr. Terrell has pursued the search for them with much enthu- 
 siasm and success." 
 
 These water-worn sjjecimens did not give me any 
 cine as to where they might be found in place; still I 
 made a careful, and thorough search for them when- 
 ever the lake was still and clear enough to admit of 
 it, supposing them to be under the water, but near 
 the shore, or they would not thus be broken up and 
 thrown upon the beach. 
 
 I continued this search for more than a year, and 
 had nearly given uji the hope of ever finding them in 
 place, and as we often found pieces upon the beach, 
 I had began to think that possibly they might have 
 been brought here in the ice period. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 31 
 
 About this time Park, one of my little boys, (who 
 was then ten years old and wlio had been with me 
 considerable in my researches, and had become much 
 interested in hunting for "our fish-bed" as we had 
 already begun to call it) went out alone one day and 
 in hnntiug along the banks of shale found a specimen 
 embedded in the solid shale. He immediately came 
 to me to tell me of his success, and to show me where 
 it was that I might get it out. This was the start- 
 ing point, — -''our leader." From this we certainly 
 could find others. It was not then a bed of bones 
 massed together as I had supposed, but in detached 
 pieces, scattered here and there through the shale. 
 Enough was now known to tell us where to look 
 for them; and a vigorous search was at once com- 
 menced. It was, however, three weeks before another 
 single trace was found; and I had almost given up in 
 despair, when one day, about a mile below our starting 
 point, I found another specimen clearly defined in 
 the rocky shale. My field of labor was now fully 
 located, and a systematized search commenced in 
 earnest. From that time to the present I have exca- 
 vated more thau a thousand bones. 
 
 Sometimes I have had to work for days, and blast 
 the rocks in order to reach them; others have been 
 readily accessible by the pick and chisel. In one 
 instance I worked five days, with several men, in 
 blasting and clearing away the debris, bafore we 
 reached the rocky floor in which these bones were 
 embedded; but it was a grand find. Prof. Newberry, 
 in speaking of it says: 
 
 "Since the publication of the first vohime of this report, a lar^e 
 amount of interesting material, illustrating the structure of this genus, 
 has been brought to light. In this material is to be found nearly the 
 entire bony system of one large individual, which gives us a more com- 
 plete representation of Dinichthijs than has yet been obtained of any 
 of the larger fossil fishes of the (_>U1 World, These specimens we owe to 
 the enthusiasm and intelligence of Mr, Jay Terrell, who found them 
 near his home in Sheffield, Lorain county. Here the upper portion of 
 the Huron shale forms, along the Lake shore, cliffs which are being 
 constantly worn away by the waves. These cliffs have been Mr, Terrell's 
 favorite hunting-ground, and as the erosion of the surface reaches here 
 and there the projecting point of a bone, each indication has been fol- 
 lowed up with care, and the bone taken out, perhaps in many fragments, 
 but yet complete in all its parts, Mr. Terrell has carefidly preserved 
 and united these fragments, and thus has been able to contribute to 
 science some of the most interesting and valuable Paheonfological 
 material ever discovered," 
 
 "Some months since, while scanning the cliff near his house, his 
 attention was attracted to a bone of which only a small portion w.as 
 visible, the remainder being concealed in the rock. On taking this out, 
 others immediately associated with it were revealed, which were, h<iw- 
 ever, so deeply buried, as to be inaccessible by ordinary means. In 
 these circumstances Mr, Terrell began operations on the cliff above, 
 and excavated a spa;e about twelve feet square down to the locality of 
 the bones. Here he found the ventral shield, before unknown, quite 
 complete: one mandible, a "premaxillary" and two "raaxniary;"a 
 perfect dorsal shield, two feet in diameter; two scapulo-coracoid*, with 
 a large number of additional bones, including the ossified rays of a 
 large fin. From the same locality Mr. Terrell had before obtained a 
 cranium almost complete, and two supra-scapulas: thus giving, as has 
 been said, nearly the entire bony structure." 
 
 " Since this important discovery Mr, Terrell has found a complete 
 mandible and maxilLary of larger size than any before met with; the 
 mandible (under jaw) being twenty two inches in length," 
 
 The class of fishes to which these bones belonged, 
 are now called Diiiiehfhi/s-Terrelli (Terrell's terrilile 
 fish.) 
 
 Dentition of Dinicbthys Terrelli. 
 
 Side view (diagram); one-tenth natural size, linear. 
 
 They were armor-clad monsters of the old Huron 
 sea, which rolled over nearly all of the North Amer- 
 ican continent, long ages before the formation of the 
 coal measures. A thick, massive, bony coat of mail 
 covered all the vital parts of their upper surface, 
 while the plates that protected the under side of the 
 body were large but relatively thin. No scales have 
 as yet been found with their i-emains; hence it is 
 inferred that the posterior portion of the body must 
 have been covered witJx a thick, tough skin. It is 
 evident that they were cartillagenous, from the fact 
 that no bones of their internal structure have been 
 found. Hence it is more difficult to calculate their 
 size and shape, which has not yet been fully deter- 
 mined; but probably tliey were from fifteen to twenty 
 feet in length, with very massive bodies. The head 
 is composed of thick, bony plates, strengthened with 
 massive internal arches, all firmly anch\dosed together, 
 forming a bony bos which is two feet in length and 
 thii'ty inches in breadth and in some places more than 
 three inches in thickness. 
 
 Prof. Newberry says of the os arficulare rapifls of 
 the head plate: 
 
 " The joint itself is formed by a deep cylindrical socket, into which 
 fits the condyle of the mtpra-ncaimlar, in such a way as to form one of 
 the strongest and most complete articulations in the whole animal 
 kingdom," 
 
 Of the .iaws, he says: 
 
 " The dental apparatus of Dinichthys is its most remarkable feature. 
 The massive jaws are themselves transformed into teeth more singular 
 in their structure, and more formidable than any living fish. These 
 powerful jaws terminate in four dense teeth, which aj-e five inches long 
 and three broad. They have shining black enamel on their wearing 
 edge. Back of these front teeth, the under jaw is formed into a sharp 
 cutting edge of jet black enamel, one-third their entire length. An 
 upper tooth with a thin, long, beveled edge (six inches long), fits and 
 corresponds to the under jaw in such a manner that the two pla,y upon 
 each other precisely like the blades of a pair of shears." 
 
 With such a pair of jaws as these, set in a head more 
 than three feet and a half In-oad, it is easy to see that 
 these great monsters were able to crush a much larger 
 body than that of a man. I have one bone (middle 
 plate of the back) which is twenty-four inches long 
 and twenty-seven broad; is three inches in its thickest 
 jiart, and weighs thirty pounds. 
 
 I need not here give a detailed descriiition of the 
 many bones which belong to this wonderful fish. The 
 
32 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 tlirec al)Ovc mentioncil, are sufficient for our present 
 purpose. It is impossible in hmgiiiige, to give any 
 correct idea of these specimens. Suffice it, therefore, 
 to say, tliat they are the remains of the hirgest fossil 
 fishes now known to tiie scientific world. 
 
 Such a lish as this must have had formidable 
 enemies, or he would not have been clad with such a 
 bony coat of mail; and then his teeth clearly indicate 
 that he was carnivcrDUs, and therefore fed on other 
 large animals of the deep. Hence, in all my re- 
 searches for his remains, I have ever been on the 
 lookout for something else; and my labors have been 
 rewarded as follows: 
 
 In the rocks u)) Black River, which Prof. Newberry 
 designates " Cleveland Shale," and as belonging to 
 the W.averly series, T discovered the remains of very 
 large placoderni fishes, nearly if not quite as large as 
 those belonging to the Huron epoch, some of the 
 bones weighing many pounds each. I am not quite 
 satisfied that the location of these rocks is correct; 
 at present, however, we leave them as they are placed 
 by the geological survey. 
 
 I also found in the same locality the spine of a large 
 denacanf/ius shark; dadodus. and other small sharks' 
 teeth ; jugular and other plates, of different parts, of 
 these little carboniferous sharks; together with the 
 scales of other fishes. 
 
 In the Bedford shales below Elyria I have obtained 
 shells of a small Llnijiihi, not yet described and 
 named; also a shell, new, but proljably allied to the 
 SpirifiTS, and (puuitities of mollusks, (Miirrndon- 
 Haiiiilfoniu'); also a species of small shark, and some 
 other fossils. These were all found in a baud of 
 limestone, of about one foot in thickness, lying in 
 the upper stratum of this shale and extending two or 
 throe miles along its exposure on Black river. 
 
 I have obtained from the Huron shale at the lake 
 shore, iu addition to those already mentioned, several 
 bones and teeth of small, and as yet undescribed fossil 
 fishes, some cones, apparently belonging to Lepido- 
 dendron, fruit pods and seeds, of sea weeds, and an 
 undescribed species of Goninfites, (chambered shells). 
 Broad, flag-like impressions of sea-weeds are very 
 common all through this shale. 
 
 We now come to three classes of large fishes, that 
 have recently been described and named by Professor 
 Newberry. I give extracts from his descriptions, 
 pulilished in the Annals of the New York Academy 
 of Sciences, 1878: 
 
 nil'LOON.VTIIUS Mrit.VBILIS* (n. sp.) X. 
 
 " Dentary bone of mandible (under jaw), about eigliteen inches long, 
 by two inches in width, anterior half thickens as in Dinichthys. vising 
 inU^ a prominent point anteriorly, which diverges from its fellow of 
 the opposite dentary bone, to form a forked extremity to the under 
 jaw. Upper margin of the anterior half of dentary bone set with strong, 
 conical, smooth, acute, incurved teetii, which dimish in size as they 
 ascend the elevated point. Four larger, conical, recurved teeth, are set 
 on the inner side of the triangular extremity of the mandible, filling 
 the space between the point and the symphysis. A broad, roughened 
 depression or pit at the symphysis marks the place of attachment of a 
 
 ♦Wonderful double-acting jaw. 
 
 strong ligament, which unites the mandibl»s, and prevents the splitting 
 of the forked extremity of the jaw. 
 
 " The remarkable stnictnre of the jaw on which the foregoing descrip- 
 tion is baseil. is without parallel, so far as known in the animal kingdom^ 
 The dentary bones are produced forward into triangular divergent 
 points, which are set with teeth on either margin; thus the extremity 
 of the lower jaw forms a fork set with strong recurved teeth. This 
 would form a very effective instrument for catching slender slippery 
 fishes like eels .and was doubtless used for that purpose," 
 
 " From the Huron Shale, SheCReld, Lorain couuty, Ohio. Discovered 
 by Jay Terrell," 
 
 DIXK'HTHYS CORRUGATUS (N. SP.) N. 
 
 " Dorsal plate four to five inches long, shield-shaped, terminating 
 anteriorly in an obtuse, posteriorly in an acute point; the sides, irre^- 
 larly rounded, f«)rin a feather-edge, probably btiried in the ii, tegument, 
 U|iper surface gently arched, marked by several obscure longitudinal 
 striic, anil by a peculiar transverse crape-like wrinkling. The under 
 surface is uniformly excavated, and arched transversely on either side 
 of the low and sharp central crest. This crest is prolonged into a nar- 
 row neck-like process, which projects forward and downward from 
 the margin of the shield, and is excavated in v broad furrow on its 
 upper surface. 
 
 "The supra-occipital bone is wedge-shaped and truncated fonvard, 
 rounded behind, with a low point at the center of its margin. The 
 upper surface is marked with characteristic transverse crape-like 
 wrinkling; the under surface slopes backward from the middle, with a 
 prominent ridge, which forms the terminal point; anterior to the slope 
 is a semi-elliptical excavation, divided at the bottom in two by a longi- 
 tudinal ridge," 
 
 " An imperfect jaw found with the dorsal plate, and correspond ng in 
 size, is about four inches in length, posterior extremely spatulate and 
 thin; the anterior portion polished without, and terminating above in a 
 sharp edge; the anterior extremity broken away," 
 
 " From the Huron Shale, Sheffield, Lorain county, Ohio, Discovered 
 by Jay Terrell." 
 
 CTENACANTnrS COIIPRESSUS (N. SP. ) N. 
 
 ■'Spine of medium size, perhaps six inches long, much compressed, 
 by one inch and a half wide, strongly arched above; anterior margin 
 smooth, posterior flattened with a well-marked rounded ridge along the 
 central line. Upper half of posterior face thickly set with conical 
 recurved teeth. Exposed portion wholly covered with fine longitudinal 
 ribs, which are highly ornamentedby closely approximated transverse 
 lines," 
 " Pectination finest on middle and lower portion of sides," 
 " From the Huron Shale, Sheffield, Lorain county, Ohio, Discovered 
 by Jay Terrell." 
 
 I have now mentioned and described all the fossils, 
 so far as I know, that have been discovered within the 
 limits of our county. The Cuyahoga shale which is 
 exposed along the streams in the southern portion of 
 our county, has yielded in Medina and some other 
 places crinoids, mollusks and other small shells, and 
 no doubt these might be found here upon proper 
 search made for them; and possibly new genera and 
 new species. 
 
 CHAPTER YI. 
 
 THE MOUND-BUIIiDERS, 
 
 A people, concerning whom nothing beyond the 
 fact of their existence is known, are called Mound- 
 Builders. This name was given them because of the 
 earthworks, mounds and fortifications which they 
 erected, — generally along the courses of streams. 
 Some of the.se are works of defence, others burial 
 places. These mounds and their contents furnish us 
 the only information obtainable in reference to this 
 strange people. That the period of time at which 
 they existed reaches far back into the past is evi- 
 denced from the fact that the races of red men who 
 
HISTORY OP LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 33 
 
 succeeded them have been unable to furnish us any 
 account of mIio they were, whence they came and 
 whither they went. A veil of impenetrable mystery 
 enshrouds their history. Their mounds are a proof 
 of tlieir existence, for tlieir chai'acter and the place 
 and mode of their erection attest the handiwork of 
 intelligent beings, while the bones, weapons of war- 
 fare, stone implements and arrow-heads which have 
 been discovered and are still found buried in these 
 earthworks, furnish a still stronger proof of the ex- 
 istence of a pre-historic people. The skek'ton re- 
 mains of lium m beings of such dimensions as to show 
 that their one-time possessors were beings of almost 
 gigantic proportions, were exliumed from their ancient 
 cemeteries by the tirst settlers. The Indians, dis- 
 claiming them as kindred, could give no information 
 in regard to them. These ancient earthworks are 
 found in several t>laGes in Lorain county. We de- 
 scribe one or two of them. Professor Newberry says: 
 
 "The best preservf-tl fortifications in the county are on land owned by 
 R. Burrell, Esq., in the angle formed by the union of French and Sugar 
 creeks, in Sheffield township. The valleys of these two streams are 
 quite deeply excavated, and inclose a narrow triangle of high land at 
 their juncture, which is bounded by cliffs of shale forty-five feet in 
 height and almost perpendicular. Across the base of this triangle, at 
 the distances respectively of three hundred and fifty and two hundred 
 and seventy-eight feet from the apex, are two deep, parallel trenches, 
 each one hundred and thirty-five feet long, reaching from bluff to bluff. 
 Mr. Burrell states that when the land was first cleared in 1816, these 
 trenches were eight feet deep. They have been plowed over from year 
 to year since, but are quite plainly discernible. The purpose of these 
 trenches was evid<'ntly to defend from attack, a village or citadel situ- 
 ated on the level surface of the height. The plateau was evidently in 
 habited for many years, perhaps centuries, as the soil which covers it 
 is a ' made soil,' abounding in bones of animals, stone implements 
 and arrow-heads. Probably the efficifncy of the trenches was increased 
 by palisades or some other defence of wood, all trace of which has dis- 
 appeared by decaj". 
 
 "An ancient fortification erected by the Mouad-Builders is discernible 
 on land owned by Mr. Jacob Delker on a bench of the west bluff of the 
 Vermillion river, where it makes a bend after entering the township 
 from Henrietta, not far below the bridge. The descent upon this pro- 
 jection of land is quite rapid. About midway of the descent a trench 
 was dug and breastworks were thrown up. They now stand out dis- 
 tinctively, but have been cut through in the middle to permit the pass- 
 age of wagons. The trench has been mostly filled in by the washing 
 down of the gravelly bluff above. A young peach orchard is in the old 
 fortification. 
 
 ** About seven acres are included in a large fort on Mr. Jacob Ennis's 
 land, on the east bank of the Vermillion river, three miles above its 
 mouth. The Mound-Builders must have considered this an important 
 station, as shown by these extensive intrenchments, now sonipwhat ob- 
 scured in outline on one side by reason of many years' plowing. The 
 soil of this fort contains quantities of fragments of bone and potteiy 
 and chippings of flint." 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE INDIANS. 
 
 The aboriginal tribes that are known to have inhab- 
 ited this region, together witli the entire conntry in 
 Ohio lying to tlie south of Lake Erie, belonged to one 
 (u- the other of two great families of Indians: the 
 Algonkin, or Huron-Iroquois. The tribes whieh may 
 l)e named as having been at one time or another 
 dwellers upon the soil of what is known as the Western 
 Reserve, are: 
 
 Of the Huron-Troquois family: The Erics, followed 
 by the Iroquois proper, or tlie six nations — the Mo- 
 hawks, the CaijHfjas, the Oneidas, the Onondagas, 
 
 the Senccas and the Tuscarawas — and the Hurons 
 proper, or the Wyandots. Of the Algonkin family: 
 The Delawares, the Shawnces, the Ottawns, the Mi- 
 amis, the Chippewas, the Pottaiuattomies and the 
 Kicka2)Oos. 
 
 THE ERIES. 
 
 The Eries arc the only red men, who as a complete 
 tribe have inhabited the region bordering the southern 
 shore of the lake that bears their name. They were 
 known to the first French explorers and discoverers 
 of the great west, and by them were called the FeJinns 
 or the Cat nation. Why they received this name is 
 not known, except it was that throngh the forests in 
 which they dwelt there prowled great numbers of 
 the animal known as wild cats. They have given to 
 the lake near which they dwelt the name that desig- 
 nated their tribe. More than this, we do not know 
 aught of this strange people, except the interesting 
 information which the traditions of other tribes 
 furnish us in regard to their overthrow and complete 
 destruction. These traditions come from their con- 
 querors, the fierce and powerful Iroquois, and by them 
 we are assured that the account is accurate and 
 trustworthy. AVe give herewith the narrative as taken 
 from the lips of Black Snake and other venerable chiefs 
 of the Senecas and Tonawandas, and published in 
 the Buffalo Commercial of July, 1845. That i^aper 
 says: 
 
 "Near the mission-house, on the reservation adjoining the city of 
 Buffivlo, can be seen a small mound, evidently artificial, that is said to 
 contain the remains of the unfortunate Eries, slain in their last great 
 battle. The Indians hereabouts believe that a small remnant of the 
 Eries still exist beyond the Mississippi, The small tribe known as the 
 Qtoapaws, in that region, are also believed to be the remains of the 
 Kankwas, the allies of the Er/cs/^ 
 
 This sanguinary conflict is supposed to have taken 
 place a few years prior to the year 1700. 
 
 DESTRUCTION OF THE ERIES. 
 
 The Uries were tlie most powerful and warlike of 
 all the Indian tribes. They resided south of the great 
 lake (Erie), at the foot of which stands the city of 
 Buft'alo, the Indian name for which was Tu-slm-way. 
 
 When the Eries heard of the confederation which 
 was formed between the Mohairks, who resided in the 
 valley of that name, the Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayti- 
 gas, and Senecas, who lived, for the most part, upon 
 the shoi-es and the outlets of the lakes bearing respec- 
 tively their names (called by the French the Iroquois 
 nation), they imagined it must be for some mischiev- 
 ous purpose. Although confident of their superiority 
 over any one of the tribes inhabiting the countries 
 within the bounds of their knowledge, they dreaded 
 the power of such combined forces. 
 
 In order to satisfy themselves in regard to the 
 character, disposition, and power of those they con- 
 sidered their mutual enemies, the Eries resorted to 
 the following means: They sent a friendly message to 
 the Senecas, who wei'e their nearest neighbors, invit- 
 ing them to select one hundred of their most active, 
 athletic young men to play a game of ball against the 
 
34 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 same iinnilicr to be selected by the Fries, for a wager 
 wliich sliould be considered worth)' the occasion and 
 the character of the great nation in whose belialf the 
 ofPer was made. 
 
 Tlie message was received and entertained in the 
 most respectful manner. A conncil of the "Five 
 Nations" was called, and the proposition fully dis- 
 cussed, and a messenger in due time dispatched with 
 tJie decision of the council, respectfully declining the 
 challenge. This emboldened the Erics, and the next 
 year the offer was renewed, and, after being again 
 considered was agaiji formally declined. This was far 
 fi'om satisfying the proud lords of the great lake, and 
 the challenge was renewed the third time. 
 
 The blood of the j'oung Iroquois C(mld no longer 
 be restrained. They importuned the old men to allow 
 them to accept the challenge. The wise counsels 
 which had hitherto prevailed at last gave way, and the 
 challenge was accepted. 
 
 Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm with which 
 each tribe sent forth its chosen champions for the 
 contest. The only difiiculty seemed to be to make a 
 selection where all seemed .so worthy. After much 
 delay one hundred of the flower of all the tribes were 
 finally designated, and rhe day of their departure was 
 fixed. An experienced chief was chosen as the leader 
 of the party, whose orders the young men were strictly 
 enjoined to obey. A grand council was called, and in 
 the presence of the assembled multitude the party 
 was charged in the most solemn manner to observe a 
 pacific course of conduct towards their competitors and 
 the nation whose guests they were to become, and to 
 allow no provocation, however great, to be resented by 
 any act of aggression on their part, but in all respects 
 to acquit themselves worthy the representatives of a 
 and great powerful people, anxious to cultivate peace 
 and friendship with all their neighbors. Under these 
 solemn injunctions the party took up its line of march 
 for Tii-slni-waij. When the chosen band had arrived 
 in the vicinity of the point of their destiiiation, a mes- 
 senger was sent forward to notify the Eries of their 
 arrival, and the next day was set apart for their grand 
 entree. 
 
 The elegant and athletic forms; the tasteful, yet 
 not cumbrous, dress; the dignified, noble bearing of 
 the chief, and, more than all, the modest demeanor 
 of the young warriors of the Iroquois party, won the 
 admiration of all beholders. They brought no arms; 
 each one bore a bat, used to throw or strike a ball, 
 tastefully ornamented, being a hickory stick about 
 five feet long, bent over at the end, an<l a thonsr 
 netting wove into the bow. After a day of repose and 
 refreshment, all things were arranged for the contest. 
 The chief of the Iroquois brought forward and depos- 
 ited upon the ground a large pile of elegantly wrought 
 belts of wampum, costly jewels, silver bands, beauti- 
 fully ornamented mocca.sins, and other articles of 
 great value in the eyes of the sons of the forest, as 
 the stake or wager on the part of his people. These 
 were carefully matched by the Eries, with articles of 
 
 equal value, article with article tied together and 
 again deposited on the pile. 
 
 The game began, and, although contested with 
 des])eration and great skill by the Eries, was won by 
 the Iroquois, who bore off the prize in triumph. 
 Thus ended the first day. 
 
 The IroqwAs having now accomplished the object 
 of their visit, pi'oposed to take their leave, but the 
 chief of the Eries, addressing himself to their leaders, 
 said their young men, though fairly beaten in the 
 game of ball, would not be satisfied unless they could 
 have afoot-race, and proposed to match ten of their 
 number against an equal number of the Iroquois 
 party, which was assented to, and the Iroquois were 
 again victorious. 
 
 The Kdukirus who resided on Eighteen-Mile creek, 
 being present as the friends and allies of the Eries, 
 now invited the Iroquois party to visit them before 
 they returned home, and thither the whole jiarty 
 repaired. The chief of the Erjes, as a last trial of 
 the courage and prowess of his guests, proposed to 
 select ten men, to be luatched with an equal immlier 
 of the Iroquois party, to wrestle, and that the victor 
 should dispatch his adversary on the spot by braining 
 him with a tomahawk and bearing off his scalp as a 
 trophy. This sanguinary proposition was not at all 
 ])leasing to the Iroquois; they, however, concluded 
 to accept the challenge ; with the determination, 
 should they be victorious, not to execute the bloody 
 part of the proposition. The champions were accord- 
 ingly chosen. A Senecn was the first to step into the 
 ring, and threw his adversary, amid the shouts of the 
 multitude. lie stepped back and declined to execute 
 his victim, who lay passive at his feet. As quick as 
 thought the chief of the Eries seized the tomahawk, 
 and, at a single blow, scattered the brains of his van- 
 quished warrior over the ground. Ilis body was 
 dragged away, and another champion of the Eries 
 presented himself. He was ([uiekly thrown by his 
 more powerful antagonist of the Iroquois party and as 
 (|uickly dispatched by the infuriated chief. A third 
 met the same fate. 
 
 The chief of the Iroquois party, seeing the terrible 
 excitement which agitated the multitude, gave a signal 
 to retreat. Every man obeyed the signal, and in an 
 instant they were out of sight. In two hours they 
 arrived at Tu-shu-waq, gathered up the trophies of 
 their victories, and were on their way home. 
 
 This visit of the hundred warriors of the Fire Ay/- 
 fions and its results only served to increase the jeal- 
 ousy of the Eries, and to convince them that they had 
 powerful rivals to contend with. It was no part of 
 their policy to cultivate friendship, and strengthen 
 their own power by cultivating peace with other tribes. 
 They knew no way of securing jK-ace to themselves 
 but by exterminating all who might oppose them. 
 But the combination of several powerful tribes, any 
 of whom might be almost an e(|ual match for them, 
 and of whose personal prowess they had seen such an 
 exhibition, inspired the Eries with the most anxious 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 35 
 
 forebodings. To cope wifli tliem collectively they saw 
 was impossible. Tlieir only hope, therefore, was in 
 beinjr able by a vigorous and sudden nioveniont to 
 destroy tliuni in detail. With this view a powerful 
 ])arty was immediately organized to attack the Seitecas 
 who resided at tlie foot of Seneca lake (tiie present 
 site of Geneva), and along the banks of Seneca river. 
 It happened that at this period tiiere resided among 
 tile Fries a Seneca woman, who in early life had been 
 taken prisoner, and liad married a husband of the 
 Erie tril)e. He died and left her a widow without 
 children, a stranger among strangers. Hearing the 
 terrible note of preparation for a bloody onslaught 
 upon her kindred and friends, she formed the resolu- 
 tion of apprising tliem of their danger. As soon as 
 night set in, taking the course of the Niagara river, 
 she traveled all night and early next morning reached 
 tiie shore of Lake Ontario. She jumped in a canoe, 
 which she found fastened to a tree, and boldly pushed 
 into the open lake. Coasting down the lake, she 
 arrived at the mouth of the Oswego river in tlie night, 
 where a large settlement of the nation resided. She 
 directed her steps to tlie house of the head chief, and 
 disclosed the object of her journey. She was secreted 
 bv tiie chief, ami runners were dispatched to all the 
 trilies, summoning them immediately to meet in coun- 
 cii, wliicli was held in Onondaga Hollow. 
 
 Wiien all were convened tlie chief arose, and, in tiie 
 most solemn manner, rehearsed a vision, in wiiich he 
 said that a beautiful bird appeared to him and told 
 iiim that a great party of the Eries was preparing to 
 mike a secret and sudden descent upon them to de- 
 stroy tliem, and th.it notiiing could save them Init an 
 immediiite rally of all the warriors of tiie Five Na- 
 tions, to meet tiie enemy before tiiey siioukl ix^ aljle 
 to strike tiie ijiow. These solemn annouucenieuts 
 were heard in breathless silence. When the eliief 
 had linisiied and sat down, tliere arose one immense 
 yell of menacing madness. The earth shook wiien 
 tlie migiity mass brandished high in the air their war- 
 ciuljs, and stamped the ground like furious beasts. 
 
 No time was lost. A body of five thousand warriors 
 was organized, and a corps of reserve, consisting of 
 one thousand young men who had never been in bat- 
 tle. The bravest ciiiefs of all the triljcs were put in 
 com mind, and spies immediately sent out in search 
 of tile enemy, the whole body taking up their line 
 of marcii in the direction whence they expected tlie 
 attack. 
 
 The advance of the party was continued several 
 days, passing through, successively, the settlement of 
 tiieir friends, the Onondaijas, the Cayuyas, and the 
 Senecas; but they had scarcely passed the last wig- 
 wam, now the fort of C'a-aii-du-f/ua (Canandaigua) 
 lake, when the scouts brought in intelligence of the 
 advance of the Fries, who had already crossed the 
 Ce-nis-se-u (Genesee) river in great force. Tiie Eries 
 had not the slightest intimation of the approach of 
 their enemies. They relied on the secrecy and celerity 
 
 of their movements to surprise and subdue the Sene- 
 cas almost without resistance. 
 
 The two parties met at a point about half-way be- 
 tween the foot of Canandaigua lake, on the Genesee 
 river, and near tlie outlet of two small lakes, near the 
 foot of one of wiiicii (Iloncoye) the battle was fought. 
 When the two parties came in sight of each otiier the 
 outlet of the lake only intervened between them. 
 
 Tlie entire force of the five confederate tribes was 
 not in view of the Eries. The reserve corps of one 
 thousand young men had not been allowed to advance 
 in sight of the enemy. Nothing could resist the im- 
 petuosity of the Fries at tiie first siglit of an opposing 
 force on the other side of the stream. They rushed 
 through it and fell upon tiiem with tremendous fury. 
 Tiie undaunted courage and determined bravery of 
 the Iroquois could not avail against such a terrible on- 
 slaught, and they were compelled to yield the ground 
 on the bend of the stream. The whole force of the 
 combined tribes, except the corps of the reserve, now 
 became engaged. They fouglit hand to hand and foot 
 to foot. The battle raged horribly. No quarter was 
 asked or given on eitiier side. 
 
 As the fight thickened and became more desperate, 
 tiie Fries, for the first time, became sensible of their 
 true situation. What they had long anticipated had 
 become a fearful reality. Their enemies hid combined 
 for their destruction, and tiiey now found themselves 
 engaged, suddenly and unex])ectedly, in a struggle 
 not only involving the (jlorij, but perhaps the very 
 existence of their nation. They were proud, and had 
 hitherto been victorious over all their enemies. Their 
 superiority was felt and acknowledged Ijy all tlie tribes. 
 They knew how to conquer, but not to yield. All 
 these considerations flashed upon the minds of the 
 liold Eries, and nerved every arm with almost sujicr- 
 huinan power. On the other hand, the united foi'ces 
 of the weaker tribes, now made strong Ijy union, fired 
 with a spirit of emulation, excited to the highest pitcli 
 among the warriors of the dillcrcnt tribes, brought 
 for the first time to act in concert, inspired with zeal 
 and confidence by the counsels of the wisest chiefs, 
 and led by the most experienced warriors of all the 
 trii>es, the Iroquois were invincible. 
 
 Though staggered by the first desjierate rush of 
 tiieir opponents they rallied at once, and stood their 
 ground. And now the din of battle rises higher; the 
 war-club, the tomahawk, the scaljiing-knife, wielded 
 by herculean hands, do terrible deeds of death. Dur- 
 ing the hottest of tlie battle, which was fierce and 
 long, the corps of i-eserve, consisting of a thousand 
 young men, were, by a skillful movement under their 
 exjjcrieiiced ciiicf, placed in tiie rear of tiie Fries, on 
 tiie opposite side of the stream in ambush. 
 
 The Fries had been driven seven times across the 
 stream, and had as often regained tiieir ground; but 
 the eighth time, at a given signal from their chief, 
 the corps of young warriors in ambush rushed upon 
 the almost exhausted Fries with a tremendous yell, 
 and at once decided the fortunes of the day. Hun- 
 
36 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 dreds, disdaining to fly, were struck down by the war- 
 clulis of the vigorous young warriors, whose thirst for 
 the blood of tlie enemy knew no bounds. A few of 
 tlie vanquished Eries escaped to carry the news of the 
 terrible overthrow to their wives and children and old 
 men that remained at home. But the victors did not 
 allow them a moment's repose, but pursued them in 
 their flight, killing all who fell into their hands. 
 
 The pursuit was continued for many weeks, and it 
 was five months before the victorious party of the 
 Five jYrt/('o«s returned to their friends to join in cele- 
 brating the victory over their last and most powerful 
 enemy — the Eries. 
 
 Tradition adds that many years after a i)owerful 
 war-party of the descendants of the Eries came from 
 beyond the Mississippi, ascended the Ohio, crossed 
 the country, and attacked the Senecns, who had 
 settled in the seat of their fathers at Tu-slm-wmj. A 
 great battle was fought near the site of the Indian 
 mission-house in which [\\q Erics were again defeated, 
 and slain to a man. Their bones lie bleaching in the 
 sun to the present day, — a monument at once of the 
 indomitable courage of the terrible Eries and of their 
 brave conquerors, the Seneras. 
 
 THE IROQUOIS. 
 
 After their conquest, the Fire Nations became the 
 undisputed owners, if not the actual occupants, of the 
 soil bordering the southern shore of Lake Erie. They 
 carried their incursions into the far west, and became 
 sovereigns of an almost boundless territory. For 
 many years succeeding the subjugation of the Eries 
 this region was known as the hunting-ground of the 
 powerful Iroquois. The Senecas which were the 
 westernmost tribe of the Fii'c Nations were oftener 
 the occupants of the territory than any other tribe. 
 The rivalry between the French and English for 
 title to American soil involved the Indians in innumer- 
 able wars, resulting in great decimation of their num- 
 bers. This struggle for rivalry ceased in 1703 with 
 the treaty of Paris, when England came into the 
 possession of France's title to the gi-eat west. From 
 this time to the close of the Revolutionary struggle 
 the Iroquois retained possession of the forests of 
 Northern Ohio. In 1780 the number of the Iroquois 
 
 warriors inhabiting what now is the Reserve could not 
 have exceeded two hundred. 
 
 TUK liruoNS, OK WYANDOTS. 
 
 The peninsula enclosed between lakes Huron, Erie 
 and Ontario, had been the dwelling-place of the orig- 
 inal llurons. After their defeat by the Five Nations 
 they became widely scattered, some descending the 
 St. Lawrence, where, in the region of Quebec, their 
 descendants are yet to be seen; a part were adopted 
 into the tribes of their conquerors; others fled beyond 
 Lake Sujierior and hid themselves in the wilderness 
 that divided the Chippewas from their western foes, 
 while scattered bands took refuge iu the forests of 
 Northern Ohio. They were probably more familiarly 
 known to the pioneers of this region than any other 
 tribe of Indians. 
 
 REMNANTS OE ALGONKIN TRIBES. 
 
 The Algonkins, two hundred years ago, were by far 
 the most numerous family of American Indians, and 
 their domain reaching from the Atlantic to the Jlissis- 
 sippi river was the greatest in extent. The historian, 
 Bancroft, fixes their number two centuries ago at 
 ninety thousand, while the Iroquois family arc thought 
 not to have exceeded seventeen thousand. A hundred 
 years ago a numl)er of their tribes were quite numer- 
 ously rej>resented on the soil of what is now Northern 
 Ohio. The greatest numljer of these red men belonged 
 to the Delaware, the Chippeioa, and the Ottawa tribes, 
 although remnants of the Shawnees, the Pottawato- 
 mies, the Miainis, and the Kiekapoos were likewise 
 present. In the wars between the Indians and the 
 pioneer settlers of Ohio, preceding the treaties of Fort 
 Mcintosh (1785), of Fort liarmar (1789), of Fort 
 Greenville (1705), and of Fort Industry, (1805), the 
 red men were completely subdued, and thereafter this 
 region, instead of being the permanent dwelling-place 
 of one or more tribes of Indians, came to be tempo- 
 rarily the common hunting-gi-ound of many tribes. 
 Seeking permanent homes in the remoter west, they 
 returned here during the hunting seasons to renew 
 the sports of the chase and roam through the jjleasant 
 forests where lay buried the dead of their forefathers. 
 Such was the condition, for the most part, of the 
 red men of this locality when first came hither the 
 white settler. 
 
 ABSTRACT OF TREATIES CONVEYING LANDS. 
 
 DATE OP 
 
 TREATY. 
 
 WHERE MADE, AND BY WHOM. 
 
 1713 1 Utrecht. England, France and other European 
 
 powers. 
 1726 Albany, New York. Iroquoin and the English. 
 
 1"W Lancaster, Pa. Same parties as above. 
 
 SUHMABT OF THE GRANTS. 
 
 France cedes to England Bay of Hudson and its borders. Newfoundland and Nova 
 Scotia. 
 
 All the claims of the Six Nations to hinds west of Lake Erie, including a strip 
 
 sixty miles wide along the shores of Lakes Ontario and Ei-ie from Oswego river 
 
 to the Cuyahoga. 
 AH the lands of the Iroquois that are or hereafter may be within the colony of 
 
 Virginia. 
 Confirm the treaty of Lancaster, and consent to settlements south of the Ohio 
 
 river. 
 
 i'^~ I At Logstown, on the Ohio. Same parties as above 
 
 and western Indians. 
 Paris. England and Portugal on the one side, and 
 
 France and Spain on the other. France cedes to England islands in the West Indies; the Floridas; the eastern 
 
 half of the valley of the Mississippi; all Canada; Acadia; and Cape Breton and 
 its independent islands. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 37 
 
 ABSTRACT OF TREATIES CONVEYING LANDS. — CONTINUED. 
 
 DATE OF 
 TREATY. 
 
 WHERE UADE, AND BY WHOM. 
 
 1783 Paris. England and the United States. 
 
 ITt^ ; Fort Stanwix, New York. The Iroquois and the 
 
 United States. 
 1785 Fort Melntosb, at the mouth of Big Beaver. The 
 
 United States and the Chippewas, Delawares, 
 
 Ottawas, and Wyandoh. 
 
 1786 Fort Finney, near the mouth of the (Ireat Miami. 
 
 The United States and the Hhawnees. 
 
 SUMMARY OF THE GRANTS. 
 
 1789 At Fort Harinar. The /rocyuo/s and western tribes 
 
 I and the United States. 
 
 1795 At Fort Greenville. United States with twelve 
 
 tribes, — Wyandofti, Delanmres, Shtiwnees, Otta- 
 was, Chippewas, Putfdwattomies, Miainis, Kick- 
 apoos, Piankashau's, a,Qd Kaskctskias. 
 
 17% At Buffalo. The Senecas and the Connecticut Land 
 
 Company. 
 
 1805 At Fort Industry, on the Maumee. The United 
 
 States and Western Tribes. 
 
 1807. 
 1808. 
 
 1815. 
 
 At Detroit. The Unite<l States and Western 
 
 Tribes. 
 Brownstown, Michigan. 
 
 Springwells, near Detroit. 
 
 At the rapi Js of the Maumee. 
 
 At St Mary's. 
 
 England cedes to the United States the territory in North America lying south of 
 
 the chain of lakes and east of the Mississippi. 
 Tlie Iroquois cede to the United States all their claims west of Pennsylvania. 
 
 The Indians cede all their claims east and south of the Cuyahoga, and the portage 
 between it and the Tuscarawas to Fort Laurens l Bolivar); thence to Laramie's 
 Fort (northwest part of Shelby county); thence along tite Portage path to the 
 St. Mary's river, and down it to the Omee or Maumee river and the lake shore 
 to the Cuyahoga. 
 
 These Indians did not own the land occupied by them on the Scioto, and are 
 allotted a tract on the heads of the two Miamis anil the Wabash, west of the 
 Chippewas, Delawares, and Wyandots. 
 
 Treaty of Fort Stanwix confirmed by the Irotptiu's. Treaty of Fort Mcintosh 
 confirmed l)y the western tribes,— the Sauks and Pottairuttomies assenting. 
 
 Boundary of Fort Mcintosh and Fort Harmar confirmed, and extended to Fort 
 Recovery and the mouth of the Kentucky river. 
 
 The Senecas, represented by Brant, cede the Connecticut Land Company their 
 
 rights east of the Cuyahoga. 
 The Wi/andots, Delaivarfs. Oftawas, Chip}>ewas, Shaimees, Munsees. and Potta- 
 
 H'a/fom/e;; relinquish all lands west of the Cuyahoga as far west as the west 
 
 line of the Western Reserve, and south of the line from Fort Laurens to 
 
 Laramie's fort. 
 The Ottatvas, Chippewas, Wyandots and Potfairattomies cede all tbat part of Ohio 
 
 north of the Maumee river, with part of Michigan. 
 The same parties and the Shtutmees grant a tr-act two miles wide, from the west 
 
 line of the Reserve to the rapids of the Maumee, for the purpose of a road 
 
 through the Black swamp. 
 Thi Chijjpewas. Ottaivas, Potttiuattomies, Wyandots, Delaivares, Senecas, Shaw- 
 
 nees, and Miamis, wlo had engaged on the British side in the War of 1813, 
 
 confiim the treaties of Fort Mcintosh and Greenville. 
 The Wyandots cede their lands west of the Uhe of 1H)I5, as far as Laramie's 
 
 and the St. Mary's river and north of the Maumee. The Poitanattomies, 
 
 Chippewas, and Oitanas cede territory west of the Detroit line of 1807 and 
 
 north of the Maumeee. 
 The Miamis surrender the remaining Indian territory in the north of the Gieeuville 
 
 line, and west of the St. Mary's river. 
 
 CHAPTER VI IT. 
 
 THE MORAVIAN MISSIONS. 
 
 The earliest actual settlement made withiu the 
 present limits of Lorain county, though short-lived, 
 was effected by that zealous but persecuted sect known 
 as Moravians, at the mouth of Black river in 1787. 
 We deem it but just that a short chapter be devoted 
 to this interesting people, aud believe no one will 
 deem the space we accord them as unwisely granted. 
 
 The sect had its origin in Bohemia. Always in- 
 significant as to numbers, and none of them remark- 
 able for wealth, position or learning, no Christian 
 people have shown more zeal or enthusiasm in ex- 
 tending their Master's kingdom. Considering their 
 meager numbers, it may be confidently asserted that 
 no other denomination of Christians has done so 
 much for the missionary cause. Without extraordi- 
 nary skill or ability in elucidating abstruse or difficult 
 problems of l)e!ief, they have sought not to make 
 ]iroselytes among those already well-grounded in the 
 cardinal doctrines of Christian faith, but to teach the 
 elementary gospel religion to those peoples aud tribes 
 who had not yet been converted to Christianity. To 
 the prosecution of this work they have freely devoted 
 their lives and fortunes, and no country has been too 
 
 remote, no shore too forbidding or inhospitable to 
 prevent their planting there tlie banner of the cross 
 aud seeking to bring under its folds the most savage 
 and degraded of mankind. 
 
 In 1732, while their numl)ei-s were less than four 
 hundred, they began tlieir missionary work, the first 
 station estaljlished being at St. Thomas in the West 
 Indies. 
 
 In 17-40 they established a mission among the In- 
 dians at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; but as the Indians 
 were being gradually driven westward, a i)ermanent 
 location was impossible. 
 
 Tlie efforts of the missionaries to civilize the In- 
 dians were not wholly successful. Their contact with 
 the whites was always corrupting in its influence upon 
 the red men. For the missionaries to have success it 
 was necessary for them to keep in advance of the wave 
 of emigration. 
 
 In 1768 a new location was sought near Oil City, 
 Pennsj'lvania, and in 1770 they removed to tlie Beaver 
 river, where they remained a year or more, and tlien 
 turned their steps westward to tlie valley of the Tus- 
 carawas, near New Pliiladelphia. Ohio. Here, in this 
 pleasant and fertile valley, they tliouglit themselves so 
 far in the wilderness that they hoped they might for- 
 ever remain undisturbed. They built cabins, cleared 
 
38 
 
 HISTOllY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 away the forests, worshiped God in peace and happi- 
 ness. Their numbers increased by conversions from 
 the Indians until the seltlemont contained tiirec vil- 
 lai^es named Schoeubruun, Salem and (Jnadenhutten. 
 
 Though they exercised only the arts of peace and 
 kept ah)of from war and strife, patiently suliniitting 
 to wroiij,' without seeking to bestow punishnuMit, they 
 could not escape persecution and marl yi'doni. They 
 were distrusted by both the IJritish and the Ameri- 
 cans. 'I'lie former took steps to break up their mis- 
 sion and bring I he iidiabilants to Detroit as prisoners. 
 
 It was a sad blow to the peaceful Christians to be 
 forced to leave their homes and ungathered crops, 
 and in a long journey through a pathless wilderness, 
 sutfcring indignity, cruelty and untold hardships. 
 
 The following s|)riug, 1782, a few of them by |)er- 
 mission returned to harvest their corn; but no sooner 
 were they arrived than a detachment of Americans 
 came among them, and, seizing a favorable oppor- 
 tunity, rushed ui)on the defenceless Christians and 
 slaughtered them in cold blood. It was one of the 
 most cruel, unprovoked and bloody deeds known to 
 the annals of border warfare. 
 
 Those that had remained at Detroit sought a home 
 in Canada; but, after dwelling a few years among the 
 C/ii/ipcwas, their hearts yearned for their old home in 
 the Tuscarawas, and in 1780 they started thither. 
 
 Reaching a point on the Cuyahoga in Independence 
 township, known as Pilgrims' Rest, they received in- 
 telligence that made them shrink from going further. 
 They halted and remained here about one year and 
 then journeyed westward until they reached the nu)uth 
 of Bhick river (in 1787), and here they made a settle- 
 ment. Their hope was to found here a permanent 
 colony and to labor among the Indians, endeavoring 
 to civilize and t'hristianize them. This cherished 
 wish, however, could not be realized. But a few days 
 had ela[)sed when the chief of the Delawares sent 
 them a message commanding them to depart. This 
 may be tei'uieil the lirst actual settlement eilected 
 within the limits of Lorain county. Though these 
 Moravians tarried but a few days, they had actually 
 chosen a spot where they fully intended to perma- 
 nently remain, and their withdrawal was obligatdry, 
 not voluntary. 
 
 l)i-i\cn from Black river, tliese valiant Christian 
 soldiers next souglit for themselves an asylum on the 
 banks of the Huron, about two miles north of the j)res- 
 ent village of Milan, in Erie county. Here they dwelt 
 for five or six years; but, after suffering many jierse- 
 cutions, they were again driven away, and returne(l to 
 Canada, settling on the river Thomas. 
 
 In 1797, Congress, mindful of their ])ast wrongs, 
 made grants to them of their old lands on the Tus- 
 carawas, whither a portion of them returned and 
 prosecuted their missionary labors. However, their 
 success was retarded by the influence of the white 
 settlers, which was ever demoralizing upon the In- 
 dian, and some of them returned again to Canada, 
 while others, among them Chai'les Frederich Dencke, 
 
 came to the Huron river and established there a mis- 
 sion. This was in ISO-i. Here they continued to 
 dwell for five years, until the Fire Lauds; having 
 been surveyed, the white settler began to claim the 
 lands upon which their cabin homes were erected. 
 Then the missionaries and their Indian adherents 
 sought their brethren in (ianada. 
 
 The mission village on the Huron was called Pe- 
 quotting, or Paynothing. and consisted of a chap(d, 
 mission house and a seoi'e or more of cabins, some of 
 which were afterwards used Ijy the white settlers. 
 
 Their labors consisted in teaching the Indians not 
 only religion, but the rudiments of education, and 
 were successful in inducing them to a certain extent- 
 to procure their food by cultivating the soil, to live 
 in cabins, and to leave off their paint and feathers and 
 to clothe themselves in more civilized garbs. 
 
 Among the most noted of these missionaries may 
 be named Charles Frederich Dencke, who was born 
 in Iceland, his father being a missionary to that conn, 
 try. Tradition states that he had a library which 
 filled a space of not less than ten feet in length by six 
 in height, and occupied nearly the whole of one side 
 of his log cabin at Pequotting. Surely the man who 
 took the pains to transport these books from place to 
 place under so many ditliculties, could not have been 
 uncultivated and unlearned. 
 
 These men were not the heroes of battles nor win- 
 ners of renown in the noisy triumjih of civic strife. 
 They cared not for the apjilause of man, but in a 
 humble way, through years of hunger, toil, weariness 
 and loneliness, sustained by an unwavering trust and 
 faith, they sought out the rude savage of the forest 
 and strove to elevate him to a higher, truer manhood. 
 Is it not fitting that History spares, then, a page 
 whereon to transfix their names and deeds? 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 PIONEER LIFE.* 
 
 It Would seem that the good old state of Connecticut 
 never attempted, perhaps never intended, to exercise 
 empire over her possessions in the west. She con- 
 tented herself with mere ownership; was not very loth 
 to part with her property, which she made haste to 
 dispose of without any expenditure to develop or 
 enhance its nuirket value. The Connecticut Land 
 Comjjany purchased only to sell again. For the imr- 
 pose of division, it was obliged to survey its domain. 
 This accomplished, the Company was immediately 
 dissolved, and each with his allotment at once sought 
 purchasers, and they, without concert, pushed off 
 singly to their aeipusitions. Colonizing in America 
 has been pursued on a somewhat different basis, under 
 a different inspiration from that practiced in Europe. 
 The state undertakes nothing. It is rare that there 
 is organization or combination with us to effect this 
 
 *By A. G. Riddle. 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 39 
 
 purpose. It comes to be known that some new un- 
 peopled region is open or may be opened, and by a 
 common impulse, hardy, enterprising men, with their 
 wives and families, or without them, push off, un- 
 deteiTed by difKculties, and unappalled by obstacles 
 or dangers even, and the next that the world hears, a 
 new and thriving community, pcrliaps a lusty young 
 state, demands recognition. 
 
 Perha]is no section of the country, of such an 
 extent, had then been so rapidly peopled as the Con- 
 necticut Reserve. Witli not a score of occupants in 
 1800, twenty years saw it well settled, and those years 
 cover all there was of pioneer life pro})er, although 
 for twenty years more, the region was souglit ]>y men 
 in search of new homes. 
 
 Planted mainly from Connecticut and Massachu- 
 setts, with a little sprinkle from the rest of New 
 England, New York and Western Pennsylvania, most 
 of immigrants had to traverse over six hundred miles, 
 two-thirds or three-fourths of which was through a 
 wilderness and over the rougliest of roads. The 
 wliole was generally by land carriage, and usually by 
 ox teams. Not until the construction of the Erie 
 canal, did Lake Erie and water carriage make any 
 considerable figure in the transit. Some of the earlier 
 pioneers ventured up the lake in small open boats, 
 landing each night, while many found its wave-beaten 
 beach a smooth and level highway. 
 
 The crushing defeat of the western tribes of Indians 
 by Wayne, in KTt-t, freed the Reserve from the fear of 
 savage hostilities, and although numy small bands 
 found homes and hunting grounds by her beautiful 
 streams and splendid forests, they were not even a 
 source of annoyance till the dark days of 1812. Save 
 a few from western New York and Pennsylvania, most 
 of the settlers were from older New England, where 
 the hatreds and enmities against the Indians had died 
 out, and where the memories of the Pequots of the 
 Narragansetts, and of King Phillip, had become tradi- 
 tions. Her children carried no border animosities 
 into the Ohio woods, and very few of them had any 
 skill as hunters, or much knowledge of woodcraft. 
 No American of that time but had the memory at lea-t 
 of a hunter's and soldier's life; and men in a single 
 day revert to the ways of barbarism if not savagery. 
 Each man and woman from the old organized states 
 of civilization, as their journeys led them deeper and 
 deeper into the western forests, by so much plunged in- 
 to the heart of primitive life, bearing all their civilized 
 needs and wants with them, which could alone be sup- 
 plied by the skill of the hunter, and of men who could 
 draw all the elements of subsistence, at first hand, 
 from unchanged nature. The great wave of pioneer 
 life, whicli slowly rolled from the east to the west, 
 followed by the fixed foot-prints of ever equally 
 advancing refinement and civilization, gave birth, as 
 it went, to a mode of life, manners and customs of a 
 ])ioneer type, consisting of a few well marked pecu- 
 liarities, of plainness, almost coarseness, in a stimulat- 
 ing atmosphere, in that fullness of unconventional 
 
 freedom, which left individuals to develope, in a 
 striking way, the diverse peculiarities and character- 
 istics of their natures. On the Reserve, this phase of 
 pioneer life, with its manners and customs, was of 
 but a few years duration, and affected not more than 
 two generations. There is scarcely a vestige of it 
 now remaining. A cherished, a regretful memory: 
 it is fast fading into a tradition, which genius, art, 
 enthusiasm and the warmest imagination can never 
 reproduce. 
 
 In the peopling of the Lorain woods, no state, nor 
 powerful corporation, no strong combination of indi- 
 viduals had any hand. Few persons of wealth took 
 any jiersoual part in it. No well constructed highway 
 led from the old to the new, with convenient resting 
 places. No common starting place, and no common 
 point of arrival and settlement, where sujijdies wei-e 
 gathered, and around and from which the new homes 
 would be built. A hundred different points, remote 
 from each other, were occupied at the same time, 
 and the sufferings, privations and hardshijis of the 
 first settler were repeated a thousand times, when by 
 care and tact they might have been avoided. 
 
 The silence of the Lorain forests remained unbroken 
 a few years longer than some of her neighboring re- 
 gions. The incidents of their first occupation will be 
 detailed, under the names of the different townships; 
 only a slight general reference can here be made to 
 them. As a general rule, the pioneers were men of 
 courage and enterprise. Few others would have the 
 hardihood to run the risk, and take upon themselves 
 the labor and privation incident to a removal into the 
 woods. 
 
 It is said that the Moraviatis were the first, of 
 European blood, who attempted to make a permanent 
 lodgment on the soil of Lorain, and that in 1787, 
 they gathered a small baud of christian Indians at 
 the mouth of Black river, where they intended to 
 establish a mission for the conversion of the natives, 
 but were compelled to depart by the maiulate of a 
 chief, who claimed jurisdiction of that region. 
 
 One of the first efforts of a settlement, if such it 
 may be called, was in 1807, by Nathan Perry, who 
 established a trading post at the mouth of the same 
 river. Actual clearers of the woods, and cultivators 
 of the soil, first planted themselves at that point in 
 1810. They were said to have been natives of Ver- 
 mont. This position was on the lake coast region, 
 and quite central in the present county. 
 
 In the autumn of 1807, a strong and seemingly well 
 cotisidered attem])t was made to colonize the present 
 township of Columbia, the most eastern of Lorain, 
 from Waterbury, Connecticut. The more prominent 
 men were the three Hoadleys, Williams, Warner, 
 and Bronson, most of whom had families; also, 
 Mrs. Parker and five children. It is said tlie party 
 were two mouths in reaching Buffalo, and undertook 
 to navigate Lake Erie, which must have been extra 
 hazardous at that season. They seem to have been 
 wrecked near the present city of Erie, whence tliey 
 
40 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 made their way on foot to Cleveland, — one of the 
 most disastrous of tlie early attempts to reach the 
 then west. Most of the party spent the residue of 
 the winter in Cleveland. Other immigrants reached 
 Cohunliia iliiring tlic winter, and the ensuing season. 
 
 Ridgeville also received her first pioneers from 
 Connecticut in ISld, and Amherst her first about 
 the same time. Eaton was also first settled from 
 Waterhury, Connecticut, in 1810. 
 
 Three of these points of occupation formed a sort of 
 triangle, not remote from each other, in the eastern 
 central portions of the county, while Black River and 
 Amherst were quite distant to the northwest. The 
 five seem to have lieeu tlie only settlements in the 
 county, until after the dark days of the war of 1813, 
 although some of them seem to have made accessions 
 during that gloomy jieriod. 
 
 Siiellit^ld, adjoining IJlack River on the east, received 
 her first settlers in 1S1.5, from Massachusetts. They 
 came on strong-handed. 
 
 Avon, still east of Sheffield, was settled in ISl-l. 
 
 Hrownhelm, west of Black River, and Grafton, 
 adjoining Eaton, on the south, were settled in 181G, 
 as Avas Elyria. the future county seat, ;ind all three 
 from Massachusetts. Elyria was most fortunate in 
 being selected as the home of the Elys. 
 
 Wellington and Huntington, in the southwesterly 
 part, received tlieir first settlers in 1S18, and both 
 from Massachusetts. 
 
 Carlisle, south of Elyria and west of P^aton, was first 
 occupied in 1819, from Connecticut, and Hrigjiton, 
 adjoining Wellington on the west, in 1830. Russia's 
 first settler came from New York in 1818. Penfield, 
 adjoining Wellington mi the east, in 18I',>, while Hen- 
 rietta was settletl in 1817. The other townships, 
 many of them, were first occujiied in the j'cars soon 
 following these older sisters. 
 
 These pioneers were of one origin, language, re- 
 ligion, witJi political and jiatriotic sentiments mainly 
 identical witii a common history and the same tradi- 
 tions. They were of the intelligent working class, 
 having coniuiunity of puri)ose. wiiicli they pursued 
 by the sanu' methods, and in the same lieli], with 
 results not widely dissimilar. The journev, arrival, 
 building, mode of life, fortune and career, of almost 
 any one of these, resolute, vigorous, thrifty down- 
 cast families, was the couuterj)art of the histories of 
 all the others. 
 
 The leading incidents of these will more properly 
 be mentioned elsewhere. .This slight reference to the 
 ]iei-iods of the first settlements of the older townships 
 and the mention of their origin is merely to show 
 that they were ijuite contemporaneous, and made by 
 a jK'i'fectly limnogeneous ]>eople :ind under similar 
 cnndit ions. 
 
 The UKin of our ol<l civilization is astonished ;it the 
 enumenition of his wants, and perhaps still more at 
 the small nnndjcr absolutely essential to the comforta- 
 ble maintenance of human life, with all of its real en- 
 joyments. A renujval into the dejiths of the Ohio 
 
 woods, where a man was directly placed face to face 
 with primitive conditions, brought him at once to the 
 practical contemj)lation of the problem, and the solu- 
 tion was in his own hands: Food, shelter, raiment. 
 Here was the earth, whose soil was to furnish bread 
 and clothing, but it was covered with a thick growth 
 of great trees to be removed ere it could be planted. 
 Their trunks and barks must be converted into houses. 
 The last was the first to be extemporized. A temporary 
 supply of food, was carried by the immigrant with him. 
 On making his way to his purchase he pursued the 
 trail that led nearest to it, and, with his axe, opened 
 the rest of the way. The iroint gained, the same 
 implement with which a savage continent has been 
 hewn into the rough forms of civilization, cuts down 
 and prepares the tree trunks for the first cabin, which 
 the hands of the whole party, Avomeu and children as 
 well, help to place in the low, rude walls of the primi- 
 tive structure, while the bark of the baswood and elm 
 make the cover. Doorless, floorless. windowless, chim- 
 neyless, the pioneer, eagerly takes possession of his 
 cheerless cabin. Thousands of them within these 
 seventy years were built and occupied in the Lorain 
 woods. Men and women lived in them; children — all 
 the elders of the new generation — were born in them. 
 Death came to them there; and there young women 
 became brides and dwelt there — the hajipy wives of 
 happy husbands. Of all these dwellings in the 
 woods, scarcely the site of one can now be identified. 
 The forest was at once the great foe and lienefactor 
 of the new dwellers in its midst. A war of exter- 
 mination began on the trees. The axe and fire 
 were the agents of their swift destruction, and 
 rapidly the small ring of trees about the cabin en- 
 larged, and the growing, stumpy fields, marked the 
 progress of the struggle. Next to the erection of 
 their own cabin, the most important event was the 
 arrival of another family in the woods, and the erec- 
 tion of their dwelling received the joyous help of 
 every male within ten miles of it. No one born of 
 later years can comprehend the strength and warmth 
 of the bands of sympathy and fellowship which united 
 the first dwellers in the woods in wide neighborhood! 
 What an event was the erection of the first saw- 
 mill! The first grist mill! The setting up of the 
 first lilacksmith's forge! The advent of the first shoe- 
 maker! The purchase of the first cows and sheep! 
 The acquisition of the first cat, dog and hens! The 
 coming of a spinning-wheel in a family and the setting 
 up of a hand lo<im in a neighborhood were events. 
 The raw material for all fabrics were won from the 
 earth. Men raised flax, rotted, broke and swingled 
 it. Women hatcheled, spun, wove and made it into i 
 garments. Wool, shorn from the sheep, was turned 
 into cloth, dyed with Ijark, and the first fretting mill 
 was a benefaction. Then came carding machines. I 
 Many men became apt and skillful hunters, and the 
 pelts of elk and deer were changed by domestic tanners 
 to material for clothing. A great drawback was the 
 scarcity of necessary implements for the household. 
 
 i 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 41 
 
 and for tlio outsido war on the savagery of nature — 
 rudely extempoi'ized chairs, stools and hoxes, gourds, 
 shells, sap-troughs, wooden trays and trenchers; poor 
 axes, rude hoes, imperfect scythes, sickles, hand flails, 
 and fans, and wooden ])lows. Money there was none, 
 and vet money had to he iiaid for taxes, for leather, 
 and usuallv for salt. Hut one product could he ex- 
 changed for money. The Held and house ashes were 
 carefully saved, rude hoiling asheries extemporized, 
 and crude, hiack salts manufactured which in remote 
 rittsl)urgh conunanded money. 
 
 Not tlie least of the enemies eiu'ountered hy the 
 pioneers, were the predaceous wild animals. The 
 hears made war on the swine, considerahle flocks of 
 sJieep were often devoured hy wolves, and the good 
 wives' poultry found many enemies, while the ripen- 
 ing crops were the spoil of animals and hirds of all 
 sorts. 
 
 The ill condition of their dwellings, the scanty 
 supply of warm clothing, the sometimes lack of food, 
 the general iuxrdship and exposure of their mode of 
 life and labor, the endlessness of that toil, with the 
 constant care and anxiety of the elders of the family, 
 amid the unknown perils of the climate, and diseases 
 iiu-identto pioneer life, rendered the settlers liahlc to 
 hccome the victims of sicrkuess, often fatal. More 
 than one epidemic, moi'e malignant than any known 
 to later times, visited the pioneers, and which, in the 
 .absence of skilled medical assistance, was left to work 
 its fatal wi'l, often aggravated by the attendance of 
 ipiacks, who find sludter and victims on the skirts of 
 civilization. 
 
 The presence with us, or the memory, of the few 
 ]iioneers who have reached remarkable age, should 
 luit be taken as conclusive that such life is conducive 
 to great length of years. Whoever will consult the 
 tombstones of the pioneers, — men, women and chil- 
 reu, — will, I think, be struck hy the average short- 
 ness of their lives. 
 
 Living on the bordeis of older .States and commu- 
 nities, their lives were marked by sharp vicissitudes 
 and well defined and peculiar features. Often the 
 victims of the common human vices and weaknesses, 
 the nobler humane and social virtues were developed 
 among them in a degree never found in well estab- 
 lished states of human association. If there was less 
 of what is now called culture, and conventional polish', 
 and relinenient, there was an hundred fold more 
 warmth, spontaneous charity, abounding and widely 
 extended sympathy, friendliness, and good neighbor- 
 hood. Men and women were then spontaneously 
 cajjable of self devoted, heroic and even great actions. 
 
 In the nature of things, pioneer life in the northern 
 Ohio woods, with its habits, manners and customs, 
 was necessarily transitory. The sons and daughters 
 of advanced civilization, hearing all its most precious 
 elements, seeds and principles with them, rushed into 
 the forest, and planted them in the stimulating soil 
 of the west, resolved themselves into the primitive 
 constitutions of human societv. onlv to guard and 
 
 cherish the new growths the more certainly. And 
 now, in seventy years, their descendants are in advance 
 of the kindred who remain in the old seats from 
 which they all sprung, retaining something of the 
 warmth, much of the elevation of character, many 
 features of the In-oader and freer natures and lives, 
 developed in their ])ioneer fathers and mothers, by 
 their sojourn in the wilderness. These are clear gains 
 to the race of man, above and beyond the natural 
 wealth wrought out and transmitted by their hands. 
 They gave us a broader, deeper and wider system of 
 education, freer .and more catholic christian institu- 
 tions, lived their hard, ])aticnt, toilsome lives of 
 fidelity and devotion, and dropped by the wayside, 
 many of them, early, unmeutioned, with their worn, 
 patient, unwearied wives, and were buried in the 
 shadow of the near woods; while many more favored, 
 or hardy, endured to near our day, honored and 
 cherished. 
 
 Of the real pioneer, the fellers of the first trees, not 
 one remains: 
 
 *' Each in his narrow cell forever laid, 
 The riide forefathers of the hamlet sleep."' 
 
 ******* 
 
 " Oft' did the hai^vest to their sickles yield, 
 
 Their fun-ows oft' the stubhoni glebe has broke, 
 How jocund did they drive their teams afield, 
 How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke." 
 
 Their fields 
 remain to us. 
 
 their memories, their graves alone 
 
 CHATTER X. 
 
 CIVIL OEGANIZATION. 
 
 On the 9th of July, 1788, Governor St. Clair, the 
 newly appointed governoi', arrived at Marietta, and, 
 with the help of the judges .lud secretary, proceeded 
 to organize the northwestern territory. Congress had 
 appointed Winthrop Sargent, secretary, and Samuel 
 Holden Parsons and John Cleves Symnies as judges. 
 The district embraced was a vast one, including all 
 the country lying northwest of the Ohio as far west 
 ,as the Mississippi. The laws adopted for the govern- 
 mental needs of the territory were those provided in 
 the celebrated ordinance of 1V87, which has been fitly 
 described as having been "a pillar of cloud by daj', 
 and of fire by night," in the settlement .and govern- 
 ment of the northwestern States. 
 
 In 17S8 the county of Washington was organized 
 by proclamation of the governor and judges. It in- 
 cluded that part of the Western Reserve east of the 
 Cuyahoga river, the old Portage path, and tlie Tusca- 
 rawas river. In the year 17!I5. Wayne county was 
 established, including, with other territory of vast 
 extent, the remainder of the Reserve not embraced in 
 Washington county. In 17il7, .Tetferson county was 
 organized, and its boundaries were such as to include 
 all of the Western Reserve east of the Cnyahog.a. 
 
 Notwithstanding the inclusion of the soil of the 
 Reserve, by act of the territorial government, within 
 the limits of these several counties, civil government 
 
43 
 
 niSTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 was not of binding force upon the inhabitants of New 
 Co7inooticnt until tlio year 1800. Prior to this date, 
 Connecticut and the Connecticut Land Conqjany de- 
 nied to the United States the right of jurisdiction over 
 the soil of the Reserve, and refused obedience to the 
 laws of the territorial government. (The reasons for 
 this course are given in a former chapter of this work. ) 
 Thus it hapi)ened that, from 1700-9?. the tinu' the 
 first settlers arrived, until May 30, 1800, the pioneers 
 of the Reserve were without municipal laws. Their 
 conduct was regulated and restrained, and their duties 
 were prescribed, solely by their New England sense of 
 justice and right. There was no law governing the 
 descent and conveyance of real property, or of the 
 transfer of personal goods; there wore no regulations 
 for the redress of wrongs or for the protection of 
 private rights. They were literally a law unto them- 
 selves. Happily but few cases of misdemeanor ai'ose; 
 but if a settler was guilty of theft, or if he misused 
 his wife, his neighbors constituted a court of justice. 
 and decided what punishment should \)0 inflicted. 
 The offender's back generally furnished the only record 
 of these judicial proceedings. 
 
 On the 10th day of July, 1800, the general govern- 
 meiit having ceded to Connecticut her claim to the 
 soil of the Reserve, and Connecticut on her part 
 having transferred to the general government all right 
 of jurisdiction within the limits of New Connecticut, 
 the Western Reserve was erected into a single county 
 and called Trumbull, in honor of Jonathan 'J'rundmll, 
 tJion governor of Connecticut. This was effected by 
 proclamation of the governor and judges of the north- 
 western territory. The county-seat was at Warren. 
 Now had the people of the Reserve a government to 
 which they gladly acknowledged allegiance. The first 
 court of this large county convened in Warren on 
 Monday, August 2.5. 1800. The following were Ibc 
 first officers of Truird)ull county: 
 
 •Tolm Young, Turhand Kirtland, Camden Cleveland, .lames Kingsbury, 
 Eliplialet Austin, Esqs., justices nf tlie peace and quorum. 
 
 John Leavitt, justice of tlie peace and judge of probate: Solomon 
 Griswold, Martin Sinitli, John SIrutbers, Calel) lialdwin, f'alvin Austin, 
 Edward Brocli way, John Kinsman, Benjamin Davison, Epliraiin Quinby, 
 Ebenezer Sheldon, David Hudson, Aaron Wheeler, Amos Si)an'ord, 
 Moses Park, and John Miner, justices of the peace. 
 
 Calvin Pease, Esq., cierk; David Abbott, Esq., sherilT; .John Hart 
 Ailsrate, coroner; Eliphali't Austin, treasurer; John Stark Edwards, 
 recorder. 
 
 The following is an extract taken fmm -liidgo Tur- 
 hand Kirthiiid's diary: 
 
 "Monday, aMi.— Went to Warren; took dinner at Adg,ate'fs and went 
 toQuinby's; met the judge .and ju.stices of the connt.y. when tliey all 
 took the oath of office, and proceeded to open the court of quarter 
 sessions and court of common pleas, agreeably to the order of the 
 governor. They proceeded to divide the county into eight townships, 
 and appointed constables in each, A veiiiri: was issued to summon 
 eighteen ijersons as grand jurors." 
 
 The.se eight townships were as follows: Riehlield, 
 Middlefield, Vernon, Youiigstown, Warren, Hudson, 
 Painesville and Cleveland. The township of Cleve- 
 land, in addition to a large extent of territory east 
 of the Cuyahoga, embraced all of the Reserve lying 
 west of that river. Judge Boynton says: 
 
 "On December 1, 1S0.1, the county of Oeauga was erected. It in- 
 cluded within its liiuils nearly all of the jiresent counties of Asbt.abnla, 
 
 Geauga, Lake and tJuyahoga. On the 10th da.r of February, 1807, there 
 was a more general division into counties. That part of the Western 
 Reserve lying west of the Cuyahoga and north of towniship No, 4, was 
 attached to Geauga, to be a part thereof, until Cuyahoga should be 
 organized. .\11 of the present county of Lorain, north of (iraftou, La- 
 Grange, Pittsfield and Camden, belonged to, and was a part of, the 
 county of Geauga, from Febniary 10, 1807, until .Tnnuary Ifi, 1810. 
 At that date, 1807, Ashtabula was erected outof Trumbull and Geauga, 
 to be organized whenever its population would warrant it. Also, all 
 that part of Tnimbull which lay west of the fifth range of townships, 
 was erected into a county by the name of Portage, and all of the 
 Western Reserve, west of the Cu.yahoga, and south of township No. :>, 
 was annexed to, and declared to be a part of Portage. So that all of the 
 present comity of Lorain, south of Eaton, Carlisle, Russia and Henrietta 
 belonged to, and was a part of. Portage, and remained a part of it until 
 January 'ii, 1811. On the lOth day of February, ]8()7, the county of 
 Cuyahoga was carved out of Geauga, to be organized whenever its pop- 
 ulation should be sufficient to require it. On the 16th of .lanuary, 1810. 
 the population having become sufficient, the connt.y was declared organ- 
 ized. On Febru.ary S, 18il!t, Htrron was erected into a county covering 
 the Fire Lands, but to remain attached to Geauga and Poitage, for the 
 time being, for purposes of government. 
 
 "On .January 22, 1811, the bomidary line of Huron was extended east, 
 on the line now dividing Camden and Henrietta, Pittsfleld and Russia, 
 Carlisle ami I^aGrange, to the southwest corner of Eat(»n; atid from 
 there, north on the line dividing Carlisle and Eaton, and Elyria and 
 Ridgeville, to the northwest corner of Ridgeville; thence west to Black 
 river, and down the same to the lake. On the day that these lines were 
 so altered and extended, the legislature e.Ktended the south line of Cuy- 
 ahoga county, from the southwest corner of Strongsville, west to the 
 southwest corner of Eaton; thence north, between Eaton and Carlisle, 
 to the northwest corner of Eaton ; and from that point, west between 
 Elyria .and C'arlisle, to tiie east branch of Black river, and down the 
 same to the lake. Here was a contlict in boundaries. The boundary of 
 Huron county included all of El,vria. extending east to Ridgeville; and 
 the boundary of Cu,vahoga included within its limits that part of Elyria 
 lying east of the east branch of the river. The river was the dividing 
 line between the two cotinties, in the one act; and the line between 
 Elyiia and Ridgeville was the dividing line in the other. This conflict 
 was removed at the next session of the legislature, by adopting the 
 township line, instead of the river, ,as the boundarj" line between the two 
 counties, at this point. This adjustntent of boundaries gave to Huron 
 county the townships now kttowu as Elyria, Carlisle. Russia, Henrietta, 
 Brownbelin. Amherst, and all of Black River, and Sheffield l.ying west 
 of the river; and to Ou.yahoga couut.v, Eaton, Columbia, Ridgeville, 
 Avon, and all of the townships of Black River and SbelTleld tying east of 
 the river. At that date, 181 1. the territory now comprising the coimt.v 
 of Lorain, belonged to the counties of Huron, C'uyahoga, ami Portage. 
 
 "Thecotmty of Huron, altbongh established in 180!), and extended east 
 of Black River in 1811, was annexed to Cuyahoga in 1810, for judicial 
 and other purposes, and renuiined so annexed until January, 1815, when 
 it was organized, and assumed control of its own affairs, 
 
 "On tile IStli day of February, 1812, Medin.a was formed, and comjirised 
 all of the territor.y between the eleventh range of townships and Huron 
 county, and south of townships No. ^. It therefore included all of the 
 present county of Lorain, soutli of Eaton, Carlisle, Russia and Henri- 
 etta. On the 14tli y\&y of .Januar.y, 1818, that county was organized, and 
 its local government put into operation, it remaining in the interim, 
 from the date of its formation to the date of its organization, attached 
 to the county of Portage, for countj' purposes. On the 2r)th of Decem- 
 ber, 1822, Lorain county was established. It took from the county of 
 Huron the territory embraced in the townships of Brownbelin, Henri- 
 etta, Amherst, Russia, Elyria, and C'arlisle; and those parts of the 
 townships of Black River .and .Sheffield dhat lie on the west of Black 
 River, and from the county of Cu.vahciga the townships of Tro.v, (now 
 Avon), Ridgeville, the west half of Olmsted, (then called Lenox), Eaton, 
 Columbia, and those jiarts of Black River and Sheffield lying east of tin- 
 river; and from the county of Medina, C)amden, Brigliton, Pittsfleld. 
 LaGrange. and Wellington. The count.y. as originally formed, embraced 
 seventeen and one-half townships, which, until the county was oi-gau- 
 ized, were to rein.ain attached to the counties of Medina, Hui-ou, and 
 Cuyahoga, as formerl.y. It was, however, organized imiependentl.v, 
 and went into oper.atiou on the 21st day of January, 1821, In the 
 organization of the couiitv, it waspr<tvided th.attbe first officers should 
 be elected in .\]iril, 1821; and at that election, that part of Lenox th.af 
 was brought into Lorain, should vote at Ridgeville, and that part nf 
 Brighton, lying prcviousl.v in Medina, should vote io the adjoiniuL; 
 township of Wellington. 
 
 "On .January 20, 1827, the boundary lines were changed. The towniships 
 of Grafton, Penfield, Spencer, Homer, Huntington, Sullivan, Roi-licsfer, 
 and Tro.v— some of them organized and some not — were detached from 
 Medina, and annexed to, and became a part of. Lorain; and the half of 
 Lenox, belonging to Lorain, was set otT to Cu.vahog.a, to be a ]iart of 
 Middlebury, until otherwise provided. Upon the formation of Summit, 
 in 1840, the townships of Spencer and Homer w*ere reattached to Medina: 
 and upon the formation of Ashland county, in Febniary, 1840, Sullivan 
 niid Tro.v were detached fi^m Lor.ain. .and made a part of tli.at count.V- 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 43 
 
 Prior to this, and on the 39th of January, 1837, an act was passed, ftsiug 
 the uortheni boundary of the county. The mode of forming and organ- 
 izing thf cuuiities had been such as tu leave unsettled the northern limit 
 of the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga, Cuyahoga and Lorain. And in 
 matters inv<ilving tlie exercise of criminal jurisdiction of offences com- 
 mjtffd on the lake, in the vicinity of tlie store, the question was of too 
 much practical importance to be left iji doubt. The treaty between the 
 United States and Great Britain fixed tlie line running through the mid- 
 dle of the lakes, as the dividing Hne between the two countries. Connec- 
 ticut had reserved the land between the. 41- north latitude, and 42° and 2'. 
 The course and shai)e of Lake P^rie were such that the parallel of 43'^ 
 and 2' would cross the middle line of the lake; and adjoining Ashtabula, 
 that degree of latitude would be south of, and adjoining Lorain, north 
 of the boundary line between Canada aud the United States. Tliis car- 
 ried the northern boundary of Lorain to the miiUIIe of Lake Erie, with- 
 out regard to tlie nortliern limit of the Western Reserve." 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 CIVIL LIST. 
 
 On the 2-1-tli iliiy of M;iy following the organization 
 of the county, the following record was made in the 
 Court Journal on page one of volume one: 
 
 "Be it remembered, that, on the :i4th day of May, A. 0. 18^, at Efyria, 
 in the county of Lorain, in pursuance of a statute law of the State of 
 Ohio, passed on the 10th day of February in the year aforesaid, entitled 
 an 'Act regulating the time of Iiolding Judicial Court,' the first Court 
 of Common Pleas, in ant! for said county of Lorain, was opened ill due 
 form by the Sheriff thereof, .Tosiah Harris : holding said Court, George 
 Tod, President of the Coui-t of Common Pleas for the third circuit in 
 said State, in which circuit is the said county of Lorain, and his asso- 
 ciates, Moses Eldred, Henry Brown and Fredei'ick Handin. before which 
 Court the following proceedings were bad, to wit: Wtiolsey Welles, an 
 Attorney of Kecord in the Court, was appointed the attorney to prose- 
 cute the pleas of the State for this county during the pleasure of the 
 Court." 
 
 The first official act of this court was the apjioint- 
 iiient of administrators ui)on the estate of Almond 
 Holcomb, deceased. Lucinda Holcouib, widow of the 
 deceased, and Edward Durand, were appointed. 
 
 Before the court j)roceeded to the general business 
 of tlie session Woolsey Welles was appointed clerk, 
 during the pleasure of tlie court. The first snit was 
 for the recovery of fourteen hundred and twenty- 
 seven dollars and twenty-seven cents. Simon Nichols, 
 lilaintilf, and Thomas G. Bronsou, defendant. Judg- 
 ment was rendered for tlie plaiutilf. The second day 
 of the session Ebenczer Whiton was appointed clerk 
 of the court of common pleas, and Woolsey Welles 
 was discharged from further attendance as clerk. 
 
 The following gentlemen composed the first 
 
 GRAND JURY, 
 
 who were duly sworn, charged by the court, and sent 
 out: 
 
 Benjamin Brown, Eliphalet Redington, Hcman Ely, Phineas Johnson, 
 Mabel Osburn. Edward Durand, Harry Redington, Gardner Howe, 
 Erastus Hamlin, Simon Nichols, Silas Willniot, Thomas G. Bronson, 
 James J. Sexton, Abraham Moon and Thomas T. Phelps; Heman 
 Ely, foreman. 
 
 The grand jury returned into court, aud having 
 no business before it, was discharged from further 
 attendance. 
 
 Edward Durand was appointed coimty surveyor. 
 
 At the September term, 18M, Lewis Ely, Jr., was appointed deputy 
 
 clerk. 
 September term, 1820, Ebenezer Whiton was appointed clerk of the court 
 
 of common pleas for the period of seven years, "if no lomj he shall 
 
 behave MJeif." 
 
 At the March term, 1830, Hon. Reuben Wood took his seat as presiding 
 judge, with the same associates as before given. Heman Ely became 
 associate judge the fall of 18.30. April, 1831, Josiah Harris and E. 
 W. Hubbard, associate judges. Fall of IHTJ, Hon. Matthew Burclmrd 
 was presiding judge. Spring of 1834, Hon. Ezra Dean was presiding 
 judge; Heman Ely, Josiah Harris and Franklin Wells associate 
 judges. Spring of 183.j, Ozias Long was associate judge. Daniel J. 
 Johns was associate judge in 1837, and from this time until the 
 spring of is;i'.) the record is missing. In 1840, Hon. John W. Willey 
 became iiresiduig judge. Judge Willey died in office July 9, IKll, 
 and the Hon. Reuben Hitchcock was appointed to fill the vacancy 
 until the next spring term, when we find, January 23, 1H42, Hon. 
 Benjamin Bissell presiding judge, with Franklin Wells, Daniel J. 
 Johns and Josejib L. Whiton associates. In the May term, 1&45, 
 Ebjah De Witt and Daniel T. Baldwin became associate judges. In 
 the April term, 1848, Benjamin C. Perkius was an associate judge. 
 In the May t«rui, 181tt, Hon. Philemon Bliss was presiding judge, and 
 William Day, associate. 
 
 In 1852, upon the adoption of the new Constitution, 
 the office of associate judge was abolished, and that 
 of .Judge made elective. The following is a complete 
 list of the gentlemen who have presided as judge, 
 from the above year until the j)resent, with dates of 
 their election: 
 
 1852, Hon. Samuel Humphrey ville; 1857, Hon. James B. Carpenter; 18.58, 
 Hon. Thomas Bolton; 1859, Hon. WiUiam H. Canfleld ; 1802, Rons. 
 John S. Green and Stevens<.in Burke. The last named resigned in 
 l.St}9, and Hon. Washington W. Boy n ton was appointed to fill vacancy, 
 who served, it appears by the journal, until 1877, when John C. Hale, 
 the pi'esent incumbent, was elected, and Mr. Boynton was elevated 
 to the Ohio supreme bench. 
 
 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. 
 
 The following residents of Lorain have occupied 
 seats in the lower house of Congress: 
 
 1843 to 1845— Edward S. Hamlin. 
 1851 to 1853— Norton S. Towushend. 
 1857 to 1859— Philemon Bliss. 
 1871 to 1879— James Monroe. 
 
 Lorain has been represented at Columbus by the 
 following 
 
 STATE SENATORS. 
 
 1825 to 1830— Reuben Wood. 
 
 18.30 to 1833— Joseph W. Willey. 
 
 18S3 to 1&35— Frederick Whittlesey. 
 
 is:35 to 18;3(;-John W. Allen. 
 
 1.830 to 18:M— James Moore. 
 
 18:38 to 1840^Heman Birch. 
 
 1810 to 1842— James S. Carpenter. 
 
 1842 to 1844-Josiah Harris. 
 
 1844 to 184i;— John Codding. 
 
 1841) to 1848- Nathan P. Johnson. 
 
 1848 to 18.50— Harrison G. Blake. 
 
 1850 to 1852— Aaron Pardee. 
 
 1852 to 1850— Norton S. Townsliend. 
 
 1850 to 1800- Herman Canfleld. 
 
 1800 to 1864— James Monroe. 
 
 1804 to 1860— Samuel Humphreyville. 
 
 l.SOO to 1870— L. D. Griswold. 
 
 1870 to 1874— James A. Bell. 
 
 1S74 to 1878— Andrew M. Burns. 
 
 STATE REPRESENTATIVES. 
 
 1825 to 1827— Leonard Case. 
 
 1828 to 1.829- Josiah Harris. 
 
 1829 to 18:30- William Eyles. 
 18:)0 to 1831— Josiah Harris. 
 1831 to 1832— William Eyles. 
 
 18:32 to 1833— Frederick Whittlesey. 
 
 18:33 to 18:J4— Duthan Northrup. 
 
 m34 to 1835 -Daniel T. Baldwin. 
 
 18:B to 1839-EbBr W. Hubbard. 
 
 18:39 to 1840— William Andrews. 
 
 1840 to 1842— Albert A. Bliss. 1841— Lorenzo Warner. 
 
 1842 to 1843— Richard Warner. 
 
 184.3 to 1844— Sylvanus Parmely. 
 
 1844 to 1840- Nathan P. Johnson. 
 
 1840 to 1*18— Elah Park. 
 
44 
 
 IIISTOIIY OF LOKAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 I&i8 to 1W9— Norton S. Townshend. 
 iSiO to ISV)— Joseph L, Whiton. 
 
 1850 to IKil— Hiram Thompson. 
 
 1851 to lH5'i— Daniel B. Kinney. 
 
 1852 to 1854— Aaron Pardee. 
 1854 to 1850— Walter F. llerrick. 
 185G to I8G0— .James Monroe. 
 
 1800 to 18(i:i— Walter F. Herriek and .John M. Vinceni. 
 
 18fi3 to 18(i(J— Sidney S. Warner. 
 
 1800 to 1868— W. W. Boynton. 
 
 1808 to 1872— Joseph H. Dickson. ISTO— J Strong. 
 
 1872 to 1874— Heman Ely. 
 
 1874 to 1876— .Tohn H. Fa.\ou. 
 
 187G to 1878— Lucius Ilerriuk. 
 
 PROBATE JUD(JES. 
 
 This office was created by the new constitution, and agreeably to its 
 provisions an election was held in October, 1851, at which time Phile- 
 mon Bliss was cliosen to (ill it for Lorain County. He was commis- 
 sioned by Governor Reuben Wood January 17, 1852, and entered 
 upon the dutie-^of the office March .'J, 18.52. His lirst official act bears 
 date March 5, 18>2,and was the granting of a license to the Reverend 
 William O'Conner, a priest (»f the Catholic faith, authorizing him 
 to solemnize marriage contracts. Judge Bliss was succeeded by 
 William F. Loekwood, whose commission was signed by Governor 
 William Medill, and bears date November 11. 1851. Judge Loekwood 
 resigned, aui.1 Lionel A. Sheldon was appointed. His commission. 
 which was signed by Governor Salmon P. Chase, bears date Novem- 
 ber 20, 18.5(>. Judge Sheldon was succeeded by Charles H. Doolittle, 
 who was commissioned October 26, 1857. His commission was also 
 signed by Governor Chase. Judge Doolittle was followed by John 
 W. Steele, who was commissioned December 12, 18ti7, his commission 
 being signed by Jacob D. Cox, as governor. Judge Steele resigned, 
 and the present incumbent, Laertes B. Smith, succeeded him. 
 Judge Smith was commissioned by/Governor Rutherford B. Hayes, 
 May 26, 1871, and assumed the duties of the office June first of that 
 year. 
 
 COUNTY CLERKS. 
 
 As previously mentioned, Ebenezer L. Whiton was really the first gen- 
 tleman who filled the position of clerk of the court of common 
 pleas for Lorain county. He served until 18:w, when E. H. Leonard 
 succeeded him, and continued to occupy the office until 18-14, when 
 George H. Benham was elected to the position. Mr. Benham was 
 succeeded in 1817 by Myron R. Keith, who, in 1852, was followed by 
 Laudon Rood. In 1858 Roswell G. Horr assumed the duties of the 
 office, and continuing until isiit, when WUliam A. Briggs was elected 
 and the fact of his having held the office continuously until the fall 
 of 1S7S is conclusive evidence of his fitness for the place. To him 
 and also to his worthy companion who has ably assisted in the 
 duties of the office, we wish to express our thanks for material aid 
 in the preparation of the official roster. Henry J. Lewis is the clerk 
 elect and will succeed Dr. Briggs. 
 
 PROSECUTING ATTUKN'EY. 
 
 We liave seeu that Woolsey Welles was appointed to this position in 
 182^1. He served two years and re-signed. Frederick Whittlesey 
 succeeded him. In 18:J3, J. W. Willey was appointed. In IS^iJi, 
 Frederick Whittlesey, came in; served two years; was followed in 
 in 1835 by E. S. Hamlin; and he, in 1H36, by Elijah Parker, for one 
 year. He was succeeded by Joel Tiffany; and his successors are 
 as follows: IStO, E. H. Leonard; 1841, Joe! Tiffany; 1.^2, E. S. 
 Hamlin; 1814, Horace A. Teuny; 18-15, Joel Tiffany; 1846, William 
 F. Loekwood; 1850, John M. Vincent; 1854, Joseph H. Dickson; 
 1856, John M. Vincent; 1858, (ieorge Ohnsted, who resigned; and 
 W. W. Boynton was appointed to fill vacancy. Mr. Boynton was 
 elfictcd the fall of IS.50. He was succeeded by John C. Hale, in 
 185:J. Charles W. Johnston was elected in ISfl'.); and his successor, 
 who was elected in IHTa, is George C. Metcalf, the present incum- 
 bent, a man every way capable and worthy. 
 
 AUDITORS. 
 
 ContemiM»raneous with the birth of the county of Lorain, Sherman 
 Minott assumed the dnl,ies and responsdiilities of auditor. He 
 retained the position until Henry C. Minott was appointed, and 
 afterward elected, lie was succeeded in I8"i5 by Edward Duraud. 
 lu 18:i6, Luther D. Griswold was elected; and in 18'J8, Edward Durand 
 again became the incumbent, ami served until 1842, when we find 
 John Sherman occupying the office. The following were his sue 
 cessors: In 1844, Lamlon Rood; in 1851, Geoi^e Clifton; in 1855, 
 William H. Root; in 1861, Richard Day; in 1863, Mozart Gallup; in 
 186!», E. G. Johnson; and in 1877, Orville Root, who still retains the 
 office. ' 
 
 TREASURERS. 
 
 Upon the permanent oi^anization of the county, E. West was appointed 
 its treasurer, and held the office one year. Following are the names 
 of the gentlemen who have occupied this jiosition, with date of elec- 
 tion or appointment: 182.5, Heman Ely; 1827. F. W. Wliittlesey; 1830, 
 Elihu Cooley; 18:J.5, Charles Chaney; 1840, Elijah DeWitt; IH-lt. Henry 
 M. Warner; 184.5. Henry B. Kelsey; 184H, S. D. Hinman; 1K5;J. C. S. 
 (roodwin (deceased in the spring of 1856 and N. B. Gates was ap- 
 pointed to ffil vacancy until the fall election, when John H. Boynton 
 was elected); IMiO. William E. Kellcgg; 1861, M. F. Hamlin; IHG8. 
 John H. Boynton; 1872, Isaac M. Johnson, and, in 1876, the present 
 incumbent, William A. Braman. 
 
 RECORDERS. 
 
 Ebenezer Whiton was first recorder of Lorain county, and his first offi- 
 cial act was to record a deed from Benjamin Pritchard to Anna 
 Merrills, conveying a parcel of land containing thirty and three- 
 fourths acres, situated in township number six, range eighteen, in 
 the county of Huron, and being part of lot number thii*ty-oue. This 
 instrument was acknowledged on May 10, lS2-i. before Isaac Mdls, 
 J. P.; was witnesseil by I. Mdls and Mary Mdls, and endorsed "Re- 
 ceived April 13, 1S21, and recorded May 11, 1S2I, <m page one, 
 book 'A,' Lorain county record of deeds." Mr. Whiton deceased in 
 1834. and Eliphalet H. Leonard was appointed to fill vacancy; 18.37, 
 E. O. Foot; 1840, H. B. Kelsey; l>ai, Elah Park; 1843, Cyrus E. Bas- 
 sett; 1849, John B. Northrop; 1852, Hem-y S. Rockwood; 1861, Henry 
 B. West; 1H64, William H. Tucker, and, in 1S73, the present incum 
 bent, John Bhuiehard, was elected. Mr. Blanchard was one of the 
 noble army who went out to do battle for the fiag, and lost his right 
 forearm in its support on the bloodv field of Stone river, pecember 
 26, 1862. 
 
 CORONERS. • 
 
 The first record we are able to proc re is in the year 1827. James 
 J. Sexton then filled the office. The following is a complete list: 
 1830, Edwin Byington; 1S;W, William N. Race; 183-1, Justin Williams; 
 18:J6, Orson J. Humphrey; 18^58, Otis Briggs; l84:i, IJiinsoni Gibbs; 
 1844, Philip L. Goss; 1846, Hezekiah Brooks; 181J), John S. Stranahan; 
 1852, William S. Hopkins; 18.5:3, llerrick Parker; 1857, Clark Eldred; 
 1863. Nahum B. Gates; 1865, Otis Briggs; 1870, Jolm H. Faxou; 1872, 
 Hiram Patterson, who is the present incunxbent. 
 
 SURVEYORS. 
 
 IS24, Edward Durand; 18;J5, J. E. Truman; ia*18, John Sherman; \f>i2, 
 John H. Faxon; 1843, C. G. Cole; 1846, Joseph Swift, Jr.; 1848, 
 Schuyler Putnam; 1855, John H. Faxon; 1856, Joseph Swift, Jr.; 
 1877, L. F. Ward, present incumbent. 
 
 SHERIFFS. 
 
 The name of Josiali Hai'ris, who was first sheritl", occurs the last time 
 (►ctober 10, I8:i3. William N. Race, coroner, acted as shei-ifl' until 
 November, 18:i4, when the name of E. Griffith ajipears as sheriff. 
 Mr. Griffith was succeeded by Edwin Byingtou in 18;i6. Natum H. 
 Gates was sheriff in 18'i8; E. Byington iu 1812; Jolm H. Faxou in 
 1844; AVilllam Patterson in 1848; John H. Boynton in 1S50; Ashbei 
 Culver in 1854; S. W. Lincoln iu ISoti; H. E. Burr in 1H5'.): Mil.* Harris 
 in 1863; resigned, and W. W. Dyer, coroner, filled the vacaucy imtil 
 1865, when Mark Hitchcock was elected. He was succeeded by X. 
 Peck, in 1H61>; and he by R. E. Braman, in 1870; and he again by 
 Charles Stone, in 1877, who is the present incumbent. H. E. Corning, 
 sherilT elect, succeeds Mr. Stone January 1, 1870. 
 
 COMMISSIONERS. 
 
 The first meeting of the commissioners of Lorain county was held at 
 Elyria, on the 24th day of May, 1824. Present: John S. Reid, Asha- 
 bel (Jsboi'ue, and Benjamin Bacon. Their first official act was the 
 appointment of. Edmund West as county treasurer, who gave bond 
 in the sum of three thousand dollars, for the faithful discharge of 
 his duties. At the following June session, we find the record of the 
 estalilishment of a road, as follows: "Beginning in the highway, 
 a little easterly of the dwelling house of Walter Crocker, in Black 
 River township, thence running in the !UOst convenient route near 
 the dwellings of Fi-ederiek and Daniel Onstine, thence across Beaver 
 creek, near the house of Mr. Rice, thence to intersect the North 
 Ridge road, so called, a little eastwardly of the dwelling house of 
 Mr. Ormsby." 1S27, Judson Wadsworth succeeded <.»sborne, as 
 commissionei-. The entire succession of incumbents to this office is 
 given in the following list: 18:iO, Bacon, Wadsworth, and Milton 
 Garfield; 1831, Wadsworth , Garfield, and Samuel Crocker; "1832, 
 Wadsworth, Crocker, and George Bacon, Jr. ; 18:54, Crocker, Bacon, 
 and John Laborie; 18:S5, Bacon, Laborie and Jonathan Rawson; 1836, 
 Laborie, Rawson and Conrad Reid ; 1837, Rawson, Reid and Leonard 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 45 
 
 H. Loveland; 1838, Reid, Loveland, and Ashley S. Root; 1830, Love- 
 land, George Sililey, and Wdliani Day; IHIO, Sibley, Day, and Reliisa 
 Close; 1^*41, Day, Close, and Sinioti Nichols; ISK, Close, Nichols, and 
 James M. Clark; 1K44, Clark, C. Onnsliy, and Uriah Thompson; 
 IfUS, Clark, Thompson, and Eliphalet Reilinjiton; ISIIl, Thiimpsnn, 
 Redington, and .lohii Coiuint; ISIT. Ucdingtim, Conant, and Hany 
 Ten-ell; IfMS, Conant.. Terrell, and Ueorge Bacon; IHW, Tei-rell, 
 Bacon, anil Samuel Knapp; ls.")0, Baccin, Knapp and (t. J. Humphrey; 
 1S.)1, Kniipp, Humphrey, and ,Iohn B. Rohertson; IKfi, Humphrey, 
 M. B. Beldeu, and Asa Hamilton; IMVi, Belden Hamilton and dtis 
 Briggs; l>i5l, HamiltoD, Briggs, ami ,). H. Dudley; 183,5, Briggs, 
 Dudley and C. O. Cole; l.'ffili, Briggs, Cole, and J. H. Dudley; IUST, 
 Briggs. Cole, and Darwin D.ver; 18.")S, Briggs, Dyer, and A. Luniui; 
 18.5!), Dyer, Luruui, \Vi liam rattersou; IStiO, Dyer, Patterson, .and 
 Charles S. Aiken; IHOl, Dyer, Patterson, and Tabor Wood; IMIi'-, 
 Dyer, Wiiud, and Thomas CImrehward; 18li8, W.j.id. Churidinard, 
 and Darwin Dyer; 18(il, Wood, Dyer, and (Jeorjre Clifton; IHi}."., Wootl, 
 Clifton, and Reuben Eddy; 18li(i, same; IsiiT, Clifton, Eddy, and B. S. 
 Corning; istis. Eddy, Corning, and William A. Braman; ISOO, Corn- 
 ing, Laurel Beebe, and L. W. Bates; 1R"0, same; 1871, Corning, 
 Bates, and Lucius Herrick; 1873. .same; 18;;^, Corning, Herrick, and 
 James Lees; 1874, Corning, Herrick, and William H. Root; 187'5, 
 Corning. Herrick, and Charles S. Mills; 1.87IJ, Herrick, Mills, and S. 
 B. Dudley; 1877, Mills, Dudley .and A. D. Perkins. 
 
 COIN'TV INIIUMAKV. 
 
 Oil Miircli 17, ISiiti, Tabor Wotid, (ic'i)rj;e Clifton 
 :iiul Reuben Kddy, county eoniiiii.ssioiiL'r.s, purchased 
 of Jose[)h Swift, Jr., one hundred and sixty-one acres 
 of land in (_!;irlisk'. township, for an iiilirniary farm, 
 |i:iyiiig therefor ten thoiis;inil live liiindreil dollars. 
 On .laiuniry 8, 1807, the contract for the erection of 
 a suitable building for the use of the poor of Ijorain 
 county, was awardeil to Joiin Childs, of Elyria. and 
 Samuel C. Brooks, of Cleveliinil, for the sum of thirty- 
 seven thou.saiid Ove iiundred dollars, and on Septein- 
 I)er It), 1S6S, the building was completed and accepted 
 liy the commissioners. The 'contractors, however, 
 having done e.xtra work, were paid thirty eight thous- 
 ;ind five Iiundred dollars. The main building is one 
 hundred and twenty-three by forty-six feet, three 
 stories in height. In the center and rear of the main 
 building is a wing thirty-two by seventy-tive feet and 
 two stories high, — the whole containing one hundred 
 and twenty rooms. 
 
 INFIRM A UY DIRECTORS. 
 
 The commissioners appointed in 1808, Isaac S. Metcalf, Samuel Plumb, 
 autl Lucius Herrick, directors; 18(il), Metcalf. Herrick, and Joseph 
 Swift, Jr., were elected; 187(1, Metc;df, Swift, and J. H. Huiibert 
 1H71, same; l.S7ti, satne; 187^1, Swift resigned and John Cliamberlain 
 was elected to fill the vacancy— the others were Metcalf and Joseph 
 B. Clark; 1874, sam-; 187.'), Clark, S. D. Bacon and Isaac S. Straw. 
 These geutlemeQ still occupy the position. 
 
 SUPEIUNTENDENT OF INFIRMARY. 
 
 September 11, 1808, Tabor Vincent was elected, and he confined as such 
 until March, 187U, when he died, and was succeeded by the nresen 
 superintendent, Hiram Patterson, 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 THE BAR OF 1.0KAIW COUNTY.* 
 
 At the organization of the county, in 18:i-l, there 
 was scarcely what could be called a bar. 
 
 Tiie history of the bar of Lrirain county begins 
 proi)erly with the organization of the county, in the 
 year 1834. It is worthy of mention, however, that 
 
 * By p. H. Boynton. 
 
 there had resided in the county, prior to that time, 
 a lawyer who suljse((uently rose to great eininence in 
 the profession in Ohio. We refer to KiiENiozEii IjANE, 
 wild came to Klyria nol long after tiie original settle- 
 menl, in 1817, and while that pitrt of Ihe present 
 Lorain c<ninty, which lies west of llu' East IJrancli of 
 ]>lack river constituted ;i p;irt of Huron eounty. He 
 was elected iiroseculing attorney of Huron eounty in 
 the sj)ring of ISl'.t, but continued to reside in Elyria 
 until October 10, of the same year, when he removed 
 to Norwalk for the more convenient discharge of his 
 oilicial duties. He rose rapidly in iiis profession; and 
 in 1831 occupied a seat upon the supreme bench, 
 which he continued U> hold until 1845. His decisions 
 are reported in volumes five to thirteen, inclusive, of 
 the Ohio reports. 
 
 At the organization of the court of common jileas 
 of Lorain county, May 24, 18-.J4, four gentlemen 
 comiteted for the appointment of prosecuting attor- 
 ney from the court. These were Woolsey Wells, 
 Elijah Parker, Ebenezer An'dhews and Reuben 
 MrssEY. Mr. Welles was the successful candidate. 
 " Not," says Mr. Welles, in a recent letter, " because 
 I was the best lawyer, but because I had more influ- 
 ential friends to recommend me to the court."' 
 
 ]\Ir. Andrews must have left the county about tliat 
 time, as there is nothing in the records of the court 
 to show that he was practising here at any subse(pieut 
 time. His name a])pears in only a single case, and 
 th;it in 183!l. 
 
 The other three gentlemen above named, with 
 Frederick Whittlesey, who came shortly afterwards, 
 seem to have constituted the resident bar of this 
 county until about ISol. 
 
 Mr. Parker, the eldest of these, was born .lune 22, 
 177'.l. He came to Ohio from N'erinont at a very early 
 day. The date of his arrival we have been unable to 
 a: certain; but he was in Elyria as early as 1823. He 
 remained in Elyria until his death, A[iril 3, 1859. 
 His health in later years was poor, and he would 
 seem, from the records, not to have practiced any 
 after about 1854. He held the ollice of justice of the 
 peace several times, and that of prosecuting attorney 
 of the county during the years 1830 and 1837. 
 
 Reuben Mussey, the father of Henry E. Musscy, 
 who is still a resident of Elyria, was born in Hover, 
 N. II., October 14, 1785. He was admitted to prac- 
 tice as an attorney-at-law at Albany, N. Y., .January 
 17, 1818, and as a counsellor January 13, 1831. Prior 
 to his removal to Ohio he resided at Sandy Hill, 
 Washington county, N. Y., where he was a partner 
 with Judge Skinner in the practice of the law. Dur- 
 ing this period Silas Wright was a student in their 
 otliee. Mr.' Mussey settled at Elyria in the spring of 
 1835, having previously located temporarily in Elyria, 
 Norwalk and Cleveland, and continued to reside there 
 (Elyria) until the fall of 1837, devoting himself dur- 
 ing the time exclusively to the practice of his profes- 
 sion, and to the duties of the office of justice of the 
 peace, which ho held two or three terms within that 
 
40 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OUIO. 
 
 period. During his residence in Elyria, Mr. Mussey 
 dill a iarur business, coniparativoly, tliongli, of course 
 llie whole Inisiiiess was small compared with that of 
 hiter years. I le was a well-ediu-ated, thorough lawyer, 
 anil a gmial, kind-hearled man. On leaving Klyria, 
 in llic aiituMHi of IS.'JT, he wt'ut to Logansjiort, In- 
 diana, where he remained about a year and a half, 
 when he removed to Kishwaukee, HI., where he was 
 joined liy his family, which, up Id that time, had con- 
 tinued to ri'side in Elyria. His death occurred at 
 Kishwaukee, Oetolii'r 14, 1S43. 
 
 WoohSEV \Vei>j.es, the first prosecuting attorney of 
 Loi'ain counlv, was horn in Laneshoro, Berkshire 
 eounly, !\[ass.. May 20, 18t)'>. He received an aca- 
 demic education at Lewisville, Ijewis county, N. Y., 
 and IJtica, Onciila county, N. V., and removed to 
 Cleveland, Ohio, in Septemlier, 181'.). Ho immedi- 
 ately connncnccd reading law in the othce of Kelly anil 
 Cowles, in that city, and was ailmitted to the l)ar in 
 182;$. In the fall of the same year he removed to 
 Elvria and entered u|H)n the practice of his profession. 
 He remained in Elyria about two years (receiving, as 
 he says, sixty dollars per year for prosecuting the 
 j)leas of the State), when he reniovi'd to Akron, where 
 he ha<l been appointed collector of canal tolls. 'J'liis 
 oHlce he held about a. year, and then resigned it he- 
 cause he was i'ei|uired to attend to its duties on the 
 Sabbath. He was also ap])ointed postmaster at Akron 
 liy l'resi<lcnt John (),. Adains, and held that jiosition 
 until the second term (jf President Jackson, in the 
 lald'rpart of which he resigned. He also hekl the 
 otlice of justice of the peace in Akron about four and 
 a half years and res'gned it in 1834, at which time he 
 commenced traveling over the State as agent of the 
 Ohio State 'remperance Society, of which (Jovernor 
 lau-as was [)rcsident. He continued this al>out a 
 year, when he returned to Elyria and re-entered the 
 practice of the law in partnership with Heman Birch, 
 Esi|. In the fall of 1837 he remoxed to Cleveland, 
 where he spent three years in the practice, at the end 
 of whiidi he returned to Elyria and again opened a 
 law otlice. He remained at Klyria this time some 
 eight- or ten years. During this time he took part as 
 an anti-slavery man in the agitations of the (piestion 
 of slavery; but his success at the practice of law was 
 meager, partly, no doid)t, on account of the pivjudice 
 excited against him by his anti-slavery sentiments. 
 At the end of this time, through the agency of Dr. 
 N. S. 'rownshend. whom the Ereesoilers had suc- 
 cee<lc<l in electing to the legislature, he received the 
 appointment of agent of the State for the sale of 
 Western Reserve school lands, and removed to Defi- 
 auce, where he cout inui'd to reside about nine years, 
 after which he was appointed to an Iowa land agency 
 and removed to Fort Dodge, in that State, where ho 
 still resides at the ripe age of seventy-seven years. 
 
 Fkedkriok Whittlesey was born at Southington, 
 Conn., Docendjer 33, 1801. From the court records, 
 he would seem to have come to Elyria about 1837, 
 and continued to reside there, holding a ])rominent 
 
 position at the bar until 1835. He held the otHce of 
 prosecuting attorney several years during that time, 
 and twice represented Lorain county in the Legisla- 
 ture. Ho continued to reside in Cleveland until his 
 death, which <jceui-red November 13, 18.54. During 
 his residence there, he held the otlice of clerk of the 
 courts of Cuyahoga county, and afterward of associate 
 judge of the court of common pleas. He also rejire- 
 sented Cuyahoga county in the State senate. Mr. 
 Whittlesey was a well-educated, thorough lawyer, and 
 always aci|uitted himself credit-ably both at the bar 
 and on the bench. He gave great satisfaction to the 
 bar of Cuyahoga county while acting as associate 
 judge, an office not generaf ly filled by lawyers; and his 
 opinions were received with <[uite as much respect as 
 those of the presiding jmlge. While in Elyria, Mr. 
 Whittlesey, f(u- a short time, added to his professiomd 
 labors those of an editor, having charge of the Lorniii, 
 (hc.iilc, the first uowsi)aper puljlished in Lorain 
 county, which was established in 1831). Mr. Whitle- 
 sey's exani|ilo in this respect was followed by <|uite a 
 large nundjcr of his successors in the practice of the 
 law at Elyria. Of their career as journalists, liowever, 
 very little or nothing will be said in this connection, 
 but the reader is referred to the chapter upon the 
 press of the county, where it will he set out in full. 
 
 These were the jtioneers of the Lorain bar, men of 
 learning, ability and integrity; ;ind in proportion to 
 the amount of business to be done, the bar would 
 seeii! to have been as large then as in the past ten 
 years. The court of common pleas then, and for 
 many years after, held only two sessions a year of a- 
 a week each, and the sui)reino court only one session 
 of a single day. The first journal of the court of 
 common pleas, which extends to the spring of 1833, 
 and iueludes all the probate business, cijiitains about 
 the same amount of matter as the present journal of 
 the same court for a single year, and the probate busi- 
 ness is now all removed to the probate court. Over 
 against this, however, is to be set the undoubted fact, 
 that a greater proportion of the litigation was tlien 
 disposed of finally before justices of the peace. Small 
 as the business was, however, the Lorain bar by no 
 means had the monopoly of it. Lawyers from adja- 
 cent, and even from remote counties, were at Elyria 
 attending court, and did no inconsiderable part of the 
 business. Promindt among these were: 
 
 Rei'isen Wood, (afterwards common pleas and 
 sui)reme judge,) and John W. Willey, of Cleveland, 
 afterward presiding judge of the court of common 
 pleas. Samuel Cowles, of the same city, also did a- 
 considerable practice. Whittlesey & Newton, both 
 eminent lawyers, of Warren, TrumliuU county, and 
 Thomas D. Weub, of the same place, also ap[iear 
 freipieutly n\wa the records of the courts of Lorain 
 during its early years. During this period, also, there 
 commenced a practice which continued consecutively 
 for about twenty years, and at intervals ever since. 
 We refer to that of 
 
 S. J. Andrews, of Cleveland. He was never a 
 
niSTOKY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 47 
 
 resideut of Lorain county, and hence no extended 
 notice of liim will be attempted hero, but a history of 
 the bar of Lorain which omitted to mention him 
 wiHild 1)0 incomjilete. Admitted to tlio l)ar in Clcve- 
 land in 1828, he immediately commenced attending 
 the courts at Elyria, and rapidly acquired a practice. 
 A thorough and accomplished lawyer, a fiery and 
 fl(i(picnt advocate, quick and incisive at re|)artec, full 
 ol" the spirit of gcnnineand licalthy mirthfuluess, and 
 witiial a perfect gentleman, Mr. Andrews will long 
 continue a ])rominont figure in the memory of the 
 earliei' inlialiitaiit of Lorain county. He was for a 
 slioi't time judge of the old sujicrior court of Cleve- 
 land, and also a memher from tiiat county of tiieOhio 
 constitutional conventions of 1850 and 187:5. lie still 
 resides in Cleveland, at tiie ripe age of seventy-seven 
 years, in full possession of his mental fa(niltics, and 
 remarkably well preserved physically, in the regular 
 jiractice of his profession — the honored Nestor of tfie 
 Cuyahoga bar. 
 
 The period from 18:11 to 184.'") with large increase of 
 |iopiilation and business in the county witnessed the 
 advent of no fewer than twenty new lawyers to Elyria, 
 the county seat. Prominent among these were Ed- 
 ward S. Hamlin, Horace D. Clark, Joel Tiffany, 
 Albert A. Bliss, Phili'm<ui Bliss, .Tndson I). Benedict, 
 Bobert McEachron and Williain K. Lockwood. 
 
 The earliest of these to begin jiractice at Elyria was 
 Enw.vui) S. Hamlix who held a prominent position 
 at the bar and had a large practice for a period of 
 about eighteen ^'cars. He commenced, as the records 
 indicate, about 1X31, and soon after entered into 
 |iMi'tncrsbip witii Frederick Whittlesey, which ])artner- 
 sliip continued until Mr. Whittlesey left Elyria in 18;!.'). 
 In 18;):)-4-."), he held the otiico of prosecuting attor- 
 ney of Lorairi county. In 1837 he removed to Cleve- 
 l;ind. but returned in a little over a year. In 1838 or 
 1S39. he formed a partnership with Albert A. Bliss, 
 (of whom more hereafter) which arrangement con- 
 tinued until 1843, when Mr. Hamlin was elected to 
 Congress for an unexpired term. About the time 
 of its dissolution William F. Loe^kwood became his 
 jiartner, and seems to have continued so until Mr. 
 Hamlin left Elyria in about 1840. Mr. Hamlin was 
 known as a close, thorough and indnstrious lawyer, 
 and tiiough not as ebxpient an advocate as some of 
 bis cotemporaries, an eminently ''safe" man to have 
 the charge of litigation. He is still living and pi'ac- 
 tieiughis profession, and when last heard from by the 
 writer was at Cincinnati. 
 
 HoRAf'K D. Clark, one of the lawyers who bad 
 the birgest continu(nis practice in Lorain county, was 
 born May 23, 1805, at Graiiby, Connecticut, where his 
 mother still resides at the advanced age of ninety-four 
 years. He went to district school summers till he 
 was eight years of age, and in the winter till he was 
 sixteen, when he was taken from' school and placed 
 in a country store, where he served his apprenticeship 
 a7id was taken in as a partner. In this business be 
 continued some four years, at the end of which time. 
 
 says he in a recent letter, " I found we had lost so 
 much by bad debts and the stealings of clerks that 
 there was but little left, and I quit the Inisiness in 
 disgust.'' He studied law one year in Connecticut, 
 and in November 17, 1832, started for Ohio, and 
 reached Hndson in this state, in nccember of the same 
 year. On the eighth of th:il month he entered the 
 biw school of .Judge Van K. Humphrey, and a year 
 later was admitted to the bar by the snpreme court in 
 b;i,nk at Columbus. 
 
 On the fourth of the following -luly (1834) Mr. 
 Clark opened a law office in tlie southeast corner room 
 in the court house in Elyria. He continued Id jiractict^ 
 law in Elyria from that time for about tbirl\- years, 
 having during a large portion of that time the birgest 
 practice in the county — a practice never ;ipproa.elied 
 in magnitude by more than one rival at a time. A. 
 A. Bliss, Hamlin and P>liss, .loel Tiffany, Benedict 
 and Leonard, Hamlin and Lockwood, and W. F. 
 Lockwood alone, were at different times, his nearest 
 competitors, but Mr. Clark steadily maintained the 
 leading position be had gained, until after he ceased to 
 reside in Elyria.; for though he continued to practice 
 there till 18C4. he i-emoved with his family to Cleve- 
 land in 1S51. 
 
 In 184."> Jlr. Clark took in as a i)ai'tuer Cyiais Olney, 
 who came from Iowa, where he had been in practice. 
 He stayed about a year and returned to Iowa, where 
 he was soon after elected a judge. ''He was about 
 twenty-eight," says Mr. I'lark, "and the best special 
 pleader of his age I ever saw.'' 
 
 In jMareh, 1849. Mr. Clark fornu'd a ]i;nt ucrsbip 
 with .Stevenson Burke, who Imd been admitted to the 
 bar the August previous, having been astudent in Mr. 
 Clark's office. His partnership continued til! about 
 June, 18.52. John M. Vincent and John A'. Coon 
 were also students with Mi-. Clark during bis practice 
 in Elyria. In 18.50 Mr. Clark was elected a member 
 of the constitutional convention of Ohio, and served 
 in that body, which completed its labors March 10, 
 18.51. This is the only otficiid position held l)y Mr. 
 Clark. 
 
 He was an excellent lawyci-, though not es]iccially 
 an eloquent advocate. He abandoned (be practice of 
 law in 180.5 and removed to IMoiilival, Canada, where 
 he now resides. 
 
 .loEL Tiffany, one of the the most remarkable men 
 who ever lived in Elyi'ia, was a native of Barkham- 
 stead, Connecticui. He removed to Elyria fi'om 
 Medina, in 183.5. and remained in Elyria, as the 
 court records indicate, until 184S. hi 1840, beseems 
 to have been associated with Mr. Silliman, of Wooster. 
 Mr. Silliman was an able lawyer, and ]iracliccd in 
 Elyria for a number of years; though never a resident 
 there. Mr. Tiffany .seems also to have been associated 
 with L. G. Byington. for a short time, and with Mr. 
 E. II. Leonard, for about two years. He was prose- 
 cuting attorney in 1838 and 1839. Upon leaving 
 Elyria, he went to Painesville, and subsequentl}- to 
 New York Citv. From lSfi3 to lSfi9. he resided in 
 
48 
 
 IIISTOllY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Alhiiny, where be was reporter of the court of ai)i)e;ils 
 of New Yoi'k, and pnhlished vohiines f wenty-eiiiht to 
 tliirty-iiiiH', inclusive, of (lie N'ew York rojiorls. From 
 there lie removed to Chicairo, where lie .still resides. 
 
 Mr. Tiffany a|i])roaclied lu^arer to lieint^^a "genius," 
 as tliat word is oi'dinarily understciod, than any other 
 jiractitiiincr of the Lorain bar. Wit h acute and accn- 
 i'at<e jierceptions. great mental powers of acipiisitioii 
 and assimilation, a [)rodigious memory, and, withal, 
 an elo(|uencc seldom equalled, he was extremely well 
 ei|uipi)ed for all forensic encounters. In the locally 
 c(debra(cd " counterfeit cases," Mv. Tiffany exerted 
 his great powers to their utmost, and made f<ii- liim- 
 self a reputation that will long endure in Lorain 
 county. These were trit'(l in LSitS-O, when he was 
 prosecuting, and no fewer tluin fourteen persons were 
 sent to penitentiary for being implicated in the mak- 
 ing and issuing of counterfeit money. 
 
 'i'he great ipialities we have mentioned were, liow- 
 cver. handicaiiiied by an unsteadiness of purpose, and 
 lack i)t applicatiim to his profession, which rendeivd 
 tln'in of comparatively little value to their possessor. 
 He engaged in a- variety of entei'prises, outside of his 
 profession, while in Elyria, none of which pro\cd 
 j)ro(itable, while they j)revented his reaching that 
 success in his j)i'ofcssion which he might otherwise 
 Jiavc attained. 
 
 During liis residence in Albany, in 18G4, Air. 
 Tiffany, in connection with Mr. Henry Smith, pub- 
 lished a work uj)iin ]iractice under the New York 
 code, under the title of "Tiffany & Smith's New 
 York Practice." It is highly spoken of by the law 
 reviewers. A second edit ion has just been ])ublishcd. 
 edited by IL (J. Woods. 
 
 In 18(i2. in connection with E. !•'. llullard, Mr. 
 Tiffany published awork, under the titki of "The Law 
 of Trust and Trustees, as administered in England 
 and America." I'rofessoi' Theodore W. Dwight, re- 
 viewing this work, in the Ami-ricd)). Lnir Eegistcy of 
 .hily. ISi;;}, says: " 'i'h is appears to be an excellent 
 wiirk. The ari-angcnieiil iif topics is simiile and log- 
 ical, and tlie discussion lucid and satisfactorv." 
 
 In 1S(;.5, Tilfany & Smith luiblishcd a- bdok of 
 •• I'lii'iiis ad.Mjitcd III the jiracticc and special pleadings 
 in New York courts of Kecord." 
 
 Mr. 'i'ill'any also intblishe(l, in 18C7, "A 'I'reatise 
 on (iovernmeiil, an<l Const it lit ional Law. being mii 
 inquiry into the source and limitation of govern- 
 mental authority, according to the American Tlieorv." 
 
 ALUKiiT A. Bliss was boni March '2:!, ISll, in 
 C'antiiii, (Ninnecticiit. in IS-il. his father's family 
 reinoNcd to W hitestnwn. Oneida, count v. New "^'ork. 
 Li LS-.'."(, he left hoiii..', to leirn a trade, and served 
 until ISIio. He then attended school for a couide of 
 years at the Oneida [nstitute. at Whitestown, an 
 excellent institution, on the manual labor ])lan, then 
 recently organized, in the spring of IS:).'^, iM r. Uliss 
 came to Elyria. and commenced studying law. in the 
 office of Whittlesey & Hamlin. During the jieriod of 
 his studying he engaged also in newspaper work. lie 
 
 was admitted to the bar in C'leveland. Sejitember, 
 1S;S.5, and the following sj>ring moved to that city, 
 and engaged in editing a ncwsi)aper, the Daily Ga- 
 zi'lle. during the political campaign of that year; after 
 which he returned to Elyria, and engaged in the 
 ])ractice of his profession until 1847. In 1840, he 
 cut red info |)arliierslii[i wilh E. S. Hamlin, and the 
 linn did a large business until sometime in 1845, 
 when it was dissolved. Previous to 184."), Mr. Bliss 
 had, for a short time, been in paiinership with his 
 brother, I'hilemon Bliss. 
 
 A deep interest in politics, however intemipftHl the 
 continuity of Mr. liliss' application to the practice of 
 his profession. He was three times elected to the 
 legislature — in IS.'iO, 1840 and 1841, and was occu- 
 j)ied at different times in tlie editing of poliUcal 
 newspapers. In the winter of 1S4G-7, he was elected 
 treasurer of state by the legislature, and held that 
 oHice until .January, I8.5'i. He removed to Columbus 
 in the sjiring of 1847, but sc^ems to have kept up, 
 somewhat, his hiw ])ractice at Elyria, as a member of 
 the firm of Bliss & Bagg, until 1840. He returned to 
 Elyria late in 18.'S'-J, and remained until the spring of 
 18')o, when he removed to .Jackson, Michigan, and 
 engaged in mercantile business until 1874, wlien, 
 finding the business liceoming unprofita'de. he sold it 
 out and re-engaged in the practice of the law. He 
 still resides at Jackson, where he is, as he always has 
 been wherever he has lived, a highly respected citizen. 
 
 He isa n. ember ar.d the treasurer of the city school 
 lioard, and one of the inspectors of the Michigan 
 penitentiary, which is located at that place. 
 
 .Ii'D.soN I). Benedict came to Elyria fi'om Medina 
 in 18o8. and engaged in the practice of the law for 
 about ten years from that time. In 1840 or there- 
 abouts, he formed a partnership with E. H. Leonard, 
 who had then recently finished a long term as clerk 
 of the courts, and been admitted to the liar. This 
 partnership continued some two years, the firm doing 
 a large business during the time. xVfter the dissolu- 
 tion of his connection with Bi'iiedict, Mr. Leonard 
 soon formed a. iiartnershi]) with Mr. Tiffany, which 
 lasted till al)out 184."), after which time his name does 
 not appear upon the records of (his court. 
 
 After the dissolution of the firm of Benedict and 
 fjconard, Mr. Bene(lict associated with himself Robert 
 .\rclvic broil, under the firm of lienediet & McEaciii'oii. 
 which linn continued some three years, after which 
 .Joshua Mvers was partner with AH-. Benedict for 
 about two years more. About 1848, Mr. Benedict 
 a.iiandoned the jiractice of law, and liecaine a preacher 
 id" the denomination known as Disciples or ('ampliell- 
 ites, and left Elyria. He removed to the vicMiiity of 
 Buffalo. New York, where he resided most of the 
 remainder of his life. He died in Canada tliree or 
 four years ago. 
 
 Mr. Benedict did a very consideralile business 
 during all his residence at J<]lyria, but was no( 
 considered a strong lawyer; as a pleader, he was 
 especially weak. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 49 
 
 Philemon Bliss, a brother of A. A. Bliss, was 
 admitted to the bar in Elyria in 1838. He com- 
 menced practice at once in Elyria in partnership with 
 his brother, A. A. Bliss, but soon after, by reason of 
 ill-liealth, was forced to abandon business, and went 
 west. Regaining his health, he re-commenced his 
 practice in Cuyahoga Falls, Summit county, Ohio, in 
 1843, but returned to Elyria in the winter of 18-H5-7, 
 and remained in practice there, except when inter- 
 rupted by office holding, until tlic spring of 1861. 
 During that period, he was elected probate judge, 
 being the first prol)atc judge of Lorain couiit}^, also 
 common pleas judge in the winter of 1848-9, and to 
 Congress in 1854 and 1856. 
 
 In 1801, he was appointed chief justice of Dakota 
 territory, which office he held until the fall of 1864, 
 when he removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he 
 resided until 1873. During this period, he was 
 elected probate judge, and, in 1868, supreme judge of 
 Missouri, which office lie filled to the end of the term 
 with credit to himself and benefit to the jurisprudence 
 of that state. In 1873, he was elected resident pro- 
 fessor of law at the university of Missouri, and dean 
 of tlie law faculty, and removed to Columbia, where 
 lie still resides. Mr. Bliss is a man of great mental 
 ability. A more extended sketch of his life will be 
 found in that part of this volume devoted to Elyria. 
 He is the autJior of a work on jileading, which is just 
 published. 
 
 Wm. F. Lockwood, one of the latest lawyers to 
 settle in Elyria during the period of which we arc 
 now speaking, was born April 1, 1823, in Norwalk, 
 Fairfield county, Connecticut, aud there received a 
 common school education. In 1837, he went to New 
 York, and became a clerk in a wholesale grocery 
 store. In 1840, lie came to Ohio, and, in 1841, 
 settled in Elyria, where he became a law student in 
 the office of Hamlin & Bliss. In 1843, he was 
 admitted to the l)ar at Medina. He was a candidate 
 on the wliig ticket, the same year, for the office of 
 lirosccuting attorney, but was defeated by H. A. Ten- 
 ney, the democratic candidate. He was elected to that 
 office, however, in 1844, and held it for four years, 
 being re-elected in 1846. In 1853, he was a delegate 
 from his congressional district to the wliig national 
 convention, whicli met at Baltimore and nominated 
 Winfield Seott as a candidate for the presidency. The 
 same year he was the candidate of his party for con- 
 gress, but was defeated, Harvey Johnson, of Ashland 
 county, the democratic candidate, being elected. 
 
 In 1854, he was elected probate judge of Lorain 
 county, succeeding Philemon Bliss. In 1856, he was 
 a candidate before the Republican convention for the 
 nomination for common pleas judge, but Judge Car- 
 penter, of Akron, was the nominee. 
 
 By reason of impaired health, he resigned his office, 
 and in the spring of 1857 removed with his family to 
 Nebraska and settled at Omaha, wliere he resided 
 some two years, when he removed to Dakota City, 
 
 which continued to be his home till he returned to 
 Ohio in 1867. 
 
 He was one of the federal judges for the territory 
 of Nebraska, from April, 1861, until the admission 
 of Nebraska as a State in 1867, when he was nom- 
 inated by President Johnson as United States district 
 judge for the district of Nebraska, but was not con- 
 firmed by tlie Senate. He then returned to Toledo, 
 in this State, where he still resides. 
 
 He was the democratic candidate for congress in 
 tlie Toledo district, in 1870, but was unsuccessful, 
 the district being republican. 
 
 In 1878, he was recommended by the bar of Lucas 
 county for the office of common pleas judge, which 
 recommendation was ratified by both the republican 
 and democratic conventions, and he was elected to 
 that office. 
 
 Mr. Lockwood had a large practice when at the 
 bar in Elyria, and is a man of fine abilities, as the 
 large number of important positions he has held with 
 credit to himself well attests. 
 
 Other lawyers who resided in Elyria during tlie 
 period of which we arc now speaking were: 
 
 Thomas Tyrrell, from 1834 to 1838. During a 
 part or all of this time, he was a partner with E. S. 
 Hamlin. He engaged also in the newspaper busi- 
 ness. 
 
 A. C. Penfield, from about 1833 to 1854. He did 
 a moderate business for a number of years. He died 
 in Elyria. 
 
 C. Whittlesey, 1835. Heman Birch, 1835 to 
 1847. Le Grakd Byington, 1837 to 1839. A. H. 
 Curtis, 1838. 
 
 L. F. Hamlin, 1838 to 1855. He was considered 
 a good equity lawyer, but his practice was limited. 
 He was for a time a partner with Mr. Lockwood. 
 He died in Elyria. 
 
 Robert McEachron, 1842 to 1850. He came from 
 Richland county, was a partner with Mr. Benedict 
 from 1842 to 1845, and with Joshua Myers under the 
 name of McEachron & Myers from 1847 to 1849, and 
 did a very considerable business. His health failed 
 while in Elyria, and be died soon after leaving 
 there. 
 
 Joshua Myers came to the bar about 1844, and 
 remained in Elyria until his death, in 1877. He was 
 first associated with Mr. Benedict, then with Mr. 
 McEachron, as already stated. From about 1850 to 
 1854, he was associated with Judge Bissell, of Paines- 
 ville, in the firm of Bissell & Myers, whicli did a 
 considerable business. His practice when alone was 
 never large. During his later years, he held the office 
 of justice of the peace for a single term, securing his 
 election partly by means of the anti-temperance excite- 
 ment, which grew up in oiii^ositiou to the "crusade," 
 in 1874. 
 
 FORDTCE M. Key^th was admitted to the bar in 
 1839, and commenced practice in Elyria, but removed 
 to Stark county in 1840, and subsequently to Jackson 
 
50 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 county, Ohio. He served with distinction in tlie late 
 war as major of infantry, and wajor and lieutenant- 
 colonel of artillery, and in 18G5 removed to White 
 Cloud, Kansas, where he now resides, engaged in the 
 practice of law, and farming. 
 
 Myron R. Keith was born in Wingfield, Herkimer 
 county, N. Y., March 3, 1819; came to Elyria with 
 his father, Colonel Ansel Keith in Octolier, 1832; and 
 was admitted as an attorney in 1841. He commenced 
 the jiracticc of law in Elyria in 1841, and in 181:2 
 removed to Cleveland and practiced with Harvey 
 Rice, in the firm of Rice & Keith, until 184G. In 
 January, 1840, he returned to Elyria and was appointed 
 clerk of the courts for Lorain county, and officiated 
 in that cajiacity until the spring of 1852. In August, 
 1852, he removed to Cleveland, and since that time 
 he has been and still is engaged in the i)ractice of the 
 law there. In June, 1807, he was appointed register 
 in bankruptcy, and is still acting in that capacity. 
 
 H. A. Tenney came to the bar in 1842, ami was 
 elected prosecuting attorney that year. He remained 
 in Elyria a few years engaged in the law pi-actice and 
 newspaper work, and then removed to Wisconsin. 
 
 John B. Green was admitted to the bar in Elyria 
 in 1843, and, after remaining a year or two, removed 
 to Newark, Ohio, where he died in 1845. 
 
 Eleazer Wakely was admitted to tlie bar in 
 Elyria in 1844, and remained there about two years, 
 when he removed to Wisconsin, and, subse(iueutly, to 
 Nebraska, where he held the office of federal terri- 
 torial Judge, in which he was succeeded by Judge Wni. 
 F. Lockwood in 1801. He still resides in Omaha 
 eminent in his profession. 
 
 During this period, 1831 to 1845, the law business 
 of the county had increased, so that, in 1844, it was 
 something more than half its i)resent amount as indi- 
 cated ])y the jciurnal of the court of common pleas. 
 Still, u}) to this time, very few, if any, of the lawyers 
 had devoted themselves exclusively to the practice of 
 the law, almost all engaging in newspaper publication 
 and sonui in other enterprises. The relative amount 
 of l)usiiiess done by foreign attorneys was much less 
 than in the earliest period, but still a large number 
 of attorneys from Cleveland and other points prac- 
 ticed occasionally in Lorain. Prominent anuing these 
 were W. Silliui;in, of Woost(U', and C. L. Lattimer, of 
 Norwalk. 
 
 Tlie jieriod from 1845 to 1800 witnessed an almost 
 complete change in the personnel of the Lorain bar. 
 About thirty new men came to the bar during tiuit 
 period, and, at its close, Philemon Bliss remained tlie 
 only resident attorney who had begun practice prior 
 to 1845, although Mr. Clark, then residing in Cleve- 
 land, still practiced at the Lorain bar. Of some seven 
 or eight of those who came to the practice within this 
 period it is proper to make somewhat extended men- 
 tion. 
 
 Sylvester Bagg, who has since served a number 
 of years on the bench in a sister State, was born 
 
 August 0, 1823, at Lanesborough, Berkshire county, 
 Mass. He removed to Elyria in May, 1845, and, in 
 1840, entered the office of A. A. Bliss as a partner, 
 and continued in the practice until December, 1850, 
 when he removed from Elyria. During his residence 
 in Elyria he was also associated with Mr. Edmund A. 
 West, now of Chicago, in the firm of Bagg & West, 
 and later with Mr. George Olmsted, now of Elyria, as 
 Bagg & Olmsted. He also engaged at times in the 
 drug and insurance business while in Elyria. After 
 remaining a few mouths in Ciiicago, he removed to 
 Iowa in March, 1857, and settled at Waterloo, where 
 he now resides. He was commissioned in the army 
 as A. Q. M. with the rank of captain, October 22, 1862, 
 and served until November 20, 1805, being discharged 
 with tlie bi'evet of major. He was elected circuit 
 judge in 1808, and re-elected in 1S72 and 1876, and 
 elected district judge in 1878, which office he now 
 holds. 
 
 Stevenson Burke was bom in St. Lawrence 
 county. New York, November 20, 1826. He com- 
 menced studying law in the office of Powell & Buck, 
 at Delaware, Ohio, and afterwards went into the office 
 of U. D. Clark at Elyria, where he continued till his 
 admission to the bar, August 11, 1848. In the fol- 
 lowing March he entered into partnership witli Mr. 
 Clark, which partnership continued until May or 
 June, 1852. He continued to reside at Elyria with a 
 rapidly increasing practice until 1801, when he was 
 elected judge of the court of common pleas for the 
 counties of Lorain, Medina and Summit. Prior to 
 his elevation to the liench he was associated for a 
 short time with Mr. Lake and Mr. Sheldon, under the 
 firm name of Burke, Lake & Sheldon. This firm, 
 however, lasted but a short time. In 1857 he was 
 associated with E. F. Poppleton, and, in 1800, with 
 H. II. Poppleton. 
 
 Mr. Burke was a sound and thorougli lawyer antl ;i. 
 man of remarkable industry, being, no doubt, the 
 hardest working lawyer who ever practiced at the 
 Lorain bar. He was elected to the common pleas 
 bench October, 1861, and took his seat the February 
 following, and continued to hold the office until Feb- 
 ruary, 1809, having been re-elected in 1860. He re- 
 signed his office January 1, 1809, his resignation 
 taking effect at the end of the judicial year the 9th 
 of the following February. Immediately upon his 
 resignation he became a member of the firm of Backus, 
 Estep & Bnrke in Cleveland, Messrs. Backus and 
 Estep having previously been partners in the practice 
 in that city. Judge Bnrke also kept for a time an 
 office in Elyria, where he still resided, in connection 
 with Mr. II. H. Poppleton. This was soon discon- 
 tinued, however. Not long after Mr. Burke went to 
 Cleveland tlie partnership of which he was a member 
 was broken up by the death of Mr. Backus. After a 
 short time more Messrs. Estep & Burke dissolved 
 their connection, since which Judge Burke has been 
 practicing alone in Cleveland, and doing a large and 
 higlilv lucrative business. He has become interested 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 51 
 
 in several railroad and other corporations, and is at 
 )>resent a director and chairman of tlie finance com- 
 mittee of the C, 0., C. & I. R'y Co., and general 
 counsel of the company, and occupies the same posi- 
 tion witli reference to the Cleveland and Mahoning 
 \'alley R. R. Co., and holds prominent positions in a 
 number of other railroad, mining and manufacturing 
 corjiorations. 
 
 JouN M. Vincent was bcjrn at Mount Washing- 
 ton, Berkshire county, Mass., October 14, 1830. He 
 came to Ohio in 1834. His collegiate course was 
 begun at Oberliii, but concluded at Union College, 
 Schenectady, Now York, where he graduated in 1846. 
 Returning to Elyria, he entered the office of H. D. 
 Clark as a law student^ and was admitted to the bar 
 at the supreme court in Elyria August 11, 1848. En- 
 tering at once npon the practice of his profession, he 
 was elected in the fall of tlie following year to the 
 office of prosecuting attorney of Lorain county, which 
 he held two consecutive terms, being re-elected in 
 18.51. He was elected to the same office again in 
 1855 and served one more term. Mr. Vincent was a 
 man of quick and accurate perceptions, a thorough 
 lawyer, a ready and effective debater, and withal a 
 genial, kind-hearted gentleman. With such qualifi- 
 cations he could not but occupy, as he did, a promi- 
 nent position at the bar as long as his health per- 
 mitted him to continue in the practice. He was 
 elected to the lower house of the State legislature in 
 tlie autumn of 1859, and served in that body during 
 tlie session of 18C0 and 1861. This legislative work 
 was substantially the last of his life. Failing healtji 
 forljade his continuing in the jiractice of his profes- 
 sion, and, in the summer of 1863, he went to Minne- 
 sota in hope of improving liis health by change of 
 climate; but, finding himself growing rapidly worse, 
 he started to return home, but was compelled to leave 
 tiie cars at Milwaukee, where he died Sejitember 23. 
 1863, mourned by a large circle of friends and acijuain- 
 tances. His wife and son still reside at Elyria. 
 
 LioNKL A. Sheldon was born August 30, 1831, at 
 Worcester, Otsego county, New York, and removed 
 with his parents to LaGrange, Lorain county, in 1834. 
 He studied law in the office of Clark & Burke, in- 
 Elyria, and also attended law school at Poughkeepsie, 
 New York, and was admitted to the bar at the 
 supreme court at Elyria, in July, 1851. 
 
 In September, 1853, he commenced practice in 
 connection with Mr. Vincent, which partnership 
 lasted some two years. He was subse(iuently asso- 
 ciated, at different times, with George 15. Lake, L. B. 
 Smith, and W. W. Boynton. He remained in Elyria, 
 in the practice of his profession, until the breaking 
 out of the war of the rebellion, in 1861. He held the 
 office of probate judge, from November 35, 1856, to 
 February 8, 1858, filling out the unexpired term of 
 William F. Lockwood. 
 
 In August, 1861, he entered the army as captain 
 in the 3d Ohio cavalry, and was snbseipiently a major 
 in the same regiment. At the organization of the 
 
 43d Ohio volunteer infantry, he was commissioned its 
 lieutenant-colonel, and on the promotion of its col- 
 onel, James A. Garfield, he became colonel of the 
 regiment, and served with distinction throughout 
 the war, receiving toward the close of the war, the 
 rank of brevet brigadier general. 
 
 After the close of the conflict, he settled in New 
 Orleans, and resumed the practice of his profession, 
 and also became interested in politics. Ho was 
 elected to congress in 1868, 1870, and 1873, and 
 served with credit in those three congresses. In 
 1876, he was one of the presidential electors of the 
 state of Louisiana. He still resides in New Orleans; 
 spending his summers, however, on liis large farm 
 in LaGrange, Lorain county, the home of his boy- 
 hood. 
 
 George B. Lake was admitted to the bar at 
 Elyria, July, 1851, and practiced in Elyria, with 
 credit, until about 1857, when he removed to Omaha, 
 where he still resides. He has attained tliere a 
 marked eminence in his profession, and now occupies 
 a seat ujion the bench of the sujjreme court of 
 Nebraska. 
 
 Houston H. Popplbton was born at Bellville, 
 Richland county, Ohio, March 10, 1836. He removed 
 with his father to Delaware, Ohio, in March, 1853, 
 and entered the Ohio Wesleyan university, at that 
 place, the same year, from which institution he grad- 
 uated June 38, 1858. 
 
 lie commenced studying law with Mr. Burke, in 
 Elyria, September 9, 1858, and continued with him 
 till he entered the Cincinnati law college, October 
 15, 1859, and was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati 
 April 16, 1860. He commenced the jiractice of law at 
 Elyria, May 3, 1860, having formed a jiartnership 
 with Judge Burke; and continued in the general 
 practice until December 1, 1873, when he was ap- 
 pointed general attorney of the Cleveland, Columbus, 
 Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railway Conijiany, with 
 headquarters at Cleveland, and at once took charge 
 of the entire legal department of that comj^any, which 
 position he still holds, and fills with marked ability. 
 
 Washington W. Boynton was born iu Russia, 
 Lorain county, January 37, 1833. He was educated 
 in the common schools, studied law, and was ad- 
 mitted to the bar by the district court of Lorain 
 county, at its September term, 1856, and immediately 
 commenced practice. In March, 1859, upon the 
 resignation, by Mr, George Olmsted, of the office of 
 prosecuting attorney, he was appointed by the court 
 to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term, which 
 ended the first Monday of the following January. 
 
 In October, of the same year, (1859), he was elected 
 to the same office, and continued to discharge its 
 duties with credit to himself, and satisfaction to the 
 public, until January, 1864, having been re-elected in 
 the fall of 1861. Mr. Boynton continued in the 
 practice of the law, at Elyria, with the exception of 
 a short residence in Minnesota, whither he went on 
 account of his health, until February, 1869, when he 
 
52 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 was appointed by tlio governor to tlie office of com- 
 mon jileas Judge, left vacant by tlie resignation of 
 llou. Stevenson Burke. In October, of the same 
 year, he was elected to that office, for the remainder 
 of .Tudgc Burke's term, which expired February, 1873. 
 In liie fall of 1S71, lie was re-ek'cted for a full term, 
 which expired February, 1877, at wliich time he 
 entered upon the discharge of the duties of a judge 
 of the supremo court, having been elected to that 
 office in October, 187G. He is still a member of the 
 supreme court. 
 
 A considerable number of lawyers commenced i)rae- 
 tiee m Lorain county during this time, and remained 
 for longer or shorter periods, including some who are 
 still at the bar, who will be mentioned hereafter. 
 
 These were George T. Smith, 1845 to 1854. 
 
 Edmund A. West, 184G to 1853. He was tlie son 
 of Edmund West, one of the original settlers of Elyria. 
 On leaving Elyria he went to Chicago where he is still 
 practicing law, making a .specialty of patent business. 
 
 Elbuidge G. Boynton, admitted to the bar Sep- 
 tember, 1845, died in Elyria in 1857. 
 
 John Curtis, 1847 to 1851. 
 
 John G. Irving, admitted August 20, 1847. 
 
 Bird B. Chapman, admitted in Elyria in 1843, 
 practiced there for a time, about 1849 to 1853. 
 
 George G. Washburn practiced law from 1849 to 
 1853. He then al)andonod the law and devoted him- 
 self to journalism, and still resides in Elyria, the 
 editor and publisher of the Elyria Rejniblican. 
 
 John Sherman, 1851. 
 
 E. C. K. Garvey, 1851-3. 
 
 Schuyler Putnam was admitted to the bar in 1852, 
 at the first term of the district court under the consti- 
 tution of 1851. He was a great-grandson of General 
 Israel Putnam of revolutionary war fame. Says Mr. 
 H. D. Clark in a recent letter, speaking of Mr. Put- 
 nam: ''He came to the bar at an advanced age, ripe 
 in judgment and experience. He had a good legal 
 mind, and in a long number of years as a justice of 
 the peace, never gave an opinion that was reversed by 
 a higher court. He was a moral, conscientious, up- 
 right man." 
 
 C. G. Finney, Oberlin, 1854. He was a son of the 
 celebrated divine. Reverend C. G. Finney, for many 
 years president of Oberlin college. He returned to 
 Oberlin a few years ago and entered into partnership 
 with I. A. Webster, but his health permitted him to 
 remain only a short time. 
 
 John M. Langston, Oberlin, was admitted to the 
 bar in Elyria in 1855, and practiced at Oberlin until 
 ;ii)out 18G7. He now resides in Washington, D. C, 
 wliere he is a law lecturer in Howard University. 
 
 From 1857 to 1859 Samuel and Ralph Plumb 
 practiced law in Oberlin under the name of Plumb 
 and Plumb, and Ralph seems by the court record to 
 have continued until 1861. Samuel Plumb organized 
 a bank in Oberlin under the name of "S. Plumb's 
 Bank," whicli, on the jiassage of the National liank- 
 inu; act was converted into the " First National Bank 
 
 of Oberlin," of which Mr. Plumb was president as 
 long as he resided in Oberlin. Both gentlemen now 
 reside at Streator, Illinois. 
 
 Cyrus B. Baldwin resided at Oberlin and did a 
 small law business between 1858 and 1805. 
 
 Laertes B. Smith was admitted to the bar in 
 Elyria, in September, 1858, and practiced in Elyria, 
 holding the office of justice of the peace for several 
 terms, until June 1, 1871, when he was appointed 
 probate judge, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the 
 resignation of John W. Steele. He was elected to 
 that office tlie same year for the unexi)ired term 
 and still holds the office, having been re-elected in 
 1873, 1875 and 1878. 
 
 Edward D. Holbrook, son of Dexter Holbiuok 
 who still resides in Elyria, was born in Elyria October 
 10, 1835, studied law with Johnson and Rex in Woos- 
 ter, and was admitted at that place in May, 1857. He 
 commenced practice in Elyria in 1858, and remained 
 until the spring of 1861 when he removed to Califor- 
 nia, where he remained studying the mining laws until 
 May 17, 1863, when he removed to Idaho territory, 
 where he rapidly rose to prominence and acquired an 
 extensive practice. He represented that territory as 
 delegate in the thirty-ninth and f.irtieth congresses. 
 He continued to reside in Idaho, attending to his 
 increasing professional duties until his death. He 
 was murdered by Charles H. Douglas, at Idaho City, 
 June 19, 1870. 
 
 Theodore H. Robertson was admitted to the bar 
 in Elyria in August, 1848, and remained in Elyria in 
 the practice some five or six years. 
 
 Washburn Safford practiced in Elyria for two or 
 three years, beginning in 1855, in partnership with 
 .Judge Pliilemon Bliss, under the name of Bliss and 
 Safford. Daring a portion of this time R. H. Allen, 
 who practiced in Oberlin, was also a member of the 
 firm, the title at the Oberlin office being Bliss, Allen 
 and Safford. Mr. Allen remained in Oberlin a year 
 or so after the dissolution of this firm. 
 
 H. C. Safford also practiced law a few years in 
 Ob'^rlin, about the same time. 
 
 Anson P. Dayton opened a law otllce in Oberlin 
 in the summer of 1856, and remained there about two 
 years. 
 
 The period from 1800 to the present time can 
 scarcely be called historical, and must be passed over 
 rapidly. It has witnessed the advent of many more 
 lawyers than any other period of e(pial length; but a 
 majority of them are still young men, and the time 
 has not yet arrived for them to have reached the 
 eminence and distinction to which many of the older 
 members of the Lorain bar have attained. 
 
 The most conspicuous figure among the men who 
 have come to the Lorain bar within this period is Hon. 
 John C. Hale, one of the jiresent judges of the court 
 of common pleas. He was born March 3, 1831, at Or- 
 ford. New Hampshire, and graduated at Dartmouth 
 College in 1857. He was admitted to the bar in 
 Cleveland in the spring of 1861, and immediately 
 
HISTOEY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 53 
 
 rcmuveil lo Elyriu in coiiiiiany willi J. C. Hill, witli 
 whiini 1k' liail foi-nit'd a jiartiienshii), uiidiT the iiaine 
 oi' Hale & Hill, ami tlicy opened a law office in tlie 
 room occupied by Jolin M. Viiieeiit. This ]iartiier- 
 ship eoiitinued one year, wlieii Mr. Hale went iiif-o 
 ])MrtiH'rship witli W. W. Boyiitoii. lie ro.se ra))idly 
 ill his pi'ot'ession, and in 18fi:3 was elected to the otliee 
 of prosecuting attorney, which he held six years coti- 
 secutively, being re-elected in 18ii.j and 1807. lie 
 represented Lorain county in the constitutional cou- 
 vention of 1873-4, and in 187G was elected common 
 pleas judge, succeeding Judge Boyntou. He is still 
 on the common pleas bench. 
 
 We shall now pass rapidly over the gentlemen who 
 have been members of the Lorain bar since 1860 and 
 who are not now in the practice there, and close 
 this sketch with a mention of the attorneys now resi- 
 dent in the county. 
 
 0ii4KLKs A. WiiKiHT commenced practice in Elyria- 
 in 1800 and remained there a year or two. 
 
 Lewis Breckeneidge was admitted to the bar in 
 18.39, commenced practice in Elyria in 1861 and I'c- 
 mained until 1873 when he removed to Cleveland 
 where he now resides and practices. 
 
 J. C Hill came to Elyria as an attorney in 1801, 
 as already mentioned, as a partner with J. C. Hale. 
 He remained in the practice until 186-1, when he 
 abandoned it and engaged in other business. He is 
 now a resident of Elyria and cashier of the Savings 
 l)eix>sit Bank. 
 
 Andrew Morehouse apjjcars as an attorney on the 
 records in 1863. 
 
 James B. Huiii-nREY was admitted to the bar in 
 Elyria in 1803, and practiced there until 1867 or 
 1868, when he removed to Allegan, Michigan, where 
 he still resides. He is, or recently was, probate judge 
 of Allegan county, and occupies a prominent position 
 at the bar there. 
 
 O.MAR Bailey, .Jr., practiced law in Oberlin from 
 1803 to 1807, when he removed to Norwalk, Huron 
 county, where he still resides. 
 
 KoswELL G. HoRR was admitted to the bar at the 
 exjjiration of his term as clerk of the court in 1804, 
 and entered into partnership with J. C. Hale. He 
 continued in the practice about two years, when he 
 removed to Missouri. He subse(juently removed to 
 East vSaginaw, Michigan, where he still resides. He 
 was elected to Congress from that district at the 
 election in November, 1878. 
 
 II. M. LiLLiE had a law ofHce in Elyria a few 
 months in 1864, but did little or no business. 
 
 A. R. HiLLYER opened a law office in Oberlin in 
 1805, and remained there a year or two, when he 
 removed to Grinuell, Iowa. 
 
 Herbert L. Terrell was admitted to the bar in 
 Pllyria in September, 1804, aiul entered into partner- 
 ship with W. W. Boynton, remaining about a year. 
 He then removed to Tennessee, but subsequently 
 returned to Ohio and settled in Cleveland, where he 
 is now practicing. 
 
 I). L. ]?RECKINRII)(IE was admitted to the bar in 
 1806, but continued to reside on his farm in (irafton 
 till his death, in 1878, never devoting himself e.xclu- 
 sively to the law. 
 
 A. C. HouiiHTON went into partnershi]i with J. II. 
 Dickson, at Wellington, in 1808, and ivmained in tiie 
 l)ractice there until about 1873, when he removed to 
 Toledo. 
 
 M. W. I'oND, Jr., in partnership with C. H. ! too- 
 little, practiced in Elyria in 1869. Ho removed to 
 Pennsylvania., but subse<iuently i-eturned to Cleveland, 
 where he now resides, engaged in the practice of the 
 law. 
 
 (jL'stavus V. Bayley was admitted to the bar in 
 1873, and in the fall of 1873 settled at Black River 
 (now Lorain), and engaged also in the lumber business. 
 He continued to reside there until 1877, when he 
 removed to St. Louis. His law pi-actice was very 
 nu'ager. 
 
 Meric J. Sloan was admitted to the bar at Elyria 
 in September, 1873, and had an office for a short time 
 in Oberlin. 
 
 P. L. Chandler removed fi-om Wisconsin to 
 Oberlin in 1875, and opened a law office there. He 
 remained there about a year. 
 
 .Joseph C. Colllster studied law with Hon. J. II. 
 Dickson, at "Wellington, and was admitted to the bar 
 in 1874. He entei-ed into pa^rtnership with his pre- 
 ceptor, and remained one year, when he left the 
 County. 
 
 D. C. Bruce, from Pennsylvania, opened a law 
 otfice in Elyria in 1875, and remained about a year. 
 
 C. A. Brintnall came to Elyiia, from Medina, in 
 the summer of 1870, with A. R. Webber, who still 
 remains there. They remained in partnership a few 
 months, when they dissolved partnership, and Mr. 
 Brintnall left the county. 
 
 Warren W. Sampsel, son of Dr. P. W. Sampsel, 
 of Elyria, was admitted to the bar in Norwalk in the 
 si)ring of 1878, and entered into partnership with 
 N. L. Johnson, of Elyria, but after remaining a few 
 nu)nths he removed to Toledo, where he still resides. 
 
 Judge Benjamin Bissell and Mr. Tinker, both 
 of Paiuesville, had an office in Elyria in 1873, in 
 connection with Mr. J. V. Coon, niuler the luiine of 
 Bissell, Coon and Tinker. Judge Bissell died recently 
 in Iowa. Mr. Tinker still resides in Painesville. 
 
 The present bar of Lorain county consists of twenty- 
 nine members, residing in all parts of the county, but 
 principally of course at the county seat. 
 
 John V. Coon, the one of these who has been 
 longest at the bar, was admitted at Elyria in August, 
 1840, and has continued to reside in Elyria or its 
 mimediate vicinity ever since, and has kept a more or 
 less intimate connection with the practice during all 
 that time. He has not, however, devoted himself 
 exclusively to the law, having been engaged in farm- 
 ing and manufacturing enterprises, and real-estate 
 siJceulations in Ohio and other States, during a very 
 considerable portion of that time. He is now engaged 
 
54 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 in practice, and has a very considerable reputation as 
 a real estate lawyer. 
 
 Charles H. Doolitte came to theljar in Elyria in 
 1S")1. lie was soon after elected justice of tlie jieaee, 
 wliicli (iMice lie lielil aliout six years. In the fail of 
 1857, lie was elected iirol)ate juilyc ami held that 
 office for nine years from the following February, 
 being re-elected in 1860 and 18G3. After the expira- 
 tion of his term of office as probate judge, he removed 
 for a siiort time to Gainesville, but soon returned to 
 Elyria, where he still resides. For several years past 
 he has held the office of justice of the peace. 
 
 Hon. Joseph H. Dickson was admitted to the 
 bar in August, 1853, at Elyria, and at once entered 
 ui)on the practice of his profession there, forming a 
 partnership with John M. Vincent. In the fall of 
 1853 he was elected prosecuting attorney, for two 
 years from the succeeding January. In December, 
 1855, he dissolved his connection with Mr. Vincent, 
 and removed to Wellington, where he has continued 
 to reside up to the present time. He was elected to 
 the lower house of the state legislature in 18l!7 and 
 1869. He still occupies a leading position at the 
 Lorain bar. 
 
 GBOR<iE Olmsted came from New York, and 
 entered into practice in Elyria in 1853, entering into 
 partnership with S. Bagg, as Bagg and Olmsted. He 
 was elected prosecuting attorney in October, 1857, 
 and entered upon the duties of that office in the fol- 
 lowing January. He resigned the office, however, in 
 March, 1859, afcer having served a little over one 
 year. He then removed to Indianapolis, where he 
 staid about a year, when he returned, and continued 
 to reside in Elyria, and practice law, until 1862, from 
 which time he was absent from Elyria about four 
 years. He returned to Elyria, however, in 1866, 
 where he has since resided. He was elected justice of 
 the peace in 1871, and held that oftice for three years, 
 being succeeded l)y Joshua Myers. 
 
 Charles W. Jouxston came to Elyria from La- 
 Grange, where he had formerly practiced medicine, 
 and entered upon the practice of the law in A]>ril, 
 1859. He formed a partnership with Hon. P. Bliss, 
 the next Septendjer, under the name of Bliss and 
 Johnston, which continued until Judge Bliss removed 
 to Dakota, in 1861. Mr. Johnston continued to 
 devote himself exclusively to the practice, and still 
 resides in Elyria, where he has an extensive business. 
 He was elected prosecuting attorney in 1869 and 1871. 
 
 Elizuk G. Johnson" was admitted to the bar in 
 1861, but continued to reside in LaGrange, where he 
 held the office of justice of tlie peace until March, 
 1869, when he came to Elyria to assume the office of 
 county auditor, to which he had been elected the 
 previous October. He continued to hold that office 
 until November, 1877. In the autumn of 1876, how- 
 ever, he opened a law office in Elyria, and is still 
 engaged in the practice. 
 
 Norman L. Johnson came to Elyna from Massa- 
 
 chusetts in 1863 and entered upon the practice of the 
 law, to which he hiis devoted himself ever since, and 
 at which he is now doing a very considerable business. 
 
 Iral a. Webster was admitted to the bar at Elyria 
 in September, 1867, and soon after opened an office 
 in Oberlin, where he still resides. In 1877 he also 
 opened an office in Elyria. 
 
 Charles Downinu was admitted to the bar in 
 1867 in Elyria, where he still resides. He has de- 
 voted his attention mainly, however, to the business 
 of insurance. 
 
 P. II. BoYNTON was admitted to the bar in 1869 
 and is still practicing in Elyria. 
 
 George P. Metcalf was admitted in 1869. He 
 was elected prosecuting attorney in 1873, 1875 and 
 1877, and still holds that office. 
 
 J. M. HoRD removed to Elyria from Wood county 
 in 1S7'2, and is still in practice. 
 
 WiNSLOW L. Fay, admitted 1870, still in practice. 
 
 E. II. HiNMAN opened an office in 1873 in North 
 Amherst, where he is still practicing. 
 
 Amos Coe, who formerly practised law in Cleve- 
 land, settled on a farm near Elyria about 1870. He 
 appears in court occasionally. 
 
 David J. Ny'e was admitted to the bar in 1873 and 
 removed to Kansas. He returned in 1873, and, in 
 April, 1874, opened an office in Elyria, where he still 
 resides. 
 
 Walter F. Herrick commenced practicing law in 
 Wellington in 187-1, and is still there. He served in 
 the Ohio legislature in 1860 and 1861, and was a 
 colonel in the army during the war of the rebellion. 
 
 J. H. Lanc; has been practicing law in Oberlin 
 since 1874. He engages also in other business. 
 
 Lkster i\[(;LEAN was admitted to the bar at War- 
 ren in the spring of 1875, and immediately removed 
 to Elyria, where he is still engaged iu the practice, — 
 now in partnership with E. G. Johnson. 
 
 A. R. Webber came to Elyria from Medina in 
 1876, and is still engaged in practice as jiartner with 
 C. W. Johnston. 
 
 CiiAS. A. Metcalf was a<lmitted in 1877, and en- 
 tered into partnership with his brother, Geo. P. Met- 
 calf, and is still in practice. 
 
 J. W. Steele was admitted to the bar just before 
 tlie lireaking out of the war. He entered the army 
 and served through the war. He was elected probate 
 judge of Lorain county in 1867, and held that office 
 till June 1, 1871, when he resigned. He commenced 
 practice in Oberlin in 1877, and is still there. 
 
 Wm. H. Tucker was admitted to the bar in Cleve- 
 land in the fall of 1877. He engages also in other 
 business. 
 
 John H. Faxon, of Elyria, was admitted to the 
 bar at Columbus in 1876. Mr. Faxon is an old resi- 
 dent of Lorain county. He was elected sheriff in 
 1844 and 1846, and to the legislature in 1873 and 
 1875. He has also held the office of justice of the 
 peace for a considerable number of years. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 55 
 
 In 1877, C. G. Jeffries, an attorney of several years 
 standing, moved to Elyria from Akron and ojiened a 
 law office, and is still in tlic practice. 
 
 Ed. C. Manter was admitted to tlio l)ar in April 
 1878, and at once commenced practice in Elyria. 
 
 Fred. A. Beckwith came to Elyria in tlie snmmer 
 of 1878, and entered into practice in tJie office of I. 
 A. We])ster. 
 
 Fred. Weiwtek was admitted to the bar at Nor- 
 walk in the spring of 1878, and now has an office at 
 Oljerlin. 
 
 Alex. H. Perry, of Brownlielm, was admitted to 
 tlie liar in ISCo, but still resides in that townsliip, not 
 engaging in active practice. 
 
 This completes the list of the members of the bar 
 of Lorain county. This bar, throughout its history, 
 lias Ijeen characterized by a high degree of morality 
 and integrity, as well as ability and learning on the 
 part of the members, and has been singularly free 
 from that which has been the bane of so many of the 
 greatest and most brilliant lawyers of the country, 
 the addiction to the use of intoxicating li(:[uors. 
 
 Ten of its members have been elevated to the bench 
 (aside from probate judges) and held fifteen different 
 judicial positions, viz: Frederick Whittlesey, common 
 ])leas judge in Ohio; Philemon Bliss, common pleas 
 judge in Ohio, territorial chief justice of Dakota, 
 and supreme judge of Missouri; William F. Lock- 
 wood, territorial judge of Nebraska, and common 
 pleas judge in Ohio; Eleazer Wakeley, territorial 
 judge of Nebraska; Gyrus Olney, judge in Iowa; S. 
 Bagg, circuit and district judge in Iowa; S. Burke, 
 common pleas judge in Ohio; George B. Lake, su- 
 ]ii-eme judge of Nebraska; W. W. Boynton, common 
 pleas andsuprome judge in Ohio; and .John C. Hale, 
 common pleas judge in Ohio. 
 
 Four Lorain lawyers have been members of congress, 
 holding in all eight terms: E. S. Hamlin, one term; 
 Philenron Bliss, two terms; Lionel A. Sheldon three 
 terms and E. U. Holbrook, (delegate) two terms. 
 
 The bar furnished one of the delegates, Mr. Clark, 
 to the constitutional convention of 18.50, and the 
 single one, Mr. Hale, to that of 1873. Two former 
 Lorain lawyers are lecturers in law schools: .Judge 
 Bliss and Mr. Langston; and two. Judge Bliss and 
 Mr. Tiffany, are the authors of legal treatises. 
 
 So far as the writer has been able to learn Philemon 
 Bliss seems to have held the largest number of im- 
 portant official positions: two terms in congress, and 
 (including probate judgeships) five different judicial 
 positions. 
 
 To Mr. Slyers belongs the distinction of having 
 been the longest at the bar, from 1844 to 1877. The 
 next longest, and by far the longest practice of the 
 leading lawyers of the bar, was that of Mr. H. D. 
 Clark, from 1834 to 1865. 
 
 With this we take our leave of the bar. It is suf- 
 ficient to say of it in closing, that it has stood high 
 compared with those of similar counties, for learning, 
 industry, integrity and eloquence. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 THE PRESS OP LORAIN COUNTY.* 
 
 Newspapers are both "annals" and "history." 
 Not only do their columns contain a record of events 
 in chronological order, but the causes and effects of 
 such events are also considered. Newspapers also 
 contain a perfect record of their own history; but, 
 like any other record, it is of no use to mankind 
 unless it is carefully preserved. In the early days 
 of a new settlement, the pioneers have enough bur- 
 dens to bear, enough present wants to supply, to 
 engross all their time, without giving thought to 
 what their children, in after years, may desire to 
 know of the details of their pioneer life; hence the 
 rarity of the record of those events, and the difficulty 
 of obtaining, in many cases, any correct data concern- 
 ins them. It is doubtless for the same reason that 
 publishers of newspapers took so little pains in pioneer 
 times to preserve tlieir files. With the exception of 
 two volumes, no files have been preserved of any 
 newspapers published in this county prior to 1850. 
 Wlieu it is known that there were almost yearly 
 changes in the ownership and editorial management 
 of these early publicatiDUS, and that only straggling 
 copies can now be found, the difficulty in giving an 
 accurate history of the preps in this county will be 
 apparent; but through the interest taken in this labor 
 by many who were formerly connected therewitli, and 
 the kindness of others who have forwarded occasional 
 copies of the early publications, these obstacles have 
 been chietiy overcome, and, with the conviction that 
 the labor of rescuing these interesting details from 
 oblivion was undertaken none to soon, the reader may 
 rest assuied that tlie liistory of the nearly three dozen 
 newspapers and otlier periodicals tliat have been ])uh- 
 lislicd ill this county will be found substantially 
 correct. The history of each publication will be 
 given in the order of its date, commencing in Elyria; 
 and, as a matter of equal public interest, a brief notice 
 of those who were prominently connected with them 
 is appended. 
 
 THE LORAIN GAZETTE. 
 
 The first newspaper printed in Lorain county was 
 called The Lorain Gazette, published in Elyria by 
 Archibald S. Park, who in the spring of 18-^9 was 
 conducting a newspaper in Ashtabula, Ohio, called 
 The Western Journal. Desiring to change his loca- 
 tion, he came to Elyria, and made arrangements 
 with Mr. Heman Ely to purchase the necessary 
 material for a newspaper and job office. On his 
 return, he sent him a bill in detail of the articles 
 needed, which Mr. Ely forwarded to New York 
 The material was shii)i)ed on the 6th of May, 
 by way of the Hudson river and canal to Buffalo, 
 thence by steamer to Cleveland, and thence to Elyria 
 in wagons. The following is a copy of the bill and 
 accompanying letter, found among the papers of the 
 
 * By George G. Washburn. 
 
56 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 late Heiniiii Ely. It shows th;it at that day it 
 required but a small sum to purchase what was then 
 considered a sufficient outlit for a newspaper and job 
 office: 
 
 11 KM AN Ely to E. White, dr. 
 
 To S09 Uis. Small Pica 40c JSJ 60 
 
 " 4 2-line 44 176 
 
 " 56 " H oz. Bgs 50 !J8 33 
 
 " 2 " 10 " '• 2-liue 44 1 15 
 
 " 8 " 12 " Canon, shade 32 2 SO 
 
 " 12 " Canon llower's 38 4 56 
 
 " 5 •' Small Pica (lowers 40 ■ 2 00 
 
 " 49 '• 4 OE. Paragon 36 17 73 
 
 " 35 ** Canon 32 1120 
 
 " 13 oz. L. P. spaces, etc 42 34 
 
 *' 11 oz. Brevier do 60 41 
 
 " 4lbsLeads.. 30 1 20 
 
 " 1 Fount 2-line Pearl 1 .52 
 
 " 1 '■ Rlinion Caps 162 
 
 " 1 *' Brevier Antitiue 102 
 
 •' 1 " Pica, black 128 
 
 " 2 Large Dashes 1 00 
 
 " 22 Small Dashes .50 
 
 " IHorseCut 5 50 
 
 " 24 Cuts, assorted 8 20 
 
 " 17!4 feet Common Rule 37)^ 6 50 
 
 '■ 4 •' Double " 37!^ 150 
 
 " 12 " Single " 10 120 
 
 2 Composing Sticks 4 00 
 
 " 1 " " 3 00 
 
 " 30 lbs. News Ink 33 9 90 
 
 1 Keg for Ink 50 
 
 1 Post Office Stamp 75 
 
 $-»2 55 
 
 " 3 Boxes . 40c 120 
 
 " Cartage 25 
 
 " 1 Super Royal Ramage Press 7() 00 
 
 *' Boxing, Packing, etc., of Press 6 00 
 
 Cartage on Press 50 
 
 77 95 
 
 J2S0 50 
 
 (Jii tlie mai'sin is writien in pencil — 
 
 Paid Freight $17 98 
 
 On the opposite page of the aljove Ijill is the follow- 
 ing letter: 
 
 "New York, May 6th, 1H29. 
 " Heman Ely, Esq.— 
 
 " Dear Sir:— Herewitli you have a bill of articles shipped you tliis 
 day. I think it to be judiciously arranged for a country office. Not 
 finding any second-hand type that I judged would please you, and as I 
 have reduced the pi-ice oi my small pica 6 per cent., and my bourgoise 
 S per cent, per pound, and the price of other sizes about in the same 
 proportion. I concluded it l>est to send you new type. Should you 
 find anything wanting, name it, and it shall lie sent. The press, 
 boxing and cartage I have charged only at what I had to pay, which is 
 $10 less than you could have got it at had you applied in person. I 
 purchase largely of the man, and my custom is an object to him. It 
 my bill is to be charged to you as a cash sale^ you will be entitled to a 
 disct. of 714 per cent, on all but the press, b<)xes and cartage, viz: on 
 $202.5.5, which disct. I shall have to credit you in account. 
 
 " Yours Sincei-ely, E. White, 
 
 "per John T. White." 
 
 Mr. Ely remitted the cash, thus saving nearly tjie 
 amount of freight in the discount. 
 
 Mr. Park sold his pa]ier in Aslitahula, and removed 
 to Elyria with his family, arriving June 18, 1829. 
 The press, known as tlie "two-pull Ramage," con- 
 structed almost entirely of wood, was put up in the 
 small one-story building, two dooi-s cast of East 
 avenue, on the south side of ]5road street, (now No. 
 22,) where the first number of the Lorain Gazette 
 was issued July 24. 1829. The first stickful of type 
 set iu this county was by Calvin Hall, then si.xteen 
 
 years old, who accompanied Mr. Park from Ashtabula 
 as an apprentice. It is made a part of this record, 
 not only as a matter of general interest, but because 
 it is doubtful if the same number of high-sounding 
 words have since been compressed into a single stick- 
 ful. It was as follows: 
 
 [from the literary chronicle.] 
 "THE RENEGADE." 
 "The sack of the city had commenced. The fire darted from a 
 hundred roofs; the crash of broken bars and bolts rang through the 
 bloodstained streets of the long ])eaceful Mother of the Arts. Barbar- 
 ians of gigantic stature, their hair flowing wildly on their shoulders, and 
 wielding spears of prodigious length, with fierce gestures and dissonant 
 cries, trampled the venerable halls of the Areoimgus, and violated the 
 holy stillness of the Parthenon." 
 
 The Gazette was a five column folio, sent by mail 
 for two dollars, and delivered in the village for two 
 dollars and fifty cents a year. In politics, it sup- 
 ported the whig party. A copy of the first number, 
 now in the Elyria library, contains the name of "A 
 S. Park, printer, publisher, and proi^rietor. " Fred- 
 erick Whittlesey was editor of the paper, for the first 
 six months, after which its publisher assumed entire 
 charge, and its columns were chiefly filletl with 
 selected miscellany and news items. In the fall of 
 1830, Mr. Abraham Burrell, also a practical printer, 
 became a partner in the paper, and its publication 
 was continuetl by Park & 15urrcll, until the spring of 
 1832, when it passed into the hands of James F. 
 Manter, who changed its name to The Elyria Times. 
 Only an occasional copy of the Gazette is now extant. 
 
 Archibald 8. Park served his apprenticeship iu the 
 office of Ileacock & Bowen, publishers of the Ashta- 
 bula liecorder. He was sul>se<piently connected with 
 two more journals in Elyria, and not finding the bus- 
 mess sufficiently lucrative, abandoned the case in 
 1834, and engaged iu other business. He still lives 
 in Elyria, hale and hearty, at the age of seventy-four 
 years, where he has ever sustained the character of an 
 honest and ujiright citizen. 
 
 Frederick Whittlesey, the pioneer editor of the 
 county, removed to Cleveland in 1835, where he died 
 November 13, 1854, aged fifty-three years. He was 
 held in high esteem, and among various offices that 
 he filled with credit, were that of clerk of the Cuyahoga 
 court of common pleas, and senator in the legislature 
 from Cuyahoga, county, for several years. 
 
 Abraham Burrell was tliorouohly taught the print- 
 ers' art in the state of New York. lie came to Elyria 
 in the spring of 1830. and went lo work as coinitositor 
 in the Gazette office. He was subsecpiently printer of 
 the Oliio Atlas. Jlvrkeye Sentinel, Elyria t'ovrier, 
 Lorain Anjus, Lorain Eagle, and for a nnnd)er of 
 years of the lt'de2]enilent Eemoerat, published by the 
 writer, in whose emjiloyment he died November 23, 
 1808, at the age of sixty -nine years. Mr. Burrell was 
 emjihatically the veteran printer of Lorain county. 
 He was a man of remarkable industry, was strictly 
 honest in his dealings, but he experienced many of 
 the ups and downs incident to his profession. He 
 was better fitted for the mechanical than the business 
 dejiarlinent of a newspaper, and worked more hours 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 57 
 
 in a day, and more days in a week, than any person 
 wlio li.-i.s ever lived so long in Elyria. 
 
 THE ELYIUA TIMES. 
 
 This paper immediately succeeded the GcaeUc, and 
 also supported the whig party. Mr. Manter pub- 
 lished it three months, without changing its size or 
 l)rioe. under promises of adequate support, which 
 were not realized, and about the first of June, 18.')'3, 
 he sold the office and good will to A. S. Park and 
 Josiah A. Ilari'is, who added new material, enlarged 
 the sheet, and changed its name to 'Ihe Ohio Atlas 
 and Elyria Advertiser. 
 
 My. Manter learned the art of printing in the office 
 of the Patriot, Utica, New York. After working at 
 the case in various places in that State, he removed to 
 Ohio, and in May, 182G, came to Elyria, where he 
 engaged in farming. The three months during which 
 he published the Times, concluded his labors as 
 printer and publisher. He now resides in Elyria, at 
 the age of nearly eighty-one years, remarkable for his 
 physical and mental vigor, and respected for his many 
 excellent traits of character. He has no recollection 
 of the date when he commenced or concluded the 
 publication of the Times, except that it was in the 
 early ])art of 1832, and, so far as is known, no copy of 
 it is now in existence. 
 
 THE OHIO ATLAS AND ELYRIA ADVERTISER. 
 
 Soon after the purchase of the Times, by Messrs. 
 Park & Harris, they issued the Oliio Atlas and Elyria 
 Advertiser. The first number was dated July 13, 
 18.32. It was a six column folio, presenting a much 
 better ajijiearance than its predecessor, and for twelve 
 years, under tlie editorial charge of various persons, 
 it sustained a high character, as a newspaper. Its 
 motto was the interrogative, " What is it but a map 
 (if busy life?" Its terms were, #2, if jiaid within six 
 months, and 12.50, if not paid within one year. 
 Among its regular contributors was Rev. Alfred H. 
 Betts, of Brownhelm, whose letters to the young, 
 over the familiar initials, " B. H. A.," continued for 
 some years, and were widely read. A few months 
 after the paper was started, Mr. Park sold his interest 
 to his associate, and retired. Up to this period, Mr. 
 Harris was its editor, and, on the retirement of Mr. 
 Park, Abraham Burrell became its printer, and re- 
 mained in that position until it was discontinued in 
 1844. 
 
 Mr. Harris conducted the paper, as editor and 
 proprietor, until the 21st day of November, 1833, 
 when he sold the office to Frederick Whittlesey and 
 Edward S. Hamlin. Albert A. Bliss, then a law 
 student in their office, became its editor. The paper 
 was increased to seven columns, and otherwise im- 
 proved in its general make up, as well as in its sjiirit 
 and ability. On the 10th day of July, 1834, A. A. 
 Bliss and Thomas Tyrrell became its editors and pro- 
 prietoi-s, and on the 27th of November, of the same 
 year, Mr. Bliss published his valedictory, with an 
 
 intimation that, although his connection with the 
 ]iaper had been personally agreeable, his purse had 
 been somewhat depleted thereby. He did not long 
 remain absent from the chair editorial, for, on the 
 22d of January, 1835, as appears by a single tattered 
 copy of the Atl<(s of that date, he resumed his duties 
 as editor. The fragment of the copy contains the 
 following editorial notice: 
 
 For reasons, which it is iinnecsssary to detail, the subscriber lias 
 again become connectetl with the Athii<. All business relating to the 
 establishment, other than with the editorial department, will be trans- 
 acted by the proprietors, T. Tyrrell & Co. A. A. Buss. 
 
 The exact time when Mr. Bliss finally retired from 
 the paper cannot be ascertained, Imt it was aliout the 
 beginning of 1836. On the 10th of Febi-uary, 1836, 
 the name of E. S. Hamlin appears as editor, and A. 
 Burrell & Co. as publishers. Mr. Bliss went to 
 Cleveland, temporarily, and, in connection with 
 Charles Whittlesey, conducted the Cleveland Gazette 
 through the campaign of 1836. Not long after Mr. 
 Hamlin took charge of the pajier he sold it to an 
 association of gentlemen, consisting of D. W. Lathrop, 
 H. Ely, S. W. Baldwin, Wm. Andrews, Ozias Long, 
 Franklin Wells, and, possibly, others, who formed a 
 stock company, and, under the new management, Mr. 
 Lathrop became its editor. A. Burrell continued to 
 be its i^rinter. The exact date of this transfer is 
 not known, but it was previous to July 27 1836. 
 Under the management of Mr. Lathrop, the Atlas 
 took an advanced position on all the moral questions 
 of the day, and was an able champion of the princi- 
 ples of the whig party. The exact date of his with- 
 drawal is also not known, but it was about July 1, 
 1842. Mr. Burrell continued to print the paper, and 
 its editorial labor was performed by W^m. P. Lock- 
 wood, and later, by Ezra L. Stevens, who, ou the 12th 
 of June, 1844, became jiart proprietor of the office, 
 susjiended the publication of the Atlas, and issued it 
 under the name of the Buckeye Sentinel. 
 
 Of those who were connected with the Atlas, Josiah 
 A. Harris removed to Cleveland, and in 1837 inir- 
 chased the Cleveland Herald, which he published for 
 a number of years with distinguished ability. lie 
 died in that city August 21, 1876, aged sixty-eight 
 years, lamented by all who knew him. 
 
 Albert A. Bliss was born in Canton, Conn., March 
 23, 1811. He removed to Elyria in June, 1833, where 
 he was admitted to the bar, and for a number of years 
 occujiied the highest position as an attorney. He 
 represented this county in the legislature during the 
 thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth and fortieth general assem- 
 blies, in 1839, '40 and '41, where he took a prominent 
 jjosition as a debater. He subsequently established 
 the Elyria Courier, and in 1846 was elected treasurer 
 of state, serving five years. In May, 1863, he removed 
 to Jackson, Michigan, where he now resides, widely 
 esteemed for the unblemished character he has ever 
 borne. 
 
 Thomas Tyrrell left Elyria in the fall of 1835, and, 
 if living, his present residence is unknown. 
 
58 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Edward S. Hamlin ranked among the best members 
 of the Lorain bar, was elected to congress to fill a 
 vacancy in 1844, and served during the second session 
 of the twenty-eightji congress. A short time after 
 his term expired, he removed to Southern Ohio, where 
 he lived a number of years, and then removed to 
 N'irginia. lie now resides in Egremont, Mass. Mr. 
 Jhimlin first settled in Elyria in 1830. 
 
 Rev. D. W. Lathrop, who edited the Athix for 
 nearly six years, came to Elyria in 1834. He partici- 
 pated in the organization of the First Presljytei'ian 
 Church in Elyria, in that year, became is first pastor, 
 iind hiliored in that relation for about six years. After 
 I'dinquishing his editorial charge, in 1842, he was 
 employed as agent of the American Home Missionary 
 Society, and in 1848 removed to New Haven, C'onn. 
 At this time, he is residing in Jackson, jMicli., aged 
 eighty years. He was a man of much ability aiid 
 untiring industry, and even now spends much of his 
 time in writing. 
 
 It is deeply to be regretted that so few copies of the 
 Ohio Atlas, containing so much of personal and local 
 history that would be valuable at this day, have been 
 preserved. 
 
 THE LITERARY REGISTER AND MISCELLANEOUS 
 MAGAZINE. 
 
 Soon after A. S. Park sold his interest in the A this, 
 he went to New York and purchased a newspaper 
 outfit, including an iron press, the first ever brought 
 here, and on the fourth day of Octolier, 1833, issued the 
 first number of a weekly paper with the above title. 
 It was a three-column quarto, and was entirely filled 
 with original and selected matter — no advertisements. 
 It did not prove to be a profitable venture for its 
 l)ublisher; and after continuing it one year, Mr. Park 
 sold the establishment to Dr. Matson, H. K. Kendall, 
 Edwin Byington and Dr. E. W. Htibliard, who issued 
 the first democratic paper ever published in the county 
 and called it 
 
 THE ELYRIA REPUBLICAN AND WORKING-MEN'S 
 ADVOCATE. 
 
 Soon after the transfer aliove referred to, the pur- 
 chasers negotiated with Samuel L.IIatch, of Chenango, 
 N. Y., who removed to Elyria, and on the second day 
 of October, 1834, issued the first number of the above- 
 named paper. Mr. Hatch was its nominal editor, but 
 most of the proprietors contributed to its editorial 
 columns. It was a six-column folio, its terms being 
 one dollar and seventy-five cents in advance, two dol- 
 lars within six months, and two dollars and fifty cents 
 within one year. In January, 1835, LeGrand Bying- 
 ton, then (piite a young man, came on from Chenango, 
 purchased tlic paper, and continued its publication, a 
 l)art of the time in connection with Calvin Hall, until 
 May 17, 1837. During this time, political excitement 
 ran high, and the cause of the democratic party was 
 c'hainpioiu'd by Mr. Byington with great energy, and 
 his ]ia])cr fairly bristled with pungent personal ])ara- 
 
 graphs. Not being sustained in the effort to make 
 the pajier remunerative, he declined to publish it 
 longer; and at the date above mentioned, the estab- 
 lishment passed into the hands of Horace D. Clark, 
 who drop2)ed the "atul W^rkiny-tiietis Advocate" from 
 its title, and issued his first number May 24, 1837. 
 Calvin Hall was employed to print it. Mr. Clark 
 continued to conduct the itajicr until August 30, 1838, 
 when he transferred it to E. R. Jewitt and Calvin 
 Hall, the former having charge of the editurial, and 
 the latter the mechanical department. Mr. Jewitt 
 retained his connection with the paper for about one 
 year, when he retired, and Jlr. Hall continued its 
 juiblication until the spring of 1840, when it was 
 purchased by Charles Chaney, who changed its title 
 to The Lorain Standard. The Eepnhlicaii and its 
 immediate successors were never iiecuniarily prosper- 
 ous. Like some of the whig papers of that and a 
 later period, they were sustained by their partisan 
 friends, who came to the rescue with their contri- 
 butions occasionally to relieve their ])ublishers from 
 embarrassment. The whigs were generally most able 
 or most willing to sustain their organs, and the amount 
 of the dclin(|uency which either party was called upon 
 to contribute depended largely upon the county pat- 
 ronage, which at that period alternated between the 
 two. 
 
 Horace D. Clark came to Elyria, .luly 4, 1834. 
 During his residence here, of nearly a quarter of a 
 century, he occupied a prominent position at the bar, 
 was an active politician, but not ambitious for official 
 position. He was a member of the convention which 
 formed the present constitution of Ohio, in 1850, and 
 removed to Cleveland some time i)revious to the com- 
 mencement of the civil war. He now resides in Mon- 
 treal, Canada, enjoying the fruits of a long and active 
 professional career. 
 
 Samuel L. Hatch removed to Norwalk in 1835, and, 
 in company with Joseph M. Farr, established the 
 Norwalk E.qjeriment. His subsequent history is not 
 known to his associates in Elyria. 
 
 LeGrand Byington distinguished himself while 
 here as a bitter partisan of the pro-slavery school, and 
 more particularly as the author of a series of articles 
 called ''Chronicles,'" in prose and poetry, which were 
 published in three numbers, over the nom deplume of 
 "Peter Porcupine, Esq." in which all his prominent 
 political O])poncnts were savagely caricatured. He 
 went to Ravenna in the spring of 1838, where he ]nil)- 
 lished a paper for a few months called Tlie Bvekei/e 
 Democrat, and from there he removed to Pike county, 
 Ohio, He represented Pike county in the fortieth 
 and forty-first general assemblies. While there he 
 married, and subsequently removed to Iowa, where 
 he now I'csides in Iowa City, reputed to be the 
 wealthiest citizen of the State. 
 
 Calvin Hall removed to Cleveland January 3, 1841, 
 and assumed the management of the Cleveland Ad- 
 vertiser, a weekly paper, and for a time issued a penny 
 daily called the Morning Mercury. At the close of 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 59 
 
 the year the Advertiser was purchased by A. N. and 
 J. W. Gray, wlio, on tlie 8th of January, 1843, rrans- 
 fornied it into the Plain Dealer. Mr. Hall still 
 resides in Cleveland, where he has worked at the case 
 for thirty-six years. 
 
 E. R. Jewitt, who was the last regular editor of the 
 RepiMican under its original name, was a man of 
 very positive convictions, and, during his editorial 
 charge, the pai)cr lacked none of the qualities that 
 would recommend it to the intensely partisan portion 
 of his party. After leaving the editorial chair he 
 remained in Elyria until the fall of 1840, when he left 
 and entered the ministry as a member of the North 
 Ohio Conference. For many years he has devoted 
 his energies to the cause of Christianity with the same 
 zeal that characterized his political efforts. He now 
 resides in Sandusky City, with health much impaired, 
 engaged in selling books and stationery, aged sixty- 
 seven years. He still retains his connection with the 
 conference on the superannuated list. 
 
 TUE LORAIN STANDARD. 
 
 This paper was issued soon after the pui-chase of 
 the press and type of the llepublicaii by Charles 
 Chauey, the first number being dated April 7, 1840. 
 It was also a six-column folio; terms, f3 in advance, 
 and 13.50 after six months. It was printed by Horace 
 C. Tenney, who was also associate editor. Mr. Chancy 
 continued its publication as a democratic paper until 
 November 3, 1840, when, not finding its self-sustain- 
 ing, he discontinued it. A comi)lete file of this paper 
 is now in the Elyria library, presented by Hon. Horace 
 A. Tenney. 
 
 Charles Chancy never again engaged in a newspaper 
 enterprise. He continued to reside iu Elyria, quietly 
 jiursuing the several Ijranches of business in which he 
 was at different times engaged, where he died July 
 30, 1874, aged eighty-two years. He was a justice of 
 the peace for several yeai-s, and served one term as 
 treasurer of the county. 
 
 THE INDEPENDENT TREASURY. 
 
 When Mr. Chancy discontinued the Stait(h(nl, the 
 press and type remained idle until November 18, 1841, 
 when the material was purchased by Edmund S. Ellis, 
 who started a new democratic ]iaper with the above 
 title. It was of the same size and form as the Stand- 
 ard; terms $3 in advance. On the 13th of April, 
 1843, Mr. Ellis sold the paper to Horace A. Tenney, 
 and removed to the central })art of Ohio. Mr. Tenney 
 publislied it until November 16, 1843, — the close of 
 the first volume, — when he changed its name to 
 
 THE LORAIN REPUBLICAN. 
 
 He continued the Repuhlica7i in the same size and 
 form, and with varied success, until the fall of 1844, 
 when it was discontinued for want of adequate support. 
 
 Horace A. Tenney came to Elyria in 1S3C, and im- 
 mediately went to work as compositor iu the office of 
 
 the Republican. He spent most of his time in jour- 
 nalism while he resided here, and, in 1845, there being 
 no prosjiect of a revival of the democratic j^aper, he 
 boxed the press and type and shipped them to Galena, 
 Illiiuiis, where they became the proiierty of the Galena 
 Jejfersonian. The old press is still in use in that 
 city. Mr. Tenney now resides in Madison, Wisconsin, 
 where he has lived many yeai-s, and where he has held 
 numerous offices of trust and responsibility. He is at 
 present engaged in writing biographical sketches of 
 the members of the Wisconsin constitutional conven- 
 tion of 1846-1847. 
 
 THE DOLLAR DEMOCRAT. 
 
 Soon after the suspension of the Republican, in the 
 fall of 1844, Eleazar Wakeloy, then a young attorney 
 in Elyria, issued one number of the Dollar Democrat; 
 but sufficient encouragement not being given for its 
 continiuince, it was suspended. Prom this period 
 uutil March 14, 1848, there was no democratic paper 
 published in this county. Mr. Wakeley removed to 
 Wisconsin, where he was appointed territorial judge 
 in 1854. He now resides in Omaha, Nebraska, where 
 he has acquired wealth and honor in his profession. 
 
 THE BUCKEYE SENTINEL. 
 
 This paper, as has been before stated, was successor 
 to the Ohio Atlas, the first issue a}ipearing the week 
 following the susi)eusion of that paper, and bearing 
 date June l!t, 1844. Ezra L. Stevens was its editor, 
 and Abraham Burrell publisher. During the exciting 
 cami)aign of 1844, the Sentinel urged the election of 
 Henry Clay for president with much si^iritand ability, 
 and, a short time after its close, Mr. Stevens sold his 
 interest to Mr. Bnrrell and retired. Mr. Biirrell con- 
 tinued to publish the papei-, acting in the capacity of 
 both editor ami printer for nearly two years, when it 
 became nececsary to reorganize the establishment 
 in order to put it on a paying basis. Mr. A. Bliss 
 purchased tlie press and suspended its publication, 
 succeeding it in November, 1846, with a new paper 
 called Tlie Elyria Courier. 
 
 Ezra L. Stevens, after completing his collegiate 
 studies at Oberlin, entered the law office of Hamlin 
 and Lockwood, in tlie fall of 1843, but finding jour- 
 nalism more congenial to his taste, devoted most of 
 his time to politics. On retiring from the Sentinel 
 he went to Olmsted Falls, and commenced the j)nbli- 
 catiou of Tlie True Democrat, which he conducted 
 for some time, and then removed the office to Cleve- 
 land, where, in connection with E. S. Hamlin, he 
 converted it into a daily. The paper subsequently 
 went into other hands, and is now the Cleveland 
 Leader. After leaving Tlie True Democrat Mr. 
 Stevens removed to AVashington, where for a time he 
 was engaged as a newspaper correspondent. He still 
 resides there, and during the past quarter of a century 
 has been in the government service. 
 
 William F. Lockwood served for some years as terri- 
 torial judge in Nebraska, and subsecpiently removed 
 
60 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 to Toledo, where lie now resides. He was recently 
 elected to the office of judge of the common jDleas 
 court, hy the united recommendation of the bar, of 
 all parties. 
 
 THE ELYKIA COURIER. 
 
 On the suspension of the Sentinel Mr. Albert A. Bliss 
 purchased a now supply of type in Boston, and com- 
 menced, in connection with A. Burrell, the publication 
 of The Elyria Courier. The first number was issued 
 Noveinl)er 10, 184(5; A. A. Bliss, editor, A. Burrell, 
 printer. It was a seven column folio; terms, $2,00 a 
 year. During the session of the legislature the fol- 
 lowing winter Mr. Bliss was elected treasurer of state, 
 and on the 27th of February, 1847, he sold his interest 
 in the paper to Job n II. Faxon, then sheriif of the coun- 
 ty. It was published by Faxon and Burrell, until April 
 13, 1847, when Mr. Faxon became sole proprietor and 
 published it until December 7, 1847, when he sold the 
 paper to Edmund A. West. Mr. West employed J. 
 Wesley Udall as printer, and continued its publication 
 as a whig paper until the campaign of 1848, when he 
 refused to support General Taylor for the presidency, 
 and the Courier became an organ of the "Free Soil" 
 party. About the first of November, 1849, Mr. West 
 sold the paper to Jerome Cotton, who had acquired a 
 good reputation as a Washington correspondent of 
 several leading journals. He changed the title to 
 Elyria Weekly Courier, and continued to support the 
 free soil party; but many of the active whigs who 
 supported Van Buren in 1848, fell back into the ranks 
 of their old party, and the Courier gradually lost 
 much of its support. On the first of June, 1850, an 
 association of gentlemen, among whom were Myron 
 R. Keith, Landon Rood, and Benjamin C. Perkins, 
 j)urchased the Courier establishment of Mr. Cotton, 
 with the design of converting it into an organ of the 
 whig pai'ty, and on the 10th of the same month 
 George G. Washl:>uru took charge of it as editor, Mr. 
 Udall continuing to print it. Its original title was 
 restored, and from this time forward the paper became 
 self-sustaining; but on the 10th day of February, 1852, 
 the office and all its contents were destroyed by fire, 
 witliout insurance, in the first great conflagration that 
 destroyed commercial block. After the lajtse of four- 
 teen weeks a new outfit was ^lurchased by George G. 
 Washburn and George T. Smith, and its publication 
 was resumed, with these gentlemen as editors, and Mr. 
 Udall printer, until January 35, 1854, when Mr. 
 Washburn sold his interest to his partner, and soon 
 after (he ('ouricr and Independent Democrat, then 
 published by Philemon Bliss, were united, retaining 
 the name of the latter. 
 
 John H. Faxon, subsequently tilled various offices 
 acceptably, both state and national, and for two terms 
 rejn-esented the county in the lower branch of the 
 legislature. He is still an honoi'ed resident of 
 Elyria. 
 
 Edmund A. West removed to Chicago soon after 
 relinquisliiug journalism, where he is now engaged in 
 
 the practice of law, making a specialty of cases relat- 
 ing to patents. 
 
 Jerome Cotton resumed his position as correspon- 
 dent, after leaving the Courier, but his health began 
 to decline, and in the summer of 1851 he returned to 
 Elyria, where he died September 21, 1852, of con- 
 sumption, aged twenty-eiglit years. He was a ready 
 and spicy writer, giving promise of much ability in 
 the profession of journalism. 
 
 George T. Smith retained his connection with the 
 Democrat until November, 1855, when he sold his 
 intei-est to George G. Washburn, and soon after re- 
 moved to Illinois. He now resides in Cleveland, 
 engaged in the practice of law. 
 
 THE LORAIN ARDUS. 
 
 AVhen Edmund A. West purchased the Courier office 
 he failed to make satisfactory arrangements with Abra- 
 ham Burrell to print it for him, and employed J. W. 
 Udall instead. Tliis threw Mr. Burrell out of employ- 
 ment, but he soon foi-nied a partnership with Sylvester 
 Matson, purchased a press and type, and on the 11th 
 day of January, 1848, issued the first luunber of the 
 Lorain Argus. It was a seven column folio; terms 
 11.50 in advance, $2.50 after one year. No responsi- 
 ble editor was announced, and various j'ersons con- 
 tributed its political matter for nearly two years. 
 Among the number of those most prominent were 
 H. D. Clark, .lohn M. Vincent and John H. Sherman. 
 Mr. Matson did not retain his interest long after the 
 first year, disposing of it to other parties, and the 
 whole management devolved upon Mr. Burrell. On 
 the first of January, 1851, Mr. Sherman was an- 
 nounced as editor, but he withdrew on the 22d of July 
 following. Fi-om that date until December, 1851, 
 Mr. Vincent was its responsible editor. Geo. B, 
 Lake then took the editorial chair, sub rosa, and con- 
 tributed most of the editorial matter for sevenil 
 months. On the night of August 10, 1852, the 
 building in which the paper was printed, called Gar- 
 vey's Exchange, took fire, and was mostly consumed. 
 The press, most of the type, and nearly all of the 
 furniture in the printing office were destroyed. With 
 the insurance money, Mr. Burrell purchased the old 
 press and type formerly used by the Sandusky Eeyis- 
 ter, and being aided jiecuniarily by E. C. K. Garvey, 
 resumed its publication, considerably enlarged by 
 lengthening its columns. Mr. Garvey soon secured 
 control of the entire estalilishment, and retaining Mr. 
 Burrell as printer, conducted it until November 17, 
 
 1852, when he sold it to Bird B. Chapman & Co., and 
 L. S. Everett, who had been nomiiuil editor during 
 Mr. Garvey's ownership, became its responsible editor. 
 The title of the paper was changed to The Lorain 
 County Aryiis. 
 
 Mr. Everett retired from the Aryvs, November 10. 
 
 1853, and at that date John H. Sherman purchased an 
 interest in the office, and became its editor-in-chief. 
 The exact time when he retired is not known, but he 
 remained only a few mouths; and on his retirement, 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 61 
 
 the paper Avas published by Mr. Chapni;iii: aiulduriiiij 
 his frequent terms of absence, various parties wrote 
 for its columns, Mr. Burrell contributing his share. 
 Having lost the county i>rinting, tlie paper began to 
 be a burden to its proprietor, and on the 18th of 
 April, 1855, Mr. Chapnuiu discontinued its publica- 
 tion, packed the material and shipped it to Nebraska, 
 wliere he established the Omaha Nebraskiun. 
 
 Of the seven persons not previously mentioned, 
 who were connected with the Aiijus, only one is now 
 known to be living. 
 
 Sylvester Matsou removed to t'levelaud, where he 
 eidisted in the United States army, and served out 
 his term. Ou the breaking out of the rebellion, he 
 volunteered in the cause of tlie union, and was killed 
 in one of the great conflicts of the war. 
 
 John II. Sherman was a young man of considerable 
 ability as a writer, but his connection with journalism 
 here was brief, lie left Elyria, in connection with 
 Mr. Chapman, in 1855, and went to Nebraska, where 
 for sonu^ years he was connected editorially with the 
 Omaha JSebrdnkian. He died in Council BlulTs, in 
 1865. 
 
 E. C. K. Garvey was a man of great business activity, 
 but with little business capacity. He removed to 
 Kansas during the "border-ruflian '" troubles, where 
 he espoused the "free State" cause with much ardor, 
 and was on one occasion lynched by the rufiians, but 
 was neither intimidated nor subdued. He was resid- 
 ing in Kansas when last heard from, many years ago, 
 but it is hardly probable that he is now living. 
 
 Bird B. Chapman removed to Omaha and was elected 
 the first delegate in congress from that territory, which 
 was organized in 1854. He contested his opponent's 
 seat for the second term, but was unsuccessful, securing 
 however his pay and mileage. In 1859, he returned 
 to Elyria, where he resided until 1802, when he re- 
 moved to Put-in-Bay island, where lie died after a 
 Imgering illness, Septemljer 12, 1871, aged fifty years. 
 
 George B. Lake removed to Nebraska, and entered 
 upon the ]iractice of the law with marked success. 
 His character and al)ilitics were soon recognized l>y 
 the jieople, who have for several terms elected him to 
 the highest judicial jiosition in the State, and he still 
 resides in Omaha, an honored member of the supreme 
 court. 
 
 L. S. Everett came to Elyria, a democrat in political 
 oj)inions, during the Kansas-Nebraska troubles; and 
 when the Iiidependent Democrat, which represented 
 the free democracy, was started, he Ijecame its first 
 editor. He was a man of much ability and large 
 experience as a journalist, and his immediate return 
 to the democratic fold, after waging a vigorous war- 
 fare against that party in the columns of the Bcmocraf, 
 showed that he had facility to change, as well as 
 ability to assert his )>rinciples. After leaving the 
 Argus, he removed from the county, and foi- a time 
 wrote for the Plain Dealer, but returned in 1866, and 
 commenced the publication of the Lorain. Constilu- 
 tionalist, which he conducted about one j'ear, when 
 
 he removed to Akron, where he died a few years since, 
 considerably advanced in years. 
 
 John M. Vincent was an honored mendjcr of the 
 legal profession, and his connection with journalism 
 w^as only incidental. He subsequently, in connection 
 witii Philemon Bliss, established the Independenl 
 Democrat, but immediately afterward devoted his 
 entire attention to his clients. A sketch of his life 
 will be found in tlie history of the bar. 
 
 TUB INDEPENDENT DEMOCRAT. 
 
 This journal was started at a very important epoch 
 in the history of our country, and as its publication 
 was continued for a quarter of a century, nearly all of 
 the time under the proprietorship and management 
 of one individual, it is due that a brief notice of its 
 origin be here given. The passage of the fugitive 
 slave act of 1850, and its attempted enforcement by 
 lioth of the great national parties, aroused a sp;rit f)f 
 hostility, both to the act and the system it sought to 
 perjtetuate, on the part of many who still clung to 
 their old party organizations, although opposed to 
 slavery. In the campaign of 1852, both the whig and 
 democratic parties virtually allowed the pro-slavery 
 element to dictate their platforms, and from this 
 period the tendency to break away from old associa- 
 tions began to be developed. It was to aid in disinte- 
 grating these old parties, and in forming a new one 
 based upon tlie broad idatform of human rights, that 
 the Independent Democrat was established. The funds 
 necessary to purchase the outfit were contributed by 
 various persons who had formerly been affiliated with 
 the old parties. Prominent among tliose who fur- 
 nished pecuniary aid were Norton S. Townshend, then 
 a resident of this county, and Salmon P. Chase, then 
 If^nited States senator from Ohio, and late chief justice 
 of the supreme court. Far the greater portion of the 
 necessary funds were contributed by Philemon Bliss. 
 
 Philemon Bliss, formerly a whig, and Jolin M. 
 Vincent, formerly a democrat, had charge of the 
 enterprise, and on the 5th day of August, 1853, 
 issued the first number, as editors and publishers. 
 Jonathan I). Baker was employed as printer. It was 
 a seven-column folio; terms, 11.50 per annum. It 
 was ably conducted under their management until 
 January 12, 1853, when Mr. Vincent retired, leaving 
 Mr. Bliss in sole charge. On the 13th of April fol- 
 lowing, Joseph H. Dickson was employed to edit the 
 paper; and on the 10th of August, the same year, 
 John H. Boynton and Mr. Dickson assumed the entire 
 charge, and conducted it until the 28th of December, 
 when it was again turned over to Air. Bliss, who pub- 
 lished it until February 1st, 185-1. Meanwhile several 
 persons printed the paper. Mr. Baker withdrew^ Oc- 
 tober 12, 1853, and was succeeded by A. J. and G. 
 McElleran, who remained tuily one w-eek, and were 
 succeeded by Tower J. Burrell, who printed it until 
 tlie 1st of February. 1854. 
 
 At this date, the interests of the Courier •ati'X Dem- 
 ocrat were united, with P. Bliss and Geo. T. Smith, 
 
63 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 editors and proprietors, and J. W. Udiill, of the late 
 Courier, printer. Under tliis management, tliepa])er 
 was continned until November ^8, 1855, when Mr. 
 Smith sold his interest to the writer of these annals, 
 and during the suceeeding ycai' tlie Ormucrfft was 
 published by Bliss & Washliurn. Tiie hdter was 
 editor and business manager, and tiie formei', who 
 had previously been eleeted to congress, was coi'res- 
 j)onding editor. At the (dose of the year, 185(!, Mr. 
 Washburn became, ))y purchase, possessor of the 
 office, and fin- upwards of twenty-one years following, 
 was its sole projjrietor, editor, and business manager. 
 In 1859, the title was changed to Elyria IndependvMt 
 Democrat. On the 24th of March, 1858, Mr. Udall 
 was eonii)elled to relimpiish his i)ost as jirinter, on 
 account of failing health, and Abraham Burrell, who 
 was associated with his son in the publication of the 
 Emjlv, withdrew from that jounuil, and took Mr. 
 Udall's place, which he faithfully retained until his 
 death, November 23, 18G8. At his death, his son, 
 S. A. Burrell, who was a journeyman in the ottice, 
 assumed the duties of printer, and retained the posi- 
 tion until the paper was discontinued. 
 
 On the 1st of February, 1877, the interests of the 
 Democrat and Eti/riu Reputilicnu were united, retain- 
 ing the name of the latter, as nioi-eajjjirojiriate to the 
 l)rinciples which the Democrat had, for a (piarter of a 
 century, ever steadfastly advoc-ited. Coming into 
 being when the public mind was in a state of unrest 
 concerning the designs of the slave jiowei', the Inde- 
 penilent I'emocrat took an active i)art in unifying and 
 crystaliziug tiiat sentinuMit in opposition to the further 
 encroachments of slavery u[ion the jiublic donuiin. 
 It lived to witness the rajjid growth, and final success, 
 of the new party of freedom. It witnessed the inaug- 
 uration of the great slaveholdei's' rebellion, and east- 
 ing its lot with the loyal millions, rejoiced with them 
 in witnessing its final overthrow, and the restoration 
 of nil the States under the tlag of thelhiiou. During 
 all these eventful years, tlie aim of its puldisher was 
 to so conduct it as to merit the ai)jU'oval of loyal men, 
 and not disai)j)oint the hojies and exjiectations of its 
 founders. 
 
 Of the persons jirominently connected with the 
 Democrat, but a brief notice will be given: 
 
 Messrs. P. Bliss and J. II. Dickson were more dis- 
 tinguished as lawyers than as journalists, and will be 
 noticed in the chaiiter on the bar. 
 
 J. II. Boyntiiu has tilled various inipoi'tant jtositious 
 in the gift of tiie jieople, with such entire acceptance, 
 as to merit the puldic esteem that is universally be- 
 stowed upon him. 
 
 J. D. Baker removed to l':iulding county, Ohio, 
 in October, 18.")o, and, for a time, edited and pub- 
 lished the Paulding Democrat. His subseipient his- 
 tory is not known. 
 
 J. W. Udall entered the office of the Ohio Atlas as 
 an errand boy, at the age of tiiirteeu years, making 
 himself useful ill every part assigned liiiii. In lliose 
 days, the mails were very irregular, and for a few of 
 
 the first years of his apjirenticeship, in addition to 
 his labors as "devil " and compositor, he performed 
 the office of jiost-rider — taking a large sack of the 
 (lapers each week, iiiioii a hor.sc, and distributing 
 them in bundles, to each neighborhood, in the north 
 part of. the county. This duty he performed with 
 remarkable fidelity; and whether it rained in torrents, 
 or the scorching sun sent his heated rays upon the 
 earth, or stern winter its freezing blasts, the weekly 
 advent of the post-boy was expected with as much 
 certainty as the rising of the sun. When the mail 
 facilities of the county rendered this branch of ser- 
 vice no longer necessai'y, Mr. Udall devoted his time 
 exclusively to his duties in the office, serving an ap- 
 prenticeship of seven years before he asi)ired to the 
 position of a "jour." He became an expert printer, 
 and ever enjoyed the fullest confidence of his em- 
 ployers, scarcely losing a day from his case after he 
 became a journeyman. When he realiz.ed that his 
 disease (consumption) was beyond remedy, he went 
 to his sister's house, in Hudson, Ohio, where he was 
 kindly cared for until his death, which occurred 
 August 18, 1858, aged thirty-three years. 
 
 THE LORAIN EACiLE. 
 
 After the suspension of the Aryun, there was no 
 Democratic jjaper printed in the county for nearly 
 two years. In the spring of 1857, a sufficient sum 
 was pledged, by subscription, to purchase the mate- 
 rial, and on the seventh of March, of that year, A. 
 and T. J. Burrell issued the first number of the 
 Lorain Eafjle. It was a seven column folio, pub- 
 lished in Elyria; price 13 a year, in advance. On the 
 2-lth of March, 1858, Abraham Burrell withdrew, and 
 took the position of printer of the hidependent Dem- 
 ocrat. Ilis son, T. J. Burrell, continued to publish 
 the Eagle until after the rebellion broke out, when, 
 in consecjuence of its equivocal position concerning 
 the management of the war, it ceased to pay expenses, 
 and was discontinued in August, 18')1. During the 
 five years of its existence, no responsible editor was 
 announced, and what editorial matter was not written 
 by its publishers, was furnished by various persons 
 during the i)olitical cam])aigns. 
 
 THE LOKAIN CONSTITUTIONALIST. 
 
 Oil the third day of October, 1860, Mr. L. S. Everett 
 issued the first number of this journal, a democratic 
 paper, which was a seven-column folio; terms, |i2.00 
 a year. Mr. Everett was not the owner of the estab- 
 lishment, but announced that he published it "for 
 the proprietors," whose names are not given. F. S. 
 Moore was its printer. On the 8th day of July, 1867, 
 a joint stock company was formed, consisting of A. 
 A. Crosse, II. U. Poppleton, N. L. Johnson, P. W. 
 Sampsel and others, with a capital stock of three thou- 
 sand dollars, divided into shares of ten dollars each, 
 which assumed the resjionsibility of the jiublication, 
 Mr. Everett still officiating as editor, until near the 
 close of the first volume, when he withdrew. It was 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 63 
 
 tlien "Published by the Lorain Printing Company," 
 and N. L. Johnson, president of the company, C(m- 
 tribntcd most of the editorial matter. Mr. Moore 
 continued to serve as printer. This relation existed 
 until June 9, 18C9, when Mr. Jumes K. Newcomer 
 assumed the editorial and business control of the jiaper, 
 the iiroprietary interest still remaining in the printing 
 company. The word "Lorain "was drojiped from its 
 title. On the night of January 22, 1870, a fire broke 
 out in the oftice, and. before it was extinguished, a 
 large portion of the tyj)e,was destroyed, the presses 
 alone escaping injury. The damage was estimated at 
 one thousand dollars. Mr. Moore, proprietor of the 
 job department, lost a portion of jiis material. With 
 tlie aid rendered by tlie proprietor of the Democrat, 
 tlie Const tint iuinilisf ajjpeared on time the next week, 
 and, after February 10, it apjieared regularly, with 
 the word " I.oiain " again replaced in its title. Mr. 
 Newcomer retained his position as editor until the 
 close of tlie political campaign of 1870, when he with- 
 drew and F. S. Moore became its publisher, N. L. 
 Johnson furnishing the leading political articles. Mr. 
 Moore continued to publish it until November 1, 
 
 1871, when Mr. J. V. Faitli took charge of the edi- 
 torial and business dejiartment, under an agreement 
 to publish it one year without charge to the proprie- 
 tors, in consideration of which lie was to become its 
 owner. On the loth of March, 1872, its size was 
 increased to an eight-column folio, with its outside 
 columns printed on the co-operative plan, in Chicago, 
 and its title was changed to Tlie Lorain Constitution. 
 On the 2Gt]i of Septcmlier, 1873, the co-operative 
 plan was aliandoned, and, without change in size, it 
 was all printed at home. On the lOtli of October, 
 
 1872, Mr. F. S. Reefy purchased the entire establish- 
 ment, and has continued its publication to the present 
 time. On the 13tli of February, 187.3, it appeared as a 
 five-column quarto, and was continued in that form 
 until the 5th of the following June, when it was 
 clianged to a nine-column folio, on the co-operative 
 ]iian. On the 30th of September, 1875, it was reduced 
 to an eight-column folio, and, in consequence of the 
 incorpoi-ation of the village of Lorain at the mouth of 
 Black River, its title was changed to Tlte Etyria Con- 
 stitution, which name and size it still retains. 
 
 THE ELYRI.i REPUBLICAN. 
 
 II. A. Fisher issued the first number of tliis jour- 
 nal, October 24, 1874. It was printed on the forms 
 of the late Black River Conmicrrial (nine-column 
 folio) with this exception, that its four pages were all 
 ]irinted in the office. He continued its publication 
 until the 20th of February, 1875, when James W. 
 Ciiapman became associated with him as equal part- 
 ner. This relation continued until the 10th of the 
 following July, when Mr. Chapman withdrew. On 
 tlie 7th of August, 1875, it was changed to a six- 
 column quarto (its present form), and on the 1st of 
 the following November, Mr. A. H. Smith purchased 
 an equal interest in the establishment, and for the 
 
 following fifteen months the paper was jiublished by 
 Fisher & Smith, E. G. Johnson lieing its political, 
 and II. A. Fisher its local editor. On the 1st of Feb- 
 ruary, 1877, Mr. Fisher purcliased the interest of Mr. 
 Smith, and the Independent Ihmorrat and Eepuhli- 
 can were consolidated. Under this arrangement the 
 Democrat was discontinued and the Bejmtj.ican was 
 pnblisiied by Wasliburn& Fislier, with Geo. (f. Wash- 
 burn as editor-in-chief, 11. A. Fisher local editor, and 
 A. H. Smitli i)rinfer. On the 1st of October, 1877, 
 Mr. Wasliburn purcliased Mr. Fisher's interest and 
 assumed entire control of the paper. On the retire- 
 ment of Mr. Fislier, Mi-. Smith took the position of 
 local editor and superintendent of the uunhauical de- 
 partment, with Mr. Wni. T. Morris as job printer. 
 Under this management the Ri'pvblican continues to 
 make its weekly visits to its large list of readers. 
 
 The foregoing concludes the record of the jircss in 
 Flyria, with the exce])tion of a few pajieis of brief 
 duration, to which reference is here made. During 
 the political campaign of 1838, the whigs published a 
 small sheet called The Peopte's Banner, edited by 
 Albert A. Bliss, and the democrats a similar paper 
 called Tlie Jeffersonian, edited l)y Joel Tiffany. Tliese 
 papers were conducted with much spice and al>ility. 
 In 1840 the whigs published for three months Otd 
 Tip's Broom, edited by D. W. Lathrop and other 
 prominent whigs of that day. It was ably conducted 
 and contributed much towards securing the victory 
 that followed the famous ''Log Cabin and Hard Cider" 
 campaign. In 1864 II. M. Lillie published for a few 
 weeks a small two-column (juarto devoted to the cause 
 of temperance. Its jniblisher, who was a reformed 
 inebriate, returned to his cups, and his paper was dis- 
 continued. Its name cannot be recalled. About tbe 
 year 1808 two or three numbers of a very creditable 
 paper were issued, called 77ie Lorain Templars' Offer- 
 ing. The name of its publisher is not remembered, 
 but he was a stranger, and proved to be unworthy of 
 confidence. 
 
 THE ELYRIA VOLKSFREUNn. 
 
 This was an eight-column folio, published in Ger- 
 man, by F. S. Reefy, at the oftice of the Constitution. 
 TJie first number was issued February I, 1873; terms, 
 $2.00 a year. For the first two months its outside 
 pages were printed in Philadeli)hia, after which it was 
 all printed at the pulilication office. At the end of 
 three years Mr. Reefy sold the paper to Henry Minnig, 
 who published it about a year, when it was discon- 
 tinued for want of sujtport. The types were then 
 purchased by the Biene priuting company, of Cleve- 
 land, and the new proprietors made an effort to estab- 
 lish a German paper here, called The Weekhi Post, 
 but it was not successful. 
 
 There have also been }iiiblished in Elyria at various 
 times and for various pei-iods, a number of very credit- 
 able amateur sheets, a notice of which cannot be given 
 in the space allotted to this history. 
 
64 
 
 HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY. OTTTO. 
 
 The lirst steam-power press lised in Elyria was in- 
 troduced by Mr. Reefy, in tlie ofifioe of the ConstHii- 
 fimi, in January, 1S73. It is called the Fairhavcn 
 cylitider ])ress. This was fnllnwcil, in Juno of the 
 same year, by Mr. Wasliburn, who int rodueed a large 
 I'otter cylinder jiowcr press in the office of tlie Deino- 
 (■>■/(/, running it, however, witliout steam. In Feb- 
 ruary, 1875, another Potter press of the same size was 
 introduced in the Rejnibllran office, with steam power. 
 
 THE PRESS IN OBERLIN. 
 
 TUE OBERLIN EVANGELIST. 
 
 Soon after the organization of the collegiate insti- 
 tute at Oberlin, on the plan of furnishing a liberal 
 Christian education to botli sexes, regardless of color 
 or caste, there began to be felt a necessity for some 
 medium through which the eminent reformers who 
 composed its faculty could reach the public ear. 
 Nothing was done, however, toward supplying the 
 want until November 1, 1838, five years after the 
 institution was founded, when the first number of 
 the Obvrlin Eranijelid was issued. It was a (piaito 
 of eight pages, 9x12 inches, and was published 
 every two weeks, at $1.00 a year. After live years, 
 its size was increased to 10 x 14 inches. It was at 
 first edited by an association of the college professors, 
 and was published by R. E. Gillett. In 1844. Prof. 
 Henry Cowles became its editor, and continued in 
 charge until it was discontinued, December 17, 1862. 
 At about the same time, James M. Fitch became its 
 publisher, and remained such until December, 1858. 
 He was succeeded by Shankland & Harmon, and in 
 Ajn-il, 18G1, V. A. Shankland took sole charge as 
 ]>ul)lisher, and continued until the end. 
 
 The Erangelisl was always an able paper, candidly 
 and earnestly discussing the reforms sought to be 
 secured through the aid of Christian effort, and for 
 many years each number contained a sermon by 
 Professor, afterwards President, Finney, reported in 
 short-hand by Prof. Cowles. Its twenty-four vol- 
 umes form a jiortion of the college library, and in 
 after years will become of great value. 
 
 Prof. Cowles. in addition to Jiis duties as instructor 
 in the college, has published several volumes on the 
 ]iroi>hetical books of the Bible, besides other works 
 of lesser u<ite, and still resides in Oberlin. venerable 
 in years, and beloved by all. 
 
 R. E. (iilh.'tt, its first juJjlisher, removed west many 
 years ago, where he died, but at what time has ikjI 
 been ascertained. 
 
 James M Fitch conducted the book and jieriodical 
 j)rintiug for the college for many years, with ability 
 and credit, and died in Oberlin June 7, 18(i7, widely 
 esteemed and deeply lamented b) all who knew him. 
 
 THE PEACK.MAKKK. 
 
 This was the title of a small pajier conducted b}' 
 Rev. Israel Mattison, and devoted to the advocacy of 
 peace princijiles, as held by Elihn Buriitt. His 
 
 residence was in "New Oberlin," a mile from the 
 village, whei'c he edited the pajier and jiut it in type, 
 and it was printed on the Eniiir/i'lisf press, by Mr. 
 Cillett. It was first issued about the beginning of 
 the year 1830, and was discontinued in 1840, when its 
 jiublisher removed to Illinois. 
 
 THE people's press. 
 
 Sodu after James ^1. Fitch liccauie |iublishei' (if the 
 Evanyclht, in 1844, he issued a small folio, 18 x 24 
 inches, with the above title. It was published at 
 irregular intervals, luit imt receiving sufficient su]i- 
 port to warrant its cuntinuaiice, it was suspended 
 after about one year. 
 
 the oiseklin quarterly review. 
 
 This was an octavo of one hundred and forty pages, 
 published by James M. Fitch from 1845 to 1849, 
 making four volumes. It was devoted to the discus- 
 sion of theoldgical (jucstions, and was ably conducted, 
 the first year by President Malum and Rev. William 
 Ciicbran.and afterwards l)y Jfabau and Prof. Finnej'. 
 
 THE VILLAGE ITEM. 
 
 This was a small, spicy little sheet that was issued 
 from the press of the Evangelist, in May, 1852. But 
 a few numbers were printed. Soon after it was dis- 
 continued, Mr. Fitch, publisher of the Evangdist, 
 made the first practical effort to establish a secular 
 uewsjiaper in (Jberlin, and issued 
 
 THE OliERLIN WEEKLY TIMES. 
 
 This was a six-column folio, very neatly printed, 
 and filled with w^ell selected articles and ably prepared 
 original matter. It struggled through its first year at 
 quite an expense to its publisher, who, in June, 1853, 
 announced that ^'The Oberlin Weekly Times. wiW not 
 be issued again until we have further encouragement," 
 which he failed to receive. 
 
 THE student's MONTHLY. 
 
 This was an octavo of thirt^'-two pages, issued in 
 1858 by the publisher of the Erangelist, and, as its 
 title indicates, was devoted to the interests of the 
 college, being edited and sustained mainly by the 
 students. It was discontinued after ncaidy three 
 yeai's, at the lireaking out of the war. in ISiil. 
 
 THE LORAIN COUNTY NEWS. 
 
 The first weekly jiaper in Oberlin that proved to be 
 of a permanent c-haracter, was The Loraiv Covnfij 
 News, the first number of which was issued on the 
 7th of March, 1800, by V. A. Shankland and J. 
 F. Harmon, at that time pulilishers of the Oberlin 
 Evangelist. It was a six column folio, price ^1.00 
 per annum. During the first year of its existence the 
 News was edited by A. B. Nettleton, who laid down 
 the jien to assume the sword in defense of the union. 
 He was succeeded by J. B. T. Marsh, then a college 
 student. At the commencement of the war, in 1861, 
 
HISTOEY OF LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 65 
 
 Mr. Harmon sold his interest in tlie pnblisliiug busi- 
 ness to his partner, and enlisted in the army where he 
 served three years. Mr. Shankland eontiniu'd to 
 ])iil)lis]i the paper alone nntil ilareh .''), ISCri. (the 
 close of the second year), when Prof. H. E. I'eck 
 jiurchased an interest therein, and the bnsiness was 
 continued l)y V. A. Shankland & Co., with Prof. 
 Peck and ^Ii\ !Marsh as editors. In the summer of 
 1803 boll) (lie editors withdrew from the A'eu's, Mr. 
 Marsli enlisting in the army. In .July. l>i<i.3, William 
 Kincaid, tiien a senior in college, assumed the position 
 of c(lit(ir. and served in that cajjacity for one year. 
 He was succeeded liy L. L. Kice, who edited the paper 
 until October, lS(i.5. In .Inly, lSii4, Mr, Harmon 
 retnriu'd fi'oni t be army and again liecamc joint owner 
 iif the pajiei-, ami in Novendjer of the same year he 
 imrchased Mr. Shankland's interest and became sole 
 pi-oprietor. In October, 1805, be sold the entire 
 establishment to .1. ]■?. T. Marsh, who conducted the 
 pai)er as editor and proprietor until July 'M, 1807, 
 when he sold it to Elbei't W. Clark, who employed 
 Prof. C. H. Churchill asedit(n-. Under tliis manage- 
 ment the Xcirs was puljlished for about two years, 
 wlien }ilv. Clark sold theottice to E. P. Brown, at that 
 time [lublisherof the BpUitkc (hizctte, who conducted 
 the paper as editor and publisher until February, 
 1870, when he sold it tt) Kichard liutlei', who on Feb- 
 ruary 9, '1871, sold the establishment to .lusius N. 
 lli'own, a graduate of llie Oberlin theological semi- 
 nary. After conducting the pajier about three months 
 as sole }ii-oprictor, Mr. J5rown sold an interest in the 
 otlice to A. li. A\ ililman, who for some time previous 
 bad been foreman in the oflice of the Standard of the 
 ('riixtt, and wlu) took charge of the mechanical de])art- 
 nieut in February, 1875, Mi". Brown still occupying 
 the post of editor. In May, 1873, Mr. Wildman sold 
 bis interest to .1. H. Lang, but continued to retain the 
 position of foreman. About the first of December. 
 1873, Brown & Lang sold theottice to George B. Pratt 
 and .J. H. Battle, Mr. Pratt being one of the projiri- 
 etors of the Olx'flin 7'iiiiefi, formerly the JVew Era, 
 aiul at that date tlie Times and JS'cws were consoli- 
 dated, retaining the name of the latter, which was 
 changed to the T/ic ObvrUn WcvkJy Xews, the title it 
 now bears. The new paper stalled out with a large 
 li«t of subscribers; a large addition to its stock of type 
 and machinery was purchased, and the office was put 
 in complete order, at great cost to its jn'oprietors, who 
 anticipated a sufficient revenue to meet the liabilities 
 tiius incurred. Their anticijiations were not realized, 
 and on January ■27,187.'), Mr. Pratt disposed of bis 
 interest and retired fnim the office. The paper was 
 then conducted by.). 11. Battle, in company with his 
 father, William Battle, until July, 1876, when Mat- 
 thias Day, Jr., formerly editor and proprietor of the 
 Manafield Herald, became the editor and proprietor. 
 The paper at this time was deeply involved in debt, 
 and Mr. Day reduced its size and otherwise diminished 
 the cost of its publication, hoping to be able to sus- 
 tain it. Finding it impossible to meet its liabilities, in 
 
 December, 1876, he sold the office to Iral A. Webster 
 and Edwin Eegal, who retained Mr. Day as editor. 
 In May, 1877, Mr. Regal retired, and Messrs. W. L. 
 & JI. G. Mains jiurchased an interest, the new firm 
 being Webster, Mains & Co., Mr. Fred. Webster serv- 
 ing as local editor. This arrangement continued nntil 
 December 1, 1877, when William H. Pearee, previ- 
 ously editor of the Grinds/nne Vilij Advertiser in 
 Berea, ])urehased the interest of the Messrs. Mains, 
 and became its editor and l)usiness nnmager, the (irm 
 licing Weljster & Pearee. On tlie 1st of January, 
 I87!l, Mr. Webster sold his interest and retired. The 
 Xew." is now published by W. H. Pearee, who may 
 well congratulate himself on seeing it established on 
 a jiaying basis. 
 
 The Neics was originally a sis column folio, price 
 $1.00 })er year. For the first few years a line in the 
 beading read, "Published at Oberlin and Wellington," 
 one page being edited for a time by parties in Welling- 
 ton. In 1863 it was enlarged to an eight column folio 
 and the price advanced to $1.50, and soon after to 
 ifeS.OOayear. In January, 1806, it was again enlarged 
 and made a nine column folio. During a part of the 
 year 1807 it was an eight column paper, but was again 
 restored to the nine column, and so remained until 
 December 10, 1874, when Messrs. Pratt & Battle 
 changed it to a six column quarto. Two years later, 
 under the management of Mr. Day, it again became 
 an eight column folio, which size it still retains. At 
 the same time the price was reduced to $1..50, as at 
 present. The A>?/'.< has always been repulilican in poli- 
 tics, and its editors have generally taken an advanced 
 ]iosition on all moral and educational movements. 
 
 By the foregoing it will lie seen that tlie Xewtt has 
 been owned, in part or in whole, by nineteen different 
 persons since its establishment, a little less than nine- 
 teen years ago, all of whom, with one exception, are 
 still living, and several have acquired some prom- 
 inence in their respective fields of labor. The limits 
 of this history will only admit a brief notice of those 
 most prominently connected witli the jiaper during 
 tlie time. 
 
 V. A. Shankland now resides in Benton Harbor, 
 Michigan, where he is engaged in the culture of fruit. 
 
 J. F. Harmon served as postmaster in Oberlin for 
 nine years, and is now engaged in the drug business 
 (Harmon & Beecher) in that village. 
 
 A. B. Nettleton won a geiierafs commission in the 
 army, subsequently edited the Sauduskv Register 
 and the Chicago Advance, and now resides in Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 .1. B. T. Marsh was subsequently one of the editors 
 of the Chicago Adrance for eight years, and now 
 resides in Oberlin, holding the position of treasurer 
 of the college and mayor of the village. 
 
 Prof. II. E. Peck was appointed minister to Ilayti, 
 by President Johnson, and died on that island in 1807. 
 
 William Kincaid has been for several years, and is 
 now, the beloved pastor of the Second Congregational 
 Church, in Oberlin. 
 
66 
 
 HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 L. L. Rice was a veteran editor of forty-two years' 
 experience when he edited tlie Neivx. had been private 
 secretary of (Jovernor (Jhase, and was since for twelve 
 years superintendent of i)ublic jirintino' in Cohindms. 
 ][e now resides in Oberlin, veneral)le in years, and 
 resj)ected by all who know him. 
 
 Ell)ert-W. Clark resides in I'ainesviile, and is the 
 ])ul)lislicr of the I'ainesviile Advertiser. 
 
 Prof. (!. n. Clhurchill still occupies a chair in Olicr- 
 lin College, where he is regarded as an able educator. 
 
 E. P. ]5rown is now manager of the "Aiken News- 
 paper Ilnioji," in Cincinnati. 
 
 Richard Butler is jiublishcr of flic f'liuton (Illinois) 
 Puhlic. 
 
 Justus N. Brown is ])astor of the ('(uigregational 
 Church in CHiarlotte, Michigan. 
 
 J. H. Lang is an attorney at law, residing at 
 Oberlin. 
 
 Geo. B. Pratt for a time published the Huron 
 County Chronicle, and is now jniblisher of the Cazette, 
 in Menasha, Wisconsin. 
 
 Most of the remaining proprietors of the News. 
 reside in Oberlin, engaged in various pursuits. 
 
 The News was first printed upon an Adams book- 
 press, which was purchased by .J. M. Fitch, in 1848, 
 and was used for printing the Evangelist and other 
 papers, also, several books, including the fii'st edition 
 of "President Finney's Theology." In 18(iH, a 
 Campbell cylinder press, the first cylinder ])ress in 
 the county, was purchased, and run by hand uj) to 
 1871, when a steam engine, also the first in the 
 county used for printing purposes, was attached by 
 J. N. Brown. In -lanuary, 1874, Pratt & Battle dit- 
 posed of the Campbell press, and procured a large 
 and expensive Potter press, which, in Fcl)ruary, 1878, 
 was sold by Webster & Pearce, and a country Potter 
 cylinder jjress procured, which is now in use in the 
 News office. 
 
 THE STANDARi:) OF THE CROSS. 
 
 This was a small sized quarto, published weekly, 
 the first number of which was issued in Oberlin, 
 in August, 1868. Rev. W. C. French, U.D., was its 
 editor and ])idjlisher. It was the successor of the 
 Uanibier Obserrer, (afterwards called the Western 
 Episcopalian,) which was estaldished in (iambier, 
 Ohio, in 18.'?0, as the representative of the I'rotestant 
 Episcopal church in ()lii<i. Its editor was rect<!r of 
 the greater ])ortion of the time, in rooms in the 
 the clum^h in Obi'rlin, and the pa})er was printed, 
 rear of the church edifice. In 1873, the office 
 was removed to Cleveland, where it is still pLiblished 
 by Dr. French, thi'ough whose ability and industry 
 the paper has secured a general circuhilion in Ohio, 
 
 and (Hintinues to be the recognized ex| enf nl' that 
 
 church in this State. 
 
 THK onEIUJX XEW ERA. 
 
 Ill April. 187:^, Dr. II. W. Libbey, of t:ievcland. 
 established a newspaper in Oberlin called The Oherlin 
 
 New Era. lie was a specialist in his practice, and in 
 consef|uencc of the News declining to ]iublish his 
 advertisements, he started this as an oi)position jiaper, 
 and by furnishing it at a low ])riee, and canvassing, 
 at considerable cost, for subscribers, succeeded in 
 securing a good circulation. It was an eight column 
 folio; i)rice, II a year. Rev. II. O. Sheldon, .1. I'". 
 C. Iliiyes, and othei'S, were employed as wrilcrs. and 
 II. P. Whitiney was its Inisiness manager. It did not 
 realize the object of i!s ]iulilislier, and in the fall of 
 1873. he sold itto(!. A. Sherman and Ceorge B. Pratt, 
 and the name was changed to 7'he Olierlin Times. 
 Aftei' flic issue of a few nundiers, it was (■(uisdlidiifi d 
 with the News, by Messrs. Pi'att & Battle. 
 
 THE OREKUN REVIEW. 
 
 This is a sixteen page semi-monthly paper, now 
 published in Oberlin, and devoted to the interests of 
 the college. It is owned and conducted by the 
 students. The first number, containing twelve i)ages, 
 was issued A])ril 1. 1874, with (J. N. Jones, as man- 
 aging editor. It was jiriiifed in ihe AV«'.s- oflfiee, at 
 11.50 a year. On the ICtb of Se]itember, 1874, it 
 j)assed into the hands of the Union literary associa- 
 ti()n, of Obei'lin college, a corjiorafe body couijiosimI of 
 the Phi Kapiia Pi, Phi Delta, Alpha Zeta, Ladies" liit- 
 erary, Aelioiaii and Beth Nun Alepli societies, which 
 has continued it jiublication to the jiresent time. Its 
 editor-in-chief, together with a board of associate 
 editors, is elected aunually by the association. The 
 following ])ersons have successfully served as edit(n-s- 
 in-chief: J. A. Winters, E. J. Malle, Arch Iladden. 
 E. A. Tuttle, I. W. Metcalf, W. W. Beacom, and II. 
 C. King. With its second vohinic, the ]):i]>er vas 
 enlarged to sixteen pages, and its subscription in- 
 creased to $1.75 per year. For the jiast two years, it 
 has been self-sustaining, having a circulation of nearly 
 six hundred coj)ies. 
 
 TUEOItEliMNT GAZETTE. 
 
 The first, number of The Oherlin (lazellc was issued 
 December 7. 1876, by A. P. Wildman and E. M. 
 Brice. It was a seven column folio, all home j)rint, 
 for the first seven months, and its terms wei'c $1 ]ier 
 annum. On the I'.Uli of .July, 1876, Mr. Wildman 
 ])urchascd Mr. Brieve's interest, j)rocured his jiaper 
 with outside jjages ready jirinted, in Clevelaiul, and 
 continued its publication until .June 6, 1878, wdicii he 
 sidd it to W. W. WoodrufP, under whose direction it 
 is still published on the co-o])erative plan. 
 
 Both A. R. Wildham and E. M. Brice are j)ractieal 
 jirinters, of much experiiMice, and an honor to Ihe 
 craft. The latter is now editor and pi'o])rietor of the 
 Blue Rapids (Kansas) Times. Mr. Woodruff is a 
 novice in the art of printing. The (fazette is con- 
 sidered independent in politics, though with strong 
 republican i)ro(divities. During Ihe iani|iaign of 
 1878, its editor mainly supj)orted the jiioliibition 
 ticket. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 67 
 
 THE PRESS IN WELLINGTON. 
 
 T)IE WELLINGTON JOUKNAL. 
 
 The first newsjiaper printed in Wellington was 
 issued March 11, 185:i, and called The WclUnfiton 
 .foitriinL (fcorge Brewster was its editor and L. S. 
 (iriswiilil, associate editor. Its first proprietorship 
 (Miiiiot l>e ascertained, but on the 35th of the same 
 iiiiiiith Jonathan D. Baker purchased an interest in 
 (he office and became its printer. April 23d of the 
 liwma year Cieorge Brewster withdrew from the paper, 
 tiikiiig the position of corresponding editor. On the 
 •i'M\\ of April the title of the paper was changed to 
 Jiiurnal and Free Democrat, but on the 23d of July 
 its original title was restored. At this date J. S. 
 Reed aud E. Boice became its proprietors and George 
 BrL^vstor its editor. Mr. Brewster retained his con- 
 ncctidu with tlic ii:t[ior for about one year, and for a 
 time li. S. CJriswold edited it. Henry T. Culver, J. 
 W. Hill, C. F. Brewster and T. Burus res[iectively 
 succeeded each other as printer. The paper failed to 
 sustain the cost of its publication, and was discon- 
 tinued after about two years, but the precise date can- 
 not be ascertained. 
 
 THE WELLIXCJTON ENTERPRISE. 
 
 In the summer of 1865, James A. (Juthrie of Dela- 
 ware, Ohio, removed to Wellington and commenced 
 tiie i)ublication of The, WelUiKjIon Uufcrprise. The 
 first issue was dated Sei)teniber 25, 1865. It was a 
 tiibo, printed on a sheet 25^x38 inches, and its terms 
 were *3.00 a year. On March 1, 1860, Mr. Guthrie 
 sold the paper to Jolin C. Artz, who reduced the size 
 to seven columns, and the price to 11.50. On the 
 IStii of September, 1867, the j)aper was enlarged, and 
 its outside pages were furnished on the co-opei'ative 
 ])liin. Mr. Artz remained its editor and proi)rietor 
 until Octoljer 1, 1876, wiien he sold the office to Dr. 
 J. W. Ilougiiton and D. A. Sniitli. Dr. Houghton 
 and ]}is wife, Mary 11., Iiecanie its editors, and Mr. 
 Smith, being a pi'actical jirinter, took chai'ge of the 
 mechanical dejiartment. The size of the paper was 
 inci'cascd to a. slieet 26x40 inches, with co-operative 
 outside l)ages, bnt its price remains at 11.50. On the 
 15th of December, 1877, Mr. Houghton purchased 
 his partner's interest, and is now its sole projirietor. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Houghton were novices in newspaper 
 Work when they assumed the cliai-ge of the Enterprise, 
 but their industry and painstaking have placed it on 
 a substantial basis. It has always supported the repub- 
 lican party, and its column reflect the well-known 
 characteristics of its editors — fairness in discussing 
 dis]uited (|uestions, and })rogress in all the reforms of 
 the day. 
 
 THE P1!P]SS IN LORAIN. 
 
 BLACK RIVER COMMERCIAL. 
 
 Tlie first numl)er of this jjaper was issued May 8, 
 1873, by II. A. Fisher, at Black River, now Lorain. 
 
 It was a five-column quarto; terms, #1.50 a year. On 
 the 3d of July, 1873, its form was changed to an 
 eight-column folio; and on the I8th of September, it 
 was reduced in size to six columns. On the 8th of 
 January, 1874, it was restored to an eight-column 
 folio, with patent outside pages, and ou the 9th of 
 the following May, its size was increased toliine col- 
 umns, and thus remained until it was discontinued, 
 September 12, 1874, for want of adequate sujjjjort. 
 At that date, the material was removed to Elyria by 
 Mr. Fisher, who commenced the publication of a new 
 paper, called the Eljiria RepuMican. 
 
 THE LORAIN MONITOR. 
 
 A small flvc-colunm folio, called the Lorain Afoni- 
 liir, has recently been issued in Lorain by Lawler & 
 Brady, with j>atent outside pages. Its history is yet 
 to be written. 
 
 THE PRESS IN AMHERST. 
 
 THE AMHERST FREE I'RESS. 
 
 This paper was issued July 31, 1875, in North 
 Amherst, by F. M. Lewis, editor and proprietor. It 
 was a six-column folio, patent outside pages, iiule- 
 pendent in politics, and its terms were $1.50 a year. 
 After three weeks, Mr. J. K. Lewis became associated 
 with his brother in its publication, and continued 
 until July 22, 1876, when he withdrew, and C. II. 
 Lewis took his place in the firm. On the 18tli of 
 August, 1877, F. M. Lewis again took sole charge of 
 the i)aper. On the 37th of November, following, its 
 ])rice was reduced to $1.25 a year, and its size was 
 increased to seven columns. It is chiefly devoted to 
 local interests, and its publication is continued by 
 Mr. Lewis as editor and ])roprietor. 
 
 In concluding the history of the press in Lorain 
 county, the writer acknowledges the obligations he is 
 under to various persons who have aided him in ob- 
 taining the desired information, and especially to 
 President J. H. Fairchild. and AV. II. Pearce, editor 
 of the Newx, who have kindly furnished most of the 
 data'relating to the twelve different publications in 
 Oberlin. 
 
 SUMMARY. 
 
 From the foregoing, it will be seen that there have 
 been thirty-three different publications issued in this 
 county during the past fifty years, viz: Sixteen in 
 Elyria, twelve in Oberlin, two in Wellington, two in 
 Lorain, and one in Amherst. At this time, there are 
 seven weekly papers and one semi-monthly published 
 in the county, viz: Two in Elyria, two weeklies and 
 one semi-monthly in Oberlin, one in Wellington, and 
 one in Lorain. 
 
68 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 LOEAIN AGHICULTURAL SOCIETY.* 
 
 The present " Loruiu County AgrieiiKiinil Society" 
 was orgiuiized in (he year 184G. Previous to this time 
 shows for stock, etc.. had l)cen hekl in Elyria and 
 Oberlin. As early as 18i)3 a stociv show was iiehl east 
 of tlie Heche House, on the site of Ely park. At this 
 show sixty dollars was award(Ml as preniinni upon cat- 
 tle, horses and articles of various kinds. How many 
 of these exhibitions were held previous fo the organi- 
 zation of the [iresent society, the writer cannot ascer- 
 tain. Thei'c must have been several. In October, 
 1845, a show was held in Oberlin, and il appears by 
 President Kinney's report, that there had been ])rc- 
 vious meetings of a like nature. This organization 
 seems to have been carried on Ijy the citizens of Ober- 
 lin and its vicinity, and Mr. Kinney's rejjort refers to 
 the assistance given by the presiilent and professors of 
 Olierlin college. At this meeting a jilowing match 
 was hekl, cattle and other stock competing for pre- 
 miums. The chairman of committee on plowing was 
 Prof. Cowles. The names of the other committees 
 are before me, but no report of their awards. The 
 report was to appear the following week — so says Tltc 
 Peoples Pre.sx, October 1, 184.5. In the evening at 
 half-past six o'clock a meeting was held in tlie chapel, 
 and short speeches were delivered liy several gentle- 
 men, among them Dr. Townshend, President Jlahan, 
 Prof. Fairchild (now i)resident), and Prof. Cowles. 
 Songs had been prepared by Tutor Hodge, and the 
 music was pronounced excellent. 
 
 Whatever had been done by Elyria or Oherlin j)re- 
 vious to 1S4G, no doubt partially j)aved the way for 
 the organization formed under the act of the legisla- 
 ture for the encouragement of agriinilture, February 
 ■i7, 184(i. Dr. N. 8. Townshend. then of Elyria, now 
 professor of agriculture, etc., in "The Ohio State 
 University," probably did more to get farmers and 
 others togethei' and organize a meeting which eventu- 
 ally resulted in the formation of the present society, 
 than any other individual. The proceedings of the 
 agricultural meeting held at Elyria, Lorain county, 
 Ohio, on Wednesday, April 'M, 184(), aiv reported as 
 follows: 
 
 On motiim of Dr. E. W. Hubbard, the Hon. .1. Harris was called to 
 the chair, aud N. S. Townshend appointed secretary. 
 
 On motion of .V. H. Re<iington, and after remarks by Hon. D. T. 
 Baldwin, l)v. Hubbard and others, it was resolved to proceed immedi- 
 ately to the organ-zation of a county .society, in accordance with the 
 ndes and regulations recommended by the State board of agriculture. 
 On motion of Joel Tiffany, Esq., an enrollment was made, to ascertain 
 if a sufficient uundjer of persons desirous of ass<iciating themselves as 
 a county agi-icultural society wel'e present, and if a sufticient sum could 
 he raised to meet the provision of the act. Whereupon fifty-eight 
 names were enrolled, and eighty dollars subscrilied. .\greeable to 
 the recommendation of the nominating committee, the following 
 gentlemen were unanimously elected, and now constitute the board of 
 ilirectors: Joseph Swift, president; Daniel B. Kinney, vice-president; 
 Artemas Beebe, treasurer; A. H. Re<lington, secretary; Henry Tracy, 
 George Sibley, Edwin Byington, D, T. Baldwin, T. W. Osboru, managers. 
 
 On motion, it was resolved that committees be ajipoiuted, consisting 
 of two individuals in each township, to solicit subscriptions, with the 
 names of i>ersons wishing to become members of the society. 
 
 * By R. Baker. 
 
 The following geritlemen were chosen: Amherst — H. Brownell and 
 J. C. Hrj-ant; Avon— Uriah Thompson, Elah Park; Black River— C. Read, 
 Sanmel Stocking; Brighton—Hosea Dunbar, P. S. Goss; Brownhelm— 
 C. L. Perry, Jolin Curtis; Camden — Hiram Allen, Gideon Waugh; 
 Carli.sle-R. (Hbbs, C. Primlle; Columbia-S. Reed, B. B, Adams; Eaton 
 — James Firlas. O. Sperry ; Elyi-ia— D. Nesbitt, Festus Cooley, Jr. ; Graf- 
 ton — A. S. Root. Thos. Inglesoll; Henrietta— Hervey Leonard, Levi 
 Vincent; Huntington— Henry Ti-acey, H. P. Sage; La Grange— N. P. 
 Johnstiii, H. Hubbard; Penfield— Wni. .\ndrews, Lewis Starr; Pitisheld 
 — P. McKoberts, E. Ulatchem; Ridgeville— t^tis Beggs, L. Beelie; Roches- 
 ter—John Conant, M. L. Blair; Russia— H. C. Taylor, Dr. Dascotub; 
 Sheffleld-VVm. Day, Win. H. Root; Wellinglon— Harvey Grant, J 
 Wadswoi th. 
 
 On motion, the above committees were instructed to make all 
 possible exertion, immediately, and report in person or by letter at the 
 tirst meeting of the board of directors. 
 
 It was voted that the board of directors meet at the court house, in 
 Elyria, on W^ednesday, the i;ith of May, at 11 o'clock a. m.. to determine 
 the sulijectsand rates of premiums, ami transact such other business 
 as may be necessary. Adjourned .-iint' die. 
 
 JosiAH Harris, ChiHrman. 
 
 N. S. Townshend, Secretari/. 
 
 Proceedings of the meeting of ho;i]-d df diieclors of 
 the Lorain county agricultural si>ciety. May lo, 184(): 
 
 Rraolved, That this society have an exhibition and fair at Elyria, on 
 Wednesday, September 30, lS4i;. 
 
 Resolved, That preniiuns he awarrled upon the following articles; 
 The several amounts to be determined at the ne.xt meeting of the board, 
 when the amount of funds at the control of the society shall he ascer- 
 tained. 
 
 Committees appi>inted to examine farms .and crops: tit orge Sibley. 
 P. McRoherts, Harry Terrell, E. Sanderson. 
 
 Resolved, The ladies of this county be invited to manufacture useful 
 articles, to be donated to this society, and that they hold a fair in the 
 afternoon and evening of the day of the exhibition, and that all citizens 
 be requested to bring choice specimens of fruit and flowers, manufac- 
 tured articles, and he offered for sale at the ladies" fair, for tlie benefit 
 of the society. 
 
 Adjourned, to meet at E!yri;t, on .Moinbiy. August- 
 ;S, 1840. F. Swift. J 'resident. 
 
 A. H. Redington, Svcrclitrii. 
 
 Owing to harvesting time of the year, there was 
 not any meeting on August li. 
 
 According to previous notice, meeting at Olierlin. 
 on Tuesday, August 20, 184'i. At this meeting, a 
 long list of committee men were a|i|niinted. It was 
 also decided, to offer premium for hcnls of cattk', not 
 less tluin tifteeii he;i<l, owneil hy one farmer — tirst. 
 seeimtl, third, fourtli :iiid tifth liest. The best tlock 
 of sheep, not less than twenty-live head — first, secoml, 
 third, fourth ;ind lifth best. Then comes a list of 
 awards, at the tirst fair, September 30. Amount 
 of jiremiums ;i\\;irded, one hiindi'cd and seventeen 
 dollars. 
 
 A statement of receipts, etc., of the Lorain county 
 agricultural .society, made at that time, are as follows: 
 
 .-Vmouut subscribed by members of the society $304 liO 
 
 .\mount paid in 121 IMl 
 
 Balance due 83 IIO 
 
 Paid .\. Burrell. foj- printing 7 t)i) 
 
 A report of the iiroceeilings of the society, and 
 statement of the pros[)Cct of the crops, as re([uiretl 
 by law, was made out, and forwarded to N. P, 
 Johnson, the ;ippoiiited delegate by the society, to 
 the annual meeting of the State boanl, at Columbus, 
 
 It is very evident that, in the early days of the 
 society, the nuinagers were men, deeply interested, 
 and very zealous in the work of establisliing this, 
 now, prosperous society. The constitutiou preijared 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 69 
 
 and siiliiiiittud, and ado|itet1 bv tlie society, was short, 
 and met all that was rec|niri'il in those early days, it 
 was as follows: 
 
 Art. 1. The offlcers of the society shall consist of a president, vice- 
 president, secretary, treasurer, and five manaj^ers. who. together, shall 
 constitute a hoard of directors for the t^eneral inanaj^enient of the 
 affairs of the society. They shall be elected annually, liy the members 
 of the society, and hold their offices till their successors are appointed. 
 
 Art. '2. Members of the sociel-.y must be residents of Lf.irain county, 
 and pay the sum of one dollar annually to the treasurer. 
 
 .Vrt. ;t. Competitors for premiums nuist he members of the society. 
 
 Art. 4. A list of articles for which premiums are to be awarded by 
 the society, must be publislied in a newspaper, or in handbills, at least 
 one month previous to the da.v of the exhibition. 
 
 Art. .'). All articles offered for premiums must be owned by the 
 persons offerinj^ the same, or b^' members of their family. I'roducts of 
 the soil, and niantifacturcd articles, must be produced or manufactured 
 within the county, agricultural iiuplements excepted. 
 
 .\RT. 6. .\warding committees, of three persons each, shall be annu- 
 all.v appointed by the directors of the society, for judging the different 
 classes of articles offered in competition, and awarding premiums for 
 the same. 
 
 Art. 7. Awarding committees must conform to the provisions of 
 the law in requiring competitors for premiums on crops, and other 
 improvements, to furnish fidl and correct statements of the process, 
 and expense of culture atid production, etc. 
 
 Art. 8. Competitors for premiums on crops shall be required to have 
 the ground and its produce accuratel.v measured. b.y not less than two 
 disinterested persons, whose statement shall be in writing and verified 
 by .atfidavit. 
 
 Art. 9. Premiums on grain, and grass crops, shall not he awarded 
 for less than one acre, and on root crops for not less than one-fourth of 
 an acre. The whole quantity produced on the amount of laud specified 
 shall be measured or weighed. Root cnips to be estimated by weight, 
 divested of the tops, sixty pounds to be considered a bu.shel; and grain 
 crops to be measured or weighed according to the usual standards. 
 The rules in relation to other crops, and pi-oductions, to be agreed on by 
 the directors of the society. 
 
 Art. 10. The annual exhibition of the society shall l)e held at some 
 period between the first da.v of .September and the first of November. 
 The premiums on crops can be awarded at a later period, if thought 
 best. 
 
 The l)y-huvs are as follows: 
 
 First. No person that is a member of the society shall liereafter 
 compete for a premium as long as an annual fee against him remains 
 unpaid. 
 
 Second. All articles drawing the first premium at a previous fair, 
 cannot compete for a premium on the same article until the second year 
 after. 
 
 Third. Articles competing for a premium where there is no compe- 
 tion, will be left discretionaiy with the judges, to awartl a premium 
 or not. 
 
 Fourth. The board of directors shall, at their annual meeting in 
 January in each year, appoint a corresponding secretary, who shall 
 hold his ofBce for one year, and until his successor shall be apjjointed. 
 
 Having given nearly a full report of the transaetions 
 of the society during its first year, which cdiild nol be 
 very well curtailed, to present tlie ti-ansactions of the 
 society clearly to the public, throughout the ensuing- 
 years only a carefully-condensed sketch can be given, 
 or this article will be entirely too long. During the 
 year 1847, it will lie seen that the society made an 
 elfort to phiee before the citi/.ensof Loniin countv the 
 claims for, and advantages iirising from, (he organiza- 
 tion, by :xp])ointing able men to deliver lectures in 
 the townshijis. 
 
 A meeting of the Society, November 20, 1840, to 
 elect otticers for the ensuing year, resulted as follows: 
 
 President, Joseph Swift; Vice President, D. B. Kinney; Johu H. Faxon, 
 Treasurer, and A. H. Redington. Secretary. Edwin Byington, IL C. 
 Safford, W. N. Race, A. W Wliitney, and Benjamin C. Perkins, 
 Managei-s. 
 
 At a meeting of the board, January 2S, 1847, Mr. 
 Holtslander was elected manager to fill the vacancy 
 occasioned by the death of William N. Race. At this 
 
 meeting lecturers were appointed for the different 
 townships as follows: 
 
 Dr. N. S. Townshend. for F.lyria, Carlisle, Eaton, Columbia, Ridgeville, 
 Avon and Shelheld ; Prof. J. Dascomb, for (irafton. La Grange, Penfield, 
 Huntington, Wellington aud Pittsfield; Professor J. H. Fairchild, for 
 Black River, Amherst, Brovvnhelm, Henrietta, Cam leu, Brighton and 
 Rochester. 
 
 At tlie next meeting, ilay 4, Ihe time was lixed 
 to hold the second annual fair ;it Elyria, October 
 and 7. It was resolved to award premiums on a 
 longer list of articles. — increasing the amount of 
 premiums from one hundred and seventeen dollars to 
 one hundred and Ihirly-five dollars. The dilTerent 
 awarding ctnnmittces were a])i)Ointed. 
 
 The first day of the fair was occupied by the (hjui- 
 mittees examining stock and other articles. A large 
 number of farmers of the county were present, and 
 manifested a very commendable zeal, in competing 
 for the premiums offered. 
 
 The plowing match took phice in the fdreiioun of 
 the second day, after which the members of the soci- 
 ety met in the court house aud the following persons 
 were elected officers for the ensuing yetir: 
 
 Joseph Swift, president; D. B. Kinney, vice president; J. H. Faxon, 
 treasurer, and A. TI. Redington, secretary; delegate to State board 
 convention at Columbus, December, 1847, N. P. Johnson. 
 
 After the reports of committees and awarding of 
 premiums, it is said that a very excellent and appro- 
 priate address was given by Dr. E. W. Ilublianl, who 
 had been previously invited to address the society. 
 
 Best cultivated farm, Joseph Swift, Henrietta; second best, Alonzo 
 Gaston, Russia; third best, P. Sheppard, Henrietta. Best plowing, Ed. 
 Matchem, Pittsfield; second best, William Reed, same town. 
 
 At the third annual fair, held at Elyria, a good 
 attendance is reported, aud exhibition good. 
 
 The first premium was awarded to Alonzo Gaston for best cultivated 
 farm; second to N. Jackson; third to A. H. Redington. The old offlcers 
 were re-elected. James Dascomb was appointed delegate to State board 
 convention at Columbus. 
 
 It appears that James Dascomb did not go to 
 (Jolunibus, the report being forwarded to Dr. Towns- 
 hend, who presented it at the convention, at Oolum- 
 Inis in December. 
 
 The fourth annual ftiir, held at Elyria, was a 
 success. The fii-st day being, as iisua.l, for the 
 examination of stock, etc.; the second, to plowing 
 match; and afternoon of thfit, to election of officers, 
 and other business. Elected for the ensuing year: 
 
 President, D. B. Kinne.y; vice-president, N. B. Gates; treasurer, Wm. 
 Patterson; secretary, A. H. Redington. 
 
 The society listened to very approjiriale remarks 
 from Dr. N. 8. Townshend and K. McEachron, Es(|., 
 after which the several awarding committees rejjorted 
 their awards. 
 
 The tiftb annual fair was held at Olx-rlin, Septem- 
 ber 20, 18,51). At this fair, higher premiums were 
 offered; the premium on bestcultivated farm was raised 
 from five to eight dollars, and others in [iroporliijn. 
 E. Clark, best cultivated farm; A. Gaston, second. 
 The same president and vice-president were elected, 
 and A. H. Redington made secretary and tre;isiirer. 
 
 The next fair was hold at Wellington, two days, 
 between the 10th and 20th of September, 18.51. 
 
70 
 
 HISTOUY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Here is the lir.sfc statement of receiiits and expendi- 
 tures: 
 
 Amount recoived from members and county JSIHG 00 
 
 Expenditures, premiums, etc 181 00 
 
 AtiKiunt in hands of Treasurer $2 00 
 
 At tills fail', dijiioiiias were offered (Hiite liberally 
 instead of money for |ii'eiiiiiiiiis. The fair is said to 
 havt' passed off satisfaetorily to iiiosi parties. The 
 uleetion resulted as follows: 
 
 President, B. C. Perkins; vice-president, N. B. Gates; secretary and 
 treasurer, Ed. Matchem. 
 
 Receipts from all sources during the year amount to $2ri5 10 
 
 Amount paid in premiums and other expenses.. 193 17 
 
 At a meeting of the board, held at Oberlin, August 
 3, 1S52, the committee previously appointed to solicit 
 subscriptions to aid the society re|)orted as follows: 
 
 O. S. AVadsu'orth reixn-led lifty-two dollars, on con- 
 dition that the next fair be held in Wellington. A. 
 W. Whitney iiiadt^ an adverse rc|)ort for Pittsfield. 
 The members from Oberlin and Elyria being absent, 
 it was voted to hold the next fair at Wellington. At 
 a later hour N. B. (rates reported one hundred dol- 
 lars, pledged by citizens of Elyria, on condition that 
 the fair be held in that place. On motion of 0. S. 
 Wadsworth, it was voted to rescind the resolution for 
 holding the fair at Wellington, and that the next fair 
 be held in Elyria on Wednesday and Thursday, Gtli 
 and 7th of October, 1852. 
 
 A committee of four were a})poiiited to make neces- 
 sary arraiige:nents for holding the fair at Elyria, and 
 were authorized to make expenditures to an amount 
 not exceeding mie hundred dollars, and not exceeding 
 the amount paiJ into the treasury by donations by the 
 citizens of Elyria in making an enclosure, pens, build- 
 ings, etc., necessary for, the convenience of said fair. 
 N. B. Gates, Edwin Byington, G. <{. Washburn and 
 E. W. Hubbard were made said committee. It was 
 decided to ajiproiiriate fifty dcdiars more from the 
 fund, provided the said ccnnmittee fence in grounds 
 so that an admission fee can be collected. 
 
 N. B. Gates was requested to act as marshal, with 
 power to choose his assistants. The above committee 
 were to |trocure a suitable person to deliver the annual 
 address. 
 
 This seventh fair was a great success. The pre- 
 mium list was extended and stock somewhat classi- 
 fied. The ladies exhibited a long list of articles, both 
 of domestic and ornamental use, and were awarded 
 liberal premiums. 
 
 N. B. dates was made president, O. S. Wadswoi-th vice-[)resi(lent, and 1 
 E. IMatchem secretary and treasurer. 
 
 The eighth annual fair was held at Klyria. and more I 
 lilicral premiums were olTered. (»n cattle the amount 
 to l)e awarded was seventy-live dollars and nine copies 
 of ()/nu Fiirmer. On horses, fifty-three dollars and 
 two Ohio Farmers. Fine arts, flowers and fruits were 
 largely represented at this fair. There was a long list 
 of utienuuierated articles. In this class a premium 
 was awarded to Fordice Miller, a cripple, /(;/• skill in 
 
 training dogs, etc., three d(dlars, and J. Cunningham, 
 for a substitute for chocolate, tweuty-five cents. 
 
 Gates, Wadsworth and Matchem were elected president, vice-presi- 
 dent, secretary and treasurer respectively. 
 
 The board of directors met at Oberlin dune 1, 1S54. 
 This was a vei-y iniporlant meeting. The whole pro- 
 ceedings ai'c fui'nished as follows: 
 
 Memljers present, President Gates, E. Clark, Wm. r)a.v, A. W. Whit- 
 ney, A. H. Redintcton, Edwin Byington and E. Matcliem. 
 
 Af'er hearing reports from committees from Elyria and Oberlin, the 
 board took into consideration the subject of locating tlie county fair for 
 the next ten j-ears. 
 
 On motion of E. Matchem. that the Lorain county fair be located at 
 Oberlin, in the township of Russia, for the next ten years, the question 
 being called, and the yeas and nays demanded, resulted as follows: 
 
 Yeas— A. W. Whitney, E. Matchem, A. H. Redington. 
 
 Nays— E. Byington. Wm. Day. E Clark, N. B. Gates. 
 
 A. W. Whitney immediately withdrew from the society. 
 
 On motion of E. Byington, to locate the fair at Elyria tor the next ten 
 years: 
 
 Yeas— E. Byington, A. H. Redington, Wm. Day, N. B. Gates. 
 
 Nays— E. Clark. E. Matchem. 
 
 The following were appointed a committee of arrangements, to pro- 
 cure and enclose grounds, erect suitable buildings, and other necessar.v 
 fixtures, dig a well, and superintend next fair; N. B. Gates, H. C. Safford, 
 E. Byington, A. Beebe, A. H. Redington. 
 
 Rc'soliK'd, That the committee of arrangements dr.aw on the treasurer 
 tor one hundred and fifty dollars, to be expended in fitting up the fair 
 grounds. Adjourned. 
 
 The ninth annual fair was a success. Being a full 
 show, every department was well represented, ami 
 there was a large attendance. Among the noticeable 
 offerings at this fair were three premiums for ladies' 
 horsemanshi}) : First, silver cake basket; second, 
 ladies" riding hat; third, gold pencil. The success- 
 ful coiiip'titors being Miss Arys Terrell, first; Miss 
 iS:)i)hia I'erry, seond; Mrs. L. S. Jenkins, third. 
 
 September 28, 18")-t, ofticers elected for the ensuing 
 year: 
 
 N. B. Gates, president; N. S. Townshend, vice-president; H. C. Saf- 
 ford. secretary and treasurer. 
 
 The next annual fair was held on the 3d. 4th ami 
 5th of Ociober. One hundred and thirty dollars had 
 been expended in improving the grounds. Previous 
 to this fair, very few, and it is fjuestionable if any, 
 pure bred cattle had been exhibited, with the excep- 
 tion of Aston anil lliiiii[ihrey"s Ilcrcfords. 
 
 During this year Ilennin Ely, Esq., ]nirchased sev- 
 erid "Herd-Book"' short-horns — the bull. Sir Huni- 
 jilircy, 074, and a tine cow and heifer bred by Reber 
 & Kutz, Fairfield county, Ohio. These animals made 
 a good showing and were admired by the visitors. 
 Also, the lamented Chas. Arthur Ely had purchased 
 a fine herd of pure Devon cattle. These, too, were 
 on exhibition, and were of great excellence. 
 
 l'rob:il)ly Ohio has not exhibited finer specimens of 
 the Devon ii[) to this day. The fine old bull, the 
 '■ Duke of Devon,"" was, in every point, a first-class 
 aiiim d. K. Matchem exiiibited Devons, and owned 
 some thoroughbreds. This fair is reported as being 
 ahead of that of any previous fair. There was also a 
 full field of ladies contending for the premiums offered 
 for their skill in horsemanship, both for riding and 
 ilriving. 
 
 For best riding. Mrs. E. T. Kirby. silver cake basket; second, Mrs. s 
 Morehouse, silver spoons; third, Miss Sophia Perry, silver butter knife; 
 fourth, Miss W^ooster, salt spoons. For driving, first, Mrs. Helm, gold 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 71 
 
 chaiu; second, Mrs. .1. Manville, gold locket; third, Mrs. 6. E. Nichols, 
 gold pencil ; fourth. Miss Wooster, gold studs. 
 
 October 5, 18;")5, officers elected for ensuing yeiir: 
 
 N. B. Gates, president; O. S. Wadsworth, vice-president; Wm. H. Root, 
 secretary and treasurer; A, H. Redington, corresponding secretary. 
 
 The constitution of the Liiniin county ;igrieultur;il 
 society was revised at a meeting of the ineinl>ers of 
 society liold at Elyria, Felniiary 7. l!~i5f;. We have 
 not S])ace to give it as revised. 
 
 The eleveiitii auinial fair was held Octoljer 7th, !Sth 
 and 9th, 1856. This was a full show, and nearly 
 every i>reniiuni offered v/as competed for. 
 
 Alonzo (iastoii took first on best cultivated farm; 
 Pitt W. Hall, second; I). 1'.. Kinney, third. Prin- 
 cipal exhil)itors in short-horns and Jlerefords, Louis 
 & Wooltoii, Iloyle, Redington. jMills and Wadsworth. 
 In Kevoiis, C. A. Ely, Matchem, Hamlin and Rhodes. 
 Horses, DeWitt, Howe, Nichols, Webster, Vincent, 
 Panybow, .Smith; C. A. Ely, matched horses. 
 
 The twelfth annual fair was held October (5, 7, and 
 8, 1857. This fair was peculiar for the arrangement 
 of the cattle classes. First class included Short- 
 Ilorns. Devons, Ilerefords, Alderneys, and Ayrsliires, 
 with three premiums to each age, from three years and 
 upwards, down to a calf. In sweepstakes, there were 
 also three premiums, as in the regular class, a thing 
 unprecedented — -there being the second committee; 
 and it was amusing, to see the same animals come m 
 competition, and witness many of the previous awards 
 reversed. T'here was a large amount of grumbling by 
 some of the exhibitors. The show of cattle was poor, 
 and there were a few well bred animals. The com- 
 mittee ou sweepstakes was A. Bsebe, Sr., R. Baker, 
 and C. Wheeler. The award oh bulls: A. Reding- 
 ton's Gov. Morrow, 543, first; 0. A. Ely's Duke of 
 Devon, second; S. C. Hoyle's, third, the Duke 
 being third in class, and a Hereford second, Heding- 
 ton's first. The cows 373 and over, were good. 
 
 This classification was quite unsatisfactory to stock 
 men, generally, and w.is never rejieated thereafter. 
 The hidies' horsemanship resulted in 
 
 Miss C. Wooster taking the first premium, Miss Mary Darling, the 
 second, and Mrs. S. Morehouse, the third. 
 
 At the annual meeting, October 8, 18.57, ofiiccrs 
 elected : 
 
 Edwin Byington, president; A. H. Redington, vice-president; Wm. H. 
 Root, secretary and treasurer; H. E. Peck, corresponding secretary. 
 
 The thirteenth annual fair was held October 5, 0, 
 and 7, 1858. The premium list had been extended, 
 and every department full; the attendance large, and 
 receipts gooiL Grounds had become too small to 
 accommodate so large agathering. This year an addi- 
 tion was made to the short horn cattle, R. Baker 
 having purchased the bull Gen. Havelock, 2900, and 
 three females, all "herd book jieiligrees," and Dr. N. 
 S. Townshend had, also, purchased several animals of 
 the same bree<l; the latter taking first premium on 
 his bull, " Prince Albert," and the former first on 
 his cow, "Harriet 2d," by Sir Humphrey, 974. 
 There was, at this fair, a large fiehl of ladies, mounted. 
 
 to contend for the premiums offered for riding and 
 driving. Premiums paid at this fair amounted to 
 *714.95. 
 
 At the annual meeting, October 7, 185S, the ollicers 
 elected for the ensuing year, were: 
 
 Ed. Byington. president; Wm. L. Smith, vice president; Wm. H. Koot, 
 secretary and treasurer; J. Swift, Jr., corresp-:)nding secretary. 
 
 The fourteenth annual fair was held Septemlier 27, 
 28, and 29, 1859. The heavy rain on the first day 
 kept away many exhibitors, with their stock, etc., 
 also, visitors. Financially, sufficieut was made to 
 meet necessary expenses attending the fair, proper. 
 At this fair, an addition was made to the cattle de- 
 partment, by D. A. Stocking having purchased several 
 thoroughbred short horns, and some high grades. 
 These were on exhibition, and having been fattened 
 on the blue grass regions, were in high flesh, and at- 
 tracted the attention of many, especially those who had 
 not been in the habit of seeing high fed aaimils. 
 
 The annual election of officers was held on the last 
 day of the fair, resulting in the election of 
 
 Dr. N. S. Townshend, president; A. W. Wliitney, vice-president; H. 
 M. Redington, .secretary and treasurer. 
 
 The fifteenth annual fair was well attended, and 
 financially a success. There were but two entries of 
 farms, and only one premium awarded, and that to A. 
 (iaston, twenty dollars. Many premiums were low- 
 ereil, and ipiite a number of second premiums struck 
 off the list — all on grain samples and garden vege- 
 tables. This injured the show in these classes, those 
 tables being badly sui)plied, and ([uite a feeling of 
 dissatisfaction was expressed by many exhibitors. By 
 cutting off so many ]n-emiums, the expenses were 
 reduced, so that at the end of the year the society had 
 a balance of about eight dollars in the treasury. This 
 was the last year that a premium was offered for 
 plowing. 
 
 The election of officers did not take place on the 
 last day of the fair in 1800, owing to a regulation 
 issued by the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, that 
 all county agricultural societies shall hold the annual 
 meeting for the election of officers, etc., sometime in 
 January; consequently the old board held over, and 
 at the call of the president the meeting was ordered 
 for .January 7, 1801, when the following officers were 
 elected for the ensuing year: 
 
 For president, N. B. dates; vice president, J. Swift, .Tr; secretary and 
 treasurer, P. A. Bishop; directors, R. Baker, Joshua Boynton, Alonzo 
 Gitston, D. A. Stocking, and William H. Root. 
 
 The sixteenth fair was held September 2.')-28 inclu- 
 sive. This fair had immy things to contend with. 
 A "fast day" had been proclaimed by Presidtmt fjin- 
 coln, which occurred on the first day of the fair, <ind 
 a continual rain the following day and also ujito noon 
 of the third ilay; in conse(iuence a fourth day was 
 added. Notwithstanding these disasters the receipts 
 were ahead of any previous year. 
 
 P. A. Bishop refused to serve as secretary and t rea- 
 snrer, and E. C. Griswold was appointed by the board 
 in his stead. 
 
73 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Tlic iiiimi;tl mot'tiiig was hold January G, 18'J2, 
 when tlie following officers were clectpd for the ensu- 
 ing year: 
 
 President, N. B. Gates; vice presideitt. R. Haker; secretary and ti*ea- 
 surer, R. G. Horr; eorrespondinK secretary, G. G. Washliurn. 
 
 Tho board came together and revised the i)reiiiiuni 
 list, made the usual arrangements for holding the 
 annual fair, hut by some of the disasters of tiio war 
 and tiie gjooui ))ei'vadiug the wliolc north, the l)oard 
 was called to meet in August, and at tjiat meeting it 
 was decided not to liold a fair during that year. 
 
 The annual meeting was held January 14, ISOH. 
 At this meeting it was voted that all persons to be 
 entitled to vote for officers shall first |)ay tiie sum of 
 one dt)llar into the treasury of the society. The elec- 
 tion of officers was postponed until January 31, 186;3, 
 to which time the st)ciety adjoui'ncd. 
 
 January -51, the society niet; eleven persons jiaid 
 the annual fee, eac'h of cwo dollar. The follnwiiig 
 persons were duly elected: 
 
 Presiilent, N. B. Gates; vice president, R. Baker; secretary and trea- 
 surer. R. (j. Horr; corresponding secietary, George G. Washburn. 
 
 A vote was ])assed te enlarge the fair grounds, if 
 ground could be had adjoining. The board met 
 September Vi, and appointed N. 1>. Gates a committee 
 to fit up the grounds, and that a sunt not exceeding 
 two hundred and seventy-five dollars he appropi-iated 
 for that purpose. 
 
 The eighteenth annual fair was held October (i to 
 9, 1803, The show was excellent; horses, calitle and 
 .sheep very numerous; a large attendance of visitors. 
 The last day was fixed for the extra trotting and all 
 kinds of amusements, which had first been intro- 
 duced in ISiil, by 1). A. Stocking. This arrangement 
 was not luuinimously desireil, and was attended with 
 considerable discussion; hut it was decided to sive 
 the day to the j)nrposo of amusing a certain class — 
 contrary, I think, to the objects for which county 
 asjricultural societies were or<raiii/.ed. 
 
 At an annual nu'eting, January 23, 1804, 
 
 N. B. Gates was elected president; Win. Patterson, vice-president; and 
 Mozart (lallnp, secretary- and tl'easurer. 
 
 On motion, the constitution was so ;imende(l as to 
 dispense with the office of corresponding secretary. 
 
 On motion of !>,. P>;iker, the following resolution 
 was atlopteil, to wit: 
 
 Iie:it>lvi'tl, ^Tliat the Lorain county agricultural society hold a meeting 
 on the second Monday in l)ecember of each year, to decide on premi- 
 ums for tield crops, and to (romplete any uuninshed business relating to 
 the previous fair. 
 
 Also, on niolion of !!. Baker, the following resolu- 
 tion /cds itildjilril : 
 
 Hesoli-ed, That the Lorain I'ounty agricultural society publish an 
 annual report, in pamphlet form, of tlie proceedings of said society. 
 
 The nineteenth iiniuuil lair w;ts held October 4, .5, 
 and 7. 
 
 The regiihir :inntial niei'ting was held .l:tnn;i]-y 11, 
 1865, wluui the following otlicers were elected: 
 
 D, A. stocking, president; T. S. Metcalf, vice president ; and Mozart 
 Gallup, secretary and treasurer. 
 
 On moti 
 
 )f J{. l^iiker, it was 
 
 Resolved, That the constitutioa be so amended as to fix the price of 
 membership at one dollar and tifty cents for each member annual]}'. 
 
 The annual fair Wius held October 3, 4 and o. 
 
 The annual meeting for theelecti(Hi of officers, etc., 
 was held January 27, 1800. This being a meeting at 
 which action must be taken with regard to a regula- 
 tion of the State board of agriculture, viz: 
 
 "That county societies shall fix the time for holding the annoal meeling 
 sometime in .January, and then keep to such time; and also shall decide 
 on the number of persons they with to constitute a board of directors — 
 the number not to be less than eight intlividuals, and as many more as 
 the society may wish.*' 
 
 This, with other iinport;int business, sh;ill he given 
 as recorded. 'I'he election resulted as follows: 
 
 President, D. A. Stocking; vice-president. Joseph Swift, .Jr ; secretary 
 and treasurer, T. S. Metcalf. 
 
 Oil moti(ui of Mr. Swift, it was 
 
 Resulted, That the board of managers of the society shall consist of 
 eight members, to conform to the rules of the State board, and that we 
 proceed to elect thes.inie by i.allot; and those elected, cast lots for the 
 longer or shorter term. The result was as follows, after casting lots, viz; 
 Parks Foster, W'm. A. Braman, R. Baker and L. F. Parkes. one year; 
 Joshua Worcester, Bradford Race, T. S. Metcalf and M. H. Cunningham, 
 two years. 
 
 A resolution passed instructing the president to appoint a committee 
 of three, to proceed to Wellington and confer with the Union agricul- 
 tural society, at their aimual meeting, to ascertain whether they have 
 any desire to unite with the county society, and report to the board 
 forthwith. The chair apiiointed on said committee, Messrs. Parks 
 Foster, T. S. Metcalf and R. Baker. 
 
 Mr. Baker offered a series of resolutions, which 
 were unanimously adopted by the society, which were 
 in writing, as follows: 
 
 1. Resolved, That the Lorain county agricultural society take steps to 
 purchase land for fair grounds, and that as near the county seat as 
 practicable. 
 
 2. Resolved, That so soon as the board of managers can select a 
 proper site, the}* are authorized to puix^hase not less than fifteen acres 
 of land, to be deeded to the society for the u.se of .said society. 
 
 3. Resolved, That the President appoint one or more members in 
 each township of the count}', to solicit subscriptions in the several town- 
 ships, and report on the first Saturday in .-Vpril, ISIJIi. 
 
 4. Resolved, That the president request the county conmussioners 
 (to the full extent of the power vested in them) to appropriate of the 
 county funds toward pm-cliasiug and fitting up proper grounds for the 
 use of our county agricultural society, and that he report on the first 
 Saturday in April, IStJtJ. 
 
 Laiivl for fair grounds w;is finally jmrchased of 
 Ilenuin Ely in ISOT, being lots one hiiiidreil and 
 twelve and one hundred and thirteen west of river, 
 being eighteen and tive-hundredths acres of land, at 
 one hundred and fifty dollars per acre. A cash pay- 
 ment of five hundreil dolhirs was m;iile. Election of 
 officers resulted as follows: 
 
 President, Win. A. Braman; vice-president, J. Swift, Jr. 
 
 Voted, that the society employ an agent to solicit 
 subscriptions. Mr. J. H. Boynton was appointed 
 such agent. .\t this meeting it was again voted, that 
 the coniniissioners be requested to api)ropriate funds 
 to the equal ;inioiint raised by the soeiety. K. Baker 
 i>ffered the following resolution, wliich u'(t)< dixrussed 
 inifl adapted: 
 
 " WHERE.4S, Many of the members of the Lorain county agricultural 
 society are opposed to the admission of side shows, etc.: 
 
 ^•Resolved, That we will not admit to the fair grouiuis any side shows, 
 swings, auctions, or intoxi.-ating drinks, during the days of the annual 
 exhibitions." 
 
 Adjourned .linp die. 
 
 T. S. Metcalf, Sccretanj. 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 73 
 
 January 20, 1S6T, the new board was organized, and 
 elected T. S. Metcalf secretary and treasurer for the 
 ensuing year. It was decided to remove the build- 
 ings from the old fair grounds to the new grounds 
 immediately. The buildings were taken down early 
 in the week and a "Bee" called on Saturday, and 
 the old buildings were moved across the river. At 
 this meeting it was (Cor the first time) voted, that the 
 secretary and treasurer be paid for his services the 
 past year. 
 
 Bids for furnishing lumber for the fair grounds 
 were opened at a meeting of board held February IG, 
 18()7. The l)ids varied from eighteen dollars per thou- 
 sand to twenty-three dollars per tliousand. The board 
 decided to have oak posts and pine boards for fences. 
 Hiram Woodward furnished a part of oak posts at 
 eighteen dollars per thousand. The grounds were 
 graded, and the " trotting ring " constructed, under 
 the superintendence of D. A. Stocking. 
 
 During the summer, wells were dug, the fence and 
 suitable buildings, offices, and stalls for horses and 
 cattle, pens for sheep and swine were all fixed up and 
 put in good shape at a cost of 13,928. !)6. Wm. A. 
 Braman, who was the president of the society, 
 deserves the good wishes and gratifications of the 
 society for his indefatigable labors during this sum- 
 mer, in superintending the arrangement, and fitting 
 up these new grounds, which were presented to 
 the public, at the exhibition, in a shape not only 
 satisfactory to the exhibitors and the society, but an 
 ornament to Lorain county. All visitors pronounced 
 this, the twenty-second, the best exhibition and the 
 largest fair ever held by the society, up to this 
 date. 
 
 The public were well pleased, and expressed them- 
 selves satisfied with the new grounds, and especially 
 for their proximity to the village. The new bridge 
 having been erected during the summer, made the 
 transit from the city to the grounds all tiiat could be 
 d sired. 
 
 At annual meeting, held .January 35, 1868, 
 
 Wm. A. Braman was elected president; J. Swift, Jr., vice-president; 
 T. S. Metcalf, secretary and treasurer. 
 
 During this year, additional ex])ense was incurred 
 by rounding off corners of track, and in putting n\) a 
 large dining hall, at a cost of $1,017.48. 
 
 The twenty-third annual fair was held September 
 15, 10, 17 and 18, 1868. The exhibition was success- 
 ful in every department. 
 
 At the annual meeting, January .30, 1869, the 
 following officers for the ensuing year were elected: 
 
 President, Wm. A. Braman; vice-president, J. Swift, Jr.; secretary 
 and treasurer, C. W. Jolinston. 
 
 The twenty-fourth annual fair was held October 5, 
 0, 7 and 8. The first :ind second days were rainy and 
 cold. The morning of the third was bright and clear, 
 and the grounds were packed with visitors, and an 
 immense crowd on the last day made the fair finan- 
 cially a success. 
 
 10 
 
 At the annual meeting, January 29, 1870, the 
 following officers were elected: 
 
 President, Wm. A. Braman; vice-president, Chas. S. Mills; secre- 
 tary and treasurer, C. W. Johnston. 
 
 In August of this year, an excursion to Put-in-Bay 
 Island was enjoyed by the society. A special train 
 on the L. S. road conveyed passengers to Vermillion, 
 where the party embarked on the steamer " Reindeer." 
 A very pleasant time was had. 
 
 The annual fair (twenty-fifth) was fixed for October, 
 but the Northern Ohio fair association being organized, 
 they fixed to hold their fair on our days. The Lorain 
 county fair was changed to September 20 and follow- 
 ing days. In August of this year, the society allowed 
 their grounds to be used for a horse or trotting fair. 
 Many attended this that were not disjiosed to turn out 
 again at the September fair. This, with the novelty 
 and excitement of attending the large fair to be held 
 at Cleveland in October, greatly influenced the peoi)le 
 against attending our county fair. Tlie show was 
 never better, but visitors 7.ot so numerous as at the 
 two previous fairs. 
 
 At the annual meeting, held .Tanuary 28, 1871, the 
 following officers, for the ensuing year, were elected: 
 
 Chas. S. Mills, president; R. Baker, vice-president; George P. Metcalf, 
 secretary; C. W. Johnston, treasurer. 
 
 This year, a new "floral hall" was erected, at a 
 cost of twelve hundred dollars. This was greatly 
 needed, there not being room in the old hall; neither 
 was it fitted up in proper shape for ladies to arrange 
 and display their handiwork to the best advantage. 
 This year an other excursion was made to the island, 
 the boats "Fieris" and "Gen. Grant "being char- 
 tered for the i)ur])ose. This was an enjoyable and 
 profitable undertaking. All passed off in good order, 
 and there were realized for the treasury, three hun- 
 dred and twenty dollars. 
 
 The twenty-sixth annual fair came off September 
 19, 30, 31, and 23. More entries than at any other 
 fair heretofore. Attendance quite large. Premiums 
 actually paid this year, fifteen hundred dollars. It 
 cannot be maintained that, the Northern Ohio fair 
 lessened the attendance at Lorain county fair. Never 
 in the history of our society, did all pai-ties seem so 
 harmonious and enthusiastic, as at this fair. The 
 new hall, with the well arranged, and equally well 
 manufactured articles, from domestic, ornamental, 
 floral and fine arts, made a display that had never 
 been equalled in the history of the Lorain county 
 agricultural'society. The hall was crowded all the 
 time. Expressions of delight wei-e continually heard, 
 and the board of directors wei'e very grateful for the 
 helping hand of the ladies of Elyria, and the county, 
 who made their display so attractive, which gave a 
 finish to the exhibition, which its predecessors never 
 had. 
 
 It had been a subject of considerable talk: "Why 
 cannot the agricultural society do something more 
 than hold its fair, and meet once a year, to elect 
 
74 
 
 HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 officers?" a question always timely, and very import- 
 ant. At a meeting, lield January 27, 1873, R. Baker 
 (who had previously read an address) moved a resolu- 
 tion, which was unanimously adopted: 
 
 "Tliat, horeafter, the rule of the Lorain county agricultural society, 
 at the annual meetiuss, shall be to meet at ten o'clock a. m. That, 
 after the reading of the secretary and treasurer's reports, short papers 
 and addresses, on matters pertaining to the society, shall be in order. 
 That the ;eIection of officers shall take place at 1 o'clock p. m , after 
 which, discussion shall be resumed , " 
 
 The election of officers resulted as follows: 
 
 Clias. S. Mills, president; R. Baker, vice-president. 
 
 On motion of ex-president Gates, it was voted that 
 the board call on the commissioners of the county, 
 and again request them to make an appropriation 
 I'rniu the county funds, to relieve the society of its 
 indebtedness. In support of this resolution, Col. 
 Gates made quite an e.\tended speech. On motion, 
 his speech was ordered printed. The board met and 
 aijjwinted 
 
 Geo. P. Metcalf, secretary; and C. W. Johnston, treasurer. Mr. .lohn- 
 ston refused to serve, and Jay Terrell was appointed treasiu'er for the 
 ensuing year. 
 
 March 4, 1873, the Itoard met, and a resolution was 
 ailojited, asking the following persons to act as a com- 
 mittee to solicit donations of money, to be applicil 
 toward liquidating the present indebtedness of said 
 society. The conditions upon which said subscribers 
 are to pay their subscrijttions, are: that the committee 
 secure, pledged for said purposes, the sum of 13000.00. 
 The men selected for the several townships, com- 
 menced the work, headed by J. 11. Boynton, Esf|., 
 who himself subscribed seventy-five dollars, he being 
 assigned Elyria and Oberlin. The amount, by the 
 next annual meeting, was nearly all promised, but 
 the fire in March, 18G3, destroyed the lists, with 
 books, and other documents, of the society; after 
 which, the persons who had subscribed, and promised 
 to advance the ca.sh as soon as the two thousand 
 dollars were all promised, could never be prevailed 
 upon to come forward and pay the various sums. 
 Had they done this, the debt would have been lifted 
 in 18G3. 
 
 The third annual picnic and excursion was held at 
 the opening of the T. C. V. liailroad. Three steam- 
 ers were chartered for the occasion, viz: the "Evening 
 Star," "Ferris," and "Sarah Van Epps." All were 
 ready to t;'.ke on jiasseugers at the mouth of Black 
 river, before and on the arrival of the train from tiie 
 south. Quite a number went from Elyria and vicin- 
 ity, but the crowd by railroad was immense. The 
 "I'erris" was ordered to touch at Vermillion, to take on 
 one hundred and thirty ])a.ssengers, but she neglected 
 to enter, and the "Star" having a full load could not. 
 Consequently, the "Van Epps" l)eiug the last to set off, 
 and I'l'esideiit Mills being aboard of her, it was decided 
 I'lir her to call at V'enniJiion, for wliicli the captain 
 deniMuded extra ])ay, she not l)eing chartered to enter 
 llijt port. The two former boats made good heading 
 and landed the pas.sengers in good time, but the 
 "Van Epps," was away back many miles. After 
 spending an enjoyable time on the island — though 
 
 the pleasui-e of many was greatly marred by the non- 
 arrival of the other boat, — the two boats left in due 
 season. Being witli tlie comnumder of the "Even- 
 ing Star" he called my attention to a boat just going 
 into port on the nortli side of the island, which he 
 claimed was the "Saridi Van Epps." They landed, 
 and commenced the return. None of the passengers 
 happened to die of old age, but they did not get to 
 Black River till nearly two o'clock, a. m., of next day. 
 This was hard on those who had to stay over at Black 
 River. The train could not go without the Ijalance 
 of her passengers. Tjiis made confusion, and spoiled 
 the day's enjoyment. The "Van Epps" was a poor 
 sailor, and worse yet, it was proved afterwards, that she 
 was unseaworthy at the time. This was kept back 
 from our excellent secretary, who chartered her at 
 the eleventh hour. Notwithstanding, the society 
 gained eight hundred and eighty-four dollars by tiie 
 excursion. 
 
 The twenty-seventh annual fair was held Septemlier 
 17, 18, 19, and 30. The entries were full, bnt the 
 second and third days, rain was falling incessantly. 
 The grounds were miserable. The board, on the 
 tliird day, decided to hold open on the fifth day. The 
 fourth day opened fine, and continued all through the 
 two days. A large attendance each day, so that the 
 society was saved from loss. 
 
 The annual meeting was held January 35, 1873, at 
 ten o'clock, a. in. After treasurer's report. President 
 Mills made his annual address. Papers and discussion 
 byR. Baker, N. B. Gates, L. M. Pounds, William A. 
 Braman, D. A. Stocking, and W. W. Aldrit'h. Ad- 
 journed to H, p. m., when a ])apcr was read by II. 
 II. Pojipleton, and further discussiDii. The election 
 resulted as follows: 
 
 R. Baker, president; L. M. Pounds, vice president. The board imme- 
 diately on adjonrnment of society, met and appointed T. S. Metcalf, 
 secretary, and J. C. Hill, treasurer. 
 
 At a subsequent meeting it was voted to Inive ;i 
 2)icnic on the fair grounds, on the fourth of July, 
 horse trot, exhibition of new fire engine and a speech 
 from Governor Noyes, or Prof. Monroe. Tiie latter 
 gave the address at the appointed time, which -vvas 
 listened to by a large number of j)ersons. All were 
 greatly pleased, and expressed satisfaction. 
 
 On August 30, the annual excursion on the lake 
 and iiicnic at river came off. The fine steamer ' 'Nort ii- 
 west" was chartered. The trip on the lake was en- 
 joyed by all; but this large boat was too costly. ;ind 
 the receipts did not meet expenses. 
 
 The annual fair was held September in to 10. The 
 early part of the season was very dry; grass sutferecl 
 by grassho]ipers being so numerous: fruits mostly .-i 
 failure, so that some departments of tlie exliiliition 
 were not ei[ua! to some previous years. But the dis- 
 play was fair. The receii)ts at this fiiir exceeded aii\ 
 previous one. the total being two thousand four liuii- 
 dred and ten dolhirs and twenty-six cents; about se\en 
 hundretl dollars cleared from the fair proper. 
 
 .ta 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 75 
 
 At the aimuiil meeting lielil Jiimiary 31, the presi- 
 dent gave liis annual address, secretary and treasurer 
 their rejiiirts; also other addresses and discussion fol- 
 lowed. It was also voted, to hold the annual fairs 
 for the future but three days instead of four days. 
 
 Election of ofilcei-s, the rules being suspended, to elect by ballot. R. 
 Baker was uuaniniously elected president for the ensuing year; also L. 
 M. Pounds, vice-president, in like manner. The new board organized by 
 appointing J. C. Hill, treasurer, and E. G. Johnson, secretary. 
 
 An arrangement was made for an excursion to the 
 coal fields, which came off August 21. The profits of 
 tJiis excursion amounted to one hundred and ninety- 
 nine dollars and sixtj'-three cents in cash, also a great 
 amount of pleasure. 
 
 The twenty-ninth annual fair was held September 
 30 to October 2. The fair was well attended, and the 
 exJiibition hardly up to the average of the two or 
 three previous years. The total receijits from fair was 
 two thousand two hundred and eight3'-oue dollars. 
 
 The annual meeting was held in the town hall, 
 Elyria, .January 30th, 1875. Secretary and treasurer's 
 ivi>i.irts; jiresideut's annual address; essays by T. S. 
 Metealf, Win. A. Braman; address by Prof. N. S. 
 Townshend, of the '' Ohio State University," and 
 discussion by several others. D. A. Stocking con- 
 demned the prartice of trotting Itorses for money, 
 claiming that the money could be put to a better ad- 
 vantage by offering larger premiums on cattle and 
 horses for all purposes. This gratified and greatly 
 amiLsed the convention, that the veteran horseman 
 should give such good and sound advice, and, if acted 
 ujion, would bring our society to a position which 
 would better meet the reipiirements of the act pro- 
 viding for the organization of county agricultural 
 societies. The election resulted, as follows: 
 
 Wm. A. Braman, president; and N. B. Gates, vice-president; J. C. Hill, 
 treasurer; and E. G. Johnson, treasurer. 
 
 This year an excursion to Niagara Falls was made 
 August loth. This was gotten up at considerable 
 expense. Arrangement was made to accommodate all 
 by starting cars from Wellington, V^ermillion and 
 Norwalk. When the train left Cleveland there was a 
 respectable party. The train was conducted by one 
 of the most experienced of the Lake Shore's able con- 
 ductors, and wc arrived at the falls nearly on time. 
 The party had nearly six hours to view the falls 
 from the different points. President Braman had 
 previously been to Niagara and procured tickets at 
 the lowest prices, and made every arrangement as 
 favorable for the excursionists as possible. Never was 
 greater enthusiasm manifested by any party than by 
 the Lorain visitors. The day was fine and all that 
 could be wished. The clear profits were upwards of 
 one thousand dollars. Though a large crowd took 
 advantage of this triji, others were sorry they did not 
 go; and a second trip was had, which proved very 
 enjoyalile to those who went, though not many dol- 
 lars were added to the treasury; but, as no loss was 
 sustained, all passed oil pleasantly. The society being 
 so deeply in debt, the excursion was very beneficial 
 and created a determination to lift the debt as soon 
 
 as possible. Consequently it was not to be wondered 
 at that the zeal so manifest over the trip to Niagara 
 should be continued to make the fair next year a great 
 success. Every department was full and some over- 
 flowing. A larger crowd visited the grounds than 
 had in any previous year in the history of the society. 
 Old and young of both sexes were thoroughly aroused 
 to make such a display as should be a credit to old 
 Lorain. Consequently the reccijits were ahead of any 
 other fair, being two thousand four hundred and 
 sixty-eight dollars and seventy-three cents. This was 
 fifty-eight dollars more than in 1873. Taking this 
 year all in all, so far as the finances are concerned, it 
 was the greatest success the Lorain county agricultural 
 society had ever witnessed. But before another year 
 was to be entered ui)ou, our much respected and effi- 
 cient president was to suffer a long and painful 
 illness — brought even to death's door. All who knew 
 him, as did the agricultural board, j)assed many anx- 
 ious days, almost hojiing against hojje. But the 
 good Providence saw fit to restore him, and, as we 
 gathered at the annual meeting of 187(i, our society 
 and his many friends had bright hopes of his sjieedy 
 recovery. On that 39th day of January, 1876, W. A. 
 Braman, though confined to his room and scarcely 
 out of danger, was unanimously, for the sixth time, 
 elected president for the ensuing year, and N. B. 
 Gates vice-president. At this meeting Vice-Presi- 
 dent Gates presided and made the annual address. 
 Papers were read by R. Baker, D. A. Stocking, and 
 discussed by several others. A resolution was also 
 adopted, to i)resent President Braman with a suitable 
 gold watch and chain, as a token of respect and 
 appreciation of his services to the society, and for his 
 indefatigable exertions during the past successful 
 year, which was accordingly done. 
 
 This being centennial year, it was decided to hold 
 a celebration (ui the fair grounds on July the -Ith. 
 The board decided to erect a "log cabin" on the 
 grounds on that day — members of the society having 
 been requested to send in a log each, and be on hand 
 at an early hour, to erect the building. The logs 
 were on hand, and the building commenced, but a 
 regular deluge set in early in the day, and jare vented 
 its completion. Every possible arrangement was made 
 to .secure a day of jJeasure and profit for the multi- 
 tude. A large procession was formed, and paraded 
 the streets of Elyria. Almost every trade in the county 
 was represented, and manufacturing going on, while 
 the procession was marching, the rain coming down 
 all the time, and greatly marring the proceedings. 
 In the afternoon, Hon. W. W. Boynton read a care- 
 fully prepared address, being the early history of 
 Lorain coiintv. The .Judge delivered it in his easy 
 and happy style; a large concourse of people were 
 attentive listeners, all exjiressing themselves as highly 
 gratified, and gave the Judge a i-ousing vote of thanks 
 for his able production. Fortunately, the rain ceased 
 previous to the address, but the inclement weather 
 prevented the carrying out of the full programme. 
 
76 
 
 HISTOKY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 The unfinished cabin was finished at an early day — 
 a residence being greatly needed for tlic Iveeper of the 
 grounds. Tliis cabin adds to the vaUie of the j)roperty, 
 it being a substantial building, made very comfortable 
 for a family. Mr. S. Rawson, a faithful overseer of 
 the grounds, occupies the house. 
 
 The fair of this centennial year was not expected 
 to compare favorably with that of 1875, so many 
 having given tlieir time in attending the exhiljitiou 
 at Philadelj)hia, could not afford to give attention to 
 the Lorain exhibition as they otherwise would have 
 done. Several, who generally exhibited largely, were 
 at the centennial during our fair. The receipts were 
 upwards of two thousand dollars, though not quite 
 sufficient to cover all the expenses of the year, includ- 
 ing those of the fourth of July. Quite an amount 
 was incurred in fitting up the cabin, viz: two hundred 
 and twenty dollars. The value of the house was five 
 hundred dollars at least. 
 
 At the annual meeting, .January 21, 1877, President 
 Braman gave the annual address; secretary and treas- 
 urer's reports, followed. Papers were read by N. L. 
 Cotton, N. B. Gates and K. Baker; discussed l>y others. 
 
 C. S. Blills was elected president; B. Race, vice president; and E. G. 
 Jolmson, secretaiy and treasurer. 
 
 The society of this year gave another excursion to 
 Niagara Falls, August 21, which passed off satisfacto- 
 rily to all jjarties. Upwards of three hundred and 
 fifty dollars were added to the treasury. These excur- 
 sions have been a great help in reducing the society's 
 indebtedness. Three years ago tiie amount of debts 
 was three thousand tliree hundred dtdlars, which is 
 now reduced to seven hundred and fifty dollars. 
 
 The thirty-second annual fair was held September 
 19, 20 and 21. The show was scarcely up to those of 
 a few years past, though ((uite creditable; the receipts 
 were two thousand two InUidrt^d and twenty dollars. 
 The iM'emiums paid amounted to one thousand one 
 hundred and thirty-nine dollars, leaving a good bal- 
 ance in the treasury. 
 
 The annual meeting of 1878 was held January 2(J, 
 President Mills in the chair. The secretary and 
 treasurer gave his report. The president delivered 
 the annual address. N. L. Cotton i-ead a paper on 
 "winter care of stock;" N. B. Gates, on "what I 
 know about farming;" and R. Baker, on " the best 
 breed of cattle for Lorain county." Some discussion 
 followed. A motion was made by R. Baker that a 
 report of the transactions of the Lorain county agri- 
 cultural society be ]iublished annually, in pamphlet 
 form. After considerable discussion, the motion was 
 laid on the table for one year. The election of officers 
 resulted in re-electing 
 
 (;. S. Mills, president; Bradford Race, vice-president; and E, G. 
 Johnson, secretary and treasurer. 
 
 August 20, an excursion to Niagara Falls, resulted 
 in adding two hundred and two dollars to the treasury 
 of the society. 
 
 The thirty-third annual fair was held October 1, 2, 
 and 3. Every dei)artment of stock, products, and 
 
 mechanic arts was well filled. Vegetables and apples 
 made a splendid show, being, not only very numer- 
 ous, but of largo size and excellent quality. Tiie 
 1 idics' departments, in floral hall, were well filled uj) 
 with useful and ornamental articles, fine arts, etc. 
 Miss Wasldnirne, the assistant superintendent, showed 
 her skill, in arranging the articles so tiistefully. The 
 hall was crowded each day with the ladies, who were 
 unwilling to leave the building until they had ex- 
 amined every article. The decorations made liy 
 the young ladies, jirevious to tJie exhibition, were 
 highly appreciated by the visitors. The receipts at 
 this fair amounted to two thousand, two hundred and 
 thirty-six dollars. It was ((uite clear to the board of 
 directors that, ere the annual meeting of 1879, the 
 society would be free from this long and heavy bur- 
 den of indebtedness. A plan was suggested, to ask 
 all favorable to the association, to subscribe one dcillar. 
 This was done, and more than was sufficient for the 
 })urpose was raised, leaving, at the aniuuil meeting of 
 the l)oard, December 28, 1878, a cash balance, in the 
 hands of the treasurer, of fifty dollars and twenty- 
 five cents. Some further receipts and payments since 
 that date, leave the account, at this day, January 26, 
 1879, viz: twenty-four dollars and twenty-five cents 
 in the treasury. 
 
 At the thirty-fourih annual meeting, held .January 
 2G, 1879, the secretary and treasurer presented his 
 report. President Mills read his annual address, 
 which contains a list of jiayments, made on land con- 
 tracts, frjm the purchase, in 1867, up to taking pos- 
 session of the deed. The address of President Mills 
 gave the greatest satisfaction. After the president's 
 address, a discussion followed. 
 
 The election of officers resulted in the choice of 
 
 C. S. Mills, president; John W. Hart, vice president; directors for two 
 years. Freeman Parmely, H. Moores. Ed. Hanoe, and William W. Pen- 
 field ; for one year, (per J. W. Hart, vice president) H. M. Axttll, Those 
 holding over, S. B. Dudley, R. Baker, and H. E. Corning. The present 
 board appointed E. G. Jolmson, secretary and treasurer for the ensuing 
 year. 
 
 After the election, papers were read by R. Baker 
 on "the necessity of a better system of husbandry;" 
 William A. Braman (claimed by the writer to be) "a 
 paper without a subject," and N. B. Gates presented 
 a paper, in part, and finished with his accustomed off- 
 hand remarks respecting farming in Connecticut, etc. 
 To the society was sent, by a member of the legisla- 
 ture, for distribution, some seventy copies of the 
 "Ohio State Board of Agriculture Reports." 
 
 The history of the society is here given from its or- 
 ganization up to the thirty-fourth annual meeting, 
 1879. To have given all the details would have en- 
 croached too much on the pages of this county history. 
 Sufficient is included to give a correct idea of its pro- 
 gress, the many difficulties the early officers had tcj 
 contend with, and the determined zeal manifested by 
 them. Much is missing on account of the loss of im- 
 portant papers consumed by the fire of 1873. It is to be 
 regretted that the names of persons, and the amounts 
 subscribed by them, for the fitting up of the new 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 77 
 
 grounds iu 1867 cannot, be inserted, tlie list being 
 also burnt up. But, to the credit of ni.xny let it be 
 recorded, tluit individuals g:ive liberally, from twen- 
 ty-five to fifty dollars, and also donated a part, and 
 in many cases the whole of the prenaiums awarded to 
 tliem in 1807 and 18(58, some waiting over a year for 
 their premium money. It will be admitted by many 
 readers of this history that many of the members 
 subscribed all, or more, than they were able. Many 
 of the enterprising farmers of the county appreciate 
 tiie benefits derived through this organization. It 
 must be conceded that through the influence of this 
 society, the agriculture, etc., of the county has been 
 improved to such a degree that the wealth of the 
 county, by way of live stock and improved culture, 
 is vastly greater than it otherwise would have been. 
 It will be disputed by none that this society has been 
 the means of vast improvement in the breeds of stock, 
 and of great benefit to agriculture and the mechanic 
 arts. The fanners raise better cattle, horses, sheep, 
 and swine, while the number, variety, and quality of 
 manufactured articles are far in advance of what tliey 
 would have been but for this organization. It has 
 imparted a healthy stimulus to every branch of in- 
 dustry. 
 
 The dairying interests of the county are being de- 
 veloped. Dairymen, having excellent breeds of cattle 
 "to select from, are endeavoring to use those tiiat will 
 make the best return, by way of milk, cheese aud 
 butter. The county is noted as producing tlie finest 
 quality of cheese, and the richest and sweetest butter 
 of any county in the State. In the opinion of the 
 most thoughtful, it would have been better had the 
 society conformed to the requirements of the act, 
 passed in 1846, for the encouragement of agriculture, 
 etc. For years, the society offered inducements for 
 improved plowing. The last contest for best jjlow- 
 ing was in 1800. Here was the first great mistake. 
 Also, encouragement was given for the best cultivated 
 farm. This was dropped in 1803. The offering 
 made for the best crops of grain, etc., have been dis- 
 continued since 1873. All these, I think, should have 
 been continued, and should have formed a prominent 
 part in the premiums oifered by the society. But, not- 
 withstanding all these shortcomings, we find, by the 
 reports of various county societies, of Ohio, sent in to 
 the State board of agriculture, at the convention of 
 1879, that Lorain stands nearly at par with the best, 
 and, iu some matters, takes the lead. 
 
 Tlie society was fortunate iu selecting the present 
 location; the grounds being beautifully situated, and, 
 have become valuable, by increasing from two thous- 
 and seven hundred and seven dollars and fifty cents, to 
 upwards of twenty thousand dollars. In the year 1873 
 previous to the panic, it was claimed that the grounds 
 could be sold for twenty-five thousand dollars. There 
 may be larger county fair grounds in the State, but 
 none better located, or grounds better adapted for 
 holding a county exhibition. And now, the debt 
 being removed, improved and more a^jprojiriate build- 
 
 ings can shortly be erected, and the organization will 
 be in such a position that every member will, not only 
 appreciate, but be proud of it, and, in the next dec- 
 ade, it will become more efficient, and, consequently, 
 more useful and beneficial to the agriculturists, hor- 
 ticulturists, mechanics aud stock raisers of Lorain 
 county. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 LORAIN IN THE REBE3LLION. 
 
 All remember the early days of 1801. Sumter had 
 fallen; the Southern Confederacy was formed; the 
 South, with stolen munitions of war, and stolon 
 money, had organized a formidable army; secession 
 was unmistakably resolved upon. So appalling were 
 tliese events, that the North stood awhile jiaralyzed 
 and awe stricken. Then came our President's call 
 , for seventy-five thousand men. Everywhere through- 
 out the Northern States there was a hearty response — 
 nowhere was it heartier than njion the Reserve of 
 Northern Ohio. Lorain took a gallant part in this 
 first outburst of northern jiatriotism; and during the 
 entire period of the war, there was no time when she 
 was found faithless to duty. Where\er danger lurked 
 tliickest, there we find the Lorain boys. Manv, very 
 many never returned; their lives went out as a sacri- 
 fice. They died the noblest deaths for their country, 
 and beneath the skies of the sunny South, where the 
 groves of the magnolia and the orange shed an 
 undying perfume — the spot, perhaps, unmarked and 
 unknown — they "sleep the sleep that knows no wak- 
 ing." 
 
 "Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead. 
 
 Dear as the blood ye gave; 
 No traitor's footsteps e'er shall tread 
 
 The iierbage o'er your grave; 
 Nor shall your glory be forgot 
 
 While Fame her record keeps, 
 For Honor mourns the hallowed spot 
 
 "Where loyal valor sleeps." 
 
 " ' The real heroes of this war are the great, 
 brave, jjatient, nameless people.' It is to their service 
 through these varied scenes that we now gladly turn. 
 The victory was not won through generalship — it is a 
 libel on the word to say that generalship delayed for 
 four years the success of twenty-five millions in con- 
 flict with ten millions, or required a million men in 
 the closing campaigns to defeat a hundred thousand; 
 it was won by the sacrifices, the heroism, the suffer- 
 ings and the death of the men in the ranks. Their 
 story we now seek to tell. It will not be picturesque 
 or attractive, but full of dry details of fruitless fight- 
 ing, of tedious marches, of heroic endurance, of 
 ])atience, and of weariness. Even such was the life 
 they led for us; and its record, we are firmly per- 
 suaded, will newer cease to be cherished by their 
 grateful countrymen." 
 
 But let us not forget to pay a tribute of gratitude 
 and just praise to the noble aud heroic women of 
 Lorain county, for their labors of affection and mercy 
 
78 
 
 HISTORY OF LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 durinn; tliese weary, gloomy days. Their generous, 
 loving hearts sent forth pitying tears and prayers for 
 the safety of loved ones, and the preservation of the 
 Union. Wiiile fair hands, many of them unused to 
 labor, were oeeujiied in ])rej)ai'iiig comforts for the 
 well, dainties for the siek, necessaries for the wounded, 
 and cheer for all, noMe and seU'-sacrilicing women all 
 over the North formed themselves into aid societies, 
 the good results of which can hardly be over-esti- 
 mated. Early and late these angels of mercy toiled 
 and gathered, forw'arding bo.xes of everything needed 
 by the soldier. Yet, could the senders have seen the 
 tears of joy which often greeted its reception, they 
 would have felt amply compensated. 
 
 The historical sketches of the organizations follow- 
 ing are from the very valuable work, "Ohio in the 
 War," by Whitelaw Keid. We have spent consider- 
 able time at the office of the adjutant-general, at 
 Columbus, in procuring records. Many muster-rolls 
 are incomplete, or missing altogether; those of the 
 three-months' men especially are nearly all destroyed. 
 In cases wliere less than full companies of men report 
 for muster, tlie column on the muster roll, headed 
 '•whei'e enrolled,"' will be lillcd with the place of 
 rendezvous — for instance, the greater part of the 
 s((ldiers from north-eastern Ohio rendezvoused at 
 Camp Taylor, near Cleveland. They are so recorded 
 at the office of the adjutant-general, and no reference 
 whatever is made to the county in whicli they resided 
 when enlistment oecurreil. We have, liy correspend- 
 ence with ex-company officers, endeavored to obtain 
 (lie name of every citizen of Lorain county who was 
 a soldier of the rebellion, ami if omissions occur, tlie 
 •'boys" will, we trust, be eharitalile, believing that 
 we have done all that circumstances would allow. 
 
 Tiie spelling of names is ver/mtim as given on mits- 
 ter-in-rolls, and the writer cannot be held responsible 
 for errors of that kind. 
 
 SEVENTH UEGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTKEU IKFANTKV. 
 
 The lirst rebel gun tired at l^'orl .Suinter was the 
 signal for the assemblage of this regiment, and its 
 echo had scarcely died out in the North ere this 
 regiment was in eamj). It was made up entirely in 
 Northern Ohio, went into camp near Cleveland, Ohio, 
 and was mustered into the United States service on 
 Ajiril lit), 1861. .John S. Casement, of Painesville, 
 was its first major. He resigned after a time, and 
 assisted in raising other organizations. He ascended 
 the stei)S of promotion until, we believe, he was 
 brigadier-general when he left the service. At the 
 expiration of the term of service for which they were 
 mustered, the regiment re-enlisted, almost to a man, 
 for three years; and on .lune :iK, 1861, it started for the 
 field to take part in the opening of the camijaign in 
 Western Virginia,, and on the following day first set 
 foot on rebel soil, near Beuwood. They marched 
 along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to 
 Clarksburg and went into camp. Here a beautiful 
 stand of colors was presented to the regiment by 
 
 Cai)tain Schulte, in behalf of the "Social Turnverein," 
 of Cleveland, .June 29. The regiment made its lirst 
 march fully e({uipj)ed. The day was oppressively hot, 
 and before one mile had been laboriously overcome, 
 many valuable and useful articles, su])posed to be 
 ahsoliitdy indispensable, had become an intolerable 
 burden; at three miles, when a halt was ordered, the 
 men went deliberately to work reducing their baggage. 
 Blankets, dress uniforms, books, under-clothing, and 
 every article that could possibly be dispensed with, 
 were emptied on the ground and left there. This 
 march terminated at Weston. After doing consider- 
 able marching, the regiment reached Cross Lanes on 
 the IGth of August; and it was here, on the 25th of 
 the same month, that they had their first fight, which 
 proved a disastrous affair; the regiment being obliged 
 to retreat, although they held their position for some 
 time against overwhelming numbers. Their loss was 
 one hundred and twenty in killed, wounded and pris- 
 oners. The next battle was at Winchester, March 2.'5. 
 At three o'clock p. m. the battle began in earnest and 
 raged furiously until dark, resulting in success to the 
 Union army. Again at Port Keimblie the "Seventh'' 
 fought splendidly and cfiEectively. Here, with less 
 than three thousand muskets, "Stonewall" -Jackson's 
 force of fourteen thousand rebel troojis were held at 
 liay for five hours. The Union forces were, however, 
 obliged finally to retreat. On August 9, at Cedar 
 Mountain, the regiment was again at the front and 
 eiigage<l in a fierce hand-to-hand contlict. Of the 
 three hundred men engaged in the "Seventh'' only 
 one hundred escaped unhurt. Their next battle was 
 at Antietam, but it would i-e(piire a volume to tell of 
 all the fighting this regiment did. On Saturday, 
 .lune 24:, 1864, the regiment took its departure for 
 Cleveland, wliere it was mustered out of the service 
 on the Sth day of July following, having served a 
 little more than three years. During that time 
 eighteen hundred men had served in it, and when 
 mustered out there were but two hundred and forty 
 men remaining to bring home their colors, pierced by 
 till' shot and sliell of more than a score of battles. 
 
 TUB EIUHTH KEIilMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTKV 
 
 was originally organized as a three months' regiment 
 under the first call of the President, most of the com- 
 ])aiiies having been enlisted between (he IGth and 
 22d days of April, 1861, and all of them arriving at 
 Cam]) Taylor, Cleveland, as early as April 29. 
 
 On the 2d of May, all the companies haying been 
 mustered into the service, the regiment was ordered 
 to Camj) Dennisou, where it arrived on the 3d, dur- 
 ing a drenching rain, and many of the men, for 
 the first time in their lives, slept in the open air, 
 with only a soldier's blanket for floor, roof, walls 
 and bed clothes. The regimental organization was 
 here completed by the appointment of the field and 
 staff officers. | 
 
 Instructions in the "drill" now commenced, and I 
 vigorous efforts were put forth to fit the regiment for 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 79 
 
 service; but it soon became evideut that the troops at 
 tills camp would not be sent to the field as three 
 months' men, and an effort was made to re-enlist the 
 regiment for three years. To this everj' company 
 responded except Conijiany I, and the regiment of 
 nine companies was mustered into the service for 
 three years, on tlie 22d, 25th and 2(ith of .Tune. 
 
 In the following September, t'oniiiany I joined the 
 regiment at Grafton, Virginia. 
 
 On the 9th day of .July, 1861, the regiment left 
 Camj) Dennison for (Jraftou, Virginia, and on the 
 12th ai'rivod at West Union, Preston county, Va., on 
 the summit of the Alleghany mountains where they 
 are crossed by the Great Western Turnjiike, and along 
 which Garnett's rebel army was then being rajiidly 
 driven by McClellan's troops. 
 
 For some weeks after this the regiment was sta- 
 tioned at various places among the mountains and 
 along the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, during which 
 time it suffered severely from typhoid fever; at one 
 time over three hundred men were in hospital, and 
 some tliirty-f(nir deaths resulted from the fever in a 
 short time. On the 24th of September the regiment 
 particiiiated in an attack on Romncy. At the "Hang- 
 ing Rock" it was ex]iosed to a severe fire, and lost 
 several men in killed and a number wounded. The 
 regiment again ]iarticipated in an attack on Romnev, 
 October 21; which, being evacuated by the enemv, 
 was occupied by the troojis under General Kelley 
 until January 12, 1SC2. The next fight was at Blue 
 (!ap. In January the troops were removed to Patter- 
 son's Creek, and the following month to Pawpaw 
 Tunnel. On February 14 the Eighth participated in 
 a brisk fight at Bloomey Gap, in which C'olonel Bald- 
 win, with his staff and a part of his command, were 
 'captured. General Lander died March 2, and shortly 
 after the division moved to the Shenandoah Valley, 
 where General Shields took command. On March 22, 
 the outposts at Winchester were attacked by Ash by 
 and General Shields severely wounded. The next day 
 the battle of Winchester was fought. But few of the 
 troops had ever been under fire, and none of them, as 
 then organized, in any serious engagements. Colonel 
 Kimball commanded, and made his arrangements to 
 whii> Stiniewall Jackson, who had arrived during the 
 night. The battle was one of the most severe of the 
 war. .Jackson, towards evening, attenijited to turn 
 our right fiank, but was met by Tyler's brigade in 
 front, when Colonel Kimball threw several regiments 
 "11 his right flank, and, after a desperate fight, whicli 
 in some instances was hand to hand, the enemy was 
 routed and driven furiously fnnn the field. The regi- 
 ment followed the enemy up the valley, skirmishing 
 at Woodstock, Mount Jackson, Edinburgh and New 
 Market; thence it joined McDowell at Fredericks- 
 burg. Here it remained a few days and was ordered 
 back to the valley again. In the meantime Banks 
 had executed one of those retrograde movements for 
 which he became eminently CDmjjicnous ere the close 
 of the war. In August following the Eighth was 
 
 united to the Second corps, then commanded by 
 Sumner, and with his corps it continued to act dur- 
 ing the remainder of its service. 
 
 The Potomac was crossed at (Jhain Bridge, and the 
 march through Maryland commenced, which ended 
 in the battles of South Mountain and Antiefani. 
 Near Reedyville the whole army was massed by the 
 miirniug of Soptemlier 10, and a furious artillery duel 
 commenced. One of the first of the enemy's shots 
 killed W. W. Farmer, a color-sergeant of the Eighth. 
 This cannonade lasted all day. The next day the 
 battle of Antietam was fought. The second corps 
 crossed the river and occujiied the center of the line. 
 It did effective work that day. 
 
 Ill the terriWe battle of Fredericksburg, on Decem- 
 ber 13, the Eightli formed the right wing of the 
 forlorn hope. At the battle of Chancellorsvilie, be- 
 ginning April 2S, 18G3, the Eighth was almost con- 
 stantly under fire for four days, and yet its loss was 
 only two killed and eleven wounded. The brigade 
 was at this time, and subsequently, commanded by 
 General (Jarroll. 
 
 No further active service was had until the Gettys- 
 burg camiiaign. In that I>attle the regiment bore a 
 conspicuous jiart, capturing three stands of colors. 
 After the escape of Lee's army across the Potomac, 
 the Eighth marched with the army to the Raindau; 
 but we have not space to record all the fighting done 
 by the regiment; suffice it to say, that, from this 
 date until June 25, 1804, when its term of service 
 expired, and the little scjuad, who numbered but 
 seventy-two officers and men, fit for duty, were taken 
 from the trenches before Petersburg and returned to 
 Ohio for muster out, they were almost constantly 
 ill active service of the severest character. 
 
 The regiment was formally mustered out on July 
 13, 18G4, at Cleveland, Ohio, by Captain Douglass. 
 
 TWENTY-TlirUD REGIMENT OHIO YOLUNTEER 
 INFANTRY. 
 
 At the commencement of the war it was organized 
 and otlicercd as follows: Colonel, William S. Kose- 
 crans; Lieutenant-colonel, Stanley Matthews; Jlajor, 
 Rutherford B. Hayes. 
 
 The jiosition of these ofllcers has lieeii (|uite different 
 since those days — In fact, too well known to need 
 repetition. Under command of Colonel E. P. Scam- 
 moii, the Twenty-third went into active service in 
 West A'irginia, meeting with the new and exciting 
 events common to inexperienced soldiers, which were 
 almost forgotten amid the sterner and sad realities of 
 active warfare. 
 
 The regiment participated in the battles of Carni- 
 fex Ferry, Virginia, Septeinher lo. 1801 ; Giles Court- 
 house, May 10, 18(!2; and had the honor of oi)ening 
 the battle of South Mountain, Septeml)er 14, 18(i2, 
 where it lost tliirty-three men killed and eiglity 
 wounded, among the latter Rutherford B. Hayes, 
 now President of the United States. As an incident 
 of this battle, it is said that the Twelfth and Twenty- 
 
80 
 
 niSTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 third Oliio iuid Twelfth ami Twenty-third North 
 Carolina — Companies R on each side — were directly 
 engaged with each other. The Twenty-third, nnder 
 coniinand of Lieutenant-colonel Hayes, was in the 
 advance on that day. It was ordered at an early 
 hour to advance up the mountain and attack the 
 enemy. From liehind stone walls the eneni}' poured 
 a destructive tire into the Fcdci'al ranks at very shoi't 
 range. The comnuind of the Twenty-third fell iijion 
 Major Condy after Lieutenant-colonel TIayes was 
 wounded, the latter again making his ajipi'arance on 
 tiie lield, with his wound half dressed, and fought, 
 against the remonstrances of the wiiole command, 
 until carrie<l off. Neai' the close of the day at Antie- 
 tam a change was made hy the division to which the 
 Twenty-third belonged, and it was exposed to a large 
 force of the enemy posted in a cornfield in the rear of 
 the left. Its colors were shot down, and at the same 
 time a feint was made in its front. The colors were 
 planted on a new line at right angles with its former 
 front, and the regiment formed a line in the new 
 direction, and opened fire upon the enemy, who re- 
 tired. The division withdrew, hut no order reached 
 the Twenty-third, and it remained on the field until 
 the division commander returned and ordered it to 
 the rear. 
 
 The Twenty-third assisted in heading off Morgan's 
 command at Huffington's Island, and tiien returned 
 to t'harlestown. West Virginia, and afterwards joined 
 General Crook's forces for a raid on the Virginia 
 and Tennessee railroad. May ',), 1S(!4, the Twenty- 
 third fought at Cloyd Mountain. The enemy occn- 
 j'ied the first crest of the mountain, defended by 
 artillery and rudely-c<instructed breastworks. The 
 hill was steep, thickly wooded, and ditlicult of ascent, 
 and skirted by a stream of water two or three feet 
 deep. At the word of command the regiment ad- 
 vanced across the stream to the foot of the mountain, 
 under a heavy fire of musketry and artillery, without 
 returning the fire of the enemy. A furious assault 
 was made upon the enemy's works, carrying them, 
 with two pieces of artillery. The struggle at the 
 guns was of the fiercest description. The Confed- 
 erate artillerymen attempted to reload their pieces 
 when the Federal line was not more than ten paces 
 distant. The Twenty-third was with Hunter in the 
 attack iin Lynchburg, and in numerous skirmishes 
 and battles in the Shenandoah valley. At Winches- 
 ter. July '^4, 1804, it lost one hundred and lifty-three 
 men. At the battle of ()|)e<|uan, September 111, 
 Haves' brigade had the extreme right of the infanti-y. 
 .Moving forwaril undei- tire, the brigade came u])(in a 
 deep slough, forty or fifty yards wide, and neai'ly 
 waist-deep, with soft mud at the bottom, overgrown 
 with a thick bed <>{ uioss. It seemed impossible to 
 get through it, and the whole line was staggered for 
 a moment. Just then Oohuiel Hayes pluno-ed in 
 with his hor.se, and under a shower of bullets and 
 shells he rode, waded, and dragged his way through 
 — the first man over. The Twenty-third was ordered 
 
 by the right flank over the slough. At the same 
 place men were suffocated and drowned; still the 
 regiment plunged through, re-formed, charged for- 
 ward again, driving the enemy. The division com- 
 mander was wounded, leaving Colonel Hayes in com- 
 maiui. He was everywhere exposing himself as usual ; 
 men were falling all around him, but he rode through 
 it all as though he had a charmed life. No reinforce- 
 ments, as jiromised; something must be done to stop 
 the fire that is cutting the force so terribly. Select- 
 ing some Saxony rifles in the Twenty-third, pieces of 
 seventy-one calibre, with a range of twelve hundred 
 yards. Lieutenant McBride was ordered forward with 
 them to kill the enemy's artillery horses, in jilain 
 sight. At the first shot a horse drops, immediately 
 another is killed, and a panic seems to seize the artil- 
 lerymen, and they commence limbering up. The 
 infantry take the alarm, and a few commence running 
 from the intrenehments, and the cavalry, which had 
 been hovering upon the flanks, swept down upon the 
 enemy, capturing them by regiments, and the battle 
 was at an end. The Twenty-third fought at North 
 Mountain, September 20, 1864, and at Cedar Creek, 
 October 19 — a day that is a household word through- 
 out the land. The Twenty-third was mustered out 
 on the 'idth day of July, 18G5, at Cumberland, Mary- 
 land, and was jiaid and disbanded at Camp Taylor, | 
 Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
 FORTY-FIRST REfilMENT OHIO YOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 
 
 Immediately after the battle of Bull Run. a num- . 
 ber of the citizens of Cleveland, Ohio, set about rais- ' 
 ing a regiment, and the result of their labors was the 
 Forty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which Cajitain 
 William B. Ilazen, Eighth United States Infantry, 
 was appointed colonel. The camp of rendezvous 
 was established near Cleveland. ]5y the first of 
 September, a large number of men were in camp, 
 and the work of instruction had commenced. An 
 officers' school was instituted, and the strictest disci- 
 pline enforced, and, by the time tjie regiment was 
 mustered as complete, on the 31st of October, 18G1, 
 the officers and men understood their duties well, and 
 were cjuite proficicut in drill. On November 6, the 
 regiment moved, by rail, to ('amp Dennison, where 
 it was supplied with arms. These consisted of the , 
 Greenwood rifle, a weapon nearly useless, and soon 
 discarded by the governineiit. After a week at Camp 
 Dennison, the regiment proceeded to Gallipolis, tak- > 
 ing steamer from Cincinnati. 
 
 A few raiding excursions, from this jioint into Vir- 
 ginia, was the only relief from daily drills, and in the 
 latter part of the month, the regiment was ordered 1<> 
 Louisville, and rejK/rted to General Buell, then organ- 
 izing the army of Ohio. The Forty-first became a 
 part of the Fifteenth brigade. Nelson's division, and, H 
 iluring the winter, remained at Camp Wickliffe, Ken- 
 tucky. Here, the Forty-first was made the nuclen- 
 of a new brigade, (the Nineteenth), to which were 
 assigned the Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh Indiana, 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 81 
 
 ami tlie Sixtli Keutucky, commanded by Colonel 
 Hazen. 
 
 On tlie 14tli of February, 1863, Nelson's division 
 marched to West Point, which was reached after a 
 severe march of three days. Here, the two Indiana 
 regiments were sent to Grant. Nelson embarked on 
 transports for the Tennessee river, and arrived at 
 Nasliville on the 37th of Febrnary. 1863. About the 
 middle of March, the regiment moved with the army 
 to Savannah, on tlie Tennessee river, arriving within 
 two miles of that point, the Saturday preceding the 
 battle of Pittsljurg Landing. Heavy tiring was heard 
 on the morning of the 6th of April, and, at one 
 o'clock, p. m. , after being supplied with rations and 
 ammunition, the regiment moved for Pittsburg Land- 
 ing, one company, (G), being left to guard the camp 
 and garrison equipage. At five o'clock, the troops 
 arrived opposite the battle-field, and Hazen's brigade 
 was the second to cross the river. Tlie regiment lay, 
 that niglit, on the tield, in tlie driving rain, among 
 tlie dead and wounded, and, at day-light, moved for- 
 ward in its -first engagement. 
 
 Tlie Forty-first was on the right of Nelson's division, 
 and, wiien tlie rebels were discovered to be advanc- 
 ing, Hazen's brigade was ordered to charge. The 
 Forty-first was placed in the front line, and advanced 
 steadily, through a dense thicket of undergrowth, and, 
 emerging in the more open gi'ound, was saluted with 
 a murderous fire. The line still advanced, checked 
 the approaching rebels, drove them back beyond their 
 fortifications, aud captured their guns. Three officers 
 and tliree men, who, at different times, carried the 
 colors in the charge, were shot down, either killed or 
 wounded, aud, of the three hundred and seventy- 
 three who entered the engagement, one hundred and 
 forty-one were either killed or wounded, and this, too, 
 in the space of half an hour. 
 
 The night after the battle, Hazen's brigade, as an 
 outlying force, occupied the Tan Bark road, upon the 
 left of the army. The regiment occupied a miseralile 
 camp on the field of battle, surrounded by the half 
 buried bodies of men and horses, until the army 
 moved on Corinth. Tlie regiment suffered very much 
 from exposure, during the march, and in the ojiera- 
 tions immediately following. The Forty-first was 
 with Buell's army, on its march to Louisville, mov- 
 ing, day after day, over dirty roads, with short rations 
 and water scarce, until, nearly exhausted, ragged and 
 dirty, it entered Louisville, on the West Point road, 
 aud encamped, for a three days' rest. On the 3d of 
 October, the regiment marched against Bragg. At 
 the battle of Perryville, its duties were, princijially, 
 ski rmisl ling. 
 
 About October 30, the brigade commenced its re- 
 turn to Nashville. 
 
 I December 36, the Forty-first, with the army, moved 
 'on Murfreesboro. At midnight, on the 30th, the 
 
 ■ iment took position in the first line, facing Cowan's 
 House, and from this time, until the cessation of lios- 
 tilities, was actively engaged. Of the four hundred 
 11 
 
 and ten officers and men of the Forty-first, the largest 
 number it ever took iuto battle, one hundred and 
 twelve were killed or wounded. 
 
 January, 10, 1863, the regiment moved to Reedy- 
 ville. where it remained, in comparative quiet, until 
 the 34th of the following June, when the command 
 moved to TuUahoma; but, that place being eviicuated 
 before they reached it, the troojis returned to Man- 
 chester, and went into camp. 
 
 Tents were struck on the 15th of August, and the 
 command moved toward Chattanooga. The morning 
 of the 19th of September fouud the regiment again 
 on the bank of the Chickamauga, near Gordon's 
 Mills. About nine o'clock, a. m., the battle com- 
 menced, and, at one o'clock, ]i. m., Palmer's division, 
 (in which the Forty-first was), went into the fight, 
 attacking in echelon by brigades, Hazen's brigade 
 being the first echelon. The regiment advanced 
 rapidly, over an open field, to a strip of woods. After 
 holding the position two liours, and, during the time, 
 losing a hundred men, the regiment was withdrawn. 
 They were immediately moved to the assistance of 
 General VanCleve. They were continuall)^ under fire, 
 and, at last, the brigade was formed in cplumns, by 
 regiments, and advancing, one after the other, de- 
 livered its volley jiito the dense masses of tlie rebels, 
 who reeled aud fell back. This was the last fighting 
 on Chickamauga. The next day was spent on Mission 
 Ridge, and, the following night, the regiment retired 
 to Chattanooga. 
 
 In the re-organization of the army, Hazen's brigade 
 was composed of the First, Forty-first, and Ninety- 
 third Ohio, Fifth Kentucky and Sixth Indiana, and 
 was assigned to the fourth army corps, Major-general 
 Gordon Granger, commanding. 
 
 At three o'clock in the morning of October 37, 
 fifty-two pontoons, bearing Hazen's brigade, pushed 
 out silently from Chattanooga, and floated down the 
 river. In half an liour's time, the leading pontoons 
 were passing in front of the enemy's pickets on the 
 bank, a hundred feet above. The conversation of the 
 rebels could be distinctly heard, but their attention 
 . wasnotouce directed to the twelve hundred silent 
 enemies floating past, within pistol shot. Just as the 
 first pontoon arrived opposite its landing, it was dis- 
 covered; but the landing was effected, the pickets 
 driven in, and the hill gained. When the morning 
 haze cleared away, the rebels ou Lookout saw the hills 
 beneatli them, commanding two roads to Bridgeport, 
 covered with blue-coats, in a position from which they 
 could not be driven, with a pontoon bridge to connect 
 them with Chattanooga, almost completed. 
 
 At noon, on the 33d of November, the brigade was 
 ordered to fall in, for a reconuoissance. The brigade 
 advanced briskly, driving the enemy's skirmishers 
 into a dense undergrowth, ou a small ridge, between 
 Chattanooga and Mission Ridge. The line followed, 
 and received a heavy fire. Nothing could be seen; 
 but it was too hot a fire to bear quietly. Colonel Wiley 
 ordered the regiment to charge, and orders from 
 
82 
 
 HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OUIO. 
 
 H.azen, at the same time, dirocted the taking of th 
 line on the hill. The Forty-first delivered a volley, 
 trusting to fortune for its effect, then dashed forward 
 through the thicket, through the balls, up to, and 
 into the rebel works, capturing the colors of the 
 Twenty -eighth Alabamba regiment. In this, its 
 severest, cngagemement, tlie Forty-first was asso- 
 ciated with the Ninety-third Ohio, which shared fully 
 the danger and honor of the fight. The ^losition was 
 held without (rouble, and was known as Orchard 
 Knob. Soon after the fight. Generals (Jrant, Thomas 
 and others passed along the new line, when Thomas, 
 looking at- the ground within fifty paces of the rebel 
 works, where the fight had been fiercest, and, where 
 lay the horses of Colonel AVilley and Lieutenant-colo- 
 nel Kimberley, called for the officers of the regiment, 
 and said to Colonel Willey: "Colonel, I want you 
 to exi)ress to your men my thanks for their splendid 
 conduct this afternoon. It was a gallant thing. Colo- 
 nel — a very (jallani thing." That, from General 
 Thomas, was better than an hour's sjicecb from any 
 other man. 
 
 On the 25th, Ilazen's brigade moved across the val- 
 ley from Orchard Knob to Mission Ridge, under a 
 heavy artillery fire; and, at the foot of the ridge, a 
 dash was made and the enemies' .works cairtiired. 
 The troops were here exposed to canister and musketry, 
 and to remain was impossible: so they advanced up 
 the stecji hill, swejit by an enfilading fire of artillery; 
 up they went, and when near the top, the fire of the 
 Forty-first was directed to the batteries on the right. 
 The rebels retired, and, with a cheer, the line occupied 
 the works on the ridge. A S(|uad of the Forty-first 
 seized a battery almost before the rebels were away 
 from it, turned it to the right, and discharged it 
 directly along the summit of the ridge, where tlic 
 enemy in front of Newton's division still stubbornly 
 held out; and, as the shells went skimming along in 
 front of and among them, the rebels turned and fied. 
 Eighteen captured pieces of artillery graced General 
 Hazen's headquarters that night, of which the Forty- 
 first and Ninty-third could fairly claim six as their 
 trophies, while the former also captured a battle-flag. 
 1'he losses were severe. One hundred and fifteen of 
 the Forty-first, most of them in the fight of the 23d 
 had fallen. 
 
 After resting scarcely long enough to luiry the dead, 
 the regiment moved with its corps for Knoxville. 
 Sniijilics bad been scarce, and, before the march was 
 half aecmuplished, two-thirds of the men were walk- 
 ing over the frozen ground bare-footed; but with their 
 feet wrapped up in sheejj-skins and cow-hides thev 
 journeyed on, and finally reached Clinch Mountain, 
 twenty miles above Knoxville. Here the regiment 
 re-enlisted, one hundred and eighty out of one hun- 
 dred and eighty-eight becoming veterans, and on tlie 
 5th of January, 1864, started for Chattanooga, and 
 reached Cleveland, Ohio, on the 2d of February. 
 
 AVith nearly a hundred recruits, the regiment joined 
 its division, in East Tennessee, on the 26th of March, 
 
 and was placed in a battalion with the First Ohio, 
 Lieutenant-colonel Kimberly commanding. At Rocky 
 Face Ridge the battalion was complimented for its 
 steadiness under a galling fire, and at Resaca it gained 
 a crest within seventy-five yards of the enemies' main 
 line, and effectually prevented the use of his artillery. 
 At Dallas, on May 26, the Forty-first lost one hun- 
 dred and eighty men out of two hundred and sixty. 
 During sii1)sequent movements the regiment was en- 
 gaged at Peach Tree creek, before Atlanta, in the 
 movement against Hood, in December, where it did 
 noble work; it ])articipated in the j)iirsuit of Hood, 
 and finally rested at Iluntsville, Alabama. 
 
 In June, 18C5, the corjis embarked at Na.shville for 
 Texas. Near Cairo the steamer collided with a gun- 
 boat, and sunk in a few minutes, with all the regi- 
 mental and company pajiers and most of the personal 
 property of the officers and men. Fortunately no 
 lives were lost. In Texas the regiment was stationed 
 near San Antonio until November, when it was ordered 
 to be mustered out. It reached Columbus, Ohio, 
 about the middle of the mont-li, and was discharged 
 on the 26th of November, 1865, after four years and 
 one mouth's service. 
 
 FORTT-SEOOND REGIMENT OjnO INFANTRY. 
 
 The Forty-Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry was 
 organized at Camp Chase, near Coliimlnis. Ohio. 
 Companies A, V>, C, and D, were mustered into tlie 
 service September 25, 1861; company E, Oct.ol)er 30; 
 company P, November 12; and companies (?, H, I, 
 and K, Novendjcr 26, at which time tiie organization 
 was completed. 
 
 On the 14tb of Dec(!niber, orders were rec^eived to 
 take the field, and on (he following day it moved liy 
 railroad to Cincinnati, and thence by steamer up the 
 Oiiiii river to C!atlettsburg, Kentucky, where it arrived 
 the morning of December 17. Tlie regiment, to- 
 gether with the Fourteenth Kentucky Infantry and 
 McLaughlin's squadron of Oiiio (!av.-ilry, proceeded to 
 Green Creek. Another advance was made December 
 31, and on the night of .Tanuary 7, 1S62, the whole 
 command encamped within three miles of Paintville. 
 The next morning five companies, under command of j 
 Lieutenant-colonel Sheldon took possession of the 
 village. On the evening of the same day Colonel j 
 Garfield took the Forty-second aud two companies of 
 the Fourteenth Kentucky, and advanced against Mar- 
 shall's fortified position, about three miles south of 
 Paintville village. Arriving at about nine o'clock, p. 
 ni. they found the works evacuated, and everything 
 valualile either carried away or destroyed; marching , 
 all night, they reached Paintville a little after day- 
 light." 
 
 About noon on the 0th, Colonel Garfield, with eleven 
 hundred infantry from the Forty-second Ohio, and | 
 other regiments, and about six liundred cavalry started 
 in pursuit of Marshall, and about nine o'clock in \ 
 the evening the advance was fired ujion by Marshall's ; 
 jiickeis, on the summit of Abbott's Hill. Garfield 
 
HISTOKY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 83 
 
 took possession of tlie hill, bivouacked for the night and 
 I lie next morning continued the pursuit, overtaking 
 the enemy at the forks of Middle Creek, three miles 
 southwest of Prestonburg. Marshall's force consisted 
 of about three thousand five hundred men, infantry 
 and cavalry, with three pieces of artillery. Major 
 I'ardee, with four hundred men, was sent aci'oss Mid- 
 die Creek to attack Marsliall directly in front, and 
 Lieutenant-colonel Monroe (Twenty -second Kentucky) 
 was directed to attack on Marshall's right flank. 
 Tlie tigiit at once opened with considerable spirit, and 
 I'ardee and Monroe became liotly engaged with a force 
 four times as large as their own. They held their 
 ground with great obstinacy and bravery until re- 
 inforcements reached tlie field, when the enemy 
 comnienced to fall back. The National forces slept 
 upon their arms, and at early dawn a reconuoissance 
 disclosed the fact that Marshall had burned his stores 
 and lleil, leaving a portion of his dead upon the field. 
 From this date, for a considerable time, the regiment 
 was engaged in several expeditions against guerrillas. 
 Tlie arduous nature of llie campaign, the exceed- 
 ingly disagreealde weather, and the want of sujiplies, 
 were disastrous to the health of the troops, and some 
 eighty-five of the Forty-second died of disease. On 
 June 18, this regiment led the advance, and was the 
 first to plant the starry ensign on the stronghold of 
 Cumherla.nd (iap. When the regiment left the (Jap 
 it numbered seven hundred and fifty men, and while 
 on the march there were issued to it two hundred and 
 seventy-five pounds of flour, four hundred pounds of 
 liacon, and two rati(nis of fresh pork: the rest of the 
 food consisted nf corn grated down on tin plates and 
 cooketl upon them. The distance marched was two 
 hundred and fifty miles. The weather was very dry 
 and liie men suffered for water. They were without 
 siloes, and their clothing was ragged and filthy. The 
 Forty-second lost but one man from all causes, and it 
 was the only regiment that brought through its knaj)- 
 sacks and blankets. These proved of great service, 
 as the men were com])elled to camp at Portland, 
 Jackson county, Ohio, two weeks before clothing, 
 camp and garrison e([uipage could be furnished them. 
 While at Portland the regiment received one hundred 
 and three recruits, and at Memphis, whither it arrived 
 on November 28, sixty-five more. It had from time 
 to time received a few, so that the whole number 
 reached two hundred or more, and the regiment could 
 turn out on jiarade nearly nine hundred men. Here 
 the division was re-organized, and denominated the 
 Ninth division. Thirteenth army corps. 
 
 On the 30tli of Deceinljcr the Forty-second, with 
 other troops, under General W. T. Sherman, em- 
 barked at Memphis, and j)roceeding down the river, 
 landed at Joiinston's plantation on the Yazoo. The 
 
 I Forty-second led the advance against the defences of 
 Vicksburg on the 27th of December, and skirmished 
 with the enemy until dark. The next morning the 
 regiment resumed the attack, and by a charge, which 
 
 I was made with great spirit, succeeded in gaining pos- 
 
 session of the woods, driving the Rebels into their 
 works. About nine o'clock, a. m., on the 29th, a 
 charge was made, tlie Forty-second being ou the 
 extreme right of the assaulting column. The storm 
 of shot and shell was terrific, but the regiment main- 
 tained its organization and came off the field in good 
 order. An important victory followed, in January, 
 180.3, being the assault uiion and capture of Fort 
 Ilindman, Arkansas. In this the regiment led the 
 advance. The spoils were seven thousand prisoners, 
 all the guns and small arms, and a large ipiantity of 
 stores. At Port Gilison the regiment had hot work, 
 and sustained a heavier loss than any regiment in the 
 corps. After the surrender of Vicksburg the regi- 
 ment marched to Jackson and participated in the 
 reduction of that place, and then returned to Vicks- 
 burg, where it remained until ordered to the Depart- 
 ment of the Gulf. Companies A, B, C, and D, were 
 mustered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, September 30, 
 180-1. Tlie remaining six comjianics wei'c ordered to 
 Duvall's Bliitr, Arkansas. Companies E and F were 
 mustered out November 35, and the other four com- 
 panies, Dccemlier 2, 18G4. One hundred and one men 
 remained, whose term of service had not expired, and 
 they were organized into a company and assigned to 
 the Ninety-sixth. Ohio. 
 
 FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT OHIO INFANTRY. 
 
 This regiment was organized at Camji Andrews, 
 Mount Vernon, Ohio, February 7, 1802, and left its 
 rendezvous for the front on the 21st of the same 
 month. On the 20th of February, it reported to 
 Brigadier-General .lolin Pope, commanding the dis- 
 trict of Mississippi, and was at once assigned to the 
 Ohio brigade, composed of the Twenty-seventh, Thirty- 
 ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third regiments, first 
 division, army of the Mississippi. 
 
 It was but a few days before the regiment was 
 introduced to active service, for in March, 1802, it 
 was under fire at New Madrid, Missouri; and in all 
 the operations against that jiost, it bore a prominent 
 part, especially in its final bombardment and capture 
 on the 13th and 14th of March. The loss of the 
 regiment in killed and wounded was quite severe. 
 
 In the movements against Island No. 10, and the 
 crossing of the Mississippi river in the face of the 
 enemy, the Forty-third bore a conspicuous part, as it 
 did also in the sulisequent capture of the forces of 
 General McCall, at Tiptonville, Tennessee. The next 
 movement was against Fort Pillow. In all the opera- 
 tions of that campaign, the Forty-third bore its part. 
 The actions of the 8th, 9th and 20th of May, may be 
 particularly mentioned. At Corinth, the Forty-third 
 was posted imincdiately on the left of Battery Robi- 
 nett, and the Sixty-third on the right of the battery; 
 and it is said these two regiments did more to save 
 the day than any other organization engaged. The 
 grand assault of the rebels was made at daylight on 
 the 4th of October. They opened ou Battery Robinett 
 with artillery at about three hundred yards, and at 
 
84 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 10 o'clock a. m., led by Colonel Rogers, of the Second 
 Texas, moved forward to the assault. The Forty- 
 third and Sixty-third Ohio stood firiidy at their posts, 
 and succeeded in staggering the assaulting column, 
 and in hurling it back, at a time when onr lines were 
 broken and our troops were seen Hying from every 
 otlier part of I lie field. The o))])osing forces were but 
 a few feet aiiarl, and fought almost liand to hand, 
 :uid liien went d<jwn on both sides in great nund)ers. 
 (■olonel Smith fell mortally wounded at the first onset, 
 while gallantly diseliarging his duty. Adjutant llcyl 
 and Cajitain Spangler were killed at about the same 
 moment. Captain S. F. Timmons and Lieutenant 
 S. McClaren, A. L. Howe and II. L. Prophet received 
 honorable wounds. The casualties among the men 
 were very severe. In a few minutes of fighting, over 
 one-fourth of those engaged of the Forty-third were 
 either killed or wounded. Colonel Smith died eight 
 days after the battle. The next movement of the 
 Fortv-tiiird was with Grant's army, at Oxford, Jliss. 
 In the campaign against Forrest, in West Tennessee, 
 in the winter of 1802-03, and in General Dodge's 
 raid in North Alaliama, in April, 18C3, the Forty- 
 third was with General Sherman when he made his 
 memorable march from Memphis to the relief of the 
 army of the Cumberland. 
 
 In Uecend)er, IStiS, the regiment almost unani- 
 inonsly re-enlisted as veterans, and went home on a 
 furlough of thirty days. Returning, the regiment 
 assisted at the capture of Decatur, Alaliama, and lay 
 at this point until the opening of General Sherman's 
 campaign against Atlanta. On the 1st of May, 1864, 
 the command began the march for Chattanooga. On 
 the 13th, it was engaged in the advance on Resaca, 
 and suffered severely. At Dallas, the Forty-third 
 took an important part; and in the advance on the 
 enemy's position near Big Shanty, Company D, of 
 the regiment, participated in a most brilliant charge 
 of skirmishers, capturing a strong barricade from the 
 Twenty-ninth Tennessee, and numerous iirisoners. 
 Immediately thereafter came the siege of Kenesaw, 
 with its deadly skirmishing, its grand cannonading, 
 and the disastrous repulse of the national forces on 
 the 29th of June. 
 
 The Forty-third participated in the general move- 
 ments of the corps until the advance of the army on 
 Decatur, when it was detached to hold the bridge 
 across tlie Chattahoochie. This was successfully ac- 
 complished, and during the remainder of the Atlanta 
 campaign, the Forty-third shared the trials and glories 
 of the sixteenth Army Corps; and on the 4th and 7th 
 of August, particularly, in advancing the national lines, 
 won tlie thanks of Ransom, the division commander, 
 by sjjlcndid and steady fighting. After the fall of 
 Atlanta, the Forty-third enjoyed General Sherman's 
 " full month's rest." Ater this, the regiment jiartici- 
 pnted in the chase after Hood, as far as Resaca, and 
 then hurried back to join Sherman in his great ''nuii'ch 
 to the sea." Of this campaign, the history of one 
 regiment is the history of all. It was a. daily succes- 
 
 sion of ea.sy marches, with little interruption, with 
 plenty of forage for both man and best, and full of 
 ])leasant adventure. Savannah was reached and be- 
 sieged. In this tlie Forty-third performed its full 
 share of duty. 
 
 In Januai'y, 180.5, the regiment moved to Beaufort, 
 and directly afterward upon I'ocotaligo. where it lay 
 untiltlu' beginning of Sherman's march through the 
 Carolinas. On the 2d of Feliruary, the Seventeenth 
 Corps crossed Whi|)py swamp, and were soon con- 
 fronting the enemy, who were strongly posted at 
 River's Bridge. Here Colonel Swayne lost a leg by a 
 shell. The regiment lost in liim a lirave and compe- 
 tent leader, wlio had Ijcen with it from its organiza- 
 tion, and who had always shown the utmost devotion 
 to its interests. The next day, the regiment I'eceived 
 a baptism of fire, in a charge on a battery which 
 commanded the bridge and the causeway approaching 
 it. Down this narrow causeway the regiment rushed 
 amid a storm of shot and shell, compelling the rebels 
 to withdraw the battery and uncover the crossing. 
 The war closing, the regiment went to Washington, 
 and took part in the grand review; returning to Ohio, 
 it was mustered out of service on the 13th of July, 
 180.5. 
 
 FIFTT-FOUKTIi REGIMENT OHIO VOMNTEER 
 INFANTRY. 
 
 Recruiting for this regiment liegan in the latti r 
 ])art of the summer of 1801, the i)lacc of rendezvous 
 being Camp Dennison, where the regiment was organ- 
 ized and drilled during the fall of 1801. The regiment 
 went into the field on the 17tli of February, 1802. 
 with an aggregate of eight hundred and fifty men. 
 It reached Paducah, Kentucky, February 20, and was 
 assigned to a brigade in the division commanded 1)V 
 General Sherinaii. On the 0th of April, tlie regiment 
 engaged in the liattle of Pittsburg Landing, its position 
 being on the extreme left of the army; but, on the 
 second day, it was assigned a new position near tlie 
 center of the line. 
 
 In the two days' fighting, the regiment sustained 
 a loss of one hundred and ninety-eight men killed, 
 wounded and missing. The regiment was next en- 
 gaged upon the movement upon Corinth, and, upon 
 the evacuation of that point, was among the first 
 organized bodies to enter the town, and afterward 
 performed provost duty there. During the summei-, 
 the regiment was engaged in several short expeditious. 
 It was engaged in the assault on Chickasaw Bayou, 
 December 28 and 29, with a loss of twenty killed and 
 wounded. January 1, 1803, the regiment ascended 
 the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers, and engaged in 
 the assault and capture of Arkansas Post. On the 
 0th of May, the regiment began its march to the rear 
 of Vicksburg, byway of Grand Gulf, and was engageil 
 in the bat ties of Champion Hills and Big Black Bridge. 
 It was engaged in a general assault on the enemv's 
 works, in the rear of Vicksburg, on the 19th and 22d 
 of June, losing in the two engagements forty-seven 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 85 
 
 killed and wounded. It was continually emjiloyed in 
 skirmishing and fatigue duty during the siege of 
 Vicksburg. After the fall of Vicksburg, the Fifty- 
 fourth moved witii the army upon Jackson, Missis- 
 sijjpi, and was constantly engaged in skirmishing 
 from the 9th to the 1-lth of .July. It was engaged in 
 the battle of Missionary Ridge, November 36, and 
 the next day marched to the relief of the garrison at 
 Knoxville, Tennessee. It went into winter quarters, 
 .January 13, 1864:, at Larkinsville, Alabama. 
 
 The regiment was mustered into the service as a 
 veteran organization on the 33d of January, and at 
 once started to Ohio on furlough. Returning, it 
 entered on the Atlanta campaign on the 1st of May. 
 It participated in a general engagement at Resaca, 
 and at Dallas, and in a severe skirmish at New Hope 
 Church, June 6 and 7. It was in the general assault 
 upon Kenesaw Mountain, .June 37, losing twenty- 
 eight killed and wounded, and was in a battle on the 
 east side of Atlanta, July 31 and 33, sustaining a loss 
 of ninety-four killed, wounded and missing. The 
 Fifty-fourth lost eight men killed and wounded at 
 Ezra Chapel, July 38; and from the 39th of July to 
 the 37th of August, it was almost continually engaged 
 in skirmishing before Atlanta, was in the march to 
 Savannah, and assisted in the capture of Fort McAllis- 
 ter, December 15th. It was closely engaged in the 
 vicinity of Columbia, and participated in its last 
 battle at Beutonsville, North Carolina, March 31, 
 1805. Tiie regiment marched to Richmond, Virginia, 
 and from thence to Washington City, where it engaged 
 in the grand review of the western army. It was 
 mustered out at Camjj Dennison, Ohio, August 31:, 
 1865. 
 
 It marched during its term of service a distance of 
 three thousand, six hundred and eighty-two miles, 
 participated in four sieges, nine severe skirmishes, 
 fifteen general engagements, and sustained a loss 
 of five hundred and six men killed, wounded and 
 missing. 
 
 ONE HUNDRED 4ND THIRD REGIMENT OHIO VOLIN- 
 
 TEEK INFANTRY. 
 
 The One Hundred and Third Oliio was composed of 
 men from the counties of Cuyahoga, Lorain and Me- 
 dina. Ten companies rendezvoused at Cleveland, in 
 August, 1863, and on the 3d of September, started for 
 Cincinnati, which theyfound in a state of excitement 
 and alarm, because of the near a])))roach of the enemy, 
 under Kirby Smith, upon Lexington, Kentucky. 
 Having received arms in Cincinnati, the regiment 
 crossed over to Covington, where it was furnished 
 with clothing and other necessaries for cami)-life. 
 Thus equipped, it marched out to Fort Mitchell, on 
 the evening of the 6th. 
 
 After a few days of painful suspense, information 
 was received at headquarters that the enemy had re- 
 treated. Immediate pursuit was ordered. The One 
 Hundred and Third moved out on the 18th, with other 
 forces, in pursuit, taking the pike toward Lexington. 
 
 Having followed the enemy three days, without being 
 able to overtake him, the national forces returned as 
 far as Snow's Pond, where they encamped for a short 
 time. While here, sickness prostrated nearly one- 
 iuilf the regiment. It was now organized, with two 
 other regiments, into a brigade, under the command 
 of Brigadier- general Q. A. Gilmore. The regiment, 
 with its brigade, moved out, on the 6th of October, 
 to repress the outrages of the rebel cavalry, and, be- 
 coming separated from the brigade, went into camp 
 on the bank of the Kentucky river, at Frankfort, 
 where it remained until the 5th of April, 1863. At 
 tiiis date, the regiment marched to Stanford. 
 
 Marauding bands of mounted men, nominally be- 
 longing to John Morgan's command, l>ut, in reality, 
 independent squads of freebooters, had kept all this 
 region in a constant state of excitement and alarm, 
 and gave considerable annoyance to the national 
 troops — capturing parties stationed at outposts, and 
 destroying supply trains. A large force was gathered 
 at Stanford, and, on the 35tli, an advance was ordered 
 by (ienerai S. P. Carter, then commanding. The 
 national forces moved forward to Somerset and Mill 
 Springs, the enemy falling back all the time; but 
 there were not wanting indications of an intention, 
 (la the part of the rebels, to concentrate their scat- 
 tt'red forces, for the purpose of making a stand, at 
 some point favorable for defence. Our infantry had 
 considerable ditKculty in crossing the Cumberland, 
 on account of high water; but, once crossed, it pushed 
 rapidly after the enemy, preceded by the cavalry, 
 which had crossed a little below. On the 30th, the 
 cavalry came up witii a body of rebels, when a smart 
 skirmish took place. On the 5th of May, our forces 
 were ordered back to the Cumberland. The One 
 Hundred and Third took a position near Stigall's 
 ferry, where they were soon visited by a body of 
 rebels, who fired on them from the southern bank. 
 Much powder was expended, by both juirties, but 
 with little result. 
 
 On the 5th of .July, the regiment, with other 
 troops, marched toward Danville, where they remained 
 a few days, and then fell back to Hicknuin bridge. 
 Returning to Danville, shortly after, this regiment, 
 was, with others, formed into the twenty-third army 
 corjis, and placed under the command of Major-general 
 llartsuif. The ninth army corps having been added 
 to the force, at this point, the troops began to move 
 on the 18th of August, under the command of General 
 A. E. Bnrnside. No tongue can tell what that army 
 suffered in its march from Danville, ria Stanford, 
 Crab Orchard, the Cumberland, at Burnside's Point, 
 Chitwood, Montgomery, Emery's Iron Works, and 
 Lenoir to Concord, Tennessee. On the 19th of Sep- 
 tember, the regiment joined in the general advance, 
 which resulted in driving back the rebels to their 
 main force, then assembled at Jonesboro. 
 
 On the 4th of November, the regiment proceeded 
 Ijy railroad to Knoxville, and was stationed with its 
 brigade, on the south side of the river. Longstrcet 
 
86 
 
 IIISTOKY OF LOKAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 wa.« now advancing upon the city, with a hirge force. 
 During tiie investment, our troops suffered the 
 greatest liardships from insuflicient clothing, sliort 
 rations, and otlier privations. About noon, on the 
 25th, six companies of the regiment were sent out to 
 relieve a company on picket-duty, and, while so do- 
 ing, a heavy cliarge was made by the rebels, with the 
 intention of capturing the whole. The men, assisted 
 by the ])ickets of the Twenty-fourth Kentucky, and 
 the .Sixly-tirth Illinois, poured into the ranks of the 
 rebels a well-directed fire; but tliis did not cheek 
 them in the least, for, with yells, of the most liorrid 
 description, they rushed ui)on the picket-line, and a 
 desperate struggle ensued. The regiments of the 
 respective pickets coming up, in full force, a liayonet 
 cliarge was ordered, wliicli soon decided the contest, 
 for the reljcls Ijroke and lied, leaving their dead and 
 wounded upon the Held. The regiment lost, in this 
 engagement, some thirty-five, in killed and wounded. 
 
 This regiment linally lieeame a (lart of the grand 
 army, with which Shernum marched lo the sea, and, 
 on the 13th of May, arrived in front of Kesaea. The 
 next day, the tweuty-thii'd eorps charged the enemy's 
 works, and carried his two lines. The regiment lost, 
 in this engagement, over one-third of its effective 
 force. Among those who fell, were Captains W. W. 
 Hutchinson and J. T. Philpot. The ]-egimeut finally 
 reached Decatur on the 8th of September. It had 
 lost heavily during this campaign. On May 1, its 
 effective force numbered four hundred and fifty men; 
 but, when it encamped at Decatur, it could oidy 
 muster one hundred and ninety-five. 
 
 At Spring Hill, the regiment, while supporting a 
 l)attery, showed conclusively what they were made of. 
 On tiie '.'4tli of February, l^'io, the regiment, with its 
 corps, arrived at Wilmington, and, ou the 6th of 
 March, it started forward, moving through Kingston 
 to (ioldsboro, where it again met Sherman's army. 
 The whole army .soon took up its march, and, on the 
 13th of April, reached lialeigh, where the regiment 
 remained till the 10th of June, when it started foi' 
 Cleveland, Ohio, to be mustered out. As the train, 
 conveying the nu'u, was descending the western slope 
 of the Alleghany mountains, a truck broke loose, 
 throwing three of the ears down a steep embankment, 
 causing the death of three men, and the mutilation 
 of a much larger number. On the I'Jth, the regiment 
 reached Cleveland, and, on the 'Z2d, it was paid off, 
 and musterecl out. 
 
 GNU IirNDIiKI) AND SEVENTH liElilJlENT OHIO VOL- 
 UNTEER INEANTKV. 
 
 This regiment, was composed almost wholly of 
 (iermans. It was organized August 25, 1863, at 
 Canij) Taylor, near Cleveland, Ohio. It lay in camp 
 at this place until tlu^ latter i)art of September, when 
 it moved under orders to Covington, Kentucky. This 
 move was made with reference to au anticipated attack 
 on Cincinnati l)y Kirl)y Smith's Grey-l)acks. The 
 regiment went to Washington, D. C, after a short 
 
 time and was engaged for nearly a month in construct- 
 ing fortilications around that city. In Novenilier it 
 was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division, 
 Flevenlh Army Cor])s, Major-general Sigel command- 
 ing. On April 20, 1863, the regiment, with its 
 bi'igadeand division, moved across the Eapjiahannttck 
 to (Jhancellorsville, where, on the 2(1 and 3d of May, 
 it took part in the battle of that name. In this disas- 
 trous alfair the One Hundred and Seventh sufieicd 
 leri-ibly, hjsing two hundred and twenty officers ami 
 men, killed, wounded and prisoners. The surgeon of 
 the legiment, Dr. Hartman, of C'leveland, Ohio, and 
 several otfic'crs were killed. July 1, it reached tJettys- 
 liurg and was at (uiee engaged with the enemy, taking 
 ])osition on the right wing. The first day's fight the 
 regiment and eleventh eor])s were comjielled to fall 
 back through the town of Gettysliurg to Cemetery 
 Hill, where a new line was formed and held during 
 the remainder of the battle. In falling back to this 
 place the regiment lost in killed, wounded and prison- 
 ers, two hundred and fifty officers and men. In the 
 second day's fight, in a charge n)ade about five o'clock 
 in the afternoon, it again lost heavily. In this affair 
 the regiment captured a Eebel tiag from the Eighth 
 Louisiana Tigers. Aside from slight skirmishing it 
 was not engaged in the third day's fight. Its total 
 li>ss in the battle of Gettysburg — killed, wounded and 
 prisoners — was over four hundred out of about five 
 hundred and fifty, rank and file with which it entered. 
 With one hundred and eleven guns, all that was left 
 of the regiment, it joined in the pui'suit of the Eebel 
 army, following it to Hagerstown, and thence into 
 \'irginia. Its subse(|uent engagements were priuci- 
 |ially light ones. The heaviest ])erhaps being at 
 Sumterville, South C'aroliua, March 23, 1865, where 
 it defeated the enemy, capturing three 2iieces of artil- 
 lery, six horses, and fifteen prisoners. On A2)ril 16, 
 1865, news was received of the surrender of Lee's and 
 •lohnston's armies. Three weeks thereafter it was 
 taken by steamer to C'harleston, where it did jirovost 
 duty until July 10, when it was mnstei'ed out of the 
 service and sent home to Cleveland, where it was paid 
 otf and discharged. 
 
 ONE IIUNDUElJ AND TWENTY-ElGIITn KEGIMENT 
 OHIO VOLl'NTEER INFANTKY. 
 
 This regiment, although chiefly occujiied in guard 
 duty within the borders of the State, was an organ- 
 ization of three years' troojjs, enlisted and mustered 
 into the United States' service, the same as other 
 \olunteer ti'oops, and was liable to service wherever 
 lequired. It attained minimum strength on the 25tli 
 of Decendjer, 1863, and consisted of four companies 
 before known as the "Hoffman Battalion" raised at 
 different times in 1862. At and before the time of 
 forming the regiment, the Hoffman Battalion was 
 under the command of a Lieutenant-colonel and Ma- 
 jor. Six new companies were mustered in at Camp 
 Taylor, near Cleveland, between the 8th and 15th of 
 January, 1864. The four old companies had been ou 
 
mSTORY OF LORAIN" COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 S7 
 
 duty at Johnson's Island, nearly all the time since 
 tlu'ir muster in, but had frequently furnished detacli- 
 monts for service elsewhere, including a short and 
 very active caniiiaigu in ]>nrsuit of Rebel ti-oops, in 
 Western Virginia in 18(12. 
 
 Tlip One Hundred and Twenty-eighth was ehielly 
 occujiied at the frontier posts of Johnson's Island and 
 Sandusky. Fortune did not give the regiment an 
 opportunity to earn laurels in battle, but it performed 
 its duties always witli faitlifulness and efficiency. If 
 left the Island on July 10, 1865, and was nmstered out 
 at Camp Chase, Ohio, on the 17th. 
 
 ONE iniNDIlEn AXn THIfiXr-FIFTH KEGniENTT OITIO 
 NATIONAL GUARD. 
 
 This regiment was composed of men from Licking 
 and Hardin counties, and one eompanj' of the Thirty- 
 seventh Battallion, Ohio National Guard, of Lorain 
 county. It was mustered into the United States' 
 service on the lltli of May, 18fi4, and was ordered 
 immediately to Washington City. Proceeding by 
 way of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, the regiment 
 arrived at North Mountain, where information was 
 received that the bridge at Harper's Ferry was impass- 
 able; and the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth, with 
 other "hundred days" regiments,"' was delayed await- 
 ing the repair of the bridge. A picket was estab]ishe<l, 
 and every precaution taken for defence. In a few 
 days the troops moved on, and the regiment arrived 
 at Washington, May 23. It was placed in the de- 
 fences south of the Potomac, with headcpiarters at 
 Fort Albany, and detachments in Forts Craig and 
 Tillinghast. The time was occupied in repairing and 
 (■ompleting these forts, and drilling in infantry and 
 lieavy-artillery tactics. On the 5th of June the regi- 
 ment was ordered to White House Landing, where it 
 was emplo\-ed in picket duty and in guarding Rebel 
 jirisoners. On the lOth of June the regiment was 
 ordered to Bermuda Hundred, and proceeded on 
 steamer, rid Fortress Monroe, up the James to Fort 
 Powliattau. Here its progress was checked by the 
 jiDUtiinn liridge (in which the Armj' of the Potomac 
 was crossing the .lames. The regiment debarked and 
 marched to Bermuda Hundred, distant twenty-tive 
 Tiiiles. The marcli was made during two of tlie 
 liottcsl days of suuimer, and the men suffered greatly 
 from dust and the want of water. The regiment 
 arrived at Fort Spring Hdl, on the eastern bank of 
 the Appomattox, opposite Point of Rocks, on the 
 19th of June, and was engaged in picket and fatigue 
 duty at Point of Rocks and at Broadway Landing. 
 The regiment next nmved to Cherry-stone Inlet, on 
 the eastern shore of Virginia. Headquarters were 
 established at Eastville, the county town of Nortii- 
 ampton C(junty, and the companies were distributed 
 at various points to guard the telegraph from Cherry- 
 stone to Wilmington, to ])revent raids from the op|io- 
 site side of the bay, and to intercept blockade I'unners 
 and Rebel mail-carriers. At the exjiiration of its 
 term of service the regiment returned to Ohio, and 
 
 was mustered out at Camp Dennison on September 
 
 I, 18G4. 
 
 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH REGIMENT OHIO 
 NATIONAL GUARD. 
 
 This regiment rendezvoused at.Camp 'i'ayloi', near 
 Cleveland. It was composed of eight companies from 
 the city of Cleveland, one from Oberlin, this count.y, 
 and one from Independence township, Cuyahoga, 
 county. It was, on the oth of May, 18G4, sworn into 
 the United States service for one hundred days, and 
 was immediately ])laced on the cars for Washington 
 City. 
 
 On its arrival the regiment was ordered to garrison 
 Forts Lincoln, Saratoga, Thayer, Bunker Hill, Slo- 
 cum, Totten, and Stevens, forming part of the chain 
 of fortifications surrounding the National capital. 
 Tliis important duty was fully and strictly performed, 
 thereby enabling General Gi'aut to draw from the for- 
 mer garrisons of these forts the re-inforcements so 
 much desired in liis movement thi-ough the Wilder- 
 ness toward Richmond. The One Hundred and P^if- 
 tieth remained in these forts during the whole term 
 of Service, and participated in the tight before Wash- 
 ington witli a part of Early's Rebel corps, July lU and 
 
 II, 18G4. Coni])anies G and K were engaged, but 
 lieing behind breastworks, did not suffer much. One 
 man was killed and three or four men were wounded. 
 The regiment was mustered out at Cleveland on the 
 23d of August, 1804. During its term of service the 
 regiment was rigidly and effectively drilled, and at its 
 muster out had reached a point of military efficiency 
 which fitted it fen- any emergency. 
 
 ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT OHIO 
 VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 
 
 This regiment was organized at Camp Chase, Ohio, 
 September 21, 1804, for one year. As soon as the 
 organization was completed the regiment was ordered 
 to Nashville, Tennessee, and assigned to the Second 
 Brigade, Fourth Division, Twentieth Army Corps. 
 Soon after its arrival it was detailed to perform pro- 
 vost duty at Nashville, and during the siege and 
 l;)attle at that point was in the works; but with the 
 exception of a few companies, under Major Cum- 
 mings, the regiment was not engaged. Quite a num- 
 ber of the officers and men were veteran soldiers, and 
 their knowledge and experience gave the regiment 
 considerable reputation for proficiency in drill and 
 discipline. 
 
 The regiment was mustered out of service at Tod 
 Barracks. (_'oluml)us, Ohio, on the istli of June, 1805. 
 
 HATTERY "li," FIRST OHIO LIGHT ARTILLERY 
 
 was organized at Camp Dennison and mustered into the 
 service October 8, 1861, with an aggregate strength of 
 one hundred and forty-seven men. By m-der of Gen- 
 eral 0. M. Mitchell it left Cincinnati to report to 
 General George U. Thomas, then in command at 
 Camp Dick Robinson, Kentucky. The first experi- 
 ence it had in the field was a brisk little affair at 
 
88 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Camp Wild Cat. in whicli it flred twelve rounds and 
 silenced one of the enemy's guns. From Wild Cat it 
 marched to London, Kentucky, where it remained two 
 weeks. On November .5, tlie battery, under orders, 
 joined the Seventeenth Ohio at Fishing Creek, and 
 was engaged during tlie whole of tiiat montli in skir- 
 mishes and scout duty, with headquarters at Somerset. 
 January 27, it moved to Mill Springs to re-enforce 
 General Thomas. It took part in the battle of Mil! 
 Springs, and performed very effective service. Feb- 
 ruary 10, it took up its line of march for Louisville, 
 Kentucky, where it embarked for Nashville; arriving 
 there, it was assigned to Colonel Barnett's Artillery 
 Reserve. July 18, 1862, it reported to Major-general 
 Nelson at Murfreesboro, and, during the months <>f 
 July, August and September, was almost constanlly 
 on the marcii, and frecjuently engaged in skirmishes 
 with the enemy. On December 20, the battery moved 
 witii its brigade and division from Nashville towards 
 Miii-freesboro, skirmishing heavily in and about La 
 \'ergne. It was here that the present county re- 
 corder lost his "good right arm."' In the battle of 
 Stone river it was stationed on the left of General 
 Negley's division. It was involved in the disaster on 
 the right, but succeeded in withdrawing all its guns 
 from the field. It bore its full ])art in the battle, and 
 lost seventeen men, killed, wounded and missing, and 
 twenty-one horses killed. June 24, 18G3, it joine<l 
 in the advance of the national forces on Tullalioma,. 
 September 19, it engaged in the battle of Chicka- 
 mauga. On tlie next day it Avas charged by the 
 enemy, but succeeded in boating them off. A second 
 charge soon followed which overwhelmed the battery, 
 and it was obliged to leave two of its guns in the 
 hands of the enemy. In this charge several members 
 of the battery were wounded and caj)tured. Tliis was 
 ill the siege of Chattanooga. January 4, 18G4, sixtj'- 
 five of the original members of the battery re-enlisted 
 as veterans, and were furloughed home for thirty 
 days. Tne battery returned to Nashville in March, 
 and on the lOlh of that month reported to Bridge- 
 port, Alabama, wliere it remained until July, 18G0. 
 It was then sent home to Columbus, and there nins- 
 tei'ed out, being one nf the last organizations to leave 
 the service. 
 
 FIFTBEXTH OHIO IN DEPEKDENT ISATTERY 
 
 was recruited by Captain J. B>. Burrows and First- 
 lieutenant Edward Spear, Jr. This battery was 
 mustered into the service on the 1st day of February, 
 1862, and was immediately ordered to Cincinnati, 
 where it emljarked February 16, under orders for 
 Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, but on reaching Pa,due;di, 
 Kentucky, was disembarked by order of (ienei-al 
 Siiermau. Horses were drawn here, and the battery 
 embnrked under oi'ders to report to General tlrant, at 
 Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. Wbile proceeding up 
 the Tennessee, and, wjien near Whitehall Landing, 
 the boat was tired into by guerrillas, from the shore. 
 Tlie fire was returned with shell, luuler cover of which 
 
 the men of the battery landed, drove the guerrillas 
 from their cover, and captured some prisoners and 
 horses. In this exjiedition, the battery lost one man 
 wounded. It reported to General Grant on the 20th, 
 and was assigned to the Fourth division, army of the 
 Tennessee. The battery was on the first line during 
 the seige of Vicksburg, having position on the Hall's 
 Ferry road, southeast of the city, and within two 
 hundred yards of the enemy's works, and enfilading 
 sev(U'al hundred yards of their line. In this, as in 
 all the engagements in which the battery figured, 
 most excellent service was performed, eliciting, on 
 every occasion, the commendations of the command- 
 ing officers. It expended two thousand, three hun- 
 dred and one rounds of ammunition during the seige. 
 The Fifteenth was with General Sherman, princi2)ally, 
 and participated in his famous "march to the sea." 
 An incident is related that, at the battle of Chatta- 
 hoochee River, a bird tlew upon the shoulder of Pri- 
 vate Seth Bowers, who was acting No. 1 on one of 
 the guns, where it remained during the engagement. 
 At every discharge of the piece, the bird would thrust 
 its head in the man's hair. After the recoil, it would 
 again take its position on the man's shoulder, and 
 watch the operations of loading. After the battle, 
 the bird remained around the men's ijuarters, but, 
 after a few days, disappeared. 
 
 The Fifteenth battery was mustered out June 20, 
 18'i5, at Columbus, Ohio. 
 
 SECOND REdlMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 
 
 This regiment was recruited and organized in the 
 summer and autumn of 18fil, under the supervision 
 of the late Hon. B. F. Wade and Hon. John Hntchins, 
 who received special authority from the war office. 
 The regiment rendezvoused at Camp Wade, near 
 Cleveland, Ohio, and the last company was mustered 
 in on the 10th of October, 1861. Being the first 
 cavalry regiment raised iu the northern part of the 
 State, it drew into its ranks a large proportion of 
 wealth, intelligence, capacity and culture. Men and 
 officers were almost wholly from the Western Reserve, 
 and represented every trade and profession. The 
 Second was uniformed, mounted and partly drilled at 
 Cleveland, and. in the last of November, was ordered 
 to Camp Dennison, where it received sabers, and con- 
 tinued drilling during the month of December. 
 Early in January, 1862, under orders from the war 
 department, the Second proceeded, by rail, via. Cin- 
 cinnati, St. Louis and St. Joseph, to Platte City, 
 Misssouri. 
 
 On the 18th of February, Donbleday's brigade, of 
 which the Second was a part, was ordered to march 
 through the border counties of Missouri to Fort Scott, 
 Kansas. On the 22d of February, and during the 
 march, a scouting ]3ai'ty of one hundred and twenty 
 men of the Second Ohio cavalry was attacked in the 
 streets of Independence, Missouri, by an equal force, 
 under command of the subse<]uently infamous Quant- 
 ril. As the result of the Second's "first fight," 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 89 
 
 Quantril was routed iu fifteen minutes, losing five 
 killed, four wounded, and five captured, including 
 one officer. The Second lost o;ie killed and three 
 wounded. Arriving at its destination about March 1, 
 it remained for several mouths, doing garrison and 
 scouting duty. 
 
 In the fall following, it ]iartioipate(l in the cam- 
 jiaign ending in the victory of Prairie Grove, Ar- 
 kansas, December 3, 1862. It also fought at Carthage 
 and Newtonia, Missouri, and at Cow Hill, Wolf 
 Creek, and White River, Arkansas. 
 
 In November and December, the Second was trans- 
 ferred to the Eastern army, moving by rail to Camp 
 Chase, Oliio, to remount and refit for the field. 
 This accomplished, the regiment left early in April 
 for Somerset, Kentucky, and remained in camp there, 
 witli the exception of an occasional reconnoissancc, 
 until tlie 37th of June. 
 
 In May and June, the Second fought twice at 
 Steubenville, twice at Monticello, and once at Col- 
 umbia, Kentucky. 
 
 On the 1st of July, the Second Joined in the pur- 
 suit of John Morgan, and followed the great raider 
 twelve hundred miles, tlirough three States, marching 
 twenty hours out of the twenty-four, living wholly 
 upon the gifts of the people for tT\-enty-seven days, 
 and finally sharing in tlie capture at Buffington Is- 
 land. 
 
 January 1, ISG-l, nearly tlie entire regiment reen- 
 listed. But lack of sj)ace forbids us following the 
 regiment through all its encounters and privations. 
 It was mustered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, September 
 11, 1865. 
 
 Tlie Second fought under twenty-three general 
 officers. Its horses have drunk from, and its troopers 
 have bathed in, the waters of the Arkansas, Kaw, 
 Osage, Cygnes, Missouri, Mississippi, Oliio, Scioto, 
 Miami, Cumlierhuul, Tennessee, Halston, Potomac, 
 Shenandoah, Rappahannock, Rapidan, Bull Run, 
 Mattapony, Pamunkey, Chickahominy, James, Appo- 
 mattox, 151ack water, Nottoway, and Chesajieake. It 
 campaigned through thirteen states and one territory. 
 It traveled, as a regiment, on foot, horseback, by 
 railroad and steamboat, on land, river, bay and ocean. 
 1 1 has marched an aggregate distance of twenty-seven 
 tliousand miles; has fought in ninety-seven battles 
 and engagements. It has served in five diiferent 
 armies, forming a continuous line of armies from the 
 head waters of the Arkansas to the mouth of the 
 James; and its dead, sleeping where they fell, form a 
 vidette-line iialf across the continent, a chain of pros- 
 trate sentinels, two thousand miles long. Even in 
 their graves, may not these jiatroit dead still guard 
 the glory and tlie integrity of the Republic for wiiich 
 they fell? 
 
 TUIKD REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 
 
 This regiment was organized in September, 1861, 
 at Monroeville, Huron county. It moved to Camp 
 Deunison on the 14tli of January, 1862. In Feb- 
 
 12 
 
 ruary following it went to JefEersonville, Indiana. 
 On March 3 it was ordered to Nashville, Tennessee, 
 and arrived there March 18. On the 29th it left 
 Nashville for Pittsburgli Landing. It reached that 
 point on April 25, and encamped four miles from the 
 river. It remained here some time, and made sev- 
 eral successful raids. It next moved to luka and 
 Tuscumbia. Here it remained until June 30, wlicn 
 it went to Courtland; thence to Decatur, Alabama, 
 and from this point to Mooresville. On the 3d of 
 September the division marched to Nashville, arriv- 
 ing there on the 6th, tlience to Mumfordsville, Ken- 
 tucky, via Gallatin and Bowling Green. On Sep- 
 tember 31, the first battalion of the Third Cavalry 
 had a sharji engagement at Mumfordsville witli tliree 
 times its own number, and drove them into their 
 works iu three separate charges. It lost twelve 
 wounded and two killed. The ''Jolmnies" lost thirty- 
 eight killed and sixty wounded. The Third Cavalry, 
 during its first year of service, was attached to Gen- 
 eral T. J. Wood's division, and during the most of 
 the time was under his immediate command. The 
 second and third battalions, under Colonel Zahm, was 
 stationed, during a portion of the summer of 1863, at 
 Woodville, Alabama. On October 19, a detachment 
 of the Tliird Cavalry, with a portion of the Fourth 
 Cavalry, numbering some two hundred and fifty, was 
 sent as an escort to Covington, Kentucky. It en- 
 camped near the old plantation of Henry Clay, at 
 Ashland, and the next day (30th) was captured by 
 .John Morgan, wlio stripped them of their Iiorses and 
 valuables, paroled them and sent'tliem into the na- 
 tional lines. Tlie men were soon in the field again. 
 The regiment re-enlisted in January, 1864, and were 
 fuiioughed home. Returning to Nashville, it was 
 re-equipped, armed and mounted, and from this time 
 until it was mustered out, it was constantly in active 
 service. It turned over its horses and arms at Macon 
 and proceeded to Camp Chase, Ohio, whore it was 
 paid off and discharged August 14, 1865, having 
 served four years, lacking twenty days. 
 
 TWELFTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 
 
 This regiment was recruited during the months of 
 September and October, 1863, from nearly every 
 county in the State, rendezvousing at Camp Taylor, 
 near Cleveland, where it was mustered into the ser- 
 vice on the 34th day of November, 1863. One-half 
 of the regiment was engaged in doing guard duty, 
 during the winter of 1863-4, on Jolmson's Island, 
 having been ordered there on the 10th of November. 
 The regiment was mounted, armed and equipped at 
 Camp Dennison, and moved to Louisville, and then 
 to Lexington and Mount Sterling, Kentucky. Little 
 of importance transpired until the 33d of May, when 
 the regiment was a portion of General Burbridge's 
 command on the first Saltville raid. On the arrival 
 in the vicinity of Pound Gaii, after eight days' march- 
 ing, it became evident that John Morgan had entered 
 Kentucky, and the command immediately started iu 
 
00 
 
 niSTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 I)ursnit. After severe marching, witli but. little time 
 for eating or sleeping, the command arrived at Mount 
 Sterling on the 91 Ii of Juno, ISfi-L The Twelfth was 
 closely engaged with the rebels at this jioint, behav- 
 ing with much gallantry, and was specially comi)li- 
 montcd by General Hurbridge. The Twelfth again 
 overtook ^torgan at Cyntliiana, and fought with him, 
 scattering his forces in every direction. T'he regi- 
 ment charged through the town, crossed the river, 
 and pursued the retreating rebels for three days. 
 During the second exjiedition to Saltville in Septem- 
 ber, it be(!anie necessary to silence a battery i)osted 
 upon a hill; the Twelfth, with its Ijrigade, charged up 
 the hill and drove the enemy from his works. After 
 this, the regiment encamped at Lexington, until 
 ordered to Crab Orchard to join another Saltville 
 exjiedition. 
 
 The division left Crab Orchard on the 33d of No- 
 vember, during a severe snow-storm, and moved to 
 Bean's Station. On the night of their arrival the 
 Twelfth made a successful rccouoissance to liogersville 
 It did its full share of duty under General Stoneman, 
 at Bristol, at Abingdon, at Marion, and thence as 
 su])port to General Gillam in his ])ursuit of Vaughn, 
 then back again to Marion, where General Stoneman 
 engaged Breckenridge for forty hours, and finally 
 defeated him. In this engagement all of tlie Twelfth 
 bearing sabers, participated in a grand charge, driving 
 back the enemy's cavalry. The regiment behaved 
 gallantly throughout the fight, and received tlie 
 praises of Generals Stoneman and Burbridge. On 
 the 31st of December, Saltville was captured, and the 
 forces returned to Richmond, Kentucky, where head- 
 quarters were established. As the result of this raid 
 four boats were captured, one hundred and fifty miles 
 of railroad, thirteen trains and locomotives, lead 
 mines, salt works, iron foundries, and an immense 
 quantity of stores of all sorts, were completely de- 
 stroyed. During the raid Company F acted as escort 
 to General Burljridge. About the middle of Febru- 
 ary the regiment was thoroughly armed, equipped and 
 mounted. It then proceeded by way of Louisville 
 and the river to Nashville, arriving March (1. From 
 here it moved to Murfreesboro and Knoxville. At 
 this point it again formed part of a raiding expe- 
 dition under General Stoneman. The Twelfth finally 
 rendezvoused at Nashville, and was mustered out on 
 the 14th of November, 180.5; then proceeded to Co- 
 lumbus, Ohio, where it was paid and discharged on 
 the 32d and 33d of the same month, after two years 
 of incessant service. 
 
 THE SQUIRREI, HUNTERS. 
 
 During the autumn of 1803, the Confederate Gen- 
 eral Kirl)y Smith advanced upon Cincinnati with a 
 largo army. Governor Tod issued a proclamation 
 calling upon all who woiild furnish themselves with 
 rations and arms to turn out, organize under their 
 own otlicers, and rendezvous at Cincinnati, transpor- 
 tation over the railroads to be ])rovided by the govern- 
 
 ment. About three hundred and fifty citizens of 
 Lorain county responded to the call of the governor. 
 These men, of course, saw no fighting, but their 
 work was cheerfully performed, because they thought 
 their services were needed. Governor Tod caused 
 lithograph discharges to be forwarded to those whose 
 namcis could l)e obtained. These discharges may be 
 found in many homes in the county, where they are 
 pro)ierly ])rized. 
 
 The sobliers of the early wars, with descriptions of 
 forts and other defences, are given in the histories of 
 tlioir respective townshi])s. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 ROSTER OP SOLDIERS. 
 
 COMPANY A, FOURTH BATTALION OHIO VOLUNTEER 
 INFANTRY. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Second Lieutenant Lucicn Abbott, enrolled Au^st 10, ISfil. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Serfjeant George C. Dennistou, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 Second Sergeant Ransom E. Braman, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 Sergeant Alonzo Ellsworth, enrolled August 10, IHGI. 
 
 Sergeant Ferdinand Refeuning, enrolled August 10, IHGl, 
 
 Sergeant Thomas B. Heylaud, enrolled August 10, 1861 ; prisoner of war. 
 
 Corporal Joseph Jewett, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 Corporal William A. Thompson, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 Corporal Harrison Jewell, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 Corj^oral George I. Boment, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Jacob Cline, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 John Cummins, enrolled August 10, 1.861. 
 
 Abrani J. Disbro, enrolled August 10_ 1861. 
 
 Alonzo A Grant, enrolled August 10, 1.861 . 
 
 Lorenzo W. Grant, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 Luman L. Griswold, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 Harrison Hance, enrolled August 10, 1S61. 
 
 James R. Humphrey, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 Edgar H. Irish, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 Stephen R. Irish, enrolled August 10. 1861. 
 
 Archibald Kelly, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 Albert Lilley, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 Henry F. Marsh, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 Rufus C. Marsh, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 Joel W. Newland, enrolled August 10, 1.861. 
 
 William Wilcox, enrolled August 10, 1861. 
 
 This squad was mustered into service August 17, 1.8G1, at Camp Chase, 
 
 Ohio, by Major Wainby, for three years. We are iniable to find 
 
 anything further of them. 
 
 COMPANY C, SEVENTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER 
 INFANTRY. 
 
 Mustered into service, at Camp Dennison, Ohio, June 30, 1861. Mustered 
 out of service, at Cleveland, Ohio, July 6, 18(U. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captain Giles W. Shirtliff, resigned March 18, 1863. 
 
 First Lieutenant Judson N. Cross, promoted to Captain of Company 
 
 K, November 35, 1861. 
 Second Lieutenant Ephraim H. Baker, promoted to First Lieutenant 
 
 November 3.5, 1.861; resigned March 1, 1863. 
 Second Lieutenant Henry W. Lincoln, promoted from Sergeant to 
 
 Second Lieutenant, August 9, 1.863; to First Lieutenant, November 6, 
 
 1863; resigned January 7, 186:1 
 Second Lieutenant Isaac C. Jones, enrolled March 1, 186.S; promoted 
 
 from Sergeant to Second Lieutenant; died November ;W, 1863, of 
 
 wounds received in the battle of Ringgold, Ga., November 27, 1863. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant Martin M. Andrews, appointed Fii-st Sergeant August U, 
 1862; wounded in left hand in battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 
 1863. 
 
 Sergeant Holland B. Fry, wounded in leg at battle of Port Republic, 
 June 9, 1868; appointed Sergeant, November 1, 1863. 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 <J1 
 
 Sergeant James E. Avery, appointed Sergeant, November 1, 1862; 
 
 wounded at battle of Dallas, Oa., May 35, 1S64, 
 Sei-K'eant Addison M. Halbert, appointed Sergeant, May 1, 18l>4. 
 Corporal Stephen M. Cole, wounded at battle of Cross Lanes, Va., 
 
 August 36, ISiil, and at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 18G3. 
 (!on)oral Thouias J. Wallace, appointed Corporal, November 1, 18(33. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Nathaniel S. Badger, wounded in the leg at battle of Cedar Mountain, 
 
 Va., August 'J. ISia, 
 John M. Biuns, wounded in battles of Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863, and 
 
 DaUas, Ga., May 35, 18(H. 
 Charles H. Buxton, wounded in shoulder and wrist, at battle of Cedar 
 
 Mountain, Va.. August It. 1S63. 
 Ezekiel F. Hayes, mustered out with Company. 
 Irving A. Noble, taken prisoner at battle of Cross Lanes, Va., August 
 
 26, 1861. 
 Hiram Parsons, mustered out with Company. 
 Thomas Sprlggs, mustered out with Company. 
 David A. Ward, nuistered out with Company. 
 William Woodmanse, mustered out with Company. 
 Oliver Wise, wounded in hand, at battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May 
 
 3, 1863. 
 
 KILLED IN BATTLE. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant Arthur C. Danforth, promoted to First Sergeant Novem- 
 ber 30, 1861 ; killed in battle of Winchester, Va., March 23, 1863. 
 
 Sergeant Charles P. Bowler, promoted to Sergeant, April 1, 1863; killed 
 in battle of Cedar Mountain, Va., August !1, 1862. 
 
 Corporal .John J. Evers, promoted to Corporal, November 20, 1861; killed 
 in bittle of Cedar Mountain, Va., August 5), 1863. 
 
 Corporal Lewis R. Gates, promoted to Corporal, April 1, 1863; killed in 
 battle of Port Republic, Va. June fl, 1862. 
 
 Corporal George R. Matgary, promoted to Corporal April 1, 1862; killed 
 in battle of Port Republic, Va., June 9, 1862. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Romain J. Kingsbury, killed in battle of Port Republic, Va., June 0, 1863. 
 Charles F. King, killed in battle of Ringgold, Ga., November 37, 1863. 
 James M. Rappleye, killed in battle of Cedar Mountain, Va., August 0, 
 
 1862. 
 Warren F. Richmond, killed in battle of Cedar Mountain, Va., August 9, 
 
 1862. 
 Edward P. Sheppard, killed in battle of Cedar Mountain, Va.. August 
 
 :i, 1803. 
 Charles E. Wall, killed in battle of Ringgold, Ga., November 37. 1803. 
 Daniel P. Wood, killed in battle of Ringgold, Ga., November 27, 1863. 
 
 DIED. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Sergeant William W. Parmenter, taken prisoner at battle of Cross 
 
 Lanes, Va., August 26, 1801; died in Parish Prison, New Orleans, 
 
 La., November IS, 1801. 
 Sergeant John Gardner, appointed Sergeant May 1, 1803; died December 
 
 19, 186.5, of wounds received in battle of Ringgold, Ga., November 
 
 27, 1863. 
 Sergeant Oliver C. Trembly, appointed Sergeant J,amiary 1. 1(64; 
 
 drowned in the Ohio river, June 24, 1864. 
 Corporal Edward W. Goodsel, died September 19, 1863, of wounds 
 
 received in battle of Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 William Biggs, 'taken prisoner at liattle of Cross Lanes, Va., August 26, 
 
 1861, and died in Parish Prison, New Orleans, La., October 17, 1861. 
 Wallace Coburn, died March 29, 1862, of wouuds received in battle of 
 
 Winchester, Va.. March 33, 1863. 
 Joseph H. Collins, died August 27, 1861, of wounds received at battle of 
 
 Cross Lanes. Va., August 30, 1861. 
 Cyrus P Hamilton, wounded and captured at battle of Port Republic, 
 
 Va., June 9, 1.S62; died in rebel hospital of wounds. 
 Daniel S. Judson, wounded and captured at battle of Port Republic, 
 
 June 9, 1862; died of wounds in rebel hospital. 
 Burford Jenkins, wounded and captured at battle of Cross Lanes, Va., 
 
 August 26, 1861; died of wouuds September 6, 1861. 
 Harrison Lewis, died in Fairfax .Seminary Hospital, Va., Deceiuber 0, 
 
 1S62, of fever. 
 Joseph McCanan, died July 23, 1H63, of wounds received at battle of 
 
 Gettysburg, July 3, 1.863. 
 Levi Myers, died in hospital at Nashville, Tenn., December 20, 1863, of 
 [ small pox. 
 
 • Fred. M. Palmer, died April 7, 1863, of wounds received in battle of Win- 
 chester, March 2;i. 1S63. 
 Edward G. Sackett, died March 29, 1862, of wounds received in battle of 
 
 Wiuchester, Va., March 23, 1802. 
 Thomas Sweet, died November 30, 1863, of wounds received in battle of 
 
 Ringgold, November 37, 1863. 
 
 Orlando Worcester, died April 15, 1862, of wounds received in battle of 
 Winchester, Va., March 23, 1863. 
 
 DISCHAKGED. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Sergeant John C. Cooper, appointed Sergeant November 21, 1861; dis- 
 chai-ged at Harper's Ferry, October 26, 1863; eiUisted in United 
 States Engineers. 
 
 Sergeant Edgar M. Condit, appointed Sergeant November 1, 1863; dis- 
 charged at Alexandria, Va., February 11, 1863, tor wounds received 
 at battle of Dumfries, Va., December 27, 1862. 
 
 Sergeant Seldon A. Day, appointed Sergeant March 24, 1862; discharged 
 at Frederick City, Md., January 35, 1863; enlisted as Hospital Stew- 
 ard United States Army. 
 
 Sergeant Isaac C. Jones, appointed Sergeant November 30, 1861; dis- 
 charged at Dumfries, Va., March 1, 1863, to accept promotion as 
 Second Lieutenant in Company C. 
 
 Sergeant Henry W. Lincoln, appointed Sergeant November 20, 1861 ; dis- 
 charged at Alexandria, Va., August 9, 1862, by reason of promotion 
 to Second Lieutenant in Company C . 
 
 Sergeant Ellas W. Morey, discharged at Wauhatchie, Tenn., November 
 10, 1863, by reason of promotion to First Lieutenant in Ninth Regi- 
 ment United States Colored Troops. 
 
 Corporal Theron E. W. Adams, discharged at Washington, D. C, June, 
 1863, by order of General Wadsworth . 
 
 Corporal Harlan B. Cocliran, appointed Corporal November 30, 1861 ; dis- 
 charged at Columbus, O., October 18, 1863. 
 
 Coqjoral James M. Grim, appointed Corporal November 20, 1862; dis- 
 chargeil at Washington, D. C, January 10, 1863. 
 
 Corporal Elliott F. Grabill, appointed Corporal November 1, 1863; dis- 
 charged at Wauhatchie, Tenn., November 10, 1863; appointed First 
 Lieutenant in Fifth Regiment United States Colored Troops. 
 
 e'orporal Jason S. Kellogg, appointed Corporal January 1, 1863; dis- 
 charged at Camp Dennison, O., January 27, 1864. 
 
 Corporal Isaac F. Mack, discharged at Columbus, O., October 16, 1862. 
 
 PRFVATES. 
 
 Edward Atwater. wounded in battle of Port Republic; discharged at 
 
 Harper's Ferry, Va., October iil, 1863; enlisted in Third United 
 
 States Artillery. 
 Foster Bodle, discharged at Columbus, O.. October 2, 1863. 
 Charles C. Bosworth, discharged at Washington, D. C, April 5, 1861; 
 
 appointed Hospital Steward LTnited States Array. 
 George Carrothers, discharged at David's Island, N. Y., May 13, 1863, of 
 
 wounds received in battle of Cedar Mountain, Va. 
 James W. Cheeney, discharged at Washington, D. C, October 15, 1801; 
 
 appointed First Lieutenant Forty-nmth Illinois Volunteers. 
 Buel Chipman, discharged at Harper's Ferry, Va., October 26, 1802; 
 
 enlisted in United States Engineers. 
 Edward F. Curtis, discharged at Columbus, O., July 7, 1862. 
 Henry S. Clark, discharged at Cumberland, Md., September 4. 1802. 
 Henry Claghorn, discharged at Rochester, N. Y., May 11, 1864, for 
 
 wounds received in battle of Ringgold, Ga., November 27, 1863. 
 Thomas P. Dickson, discharged at Washington, D. C, January 8, 1803, 
 
 by reason of wounds received in battle of Cedar Mountain, August 
 
 9, 1802. 
 John W. Finch, discharged at Columbus, O., October 4, 1862. 
 John Gillanders. discharged at Washington, D. C, January, 23, 1863. 
 Ni.■h(^Ias Gttffett, dischargeil at Dumfries, Va., Februaiy 18, 1803. 
 Phillip Grigsby, discharged at Washington, D. C, July 24, 1863, by reason 
 
 of wounds received in battle of Dumfries, Va., December 27, 1862. 
 Mathis N. Hamilton, discharged at Cumberland, Md., August 33, 1863. 
 Henry G. Hixon, discharged at Romney, Va., December 24, 1861. 
 Henry Howard, discharged .it Columbus, O., April 9, 1863. 
 Albert Hubble, discharged at Columbus, O., July 7, 1862. 
 Lewis J. Jones, discharged at Harper's Feny, Miirch 10, 1863, for wounds 
 
 received at battle of Cross Lanes, Va., August 26, 1861 . 
 Seldon B. Kingsbury, discharged at Columbus, O., August 2, 1862. 
 Dan G. Kingsbury, discharged .at Hai-per's Ferry, Va., October 30, 1862; 
 
 enlisted in United States Engineers. 
 Edward E. Kelsey, discharged at Annapolis, Md., March 25, 1864; enUsted 
 
 as Hospital Steward United States Army. 
 Stephen Kellogg, discharged for wounds received in battle of Winches- 
 ter, Va. 
 James A. Massa, discharged at Columbus, O., June 23, 1861. 
 Joseph Massey, discharged at Winchester, Va., M<ay, 1862. 
 Elan B. Myers, discharged at Cohuubus, O. 
 Albert Osborn, discharged at Columbus, O., May 7, 1863. 
 HobertG. Orton. discharged at Cincinnati, O., October 11, 1862. by reason 
 
 of wounds received in battle of Cross Lanes, August 26, 1861. 
 Alexander Parker, discharged at Columbus, O. 
 Reuben R. Potter, discharged at Harper's Ferry, Va., October 34, 1862; 
 
 enlisted in Tliird Regiment United States ArtilleiT. 
 William H. Pelton, discharged at Chattanooga, Tenn., January 21, 1864. 
 
 for wounds received in battle of Ringgold, November 37, 1863. 
 Anson H. Robbuis, discharged at Columbus, O., July II, 1863. 
 
93 
 
 HISTORY OF LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 George Roj?ers, discharged at Harper*s Ferry, Va., Oct. 30, 1862. En- 
 listed in U. S. Engineers. 
 Edward C. Root, dieeharged at Columbus. O., August 2, 1862. 
 Orlando Richmond, discharged at Columbus, O., February 21, 18(53. 
 Oeorgt' L. Spees. discliarged at (Jauley Bridge, Va., November 18. 1861. 
 Clinton N. Sterry, discharged at Alexandria, "O., October 18, 1862. 
 Kdnumd R. Stiles, discharged at Columbus, O. 
 Edwin R. Smith, discharged at Columbus, O., July 7, 1863; appointed 
 
 St'coud Lieutenant in Fifth U. S. Colored Trot)ps. 
 ■NVilliam H. Scott, discharged at Columbus. O., November 20, 1864. 
 Henry G. Sheldon, discharged at Columbus, O., July 3, 18^3, for woimds 
 
 received in battle of Cross Ijanes, Va., August 36, 1861. 
 Heiijamin L. S«vey, discharged at Washington, D. C, February .5, IStW. 
 David J. Thompson, discharged at Columbus, O., June 2,5, 1864. 
 George U. Thrasher, discharged at Washington, D. C. June 19, 1862. 
 Lucius V. Tutile, discharged at Columbus, O., July 31, 1862. 
 R. C. Van Orman, discharged at Camp Dennison, O., February 15. 1864. 
 Warren F. Walworth, discharged at Columbus O. July 11, 1863, for 
 
 wounds received at battle of Winchester, Va.. March 2S, 1862. 
 Frederick A. Warner, discharged at Columbus, O., July 11, 1862, for 
 
 wounds received at battle of Winchester, Va., March 23, 1862. 
 Leroy Warren, discharged at Cohimbus. C, July 22, 1862. 
 AVillard W. Wheeler, discharged at Detroit, Mich., June 2:i, 1862. 
 Theodore Wilder, di-^charged at Alexaiidna. October 20, 1862, for wounds 
 
 received in battle of Cedar Mountain. Va., August 1), 1863. 
 Richard Wenser, discharged at Columbus, O., November 25, 1S62, for 
 
 wounds received in battle of Winchester, Va., March 33, 1862. 
 
 TRANSFERRED. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Sergeant Frank Harmon, appointed Sergeant January 1, 1863: trans- 
 ferred to N. C. S. as Quartermaster Sergeant, Septemqer 1, 1862; 
 ■noimded at Gettysburg, 
 
 Sergeant Henry Fairchilds, transferred to Company G, Fifth Ohio Vet- 
 eran Volunteer Infantry, October 31st, 1864. 
 
 Corporal James W. Ramond, transferred to Detachment of Recruits in 
 the field at Ackworth, Ga., June II, 1864; wounded in battle of Ring- 
 gold, Ga. 
 
 PRrVATES. 
 
 Private Joseph E. Bates, transferred to Regimental Band, at Weston. 
 Va.. July 10, 1861. 
 
 Edgar M. Bostwick. transfen-ed to Regimental Band, at Weston, Va 
 July 10, 1861. 
 
 Orlando P. Brockway, transferred to Batteiy I. First Ohio Volunteer 
 Artillery, December 1. 1861; promoted Sergeant. 
 
 James R. Bell, transferred to Hospital Department, December 1, 1861. 
 
 James C. Bartlett, transferred to Company B, Fifth Ohio Veteran Vol- 
 unteer Infantry, October 31, 1864. 
 
 William O. Barnes, transferred to Company B. Fifth Ohio Veteran Vol- 
 unteer Infantry, October 31, 1864; wounded at Ringgold, Ga., No- 
 vember 27, 1863. 
 
 Freeman Bunker, transferred to Company B, Fifth Ohio Veteran Vol- 
 unteer Infantry, October 31, 1864. 
 
 Martin V. Clark, transferred to Regimental Band, July 10, 1S61. 
 
 Joseph Cleverton, transferred to Company B, Fifth Ohio Veteran Vol- 
 unteer Infantry, October 31, 1864; wounded at Ringgold, Ga.. No- 
 vember 27, 1863. 
 
 Charles W. Rossiter. transferred to Regimental Band, Jidy 10. 1861. 
 
 John Wilford, transferred to Company B, Fifth Ohio Veteran Volunteer 
 Infantry, October 31, 1864. 
 
 Leonard G. Wilder, transferred to Invalid Corps, Febi-uary 15, 1864. 
 
 COMPANY D, EIGHTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER 
 INFANTRY. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
 
 Coi-poral Parker S. Bennett, enrolled]June 3, 1861 ; promoted to Sergeant. 
 Died of wounds, at Washington, D. C. 13, 1863. 
 
 COMPANY H, EIGHTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER 
 INFANTRY. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 John Connolly, enrolled June 6, 1861; discharged May 19, 1862. 
 Adolph Gawzert. enrolled June 6, 1861; discharged September 6, 1862. 
 Myron M. Keith, enrolled Jmie 6. 1861; discharged January 21, 1863, of 
 
 wounds received at Battle of Fredericksburg. 
 Charles Lyman, enrolled June 6, 1861; died at Webster, Va., October 23 
 
 1861. 
 Charles Boughton, enrolled June 17, 1861; discharged at Harper's Ferry, 
 
 Va., October 21, 1862. 
 Calvin Linton, enrolled June 6, 1861; killed at the Battle oi Poe River, 
 
 May 11, 1864. 
 Frederick Newton, enrolled June 17, 1861; discharged at Baltimore, Md.. 
 
 Januarys, 186.3. 
 
 EInathan M. Smith, enrolled June 17, 1861 ; killed In Battle of the Wilder- 
 ness, May 6, 1864. 
 
 Charles S. Thompson, enrolled June 17,1861; discharged September 2, 
 1861. 
 
 Jesse Thayer, enrolled June 17, 1861; discharged May 11, 1862. 
 
 Henry H. Waldo, enrolled June 6. 1861; premoted to Sergeant; mustered 
 out with Company, at Cleveland, Ohio, July !3, 1864. 
 
 COMPANY D, TWENTY-THIUD REGIMENT, OHIO VOL- 
 UNTEER INFANTRY. 
 
 Organized at Camp Taylor, Cleveland Ohio, May 16, 1861. Mustered out 
 of Siervice at Cumberland, Md., July 26, 1865. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captain Howard S. Lovejoy; resigned February 13, 1863. 
 
 First Lieutenant Abrani A. Hunter, promoted to Captain. March 1, 1862, 
 
 and assigned to C'ompany K. 
 Second Lieutenant Henry Ricliardson, promoted to First Lieutenant, 
 
 July 34, 1861. and assigned to Company B. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant Adin W. Durkee, promoted to Second Lieiitenant; re- 
 signed Decendjer 26. 1862. 
 
 Sergeant Lampson C. Curtis 
 
 Sergeant William W. Hardy. 
 
 Sergeant Theodore Harris. 
 
 Sergeant William H. H. Wheeler. 
 
 Corporal John H. Lindlej-, promoted to Sergeant; killed in Battle of 
 South Mountain, Md., September 14, 1862. 
 
 Corporal Leauder H. Lane, discharged to accept promotion July 2, 1864. 
 
 Corporal Eliphalet I. Taylor, discharged Juhp 11, 1864. 
 
 Corporal John T. Ogiien, discharged to accept promotion, January 12^ 
 1865. 
 
 Corporal Dennison C. Hanchett. discharged June 11, 1864. 
 
 Corporal Edgar A. Price, discharged fordisabihty December 18, 1862. 
 
 Corporal Clifton A. Bennett, discharged to accept promotion, July 28i 
 1863. 
 
 CoiTDoral Orrin F. Green. 
 
 Musician Samuel McElroy. 
 
 Musician Frederick V. Cogswell. 
 
 Wagoner Truman S. Seamans. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Henry Agal, transferred to C<impany K. 
 
 George A. Archer, transferred to non-commissioned staff. 
 
 John O. Beirn. 
 
 Coiydon Bassett. 
 
 William R. Boon. 
 
 Josei)h Brumley. transferred to Company K. 
 
 Henry M. Battles. 
 
 George S. Bidwell, transferred to Company K. 
 
 Daniel Baker. 
 
 Henry D. Barber. 
 
 William E. Brooks. <lischarged June 11, 1864. 
 
 Isaac W. Barker, killed in battle of South Mountain. Md., September 14, 
 1863. 
 
 James Crowder, discharged November 2;i, 1863. 
 
 Willis Chase, promoted to Sergeant; discharged April 19th, 1865, by rea- 
 son of wounds received in battle. 
 
 Samuel Clifford, died in Rebel prison, July 12, 1864. 
 
 Edward Cameron. 
 
 Jasper H. Cooley, discharged June 18. 1862. 
 
 David Danby, transferred to Company K. 
 
 Hiram Durkee, killed in battle of South Mountain, Md., September U- 
 1862. 
 
 William W. Dunlap. 
 
 John Eaton, discharged for disability. November 29, 1863. 
 
 James V. Eldridge. killed at battle of Antietam. Md., September 17, 186-J. 
 
 Gilbert G. Field, blown up in steamer "Sultana," April 35. 1865. 
 
 Milton H. Franks, discharged for disability, September 19, 1861. 
 
 Thomas Flack, discharged January 33, 1S65. 
 
 Ransom Fisher, transferred to Company H. 
 
 John Goss, discharged April 1, 186:3. 
 
 Lucius F. Gilson, promoted to Sergeant; discharged June 11. 1864. 
 
 William Graeber. 
 
 John Gorman. 
 
 James Goddard, 
 
 Uriah Hart man. 
 
 Jacob Hartman, discharged May 4, 1863. 
 
 Edwin Hawes. 
 
 William I. Holcomb, discharged April 17, 1863. 
 
 Chauncey N. Hanson, transferred to Company K. 
 
 William D. Hanson. 
 
 Frederick Hooker, killed at battle of South MounUxin, Md., September 
 14, 1863. 
 
 Joel Hance. 
 
 Joseph Hower, transferred to Company K. 
 
 Henry M. Holzworth, transferred to Company K. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 93 
 
 Philip Holzworth, transferred to Company K. 
 
 Theodore W. Ingersoll, transferred to Company H. 
 
 William Jones, transferred to Company K. 
 
 Harvey K. Lowe. 
 
 George Loewenstein, transferred to Company H. 
 
 John Leasure. 
 
 Edgar Leach. 
 
 Sylvester Leach. 
 
 Allen H. Larnard, transferred to Company H. 
 
 Anson K. Mills, transferred to Company K. 
 
 Charles E. Manchester, transferred to Company K. 
 
 Henry Marmilstein. 
 
 Frederick Motrey, transferred to Company K. 
 
 Meredith McKiiuiey transferred to Company H. 
 
 Charles Morgan, transferred to Company K. 
 
 Decolia B. Masten, transferred to Company K. 
 
 Henry Montague, transferred to Company K. 
 
 Francis S. McCumber. 
 
 Henry Molter, transferred to Company K. 
 
 David Petermau, discharged for disabihty, October 2G, XHtiii. 
 
 George W. Peun. 
 
 Addison A. Root, transferred to Company K. 
 
 Martin Ryan. 
 
 George C. Reannourd. 
 
 David E. Scott, 
 
 Marshall H. Siples. 
 
 Ephriam Stevens, discharged June 11. 1864. 
 
 Warren Squire, transferred to Company K. 
 
 Lawrence Squire, discharged for disability, May 22, 1863. 
 
 John R. Searl. died at Raleigh. Va , July 17, 1864. 
 
 Edmund A. Sims, killed at battle nf South Mountani, September 14, 1862. 
 
 Almon A. Sheffield. 
 
 Daniel Skinner. 
 
 Abram M. Tanner, promoted to Corporal; discharged at expiration of 
 
 term of service. 
 James H. Waldo, transferred to Company H. 
 James Wort man. 
 
 Nelson H. Wing, transferred to Company H. 
 Francis Wildman. 
 
 Thomas I. Wiley, transferred to Company H. 
 Samuel Ward, di.soharged October 25, 1863. 
 Frank Wood row. 
 
 The names bearing no record were, doubtless, mustered out with 
 Company at close of the war. 
 
 COMPANY K, TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT OHIO VOLUN- 
 TEER INFANTRY. 
 
 Organized at EljTia, Ohio. Mustered into service at Camp Jackson, 
 near Columbus. Ohio, June U, 1861. Mustered out of service at Cum- 
 berland, Maryland, July 26. 186.5. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captain Dewitt C. Howard, resigned, July 11, 1862. 
 First Lieutenant Frederick H. Bacon. 
 Second Lieutenant Archie C. Fisk. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant Thomas A. Stephens, promoted to Second Lieutenant, 
 
 December 26, 1862, and assigned to Company H. 
 Sergeant David Newbuiy. 
 
 Sergeant Lewis D. Lee, re-enlisted jis Veteran Volunteer. 
 Sergeant George W. Moulton, discharged for disability, Septembers, 1862 
 Sergeant Thomas G. Wells, kihed in the battle of South Mountain, Md., 
 
 September 14. 1863. 
 Corporal Otto E. Huene, promoted to Sergeant, September 15, 1862. 
 Corporal Cyrus Whittlesey, api^ointed Corporal June 13, 1861. 
 Corporal Timothy C. Wood, died at Charleston, W. Va., November 20, 
 
 1862. 
 Corporal Lyman W. Cai-penter, died at Charleston, W. Va., August 8, 1862. 
 Corporal Daniel R. King, discharged May 20, 1863, for disability. 
 Corporal Benjamin F. Bums. 
 
 Coi-poral Edgar Herrick, promoted to Sergeant Jainiarj*, 1, 1863. 
 Drummer RoUin Horton, appointed Hospital Steward, and transferred 
 
 to non-commissioned staff April 8, 1863. 
 Wagoner Rollin Emmons. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Richard B. Atwater. 
 
 William Abel, appointed Corporal May 1. 1862. 
 
 Siebert Abel, discharged December 15, 1862, by reason of wounds re- 
 ceived at tlie battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862. 
 John Aschenbach. 
 Gilbert I. Braman. 
 
 Frederick W. Broady, re-enlisted a Veteran Volunteer November,30.l863. 
 Jacob Brown. 
 
 William Brown, discharaged April 22, 1862, by reason of woiaids received 
 j at the battle of South Mountain, September 14, 1862. 
 
 Oliver Barret, appointed Corporal May 1, 1862. 
 
 John M. Bronson. 
 
 George W. Bartholomew, discharged August 26, 1862, for disability. 
 
 James Brooks, re-enlisted as veteran volunteer, October 1, 186:J. 
 
 William A. Cooley, died in hospital at Washington, D.C. September, 1862 
 
 Isaac Cook 
 
 Kmanuel Campbell. 
 
 William H. Call, discharged July 14, 1862. for disai)ility. 
 
 James F. Call, discharged February 25, 1863, for disabilit)'. 
 
 Cornelius D. Conger, dischai-ged March 5, 18(j2. for disability. 
 
 Henry Crandall, appointed Corporal June 13, 1861; ilied at Fayettville, 
 
 W. Va.. November 20 1862. 
 Kdwin H. Hill. 
 
 Aifi-ed Day, appointed Cori)oral Octobers, 1862. 
 John T. Ewings. 
 Harvey E. Fitts. appointed Corporal May 1,1862; transferred October 19. 
 
 18(i2, to regulai" cavalry. 
 Valentine Faidhaber, appointed Corporal November 12, 1862. 
 Isaac W. Gray. 
 Isaac Hill, wounded in the battle of South Mountain, Md., September 14, 
 
 18<>2; transferred to invalid corps. 
 G ittleib Hurlebaus, re-enlisted a veteran volunteer November 30, 186.3. 
 Ceorge H. Hubbard, discharged February 10. 1862, for disability. 
 Horace Hill, re-enlisted veteran volunteer October 1, 1863. 
 Frederick Isbelle, discharged October 20, 1861, for disabihty. 
 James James, re-enlisted as veteran volunteer November 30. 1863. 
 Charles A. Jewell, re-enlisted as veteran volunteer December 31, 1863. 
 John Lent, discharged September 20. 1861, for disability. 
 Henr>' O. Loomis re-enlisted veteran volunteer, December 31, 1863. 
 Ira W. Mead. 
 
 Ji'el P. Monger, re-enlisted as veteran volunteer October 1, 1863. 
 Benjamin F. Marlet. 
 
 John \V. Mo.sser, discharged September 20, 1861. for disability. 
 George W. Mason, re-enhsted as veteran volunteer October 1, 1863. 
 Charles Maturah. 
 Joseph Mitchell, wounded in the battle of Antietam, Md., September 17 
 
 1862; discharged February 24. 1863. 
 James O'Reiley. 
 
 Timothy Powers, discharged June 28, 1861, for disability. 
 Jonathan Ring, wounded in the battle of Antietam September 17, 18(i2; 
 
 died September 21, 1862. 
 George G. Root, appointed Corporal January 1, 1862. 
 William Roach, killed at Camp Ewing, W. Va., November 15, 1861. 
 Frank Stow, appointed Corporal September 20, 1862. 
 Silas Southworth, discharged Februaiy 12, 18f>4. 
 Peter Saxton. 
 
 Fitzland Squires, wounded in the battle of South Mountain, Md., Sep- 
 tember 14, 1862; died September 27, 18l»2. 
 Albert E. Squires. 
 
 Frank Sperry, re-enlisted as veteran volunteer October 1, 1863. 
 Frederick Stark. 
 
 John C. Springer, re enlisted as veteran volunteer October 1, 18G3. 
 Wyatt B. Thorp, discharged September 2, 1863, for disability. 
 William Treadwell, discharged May 4, 186:3, for disability. 
 P'rai cis Taylor, discharged July 12, 1862, for disability, 
 Willis R. Terrell, transferred to regular cavalrj-, October 26, 1862. 
 John Tisdale. 
 
 Robert Warmock, discharged September 2i). 1861. for disability. 
 John C. Worcester, appointed Corporal January 1, 1863: re-enlisted as 
 
 veteran volunteer October 1, 1863. 
 George R.Whitman, appointed Corporal May 1,1862; appointed Sergeant 
 
 September 20, 1862; re-enhsted as veteran volunteer October 1, 1863. 
 
 See remarks at close of Co. D. roster. 
 
 COMPANY H, FORTY- FIRST REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER 
 INFANTRY. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captain Alonzo Pease, resigned January 9, 1862. 
 
 First Lieutenant John W. Steele, promoted to Captain, February 3, 1862; 
 
 appointed Major and Aid-de-Camp by President. 
 Second Lieutenant, Albert McRoberts, promoted to First Lieutenant, 
 
 March 1, 1862; resigned May 24, 1802. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant Henry S. Dirlam, promoted to First Lieutenant, March 
 
 S4, 1863; killed November 23. 1863. 
 First Sergeant Nathan H. Whitney, died in 1862. 
 Sergeant Harvey H. Green. 
 Corporal George F. ^Miitney. 
 Corporal WiUiam H. Prince. 
 
 Corporal Thomas H. Somers. promoted to Captain, November 26, 1864. 
 Corporal Robert L. Simmonds. 
 Corporal Raymond Wilder. 
 Musician Horace Wilcox. 
 
94 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Ephraim T. B«ane. 
 Maiiin M. Bigelow. 
 
 Hynian A. lirown, died at Corinth, Miss., in 1862. 
 EdwiTi Brice. 
 
 James W. Blackwell, killed in battle, November iKJ. 18CJ, 
 Chester I. Case. 
 
 Matthews Chamberlain, killed at Shiluh, April T, IHt>2. 
 Andrew Chaml)erlain. 
 (leorge C. Clark, died in 18C:i. 
 (leorpe Clark. 
 
 Albert I. Clark, died at Corinth. Miss., 1802. 
 Joseph (;^ross. promoted to Sergeant. 
 John Cross. 
 Veragane Derlam. 
 Sidney S. Goodill. 
 Edward P. Kaskall. 
 Jacob Hoover. 
 Hu^h H. Kellogg. 
 Albert M. Kellogg, died ISfJiJ. 
 
 Ebene/.er Kingsbnrj', killed in battle, November 23, 18(j3. 
 Martin H. Keltogg- 
 Daniel Lawrence, died in 18(i2. 
 
 John C. Lenhart, killed at Stone River, December 31, 18fi2. 
 Joseph H. Lincoln died in 1802. 
 Anson Lymles. 
 Harrison Moore. 
 Charles F. Murray. 
 George W. Miller. 
 Leander L. Morton. 
 
 William A. Mills, killed in battle, November 2-3, 1S63. 
 John ({. Mills, killed in battle, May 27, 18)^1. 
 , Adelbert Marcy. 
 John Porter. 
 
 Franklin Pomeroy. died in 1803. 
 William H. Porter, killed at Shiloh, April 7, 1802. 
 William RoIIinson. 
 John C. N. Rjiser. 
 
 George M. Rogers, promoted to Sergeant. 
 Oliver M. Smith, died in 1802. 
 Harvey Sanderson, died at Corinth, Miss., 1802. 
 Josiah Staples, killeil in battle, May 27, 1864. 
 George D. Simmonds. 
 James Tooze. 
 George G. Tifft. 
 Benoni B. West, died in 181*4. 
 Henry West, killed at Shiloh, April 7, 1863. 
 Jobn E. Smith. 
 
 COMPANY K, FOKTY-FIRST OHIO VOLUNTEER 
 INFANTRY. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Corporal Edward Danforth. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Danford Barnes Saxton Taylor. 
 
 This regiment became veterans. No muster-out rolls of first enlist- 
 ment are preserved. 
 
 REGIMENTAL BAND FORTY-SECOND OHIO VOLUNTEER 
 INFANTRY. 
 
 Mustered into service, November 27, 1861. 
 date given. 
 
 Mustered out of service— no 
 
 Leader John W. Ford. 
 Sergeant William H. Park. 
 Sergeant Charles E. Mason. 
 Sergeant Anson G. Hollister. 
 Sergeant Wilson C. Hart. 
 
 Corporal Daniel Chase. 
 Corporal Enoch Elber. 
 Corporal George Gucker. 
 Cori>oral Philip Harper. 
 Corporal Henry Morrison. 
 
 Henry H. Bryant. 
 Sylvester Conch. 
 Thomas G. Gibson. 
 Frank P. Hale. 
 Johnson Hutcliins. 
 
 Corporal Edward F. Smith. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 William B. HoUister. 
 Enos Kelly. 
 Jacob L. Lewis. 
 Lewis F. Niles. 
 Milo R. Parsons. 
 Marvin Wood. 
 
 COMPANY E, FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT OHIO VOLUN- 
 TEER INFANTRY. 
 
 Mustered into service October 30, 1801. Mustered out of service Novem- 
 ber 15, 1864. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captain Charles H. Howe, resigned May I. 1863. 
 First Lieutenant Ge..)rge F. Brady, resigned March 27, 1803. 
 Second Lieutenant Melville L. Benham, promoted to Captain, May 17. 
 1863. 
 
 NOK-COMHISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant William R Moses. 
 
 Sergeant Jackson Irish. 
 
 Sergeant Samuel M. Wellmr-n. 
 
 Sergeant Charles A. Hoynt^)n 
 
 Sergeant John B. Underbill. 
 
 Corporal Benjamin F. Morehouse. 
 
 Corporal Julien W. Smith. 
 
 (^'i)rp'>i-al \Villiam H. II. Bryant, promoted to First Sergeant, December 
 
 0, 1802. 
 Corporal Edson A. Root. 
 (Corporal Lyman Knapp. 
 Corporal Asaiiel P. Foot. 
 
 Corporal John T. Flinn, promoted to First Lieutenant, April 7, I8fr4. 
 Corporal Bertrand C. Austin. 
 Wagoner Ransom G. Hunt. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Roland G. Abby. 
 
 Rienzi W. Austin. 
 
 Franklin F. Allen. 
 
 Harrison H. Bates. 
 
 J.imes Beverage. 
 
 Fi-ederick Brooks, died at St. Louis. Mo. —date not given. 
 
 Reul)en Blanct, drowned in Big Sandy, Januaiy 38, 1862, 
 
 Edmund E. Bunel. 
 
 Melvin B. Cousins, died February 28, 1863. 
 
 Truman L. Cooley. 
 
 Orrin S. Campbell, promoted to Sergeant, May, 1863. 
 
 .Tiihn Dunkhall 
 
 Christopher Dimmock, wotmded in battle; died March, 1863. 
 
 Orson Emmons, promoted Corporal; killed in battle. May 1, 1863. 
 
 Ruel Fulton. 
 
 Luke Flint, died February 8, I8«2. 
 
 Nicholas Flood. 
 
 Charles P. Goodwin, prometed to Adjutant; ilischarged October 5, 1S63. 
 
 Edwin Gould. 
 
 Charles Gould. 
 
 John Grittln. 
 
 Lewis Hanchett. 
 
 Thomas Howes, promoted Corporal November 14, 1H63. 
 
 Nathan Holmes. 
 
 George S. Harris, promoted Sergeant February 8, 1863; killed in bailie 
 May 1, 1863. 
 
 Henry Hibner, died August 19, 1863. 
 
 John Hudson. 
 
 Lyman Hawley, wounded at Vicksburg; arm amputated; drowned 
 March 12, 1H64. 
 
 (Jiles Irish. 
 Charles B. Jordan. 
 
 William H. Jacques, promoted Corporal Api-il 30, 1862. 
 
 Henry D. Johnson. 
 Stephen Ketchum. 
 
 Robert G. King. 
 
 Leonard G. Loomis, promoted Sergeant February 28, 18(>i. 
 
 Charles B. Lambkin. 
 
 John Launsbrough, promoted Sergeant April, 30, 1862. 
 
 (Jeoi'ge VV. Lee, died January 12. lS(i2 
 
 Martin Lilly, killed in battle December 29, 1863. 
 
 Milo W. Morse, killed in battle May 25. 186:^ 
 
 Frank W, Markert. 
 
 Willard Morriss. 
 
 William Morriss. 
 
 (ieorge Moe. 
 
 Henry McNelly. 
 
 George Newman. 
 
 Charles (.^"Brien, died May 18, 1862. 
 
 Benjamin Phinney, promoted ('orporal July 1, 1863. 
 
 Sanford Phinney, died; no date given. 
 
 (Jeorge A. Raj'mond. 
 
 EbenezerP. Sexton. 
 
 George Sexton, died February 7, 1863. 
 
 Ambrose Sawyer. 
 
 Cornelius Springer, died of wounds in 186;i. 
 
 William Stephens. 
 
 William H. Stephens. 
 
 Wiliam Swan. 
 
 Mason Terry, died at Baton Rouge; date not given 
 
 Charles R. Turner, promoted Corporal April 30, 1862. 
 
 David H. Taylor. 
 
 Stephen M. Taylor. 
 
 Angel Tnttle. 
 
 Joseph Willford. 
 
 Thomas Williams, died in Memphis. 
 
 William H. VVebsdale. 
 
 Frederick Watson, killed in battle Jidy 12. 1863. 
 
 Henry K. White, promoted Corporal February 20, 1863. 
 
 William Zeman, promoted Corporal April 30, 1863, 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 05 
 
 RECRUITS. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 John Curl, enlisted August 14. 1862; died June 30, 1803 
 
 George Goldsmith, enlisted August 13, 18ti2; died February 12, 18fi3. 
 
 William H. Hubbard, enlisted August 12, 1862; died February, 1863. 
 
 Alfred Lucas, enlisted August 12, 1862; died May 6, 1S()3. 
 
 Friend McNeal, enlisted August 12, 18)i2; died March 25, 1S63. 
 
 Corporal Luther A. Sweet, enlisted August 11, 1862; died March 29. 1803. 
 
 Philo Van Dusen, enlisted August 11, 1802, died Februaiy, 1863. 
 
 Horace J. Cahoon, enlisted August 14, 1802; discharged March 25, 1803. 
 
 John Ross, enlistd August 11, 1862; discharged April 22, 1H03. 
 
 John Brinker, enlisted August 11, 1862; transferred to Company G. 
 
 George W. Biggs, enlisted Septenil)er 10, 1863; transferred to Company G 
 
 Matthew Coone, enlisted August 11. 1862; transferred to t'ompany G. 
 
 Charles Chester, enlisted August 12, 1802; transferred to (^ompany G. 
 
 William F. Hathaway, enlisted August 12, 1862; appointed Hospital 
 Steward. 
 
 William G. Kent; enlisted September 1, 1802; transferred to Company G 
 
 Horace Morehouse, enlisted November 14,1801 ; transfeiTed to CompanyH 
 
 Corporal William H. Nickerson. enlisted Novendier 14, 1861; transferred 
 to Company H. 
 
 Theodore P. Sweet, enlisted August 11, 1802; transferred to Company G 
 
 James M. Smith, enHsted August 27, 1H62; transferred to Company G. 
 
 Howard Williams, enlisted October 30, 1861; transferred to veteran re- 
 serve corps May 22, 1804. 
 
 Oscar Wilcox, enlisted August 11, 1862, transferred to Company G. 
 
 Joseph Wetter, enlisted August 11, 1802; transferred to Company G. 
 
 Corporal Benjamin Mor-ehouse, enlisted October 30, 1801. 
 
 Julien W. Smith, enlisted October 30, ISOI ; died January 29, 1862. 
 
 Thomas F. Williams, enlisted August II, 1862; died of wound April 11, 
 
 ism. 
 
 Oel Durkee, enlisted November 12, 1861 ; transferred to Company H . 
 
 COMPANY F, FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT OHIO VOLUN- 
 TEER INFANTRY. 
 
 Mustered into service in October, November and December, 1861. Mus ■ 
 tered out of service July 13, 1865. 
 
 Harlow W. Aldrich, veteran volunteers, mustered out with company. 
 
 Benjamin Baldei-son, discharged at expiration of term of service. 
 
 George Bennett, discharged. 
 
 Alsaphin BasweU, veteran volunteer, mustered out with company. 
 
 William Haber, promoted Co poral, mustered out with company. 
 
 Andrew Hosford, veteran volunteer. 
 
 Abraham Jaquaies, died January 26, 1804. 
 
 Peter Mulberry. 
 
 Henry Naracong. 
 
 Orville Naracong. 
 
 Eugene Ostrander. 
 
 Michael Rudifortb. 
 
 Thomas Rose . 
 
 Lewis Schaffer, veteran volunteer, mustered out with company. 
 
 Royal G. Slater. 
 
 John I. Smith. 
 
 Herbert Smith, veteran volunteer, mustered out with company. 
 
 Conrad Trushiem. 
 
 George Westinghousen, veteran volunteer, mustered out with company. 
 
 COMPANY I; FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT OHIO VOLIN- 
 TEER INFANTRY. 
 
 Mustered into service in 
 Nelson Allen. 
 William O. Allen. 
 Frederick April. 
 Charles H. Bayless. 
 Medad H. Bulkley. 
 John Y. Burge. 
 Charles Clark. 
 Montgomery Close. 
 Martin Denman. 
 Martin Douglass. 
 Gibson Douglass. 
 Charles Donelson. 
 William H. Dunham. 
 Joel A. Gager. 
 John Ginste. 
 Levi Gillet. 
 Russell Greeley. 
 Cornelius Groat. 
 Birney Grifliu. 
 George W. Howard. 
 JeflEerson Harrington. 
 Willoughby Howe. 
 Albert L. Howe. 
 
 1862. Mustered out July 13, 1865, 
 Henry Hoyle. 
 Stephen Hill. 
 Russell T. HUl. 
 Joseph L. Hanson. 
 Gideon Lateman . 
 Charles M. Miller. 
 Jerome N. B. McCarty. 
 John McCotter. 
 Shubbill H. Marsh. 
 Hugh Moshier. 
 Marvin Moshier. 
 Hiram Moshier. 
 Benjamin F. Mills. 
 Joseph Newton. 
 Seth J. Porter. 
 Daniel T. Russell. 
 Franklin J. Russell. 
 Azidi-ew S. Russell. 
 Philip Ritzenthaler. 
 Lewis L. Rowe. 
 Daniel E. Rose . 
 Frederick Schneider. 
 Stephen Sweet. 
 
 John W. Harley . 
 Avery Hall. 
 
 James Hales. 
 Arteman Hinkley. 
 
 COMPANY B, 
 
 Thatcher Vincent. 
 Thomas Whitney. 
 Jefferson Wood. 
 Oscar McNamee. 
 
 FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUN- 
 TEER INFANTRY, 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Caiitain Robert Williams, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel; discharged 
 September 14, ISM. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant David A. Rees, promoted First Lieutenant and Adjutant. 
 
 Sergeant Miles W. Elliot, discharged for disability (no date) 
 
 Corporal Henry B. Neff, promoted Second Lieutenant, January 29, 1865. 
 
 Corporal James H. Dillon, discharged December 19, 1864. 
 
 Corporal Cyrus Pattinger, discharged December lil, lK(i4. 
 
 Con>oral Adam C. Neff, veteran volunteer. 
 
 Corporal John W. Kelley, promoted Sergeant, January 22, 1864. 
 
 Wagoner Henry Sprong, discharged for disability, Jul3- 22, 18ti2. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Alexander W. Boyer, discharged at Cincinnati, O., (no date). 
 
 Thomas Brown, Jr. 
 
 Charles K. Bennett, promoted Sergeant, October 25th, 1864. 
 
 Thomas Bennett. 
 
 Jacob Campbell. 
 
 Christopher H, Cook, veteran volunteer. 
 
 Samuel Cook, discharged June 27, 1862. 
 
 Andrew J. Clark, discharged (no record). 
 
 Henry W. Carroll. 
 
 John Frazier. 
 
 Samuel Glunt, died Jidy 6, 1883. 
 
 Jesse Glunl, died in hospital (no record). 
 
 John GUnit, died in hospital (no record). 
 
 Nathan H. Henderson. 
 
 Francis V. Hale, killed in battle of Shiloh. 
 
 Alonzo D. Kimball, died of wounds, April 6, 1862. 
 
 Allen H. Lowe, killed in battle of Shiloh. 
 
 Henry Marshland . 
 
 William H. Moravy. 
 
 John W. Neff, veteran volunteer, mustered out with company. 
 
 Milton N. Neff, veteran volunteer, mustered out with company. 
 
 Albert S. Robinson, veteran volunteer, mustered out with company. 
 
 William H. Robinson, transferred to V. R. C. 
 
 James H. Robinson, veteran volunteer, mustered out with company. 
 
 William H. Runyon . 
 
 Samuel Smiley, discharged at Covington, Ky. 
 
 William F. Smiley, discharged June 22, 1805. 
 
 John W. Thompson, discharged August 10. 1863. 
 
 George W. Wilson, discharged December 19, 1804. 
 
 John Wingler, discharged November 9, 1H64. 
 
 James Wingler, discharged January 12, 1803. 
 
 William C. Wilson, discharged December 19, 1804. 
 
 Franklin W. Whiteside, discharged January 12, 1863. 
 
 COMPANY E, SIXTIETH UEGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER 
 INFANTRY. 
 
 Mustered into service April 16, 1804, at Camp Chase, Ohio. Mustered 
 out of service July 28, 1865. 
 
 PRIVATES . 
 
 John A. Bean, killed in action, June 3, 18(i4. 
 Hiram K. Bedortha, died October 22. 1861 
 Charles W. Conklin; killed in action June 3, 1804. 
 .Tames H. Davis, mustered out with company. 
 Jared Gridley, mustered out with company. 
 Edward T. Lufkin, discharged July 1864. 
 Charles T. Smith, promoted to Sergeant. 
 
 COMPANY G, SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT OHIO VOL- 
 UNTEER INFANTRY.* 
 
 Mustered into service February 18, 1862. Mustered out September II, 
 
 1865. 
 George Metcalf . 
 Jacob Rath . 
 William M. Walker. 
 John Warner. 
 Eri S. Warner. 
 COMPANY H. 
 
 Frederick Kimmick. 
 
 John Amman. 
 Joshua Geiger. 
 Wesley A. Howard. 
 William B. Halsey. 
 John Maloney. 
 
 Frederick Frank 
 John Ritz. 
 
 ♦This regiment re-enlisted. Muster out rolls of original enlistment 
 
 not on file in Adjutant General's office. 
 
96 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 COMPANY C, EirrllTY-SIXTn REGIMENT OHIO VOLUN- 
 TEER INFANTRY. 
 Mustered into service July 14, iSiW. for six months. Mustered out of 
 service at expiration of enlistment. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captain Aaron K. Lindaley. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sers«'ant Charles E. Clark. 
 Sergeant Iju-ius E. Finch. 
 Sergeant Arehiliakl M. Willard. 
 Corporal Charles M. Davidson 
 Corporal Stanley K. Wileo.v. 
 
 William J. Allison. 
 Milan Avery. 
 fMiarles Bowers. 
 Henry Bennett. 
 James J. Dixon. 
 William Emmons. 
 Dareau Finch. 
 Lucius H. Hartwell. 
 Linwell E. Hamilton. 
 Charles O. Hanson. 
 George W. Heif ner . 
 Nelson T. Lee. 
 Dayton Morgan. 
 
 Corporal Frank W. Bennett. 
 Corporal Josiah Buffett. 
 Corporal Fi-ank B. Smith. 
 Musician Horace M. Wilcox. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Charles Prestage, died October 1, 
 
 lS»i3. 
 John Serage. 
 Lsaac Springer. 
 David Stevicks. 
 Frank btrong, died Octoher H, 
 
 1SG8. 
 Henry Terry. 
 William S. Wright. 
 (Jarrison Marcy. 
 Joshua Crandall, died November 
 
 2, I80:i. 
 Eugene Merrill. 
 
 COMPANY 1), EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT OHJO 
 VOLCXTEER INFANTRY. 
 
 Mustered into service June 10, 18ti:3. for three months. Mustered out at 
 expiration of term of service. 
 
 CONMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captiiin Sames F. Herrick. 
 
 Second Lieutenant Wallace N. Pinning. 
 
 NON-COMMISIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Corporal Thomas A. Riddle. 
 Corporal Theodore A. Tenney. 
 Corporal Edgar Conels. 
 
 AlvahT. Kellogg. 
 George H. Mathews. 
 Marion J. Morse. 
 Erwin McRoberts. 
 Robei't Preston. 
 Richard N. Phelps. 
 Charles C. Prentiss. 
 Benjamin F. Sems. 
 Frank Swift. 
 Charles Wright. 
 
 First Sergeant John H. Siddale. 
 Sergeant Nathan W. Foots. 
 Sergeant Seth W. Maltby. 
 Corporal James B. Johnson. 
 
 p 
 William J. Aliason. 
 Isaac C. Ayers. 
 Philip Ayers. 
 Willis E. Baldwin. 
 Charles E. Bristol. 
 Frank L. Best wide. 
 Henry C. Breckenridge. 
 William E. Chidister. 
 George W. Devlin. 
 Lucius Fi. Finch. 
 Harrison t^irnie. 
 Charles M. Graves, discharged fi 
 disabilitj-. 
 
 ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEER 
 INFANTRY. 
 
 Mustered into service at Cleveland, O.. September 8, 1H(;3. Mustered 
 out of service at Cleveland, O., June 22, 1865. 
 
 FIEI-D AND STAFF OFFICERS. 
 
 Major Dewitt C. Howard, discharged February 15, 18ti-5. 
 
 Surgeon Luther D. Griswold, resigned August 1, 1SG4. 
 
 Quarter Master Sergeant Clark P. Quirk, promoted to Regimental 
 
 Quarter-Master, July 21. 18ti3. 
 Hospital Steward Cyrus Durand. promoted from Sergeant in Co. H. 
 Fife-Major John Mountain, discharged May 15. 18iJ3. 
 Sergeant-Major Gilbert S. Judd, promoted from Sergeant in Co. F., 
 
 January 'J, IHti3. 
 No *' Muster out Rolls " of this regiment are on file in the office of tlie 
 
 Adjutant Genera!, at Columbus, O., rendering it impossible to show 
 
 the status of the companies from Lorain county when discharged 
 
 the service. 
 
 COMPANY F. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captain Philip C. Hayes, promoted to Colonel of regiment, June <>. 18().\ 
 Fii-st Lieutenant Simeon Windecker. promoted to Captain. June 04, isfi2. 
 Second Lieutenant Charles E. Morgan, promoted to Captain, November 
 18, 1864. 
 
 NON-COM MISSION ED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant Miles E. Wattles, promoted Second Lieutenant, February 
 
 !), 1863. 
 Sergeant William H. Ayers. 
 Sergeant Henry C. Bacon, promoted First Lieutenant, November 18, 
 
 1H64. 
 Sergeant Orlando W. Bacon. 
 Sergeant John S. W^ right. 
 Ct)rporal Newton L. Cotton. 
 Corporal William W. Watkius. 
 Corporal Charles Johnson. 
 Corporal Gilbert S. Judd. 
 Corporal Charles Blair. 
 Corporal George B. Fenn. 
 Corporal Wesley P. Hier. 
 Corporal Edward M. West. 
 Fifer Richard N. Tiffany. 
 Drummer Rhesa C. Houghton. 
 Wagoner Edwin D. Shattuc. 
 
 Luther Bemis, died at Danville, Ky., July 17, 1863. 
 
 John H. Bovvers, died November 26, lH)i3, of wounds received in battle 
 
 near Knoxville, Tenn., November 2.5, 1863. 
 Charles Bradley. 
 
 Justin A. Breckenridge, discharged in 1S63, dale not given. 
 Theodore F. Brown . 
 Alfred O. Briggs. 
 Thomas Burnham. 
 Thomas Butson. 
 Francis Cook . 
 
 Charles Cooper, disehargeil at Frankfort, Ky., date not given. 
 George J. Cotton. 
 James Covenhoren. 
 George W. Covenhoren. 
 John H. Crandall. 
 
 Lewis Carver, died at Camp Nelson, Ky., October 3, 1863. 
 William H. Eisenhower. 
 Milton H. Franks. 
 Albert B. Fitch. 
 John G. Fitch. 
 
 Lampson B. Franklin, died at Lexington, Ky., November 21, 1SG2. 
 Dyer B. Gillett. 
 Joseph D. Goodrich. 
 George W. Hale 
 Seldon Hall. 
 Edward Hackett. 
 Daniel W. Highland. 
 James M. Harton. 
 Sylvester F. Harton. 
 John E. Howk. 
 William Hutton. 
 
 William O. Humphrey, discharged at Frankfort. Ky., date not given. 
 Ezekiel Jones, discharged at Columbus, O., March 2."), 1H63. 
 James M. Jones. 
 William Jordon. 
 Edward C. Kinney. 
 James E. Kenyon. 
 
 Silas Kingsley, died at Camp Denuison, O., July 13, 1S63. 
 George H. Kingsbury. 
 John Kiuekerfocher. 
 Edward Linder. 
 
 Jerome Lamphiei", discharged at Frankfort, Ky., (date not given). 
 Joshua S. Mason. 
 Stephen C. Mason. 
 Edwin Mills. 
 Emanuel Myers. 
 Solomon Nason. 
 Albert Northrup. 
 Madison Northrup. 
 John Northrupp. 
 Frank Nolen. 
 Frank L. Oberly. 
 Joseph Oberly. 
 George Peasly. 
 Robert Penson. 
 Thomas Penson. 
 Merit W. Piatt 
 James H. Redburn. 
 Charles H. Rosa. 
 David Robinson, died November 28, 1863, of wounds received in battle 
 
 near Knoxville. Tenn.^ November 25, 1863. 
 Joseph Robinson, killed at Frankfort, Ky., December 28, 1862. 
 Robert Reynolds. 
 
 Henry M. Salsbury, discharged at Cincinnati, O., July 24, 186:1. 
 Daniel Salsbury. 
 Sylvester F. R. Sage. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 97 
 
 Theodore A. Shafer. 
 
 John I. Shafer. 
 
 Frank B. Sherburne. 
 
 Michael Truckenniiller. 
 
 Wellin^on Varney. 
 
 Henry Whitney. 
 
 Richard Waterson. 
 
 Edward 51. West, discharged February 5, 18G3. 
 
 Edwin A. Wood. 
 
 Oilman M. Young. 
 
 COMPANY H. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captain George F. Brady, resigned May 9, 1803. 
 
 First Lieutenant John Booth, promoted to Captain, May 9, 1863. Re. 
 
 signed April "24, KStvl. 
 Second Lieutenant 1'. B. Parsons, resigned June 18, 18113. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant John Connally. captured January 18, 1864. 
 
 Sergeant James Allen, promoted First Lieutenant November 18, 1864. 
 
 Sergeant Francis M. Truman. 
 
 Sergeant William T. Chapman, promoted Second Lieutenant, June 8 , 
 
 1863: resigned February 43, 1864. 
 Sergeant William Knowles, captured January 18, 18G4. 
 Corporal Welton Van Wagoner. 
 Corporal Edward P. French, discharged at Lexington, Kentucky. (Date 
 
 not given). 
 Corporal Clark W. Quick, promoted to Captain August 19, 18M, from 
 
 First Lieutenant Commission declined. 
 Corporal James Lyons, promoted to Sergeant March 10, 18^3. 
 Corporal Ira P. Griswold. 
 
 Corporal JIarion Bruce, promoted to Sergeant March 10, 1803. 
 Corporal Chapin M. Banister. 
 
 C'jrporil Byron .McNeal, promoted to Sergeant, Julr^ 15, 1863. 
 Musician John Mountain, discharged by reason of error in muster, May 
 
 15, 1863. 
 Musician Andrew Parsons, promoted to Drum Major. (Date not given.) 
 W^agoner Charlos C. Spaulding. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Job Alexander. 
 
 Albort Adams. 
 
 Charles Abbey. 
 
 Solomon Alcott, promoted to Corporal March 10, 1863. 
 
 Frederick Ambrose, died April 27, 1803. 
 
 Washburn W. Bushnell, discharged February 20, 1864. 
 
 Jeremiah Brannen. 
 
 George Blair. 
 
 JrliUs Blain, promoted to Corporal, May 19, 1863. 
 
 Loren Bement. 
 
 John W. Bacon. 
 
 James Bailey. 
 
 Joseph Biggs. 
 
 Thomas Bunnell, died January 14, 1863. 
 
 Benjamin Bunnell. 
 
 Cephas Castle. 
 
 Harlan P. Chapman. 
 
 Emory N. Chapman. 
 
 Sanford M. Carpenter. 
 
 Luke Collins, promoted to Corporal, March 10, 1863. 
 
 James Collins. 
 
 Charles Chandler. 
 
 Daniel Coughlin. 
 
 Benjamin F. Crippen, died January 18, 1803. 
 
 Elliott A. Colls. 
 
 Paul Dumas. 
 
 Robert Dickson, died October 1.5, 1863. 
 
 Cyrus Durand, detached as Hospital Steward, September 8, 1862. 
 
 Thomas O. Fretler. 
 
 Edward Flood. 
 
 Albert Fauver, died November 23, 1862. 
 
 Patterson Fauver. discharged January 8. 1863. 
 
 Henry W. Fretter. 
 
 Austin Gandorn. 
 
 Harrison Goding, died November 25, 1863, from effects of wound., re- 
 ceived at battle of Armstrong Hill. 
 
 Michael Graham, promoted tc Corporal, March 10, 1863. 
 
 Byron A. Gilmore . 
 
 Richard C. Hinckley. 
 
 Thomas Harrison. 
 
 Martin Hudson, died Novembers. 1863. 
 
 William Howes, died December 0, 1863, of wounds received at battle of 
 Armstrong Hill . 
 
 George E. Hurd, captured Januaiy 18, 1864. 
 
 Charles Iserman . 
 
 John Jarrett, captured January 18, 1864. 
 
 Charles R. Kibbey, discharged January 8, 1863. 
 
 13 
 
 Philip Lewis, transferred to I. C. November 2, 1863. 
 
 Charles Lanaghan . 
 
 Harrison McClay, promoted to Corporal, January 83, 1861. 
 
 Arthur Moran . 
 
 Joseph Mathews, died at Frankfort, Ky., March 26, 1863. 
 
 Alanson D. Mynderse, discharged Jmie 4, 1863. 
 
 Hannibal T. Osgood, died March 2:5, 1863. 
 
 Morris O'Connell. 
 
 George W. Phelon. 
 
 David Phelon, discharged January 31, 1363. 
 
 Matelon Pember, promoted to Coi-poral, January 2:3, 1864. 
 
 Francis E. Pelton, transferred to I. C. Miiy 9, 1863. 
 
 Grosvenor Pelton, died November 10, 1803. 
 
 Ropha Rawson, captured January 18, 1864. 
 
 Charles Roe. 
 
 John Stangue. 
 
 John Smith. 
 
 Lewis Spaulding. 
 
 Richard H. Shute. 
 
 George Thompson. 
 
 Augustus Towner. 
 
 William G. Taylor. 
 
 Hiram Van Guilder, captured January 27, 1854. 
 
 John S. Warnock. 
 
 James W^arnock. 
 
 Oramel Whitaker. 
 
 WUliam H. Weeden, promoted to Corporal July 20, 1803. 
 
 Carey J. Winckler, died March 13, 1863. 
 
 Joseph Wilson. 
 
 COMPANY' E, ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTH REGI- 
 MENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 
 
 Mustered into service September 9, 1862, at Cleveland, Ohio. Mustered 
 out of service July 10, 1865. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
 
 Corporal W^illiam Snell. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 otto Boodicker. 
 
 Willium Fees, died August 19, 1863. 
 
 Gottlieb Wieland, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, 1861. 
 
 COMPANY G, ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTH REGI- 
 MENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 
 
 Mustered into service September 9, 1862, at Cleveland, Ohio. Mustered 
 out of service, July 10, 1865, at Charleston, S. C. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captain Anton Peterson, resigned November 7, 1862 . 
 First Lieutenant John Pfaff, resigned November 33, 1803. 
 Second Lieutenant Charles F. Marskey, promoted First Lieutenant No- 
 vember 25, 1802; resigned January 12, 1863. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONKD OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant, Fernando C. Suhrer. 
 
 Sergeant Joseph C. Peterson, discharged June 10, 1863. 
 
 Sergeant Jolm Sharp. 
 
 Sergeant John Zenz, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 Corporal Martin Horleer. 
 
 Corporal Anton Stewald, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 Corporal William Gillett. 
 
 Corporal John Welling. 
 
 Corporal Peter Vallerius, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 Corporill .A-dolph Ehrligh. 
 
 Cori^oral Mathias Noon. 
 
 Musician Thomas S. Binkard, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 Musician Joseph Osterman. 
 
 Wagoner John Haight. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 John Baker, captured at Gettysburg, Pa. 
 
 John Burkard. 
 
 John Burr. 
 
 Philip Beard. 
 
 Nicholas Burr, died March 25, 1885. 
 
 John Bauer. 
 
 Nicholas Bowers. 
 
 Casper Bohrer. 
 
 Adam Berris. 
 
 Simon P. Barber. 
 
 Frederick Beese. 
 
 Oren F..Browning, promoted Sergeant Major, September 12, 1862. 
 
 John Conradi. 
 
 John Crager. 
 
 Joseph Cramer, died of wounds, January 22, 1803. 
 
 Peter Eugels. 
 
 George Fisher. 
 
 Peter Fisher 
 
98 
 
 HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Julius Geiple, discharged, May 89, 1805. 
 
 Almon HoUey. 
 
 
 Henry Gentcs. 
 
 Henry Honeywell. 
 
 
 Jaiues Haight, wounded at Chuucellorsville, May 2, 1863. 
 
 Peter Howard. 
 
 
 Nicholas Jacob. 
 
 Isaiah Jewell - 
 
 
 John Jungblutt. 
 
 William II. Lindman, died July 3, 1802. 
 
 
 Peter Juchoni. 
 
 George Lenfer. 
 
 
 Joseph Klinknor, severely vroundetl at Chaiicellorsvillle, Va. 
 
 John M. Oliver. 
 
 
 John Ketcliuni. 
 
 Robert Park. 
 
 
 Michael KUiishern, died prisoner, January 13, 186-1. 
 
 .Selden M. PajTie. 
 
 
 Nicholas Lopendall, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 Henry W. Pomeroy. 
 
 
 Oscar Loux. 
 
 Martin Ross. 
 
 
 Peter Laseher, promoted Corporal September 1. 1804. 
 
 Orson Sears. 
 
 
 John Meyer, captured at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863. 
 
 Valtiu Seabert. 
 
 
 John Nesbit, discharged June 4, 1863. 
 
 Thomas M. Sherwood. 
 
 
 Mathias Pfeifer, died January 25, 1803. 
 
 Amasa Squires, died November 8, 1864. 
 
 
 Henry Buedi. 
 
 Eli Stedman. 
 
 
 John Shultz. 
 
 Joseph Welton. 
 
 
 Jacob Sneider. 
 
 Patrick Welch. 
 
 
 John Schintzler. 
 
 Benjamin C. Wood. 
 
 
 Peter Simmer, died prisoner, January 7, 1861. 
 
 Nicholas Wood. 
 
 
 Mathias Schmitz. 
 
 Oilman J. Wright, discharged at expiration of service 
 
 
 Jacob Schmitz, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 Judsou E. Willard. 
 
 
 Jacob Seyler. 
 
 John Shoemaker. 
 
 Nicholas F. Traxler, discharged March 17, 1803. 
 
 COMPANY C. 
 
 
 Mustered into service June 6, 1862, at Johnson's Island. Mustered out 
 
 Nicholas T. Traxler, discharged February 28. 1803. 
 
 of service July 13, 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio. 
 
 Henry Tores. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 
 John Voeiker, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 Lacey T Disbro, discharged at expiration of term of service . 
 
 Martin Walls. 
 
 Willard 3IcConnelI, discharged March 7, 186:i. 
 
 
 John Voeiker, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 
 
 Eli Ward, woundetlat Chancellorsville, Va., May 2, 180:1. 
 
 COMPANY n. 
 
 
 Joseph Yeuz. 
 
 Mustered into service September 16, 1862, at Johnson's 
 
 Island. Mustered 
 
 RECRUITS. 
 
 out of service July 13, 1865, at Camp Chase 
 
 Ohio. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 
 Nicholas Lopendall, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 Sergeant Andrew Ryan, died March 29, 1803. 
 
 
 Ferdinand C. Luhrer, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 Corporal Hobart Corning, promoted to Quarter-master Sergeant, April 
 
 John Weber, killed in battl-, Jidy 1. 1863. 
 
 .3, 1865. 
 
 
 Martin Walls, died prisoner, November 16, 1863. 
 
 Corporal Adison Wells. 
 Corporal Judah P. Perkins- 
 
 
 COMPANY C, ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH REGI- 
 
 PKIVATES. 
 
 
 MENT, OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 
 
 Franklin Brown. 
 Hai-vey J. Curtiss. 
 
 
 Mustered into service September 5, 1862, at Camp Toledo, Ohio. 
 
 Milo A. Cook, died January 27, 1863. 
 
 
 Mustered out of service, June 27, 1868, at Salisbury. N. C. 
 
 Robert Dunn. 
 Francis N. Dunn. 
 
 
 NON-COMMISSrONED OFFICER. 
 
 Harlon Garrett. 
 
 
 Sergeant Sylvester S. Hoadley, promoted First Lieutenant, March 1, 
 
 John Herald. 
 
 
 1861. Died at Atlanta, Ga., October »3, 1861. 
 
 Thomas C. Ingerson. 
 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 James Liner. 
 
 
 Samuel Blair. 
 
 F'rancis LaflSin. 
 
 
 John P. Beck, died November 28, 1862. 
 
 Abel S. Phipps. 
 
 
 Briggs Gould. 
 
 Owen Phipps. 
 
 
 William Ketenug, promoted Corporal. 
 
 George Phipps, ilied October 24, 1802. 
 
 
 John H. Lee. 
 
 Charles E. B. Rowell. 
 
 
 Joseph Spitler. 
 
 Henry C. Royce, died February 15, 1863. 
 
 
 Jacob Traxler. 
 
 George B. Schott. 
 
 
 James C. Thomas, promoted Corporal, June, 1865. 
 
 Jackson Wells. 
 
 
 Deloma W. Wisener. 
 
 Andrew P. Hamhn, died January 23, 1803. 
 
 
 Orson Whaley. Enrolled among deaths— no date. 
 
 COMPANY E. 
 
 
 HOFFMAN'S BATTALION. 
 
 Mustered into service January i), 1864, at Cleveland, 
 out of service July 13, 1865. 
 
 Ohio. Mustered 
 
 COMPANY B, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ErGHTH 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 
 REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 
 
 Corporal Charles B. Griggs. 
 
 
 Mustered into service February 27, 1662, at Johnson's Island, Ohio. Mus- 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 
 tered out of service July 13, 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio. 
 
 Putnam Bi-iggs. 
 Lym.an W. June. 
 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER.S. 
 
 John W. Mack, discharged April 25, 1864. 
 
 
 Corporal Allen Sergeant, discharged to accept promotion in the United 
 
 Tasso D. Phelan . 
 
 
 States Colored Troops. 
 
 DewittC. Rogers. 
 
 
 Corporal David Wood. 
 
 Porter Wheeler, discharged June 12, 1.S65 
 
 
 Corporal Leo Berlitz. 
 
 George PufT, died January 2, 1805. 
 
 
 Musician George Q. Adams, 
 
 
 
 PRn'ATES. 
 
 COMPANY F. 
 
 
 Alonzo Blackman. 
 
 
 
 Isaac H. Church. 
 
 Mustered into service December 21, 1863, at Cleveland, 
 
 Ohio. Mustereil 
 
 Martin E. Church. 
 
 out of service July 13, 1865. 
 
 
 Lucian M. Clark. 
 Carl EluUch. 
 Thomas Fishbum. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 
 Corporal Jefferson N. McCarty, promoted to Sergeant, 
 
 April 15, ISChl. 
 
 William Gornnan. 
 
 Corporal Rufus E. Jump, promoted to Sergeant. 
 
 
 John Harrington. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 
 Miles Hart. 
 
 Samuel Baker. 
 
 
 Peter Hazel - 
 
 Cameron B. Stone. 
 
 
 James Hitsman. 
 
 Charles H. Wright, discharged September 23, ISM. 
 
 
 ■j 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 99 
 
 COMPANY I. 
 
 Mustered into service Jaiuiarj' 5, isr4. at Cleveland, Oliio. Mustered 
 out of service July 13, 1865. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Corporal Henry L. Napp. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Robert Dowling. 
 
 John Napp. 
 Silas Penneman. 
 
 Williaui Robinson. 
 Charles H. Wright. 
 
 COMPANY K, ONE IILTNDRED AND THIRTY-FIFTH REGI- 
 MENT OHIO NATIONAL GUARDS. 
 
 Miiatered into service at Camp Chase, Ohio, on May 11, 1864, for one 
 hundred days. In the absence of a Muster-out Roll, it is presumed the 
 Company was mustered out of the service at the expiration of the term 
 of service for which they were enlisted. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captain George D. Williams. 
 
 First Lieutenant David C. Baldwin. 
 
 Second Lieutenant Marvin B. Keith. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant Edward P. French. 
 Sergeant William E. Cahoon. 
 Sergeant Frank C. Cromling. 
 Sergeant Caleb W. Dill. 
 Sergeant James F. Flowers. 
 Corporal Edwin J. Abbott. 
 Corporal George Cogswell. 
 Corporal Edward Glover. 
 
 Corporal Lewis Haserodt, 
 Corporal Halsey J. Hawthorn. 
 Cori)oral Saunders Hmes. 
 Corporal John Lent. 
 Corporal Alfred R. Philpott. 
 Musician William B. HoUister. 
 Musician Ernest Morehouse. 
 Wagoner William Tite. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Frank Agate. 
 John Bartlett. 
 John Biggs. 
 William S. Biggs. 
 Martin J Braman. 
 Elbert A. Brush. 
 Eldt-n R. Brush. 
 George Burnham. 
 Oscar N. Bush. 
 Joseph Buswell. 
 Michael Coagliu. 
 Joseph Clark. 
 Emir J. Coon. 
 George Crisp. 
 WiUiaiu Dawley. 
 Franklin W. Dunham. 
 Oscar Durkee. 
 Charles Eason. 
 Newton Eldred. 
 George Farmer. 
 Henry Farmer. 
 Theodore S. Faxon. 
 Martin C. Fox . 
 Edward E. Gaudeme. 
 William Gooispeed. 
 Edwin R. Goodwin. 
 
 Luther B. Grigg. 
 Volosco C, Hard. 
 Lewis Hess. 
 Albert Hyland. 
 Luther Hoadley. 
 Calvin Jackson. 
 Andrew Johnson. 
 Lyman R. Kemp. 
 Amos V. Kent. 
 Merit Meade. 
 Andrew Moore. 
 Loren J. Myers. 
 Winthrop W. Phelps. 
 Edgar A. Phillips. 
 Thomas M. Proctor. 
 Willis Reichard . 
 Dwight W. Rockwell . 
 Frederick Starkweather. 
 Albert S. Taylor. 
 Loren Taylor. 
 James B. Warden. 
 George H. Wolcott. 
 Ervin Worthington. 
 Charles Young. 
 Agastus Zubor. 
 
 REGI- 
 
 COMPANY K, ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH 
 MENT OHIO NATIONAL GUARD. 
 
 Mustered into service at Cleveland, O., May 5, 1864, for one hundred 
 days. Mustered out of service at expiration of term of service. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captain Albert Allen SaflFord. First Lieutenant Henry L. Turner. 
 
 Second Lieutenant George W. Phinney. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant James H. Laird. 
 Sergeant Russell T. Hall. 
 Sergeant George W. Facklin, 
 Sergeant George W. Keyes. 
 Sergeant Anson H. Robbins. 
 Corporal Lucien C. Warner. 
 Corporal William H. Ryder. 
 
 Corporal James T. Hudson. 
 Coi-poral R. Dwight Burrell. 
 Corporal Theodore W. Otis. 
 Corporal Edward A. Ellis. 
 Corporal Elihu C. Barnard. 
 Corporal W. Irving Squire. 
 
 Edgar L. Beach. 
 
 John A. Bedient. 
 Eugene P. Boise. 
 Franklin M. Burns. 
 Henry S. Bennett. 
 Frank J. CaU. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 John Jeffers. 
 Jay L. Judd. 
 Cyrus >L Johnson. 
 Amos A. Kellogg. 
 Eugene P. Kingsley. 
 Peter H. Kiser. 
 
 James C. Cannon. 
 William T. Clark. 
 Edgar A Chapman. 
 Buel Cliidester. 
 Edward P. Church. 
 Fiudley Cleveland. 
 Ilenrj'' A, Cowles. 
 Wilham E. Copeland. 
 John C. Doughty. 
 Albert Dwelle. 
 Charles Dean. 
 Joseph Eccles. 
 Johu C. Fillmore. 
 Thomas J. Frazier. 
 William Fuller. 
 Heury W. Gates. 
 James Goss. 
 Daniel E. Hathaway. 
 Arthur E. Hawley. 
 Edward K. Hawley. 
 Chalmer Hammond. 
 Edgar H. Hunman. 
 Charles F. Hall. 
 Richard Holland. 
 Lucius C. Hotchkiss. 
 Luman L. Hudson. 
 Theodore Hulburt. 
 Nicholas P. Hugus. 
 Harlan P. Jackson. 
 
 There is no "Muster out' 
 General of Ohio; hence 
 this company. 
 
 Charles F. KrimeL 
 WilUam E. Leach. 
 Marcus M. Lincoln. 
 George R. Morgan. 
 Henry J. Marietta. 
 William A. Miner. 
 John Monroe. 
 Frederick J. McWade . 
 George K. Nash. 
 Chaplin C. Neph. 
 Thomas B. Orton. 
 Joel M. Partridge. 
 Edward L. Plymptou. 
 Albert P. Reed. 
 Josiah J. Scovill. 
 Edwin Stickle. 
 Henry H. Straight. 
 Horace J. Street. 
 John Strong. 
 James E. Todd. 
 Carter Van Antwerp. 
 Levi Van Fossen. 
 Henry L. Warren. 
 Lanson B. Warren. 
 Calvin M. Wells 
 Alfred R. Wildman. 
 Lewis E. Wilson. 
 Albert A. Wright. 
 Walter E. C. Wright. 
 
 Roll on file in the office of the Adjutant 
 we are compelled to omit further data of 
 
 COMPANY C, ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SIXTH 
 REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 
 
 Mustered into service September 13, 1864, for one year. Mustered out 
 
 of service June 14, 1865. 
 Captain Aaron K. Lindsley, mustered out with company. 
 First Lieutenant Joseph A. Lovejoy. promoted Captain Aprils, 1865, and 
 
 assigned to Company H; mustered out with company. 
 Second Lieutenant Ramson Peabody, promoted to First Lieutenant 
 
 April 8, 1865, assigned to Company C, mustered out with company. 
 Louis B. Avery, discharged May 2:i, 1865. 
 Almon G. Bruce, mustered out with company. 
 Sergeant Henry Bennett, appointed Sergeant September 33, 186i. 
 Wesley S. Battle, mustered out with company. 
 Joseph H. Battle, mustered out with company. 
 Corporal Robert N. Bleur, appointed Cori>oral September 33, 1864, 
 J. W. Beaman. mustered out with company. 
 Luther S. Brown, died December 16, 1864. 
 John Croteer, mustered out with company. 
 Walter Catifield, mustered out with company. 
 Sergeant Luther W. Clark, appointed Sergeant, March 3, 1865. 
 George F. Clark, mustered out with company. 
 James R. Daley, mustered out with company. 
 Wlliam G. Dudley, mustered out with company. 
 James H, Daugherty, mustered out with company. 
 Dewitt C. Everlee, mustered out with company. 
 Washington Forbes, mustered out with company. 
 Albert Forbes, died December 5, 1864. 
 James Foote. died May S, 1865. 
 Addison W. Gregg, mustered out ^vith company. 
 Corporal Grantham Grundy, appointed Corporal September 33, ISW. 
 Robert P. Gibbs, mustered out with company. 
 Eli D. Gilson, nuistered out with company. 
 Nathan Gray, died November 3, 1864. 
 Joseph Gray, mustered out T.vith company. 
 George AV. Griggs, mustered out with company. 
 Lewis Gwyun, mustered out with company. 
 Drummer Charles Hayes, mustered out with company. 
 Hiram Harpster, mustered out with company. 
 Sergeant Carolus Hickox, promoted Sergeant September 23, 1864. 
 Linville E. Hamilton, mustered out with company. 
 Ricliard S. Bines, mustered out with company. 
 George C. Hanes, mustered out with company. 
 First Sergeant Henry W. Houghton, died March 3, 1865. 
 Orlow M. luman, mustered out with company. 
 William Jickles, not accounted for on muster out roll. 
 Corporal Edgar C. Jeffries, promoted Corporal January 1, 1865. 
 Sergeant Ezekiel Jones, appointed Sergeant September 3^3, 1864. 
 James Lewis, mustered out with company. 
 William T. Little, mustered out ■ivith company. 
 Benjamin F. Le\vis, mustered out with company. 
 John W. Moon, mustered out with company. 
 Edward Munsinger, mustered out with company. 
 
100 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 George Munsinger, mustered out with company. 
 
 David N. Maiideville, mustered out with company. 
 
 Nelson L. 3Iain, mustered nut with company. 
 
 Eugene R. JIai'cy, mustered out with company. 
 
 Corporal Henry W. Mallory, promoted Corporal September 33, 1864. 
 
 Drnnuner Adam .Miller, mustered out with company. 
 
 Charles H. (^gden, nuistered out witli company. 
 
 John Payne, mustered out with company. 
 
 Heniy D. Palmer, mustered out with company. 
 
 James Pember, mustered out with company. 
 
 Alvah Peabody, nuistered out with company. 
 
 Morris W. Plain, died April 14, 1S6.5. 
 
 Kussell Peltou, mustered out with company. 
 
 Sergeant Leonard G. Perry, appointed Sergeant September 33, 1H(>4. 
 
 Nicholas Robins, mustered out with company, 
 
 Albert S. Reynolds, died December 24, \XiA. 
 
 Corporal Henry J. Rossiter. appointed Corporal September 23, 1854. 
 
 Charles E. Starr, mustered out with company. 
 
 Walter Soles, mustered out with company. 
 
 Corporal George \V. Sutliff. appointed Corporal January 1, 1805. 
 
 John G. Smith, mustered out with company. 
 
 Sidney A. Smith, mustered out with company. 
 
 Wilham N. Smith, mustered out with company. 
 
 William R. Sackett discharged May 3*1, W>5. 
 
 Charles Swain, mustered out with company. 
 
 John Serage, mustered out with company. 
 
 Lucius B. Sweet, nuustered out with company. 
 
 George W. Upson, mustered out with company. 
 
 Albei-t Voorhes, mustered out with company. 
 
 First Sergeant Henry S. Viets, promoted First Sergeant March 3, 1SG6. 
 
 Edgar A. Warner, mustered out with company. 
 
 Roland C. AVoodbury, mustered out with company. 
 
 Hazelton Ward, mustered out with company. 
 
 COMPANY C, ONE HUKDRED AND NINETY-SEVENTH 
 REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 
 
 Mustered into service, April 1, 1S65, for one year. Mustered out of ser- 
 vice July 23, 1865. 
 
 Jacob Gehring, mustered out with company. 
 
 August Holder, mustered out with company. 
 
 James Hastings, mustered out with company. 
 
 Franklin J. Hosford. mustered out with company. 
 
 Corporal George Jillich, mustered out with company. 
 
 Sergeant William H. Richardson, mustered out with company. 
 
 George F. Shenvood, mustered out with company. 
 
 Charles Skader, mustered out with company. 
 
 Moses Ruggles, mustered out with company. 
 
 Joseph W. Pickle, m.ustered out with company. 
 
 COMPANY F. 
 Mustered into service, April 8, 1S65, for one year. 
 Frank Book, mustered out with company July 31, lSt)5. 
 
 FIFTH INDEPENDENT COMPANY SHARP SHOOTERS. 
 
 Mustered into service, December 5. 1863. Mustered out of se^-vice, 
 
 July 19, 1865. 
 John Barker. Sergeant Homer Meacham. 
 
 Barlow^ Bridge. Sergeant David Rose. 
 
 Homer S. Franks. Sergeant JuHus P. Stark. 
 
 John Hancock. Corporal John W. Vanfosseu. 
 
 Ephraim D. Holester. Corporal Benjamin F. Watkins. 
 
 COMPANY A, TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT UNITED 
 STATES COLORED TROOPS. 
 
 Mustered into service, January 16, 1864. Mustered out of service, Sep- 
 tember 31, 1865. 
 
 Isaac Brown. 
 
 Thomas A. Hartwell. 
 Tliomas Jenkins. 
 Isaac Noble. 
 
 Isaac Smith, died April 13, 1864. 
 John Willes. 
 Simpson Yaunger. 
 
 Richard Evans. 
 Enoch Freeman. 
 
 COMPANY B. 
 Mustered into service, Februai'y 8, 18G4. 
 Charles W. Long. 
 
 COMPANY G. 
 
 Mustered into service in February, March and April, 1864. 
 William Broadwell. Charles Moore. 
 
 BATTERY B, FIRST OHIO LIGHT ARTILLERY. 
 
 Mustered into service October 8, 1861. Re-enlisted January 4, I86^t. 
 Mustered out of service July 22, 1865. 
 
 NON-COUHISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Corporal Addison J. Blanchard, dischai'ged on account of disability 
 
 July 15, 18(;3. 
 Corporal Alunzo Starr, died of fever at Mt. Vernon, Ky., November 19, 
 
 I8(;i. 
 
 Corporal Harvey P. Fenn, died of fever at Lebanon, Ky., February 23, 
 
 Corporal Merwin Blanchard, discharged by reason of severe injury 
 caused by his horse leaping a fence whileeudeavoring to escape the 
 enemy, by whom he was captured and paroled. 
 
 Corporal Lewis R. Penlield, promoted to Sergeant October 3, 1"''63. Re- 
 enlisted as Veteran Volunteer January 4, 18t>4. 
 
 John Boon, transferred to Batter}' K, was captured near McMinnviUe, 
 
 Tenn., August 6, 1863. 
 Hugh Chambei-s, transferred to Battery K.. April 6, 1864. 
 John G. Courser, discharged for disabiHty, March 34, 1862. 
 Theodore Gott, re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer, January 4, 1864. 
 Ransom E. Gillett, transferred to Battery K., April 6, 1S64. 
 Egbert Holcomb. promoted to Corporal January 15, 1863; re-enlisted 
 
 as Veteran Volunteer, January 4, 1864. 
 Percival Holcomb, discharged from service for disability.. Date not 
 
 given. 
 John Jackson, re-enhsted as Veteran Volimteer, Januaiy 4, 1864. 
 George Mason, discharged for disability, March 23, 1863. 
 Harlan P. Penfield, re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer; promoted to Cor- 
 poral January 5, 1864. 
 John Ripperton, re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer. 
 John W. Renouard, re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer, 
 
 Stephen D. Renouard, re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer. ^ 
 
 Walter W. Starr, wounded at Stone River; re-enlisted as Veteran Vol- I 
 
 Tinteer. 
 William R. Stanfield, re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer. 
 James H. Sloan, re-enlist-ed as Veteran Volunteer. 
 Theodore White, died at Lebanon, Ky., February 18, 1803. 
 Alonzo White, discharged for disability, Ajiril 30, 1863. 
 Arthur West, discharged for disability, July 19, 1863. 
 David Burnham, joined the Battery, September 28, 1863; discharged 
 
 for disabihty February 1. 1864. , 
 
 John Blanchard, joined the Battery, September38, 1863; wounded in the 1 
 
 arm at battle of La Vergne; arm amputated, and discharged in con- 
 
 setpience. Date not given. 
 Walter Dalgleisb, joined the Battery, September 28, 1862; mustered out 
 
 with Battery. 
 Gilbert S. Goodyear, joined the Battery September 28, 1863; mustered 
 
 out with Battery. 
 Augustus B. Hayes, joined the Battery September 28, 1863; mustered 
 
 out with Battery. 
 Samuel F. Hoyt, joined the Battery September 38, 1863; discharged fur 
 
 disability. Date not given. 
 James S. Jennings, joined the Battery September 38, 1863; dischai^ed 
 
 with Battery. 
 Wilham R. Leonard, joined the Battery September 28, 1862; discharged 
 
 with Battery. 
 Cuyler Morris, joined the Battery September 28, 1863; discharged with 
 
 Battery. 
 Fletcher S. Penfield, joined the Battery September 28, 1863: discharged 
 
 with Battery. 
 Philo A. Penfield, joined the Battery September 28, 1863; discharged with 
 
 Battery. 
 Lester J. Richmond, joined the Battery September 38, 1862; discharged 
 
 with Battery. 
 Addison E. Sheldon, joined the Battery September 28, 1863; discharged 
 
 with Battery. 
 Leonard G. Starr, joined the Battery September 38, 1862; died of fever, 
 
 November 37, 1862. 
 Edwin A. Swift, joined the Batteiy September 38, 1861; discharged; date 
 
 not given. 
 
 FIFTEENTH INDEPENDENT BATTERY. 
 
 Mustered into service January 1, 1862, at Camp Denison, O. Mustered 
 out of sei-^'ice June 20, 1865, at Columbus, O. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captain James Burdick, promoted from First Lieutenant. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant James Reed, promoted from Corporal December 20, 1864. 
 Sergeant Frederick Dibble, promoted from Con^oral December 20, 1864. 
 Sergeant Seth W. Rolhn, promoted from Corporal April 23, 1865. 
 Sergeant Marshall Ferguson, promoted from Corporal March 1, 1865. 
 
HISTORY OF LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 101 
 
 Corporal Lafaj-ette S. Lee, promoted from private December 20, 1W4. 
 Coi-poral George Donaldson, promoted from private March 1, 1865. 
 Corporal Joshua R. Potter, promoted from private March 1, 1865. 
 Corporal Azor H. Osboru, promoted from private April iXi, 1865. 
 Artificer Joseph Gates, promoted from private December 20, 1865. 
 
 PRrVATES. 
 
 Moses Beal. 
 
 John W. Bougliton. 
 
 Thomas Disbro. 
 
 Eugene Faxon. 
 
 William King. 
 
 Gottleib Keller, captured February 30, 1865; returned to iluty May 20, '05 
 
 Lewis G. Lambert. 
 
 William Nottham. 
 
 Merrit Nichols. 
 
 Rufus G. Reynolds. 
 
 Warren RoUin. 
 
 Ehjah Stearns. 
 
 Freeman Stearns. 
 
 Alanson H. Williams. 
 
 Lewis S. Wright. 
 
 Jerome B. Warner. 
 
 William Berry, died at Vioksburg, Miss., August 7, 186-3 
 
 George W. Knoup, died at Memphis, Tenn., September3.3, 1863. 
 
 John Maddox, wounded at Coldwater, Miss. ; discharged at Cleveland, O. 
 
 January' 14, 1865. 
 Chester Phillips, died at Collierville, Tenn., February 7, 1863. 
 Lyman W. Smith, died at Memphis, Tenn., 1863. 
 John H. Taylor, died at Memphis, Tenn., March 30, 1863. 
 John H. Taft, died at LaGrange, Tenn., January 33, 1863. 
 Curtis E. Thompson, died at Memphis, Tenn., September 13, 1863. 
 Charles I. Spencer, died at home; date unknown. 
 Ezra Dunton, discharged July 33, 1863, for disability. 
 Otis R. Snell, discharged April 1, 1863, for disability. 
 Bradley Fauver, transferred to InvaUd Corps. 
 Orfield Stearns, transferred to Invalid Corjjs. 
 
 SECOND REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 
 
 Sergeant Theodore H. Eobbins, Third Battallion, not accounted for on 
 
 Muster Out Rolls. 
 Stephen A. Mason, not accounted for on Muster Out Rolls. 
 Frank Brooks, not accounted for on Muster (tut Rolls. 
 
 This regiment was organized at Camp Wade, Cleveland, O., from 
 August to October. 1861, for three years. A portion of the men became 
 veterans; the remainder were mustered out on e.xpiration of their term 
 of enlistment. 
 
 COJIPANT H. 
 
 Mustered into service October 8, 1861. Mustered out of service Septem- 
 ber 11, 1865. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captain Aaron K. Lindsley, discharged February 15, 1863. 
 Second Lieutenant Franklin S. Case, promoted Captain. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant Theodore P. Hamlin, promoted First Lieutenant. 
 
 Quarter-master Sergeant Edwui June, nmstered out with company. 
 
 Sergeant Sumner L. Drake. 
 
 Sergeant Newton D. Fisher, promoted First Lieutenant August !», 1865. 
 
 Corporal Edward F. Webster. 
 
 Corporal Francis Finch, 
 
 Corporal Lucius D. Leach. 
 
 Corporal Ezra L. Burge, promoted Sergeant July 1, 186,5. 
 
 Corporal Albert C. Houghton, promoted Captam December 35, 1864. 
 
 Corporal Walter P. Ledyard. 
 
 Corporal Peter L. Mason. 
 
 Bugler Newton E. Adams. 
 
 Bugler Delos B. Haynes . 
 
 Farrier Robert C . Pickworth. 
 
 Farrier Henry Onneroid. 
 
 Wagoner Roswell E. Thayer. 
 
 Saddler Calvin Sage. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Martin H. Avery. 
 
 Calvin C. Allen, discharged September 35, 1861. 
 
 HamUne S. Bigelow, Veteran Volunteer, mustered out with company. 
 
 William P. Bushnell, discharged September 25, 1864. 
 
 James W. Bonney. 
 
 Harvey Bonney. 
 
 Henry W. Chester, promoted to First Sergeant. 
 
 John Cushing. 
 
 William Challacombe. 
 
 Spooner C. Crapo. 
 
 Ahueron Codding. 
 
 Jabez B. Challacombe. 
 
 John W. Devlin. 
 
 William M. Davis. 
 
 Charles G. Fairchild. 
 
 Henry R. Fenton. 
 
 Charles W. Fenton. 
 
 Joel E. Field. 
 
 Milton M. Geer. 
 
 Daniel M. Hall. 
 
 Franklin H. Howk. 
 
 Alpheus Howk, discharged for wounds, March 5, 1865. 
 
 William F. Johns. 
 
 Henry Kingsbury. 
 
 Thomas Knowles. 
 
 Hiram A. Knapp. 
 
 Edward T. Kii-by. 
 
 John P. Larmdon. 
 
 Charles E. Lanphear. 
 
 William Lindsey. 
 
 Anion Litchfield. 
 
 Robert B. Lucas. 
 
 Albert N. Litchfield. 
 
 Enoch Leavitt, Veteran Volunteer, discharged May 35, 1865. 
 
 Noah Long. 
 
 Robert E. Mernfleld. 
 
 Aurelian P. Matthews. 
 
 Henry Maple. 
 
 James C. Miller. 
 
 Wilbert D. 5'anchester. 
 
 William T. Noi-ton. 
 
 James R. Ogden. 
 
 Charles Patterson. 
 
 Alonzo Perkins. 
 
 Oliver Rulison. 
 
 Homer H. Stark, discharged September 35, 1864, 
 
 James W. Shaffer. 
 
 Otis L. Sexton. 
 
 PhiUp B. Stroup. 
 
 Chauncey Smith. 
 
 Luman H. Tenny. 
 
 Charles Webster. 
 
 George Whiton. 
 
 Frank R. Whitney, discharged June 3, 1805. 
 
 Henry M. Waters. 
 
 Oliver Vader. 
 
 COMPANY K, TENTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER 
 CAVALRY. 
 
 Mustered into service, .January 15, 1863, tor three years. Discharged at 
 the close of the war. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIOHED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant John W. Williams. 
 
 COMPANY F, THIRD REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER 
 CAVALRY. 
 
 Mustered into service December 11, 1861. Mustered out of service 
 August 4, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Sergeant Warden W. Welsher, mustered out November 4, 1864. 
 Sergeant James Hart, promoted to Sergeant January 15, 1S05.J 
 Corporal John Barnes. 
 Corporal Henry S. Barker, promoted to Corporal June 17, 1805. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Josiah Coates, mustered out November 4, 1864. 
 
 WUham Campbell. 
 
 Peter Dagnon. 
 
 John Hanley. 
 
 A. Richards. 
 
 Daniel LeClear. 
 
 Georges. Mitchell, promoted to Corporal; mustered out November 4, 
 
 1864. 
 Sidney G. Mitchell. 
 Andrew J. Pierce. 
 Henry Smith. 
 
 Joseph B. Shepard, mustered out November 4, 1864. 
 John B. Taylor. 
 
 Henry Van Sickles, promoted to Corporal, June 17, 1865. 
 William H. Blair— date of discharge not given. 
 Lewis La Duke— date of discharge not given. 
 John Robinson. 
 
 Men not otherwise marked, mustered out with the Company. 
 
102 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 COMPANY F. TWELFTH REGIME JfT OHIO VOLUx^TEER 
 
 CAA'ALRY. 
 
 Mustered into service, October 39, 1803. Mustered out of service, Novem 
 ber 14, 1865. 
 
 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Lieutenant Ueubeii H. Sardane, promoted to Captain and assigned 
 to Company F. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First iSiT^eaut i\Iilo L. Blanchard, promoted to Sfcoud Lieutenant, Com- 
 pany A; transferred to Company F. June 1, 18G5. 
 Sergeant William W. Worcester, died October 19, IHfil. 
 Sergeant Cliarles H. Sherburne, died from wounds December 13, 1801. 
 Sergeant Janirs F. Davis, died October 6, 18G4. 
 Sergeant Richard H. Sheldon, promoted First Sergeant Veteran. 
 Corporal Howard H. Hall, promoted Sergeant. 
 Corporal CJeorge C. Rising, died March 20, 18ti4. 
 Corporal Oeorge H. Houghton, discharged June 8, 1865. 
 Bugler Henry Moore, promoted Corporal September 1, 1865. 
 Bugler Judsou Chamberlain, mustered out with company. 
 Farrier Ephraini Kuapp, mustered out with company. 
 Saddler Wyatt T. Judson, promoted Sergeant. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Wilson Ager, promoted Sergeant September 1, 1865. 
 
 Erwiu E. Baldwin, discharged July 21, 1865. 
 
 Tenny Blair, promoted Corporal September 1, 1865. 
 
 Erastus W. Bailey, discharged September 30, 1864. 
 
 Milo Barnes, mustered out with company. 
 
 Wells A. Chamberlain, promoted Sergeant September 1, 1865. 
 
 John Dagner, mustered out with company. 
 
 Frank W. Ellsworth, discharged September 7, 1865. 
 
 Charles M. Hal!, died from wounds June 16. 1864. 
 
 Henry C. Hopwood, promoted Corporal. 
 
 Daniel M. Hall, promoted Sergeant. 
 
 John Jackson, mustered out with company. 
 
 John Kirkpatrick, mustered out with company. 
 
 Joseph King, mustered out with company. 
 
 Charles M. Knapp, discharged August 27, 1865. 
 
 Charles W, Kelley, nmstered out with company. 
 
 Charles E. McLean, mustered out with company. 
 
 George H. Mosher, discharged March 27, 1865. 
 
 Albert B. Probert, discharged June S, 1865. 
 
 Sylvanus Phelon, promoted to Corporal September 1, 1865. 
 
 James Richard, discharged August 16, 1865. 
 
 Edward Scoville, Jr., discharged July 11, 1865. 
 
 Orson P. Smith, discharged May 15, 1865. 
 
 Eli Smith, mustered out June 15, 1865. 
 William Soules, mustered out with company. 
 Ri"hard J. Staples, promoted Sergeani September 1, 1865. 
 Emerson O. Stone, mustered out with company. 
 William Turner, mustered out with company. 
 John W, "Wilson, discharged February 35, 1864. 
 Eugene A. Burrell, mustered out July 10, 1S65. 
 Sergeant Carlos A. West, mustered out June 15, 1865. 
 Benjamin A. Briggs, killed in action June 8, 1864. 
 Corporal John McOee, committed suicide August 3, 1865. 
 
 MUSTER ROLL OF THE **HART (iUARDS," COMPANY 
 G, FIFTEENTH REGIMENT OHIO NATIONAL GUARD. 
 
 CONMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 Captain P. D. Reefy. First Lieutenant Fred N. Smith . 
 
 Second Lieutenant S T. Sawyer. 
 
 First Sergeant A. Rawson. 
 Second Sergeant H. Schwartz. 
 Third Sergeant S. C. Nickei-son 
 Fourth Sergeant C. B. Faux. 
 Fifth Sergeant Irving Taylor. 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
 
 First Corporal George Teasedale. 
 Second Corporal G. W. Gilbert. 
 Third Corporal G. R. Kelley. 
 Fourth Corporal Charles Hackett. 
 Fifth Corporal F. D. Wathen. 
 
 PRIVATES . 
 
 A. Dickinson. 
 R. Storer. 
 
 D. M. Hurst. 
 G. T. Nichols 
 A, Vogeley. 
 Fi-ed Weigand. 
 John Bishbaugh. 
 J. L. Cunningham. 
 H. Foreman. 
 Thomas Fitzsimmons. 
 Charles Flood. 
 
 E. A. Gilbert. 
 
 Musician Frank Goodspeed. 
 Regim«ntal Drum-Major A. F. 
 Regimental Hospital Steward 
 
 A. Hause. 
 
 E. Herney. 
 Fred Lane. 
 W. Maddock. 
 
 F. W. Miller. 
 A. Miller. 
 James Melin. 
 George Mclntyre. 
 John Ingram. 
 George L. Sears. 
 L. W. Semple. 
 John Wiler. 
 
 Parsons. 
 
 Frank Burgert. 
 
 The "Ely Guards,'' since changed to "Hart Guards,'' were mustered 
 into the service of the State July 2, 1877, to serve for a period of five 
 years. The Company was soon after assigned to the Fifteenth 
 Regiment as Company G., with head -quarters at Cleveland, Ohio. 
 The whole number enlisted is seventy men. Those whose names do 
 not appear above have been discharged for various reasons, princi- 
 pally on account of removal from the county. 
 
HISTORY 
 
 Towns and Villages of Lorain County, 
 
 ELYRIA. 
 
 This township was named for its iirincipal pro- 
 jnietor, the late Hon. Heman Ely. It originally 
 eniliraced the territory now contained in Carlisle, 
 number five, and Elyria, number six in range number 
 seventeen, of the Connecticut Western Reserve. It 
 is situated on and between both branches of Black 
 river, in north latitude forty-one degrees and forty- 
 tive minutes It is twenty-four miles west of Cleveland, 
 and eight miles above the mouth of the river. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHY. 
 
 Above the village it is generally level, the banks of 
 the river being low. An excellent quality of sandstone 
 crops out along the river banks, which forms good 
 building material, and is used extensively for flagging 
 the streets. There are over nine miles of stone side- 
 walks within the limits of the village. Several quar- 
 ries are extensively worked. The largest is owned by 
 Mr. Henry E. Mussey, situated on the west side of 
 the west branch of the river. He has built a spur 
 branch of the C, T. V. & W. railroad to his quarry, 
 and the work of turning grindstones, raising the 
 stone from the quarry, loading cars, etc., is done by 
 steam power. The stone are shipj)ed by railroad to 
 many parts of the country.' Mr. John Weller has also 
 a fine (juarry below the town, which is worked by 
 steam power. Stone are extensively quarried on the 
 east branch for building and flagging purposes. 
 
 Below the village, the banks of the river are generally 
 high and rugged, though there are several fine farms 
 of alluvial bottom lands, which are easy to till and 
 very productive. The sandstone termimxtes and tlie 
 Huron shale crops out along the river bank aljout two 
 miles below the village. On the east side of the river 
 there are several small streams running at right 
 angles with it, and discharging themselves into tlie 
 main stream. These have worn deep ravines in the 
 soil, and extend a mile or more back from the river, 
 but the roads are graded and the streams bridged so 
 that they are quite passable. Running parallel with 
 the lake are two, and in some places three or more 
 ridges, composed of sandy loam, and in some places 
 gravel. The first is about four miles from Lake 
 Erie and is called the North Ridge. The second 
 passes through Elyria, and extends east through all 
 the northern counties of the Western Reserve. They 
 
 were formed by a subsidence of the lake at some 
 remote period of the world's history ; but after the 
 growth of timber, as large trees are found, in digging 
 wells, twenty feet or more below the surface. These 
 ridges make excellent roads, and the soil is warm and 
 productive, well adapted to fruit growing and early 
 gardens. 
 
 COL. JAMES SMITH. 
 
 Perhaps no more fitting preface to the history of 
 the early settlement of the township of Elyria could 
 be procured than a brief sketch of the above named 
 person, who was doul)tleKs the first white man who 
 ever lived for any considerable time in what now con- 
 stitutes the above township. We are indebted for the 
 facts to a book called "Our Western Border," written 
 by Charles McKnight, and published during the 
 centennial year, which was kindly loaned us by G. 
 G. Washburn, Esq., and also to an article published 
 in The Elyria Repuhlican, in 1876. We have not 
 space to publish the entire narrative of Col. Smith, 
 but shall, as far as possible, give it in his own quaint 
 and terse language: 
 
 " In May, 1755, the Province of Pennsylvania agreeil to send out three 
 hundred men in order to cut a wagon road from Fort London to join 
 Braddock's road near the Turkey Fork, or the three forks of the 
 Yohoguina. My brother-in-law, William Smith, was commissioner, 
 and though but eighteen years of age. I concluded to accompany the 
 expedition. We went on the road without interruption until near the 
 Alleghany mountains, when I was sent back in order to hurry up some 
 provision wagons that were on the way after us. I proceeded down the 
 road as far as the crossing of the Jimiata, where, finding that the wag- 
 ons were coming on as fast as possible, I returned up the road toward 
 the Alleghauj^ mountains in company with one Arnold Vigoras. About 
 four or five miles above Bedford three Indians hail made a blind of 
 bushes stuck in the ground as though they had grown naturallj', where 
 they concealed themselves, about fifteen yards from the road. When 
 we came opposite to them they fired upon us at this short distance and 
 killed my fellow traveler; yet their bullets did not touch me, but my 
 horse making a violent start threw me, and the Indians immediately ran 
 up and took me prisoner. The one that laid bold on me was a Cunasa- 
 taugee, the other two were Delawares.- One of them could speak English. 
 Two of them stood by me while the other* scalped my comrade. We 
 slept on the Alleghany moimtains that night without fire. The next 
 morning they divided their remaining provisions and gave me an equal 
 share, which consisted of two or three ounces of mouldy bi.scuit. They 
 continued their journey to Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh) and when 
 they reached the bank of the Mleghany the Indians gave the scalp halloo, 
 which was answered by the firing of guns and the shouts of the French 
 and Indians who were in and about the Fort." 
 
 HE RUNS THE GAUNTLET. 
 
 " I saw numbers of Indians running towards me stripped naked except 
 breech-clouts, and painted in the most hideous manner. As they ap- 
 proached they formed themselves in two long ranks about two or three 
 rods apart. I was told by an Indian who could speak English that I 
 
 (103) 
 
104 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 must run between these ranks, and that they would flog me all the way 
 as I ran, and if I ran quick it would be so much the better. 
 
 ** There appeared to be general rejoicing around me, yet I could find 
 notliing like joy in my breast; but I started to the race with all the reso- 
 lution and vigor I was capable of exercising, and found it was as I had 
 been told, for I was flogged all the way. "When I had got near the end 
 of the race I was struck by something that appeared to me to be a 
 stick, or the handle of a tomahawk, which caused me to fall to the 
 gi-ound. 
 
 "On my recovering my senses I endeavored to renew my race, but as 
 I arose some one cast sand in my eyes which blinded me so that I could 
 not see where to run. They contiiiued beating me most intolerably imtil 
 I was at length insensible, but before I lost my senses I remembered 
 wishing them to strike the fatal blow." 
 
 He was conveyed to tlie Fort and the French doctor 
 dressed his wounds and apj)lied remedies. 
 
 "Soon after I was visited by a Delaware Indian who could speak 
 broken English. I asked hiui if I had done anything that offended the 
 Indians. He said no. it was only an old custom the Indians had, and 
 was like ' how do you doV After that, he said, I would be well used.'' 
 
 After tliis Smith was taken by his captors to an 
 Indian town on the banks of the Muskingam river in 
 Ohio. 
 
 niS ADOPTION INTO THE TRIBE. 
 
 Tliis ceremony being somewhat interesting we take 
 tlie lil)erty of giving it at length in his own words: 
 
 " The day after my arrival at the aforesaid town a number of Indians 
 gathered about me, and one of them began to pull the hair out of my 
 head. He had some ashes on a bark in which he frequently dipped his 
 fingers in order to take a firmer hold, and so he went on as if he had been 
 plucking a turkey, until he had all the hair clean out of my head, except 
 a snuill spot, three or tour inches square, on the crown. This they cut 
 oft with a pair of seissoi-s, excepting three locks, which they dressed up 
 in theirown mode. Two of these they wrapped around with a narrow 
 beaded garter, made by themselves for the purpose, and the other they 
 plaited atfuU length and stuck it full of silver brooches. After this they 
 bored my nose and ears, and fixed me off with nose and ear jewels. 
 Then they ordered me to strip off my clothes and put on a breech-clout, 
 which I did. They then painted my face, hands, and body in various 
 colors. They put a large belt of wampum on my neck, and silver bands 
 on my hands and right arm, and so an old chief led me out in the street 
 and gave the alarm halloo several times repeated quick, "coo wigh .'" and 
 on this all that were in the town came running and stood round the old 
 chief who held me by the hand in the midst." 
 
 "As at that time I knew nothing of their mode of adoption, and had 
 seen them put to death all they had taken, I made no doubt but they 
 were about putting me to death in some cruel manner. The old chief, 
 holding me by the hand, made a long speech, very loud, and, when he 
 had done, he handed me to three young squaws, who led me by the 
 hand down the bank into the river, until tiie water was up to our middle. 
 The squaws then made signs to me to plunge myself into the river, but I 
 did not uruierstaud them. I thought the i-esult of the council was that I 
 was to be drowned, and that these young ladies were to be the execution- 
 ers. They all three laid violent hold of me, and I for some time resisted 
 them with all my might, which occasioned loud laugliter by the multi- 
 tude that were on the bank. At length one of the squaws said, no hurt 
 you; on this I gave myself up to their ladyships, who were as good as 
 their word, for, thougli they plunged me under the water, and rubbed 
 me. I could not say they hurt me much. Tliey then led me up to the 
 council house, where the tribe were ready with new clothes for me. 
 They gave me a new ruffled shirt, which I put on; also a pair of leggins 
 done off with riljbons and beads; also a pair of moccasins and a tinsel- 
 laced cappo. They again painted my head and face with various colors. 
 When I was seated the Imlians came in di-essed in their grandest man- 
 ner. At length one of the chiefs made a speech as follows: 'My son, 
 you are now flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone. By the ceremony 
 which wa< performed this day every drop of white blood is washed out 
 of your veins.' After this ceremony I was introduced to my new kin 
 and invited to attend a feast that night, which I did." 
 
 We must omit many of tlie events tliat occurred at 
 the cami) on the Muskingum. The name of one of 
 tlie chiefs was Tecanyaterighto, alias Pluggy. Dur- 
 ing the fall Pluggy headed a war party to the frontiers 
 of Virginia. While they were absent, Smith and a 
 jiarty of Indians went south on a hunt. On this liunt 
 they encamped at Buffalo Lick, where they killed 
 several buffaloes. This lick must have been in the 
 
 Hocking valley, between the Muskingum and Scioto 
 rivers. While here with their small kettles they made 
 about a half-bushel of salt. 
 
 It was here that our hero, while following buffalo, 
 got lost in the woods, where he spent the night. The 
 Indians found him in the morning. For this offense 
 his gun was taken from him, and he was reduced to a 
 bow and arrows for nearly two years. 
 
 They were on this tour for about six weeks. When 
 they returned, Pluggy and his party had got back, 
 bringing with them a number of scalps and prisoners. 
 They also brought with them an English Bible, which 
 they gave to a Dutch woman who was a prisoner, but 
 as she could not read English, she made a jiresent of 
 it to Smith, which was very acceptable. 
 
 "I remained in this town until some time in October, when my adopted 
 brother, Toutileaugo,who had married a W^yandotte squaw, took me with 
 him to Lake Ene. On this route we had no horses with us, and when I 
 started from the town all the pack I carried was a poucii containing my 
 books, a little dried venison and my blanket. I liad then no gun, but 
 Tontileaugo, who was a first-rate hunter, carried a rifle gun, and every 
 day killed deer, raccoons or bears. We left the meat, excepting a little 
 for present use, and carried the skins with us until we camped, when 
 we dried them by the fire." 
 
 They struck the Canosadooharic (Black river) pro- 
 bably near its source, and followed it down for some 
 distance, when they must have left it as they reached 
 the lakeshore some six miles west of its mouth. As the 
 wind was very high the evening they reached the lake, 
 our traveller was surprised " to hear the roaring of 
 the water and see the high waves that dashed against 
 the shore like the ocean." They camped on a run 
 near the shore, and, as the wind fell that night, they 
 pursued their journey in the morning towards the 
 mouth of the river on the sand along the side of the 
 water. They observed a number of large fish that 
 had been left in the hollows by the receding waves, 
 and numbers of gray and bald eagles were along the 
 shore devouring them. 
 
 Some time in the afternoon they came to a large 
 cam]) of Wyaiidottes at the mouth of the Canesadoo- 
 haric, where Tontileaugo's wife was. Here they were 
 hospitably received and entertained for some time. 
 Smith says: ''They gave us a kind of rough, brown 
 potatoes, which grew spontaneously and were called by 
 the Caughnewagas, ohenata. The.se potatoes, peeled 
 and dipped in raccoon's fat, tasted like our sweet pota- 
 toes." (Query: what were they?) They killed while here 
 some deer and many raccoons which were remarkably 
 large and fat. They kept moving up the river until 
 they came to the great falls. These were, doubtless, 
 the east falls of Black river, now within the corporate 
 town of Elyria. They Iniried their canoe and erected 
 a winter cabin. This was probably located on Ever- 
 green Point, somewhere in the vicinity of the present 
 residence of T. L. Nelson, Esq. The narrative pro- 
 ceeds: 
 
 "It was sometime in December when we finished oin- winter cabin 
 but then another difficxdty arose, we had nothing to eat. While the 
 hunters were all out exerting their utmost ability, the squaws and boys 
 (in which class I was,) were scattered in the bottom, hunting red haws 
 and hickory nuts. We did uot succeed in getting many haws, but had 
 tolerable success in scratching up hickory nuts from under a light snow. 
 The hunters returned with only two small turkeys, which were but little 
 
Residence of A.BEEBE.SR, 26 Broad St.Elyria 0. Residence of EDWIN HALL, East Ave, Ely Rl^, 0. 
 
 Residence ofA,BEEBE,JR.,East Ridge St, Elyria.O. 
 
TAVERN OPENEai820.BY A. BEEBE SR.BROAD ST.ELYRIA.O. 
 
^/^r-Ce^^ri/^ 
 
 AETEMAS 
 
 This day, March 17, 1879, brings to the memory 
 of an aged man Marcli 17, 1817. Sixty-two years 
 ago, this day, Mr. A. Beebe first visited the log house, 
 only sign of the now pleasant town of Elyria. Only 
 living member of the little band that first settled 
 Elyria, in his eighty -sixth year, he alone is left to tell 
 the birth and growth of said town. 
 
 Of a family noted for longevity, his father was born 
 at Waterbnry, Conn., and removed to West Spring- 
 field, Mass., where he died at the advanced age of 
 eighty-six, in the year 1852. His faithful wife died 
 in 1851, seventy-nine years of age. 
 
 Mr. Beebe, of whom we write, was born at Rus- 
 sell, Hampden Co., Mass., Oct. 7, 1793. Scanty 
 were his educational opportunities. A clerkship in 
 his father's store, and the district school, however, 
 gave to him much that in after-years he used so well. 
 Like many young men of his day in New England, 
 he had a strong desire to " go West." Ohio then 
 was almost the end of western civilization. A fel- 
 low-townsmen coming into possession of a large tract 
 of land on the Western Reserve aiForded a chance 
 to gratify his wish. On the 20th of February, 1817, 
 a company of six left West Springfield, Mass., for 
 Ohio, composed as follows: Heman Ely, founder; 
 Ebenezer Lane (afterwards chief justice of Ohio) ; 
 Mr. A. Beebe ; Luther Lane (so well known in after- 
 years as the good deacon) ; Ann Snow, housekeeper ; 
 and Ned, a colored boy. 
 
 ]\Ir. Beebe received twenty dollars for expenses, 
 and the privilege of riding as far as Buffalo, N. Y. 
 From that ])lace through the forests, over unbridged 
 streams, on foot, he arrived at the " log house" on 
 the aforesaid date, late in the day. Using his own 
 words: "On the morning of the 18th of March, 
 1817, I got up to see where the sun came from, and 
 found it came up all right, and it has ever since." 
 No time did he have to regret the comforts of a New 
 England life. A new life was to commence; that 
 life that did so much for over half of a century in 
 making Elyria what it is. Carpenter and joiner his 
 
 
 (Pjl^-.^ 
 
 BEEBE, Sr. 
 
 calling, his first work was the erection of the first 
 frame building in Elyria, built on the corner of what 
 is now Broad and Cedar Streets. In this building 
 were born many others. Used for a shop for one 
 year, it was filled in the ensuing year, with such 
 goods as filled the limited wants of pioneers, by 
 Edmund West & Co. 
 
 In the latter part of the year 1817, Mr. Beebe and 
 Mr. Douglas jointly purchased of Heman Ely the 
 first city lot ever sold in Elyria. On this property, 
 in 1818, they built the building so well known to 
 this day as the " Old Beebe Tavern" (hotel being 
 a term as yet unknown). For years was this place 
 the home of all new-comers until their own fireside 
 was established. Under its roof were held many social 
 gatherings. There was held the first meetings of 
 Elyria's original Masonic lodge. At the expiration 
 of one year Mr. Beebe purchased of Mr. Douglas his 
 share of said property, and in him has the title ever 
 since remained. Constant work was Mr. Beebe's 
 mission until February, 1819, when he, with a 
 horse bought for the purpose, left Elyria for the old 
 home, via Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and New York, 
 to regain health injured by constant toil. A sliort 
 visit, and the little " gray horse" and one-horse 
 lumber-wagon landed him once more in Elyria. 
 Now a few months are spent in various activities. 
 The following February again witnessed his departure 
 for New England. This trip was performed in great 
 share on foot. Arriving at West Springfield, there 
 and in its vicinity he remained until the following 
 October. Of this visit came nuich to him, — much to 
 Elyria. He gained the life-partner of his early hard- 
 ships, of his later prosperity, and Elyria won one of 
 its truest women. One of tiie first meetings of Mr. 
 Beebe with his future wife was at West Springfield, 
 where she was a member of the Contrrearational 
 Church. She was also a member of the choir, of 
 which Miss Celia Belden, afterwards first wife of 
 Judge Heman Ely, was also a member. Short was 
 the courtship, but long and pleasant the many years 
 
ARTEMAS BEEBE. 
 
 tliat followed. Mr. Beebe was married to ]\Iiss Pamelia 
 Morgan Oct. 4, 1820. This marriage was solemnized 
 under peculiar circumstances, viz., by the Rev. Joseph 
 Lathrop, wiio for two geuerations had performed the 
 duties of a pastor in said town. To him was it left, 
 after performing the marriage ceremony for the last 
 time in his life (then in his eighty-ninth year, totally 
 blind), to send out the young couple to the western 
 wilds with all and every good wish and fond hopes for 
 their future welfare. No Saratoga trunk or useless 
 finery filled the wagon-box that left Mrs. Beebe's 
 early home. The plain and substantial comprised 
 its contents. The brass kettle, the warming-pan, the 
 candlesticks, the andirons, etc., yet in the family 
 tell their own tale. A long journey full of incident, 
 now with wagon overturned, again vexatious delay 
 from impassable roads, or rustic bridge swept away, 
 ended Nov. 17, 1820. With earnest hearts, a wi'll 
 to do, and hands trained to work, Mr. and ^Irs. 
 Beebe commenced life in the " Old Beebe Tavern." 
 Many years were there passed. To Mrs. Beebe 
 much of the reputation this tavern gained in early 
 days was due. She not only made it the place of 
 entertainment for the weary traveler, but many a 
 one homesick, and longing for the eastern home, 
 from her got words of healthy cheer and kind sym- 
 pathy. From this time onward, until the date of 
 her death, June, 26, 1878, Mrs. Beebe's life was one 
 of womanly work. Noted as the housewife; earnest 
 and active in the church ; as neighbor kind, ever 
 i-eady with helping hand to aid and comfort the sick, 
 genial in social intercourse, she was eminently the 
 good woman. One of the original ten who formed 
 the First Presbyterian Church of Elyria, Nov. 24, 
 1824, she was always its ardent supporter, in word 
 and deed living out her profession. Her energy 
 and economy aided the husband in acquiring the 
 competency that in declining years made their home 
 so pleasant, and caused them both to forget the early 
 privations attendant upon the " fii'st settler." 
 
 She left at her death two sons and three daughters, 
 all in the maturity of life. An obituary notice says 
 of her: "She died rich in all those experiences she 
 had garnered up with the growth of Elyria. To her 
 was given the good fortune to watch, help, or nurture 
 a little hamlet of one or two log houses become a 
 town of churches, schools,*and a prosperous people." 
 
 In 1826, Mr. Beebe, in partnership with Ezra 
 Adams, purchased of Silas Wolverton the contract 
 for carrying the mail between Cleveland and Lower 
 Sandusky, now called Fremont. Mr. Beebe per- 
 formed the duties of said ^contract between Elyria 
 and Cleveland ; Mr. Adams and others between Elyria 
 and Fremont. At the end of one year Mr. Beebe 
 purchased the entire business. Increase of popula- 
 tion demanded greater facilities than the single horse, 
 with mail-bag, could perform. Soon Mr. Beebe, with 
 letters from the Hon. Elisha Whittlesey and others, 
 visited Washington, D. C, and from the Postmaster- 
 General obtained a general contract for the transpor- 
 tation of mails and passengers between the above- 
 mentioned i)oints. The coach seating six, with its 
 four horses, soon had to give way to the more com- 
 modious coach, which gave ample room to nine. 
 
 The coach, with its merry driver and noisy tin horn, 
 excited as much attention, and drew as many to the 
 " stage otKce" on its coming and departure, in propor- 
 tion to the iJopulatiou, as the steam car, with more 
 noisy steam horn, did twenty-five years after. Fraught 
 
 with labor was this undertaking; poor roads, poorer 
 bridges were ever opposing him; shipwrecked coaches 
 and drowned horses were not uncommon. But Mr. 
 Beebe's untiring energy overcame every obstacle 
 of nature and all opposing lines started by others; 
 and the year 1831 .saw a daily line of four-horse 
 coaches running over his route. Success rewarded 
 his efforts until 1842, when he sold this branch of his 
 business to Neil Moore & Co., of Columbus, Ohio. 
 
 From the years 1830 to 1833, Mr. Beebe was en- 
 gaged in the business of general merchandise, with 
 H. N. Gates as partner. Shortly after disposing of 
 his mail contracts he purchased of Deacon L. Lane 
 the Eagle Mills, on the east branch of Black River, 
 which he successfully operated for twenty-three years, 
 selling them then to the late I. W. Bullock. 
 
 In 1846, remembering the "Old Beebe Tavern," 
 and seeing Elyria in need of a first-class hotel, he 
 built the Beebe House. A building an ornament to 
 the town, an honor to the builder, long and favorably 
 has it been known to the traveling public. 
 
 Motives outside of mere pecuniary gain must have 
 actuated Mr. Beebe in this enterprise. The needs of 
 Elyria for a hotel far better than any existing, it seems, 
 must have induced him, regardless of any ultimate 
 dividend, to have erected so substantial, so complete 
 a structure. Erected thirty-three years ago, it yet re- 
 mains in many respects a pattern for more modern 
 structures. At the time of its building, nothing like 
 it for its jiurpose stood upon the Western Reserve in 
 towns of similar size. A similar motive must have 
 had much to do in influencinsr Mr. Beebe to build the 
 beautiful Beebe House on Put-in-Bay Island, so many 
 years and still kept by his eldest son, Henry Beebe. 
 In this respect he may well be called a public bene- 
 factor. In 1847, when the subject of a bank was agi- 
 tated among Elyria's citizens, Mr. Beebe was one of 
 the first to respond. An original stockholder and di- 
 rector from its birth, in its change to a national bank 
 he has ever held both positions until the present day. 
 In 1849, becoming a stockholder in the Plank-Road 
 running from Black River, Lorain Co., to Homer, 
 Medina Co., he was largely instrumental in bring- 
 ing the advantage of said road to his fellow-citizens, 
 and in completing it, being appointed superintendent 
 of its construction. 
 
 The latter j-ears of Mr. Beebe's life, although not 
 as full of actual labor, have been none of idleness. 
 The duties of bank director, trusts confided him by 
 his fellows, the care of a large property, and farming 
 interests have constantly busied him. Such is a brief 
 outline of the life of the remaining link between 
 Elvria's beirinnint!: and its now onlv survivina; raem- 
 ber of the little band of six who nearly seven decades 
 ago laid Elyria's foundation ; he yet remains. 
 
 As a man Mr. Beebe was ever noted for strict in- 
 tegrity ; ever careful to aid the cause of morality and 
 religion, always an attendant upon religious obser- 
 vances, and ever contributing to the church. Upon 
 May 6, 1866, making public profession of religion, 
 he became a member of the First Presbyterian 
 Church of Elyria. Now past the allotted age of man, 
 hardly one remaining of his early associates he lives 
 Elyria's oldest citizen. The children, ay, even the 
 grandchildren, of those with whom his youth and 
 middle age were spent with reverence and respect 
 regard him, ever seeing the sterling integrity, clear 
 business decision, and prompt action that he used so 
 well in the building up of the town of Elyria. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 105 
 
 among eight hunters, and thii-teen squaws, boys and children. But they 
 were divided equally. The next day, the hunters turned out again, and 
 succeeded in killing one deer and three bears. One of the bears was 
 remarkably large and fat. All hands turned out the nest morning to 
 bring in the meat. 
 
 *' During the whiter, a war party of four went out to the borders of 
 Pennsylvania, to procure horses and scalps, lea\ing the same number 
 in camp, to jjrovide meat for the women and children. They returned 
 towards spring, with two scalps and four horses. After the departure 
 of the warriors, we had hard times, and though not out of provisions, 
 we were brought to short allowance. At length, Tontileaugo had fair 
 success, and brought into camp sufficient to last ten tiays. Tontileaugo 
 then took me with him in order to encamp some distance from the 
 winter cabin. We steered south up the creek ten or twelve miles, and 
 went into camp . " 
 
 This was jirobably iu La Grange. They went to 
 bed hungry the first night, but the ne.xt day, suc- 
 ceeded in killing a bear, and the day after, a bear and 
 three cubs. They remained here about two weeks, 
 killing an abundance of game, and then returned to 
 the winter cabin. On their arrival, there was great 
 joy, as all were in a starving condition. 
 
 About the first of Ajjril, they dug up their canoe, 
 but were forced to make an additional one to carry 
 all their riches — left their winter cabin at the falls, 
 and proceeded to the lake — -Tontileaugo by water, and 
 Smith on horseback. On reaching the mouth of the 
 river, they proceeded west along the shore to Sun- 
 yeu-deauk (Sandusky), where was another Wyandotte 
 town. Late in the fall. Smith joined a hunting 
 party, and i^roceeded to the Cuyahoga river. At the 
 distance of about thirty miles from its mouth, they 
 formed an encamjjment near a small lake, and spent 
 the winter in catching beaver. In the spring of 1757 
 they returned to Sandusky, and soon proceeded by 
 water to Detroit, where they disposed of their peltry 
 to the French traders. 
 
 In 1759, Smith accomiianied his Indian relatives to 
 Montreal, where he was finally exchanged, and re- 
 turned home in 17G0, to find his old sweetheart mar- 
 ried, and all sup))osing him dead. He afterwards 
 became a captain iu the regular British army, and 
 was engaged, principally, in protecting the border 
 settlers against Indian raids. During the revolu- 
 tionary war, he joined the patriot army, rose to the 
 rank of colonel, and did good service, both against 
 the British and their Indian allies. In 1788, he 
 migrated to Bourbon county, Kentucky, where he 
 represented his district in the assembly down to the 
 present century. 
 
 After this long digression, we return to the history 
 of Elyria in later times. 
 
 ORIGHiTAL OWNERS. 
 
 The township of Elyria was, in April, 1807, drawn 
 by the following individuals of the Connecticut land 
 company, vi/,: Justin Ely, Roger Newberry, Jona- 
 than Bruce, Elijali White, Enoch Perkins, .John H. 
 Buel, .Jonathan Dwiglit, and others, whose names are 
 not mentioned. 
 
 At the September term of the supreme court, in 
 Portage county, iu 1816, the south part of the town- 
 ship (about one-third of the whole,) was set off to 
 Justin Ely; the central part to Elijah White. A tract 
 
 14 
 
 of two thousand, one hundred and ten acres, lying 
 immediately north of this, was assigned to Jonathan 
 Bruce, and the remaining portion of the township to 
 Enoch Perkins and Roger Newberry. 
 
 White conveyed his tract to Justin Ely, and he, in 
 turn, to Heman Ely, his son, who purchased the 
 Bruce tract, making him the owner of twelve thou- 
 sand five hundred acres lying in a single body. The 
 following history of the settlement of the township of 
 Elyria is prepared from reminiscences of the venerable 
 Artemas Beebe, the Hon. Heman Ely, the address of 
 the Hon. W. W. Boynton, and from personal inter- 
 views with N. B. (iates and such early settlers as are 
 now remaining in the township. 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 In the spring of the year 181G, Heman Ely, of 
 West Springfield, Massachusetts, came to Oliio to 
 look after his estate. He came in a sulky, until he 
 readied Buffalo, where, leaving his sulky, he com- 
 pleted his journey on horseback. 
 
 A NARROW ESCAPE. 
 
 ' ' In following the trail which wound along the lake shore, through the 
 unbroken forest, the ground gave way, his horse's hind feet were thrown 
 over a high wash bank. The horse, however, clung with his fore feet; 
 Mr. Ely clung to the bridle and mane, and a vigorous use of the whip 
 probably saved the life of the founder of Elyria." 
 
 He made his home, temporarily, with Moses Eldred, 
 father of Clark Eldred now of Elyria, who then kept 
 a tavern some two miles east of the river, in Ridge- 
 ville township. 
 
 Mr. Ely immediately set about the work of im- 
 provement. First of all, he contracted with Jedediah 
 Hubbell, and a man named Shepard, of Newburgh, 
 Cuj'ahoga county, to build a dam, and erect a grist 
 and saw mill. These were located on the east branch 
 of Black river, near the foot of the present Broad 
 street. There was also erected a large log house, 
 which stood near where Mr. Beebe afterwards built his 
 tavern stand. This was occoupied by John Bacon, 
 late of Carlisle, who boarded the men who were en- 
 gaged iu the construction of the mills. 
 
 During his first visit, Mr. Ely, while examining 
 his lands, in company with Clark Eldred, then a 
 young man, came upon a spot, some two and a half 
 miles west of the river, which jjleased young Eldred, 
 and which he selected for his future home. Though 
 as yet unsurveyed, he made a verbal contract for it, ■ 
 and after its survey, secured a deed. Mr. Eldred 
 occupied this farm for fifty-five years, and for many 
 years kept a hotel. He now, after a long and useful 
 life, resides in the village, retaining his full powers 
 of mind and memory. 
 
 Mr. Ely returned to Massachusetts, in the fall of 
 1816, and immediately commenced making prepara- 
 tions for his I'emoval to liis wilderness possessions on 
 Black river. 
 
 About the first of January, 1817, Mr. Ely sent on 
 three men, with axes in their hands, to commence 
 clearing land. They made the entire distance on foot 
 
106 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 (about six hundred miles), and before Mr. Ely ar- 
 rived with his party, in March, they had made quite 
 a hole in the woods. Their names were Roderick 
 Ashley, Edwin Bush, and James Porter. 
 
 On the 20th of February, 1817, Mr. Ely and his 
 party commenced their weary journey, much of the 
 way by a wood route, barely passable at any time, but 
 especially difficult at that season of the year. AVe 
 who live in this age of telegraiihs and railroads, and 
 can to-day take our breakfast in Elyria, and to-mor- 
 row morning, after a comfortable night's rest in a 
 sleeping-car, take the same meal in New York City, 
 have but a feeble conception of the trials and diffi- 
 culties attending the same journey, from the cast, 
 sixty-one years ago. The mode of conveyance of 
 these pioneers was, by a stout pair of horses harnessed 
 to an equally stout wagon. This vehicle was covered 
 with homespun tow-cloth over the bows, in the prevail- 
 ing emigrant style. The party, six in all, started from 
 their New England homes in high spirits. It con- 
 sisted of Heman Ely, the founder of the present 
 township and village of Elyria, Ebenezer Lane, after- 
 wards chief justice of the supreme court of Ohio, 
 Miss Anna Snow, housekeeper, Luther Lane, who 
 drove the team, Artemas Beebe, a house joiner and 
 carpentei', who had been engaged to accompany the 
 expedition; and a colored servant of Mr. Ely's, named 
 "Ned." They proceeded as far as Seneca Falls when, 
 the sleighing being good, they halted, and made a 
 sled. Loading the wagon and goods on the sled, 
 they pushed on to the vicinity of Buffalo, when the 
 sleighing left them. From Buffalo to '('attarangus 
 creek, they traveled on the ice. They arrived at 
 Cleveland, without accident or material incident, on 
 the IGtli of March, and a few days subsequent, at the 
 Mecca of their pilgrimage, where they were duly in- 
 stalled in the log house, before mentioned. I quote 
 from the interesting reminiscences of Mr. Beebe: 
 
 ** Mr. Bacon and family went to their home in Carlisle, and Mr. Luther 
 Lane went with the team for straw to fill the beds. When the river fell 
 so that the load could be brought over, two beds were made, and a de- 
 scription of them will not be out of place. Mr. Ely had brought some 
 bed-ticks from the east, ready-made, and the cover of the wagon was 
 also converted into ticks. The bedsteads were made of poles, with bark 
 stretched across them for bottoms, and pillows were scarce. Some 
 coarae cloth was used for sheets.'' 
 
 A family named Beach made a settlement, in 181 fi, 
 in the western part of the township, near the site of the 
 present Haag's mill. This was the first white family 
 ■to settle in the township. On the 10th of September, 
 1817, Mrs. Beach gave birth to a son, the Jimt whUc 
 child born in the township. lie was named Henrj', 
 and was living, at a recent date, in Rockjwrt, Cuya- 
 hoga county, and with him, his aged mother. Mr. 
 Beach was taken sick soon after the birth of the 
 child, and died on the 2'2d of the succeeding No- 
 vember. Mrs. Beach took her family, and the dead 
 body of her husband, to the log school house, opposite 
 Captain Eld red's. He was buried in a sandy ridge, a 
 little east of of the center of Ridgeville. Mr. A. 
 Beebe made the coffin. This was, doubtless, the first 
 death of a white person in the townshijj. 
 
 Mr. Beebe says the first improvement in the way of 
 chopi)ing, was made by Clark Eldred, who had about 
 two acres chopped down when the improvements 
 were commenced in the village. The first clearing 
 in the village was made at the foot of Broad street, 
 and progressed westward, as required. In this clear- 
 ing, the houses of Mr. Ely and }t\r. A. Beelje were 
 built. George Douglas and Gershom Danks, car- 
 {)enter?, arrived from Westficld, Massachusetts, about 
 tlie first of April, 1817, and so(m after the work of 
 building was commenced. The ^rst/rajned build in;/ 
 erected was to be occu])ied for a store. This was 
 located on the southwest corner of the Ely home- 
 stead lot, at the corner of Cedar " and Broad streets. 
 It was about twenty by forty feet, one story high, 
 and without a cellar. During the year 1817 it was 
 used for a joiner shop, but the next year it was filled 
 with goods by Edmund West & Co. This was the 
 pioneer store in Elyria which has since been " noted 
 for its trade in dry goods, and for the success which 
 has attended the enterprise of some of its early mer- 
 chants." The next building was the residence of Mr. 
 Ely, and is the same now occujiicd by his son, Hon. 
 Heman El}". This house was forty-five feet front by 
 forty feet deep, with a kitchen and wood-house in the 
 rear and a cellar under the main building. It has 
 undergone various changes and iinjjrovemcnts both 
 externally and internally, and its present fine archi- 
 tectural appearance and Iteautiful surroundings are in 
 striking contrast with the ])icture it presented in the 
 dense forest sixty years ago. The siding of the lioit-c 
 was all made from one whitewOod tree that stood at 
 the turn of the street near where the large willow 
 now stands. 
 
 On the 39th day of Jlay, 1817, Captain Festus 
 Coolcy, father of Festus Cooley late of Elyria but now 
 of Kansas, arrived from Westfield, Mass., and took 
 charge of liotli the saw and grist mills. He came tlie 
 whole distance on foot. In the summer Enos Mann 
 came to Elyria. He was from Becket, Mass. lii 
 located on the farm east of the rivei', since owned by 
 Deacon Lane. Mr. Mann was a turner of wooden 
 bowls, and, it is said, followed this vocation for a 
 number of years after his arrival in Elyria. During 
 the fall following their arrival Mrs. Mann gave birth 
 to a son, the second born in the township. Mrs. 
 Mann died on the 9th of March, 1833, and her re- 
 mains were the first interred in the Elyria cemetery. 
 A plain sandstone slalis marks the spot, and upon 
 it the following inscription: "In memory of Mrs. 
 Clamaney Mann, consort of Mr. Enos Mann, who 
 died JIarch 9, 183.", in the fortieth year of her age." 
 A simple collection of words and figures, yet of what 
 terrible significance to the bereaved ones, hundreds of 
 miles from relatives, in a comparative wilderness. 
 Friends were raised up for them, and kind, tiiougli 
 strange hands, ministered to tlie wants of the mother- 
 less ones. 
 
 Neri Gulpin, from Litchfield county. Conn., settled 
 in Elyria in November, 1833, on the farm now occu- 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 107 
 
 pied by Anson Pangburn. Seven cliildren came with 
 liini. Of Uiese but one resides in Elyria: Marcus D., 
 who married Amanda Ely, daugliter of Lewis Ely, 
 who came to the IJesorve in isoO, louatiug in Deer- 
 field, now Portage county, with his parents, Lewis 
 and Anna (Granger) Ely. 
 
 Lewis Ely, Jr., came to Elyria in ISTi, purchased 
 two lots oh West Broad street, put up a small frame 
 house, returned, and, with his family, removed to 
 Elyria in the spring of 1834. Mr. Ely was killed by 
 a runaway horse, in Juno, 1831. He was sheriff of 
 Jjorain county at the time of his death. Mrs. Ely 
 died in 1863. 
 
 Francis Douglas,*brother of George Douglas, came 
 from Westfield, Mass., to Elyria in 1830. He was a 
 carpenter, and for several years a Methodist local 
 preaclier. lie built several houses, one of which is 
 the l)rick front west of the pul)lic square now occu- 
 pied i)y Dr. Sherwood. In 1843, he removed to Wor- 
 cester, Mass., where ho died in March, 1878, aged 
 eighty j^ears. 
 
 Calvin Smith removed witli his family from Nauga- 
 tuck, Conn., to Elyria in 1819. He built a log house 
 east of the river on the lot now occupied by Mr. L. 
 F. Ward, where he resided several years. He removed 
 from thence to Sheffield, where, after a long sickness, 
 he died in 1836. He was a fine singer, and led the 
 singing in the early religions meetings in the log 
 school house east of the river. 
 
 Heber G, Sekins, born in Stafford, Vt., came to 
 Elyria in the fall of 1835. His family then consisted 
 of a wife and two cliildren. Ira 15., the oldest, still 
 resides in Elyria. He was for years connected with 
 the military organizations. One of his daughters is 
 the widow of the late Thomas Childs, and still resides 
 in the village. Another daughter married Elizur 
 Northrop. They are residents of Cleveland. 
 
 We are unable to ol>tain the names and liistory of 
 many of the fii-st settlers, but shall refer to some of 
 them incidentally as we proceed. 
 
 Immediately after the first settlement of the town- 
 ship, Mr. Ely and others felt the importance of estab- 
 lishing and maintaining religious institutions. They 
 had built a log school house on the triangular piece 
 of ground between the railroad and the highway, just 
 across the east branch of the river. Here the pioneers 
 assembled every Sunday and engaged in public wor- 
 ship. Mr. Ely usually read a sermon; Luther Lane 
 and William Smith were called upon to lead in prayer; 
 Calvin Smith, assisted by Irene Allen and others, led 
 the singing. We again quote from Mr. Beebe's remi- 
 niscences: 
 
 j "The first sermon preached in Elyria was hy the Rev. Alvin Hyde, on 
 ! the 5th of February, ISIS. He was a son of the Rev. Dr. Hyde of Lee, 
 Berlcsliire countv, Mass. His text was from Jonah 2: 9, ' Salvation is of 
 I the Lord.' During part of the years 1817-18, he resided in Dover, where 
 ■ he preached half i>f the time, and the other half in the adjacent town- 
 I ships. 
 
 " Our ordinary rations consisted of pork, flour and peas. Sometimes 
 we got venison and fresh fish. The Indians furnished us with the first 
 fish we had. They caught them below the falls. They shot the deer 
 where they could find them, and would come riding in single file with 
 1 squaws and pappooses on their ponies. They came from Upper San- 
 dusky to hunt and fish, and belonged to the Wyandotte and Seneca 
 
 tribes. They used to camp on the ground now occupied by Mrs. Hoyle 
 and Col; Gates, which was then covered by a small grovrth of hemlocks 
 and pines. 
 
 " Mr. Chester Wright had established a distilleiy on the east side of 
 the cast brani'h, in the rear of the sand pits. The Indians, being great 
 lovers of whisky, could obtain supplies at the distillery, whisky being 
 considered one of the necessities of life." Mr. Beebe remarks that 
 "distilleries were then as plenty as cheese factories are now. Some of 
 the Indians' names were Goodhunt, Red Jacket, Betwixt-the-Logs, etc. 
 They were civil and gave us no trouble." 
 
 WILD ANIMALS. 
 
 Bears were frequently killed by the early settlers, 
 and were particularly destructive of the pigs that 
 roamed in the woods in those days. In the winter of 
 1830, J. A. Harris, late of the Cleveland Herald, who 
 then resided in Elyria, encountered four — an old bear 
 and three well grown cubs — in the woods just east of 
 E. A. Griswold's. The three cubs ascended a tree, 
 while the old bear maintained her position on the 
 around. He first lodged a ball in the old bear. In- 
 stead of attacking. him, she fled, leaving her young 
 unprotected. He fired deliberately at each of the 
 three in the tree, bringing them all dovvn, and killing 
 bat one. He had only a squirrel rifle. With a target 
 gun, such as are used at this time, he would probably 
 have bagged them all. A party of hunters followed 
 them the next day, tracking them by their blood, but 
 did not overtake them. lu the winter of 1831-3, the 
 writer was teaching school in the yellow school house 
 which stood west of the public square, on the ground 
 now occupied by the town hall. One afternoon the 
 school was thrown in great commotion by a bear pass- 
 ing through the town just back of the school house, 
 pursued by dogs and hunters. It crossed the river 
 below the falls, and was killed about three miles down 
 the river, on the farm belonging to the late Aaron R. 
 Taylor. This was the last bear seen iii this vicinity. 
 Wolves were quite numerous until about 1835. 
 Their bowlings could be heard almost every night in 
 the woods north of town. One evening during the 
 fall of 1833, the writer was i^assing on foot along the 
 road which skirted a swamp near the residence of 
 Harlcjw Wells, in the northwest part of the township, 
 a pack of wolves followed him, keeping along the 
 boiirder of the swamp, so near that he could hear the 
 pattering of their feet. Their bowlings were not 
 musical, but very much diversified. Like the retreat- 
 ing soldier, though not frightened he was somewhat 
 demoralized. The last wolf was seen in Elyria during 
 the year 1844. He was evidently lonely, as he sought 
 the society of dogs; but the dogs did not fraternize 
 with him, but avoided his society. Many times he 
 came into the village during the evenings, and our 
 largest bull-dogs, after a brief encounter, retreated to 
 their kennels in disgust. He created much excite- 
 ment among the citizens. Those who had brief 
 glimpses of him greatly magnified his size, and im- 
 agined him to be some huge wild animal, probably a 
 panther of the largest class. At length during the 
 ensuing winter a party of hunters got on his track 
 which they followed for three days, killing him in New 
 Haven, Huron county. While being pursued he 
 
108 
 
 HISTORY OF LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 would stop occasionally to kill a sheep on which to 
 refresh himself. Tiie party returned in triumph, 
 bringing his skin, wlii(;li \v:is stuflod and preserved in 
 the rooms of the Natural History Society until Feb- 
 ruary 10, 1852, when the block containing the rooms 
 was consumed by fire, and this, with all other speci- 
 mens, perished. He was a gray wolf of the largest 
 size, and evidently a veteran. 
 
 Many anecdotes could be related of the encounters 
 of our pioneer settlers with Avolves; some of them 
 being followed by a pack in the evening were forced 
 to take refuge in trees, where they remained till 
 morning, when their pursuers retreated. Mr. George 
 Sexton and wife, living a mile and a half east of the 
 village, hearing a disturbance among their slieep in 
 the barnyard, got up and went out en dishabille, and 
 with an axe dispatched the disturber of their repose 
 among their sheep. 
 
 Deer were very numerous until about 1835. The 
 writer once saw tliirty in a flock on the farni of Mr. 
 Asahel Parmely. Tlioy liad entered the clearing 
 probably to avoid the black flies wbicli were very nu- 
 merous in tlie woods at tluit time. Venison and pork, 
 with an occasional wild turkey, furnished meat for 
 the early settlers. There were no butchers' meat-shops 
 in those days. When a pioneer got out of meat he 
 took down his trusty rifle, and usually soon brought 
 in a deer. What he could not consume in liis own 
 family he distributed to his neighbors. 
 
 The last deerseen in tJie township was in the winter of 
 1841. A party of fifteen or twenty young clerks and 
 mechanics went out one pleasant day in February, with 
 hounds to hunt rabbits. On entering the woods west 
 of Gates' saw-mill they discovered fresh deer tracks. 
 The dogs were put upon the tracks and soon gave 
 tongue. The boys were directed to form a line across 
 the woods. Before the line was fully formed one of 
 the deer broke through and was killed by the writer. 
 A second one passed by the end of the line and escaped, 
 pursued by one of the dogs. The third and last one, 
 a noble buck, approached the line at its east end. He 
 was but two or tliree rods in advance of the di)g, and 
 instead of running at full speed he was making leaps 
 three or four feet from the ground. He turned on 
 seeing the boys and ran about ton rods in front of 
 them the whole length of the line. Each one had his 
 shot, but no one was guilty of shedding one drop of 
 his blood. This skirmish line was about as harmless 
 as some at a later day, in the army, where immense 
 quantities of ammunition were wasted without loss on 
 either side. The two deer which escaped were killed 
 the same day by other hunters, one in Amherst and 
 the other at the stave landing on Black river. 
 
 Wild turkeys, which were very numerous at the 
 first settlement of the country, have almost entirely 
 disappeared. They were sold on the street at an early 
 day for twenty-five cents each. The largest size 
 weighed thirty pounds dressed. 
 
 MR. ELY'S JOURNEY. 
 
 In the fall of 1817, Mr. Ely started on horseback 
 for his old home in Massachusetts, while Ebenezer 
 Lane and Luther Lane started for the same destina- 
 tion on foot. They walked as far as Albany where 
 they took the stage for Springfield. During their 
 absence Mr. George Douglas and Mr. Beebe remained 
 and worked on the inside of Mr. Ely's house. Mr. 
 Ely returned in the spring of 1818. 
 
 In the fall of 1818, Mr. Ely took the steamboat 
 " Walk-in-the- Water " for the east. The steamer first 
 went to Detroit, as she could not stop at Cleveland on 
 her way down, there being no har-bor. He left Cleve- 
 land on the 17th of September, reaching Detroit on 
 the 21st, and Buffalo on the 24th. The ' ' Walk-in- the- 
 Water" was the first steamboat on Lake Erie, and 
 seems to have been a slow walker. 
 
 "Mr. Ely reached West Spriiigflekl on the first day cf October, and on 
 the 10th of the same month was married to Miss Celia, daughter of 
 Col. Ezekiel P. Belden, of Weather^ field, Conn. On the 18th, they started 
 for Elyria, where they arrived October 30th, in company with Ebenezer 
 Lane and his wife. Those who knew the first Mrs. Ely, speak of her in 
 terms of warm enthusiasm. She was a beautiful and accomplished lady, 
 kind and affectionate in her disposition, and generous to the poor and 
 needy. She was especially loving to the little children of the pioneers- 
 She always had a piece of cake and kind words for them when they called 
 upon her, and her memory was cherished by all of them. One— a child 
 at that lime— who was the life companion of the writer, often spoke of 
 her in glowing terms of praise.'' 
 
 The framed house not being comideted when Mr. 
 Ely returned with bis bride, they commenced house- • 
 keeping in the log house. An incident is related by 
 Mr. Beebe. We quote in his own words: 
 
 '*As soon as it was known in the settlements that Mr. Ely bad brought 
 home w'ith him a blooming bride, the ladies felt it a duty as well as a 
 pleasure to call on her. Accordingly, a short time after their arrival, 
 Mrs. George Sexton, of Ridgeville, and a lad.v friend started on foot 
 through the woods to call on the bride. On arriving, they were met at 
 the door of his cabin, as it was called by Mr. Ely, who received them 
 cordiall.y and introduced them to his wife, who entertained them very 
 pleasantly d^u■ing the afternoon. They accepted an invitation to tea, 
 and their companionship was so agreeable that the da.v was far spent 
 before thej' started on their return home. Tl>ey had not gone far from 
 the settlement before they lo.st their way, and wandered on until late in 
 the night, when they came to the conclusion that they were really lost 
 in the wilderness, and would be compelled to submit to the necessity of 
 staying where they were till mornmg. They therefore crawled up on a 
 fallen, leaning tree, and held on by other trees to keep from falling, and 
 waited for morning to come, as it did at last with all the chills and frosts 
 of a November night. They soon found their way home, and were 
 quite well satisfied as they had visited the bride, and had a good time 
 after all." » 
 
 Mr. Beebe and George Douglas built a house for 
 Ebenezer Lane (afterward Judge Lane), east of the 
 river, on the farm afterward bought by Clement 
 Northrop. Ebenezer Lane, on the 11th of October, 
 1818, married Frances Ann, daughter of Gov. Roger 
 Griswold, of Lyme, Conn., and returned to Ohio in 
 company with Mr. Ely and wife. His house being in 
 readiness, he commenced* housekeeping at once. He 
 remained on his farm less than a year. Having been ' 
 appointed jjrosecuting attorney of Huron county, he } 
 removed to Norwalk, October 10, 1819. The Jour ! 
 ney from Elj'ria to Norwalk was made on horseback, f 
 Mrs. Lane riding one horse and lier husband another, 
 he carrying their infant child on a pillow in his arms 
 and being two days on the road. He rose to distinc- 
 tion in his profession, and was for many years a judge; 
 
>4 
 
 f 
 
 Photo, by C. F. Leo, Elyrin, 0. 
 
 /Si^i^ 
 
 Nahum Ball Gates was born in St. Alban's, Vt., Sept. 28, 
 1812. His father, John Gates, and his mother, Abigail Ball, 
 emigrated from Northborough, Mass., to St. Alban's in 1 800, 
 and settled on a farm in that township. His father was of 
 Puritan stock, and belonged to Revolutionary blood. The 
 day he was sixteen years of age he enlisted in the army of 
 the Revolution for three years, served until the close of 
 the war, and was then discharged by Gen. Knox, in the 
 vicinity of New York. His three eldest brothers, Samuel, 
 Silas, and William, served in the same war during its con- 
 tinuance. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the youngest of twelve 
 children. His early education was the best afforded in those 
 days in the district schools of his native town, with one term 
 at the St. Alban's Academy, to fit him for a " country ped- 
 agogue," teaching district school for three winters in his 
 native State. 
 
 The years of his minority were spent on his father's farm, 
 attending and teaching school winters, and laboring on the 
 farm the residue of the year. In this way he secured for 
 himself an athletic frame and vigorous Vermont constitution. 
 Being violently attacked on his father's farm, in the spring 
 of 1834, with what was termed the " Western Fever," which 
 prevailed at that time in Vermont to almost an alarming 
 extent, he, on the 29th day of April, 1834, bade farewell to 
 his native heath and started for Ohio, for the ostensible pur- 
 pose of visiting his brother, Horatio N. Gates, who at that 
 time was engaged in the mercantile business at Elyria, Ohio, 
 under the firm-name of Gates & Greene. 
 
 After remaining in Elyria a few weeks, he went to 
 Cleveland to learn more of the West and find something to 
 do. Whilst standing in front of the Western Reserve Hotel, 
 then in Ohio City, on the west side of Cuyahoga River, a 
 man by the name of Swain came along, and inquired of 
 young Gates if he knew of any one who would on the fol- 
 lowing day go into the woods and score timber for him, as 
 he was about to erect a dwelling-house. Young Gates vol- 
 unteered his services, and a bargain was soon struck. The 
 next day saw a good, honest day's work done. 
 
 His next venture was painting and glazing, in the employ 
 of William Wheat. At this time the cholera broke out in 
 its most malignant form in the cities of Cleveland and Ohio 
 City. Young Gates did not flee to the country or shut him- 
 self up in some secluded retreat, as so many did, but he 
 made it his entire business for weeks to watch with the sick, 
 to care for the dying, and to bury the dead. He spent day 
 and night in performing these duties until the cholera sub- 
 sided. At the urgent request of his brother, H. N. Gates, 
 on the 1st day of September, 1834, he visited Elyria for rest 
 and recreation, spending the winters of 1834 and 1835 in 
 Elyria, clerking for Gates & Greene. 
 
 On the 17th day of May, 1835, he went to Black River 
 and opened a general assortment store for Gates & Greene, 
 where he resided with varying success and experience until 
 the fall of 1838. Here his Vermont constitution under- 
 went a fearful struggle ; a nine months' siege of regular 
 old-fashioned typhus fever and swamp ague could not conquer 
 it ; but, in his own words, " there was nothing left of him 
 but his boots and spurs." 
 
 From the year 1836 until 1844 a copartnership existed 
 between himself and brother, H. N. Gates, in the forward- 
 ing and commission business, headquarters being at Black 
 River. 
 
 In the fall of 1838, Mr. Gates was elected sheriflF of 
 Lorain County, removing to Elyria. It has since been his 
 residence. During his residence in Black River he filled 
 the various offices of constable, justice of the peace, and 
 marshal of Charlestown village. On the 12th day of No- 
 vember, 1838, he took the oath of ofBce as sheriff, and 
 entered upon its duties. The court of Common Pleas was 
 then in session. This was the time of great excitement 
 among the bogus or counterfeiting fraternity, who at that 
 time seemed to have a strong foothold in many of the town- 
 ships of Lorain County. Times were hard. Nearly all the 
 banks in the country had suspended specie payment ; the 
 paper money then in circulation was of all grades and value. 
 Many thought they would take a hand in currency tinkering, 
 which was the order of the day. Therefore, many resorted 
 
NAHUM BALL GATES. 
 
 to countcrfeitiiis; and tlie iiiakiiiir of bogus coin. Men who 
 had been arrested and placed in jail, charged with this 
 offense, broke out and fled for their country's good. Mr. 
 Israel Cash, who had turned State's evidence, was shot 
 through the body, but not killed, by the son of an implicated 
 counterfeiter. Lorain County was all excitement. Such 
 was the condition of affairs when Mr. Gates entered upon 
 the duties of his office. Thus they remained for over a 
 year. Strict justice will ever give to Sheriff Gates, a de- 
 termined judge; and efficient ])rosecutor, the credit of break- 
 ing up this nefarious gang, whose wicked ramifications even 
 reached into families hitherto called honest and respect- 
 able. His prompt action routed tlie whole gang, root and 
 branch. Many, under the kind care of Sheriff Gates, visited 
 Columbus, others fled their country, some reformed, and 
 others died. 
 
 In 1840 a zealous Whig was Mr. Gates; active was the 
 part he took in that ever memorable campaign. Zeal and 
 ardency actuated his every action. As marshal, on liis 
 famous black horse Bucephalus, did he lead the pro- 
 cession from Elyria and adjoining townships that visited 
 that imposing and grand convention, held on the banks of 
 the Maumee River, June 11, 1840. 
 
 In 1840 he was re-elected sheriff of Lorain County. 
 Serving to the end of his term, he completed his four years, 
 the constitutional limit. 
 
 On the 12th day of May, 1841, Mr. Gates married Miss 
 Sarah S. Monteith, eldest daughter of the Rev. John Mon- 
 teith, who formerly had filled the position of professor of 
 ancient languages at Hamilton College, New York. Com- 
 ing to Elyria he took charge of the first select school 
 taught in Elyria of any note. This school, .so well known 
 as the High School, is yet remembered with the fondest 
 memory by many a one who can never forget the kindness 
 and the many virtues of their teacher long years since. 
 
 From this marriage numbers the issue, viz. : John 
 Quincy, who died in early years ; Elizabetli Monteith, wife 
 of Dr. Wheeler, of Cleveland ; Charlotte Augusta, wife of 
 Rev. T. Y. Gardner, pastor of the Congregational Church, 
 Hudson, Ohio ; Mary Ely, who died in early years ; Charles 
 Alexander, graduate of Western Reserve College ; William 
 Nahum, in business at Massillon, Ohio ; Nellie, at home ; 
 and Frederick Hayes, the tjaby, but a good-sized one, now 
 a student at Western Reserve College. 
 
 In 1843, Mr. Gates purchased of Mr. Heman Ely a 
 mill site on the west branch of Black River, and proceeded 
 at once to build a saw-mill, sash, door, and blind factory, 
 to which he gave liis personal supervision and much hard 
 labor for twenty-three years, when, in 1866, he sold out. 
 In 1848 lie built an ashery on the west branch of the Black 
 River, and has kept the same in .successful operation up to 
 the present time. Mr. Gates thinks he may be classed as 
 the oldest, long-continued, and successful ashery-man in the 
 State. This ashery is still smoking. On the first day of 
 September, 1869, purchasing of Davis M. Clark the soap 
 factory on the west side of Black River, he lias since been 
 and now is engaged in the manufacture of his celebrated 
 chemical erasive soap. 
 
 The Lorain County Agricultural Society was organized 
 in 1845, and lived along at a poor, dying rate until 1852, 
 when Mr. Gates was elected president of the same. He 
 immediately set to work to stimulate its activities and infuse 
 new life by inclosing grounds, building stables and pens, 
 erecting sheds, revising and enlarging the premium lists ; 
 and since that time he has served ten years as its president, 
 always taking the laboring oar, and perhaps to no one more 
 than him is said society more indebted for its progress, 
 growth, and present prosperity. Of its tliirty-three annual 
 fairs he has been present at all of them, actively engaged 
 in promoting its interests. 
 
 In 1844 he engaged in the general merchandise business 
 at No. 1 Cheapside, Elyria. Not liking the cares and per- 
 
 plexities of the business, he made an advantageous sale of 
 his wliole stock of goods in 1845 to Messrs. Castle & 
 King, of Medina, Ohio, saying, as he closed out his goods, 
 " that he should never engage in the mercantile business 
 again unless he got hard up." Mr. Gates was among the 
 founders and active workers in the Elyria Union School. 
 He has been a member of the Board of Education the most 
 of the time for the last quarter of a century. 1860 saw 
 him coroner of Lorain County, which office he filled for 
 two years. 
 
 He was ever active and a hard worker in the various rail- 
 road projects wliich have been connected with the history 
 of Elyria for the last thirty years. In 1850 he was a di- 
 rector in the Lorain Plank-Road Company, and for many 
 years was superintendent of said road. The year 1860 found 
 him an active worker for the Republican party, and an officer 
 in the Wido-Awake Club. In 1862 he was appointed col- 
 lector of internal revenue for the fourteenth district of 
 Ohio, by Abraham Lincoln, where he remained until re- 
 moved by Andrew Johnson, " my policy" being in the way. 
 Elected as mayor of Elyria in 1843 for the first time, he 
 has since that time filled that position for twelve years, and 
 is now acting in that capacity. 
 
 In 1856, Caleb S. Goodwin, treasurer of Lorain County, 
 dying, Mr. Gates was appointed to fill the vacancy, and 
 served acceptably for one year. 
 
 Mr. Gates's life in Elyria has been one of constant ac- 
 tion. For example: in the year 1856 he was treasurer 
 of the county, mayor of Elyria, township trustee, member 
 of the Board of Education of Elyria Union Schools, su- 
 perintendent of the Lorain Plank-Road, foreman of ./Etna 
 ( Elyria) Fire Company, discharging the .several duties apper- 
 taining to each with acceptance, to say the least, besides 
 attending to his own personal affairs, whicli were neither 
 few nor small. 
 
 He was mainly instrumental in the formation of Elyria 
 Lodge, No. 103, of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, 
 and was one of its charter members. This lodge was in- 
 stituted March 1, 1848, and from that day to this it has 
 been an honored and respected institution. Mr. Gates is 
 the oldest member of said lodge, and the only one left of 
 its charter members, or of those present at its inauguration. 
 
 As a member of the First Presbyterian Church of 
 Elyria, and society of said church, he may be termed a 
 pronounced Presbyterian in all its meanings. 
 
 During the Rebellion no one was more efficient tlian 
 Mr. Gates. His quota of years required no personal enlist- 
 ment to fill any quota demanded from Lorain County, yet 
 it may be truly asserted that no one not subject to draft 
 (and few, if any, that were) did more than Mr. Gates, by 
 word, act, and money, for the republic. 
 
 Of strong and pronounced opinions, his ear is ever open 
 to reason's call. Commencing life with little or nothing, 
 prosperity lias not elevated him above the cry of the 
 poor and needy. Generous and self-sacrificing, his purse 
 is ever open to true charity, and his hand is always found 
 helping the downtrodden and oppressed. Of him may 
 it truly be said no one in Elyria has spent more hours 
 in watching with the sick, in burying the dead, in visiting 
 the widow and orphan, than Mr. Gates. 
 
 The writer knows of no citizen of Elyria wlio has spent 
 more time for the public at large, with less pay, than Mr. 
 Gates. No one can he recall who has, according to his 
 means, so liberally contributed with voice, action, and 
 money to Elyria's various improvements. Now at the ripe 
 age of sixty-six years, with commanding presence, hale and 
 liearty, as if yet he breathed the mountain air of his old 
 Vermont home, surrounded with the comforts of life, 
 with home graced by the dear wife ever young, cheered by 
 the presence of manly and womanly children, and amused 
 by the prattle of grandchildren. Colonel Gates lives honored 
 and respected by all. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 109 
 
 and for a portion of the time chief justice of the 
 supreme court of Ohio. He died in Sandusky on the 
 12th of June, 186G. He may with mucli propriety be 
 ranked among the great men of Ohio. He graduated 
 at Harvard College in 1811, and studied law with 
 Judge Matthew Griswold, at Lyme, Conn. He did 
 not confine himself to his profession alofte, but during 
 his whole life he eagerly pursued the different branches 
 of natural science, and became eminent as a naturalist. 
 The first deed executed by Mr. Ely was made to 
 Ebenezer Lane, dated June 1, 1818. It conveyed lot 
 sixty-four, east of the river, containing sixty-four 
 acres; the second to Edmund West; the third to Ar- 
 tcmas Beebe. Mr. Beebe and George Douglas had 
 contracted for the land in the fall of 1817. It con- 
 sisted of the ground where his old tavern stood. The 
 building still remains on the same spot, in good con- 
 dition. Early in 1817, Mr. Ely had contracted with 
 Joshua Henshaw to survey the township and village. 
 He was assisted by Clark Eldred and others. Mr. 
 Eldred says they were in the habit of starting out on 
 Monday morning, with their week's provisions and 
 blankets on their backs. They stopped wherever 
 night overtook them. They cooked their own pro- 
 visions, and the water they drank was sometimes 
 filled with wrigglers. Part of the surveys were made 
 in 1816, but the township was not allotted until 1817. 
 The town plat was first surveyed in blocks in 1820. 
 It was not divided into lots until 1823. 
 
 FIRST CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY. 
 
 This occurred at Elyria in 1819, with all the "pomp 
 and circumstance" which became the sons of New 
 England patriots. The settlers in all the adjacent 
 townships turned out en viasse. Grafton especially 
 was represented by nearly all its inhabitants. They 
 came generally with ox-teams, and all entered into 
 the sjjirit of the occasion. A blacksmith's anvil 
 served in place of a cannon, and was kept warm 
 during the day. The dinner was one of the interest- 
 ing features, and was for those days quite sumptuous. 
 The dessert consisted of several popular beverages, of 
 which whisky formed the chief ingredient. Mr. El- 
 bridgc Gerry, then residing in Ridgeville, delivered 
 the oration, which was patriotic and of course loudly 
 applauded. Mr. David Gibbs, of Carlisle, led the 
 martial music. He was not only a good drummer, 
 but proficient on the fife and clarionet. Mr. Beebe 
 says: 
 
 *' In order to approximate as near as possible the old-fashioned man- 
 ner, an old fowUng-piece was strapped on the back of John Gould, who 
 placed himself on ail-fours, serving as gun-carriage, whrn a toast would 
 be read, and the gunner, with a grand flourish of his hot poker, would 
 discharge the old fliat-lock amidst rounds of applause." 
 
 The exercises were closed with a grand ball in the 
 evening, in which all participated. The fiddler was 
 John Shafer, of Ridgeville. Several remained until 
 morning. It is said whisky was freely used, as was 
 then the custom, but no one became intoxicated, 
 
 A post office was established in Elyria on the 23d 
 of May, 1818, and Heman Ely was appointed post 
 
 master, which office he held until the 1st of April, 
 1833. The revenues accruing to the government 
 during the first four years ranged from two dollars 
 a;id forty-one cents to eight dollars and twenty-eight 
 C3nts. 
 
 Perhaps no more suitable place can be found to 
 give a brief sketch of some of the lives of the first 
 settlers of Elyria, The biography of some of them 
 will be written by an abler pen. In reference to Mr. 
 Heman Ely, it can be said that he was eminently 
 just as a landed proprietor. He usually sold his 
 lauds on four years' time, on a written contract or 
 article of agreement, each party retaining a copy. 
 He was very systematic and methodical in his busi- 
 ness transactions, living up fully to his contracts, and 
 he expected those with whom he dealt to fulfil their 
 obligations; but he was never known to dispossess any 
 of the early settlers of their lands who were industri- 
 ous, temperate and frugal, and were doing the best 
 they could to make themselves homes and to pay for 
 their land. Those who were intemperate, lazy and 
 shiftless, and others who took up land merely to strip 
 it of its most valuable timber, without intending to 
 ])ay for it, found no mercy at his hands. 
 
 It used to be said of him that he could tell, by 
 looking on his map, whenever a tree was cut on any 
 jiart of his domain, and that he would at once mount 
 liis horse and ride directly to the spot. He was much 
 on horse-back, and early settlers will remember the 
 old bay horse that stood hitched in front of his office, 
 ready saddled and bridled, every day when he was at 
 home. He never sought official position, though he 
 served for six years as associate judge of the county; 
 and he was on several occasions a member of the 
 State board of equalization, which met at Columbus 
 to equalize the lands of the State for taxation. In 
 business transactions, he was a man of few words, but 
 when free from the cares of business he was genial 
 and sociable, and loved to hear and tell a good story. 
 So much for Mr. Ely, the founder of the township. 
 
 A sketch of the life of Artemas Beebe will be 
 found elsewhere. 
 
 Captain Festus Cooley' commanded a company 
 of Massachusetts troojjs in the war of 1812. He 
 marched his company to Boston, but as Massachu- 
 setts troojis were not permitted by the governor to 
 leave the State, it is not believed that the company 
 of Capt. Cooley were guilty of shedding any British 
 blood. He came to Elyria from Springfield on foot, 
 i.rriviug on the 29th day of May, 1817, and imme- 
 diately took charge of both the saw and grist mills, 
 that were erected in 181G. He put them in good 
 order, and all things seemed to prosper in the way of 
 making improvements in the wilderness. Mr. Beebe 
 says "every man worked with a will; there were no 
 drones in those days." In the spring of 1819, Capt. 
 Cooley went east, and returned with his family in 
 August of the same year. He moved into the old 
 tavern stand, built by Mr. Beebe and George Douglas, 
 which he occupied for about a year, until Mr. Beebe 
 
110 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 arrived with his bride. Capt. Cooley lived ia this 
 town until the time of his death, August 9, 1872, at 
 the advanced age of eiglity-six years. Mrs. Cooley 
 survived hiui several years: she died August 4, 1876. 
 He was a kind unci oliiiging nciglilior and friend, and 
 died without an enemy, lie was tlie father of several 
 daughters, who all died soon after reaciiing maturity. 
 His only son Festus, late of Elyria, now of Blue 
 Rapids, Kansas, is his only surviving child. 
 
 LuTHEii L.VNE came to Elyria with the first jiarty 
 of immigrants. Being hired for only eight months, 
 he returned at the end of that time, in company with 
 the late Judge Lane, to Massachusetts. They made 
 the entire distance on foot. He returned to Elyria, 
 in 1821, and, in a year or two, built the house where 
 he resided until his death. <)u the 4th of July, 1836, 
 he nuirried Miss Ann Cooley, in West S])ringfield, 
 and brought her to his new western home. She 
 lived to share his toils, joys and sorrows. She died 
 only a few years before her husband, ripe in years, 
 and lamented liy all, who loved her for her many 
 christian virtues. Mr. Lane was oue of the original 
 members of the Presbyterian church in Elyria, and 
 was elected deacon at the time of its organization. 
 He was, pre-eminently, a good man. No one spoke 
 ill of him. lie was honest, industrious, temperate, 
 and kind t(i all witli whom he associated. Children 
 loved him, for he always had a kind word for them. 
 He owned the farm on the east side of the river, op- 
 posite the residence of Rev. L. F. Ward. Deacon 
 and Mrs. Lane raised no children of their own, but 
 they brought up a number of orphan children, who 
 were treated with parental affection. Ho died on the 
 23d of November, 1868. 
 
 James Porter was an industrious, hard working 
 man, and accumulated considerable property. He 
 owned the farm now belonging to I. J. Ra3inond, 
 east of the river, and several houses and lots in town. 
 Ho left one child, a daughter, who was six years old 
 at the time of his death, and is now the wife of M. 
 B. Purnly, of Dayton, Ohio. His widow married 
 Dr. H. F. Hubbard, who died in Wisconsin. She is 
 still living, and resides with her children in Colorado. 
 
 George Douglas died young. He is remembered 
 by the early settlers as an enterjirisiug, kind-hearted 
 man. He died on the 5th day of November, 1820; 
 aged thirty-five years. 
 
 Roderick Ashley went east after a year or two, 
 and engaged in boating on the Connecticut river, 
 between Sjjringfield and Hartford. He accumulated 
 a fortune, and died at an advanced age, in the spring 
 of 1878, lamented by all who knew him. 
 
 (Jershom Danes bought the farm now occupied 
 by Sheldon Paddock, in Ridgeville, which he occupied 
 for several years. He sold out many years ago, and 
 moved west. His subsequent history is unknown. 
 
 Edward Bush returned to the east, but afterwards 
 removed to the State of Illinois, where all trace of him 
 is lost. 
 
 John Bacon, who kept the log boarding house for 
 
 the pioneers, removed to his farm in Carlisle, where 
 he resided many years. He died not long ago, at an 
 advanced age. Uncle John, as he was familiarly 
 called, was a generous and kind-hearted nuiu. 
 
 (»f the first settlers in Elyria, Mr. A. Beebe is be- 
 lievi'd to be the only survivor. 
 
 ELYRIA VILLAGE 
 
 as first incorporated, embraced only the territory lying 
 between the branches of Black river. Its boundaries 
 have been extended, so that it now embraces a good 
 part of the township. Should its territory all be oc- 
 cupied as a city, it would contain about two hundred 
 thousand inhabitants. 
 
 The cast and west branches of the river approach 
 each other at the south line of the township, to within 
 the distance of about one mile. The west branch runs 
 in a northerly direction, until it reaches the west falls. 
 The east branch runs parallel to it, until it passes 
 sume distance north of Broad street, where it bends 
 west, and for a short distance, south; turning again 
 to the west, it reaches the east falls, a little below the 
 bridge, which connects Washington avenue with 
 Briiad street. These falls are forty feet per])endieu- 
 lar, and when the i-iver is high, j)resent a grand ap- 
 ])earance. The river there nuikes its way through a 
 rocky gorge, about sixty rods, where it unites with 
 the west lira.nch. The west fall is about the same 
 heighth as the east. After leaping the fall, it runs 
 through a similar rocky gorge, for about forty rods, 
 where the two branches form a junction. 
 
 SCENERY. 
 
 The scenery on both l)ranches below the falls is 
 grand and beautiful. Immense ledges of sandstone 
 project over the valley, for part of the distance, while 
 hirge boulders of the same material are found in the 
 l)ed of the stream, which, in a measure, obstruct its 
 ixissage. . The banks on either hand are covered with 
 deciduous trees, with which are intermingled ever- 
 green trees, consisting of j'iues and hemlocks. At 
 the foot of the west fall, on the south side, there is a 
 large, wide-mouthed cave, over-arched with sand rock. 
 It is a famous resort for both young and old. Iliah 
 
 Jo B 
 
 uj) on the projecting rock, many names are inscribed, 
 and among them, in large letters, is that of Q. A. 
 (iilmore, 1844. At that date. General Gilmore was a 
 bright lad, attending school in Elyria. 
 
 At some period in the distant jiast, the west falls 
 were located some twenty rods below where they are 
 at present, and at the place where they poured over 
 the precipice, the rocks are water-worn, giving abund- 
 ant evidence of their former location. Many interest- 
 ing relics have been found in the former bed of the 
 stream. 
 
 At the foot of the ancient junction, there is a basin 
 or small lake, covering an acre or more of ground. 
 Surrounding this basin, the scenery is indescribably 
 grand; rocks are piled on I'ocks, in endless confusion. 
 This is a famous resort for artists, many of whom 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COtJNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Ill 
 
 luive visited Elyria for the purpose of sketching its 
 scenery. A little below the basin, there is an island 
 of several acres, covered with majestic trees of nia]ile, 
 beech, and sycamore, the property of Mrs. Charles 
 Arthur Ely. This she has generously cleared of 
 underl)rush, and provided with rustic seats. She has 
 also liuilt a stairway, leading down from the high 
 hank above, and thrown her beautiful grounds open 
 to the public. Pic-nic jiartios come from a distance 
 to enjoy this beautiful retreat. Strangei's visiting 
 Elyria are not aware that within a stone's throw of 
 Broad street, can be found the most beautiful scenery 
 in the State. 
 
 EELICS OF AN ANCIENT RACE. 
 
 On the west bank of the river, on the northei'n 
 border of the township, there is a lot known as the 
 Fort Lot. On this lot there are extensive works, con- 
 structed, probably, by a race of people who inhabited 
 this country prior to the present Lidian race. About 
 forty years ago, a party of gentlemen, of whom the 
 writer was one, nnide a survey of these works. They 
 consisted first, of a large central mound, near the 
 river Ixink. and a smaller mound on each side of it. 
 The bank of the river descended gradually for about 
 twenty feet, where was a level j)lateau, some two rods 
 in width. Out of this bank gushes a sjjring of pure 
 water, of sufficient size to carry an overshot wheel, 
 and falls into the river, the perpendicular bank of 
 which is some seventy-tive feet in height. Extending 
 around these mounds, some ten rods or more from 
 them, was a ditch. It commenced at the river bank, 
 some twenty rods north of the mounds, and termin- 
 ated at a doeiJ ravine, about a quarter of a mile from 
 its place of beginning. At the distance of about ten 
 rods from each other, were pits or caches, evidently 
 made for the purpose of storing provisions. Very 
 ancient oaks grew from the bottom of the ditch, in 
 places. We excavated the largest mound rather im- 
 perfectly, and found nothing but ijieces of potteiy, 
 and fragments of human bones. The mounds were 
 undoubtedly used as places of sepulture, where, after 
 some battle, perhai)s, large numbers of the slain were 
 entombed. It is to be regretted that, the owners of 
 the land, in a spirit of vandalism, have ploughed 
 over the mounds, and they are nearly on a level with 
 tlie surrounding surface. 
 
 ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 On the twentietii of October, 1819, the township of 
 Elyria, comjirising townsjiips number five and six,, in 
 range seventeen, now Carlisle and Elyria, was, by the 
 commissioners of Huron county, erected a separate 
 township. It was named in honor of its jjioneer 
 owner and settler, Heman Elj-, — Ely-ria. The first 
 election occurred on the 3d of April, 1830, at which 
 time there were twenty votes cast. The following 
 I list gives the names of the electors at that time: 
 Sherman Miuot, .Tohn M. Butler, John Bacon, James 
 A. Sexton, Abel Farr, Dudley Starr, George Douglas, 
 
 William Sexton, Enos Mann, Calvin Eice, Burton 
 Waite, Chester Wright, J. L. Terrell, Elias Mann, 
 Heman Ely, Roger Cooley, Festus Cooley, .James 
 Ledoit, Henry Wolford and Edmund West. James 
 Ledoit and Sherman Minot were judges of election, 
 and Edmund West, clerk. Heman Ely, Sherman 
 Minot and Jonathan A. Sexton, were elected trustees. 
 Edmund West, clerk and treasurer. Heman Ely and 
 Festus Cooley, overseers of the poor. Chester Wright 
 and Enos Mann, fence viewers. John F. Butler and 
 Festus Cooley, appraisers of property. George Doug- 
 las, constable, and Heman Ely and William Sexton, 
 supervisors of highways. Sherman Minot was the 
 first justice of the peace; elected, doubtless, in 1820, 
 though the only record we find is a copy of the notice 
 for an election of justice of the })eace, "in place of 
 Sherman Minot, whose term of office expired Decem- 
 ber 33, 1822." 
 
 From a list of taxable property, jircpared in May, 
 1820, by Roger Cooley and Phineas Johnson, we learn 
 that there were in the township eleven hors(>s, ninety- 
 eight cattle, and seven houses, five of which were val- 
 ued at one hundred dollars each, one at fourteen hun- 
 dred (Heman Ely's), and another (Artemas Beebe's) 
 at nine hundred dollars. The number of horses 
 returned by the assessor in the spring of 1878 was 
 seven hundred and seventy-seven, valued at thirty- 
 eight thousand four hundred and seventy-five dollars; 
 cattle, one thousand one hundred and twenty-seven, 
 valued at twenty-two thousand two hundred and 
 ninety-four dollars; total value of real estate and 
 buildings, township, three hundred and twelve thou- 
 sand and thirty-five dollars; village, one million and 
 eighty-one thousand dollars; total in townshij) and 
 village, one million five hundred and ninety-three 
 thousand and thirty-five dollars. 
 
 The records of the townshiii cannot be found fur- 
 ther back than 1842. At the spring election this year 
 Herrick Parker, Ira Cunningham and Israel Everden 
 were judges; Schuyler Putnam and Benjamin F. 
 Robinson, clerks. The otHcers elected were Ebenezer 
 (h'iffith, Daniel Nesbitt and William Gregg, ti-ustees; 
 Schuyler Putnam, township clerk; Abraham Burrell, 
 treasurer; William Doolittle and John II. Faxon, con- 
 stables, and nine supervisors of highways. 
 
 In 1843, Clark Eldred, Daniel Nesbitt and Artemas 
 Beebe, trustees; Stephen B. Wolcott, township clerk; 
 A. Burrell, treasurer; John H. Faxon, constable; 
 Heman Burch and Edson A. Griswold, justices of the 
 peace. 
 
 The officers for 18T8 are Levi Morse, H. C. Tail 
 and George F. Sears, trustees; W. II. Park, clerk; 
 George D. Williams, treasurer; O. Dole, Charles 
 Myers and S. A. Rawson, constaliles; Wm. H. Tucker, 
 justice of the peace. 
 
 ELYRIA CHOSEN AS THE COUNTY SEAT. 
 
 j\Ir. Ely visited Columbus in the winter of 1821-2, 
 for the purpose of securing an act for the organiza- 
 tion of the county of Lorain. He traveled on horse- 
 
112 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 back, and the first day out he became lost in the 
 woods. He succeeded iii finding his way back to liis 
 lionio at night, and the next day was more successful 
 in finding his way, and finally reached tlie State capi- 
 tal. The new county was not formed at that session 
 of the (reueral Assembly, but on the 22d of Decem- 
 ber, 1832, an act was passed for its formation. It 
 was taken from the counties of Cuyahoga, Huron and 
 Medina, and was named Lorain. It took its name 
 from Lorraine in France, in whieli province Mr. Ely 
 spent some time while in Europe, and with which he 
 was greatly pleased. It will be observed that the 
 name is somewhat anglicised. It originally embraced 
 the townships of Homer and Spencer now in Medina, 
 and Sullivan and Troy now in Ashland county. At 
 the same session a board of three commissioners was 
 appointed to locate the county seat. Black River and 
 Sheffield were competitors with Elyria, and tlie com- 
 missioners visited both of those townships; but, after 
 a fair consideration of their claims, fixed upon Elyria 
 as the seat of justice for the new county, and on the 
 14th of February, 1833, drove the stakes for the loca- 
 tion of the new court house. It was located at the 
 north east corner of Middle avenue and Broad street, 
 and occupied the ground where J. A. Bean's grocery 
 store now stands. Mr. Ely agreed to furnish build- 
 ings for the court house and jail, and to pay two 
 thousand dollars towards the erection of a new court 
 house wlienever the county commissionei'S should see 
 fit to build one. 
 
 After the erection of the new court house, the 
 original building was removed to a lot fronting Broad 
 street, and was used for a time as a school house and 
 afterwards as a Presbyterian church. It now stands 
 in the rear of Snearer and Waldeck's cabinet shop. 
 Tlie jail was erected on what is now the South public 
 square, nearly opposite the i)resent residence of N. 
 L. Johnson. It was a two-story frame building, the 
 inside of one end lined with s(iuare-iiewn legs, which 
 was used as a prison. The other end was used by 
 tlie family of the jailor. It answered its purpose very 
 well, few if any prisoners having escaped from it. It 
 now stands on East Third street, and is owned and 
 occupied as a dwelling by R. W. Pomeroy. 
 
 ELYRIA IN 1835. 
 
 Some of the townships in Lorain county were quite 
 raj)idly settled after the first improvements. Sucli 
 was not the case with Elyria. Its population is not 
 remembered, but the following list shows the houses 
 and their occupants at the above date. Commencing 
 at the east end of Broad street the first house stood 
 nearly opposite the old tannery, and was occupied by 
 a Mr. Cuues. The second house was occupied by Mr. 
 (iardner Howe, a tanner. Third, Heman Ely's resi- 
 dence, now occupied by his son Heman. Fourth, the 
 old tavern of Mr. Beebe, standing nearly opposite Mr. 
 Ely's. Fifth, the residence of Mr. Edmund West, 
 now owned and occupied by Albert Ely. Sixth, resi- 
 dence of Deacon Luther Lane, now owned by Mr. 
 
 Budd. Seventh, the residence of Mr. Kingsbury, 
 now owned and occupied by Mr. Coburu. Eighth, 
 George Gilbert, a blacksmith. Ninth, residence of 
 Dr. John F. Butler, corner of Broad street and Mid- 
 dle avenue. Tenth, residence of Hiram Emmons. 
 Eleventh, residence of Thompson Miles. Twelfth, 
 residence (name not remembered) on ground after- 
 wards occupied by residence of Samuel Goodwin. 
 Thirteenth, residence of Halstead Parker. Four- 
 teenth, fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth, occupants 
 not remembered. -Eighteenth, occupied by Roger 
 Cooley. Nineteenth, resident not known. Twen- 
 tieth, residence of Francis Douglas. Twenty-first, 
 residence of Ebenezer Wliiton. Twenty-second, res- 
 dence of James Porter. Twenty-third, now occupied 
 by W. H. Park, built by Ransom Redington, at that 
 time unfinished. 
 
 There were but few farmers settled in the township 
 outside the village. 
 
 From the report of the appraiser of real estate for 
 1870 (the last made) we take the following: 
 
 Village. Number ot houses 554; valued at $4IS,015 00 
 
 •as other buildings, valued at -lO.fias 00 
 
 In the township, 174 houses, valued at 67,005 DO 
 
 155 other buildings, valued at... 32,0(17 00 
 
 Total, village and township S.558,342 00 
 
 Real estate is appraised at less than half its true 
 value. 
 
 A number of persons whose names have not 
 been mentioned settled in Elyria prior to 1825. Wil- 
 liam Turner, Jr., whose father came to Grafton in 
 1816, was apprenticed to George Douglas, to learn the 
 house joiner and carpenter's trade, in 1823. He mar- 
 ried Miss Olive M. Lynde, in 183-4, and became a 
 permanent resident. By a life of industry he has 
 accumulated a competence, and is now living at the 
 age of seventy-five, respected by the community. His 
 wife, aged seventy-three, is also living. Hiram Em- 
 mons came from Connecticut in 1831. He died in 
 1 865 aged seventy-two. He was an honest man and a 
 good citizen. 
 
 Stanton Sholes was one of the early merchants of 
 Elyria. He sold out to Thompson Miles, who suc- 
 ceeded him both as a merchant and resident in 1834, 
 and removed to a pleasant home in Amherst. Cajjl. 
 Sholes afterwards removed to the vicinity of Colum- 
 bus, where he died recently, aged over ninet}' years. 
 He commanded a company in the war of 1813, and 
 did good service for his counti-y. Mr. Miles having 
 secured a competence, retired from business in 1833. 
 He died in September, 1845, aged fifty-five 3'ears, 
 leaving a highly respectable family. 
 
 Ezra S. Adams, from Canton, Conn., settled in 
 Elyria in 1831, and established the first harness and 
 saddlery shop in the county. He kept the hotel built 
 by George Douglas for a time, and was a partner of 
 Mr. A. Beebe, in establishing the first line of stage 
 coaches between Cleveland and Sandusky, (now Fre- 
 mont.) He afterwards carried on the business of 
 harness making for many years. He died January 
 33, 1847, aged forty-six years. 
 
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 ^ *& 
 
 V^N V-V^vvv-,s -N5^ **^\\\\^?5SS$?^N:* ^■^'^> 
 
 Photo, by Lee, Elyria, 0. 
 
 G^^^^-e-^^6S^^--^ 
 
 A young man who, with good hahits and energ_v, says, 
 " This will I do," rarely fails. William H. Tucker is a living 
 illustration of this fact. He was born in Windham, Portage 
 Co., Ohio, March 21, 1826, the youngest son of Jacob and 
 Chloe Tucker. Jacob first settled in Ohio, at Vermillion, in 
 1816. In 1818 he moved into Windham, as above, from which 
 place he removed to Eaton, Lorain Co , Ohio, in 1832, pur- 
 chasing a farm on Chestnut Ridge. 
 
 Here with his wife he remained until their respective 
 deaths ; Mr. Tucker dying in 1863, in his eighty-eighth year ; 
 his wife having died two years previous. 
 
 From the mother did W. H. Tucker get the notions which, 
 worked out, have made the valuable citizen. Mrs. Chloe 
 Tucker was a woman of uncommon energy ; the great motherly 
 heart of a good woman, by precept and example, left an im- 
 press on the character of her children that to this day recalls 
 the memory of a mother who ever watched over them with 
 self-sacrificing devotion, and aided them to become the true 
 man or true woman. 
 
 The father, of a difl'erent mental mould, ever kind, no mat- 
 ter how gloomy the outlook, was ever cheerful ; always think- 
 ing " Suflicient unto the day is tlie evil thereof." 
 
 Mr. W. H. Tucker, well remembering the exodus from 
 Portage to Lorain County, recalls the pa.ssage of Cuyahoga 
 River, at Cleveland, Ohio, on a floating bridge, the all of 
 his parents in a lumber wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen, 
 those parents to work out of the then woods of Eaton a home 
 for selves and little ones. Such a home, poor as it was, was 
 even then made so pleasant that one and all of those children 
 look back to it with fond memories. 
 
 Early life in Lorain County gave limited opportunities for 
 education. At the age of sixteen Mr. Tucker began to think 
 for a better education than home schools provided. In his 
 seventeenth year his father gave him all he could, viz., his 
 time. With this and a fixed determination he commenced 
 the business of education, chopping cord- wood for tuition, and 
 doing chores for board. He was a pupil at a select school at 
 Ridgeville, Ohio. The following winter found him teacher 
 of the common school at Lagrange, Ohio. In the following 
 July, to acquire further funds for schooling, he commenced 
 work with a traveling threshing-machine. A week's work 
 left him with only one leg, and even life in danger. Good 
 early habits and a sound constitution pulled him through so far 
 as the playsical was concerned ; but, as he looked to the future, 
 "black care brooded o'er his mind." Fearing he should 
 
 become a burden to his friends, he almost wished for death. 
 However, will-power and kind attention offender friends drove 
 such thoughts away, and left him with a fixed purpose. En- 
 gaging in school teaching for the following twenty-two years, 
 Mr. Tucker taught every winter, frequently fall and summer 
 terms, in the common schools of Ohio; now and then a select 
 school. All this time as teacher he was everywhere a learner. 
 
 In the year 1864, Mr. Tucker removed to Elyria, Ohio, 
 where he now lives. He was married in his twenty-third 
 year to Miss Clarissa Andrews, who as kind wife, with joyous 
 and sunny disposition, cheered his life until her death, which 
 occurred at Elyria, Jan. 20, 1870. She left three sons, the 
 youngest but eight days old, her only daughter having died 
 before, aged two years. 
 
 He was remarried, March 13, 1871, to Mrs. M. C. Hart, 
 widow of Hermon Hart, of Grafton, Lorain Co., Ohio, who 
 now with every womanly grace makes home pleasant to 
 husband and their manj' friends. 
 
 Mr. Tucker was elected recorder of Lorain Co., Ohio, in 
 1864, filling the position, by two re-elections, for nine years. 
 Retiring from olfice with health somewhat impaired by close 
 confinement and strict attention to official duties, for a short 
 time he engaged in sundry business occupations. Having, dur- 
 ing his recordership, reviewed his law studies under the in- 
 struction of Judge John C. Hale (which studies were originally 
 made under Judge W. W. Boynton), he was admitted to the 
 bar, at a sitting of the District Court, at Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
 In 1875, Mr. Tucker was a prominent mover in the organi- 
 zation of a lodge of Knights of Honor at Elyria, and was 
 chosen past dictator of said lodge. In 1876 he represented said 
 lodge in grand council, and has ever since been a member of 
 that body, now being grand trustee. 
 
 In February, 1878, as charter member, he helped the forma- 
 tion of a council of Royal Arcanums at Elyria, of which he 
 was elected past regent. He now fills the office of grand sec- 
 retary of the grand council of said order for the State of 
 Ohio. 
 
 Elected by his fellow-citizens as justice of the peace; a 
 member of the law firm of Fary & Tucker ; with an oflicial 
 reputation as recorder of Lorain Count}' unequaled either by 
 successor or predecessor ; with the trusts of a grand officer in 
 his hands ; his ever charitable hand; his undeviating life of 
 integrity in all its meaning ; the universal respect of all with 
 whom he comes in contact, Mr. Tucker can be well said to 
 have grandly done his " This will I do." 
 
<9^uyf,UjcJ^^ 
 
 William Webster was born in West Hartford, Conn., 
 Oct. 20, 1778, and moved to Laporte, Lorain Co., Ohio, 
 May 15, 1828, from the town of Spaiford, Onondaga Co., 
 N. Y. His son William was born at Florence, Oneida 
 Co., N. Y., Feb. 20, 1809. 
 
 The occupation of both father and son was that of black- 
 smithing. William, the father of the subject of this sketch, 
 worked at his trade in Elyria, in company with George G. 
 Gilbert, from 1831 to 1834. His wife was born July 3, 
 1813, and was the daughter of Henry J. Fhillips. They 
 were married Oct. 27, 1831, in Eaton, Lorain Co., Ohio. 
 Mrs. Webster died Nov. 13, 1868, leaving six children, 
 viz. : Daniel, Edward, Cordelia, (wife of Dr. L. C. Kelsey, 
 of Elyria, Ohio), Iral A., Fred, and Will. 
 
 Iral A. Webster was born on Butternut llidge, Eaton 
 township, Lorain Co., Ohio, Dec 22, 1840. In Iral's 
 youth his parents moved to the State of Illinois, lleturniug 
 from the West, for a short time Cleveland, Ohio, was their 
 home; and in 1848, Carlisle, Lorain Co., Ohio, became his 
 father's residence, where he still lives. 
 
 Iral A. Webster's early days were spent on the home 
 farm, in the blacksmith-shop, or in a quarry belonging 
 to his father, except such time as was given to the district 
 school, until 1861. During this year he attended a select 
 school at Elyria, Ohio. In 1862 he commenced studies at 
 Oberlin, Ohio, where some time was spent until the spring 
 of 1866; the balance was pa.s.sed in teaching school at 
 Lagrange and Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, and in reading 
 
 law^with J. D. Horton, of Ravenna, Ohio. Continuing his 
 reading, with C. W. Johnston, Esq., of Elyria, he was, in 
 said place, admitted to the bar Aug. 29, 1867. In De- 
 cember, 1867, he opened a law office at Oberlin, Ohio, 
 where his family still resides, although Mr. Webster's time 
 is mostly passed in Elyria, where he started a branch office, 
 August, 1877. He formed a copartnership with Charles G. 
 Finney, Jr., in February, 1872, which lasted but a few 
 months, owing to the ill health of his partner. Jan. 1, 1877, 
 saw his uncle, H. L. Webster, in the law business with him, 
 which relation continued for one year, when Mr. Webster 
 formed a partnership with his brother Fred, which still 
 continues. 
 
 In December, 1877, Mr. I. A. Webster purchased one- 
 half of the Oberlin Weehly News, and continued one of its 
 owners and publishers until Jan. 1, 1879, his efforts having 
 aided in a great degree in placing it upon a sound foun- 
 dation. 
 
 On Nov. 25, 1868, Mr. Webster married Miss Lottie 
 Robb, daughter of Jackson and Mary Robb. Of this 
 marriage were born Albert M., Feb. 13, 1875; Angle L., 
 April 8, 1877. 
 
 Mr. Webster is yet young, a man of high moral stand- 
 ing, and an ardent supporter of every movement looking 
 towards the right. He is a prominent member of the 
 Republican party. Sharing the confidence and good will of 
 all, he enjoys that true respect of his fellows that only 
 follows a life of strict integrity. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 113 
 
 Zenas Banuim built a forge on the west side of the 
 river, wliere Gates' saw-mill was afterwards built in 
 1818, and carried on the business of manufacturing 
 wrought iron until 1832. He then removed to Rock- 
 port, where he died manj' years ago. 
 
 Elias Mann came to Elyriain 1819. He married a 
 daughter of Major David Beebe, of Ridgeville and 
 removed to Amherst, where he lived to a good old age. 
 
 John Gould and Ebenezer Perry settled on the east 
 side of the river, on the ground now occupied by the 
 cemetery. Both died many years ago. 
 
 ELYRIA VILLAGE. 
 
 INCORPORATED IN 18.33. 
 
 Section first of an act to incorporate the town of 
 Elyria, reads as follows: 
 
 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That 
 all that part of the township of Elyria, in the county of Lorain, which 
 is included within the branches of Black river, be and the same is hereby 
 created a town corporate, and shall hereafter be known and dis- 
 tinguished by the name of the Town of Elyria. The above was passed 
 February 2.3, 18:!3. Signed, 
 
 David T. Disney, Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
 Samuel P. Miller, President of the Senate. 
 
 We are unable to find the record of elections i)rior 
 to April 6, 1843. At this date an election was 
 held and the following gentlemen were chosen, viz: 
 Orren Cowles, mayor; Benjamin F. Robinson, re- 
 corder; Archibald S. Park, Thompson Miles, Israel 
 Everden, Ansel Keith, and T. Crane, trustees; and 
 Samuel Goodwin, treasurer. 1843: Nahum B. Gates, 
 mayor; Austin C. Penfleld, recorder; Herrick Parker, 
 T. Crane, I. Everden, Orville L. Mason and William 
 Olcott, trustees; treasurer re-elected. 1844: Oliver 
 R. Ryder, mayor; I. Everden, 0. L. Mason, C. S. 
 Goodwin, and Norman Crandall, trustees; recorder 
 re-elected; Horace C, Starr, treasurer. 1845: officers 
 re-elected entire. 1846: Albert A. Bliss, mayor; 0. 
 L. Mason, 0. Cowles, T. Crane, N. B. Gates and 
 William Olcott, trustees; recorder and treasurer re- 
 elected. 1847: Hemau Ely, Jr., mayor; M.R.Keith, 
 recorder, B. F. Robinson, W. F. Lockwood, A. 
 Woostor, A. Culver and Milo Bennett, trustees; H. 
 C. Starr, treasurer. We pass to a recent date. 1876: 
 John H. Boynton, mayor; John Childs, George H. 
 Ely, E. G. Johnson and Charles Spitzenburg, trustees. 
 1877: N. B. Gates, mayor; council, John Childs, 
 George 11. Ely, E. G. Johnson, Charles Spitzenburg, 
 William Allen and George R. Starr. 1878: N. B. 
 Gates, mayor; council same as before, adding John 
 W. Hart and D. J. Nye. 
 
 In making out the foregoing list of officers we have 
 co])ied from the records as kept by the recorder, hence 
 we are not responsible for the omission of first names. 
 
 Soon after the commencement of the settlement, 
 Mr. Ely saw the necessity of having bridges across 
 both branches of the river, and contracted with Maj. 
 Calvin Hoadley to build them. They were completed 
 in the fall of 1818. Their location was substantially 
 on the sites of the present stone and iron bridges. 
 
 In the summer of 1819 Chester Wright erected a 
 distillery, one of those, at that day, popular institu- 
 
 15 
 
 tions. This stood on the east side of the east branch 
 of the river, near the spring in the rear of the sand 
 pits. Enos Mann and others afterwards carried on 
 this distillery. Long years since it went into decay 
 and now not a vestige of it remains. 
 
 At a very early date, a carding and fulling mill 
 was in operation. It was located on the site of Messrs. 
 Topliff and Ely's extensive manufactory. Gardner 
 Howe at first carried it on, who was succeeded by 
 John L. Butler, and he, in turn, by Herrick Parker. 
 The spinning wheel and hand-loom having become 
 things of the past, Mr. Parker converted it into a 
 woolen manufactory, but does not seem to have been 
 successful, as the work was abandoned some twenty 
 years ago. 
 
 The grist and saw mills, built by Mr. Ely at the 
 time of the first settlement, near the east branch 
 bridge, have been succeeded by others, with more 
 modern improvements, which are still in oijeration. 
 
 The old red mill at the east falls was built by Mr. 
 Ely, as early as 1834. In February, 1832, there was 
 a great freshet, caused by heavy rains, which caused 
 the breaking up of the ice. It swept away every mill 
 dam above Elyria, gathering force at each, and came 
 down almost like a wall of waters, bearing along large 
 trees, which had been torn up by the roots. Nearly 
 half of the red mill standing over the water was swept 
 away, and all of the running gear, including the mill 
 stones, and made a complete wreck of the lower por- 
 tion of the mill. That part of'the building next the 
 water, settled a foot or more, and the whole structure 
 came near falling into the stream. It was soon re- 
 paired, and has, until recently, done a large business, 
 both as a custom and merchants' mill. It is not now 
 in operation. 
 
 The Lorain Iron Company was established in 1832, 
 on the west side of the river, near the west falls. 
 Ileman Ely furnished the capital, aud built the 
 necessary works. It was, at one time, an extensive 
 affair, employing one hundred, or more, men. It 
 was not a success, financially, and was eventually 
 abandoned. Its failure was probably due to the fact 
 that it used bog ore, which was not vei-y rich in iron. 
 Had the iron mines of Lake Sui^erior been then 
 known, it would doubtless have been in operation at 
 the present time. 
 
 Below the "old red mill," was a second one, which 
 was burned down, aud between the two, a gentleman 
 named Clark, put in operation an axe manufactory. 
 Tills business was carried on for a number of years, 
 and turned out a very good class of work. This 
 has, long since, ceased to be. Mr. N. B. Gates, for 
 many j^ears, run a saw-mill, and carried on a sash aud 
 blind manufactory, on the west branch, above the 
 falls. As timber became scarce, it was abandoned, 
 not being profitable. 
 
 ELTKIA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
 
 Sometime during the year 1844, the above society 
 was organized. It rented a large hall in the Ely 
 
114 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 block, furni.slic'd eacli side of it with glass cases, for the 
 reception of sjiecitnens — a platform and desk occupy- 
 ing the front of the room. It was also supplied with 
 seats, to accomodate about three hundred persons. 
 The glass cases were generally filled with choice spec- 
 imens, illustrating geology, mineralogy, eonchology, 
 ornithology, and botany. Many Indian relies were 
 also collected, together with a small library. In this 
 room, weekly public free lectures were given for 
 about four years, except during the month of August. 
 The lecturers were mostly residents of Elyria, among 
 whom were Di's. N. R. Townshend, Eber W. Hubbard, 
 and L. I). Griswold; Joel Tiffany, A. A. Bliss, P. 
 Bliss, and Woolsey Wells, attorneys; Rev. D. A. 
 Grosvenor; and H. A. Tenney, editor, and others, 
 not recollected. The lecturers were all volunteers, 
 and performed their duties without compensation. 
 During the existence of the association, several dis- 
 tinguished scientists from abroad were eniploj-ed, who 
 delivered coui'ses of lectures upon chemistry and 
 geology. For nearly four years, the hall was filled, 
 weekly, by the young and middle-aged citizens of 
 Elyria, who were constant attendants upon the 
 lectures. No one can projierly estimate the influence 
 for good, especially upon the 3'oung peojde of our 
 village, resulting from these lectures. Elyria has 
 ever been celebrated for the literary and scientific 
 culture of its inhabitants, and it is believed that, its 
 reputation is, to a great extent, due to the influence 
 of this society. 
 
 After about four years of prosperity, several gen- 
 tlemen, who had been prominent in conducting its 
 afi'airs, removed from town, the regular lectures were 
 discontinued, and it gradually fell into decay. In 
 1852, a fire consumed the block and what .specimens 
 remained in the room. 
 
 CHURCHES IN ELYRIA. 
 THE PRESBYTERIAN rHUROn * 
 
 Was organized in the log school house east of the 
 river, on Thursday, the 2.5th of November, 1824. 
 There were jiresent on the occasion. Rev. Alfred II. 
 Betts, a minister of the Presliytery of Huron, and tlie 
 Revs. Daniel W. Lathrop, Joseph Treat, and Caleb 
 Pitkin, of tlie Missionary Society of Connecticut. 
 
 The following jwrsons presented themselves for 
 examination, viz: Luther Lane, Celia P]ly and 
 Pamelia Beebe, from the First church in West 
 Springfield, Massachusetts; Abbe W. Lathrop, from 
 the First Presbyterian church in Brooklyn, Long 
 Island; William Smith, from the church in Sheffield; 
 Samuel Brooks, Hezekiah Brooks, Lydia Brooks, 
 Sophia Brooks, Hannah Brooks, Hannah Johnson 
 and Irene Johnson, of the Presbyterian church in 
 Carlisle; and Harriet Hamlin, Julia West, Pearly 
 Douglas, Ann Palmer and Pamelia Jlanter, who had 
 never before made a public jirofession of religion. 
 
 * Derived mostly from the church records, and from conTersation 
 ivith the Hon. Hemau Ely. 
 
 The building, occupied exclusively ns a clnrrch, stood 
 on the northeast corner of of the public sipiare, and 
 is the same now occupied by Snearer & Waldeck as a 
 cabinet shop. 
 
 In 18.34, a wooden church edifice was erected on 
 lot No. 247 East Second street. This w-as completed, 
 and on February 12, of the same year, was dedicated 
 to the service of Almighty God. On the same day, 
 the Rev. James II. Eells was oixlained jjastor of the 
 church. This building is now owned by Mrs. Sarah 
 W., widow of the Rev. I). A. Grosvenor, and is 
 occupied as a dwelling. 
 
 The massive and beautiful stone church on the 
 corner of Second and Court streets was comjileted in 
 the spring of 1848, and dedicated iSIay 17, of that 
 year, at a total cost of twelve thousand five hundred 
 and eighty-eight dollars and sixt3--five cents. The 
 clock which occujiies the tower of this church was 
 put up some years later, and cost three hundred 
 dollars; the bell, six hundred dollars, and the fine 
 organ, fourteen hundred dollars. A neat stone chapel 
 was erected just south of the church in 1853. 
 
 The following list shows the pastors who have 
 ministered to the church, witJi the date they were 
 severally installed: 
 
 June 29, 1835, Rev. Daniel W. Lathrop; Februaiy 2. ISil, Rev. John J. 
 ShipluTd; Febriiai-y 11, 18:B, Rev. James H. Eells; September 2t), ISiT, 
 Rev. Lewis H. Loss; February !t, 1813, Rev. David A. Grosvenor; Novem- 
 ber 4, ia5a. Rev. F. M. Hopkins; April 4, 18.5.1, Rev. Francis A. Wilber; 
 July 2, 1867, Rev. Fergus L. Kenyon; March 1, 1872, Rev. C. H. Wlieeler; 
 August 21, 1872, Rev. E. E. Williams; present pastor was employed and 
 installed December 9, 187:3. 
 
 The ]ir('seiit officers of the church, many of whom 
 have grown grey in its service, are as follows: 
 
 Deacon,".— Elijah DeWitt (Emeritus), Joseph .Swift, Jr., Edward W. 
 West, Isaac S. Metcalf. 
 
 Standing Committee — Thomas L. Nelson. Hemau Ely, Edward W. 
 West, Elijah DeWitt, Joseph Swift, Jr., and Reuben M. Carter. Clerk— 
 Isaac S. Metcalf. 
 
 Ladies' Committee — Mrs. Heman Ely, Mrs. J. J. Monroe, Miss Eliza J. 
 Hall. 
 
 Chorister—John W. HuJburt. 
 
 Organist — Miss Ann M. C'randall. 
 
 Superintendent of Sahbath School — Hemau Ely. 
 
 Assistant Snpenntendent — H. M. Parker. 
 
 Sccretttrl/ and Treasurer— Mrs. T. L. Nelson. 
 
 Committee on Missionarji, Snnday School and Bible Society Collections 
 —Elijah DeWitt, Heman Ely, E. W. West, Joseph Swift, Jr., and I. S. 
 Metcalf. 
 
 Officers of the Society— Nahum B. Gates, president; I. S. Metcalf, seen' 
 tary and treasurer. Trustees — Hemau Ely, Artemas Beebe, Thomas L. 
 Nelson, John W. Hulburt and Joseph Swift, Jr. 
 
 In the Sabbath school, the total enrollment is six 
 hundred and twenty-five; average attendance, three 
 hundred and seventy-five. There are also sustained 
 by the church six mission schools, with an attendance 
 of from thirty to sixty each. 
 
 The present membership of the church is two 
 hundred and ninety. 
 
 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 The following brief sketch of this religious society 
 is prepared from data furnished by Clark Eldred and 
 Mrs. W. 0. Cahoou. Occasional services were held 
 in Elyria, at the houses of the settlers, by preachers 
 of this faith, soon after the settlement, prior to 1820. 
 

 SI ANDREWS EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ELYRfA , OHIO 
 ARTHUR f/I BACKUS, RECTOR 
 
HISTORY OF LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 115 
 
 From 1830 to 1833, Elyria was included in Huron 
 circuit and was suiiplied ))y tlic following ministers: 
 
 In ISao and IS2t, Dennis Cimidard; 18ft.', Philip Green; 1823, N. and John 
 Warner. 
 
 From 1824 to 18;!1, Elyria was included in Black 
 river circuit, and supplied by the following ministers: 
 
 18*1, Zarah Coston; 1825, James Taylor; 183(!, E. H. Field; 1827, Harry 
 O. ISheldon; 1S2S. Shadracic Riiark; 18211, John C. Havens; 18.30, E. S. 
 Carpenter and H. Colelazer; WJl, E. S. Carpenter and E. C. Gavitt. 
 
 From 1833 to 1843, it was known as Elyria circuit: 
 
 is:j2, William Rnnnels and George Elliot; 18:5;3, William Runnels and 
 J. Kiimear; 1834, A. Billings and A. A. Brewster; 18:S5, A. Billings and 
 J. Wilkinson; 18:30, J, Wheeler and T. BarkduU; 18:37, S. M. Allen and J. 
 Hudson; 1838, John M. Goshom; 18:39, James Brewster; 1840, Joseph 
 Jones and John Brakefield; 1841, Cyrus Sawyer and S. B. Guyberson; 
 1842, E. C. Gavitt and Peter Sharp. 
 
 From 1843 to tlie present time, Elyria lias been an 
 independent station, and sujiiilied as follows: 
 
 18i;3and 1814, William Runnels; 184.5 and 1846, Lorenzo Warner; 1847 
 and 1848, William B. Disbro; 1819, ISoO and 18->1, Wm. C. Pierce; 1851 to 
 1853, Samuel L. Yourtee; 1853 to 1835, James M. Morrow; l&JS to 1S56, 
 Uri Richards; 183G to 18.58, M. K. Hard; 18.58 to 185'j, Thomas BarkduU; 
 1859 to 18(iO, J. A Kellum; 18110 to 1802, C. H. Owens; 1862 to 1863, Wm. B. 
 Disbro; 1803 to 1805, E. H. Bush; 1805 to 1867, Gajlord H. Hartupee; 1807 
 to 18(i8, J. S. Broadwell; 1868 to 1871, John A. Mudge; 1871 to 187:3, J. W. 
 Mendenhall; 1873 to 1876, A. J. Lyon; 1876 to the present time, J. H. 
 McConnell. 
 
 In Jlay, 1834, a class was formed, comjiosed of the 
 following persons: Hiram Emmons (who was first 
 class leader) and wife, C^lark Eldred and wife, George 
 H. Gilbert and wife, Heber G. Sekins and wife, Sally 
 Gilbert, and some others whose names cannot be 
 ascertained. Soon after the year 1834, a church 
 edifice was erected by this class and outside friends. 
 It was a comfortable wooden structure, and stood 
 near the site of the present Methodist Ejiiscopal 
 church. 
 
 The i)resent brick church was erected in 1850, at 
 a cost of five thousand dollars. The society is now 
 taking measures to build a new and more commo- 
 dious church edifice. 
 
 The old church building was converted into a 
 dwelling house, and is occupied by Clayton Johnson. 
 It has been so modernized and imj)roved m its archi- 
 tecture that no person would recognize it. 
 
 A lot for a parsonage was purchased in 1831, and 
 soon after a house was put up for the use of the 
 pastor. The parsonage trustees, at that time, were: 
 Lewis Ely, George G. Gilbert, Hiram Emmons, Wil- 
 liam Peters, Henry B. Tenis, Jonah Bradley, Clark 
 Eldred, Charles Abljcy and Jabez Hamlin. The first 
 1 parsonage has since been sold, and a new and better 
 ' one erected. 
 
 ! The present parsonage trustees are: Levi Morse, 
 jJohn C. Houghton, Jerome Manvillo, Waterman 
 ; Morse, T. L. Taylor, C. M. Eldred, I. J. Carpenter 
 iand Joseph Biggs. 
 
 i Trustees of the Church— Seymour W. Baldwin, William Snearer, Levi 
 I Morse, William Bennington and A. C. Phipps. 
 
 Stewards— O. Bowen, Levi Morse, E. C. Griswold and Hiram Patterson. 
 I Recording Steward— S. B. Sprague. 
 
 I'i^trict Steward— nivalin Patterson. 
 
 There is a large and flourishing Sunday school in 
 I connection with the church, of which S. B. Sprague 
 .s superintendent. 
 
 ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH. 
 
 The Protestant Epi.scopal Church in Elyria was or- 
 ganized in 1837 under the superintendence of the 
 Kev. Anson Clark, missionary, with the aid of tlie 
 missionary committee of the diocese of Ohio. 
 
 The following are the names of those who first 
 signed tlie articles of association: Orrin Cowles, Jane 
 C. Cowles, M. Augustus Cowles, E. H. Leonard, 
 Sarah W. Leonard, Drake Andrews, Lucy Andrews, 
 Cbaiincey Prindle, Nancy Prindle, Aaron Andrews, 
 Eunice W. Andrews, Maria Prindle,.Julia Vaudeberg, 
 Caroline Leonard, L. D. Griswold, Jerusha H. Gris- 
 wold, Caroline Byington, Ruth Minot, Perley Blakes- 
 ley, Mary Blakesley, William Babbitt, and Mary 
 Babljitt. 
 
 The first meeting of the parish was held at the 
 house of Orrin Cowles, Rev. Anson Clark, presiding, 
 and Eliiihalet H. Leonard, seci-etary. At this meet- 
 ing the name, style and title of St. Andrew's Church 
 was adojitcd, and the following jiersons elected ward- 
 ens and vestrymen: Drake Andrews, senior warden; 
 Orrin Cowles. junior warden; vestrymen, Chauncey 
 Prindle, E. li. Leonard, and L. D. Griswold. 
 
 In the summer of 1839, Rev. Mr. Clark resigned 
 the charge, and during the next year the first church 
 edifice was erected at a cost of one thousand five hun- 
 dred dollars. 
 
 In 1841, Rev. Hugh Kelley was called to the charge 
 of the parish, and resigning in 1843, was followed by 
 the Rev. George S. Davis who remained until 1845. 
 From this time for a series of years the church was 
 without a settled rector. In conserpience of this and 
 the death and removal of several leading members the 
 church gradually declined. 
 
 In May, 1851, the first rector, Rev. Anson Clark, 
 was recalled, and found but little remaining except 
 tlie churcli edifice, but a congregati(m was soon col- 
 lected, and among these were fifteen communicants. 
 
 In October, 1853, Mr. Clark resigned, leaving 
 twenty-six communicants who worked faithfully and 
 earnestly in the church for its jiermanent growth. 
 After a short interval the Rev. Francis Granger be- 
 came rector, and continued as such until Easter, 1857. 
 In May following, the Rev. B. T. Noakes assumed 
 charge and remained until May 1, 1860, when he 
 resigned on account of failing health. During the 
 time he was rector the church edifice was greatly en- 
 larged; a parsonage built; sixty-four per.sons added to 
 the church, and forty confirmed. In June, 1860, the 
 Rev. Richard L. Chittenden assumed charge of the 
 parish, remaining until December, 18G3, when he left 
 to accept a commission as chajilain of the forty-third 
 regiment Ohio Tolunteer infantry, then in Tennessee. 
 In February, 1864, he resigned his rectorship. Dur- 
 ing the interval of his absence the Rev. William C. 
 French, of Oberlin, held afternoon services for a period 
 of some ten mouths, and visiting clergymen occasion- 
 ally supplied the pulpit until July, 1865. In August, 
 1865, Rev. Mr. Chittenden resumed charge, but in 
 
116 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 consequence of failing health, resigned in June, 1868. 
 In July, of that year, Rev. S. A. Brousou, i)rofessor 
 ill the Diocesan Tlicologieal Seminary took charge, 
 temporarily, of the parish, and continued until Easter, 
 1869, wlien the Rev. R. L. Chittenden assumed charge 
 and remained until Easter, 1870. He was succeeded 
 in June following hy the Rev. B. T. Noakes, who 
 remained until February, 1876. During his rectorate 
 the present beautiful cliurch edifice was erected and 
 informally dedicated on the nineteenth Sunday after 
 Trinity, 1873. It was afterwards consecrated by 
 Bishop Gillespie of the Diocese of Western Michigan, 
 in the absence from the country of the Bisliop of the 
 Diocese, in July, 1875. It cost thirteen thousand 
 dollars. The organ was made by Hook & Hastings, 
 of Boston, Mass., and cost one thousand six liuudred 
 dollars. 
 
 After the resignation of Rev. B. T. Noakes the Rev. 
 John Coleman officiated during the months of March 
 and April, 1876. The Rev. William Hyde became 
 rector May 1, 1876, and resigned June 1, 1877. The 
 present rector, Rev. Arthur M. Backus, entered upon 
 his duties July 1, 1877. 
 
 The present oiHcers are L. D. (.iris wold, senior 
 warden; William Jewett, junior warden; J. D. Faxon, 
 R. H. Hill, J. C. McDonald, H. C. Starr, and G. S. 
 Davis, vestrymen. Present number of commiiui. 
 cants, one iiundred. Total enrollment of Sunday 
 school scholars one hundred and forty. 
 
 We are indebted to the Rev. A. M. Backus for the 
 foregoing data. 
 
 BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 [Compiled principally from the memorial sermon delivered by the Rev. 
 L. Andress, November 16, 1876.] 
 
 In the latter part of June, 183G, tlie Rev. Daniel 
 C. Waite, who had but recently graduated at Hamil- 
 ton, N. Y., came west in search of a field for gospel 
 labor. Arriving at Cleveland, Ohio, he was, on con- 
 sultation with the Rev. Levi Tucker, directed to 
 Elyria, where he held the first meeting in July 
 following. This was in the court house, and after a 
 few meetings held there, they were transferred to the 
 old yellow school house, then standing on the west 
 side of the public square. On the 26th of November 
 ensuing, the following persons united in constituting 
 the First Baptist Church in Elyria: Daniel 0. Waite, 
 pastor; Luther Hartson, sen., Lutlier Hartson, jr., 
 Mrs. Mercy Brooks, Miss Margaret Wright, Lucius 
 and Sally Andress — seven in all. Mr. Waite contin- 
 ued as pastor until January, 1837. Prom that time 
 until the following September there was no settled 
 pastor, but occasional preaching. Rev. Mr. Hillis, 
 the next pastor, assumed the pastorate in September. 
 
 The first sabbath in January, 1838, was tlie com- 
 mencement of a series of meetings which resulted in 
 a general awakening and an addition of twenty-six to 
 the church. At the close of these meetings measures 
 were put in operation for the building of a church 
 edifice, which was completed perhaps one and a half 
 years later. Rev. Mr. Hillis resigned from physical 
 
 infirmities in June, 1838, and the Rev. Silas Tucker 
 succeeded him. He remained until November, 1840, 
 when he resigned. Rev. Josepli Elliot, of Pontiac, 
 Mich., followed him. He commenced his labors the 
 February following, and continued for three years. 
 These were the most prosperous of any equal period 
 in the history of the church as far as increase of mem- 
 bership is concerned. In Noveml)er, 1842, the Rev. 
 Elijah Weaver, an evangelist, of Wall Lake, Mich., 
 assisted in a series of meetings wliieh continued four 
 weeks. 
 
 From June, 1842, to June, 1843, one hundred and 
 ten members were added to tlie church. Tlie entire 
 list of pastors after Mr. Elliot, who served three 
 years, is as follows: H. Silliman, D. Bernard, D. 
 Eldridge, N. S. Burton, L. Ramstead, A. Heath, 
 Rev. Mr. Hayhurst, George E. Leonard, H. H. Baw- 
 den, M. L. Bickford and Rev. W. A. Depew, who 
 has recently resigned his pastorate. He assumed 
 charge in JMarch, 1877. The present mcmljcrshiii is 
 one hundred and fifty; enrollment in Sabbath school, 
 one hundred and twenty-five. Miss L. S. Carter is 
 suiierinteiident of the Sabbath school. 
 
 Tlie officers of the churcli are Henry E. Mussey, T. 
 W. Laundon, Cyrus Wheeler, Thomas Biggs and J. 
 W. Rockwell, trustees; Thomas Biggs, and ,T. W. 
 Rockwell, deacons; Amos Maxted, clerk. 
 
 The entire property of the church, including tlie 
 church edifice, parsonage, organ, etc., is valued at 
 thirteen tliousand five hundred dollars. 
 
 GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN. 
 CHURCH. 
 
 -ST. ,10HN S 
 
 The first members were Daniel Haag, Louis Hase- 
 rodt, Edward Beesc, .Jolin Duclitler, .J. G. Boehm, 
 Henry Rembacli, and Ernest Schmittgen. 
 
 Mitii.'iters of the Chuvrh. — H. Jiiengel, A. Ileit- 
 mueller, H. W. Lothinann, C. C. Schmidt, and J. 
 A. Schmidt, present pastor. 
 
 The church building was dedicated on the 16th of 
 March, 1868. It cost four thousand, five hundred 
 dollars. 
 
 The congregation was organized 1 efore the cliurch 
 was built, under the ministry of the Rev. H. W. 
 Lothmann, and services were held in the Presbyterian 
 chapel, court house, and other places. Present mem- 
 bership, eighty to ninety families. Connected with 
 the church is a parochial school, numbering eighty 
 pupils. Tliis is taught by the pastor, Rev. J. A. 
 Schmidt. 
 
 UNITED EVANGELICAL. — ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. 
 (GERMAN.) 
 
 The trustees of this church, consisting of Henry 
 Fowle, president; Paul Krause, secretary; and Got- 
 lieb Mobeus, treasurer, on the 16th day of October, 
 1871, purchased of the vestry of St. Andrew's Church 
 the building and lot then occupied by the latter 
 named body, paying therefor the sum of two thou- 
 sand, two hundred and fifty dollars. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 117 
 
 Rev. Mr. Deering was the minister of this pai'ish 
 from Octoljcr, 1871 to July, 1873; Rev. Mr. Walt- 
 berger from July, 1872, to January 1873; Rev. Mr. 
 Deering from January, 1873, to May 26, 1873; Rev. 
 Mr. Rein from May 26, 1873, to November, 1873; 
 Rev. Mr. Sehelloha from November, 1873, to Octo- 
 ber, 1875; Rev. Mr. Seybold from October, 1875, to 
 September, 1877; Rev. Mr. Schattle from September, 
 1877, to September, 1878. Rev. Mr. Sputhnlf took 
 charge September, 1878, and is the present minister 
 of the parish. 
 
 The following constitute the board of trustees: 
 Paul Krause, president; George Dachtler, secretary; 
 and Fred Dachtler, treasurer. 
 
 At the organization of the church there were 
 tweuty-flve families, and the j)reseut membership 
 embraces thirty-five families. 
 
 DISCIl'LE CHURCH. 
 
 This church was formed in 1833. Among the early 
 preachers of the denomination were Sidney Rigdon, 
 Rev. Mr. Clapp, William Hayden, and Rev's Messrs. 
 Green, Moody, and Jones. It, at one time, embraced 
 forty members, among whom were Dr. John F. 
 Butler, H. Redington, Asahel Parmely, Herrick 
 Parker, and others. Many of the members removed 
 to other localities, some died, and the church, many 
 years ago, ceased its labors. 
 
 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 
 
 We are unable to obtain any authentic history of 
 this church. It was established in 1852. Its first 
 priest was Father Haley. It iiurchased a lot on 
 which is erected a large wooden church building, 
 which has a seating capacity of five hundred. It is 
 always filled when there are services. It has also, on 
 the same lot, on Middle avenue, a fine i)arsonage. 
 It also purchased a large lot on the east side of the 
 avenue, on which is a school house, and a fine site 
 for a new church, which will soon be erected. The 
 school numbers one hundred pupils. Father Louis 
 L. Melon is the present firiest. He discourses both 
 in the English and German languages. 
 
 We are indebted to Prof. H. M. Parker, superin- 
 tendent of the union schools of Elyria, for the fol- 
 lowing 
 
 HISTORY OP ELYRIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 The early settlers of Elyria, Mr. Heman Ely and 
 his associates, were from the State of Massachusetts, 
 and brought with them to this western wilderness, 
 the idea, which was then, and ever has been held, 
 throughout New England, that a good common 
 school education is necessary to prepare boys and 
 girls for citizenship in a republic. Their descendants, 
 and others who have selected this beautiful place for 
 a residence, have maintained the same opinion, and 
 the present eificient system of graded schools, may be 
 considered as the outgrowth of the sentiment of the 
 early settlers. 
 
 First, let us spend a little time in looking up the 
 buildings in which the schools have been taught. 
 
 Mr. Ely, and a few others, came here in 1817. As 
 soon as tliere were pupils enough to organize a school, 
 Mr. Ely built a log house on the east side of the east 
 branch of the river, on the corner of East Bridge 
 street and the street leading to the cemetery. This 
 l)uilding was erected in the fall of 1819. Miss Irene 
 Allen, afterwards wife of Roger Cooley, taught the 
 first school in the log house. The summer of 1820, 
 Miss Julia Johnson taught in the same place. Some 
 others who taught there were Dr. Howe, Mrs. Clark 
 Eldred, Mr. Bronson, and perhaps a few others. 
 Miss Pamelia Manter, afterwards Mrs. Ransom Red- 
 ington, taught an unfinished term in the log house, 
 in the summer of 1824. Among Miss Manter's pupils 
 was a young man nineteen years old. The first day 
 he was in school he committed several lawless acts, 
 for which he was reproved by his teacher. Towards 
 the close of the day, when standing in spelling class, 
 he put his foot out to prevent a small pupil from go- 
 ing above him, on a word ho had misspelled. When 
 told that he must not do so, he said: "What will 
 you do with me? Will you whip me? " Miss Manter 
 immediately I'eplied that she would report him to the 
 trustees of the school, and he would be dismissed. 
 lie gave no farther trouble. No school was taught in 
 the log house after the winter of 1824-35. 
 
 The summer of 1825, Miss Manter taught a school 
 in a house in Mr. Miles' garden. The house is still 
 standing in the same place, and is used as a residence. 
 It is the house back of Mr. Monroe's business block, 
 and is near the corner of East avenue and the street 
 at the rear of the railroad depot. She had about fifty 
 l>upils, ranging in age from five to twenty. One 
 l)ui)il 2'ursued the study of history. Other studies 
 taught were such as pupils ordinarily pursue in un- 
 graded schools. 
 
 What was known as the " session room " was erected 
 by Mr. Ely in 1823. It stood where the building 
 now stands which Mr. Beau occupies as a grocery, on 
 the corner of Broad and East Court streets. The 
 "session room'' is now occupied by Mr. Snearer as a 
 store room for furniture. After the trustees ceased 
 to use Mr. Miles' house for school purposes, school 
 was taught in the "session room" till the completion 
 of the "yellow school house," which stood where the 
 town hall now is, on the west side of the public 
 square. This building was erected for school pxxr- 
 j)oses in the year 1827, and was used for such for a 
 numljer of years. It now stands on the east side of 
 Middle avenue, between Third and Fourth streets, 
 and is occupied by the Catholic parochial school. 
 Mr. Ely donated the land upon which the building 
 was erected, and contributed one hundred and thirty- 
 five dollars towards its erection, and built the second 
 story at his own expense, with the privilege of using 
 the same in any way which would not injure the 
 school. The remaining expense of the house was met 
 by a tax on the proj^erty of district number one of 
 
118 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Elyria township, except that Mr. Ely's property was 
 exempt on account of his liberal donation toward the 
 enterprise. Tliis was the first school lioiise erected in 
 the district, »ny part of wliose exi)ense was defrayed 
 by a tax upon the property of the district. 
 
 From 1837 on till 1850 several private schools were 
 successfully carried on in Elyria. Among these, the 
 one known as the "Elyria High School" should be 
 mentioned in this connection. It was under the man- 
 agement of a board of trustees known as the "Trus- 
 tees of the Elyria High School." Mr. Ely erected a 
 building on laud at the rear of the Methodist church, 
 between Broad and Second streets, in the year 1831, 
 and leased the building and land to the trustees for a 
 term of years. 
 
 Rev. John Monteith was called to take charge of 
 the first school taught in tlie new building. He was 
 assisted by his wife and Miss Mary Eells. The pupils 
 were taught advanced studies as well as the common 
 branches. J. H. Fairchiid, now president of 01)erliu 
 College, and his brotlier, E. H. Fairciiild, now presi- 
 dent of Berea College, Kentucky, were wholly, or in 
 part, prepared to enter college at tliis school. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Branch, Dr. A. B. Bnjwn and wife, 
 Rev. John P. Cowles, afterward professor in Oberlin 
 College, Rev. Mr. Mills and Luther M. Oviatt, suc- 
 cessively had the management of the Elyria high 
 school. 
 
 After retiring from this school, Mr. Monteith estab- 
 lished a school at his own liouse, where Mayor N. B. 
 Gates now lives, where he and his wife taught for 
 several years. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Grosvenor established a girls' school in 
 what had been the Presbyterian church. The build- 
 ing now stands on East Third street, and is occupied 
 as a dwelling. 
 
 In the spring of 1846 a meeting of the voters of 
 school district number one was called to vote a tax of 
 one thousand dollars, to be used iu building a school 
 house for the use of the common schools of the dis- 
 trict. The vote was unfavoraljle. Many of the citi- 
 zens feeling dissatisfied with the result of the vote, 
 drew up a bill providing for the division of district 
 number one into numbers one and niue. This bill 
 became a law soon after. 
 
 In the winter of 18-10-47, meetings were held in 
 districts number one and niue, and each district voted 
 a tax of one thousand dollars for the erection of a 
 school house within its own territory. The following 
 season the stoue school house on the corner of East 
 avenue and Third streets was erected in district num- 
 ber one, and a brick building in the west part of the 
 village in number nine. Public schools are still 
 taught in both these houses. 
 
 During these years the sentiment was growing 
 among educators that the public schools of the cities 
 and villages should be greatly improved. Much work 
 was done by a few men to arouse the citizens to the 
 importance of improving their schools. The result 
 of their labors is the law which was enacted February 
 
 21, 1849, entitled "an act to provide for the better 
 regulation of public schools in cities and towns, etc." 
 
 On the 13th of May, 1850, but a little more than a 
 year after the ]KissHge of the above act, a notice was 
 posted in Elyria calling upon the citizens to assemble 
 at the court house on the 24th of Ma}', to decide by 
 vote whether they would reorganize their schools 
 under the law of 1849. The vote was favorable to 
 reorganization. An election was held on the 8th day 
 of June, 1850, at which the following persons were 
 chosen members of the board of education: For 
 three years, E. DeWitt and 0. Cowles; for two years, 
 M. W. Pond and Tabor Wood; for one year, C. S. 
 Goodwin and P. C. Dolley. i 
 
 In October, 1850, Mr. Jason Canfield was called to 
 take charge of the Elyria union schools, which con- 
 sisted, at that time, of the two primary schools in 
 tlie stone and brick houses which were erected in 1847, 
 in the east and west parts of the village, an interme- 
 tliate or secondary school and a high school, both of , 
 which were taught in the "Elyria High School" build- 
 ing before «ientioned in this article. 
 
 In Ajiril, 1851, Mr. Canfield was succeeded by Mr. 
 M. J. Oatman, who remained in the schools for more 
 tlian thi'ee years. The scholarshi]^ and exjierience of 
 Mr. Oatman were such as to render him a valuable 
 man in perfecting the organization upon which the ' 
 schools had been started. 
 
 In 1853, another department was organized, mak- 
 ing three below the high school. This school was 
 taught in the old "session room," which had pre- 
 viously been occupied for church, for a court room, 
 and for schools. 
 
 The present high school building, between Middle 
 Mild West avenues, was erected in jiursuauce of a vote 
 of the electors of the union school district, at a meet- 
 ing held January 2G, 1856, and adjourned to February 
 9, 1856. The buihliug was commenced in 185G, and 
 was completed in 1857, and first occuj^ied by the high, 
 grammar, and secondary departments, in the winter 
 term of 1858. The old "high school" house and the 
 "session room" were now abandoned to other ixses. 
 
 What are now known as the east and west side 
 primary schools of the Elyria union schools, were 
 formerly sub-districts number two and number six of 
 Elyria township. These were assumed by the Elyria 
 school board iu April, 1864. 
 
 Seeing the need of more room for the increasing 
 number of pupils, iu 1868 the board erected a two- 
 story wing on the south side of the high school build- 
 ing. In this wing are two rooms. The lower room 
 was first occupied in September, 1868; the upper room 
 was first used in September, 1870. 
 
 In 1875, the board erected a school building west 
 of that occupied by the high school, fronting on Sixth 
 street. This house contains four rooms, two of which 
 were occupied in January, 1876, one in October, 1877, 
 and one is still unoccupied. 
 
 When first organized there were but four schools in 
 the "union school district;" there ai'e now fourteen 
 
'wm-, 
 
 Photo, by Lee, Elyria, 0. 
 
 ^^^^^^^5^^z/ 
 
 The truth of the law " that like produces like" is 
 forcibly illustrated in the life of Elizur G. Johnson, the 
 seventh child of Hon. Nathan P. Johnson. He was born 
 at Lagrange, Lorain Co., Nov. 24, 1836. 
 
 In those days a boy's life devoid of labor was a remark- 
 able exception. E. G. Johnson's life was not the exception. 
 His work for twenty-one years was on the homestead, except 
 such time as was devoted to school and school teaching. 
 The district school, Oberlin, for a time during the winter 
 months, and an intelligent father were his sources of edu- 
 cation. 
 
 Arriving at maturity, farm labor, the teaching of school, 
 and other employments occupied him for a time. Then com- 
 mencing the reading of the law under Mr. L. A. Sheldon, 
 he was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio, making 
 Lagrange his residence. He there remained for several 
 years, practicing his profession ; years more of hard work, 
 study, and mental gain than pecuniary profit. Here, as 
 his father had been before him, was he honored by his 
 fellow-citizens with local offices. 
 
 Elected as auditor of Lorain County in 1868, Elyria be- 
 came his residence. So strict was his attention to duty, and 
 so courteous his treatment of all with whom business brought 
 him into contact, that he was successively re-elected in 
 1870-1872, and again in 1874. 
 
 Leaving the auditor's office with a perfect record, Mr. 
 Johnson again engaged in the practice of law at Elyria, in 
 which and where he still remains, with a large and ever- 
 increasing practice. 
 
 During the years 1875 and 1876, with great ability he 
 conducted the Elyria Republican as its editor. His pen 
 
 was always found on the side of justice, temperance, and 
 morality, and proved an efficient and ever active aid to the 
 Republican party, of which he has been a member since its 
 origin. 
 
 Holding at the present time, as he has for many years, 
 the office of secretary of the Lorain County Agricultural 
 Society, none have surpassed, and but few equaled him in 
 endeavor, by word and act, to make said society the worthy 
 organization it is. 
 
 As a citizen of Elyria he has been and is now a member 
 of its council, and noted for his constant efforts for the im- 
 provement of Elyria. 
 
 On Jan. 1, 1859, Miss Lydia D. Gott, of Lagrange 
 (daughter of Peter Gott, an original settler in said town- 
 ship, yet living, over eighty years of age), became Mr. John- 
 son's wife. 
 
 To him in early days of toil and hardship she was a true 
 companion. And now with comforts on every side, a de- 
 voted member of the Methodist Church, with a fond 
 mother's eye she watches the growth and education of 
 seven children, ever holding in the mother's heart the 
 memory of the two little ones that death took from her in 
 childhood. 
 
 Mr. E. G. Johnson, yet in the vigor of manhood, warm 
 in his friendships, generous to a fault, with private and 
 public character untarnished, now reaps a glorious harvest. 
 True it is, the seed was sown under every difficulty, but he 
 was never discouraged ; and now, with a reputation fitting 
 him for any office that his neighbors and fellow-citizens may 
 call him to, he has well and honestly earned the high 
 rank he takes among Lorain County's best men. 
 
t 
 
 JUDGE JOHN C. HALE. 
 
 John C. Hale was born at Oxford, New Hampshire, March 3, 
 1831. His parents were Aaron and Mary Hale. His mother's 
 maiden name was Kent ; she was a daughter of Thomas Kent. 
 John C. was born and brought up upon his father's farm, 
 where he remained until he was nineteen years of age. During 
 this period he availed himself of such advantages of educa- 
 tion as the common schools of that State then provided. Feel- 
 ing the necessity of something beyond this, he began fitting 
 himself for college. Entering Dartmouth College soon after, 
 he graduated in the class of 1857. At the end of his college- 
 life he found himself nearly a thousand dollars in debt, all of 
 which he has since paid with interest. Immediately remov- 
 ing to Cleveland, Ohio, he employed himself in teaching in 
 the public schools of that city. In this employment he re- 
 mained three years, in the mean time studying law with Judge 
 Prentiss. 
 
 On the 27th day of December, 1859, he married Miss Carrie 
 A. Sanborn, of Cleveland, Ohio. In July, 1801, he was ad- 
 mitted to the bar, and in October of the same year he removed 
 to Elyria, Ohio, and commenced the practice of the law. 
 Here he soon won a commanding position as a lawyer, and a 
 high place in the confidence of the people. This is evidenced 
 by the fact that in 1863, but two years after he came to Elyria, 
 an entire stranger to the people of Lorain County, he was 
 elected to the ofiBce of prosecuting attorney, which position, 
 by two successive re-elections, he held for six years. 
 
 During this time he also held the office of register of bank- 
 ruptcy, the duties of which he acceptably discharged until the 
 consolidation of districts abolished the office. 
 
 In 1873 he was elected to the constitutional convention, and 
 took an active and influential part in the deliberations of that 
 body. In 1876 he was elected judge of the court of Common 
 Pleas, which position he now holds, and tills with distinguished 
 ability. 
 
 Judge Hale has always taken an active part in the pro- 
 motion of every enterprise calculated to advance the public 
 good. As a member of the village council and the board of 
 education of Elyria, he rendered valuable services in behalf 
 of education and economical municipal government. 
 
 As a lawyer he had no superior at the Lorain bar, a fact 
 that is attested by his successful and lucrative practice. His 
 clear perception, his candor and strict integrity, gave him 
 earl\' in his practice a strong hold upon the people, and a 
 ccmimanding position in his profes.sion. 
 
 As a judge he brings to his assistance a large common sense, 
 tempered by a thorough legal and scholastic education. Just 
 in the vigor of manhood, with mental and physical powers 
 undiminished, deserving and possessing the full confidence of 
 the people, and guided by a strict integrity, his career of use- 
 fulness has but just commenced, and he will long hold the 
 liigh position he has fairly won among the foremost men of 
 Lorain ('ountv and the State of Ohio. 
 
JUDGE WASHINGTON W. BOYNTON. 
 
 Among the other New England States that sent 
 their hardy sons to mould the early liistory of 
 Lorain County, Maine sent her representative in the 
 Boynton family. 
 
 Lewis D. Boynton, father of Judge Boynton, was 
 born in the State of Maine, in August, 1802. Emi- 
 grating to Ohio in 1826, he purchased a farm in 
 Russia township, Lorain Co., where and in Elyria 
 he resided until his death, which occurred in Sep- 
 tember, A.D. 1875. 
 
 Washington W. Boynton was born in Russia town- 
 ship, Jan. 27, 1833, and spent his early years upon 
 his father's farm. His father being of limited 
 means, and charged with the support of a large 
 family, did not think it practicable to send young 
 Boynton to college, and he was forced to content 
 himself with such advantages as the common school 
 of his district provided. Adding to this, constant 
 study and close application, maturity found him 
 eminent in scholarship, although no college had 
 added a title to his name. From that time until the 
 present he has been a hard student. For several 
 winters he taught school, in the mean time pursu- 
 ing the study of the law, which he early chose as 
 his profession. He was for a number of years 
 a member of the Board of School Examiners of 
 Lorain County. 
 
 He was admitted to the bar in 1856, and he soon 
 became prominent in his profession, a position which 
 he held until chosen Common Pleas judge. In 
 1859 he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the 
 office of prosecuting attorney, which office he held 
 for two successive re-elections until the fall of 1863, 
 when, on account of ill health, he resigned. A trip 
 to Minnesota, where he remained during the winter 
 of 1863-64, gave him necessary rest, which, together 
 with the change of climate, greatly improved his 
 health. Returning to Elyria, he again opened a law- 
 office, and soon found himself in the midst of an 
 extensive and lucrative practice. 
 
 In 1865, Judge Boynton was elected to represent 
 Lorain County in the Legislature for the terra of 
 two years. In 1867 he was the unanimous choice 
 
 of his party for re-election, but he declined it and 
 continued in the practice of law. 
 
 While a member of the Legislature, Mr. Boynton 
 had the honor and pluck to introduce a resolution 
 proposing an amendment to the constitution of Ohio 
 to strike the word " white" from the clause relating 
 to the election franchise. After a stormy debate in 
 a House largely Republican, the resolution was de- 
 feated, lacking a few votes of the necessary two-thirds 
 majority required to submit it to a vote of the people. 
 This debate aroused such a sentiment throughout the 
 State that, in a few weeks after, a similar resolution 
 was introduced into the Senate by Hon. Abner Kel- 
 logg, of Ashtabula, and having passed that body, was 
 sent to the House, and after a heated debate finally 
 adopted and the question submitted to the people. 
 The proposition was lost, but it was soon followed 
 by the amendment of the Federal constitution which 
 forever put the question to rest. 
 
 In February, 1869, Mr. Boynton was appointed 
 by Governor Hayes a Common Pleas judge of Lorain, 
 Medina, and Summit Counties, on the resignation of 
 Judge Burke. At the ensuing fall election he was 
 elected to fill the vacancy, and two years thereafter 
 was re-elected for the full term. As judge of the 
 Common Pleas Court, Mr. Boynton won a fame as 
 wide as the State, and at once stepped into the front 
 rank of the legal profession of Ohio. In 1876 he 
 was elected judge of the Supreme Court of the 
 State, which position he still holds. 
 
 Mr. Boynton was married Dec. 20, 1859, to Miss 
 Betty A. Terrell, daughter of Ichabod Terrell, of 
 Ridgeville, Lorain Co., Ohio. 
 
 Mr. Boynton is a man whom his friends and fellow- 
 citizens hold in the highest esteem. His record both 
 in public and private life is free from blemish. He 
 has been honored by the people with offices of trust 
 and high responsibility, and in every capacity has 
 proved himself a competent and fearless officer, and 
 an upright and honest man. 
 
 As a lawyer, legislator, and jurist he has achieved 
 a success that reflects great credit upon himself and 
 honor upon Lorain County, whose representative he is- 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 119 
 
 different schools, with fifteen teachers . besides the 
 superintendent, and special teachers of German, mu- 
 sic and penmanship. 
 
 At a meetino; of the board of education held Novem- 
 ber 17, 1859, a course'of study for all the departments 
 Avas adopted. In the grades below the high school, 
 provision was made for instruction in reading, spell- 
 ing, writing, drawing, vocal music, arithmetic, geog- 
 raphy, grammar, composition, declamation, physi- 
 ology. United States history, and morals. For the 
 high school a three j'ears' course of study was laid 
 down, and provision was made for a fourth year, which 
 was to be optional. The board tlien declared that 
 pupils completing the full course of four years in the 
 high school should receive a diploma from the jiresi- 
 dent of the board, signed by its members, and also by 
 the superintendent and examining committee. 
 
 The first class which graduated from the high 
 school course was that of 1863, consisting of Lydia 
 A. Ball, Beza N. Boynton and Henrietta C. Schaibly. 
 A class had graduated in the year 1861, having com- 
 pleted some of the studies contained in the course 
 before its adoption by the board. This class consisted 
 of Cyrus Y. Durand, Thankful D. Boynton, Frances 
 W. Sanford and Louise Terrell. 
 
 At a meeting of the board, held September .3, 1867, 
 the course of study was revised. At the same meet- 
 ing, a set of rules regulating the board meetings, and 
 specifying the duty of members of board, of superin- 
 tendent, teachers and pupils, was adopted. 
 
 After stating the duties of members of the board, 
 the minutes of the meeting above mentioued read as 
 follows: 
 
 " Public schools are expensive. Tliey cost the young people a great 
 deal of valuable time. They cost teachers and other friends of educa- 
 tion a great deal of labor and care. They cost tax-payers a good deal 
 of money. But schools are worth all they cost. No communitj' can 
 afford to do without them. It is cheaper to support schools and 
 churches than penitentiaries and infirmaries. Free public schools are 
 the palladium of liberty. Universal edutration is the surety for the 
 permanency of free institutions. Every good citizen feels a direct 
 interest in the prosperity and efficiency of schools, and should also feel 
 a personal responsibility therefor. Good schools are not only worth 
 what they cost; they are worth understanding and caring for. Tlie 
 best way to know them is to go and see them. Any one may learn more 
 about schools by visiting them a few hours, than by much fault-finding 
 with the teachers and board of education." 
 
 The above quotation is made to indicate the senti- 
 ment which has pervaded the board of education of 
 the Elyria union schools from their organization to 
 the present time. They have spared neither time 
 nor money necessary to carry on their schools in an 
 efficient manner. 
 
 The course of studj- was again revised Ajjril 1"^, 
 1870, that for the first eight years being the same as 
 in the Cleveland schools. In 1871, the board pub- 
 lished a "manual of the course of study, rules and 
 regulations of the Elyria union schools." Since that 
 time, the course of study has undergone some changes 
 to adapt it more fully to the wants of the times. 
 More attention has been paid to the use of language. 
 I Also much more time has been devoted to the acijui- 
 sition of a knowledge of the best thoughts of the best 
 authors. 
 
 It has been the aim of the board to have the chil- 
 dren of Elyria enjoy educational advantages equal to 
 those enjoyed by the children of any other place in 
 Ohio. They have endeavored to secure competent 
 teachers, and to retain them as long as possible. 
 
 After the resignation of Mr. Oatman, in 1854, Mr. 
 N.W. Demnnn acted as superintendent tillJune, 1856; 
 Mr. Frank Robbing, from September, 1856, to June, 
 1857; Mr. J. U. Barnum, from September, 1857, to 
 June, 1859; Mr. W. C. Catlin, from September, 1859, 
 to June,1862; Mr. H. M. Parker, from September, 
 1863, to June, 1864; Mr. J. S. McKee, from Sep- 
 tember, 1864, to June, 1865; Mr. Geo. L. Mills, from 
 September, 1865, to June, 1867; Mr. Peter H. Kaiser, 
 from September, 1867, to June, 1868; Mr. Geo. N. 
 Carruthers, from September, 1868, to June, 1873; 
 Mr. H. M. Parker, from September, 1873, to the 
 present time. 
 
 During the twenty-eight years of the Elyria high 
 school, forty-one different ladies have been connected 
 with it as teachers. Of these, Mrs. W. C. Catlin and 
 Miss L. F. Ingram remained three years. A few of 
 the others remained two years, but most of them for 
 a shorter time. Miss Beza N. Boynton, now Mrs. 
 Peter II. Kaiser, was teacher in the high school four 
 and two- thirds years in the aggregate, but her teach- 
 ing was at three different times. What has been true 
 of the high school, has been true of the lower grades. 
 The want of permanency in the ])rofessiou of teaching 
 is an injury to the cause. Miss L. E. Smith has been 
 for many years a teacher in some one of the different 
 departments of the .schools of Elyria. Her work de- 
 serves honorable mention. No adequate mention can 
 be made of the good she has done in this community. 
 
 Since 1863, a class has graduated from a four years' 
 course of study in the high school each year, except 
 1866 and 1871. The whole number of pupils who 
 have graduated is eighty-eight, with a class of fifteen 
 to graduate in 1879, making one hundred and three. 
 
 The advantages flowing from an eflficieut system of 
 schools, in a place like Eryria, are not to be estimated 
 by the number of graduates from the high school. 
 Many young people have taken a portion of the course 
 of study to prepare themselves for admission to higher 
 institutions of learning. Many more have left school 
 after completing half of tiie high school course of 
 study to enter various callings. These have become 
 much more.successful in business and useful as citi- 
 zens on account of the training received in the last 
 two years of their course. Many pupils have left the 
 lower grades of school to enter upon lives of idleness 
 and crime. But when pupils have spent two years 
 in the high school, they have formed habits of indus- 
 try and application to their work which they carry 
 with them into their life-work. 
 
 Graduates from the Elyria high school are filling 
 positions of responsibility and trust in large manu- 
 facturing and business establishments, are practicing 
 successfully the various professions, and are the light 
 and life of many home circles. 
 
120 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 MANUFACTURING INTERESTS. 
 
 We have already shown the Elyria of "hmg syno." 
 We will now take a turn among its present manufac- 
 tories. Just below the depot of the Lake Shore and 
 Michigan Southern railway, and connected with this 
 railway by a spur track, stand the extensive brick 
 buildings owned and occui^ied by the Messrs. Topliff 
 & Ely, in the manufacture of special carriage hard- 
 ware. Tiiese gentlemen, in the year 1805, erected a 
 wooden building near the site of their jyresent manu- 
 factory, and investing fifteen thousand dollars, began 
 the making of hubs, spokes, etc. This braiK'h of the 
 business was abandoned in 1874. In the year 1874, 
 they began the manufacture of tubular bow sockets 
 for carriage bows, in a small room on Broad street. 
 The rapidly-increasing business rendered additional 
 room necessary, and in 1873 they completed the first 
 of the brick buildings they now occupy. This was 
 24x6-4 feet in dimension, and two stories high. In 
 1874, another small building was added, but these 
 were soon found wholly inadequate to accommodate 
 the business, and in 1877 extensive enlargements were 
 begun, which are Just completed — showing a frontage 
 of three hundred and forty feet, by an average depth 
 of sixty-five feet. They have now invested in the 
 business one hundred thousand dollars. They employ 
 on an average forty workmen, with a monthly pay- 
 roll of eighteen hundred dollars. The yearly sales 
 aggregate one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. 
 The steel tubular bow socket is the principal article 
 manufactured. It was patented in 1870 by I. N. 
 Topliff, a brother of the senior partner of the present 
 firm. This is the only manufactory of these goods 
 in the world, and they find a market not only 
 in the United States, where they have an immense 
 sale, but in England, France, South America, Aus- 
 tralia, etc. These buildmgs have their foundation 
 ui)on the solid rock, which at this point crops out 
 and forms the bank of Black river. The propelling 
 power is derived from the waters of that stream, and 
 from steam as a i-eserve. Their elegant engine is 
 from the manufactory of 0. 11. Brown & Co., at 
 Fitchburg, Mass., and is of one hundred horse power. 
 One hundred and fifty sets of these sockets are made 
 each day, or a complete set for a buggy every foui- 
 minutes. 
 
 THE CLEVELAND SCREW AND TAP FACTORY. 
 
 This company was organized and commenced busi- 
 ness in Cleveland in October, 1873. On the 23d of 
 October, 1874, the works were shut down, and, as 
 soon as practicable, the machinery was transferred 
 to the commodious brick building, which had been 
 erected in Elyria, this point offering superior facilities 
 in many respects. Tlie citizens of this town con- 
 tributed liherally towards the erection of the building 
 and to aid the company in other respects. This build- 
 ing is fifty by one hundred and fifty feet in size and 
 four stories high. It is located near the crossing of 
 
 the L. S. & M. S. and the C, T. V. & W. railroads. 
 The cost of the building was thirty-one thousand dol- 
 lars; machinery, tools, etc., forty-seven thousand nine 
 hundred and fifty-eight dollars. New articles of in- 
 corporation were issued on the 20th of November, 
 1874. The following officers were elected under the 
 new charter: S. II. Matthews, president; F. B. Iline, 
 vice-president; C. H. Morgan, superintendent; W. F. 
 Hulburt, secretary and treasurer. The above officers, 
 with E. W. Phelps and R. C. DeWitt, constituted the 
 board of directors. The present officers are F. B. 
 Hine, president and treasurer; R. C. DeWitt, vice- 
 president; M. H. Levagood, secretary and sujierin- 
 tendent. The average number of hands employed is 
 thirty-three; average monthly pay-roll, twelve hun- 
 dred dollars; average yearly sales, twenty-eight thou- 
 sand dollars. 
 
 The engine which drives the numerous ingenious 
 machines of this establishment, is of on) hundred and 
 fifty horse power. In addition to the manufactures 
 imi)lied by that name, are set and cup screws, hand 
 and machine taps, cylinder studs, finished and case- 
 hardened nuts, etc. 
 
 Since the foregoing was written, we regret to add 
 that, owing to losses resulting from many of its cus- 
 tomers having gone into bankruptcy, the general 
 depression of the iron interests of the country, and 
 bad management, the company has been compelled 
 to make an assignment. M. H. Levagood, the assig- 
 nee, still carries on the business. The stockholders 
 will, doubtless, lose their entire stock, and the pro- 
 j)erty will pass into the hands of the bond holders, 
 who, it is hoped, will reorganize and carry on the 
 business successfully. 
 
 THE ELYRIA SHEAR COMPANY 
 
 which occupies a portion of the screw and tap com- 
 pany's building, was incorjmrated on the 7th day of 
 March, 1878, with an authorized capital of ten thou- 
 sand dollars, which was paid in soon after the articles 
 of incorporation were received. The first and present 
 officers are: T. L. Nelson, president; W. P. Hatch, 
 vice-president; M. A. Mihills, secretary; and John 
 Clause, treasurer. This industry alone furnishes em- 
 ployment for thirty-four workmen, who receive an 
 aggregate of one thousand dollars, at the end of each 
 mouth's labor. The monthly sales average thirty-five 
 hundred dollars, and are steadily increasing. They 
 manufacture shears and scissors of every description, 
 and of a superior quality. The company are general 
 agents for the union knife company's cutlery, and 
 intend soon commencing the manufacture of this 
 class of goods. 
 
 PLANING MILLS. 
 
 Dickinson, Williams & Faxon. — In 1853, Alex- 
 ander Smith came from the east, formed a partner- 
 ship with John W. Bullock, bought a lot north of 
 the L. S. & M. S. Ry. depot, and erected thereon a 
 building, which was fitted up witli the machinery 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 121 
 
 requisite for the manufacture of agricultural imple- 
 ments. In the year 1854, Mr. Bullock retired from 
 the firm. Henry Thurston purchased his interest, 
 and put in a planer and matcher, surface plauer and 
 machinery for making sash, doors, and blinds. In 
 September, 1856, the building and contents were de- 
 stroyed by fire. Messrs. Franklin and Levi A. Dickin- 
 son joined with Mr. Thurston, purchased the site, and 
 erected a large, two-story building, and in the spring 
 of 1857, began the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, 
 etc., in connection with general planing mill work. 
 Th'V also engaged extensively in general jobbing and 
 building. Clayton Johnson having become a mem- 
 ber of the firm, tlio business was continued under the 
 firm name of Dickinson, Johnson & Co., until Feb- 
 ruary, 1865, when Franklin Dickinson, (in conse- 
 quence of failing health.) sold his interest to the two 
 remaining partners. The business had grown to 
 such magnitude that, from twelve to fifteen workmen 
 were kept in constant employment. In 1871, exten- 
 sive additions were made to the buildings, and im- 
 proved machinery added. In 1875, Mr. Johnson 
 sold his interest to George D. Williams and Theodore 
 Faxon, and the business has been continued under 
 the firm name of Dickinson, Williams and Faxon 
 until the present time. The entire capital invested 
 is fifteen thousand dollars. Average number of work- 
 men employed, fifteen. Average monthly pay roll, 
 seven hundred dollars. Engine, forty horse power. 
 They also manufacture specialties in furniture. 
 
 The planing mill owned by JoJiu W. Hart is situ- 
 ated on Broad street. It was erected several years 
 since, but of its early history we are unable to obtain 
 details. Mr. Hart purchased the property in 1873, 
 and has thoroughly refitted it with machinery of the 
 latest and most approved pattern. The engine is of 
 forty horse power. There is a force of eighteen 
 workmen employed, who receive on the average eigbt 
 hundred dollars pay monthly. Mr. Hart has invested 
 ill the business the snug sum of fifty thousand dollars. 
 He does a general planing mill work, including sash, 
 doors, blinds, etc. He is also extensively engaged in 
 the stone trade. 
 
 C. Parscli's j)laning mill is located on Mill street, 
 near the L. S. & M. S. railway. He has five thousand 
 dollars invested, and employs nine workmen. Hi.s 
 engine is of twenty-five horse power. He also deals 
 in shingles, lath, etc. 
 
 James Hollis' Foundry & Machine Shop. — Mr. 
 Hollis has been engaged in this line of business in 
 Elyria for about thirty years. He began work in his 
 present building, on Maple street, in 1871, with a 
 capital of five thousand five hundred dollars. He 
 manufactures engines, horse powers, and does gene- 
 ral repairs, foundry and machine work. 
 
 E. F. Bronsou manufactures (also on Majile street) 
 the centennial lap board, and also specialties in fine 
 furniture. The business, which was established in 
 November, 1877, already represents a capital of six 
 thousand dollars, and may bo claimed among the 
 
 16 
 
 growing industries of Elyria. Employment is fur- 
 nished for six workmen. Average monthly sales, 
 six hundred dollars. 
 
 ELYRIA VARIETY WORKS. 
 
 This business was established in the year 1867, by 
 its present proprietor, Mr. James A. Tite. The 
 manufactures are of a general nature — -lawn mowers, 
 feed cutters, etc. The specialty is of making light- 
 ning rod tips. Engine is of fourteen horse power. 
 The avei'age number of workmen employed is nine. 
 
 CARRIAGE MANUFACTORY. 
 
 That of Crisp & Hensen is the only exclusive 
 manufactory of fine carriages in Elyria. These 
 gentlemen commenced business in April, 1873, in- 
 vesting three thousand dollars. Tiiey employ an 
 average of ten workmen. This establishment turns 
 out a fine line of carriages, wagons, sleighs, etc. 
 
 FLOUEINR MILLS. 
 
 We have already given the pioneer grist and saw 
 mills, which were situated on or near the site of the 
 l^resent mills. 
 
 Undoubtedly, the oldest flouring mill now in opera- 
 tion in Elyria is the one at the foot of Broad street, 
 on the east branch of Black river, near the bridge. 
 The present proprietor is Mr. Garret Reublin, who 
 has recently purchased the property, investing ten 
 thousand five hundred dollars. This mill has four 
 run of stones, and is in fine condition. It does both 
 custom and merchant milling. The principal pro- 
 pelling power is water, though there is a forty horse 
 power engine, which is used in seasons when the 
 water is low. The saw-mill adjoining, owned by the 
 same gentleman, is of more recent construction. 
 
 The flouring mill owned by I. S. Metcalf is located 
 on Broad street, between West and Middle avenues, 
 and was erected by Messrs. Chapman & Gibson. Mr. 
 Metcalf purchased the property in 1874, paying 
 therefor ten thousand dollars. It is driven by a 
 forty horse power steam engine. There are two run 
 of stones, and both custom and merchant milling are 
 done. 
 
 ASHERY AND SOAP MANUFACTORY'. 
 
 The former was put in operation in the fall of 
 1843, by N. B. Gates, and is still owned and operated 
 by him. At the time it was established, large quan- 
 tities of ashes could be procured from the settlers, 
 wlio were clearing lands and burning log heaps. 
 Black salts were also brouglit in in large quantities, 
 which Mr. Gates converted into pearlash. Now tlie 
 ashes are collected from the citizens, made from wood 
 consumed in their dwellings. The location is on the 
 west branch of the river near the railroad bridge. 
 The making of pot and pearl ashes is still continued. 
 The soap works were built in 1862, by Messrs. Clark 
 & Cathcart. Mr. Gates purchased them in Septem- 
 ber, 18G9, and manufactured cliemical erasive soap, 
 
122 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 turning out ton tons per year, and an equal quantity 
 of ])ot and pearl aslics. He lias four tliou-^aml two 
 liunilrecl dollars invested, and employs four workmen. 
 
 EI.YRIA IJKKAUY. 
 
 This enduring monument to the memory of its 
 generous founder was first opened on the KHli <lay of 
 June, 1870. It came into being as follows: 
 
 To the will of the lamented Charles Arthur Ely, 
 execnted March 19, 18.56, was added a codicil, Decem- 
 ber 1, 18.57, containing a bequest, by the provisions 
 of which the executor was directed to convoy to five 
 well-known gentlemen (named in the will), trustees, 
 the site of the present Library Block, and the build- 
 ing then standing thereon. The executor was also 
 directed to pay to said trustees the sum of five thou- 
 sand dollars, to be invested in books for immediate 
 use, and the further sum of ton thousand dollars to 
 be invested as a permanent fund, the income only of 
 which was applicable to the use of the library. Mr. 
 Ely died on the 30th of Soptomber, 18(U; and the 
 provisions of the will above mentioned were carried 
 into effect by his administrator. 
 
 The trustees named in the will were: Dr. Nortcm 
 y. Townshend, ILenian Ely, Ilarwood M. Redington, 
 George Olmstead and Prof. James Monroe, of Ober- 
 lin. Mr. Monroe declining to act, Hon. John C Hale 
 was appointed to fill the vacancy. They immediately 
 entered ujiou their labors; the building above referred 
 to was fitted up; two thousand volumes were pur- 
 chased, and on April 1, 1870, the present very able 
 librarian. Miss Nettie E. Wheeler, began the labor of 
 arranging the books and preparing a catalogue; and 
 on the 10th of the following June, the library was 
 formally opened for the use of the public. The exer- 
 cises were conducted at the court house, and consisted 
 of an address by the Hon. Norton S. Townshend, and 
 such other ceremonies as are usual on occasions of 
 this kind. 
 
 In the disastrous fire which occurred on the 15th 
 day of March, 1873, the building and library were con- 
 sumed. Only three hundred and seventy-five books, 
 out of four thousand volumes then in the library, 
 were saved. There was a thousand dollars of insur- 
 ance on the building, and from the avails of this and 
 a small amount additional the present elegant build- 
 ing was erected. This was completed, and first occu- 
 pied on May 11, 1874. It was not opened to the 
 public until the 25th of July following. There is 
 at the present time a very choice collection of liooks, 
 numbering six thousand volumes. 
 
 BANKING INTERESTS. 
 
 Pursuant to an act "to incorporate the State Bank 
 of Ohio and other banking companies," passed Feb- 
 ruary 34, 1845, the Lorain Bank, in Elyria, (the first 
 in the county), was established on the 25th day of 
 May, 1847, with a capital stock of one hundred thou- 
 sand dollars. This was divided into one thousand 
 shares of one hundred dollars each. On June 23, 
 
 1847, a meeting of the stockholders c(nivoncd; Henian 
 Ely was ajjpointed chairman and Elijah DeW'itt sec- 
 relarv. 'I'he next business was the election of a board 
 of directors. This was done by ballot, and the fol- 
 lowing gentlemen were elected: Hcman Ely, Elijah 
 DeWitt, Enoch Clark, Artemas Beebe, Amasa Chiqi- 
 man, Conrad Reid, John B. Wilbor, Aaron Root and 
 Homau Ely, Jr. The followiivg officers were then 
 elected: Henian Ely, president; Artemas Beebe, vicc- 
 ])residont; Elijah DeWitt, secretary; W. A. Adair, 
 cashier, and Levi Buriiell, teller and book-keeper. 
 
 Having effected an organization, a banking house 
 was opened in Room No. 3 of the Beebe House 
 Block (now occujiied by L. Taylor as a crockery 
 store), and in this the business of the bank was 
 transacted until January 1, 1875, when it was re- 
 moved to its elegant rooms in the Ely Block (first 
 floor of the library building). Mr. Ely resigned 
 his position as prosideut April 24, 1849, and Artemas 
 Beebe was elected his successor, but declined the 
 acceptance of the office, whereupon Elijah DeWitt 
 was elected to the position, and is still the able in- 
 cumbent of that office. On the date above given, 
 the office of vice-president was discontinued. 
 
 The board of directors has suffered few changes, 
 and remains substantially as at first oi-ganized. Jfr. 
 Adair resigned his jiosition as cashier, December 4, 
 1849, which was accepted, and, on January 1, 1850, 
 John R. Finn was elected to succeed him. Mr. Finn 
 was elected vice-president of the State Bank of Ohio 
 in 1855, and he resigned his position as cashier. 
 Hemau Ely was ap])ointed cashier pro tern,., and 
 served nntd January 7, 185G, when the present incum- 
 bent of the office, Mr. John W. Ilulburt, was elected. 
 The bank continued to do a highly prosperous busi- 
 ness until the year 1864, when, on April 2d, a meeting 
 of the citizens was hehl, under the act of Congress to 
 provide for a national currency, a])proved February 
 25, 18G3, to take the preliminary steps toward organ- 
 izing the First National Bank of Elyria. The sub- 
 scribers to the stock of the new organization at this 
 time were as follows: 
 
 Artemas Beebe 1.54 shares of 10(1 dollars each, % ir),100 
 
 Seymour W. Baldwin Wi " " " l(i,3lM 
 
 Heman Ely 14« " " " H,*10 
 
 George E. Starr 143 " " " 14,:300 
 
 Henry E. Mussey 145 " " " 14,500 
 
 Geo. G. Washburn 144 " " " 14,400 
 
 Elijah DeWitt 109 " " " 10,900 
 
 1,000 $100,000 
 
 The certificate of authorization was issued May 25, 
 1804. Subsequently directors wore elected as follows: 
 Artemas Beebe, Elijah Do Witt, George G. Washburn, 
 Hem-y E. Mussey, Seymour W. Baldwin, and George 
 R. Starr. Elijah Do Witt was elected president and 
 John AV. Hulbnrt, cashier. In 1870 the oifice of 
 vice president was created and Homan Ely was elect t'^l 
 to fill the position. The directors for 1878, are Arte- 
 mas Beebe, S. AV. Baldwin, William Jones, H. E. 
 Mussey, George R. Starr, James M. Chapman, Elijah 
 DeWitt, George G. Washburn, and Heman Ely. 
 This bank has been conducted in the interest of the 
 
Union Hall CLorHtNO ffousE 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 123 
 
 ])eoplc and not in the interest of a ring or individuals. 
 It has, from its inception, done an honorable and 
 prudent business. The Bank Examiner spealvS in 
 terms higlily commendatory of its management. 
 
 The Savings Deposit Bank oe Elyria, began 
 business in November, 1873, witli T. L. Nelson, pres- 
 ident; J. C. Hill, cashier; Hon. Sidney S. Warner, 
 Hon. John C. Hale, Hon. R. A. Horr, C. W. Horr, 
 S. R. Lanndon, Hon. W. W. Boyntoii, William A. 
 Bniman, John W. Hart, I. S. Metcalf, and Lorenzo 
 Clark, directors. The board of investment, T. L. 
 Nelson, J. C. Hill, William A. Braman, John C. Hale, 
 and W. W. Boynton. The responsibility of this 
 Inuik aggregates five hundred thousand dollars which 
 is ])ledged and liable for the payment of all debts and 
 obligations of the bank. The business is of a general 
 nature. The savings dei^artment is designed to afford 
 those who desire to save their money the means of 
 employing it to advantage without incurring any risk 
 of losing it, as is often the case when loaned to indi- 
 viduals. 
 
 MERCANTILE HISTORY OF ELYKIA. 
 
 Edmund West opened the first store in Elyi'ia. He- 
 maii Ely (tlie founder of tlie township) was his part- 
 ner, thougli he took no active ])art in conducting the 
 business. Theodore W. Ely, from West Springfield, 
 Mass., became a partner of Mr. West, June 1, 183.5. 
 Theodore W. Ely died May 3, 1836, at the age of 
 twenty-tliree years. Mr. West died July 15, 1835, at 
 the age of twentj'-nine years. He was succeeded by 
 Norris 0. Stow, who associated with him Theodore 
 W. Ely whose early death is above stated. Mr. Stow 
 coiulucted the business until his death, which occurred 
 on the 13th of April, 1830. He was succeeded by 
 Addison Tracy and Phineas Johnson under the firm 
 name of Tracy and Johnson, who conducted the 
 business until 1833, when they became members of the 
 Lorain Iron Company, and their stock of goods was 
 removed to tlie company's store as part of its stock in 
 trade. When the Lorain Iron Company suspended 
 business, Isaac M. Johnson purchased their stock of 
 goods, and continued in business but a year or two 
 when lie sold out to Tlnnnas Wilcox and William M. 
 Becbe, under the firm-name of Wilcox and Beebe. 
 They in turn sold, in 1840, to Baldwin & Company. 
 2Vt an early period in the history of Elyria, probably 
 in 1833 or '34, Stanton Sholes established a store in 
 the building now occupied by Mr. Monroe, on the 
 north side of Broad street, between Middle and East 
 avenues. In two or tliree years he sold out to Thomp- 
 son Miles, who soon after built a brick store at the 
 northwest corner of Broad .street and East avenue, 
 where he transacted business until 1833, when, having 
 secured a competence, he retired from business. 
 About the year 1837, two brothers, Sheldon and C. B. 
 Guthrie, established a store in a frame building on the 
 north side of Broad street, about midway lietween 
 Middle and East avenues. They continued in busi- 
 ness for about three years. Sheldon Guthrie is now 
 
 living in New Orleans. His brother, C. B. Guthrie, 
 died recently in Washington City. Raymond Starr 
 commenced trade in Elyria in 1838, and continued in 
 business until 1835, when he retired. The brick 
 bu i Id ing adjoining the one now occupied by the Elyria 
 RcpuhlicaH printing office, was erected by him and 
 occuiiied for several years as a store. 
 
 Horace K. Kendall. — This gentleman deserves 
 more than a passing notice, for he revolutionized 
 trade not only in Elyria, but to a great extent 
 throughout Northern Ohio. He came from Suffield, 
 Connecticut, to Elyria in Hie spring of 1833, and 
 opened a store in the brick building erected by Cap- 
 tain Sylvanus Parmely, on the comer where the 
 present Beebe House stands. The merchants of 
 Elyria having been accustomed to sell goods to the 
 farmers on credit, and as they expected to lose from 
 thirty to fifty per cent., marked their pi-ices on that 
 basis. Mr. Kendall sold his goods only ior cash, and 
 fixed his prices very much lower than tliey had ever 
 before been offered in this market. He soon had a 
 rush of customers, and in a year or two built the 
 large brick store on the north side of Broad street, 
 now occupied by Hannan & Obits. He jnirchased all 
 kinds of farmers' produce, paying cash; but most of 
 it was left in the store in payment for goods. Soon 
 trade flocked in, not only from the extreme parts of 
 this county, but from Medina, AVayne and Cuyahoga 
 counties, and Elyria became a center of trade. 
 
 He possessed a great deal of dash and enterprise, 
 and was not afraid of the liberal use of printer's ink. 
 He, for a considerable time, published a monthly 
 paper filled mostly with his advertisements, but con- 
 taining in addition a great deal of miscellaneous and 
 entertaining reading matter. This was distributed 
 gratuitously, and eagerly sought for. His advertise- 
 ments were striking, ingenious and amusing. 
 
 In the spring of 1843, Henry E. Mussey, who had 
 long been his confidential clerk, became associated 
 with him in the business. Mr. Kendall had been for 
 many yeai's an active and inlluential member of the 
 Baptist church, and contributed liberally towards 
 the erecticm of their fine brick church building, 
 whicli stands on the corner of Second street and 
 Jliddle avenue. 
 
 Mr. Kendall died on the 4t]i of June, 1850, at the 
 early age of forty-one years. He left a haudsonie 
 fortune. In his death, Elyria and Lorain county 
 sustained a great loss. After his death, Mr. Mussey, 
 who associated with himself Hiram Fuller, conducted 
 the business successfully until 1858, when they sold 
 out to Seymour W. Baldwin, T. W. Laundon and T. 
 L. Nelson, under the firm name of Baldwin, Laun- 
 don & Nelson. Mr. Mussey retired from mercantile 
 business. Mr. Fuller removed to Akron, where he 
 now resides. 
 
 OziAS Long. — This gentleman obtained the con- 
 tract to build the court house, in 1838, and started a 
 store principally, it is believed, for the payment of 
 his workmen. After completing his contract, he 
 
12i 
 
 IIISTOllY OF LOKAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 coutinueil mercantile business successfully for several 
 years. In 1833 or 1834, John M. Gillett, S. R. 
 Darling and S. B. Wolcott, under the firm name of 
 Gillett, Darling & Wolcott, became his successors. 
 Mr. Long was for six years one of the associate judges 
 of the court of common pleas for Lorain county, and 
 afterwards served as postmaster for the term of four 
 years. He died February 21, 1859, aged sixty years. 
 Gillett, Darling & Wolcott were his successors, and 
 conducted the business for two or three j'cars, when 
 they sold out to William F. Church. After a year or 
 two, Mr. Church removed his goods to Sullivan, when 
 our present mayor, ISfahum B. Gates, put in a stock of 
 goods. He sold out at the end of a year to Messrs. 
 Castle & King, of Medina, and the goods were 
 removed to that place. 
 
 In 1833, the following merchants were doing 
 business in Elyria: 
 
 A. Beebe, afterwards Beebe & Gates; Horatio N. Gates and Charles 
 Green, Gates & Green; the Lorain Iron Company, Isaac M. Johnson, 
 Thompson Miles, H. Guthrie, Raymond Starr and Ozias Long. 
 
 We are uuable to tell from any data we can obtain 
 when all these gentlemen commenced or discontinued 
 business. 
 
 Between the years 1832 and 1842, the following 
 merchants were doing business: 
 
 Ransom Redington, Erastus and Edwin Hall (E. & E. Hall), W. F. 
 Church, H. K. Kendall & Co., S. W. Baldwin, Enoch Clark, Cowles and 
 Ryder, Sanford and Andrews, Gillett, Darling & Wolcott. Andrews and 
 Morse, Cowles, Merwin & Hull, Nichols & Kuowles, and Henry Bush. 
 
 In 1852, the merchants were: 
 
 Orrin Cowles, J. B. Merwin & Co., H. Brush & Co., Baldwin & Co. and 
 H. E. Mussey & Co. 
 
 Seymour W. Baldwin.— In the fall of 1834, 
 Orriu Cowles opened a store, under the firm of 
 Baldwin & Cowles. S. W. Baldwin, the senior 
 member of the firm, did not come to Elyria until the 
 spring of 1835. They conducted a successful busi- 
 ness until 1839, when the firm was dissolved, and 
 Mr. Cowles opened a new store. Mr. Baldwin 
 associated with him William M. Judd, and subse- 
 quently David B. Andrews, under the firm name of 
 Baldwin & Co. In 1840, they bought out Wilcox & 
 Beebe for the sake of getting the corner store. Soon 
 after, D. B. Andrews left him, and was associated 
 for a few years with F. B. Sanford (Sanford & An- 
 drews). They dissolved, Sanford continuing the 
 business, and Andrews opened a new store, associating 
 with himself Levi Morse. Cowles took for a partner 
 Mr. Erastus Hall. Subsequently they dissolved, and 
 Cowles associated with himself Oliver R. Ryder 
 (Cowles & Ryder). Erastus Hall formed a co-part- 
 nership with his brother Edwin Hall (E. & E. Hall). 
 
 In the j'ear 1840 or 1841, Mr. Baldwin formed a 
 partnership with George R. and Horace C. Starr, 
 under the firm name of Baldwin & Co. Subsequently 
 they gave Thomas W. Laundon and Thomas L. 
 Nelson an interest in the business, This firm did a 
 very successful business until 1852, when Mr. Bald- 
 win, having secured a competence, retired from the 
 firm, and returned to his former home, in Meriden, 
 
 Connecticut. After three years' absence, Mr. Bald- 
 win, having become tired of a life of inactivity, 
 returned to Elyria in 1855, and renewed his partner- 
 ship with Starr Brothers & Co. This continued for 
 the limited term of three years, when Mr. Baldwin, 
 associating with himself Messrs. Laundon and Nelson, 
 purchased the stock of goods of Henry E. Mussey, 
 and commenced business under the firm name of 
 Baldwin, Laundon & Nelson. This firm was dissolved 
 in 1870, Mr. Nelson becoming president of the Elyria 
 Deposit and Savings Bank. 
 
 Mr. T. W. Laundon lives a quiet, retired life, 
 enjoying the fruits of many years of industry and 
 enterprise. Soon after the dissolution of the firm, 
 Mr. Baldwin made the tour of Europe with his son. 
 
 In the year 1858, S. W. Baldwin, T. W. Laundon, 
 S. K. Laundon, and T. L. Nelson, formed a co-part- 
 nership and opened a store in Wellington which has 
 done a very successful business and is still continued. 
 It is conducted by Mr. S. K. Laundon. 
 
 Of all the young men who were trained in the store 
 of Mr. Baldwin and his partners it is believed not one 
 has turned out badly. All of them occupy prominent 
 positions in business and in society. This is due 
 mainly to the fact that their morals were carefully 
 guarded and they acquired habits of industry and 
 integrity. Many of them boarded with Mr. Baldwin. 
 They were furnished with the best of reading matter 
 and had no inclination to spend their evenings in 
 idleness or on the streets. Mr. Baldwin has become 
 wealthy and enjoys most fully the respect and confi- 
 dence of the people of Elyria and of Lorain county. 
 
 Geroge R. Starr and Horace C. Starr were clerks of 
 S. W. Baldwin & Co. Their former business connec- 
 tion with him has been already stated. After the 
 dissolution of the firm of Baldwin, Starr & Co. they 
 associated with themselves Mr. John L. Cole and 
 their brothers Frank and Alonzo Starr. The latter 
 withdrew from the firm in three years, but Mr. Cole 
 continued a member until 1872. They did a large 
 Inisiness and enjoyed the friendship and esteem of the 
 people to a remarkable degree. In the vear 1873 their 
 store and its entire contents were consumed by the 
 disastrous fire which destroyed the entire block, con- 
 taining some eigiit or ten business rooms. Their loss 
 by this fire was fifty thousand dollars over and altove 
 their insurance. With their usual pluck they at once 
 fitted up a store in the town hall, purchased a new 
 stock of goods and again commenced business. They 
 continued in biLsiuess in the town hall for about a 
 year, when, the new block being conii)leted, they 
 returned to their old (juarters. Though greatly criji- 
 pled by the fire they continued until February, 187s, 
 when they retired. Few men, if any, have done as 
 much to adorn and beautify our village, and none arc 
 more respected by its citizens and the people of the 
 county. 
 
 The firm of Cowles & Ryder was dissolved in 184;, 
 and Mr. Cowles continued the business until 1850, 
 
niSTOKY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 125 
 
 when he removed to Fulton, 111., where he still 
 rt'siiles. 
 
 Steplieu B. Wolcott succeeded Mr. Cowles and con- 
 tinued in business until the present j-car when he sold 
 out to John Murbach. 
 
 DiiUfi Stores. — In 1832, Dr. John S. Matson 
 ojieued a small drug store in the front room of his 
 dwelling house. The same room contained also the 
 postofBce. In a few years he jmt up a i)retty large 
 wooden store and greatly enlarged his business. About 
 tlie year 1838 he added dry goods to his stock of drugs. 
 In 1842 or ,'43, he removed to Cleveland, leaving his 
 store in charge of his brother-in-law, Addison Tracy. 
 He died soon after his removal, and Drs. E. W. Hub- 
 bard and L. D. Griswold purchased the stock of drugs, 
 and conducted the business for a year or two when 
 they sold out to Mr. John F. Wooster. Mr. Wooster 
 soon associated with himself his brother. Mr. William 
 F. Wooster, and soon after sold out to him. Mr. Wil- 
 liam F. Wooster still continues the business. He has 
 been a very successful merchant, and has accumulated 
 a handsome pi'operty. 
 
 Dr. Elijah DeWitt, in the year 1824, settled in 
 Harrisvile, Medma county, and engaged in the prac- 
 tice of medicine and surgery. Hisride was extensive 
 and laborious at that early day. In July, 1835, he re- 
 moved to Elyria and opened a drug store. He did a 
 successful business in that time until 1852, when, 
 having been a])pointed secretary and treasurer of the 
 Junction Rail Road, then being constructetl, he left 
 his drug store in charge of his son, R. C. DeWitt, who 
 had for several years been his .partner. He was for 
 six years an associate Judge of the county. In about 
 a year the store was sold to Mr. Charles Arthur Ely, 
 who in turn sold it to Messrs. Bagg & Jenkins, who 
 after two years sold to Messrs. Redington & .lenkins. 
 These gentlemen conducted the business for several 
 years, when it again became the property of Mr. Ely, 
 who sold it to Mr. Jerome Manville. 
 
 In the year 1850, Dr. Eber W. Hubbard established 
 a drug store in tlie Beebe block. In 1852, Dr. Hub- 
 bard being about to remove to Staten Island, N. Y., 
 sold his stock of drugs to Dr. L. D. Griswold and J. 
 Manville. They continued in partnership about five 
 years, when Dr. Griswold I'etired from the fii-m. Mr. 
 Manville still continues the business and has been very 
 successful. 
 
 Dr. Laselle and G. D. Hay ward kept a drug store 
 for a time in the Beebe House block. 
 
 The following were the business houses in Elyria 
 on the first of October, 1878. 
 
 Dry Goods and Notions.— D. C. Baldwin & Co., Goldbuig & Co. 
 H. C. Kupfer &. Brother. 
 
 Drugs and Medicines. — W. F. Wooster, Jerome Manville, William H. 
 Park, and H. J. Eady. 
 
 Groceries and Provisions.— H. Brush, Hoyle Brothers, McCuUum & 
 Lilly, Henry Wurst, W. H. Smith, J. A. Bean, George M. Haag, Frank 
 Root, William Downing, Diedrich & Wiler. and J. C. King. 
 
 MiLUNKRY.— Webb & Co., Mrs. Olmsted, Misses M. L. & A. Reilly, Miss 
 E. Lewis, Mrs. Dibble & Son, Misses A. & S. Bancroft. 
 
 Hardware, Stoves, etc. — H. Brush, Carpenter & Brooks, Hannan & 
 Obitts, Xenophon Peck, J. Lane, Wright & Semple. 
 
 Aqricultural Implements. — W. E. Brooks & Co., Beal & Halter. 
 
 Jewelry and Silver Ware.— French & Fisher, G. W. Smitli, John 
 Murbach, C. R. Bickford. 
 
 Clothing and Furnishing Goods.— Charles Spitzenburg, H. H. Wini- 
 mers, Baker <S; Foster, and Frank D. Dibble. 
 
 Boots and Shoes.— Cogswell & Co,, S. H. Bowen, J. Burdell, William 
 Oahlke, Philpot & Daniels, T. Gray, James Collins, and W. Ireland. 
 
 Harness Shops.— Waterman Morse, W. A. Morse & Co. (saddlery 
 hardware), J. W. Ropp and John Joint. 
 
 Books and Stationery.— William S. Wilson. Mr. Wilson bought out 
 E. C. Griswold, in 18T7, who had successfully carried on the business for 
 twenty-two years. 
 
 Furniture. — Snearer & Waldeck. 
 
 Miscellaneous.— Wm. I. Hobill, music store; T. L. Taylor, crockery 
 and glass ware. Jones .S Moshier, and Jakob Stephen, bakery and gro- 
 ceries. Clark & Faxon, candy manufacturers and wholesale dealers, 
 W. F. Burget, Upholsterer. J. B. Woolbridge, Marble Works. Geo. 
 G. Washburn, Printer, Editor, and Publisher of the Elyria Repub- 
 lican. F. S. Reefy, Editor and Publisher of the Elyria Constitntioii. 
 Ingersoll & Harris, Job Printers. G. R. Byford, Book-binder. Joseph 
 Kelling, Flour and Feed Store. H. E. Mussej' & Co., dealers in Building 
 and Flagging Stone. Charles F. Lee, I. S. Haines, and H. S. Williams, 
 Photograi>hers. John Mountain and W. Walker, Merchant Tailors. 
 Miss A. Bay less, Mrs. L E. Snell, H. L. Underwood, Mrs. C. M. Dake, 
 and J. M. Cook & Co., Dressmakers. Snearer & Waldeck and P. A. 
 Anderson, Undertakers. Andrus and J. Burdick, Livery. 
 
 Cigars and Tobacco. — Mussey &. Howk, J. W. Massey & Sou, J. 
 Micheloon, A. E. Lord. 
 
 Hotels.— Beebe House, C. C. Briggs, proprietor; National House, J. 
 P. Perkins; American House, Z. Bliss; East Avenue House, H. Etzel; 
 Metropolitan, Charles Myers. 
 
 Trades and Specialties.— A. F. Parsons and Paul Krause, Carriage 
 Painters. Allen & Holcorab, C. W. Goodspeed, R. W. Todd, Marvin 
 Todd, and Paul Dumas, Sign and House Painters. C. W. Hunt, Carriage 
 Trimmer. Abel Goodspeed and D. E. Dengate, Wagon Makers. Ward 
 A Maple, F. Gilbert, L. Wait, Hafner & DachUer, and N. Wagoner* 
 Sons, Blacksmiths. 
 
 FIRE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 To guard against the ravages of the fii-ey element, 
 lias been the aim of every community. Elyria village 
 lias been taught this lesson by dire experience. Two 
 extensive fires have prevailed, destroying, in ))oth 
 instances, the business part of the town. AVe are 
 unable to give the losses, but they were very great. In 
 the year 1839, a small hand fire engine was purchased, 
 and a company of thirty men organized, under the 
 name of the "^Etna Fire Company No. 1." S. W. 
 Baldwin was foreman, and Samuel C. Goodwin, secre- 
 tary and treasurer. This constituted the entire de- 
 partment until 1850, when another hand engine was 
 purchased, and "PhrenixFire Conii)any No. 2," con- 
 sisting also of thirty members, was organized. About 
 this time, the hook and ladder company, of thirty 
 members, was also formed. The force was now con- 
 sidered an efficient one, until the memorable fifteenth 
 of March, 1873, when it was demonstrated that it was 
 wholly insufficient to cope with the coullagration. 
 Immediately after this event, the common council 
 l)rocured a number two steam fire engine from the 
 manufactory of the Messrs. Silsby, at Seneca Falls, 
 New York, which, with two hose carts and one thou- 
 sand feet of two and a half inch rubber hose cost six 
 thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollars. The 
 officers of this company are: John T. Houghton, 
 chief engineer; John Hufner, assistant engineer; 
 Charles S. Bird, engineer; John M. Tite fireman. 
 "^Etna Hose Comp.any" has thirty-five men; George 
 Kline, foi'cman; Frank Stark, assistant. "^Etna Fire 
 Company" still maintains its organization; Fred 
 Duchtler, foreman; Henry Fairman, assistant. The 
 
12G 
 
 HISTOEY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 water snpj)ly is ample, and consists of twenty reser- 
 voirs and two tanks. There is also a fancy hook and 
 ladder company, which has a fine record. As at 
 jiresent organized, the fire department of Elyria is 
 far above the average in ctHciency. 
 
 ■rows HALL. 
 
 This fine structure was erected jointly by the town- 
 ship and village of Elyria, in the year 18C7, and cost, 
 when coni2)leted, twenty-nine thousand dollars. An 
 extensive addition was made to it in 1878, at an in- 
 vestment of seven thousand dollars. The upper floor 
 is wholly occupied by an audience hall, stage, dress- 
 ing and property rooms. The seating capacity is 
 nearly one thousand. The first floor is occupied by 
 the fire department, mayor's office, lockup, etc. 
 
 SOCIETIES. 
 
 Free axd Accepted Masons. — King Solomon's 
 Lodge No. 50, of this order, Avas granted a dispensa- 
 tion on Monday, the 13tli day of December, A. D. 
 1819, with Henian Ely as W. .M., Jabez Burrell, S. 
 W., and John Reading, J. W. The charter was 
 granted Deccm' er 11, 1821, and the growth of this 
 lodge was, from that time, very satisfactory, until the 
 outbreak growing out of the Morgan excitement ren- 
 dered it advisable to cease labor. . Tliis took place 
 in 182S, ami for twenty years there was no lodge in 
 Elyria. 
 
 On the 36th of September, LS18, a new charter was 
 issued, bearing on its face the names of Eber W. 
 Hubbard, W. M., Ozias Long, S. W., and Ansel 
 Keith, J. W., and from that time until the present, 
 the order has been steadily gaining strength, until it 
 has now a membership of one hundred and twelve. 
 Their path has not, however, been always strewn with 
 roses. Ill tlie extensive conflagration which prevailed 
 in Elyria in 1853, the lodge room was consumed, and 
 with it everytliing it contained. The records were at 
 the house of the secretary, and were saved, but on 
 the occasion of the second fire, in 1873, they were not 
 so fortunate. Everything was, we believe, this time 
 consumed. Truly they have been "tried by fire," 
 but, like tlic Plio>nix, they have risen from the ashes, 
 and Ijy the aid of strong and willing hands, have now 
 the finest lodge room in the county. 
 
 Officers for 1878 are: D. J. Nye, W. M.; W. F. 
 Rurget, S. W.; John Holcomb, J. W. ; J. W. Hul- 
 liurt, Treas. ; L. C. Kelsey, Sec; Charles A. Schade, 
 S. I).; D. F. Ward, J. D.; Otto Martin and H. R. 
 Whiteman, Stewards, and Judd C. Potter, Tyler. 
 
 The stated communications are lield at Masonic 
 hall, in Commercial block, on the second and fourth 
 Monday evenings of each month, from October 1 to 
 May 1, and on the second Monday, only, the re- 
 mainder (jf the 3'ear. 
 
 Marshall Chapter No. 47, was granted a dispen- 
 sation on the .3d day of October, 1851, upon the peti- 
 tion of companions A. Clark, E. AV. Hubbard, Ozias 
 Long, M. Chapman, E. L. Warner, Wm. Hoyle, 
 
 John Sherman, F. Hubbard, and Elijah Parker. A. 
 Clark was, by this instrument, made High Priest; 
 E. W. Hubbard, King; and Ozias Long, Scribe. We 
 are unable to give any thing further of tiie early work. 
 
 The officers for 1878 are: J. W. Hulburt, II. P.; 
 W. E. Brooks, K. ; James Allen, Scribe; G. H. 
 Mapes, C. H.; D. J. Nye, P. S.; G. M. Moshier, R. 
 & C. ; D. F. Ward, M. :5rd V. ; E. A. Brush, M. 3nd V. ; 
 John Holcomb, M. 1st V.; M. W. Pond, Treas.; George 
 Cogswell, Sec; and J. C. Potter, Guard. Tliere is 
 at present a membership of ninetj^-six. The stated 
 convocations are held in Masonic hall, on the evening 
 of the first Thursday of each month. 
 
 This body has also passed through the fiery furnace, 
 losing everything. 
 
 Indepexdest Order of Odd Fellows. — Elyria 
 Lodge No. 103, of this order, was instituted on March 
 
 I, 1848, by E. W. Fitch, Deputy Grand Master, with 
 the following charter members: N. B. Gates, P. 
 Bliss, Russell J. Smith, Edwin A. Covvles, and E. I). 
 Moxley. The officers on organization were: N. B. 
 Gates, N. G.; E. A. Cowles, V. G.: E. D. Moxley,; 
 P. and R Sec; Russell J. Smith, Treas. 
 
 On the night of its institution, the following gen- 
 tlemen were admitted: J. F. Manter, L. D. Griswold, 
 L. C. Leonard, G. D. Hayward, 0. N. Owens, B. F. 
 Tillotson, B. F. Robinson and George E. Nichols; 
 and on the anniversary, held thirty years subsequent, 
 these persons were all living, and nearly all in good 
 standing in the fraternity. 
 
 The officers for 1878 are: S. C. Cox, N. G.; James 
 Lewis, V. G. ; Charles Cox, P. S. ; Samuel A. Raw'son, 
 R. S. ; Henry J. Eady, Treas. Present membership, 
 one hundred and eight. Regular meeting, Tuesday 
 evening of each week, in Odd Fellows Hall. This 
 lodge is in a prosjierous condition, with twenty-five 
 hundred dollars on interest. 
 
 Excampmest. — Lorain Encampment, No. 81, was 
 instituted on the 7th day of May, 1856, with tiie 
 following gentlemen as charter members: N. B. Gates, 
 
 II. M. Holcoml), Mozart Gallup, M. A. Elder, 0. G. , 
 King, J. L. Hutchinson and N. H. Underbill. The 
 j)resent officers are: N. B. Gates, C. P.; 0. Boweu, H. ' 
 P.; Thomas Baker, S. W.; S. C. Cox, J. W.; George 
 L). Williams, S.; and William W. Laundon, Treas. 
 Present membership, twenty-three. The stated meet- 
 ings are held at Odd Fellows Hall, on the first and 
 third Wednesday evenings of each month. 
 
 Kniciits of Pythias. — Star Lodge, No. 81, was 
 instituted on the 37th day of January, 1875, with the 
 following gentlemen as charter members: John Gor- 
 man, Geo. D. Williams, William H. Laundon, J. ('. 
 Potter, Otto Martin, John E. Keuyon, Samuel C. 
 Cox, Nelson B. Jennings, W. S. Lyons and C. B. 
 Spring. The first officers were: John Gorman, P. C. ; 
 Geo. D. Williams, C. C; William W. Laundon, V. C. ; 
 J. C. Potter, P.; Samuel C. Cox, M. of E.; John E. 
 Kenyou, M. of F. ; Otto Martin, K. of R. and S. ; Nel- j, 
 son B. Jennings, M. at A.; W. S. Lyon, I. G. ; and 
 C. B. Spring, 0. G. 
 
HISTORY or LORAIN COITNTY, OHIO. 
 
 127 
 
 This society meets on Friday evening of each week, 
 !it Odd Fellows Hall. The present mcml)ership is 
 twenty-one. The officers for 1878 were: Robert C. 
 Gamble, P. C. ; J. C. Potter, C. C. ; Richard T. Gam- 
 ble, V. C. : .Tames Lewis, P.; Wm. M. Liumdon, M. of 
 E.; George D. Williams, M. of F. ; Otto Martin, K. 
 of R. and S. ; J. E. Lozier, M. at A. ; 0. K Spring, 
 L G.; S. G. Gox. 0. G. 
 
 IxEPENDENT Order OF GooD Templars. — Elyria 
 Lodge, No. 93, Independent Order of Good Temj^lars, 
 was authorized to assemble for organization, by a char- 
 ter bearing date March 1, 1877, which was issued to the 
 following persons: A. 0. Griswold, F. W. Kirchner, 
 C. H. Williams, .J. E. Cryer, J. C. Biggs, William 
 Davis, James L. Edwards, Conrad Fischer, W. L. 
 Roe, Dr. L. C. Kelsey, Charles Faux, A. J. Hough- 
 ton, George W. Rich, Mrs. H. McElwin, Mrs. H. 
 Brush, Mrs. Frances Crouk, Miss S. K. Nichols, Miss 
 Anna Hackett and Miss Lydia Forbes. The first 
 officers were: A. 0. Griswold, W. C. T. ; Mrs. H. 
 McElwin, W. V. T.; Miss S. K. Nichols, W. R. S.; 
 .Airs. H. Brush, W. T.; and W. L. Roe, W. M. The 
 membership of this society has increased with such 
 rapidity that there are now one hundred and- five in 
 good standing. The meetings are held in Mussey's 
 Block, on Wednesday evening of each week. Officers 
 for 1878 are: Charles A. Metcalf, W. C. T.; Mrs. H. 
 Brush, W. V. T.; C. W. Dickinson, W. R. S. : E. L. 
 (iriswold, W. F. S. ; Miss May Morse, W. T. ; .James 
 Wallace, W. M. ; Miss Lizzie Upton, W. S. G. ; E. D. 
 Afshley, W. 0. G. ; Mrs. Bacon, W. C. ; Mrs. M. 11. 
 Boyuton, R. H. S. ; and Miss Eliza Robinson, R. H. S. 
 Ancient Order of Good Fellows. — On Septem- 
 ber 2-i, 1860, Elyria Lodge, No. 17, A. 0. of G. P., was 
 instituted. The charter members were: M. Erne, C. 
 Frome, V. Seabert, F. Schmidt, A. Eand, F. Beeze, 
 G. Mabius, J. Schultz, S. Fehr, H. Hammer, F. Mar- 
 tin, F. Muse, J. Steifel, M. Morlak, H. Reimbach, C. 
 Baase, W. Scmidt, J. Geii)el and E. Greeshamer. The 
 officers on organization were: G. Seibert, N. G. ; W. 
 Scmidt, V. G.; M. Erne, C; W. Morlach, Sec; H. 
 Reimljach, R. S. ; E. Greeshamer, Treas. Meetings on 
 Thursday evening of each week. The roll of initiates 
 numbers seventy, but hard times and an inability 
 to keep up the dues has reduced the membershij) to 
 eighteen persons. The officers for 1878 were: C. 
 Scmidt, N. G.; M. Bucher, V. G.; J. Stiefel, C. ; 
 P. Strauss, Sec; J. Stark R. S. ; and John Hufner, 
 Treas. 
 
 KxiGnTS OF Honor. — Anchor Lodge, No. 119, 
 Knights of Honor, was instituted June 3, 1875, with 
 twenty-two charter members, who were as follows: 
 W. H. Tucker, W. L. Fay, G. H. Tyrrell, P. S. Reefy, 
 B. McNoal, R. I. Jones, John E. Kenyon, John 
 Blanchard, Zenas Bliss, R. E. Braman, Xenophon 
 Peck, Thomas Tuunington, H.J. Eady, A.H. Bullock, 
 A. F. Parsons, James E. Bronson, F. M. Whiteman, 
 J. W. Ropp, William Crisp, W. W. Richardson, J. A. 
 Tite and Thomas H. Liunell. The first officers were: 
 Past Dictator, William H. Tucker; Dictator, Geo. H. 
 
 Tyrrel; Vice Dictator, F. M. Reefy; Assistant Dictator, 
 R. E. Braman; Guide, John Kenyon; Reporter, W. L. 
 Fay; Financial Reporter, H. J. Eady; and Treasurer, 
 John Blanchard. Regular meetings, Thursday even- 
 ings of each week, at Odd Fellows Hall. The total 
 memliersljip is sixty-two. The officers for 1878 were: 
 A. H. Bullock, P. D.; W. E. Hubbell, D.; M. H. 
 Levagood, V. D.; John Blanchard, A. D. ; R. H. Hill, 
 Cihaplain; J. W. Ropp, Guide; John H. Faxon, Ji-., 
 Rep.; F. M. Whiteman, F. R. ; William H. Park, 
 Treas.; P. S. Hatter, (!uard:an(l George Butts, Sen- 
 tinel. 
 
 Royal ARfANUM. — Elyria Council, No. 57, of this 
 brotherhood, was organized February 27, 1878. The 
 charter members were: W. L. Fay. W. H. Tucker, L. 
 McLean, R. E. Braman, 0. Dole, Wm. II. Park, II. 
 C. Woodruff, E. C. Perry, George G. Washburn, 0. 
 Root, H. M. Parker, J. E. Bronson, T. S. Faxon, 
 J. H. Faxon, Jr., W. E. Brooks, John Lersch, J. L. 
 Cole, D. J. Peck, Ed. H. Fisher, E. A. Brush, J. I). 
 Faxon, J. W. Ropp, Geo. C. Williams, L. B. Smith, 
 W. S. Wilson, E. G. Johnson, D. W. Fuller, J. A. 
 Tite, M. A. Levagood, G. H. Mapes and C. B. Clark. 
 The first officers were: W. H. Tucker, Past Regent; 
 yV. L. Fay, Regent; W. H. Park, Vice Regent; L. 
 McLean, Orator; W. E. Brooks, Secretary; George G. 
 Washburn, Collector; .1. H. Faxon, .Jr., Treasurer; 
 W. II. Levagood, Chaplain; .1. W. Ropp, Guide; 0. 
 Dole, Warden; and E. A. Brush, Sentinel. The offi- 
 cers are elected semi-annually, but as the present 
 officers arc substantially the same as those first elected, 
 it is unnecessary to give them. The membership is 
 thirty-eight. The regular meetings are on Monday 
 evenings of each week, at Odd Fellows Hall. 
 
 sketches of some OF THE EARLY SETTLERS. 
 
 Syltanus Parmelt came to Elyria as early as 
 1833, and was engaged for several seasons in brick- 
 making. He excavated a hole in the rock at the east 
 fall, some twenty feet in depth, into which a portion 
 of the stream was turned. The water wheel was at 
 the bottom of the excavation, which furnished the 
 motive power for running the old red mill. Mr.' 
 Parmely built a two-story brick dwelling house on the 
 corner where the Beebe House now stands, the corner 
 room of which was used as a store. He removed to 
 Sullivan, now in Ashland county, in 1833, where he 
 owned a large farm. He spent much time and money 
 in efforts to secure the formation of a new county of 
 which Sullivan should be the county seat, but failed 
 to obtain success. He was at one time a representa- 
 tive to the State legislature for Lorain county. He 
 was a man of unbounded energy and perseverance. 
 He raised a highly respectable family, and died some 
 ten years ago at an advanced age. 
 
 AsAHEL Parmely, from Somerset, Vt., came to 
 Ohio, arriving in Sullivan townshiji August 7, 1817. 
 He came with an ox team conveying his father, 
 mother and two brothers, his wife and two children. 
 These were Amandrin M. and Hannah, the latter of 
 
128 
 
 HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 whom died on tlie road. The former in due time 
 married Emily Thomas, of Massachusetts, and now 
 resides on tliirty-four acres of land, lot thirty-five, 
 Elyria towiisliip, it being the old family homestead. 
 Mr. Parmcly, senior, came through without material 
 incident (driving tlri family cow), until he arrived at 
 Harrisville, now Medina county, from which point to 
 Sullivan township there was an unbroken forest, 
 through which he was obliged to cut a road some ten 
 miles in length. Arriving at his destination, he made 
 a selection of some four hundred acres of land in 
 different sections. He located on one hundred and 
 fifty iicres, in lot forty-seven. With the assistance of 
 his family he prepared a cabin of puncheons, placed on 
 stakes driven in the ground. In this the family lived 
 for three months, when a log house was erected and 
 the family moved in. lie remained in Sullivan until 
 IHi'J. On the 17th of April of this year he removed 
 to Elyria, locating on the land now occupied by his 
 son Amandrin M. Here, after a long and peaceful 
 life, he died .January -t, 18.59. Mrs. Parmoly died 
 October 18, 1875. The children born in Ohio were 
 Ashley, who lives on the old homestead in Sullivan; 
 LoviUa H. and Rexaville E., both deceased; Freeman 
 and Stanley M. The last two and their elder brother, 
 Amandrin M., have pleasant homes within a stone's 
 throw of each other. All are prosperous and valuable 
 citizens. 
 
 William 0. Cahoon came, with his father .Joel 
 Galloon, to Dover, Cuyahoga county, in 1810, when 
 four years of age. He grew to manhood on his fath- 
 er's farm. He first came to Elyria in 1826, and 
 worked at chopping, but did not settle in town with 
 his family until 1831. His wife was a daughter of 
 Judge Moses Eldred. He was a stone nuison by 
 trade, and followed that business until his death. 
 He owned a stone ipiarry on the east branch of the 
 river, and a very large portion of our excellent side- 
 walks were put down by him. He was a model of 
 industry, and worked until the day of his death, 
 which occurred on the 20th of July. 1878. He was 
 seventy-two years of age. Mr. Cahoon was for many 
 years a leading memlier of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. 
 
 Harlow Wells came from Connecticut with his 
 brother-in-law, Hezekiah Kelsey, to Elyria in 1827, 
 and settled on the farm where he now i-esides. It 
 was then an unbroken forest, but he cleared up the 
 land and made himself a pleasant home. He has 
 lived a life of (juiet industry, and now, at an advanced 
 age, is enjoying the fruits of his labor. 
 
 Jonathan T. Parsons came also from Connecticut 
 to Elyria in 1828. He settled on the farm on Lake 
 avenue which ho afterwards sold to Arad Smith. He 
 died October 31, 1838, leaving a wife and two sous, 
 one a babe and the other five years of age. 
 
 Edson A. Griswold was born in Wintonbury, Con- 
 necticut, in the year 1805. He removed to Elyria in 
 1832, and bought the farm on Lake avenue on which 
 he now resides. It was at that time a wilderness. 
 
 He has served two terms as a magistrate, and been a 
 prosperous farmer. He has retired from active labor, 
 and has transferred his farm to his son Arthur E. 
 He still lives, at the age of seventy-throe, in the en- 
 joyment of good health of body and mind. 
 
 Arad Smith, of Amherst, Mass., married Miss 
 Salome Elmer, of Virginius, Vt., in 1799. He re- 
 moved to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where he 
 remained till 1833, when he came to Elyria and 
 purchased the farm of Jonathan T. Parsons, lots 
 thirty-seven and thirty-three, west of the river, sixty- 
 six acres now occupied by his son Stephen Smith. 
 He died in 1859, his wife having died in 1827. He 
 was the father of thirteen children, five of whom are 
 living. Stephen Smith has added to the old home- 
 stead, and now has one hundred and fifty-five acres. 
 
 Col. William Gregg, from Londonderry, N. IL, 
 married Hannah Jewett, of Stratham, N. II. They 
 came to Elyria in 1834, and settled on the ridge road 
 south of Arad Smith. Col. Gregg died August 31, 
 1874, at an advanced ago. He was a valuable citizen. 
 The children were William B., who married Mary 
 Ann Bailey; they reside on the old homestead; 
 Henry B. died in 1839; John died in California. 
 Mrs. Gregg, relict of Col. G-regg, is still living, at the 
 age of seventy-five. 
 
 Ebenezee Whiton came to Elyria from Lee, Mass. 
 We are unable to give the time of his arrival. He 
 was appointed clerk of the court of common pleas at 
 its first session, which commenced August 12, 1824, 
 and held the office until the time of his death, which 
 occurred August 31, 1834. He purchased lots sixty- 
 two and sixty-three, and built the house nest west of 
 Mrs. Haines, which is still occupied. 
 
 Mrs. Whiton removed with her children to Wis- 
 consin many years ago, and died in December, 1878, 
 aged eighty j'eai's. 
 
 Ebenezek Griffith came from Allegany county, 
 N. Y., to Elyria, in 1827, and in company with his | 
 brother, Luther N. Griffith, purchased the hotel built 
 by George Douglas, then standing on the site of the 
 present Union Block. After a few years the brothers 
 dissolved, and Reuben Nichols (who came with his 
 family from Vermont) became the partner of Mr. 
 Griffith. They soon erected a new brick hotel on the 
 same ground, called the Mansion House. 
 
 This was considered a fine building for that day. 
 It was two stories in height, with a veranda occupy- 
 ing the entire front, supported by massive columns. 
 This hotel was kept by the parties for many years, and 
 was the best in town until the erection of the Becbe 
 House. Mr. Griffith filled the office of sheriff for 
 one or two terms, and other positions of honor and 
 resi)Ousibility. He raised a family of eight children, 
 five of whom are living. Of these, two only reside 
 in Elyria, viz: Lomida M., wife of S. Bod well, and 
 Arvilla L., wife of Ira B. Sekins. Mr. Griffith died 
 in December, 1866. 
 
 Clark Eldred. — This venerable relic of pioneer 
 times has been noticed in preceding pages of this 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 139 
 
 history. Ue was) the son of Moses Eldred, who settled 
 two miles east of tiie village in 1813, and for many 
 years kept a hotel. The subject of this sketch, 
 t hough a boy of sixteen, was for a short time a soldier 
 ill the warof 1813. After Hall's surrender of Detroit, 
 tiiore was great alarm among the pioneer settlers 
 along the south shore of Lake Erie. They were but 
 few in number, and their dwellings were isolated and 
 scattered. The British had induced all or nearly all 
 of the Indian tribes of the west to become their allies. 
 The savage murder of defenceless families was a com- 
 mon occurrence. 
 
 The ])eople of Ridgeville, with their wives and little 
 ones, fled through the forest, driving their live stock, 
 and took refuge in a log fort that had been built in 
 Columbia. Young Eld red's father had been severely 
 wounded in a skirmish with the Indians on the Penin- 
 sula, and was borne from the field to the late Joshua 
 R. (liddings. It was under these circumstances that 
 the boy Eldred went to the front and commenced the 
 life of a soldier. The capture of the British fleet by 
 Commodore Perry, on Ltike Erie, soou after relieved 
 the pioneer settlers of all their fears, and those who 
 had joined the army returned to their homes. . 
 
 The first brick manufactured in Elyria were made 
 by Mr. Eldred. The fii'st land sold in the townshiji 
 was purchased by him; the first clearing was made 
 by him; the first frame building raised without the 
 aid of whisky was his. He was one of the first mem- 
 bers of the Methodist Episcopal church in this place, 
 and has continued a faithful member to the present 
 time. 
 
 Ransom Redington was the son of Eliphalet Red- 
 iugtou, who removed from Massachusetts and settled 
 in South Amherst, in this county, at an early day. 
 He came to this township as early as 1819, then a 
 young man. He was for several years a clerk in the 
 store of Thompson Miles, and afterward a partner. 
 He was also in partnership with Raymond Starr, after 
 Mr. Miles retired from business. In 1833 or '33, he 
 opened a dry goods store in the Ely Block, and con- 
 tinued in trade for eight or ten years, when he sold 
 out. In 184:3, he, in company with Charles Parsons, 
 iiliened a book store — the first in Elyria. In 1844, 
 they sold out to E. C. Oriswold, who continued the 
 business until 1877. Mr. Redington, for the rest of 
 his life, was engaged principally in the law book 
 trade through Northern Ohio. At the same time, he 
 purchased of miscellaneous books for himself and 
 friends every book that was rare, ancient or valuable, 
 and many choice pictures and works of art. There 
 is scarcely a pleasant home in this part of the State 
 that is not adorned with pictures of his selection. 
 He possessed remarkable taste in making such selec- 
 tions. He was also au amateur in the cultivation of 
 choice flowers, and supplied himself and friends with 
 the choicest bulbs and flower seeds. The influence 
 of such a life for good in any community can hardly 
 be over-estimated. He was a profound thinker, and 
 speculated much on theological subjects. He was 
 17 
 
 married in 1836, to Miss Pamelia Manter, sister of 
 Dr. Manter, who is still living at the age of seventy- 
 eight, in full possession of her faculties of mind and 
 memory. She is a highly cultured Christian lady, 
 and, with Mr. A. Bcebe, is the only remaining pioneer 
 of this township. Mr. Redington died May 9, 1870, 
 aged seventy years. 
 
 MEDICAL HISTORY. 
 
 Dr. John P. Butler must have come to Elyria as 
 early as 1819, as he was a voter at the first election in 
 the township in 1830. We are unable to state the 
 place of his nativity, and only know that he was a 
 graduate of the Fairfield Medical College, in Herki- 
 mer county, N. Y. He was a man of fair attainments, 
 and a faithful, attentive physician, thoroughly devoted 
 to his calling. Families who employed him had great 
 confidence in his skill, and cherish his memory. He 
 removed to his farm in Ridgeville, where he continued 
 in the practice of his profession for many years. He 
 died in 1858. 
 
 Dr. Augustus Wolcott came to Elj'ria, also, in 
 1819, and practiced his profession for several years. 
 He too graduated at the Fairfield Medical School. 
 He retired from practice and settled on his farm in 
 Sheffield in 1839. He was a man of close observation 
 and sound judgment, and his prognosis in a case of 
 disease, in the opinion of his patrons, settled the 
 question of life or death. He died of cancer of the 
 face May 17, 1841, aged sixty-one years. 
 
 Dr. Nathan Manter was born at Ashfield, Mass., 
 August 23, 1793. His father, Di-. Francis Manter, 
 died eai'ly, leaving him to the care of a devoted 
 mother, who carefully trained him for a life of useful- 
 ness. The love and care of this faithful mother were 
 met by the filial affection of the son, which was 
 strikingly manifested during the whole course of 
 her life. Dr. Manter was educated at the Fairfield 
 Academy, in Herkimer county, N. Y. He pursued 
 ills medical studies with his uncle. Dr. Nathan Har- 
 wood, of that State. When he had completed the 
 usual course of study, he came to Ohio, then almost 
 a wilderness, and settled in Euclid, Cuyahoga county, 
 in 1815. Here he secured a successful practice, and 
 remained until 1834, when he removed to Elyria. In 
 1833, he married Miss Susan Miles, mother of his 
 four children, who died November 39, 1836. She 
 was a devoted wife, a tender and careful mother, and 
 a faithful Christian. He afterward married Mrs. 
 Pamelia Clapp, who died July 39, 1848. Dr. Manter 
 was fortunate in both of his marriages; he was happy 
 in his domestic relations. Pure refinement and affec- 
 tion characterized his home life. 
 
 He had an extensive practice, and for many years 
 was recognized as the leading physican in this section 
 of the country. He was a skillful surgeon, and did 
 most of the business in that branch of his profession 
 until younger men relieved him, by his own request, in 
 the more difficult and delicate operations. We quote 
 
130 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 from an obituary notice written by a professional 
 friciul,* published after his death: 
 
 "After continuing in what is called regular practice for more than 
 thirty years, Dr. Manter gradually changed to the system of Hanneman. 
 Tliis change, while it deprived liim of the professional sympathy of his 
 former medical associates, did not deprive him of the personal friend- 
 ship or esteem of any one of them; whatever reasons or motives others 
 may be supposed to have for a similar change, no one doubted the con- 
 scientiousness of Dr. Manter. Two years before his death he was striclcen 
 with paralysis. This attack was doubtless ijrought on by the death of 
 his son. Col. Franl; H. Planter, in the army. During his two years of suf- 
 fering he e-vliiliited a remarkable degree of patience ami resignation. 
 He was tenderly cared for by his children, who witli devoted affection 
 ministered to every want. He died February 10, ISiJfJ, aged 73. Dr. 
 Manter was a close student during his whole professional life, and was 
 thoroughly conversant with the medical literature of his day. He was 
 a man of close observation, and faithful in his attention to his patients. 
 His mind was not distracted by political ambition or disturlied by outside 
 intluences. He was notouly " the good physician " to most of tlie early 
 inliabitants of the village, but their confidential friend. He was genial 
 and courteous in his manner, polite and dignified in liis social intercourse 
 with all. In short he was an accomplished christian gentleman of the 
 old school. For more than thirty years he was an influential member 
 of the Presbyterian church, and by his life he ailorned his profession.'' 
 
 Dr. Samuel Strong was educated at the Fairfield 
 Medical School in the State of New York, and removed 
 to Brownhelm in this county, about the year 1S;JS. 
 After two years of successful practice he changed liis 
 residence to Amherst, where he remained about two 
 years. In 18.33 he removed to Elyria and formed a 
 co-partnership with Dr. N. II. Manter. This connec- 
 tion continued six or eight years, wiion it was dis- 
 solved. He continued in jiractice in Elyri;i until his 
 decease. He died March 20, 1850, aged forty-four 
 years. 
 
 Dr. Strong was in many respects a remarkaljle man. 
 He was an enthusiast in his profession and obtained a 
 reputation for carrying tlirougli safely apparently 
 hopeless cases of disease. He iiursiied tlie heroic plan 
 of treatment, and would sit l)y the bedside of impor- 
 tant and dangerous cases for wliole days and nigiits 
 watching the course of disease and the effect of reme- 
 dies, and in this way would generally carry them 
 througii in safety. He was a decided optimist, always 
 looking on the bright side. This led him into some 
 unfortunate speculations, but he enjoyed the respect 
 of the community and tlie love of his friends while he 
 lived. He was warm-hearted and generous, and 
 seemed to enjoy more jileasure in performing acts of 
 kindness for others than in promoting his own inter- 
 ests. He lefta widow and two children. Mrs. Strong 
 afterwards became the wife of Mr. Otis Briggs, and 
 is still living. His daughter, Carrie, married Mr. 
 Edwin Mns.sey, who was for a long time a merchant 
 in Amherst. His son, Samuel, has for many years 
 been at the head of the great wholesale drug house 
 in Cleveland of the firm of Strong, Cobb & Co. 
 
 Dii. Asa B. Brown, a native of Vermont, and a 
 graduate of Berkshire Medical Ci)llege, settled in 
 Elyria, in IX'-Vl, ;inil soon Imilt up a respectable prac- 
 tice. In the fall of 183-1. having lost his young and 
 beautiful wife and feeling gre;itly depressed, he retired 
 from practice, and soon after took charge of the 
 Elyria High School. He conducted this school for 
 
 * Dr. Norton S. Townshend. 
 
 several }'ears, when he removed to the State of Michi- 
 gan, where he soon died. Dr. Brown was a man of 
 more than ordinary ability. Had he adhered to his 
 profession he would doubtless have ri.sen to eminence. 
 
 Dr. Kiciiard L. Howard was the successor of 
 Dr. Brown in the practice of his profession in Elyria. 
 lie was born in Andover, Vt., in the year 1809. 
 
 At the age of seventeen his father died, and he 
 was left with the care of a widowed mother. With 
 that indomitable energy which characterized his whole 
 life, he discharged the new responsibilities with \iv\\- 
 dence and entire success. He began the study of 
 medicine when ([uite young, and graduated with honor 
 at the Berkshire Medical College at the age of twenty- 
 two years. He moved to Windham, Portage county, 
 and commenced the practice of his profession, and on 
 the retirement of Dr. Brown from jiractice in 1834, 
 he came to Elyria and took his place. He soon gained 
 ;i large practice both as a physician and surgeon, and 
 remained in Elyria until 1844, when he removed to 
 Columbus, Ohio, where he soon secured a leading 
 practice. He was mainly instrumental in establishing 
 the Starling Medical College in that city, of which he 
 became Professor of Surgery. The late Lyne Starling, 
 a wealthy citizen, donated the munificent sum of thirty 
 thousand dollars, which, with an additional amount, 
 mainly furnished by Dr. Howard, was e.Kpended in 
 the erection of that beautiful college building which 
 now adorns the Capital City. 
 
 During the time he occupied the chair of surgery, 
 he visited France, and spent some time in the famous 
 hospitals of Paris. He returned, richly laden with 
 the hitest improvements in modern surgery. He died 
 in the iirime of life, at Coluniljus, .January 16, 1854. 
 He was, for several years, considered the leading sur- 
 geon in Central Ohio, and was an excellent teacher. 
 Until his health f:iiled, he edited the Ohio Medical 
 and Surf/ii-al Journal. Dr. Howard w;is. in many 
 respects, a remarkable man. Not naturally Itrilliant, 
 he made it up by his indomitable energy and perse- 
 verance, lie was ambitious, but his ambition run 
 only in the line of his chosen ju'ofession. He placed his 
 standard high, and turned neither to the right nor left 
 until he had reached the object sought. He had ac- 
 cumulated a hiindsome ]iroperty, which he left to his 
 widow and children. 
 
 A sketch of the life of Dr. Luther D. Griswold is 
 given elsewhere in this volume. 
 
 Dr. Eber W. Hubbard was a graduate of the 
 Fairfield Medical College. He located in La Grange, 
 near the time of its first settlement, and had a large 
 practice in that and adjacent townships. He re- 
 moved to Elyria, in 1838, and from that time until 
 1853, when not in public life, practiced in his ])rofi's- 
 sion. He was one of the associate judges of this 
 county, for six years, before he settled in Elyria. He 
 was three times elected to the lower branch of the gen- 
 eral assembly, and was an able and influential member. 
 He served for three years as bank commissioner, ami 
 the same length of time as fund commissioner. While 
 
>^"^:^^?§*^?f^ "^ 
 
 Photo, by Lee, Elyria, 0. 
 
 O^^^-zH^^t^ %^ >ZX<z.-a^'^;X' 
 
 The falsity of old proverbs or trite sayings are often 
 shown in the history of men. " A prophet is not without 
 honor except in his own country" is altogether wrong, as 
 applied to Dr. Edwin C. Perry. 
 
 Abel R. Perry and Lucy Ackley moved into Ohio, from 
 Ferrisburg, Vt., in 1833, settling at Ridgeville, Lorain 
 Co., Ohio. Mr. A. R. Perry removed to Elyria in 1854. 
 His family embraced six children, all of whom are dead ex- 
 cept the fiflli (whose genial face heads this article). He 
 yet remains, with his wife, at Elyria, a respected citizen, and 
 justly proud of the success of his remaining child. 
 
 Dr. E C. Perry was born at Ridgeville, as above, Jan. 
 20, 1840. The doctor owes much to the "New England 
 energy" that made and moulded so much Lorain County 
 character. 
 
 His mother, in the early life of her son, gave him the 
 liome teachings of Mrs. Adelia Ferris, who was more com- 
 petent than the common-school teacher. This, however, 
 was but limited, and not until the removal of his father did 
 he get much educational privilege. 
 
 Under the teachings of Mr. Oatman, Mills, and others, 
 at the Union School of Elyria, he distinguished himself 
 as a scholar, graduating with honors. Soon looking the 
 " problem of life" in the face, he determined to become a 
 physician. Reading medicine in Elyria the proper time, he 
 attended the full course of lectures at the Eclectic Medical 
 Institute, of Cincinnati, Ohio. With high standing he 
 graduated Feb. 6, 1861, at the early age of twenty-one. 
 Commencing at once the high function of a physician, 
 
 in spite of any and every prejudice, so often existing in 
 all communities against the " boy" who essays his marh, 
 he was not long in gaining his reputation of a " careful 
 healer," — one whose mere kindly presence ever brings re- 
 lief to the sufferer. 
 
 Dr. Perry was married May 30, 1871, to Eliza Holbrook, 
 daughter of Dexter and Jerusha Pomeroy Holbrook, both 
 of New Fane, Windham Co., Vt. Mrs. Perry's parents, 
 at an early day, moved into Pittsfield, Lorain Co., Ohio, 
 removing to Elyria, where they now reside. 
 
 Dr. Perry, with justifiable pride, remembers that his 
 wife, on the mother's side, was a great-grandchild of Gen- 
 eral Pomeroy, who, at the battle of Bunker Hill, stepped 
 into the place of General Warren as he was slain ; and on the 
 father's side, great-grandchild of Mr. Holbrook, who was 
 with General Ethan Allen at the surrender of Ticonderoga. 
 
 Not conforming always to the rule of his particular 
 school, Dr. Perry is everywhere an eclectic in its broadest 
 sense. Ever ready to consult with the disciples of other 
 schools, he lives to learn from all that which shall enable 
 him to become of greatest service to his fellow-man in his 
 profession. 
 
 As a citizen, be is notably charitable. During the war of 
 the Rebellion he procured a man to fill his place in the field. 
 He is ever ready to lend a helping hand to all Elyria's im- 
 provements. He is the medical examiner of Council No. 57 
 of the Royal Arcanus of Elyria. Possessing a reputation 
 unsullied by any act as a man, private or professional, he 
 is a living example of one of Elyria's present self-made men. 
 
Photo, by Lee, Elyria, O. 
 
 DK. CHAKLES P. GUSHING. 
 
 The early annals of Scituate, Mass., show on their records 
 frequently the name of Gushing. Francis Gushing was 
 born at Scituate, and was a ship-builder. To him was given 
 the honor of being one of the master-builders of the United 
 States ship of war the "Old Gonstitution." Gharles, his 
 son, followed the calling of a farmer ; was born at Scituate, 
 and married Miss Sally R. Thayer, whose ancestors were of 
 the Turner family, a name so common to the antiquarian 
 who studies the early history of New England. Gharles 
 and his wife, Sally R., were the parents of ten children, 
 one of them. Dr. C. F. Gushing, being born in 1829. 
 
 His early life was that of the average New England boy ; 
 work on the farm, the common school, and three months' 
 study in the select school found him seventeen years of age. 
 Then buying his time of his father for one hundred dollars, 
 the next four years were spent in work as he found it, 
 now on the form and again as a school teacher. Funds 
 thus earned repaid the debt to his father, and were used 
 for better educational privileges at Lewiston Falls, Maine. 
 
 Now with the world before him, the vocation of teacher 
 was pursued by him at the South for three years, — years 
 of much pleasure and of mental profit to him. 
 
 The spring of 1854 gave to him a new home, and greater 
 opportunities of self-improvement. With the exception of 
 a short visit to the East, the following five years were passed 
 in California. Varied was his experience there : now in 
 the city, now at the diggings, now proprietor of a hotel in 
 the mountains ; again, in connection with a friend, a tract 
 of land is taken up, fenced, prepared, and planted with fruit- 
 trees and the grape-vine. This contract was made between 
 the friends : " He who first marries, to him shall this 
 property belong." The friend gained the " ranche," Elyria 
 won her courteous physician. 
 
 Mr. Gushing commenced the reading of medicine with 
 Dr. Norman, of Suisun Valley, Galifornia. These read- 
 ings were completed with Dr. John Wheeler, at Gleveland, 
 
 Ohio. Entering the Western Homoeopathic GoUege, of the 
 same city, he graduated with honor in the spring of 1861. 
 
 Soon after taking up his residence in Elyria he engaged 
 in the practice of his profession ; his first two winters, how- 
 ever, being spent at Cleveland, where, at his Alma Mater, 
 he was demonstrator of anatomy, virtually filling that chair, 
 
 Commencing at Elyria as an exponent of the Hahnemann 
 idea of medicine, — an idea yet unpopular with the many, — 
 slow but sure was his steady progress in his profession, and 
 marked was the esteem he daily gained as a citizen. This 
 esteem showed itself in this way. Requested in 1862 to 
 form a company of " squirrel hunters," with alacrity did he 
 respond. Many a young man of Elyria will ever remem- 
 ber his departure from Elyria ; the camp of weeks' duration 
 upon Gen. W. H. Harrison's old homestead ; the thanks 
 with which Governor Tod sent them homa under Captain 
 Gushing, who as captain, physician, and friend performed 
 those various duties so well. 
 
 In 1866 he wedded Miss Mary L. Hayward, of Brooklyn, 
 N. Y. Thus did the grandson of the builder of the " Old 
 Constitution" become the husband of the granddaughter of 
 Mr. Lyman Knowles, who, at the request of " Boston's solid 
 men," built, at Amherst, Mass., the famous carriage for 
 General Jackson from the historical timbers of said " Old 
 Gonstitution." Of this marriage little Charlie alone re- 
 mains to make the parents' home gladsome, two little sisters 
 having passed away. 
 
 Now in the full vigor of manhood, with ever-increasing 
 practice ; honored by the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern 
 Railroad Company with the position of surgeon of said road, 
 after the death of the late Dr. E. P. Haines, which position 
 was filled by Dr. Gushing until general order abolishing such 
 office ; with the most courteous relations existing between 
 himself and brother physicians, no matter of how different 
 schools ; with the respect of all, as citizen and physician, 
 he lives one of Elyria's prominent men. 
 
Photo, by Lee, Elyria, 0. 
 
 FREDERICK S. REEFY. 
 
 Frederick S. Reefy* was liorii in the village of 
 Boezingen, at the foot of tlie Jura, in the Canton of 
 Berne, Switzerland, Sept. 1, 1833, and the following 
 year emigrated with his parents to the United States, 
 and located on a farm near Mount Eaton, Wayne 
 Co., Ohio. Here he spent iiis early boyhood, the 
 summers at work upon the fields, and the winters at 
 school, where he received his rudimentary education 
 in the English language, and was instructed to read 
 and write the German by his parents. Being of a 
 studious habit, he took at an early age the first 
 rank in his classes, and in a few years mastered the 
 branches taught in the district schools. In the fif- 
 teenth year of his age the family moved to Tuscarawas 
 County, near Wilmot. Here four more years were 
 spent on the farm and at school, when he began teach- 
 ing in the winter, and during the summer pursued the 
 higher branches of education. This course, alternat- 
 ing as a teacher and student, continued seven years; 
 and having acquired his education mainly by his own 
 
 * The German spoiling was Rifle. 
 
 efforts and means, he was thorough and practical, and 
 became a successful educator. 
 
 In the spring of 1860, Mr. Reefy went West, and 
 located at Roanoke, Ind., where he organized the 
 Roanoke Educational Society, and by its aid founded 
 Roanoke Seminary. In 1862 he married Miss Mary 
 Shearer. He remained at the head of the seminary 
 eight years, during which time it was one of the most 
 popular schools in Northern Indiana. In addition 
 to his educational labors at the seminary, he served 
 part of this time as superintendent of the sub-district 
 .schools of Huntington County. On account of fail- 
 ing health, in 1868, he quit teaching for a time, and 
 subsequently moved to Bluffion, Indiana, and organ- 
 ized the graded .schools of that place, and remained in 
 charge as superintendent until 1872, when he re- 
 signed, and with his family moved to Elyria, and be- 
 came editor and proprietor of the Elyria Constitution. 
 
 As a political writer Mr. Reefy is conscientious, 
 bold, and vigorous. He criticises severely and 
 commends generously. In the descriptive, his pen 
 delineates the picturesque and beautiful in nature 
 with happy effect. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 131 
 
 he was acting in the latter capacity, the legislature 
 authorized a loan of three million dollars, at seven joer 
 cent interest, provided Ohio bonds could be sold at 
 par. For some time, the bonds of the State had been 
 wortli but tifty cents on the dollar, in the New Y^ork 
 market. Under these discouraging circumstances. 
 Dr. Hubbard and the late Governor Brough (then 
 auilitor of State,) proceeded to New York and Boston, 
 and in six weeks negotiated for tlie entire amount. 
 On reaching the city, they issued a pamphlet, show- 
 ing the wealth and resources of Ohio, and the addi- 
 tional fact that, she had never failed jjromptly to 
 pay the interest on her bonds when due. 
 
 In 1851, Dr. llubliard removed to Tottenville, 
 Staten Island, where he continued in practice until 
 the time of iiis death, in 1873, at the age of seventy- 
 three years. 
 
 Dr. Hubbard was a man of much more than 
 ordinary ability. He was not only well versed in liis 
 jirofession, but as a scientist, he enjoyed, to a consid- 
 eraljle extent, a national reputation. He did not 
 commence tlie study of the national sciences until he 
 was forty years of age, and engaged in the jn-actice of 
 a laborious profession, and yet he became thoroughly 
 familiar witli the liotany of this country, was well 
 posted in geology and mineralogy, and as a conchol- 
 ogist had one of the finest collections of fresh water 
 and marine shells in the country. His cabinet at- 
 tracted visitors from a distance, and they were amply 
 repaid for their trouble. He was genial and pleasant 
 in the discharge of his jirofessional duties, and liis 
 l)resence in the sick room was cheering, and added 
 much to his success in the treatment of his patients. 
 
 Dk. NoKToif S. TowNSHENi) is still living and in 
 the midst of his usefulness. AVe do not feel compe- 
 tent to write a sketch of his life and do him justice. 
 We sliall briefly recapitulate the important positions 
 he lias held, witliout much comment. His father 
 emigrated from England to this country when Norton 
 — an only child — was fourteen years of age, and set- 
 tled in Avon, in this county, on the beautiful farm 
 which the doctor still owns. What advantages for 
 obtaining an education he enjoyed before coming to 
 Oliio, we do not know; but, after the family settled 
 in Avon, his labor was needed on the farm, so that he 
 never found time to attend even the district schools 
 of that day. Perhaps he did not need the aid of 
 teachers as most' persons do. His mind was capable 
 of grasping and mastering any branch of study that 
 lay in his way. We first heard of him as a well 
 grown boy aiding in organizing a literary society and 
 then a book club among the young people of his own 
 age, and the influence for good, especially of the read- 
 ing club, is felt in Avon to this day. 
 
 In 1837, lie entered the office of Dr. R. L. Howard, 
 in Elyria, as a student of medicine. He was then 
 about twenty-one years of age. In the fall and winter 
 of that year he attended a course of medical lectures 
 in Cincinnati. He returned to Elyria in the spring, 
 
 and continued his studies until the fall of 1839, and, 
 after attending a course of lectures at the College of 
 Pliysicians and Surgeons in New York, graduated in 
 the spring of 1840. He immediately sailed for Europe 
 and spent tiie succeeding year and a half in attending 
 the hospitals of Paris, London, Edinburgh and Dub- 
 lin. At the close of this time he returned to Ohio, 
 and, for a short time, practiced medicine in Avon. 
 
 In 1843, he was married to ]\Iiss Harriet Wood, an 
 estimable lady, and moved to Elyria. Here, as every- 
 wliere, his influence was felt. He took a prominent 
 part in organizing and carrying on the Elyria Natural 
 History Society, and delivered more and better lec- 
 tures before that society than any other person. 
 Whenever a lecturer failed to aj^pear. Dr. Townshend 
 was called on to fill the place, and he was always 
 ready to deliver a most interesting and instructive 
 lecture. While in practice he performed a number of 
 cajtital surgical operations, such as lithotomy, ampu- 
 tations of the thigh, shoulder, etc. 
 
 In 1848, Dr. Townshend was elected to the house 
 of representatives of the State by the free soil party. 
 It so happened that he and the Hon. John F. Morse, 
 of Lake county, were the only free soilers elected, and 
 that they held the balance of power between the whig 
 and democratic parties. They used this power to 
 great advantage, and, with the aid of the demo- 
 cracy, secured the repeal of the odious "black laws," 
 which had disgraced the statute book of Ohio for 
 many years. They also secured the election of Salmon 
 P. Chase to the United States senate — which was the 
 beginning of his public life — as well as the ajipoint- 
 ment of several other anti-slavery men, to prominent 
 l)ositions in the State. The doctor was understood 
 to be the controlling spirit in bringing about these 
 results. 
 
 In 1850, Dr. Townshend was elected a member of 
 the constitutional convention which formed our pres- 
 ent excellent constitution, and occupied a prominent 
 position in that body. In the fall of that year he was 
 elected a member of the thirty-second congi-ess. 
 Being a young man and an abolitionist, he was cut by 
 the lordly slaveholders, who then had a controlling 
 influence in congress. Mr. Stanley, of North Caro- 
 lina, condescended to attack him in a speech on the 
 floor, to which the doctor replied; and it is said that 
 after the reply the gentleman from North Carolina 
 was known as "the late Mr. Stanley." At the end of 
 his congressional term he was nominated for re-elec- 
 tion, but the democracy had so gerrymandered his 
 district that he was defeated. 
 
 In 1853, he was elected to the State senate. Dur- 
 ing the session, he introduced a bill to establish an 
 asylum for imbecile children and youth. It passed 
 at the next session, and he was appointed a member 
 of the l)oard of trustees, which position he held, by re- 
 appointment, until 1878. 
 
 In 1858, while living on his farm, in Avon, he was 
 elected a member of the State board of agriculture, 
 and, by re-election, this office was held by him for 
 
133 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 eight years, he being twice elected president of the 
 board. 
 
 In 18t)3 lie was appoiiitoil, bj' President Lincoln, a 
 medical ins[)ector in llio army, with the rank of col- 
 onel of cavaliy, which position lie held until the close 
 of the war. 
 
 In 18G7, he accepted a professorship in the Iowa 
 agricultural college, which position he resigned at the 
 end of two \'ears. 
 
 In 1870, he labored earnestly and successfully to 
 secure the passage of a law to establish an agricultural 
 and mechanical college for this State, and when the 
 bill passed, he was apjiointed a trustee. 
 
 In 1873, when the college buildings were comi^leted, 
 and the institution ready to be opened, he accepted a 
 professorship, and removed with his family to Co- 
 lumbus. He is still an honored and useful member 
 of the faculty. 
 
 In the winter of 1854, his first wife died, leaving a 
 son and daughter. He was subsequently married to 
 Miss Margaret A. Baily, of Clarksburg, Virginia, who 
 is a highly cultured and excellent lady, and makes the 
 doctor's home very pleasant. 
 
 Few men in Ohio can show such an honorable 
 record, and few have done more to promote the gen- 
 eral welfare of the people. Dr. Townshend is yet in 
 the prime of life, possesses a robust constitution, and 
 has, we trust, many years of usefulness before him. 
 
 Dr. Edwin Kellet came to Elyria in 1840, and 
 soon secured a good practice. He was thoroughly 
 educated in his profession, was gentle and courteous 
 in his manners, warm in his friendships, and pure in 
 his morals. He married a daughter of William M. 
 Beebe, of Hudson, Ohio. Pulmonary consumption, 
 that insatiable messenger of death, soon made him its 
 victim. He spent a winter in Florida, without any 
 permanent benefit, and, in a year or two, he passed 
 away, greatly lamented in this community, where he 
 had many friends. 
 
 Dk. Jamin Strong w;is born in Parma, Monroe 
 county. New York, November 27, 1825. From the 
 age of five until twelve he attended school in iiis 
 native village, most of the time. After his ])areuts 
 removed to Sheffield, in this county, in 183S, he at- 
 tended the common schools, and was assisted in his 
 studies, during the intervals, by his sister, who was a 
 teacher. For one year previous to his entering upon 
 the study of medicine, he studied Latin, botany and 
 chemistry. He entered the office of Dr. Eber W. 
 Hubl)ard, in Elyria, as a student, in the spring of 
 1846. After attending three courses of lectures at 
 the medical department of the Western Reserve Col- 
 lege, he graduated at that institution, in 1840. He 
 immediately thereafter commenced practice in Elyria, 
 and continued in successful business until 1870. 
 
 In 18G6, he was appointed professor of Materia 
 
 Medica and Therapeutics in the medical department 
 
 of the Wooster University, and resigned that position 
 
 in the spring of 1870. 
 
 In the fall of 1860, he was elected to the house of 
 
 representatives of the general assembly of Ohio, which 
 office he resigned in June, 1870, at which time he was 
 appointed sjiecial agent of tbo post office department, 
 and resigned the same in September, 1875. 
 
 In November, 1875, he was appointed superintend- 
 ent of the Cleveland Asylum for the Insane, which 
 position he still holds. 
 
 It will be seen that Dr. Strong has filled many 
 positions of honor and trust, aiul in every position he 
 has done credit to himself, and greatly benefited the 
 public. In his present difficult and responsible 
 office, having the care of nearly six hundred unfor- 
 tunates who are deprived of reason, he has united 
 firmness with gentleness and kindness in a remark- 
 able degree, and has manifested a high degree of ad- 
 ministrative ability. 
 
 The present physicians of Elyria are: G. R. Sher- 
 wood, P. D. Reefy and J. V. Sampsel, of the regular 
 profession. 
 
 P. W. Sampsell, E. C. Perry and G. H. Tyrrell, 
 Eclectic. 
 
 C. F. Cushing and G. F. Peckham, Ilomeopathists. 
 
 SKETCHES OF FORMER RESIDENTS OF ELYRIA, 
 
 ■WHO HAVE ATTAINED DISTINCTION HERE OR ELSEWHERE. 
 
 In the year 1855, there were in the Elyria High 
 School a class of boys who will be long remembered 
 1)V our older citizens as the brightest and most 
 intelligent of any who have passed through our 
 union schools. Their names are: Charles C. Good- 
 win, Osceola Bliss, Henry Joy, Thomas J. Boynton 
 and Charles C. Parsons. They organized a school 
 lyceum, and their debates and other exercises attracted 
 the attention iind admiration of many of the best 
 cultured minds in this community. 
 
 Charles C. Goodwin, after doing good service as 
 an officer in the Union army, during the war of the 
 rebellion, went into business at its close, in Jackson, 
 Mich., where he now resides. 
 
 Osceola Bliss opened a drug and apothecary store \ 
 also in Jackson, where he made nuiuy friends, and 
 enjoyed the confidence and regard of the entire com- 
 munity. He died young, leaving a wife and daughter, 
 greatly lamented by his friends and ac([uaintances. 
 
 Henry Joy is a distinguished minister of the 
 Methodist Episcojial church, and resides in the State 
 of Michigan. 
 
 Thomas J. Boynton was the son of John H. 
 Boynton, Esq., and was born in Amherst, August 31, 
 1838. When twelve years of age, he removed with 
 his father's family to Elyria, and was educated in our 
 union schools. He studied law with the Hon. L. A. 
 Sheldon, and was admitted to the bar when twenty i 
 years of age. He opened an office in St. Joseph, 
 Missouri, and during the winter of 1858-50, was a 
 correspondent of the Missouri Democrat. His letters 
 attracted much attention on account of their ability 
 and brilliancy. In March, 1861, he was appointed 
 by President Lincoln marshal of the southern district 
 of Florida. This office he filled with prudence and 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 133 
 
 ability for two years, when in 1863, on the resignation of 
 Judge Marvin, he was appointed United States jndge 
 for the above district. It is believed that "he was 
 the youngest person ever appointed to that position in 
 the liistory of this country." He discharged liis duties 
 with eminent satisfaction until 1809, when failing 
 liealth compelled him to resign. He hoped that a 
 change of climate would result in the restoration of 
 liis health. He spent most of liis time, after his 
 resignation, among the mountains in the western 
 territories, but without receiving any benefit. His 
 disease — which was a bony tumor pressing upon the 
 brain — steadily progressed. He submitted to an ope- 
 ration for its removal, at the Bellevue Hospital, in 
 New York. The operation was performed by the 
 celebrated surgeon, Dr. AVood, and for ten days there 
 seemed a fair prospect for his recovery; but at the 
 end of that time, inflammation set in, which soon 
 destroyed his life. His parents reached his bedside 
 while he was able to recognize them, but was unable 
 to speak. He died on tiie ad of May, 1871, aged 
 thirty-two years. His remains were brought to this 
 village for interment. 
 
 This is a brief history of the brief life of an esti- 
 mable young man, but how precions is his memory to 
 his family and surviving friends. Pew young men 
 liave left such a record. Perhaps none liave done 
 more lienor to the town where he was raised and edu- 
 cated. The following are the closing paragraphs of 
 an obituary notice published in the Missnuri Dem- 
 ocrat : 
 
 "Judge Boynton was a man of remarkable promise. He was unusu- 
 ally talented, and if health and the ability to use his faculties had been 
 granted him, he would doubtless have achieved a wide reputation. He 
 was an earnest and eloquent speaker and a peciiliarly facile and vig- 
 orous writer. When but twenty-one years of age he was employed as 
 a campaign speaker in New York, and the same year was appointed to 
 welcome Governor Seward to St. Joseph, on the occasion of his visit to 
 that city. He was for several years an able and always interesting 
 correspondent of the Misaotiri Democrat. His early demise will be 
 deeply regretted by a very large circle of warm friends." 
 
 0H.4.RLES Carroll Parsons was the son of 
 Jonathan Trumbull and Mary C. Parsons, wlio 
 removed from Bloomfield, Hartford county, Connec- 
 ticut, to Elyria, in 1827, and settled on tlie farm 
 now owned by Stephen Smith. Mr. Parsons died 
 October 31, 1838, and tlie subject; of this sketch, tlien 
 a babe six months old, witli his mother and a brotiier 
 aged five years, became members of the family of his 
 uncle, Dr. Griswold. His mother married the Rev. 
 William IJutlin, after tliree or four years, but Char- 
 ley, as we loved to call him, remained most of the 
 time in the family of his uncle, who considered him 
 a foster son. He was educated in our public scliools, 
 and was distinguished as a briglit, active boy, and an 
 excellent scholar. In 1857 he was appointed by 
 Judge Bliss (who was then in Congress) a cadet at 
 West Poiut. He graduated in 1861, and was at once 
 commissioned a first lieutenant and assigned to the 
 Fourth regiment U. S. artillery. He served a few 
 months in the mountains of West Virginia, and then 
 joined Gen. Buell's troops, who by a forced march 
 
 reached the battle field of Shiloh at the close of the 
 first day's battle, when the Union troops were defeat- 
 ed and greatly demoralized. Gen. Buell's troops 
 crossed the river as soon as possible, the army was 
 rallied and before morning took their position for 
 the second day's battle. Lieut. Parsons commanded 
 a battery of U. S. troops in that battle, wliich 
 resulted in a victory for tlie Union army, and the 
 next day a detail of officers was a})pointed to examine 
 as to the execution of his battery, who reported a 
 hundred and fifty dead rebels on tlie field killed by 
 his guns. For distinguished lu'avery in this action 
 he was promoted and made a captain. In the early 
 summer he obtained a " leave of absence," returned 
 north and was married to Miss Celia Lippett, of 
 Brooklyn, New York. Returning to duty he reached 
 Louisville, where he found communication with his 
 battery cut off by the rebel General Bragg. General 
 Terrel, then in command, made a detail of two hun- 
 dred men from the raw troops of the infantry reg- 
 iments, and ordered them to report to Capt. Parsons 
 for duty. Out of this material he organized an eight 
 gun battery. He commanded this battery at Perry- 
 ville. Gen. Jackson, his division commander, and 
 Gen. Terrel, who commanded a brigade, were killed 
 almost at his side. His men, though raw, seem to 
 have been brave, as forty of them were killed or 
 wounded. The rest, with the regiment su]iportiiig 
 the battery, retreated. His horses were nearly all 
 killed and still Capt. Parsons stood by his guns. It 
 was emphatically a one man tuittery. 
 
 At this juncture a column of rebel trooi>s advanced 
 to take the battery, and the Cajitain with his face to 
 the enemy, retreated backwards. A hundred guns 
 were raised to shoot him, but the rebel officer, admir- 
 ing his bravery, ordered them not to fire, and the two 
 officers, giving each other the military salute, Capt. 
 Parsons walked deliberately away. The next morn- 
 ing he re-took part of his battery. For distinguished 
 bravery in this battle he was breveted major. His 
 next battle was that of Stone River. Gen. Palmer 
 (since (iovernor of Illinois) says of him: "During 
 the whole day I regarded the battery under command 
 of Capt. Parsons as my right arm. My orders to 
 Parsons were simple: 'Fight where you can do the 
 most good !' Never were orders better obeyed.'' For 
 this battle he was breveted lieutenant-colonel of the 
 regular army. Soon after this battle he went to New 
 York to submit to a surgical operation and soon after 
 was detailed as an instructor at the West Point Mili- 
 tary Academy, where he remained until the close of 
 the war, at which time he was ordered to Fort Leaven- 
 worth, Kansas, where he served for two years, part of 
 the time on the plains, when he was again ordered to 
 to West Point as a teacher. While there he became 
 acquainted with Bishop Quintard of the diocese of 
 Tennessee, under whose guidance he began the study 
 of theology. He resigned his position in the army 
 and repaired to Memphis, Avhere he took holy orders 
 in 1870. He was for a time I'ector of St. Mary's in 
 
134 
 
 HISTOllY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OUIO. 
 
 Memphis, but was soon called to St. Mary's in the 
 lliglilaiuls, at Cold Sprinij, opposite to West Point, 
 lie served the ehurcli faithfully and acceptably for 
 about two years, when he was called to the Churcli of 
 the Holy Innocents, at Hoboken, N. J. He served 
 here for three years, when the death of his l)eioved 
 wife niakinn; a residence at that i>laee i>ainrul to him, 
 lie returned to Memphis, and became canon of SI. 
 Mary's cathedral. Here he labored witli the zeal and 
 earnestness, which had characterized his whole life, 
 mil ill hat fatal scoMr^-e (yellow fever) which made 
 iMem|)liis a eharnel house, took possession of that 
 doomed city. At the commencement of the disease, 
 and before it became epidemic, he sent his wife and 
 two children (lie had re-married in Memphis) to 
 friends in the country, hut he remained faithful at 
 the [)ost of duty, laboriutj night and day in comfort- 
 ing the sick and administering tiie consolations of 
 religion to the dying. We quote from an article pub- 
 lished in the Chicago Trlbiiue, written by a former 
 comrade: 
 
 " A man of polished intellect, of beautiful soul, the possessor of every 
 f^race, Parsons seemed to have been created for the sweet olltiees of 
 charity and friendship. From the outbreak of the plague until he be- 
 came one of its victims he had been constantly l^usied, {as he wrote me 
 a few days aj?<>} " in earing for the dead, the dying and forsaken," He 
 has been winning the useful victoi-ies of peace; he has stood by his 
 gnus, hni alas, the invisible enemy, less generous than the visilile, has 
 not held his tire." 
 
 Another writer, in the Matlisou (Wis.) Dniiocnit, 
 says : 
 
 " He looked death calmly in the face, and when his turn came, died 
 as a true soldier of Christ, at his post of duty. Let no one sorrow over 
 such a death. It rounds out in full perfection the record of a hero's 
 courage and a martyr's steadfastness." 
 
 The Mempiiis Avalanche says of him: 
 
 " He died to save those against whom he fought." 
 
 lie died iSe|itember f), liSTM, leaving a disconsolate 
 widow, and a son and daughter, the eldest but four 
 years of age. 
 
 Col. Fr.vniv II. Manter was the son of the late 
 Dr. Nathan H. Manter, and was born in Elyria, 
 December 31, 1^34. lie spent his boyhood here, and, 
 at a suitable age, entered the Western Reserve Col- 
 lege, at Hudson, where he remained two years. He 
 then, at the age of twenty, took charge of an academy 
 at or near Natchez, Miss., for about two years, when 
 he removed to St. Louis, Mo. He soon obtained the 
 position of clerk of one of the courts, and, while dis- 
 charging the duties of that office, studied law and 
 was admitted to the btir. On retiring from otliee, he 
 opened a law office and soon obtained a leading prac- 
 tice. He was for a time president of the city council, 
 in which i)osition "he diligently and intelligently 
 served his constituents." AVe (piote from the proceed- 
 ings of a meeting of the "St. Louis bar" convened 
 immediately after his death: 
 
 "Wlien the clouds which have since burst in storm over our land, 
 began to gather and give sign of the approaching tempest, he was 
 prompt among the foremost to promote the organization of those bodies 
 to which the successful resistance of St. Louis to the efforts of secession 
 in the spring of 1S6J. was mainly due." 
 
 We cannot better detail the subsequent career of 
 
 Col. Manter than by quoting the general order of 
 Major General Steele, issued at the time of his death: 
 
 hsadtjuarters department of arkansas, 
 Little Rock, Junk 13, 1864. 
 General ih-clfrs No. '19. 
 
 With feelings of sorrow and regret the general commanding an- 
 nounces to the troops of this department the untimely death of Col. F. 
 H. M inter, chief of staff. He died at two o'clock this morning from an 
 injury received try the falling of his horse. He survived the fatal acci- 
 dent but a few hours, and breathed bis last suri-oimded by his military 
 friends and comi>anions. Col. Manter's military career, which com- 
 menced at the commencement of this rebellir)n, reflects great credit 
 upon his character as an officer. He was energetic in raising troops to 
 st-ay the rebellion in Missouri lmme<liately after the Camp Jackson 
 affair, and first tlistinguished himself on the battle-field at Wilson's 
 Creek, as first lieutenant in the First Missouri infantry, having pre- 
 viously participated in the skirmish at Boonesville. After the battle of 
 Wilson's Creek, his regiment was transferred to the artillery service, 
 and he was promoted to the command of Battery A, which served in 
 Gen. Steele's division during the first campaign into .\rkansas, and 
 acquired a reputation for discipline and efficiency, which no volunteer 
 battery in the west had at that time acquired. In the summ r of 1862 
 he was pnimoted to the conunand of the Thirty-.second Missouri infantry, 
 and commanded his regiment in the a.ssaidt on Chickasaw Ba.vou, and 
 at Arkansas Post in Blair's brigade, Steele's division. He commanded 
 one of Steele's brigades during Grant's memorable campaign into Mis- 
 sissippi, which culminated in the surrender of Vicksburg. In conse- 
 iiuence of the arrival of a senior otticer at Vicksburg, who was entitled 
 to the command of the brigade. Col. Manter was assigned to duty on the 
 stjitif of Major General Steele, then in command of the Fifteenth Army 
 Corps, and served in that capacit.y during Sherman's siege of Jackson, 
 and the pursuit of the rebel. Joe .Tohnson, beyond Brandon, and in the 
 capacity of chief of staff he accompanied Gen. Steele on the Arkansas 
 expedition, which resulted in the capture of Little Rock and the occupa- 
 tion of the line of the Arkansas. He accompanied the command in the 
 recent operations south of the Arkansas, and had just returned from an 
 important mission, when his career of honor and usefulness was sud- 
 denly terminated b.v a fatal accident. Those who knew him most inti- 
 mately can but appreciate the great loss which the government as well 
 as themselves have sustained. He was brave, patriotic, able, inde- 
 pendent in thought and iiction, a true soldier and an honest friend. 
 By order of Major General F. Steele. 
 
 W. D. Green, Assistant Adjutant General- 
 
 Col. Manter was mtirried Sejitember 1, 18.53, to 
 Miss Elizabeth M. Redington, daughter of the late 
 Ransom Redington. She died July 2G, 1856, leaving 
 an infant son, who is living and grown to maturity. 
 So tenderly did Col. Manter cherish the memory of 
 his beloved wife that he never again entered the mar- 
 riage relation. Their remains sleep side by side in 
 our Elyria cemetery. 
 
 Biographical Sketches. 
 
 CHARLES A. ELY. 
 
 Not long before the division amongst three broth- 
 ers of a large estate, the youngest brother wrote as 
 follows: "Some men are born to business, others 
 achieve business, and some have business thrust iqion 
 them. Of this last class am I, though I shall remain 
 off duty as long as Heaven sends excuses ; and per- 
 haps when Heaven withholds, I may make some ex- 
 cuse for myself. Yet one thing is certain, when 
 action commences, even though I may be compelled 
 to employ one hand to keep both ends together, the 
 other shall always be free to grasp the beautiful, to 
 seize the true, or to return my native town what I 
 owe to a sense of duly." 
 
 I 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 135 
 
 Grandly did CHiarles Arthur Ely perfect the above 
 statement in after life. Youngest son of Judge He- 
 man P]ly, (whose early life, and whose connection with 
 the early history of Elyria are already set forth in 
 this volume,) and Harriet M. Salter Ely, lie was 
 born at Elyria, Ohio, May 3d, 1839. Of Puritan 
 stock was C. A. Ely, on the mother's side. William 
 Salter, born in England in 1(!3;5, emigrated to Boston, 
 Mass. He and his wife were members of the first 
 church established in Boston, which stood on State 
 street. As this church grew strong, from it went 
 out Mr. Salter and others, who founded the famous 
 "Old South Church." Of such descent was Mrs. 
 Harriet M. Ely, in direct line. Of New England 
 culture, Mrs. Ely trained her son in that culture, 
 which means so much. Brought up in habits of 
 strict economy, never did that son in future life lose 
 the distinction between the use and abuse of wealth 
 to which he was born. 
 
 C. A. Ely's early yeai's were spent in Elyria. After 
 usual ])rimary education, he commenced the neces- 
 sary training for College, under the Rev. John Mon- 
 teith, Rev. John P. Cowles and others, who were 
 teachers in the "old high school house," or in select 
 schools. During the year 1S4G severe disease of the 
 eyes compelled cessation from study. His charac- 
 teristic energy allowed no idea of idleness. Various 
 were his employments for the following two years. 
 At the bench of Caleb Goodwin (cabinet maker,) ho 
 improved the mechanical skill with which nature 
 had gifted him. At the woolen manufactory of Her- 
 rick Parker he soon became expert at the lo(»m. 
 Thus did he work until the fall of 1847, when he 
 went to Cleveland, Ohio, as a clerk for Clark & Mor- 
 gan, dry goods men. Returning to Elyi'ia, he en- 
 gaged in study under the Rev. C. 1). B. Mills. 
 
 March 1st, 1849, " The Elyria Academical Institu- 
 tion " gave its annual exhibition. No. 18 on the 
 programme was a colloquy — C. A. Ely author. This 
 ended any study so far as Elyria was concerned. In 
 the summer of 1849 Boston was visited for trcatuKuit 
 of ever troublesome eyes. Entering the Scientific 
 School at Cambridge, Mass., the time was passed un- 
 til 1851. During this year a few months' residence 
 in Cincinnati, Ohio, gave to him a full course in 
 book-keeping. In the latter part of the same year 
 he went to New Grenada, South America, his gen- 
 eral residence being at Carthagena. Returning thence 
 April 3d, 1S53, after a short stay in Elyria he again 
 visited C'ambridge, where most of his time was spent 
 until the fall of 18.53. In February, 1854, on the 
 division of his father's estate, he commenced the du- 
 ties of life. His own words can best express his idea 
 of such duties. "No one has more laborious posi- 
 tion to Mil than the man who finds liimself at matu- 
 rity the ])ossessor of wealth, with an earnest desire so 
 to use it that he may in the largest sense behefit him- 
 self and others." With this laudable desire, active 
 work commenced in the impi'ovement of his property. 
 
 On June 19, 1854, taking Miss Louise C. Foot, 
 
 daughter of the Hon. John A. Foot, of Cleveland, O., 
 as partner in the joys or sorrows of his future — leav- 
 ing his native land June 24, 1854, the next five 
 months were spent in travel over Great Britain, Bel- 
 gium, Germany, Switzerland and France. In these 
 travels, a mind, already highly cultivated, gained 
 deeper insight, greater lireadth. To his artistic eye, 
 the beautiful, as he Tuet it in the old countries, alwavs 
 appealed. 'J'he old and ancient, howevei', to him, 
 was only an adjunct to the vow. Everything was 
 made subservient to the one idea: "What mav I here 
 learn of farming, of science, of art, that I may make 
 useful to my fellow men." 
 
 Again at home, in December, 1854, he received an 
 injury, which, though long after, caused his death. 
 The spring of 1855 found him engaged in the work 
 that lay very near his heart, viz: the preparation of 
 his farm; the building a large stock farm; the per- 
 fecting arrangements he had made for the introduc- 
 tion of a fine herd of Devon cattle into Lorain county. 
 December, 1855, Ijrought to him the first attack of 
 disease which in the end })roved fatal. With indonii- 
 tal)le will he struggled bravely against it until waning 
 health demanded rest and recreation. August, 1S5<!, 
 saw his jileasaut household broken uj). Some months 
 were spent in travel. The winter of 1850 and 1857 
 was passed at Brattleboro, Vt. The summer and fall 
 of the same year Klyria welcomed him as resident, 
 with the exception of a short trip to the upper lakes. 
 
 For increasing ill health physicians advised a sea 
 voyage. Thus advised, Mr. Pjly and wife sailed from 
 New York, February 10, 1858, for China. A pleasant 
 voyage landed them on its shores. Visiting many of 
 its leading cities, he entered Canton just after its re- 
 duction by the combined English and Frent^h forces; 
 various the experience, much was learned. 
 
 Departing from Hong Kong in June, 1858, August 
 Gth following gave to them a new home at San Fran- 
 cisco, Cal. Mr. Ely spent nearly two years in Cali- 
 fornia — years of great uu'utal profit and physical 
 pleasure, even though marred by the ever haiiuting 
 presence of fatal disease. Here his favorite study liad 
 full scope in the great agricultural resources of that 
 young State. The result of such studies was given 
 to others in a series of articles written for and pub- 
 lished in the AUa CkiUfornian. 
 
 Leaving California July, 1860, stopping at Valpa- 
 rai o, Lima and other South American cities, October, 
 1860, he cheered Elyria again with his presence. Now- 
 full of happiness at the universal love and respect 
 showered upon him by his fellow citizens, with hope- 
 ful heart he again essayed the completion of former 
 notions, laying the foundations of the beautiful resi- 
 dence (since so fully finished by his widow). None 
 envied him; all loved him, and wished for him every 
 good. Not such his fate: fell disease made rapid 
 inroad. Unable to cany into completion his wishes 
 for Elyria, Elyria's bciicfarlor died September 30, 
 1864, leaving not only the dear wife and only son, 
 but all who had ever known him, to mourn his loss. 
 
136 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 " Wealth and social position do not always make the 
 man, but tlic two oombiiied jjive their owner wonder- 
 ful Dpiiurtiinity for use or al)Uso." Thus wrote C. A. 
 Ely, in 1853. It is a great pleasure for a friend to 
 try, in some feeble way, to show how Mr. Ely, with 
 his advantages, so used them, as to become a man. 
 Of fiTie, even commanding appearance, he was, under 
 all circumstances, the well bred man — ffeiitleitum. 
 Knowing no distinction of class or race, he who re- 
 spected himself, ever had C A. Ely's resjiect. No 
 one, however humlile his place in life, can say, ilid he 
 look u])on me witii liaughty eye. lie endeared him- 
 self to those in liis employ, by courteous treatment 
 and unvarying kindness. Tiie early teachings of a 
 devotedly j)ious moMier only enhanced his innate 
 rcligiiius idea. 
 
 Wiiilst in Boston, attending and learning from tlie 
 teachings of clergymen of different views, he writes 
 as follows: "A church, whose religion shall be a pure 
 and active humanity, is what I need. If men can only 
 be waked up and set in motion, I care not how eccentric 
 their orbit; whether one run off into spiritualism, 
 aniither into materialism, and still another into blind 
 creed worshij), the revolution is what man needs, and 
 then following a natural law, tlie orl)it will eventually 
 become the perfect circle of truth." 
 
 With such thoughts for years, he writes. May 4, 
 1860, to his wife, from San Francisco, saying: "My 
 name has been proj)ouuded and voted upon for niem- 
 bershi]) in a cliurch. I may see my duty in a light a 
 little different from those I join, still I can labor with 
 them, and be sustained by them, just as the violet 
 ray comes from the same sun, and through the same 
 atniosi)here as the yellow, or red ray, yet it has a dif- 
 ferent end in the overruling providence of heaven. 
 I shall become a member of a Congregational church, 
 where I find professions of feelings that are expressed 
 by deeds, prayers that live themselves out in active 
 charities." 
 
 Nature endowed Mr. Ely with an intense love of 
 the beautiful. 'I'his love did he express on the mu- 
 sical instrument, by his pencil and brush, and by the 
 adornment of his home by works of art, saying: 
 " These I may not live to enjoy, l)ut surely they will 
 make others happy." 
 
 As a scholar, he was wonderful in this. Ever 
 troubled with weak eyes, it was with uncomplaining 
 pain he studied. Devoting much attention to science, 
 he was elected secretary of the Cambridge scientific 
 association at Harvard University. A member of the 
 American scientific association, its annual meetings 
 were attended as health allowed. A personal friend 
 and student of Pi'of. Agassiz, and his colleagues, 
 jileasant were his relations with them. Writing from 
 Cambridge, in 1849, he says: "Will it not be curious 
 if, in the progress of science, that an electric light be 
 brought into common use. We may soon hear the 
 student talk of removing the oxidized carbon from 
 the positive and negative poles of his electro-magnetic 
 illuminator, instead of trimming the 'midnight oil.' " 
 
 His studies in science he made of great service to 
 others, while in California, where he delivered a 
 course of scientific lectures at Oakland, to the stu- 
 dents of California college. At an earlier day, he had 
 been prominent at home (for one so young), in build- 
 ing up the Natural History Society, of Elyria, and also 
 under the tutelage of Dr. E. W. Hubbard, of making 
 one of the finest collections of Ohio shells, in the 
 State. As a citizen, in its every sense, words will fail 
 to do him justice. 
 
 (Commencing farming operations, but forced to 
 leave in search of health, he writes from the distant 
 water cure: "Let my ])lans be carried out as far as 
 practicable. I shall soon return. Kec]) the men at 
 work, even if they dig up trees on my wood lands 
 and plant them on the streets of P]lyria." Returning 
 to Elyria he interested himself greatly in the Lorain 
 county agricultural society. Developing his farm he 
 became a prominent breeder of Devon cattle, and at 
 one time had no equal in the United States. His 
 herd at the Ohio, Illinois. Missouri, Indiana, and 
 other State fairs, outstrij)ping all competitors ; and 
 finally, at the United States fair, at Louisville, Ky., 
 taking the highest premiums. 
 
 I 
 
 In 1851), as a member of the school board, he 
 worked long and hard, in securing the present site 
 and erection of the union school building. Again, in 
 
€e^ 
 
 s=j^ iySBs.ni. s^UiBii'day stur 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 137 
 
 185(i, he used every exertion in liis power to com- 
 mence a public ibrary. His action proving of no 
 avail, tlirough the indifference of others who might 
 have helped him, to him, then, it became almost a 
 sacred duty to found such library. How grandly 
 this duty was performed, let the " Elyria Library," 
 lasting monument of the great heart of C. A. Ely, 
 bear witness. Its past history and its present con- 
 dition are already fully described in this volume. 
 What pen, and who so wise to use it aright, as to 
 write the future benefits that must follow this noble 
 gift. 
 
 After the burning of the Willoughby Female Semi- 
 nary, efforts were made to start a similar seminary 
 at Elyria. To this enterprise Mr. Ely gave untiring 
 work. Giving the land so beautiful, (upon which he 
 afterwards built his residence,) subscribing not only 
 money but material ; laboring with others he suc- 
 ceeded in obtaining all that was asked of Elyria, and 
 although failing in his endeavor, he had the satisfac- 
 tion of feeling that all that he could do was done. 
 
 As the rebellion broke out in 18G1, thronged was 
 the court house at Elyria just after the first call for 
 troops. Wiiat should Elyria do ? Much was the 
 talk, various the plans suggested, whereby to raise 
 men and money. Speech followed speech. It was 
 left for C. A. Ely, trembling with excitement, with 
 flashing eye to warn the assembled audience that the 
 impending struggle was to be no ei^hemeral affair, as 
 others had stated ; that the situation meant men and 
 money — money to support the families of those who 
 answered their country's call. Mourning his feeble 
 health that prevented actual service, he moved tlie 
 appointment of a committee to raise funds for the 
 desired purpoes. His princely subscription of $1,000 
 had its due effect, and many a man left that room a 
 better man, in that he had followed, so far as he 
 could, Mr. Ely's example. 
 
 Such are some of the salient features in the public 
 life of this good man. Of his innumerable private 
 kindnesses, his tender abnegation of self amongst 
 personal friends, it were almost sacrilege to write. 
 
 Charles Arthur Ely fighting all the time against 
 fearful odds, viz : depressing ill health ; knowing the 
 short tenure of his life — was remarkable for his pa- 
 tience. The writer can recall no short look, cross 
 word, or complaint, only as it proceeded from tlie 
 sadness of that so grand heart, that ever looking at 
 death as near neighbor, yet wished so much to live 
 for the good of his fellow man. Dying in the ]n-ime 
 of life, his memory is so thoroughly embalmed in the 
 hearts of his fellow townsmen, that fathers and 
 mothers will make liis life and actions an example 
 for tlieir children, and as those children's children 
 visit the Elyria library, his memory will ever become 
 more dear. 
 
 In a sermon preached at Elyria, Feb. 8th, 18.53, by 
 the Rev. D. A. Grosvenor, on the death of Hon. 
 lleman Ely, he said as follows : "I asked Judge Ely 
 shortly before death, " How would you wish to amend 
 
 your life were you to live it over ?" He answered^ 
 " Were I to live my life over again, I would do more 
 in this particular : I would do more for the commu- 
 nity and the world." Deep must these words have 
 sunk into Charles Arthur Ely's soul, for he lived for 
 others. 
 
 HON. PHILEMON BLISS. 
 
 The subject of this sketch illustrates, in a forcible 
 manner, what can be accomplished by a person pos- 
 sessing a well balanced and well cultivated mind, with 
 increasing industry and apj)lication. For many years 
 his life seemed to hang by a single thread, and when 
 he went to Florida, in the fall of 1834, in the hope 
 that its mild climate might prolong his life, his 
 friends hardy dared hope that he would return alive. 
 
 He was born in Canton, Hartford county, Con- 
 necticut, July 28, 1813. In the summer of 1821, he 
 removed, with his parents, (Asahel and Lydia Bliss), 
 to the west part of Whitestown, Oneida county, New 
 York, where, as a boy, he worked on a farm. From 
 fifteen to nineteen years of age, he was away at school, 
 most of the time; principally at the Oneida institute, 
 at Whitesboro, New York, and at Hamilton college. 
 The want of means prevented him from graduating 
 at the latter institution. Much of the time while at 
 school, he worked for his board, or boarded himself 
 in liis room. In 1833, after leaving college, lie en- 
 tered the law office of Theodore Sill, (formerly Gold 
 & Sill), of Whitesboro, where he studied the law until 
 the fall of 18,34, when, in consequence of bronchial 
 troubles, which were becoming chronic, he went to 
 Florida. At this time he was much emaciated, and 
 his cough was constant and extremely harassing. 
 
 He remained in Florida one year, without material 
 benefit to his health, when he again returned to the 
 north, and soon after came to Elyria, where an older 
 brothei-, the Hon. A. A. Bliss, was engaged in the 
 practice of the law. After reaching Elyria, he was 
 disposed to give up the study of the law, on account 
 of his health, but on its imjorovement, he completed 
 his studies, and entered upon the practice in 1841. 
 
 In the winter of 1848-9, he was elected by the gen- 
 oral assembly of Ohio presiding judge of the four- 
 teenth judicial district, which embraced the counties 
 of Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga, which re- 
 sponsible position he filled, to the satisfaction of the 
 bar and the public, until the judicial offices were 
 vacated by the adojjtion of the new constitution in 
 1851. The judges held their positions until the end 
 of t he year. 
 
 In the fall of 1854, he was elected a member of the 
 thirty-fourth congress, and re-elected in 1856 to the 
 thirty-fifth. He was a quiet, though an industrious, 
 member of congress, and gained the respect and con- 
 fidence of his fellow members, south as well as north. 
 He made several carefully jirepared arguments upon 
 the legal aspects of slavery, in its relations to tlie 
 
 18 
 
138 
 
 HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 federal government, which Mr. Sumner and other 
 leading anti-slavery members pronounced the best 
 ii[iou the subject made in the house. 
 
 In 1861, he was aiipointed, by Mr. Lincoln, chief 
 justice of Dakota Territory, but, after organizing the 
 courts, and putting them in successful operation, re- 
 signed in 1804, before the expiration of his term, and 
 went down the river to St. Joseph, Missouri, and 
 united witli the republicans in making Missouri a 
 fi-ec State, as that State was not included in the pres- 
 ident's proclamatiou, and it was feared that it would 
 continue to sustain slavery. He was employed to edit 
 the St. Jose])hZ'ff% Union, and had been down from 
 Dakota before moving to St. Josepli, and for some 
 months had written for the Daily Tribune, both of 
 which were republican papers, and eflficient in sustain- 
 ing the republican policy of the State and national 
 administrations. 
 
 In the fall of 18CS, he was elected judge of the 
 Sujireme court of Missouri, and served in that capac- 
 ity his term of four years. 
 
 In 1872, he was elected professor of law in the 
 Missouri State university, and dean of the law faculty, 
 and opened the law department, which position he 
 now holds. He has published one or more hvv books, 
 which are considered standard authority. 
 
 Such a record as the foregoing needs no comment. 
 We may add that, his oldest son, William, has been, 
 for several years. United States district attorney for 
 the eastern district of the state of Missouri, appointed 
 ))y President Grant, and has filled that dithcult i)osi- 
 tion to the satisfaction of the government and people. 
 We are proud of this Elyria boy. Some of his opin- 
 ions are said to 1)0 among the ablest in the Missouri 
 reports. 
 
 DR. LUTHER DWIGHT GRISWOLD 
 
 was born February 7, 1809, in Bloomfield, Hartford 
 county. Conn. His father, Elijah Griswold, was a 
 soldier of the revolution, having entered the patriot 
 army when but sixteen years of age. His mother, 
 Lydia Adams Griswold, was a native of Massachusetts. 
 The subject of this sketch was the youngest of a family 
 of eleven children, of whom five were boys and si x girls. 
 All save one grew to maturity and became heads of 
 families. But three of the number are now living. 
 
 His father was a farmer and horticulturist. He 
 spent a long life in collecting and cultivating the 
 cluiicest varieties of fruits of tliat day, and prolwbly 
 had at one tinu' tjie liest collection in the State. The 
 doctor was raised on the farm and acquired a taste 
 for fruitgrowing and the cultivation of ilowei-s, which 
 he has retained through life, Init circumstances have 
 prevented its gratification to any great extent. His 
 educational advantages were very limited. He at- 
 tended the common district school summer and winter 
 until he was ten years of age, and in the winter season 
 until he was fifteen. At the age of sixteen he passed 
 
 an examination, and though poorly cpialified, taught 
 a country school through the winter. He had a num- 
 ber of scholars from eighteen to twenty years of age, 
 but had no difficulty in governing the school. At 
 seventeen he determined to obtain better qualifica- 
 tions as a teacher, and attended a school of a higher 
 grade. From that time until twenty-one years of age 
 he taught every winter. While filling the position of 
 a teacher he was an earnest student, and most of the 
 limited education he obtained was acquired by the fire- 
 side and by the light of a tallow-candle. He worked 
 on the fai'm summers until twenty-one years of age, 
 at which time, with twenty dollars in his pocket, he 
 started for the west. He stopped at Ludlowville, 
 Tompkins county, N. Y., to visit a lirother, where he 
 remained and taught school for one year. In Sep- 
 tember, 1831, he came to Elyria to visit two sisters 
 who were at that time residing in that township. 
 During the winters of 1831-2, and 1832-3, he taught 
 school in the j-ellow school-house, it being the only 
 school in the place. In the spring of 1832 he com- 
 menced the study of medicine with the late Doctor 
 Samuel Strong, who was then residing in North Am- 
 lierst. He completed his preliminary studies under 
 the tuition of the late Dr. Asa B. Brown. In the 
 fall and winter of 1834-5, he attended a course of 
 lectures at the Berkshire Medical College, located at 
 Pittsfield, Mass., and at the close of the term received 
 a license from the Massachusetts Medical Society. 
 He was married on the 25th of March, 1835, to Miss 
 Jerusha H. Smith, a former resident of Elyria. She 
 died at Dayton, Ohio, on the llth of March, 1875. 
 For almost forty years she was to him a true and 
 faithful wife and a wise and prudent counsellor. 
 Though a great snfl'erer from ill hcaltli during nearly 
 the whole period of her married life, by her energy 
 and force of character, she discharged the duties of a 
 wife and foster-mother with such prudence and sound 
 judgement as to win the love and confidence of her 
 household and of her nunu'rous friends and acquaint- 
 ances. The memory of such a wife and mother is 
 blessed. In the spring of 1835, he returned to Elyria 
 and entered into partnership with the late Dr. R. L. 
 Howard. Business lieing very dull through the sum- 
 mer, the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent 
 in the fall and Dr. Griswold removed to Grafton, where 
 he continued in practice for one year. In the fall 
 of 1830 he was elected auditor of Lorain county, and 
 returned to Elyria. At the close of his official term, 
 in 1838 lie entered into ]iartners]iip with the late Dr. 
 Luman Tenney, and removed to Amherst where he re- 
 mained two years. In 1840 he returned to Elyria. He 
 continued in ]iraptice most of the tinie in connection 
 with the lat(^ Dr. Eijcr W. Ilubliard (witli the excep- 
 tion of two years which he spent in Cleveland,) until 
 the sunimer of 18(!2, when he entered the military 
 service as surgeon of the one hundred and third I'eg- 
 iment of Ohio volunteers. In 1844 the Cleveland 
 Medical College conferred on him the hoiuirary degree 
 of M.T>. In 185G he was appointed by Governor 
 
riiodi b> Loi', Klyn.i, (» 
 
 ^" ^ffC^^o/^ 
 
IIISTOKY OF LOKAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 139 
 
 Salmon P. Cliaso, a trustee of the Northern Oliio Lu- 
 natic Asyhun. In 1800 he was re-appointed to the 
 same office by Governor Deunison. He lield that 
 position for the period of ten years, and became deeply 
 interested in that as well as the other benevolent 
 institutions of the State. He was one of tlie active 
 agents in the organization of the Elyria Natural His- 
 tory Society, as well as one of the volunteer lecturers 
 before that institution. 
 
 In reference to his military services, the doctor, 
 while his regiment was stationed at Frankfort, took 
 possession of a comfortable dwelling house and con- 
 verted it into a regimental hospital, which wascompli- 
 menled by tlie medical inspector as a model institu- 
 tion. Wliile here an event occurred which may be 
 worth relating. It was during theeraof slavery, and 
 the troops were ordered to drive all negroes from their 
 camps, which order was not very rigidly enforced. 
 A poor fellow named Ben, who had joined the regi- 
 ment some forty miles in the rear, was brought to the 
 lios))ilal by the chaplain, with the request that he 
 should be taken care of. So the doctor set him at 
 work. Some two weeks afterwards Ben came trem- 
 bling into the office saying his master was after him. 
 The surgeon placed a revolver in his breast pocket, 
 with the handle projecting, so as to bo i)repared for 
 any emergency. Soon the owner came in, accom- 
 ])anied by two city marshals and a Catholic priest, and 
 said very blandly: 
 
 " You have my boy here, and I have come after 
 him.'' 
 
 " Your boy," said the doctor ; "you may be some 
 of the negro thieves that are following the army, and 
 arresting colored men in order to get the reward 
 offered. I don't know you, sir. You must do two 
 things before you can have him. First, you must 
 jirove your loyalty; and second, you must prove be- 
 fore the court your title to him, and if you, or either 
 of you, lay a hand on him before you comply with 
 these terms, I will shoot you." 
 
 After conferring together for a few minutes, the 
 owner, the priest and one of the marshals retired, 
 and in about two hours returned with two writs, one 
 commanding the doctor to appear before the court, 
 Rnd, on the owner's giving bond in the sum of sixteen 
 hundred dollars, to appear before the court at its next 
 term, and prove his title to Ben, he was to be given 
 up. The other writ was for the doctor to appear at the 
 same term, and prove his title to the slave. By this 
 time, a mob of about one thousand people had gath- 
 ered in front of the hospital, and a company with the 
 regimental band had paraded, also, in front, for the 
 l)urpose of escorting the doctor to the court house. 
 He sent them back to camp, mounted his horse, with 
 Bon at his side, surrounded by a howling mob, and 
 reported in court. 
 
 The officials were exceedingly polite, and presented 
 a liond for his approval, which probably rejiresented 
 half a million of dollars, and Ben was handed over to 
 his master. Had not the doctor been backed by a 
 
 ren;iment of bayonets, he would, doubtless, have been 
 torn to pieces by the mob. 
 
 The doctor placed his own law suit in the hands of 
 John M. Harlan — a brother of .Justice Harlan, of the 
 supreme court — who took him liefore a notary, and he 
 subscribed an oath that he was in the military service 
 of the United States, which put the case off till the 
 close of the war. In about a month, the doctor re- 
 ceived a letter from Ben's master, proposing that, if 
 he would pay the costs, he would withdraw the suit. 
 The surgeon replied that, if the court at Cleveland 
 decided, after the war, that he should pay the costs, 
 he would do so. In about a year, while in East Tenn- 
 essee, he received a letter from Mr. Harlan, stating 
 that the case had been dismissed at the plaintifE's cost.' 
 
 So ended his Kentucky law suit. 
 
 In August, 1803, the regiment, (with the twenty- 
 third army corjis,) crossed the Cumberland moun- 
 tains into East Tennessee, the rebel army retiring 
 befoi'e them. 
 
 Early in November, the Union army was all con- 
 centrated at Knoxville, indulging the vain hope that 
 they were going into winter quarters. Before the 
 cabins for quarters were completed. General Long- 
 street a])peared before the city, with ten thousand 
 troops, and the seige of Knoxville commenced. The 
 skirmishers, on both sides, were under fire, day and 
 night, for twenty-two days. Several battles occurred 
 during the time. 
 
 The battle of Armstrong's Hill was fought on the 
 the 37th of November, in which the one hundred and 
 third bore a consjjicuous part. The rebel assault was 
 repulsed, with great loss to them. The one hundred 
 and third lost, in that engagement, two killed and 
 thirty-two wounded, many of whom died of their 
 wounds.. Surgeon Griswold made temporary dress- 
 ings of their wounds, as they were brought in, treat- 
 ing union and rebel soldiers alike, and sent them in 
 ambulances to a new hospital in the city. He visited 
 the hospital the next day, and found the wounded 
 lying on the floor, in their bloody clothing, without 
 even blankets to cover them. He proposed at once to 
 take charge of his own men, and soon after was ap- 
 })ointed surgeon in charge of the hospital. He soon 
 procured, through the (piartermaster, a supply of 
 wooden bunks, and the union ladies of Knoxville, (of 
 whom Mrs. Smoyer — a daughter of Parson Browulow 
 and now the wife of Dr. Boynton, late of this place — 
 was a leading spirit,) a quantity of bod-ticks. He 
 also secured a load of straw and blankets, and the 
 poor wounded soldiers soon had comfortable beds. 
 He was also appointed surgeon in charge of hospital 
 No. 4, which contained five hundred patients, and, 
 for a time, had charge of two hospitals, containing, 
 in the aggregate, eight hundred sick and wounded 
 soldiers. 
 
 The men suffered greatly for want of ])roj)er nour- 
 ishment, during the siege, but after the seige was 
 raised, and railroad communication opened, by aid of 
 the government and the christian and sanitary com- 
 
140 
 
 HISTOKY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 missions, they were supplied with eveiything neces- 
 sary for tlieir comfort. 
 
 Ou the first of May, the twenty-third army corps 
 started on tiie Atlanta campaign. The one hundred 
 and third regiment foiiglit its first groat battle on the 
 13tli of May, at llesaca, Georgia. It went into the 
 fight tliree hundred strong, and came out witli a loss 
 of twelve killed and eighty-two wounded. 
 
 Surgeon Griswold was ordered to the rear, at the 
 beginning of the fight, to establisli a field hosj)ital for 
 the third division. As fast as hospital tents could be 
 put up, they were filled with wounded, and in about 
 three hours the hospital contaiiu'd throe hundred and 
 sixty-two wounded men. The hospital of the second 
 division, near by, contained about the same number. 
 The doctor being at the time chief operator for the 
 division, was engaged for thirty-si.\ hours, with a 
 corps of assistants, in performing the necessary ope- 
 rations and in dressing the wounds. He jierfoi-med 
 a number of capital operations, including three am- 
 putations of the thigh and two of the shoulder. As 
 soon as possible, the field hospital was broken uj), 
 and the patients sent to Chattanooga, as the army 
 had moved on in jmrsuit of Joe Johnson, the rebel 
 general. He was then placed in charge of the corps 
 hospital, wliich in about two weeks was also broken 
 up, and the patients sent to the rear. He soon joined 
 the main army, which was about forty miles in ad- 
 vance. As a line of skirmishers was kept constantly 
 in advance, who were day and night exchanging shots 
 with the rebel skirmishers, wounded men were brought 
 to the rear for treatment evei-y day, and the surgeons 
 were not idle. During this campaign, Dr. Griswold 
 slept on the muddy ground, under a dog kennel tent, 
 almost every night. It rained twenty-two days in 
 succession, and his blanket and clothing were never 
 dry during that time. 
 
 At length, after crossing the Chattahoochee river, 
 having arrived within eight miles of Atlanta, the 
 objective point of the campaign, Dr. Griswold found 
 himself so reduced in strength by the diseases and 
 fatigues of the camp and field, that he very reluc- 
 tantly resigned his position in the army and returned 
 home. After regaining his health, he again entered 
 upon the practice of his profession. 
 
 In 1865, he was elected to the Ohio senate, and was 
 re-elected in 1807. During his four years' service as 
 .senator, he was faithful in the discharge of his duties, 
 being always in his seat, and gave general satisfaction 
 to his constituents. He was princijially instrumental 
 in securing the passage of a law for the establishment 
 of the Reform and Industrial School for Girls. He 
 had felt for years that the interests of the people of 
 the State demanded a home for incorrigible and 
 vicious young girls, where they could be reformed, 
 educated and fitted for lives of usefulness. In order 
 to carry these views into effect, during the session of 
 1868, he offered a resolution for the creation of such 
 an institution, and for the apjiointment of a com- 
 mittee to fix upon a location, and to report at the 
 
 adjourned session. The resolution was agreed to, 
 and the doctor was appointed a member of the com- 
 mittee. The work of the committee was thrown 
 principally upon him, and during the summer recess 
 lie corresponded extensively with the authorities of 
 kindred institutions in this country and England. 
 Soon after the general assembly re-assembled, he 
 presented a report which attracted considerable atten- 
 tian, and a large number of extra copies were ordered 
 to be printed. The bill accompanying the report 
 became a law, and thus was established one of the 
 most beneficent institutions of the State. 
 
 After the close of the war of the rebellion, Dr. Gris- 
 wold, with many other members of the grand army 
 of the republic, felt a deep interest in the welfare of 
 the orphans of our dead soldiers, many of whom were 
 homeless and inmates of county infirmaries. At a 
 meeting of the grand army at Sandusky, in the spring 
 of 1869, measures were instituted for the establish- 
 ment of a home for soldiers' orjjhans, where they 
 could be provided for and educated. The Rev. Geo. 
 W. Collier was appointed a general agent of the 
 society, who traveled extensively thi-ough the State, 
 addressed public meetings, and collected considerable 
 money for the establishment of such a home. In 
 December following, the home was opened in the city 
 of Xenia, and sustained for several months by contri- 
 butions of the grand army of the republic. In the 
 spring of 1870, it was adopted by the general assem- 
 bly as a State institution, and Dr. Griswold was 
 appointed its first superintendent. The people of 
 Xenia and the county of Greene has donated to the 
 grand army one hundred acres of excellent land, 
 located within half a mile of the city, composed of 
 clear land for cultivation, and an ojien forest, and 
 commanding a fine view of the city. They had also 
 agreed to })ut up l)uildings for the accommodation of 
 two hundred and fifty children. The grand army 
 had erected two brick cottages, and got out timber 
 for a large liarn. Xenia put up the frame, and in a 
 very rough manner converted it into school rooms 
 and a home for the children. This was the condition 
 of things when the doctor took charge of the home. 
 The grand army had previously turned the entire 
 property over to the State. The grounds required to 
 be cleared up; tree tops, brush, chips and stumps 
 were gathered and piled in large heaps by the chil- 
 dren. The burning of these piles at night afforded 
 tliem great delight. The doctor remained in charge 
 of the home a little more than four years, when he 
 was superceded from political considerations only. 
 
 During his .administration, the number of children 
 increased from one liundred and fifty to six hundred. 
 A large central building was erected, with an exten- 
 sion to the rear of one hundred and thirty feet. The 
 basement of this contained a kitchen and bakery; the 
 second story a dining room, one hundred and thirty 
 feet in length. The third story was used for a store- 
 room, sewing rooms and sleeping rooms for the 
 employes. Twenty brick cottages were erected, each 
 
In 1822, from Geuesee Co., N. Y., came to Avou, Lorain 
 Co., Ohio, the parents of Anson Braman, who was born in 
 said county in 1811. In the year 1832, A. Braman re- 
 moved from Avon to Carlisle, where he followed the voca- 
 tion of farmer and nurseryman. In 1855 he removed to 
 Elyria, Lorain Co., Ohio, where he started the nurseries 
 now owned by J. C. Hill. 
 
 Remaining in Elyria until 1872, he went to Northport, 
 Mich., where he now resides with the faithful wife who 
 shared the struggles of his early Carlisle life. She — of 
 maiden name Miss Eraeline Vincent — was born at Mount 
 Washington, Berkshire Co., Mass.j Oct. 10, 1818 ; com- 
 mencing the duties of a wife at Carlisle in 1835. Their 
 oldest child, William A., was born at Carlisle, Oct. 4, 1836. 
 Twenty-one years were spent on the home farm. When 
 desirous of better education, he worked by the month on 
 other farms. Teaching school during the winter gave to 
 him the necessary funds with which to gratify his desires. 
 Thus passed seven years. 
 
 In 1 864 he commenced the business of live-stock dealing. 
 This he followed until 1870, J. E. Boynton and J. C. Hill 
 being partners. 
 
 The following three years found him in partnership with 
 J. E. Boynton, engaged in the purchase and sale of cheese. 
 During the spring of 1874 the firm of Braman, Horr & 
 Warner was founded, for the manufacture and general deal- 
 ing in cheese and butter, with which firm he still remains 
 connected. 
 
 This firm has become one of the largest in Northern Ohio, 
 its business averaging during the last four years two 
 hundred thousand dollars per year. Whilst buying to a 
 certain extent of others, the great bulk of the butter and 
 cheese handled by them has been and is of their own man- 
 ufacture through their control of the many factories of 
 Northern Lorain County and adjacent territory, control- 
 ling the past year the products of over four hundred dairy- 
 men, and four thousand cows. 
 
 Mr. Braman was married, April 18, 1865, to Miss Sophia 
 E. Patterson, daughter of Hiram Patterson, then of Eaton, 
 Lorain Co., Ohio. Two sons and one daughter make cheer- 
 ful his pleasant home at Elyria, to which place he came, 
 as a permanent resident, from Carlisle in 18G9. 
 
 Mr. Braman is distinguished for his untiring energy and 
 clear perceptions. These ([ualifications have made him a 
 leading business man of Lorain County, and one eminently 
 fitted for official position. Various are the places of trust 
 
 II. E. BRAMAN. 
 
 he has filled : township trustee for four years ; president 
 of the Lorain County Agricultural Society six years, a 
 full record of which is given in the history of said society 
 in this history ; commissioner of Lorain County. Ail were 
 filled with such fidelity that the reputation thus formed 
 makes him one of the present members of the Union 
 School Board, a place held by him since 1873. He was 
 one of the directors of the Savings Deposit Bank of Elyria 
 from its foundation. This faithfulness to trusts imposed 
 also gave to him the treasurership of Lorain Co., Ohio, in 
 1876, and again in 1878 by acclamation, no competitor 
 even appearing in the conventions that honored him so 
 highly. 
 
 Mr. Braman, in the prime of life, with every surrounding 
 pleasant, both private and public, may well take pride for 
 the high rank he takes among Lorain County's " leading 
 men." 
 
 R. E. Braman was born at Carlisle, Lorain Co., Ohio, 
 Oct. 20, 1838. Until the age of twenty-three his life was 
 spent on the father's farm. Hard work filled up his time, 
 with the exception of the educational advantages of the 
 common school. 
 
 A brief notice of the parents of Ranson E. Braman is 
 given in the biography of bis brother, William A. 
 
 Aug. 9, 1861, he enlisted as private in Company I, 8th 
 Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; served the first year in West 
 Virginia, and afterwards in the Army of the Potomac. Ad- 
 vanced to the position of sergeant, he was, at the consoli- 
 dation of the 4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and 8th Ohio 
 Volunteer Infantry into the 4th Battalion, made a first lieu- 
 tenant. He was wounded at the battle of North Anna 
 River, May 24, 1864. A return to the comrades of three 
 years' noble work for the Republic gave him honorable dis- 
 charge after full term of enlistment. 
 
 Returning to Elyria, August, 1864, he soon engaged in 
 whatever his hand might find. For eight years he was 
 elected to various offices in the township of Elyria, for 
 four years being deputy marshal of the Northern District 
 of Ohio. Mr. Braman was elected sherifl" in 1872, and 
 again in 1874. 
 
 He was married, Sept. 5, 1865, to Miss Helen M. Nick- 
 erson, who gave to him five children, three now living and 
 two dead. Now in active business as coal merchant, even 
 with a limb partially paralyzed by a " rebel bullet ;" in easy 
 circumstances, he forgets the early toil and struggles of a 
 " pioneer's" son. 
 
T^^. 
 
 E. D. HOLBROOK. 
 
 -^yC 'W^^^^<^^ 
 
 Photos, liy Lee, Elyria, 0. 
 
 J/<i?> 
 
 -^ 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 141 
 
 two stories liigli, and a capacity for tliirty children, 
 also a commodious and well-arranged hos])itiil, a 
 chapel, a lanndry, and a building for steam boilers, 
 which furnished {)ower for the laundry, and warmed 
 all the buildings of the institution, except the chapel, 
 which was heated by a furnace. A water tower was 
 also erected, eighty feet in height, which contained 
 tanks in the top, with a capacity for one thousand 
 l)arrels of water. From this tower water was conveyed 
 to all the cottages and the hospital, as well as to the 
 steam boilers. The water was forced to the top of 
 this tower from a clear spring stream at the base of 
 the hill, some sixty rods distant, by a steam force- 
 pump. The gas works were also located at the base 
 of the hill. The lawn in front of the main building 
 and cottages was ornamented with trees, shrubbery 
 and flowering plants from tiie green-house. The 
 children at the home were bright and happy; many 
 of them were beautiful, and attracted the attention 
 of friends and visitors. They made rapid advances 
 in their education. They looked upon the superin- 
 tendent as their second father, and will remember 
 him with gratitude and love long after he has passed 
 away. This was the crowning work of his life. 
 
 He has retired from business, and now resides in 
 Elyria, his home for many years, and the only place 
 which seems to him like home. 
 
 DR. L. C. KELSEY 
 
 is the fifth child in a family of eight children, of 
 David and Betsey (Merriam) Kelsey, the former of 
 whom was born in Newport, New Hampshire, No- 
 vember 11, 1700, the latter at Brandon, Vermont. 
 
 L. C. Kelsey was born at Whiting, Vermont, July 
 IS, 1834-. At the age of three years, he removed with 
 his parents to Brandon, Vermont, where he attended 
 the common schools, during the winter months, and in 
 the summer season, worked ujion his father's farm. 
 He subsequently entered the Brandon seminary, re- 
 maining there until he reached his seventeenth year, 
 when he removed to Ohio, and entered the pi'cpara- 
 tory department of Oberlin collegiate institute; teach- 
 ing school during the winter vacations. He left 
 college in the sophomore year, and went to Geneva, 
 Illinois, and there taught a select school, with nuxrked 
 success. 
 
 He subsequently returned to Ohio, and located at 
 Mt. Vernon, where, for two years, he studied den- 
 tistry with his brother. Dr. C. M. Kelsey. After 
 completing his studies in dentistry, he located and 
 practiced his profession at Gallon, Ohio, where he 
 remained about two years. 
 
 Not feeling entirely satisfied with that profession, 
 and wishing for a wider field of activity, in a more 
 public way, he entered the Unitarian theological 
 school, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, from which insti- 
 tution he was honorably graduated, in 1854, after 
 
 which he moved to Dixon, Illinois, and formed a 
 Unitarian society, raised funds for tiie erection of a 
 fine church edifice, and remained its pastor for almost 
 three years. 
 
 On account of failing health, he left Dixon, and 
 returned to Ohio, and located temporarily at Newark, 
 where, after recuperating his impaired health, he re- 
 sumed the practice of dentistry. From Newark, he 
 moved to Malta, Illinois; and while there, the war of 
 the rebellion broke out, and in August, 1803, Dr. 
 Kelsey entered the union service as a private m the 
 one hundred and twenty-fourth Illinois volunteer in- 
 fantry, and remained in the army until after the close 
 of the war. He partici])ated in several engagements, 
 notably those of Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion 
 Hills, and the seige of Vicksburg. After the fall of 
 Vicksburg, he was detailed as chief clerk at the 
 headquarters of Gen. Maltby. 
 
 On his discharge, he settled permanently in Elyria, 
 where he has since been a successful practitioner of 
 dentistry. He is a man of more than oi'dinary liter- 
 ary attainments, and is thoroughly educated in his 
 profession. Two diplomas have been granted him; 
 one from the Unitarian theological school, at Mead- 
 ville, Pennsylvania, aud one from the Ohio State 
 board of examiners, for the practice of dentistry. 
 
 Dr. Kelsey has been twice married; first, in 1849, 
 to Miss l^lizabeth M. Avery, of Wellington, 0., who 
 died at Dixon, 111., in 1857. By this union were born 
 two children, Harriet J. and Frances Estella, the lat- 
 ter of whom died' in infancy. For his second (and 
 present) wife, he married Cordelia Webster, of Car- 
 lisle, 0., by whom he has six children, Kate Isadore, 
 Elizabeth M., Charles S., Grace M., Ada May and 
 Florence W. 
 
 In politics Dr. Kelsey is a steadfast and consistent 
 republican. Since 1871 he has held the office of cor- 
 poration clerk of Elyria, which office he has filled 
 with satisfaction to the people at large, and to his per- 
 sonal credit. The doctor is an able exponent of the 
 Unitarian faith, and an exemplary member of that 
 religious sect. His general reputation is so wcM 
 known to the people of Lorain county, that anything 
 of a laudatory nature we could say of him would be 
 entirely superfluous. His business probity and tl.e 
 general rectitude of his life are proverbial, while his 
 activity in the various enterprises calculated to pro- 
 mote the best interests of the community of which he 
 is an honored member, is a well established fact. 
 
 WILLIAM W. ALDRICH. 
 
 William W. Aldrich was born in Dover, Cuyahoga 
 county, Ohio, October 17, 1817, — son of Aaron and 
 Elizabeth Aldrich, who were natives of Rhode Island. 
 A. Aldrich was horn April 37, 1793, and Elizabeth 
 was born December 23, 1795, by maiden name, AVin- 
 sor. Married September 11, 1814. In 1816 they 
 
143 
 
 HISTOEY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 removed to Dover, Ohio. Tlie journey there con- 
 siinied six weeks of toilsome travel. Passing through 
 Cleveland, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, only three dwell- 
 ings greeted the eyes of Mr. A. and his companion, 
 in the place of the so many fine mansions, that make 
 il now soheautiful. In the history of Mr. A. Aldrich, 
 occurs one of the rare and signal inter]iositions of 
 divine j)rovidenco, which it is jjleasurable to record. 
 Soon after his arrival amongst the woods of Dover, 
 he became disabled from excessive labor. Having 
 been reared in factory life, the labor of felling the 
 forest was too much for him? What should he do? 
 Disqualified as a woodsman; a growing family upon 
 his hands, and in a country uncultivated, unex])ected 
 as the "manna" descended for the relief of the chil- 
 dren of Israel, came a letter from a si ranger, author- 
 ized by a company of strangers. This proposed a 
 removal to Otsego county, N, Y., where he might 
 take charge of a cotton factory, with a salary of eight 
 hundred dollars per year, with house rent and tire- 
 wood free. This proposal was accepted as a godsend. 
 For several years he remaine<l in this employ, each 
 year increasing his compensation, until Mr. Levi 
 Heebe, of Watertown, N. Y. proposed higher wages, 
 wishing Mr. Aldrich to put a cotton factory in opera- 
 tion at that place. Consenting, Mr. Aldrich remained 
 at Watertown for nearly two years, when, finding 
 himself j)rovided with necessary means to found a 
 home for himself and family, he again moved to Ohio, 
 lie re-settled in Dover in 1829. Habits of industry 
 and economy secured for him a comfortable and 
 beautiful home on the shore of Lake Erie, a few 
 miles west of the romantic residence of Fx-Covernor 
 Wood. 
 
 Mr. A. Aldrich affords a commendable example of 
 industry, frugality, integrity, benevolence, piety and 
 good will toward all men. Of a sound and discrimi- 
 nating mind, ho was for many years selected as a 
 magistrate in the township. In the discharge of the 
 duties of said oflBce he was ever more anxious to 
 adjust matters of ditference by compromise than liti- 
 gation — never an instigator of quarrels, but a j)eace 
 maker. 
 
 Mr. Aldrich and wife were baptized and united 
 with the First Baptist church in Avon, Ohio, in 1832, 
 elder Hanks officiating. In 183(3 Mr. Aldrich was 
 one of the original five who met and formed the First 
 Baptist church of Dover, Ohio. For many years he 
 maintained his christian profession with uniform 
 consistency, and the jeer of the infidel was put to 
 silence by his godly life. 
 
 Died, in Dover, on May 27, 1850, Deacon Aaron A. 
 Aldrich, aged sixty-three years and one month. In 
 his decease the Baptist church sustained an irre- 
 parable loss in member and office bearer; community 
 mourned the loss of one whom all joined in saying, 
 "he was truly a good man." To his family he was 
 ever dear, and liis memory is ever hallowed at the 
 family altar which he so constantly visited, no matter 
 what the pressure might be of worldly business. Six 
 
 children are now grown to maturity and mostly set- 
 tled in life. Two of these are companions of Baptist 
 ministers in this State. 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Aldrich died December 21, 1800. 
 Slu^ was a faithful christian worker, was always kind 
 to the poor and needy, and ever ready and willing to 
 supply their needs. 
 
 William W. Aldrich, son of Aaron Aldrich, received 
 the advantages of a good common district school ed- 
 ucation until twelve years of age. Three years after 
 that he attended school during the winter months. 
 Will) this exeejition, In^ fi'oui choice, worked I'aitli- 
 fully for his father until he was trwenty-one years of 
 age. These early years were spent in clearing up the 
 forest, making roads, tearing down the old log dwell- 
 ing, and re])la,cing it with new structures. Often did 
 he work until midnight to burn the log heap rolled 
 together during the day. Homespun garments he 
 wore, homespun tow and linen in summer, the fuller 
 cloth in winter. Well does he remember the yoke of 
 cattle and lumber wagon that, filled with father's 
 family and neighliors, he so often drove to the old 
 town house in Dover, where all denominations met 
 under one roof to worship a common father. 
 
 At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Aldrich hired to his 
 father for the term of one year, at eleven dollars per 
 month; losing but a half day's time once in four 
 weeks — this to attend covenant meetings. 
 
 February 5, 1840, Mr. Aldrich was married to Miss 
 Martha Bassett, daughter of Nathan Bassett, of Dover. 
 Renting his father's farm, he worked it for one year, 
 receiving one-third of its i)rodncts for his share. At | 
 this time, with twenty-five dollars as first payment, 
 he ccmimenced on a farm of his own. Five years, 
 only, jiassed, when he was the owner of seventy-five ] 
 acres of land. From this time, while he renuiined in 
 Dover, he was ever active in business. His good wife, 
 in every sense of the word a heljimate, by her wisdom 
 and prudence, contributed largely to the success which 
 followed. 
 
 Soon after the death of Mrs. Aldrich's father, who 
 was killed by lightning, April 0, 1842, Mr. Aldrich 
 took possession of the "old homestead," buying up 
 the othei' heirs. To this valuable farm of one hun- 
 dred and sixty-eight acres, he added many other acres. 
 
 Commencing, in 1844, in a small way, the slaughter- 
 ing business, increasing trade led him to build a 
 slaughter house, from which, for twenty-five years, he 
 supplied Cleveland markets. At the same time, he 
 was engaged on Lake Erie in a general coastwise 
 trade. Wood and ship i)lauk from Black River to 
 Cleveland, limestone from Kelly's Island, and coal to 
 Detroit, kept busy three scows — the " Mayllower," 
 pui'chased of Livingstone & Pheljis, of Black River; 
 the scow " Consuello," of the same place; and finally, 
 the scow "Wave," of Fairport, Ohio. All tliese ven- 
 tures added to his capital, which he employed in gen- 
 eral speculations; dealing largely in horses, cattle, 
 sheep — in fact, in any thing that could be traded or 
 sold. 
 

 V \^ 
 
 iMRS. M. W. POND. 
 
 Residence ofMARTIN W.POND.WestAve^lyria, 0. 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 143 
 
 In the spring of 1870, Mr. Aldrich removed to 
 Elyria, where he purchased of Thomas Ashton the 
 well known Charles Ahbe farm, paying for tlie same 
 nine thousand doUars. Of Mr. Ashton he also bouglit 
 a few thorough bred Hereford cattle, since which 
 time he has made the breeding of that class a success- 
 ful specialty, until the present day. Mr. Aldrich, 
 wlien he first commenced the handling of Hcrefords, 
 found it to be an " up hill " business. At town, 
 county, or State fair, public opinion was against Iiim; 
 but his energy, skill, and business courtesy, soon set 
 men everywliere to thinking. And now, (as the old 
 Grecians marked a happy day with a wliite stone,) 
 Mr. Aldrich. in his travels through many States, finds 
 very many white-faced Herefords tliat say to him, 
 "Your toil and patience have made me worthy of 
 notice." The issiie of the first cow, "Florena," 
 alone brought Mr. Aldrich two thousand, five hun- 
 dred dollars. Competing at many of the State fairs, 
 his success has been unequalled, and to-day, Mr. W. 
 W. Aldrich is recognized as the leading Hereford 
 breeder of the United States, with only one exception, 
 viz: Mr. T. L. Milhu', of Illinois, who purchased liis 
 first stock of Ml'. Aldrich. 
 
 Martha, the first wife of Mr. Aldrich, died Novem- 
 ber 39, 1875, leaving eight cliildren to mourn the loss 
 of one, who, as wife, motlicr, and member of tlie 
 Congregational cliurch, filled well every function of 
 the true woman. 
 
 On January 21, 1878, Mr. Aldrieli took for his 
 second wife Mrs. Lorinda Hilliard, of La Crosse, Wis- 
 consin, witli whoui he is happily living. In lier 
 younger days, slie was a resident of Avon, Lorain 
 county, Ohio. For a time after her marriage witli 
 Mr. Hilliard, tliey resided in Avon and Dover, where 
 they formed many strong friendships. After an ab- 
 sence of twenty years in Wisconsin, ten years as a 
 widow, surrounded by a happy home, kind friends, 
 and a large circle of acquaintances, all of whom were 
 reluctant to part with her, yet wishing her every joy 
 and all happiness, they bade her farewell, as with her 
 husband she returned to the friends of her youth. 
 Mrs. Aldrich, in her fourteenth year, professed her 
 faith in Christ, and united with the Methodist Epis- 
 copal church, and has ever since lived a consistent 
 christian life. 
 
 Mr. W. W. Aldrich, on profession of his faith, was 
 baptized by Elder Moses Ware, and united with the 
 First Baptist church, at Avon, Oliio, A. D. 183.5, 
 which membership he retained until .January 37, 18;:!(3. 
 At that time tour brethren, viz: A. A. Aldrich, Wm. 
 W. Aldrich, Jesse Atwill, Wm. Nesbit, and Sister 
 Alexander met in confei'ence, and resolved, with the 
 I advice of sister churches, to form a church in Dover. 
 Said conference met February 34, 18.36, and formed 
 j said church, Elder Ware giving the "right hand of 
 fellowship."' 
 
 On the 5th of March following, this little band met 
 for church and covenant meeting, and voted Mr. W. 
 W. Aldrich clerk of their body, which office he held for 
 
 nine years. To this church did Mr. Aldrich belong 
 until 1856, when, on the death of his father and the 
 removal of many of the members, the church was 
 disbanded. Mr. Aldrich has never since united with 
 a church, but has ever lived and maintained his first 
 profession, by a well ordered life, and godly conver- 
 sation. 
 
 Mr. Aldrich is yet hale and hearty, with a pleasant 
 home, dear wife, kind children, and stands out as an 
 example of what integrity, temperauco, and economy 
 may do for a man. 
 
 MARTIN WEBSTER POND 
 
 Was born in Harwinton, Connecticut, on the 12th of 
 March, A. D. 1814. His father, Roswell Pond, was 
 born July 15, 1772. His mother's maiden name was 
 Hannah Webster. Mr. Pond descended from revolu- 
 tionary stock, his grandfather (who was born at 
 Bradford, Connecticut, in 1746) was a soldier of the 
 Revolution, under Washington, and died on Long 
 Island, July 8, 1776. 
 
 In April, 1835, his sister, Lydia Pond, was married 
 to Ezra S. Adams, a son of General Adams, of Canton, 
 Connecticut; and as they were about to emigrate to 
 New Connecticut, which was then considered the far 
 west, she prevailed upon his father and motlier to 
 permit them to take Martin (then but eleven j-ears 
 old) with tlicm. They traveled the entire distance 
 from Canton to Elyria with a single horse and wagon. 
 Mr. Adams arrived at Elyria, the terminus of his 
 journey, on the 1st of .July, and established the first 
 saddle and harness manufactory in Lorain county. 
 Their goods were shipped by the Erie Clanal and Lake 
 Erie, and were landed at Cleveland the last of June. 
 
 Martin had attended the common schools of his 
 native State, and the first winter after his arrival in 
 Elyria attended the district school, taught by Norris 
 O. Stow. He afterwards, until sixteen years of age, 
 attended the district school in the old yellow .school 
 house, and for a single term, the select school taught 
 by the late Schuyler Putnam. 
 
 He then entered the shop of his brother-in-law, the 
 late E. S. Adams, as an apprentice, and worked faith- 
 fully until he had completed his twenty-first year. 
 Soon after attaining his majority, he left Elyria for 
 the purpose of perfecting himself in the art of saddle- 
 making, in which he took great pride. During his 
 absence, he worked at Cleveland, Deti'oit, Wheeling, 
 Va., and other places. He returned to Elyria at the 
 end of two yeais, w'ith impaired health, but with a 
 consciousness that he was capable of nuiking a good 
 saddle. After his health was in a measure restored, 
 he again engaged in the business of his trade, which 
 he followed until the year 1852. During these years, 
 he formed various partnerships, at first with B. F. 
 Robinson, secondly with Waterman Morse, and after- 
 ward with the late William Doolittle. 
 
 By the advice of physicians, in June, 1852, Mr. 
 
144 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Pond left Elyria for California, by the Nicaragua 
 route. T?einif delayed tweuty-one days on the isth- 
 mus, where he was attacked with Panama fever, he 
 finally, aftei- a tedious voyage of sixty-six days from 
 th(^ t ime of leaving home, arrived at San Francisco in a 
 very feeble condition. He gradually recovered his 
 health, and engaged in mining, his head-quarters 
 being at Nevada City. He returned to Elyria, via 
 the Panama route in June, 1853, and again entered 
 into partnership witii Waterman Morse, in carrying 
 on the saddlery and harness business. This connec- 
 tion terniiiuited at the end of a year, and Mr. Morse 
 conducted the business alone. In March, 1858, the 
 fire that swept away the old Mansion House, destroyed 
 also the adjoining liuilding l>olonging to Mr. Pond, 
 which he immediately rebuilt, and in January, 1859, 
 he engaged in his old business, which he continued 
 until 1870, when he engaged in the manufacture of 
 a harness pad, for which he had obtained a patent. 
 In 1802, he invented the first successful tug buckle, 
 to the sale and introduction of which he gave much 
 attention until 1870. 
 
 On the tenth of December, 18-35, the subject of our 
 sketch married Miss Eliza J. Sayles, who was born at 
 Mayville, Cliatau([ua county, N. Y. They have been 
 blessed with a family of five sons and one daughter. 
 One of the sous died in childhood, another, Horace, 
 from disease caused by exposure and arduous duties 
 in the Union army during the late rebellion. Three 
 sons are living and filling responsible positions in 
 business. I'he daugiiter is married and i« a good wife 
 and mother. 
 
 Mr. Pond has filled many positions of honor and 
 trust conferred on him by his fellow citizens. An 
 ardent Mason, he has filled many offices in the differ- 
 ent branches of that order. lie has beeu treasurer of 
 Marshall Chapter, No. 47, for fifteen consecutive years. 
 In 1841, he assisted in forming at Elyria a lodge of 
 the " Mechanic's Mutual Protection," an order 
 founded for the benefit of practical mechanics. It 
 held weekly meetings, at most of which lectures were 
 delivered, and the association was supplied with books 
 and other means of improvement. Perhaps no insti- 
 tution has exerted so permanent an inlluence for good 
 upoi\ the citizens of Elyria as the lodge above referred 
 to. The organization of our present excellent system 
 of union schools, was to a great extent effected 
 through its influence. On the passage of a bill by 
 the general assembly for the founding of union schools, 
 this institution, through a committee,, ejjrresponded 
 with the friends of education in other ci^ie84n regard 
 to the merits of such schools in their midst. The 
 Protection then appointed a committee consisting of 
 Mr. Pond and Thomas Quark to obtain the signa- 
 tures of six freeholders to a call for a public meeting 
 none of them to be members of the Protection. After 
 three days of hard labor they obtained the following 
 signatures: Robbins Biirrell, Roswell Snow, N. H. 
 Manter, Ilurriek Parker, Tabor Wood, and William 
 Olcott, none of them members of the Protection but 
 
 Herrick Parker, and he was accepted because the 
 committee could not obtain the requisite -number out- 
 side the order. The meeting was held at the court 
 house in Elyria, on the 24th of May, 1850; a favora- 
 ble vote was secured, and thus, by the untiring and 
 persistent work of tlie protection our union schools 
 were established. 
 
 To this protection is Elyria also indebted in a great 
 degree for her present fine side-walks, and the intro- 
 duction of fire cisterns. 
 
 Such is a brief record of the life of Mr. Pond. 
 With a competency won by honest labor, and enjoy- 
 ing the respect of his fellow citizens, he may be classed 
 among the representative men of Elyi-ia. 
 
 HON. STEVENSON BURKE. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in St. Law- 
 rence county, N. Y., November 20, 1820. In March, 
 1834, his father I'emoved from New York to Ohio, 
 and settled in North Ridgeville, Lorain county, where 
 he resided uj) to the time of his decease, in August, 
 1875. The subject of this sketch had in early life 
 such facilities as the common schools of the time 
 afforded, which consisted of about ninety days of very 
 indifferent instruction in tiie winter, and none during 
 the rest of the year. At about the age of sixteen, he 
 iuid the benefit of instruction in a very good select 
 school at Ridgeville Center; and afterwards he studied 
 several terms in a private school, conducted by T. M. 
 Oviatt, at Elyria. Later still, he studied a year or so 
 at Delaware University, where, in 1846, he commenced 
 the study of law with Messrs. Powell & Buck. In the 
 spring of 1848, he returned to Elyria and completed 
 his studies, preparatory to admission to the bar, under 
 the instruction of Hon. II. D. Clark, and was admitted 
 to practice by the supreme court August 11, 1848, 
 and at once commenced the practice at Elyria. In 
 April, 1840, Mr. Clark, who was then one of the most 
 prominent and successful lawyers at the bar in Lorain 
 county, admitted him into a copartnership, whicii 
 continued up to May, 1852. 
 
 We have thus in a few lines sketched the career, uj) 
 to the time he commenced the practice of the law 
 alone, of one who, for more than twenty-five years, 
 iuis occupied a very prominent jiositiou at the bar in 
 Northern Ohio. From 1852 to February, 1802, Mr. 
 Burke devoted himself to the practice of his profession 
 with such zeal and devotion to the interests of his 
 clients, a^ to merit and command success. There 
 were few cases tried in the court of common pleas, or 
 district court of Lorain county, or in the supreme 
 court taken from Lorain county, in which he was not 
 engaged. His industry and attention to business were 
 rare and almost exceptional. He spent no time in 
 idleness, and his patrons were always sure to find 
 him in his office in business hours, unless engaged in 
 business elsewhere. His close attention to business 
 
 I 
 
^^^^..-^.^^ 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 145 
 
 iuul sodeiitiiry habits affected seriously his health, aud 
 in 1801 he found his health so seriously impaired as 
 to render a change of business necessary; and his 
 friends having secured his election as one of the 
 judges of the court of common pleas of the fourth 
 judicial district of Oiiio, he gave up his practice and 
 entered upon the discharge of his duties as judge. 
 After serving a term of live years to the satisfaction 
 of the bar and tlie ])eople, he was re-elected in 1806 
 for a second term, lie served, however, but two years 
 of his second term, when, having regained his health, 
 he resigned his position as judge, .January 1, 1809, 
 and at once commenced the practice of law in Cleve- 
 land, in partnership with Hon. F. T. Backus and 
 E. .J. Este]), Esq. Tlic copartnership was dissolved 
 by the death of xMr. Backus, in May, 1870, but was 
 continued with Mr. Estep until the winter or spring 
 of 1875, since which time he has practiced alone. 
 His practice in Cleveland has been a very successful 
 one. lie has been constantly engaged in the courts 
 and in his office, and during the last ten years has 
 probably tried as many cases of importance, involving 
 large amounts of money or property, as any lawyer in 
 Northern Ohio. He has during that period argued 
 many cases in the supreme court of the State of Ohio, 
 several in the United States supreme court, and in 
 the supreme courts of adjoining States. The history 
 of the profession in Northern Ohio furnishes few 
 examples of a more sncoessful practice. 
 
 In addition to his professional business. Judge 
 Burke has devoted much attention to other business; 
 he is now, and has been for several years past, a 
 director and chairman of the finance and executive 
 committee of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati 
 and Indianapolis Railway Company, and its general 
 connsel. He has held for several years and still holds 
 the position of director, general counsel and chairman 
 of the finance and executive committee of the Cleve- 
 land and Mahoning Valley Railway Company, and he 
 is also the representative in this country of all the 
 stock of the hist-named corajjany, it being owned in 
 Europe. He is also the representative of the owners 
 of tlie stock of the Shenango and Allegheny Railroad 
 Company, and also of the Mercer Mining and Manu- 
 facturing Company, and a director in both of the last- 
 named comi)a-uies. He has been for some time a 
 director of the Cincinnati, Springfield and Indian- 
 apolis and St. Louis railroad companies. He has also 
 for several years been a director of the Lake Shore 
 Foundry and director and president of the Cleveland 
 and Snow Fork Coal Company, both large private 
 corporations. 
 
 Tiie foregoing is a very brief outline of a very 
 active professional and business life. It is too early 
 yet to compare the subject of this brief sketch with 
 others, or go into detail in regard to his professional, 
 judicial and business career; he is still in the prime 
 of Ufe; time has dealt gently with him, and his ap- 
 liearance indicates that he has many years of active 
 life still before him. 
 
 19 
 
 ELWOOD P. HAINES. 
 
 A mother dying at Bordentown, N. J., left an only 
 child, Elwood P. Haines, three months of age, who 
 was born March 4, 18.34. Soon after her death, Mr. 
 Haines, with his mother and little son, came to Ohio, 
 where they settled, in Deerfield, Portage county. 
 Engaging in farming, this young life had every ad- 
 vantage of nature's kindly teachings; and the aspira- 
 tions which grew with his years, had their beginning 
 here. He early turned his attention toward a pro- 
 fessional life; and to this end he availed himself of 
 the excellent advantages afforded by an academy in a 
 neighboring town, where he studied for years pre- 
 paring for Western Reserve College. These prepara- 
 tions were finished under the instructions of Rev. 
 Elias C. Sharp, a man of blessed memory in Atwater. 
 He went through his college course and received his 
 diploma at its close with honor to himself — ever a joy 
 and delight to his friends. Having concluded to 
 study medicine, he went into the office of Dr. Dudley 
 Allen, now of Oberlin, where he remained some time, 
 after which he took a course at Michigan University, 
 where he graduated, receiving also the degree of M.D. 
 from the Cleveland Medical College. 
 
 Then came the war of the rebellion. He waited not 
 for high position, but at once enlisted as hosjjital 
 steward. The duties of this office were so well per- 
 formed, that on March 2, 1803, he was appointed 
 assistant surgeon of the Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer 
 Infantry. A letter from the surgeon-general of Oliio, 
 dated August 2d, 1804, says as follows: 
 
 *' Enclosed, please find your commission as major surgeon of the 
 Twenty -ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a promotion conferred for long 
 and meritorious services." 
 
 His merit was recognized by Order No. 4, Jane 
 1805: 
 
 "Surgeon E. P. Haines, Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteers, is hereby an- 
 nounced as surgeon-in-chief of brigade. General Wm, Hawley, com- 
 manding." 
 
 With such record did Dr. Haines leave the service 
 of his country, June 36, 1865. His life in the army 
 was characterized, as in all other circumstances, by 
 purity and integrity in every particular. 
 
 At the close of the war he settled with his wife, 
 whom he had married while on furlough, at Orwell ^ 
 Ashtabula county. Here he entered at once into the 
 hard work of the practice of medicine in the country. 
 He was so(m called to the bitter trial of losing his 
 wife, who left him a little daughter, still living, 
 although those who loved her so fondly then, have 
 gone the way of all the earth. 
 
 Broken up in his domestic matters, he bethought 
 him of an old schoolmate who had long been a teacher 
 in Kentucky; finding her, he soon realized "a sweet 
 dream of his boyhood," for she became his wife in 
 March, 1870. Soon after they came to Elyria, where 
 Dr. Haines was the successor of Dr. Jamin Strong, 
 whose residence and office he purcliased. By this 
 . marriage there were two children, both daughters. 
 One led the way and waited for "papa" in the better 
 land, and one still cheers her mother's widowed heart. 
 
146 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Dr. Haiiios dicfl Oct.oI)cr 34, 1877, at. the age of 
 forty-three and a half years. His work was done, 
 and he rests from his labors. One who trusted his 
 life with Dr. Haines may not be an impartial judge, 
 yet it is his duty, aye, pleasure, to say that, as a man, 
 he performed every dnty with true manhood; as a 
 member of the Presbyterian chureh, l)ig()try was no 
 element in his religious thought; as a (ntizen, he was 
 true to the best interests of his coutitry and to all the 
 relations of life; as a pension surgeon and surgeon of 
 the Lake Shore and Michigan Souliiern Kailmad, he 
 was faithful and elH(tient; as a physician, he was ever 
 welcome, with genial face and kind attention. 
 
 Let the kind relations ever existing between him 
 and his brothers in the practice of medicine — let the 
 many to whose ills he ministered, who, with weeping 
 eyes, paid their respect to a good and true man, when 
 all joined in the sad rites that gave him rest — testify 
 to the goodness and beauty of his cliaracter. Beloved 
 by all, Elyria mourns the loss of Dr. Haines. 
 
 EDWIN DORR HOLBROOK. 
 
 It is but a labor of love to trace from the earliest 
 boyhood days the development of tiiose principles 
 which made prominent the brief but eventful life of 
 Edwin Dorr Holbrook. He was born in Elyria, Lo- 
 rain county, Ohio, October 10, 1S3.5, is a son of Dex- 
 ter and Jeruslia Holbrook, grandson of Captain Hol- 
 brook and Tyler, Avho entered Fort Ticouderoga with 
 Ethan Allen; also great-grandson of Cfeneral Seth 
 Pomeroy, of Bunker Hill fame. 
 
 Before scarcely attaining to the dignity of boys' 
 apparel, while surrounded by his pets upon his 
 father's farm, the proceeds of his first sale was, " to 
 buy a new dress for my mother." This was the key- 
 note of an unselfish life — " not for myself, but tor my 
 mother, to whom I owe so much." 
 
 Here he received his rudimentary education, and 
 became familiar with nature in its various forms; 
 studying the habits of Ijirds, bees and animals; loving 
 flowers; training the woodbine and wild rose around 
 the farm-house; skilled in huuting, skating, l)oating 
 and swimming, a knowledge which enabled him to 
 rescue many from watery graves, — once returning 
 hatless and coatless, after saving King Barton and 
 a companion. Again, hearing that Mr. Snow's son 
 was drowning in the presence of a crowd of anxious 
 friends, he leaped into the swollen tide. For a time, 
 they believed him lost. Soon his voice was heard: 
 "Is this the rUjht dircrtion ? " Again he disap])eared; 
 again they believed him drowned, being caught l)y the 
 death struggles of the boy, and drawn under; but by 
 almost superhuman exertions, he bore the lifeless form 
 to the shore. 
 
 This unflinching bravery, daring to face any danger 
 for the accomplishment of good, characterized the 
 boy as well as the man. Fun and frolic entered 
 
 largely into his compositiou, and he was the acknowl- 
 edged leader in boyish tricks. He was one of a class 
 of boys who seemed moulded for future action by that 
 ripe .scholar, C. D. B. Jlills. He ever cherished his 
 memory, and, in after years, expressed the wish that 
 he might travel with him as his companion. Studied 
 law with his brother-in-law. Judge T. S. Johnson, 
 and with Judge Rex, of Wooster; was admitted I\Iay 
 7, 1857; opened an office in Elyria, and continued his 
 studies, including German. In early life he was a 
 constant reader; history, poetry and the writings of 
 our early statesmen were carefully studied, as his well 
 worn books evince. His room at his father's house 
 was filled with books, pa])ers and speeches, which 
 were very familiar to him. Burn ami In-ed in the 
 democratic faith, he struggled, even during his 
 minority, for the success of that party. 
 
 June .'3, 1801, he bade adieu to home and friends, 
 and sailed for California, where he remained one year 
 with his brother, practicing law, when, with thous- 
 ands, who in conse((uence of the overflow of the 
 Sacramento river and the almost fabulous tales of the 
 richness of the Salmon river mines, he emigrated 
 northward a distance of eight hundred miles. May 
 16th, 18G3, he wrote : 
 
 " I start to-morrow astride a mule which carries myself, bed and 
 provender, off into a wilderness, over mountains and dangerous moun 
 tain streams, through a country where the red man lies in ambush to 
 bear my scalp to the maid be loves But I am young, have a life be- 
 fore me, and desire making my fortune as quickly as possible, and to 
 see something of this country. I only care for life that I ma^' make 
 you all bappy and independent. If I succeed all isjyuurs— if I fail I 
 want no mourners." 
 
 During the next three years, before the perfect system 
 of mail communication was established, occasional 
 letters and rumors reached his home-friends, of jieril- 
 ous adventure ; his narrow escape from a snow-slide 
 by leaping from his horse, which was bnried under a 
 pitiless .sheet of snow and ice ; his traveling over nar- 
 row, precipitous mountain trails to fulfil professional 
 engagements. In December, ISC'), he took his seat 
 as the youngest memlier of the thirty-ninth congress. 
 As a member of congress he labored zealously for the 
 development of his beloved mountain home — Idaho ; 
 for appropriations for the perfection of mail routes 
 and roads, for the building of the assay office and 
 penitentiary ; also was ever laboring for the construc- 
 tion of the Northern Pacific Railroad, in the inter- 
 est of which he addressed the caj)italists of Boston. 
 After having faithfully labored for the development 
 of his territory for two successive terms in congress, 
 bidding adieu for the last time to his home friends. 
 May 2Gth, 1809, he crossed for the eightli time the 
 plains to his mountain home where a demonstration 
 awaited him. He at once opened a law office at Boise 
 and Idaho City, and engaged actively in his practice. 
 Laboring as before for everything pertaining to the 
 advancement of Idaho, which he hojied would soon 
 attain to the dignity of a State, in the midst of ;i 
 successful professional career, with light hopes of the 
 future, at the close of the summer day, June 18th, 
 1870, while resting with his feet upon the railing in 
 
 I 
 
^ V»/,^^ j;,^,/rf -W'"' 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 
 
 ELYRIA. 
 
 HOUSTON H. POPPLETON. 
 
 Houston H. Poppleton w;is born near Bellville, 
 Eicliland county, Ohio, March 19, 1830, and is the 
 3'Oungest son of Rev. Samuel and Julia A. Poppleton. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Poppleton was born in the State of 
 A'ermont. July '2, 1793, but while quite young moved 
 with Ins father to Genesee county. New York, where 
 he lived until 1820, when he moved to Ohio. He 
 lived in Richland county, Ohio, from 1822, until 
 March, 1853, when he moved to Delaware, Ohio, 
 where he continued to reside most of the time until 
 his death, wliich occurred at Delaware, September 14, 
 1804. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and 
 served with honor and distinction. Shortly after its 
 close he entered the ministry of the Methodist Epis- 
 copal church, and continued to preach, as his health 
 would permit, for nearly fifty years. He was twice 
 married. His first wife was Miss Parthenia Stein- 
 back, of Genesee county. New York, and his second, 
 Miss Julia A. Smith, of Richland county, Ohio. By 
 the first marriage, four children were born, to wit: 
 Rowena L., intermarried with F. W. Strong, of Mans- 
 field, Ohio: Samuel D., killed in 18G4, at the battle 
 of Atlanta, Georgia; Mary Ellen, intermarried with 
 Daniel Fisher, of Bellville, and Andrew J., who 
 died at West Unity, Ohio, September 25, 1850. 
 
 By the second marriage, six children were born, to 
 wit: Emory E., Parthenia P., Damaris A. , Earley F., 
 Houston H., and Zada C. 
 
 Emory E. has been engaged in business in Detroit 
 and Chicago, and is now the seei'etary of the Cleve- 
 land and Mahoning Valley Railroad, residing at 
 Cleveland. 
 
 Parthenia P. married Hon. S. Burke, long promi- 
 nently identified with the Lorain bar, and after resid- 
 ing in Elyria for over twenty-two years,' moved to 
 Cleveland. She died at Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan- 
 uary 7, 1878, and is buried in Lake View Cemeter}-, 
 Cleveland. 
 
 Damaris A. was married to Hon. George B. Lake, 
 formerly a member of the Lorain bar, and now chief 
 justice of the State of Nebraska. She died in April, 
 1854, and is buried in the cemetery at Elyria. ♦ 
 
 Earley F. read law, and was admitted to the bar at 
 Elyria, and after practicing there several years, moved 
 to Delaware, Ohio, where he has ever since been ac- 
 tively and successfully engaged in law and politics. 
 He was elected State senator from the counties of 
 Licking and Delaware, and after serving one term 
 was elected on the democratic ticket to the forty- 
 fourth congress, from the ninth Ohio congressional 
 district. Although one of the youngest members of 
 that body, he was active and industrious, and served 
 
 ' with ability, and with credit to himself and to his 
 party. 
 
 Zada C. was married to Thomas H. Linnell, of 
 Elyria, and resided there during the whole of her 
 married life. She died March 29, 1875, and is buried 
 in the cemetery at Elyria. 
 
 Houston H. Poppleton received his early education 
 in the common schools at Bellville, but entered the 
 Ohio Weslej-an University at Delaware, Ohio, in the 
 spring of 1853, and, although his attendance was not 
 continuous, he graduated from that institution in 
 June, 1858. He taught school several winters in the 
 counties of Delaware and Richland, while pursuing 
 his studies at the university, and also had general 
 charge of his father's mercantile house at Richwood, 
 from April, 1855, to February, 1857. In September, 
 
 1858, he entered the law office of Hon. S. Burke, at 
 Elyria, and prosecuted his studies there until October, 
 
 1859, when he entered the Cincinnati Law College. 
 Completing the prescribed course there, he graduated 
 from it April 10, 1800, and was admitted to the bar 
 at Cincinnati the same day. Returning to Elyria, he 
 formed a law partnership with Judge Burke, and 
 commenced practice May 3, 1800. After Judge 
 Burke's election to the bench, he formed a law part- 
 nership with Hon. H. D. Clark, which continued 
 about two years. On the 10th of February, 1804, at 
 Cincinnati, he was married to Miss Lucina H. Cross, 
 of that city. He resided on the northwest corner of 
 Broad and Chestnut streets, in Elyria, until Septem- 
 ber 24, 1875, when he moved with his family to 
 Cleveland. 
 
 From the latter part of 1804 he continued in act- 
 ive general practice at Elyria, without a jiartner, 
 until November, 1873, when he was a]ii)ointed gen- 
 eral attorney of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati 
 and Indianapolis railway company, with headquarters 
 at Cleveland, which position he still holds. He was 
 prominent, active and successful in his practice, as 
 the records of the courts of Lorain and adjoining 
 counties abundantly show, and in his removal the bar 
 of Lorain county sustained a serious loss. By accept- 
 ing the position of general attorney of the Cleveland, 
 Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis railway he 
 became the head of the legal department of that cor- 
 poration, and has had entire charge of its legal busi- 
 ness along the whole line, as well as elsewhere. Giv- 
 ing his personal attention to the details of all the 
 litigation of the company — trying only causes that 
 should be tried, and settling those that should be set- 
 tled — he has, by his fair, honorable and judicious 
 course, made many friends for himself, and secured 
 for his company a reputation and good will that any 
 railroad in the country might well envy. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 
 
 CARLISLE. 
 
 DAVID BENNETT 
 
 was born iu Westmoreland, Cheshire county. New 
 Hampshire, May 2G, 1788. He was tlie second sou of 
 David and Abigail Bennett, and third in a family of 
 fifteen children. When about fifteen years old, he 
 was apprenticed to a man named Duttou, living in 
 Dummerstou, Windham county. Vermont. Becom- 
 ing dissatisfied with the treatment he received, he ran 
 away soon after he was sixteen, and went to Homer, 
 Cortland county. New York. 
 
 On the Gth of December, 1810, he married Miss 
 Polly Wheeler, and lived in Londonderry, Vermont, 
 on a farm on the east slope of the Green mountains. 
 He came west, to look for a farm, in 1827, and 
 moved from Londonderry, April 21, 1828, with his 
 family, consisting of himself and wife, his wife's 
 step-father, and his neice, Miss Malvina F. Bennett. 
 They came by wagon to Troy, New York, in two 
 days, thence by canal boat to Buffalo, by schooner to 
 Cleveland, which took three days, then by wagon to 
 Carlisle, — in all, a journey of three weeks. 
 
 On the 33rd day of August, 1828, he purchased of 
 Joseph and Mary Perkins the south one-half of the 
 southwest quarter of section twelve, town five, range 
 "seventeen, where he spent the remainder of his life. 
 
 His wife died August 10, 1829, without children. 
 
 He married, the second time, February C, 1830, Miss 
 Jane Galpin, of Elyria, daughter of Neri and Betsey 
 Galpin. They had six children, four of whom are 
 living. He held various township offices from 1830 
 to 1860, being three times elected justice of the peace. 
 He was a man of strict integrity, and his word was 
 as good as his bond. He died July 16, 1SC3, of par- 
 alysis. 
 
 Jane Galpin was born in Woodbury, Litchfield 
 county, Connecticut, August 11, 18lo. She was the 
 daughter of Neri and Betsey Galpin, and the eldest in 
 a familv of nine children. Her parents moved to New 
 Milford, Susquehanna county. Pennsylvania, when she 
 was about nine mouths old. In May. 1818 they moved 
 to Center township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania. 
 In November, 1822, they left Center for Carlisle, Ohio, 
 then called Murraysville, Hurou county. They moved 
 in a covered wagon drawn by a yoke of steers and a 
 span of old horses. They were three weeks on the 
 road and had but two pleasant days in the whole time. 
 In some places the wagon hub would roll on the mud. 
 They moved iu with Abner Murray's family until Mr. 
 Galpin built his house, which stood just over the line 
 in Elvria township. February 6, 1830, she married 
 David" Bennett and moved on to the farm in Carlisle, 
 where she still lives. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 147 
 
 front of his ofiBce, which he had surrounded by for- 
 est trees, dreamiug his happy dreams of the future, 
 Charles H. Douglas lurked behind him and fired a 
 fatal shot. The wounded man struggled to his feet, 
 attempted to raise his arm, but aimed too low. He 
 was borne into his office, where in intense pain he 
 calmly awaited death, saying, "I am not afraid to 
 die, but want to see my brother before I go. Am 
 glad I did not hit Douglas when I fired, on account 
 of his wife and little ones." Asking again if Theo- 
 
 dore had come, for whom a messenger had been dis- 
 patched, he fell into a calm sleep, and as the Sabbath 
 day dawned his spirit took its flight. 
 
 Marks of respect and tenderness were shown by 
 the warm-hearted peoj)le, and with aching hearts lov- 
 ing hands consigned him to his resting place. And 
 while the breezes of his mountain home chant the 
 requiem above his grave, loving hearts will entwine 
 and bedew with their tears an imperishable garland 
 to the memory of Edwin Dorr Holbrook. 
 
 COLUMBIA.* 
 
 PHYSICAL FEATURES. 
 
 In the western jiart of the townshii> the surface is 
 level. In the central and eastern portions it is undu- 
 lating, but nowhere rough and broken. 
 
 The soil is generally a clay loam, varied in some 
 places by gravel. It is one of the Ijcst watered town- 
 sliips in the county. Rocky river flows northward 
 tlirough the township, gathering up in its course 
 many tributaries. Plum creek flows in a nearly par- 
 allel direction through tiie western part of the town. 
 The timber native to its soil was beech, maple, hick- 
 ory, black and white oak, black and white ash, bass- 
 wood, elm, sycamore, buckeye, walnut and butternut. 
 
 PURCHASE. 
 
 Prior to tlie a]iportioumont by draft of that part of 
 the Reserve lying west of the Cuyahoga river, Levi 
 Bronson, i\.zor Bronson, Harmon Bronson, Calvin 
 Iloadley, Jared Pritchard, and some fifteen otiiers, 
 formed au association called the '" Waterbury Laud 
 Company." This company, togetlier with William 
 Law, Benjamin Doolittle, Jr,, and Samuel Doolittle, 
 drew at the fourth draft, April -1, 1807, this township 
 as number five, range fifteen, with two thousand six 
 hundred and fifty acres in the townshijis of Boston 
 and Richfield, in Summit county, annexed to equalize 
 it. The draft was in the following proportions: to 
 the Waterbury Land Company, twenty one tliousaud 
 six hundred dollars; William Law, two thousand 
 eight hundred and fifteen dollars; Benjamin Doolittle, 
 Jr., one thousand five hundred and ninety-two dol- 
 lars; Samuel Doolittle, eigiity dollars. The deed was 
 executed on the 28th day of May, 181)7, by John Cald- 
 well, John Morgan, and Jonathan Brace, for the 
 Connecticut Land Company, to Levi Bronson, Calvin 
 Uoadley, Jared Pritchard, Azor Bronson and Harmon 
 Bronson, in trust for the Waterbury Land Comijany. 
 
 *Our thanks are due Ransom Bronson, for information furnished in 
 i the preparation of tiiis history. He has kept a record of early events, 
 for the past twenty years, access to which has been of much service 
 to us. 
 
 Pending the negotiation for the extinguishment of 
 the Indian claim to the lauds west of the Cuyahoga, 
 the conij)any bouglit of William Edwards a thousand 
 acres of land in tract two, town eight, range eleven, 
 Euclid, (now East Cleveland), and a number settled 
 there the summer previous to the draft. 
 
 SURVEY. 
 
 In the summer of 1807 the townsliip was surveyed. 
 A surveyor by the name of Lacey was first employed, 
 but his cliain was found to be of an incorrect length 
 and he was discharged. In August of the same year 
 Robert Worden, a surveyor from Columbiana county, 
 was engaged, who, with Levi Bronson, Daniel Bron- 
 son, Benoni Adams, and Elias Frost of Euclid, as ax 
 and chain men, set out from Cleveland taking a south- 
 west eoui'se until the northeast corner of the town 
 was I'eachcd. From this point they proceeded west 
 two and a half miles, thence south a like distance to 
 the center of the township. The party made their 
 encampment here, on tlie west bank of Rocky river. 
 A daughter of Levi Bronson, afterwards Mrs. Oliver 
 Terrell, accompanied the party to do their cooking, 
 to whom must be accorded the lionor of being the 
 first white woman tiiat ever set foot on the soil of 
 Columljia. 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 In September, 1807, a company numbering thirty- 
 tiiree persons, left Waterbury, Connecticut, for this 
 townsliip. They wei-e, Bela Bronson, his wife and 
 one child; Calvin Hoadley, wife and five children; 
 John Williams, wife and five children; Lemuel 
 Iloadley, wife aud three children, his father and his 
 wife's mother; Lithrop Seymour and wife; Mrs. 
 Parker and four children; Silas Hoadley and Chaun- 
 cey Warner. Two months afterwards the company 
 reached Buffalo, west of which place there was then 
 no road, and they were compelled to choose between 
 the dangers, at that time of year, of lake navigation 
 and those attending a journey along the beach. The 
 company divided, four families embarking on the 
 
148 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 lake, while the remainder preferred the laud route. 
 The little Jtarty set sail under a bright sky and with 
 a favoring breeze, butuot long afterward encountered 
 one of those sudden gales common at that time of 
 year, which carried them back a distance of several 
 miles, where the vessel went ashore. A week was 
 spent before another start could be made. Arriving 
 in siglit of I'resque Isle the vessel was again struck 
 by a contrary wind and driven back to a point on the 
 Canada shore under which tiu^ voyagers took shelter. 
 They remained here two weeks for a favorable wind, 
 when tlie journey was resumed. 
 
 They proceeded without further reverses until within 
 sight of Cleveland, tiien a i)retentious place of three 
 log cabins, when a violent wind s(ruck their craft. 
 and they were forced to retreat until near the site of 
 the present city of Erie, where they went ashore. 
 They were now thoroughly discouraged with their ex- 
 perience by lake. The season was growing late, and 
 whether to make another attempt by water or undei'- 
 take the long journey l)y land on foot was not a pleas- 
 ant alternative. Calvin Hoadley determined to make 
 another trial, and, with his family, arrived at Cleve- 
 land after encountering many experiences similar to 
 those we have mentioned. The most of them, how- 
 ever, determined ujion the land route. Beta Bronson, 
 wife and child, were of this party; Mrs. Bronson 
 carrying the child in her arms fur a distance of fifty 
 miles west of Brie, where they were met by teams 
 with which friends had gone back from Clcvelan<l in 
 search of them. Arriving at Cleveland, the company 
 made a location there, with the exception of Bela 
 Bronson and family, wiio, with ox-team and sled, 
 jjushed on towards Columbia. They were accom- 
 jianicd by Levi Bronson, Jared Pritchard, John Wil- 
 liams, Silas Hoadley, Calvin Hoadley, and five or six 
 others who wcut ahead and cut a road for them. 
 The family brought along in the sled cooking utensils 
 — with which Mrs. Bronson prepared the food for the 
 company — and camp e(pii})age. Their progress was, 
 of course, slow, eight days being consumed in reach- 
 ing Columbia. Two days subsecjuently — on the 7th 
 day of December, 1807 — they arrived on lot twenty- 
 seven, where Bronson and family made a location. 
 
 The company divided into three sections, com- 
 mencing simultaneously the erection of three cabins, 
 one for Bela Bronson, on lot twenty-seven; one foj' 
 John Williams, on sub-lot three; and-oue for Calvin 
 Hoadley, on lot thirty-four. During the erection of 
 Bronson's house, the box of the sled was turned u]) 
 against a tree, and under this the family took shelter 
 until their cabin was built. The house was ready for 
 occupancy by Christmas. 
 
 In 181(1, Mr. Bronson changed his location to the 
 Center, where the cellar of the house in which he 
 resided can yet be seen. He died here in October, 
 1811. He was one of the ten sons of Seba Bronson. 
 His wife's maiden name was Sally Twitchell. Mrs. 
 Bronson subsequently married Benoni Adams. Two 
 children of this pioneer family are now living — Rev. 
 
 Sherlock A. Bronson, D.D., who was eight months 
 old at the time of the settlement of the family in 
 Columbia, now an Episcopal clergyman of ability and 
 u.sefulness, resident in Manslield, 0., and a daughter 
 Sally, living in Ottawa county. In an address deliv- 
 ered in this township July 4, 1859, Rev. Dr. Bronson 
 gives the following interesting picture of their situa- 
 tion in the winter of 1807: 
 
 "Our post office was at Painesville, fifty miles distant; tlie nearest 
 mill was at Newburgh, twenty -t'isht miles away; and but little pro- 
 vision could be obtained sbort of Painesville. That winter my father 
 wrote back to his fi'iends that he was the richest man in town. He 
 might have written himself dttwn the greatest nabob of all of 0\\\o that 
 lay west of Cleveland and north of W<joster, tinfj there would have been 
 none to dviimte his claim. For a time, that winter, ours was the only 
 residence in Western Ohio. Gloomy, desolate and lonely as those times 
 were, my mother kept up good cheer, and said she always hoped for 
 better times. Taking into account the time of arrival, late in December, 
 no house ready for occupancy, that in the conijiany was a woman with 
 an infant only eight nn.inths old, and the nearest dwelling twenty miles 
 distant, you have before you a rare picture of pioneer life." 
 
 The second family that settled in town was that of 
 John Williams, wlio moved in from Cleveland after 
 spending the holidays with his friends there, arriving 
 January 3, 1808. They took up their abode in the 
 cabin already j)artially prepared for them on sub-lot 
 three. In 1810 he removed to a farm a mile south of 
 the Center on lot forty-eight. Mr. Williams died in 
 the spring of 18K), and his remains lie in an un- 
 marked grave in the Center Ijurying ground. The 
 only surviving member of the family is Mrs. Weaver 
 Harrington, now residing in Eaton county, Mich. 
 
 Calvin Hoadley followed closely after Williams, 
 arriving in the tirst i)art of March of the same year, 
 and commenced life in the Columbia woods in the 
 house ])reviously built on lot thirty-four. In the 
 summer of 1809, he built a grist mill on Rocky river, 
 south of the Center, the tirst mill in the county. He 
 afterwaril built a grist mill and also a saw mill, on 
 the same river, on lot twenty-one. Captain Hoadley 
 was a man of great energy of character, and became 
 one of the most prominent men of the town. He was 
 a son of Lemuel Hoadley, S.'., who raised a family of 
 eight chihlren. Cahiu was the second child and 
 oldest son. He was a carpenter by trade. His wife's 
 maiden name was Marian Terrell. They raised a 
 family of five children. A daughter, the only living 
 representative of the family, resides in Berea, 0. 
 
 Early in the spring of 1808, the following additions 
 were made to the settlement: Lemuel Hoadley, Sr. , 
 and Lemuel Hoadley, Jr, on lot forty-seven; James 
 (ieer, on lot thirty-five, south part; Lathrop Seymour, 
 on lot eleven; Jared Pritchard, on lot thirty-one; 
 Silas Hoadley, on lot twenty-nine; Isaac Frost and 
 his two sons, Elias and Lyman, on lot twenty-eight; 
 Nathaniel Doan, on the north part of lot thirty-five; 
 and Benoni Adams, on lot fifty. 
 
 The Hoadleys were originally from either Salem or 
 Plymouth, Conn. Lemuel Hoadley, Sr., was the 
 fatiier of eight children. Mary, the eldest, became 
 the wife of Asahel Osborn. Of Calvin we have already 
 given a brief history. The next was Lemuel; he was 
 a colonel in the war of 1813. Sally married Zephauiah 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 149 
 
 Potter. Lennu'l was a mechanic, and nmcli of his 
 life was eupaoed in tlic erectioTi of niills; he bnilt- 
 mos( of the grist mills in this region of country. He 
 removed to Brecksville in 1812, and bnilt tlie first 
 mill in that town; and two years subsequently he 
 went to Bath and t'rected mills there. In 1819, he 
 settled in Olmsted, Cuyahoga county, and erected for 
 himself the i)ionoer mill in that township, and also 
 built the first frame house there. In 1824, he ex- 
 changed his farm and a mill in Olmsted for a farm in 
 Ridgeville, west of the center of the town, and took 
 up his abode there. In 1833, he sold out and moved 
 l)ack to Olmsted, and with his son-in-law, John Bar- 
 num, built a saw-mill at the mouth of Plum Creek, 
 and laid out a village there. In ISliS, he removed to 
 Chillicothe. He married Chloe Tyler. 
 
 He was known everywhere as Major ILwdley, a 
 title which he acquired, it is said, on the journey 
 from Connecticut. The company would sometimes 
 be obliged to construct a bridge across a swollen 
 stream, and Mr. Iloadley was so perfectly at home at 
 such work tiiat his cf)nipanions gave him the honorary 
 title of "major,'' which he ever afterwards bore. 
 
 Luther was also a colonel in the war of 1813, and 
 died in the service. David, a carpenter by trade, died 
 in Connecticnt. Urania married Riley Whiting, an 
 extensive clock-maker of Winsted, Conn. 
 
 In 1810, James Geer changed his location to the 
 north part of the townshij), exchanging his original 
 purchase with Calvin Iloadley, for land on lot twenty- 
 one. Here he established a rude tannery, using sap 
 troughs for vats, and an axe to pulverize the bark. 
 He also followed shoemakiug, having learned the trade 
 of his wife, formerly Mrs. Mary Parker, whose first 
 husband was a shoenuiker. 
 
 Of some of the other settlers mentioned, no knowl- 
 edge can now be oljtained of their later history. 
 
 Nathaniel Doan was a man of more than average 
 ability, and was a leading man in tiie settlement. He 
 was the first justice of the peace of the township. He 
 subsequently removed to Cleveland. 
 
 Benoni xidains was at that time a single man, l)ut 
 
 in 1810 lie married Mrs. Sally Bronson, widow of 
 
 Bola Bronson, and settled at the Center. In 1808, 
 
 Mr. Adams carried the mail on foot from Cleveland 
 
 to Maumee. The only habitations of white men on 
 
 his route were those of Nathan Perry, at the mouth 
 
 of Black river, and a Frenchman at Milan. Two 
 
 weeks wore usually consumed in making the triji. 
 
 He lost his way on one occasion, and failed of rcacli-- 
 
 ing the end of his journey within the required time, 
 
 and his pay was withheld for that trip. Sometimes 
 
 the streams were swollen to such a degree that he was 
 
 I icompelled either to travel a long distance to lind a 
 
 place thntugh which he could wade, or to construct a 
 
 , raft with which to cross. His route lay through the 
 
 1 Black Swamp, the passage of which, from its extent, 
 
 ' could not be made in a single day, and he was obliged 
 
 to spend a night in the woods, usually making his bed 
 
 on the trunk of a fallen tree. Says Dr. Bronson, 
 
 whose mother subsecpiently became the wife of Mr. 
 Adams: "I have heard him say he has traveled the 
 swamii wiien the water was iialf-way to liie knee, 
 and he was obliged to bri'ak the ice the whole forty 
 miles." 
 
 During the same year, Seba Bronson, Sr., and his 
 two sons, Seba and Daniel, moved in from Ashtabula 
 county. The elder Bronson settled on sub-lot four, 
 Seba, Jr., living with him. Daniel located on the 
 north part of lot thirty-six. 
 
 In 1813, Seba Bronson, Jr., removed to Liverj)ool, 
 Medina county, remained a year, and then returned 
 to Columbia. In the s])ring of that year, it is said, 
 he dug out a canoe, and journeyed down the river to 
 the lake, thence to the mouth of Sandusky river, 
 thence up that river, to Lower Sandusky (now Fre- 
 mont). There, in an opening in the forest, he 
 jilanted a piece of ground to corn, under the protec- 
 tion of Fort Stephenson. After harvesting his crop, 
 he returned to Columbia, residing thei'e until his 
 death, in 1851, aged seventy-five. 
 
 In 1809, Roswell Scovil, Horace (Junn, Timothy 
 Doan, Daniel Bunnell, Zephaniah Potter, Wm. Hoad- 
 ley, Noah Warner, Marcus Terrell, and Joseph Burke 
 joined the settlement. Scovil settled on lot thn-ty; 
 (lunn on lot — . The latter carried the first mail west 
 of Cleveland, in 1808. In June, 1809, he married Ann 
 Pritchard, daughter of Jared Pritchard, which was the 
 second marriage in Columbia. Timothy Doan located 
 on lot twenty-nine, buying out Silas Hoadlev, who 
 returned to Connecticut. Bunnell drew, by draft, lot 
 one, which he exchanged with Samuel Pardee for laud 
 in Olmsted. Potter settled on lot — . He was a 
 doctor — the first in the township. Iloadley settled 
 on lot thirty-five, south part, but returned to Connec- 
 ticut iu 1811. Marcus Terrell settled ou the north- 
 west corner of lot tliirl,y-niiie. Warner, in 1811, 
 removed to Liverpool. 
 
 Joseph Burke was the earliest settler in Euclid. 
 He came from New York, in 1798, traveling from 
 Buffalo to Grand river in an ojien boat. Leaving his 
 family there, he came on to take a look at the wilder- 
 ness, in which he thought of settling, and after mak- 
 ing a selection at Eaolid, returned for his family. 
 He resided in Euclid eleven years, and then removed 
 to this township, locating on lot twelve. Ho died 
 July 4th, 1814. His widow removed to Michigan, 
 and died tliere-in 1833. Of their large family of four- 
 teen chddren, only two are living: Ira Burke on the 
 old homestead, aged seventy-five, and Mrs. Sophia 
 Louder, residing in Illinois. A little daughter, four 
 years of age, while in the woods with her brother, 
 who was miking maple sugar, wandered away and 
 was never found. The generally accei)ted theory as 
 to her fate is, that she was carried away by Indians 
 seen in the vicinity a day on two previous. 
 
 Sila-i Burke settled on the south p.irt of lot twelve, 
 in 1809. 
 
 Harmon Bronson, one of the members of the Water- 
 bury land company, visited the reserve, as early as 
 
150 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OUIO. 
 
 1805. In that year he came from Waterbury, Con- 
 necticut, to Clevelanil, on foot, bj way of Albany anil 
 RiitTalo, and returned by way of RaUiniorc, Pbiladel- 
 ])hia aud New York, walking almost the entire dis- 
 tance. In JSOIt, he ai,'ain came to Ohio, also on foot, 
 this time for the |>uriiose of settlement. He was a 
 carjienter and joiner, and on iiis arrival at Cleveland, 
 engaged at work for a Mr. Murray, for whon lie Imiil 
 a log house near the mouth of the Cuyahoga, on the 
 east side of the river, and about where the govern- 
 ment piers are now. His family, then consisting of 
 a wife and three daughters, and his mother, (his 
 father, Seba Bronson, Sr., having come to Columbia 
 three years previous), came on soon afterward on a 
 little vessel called the "Ranger," Captain Hathaway, 
 landing at the mouth of the river March 15th. Other 
 members of the coin|>any, aud their families, came at 
 the same time. Mr. Bronson made a settlement in 
 Columbia, erecting a house on sub-lot four. 
 
 At the breaking out of the war of 1812, when it 
 was generally feared tiiat this ]iart of tlie State would 
 be overrun by Indians, Mrs. Harmon Bronson, with 
 her three girls, — the oldest about tliirteen, — and an 
 infant son less than a year old, started from (Cleveland 
 in September, 1813, with a horse, saddle and bridle, 
 and took her little family back to Waterbury, the 
 heroic mother walking the entire distance. It re- 
 quired four weeks to make the journey. 
 
 She remained in Waterbury until late in the fall of 
 1815, and then set out in a lumber wagon for Oiiio. 
 At Bloomfield, in the State of New Y'ork, her funds 
 run out, and she hired out her two eldest daughters 
 at fifty cents a week each, while she worked for her 
 board and that of her two younger children. Abmit- 
 the 1st of March, 181(3, the journey was resumed, 
 and the family reached Columbia in the latter part of 
 that month. 
 
 Mr. Bronson kept a store in Columhia from I81(i 
 to 1820. He removed to East Cleveland in Decem- 
 ber, 1821, aud lived there until July. 1821, when he 
 moved into Boston township, tiien Portage, udw 
 Summit county. He died December 18th, 1853. 
 He was the seventh of the fourteen children of Seba 
 Bi-onson, Sr. , all of whom lived to mature age and 
 were married. Azor and Rela died in Columbia, in 
 1811, October 5th and 13th, respectively. Harmon 
 was tJR' last survivor of the family. His bii'th, mar- 
 riage and death occurred in the same montii and on 
 the same day of the montli — Decemlier 18tli. He 
 was seventy-nine years old at his death. His wife 
 survived him four years and two months, and was 
 something over eighty. Two of his family are now 
 living — his second daughter, now seventy-eight years 
 old, and the youngest child, a son, now sixty-seven — 
 both residing in Peninsula, Summit county. From 
 the latter, Mr. H. V. Bronson, we have obtained liie 
 facts here given. 
 
 David Eddy, btn-n in New Jersey, came to Ohio 
 while yet a single man, in the year 1804 or 1805. He 
 made a location in Euclid, Cuyahoga county, and 
 
 erected a cabin there. The followmg year his father 
 and mother, wilii a son named Timothy, came on 
 and took up tiieir abode in tiie jirimitive hal)itation 
 already prejiared by David. Caleb Eddy, the fathei', 
 spent the remainder of his days here, but David soon 
 pushed on further west, ami joined the infant colony 
 in Columbia. He " stuck his stakes "' on lot forty, 
 and built liis log house on the l)ank of Rocky river. 
 In the early winter of 1811 he married Elizabeth 
 Shirdine, of Washington county, Penn., and about 
 two yeai's subse({uently began pioneer life in the little 
 cabin previously mentioned. Eddy was a member of 
 the militia, and was an occupant of the block house. 
 His life was one of many hardships and of arduous 
 toil. He died, on the farm on which he lirst located, 
 October 31, 1853, and his widow about a year after- 
 ward, Octobei' 6th, 1854. Their children were four 
 in numbei', two boys and two girls, viz : Jesse, Enos, 
 Susannah and Eunice. Jesse married Caroline Cham- 
 berlain, daughter of John Chandjerlain, of Roches- 
 ter, Lorain county. He, Jesse, is now living there. 
 His wife died February 5th, 1855. leaving two chil- 
 dren, Mary E. (Mrs Myers,) and llattie E. (Mrs. 
 Mann). Enos nuirried Cynthia ]5radford, now de- 
 ceased. Susannah married Myron Bradford, and 
 lioth are dead. Eunice married, lirst, Hiram Brad- 
 ford, and afterwards Samuel Ilanley, with whom she 
 is now living in the township of Rochester. 
 
 In 1810 Levi Bronson moved in from Euclid and 
 took up his residence on sub-lot three, the first loca- 
 tion of John AVilliams. Of him Rev. Dr. Bronson 
 bears the following testimony: 
 
 " My father became interested in the laads of Colutiiiiia by jiurchase 
 of his brother Azor, but botli died before deeds were given or paymeut 
 fully made, and matters were left in an unsettled state, and after a 
 while became entangled with other land matters. These have since 
 been a prolific source of strife, and a rich field for lawyers. * * 
 
 * * I deem it my duty to bear witness to the unyielding integ- 
 rity, public spirit and self-.sacrifice of Levi Bronson. When all the land 
 in Columbia would not have sold for more than enough to pay the ta.ve.s, 
 he borrowed money, worked on the road, turned and twisted evei-y way 
 to save the property of his father and his deceased brotlier for their 
 heirs." 
 
 In regard to other arrivals this year we mention the 
 following: Asahel Osborn and Marshall Culver, his 
 son-in-law, the former on the south part and the latter 
 on the north part of lot thirty-seven. They came 
 frt)m Salem, Connecticut. Osborn married Mary 
 Hoadley, daughter of Lemuel Hoadley, Sr. lie was a 
 man of good natural al)ility, and of local intluenee. 
 
 Timothy Eddy cleared a piece of land on lot seven- 
 teen, sowed it to wheat, and then returned to Euclid 
 to live; James and Walter Strong chopped off a piece 
 on lot fifteen; Samuel Hitchcock settled on lot forty, 
 purchasing of Calvin Hoadley. 
 
 Asa Rol.)ertson made a beginning on the west part 
 of lot one, then removed to Liverpool, Medina county, 
 whei-e he made a permanent location. Samuel Hea- 
 cock also arrived in 1810, and located on lot thirty- 
 si.^, but returneil to Connecticut the following j'ear. 
 
 John Adams, father of Benoni, with his wife, five 
 sons and a daughter, left Waterbury, Connecticut, 
 for Columbia, in the fall of 1811, and moved in with 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 151 
 
 Benoni, on lot fifty. Adiims having sold his farm 
 for twenty-five luindred dollars, and taken his pay in 
 clocks at five dollars a piece, nmst turn his property 
 into cattle and the cattle into money, whicli took nji 
 tlie time nntil Octoher. 
 
 lie brought his wife and boys, with some of the 
 household goods, with a team and wagon, a young 
 man by the name of Marshall Bronson accompanying 
 tlic family with a team and wagon of his own, with 
 wliich he brought a part of their goods. The daugh- 
 ter, who was a child of it former wife of Mr. Adams, 
 and a cousin of Bronson, rode with the young man. 
 In consequence of a violent snow storm they remained 
 several days at a tavern a few miles west of Buffalo. 
 Tiie next house on their ronte was Mack's tavern, 
 eighteen miles distant, the ro;id to which was along 
 the beach nntil within four miles of the tavern, when 
 it lead away from the lake through a dense forest. 
 This is the road the collector of historical facts so 
 frequently hears spoken of by early settlers as the 
 "four mile woods."' 
 
 It was December, too late to travel along the beach 
 with safety, as there were many rocky cliffs which 
 extended out into the lake; and to get by them, the 
 emigrants usually drove into the water. In attempt- 
 ing to pass one of tiiese points, Adams' team became 
 frightened at the dashing of the waves, and refused 
 to go, and he was obliged to cut them loose from the 
 wagon in order to save his wife and children. After 
 much ditRculty, they succeeded in reaching the shore, 
 and proceeded in the direction of the tavern, Adams 
 evidently thinking that Bronson, who was ahead, had 
 got through in safety. Not so, however: he had be- 
 come involved in a situation more perilous than that 
 from which Adams and his family had escaped. The 
 wlieel of his wagon caught fast in the seam of a rock, 
 and the horses, in their struggle, became entangled 
 in the harness and were tiirown down; and Bronson, 
 almost paralyzed with cold and fear, could not release 
 them. Ilis situation would have appalled the stout- 
 est heart. The roar of the angry waves, the horses 
 struggling beneath them, and the cries of his com- 
 panion, coupled with his utter powcrlessncss to aid 
 her, tilled him with frantic terror. He determined 
 to go for help. Reaching the shore with great diffi- 
 culty, he liurried to the tavern and gave the alarm. 
 Several men started for the scene of distress, meeting 
 Mr. Adams and family on the way. 
 
 The mother and children were conducted back to 
 the house by one of the party, while the father 
 returned with the rest to tlio relief of liis daugliter. 
 But it was too late — her lifeless body was found in 
 the water, carried to f he tavern, and buried in Mack's 
 garden. Some time after, a passing missionary, on 
 recpiest of the family, preached a funeral discourse. 
 The team of Bronson was drowned, and his wagon a 
 complete wreck. Another was constructed out of the 
 parts as they floated ashore, and then turned into 
 cash. The other wagon, which was without serious 
 damage, was also sold, and a sled purchased. A few 
 
 articles were gathered up as they floated ashore, and 
 the surviving family resumed their journey. Arriving 
 in Euclid, friends induced them to rcnnain there till 
 the following spring, when they moved into (!ohnnbia. 
 A son of Mr. Adams is yet living in Olmsted, nearly 
 eighty years of age, and jn-eserves a clear recollection 
 of the painful disaster. 
 
 Another prominent arrival in 1811, was the family 
 of Azor Bronson. They left Waterbury, Conn., in 
 June of that year. They experienced a tedious time 
 getting through Cattaraugus swamp. Night over- 
 took them in the "four mile woods,'' while yet a long 
 distance from Mack's tavern, at Cattaraugus creek, 
 to which they were making, and they were unable to 
 [n-oceed. Leaving the mother and ciiildren in the 
 wagon, whicli was Ijuried to the axletree in mud, Mr. 
 I?ronson went to tiie tavern for help. The ever-accom- 
 modating Dr. Mack, with a lantern and accomjianied 
 by a couple of friendly Indians, returned with Mr. 
 Bronson for his family and assisted them to the tav- 
 ern. In Middleburg, Cuyahoga county, their wagon 
 broke down, and wife and children were thence car- 
 ried to Columbia on the horses. They arrived at the 
 center of town July 4, 1811. Mr. Bronson died the 
 next year after his arrival. Ransom and Albert Bron- 
 son, residing in Olmsted, Cuyahoga county, aged 
 seventy-three and seventy-six respectively, are the 
 only surviving memljers of the family. 
 
 Samuel Pardee also moved in, in 1811, settling on 
 the south part of lot thirty-sis, and kept a tavern, 
 the sign of which was a pair of deer's horns. 
 
 Jonathan Vanghan became an inhabitant of the 
 township during this same year. The following year, 
 he, with his l)rother Richard and E. Hickox, entered 
 the service of the government and aided in cutting a 
 road from Sandusky to Maumee. This was in war 
 time, and the men, some three hundred in number, 
 cut the road under the protection of a military guard. 
 Vanghan was afterwards stationed for a time in Fort 
 Stephenson. He subsequently married a daughter of 
 Calvin Iloadley and settled in Middleburg, (Ju3-ahoga 
 county, residing there until 1834, when he purchased 
 an interest in the Iloadley Mills, and returned to 
 Columbia. 
 
 About this time also, Noah Terrell and Thomas 
 Osborn came into town. Terrell was a valuable acqui- 
 sition to the settlement, being skillful in the manu- 
 facture of every kind of wooden dishes, such as milk- 
 bowls, trenchers, cups and saucers, salt-cellars, pepper 
 boxes, and little kegs which took the place of pails. 
 BeiTig a Terrell, he was of course a hunter, and sup- 
 }>orted his family to a great extent by his gun. He 
 subsequently removed to Ridgeville, where his daugh- 
 ter Harriet was soon after bor;,. She was the first 
 child born in that township. 
 
 Osborn settled on the farm first occupied by Bela 
 Bronson. He was a blacksmith, and carried on his 
 trade in that early day under difficulties whicli would 
 be thought insurmountable in this. This pioneer 
 blacksmith went on foot through an unbroken wilder- 
 
152 
 
 HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 ncss to New Lisbon, Columbiana county, a distance 
 of about one liuntlrcd miles, to obtain liis material, 
 wliicji, haviufr paid for in labor, lie then lugged home 
 on his back. His untiring industry was eventually 
 rewarded by a handsome competency. 
 
 B. Priteliard came into the town in 1S13. 
 
 Reuben Lewis moved in from New York State in 
 1814. He established in tliat year the first tannery 
 wortliy of the name in the county. It stood on lot 
 tiiirty-four, on wiiich also the first mill in the county, 
 the grist mill of Captain Hoadley, was built. 
 
 Adna Warner bought out Benoni Adams, on lot 
 fifty, and became a settler in 1814. 
 
 Epliraim Bigelow became an inhaliitaut of Colum- 
 bia in 1816, settling on lot twenty -eight, and Amos 
 Richmond, the same year, on lot twenty-nine. 
 
 Julius and Albert Bronson settled on lot twenty- 
 three, on the north and south parts respectively, in 
 1817, and Thomas G. Bronson on lot eighteen the 
 same year. Cideon Richmond located in 1818, and 
 Sylvanus, tlie following year, on lot fifty. 
 
 Simeon Nichols arrived with his family in about 
 the j'car 1830. He was also a Waterbury man. He 
 started in the winter, and, when he got into the State 
 of New York, the snow was so deep as to make travel- 
 ing with a wagon difficult. He therefore bougiit a 
 sled, placed his wagon on the top of it, and thus 
 resumed tlie journey. All wa^iit well until he arrived 
 at wiiat was tlien called the "Holland purchase," in 
 that State. This was a newly cleared ])iece of land, 
 and he C(jnld not j)ass among the thick stumps with 
 his wagon; he therefore cut off the axles. He traveled 
 without further impediment until he arrived in the 
 eastern ])art of Ohio, when tlie snow left and he was 
 obliged to provide iiiniself witii now axles. He arrived 
 in Coliinil)ia in early spring and settled on lot forty- 
 seven. 
 
 Niciiols was an industrious and respected citizen. 
 He held the office of justice of the peace for a number 
 of years, and was a leading memlier of the Protestant 
 Episcopal Church. 
 
 Merritt Warner came in the same year, and located 
 on the same lot. 
 
 We can but but briefly mention subsequent settlers. 
 Heman Terrell on lot twenty-eight; Miles Seymour 
 rented the farm of Timothy Doan, in 1831; William 
 Adams on lot four hundred and ninety-one; Abner 
 Martin (and his distillery) on lot forty-seven. Solo- 
 mon Hancock on lot twenty-seven, in 1833; Manly 
 Hitchcock nn lot forty-four; Hiram Richmond on lot 
 twenty-six; Asa Jewett on lot sixty-four, in 1833; 
 Sterling Goddard on lot seventy-six; James Mattison 
 on the same lot; William Brown on lot seventy-four, 
 in 183it; Amos Curtis on lot seventy-seven; Samuel 
 Hoadley on lot twenty-one; Elihu Morgan on lot 
 forty-seven; Ransom Bronson on lot thirty-nine, in 
 1835; Anson A. Goddard on lot sixty-three, in 1830; 
 John Cole on lot eighty-eight; Simon and John 
 Crockers on lot ninety, in 1838; S. H. Friiik on lot 
 twenty-two, in 1831; David Chamberlain on lot 
 
 seventy-nine; Joliu McCreery on lot forty; Wakeman 
 Beers on lot sixty; John Chamberlain on lot sixty; 
 Seth and Bina Wood on lot sixty-one; Stei)hen Sabin 
 on lot forty; Ezekiel Olcott on lot fifty-nine, in 1833; 
 Samuel Gaylord in 1835. 
 
 Among the later settlers are: Abel Goodwin, from 
 New London county, Connecticut, who arrived in 
 1838, and located on lot eighty-eight. He died in 
 June, 1841. Elishaand Richard Harrington, origin- 
 ally from Vermont, came to Ohio in 1815, settling in 
 Cuyahoga Falls. They came to Columbia, Elisha in 
 1834, and located on lot eighty-six, and the latter in 
 1837, on lot fifty-seven. Elisha now lives on lot 
 seventy-five, and Richard on his original purchase. 
 Norman T. Beers, from the State of New York, 
 located in 1833, where the widow of Marcus Nichols 
 now resides. He died April, 1878, and his widow 
 now lives on lot fifty-nine. Joseph Osborn became a 
 settler in 1837, on lot fifty-seven. He now resides 
 with his son Andrew, on the old homestead, and is 
 eighty-four years of age — the oldest m:iii in the town- 
 ship. William Brown located on Plum creek, iu 1837. 
 
 f'HlJRCnES. 
 
 In regard to pioneer Christianity in Columbia. Rev. 
 Dr. Bronson says: 
 
 "The Bronsons were Episeopaliaas, and when thej came to Ohio, 
 they brought their prayer booivs with thetn. When they reached here 
 they used those books, tiiough they had no minister. My father gath- 
 ered around him, as soon as he had neighbors, as many as he could 
 and read the service and a sermon. When the grave closed over him, 
 my grandfather took it up. When he passed away, Levi Ifronson con- 
 inued it; and after his death, it, for a while, devolved on me." 
 
 The first organized church society w'as of the Epis- 
 copal faith, some time in the year 180'J, Bishop Chase 
 ofilciating in its organization. The following named 
 were the constituent members: Seba Bronson and 
 wife, Bela Bronson, Levi Bronson and wife, and. John 
 Williams and wife. A meeting house was liuilt on 
 the east side of the river, on sub-lot three, as late as 
 1835 or '3G. 
 
 METHODISM. 
 
 The first Methodist services held iu town were at 
 the house of the widow of Joseph Burke, in about 
 the year 1818. They were conducted by Rev's Messrs. 
 Goddard and Booth. The following year a society 
 was formed, by Rev. Mr. Goddard, of the following 
 members: Calvin Hoadley, Julius Bronson and wife, 
 Mrs. .Joseph Burke and her two sons, Allen and 
 Urrin, and Mrs. McConkey. .Julius Bronson was ap- 
 pointed leader of the class. The church building at 1 
 the Center was erected in 1830, and was the first house 
 of worship iu Columbia. This society is at present 
 under the charge of Rev. J. W. Thomp^im. It has a 
 nienibership of sixty. The Sabbath school has a 
 membership of some seventy scholars. Frank Suell 
 is superintendent. 
 
 There i~ also a Methodist Episcopal society at West 
 View, the church having been erected in 1844. Ser- 
 vices are held every alternate Sabbath by Rev. J. W. 
 Thompson. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 153 
 
 The Wesleyan Methodist Church of West 
 View. — This clmrch was formed April 1, IS-tS, with 
 sixteen members, as follows: Rausom Bronsou and 
 wife, Moses 0. Baker and wife, Jane Baker, Clark 
 Iloadloy and wife, Cornelius Smith and wife, Calvin 
 Iloadley, Calvin R. Hoadloy and Edwin Hedgins (all 
 of whom seceded from the- Methodist Episcopal 
 cluirch of West View because of its alleged indiffer- 
 ence with regard to the question of human slavery) 
 and Jesse Eddy and wife, Clarissa and Jane Bronson. 
 Of this number only Ransom Bnmson remains. The 
 ohurcli building was erected in 1845, costing abont 
 one thousand dollars. The dedicatory sermon was 
 preached by James Laugdon. .Jahial Porter and John 
 McCloud were the first regular preachers. The exist- 
 ing membership is fifty-tive. William B. Moody is 
 jiastor. The two chnrciies unite in a sabbath school, 
 wiiich has a membership of forty-five, with J. M. 
 Geer as su]>erintendent. 
 
 CONGREGATION.^ LISTS. 
 
 A Congregational society was organized aliout the 
 year 1820 liy Rev. Mr. Shaber of Richfield and was 
 composed of the following members: Boltis Ruple, 
 Marshall Culver and wife, Mrs. Mary Osborn, Mrs. 
 Roxana Nichols, Sterling Coddard and wife. Wdliam 
 Brown and wife. Sterling Goddanl and Boltis Ruple 
 were appointed deacons. This society never ei'ected a 
 house of worsl'.ip. 
 
 BAPTISTS. 
 
 The First Baptist Chnreh of Columbia, located 
 ac the Center was organized May 13, 1832, with 
 nineteen mcmbei's, as follows: John Stranahan, .John 
 Cole, Robert Fuller, Abel Goodwin, from the Bap- 
 tist church in Liverpool, Medina county; Simeon 
 Crocker, .Jeremiah Chamberlain, who had letters from 
 a, ciiurch in the east; Mary Goodwin, Amelia Crocker, 
 Clarissa Crocker, Nancy Bigelow, Margaret Chamber- 
 lain, Prudence Stranahan, Olive Goodwin, Betsey 
 Cole, Mary Cole, Constant G. Cole, William Cole, 
 Robert N. Fuller, and .lohn Cole, Jr. Elder James 
 Ilovey otliciated as moderator; Abel (Joodwin was 
 iliosen clerk. Of the constituent members, two only. 
 William Cole and John Cole, remain. The erection 
 of the building was commenced in 1841, but was not 
 (•(iinpleted until 1848. The church has at present a 
 membership of one hundred and four. Rev. L. Yar- 
 mdl is pastoi', N. N. Cole, clerk, and .John Cole and 
 ( 'yrus Ives, deacons. A Sabbath school was organized 
 in 184T. The officers and teachers at present number 
 eleven; scholars, eighty-three; superintendent, N. N. ' 
 Cole. 
 
 schools. 
 
 The first school was opened by Mrs. Sally Bronson, 
 in iier own house, in the summer of 1808. The 
 number of her scholars was ten. The following win- 
 ter her husband, Bela Bronson, taught a school in 
 Lemuel Hoadley's blacksmith shop. Rev. Dr. Bron- 
 
 20 
 
 son, son of these pioneer educators, speaks as follows 
 in i-egard to the opportunities afforded for acquiring 
 an education more than rudimentary: 
 
 " My own experience will illustrate the difficulty of obtaining anything 
 beyond what the district school afforded. In 1H:M I set out to obtain 
 an education. An old Latin graniniai' was found and studied nn<ler 
 the instruction of Rev. Luke Bowen of Strongrsvitle. After a while 
 a dictionary was neeiled We sold a cow for ei^ht d'>llars and with 
 this sum I mounted a horse and rode more than a hundred miles 
 in a fruitless search for a Latin dictionary. This led to my going to 
 Talimadge and studying with Elizur Wright, Esq., where I could have 
 the use of a dictionary. Thei'e I remained three months, working two 
 days in the week for Francis Wright for my board, and two days in the 
 montli for hisfatlaer to pay m3' tuition. After this I found the required 
 book and a teaclier nearer home." 
 
 A private school was taught at the house of T. G. 
 Bronson by Rev. V. P. Bronson, in 183.5. The first 
 school house in town was erected in 1817, on lot 
 thirty-six. From the report of the clerk of the board 
 of education for the year ending August 31, 1878, we 
 present the following statistics: 
 
 Number of school houses, 7 
 
 Valued at $4,500 
 
 Amount jiaid teachers $1,388 
 
 Number of scholars ^7 
 
 EARLY EVENTS. 
 
 The first white child born in Columbia was Sally 
 Hoadley, daughter of Lemuel Hoadley, Jr. This in- 
 teresting event occurred September 36, 1808, She 
 became thi wife of Albert Terrel, who now lives in 
 Ridgeviile. On the 17th of October following Calvin 
 Geer, son of James Geer, was born, and his was the 
 second birth in town. Mr. Geer is yet living, and 
 resides in Olmsted. In the spring of 1809, Marcus 
 Terrell married Dillie Doan, — Esquire Nathaniel 
 Doan, the bride's father, performing the ceremony. 
 This was the first marriage. The next was that of 
 Horace Gunn to Anna Pritchard, in .Tune of the same 
 year. The first death was that of a child of Lathrop 
 Seymour, in 1809. It was buried on Nathaniel Doan's 
 farm, east of the center. The first adult death was 
 that of Mrs. Ciiloe Tyler, mother of Mrs. Lemuel 
 Hoadley, in August, 1810. She was buried in Benoni 
 Adams' orchard. The old burying ground was laid 
 out in 1811. The first interment was that of Azor 
 Bronson; the next that of Bela Bronson. 
 
 The first post office in town was established about 
 the year 1817. The first post master was Thomas G. 
 Bronson, who kept the office in his house. The 
 name selected was the Indian name for Rocky river, 
 •'Copokah." In the papers sent from Washington 
 the word was mis-written Copojm, and the error was 
 never corrected. The postal route extended from 
 Cleveland to Liverpool, a man by tiie name of Mal- 
 lett being the first mail carrier. He received fifty 
 dollars per year, making the trip on foot once a week. 
 
 Harmon Bronson, in the fall of 1816, built the 
 first frame house in Columbia, on sub-lot four. The 
 first frame barn was built by Tin othy Doan, in 1836. 
 The first brick house was that of Simeon Nichols, 
 on lot forty-seven. Harmon Bronson brought the 
 first mercantile goods into town in 1816. He kept 
 his "store" in his house on the hill, half a mile 
 
154 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 east of the center. He also, the year following, 
 brought the first cast iron plow ever seen in these 
 parts. In 1819 the first bridge tliat ever sjianncd 
 Rocky river, was built half a mile south of tlio cen- 
 ter. The first doctor was Zophaniah Potter, wlio be- 
 gan to dispense jalap and calomel in 1809. In 1813 
 Potter was town clerk, and while his wife was out in 
 the woods with her servant one day, gathering grapes, 
 his house burned to the ground and the town records 
 were destroyed. The deed was supposed to have been 
 committed by Indians, out of revenge. Dr. Potter 
 iuxving assisted Dr. Long, of Cleveland, in dissect- 
 ing the body of the Indian Oniik, who was hung 
 there for the murder of two men in Huron county a 
 short time before. The present doctor is Asahel 
 Culver. The first shoemaker was Mrs. James Geer. 
 Slie was the widow Parker, mentioned as one of the 
 orginal party from Waterbury, Conn. She remained 
 in Cleveland the first winter, and while there married 
 James Geer. Her former husband was a shoenuiker, 
 and Mrs. Parker, in emigrating to this country, 
 brought his outfit of tools with her. She made slioes 
 for the women, but the work of making boots, wliich 
 were entirely sewed in those days, was too irksome 
 for her, and after tcaeliing lier husband tlie trade 
 she resigned the work to liim. Lemuel Hoadloy con- 
 structed the pioneer fanning-mill of Culuinbia. 
 
 The first orchard was set out by John Williams a 
 short distance north of Copopo. J. Warner erected 
 in the fall of 1813 the first cider-mill, near tlie block 
 house. The first tavern was kept by Samuel Pardee, 
 in 1813, in a log house on lot thirty-six. Rev. Mr. 
 Hyde, a Presbyterian, was the first resident minister. 
 The first blacksmith was Lemuel Hoadley, Sr. His 
 shop was built in 1808, on lot forty-seven. 
 
 THE MILITIA. 
 
 In the year 1810, a com})any of militia, composed 
 of men from tlie townsliips of Columbia, Ridgeviile, 
 Eaton, and also Middleburg in Cuyahoga county, was 
 organized. Tlie following are the names of tlie mem- 
 bers : 
 
 Calvin Hoadley, Lemuel Hoadley, Jr., Elias Frost, Daniel Bronson, 
 Bela Bronson, Jared Pritchard, Levi Bronscin, I.atlirop Seymour, Sam- 
 uel Potter, Eli Hiekox, Warren Fassett, Marcus Terrell, Asa Robertson, 
 Joseph Burke, llai-shall Culver, Zephaniah Potter, Eri Hiekox, Clark 
 Hoadley, Jared Hiekox, Noah Warner, Roswell Scovil. Ebenezer Wilmot, 
 Ira B.Morgan, Oliver Terrell, Philander Terrell, Tillotson Terrell, Leverett 
 Terrell, Wyllis Terrell, David Beebe, Lonian Beebe, Lyman Root, Truman 
 Walker, Amos Wilmot, Whittlesey Hill, Sylvester Morgan, Asa Morgan, 
 Richard Vaughan, Ephraim V'aughan, Jonathan Vaughan, Ephraim 
 Fowls, John Fowls, Abram Fowls, Benoni Adams, Samuel Hitchcock, 
 Timothy lloan, Allen Burke, Silas Burke, Chauncey Warner, Horace 
 Gunn, James (ieer, Thomas Osborn, Baird Pritchard, Samuel Pardee, 
 David Bunnell. David Eddy, Lyman Frost, Samuel Beebe, Sheldon 
 Wooster, Jno. Hanley. Sanmel Hiekox, Adna Warner, Aaron Warner. 
 
 In the election of officers, Calvin Hoadley was cho- 
 sen captain; Lemuel Hoadley, lieutenant; Lathrop 
 Seymour, ensign; Elias Frost, first sergeant; Samuel 
 Potter, second sergeant; Daniel Bronson, third ser- 
 geant; Bela Bronson, fourth sergeant; Capt. Levi 
 Bronson, first corporal; Capt. Samuel Hiekox, second 
 corporal: and Jared Pritch:ird, third corporal. 
 
 After the selection of these "old soldiers" as cor- 
 j)orals, young Eli Hiekox stepped up and said: "I'll 
 be the fourth to carry the jug for the old men," and 
 was thereujion elected fourth corporal. Joseph Burke 
 was drummer; Marshall Culver and Zephaniah Potter, 
 fifers. 
 
 Captain Hoadley's cdmmission, a copy of which lies 
 before us, bears date October 35, 1810, and is signed 
 by Samuel Huntington, governor. 
 
 The intelligence of Hull's surrender produced a 
 feeling of the gravest apprehension among the inhab- 
 itants; and when, shortly afterward, the information 
 was circulated that a large party of men, ragged ami 
 dirty, and some with blankets around them, and 
 handkerchiefs on their heads, were seen landing at 
 Huron, the wildest excitement jirevai led. They were 
 believed to be British and Indians overrunning the 
 country, and the people of Columbia, and those of 
 Ridgeviile and Eaton also, sought safety in flight. 
 Every wagon, cart and sled was loaded, and a, general 
 exodus made for Hudson — an older settled town, then 
 under the protection of the forces of Gen. Wadswortli. 
 who was stationed at "Old Portage." Men, women 
 and children, cattle, slice]) and hogs, inarched along 
 in iiromiscnons confu.sion. 
 
 Roswell Scovill, having no other means of convey- 
 ance, tied a feather-bed on to an unbroken pet colt, 
 placed his wife and babe, then three weeks old, upon 
 it, and thus took them in safety to Hudson, a distance 
 of thirty miles. Tlie first night, some of them en- 
 canijied on the ridge between Brunswick and Strongs- 
 ville; some to the east of that ridge; while others took 
 up their cpiarters in the old log house of Silas Burke. 
 Uncle Oliver Terrell could not be induced to enter 
 the house, but preferred the exposure of a lodgment 
 on the ground to the more dangerous one, as he 
 believed, in the house. Sentinels were placed to ob- 
 serve the approach of danger, and every preparation 
 made to prevent surprise. That same night, however, 
 Levi Bronson, who, to obtain more definite informa- 
 tion in regard to the report, had gone to Cleveland, 
 arrived with the cheering information that the party 
 supposed to be British and Indians, were Hull's jta- 
 roled iM'isoiiers, and the ])eople thereupon returned to 
 tiieir homes. 
 
 On their flight, believing their homes would be 
 pillaged and burned, they concealed many of their 
 household goods in the woods, hiding them in hollow 
 logs, in the thick brush, and in other places where 
 they believed tliem safe from the suppo.sed invaders. 
 When they returned, many valued articles, which 
 they suppo.sed were effectually concealed, lay on the 
 ground in plain sight, while others of but little worth 
 (U' use were so securelv hid tliat it was impossible 
 again to find them. 
 
 After the return of the fugitives, Capt. Hoadley, 
 to re-assure the people, called out the militia, and 
 immediately afterward received orders from Gen. 
 Wadswortli to proceed with his comjjany to the defence 
 of Cleveland. This the doughty captain ])erein]itorily 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 155 
 
 refused to do, and thus leave the people without 
 protection in time of danger, lie was therefore not 
 court-mart i.iledf or di.sobcdieuce of orders, but directed 
 to establish "frontier military lieadipuirtcrs " in Co- 
 liunbia, and tiie erection of 
 
 TUE BLOCK HOUSE, 
 
 SO long a historical landmark of this exciting period, 
 was accordingly begun, under the direction of David 
 Beebe, of Ridgeville. Its location was a short dis- 
 tance south of Copopo, on the east side of the river. 
 The building was some thirty-five feet square, two 
 stories, the upper projecting over the lower story two 
 feet on the sides, with a row of port-holes in each 
 story. While in course of erection the militia occu- 
 pied the house of Mrs. Azor Bronson near by. The 
 fort was garrisoned for about three months. The com- 
 pany was furnished, by the United States government, 
 with new rifles, which were brought by Sylvester 
 Morgan, and two others on horseback, from Cleve- 
 land. About one-half of the company afterwards be- 
 came substitutes for drafted men, and served Under 
 Gen. Harrison. 
 
 Until Perry's victory on Lake Erie, in September, 
 1813, the red coat and the scaljiing knife haunted the 
 settlers in visions )jy day and in dreams by night; and 
 a rumor, however improbable, would cause immediate 
 flight to the fort. 
 
 In the spring of 1813, Benoni Adams, while in 
 search of some cattle, spied Joseph Burke as he was 
 getting over a brush fence some distance from him, 
 and it occurred to Adams to have a little sport. Evi- 
 dences of Indians in the immediate vicinity had 
 recently been seen, and, when Adams gave a shout in 
 imitation of the Indian's warwhoop, Burke darted off 
 like a deer for his house. Adams, seeing his fright, 
 and fearing the cousequeuces of his Joke, called after 
 him to stop, but that only frightened Burke the more. 
 Arriving at his house, he ap[)rised his family of their 
 danger, and, with their youngest child in his arms, 
 Mrs. Burke following with the rest, set out for the 
 fort, Burke yelling "Indians!" all the way. The 
 alarm spread rapidly, and many ludicrous scenes were 
 enacted. 
 
 Mrs. Azor Bronson, then a widow, lived a short 
 distance from the fort, and the family of Noah War- 
 ner lived with her. Mrs. Bronson, on hearing the 
 alarm, collected together a few tilings, and, seizing 
 an old musket that had neither lock nor stock, with 
 which to defend herself, started for the fort; while 
 Jlrs. Warner took a kettle of beans from over the fire 
 and followed, in her terror forgetting her babe in the 
 cradle. 
 
 After the close of the war small bands of Indians oc- 
 1 :isionally returned to the Columbia hunting grounds. 
 The last of them was a small party that encamped one 
 winter on the bank of the river opjjosite the block 
 house, in which, that same winter, Samuel Potter 
 I aught school. In the spring they went south, and 
 only an occasional Indian was afterwards seen. 
 
 During the first years of the settlement there were 
 seasons of great scarcity of food. Such a season oc- 
 curred in 1809. Whole families lived for many weeks 
 at a time without bread and other necessaries of life. 
 This season the peoi;)le were reduced to such extremi- 
 ties that provisions had to be imported. James Geer 
 and Seba Bronson, Jr., dug out a canoe and in it went 
 down Rocky river, thence to Cleveland, where they 
 engaged a man named Johnson, with his boat, to go 
 with them to the river Raising, now Monroe, Mich., 
 after provisions. A terrific storm overtook them 
 and they came near being lost. Their progress was 
 slow, the journey so prolonged, and the jieople re- 
 duced to such a degiee of want for food, that on the 
 return of the party with provisions, a day of thanks- 
 giving to Almighty (fod was observed. 
 
 The year 181 1 was also a dismal one for the pioneers. 
 A fever jjrevailed extensively, resulting in the death of 
 nine mendiers of the little community. Azor Bron- 
 st)n was the first and Bela Bronson the next; soon 
 after followed Mrs. Pardee, three cliildren of Ash;iel 
 Osborn, and three of John Williams. Whole families 
 were sick at the same time, and there were not enough 
 left in health to attend the sick. The dead were in- 
 terred in cofhus made by Captain Hoadley, out of 
 planed whitewood slabs, and blackened with a mix- 
 ture of basswood charcoal and milk. 
 
 CIVIL ORGAN rZATlON. 
 
 At the time of its organization, this township was 
 a part of Geauga county. At the election of officers, 
 held at tlie house of Calvin Hoadley, Nathaniel Hoad- 
 ley was called to the chair, and Bela Bronson appointed 
 secretary. Township officers were chosen viva voce, 
 as follows: Bela Bronson, clerk; Calvin Hoadley, John 
 Williams and Jared Pritchard, trustees; Lathrop Sey- 
 mour, constable. In May following, Nathaniel Doane 
 was elected justice of the peace. 
 
 "All of Geauga county lying west of Columbia was 
 annexed to that township for judicial and other jnir- 
 poses. The jurisdiction of that judicial functionary 
 covered, in territorial extent, nearly an empire. The 
 plaintiff in the first action brought before him, lived 
 on (irand river, and the defendant on the Vermillion. 
 It was the case of Skinner vs. Hulburt. The idaintifiE 
 had judgment, which was paid, not in legal tender, 
 but in lalior."* The labor was performed by the 
 defendant for Calvin Hoadley and Nathaniel Doane, 
 which paid the judgment. 
 
 Mrs. Sally Brown, in honor of being the first white 
 woman that settled in town, was accorded the jOTvi- 
 lege of naming it. She selected that of her native 
 townshiji, "Columbia." At the time of the organi- 
 zation, there were twenty voters in the township, as 
 follows: Lemuel Hoadley, Sr., Lemuel Hoadley, Jr., 
 Calvin Hoadley, Jared Pritchard, Horace Gunn, Na- 
 thaniel Doane, Timothy Doane, Job Doane, Lathroi) 
 Seymour, Isaac Frost, Elias Frost, Lyman Frost, 
 
 * Judge Boyntou. 
 
156 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 James Geer, John Williams, Bela Bronson, Seba 
 Hroiison, Sr., Seba Bronson, Jr., Daniel Bronson, 
 James Strong and Walter Strong. 
 
 The officers of the township, in 1878, were as fol- 
 lows: B. H. Adams, clerk; R. J. Bastard, Jr., and 
 C. E. Perlvins, justice of the peace. 
 
 GRIST MILL. 
 
 The fir.st manufacturing establishment ever built 
 in tiic county was the rude log grist mill of Calvin 
 Iloadley, built in the summer of 18011. Its location 
 was on tlie cast hank of Rocky river, on lot thirty- 
 four. The captain built a dam across the creek on 
 that lot, about where the present road intersects the 
 creek, and carried the water to his mill by a ditch 
 some fifty rods in length. Tlie mill-stones of this 
 pioneer establishment were made out of a couple of 
 "hard-heads,"' by Lemuel Iloadley. The mill was 
 crowded with business, but it soon came to an inglo- 
 rious end. The great drawliai'k was its failure to run 
 in dry weather, and the tirst freshet carried away the 
 dam. The enterprise was abandonetl, and a location 
 was selected on the same river, on the north line of 
 the township, on lot twenty-one. Here he erected, 
 in April, 1811, another log mill, and the same year a 
 saw mill. These mills, in that early time, constituted 
 a center of as much importance as a great city does 
 to-day. " Iloadley "s Mills '' were known far and wide. 
 In 1816, the log grist mill gave way to a frame. This 
 old mill, built over sixty years ago, is still in opera- 
 tion, and has undergone but little change, although 
 the familiar, smiling face of the miller has long since 
 disappeared. 
 
 Fi»r sixty years tht* railt lia-< stuod, 
 
 For sixty years llie dasUing Hoi.d 
 
 Has turned tlie wlieel with roai-iiig sound 
 
 Through foaming waters, round and round. 
 
 Sixty years, and overhead 
 Tlie same broad root of blue is sjlread; 
 But in the meadows bright and green. 
 The stranger's children now are seen. 
 
 SAW MILL. 
 
 A saw mill was built by Reuben Lewis in about the 
 year 1814, a half-mile south of the center. A man by 
 the name of Olmsted made the running gear and set it 
 in operation. When the water was let on, the wlieel 
 turned the wrong way, and before the slight defect 
 could be remedied, a freshet washed a channel ai'uunil 
 the mill and swejit it away. 
 
 Tliere are at the present time one grist mill — the 
 old mill of ('a|it. Iloadley — now owned by O. \'aii 
 Ilise, and two saw mills, those of 0. Van Ilise and 
 Brown & Brother. 
 
 TOE coll'mhi.v ciikese factory, 
 
 the only one in the township, waslniill in l>S(;;. It is 
 located at the center, and is owned by W. B. FoUansbee. 
 The number of cows supplying the factory is about 
 three hundred. Average daily consumjition of milk 
 during the season of 1878 was from. six to seven thou- 
 sand ])ounds, making twelve cheese per day, of forty 
 pounds each, and seventy pounds of butter. B. B. 
 Adams, of the center, is at piv-^enl conducting the 
 eiiter[irise. 
 
 The only store in Columbia is that of R. .J. Ba.s- 
 tard & Son, who carry a general stock of. merchandise. 
 The post office is in their store — R. Bastard, P. M. 
 
 AtiRICl'LTURAL STATISTICS POR 1878. 
 
 7,487 bushels. 
 
 ai.lSG 
 
 :ir.,09S 
 
 9,123 
 
 2,025 
 
 2,155 tons. 
 
 Butter 50,575 pounds. 
 
 Cheese las.lOO 
 
 Vote fob President in 187ti. 
 Hayes 174 | Tllden 54 
 
 Wheat, 517 acres. 
 Oats, SiSS ■' .. 
 
 Corn, 1,014 " 
 Potatoes, 'M " .. 
 Orchards. 173 " . 
 Meadow, 2081 '* . . 
 
 At the timeof tlie .Jackson canijiaion. ihrrc was lint 
 one Jackson man in the township, and he did not 
 vote. 
 
RANSOM BRONSON. 
 
 Mr. Bronson is a worthy descendant of an old and 
 honored family. He wa.« born in Waterlniry, Conn., 
 Sept. 11, 1805. He traces iiis lineage back to John 
 Bronson, who emigrated from England to the United 
 States in the year 1636. He settled in Hartford, 
 Conn., but afterwards removed to Farmington, where 
 he died in the year 1680. 
 
 His son Isaac was one of the earliest settlers in 
 Waterbury, Conn., whence came the first settlers of 
 the township of Columbia. 
 
 The successive descendants, in the line of ancestry, 
 were as follows: John Bronson, Joseph Bronson, 
 Seba Bronson, and Azor Bronson, the father of the 
 subject of this sketch. He was one of a family of 
 fourteen children, nearly all of whom emigrated to 
 the West, as did also their parents. 
 
 He was one of the five trustees of tlie Waterbury 
 Land Company, and was therefore one of the original 
 owners of the soil of Columbia. He emigrated 
 to the township with his family, consisting of his 
 wife and four children, in the summer of 1811, ar- 
 riving at the place of destination on the 4th day of 
 July. He located on sub-lot 11, but before the com- 
 pletion of his house lie was stricken down by a 
 malignant disease, which was so fatally prevalent in 
 the infant settlement at that time. 
 
 The family was left at his death in peculiarly 
 unfortunate circumstances. The mother had four 
 voung boys — the oldest only thirteen — to care for in 
 the uncleared forest, with uo available means to clear 
 
 the land of the debt resting against it, or even to put 
 tlie uncompleted house in a condition for occupancy. 
 She moved into a house belonging to Nathaniel 
 Doane, which she occupied until her marriage to 
 Reuben Lewis, some three years after the death of 
 her first husband. 
 
 Instead of ameliorating her condition by this mar- 
 riage, as she evidently expected to do, it was rendered 
 infinitely worse by the unkindness of her husband, 
 both to herself and children. After an unharmonious 
 union of four years a separation ensued, Mr. Lewis 
 removing from the township. 
 
 During this time the boys worked out at whatever 
 they could find to do, and thus supported themselves, 
 and for a time were kept together with theii* mother. 
 
 Ransom, at the age of eleven, took up his abode, 
 under contract, with Marshall Culver. One day he 
 thoughtlessly cut down some of the trees in his em- 
 ployer's growing sugar-bush. Culver \vas greatly 
 offended, and refused to keep the boy longer. The 
 lad regarded this as a great misfortune, but it really 
 proved a blessing in disguise, for he was immediately 
 after placed under the care of Samuel Hitchcock, to 
 whose teaching and influence he attributes much of 
 his subsequent success in life. He was trained by 
 him in habits of industry and economy. 
 
 Dec. 4, 1833, Mr. Bronson was united in marriage 
 to Mrs. S. H. Frink. His mother subsequently 
 made her home with them, and died at their residence 
 in Columbia, in the year 1851, aged seventy-seven. 
 
Photo, by Lee, Elyria, 0. 
 
 MRS. RANSOM BRONSON. 
 
 Mr. Branson's occupation has been that of a farmer, 
 and by good management, untiring industry, and fru- 
 gal habits he has accumulated a fine property. 
 
 He has held various township offices, such as trus- 
 tee, justice of the peace, etc. He was elected to the 
 former office when twenty-two years of age. He was 
 formerly a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, but at the organization of the Wesleyan 
 Methodist Church of West View, which was the 
 result of a division of the former church on the 
 question of slavery, became one of the charter 
 members. 
 
 His first wife died in 1877, and Dec. 25 of the 
 same year he married the widow of Aaron J. Cha- 
 pin, with whom he is now living at West View, 
 Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. 
 
 Mrs. Bronson is the daughter of Moses and Almira 
 (Smith) Adams, who were born in Schoharie Co., 
 N. Y., in the year 1805 ; the father, Aug. 7, and 
 the mother, April 26. 
 
 About the year 1849, Mr. Adams removed with 
 his family to Riceville, Pa., where he has continued 
 to reside up to the present time. 
 
 They had a family of six children, — two boys and 
 four girls. The oldest daughter died in Joliet, 111., 
 in 1878, and a son, John Q,. A. M., died when young. 
 
 Mary L. (Mrs. Bronson) was born in Stockton, 
 
 Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Aug. 6, 1832. July 6, 1853, 
 she was married to Aaron J. Chapin, of Riceville, 
 Pa., and became the mother of four children, as 
 follows : Ida E., born April 20, 1854 ; John Q. A. M., 
 born July 6, 1856 ; Olive M., born Sept. 9, 1857 ; 
 Elmer D., born April 15, 1861. 
 
 Ida married, in the year 1870, Lindsey Anderson, 
 and is now residing at Harvard, 111. The two sons, 
 unmarried, also reside there. Olive died March 19, 
 1859. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Chapin first settled in Canada, 
 where they remained about a year, thence removing 
 to Iowa. After a residence there of three years they 
 moved to Minnesota, and two years subsequently, 
 back to their former home in Riceville, Pa. 
 
 He was a cabinet-maker, and was a skillful work- 
 man. Mr. Chapin served four years in the war of 
 the Rebellion, being a member of Company D, 
 Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He died in Canada, 
 in the year 1871. 
 
 During her widowhood, Mrs. Bronson resided 
 mostly at Titusville, Pa., but retained her home in 
 Riceville. Though encountering many difficulties, 
 by industry and frugality she maintained herself and 
 children, whom she gave also a good education. 
 She looks back to that period as one of great use- 
 fulness. 
 
A^-^^rC^ t?c>L^_ 
 
 Jesse Eddy was born in Washington Co., Pa., Dec. 15, 
 1814. He was the son of David and Elizabeth Eddy, and 
 lived at the home of his parents until he became of age. 
 
 David Eddy came from Pennsylvania about 1806, and 
 erected a log cabin for his father, Caleb Eddy, in Euclid 
 township, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. He spent a part of his 
 time in Columbia township, Lorain Co., until his marriage 
 with Elizabeth Sherdine, of Pennsylvania, March 4, 1814. 
 The following year (1815) he brought his wife and settled 
 in Columbia township, remaining there until his death, 
 which occurred Oct. 21, 1853. His wife survived him 
 about one year, she dying Oct. 6, 1854. They liad four 
 children, as follows, namely : 
 
 Jesse, born Dec. 15, 1814; married Caroline Chamber- 
 lain, Jan. 30, 1837 ; had issue — Mary E., who married 
 Cephas Myers ; Susan Josephine, who died in early child- 
 hood ; Hattie E., who married James M. Mann ; both now 
 reside in Rochester township. 
 
 Enos Eddy, born Dec. 1, 1816; married Cynthia Brad- 
 ford; died May 11, 1847. 
 
 Susannah Eddy, born March 24, 1820 ; married Myron 
 Bradford; died Aug. 21, 1851. 
 
 Eunice Eddy, born Feb. 22, 1822 ; married — 1st, Hiram 
 N. Bradford ; 2d, Samuel Huntley. Iter children were 
 Eddy, Sylva E., Viola S., Henry 0., of whom A'iola died 
 Oct. 1, 1862; Sylva married Dr. M. H. Miller; and 
 Henry married Miss Ella Storrow. 
 
 Caleb Eddy was born in the year 1754, in Morristown, 
 Morris Co., N. J. He married a Miss Brown. Their 
 children were Timothy, born March 4, 1781 ; David, born 
 Feb. 1, 1783; Elizabeth, born Dec. 9, 1784, still living in 
 New Jer.sey in her ninety-third year. 
 
 Caleb Eddy married for his second wife a Widow Jones, 
 and had by her four sons and two daughters, — Esther, born 
 Aug. 9, 1789 ; Caleb, Jr., born Sept. 25, 1791 ; Sarah, 
 born Sept. 4, 1793 ; Phebe, born Dec. 12, 1797 ; Samuel, 
 born Nov. 24, 1799, still living in Bristol townshii), 
 Kenosha Co., Wis. ; Isabel, born Sept. 2(1, 1804. 
 
 About the year 1790, Caleb Eddy moved into Washington 
 Co., Pa., where his last five children were born. He went 
 from Pennsylvania to P]uclid, Ohio, about the year 1807, 
 and was among the pioneers of Cuyahoga County. He 
 died there about the year 1819. His widow afterwards 
 married a Mr. Blinn, and died at Euclid. Caleb Eddy 
 followed his trade, that of a black.smith, most of his liie, 
 giving little attention to forming. 
 
 J&s.^e Eddy, as before stated, remained at home until he 
 was twenty-one. He was occupied as a farm laborer, rent- 
 ing lands for a year or two after his marriage, when his 
 father gave him twenty acres. He subse(|uently purchased 
 ten acres more, making a total of thirty acres. These he 
 exchanged for sixty acres of woodland, and on this he built 
 a log cabin, and commenced life in real earnest by carving for 
 himself a home. 
 
 He succeeded in clearing up and cultivating these sixty 
 acres, upon which he lived until 1870, when he removed 
 to Rochester township. 
 
 His wife died in the old home, Feb. 5, 1855. She never 
 had a strong constitution, but was full of energy and am- 
 bition. Her death was deeply uuiurned by her husband and 
 friends. 
 
 Mr. Eddy has had various offices of trust bestowed upon 
 him by his fellow-citizens. He was postmaster at Rochester 
 Depot for four and a half years, and bears the reputation 
 of having been its most efficient officer. During his term 
 he registered nine hundred letters ; the smallest amount 
 having been fifty cents, the largest, seven thousand dol- 
 lars, in bonds, which went to Fort Collins, Col. He has 
 also held other trusts, all of which he filled faithfully 
 and well. 
 
 He became a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church 
 in the year 1843, and is still in communion with that de- 
 nomination. 
 
 In politics he is a staunch Republican, having affiliated 
 with that ])aity in its organization, prior to which he was 
 an (ild-liiie Wlii"-. 
 

 
 WS^**-': 
 
 xv> 
 
 CONQREQATIONAL CHURCH, F^idqeville , LofjAiN Co.O. 
 
RIDGEVILLE/^- 
 
 This township, known ;is niinilier six, in the six- 
 teenth ninge, was drawn l)y Ephraini Uoiit-, of flart- 
 fonl, Conn. 
 
 Tlie surface; rises fron) the north in successive 
 ridges, parallel to the hike shore, the i)rincii)al of 
 wliich are ('enter ridge, Chestnut ridge and Butter- 
 nut ridge. The soil is varied and fertile, producing 
 abundantly whatever the liand of the husbandman 
 entrusts to it. The township is one of the most 
 highly improved in (he county, })rescnting to one 
 who rides through it an almost constant succession of 
 cultivated lields and tasty homes. Along tiie ridges 
 originally prevailed the chestnut, butternut, white- 
 wood, white oak, beech and maple — the chestnut being 
 especially abundant. On the lower laud, the elm, 
 bassvvood, black ash and hickory were the leading 
 varieties. The streams are few and unimportant, tlie 
 jirincipal being East creek. Center creek and West 
 creek, so called from their position in the township. 
 The first two tlow into Avon, where they unite and 
 form French creek, a tributary of Black river. West 
 creek flows into the township of Elyria and is also an 
 
 , affluent of Black river. 
 
 I There are two stone (juarries in the northeastern part 
 of the township, owned and worked by Luvel and Syd- 
 ney L. Beebe. The stone underlies a considerable 
 tract of land and is sandstone of the newer formation. 
 Some of the finest building stone in the country are 
 obtained at these (piarries. It is finished up by the 
 owners, at the present time, chiefly for monumental 
 use. There is a similar quarry on the farm of Wyllis 
 Terrell, though not extensively worked. 
 
 FIRST AKKIVALS. 
 
 In the fall of 1809, Oliver Terrell, Ichabod Terrell 
 • and David Beebe, Sr., of Waterbury, Conn., exchanged 
 their New England farms, witli Mr. Root for some- 
 thing over one-fourth of the township. Having the 
 privilege of selecting their land, they chose the north- 
 east quarter, with some additional territory on Butter- 
 nut ridge. 
 
 In April of the next year, a company of men, some 
 twelve or thirteen in number, on foot and with their 
 knapsacks on their backs, set out from Waterbury for 
 the western purchase. Their names were David Beebe 
 and two sons, David and Loman, Joel Terrell, Oliver 
 Terrell, Philander Terrell, Elihu Terrell, Lyman 
 
 * Wyllis Terrell, Ichabod Terrell autl Laurel Beebe will please accept 
 tliauks for infurmation furuisLeil the writer in the preparation of the 
 history of this township. 
 
 Root, Sheldon Wooster, Mansfield Webb, Amos and 
 Orrin Ilotchkiss and Ira B. Morgan. 
 
 At Bntlalo they bought an Outfit consisting of axes, 
 saws, planes, chains, and some other articles for their 
 use in the Ridgeville woods. A man with a small 
 sail boat was engaged to carry the tools to ('levelaud, 
 one of the men, Lyman Root, accoinjianying to take 
 charge of the valuable cargo on its arrrival at Cleve- 
 land. The rest of the comjiany resumed the journey 
 the next morning and reached Cleveland only a. <lay 
 after the arrival of the vessel. From this ])lace, then 
 a little settlement of only a few cabins, they ju'oceeded 
 to Ridgeville, by way of Columbia, carrying in their 
 knapsacks some of the lighter implements and leaving 
 the rest to be brought afterwards on pack-horses. 
 They reached the end of their long journey on Tues- 
 day, May loth. As they approached the Ridgeville 
 line David Beebe, Jr., ([uietly passed ahead of his asso- 
 ciates, and arriving first on the ground, cut down the 
 first tree. The first improvement was made on lot 
 fifteen, on land now owned by .(ohn Lonsby. Here 
 the men erected a rude log cabin, tiie roof of which 
 consisted of bark. Tiie structure was witliout even 
 the luxury of a puncheon floor. In this the men kept 
 bachelor's hall, while on their selected locations they 
 prosecuted the work of clearing and preparing for the 
 arrival of their families later in the season. 
 
 THE FIRST SETTLEMENT 
 
 in the town was made July G, 1810. On that day 
 Tillotson Terrell and his family, consisting of his 
 wife and three children, from Waterbury, Connecti- 
 cut, came upon the ground and took up their abode 
 in the cabin with the men on lot fifteen. They all 
 lived here as one family until the following September. 
 Mr. Terrell remained until October, when he moved 
 into a house which, in the meantime, had been erected 
 for him on the place now occupied by the residence of 
 the widow of Harry Terrell. On the arrival, soon 
 afterwards, of his father, Ichabod Terrell and his 
 family, Mr. Terrell changed his locati(ni to the east 
 bank of Center creek, and afterwards to a more per- 
 manent one two miles farther east, on lot eight. The 
 farm is now occiii)ied by his son Lovinus. Here he 
 spent the remainder of his life. He was born in 
 Waterbury, Conn., May 1, 17S5. He married, at the 
 age of eighteen. Electa Wilmot, (huighter of P]lisha 
 and Hannah Wilmot, and lived in Waterbury until 
 his emigration to Ohio. The life of this pioneer came 
 to an untimely end December 23, 1838. While in the 
 woods hunting, about a mile from his house, he was 
 
 (157) 
 
158 
 
 HISTOEY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 shot by one Sylvester Powers, who, seeing Mr. Terrell 
 iit some distance from him tlirough intervening brush 
 mistook hmi for a deer. He lived until the following 
 morning, and although conscious from tlic first that 
 he was mortally hurt, exhibited the greatest coolness 
 and self possession in the midst of surrounding grief 
 and excitement, and died without a murmur at his 
 fate, or a word of reproacli for the man wlm was the 
 cause of it. His widow continued to carry on the 
 farm until her younger children were settled in life, 
 when she made her home with her youngest sou, on 
 the old homestead. She died November 23, 18C1, 
 aged seventy-six. There were eleven children, and 
 all were living at the time of tlie father's death. Five 
 are now (.January, 1879.) living. Eliza lives near 
 Grand Rapids, ^Michigan. She married Rev. William 
 Peters, a Methodist minister and resided in Ridgeville 
 for some years. Estlier is the wife of John H. Faxon, 
 Esq., of Eiyriii, and Harriet the wife of Dr. George 
 Underiiill, of La Grange. Two sons, Marcus and 
 Lovinus, are residents of tliis town. Lucinda was 
 the first wife of Laurel Beebe, a well known resident 
 of flie town. Slie died iii 1851. 
 
 LOST IN THE WOODS. 
 
 It was during the residence of the family in their 
 first location on the Ridge that the following incident 
 occurred. One morning while Mr. Terrell was at 
 work preparing for the erection of his house on Center 
 creek, Mrs. Terrell went to the stream at a point 
 further east to get a pail of water. Instead of re- 
 turning immediately as she liud intended, she con- 
 cluded to go over to her husband and see how his 
 work was progressing and started, as she supposed, 
 in the right direction. But she soon became bewil- 
 dered and lost in the dense woods, and could neither 
 find her husband nor lier home, where sjie had left 
 little children. After wandering about in the woods 
 nearly all day, over logs and through brush and 
 swamp, she came by accident upon the "Indian trail" 
 which led from Columbia through Ridgeville to the 
 mouth of Hlack river. This, liy chance, she ft)llowed 
 in the right direction, and finally reached her home, 
 though in a terribly worn and wretched conditi(m. It 
 wdl serve to indicate the newness of the country to 
 know that the spring to which Mrs. Terrell went for 
 the water was only about thirty rods from the house. 
 
 In the latter j)art of Octolier, 1810, the families of 
 David Beebe, Sr., David Beebe, Jr., and Lyman Root, 
 who arrived under the care of David Beebe, Jr., and 
 Ichabod Terrell, his family and liis aged father, Oliver 
 Terrell, were adiled to the infant colony. There were 
 in the party some twenty-two persons, the oldest 
 eighty-two years and the youngest five weeks. Two 
 wagons, three yoke of oxen and one horse, brought 
 the emigrants and their effects. 
 
 At Cleveland, Ichabod Terrell bought a barrel each 
 of Hour and salt, paying therefor the snug sum of 
 forty dollars. Instead of going around through 
 Columbia, as their predecessors had done, they took 
 
 a more direct course, and from Rocky river to the 
 place of destination, had to cut their own road. This 
 part of the journey, only twelve miles in extent, con- 
 sumed nearly four days. As tlie l)arty approached 
 the house of Tillotson Terrell, Mrs. David Beebe, Jr., 
 who was a near neighbor of Mrs. Terrell in Water- 
 bury, led the way so as to be the first to greet her 
 friend. The two women were so moved by the meet- 
 ing, that neither could utter a word for some time, 
 during which they stood with hands clasped across 
 the brush fence that surrounded the Terrell cabin. 
 Mrs. Beebe was the first white woman Mrs. Terrell 
 had seen for over three months. 
 
 When the party reached the settlement Lorin Smith 
 who had driven one of the teams through, was told 
 that each of the pioneers had done some special act to 
 signalize the settlement of the ct)lony and tlial it was 
 his work to do the first plowing. He complietl with 
 the suggestion, and thus he has the honor of turning 
 the first furrow in Ridgeville. Mr. Smith afterwards 
 settled in Delaware county, where he died in March, 
 1878. 
 
 The Beebes located on lot twenty-one. David 
 Beebe, Sr., was born in Waterbury, Conn., April 23, 
 1747. He married Lydia TerrelC February 1, 1768, 
 who was born in Waterbury, .January 10, 1747. They 
 had eleven children, as follows, named in the order 
 of their birth: Alice, Ava, Electa, Lydia, Esther, 
 Eunice, David, Molly, Chester, Augustus, Loman. 
 
 Mr. Beebe became blind some years previous to his 
 death, wiiich occurred in the year 1840, at the ad- 
 vanced age of ninety-four. Mrs. Beebe died in 1833. 
 aged eighty-eight. 
 
 I'OUK DAYS AND THREE NIUUTS IN THE WOODS. 
 
 Early one nuirning in the fall of 1811, Mr. Beebe 
 went into the woods in search of his horses, and the 
 day being cloudy, he lost his way aiul wandered about 
 all day without the least knowledge of the direction 
 in which he was going. Night overtaking him, he 
 crept into a hollow tree and there passed a sleepless 
 night. The next day he moved about unceasingly 
 to discover some olgect Ijy which he could deter- 
 mine liis whereabouts, but without success, and in 
 looking for a lodging place, to his great amazement, 
 he found the same hollow tree in which he spent the 
 ])revious night. Convinced by this that he had been 
 travelling in a circle, he adopted the i)lan the follow- 
 ing day of selecting three or more trees in range, and 
 in this way was enabled to travel in a direct course. 
 Another night, however, was spent in the woods, 
 making his bed on mother earth under one of the 
 trees which he had selected in line. In the forenoon 
 of the fourth day he reached the lake shore in Avon, 
 which he followed westward until reaching the house 
 of John S. Reid at the mouth of Black river. Here 
 he was given a little food, his famished condition not 
 permitting the quantity his wasted pliysical condition 
 craved, and was then sent by Mr. Reid in the care of 
 a guide to the house of Asahel Porter, on the lake 
 
 I 
 I 
 
John Terrell, with two brothers, Roger and Jesse, emigrated from 
 England to America about the year 1630. Roger is mentioned in 
 history, in 1639, as one of the New Haven colonists whu settled Mil- 
 ford, Conn, ; he coming from Wetherslield, and probably from Water- 
 town, Mass., to Wethersfield. 
 
 Jesse settled at Naugatuck. The first mention of John, at Milford, 
 is on the church record, as follows: John Terrell and his wife, Abi- 
 gail, baptized August, 1044; so that probably became to Milford a few 
 years later than his brother Roger. Subsequently he settled in New 
 York, and owned two acres of land where the city hall now stands. 
 John had a son John, who was born in 1655. This John had eight 
 children, among whom was Josiah, born in 1095. Josiah married 
 Mary Goodwin, Jan. 1, 1723. They had seven children, among whom 
 was Oliver, born in 1730. Oliver had two children, Ichabod and Lu- 
 cinda. Oliver came, with his children and their families, from Water- 
 bury, Conn., to Ohio in ISIO, when he was eighty years old. He was 
 very spry and active, and rode on horseback the entire distance. He 
 died in Columbia, this county, in 1816, aged eighty-six. 
 
 Ichabod, the only son of Oliver, was born in 1703. He married, 
 in 1783, Rhoda Williams, one of the very few survivors of the Wyo- 
 ming massacre. To them were born ten children, as follows, — Tillot- 
 son, born May 1, 17S5 : married Electa Wilmot in 1804, and died Dec. 
 23, 1836; they had eleven children. Lydia, born Nov. 1, 17S7; mar- 
 ried James Emmons in 1807 ; they had thirteen cbildren ; she died 
 Oct. 25, 1871, aged eighty-four. Philander, born Dec. 10, 1789; mar- 
 ried Lora Reebe in 1811; had fifteen children, and died iu April, 
 1875. aged eighty-six. Oliver, born Sept. 2, 1791; married, in Oc- 
 tober, 1815, Anna Runnel ; had three cbildren ; he died Feb. 19. 1865, 
 aged seventy-five. Lucinda, born Nov. 0, 1795; married Aiiron Warner, 
 June 29, 1813 ; had five children, and died Sept. 3, 1872, aged seventy- 
 seven. Orpha, born May 2, 1798; married John Shaffer in 1817; had 
 twelve children, and died in August, 1872, aged seventy-four. Ich- 
 abod, born Ot?t, 1, 1800; married Sally Humphrey, Oct. S, 1823; they 
 have six children, and live in Ridgeville, on tbe farm where they 
 commenced their married life. Elihu F.. born Jan. 3, 1802; married 
 Electa Marsh in 1822 ; he bad four children, and died April 9, 1843, 
 aged forty-one. Horace, born Aug. 10, 1803; married Minerva Mc- 
 Neal, July 4, 1823; he has had thirteen children, and now lives in 
 Iowa. Harry was born at Waterbury, Conn., April 7, 1806; he mar- 
 ried, March 2, 1826, Annis, daughter of Joseph and Retsey Hum- 
 phrey. She was born at Simsbury, Conn., Jan. 7, 1807. 
 
 Ichabod, the father of Harry, exchanged his lands in Waterbury, 
 Conn., for ;vn undivided third of the northeast quarter of the town- 
 ship of Ridgeville. On this tract of land he settled with his family 
 in October, 1810, then an unbroken wilderness. They came from 
 Connecticut with ox-teams, and were seven weeks on the way. They 
 cut their road from Rocky River, a distance of twelve miles, camping 
 out three nights between that and Ridgeville. Ichabod Terrell was 
 a man of sterling traits of character, holding different offices of 
 trust among his people. He lived to see a home built up for his 
 family ;imid this wilderness. He died July 23, 1825, aged sixty-one. 
 His wife survived him a number of years, and died in June, 1851, 
 aged eighty-five. She was pre-eminently fitted to endure the priva- 
 tions and hardships of frontier life; a woman of unfliuehiug courage, 
 and fearless among the Indians and wild beasts of the forest. She 
 was a mother to each pioneer family as they made their advent into 
 the new settlement, and far and near she was known as ** Aunt Rhoda." 
 
 Harry, their youngest son, and subject of this sketch, was but four 
 years old when he was brought into this unbroken wilderness to battle 
 with the stern realities of frontier life. He very early learned to use 
 the rifle with unerring aim, and many were the trophies of deer, 
 bear, wolves, etc., of which he and his brothers were the victors. 
 He met with two very narrow escapes with his life from wild animals 
 while hunting alone in the woods; but these incidents were quite 
 common to all the early settlers. 
 
 His early education was such as he could pick up in this pioneer 
 settlement, where every one was battling to clear the soil of its dense 
 forest. His arithmetic was learned by figuring with a coal on the 
 puncheon floor, his father being the instructor. Eager and quick to 
 learn, he soon mastered reading, writing, etc., and was much in 
 advance of the other pioneer children of his age, so that we find him 
 at the age of nineteen teaching their school. He was commissioned 
 by Governor Allen Trimble as captain in the 9th Company, 2d Regi- 
 ment, 2d Rrigade, 9th Division, in tbe Ohio Militia, to rank as such 
 from the 7th day of November, 1829. He held various offices of trust, 
 both from his town and county. Elected justice of the peace in 1835, 
 he held that office for many years for which he was so well qualified. 
 Several instances are mentioned in which he adjourned court and 
 went with the parties to their homes to effect a settlement and recon- 
 ciliation. Among the German settlers he was known as '• the man 
 vot makes it all right." 
 
 He was proverbially neat in his person and ajjpearance, and correct 
 and exact in everything he did. Always cheerful and social, in his 
 later years nothing pleased him better than to have a houseful of 
 young people " as visitors." 
 
 He died Sept. 4, 1864. His wife survives him, and still lives on 
 the farm and in the same house where they commenced their mar- 
 ried life fifty- three years ago, and where he had lived since he was 
 four years old. 
 
 To them were born ten children, — Jay, born Feb. 7, 1827 ; Ann, born 
 Jan. 22, 1829; Jane, born Dec. 10, 1832 ; Arys (1st), born Feb. 21, 
 1834, and died July 25. 1836 : Arys (2d), born April 25, 1836, and died 
 Sept. 28, 1878; Joseph H., born Oct. 15, 1S3S ; Emeline (1st), born 
 Dec. 28, 1841, and died Oct. 6, 1844; Orson J., born Dec. 13, 1844; 
 Emeline (2d), born Oct. 25, 1847; Juline, born Aug. 9, 1850, and died 
 Sept. 25, 1852. 
 
 Jay married, Nov. 16, 1848, Etna E., daughter of Hon, Elah and 
 Elizabeth Park, of Avon. To them have been born seven children, — 
 Clay, born Nov. 30, 1849; married Mary Metcalf, Sept. 30, 1874; 
 Elah, born Sept. 29, 1851; Harry, born Sept. 22, 1856; Park, born 
 Aug. 27, 1858 ; Alice (1st), born Dec. 23, 1861, and died April 16, 1864 ; 
 Alice (2d), born Feb. 25, 1866; Charles M., born Oct 15, 1870. 
 
 Jane married Charles S. Mills. May 1, 1852. They have had Grace, 
 born April 27, 1854, and died Aug. 18, 1855; Allie, born Dec. 8, 1857, 
 and died Dec. 1, 1861 ; Ad;i, born June 23, 1859; Jennie, born Sept. 
 19, 1803; and Harry, born Nov. 1, 1869. 
 
 Arys (2d) married F. B. Powell, May 15, 1806 ; had three children, — 
 Claud and Maud, born in 1871; Madge, born in 1875. Joseph H. 
 married Irene, daughter of T. A. Benham, May 27, 1864. 
 
 Orson J. married Lucinda Faxon, Dec, 16, 1865 ; and second, Nar- 
 cissa C. Smith, May 3, 1874. By his first wife, George was born, 
 Jan. 5, 1867. By his second wife, Clara A., born July 7, 1875; 
 Grace E., born Nov. 2, 1876, and died Aug. 17, 1878. Emeline mar- 
 ried Erwin J. Herrick, Jan, 22, 1869. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 159 
 
 shore in Dover, wlierc lie was again refreshed with 
 food and rest, and then conducted to his home. 
 Every possible effort liad been made to find the un- 
 fortunate man — men from adjoining towns assisting 
 his immediate friends and neighbors in the search. 
 While in the woods he subsisted on a few hickory nuts 
 which lie had been carrying in his pocket. 
 
 David Beebe, Jr., or Major Bcebe, as he was gener- 
 ally called, Iniilt a distillery at an early date on Cen- 
 ter creek, opposite the Cahoon grist mill, operated it 
 for a few years and then abandoned the business. He 
 was a mason by trade and was much engaged in brick 
 and stone l.-iying in this region oi country, especially 
 in Elyria. His death took i)Iace August 27, 1847, 
 aged seventy-six. His wife, Belinda Beebe, survived 
 liim many years; her death occurred at the age of 
 nearly eighty-seven. There were seven children, two 
 of whom are living, viz: David, in Elyria, and Mrs. 
 Bennett Smith, in Buffalo. 
 
 Lyman Root removed to Dover the next spring 
 after his arrival in Ridgeville, but returned in 1815, 
 and settleil nc^ar East creek, on what is known 
 as the Mills farm. He manufactured the ashes 
 of the settlers into black salts, and also kept a 
 little store in an early day. He died in Ridgeville in 
 183C; his wife many years after, in Wood county, 
 Ohio. Tliey had eleven children, and seven of them 
 are now living, thongh none in town. 
 
 Ichabod Terrell moved into the house then occupied 
 by his son Tillotson, who vacated when his house on 
 Center creek, then in course of erection, was com- 
 pleted. Mr. Terrell was Ijorn in Waterbury, Connec- 
 ticut, in 1703. He married Rhoda Williams, also of 
 Waterbury, who was a survivor of the Wyoming mas- 
 sacre. They had a family of ten children, of whom 
 Tillotson was the oldest. The other children were 
 Lydia, Philander, Oliver, Lncinda, Oi-])ha, Ichabod, 
 Franklin, Horace, and Harry. They all, with one 
 exception, settled and resided in the town for longer 
 or shorter periods. 
 
 Ichabod, now living in Ridgeville, has been a resi- 
 dent of the place for ne;irly sixty-nine consecutive 
 3'ears. He is the sole survivor in town of those who 
 arrived in 1810. He is now seventj'-eight, and his 
 wife, who was Sally Humphrey, seventy-seven. 
 
 Ichabod, the pioneer, died in 1825. His wife died 
 in Columbia, in 1851, in the eighty-sixth year of her 
 age. She left, at her death, ninety-one grand-children 
 and a large number of great grand-children surviving 
 her. 
 
 Noah Terrell came from Waterbury, with his 
 biniily, when Tillotson Terrell came. He stopped 
 in Columbia, for a' short time, and then removed 
 til Ridgeville, occupying, for a while, the first cabin 
 built in town. In 1811, lie settled a short distance 
 east of where Laurel Beebe now lives. He afterwards 
 moved to Columbia, and later, to Dover, but, event- 
 ually returned to this town, and died here. He had 
 a turning lathe, with which he made wooden ware, 
 such ;is tienibers, or plates, milk bowls, and many 
 
 other useful and, almost indispensable, articles for the 
 inhabitants. 
 
 In the fall of 1810, Joel Terrell returned to Water- 
 bury, and in July, of the next year, lie and his wife, 
 and their son Wyllis, and his family, of wife and five 
 children, started for their hcmie in the distant west. 
 They joined the infant colony in September following. 
 They erected a house on the ground now occupied 
 by the frame tavern at the Center, and the two 
 families jointly occupied it, until the elder Terrell 
 built a house where his grandson, Wyllis Tei-rell, now 
 lives. He moved into his cabin January 13, 1812. 
 It was a very primitive structure, when Mr. Terrell 
 and wife began housekeeping in it. It was without 
 a floor, and indeed, bad not a board in it, excejit two 
 planks used as a foundation for the bedstead, and 
 through an opening in the roof, over the fire-place, 
 the tojis of three large oaks could be seen. This 
 house was occupied for thirteen years, and then a 
 frame was built on the same spot, or nearly so. 
 
 Mr. Terrell being a shoemaker, was a valuable ac- 
 quisition to the little settlement. The settlei's paid 
 bini, for the shoes he made them, in clearing and 
 logging. He was a very successful bee hunter, and 
 for years, now and then, a tree was found in Ridge- 
 ville forests, bearing the inscrijition of bis name. He 
 was a man of much energy of character, and was one 
 of the most prominent men in the place. He was the 
 first justice of the peace elected in the township. His 
 death occurred in 1825, at the age of sixty-eight, and 
 his wife, Eunice, in 1842, aged eighty-four. 
 
 They had but one child, Wyllis. He, Wyllis, soon 
 opened his log house as a tavern. It was a favorite 
 place of resort for tJie Indians, both before and after 
 the war. Major Terrell always treated them kindly, 
 occasionally yielding to their importunities for liquor, 
 but always exacting from them the promise that 
 they would not get drunk, a promise which, it is said, 
 they always kejrt. Major Terrell bought the Cahoon 
 grist mill, soon after it was built, and the Indians 
 often came to him for their corn and meal. He 
 always yielded to tlieir requests to be trusted for pay- 
 ment, and this gained their further admiration. 
 They frequently brought the family presents. They 
 finally gave the tavern the name of 
 
 "the INDIAN TAVERN," 
 
 and, on one occasion, some twenty of the men brought 
 their s(|uaws and pappooses to see the wonderful ]ilaee. 
 Some time afterwards, one of their number bnnight 
 a ])air of deers' horns, and fastened them uji to the 
 front side of the house. For a nunilier of years, 
 small bands of them would ])ass and repass the i)lace, 
 and would often stay over night in the house. In 
 1821, the old structure was torn down, and the fol- 
 lowing year a frame was built, and in this Major 
 Terrell kept tavern up to the date of his death, in 
 1830. His wife died in 1857. There were six chil- 
 dren in this family, four of whom are living, as fol- 
 
160 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 lows: Albert, Wyllis, and Levi, in Ridge ville, and 
 Joel, in Cleveland. 
 
 Dnrinj; thc^ year 1812, a few additions were made 
 to the .settionicnt. (ieorire Soxton, witii his family 
 of wife and oiR' cliild, arrixcd in llio spring of tliat 
 year. lie was orinjiially from Bennington connty, 
 Vermont, Imt had resided for a short time in New- 
 burgli. Cnyahoga eonnty. He settled on Center ridge, 
 on lot thir(y-nine. The location is now occupied by 
 the saw mill of .John (lahoon. He remained there 
 three years, and then sold to fSamnel Calioon, and 
 moved fartiier west on the same road. Sexton married 
 a daugliter of Josepli Cahoon, and the two families 
 emigratcLl from Vermont together, C!ahoon settling in 
 Dover, Cuyalioga county. iMr. Sexton died in Novem- 
 ber, 1829, and his wife in tiie fall of 1859. Of their 
 seven children, all but two are dead. Ciyrus S. lives 
 in Ridgeville, and Amos in Cuyahoga (county. 
 
 Jonathan A. Sexton, a brother of George, arrived 
 in town in 1813, and married here and settled. His 
 wife was Betsey Shellhouse. .He lived on lot thirty- 
 nine for several years and then moved to Cai'lisle, and 
 later to Wisconsin, where he died. Soon after, an- 
 otiier brother, .Tames Sexton, came into the township 
 with his family, and settled on the lot on which his 
 brother (ieorge last lived. He sold out in 1834, and 
 eventually removed to Wisconsin and died there. His 
 widow, who was a daughter of Martin Shellhouse, is 
 now (January, 1879,) living in ^St. .loseph. Mo., at the 
 age of eighty-seven. 
 
 INCIDEXT. 
 
 One night, in 1817, Mr. Sexton was aroused by a 
 fracas in the direction of his sheep pen, and, on going 
 out to ascertain the cause, found, in the corner of the 
 fence, his large dog and a wolf engaged in deadly 
 conflict. Sexton procured a club and went to the 
 assistance of the dog. In a few moments Mrs. Sexton 
 arrived with the ax, with which her husband quickly 
 despatched the wolf. The ground was covered with 
 snow at the time, and both husbaiul and wife were 
 barefoot. Mrs. Sexton, herself, with oidy a broom 
 for her weajion, once rescued a pig from the jaws of 
 a beai\ 
 
 II.VRDSrHPS OF THK EARLY SETTLERS. 
 
 There were now some ten families in the township. 
 Their nearest neighbors were in Columbia, and be- 
 tween them lay the uiibi-oken forest. West of them 
 the nearest settlement was at Florence, Erie county, 
 twenty-two miles away. But their eonii)arative isola- 
 tion was not their greatest hardship. F'ood was some- 
 times very scarce and hard to procure. After the 
 land was once brought under cultivation it produced 
 abundantly, but it was covered with an extremely 
 heavy growth of timber, which rendered the work of 
 clearing, .slow and difficult. The price of many arti- 
 cles of food which the people of to-day would regard 
 as indispensable, was so high as to render them 
 beyond the reacli of the pioneers, and their food was 
 consequently of the plainest character. A mush, 
 
 made of "jointed" corn, milk and stewed puni})kiu, 
 were some of the dishes composing the meal. Until 
 the erection of the Cahoon mill, in the sjjring of 1813, 
 it was often difficult for the settlers to get their grind- 
 ing done. They sometimes carried their grain to the 
 mill at Chagrin Falls, forty miles distant, and, at 
 others, depended on the "mortar and pestle." 
 
 The clothing of the early settlers was as simple as 
 their food. For a number of years after settlement, 
 every farmer whose land was suitable for the growth 
 of flax, cultivated more or less of the product, from 
 which most of the clothing for summer wear was 
 made. In the winter the men occasionally wore whole 
 suits of buckskin, and their pantaloons were fre- 
 quently of that material. It was far more durable 
 than agreeable. The pants would often be wet to the 
 knees, and, when dried in the evening before the 
 Idazing tire, sometliing of a struggle would be required 
 for the wearer, on going to rest, to bring about a 
 separation; and the experience of getting into them 
 of a morning, with the thermometer, perhaps, down 
 to zero, can be Ijetter imagined than described. 
 
 While their condition was one of poverty, it was 
 softened by the fact that none were exempt from it. 
 They all shared the same lot, enduix'd the same hard- 
 ships, subsisted on the same food, and were ari'ayed 
 in the same rude garments, ami there was, therefore, 
 no occasion for envy or uneasiness on the part of any 
 one. 
 
 There were many things, however, that tended 
 to discouragement. The cattle died in large num- 
 bers of murrain — a disease from which they were not 
 wholly exempt for many years. Wolves attacked 
 and killed the sheep, and considerable expense was 
 incurred in building enclosures to protect them from 
 the carnivorous designs of those annoying animals. 
 Not only were the sheep unsafe from them, but they 
 would frecjuently kill calves and young cattle. Joel 
 Terrell, one night, thus lost two young cattle only a 
 short distance from his house. 
 
 In the prosecution of the work of clearing, the 
 larger trees were generally girdled, and, when dead, 
 would frecjuently in a dry time take tire fnun burning 
 logheai)s, when an arduous struggle would lie required 
 for the settlers to save their homes. A tire, origi- 
 nating in this manner, destroyed, in the summer of 
 181.5, the log house of the elder Beebe, with all its 
 contents except a single bed. 
 
 In August, 1813, Hull surrendered Detroit, and a 
 ew days after, a report reached Ridgeville that a 
 party of Biitish and Indians were seen landing at 
 Huron. This information created the greatest ex- 
 citement among the inhaliitants, and preparations for 
 flight were immediately commenced. Household 
 goods were secreted in brush heaps, stowed away in 
 hollow logs, and even buried in the earth, wdiile a few 
 blankets and other camp equipage were jiacked on 
 horses, or in wagons, a general hegira was made for 
 Columbia. There were about ten famlies living in 
 Ridgeville at this time. David Beebe, Sr., David 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 161 
 
 Beebe, Jr., Joel Terrell, Wyllis Terrell, and Loman 
 Beebe, and their families, with a wagon and two yoke 
 of cattle journeyed along the ridge road, until they 
 reached the old mud road leading to Oolnmbia. 
 Ichabod Terrell and his family, with a cart and a 
 yoke of oxen, took the old Indian trail to Columbia. 
 In preparing for the journey, Mr. Terrell discovered 
 that one of his oxen was suffering intensely from tlie 
 bite of a rattlesnake, his swollen tongue hanging out 
 of his mouth, and the family traveled only a mile and 
 a half tlie first day. They camped in the woods the 
 first night, and the next day, the disabled ox having 
 partially recovered, they arrived in Columbia. The 
 Beebe party, after many mishaps, reached Iloadley's 
 Mills, on the nortli line of tlie township of Columbia, 
 and spent the night in a deserted log cabin. The 
 Columbia settlement was found to be nearly aban- 
 doned. The next day, word reached them that the 
 party, supposed to be Hull's victors, were the paroled 
 prisoners, and the refugees returned to their homes, 
 all surviving their terrible fi-ight. From this time 
 until Perry's victory, the settlers lived in almost con- 
 stant fear of Indian massacre. 
 
 All the men in Eidgeville, who were subject to 
 military duty, were stationed at the block house, in 
 Columbia, and tlius tlie women and ciiildren were left 
 to the protection of a few old men. Thus things con- 
 tinned until September, 1813. Ou the tenth day of 
 that month, the roar of cannon was plainly heard in 
 Ridgeville, liooming, at first, so slowly that, it is said, 
 Mrs. David Beebe distinctly counted sixty guns when 
 the firing became a confused sound. Tlie inhabitants 
 knew that a battle on the lake was in progress, and 
 that on its result, depended the safety of their homes, 
 and perliaps their lives, and hence their minds were 
 intensely agitated. Soon the joyful news arrived that 
 Perry jiad won a glorious victory, and further fears 
 were dispelled. 
 
 The following are the names of those from Ridge- 
 ville who were on duty at the block house, viz: Wyllis 
 Terrell, David Beebe, Jr., Loman C. Beebe, Samuel 
 Beebe, Leverett Terrell. Oliver Terrell, Philander 
 Terrell, Tillotson Terrell, Noah Terrell, John W. 
 Hill, and Sheldon Wooster. 
 
 A few additions were made to the settlement during 
 the war. Stephen Cables came into the township in 
 1813, and settled on lot thirty-three. Three years 
 afterward, he removed to Amherst, where he lived 
 the remainder of his life. 
 
 John Reading arrived in the same year. He located 
 on the farm on which Bradford Race now lives. He 
 married a daughter of .lohn Barnum. 
 
 Asahel Morgan settled on center ridge, lot sixteen, 
 in September, 1813. lie came into the country with- 
 out his family in the fall of 1810, driving one of the 
 teams of the party that came at that time — as far as 
 the eighteen mile woods, in New York. He soon 
 after returned to Connecticut for his family, but was 
 dissuaded from moving at that time by the prospect 
 of war. Mr. Morgan died in 1837, on his original 
 
 21 
 
 location. His wife died in 1832. They had seven 
 
 children, as follows: Asa. Ira B., Sylvester, Martin, 
 
 i Minerva, Eli L. and Maria. The first three emigrated 
 
 to Ohio a few years before the remainder of the family, 
 
 and were among the first settlers in Eaton township. 
 
 The rest of the children, except Maria, who died early, 
 
 married and settled in Ridgeville. Eli is the only 
 
 surviving member of the family; he lived in Ridge- 
 
 I ville until 180;i. He now lives in Carlisle, and is 
 
 I seventy-four years of age. 
 
 ! Martin Shellhouse and family, and his oldest son 
 Martin and his faniily, came into the township in 
 1813, and located on center ridge. Tlie old gentle- 
 man was in very feeble health at the time of arrival, 
 and died a week afterward. The wife of Martin Jr. 
 also died shortly after settlement. The rest of the two 
 families, except two daughters who intermarried with 
 the Sextons, removed to Florence, Erie county. 
 
 Amos and Samuel Cahoon settled in 1813. 
 
 Moses Eldred came into the township in December, 
 1813. He was a native of Massachusetts, whence he 
 removed to Dover, Cuyahoga county, in March, 1811. 
 His location in Ridgeville was on center ridge, lot 
 forty-six. At the time of his settlement there was 
 not a liousc west of hiin nearer than Floronee, Erie 
 county. He lived in Ridgeville until 183G, and then 
 again took up his residence in Cuyahoga county, in 
 Bedford, and later in Carlisle, where he died in .Tune, 
 1857. Mrs. Eldred died in 1833. They had a family 
 of ten children, six of whom are living. Clark, Noah 
 and Melissa (Mrs. Wm. 0. Cahoon) live in Elyria 
 township, and Francis in Ridgeville. Aaron lives in 
 Medina county, Ohio, and Jarvis in Michigan. 
 
 Mr. Eldred served in the war of 1813, and was 
 wounded in a skirmish with the Indians on the penin- 
 sula, near Sandusky, in September, 1813. Joshua 
 R. Giddings. tlien a young man, sixteen or seventeen 
 years of age, was in the same engagement, and carried 
 Mr. E. from the field of battle. He was the first 
 postmaster in Ridgeville, and at a subsequent period 
 was associate judge for Lorain county. 
 
 Asahel and Sylvester Powers settled on Stony ridge 
 in 1811 or 1815, and Jonah Hanchett and John Gould 
 about the same time. 
 
 Calvin Smith and Zenas Barnum came into the 
 township in 1815. The latter bought out Stephen 
 Cables. His father, John Barnum, arrived the next 
 year. 
 
 Chauncey and James Emmons were the first settlers 
 on Butternut ridge, in this township, settling in 1811. 
 In 1818, Joseph Cole planted himself lietween them. 
 Buel Peck, N. H. Hinkley, N. Case, Pliilo Murray, 
 E. Rice, Peter Cole, Miles Tyler, and a family of the 
 name of Chanter, came about the same time. 
 
 Borden Beebe, originally from Connecticut, removed 
 from Canandaigua to Ridgeville in 1813, and located 
 on Center ridge, lot twenty-eight. A few years sub- 
 sequent, he moved to Chestnut ridge, and bought the 
 farm previously owned by his son-in-law, Truman 
 Walker, and spent the remainder of his life tliere. 
 
162 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 A;iron Sexton, father of the Sextons previously 
 mentioned, with liis wife and three sons, arrived in 
 1810, and took np his abode on the lot on wiiich 
 James and George were then residing, they erecting a 
 house for him. His son AViDiam aflorward married 
 and settled in Carlisle, and Piatt in Huron county. 
 Tlie other son, Eastus, was a cripple and never mar- 
 ried. The father died in 1837 or 1838, and liis wife 
 many years after, in the uinety-fourtli yeai- of iier 
 age. 
 
 Truman Walker was tlie first settler on Chestnut 
 ridge. He located in the year 1813 or 1814. John 
 Shaffer was an early settler in this part of the town. 
 Harris Emmons and Seth R. Alcott located further 
 west on the same road, in 1818. 
 
 John Kibby settled here on lot fifteen, in the 
 summer of 1831. He and his wife are living, and 
 on their original location. A little romance is asso- 
 ciated with their marriage, which occurred on their 
 journey from Connecticut. Having suddenly deter- 
 mined to emigrate witli Origen Adams and family 
 to the "far west," a compliance witli the law, re- 
 quiring the publication from the pulpit of the mar- 
 riage bans for three successive Sundays preceding 
 the marriage, was impossible. But as soon as the 
 party got out of their native county, a justice of tlie 
 peace was sought, to whom the young man stated his 
 case, accompanied liy a request to unite him to his 
 traveling companion, "if he could do so in view of 
 the law." The magistrate expressed his contempt for 
 the law, tied the nuptial knot, and the young people 
 resumed the journey as man and wife. ilr. and Mrs. 
 Kibby are now aged respectively eiglity and seventy- 
 eight. Mr. Kibby has been blind for the last four 
 years. Adams located in the western part of tlie 
 town on Center ridge. Some twenty years afterward, 
 he removed to Wisconsin, where he subse(|uently die<l. 
 A son, Elmer, lives in Elyria; and a daughter, Mrs. 
 Jeremiah Van Wormer, in Ridgeville. 
 
 Ebenezer Porter settled on Sugar ridge in 1833, aud 
 died here in 18G7, at the advanced age of ninet)'-two. 
 Two of tiie cliililren live in the county, viz: Mrs. 
 Cyrus L. Sexton in Ridgeville, and Mrs. Williams in 
 Avon. Tlie family was from Massachusetts, as was 
 also that of Richard Van Wormer and liis father, 
 Jeremiah, who located on the same road in 1833. 
 
 Thomas Phelps arrived in 1833, locating on lot 
 twenty-eiglit, wliere Borden Beebe jireviously lived. 
 He eventually removed to the townsiiij) of Sullivan 
 aud subsequently died there. 
 
 Isaac S. Terrell and a family by the name of Mc- 
 Neal settled on Butternut ridge in 1833. 
 
 Chester Beebe, son of David Beebe, Sr., witli his 
 family, consisting of his wife and two sons, joined 
 the settlement in October, 1818. He settled on the 
 northeast corner lot of the township, known as tlie 
 "windfall" lot, erecting his house on the location 
 now occupied by his son, Sidney L. Beebe. He raised 
 a family of five cliiklren, three sons aud two daughters, 
 all of whom are living. The sons. Laurel, Lovel, 
 
 Sidney L., are residents of the town. Mr. Beebe's 
 death occurred October 32, 1862; and that of his wife 
 in May, 18C8. 
 
 William Blain and his family moved into town in 
 the same year. They were from New Jersey. Mr. 
 Blain made his location on Butternut ridge. He 
 cleared up the farm now occupied by the widow of 
 his son, Richard, and lived on it until his death in 
 1849. Mrs. Blain died in 18G1. Tliey had a family 
 of seven children, two of whom, Mrs. Lydia Abbey 
 and Isaac Biain reside in the townsliip. 
 
 James Blakesley and liis family, consisting of his 
 wife and five children, moved into town in February, 
 1820. They were originally from Waterbury, but 
 came from Trumbull county to Ridgeville, Mr, 
 Blakesley located on Butternut ridge, on lot fourteen, 
 and lived there until his death in 1858, aged eighty- 
 tvvo. His wife died in 1840. Chauncey Blakesley is 
 the only member of the family now living in tlie 
 town. A daughter, Eliza, married Elijah Rigby, in 
 Trumbull county. He came to Ridgeville with his 
 family in 1819, settling on lot fourteen. He subse- 
 quently went to Illinois, where his wife died. He 
 now lives in Wisconsin. 
 
 Joseph Humphrey and family, consisting of wife 
 and four children, came to Ridgeville from Connecti- 
 cut, in 1823, He settled at the Center, on tlie loca- 
 tion of the brick hotel, which he built in 1830, His 
 tavern bore the name of "Farmer's Inn," His death 
 occurred in 1853 or 1854, His widow died many 
 years after, aged eiglity-six. Three children are now 
 living, and in Ridgeville, viz : Mrs, Iciiabod Terrell, 
 Mrs, Harry Terrell and Jlark Humphrey, He — 
 Mark — continued the hotel for a number of vears 
 after his father's death. 
 
 E, Byington settled in 1832 or 1833, Oliver 
 Lewis moved into town in 1839, Otis Briggs in 
 1830, settling on the farm on which he now resides, 
 aged eighty-one, 
 
 EARLY EVENTS, 
 
 The first coujile married in the townshiji was 
 Jethro Butler, of Dover, to Clarissa Beebe, daughter 
 of Borden Beebe. They were married in the winter 
 of 1813, by Joel Terrell, justice of the peace. The 
 first child born in Ridgeville of civilized parents, was 
 Harriet Terrell, daughter of Noah aud Esther Ter- 
 rell, This event occurred in the spring of 1811, and, 
 very appropriately, in the first house built in the 
 township, Wyllis Terrell, in writing of this event in 
 the Elyria Coiisfitiifion, says : 
 
 "During the winter fre<iuent rains and heavy snow-fall filled the 
 swamps and low places with water, and at the opening of Spring, to 
 make the matter still worse, there came an unusually heavy rain, and 
 Center creek swelled to the size of a river. David Beebe becoming 
 alarmed at t^'e situation, started up the creek to look after his daughter 
 and famil3% and found her and her babe, three weeks old, in bed, aud 
 the water four inches deep on the floor, and a little fire in a kettle near 
 the bed. He moved the family to his home on the ridge, and thus the 
 cabin was deserted after being the home of the first settlei-s for eleven 
 months." 
 
 Miss Terrell married Paul Taylor, aud subsequently 
 removed to Illinois. The second child born in the 
 
Maria ^incklev. 
 
 N.l^.fflNCKLElY 
 
 Photos By j. C potter, Ely ria.o 
 
 
 
 Residence OF E..W. HINCKLEY, (^iogeiville, Tp, LOf^Aii.,- Co ,0 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 163 
 
 townsliij) was Nancy Beebe, daughter of David and 
 Belinda Beebe. She was born April 18th, 1813. She 
 became the wife of Mark Humphrey, now living in 
 Hidgeville. The first male child born in the town was 
 (_»\ven A. Cable, son of Stejihen Cable. He was born 
 in 1813. The first death was that of Martin Shell- 
 house, an old gentleman who was brought from Ver- 
 mont to Ridgeville on a bed. He died Nov. 27, 1813, 
 one week after his arrival in the township. The sec- 
 ond death was that of Lydia Terrell, daughter of Noah 
 Terrell. She died in August, 1814, before coniplet- 
 ins the first term of school taught in the town. The 
 first place selected for the burial of the dead, was on 
 the farm of Asahel Morgan, on lot sixteen. Only a 
 few interments were made there, however, the loca- 
 tion being abandoned a few years after, and a site 
 selected at the center of town, the ground for which 
 was given by Joel Terrell. The change of location 
 was the cause of much displeasure to Mr. Morgan, 
 who is credited with the remark, when it was decided 
 upon, that he would never be buried in the Terrell 
 burying ground as long as he li red and had his senses. 
 John Bariium, who died in 1819, was the first person 
 buried in this cemetery. Most of the bodies in the 
 old graveyard were removed to the new. That of 
 Lydia Terrell, however, was never disturbed, and the 
 precise spot in which it rests is not now known. 
 The first frame erection in the township was the 
 barn of Amos Cahoon, built in 1813. The old struc- 
 ture was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1878. The 
 first frame house was the tavern of Wyllis Ter- 
 rell, Sr., built in 1823. The first blacksmith was 
 Zenas Barnum. His first shop was located at the 
 center of town, and consisted simply of a few forked 
 stakes and poles, with a roof of shakes. Afterwards 
 he had a better structure in the west part of town. 
 The first doctor that jiracticed in the town was 
 Zephaniah Potter, of Columbia. The earliest settled 
 liiiysician was Dr. John Butler. The first wolf killed 
 in the township was shot by Garry Koot, in 1813, 
 then a lad of fourteen years. This was quite an 
 event, as the cunning animal was rarely bagged by 
 the most experienced hunter. The 
 
 b 
 
 FIRST CHEESE 
 
 uiaile in the township, and, very probably, the first in 
 Lorain county, was made by Mrs. Belinda Beebe, in 
 1813. She }iressed it with a fence rail, one end of 
 which was stuck in between the logs of their cabin, 
 wliilo, on the other end, was hung a basket filled with 
 stones. The basket consisted simply of a bark hooj) 
 peeled from the body of a tree. A forked stick con- 
 stituted the cheese ladder. Thus is necessity fertile 
 in expedients. 
 
 FIRST LAW SUIT. 
 
 The first law suit was between Lonian C. Beebe, 
 plaintiff, and Joseph Cahoon, defendant. It was held 
 at the house of David Beebe, June 17, 1813, and be- 
 fore Asahel Osborn, a Justice of the peace of Colum- 
 
 bia. It was an action for damages, the plaintiff 
 claiming unfaithfulness, wasteago and poor work, on 
 the part of defendant in the grinding of a quantity of 
 wheat for plaintiff, in May of the above year. The 
 decision of the court, rendered June 18, 1813, was in 
 the following W(.)rds: 
 
 "It appears, from evidence before this court, that, from twenty -eight 
 bushels of wheat, which said plaintiff carried to said defendant's mill, 
 said defendant made one hundred and eleven pounds' weight less flour, 
 and that not so good as Cajit. Calvin Hoadley generally makes out of 
 similar wheat. From a mature consideration of the evidence and cir- 
 cumstances, it is the opinion of this court that the said plaintiff, Loman 
 C. Beebe, is entitled to receive of the said defendant, Joseph Gaboon, 
 the sum of six dollars damage, and five dollars and seventy -seven cents 
 costs of suit, for which judgment is rendered in favor of the plaintiff 
 against defendant by this court." 
 
 The first legal process issued by a magistrate of 
 Ridgeville after its organization, was a writ of attach- 
 ment, taken out by Loman C. Beebe, against Simeon 
 Tylor. It was dated August 2, 1813, and signed by 
 Joel Terrell, justice of the peace. This was served 
 on Tylor by John Reading, constable. 
 
 RELIGIOUS MATTERS. 
 
 In emigrating to the new country, the pioneers of 
 Ridgeville did not leave behind them the New Eng- 
 land habits in which they had been trained. A 
 religious service was held the first Sunday after the 
 arrival of David Beebe and his associates. Joel 
 Terrell conducted the exercises, which consisted of 
 the reading of a jiortion of scripture, a prayer, and 
 the singing of a psalm, or two, to which David Beebe 
 "l)itched" the tunes. Very few of the earliest set- 
 tlers were members of the church, and a church 
 organization was not formed until twelve years after 
 settlement; but during all this time, Sabbath services 
 were regularly kept up. For this, much credit is due 
 Joel Terrell, who was by profession a Baptist. He 
 did more to establish religious worship, and to regu- 
 larly maintain it, in the absence of a minister and a 
 church organization, than any one else. He usually 
 conducted the meetings, which were at first held at 
 the dwellings of the inhabitants, and subsequently at 
 the school house at the Center. The 
 
 FIRST CHURCH 
 
 was formed December 20, 1822, Rev. Alfred H. Betts. 
 of Brownhelm, and Rev. Lot R. Sullivan officiating 
 ill its organization. The people, on the occasion, 
 assembled at the school house, but it was found to be 
 too small to accommodate the large number that came 
 together, and the congregation repaired to the barn 
 of Joseph Humphrey, on the opposite side of the road, 
 where a sermon, appropriate to the occasion, was 
 delivered by Dr. Betts. The organization was called 
 " The First Presbyterian Church of Ridgeville," and 
 was composed of six members, as follows: Chester 
 Beebe, and Marcia Beebe, his wife, Hezekiah Case, 
 Samuel Eldred, Seth R. Alcott, and Lucinda Cahoon. 
 Mr. Alcott was appointed church clerk. 
 
 The next Sabbath after the organization, the fol- 
 lowing persons, who had necessarily been absent on 
 
164 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 that occasion, presented letters for admission, and, on 
 exiiniiiuition, were received into the eluirch, viz: Mrs. 
 Hezckiuh Case, Marcns Case, Fjunra Case his wife, 
 and Ora Case. The elinreli never liad a settled pastor, 
 but dejiended uj)on neigboring towns for the ministry 
 of the W(ird. Meetings were held in the school 
 house, at the center of town, and in the school house 
 at the west part of town, until the I'rcctiou of a house 
 of woi'ship in . 
 
 The church was never very ju'osperous. It strug- 
 gled along, under adverse circumstances, for many 
 years, but gradually lost ground, until it practi- 
 cally ceased toexist. Such was the condition of things 
 when, in February, 1841, D. C. White, a lay member 
 of a church in New Jersey, came into the place, and 
 began to preach the gospel. " Under his labors," (we 
 cpiote from the church records), "the church seemed 
 somewhat i-esuscitated, and agreed to renounce its 
 creed, or articles of faith and covenant, and take the 
 simple woj'd of God, as recorded in the Bible, for 
 their only rule of faith and practice. They also 
 agreed to have a communion season, and that they 
 would covenant together anew; and although some 
 cases of discipline existed, the past should be forgot- 
 ten, and each member should receive his brother, and 
 for the future walk iu love, one with another." 
 
 On the fourth of July, of this year, Mr. White was 
 invited, bj- a unanimous vote, to become the jiastor of 
 the church. He accepted, and, on the third of the 
 following Sej)tcmber, he was ordained and installed 
 by a committee of the "Lorain County Association," 
 the sermon, on the occasion, being delivered by Rev. 
 Chas. G. Finney, of Oberlin. The church embraced, 
 at this time, a membership of tifty-flve. Oliver H. 
 Lewis was church clerk, succeeding Ebenezer Portei- 
 who was appointed to the otlice January 31, 18'^.5. 
 
 June 27, 1873, work was commenced in the cree- 
 tiou of the fine brick church edifice, now occujiying 
 the former location of the old church, which was 
 removed to the opposite side of the street, and now 
 stands a few rods west of the residence ef Albert 
 Terrell, and is unused. The new church was not 
 (•omj)leted until January, 18T0. The first service iu 
 it was held on Christmas immediately jireceding. It 
 was dedicated January 12, 1871), Rev. Dr. VVolcott 
 ])reacliiug the dedicatory seruKju. 
 
 According to the figures of Mr. Bradford Race, 
 who was treasurer of the building committee, pre- 
 sented on tiiat occasion, the cost of the church was 
 ten thousand, two hundretl and forty-four dollars and 
 fourteen cents. Tlie churcii had jjreviously been 
 named, at a meeting called for the purpose, the First 
 Congregational Church of Ridgeville. The number 
 of members now (January, 1870,) belonging to the 
 church, is forty-seven. Chas. llerrick is clerk, and 
 Henry D. Rogers, T. T. Winkles, Le Roy Race, 
 Edward Ames, deacons. There is no settled pastor at 
 present, but preaching is had once every Sabbath, by 
 ministers from Oberlin. Job Lickerish is superin- 
 
 tendent of the Sabbath school, which contains about 
 one hundred and fifty scholars. 
 
 THE METHODISTS. 
 
 A Methodist Episcopal class was formed ou But- 
 ternut ridge in 182."), by Rev. Harry 0. Sheldon, one 
 of the earliest circuit preachers in this region. There 
 were seven members composing the organization, 
 namely : Wilson Blain and wife, Elijah Rigby and 
 wife, and Harris Emmons, wife and daughter. Wil- 
 son Blain was the first leader of the class. Jolm 
 Kibby and wife joined the class the following year. 
 The meetings were first held in the log house of Mi'. 
 Blain, and later in the fra:ne school house then stand- 
 ing on the site of the present brick school house at 
 the cross roads. The circuit preacher officiated once 
 in two weeks. According to a class-book in the pos- 
 session of Mrs. Richard Blain, the class contained in 
 184:3, forty-three members. Rev. Adam Poe was the 
 presiding elder of the district. John Tibbals was 
 the pastor in charge, and Richard Blain class-leader. 
 The membei-ship now numbers twenty-eight. Rev. 
 N. J. Close, of Avon, is the pastor of the church. 
 James Nye is the class-leader. He is also the super, 
 intendent of the Sabbath school. The church l)uild- 
 ing was erected in 1850. 
 
 During the pastorate of Rev. Uissette, in 187.5, 
 some eight or nine members of the church, includ- 
 ing among the number some whose connection with 
 it embraced a period of nearly fifty years, were ex- 
 pelled for non-attendance upon church service. The 
 expelled members, who absented themselves for the 
 alleged reason of dissent from the doctrines enun- 
 ciated by the pastor, with a like number who with- 
 drew from the church, were organized by a Rev. Mr. 
 Bell into a class under the name of Free Methodists. 
 The organization was effected in February, 18713. 
 Meetings were held at the school house and at the 
 house of Henry Dickson, until the erection of a 
 house of worship on Butternut ridge, in the summer 
 of 1876. Revs. Hart and Bell officiated iu the ded- 
 icatory services. Rev. Scott Marshall is the present 
 pastor of the church. O.'jborne Hale is the superin- 
 tendent of the Sabbath school. 
 
 ST. Peter's (catholic) church. 
 
 This church was formed in February, 1875. It 
 embraced a membership of some forty-five at its 
 organization. A church building at the Center was 
 erected in the fall and winter of the same year. The 
 present membershiji is about sixty. The Sabbath 
 school contains nearly fifty scholars. Rev. J. Heid- 
 egger, the priest in charge, has been connected with 
 the church in that relation since its formation. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The first house in which .school was kept was built 
 of logs, and stood on ground now occupied by the 
 brick tavern at the center. The seats consisted of 
 
--X 
 
 vzr-, **r.'A -f^. -■■%■;; ■-T 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 165 
 
 slabs resting on pins, and liewed on the upper side. 
 In one end of the buikliag was a tire phiee witli stone 
 back, but without janiljs, and the logs would fre- 
 quently catch tire. In tiie end opposite was the 
 window, made by cutting out, for a distance of ten or 
 twelve feet, a single log of the structure, and placing 
 glass in the opening. Along the window, and for a 
 few feet at each end beyond it, was a rude desk at 
 which the scholars practiced their writing lessons. 
 
 The first teacher was Lydia Terrell, who taught in 
 the summer of 1814, but died before completing the 
 term. The next school was kei)t by Betsy Shell- 
 house. John Reading was the first male teacher. 
 Aliigal Davis taught in the summer of 1817. She 
 has lived, until recently, in Cleveland for many 
 years, and is well advanced in life. Samuel Mills 
 was the last teacher in the old school house, which 
 was destroyed in the winter of 1817 by fire of un- 
 known origin. 
 
 Another house, also of logs, was built immediately 
 afterwards ou the ojiposite side of the sti'eet, and a 
 short distance further east. Wyllis Terrell, Sr., was 
 an early school teacher in tliis structure, and he is 
 thought by some to have taught in the old honse. 
 
 The town was subsequently divided into two school 
 districts, and a house built in the west part of the 
 town and one in the east part. The latter was the 
 first frame school house in town, and, it is believed, 
 the first in the county. It was erected in 1831. It 
 was situated in what was then called the northeast 
 district, on the farm then owned by Philander Terrell, 
 now owned by Oliver H. Lewis. The uails used in 
 the construction of this building were made in 
 I'almadge, then in Portage county, and cost twenty- 
 five cents per pound. 
 
 The first school tauglit in this house was kept by 
 Peter Barton, in the winter of 1821-22. Merritt 
 Osborne taught the following winter. His term 
 ended with a school exhibition, a novel feature then. 
 It was held in the bai-n of Asahel Morgan, old and 
 young alike participating in the exercises. 
 
 The division of the township, with the location of 
 the two school houses, as previously stated, was un- 
 satisfactory to the people at the center of town, and 
 they erected for themselves a house at the center. 
 Subsequently they succeeded in obtaining a school 
 district in this portion of town. 
 
 The present condition of the schools is shown by 
 the report of the clerk of the board of education, for 
 the year ending August 31, 1878, which gives the 
 following statistics: 
 
 I Number of school houses 10 
 
 Value $8,800 
 Amount paid teachers 2,445 
 Number ot scholars 410 
 A catholic school was established at the center in 
 October, 1876, with about forty-five scholars. The 
 number now enrolled is fifty-five. The school is held 
 in the town hall. 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 The township was organized the first Monday in 
 April, 1813, at the Terrell tavern. There were 
 fifteen voters, and they were all at the election, which 
 resulted as follows: Wyllis T'errell, clerk; David 
 Beebe, Sr., Ichal)oil Terrell and Joel Terrell, trustees; 
 David Beebe, Jr., and John Reading, constables; Joel 
 Terrel, Justice of the iieace. 
 
 The township officers elected at the spring election 
 of 1ST8 are the following: Alljert G. Terrell, clerk; 
 Wm. D. Fuller, Randall Stetson and Lester C. Sexton, 
 trustees; Chauncey Blakcsley and James Healy, jus- 
 tices of the peace. 
 
 POST OFFICE. 
 
 A i)ost office was established in Ridgeville in 1815. 
 Moses Eldred was the first postmaster, who kept the 
 office in his own house. He held the office until 1828, 
 his successors being as follows: 
 
 Edward Byington, until 1830; Levi W. Terrel, 
 18-42; Alonzo Benliam, until 184(i; Joel Terrel until 
 1851; Joseph Humphrey, until 1854; David Beebe, 
 now of Elyria, until 18(;0; Alonzo Benham, until 
 1864; Doctor Palmer, until ]8C(i; John Browen, un- 
 til 1867; H. (}. Linder, until 1868; George P. Bur- 
 rell, until 1869; Bert Wilmot, until 1870; E. P. 
 Smith, until 1874; Orson J. Teriell, is the present in- 
 cumbent of the office, which is located ar the center 
 of the town. 
 
 There is also a post office at Shawville, the post- 
 master being 0. H. Ramsdell. 
 
 STOKES. 
 
 The first store in the township was kept in his own 
 house by Lyman Root. There are at the [u-esent 
 writing four stores in the town, the name of the 
 owners being as follows: Orson J. Terrell, Nicholas 
 Diedrich, 11. Ramsdall, M. Bruce. 
 
 MANUFACTURING INTERESTS. 
 
 In 1812, and prior to the partition of their lands, 
 Joel, Oliver and Ichabod Terrell, and David Beebe, 
 Sr,, gave to Joseph Cahoon sixty acres of land at the 
 center of the town, the consideration of the convey- 
 ance being that the grantee build a grist mill on the 
 land so conveyed. The deed was excuted December 
 3, 1812. This was the first real estate transfer in the 
 townshii). In the spring of 1813 the mill was erected. 
 It stood on the west bank of Center creek, a few feet 
 north of the bridge that now crosses the stream. The 
 mill was about eighteen by twenty fe'^t in size, con- 
 structed of basswood logs, hewed on the inside, and 
 was the best mill in the county in its day. It had but 
 one run of stone, which was made out of a common 
 "hard head." Wyllis Terrell, Sr., bought the mill a 
 few months after its completion and operated it until 
 1826 or '27, when he sold to Orson Humphrey. The 
 mill long since ceased to exist, and there is now none 
 of the kind in the township. 
 
IfiO 
 
 HISTORY OF LORATN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 THE RIDGEVILLE CHAIR WORKS. 
 
 Tliis eiitcrpri.si' has pi'own uj) to its present impor- 
 tance from ji sninll l)i'ginniiig. It was established by 
 A. 11. Mooers, the present proprietor, in November, 
 1853, with a cai)ital of seven dolhtrx and iiftii cents. 
 He served his ajuirenticeship with his father, wlio was 
 a chair maker, and had worked in Elyria, making 
 chairs liy the piece, the year jirevious to his location 
 in Ridgeville. lie rented a room, eighteen by twenty- 
 four feet in size, in Joel Terrell's saw-mill at the 
 center of the town, and with the capital previously 
 stated, a few tools and a turning lathe which he bor- 
 rowed, started in business for himself. He was alone 
 for over a year. He made about one liundred cliairs 
 a montli and those of the cheapest character. For 
 these he found a market, mostly at Elyria. After 
 running for three years he sold out to William Young 
 for two hundred dollars, but bought liack within two 
 weeks, paying a bonus of twenty-tive dollars. Some 
 two years and a half afterwards, during which he en- 
 gaged in other enterprises, helionghta small building 
 near the liuslinell mill, and moved it to its ]>resent 
 location, ill I lie rear of his house. In this building-, 
 which he now uses for a barn, Mr. Mooers prosecuted 
 his business for about .six months, using a horse 
 power, wlieii he conimeiiced tlie erection of the first 
 of tlie three large buildings now comjirising his works. 
 In addition to liis factory jiroper, Jlr. Mooers has a saw 
 mill twenty-eight by sixty feet, two stories high, the 
 motive-power of which is a forty-horse power engine. 
 The goods nuide by these works consist of every 
 variety of wood chairs, all kinds of double cane-seated 
 chairs, settees and the round-cornered cottage bedstead. 
 Mr. Mooers finds a market for his goods iiiOlcvcland. 
 In 1873 he employed nearly seventy-five hands. At 
 the present time he has forty employees, five of 
 whom are women. 
 
 These works furnished for the Sajngerfest building 
 in Cleveland, in June, 1870, six thousand chairs in 
 nine days, all carried to the city in wagons. The cap- 
 ital invested in business at the present time is u})wards 
 of thirty thousand dollars. 
 
 Since this enterprise was started by Mr. Mooers, 
 nineteen similar establishments, within a radius of 
 twenty miles, have had an existence and failed of 
 success. He attributes a great part of his success to 
 his strict temperance jirinciples, to which he has ad- 
 hered from childhood, never having tasted a drop of 
 malt or spirituous liquor. 
 
 Just south of the saw mill is a building used by 
 Mr. Mooers, exclusively for the manufacture of an 
 implement called the " Gritfin Land Leveler," of 
 which Mr. Seth Griffin of Elyria, is the patentee. It 
 is a combined roller, harrow and scraper, and is used 
 for leveling roads and tracks, and for the preparation 
 of land for seeding. It was first patented in 1874, 
 and its manufacture begun in 1877. About thirty 
 machines are turned out yearly, and there is an in- 
 creasing demand for it. 
 
 • Recognizing the necessity of means for the greater 
 security of the dead from the nefarious business of 
 grave robbers, Mr. Mooers ajiplied his mechanical 
 genius in this direction, and patented in the sjiring 
 of 1878, a ••Metallic Coffin Shield" which he is now 
 manufacturing. It is made of wrought sheet iron, 
 and is used in the place of the ordinary box in wiiich 
 the coffin is enclosed. Efforts in this direction are 
 most commendable. 
 
 SAW MILLS. 
 
 The first saw mill in this township was built by 
 Major Wyllis Terrell, on Center creek, near his grist 
 mill, in 1811). It continued in operation until 1830, 
 when Major Beebe and Joseph Humphrey, out of 
 sanitary considerations, bought the [jroperty and tore 
 it away. It overflowed their lands with water murii 
 of tiie time, causing a great deal of sickness. 
 
 Capt. Bush erected a saw mill on West creek at an 
 early day, but it never went into operation. A fresiiet 
 carried away the dam, and tlie enterpri.se was aban- 
 doned. 
 
 TiiK Herrick Mill, at the Center, was built by 
 Jiiel Terrell, son of Major Terrell, in the year 1850. 
 He established at the same place a button factory, 
 which he oj)erated in the day time, and the saw 
 mill at night. It ceased to exist some five or six 
 years since. Successive owners of the saw mill were 
 men by the name of Viets, George Burrell and Dr. 
 Ilerrick, of Cleveland, the present owner. 
 
 The Roiunson Mill, located on lot fourteen, was 
 built in 1850, by Messrs. Peck and Hesten. The 
 former subse((uently bought the hitter's interest, and 
 ran the mill until 186G, when the present proprietor, 
 J. Robinson, came into possession of the property. 
 It is a steam mill, and has facilities for sawing from 
 two thousand five hundred to three thousand feet of 
 lumber per day, but has been idle much of the time 
 of late years. 
 
 The Mooeus Mill. — This is by far the most im- 
 portant mill of the kind in the township, and, indeed, 
 in this section of the country. It was built and is 
 used mainly as an adjunct to his chair works, but the 
 mill also does a great deal of custom work. It was 
 built in 1873. It is a two-story frame, thirty liy 
 sixty feet, with a substantial brick boiler and engine- 
 room with an iron roof, making it as nearly fireproof 
 as possible. The engine is a forty-horse power. Tlie 
 capacity of the mill is five thousand feet of lumber 
 per day. The upper story is used by Mr. Mooers for 
 liis turning works, and is replete with all the varied 
 machinery necessary to thi'.t branch of his chair factory. 
 
 CIDER illLL. 
 
 The only cider mill in the township is ownied and 
 operated by W. II. Eldred, who, with his father, built 
 it in 1856. The entire machinery, with the exception 
 of the engine, is of Mr. Eldred's own manufacture. 
 It possesses facilities for the manufacture of eighty 
 barrels of cider per day. With a small force of hands 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 167 
 
 the average is about thirty-five barrels per day. Mr. 
 Eldred does a general custom business, and also ships 
 largely to Cleveland. In 1874, he added a feed mill 
 with one run of stone, and run by steam, the engine 
 being a twelve-horse power. Its capacity is about 
 twenty-five bushels per hour. 
 
 CHEESE FACTORIES. 
 
 The ExcEr,siOR Factory. — The original factory 
 on this location, lot twenty-four, was built in 1S09 
 by Jackson & Roe. It was destroyed by fire in 1871, 
 when the jaresent factory was erected by Adams & 
 Eldred. In 1873, Jackson & Eldred, the present 
 proprietors took charge, and have continued its opera- 
 tion up to the present time. This factory makes a 
 specialty of the manufacture of what the proj)rietors 
 call "Cheshire cheese," the entire product being 
 shipi)cd direct to England. It consumed the milk of 
 about four hundred and fifty cows the last season. 
 
 The Fuller Factory was established in 1870, by 
 a stock company. W. D. Fuller, the present owner, 
 has operated it about three years. It formerly con- 
 sumed the milk of about two hundred cows. It was 
 supplied the last season by about one hundred and 
 fifty. 
 
 The Briogs Cheese Factory, situated a short 
 distance south of Briags' CJorners, was built in the 
 spring of 1871 by a stock company. Tbe present 
 manager of the factory is C. I. Mead. The directors 
 are Homer Terrell, John McNelley and Edward Hill. 
 The production for the season of 1878 was aboul 
 sixty thousand pounds of cheese, consuming the milk 
 of about two hundred cows. 
 
 Agricultural Statistics. 
 
 Wheat, 925 acres 17,495 bushels 
 
 Oats, 1,431 " 3S,4a] 
 
 Cora, 1,251 " 40,783 
 
 Potatoes, 192 " 25,338 
 
 Oiehaids, SI'iT " 3,449 
 
 Meadow, 1,9(14 " a.a'B tons. 
 
 Butter 42,760 pounds. 
 
 Cheese 164,000 
 
 Hayes . 
 
 Vote for President, 1676. 
 194 1 Tildeu 
 
 Biographical Sketches, 
 
 C. LESTER SEXTON. 
 Soon after the marriage of George Sexton and Miss 
 Mary Cahoon, at Vergennes, Vt., in the year 1810, 
 they moved into Ohio, stopping at Judge Kingsbury's, 
 Newburgh, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where they re- 
 mained until March 1'^, 1812; tiien, with family, Mr. 
 G. Sexton moved into the west part of Ridgeville, Lo- 
 rain county, Ohio, where he resided until his decease, 
 November 7, 1829, aged forty-two years, leaving a 
 widow and seven children, five of whom are since 
 dead. Mrs. Mary Cahoon died September 17, 1849. 
 
 The two children living are Amos C. Sexton, who 
 is a farmer in Orange, Cuyahoga county, Ohio; the 
 other, C. Lester Sexton, of whom this sketch is writ- 
 ten, following the same calling as his brother, resides 
 in Ridgeville, Lorain county, Ohio. He was born at 
 Newburgh, as above, on April 20, 1810. 
 
 The parents of Mrs. Lester Sexton, viz: Ebenezer 
 Porter and Miss Eunice Yale, were married at Lee, 
 Berkshire county, Mass., in 1800. They left Lee, in 
 1822, with a family of eight cliildren, for Ohio. 
 Spending the winter in Dover, Cuyahoga county, 
 Ohio, in the early spring th y removed to Ridgeville, 
 where they built the first "log house" on Sugar Ridge. 
 As a farmer, there he lived until death, which occurred 
 on July G, 18G7, he having reached the advanced age of 
 ninety-one years; his more aged father having died at 
 his son's residence, in 1839. ninety-four years of age. 
 Mrs. Eunice Sexton died November 19, 1847. 
 
 Mr. C. Lester Sexton and Frances C. Porter were 
 married at Ridgeville, December 5, 1833. Soon after 
 they removed to Ashland, Ashland county, Ohio. Re- 
 turning to Ridgeville on the 9th of March, 1838, they 
 commenced in the unbroken woods to make for them- 
 selves and children a home. How pleasant that iionie 
 and its surroundings have become, the artist shows in 
 the view accompanying. 
 
 In Ridgeville they have since lived, with the excep- 
 tion of three years in Elyria, where Mr. Sexton 
 engaged in brick making. 
 
 Mr. Sexton was father of five chihli-en. Lydia 
 Louisa, their eldest child, was born in Ashland county, 
 Ohio, November 2(j, 1834. Becoming the wife of Ilarlo 
 C. Emmons, of Elyria, she was left a widow in March, 
 18G9. In San Francisco, California, she was re-mar- 
 ried to John Dunbar, and has since resided in Pefa- 
 luma, California. George P. Sexton and E. Porter 
 Sexton were both born in Ridgeville; the one Novem- 
 ber 5, 1838, the other April 15, 1841. At the com- 
 mencement of the rebellion, both brothers enlisted 
 in Con)i)any E, Forty-second Ohio Volunteer In- 
 fantry. George died in hospital at Paiutville, Ken- 
 tucky, February 7, 1862; aged twenty-three. E. 
 Porter serving his full enlistment, was honorably 
 discharged, since which time he has generally been 
 in Ridgeville. 
 
 Frances M. was born August 21, 1847, and became 
 the wife, February 9, 1809, of W. H. Bastard, of 
 Columbia, Lorain county, Ohio, where they now live 
 with their sons, Robert Lester and George Harry. 
 
 The remaining child, Elizabeth, was born in Ridge- 
 ville April 21, 1850, and is still living with her 
 parents. 
 
 Mr. Sexton has filled, and now holds the otfice of 
 township trustee. Still vigorous, at a ripe age, loved 
 and respected by his neighbors, he remains one of the 
 makers of Ridgeville. To him belongs the credit of 
 being one of the first, if not the first, of using tile 
 drains, to any great extent, in Lorain county, — he 
 at an early day, laying over two miles on his farm. 
 
 Many are the incidents he can relate of early life. 
 
lOS 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Soon after tlie arrival at Elyria, of Judge Ely's first 
 wife. Mr. Sexton's mother, and another lady, started 
 on foot througli the woods, to make a friendly call on 
 the new-fomer. Tlie visit heing made, the ladies 
 commenced (heir journey home. Losing their way, 
 and night coining on, they were forced to spend the 
 niglit under a ])artially fallen tree. The next morn- 
 ing brought them kind neigliliors, who had passed 
 the night in vain search for them. Such was "call- 
 ing" in Lorain county pioneer life. 
 
 RICHARD BLAIN. 
 
 Wilson Blain was born April 34, 1789, and married 
 to Hannah Van Natton, in May. 1810. They moved 
 to Ridgeville, this county, in Septemljer, 18J8, where 
 he bought a farm on tlie Butternut ridge, and lived 
 there until his death. lie had four children. Rich- 
 ard, the eldest son of Wilson, and subject of this 
 sketch, was born October 13, 1813, ami married Faiiuv 
 
 M. Fuller, November 20, 183G, who was born October 
 18, 1820; she was the daughter of Warren and Vesta 
 Fuller. Warren Fuller was born May 8, 1700, and 
 died July 1, 1870. Vesta Fuller was born January 7, 
 1795, and died July 11, 1870. 
 
 To Richard Blain and his wife have been born four 
 children: Warren W., born November 6, 18.37; James 
 M., born December 30, 1839; \"esta II., born Febru- 
 ary 11, 1841; and Harlan I., born March 14, 1843, 
 and died April 5, 185G. 
 
 Warren W. married Elizabeth Watson, February 
 17, 1801. They have seven children: Martin W., 
 born December 15, 1865; Arreain F., born March 38, 
 1867; Elfa E., born November 30, 1809; Harlan W., 
 born January 14, 1871; Jane L., born May 33, 1873; 
 Fanny B., born .June 35,1875; and Marcia C, born 
 March 35, 1877. 
 
 . James M. married Lydia Percival, December 39, 
 1801; she died January 1, 1800, and he married, 
 second, Emma Peets, December 35, 1866. who was born 
 June 39, 1850. To them have been born: Gracie M., 
 born May 17, 1868; Lucicn A., July 36, 1870; William 
 W. ,b()rn August 8, 1871; Jessie M.. born October 
 8, 1873, and died July 37, 1873; Richard, January 30, 
 1875; and Baby, born July 13, and died Fel»ruary 18, 
 1876. 
 
 Vesta H. married Noali H. Peck, February 19. 1860. 
 They have Edith F., born January 11, 186i; EUaC, 
 born .January 13, 1864; Lydia C, born April 39, 1866; 
 Eddie R., born December 16, 1868; and Lora C, born 
 November 18, 1870. 
 
 Ricliard Blain united with the Methodist Episcojial 
 Church in 1839, when he was seventeen years old, 
 and remained a faithful, devoted member until the 
 close of his life. In all these years, after he became 
 of age, he was either class leader or steward, and 
 usually both. He was always at his post, and tilled 
 his place with honor to himself, and great benefit 
 and credit to the church. He was a man of decided 
 and iinlilemished character, one who lived to do his 
 neighbors good; and was truly devoted to his wife, 
 his children and the church of liis adoption. 
 
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RUSSIA, 
 
 OBERLIN. 
 
 PREFATORY NOTE. 
 
 The following sketch of Oberlin history is mainly a compilation, but it 
 may be regarded as reliable, anil is as complete as the scope of this 
 work ^vill admit. The facts and documents pertaining to the early 
 history, I have taken chiefly from the " History of Oberlin," in manu- 
 script, by President Fairchild ; of which, availing myself of the generous 
 offer of the author, I have made free use. Other facts and statistics 
 have been taken from the college catalogues, from articles in the 
 Oberlin Evcmtjelisi and in the Oberlin Revieir, and from other sources, 
 for my indebtedness to which, this general acknowledgment must 
 suffice. For the estimates of Oberlin, and of a few of its leading men, 
 the writer is alone responsible. H. M. 
 
 Library Oberlin College, December 30, 1878. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The history of Oberlin m;iy be said to be the history 
 of an idea, first, as conceived in the minds of indi- 
 viduals and matured into a plan, which may be called 
 its origin; then as converted by them into fact, and 
 made an outward reality, which constitutes its begiti- 
 ning; next, as receiving a sudden increase of mental 
 and moral force, which gave it enlargement, and was 
 its second beginning, from which it should proceed 
 as from a new point of departure; and finally, as its 
 natural and gradual development, in which is found, 
 amid strivings and conflicts, its growth to maturity. 
 In this fact, that Oberlin is built on and represents a 
 progressive idea, or a fundamental principle, is found 
 its distinctive and representative character; and this 
 is the true explanation of the enthusiasm it awakened, 
 the oi)position it excited, the success it has achieved, 
 and the work it has wrought. 
 
 The explanation and source of the idea must be 
 sought in the character of the period. It was a period 
 of revivals, and of the beginning of great and radical 
 reforms. Before Oberlin had an existence, so much 
 as in thought, extensive revivals had prevailed in 
 various parts of the land, by whicli whole commu- 
 nities and towns were regenerated, and thou.sands had 
 their conscience quickened, and their life renewed. 
 Following, or accompanying, these revivals were cer- 
 tain special reforms, which were a practical use of 
 christian principles for the overthrow of great, indi- 
 vidual, social, and national evils, as intemperance, 
 slavery, and war. Of these, the anti-slavery reform, 
 from the ardor with wliich it was espoused and advo- 
 cated by its friends, and the violence with which it 
 was resisted by its enemies, gained especial promi- 
 nence. Now, Oberlin was, from its beginning and in 
 its very idea, the embodiment of this spirit of revival 
 and reform — of revival as first, and of reform as pro- 
 ceeding from it. It was this spirit of revival and 
 reform that created it, that possessed and ruled it, 
 and that gives life to its history. 
 
 22 
 
 The origin and character of the men who first com- 
 posed Oberlin, likewise show its character. These 
 were all, either immediately or mediately, from New 
 England. They were genuine New England men, 
 with the New England mind and heart. Moreover, 
 they were of the best type of the puritan character. 
 They were serious, earnest, self-contained, independ- 
 ent in thought and spirit. God-fearing and sincerely 
 pious, with purity of intention and singleness of aim, 
 consecrated to the work of doing good, courageous 
 and persevering, and overflowing with an enthusiasm 
 generated and sustained by an ardent devotion to a 
 lofty purpose. Oberlin is a true child of New Eng- 
 land, a certain reproduction — not an imitation — of 
 New England ideas, culture and life. It was New 
 England transferred, for a specific purpose, to the 
 woods of Ohio. 
 
 In form, also. Oberlin is peculiar. This name, 
 Oberlin, stands neither for the town nor for the col- 
 lege, separately and singly; it signifies both in their 
 unity. Town and college are units of a composite 
 idea. Both sprang into existence together, the town 
 for the college, and the college for the world; and, 
 therefore, both as one for the world. Oberlin was 
 not founded in selfishness, but in benevolence; not 
 for its own sake, but for the sake of humanity. It 
 was not meant that the end of the college should be 
 the education it should impart, but the good it might 
 promote through that education; neither was it meant 
 that the end of the town should be its own mere ex- 
 istence and welfare, but also the good it should aid 
 the college in promoting. 
 
 I have in these words briefly sketched the ideal 
 Oberlin, as it was first conceived, and as it has been 
 actually, though imperfectly, realized in its history. 
 In this general and comprehensive characterization, it 
 has been my aim to throw light on the history which 
 follows. 
 
 I. — ORKilN. 
 
 The origin of Oberlin is due to two men, John Jay 
 Shipherd and Philo Penfield Stewart, the inventor of 
 the well-known Stewart stove. Mr. Shipherd was a 
 native of New York, and Mr. Stewart of Connecticut. 
 In 1830, Mr. Shipherd, holding a commission from 
 the American Home Missionary Society, found his 
 way to Elyria, where he preached to the Presbyterian 
 Church as their pastor for two years. 
 
 Mr. Stewart, who was laboring as a missionary 
 among the Choctaws, being compelled, on account of 
 the ill health of his wife, to return north, corres- 
 ponded with Mr. Shipherd, who was an old friend, 
 
 (169) 
 
170 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 respecting a field of labor, and finally accepted an ir.- 
 vitation to make a liome for a time at his house. Mr. 
 Stewart thus became one of Mr. Shi])!ierd's family in 
 the spring of 1833. These men, thus thrown together. 
 were alike earnest reformers. They had an intense 
 conviction that the church needed to be raised to a 
 higher plane of christian life and activity, and that a 
 great work must be done in the Mississippi valley. 
 
 In temj)erament they were opposites. Mr. Ship- 
 herd was ardent and sanguine, while Mr. Stewart was 
 cautious and slow; but even this difference proved a 
 real advantage, for, when the time came for action, 
 they complemented each other. 
 
 In the summer of 1832 they talked and jirayed 
 over the themes which absorbed both their minds — 
 some scheme by which they could realize their desire 
 and hope of doing good. Mr. Shipherd"s mind dwelt 
 especially upon the thought of a christian community 
 of an unworldly and elevated type, and which, im- 
 bued with an earnest missionary spirit, should be a 
 centre of beneficent iniJuence. Mr. Stewart's thought 
 dwelt upon the plau of a christian college, which 
 should embrace the co-education of the sexes, and 
 provide manual labor that might at once promote the 
 health of the students and defray their expenses. 
 
 Mrs. Shiiihcrd has given a brief account of how 
 these diverse views became united in one plan : 
 
 ** In their deliberations they would exchange views ; one would pre- 
 sent one point of interest and the other a different one. Mr. Stewarl 
 proposed a college, of which Mr. Shipherd could not see the necessity, 
 as Hudson college was in its infancy and poorly sustained ; but Mr. 
 Stewart suggested the manual labor system, which Mr. Shipherd fully 
 approved. Thus they labored and prayed, and while on their knee.^ 
 asking guidance the whole plan developed itself to Mr. Shipherd's 
 mind, and before rising to his feet he said, 'Come, let us arise and build.' 
 He then told Mr. Stewart what had come into his mind, — to procure 
 a tract of land and collect a colony of christian families, who should 
 pledge themselves to sustain the school and identify themselves with 
 all its interests. They came down from the study, and Mr. Shipherd 
 with a glowing face said, ' Well, my dear, the chdd is born, and what 
 shall its name be ?' He then related what had passed through his 
 mind." 
 
 Mr. Shipherd was accustomed, in after years, to 
 refer to the plan as thus presented to his miud, a,^ 
 "the pattern showed him in the mount." 
 
 The name selected for the contemplated colonv 
 and school was Oberlin, after John Frederic Oberlin, 
 a pastor in eastern France, an interesting account of 
 whose self-denying and successful labors in elevating 
 the people of his parish they had just road. The 
 next thing was the selection of a location. Judge 
 Fly, of Elyria, oifered to give that part of the village 
 known as " the Point;" and a tract embracing two or 
 three farms on the north ridge road in Brown helm, 
 was also proposed ; but neither of these was thought 
 to be large enough for the full execution of the pro- 
 ject. The level tract, with a hard clay soil, forming 
 the southern part of Russia township, remained as 
 yet undisturbed by settlers, who were disposed to 
 choose more desirable locations. 
 
 The day following the season of prayer in which 
 their plan had taken definite and fixed shape in their 
 minds, Mr. Shipherd and Mr. Stewart mounted their 
 horses and rode to this unoccupied tract. Along 
 
 what is now Main street, the line of a road had been 
 marked years before by a party of surveyors, who had 
 cut down the trees for a width of about four rods, 
 but this cleared sjiace was at this time overgrown by 
 underbrush. Having arrived at this place they dis- 
 mounted and secured their horses, and kneeling 
 under a tree asked divine guidance. The elm stand- 
 ing in the south east corner of the college square is 
 pointed out as the one under which this first ])rayer 
 was offered. They at that time fixed npon this un- 
 occupied tract as the site for the future Oberlin. 
 
 The next thing was to secure its possession, and 
 the next to obtain settlers ; and for the attainment of 
 these objects, as well as to raise funds for the promo- 
 tion of the enterprise, and to engage teachers and 
 students for the school, Mr. Shipherd resolved to 
 visit New England. The owners of the tract. Street 
 and Hughes, with whom it seemed desirable to treat 
 immediately, resided in New Haven ; and such men 
 as were needed for colonists, and would be willing to 
 enter upon the arduous undertaking, must be found 
 in New England. 
 
 After a two weeks' journey Mr. Shipherd arrived in 
 New Haven, and calling upon the i)roprietors asked 
 of them a gift of five hundred acres of land for a 
 manual labor school, with the understanding that, a 
 colony being collected, for the remaining five thou- 
 sand acres they should receive from the settlers, as 
 fast as sold, at the rate of a dollar and a half an acre ; 
 and this proposition he enforced with the plea that 
 their acceptance of it would be a mutual benefit, by 
 aiding the school and by bringing their lands into 
 market. 
 
 After calling upon them day after day without suc- 
 cess, as he came down from his room one morning he 
 remarked to the lady of the house where he was stay- 
 ing, "I shall succeed to-day." And he did; for on 
 calling one of the firm told him that they had con- 
 cluded to accept his pro])osition. 
 
 It was planned to sell the five thousand acres to 
 the settlers at an advance of one dollar, thus securing 
 a fund of five thousand dollars with which to hi}- the 
 foundations of the college, enough of this fund being 
 appropriated to build a saw mill and grist mill, to be 
 owned by the college. 
 
 The next thing necessary was the securing of such 
 settlers as would make a distinctively christian col- 
 ony. To secure such as were desired, a covenant was 
 drawn up, which all who jtrojiosed to become mem- 
 bers of the colony were asked to sign. 
 
 This is a historic document, and we give it entire : 
 
 THE OBERLIN COVENANT. 
 
 "Lamenting the degeneracy of the church, and the deplorable con- 
 dition of our ijerishiug world, and ardently desirous of bringing bolh 
 under the entire influence of the blessed gospel of peace; and viewing 
 with peculiar interest the influence which the valley of the Mississii)pi 
 must exert over our nation and the nati<>ns of the earth ; and having, as 
 we trust, in answer to devout supplications, been guided by the counKel 
 of the Lord: the undersigned covenant together, under the name of the 
 Oberlin Colony, subject to the following regulations, which may be 
 amended by a concurrence of two-thirds of the colonists: 
 
 " 1. Providence permitting, we engage as soon as practicable to 
 remove lo the Oberlin Colony, iu Russia, Lorain county, Ohio, and 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 171 
 
 there to fix our residence, for the express purpose of glorifying God 
 in doing good to men to the extent of our ability. 
 
 "2. We will hold and manage our estates personally, but pledge as 
 perfect a community of interest as though we held a community of 
 property. 
 
 "3. We will hold in possession no more property than we believe we 
 fan profitably manage for God as His faithful stewards. 
 
 "4. We will, by industry, economy and Christian self-denial, obtain 
 as much as we can, above our necessary personal expenses or family 
 expenses, and faithfully appropriate the same for the spread of the 
 gosjiel. 
 
 "5. That we may have time and health for the Lord's service, we 
 will eat only plain and wholesome food, renouncing all bad habits, and 
 especially the smoking and chewing of tobacco, unless it is necessarj- as 
 a medicine, and deny ourselves all strong and unnecessary drinks, even 
 tea and coffee, as far as practicable, and everything expensive, that is 
 simply calculated to gratify the palate. 
 
 "G. That we may add to our time, health and money for the service 
 of the Lord, we will renounce all the world's expensive and unwhole- 
 some fashions of dress, particularly tight dressing and ornamental 
 attire. 
 
 "7. And yet more to increase our means of serving Him who bought 
 us with His blood, we will observe plainness and durability in the con- 
 struction of our houses, furniture, carriages, and all that appertains 
 to us. 
 
 "S. We will strive continually to show that we. as the body of Christ, 
 are members one of another; and will, while living, provide for the 
 widows, orphans and families of the sick and needy as for ourselves. 
 
 *' 9. We will take especial pains to educate all our cliildreu thoroughly 
 and to train them up in body, intellect and heart for the service of the 
 Lord. 
 
 " 10. We will feel that the interests of the Oberhn Institute are iden- 
 tified with ours, and do what we can to extend its influence to our fallen 
 race. 
 
 "II. We will make sp.^cial efforts to sustain the institutions of the 
 gospel at home and among our neighbors. 
 
 "12. We will strive to maintain deep-toned and elevated personal 
 piety, to ' provoke each other to love and good works,' to live together 
 in all things as brethren, and to glorify God in our bodies and spirits, 
 which are His. 
 
 " In testimony of our fixed purpose thus to do, in reliance on Divine 
 grace, we hereunto affix our names." 
 
 This covenant for the colony expressed the purpose 
 aiul s})irit which its founders meant should charac- 
 terize it. In its strict and particular application it 
 gave rise, for a time, to some differences; but after a 
 year or two it was found necessary to leave tlie deter- 
 mination of personal duty in practical affairs to the 
 individual conscience and judgment. 
 
 Mr. Shipherd endeavored to raise funds by the sale 
 of scholarships. These scholarships were to be per- 
 })etual, and weie put at one liundredand fifty dollars. 
 Each scholarship entitled its owner to keej) one per- 
 son in school; but it gave him only the privileges of 
 the school, and paid none of his expenses. 
 
 II. 
 
 -THE BEGIXXING. 
 
 The first settler of Oberlin was Peter Pindar Pease 
 of Brownhelm, who cut down the first tree March 15, 
 1833. On April 3d he came on with two men, and 
 these three cut an ox-wagon road through the dense 
 forest. April 19th, he removed his family into a log 
 house which they had erected. These house stood on 
 tlie southeast corner of what is now the college square, 
 a little back of the elm under which Mr. Shipherd 
 and Mr. Stewart had first knelt in prayer. Upon the 
 front door of this first dwelling was written in large 
 characters, *' I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by 
 the mercies of God, tliat ye present your bodies a living 
 sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your 
 reasonable service;" and this remained through the 
 season. 
 
 Tlie first Sabbath they held their first Sabbath wor- 
 ship under the trees on the spot where the First 
 Church now stands. They prayed, and sang and 
 read a sermon, and also began a Sabbath school, which 
 has been held uninterruptedly every Sabbath since. 
 A large force of laborers was employed to fell the 
 forest. To these no liquor was furnished, as was the 
 custom at that time; yet there was no difficulty in 
 obtaining sufficient help. 
 
 The only opening which they found in the forest 
 was a little clover patch about twenty feet srpiare, 
 nearly opposite the place where the Second Church 
 now stands, which had been for many years an Indian 
 encampment. On this spot the trustees of the school 
 held their first session on the soil. The names of these 
 trustees, the same persons afterward named in the 
 charter, were Rev. J. J. Shipherd, P. P. Stewart, and 
 P. P. Pease, Addison Tracy of Elyria, Judge Henry 
 Brown of Brownhelm, Captain E. Rediugton of Am- 
 herst, Rev. Joel Talcott of Wellington, J. L. Burrell 
 of Sheffield, and Rev. John Keys of Dover. 
 
 These were among the substantial men of the sur- 
 rounding I'egion, and having imbibed the sjnrit of Mr. 
 Shipherd were not daunted by the difficulties they 
 encountered and the greatness of the undertaking. 
 
 A letter from the colonists already on the ground to 
 Mr. Shipherd, while at the east, dated June 11, 1833, 
 shows that they had also shared the common enthu- 
 siasm. Til is letter was signed by all the men then on 
 the ground, as follows: Peter P. Pease, Brewster Pel- 
 ton, Samuel Daniels, Philip James, Pringle Hamilton, 
 William Ilosford, Asahel Munger, Harvey Gibbs, 
 Jacob J. Safford' Daniel Morgan. But three or four 
 women were here as }'et, several of the men having 
 come first to prepare places for their families. 
 
 We give a few extracts from this letter, to show 
 their spirit, and what they were doing: 
 
 "We have had meetings every Sabbath since the commencement. Had 
 a visit from Brother Betts. of Brownhelm. He will preach for us every 
 fourth Sabbath till you return. Brother Leavenworth, also of Brown- 
 helm, preached to us the first Sabbath after the brethren arrived from 
 Vermont— and a blessed day it was. for the Lord was here. The people 
 came in from the east, the west, and the south. The number from 
 abroad was between twenty and thirty. We trust that you cease not to 
 pray for us, that we may be guided in every path of duty and useful- 
 ness, and above all, that we may love one another with pure hearts 
 fervently. ********* 
 
 " We have commenced our clearing, beginning at the center, and run- 
 ning soutiiwest. We have about twenty acres now chopped, and four 
 cleared off. Are planting two of it to corn, and more than one we sow 
 to oats and grass, for a little pasture. The remainder is occupied by 
 two log houses, and a site for the boarding house and school room. 
 The school [college] will be in the upper loft. We have the timber all 
 hewed, but one day's work. 
 
 "The brethren have mostly selected and procured their land, and are 
 now chopping their village lots, which wiU make a pleasant opening on 
 the south side of the road. We have about fifty cords of wood cut for 
 the engine. We can say, ' thus far the Lord hath helped us.' May we 
 ever acknowledge him. Dear brother, pray for the peace of the colony. 
 We have a special prayer meeting every Saturday evening, in which we 
 remember j'ou, and hope to be remembered by you." 
 
 The writers also speak of four Sabbath schools in 
 neighboring settlements, which they had either estab- 
 lished, or were about to open. 
 
 Mr. Shipherd returned in September, and moved 
 to Oberlin, taking up his quarters with his family 
 and another family, in the basement of the first col- 
 
1' 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 lege building, afterward called Oberlin Hall. During 
 his absence, he had secured a number of families as 
 colonists, had enlisted students to come at the open- 
 ing of the school, had engaged teachers, and had 
 raised nearly fifteen thousand dollars iu contributions 
 and subscriptions. The teachers expected from the 
 east could not come at the beginning of the school, 
 and a student from Hudson college, Mr. John F. 
 Scoville, was engaged to take temporary charge, and 
 the school was opened the 3d day of December, 1833. 
 This Ijeing an occasion of much interest, on the even- 
 ing preceding a meeting was hold to ask God's bless- 
 ing upon the enterprise. During its progress, Mr. 
 Scoville reached the place, and going into the meet- 
 ing, after listening to the prayers and remarks, he rose 
 to speak, and his first woi'ds were, " Put off thy shoes 
 from thy feet, for the place wheie thou standest is 
 holy ground."" 
 
 The school, this first term, was composed of forty- 
 four i)ui)ils, twenty-nine young men and fifteen young 
 women; half of whom were from the east, the re- 
 mainder from neighboring towns. A primary school 
 was also organized in connection with the instution, 
 composed of the children of the colonists, numbering 
 about twenty, and taught by Miss Eliza Branch, now 
 Mrs. George Clarke, of Oberlin. After the first 
 winter, this primary department was discontinued, 
 and the elementary education of the children was left 
 to the public schools. 
 
 The colony was composed, at this time, of eleven 
 families, sevei'al of the men who had spent the sum- 
 mer on the grounds having gone back east, with the ex- 
 pectation of returning in the si>ring with their families. 
 The college building was thirty-five by forty feet in 
 its dimensions, with two i-egular stories, and a third 
 story, running up from the central part, called an 
 attic. In the rear was an appendage embracing tlie 
 kitchen and apartments for the steward, in which -Mr. 
 and Mrs. Stewart presided. Mr. Shipherd, with his 
 family, occupied the basement. Ilis otlice, as corres- 
 ponding secretary and general agent, was in the room 
 above, which was also oceu])ied by the priiu'ipal, for 
 Ilis study. 
 
 Across the hall was the din inn-room, and above, 
 the school-room, chapel and church all in one, which 
 was about eighteen feet wide and thirty-five long. 
 
 The young ladies occupied the second story over 
 against the chapel, while the young men were sent 
 into the attic, where each pair found a room eight 
 feet square, with a window of six small lights on the 
 side, above the student as he sat. This mom was 
 furnished with a stove, table, two chairs, and a turn- 
 up bedstead, these filling the I'oom when the bed- 
 stead was let down, but leaving a little room when it 
 was turned up during the day. 
 
 The following letter from Mr. Shi))herd to his 
 parents, dated December 13, 1833, shows his feelings 
 at this time : 
 
 "The Lord is to be praised that we were enabled to open our institu- 
 tion at the appointed time, December 3rd, We have now thirty-four 
 
 boarding scholars, and expect forty for the winter. Applicants are 
 without number, from Lake Erie to the Gulf of Mexico, and from Mich- 
 igan to the Atlantic. The scholars study and work well. Five minutes 
 after the manual labor bell strikes, the hammers, saws, etc., of the 
 mechanical students make a noise all around us, and the axe men iu 
 the woods breaking ' the ribs of Nature,' make all crack. Nearly all 
 our visitors— and the.y are not few— express suri>rise that so good a ■ 
 work has been wrought here in so short a time. God be praised! I 
 feel as I said in my sleep the other night, 'Oberlin will win, and the 
 devil cannot hinder it.' This, my sweet assurance, I hope rests on 
 God, without whom we can do nothing." 
 
 In February, 1834, a charter was obtained for the 
 college from the State legislature, with university 
 privileges, under the modest name of "The Oberlin 
 Collegiate Institute." This name was retained till 
 1850, when it was clianged to "Oberlin College." 
 A circular was issued March 8, which, so far as is 
 known, was the first, — in which the objects of the 
 institution are thus stated: 
 
 " The grand objects of the Oberlin Institute are, to give the most use- 
 ful edvxcation at the least exi>ense of health, time and money : and to 
 extend the benefits of such education to both sexes and all classes of 
 the community as far as its means will allow. Its sj'stem embraces 
 thorough instruction in every department, from the infant school ui» 
 through a collegiate and theological course. While care will be taken 
 not to lower the standard of intellectual culture, no pains will be spared 
 to combine with it the best physical and moral education. Prominent 
 objects of this seminary are, the thorough qualification of christian 
 teachers, both for the pulpit and for schools ; and the elevation of 
 female character, by bringing within the reach of the misjudged and 
 neglected sex all the instructive privileges which hitherto have unrea- 
 sonably distinguished the leading sex from theirs."' 
 
 A little farther on it is added : 
 
 " To some this novel institution in the woods may appear vi.sionary, 
 but theoretic demonstration of its practicability might here be given, 
 with some experimental proof, did the limits of this paper permit. 
 However, leaving the discussion of the gi'and principles upon which 
 this seminary rests till another time, we here say, with gratitude to 
 God, that our most sanguine expectations have been hitherto more 
 than reahzed." 
 
 In May the expected teachers from the east arrived, 
 and the summer term opened May 7. These teachers 
 were Rev. Seth II. Waldo, a graduate of Amherst Col- 
 lege and Andover Seminary, and who, in comiiliance 
 with an invitation from the trustees, had engaged to 
 tissume the superintendence of the institute till its 
 president should take it iu charge, ;ind then w;is ex- 
 pected to fill the professorship of langutiges; James 
 Dascomb, M. D., from Dartmouth Medical College, 
 who had been apjiointed professor of cliemistry, bot- 
 any and physiology; and Mr. Daniel Branch, also a 
 graduate of Amherst College, who was made princi- 
 pal of the preparatory department. Mrs. Dascomb, 
 who had been a pupil of Miss' Grant, of Ipswich, was 
 soon made principal of the ladies' department; and 
 Mrs. Branch became the teacher of Latin, French, 
 and of other branches, as occasion required. 
 
 Thus the new school was fairly begun. Its organi- 
 zation was effected, an efficient corjis of teachers 
 jirovided, and its prospects were encouraging. The 
 number of students during this first summer term 
 was one hundred and one — sixty-three young men and 
 thirty-eight young women; and for these the accom- 
 modations were barely sufficient. 
 
 This beginning was almost literally in the woods. 
 A considerable space, it is true, was cleared of trees, 
 but their stumps were numerous, and the roads were 
 at times almost impassable. Indeed, away from the 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 173 
 
 town they were but tracks through the woods, and 
 even young ladies coming to the school often walked 
 tlic last two or three miles. 
 
 A few items, taken mostly from "Camp's Directory 
 of Oberlin,'" comjiilcd and iniblished a few years since, 
 will show the beginning of some branches of business, 
 etc., about this time and a little later. 
 
 In 1833, Brewster Pelton put up a log house, which 
 served as a hotel, a few rods cast of the elm which has 
 been mentioned. In 1834, he built in front of it a 
 comfortable frame building, which was burned in 18GG 
 and the Park House erected in its place. 
 
 The first blacksmith shop in Oberlin was owned by 
 Bela Ilall, and stood on the site of E. M. Leonard's 
 present dwelling house. At that time the creek ran 
 just south of his shop, though it has since changed 
 its course after crossing Main street. 
 
 In December, 1834, Anson Pcnfield started a black- 
 smith shop and edge-tool factory near the college mill 
 on South Main street. His grindstone was placed in 
 the basement of the mill, which furnished the power. 
 In 1838, he was killed, while alone, using the grind- 
 stone, by being caught by the belt and carried around 
 the wheel. His brother, Isaac Penfield, carried on 
 his shoj) after his death, afterward associating witii 
 himself James McWade. At the same time Hiram 
 Pease had a wagon shop on the corner now occupied 
 by I. Penfield and son. He afterwards sold to Pen- 
 field and Avery. 
 
 The first store in Oberlin was opened in 1834, by 
 Theodore S. Ingersoll. This store continued but a 
 short time — perhaps two years. 
 
 The first steam mill was built by Oberlin College, 
 in the fall of 1833, south of Plum creek, on South 
 Main street, near where the residence of James 
 McWade now stands. It was at first only a saw mill. 
 The engine was constructed in Cleveland, and was 
 brought on in October, 1833, and the saw mill was 
 soon in operation. The next year a small flouring 
 mill was erected, to be driven by the same engine; 
 also machines for cutting lath and shingles. 
 
 These machines furnished labor for several students, 
 and the whole establishment was owned by the col- 
 lege. This seemed at first necessary, but was found 
 on the whole inexpedient, and it was afterward sold 
 and became the property of individuals. 
 
 Another college building was found necessary, and 
 the building afterward known as the "boarding hall," 
 or the "ladies' hall,"' was begun in the summer of 
 1834, and completed in the summer of 1835. 
 
 It was a three-story frame building, thirty-eight by 
 eighty, with two wings projecting backward, of two 
 stories each. It stood west of Oberlin Hall, in the 
 sj)ace between the Second Church and the east side of 
 college place, close upon the side of the street, and 
 fronting the college square. It served its purpose for 
 thirty years. After the completion of the present 
 ladies' hall, it was divided into five different por- 
 tions, now occupied as dwelling houses in different 
 parts of the town, the most conspicuous of which is 
 
 No. 34 West College street. A considerable of the 
 work of this building was done by students. When 
 it was raised, the students turned out in a body, and 
 all study was suspended for three days. Sometimes 
 the students were called upon to assist a temperance 
 nuni to raise a liuilding without the bottle, and they 
 would cheerfully sacrifice a day's study in the good 
 cause. 
 
 Neither tea nor coffee was furnished at the college 
 hall, and they were quite generally discarded in pri- 
 vate families. Indeed, in a meeting of the colonists, 
 the question was raised whether it was in accoi dance 
 with the principles of the Oberlin covenant that tea 
 and coffee should be furnished the guests at the hotel, 
 but it was decided that not to do it would be imprac- 
 ticable. Board at the hall was plain, substantial and 
 cheap. The charge for board in the hall was seventy- 
 five cents a week for a strictly vegetable diet, and a 
 dollar for the addition of meat twice a day. The first 
 annual report, published in November, 1834, esti- 
 mated the entire expense of the student for all his 
 requirements excejit clothing, during the forty weeks 
 of term time, as ranging from fifty-eight to eighty- 
 nine dollars. This amount was in most cases readily 
 earned by the required labor, four hours per day, at 
 from four to twelve cents an hour. A long winter 
 vacation of twelve weeks for the regular classes gave 
 advanced students an o])portunity to teach. 
 
 The first college class was organized in October, 
 1834, consisting of four young men, who passed an 
 examination for the freshman class, and who were 
 well fitted to enter any college at that time. Two of 
 these were brothers, one of whom is now president of 
 the college, and the other president of Berea College, 
 Kentucky. The first commencement or anniversary 
 was held on the 29th of October. As there were none 
 to graduate, the four who were entering college, and 
 others of the more advanced students, had exercises. 
 Among the exercises were Latin and Greek orations, 
 and a collo([ny favoring a classical education. The 
 little chapel was crowded. The trustees and several 
 visitors from neighboring towns were present. 
 
 Public worship was observed in Oberlin about a 
 year and a half before the organization of a church. 
 August 19, 1834, at a meeting called for the purpose, 
 it was 
 
 ''Resolved, That a church be formed as soon as may be, and that it be 
 called the ' First Congregational Church of Christ in Oberlin.' " 
 
 September 3d, a confession of faith having been 
 drawn up and adopted, sixty-two persons were exam- 
 ined; and on September 13th, at another meeting, it 
 was 
 
 "Resolved, That those who have been examined and accepted do now 
 consider themselves as members, and that the church is now legally 
 and completely organized." 
 
 Mr. Shipherd was to "preside as chairman of their 
 social and religious meetings for the time being." 
 " Of the original sixty-two members," says Rev. James 
 Brand, in his pamphlet history of the first Church 
 of Oberlin, "I have been able to find only some 
 eighteen or twenty who have not crossed the river." 
 
17^ 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Mr. Shipherd officiated as pastor, and in his absence 
 Mr. Waldo usually jireached. 
 
 Several new houses were erected during this year, 
 on Main street and around tiie scpiare. At a colonial 
 meeting the question was raised what color the houses 
 should be painted; and it was finallv voted, some 
 strongly jirotesting, that as red was the cheai)est and 
 most durable color, the houses ought to he painted 
 this color. But with the exception of the Oberlin 
 shop, and two or three houses, one of them Mr. Ship- 
 herd's, this vote was not carried out, and with these 
 only for a few years. 
 
 At the end of the second year after Mr. Shipherd 
 had begun to put his jdan into execution, there was 
 a community of thirty-five families, a church of more 
 than eighty members, a college numbering over a 
 hundred students, with land and buildings and other 
 property valued at seventeen thousand dollars, and 
 such a movement toward the school that large num- 
 bers of applicants had to be turned away. 
 
 III. — ENLARGEMENT. 
 
 Oberlin as an idea had already become transformed 
 into Oberlin as a fact or reality. What its founders 
 had thought and planned was now actual, a part of 
 the living outward world. But now an event was to 
 take place which was to bring it a sudden and great 
 enlargement, which was to produce a development 
 not only outwardly, but of its vital principles. Not 
 that these principles were to be superseded, they must 
 still be fundamental; but they were to be develojted, 
 and to receive a larger application. But the founders 
 are themselves to be superseded. The work which 
 they so wisely planned and so well began, shall be 
 carried on by others, under the inspiration, indeed, of 
 their ideas, but made more emphatic by new devel- 
 opments. 
 
 Mr. Shipherd iiaviiigbeeu instructed by the trustees 
 to make another tour through tiie east to collect more 
 funds and to find a president, and having, in a season 
 of fasting and prayer as his usual preparation for a 
 new movement, received a strong and growing ini- 
 jjressioM that he siioiild go by Cincinnati, set out for 
 that city. Having arrived there, and calling on Rev. 
 Asa Mahan, jjastor of the Sixth street Presbyterian 
 church, he learned from him an event which cleared 
 up the enigma of his inijiressiou that ho must go by 
 Cincinnati. 
 
 It must L)e remembered that the anti-slavery re- 
 form, begun a few years previously, was now greatly 
 agitating the country. January 1, 1831, William 
 Lloyd Garrison began, in Boston, the publication of 
 a paper, which he called the Liberulur, in which he 
 strongly urged the immediate and unconditional 
 abolition of slavery. January 1st, 1832, the New 
 England (afterward the Massachusetts) anti-slavery 
 society was formed, and during the same year the 
 American anti-slavery society, both for the agitation 
 and propagation of the same principle. General and 
 
 violent opposition was at once aroused. The excite- 
 ment throughout the country was intense, and the 
 holding of anti-slavery meetings not unfrecjuently 
 provoked mobs. 
 
 Lane Theological Seminary was founded at Walnut 
 Hills, near Cincinnati, in IK'^9, and l)ecame prosperous, 
 having more than a hundred students. These, how- 
 ever, were not all theological students. Many of 
 them formed a literary department, in j)reparation 
 for theology, under the charge of Professor John 
 Morgan. The theological professors were Dr. Lyman 
 Beecher, Calvin E. Stowc, and Thomas Biggs. The 
 anti-slavery agitation reached the students of this 
 seminary, some of whom were from the south, and 
 several of whimi were young men of uncommon 
 ability. An anti-slavery scK'iety was formed soon 
 after the formation of the American anti-slavery 
 society, and auxiliary to it; and at the anniversary of 
 the parent society in New York, in the spring of 
 1834, two of the students, Henry B. Stanton and 
 James A. Thome, of Kentucky, made speeches which 
 excited much interest. The subject was afterward 
 debated eighteen successive evenings, and as a result, 
 nearly all in the seminary were won over to the anti- 
 slavery view. 
 
 They established Sabbath and day schools for the col- 
 ored children in the city, and communications were 
 sent to the papers, which elicited discussion. Several 
 of the trustees were business nien, and did not approve 
 this course of the students. During the summer 
 vacation, while Professors Beecher, Stowe, and Mor- 
 gan were absent at the east, the students also being 
 away, the trustees held a meeting, and passed a code 
 of laws, prohibiting the discussion of the subject of 
 slavery by the students, and empowering the pruden- 
 tial committee to dismiss the students at their pleas- 
 ure. Professor Morgan being supposed to sympathise 
 with the students in their views and course, was 
 notified that he need not return. When the students 
 on their return, learned of the action of the trustees, 
 all but twelve of them left the seminary, and for five 
 months pursued their studies together in a building 
 provided for them by James Ludlow. Mr. Mahan 
 as a member of the board of trustees, protested in 
 vain against their action, and resigned his place when 
 he saw the obnoxious code would be passed. 
 
 Such were the facts which Mr. Shipherd learned for 
 the first time from Mr. Mahan. It must be remem- 
 bered that tliat was before the days of railroads and 
 telegraphs, and the transmission of news was slow. 
 Mr. Mahan and Mr. Shipherd then devised the jdan j 
 of adding a theological department to the institution j 
 at Oberlin, of which the seceding students of Lane 
 Seminary should constitute the first classes. 
 
 December 12, 1834, ]\[r. Shipherd writes to the 
 trustees at Oberlin, urging the appointment of Rev. 
 Asa Mahan, as president, and Rev. John Morgan, 
 professor of mathematics. To this recommendation 
 he adds: 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 1% 
 
 " I desire you, at tne first meeting of the trustees, to secure the pas- 
 sage of the following resolution, to wit: 
 
 ■' Resolved, That students shall be receired into this institution irre- 
 spective of color. 
 
 " This should be passed because it is a right principle, and God will 
 bless us in doing right. Also, because, thus doing right we gain the con- 
 fidence of benevolent and able men, who probably will furnish us some 
 thousands. Moreover, brothers Mahan and Morgan will not accept our 
 invitation unless this principle rule. Indeed, if our board would violate 
 right so as to reject youth of talent and piety because they were bUick. 
 I should have no heiirt to labor for the upbuilding of our Seminary, be 
 lieving that the curse of God would come upon us, as it has upon Lane 
 Seminary, for its unchristian abuse of the poor slave." 
 
 A proposition so new :ind unlieard of, not only the 
 trustees, but even the teachers, students, and the ])eo- 
 ple of Oberliii were not yet prepared to accept. Tliere 
 was much excitement; and the trustees, iioping to 
 find a calmer atmosphere, lield a meeting, on January 
 1, 1835, at the Temperance House in Elyria. A 
 petition was presented to them, signed by the principal 
 colonists and by several of the students who remained 
 during the vacation, requesting that the board meet at 
 Oberlin. The petition expresses a feeling of uncer- 
 tainty respecting the question to be decided, but also a 
 desire to be led in the path of duty. The action was 
 conservative and non-commital. 
 
 The result of their deliberations is expressed in the 
 following preamble and resolution: 
 
 " Whereas, information has been received from Rev. J. J. Shipherd, 
 expressing a wish that students may be received into this institution 
 irrespective of color; therefore 
 
 " Resolved, That this board do not feel prepared, until they have mor^- 
 definite information on the subject, to give a pledge respecting the 
 course they will pursue in regard to the education of the people of 
 color, wishing that this institution should be on the same ground in re 
 spect to the admission of students with other similar institutions of our 
 land." 
 
 The trustees, however, in accordance with Mr. Ship- 
 herd's request, appointed Mr. Mahan president and 
 Mr. Morgan professor. 
 
 Mr. Shipherd heard of the action of the trustees in 
 New York, whither he had gone, accompanied by Mr. 
 Mahan, to consult with Lewis and Arthur Tappau 
 and other anti-slavery men, in reference to the plan 
 of adding a theological dcj)artnient to Oberlin, placing 
 tlie students who had left Lane Seminary in it, and 
 putting the institution on a distinctively anti-slavery 
 basis. 
 
 He wrote again to the trustees, and he also sent a 
 pastoral epistle to tlie peoji^e of Oberlin, in which he 
 reviews at length the question of greatest present 
 interest. The following extract shows his feeling 
 with respect to this: 
 
 " My fears are excited by your recent expressions of unwillingness to 
 have youth of color educated in our instituie. Those expressions were a 
 grief to me, such as I have rarely suffered. Although I knew that with 
 some of you the doctrine of expediency was against the immediate 
 abolition of slavery because the slaves were not qualified for freedom, I 
 supposed you thought it expedient and duty to elevate and educate 
 them as fast as possible; that therefoj-e you would concur in receiving 
 those of promising talents and piety into our institution. So confident 
 was X that this would be the prevailing sentiment of Oberlin, in the 
 colony and institution, Ihat about a year ago 1 informed eastern 
 inquirers that we received students according to character, irrespective 
 of color. Aud, beloved, whatever the expediency or prejudice of some 
 may say, does not duty require this?" 
 
 To this he replies, "most certainly," and goes on 
 to give twenty reasons for this view. Under the twen- 
 tieth head he saj's: 
 
 "Such is my conviction of dutv in the case, that I cannot labor for 
 the enlargement of the Oberlin C'ollegiate Institute, if our brethren In 
 Jesus Christ must be rejected because they differ from us in color." 
 
 "As I have you," he says, "as a. people in my heart, to live and die 
 with you, you know, beloved, that it would be heart-breaking to leave 
 you for another field of labor; but I have pondered the subject well, 
 with prayer, and believe that if the injured brethren of color, and 
 consequently brothers Finney, Mahan and ^Morgan, with eight pro- 
 j fessorships and ten thousand dollars, must he rejected, I must join 
 [ them; because by so doing I can labor more effectually for a lost world 
 and the glory of God; and believe me, dear brethren and sisters, for this 
 reason only,^^ 
 
 The people of Oberlin were opposed to slavery, but 
 ■were not at this time abolitionists. In the Oberlin 
 Lyceum, which included colonists as well as students, 
 the question of slavery had been discussed the summer 
 previous: and it then ajqieared that, with the excep- 
 tion of Mr. Shiplierd and two or three students, the 
 entire community were colonizationists, holding that 
 the free people of color and the slaves as fast as they 
 were made free, should be sent to Africa and settled 
 there. 
 
 In accordance witli the request of Mr. Shipherd, 
 the trustees held another meeting at Oberlin, February 
 9th, at Mr. Shipherd's house, which had been erected 
 the summer previous on the north side of the college 
 square. Many had by this time become favorable to 
 the movement, and the result was anticipated with very 
 deep interest. The meeting was at nine in the morn- 
 ing, nine members being present. Rev. John Keep, 
 pastor of a church in Ohio City (Cleveland, west side), 
 was chairman, having been appointed in the place of 
 Judge Brown, who had resigned. The discussion was 
 warm, and the result seemed doubtful. Mrs. Ship- 
 herd in her anxiety passing by the door, which stood 
 ajar, Mr. Keep stepped out and informed her how 
 matters stood; whereupon she gathered her praying 
 sisters in the neighborhood, and spent the time in 
 prayer till the decision was made known. When the 
 question came to a vote, there was a tie, aud Mr. 
 Keep, as chairman, gave the casting vote in favor of 
 the resolution. The resolution, as passed, is as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 "Whereas, There does exist in our country an excitement in respect 
 to our colored population, and fears are entertained that, on the one 
 hand, they will be left unprovided for as to the means of a proper 
 education, and, on the other, that they will, in unsuitable numbers, be 
 introduced into our schools, and thus iu effect forced into the society of 
 the whites; and the state of public sentiment is sucu as to require from 
 the board some definite expression on the subject; tnerefore 
 
 "Kesoiuerf, That the education of the people of color is a matter of 
 great interest, and should be encouraged and sustained in this insti- 
 tution." 
 
 In terms this resolution is not clear, bold and posi- 
 tive, yet the practical ctfect of its adoption was most 
 decisive. As a matter of fact, . this action of the 
 trustees committed the institution, unreservedly and 
 forever, to an open and practical rejection of, and 
 protest against the system of castt; in respe. t to colored 
 jieople. It made the institution ami the town hence- 
 forth disiinctively anti-slavery. Nor did they go back 
 from this, but forward. Of all the odium and honor 
 which have been successively heaped upon them, this 
 was one of the principal causes. This has brought 
 upon Oberlin, from the jiroud, contempt and scorn; 
 from the good, who knew and understood her, respect. 
 
176 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 admiration, and tlie highest praise. Tlie anti-slavery 
 idea was the christian and American idea of the nat- 
 ural and inalienable rights of man as man. 
 
 Snch, likewise, was the Oberlin idea, in its applica- 
 tion, esi)ccially to education. And the one first and 
 most possessed of the Oherlin idea in its full compre- 
 hension, who gave it birth and made it a fact, was 
 quick to perceive this, its new application. Not to 
 have accepted and acted upon this new and imperative 
 demand of the idea, would have been to despise its 
 authority and to lose its inspiring influence. Oberlin 
 would have ceased to be Oberlin had she not become 
 anti-slavery. 
 
 Moreover, upon this decision de]icnded her enlarge- 
 ment, not only inwardly but outwardly. Not tlutt 
 this enlargement was to come immediately, or ever, 
 from any large accession of colored students. There 
 were none at the time seeking admittance, and but 
 one resident in the county. A single one after awliile 
 came with the students from Lane. The proportion 
 of colored students has always been small. But they 
 have been welcomed and treated as men — treated just 
 like the other students. 
 
 The outward enlargement nf which this decision 
 was the condition, was the accession to the faculty of 
 men of eminent ability and high character, to the 
 number of its students, the young men who had left 
 Lane, and the addition of a theological department. 
 At this very meeting the trustees, to the appointnieni 
 of Mr. Mahan as president and Mr. Morgan as pro- 
 fessoj-, added that of Rev. Charles G. Finney as pro- 
 fessor of theology. Concerning the conditions of this 
 appointment, Mr. Finney, in his autobiography, him- 
 self says: 
 
 " I had undei stood tliat the trustees of Lane Seminary had acted 'over 
 the heads' of the faculty; aud, in tlie absence of several of them, had 
 passed the obnoxious resolution that had caused the students to leave. 
 [ said, therefore, to Mr. Shipherd, that I would not go at any rate, unless 
 two points were conceded by the trustees. One was that they should 
 never interfere with the internal ref^ulation of the school, but should 
 leave that entirely to the discretion of the faculty. The other was that 
 we should be allowtd to receive colored people on the same conditions 
 that we did white people— that there should be no discrimlnatious made 
 on account of color." 
 
 Mr. P'inney was at this time jiastor of a Congrega- 
 tional church whicli had l)een formed in New Y'ork. 
 Arthur and Lewis Tappan, and others promiuent in 
 tlie anti-slavery reform, were members of his church, 
 and, becoming interested in the anti-slavery move- 
 ment in Lane Seminary, they wore ready to enter into 
 the proposal of .Mr. Shipherd and Mr. Mahan, that 
 the excluded students sliould be provided for at Ober- 
 lin by the aiipoinlment of Mr. Finney as lu'ofe.ssor of 
 theology. Artliur Tajijiaii pledged ten thousand dol- 
 lars for tlie construction of a building to be used 
 chiefly for the theological department, and engaged 
 to secure the loan of ten thousand more for other 
 buildings and necessary purposes. Lideed. Mr. Fin- 
 ney tells that jirivately to him he pledged his whole 
 income, amounting at that time to one hundred 
 thousand dollars, excepting enough to provide for his 
 family, till the enterprise should prove a success. 
 
 The Oberlin professorship association was also 
 formed, composed of the Tappans and several others, 
 by which the interest on eighty thousand dollars was 
 pledged to be paid quarterly, for the support of eight 
 professors, at an annual salary of si.x hundred dollars. 
 It was understood that the principal was ultimately 
 to be paid, and that this sum would constitute an en- 
 dowment for the college. Relying on this pecuniary 
 provision, as also on the decision of the trustees 
 resi)acting the anti-slavery character of the college, 
 Mr. Mahan, Mr. Finney and Mr. Morgan accepted 
 their appointments; Professor Morgan's professorshi]) 
 being changed to the New Testament Literature and 
 Exegesis. 
 
 President Mahan was born in western New York, 
 jiursued study at Hamilton Ccjllege through the junior 
 year, and took his theological course at Aulniru Sem- 
 inary. He was a man of strongly metaphysical bent 
 of mind, and had much influence in promoting philo- 
 sophic study and thought at Oberlin. lie was pos- 
 sessed of positive convictions, a strong will, and was 
 deeply imbued with religion. 
 
 Professor Morgan was brought to this country from 
 Ireland, at the age of eleven, was brought uj) in Phila- 
 del])hia and New York, prepared for college at Stock- 
 bridge, Massachusetts, and graduated at Williams Col- 
 lege. His theological studies he pursued privately in 
 New York. He was a man of varied culture, studious 
 in his habits, and scholarly in his tastes; disposed to 
 take profound and comprehensive views, and when 
 aroused would exhibit much energy and enthusiasm in 
 enforcing them. He has through his life thoroughly 
 identified himself with Oberlin, has borne his full share 
 of its work, and as an expounder of the New Testa- 
 ment scripture in respect to its teachings and doc- 
 trines, has won the admiration and respect of his 
 many successive classes. As a preacher also he was 
 long an efficient aid to Jlr. Finney as assistant pastor 
 of the First Church. 
 
 Mr. Finney was born in Connecticut. In'ought u|i 
 in central New Yoi'k, wliere he studied law. was con- 
 verted and studied theology under his pastor, entered 
 the ministry and carried on a sei'ies of revivals, chiefly 
 in central and western New Yoi'k, hut also in many 
 of the large cities of the north, in which large num- 
 bers were converted under liis pungent and powerful 
 preaching. He was a man of keen and strong intellect, 
 of a susceptible and ardent temperament, of original 
 genius, of popular talents as a speaker, of fervid 
 spirituality of mind, and of intense and unwearied 
 devotion to his work. His great work was unques- 
 tionably that of preaching. Such he felt it to be; in 
 this he was most himself, aud to this he subordin;ited 
 all else. Ilis eonneetion with the college at Oberlin 
 did not prevent him from still abounding in labors to 
 promote revivals in other places, and his work at 
 Oberlin was not less that of jn-eaching than of teach- 
 ing. At Oberlin, as elsewhere, his aim was the con- 
 version of sinners and the sanctitication of christians; 
 aud he had a great influence in imbuiuK the minds of 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN" COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 177 
 
 botli the inliabitants and students witli this spirit of 
 earnest evangelism. 
 
 In theology he was, from his conversion, strongly 
 new school. His mind revolted from the old school 
 theology as nnseriptural and irrational, and as hav- 
 ing a hurtful jiractical inilnonce. Ilis theology he 
 preached, and that with great earnestness and power, 
 and this made it practical and effective. 
 
 In his teaching he exhibited the same depth and 
 intensity <if conviction, which gave him an authority 
 over his i)ut)ils almost as of one inspired. His theol- 
 ogy he endeavored to make conformable to reason as 
 well as to scripture, for he believed scripture itself to 
 be conformable to reason. 
 
 Ilis influence at Oberlin, as it liad been elsewhere, 
 was to be most commanding and beneficent. He was 
 eminently fitted to promote, to increase, and to per- 
 petuate the spirit in which Oberlin was founded. 
 
 Tluit spirit was tlie very spirit of Christianity. In its 
 ideas, in its principles, in its spirit, it was profoundly 
 and supremely religious. It was begun and built up in 
 self denial, in faith, in love to God and man, and in 
 consecration to God's work. And there was no man 
 better fitted than Mr. Finney, as a leader, to unite 
 and to guide the people in the performance of this 
 great work to which God iiad called them. 
 
 Oberlin therefore became what its founder desired 
 and designed it to be, a center of intelligent and 
 earnest religious activity, to promote, in every way 
 and everywhere, the good of man. 
 
 President Mahan reached Oberlin about the first of 
 May, and his family followed a month later; and, till 
 the president's house should be built, they occupied 
 the first log house erected in the place. Professors 
 Finney and Morgan came in June, and soon entered 
 upon their work. 
 
 About the first of June, came also the students 
 from Lane seminary. For the accommodation of 
 tiiese, special provision was made. A rough building 
 was put up for temporary use, and called " Cincinnati 
 Hall." It was a hundred and forty-four feet long, 
 and twenty-four wide, and but one stoi-y in height, 
 and extended from north to south, on what was then 
 the edge of the forest, and now is the east side of 
 Professor street, a little west of the laboratory. The 
 whole structure, inside and out, was built of new, 
 r(jugh beech boards. At the south end were a kitchen 
 and a dining room, the remainder of the building 
 being divided into rooms twelve feet squai-e, with a 
 single small window and an outside door, to each of 
 which two students were assigned. This answei-ed 
 its purpose till the completion of Tappan Hall, and 
 for a while after was used as a shop for manual 
 labor students. 
 
 Several of these Lane students were from the liter- 
 ary course, and jirejiaring for theology, and therefore 
 entered a similar course here; but fourteen helped to 
 make up the senior class in theology, among whom 
 were William T. Allan, of Huntsville, Alabama; 
 John W. Alvord, afterwards connected with the 
 
 23 
 
 Frcedman's Bureau; George Clark, well known for 
 many years as an evangelist ; Sercno W. Streator, a 
 pastor of reputation in Ohio and Michigan; James A. 
 Thome, of Augusta, Kentucky, for a time professor 
 at Oberlin, afterward pastor in Cleveland; and George 
 Whipple, first professor at Oberlin, and for many years 
 secretary of the American Missionary Association. 
 
 Several buildings were, at this time, in process of 
 erection. One of these was a college building, located 
 not far from where the Second Church now stands, 
 three stories high and eighty feet long. For this the 
 colonists, though burdened with the expense of build- 
 ing their own houses and clearing their farms, con- 
 tributed twenty-five hundred dollars, about half its 
 cost, with the understanding that the first story 
 should be used for a time for a church, as well as for 
 a college chapel. The second and third stories con- 
 tained, beside one recitation room, rooms for forty- 
 four students. This was called, in consideration of 
 what the colonists had contributed, " Colonial Hall." 
 Having served its purpose for many years, it was di- 
 vided into two dwelling houses, situated on Lorain 
 street. 
 
 The other college building erected at this time was 
 Tappan hall. The cost of this was defrayed with the 
 ten thousand dollars contributed by Arthur Tappan, 
 and it was therefore named after him. This was 
 intended first, as far as needed, for the use of the 
 theological department, and then for the general use 
 of the college. Mr. Tappan, in a letter to the trus- 
 tees about this time, advised taste in the construction 
 of the college buildings, and in the laying out of the 
 grounds ; but his advice does not seem to have been 
 followed. 
 
 The brick house on the corner of Professor and 
 West College streets (now owned by Professor Mor- 
 gan,) was built for the president's house, and the 
 house on the corner of Professor and West Lorain 
 streets for Professor Finney. It was the original 
 intention to build several houses between these two, 
 and from this plan the street took its name. 
 
 The chapel having become too small to accommo- 
 date the congregation on the Sabbath, the dining 
 room of the new boarding hall, as yet unoccupied, 
 was used for a time until the completion of Colonial 
 hall. Here President Mahan was accustomed to 
 ])reach Sabbath forenoon and Professor Finney in the 
 afternoon. The sermon was never less than an hour 
 long, and often an hour and a half, yet it was not 
 regarded as wearisome. On the contrary, the preach- 
 ing of those days awakened earnest attention, took a 
 sti'ong hold of mind and heart, and made a deep im- 
 pression. 
 
 It was ascertained soon after the arrival of Pres- 
 ident Mahan, that he was not favorable to the study 
 of the heathen classics as commonly pursued ; and a 
 committee invited him to present his views to the 
 Lyceum, which he did. It appeared that he was not 
 entirely opposed to the study of Latin and Greek, 
 but of the classic authors commonly used ; and he 
 
178 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 was also opposed to what lie considered tlie dispro- 
 portionate time given to these studies. To this view 
 Mr. Waldo replied, and a discussion was thus begun 
 which lasted several days, exciting the attention of 
 the entire community. After one of President Ma- 
 han's addresses a few of the students, in the evening, 
 set fire to their old Virgils and tossed them around 
 the square. This was spread all over the country as 
 "the burning of the classics at Oberlin," and the 
 ini]iression seemed to prevail tliat tlicy were to be 
 discarded. But this was an entire mistaiie. Tlie 
 course continued unchanged and the students pur- 
 sued their studies as usual. Tlie course was sul)stan- 
 tially the same as that of other colleges at tliat time. 
 Mr. Waldo, however, was so much disturbed by tliis 
 discussion that at the next meeting of the trustees he 
 resigned his position. He feared that he miglit not 
 be able to accomplish in the teaching of the languages 
 what he desired. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry 
 Cowles, a native of Connecticut and a graduate of 
 Yale college. He was a man of learning, culture and 
 ability, and was destined to add much to the sum of 
 Oberlin thought. An interest in the study of He- 
 brew, which it was proposed to substitute for some 
 of the Latin in the course, was awakened by the dis- 
 cussion, and Professor J. Seixas, a Jew, from New 
 Y^ork City, was employed tlie last half of the year to 
 introduce the study. He was popular as a teacher, 
 and excited much enthusiasm in the study, so that at 
 one time his class numbered one hundred and twenty- 
 seven. The study was after awhile limited to the 
 four last terms of the college course, then to the 
 senior year, and finally to the theological depart- 
 ment. 
 
 The number of ajiplicants this year was far in excess 
 of the accommodations; and in the spring of 1830, 
 three branch schools were established, one at Sheffield, 
 fifteen miles northeast of Oberlin, occupying the 
 house and working on the farm of Mr. Robbins Bur- 
 rell; one at Abbeyville, in Medina county; and the 
 other constituting Grand River Institute, in Austin- 
 burg, Ashtabula county. The first two lasted only a 
 little more than a year, while the last became a per- 
 manent and separate school. 
 
 The commencement this year (1835,) was held 
 under the "big tent," which was sent by the friends 
 of Mr. Finney, at the east, that he might use it for 
 holding meetings in the region round about. It was 
 circular, was a hundred feet in diameter, and accom- 
 modated three thousand persons. The students from 
 Lane having decided, in consequence of interrujitions, 
 to take another year, and there being no class to 
 graduate, the exercises consisted chiefly of inaugural 
 addresses by President Mahan, and Professors B'inney 
 and Morgan. 
 
 In the catalogue issued for 1835, tlie whole number 
 of students is given as two hundred and seventy-six; 
 of these there were, in the theological deparment, 
 thirty-five; in the collegiate, thirty-eight; in the pre- 
 paratory, one hundred and thirty-one; and in the 
 
 female, seventy-three. In a note, it is stated that as 
 many had been sent away as were received. 
 
 " Tlius far " the report goes on to say, " our course of study and dis- 
 cipline has exceeded our most Jsanguine hopes. Our students have 
 almost perfect health, and are receiving vigorous mental discipline. 
 The society of the sexes, at their meals and recitations, exerts both a 
 salutarj' restraint, and a moulding, refining inllneuce upon social and 
 moral character. And, not least, the tone of moral and religious feel- 
 ing among the students is such as to authorize the cheering hope that 
 these minds will yet act with power and holy unction in promoting the 
 world's salvation." 
 
 In the catalogue for 183C, the whole number of 
 students is given as three hundred and ten. The 
 theological department had increased to fifty-eight, 
 and the collegiate to ninety-five. Thirteen are put 
 down in the shorter course, fifty-two in the male pre- 
 paratory department, and ninety-two in the young 
 ladies' department. A note informs us that 
 
 " The preceding eatalogiie does not include about eighty preparatoiy 
 students transferred to the high school of Elyria, and to auxiliary schools 
 at Austinburg, Sheffield and Abbeyville." 
 
 " Nearly all the young ladies," we are told in the report, "and a ma- 
 jority of the young gentlemen, have paid their board by their manual 
 labor. Most of the remainder have done a good deal toward this; and 
 a considerable number of those who have thus paiti their board, 
 have earned more than enouph for this purpose. A few have fully sup- 
 ported themselves by their labor. The general rule requires the stu- 
 dents to work three hours a day." 
 
 In the latter part of the fall term of 1835, Theo- 
 dore D. Weld, one of the Lane students, who was 
 lecturing on anti-slavery through the country, came 
 to Oberlin and delivered a series of over twenty lec- 
 tures on slavery. These lectures excited gi-eat interest 
 and had much influence in deepening, intensifying 
 and fixing the anti-slavery sentiment. So exhaustive 
 and masterly was the exhibition of the subject that 
 Oberlin became henceforth a positive and aggressive 
 anti-slavery power. From the enthusiasm thus awak- 
 ened twenty or more of the students went out during 
 the winter vacation that followed, and lectured under 
 the ausjiiccs of the American Anti-Slavery Society, 
 through Ohio and apart of Pennsylvania. These met 
 with the usual experience of anti-slavery lecturers in 
 those days; they found some warm friends and many 
 bitter enemies. Their arguments and apjieals were 
 often met with mobbings, but their labor was not in 
 vain. 
 
 The Western Reserve especially, under these and 
 kindred iniluenees, was thoroughly leavened with the 
 anti-slavery sentiment, and became in this a power in 
 politics, both in respect to the State and the nation. 
 
 Oberlin was now not only well begun but estab- 
 lished. Its origin was in the idea which has charac- 
 terized it, and by which it must be known; its 
 beginning was the first realization of this idea; and 
 its speedy and 2)rovidential enlargement was its sure 
 establishment. And in all — in its idea, beginning and 
 enlargement, it was manifestly of God. The central 
 idea of Olierlin, that which best and most compre- 
 hensively characterizes its nature and work as a 
 beneficent factor in the world's progress, is that of a 
 missionary center. In this idea — not education, not 
 anti-slavery or reform of any kind, but religion, 
 Christianity, as comprehensive, active, aggressive and 
 progressive, is supreme. In it true religion is first. 
 
HISTORY OF LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 179 
 
 last and all, from which everything takes its begin- 
 ning, and in which everything finds its end. 
 
 Such was the idea of Oberlin in its origin, and in 
 its realization. The men who conceived its plan, and 
 who were the leaders in jiutting it into execution, 
 were profoundly religious. Men of like character 
 they sought as co-laborers, and naturally such men 
 were attracted to the enterprise. The enterprise called 
 for self-denial, consecration, faith and love; and these 
 prime christian virtues it fostered. 
 
 There has always been at Oberlin, as elsewhere, 
 more or less a tendency to partial and extreme views; 
 but this tendency has never constituted its ruling idea 
 and spirit, has never formed its character. Moreover, 
 Oberlin for years, suffered the grossest misrepresen- 
 tations, and has been misunderstood even by many 
 good men. 
 
 Imbibing fully the spirit, and entering ardently 
 upon the work of the anti-slavery cause, it received 
 its full measure of the odium then heaped upon the 
 advocates of that most unpojnilar reform; while 
 in the religious world it was branded as heretical in 
 doctrine. In shoi't, almost from the first, Oberlin has 
 been at once very pojiular and very unpopular; has 
 had devoted friends and bitter enemies. But its con- 
 tinued triumph and prosperity have been, not by 
 might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord. 
 
 This religious character, which was impressed upon 
 Oberlin as a school and town, was especially marked 
 in its early history. When its' character was being 
 formed and fixed, it was characterized by an intense 
 religious devotion. There was always a revival spirit, 
 and this was often manifested in great power. Not 
 only were sinners converted, but the hearts of Chris- 
 tians were deeply searched; more so that not a few gave 
 lip their old hopes, and embraced the gosjiel more 
 intelligently. The falls of 1836, 1837 and 1838 are 
 especially spoken of as seasoas of refreshing. Later, 
 in 1811, a sudden and remarkable outiJouring of the 
 Holy Spirit was exjjerieuced in midsummer. The 
 whole number of additions to the church by pro- 
 fession, from 1835 to 185(i, was one thousand and 
 seventy, making an annual average of fifty. 
 
 The preaching of these days, chiefly by President 
 Mahan and Professor Finney, was attended with much 
 spiritual power. It was pungent, close, heart-seai'ch- 
 iug, and calculated earnestly to excite the whole 
 being — both thought and feeling. For it consisted 
 not merely of fervid exhortation; it was rather a clear 
 and vivid in'esentation, exposition and illustration of 
 Christian doctrine, enforced by intense conviction, 
 and ))y a iiractical and personal application. The 
 fact of human ability was especially emiihasized; 
 whence followed the obligation to obedience, and the 
 guilt of disobedience. Such preaching was, more or 
 less, the result of experience; and it also produced 
 exjjerience, not only in the hearers, but also in the 
 preachers themselves . 
 
 From a clearer view and larger experience of the 
 gospel in its power to save, arose the doctrine of sanc- 
 
 fificalion. This doctrine was afterward develoj^ed by 
 President Mahan, in a little book entitled "Christian 
 Perfection," ])ul)lishcd in 1839; by Professor Finney, 
 in his "Systematic Theology;" and by Profesor Cowles, 
 in a series of articles first published in the Oberlin 
 Evangelist, and afterward collected in a book entitled 
 "The Holiness of Christians in the Present Life." 
 It seems for a time to have been regarded as a state 
 of christian experience distinct from, and following 
 conversion, and involving entire consecration. But 
 Professor Morgan, in an article published in the 
 Oberlin Quarterly Review, entitled "The Holiness 
 Acceptable to God," showed from scripture and ex- 
 perience that the christian exj)erience itself involves 
 entire consecration, and this view came to be accepted. 
 In another article, entitled the "Baptism of the Holy 
 Spirit," he gave his view of the nature of an advanced 
 christian experience. 
 
 The doctrine gradually ceased to be presented and 
 urged as implying a distinct form of experience. In- 
 deed, sinlessness as actual and permanent Avas never 
 made prominent; and the view was always carefully 
 guarded against the antinomian view known as "per- 
 fectionism." Yet the earnest advocacy of this doc- 
 trine brought upon Oberlin, while it continued, much 
 odium from many religious peoj)le, especially from 
 some of the Presbytei'ian churches. 
 
 A system of philosophy was also early developed at 
 Oberlin, which, though the conception of it may not 
 1)0 claimed as altogether original, must still in some 
 sense be regarded as a j)roduct of Oberlin thought. 
 This is known in moral philosophy as the "Benevo- 
 lence Theory," and was presented by President Ed- 
 wards, in his treatise on "The Nature of Virtue," 
 and afterward embodied by Samuel Hopkins in his 
 theological system. But Mr. Finney, in his "System- 
 atic Theology," has thoroughly discussed and fully 
 developed it as a system of moral philosojihy, com- 
 prehensive and fundamental, and which at once dis- 
 closes the errors and embraces the truths of other 
 systems. This theory is, in brief, that the founda- 
 tion of moral obligation is the good of being, and 
 that true virtue or righteousness consists in willing 
 this good of being, or in such a committal of the will 
 to the good of being, including one's oAvn, that the 
 whole life will be devoted to its promotion. This, it 
 is obvious, is the love enjoined in the scriptures, in 
 which consists "the fulfilling of the law." 
 
 From this follows another fundamental principle 
 which occupies a prominent place in Oberlin philoso- 
 phy, called the "simplicity of moral action." This 
 view was first publicly presented by William Cochi-an 
 in an address in 1841, and afterward expanded by 
 him and published in a series of articles in the Ober- 
 lin Quarterly Review. This view is, substantially, 
 that a moral being can neither be nor do both good 
 and evil at the same time. For, since the moral state 
 and action of the will consist in its attitude and exer- 
 cise with respect to good, it is impossible that it 
 should occupy opposite states at the same time, or 
 
180 
 
 HISTOEY OF LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 that it should, at the same instant, both will and not 
 will good. Every moral being is, therefore, either 
 good or bad, according to the attitude of his will, and 
 never both at once. 
 
 Another fundamental principle, which, though not 
 original, gives character to the theology of Oberlin, 
 is that the will alone is the seat of all that is dis- 
 tinctively moral, or that tlie state of the will deter- 
 mines the moral both in character and in action. 
 
 These fundamental principles of philosophy lie at 
 the foundation of Mr. Finney's theology, which has 
 become the theology of Oberlin; and they have had 
 no small influence on tJie daily life of the students 
 and of the people. For the practical ai)plication of 
 this philosophy is expressed in the precept that the 
 true end of life is found in doing good. But this is 
 the very principle on which Obei'lin was founded; and 
 not less than ever is it still the vital principle of its 
 existence. 
 
 The Oberlin Evmigelist, a semi-monthly paper, was 
 begun, in 1839, to serve as an organ in which to ex- 
 press the religious views of the leading Oberlin men. 
 It was a strictly religious paper of the most earnest 
 type. Mr. Finney's sermons were published in it, 
 and he wrote more or less for it beside. Professor 
 Henry Cowles was its editor during the greater part 
 of its existence, and contributed largely to its matter. 
 Most of its matter was original, and was of the most 
 substantial kind. It did much to disseminate the 
 thought and spirit of Oberlin, and to defend it against 
 misrepresentations and aspersions. In 1863, the 
 second year of the war, it was discontinued because of 
 inadequate support. For a more elaborate exposition 
 of Oberlin ideas, the Oberlin Quarterli/ Review was 
 started in 1845, and continued four years. 
 
 Unfortunately the professorship association, which 
 had been formed in New York to pay the salaries of 
 eight professors, continued but a short time. The 
 great fire which occurred in New York in the fall of 
 18.35, and the tinancial crash which followed in 1836 
 and '37, swept away this foundation. The salaries 
 thus guaranteed were but six hundred dollars per 
 annum, but now even this moderate sum was no 
 longer assured. For their necessary support the pro- 
 fessors could only trust God. Eelyiug upon the pro- 
 vision made for the payment of the salaries, tuition 
 in the college department had been remitted, and it 
 was long before it could be re-imposed ; and even 
 after it was required it was found difficult to collect 
 it, so that several thousand dollars due for tuition 
 were never paid. Subscriptions liad been taken uji 
 in 1835 and '36, jiayable in five annual installments, 
 amounting to nearly one hundred thousand dollars ; 
 but in consecjuence of the financial crisis which soon 
 followed, only about six thousand dollars of it was 
 ever paid. With their hearts fully committed to the 
 work, and trusting God who they believed had called 
 them to it, the professors resolved to remain at their 
 posts, content with meagre and uncertain pay. For 
 many years the very existence of the institution was 
 
 dependent upon the contributions of its friends. In 
 1838 the debt had accumulated to forty thousand 
 dollars, and it was decided to send a deputation to 
 England to solicit contributions. Eev. John Keep 
 and Mr. William Dawes undertook this work, and in 
 the course of eighteen months, by unwearied labor 
 they raised tliirty thousand dollars clear of expenses. 
 Many books were also contributed to the college 
 library. This gratifying success was made jjossible 
 by the sympathy of British christians with the anti- 
 slavery sentiment of Oberlin. 
 
 Experience soon showed tliat the reipurement of 
 manual labor could not be maintained. In the cat- 
 alogue for 1838 it is said : 
 
 " At present no pledge can be given that the institution will furnish 
 labor to all the students ; but hitherto nearly all have been able to 
 obtain employment from either the institute or the colonists. It is 
 thought that the same facilities for available labor will be continued." 
 
 From this time manual labor was furnished so far 
 as possible, and was encouraged. In this modified 
 form it has been more or less a success. 
 
 As early as 1839, an agricultural society was formed, 
 composed of the colonists, faculty and students. 
 Weekly meetings were held, at which there were 
 essays and discussions on various subjects pertaining 
 to agriculture. Town fairs were also kept up annu- 
 ally for many years. In a small sheet called People's 
 Press, and dated Oberlin, October, 1845, a report of 
 the fair for that year is given. There was an address 
 by Professor Kirtland, of Cleveland, and in the eve- 
 ning short addresses from several — among them Dr. 
 Townshend, Professor Cowles, Professor Fairchild, 
 and President Mahan. The opening address by the 
 president of the society, D. B. Kinney, is given entire 
 in the paper. It is historical, and gives some interest- 
 ing reminiscences. The roads at an early day being 
 almost impassable, three hundred dollars were sub- 
 scribed by the colonists and four hundred by the fac- 
 ulty and students, to improve them. On a certain 
 day, recitations being suspended, all turned out and 
 worked on the road leading to Elyria. The young 
 ladies, for their jiart, provided them a bountiful din- 
 ner. 
 
 Another incident given in the same address illus- 
 trates, in a somewhat amusing way, the privations 
 incident to pioneer life. 
 
 One of the theological professors went to a brother 
 out of town, who had a team, and told him he wanted 
 some wood drawn, but he had no money, and asked 
 him how he should pay him. The good brother re- 
 plied that he would draw wood one day for him for 
 nothing, and then pointing to his bare feet said, 
 " But you see I need pay for my work." TJie pro- 
 fessor immediately jumping from his horse, and pull- 
 ing off his shoes and throwing them to him, said, 
 "Here, take these; I have another jiair at home, and 
 I can ride home barefoot." 
 
 The chapel in Colonial Hall becoming too small for 
 the meetings on the Sabbath, the people, notwitlistand- 
 ing their poverty, encouraged by Mr. Finney, re- 
 solved, in 18-40, to build a church. In 1842, the 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 181 
 
 foundation was laid; and tlie next year before its 
 completion, and without a formal dedication, it was 
 occupied. The lot was given by the original proprie- 
 tors of the land; and the inhabitants, professors, and 
 students, aided by friends abroad, by subscriptions of 
 cash and all sorts of commodities, and by work, 
 united in putting up the building. It was modeled 
 after the New York tabernacle, which was planned 
 by Mr. Finney. Its dimensions were ample, with the 
 design of furnishing room for the annual commence- 
 ment exercises. 
 
 IV. — GROWTH. 
 
 The college, having no permanent endowment, was 
 wholly dependent for its support upon the contribu- 
 tions of its friends. In the fall of 1850, it was de- 
 termined to make an effort to raise a permanent fund 
 for the support of instruction, by the sale of scholar- 
 ships. Scholarships for six 3'ears were sold for 
 twenty-five dollars, and perpetual scholarships for one 
 hundred dollars. The pledges were conditional upon 
 the raising of the whole amount desired, — one hundred 
 thousand dollars. The time set for getting condi- 
 tional pledges was limited to January 1, 1853, but so 
 well did the effort succeed that, by January 20, 1852, 
 the whole amount was pledged, and the new system 
 went into operation. When it is considered that to 
 the holders of these scholarships tuition was free in 
 all the departments, it will not be surprising that the 
 attendance was at once largely increased. 
 
 The catalogues for that period show that the num- 
 ber of students in the course of the year was soon more 
 than doubled. 
 
 In the catalogue for the year 1851-2, the year before 
 the system went into operation, the whole number of 
 students is given as five hundred and seventy-one. 
 
 In the next catalogue, for the first year of its oper- 
 ation, the number is one thousand and twenty; in the 
 next, one thousand, three hundred and five; in the 
 next, one thousand, one hundred and eighty-eight; in 
 the next, one thousand and sixty-two; and in the 
 next, one thousand, two liundred and sixteen. It 
 should be said that the preparatory de25artment was 
 increased much more jjrojiortionately than any of the 
 rest. 
 
 This, however, in the course of the growth of the 
 college, may be considered as its second enlargement. 
 From this time its growth has consisted chiefly in the 
 enlargement and perfecting of its course of study. 
 The number then gained has been maintained; and 
 the scholarshijj system, having served its purpose, is 
 being gradually superseded. 
 
 The sudden increase in the number of students 
 made the demand imperative for larger accommoda- 
 tions. For a time part of the students were obliged 
 to meet in the laboratory or music hall for prayers. 
 In 1854^5, a new chapel was built, at a cost of ten 
 thousand five hundred dollars, and the audience room 
 above, cajjable of seating nine hundred persons. This 
 i has been since entirely remodeled, at a cost of about 
 
 two thousand dollars, chiefly l>y contributions from 
 the students. 
 
 In 1850, President Mahan resigned his ))ositi(in as 
 president of Oberlin College, and took charge of a 
 new university established at Cleveland, in which it 
 was designed that the classics should be less promi- 
 nent in the course of study; and the following year 
 Professor Finney was appointed his successor. 
 
 Since it was near the lake, and a noted anti-slavery 
 place, Oberlin Ijccame, at an early day, an im])ortant 
 station of "the under-ground railroad." Many fugi- 
 tives were helped to escape, being sent to some port 
 on the lake, to Cleveland, Charleston (now Lorain), 
 Huron or Sandusky, wherever there happened to be 
 a vessel whose captain would take them to Canada. 
 It is the boast of Oberlin that no fugitive was ever 
 taken back from her soil to slavery; nor has the pre- 
 vention of such a result ever been accompanied with 
 violence or bloodshed. It is said that in one year as 
 many as three hundred and sixty fugitives from 
 slavery passed through Oberlin. 
 
 In 1840, at a house on Lorain street, about a mile 
 east of the First Church, then in the forest, two men 
 from Kentucky seized a colored man and wonum and 
 hurried away with them. Word soon reached the 
 people of Oberlin, who were assembled in the chapel 
 at some meeting, and they immediately pursued the 
 slave-catchers, overtaking them two or three miles 
 from the village. These men went the next day to 
 Elyria to substantiate their claim, but, failing to pro- 
 duce sutticient evidence, their victims were imprisoned 
 to await a further trial. 
 
 The slave-catchers were themselves arrested on the 
 charges of house-breaking and threatening of life, but 
 were released on bail. Before the trial one of them 
 died, and the other returned to the double trial to 
 find that the slaves had escaped — by following a fel- 
 low prisoner, and by no aid from without — and was 
 himself released. 
 
 At a much later date occurred the celebrated Ober- 
 lin- Wellington rescue case. 
 
 Among the compromise measures passed by Con- 
 gress in 1850, was the fugitive slave bill, which, 
 signed by the President, became. a law, and went into 
 operation. Accepted and approved by northern con- 
 servatives, but denounced and renounced by anti- 
 slavery men, who proclaimed in its stead "the higher 
 law," bemg more stringent and efficient than the old 
 law, tlie business of slave-catching was prosecuted 
 with renewed vigor and with varying success. 
 
 On the 1-ith of Septemljer, 18.")8, the people of Ober- 
 lin were startled from their usual ijuiet by the report 
 that a colored man, by the name of John Price, had 
 been taken from their midst and carried toward the 
 south. A considerable company of citizens and stu- 
 dents followed in pursuit as far as Wellington, where 
 they found the Wadsworth House, in the garret of 
 which the captors with their captive had taken refuge, 
 surrounded by a crowd. The crowd, pressing up the 
 stairs and against the door of the room whither the 
 
182 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 kidnappers with their victim had retreated, the door 
 at last gave way, and tlie captive walked out and was 
 borne in triumph away. 
 
 A grand jury was summoned by tlie United States 
 District Court, for Nortliern Oiiin, whicli found bills 
 agjiinst thirty-seven citizens of Obcrlin and Wellington. 
 Among tiiese, Professor Henry E. Peck, James M. 
 Fitch, suiH'rintendent of the Obcrlin Sunday School, 
 and Ralph Plumb, a lawyer, the most prominent of 
 the Oberlin men, were indicted for aiding and abetting. 
 Thirty only were arrested. These appeared at Cleve- 
 land on the day set, and were released on their own re- 
 cognizance till the day of trial. Hon. R. P. Spalding, 
 Hon. A. G. Riddle, and S. 0. Griswold, Esq., volun- 
 teered their services for the defence, free of charge. 
 April 5, 1859, the trials commenced by the arraignment 
 of Seth M. Bushnell, who was charged with driving 
 the buggy which conveyed the captive away from his 
 captors; who, upon his trial, was found guilty by the 
 jury, and was sentenced to sixty days imprisonment, 
 and to jiay a fine of six hundred dollars and the costs 
 of prosecution, estimated at two thousand dollars. 
 Charles Laugston, being next tried, was also found 
 guilty, and sentenced to twenty days imprisonment, 
 and to pay a fine of one hundred dollars and cf>sts. 
 An application was made to the supreme court of Ohio 
 for a writ of habeas corpus in behalf of Bushnell and 
 Langston, on the ground of the unconstitutionality 
 of the fugitive slave law; l)ut it was denied to them, 
 the vote of the judges standing three to two. Mean- 
 time the rest were confined in ])rison awaiting their 
 trial. On two different Saliljaths, Professor Peck 
 preached to an assemblage, surrounding the jail, esti- 
 mated at from three to four thousand. July 2, a few 
 days before the liberation of the prisoners, the Ober- 
 lin Sunday School went to Cleveland in a body, and 
 paid their sn])erintendenta visit in jail. This was an 
 occasion of much interest. 
 
 In May the faculty and resident trustees made a 
 public statement in the Oberlin Evaiif/clixf. in which, 
 among other things, they say: 
 
 " We do not believe that there was. in this case, a design on the part 
 of the rescuers to violate even the fugitive slave act, because it was ap- 
 parently believed that tlie man was kidnapped, and that the paper by 
 which his captors held him was illegal. But we wish it also understood 
 that we do not regard that enactment as of any binding force whatever. 
 WV think it right and proper to escape its penalty when we can consis- 
 tently with duty; but its precept we cannot regard witJiout renouncing 
 Christianity and offending God." 
 
 After the conviction of Langston further trials 
 were arrested. The captors had been indicted in the 
 Lorain county court for kidnapping; and these finally 
 ]>r()posed an arrangement by which nol/es should be 
 entered against the cases on both sides, and they be 
 
 to, and the prisoners 
 
 dismissed. This was agreed 
 
 were accordingly released on 
 
 three months' inij)risoninent. 
 
 and before leaving the jail, 
 
 resolutions, of whic^h we ijuote the following one: 
 
 *' Resolrefl, That after all the pains and penalties inflicted on us by 
 government officials in the attempt toenforce the fugitive slave act, we 
 feel it to be our dnt.y to say that our hatred and opposition to that un- 
 just and unconstitutional law are more intense than ever before. No fine 
 
 the iith of July, after 
 
 After tlieir discharge, 
 
 they passed a series of 
 
 or imprisonment, however enforced, by whatever court, can induce us 
 to yield it obedience. We will hereafter, as we have heretofore, help the 
 panting fugitive to escape from those who would enslave him, whatever 
 may be the authority under which they may act." 
 
 On their arrival at Oberlin, they were received with 
 unbounded enthusiasm. In the evening, the church 
 was crowded, speeches were made by the rescuers and 
 others, and the meeting did not close till midnight. 
 Near the close of the meeting, a resolution was jiassed 
 that the town council be requested to enter a minute 
 of this whole affair upon the records of the village of 
 of Oberlin. The following is the conclusion of this 
 minute: 
 
 "And finally, in view of all the consequences attendant upon this 
 prosecution, and all the light shed upon the subject, we unanimously 
 express our greatly increased abhorrence of the fugitive slave act, and 
 avow our determination that no fugitive slave shall be taken from 
 Oberlin, either with or without a warrant, if we have power to prevent 
 it. Passed unanimously July 6, 18.59." 
 
 On the nth, Bushnell having served out the sixty 
 days for which he was sentenced, returned to Oberlin, 
 and another enthusiastic meeting was held. 
 
 In less than two years from this manifestation of 
 the enthusiastic determination of the people to main- 
 tain their principles, they were, by the breaking out 
 of the war of the rebellion, put to a far severer test. 
 In the grand ujirising of the North, one of the most 
 sublime and inspiring events of history, Oberlin had 
 her share. 
 
 Ai)ril 13, 18(51, Fort Sumter fell; and on the 14th, 
 President Lincoln issued his jiroclamation calling 
 for seventy-five thousand volunteers. At Oberlin, as 
 everywhere throughout the North, the excitement 
 was deep, intense and absorbing. 
 
 A meeting of the students was held at the college 
 chapel on the evening of the 19th, and was addressed 
 by enthusiastic speakers from each of the regular 
 classes, and a committee of five was appointed to 
 obtain volunteers. A meeting of citizens was also 
 held. On the next evening, Professor Monroe, who 
 was then a member of the State legislature, having 
 arrived from Columbus, a meeting was held in the 
 church, and was addressed by him and Colonel Shel- 
 don, of Elyria. At the close of this meeting, the roll 
 was opened for enlistments, and forty-nine at once 
 gave their names, and ten thousand dollars were 
 pledged to assist in sustaining those who should go. 
 By Monday morning, one hundred and thirty names 
 were enrolled; and this being in excess of the number 
 required, and others being ready to enlist, a second 
 company was formed. Nor was this eagerness to enlist 
 from mere excitement; it was, on the contrary, in 
 most cases, from sturdy principle. 
 
 The first company formed is known as company C 
 of the Seventh regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, of 
 which Professor C W. Shurtleff, then a tutor in the 
 college, was captain. The first enlistment was for 
 three months ; but a month later most of the com- 
 pany re-enlisted for three years. At Cross Lanes 
 they were overjiowered by a superior force, two of 
 their number were killed, and twenty-nine, including 
 Captain Shurtleff, were made prisoners. Notwith- 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 183 
 
 staiidiug this serious blow, tliis coii:pauy aftei'ward 
 took an active part in niauy battles, in which its 
 members wore tlistingnished for their bravery. They 
 were also distinguished for their moral and religious 
 character. Out of the one hundred and fifty stu- 
 dents who were at different times members of this 
 company, but throe died of disease ; and of those, 
 two died of infection caught in the filthy dungeons 
 of New Orleans. Twenty-eight fell in battle, fifteen 
 were discharged on account of wounds, and many 
 others were wounded slightly. Fifteen were promoted 
 as commissioned officers in other regiments. Its cap- 
 tain, after a year spent in southern prisons, was made 
 insjR'ctor general on the staff of General Wilcox ; then 
 was appointed lieutenant-colonel, and afterwards 
 colonel of the Fifth United States colored troops, 
 and just at the close of the war was made brevet 
 brigadier general. 
 
 The second year of the war another company, com- 
 ]tosed of citizens and students, was sent out and 
 Joined the one hundred and third regiment. The 
 same year, when Cincinnati was threatened, almost 
 all the college students capable of bearing arms, 
 with many of the preparatory students and citizens, 
 started on a few honrs' notice and spent several weeks 
 there till the danger was past. 
 
 Toward the close of the war a second company. K, 
 was sent out, which joined with Cleveland to form 
 the one hundred and fiftieth regiment, and helped 
 Grant fight his way to Richmond. 
 
 "Taking the catalogue of 1861, the first year of the war." says Profes- 
 sor Ellis, from whose address entitled "Oberliu in the War," we take 
 most of these facts and statistics, " we find that of one hundred and 
 sixty-six gentlemen in the four college classes, one hundred, or sixty 
 per cent., have been in the army as soldiers. We doubt if any college 
 catalogue can show a better record than this. Of alumni and the 
 under-graduates in the college classes, we count one hundred and 
 ninety-seven who have served in the array. Among these, two major 
 generals, one brigadier general, ten colonels, and officers of lower 
 grades in larger proportion. Of those who have been connected with 
 the preparatory department, our estimate can only approximate the 
 exact tigures. Supposing that those of whom we do not know pos- 
 itively have gone in the same proportion as those of whom we do know, 
 we have not less than five hundred and fifty from this department, 
 giving a total of eight hundred and fifty of the representatives of 
 Oberliu in the army. The great majority of the.je enlisted without a 
 selfish consideration. Even those who were far advanced in their 
 course, and many of whom had been leading men as teachers or 
 preachers, entered the ranks side by side with the ignorant and uncul- 
 tivated song of toil. If the list of officers should be found dispropor- 
 tionately small, as I do not think it is, it would be accounted for by this 
 fact." 
 
 Of those who went into the army Professor Ellis 
 estimated that not less than ten per cent., or from 
 seventy-five to one hundred men, were among the 
 slain. The number of students was of course much 
 reduced during the war, especially the young men. 
 
 The year that the war broke out the number given 
 in the catalogue is one thousand, three hundred and 
 eleven; the next year it was reduced to one thou.saiid 
 and seventy-one, and the next to eight hundred and 
 fifty-nine; the next year it is nine hundred and 
 seventeen, and the next, nine hundred and one — an 
 average decrease of about one-third. 
 
 At the commencement in ISGO, an effort was made 
 to raise funds to build a new ladies' hall, of which 
 
 there was felt to be a pressing need. The first pledge 
 was two dollars for a corner stone; and after that, 
 pledges were given for from one dollar to two hun- 
 dred, till the whole sum amounted to three thousand, 
 one hundred and thirty-six dollars. Its foundations 
 were laid the next spring, at the breaking out of the 
 war, on ground whicii had long been reserved for it. 
 Further work was suspended on it for two years. 
 The walls were erected and the roof put on in 1803, 
 and it was not completed till 1805. The cost of 
 building and furnishing was about forty thousand 
 dollars. 
 
 In 1865, President Finney, seeking relief in his 
 declining years, from the cares and resjionsibilities of 
 the presidency of the institution, resigned his posi- 
 tion, and Professor James II. Fairchild whs appointed 
 his successor, and delivered his inaugural address at 
 the commencement, August 23, 1866. President 
 Fairchild was one of the four who formed the first 
 college class, and participated in the exercises of the 
 first commencement. After the completion of his 
 seven years' course in college and in theology, he was 
 appointed, in 1841, professor of languages. This 
 position he occufiied till 1847, when he was trans- 
 ferred to the professorship of mathematics and na- 
 tural philosophy; which he filled till 1859, when he 
 became associate professor of theology and moral 
 philosophy. 
 
 He had thus, as student and professor, leen fully 
 identified with Oberliu from its licginning; had im- 
 bibed its idea, breathed its spirit, and entered into its 
 life. A clear and independent thinker, wise in coun- 
 ,sel, sagacious and prudent in the management of 
 affairs, conscientiously careful and faithful in the 
 performance of duty, unostentatious and unobtrusive 
 in manner, with high aim and steadfast purpose, a 
 man of culture and refinement, of gentleness and of 
 force, of benevolence and dignity, — and inspiring 
 universal respect, confidence, and love, — the college, 
 under his management and guidance, with an efficient 
 corps of professors, of like mind, as counsellors and 
 helpers, was to have a steady and symmetrical growth 
 in the perfecting of its various departments, and was 
 to receive a warmer and more general acknowledg- 
 ment of its character and work. 
 
 During the first few years after its establishment 
 the theological d(^partment was large and flourishing. 
 In its first year, 1835, it numbered thirty-five; the 
 next year it had increased to thirty-eight. In 1838 it 
 numbered forty-four, and the next year it had in- 
 crea.sed to sixty-four. This was the maximum of 
 attendance, and after this it gradually declined, until, 
 in 1840, it numbered but twenty-five. In 1859, the 
 number had increased to thirty-six, and the next year 
 it was thirty-five. But during the war the number 
 was diminished, until, in 1864 and '65, the number was 
 but thirteen, the next year but fifteen, and the next but 
 eleven. This was the minimum; and at this time the 
 question was seriously raised whether this department 
 could be maintained. But it was concluded that it 
 
184 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 was a necessity, nut only fur Olierlin, bnt especially 
 for the furnishing of ministers to Congregational 
 churches in Ohio and Michigan, and even in States 
 farther west; and it was resolved to make a deter- 
 mined effort to revive it, and to put it in every respect 
 on a more substantial basis. In 18G9, Rev. Hiram 
 Mead, a graduate of Andover, was appointed profes- 
 sor of sacred rhetoric, and proved a valuable accession, 
 not less by his devotion to the several interests of the 
 department, than by that to the duties of his own 
 professorship. A new building was needed, and this 
 need it was resolved to proceed at once to supply. 
 
 In November, 1871, the first general council of the 
 C!ongregational churches of the United States met at 
 Oberliu, and during their session gave their voluntary 
 and hearty endorsement to the seminary; and the cor- 
 ner stone of the new building, which was properly 
 called "Council Hall," was at that tinu' laid. A large 
 meeting was held at the First Church, at which sev- 
 eral addresses were made. In conclusion. Rev. Dr. 
 Buddiiigtou, chairman of the council, made a few 
 remarks, in the course of which he said: 
 
 '* I rejoice to stand, tliis day, upon the grave of buried prejudice. It 
 is true that Oberlin has been a battle-cry in our ranks for a generation. 
 It is so no longer, but a name of peace, of inspiration, and hope." 
 
 Money was given by friends of the college in New- 
 England, and by the churches in Ohio, by which the 
 building was carried forward to completion; and at 
 the coramencement, August 1, 1874, it was formally 
 dedicated. The influeuce of these efforts in reviving 
 the seminary is apparent in the increase of numbers. 
 In 1871, the number had increased to thirty-six, the 
 next year to thirty-eight, the next to forty-three, and 
 in 1876 to fifty-one. 
 
 No history of Oberlin would be complete without 
 some notice of its music; to which, especially sacred 
 music, much attention has been given from the first, 
 and which has grown with its growth. In 18:J5, Rev. 
 Elisha P. Ingersoll was appointed professor of sacred 
 music in the college. He resigned and left town the 
 next year, and, in 18.38, George N. Allen was ap- 
 pointed to the same position, which, with the excep- 
 tion of two years, he held till 18G4. Professor Allen 
 was also chorister of the church choir from 1836 till 
 18.50, with the exception of two years. He entered 
 with enthusiasm into the work of training the choir, 
 and organized an orchestral accompaniment. 
 
 The first concert of note was given at the commence- 
 ment in 18.53, at which the "Oratorio of Absalom" was 
 performed. In 18.56, the first organ was procured, the 
 expense of which the choir helped much towards de- 
 fraying with money earned by their concerts. In this 
 way they also paid for tiie gas fixtures in the First 
 Church, and furnished the bell of the chapel. 
 
 On the division of the church in I860, and the 
 formation of the Second Church, a new association 
 was formed, called "The Musical Union," composed 
 of members from both choirs. The musical union 
 paid most of the cost of the cabinet organ used for a 
 time by the Second Church; has given toward the 
 
 large organ now in the Second Church nearly a thou- 
 sand dollars, and four hundred dollars toward the new 
 organ in the F'irst Church. 
 
 In 1867, the "Oberlin Conservatory of Music" was 
 brought into connection with the college, and George 
 W. Steele was appointed professor of music, but was 
 granted leave of absence to pursue his studies in Ger- 
 many, whence he returned at the close of the fall term 
 of the next year. In 1871, Fenelon B. Rice, a graduate 
 of the Leipsic Conservatory of Music, was appointed 
 professor of music, and was made director of the con- 
 servatory of music, under whose efficient management 
 this department of the college has attained high rank 
 among the musical schools of the country. 
 
 PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 The following facts respecting the public schools 
 of Oberlin, are gleaned from a historical sketch pre- 
 })ared for a centennial book in 1876 : 
 
 A ])rimary department was at first organized in 
 connection with the college, but was kept up only one 
 year. The first public school was taught in one room 
 of a house belonging to Deacon T. P. Turner, by 
 Miss Anna Moore ; afterward it was taught in a shojj 
 on the corner of Main and East College streets. 
 
 The first school house was built in 1838, on the 
 corner of Main and Lorain streets, not far from where 
 the first church now stands. It was a small frame 
 building, containing but one room, and this furnished 
 at first with only rough boards for seats. Afterward 
 rough tables were ])laced around next to the wall, 
 with chairs before them. This was the only .school 
 house till 1851, and as the number of scholars doubled 
 and trebled during that time, it was necessary to 
 seek rooms wherever they could be found. Many 
 good private schools were in operation during this 
 period. 
 
 In 1851-52 a new brick building was erected on 
 Professor street, opposite the college square, now 
 owned by the college and known as " Cabinet hall.'' 
 It was two stories high and contained three school 
 rooms and one recitation room. The building was, 
 however, not j'et ample enough to accommodate all 
 the pupils, and afterward two wings were added, so 
 that the whole building then contained seven school 
 rooms. On entering the new building the schools 
 were for the first time graded. 
 
 In 1854 the schools were re-organized, and Joseph 
 H. Barnum was elected superintendent. Mr. Bar- 
 num was an active and efficient teacher, and remained 
 in the school tiiree years, when he left to take charge 
 of the Elyria schools. 
 
 The last two terms of the year following Mr. 
 Barnum's departure. Deacon W. W. Wright had the 
 general superintendence of the schools, and after this, 
 for two years, they were without a superintendent. 
 
 In 1860, the Union school was first organized, 
 under the law of 1849. The school board appointed 
 Samuel Sedgwick, a graduate of Oberlin college, 
 superintendent, at a salary of six hundred dollars, 
 
Sylvester ffAF?T 
 
 Homestead of fWRS. R.B.HARr, Russia, loj^ain county. Ohio. 
 
MRS. RELIEF B. HART. 
 
 MISS E. C. HART. 
 
 SYLVESTEK HART. 
 
 Among the early settlers and good, practical farmers of 
 Carlisle township who have passed away, none left a fairer 
 record for personal integrity and high moral worth than he 
 whose life and character forms the basis of these lines. Reared 
 amid the Green Mountains of Vermont, and at an early period 
 of his existence being inculcated with the importance of in- 
 dustry and self-reliance, he was admirably qualified for the 
 life of a pioneer in the western country where forty-five years 
 ago he eifected a permanent settlement. 
 
 Sylvester Hart was born at Weston, Vt., on the 27th of 
 March, 1806. His father, George Hart, was a native of 
 Massachusetts ; his mother, Polly Lawrence, a Vermonter. 
 In the days of his youth, educational advantages were quite 
 limited, and what little of scholastic learning he obtained was 
 in the common schools of the place of his birth. By subse- 
 quent self-study, and the application of knowledge gained by 
 experience, he became a well-read man, and posses.sed an in- 
 telligence above the average farmer. It was in the year 1834, 
 when, imbued with a spirit of adventure, coupled with the 
 desire to make a home for himself and family, he came to 
 Lorain Co., Ohio, and settled in Carlisle township, upon the 
 farm now occupied by his son, Henry H. Some years prior 
 to his removal from Vermont, however, he had become pretty 
 thoroughly acquainted witli and habituated in agricultural 
 jiursuits. At the age of seventeen years he bought his " time'' 
 of his father, and subsequently purchased a small farm, which 
 he sold preparatory to his departure to Ohio. All went well 
 with him in his western home until 1840, when his residence 
 and barn were totally destroyed by fire, a calamity under which 
 a man of less indomitable energy and perseverance would have 
 succumbed. Nothing daunted by this untoward event, he 
 rebuilt on another part of his farm the house in which Henry 
 H. Hart now resides. In December, 18.56, Mr. Hart removed 
 to the village of Oberlin, intending to retire from the active, 
 incessant labor of the farm. Here he resided a respected and 
 honorable citizen until his death, which occurred Sept. 26, 
 1874. 
 
 On the 25th of January, 1829, Mr. Hart was united in mar- 
 riage with Relief Baldwin, who was born at Pawlet, Vt., 
 Aug. 31, 1806. She survives him. They had issue as follows, 
 namely : 
 
 Relief M., born June 19, 1830; di,$d in infancy. 
 
 Eunice D., born July 8, 1831 ; died in infancy. 
 
 Jeremiah B., born Aug. 13, 1832; married Sarah A. Lyon, 
 Jan. 25, 1854. Married, second time, Julia A. Preston, April 
 21, 1875. Children by first wife,— Carlton V., born May 26, 
 1855; Alice Relief, born Dec. 22, 1857; and Cora C, born 
 April 11, 18.59. Child by second wife, — Helen A., born 
 March 19, 1876. Elizabeth C, born May 19, 1834; Cornelia 
 M., born Sept. 21, 1836; married John H. Eckler, of Carlisle, 
 Dec. 25, 1862. Children,— Henry S., born Oct. 11, 1863; 
 George H., born July 20, 1865; died Oct. 9, 1873 : Bertha M., 
 born Oct. 14, 1868 ; Catharine M., born May 14, 1872 ; Frank 
 R., born Feb. 21, 1875. 
 
 Henry H., born Aug. 12, 1840; married Bertha B. Buehring, 
 April 26, 1861. Children,— Alice L., born Jan. 6, 1862 ; Cora 
 R., born March 26, 1863; William H., born July 18, 1864; 
 Edith M., born Nov. 25, 1866 ; Julia C, born March 7, 1869 : 
 Bertha B., born Feb. 24, 1872; George M., born March 5, 
 1874; Edwin R., born May 14, 1876; Flavius A., born Dec. 
 2, 1849; married Olive A., daughter of Simeon Crane, of 
 Oberlin, Nov. 7, 1877; has one child. Burton S., born Aug. 
 30, 1878. 
 
 In politics Mr. Hart was formerly a Whig, and after the 
 organization of the Republican party affiliated with the 
 latter. He was township trustee of Carlisle many years, 
 and was elected to various other offices in that township. He 
 was not a professor of religion, but the honesty of his life 
 compared favorably with many of the most ardent church 
 members. After a careful investigation of spiritualism, he 
 became convinced of its genuineness, and espoused its teach- 
 ings with a faith that lasted until his death. He became one of 
 the largest landholders in the county, and was also extensively 
 engaged in dairying. Those of his acquaintances and friends 
 by whom he was best known, generally bear testimony to his 
 uncompromising, personal integrity, his business rectitude, 
 and the placidity of his domestic life. It was in the home 
 circle where the serenity of his disposition was so highly ap- 
 preciated. His benevolence was proverbial. Taken all in all, 
 the career of Mr. Hart offers many excellent traits which 
 afford alike a good example for future generations to follow, 
 and an imperishable legacy to his estimable family. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 185 
 
 wliicli, (luring the last two years of his term of ser- 
 vice, was increased to a thousand dollars. A high 
 school was organized, and all the lower schools were 
 improved. The high school increased to forty, and 
 tlie whole number enrolled in all the schools, was as 
 liigh as four hundred and fifty. 
 
 In the fall of 1809, Mr. Sedgwick resigned, and 
 Mr. E. F. Moulton, a graduate of Oberlin college, 
 was appointed his successor, — at a salary of fifteen 
 liundred dollars, wliich was afterward raised to seven- 
 teen hnndred. Several additions were made to the 
 course of study in the high school; and the number 
 of pupils attending the high school, during Mr. 
 Moulton's term of service, was more tlum doubled. 
 Since the inauguration of the new system in 1860, tlie 
 nuniljer enrolled in all the schools was also doubled. 
 
 In 1873, the corner stone of a new edifice was laid, 
 and it was completed and dedicated in 1874. It is 
 situated on South Main street, in a central location, 
 and contains eleven school rooms, a superintendent's 
 room, two smaller recitation rooms, and a library 
 room. Its cost was about forty tliousand dollars, 
 and it is one of the handsomest buildings of tlie town. 
 
 In 1870, Mr. Moulton resigned, and accepted a 
 position as superintendent of the Union school, in 
 Warren, Ohio. Mr. Chittenden was appointed in his 
 place, and has proved an efficient superintendent, but 
 lias recently been compelled to resign, ou account of 
 ill healtli, and Mr. H. F. Clark has been chosen his 
 successor. 
 
 THE CHURCHES. 
 
 A brief notice of the organization of the First 
 Church, and of tlie erection of the church edifice, 
 has been already given, and we have space here for 
 little more. Mr. Finney was called to take charge of 
 the church in May, 1837, and continued its pastor 
 till May, 1873, a period of thirty-five years. The 
 greater part of this time. Professor Morgan was also 
 associated with him, and preached during Mr. Fin- 
 ney's absence. Other members of the faculty also 
 supplied the pulpit at different times. November 13, 
 1873, Rev. James Brand, a graduate of Yale College 
 and of Andover Seminary, was installed as pastor of 
 the church, and has since labored with much accept- 
 ance and with gratifying results. 
 
 Of the growth of the church, Mr. Brand, al)out a 
 year since, said: ''Beginning with sixty-two commu 
 nieants in the solitude of the forest, it has had, in the 
 space of forty-two years, about four thousand six 
 hundred and sixty — an average addition of a little 
 more than one liundred and ten a year during its 
 entire history."' It should, however, be remembered 
 that from the changing character of the population, 
 and from the fact that many of the students became 
 lonnected with the church, the dismissions were as 
 rontinual, if not so large, as tlie additions. 
 
 For many years the First Church was the only 
 church in the place, and it came to be the general 
 and cherished desire that there should be no other. 
 
 24 
 
 This feeling arose, not from any exclusiveness, but 
 from a desire of concentration and unity, rather than 
 division of christian effort. The confession of faith 
 embraced only those vital points which are accepted 
 by all evangelical christians; and it was common for 
 members of other denominations to join the church 
 without change of views. But in the growth of the 
 place, it was inevitable that other churches should be 
 formed. 
 
 The second cliurch organized was the Protestant 
 Episcopal. Missionary services were begun by Rev. 
 Anson Clark, in the year 1853, and were held regu- 
 larly thereafter once a month, or once in two weeks, 
 in Mr. Safford's house. The organization of the 
 parish was effected April 18, 1855, by Rev. Francis 
 Granger, with seven communicants. Very soon after, 
 the work of building the church was commenced, 
 the lot being given by Mrs. Saflford. Rev. William 
 C. French came in November, 1858. The church 
 was then but partially completed, and Mr. French 
 did much to secure its completion. The church was 
 consecrated in May, 1859, by Bishop Mcllvaine, with- 
 out any debt, and has remained so to this day. In 
 1868, a recess chancel was added, and also a vestibule. 
 The whole cost of the church was about five thousand 
 dollars. 
 
 On the same lot with the church, which comprises 
 nearly an acre, beautifully ornamented with shrubs, 
 a fine rectory — the only parsonage in the place — has 
 been erected. This was begun in 1860, and completed 
 in 1805. The church embraces now about sixty com- 
 municants, and like the other churches of the place, 
 its membership is more or less fluctuating. The fra- 
 ternal spirit of the First Church toward this first 
 sister church, was manifested by its invitation, ex- 
 tended to Bishop Mcllvaine, on a certain occasion 
 before they had a church edifice, to hold service in 
 their church, which he did, to the gratification and 
 edification of all present. 
 
 The Second Congregational church of Oberlin was 
 organized by a council composed of the representa- 
 tives of several sister churches. May 3, 1860, one 
 hundred persons, dismissed from the First Church for 
 the purpose, uniting in the enterprise. This step 
 seemed necessary from the fact that the congrega- 
 tion had become too large to be accommodated. The 
 October following, the church became connected with 
 the Cleveland conference, and in April, 1805, it was 
 duly incorporated under the laws of the State. The 
 following, fall steps were taken to secure a site for a 
 church edifice, work upon which w"as begun in 1807 
 and completed in 1870. The whole cost of the build- 
 ing was about thirty thousand dollars. The dedica- 
 tory exercises took jslace on the 30th of October, and 
 on the following Sabbath the church transferred its 
 meeting from the college chapel, which it had hith- 
 erto occupied, to the new building. The next fall 
 an organ costing five thousand dollars, was purchased. 
 Much of the time since its organization the church 
 has been supplied by members of the faculty acting 
 
186 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 as pastors. It h;is liad, however, two installed pas- 
 tors—Rev. M. W. Fairfield from October, 1801, to 
 December, 18G4, and its present pastor, Rev. W. 
 Kincaid, who began his labors in February, 1870, and 
 was installed tlie following April. The number of 
 members given in the manual of the cliurch, pub- 
 lished this year, is six hundred and forty-four, < f 
 whom ninety-eight are absent. The number of dil- 
 ferent j^ersous who have united witli tiie church, is 
 one thousand two hundred and forty. 
 
 In the summer of 1800 several Baptist brcthrei 
 and sisters, having held for some time a series ol 
 prayer meetings, resolved to form a church ; and foi 
 this purpose tliey called a council of neighboring 
 churches on the 30th of July, which recognized tlu' 
 brethren and sisters calling the council, as a Baptist 
 church. At a subsequent church meeting forty-fix e 
 brethren and sisters handed in their letters of recon.- 
 mendation, which were read by tlie Rev. J. II. Lan- 
 gille, and tliey were organized into a cliurch, the 
 corporate name of which it was voted should be 
 "the First Regular Baptist Church of Oberlin." 
 From this time the church held meetings in a hall in 
 Exchange block, in Watson's hall, and in Carpenter's 
 hall successively, and had regular preaching. The 
 corner-stone of a new house of worship was laid, with 
 appropriate ceremonies, on a site procured on East 
 Lorain street, September 34, 1807, and in Septembei-. 
 1871, the building liaving been completed, was form- 
 ally dedicated. It is a neat and commodious brick 
 building, and cost about fourteen thousand dollars. 
 The present number of members is about one hun- 
 dred and sixty. 
 
 In 1808, funds were collected, and a lot purchased 
 on South Main street, by Rev. Ira Hitchcock, then 
 on Amherst circuit, for a Methodist Episcopal churcli, 
 and the next year Rev. G. A. Reeder was sent to the 
 charge, and labored faithfully to carry out the project 
 of building a church. But he being removed from 
 the work at the end of the year, and there being 
 other adverse causes, the enterprise was finally aban- 
 doned. A few years later, the society was disliandcd. 
 and nothing remained but a lot and a note of one 
 hundred dollars from the sale of materials. 
 
 In the fall of 1808, a society was again organized 
 by Rev. L. M. Pounds, then in charge of PittsfieUl 
 circuit. 
 
 The next year, Rev. J. Evans being on the charge, 
 the society decided to make an other effort to erect a 
 house of worship. About twelve hundred dollins 
 were subscribed in and around OI)erlin, and tlie work 
 was begun. 
 
 In 1870, Rev. A Holbrook was appointed to tlie 
 charge, and the work was carried forward, as fast as 
 tlie means on hand would allow. Contributions were 
 received from neigliboring places, and also from mem- 
 bers of the college faculty, and from many of the 
 members of the Congregational churches of Oberliii. 
 
 In 1873, Rev. J. R. Jewett was appointed to the 
 charge, and the building having been completed, was 
 
 dedicated December 14th, but not until subscriptions 
 had been taken more than enough to cover the debt. 
 The building is a frame enclosed with brick. Its 
 dimensions are seventy-two by forty-five feet; and its 
 estimated value is about eight thousand dollars. Rev. 
 J. F. Brant is the present ])astor. The number of 
 members is one hundred and sixty-two, and there is 
 in connection with ihe cliurch, a flourishing Sabbath 
 school. 
 
 About 1808, Rev. Mathew Goosland, who had been 
 a slave, and had bought his own freedom, began to 
 liold meetings for the colored people in Peck's hall, 
 and members of the college faculty preached occasion- 
 ally to them. 
 
 Subsequent to the formation of tlie First Methodist 
 Episcopal church, a Second Methodist Episcopal 
 church (colored,) was organized. The members of 
 this church, with persevering effort, have erected a 
 chapel edifice on Soutli Water street, and furnished 
 it with a bell. Tlieir building cost them three or 
 four thousand dollars. The number of their members 
 is about forty. 
 
 A division occurred in this church, and in August, 
 1870, the seceding members organized an African 
 Methodist Episcopal church. This is of about the 
 same size as the otlier. They hold their meetings in 
 a house, which they have purchased and fitted up. on 
 East Lorain street. 
 
 The first cemetery was on Morgan street between 
 Main and Professor streets. The first burials were 
 made next to the street, but afterwards, when greater 
 retirement was found desiralile, the first graves were 
 removed back. When the town became larger it was 
 thought desirable to have a larger cemetery, outside 
 of the village. A public meeting of the citizens was 
 therefore called .July 9, 1801, to take stejis to form a 
 cemetery association. A committee was appointed to 
 draft a constitution and by-laws; which being reported 
 at a subsequent meeting, were adojited, and the offi- 
 cers, consisting of six trustees and a clerk, w'cre 
 elected. During the next year twenty-seven and a 
 half acres were purchased of Rev. Henry Safford, in 
 the southwest part of the village, and this lot was 
 converted into a cemetery and called " Westwood." 
 The grounds have since been much improved, and it 
 has become a favorite resort. The remains of be- 
 tween two and three hundred have been removed 
 from the old to the new cemetery. Tlie whole number 
 of interments, not including removals, from 1803 to 
 January 1, 1878, was six hundred and forty, an an- 
 nual average of about forty-two. 
 
 The principal settlements in Oberlin were first made 
 on the east side of Main street opposite the college 
 square, and south on the same street. Mr. Shipherd's 
 house was north of the square, the back part of the 
 house now owned by Mr. Hulburd; and he afterjvard 
 built the house now occupied by Mr. Jewell. Mr. 
 Pringle Hamilton's house, a mile south of the village, 
 was built in 1834, and was then far in the woods. 
 East College and East Lorain streets began to be 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 187 
 
 settled next in order. There were bxiildings there in 
 1834. In 1835 there were two houses built on Pro- 
 fessor street, Professor Finney's and President Mahan's, 
 and that street was not opened north of Lorain and 
 south of College street. The house of Chauncey T. 
 Canier, the college farmer, the one now owned by 
 President Fairchild, was built in 1838 or '39, but was 
 then in the lot. North Professor was not opened till 
 sometime later, and West College was simjily a pocket, 
 having uo outlet. Then West street was laid out, 
 giving a passage across to Lorain, and it was called 
 West street because it was supposed it was the last j 
 street that would be needed toward the west. 
 
 Pleasant street, between Lorain and College, was 
 opened very early, liut its extension north and south 
 has been quite recent. West Lorain was opened at 
 the beginning, but was not built up much till one got 
 into the country. It was the only road opened to the 
 west out of town, and made its connections with Hen- 
 rietta, Brownhelm, etc. Thus, all there was of the 
 town for a great many years, was found on four 
 streets. The town did not extend much south of the 
 creek, the tendency to build in that direction coming 
 with the advent of the railroad. 
 
 The first steam mill, owned by Oberlin College, 
 was sold to Isaac Chamberlain. Mr. Chamberlain 
 sold the mill to Henry Wilcox, who ran it for some 
 time. It was owned by Beebe and Horton when it 
 was burned in 1810 or '47. 
 
 In 1841, a saw mill was built on the east side of 
 Water street by Ellis, Wilder and Reed. It was run 
 a short time before it was given uj). L. M. Hall 
 built a flouring mill a short distance north of it, using 
 the old boiler to furnish steam for the engine. Be- 
 fore there was any mill, I\[r. Hall ran a team to bring 
 flour from Ashland. About the year 1846, Lewis 
 Holtslauder built a grist mill on the west side of 
 Water street, and south of Hall's mill, P. P. Stewart 
 putting in the engine. This was only run a year or 
 two, and is now owned by Hervey Leonard. 
 
 In 1863-3, Mr. Jenkins built a saw mill on the 
 south side of Mill street, which Samuel Plumb bought 
 in 1863, and sold it in the fall of the same year to 
 Reuben Haynes and H. 0. Swift. After the death of 
 yir. Haynes, Reuben Stone bought his interest. 
 
 The building on South Main street now occupied 
 by L. S. Colburn as a planing mill, was built in 1838 
 by three students, James A. Preston and William H. 
 Evarts, who became missionaries to Jamaica, and 
 Cephas Foster, who settled in Cxalena. President J. 
 II. Fairchild, then a senior in college, took the job of 
 making the window frames for fifty cents apiece, and 
 made them, twenty in number, in five days. The 
 building was erected to aid students depending on 
 manual labor for support. Seth B. Ellis, who owned 
 the shop alone, or with others, for twenty-five years, 
 purchased the first planer and matching machine for it, 
 and the first shingle machine. About the year 1848, 
 a carding and cloth-dressing machine was put in, and 
 
 for many years there was quite an extensive business 
 in this line. 
 
 In 1834, before there was any post-office in town, 
 Harvey (iibbs used to carry the mail between Oberlin 
 and South Amherst, in a leather bag which would 
 hold about half a peck. He was the first post-master, 
 the post-office then being in the first building north 
 of the site of the town hall. In 1841 T. Dwight 
 Eells was appointed post-master. Mr. Eells was suc- 
 ceeded by Mr. Munson, who kept the office until 1840, 
 and filled it again from 1853 until 1861, when G. 
 F. H. Stevens was appointed. J. F. Harmon was 
 appointed in 1865, and was succeeded by the present 
 post-master. Will. Allen, in 1874. 
 
 The First National Bank of Oberlin opened for 
 business at No. 13, West College street, in September, 
 1863. Samuel Plumb was its president until Novem- 
 ber, 1869, then I. M. Johnson for two months, after 
 that A. H. Johnson until January, 1873, when I. 
 M. Johnson was chosen, and was succeeded in Jan- 
 uary, 1874, by Hiram Hulburd, the present pres- 
 ident. The bank was removed to its i^resent location 
 in Viets's block, on East College street, in 1870. 
 
 Professor Dascomb practiced somewhat as a physi- 
 cian for a short time. In 1835 or 1836, Dr. Alexander 
 Steele was invited and came to Oberlin, and had all 
 the practice. Dr. Otis Boise was afterward associated 
 with Dr. Steele for a few years. In 1846, Dr. Homer 
 Johnson came from Birmingham, where he had been 
 practicing medicine for about ten years, to Oberlin, 
 where he was associated with Dr. Steele, till 1859. 
 They had a large practice, as well in the surrounding 
 country as iu the village. Dr. Steele died in April, 
 1872. 
 
 The colored people, who now form about one-sixth 
 of the whole jiopulation of the place, did not come 
 in much at au early day. Some of the first families 
 were those of Mr. Farris, Mrs. Crabbe, and Mr. 
 Smith. 
 
 Sabram Cox came from the west, in 1839, as a stu- 
 dent, and finally married and settled down, and has 
 ever since been one of the most substantial colored 
 citizens. Campton, Copelaud and the Pattersons came 
 from North Carolina. Anson Jones also came from 
 North Carolina, and was one of the characters of 
 Oberlin. When a slave, he hired his time, and by 
 working at his trade as a blacksmith, bought himself 
 and family at a cost of eight thousand dollars, and 
 then came to Oberlin and put his four sons through 
 college. He worked away at his anvil till he was over 
 eighty 3'ears old. He took a good deal of interest in 
 politics, and took the A^ational Intelligencer and the 
 Charleston Mercurij. On East College street, a mile 
 from the center, Horace Crosby settled at a very early 
 day, and one of the attractions of his place was a 
 flower garden iu the door yard, kept by Mrs. Crosby. 
 The students often took walks in that direction to 
 get a sight of the flowers. 
 
 An act to incorporate the town of Oberlin was 
 passed by the general assembly of the State of Ohio, 
 
188 
 
 HISTOKY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 February 17, 1846. The first mayor elected was Lewis 
 Holtslander. By an ordinance ])assed by the town 
 council, in 1853, the name of the town, the limits 
 of which were defined, was to be the "Incorporated 
 Village of Oberlin." In 1861, the limits of the corpo- 
 ration were enlarged, and again in 1870 and 1871. 
 
 The running of the railroad through Oberlin was 
 an important event in the history of the town. The 
 trains began to run in the fall of 1853, and the road 
 was then called " The Toledo, Norwalk and Cleveland 
 Railroad,'* and ran through Grafton instead of Elyria. 
 Before this, students had gone on tlie railroad to 
 Wellington, and had come from there by stage. Be- 
 fore the road was built, students from the east com- 
 monly waited for the lake to o])eii in the spring. 
 This coming of the railroad to Oberlin gave both the 
 town and the school a new start. It was soon after 
 the inauguration of the scliolarship endowment, by 
 which the school had been so largely increased, and 
 furnished augmented facilities to the crowds of stu 
 dents in reaching it. 
 
 In the fall of 1858, Mr. W. Stephenson undertook 
 to provide the town with gas, and many of the citzens 
 took stock in the enterprise. After laying some of 
 the jiipes, he failed; and the next year Samuel Phimb 
 assumed the undertaking, the citizens who had sub- 
 scribed stock throwing it np to secure its success. 
 
 At the spring election of 1868, a large majority of 
 the qualified electors of Russia township voted for the 
 building of a town hall, and soon after the State leg- 
 islature passed a special act constituting the townshi]i 
 trustees and the town council a joint board to build 
 such town hall. Acting in accordance with this, the 
 board made an assessment, and afterward issued 
 bonds, and contracted for the construction of the 
 proposed building, which was completed in 1870, at a 
 cost of eighteen or twenty thousand dollars. 
 
 FIKE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 The first fire engine in Oberlin was a small hand 
 engine, which was procured about 1844. In 1853, 
 two hand engines were bought in Rochester, New 
 York, called the "Niagara" and "Cataract;"' the 
 latter costing five hundred dollars, and the former 
 two hundred dollars. These machines were used till 
 1865; and one of them has been fitted up, and is now 
 used by a colored company. The otlier is used in the 
 brickyard formerly owned by L. B. Kinney. In 
 November, 1865, a steamer, — -a third class Silsby 
 engine, — was purchased, costing four thousand dol- 
 lars. About 1873, a new hose cart was bought. 
 
 About 1860, a hook and ladder company was 
 formed. In 1863, at a tournament held in Cleveland, 
 this company won a silver trumpet, valued at one 
 hundred dollars; and the next year, another at San- 
 dusky, of the same value; the latter being afterward 
 presented to M. T. Gaston, as a token of gratitude 
 for his services. This company has won the prize in 
 six tournaments; the prizes being four trumpets, once 
 money, and the last a buck-horn. 
 
 The following are the names of the chief engineers, 
 in the order in which they have served: H. C. Tay- 
 lor, Homer Johnson, David Brokaw, Mr. Peake, M. 
 T. Gaston, H. M. Piatt, M. T. Gaston, again, and 
 now, Levi Whitney. 
 
 THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF RUSSIA TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Many of the more imjiortant of the following facts 
 I have copied from the Town records, as they were 
 collected and recorded by John L. Hunter, in 1855; 
 other interesting facts I have obtained from early 
 settlers, or from the descendants of early settlers. 
 
 The township of Russia was owned by Street and 
 Hughes of New Haven, Connecticut, having been 
 bought by them of the State of Connecticut. The 
 first settlements in the township were made in the 
 northwest part, contiguous to the settlements in Am- 
 herst. This may have been because of the nearness 
 to settlements already made, and also because of the 
 better quality of the land. The first settlements seem 
 to have been made in 1818. In that year Daniel Rath- 
 burn, Israel Cash, Thomas Waite, Jonathan Buck, 
 John Callum and Israel CJamp settled on lots iiumlier 
 one and eleven. In 1823, Walter Buck, Samuel T. 
 Whiteman and Esquire (rreen settled in the same 
 neighborhood, but perhaps not on the same lots. In 
 1S3:5, John McC'alley settled on lot twelve, and in 
 1834, Daniel Axtell bought him out. In 1825, Rich- 
 ard Rice settled on lot forty-two; Israel Smith, Slan 
 Butlangh and Abrani Wellman on lot twelve; Stephen 
 Baker on lot three, and Stillman on lot four. 
 
 With these inhabitants, who constituted the voters, 
 the township was organized. Early m 1825, a peti- 
 tion was presented to the commissioners of the county 
 for the powers and i)rivilegesof an incorporated town- 
 ship. The petition was granted, and Josiah Harris, 
 Es(]uire, of Amherst was appointed to preside and 
 call the meeting to order for the first election, which 
 was held at the house of Daniel Axtell, on lot twelve. 
 There were sixteen voters in the township, all told, 
 and all were present. Walter Buck, Israel Cash and 
 Stephen Baker were judges of the first election, and 
 Richard Rice one of the clerks, the name of the other 
 being unknown. 
 
 In 1836, Lewis Boynton bought on lots tweutj'-two 
 and thirty-two and settled; Rufus Jloore on lot eighty, 
 on the road from Elyria to Wellington; and Thomas 
 Errin, Elias Peabody and George Disbro on lot one. 
 
 Between 1S26 and 1829, John, James, Hezekiah 
 and Ray Tift, four brothers, with their mother, set- 
 tled on the north and south center road, in the north 
 part of the township. This was called "the Tift 
 settlement." This settlement was soon afterward in- 
 creased by the arrival of Robei't Meeker, George ' 
 Wilcox, and Silas, Mayuai'd and Orson Allen. A 
 little south were George Carley and Clark Warner, 
 and east were Abram Van Houton and his sons, and 
 Jeremiah Bidwell. 
 
 Mr. Nathan Basset bought out Silas Allen in 1834. 
 He came from New York, but was originally from 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 189 
 
 Bridgewater, Massachusetts. His son, tlien a hoy 
 and now a respected citizen, lives on the old place. 
 Mr. Orrin Gibson came the same year. He was 
 twenty-six years old, unmarried, and rode all the way 
 on horseback from Tompkins county, New York. Ho 
 afterward married Miss Elizabeth Freeman, whose 
 father settled in the north part of the township in 
 1829. Both are still living in the same house with 
 their son. About the same time Mr. Lot Parsons 
 bought the Tift i:)lace and settled. This settlement 
 was about a mile in length. There was no wagon in 
 the neighborhood, and no wagon track in the road — 
 only a path in the middle. When they went to mill 
 they hitched two yoke of oxen on a sled. 
 
 On the same road, farther south, Alanson A. Piatt, 
 settled in the spring of 1836, on the place now owned 
 by Gillett, Jarvis and Bassett. He came originally 
 from Milford, Connecticut, but had lived three years 
 in Genesee county. New York. He had a family of 
 thirteen children, though all did not come with him. 
 Henry M. Piatt, who has for many, years carried on a 
 photograph gallery in Oberlin, is his youngest son, 
 and was born the fall after his father had removed to 
 Russia. 
 
 Silas Gibson moved from Tompkins county. New 
 York, to Henrietta, in May, 1831, and in the follow- 
 ing February removed into Russia township, and 
 settled about a mile and a quarter west of the Tift 
 settlement, where he still lives. He bought his jilace 
 of the Thurston brothers, who were bachelors, and 
 with his wife and three children lived the first year 
 in a shanty twelve by seventeen. He has raised a 
 family of twelve children, eight boys and four girls. 
 His next neighbor on the south, who came in soon 
 after he did, was Mr. Messerole, from New Jersey, 
 whose son lives on the old place. Deer were plenty, 
 and they could have as much venison to eat as they 
 wanted. There were also large flocks of wild tur- 
 keys; one day he shot five and shared them with his 
 neighbors. 
 
 The first school kejit in town was in the winter of 
 183.5-'26, in a log school house on lot eleven. The 
 teacher was Albert Adams, a man from Wellington, 
 and his wages were twelve dollars per month. This 
 west part of the town constituted district number 
 one. Afterward another district was established east 
 of this, and a log school house was built in the Tift 
 settlement. 
 
 Previous to 1839, elections were held, and the town- 
 ship business generally was done in the west school 
 house. In 1829, and thereafter till the jilace of elec- 
 tion was changed to the village of Oberlin, elections 
 were held at the school house on the center road. 
 Daniel Axtell was the first Justice of the peace, 
 being commissioned April 22, 1826. 
 
 The first religious meeting in the township was 
 held in 1826 by a missionary from Connecticut, who 
 preached in a log school house on lot thirty-one. 
 
 Alexander Gaston was born in Berkshire county, 
 Massachusetts, and went to Tompkins county, New 
 
 York, when he was twenty-two, and was there mar- 
 ried and raised a family of ten chihli-en. He first 
 came to Russia in 1833, and bought the whole of lot 
 seventy-two, of Street and Hughes, whirii was then a 
 dense forest. The next year, he removed his family, 
 and purchased of Walter Burk a farm partially im- 
 proved, on lots thirty-one and thirty-two, where he 
 resided till his death, June 23, 1865, at the age of 
 eighty-two, and where his son, Alonzo Gaston, now 
 lives. He was a strictly temperate man, and was the 
 first man in the part of the town where he resided to 
 put up a building, at the raising of which intoxi- 
 cating liquoi'S were not used as a treat to the hands; 
 and as a consequence, he was obliged to make two 
 efforts before the raising was completed. He may be 
 said to have been the most prominent member of the 
 Congregational church at South Amherst, of which 
 he was one of the deacons from its organization, in 
 about the year 183-4:, until his death. In 1834 or 
 1835, he was elected a justice of the ])eace by a strictly 
 party vote on the temperance question, the election 
 being held at the school house near his residence, and 
 the people of Oberlin going out to vote. He served 
 several years in that capacity to the satisfaction ot his 
 fellow citizens. 
 
 Samuel Rossiter came to Russia from Richmond, 
 Massachusetts, in the fall of 1834, and bought of 
 Street and Hughes lot eighty-two. The following 
 February, he was married to Maria Gaston, daughter 
 of Deacon A. Gaston, and in May they moved into a 
 log cabin he had erected on his place, thirteen by six- 
 teen feet within walls, with single roof, and without 
 chamber. In the summer ho built a frame barn, 
 thirty by forty feet; and, not finding sufficient help 
 among his neighbors to raise it, without whisky, 
 was assisted by students and others from Oberlin. A 
 pig-pen that he afterward liuilt between liis luiuse and 
 the road, and larger than his house, was often mis- 
 taken for his house, persons first knocking at the 
 door of the pig-pen. His only vehicle for several 
 years, for use on his farm, or for riding for business 
 or pktisvre, was a twn-wheeled cart, ])ropelled by 
 oxen. In this, he and his family attended cliurch at 
 Oberlin, riding over roads made in the following 
 manner: A track about ten feet wide was made 
 through the dense forest two miles, from his jilace to 
 town, by cutting the trees even with the ground 
 Rails were then split, ten feet long, and a continuous 
 bridge made of them on the above surface, then a 
 ditch was dug at the sides, and the clay thrown upon 
 the rails. Over such roads, when the clay settled 
 through the rails, or some of the rails decayed, as 
 they soon did, riding in an ox-cart was anything but 
 delightful. Mr. Rossiter has had a family of eleven 
 children, of whom ten are living. He himself now 
 resides in Tabor, Iowa. 
 
 The settlement two miles northeast of Oberlin, 
 know as "New Oberlin," was begun by J. B. Hall, 
 father of Rev. H. B. Hall, now a resident of Oberlin. 
 In the fall of 18^4, he bought laud, and began to 
 
190 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 clear. He built, a barn in 1836, and a house in 1839. 
 lie was !ui earnest cliristian man, and carried on 
 nieelings in the neighborliood for years. 
 
 Omar Bailey built a house in 1837, in which he 
 now lives. Francis Spces, Israel Mattison, Stejilieii 
 Cole, and Talcott Kinney were among the early set- 
 tlers in tiiat neigliborliood. 
 
 Biographical Sketches, 
 
 (iHAULESG. FINNEY 
 
 was born in Warren, Litchfield county, Connecticut, 
 August 2'.), 1793. When about two years old his 
 father removed to Oneida county, New York, where, 
 the country being new, the subject of our sketch 
 grew up with scant religious i)rivileges, seldom hear- 
 ing a sermon. Here he obtained a common school 
 education, and afterward, returning to Now England, 
 attended a high school. He gained some knowledge 
 of Latin, Greek and Hebrew, and thought of going 
 to Yale college, but did not. 
 
 In 1818 he began the study of law in Adams, Jef- 
 ferson county. New York, where, for the first time in 
 his life, he enjoyed the (ijiportunity of hearing reg- 
 ularly the preaching of an educated minister. At 
 this time also he for the first time owned a Bible, 
 which he read with interest ; and he frequently 
 attended tjie weekly prayer meeting of the church. 
 Coming tinally, tiirough the working of gospel truth 
 on his active mind, under deep conviction, in the fall 
 of 1831 he experienced a remarkal)le change of char- 
 acter and of life, whieli led him immediately to give up 
 the law willi the view of becoming a jireacher of Ihe 
 gospel. 
 
 His conversion was the beginning of a revival in 
 Adams, and he entered at once upon christian work 
 with all the zeal of his ardent nature. In his prep- 
 ai'ation for the ministry, jnirsuing Ihe study of the- 
 ology under the instruction of his pastor. Rev. George 
 W. Gale, his mind revolted from the old school Cal- 
 vmistic doctrines, which brought him into frequent 
 discussion with his teacher. 
 
 In March, 18"24, he was licensed liy the iiresbytery 
 to preach, and soon after began his labors as a home 
 missionary, in Jefferson county. New York. 
 
 •' Having had no regular training for the ministry,"' 
 he says, " I did not expect or desire to labor in large 
 towns or cities, or to minister to cultivated congrega- 
 tions. I intended to go into new settlements and 
 ))reacii in school houses, and tiariis, and groves, as 
 best ] could." 
 
 From the llrst he engaged in his work with an 
 intense yet intelligent zeal ; and iis untiring laJjors 
 })roduced, with (iod's blessing, powerful revivals. 
 He was indeed possessed of uncommon natural abil- 
 
 ities ; but the real secret of his success, from the 
 beginning to the end of his ministry, is found in the 
 fact that he was a man full of faith and the Holy 
 Ghost, and of much prayer. 
 
 It soon a])peared that his great work was to be, not 
 that of a pastor of a single church, but that of an 
 evangelist, going from place to place and laboring for 
 the awakening of the churches and the conversion 
 of sinners. To this work the first ten years of his 
 ministry were wholly given, during which he preached 
 in the large towns and cities of New York, in Phil- 
 adelphia, and in the principal cities of New England ; 
 and powerful revivals occurred, resulting in the con- 
 version of large numbers. 
 
 In the sjiring of 1832 he went to New York City 
 and became pastor of a new Presbyterian chun'h. 
 Here he delivered a series of lectures on revivals, 
 which were at the time reported and published in tiie 
 New York EiunujeUsf, and being afterward collected 
 in a book, have had a very hirge circulation, not only 
 in this country, liut in England and other countries 
 of Europe. 
 
 In the spring of 183.5 he went to Oberlin, and 
 entered upon the work of his remaining life as a pro- 
 fessor of theology. To the formation of the charac- 
 acter of this new enterprise, in its predominant 
 religious and reformatory aspect, lie was to contrib- 
 ute a large share. But he could not be content to be 
 a mere teacher. The gosjiel message was as a fire 
 shut up within, which would continually burst forth. 
 Neither could it be confined to one place. 
 
 Till the infirmities of age made it physically im])0s- 
 sible, he preached at intervals in many j)laces, with 
 the same fervor and success which had characterized 
 his earlier efforts. Twice he visited England ; the 
 first time in 1819, the second time in 1858 ; and both 
 times extensive revivals, in various jilaces, resulted 
 from his labors. 
 
 From 1830 to 1873, he was pastor of the First Con- 
 <rrei;ational C'liurch of Oberlin, and from 1851 to 
 ISUti was president of the college. His sermoi\s were 
 for many years published in the Oberlin Evamjelist, 
 and since his death a selection of them has been made 
 and published in book form. 
 
 As a theologian, Mr. Finney is perhaps less widely 
 known than as a preacher; yet in his preaching his the- 
 ology continually appears. While he was an original 
 and independent thinker, his theological faith belongs 
 to that phase of the evangelical systeni known as the 
 new school. His theological views are embodied in 
 his work on "Systematic Theology," a new edition 
 of which, revised and slightly abridged by President 
 Fairchild, has been recently pulilished. The basis of 
 his system is found in his theory of the foundation of 
 moral obligation, which he identifies with the good 
 of universal being, the willing of .vhich constitutes 
 the true righteousness of a moral agent. The first 
 part of his work on systematic theology consists of a 
 thorough and masterly discussion of this whole suli- 
 ject, comprising a review of other theories. 
 
HISTORY OP LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 191 
 
 Mr. Finney's prciicbing was not (.■hicfly an appeal 
 to the feelings; his sermons were always weighty 
 with thought, and produced first and most, — convic- 
 tion of the Judgment. His appeal to the feelings 
 was through the intellect. In private he was frank 
 and genial. In his preaching, and in personal inter- 
 course, one of his greatest charms was his unaffected 
 sincerity. In his autobiography, pul)lis]ied since his 
 death, he has left a vivid and deeply impressive nar- 
 rative of his revival labors. 
 
 The last two or three years of liis life were spent in 
 comparative rest and quiet. He retained his con- 
 nection with the theological seminary, and finished a 
 course of lectures to the students but a short time be- 
 fore his death. Concerning this closing period of his 
 life, I'residcnt Fair^'hild writes as follows: "Notwith- 
 standing the abundant and exhausting labors of his 
 long public life, the burden of years seemed to rest 
 lightly u]wn him. He stood erect as a young man, 
 retained his faculties to a remarkable degree, and 
 exhibited to the end the quickness of thought, and 
 feeling, and imagination, which always characterized 
 hiui. His life and character perhaps never seemed 
 richer in the fruits and the beauty of goodness, than 
 in these closing years and months." Taken suddenly 
 ill, after a few hours of suffering, he passed peacefully 
 to his reward, August Ifi, 1875, within two weeks of 
 having completed his eiglity-third year. 
 
 Mr. Finney was married three times. His last wife 
 survives him. By his first wife he had five children, 
 of whom four, two sons and two daughters, are now 
 living. Of the two sons, one resides in Califoi-nia, 
 the other in Wisconsin; of the daughters, one is the 
 wife of Hon. J. D. Cox, the other of Hon. James 
 Monroe. 
 
 JAMES HARRIS FAIRCHILD. 
 
 James Harris Fairchild was born in Stockbridge, 
 Massachusetts, November 35, 1817. In 1818 hi 
 parents, with their family, removed to Ohio, and set- 
 tled in Brownhelm, which was then a wilderness. 
 Here, amid the influences, the stimulus, as well as 
 hindrances of a ])ioneer life, he spent his boyhood. 
 Rut liis prevailing inclinations were to study; and 
 happily an academy was started in his own town, at 
 which, and at the high school in Klyiia, he prei)are(l 
 for college. And when he was ready for college his 
 college was ready for him. The school at Oberlin was 
 first liegun in December, 1833. In May, 1834, the 
 appointed teachers came on from the east, and the 
 school was then first regularly oi-ganized; and it was 
 at this time that the subject of our sketch found his 
 way to Olierlin. The following October, the first 
 freshman class was organized, comprising at that tinie 
 the two Fairchilds, James and his brother Henry, 
 next older, now president of Berea College, Kentucky, 
 and two others. 
 
 Pursuing his course steadily, he graduated from 
 college in 183§; after which he entered at once ujutn 
 a theological course, which he completed in 1841. In 
 1839, while studying theology, he was appointed tutor 
 in Latin and Greek in the college; and on the comple- 
 tion of his course in theology in 1841, he was elected 
 professor of Latin and Greek. In November, 1841, 
 he was married to Miss Mary F. Kellogg, of Minden, 
 Louisiana. In 1847 he was transferred to the chair 
 of mathematics and nalural philosojihy, and in 1858 
 he received the appointment of professor of moral 
 philosophy and systematic theology. In 1866 Presi- 
 dent Finney resigned his position, and Professor Fair- 
 child was apiiointed his successor, a position he has 
 held until the present time. 
 
 Thus it appears that from its beginning President 
 Fairchild has been identified with Oberlin. His con- 
 nection with it, beginning in his youth, has been 
 continued to the maturity of his manhood. This 
 connection has been uninterrupted, save by a single 
 year of foreign travel. Early fashioned in mind and 
 character by the positive and potent ideas, — theolog- 
 ical, jihilosophical and reformatory, — which have given 
 Olierlin its distinctive character, he has been thus well 
 fitted to become, in his time, one of Oberlin's repre- 
 sentative men. His life has not been eventful, but 
 it has been a busy one. It has been a quiet, yet a 
 progressive life. 
 
 As a public speaker he is quiet and self-contained, 
 and though impressive, would not be called oratorical. 
 Yet, so fraught are his productions with elevated and 
 original thought, clothed in a style clear and terse, 
 that corresponding thoughts are awakened in his 
 auditors, which do not jiass away with the hearing. 
 His public addresses on special occasions have uni- 
 formly possessed so high a degree of excellence that, 
 almost without exception, they have been requested 
 for publication. 
 
 That which best expresses and explains his life is, 
 fidelity to duty. He has not been ambitious, or eager 
 for distinction; but he has risen to a high position in 
 the esteem, respect and admiration of a large number. 
 He has given himself to his work with a devotion 
 which has known no abatement. 
 
 There is found in him, in no ordinary degree, both 
 the speculative and the practical. His mind grapples 
 resolutely, and works actively and intensely on 
 tlie great subjects of thought; but high thoughts do 
 not so absorb his attention as to make him neglectful 
 of the necessary details of practical affairs. He is 
 wise in little things as in great. 
 
 The prevailing bent of his mind is unquestionably 
 ethical. Though his mind is too comprehensive to 
 allow him to be a mere specialist, yet his favorite 
 study is ethics. On this summit of human thought 
 he has long dwelt; and the result of his thinking and 
 teaching he has embodied in his treatise on moral 
 philosophy. This is an admirable exposition of the 
 moral law of love or benevolence; first, in its philos- 
 ophy or reason; and, secondly, in its practical appli- 
 
192 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 ctitioii to linniiU) riglits aiul duties. In his tlieological 
 tcacliing he is clear, rational, and evangelical. 
 
 Under his wise and discreet management, Oberlin 
 college has undergone a gradual and continual im- 
 j)r()vement. This improvement is, indeed, its natural 
 growth; yet it is not spontaneous, but must be jn-o- 
 moted by intelligent effort, in which many co-operate. 
 This growth consists in the enlargement and perfect- 
 ing of the course of stndy, so as to furnish a culture 
 broader and higher; and, as a necessary material 
 basis for this, an ade(inate college endowment. 
 
 JOHN KEEP.* 
 
 The name of "Father Keep" is a bouseliold word 
 in some parts of the land, and is not unfamiliar in 
 others to those who have known little of his work and 
 his life. 
 
 John Keep was born in Longmeadow, Hampden 
 county, Massachusetts, April 20, 1781. His father, 
 Samuel Keep, was of the fourth generation from 
 John Keep, who was one of the earliest settlers of 
 Longmeadow, and the ancestor of all of the name of 
 Keep who have bad a residence in New England. 
 His mother was Sabina Cooley, daughter of Josiab 
 Cooley, of Longmeadow. He was the seventh of nine 
 children, all but one of whom reached nearly seventy 
 years of age. His father died at eigbty-fonr, and bis 
 paternal grandmother at ninety-two. 
 
 The father, Samuel Keep, was a thriving farmer, 
 of robust frame and vigorous mind, a leading chris- 
 tian man, much regarded in the community for his 
 practical sagacity, and the wisdom of his counsels in 
 all matters of business. 
 
 John was thoroughly trained in farm work until 
 seventeen yeai's of age, when he entered Yale College 
 and passed regularly through the course, graduating 
 in 1803 with a class of sixty members, all of whom he 
 outlived. A portion of the time in college he paid 
 his board by dining-room work in the college com- 
 mons, returning to the farm in vacations to do good 
 service there. After a year's teaching, he entered 
 upon special study, in preparation for the ministry, 
 under the private instruction of Rev. Asahel Hooker, 
 of Goshen, Connecticut. June 11, 180.5, he was ap- 
 proved, by the Litchfield North Association, as a 
 candidate for the ministry, having already received 
 an invitation to preach from the society in Blandford. 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 While pursuing theological studies in (Josben, be 
 was a boarder in the family of Judge Nathan Hale, 
 where he became acquainted with Miss Lydia Hale, 
 whom he married soon after entering upon his work 
 at Blandford. 
 
 When Mr. Keep was about go before the association 
 for approval, he ventured to state his thoughts and 
 
 * By Eev. James H. Fairchild, President of Oberlin College. 
 
 wishes to Miss Lydia, asking her to consider his pro- 
 posal a week and then give him a definite reply. 
 Before the week closed, she put into his hand a pa])er, 
 mostly blank, with her name near the bottom of the 
 page, and the following postscript: "I accept your 
 proposal, and, that you may make your arrangements 
 unembarrassed, you may put above my name any 
 words you may choose expressive of my affection for 
 you, and I will redeem the pledge." That pledge 
 was redeemed, by rare fidelity and devotion, through 
 almost sixty years of married life. Mr. Keep's own 
 testimony to her worth will not be regarded, by those 
 who knew her best, as an overstatement: " To her I 
 owe much, yea, it verily seems to me all, of what 
 success I have had in my ministerial labors. In this 
 sphere she was always a reliable guide. Her counsels, 
 deliberate, never obtrusive, always given in a kind 
 spirit, yet clear and firm, became to me laio, so fully 
 did they bear the proof that she had the mind of 
 Christ. The duties of her home circle and pastoral 
 life were her pastime; yet she quietly bore the priva- 
 tions, often severe to one of her quiet, retiring tem- 
 perament, inseparable from the itinerancy of her 
 husband as an agent and a lecturer, never holding 
 him back from any consideration merely affecting 
 herself. Such a helper, such a comi)anion and co- 
 workt'r, (iod gave mc for fifty-nine years and four 
 months." 
 
 They bad only one child, Rev. Theodoi'c .John 
 Keep, of Oberlin, Ohio. 
 
 The church and society at Blandford, where Mr. 
 Keep began his ministry, were in a distracted condi- 
 tion, unable to harinoni/.e in the calling of a itastor. 
 Tiie first .settlers of the ])lace were of Scotch-Irish 
 origin, possessing much native vigor of body and 
 mind, Imt not much of the grace of gentleness and 
 conciliation. Conflicts on the affairs of the parish 
 had characterized the town meetings for a generation, 
 and, one Saljbath morning, the preacher had been 
 borne to the jiulpit by the triumphant party, after a 
 vigorous fight at the church door and in the aisles. 
 
 When the invitation was extended to Mr. Keep to 
 come and preach as a candidate, the church had be- 
 come discouraged in the effort to harmonize with the 
 society, and had ceased to co-operate. Mr. Keep was 
 invited by the trustees of the society alone, and the 
 members of the church came to the meeting on the 
 appointed Sabbath with sad hearts to hear the society's 
 minister, without any expectation of being able to 
 api)rove. 
 
 He preached bis first sermon to this distracted con- 
 gregation. Both parties were delighted, but each 
 expected that the other would reject the candidate. 
 The final call for his ordination was unanimous, and 
 when, after sixteen years of labor, he decided to 
 leave, there was a unanimous vote urging him to 
 remain, and pledging continued and liberal supj)ort. 
 
 The i)arisli would not seem an inviting one for a 
 young minister seeking ease, or opportunity for self- , 
 culture. It was a rough, mountainous region, and i 
 
^,^fcCrx. /Z^^r/^ _ 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY. OHIO. 
 
 193 
 
 f.he iieoplc were nuieli like the conntry, scattered over 
 an area seven by nine miles in extent. Tlio average 
 annual sale of intoxicating drinks in the town at 
 the time of Mr. Keep's ordination, "is put by one 
 authority at fifty hogsheads, by another as low as 
 twenty-five,'' and this in a population of only one 
 thousand five hundred. Intemperance, of course, 
 diminished as the people made progress in intelli- 
 gence and refinement. In this good work the pulpit 
 gave no uncertain sound, but announced the doctrines 
 of the temperance reformation twelve years before the 
 general movement on this subject in New England. 
 When Mr. Keep went to Blandford, he found a reso- 
 lution on the records of the town meeting in these 
 words: "Resolved, That wo will not allow any preacher 
 the use of the pulpit to solicit money in support of 
 missionaries." When he left, the cause of missions 
 was cherished with interest and received a liberal sup- 
 port. All this was not effected without earnest and 
 thorough labor. One who was at that time a youth 
 in Blandford writes of these efforts: 
 
 "With great plainness he unfolded to his people 
 their obligations to the nnevangelized abroad, and to 
 the waste places of our own land. In different aspects 
 and with varying application, he held up the Saviour's 
 last command, and showed the insufficiency and hol- 
 lowness of a piety that consisted of profession alone 
 and did not ii'ork l)y love. These now self-evident 
 truths sounded strangely then, and their utterance 
 excited great opposition. I distinctly recall the tones 
 of injured innocence in which one of his parishioners 
 complained of the pain which those appeals occa- 
 sioned him: 'Last Sunday afternoon,' said lie, 'I sweat 
 my shirt through while Mr. Keep was begging for the 
 heathen.' " 
 
 In May, 1821, Mr. Keep, in response to an invita- 
 tion from the Congregational church in Homer, New 
 Yoi-k, decided to "remove to the West." He had at 
 the same time a call from the church in Brunswick, 
 Maine, with the added responsibilities proposed of 
 " teacher of moral philosophy and preacher in the 
 college.'' 
 
 The parish in Homer ojiened a wider field than 
 that from which he retired. The church had four 
 hundred names uj)on its record, and the Sabliath 
 congregation averaged six hundred. There was a 
 flourishing academy in the place, of which Mr. Keep 
 was elected a trustee soon after his settlement. He 
 entered upon this field when ho was forty-one years 
 of age, in full vigor of body and mind, with an 
 experience of sixteen years in the pastoral relation, 
 and all his resources were brought to bear upon the 
 work before him. An extract from a written state- 
 ment made by one of his parishioners, will afford 
 some apprehension of his labors there. 
 
 "He was now in the full possession of his mental 
 and physical manhood, in the enjoyment of good 
 health, and he entered upon the duties of this new 
 charge with all the zeal, industry, and energy of his 
 ardent temperament. His congregation, mingled in 
 
 25 
 
 a population of six thousand souls, spread over an 
 area of ten miles square, wore to be full-fed on the 
 Sabbath, to be nursed in their families, to be bathed 
 in his sympathies when sick, and to be tenderly sus- 
 tained at the burial of their dead, requiring religious 
 visits, many weekly lectures and a perpetual suc- 
 cession of funeral sermons. His pulpit discourses 
 were uniformly well prepared and attractive ; his 
 various and exceedingly multiplied duties out of the 
 pulpit were punctually performed, and to the satis- 
 faction of the community. Through his influence 
 as president of the board of trustees of the academy, 
 a ladies' department was inaugurated, more teachers 
 were employed, the attendance of pupils increased, 
 and the institution was at once placed on a basis 
 which led it on and ujjward to a position of one of 
 the most popular and useful educational agencies in 
 central New York. 
 
 " Mr. Keep was remarkable for the interest he 
 manifested in all the business, social, and religious 
 affairs of the community. No one knew so much as 
 he of all that was going on in the community. For 
 the aged he ever had a pertinent thought, a word of 
 consolation and cheerful advice. To the middle-aged 
 business men, he was ever ready to address words of 
 encouragement and wise counsels. For the young he 
 invariably had a word of cheerful greeting and a 
 hearty welcome. No child, ever so young, escaped 
 his notice. He thus became a great favorite with the 
 youth and children in our vicinity. The admission 
 to the church, during his twelve years' labor among 
 us, of five hundred members, is the reliable testimony 
 that the blessing of God attended his ministration. 
 
 " During the five years before his removal from us, 
 he maintained weekly five Bible classes, in as many 
 diflierent districts, and such was his punctuality in 
 fulfilling his appointments, that only in one instance 
 did he fail of being present with his class. Many 
 members of the church received their first religious 
 impressions under his faithful j^resentatious of truth 
 in these Bible recitations. 
 
 "His ardent temperament, with his talent for 
 leading the community, placed him in the front rank 
 in all measures necessary for a healthful public senti- 
 ment, the prosperity of the church, and the strength 
 and adornment of a christiaii commonwealth ; yet in 
 all this he was never captious or dogmatical, but at 
 all times ready to listen to the opinions of others, 
 and to profit by their suggestions, never allowing 
 expediency to take the precedence of principle." 
 
 A man so ardent and progressive would inevitably 
 find some tendency to reaction in his church, and the 
 apprehension that this might at length result in dis- 
 sension and party division induced him to tender his 
 resignation, and thus avert the danger. Many were 
 grieved at his decision, but he never regretted the step. 
 
 Two calls were then before him — one to an agency 
 in New England in behalf of the American Coloniza- 
 tion Society, the other to the care of a church in 
 Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
194 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Uutil about tliis time, most of the pnieticul aiiti- 
 slavery feeling of the country had gathered ahout the 
 colonization society — an organization tlie design of 
 which was to send free colored people and liberated 
 slaves to Africa, where it was supposed they belonged. 
 Mr. Keep was a colonizationist ; and with tliis call 
 in his pocket he came on to Cleveland. 
 
 The doctrine of immediate emancipation on the 
 soil had just been broached by Garrison and others, 
 and the colonization society had been assailed as 
 selfish and cruel. 
 
 Pondering these questions on his journey, he came 
 out an unconditional emancipationist, and hence de- 
 clined the call to the agency ; not that he was more 
 opposed to slavery than before, but he had obtained 
 new light as to the jiractical treatment of it. 
 
 Cleveland, in 1833, was a village of three or four 
 thousand inhabitants, and here Mr. Keep spent a 
 year as pastor of the Stone Church, — now the First 
 Presbyterian Church. Then with a colony from this 
 church he organized a church in Ohio City, — now tlic 
 First Congregational Church, West Side. — and be- 
 came its pastor. 
 
 The work at Oberlin was commenced in 1833. In 
 the spring of 1834 the permanent teachers came upon 
 the ground, and in the autumn of that year Father 
 Keep was elected a trustee and president of the board. 
 From this time he began to be known as Father Keep, 
 not so much on account of his age, which was fifty- 
 three years, as for his benignant, fatherl}' character. 
 
 One of the first questions before the board after his 
 election, was that of opening the doors of the college 
 to colored pupils. Several meetings were held; the 
 discussions were long and earnest; there was much 
 excitement in the new "colony;" and when the vote 
 was taken in the final meeting, there was a tie. 
 Father Keep, as president, gave the casting vote, and 
 determined the position of the college and of the 
 community on the side of the colored people. The 
 position was taken with hesitation, but courage grew 
 with the conflicts which followed. From tliat hour 
 Father Keep took Oberlin on his heart, and never laid 
 it otf until he laid off all earthly thought and eare. 
 During the feebleness of the last day of his life, lie 
 referred to a letter which he was writing in the inter- 
 ests of the college, saying that he would finish it to- 
 morrow. 
 
 In 1836, he resigned his pastorate in Cleveland, 
 and accepted a financial agency for the college. This 
 work he prosecuted for a year with excellent success; 
 but the financial crash of 1837 came on, and only a 
 few of, the pledges secured were redeemed — his own, 
 of one thousand dollars, being one of the few. The 
 times were unpropitious for such an effort, and he 
 resigned his agency to return to pastoral work. 
 
 But there were few pulpits, in those days, open to 
 a minister connected with the unpopular cause of 
 abolitionism, and the unpopular college of Oberlin. 
 He preached a few months in Wooster, Oliio, and 
 afterward in Lockjjort and Albion, New York. 
 
 Then, in view of the pressing wants of the college, 
 especially of a debt which was truly formidable, and 
 the imjiossihility of raising money in this country, in 
 the spring of 1839, in connection with Mr. William 
 Dawes, a trustee of the college, he undertook a mis- 
 sion to England for its relief. Mr. Dawes was the 
 leader in the enterprise, and Father Keep was his 
 ardent supporter and co-laborer. It was a bold un- 
 dertaking, but successfully accomplished, giving a net 
 result of thirty thousand dollars in aid of the college, 
 and furnishing relief which was vital to the success of 
 the enterprise at Oberlin. This sum was collected by 
 personal ajiplication, and in small amounts, mostly 
 under fifty dollars each, involving a great expenditure 
 of labor and patience, continued through a year and 
 a half. Mr. Dawes and Father Keep gave themselves 
 to the work without reservation, not even taking a 
 day for recreation or sight-seeing, passing St. Paul's 
 daily, for weeks together, without turning aside to 
 visit it. It was not because Father Keep lacked aj)- 
 preciatioii of such objects of interest, or had no desire 
 to see, but because he had given himself to a great 
 work, and it engrossed the energies of his soul. This 
 arduous and self-denying labor he ]ierfi)rmed almost 
 without compensation. 
 
 For the next ten years, he gave himself to the work 
 of preaching, having charge of churches in Mansfield 
 and Hartford, Ohio, and preaching in Arcade, New 
 York, and Litchfield, Ohio. 
 
 In 1850, having nearly reached his th reescore years 
 and ten, he removed his family to Oberlin, put on 
 the harness again, and aided in raising an endowment 
 of one hundred thousand dollars by the sale of schol- 
 sliips. Here he passed the remainder of his years; 
 but they were not years of idleness, or the quiet en- 
 joyment of the fruit of his labors. He filled them 
 all to the very last with a ceaseless activity; looking 
 after the interests of the college and the place; going 
 out upon an occasional agency; writing letters to 
 friends and acquaintances to enlist their sympathy 
 and aid; preaching without compensation from place to 
 place on the great themes of the gospel and the jiressing 
 questions of the times, the doctrine of human rights, 
 and tlie true idea of a ''christian commonwealth;" 
 aiding in every public enterprise of the town, as 
 church l)uilding and the schools; looking after the 
 poor and the stranger; showing an intense interest in 
 all that concerned the welfare of the families and the 
 place; attending diligently all meetings of the trus- 
 tees of the college, and cheering on every eilort for 
 improvement, often electrifying the whole body of 
 trustees and faculty with the impulse of his ardor 
 and his energy and faith. Others might be discour- 
 aged; he never was. His personal contributions to 
 the college in money and services, estimated at the 
 lowest standard at the time when rendered, exceed 
 four thousand dollars; and all this at great self-denial, 
 most of the time without any income, shut out from 
 f)astoral work by his labors for the college. 
 
 Father Keep was blessed with a remarkably vigor- 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 195 
 
 ous constitution, and during his long life enjoyed 
 almost unintcrrujited health. He was never confined 
 to his Ijed a single day, save the last one of his life. 
 Perhaps the best ^xplauation of this fact is, that "a 
 cheerful heart doeth good like a medicine." For a 
 few weeks before liis death, he was more feeble than 
 usual, and felt that his end was near. He spoke of 
 liis decease and made arrangements for it with as 
 much freedom and cheerfulness as if it had been a 
 journey or a change of residence. 
 
 February 11, 1870, his long journey was finished. 
 He died, not because he was overcome by disease, But 
 because he had lived life out. He closed his eyes as 
 calmly as a child to sleep, holding the hands of his 
 daughter, and putting his last breath into a farewell 
 kiss. At last he rested from his labors. 
 
 Some of the prominent traits of Father Keep's 
 character are well exhibited in the following commu- 
 nication from Rev. Albert II. PUimb, Boston, Massa- 
 chusetts, who knew him in his best days: 
 
 "The visits of my uncle, Rev. .John Keep, to my 
 father's house in my cnildhood, are remembered with 
 great interest. His cheery ways, his quaint and pithy 
 sayings, his kind interest in each member of the 
 family, made his coming a breezy, sunny time. 
 
 "He seemed to have a rare faculty of comprehend- 
 ing at once the entire situation of the jiarties, of 
 discerning just the topics which a wise regard for 
 the interests of the families would bring up for 
 conference; and passing quickly by all the little 
 nothings which too often engross the thoughts when 
 friends meet, occasioning regret afterwards that need- 
 ful things were left unsaid, he promptly seized hold 
 of each important subject in its order, so that when 
 he left our roof we all felt like saying, ' what a sat- 
 isfactory visit! how much was accomplished!' His 
 life often i-eminded me of one of his own aphorisms: 
 'Duty done gilds the future.' 
 
 •'He must have early formed, for he long main- 
 tained, a habit of looking with real interest ujion 
 every person he met, and of giving to almost every 
 one some inspiring word bearing on his vital inter- 
 ests. These vigorous sayings often carried so much 
 concentrated wisdom that they were treasured as mot- 
 toes for life. 
 
 " He was endued with remarkable foresight, so that 
 his age was not embittered by the overthrow of his 
 plans, and the disappointment of his hopes, through 
 the changes of the times. On the contrary, he en- 
 joyed, as few are privileged to do, the realization of 
 his fondest hopes, the triumphs of his most sacri- 
 ficing toils. 
 
 "As a friend, Mr. Keep was beyond praise. How 
 quickly jiersonal grief melted away in the warm sun- 
 light of his jiresence; for, in his high consecration to 
 great and worthy ends, he thought little about him- 
 self — his frames or moods, his burdens or cares. His 
 friendship was wise, far-sighted, and it held on. Look 
 at his married life — one long, peaceful, cloudless sum- 
 mer day! And when, at length, husband and wife 
 
 were tottering down the hill together, no sweeter 
 picture of wedded love ever met my eyes than they 
 then presented to the view of all." 
 
 In noticing further the character exhibited in the 
 life of Father Keep, we are struck with his permanent 
 and ever fresh interest in life and its work. He was 
 never disposed to live in the past, or imagine the 
 former times better than these. He congratulated 
 those who wei'e younger, that they were permitted to 
 live and act in these better days, and no admonition 
 to his younger brethren was more often on his lips, 
 than that they should appreciate the privilege of 
 living at such a time as this, and not fall behind the 
 age. 
 
 Hence, he was naturally a progressive, and never a 
 conservative. He had no veneration for anything 
 merely because it was of long standing. He was 
 always looking for something bettei-, and ready to 
 enlist in any reform that promised any good. And 
 this trait was (juite as ^jrominent when he had passed 
 liis fourscore years as in his early manhood; out of 
 this, and his abiding faith in God, sprung his great 
 hopefulness and his never-failing confidence in re- 
 sults. 
 
 This hopefulness and faith were perhaps the source 
 of atiother trait — his courage and fidelity in maintain- 
 ing his convictions of unpopular truth. Few, at this 
 later day, can appreciate the courage which it re- 
 quired, in his early manhood, to esj)ouse as he did 
 the cause of the colored man, and to identify himself 
 with the friends of abolitionism so thoroughly. 
 
 lie had a plan for everything. Nothing was ever 
 done at random, or by accident. He was not drifted 
 along by circumstances, but subjected circumstances 
 to his purpose. His mind was fertile in devising, 
 and persevering and inflexible in execution. This 
 appears in his early pastorates, and is the secret of 
 the great amount of work which he was able to ac- 
 complish. His plans took in all the interests of every 
 family in his wide parish, — and were laboriously and 
 faithfully carried out in all their details. 
 
 This habit carried into his business, explains how 
 he was able to live upon his slender means, almost 
 without income, and yet give to benevolent causes 
 more than most persons who had tenfold his resources. 
 Nothing but rigid economy, and the most systematic 
 conduct of his affairs, could have accomplished such 
 results. Many a minister of later daj^s might learn 
 wisdom from him m this particular. 
 
 Finally, Father Keep was a man of disinterested 
 and abounding love. His self-forgetfulness was most 
 remarkable, and he manifested it everywhere. He 
 lived to do good, and his lovS embraced all classes. 
 His mind was occupied with plans for others, seldom 
 for himself. His reflections and private meditations 
 did not pertain to his own state. He sometimes re- 
 gretted that he had not more of an experience, and 
 depreciated his own subjective life and character in 
 comparison with what seemed to him the higher ex- 
 perience of his friends. But he held on his way in 
 
196 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 simple and transparent faith and obedience, and to 
 the end testified of the sufficiency of Christ and his 
 salvation. His faith was as striking as his good-will 
 to men. 
 
 He never had any sympatiiy with the spirit of 
 reformers who showed disrespect for tlie Bil)le and 
 the church. It was his great aim to apply the prin- 
 ciples of the gospel to all the relations and affairs of 
 man. To this agency, under the blessing of God, he 
 ascribed all iniprovevements iu the condition of the 
 world. And so, in quiet trust and earnest consecra- 
 tion, he waited the call of his Master, ^nd when the 
 summons came, went home in peace. 
 
 SAMUEL MATTHEWS. 
 
 Wlien a truly good man passes away, the commu- 
 nity in which liis noble qualities were known ai]d 
 a})preciated stand in awe at tlie divine disjicnsation, 
 and are naturally led to wonder why Providence 
 should select one wlio, by the very excellence of his 
 life and character, could be so much more benefit to 
 mankind in general than many others. But His 
 ways are inscrutable, lience tlie seeming inconsistency 
 of events, as viewed from a mortal's standpoint. The 
 above thoughts are called forth by reference to the 
 obiturary notice of the deatli of the late Samuel 
 Matthews, who departed tliis life May 8, 1877, and of 
 wliom it can be truly said, no better man ever lived 
 within tlie limits of Russia townsliip. 
 
 Samuel Matthews was born in Addison county, 
 Vermont, September 19, 1817. His ancestors liad 
 been prominent citizens of tluxt State for many years, 
 and we find his father, Lucius Tuttle Matthews, and 
 his grand-fatlicr, Darius Matthews, residents of Corn- 
 wall, the latter living there in 1788, and the former 
 born there in 179.3. They were a hardy, honest and 
 practical class of citizens, just tlie kind, in fact, to be 
 the progenitors of pioneers. 
 
 When Samuel was a boy, liis fatiier emigrated to 
 Ohio, and settled in Thompson, Ceauga county. In 
 tlio year 1837, at the age of nineteen, he (Samuel,) 
 struck out for liimself, came to Russia township, and 
 contracted for one liundred acres of land, upon wliich 
 his widow and daugliters now reside. He made his 
 home with his uncle, Deacon Daniel B. Kinney, while 
 making a start upon his new farm. With but little 
 capital, except a strong constitution, a brave lieart and 
 willing hands, lie commenced making an opening in 
 the wilderness, got out timber for a barn, erected a log 
 house, and brouglit liis father and mother on to sliare 
 his home. Here they all lived together until 1849, 
 when, on the 19th of September of that year, he mar- 
 ried Lomanda, daughter of Enoch Barnum. Siie 
 was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, March 13, 1816. 
 Her father was a soldier of the war of 1812, during 
 which he was severely wounded, and on that account 
 was a pensioner. There were born to them two 
 daughters, Emma Augusta, born February 1-1, 1851; 
 
 married Herbert H. Barnum, January 18, 1871; (has 
 two children, Maud Louise, born November 18, 1871; 
 Roy David, l)orn January 7, 1875;) Myra Louisa, 
 born March 25, 1857; died December 25, 1861. 
 
 As showing how difficult a matter it was, in early 
 days, to obtain money, and what slow work it was to 
 pay for his farm, he used to raise oats and sell them 
 for one shilling per bushel, and when he had thus 
 gathered a few dollars, he would go to Amherst, the 
 home of the agent, on foot, after a liard day's work, 
 and pay it on his article, and so persevered, paying 
 little by little, until his farm was all jiaid for. 
 
 His parents were christians of the old puritan Con- 
 gregational school, and being naturally sober and 
 thoughtful, lie early made a profession of religion, 
 and soon after arriving in IJussia united with the 
 Congregational church of Oberlin. At the division 
 of the society, he was one of the number that witli- 
 drew from the old church and formed what is now 
 known as the Second Cliurcli. His heart was enlisted 
 in the work of erecting a churcli edifice, and he vol- 
 untarily pledged two hundred dollars to this object 
 to be paid in installments, but realizing the imme- 
 diate need of funds, he borrowed the money, at ten 
 jKu- cent, interest, and paid it all at once. He and 
 his excellent wife, who joined him in every good work, 
 afterward took one hundred dollars in the building 
 fund, which they soon after paid. He was never for- 
 ward or ostentations, never seeking notoriety, but in 
 his quiet, retiring way; was ever a steady, earnest, 
 consistent christian. His deeds of charity were nu- 
 merous and constant; many were the acts of kindness 
 which he performed without any liope of reward, and 
 which will live in the hearts of his neighbors long 
 after his mortal remains shall have mouldered to dust. 
 His home was a constant hospital for the needy and 
 suffering. After his marriage liis fatlier and mother 
 went to Iowa, to live with children there, but at the 
 death of his mother, his father returned to finish his 
 days with his son Samuel. The father and mother of 
 Mrs. Matthews also found a home in his house, and 
 in their declining years were cared for with generous 
 kindness until removed by death. 
 
 Mr. Matthews was a man whom to know was to 
 love, and whose name from the first to the last con- 
 tinued a synonym for all that w;'.s benevolent, gener- 
 ous and good. His character for personal integrity 
 was above reproach. In the exalted relations of hus- 
 band and father he was kind and affectionate, a good 
 jjiovider, but reasonably exacting iu family discipline 
 and obedience. In fine, he was a man whose life in 
 general constituted a wortliy example of practical 
 usefulness. 
 
 CHARLES BASSETT. 
 
 Among the families whose general worth has made 
 them conspicuous in the history, not only of the com- 
 munity in which some members of them now reside, 
 but also in the eastern States where for more than two 
 

 LOTT PAFiSONS 
 
 ]K^s. LoTT Paf^sons 
 
 ^>ri<adas^(^£^i2*J 
 
 or LOTT TARSONS, ffusSiA . LOK- 
 
 Ohio , 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 197 
 
 centuries their ancestors have resided, that of the 
 Bassetts liold an exalted and prominent position. 
 The progenitors of him whose name lieads this sketcli, 
 settled in Massachusetts contemporary with the pil- 
 grim fathers, while those of his mother actually came 
 to America on the ^'Mayflower'" in 1G20, she being a 
 lineal descendant of Miles Standisli, the warrior pil- 
 arim. Each successive generation from this historic 
 stock have by industrious and straightforward lives 
 done honor to their exalted ancestry. 
 
 Charles Bassett was born in the town of Chili, 
 Monroe county, New York, March 10, 1820, and we 
 write this sketch of him on the fifty-ninth anniver- 
 sary of his birth-day. He was the youngest child 
 and second son of Nathan Bassett and Sarah Standish, 
 the former of whom was born August 13, 17C3, the 
 latter, December 10, 1775, both at Bridgewater, Mas- 
 sachusetts. They were married April 4, 1793, and 
 lived together sixty years, the husband and father 
 dying in 1853, the wife and mother in 1854. Tiieir 
 children numbered nine, and were born in the order 
 named: Thomas, Phebe, Sarah, Naomi, Betsey, Free- 
 love, Amanda, Emily and Charles. In 1813 they 
 removed to Chili, Monroe county. New York, and to 
 Russia township in 1834. They settled on the farm 
 now occupied by their son, Charles, and for two years 
 lived in a log cabin, 14 by 16 feet, an illustration of 
 which appears in the sky margin of the view of the 
 homestead on another page of this volume. In 183G 
 he erected a frame house, which is still standing in 
 the rear of the present residence. Nathan Bassett 
 was a man of extraordinary vitality, and possessed 
 mental capabilities al)ove the average. He was of a 
 sunny temperament, of a jocular disposition, and had 
 an extended knowledge of human nature. In his 
 younger days he had been a great traveler, having 
 spent seven years on the ocean, in the service of the 
 West India Company. As a sample of his indomita- 
 ble will and conrage we mention the fact that he had 
 reached his "three score years and ten" when he pen- 
 etrated the wilderness, purchasing sixty-seven acres 
 of land, and made a home for himself and wife in 
 Russia township. 
 
 Towards the close of the revolutionary war, he vol- 
 unteered, and went with his regiment to Rhode Island, 
 where the British were expected to land, lie also 
 served in the war of 1812, at Buffalo, New York, 
 where he was wounded. He lived to the age of ninety 
 years, and to within a few months of his death was as 
 active as most men at sixty. On the Christmas day 
 preceding his decease he was jirostrated by a jiaralytic 
 shock, the effects of which, four months later, ended 
 his remarkable life. He enjoyed the respect and 
 esteem of all by whom he was known, and his memory 
 to-day is green in the hearts of those who knew him 
 best. In politics he was an old line whig. He held 
 several offices in the township government, notably 
 that of school examiner. His last days were rendered 
 as comfortable as possible, and the filial affection of 
 his children, and the long-tried love of his devoted 
 
 wife did much toward the alleviation of his sufferings 
 and in smoothing the entry into •' that bourne from 
 whence no traveler returns.'' 
 
 Charles Bassett, son of the above, follows in his 
 father's footsteps, and like him enjoys a deserved re- 
 spectability and jd'ominenee iu the community of 
 which for forty-five years he has been an honored 
 citizen. The peo])le of the township, reposing confi- 
 dence in his integrity, elected him a number of times 
 township trustee, and two terms a justice of the peace, 
 besides to other minor offices, especially to that of 
 school director, which office he has held nearly every 
 year since he attained his majority. 
 
 Ou the 7th of September, 184G, he married Emma, 
 daughter of John and Ann Parsons, and sister of Lott 
 Parsons of Russia township. She was born at Noil, 
 England, July 28, 1819. They have five children, 
 namely: Emma, born April 20, 1847, married Fred- 
 erick E. Griffin of Amherst; Charles Henry, born 
 April 2G, 1850; Miles Standish, born December 1, 
 1851; Helen, born January 20, 1857; Harvey Lewis, 
 born July 3, 1859. All except IlnHna reside at home 
 with their jjarents, the sons conducting the business 
 of the farm under the direction of their father. Mr. 
 Bassett has been a farmer all his life, and now has 
 two hundred and thirty-five acres of well improved 
 land, including the original sixty-seven acres pur- 
 chased by his father in 1834. He is a good practical 
 farmer; a man of domestic tastes; economical and 
 independent in the management of his affairs; a good 
 husband and father, and an honest trustworthy citizen. 
 
 LOTT PARSONS. 
 
 Among the self-made and self-educated men of 
 Lorain county, whose personal exertions have led to 
 a successful issue, none deserve more general credit 
 than he of whom we write. Leaving his native land 
 when a child, and soon after settling in the then 
 wilds of Lorain county, ]>resently losing his father, 
 his early career was a peculiarly difficult one. At his 
 father's death, a large share of the supjioi-t of his 
 widowed mother fell Uiion him; and though but a lad 
 in his teens, he acce])ted the duty with a fortitude 
 worthy of riper years, and with a commendable de- 
 termination, fulfilled the same faithfully and well. 
 Such conduct, and the early developement of similar 
 good qualities, laid the foundation to his subsequent 
 success in life, as will be set forth in the subjoined 
 brief narrative of the most salient features of his life 
 and character. 
 
 Lott Parsons was born in Wilkshire, England, on 
 the 9th of January, 1821. He is the son of John and 
 Ann (Yetman) Parsons, who were also natives of the 
 same shire. In Mai-ch, 1833, the family embarked at 
 Bristol for New York, arriving at the latter i)lace in 
 the following May. They proceeded thence to Men- 
 tor, Lake county, Ohio, where they remained during 
 the ensuing summer. In the following fall, John 
 
198 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Parsons ciinie on to Russia townsliip, and in conjunc- 
 tion witli a cousin, purchased, by contract, a quarter of 
 section of land, but the hind agent afterward ignored 
 the stipulated agreement, and the bargain fell througli. 
 
 During tlio next year (1833), Jlr. Parsons and his 
 family settled permanently in Russia township, upon 
 a part of the farm now occupied by Lott Parsons, his 
 son. .John Parsons died the same fall, his untimely 
 death casting a gloom over his family, wliicii it took 
 many subsequent years to efface. But his widow and 
 her children possessed the sterling (jualities that have 
 nuide thcii' native land famous in the ages of the ])ast, 
 — fortitude and a hardihood that defy reverses. 
 They brought the requisite amount of industry and 
 stern practical economy to bear upon their unfortu- 
 nate situation, and succeeded in establishing a com- 
 fortable home, where the head of the family had cast 
 their lot. 
 
 On the 18th of October, 184-1, Mrs. Parsons died, 
 but not before she had seen the fruits of her own and 
 her children's battle with adversity, with the appar- 
 ent assurance of victory. 
 
 On the a5th of December, l.s.51, Lott Parsons and 
 Catharine E. Kendeigh were united in marriage. 
 She was born in Amherst, .Tanuary 5, 183(!. They 
 have had six chiidi-en, nanu'ly: Fi'ank S., born 
 November 1, is.j^j, married Coi'nelia .Sherman, of 
 Henrietta, now resides in North Amherst: Mary A., 
 born .)uly 1. 1851, (deceaseil); Willie E., l)oi-n .Janu- 
 ary l'.». 1858; Viola E.. born May 1, 1860; .John (!., 
 born January 1, 1863; Henry C, born April 17, 1870. 
 
 It can be truly said of Mr. Parsons, that he has 
 done as much toward the nuiterial devolopmetit of 
 Russia townshii) as any num now residing therein. 
 He has cleared as much of its wild land as any, and 
 in the way of scientific investigation and utilization 
 of its resources, stands pre-eminently ahead of all. 
 About ten years ago, he put to practical uses the gas 
 that exists in large quantities on his farm, particu- 
 larly showing itself iu a well that he sunk years ago. 
 He now has gas all over his house, and in the sum- 
 mer, his good wil'e uses it for cooking and other 
 household pur])oses. His sitting room is heated by 
 it, through the medium of an ingeniously contrived ^ 
 stove, of his own invention. 
 
 A remarkable feature about Mr. Parsons, when we 
 consider the fact that he never received even the rudi- 
 ments of au education, is his general and varied 
 knowledge, especially of the science of geology. In 
 this particular i)raaeh of learning, he excels almost 
 any man, not of classical and scientific education. 
 While a youth, toiliugfor his daily bread, and for the 
 maintenance of his widowed mother, at ten dollars 
 per month, he would borrow books, and in the quiet 
 of the night, while others slumbered, ho would study. 
 
 His farm buildings, — of which an illustration, to- 
 gether with portraits of himself and wife, appears on 
 another jiage of this volume, — show how, little by little, 
 he has added thereto. He now owns, in all, one 
 hundred and fifty acres of laud, and is considered one 
 
 of the substantial practical farmers of his township. 
 His i)erseverance and industry, coupled with an nn- 
 iliuching personal honesty, are chief characteristics, 
 and the main factors to his success. 
 
 LUTHER FREEMAN. 
 
 The Freeman family, father and son, very fairly 
 represents the pioneer element of Russia township, 
 and, indeed, of other parts of the State as well. At 
 an early day in the history of Wayne county, Ohio, 
 we find Luther Freeman, the subject of this sketch, 
 one of its earliest settlers. He was born in Connec- 
 ticut, on the 3d of June, 1703. AVhen three years of 
 age, his parents moved to Massachusetts, and, four 
 years later, to Vermont. In 1817, they removed to 
 Ohio and settled in Wayne county. From there they 
 removed to Strongsville, Cuyahoga county, in 1829, 
 and, one year afterwards, in January, 1830, to Russia 
 township, and located on the farm at present occu- 
 pied by his son, Calvin. Luther Freeman married 
 Anna Baird, who was born at Granville, New York, 
 January 11, 1795. They had seven children, as fol- 
 lows: Anna E., Phanclia, Clarissa, Calvin L., Walter, 
 Lucy 0., and Adeline, all of whom survive exceirt 
 Phanelia, who died in April, 1875. 
 
 Soon after arriving in Russia township, Mr. Free- 
 man erected a log house, doing most of the work 
 himself. An illustration of this old home appears in 
 the sky margin of the view of the present residence, 
 on another page of this work. Mr. Freeman was a 
 man who enjoyed an excellent character for industry 
 and probity. He was a hero of the war of 1812, and, 
 after having been once honorably discharged, he vol- 
 unteered again, and participated iu the battle of 
 Plattsburg, New York. He died January 30, 1863, 
 and his good wife followed him to the grave on the 
 13th of July, 1867. This worthy couple were married 
 in 1815, and lived together forty-eight years. 
 
 Calvin L. Freeman was born in Mohecan township, 
 Wayne county, Ohio, December 3, 1825. He was 
 brought up on the farm, and has followed agricultural 
 pursuits all his life. On the 19th of June, 1850, he 
 was married to Eliza A., daughter of James and Sarah 
 (deceased) Probert, of Grosmont, Monmouthshire, 
 England. They emigrated to America in 1833, and 
 first temporarily settled at Cleveland, Ohio. The 
 marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Freeman resulted in two 
 sons, Franklin C, born October 2, 1858, and Marston 
 S., born July 13, 1861. They both reside at home, 
 and attend Oberlin College. 
 
 The present residence of Mr. Freeman was erected 
 in 1845, and he has occupied it ever since. He did 
 most of the work upon it, his father being unwell at 
 the time of its erection. Himself and his excellent 
 wife are, in every sense, a worthy couple, enjoying 
 very generally the esteem and respect of a large circle 
 of acquaintances and friends, and of the community 
 in which they reside. 
 
RESIDENCE.OF LEMUEL ABBEY. EATON Tn. LORAIN C0..0- 
 
EATON 
 
 This is town five, range sixteen. The original pro- 
 prietors were Daniel Holbrook, Caleb Atwater, Tur- 
 lumd Kirtland and ten others. To equalize it with 
 the selected townsliips there was annexed tract one, 
 gore fonr, in range eleven. Until December 3, 1823, 
 the date of its organization, it was called " Holbrook," 
 after one of its principal owners, Daniel ITolbrook. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHY. 
 
 The surface is generally monot(jnously level, with 
 a prevailing clay soil, modified by sand and gravel 
 along Butternut and Chestnut ridges, which cross 
 the northwest corner of the township, about half a 
 mile distant from, and nearly i)arallel with each other. 
 North, and for some distance south of these ridges, 
 the soil is a clay combined with a black loam, strong 
 and fertile. Besides the east branch of Black river, 
 which crosses merely the southwest corner of Eaton, 
 two other unnamed tributaries of that stream com- 
 prise the only water courses of the township worthy 
 of mention. One of these I'ises in Grafton and drain- 
 the southern ludf of the town. The other rising east 
 of the center, with a northern branch with which it 
 unites on lot eighty-eight, and flows thence south- 
 westerly into Black river west of lot ninety-four. 
 There were formerly several swamps in Katon, the 
 largest of which was the llance swamp, in the south- 
 east part, and one embracing within its extent some 
 seventy-five acres, in the northern part. With culti- 
 vation and drainage these formerly unsightly marshes 
 have become the most fertile portions of the town- 
 ship — the soil a deep, black muck, rich, mellow and 
 enduring. Eaton was originally covered with a mag- 
 nificent growth of timber, differing in variety not 
 materially from that of adjoining towns. On Butter- 
 nut and Chestnut ridges those kinds of timber were 
 respectively found in abundance, from wliich circum- 
 stance the ridges derived their names. Whitewood, 
 walnut, beech and hard maple were also native to 
 this portion of the township. In the less elevated 
 portions, beech, hard and soft maple, hickory, black- 
 ash, basswood and elm were among the leading vari- 
 eties. 
 
 THE FIRST LOCATION 
 
 was made in the fall of 1810, by Silas Wilmot, Asa 
 Morgan and Ira B. Morgan. Tiiey were from Water- 
 bury, Connecticut, and all unmarried at the time of 
 their arrival in the township. They erected a cabin 
 on Butternut ridge — lot eighty-nine — which for a 
 
 time they jointly occupied. The next summer Wil- 
 mot married Chloe Hubbard, of Ashtabula county, 
 and began married life in the log cabin on the 
 ridge, which by consent had become his property, 
 and he has the honor of being the first settler in the 
 township. This pioneer cou])le had, as all pioneers 
 ought to have, a large family of children. Tlie num- 
 ber was fourteen, and all lived to mature age. Eight 
 are now (fall of 1878) living, and four are residents 
 of the county, as follows : Mrs. J. L. Tucker in Eaton, 
 Artemas iu Carlisle, Jeannette — unmarried — and 
 Norris in LaGrauge. A son — Don Carlos — now resid- 
 ing in the west, was the first white child born in the 
 town. Wilmot lived on his original location until 
 his death, in 1855. 
 
 In the spring of 1813, Ira B. Morgan married 
 Louisa Bronson, daughter of Levi Bronson of Colum- 
 bia, and took up his abode on Butternut ridge, lot 
 seventy-two. The land is now owned by Barney 
 Jackson. He was the second son of Asahel Morgan, 
 who settled in Ridgeville in the fall of 1813. He 
 came to Columbia iu the spring of 1810, with a party 
 of some twelve or thirteen men, most of whom settled 
 in Ridgeville. He was a surveyor, and surveyed much 
 of the territory through this section. 
 
 Asa, an older brother, came into tlie country with 
 Tillotson Terrell and family, who were the first set- 
 tlers in Ridgeville. He afterwards married a daughter 
 of David Beebe of Ridgeville, and located just west of 
 Wilmot. 
 
 Sylvester Morgan, another brother, married a daugh- 
 ter of Borden Beebe of Ridgeville, and settled, in 
 1817, on the same lot on which Ira B. had settled. 
 He afterwards sold his place and moved into Ridge- 
 ville, settling on Chestnut ridge, and later on Center 
 ridge. He finally sold and removed to Portage county, 
 where he died. 
 
 Thurot F. Chapman, also from Connecticut, re- 
 moved to Chenango county. New York, in 1808. In 
 1811, he married Lydia Andress, and, in 1817, emi- 
 grated to Ohio. At Ashtabula his money was entirely 
 gone, and he was compelled to remain there two 
 weeks. He located first in Ridgeville, where he 
 arrived July 3d of the above year. In the fall of the 
 same year he moved into Eaton. He erected his house 
 where Mr. Varsey's now stands; but, on discovering 
 subsequently that he was on the wrong lot, he vacated, 
 moving into a house then owned by Levi Mills. In 
 March, 1831, while the family were absent, the house 
 burned to the ground with its contents, leaving the 
 family very destitute. They received some assistance 
 
 (199) 
 
200 
 
 HISTORY OV LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 from friends, and were enabled to commeuce house- 
 keeping again, but, for a long time afterward, were 
 without many articles of household necessity. The 
 first }'ear they liad neither a table nor a chair in the 
 house, and two cups and saucers, two knives and 
 forks each, and two plates, comprised their entire 
 stock of crockery. 
 
 Mr. Chapman worked at chopping and clearing by 
 the job for a number of years after settlement. He 
 cleared and fenced for others over two hundred acres, 
 besides about seventy-five acres for himself. He was 
 in tiie war of 1813, and was made a prisoner at 
 Queenstown. He died, at the age of seventy-one, 
 December 16, 1800. Three children are living, Alonzo 
 A. in Henry county, Emily in Oberlin, and Harlan in 
 La Porte. 
 
 INDIAN INCIDENT. 
 
 For a few years succeeding the war of 1813, the 
 forests of Eaton were a favorite resort of a band of 
 Indians, who came every winter from Sandusky, and 
 remained until spring. One winter, they had an en- 
 campment of fifteen families on Butternut ridge, near 
 the swamp. The names of some of them were Good 
 Flint, Tobago, Silver Heels, Yellow Jacket, Bill Har- 
 ris, Seneca John, Joe Seneca and Little Billy. Of 
 their suljsequcnt history, nothing is known with the 
 exception of Seneca John and Bill Harris, the former 
 of whom was executed for alleged witchcraft. Chap- 
 man on one occasion saved the life of the latter, and 
 the Indian always afterward manifested the warmest 
 gratitude toward his deliverer. When the report of 
 the destruction by fire of Cliaimian's house reached 
 Harris, he hastened to Elyria, and incjuired of Levi 
 Mills, who was then carrying on a distillery there, if 
 it was true that his "good friend's house was burned." 
 Mills answered in the affirmative, and jokingly added 
 that Chapman suspected liiin of setting it on fire, and 
 that he had better keep out of the way or Chapman 
 would shoot him. The Indian believed the cruel joke 
 and disappeared. Chapman, in endeavoring to ascer- 
 tain his whereabouts that he might undeceive him. 
 learned that he went to Sandusky, crossed over into 
 Canada, and there died a few months after.* 
 
 During the next few years, the following named 
 persons became settlers of Eaton: Sylvester Morgan, 
 A. M. Dowd, Levi Mills, Seneca Audress, Merrit Os- 
 born, Dennis Palmer, Erastus Case, Borden Handley, 
 James Field, Archibald Harper and others. Of the 
 most of these there are at present no descendants in 
 the township, and we are unable to give particulars 
 as to their settlement. Mills took up his residence 
 near the west lino of the township, on lot ninety-two. 
 The farm is now owned by J. O. Humphrey. He 
 subsequently removed to Illinois. Samuel Finch 
 located on lot seventy, on land now owned by W. H. 
 Phillips. Fields settled on lot eighty-eight. His son 
 Gilbert now occupies the place. Jeremiah Finch 
 arrived a few years after his brother Samuel, and 
 
 • A. A, Chapman, in Eljrria Democrat. 
 
 settled east of him. Jeremiah Hance, a shoemaker 
 by trade, was the first settler in the town south of 
 Butternut ridge. With his son Hiram, then a lad 
 some fourteen years of age, he left Cranberry, Niagara 
 county. New York, for the woods of Eaton, February 
 1, 1824, having previously exchanged his farm there 
 for one hundred and fifteen acres, on lot twenty-two 
 here. Tiie journey was made with a single horse and 
 a sled, with which some bedding and provisions were 
 brought. lie drove on the ice for two days after 
 leaving Buffalo, and with other emigrants, who sub- 
 sequently joined him, experienced many dangers — 
 the ice in many places breaking, at one time when the 
 party were several miles from shore. Afterwards, the 
 snow disappearing, the sled was abandoned, the bed- 
 ding placed upon the horse, and father and son footed 
 it. They arrived at their journey's end about the 1st 
 of March, having been about a month on the way. 
 A mere pole shanty was provided for their imme- 
 diate necessities. This was then the only habitation 
 between the center of Columbia and La Porte. The 
 settlers on Butternut ridge were five or six miles 
 away; there were no roads, and several swamjis to 
 traverse in order to reach them: consequently but 
 little intercourse was iiad with them. 
 
 Mr. Hance found his nearest neighbors in Grafton, 
 one and a half miles distant. The father and son 
 kept bachelors' hall through the summer, working 
 Samuel Curtis' sugar bush on shares. They next 
 underbrushed and cleai-ed out a road from North 
 street to their land, after which preparations were 
 made for the erection of a log house, in which their 
 Grafton neighbors assisted. Indians from Sandusky 
 frequently visited this region at that time, the same, / 
 probably, as previously mentioned, having camjied 
 on Butternut ridge. After clearing a piece of land 
 ready for logging, Mr. Hance went to Cleveland and 
 worked at his trade until the arrival of his family, 
 wlio had been jareviously sent for. They reached 1 
 Eaton late in the fall. Many events in the life of 
 this hardy jjioneer could be given, illustrative of the 
 hardships endured by early settler.s, but want of space 
 forbids. Mr. Hance died a few years ago at the 
 advanced age of ninety-seven, and a few years after 
 his widow followed, aged ninety-four. The son 
 Hiram oc(;upies the old homestead, himself quite 
 advanced in life. 
 
 In 182C, Henry J. Phillips joined the settlement, 
 locating on lot fifty-one. He came from Tompkins ' 
 county. New York. Phillips made the first wheeled 
 vehicle in town. His son, W. H. Phillips, is a well 
 known resident of Eaton. 
 
 On the township records we find the followiiiL; 
 persons, not previously mentioned, elected as town- 
 ship officers between the years 1833 and 1830, who 
 must have settled prior to the latter date: Tyler, 
 Day, Beebe, Burr, Pond. Edson, Whitconib, Bough- 
 ton, Blain, Nichols. 
 
 John A. Ferguson arrived in 1831, and made his 
 location on Chestnut ridge, lot seventy-one, where 
 
 I 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 201 
 
 J. L. Tucker now resides. He subsequently cliauged 
 his location to the center of town, and resided there 
 until his death in 1874. 
 
 In IS'.Vi, Alva Brooks and Richard Crowell moved in, 
 coming from Tompkins counter, New York. The 
 former was originally from Vermont, and the latter 
 from New Jersey. Brooks, who was a widower, was 
 accompanied by a little daughter, two years old. 
 Crowell's family consisted of his wife and four chil- 
 dren. They both settled at the center, the former ou 
 the farm which he still occupies with his son James, 
 and the latter on that, a part of which is occupied by 
 his son Aaron. He built his house immediately after 
 his arrival, which was the first habitation in this 
 portion of the townshii). Mr. Brooks chopped off 
 twenty acres of his purchase and built his cabin the 
 first year after his arrival. There was at that time 
 no road in this part of the town, except the center 
 road to Columbia, and that was merely cut out. In 
 1S41, he assisted in cutting out the southern half of 
 the north and south center road. In 1853, he erected 
 the large frame house which he now occupies. Mr. 
 Crowell died in the fall of 1875. His widow and one 
 son reside in Grafton: two sons and a daughter are 
 residents of Eaton. 
 
 Edmund Holden, from Waterbury, Connecticut, 
 arrived iii about the year 1833, and settled on lot 
 forty-six. His house was the first frame erection at 
 the centre. He was a man of much public spirit, and 
 did much for the advancement of public interests. 
 He removed to Michigan many years ago, and now 
 resides there. A daughter is the wife of James 
 Brooks. 
 
 Benjamin S. Brush, Robert Moon, and Jacob Tay- 
 lor moved in about the year 1834. 
 
 Oel Durkee, one of the earliest settlers in the 
 southwest quarter of the town, and who continues to 
 reside there in the seventy-second year of his age, 
 moved in from New York in the spring of 1834. He 
 located temporarily on Butternut ridge, remaining 
 there until August following. He then removed to 
 his purchase of one hundred and eleven aci'es on lot 
 eighty-three. A log cabin liad been previously 
 erected on this farm, and was then occui>ied by 
 a tenant, Forrester Ijangdon and family, consisting 
 of wife and six children. 
 
 Mr. Durkee moved, with his family of wife and 
 three children, into the house with Langdon, which 
 was about twenty-four feet by eighteen in size, and 
 without a chimnej' or window. There was only one 
 room for the thirteen occupants; but they continued 
 to live thus until the following November, when 
 Langdon moved out. 
 
 Among the early settlers of this portion of the 
 town, some of whom arrived previous to Durkee, 
 were the following: Voman Felt, William Burchard, 
 James Johnson, John Shadford, Thomas Moran, 
 Oliver Terrell, William Wallace, Job and William 
 Clark, William Dobsou, John Sayre, John Gamble, 
 William Lawson, William Wilson, Peleg M. Terry, 
 
 26 
 
 j\Iiehael Montague and others. Harvey Coy came to 
 Eaton in 1834, remaining until 1850, when he removed 
 to Columbia. J. I). Swift and Thomas Sutton were 
 among the earliest settlers on Chestnut ridge. The 
 former now resides in Williams county, Ohio. 
 
 Ransom Tyler located on the west part of lot thirty- 
 five, in 1834. He afterward moved to lot fifty-five, 
 and resided there at the time of his death. His 
 widow now resides in Elyria. 
 
 Jacob Tucker, a native of New Hampshire, removed 
 to Vermont when twenty years of age, was married 
 there and aftei-wards became a resident of Buffalo. 
 There he remained until the spring of 1817, when, 
 with his family, which at that time consisted of his 
 wife and five children, he removed to Ohio, by boat, 
 settling in Erie county on land now occupied by the 
 village of Vermillion. In the spring of 1819 he 
 moved to Windham, Portage county. With an ojjen 
 row boat the family jjroceeded by way of the lake to 
 Cleveland, and then up the Cuyahoga about two 
 miles. Here Mr. Tucker left his family while he pro- 
 ceeded on foot to Windham and obtained an ox team 
 with which he returned for wife and children. They 
 resided in Windham until the year 1832 or 1833, when 
 they came to Eaton, ])urchasing of John A. Ferguson 
 the farm on which his son, J. L. Tucker, now resides. 
 He occupied this farm until his death, whicii occurred 
 in 1803. His wife died two years previous. Four of 
 the family are residents of this county and three of 
 this township, as follows : R. F. Tucker, J. L. 
 Tucker, and Hannah, unmarried. The first is a jus- 
 tice of the peace in Eaton. Wm. H. resides in Ely- 
 ria, where he is engaged in insurance and real estate. 
 
 Nicholas Taylor, formerly from Pennsylvania, 
 moved into Eaton from Carlisle, in 1832, and settled 
 east of the center. He now resides in Iowa. 
 
 Chilion Sperry, now residing in Mansfield, arrived 
 in 1834, and settled a mile and a half east of the 
 center. Walter Giles came in 1833, and located north 
 of the center, where he now resides. 
 
 Royal Eaton was an early settler in the south part 
 of the town, and Alexander Cotter in the southeast 
 part. 
 
 Thomas Bennington was a native of England. He 
 emigrated to the United States in 1839, landing at 
 Quebec. From there he went to Grafton, and a few 
 months subsequently to Eaton and purchased a farm 
 of fifty acres in the southern part of the towushij). 
 This farm i^ now owned by James Johnson. After 
 erecting his log house he sold his farm and then 
 returned to England, and while there married. The 
 spring following he returned to this country with his 
 bride, remained in Elyria through the summer, and 
 then bought the farm on lot seventy-six, on which 
 his widow now resides at the age of seventy-two. Mr. 
 Bennington died in Sejjtember, 1874. 
 
 Ebenezer Abbey, when thirteen years of age, re- 
 moved from Windham county, Connecticut, to New 
 York, where he resided until the year 1830. ki 
 December of that year he removed with his family, 
 
202 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 consisting of wife iind eleven children, und a grand- 
 child, to tJiis township, making a tcm})orary location 
 of about two months on Butternut ridge. lie then 
 moved to Carlisle, settlingon theeast line of that town, 
 lie built an ashery the first or second year of his set- 
 tlement, on the little stream near his house, and for 
 many years was engaged in the manufacture of pot- 
 ash, pcarlash, and saleratus. He became a settler in 
 Eaton in 1833, erecting, a short distance north of the 
 present residence of his son, Lemuel Aliltey, a house 
 which he used jointly as a residence tiud coo]ier-shop. 
 Five years subsequently he built the frame house now 
 occupied by his son Lemuel. 
 
 In December, 1830, Mrs. Susanna Wiglit- t.ook up 
 her residence on lot thirty-five, purchasing a i)ortion 
 of that lot, and now resides there with lier sou Har- 
 rison, who is uunuirried, and a mathematical genius, 
 hy tlie way. Mrs. Wight was born in Saratoga, New 
 York, April 4, 1793, and was married to Reuben 
 Wight, July 17, 1814. They removed in August, 
 1834, with their ten children, from Fowler, St. 
 Lawrence county. New York, to llockport, Cuya- 
 hoga county, Ohio. Mr. Wight died of cholera, the 
 twentieth of that month, and was l)uried at midniglit 
 in the Alger settlement burying ground, a box of 
 rough whitewood boards containing the remains. 
 Mrs. Wight is now in the eighty-sixth year of her 
 age, and reads without the aid of spectacles. 
 
 Samuel Alexander emigrated to the United States 
 from England in 1835, and located in St. Lawrence 
 county. New York, reuiained five years, and then 
 removed to Elyria. The purchaser of his farm in 
 New York was unable to pay him uutil long after the 
 date stipulated, and lie, and liis wife also, were com- 
 pelled in consequence, to work at wiiatever they 
 could find to do, after their arrival in Ohio, in order 
 to obtain the necessaries of life. Mrs. Alexander was 
 a daughter of Joliu Elbro, an English nobleman, and 
 because of her marriage with Mr. Alexander, was dis- 
 inherited by her father. 
 
 After a residence of a few years in Elyria, he re- 
 moved to Grafton, locating two miles southeast of 
 that village. He erected a log house, which he occu- 
 pied before it was "chinked," and while yet without 
 a floor or cliininey. He subsequently moved to this 
 town. His first erection liere was a log house, which, 
 in more pros]icrous days, gave way to a frame, wiiicli 
 is yet standing, though unoccupied. 
 
 In 1837, Timothy Cooley located on lot thirty-four. 
 He was formerly from Ham}ishire county, Massachu- 
 setts. At the early age of twelve, circumstances com- 
 pelled him to work out for a living. Witli his last 
 employer he remained seven years, according to con- 
 tract, by which lie was to receive, at the end of his 
 term of service, one hundred dollars in money. When 
 the day of settlement came, his employer asked !iim 
 if he was ready to receive his money. The thought 
 of possesing such an immense sum in cash, appalled 
 the young man. Having determined to emigrate to 
 Ohio, visions of robbery and murder haunted him. 
 
 He therefore determined to make his late employer 
 his banker, until he should find use for his funds; 
 and then, with his bundle of clothes on his shoulder, 
 he started forth on foot, determined to go where he 
 could obtain some land of his own. This was in the 
 fall of 1817. Arriving in Geauga county, he pro- 
 cured work on a farm near Wclshfield, and jiurchased 
 forty acres of land in the township of Newlniry, in tliat 
 county. He went, soon after, to Portage county, and 
 purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. 
 About two years after his arrival, he sent for his 
 money, which his employer promptly sent him. Soon 
 after his settlement in Portage county, lie married 
 Sally Lewis, whose brother, Oliver H. Lewis, has 
 long been a resident of Ridgeville. After a residence 
 of some fifteen years in Portage, he removed to 
 Ridgeville, and located on Center ridge. Five years 
 afterward, he came to Eaton, arriving in the year 
 above stated. He ])urchased a farm of one hundred 
 and fifty-one acres, and erected his shanty a short 
 distance west of his present residence. This farm 
 Mr. Cooley still occupies. 
 
 In November, 1838, a little daughter of Mr. Cooley 
 wandered away from home, and became lost in the 
 dense woods. A few days afterward, a hunting party 
 found the child just across the Columbia line, about 
 three miles from home. She had nearly perished 
 from hunger and cold. 
 
 Mr. Cooley is eighty-two years of age, and resides 
 on his original jiurchase, with his son, Truman 
 Cooley. His wife died in the fall of 187G. 
 
 Chester Cooley was also an early settler of this 
 town. 
 
 CIVIL ORGANIZATION. 
 
 At the time of the organization of Ridgeville, in 
 1813, that township embraced Eaton, then called IIol- 
 brook, and the union was continued until December 
 3, 1823, when number five, range sixteen, was detached 
 by order of the commissioners of Cuyahoga county, 
 on jietition of the inhabitants, and organized as an 
 independent township under the name of Eaton. 
 
 The first election of township officers was held in 
 the spring of 1833, when the following were chosen: 
 Ira B. Morgan, clerk; Merritt Osboru, Archibald Har- 
 per, Asa Morgan, trustees; Silas Wilmot, David M. 
 Tyler, overseers of the jioor; Eleazer Day, appraiser; 
 William Beebe, Dennis Palmer, fence viewers; Levi 
 Mills, lister; Sylvester Morgan, treasurer; Freeman 
 Burr, constable; A chibald Harper, Jr., supervisor of 
 highways. We find no record of a justice of the peace 
 being chosen at this time. 
 
 Township officers for 1878 are as follows: R. F. 
 Tucker, clerk; Job Alexander, Gilbert Fields, Ed. 
 Ilance, trustees; Wm. II. Giles, treasurer; Wm. H. 
 Phillips, assessor; Wm. H. Phillips and R. F. Tucker, 
 justices of the })eace. 
 
 RELIGIOUS. 
 
 The earliest meetings of this character were held 
 at private houses, and were attended by the inhabit- 
 
UISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 203 
 
 ants generally, heing iinsectarian in character. At 
 these meetings some missionary or Methodist circuit 
 preacher wonld usually officiate. We have been una- 
 ble to ascertain when the first class or society was 
 formed. Probably the first church edifice erected in 
 town was by the Roman Catholics. It was a small 
 frame building situated on the west line of the town- 
 ship. The Methodists erected a frame building on 
 lot forty-five, in 1846, by voluntary contributions in 
 work, and was used until the erection by the Congre- 
 gationalists of the present frame structure at the 
 Center in 1857, which the two societies have since 
 used in common. 
 
 Stephenson Burke was an early Methodist preacher 
 ill Eaton. On one occasion, while preaching at the 
 house of Almond Loomis, he abruptly finished his 
 discourse, informed his hearers that they were incapa- 
 ble of appreciating talent, closed his Bible, and, in 
 disgust, <|uit the ministry and the town. He tried 
 the law with success, and afterwards served as judge 
 of common pleas for Lorain, Medina and Summit 
 counties. He is now a prominent member of the 
 Cleveland bar. 
 
 THE CONGKEGATtONAL CHURCH 
 
 was organized not far from 1839, but with what mem- 
 bershi]) we are unable to state. The society, in mem- 
 bershij), is at present very weak, there being at this 
 time about a dozen members. Timothy Cooley is 
 deacon. Rev. Mr. Hyde of Grafton, preaches every 
 alternate Sabbath. The present church edifice was 
 built in 1857, at a cost of about eight hundred dollars. 
 A union Sabbath school of this and the Methodists 
 exists, numbering some fifty or sixty scholars. Tru- 
 man Cooley is superintendent. 
 
 THE DISCIl'LES CHURCH. 
 
 In regard to the earlier history of this church we 
 get the following facts fromllayden's "History of the 
 Disciples on the Western Reserve." It was first 
 established in North Eaton. Mrs. Chloe Tucker, 
 who came to Eaton from Windham, in 1833, while 
 visiting her native place in 1840, entreated a young 
 preacher of the church, by the name of M. J. 
 Streator, to come to Eaton and conduct a series of 
 meetings. He came in October of that year. Meet- 
 ings were held at the brick school house and resulted 
 in the conversion of two sons of Mrs. Tucker. 
 Meetings were again held by Mr. Streator in March 
 following, and also in October, 1843, when an organ- 
 ization was effected, with a membership of twenty- 
 five. J. D. Swift was api>ointed overseer, and J. A. 
 Fei'guson, deacon. In the fall of 1843 the location of 
 the church was changed to the center, on which occa- 
 sion Jared Patchen was chosen overseer, and Chester 
 Cooley, deacon. In 1845 the church building was 
 erected. J. D. Benedict, formerly a Baptist minister, 
 then a lawyer filling the position of prosecuting attor- 
 ney for Lorain county, officiated at the opening of this 
 
 church. The congregation increased until a larger 
 house was reipiired and in the fall of 18G3 a new edi- 
 fice was erected at the center. Brother J. H. Jones, 
 chaplain of the Forty-second regiment Ohio volunteers, 
 under Colonel (iarlield, condiictud the dedicatory 
 service. The church continues to he pros})erous, hav- 
 ing at ]ireseiita membership of one hundred and fifty- 
 five. Brother W. H. Scott is the resident preacher. 
 S. M. Streator, A. Rollin, and R. Hinkley are over- 
 seers, and A. Dawloy and R. Haven, deacons. It also 
 has a Sabbath school of about one hundred and fifty 
 scholars, of which James Robinson is superintendent. 
 
 MORMONIS.M IN EATON. 
 
 Eaton was for a very brief period afflicted with this 
 religious fanaticism. In 1843-'43, Lyman Wight 
 ])reached the doctrine at La Porte, while his son, 
 Orange, held forth in Eaton, in that portion of the 
 town then known as the "Island." Several other 
 Mormons also i)reached there. Nearly all of the in- 
 habitants of the "Island" were converted to Mormon- 
 ism and ba])tised by immersion. Their last assem- 
 blage was at the house of Almond Loomis, at the 
 center, February 14, 1843, when a doctrinal discus- 
 sion arose between their leaders and a Campbellite 
 preacher who was present. Soon after this they dis- 
 solved, some of the recent converts joining the Disci- 
 ple church, more went back to the world, while a few 
 went to Nauvoo, and subsequently to Salt Lake. And 
 thus ended Mormoiii.sm in Eaton. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The first school was taught on Butternut ridge by 
 Julia Johnson, daughter of Phineas Johnson, of Car- 
 lisle, in the summer of 1819. A son taught the suc- 
 ceeding winter, and another daughter the second 
 summer. Maria Terrell, a inaii by the name of Cad- 
 well, D. C. Wilmot, and Deborah Phillips, who sub- 
 ,se([uently became Wilmot's wife, were also among the 
 early school teachers in town. The first frame school 
 building burned down in February, 1833. The pres- 
 ent brick building was erected in the summer of 1859. 
 
 The school district at the center was organized Jan- 
 uary 10, 1834. At a meeting convened for that pur- 
 pose, Joseph Fauver, Horace J. Terrell and Richard 
 Crowell were chosen directors, N. H. Crowell clerk, 
 and Nicholas Taylor treasurer. It was voted that a 
 tax be levied for the purpose of building a school 
 house on lot forty-six. This primitive house was a 
 log, twenty feet square, and was located about twelve 
 rods north of the center, on land belonging to Ed- 
 mund Holden, and was used as a town house also, 
 until 1843, when it gave way to a frame costing about 
 two hundred and fifty dollars. The present brick 
 structure at the center, was erected in 1808, at a cost 
 of three thousand eight hundred dollars. It is a two 
 story building, thirty l)y forty feet in size, the upper 
 story being used for a town hall, and the lower for 
 school i)urposes. The report of the board of educa- 
 
204 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 tioH for 1878, contains the following information in 
 regard to the schools of this township : 
 
 Number of houses, . . . 
 
 Value, 
 
 Amount paid teachers,. 
 Number of scholars, — 
 
 CHEESE FACTORIES. 
 
 S4,400 
 $1,298 
 
 This industry is extensively carried on in this 
 township. During the last season, there have been 
 four, and a part of the time five, factories in operation. 
 
 THE EATON FACTORY, 
 
 located a short distance south of the center, is the 
 oldest. It was established by Nichols, Haven and 
 othei's, in the fall and winter of 1868, at a cost of 
 about four thousand dollars. In the winter of 187.3, 
 a feed mill was added, which was destroyed l)y fire in 
 the Jtlarch following, but was immediately rebuilt. 
 It was again burned in November, 1876, together 
 with the factory, and three hundred and fifty dollars 
 worth of cheese, besides the engine and boiler, cost- 
 ing eleven hundred dollars, were ruined. New build- 
 ings were erected the following winter, by the enter- 
 prising proprietors, at a cost of two thousand, eight 
 luiudred dollars. The following is the report of the 
 factory for the season of 1877, as made liy its efficient 
 secretary, Harrison Wight: 
 
 Report of Eaton Cheese Factory for 1877. 
 
 MONTHS. 
 
 MILK, 
 POUNDS. 
 
 CHEESE 
 POUNDS 
 
 RA- 
 TIO. 
 
 TOTAL 
 CASH 
 REC'D. 
 
 PAID 
 
 PATRONS. 
 
 PAID 
 FAC- 
 TORY. 
 
 DIVI- 
 DEND 
 
 INCI- 
 DENTAL 
 EXPEN- 
 SES. 
 
 April 
 
 May 
 
 June 
 
 July 
 
 August 
 
 September 
 October... 
 November. 
 
 116,920 
 
 202,940 
 242,7(¥) 
 216,73i; 
 1.50,.5O0 
 140,4IK) 
 112,490 
 52,350 
 
 10.407 
 
 19,276 
 23,1.57 
 20.390 
 13.980 
 13,987 
 11,982 
 5,792 
 
 11.23 
 10.53 
 10.48 
 10.63 
 10.77 
 10 04 
 9..39 
 9.04 
 
 $1,213 67 
 1.779 48 
 1 .545 72 
 1,736 68 
 1,W3 05 
 1,678 47 
 
 1,318 or 
 
 593 69 
 
 $1.0Si.'.8 
 1,53.8 53 
 1,291! .59 
 1,4R1 81 
 1,468.30 
 1,503 63 
 1,168 30 
 576 29 
 
 $1.30 09 .9268 
 240 95 .7581 
 &18 03! ..5.^42 
 2.54 871 .6837 
 174 75 .97.56 
 174 84 1.071 
 149 771.0386 
 71 40j .986 
 
 ■■"I'io 
 
 
 
 "soo 
 
 Season 
 
 1,235,038 
 
 118,971 
 
 10.38811,508 83 
 
 $10,057 03$1,445 70 .814 
 
 6 10 
 
 WHITE CLOVER FACTORY, 
 
 located on the west line of the township, was estalj- 
 lished in 1869, by Thomas Bennington and Lemuel 
 Abbey. The building was erected at a cost of about 
 one thousand dollars. Capital now employed in the 
 business, about one thousand four hundred dollars. 
 During the past season the consumption of milk 
 averaged about six thousand pounds daily, making 
 fourteen cheese of forty pouuds each. 
 
 THE STREATOK FACTORY. 
 
 This is located between the Center and North Eaton 
 station, and is owned and operated by S. M. Streator, 
 by whom it was established in the spring of 1870, 
 witli a capital of about two thousand dollars. It is 
 much less now, owing to depreciation of property. 
 The building was erected in 1871. The past season 
 the business averaged about four thousand pounds of 
 milk daily, manufacturing eight cheese of fifty pounds 
 each i^er day. 
 
 ORCHARD FACTORY 
 
 is situated on Butternut ridge, and was established 
 by Oel Durkee, Jr., in the spring of 1873. Two 
 j^ears subsequently it was purchased by Charles Jack- 
 son, who, with S. Stephens, now owns it. It has 
 worked about two thousand pounds of milk during 
 the season of 1878. The factory has done a very lim- 
 ited business during the last few years, and will prob- 
 ably soon be discontinued, there being too many 
 cheese factories in this section to render the business 
 profitable. 
 
 SAW MILLS. 
 
 The first saw mill in town was built by Rico and 
 Smith of Litchfield, Medina county, in the fall of 
 1851, and was located on lot forty-three. This mill 
 is now owned and run by Philo Bannister. There 
 are two other saw mills in the township, that of 
 Angelo Rawson, in the southwest jiart of town, and 
 one near North Eaton station, owned by John Page. 
 
 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS FOR 1878. 
 
 Wheat, 1,000 acres 18,.^39 bushels. 
 
 Corn, 1,389 " .39,160 
 
 Oats, 809 " 41,766 
 
 Potatoes, 160 " 20,470 
 
 Orchards, 384 " 3,308 
 
 Meadow, 2,492 " 2,421 tons. 
 
 Butter 40,900 pounds. 
 
 Cheese 278,1.5:3 " 
 
 Hayes. 
 
 Vote for President, 1876. 
 205 I Tilden 
 
 Biographical Sketches, 
 
 LEMUEL ABBEY. 
 
 The life of the pioneer, with its manifold struggles 
 and privations, offers an interesting study, and one 
 replete with instructive lessons. It admirably illus- 
 trates the old aphorism '•' Industry is the parent of 
 plenty;" for we rarely find oue who toiled to reclaim 
 the wilderness, and cultivate the soil in the primitive 
 days of the settlement, but that accumulated a com- 
 petence, who, if blessed with a ri])e old age, which is 
 generally tiie case, enjoy the fruits of his labors 
 and frugality. The subject proper of this l)rief 
 narrative came of a j)ioneer race. His parents, Ebea- 
 ezer and Mary (Blauehard) Abbey were of New 
 England origin, and possessed the requisite quali- 
 fications of early settlers. The former was born in 
 Tolland county, Connecticut, June 9, 1781, and 
 died March 19, 18G3; the latter in Rutland, Ver- 
 mont, December 19, 1787, she preceding her husband 
 to the grave by but ten days. They lived together 
 nearly fifty-seven years, having been united in mar- 
 riage April 6, 1805. They had a family of fourteen 
 children, of whom ten grew to maturity. 
 
^^::f V,. :-3^- ^; ;^( 
 
 PHOTOS BY Lee, Eltria. 0. 
 
 Del Durkee. 
 
 f\/lRS Oel Durkee: 
 
 (Residence or OEL durkee. Eaton Tp. lorain Co, Ohio. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 205 
 
 1 Polly A. bora March 10, ISOD. 8 Nelson, bora October 18, 1816. 
 
 2 Ebeaezer, " July 17, 18l)r. i) Volton, " March 311, 1818. 
 
 3 Smyth, " July 12, ISfts. 10 Marimla, " .September 8, 181!). 
 
 4 Orsemus, " February 21, 1810. 11 Lemuel, " January 2.3, 1821. 
 
 5 Lucy M. " April 22, 1812. 12 Alinina, " May 2ii, 1822 
 
 6 Alonzo, " .\ugust 39, 1813. 13 William, " February 15, 1827. 
 
 7 Lyman, " June 19, 181.5. 14 Emma A. " August 20. 1884. 
 
 Si-x of the sons were teachers in common schools, 
 two heoame phj'sicians, one a hiwj'cr, and four farmers. 
 Mrs. E. A. Abbey Brush is well known as one of 
 Elyria's most devoted women in the cause of tem- 
 perance. 
 
 Ebenezer Abbey was a man of somewhat remark- 
 able business ability. In 17ii4, he accompanied his 
 parents to Otsego county, New York, where they 
 became respected and influential citizens. December 
 15, 1830, he commenced tlie then laborious journey 
 of removing to Ohio. January 15, 1831, found him 
 on Butternut ridge, North Eaton, Ohio, — his large 
 family and worldly effects on two wagons, drawn by 
 one span of horses, and one pair of oxen, — with but 
 seventy-five cents in bi.s pocket, which he paid out 
 for a bushel of wheat. Then commenced the trial in 
 earnest with the wilderness. He selected a place for 
 his future home, where his son Lemuel now resides. 
 It was not, however, until April 6, 1831, that he jier- 
 inancntly located tliereon. His purchase consisted 
 of one hundred and thirteen acres, of which seventy- 
 live were located in Carlisle township, and tliirty- 
 eight in Eaton, lie is accredited with having hauled 
 the first load of wheat from Wayne county, Ohio, 
 which he distributed among the settlers. 
 
 While in New York State he had been exteusivelv 
 engaged in the manufacture of pot and pearl ashes, 
 and had also learned the cooper's trade, both of which 
 industries he carried on after settling in his new 
 western home, llis father had once been in comfort- 
 able circumstances, but he sold his property in the 
 east, taking in payment four thousand dollars of con- 
 tinental money, just jirior to the congressional act 
 of repudiation. He lost everything, and, on return- 
 ing to Otsego county, then an old man, he never 
 recovered either his health or his fortune. Hence, it 
 fell upon Ebenezer to make his own way in the world, 
 which he did, meeting with many reverses, among 
 others, losing a large number of barrels of ashes by 
 the embargo placed on American products, during 
 the war of 1813. With a perseverance commendable 
 of his race, he moved to the then " far west," as above 
 stated, and there resumed his old time avocations, 
 utilizing the surplus timber, and bringing into the 
 then infant settlement considerable money for his 
 ashes. 
 
 Noveinlier 9, 1840, he commenced building a saw 
 mill on Black creek, sawing the first log therein on 
 the day of General Harrison's inauguration as presi- 
 dent of the United States, March i, 1841. Mr. 
 Abbey was a man of but little school education, but 
 of native shrewdness and natural ability. After 
 accumulating enough to make his family comfortable, 
 he apjjlied his surplus to paying some old debts from 
 
 his old home in New York, of more than two 
 hundred dollars, thus freeing himself from all old 
 obligations, and allowing him to enjoy a clear con- 
 science for the remainder of his days. His wife was 
 of the same family of Blanchards as that from which 
 sprung Mrs. President Hayes, and in her humble 
 sphere did equal honor to her respectable ancestry. 
 
 Lemuel Abbey, son of the above, was born in 
 Otsego county, N. Y., January 23, 1821. He was 
 early tauglit sound practical lessons of industry and 
 self-reliance, which have since been of great benefit to 
 him. On the 25th of March, 1859, he married Sarah, 
 daughter of William Lawson, of J^aton, formerly of 
 Yorkshire, England. She was born August 29, 1826. 
 They have had no children. In early years, Mr. 
 Abbey was taught to "follow the ]tlow," and has 
 most of his life been engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
 He is a man of sound judgment, and of an intelligent 
 and inquiring nature. In political faith, he is a 
 staunch and unswerving republican, and in religious 
 belief, a liiieral thinker, and not a memliur of any 
 particular denomination. His sterling integrity and 
 tiio even rectitude of his life require no orthodox 
 afliliations to bring him within the pale of consistent 
 Christianity, nor do any who as closely live up to the 
 Golden Rule as does he. 
 
 OEL DURKEE. 
 
 The Durkee family in America traces its ancestry 
 to three brothers who left Scotland at an early day 
 and settled in New England. Prior to the com- 
 mencement of the present century, we find Joseph 
 Durkee, grandfather of our subject, settled in Con- 
 necticut, where Alba Durkee, son of the latter and 
 father of Oel, was born. They were a hardy and 
 industrious race, and also ])ossessed the quality of 
 economy, that has become a well-known characteristic 
 of their race. The mother of Oel Durkee was Thank- 
 ful Whitcomb, and she died at Pottsdam, St. Law- 
 rence county. New York, in 1811, when he was but 
 four years of age. On the death of his wife. Alba 
 Durkee returned to Pittsfield, Rutland county, Ver- 
 mont, where he had resided previous to his removal 
 to New York State. Two of his daughters rode 
 horseback, and Mr. Durkee carried on a pillow an 
 infant of only four months old. 
 
 Oel Durkee was born in Pittsfield, Vermont, Octo- 
 ber 28, 1807. His early boyhood was passed in Stock- 
 bridge, Windsor county, in the same State, where he 
 lived until he was about seventeen years of age. On 
 his parents' removal to York State, he was an infant, 
 and, on his father's return to Vermont, he rode be- 
 liind him on the same horse. He then went to live 
 with an uncle, Norman Weber, and resided with him 
 until he was about fifteen. His sisters made their 
 home with Ebbe Durkee, an uncle. The father mar- 
 ried again and i-eturned to Pottsdam, New York, 
 
206 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 where lie remained a few years, returning temporarily 
 to Pittsfield, and subsequently removing to Bethany, 
 Genesee county, New York, where lie died. His 
 second wife's maiden name was Sarah Newton. By 
 her he had six children ; by his first wife, seven, 
 namely: Elizabeth, Joseph, Cynthia, Thomas, Lucy, 
 Oel and Nancy, of whom the first, thinl, sixth and 
 seventh named survive. 
 
 At the age of seventeen, Oel went to Nashua, New 
 Hampshire, and worked on the canal five years. He 
 met with many reverses. He made his home, winters, 
 at Stock bridge, Vermont. He afterward removed to 
 Allegany, now Wyoming county. New Y'^ork, where 
 he engaged as a farm laborer. He there married 
 Betsey Terrey, in 1830. Four years later, he came 
 to Ohio, and settled on the farm where he still 
 resides, in Eaton township. Their children num- 
 bered eleven, of whom six are living. They were 
 Mason A., born November 12, ls;jl; Nancy, born 
 July l(i, lSI5:i; (two dying in infancy unnained); Fi- 
 delia, liorn June 20, 1838, died July 17, 1871; Hiram, 
 born January 2, 1840, killed at South Mountain, 
 JIaryland, Septeml)er 14, 18G"2; Persis, born March 
 12, 1841, died February 20, 184S; Oel, .Jr., born De- 
 cendier 2, 1843; Betsey Eveline, born February 18, 
 184.5; Horace A,, born June 29, 1848; and Oscar A., 
 born August 1, 184'.). Those deceased are Fidelia, 
 Persis and Hiram. Tlu)sc living are all married, and 
 are resjiectable members of society. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Durkee have three great-grand children and twenty- 
 two grand-children, with fair prospects of having 
 these numbers largely augmented. Mrs. Durkee was 
 born in the town of Pike, Allegany C'ounty, New Y^ork, 
 June 12, 1810. Her father was Peleg Mason Terry; 
 her mother, Betsey Swift. They were married on 
 Thanksgiving day, 1808. They had three children: 
 Lorinda and Betsey, the other dying in infancy. The 
 Terrys moved into Ohio in 1836, settled in Eaton 
 township, and lived and died there — Mrs. Terrv dying 
 in 1838, and her husband January 28, 1875. He 
 married the widow of a Mr. Nye, and she survives. 
 
 Mr. Durkee can recall the time when there had not 
 besn a tree cut from a half mile south of 15utternut 
 ridge and Rawsonville, the whole territory being cov- 
 ered with a dense forest. On arriving in Eaton, he 
 moved into a log shanty, with eight others, all livino- 
 in one room, and continued to live in this way for 
 almost three months. The shanty served as a habita- 
 \tion for almost two years, when he built a small frame 
 
 \ 
 
 house, which was succeeded in 1849, by his present 
 residence — an illustration of which appears on another 
 page of this volume. 
 
 Mt. Durkee and his excellent wife are in every 
 sense a worthy couple. They have lived together nigh 
 unto half a century, and we trust they will both live 
 and enjoy g((od health and prosperity for many years 
 after celebrating their golden wedding. Mr. Durkee 
 is in politics a staunch republican; in religion, a free 
 thinker. 
 
 WILLIAM II. PHILLIPS, ESQ. 
 
 Among the few surviving pioneers of Eat(m town- 
 ship, none ante-date the arrival of 'Si|uire Phillips. 
 It is nearly fifty-three years since he settled in Eaton, 
 ami with the exception of a few yeai's' absence, has 
 continued to reside where he now lives during that 
 jieriod. William II. Phillips was born in Greene 
 
 county. New York, September, 17, 180!i. IR. is the 
 son of Henry and Abigail (Finch) Phillips, the for- 
 mer of whom was born in Connecticut, on the !)th of 
 June, 1780, the latter in the same State, October 12, 
 1784. The family is of Anglo-German descent, and 
 combines the sturdiness of the former with the fru- 
 gality of the latter, in their character. On the 26th 
 of October, 1826, William H. Phillips removed to 
 Ohio and settled in Eaton township, Lorain county, 
 ui)ou the place he now lives and has almost ever 
 since occupied. He married Jlaria Slater, Novem- 
 ber 10, 1839. She died January 16, 1868. They had 
 six children, namely : William A., Letitia (deceased), 
 Edgar A., who was shot July 9, 1864, near Martins, 
 burg, N'irginia, while serving his country as a soldier, 
 Corda C, and Lena M. Phillips. Mr. Phillips is a 
 republican, and has been honored with nearly every 
 townshij) olHce, notably those of assessor, which he 
 held over twenty years, and justice of the peace for 
 fifteen years at the completion of his present term. 
 He honestly performs the duties of his office, and 
 gives general satisfaction in the same. 
 
 JOHN ROACH, 
 
 was born in Market Arborough, Leicestershire, Eng- 
 land, April 20, 1811. He embarked at Liverpool, in 
 March, 1857, and landed at Castle Garden, New York, 
 in the following May. The ship he came over on had 
 quite a tempestuous passage, but arrived at its desti- 
 nation safely. While waiting to move west, the wharf 
 on which was stowed the baggage of the emigrants 
 
 \ 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 207 
 
 gave way, and nearly all the personal effects weie pre- 
 cipitated into the ocean, and most of the same were 
 lost. After a brief stay in New York, Mr. Roach 
 ]iroceeded up tlie Hudson river to Albany, and took 
 tiie cars there for Amherst, where ho remained nntil 
 tlio following fall. In the meanwhile he lostJiis wife, 
 Elizabetli Eames Roach, of tHijisorn, England, to 
 wiioni he was married in ISil. They had seven chil- 
 dren, three sons and four daughters, namely: Mary, 
 who married Samuel Maddock of Henry county, 
 Ohio; Ann, who married Henry Townsend of Carlisle 
 township; Joseph, who married Eliza Bonner, now 
 living in Nel»raska; William, who was killed in the 
 army, by tlie accidental <lisi'liarge of a comrade's re- 
 volver in 18G'2; Betsey, wiio married Henry Montague, 
 and resides on the adjoining farm to her father; So- 
 
 phia, who married Peter Watts, Kingston, Indiana; 
 Thomas, unmarried, and resides with his father. 
 
 In 1800, Mr. Roacli settled on Plum Creek, in Car- 
 lisle township, where he remained about one year. 
 In 18GI he permanently located on the place where 
 he now lives, which is a neatly kept and well culti- 
 vated farm of fifty acres, having upon it comfortable 
 buildings, an illustration of wiiich appears on another 
 page of this work. 
 
 In politics Mr. Roacli is a republican. He has held 
 the offices of township trustee, and supervisor of the 
 road district in winch he resides. In religious lielief 
 he is a Baptist. He is an industrious and economical 
 farmer; honest and fair in iiis dealings witii others, 
 and one of whom it can be truly said that he is an 
 upriglit man, a good neigiibor and citi/en. 
 
 BLACK RIVER, 
 
 By the survey of 1806, Black River (town number 
 seven in the eighteentli range) was divided into tiiree 
 parts — gore number one, tract number two, and gore 
 numljer three. It was not drawn as a township, but 
 was used for equalizing 2)urposes, gore one being 
 annexed to Olmsted, tract two to Amherst, and gore 
 tliree to the township of Medina, and the original 
 jiroprietors of tliose townships became the owners of 
 tlie soil of Black River. 
 
 SURFACE, STUEAMS, TIMIiER. 
 
 The surface of the township is reuiarkably even, 
 sloping gradually to the lake, with a deep, dark, gen- 
 erally loamy clay soil of exceeding fertility. The 
 water courses of tlie township are Black River, 
 Beaver Creek and Martin's Run, all of which have 
 tlieir outlets in the lake. Black River divides a small 
 part of the towusliip in the nortlieast corner from 
 the rest of its territory, and atfords excellent sidvan 
 tages for tlie utilization of water power. Beaver 
 creek drains the western part of town, while Mar- 
 tin's run courses through the center. 
 
 On the lake shore the native kinds of timber were 
 chieHy hickory, white oak, elm and basswood, while 
 farther inland the principal variety was white oak. 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 In regard to an early attempt at settlement. Judge 
 Boyuton says, in his " Early History of Lorain 
 county :" 
 
 "The earliest attempted settlement was at the mouth of Black River. 
 In 1787, a few Moravian ministers, missionaries among the Delawares 
 and other tribes, with a band of christian Indians, undertook to make a ' 
 
 pennanent settlement at that point. In the spring of that year they 
 removed from ■ Pilgrim's Rest,' on the Cuyahoga, to the place contem- 
 plated as tlieir new abode. Here they hoped to estaljlish a center and 
 plant the seeds of the christian civilization of the Indians. Their hopes, 
 however, were not to be realized. They had remained but a few days 
 upon the spot selected, when a message from the chief of the Dela- 
 wares, commanding them to depart from Black river was received and at 
 once obeyed. This was the first settlement in what is now the county; 
 for although temporary and of but .short duration, it was a settlement 
 in fact coupled with an intent to remain." 
 
 In 1807, Nathan Perry came to the mouth of Black 
 river and erected a house a short distance east of the 
 river, in which he opened a store for trade with the 
 Indians. Ho had in his emjiloy Azariah Beebe and 
 wife, who occupied his hou.se. They were the first 
 family that settled in the townshij). They remained 
 only a few yeai's, however, when they removed from 
 the township, settling on Huron river, wiiere they 
 both died a few years after. Perry, after a few years, 
 removed to Cleveland, where he engaged in merchan- 
 dizing, continuing his trade with the Indians, and 
 eventually ama.ssed a large property. He was a son 
 of Judge Nathan Perry, of Rutland, Vermont, who 
 was an early sjttler in Cleveland. He was a man of 
 more than ordinary ability. His son Horace was for 
 many years clerk of the court of common pleas of 
 Cuyahoga county. Horatio, another son, settled first 
 in Vermillion and afterwards in Elyria. Judge 
 Perry's only daughter was the wife of Peter Weddell, 
 of Cleveland, who built the Weddell house of that 
 city. 
 
 Daniel Perry, a brother of the judge, was the next 
 ]iernianent settler in the townshi|). He, with his 
 family, arrived in March, 1810, and located a <iuarter 
 of a mile west of the river. He afterwards removed 
 
208 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 to his nephew's farm east of the river, still retaining 
 the farm on which he first settled. Squire Perry, as 
 he was familiarly called, with his large family, had 
 ail uiiliill life of it in Black River, and to better his 
 condition, removed in an early day to Brownlielm, 
 and settled near the center of the town. He lived to 
 a good old age, and reared a large family of oliiklren, 
 some of whom are now living in Brownlielm ((uito 
 advanced in life. 
 
 This same year the families of Josepli Quigley, 
 Jonathan Seeley, ( feorge and Andrew Kelso and Ralph 
 Lyon were added. Quigley, at an early date, removed 
 to number six, range eigiiteen, Amherst. He lived 
 to the great ago of ninety-four or ninty-five years. 
 Seeley located on lot twenty-one. Of his subsequent 
 history, as well as that of some others mentioned, 
 notiiing is Ivuown. Ralph Lyon and family, then 
 consisting of his wife and two children, came to 
 Black River from Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 
 the fall of 1810. He located about two miles west of 
 the river on the lake shore, on the farm now owned 
 by Alanson Gillmore, lot twenty. After a short stay 
 here, he removed to Beaver creek, jiurchasing the 
 farm now occupied by H. Kolb. This he afterwards 
 sold, and he then moved to the mouth of Black river, 
 wliere he died at tlie home of his son-in-law, Natiiau 
 Edson, in January, 1833. His wife died a few months 
 afterward. Their family consisted of six children, 
 all now dead. A son, John, wa.i born in the spring 
 of 1813, and was the first white child born in the 
 territory comprised within the present limits of Black 
 river. A daughter, Catharine, married the well- 
 known Captain William Jdiies, of Tjorain. She died 
 111 October, 1S7.5. 
 
 The next family that settled in Black River was that 
 of John S. Reid. Mr. Reid, who was a native of New 
 Jersey, was residing in the vicinity of Cleveland at the 
 time of his removal to this township. He and his 
 daughter Elizabeth came to the mouth of Black 
 river in the s))ring of 1810. His first erection stood 
 nearly opposite the present site of the large frame 
 building, at the foot of Elyria street, now owned by 
 Artemas Beebe, of Elyria, which was also built by 
 Reid. His original cabin was a double block house, 
 a stately structure for the time, and was used for 
 many years by Mr. Reid as a dwelling, tavern, post- 
 office and justice's office combined. In the spring 
 of 1811 the rest of the family arrived. This family 
 formed the center around which a little settlement 
 at the mouth of the river gathered, and which soon 
 came to be known by the name of " Black River." 
 
 Mr. Reid was a man of strong points of character, 
 and naturally exercised considerable local influence. 
 In 1819, when this township was embraced in the 
 county of Huron, he was one of the commissioners of 
 that county, and in 1834 was one of the first three 
 commissioners of Lorain county. He was also post- 
 master and justice of the peace for many years. He 
 died in December, 1831, and Mrs. Reid in March, 
 1833. A son, Conrad, is still a resident of Black 
 
 Rivei-, having resided at the month of the river for 
 sixty-seven consecutive years. Cornelius, an older 
 son, was drowned on the lake, in November, 1818. 
 Jlis father engaged a Captain Brooks, with his vessel, 
 to take a load of corn, in the ear, to Detroit, and 
 Cornelius was sent in charge of the cargo. Two 
 other men were also aboard. When off Huron, a 
 terrible gale capsized the vessel, and all on board 
 were lost. Tlie names of the other children were 
 So]iliia, Elizabeth and Ann. The first two became, 
 respectively, the wives of Daniel T. Baldwin and 
 Quartus Gillmore. Before we take leave of Mr. Reid, 
 we will relate an anecdote which we have not before 
 seen in print. 
 
 In the early settlement of the country, the "extract 
 of corn " was a universal beverage, taken, of course, 
 to "keep off fever." No well ordered public liouse, 
 especially, could get along without it, and the li(juid 
 was always within easy access of the guests, who were 
 expected to help themselves at will. On one occasion. 
 
 Dr. , of Conueaut, stopped over niglit with 
 
 Reid. The next morning, when he came to settle 
 his bill, he found among the items charged that of 
 whiskey. The doctor assured his host that he had 
 used no liquor, and demanded a consequent reduction 
 in the amount of the bill. "It don't make any dif- 
 ference." replied Reid, "whether yon used it or not, 
 the whisky was before you, and it is your own fault 
 if you didn't have it." The doctor paid the bill and 
 departed. Some months afterwards ho stopped with 
 Reid again, who, on presenting his bill, was confronted 
 with one for a like amount by the doctor, for medicine. 
 " What do you mean?" said Reid, "I have had no 
 medicine.'' "That doesn't matter," retorted the 
 doctor, " it wiis ill my medicine haij, end it was your 
 OH'H fdidl if you (Jidii't." Reid tliought the cases 
 sufficiently parallel to give the doctor a free night's 
 lodging. 
 
 William Jlartin, a native of Pennsylvania, with his 
 family of wife and six children, joined the settlement 
 in April, 1811, performing the journey with an ox 
 team and wagon. Martin exchanged his farm of 
 three hundred acres in Pennsylvania, for nearly a 
 thousand acres in Black River and Amherst, most of 
 it in the latter township. He took up his residence 
 on lot twenty-one, moving in a house erected the 
 year previous by Jonathan Seeley. For some un- 
 known cause, he never obtained a title to any of his 
 western land, except that comprised in lot twenty- 
 one, in this township. 
 
 Martin came to an untimely death, in October, 
 1830, by a singular accident. He had just come out 
 of a well, which he with others was sinking on the 
 farm of Nathan Edson, on the Oberlin road, when 
 Edson took hold of him to engage in a friendly scuf- 
 fle, the result of which was that Martin fell into the 
 well, twenty feet deej), killing him almost instantly. 
 His widow died in 1843. There were eight children 
 in this family, two l)orn subsequent to the settlement 
 in Black River. The only surviving member of the 
 
^^^?-?-^^-?e<^ 
 
 Conrad Reid was born, Sept. 30, 1802, in the 
 town of Wilkesbarre, Susquehanna Co., Pa., and was 
 the fourth child of John S. and Anna Reid. John 
 S. Reid was a native of New Jersey. His father and 
 mother spent their last days in Janesville, Ohio, some 
 of his descendants still living in that vicinity. John 
 S. and family emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio, about 
 the year 1806 or 1807, during the month of Febru- 
 ary ; was a house carpenter by trade ; removed his 
 family from Cleveland to Black River in the spring 
 of 1811, where he spent the remainder of his days; 
 died Dec. 3, 1831. His wife died March 5, 1832. 
 Our subject remained with his parents until twenty- 
 one years of age, when he was united in marriage 
 to Abigail, daughter of Wra. Murdoch, of Connecti- 
 
 cut. By this union were born twelve children, — 
 eleven sons and one daughter, — three of whom are 
 living. His first wife died April 10, 1861 ; married 
 for his second partner Catharine Horn, a native of 
 Hesse-Cassel, Germany, Dec. 25, 1862. During 
 the early part of Mr. Reid's life he followed sail- 
 ing; built many vessels which he sold, followed the 
 business some fifteen or sixteen years, and thus de- 
 rived the title of captain, by which he his familiarly 
 known. After leaving Lake Erie he engaged in 
 the hotel business at Black River, building a hotel in 
 the year 1835, of which he is still proprietor. He 
 also remained in the vessel business until a few years 
 since. He acquired a fine property, and occupies a 
 high social position in both town and county. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 209 
 
 family is Mrs. Sleator, wlio resides on tiie old home- 
 stead, nearly ciglity-one years of age. A son, liobert, 
 died by accident, on a steamboat, at Pcrrysbnrg, Ohio, 
 in 1833. 
 
 Next in order is P^dmuiid Gillmore, wlio came to 
 Black River from Chester, Hampshire connty, Mass- 
 aclnisetts, in 1811. He was accompanied by his son, 
 Aretus, and a nephew, Ashbel Gillmore, and his 
 family. He selected a location on lot twenty-two, 
 erected a house, and leaving Aretus in chai-ge, re- 
 turned to Massachusetts for the residue of his family, 
 with whom lie arrived in June of the following year. 
 
 Ashbel Gillmore not liking the level, wet lands of 
 Black River, had been convej'ed by his uncle to the 
 hills of Geauga county, where he found in the town- 
 ship of Chester, in that county, a location more to 
 his taste. 
 
 Quartus Gillmore, another son of Edmund, with a 
 cousin, (brother of Ashbel,) preceded the family, 
 making the entire journey on foot, the latter joining 
 his brother in Geauga county. 
 
 Mr. Gillmore, senior, built the first frame bai'u in 
 the connty. He was a large owner of land, having, 
 at one time, nearly a thousand acres, most of it in 
 this and Amherst townships. He had a family of 
 nine children, three of whom are yet living, — Tru- 
 man, Alanson, and Edmund, — the first two in Black 
 River, aged respectively eighty and seventy-four. 
 Edmund resides in Minnesota. 
 
 Quartus, at the age of thirty- four, married Mrs. 
 Elizabeth Smith, nee Elizabeth Reid, daughter of John 
 S. Reid. She married, at the age of sixteen, William 
 Smith, of Black River, who died four years after the 
 marriage. After six years of widowhood, Mrs. Smith 
 married Mr. Gillmore. Mr. and Mrs, Gillmore lived 
 to a hale old age, and reared a large family of chil- 
 dren, all of whom are living, and one of whom — 
 Quincy A. — rose to fame and honors in the war of 
 the rebellion. Major General Gillmore resides in New 
 York City, and has charge of the military defetices 
 between that city and Florida. The other children 
 are Elizabeth, now Mrs. William Prince, of Cleve- 
 land; Sophia, wife of Daniel S. Leslie, residing in 
 Xorthport, Michigan; Roxana, widow, in California 
 Edmund, Alice (Mrs. James Connolly), Quartus and 
 Cornelius, are all residents of Black River. Edmund, 
 many years since, met with an accident by which he 
 was made a crip[)le for life. While engaged in calk- 
 ing the scow, Couiin Mary, in ISfiO, it became 
 necessary for him, in the prosecution of his work, to 
 get under the center board, which partially settled 
 upon him. He was quickly released from his perilous 
 situation, but it was found that his lower limbs were 
 paralyzed, and he has been unable ever since to use 
 them. He is at jiresent performing the double ser- 
 . vice of township clei'k and justice of the peace. 
 1 No other additiions were made to the settlement 
 ! until after the close of the war, which almost com- 
 pletely arrested emigration. Among the later arrivals 
 was the family of Captain Augustus Jones. He was 
 
 27 
 
 originally from Middlesex county, Connecticut; was 
 liy trade a shii>wright, and became a cajjtain of a 
 vessel on the Atlantic. He came to Black River in 
 company with a brother of his wife, Enoch Murdock, 
 in the spring of 1818. He immediately commenced 
 work for Captain James Day, who was then build- 
 ing the General Huntinyion — Murdock returning 
 to Connecticut. In the fall of the same year, the 
 family of Captain Jones, wife and five children, 
 followed. They wei-e brought by Elisha Murdock, 
 another brother of Mrs. Jones, to Buffalo, where they 
 took passage for Cleveland on the boat Friendship — 
 jMurdock, with his horse and wagon, continuing the 
 land journey alone. Captain Jones met his family at 
 Cleveland, and brought them to Black River. He and 
 Murdock, who was a single man, made a joint pur- 
 chase on lot twenty-one. Captain Jones soon after 
 sold his interest to Murdock, and purchased on lot 
 one, where he made a permanent location and cleared 
 up a fai'm. He afterwards engaged almost exclusively 
 in vessel building, and the Jones family have acquired 
 ■M\ extensive reputation in this line. Perhaps no 
 other one family in the nation have built so many 
 vessels as Captain Jones and his five sons. He died 
 in 1843 — Mrs. Jones previously. Their children, of 
 whom there were seven — five sons and two daughters 
 — are all living but one. William, seventy-two years 
 of age, younger in appearance by many years, — resides 
 in Lorain, retired from active business, except to 
 look after his vessel interests, which are by no means 
 small. George VV. lives in Cleveland, and is a captain 
 on the lake. Frederick, in Buffalo, and J. M., in 
 Detroit, are both engaged in ship building. Buel B., 
 deceased, lived in Milwaukee. Maria lives in Kansas, 
 and Antoinette in Cleveland. 
 
 Captain James Day, of whom mention has been 
 made, was also a Connecticut man, and came to Black 
 River in the fall of 1817. Samuel Gilbert, E. Craw- 
 ford, Jesse Cutler, John Morrill, John Pollard and 
 Amos Perry also came about this time. The first 
 three located in the southeast part of the town, and 
 several years after removed from the State. The 
 others located on the lake shore. 
 
 Daniel T. Baldwin of Berkshire county, Massachu- 
 setts, came to Ohio at an early date. He subse((uently 
 married a daughter (Sophia) of John S. Reid, and 
 settled in Black River, west of the river, on the farm 
 known as the Brownell farm. Baldwin was a man of 
 superior ability and of some prominence. He was 
 elected to the State legislature in the fall of 18-34, 
 being chosen by a majority of thirty-four votes over 
 his democratic opponent, E. W. Hubbard of La 
 Grange. He was also associate judge for this county. 
 He died in 1847. 
 
 Thomas "H. Cobli and other unmarried men whose 
 names cannot be i-emembered, joined the settlement 
 at an early date. 
 
 Captain Judah W. Ransom came in the year 1819. 
 He was a sailor-farmer, spending his summers on the 
 lake and his winters on the farm, east of the river, 
 
210 
 
 HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 known iis tlic E. firep'g f;irni. lie ni;i(lo (>\t(>nsivo 
 iniin-civciuents on Miis iil;ice, building a l)arn whicli, 
 Mr. Ivooi says, "took iiU the men within the circuit 
 of ten miles to raise," the force even tlien being un- 
 rtble to complete the work in one day. This barn is 
 yet standing, though not on its original site. 
 
 After a residence of a few years in Wack River, 
 Ransom removed with his family to Sandusky. His 
 death occurred in 1840, wlicn he and all llie rest of 
 the crew of the "Helen Man" were drowniMl. 
 
 Two Irishmen by the name of Ray settled on Bea- 
 ver creek at an early date. 
 
 Thomas Brown, who has been a resident of fiorain 
 county nearly half a century, came to the month of 
 Black river from Detroit in 1829, an<l opcnctl a tailor 
 shop there. He married Ann Smith, danghtor of 
 William and Elizabeth Smith, (who was the daughter 
 of John S. Reid) and eontiiuu'(l his residence in Black 
 River for twenty-two years. Mr. Brown snbsec|uently 
 engaged in the business of hotel keeping, and was the 
 proprietor ef the American House in Elyria for many 
 years. He has now (1878) charge of the I'ark House 
 in Oherlin. The father of ]\Irs. Brown, (William 
 Smith), settled in Black River at an ea-i-ly date, and a 
 son, Lester Smith, now resides there. 
 
 As to later settlers, Mr. W. H. Root writes: "Up 
 to the year 1830 little or no settlement was made in 
 this township away from the lake road, and but few 
 in the southeast corner of the town. The unsettled 
 portion was a dense wilderness, covered i)rineii)ally 
 with white oak timber, when the sturdy (icrnians be- 
 gan its settlement in tiie year 1833. They did not 
 all come in one month or one year, but their numbers 
 increased rapidly, and wiierever they went they made 
 their mark, which mark is j)laiu to be seen at the 
 present time. I will name a few of these pioneers as 
 I remember them and am able to wi'ite out their 
 names: 0. L. Faber, Baiinliaets, Jacobs, Friends, 
 Barks, Haulsaure, Ilagerman, Hauns, X'etter, Har- 
 wick, and others." 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 At the organization of Dover, Cuyahoga county, in 
 1811, that township included the territory of Black 
 River east of the i-iver. In March following, that 
 part of Black River west of the river was also annexed 
 to Dover. The union thus continued until Vermil- 
 lion was organized when the latter annexation was 
 changed to that township; and in October, 1818, on 
 the organization of the township of Troy, Black Rivtr 
 east of the river, constituted a part of that township. 
 In 1817 the commissioners of Huron county, whofe 
 eastern boundary extended for a distance east of Black 
 River, ordered, "that township, number six (Am- 
 herst) and that part of number seven (Black River) 
 in the eighteenth range, which lay in the county of 
 Huron, with all the lands thereto attached in said 
 Huron county, be set olT from the township of Ver- 
 million and organized into a separate township by the 
 name of Black River. Thus Amherst, Black River 
 
 and Brownhelm wiM'e lirst organized as Black River." 
 In June, 18'^4, the corner of the town east of thr 
 river was annexed to Black River for judicial pur- 
 poses. 
 
 The first election for townshiji oflicers was held af 
 the house of John S. Reid, Ajiril 17, 1817. John 
 S. Reid was called to the chair, and Chilial Smilli 
 and Edmund Gillmoi-e ajjpointed judges of election. 
 Township officers were elected as follows: Daniel 
 Perry, clerk; Adoniram Wel)b, (^uartus Gillmore and 
 Joseph Quigley, trustees; Chilial Smith and Edmund 
 Gillmore, overseers of the poor; George Kelso and 
 Stephen Cable, fence viewers : Orrin Gillmoi-e and 
 James Webster, appraisers of pro])erty ; William Mar- 
 tin, Ralph Lyons, Chilial Smith and Reuben Webb, 
 supervisors of highways; .John S. Reid, tre.-isurei'. 
 At the election in Black River, for State and county 
 officers, October 14, 1817, there were cast, according 
 to the poll list in the handwriting of Daniel Perry, 
 clerk, seventeen votes, as follows : .lohn S. Reid, 
 Daniel T. Baldwin, Jacob Shupe, Joseph Quigley. 
 Quartus (Fillmore, A. Webb, Reuben Wel)b, S. Cable, 
 Daniel Perry. John Morrell, Chilial Smith, Fred On- 
 
 stine, Daniel , Samuel Cable, Henry Onstine, 
 
 James O'Neal, George Kelso. 
 
 The relation as formed in 1817, continued until 
 October, 1818, when Brownhelm was detached and 
 incorporated as an independent township. Russia 
 was detached in June, 1825, leaving the territory now 
 embraced in the township of Amherst and Black 
 River forming one township. These two towns con- 
 tinued as one until January 13, 1830, when by a 
 special act of the legislature, they were divided. 
 "There was an act in force that inhibited the inc(n- 
 poration of any township, by the act of the county 
 commissioners, with less than twenty-two S(|uare 
 miles, unless it included a town corporate ; and this 
 inhibition prevented the organization of Black River, 
 with its present limits, by the commissioners of the 
 county. An aitplication was therefore made to the 
 legislature fora separate organization, and on the IxMli 
 of .January, 1830, an act was passed incorporating 
 the inhabitants of fractional township number seven, 
 range eighteen, in the Connecticut Western Reserve, 
 by the name of Black River. The act directed, that 
 on the first Monday of April, then next, an election 
 for township officers should be held at the house of 
 John S. Reid, Esq., in manner and form as provided 
 by law." 
 
 The book containing the record of this election 
 was rescued by Edmund Gillmore, the present town 
 clerk and justice of the peace, from a party of boys 
 in Lorain, who were about to use it for a mark in 
 their target practice. From it we find that, in pursu- 
 ance of the act above referred to, a meeting of the 
 electors of the township of Black River was held at 
 the house of John S. Reid, on Monday, the 5th day 
 of April, 1830. Quartus Gillmore, Samuel Gilbert 
 and Barna Meeker were apjiointed judges, and Daniel 
 T. Baldwin and John Myers, clerks of the election, 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 211 
 
 whicli resulted as follows: Daniel T. Baldwin, clerk; 
 Quartus Gilniore, Samuel Gilbert and Barna Meeker, 
 trustees; John S. Keid and Eleazer Crawford, over- 
 seers of the poor; John S. Roid and Eleazer Crawford, 
 fence viewers; Morris Jackson, treasurer; John 8. 
 Rcid, Tiiomas Wymans, George Kelso and Eleazer 
 Crawford, supervisors of highways; Sidney Mitchell, 
 constable. We find no election of a justice of the 
 peace until the following year, April 4, 1831, when 
 Quartns Gillmore was elected to that office. 
 
 The following named are the present incumbents of 
 the respective township offices: Edmund Gillmore, 
 clerk; W. H. Aiken, Elias Baumhart and Frederick 
 Friend, trustees; Thomas Gawn, treasurer; P. B. 
 Delany, assessor; Chas. Friend and John Aschenbach, 
 constables; Edmund Gillmore and S. C. McMillen, 
 justices of the peace. 
 
 There were originally two post offices in the town. 
 One was located on the South ridge, now South Am- 
 herst, and called '-The Black River Post Office." The 
 other was named "The Mouth of Black River Post 
 Office," and was kept at the mouth of the river. 
 Eli]ihalet Redington was the first post master of the 
 former office, and John S. Reid of the lattei". Henry 
 Chapman is the present incumbent of the Lorain post 
 office. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The first school in Black River was opened at an 
 unascertainable date in an unoccupied log house of 
 Edmund Gillmore. The teacher was David Smith, of 
 Amherst. The first school house was erected not 
 long after, on the farm of William Martin, the first 
 school in which was taught by Lucia Smith, a sister 
 of David. According to the report of the board of 
 education for Black River for the year ending August 
 31, 1878, there are in the townsliip outside of the 
 village of Lorain, two school houses, valued, includ- 
 ing the ground, at one thousand two hundred dollars; 
 amount pn.id teachers, five hundred and seventy-four 
 dollars; pupils enrolled, sixty-eight. 
 
 The initiatory stej)s in the erection of the handsome 
 and commodious brick school building in Lorain, 
 were taken at a special election held May 30, 1874, 
 when it was voted almost unanimously to bond the 
 village to the amount of fourteen thousand dollars, to 
 bo used substantially as follows: Two thousand dol- 
 lars for the juirchase of a site, ten thousand dollars 
 for the building, and two thousand dollar's for main- 
 taining the schools the first year. The building was 
 erected in 1874-5. The first principal of the schools 
 in the new building was Miss Hattie Ayers. J. R. 
 Rogers is at present occupying that position. There 
 is also a frame school building, recently repaired. 
 
 From the report above referred to we learn the fol- 
 lowing facts as to this, the "Lorain Union School 
 District:" Number of school houses, two, which, 
 with the grounds, are valued at thirteen thousand 
 dollars; number of teachers employed, six; number of 
 pupils, two hundred and sixty-five; amount paid 
 
 teachers, two thousand one hundred and eighty-seven 
 dollars. The following named are the present mem- 
 bers of the school board: E. C. Kinney, T. W. 
 Fancher, S. A. Andrus, John Stang, H. Hageman, 
 C. S. Vorwerk. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 METUODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 We experienced much difficulty in o';taining exact 
 information concerning the history of this church, 
 and regret that we cannot give it more complete. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal Church of Lorain was 
 organized in the spring of 1850, by the Revs. Hard 
 and Griffin, and was the result of the remarkable 
 revival meetings conducted by them the preceding 
 winter. There were ninety-nine persons who united 
 at the time of organization. In 1864, during the 
 pastorate of Rev. G. A. Hughes, there were forty 
 additions made to the membership. The present 
 membership is something over one hundred. The 
 jiresent pastor is Rev. Uri Richards, resident at Berea. 
 G. I. Baldwin is superintendent of the Sabbath school, 
 which is large and prosperous. 
 
 The church Iniilding was erected in 1873, costing 
 (hree thousand dollars. A parsonage is at the present 
 writing in course of erection, to cost when finislied 
 aljout one thousand dollars. 
 
 EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 
 
 There was an organization of this denomination 
 many years ago, in the northwest part of the town- 
 ship. The society built a meeting house on the farm 
 of George Drudy. The church Avas subsequently 
 disbanded and the meeting house sold, most of the 
 members uniting with a similar society at North 
 Amherst. 'J'he rest of the members continued their 
 meetings, usually holding them at the log house of 
 widow Brown, in Lorain, and in a few years organized 
 the i-resent church, and erected a building which 
 cost six or seven hundred dollars. The members 
 were Jacob Vedder and wife, Mrs. Mary Brown, son 
 and daughter (John ami Elizal)eth), and a few others 
 whoso names cannot now be recalled. The church 
 now numbers about forty members. Rev. Jacob 
 llunniker is pastor, and Henry Wicgand and .lohn 
 Horn, class leaders. The Sabbath school numbers 
 about one hundred pupils, with H. Wiegand, super- 
 intendent. 
 
 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 
 
 For the facts in the following statement, we are 
 indebted to Rev. J. B. Stocking, a former pastor of 
 the church : 
 
 The Congregational church of Lorain, was organ- 
 ized July 23, 1872, by a council called for the 
 purpose, with Rev. Samuel Wolcott, D. D., as mod- 
 erator. The following churches were represented in 
 the council : Oberlin First, Oberlin Second, Amherst, 
 and Ridgevillc. For some time previous to the call- 
 ing of the council, there had been a growing feeling 
 
212 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 in regard to tlic organization of a new cluirch in tlie 
 jilace, the Metliodist being tlie only cliurcli in the 
 village, with tlie exception of a small German church. 
 There were a mimlier of Presbyterians and Congrega- 
 tionalists living in Lorain, and after a careful consider- 
 ation of the proposed movement, tlie organization was 
 decided nixm and effected, as stated, largely through 
 the efforts of Mr. Fitzgerald. The church was com- 
 ])osed of nine members, of whom Deacon Roland 
 Osgood was the only male member. The others 
 were Laura Osgood, Cassie Osgood, Ruba Prince, 
 Elizabeth Peachy, Ann Gillmore, Mary J. Gillmore, 
 Elizabeth Brown, and Margaret Cunningham. A 
 confession of faith, which is still used by the church, 
 and a covenant, which has since been revised, were 
 drawn up by Dr. Woloott. To these, assent was 
 given, and the little band was recognized as a church. 
 
 They found a place of worship in a little old building, 
 one of the tirst frame houses built in the place, which 
 bad once been used as a boarding house, — subsequently 
 and for many years as a house of worship, success- 
 ively by the Bajitists, Presbyterians and Methodists, 
 and still later as a town hall. It stood originally in 
 the hollow, near the foundry, but was aft,rwards 
 removed twice, in order to better accommodate the 
 societies that worshiped in it. In IM'i it was moved 
 from its original location to the lot now occupied 
 by the i\Iethodist church, and subsequently to 
 the lot on which the Congregational church now 
 stands, where it is still standing, and affords a strik- 
 ing contrast to the imposing edifice that has sup- 
 planted it. 
 
 For some time, all the oflficers of the church, except 
 that of deacon, were filled by individuals who were 
 not members of the church, and to whom great credit 
 is given for their eflicient help, when it was so greatly 
 needed. 
 
 The first pastor was Rev. A. T. Reed, miw the 
 successful pastor of the largest and perhaps the most 
 prosperous church in Medina county. He was a very 
 faithful and efficient pastor. During his connection 
 with the church, there was not a house, hotel, saloon 
 or any building in which people lived or congregated, 
 into which he did not go and present the cause 
 wliicii he re[)resented, and almost every communion 
 service witnessed accessions to the church. 
 
 In the winter of lSTt-7"^, there was an extensive 
 revival, and the March following, thirty-three addi- 
 tions were made to the church, nearly all of them on 
 profession of faith. Mr. Reed's labors closed that, 
 spring, and for some time the pulpit was sujiplied by 
 different individuals. 
 
 In the fall of 1873, Rev. B. N. Chamberlain was 
 called as jiastor, and was ordained and installed 
 Novemlier Gtli. He remained only until the follow- 
 ing May, the failure of his health compelling him to 
 relinquish his work. He was a man of deep, earnest 
 piety, and had the prosperity of the church at heart. 
 Soon after his resignation. Rev. Mr. Upton was called 
 to supply the pulpit, and except a short period, 
 
 preached until the spring of 1875. During his labors 
 the church was built up, not so much numerically as 
 spiritually. In the midst of his labois, the following 
 winter, he was called away by the sickness of his 
 father, whose death, a short time after, made it neces- 
 sary that he sever his connection with the church, 
 which he did the next spring. He was followed by 
 Rev. J. B. Stocking,* who officiated as pastor for 
 two years and a half. His jiastorate was. marked by 
 a rapid growth of the church, its membership being 
 nearly doubled. His labors were unremitting for the 
 temporal and spiritual welfare of his people. The 
 unfitness of the old building used by the society as a 
 house of worship, and the growth of the congregation, 
 rendered necessary the erection of a new building, 
 and in the summer of 1876, on a pledge of four hun- 
 dred dollars, the same was begun, but for want of 
 funds, was not completed sufficiently to be dedicated 
 until November 13, 1878. Rev. Dr. Woleott, of 
 Cleveland, preached the dedication sermon. The 
 cost of the building was about seven thousand dollars, 
 three thousand, six hundred doll.irs of which was 
 secured on the day of dedication. The building is a 
 handsome one, and reflects great credit upon those to 
 whose energy, perseverance and liberality its erection 
 is attributable. 
 
 Mr. Stocking remained pastor until the fall of 1877, 
 when he resigned, and was immediately succeeded by 
 Rev. Frank McConaughy, of t)berl)n, who was or- 
 dained pastor, and has continued until the present. 
 His pastorate has been a very efficient one. The suc- 
 cess which has attended the building of the present 
 house of worship, is largely due to his untiring inter- 
 est and labor. The present membership is about one 
 hundred. The officers are: Roland Osgood and 
 Beaver Brown, deacons; Edward C. Kinney, Sher- 
 man A. Andrus, and Beaver Brown, trustees; Row- 
 land Rowley, clerk; Beaver Brown, treasurer. The 
 Sabbath school numbers about one hundred and 
 twenty-five. Sherman A. Andrus is superintendent. 
 
 DISCIPLE CHURCH. 
 
 This church was organized December 17, 1870, with 
 the following membership: Alanson Gillmore and 
 wife, W. A. Wire, wife and daughter Emily, V. H. 
 Osgood and wife, F. F. Field and wife, D. S. Craw- 
 ford and wife, Mrs. S. D. Porter, Mrs. Emma E. 
 James, Mrs. M. E. Bowles, Mrs. C. B. Doty, Mrs. 
 Jane Swartwood, Mrs. Ireaa Ma|)es, Airs. Sophia 
 Field. The meetings were held in the second story 
 of the Edison store building until the fall of .1877, 
 when a house of worship was built, at a cost of about 
 one thousand dollars, and which was dedicated by 
 Brother (iarvin, of Columbus. The present member- 
 ship numbers about sixty, with W. A. Wirj, elder, 
 and F. F. Field and V. H. Osgood, deacons. There 
 is a flourishing Sabbath school, of which D. S. Craw- 
 ford is superintendent. 
 
 ♦ Rev's Messrs. Reed, Upton, and Stocking, while pastors, were not 
 ordained. 
 
HISTORY OF LOEAIN COUNTY. OHIO. 
 
 213 
 
 THE VILLAfiE. 
 
 Although the village of Lorain is of conipiii-iitivcly 
 recunt growth, its antecedent history dati^s back to an 
 early jjcriod. Abont the year 1830, the mouth of 
 Black river began to assume importance as a point 
 for the shipment of grain to the east by the lake. 
 This was before the era of railroads and canals in 
 Ohio, and the harbor of Black river became the outlet 
 for the cereals of a large section of country, the grain 
 being hauled in wagons from as far away as Medina 
 county. This of itself ])roduced no little activity, and 
 the little settlement known as Black River soon began 
 to assume the semblance of a village, and, although 
 "Charleston," under which name the village was sub- 
 sei(nently incorporated, is now chiefly remembered as 
 only a happy illustration of the glorious uncertainty 
 of land speculation, an account of its ''rise and fall" 
 may properly have a place in the history of this town- 
 sh i p. 
 
 The Ohio Railroad was surveyed in the year 1832, 
 the first attempt at railroad building ever made in the 
 State, and the route as surveyed led through the vil- 
 lage. The following year work was begun on the 
 Ohio canal, whose terminus, it was confidently ex- 
 pected, would be at this point. The expected early 
 completion of these two great commercial enterprises 
 gave a great impetus to the activity of the place, and 
 especially as to the [irice of real estate. A part of the 
 John S. Reid farm, at the mouth of the river, was 
 surveyed and laid olf into lots in 183-t, by Edward 
 Dnrand, and soon afterwards land for a considerable 
 distance around the Center was held as high as a thou- 
 sand dollars an acre, while village lots were almost 
 beyond reach. For some inscrutable reason the canal 
 went to Cleveland, and, while this was felt as a loss, 
 it was not of sufficient im[)ortance to chill the ardor 
 of the people of Black River as to the future great- 
 ness of their village. With land adjacent to town at 
 a thousand dollars per acre and village lots beyond 
 the possession of all of ordinary resources, its destiny 
 was fixed, and the failure to secure a canal was a mat- 
 ter of minor importance; besides, the railroad was 
 sure, work upon which was afterwards, in 1837, actu- 
 ally begun. 
 
 The mania for land speculation which had seized 
 the citizens of Black Rive" is thus described by a 
 writer* then on the spot: 
 
 "In eai'Iy spring, 18.36, State Engineer Dodge, with his corps of assis- 
 tants, came in from Coshocton, via. Wooster, surveying what was 
 termed the Kilbuck and Black River Canal. As the engineers came 
 down real estate went up. About this time Dr. Samuel Strong put in an 
 appearance. His first purchase of real estate was some five acres of 
 land taken from the farm of Conrad Reid. adjoining the village plat of 
 Black River. This was mapped out on paper, with streets, lanes, etc., 
 and sales commenced. Every pei-son in Black River that could write, 
 and had any leisure time, was set tc- writing out articles of agreement 
 for the doctor and his purchasers. The five acres were soon exhausted 
 and the doctor bought six acres from the same farm, adjoining the five 
 acres. All the Black River clerical force was again employed writing 
 land contracts. About this time the great patroon, H. C. Stevens, put 
 in his appearance and gobbled up all that was left, that was for sale. 
 He purchased the residue of the C'onriid Reid farm, entering into con- 
 
 *N. B. Gates in Elyria Repvblican. 
 
 tract to pay for the same seventy -five thousand dollars. He also pur- 
 chased of Quartus Gillmore a one-third interest in the original plat of 
 Black River for a liberal sum. We all dabbled in city lots more or less, 
 and nearly every body in Black River, and a good many in Elyria got 
 rich— on paper— in a very short time" H. C. Stevens claiiiieti to be worth 
 half a million— in fact we were all rich." 
 
 In 1835 the following were the i>rinoipal business 
 men of Black River: William .Jones, merchant; Cafes 
 & Green, general merchandise; Delos Phelon and 0. 
 Root, forwarding and commission merchants; Daniel 
 T, Baldwin, farmer; Barna Meeker, proprietor of the 
 old Reid House; A. T, Jones, blacksmith; E. Miller, 
 shoemaker; Thomas Brown, tailor; W. E, Fitch, 
 stave dealer; Quartus CiUmore, farmer and justice of 
 the peace; Conrad Reid, postmaster. 
 
 In 183G the village was honored by the legislature 
 with a corporation charter by the name of Charleston, 
 and in the spring of 1837 the first and only charter 
 election under that name was held. We are unable 
 to give the names of the officers cho.sen, who, for 
 some unknown reason, never entered upon their offi- 
 cial duties. 
 
 The Ohio railroad scheme resulted in an ignomin- 
 ious failure. The funds of the company, never bur- 
 densome, gave out,, an appeal to the legislature for aid 
 was denied, and the city of Charleston had to keep 
 along with its old wagon trade, the importance of 
 which had almost been lost sight of in the excite- 
 ment over the projected great enterprise of j)i'evious 
 mention. 
 
 Its monopoly of the grain business for this section 
 of the State continued, and Charleston kept on grow- 
 ing until it i-cached a population of several hundred, 
 with stores, grain warehouses, hotels, etc, and prop- 
 erty was still held at a high figure. In 18.51 its grain 
 trade was seriously curtailed by the building of the 
 Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati railroad. Then 
 for the first time the village realized what it had lost 
 in the failure of the Ohio railroad scheme. In 18.53 
 the Cleveland and Toledo road was begun. Unable 
 to offer pecuniary inducements for a lake shore route, 
 Charleston saw in her a.dversity, only eight miles dis- 
 tant, Elyria with a railroad assured, wealth and many 
 natural advantages, starting oft' in a- manner indicative 
 of a prosperous future. Its fall is thus referred to 
 by Major Hammond, in the Black River Cummvcial: 
 
 " It died without a struggle. Its hotels were practically closed; its 
 merchants departed; its warehouses were almost given away to farm- 
 ers for barns and fences, and even its corp irate oi-ganizati.in was aban- 
 doned ; its name blotted out by common c jnseiit, and its memory placed 
 in the catagory of western paper-city failures." 
 
 Some of the owners of ])ro])erty were unwilling to 
 thus ingloriously and ruinously end the struggle, be- 
 gun under circumstances so favorable, and strenuous 
 efforts were made to revive the place; notably by II. 
 R. Penfield, who, at almost his own expense, had a 
 survey made from Rocky river to Vermillion, through 
 Black River (as the place again came to be called) for 
 the proposed Cleveland, Port Clinton and Toledo 
 railroad, but capitalists could not be induced to foster 
 the scheme. S. 0. Edison, also a large owner of land, 
 established a charcoal furnace and built a saw mill on 
 
214 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 the river nearly a mile from its mouth. The furnace 
 was afterwiirils burnt down. It was not, however, 
 until the commencement of the Lake Shore and Tus- 
 carawas Valley railroad tliat the place began to show 
 signs of returning life. When the point was reached 
 that the early completion of the road was no longer a 
 matter of speculation, a remarkable revival of activity 
 immediately began, and since that time thegrowtli of 
 the place has been steady and constant, until it now 
 has, according to a recent school census, a population 
 numbering fifteen hundred and forty-five. 
 
 At the regular meeting of the county commission- 
 ers, in the latter ]iart or January, 1874, that body 
 unanimously granted to Black River a ciiartcr of 
 incorporation, under the name of Charleston, but the 
 autiiorities at Wasiiington refused to give tiie town a 
 post-office with that name, as there was one or more 
 of a similar name in the State; and on request of the 
 citizens, "Lorain "was substituted. The first elec- 
 tion of the re-incorporated village was held the 0th of 
 April, ISH, when tlio following named persons were 
 chosen for the respective offices, viz: Conrad Reid, 
 mayor; E. Gregg, treasurer; II. A. Fisher, clerk; E. 
 C. Kinney, civil engineer; Quartus Gillmore, mar- 
 shal; R. J. Cowley, street commissioner; E. Gillmore, 
 Thomas Gawn, E. T. Peck, John Stang, James Por- 
 ter and F. \V. Edison, councilmen; R. 0. Rockwood, 
 M. D., A. Beatty, M. D., James Connelly, E. Swart- 
 wood, \Vm. Cunningham and Beaver Brown, board 
 of health. The village officers, elected in the spring 
 of 1878, are as follows: T. W. Fancher, mayoi ; Otto 
 Braun, clerk; John Staug, W. A. Jones, F. Hogan, 
 Chas. B. Chapman. Adolph Braiui and C. S. Vorwerk, 
 councilmen; Alanson Bridge, marshal; and Beaver 
 Brown, street commissioner. 
 
 Bi'si><F.ss Houses OP Lorain.— M. Z. Lanipman, hotel and custom office; 
 Reid Hou^e, Conrad Reid, proprietor; Lorain House, , proprie- 
 tor; Boarding House, o£ S. Pahler; S. A. Andrus, drugs, books and 
 stationery; Gardner & Davis, drugs and stationery; Wiegand Bros., 
 boots and shoes; C. Shoemaker & Co., boots and shoes; A. H. Babcock, 
 groceries; F.J.King, groceries; C. S. Vo:\verk, groceries; M. J. Far- 
 well, groceries; Lester Smith, grocei-ies; Peter McBride. groceries; 
 Wm. M Cunningham, merchant tailoring and gents' furnishing goods; 
 Union Clothing Store, Thomas Bowen, proprietor; William Tulp, 
 furniture; William A. Jones, general merchandi.se; J. B. Linderman. 
 dry goods: Root Bros , feed store; Ida A. Rolliu. millinery; Mrs. E. Car- 
 ney, millinery; Marcella (J'Conner, fancy goods; fdison & Fancher, 
 hardware; Davidovitch & Capp. meat market; Henry Short, meat mar- 
 ket; John Purcupile, blacksmith; J. H. Pierce, wagon shop: H. Chai>- 
 man, wagon shop; Harry Jones, bakery; two barber shops; G. Hogan, 
 real estat«; L D. Lawler, ■' Loraui Monitor; Physicians, Dre. Harris, 
 Bowman, Smith and Reamer. 
 
 STOVE JI AN UFA (.'TORY. 
 
 This enterprise was iii:uigiirated in the summer of 
 1875. A stock conii)aMy was formed by some of the 
 leading citizens of Loi';tin and two manufacturers of 
 stoves in Troy, New York. The association w;is 
 called the "Lorain Stove Company." June 3d, of 
 that year, a bo;ird of directors was chosen, composed 
 of the following stockholders: J, C, Ileuderson and 
 Jacob Shaver of Troy, New York, S. 0. Edison, 
 Francis Warriner and G, Hogan, of Lorain, Officers 
 were chosen by the board of directors as follows: J. 
 C. Henderson, president; S. 0. Edison, vice presi- 
 
 dent; G. Hogan, secretary; T, S, Nelson, treasurer. 
 Buildings were erected, which, with the ground and 
 machinery, cost some fifteen thousand dollars. The 
 enterprise did not prove a success, for the reason, 
 chiefly, th,at the Troy parties, to whom, on account 
 of their experience in the business, the management 
 of the enterprise was resigned by the company, con- 
 ducted the business for the especial benefit of their 
 New York factory, A change of officers was made, 
 the New York parties being ousted; but the enter- 
 prise had begun badly, and could not recover the 
 ground thus lost. An assignment was subsequently 
 made, and the property sold. The f.ietory is now 
 owned by j)rivate ptirties, and is being operated under 
 a long term lease by the Co-operative Stove Company 
 of Cleveland. This is an important enterprise for 
 Lorain. The company employ at present forty-five 
 men, the money paid to whom is largely disbursed in 
 the village. C. H. Baldwin is resident manager. 
 
 PLANING MILLS. 
 
 The planing mill of Brown Bros. & Co. was built 
 in 1873, It is a large two-story building, and is re 
 ]ilete with the necessary machinery, propelled by a 
 fifty-horse power engine, for the manufacture of sash, 
 doors, blinds, molding, and for scroll sawing. The 
 firm have, in connection with the mill, an extensive 
 lumber yard, and also do a large business as con- 
 tractors anil builders. 
 
 The planing mill of E. Slaight & Sons was 
 also established in 1873, The building is a one story 
 with iron roof. The machinery is run by a fifty-horse 
 l)owcr engine. Doors, sash, blinds, etc., are manu- 
 factured. In 187f), a grist mill with two run of stone 
 was added. 
 
 Orrin Dole is erecting an ice hou.se, near the site of 
 the old blast furnace, one hundred by fifty feet in size. 
 
 THE HARBOR. 
 
 The natural :iil\:intages of the harbor of Black 
 river are not excelled, if indeed, they are equaled, by 
 those of any other on the shore of Lake Erie. For 
 three or four miles up the riv(>r the stream is over 
 two hundred feet wide, witii an average depth of 
 about fifteen feet, and is therefore ntivigable for the 
 largest craft that sails on tiie lake. 
 
 The following figures taken from the books of the 
 Deputy Collector of the port, M. Z. Lam[)mon, who 
 h;is served in that capacity since 18.5(i, shows a re- 
 in:irkable increase in the business of the port since 
 the completion of the Lake Shore and Tusctirawas 
 Valley railroad, in 1873. 
 
 For the mouths of July, August and September, 
 1873, the total receipts were thirty-four dollars and 
 forty cents. For the same period in 1878, they were 
 four hundred and forty-seven dollars and five cents. 
 
 SHIP BinLDING, 
 
 This has always been an importtint industry of this 
 port. It commenced with the building of the sloop 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 215 
 
 "rienoriil Iluntiiigton," in tlie ye;ir 1S19, and contin- 
 ued with great activity until 1873. In common with 
 other hranclies of Industry this interest has been 
 greatly depressed by the liard times inaugurated by 
 the panic of that year, and it will be seen in the 
 api)ended list of vessels built here that but relatively 
 few have been built since that date. 
 
 The building of the steanaboats Bunker Hill, and 
 Onnslellalioii, in IS.'JO-'S? gave birth to an associa- 
 tion of tlie business men of Black River, the following 
 winter, called the •'Black River Steamboat Associa- 
 tion." Those boats were called Black River boats, 
 although the controlling interest in them was owned 
 by parties in Buffalo and Cleveland, and the business 
 men of Black River, believing that their interests 
 would be better promoted by the building of a vessel 
 which should be owned aud controlled exclusively by 
 Iheniselves, organized the above association for the 
 jnirjuise indicated. The steamboat Lexington, was 
 built l>y this company. 
 
 The ofticers of this association were as follows: 
 Daniel T. Baldwin, president; Barna Meeker, vice 
 president; N. B. Gates secretary and treasurer. 
 
 The following is a complete list of the vessels built 
 at the port of Black River, with the year in which 
 they were built and the name of the builder. 
 
 BmLDER, 
 
 ...F. Church. 
 ...F. Church. 
 ...F. Church. 
 ...William Wilson. 
 
 General Huntington 1819 , 
 
 Schooner Ann — 1821. 
 
 Young Amaranth 1825 . 
 
 Necleus ISST. 
 
 Sloop William Tell 1828 Captain A. Jones. 
 
 Schooner President No. 1 1S29 Captain A. Jones. 
 
 Steamer General Gratiot. 1831 Captain A. Jones. 
 
 Schooner White Pigeon 1832 W. & B. B. Jones. 
 
 Schooner Globe 1832 Captain A. Jones. 
 
 Brig John Henzie 183:3 W. & B. B. Jones. 
 
 Schooner Nancy Dousman 18.3:J Captain A. Jones. 
 
 Brig ludiana 1834 W. Joues. A. Gillmore. 
 
 Schooner Floriila 1S31 William & B. B. Jones. 
 
 Schooner Juliette 1834 William & B. B. Jones. 
 
 Sloop Lorain 18.34 Ed. Gillmore, Jr. 
 
 Schooner St. Joseph IS'tt F. N. Noyes. 
 
 Schooner Texas 183() J. Hamblin. 
 
 Schooner Erie 1830 F. N. Jones. 
 
 Brig Ramsey Crooks lS3i G. W. Jones. 
 
 Brig North' Carolina 1S34 J. Hamblin. 
 
 Steamer Bunker Hill 1837 P. N Jones. 
 
 Steamer Constellation 1837 A. Gillmore. 
 
 Steamer Lexington 18-38 F. N. Jones. 
 
 Sloop Rodolph 1837 Captain A. Joues. 
 
 Schooner Algonquin 1839 G. W.Jones. 
 
 Schooner Tom Corwin ...1840 G. W. Jones. 
 
 Schooner Marion 1841 Captai.n Thomas Cobb. 
 
 Schooner President No. 2 1841 F. N. Jones. 
 
 Schooner George Watson 1841 G.W.Jones. 
 
 Brig Rosa 1841 F. N. Jones. 
 
 Brig Hoosier 1842 F.N.Jones. 
 
 Brig Alert 1842 F.N.Jones. 
 
 Schooner Equator 1842 F. N. Jones. 
 
 Schooner Acorn 1842 Captain Thomas Cobb. 
 
 Schooner Trenton 184:j W. S. Lyons. 
 
 Schooner Endora 1843 T.Cobb. 
 
 Srhooner Andover 1844 William Jones. 
 
 S. -liooner Farmer (rebuilt) 1844 D. Rogers. 
 
 Schooner Magnolia 1&45 W. S. Lynns. 
 
 Scho<)ner John Erwin 1845 Cobb & Burnell . 
 
 Schooner Tuomas G. Colt 1816 William Jones. 
 
 Schooner W. A. .\dair 1845 T. H. Cobb, 
 
 Steamer H. Hudson 1846 Jones & Co. 
 
 Brig Emerald 1844 Joseph Keating. 
 
 Brig Concord.. 1846 W. S.Lyons. 
 
 Schooner Palestine 1847 J. Keating.- 
 
 Schooner T. L. Hamer 1847 W. S. Lyons. 
 
 S 'Ii I >rv'r Ram'iler T^ir B "ni'l'nin Flin*:. 
 
 Schonner Sauuel Stron;,; 1847 Captain T- Cobb. 
 
 Propeller Delaware 1847 Cobb, Burnell & Co. 
 
 Propeller Ohio ISIS S. P. Burnell. 
 
 Schooner Vincennes 1846 W. S. Lyons. 
 
 Brig E\ireka 1847 S. D. Burnell. 
 
 Schooner -Vsia 1848 Cvptlin T. Cobb. 
 
 Brig A. R.Cobb 1814 Captain r. Cobb. 
 
 Brig Mahoning 1818 William Jones- 
 Schooner Florence 1848 W. S. Lyons. 
 
 Propeller Henry Clay (rebuilt) 18.51 William .Tones. 
 
 Schooner T. P- Handy 1849 William Jones. 
 
 Schooner Meridian IS IS William Jones. 
 
 Schooner Abigail 1840 Lyons & Fox. 
 
 Bark Buckeye State 18.52 Mr. Hubbard. 
 
 Schooner J. Reid 18.52 W. S. Lyons. 
 
 Schooner Winfield Scott 1H52 Williaiu .lones. 
 
 Schooner Main 18.52 W, S- Lyons. 
 
 Schooner Hamlet 1.S.52 William Jones. 
 
 Schooner H. C. Win-;low 18,53 William Jones. 
 
 Schooner W. F. .Vllen 1853 Joues & Co. 
 
 Schooner City 18,53 D. Rogers. 
 
 Schooner Cascade 18.5:1 William Jones. 
 
 Schooner H. E. Mussey 1853 Benjamin Flint. 
 
 Schooner Wings of the Morning.. 18.54 Jones & Co. 
 
 Schooner Peoria 1854 A- Gillmore. 
 
 Propeller Dick Pinto 1854 G. W, Jonos. 
 
 Schooner G. L, Newman 18,55 B, Flint. 
 
 Schooner Dnike 18,55 Joues & Co. 
 
 Bark Lemuel Crawford 18,55 Jones. 
 
 Schooner Kyle Spangler 18,56 William Jones. 
 
 Schooner Leader 18.56 Lyons & Gillmore. 
 
 Schooner W. H. Willard 1858 Charles Hinraan. 
 
 Schooner John Webber 1856 Charles Hinman. 
 
 Schooner Grace Murray 18.5*» William Jones. 
 
 Schooner Resolute 1856 
 
 Schooner L. .1. Farwell 1856 William Jones. 
 
 Bark David Morris 1857 William Jones. 
 
 Schooner Return 1855 D. Fox. 
 
 Schooner Herald 1857 Wilham Jones. 
 
 Schooner Freeman 1855 William Jones. 
 
 Schooner Ogden 18,57 William Jones. 
 
 Bark Levi Rawson 1861 Wilham Jones. 
 
 Bark William Jones 1862. Jones & Co. 
 
 Schooner Alice Curtis 18.58 Edwards. 
 
 Propeller Queen of the Lakes 18.55 William Jones. 
 
 Brig .\udubon 1854 William Jones. 
 
 Schooner John Fretter 185:J,._ Charles Hinman. 
 
 Schooner E. F. Allen 1863 A. GUlmore. 
 
 Bark Franz Siegel 1862 G. W. Jones. 
 
 Bark Orphan Boy 1862 William Jones. 
 
 Conr.ad Keid 1862 H. D, Root. 
 
 H. D. Root 1863 H. D. Root. 
 
 Minerva 1863 William Jones. 
 
 William H. Chapman... 1865 H. D. Root. 
 
 Schooner Fostoria 1865 W. S. Lyons. 
 
 Pride 1866 H. D. Root. 
 
 W. S. Lyons 1866 W. S. Lyons. 
 
 Bark Summer Cloud 1864 Lester Smith. 
 
 Schooner LiUie Fox 1866 D. Fox. 
 
 Kate Lj-ons 1866 Wilham Jones. 
 
 Bark P. S. Marsh 1867 G. W. Jones. 
 
 Schooner H. C. Post (rebuilt) 1866 Thomas Wilson. 
 
 Gen. Q. A. Gillmore 1867 Thomas Wilson. 
 
 H. G. Cleveland 1-867 William Jones. 
 
 Clough 1867 D. Fox. 
 
 Vernie Blake 1867 H. D. Root. 
 
 Thomas Wilson 1868 Thos. Wilson. 
 
 Brig E. Cohen 1867 H. D. Root. 
 
 Thomas Gawn 1872 John Squires. 
 
 Barge Sarah E. Sheldon 1872 Quelos & Feck. 
 
 MaryGroh 1873 H. D. Root. 
 
 Steamer Charles Hickox 1873 H. D. Root. 
 
 Steam Barge Egyptian 1873 Quelos & Peck. 
 
 Steamer C, Hickox 1873 H. D. Root. 
 
 Schooner Our Son 1875 H. Kelley. 
 
 .Schooner Sumatra 1873 Quelos & Peck. 
 
 Schooner Three Brothers 1873 H. D. Root. 
 
 Schooner Theodore Voges 1876 H. D. Root. 
 
 Tug Myrtle 1876 
 
 Scows. 
 
 NAME. TEAR. 
 
 Amherst 1847.. 
 
 Diana 1848.. 
 
 Sea Witch 1850 . 
 
 BUILDER. 
 
 D. Dayton. 
 
 D. Dayton. 
 
 S. F. Drake. 
 
216 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 NAME. 
 
 YEAR. 
 
 DVII.DER. 
 
 Elinii-a 
 
 185' 
 
 . T. More. 
 
 Kocky Mu(intaiU8. . 
 
 1852 
 
 . .Wm. Jones. 
 
 John P. Hale 
 
 1852 
 
 ..H. Sheldon. 
 
 C'cinsiu Mary 
 
 la'w 
 
 ..H. D. RootA Bio. 
 
 Fm-est Maitl 
 
 18fi3 
 
 ..Sheldon. 
 
 Rush ... 
 
 m>'i 
 
 .L. Smith. 
 
 Home 
 
 lavf 
 
 .L. Smith. 
 
 flladiator 
 
 1854 
 
 .H. Adams. 
 
 E. Mastor 
 
 18.54 
 
 .S. W. Buck. 
 
 Blac-k Swan 
 
 ... 1854 
 
 .S. W. Buck. 
 
 A. Fredericks 
 
 1854 
 
 .Edwards. 
 
 Blaek Rover 
 
 1855 
 
 
 Planet 
 
 1855 
 
 . L. Smith. 
 
 Rnena 
 
 1856... 
 
 H. S. Smith. 
 
 Belle 
 
 1856 
 
 .C. Johnson. 
 
 Free Mason 
 
 issr 
 
 .D. Fields. 
 
 Ninirod 
 
 18.57 
 
 .William Curtis. 
 
 Juno 
 
 18.5.3 
 
 .L. W. Buck. 
 
 E. S. Taylor 
 
 18.57 
 
 .H. D. Root. 
 
 E. K Kane ' 
 
 IKBl 
 
 .H. t). Root. 
 
 Supplj' 
 
 1861 
 
 .S. Fields. 
 
 John F. Prince 
 
 1864 
 
 .A. GUlmore. I 
 
 Almira 
 
 1849 
 
 .William Curtiss. 
 
 Nellie 
 
 1866 
 
 
 Aunt Ruth 
 
 1803 
 
 .A. Gillmore. 
 
 
 
 .S. Fields. 
 
 Elyria 
 
 1867 
 
 .D. Fox. 
 
 F. L, Jones 
 
 ; 1867 
 
 .H. D, Root. 
 
 Penguin 
 
 1868 
 
 Lester Smith. 
 
 J. W Porter........ 
 
 1868 
 
 .W. S. Lyons. 
 
 Ada J. Root 
 
 1868 
 
 H. D. Root. 
 
 Frank T. Church .. 
 
 1808 
 
 .A. Bullock 
 
 Growler 
 
 1868... . 
 
 .S. Root. 
 
 German 
 
 1868 
 
 .H. D. Root. 
 
 Ferret (rebuilt) 
 
 1868 
 
 
 M Tuttle 
 
 1870 
 
 A. Pelo. 
 
 
 AciRICDLTURAL STATISTICS. 
 
 Oats, 50.5 " . 
 
 
 .. ... .. .' 17 310 
 
 Com, 468 " . 
 
 
 35.410 
 
 Patatoes .58 
 
 
 4 370 " 
 
 Orehanis, 142 " 
 
 
 . ... ..... .. 2,248 
 
 
 
 
 Butter 
 
 
 
 
 Vote for President in 1876. 
 
 Hayes 
 
 a^ 1 Tilden. 
 
 105 
 
 
 Biographical Sketches. 
 
 EBENEZER GREGG 
 
 was the youngest son of Kljeiie/.er and Betsey Gregg, 
 of Dorchester, New llainiisliire, and wiis born April 
 5, l.so;5. He was of Scotch jiarentage, liis ancestors 
 liaving l)ehiiigeil to the noted Prcsljyterian colony 
 wlu) settled Lonchniderry, New Ilampsliire. His 
 grandfather liore a distinguisiied |iart in the revolu- 
 tionary war. Jle was colonel under General Stark, 
 at the nieinorahle battle of Bennington, and was jires- 
 ent when the general, in rallying his troops, addressed 
 to him the words so aplly given by the poet: 
 
 " We'll beat the British ere set of sun. 
 Or Molly Stark is a widow— it was done." 
 
 Mr. Gregg has inhciited in a marked degree tlie 
 peculiarities of his Scotch ancestors, having a vigorous 
 constitution, great physical endnrance, perseverance 
 and energy of cliai-acter. He was married September 
 
 24, ls30, to Mary W. Daufortli, of Derry, New 
 Hampshire. They emigrated to Ohio in 1835, in com- 
 pany with his brother, the late Colonel William Gregg, 
 and settled on a farm two miles north of the village 
 of Elyria. In 1842, he purchased a farm in the then 
 townshiji of Shellii'ld, and resided there for several 
 years; but for the juirjiose of educating his children, 
 he removed to Elyria in 1857. Here he and his wife 
 united with the Methodist church, and here, in Au- 
 gust 11, 1871, after a residence of fourteen years, his 
 wife closed her earthly labors. 
 
 They had eight children, three of whom died in 
 infancy. His second son, Arthur Livermoi-e, died in 
 )ShefBeld, February 28, 1873, aged thirty-one years. 
 There are now living, two sons and two daughters, 
 all of wiiom are married. His three sons, Simeon, 
 Arthur, and Luther, served as brave and faithful 
 soldiers in the war of the rebellion, were honorably 
 discharged, and safely returned home at the close of 
 the war. December 30, 1872, Mr. Gregg was married 
 to Adaline W. Danforth, of Adrian, Michigan. At 
 this time he sold his i)roj)erty in Elyria, and removed 
 to his farm for a permanent residence. Although he 
 is now seventy-six years old, he has wonderful health 
 and vigor, and still leads an active, useful life. He 
 is a member of the Methodist church in Lorain and 
 is warmly identified with the interests of the growing 
 town around him, cheerfully contributing his share 
 to its growth and jirosperity. He is strictly temper- 
 ate in his habits, and is an enemy alike to liquor and 
 tobacco, seldom neglecting to "show his colors'" when 
 occasion offers. 
 
 CAPTAIN SAMUEL L. FLINT 
 
 was born at Plattsburg, New York, February 18, 
 1830, being the sixth child of John and Amy (Ham- 
 mond) Flint of that place; all of Scotch descent. 
 When eight years of age he accompanied his parents 
 to Buffalo, New York, remaining there about two 
 years, when they removed to Toledo, Ohio, where his 
 parents spent the remainder of tlieir days. 
 
 When nineteen years old Captain Flint commenced 
 to work for John P. Freeman, of Toledo, at the car- 
 penter and joiner trade. After attaining his majority 
 he removed to Black River, this county, where he be- 
 came engaged as a ship carpenter, which he followed 
 winters for nearly twenty years, sailing on the lakes 
 until the close of na\igation every year, which latter 
 occupation he still follows. At an early period in his 
 business career, Caiitain Flint became interested in 
 farming, and is now considered a good, ])ractical 
 farmer, as well as an excellent lunigator. Eight 
 years ago he jiurcliased the comfortable farm and 
 residence, an illustration of which ajijiears elsewhere 
 in this volume. 
 
 On the 20tli of July, 1850, he married Helen M., 
 daughter of Adam Miller, of Black River. They had 
 five ciiildreii, of whom Alice L., Helen A. and Sam- 
 

 I'll 
 
 , |||i|i||||l||j| III: 
 
 Id i|j|ii> 
 
HISTOEY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 217 
 
 uel L. survive. Mrs. Flint dep;irled this life May 3, 
 18G4. After mourning the loss of his first wife just one 
 year, the Captain married again, the subject of his 
 choice this time being his present excellent wife, who 
 at the time of their marriage was Jane D. Tracy, widow 
 of E. F. Tracy, of Elyria, and daughter of Captain 
 Luther Dcnnison and Agnes Martin, the former born 
 in Vermont, the latter at Dykehead, Scotland. Mrs. 
 Flint has two daughters by her first husband, Louisa 
 S., now the wife of John Maxfield, of Lamont, Mich- 
 igan, and Elizabeth R., wife of Cajjtain H. W. Stone, 
 of Cleveland. 
 
 Among other experiences of a nautical career, ex- 
 tending over twenty-eight years, the following befel 
 Captain Flint. On the 26th of August, 1874, the 
 propeller Persian, then the largest vessel on Lake 
 Erie, and commanded by Captain Flint, took fire, 
 from the ignition of gas in the coal bunkers. After 
 burning almost three hours, she sunk, and all hands, 
 — nineteen in number, including Captain Flint, — 
 took refuge on the hatches, upon which they floated 
 for two hours and a half, when they were ])ickcd up 
 by the propeller Badger, and thus saved from a watery 
 grave. 
 
 BROWNHELM 
 
 PREFATORY NOTE. 
 
 Fallowing thH settlement, is subjoined the greater part of the address 
 of President J. H. Faircliild, on the "Early Settlement and History of 
 Brownhelni," delivered at Brownhelm, on the occasion of the fiftieth 
 anniversary of its settlement. We make use of this instead of writing 
 a new sketch, because (I) as a history of the townsliip it is quite full and 
 remarkabl.y accurate, as we have verified by personal interviews with 
 the older residents of the place; and (2) because of its admirable treat- 
 ment of some phases of pioneer life of which they only, who have ex- 
 perienced them, can give an adequate portrayal. President Fairchild 
 was himself a pioneer of Bro^mhelm, and describes the characteristics 
 of life in the new country from the standpoint of experience. 
 
 The early settlement we have written up more fully but regret that 
 in regard to some of the early settlers, but little information could be 
 obtained . Some additional matter in regard to the cnurches, township 
 organization, etc., is likewise incorporated. 
 
 Town number six, in range nineteen, of the Con- 
 necticut Western Reserve was drawn in the draft by 
 Asher jNIiller and Nathan Shalor. It originally ex- 
 tended south to tract fourteen and fifteen, in the 
 nineteenth range, and included nearly a third of the 
 territory now embraced in the township of Henrietta. 
 
 PHYSICAL FEATURES. 
 
 The western part of the township is traversed by 
 the crooked Verniillion, whose broad valley, and high, 
 steep banks give a pleasing diversity to the generally 
 level surface. There are several other small streams 
 not designated by name on the county map. 
 
 The soil is more or less clay, modified along the 
 ridgis by gravel and sand, and, in small areas in the 
 northern part of the town, by a deep, black muck of 
 great fertility. 
 
 NAME.* 
 
 " The privilege of naming the place was yielded by 
 llie citizens, at a meeting called for the purpose, at 
 Mr. Barnum's, to Colonel Brown. He gafre it the 
 name of Brownhelm, a name which, in the early 
 
 * President Fairchild. 
 
 days, was a source of some disiileasure, as implying 
 that Colonel Brown was to steer the ship, a thought 
 which was probably not in his mind in connection 
 with the name. He doubtless sought only for an 
 agreeable termination of the name, and found it in 
 the old Saxon word ham or liem, softened for euphony 
 to helm, and signifying 'home,' or dwelling place, 
 and thus the name means ' Brown's home." To some 
 of the early inhabitants, it sounded like Brown at the 
 helm, and a petition was at one time circulated to 
 have the name changed to Freedom. We may bo 
 thankful that the jjopular disgust never reached such 
 a consummation. The good old name is original, 
 euphonious, and hapi)y in its signification. There is 
 no better name in the land." 
 
 EAKLY SETTLEMENT. 
 
 In 181C, Col. Henry Brown of Stoekbridge, Massa- 
 chusetts, visited this portion of the Western Reserve, 
 with the pur])oso in view of selecting for purchase a 
 large tract of land, and on his return to Massachu- 
 setts he entered into contract for this township, then 
 known only as number six, in range nineteen. In 
 the fall of the same year, accompanied by several 
 young men, he came on the ground, erected a log 
 house on the lake shore, and then returned to Massa- 
 chusetts, leaving his men to make further preparations 
 for the reception of the families the next season. 
 
 Early in the following year, Levi Shepard and Syl- 
 vester Baruum and their families, and two daughters 
 of Stephen James, who came with Mr. Shepard, left 
 Stoekbridge for this township, where they arrived, 
 after a protracted and tedious journey, in the after- 
 noon of July 4, 1817. Mr. James with his two sons 
 (his wife having died previously) started from Stock- 
 bridge about the same time as Deacon Shepard and 
 
 2S 
 
218 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 his associates, but taking the boat at liuifalo for 
 Black River, reached tlic jihice abont a week in ad- 
 vance of them. Mr She]iard and family are the 
 conceded first settlers. "Mr. She]iard and liis wife, 
 without indicating their purpose to their fellow trav- 
 elers, were careful to lead the way as they approached 
 the selected territory, so as to l)e first on the ground. 
 They crossed the line between Black River and Brown- 
 helm some rods in advance of their associates, and 
 thus they properly have the honor of being the first 
 settlers."' 
 
 Some of the young men who came with Colonel 
 Brown liad I'eturned east, but four of them remained 
 and were on the ground when the three families 
 arrived. These were Peter P. Pease, William Alver- 
 son, Charles Whittlesey and William Lincoln. They 
 wei'c then single, but they subsequently married and 
 settled in the town. 
 
 The first occurrence worthy of note after the arri- 
 val of Deacon Shepard and his party is thus described 
 ))y President Fairchild: "The first work of the as- 
 sembled group was to prepare an independence din- 
 ner in honor of the occasion. This is believed to have 
 been the first meal ever spread in the township by 
 white women. Some of the young men, looking on 
 while the women prepared the meal, were moved to 
 tears. It was the first sight of any thing like home 
 that had mot their eyes for many montlis. The ma- 
 terial for the dinner was not over-abundant or varied, 
 embracing the bread and pork which the young men 
 contributed, and the relics of the provisions with 
 which the travelers had been furnished for the jour- 
 ney. But the seasoning of appetite, novelty and hope 
 made it a dinner long to be remembered, such as one 
 enjoys but once in a life time." 
 
 Of that party of sixteen persons that shared in the 
 meal, two are yet living, — Levi Sliepard and Mrs. 
 Parkhust, then Cordelia James, — the former having 
 reached the advanced age of ninety-four. 
 
 Shepard, Barnum, and James took up theii- abode 
 on the lake shore, jointly occupying, for a time, 
 the log house of Colonel Brown. Barnum, in a 
 few days, vacated, his family living in a lumber 
 wagon, on his purchase, for a short time, until the 
 completion of his house. lie remained but a few 
 years in the township. Most of his family died of a 
 malignant disease called "milk sickness," or " sick 
 stomach," which prevailed so fatally in the town in 
 an early day, and he returned to Massachusetts, where 
 he subseipuMitly died. 
 
 Shepard and James continued their occujiMiicy of 
 the Brown house, until the erection, l)y the former, 
 of a cabin, on his purchase on lot six, when the two 
 families took up their abode there, — Mr. James and 
 family occupying a part of the house for about a year, 
 when he erected a cabin on his farm, west of Colonel 
 Brown. 
 
 It is rarely that wo find, in the prosecution of our 
 work, the first settler of a township still living. 
 Deacon Shepard now lives in Brownhelm, well along 
 
 in his ninety-fifth year. He was born near Sturbridge, 
 Worcester county, Massachusetts, December 9, 1T84. 
 and when a boy, removed with his parents to Stock- 
 bridge, where he resided until his emigration to Ohio. 
 He was a blacksmith, and prosecuted his trade in con- 
 nection with his farm work, for several years in 
 Briiwrdielni, his patrons paying him in work at clear- 
 ing and logging on his farm. Mr. Shepard was 
 blessed with a remarkably strong constitution. At 
 the age of cighty-thice, ho could work all day with 
 almost as little conse(pieiit fatigue as in the days of 
 his young manhood: and tlici summer immediately 
 preceding his eighty-fourth birthday, he was engaged 
 in chopinng wood, and splitting rails, almost the 
 entire season. In December, 187G, he sustained a 
 jjartial stroke of pai'alysis in his lower limbs, and 
 since that time, he has moved about with ditticulty. 
 His hearing and eyesight are also much impaired. 
 But, notwithstanding his bodily infirmities, his mind 
 still remains comparatively vigorous, and his memory 
 of early events is remarkably good. He is small in 
 stature, and his form is now much bent, — bowed 
 down by the weight of years. He enjoys, extremely, 
 a chat about pioneer times, and relates with glee how 
 he secured for himself and family the honor of being 
 the first settlers. Deacon Shei)ard has no descendants 
 now livinging the town. His third wife died some 
 years ago, and of his four children, — two sons and 
 two daughtei's, — only th(> former are living, — ^some- 
 where in the west. 
 
 Stephen James was born in Middlesex, Connecti- 
 cut, August 8, 1707, but removed to Stockbridge, 
 Massachusetts, when young. He was prominently 
 identified with the church for many years in Brown- 
 helm, and also in Stockbridge, where he was first 
 elected to the office of deacon under Rev. Dr. West. 
 This office he filled witii cipial credit to himself, and 
 satisfaction to the church. He instituted the first 
 known religions services held in this township, hold- 
 ing a meeting at Judge Brown's house the Sunday 
 immediately preceding the arrival of Deacon Sliepard 
 and his associates. Before the advent of the minis- 
 ter, he led the meetings of the little band in the 
 woods of Brownhelm, regularly sustaining a reading 
 service on the Sabbath, in connection with his breth- 
 ren, until they were blessed with the stated ministry 
 of the word. He frequently officiated on funeral and 
 other occasions, and assisted in the organization of 
 religious services in neighboring settlements. He wa.^ 
 well (jnalilied for such work, possessing, it is said, 
 among other (|nalifieations, considerable fiuency of 
 speech. In all I lie walks of life. Deacon James was 
 distinguished for Ijenevolence, moral rectitude, and 
 earnest, active piety. He married, at the age of 
 twenty-seven, Hannah Schofleld, of Stanford, Con- 
 necticut, who died in 1811, leaving five children, three 
 sons and two daughters. One of the sons being an 
 ajiprentice in Massachusetts, never emigrated to the 
 west. In the fall of 1828, he married Miss Rhoda 
 Buck, of Connecticut, who was visiting friends in 
 
C3-EOi?>a-E a-. nycoiE^ySE. 
 
 Among tlie prominent citizens of the town in 
 which he resides, the subject of tiiis sketch occupies 
 a foremost position. He is one of the pioneers of 
 the county, and also one of its best practical farmers. 
 He is the fifth child of Abishua and Anna Morse, 
 and was born in the town of Great Barriugton, 
 Mass., Feb. 15, 1819. Two years prior to the time 
 when he first saw the light, his grandfather, Setli 
 Morse, himself a native of Massachusetts, made 
 a visit to Ohio for the purpose of selecting lands. 
 His choice fell upon the place where his son 
 (Abishua) settled in the 
 fall of 1821. It was not, 
 however, until about 
 the year 1826 or 1827 
 that Seth Morse came to 
 reside on the land he had 
 purchased. After his 
 second coming, he re- 
 mained until his death. 
 Abishua erected a primi- 
 tive log house near where 
 George G. now resides. 
 To do this he had to fell 
 some trees in order to 
 effect a clearing. He 
 continued to improve his 
 farm, and a short time 
 subsequent to the erec- 
 tion of his log house, he 
 built a frame barn, and a few years preceding his 
 demise he erected the present residence of his son, of 
 whom we write more particularly. 
 
 At the time of his death, which occurred Dec. 
 11, 1835, he possessed from two hundred to two 
 hundred and fifty acres of land, and had he lived 
 to an old age he would doubtless have been a very 
 wealthy man, as he was a very good one. He 
 enjoyed the esteem and respect of all who knew 
 him. 
 
 George G. Morse began life as a farm laborer, work- 
 
 
 ■S#\ v^ 
 
 ANNA RAY MORSE. 
 
 ing for his brother and others for some eight or ten 
 years. His first start for himself was the purchase of 
 forty acres of land, about the year 1845. From that 
 time to the present he has been eminently success- 
 ful, and now occupies the position of a good citizen 
 anil first-class agriculturist, and an honest man. 
 This is the natural result of untiring energy and 
 ceaseless industry. 
 
 Mr. Morse has been twice married. His first wife 
 was Mary A., daughter of Purley Moulton, of 
 Browuhelm, with whom he united his fortunes 
 
 May 15, 1851. She died 
 August 15, 1861. His 
 second and present wife 
 was Eliza J., daughter 
 of Jesse Bal 1, Jr., of Ver- 
 milion township. They 
 have had five children 
 born to them, namely: 
 Henry G., Herbert J., 
 Jennie E., George B., 
 who died at the age of 
 four years, and Freddie 
 Ray. Mrs. Morse is an 
 exemplary member of 
 the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. Mr. Morse is 
 a liberal contributor to 
 religious and educational 
 enterprises, having as- 
 sisted in building nearly every church in his 
 vicinity. 
 
 He is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred 
 and fifty acres, upon which are good frame buildings, 
 an illustration of which appears in another page of 
 this work. 
 
 Owing to general regular habits, he preserves the 
 hale and hearty appearance of a man in the prime 
 of life, and in his personal appearance resembles 
 very closely Prof. Morse, of telegraph fame, to 
 whom he is related. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 219 
 
 Brovvnlielm at the time. No children were born of 
 this marriage. Deacon James died in 1841, his wife 
 surviving him several years. His daughter, Mrs. Park- 
 liurst, is still living in the township, aged seventy- 
 tlii-ee. 
 
 Before the close of the year in whioh the families 
 previously mentioned arrived, those of Solomon Whit- 
 tlesey, Alva Curtis, Ehenezer Scott and Benjamin 
 Bacon moved in. Mr. Whittlesey located on the farm 
 now occui)ied by his son Cyrus, his original habitation 
 being situated a short distance east of the son's pres- 
 ent frame house. Mr. Whittlesey was a great hunter 
 in his pioneer days. His death occurred in 1871, aged 
 eighty-five. 
 
 Deacon Curtis settled near the Vermillion, on the 
 spot now occupied by Fred. Bacon. He opened here, 
 in his house, the first hotel in the town. He has no 
 descendants living in Brownhelm, and we have but 
 little information concerning him. lie died in 181G, 
 his wife suljsccjuently. 
 
 Mr. Bacon made his location where his son William 
 now resides. He was the first justice of the peace in 
 the place. Mr. Bacon was (pialified by nature to be a 
 leader, and was probably a man of as much influence 
 and extended acquaintance as any other in the settle- 
 ment. This weight of character was used on the side 
 of order, education and sound morality. 
 
 The next year the settlement was increased by the 
 arrival of a dozen families. One of the first was that 
 of Anson Cooper, who moved in from Euclid, Cuya- 
 hoga county, where he had resided about a year. He 
 took up his residence on the place now occupied by 
 his widow in her eighty-third year. Mr. Cooper died 
 in 184*1. He was the first town clerk in Brownhelm. 
 
 The families of Colonel Brown, Grandison Fair- 
 child, Alfred Avery, Enos Cooley, Elisha Peck, George 
 Bacon, John Graham, Orrin Sage, Chestei' Seymour, 
 Thomas Ely and Dr. P>rown moved in soon after. 
 ' Colonel Brown took uji his abode in the house on the 
 lake shore already prejiaiT'd for him. A brief biogra- 
 [ihy of Mr. Brown may be found at the close of the 
 history of this township. 
 
 Grandison F'airchild was born in Sheffield, Berkshire 
 (■(lunty. Massachusetts, April 20, 1793. Novemlier 35, 
 1813, he married Nancy Harris, daughter of William 
 Harris, who was an early settler in Brownhelm. She 
 was born October 30, 1795. Mi-. Fairchild, with his 
 family, then consisting of wife and three children, re- 
 moved from Stockbridge, Massachusetts, to Brown- 
 helm in September, 1818, coming from Buffalo to 
 Cleveland on the pioneer steamer, Walk-in-the- Water. 
 Four days were spent on the water, the vessel lying 
 for two days on a bar at Erie. From Cleveland the 
 journey was made with team and wagon. Mr. Fair- 
 child's location was on North ridge, between the 
 present residence of his son Charles and the church. 
 He is yet a resident of the town, now living a short 
 distance east of his original location, in his eighty- 
 seventh year, erect and seemingly as vigorous as ever. 
 Mrs. Fairchild died in August, 1875. There were 
 
 ten children, seven of whom are yet living, two in the 
 town. 
 
 Orrin Sage, originally from Hartford, Connecticut, 
 married Lucy C!ooper, of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, 
 in June, 1818, and, immediately afterwards, with 
 George Bacon and his wife, who was a sister of Mrs. 
 Sage, set out for the distant west. The party had a 
 wagon and two ox-teams, and a single horse and 
 wagon with which they made the journey, and were 
 five weeks coming through. At Buffalo they shipped 
 their goods by the lake to Black I'iver. Sage located 
 on the farm adjoining on the north — ^that on which 
 Mrs. Bacon now lives. He died in October, 1833, 
 and his widow soon after exchanged farms with Jona- 
 than Uosford, and returned with her little son to 
 Stockbridge. Bacon located on the farm, now occu- 
 pied by his widow, formerly Mrs. Sage. His first 
 wife died in 182G, and he returned to Stockbridge 
 and a year subsequently married Mrs. Sage, when 
 they removed to Brownhelm. Mrs. Bacon died in 
 January, 1875. Mr. Bacon is now in her eighty- 
 sixth year. She says the first barrel of meat the 
 family used in Brownhelm, cost thirty dollars, and 
 was of the "shank"' variety. 
 
 Enos Cooley began life in the wilderness on a cash 
 capital of six cents. He located near the lake shore, 
 erecting his cabin on the spot now occupied by the 
 residence of the widow of Lewis Braun. He subse- 
 quently removed to a permanent location on the 
 North ridge, where he resided until his death, in 
 1847. Two of his children are now living in this 
 townshi]). They are Moses and Chester A. The 
 latter owns and operates at Bacon's Corners the only 
 cheese factory in the town. 
 
 Elisha Peck, with wife and ten children, arrived in 
 Brownhelm, in November of the year previously men- 
 tioned. The family stopjied with Colonel Brown the 
 night after their arrival, and then moved into the 
 house of Alfred Avery, where they remained some 
 three weeks. They then took up their abode on lot 
 fifty-four, a log house having been rolled together. 
 It was indeed a primitive house when the family 
 moved into it, for it was without a floor of any kind, 
 and the first night, the children made tlieir bed on 
 mother earth. The father and mother were provided 
 with a bedstead constructed of poles, and elm bark 
 was made to answer in place of a cord. Mr. I'eek 
 was a shoemaker, and worked at his trade for over 
 sixty years. He also had a rude tannery in Bi-own- 
 helm at an early day. He was born in Berlin, Con- 
 necticut, March 7, 1773, and died in Brownhelm Jan- 
 uary 7, 1858, aged eighty-four years and ten months. 
 His wife was Millicent Byington, of Bristol, Connec- 
 ticut. Four children are now living. 
 
 Deacon George Wells, now residing in Brownhelm, 
 in the eighty-second year of his age, arrived in 1818. 
 He was :it the time unmarried. He bought a piece 
 of land on the lake shore, felled a tree, and with a 
 few poles and bark made himself a rude shelter, in 
 which he lived the first summer. A short time after- 
 
230 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 ward this was substituted by a log house, in which 
 liis widowed mother and the remainder of her family 
 took up their abode in the summer of 1820. Mr. 
 Wells returned to Hartford in 18'25, and married, 
 immediati'ly after which he set out with his bride for 
 the far west. At Buffalo he engaged i)assage on a 
 vessel, the captain of which agreed to land him on 
 the shore opposite his residence in Browiilielm. He 
 disregarded his promise, however, and carried Mr. 
 AVells and wife to Johnson's Island, thence to San- 
 dusky, and finally landed them, with some twenty 
 other ])assengcrs, at Oedar I'oint. Mr. Wells and 
 wife started for their Brownhelm cabin on foot, but 
 after traveling some ten miles, were overtaken by 
 Captain Day, who was returning to Black River from 
 Sandusky, on horseback. He kindly offered his place 
 on the horse to the young wife, which was accei)ted, 
 Mr. Wells and the captain traveling on foot. The 
 end of the Journey was duly reached, wlien two men 
 with a skiff were sent after Mrs. Wells' baggage, 
 which was hardly equal either in value or quantity to 
 the outfit of the modern bride. 
 
 John Graham married a sister of Deacon Wells, 
 and removed to Brownhelm soon after he arrived. 
 He located on the same lot — lot four — and lived there 
 the remainder of his life. 
 
 Abishai Morse came from Great Barrington, Massa- 
 chusetts, to Bi-ownhelni in September, 1820, with his 
 family, consisting of his wife and five children. 
 Eight were born subse([uently. A horse team and 
 wagon brought the family and their effects, and they 
 were six weeks on the journey. They lived with 
 Alva Curtis until tlieir log house was completed. 
 This stood a short distance east of the present resi- 
 dence of his son, Geo. G. Morse, west of the Vermil- 
 lion. The log house was occupied until 183.3, when 
 the j)leasant frame house previously mentioned was 
 erected. He and George Hinckley had a saw mill on 
 the Vermillion in an early day, where Ileyman's grist 
 and saw mill now stand; and they afterwards bought 
 the old grist mill of Judge Brown, which had been 
 removed to the same place from its original location 
 near the Swift place. Mr. Morse died in December, 
 1835. Five of his children are living and four in 
 Lorain county. 
 
 Ira AVood came into the township in 1831. His 
 first location was west of the river, where John 
 Stevenson now lives. Stephen Goodrich came in at 
 the same time, and tiioy together established a tan- 
 nery. Mr. Wood subse({uently sold liis interest to 
 Goodrich, and moved to the east side of the river, 
 where he now resides. 
 
 President Fairehild, in his history of this township, 
 written in 1867, locates generally the early settlers as 
 follows: 
 
 There were originally five lines of settlement in 
 town, the lake shore and the four ridges parallel to 
 it. * * * On the lake shore there were Brown, Sey- 
 mour, James, Shepard, Weed, Dr. Brown, Goodrich, 
 llart, Sly, Wells, Graham and Sheldon Johnson; and 
 
 at a later day, Hawley Lathrop and Leach. Between 
 the shore and the first ridge, Cooley, Barnum, Scott; 
 and later, Perley Moulton and Rankin. Along the first 
 ridge, Whittlesey, Alversou, Peter P. Pease, Cooper, 
 Orrin Sage, Moulton, Joseph Scott and Ketchum; 
 and later. Baker, Ewing, Lyon, Culver, ITirani Pease, 
 Hamilton Perry, Parkhurst, Hastings, Bartlett, IIos- 
 ford, Dimmock, Graves, Blodgett, Uemmingway, 
 James Newbury and Job Smith. On the principal 
 ridge, known as the North ridge, Andrews, Avery, 
 Baldwin, Lincoln, Fairehild, Betts, Daniel Perry, and 
 afterward his sons; the Bacons, three families, Curtis 
 at the mill, Hinkley and Waters Betts; and beyond 
 the river, Abishai Morse, Bradley, Hewett, Booth, 
 Davis and his distillery, and Saunders. At a later 
 day, along the same ridge, we have Belden, Samuel 
 Curtis, Rodney Andrews, Henry Sage, Samuel Bacon, 
 Leavenworth, Dr. Willard, Bailey, Kent Hawley, 
 Edward Morse, Stephen Goodrich, Stephen Brown, 
 John Newbury, Fancher, and manj' others still later. 
 Along the middle ridge or near it, on one side or 
 the other. Peck, George James, Seth Morse, Wallace, 
 Jones; and at a later day, Harris, Locke, Van Dusen, 
 Ira Rngg, Cable, Frisbie, Chapiu, Bushrod Perry, S. 
 G. Morse, Parsons and Ii'a Wood;* and still further 
 south, Joseph Swift. On the south ridge road, the 
 earliest families were Powers, Leonard, Durand, An- 
 drews, Hancock, Deiiison, Holcomb, Abbott and 
 Fuller. This road was soon set off to Henrietta. * * * 
 Almost all of those families came from the east, most 
 from Berkshire county, Massachusetts, some from 
 Connecticut, and a few from other parts. A very 
 few, discouraged l)y sickness and by the hardships of 
 the new country, returned east." * * * '-It was not 
 a rare thing for young men to walk the entire distance 
 from Massachusetts to Ohio, carrying a few indispen- 
 sable articles upon their backs, in a white canvas 
 knapsack. One or more of these kna])sacks might be 
 found in almost every neighborhood during the early 
 years, cherished as mementoes of such pedestrian 
 feats. One young nuin brought in his 'pack,' from 
 Massachusetts to this county, a pair of iron wedges, 
 implements more valual)le to him than a wedge of 
 gold. For myself, I have moving reason for recalling 
 the knapsack; for I remember that in the old school 
 house, my seat mate, I)elia Peck, and I shared to- 
 gether a fiagellation for smiling over the quaint won] 
 knapsack, which we found in Webster's old spelling 
 book, held between us. Some of my juvenile hearers 
 will be impressed with the Puritan sternness of our 
 early school discipline, when told that the smile was 
 not audible, and that no whisper accomjianied it. 
 Our rebellious hearts even then would (juestion the 
 propriety of the chastisement. 
 
 As successive families came on, they found shel- 
 ter for a few weeks with those who had preceded 
 them, until they could roll up a log house, roof it 
 with " shakes " and cut an opening for a door. Then 
 
 *Also Colonel Nathaniel and Norman Crandall. 
 
*•^~-*'»S$S■-!^~-^^>^ - 
 
 COLONEL ELISHA FRANKLIN PECK. 
 
 Col. Elisha Frankliu Peck, the fifth child of Elisha 
 Peck and Miliccut Bjiiigton, was born at Old Stockbridge, 
 Mass., May 25, 1806. 
 
 Elisha Peck, a descendant of Deacon Paul Peck, of 
 Hartford, Conn., was born at Berlin, Conn., March 7, 1773. 
 
 In the year 1817, Elisha Peck came to this country and 
 made a selection of lands, and erected a log cabin in the 
 town of Brownhelni, Lorain Co., Ohio, which at that time 
 was an unbroken wilderness, after which he returned for 
 his family, consisting of a wife and ten children ; and the 
 year following made a permanent settlement, arriving Nov. 
 12, 1818. No furniture was in possession of the family, 
 and a bedstead was improvised for the older members of 
 the family the first night of their stay in the then far West, 
 the children sleeping on the floor. Mr. Peek's purchase 
 amounted to four hundred and fifty acres. 
 
 Col. E. F. Peck remained with his fttlier until he was 
 twenty-one years of age, and in the month of August fol- 
 lowing started out in life for himself, with forty acres of 
 land as a gift from his father ; and the same year started 
 for Old Stockbridge, Mass., the old home, to attend school, 
 but was taken sick at Buffalo, N. Y., while working on the 
 harbor. He went to an uncle's in Orleans Co., N. Y., and 
 remained four months. He then returned to Brownhelm, 
 having abandoned the idea of attending school in Massa- 
 chusetts, and purchased the interests of several members of 
 the family in the estate of his father, and has since added 
 materially to his possessions. 
 
 He was married, July 3, 1833, to Sally Ann, daughter of 
 Abishua Morse. This union resulted in the birth of four 
 children, whose names are as follows : Ann Milicent, Lydia 
 
 Marianne, Henry Franklin, and William Elisha, all of whom 
 are living except Henry F., who died Feb. 4, 1864, at his 
 father's house. 
 
 Col. Peck, now seventy-three years of age, is still vigor- 
 ous and active, and only last fall (1878) plowed and pre- 
 pared the soil for ten acres of wheat. He has cleared over 
 two hundred acres of heavy timbered land. His physique 
 even now proves the advantage of a life of sobriety, industry, 
 and uprightness. His only education was obtained by giv- 
 ing one day of labor for one day of instruction in the 
 elementary branches. Its practical benefits to himself and 
 family are evinced by his success in life, financially and 
 morally. 
 
 In politics. Col. Peck has always been a Democrat, with 
 which party he is prominently identified, and a working 
 member. He is earnest, even zealous in the advocacy of 
 his convictions, and no matter what others may think as to 
 the facts at issue, HE is sincere. 
 
 From 1857 until 1861 he was postmaster at Brownhelm, 
 the proceeds of the ofiBce going to his poor neighbors. 
 
 Prior to the late civil war, and during the old militia 
 days, Mr. Peck joined an Ohio regiment, in which he be- 
 came popular, both as a genial comrade and an able military 
 commander, and passed through the several grades, from 
 private in the ranks to that of colonel, being regimental 
 commander when mustered out of service. 
 
 Ann M. Peck, eldest daughter of Col. E. F. Peck, 
 married H. 0. Allen, Jan. 1, 1865. He died Nov. 17, 
 1869. Lydia iSL, second daughter, married Geo. P. Deyo, 
 Sept. 13, 1871. William E. married Lena S. Smith, 
 Dec. 28, 1871. 
 
.^(^^ 
 
 
 Elisha Peck 
 
 (Deceased.) 
 
 FjESIDEMCE OF E. F. PECK , BFJOWNHELM TR, LOf?AIN CO.,0. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 221 
 
 they would iiiove into tliuir new lioiiie and finish it 
 :it leisure. This finishing consisted in laying a floor 
 of planks split from logs, jmucheons as tliey were 
 called, putting up a chimney in one end of the house, 
 ordinarily of sticks plastered with clay, sonu^times of 
 stone, with a large open flre-place, generally made 
 with a hearth and hack, without jainl)s or nuintel, 
 adding at length a door, when there was leisure to go 
 to Shupe's mill on Beaver creek, for a board, and a 
 window of glass if it could l)e had ; if not, oiled 
 pa])er. A later stage in the operation consisted in 
 "chinking" the cracks between the logs with pieces 
 of wood"on the inside, and plastering them without 
 with clay mortar. As leisure and prosperity followed, 
 loose hoai'ds were laid above for a chamber floor, and 
 in cases of unusual nicety and taste, the man dev.oted 
 several evenings to hewing the logs on the sides 
 Avithin, and peeling the bark from the round joists 
 overhead. Families unusually favored had rough 
 stairs to the loft above, otherwise a ladder. An exca- 
 vation below, entered through a trap in the floor, 
 served as a cellar. In rare cases, a family attained to 
 the dignity of a sleeping room, separated fi'om the 
 common living apartment by a board partition ; 
 oftener chint/. curtains, or sheets, or quilts, secured 
 the privacy of the bed. These often disajipeared as 
 the wants of the fainily pressed, and the bed was 
 left shelterless. 
 
 The furniture of this primitive home was as simple 
 as the domicile itself. The bedstead was made of 
 round poles, shaved or peeled, the posts at the head 
 rising above the bed and joined by a bar in place of 
 a headboard. Elm bark often served in place of a 
 cord. The trundle-bed was the same thing on a 
 smaller scale. A table was extemporized from the 
 cover of a bo.x; in which the family goods w,ere 
 brought from the east, while the box itself, with a 
 shelf introduced, served as a cupboard for provisions. 
 A shelf on the side of the room sup[)orted the crock- 
 ery and tin ware, while a few stools, with now and 
 then a back added, according to the mechanical skill 
 or enterprise of the proprietor, served the place of 
 chairs. This simple house, with its simjiler furniture, 
 furnished a home by no means uncomfortable where 
 health, and hope, and kindly feeling were the light of 
 it. The skeleton frame house of the pioneer of mod- 
 ern days, without paint, or ceiling, or plaster, or tree 
 to shelter it, will by no means compare with the 
 snug, well chinked, substantial log house of the early 
 settlers. 
 
 According to my recollection, the first frame house 
 in town was built by Benjamin Bacon, and the next 
 by Dr. Betts. I am quite sure that Mr. Bacon's 
 was the first painted one that my eyes ever rested on. 
 The first brick house in town, and indeed in the 
 county, was built by m^' father, in 1824. To this day 
 it is, I believe, the only brick house in the town. It 
 was built with twenty thousand brick, at an aggregate 
 cost of three hundred dollars. It has received some 
 additions and improvements, but does not appear to 
 
 lie as large as when it was first built. The first stylish 
 house in town was .Judge Brown's, built in 182G, a 
 grand affair in its day, and still a stately farm house. 
 The great drawback of the country, and at the 
 same time its chief advantage, was the grand old 
 forest with which the entire surface was covered, fur- 
 nishing everj' variety of tindier that could be needed 
 in a new country, in (|uautities that seemed absolutely 
 inexhaustible. Along tiie ridges the chestnut pre- 
 vailed, tlie trunk from two to four feet in diameter, 
 and a hundred feet in height, furnishing the best 
 fencing material that any new country was ever blessed 
 with. The ouly discount on the chestnut Avas in the 
 fact that the stump would remain full thirty years, an 
 offense to the farmer, unless some strenuous means 
 were used to eradicate it. The surest way was to un- 
 dermine it, and bury it ou the spot where it grew. 
 The tree next in value for timber was the whitewood 
 or tulip tree, of regal majesty, and second only to the 
 white pine for finishing lumber, and for some uses 
 superior to it. The oak and the hickory, in every 
 variety and of magnificent proportions, were found 
 everywhere; and, on the lowlands and river bottoms, 
 the black walnut, probably tbe most stately tree of 
 Northern Ohio forests, inferior in magnificence only 
 to the famous red wood of California. A single speci- 
 men was standing on the Vermillion I'iver bottom at 
 a recent date, which was said to measure fifteen feet 
 in diameter above the swell of the roots. In the early 
 years, this valuable fancy timber only ranked next to 
 the chestnut, and there are barns and cowsheds in 
 town roofed with clean black walnut boards, two feet 
 and more in width. With the first settlers, these 
 magnificent forests were not held in high apprecia- 
 tion. They were esteemed usurpers of the soil, and 
 the great endeavor was to exterminate them. The 
 coming generation will not be able to comprehend the 
 labor involved in this enterprise, or the pluck that 
 could accomplish it. "A man was famous according 
 as he lifted up axes upon the thick trees." No iron- 
 sinewed engina.was at hand to take the brunt of the 
 work. The pioneer himself, eipiipped only with his 
 axe, a yoke of oxen and a log chain, must attack, lay 
 low and reduce to ashes the forests that overhung his 
 farm. The men that accomplished this were sturdy 
 in liml) and strong in heart. A feeble race would 
 have retired from the encounter. 'J'he ])ioneerof tlie 
 present day, who has only to turn over the pi'airie 
 sod, and wait for the harvest, can know little of the 
 labor involved in settling a heavy-timbered country. 
 Yet, if this had been a prairie country, its settle- 
 ment must have been deferred full twenty years. 
 The forests were a vast store house of material for 
 building and fencing, and for fuel. The house in- 
 volved no outlay of capital. Stern labor could accom- 
 plish everything. But for these forests each family 
 would have required a capital of a thousand or two of 
 dollars, and facditiesfor the transportation of lumber 
 and other material would have been required, and a 
 market where the products of the soil could bo ex- 
 
222 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 changed for tliese materials. The pioneer found his 
 best friend in the forest, but the friendship was one 
 of stern conditions, yielding its advantages only lo 
 tlio brave hearted. It is a little sad to look back to 
 the uncounted thousands of splendid trees of white 
 wood, and oak. and ash, and hickory, and black wal- 
 nut, and cliestuul. wliich by dint of vast lalior were 
 reduced to ashes, and recall the fact that each one of 
 these trunks, if now standing where it grew, ,vonld 
 sell for ten to Hfty dollars. Indeed, it is probable 
 that if the original forests could bo replaced, the 
 standing t iniber would i)ring more at sale than the. 
 farms of the townshi]i, with all their improvements, 
 are now worth. But our case is not peculiar; at some 
 such sacj-ilicc every new country is settled. The 
 farms of New England would to-day scarce sell for 
 enough to construct theston(^ walls that separate their 
 fields. The grain that has rotted on the prairie farms 
 of Illinois for want of barns and granaries, sold in 
 the market to-day, would buy all the farms of that 
 I'ich State. To regret such a circumstance is only less 
 absurd than to mourn over the fact that Adam did 
 not put out a few dollars at compound interest, which 
 by endless reduplications would have furnished every 
 child of Adam with a fortune. There is amusement 
 in such figures, but no instruction. The divine wis- 
 dom that planned the continent, jdaced the prairies 
 west of the forests, and the gold still farther on in 
 the direction of the "march of empire." Any othei- 
 arrangement would have obstructed or greatly retarded 
 the occupation of the country. 
 
 The habit contracted in the clearing of the lands, 
 the passion for destroying trees, has sometimes sur- 
 vived the necessity, and even to this day needs a little 
 guarding. The men who rejoiced over the fall of 
 every tree, are not likely to cherish with sufficient 
 care the I'emuants of the grand old forests, or to re- 
 jilaiit on the grounds, cleared with so much labor, 
 the trees necessary for shade, and ornament, and 
 utility. I have seen a splendid elm, the delight of a 
 whole village, ruthlessly cut down by some border 
 ruttian whose only thought of trees is to cut them 
 down, liut such was our early training. The glad- 
 dest sound of our childhood was the crash of falling 
 trees, and mother and children together rushed out of 
 the cabin as each giant fell, to see how the area of 
 vision was extended. Thus, slowly and with huge 
 labor, the cleared circle expanded around each home. 
 When ground was rei(uired for cultivation more rap- 
 idly than it could be thoroughly cleared the plan of 
 "girdling" or deadening" was adopted, which killed 
 the larger trees and left them standing. The advan- 
 tage was a doubtful one. The falling limbs of the 
 girdled trees destroyed the crops and sometimes the 
 cattle, and often crushed the fences, and now and 
 then the cabin itself; and a fire in a girdling on a 
 windy autumn night was full of terror to a whole 
 neighborhood. The loss of many a hay-stack, and 
 barn, and house, wa-; the price of the seeming advan- 
 tage. Then, too, the final clearing away of the 
 
 branchless timber, ease hardened in the sun, was a 
 more discouraging work than the original thorough 
 clearing would have been. But these facts were only 
 learned by experience, and so every settlement had its 
 "girdling." 
 
 It was a stern work, the clearing u|i and subduing 
 of these beautiful farms, snatching meanwhile from 
 among the countless stumps, by hasty culture, the 
 support of the family, and in many cases the means 
 of jiaying for the farm, or at least the interest on the 
 purchase jjrice, until a brighter day should bring the 
 princii)al. He was a fortunate man who brought 
 from the east the jn-ice of his land. It many cases 
 it made the difference between success and failure. 
 It was very discouraging, after a straggle of years 
 with'hard work and sickness, to find the original debt 
 increasing instead of diminishing; and it is not 
 strange that here and there one sold his " improve- 
 ments" fertile means of conveying his family back 
 to the e:istern home, and retired from the conflict. 
 The great majority stood bravely to the work, and 
 achieved a. satisfactory success. 
 
 It is ditlicult for the young people of this day to 
 appreciate the conditions of living in the new settle- 
 ment. We need to recall the fact that northern Ohio, 
 fifty years ago, was farther from the ai)j)liances of civ- 
 ilization than any portion of North America reckoned 
 halii table, is to-day. The canal through the State of 
 New York was not in existence, had scarcely been 
 dreaiiied of. Western New York itself was mostly 
 a howling wilderness. The articles needed in the 
 now country could not be brought from the far east 
 except at ruinous cost, and for the produce of the 
 new country the only market was that made by the 
 wants of the occasional new families that joined the 
 settlement. These generally brought a little money, 
 which was soon divided amonti; their neighbors. The 
 families in general came well furnished with clothing, 
 after the New England fashion ; but a year or two of 
 wear and tear in the woods, sadly reduced the store. 
 The children did not slop growing in the woods, nor 
 in those days did they cease to multiply and replenish 
 the earth. The outgrown garments of the older 
 children might serve for the younger, but where were 
 the new garments for these older children to grow 
 into r' Flax could be raised, and summer linen of 
 tow, and bleached linen, and copperas stripe, could be 
 manufactured, when hands and health could be found 
 to do it. Every woman was a spinner, but only here 
 and there was a weaver, and each family had to come 
 in for its turn. The old garments often grew shabby 
 before the piece which was to furnish the summer 
 wear of the family could be put through the loom. 
 In autumn the difficulty was increased. The mate- 
 rial for winter clothing could not be extemporized in 
 the new country. Sheep came in slowly. At first 
 they were not safe from wolves, and afterwards the 
 new lands proved unwholesome to them, and they 
 died, often suddenly, without visible cause. But 
 when wool could not be obtained, the process of man- 
 
^ — ^1 
 
 '■' ^^®5?- 'f!f§^^ 
 
 FjEsiOENCE OF CYRUS L.WHITTLESEY, Si^OWNHELM rp.,Loi?AiNCo..O. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 223 
 
 ufacture was slow ami the time unuertuiii. The spin- 
 ning was a matter that could be managed ; tlie 
 weaving involved uncertainty, anil then the web must 
 be sent to tlie ch)th-dress(u- and bide its time. It 
 might come home long after tlianksgiving, long after 
 winter school began. Thus an unreasonable demand 
 was made upon the summer clothing, a demand which 
 it conld bnt poorly answer. It was not rare to see a 
 boy at school with his summer pants drawn over the 
 remnants of his last winter's wear, a combination 
 which ])rovided both for warmth and decency. Some 
 families dispensed altogether with the clothier's ser- 
 vices, and by the aid of a butternut dye gave their 
 cloth a home dressing, avoiding the loss of time and 
 the loss of surface by shrinkage — both important 
 elements in the solution of the problem of clotiiing 
 tlie boys. The undressed cloth was indeed rather 
 light for winter, especially when the extravagance 
 of underelotliing, or of overcoats for the l)oys was 
 never dreamed of; but it was very much better than 
 none. 
 
 Tiie various devices for making clothing serve its 
 |)urpose as long as jKissible, were in use, and some 
 ingei i(jus ones, unknown at the ])resent day. Pant- 
 aloons were given a longer lease of life by facing the 
 exposed portions with home-dressed deerskin. This 
 served an admirable purpose, as long as there was 
 enough of the original g.irnunt left to sui^ily a skel- 
 eton; bnt at length tlis wiiole fabric would break 
 down together, like the "wonderful one horse shay." 
 (iarmcnts made wholly of buckskin were sometimes 
 attempted, but after a single wetting and drying, they 
 were as uncomfortable as if made of siieet iron. Leather 
 was scarce, and shoes as a conseipience. Here and there 
 was a tannery, after a year or two; hut where were 
 the hides? Cattle were scarce, and too valuable to be 
 sacriliced for such small comforts as shoes and, tallow 
 candles, and fresh beef. If some disease had not ap- 
 peared among them, now and then, the case would 
 have b(*n still worse. But in those simple times, a 
 hide could not be tanned in a day. After l(.)ng 
 months the leather came, but shoemakers, proverb- 
 ially slow, were indeliuitely slower, when their out 
 door work absorbed their energies, and they resorted 
 ti) the bench only for spare evenings and rainy days. 
 The boy must go for his shoes a half score of times, 
 and return with a jiromise for next week. The snow 
 often came before the shoes, and then the shoes them- 
 selves would he a curiosity. — made as they were indis- 
 criminately from the skins of the hog, the d(jg, the 
 deer, and the wolf. I remember to have worn all 
 these myself. 
 
 Sometimes when the household store of clothing 
 seemed nearly exliausted, and every garment had 
 served its generation in a half dozen diiferent forms, 
 a box would come from the east, brought by some 
 family moving into the new country, well charged 
 with half worn garments and new cloth, and a stray 
 string of dried ajiples to till out a corner, enough to 
 make glad the hearts of the recipients for a year. 
 
 ■"Mother says we are rich now.*' saiil three little 
 boys to a neighbor's children, whum they met in the 
 road, after the arrival of a box from Stockliridge. 
 " Well," was the reply, " we are not rich, we are 
 poor, and poor folks go to heaven, and rich folks 
 don't." This was a new view of the parable of the 
 rich man and Lazarus, and the linys went home ipiite 
 crest-fallen. 
 
 It relieved this experience of povei-ty that all shared 
 in it. Many of our wants are merely relative. We 
 need good things liecaiise our neighbors have them. 
 But in those days, there were few contrasts to disturb 
 even the poorest. Still, without any reference to 
 others, there is some slight discomfort to a boy in 
 calling at a neighbor's house in such a plight that he 
 cannot safely turn his back to the people as he leaves 
 the house; or in crossing the meadow on a frosty 
 morning with bare feet, stopping now and then to 
 warm them on a stone not so cold as the grass. 
 
 In the matter of necessary food, the new country 
 was more generous. The soil yielded abundantly 
 when once brought under cultivation, furnishing the 
 substantial of life. The material of bread was abund- 
 ant, but in a dry season, the wheat could not be 
 ground. Brown's mill, on the Vermillion, was the first 
 to fail; then Shui)e's, on Beaver creek, or Starrs, at 
 Birmingham, and last, Ely's, at Elyria. The grists 
 were ground in the order of their rece])tion, and some- 
 times a family was obliged to wait weeks for its turn, as 
 the water was sufficient only for an hour's work in a day; 
 and sometimes the mill rested for days in succession. 
 Then it was no small enterprise to go to Elyria to 
 mill. There was a, time within my own recollection, 
 when there wei'e not a half dozen horses in town. 
 Mr. Peck had a sjian. Mr. Bacon one, and Judge 
 Brown a span. These horses were freely lent, but 
 they could not meet the requirements of the entire 
 settlement, when the mill was a dozen miles away, 
 and still be of any use to their owners. When one 
 went to mill with a team, he was expected to carry 
 the grists of his neighbors, or bring them home, if he 
 found them ground. When the mills were at rest, it 
 was allowable to Itoi row as long as there was any flour 
 in the neighboi'hood, and when it failed, we enjoyed 
 a week's variety of '■jointed corn," or pounded wheat. 
 There was a little pt-ril to young hands in this work 
 of "jointing" corn, and many a thuml), fifty jears 
 old or less, bears marks as mysterious to the children 
 of this day, as the fossil bird tracks of the Connecticut 
 sand stone. 
 
 Pork was the staple arti( le in flesh diet, an ox or 
 a cow being too valuable to slaugliter. For flesh meat 
 we had venison and other wild game, — so plenty at 
 times as to become a drug. In the view of those who 
 lived here in the early days, such meats are likely to 
 be regarded as fancy adornments of a bill of fare, not 
 satisfactory as an every day reliance. A\'hen an orig- 
 inal Brown heliner goes to the city, he is not likely to 
 call for venison, unless to recall the early exjierienee, 
 as the people of Israel used unleavened bread and 
 
224 
 
 niSTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 bitter Imrlis at tin; passover. lie lui.s douc his diUj in 
 that, line of eating. Roasted I'accoon and baked opos- 
 sum were never popular. Those may enjoy wiio have 
 never tasted. 
 
 Our sup|)ly of fruits was not abundant. Tiirce 
 years sufiiced to liring tlie i)eacli into bearing from 
 the stone; hence, this was the earliest cultivated fruit. 
 And we had peaches in those times. Tiie diseases 
 and insects that ruin the peach tree were then un- 
 known. A wagon load of the finest peaclics could be 
 liad for the gathering. Peach cider was attem|)ted in 
 various parts of the town, before the advent of teeto- 
 talisni, but the cause of temperunce never suffered 
 from it. Apples and pears came on very slowly. The 
 plan of grafting was not much in use, and the virgin 
 soil which stimulated the growth of wood, was not 
 favorable to early fruitage. I remember that I was 
 called from bed one morning to see an apple tree in 
 lilossom, the first I ever saw. In the thought of tlie 
 children of that time, the forbidden fruit of Eden 
 was an ap[ile. Nothing else could be such a tempta- 
 tion. Now and then a stray apple reached us from 
 the orchard of Horatio Perry, or of Judge Ruggles in 
 Vermillion. And what a Havor there was in that 
 slice from a pippin, i)rought by Mi'. Alverson. all the 
 way from Stockbridge, in his knapsack! We have no 
 apples now-a-days! The first pear tliat the boy tasted 
 lie w;is not allowed to see. He was told to shut his 
 eyes and opan liis miuth. and a bit of the delicious 
 mystery was placed iqion his tongue. 
 
 Sugar could be obtained from the Uiaple then, as 
 now, but the maple tree was not abundant in the 
 township. Many farms were entirely destitute of it, 
 and few families made sugar enough for the year's 
 suii[>ly. It was not a rare tiling for a family to be 
 without sugar for months in succession. Honey and 
 pumpkin molasses were used as substitutes for sweet- 
 ening tea and nniking gingerbread, — noc quite equal 
 to refined sugar; but they served to keep alive the 
 idea of sweetness. 
 
 Genuine tea, — old or young hyson, — was regarded 
 as a necessary of life, and no well conditioned family 
 could be found without it; but it would astonish a 
 modern housekeeper to hear how small a (piantity 
 would meet the necessity. Children never needed 
 it; it was not good for them; and a pound would 
 supply a family for a year. Tea must have been 
 a different tiling in those times. A single teasjioon- 
 ful, well steepi'd, would furnisli socialiility to a 
 half dozen ladies of an afteriKx.in: and the same pot, 
 refilled with water, would charm away the weariness 
 of the men folks, when they returnad from their 
 work. A cargo of such tea, in these days, would 
 make the fortune of the importer. Store coffee was 
 essentially unknown, and therefore not needed. 
 
 The table furniture was simple, and the frugal 
 habits of New England on this point, favored the 
 condition of the peojile. The food was placed in a 
 common dish in the middle of the table, the potato 
 mashed and seasoned to the taste, and the meat cut 
 
 in niouthfuls ready for appropriation. A knife and 
 fork at each place sufficed, or even one of them would 
 do for the children. A drinking-cup or tumbler at 
 each end of the table was ample. If bread and milk 
 was the bill of fare, a single bowl and spoon could do 
 duty for the entire family, going down from the oldest 
 to the youngest. This may seem like imagination — 
 it is simple fact. Commonly a tin basin or pewter 
 porringer went around among the younger children ; 
 but as they grew older they preferred to wait, for the 
 sake of using the crockery ware. 
 
 In those dark-walled log cabins, a single tallow 
 candle would not seem so afford superfluous light of 
 a winter evening ; but only favored families could 
 indulge the luxury. The candle was lighted when 
 visitors came. At other times the bright wood fire 
 was the chief reliance, and for sewing or reading a 
 nicked tea saucer filled with hog's fat, and a wick of 
 twisted rag projecting over the edge. This was 
 the classic lamji of the log cabin, open to accident 
 indeed, but a dash of grease on the puncheon floor 
 was an immaterial circumstance. Two dipped can- 
 dles furnished the light for an evening meeting, the 
 hour for which was very properly designated as 
 "early candle lighting." The out door life of the 
 early settlers iiresented some peculiar features. The 
 chief item of farm work was clearing land. The 
 first, and in some respects the most valuable products 
 of this labor, was derived from the ashes of the burnt 
 forests. I'lack salts, or potash, concentrated much 
 value in a small bulk ; and hence would bear trans- 
 portation to a distant market. For years it was 
 the only article of farm produce which would bring 
 money. Some trader at the mouth of Black river, or 
 at Elyria, would )>ay one-third cash for this article, 
 and the balance in goods. Thus the farmer could 
 raise the money to pay his taxes, and a little more for 
 tea and cotton cloth, which were always cash articles. 
 Wheat and corn would not sell for cash, except occa- 
 sionally a little to an immigrant, until about the time 
 of the completion of the Erie canal. It was the 
 height of jirosperity when at length white flint corn 
 came to sell at eighteen cents a bushel, and white 
 army beans at thirty to fifty cents. From tliat day 
 we were "out of the woods." 
 
 The apjiliances for farm culture were not the most 
 efficient. Horses and wagons came slowly. Oxen 
 and carts, however, furnished a very good substitute, 
 indeed, were best suited to the work in the midst of 
 logs and stumps. They were not so convenient for 
 trips to mill, or to market, or to meeting ; but they 
 were made to answer all these ]iurposes. Indeed, a 
 single ox, fitlv harnessed, was sometimes made to do 
 duty as a horse in plowing corn. The plow of these 
 times was such as each faryier possessing a little 
 mechanical gumption, could make for himself. The 
 share, as it was called by coui-tesy, was brought from 
 the east, made of wrought iron and pointed with 
 steel. The mould-board was split from an oak log 
 and hewed into a slightly sjiiral form, and the whole 
 
WILLIAM SAYLES. 
 
 Photos, by Lee, Elyria, 0. 
 
 MRS. WILLIAM SAYLES. 
 
 MES. SARAH C. SAYLES. 
 
HISTOEY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 225 
 
 WHS bound together by'a bolt which uxleinlL'd from ;t 
 block at the base up tlirough the beam. The clear, 
 shiuing furrow of the modern plowman could not 
 follow such an implement. I remember well the sen- 
 sation produced by the first cast-iron plow brought 
 into the country. Peojile came miles to see it. The 
 only dniwback was that when the point failed, it 
 could be replaced only by sending to Massachusetts, 
 except that the i)roprietor chanced to be enough of a 
 Yankee to whittle out a mould for himself, and thus 
 obtained a perpetual supply from a furnace at Blyria. 
 Mechanics and artisans appeared slowly. All the 
 energies of the people were concentrated ujion clear- 
 ing the land, and they had no surplus means to 
 support mechanics who should supply them with the 
 refinements of life. Shoemakers were first called for, 
 and some men found themselves shoemakers who had 
 never been suspected, either by their friends or them- 
 selves, of any acquaintance w'ith the art. Among the 
 first who wore recognized as accomplished artists in 
 this line, were Mr. Peck and his sons, Mr. Scott near 
 the stone quarry, Mr. Wells on the lake, and after- 
 ward Mr. Hosford and his sons. Mr. Peck estab- 
 lished a tannery, and could thus perform the whole 
 labor of transforming into shoes the few hides which 
 the murrain furnished to a reluctant community. 
 The shoemaker often went from house to house, 
 making shoes for the entire family, an operation that 
 was called "whipi)ing the cat." 
 
 The first blacksmith in town, and the only one for 
 many years, was Deacon Shepard. A farmer like the 
 rest, he spent his mornings and evenings and rainy 
 days at his anvil. Such double service would seem 
 too much for ordinary endurance; but the deacon still 
 walks among the people whom he thus served, able, 
 in his eighty-third year, to do a good day's work. 
 Seth JMorse made rakes, scythe snaths and farm cra- 
 dles. Mr. Blodgett manufactured our brooms, and 
 Solomon Whittlesey converted the farmer's black salts 
 into pearlash. Alfred Avery was a wheelwright, and 
 of course a carpenter, more strictly devoted to his 
 trade than most of the first mechanics. Thomas Sly, 
 on the lake shore, was a carpenter, and his son James 
 after him; on the south ridge, Durand and Hancock. 
 Many of the farmers had sufficient skill in the work- 
 ing of wood to construct their plows, sleds, ox-yokes 
 and ordinary farming implements, and to jjut an axle 
 into a cart or wagon. Ezekiel Goodrich, on the lake 
 shore, was the first cabinet maker. There was no 
 brick or stone mason in the early settlement. The 
 only work in that line was the building of stick chim- 
 neys, and now and then one of stone and brick, and 
 pointing the crevices of the log cabins every winter 
 with clay — even the boys learned to do this. Such 
 extempore mason-work was not always reliable. The 
 stone chimney in the house built for Dr. Betts buried 
 Mr. Pease in its ruins one day, when he was engaged 
 laying the hearth. He was bruised, not killed. 
 
 The first flouring-mill was built by Judge Brown, 
 in 18'.il, on the Vermillion, near the present Swift 
 
 29 
 
 place. After two or three years, it was removed down 
 the river and placed by the side of a saw mill, owned 
 by Hinckley and Morse, and is the same mill now 
 owned by Benjamin Bacon — the same perhaps in the 
 sense that the boy's knife was the same after having 
 a new blade and a new handle. Its original infirmity 
 was want of motive power in a dry time, a weakness 
 from which it has never fully recovered — the failure 
 of the dam in a wet time, and the freezing up of the 
 wheel in winter. 
 
 There is now — fall of 1878 — one grist mill in the 
 township. This is the mill of John H. Heyman, 
 called the " Brownlielm Mills," situated in West 
 Brownhelm, on the Vermillion. The mill was erected 
 by the present owner, in the fall of 1877, at a cost of 
 some fifteen thousand dollars. There are three run 
 of stones, beside a middlings stone. The mill is 
 usually run by water power, but an engine has been 
 added for use in dry seasons. The new process, called 
 the "steaming process," is adopted in the manufac- 
 ture of flour, which consists simply of steaming the 
 wheat about six hours before grinding. About three 
 hundred barrels of fiour are now shii^ped per week, 
 the principal market for which is Cleveland. It is 
 one of the best establishments of the kind in this 
 section of country. Mr. Heyman also has, in con- 
 nection with his grist mill, a saw mill, run by the 
 same motive power. 
 
 The first carding and cloth-dressing establishment 
 was built by Uriah Hawley and Charles Whittlesey, 
 on the Vermillion, but a little southwest of Brown- 
 helm territory. The first hotel in town was kept by 
 Alva Curtis, first in his log house, afterwards in a 
 more stately structure. It was always a pleasant 
 home for a traveler. The sign itself gave notice that 
 Sunday calls were not desired. Travelers were also 
 entertained, for a consideration, at any house at which 
 they felt inclined to stop. 
 
 Mr. Curtis brought the first stock of goods into the 
 town, and opened a store. His assortment was not 
 extensive, but I remember buying there, one day, a 
 clay tobacco pipe — a present for Aunt Patty Andrews, 
 whose favor was very valuable to all boys who loved 
 kindly words and doughnuts — and an illustrated edi- 
 tion of "Cock Robin" for myself. Stores were after- 
 wards opened at Black River, Elyria, South Amherst, 
 North Amherst, and, in 1830, one by Ezekiel Good- 
 rich, on the lake shore in Brownhelm, afterwards 
 I'emoved to the ridge road, near Mr. Curtis'. 
 
 The stores in town at the present time are the fol- 
 lowing: F. M. McGregor, Sunshine and Stevenson 
 in West Brownhelm; W. H. Cooley, at Bacon's Cor- 
 ners; Gilison Brothers, .J. Clark, at the station, and 
 Chauncey Peck on Middle ridge. 
 
 EDUCATIONAL. 
 
 The first school in town was opened by Mrs. Alver- 
 son, in her own house, in the summer of 1819. In 
 the autumn of the same year, the first school house 
 was built, of logs of course, on the brow of the hill 
 
326 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 just west of Dr. Perry's. The old biittoruut tree, 
 which still survives, stood ne:ir the door. The site 
 was romantic, but it was ajjparently selected to give 
 the teachers the opportuuity of forbidding sliding 
 down hill and wading in the brook. The house was 
 of modest dimensions, eighteen by twenty-two, but 
 was still thought by some to indicate too ambitious a 
 disposition on the part of the people who lived on 
 this road. Hence the street was nicknamed "Street 
 street" by a man who would have the house twelve 
 feet square — a title it bore for many years. 
 
 This school house was finished with a stick chim- 
 ney, and a broad fireplace without jambs. A board 
 around the house, resting on pins projecting from the 
 walls, served for desks; and whitewood slabs, sup- 
 jiorted by pins, made the seats. Loose boards lying 
 on joists made a loft above, and an excavation beneatli 
 the floor, reached Ijy raising a board, served as a dun- 
 geon for the punishment of offenders. In our childish 
 simplicity, we suj>posed the excavation was made for 
 the purpose, with malice prepense, but I have since 
 ascertained that it was an accidental result of making 
 mortar to build the chimney. 
 
 My father taught the school the first two winters, 
 and children from every part of the town attended. 
 There was no public school fund in those times, and 
 the teacher received his compensation in work in his 
 "chopping" the next spring, day for day, the work 
 being distributed among the families according to the 
 number of children attending the school. For years 
 afterwards the teacher received his pay in farm pro- 
 duce. Among the earlier teachers in that house were 
 Abby Harris, Amelia Peek and Pamelia Curtis. Miss 
 Pamelia herself was but a child, thirteen years of age; 
 and, although she sustained her responsibilities with 
 remarkable dignity, it is not difficult to recall, in a 
 retrospect, some childish arrangements. One sum- 
 mer day she placed her chair on the table, removed a 
 board from the floor aliove, lifted the children up one 
 by one, and kept school up stairs — the excuse being 
 that Colonel Brown's bull had been seen loose around 
 the street that day, and he might be wild — an ample 
 reason in the imagination of both teacher and chil- 
 dren. Many pleasant memories gather about the old 
 school house, in spite of the strijied lizards that bur- 
 roughed in its crevices to frighten nervous girls, and 
 the yawning chasm below, in which heedless boys 
 were often engulfed. 
 
 In 1834 the "yellow school house" was built,a few 
 feet west of the log one, and the boys had the exquisite 
 pleasure of rolling the old house down the hill. This 
 yellow school house was an elegant one in its day, 
 painted throughout and plastered. It was no ordi- 
 nary school house, but a genuine academy, furnished 
 with unusual apparatus, globes, and wall maps, and 
 pantograph, and tables for map-drawing and painting, 
 all under the charge of accomplished teachers. This 
 was the first attempt in the county, and indeed in a 
 much wider region, at a school of anything more than 
 a local character. The enterprise originated with. 
 
 and was carried forward almo^ wholly by iJr. Belts. 
 It prospered for two or three years, attracting young 
 ladies in the summer from all the older settlements, 
 within a distance of twenty miles; from Milan, Nor- 
 walk, Florence, Elyria, Sheffield, etc. Mary Harris 
 of Florence, afterward Mi-s. IIo])kins of Milan, taught 
 the school the first two summers; after her, Mary 
 Green, now Mrs. Miles of Elyria. The first winter 
 Mortimer Strong, and the second and third Mr. Park- 
 hurst, were the teachers. The first summer the house 
 was without fire. In cool, wet weather the boys kept 
 u)i an out-door fire; and between the damp plastering 
 within, and the rain without, some of the children 
 took the ague and shook the summer through. In 
 the fall a stove was bought, probably the first that was 
 ever brought into town, a diminutive box stove, 
 eighteen inches in length, but a wonder to the chil- 
 <lren of the woods, who had never seen a stove. Over 
 that we shivered two or three winters, when it was 
 succeeded by a larger stove cast in plates, but utterly 
 destitute of clamping rods to hold it together. No 
 man in the community knew tiiat such a thing was 
 necessary, and it was no rare occurrence for a long 
 stick to thrust out the end plate, and occasionally the 
 whole fabric collapsed at once. But such annoyances 
 were but trifles, and the Brownhelm sciiool main- 
 tained a character above that of other schools in the 
 country around. Among the earlier teachers, besides 
 those mentioned, were J. A. Harris now of Cleveland; 
 his sister, Miss Emeline Harris, now Mrs. Tenney; 
 Miss Mary Whittlesey, and .John Curtis. There was 
 no other school in town the first dozen years or more. 
 After three or four years it ceased to be anything but 
 a local school. The old yellow school house went ofl' 
 in a blaze some years ago. 
 
 In the summer of 1830, Rev. Hervey Lyon opened 
 an academy in a small house built for the purpose, a 
 little east of Mr. Pease's. This was kept up two 
 years, and attended by small number of pupils, a few 
 of whom commenced Latin and Greek in preparation 
 for college. This was the first classical school in the 
 county, and gave place to the Elyria high school, es- 
 tablished in 1832, of which Mr. and Mrs. Mouteith 
 were the first teachers. This school enjoyed two years 
 of great prosperity, until the school at Oberlin was 
 o])ened in 1834, which at once took the lead aud has 
 maintained it. 
 
 The report of the clerk of the boai-d of education 
 for the year ending August 31, 1878, gives the follow- 
 ing statistics in regard to schools, viz: 
 
 Number of hi luses 9 
 
 Araourii paid teachers $1,3S8 
 
 Number of scholars 247 
 
 RELIGIOUS. 
 
 The early settlers were in earnest in religions mat- 
 ters, as well as in education. They were not all mem- 
 bers of the church, but they had all been trained in 
 New England habits, and prominent men like Alva 
 Curtis aud Colonel Brown, who did not at first have 
 

 
 ■.^'■^s^ 
 
 
 RESIDENCE -:pf-CAPT SAMUEL FLINT, /IMHERST Tp.,LOf^AiN CO., Ohio 
 
^3 W'/'' 
 
 UUESTKli A. COOiiEY. 
 
 MRS. (J. A. UOOLEY. 
 
 CHESTER A. COOLEY 
 
 was born in Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., Mass., Aug. 25, 
 1812, and was the seventh child in a family of eight children 
 of Enos and Anna (Ashley) Cooley, both of New England 
 ance.stry. During the fall of 1817, Enos Cooley and 
 family started west with a span of horses and wagon, and 
 arriving at Batavia, N. Y., stopped over until the month 
 of February following. He was very poor in this world's 
 goods, and had nothing with which to start except a good 
 constitution and a desire to succeed for the benefit of his 
 family. Young Chester had to work hard, fare poorly, 
 and all the amusement he ever had 
 in youth was fishing and 'cooning. 
 They arrived at Brownhelni towards 
 the last of the year 1818, and pur- 
 chased one hundred acres of land, 
 upon which they erected a fine, 
 hewed log house, the corners being 
 squared by Mr. Cooley himself, he 
 being a practical mechanic. This 
 primitive residence stood about one 
 mile south of the lake, and two 
 miles north of the present residence 
 of Chester A. Cooley. The superior 
 quality of the log house, however, 
 did not furnish food for the family, so 
 that they traded one of their horses 
 for a cow, which helped a little. The 
 creature had to procure its own fod- 
 der in the woods, and sometimes the 
 family were minus the diurnal supply 
 of the lacteal fluid owing to the non- 
 appearance of the bovine. Its absence 
 sometimes extended over four or five 
 days. Mr. Cooley, p^jr, went to Elyria 
 and worked in Judge Ely's mills, 
 while the children cleared the land. 
 Clearing up the forest, however, was 
 
 somewhat detrimental to their clothing, so that one of the 
 boys shouldered his knapsack and proceeded on foot to Ma.s- 
 sachusetts for a fresh supply of cloth, earning the same in a 
 factory where he had previously worked. These and similar 
 privations the pioneers had to bear, but little by little the 
 country bt'gan to settle up, and many of the difliculties of 
 their situation were removed. At the age of twenty-eight, 
 and on the -Ith of November, 1840, Chester married Catha- 
 rineB.jdaughterof Grandison and Nancy (Harris) Fairchild, 
 
 WM. II. COOLEY. 
 
 who settled in Brownhelni in the fall of 1818. By this union 
 were born two sons, — James Francis, born Oct. 11, 1841 ; 
 was married, in March, IStJo, to P]ffie Darby, sLster of William 
 Sayles' first wife; died Aug. 12, 1863, ot diphtheria. He 
 was a remarkably good son and brother, cheerful, careful, and 
 conscientious. He watched over his younger brother with 
 tender solicitude, and was faithful in every duty both at 
 home and at school. While attending Oberlin College, and 
 boarding with his uncle. Professor (now President) Fairchild, 
 his mother once inquired whether he was a good boy. The 
 professor said, "You know you need 
 not ask. I never saw such a boy ; 
 he is always in the right place at 
 the right time." He taught school, 
 and was also engaged at Sabbath- 
 school teaching. Although not a pro- 
 fes.sor of religion he was a devout 
 Christian, and his death, after a pain- 
 ful illness of onl_y four days, was a sore 
 bereavement alike to his parents and 
 to his recently married wife. 
 
 The other son of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Cooley, William H., was born Sept. 
 27, 1843 ; was married, July 8, 1865, 
 to Sarah Butler. They have two 
 daughters and one son, viz. : Caroline 
 Madora, born Nov. 19, 1870 ; Cath- 
 arine Eloise, born Feb. 2, 1874; Wm. 
 Butler, born June 15, 1878. 
 
 Chester A. Cooley first purchased 
 fifty acres of land, for which he went 
 in debt. He paid for it by working for 
 Judge Brown and others, and making 
 staves from the timber on his land. 
 In 1846 he sold out and bought 
 one hundred acres where he now re- 
 sides. He cast his first vote, in 1840, 
 for General Harrison. He afterwards became an anti- 
 slavery man, and is now a Democrat. He is an honest, con- 
 scientious Christian, a first-class fiirmer, and a good citizen. 
 William, his only son, is a merchant at Brownhelm, and also 
 postmaster and town treasurer. He follows in his father's 
 footsteps, and is generally esteemed a worthy member of 
 society. He was for several years superintendent of the 
 Sabbath-school, himself and wife being members of the 
 Congregational Church. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 227 
 
 !i standing in tlie clnircli, still maintained family 
 prayer and aided in the Sabl)aili services. A meeting 
 was held at Judge Urown's house by Deacon James, 
 the Sabbath before July -i, 1817, and from that day 
 to this public worshi[) has l)een held on the Sabbath, 
 unless for a single day l-he violence of a storm may 
 have prevented the gathering. The first meetings 
 were held at Judge Brown's, afterwards at Solomon 
 Whittlesey's, and then at Mr. Barnum's, a little north 
 of the stone qnarry. 
 
 At this point the first meeting house was built in 
 1819, a neat and commodious structure for the new 
 country, constructed of pealed logs, with a genuine 
 shingle roof, and a stone chimney and fire place. The 
 infii-mity of this part of the arrangement was that 
 the mantle was of wood, which often took fire on a 
 winter day, and one of the young men, Frederic 
 Brown, or Chauncey Peck, or Rodney Andrews, was 
 obliged to bring water or snow to extinguish it, while 
 the rest of the congregation were occupied with the 
 calculation how long it would be before the chimney 
 would come down upon them. The seats were like 
 t hose of the log school house, slates on pins. The 
 men were ranged on one side the house and the 
 woniui on th3 othor, facing e:nh other, with a broad 
 aisle between, at one end of which stood the pulpit. 
 As times improved and lumber became abundant, one 
 man made a comfortable settee for his family; others 
 followed his example, and in a few weeks the whole 
 congregation were provided for. The only dedication 
 of the house of which I ever heard, was by Deacon 
 Beardsley, of Vermillion. Passing the building one day 
 when it was nearly finished, he went in to see if the 
 house would seem like the old log meeting house that 
 he had known in Connecticut. The spirit of the 
 Jjord seemed to come upon him, and with a solemn 
 ]U'ayer he consecrated the house, and received an 
 assurance of great spiritual blessings to come soon upon 
 the i)eople. The ))romised blessing was not long de- 
 layed. In the great revival that followed, almost all 
 tlie young i)eople were gathered into the church. 
 
 The church was organized June 10, 1819, at tlie 
 house of Solomon Whittlesey, and consisted of sixteen 
 members, seven men and nine women. Four of the 
 sixteen are now living: Levi Shepard and Grandison 
 Fairchild, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Fairchild; and three 
 are present to-day. The ministers that officiated in 
 its organization were Messrs. Treat and Seward, mis- 
 .sionai'ies of the Connecticut Missionary Society, and 
 members of the Portage Presbytery. The church was 
 congregational, under the care of Presbytery, after 
 the "plan of union." Stephen James was the first 
 deacon, and afterward Levi Shepard was elected; 
 Grandison Fairchild was clerk. Rev. A. II. Betts, 
 known through the country as Dr. Betts, from the 
 fact that he had studied medicine, was the first min- 
 ister. He began preaching to tlie church in the fall 
 of 1820, and was ordained and installed April 5, 
 1831. He continued pastor until, at his own recpiest, 
 he was dismissed in 1833. 
 
 The practice of the congregation was to meet for 
 service at half past ten Sabbath mornings, to take a 
 recess of an hour for rest, and for lunch, which they 
 took with them to meeting; visiting the spring under 
 the rocks for water, and returning for afternoon ser- 
 vice. There were only two or three families tiiat lived 
 near enough to go home at noon. A sight of the old 
 congregation would lie refreshing to-day — the women 
 ill their Sunday's best, the men in their shirt sleeves, 
 the boys and girls with bare feet. Mr. Peck, at the 
 head of the high seat with his pitch pijie, Judge 
 Brown next, and Dr. Betts in the pulpit. After the 
 Sabbath school was introduced, this was held at noon. 
 The first Sabbath school was opened June 1, 1828, 
 Sabbath morning, in the yellow school house, with 
 about a dozen children and two teachers — my father 
 and Pamelia Curtis. It was afterwards transferred to 
 the meeting house and held at noon. The chief 
 feature of the school at that day was the learning and 
 reciting of scripture, each scholar having the privilege 
 of selecting his own passages and learning as many as 
 possible. A single scholar would sometimes repeat 
 more than a hundred at a lesson. One such in a 
 class would nearly consume the hour. Before 1830, 
 the Sabbath school was reorganized, under the super- 
 intendence of Frederic Brown, who had been living 
 at the east, and returned all alive with interest in the 
 Sabbath school work. The plan of limited lessons 
 was adopted, and the Sabbath school became a re- 
 ligious power in the community of great efficiency. 
 
 It was the time of a great religious movement in 
 the land, in connection with which protracted meet- 
 ings were first extensively introduced, commonly 
 known as "four days" meetings." These meetings 
 gathered not merely the communities where they were 
 held, but people from neighboring towns attended in 
 large numbers. They were not like the protracted 
 meetings of the present day, occupying the evening 
 with a single preaching service, proceeded by a prayer- 
 meeting, leaving the people free during a large part 
 of the day for their usual avocations. At these four 
 days' meetings, the people gathered in the morning, 
 taking a luncheon for themselves and for visitors from 
 abroad, and the entire day was devoted to preaching, 
 prayer and inquiry meetings. Evening meetings fol- 
 lowed in the different neighborhoods. 
 
 Such a meeting was held at Browiihelm, in the 
 summer of 1831, under a bower, in the forest, just 
 north of the stone quarry. The old meeting house 
 was not large enough. The weather was iiropitious, 
 and the meeting was fruitful of results. The religious 
 interest which had been accumulating for many 
 months, in connection with the Sabbath school work, 
 reached its culmination. Many were greatly quick- 
 ened in their religious life, and many more were 
 induced to enter upon such a life. It was a season to 
 be remembered for a generation. Similar meetings 
 were held at Elyria and at Vermillion earlier in the 
 season, and the influence extended through the region. 
 Mr. Shipherd, of Elyria, Mr. Bradstreet, of Vermil- 
 
238 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 liou, Mr. Jndson, of Milan, and several others, were 
 recognized as leaders in the work. Probably no other 
 siicli gejieral movement lias been knoAvn in the his- 
 tory of northern Ohio. 
 
 The old log meeting house, about this time, became 
 uncomfortable for winters and inadequate for sum- 
 mers, and the jjcople moved towards a better house. 
 It was soon found dilHcult to bring the interests of 
 the lake shore and the ridge to harmonize upon a 
 location. An old Stockbridge difficulty between the 
 Plain and the North settlement, found an echo here 
 in the woods, and, perhaps, predisposed to a repro- 
 duction of the quarrel. After sundry meetings and 
 conferences, the question was referred to a committee 
 of discreet men from abroad, vvliose decision was to be 
 final. This committee consisted of Deacon (h-oeker, 
 of Dover, Deacon Clark, of Vermillion, and Deacon 
 Fuller, of Berlin. They diove the stake in my father's 
 peach orchard, and there the church was. 
 
 The first attempt at a buildiug was essentially a 
 failui-e. Mr. Culver was the architect, a man of me- 
 chanical genius, but deficient in practical judgment; 
 and the building, having no cross beams to supj)ort 
 the roof, and relying solely on braced and trussed 
 plates, commenced life with a broken back. After an 
 inglorious career, it gave place to the present cheerful 
 and graceful structni-e built by Alfred Betts. * * * 
 
 The church now — fall of 1878 — has a membership 
 of eighty-five. Allen D. Blakeslee is pastor; John 
 Goodrich, clerk; 0. H. Perry, treasurer; J. C. Cliapin, 
 C. L. Perry and George Wells, deacons. The Sab- 
 bath school, now under the superintendency of C. B. 
 Bacon, has a membership of two hundred and ten 
 scholars. 
 
 A Methodist Episcopal class was formed in West 
 Brownhelm in about the year 1841, called the Brown- 
 helm class. The records of the church have not been 
 preserved, and we could obtain but little information 
 concerning it. The erection of a church building 
 was commenced not long after the organization of the 
 class, but was not finished, for want of means, for 
 several years after. It was dedicated by Elder Lyon, 
 of Sandusky. There is no settled pastor, but regular 
 preaching is had, the Rev. Mr. Smith, of Vermillion, 
 officiating. No Sabbath school. 
 
 The Evangelical Association was organized by Rev. 
 Lutz in the year 1847. 1 he earlier meetings of the 
 society were held in the school house in the southeast 
 part of the town. A house of worship was erected on 
 Middle ridge in 1865, at a cost of one thousand two 
 hundred dollars. The church has now a membership 
 of fifty. The pastor is Rev. Jacob Ilunniker. A 
 Sabbath school was organized subsequently, and now 
 numbers nearly sixty scholars. 
 
 The German Reformed Church was organized in 
 1848. Services were held at first in the school house 
 in district number one, and, subsequently, after the 
 division of the district, the society purchased the 
 school house and occupied it as a house of worship 
 until 1870, when the building at the station was 
 
 erected. The cost of this church was one thousand 
 six hundred dollars. The first pastor was Rev. Meis. 
 Rev. G. II. Kulilen, of Vermillion, now officiates. 
 There is a Sunday school of thirty scholars, of which 
 (Jhristopher Leimbach in superintendent. 
 
 The people of Brownhelm, in the early times, felt 
 reasonable complacency in their social, literary and 
 religious jirivileges, and in the good order and mor- 
 ality which distinguished the place. Crime was rare, 
 and rowdyism almost unknown. If a boisterous 
 company, now and then, passed along the street-s, 
 it was assumed that they were from Black River, a 
 township which then embraced Amherst. If my 
 recollection is not at fault, there was only one drunk- 
 ard in town, even before the commencement of the 
 temperance movement. But the temperance move- 
 ment came none too soon. The habit of drinking at 
 raisings and trainings, and of having liquors in the 
 house for social occasions, and for ]>rivate use, was 
 universal; and the young were forming a taste for it. 
 In 1827, some account reached us of the growing 
 interest at the east on the subject, and on Thanks- 
 giving day, Dr. Betts preached on temperance. The 
 same evening, I think it was, several boys from the 
 neighborhood were spending the evening at our house, 
 the older people having gathered at a neighbor's 
 house. The boys, after some conference on the sub- 
 ject, drew up a i)ledge, one or two of them having 
 learned to write, and all signed it, — a pledge to ab- 
 stain from the use of all distilled sjiirits. This was 
 the first temperance organization in the township, — , 
 the first, in fact, in the county. This pledge was I 
 circulated, and led to the formation of a vigorous ' 
 temperance society. From that time the use of spirits \ 
 declined, until it was no longer furnished on public ' 
 or social occasion, or kejit for private use. Davis' dis- 
 tillery went to ruin, and young men were saved who 
 had been exposed to great danger. 
 
 Until about this time, a few Indians had lingered 
 about the region, some times jiassing by in considera- 
 ble jiartiesfrom the neighlxirhodd uf Upper Sandusky. 
 They were harmless after tlie war, and the only annoy- 
 ance from them was their persistent begging for 
 whiskey. They would stand an hour at the door, 
 begging for "one little dram." One day a party 
 stopi)cd at our house, and passed the bottle among 
 themselves, the bottle being carried by a white man, 
 who belonged to the party. One young man, I 
 i-emember, more gentle and amiable than the rest, 
 said, when the bottle was offered to him, "No, 
 whiskey wrestle we down once, — never will again." 
 Poor Jim! the only Indian with whom, when a child, 
 I dared to be familiar, — whiskey wrestled him down 
 once more, and his cabin burned down upon him. 
 
 TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION. 
 
 From February, 1817, until October, 1818, the 
 town was a part of Black River. At the latter date, 
 on petition of the inhabitants to the commissioners of 
 Huron county, number six, the nineteenth range, 
 
Photu. by Lee, Elyria, O. 
 
 LEONARD BRADLEY. 
 
 Leonard Bradley was born in the town of El- 
 lington, Tolland Co., Conn., Nov. 4, 1792. He 
 immigrated to Brownhelm, Ohio, in the year 1817, 
 located lands, and remained two years, after which 
 he returned to Connecticut and mai'ried Eoxanna, 
 daughter of William Thrall, of Tolland County, 
 and immediately returned to Ohio, where he was 
 identified as a pioneer farmer. By this union were 
 born four children, viz. : Captain Alva Bradley, 
 now a resident of Cleveland, and a large vessel 
 owner ; William Bradley, a resident of Brownhelm ; 
 Betsey (deceased) ; and Julia. Mrs. Leonard Bradley 
 died Feb. 25, 1858. 
 
 Mr. Bradley married for his second wife Emily, 
 widow of William Nye, of Onondaga Co., N. Y., 
 and daughter of John Thompson, who was of Scotch 
 
 birth and ancestry. Our subject was an ardent ad- 
 vocate of Republicanism during his latter days, 
 being formerly a member of the old Whig party ; 
 served his township as trustee and other oflSces from 
 time to time. When a young man he carried a lady 
 (who wished to visit friends, not having seen any 
 white ladies in several months) over the Vermillion 
 River on an ox, he riding one and the lady the other 
 ox, the oxen having to swim on account of the depth 
 of the stream. 
 
 Mr. Bradley remained on the old homestead until 
 the date of his death, which occurred May 3, 1875. 
 His wife survives him, still remaining on the old 
 homestead, surrounded by many friends and ten- 
 derly cared for in her declining years by her chil- 
 dren. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 229 
 
 togeUior widi the siir])lns lands adjoining west, and 
 all lands lying west of Beaver fi'ock in numljcr seven, 
 in the eighteenth range, — Ulaek iliver, — was oi'gan- 
 i/,ed into a separate township, liy the name of Hrown- 
 lieliii, a name selected l)y Colonel lirown, as jn'c- 
 viously fully ex})lained. 
 
 The first election for township officers was held at 
 the house of George Bacon, in tlio spring of 1819. 
 The vote was hy ballot which resulted as follows: 
 Anson Cooper, clerk; William Alverson, treasurer; 
 Levi Shepard, Calvin Leonard, and Alvah Curtiss, 
 trustees; Levi Shepard and Benjamin Bacon, justices 
 of the peace. 
 
 That i)art of the present town of Black Kiver lying 
 west of Beaver creek was, iu June, 1820, by order of 
 the commissioners, detached from Brownhelm, and 
 re-annexed to Black River. The townshij) officers 
 elected in 1878 are as follows: Henry B. Lindsley, 
 clerk; J. M. Joslin, .John H. Heyuian, Gnstavus 
 Schroeder, trustees; Wm. H. Cooley, treasurer; Ed- 
 win Bacon and William Sales, justices of the peace. 
 
 The first justices of the peace in the township were 
 Levi Shepard and Benjamin Bacon. The cases re- 
 ferred to their adjudication were few and simple. 
 Sometimes it was found more convenient and econom- 
 ical to let an unusual rogue escape from the couutiy, 
 than to take him to the jail at Norwalk. It is related 
 that a case of horse stealing once came before 'Sipiire 
 Wells, of Vermillion. The culprit was a wandering 
 preacher, but the evidence was strong against him. 
 'Squire Wells invited "Squire Bacon to sit with him 
 on the trial, to add weight to the court. The consta- 
 bles took the liberty of advising the ])risoner to seek 
 safety by flight, if during the progress of the trial a 
 fair opportunity should appear. He seized the oppor- 
 tunity with great alacrity, and was followed with a 
 shout, but not overtaken. The next day, 'Squire 
 Bacon started for Cleveland, and sjjcnt the night at 
 Dover. A preacher had come into town, and the 
 people were gathering to hear him. Mr. Bacon went 
 with the rest, and was surprised to see at the desk his 
 horse-stealing acquaintance of the day before. He 
 gave as his text " Pure religion and undefiled before 
 God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and 
 the widows in their affliction, and to keep himself 
 unspotted from the world." . After the sermon, op- 
 portunity was given to any who wished to ofEera word 
 of exhortation. Mr. Bacon improved the opportunity 
 by relating the occurrence of the previous day. The 
 poor preacher started suddenly on his travels again, 
 and at last ; C--ounts had not stopped. 
 
 The first physician in town was Dr. AV^eed, who 
 died in the earliest j'ears. Then Dr. Betts, as having 
 some knowledge of medicine, visited tlie sick when 
 no other physician could be had. Next, Dr. Forbes 
 took up his residence here for a short time, occupy- 
 ing the place now belonging to Samuel Bacon's family. 
 When we had no resident physician, Dr. Baker, of 
 Florence, now of Norwalk, was chiefly relied on, and 
 sometimes Dr. Wolcott, of Elyria. Dr. Samuel 
 
 Strong commenced his practice here, and continued a 
 few years. Drs. Willard, Wigton, Page, and Chap- 
 man have since practiced here. 
 
 In general, the early faniilicvs brought their medi- 
 cine bags into the new country, and administered to 
 afflicted children glauber salts, calomel and jalap, 
 rhubarb and senna, with entire confidence, not to 
 speak of wormwood, thoroughwort, and other more 
 odious herbs and compounds. Thus the children 
 were taken through chicken-pox, measles, and whoop- 
 ing cough, in comparative safety. The ague was 
 sometimes "broken" with Peruvian bark, but the 
 more popular treatment was to wear it out. 
 
 The disease most dreaded in the new country was 
 the milk sickness, or, as it was generally called, the 
 sick stomach, commonly supjK)sed to originate in 
 some poisonous herb eaten by the cattle, and to be 
 communicated by the use of the milk. The disease 
 was exceedingly distressing and malignant, and as I 
 rememl.)er now, of toner fatal than otherwise. No 
 part of the town was entin'ly exempt, but the disease 
 was develojied especially in certain localities. The 
 Barnnm place, near the old meeting house, was re- 
 markably afflicted with it; and three stones, side by 
 side in the ])urying ground, mark the graves of three 
 Mrs. Barnnms, all of whom, if I recollect right, died 
 of the disease. One autumn, four members of their 
 families died within a week. The place was at length 
 deserted, and the precise locality has never since been 
 occupied by a family. Those sickly seasons were sad 
 pia'iods in the early history of the place. Tiie little 
 community was sometimes gathered to a double fu- 
 neral, as once at Judge Brown's, when Sidney Brown 
 and Oliver Cooley died, and afterwards at Mr. Bar- 
 nuni's. The latest calamity of the kind was in 1838, 
 when the entire Campbell family, of five persons, died 
 in the space of a month. But in spite of this scourge, 
 the early settlers probably sutfered less from sickness 
 than is common in a new country, and the boon of 
 health was gratefully included in the enuinei'ation of 
 blessings on thanksgiving day. The first liurial in 
 town was that of a daughter of Alva Curtis, Calista, 
 who died at Mr. Onstine's, in Black River, before the 
 family reached the Brownhelm line. She was buried 
 first on Solomon Whittlesey's place, afterwards in the 
 burying ground near Mr. Bacon's. The small brown 
 stone that marks the grave was the only one in the 
 ground for many years. The weeping willow has 
 long since disappeared. 
 
 The first birth was in the Ilolcoml) family, on the 
 south ridge — a sou, Henry Brown Ilolcomb. Next, 
 Lucy Cooper, and a month later, Enos Peek. George 
 Cooper was born in Euclid fifty years ago to-day, and 
 may very projierly be considered the oldest Brown- 
 helm boy. 
 
 The first wedding was probably that of Joseph 
 Swift and Eliza Root, who were married on the South 
 ridge, August 22, 1818. Soon after my father's arri- 
 val, in 1818, one of the Onstiue young men came to 
 borrow five dollars, and satinet enough for a pair of 
 
230 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 pants, giving as a reason tliat lie was going to have a 
 little frolic over in Vermillion. His fi'olic was his 
 wedding. Among the earliest marriages was that of 
 Ezekiel Goodrich and Charlotte Brown, on the lake 
 shore. .Some of the young men had arrangements 
 east that tiiey returned to consummate after they had 
 "stuck their stakes." These were the earliest visits 
 to the east. At a later day, the married ])eoiile singly. 
 not in pairs, went back to visit their old home, going 
 by steamer to Buffalo, and by canal to Albany, aston- 
 ished to traverse in ten d/iys the road that it had 
 taken seven weeks to pass over in coming into the 
 wilderness. This going back to Stockbridge was a 
 great event — the hope of the older, and the dream of 
 the children. The young man, putting on his free- 
 dom suit, must go to Stockbridge to give it an airing! 
 and to attain the consequence essential to sustain his 
 manhood. When he returned, his young companions 
 gathered around him as a distinguished traveler, to 
 hear all he could tell of the W(nulerful land. In this 
 respect, the experience of children bronght up in the 
 simplicity of the new country can scarcely be rejieated 
 at the present day. The advantages of cultivated 
 society, talked of by parents, but never seen by the 
 children, made a i)o\verful impression. The steepled 
 church, back in the eastern home, wrought upon the 
 imagination of the child, as it could not if an object 
 of daily sight. The thought of the college, to one 
 who had only seen the log school house, was material 
 for castle Ijnilding by day, and for di'eams liy night. 
 From mountain summit, and towering monument, 
 and capital dome, in later years, my eyes have rested 
 on many a goodly scene of nature and of art, but the 
 thrill of surprise and satisfaction which I experi- 
 enced upon my first view of the village of Elyria, 
 from my father's wagon, has never been equaled. 
 The village at that time consisted of perhaps twenty 
 buildings, gathered about the Ely and Beebe man- 
 sions, at the east end of Main street. No such snr- 
 prise awaits the children of the present day. 
 
 One of the features of early life here was familiar- 
 ity with the wild animals that had possession of the 
 country. The howl of the wolf at night, was as 
 familiar as the wliip-poor-will's song — not the small 
 prairie wolf so well known at the west, but the pow- 
 erful wolf of the forest, the black and the gray. 
 They passed in droves by onr dwellings at night, 
 sometimes when the new comers had only a blanket 
 sns|ieiided in the ojiening for the door ; sometimes 
 they crowded upon the footsteps of a belated settler, 
 passing from one part of the settlement to another. 
 The boy crossing the pasture on a winter morning 
 Would often sec the lilind track of a wolf that had 
 loped across the night before. If he had forgotten 
 to bring in his sheej) at evening, he might find them 
 scattered and torn in the morning. A dog that ven- 
 tured from the house at night, scmietimes came in 
 with wounds more honorable than comfortable. The 
 wolf was a shy animal, seldom showing itself by day- 
 light. Probably not one in a dozen of the early I 
 
 inhabitants ever saw a wolf in the forest; yet these 
 animals roamed the woods around us for years. Mr. 
 Solomon Whittlesey once snatched his calf from the 
 jaws of a wolf, at night, with many pairs of hungry 
 eyes gleaming upon him through the darkness. 
 
 In 1S37, the county commissioners offered a bounty 
 for wolf scalps — three dollars for a full-grown wolf, 
 and half the sum for a whelp of three months. 
 Whether any drafts were ever made upon the treasniy 
 does not appear. As late as 1832, my brother and 
 myself, returning on foot to the high school at Elyria, 
 after a visit home, were stopjied on the way at even- 
 ing by the howling of wolves in the road before us, 
 and constrained to wait until morning. Now and 
 then a wolf was taken in a trap or shot by a hunter. 
 Probably less than a half-dozen were ever killed in the 
 township. About the winter of 1827-'28, wolf hunts 
 were organized in the region on a grand scale, con- 
 ducted by surrounding a tract of country several miles 
 in extent, with a line of men within sight of each 
 other at the start, and approaching each other as they 
 moved toward the center. The first of these hunts 
 centered in Henrietta, and resulted in bagging large 
 quantities of game, but never a wolf. A single wolf 
 made his ajipea ranee at the center, and was sna]iped 
 at and shot at by many a rifle, but my recollection is 
 that he got off with a whole skin. The sport involved 
 danger from the cross-shooting as the line drew near 
 the center, and Park Harris, of Amherst, mounted 
 on a horse, received a shot in the ankle. To avoid 
 this danger, the next hunt centered on the river hol- 
 low, about the mill in Brownhelni, but the scale on 
 whicli it was arranged was too grand to be carried 
 out. The lines were too extended and liroke in many 
 places, resulting in gathering upon the flat a small 
 herd of deer and a solitary fox, barely furnishing an 
 occasion for the hundreds of huntsmen above to dis- 
 charge their pieces, as the friglitened animals escaped 
 into the woods ujj the river. It was an utterly fruit- 
 less chase. A more exciting chase was the slave-hunt 
 of a later day, in which the people bewildered and 
 foiled the kidnappers. 
 
 Bears were less numerous than v.olves, but they 
 were perhaps more often seen. One was shot by Sol- 
 omon Whittlesey, from the ridge, a little east of the 
 burying ground. One of the trials of my childish 
 courage, was to pass the tree against which tradition 
 said that he rested his rifle in the shot. Another 
 dangerous tree was the large basswood that leaned 
 over the brook, a little to the south-east of Harvey 
 Perry's orchard. My mother going over the ridge to 
 bring a pail of water from the siiring. once drove a 
 large black animal before her, which she thought a 
 dog, until he scrambled up that tree, when she re- 
 tui-ned home without the water. The tree stood close 
 by tlic track that led to Mr. Peck's, and it was a test 
 of pluck for a child to jiass that tree, as I was often 
 obliged to, just as the evening began to darken. One 
 day, one of the half dozen sheep that I was expected 
 to drive into pen at night, was missing. They were 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 231 
 
 jiiistured in the tiekl where the oichurd now is. lu 
 looking for the lost animal, I found a place where it 
 seemed to have been dragged over tlie fence, and fol- 
 lowing the trail a few rods, I came upon a spot, not 
 many feet from where we are now gathered, where a 
 hear had made his feast, leaving the wool scattered 
 about, and a few large hones. The tracks were still 
 fresh in the mud. Such occurrences gave a smack of 
 adventure to child life in the new country, and it was 
 a matter of every day consultation among the hoys, 
 what were tlie habits of tiie various animals supposed 
 to be dangerous, such as the wolf, the bear, the wild- 
 cat, and the panther, and by what tactics it was safest 
 to meet them. Similar discussions were had in refer- 
 ence to the Indians, who had i'ei|uiied a bad reputa- 
 tion during tlie war, then recent, with England. 
 The prevailing opinion was, that any fear exhibited 
 towards an Indian, or a wild beast, put one at a great 
 disadvantage. 
 
 Deer were far moi"e plenty than cattle, and the sight 
 of them was an everyday occurrence. A good marks- 
 man would sometimes shoot one from his door. The 
 same was true of wild turkeys. Raccoons worked 
 mischief in the unripe corn, and a favorite sport of 
 the boys was "coon hunting" at night, the time when 
 the creature visited the corn. A dog traversed the 
 cornfield to start the game, and the boys ran at the 
 first bark of the dog, to be in at the death. When 
 the animal took to a tree, it was cut down, or a fire 
 was built and a guard set to keep him until morning, 
 when he was brought down by a shot. The motive 
 for the hunt was three-fold, — the sport, the protection 
 of the corn, and tlio value of the skin, the raccoon 
 being a furred animal. The greatest speculation in 
 this line of which the town can boast, was made by 
 Job Smith, whom many will remember, and who is 
 mentioned in the county records, in the description 
 of a road, as " a man of some note." He is said to 
 have bought a quantity of goods of a New York 
 dealei', promising to pay "five hundred coon skins 
 taken as they run," naturally meaning an average lot. 
 The dealer, after waiting a reasonable time for his fur, 
 came oti to investigate, and inquired of his debtor 
 when the skins would be delivered. "Why," said 
 Mr. Smith, "you were to take them as they run; the 
 woods are full of them; take them when you please." 
 The moral of the story would not be complete with- 
 out stating that the same Job Smith was afterwards 
 arrested as a manufacturer of counterfeit coin. 
 
 Thrifty men pursued the b.isiness of hunting as a 
 pastime. The only man in town, perhaps, to wliom 
 it afforded profitable business, in any sense, was Solo- 
 mon Whittlesey. Other professional hunters were 
 shiftless meu, to whom hunting was a mere passion, 
 having something of the attractions of gambling. 
 Mr. Whittlesey did not neglect his farm, but he knew 
 every haunt and path of the deer and the turkey, and 
 ■wus often on their track by day and by night. He is 
 with US to-day, and reports the killing of one bear, 
 two wolves, twenty wild cats, about one hundred and 
 
 fifty deer, and smaller game too numerous to si)ecify. 
 One branch of his business was bee hunting, a pursuit 
 which rerjuired a keen eye, good judgnuiut and prac- 
 tice. The method of the hunt was to raise an odor 
 in the forest, by placing honey comb on a hot stone, 
 and in the vicinity another piece of comb charged 
 with honey. The bees wei'C attracted liy the smell, 
 and having gorged themselves with the iioney, they 
 took ii bct'-li lie for their tree. Tliis line the hunter 
 observed and marked iiy two or more trees in range. 
 He then took another station, not on this line, and 
 went through the same operation. Those two lines, 
 if fortunately selected, would converge u])on the bee 
 tree, and could be followed out by a pocket compass. 
 The tree, when found, was marked by tiie hunter 
 with his initials, and could be cut down at tlu! proper 
 time. 
 
 Another form of the sjiort of hunting was even 
 more classic, the hunting of the wild boar. For many 
 years there was an unliroken forest, two miles in 
 breidt.h, running through the township, between the 
 North ridge and the lake shore farms. This forest 
 became the haunt of fugitive hogs, that fed on the 
 abundant mast, or, in Yankee phrase, "shack," whieh 
 the forest yielded. These animals were bred in the for- 
 est, and in the third generation liecame as fierce as the 
 wild boar of the Euro])ean forest. The animal in this 
 condition was about as worthless, for domestic pur- 
 poses, as a wolf, as gaunt and as savage. Still it was 
 customary, in the fall and early winter, to organize 
 hunts for reclaiming some valuable animal that had 
 become thus degenerate. The hunt was exciting and 
 dangerous. The genuine wild boar, exasperated by 
 dogs, was the most terrible creature in our forest. 
 His onset was too sudden and headlong to be avoided 
 or turned aside, and the snaj) of his tusks, as he 
 sharpened them in his fury, was somewhat terrible. 
 Two at least of our young men, Walter C'rocker and 
 Truman Tryon, were thrown down and badly rent in 
 such encounters, and others had narrow escapes. 
 
 The principal fishing ground of the early years was 
 the "flood wood" of the Vermillion. The lake fishing 
 is a nuidern discovery. It was not known that the 
 lake contained fish that wei'e accessible. Other sports 
 and recreations were few and simple, most of them 
 presenting the utilitarian element. There were log- 
 ging bees to hel]) a, man who had been sick or un- 
 fortunate, raisings to put up a log cabin or barn, and 
 militia trainings, which were entered into earnestly 
 by men who had smelt ]>owder in the recent war. 
 Then there was an occasional patriot among us of 
 the Revolution days who tired the youthful heart by 
 tales of the times that tried men's souls. Chief 
 among these was George Bacon, Sr. , rejjorted to have 
 been one of the Boston tea party, who brought honor- 
 able wounds from the battle field and drew his pen- 
 sion from the government. Then there was Stephen 
 James, with a b;ir sinister in his escutcheon, because 
 he chanced to be of tory stock, still a true patriot, 
 and a bi'ave and stately man. It is not strange that 
 
233 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 the Browulielm Rifle Compauy should muku a figure 
 in tlio "oneral musters of those times. 
 
 The Fourth of .July was observed with such humble 
 appointments as were at hand. An old musket that 
 liad been throusih the wars was the loudest piece that 
 eonlil be found, and this was brought into rerpiisition. 
 One Independence day, .John Curtis, an ambitious 
 youth, l)rought out a cannon, whi(;h lie had manu- 
 factured by boring a cylinder of oak and strapj)ing it 
 with iron bauds from a wagon hub. Tiie piece was 
 well ehai'ged and placed on the bank of the river, near 
 his father's, in the midst of a crowd of boys, and fired 
 witii a slow match. The report was satisfactory, but 
 the splinters flew in all directions and the iron bauds 
 were a total loss — tliey were never found. What was 
 more important, no one was iiurt. As the com- 
 munity gained new ideas and advanced in civilization, 
 these Fourtli of .July celebrations took on a jihilan- 
 Ihrojiic charMcter, and re]ireseuted the interests of the 
 iSabbatli school and the temperance cause. For such 
 a gathering, held thirty-five years ago to-day, the 
 work on the first fraiue church was hastened forward 
 to furnish a place for the meeting. One feature of 
 tlie exercises brought out the Sabbath sciiool. Each 
 scholar and each teacher was provided with a passage 
 of scripture, selected for tlie occasion, to be recited in 
 order. It was in the days of President Jackson, who 
 was es|)ecially olmoxious to true New Englanders. 
 When Alva Curtis was called on, he startled us with 
 the petition, ''Let his days be few, and let another 
 take his olfiee." Probably the whole congregation 
 could say amen, for, as I remember, only three Jack- 
 son votes were cast in the township. 
 
 If any one should infer tliat early life here was more 
 unsatisfactory or less desirable than life at the present 
 time, it would be a misapproliensiou. There were 
 difficulties to be encountered, but they had their com- 
 pensations. Tiiere was poverty to endure, but it was 
 ecpially disti'ilnited, and was cheered with the iiopo of 
 a good time coming, a poverty that stimulated to ac- 
 tivity, and brougiit no degradation. There was want 
 of many advantages which tend to the elevation and 
 refinement of character; but such advantages had 
 been enjoyed by tlie early settlers in tlieir New Eng- 
 land h(.inies, and tlie results would not be wholly lost 
 before they gathered about themselves those desirable 
 tilings. T'hei'e was iiard work to do, but it was well 
 done; and such woi'k with encouragement to do it, is 
 the best opportunity. Few of those who bore the 
 burden and he;it of the day, ever regretted their call- 
 ing; and most of them have lived to reap a good 
 harvest. Yew cf tlie original families have reached 
 this anniversary (July 4r, 1867,) without sad breaches 
 in their circle. This is incidental to our mortal life. 
 
 Anotiior fifty years and not one will remain of all 
 that gathered among these forests. Some of the fam- 
 ilies, prominent in the early times, have now no living 
 representative in the population of the place. Among 
 these are the families of Judge Brown, Alva Curtis, 
 William Aherson and the Peases. Most of the others 
 
 have still a pt>sterity and a name among us. The 
 town has sent out many worthy children to help build 
 up other communities, some to repeat, in a degree, 
 the achievments of their parents, as pioneers at the 
 west. The life encouraged here has been of a quiet, 
 unambitious ty]ic, and tiio results in general corres- 
 ])on(l. We liave no pulilic men to speak of; no poli- 
 tician seems to have sjiruug up amongus; few to look 
 for public position or office. But these are not the 
 characters the world most needs. We can gather a 
 few ministers of tlie gospel, a few teachers, and many 
 worthy and useful people, and this is well. 
 
 There is a little shadow upon our prosjiect as we 
 look forward to fifty years to come. It is pleasant to 
 believe that the places that are sacred to us with all 
 pleasant memories, will be held by our children to an 
 indefinite future. That another people shall come in 
 to whom these farms, and streets, and dwellings are 
 sini]>ly so much territmy to be appropriated, the life 
 that has passed here ail unknown to them, is not an 
 inviting prospect. Yet such is the jirospect that 
 ojiens to us to-day. Stranger eyes have looked upon 
 tiiese pleasant farms and will claim them for them- 
 selves, in all honesty and honor, with such a claim as 
 an American citizen can never dispute, paying a fair 
 pi'ice, and occupying them with a thrifty and success- 
 ful culture. It is thirty years or more since the first 
 German family obtained a footing here. Now the 
 splendid (dd farms along the lake and all the northern 
 part of the town, are in their jiossession. A similar 
 change is taking place in the south, and the movement 
 is towards the center. An entire change in the popu- 
 lation of the town seems probable, and almost inevita- 
 ble; a result whieli we object to, not in our reason, 
 but in our feeling. Humanity loses nothing, norcven 
 the country ;it large; but the sentiment of local inter- 
 est which gathers us to-day, is less satisfied with the 
 outlook. Fifty years hence, the faces, and the voices, 
 and the names of strangers will be seen and heard at 
 holiday gatherings and along these streets. The 
 familiar names that seem to us identified with tlie 
 very face of nature, will be heard here no more 
 forever. 
 
 God grant that these names be written in His "book 
 of ren.embrance," securing a title to "Mn inheritauco 
 inciu'ruptible and undeflled, and that fadeth not away, 
 eternal in the heavens." 
 
 Agricultural Statistics for 1878. 
 
 ...aa.Oll bushels 
 
 ...2I,2<)1 
 
 ...T.i,057 
 
 ... 9,325 
 
 ...1I),US6 
 
 . .. I,71.T tons. 
 
 Wheat, 1,380 acres 
 
 Oats, 54-3 " 
 
 Corn, 1,128 " 
 
 Potatoes, 92 •' 
 
 Oivhai-ils, 3,S7 " 
 
 Meadow, 1,370 " 
 
 Butter 45,488 poilllds 
 
 Cheese ti7,.^(i7 
 
 Majile Sugar 309 
 
 Vote for Preside.nt in 187G. 
 
 Hayes Ifi5 | Tihlen 
 
 I 
 
 v.: 
 
 [The greater part of this history being that of President FairchiM. 
 delivered in an address July 4, 1867. the reader will understand th*' 
 meaning of certain phrases and sentences, if this fact is borne in triind.J 
 
/Kotv-LO-^ 
 
 i3 ITcJA. 
 
HTSTOKY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 333 
 
 Biographical Sketches, 
 
 DEACON GEORGE WELLS 
 
 was boni ill the City of Hartford, Connecticnt, Sep- 
 tember 18, 1797, and is tlie second son of Ashbel 
 Wells and Mary Hopkins, the former a son of Ashbel 
 Wells, the latter a daughter of Thomas Hopkins, a 
 prominent sea captain of his day; all of English 
 ancestry. Thefatiicrof Deacon George Wells was a 
 clerk in the commissary department of General 
 Washington's army, during the Revolutionary war, 
 and subsequently a well known and extensive mer- 
 cliant at liartford. He died September 4, 1819, aged 
 sixty-one years. He was very generally respected, and 
 his death looked upon as a public calamity, in the 
 community in which he had been long engaged in 
 business. 
 
 When seventeen years of age, George Wells left his 
 native city, and came as far west as Albany, New 
 York, obtaining employment there, at Little Falls, 
 and at Utica, and finally located at Canandaigua, 
 working at his trade, which was that of a shoemaker. 
 He remained there about one and a half years, and 
 subsequently, on Jun 18, 1818, arrived at Brown- 
 helm, Ohio, coming by way of the hike from Buffalo. 
 He took up s(nne fifty acres of land, on the lake shore, 
 which he afterward increased to one hundred acres. 
 His time was occupied partly at farming, and partly 
 at his trade. He built a log cabin, in which he lived 
 nineteen years. 
 
 In 1837, he sold out, intending to move farther 
 west, but finally purchased the place upon which he 
 now resides, containing one hundred and twenty-five 
 acres. He cleared and improved both farms. 
 
 Mr. Wells was married to Maria, daughter of 
 Jouatiian Butler, of Hartford, March 22, 1825. They 
 had seven children, — four sons and three daughters. 
 All the sons have departed this life. The youngest 
 was killed at the battle of South Mountain, during 
 the war of the rebellion. They all attained to man- 
 hood. On the 28th of June, 1866, Mrs. Wells died, 
 aged sixty-three years. The daughters all survive. 
 Elizabeth G. married Joseph Sisson, of Hartford, who 
 lost his life by a mowing machine accident; Mary M. 
 married Benjamin F. Nye, who was killed at the bat- 
 tle 'of the Wilderness; Abigail S. married Frederick 
 II. Bacon, and resides a short distance from her 
 father's old home. Mr. Wells married again, Decem- 
 ber 33, 1866, Mrs. Catherine M. Gardner. She has 
 one daughter, Marie Antoinette, wife of Lyman 
 Yerkes, of Detroit, Michigan. 
 
 For more than half a century. Deacon Wells has 
 
 been a memlier of the Congreg.itional church, of 
 
 Brownhelm. His wife is also a member of the same 
 
 church. In politics he is a republican, and has been 
 
 j for nuiny years. Though now in his eighty-second 
 
 '■■ year, his health, up to within the past three months, 
 
 30 
 
 has been remarkably good. He was always an active 
 man, and last October, (1878,) he rode twice to Elyria 
 and back, a distance of thirty miles. He is one of 
 the very oldest pioneers of this township, as well as 
 one of its most woi-thy citizens. (See illustration on 
 another page). 
 
 SOLOMON WHITTLESEY. 
 
 One of the earliest and most prominent settlers of 
 Brownhelm, was Solomon Whittlesey. We find him 
 frequently mentioned in J. H. Fairchild's "History 
 of Brownhelm." The exact date of his arrival is not 
 given, but his name appears in connection with early 
 religious matters in the year 1819. It is stated in 
 the work above referred to that " The church was 
 organized June 10, 1819, at the house of Solomon 
 Whittlesey, and consisted of sixteen members, seven . 
 men and nine women." Again referring to Mr. 
 Whittlesey, President Fairchild says : "Thrifty men 
 pursued the business of hunting as a pastime. The 
 only man in town, perhaps, to whom it afforded prof- 
 itable business in any sense, was Solomon Whittlesey. 
 Other professional hunters were shiftless men, to 
 whom hunting was a mere passion, having something 
 of the attraction of gambling. Mr. Whittlesey did 
 not neglect his farm, but he knew every haunt and 
 path of the deer and the turkey, and was often in 
 their track by day and by night. He is with us 
 to-day, (1867) and reports the killing of one bear, 
 two wolves, twenty wild cats, almost one hundred 
 and fifty deer, and smaller game too numerous to 
 specify. One branch of his business was bee hunting, 
 a pursuit which required a keen eye, good judgment 
 and practice. The method of the hunt was to raise 
 an odor in the forest, by placing honey comb on a hot 
 stone, and in the vicinity another piece of comb 
 charged with honey. The liees were attracted by the 
 smell, and having gorged themselves with the honey, 
 they took a hec line for their tree. This line the hun- 
 ter observed and marked by two or more trees in 
 range. He then took another station, not on this 
 line, and went through tiie same operation. These 
 two lines, if fortunately selected, would conyerge 
 upon the bee tree, and could be followed out by a 
 pocket compass. The tree, when found, was marked 
 by the hunter with his initials, and could be cut down 
 by him, at the proper time." Mr. Whittlesey is also 
 accredited with having been among the first in Brown- 
 helm township to manufacture pearl-ash, which he 
 did quite extensively. He seems to have been one of 
 the most industrious and energetic of the pioneers, 
 and a worthy man in every respect. He died Febru- 
 ary 22, 1871, aged eighty-four years, nine months and 
 twenty-two days ; his excellent widow survived him 
 about two years, she departing this life on the 26th of 
 April, 1873, aged seventy-one years, one month and 
 three days. 
 
334 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 WILLIAM SAYLES 
 
 was Ijoi'ii at Milan, Erie county, Oliio, June 5, 1821, 
 and was tlie sixth child in a family of eight children 
 of Lemuel Sayles, who was born March 8, 1783, and 
 Laura Adams, who was born February 4, 1789, she 
 being a native of Utica, New York. Tlie subject of 
 this sketch started out in life at the age of fourteen, 
 sustaining the loss of his excellent mother at a tender 
 a™. Duriuir the winter months he attended school, 
 and by being industrious and intlefatigalde in the 
 pursuit of knowledge, he became ([uite prot:cient in 
 the English branches, and followed school teaching as 
 an avocation, commencing in the winter of 183'J-"40, 
 at New London Center, Huron county, Ohio, and 
 continued for nineteen consecutive winters, all but 
 the first one, in the vicinity of his present home. He 
 made his first purchase of land, consisting of fifty 
 acres, in the year 1845, in Vermillion township. He 
 bought his present farm of one hundred acres in the 
 spring of 1851, and has since added some adjoining 
 land to it. 
 
 Mr. Sayles was united in marriage with Sarah C, 
 daughter of Perry and Elizabeth Darley, July 3, 1843. 
 She was from Frederickstowu, Maryland. She died 
 May G, 1870, regretted by her friends, and deeply 
 mourned by her relatives. . She joined the Congrega- 
 tional Church of Vermillion, in 1845, and her con- 
 nection with that body ceased only with her life. Ilcr 
 husljand became a member of the church at the same 
 time, and still retains his connection with it. For 
 his second wife, Mr. Sayles married Lovina E., 
 daughter of John and Elizabeth Gordon, of Paulding 
 county, Ohio, in Seiitomber, 1877, who is still living. 
 
 Mr. Sayles is a self-made man in the broadest sense 
 of that term. He secured his education by personal 
 efforts, and the same energy and determination to 
 succeed that characterized his endeavors in that direc- 
 tion, has attended him in his subsecpient business 
 career. From .January 18, 18G4, until 1875, he occu- 
 pied the position of superintendent of the Antwerp 
 Iron Works, located in Paulding county, Ohio, and 
 retains an interest in the same at present. 
 
 In early life he was an old line whig; and in the 
 formation of the republican party espoused its princi- 
 ples as being best calculated to perpetuate popular 
 government and our American institutions. He was 
 elected a justice of the peace in 187(!, and still holds 
 that office. He has also been township treasurer, 
 assessor, etc., at ditfcrent, times. A fine illustration, 
 surmounted with the family jiortraits, api)ears else- 
 where in this volume, which forms an approjjriate 
 page in the history of Brownlielm. 
 
 JOHN H. HEYMANN 
 
 was born in Nassau, Germany, August 13, 1828. lie 
 was the third son in a family of eight children of 
 (ieorge Ileymann. The whole fannly emigrated t.o 
 
 America in 1848, and settled in Lyme township, 
 Huron county, Ohio, where they purchased a farm of 
 two hundred acres, upon which John II. worked 
 three years. In 1851, he went to California by way 
 of the Isthmus, where he worked at blacksinithing, 
 mining and teaming. He remained thei'c until 1855, 
 when ho returned to Lyme township and purchased 
 a farm, upon which he remained until 18G8, when he 
 bought a flouring mill, a saw mill and other buildings 
 adjoining, situated in Brownhelm Hollow, on Ver- 
 million river, an illustration of which mills, etc., is 
 given elsewhere in this volume. In 1875, he obtained 
 a half interest in the Amherst flouring mill, and three 
 years later purchased the other half and became sole 
 proprietor of it. The mill in Brownhelm Hollow was 
 destroyed by fire in October, 1876; it was rebuilt the 
 following year, and is one of the finest mills in the 
 county. It contains all the modern improvements, 
 and is capable of turning out as good grist as any mill 
 within a radius of fifty miles. 
 
 In August, 1855, Mr. Hcymann and Miss Katheriiie 
 Schied were united in marriage. She was born in 
 Nassau, Germany, January 12, 1832. Her parents 
 were natives of the same place. She had three broth- 
 ers and two sisters, all of whom came to this country 
 ill 1854, and settled in Peru, Huron county, Ohio, 
 where Mr. Schied bought a farm of one hundred and 
 sev(uity-five acres. They all now live in Huron and 
 Erie counties, except the father, who is dead. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Heymann have had ten children, 
 seven daughters and three sons, all of whom are 
 living. The oldest son is married, as is also the old- 
 est daughter. 
 
 Mr. Heymann is one of the substantial and res- 
 pected men of his towiishi]), and enjoys a good general 
 reputation for industry, honesty and economy. 
 
 HENRY BROWN. 
 
 Judge Brown was born in Stockbridge. Massachu- 
 setts, .June 3, 1773. In his youth he commenced a 
 course of liberal education and entered Harvard col- 
 lege, l)ut l:)y reason of the failure of his health when 
 in his sophomore year he was compelled to discontinue 
 his studies. After partially restoring his health by 
 travel, he engaged in merchandise in his native town 
 and continued in the business until his western inter- 
 ests required its abandonment. In the fall of 181G, 
 he visited the tract of country, then simply known as 
 iiuml)er six in the nineteenth range (now Brownhelm) 
 and on his return east he entered into contract with the 
 Connecticut Land Company for the purchase of three- 
 fourths of the township, and with the Messrs. Rock- 
 wells, of Colebrook, Connecticut, for the rest. Under 
 his lead many of his old neighbors in Stockbridge 
 removed to his western purchase and settled. Col. 
 'Brown, as he was formerly called, selected for himself 
 a t ract of about a mile s(piare, in the northeast corner 
 
John H.Heymann 
 
 plRS,CATHAfilNEf{EYM/\NN 
 
 Thl /AMHEJ?Sr JVIILL 
 
 'Khw§^Ji:,i;jj?';;~o 
 
 
 1^:.* V **.-^:|^ J: .r:fe 
 
 .^,1 — '^■jjr-^ ,-„.-- '!'-_.:: 
 
 BRQWNHEL^f HQILOW. LOPAIN CQUNTT. OhIQ. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 235 
 
 of the town, and sent out, in the winter of 1816-17, 
 several young men to ei'ect him a house and to com- 
 mence the improvement of his land. lie removed 
 with his family in the summer of 1818, and took up 
 his abode on the lake shore in tlie house previously 
 built. 
 
 Upon the organization of the county of Lorain, 
 Col. Brown was ajijiointed one of the three associate 
 judges of the county, a position which, both by reason 
 of his business cx]icriencc and the natural bent of liis 
 mind, he was well (|ualitied to fill. Not unfrequeutly, 
 in the absence of the presiding judge, he was obliged 
 to proceed with the business, even to charging tlie 
 jury. He was always C((ual to these emergencies. 
 Judge Brown's record on tlio bench was an exceedingly 
 creditable one. 
 
 He was a man of cntoi'prise and public spirit, lib- 
 erally supporting with his means and time every 
 object tending to the improvement of society. Long 
 before his conversion, which occurred at a compara- 
 tively late period in his life, no one was more earnest 
 in the support of the gospel, and few members of the 
 churcli more regular in their attendance upon its 
 appointed services. When the people in Brownhelm 
 began to think of inviting a minister to settle among 
 them, he proposed to pay one-eighth of the expense. 
 After a few years he united with the church, his wife 
 and some of the children having previously joined. 
 ^ His lialiit of i)unctuality in everytJiing, especially in 
 his attendance at every meeting, directly or indirectly 
 iitfecting tlie church, was reniarkalile. It is said by 
 one who knew liini well '"that during a whole winter, 
 ; two evenings in a week, when nearly seventy years of 
 age, he came through mud and rain, snow and frost, 
 (o attend a singing school; and u}) to his last attend- 
 ance on jiublic worship he was always to be found in 
 his place in the choir." 
 
 He was frequently a delegate from the presbytery 
 to tlie general assembly of the Presbyterian church, 
 and in one year spent not less than five months, in- 
 cluding his attendance at a churcli trial in Pbiladel- 
 j)hia, and the convention at Auburn. 
 
 Judge Brown also took an active part in the estab- 
 lishment of a college in the Western Reserve, attend- 
 ing the meeting at Hudson, called for the purpose. 
 '"Indeed," says a writer on this subject, "but for him 
 and another friend of the college, no such charter 
 would have been obtained as the friends of the insti- 
 tution would have accepted. There was deadly hos- 
 tility to it in the Legislature; and the charter which 
 tliey asked was so altered in its provisions as to 
 jtrevent the possibility of securing religious instruc- 
 tion, and as such was passed through the house. 
 Intelligence of this was comnuuiicated to the friends 
 of the institution. Judge Brown and the other (Rev. 
 Caleb Titkin) went with haste to Columbus, and 
 arrived just as the bill was about to be read for tlie 
 third time. They succeeded, by the aid of a friend, 
 in arresting this; and after days and evenings of 
 patient waiting upon the opponents of the contem- 
 
 plated institution, they succeeded in obtaining the 
 charter as they had asked, with the exception of two 
 trustees, against whom there was such personal hos- 
 tility as no arguments could overcome." 
 
 Judge Brown Avas afterwards a member of the 
 board of trustees of this college, and continued in the 
 ollicc until the infirmities of age compelled him to 
 relinipiisli it. 
 
 He was a man of many social <[ualities, and of 
 much intelligence. His hospitality was unljininded. 
 His log house on the hdvc shore was the general ren- 
 dezvous of the early emigrants and in many other 
 ways tliey were the recipients of his practical benev- 
 olence. 
 
 He died December 10, 1843, in the seventy-first 
 year of his age, and the family is now extinct in the 
 township. 
 
 REV. ALFRED II. BETTS. 
 
 Rev. Alfred H. Betts took up his residence in 
 Brownhelm in January, 1821. He was born in Nor- 
 walk, Connecticut, September 2, 1786. November 2, 
 1809, he was united in marriage to Sally Harris, 
 daughter of Captain Luther Harris, of Bridgeport, 
 Connecticut. In early life, he adopted the profession 
 of medicine, and ijracticed for ten years in Daubury. 
 In the fall of 1816, he and his father-in-law came to 
 Ohio, and selected a place for settlement in Florence, 
 Erie county. After the erection of a cabin. Captain 
 Harris returned cast for their families, with whom he 
 arrived the next season. Dr. Betts sjjent the first 
 two or three Sabbaths with Deacon Beardslee and 
 family, who, a short time before, settled in Vermil- 
 lion. They had a few religious" exercises, such as 
 singing, prayer, and a sermon, read by Dr. Betts. He 
 was soon invited by others in their neighborliood to 
 come to their dwellings, and hold similar meetings, 
 at which a few families would be invited to attend. 
 And thus began his "i-eading meetings." 
 
 In a short time. Dr. Betts had regular appoint- 
 ments at Birmingham, Florence, Vermillion, and 
 other places. In consequence of the detention of his 
 freight at Buffalo, until the next spring after his 
 arrival. Dr. Betts had but one suit of clothes, which, 
 having to wear in the woods through the week, was 
 hardly suitable for the pulpit on the Sabbath. Long 
 before the arrival of his goods, his old coat needed 
 repairing, and Deacon Beardslee's wife would mend 
 it as best she could, with the means she had. Some 
 rents were drawn up, and some covered with patclies 
 of such cloth as she had, which was not always of the 
 same color. In the spring his boots were gone, and a 
 neighbor made him a pair of moccasins. The condi- 
 tion of his apparel greatly disturbed him, and he 
 began to question whether he had better continue in 
 his old clothes, or suspend the meetings until the 
 arrival of his goods. He consulted a few of his friends 
 in regard to the matter, who told him that, as he had 
 
236 
 
 IIISTOKY OF LOKAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 gone on so long, it was hardly woi'th while at this 
 stage to he proud. 
 
 After his stock of printed sermons was exhausted 
 ho prepared discourses of his own; yet he did not call 
 them sermons, and he was always careful to assure his 
 auditors that he was not actually a minister. A mis- 
 sionary hearing of Dr. Betts' labors called upon him 
 for the purj)ose of satisfying himself as to the denom- 
 ination to which he belonged. "I came to Vermil- 
 lion," he said, 'and asked a young man if they had 
 any preaching:" He said 'uo.' 'Have you any meet- 
 ings?' 'Yes, a num comes from tlie Uidge and holds 
 meetings on the Sabbath.' 'What is he?' 'Don't 
 know; guess a Methodist?' Of another I made the 
 same inquiries wlio guessed you whs a Baptist. An- 
 other still, thought you was a Univorsalist. "And 
 now," said he, "I want to i<u(iw fnun you, yourself, 
 what you arc?' " Dr. Betts was al)lc to satisfy him 
 and lie departed. 
 
 In the su)rimer of 1810. Dr. Betts went to Iludsuif, 
 Portage county, io prepare himself for the ministry. 
 He remained until April, 1830, when he was licensed 
 
 by the Presljytery. lie returned to Florence, where 
 his family liad remained, and continued the meetings 
 formerly held by him. In tlie winter of 1820-'21, he 
 received a call from the Congregational church in 
 Brownlielm, whicli he accepted and was ordained and 
 installed Ajiril 5, 1821. He continued pastor of the 
 church twelve years, when he 'was dismissed at his 
 own request. Dr. Betts was one of the busiest and 
 best known men in the country. For years he trav- 
 eled all over this region, having visited every township 
 on the fire lands, assisting in organizing churclies 
 and performing the duties of colporteur and Bible 
 distributor. On the occasion of a donation visit at a 
 late period in his life, by his friends from many of the 
 towns comprising the field of his early labors, it was 
 remarked by one of the visitors that a great many 
 people had assembled. "Yes," said Dr. Betts, after 
 a moment's' reflection, "and there is not a family rep- 
 resented that I have not lodged with.'' 
 
 His busy and useful life came to a close September 
 8, 1860. Of his thirteen children ten lived to mature 
 vears. Six are now living; two of them in Brownlielm. 
 
 HENRIETTA 
 
 PHYSICAL FEATURES. 
 
 The township is described on the county rec- 
 ords as town number five, in range nineteen of 
 the Connecticut Western Reserve. Its jiosition in 
 the county is in the western tier of townships ; 
 to the nortli, Brownhelm ; to the east Russia; to the 
 south, Camden; to the west, the county line. The 
 surface in its general features is (juite level, with 
 pleasing undulations in those portions through which 
 its small streams run, particularly in tlie uortliwest 
 corner. The soil is generally a clay loam, with a 
 more sandy soil in small portions. The water courses 
 are Chance creek in the eastern part, Leonard lirook 
 in tlie western, l)oth tributaries of the Vermillion 
 river, which makes a detour into the northwest corner 
 of the township, from Erie county. The east branch 
 of the Vermillion traverses the southwest part. Tliere 
 are a few other smaller streams, mere rivulets, one of 
 which is Division lirook, in the northern part. The 
 principal original kinds of timber were whitewood, 
 white oak, hickory, walnut, white and black ash, 
 beech, elm and liasswood. At an early period, evi- 
 dently long previous to settlement, a terrific hurricane 
 sweiit through the township, by wliich all of the larger 
 timber, for over a half a mile in width, was blown 
 down. This district is called "Tlie Windfall." It 
 
 is jihiinly indicate<l by the younger and more unifoim 
 growth of the tiinlier than that of the adjoining 
 territory, tlie varieties consisting chiefly of wliite ami 
 lilack ash, elm, oak, liickory, maple and cherry. 
 
 SURVEY. 
 
 Tlie township was surveyed by Edward Duranil in 
 connection with other territory. The three northern 
 tiers of lots, constituting about one-thii'd of tlie area 
 of the township, formed a part of Brownhelm until 
 tlie year 1827, when they were set off to Henrietta; 
 and, on the county map, it will be noticed that those 
 lots arc numbered continuously with those of Brown- 
 helm. Tlie remainder of the township was surveyed 
 in connection with territoi'y lying south of it. The 
 survey began at tlie southern boundary of the Western 
 Reserve, in the township of Troy, then Lorain county, 
 now Ashland, and the laiid divided int(j fifteen ti'ucts, 
 nuniljcrs twelve, thirteen, fourteen and fifteen beiug 
 in this township. These were subdivided into lots. 
 That part of the gore embraced in Henrietta is divided 
 into lots twenty-three, twenty-four and twenty-five. 
 The part detached from Brownhelm was origin- 
 ally owned by Col. Brown, by contract with the 
 Connecticut Laud Company, and the rest of the town- 
 ship by difEerent jjersons. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 237 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 The family that is generally accorded the honor of 
 being tiio first settlers in the townshiji was that of 
 Simeon Durand. Durand was a native of France. 
 At the age of sixteen years, he and a brother, Merari, 
 accompanied La Fayette to Amei-ica, Simeon acting 
 as the generaFs inlerpi-eter, and, in tliat caiiacity. 
 continned to serve him until the close of the Revolu- 
 tion. He married soon after the close of tlie war, 
 and settled iu Essex county. New York. He lived 
 there until the winter of 1817, when, with wife and 
 youngest child, the older children coming subse- 
 ijMently, he removed to Henrietta. He settled on lot 
 ninety-eight, and the family lived under a shelter 
 made of poles and covered with bark until a more 
 civilized habitation could be provided. His purchase 
 comprised one hundred ai.d sixty acres. 
 
 The life of this hardy pioneer came to a close on 
 his original farm. May 35, 1831. His wife survived 
 him many years, and leached the advanced age of 
 ninety. Her death occurred in tJie year 1854, at tlie 
 house of her son Merari, in the township of Russia. 
 She possessed, iu a marked degree, those rfualities nec- 
 essary to a successful combat with the hardships of 
 pioneer life. The remainder of the children came into 
 the township subsequently. Lucinda, the oldest, mar- 
 ried Joseph Powers in New York, with whom she 
 removed to Henrietta from the State of Vermont a 
 few years after the first settlement. Deacon Powers, 
 as he came to be called, kept a public house here for 
 many years, and was also a leading member of the 
 Baptist church. His location was on the same lot 
 on which Durand located. He lived for a time in 
 Wisconsin subsequent to his settlement in Henrietta, 
 but returned and died here. His widow died in New 
 Jersey. 
 
 Hiram Durand, the next oldest of the children, 
 with his family, settled on a part of his father's farm. 
 He did not remain long in the township, however, 
 removing to Illinois and, subsequently to California. 
 Louisa married a cousin Durand. They, many years 
 ago, removed to Michigan. Edward was one of the 
 most jn-ominent citizens of Henrietta, and was well 
 known throughout the county for many years. He 
 has held the offices of county surveyor and county 
 auditor, justice of the peace and other townshij) 
 offices. He removed with his family to Wisconsin, 
 and died there soon after of cholera. He was twice 
 married; first to a daughter of Thomjison Blair, of 
 Amherst. She died some fifteen years afterwards, 
 and he subsequently married a widow Bnrrell, of 
 Sheffield. The next of the children was Teressa. 
 She is now a widow, living in Avon. Betsey married 
 Charles Wells, of Henrietta; afterwards removed to 
 Illinois, and died there. Merari, the 3-oungest, mar- 
 ried twice and was the father of twelve children, ten 
 of whom are living, and one, Dorleski, wife of L. N. 
 Higgins, in Henrietta. 
 
 The next family that settled in town was that of 
 
 Calvin Leonard. He was a native of Bennington 
 county, Vermont, removed to Cayuga county New 
 York, when eighteen years of age, whence, in the 
 summer of ISUI, on foot and alone with his jiaok on 
 his back, he came to Henrietta. He purchased some 
 three hundred acres on the lot (ninely-seven) next 
 west of Durand, and twenty-five (gore). Choice of 
 location with the first settlers was determined not so 
 much by the quality of soil as by a desire for new 
 neighbors, and we usually find them locating upon 
 land adjoining, or near, that on which a settlement 
 lia<l been made. Young Leonard cleared a small 
 piece on lot ninety-seven, built his log cabin, and, the 
 following winter, returned to New York to consum- 
 mate an arrangement previously made with Miss 
 Tryphena Root, immediately after the fulfillment of 
 which he set out for tlie far west with ox-team and 
 sled and a few household goods. His wife came by 
 stage to Buffalo, and there joined her husband. The 
 weather was pro|)itious for this ])rimitive bridal jour- 
 ney. It is authentically stated that the first snow, 
 that season, fell the day before they started and dis- 
 appeared the day after their arrival in Henrietta. 
 Where Elyria now is, a bear was seen to cross their 
 path a short distance in front of them. That part of 
 the county was then an almost unbroken wilderness. 
 Mr. Leonard was better off, as regards ready means, 
 than perhaps any of the earlier jiioneers. He had the 
 money to pay for his land, and that can rarely be said 
 of the settler in that early day. He was, moreover, 
 an enterjirising, industrious farmer, and eventually 
 became well off. Their family consisted of three chil- 
 dren, Jeannette, Cnyler anil Hervej. The daughter 
 became the wife of Rev. Oliver VV. Mather, a Pres- 
 byterian minister who was a graduate of Yale College. 
 At the time of his marriage he was located at Bir- 
 mingham, Erie county, but preached also at other 
 points. He eventually returned to Connecticut, and 
 died there. Mrs. Mather died many years previous, 
 at the residence of her brother Hervey, in Henrietta. 
 Cuyler graduated at Hudson College, remained a 
 tutor there for two years, then studied law, and was 
 for many years a leading member of the bar of San- 
 dusky City. He married a young lady of high social 
 rank in Danbury, Connecticut. His death took place 
 in 1859. Hervey Leonard resides in Oborlin, having, 
 a few years since, removed there from Henrietta, 
 where he had resided on the farm, on which he was 
 boin, for forty-nine consecutive years. His first wife 
 was Maretta 0. Wheden, of Washington county, New 
 York, originally but subsequently of Oberlin, where 
 she griiduated. She died in 1868, and Mr. Leonard 
 married, three years afterward, Mrs. Helen M. Dart, 
 of Oberlin, with whom he is now living. 
 
 Next in order came Ruluff Andress and Jolui Den- 
 ison, and their families, in the fall of 1817. They 
 were also from New York, as were nearly all of the 
 early settlers. The women and children came by boat 
 from Dunkirk to the mouth of Black river, and were 
 thirteen days on the water, and experienced an 
 
238 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 almost unprecodcntly rougli voyage. Tlieir store of 
 provisions was exliaustetl on tlieir arrival at Black 
 river, having nothing in that line, except half a bar- 
 rel of salt beef, which Denison had put aboaiil. 
 Andress and Denison came through with their 
 team.s, and ariived at the nioulli of Black river, where 
 they expected to liiid tlieir families, three days in ad- 
 vance of them. 
 
 Andress located east of Duraiid, taking up a Inin- 
 dred and sixty acres, lie was a carpenter and joiner, 
 and was much employed in the iniilding of mills, 
 bridges, etc. He built for Perez Starr, of Birmingham, 
 the first, dam across the Vermillion. He also built a 
 mill for Mr. Starr. Andress .subsequently removed to 
 Huron county, where, in a little place called I'Licker- 
 brush, he kept hotel for a tipie. His wife died while 
 there, and he afterwards returned to Henrietta, where 
 he died in about the year 1855. His was a busy, use- 
 ful life. Of his nine childi-en, four are yet living. 
 The (ddest of these, Almon, lives in Birmingham, 
 who, although feeble in body, retains his memory 
 unimpaired, and we are indebted to him for many 
 facts relating to the early settlement of the townshiji. 
 Milo is a Mormon, living in i)olygamy at Salt Lake. 
 Charlotte (Mrs. Abhott) and Harriett (Mrs. Lang) 
 reside in Iowa. 
 
 Mr. l)enison made his location just west of Henri- 
 etta Hill. He was possessed of some ready means on 
 his arrival, but instead of ])ayingfor his land, he kept 
 his money for possible contingencies. A condjiuation 
 of adverse events exhausted his resources, and he was 
 finally dispossessed of his land, by which he lost all 
 that he had exjicnded in the improvement of it. He 
 then rented land of Calvin Leonard for a nundjer of 
 years, and then, his wife having died, he took nj) his 
 abode with his daughter, Mrs. Bristol, in Birming- 
 ham, with whom he s])ent the remainder of his life. 
 He died March 11, ISfiG. His wife died February 13, 
 182C. She was carried to the grave upon an ox cai-t, 
 on which the mourners also rode. Four of his six 
 children are living, viz: Mrs. Lewis, in Ridgeville; 
 Mrs. D. 0. Marsh and Mrs. Charles A. Bristol, in 
 Birmingham; and John S., in Henrietta. The latter 
 has lived in the town longer than any other present 
 resident of the township. 
 
 Joseph Swift moved into town this same year, fi'om 
 Connecticut, and settled in the northwest corner of 
 the township, then the southwest corner of Browu- 
 lielni, on lot eighty-one. He eventually owned a 
 large amount of land on the Vermillion bottom, on 
 which he raised immense cro})S of corn, and that 
 locality claimed to lie called "Egypt." His product 
 of this cereal one season was live thousand bushels, 
 which he sold for one dollar per bushel. He was an 
 enterprising, successful farmer, and acquired a large 
 property. He built a house as early as 1840, which 
 cost some five thousand dollars. It was a grand struc- 
 ture for the time, with pillars which were brought ;ill 
 the way from Albany, New York. This house is now 
 occupied by Nicholas Wilbur. Swift married a sister 
 
 of Mrs. Calvin Leonard, Elizabeth Root, and had a 
 family of six children, four of whom are living, as 
 follows: Joseph, in Iowa; Elisha and Mrs. Cooley, 
 near Jackson, Michigan; and Mrs. Griggs, in Detroit. 
 Mr. Swift died at (irass Lake, Michigan, about three 
 years since, and his widow now resides there. Almon 
 and Jedediah Holconib and their families moved in, in 
 the sjiring of 1830. They have now no descendants 
 in the township. 
 
 Uriah Hancock joined the settlement in 1830. He 
 was a wheelwright, and had a machine shop on Leon- 
 ard brook, in an early day. He subsequently removed 
 to Illinois, and died there. His secoiid son. Smith 
 Hancock, was killed in a somewhat singular manner. 
 He was riding in an ox cart loaded with hogs, one of 
 the wheels of which coming into collision with a 
 stump, the cart was overturned upon him, killing 
 him almost instantly. 
 
 S((uire Abbott joined the settlement in June, 1835. 
 He was originally from Massachusetts, but removed 
 to New York at an early date, and thence to Kings- 
 ville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, and subse(|uently to 
 this townshi]), as stated. He made his location on 
 Henrietta Hill, and struck the first blow ever made 
 there. His habitation occupied the spot on which is 
 now the residence of Ansel Hales. Mr. Abbott was 
 a Ba])tist jireacher, and was the first settled minister 
 ill town. His wife was Annie Spalford, also of Mass- 
 achusetts. His death occurred in December, 1853, 
 at the age of eighty-one years and six mouths. His 
 wife died in January, 1845. Their daughter Weal- 
 thy, is the wife of Alnicron Stedman, of Henrietta, 
 who came into tlie townshiji in 1837. Mr. Stedman 
 had ]>reviously made a journey from Litchfield, Con- 
 necticut, to Kingsville, in Ashtabula county, for the 
 purpose of visiting an uncle, and while there met 
 Miss Abbott, whom he afterwards married in Henri- 
 etta. 
 
 He took up fifty acres on lot one hundred and 
 one. a short distance south of the Hill, on the north 
 and south center road, and he still occupies his orig- 
 inal jiurchr.se, which has lieen increased by subsequent 
 additions. His primitive log cabin stood a little 
 south of his present neat frame house. Although 
 Mr. Stedman settled here ten years after the first set- 
 tlement was made, there was not even then a stick 
 cut south of him to Brighton. Mrs. Stedman is a 
 woman of much intelligence, possesses a tenacious 
 memory as to early events, and has given the writer 
 many facts in the history of this township. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Stedman, now well advanced in life, raised a 
 family of thirteen children, all of whom lived to 
 adult life. Justin Abbott, the oldest of Squire 
 Abbott's family, died in Minnesota. Anna was the 
 wife of Amos Morse, one of the early settlers in 
 Kingsville, Ashtabula county, and is now living in 
 widowhood, in Nebraska. Susan became the wife of 
 Ferris Webster, spent her married life in Jefferson, 
 Ashtabula county, and died there. Orlan is living 
 in Kansas. Thirza married Orlando Holconib, both 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 239 
 
 now living iu Iowa. Mary (Mrs. Williuiu Ilawkius,) 
 lives in Camden, and Eli in Iowa. 
 
 Prominent among sul)seqnent arrivals was that of 
 Moses Fnller, in 1831, from Mount Morris, Living- 
 ston county, New York, with his wife and one child. 
 He located on the farm now occupied by Horace San- 
 ders. He l)uilt on Cliancc creek, a sawmill, the first 
 mill in the township; and an embankment, the 
 remains of his dam, can yet be seen. He ingeniously 
 attached a .spinning-wheel, whicli was propelled by 
 the same motive ])()wer, and his industrious wife 
 s])ent many an hour with it, liehind the roaring dam. 
 He died in Wauseon, Fulton county, Oliio, in August, 
 ],s?7, luiving removed thei'e some seven or eight years 
 previous. He was a worthy member of the Baptist 
 churcli in Henrietta for forty years, and left at his 
 deatli many friends, who revered him for his many 
 admirable traits of character. His widow still sur- 
 vives him in Wauseon. He was the father of nine 
 children, two of whom i-eside in this townsliip. Mrs. 
 S. 0. Well man, whose hnsband died in Decemberj 
 1875, and a son, Byron. 
 
 William Hales moved into the township at about this 
 time, and located on the farm now owned by Adam 
 Ilensner, on lot eighty-eight. He subsequently 
 changed his location to the hill, purchasing the farm 
 now owned by his son Ansel. He resided here until 
 1S7"2, wlieu he removed to North Amherst, where he 
 now lives in his seventy-sixth year, lie is the fatiier 
 of eleven children, all of whom are living, four in this 
 township, three in Amlierst, and one in Brownlielm. 
 
 William Ferguson, Clinton Dunham and Nathan 
 Bristol were also early settlers in this part of town. 
 
 Simeon Shepard, with his family, consisting of his 
 wife and five children, came to Henrietta from Madi- 
 son county. New York, in about the year 1830. He 
 settled on the State road, about a mile and a half east 
 of Birmingham, on lot ninety-eight. He cleared up 
 a farm of one hundred acres, and lived upon it until 
 his death, in 18G8. His widow survived him three 
 years. Three of the five children are living, viz: 
 Jacob, in Henrietta on a farm of sixty-six acres, one- 
 half mile south of the center, and Oliver and Sarah, in 
 Iowa. Simeon, .Jr., died in Texas, September 17, 
 1878, and Lucy (Mrs. Sizer), many years ago, in 
 Henrietta. 
 
 Silas Wood, a native of New York, removed from 
 Pennsylvania, to Ohio with his jiarents in 1834. The 
 family settled in Greenfield, Huron county. He 
 married, in 1827, Hannah Eunes, whose parents 
 came to Birmingham in 182.1. He afterwards became 
 a member of the firm of Hawley & Whittlesey, pro- 
 prietors of a woolen factory and carding machine 
 near Birmingham, Erie county. Several years after- 
 ward he purchased a farm in Berlin, in that county, 
 and took up his residence there for a year or two, and 
 then moved into this town, buying one hundred acres 
 of Calvin Leonard. He eventually removed to 
 Birmingham, and built a stone grist mill, and also 
 engaged in merchandise, ftlr. Wood's life was one 
 
 of great activity. He possessed excellent business 
 qualifications, and amassed a fine property. He died 
 of heart disease in 1860, and his wife died subse- 
 (piently. Four of his five children are now living, 
 viz: Mrs. Althida Arnold and George S., in Birming- 
 ham, and Mrs. Hannah A. Kline and Mr.s. Sarah A. 
 Strauss, in Oberlin. 
 
 A family by the name of Pike settled in the gore at 
 an early date. A son, James, was a military officer, 
 and fought at Lundy's Lane. He was afterwards 
 much engaged in forming and drilling ritle compa- 
 nies. He was a man of local iirouiinence, and was 
 highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was 
 killed in 1831 while at work in the woods, a tree 
 which he cut down falling on him. 
 
 The first permanent settler in the south part of the 
 township was John Hunter, who removed from 
 Cayuga county. New York, in about the year 1830. 
 He bought one hundred acres in the north part of lot 
 ten, in tract twelve, and afterwards added the north 
 part of lot nine, erecting his cabin on tlie former lot. 
 He eventually removed to Florence, Erie county. 
 
 John R. Hawkins came in in 1834, and made his 
 purchase in lots ten and eleven. He rolled togethei- 
 his log house and cut out a door, and with his family, 
 consisting of his wife and five children, "moved in." 
 He added a roof and floor afterwards. Without 
 means, not even a team, and with a large family to 
 supijort, Hawkins found life in Henrietta woods an 
 uphill struggle, and after several years of hard toil, 
 which was only moderately rewarded, removed to the 
 ])rairies of Illinois, where a farm could be brought 
 under cultivation with less difficulty. He died there 
 a few years after, and his widow eventually became 
 insane. 
 
 Sometime in 1834, might have been seen an aged 
 cou])lo traveling on foot along the angling road that 
 led from Birmingham to Camden. They were Wil- 
 liam Bates and his wife, from New York State, on 
 their way to Camden, to visit some of their children 
 who had settled there, and to examine the country, 
 reports of the excellence of which had been sent back 
 by the children. After returning, Mr. Bates being 
 pleased with the western country, disposed of his 
 projierty in New York, and with the residue of his 
 family, except William Bates, Jr., who remained in 
 New York, emigrated to Henrietta, arriving in 1830. 
 The family located on lots thirteen and fourteen in 
 tract twelve, purchasing of Robert Johnson and 
 .James Peak, who had made a beginning there. The 
 Bates' eventually (jwned the whole of those lots, and 
 except a small portion they are still in their pos.ses- 
 ion or that of tlieir descendants. The pioneer Bates 
 was twice married iind became the father of fifteen 
 children, ten boys and five girls. The family was not 
 only remarkable for its size numerically, but also for 
 the stature of its members, their great physical 
 strength, and their longevity. The ten sons aggre- 
 gated a hight of nearly sixty-two feet. These char- 
 acteristics were doubtless inherited from the father, 
 
 I 
 
240 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 who, it is said, was a powerful man, weighing over 
 tlircc hundred pounds. He died in tlie fall of 1848, 
 in the eighty-flftli year of his age, and was buried on 
 tlie bank of the Vermillion. His remains, however, 
 were siibse(juently removed to the SduMi Henrietta 
 burying ground. Two sons and three daughters are 
 yet living, all of whom are well advanced in life. Two 
 of tlie daughters arc aged respectively eighty-eiglit 
 and eighty-four. Bennett Bates and Thaxter Bates 
 reside in Henrietta. 
 
 Henry Rosa, with Ins family of wife and four chil- 
 dren, moved into Hciii-ietta in is:5."), from Birming- 
 ham, Erie county, whither he had come two years 
 jtri'viously from Cayuga county, New York. He took 
 up his residence on fifty acres of lot ten, tract twelve, 
 which had been ])urchased by his oldest son, James H. 
 Rosa. A log house had been built on the place some 
 two years jireviously, by Alexander Knnes, of New 
 York, who, on selling, removed to Birmingham where 
 he now resides. This farm is still owned and occupied 
 by Mr. Rosa, Sr., who is now eighty-five years of age. 
 He married Mary Hawkins, who died about twenty 
 years ago. Mr. Rosa served in tlu' war of 1813. His 
 sou, James H. Rosa, resides on one hundred and 
 foui'teen acres in lot nine. He is the present justice 
 of the peace for the south part of the township. 
 
 Moses R. Mapes, a native of Pennsylvania, moved 
 in in the spring of 1838, from Florence townshi|i, 
 Erie cjunty, taking up his residence on lot twelve, 
 track fourteen. Hi married Elizaljetli Hawkins, of 
 Newburg, Orange county. New Yoi-k, and raised a 
 family of ten childi'en, six sons and four daughters. 
 She died in the spring of 1843, and Mr. Mapes sub- 
 sequently married a Mrs. Tisdel, of Vermillion, where 
 he resided for several years previous to his death, 
 wliich took jdace in Mai-ch, 18(U. Three of the 
 children now live in the township. Harvey, who 
 lives on tlie farm to which he removed over thirty 
 years ago; Samuel, who lives (Ui the farm first occu- 
 pied by John Hunter; and Rosella, now Mrs. Barhyte, 
 who resides on the farm cleared up by John Hawkins. 
 Her husband, Uichanl Barliyte, was killed by a kick 
 from his horse, December 2o, 1874. 
 
 Robert JolinsoQ was th3 first settler on lot thirteen. 
 Hj died S0()n aftei' settlemsnt, and his widow sub- 
 setpiently married Jacob Ennes, of Birmingham. She 
 finally became insuu, and hung herself to a limb of 
 tree on the bank of the river. 
 
 Further east we find as early settlers, John Balys, 
 Medad Buckley, Aldridge and Roswell Allen, Ben- 
 jamin Griffin, Levi Vincent, John Jewel, Tiiomas 
 McCreedy, Richard Call, John Hemlerson, and two 
 families by tlie names of Lewis and Billings. Balys 
 and Buckley were the first permanent settlers on lots 
 sixteen and seventeen, in tract twelve. Balys pre- 
 ceded bis family, who arrived in 1834. After a resi- 
 dence of many years in Henrietta, he removed to 
 Berlin, Erie county, but subsequently returned to 
 this township, and bought out John Hunter. He 
 afterward sold to Samuel G. Mapes, his son-in-law. 
 
 and moved to Elyria, and died there. He was the 
 first justice of the peace in South Henrietta. 
 
 The Aliens located on lot fifteen. Roswell built a 
 saw mill on the east branch of the Vermillion, in an 
 early day, which, however, proved an unprofitable 
 venture, — the dam continually breaking away. He, 
 some ten years since, removed to Iowa, where he now 
 lives. Aldridge died in 1875, aged eighty. 
 
 Levi Vincent settled in 1834, purchasing fifty acres 
 each in lots four and five, of Judge Ely. He was 
 originally from Canada East, but emigrated to Lake 
 county, Ohio, where he remained in the township 
 eighteen months, and then came to Henrietta. He 
 and his aged wife are still living on the original 
 purchase. 
 
 Thomas McCreedy was an early settler in Brown- 
 helm, whence he removed to Henrietta. He is a 
 native of Plattsburgh, New York, and removed to 
 Cleveland in 1834. He remained there three or four 
 years, engaged ]iriucipally in chopping wood, cutting 
 in eighteen months seven hundred cords. His next 
 move was to Brownhelni, where he lived some thir- 
 teen years, and then moved to Henrietta, and ]iur- 
 chased forty-nine acres on lot thirteen, tract thirteen. 
 To this he has since added, and now owns something 
 over seventy-one acres. His first wife died in 1845, 
 while residing in Brownhelm, and he married, three 
 years subsequently, the widow of Caleb Dunham. 
 Mr. and Mrs. McCreedy are still living, aged respec- 
 tively seventy-five and seventy-seven. 
 
 Jonathan Toof, and a man by the name of Mills, 
 were also early settlers on this road. 
 
 Still further east. Captain Elias Mann and Andrew 
 
 Peabody. Mann was perhaps the earliest settler in 
 
 ; this ]iart of the township. All we know of him is 
 
 that he owned a small patch of ground on which he 
 
 had a log cabin. 
 
 Peal:)ody settled where he still resides, on lot one 
 hundred and four. He came to Henrietta with his 
 family, in 1835, his native State being New Hamp- 
 shire. His first wife died many years ago. He re- 
 nuirried, and his second wife is also dead. She lived 
 only a few months after her marriage. Mr. Peabody 
 is in his eighty-third year. 
 
 Richard Kelly and John Petty were also early set- 
 tlers in this section of the town. Petty emigrated to 
 America from Yorkshire, England, when a young 
 man, worked in a coal mine in Pennsylvania, for a 
 time, and then came to the townshii> of Russia, pur- 
 chased fifty acres of land, married and raised a fam- 
 ily. After a residence there of many years, he came 
 to Henrietta. He is still living on the windfall road, 
 with his younger children, aged seventy-six. 
 
 The most of lot seven, tract twelve, was originally 
 settled by Newell, Jesse and Chapman M. Cook, 
 brothers. The former two came to Henrietta in 1837, 
 and the latter in 1838. They were from New York, 
 and all very poor when they came to Henrietta; but 
 they were industrious, and cheerfully eiulured the 
 hardships of those early times. The first work of 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 241 
 
 clearing that Newell and Jesse did for others, in order 
 lluit no time might be wasted in going back and forth 
 for their meals, they carried a store of provisions with 
 them to the woods, and kept bachelors' hall in a large 
 hollow log. Newell was not long to enjoy the fruit 
 of his toil; he died in 1843. Jesse moved to Camden 
 in 1857; he served the Bai)tist Church in Henrietta 
 for upward of thirty consecutive years. Chapman 
 still lives on the old homestead, on lot seven. 
 
 riONEKR HARDSHIPS, DANGERS AND AMUSEMENTS. 
 
 The pioneers of Henrietta, while exempt from some 
 of the hardships by which those of other townships, 
 which were settled before the close of the war of 1813, 
 were surrounded, were nevertheless subject to many 
 privations and hardships of which it is difficult for 
 those who have not actually experienced them, to 
 form an adequate conception. The first settlers here 
 lived in almost complete isolation. There were other 
 settlers in Brownhelm, but they lived on the lake 
 shore between which and the southern part of that 
 township lay an unbroken forest of some five miles in 
 extent, and there was, therefore, but little intercourse 
 between the two sections. Provisions were sometimes 
 scarce and difficult to obtain. The nearest grist mill 
 was not far away — Col. Brown's, on the Vermillion — 
 but it was not in opei'ation mucli of the time and long 
 journeys would have to be made to get the grain 
 ground into flour. The earlier settlers in Henrietta 
 frequently carried their grain to a mill at Cold creek, 
 near Sandusky, to get their grinding done. Simeon 
 Durand once carried on his back a bushel of wheat to 
 Rocky river to get it ground. 
 
 Murrain attacked the cattle with terribly fatal 
 results, and a disease among the sheep, of which they 
 died in large numbers, while many were killed by the 
 predatory wolf. The woods abounded in wild animals 
 of which the wolf was the most annoying to the in- 
 habitants, not only because of his frequent incursions 
 into the farmer's sheepfold, but' also on account of his 
 nightly howls around the lonelj' cabin. He was a rav- 
 enous animal, and even deer would frequently become 
 the victim of his rapacity. They showed a great deal 
 of ingenuity in capturing the deer, an animal too fleet 
 to be overtaken by pursuit. Christopher Shaffer, an 
 old hunter through this region, now living in Flor- 
 f ence, relates that on a certain occasion, as he was 
 I going to his traps in Henrietta, he came upon the 
 I path, in the snow, of a pack of wolves, and he fol- 
 . lowed it up. For some distance the path showed that 
 they had traveled along in single file, when suddenly 
 it disajipeared from the hunter's sight. On looking 
 around liini, however, he found numerous tracks on 
 liiith sides of the path, indicating that from some 
 cause they had suddenly dispersed. On further ex- 
 amination the skeleton of a large buck was found. 
 The wolves, on discerning the deer had instantly 
 broken ranks, surrounded him, and thus secured 
 their prey. 
 
 31 
 
 Occasionally the farmers in several adjoining town- 
 ships would organize a grand hunting party. The 
 object was two-fold — to enjoy the fine sport which 
 such a hunt furnished, and to rid the country of the 
 wolf, which, however, was not frequently caught. 
 The first of these hunts was organized in January, 
 1828, under the lead of Captain Tracy, of Amherst, 
 and centered in this township. Men from Henrietta, 
 Brownhelmn, Amherst, Russia, Brighton, and Flor- 
 ence, Erie county, participated. The method of the 
 sport was to surround a large tract of country, the 
 line thus formed moving gradually toward the center. 
 The sport was not without danger from cross-firing 
 as the hunters approached each other, and instances 
 of fatal accident are not wanting. On this occasion 
 a man by the name of Harris, of Amherst, who was 
 on horseback, was shot in the ankle. A lai-ge quan- 
 tity of game was killed, including a bear. Calvin 
 Leonard, John Denison and Almeron Stedman, of 
 Henrietta, were members of this hunting party. 
 
 Wild hogs were numerous, and the male often 
 dangerous. A man by the name of Manville, living 
 in Wakeman, was once attacked, and being without 
 means of defence, the boar struck him in the leg, 
 terribly hu crating the flesh. He ran to the nearest 
 stump, climbed upon it, and remained there until the 
 hog disajjpeared. Shaffer himself was thus once 
 attacked, but having his rifle with him, he proved 
 more than a match for his adversary. One night 
 while he and his father lay in their hut, at the sugar 
 bush, in the south part of Henrietta, — -which' they 
 established long previous to the advent of the white 
 settler there, — they were arroused by a commotion 
 outside, in which their dog apparently had a jiart. 
 On going out to see, it was found that the dog had 
 seized a cub bear. The old gentleman ran into the 
 cabin for his gun, the old bear, in the meantime, 
 intent on seeing fair play, coming to the assistance of 
 her cub. She rushed at Shaffer, Sr., furiously, but 
 he quietly brought the rifle to his shoulder and fired, 
 killing the brute on the spot. The cub escaped in 
 the woods, the dog only too glad to jiart company 
 with his embracing antagonist. 
 
 Indians annually visited Henrietta foi- many years 
 after the settlement. They would come in the fall, and 
 remain to hunt through the winter. They had a little 
 camp, soon after the close of the war, in the southern 
 part of the township, on the east branch of the Ver- 
 million, and one, of twelve or fifteen families, long 
 subsequent on Chace creek, just east of Mr. Sted- 
 man's. They wei'c peaceably disposed, and the inhab- 
 itants experienced no annoyance from them. 
 
 EARLY EVENTS. 
 
 The first wedding was that of Joseph Swift and 
 Elizabeth Root. This interesting event took place 
 August 22, 1818. The nuptial knot was tied by Rev. 
 Alvin Coe. Among the earliest marriages was that 
 of Festus Powers and Sally Andress, which occurred 
 sometime in 1819. 
 
 L 
 
242 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 The first death was that of Betsey Holcoinl). She 
 died August 24, 181S, at the age of eighteen years. 
 Tlie male inhabitants mot, and selected a site for 
 a burying ground, on land lielonging to Edward 
 Duraud. Smith Hancock and Almon Andross 
 l)rnslied off apiece of ground, and there dug tlie grave. 
 
 Henry Brown Ilolconib was tiu^ first ciiild born. 
 It is said that Colonel Brown had promised to give 
 the parents of the first child born in what was then 
 Browulielm, the sura of fifty dollars, and that that 
 amount was endorsed on the land contract of Squire 
 Holcomh, who had made his purchase of Colonel 
 Brown. The births of Jeannctte Leonard and Char- 
 lotte Andress were among the earliest. 
 
 Dr. Forbes was the first physician. He came into 
 the township in about the year 1831; his family sub- 
 sequently. 
 
 Joseph Powers' was the first house opened for the 
 accommodation of travelers. Subsecfuently the large 
 frame house on the hill, owned by Anson Hales, was 
 built by James Uurand, and kept by him as a hotel. 
 The stage road was a great thoroughfare in those days, 
 and Durand's large hotel was almost constantly filled. 
 General Winfield Scott, accompanied by his staff, has 
 been a guest at this house. 
 
 A post office was established on the hill, soon after 
 the organization of the town, and Squire Abbott was 
 appointed the first post master. The office was sub- 
 sequently held successively by Edward Durand, Moses 
 Fuller, Harvey Page, Stephen Jones, and Ansel Hales, 
 the last-named being the present incumbent. 
 
 Edward Durand kept the first store in the town, in 
 the house built by him, and now occupied by Harvey 
 Page. 
 
 Thumau Bodfish, at the present time, has a store 
 on the hill, which is the only one in towu. 
 
 ORGAN'IZATION.* 
 
 Henrietta was organized in 1837. In November, 
 1836, the inhabitants in the south part of Brownhelm 
 petitioned the commissioners to take off the three 
 south tiers of lots and to attach them to unsettled 
 lands lying south, and incorporate the same into a 
 township. The j)etitioners look occasion to say that 
 it was seven miles from the lake shore to the south 
 line of the township; that there had been but little 
 communication between the north and south settle- 
 ments; and that it was extremely inconvenient for 
 some of the people to attend on the public business of 
 the town. The prayer of the petition was rejected; 
 but at the same session of the commissioners it was 
 ordered that tracts nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, 
 fourteen and fifteen, in range nineteen, with surplus 
 lots lying west of said tracts, be erected into a town- 
 ship by the name of Henrietta, and be attached to 
 Brighton for judicial purposes. This township, as 
 thus formed, included a large part of the present 
 township of Camden and a little more than two-thirds 
 
 * Boynton. 
 
 of the present township of Henrietta. As organized, 
 it was not satisfactory to the inhabitants in the south 
 part of Brownhelm, and in Februarv, 1837, upon 
 their petition, two tiers of lots, being over a mile in 
 widtii, wore detached from the south part of Brown- 
 holm and annexed to Henrietta; and tract number 
 nine was detached from Henrietta and annexed to 
 Brighton. An election was ordered for township 
 officers, which took jdaee in Ajiril, 1837. Calvin 
 Leonard, Simeon Durand and Smith Hancock, were 
 elected trustees; Justin Abbott, clerk; Joseph Pow- 
 ers, treasurer; Olied Holcomh, overseer of the poor; 
 John E. Page, fence viewer; Josejdi Weston, consta- 
 ble; Orlando llolcomb, supervisor; Edward Durand, 
 justice of the peace. In March, 1830, lots eighty-six, 
 eighty-seven and eighty-eight were detached from 
 Brownhelm and annexed to Henrietta; and in March, 
 1835, lots eighty-one, eighty-two, eighty-three, eighty- 
 four and eighty-five, the remainder of the tier, were 
 added. 
 
 The lu'csent township officers are as follows: C. 
 L. Ferguson, clerk; W. A. Thomas, Washington 
 Covenhoven, Sylvester Petty, trustees; L. A. Hisrgins, 
 treasurer; Marseiui Peabody, assessor; Henry Whit- 
 ney and Eugene Walker, constables; G. L. Ferguson 
 and James H. Rosa, justices of the peace. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The earliest schools were held at ])rivate houses. 
 The first teacher was Marinda Morrison, who taught 
 in the summer of 1819. Soon afterward a rude log 
 school house, with stick chimney, Dutch back fire- 
 place, and whitewood slabs for seats, was erected on 
 the farm of Simeon Durand. Dr. Forbes taught the 
 first school in this structure in the winter of 1831-3. 
 He was a medical practitioner, and was the first doctor 
 in town. 
 
 The log school house served its purj)0se for a few 
 j'ears. and then a frame was built. It was the first 
 frame school house in this section of the country. It 
 was years afterwards sold to Carlo Andress, and is 
 now used on his old place as a barn. Sarah Ann lug- 
 ham, James Durand, Lucinda Johnson, and Wealthy 
 Abbott were among the earliest teachers. Durand 
 taught in the winter of 1835, and Miss Abbott the 
 following summer. Her wages were seven shillings 
 per week which were paid in merchandise. The pat- 
 rons of the school paid in proportion to the number 
 of children they sent. Henrietta occupies a front 
 rank among the townships of Lorain county with 
 respect to the character of her school houses. They 
 are exceeded in their aggregate value by only two 
 other of the townshiiis in the county in which there 
 is not an incorporated village, and in the average 
 value takes the lead. The rejMrt of the clerk of the 
 board of education, ending August 31, 1878, gives the 
 following statistics : 
 
 Number f houses C 
 
 Aggregate value $8,000 
 
 Amount pai I teachers $1.M4 
 
 Number of scholars 247 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 243 
 
 RELIGIOUS. 
 
 The pioneers of Henrietta wore not behind their 
 neiglibors in providing for their religious wants. The 
 earliest religious meetings were held at the house of 
 Josejjh Powers. This was before the advent of the 
 ])reacher, and these services were very simple, and, of 
 course, undenominational in character. The first 
 preacher was Rev. Alva C'oe, from Boston, a mission- 
 ary among the Indians. He preached the first sermon 
 in Henrietta, at the house of Calvin Leonard. 
 
 BAPTIST CHUKCH. 
 
 The Baptists were the first to move in the matter 
 of a church organization. A society was formed Oc- 
 tol>er 10, 1818, by Elder Goodell, of Painesville, of 
 some fourteen or fifteen members, of whom we have 
 only the following names : Joseph Powers and wife, 
 Mrs. Simeon Durand, Betsey Duraud, Jedodiah Hol- 
 comb and wife. Joseph Powers was appointed dea- 
 con. The church had occasional pi'eaching by Elder 
 Joseph Phillips, of Berlin, Erie county, and by others, 
 but it was not until 1825 that stated preaching was 
 had. In tliat year Elder Squire Abbott moved into 
 town from Kingsville, Ashtabula county, and became 
 the pastor of the church. The society gradually 
 increased in membership for two years following, 
 when dissensions of a radical nature arose in the 
 church, which continued for some time, "and were 
 not healed until another doctrine was embraced by the 
 juistor and a large proportion of the members," who 
 withdrew from the church. "In this state of things 
 trying scenes were experienced by those who main- 
 tained their allegiance to the church," yet the church 
 kept up its organization, reported to the Huron Asso- 
 ciation, of which it was a member, and had occa- 
 sional preaching. The records of the church were 
 taken away by the seceding members, and were not 
 restored until February, 18.'i3. At that time there 
 were ten memliers. During this and the fol- 
 lowing year, Peter Lattinier })reached occasionally. 
 After this, stated preaching was had. The salary 
 of these early preachers was very small, and not 
 always promptly paid. Until 1837, the meetings 
 of the [church were held in the school house, west 
 of the Hill, and for a year or tw^o subsequently, 
 in the school house on the Hill. In July, 1837, by 
 resolution of the church, the following members were 
 constituted a branch of the church in Birmingham : 
 James and Catharine Daly, Henry and Mary Howe, 
 John and Ann Blair, Richard and Catharine Laugh- 
 ton, and Hannah Brown, and the church took the 
 name of the Henrietta and Birmingham Church. In 
 May, 1840, the Birmingham branch organized inde- 
 pendently. 
 
 In 1838, Edwaixl Durand, Es<(., erected the house 
 on the hill, in which Harvey Page now resides. The 
 upjier part was fitted up for an audience room for the 
 use of the church. It was completed in August of 
 that year, and the Huron Association held their an- 
 nual session with the church in its new place of 
 
 worship on the 29tli and 30th of that month. An 
 act of incorporation, on petition of the church, was 
 granted by the legislature of the State, February 28, 
 1842, under the name of the "First Regular Baptist 
 Church and Society of Henrietta." Chauncey Rem- 
 ington, Philemon Shepard, Daniel Axtell, Moses 
 Fuller and Simeon D. Powers were constituted trus- 
 tees by said act. In 1850, the church edifice on the 
 hill was erected and dedicated to the worshiiJ of God 
 on the 18th of November of that year, the Rev. Mr. 
 Berton, of Elyria, officiating on the occasion, assisted 
 by the pastor. Elder Fuller. Elder Julius Beemau 
 of Lagrange, L. Wilder of Berlin, Erie county, and 
 G. W. Allen of Amherst were present and took part 
 in the exercises. The house cost about one thousand 
 six hundred. The present pastor is Rev. Malcom 
 Wood. William A. Thomas is clerk. Pi-esent mem- 
 i)ership, fifty. The salary of the pastor is five hundred 
 and sixteen dollars. A Sabbath school was organized 
 on the first Sabbath in July, 1832, of about thirty 
 scholars; Philemon Shcjiard was appointed superin- 
 tendent. The first teachers were Philemon Shepard, 
 Dennis Powers, Patience Shepard, Venera Shepard 
 and Jane Ellis. There are now eighty-three scholars 
 enrolled, with an average attendance of fifty; William 
 A. Thomas, superintendent. 
 
 THE UNION CHURCH. 
 
 Sometime prior to 1852 a Methodist Episcoj^al 
 class and a Free Will Baptist society were formed. 
 The constituent members of the Baptist society were 
 the following: Jesse Cook and wife, George Couover, 
 Mrs. Austin and James H. Rosa and wife. We are 
 not informed as to the original members of the 
 Methodist Episcopal class. They held their meetings 
 in the school house in the former school district num- 
 ber three. In the above year they combined in the 
 erection of a church building. The organization was 
 effected under the name of the " Free Church Asso- 
 ciation,"' and immediate steps taken to erect a house 
 of worship. Article four of the constitution specifies 
 that the house is to be free to all denominations of 
 Christians, and to all j^ublic sjieakers who have in 
 view moral, religious or political reform, or the 
 advocacy of any benevolent enterprise. A house was 
 accordingly built on lot six, tract twelve, costing 
 about eight hundred dollars, and was dedicated by 
 Elder Whijjple of Oberlin. The Methodists afterward 
 withdrew and formed a class in Kipton, but were 
 subsequently divided into two sections by the slavery 
 agitation, and the more radical wing in regard to the 
 ([uestion returned to worship with the Baptists as 
 formerly. 
 
 The church has now a membership of thirty-two. 
 J. B. Cook is clerk, Jesse Cook is deacon, and E. G. 
 Wightmau, officiating deacon. Rev. G. H. Damon 
 of Medina, and Rev. Hushour of Pittsficld, preach 
 every alternate Sabbath. The church has accom- 
 jilished much good. It has a flourishing Sabbath 
 school of some sixty scholars, of which Charles 
 Buckley is the superintendent. 
 
Ui 
 
 niSTOllY OF LORzVIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 UNITED BRETHREN. 
 
 Tliere were originally tlirco classes of this rleiiomi- 
 iiatioii — one at the center, oue on the first road oast 
 of tlie center, and another on the second road east of 
 the center, called the " Windfall" class. The class 
 at the center was formed in 18.55, by Kev. Alva Pres- 
 cott, an itinerant revivalist preacher, engaged in the 
 organization of classes of this denomination. The 
 other classes were formed a short time previously. 
 They united in their meetings, which were held in an 
 old log school house on the I'oad next east of the 
 center. Kev. Mr. Prescott was their first minister. 
 He remained a year and a half with them. Tlie 
 center and middle classes subsequently united at the 
 center, and erected a house of worsiiij), wliich is still 
 used by them. It was erected in 1864, and dedicated 
 by Bishop Glossbenner. The present membership 
 is fourteen or fifteen. It had, in more prosperous 
 days, a membership of f(jrty. Uobert Wliite is the 
 leader of this class, and Charles McCreedy, steward. 
 After the union of the two classes at the center, the 
 "Windfall" class held their services in jirivate houses 
 in the immediate vicinity, until the erection of a 
 school house, when they occupied that. Marsena 
 Peabody is the present loader, and Thomas Jolmson, 
 steward. Kev.- Peter Ish, of Oberlin, preaclies for 
 both classes. 
 
 THE GERMAN METUODIST ClIUKCII 
 
 was organized in tlie year 1868, with twenty-five or 
 thirty members, by the Rev. George Berg. Meetings 
 were held in the school house in disti'ict number one, 
 until the erection, in 1875, of the present neat and 
 commodious house on the State road. It cost some 
 twenty seven hundred dollars, including tlie furni- 
 ture, and was dedicated by Rev. Paoles, of Berea. 
 The church is in a flourishing condition, having some 
 fifty members, and has also a prosperous Sabbath 
 school, of which Henry Haneisen is superintendent. 
 Rev. Adam Weber, of Vermillion, preaches once 
 every Salfbath. 
 
 THE GERMAN PRESHYTERIAN CHURCH, 
 
 situated in the western part of the township, a mile 
 South of Birmingham, was organized in 1872, and a 
 building erected, costing eight hundred and fifty dol- 
 lars. The first preacher of this church was Rev. 
 Kuhler, of Vermillion. Rev. Mr. Brown is the 
 present pastor. The original membership was some 
 twelvi' in number, and is now twenty. The church 
 has a prosi)erous Sabbath school, Adam AlmroHi 
 being the superintendent. 
 
 ROADS. 
 
 The first road in Henrietta was the old State road, 
 now usually called the telegraph road, which runs 
 a diagonal course through the three northern tiers of 
 lots, passing through lot eighty-eight on the east 
 line, and lot ninety-seven on the west. It was origin- 
 
 ally half a mile south of its present location. There 
 are now two other east and west roads in the town- 
 ship, and five running north and south, besides the 
 county line road; all of which extend through the 
 town e"xcept the second one east of the county line, 
 known as "log lane;" presumably so named from the 
 numlier of logs scattered along the street by the 
 s(juattors who made their locations there. This road 
 is not opened north of the telegraj)h road. 
 
 rnonucTivE industries. 
 
 Saw Mills. — As previously stated, the first saw 
 mill was built by Moses Fuller, on Chance creek. 
 Abnor Hancock also had a mill on this creek, and 
 Roswell Allen oue at an earlier date in the south part 
 of the town, on the east branch of the Vermillion. 
 There are now two mills of this kind in the townshiji, 
 that of L). S. Davis at the iiill, and the Currier mill 
 at the center. The Davis mill was built by Durand 
 in about the year 1847. It was destroyed by fire in 
 1850, and rebuilt since then — machinery for the man- 
 ufacture of shingles, a blacksmith shop and a wagon 
 shop have been added. The Carrier mill was built 
 originally by one Ousterhout. It was burned down 
 after the Currier brothers came into possession, and 
 by them rebuilt. 
 
 The Maple Grove Cheese Factory — Lees and 
 McDowell, proprietors — was by them established in 
 the spring of 1870. It is in a flourishing condition, 
 many improvements having been added during the 
 past year. There is also a cheese factory in the 
 southwest part of the town. 
 
 One of the most flourishing enterprises ever carried 
 on in the township, was the ashery of Edward Du- 
 rand, and although long since dead, deserves mention. 
 It was established as early as 1835, and perhaps at an 
 earlier date. It was originally located just west of 
 the saw mill. Mr. Durand made potash only, but he 
 subsequently removed to the opposite side of the 
 street, and engaged in the manufacture of that article. 
 James Lees, who was foi'merly in Duraud's employ, 
 bought the factory in 1853 or 1854, and carried on 
 the business more extensively than ever before, mak- 
 ing saleratus in addition to pearlash. He continued 
 in the business until 1872, when, becoming unprofit- 
 able, it was discontinued. A large pile of ashes now 
 marks the location of this early industry. Tliore were 
 at one time also, in the northwest ]>art of the town- 
 ship, near the first settlement, the asheries of Abner 
 Hancock and .Tames Ilosford. 
 
 AORICOLTURAI. STATISTICS. 
 
 Wheat, 803 acres 12,C2S bushels. 
 
 Oats, UOO " 22,127 
 
 Cora, 860 " 30,942 
 
 Potatoes, 47 ** 2,.542 *' 
 
 Orchards, 398 " 10,806 
 
 Meadow, I,!)85 " 2,451 tons. 
 
 Butter 28,675 pounds. 
 
 Cheese 229.520 
 
 Maple Sugar 3,575 " 
 
 Hayes . 
 
 Vote for President in 187i 
 ISllTilden 
 
 66 
 
DAVID BENNETT. 
 
 .lANE BENNETT. 
 
 Residence of the neirs or david beinnett, Carlisle Tr. loi^ain co.. Ohio. 
 
CARLISLE. 
 
 This township is bounded on the north by Elyria, 
 on tlie south by LaGrange, on tlie east by Eaton, and 
 on the west by Russia. It luis but two streams of 
 water, and these are the east and west branches of 
 the Bhick river, the former of which flows from the 
 southeast across tlie townsliip; the otlier from the 
 southwest, and both cross the north line of the 
 township near the northeast corner, forming a junc- 
 tion at Elyria. 
 
 The surface of the township is generally level; the 
 soil is largely clay, .and for the most part well adapted 
 to agriculture, the bottom lands being extremely 
 fertile. The township is described and known on 
 the records as number live in the seventeenth range, 
 and was drawn by Joseph Perkins, John Richmond, 
 Tracy, Uoyt, William Eldridge, John McClunnan, 
 Daniel Tildeu and Jabez Adams — (Island number 
 six, then Cunningham's, now Kelly's, consisting of 
 two thousand seven hundred aiul forty-seven acres, 
 was annexed to number five for the pur})ose of 
 ciiualization.) 
 
 KAME. 
 
 Before the township was organized, the western 
 portion had acquired the name Mui-rayvillo from 
 settlers of that name in that locality. This was not 
 satisfactory to the residents of the eastern portion, 
 Phinehas Johnson wishing to name it Berlin after 
 his native town in Connecticut. Unable to agree on 
 either name, a compromise was effected by calling it 
 Carlisle. 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 The first settler of Carlisle township was John 
 Bacon, of Windham county, Vermont, who made the 
 journey from that ])oint with a team of horses and 
 wagon, arriving in Ridgevillein the month of October, 
 1815. He remained there until the early months of 
 181G, when he came to Carlisle and made a permanent 
 settlement on what is now known as Murray Ridge. 
 lie brought with him from the east a few necessary 
 household goods, and his family consisting of a wife 
 and the following children: Clarissa, Hiram and 
 Susan. The first and last are deceased. Iliram 
 married Louisa Halford and yet resides on the old 
 homestead, hale and hearty, though at the advanced 
 age of seventy-eight years. .John Bacon died in 
 1864; his wife in 1857. 
 
 A few months after Mr. Bacon made a commence- 
 ment, a brother-in-law, Abel Farr, came on from 
 Vermont and located on the north line and near the 
 center east and west. His family that came with 
 
 him was a wife and four children. Others who were 
 married remained in Vermont; two came on after- 
 wards and settled near the father. None of them 
 now live in the township, and the only descendants 
 are the widow and children of a son, Lowell, who 
 was one of the children who came with the family. 
 
 There was no further settlement made in the town- 
 ship until the spring of 1819, when Samuel Brooks 
 and family arrived in Carlisle. They were of sturdy 
 Connecticut stock, and made the journey to Ohio by 
 the substantial method of that day, i. c, with an ox 
 team and a stout wagon. In these later years of 
 harnessed lightning iind rapid transit the idea of 
 traveling six hundred miles with an ox team seems 
 prosy enough; yet this slow method had its advan- 
 tages. There were no collisions nor trains trying to 
 " ]iass each other on the same track." The date of 
 the arrival of Mr. Brooks in Carlisle was April, 1810. 
 His log house was constructed near the eastern town- 
 ship line, and was the first in that part of the 
 township. Samuel Brooks was born February 27, 
 1780, and died in Elyria, December 20, 1874; his 
 wife, who was Sophia (Johnson) Brooks, was born 
 June 22, 1791. The children who accompanied the 
 parents to Ohio were: Lydia K., who died August 
 10, 1851; Henry J., who resides in Cleveland; Julia 
 L. (Bishop) who resides at Cuyahoga Falls, and Ira 
 K., who died September 22, 1869. 
 
 On November 5, 1819, Hezekiah Brooks, and fam- 
 ily, consisting of his wife and three children; Martin 
 L. (now Dr. Brooks, of Cleveland); Ann H., after- 
 wards missionary to Jamaica, who died in Memphis, 
 Mississippi; and Hannah M. (Vincent), now living in 
 Elyria, James Brooks, (father of Samuel and Heze- 
 kiah,) his wife and two sons, Calvin and Ileman, to- 
 gether with Phinehas .Joimson and faniily, came to 
 Carlisle, and with Elisha Brooks and Riley Smith and 
 wife, — who arrived two weeks earlier, — took up their 
 abode with Samuel Brooks, making a total of thirty 
 persons in the little log house. However, other 
 dwellings were soon constructed, and ere long, ipiite 
 a settlement had sprung uj) in the wilderness. This 
 locality is now designated as La Porte. There was, 
 at one period, a flourishing little hamlet here, with 
 numerous manufacturers and minor industries; but 
 of late years, the town has lost its former presitgc. 
 
 The rest of Mr. Brooks' children are, Samuel C, 
 of Cleveland; Stephen S., of California; Edward W., 
 of Red Wing, Minnesota; Sophia, now Mrs. Dr. 
 Briggs, of Elyria, (to whom our gratitude is due for 
 assistance in the preparation of this history, as well 
 
 (345) 
 
246 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 as for favors sliowii us in our labors at the court 
 liouse); Emeline L., now Mrs. Foote of Tal)or, Iowa; 
 Mary L., who died young; and William M., who is 
 now president of Tabor college, Iowa. 
 
 The children of Hozekiah and Ilannah Brooks, not 
 before given, are, James, a physician, residing in New 
 York; Hezekiah, Jr., of California; Sophronia (Hall), 
 of Oberlin; George, who i.s the only descendant resid- 
 ing in the township of Carlisle; Harriet, of Ncwburgh, 
 Cuyahoga county, Ohio; Emily (West), living in 
 Wellington, this county; and Fllen (Ruggles), who 
 resides at Newburgh, Ohio. 
 
 The children of Phinehas Johnson, a gentleman 
 well and favorably known, in the earlier years of the 
 settlement of Lorain county, are, Sophia, wife of 
 Samuel Brooks; Hannah, wife of Hezekiah Brooks; 
 Cornelia, wife of D. Griswold, now living in Wash- 
 ington Territory; Samuel C, who died before the 
 family came to Ohio; Julia, who married Edmund 
 West (deceased); Irene, who was twice married, and 
 is now deceased; William II., who married Alma 
 Otis (deceased); Lucretia, who died at the age of 
 nineteen years; Phienhas M., who married Orra Ann 
 Collins (deceased); Delia M., who married H. N. 
 Gates, and lives in Cleveland; and Isaac M., the 
 youngest, who married Cornelia Mussey. She died, 
 and he married Mary Hale, his present wife. He 
 resides at Oakland, California. This gentleman is 
 the father of tiie |)resent deputy county treasurer. 
 
 The Brooks' and Johnsons' were of I'uritan ances- 
 try, and in the journey to Ohio, which was of nearly 
 seven weeks" duration, tliey religiously observed the 
 Sabbath day, by encanijiing promptly each Saturday 
 night, and not resuming the journey until Monday 
 morning. 
 
 William Webster, in liis '"reminiscences," published 
 in the Elyria Rcpiiblkaa, April 7, 1876, says that 
 ''Asahel KeKsey came from Connecticut at the same 
 time," referring to the Brooks' and Johnsons', '"and 
 settled on the south side of the east branch of the 
 Biack rivir." 
 
 Philo Murray and his family, a wife and five chil- 
 dren, from Connecticut, made settlement in the 
 township in 1820 or '21. His location was in the 
 western part of the township, on the ridge bearing 
 his name. As none of the family are now residents 
 of Carlisle we are unable to obtain further data con- 
 cerning them. 
 
 Salmon Sutliff, of Erie county, Now York, came 
 to Lorain county in August, 1820. He made a tem- 
 porary location in Avon township, coming to Carlisle 
 the f(jllowing January. The journey from the east 
 ■ivas made with a horse team, and three cows and a 
 few sheep were driven along. The family consisted 
 of a wife and four boys: Silas B., William H. H., 
 Asa G., (who afterward became the pioneer settler in 
 Waseca county, Minnesota) and Oliver H. P. Another 
 child, a girl, Lovisa, was born and died previous to 
 emigrating to Ohio. Two months after they reached 
 Avon a son was born, Charles B. The place of their 
 
 location was on one hundred acres of land in section 
 ten, now occnjiied by S. M. Mason. Upon this farm 
 they remained until 1831, and during this interval 
 the following children were born: Ralph 0., Lucetta, 
 Warren C, Lucinda, and Jesse S. In May, 1831, 
 Mr. Sutliff removed to section one, locating on the 
 farm now owned by the son, Oliver H. P., where the 
 father and mother remained until their decease. The 
 former died in November, 1857; the latter May 18, 
 3870. Of this large family of children ten are now 
 living, seven of them in Ohio. Warren C, (to whom 
 we are indebted for the data of this sketch) married 
 Jane A. Bennett, and resides on three hundred acres 
 of land in section twelve, Carlisle township. 
 
 Channcey Prindle, of Waterbury, Connecticut, was 
 the first settler at the center of Carlisle township. 
 In the spring of 1823 he came through with his 
 family, a wife and two children. He came overland 
 with a team of horses. Mr. Prindle stopped at Capt. 
 James Brooks' until he could cut a road to his farm, on 
 section number thirteen, distant one and one-fourth 
 miles, and erect a log cabin thereon. He then moved 
 into the woods and began in earnest to make a farm. 
 The children above mentioned were Maria, who mar- 
 ried Aaron Bacon, and resides in Oberlin, and Henry 
 II., who married Christiana E. Spafford, and resides 
 on the old homestead. One child was born toChaun- 
 cey Prindle and wife, subse(juent to their removal to 
 Ohio. This was Mary J., who became the wife of 
 .T C. Slaughter, and is now deceased. Channcey 
 Prindle died in May, 1872. Mrs. Prindle died on the 
 23d day of the previous September. 
 
 Obed Gibbs, also from Waterbury, Connecticut, 
 settled in Carlisle in 1822, on the farm now occupied 
 by his son Ransom. With him came his wife and two 
 children. Ransom, the eldest child, had a wife and 
 one daughter, Jane, who eventually married George 
 Boughton, and removed after a few years, to Ne- 
 braska, where she died. Sally the second child of 
 Obed Gibbs married Merrett Clark. They did not 
 renniin long in the wilderness, ere they became home- 
 sick, when they returned to their native New England. 
 Obed Gibbs died in Carlisle in 1840, and his wife a 
 few years later. The children of Ransom Gibbs, 
 born subsequent to his removal to Ohio, were: Har- 
 riet, who married Alson Wooster, and resides in Elyria; 
 Lewis, who married Martha Jackson, and lives in 
 Nebraska City; and David, who married Jane Slaugh- 
 ter, and occupies the old homestead. 
 
 We find the name of Akin Sexton among the early 
 settlers on Murray ridge, but are unable to learn any 
 thing further of hiin. 
 
 Daniel Bennett, from Londonderry, Windham 
 county, Vermont, came to Ohio in 1827, and pur- 
 chased one hundred and twelve acres of land in sec- 
 tion twelve, Carlisle township (now occupied by his 
 daughter, Mrs. W. S. Sutliff).- Mr. Bennett then 
 returned east, and, the following spring, came to per- 
 manently settle on his farm. His family consisted of 
 a wife and niece. In May, 1828, they arrived in 
 
ffESIDENCE OF LORENZO CLARK , CARLISLE Tp, LORAIN Co ,0 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COTTNTY, OHIO. 
 
 247 
 
 Carlisle. For a short time the}- lived ill a sliuill log 
 house standing near where is now the Hart Cheese 
 Factory. There was at tliis time but one family in 
 this vicinity, that of Lewis Shumway, who had a wife 
 and two cliildren. He was from the east, but only 
 remained a year or two, going still farther west. Mr. 
 Bennett erected, on section twelve, tiie first frame 
 house in this part of the township. Here he lived, 
 reared a family of six children, brought the land to a 
 jirofitable state of cultivation, and died July Ifi, 18G3. 
 His first wife died August 10, 1829, and February 6, 
 1830, he married Jane Galpin, of Elyria, who survives 
 her husband and lives on the old homestead. From 
 this marriage the following children were born: Polly, 
 who died at the age of fifteen years; Jane, who mar- 
 ried Warren C. Sutliff and occupies the old farm; 
 Emerett, who married Curtis Webster and lives in 
 Elyria; Celestia, who died in infancy; Melvin R. and 
 Cassimar D., who live with their mother. Daniel 
 Bennett was a justice of the peace for many years, 
 and a very worthy citizen. 
 
 William Webster, of West Hartford, Connecticut, 
 married Abigail Johnson, of Berlin, same State, .Jan- 
 uary 4, 1800, and removed to Onondaga county. New 
 York, in 1818, and to Carlisle in 1838; arriving there 
 on May loth of that year, he settled and cleared up 
 the farm cue mile north of Laporte, now owned by 
 William Brush. In 1832, Mr. Webster removed to 
 the southeast corner of the township, where he died 
 October 27, 1844. Mrs. Webster died August 16, 
 1862. The children were as follows: Harriet, who 
 married Joseph Weston; Amanda, who married Cal- 
 vin Brooks; William, Jr., who married Catharine 
 Phillips (a daug'.iter of this couple is now the wife of 
 Dr. Kelsey, of Elyria); Abigail, who married Levi 
 Lee; Bethuel, who married Roxa Andrews; Louisa, 
 who married Abram V. D. Bergh; Nancy, who mar- 
 ried Harris R. Shelden; and Henry, who married 
 Sarah Johnson. 
 
 The first settlers in this corner of the township 
 were John B. Andrus, Paul Taylor, John Randall, 
 Thomas Girard, Cornelius V. D. Bergh, Elias Morgan. 
 William Cook, James V. Baker, Enoch Forbinder, 
 Stephen Wiiichell, and a family named Shepard. Of 
 these, but two arc now residents of the township, 
 Stephen Winchell and William Webster, Jr. 
 
 Joseph Patterson moved into Carlisle from Berk- 
 shire county. New York, in 1834, locating on section 
 six. His family were a wife and nine children. Of 
 these but two now live in Carlisle: Hiram, at present 
 the superintendent of the County Infirmary, and 
 William, who married in the east and came to Carlisle 
 in the spring of 1837, locating on section eighteen. 
 This he cleared. He was elected sheriff of Lorain 
 county by the free soil party. While occupying the 
 position he bought the farm of one hundred and 
 sixty-four acres, on which he now resides, in section 
 fourteen. 
 
 Daniel Tenney and family settled in Carlisle (at 
 Laporte) in the fall of 1835, and remained there until 
 
 his death, February 1, 187 J. His wife was Miss Sylvia 
 Kent, of Dorset, Vermont. Mr. Tenney was a native 
 of Temple, New Hampshire. Mrs. Tenney is living 
 with a daughter at Thayer, Kansas. The children of 
 this couple are Benjamin, Jewctt, Emily, George, 
 Myron and Ellen who are dead, and Horace, Henry 
 W., Maria E., Electa and Daniel K., now living, the 
 greater part of them at least, in Kansas. 
 
 B. F. Marlett, the "Village Blacksmith," came 
 from Steuben county. New York, to Carlisle in 1844. 
 He was then 17 years of ago. Two years later he 
 began his present vocation. He was for three years 
 a soldier in Company K, Twenty-third Regiment 
 Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In 1840 he married Cecelia 
 Breckenridge, of (Jrafton township, this county. 
 
 FIUST EVENTS. 
 
 The first birth in the township was that of a son to 
 William and Clarissa Bacon Saxton, which event oc- 
 curred immediately after a settlement was made on 
 Murray Ridge. The child was named James, eventu- 
 ally married a Miss Flint, and removed to Iowa where 
 he died. The pioneer birth in the eastern part of the 
 township was that of Samuel C. to Samuel and 
 Sophia Brooks. Cleveland is now the home of this, 
 at that early date, important addition to the colony. 
 
 The first marriage was that of Miss Cornelia, 
 daughter of Phinehas .lolinson, to Mr. Dudley Gris- 
 wold. The ceremony was performed at the residence 
 of the bride's father by Sherman Minott, Esq., of 
 Elyria townshijj. This happened in the fall of 1820. 
 The couple now reside in Washington Territory. 
 
 In the cemetery at Laporte we find a small sand- 
 stone slab erected to the memory of Lucretia M., 
 daughter of Phinehas and Hannah Johnson, who 
 died August 23, 1823; aged eighteen years. This is 
 presumably the first death of a white person in the 
 township. 
 
 In the western portion of Carlisle, lands were 
 donated for the cemetery in section two by Philo 
 Murray, and the first interment therein was the body 
 of Emeline, daughter of J. D. Murray, who died- 
 December 27, 1825. 
 
 The first post-otfice in the township, was established 
 in about the year 1825. Phinehas Johnson was duly 
 commissioned post-master, and the mails were received 
 and distributed from his residonce. M. V. B. Pitkin 
 is the jireseiit jiost-master at this jioint. Another 
 office was established a few years later, in the western 
 portion of the township, at Murray's Mills. This 
 office was named " Murray ville." Charles Drake'ly 
 was commissioned first jiost-master, or at least he was 
 among the first. This office was afterwards removed 
 to the dwelling of Ransom Gibbs, who was appointed 
 post-master, and remained as such until the office 
 was discontinued, in the spring of 1853. 
 
 Phinehas Johnson kept a house of entertainment as 
 early as the spring of 1820, but it was not until about 
 1830 that he formally opened a hotel. This was at 
 LaPorte. During the period of stage coaches, two 
 
348 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 large hotels were iu operation at this place. There is 
 at })reseiit none. Anotlier hotel was erected Ijy Obed 
 (libbs, in the west part of the townsliip (section 
 twelve). Abiram Drakely also liail a iiotel on section 
 nine. These existed at an early date. Botli were 
 long since closed as hotels. 
 
 Tlie Hrst store was opei ed in about is;}'). Alonzo 
 rha])nian was its pro])i-ietor and sole manager. The 
 building occupied by liini, stood on or near tlie site 
 of M. V. B. Pitkin's present mercantile establishment. 
 Mr. Chapman followed mercliandising some years. 
 There are now at Lal'orte, in addition to tlie store 
 given above, C. L. Hnrlbut, general merchandise, and 
 a tin store by II. Lake. 
 
 PHYSICIANS. 
 
 The first to locate in Carlisle, was Milton Chapman, 
 whose residence was on the ridge. Dr. Chapman was 
 a gentleman of excellent jirofessional attainments, 
 and practiced there many years. Deacon Turner, tlie 
 builder of the mills bearing his name in the western 
 portion of the township, was also a physician, but did 
 not, wo understand, practice his profession to any 
 considerable extent. Dr. J. F. Butler, afterwards a 
 j)r()niinent memlier of the medical staff of Elyria, 
 prai'tiecd at LaPorte for a time. Dr. Hiram Thomp- 
 son, now of Grafton townshi]), also practiced at La- 
 Porte some years before removing to his present loca- 
 tion. After he left, the physicians of Elyria were 
 employed to compound atid administer the divers nau- 
 seous drugs by aid of which dame nature is kept in 
 proper working order over in Carlisle. At present 
 H. E. Ilaring is the only physician iu the township. 
 
 INDUSTRIES. 
 
 The first mills in the township were built by Phin- 
 ehas Johnson and Asahel Kelsey, in 1820. The one 
 built by the former was a saw mill. It stood on the 
 north side of the east branch of the Black river; and 
 that of the latter was a grist mill, on the ojjjMjsite 
 side of the river. Of this mill, William Webster says: 
 "The stones were home-made, and manufactured by 
 a citizen out of hard-head stones found in the neigh- 
 borhood. It required a strong and well-braced build- 
 ing to stand the motion of the stone when grinding, 
 as they were not very round or true, but did the work 
 well foi- those days. In the spring of 1838, the water 
 made an ojiening between the mill and the bank, in 
 consequence of wliicii it became necessary to renidve 
 the mill to another loeation. This was done, and for 
 some years the old mill was in operation. Dr. Turner 
 built a second saw mill, in about 1834, at Murray- 
 ville. This is, we believe, still in operation, and is 
 at present owned by Henry Morehouse. Dr. Turner 
 also erected a grist mill soon after the saw mill was 
 put iu operation, near the same place. 
 
 The first clieese factory was constructed near the 
 center of tiie township, in the spring of 1869, by a 
 stock company, composed of some twelve or fifteen 
 persons. The patronage the first season was two 
 
 hundred cows. This factory was burned in the fall 
 of 1873. The present factory was erected the follow- 
 ing spring, by H. H. Prindle, Clark and Eckley. 
 This factory was operated during the season of '78, by 
 A. Wilmot, who utilized the milk of two hundred cows. 
 
 Walnut Grove factory is located on sectiun eleven, 
 and was started by H. H. Hart in tlie spring of 1872, 
 and had four hundred cows the fii'st season. It was 
 conducted by Mr. Hart until the spring of 1877, when 
 Messrs. Braman, Ilorr and Warner became the own- 
 ers. This enterprising firm established the "Cedar 
 Grove Creamery," in connection with the factory. 
 In the season of 1878, four hundred and fifty cows 
 were in contribution. John T. Vincent is the maker. 
 In about 1840, Anson Braman planted the first stock 
 in the Carlisle Nursery. This was the first nursery 
 in Lorain county, Mr. Braman was its proprietor for 
 a number of years. 
 
 In the year 1849, a stone quarry was opened, on 
 section twenty-five, Carlisle township, by Messrs. 
 Lockhart and J. W. Hart. The last named became 
 sole owner, and iu 1870 began the manufacture of 
 grindstones, and this has grown to be the major j)art 
 of the business. 
 
 In 1873, the Black River Stone Company was or- 
 ganized, with a capital of two hundred thousand 
 dollars. The following well known capitalists were 
 the incorpoi'ators: Selah Chamberlain, Dr. S. S. 
 Steeter, William II. Grout, George E. Dascomb, John 
 Dayton, and J. W. Hart. Mr. Hart retains one hun- 
 dred and twelve thousand dollars of the stock. The 
 officers of the comptmy are, George E. Dascom, pres- 
 ident; Dr. S. S. Streeter, vice-president; J. C. Hills, 
 secretary and treasurer; and J. W. Hart, superin- 
 tendent. In 1849 and '50, a spur track was laid to 
 the quarry by the C. C. C. & I. R. R., and a large 
 quantity of the stone used in the construction of the 
 bridges and culverts of the above road, was quarried 
 here. The stone from which the Forest City and 
 Arlington blocks, and the First Presbj^terian church, 
 of Cleveland, were constructed, came from this quarry. 
 Forty workmen are regularly employed, with a jiay- 
 roll averaging fourteen hundred dollars monthly. 
 The company are now making heavy shipments of 
 building stone to Toronto, Canada. 
 
 Just above the quarry named, is another extensive 
 one, owned and operated by the Grafton Stone Com- 
 l)any, W. E. Miller, superintendent. They employ 
 an average of thirty-five men. Their products are 
 princijtally railroad and building stone. Both the 
 above quarries are situated on the C. C. C. & I. and 
 C. T. V. & W. railroads. 
 
 The Elyria Chair Company is located in Carlisle 
 township, on the east branch of Black river, and wa> 
 established March 15, 1878, by John Kelley, Jamo 
 Measley, and P. M. Peabody. It employs seven 
 workmen. The investment is one thousand dollars. 
 Wood-seat chairs are exclusively manufactured. There 
 is also a saw mill at the same point, owned by Clayton 
 Johnson. 
 

 Photu. by Lee, El^ria, 0. 
 
 ^^/'^^nf^.zz^^^^i^^^^^^ 
 
 William Patterson comes of ancestors noted f\)r 
 longevity. Ciiarles Patterson, his grandfather, was 
 born at Danbury, Conn., where lie married Miss 
 Martha Hall, born at the same place. Moving into 
 Berkshire Co., Mass., Charles died there, ninety- 
 two years of age. 
 
 Joseph, his son, being born at Mount Washington, 
 Berkshire Co., Mass., Oct. 17, 1780, took for his life 
 partner Miss Elizabeth Kane, in 1808. He took up 
 his residence in Carlisle, Lorain Co., Ohio, in 1834, 
 and engaged in farming, moving to Minnesota in 
 1869. He there died in 1871, in his ninety-first 
 year. His aged wife yet lives in Minnesota to mourn 
 his loss. 
 
 William, son of Joseph, commenced this life at 
 Mount Washington, as above, Feb. 27, 1811. To use 
 his own words, " I lived on ray father's farm for years, 
 amongst the rocks that afforded no advantage for 
 either man or beast." Leaving such opportunities 
 and going to Green River, N. Y., he there married 
 Miss Phoebe Vincent, March 4, 1833. Following 
 his father, he settled in Carlisle, in May, 1837, where 
 he still resides. There, with little or nothing, a home 
 has he wrought out by hard labor as a farmer. 
 
 In the relation of father, by his first wife one son 
 and two daughters look back to his efforts for their 
 welfare, more especially in the matter of education : 
 Dr. Patterson, of Baltimore; Mrs. Camp, of Jackson, 
 Mich., whom so many parents and pupils of the 
 Union School of Elyria remember as the kind and 
 efficient teacher ; and Mrs. Harriet A. Herdman, of 
 Zanesville, Ohio. 
 
 Mr. Patten-son's first wife died in 1856, July 14. 
 He was again married, in 1857, to Miss Caroline A. 
 Blanchard, daughter of Dr. Jas. C. Blanchard, of 
 Penfield, Lorain Co., Ohio, the happy mother now 
 of an only son. 
 
 Mr. Patterson was elected sheriff of Lorain 
 County in 1848, filling the office with great 
 credit. 
 
 Again his fellow-citizens, knowing his fitness, 
 made him commissioner of said county, and his own 
 townshi]) have expressed their respect for him by 
 electing him to every local office. 
 
 Proud of his children, with a competency, all who 
 have to do with Mr. Patterson, love and respect, and 
 regard him as a finished example of a self-made 
 man. 
 
f 
 
 'f, 
 
 nv' 
 
 I'liotii. by L«., Klyiiii, 0, 
 
 CHAUNCBY PRINDLE. 
 
 Chauncey Prindle was born in Connecticut, in the 
 year 1794, and resided with his father until the 
 death of the latter, which occurred in 1812. Soon 
 after this sad event he married a daughter of Johnson 
 Mercy, a happy union, which resulted in a ianiily of 
 three children,— one son and two daughters. The 
 son, H. H. Prindle, who lives on the old homestead, 
 has this sketch of his father, with the accompanying- 
 portrait, inserted in this work as a token of filial 
 regard. Maria P., a married daughter (wife of A. 
 W. Bacon), now resides at Oberlin. The other 
 daughter, Mary J., married J. C. Stanton, and re- 
 sided on an adjoining farm until her death. 
 
 Chauncey Prindle removed to Ohio in the fall of 
 1822, and first settled on fifty acres of land located 
 in Carlisle township, Lorain Co., which he had 
 received in payment of a debt. He started from 
 his native place in Connecticut with fifteen dollars 
 in money and about the same amount invested in 
 tinware. 
 
 The journey occupied six weeks, and he Ijartercd 
 most of his tinware with tavern-keepers on the road 
 West, and was glad to find that he could do so, and 
 thus save what little cash he had on hand. The 
 
 appearance of his land was anything but flattering 
 when he arrived here, as it was covered with several 
 inches of water, and presented anything but a bril- 
 liant prospect for the anxious pioneer. By dint of hard 
 work, and assisted by his excellent wife, he soon had 
 his land cleared, and added to it from time to time until 
 he had one hundred and thirty acres well improved, 
 and upon which he erected comfortable buildings. 
 
 One of the peculiar hardships he had to encounter 
 was the construction of about a mile of road through 
 the woods, in order to get to his land. He also ex- 
 perienced great difiiculty in getting his wagon 
 ihrouoh the mud and mire. 
 
 Mr. Prindle continued a farmer until his death, 
 which occurred May 8, 1872, his good wife having 
 preceded him to the grave about a year, Sept. 23, 
 1871. They were in every sense a worthy couple, 
 and enjoyed the esteem and respect of all with whom 
 they came in contact, either in business or social 
 communion. 
 
 Mr. Prindle held several offices in his township, 
 all of which he filled with the same honesty of 
 purpose and faithfulness to duty that characterized 
 the management of his personal affairs. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 249 
 
 OKOAKIZ-ITION. 
 
 Carlisle and Elyria townships, then of Huron 
 county, were organized as one township, for civil 
 purposes, under the name of Elyria, on the 20th day 
 of October, 1819. Tliis connection was continued 
 until June 4, lS-3v', when the present townsliip of 
 Carlisle was organized. The first record of an elec- 
 tion we are able to procure, bears date April 4, 1825, 
 when tlie following persons were elected: Lyman J. 
 Frost, Obed Gibbs, and Samuel Brooks, trustees; I. 
 A. Sexton, clerk; Samuel Brooks, treasurer; and 
 Ransom Gibbs, Barton Waite, and Ilezekiah Brooks, 
 supervisors of highways. Pliinehas .lohnsou's bond 
 as justice of the peace, — and he was without doubt 
 the first person to fill that office, — bears date February 
 19, 1823. 
 
 The officers for 1878 are, William Patterson, Julius 
 Beuhring, and James McMullin, trustees; M. R. 
 Bennett, clerk; John Booth, treasui'er; William H. 
 Sutliff, assessor; William L. Taylor and John Einig, 
 constables. There are twenty-six supervisors. 
 
 Justice of the peace, Phinehas Johnson, was suc- 
 ceeded in 1833 by Hezekiah Brooks, and following 
 are the names, with date of election, of each person 
 who has filled the office until the present time: April 
 G, 1835, David Bennett; August 22, 1836, Joseph 
 Patterson; February 25, 1837, Henry M. Warner; 
 April 2, 1838, Solimus Wakcley; April 3, 1843, Dan- 
 iel Tenney; October 23, 1843, David Bennett; 1840, 
 both re-elected; 1849, Nelson Groat and J. P. Noble; 
 1851, Joshua C. Bassett, who resigned March 7, 1853; 
 Adna Groat, October 14, 1852; Daniel Tenney from 
 1853 to 1850, Lyman Rawson, 185G; 1859, Tenney 
 and Rawson re-elected; 1862, Nelson Groat and James 
 Carroll; 1805, I. S. Straw and Daniel Tenney; 1808, 
 William Patterson and Warren S. Sutliff; 1874, Pat- 
 terson and Sutliff re-elected; 1877, Sutliff and Elbert 
 Haring. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 On the 29th of October, 1822, agreeable to previous 
 aj)poiutments, the jjcople convened to consider the 
 propriety of organizing a church in Carlisle township. 
 The Revs. Joseph Treat and Alfred Belts, mission- 
 aries from the missionary society of Connecticut, and 
 members of the Presbytery of Portage, were present, 
 and the following persons were duly constituted the 
 " Congressional Church in Carlisle," viz: Hannah 
 (wife of Phinehas Johnson), Samuel Brooks and 
 Sophia his wife, Hezekiah Brooks and Hannah his 
 wife, Lydia, wife of James Brooks, Samuel Eldred 
 aud Irene Johnson. Samuel Brooks was chosen 
 clerk. This church was removed to Elyria and con- 
 solidated with the Presbyterian church at that point, 
 upon its organization, November 25, 1824. It 
 remained thus until August 2, 1833, when at the 
 request of Deacon Samuel Brooks, the members 
 residing in Carlisle were granted permission to form 
 ! themselves into a church in that townshi^J. For a 
 
 32 
 
 time the cliui'ch fiourislied. A substantial meeting- 
 house was erected in about 1830, and a Sabbath 
 school was organized. Gradually, however, tlie ranks 
 were decimated until preaching was abandoned and 
 the church ceased to be. 
 
 The following sketch of the Methodist church is 
 prepared from data furnished us by A. A. Chapman, 
 a former member: Rev. H. 0. Sheldon, it is believed, 
 was the first minister of this denomination to hold 
 services in Carlisle township. This was in 1824 or 
 1825. A class was not formed, however, until 1830 
 or 1831, which consisted of the following persons: 
 A. A. Chapman, Cornelius Vandebergh, Nancy, 
 Jane and Catherine Vandebergh, J. B. Andrews and 
 wife, (Andrews was local preacher,) Henry Spicer 
 and wife, Stephen Winchell and wife, Enoch Foss- 
 fiuder, Paul Taylor, Harriet Taylor and James 
 V. Baker and wife. Cornelius Vandebergh was first 
 leader of this class, and it was formed in the 
 western portion of the township. A second class was 
 organized in the eastern part of the township, now 
 called Laporte, in about 1833. Among its members 
 were 0. J. Humphrey, leader, wife and two daughters, 
 and Mrs. Abigail Webster and a daughter. The 
 church edifice at this point was erected some thirty 
 years since aud cost one thousand dollars. Thei'e is 
 a present membership of sixty. The pastor is Chester 
 L. Foote; class leader, William Brush; stewards, 
 Thomas Pound aud Gilbert Fields; superintendent of 
 Sabbath school, Gilbert Fields. The attendance is 
 sixty. The following are some of the early ministers: 
 Elnathan C. Gavit, George Elliott, William Runnells. 
 He that is now Bishop Harris was on this circuit in 
 1835 and 1830. Thomas Barkdull, D. M. Conant, 
 M. L. Starr, W. M. Safford, Wm. C. Pierce, Spafford 
 
 C. Thomas, H. L. Parrish, T. J. Pope, 
 
 James, Sawyer, Guiberson and others. Both 
 
 the Baptists and Universalists have bad an organiza- 
 tion in Carlisle. None now exists. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 In the summer of 1821, Miss Julia Johnson taught 
 the first term of school in the east part of the town- 
 ship. This was held in a little log school house 
 erected the previous spring, on the hill east of the 
 river. In the west part a school house was built on 
 section ten, now the farm of D. C. Pember. This 
 was erected about the same date as the one mentioned 
 above, and the first term taught therein was by Miss 
 Minerva Murray, — cannot give the exact year. 
 
 May 29, 1826, the township of Carlisle was divided 
 into two school districts. The western half was 
 number one, and contained the families of Abner, J. 
 
 D. and Philo Murray, William and loua A. Sexton, 
 Abiram Drakeley, Dr. Milton Chapman, Noah H. 
 Hurd, Obed and Ransom Gibbs, Henry and Charles 
 Smith, Barton Waite, John Bacon, Salmon Sutliff', 
 Asahel Powers, Anson Seward, Chauncey Prindle, 
 Lyman J. Frost and Moses C. Baker. The residents 
 
250 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 iu district number two, then comprising the entire 
 eastern hiilf of the townsliip, were, Samuel, Hezekiah 
 andJames Brooks, I'hinohas Johnson, Asaliel Kelsey, 
 Thouret F. Chapman and Dudley Griswold. 
 
 Carlisle township had in 1878 eight school houses, 
 whose valuation, including grounds, was seven tlious- 
 and dollars. The total amount paid teachers for tlie 
 same year was one thousand four hundred and seven- 
 teen dollars, and there were of the requisite schooj 
 age two hundred and eighty-five children. 
 
 AoaicnLTURAL Statistics fob 18T8. 
 
 Wheat, 700 acres 11,082 bushels. 
 
 Potatoes, 105 " ii,:M5 
 
 Oats, riti " 30.G-J3 
 
 Orchards, 337 " 5,0H0 
 
 Com, 1,05:) " 01,014 
 
 Meadow,2,05I " 2,821 tons. 
 
 Butter 52,7.50 pounds. 
 
 Cheese aM.WK) 
 
 Maple Sugar 4.'i0 " 
 
 Population in 1870 
 
 1,219 
 
 Hayes 
 
 Vote for President in 1876. 
 .^3 I Tilden 
 
 180 
 
 SHEFFIELD. 
 
 This township, known as number seven in range 
 seventeen, is bounded on the north by Lake Erie, 
 south by the shire township of the county, Elyria, 
 east by Avon, and west by the township of I'dack 
 River. The soil through the greater part of the 
 township is clay. The ridge passing southwesterly 
 across the extreme southern portion of the township, 
 presents a sandy soil, and along the streams are flats 
 or bottom lands, fertile, and of great productiveness. 
 It is an agricultural township. Along the shore of 
 the lake largo quantities of barley are grown, and of a 
 very superior grade. Red clover seed is also another 
 impoi'tant article of production in this region. 
 
 The streams are Black river, French and Sugar 
 creeks. Black river, the most im])ortant water course 
 in the township, crosses the southern boundary line 
 on lot seventy-five. It flows a general northerly 
 course to near the center of the townsliip, where it 
 makes an abrupt bend westward and flows from the 
 townsliip on lot flfty-two, its waters emptying into 
 Lake Erie a short distance west, in Black River town- 
 ship. French creek enters the townsliip on its eastern 
 line, lot seven, and flowing a southwest course, forms 
 a Junction with P>lack river on lot sixty-four. Sugar 
 creek rises in Ridgcville township, flows across the 
 southwest corner of Avon, and enters Sheffield near 
 the sonthe.ist corner, on lot two. It empties into 
 French creek, on lot sixty-four. 
 
 ORIGINAL OWNERS. 
 
 Town miniber seven, in range seventeen, in the 
 original partition by draft, was drawn by William 
 Hart, of Saybrook, Conn. Tract f(nirteen in Hen- 
 rietta township was annexed to Sheffield to equalize 
 it. In January, 1815, Mr. Hart sold the entire town- 
 ship to Capt. Jabez Burrell and Capt. John Day, of 
 Sheffield, Berkshire county, Mass. After the pur- 
 chase Obadiah Deland, of Sheffield, Capt. Joshua 
 Smith, Col. Joseph Fitch and Solomon Fitch, of New 
 
 M.arlborough, Berkshire county, Isaac Burrell, of 
 Salisbury, Herkimer county. State of New York, and 
 Henry Austin, of Owasco, Cayuga county, .same State, 
 became partners, 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 Previous to Hart's disposition of the lands now 
 comprised within the boundary lines of Sheffield 
 township, and in about 1813, he agreed with Timothy 
 Wallace to give him his choice in lots, if sold by lot, 
 if he would settle and occupy the same. Wallace 
 acee|)tod. He selected lot sixty-five, now owned by 
 Edward 1'. Burrell, improved a few acres, and finally 
 abandoned it. This was the first attemjit at settle- 
 ment in Sheffield townshiii. 
 
 "The two Burrells, Day, and Sinitii, explored the 
 township in June, 1815, and selected lots for them- 
 selves and friends. About the first of October follow- 
 ing. Captain Smith, and his oldest son Douglas, then 
 a lad seven teen years of age, left Massachusetts with 
 a yoke of oxen and one horse, and the necessary tools 
 for clearing and cultivating a new farm." The boy 
 made the greater part of the tedious journey alone. 
 His father left him soon after starting, to visit friends 
 at Saekett's Harbor, New York, and did not rejoin 
 him until he had nearly reached the "Mecca" of their 
 toilsome pilgrimage, Ohio. On the lltli day of No- 
 vember, they arrived at the hospitable dwelling of 
 Wilber Cahoon, in Avon township. This being Sat- 
 urday, they remained here over the Sabbath, and on 
 Monday morning, November thirteenth, 1815, they 
 followed down French creek, without a trail, and 
 commenced on lot sixty-four, the first permanent set- 
 tlement in the township. This farm is now owned by 
 Frederic Krelile. C'aptain Smith's nearest neighbors 
 were John S. Reid and Daniel Perry, at the mouth of 
 Black river, some four miles distant, Wilber Cahoon, 
 of Avon township, five miles away, and Cajitaiu Mo- 
 ses Eldred, seven miles distant, at Ridgeville. " In a 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 251 
 
 few days sifter the arrival of Captain Smith and son, 
 they were joined by two young men from New Marl- 
 liorough, Samuel B. Fitch and Ashar Cliapman. 
 These four men soon built a rude cabin, where they 
 spent tlie winter of 1815-lG, shut out from the outer 
 workl, and dependcut upon their own resources for 
 amusement and enjoyment. Captain Smith was a 
 humorous, jovial man ; enjoyed a joke and was fond 
 of a good story. He was well calculated to amuse him- 
 self and companions in (heir seclusion." 
 
 Ill Febriuxry, 181G, Freeman Riclimond arrived in 
 the township, and settled on lot two, now owned by 
 Jose[)h Townsheud. Mrs. Richmond was the first 
 white female who became a permanent settler in Shef- 
 liehl townsliip. This family afterwai'ds removed from 
 (he townsliip, and we believe, reside at present in 
 Amherst, this county. 
 
 Ileiiry and Mary (Day) Root, and family were the 
 next settlers. They left -their native town, Sheflield, 
 Berkshire county, Massachnsetts, on the 15th day of 
 February, 181 G, and came, at least a greater j)art of 
 the way by teams, both oxen and horses, arriving at 
 the mouth of Black river on the 1st day of the sub- 
 sequent April. For perhaps three weeks they re- 
 mained in the Smith cabin; in the interval preparing 
 a habitation upon lot seventeen where they perma- 
 nently located. Tliis was near where now stands the 
 Catholic cliurch, in the eastern part of the township. 
 Of tills family, a son, William II. Root, Esii-, says: 
 ''This proved to be an unfortunate location, so far as 
 lauds about it were concerned; and, for long years, was 
 one of tlie most isolated spots in all that part of the 
 county, no neighbor nearer than three-fourths of a 
 mile, for eighteen years." Following are the children 
 of this coujile: Aaron, who was a sailor, and gener- 
 ally known as Capt. Root. He married Esther Buck, 
 and had nine children. He died a few years since. 
 William Henry, the next child, married Eliza Case, 
 ami liy her had three children, daughters, two of 
 whom are now living, Maria at home, and Mrs. II. 
 Garfield, now living in Sheffield. Mrs. Root died 
 April 29, 1833, and on April 15, 1834, he contracted 
 a second marriage, taking for a companion Miss 
 Fanny Day. The fruit of this union was three boys. 
 Orville, the eldest, is now the obliging auditor of 
 Lorain county, whose many courtesies the writer takes 
 pleasure in acknowledging, and Walter and William, 
 twins, who are living near the paternal mansion. The 
 next child of lleury and Mary Root was Julia Ann, 
 who married Norman Day, now deceased. Jane, who 
 married llarvy Austin, now lives at Monroe, Michi- 
 gan. Francis died unmarried. Mary, the youugest 
 child, married A. R. Fitzgerald, and is now deceased. 
 Henry Day died April 9, 1829. Mrs. Day died Feb- 
 ruary 6, 1857. 
 
 Soon after the arrival of Mr. Root and family, Ol- 
 iver Moon, from Avon, State of New York, located 
 on lot eleven; Milton Garfield and John B. Garfield, 
 I of Tyringham, Massachusetts, on lots seventy-three 
 i and seventy-four; A. R. Dimmick on lots seventy-five 
 
 and seventy six; William Richmond on lot two, with 
 his brother Freeman, and Willis Potter, on lot one. 
 
 On the 3Gtli of July, Capt. Day and family .arrived. 
 The children were as follows: William, generally 
 known ;is "Judge Day." He married Augusta Bur- 
 rell. They have a family of seven children, all of 
 whom are now living. -The judge resides on tiie old 
 homestead, lot sixty-six. His son is postmaster at 
 Sheliield post office. John, Jr., the next child, mar- 
 ried Cornelia Ann Sackett, of Avon. They reside 
 on lot eighty. Their children number eight, four 
 of whom are living: Norman, married Julia Ann 
 Root, and resides on lot forty-two. They were 
 blessed with seven children, all now living. To 
 this gentleman we desire to express our obligations. 
 From his "anniversary address," on the settlement 
 of Sheffield, we have gleaned much valuable data. 
 F'aniiy, the next child, became the wife of William 
 H. Root, Esq., and is now deceased; James, married 
 Ann Eliza Austin, and resides on lot sixty-four. Of 
 their seven children, live are now living.. Lydia, mar- 
 ried Kendrick K. Keruey, Es(p They have but one 
 child, a son, who resides with them on lot seventy- 
 one. Kellogg, married Mary L. Ingalls, of Napoli; 
 New York. He was a teacher among the Cherokee 
 Indians for a term of years. He is now engaged in 
 merchandising at Denmark, Iowa. His family are 
 three daughters, all living. Frederick, married Mary 
 S. Sackett. He died August 11, 1810, leaving two 
 children, a son and daughter, who are now living 
 in Michigan. Edmond, the next child, was born 
 subse([ueiit to the settlement in Sheffield. He mar- 
 ried Camilla Austin. He was a physician for many 
 years, but is not now practicing. He resides in Cleve- 
 land. Of their four children, three are now living. 
 Eleanor, the youngest child, married James Austin, 
 and resides on lot seventy-four; they have but one 
 child, a son. 
 
 On the 11th of August, Captain Burrell and family 
 of eight children, and Solomon Weeks, a young man 
 who had been an apprentice to Captain Burrell, arrived 
 by way of the lake, on the schooner Black Snake, and 
 came up the river on Reid's ferry scow. The names 
 of the children were: Julia (Mrs. Humphrey), resides 
 near Rochester, New York; Sarah M. (Mrs. Knapp), 
 now of Knappton, Oregon; Robbins, died in Shef- 
 field, August 34, 1877; Lyman J. lives in California; 
 Jabez L. lives in Oberlin; and Eliza (Mrs Whittlesey) 
 lives in Cleveland. Mary Ann (Mrs. Robert E. Gil- 
 lett) died July 31, 1837. Solomon Weeks lives in 
 Allen county, Indiana. Ariel Moore died February 
 10, 1834; Mrs. Moore removed to Fredonia, New 
 York; she is now dead. Lonieda (Mrs. Norman Be- 
 dortha), and her sister Lovina, live at Saratoga, N. Y. 
 Abigail (Mrs. Burgess) went on a mission to India, 
 and died there. Nathan Stevens and wife died in 
 Michigan. Henry Austin and wife returned to their 
 native town in 1830. 
 
 Davis Heacock and Erastus Heacock left their river 
 farms, and located in the southwest part of the town. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Davis died October 18, 1858. Erastus tnarried Eunice 
 Burrell, and is now dead. James Burrell died Sep- 
 tember 29, 1855. Mrs. James Burrell died July 6, 
 \SC)2. Harriet nun riod John B. Garfield, and is the 
 only survivor of the family. Cyla died March 20, 
 181 . Almoran died December 28, 1841; and Alva 
 J. (lied June 20, 18:5.3. Arnold Burrell and wife live 
 in Elyria. Isaac Burrell died March 12, 1800. Mrs. 
 Burrell, the last of the pioneers who came into the 
 township with a family, died December 17, 1864. 
 
 " Messrs. Burrell and Day shipped their heavy 
 household goods and farming utensils at Schnectady, 
 on a small, half-decked schooner of about fifteen tons 
 burthen, called the " Fire Fly," built iliere by Anon 
 Harmon of New Marlborough, Massachusetts. He 
 sailed up the Mohawk, locked by the Little Falls, 
 and thence by the Rome canal into Wood creek, 
 down Wood creek into Oneida lake, then down the 
 outlet and Oswego river to Lake Ontario. At 
 (^)ueenston he unloaded and drew her out, loaded her 
 on cart wheels, drew her by Niagara Falls to Chippewa 
 and launched; then drew her cargo and reloaded; 
 then proceeded through the lake and up Black river 
 to the mouth of French creek, and landed her cargo 
 of salt and goods on the ' Big Bottom. ' " 
 
 In the fall of 181G, Captain Smith went to Massa- 
 chusetts for his family, and returned in March, 1817. 
 In his family were eight children: Douglass, Isaac, 
 Rachel, Elazar, Harvey, Warren, Caleb and Reuel. 
 Ariel Moore came from New Marlborough with 
 Captain Smith. His family were a wife and three 
 children: Lorinda, Lovina and Abigail. He settled 
 on lot fifty-six. In February of this year Henry 
 Austin and wife, from Owasco, State of New York, 
 settled on lot eighty-one, and Nathan Stejihens and 
 wife from New ]\Iarlborough, on lot eighty-four. In 
 June, Davis and Erastus Hecock selected lots eighty- 
 five and eighty-six, and commenced improving thenj, 
 keeping bachelor's hall. About the same time 
 Samuel Munsou commenced on lot seventy-two. 
 
 On the 5th of July, Jamea Burrell, from Bloom- 
 field, New York, arrived and settled on lot sixty-nine. 
 Isaac Burrell, one of the proprietors, from Salisbury, 
 New York, arrived on the 28th of February. In his 
 family were six children: Eunice, Hiram, Jane, 
 Augusta, Mary and Charlotte. 
 
 In the spring of this year, Daniel Perry, Esq., who 
 came from Vei-mont to the mouth of Black river in 
 1810, sold his farm there, and moved into Sheffield. 
 He had a family, consisting of a wife and nine chil- 
 dren, — I'olly, Harvey, So|ihia, Alexander Hamilton, 
 Royal, .lulius, Lester, Bushrod and William. He 
 located on lot twenty-two, where he lived several 
 years, finally removing to Brownhelm. Himself and 
 wife both died several years since. 
 
 Jonathan C. Bennett came to Ohio in 18.32. He 
 died in Sheffield on the farm now occupied by his 
 sons John W. and Daniel, on the 24th day of April, 
 1872, at the remarkable age of one hundred and four 
 years. 
 
 Samuel B. Fitch, before mentioned, married Miss 
 Dolly .J. Smith, of Geneva, Ashtabula county, this 
 State, September 18, 1818. She was a native of 
 Rutland, Vermont. From this marriage the follow- 
 ing children were born: Joseph Wellington, who 
 married Harriet Lewis, lives in Sheffield, (he is post- 
 master of the postoffice called "Lake Breeze"); Mary, 
 died in infancy; Martha, married Burt Brett, and 
 lives in Geneva, Ashtabula county, Ohio; Mary Eliza- 
 beth, married Jesse H. Lang, lives in Oberlin; Phebe, 
 married Auren Kna])i), Jr., lives at Kwappa, Oregon; 
 Henry Martyn, married Lydia A. Day, resides at 
 Sheridan, Montana. Mrs. Dolly J. Fitch died May 
 G, 1845. The second wife of Mr. Eitch was Nancy 
 Willard, of Paulet, Vermont. She died November 4. 
 ISCO. Mr. Fitch died September 10, 1801. 
 
 FIRST EVENTS. 
 
 The first white child born in the township of Shef- 
 field was Mary Ann Austin. The date was August 
 20, 1817. She died in Skaneateles, Onondaga county. 
 New York, November 15, 1831. 
 
 The first marriage was consumated between Samuel 
 Munson and MissPhila Taylor, liy Ebenezer Whiton, 
 Esq., on the 17tli of December, 1818. Mr. Munson 
 died August 6, 1820. Mrs. Munson nuirried Mr. 
 Rooks, and died at Niles, Cayuga county. New York, 
 July 3, 18G2. 
 
 Captain Smith, I he first settler, was the first to die. 
 The date was Septemljcr 20, 1817. The infant set- 
 tlement was shocked as the sad news spread from 
 house to house, "Captain Smith is dead." Deacon 
 James, of Brownhelm, officiated at the funeral. The 
 pieces sung on the occasion were, " Hark from the 
 tombs," tune New Durham, and the nineteenth 
 j)salm "Lord, what a Feeble Piece," tune Florida. 
 It was a solemn day, ami the death of Captain Smith 
 was deeply lamented. A burying ground was selected 
 on the bluff near French creek bridge, where he was 
 buried. This burial place was afterward abandoned, 
 and the bodies removed to the ridge cemetery. The 
 widow of Captain Smith married General Isaac Hull, 
 of Pompey, — now Li Fayette, — Onondaga county, 
 New York, at which place she died, October 18, 1859. 
 
 The first post office was established at the center 
 of the township, in about 1818. Jabez Burrell, Es(i., 
 was the pioneer jjost master, and remained as such 
 for many years. William A. Day is at present the 
 post master of the Center. 
 
 Near the Catholic charcli, in the eastern part of 
 the township, there is another post office called Cran- 
 dall. We failed to get the date it was established. 
 Nicholas Kclling is the present post nmster. 
 
 On the Lake Shore road is the third post office. 
 Edward Swan was the first post master, and the office 
 was first o[)euod in about 1840. It has had a variety 
 of names and locations. It was given its present 
 name, " Lake Breeze," a short time since. J. W. 
 Fitcli is now post master, the office being kept at his 
 house, on lot forty-one. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 253 
 
 The mercantile interest has never been represented 
 to any great extent in Shetliekl township. William 
 Day was the pioneer niercliant. He erected a small 
 building on lot sixty-seven, and in 1827, opened his 
 first stock of goods. Ho only reniainoi! in the busi- 
 ness a few years, and was succeeded by Alonzo Park. 
 His stay was also of short duration. Isaac L. Case 
 sold goods a short time on the Lake Shore road. In 
 the German settlement, a grocery store was in o])cra- 
 tiou for a short time. 
 
 A distillery was put in operation in about 1823, by 
 Cliester Wrigiit. It was situated on the ridge, in the 
 south part of tlie township, and continued for some 
 years to convert grain into that "simmering coni- 
 jjound of liquid devils," the use of which so soon 
 causes man to forget "his God, his family and him- 
 self." A second distillery was erected in 1824 or 1835, 
 on lot sixty-one. S. B. Fitch was its proprietor. It 
 was abandoned after some five years of feeble exist- 
 ence. 
 
 Tiie pioneer sawmill was built by Messrs Day and 
 Burrcll, in 1817. It was located on French creek, 
 about three-fourths of a mile from the center of the 
 township. 
 
 The first gristmill was built by Charles Ciianey, in 
 1834. It was on Black river, occupying the site 
 where now stands the mills of W. and S. B. Day. 
 
 The largest steam sawmill in Sheffield, was that 
 known as tlie GlobeviUe mills, on Black river. This 
 was undoubtedly the largest mill in Lorain county. 
 Shipping plank was the principal lumber sawed. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The first school taught in Shefiield township was 
 by Dr. Preston Pond, of Keene, New Hampshire, in 
 the winter of 1817-18. This was in the little log 
 building, before referred to as standing near the site 
 of the j)reseut church. The following winter a term 
 was taught by the Hon. Daniel T. Baldwin, a Berk- 
 shire county man, who settled at Black River and be- 
 came one of the prominent men of Lorain county. 
 He was a " worthy man," and one of superior talent. 
 August cl, 1878, there were eight school houses in 
 the township, valued at seven thousand dollars. The 
 amount paid teachers for the preceding year, was 
 fourteen hundred and forty-seven dolhus, and the 
 total number of children in the township, of school 
 age, was two hundred and eighty-six. 
 
 ORGANIZATION.* 
 
 "From the organization of the county of Huron 
 until the organization of Lorain, Sheffield owed a 
 divided allegiance. Originally Dover embraced Avon, 
 and all of Sheffield and Black River east of the river. 
 At a later day, Avon, and the same parts of Sheffield 
 and Black River that formerly belonged to Dover, 
 constituted the township of Troy, and they were then 
 in Cuyahoga county. From 1815 to 1834, all of 
 
 * Boynton. 
 
 Sheffield, west of Black river, was attached to the 
 township of Black River, as it existed befm-e its terri- 
 tory was reduced to Its present limits. This part of 
 Sheffield was thru in Huron county. The township 
 was then known as number seven, in range seventeen. 
 On the first Monday of June, 1824, touche<l with a 
 little ambition for territorial expansion, she laid her 
 petition before the commissioners of the county of 
 Lorain at their June session, in the first year of the 
 organization of the county, praying for a township 
 organization that should embrace in extent, its pres- 
 ent area, all of Black River township east of Black 
 river, and so much of number six, range seventeen 
 (Elyria), as was set off to Enoch Perkins in the par- 
 tition of the township. The action before the com- 
 missioners resulted in the organization of the town- 
 ship with its present boundaries. Sheffield was the 
 first township incorporated after the couid.y was 
 organized. Its incorjioration was the first official act 
 of the commissioners at their June session, 1824. A 
 special election was ordered for the townshij) officers, 
 and took place July 10, 1824. Tlie following persons 
 were elected: John Day, Isaac Burrcll and A. R. 
 Dimmick, trustees; Nathan Stevens, clerk; Milton 
 Garfield, treasurer; Jabez Burrcll and Henry Root, 
 overseers of the poor. Jabez Burrell had been elected 
 justice of the x^eace in 1819, whde the town was a 
 [lart of Troy, and re-elected in 1823, and was still 
 exercising the duties of the office at the date of the 
 township organization." The following is the official 
 roster for 1878: Leopold Miller, Russell Walker and 
 S. B. Day, trustees; Ed. P. Burrell, clerk; William 
 A. Day, treasurer; Isaac B. Ilecock, assessor; Joseph 
 Rothgarry, constable; William H. Root and L. F. 
 Parks, justices of the peace, and nine supervisors of 
 roads and highways. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 In the winter of 18 Hi, religious meetings were 
 held at the house of Cajjtain Burrell, which consisted 
 in reading a sermon, singing and jirayer, by Mr. 
 H+inchett, of Ridgeville, then working for Captain 
 Burrell, for there was not at that time a male jiro- 
 fcssor in the settlement. Whatever of moral and 
 religious principle hangs ab^ut the native population 
 of Sheffield is due to the influence of pious ])ioneer 
 mothers. William H. Root, Es({., says: " We 
 cannot forbear, in this place, to single out of these 
 mothers one whose n.ime will go down to posterity as 
 a model Christian mother — -Mrs. Jabez Burrell, 
 whose maiden name was Mary Robbins. Always 
 kind to every one; with a mantle of charity to throw 
 over the faults of others; with a smile and hearty 
 greeting for rich and poor alike — such was this 
 mother in Israel." 
 
 The first sermon preached in the township of 
 Sheffield was by Rev. Alvin Coe, in the spring of 
 1817. Through the summer following three mission- 
 aries, Revs. Ilartwell, Treat and Seward held meetings 
 in the township. In the fall of 1817, Rev. Alvin 
 
254 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Hyde, a young divine from Borksliiro county, 
 Massachusetts, and son of Dr. Hyde, of Lee, in that 
 county, commenced ])reaching in Dover, Kidgeville 
 and Shcttiehl alternately. He was sent out hy the 
 "Berkshire Missionary Association," to visit the 
 new settlements on the Reserve. Mr. Hyde's efforts 
 were successful, and in the spring of 1818 the 
 
 CONfJREGATIONAL CHURCH 
 
 in Shefheld was formed, Kev. Mr. Williams assisting 
 Mr. Hyde on the occasion. The thirteen original 
 memhers were as follows: Nathan Stevens and wife, 
 i\rrs. Mary Hurrell, wife of (-aptain Jabez Bui-rell, 
 and her two daughters, Julia and Sarah, Mrs. 
 Martha Smith, wife of Captain Joshua Smith, and 
 her son Douglas Smith, Henry Root, Preston Pond, 
 William Day, Samuel B. Fitch, William Smith and 
 Daniel Perry. Meetings were first held in the old 
 log school house, which stood on the brow of the hill 
 just north of where the church now stands. This 
 building for a long time answered the double purpose 
 of church and school house. 
 
 ME'rnolilST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 In IS-3-3 Rev. William Reynolds organized a class 
 at the I'itus scliiml Imuse in Avon township, but a 
 large portion of the members were fi'om Sheffield 
 township. Meetings were held ])revious to this at 
 the house of Alexas Miller. The following persons 
 composed this class: Adam Miller and wife Anna., 
 Alexas Miller and wife Caroline, Susanah Parshall, 
 Delia Ann Case, now widow of Therou Moore, 
 Norman i\Ioore, Anson Titus and Susan his daughter. 
 This chui-ch was removed ti> ShefHehl in 184:3, and 
 meetings have since that date been held in the school 
 house in district number three. It lielongs to the 
 Avon charge. The membershij) is now (tnly small; 
 Rev. N. J. Chase present pastor. A Ba])tist church 
 was formed in Sheffield in 1833, also in the school 
 house in district number three. It was not in 
 operation but a few years, disbanding, and the 
 members, a portion of them uniting with the Metho- 
 dist Episcopal church, the remainder joining the 
 Baptist church in Avon. 
 
 ST. THURBSA CHURCH (CATHOLKr), 
 
 organized in 184."), by Rev. Peter Griesh, with the 
 following mendjership: John Miller and his wife 
 (Jatharinc, Christian March and his wife, John For- 
 ster, Peter Loux and his wife Elizabeth, Henry 
 Swartz and his wife Magdalene, Peter Schneider and 
 his wife, Mathias Shuler and his wife Mary Catherine, 
 George Lusbauerand his wife Catharine, Peter Urich, 
 John Diedrich and his wife Gertrude, Peter Rothgery 
 and his wife Magdalene, Andrew Guberna, Peter 
 Young, Leopold Miller, John Conklin and his wife 
 Anna, John Marks, George Glensherin and his wife 
 Theresa, Antone Deitsh and his wife Kunneyunda, 
 
 John Kelling and his wife Catharine. At the organ- 
 ization of the chnrch, each member jiaid one dollar, 
 with which they bought one acre of land upon which 
 they l)uilt a log church twenty-four by thirty feet, 
 which was occupied nntil the new church was built 
 in 1847. The new church was forty by sixty feet, 
 and cost fifteen hundred dollars. One acre of land 
 was bought of Aaron Root, with the understanding 
 that if he sold his farm he would give them another 
 acre, which he did; so they have two acres in the 
 church lot. At the organization, John Miller, Chris- 
 tian Maich, Peter Loux and Peter Schneider were 
 appointed chui'ch trustees. At present the church is 
 represented by fifty-five families. The church prop- 
 erty is valued at four thousand dollars. 
 
 INCIDENT. 
 
 The following we ijuote from Mr. Day's address. 
 It is familiar to every student of McGuffey's series 
 of readers: In the summer of 18:il, Peter Miller, 
 a lad of seventeen, had been laboring near the 
 center of Sheffield. Saturday afternoon he started 
 to go home to his father's on the lake shore, in Avon. 
 It was five miles through the wilderness, and much of 
 the way his path was near a large swamp infested 
 with bears. When about one-third of the way 
 through, he saw a bear and two cubs. He shouted to 
 scare them away, but bruin, feai'ing her cubs would 
 be disturbed, showed fight, and came towards him. 
 In early pioneer times it was said that a bear could 
 not climb a snniU tree; and in au instant young 
 Jliller had selected a small, smooth elm, and began 
 to clind), but to his surprise and consternation he 
 saw the bear following him u\) the tree. He climbed 
 as far as he thought prudent to go, and when she got 
 near enough, he began to kick her on the head. She 
 gra])pled his foot, then let go her hold on the tree, 
 and fell to the ground, lacerating his foot terribly 
 with her teeth. She immediately started up the tree 
 again. Miller could only watch her progress, vainly 
 endeavoring to frighten her back. When she arrived 
 within his reach, he used the other foot, and met 
 with the same success. The bear, determined not to 
 lose her i)rey, ascended the third time. The boy, 
 frightened and exhaustcid, lost his hold, and both 
 tumbled to the ground together. The bear, evidently 
 alarmed at being so closely j)ursued from the tree, 
 jumped a few paces, and turned to look at her in- 
 tended victim. The boy ran for his life, casting anx- 
 ious glances over his shoulder at his pursuer. She, 
 however, gave uj> the chase. Y'^oung Miller arrived 
 at the settlement in a sorry plight, bareheaded; his 
 shoes gone, and his feet mangled in a shocking man- 
 ner. The neighbors rallied and searched for the bear, 
 but without success. 
 
 The only hotel in Sheffield township is the summer 
 resort known as "Lake Breeze." This was opened 
 in the year 1873, by its jiresent proprietor, Mr. .Jay 
 Terrell, formerly of Ridgeville township, this county. 
 
h '/-^^c^'i^ J^<^ 
 
 -/-t^-^^-^^^i^ yo^^^i^c-^ 
 
 Ooi/nyr/Z^'e^ ,^:^Z^^<yV <-^^ 
 
 ERASTUS HECOCK. 
 
 The aged widow of Erastus Hecock, knowing 
 little of the history of his jiarents, says he was born 
 in Connecticut, Mareii 27, 1793. At an early day 
 his parents, Silas and Hannah J., moved into the 
 town of Fairfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y. Their son 
 Erastus soon removed from there to Salisbui'v, Her- 
 kimer Co., to learn the trade of clothier or cloth- 
 dresser, and there enlisted in the war of 1812, at 
 the age of eighteen. Remaining imtil discharged, he 
 returned to Salisbury, where he spent a year. 
 
 In the year 1818 lie moved into the township of 
 Sheffield, Lorain Co., Ohio, taking up one hundred 
 and forty acres of land upon which nri improvements 
 had l)een made. His energy and strict integrity 
 gained him many friends at that early day. At 
 an early date he built the mills at Sheffield, which, 
 having changed ownership many times, yet retain 
 his name. 
 
 He was a member of the Stiitc militia; he became 
 captain, and was advanced to the rank of colonel. 
 
 On the 6th of December, 1827, Mr. Hecock 
 married Eunice, daughter of Isaac and Hnldah 
 Burrell. Resultant of this union was a family of 
 seven children, all liv^ing, viz.: Pamelia, Isaac B., 
 Hannah, Harry, Celia, Hiram, and Silas. 
 
 After a long life of toil, by which he had acquired 
 much property and the respect of his fellow-men, 
 having been prominently identified with the early 
 history of Lorain County, he met his death the 
 23d of August, 1866, in the following manner: 
 returning from Wayne Co., Ohio, with a drove of 
 stock, whilst on foot driving the cattle, he was over- 
 taken by Mr. Bishop, an acquaintance, who asked 
 him to ride. In attemjiting to cross the railroad 
 track in Lagrange townshij), the horse's foot was 
 caught, and a jwssing freight-train instantly killed 
 them both. The kindly hands of children and dear 
 old friends laid him to rest in the cemetery at Shef- 
 field, Ohio, where his widow now resides on the old 
 homestead. 
 
Ihotos. by Lee, Elyria. 
 
 MRS. ANN lEISH. 
 
 ISAAC BURRELL. 
 
 JONATHAN C. BENNETT. 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO, 
 
 255 
 
 It is sitiuited ou lot uiimbcr forty, upon the bauk of, 
 and overlooking the blue waters of Lake Erie. Mr. 
 Terrell lias, in connection with the hotel, a number 
 of cottages, and keeps pleasure boats for the use of 
 guests. 
 
 White fishing is prosecuted quite extensively by the 
 dwellers along the shore. Tlie fish arc caught in gill 
 nets. We have lieen unalile to procure the data in 
 relation to the fisliing interest, but many tons are 
 cauglit annually. 
 
 Wheat, 
 
 Potatoes, 
 
 Oats, 
 
 Barley, 
 
 Orchards, 
 
 Corn 
 
 Meadow, ],831 
 
 Agricultural Statistics for 1878. 
 887 acres 15,4.39 bushels. 
 
 70 " 6,<H)4 
 
 748 " 27,111 
 
 416 " 11,050 
 
 372 " '.(..MS 
 
 1,039 " 35,.57a 
 
 8,425 
 
 Butter. 28,495 pounds. 
 
 0.30 
 
 S.'iO 
 
 Cheese — 
 
 Maple Sugar 
 
 Population in 1870. 
 
 VoTB fob President in 1876. 
 R. B. Hayes 130 | S. J. Tilden . . . 
 
 973 
 9« 
 
 GRAFTON 
 
 PREFATORY NOTE. 
 
 That portion of the following history that relates to the settlement of 
 the township, is from the able pen of Mrs. Harriet I. Nesbett. It is not 
 only an interesting narrative, but it is full and authentic. 
 
 This township, which is described as number four 
 in the sixteenth range, is bounded as follows : on the 
 north by Eaton township ; south by Litchfield town- 
 ship, Medina county ; east by Liverpool township, 
 same county ; and west by LaGrange township, this 
 county. The surface is gently undulating for tiie 
 most part, the southern portion only being broken, 
 and that simply along the streams. The soil is prin- 
 cipally clay. As an agricultural townshij) (trattoii is 
 about on an average with those surrounding it, and its 
 soil about equally devoted to agricultural and dairy 
 l>roducts. The streams are (piito numerous, the 
 largest of them being the west branch of the Black 
 river, flowing along the western line, a portion of the 
 way in this, and the remainder in LaGrange township. 
 The other streams ;ire tributary, and are Center 
 creek, flowing as tiie name implies, through the cen- 
 tral part of the township ; Sibley creek, in the south- 
 ern, and Swamp creek in the northern portion. These 
 are those that are worthy of mention, tiiough there 
 are numerous small creeks and spring stre .ms in the 
 township. 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 In September, 1810, Major William lugersoll and 
 family, left Lee, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, to 
 commence the first settlement in township number 
 seven, sixteeuth range. New Connecticut Western Re- 
 serve. A brief account of the moving train will be 
 given, showing the gre.it improveiueuts in ways and 
 means of traveling, which have evidently kept pace 
 with other advancements. Taverns in tlio.se days usu- 
 ally provided movers with room to prepare food, or 
 spread beds when needed. A daily enquiry is plainly 
 remembered, as follows: " Can we have accommoda- 
 tions for the night for thirteen persons, one span of 
 
 horses, four j'oke of oxen and three cows ? " Fruit 
 and vegetables were al)undant, so with what chests, 
 baskets and bags afforded, a good meal was not expen- 
 sive, though it often cost the mother tears, who was 
 reluctantly taking her children from homes of com- 
 fort, and privileges most dear, the loss of which is 
 still felt liy sensitive hearts. But "westward" is the 
 motto, and while weather is fine and roads good we 
 press forward. 
 
 The North river, at Albany, was crossed in a ferry 
 boat, the first craft of the kind over seen, (except a 
 canoe). Near the middle of the State of New York 
 we find friends that had lived "westward" a number 
 of years. This was a happy meeting on account of 
 the great distance that had separated ns a few years 
 only. This year the State prison at Auburn was be- 
 ing liuilt. A mother's earnest admonition is remem- 
 bered, showing the iinjiortauce of right doing to 
 avoid incarceration within such massive walls. The 
 village of Syracuse was scarcely seen. Buffalo is just 
 rising from its bed of ashe.-!, made in 1814. The first 
 sight of Lake Erie is calm and still; not a .sail to be 
 seen; no steamboat's keel had parted its waters; no 
 whistle as signal, to break the awful stillness. 
 
 We next come to Ashtabula, the first county in 
 Ohio, which was an oasis to weary, home-sick trav- 
 elers. Here friends from Berkshire welcomed us, 
 and the joy was mutual; theirs increased by hearing 
 from friends left in native land. Again, in Mentor 
 we find friends who are just beginning, from Ohio 
 soil, to supply themselves with food. And here let 
 me say that sweeter turnips have never been on exhi- 
 bition at the "Northern Ohio Fair," than those grown 
 in Mentor in 1816. Another day's journey and we 
 iigain stop with friends, in Newburgh, where we rest a 
 day or two. Our friends then come to help us through 
 the "woods"' as far as Cleveland, and see us on board 
 the "ferry boat," then in u.se, to cross the Cuyahoga 
 river. 
 
250 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Excuse me while I make some truthful contrasts. 
 The little village of Cleveland, with its less than one 
 hundred inhabitants, was situated upon that terrible 
 hill wo bad just descended with so much difficulty. 
 Lake Krie on the north, scarcely visited by any craft; 
 no, Walk-i)i-the-Waler iuul tbcn been built; no ap- 
 propriation had been made to render the harbor safe 
 or accessible; on the east and south, oak trees, with 
 faded foliage, seemed like a sable curtain drawn 
 around to meet the unbroken forest on the western 
 banks of till! Cuyahoga river. Now, upon and around 
 that "terrible hill" is the beautiful "Forest City," 
 with its vast po]iulation, its great and grand improve- 
 ments, with nearly two hundred thousand inhabitants, 
 surrounding a monument, commemorating an event 
 which made these western wilds inviting, and the 
 pioneers' dwelling safe and peaceful. This, indeed 
 seems like a fanciful flight of imagination, rather than 
 truthful history. Are the voices all hushed that 
 made the woods ring in honor of brave Perry? 
 
 After this we make our way as best we can, over a 
 new road, made among trees and logs, fording Rocky 
 river with our three covered wagons; then all that 
 can, are })icking their way on foot to lessen the bur- 
 dens of horses and cattle, until we come to a log house 
 in (Columbia, Cuyahoga county. It was nearly dark, 
 but light enough for the first siglit inside that log 
 cabin to be remembered. There stood a good moth- 
 erly-looking woman, with short gray hair, making 
 hasty pudding in agoo 1 sized brass kettle which niade 
 a little pioneer girl laugh. Another day, and we 
 come to Liverpool; only five miles more of unbroken 
 forest, and we arrive at the place where our lioine was 
 to be. 
 
 In Liverpoi>l we stop a few days, while our strong 
 force, consisting of father and brothers, go forward 
 and })rcpare a road. Tiiis was done through the un- 
 derbrush, over logs, and around trees, whose roots in 
 some places serve as a pavement for one side of a 
 muddy swale, wagon wheels sinking in mud, and 
 water on the other, the inmates calling forth, " Oh! 
 oh! don't tip us out in this terrible place!" " Drive 
 slowly, there's no danger," is the answer; and sure 
 euougb, we near the township line in safety, and 
 make our way as fast as possible, until we reach our 
 shanty shelter, to spend our first November night in 
 the woods. 
 
 "Backward,, turn liackward, oh time, in your flight, 
 Make me a child again, just for to-uight. " 
 
 The shanty just mentioned was built and occupied 
 during tbe summer by John Sibley and Daniel Nes- 
 bett, while making small clearings each side the line, 
 between tiieir lots of wild land. They had returned 
 to West Stockbridge, expecting to come again in the 
 spring, wiiicli tiiey did. Here, in this only shelter 
 in town, fifteen persons are huddled. Two experi- 
 enced log house builders bad been hii'i'd to oversee 
 tbe building of the first log house in number four, 
 sixteenth range, thus increasing our family. Not a 
 sign of civilization was found in the twelve by twelve 
 
 foot shanty, except an excuse for a bedstead made in 
 one corner, by boring holes in the logs, putting in 
 strong poles for head and foot, two posts supporting 
 the front side, while bark for cord completed this 
 only piece of furniture. 
 
 Next morning, every person in town is here before 
 breakfast, and how is my mother going to prepare it, 
 in this awful looking place, this first morning in the 
 woods? In due time, nine men and boys, with broad 
 and narrow axes, driving the patient oxen, with heavy 
 chains bound around their yoke, the two builders tak- 
 ing the lead, start for the spot never to be forgotten, 
 though the foundation marks have long since passed 
 away. 
 
 Selections of land had been made the previous sum- 
 mer, by men from different towns in Berkshire 
 county. Number seven was owned by some of the 
 original members of the Connecticut Land Company, 
 and through their agents, many farms in Berkshire 
 were exchanged for wild land, and for many years, 
 every family in the settlement was from Berkshire 
 county. The dear "old hills " have not faded from 
 memory. My father received in exchange for his 
 farm one thousand and forty acres of land, and a 
 tiiousand dollars in money. The lots were in differ- 
 ent parts of the township, but the one nearest Liver- 
 pool is decided upon, and the house must be built 
 before the snows of winter fall upon our homeless 
 family. This first house was built on lot number 
 twenty-six, where Daniel King.sley now resides. 
 
 Locating a stranger on this once familiar spot, 
 must not prevent me from noticing an unpleasant 
 affair that occurred during the building of this first 
 hou.se. My brother Joseph, then nineteen years of 
 age, full of iiope and courage, who had been working 
 with the rest during tlie day, started for the shanty, 
 a little in advance, in order to drive home the cows, 
 whose bells were heard in the distance, though not in 
 tbe direction of the shanty. He started from the 
 north side of the blind path, and crossed it unper- 
 ceived. Still traveling, and expecting soon to find 
 the way, he made rapid ste])s in the wrong direction. 
 Before thinking himself lost, he espied a young boar 
 in a small tree, and with his shot-gun, was about to 
 bring it down, but thinking quickly if the old bear 
 would let him alone be would not disturb her cub, he 
 renewed his steps, — still in the wrong direction. 
 Darkness convinces him that he is lost, and must 
 spend a night of suffering in the lonely forest, with- 
 out fire or extra clothing. With his shot-gun he 
 could not kindle a fire, and only by constant exertion 
 did he keep from perishing with cold, — sometimes 
 clasping trees, and running swiftly around them. In 
 this manner the coldest night, so far, in that Novem- 
 ber month was passed. Rocky river was frozen over 
 from shore to shore. He afterwards said he felt of 
 his teeth to see if they were not all loose. His course 
 had taken him through a wind-fall, two miles south, 
 and nearly impassable under other circumstances. 
 Brambles formed a net work from tree to tree, upon the 
 
^:sj=^ 
 
 '(^4:4iyd ^fy-T-^ 
 
 GRINDALL RAWSON. 
 
 
 '4?^^Ar 
 
 Residence qf mENRt B. RawSOn. urafton. lorain Co.,Ohio. 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 257 
 
 youag uiiJerbriish, tlie sizo i)f luitid-spikcs and broom- 
 sticks. The marks upon liis face were evidence of 
 suffering. All this could hardly exceed the agony of 
 the family during that sleepless night. My mother 
 thought surely that wild beasts would devour her Jo- 
 seph. Only a few days liad we been in the woods, and 
 did not know how numerous or ferocious the wild beasts 
 of the forest might be. The howling wolf had been 
 heard in tlie distance, the niml)Ie deer had not yet 
 l)oen seen. The important tin horn had been over- 
 looked in the outfit for pioneer life. Guns were fired, 
 hallowing of strong voices made a solemn echo 
 through the unbroken stillness. Torches made of 
 hickory bark were lighted and carried quite a distance 
 from the shanty, while voices and guns made the 
 starting point evident. At early dawn a brother was 
 sent to Liverpool for a tin horn and men to search 
 for the lost one. But the lost one began to find him- 
 self as soon as it was light aiul safe to leave the place 
 where he had kept himself from freezing during the 
 night. He soon found a ''hub" or corner and was 
 tracing the marked trees, when a hunter who had 
 gone in pursuit espied him, though each claimed 
 to see tlic other first; no matter, the lost was found, 
 and on reaching the shanty, hungry and weary, with 
 torn garments and Ijleeding face and hands, truly 
 there was rejoicing before unknown in that rude 
 shelter. 
 
 A pleasant incident occurred next day, which I 
 think was the laying of foundation logs, at right 
 angles, by "Joshua Henshaw," who was passing 
 through on a surveying tour, assuring us we were 
 not out of humanity's reach. The size of this house 
 being budt was eighteen by twenty-four feet. A 
 window with nine lights of seven by nine glass in the 
 north side, stick chimney in the east, door in the 
 south aud another small window in the west end. 
 The chimney proves (piite a sky-light, sun aud moon 
 aslant can be seen, snow, hail and rain sometimes 
 entering in quantities to nearly extinguish fires built 
 upon the ground instead of hearth. The puncheon 
 floor made of split and hewn logs is next laid. 
 Webster does not name, or place, puncheon for floors, 
 but custom did, and pioneers continue to do so in their 
 reminiscences. The door was made from boards of 
 the largest wagon box, called the "Ark" when 
 making our journey. This door, with its wooden 
 trimmings, had a latch-string outside and was 
 never pulled in, even when Goodhurt or Red Jacket 
 wished to enter, and more than once did they find 
 the ample fire-place more comfortable than their 
 solitary wigwam, covered only with bark', and no 
 squaw or pappoose to prepare his food or keep him 
 company. One, after sleeping by our fire, and while 
 eating breakfast by himself, discovered he was not 
 provided with a cup of tea, which called forth this 
 amusing request, " Can"t Indian have a /^/rt/e of tea?" 
 This request was granted, and with seeming relish 
 enjoyed. 
 
 Our house was made more comfortable than the 
 
 33 * 
 
 sluuity in two weeks" time, when eight of us take 
 possession and call it home. We are now iu the best 
 built and furnished house in town, with more cause 
 for gratitude than complaint. 
 
 Allow a little nine }'oar old girl to place the furni- 
 ture made by unskilled hands, and some brought 
 from the best room six hundred miles away. We 
 will furnish the first floor by placing two bedsteads, 
 one in each corner, at the west end of the ample 
 room, with a trundle bed under one. These were 
 made by hands unused to work with such tools and 
 timber, sometimes requiring force to make them 
 stand steady long enough to be secured with ropes. 
 These Ijecome places of repose for tired nature; 
 "balmy sleep " visited the occupants, and dreams of 
 better days were just as reliable as under other cir- 
 cumstances. The nice looking bureau placed between 
 the bedsteads, with table and stand near by, (relics 
 of better days,) without the aid of Nast made an 
 impressive picture. Chairs were easily counted; two 
 chests made to fit the wagon in which the family 
 rode, covered like settees, now stand on either side of 
 the broad fireplace. Long wooden i)ins firmly placed 
 in the logs on which shelves, made from the remain- 
 der of wagon box, serve as cupboard for crockery, 
 besides bright pewter plates and platters of various 
 sizes, pewter basins also, childrens' individual prop- 
 erty, oft filled to overflowing by the same gentle cows 
 from hillside pasture, now cropping browse and 
 herbage in the unbroken forest. Stoutly wrought 
 andirons, slice and tongs, long crane and hooks, take 
 their places and prove as useful as in a New England 
 kitchen. 
 
 The old-fashioned clock, made fast to the logs, has 
 resumed its forward march, .and with extended hands 
 faithfully nuxrks the passing time, yet moi'C than 
 anything else, constantly reminding of time, and 
 opportunities past, never to return. Only quite re- 
 cently has its time or speed, its marks of comely face, 
 or perfect form, been questioned; when silently its 
 place of usefulness is yielded, aud in its stead a 
 more beautiful face and form, with gilded hands and 
 nimbler step, is measuring the flight of time. This 
 same old clock, the first ever heard to tick in native 
 land, the first pendulum swung in Grafton town- 
 ship, can now be heard and seen in Elyria this first 
 day of January, 1879. Unlike young America is 
 its slow and even step; its clear yet modest tick 
 sometimes stopping entirely, as if asking "how much 
 longer?" receiving in answer, "be patient, old settler, 
 stand at your post to the last. Truth breaks through 
 your faded face, while your worn and battered hands 
 still point in the right direction." 
 
 Log house number second is built where I will 
 settle my eldest brother, Seth C. Ingersoll, with his 
 wife and three little pioneer boys, Ardin, Reuben and 
 Ralph. This was on the lot directly north of my 
 father's, and now owned by Hobart Corning. Seven 
 children were added to their family after coming to 
 Grafton. The first white child born in number four 
 
258 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 was Niincy, eldest danghtor of 8ot.li C!. Ingersdil, .M;iy 
 18, 1817. 
 
 My brother contiuueil to reside upon his farm until 
 his death, which occurred February 15, 1859, aged 
 seventy-two years. Ilis wife died Ajiril ;?0, 1X52, in 
 the sixty-fifth year of her age. 
 
 I am expected to be brief, but just here I must 
 linger, while remembering these solitary houses, built 
 in Novembei', 1816. One only road leads to our 
 nearest neighbor, five miles distant. We hear of 
 families being seven miles north, twenty miles south, 
 and forty directly west. Our one road must be trav- 
 eled constantly to bring food for thirteen ]>crsons. 
 J5arrels of flour were brought from Canton, Stark 
 connty, and other eatables that could be found at 
 (lolunil)ia and Liverpool, were obtained at a dear rate. 
 The indispensable bake kettle or oven was licfore the 
 iiie, without a hearth unl il rcnigh and uneven stone 
 were dug from a creek near by, which improved our 
 condition for cooking. No wonder my mother drooped 
 like a willow, knowing her children must obtain food 
 to keep the wolf from entering the door, from this 
 frost-bound soil and the leafless forest trees. Not 
 this alone causes sorrow, but the doors of church and 
 school seem forever closed against us. The Sabbath 
 was known by the solemn stillness. The ring of 
 axes and the crash of falling trees were hushed, 
 telling the Sabbath had come, and that in our dear 
 native land, friends were enjoying privileges of which 
 we were deprived. The fsided, falling leaves had left 
 sure promise of return in coming spring-time. But 
 distant indeed seems the time when advantages of 
 civilization will be enjoyed in this desolate place. 
 Cheering hope, with great courage and fortitude, 
 overcomes formidable difficulties. 
 
 In the month of February, 1817, William B. Crit- 
 tenden and family, from Pittsfiekl, Massachusetts, 
 come among us, being the first pleasant company, 
 out of town during the winter. Mr. Crittenden be- 
 comes the first settler at the center of the town, own- 
 ing the southeast corner lot. I want to write the 
 names in full of every person coming to our settlement 
 in 1817. William B. Crittenden, his wife Lydia, 
 eldest daughter Marietta, four years of age; the little 
 boy Henry, now a resident of Grafton. Some inci- 
 dent might be given in connection with every name 
 I shall write. Again are we rejoiced to see covered 
 wagons bringing settlers to join us. This time, the 
 family of Mr. Eliphalet Jones, from Tyringliam, 
 Berkshire county, is remembered; Eliphalet, and 
 Polly, his wife, familiai'ly called Uncle LifE and Aunt 
 Polly; their eldest son, Linas, nearly nineteen; Sa- 
 nuintha, sixteen; Emeline, twelve (afterward Mrs. 
 JosiaJi Taylor); John R., always called Riley, aged 
 nine, now living at Rawsonville; Erastus, seven, re- 
 mained on the spot where log house number four was 
 l)uilt until his death in 1877; Harriet, then three 
 years of age, now Mrs. Ashley Root. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Root <ire the only couple of pioneers remaining in 
 Grafton in 1879— children in 1817. 
 
 The next lot west, on the same side of the road, 
 was owned by Elder Robert Nesbett, from West 
 Stnckbridge, Berkshire county. This family num- 
 bered nine, besides a lad named Levi Loomis, who 
 came with them. Their names were: Robert Nes- 
 liett, and Mary, Jiis wife; five daughtei'S, named 
 Calliai-ine, Nancy, Mary, Betsey and Sarah; Daniel, 
 who came a few months before the rest of the family, 
 and took possession of tiie log house built during the 
 winter, for the sum of forty dollars. All tliis family 
 are buried in t he cemetery, near the homestead, where 
 they resided until tluir death, except Daniel, who 
 died in Elyria. 
 
 We now come to the only diagonal road in town, 
 and settle the family of Stephen Sil)ley, Esq., on lot 
 next west of Nesbett's. This family, too, were from 
 West. Stockbi'idge, and all adults. Three sons named 
 John, (ieorge aiid (files; two daughters named Nancy 
 and Mary. John and George soon afterwai'ds make 
 their home two miles soutli of the center, living in one 
 house; having married twin sisters, they continued as 
 one family until the death of one of the sisters. 
 Descendants, only a few in number, are living in 
 Grafton by the name of Sibley. 
 
 Two more families to be settled this spring of 1817, 
 which are from West Stockl)ridge, Mr. Nathan 
 Boughton and wife, two daughters and a son, named 
 Rhoda, Electa and Guy. Mr. Jonathan Rawson and 
 wife; Mrs. Rawson was youngest daughter of Mr. 
 Nathan Bt)ughton. (irindall Rawson, brother of 
 .Jonathan Rawson, was a member of their family 
 until his marriage. The addition of these families 
 makes fortj'-two persons in town, all but four on this 
 north street. 
 
 The first saw mill was Iniilt in the same summer 
 and fall by David Ashley, of I'ittstield, Berkshire 
 county, on the lot owned by Jonathan Rawson, and 
 the only mill privilege on Black river in the townshi]!. 
 
 Early in- .June of that year, while a number of 
 children were picking wild flowers, a stranger was 
 seen approaching, leading his horse, and evidently 
 searcliing for something. It proved to be the luib. 
 or corner he was looking for. "Children, can you tell 
 me the number of this lot?'' "No, sir," one speaks nj), 
 but we know who is coming here. Capt. Turner, from 
 Great Barrington; he's got ten children; then we're 
 going to have a school house " — an appropriate truth 
 as we shall see. The stranger's smile indicated his 
 acquaintance with the family. Mr. Turner left his 
 family in Columbia until a small clearing was made, 
 and on the fourth of July, 1817, log house numberniiie 
 was raised. Mr. Turner was the first blacksmith in 
 tiie township, and the cheery ring of the anvil was 
 heard early and late for many years. Two only of Mr. 
 Turner's family now reside in Grafton: Mrs. Orville 
 Lyndes and Mrs. Benjamin Corning. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Co]-ning living at the homestead near where the old 
 house stood. Wm. Turner, Jr., and family reside in 
 Elyria. Four children were added to this family after 
 settling in Grafton. 
 
cn^'U^'^ 
 
 It has been appropriately asserted that the life and services 
 of a good man constitute an important part of the history of 
 the community in which he lias passed any considerable portion 
 of his time. The career of a self-made man, with the narra- 
 tive of the principal events that led to the successful issue of 
 his various enterprises, to the fulfillment of his hopes, the con- 
 summation of his aims, and the realization of his aspirations, 
 affords a record at once interesting and instructive. The life 
 of him whose name head.s this brief sl<etcli oflers many features 
 of an excellent nature, and fairly illu.strates what well-directed 
 energy, industry, and business tact can and almost invariably 
 does accomplish. 
 
 B. S. Corning was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., Nov. 16, 
 1812. He is the grandson of Blis.s Corning, who was born 
 in Massachusetts, Oct. 30, 1763, and at an early day settled 
 in Columbia County, where he continued to reside until his 
 death. The name of B. S. Coming's father was Nathan S., 
 and he was born at Norwich, Conn., in the year 1788, and 
 moved with his father, Bliss Corning, above mentinnod, to 
 New York, where he remained until 1834, during which year 
 he and his family removed to Grafton, Lorain Co., Ohio, 
 where he resided until his death. 
 
 B. S. Corning was the eldest of thirteen children. As a 
 means of perpetuating their names to posterity, we quote from 
 the family record as follows : 
 
 The first of the Comings in America was Samuel, who 
 was born about IGIG, and made a freeman at Beverlv, Mass., 
 in 1641. 
 
 Nehemiah Corning, bom 1717, .son of Josepli and great- 
 grandson of Samuel, married Mary, widow of Abner Pride, 
 formerly Mary Richards, Nov. 14, 1745, and had the follow- 
 ing children : 
 
 1. Josepli, the oldest, born Oct. 7, 1746; taken by the 
 British during the Revolutionary war and put on board of 
 the Jersey prison-ship at New York, and never was heard 
 from after. 
 
 2. Benjamin, born Jan. 22, 1748, a farmer, settled in Yol- 
 untown, in Connecticut ; died in 1827. 
 
 3. Amos, born April 27, 1751, and died in 1753. 
 Nehemiah Corning died Oct. 7, 1797, aged eighty-one. His 
 
 second wife, Freeborn Bliss, died Nov. 8, 1809, aged eighty- 
 six years. 
 
 The heads of the successive generations down to Bliss 
 Corning were as follows : Joseph ; Benjamin, who had three 
 
 children, — Lois, Charles, and Jo.seph ; Mary ; Uriah, married 
 Sophronia Hall, and had eight children, namely, Elias Bliss, 
 Rebecca W., Betsey (died in infancy), Betsey (2d), Jedediah, 
 Amos, Sally B., and Klizabeth Willett. 
 
 Bliss Corning was born in 1763, at Preston, Conn., son of 
 Nehemiah, who was from Beverly, Mass. ; he married Lucinda 
 Smith, of Preston, who was born in 1755. Their children 
 were Nathan S., born May 20, 1788; Elisha, born Feb. 17, 
 1790; Clarissa, born Dec. "7, 1792; Erastus, of Albany, who 
 was a member of Legislature of New York, also a member of 
 Congress, born Dec. 14, 1794; Alexander B., born Jan. 5, 
 1796; Edwin, born March 16, 1798; Richard S., born July 8, 
 1800; Eliza, born Sept. 13, 1802, died Oct. 7. 1803; Hannah 
 T., born Oct. 4, 1804; Marv Ann, born Sept. 24, 1806; John 
 H. Corning, born March 10, 1809. 
 
 On settling in Ohio, Mr. Corning at once assumed a promi- 
 nent jiosition in township att'airs, which jiosition he has ever 
 since retained. At an early day he was engaged as a builder 
 and contractor, which business he followed for about twenty 
 years. He then purchased the farm upon which he now lives, 
 located about two and a half miles east of (irafton. On the 
 10th of April, 1836, he married Miss E. L., daughter of 
 William and Mary Turner. She was born in Massachusetts, 
 Feb. 22, 1811. Fri>m this union four children were born, 
 namely, Dwight, born Sept. 23, 1837; Hobart E., born April 
 19, 1839; Howard, born Aug. 1, 1843; and Angelina G., 
 born March 1, 1847. 
 
 In 1866, Mr. Corning was elected to the office of county 
 commissioner, and was twice re-elected to the same office, 
 serving in all nine years. He gave very general satisfaction 
 in this important office, as he had always done in minor 
 jiositions tu which the peo]ile called him. In politics he is a Re- 
 publican, having joined them in the organization of that party 
 in 1854. Both lie and his worthy wife are members of the 
 Protestant Episcopal Church of (rrafton, to which they are 
 liberal contributors. The portrait of Mr. Corning appears 
 above this brief sketch, and that of his wife, his companion for 
 more than forty-three years, on the opposite page, both worthy- 
 occupants of the places assigned them in the history of the 
 county in which the}' have lived and labored for nigh half a 
 centur}'. May they live many years to enjoy the esteem of 
 those who know them as at present, and dying at a ripe old 
 age, leave behind them 
 
 '* Footprints on the Bands of time." 
 
MRS. B. S. CORNING. 
 
HISTORY OF LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 259 
 
 It is now Novembei-, and two families have settled 
 near the center. I will mention first Mr. Aaron 
 Root's family, already in their log liouse, built by 
 their oldest son, Pomeroy, during the summer, one- 
 lialf mile west of the center. Mr. Eoot was from 
 Pittstield, Berkshire county. Mr. Root, while a 
 wiilower in Pittsfiold, witli five children, was married 
 to Mrs. Anna West with five children; tiiree became 
 members of Mr. Root's family. They were called 
 Uncle Aaron and Aunt Anna during their life time. 
 Their ciiildrcn's names were Pomeroy, Samuel, Ashley 
 and Mary Root, Caroline, Albert and Clarinda West. 
 Tiie two youngest born to this couple were Frederick 
 and Oliver. Pomeroy joined the family of Shakers 
 in Newburgh more than fifty years ago, and to-day is 
 an honored member of that (U'der; nearly eigiity years 
 old. Samuel, the next oldest, was drowned in 1825, 
 living at that time in Penfield. Caroline West, oldest 
 daughter of Mrs. Root, long since passed from scenes 
 of earth, still lives in heart and memory of surviving 
 friends. She was married to Mr. Lathrop Penfield, 
 and resided in Penfield township at the time of her 
 death. Ashley, third son of Mr. Eoot, is still a 
 resident of Grafton, hale and hearty with mind well 
 stored with historic lore. Albert West, son of Mrs. 
 Eoot, settled in Grafton, and died there more than 
 thii-ty years ago. His son, Albert West, Jr., is in a 
 soldier grave made on the southern battle field. Mary, 
 youngest daugiiter of Mr. Eoot, married Wm. Kin- 
 ney, of Grafton, fifty-two years ago. After his de- 
 cease in 18-19, she became the wife of Mr. Joseph 
 Tliomj)sun, of Grafton, and died quite receutly. For 
 a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Thompson lived upon 
 the spot where her father's log house stood, so ])lainly 
 r.inembered by all survivors. Mr. Thomjtson died in 
 1878. Clarinda West, youngest daughter of Mrs. 
 
 ' Eoot, was married to George E. Starr, of Penfield. 
 Mr. Starr has been a resident of Eiyria more than 
 forty years, and prominently connected with the 
 mercantile interest of that place. Mrs. Starr died in 
 
 [ 1876, sincerely lamented. Mr. George Starr resides 
 in Eiyria, in the house built by his father on Broad 
 street. 
 
 Mr. Bildad Belden and family, from Hancock, 
 Berkshire county, came in company with Mr. Root, 
 and settled south of the center one half-mile. His 
 father and mother resided with him, making only one 
 family. Mr. and Mrs. Belden had four children. 
 Minerva, the oldest, tiien ten years old, is now Mrs. 
 David Merwin, residing in Oberlin. Daniel Belden, 
 late of Grafton, was their only son. Betsey, their 
 si'cond daughter, afterwards Mrs. Clement Stebbins, 
 will be mentioned in anotlier place. Sarah is j'emem- 
 bered as Mrs. Ciiauneey Baldwin. Mr. Belden Ijrought 
 two colored boys (after giving bonds then required), 
 who proved to be honest, industrious men. Tlieir 
 names were Gabriel and Titus Gnnn. 
 
 One more log house to be built this mouth for 
 Jesse Taylor, from Pittsfield, Berkshire county. He 
 brings a family of five children — oldest sou, Franklin, 
 
 twelve years old, oldest daughter, Sarah Ann, ten, 
 James and Jesse, younger sons, with the baby, Caro- 
 line. Nearly three miles from any house then built, 
 his lot was located; and, after a lonely stay of eighteen 
 months in that place, wo find them settled three- 
 quarters of a mile south of the center. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Taylor both died in 1835; Mr. Taylor at the age of 
 forty-one, Mrs. Taylor, thirty-nine. 
 
 Eeuben Ingersoll, a cousin from Lee, joining our 
 settlement in 1817, returned to his native town, and, 
 in early spring of 1818, came again with his wife, and 
 settled more than half a mile west of the center. 
 
 Wm. Bishop, with small family, joined our settle- 
 ment in early spring. He was fi-om West Stock- 
 bridge, Berkshire county. . Left Grafton in 1835. 
 
 The last log house, built in 1817, was for Ladowick 
 .Jones, from Tyringliam, brother of Eliplialet .Jones, 
 before mentioned. The family of Mr. Jones num- 
 bered seven. His aged father and mother are counted 
 with this family. Lorenzo, Alouzo and Adaline are 
 the names of their children. Lorenzo for many years 
 resided in Cincinnati, Ohio, known as "Doctor," 
 "Prof." and "Old Doc" Jones. Drs. Sampsel and 
 Eeefy, physicians in Eiyria, were students in his 
 office in Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 Mr. David Ashley, of Pittsfield, reached our settle- 
 ment early in March, 1818, coming the whole distance 
 in sleighs. His invalid wife and four daughters made 
 the journey witli him. The names of the daughters 
 were Maria (afterwards Mrs. Grindell Rawson), Polly, 
 Eliza and Sally, tlie youngest then thirteen years of 
 age. The three last named rode in a two-horse sleigh, 
 driven by I)avid Stevens, brother of Mrs. Ashley, 
 who afterwards settled at the center. His first house 
 was built on the nortlieast corner lot, opjiosite Wm. 
 B. Crittenden. 
 
 Mrs. Curtis, a widow from West Stockbridge, Berk- 
 shire county, Massachusetts, came to our settlement 
 in 1818, bringing three sons and two daughters, 
 names, Samuel, Harvey and Landress, the sons; 
 Harriet and Mary, eldest and youngest, daughters. 
 Three of these children married and settled in 
 Grafton. Their first settlement was made nearly a 
 nule east of log house number one. 
 
 Wm. T. Welling was an early settler of Grafton. 
 Sir. Welling was among the very first that penetrated 
 the woods of number three, eighteen range, and may 
 for a time be counted with the pioneers of Wellington. 
 He was-a resident of Grafton twenty-five years, and 
 in that time was married to Harriet Curtis. They 
 removed to Medina, where they lived twenty years, 
 afterwards to Black Earth, Wisconsin, where the}' 
 were residents some twenty years, and where he 
 recently died, aged eighty-three years. 
 
 Franklin Wells, from Massachusetts, proved a great 
 accession to our settlement. He was fitted for college 
 in his native land, which placed him in advance of 
 any wlio had ventured among us. He taught school 
 in a log school house called the "Union School 
 House," built in the woods, between the north street 
 
260 
 
 HISTOKY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 and tlie center of the town; so that every scholar in 
 town of suitahle age might receive instruction. His 
 liouso was l)urned before the close of the first term, 
 which terminated the school days of many of Ins 
 scholars. Contrasts and comparisons of to-day only 
 seci.i to tell our loss. Mr. Wells was our second 
 elected justice of the peace, afterwards associate 
 judge in Lorain county. He was married to Mary 
 Sibiey in lS->:i. 
 
 Mr. Lyman Peabody was an early settler. His 
 wife was the eldest daughter of Mr. Aaron lioot. 
 Their eldest daughter is Mrs. George Pomeroy, now 
 residing near the centre of (Irafton. 
 
 Mr. Orriu Hurlbut and his brother William, from 
 Pittsfield, Massachusetts, were early settlers. Both 
 afterwards married and settled in Grafton, and 
 resided thei'e tlie renuiinder of their lives. Orrin 
 Hurlbut married Mrs. \Vm. 1?. Crittenden. Their 
 sou, .James Hurlbut, is justice of the peace at the 
 center of Grafton at this wi'iting; very recently he 
 has become a resident of Elyria. 
 
 In writiug this brief account of the first settlement 
 of Grafton, it is often found to be painful to pass so 
 lightly over families and friends, when even the writ- 
 ing of a name brings the history of joys and sorrows 
 of their life before us. A stranger can step rapidly 
 among the graves of households in Grafton to-day 
 witliout a pang; but not so with one who lived there 
 when the first graves were made, their loss then 
 settling like a pall upon our young settlement. 
 
 Seldom does a sister record the settling of seven 
 brothers on uncultivated farms in one township. My 
 second brotlior, Wm. IngersoU, Jr., came with his 
 little family in May, 1817, and settled one and a half 
 miles south of the center. The eldest daughter, 
 Maria, three years of age, and John, only a few 
 months, in his mother's arms, make the third family of 
 lugersolls. Ten children were added to these parents, 
 making six sons and six daughters, most of whom re- 
 ceived paternal care beyond the wants of childhood. 
 Much labor and courage were needed to pi-ovide for a 
 family among these thickly standing trees. Theso 
 jiarents lived to see their wild surroundings become 
 fiMiitful fields of waving grain, and remained u2)on the 
 spot near wliere their first house was built until their 
 deaths, wliich occurred under trying circumstances, 
 ily brother died April 29, 1859, aged seventy-one 
 years; and on May 1, two days afterwards, his wife, 
 uuconscious that her companion had gone before, 
 died also, aged sixty-six years: both died of congestive 
 fever. Jolin, the babe before spoken of, with wife 
 and daughter, are living near, and were tlie only 
 family of Ingersolls in Grafton in January, 1879. 
 
 Thomas, third son of Major IngersoU, commenced 
 clearing hig wilderness in 1819. He had learned to 
 manufacture common splint bottom chairs before 
 coming to (Jrafton, and by exchanging these for days" 
 work in chopping, had cpiite a clearing and a log 
 house built before his marriage, which was in 1820. 
 His lot was one-half mile east of log house number 
 
 one. When Elyria began to offer advantages, he 
 bought a house and lot on the corner of Second street 
 and East avenue, where he resided a few years, still 
 owning his farm in Grafton. He returned to his 
 farm again, and continued to make improvements 
 until 1801, wlien, finding years of toil and hardship, 
 with increasing age, were unfitting him for farm 
 life, his home in Grafton was sold, and the one in 
 Elyria taken possession of. His wife, who had faith- 
 fully shared privations during these years of toil, 
 died in October, 1870, my brother in September, 1871. 
 Their golden wedding was celebrated in February, 
 1870. Rev. F. L. Kenyon was present, and made 
 appro])riate remarks to a large company of friends 
 assembled. 
 
 My fourth brother, .J(isei)li, began clearing his new 
 farm at the south part of town. His outfit was a 
 yoke of oxen and a year's board, being too far to 
 board at home. Board could be obtained at the 
 nearest neighbor's, one-half mile or more, for one 
 bushel of wlieat a week, or one dollar. After clear- 
 ing some dozen or more acres in this lonely place, he 
 became discouraged, and returned to his native town 
 in Berkshire. 
 
 In 1827 he came again to Grafton with his wife and 
 little daughter, and did not then see sufficient induce- 
 ment to become a farmer, and plough and hoe among 
 the clay lands of Grafton. He made his home in 
 Elyria in 1828, where he resided until his death, in 
 1861, aged sixty-four years. The first English fami- 
 lies coming to Grafton in 182.5, were Mr. Crispen Men- 
 nell, Mr. Jesse Welborne, and John Langdale. Mr. 
 Mennell remained a citizen until his death, in 1857, 
 aged seventy-one. Mr. Welborne died in 1853, aged 
 fifty-six. Mr. Langdale was a resident of Elyria at 
 the time of his death, which occurred in 1870, aged 
 seventy-nine. A Mr. Hance and family came to 
 Grafton, in 1820, I think, and afterwards settled in 
 Eaton. The names of the children are remembered, 
 while other items are forgotten: Riley, Ira, Hiram 
 and Charles, may still be residents of Eaton. The 
 name is often seen, and some of the descendants of 
 these early settlers are residents of Elyria. 
 
 James, my fifth brother, began clearing his wild 
 land in 1822, and continued to do so under discour- 
 aging circumstances. His lot was just a half-mile cast 
 of the center, where one of the best oil wells in Graf- 
 ton was found some two years ago. His boarding 
 place for some time was at Mr. Beldeu's, the price for 
 board being a bushel of wheat a week. 
 
 Here I should like to speak of the worthy, indus- 
 trious ])ioneer women of Grafton. 
 
 After building a log house, it was at once occupied 
 by a family, with whom he boarded. In 1826 he was 
 married and commenced housekeeping and imjiroving 
 his farm, until in 18:i2, he began to build quite a large 
 public house for those days, at the center, upon a lot 
 bought of Mr. David Ashley, where it is seen to-day, 
 the sight of which brings sad memories, while in 
 the cemetery near by so many of this once large 
 
BlF^TH -PLACE OF DUKEl ^lNN ELU->i HIS [vIOThER Eu^AStTH |\i£NNELL 
 
 FIMBEF^, YOF^KSHIf?E ENGLAND 
 
 J 
 
 
 .■>L„,„..-,i.E or DUKE fvlENNELL, GRArxoN.TP, LOf^AlN Co.,U 
 
^■^^.^r.tj^ O^ ^^^^*.^,^^ 
 
 CKISPIN MENNELL. 
 
 Crispin Mennell was born in Norton, Eng- 
 land, in the year 1786. At the age of thirteen he 
 commenced working on a farm, and continued in 
 that occupation uninterruptedly until his marriage, 
 in 1809. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Wil- 
 liam Wellborn. By this union were born to them 
 one son and one daughter, the latter of whom died in 
 1876; the son is still living. Mr. Mennell emigrated 
 to America in 1817, and first settled in what is now 
 the city of Albany, where he resided three years. He 
 then removed to Pittsfielcl, Mass., and lived there six 
 years. In 1826 he moved to Oiiio and settled in 
 Grafton township, Lorain Co., where he continued 
 to reside until liis death. May 22, 1857. He was 
 a good, i)ractical farmer, and a man of sound common 
 sense. He had no education excejit what he obtained 
 the few years he was able to attend the national schools 
 of the old country. He held several offices of trust 
 in the township of Grafton, all of which he filled 
 with fidelity, and to the satisfaction of the people 
 whom he served. He was among the early settlers 
 of the township, and his loss was generally consid- 
 ered a public calamity. 
 
 Duke Mennell, only son of Crispin Mennell, 
 was born in Fimboro', England, in the year 1810. 
 He lived with his father until the latter emio-rated 
 
 o 
 
 to this country, when he went to reside with his 
 
 grandfather, William Wellborn, who would not con- 
 sent to his accompanying his father to the United 
 States. In 1823, however, Duke accompanied his 
 uncle Jesse, Wm. Wellborn, and Wm. Mateham 
 to the New World, joining his father in Massa- 
 chusetts. On the 23d of June, 1835, he married 
 Rachel, daughter of Theodore Curtis. Eight chil- 
 dren have been born to them, four sons and four 
 daughters, all of whom, save one, are living. Their 
 names are Elizabeth (died April 29, 1854), Andrew 
 J., Tlieodore C, Mary G., Anna H., Charles B., 
 Flora A., and Elmer C. Mr. Mennell's first wife 
 died Sept. 29, 1858; and for his second wife he 
 married Mary A, widow of Charles Johnson, and 
 daughter of John Hardy, in 1861. They had four 
 children, — three sons and one daughter, — namely : 
 Perry D., J. D., A. E., and Elizabeth M., all 
 living. 
 
 Until the breaking out of the war of the Rebel- 
 lion, Mr. Mennell was a Democrat ; but contemporary 
 with the firing of the first gun on Fort Sumter his 
 political sentiments changed, and he h;is since been a 
 consistent Republican. He has held the office of 
 township trustee, performing the duties thereof faith- 
 fully and well. He is an industrious citizen, a kind 
 and affectionate husband and father, ami a worthy 
 representative of his respectiil)le parentage generally. 
 
s 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 301 
 
 family rest. My brother died iu 1803, in the sixty- 
 fifth year of his age, and in Decemher, 1805, the wife 
 of his youth, wlio luid Ijeen a faitliful sliarer in all 
 the changing scones of life, also died, in the sixty- 
 seventh year of her age. These records conld not be 
 made without many regrets unless a hope was cher- 
 ished that ere long, without restraint in words, or 
 limited space, these early recollections will be care- 
 fully revised, and the name of every descendant of 
 my parents known to be living, be placed in proper 
 form. Only a few families, for a time, settled in 
 (irafton, except those who from time to time married 
 among us. The families of Thomi)son and Turner, 
 coming from New York state in 1833 or 1833 are re- 
 membered. Some of Mr. Thompson's family have 
 ever since resided iu Grafton. Dr. Hiram Thompson 
 has for a number of years practiced medicine in Raw- 
 sonville, and (piite recently died at the age of seventy- 
 two. 
 
 In September, 1835, my brother, Marshall, was 
 married to my early ])ioneer friend, Sarah Ann Taylor. 
 Soon after, they settled in their log house, two miles 
 west of the center, where oil wells and derricks now 
 cover the ground, where big and lesser trees stood 
 thickly fifty-two years ago. Their residence was in 
 Elyria for some twelve years before my brother's 
 death, which was in September, 1874, aged seventy- 
 two. His widow is still a resident of Elyria. 
 
 During the winter of 1837, my youngest (and only 
 brother living) was nuirried and settled in a log house 
 near the homestead. This was eleven years after the 
 first log house iu Grafton was built, in which time my 
 seven brothers have begun to earn their bread on uncul- 
 tivated soil, by hand labor. There were uo tramps or 
 drones in those days in Grafton. Only a few years lon- 
 ger did this bi'other remain on his farm, but purchased 
 the place in Elyria now occupied and owned by S. B. 
 Wolcott, where he resided a number of years. His 
 home is now with his son, C. 0. Ingersoll, on the 
 pleasant street east of the east branch bridge, within 
 tlie corporation of Elyria. 
 
 Mr. .Jason Royce and wife, coming from Berkshire 
 in 18.'33, obtained the farm just left by my brother in 
 Grafton, which the family own to-day. Their only 
 son died during the war, of disease contracted while 
 a soldier at Kelley's Island. Their only daughter, 
 Mrs. Ilobart Corning, is living on the farm where my 
 Itrother Seth C. located in 1810. Mr. Royce died 
 some eight years ago, at their home, where his widow 
 now resides. Mr. Hobart Corning is now sheriff of 
 Lorain county, which brings more descendants of 
 early settlers to become residents of Elyria. 
 
 Harriet, the eleventh and youngest child of the first 
 settler in Grafton, was married to Daniel Nesbett, 
 March 39, 1830 — marriage license obtained in Medina, 
 by the mail carrier, and ceremony jierformed by Frank- 
 lin Wells, Esq. Mr. Nesbett was one of the first set- 
 tlers of number four, and among the first that ex- 
 changed their place of residence in Grafton for one 
 in Elyria. This was done in 1839. The lots twenty- 
 
 four and twenty-five, on the east line of Elyria, on the 
 ridge road, were deeded to Daniel Nesbett by Ileman 
 Ely and Harriet M. Ely, August 10, 1839. After 
 remaining upon this farm some twenty years, a homo 
 was purchased in the village, where Mr. Nesbett and 
 family resided at the time of his death, which occurred, 
 March 16, 1803, of apojilcxy, aged sixty-six years. 
 Mrs. Nesbett is still a resident of Elyria. 
 
 In the early spring of 1839, the death of Stephen 
 Sibley is distinctly remembered. He was seen to 
 leave his work in the yard, and slowly enter the house 
 only a short time before his death was announced. 
 This was the first sudden death to be mentioned 
 among the first settlers in Grafton, the cause not defi- 
 nitely known, then as now. There was no i)hysician 
 in town to examine the case. Mr. Sibley had shared the 
 ti'ials of jiioncer life twelve years, and at the time of his 
 death was seventy years of age. Before the time of 
 Mr. Sibley's death, his son-in-law, Franklin Wells, 
 had assumed the cares of the homestead, and built a 
 fine residence for early days. This was sold to Mr. 
 Isaac VanDeusen, from Berkshire, father of George 
 VanDeusen, who was a resident of Grafton until 
 within a few years ])ast. His home is now in Lowell, 
 Massachusetts. After Mr. Isaac VanDeusen was set- 
 tled in this desirable place, his house and many val- 
 uable articles, were destroyed by fire. This was the 
 first frame building burned in Grafton. This farm 
 was afterwards sold to Justin Breckenridge, who built 
 the ample brick house seen upon his premises to-day. 
 
 Carlos Fisher and family, from Delaware county. 
 New York, settled in Grafton in 1838. They located 
 one mile east of the center, when first coming, but 
 afterwards at the center, where they resided at the 
 time of Mr. Fisher's death, in 1855, in the sixty-fifth 
 year of his age. Mrs. Fisher died in 1870, in the 
 seventy-first year of her age. One son, Mr. Isaac L. 
 Fisher, is the only one of nine children remaining in 
 Grafton. Their second daughter, Nancy, is Mrs, 
 Artemas Beebe, Jr., of Elyi'ia. Mrs. C. W. Johnston, 
 of Elyria., is another member of that family. A son 
 is settled in Wellington, in this county. It is readily 
 seen that quite a number of the first settlers in Graf- 
 ton, became residents of Elyria, and many of their 
 descendants are found there to-day, and still they are 
 coming. 
 
 Clement Stebbins, from Granville, Massachusetts, 
 came to Grafton in April, 1833. Chauncey Baldwin 
 accompanied him, and soon after their arrival they 
 opened a store at the center, where Mr. Stebbins has 
 more or less been connected with the mercantile inter- 
 ests at the center of Grafton, until a recent date. He 
 was justice of the peace some thirty years ; has seen 
 the rise and fall of many business firms, until not one 
 is left that can with him retrace the years and events 
 of 1833. Mr. Stebbins married Betsey, daughter of 
 Bildad and Polly Belden, October 16, 1835. Mrs. 
 Stebbins died August 19, 1874. Their only child liv. 
 ing, is Mrs. George D. Williams, of Elyria, where 
 Mr, Stebbins now resides. 
 
263 
 
 niSTOKY OF LOIJAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 The families of Jadwin and Newton settled south 
 of the center ; the exact dates cannot he given. Some 
 of the descendants of Mr. Newton are living in Graf- 
 ton, something over a mile south of the center. Mr. 
 Jadwin and wife were residents of Elyria a number of 
 years before his death, which occurred (juite recently. 
 His widow's home is still in Klyria. Some grandchil- 
 dren of Mr. Jadwin are residents of Grafton, in this, 
 the beginning of the year 1S70. 
 
 In 1834, Joseph Hurllnit and wife, from i>ee, 
 Berkshire county, settled ni)on a new forest farm. 
 This was situated two miles soutli and one east of the 
 center road, north and south. .Scarcely has any one 
 farm in Grafton been so largely cultivated, commenc- 
 ing under su(!li disadvantages. Willi small outfit, 
 except industrious hands, they lived for over two 
 years outside the sight of smoke, from other than 
 their own oliimney. Felling trees, burning brush and 
 logs, were bravely kept up, together with other inces- 
 sant toil connected with farm life, until some five 
 years since, his nearly three hundred acres of culti- 
 vated fields were sold, and he is now a resident of 
 Elyria. 
 
 Much might be said of pioneer women, who were 
 iiuleed heli)-meets for their husbands. Worn and 
 faded garments were kejit tidy as long as ])ossible. 
 Trowsers faced frontand back with deerskins, required 
 more skill in fitting than pantaloons of to-day. Daniel 
 Belden, Sr., understood the art of dressing deer skins, 
 nearly if not quite equal to chamois of to-day. As 
 soon as flax could be raised, every garment, and every 
 article of household need, from straw bed-tick, flour 
 bag, and hand towel, to the finest sheet and pillow 
 case, then in nse, were manufactured by jiioneer 
 women. A few sheep only as yet had been kept in 
 Grafton. High pens, built of heavy rails, were 
 needed to protect them at night from the prowling 
 wolf, which made it difiiciilt, for a niinil)er of years, 
 to raise a flock of siieep. 
 
 \Vitliout market or money, pioneers passed year 
 after year, througli what could ti'iitiifiiliy be called 
 hard times. Thankfuhn'ss for money and cloth- 
 ing, untii we could raise our bi-eail from among the 
 stumps, did not [irevent garments from growing tiiin, 
 or feet going bare. 
 
 In 1838, the family of Thomas Johnston settled at 
 the west pai'tof the town. Five sons and fivedaugh- 
 tei's belonged to this family when first coming to 
 Grafton. One only is living in town at this time, 
 which is Mrs. Sanford Thorp. (!. VV. Johnston, E.sq., 
 of Klyria, was fourth son of this family. Dr. L. 1). 
 Griswold resided at the center some over a year, or 
 until he was called to fill the ofiiceof County Auditor. 
 Much thrift is seen at tiie center these days. The 
 common is graded and improved. Churches and 
 jilaees of business, besides tidy residences, are seen in 
 every direction. Those then living in Grafton shguld 
 l)e better i)repared witli dates ami personal experience 
 than the writer, who has not been a resident of Graf- 
 ton since ISi'J. At that time seven families of Inger- 
 
 solls were living in town. No loss by death, except an 
 infant, had then been recorded. My father died No- 
 vember 10, 1837, aged seventy-six years, just twenty- 
 one years since the comforts of a New England home 
 had been exchanged for privations, known only to 
 those who first began to make the dense forest of Lo- 
 rain county what it is found to be to-day. My mother's 
 death occurred July 17, 1843, in the eightieth year of 
 her age. An obituary notice by Rev. D. W. Lathrop, 
 then of Elyria, was printed in the "Ohio Atlas," 
 which might be given if space were allowed. Taking 
 leave of Grafton to-day is indeed sad, not only of the 
 center, but the whole township. Only a few persons 
 left to represent the fourteen families that made their 
 homes in number nine, range sixteen, in 1810 and 
 1817, at which time not one of the twenty-one town- 
 ships then settled in Lorain county, or afterwards, 
 could show such improvements made in the same 
 sjiaee of time. 
 
 A visit made at the center of Grafton, during the 
 winter of 1839 and 1840, might be mentioned. A 
 marriage ceremony was performed in the Episcopal 
 church, then an ornament to the ]ilace. The persons 
 married were Mr. Erastus VanDeusen and Miss Sarah 
 Fitch. The church was nicely decorated and well 
 filled. After the services, quite a number of persons 
 were seen at the hotel, which was noted for its 
 well spread tables. Among the number were S. B. 
 Wolcott and Miss Harriet Cheever, D. B. Andrews 
 and Miss Susan Burch, all from Elyria. Miss Cheever 
 soon after became ih-s. Wolcott, and Miss Burch 
 about the same time was married to D. B. Andrews, 
 both couple settling in Elyria. This is mentioned to 
 show that Grafton was not then behind neighboring 
 towns as a place for pleasant entertainments of differ- 
 ent kinds. To-day, contrasts too sad to relate may be 
 seen. The Episcopal church just mentioned, has long 
 since been leveled to the last foundation stone. The 
 sightly residence built by Judge Wells, and occupied 
 for many years by Stephen Brown, Esc]., has passed 
 into stranger hands. The hotel, without improve- 
 ment in outside ai)i>earance, luis from time to time 
 been occu])ied by strangers. Not a store or shelf iVu- 
 goods of importance, is found at (irafton center 
 to-day. The iron rail is laid diagonally across the 
 once tidy "common," wliere freight cars stand on 
 either side of the main traveled street, marring the 
 remains of beauty, though from some points hiding 
 the ai)()earance of rough saloons, which show increas- 
 ing business in that ti'affic, following the "oil spec- 
 ulation" that gathers at the center of Grafton. i 
 
 The improvements made in Grafton since 1840, 
 will be given by the gentlemanly historian who has 
 lately visited the township, and is prepared with 
 dates and names of important organizations formed in 
 Grafton and Kawsonvillc since that date. Only eight 
 or nine persons are found in Grafton to-day who were 
 among the families that became settlers in 1810-17. 
 Mr. Ashley Eoot and Mrs. Orville Lyndes are the 
 oldest remaining in Grafton. Henry Crittenden and 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 2fi3 
 
 John Iiigcrsoll wore only months in :igo wlion tlicir 
 parents came to Grafton in 1817, where they still 
 remain. Oliver Root, a babe of weeks only then, is 
 the youngest pioneer that came to Grafton, riiul has 
 remained a. resident since November, 1817. 
 
 Wiiile attempting to give an account of the first 
 settlement of Grafton townshiy), the writer has found 
 difficulties nearly insurmountable. The thought that 
 young and highly educated gentlemen from distant 
 cities, with eminent writers in Lorain county, were 
 writing history that would be perpetuated, well nigh 
 prevents consent for publication of wliat is so imper- 
 fectly prepared. Memory is called the staff of age. 
 By ai<l of this mysterious boon, some events of more 
 than sixty years have been retraced. Rounding as by 
 a step from the trackless forest to the city full, we find 
 only here and there one who can witii us retrace 
 childhood's footsteps among our own beloved hills, 
 or tluit gathered wild flowers from unbroken forest in 
 Lorain county, in 1817. Not too.soon is the history 
 of many towns in this county being written. Valu- 
 able items of personal history, with many interesting 
 events have been saved from oblivion by this effort. 
 It cliills the warmest heart to consult history chiselled 
 on marble monument, or neglected headstone. The 
 cemeteries in Grafton have recently been visited, both 
 showing great neglect. Unpleasant reflections were 
 my only company while lingering among the graves 
 of relatives and frieuds that have been gathering 
 since 1819, calling to mind this exclamation of an 
 unknown "Ahl who will think of ine in sixty years!" 
 But sentiment, however strongly i)rompted, must be 
 overcome and silently yielil to narrative. Wliile cull- 
 ing thoughts suitable only for this history, an under 
 current often surges througli memory's hidden pos- 
 session, stirring the very depths of emotion, as a mere 
 glance of past experiences, of joys and sorrows, of a 
 lengthened jiathway, passes before us. 
 
 FIRST EVENTS. 
 
 The fii'st marriage ceremony in Grafton township 
 was performed by Henry Coit, Es<|., of Liverpool, 
 -November 5, 1818. The parties were Grindell 
 Rawson and Maria Asliley. Mr. and Mrs. Rawson 
 soon commenced housekeeping in their log hou.se, 
 already prepared, a half mile or more from neiglibors. 
 
 Tiie first marriage ceremony performed by our 
 first justice of the peace proved to be a run-away 
 match. The parties were Ezekiel A. Turner, hired 
 man of the bride's father, and Electa Boughton. Mr. 
 ; Turner was chopping in the direction of Esquire 
 Ingersoll's, waiting and watching for his promised 
 bride to fulfil iior j)art of the agreement — to meet at 
 a given hour. Misg lioughton, under jiretence of 
 going (piite a distance on an errand, prepared herself 
 by wearing a clean checked apron, to stay a while at the 
 neighbor's. But, instead of following out this ruse, 
 she started u|)on a trail to find her betrothed, after 
 which Mr. Turner left his axe, and Miss Boughton 
 her apron in tlie woods, U) await tiieir return after 
 
 the law by the mouth of the justice had made them 
 one instead of two, as they commenced life in the 
 morning of that eventful day. Friends began oppo- 
 sition and search too late, and this remains the p'rsf 
 romantic matrimonial adventure in <irafton. 
 
 The first physician to loc-itc in Grafton was 
 
 Palmer, in 1834. He was succeeded by L. D. Gris- 
 wold, M.D., now of Elyria. Then came Drs. Wade 
 and Harrow. 
 
 Dr. Knowlton came to Grafion in 1845, and con- 
 tinued a ])racticing physician for six years. During 
 that time he was mai-ried to Caroline Kinney, only 
 child of Wm. Kinney and Mary, his wife, both 
 deceased. Mrs. Kinney* was a daughter of Aaron 
 Root, and ne;ir tlie spot where Mr. Root's first house 
 was built, in 1817, Dr. and Mrs. Knowlton now 
 reside. 
 
 The ]n-esent medical staff is composed of E. W. 
 .Jewell, L. McCune and C. J. Wolcott. 
 
 The first white child born in the township of Graf- 
 ton, was Nancy, oldest daughter of Se(h C. Ingersoll. 
 This event occurred on (lie 18th day of May, 1817. 
 
 The first grave made in (frafton was for Frederick, 
 the oldest born of Aaron Root's second marriage, who 
 died soon after the family settled in the township. 
 In their affliction, they sent to Brunswick, Medina 
 county, for Rev. Jacob Ward, a Metliodist minister 
 and former friend and neighbor in Pittsfield. The 
 oldest son was sent for Mr. Ward, and they made 
 their way as fast as possible through the five-mile 
 woods from Liverpool, but night coming on, they 
 were obliged to tic their horses, and, with saddles for 
 ]iillows, spent the cold, rainy November night in the 
 woods. 
 
 An incident connected with the first convicted thief 
 in our new settlement, is distinctly remembered. 
 This thief was a stranger, passing through our uncul- 
 tivated forest, and might to-day be called a tramp. 
 None of the first settlers, to my knowledge, have ever 
 been convicted for wrong doing. It was in 1819, I 
 think, when mv brother James was constable, that 
 our first and only magistrate in number four, six- 
 teenth range, decided that this culprit must be taken 
 to the nearest jail, which was in Medina, the county 
 seat for that county. It was nearly night when the 
 officer took charge of the prisoner, and onr log house, 
 for the first and last time, sheltered a convict. My 
 mother's admonitions to one and all are remembered. 
 The idea that a thief was to stay all night, to unso- 
 phisticated children, was terrible. During the even- 
 ing, a handful of tow was brought forward, and the 
 prisoner positively assisted in making a sul)stantinl 
 string, to bo used in tying the big toes of constable 
 and criminal together, while darkness reigned su- 
 preme outside of our dimly-lighted dwelling. Un- 
 disturbed sleep soon bound them more firmly than 
 tow strings could do, keeping them securely until 
 morning light. How diti'erent the mode of convey- 
 ing prisoners to jail then and now! A rifie and pocket 
 compass, for safety and direction, were the outfit of 
 
 I 
 
204 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 tlie officer, aud with the iirisoiier by liis side, a jour- 
 ney of fifteen miles through tlie traclcless forest on 
 foot was made, instead of the one traveled road. The 
 constable, as the law required, gave his first and last 
 jail-bird to the sheriff, to be incarcerated within the 
 massive walls, built of hewn logs. Thieves and bur- 
 glers of 1S79 would sneer at tow strings for manacles 
 and fetters, and hewn logs for stone walls and iron 
 grates and bars. How striking the change since those 
 early days. Ijiving now in sight of the jail in Elyria, 
 from where, some two years ago, eleven i)ris(iners were 
 taken U> the iicnitentiary at Cdlunibus, all convicted 
 at one term of the court, and when, with noisy 
 shackles, this group of young men were conducted 
 by Sheriff Braman, turnkey George Boyd, police offi- 
 cers William Alger and II. C. DeWitt to prison life 
 for lengthened years. 
 
 In November, 1819, occurred the death of William 
 Crittenden, and his remains were the first interred in 
 the cemetery at the center of the township. 
 
 In 1S22, the workshop of Major William Ingersoll 
 was burned, and with it the lathe, tools, loom, several 
 bags of wheat, etc. Immediately afterwards iVTr. 
 Ingersoll set about building a frame house. This 
 was completed and first taken possession of in May, 
 1824. David Ashley built the first frame house in 
 Grafton township. The first postoffice was established 
 at the center in aljout 182."), (there are no records). 
 David Ashley was appointed postmaster, and kept the 
 office at his residence. Those who know only of 
 to-day can scarcely conceive the importance attached 
 to these pioneer postoffices. Then a letter started 
 from the far away east, and after consuming weeks 
 in its journey, was at last deposited at its destination 
 by a foot carrier. It cost twenty-five cents to send 
 each letter. Next came the horseback carrier. Then 
 the stage coach with its four or six horses, and its 
 wonderful driver, the special admiration of the 
 juveniles. No stage coach with four or six horses are 
 remembered until a late day. Soon that was dis- 
 placed by steam, and in time we have the fast 
 mail, the greatest achievement of the postoffice 
 department, so far as rapid transit is concerned. 
 Truly, time works wonders. The j)reseut postmaster 
 at the center is 0. W. Niciiols. A second office was 
 established at Rawsonville, some years since, but no 
 one seems te kimw when, or who was first j)ostmaster. 
 H. E. Kelsey is the present jjostmaster. This office 
 was first named Rawsonville; July 1, 187."), the name 
 was changed to Grafton, and the center office to 
 Belden. 
 
 The pioneer mercantile establishnieut in the town- 
 ship of Grafton was at the center (now Belden.) 
 Messrs. John Freese and Charles Hoot were the pro- 
 l)rietors; the date, 1830. These gentlemen erected 
 the building. Tliey were only in trade a short time, 
 closing out to Reuben Smith and William Root, who 
 conducted the business some two years. They were 
 succeeded by Messrs. Wells & Johnson. Clement 
 Stebbius and C. R. Baldwin opened another store at 
 
 the same point in 18.32. The location was in a small 
 building standing on the site now occupied by the 
 depot. After perhaps two years this partnership was 
 dissolved, and the firm of Steblnns & Wells formed. 
 This firm erected the building on the northeast 
 corner, now occupied by a drinking saloon. In this 
 they ojiei'ated a store for seven years. They put up 
 an ashery and did an extensive business. They were 
 succeeded by A\'illiam llart, who is still in the mer- 
 cantile business at l!;iwsonville. The first store at 
 this village came into being the fall following the 
 conii)letion of the C. C. C. & I. K. I!., Messrs. Hand 
 & Sawtell, proprietors. The present business at this 
 place is shown by the following: Wni. Hart, L. B. 
 Daniels and Richard 0. Newton, general merchandise; 
 W. T. Watson and James Artress, hardware; H. E. 
 Kelsey, drugs and notions; Mrs. Wm. Hart aud Mrs- 
 E. Mayhew, milliners; Jones & McCune, and W. E. 
 Capell, meat markets; Willis Reichard and V. M. 
 Ryan, boots and shoes, and George Beeder, jeweler. 
 
 William Crittenden began keeping a hotel at the 
 center, in 1818. He had erected a double log house, 
 with a cai)acious ball room in the second story. In 
 this the anniversary of our national independence was 
 -celebrated, July 4, 1818. The address was delivered 
 by William Bishop, and it was on this occasion that 
 the name Grafton was given to the township by Major 
 Ingersoll. 
 
 The hotel at this point, (Beld^en House), owned by 
 II. Crittenden, is at present under the management of 
 Thomas Ward, formerly of Massillon, Ohio. At Raw- 
 sonville there are two hotels, the National, A. I>. 
 Smith, i)ro])rietor, and the Railroad House, kept by 
 T. E. Ray. There are also two liveries at the same 
 ])oint, owned by L. B. Daniels and F. McClintock. 
 
 The first of those modern industries — cheese facto- 
 ries — was started by Hobart Corning, in 1807. The 
 location was near Daniel Kinsley's. There was a pat- 
 ronage of over four liuudred cows. This was sold to 
 Messrs. Robson & Tranu, in the winter of 1877-8, 
 and removed to Rawsonville, where it is now in oper- 
 ation. In the fall of 1877, Nahum Holcomb erected 
 a cheese factory on Duke Mennell's farm, lot number 
 forty-three. This worked the j a^t season the milk 
 of two huiulred and fifty cows. Other factories have 
 been in operation in (Jrafton. They are now closed. 
 
 INDr.STRlAL PUKSUITS. 
 
 In the winter of 1810-17, an addition, or wing, was 
 constructed on tlie back ])art of the house of Major 
 William Ingersoll, and in this his son Thomas began 
 the manufacture of splint-bottomed chairs. This was 
 the |)ioueer manufactory in Grafton township. The 
 father became (piite an ade|)!, cooper, making tubs, 
 buckets, cliurns and other useful articles. This shop 
 was burned, as before stated. The first saw mill was 
 built in the summer and fall of 1S17, by David Asli- 
 ley, of Pittsfield, Mas. achusetts. In 1818 another 
 saw mill was erected at Rawsonville, by Jonathan and 
 Griudell Rawson and Nathan Boughton. This is now 
 
c 
 
 A if, ^A;id^X 
 
 VIEW we:' 
 
 
 BIF?TH- PLACE, YOR 
 
 -^>Kn.f;::- 
 
 
 RESIDENCE or A. W. NICHOLS f^ 
 
-^-^ ^ 
 
 //NGSTON CO., NY 
 
 fTON , LOf^AIN C OUNTV, OHIO. 1879 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OniO. 
 
 265 
 
 toru dowu. Ill 1826 these same persons built a grist 
 mill near the saw mill. The present grist mill is at 
 this place, and is a fine steam aifair, owned by 0. F. 
 Banmetz. There arc also two steam saw mills in the 
 township. 
 
 Prom the address of Hon. W. W. Boynton, we 
 learn that Grafton towiisliip, when first settled, be 
 longed to Medina county, which was formed in 1812, 
 * * * Prom its foundation to its organization, it 
 remained attached to Portage county, where the deeds 
 of the early settlers were recorded. On the 25tli day 
 of July, 1818, on petition of the inhabitants, the 
 town was incorporated by the name of Grafton, by 
 the commissioners of Medina county. 
 
 The first election was held at the house of William 
 B. Crittenden, on August 3, 1818, at which time the 
 following persons were elected: Eliphalet Jones, 
 William Ingersoll, and William B. Crittenden, trus- 
 tees; William Bishop, clerk; Reuben Ingersoll, treas- 
 urer; David Ashley, appraiser of property; Seth C. 
 Ingersoll, lister of pi'operty; William Turner and 
 Giles Sibley, overseers of the poor; Grindell Rawson 
 and Reuben Ingersoll, fence viewers; Jonathan Raw- 
 son, Seth C. Ingersoll, William Ingersoll, Jr., and 
 David Ashley, supervisors of highways; Guy C. 
 Boughton, constable; and Jonathan Rawson, justice 
 of the peace. Previous to this, the township had 
 been attached to Liverpool township, for judicial 
 purposes, and at the April election, 1818, Reuben 
 Ingersoll had been elected a justice of the jieace, — 
 the first in Grafton township. At the State election, 
 holden on the 13th of the following October, there 
 were thirteen votes cast. 
 
 Pollowing are the officers for 1ST8: J. C. Lehman, 
 T. C. Mennell, and W. S, Terry, trustees; II. S. 
 Williams, clerk; Jose^ih Hudson, treasurer; G. B. 
 Chamberlin, assessor; Isaac Root and W. J. Gibson, 
 constables; James Hulbert and John R. Jones, justices 
 of the peace, and sixteen supervisors of highways. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 The first sermon delivered in the towuship of Graf- 
 ton, was preached by the Rev. Reuben Jones, of the 
 Methodist connection, then residing at Mantua. This 
 meeting was held at the dwelling of Eliphalet Jones, 
 in the summer of 1817. Other meetings followed, 
 and during the subsequent fall a small class was 
 formed, with Aaron Root leader. We are unfortu- 
 nately unable to give the names of those composing 
 this class at its formation, but in 1S20, we find that 
 the following were members : Lydia Crittenden, Oli- 
 ver, Polly, and Eliza Ashley, Mary and Polly Jones, 
 .lohn P. Root, Daniel Crittenden, and it is quite 
 probable there were others whose names are not 
 remembered. Meetings were held at the dwellings of 
 Messrs. Root, Crittenden, Ashley and others. In the 
 summer of 1818, a log school house was built at the 
 center, and in this meetings were held with more or 
 loss regularity. In 1827, quite a largo two story frame 
 building was constructed, also at the center. This 
 
 34 
 
 was for the purpose of a town hall, school and church. 
 All denominations occupied it we believe, at pleasure. 
 It was afterwards sold to the Baptist society, and 
 occupied by them for a church so long as the organ- 
 ization existed, after which it was converted into a 
 dwelling, and is now occupied by William Moses. 
 
 The present Methodist Episcopal Church was 
 erected in the year 1850, but was not fully completed 
 until the following year. The first regular minister 
 was the Rev. Mr. Smith, of Pittsfield. This was in 
 about 1820. The following list of pastors in this 
 church is given from memory by Mr. Ashley Root 
 and wife, and is substantially correct: Ezra Booth. 
 Ezra Fields, Zera Castin, Taylor, Adam Poe, II. 0. 
 Shelden, H. Calclizor, E. C. Gavitt, Geo. Elliott, 
 William Reynolds, Carpenter, .John T. Galium, Cyrus 
 Sawyer, Brewster, H. L. Parish, A. P. Jones, Break- 
 field, Thomas Pope, Peter Sharp, Kinnear, Jacob 
 Brown, George Phillips, A. L. S. Bateman, .John 
 Mitchell, Foote, Uri Richards, Thomas Thompson, 
 William Thatcher, Euratas Bush, William Spafford, 
 Safford, Charles Thomas, Matthew L. Starr, Asbury 
 Cassel, L. M. Pounds, A. K. Owen, T. J. Gard, Ward, 
 John R. Jewett, Hulbrook, W. Ben Taggart, W. W. 
 Smith, F. S. Wolf, John Mitchell and George Hani- 
 wault, the present pastor. The last of these gentle- 
 men, upon the breaking out of the rebellion, doiled 
 their clerical robes for the "faded coat of blue," and 
 served their country valiantly during the entire war. 
 The present church officers are Ashley S. Root and 
 Henry S. Williams, leaders; D. G. Kinsley, H. S. 
 Williams and — . Goodsell, stewards; Charles Cragin, 
 superintendent Sabbath school. Attendance, one hun- 
 dred scholars; the total church membership is about 
 seventy. 
 
 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal Church at Rawsonville 
 was formed in March, 1871. Meetings were held in 
 Hart's hall by Rev. Mr. Isbaugh, and a small class 
 formed, the following persons constituting it: E. 
 Robson (from whom we obtain valuable data), 
 William Tranu and wife, Robert Salisbury and wife, 
 Theodore Witbeck and wife, and A. J. Wilson and 
 wife. Charles Bolton was appointed class leader; ser- 
 vices were held in the above hall; a Sabbath school 
 organized, and everything moving along harmoniously 
 when a fire destroyed their place of worship. The 
 members at once set about building a church edifice, 
 and on Januai-y li, 1875, it was dedicated by the 
 Rev. Mr. Currier. The total cost was twenty-four 
 hundred dollars. The ministers have been Revs. 
 Brice, Pope, Richards, Brien and Foote. There are 
 at present eighty members. The church officers are 
 John Dent and William Trann, class leaders; A. J. 
 Williams and .Tohn Dent, stewards; E. Robson, Wni. 
 Trann, A. J. Wilson, John Dent, Henry Hornby and 
 Fred. Burgess, trustees; Sheldon Seers, superintend- 
 ent of the Sabbath school. Total enrollment seventy- 
 five. 
 
366 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 THE PROTESTANT EriSCOPAL CHUKCU. 
 
 In point of time the Episcopal Cliurcli was the 
 next formed. Service was read as early as 1817 by 
 the Rev. Roger Searls, then travelling on this portion 
 of the Reserve as a missionary. Thischnrcli grew to 
 respectable proportions, and as early as 1834 erected 
 a fine brick edifice, the first in the township. This 
 was located at the center on the site now occnpicd by 
 tlie town hall. The causes leading to the close of this 
 church we are unable to give, but certain it is that in 
 1853 meetings ceased, and the building was sold and 
 removed. 
 
 A BAPTIST CHURrn 
 
 was also formed at an early period, but has long since 
 ceased to hold meetings or keep up an organization. 
 
 THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURril. 
 
 This society was formed at Grafton Center, by Rov. 
 Joel Talcott and Rev. Oliver Eastman, on the 15ch day 
 of Marcli, 183-1, and consisted of the following mem- 
 bers: Philip P. Davis, Barratt Benjamin, William 
 Davis, and Aseneth, his wife. Silo Thorp and Jacob 
 Rood. The cliurch was organized in connection with 
 Medina Presbytery, on the plan of union adopted 
 by the Congregational and Presbyterian churches of 
 the Western Reserve, and contiuned as a Congrega- 
 tional church until January 13, 1873, when it became 
 Presbyterian, and the following elders were elected: 
 H. E. Bartlett, I. L. Fisher and J. F. Man tor; deacons 
 J. T. Walker and T. B. Rogers. The present elders, 
 elected 187G, are: I. L. Fisher, I. S. Thorp and W. N. 
 Shoot. T. B. Rogers is the present superintendent 
 of the Sabbath school, which has an attcudanco of 
 thirty scholars. This church first met in the l)uild- 
 ing before referred to in connection with the Metho- 
 dist Episcojial church. In fact, we lean that this 
 churcli continued to hold services there until the 
 erection of their present churcli edifice, in 1844. 
 This was only enclosed and temporarily seated at the 
 time, and was used in this condition for four years, 
 when seats were added and the churcli completed. 
 The Congregational officers were: J. W. Rood, Tru- 
 man Bagg and Edwin Rogers, trustees; 11. E. Bartlett, 
 secretary; and C. R. Baldwin, treasurer. The pres- 
 ent officers are: I. L. Fisher, Cyrenus Simmons and 
 I. E. Tliorp, trustees; T. B. Rogers, clerk; and I. T. 
 Walker, treasurer. J. W. Rood was the first clerk of 
 tlie cluu-ch, and held the office until 1846, when he 
 was succeeded by I. L. Fislicr, who is the present 
 incumbent. The pulpit has been supplied by the 
 following ministers, in the order in whicli they are 
 named: Reverends 0. Eastman, Israel Shaler, Wil- 
 liam Salisbury, James Eals and John P. Cowles. 
 October 37, 1846, Rev. G. C. Judson was ordained 
 and installed pastor of the church, and remained 
 until June 1, 1852. Rev. Erastus Cole served the 
 church as stated supply seven years. Rev. H. Law- 
 rence succeeded him for seven years. Then came 
 Rev. Madison Elliott, who remained the same number 
 
 of years; Rev. S. M. Burton, three years; Rev. Wil- 
 liam Honnell, nine months; then Rev. Owen Jenkins, 
 one year, and he was followed by the present pastor. 
 Rev. n. Till-all, of Litchfield township. 
 
 RAWSONVILLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 
 
 was organized at the house of Elcazar Goodman, 
 January 8, 1854, by Rev. Ansel R. Clark, who had 
 held services at that point since January 1, 1853. 
 The first members were: Elcazar Goodman, Sr., and 
 wife, Elcazar Goodman, Jr., and wife, Titus II. Hand 
 and wife, Mrs. Adaline P. Preston, Harry Chandler, 
 and daughter Jeruslia. The present house of wor- 
 ship was dedicated May 30, 1855, by Rev. Henry 
 Cowles, of Oberlin. The following are clergymen 
 who liave had charge of the church: Reverends A. B. 
 CJlark, Stephens Cook, D. M. V. Stewart, Julius O. 
 Beardloe, — Conklin, S. M. Burton, H. II. Honnell, 
 — Cady, 0. Judkins, R. A. Baird, and Rev. Mr. 
 Hyde, who is iit present officiating. The membershi)i 
 is fifty. The officers are: A. A. Bisbee and David 
 Stockwell, deacons; J. A. Berthrong, clerk; II. II. 
 Hickok, Frederick Smith and A. A. Bisbee, trustees; 
 Theodore Belding, su[)erintendent of Sabbath school. 
 Tlie attendance is forty children. 
 
 ST. Mary's church, (catholic.) 
 
 This was the first church of this faith formed 
 between Cleveland and Sandusky. It was organ- 
 ized in 1840 by Bishop Rapp. of Cleveland, and 
 began with a small membership. A small wood 
 building was erected in Carlisle township, near the 
 present cemetery, on section six, soon after the 
 church was formed. In this meetings were held 
 until about 1863, when it was removed to Rawson- 
 ville, Grafton township. Four years after the pres- 
 ent massive stone church was erected. This is in 
 size forty-five by eighty feet, and cost ten thousand 
 dollars. This church has now a total membership of 
 seven hundred. The Rev. Mr. Halley, of Norwalk, 
 Huron county, was the first resident minister. Revs. 
 R. A. and Alexander Sibley held service here prior to 
 Mr. Halley. Father John Daudet, the present pas- 
 tor, assumed charge in 1871. After the building of 
 the present church the old building was enlarged to 
 double its former size, and converted into a school 
 room. This is now under the management of the 
 pastor, and has an eiiroUuient of fifty scholars. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The first log school house was Duilt on the south- 
 east corner of Mr. Turner's lot, in the spring of the 
 year 1818. The first teacher was Miss Mary Sibley, 
 in age only a few years in advance of her scholars, 
 of whom there were eighteen, and it is a somewhat 
 remarkable fact that of this number twelve are yet 
 alive. The report of the board of education for 
 Grafton township, for the year ending August 31, 
 1878, shows six school houses valued at three thou- 
 sand eight hundred dollars. The amount paid teachers 
 
f^ESIDENCt OF Dr.C, BKNOWLTON .qRAFTON, Loi^aiN Co, Ohio. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 2G7 
 
 one tliousaiid one hmidrod iuid forty two dollars. The 
 number of children of the reijuisite school ago is two 
 hundred and seven. This does not include the "Raw- 
 sonville Union School District," which was organized 
 August 15, 18GS, and is composed of school district 
 number one in Grafton, and an adjoining district in 
 Elton township. The board of education at that 
 time was T. Mattisou, president ; 0. Harper, clerk ; 
 and H. 15. Itawson, treasurer. The present fine school 
 building was erected in the summer of 1875, and cost 
 complete, including furniture and ai)pai'atus, seven 
 thousand dollars. The course of study embraces two 
 grades, grammar and primary. 
 
 The following have been the principals and assist- 
 ants: 1869, John Blanchard, at present county re- 
 corder, and Miss Lucy Westover; 1870, same principal, 
 Miss .1. Boughton assistant; 1871, E. S. Snow, same 
 assistant; 187:i, M. G. Young, Miss Mattie Richard- 
 son assistant; 1873, W. W. Richardson, same assistant; 
 1874, D. L. Hinckley, same assistant; 1875, I. N. 
 Saddler, who is the present pi'incipal; Miss Mattie 
 Richardson was his assistant, and continued to occupy 
 that position until the spring of 1878, when Mrs. 
 Allie M. Saddler, the wife of the i)rincipal, succeeded 
 as assistant. The board of education for 1878 is: V. 
 M. Ryan, president; Henry Weedon, treasurer; and 
 F. C. Smith, secretary. The amount paid to teaciiers 
 in 1878 was seven hundred and thirty-four dollars. 
 Tiie total attendani^e is one hundred and forty-five. 
 This school is spoken of as being in a tlourisliing and 
 highly satisfactory condition. 
 
 SOCIETIES. 
 
 Grafton Lodge, No. 239, Knights of Pythias, holds 
 its sessions at Rawsonville on Wednesday evening of 
 each week. The date when this lodge was instituted 
 was October 18, 187G. The names of the following 
 gentlemen appear in the chai'ter: John Gorman, J. G. 
 Kinsley, Daniel Gray, W. T. Watson, William Hart, 
 Willis Reichard, A. I*. Jones, R. 0. Newton, II. E. 
 Kelsey, and Daniel Nesbett. The first officers were: 
 W. T. Watson, C. C.; J. G. Kinsley, V. C.; John 
 Gorman, P. C; Daniel Gray, P.; H. E. Kelsey, K. 
 of R. and S.; William Hart, M. of F. ; R. 0. Newton, 
 M. of E.; A. P. Jones, M. at A.; Willis Reichard, 
 I. G. ; and Daniel Nesbett, 0. G. This body has now 
 a membership of twenty-six. The officers for 1878 
 areas follows: R. 0. Newton, C. C.; Dr. 0. J. Wol- 
 cott, V. G.; H. E. Kelsey, C. P.; F. Burgess, P.; 
 Frank Gee, K. of R. and S. ; F. C. Smith, M. of F.; 
 W. H. Weedon, M. of E.; L. McClune, M. at E.; E. 
 A. Blitz, 1. G.; and T. B. Belding, 0. G. 
 
 We understand there is another benevolent society 
 at this place, called the "Hibernians," but were una- 
 ble to procure the data necessary for a sketch. 
 
 OIL INTEREST. 
 
 When the hardy New England pioneers began to 
 explore the wooded fastness of number four, they 
 discovered along the margin^of the stream now known 
 
 as Center creek, two marshy spots or springs, one on 
 the farm of Eliphalet Jones and another on lands 
 now owned by Ashley Root, which attracted their 
 attention, from the ])rosence, upon the surface of the 
 water at these locations, of a dark colored substance, 
 haying an oleaginous appearance and a peculiar odor. 
 In after years small quantities of it would be gathered, 
 but we have no evidence that it was ever utilized. 
 Finally samples of this substance were examined by 
 experts, and it was pronounced iietroleum. Nothing 
 was done, however, towards boring for oil until 
 the year 1856, when a gentleman from Pennsylvania, 
 we are unfortunately unable to give his name, sunk 
 a well on the farm of Erastus Jones. At a depth of 
 thirty feet oil was found. A jiump was applied. 
 The well yielded some forty barrels, when the supply 
 ceased and the business was abandoned. 
 
 In about 18G0 quite an oil excitement existed in 
 Grafton, and perhaps a dozen wells were sunk with 
 more or less success. The greater portion of them, 
 however, yielded no oil. The present revival of the 
 oil interest in Grafton began in July, 1875, when oil 
 was struck on the Card farm at a depth of sixty feet, 
 by Mr. Charles Rupert. This well produced at the 
 start sixty barrels per day, and continued to furnish 
 oil in paying quantities for some two years, when it 
 ceased entirely. This well caused a great excitement, 
 parties congregating in Grafton from the oil fields 
 of Pennsylvania, and in fact all parts of the country. 
 Land went up to almost fabulous prices and the 
 owners of real estate went wild over the prospect. 
 During tiie succeeding six months large quantities 
 of land were leased, and as numy as fifty wells put 
 down. Of these only about one-third found oil at all, 
 and but a small proportion of these in paying quan- 
 tities. In March, 1876, J. C. Blood (whose courtesies 
 we wish to acknowledge) arrived on the scene. He 
 was from the oil regions of Pennsylvania, and imme- 
 diately began operations. On August 15th following 
 he found, in his fourth trial, the greatest produciiio- 
 well then on the territory. This was on the Shafer 
 farm. At a distance of one hundred and sixty-two 
 feet from the surfjice ho struck the oil j^roducino- 
 sand and begaH pumping. Although he found noth- 
 ing but salt water, and by the way, oil is never found 
 here except when mixed with salt water, yet his 
 former experience kept his courage from waning, and 
 at the end of three weeks' incessant pumpin"-, his 
 efforts were crowned with success. The well beo-an 
 to pump one hundred and thirty barrels of nearly 
 pure oil per day. This well now yields seven barrels 
 l)ei- day, and is the second best in the township. The 
 October subsequent Mr. Blood sunk another well on 
 the same farm that yielded by the same process ninety 
 barrels per day. This now produces four. 
 
 The total number of wells sunk on this territory 
 is three hundred and fifty. Of these, about one 
 in four find oil, but only alwut one in seven in 
 paying quantities. There are no flowing wells. 
 Owing to the absence of carbon, the oil produced 
 
•^68 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 hero cannot be refined for burning purposes; but it is 
 one of the best mineral lubricating oils j'ct discovered. 
 Tlie following table shows the condition of this 
 inij)ortaut interest in Grafton: 
 
 Propbietobs. 
 
 J. C. Blood 
 
 Rice Wells 
 
 Youngs Wells 
 
 Galpin & Highland 
 
 Belden Lubrieating Oil Co 
 
 Davis Sous 
 
 Bingham 
 
 Black & Shater 
 
 Adams 
 
 Card Co 
 
 John Strickland 
 
 Smith 
 
 Bannister 
 
 Mclntire 
 
 Geo. Sbafer 
 
 Frank Neff 
 
 Bronson & Doerfler 
 
 Total 
 
 No. 
 Wells. 
 
 FlKST 
 
 Produc- 
 tion. 
 
 * S o 
 u Q =: 
 0! 0!H 
 
 OhOc 
 
 465 
 20 
 15 
 40 
 10 
 30 
 20 
 
 7 
 10 
 10 
 10 
 
 5 
 15 
 40 
 10 
 20 
 
 5 
 
 30 
 
 64 
 
 These are scattered over an area two and one-half 
 miles east and west by one mile north and south, 
 though there is, doubtless, a great fextent of sur- 
 rounding territory yet undeveloi)ed; in fact, from 
 general observation in the eastern part of Ohio, it is 
 evident that this is the outcrop of a petroleum ruck 
 extending entirely through the State. 
 
 The surface is a general level, with a blue clay 
 soil. At a distance of from two to fifteen feet below 
 the surface is found a soap stone stratum, varying in 
 thickness from forty feet at the west end of the 
 territory, to one hundred and sixty at its eastern 
 boundary, the dip being towards the southeast. Im- 
 mediately below this is found the oil-producing sand, 
 varying from two to one hundred and sixty feet in 
 thickness. This is broken and lying in dejiosits, at 
 some points breaking off nearly perpendicular, but 
 uniform at the top, excepting the dip, the slojie being 
 from the bottom. Tlie oil is found in paying (]uaiiti- 
 ties only in the deep sand — none in less tiian forty 
 feet. .This sand is variable — crystals, flint and sand- 
 stone grit. The oil is usually found in the former 
 and latter. Below the sand is a white substance, 
 known as "pulty" or fire-clay, of from one to ten 
 feet in thickness; below this is a red clay from five to 
 fifty feet thick, and below that the slate. It is not 
 known whether there is another stratum of oil-jiroduc- 
 ing sand still below this or not, although a well has 
 been drilled three hundred feet without finding it. 
 
 Agricltltural Statistics. 
 
 Wheat, 540 acr 
 Oats, raij " 
 Cora, 766 " 
 
 Potatoes, 38 " 
 Orchards, 175 " 
 Meadow, 2,274 " 
 
 10,402 bushels 
 
 25,020 
 
 27,605 
 
 .3,771 
 
 1,398 
 
 2,377 
 
 Butter 29,.3'I0 
 
 Cheese 140,40) 
 
 Maple Sugar 1_557 
 
 Population in 1S70 
 
 tons, 
 pounds. 
 
 Biographical Sketches. 
 
 MRS. HARRIf:T NESBETT, 
 
 daughter of Major Wm. Ingersoll, was born in Lee, 
 Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in the year 1807. 
 Her father removed to Grafton, in this county, in 
 1816, bringing his family witii him. Harriet, the 
 
 Hayes. 
 
 Vote for President in 1876. 
 I'llTilden 
 
 a^a/iA.<U^ Qy' i ^ &ty6 criCj A<<>1^*^^cC 
 
 youngest of eleven children, was but nine years of age, 
 and was the first unmarried female who became a 
 resident of tliat township. Of the trials and strug- 
 gles of tlie jiioneer settlers in the wilderness, a graphic 
 description is given in the early recollections of the 
 settlement of Grafton, written by Mrs. Nesbett. At 
 the age of seventeen she returned to Massachusetts, 
 and, for a year and a lialf, enjoyed advantages denied 
 to pioneer children of that early date. She returned 
 to her home in Ohio, and, in 1826, was married to 
 Daniel Nesbett, of Grafton. In 1829, they removed 
 to Elyria, and settled on a farm on the ridge road, 
 near the eastern line of the township. Toil and 
 privations were expected of pioneer wives, while their 
 husbands labored to cultivate their forest farms. 
 After remaining upon this farm some more than 
 twenty years, a pleasant home was imrchased in the 
 village, where Mrs. Nesbett still resides. She has 
 been the mother of seven children — one son and six 
 daughters. The son died in infancy, and a daughter 
 at two years of age; another daughter, "Libbie," at 
 the age of twenty-six. Libbie was a gentle and sweet 
 spirited girl, and died greatly lamented by her sur- 
 viving relatives and friends, who cherish her memory. 
 Four daughters are living, and all are married. The 
 oldest is the wife of D. L. Harkness, and resides at 
 Berlin, Wisconsin; the next oldest is wife of Jerome 
 Manville, a successful druggist in Elyria; a third 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 269 
 
 daughter is the wife of H. S. Howe, and resides in 
 Mankato, Minnesota; the remaining daughter is the 
 wife of A. D. Foote, residing in Cliicago. All the 
 daughters are well settled in life. Mr. Nesbett died 
 about the year 1804. at the age of sixty-six. 
 
 In 1830 Mrs. Nesbett, united with the Methodist 
 Episcopal church in Elyria. when their place of wor- 
 ship was the "old yellow school house."' One only 
 who was at that time a member of that branch of the 
 church, is living in Elyria at this date. During all 
 these years she has been a faithful and active member, 
 constant in attendance upon its work aud ordinauces. 
 She possesses considerable ability as a writer. The 
 history of the first settlement of (fraftou, published 
 in this volume, is from her pen. In 1876 she wrote a 
 series of articles, which were published iu the Elyria 
 Republican, descriptive of pioneer life in Grafton and 
 other townships, which attracted general attention. 
 She has ever been among the foremost in carrying on 
 works of benevolence and charity, in the church and 
 community. Among the regrets of her life time are 
 the disadvantages arising from lack of early privi- 
 leges at school. But aside from this great privilege, 
 and a busy active life, she found time for reading and 
 the cultivation of her literary taste. She has been a 
 faithful wife, a good uKjther, and has ever enjoyed the 
 respect of the community. Siie is in the enjoj'ment 
 of excellent healtii, her bodily and mental powers 
 continuing in full vigor, and bids fair to enjoy life to 
 a ripe old age. 
 
 CIRINDALL RAWSON. 
 
 This gentlenuin was born in Massachusetts, Feb- 
 ruary 20, 1793. In 1816, he visited Grafton town- 
 ship, Lorain county, Ohio, selected a parcel of land, 
 and then returned to Massachusetts, where he re- 
 mained long enough to complete the necessary pre- 
 parations for a permanent settlement on his new 
 purchase, upon which he located in 1817, and con- 
 tinued to reside there until his death, in 1876, (aged 
 eighty-three years), a period of nearly sixty years. 
 One year after his settlement in Grafton, he married 
 Mariah, daughter of David Ashley, which marriage 
 was blessed with eight children, — five sons and three 
 daughters, — ^of whom six are living. The above was 
 the first marriage ceremony performed in Grafton 
 townshij). He held several offices in the township 
 government, which he filled satisfactorily. Mrs. 
 Rawson survived her husband almost two years, she 
 dying January 9, 1878. She was born September 2, 
 1796, and was consequently eighty-two years of age 
 at the time of her death. They were an excellent and 
 worthy couple, and were so esteemed by all to whom 
 they were known, or with whom they came in social 
 or business communion. 
 
 HENRY B. RAWSON, 
 
 son of Grindall Rawson, was born upon the home 
 stead farm, where he still resides, in 1825. For fifty- 
 
 four years he has lived in the same place, and is 
 among the earliest and most influential citizens of his 
 township. His farm consists of three hundred and 
 six acres, is well ini])r(ived, and has upon it substan- 
 tial and comfortable buildings. On the 6tli of Octo- 
 ber, 1847, he married Cynthia A., daughter of Joseph 
 arid Dollie Phelps, and they had six children born to 
 them, — four sons and two daugliters, — namely, Ab- 
 bott P., Frank B., George G., Kate C, Burt H., and 
 Dollie M. Rawson. 
 
 The Rawson family have been, and continue to he, 
 noted for their industrious iiabits, and honesty of life. 
 As among tiie pioneers, so are they among the most 
 prominent citizens of the township in every respect. 
 
 ALLEN W. NICHOLS 
 
 was the son of Nathaniel Nichols who was born in 
 Rodman, New York, May 7, 1806. He married, 
 September 16, 1827, Dorcas, daughter of Benjamin 
 Bailey, of Leicester, New York. vShe was born 
 March 20, 1804, at Elniira, New York, and died at 
 La Grange. Ohio, February 10, 18(i4. They had five 
 children, namely: Allen Woolsey, born in Y'ork, July 
 3, 1828; Martha Emma, born July 2, 1831; Mary Ann, 
 born in Dayton, December 27, 1834; Rolla Alonzo, 
 born in Nnnda, New York, June 7, 1838; Ellen Dor- 
 cas, liorn at Nunda, New York, September 25, 1843. 
 Allen W. Nichols was raised by an uncle and aunt, 
 Allison aud Esther Nichols, bachelor brother and 
 maiden sister of his father. When the grandfather 
 of A. W. Nichols became infirm from old age and im- 
 jiaired health, he offered to his brother and sister 
 above named, a deed of the farm ])rovided they would 
 come and live with him and his wife, and pay off 
 whatever of indebtedness there was on the place. 
 This they agreed to do, and fulfilled the duty faith- 
 fully and well, and also assisted any of the other 
 brothers and sisters if they, or any of them, needed a 
 helping hand. By the time Nathaniel went to house- 
 keeping, they had moved into a frame house, so he 
 commenced in the log one in which Allen W. was 
 born. His uncle and aunt became so much attached 
 to him, that when his parents got ready to move 
 away, they did not wish to let him accompany them, so 
 that he remained with his uncle and aunt iienceforth. 
 except at intervals, when he would pay brief visits to 
 his father and mother. When he was thii-teen years 
 of age, his grandparents had both died, so his uncle 
 and aunt concluded to sell out the old homestead in 
 York, Livingston county, New Y'ork, and move to 
 Grafton, Ohio, where their brothers and sisters had 
 previously settled. So they sold out and purchased 
 the farm where Allen W. now resides, thirty-four 
 years ago. They redeemed it from a wild unculti- 
 vated spot, and made of it a fertile and highly pro- 
 ductive farm. They were both members of the 
 Methodist Church in their younger days, but as they 
 grew older, they preferred the retirement and sanctity 
 
270 
 
 UISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 of tlie home circle and society to public worship. 
 They were very temperate iu their habits, aud gener- 
 ous and benevolent to all. Of Allison Nichols it can 
 be truly said he was a christian iu the broadest sense 
 of tiiat term, an liouest man, and a good neighbor 
 and citizen. Wlien he sold out iiis farm cast, liegave 
 his brothers and sisters an amount ci|ual to whattheii' 
 father had paid on the place prior to his deeding 
 it to him. lie died May 8, 1873; his faithful and 
 loving sister luid jircceded him to the.grave a siiort 
 time, she having departed this life in the faith and 
 fear of God, December 14, 1873 They both sleep the 
 slcej) of the righteous, and their works do follow tiiem. 
 
 During Allen W.'s minority his uncle ujcd to allow 
 him to raise stock and sell it, from the proceeds of 
 which he saved enough to ])urchasc forry acres of 
 land. His uncle deeded him the home fai-m just before 
 he died. Allen \V. Nichols married Mrs. Eli/,ai)eth 
 Durkee, daughter of Jolui (Tanible, a pioneer settler 
 of Eaton township, Lorain county, Ohio, on the 
 twenty-second of February, 1870. His uncle and 
 aunt evinced a desire that he should remain single, 
 and he did so up to within about two years of their 
 death. They were well pleased witii his choice of a 
 wife, and never felt as thougli any of their rigiits 
 were usurped l)y her; aud learned to love her and en- 
 joy her presence. 
 
 The "Grandfather ()f Allen W. Nichols was a revolu- 
 tionary hero, aiul was also in the war of 1812. His 
 uncle was also in the war of 1S12, and an only brother 
 of Allen's, KoUa Alouzo Nichols, was in the war of 
 the rebellion, and died in the regular service about 
 two years since. The Nichols family have always 
 been conspicuous fo)' sturdy honesty ami independence. 
 Those of the present are worthy re]iresentatives of a 
 wor.hy race. (See Illustrations and Poi traits.) 
 
 DR. C. 13. KNOWLTON 
 
 Was born in Charlestown township. Portage county, 
 Ohio, September 19th, 1823. He remained with his 
 father on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, 
 when he removed to Windham, in his native county, 
 aud attended the academy of that place, going through 
 a regular academic course of studies. In the spring 
 of 1813 he commenced reading medicine with George 
 Conant, M. D., subseijuently prosecuting his medical 
 studies with Professor John C. Delamater, of Cleve- 
 land, in whose office he remained as a student until 
 tJie spring of 184.5, when he was regularly graduated 
 and received his diploma. He soon thereafter moved 
 to Grafton, Lorain county, and entered upon the 
 l)ractice of medicine, wliich he followed until the 
 winter of 1851 and 1853. During the latter year he 
 turned iiis attention to the stiuly of dentistry under 
 Dr. Kellogg, of Cleveland, with whom he i-emained 
 almost one year. He then returned to Grafton, 
 where he continued to reside until the spring of 
 1860, at which time he removed to Elyria, and en- 
 gaged in the active practice of dentistry, iu which he 
 continued until 1875. He then disposed of his den- 
 tal practice to Dr. White, and moved to Oberlin, 
 where he practiced until Se[)teud3er, 1878, at which 
 time he returned to Grafton, where he oversees the 
 Inisiness of his farm, and also practices his profession. 
 
 Dr. Knowlton married Caroline C, daughter of 
 William and Mary Kinney, who were among the early 
 settlers of Grafton. They have one son, William E. 
 Knowlton, who resides at home with his parents. 
 
 In politics Dr. Knowlton is a republican, having 
 acted with that party many years. He is generally 
 considered a first-class professional man, an honest 
 man, and a good citizen. 
 
% 
 
 J>^ 
 
 ':^^^7xr?"i^^- 
 
 MARGARET R. BROWN. 
 
 STEPHEN H. BROWN. 
 
 Stephen H. Brown, son of Stephen and Ruth M. 
 Brown, was born May 4, 1803, in that portion of 
 WindiSor, Hartford Co., Conn., now called Bloonifield. 
 His father was born at Windsor, in the same county, in 
 the year 1777, and was the son of Stephen Brown, who 
 came from England early in the seventeenth century. 
 Stephen Brown married Ruth M., daughter of Benjamin 
 Loomis, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of 
 Old Windsor. He had a family often children, namely, — 
 Benjamin, George, William, John, Joel, Adin, James, Ruth 
 M., Rhoda, and Julia Ann. The grandfather of Stephen 
 H. Brown had also ten children : James, Bradley, Stephen, 
 Jesse, Oliver, Eunice, Patty, Sally, Malinda, and Rebecca. 
 
 The fruits of the union of Stephen and Ruth M. Brown 
 were three children,- — one son and two daughters: Stephen 
 H., born May 4, 1803 ; Ruth Eliza, born in 1805 ; Martha 
 E., born in 1807. The mother died in 1811, and the 
 father married again, to Alma Kelsey, who died three or 
 four years after her marriage, leaving no issue. Mr. Brown 
 married again, to Lydia Bronson, by whom he had two 
 children : Stephen H., who lived at home and worked in 
 his father's shop, biacksmithing, until he was twenty-one 
 years old. He then removed to Washington, Litchfield 
 Co., Conn., and worked the first year in the marble quarries 
 of Allen, Batterson & Wheaten. In the winter he re- 
 sumed his trade again, and followed it for three or four 
 years, during which time he married Lucy Reynolds, Nov. 
 17, 1828, and had by her three children, all boys, namely, — 
 Edwin A., born Jan. 8, 1830, died Aug. 5, 1845 ; Albert 
 R., born Feb. 12, 1832; Charles L., born June 8, 1834, 
 died Aug. 25, 1845. In 1831 he moved to Norwalk, 
 Conn., remaining thei'e and at other places until 1842, when 
 he started for Oliio. Two years prior to this, he lost his 
 wife, who died Sept. 13, 1840. She was buried in the old 
 " Jemima Burying-Ground," so called from an eccentric 
 old lady who used to preach in that part of the country. 
 
 May 13, 1841, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with 
 Mrs. Mary B. Shepard, widow of Levi Shepard, and 
 daughter of Oliver and Alice Chapin, of Chicopee, Mass. 
 By this union were born two children : George B., born 
 July 28, 1843, and Helen J., born Feb. 19, 1850. 
 
 In 1841 he came to Ohio, and purchased the Wells 
 farm, in Grafton township. He returned to Connecticut, 
 and shipped his goods by water to Cleveland, and thence 
 in wagons. Ho resided upon the farm until 1875. His 
 second wife died March 1, 1864. He was married to Mar- 
 garet R. Rowell, widow of Benjamin Rowell, November 16 
 of the same year ; she survives. They live in comfortable 
 circumstances. Mr. Brown has three children living, one 
 by his first wife and two by his second wife. Albert R. 
 married Clorinda Rickard, of La Grange. George B. 
 married, first, Sarah A. Inger.soll, of Grafton ; second, Jennie 
 Bevier, of Plymouth. Mr. Brown is a Republican in poli- 
 tics, having been a Jackson Democrat up to the war of the 
 Rebellion. He is an exemplary member of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. 
 
 Margaret R. Brown was born June 6, 1812, and was 
 a daughter of John and Eleanor Woodworth, of Stillwell, 
 Saratoga Co., N. Y. Her grandfather emigrated from 
 England, and was an early settler of Saratoga County. The 
 children born to John and Eleanor Woodworth were as 
 follows: Patrick, Allen, Sally Ann, Ephraim, Rens- 
 selaer, Margaret R., Martin, and Isaac ; of these, three 
 survive. John Woodworth was born in 1767, and died 
 in 1818. Margaret was married to Benjamin Rowell, of 
 Vermont, Sept. 5, 1831. She had four children, — two sons 
 and two daughters: Sarah A., born Feb. 11, 1833; mar- 
 ried Sly Odell, of Washington Co., N. Y. ; now lives in 
 Minnesota. Alfred J., born Dec. 24, 1835 ; married 
 Abbie IMerrell, and resides at Cohoes, N. Y. Margaret 
 Ann, born Sept. 5, 1839 ; married Henry Wilkin, of 
 Grafton. Charles E. B., born March 12, 1843; married 
 Sybil Smith, and resides in Minnesota, same county as 
 Sarah A. 
 
 Her husband died Aug. 10, 1862. He was engaged 
 in farming and lumbering ; in the latter, quite extensively. 
 He came to Ohio in 1848. He was a worthy man, and a 
 good, honest citizen. 
 
 Mrs. Brown is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church of Grafton ; was formerly a Presbyterian, but 
 joined the Methodists at the same time her husband did, 
 in 1848. 
 
AVON 
 
 Avon, or township number seven, in range sixteen, 
 is located in the northeast cornerof Lorain county, and 
 is bounded as follows: on the north liy Lake Erie; on 
 the south by the township of Kidgeville; on the east 
 by Dover township, in Cuyahoga county, and on the 
 west l)y Shcftield township. 
 
 The surface is generally level. Passing through 
 the township from east to west and bearing southward, 
 is what seems to be a continuation of the ridge so 
 ])r(iininently marked in the eastern counties of the 
 State, antl generally believed to have been, at some 
 remote period, the shore of Lake Erie. The soil fi'om 
 the ridge to the Lake is varied; first sand, then a 
 ma7"shy strip extending entirely across the township, 
 and north of that clay and sand. South of the ridge 
 for a short distance the soil is sandy, and from tliis 
 to the southern boundary line of the township clay 
 largely predominates. 
 
 Avon is an agricultural townsliip, though dairying 
 finds some encouragement, and on the extreme shore 
 of tiie Lake grape growing is prosecuted to quite an 
 extent. 
 
 There is but one stream of water in the township 
 of sufficient importance to deserve mention. This is 
 known as French creek. It flows from the southeast 
 corner of the township in a general northwesterly 
 course, crossing the west township line on section four. 
 This stream was of almost incalculable service to the 
 early settlers, and was of respectable size; but since 
 the forest has disai)peared along its banks, the waters 
 have subsided until now it is a diminutive affair in- 
 deed, except during the fall and spring months. 
 
 ORIOINAL PROPRIETOR.* 
 
 " Pierpont Edwards became proprietor at the draft 
 in 1807, of town number seven, range seventeen 
 (Avon) togethei- with Bass Island number one, com- 
 prising one thousand three hundred and twenty-two 
 acres; Bass Island number two, of seven hundred 
 acres, and Island number five, thirty-two acres, in 
 Lake Erie, west of north of Sandusky, annexed to the 
 town, for the purpose of equalization. 
 
 "Previous to 1818 the iniiabitants called the town 
 Xeuma, notwithstanding it was a part of Dover. On 
 organization the township was christened Troy, and 
 continued to be thus known, to the great inconven- 
 ience of the inhabitants, until December, 1834, when, 
 upon the jietition of forty citizens, the name was 
 changed to Avon by the Commissioners of Lorain 
 County." 
 
 * Boynton. 
 
 SETTLKMENT. 
 
 Early in the history of the Western Resevre, a road 
 was established from Cleveland westward along the 
 shore of the lake. Over this the mail was trans- 
 ported as early as 1807. (Sec history of Columbia.) 
 Through the townshiji of Avon this road passes very 
 near the bank of the lake, and here, where is now a 
 succession of tasty cottages and beautiful villas, Noah 
 Davis, in the year 1813, made a settlement, the first 
 in the township. He erected the first log house, but 
 where it was located, or who composed his family, we 
 have been unable to ascertain, as he only remained a 
 short time, removing from the township in less than 
 one year. Two years pass before another attempt at 
 a settlement is made, this time by men of great cour- 
 age and a fixed determination to make themselves per- 
 manent homes in the wilde;ness. How well they 
 have succeeded, the finely kept farms, with their 
 substantial residences, skirting the line of the settle- 
 ment (the ridge road) bear ample evidence. 
 
 In the summer of 1814, Wilber Cahoon and family; 
 Nicholas Young and son William; Lewis Austin and 
 family; Ej)hraim Keyes and family, and two brothers, 
 Spink and Reuben Cooper, with their wives, took 
 their departure from Montgomery county. New York, 
 for Ohio, — the objective point being township num- 
 ber seven, in the sixteenth range. The cavalcade 
 consisted of five horses, four yoke of oxen and five 
 cows. Arriving at Ashtabula, Keyes and the brothers 
 Cooper decided to remain there for a time. The 
 other three families came on, and early in the fall 
 reached the end of the ridge road, at Barney Hall's, 
 in Dover township, Cuyahoga county. Here the 
 families remained until a road had been cut along the 
 summit of the ridge to section eleven, in which the 
 greater portion of the lands selected by Mr. Cahoon 
 were situated. Soon a log house was constructed on 
 this section, the first built by a permanent settler, 
 and into this the family of Mr. Cahoon soon removed. 
 This stood on the site of the present homestead resi- 
 dence, which was l)uilt in the year 1836, and was the 
 first frame house built in the township of Avon. 
 
 Mrs. -Cahoon was formerly Mis.^ Priscilla Sweet, of 
 Rhode Island. The children were, Susan, who mar- 
 ried Harley Mason, and now lives in Erie county, 
 this State; Jessie S., who married Marcus Moore, 
 (deceased); Wilber, who married Theresa Moore, 
 (died in California); Ora B., who married Jane T. 
 Jameson. He now resides on a portion of the old 
 homestead, in section eleven, and to him we wish to 
 
 (271) 
 
273 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 acknowledge our obligations for valnahle aid in col- 
 lecting data for the history of Avon. His family 
 numbers seven, all living. Orra, the next child, 
 married Henry Titus, (deceased); Huldah died in 
 183fi; Melissa M. married .loiin C. Steele, (deceased); 
 and Leonard, who married Mary Titus, and lives in 
 Elyria. 
 
 Wilber Cahoon jnirehased his lands in Avon, of 
 Orrin Ensign, (who had surveyed the township, and 
 received in payment certain tracts, lying in different 
 sections of the township), paying therefor in eastern 
 lands. He had in addition to the three hundred 
 acres in section eleven, about two hundred acres in 
 section six. Mr. Cahoon did not live to witness the 
 completion of the first frame house in the township. 
 Suddenly and swiftly came the pale messenger; while 
 in full health he was stricken down with apoplexy, 
 and in one brief hour was dead. This was in 1826. 
 The wife and mother survived him many years; she 
 died in 1857. 
 
 The lands of Nicholas Young, consisted of one 
 hundred acres in section tweuty-t-wo; now owned by 
 Dr. N. 8. Townshend. Upon this a log dwelling was 
 constructed during the summer of 1815, by himself 
 and his son William. When it was ready for occu- 
 pancy, Mr. Young returned east for his family, with 
 whom he arrived in Avon in the mouth of October. 
 He had, at this date, five children. Several more 
 were added to the family circle during the years he 
 lived in Avon. He exchanged his farm in section 
 twenty-two for lands in section fifteen, at the center, 
 upon which he remained until 1S35, when he disjiosed 
 of his property, and removed to Wisconsin. 
 
 Lewis Austin settled on fifty acres of land, in sec- 
 tion twenty-seven, then owned by Waterman Sweet, 
 and now the property of the heirs of William Hurst. 
 Mr. Austin's family were a wife and seven children, 
 none of whom now remain in the townshi]) except 
 Reuena, now Mrs. Justin Williams, and Elsie, wife of 
 John Tomlin. 
 
 The summer of 1815, the three families who re- 
 mained at Ashtabula joined our little colony. Eph- 
 raim Keyes was originally from Tyringham, Massa- 
 chusetts. He settled on the west side of section 
 eleven. His family were a wife and three children, 
 none of whom are now remaining iu the township. 
 
 The Messrs. Coojier became the owners of the en- 
 tire lands contained in section one. Spink Cooper 
 and wife both died in about 18:!3, leaving no children. 
 The wife of R('ul)en Cooper died soon after settling iu 
 Avon, and he marric-d a young wife, by whom he had 
 two childi'cu. In .Iiiiic, 18-21!, he and Family were 
 returning from an adjoining township, and, while 
 attempting to cross Black river (then swollen to an 
 unusual height by recent rains) iu a cart drawn by 
 oxen, the conveyance was overturned, and he and one 
 child drowned, as was also a young girl, Rachel 
 Potter, who was with them. The wife afterward 
 married Levi Wetmore, and finally removed to Michi- 
 gan. 
 
 Three brothers, Abraliam, Oliver and Lodowick 
 Moon, reached Avon at about the same period the 
 Coopers did, and, a short time after, Amos Moon, 
 another brother, arrived. Colonel Abraham Moon 
 married Gerissa Durand in 1819. She was a native 
 of Essex county. New York, but had located iu 
 Henrietta, this county, prior to marriage. Colonel 
 Moon purchased three hundred acres of land, iu sec- 
 tions one and two. He erected a double log house, 
 and, in time, ]>lanted an orchard of five hundred 
 trees, covering a space of ten acres. He died in Sep- 
 tember, 1831. His family consisted of three sous and 
 one daughter. The eldest son, E. G. Moon, was born 
 iu 1831. He married A. E. Wilder in 1844, and still 
 resides on section one. The other two sons were D. 
 C. and S. Moon. The daughter married E. S. Jack- 
 son in 1844. 
 
 Elah Park, whose place of nativity was Tyrinoham, 
 Berkshire county, Massachusetts, married Elizabeth 
 Moon, of the same place. He settled on section twenty- 
 one, in Avon township, iu the fall of 1815. Mr. 
 Park was a prominent public man, and held many 
 positions of honorable distinction, beginning with the 
 office of justice of the peace, to w'hich he was many 
 times elected. He was recorder of Lorain county 
 from 1841 to 1843, and State representative from 1840 
 to 1848. He died in Avon, October 23, 180G. Mrs. 
 Park died March 14, 18fi9. The children of this 
 couple are Etna E., who died at the age of six years; 
 Plumb M. (mute), who married Charlotte Peck, re- 
 sides at Columbus, Ohio; Theresa M. married James 
 S. Brown, who superintended the building of, and 
 was sujicrintendeut of the institution for mutes, at 
 Indianapolis, Indiana; he held the same position at 
 Baton Rouge until public sentiment forced him north; 
 Candace E. married Thomas E. Foot, and resides in 
 Amherst, this county; Sarah H. married John Yaryan, 
 a distinguished lawyer at Richmond, Indiana; Clarissa 
 married David Skillman (deceased); Etna E., 3d, 
 married Jay Terrell, proprietor of "Lake Breeze" 
 summer resort, SheHield township; Margaret married 
 Janus H. McNeely, and resides at Evansville, Indiana; 
 Alice H. (mute), married Martin M. Hanson (de- 
 ceased); and Harriet C, who resides at Evansville, 
 Indiana. 
 
 Waterman Sweet came from Norway, Herkimer 
 county. New York, to Avon, in the year 1817, arriv- 
 ing on July 18th of that year. He located on three 
 hundred acres of land in section twenty-seven, and 
 built his log house upon the site where now stands the 
 residence of a son George W. With Mr. Sweet came 
 his aged father and mother, Jesse and Huldah Sweet, 
 a widowed sister who married Daniel Wilcox, and his 
 own family, then a wife and three children, William, 
 Calvin and [jaiira. Four children were born subse- 
 quently to his locating in Avon: Eliza, Henrietta, 
 Cinderella and Mary Ann. Waterman Sweet died 
 November 14, 1872, and Mrs. Sweet July 28, 1843. 
 The following is the record of the children: William, 
 the eldest, died some two years subsequent to the 
 
EDWIN SNOW. 
 
 Residence OF EDWiN SNOW, Avon Tp, Lor/mn Co., Ohio. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 373 
 
 an-iviil of tlie f;uiiily in Avon, from the effect of 
 the kick of an ox; and Calvin, the next child, mar- 
 ried Bricene Chadwick, of Lee, Massachusetts; she 
 died May, 29, 18G3. Tiie three eldest chihlron of 
 this coujile, Luther Alfred, Tiieodore Parish and 
 AVilliam Edward were soldiers in the Union army 
 durino- the rebellion. The eldest was a non-com- 
 missioned officer in company E., Forty-second Ohio 
 volunteer infantry, and died at Memphis, Tennessee, 
 March 37, 180:3. The other children are Calvin, 
 Melville (deceased), Bricene Etta, Mary Malvina, 
 Waterman, George and Charles Denison. The next 
 cliild of Waterman Sweet was Laura, who married 
 Dr. Samuel M. Hopkins, now residing in Black River 
 township. Of the children born in Ohio, Eliza mar- 
 ried James E. Brooks, and lives in Elyria; Henrietta 
 R. married Charles Caryl (deceased); Cinderella 
 married James Towner and resides in New York, 
 while Mary Ann died in infancy. 
 
 John Steele was the first settler on French creek. 
 He came in 1817. llis log house was erected on the 
 site of the present parscuiage. He had a family of 
 six children, who now reside, the majority of them at 
 least, in California. 
 
 Adam Miller and Gaston Young were the first 
 permanent settlors on the lake shore. Mr. Jliller 
 located on section six; Mr. Young moved into the 
 Davis cabin. Of other settlers along the shore we 
 find that .Joseph Moore, from Middletown, Connec- 
 ticut, settled on section eighteen. John Mascin, 
 
 Edmonds, Colby, Britton and 
 
 others were early settlers in tliis locality, but we 
 were unable to learn anything further of them. 
 
 Lai'kin Williams and family, of a wife and eight 
 children, came from Berksliire county, JMassachusetts, 
 in the fall of 1817. He settled on the ridge east of 
 the center. 
 
 Alljin Stickney nuide the trip from Cornwall, 
 Vermont, to Ohio, in 1815, ti'aveling the entire dis- 
 tance on foot. He remained in Madison, Lake 
 county, until the year 1817, when he removed to 
 Avon. He settled on one hundred and fifteen acres 
 in section twenty-two. His wife was Miss Clarissa 
 Moon, of Avon. They died upon this farm — she 
 May 3, 186G, and he February 17, 1867. Three 
 children were born of this union: S. R., mari-ied 
 Catharine M. Crow, and lives on the old farm, (he 
 has five children); Serepta R. married Rev. L. D. 
 Johnson, of Olena, Huron county; and Sidney A., 
 nuirried Julia M. Goldsmith, of Vermillion, Erie 
 county. He also lives on the old JKjmestead, and has 
 two children. 
 
 John Burlingame came from Rutland, Vermont, to 
 Ohio in the fall of 1833, locating on one hundred 
 acres of land in section seven, directly on the bank 
 of the lake. Mr. Burlingame was single when he 
 came to Avon, but was married about one year suljse- 
 quently to Sophia, daughter of Joseph and Hannah 
 Moore of former mention. The children of this 
 
 35 
 
 couple are: Hannah, now Mrs. Sheldon Comfort, 
 living in Wisconsin, and Melvin and Esther, deceased. 
 
 Joseph B. Jameson, wife and three children, from 
 New England, settled in Avon in 1834. Their loca- 
 tion was on the ridge, some half a mile east of French 
 creek, now occupied by Malcom B. Jameson. Of the 
 children, two are deceased; the eldest, Jane Thankful, 
 is now the wife of Ora B. Cahoon. Mr. Jameson 
 died in Avon in .June 18G7. 
 
 John Schwartz and Catharine his wife came from 
 Bavaria, in ({ermanj', <ind located in the wilderness, 
 on section twenty-three. The family consisted of five 
 children, namely: Joseph, who married, and still re- 
 sides on section twcuty-tliree; .Vnna, Mary, Catharine 
 and Frederick. The date of their settlement was 
 December 34, 1833. Jacob Miller and Paul Faber, 
 with their families, came with Mr. Schwartz. Tiiey 
 located near, and were the only settlers direct from 
 Germany for some years. In 1840, a brother, Peter 
 Schwartz, with a family of seven, settled in this 
 locality, and soon German settlei's began to locate 
 rapidly in this vicinity. They are a frugal, thrifty 
 people. .John Schwartz died .January, 1870, aged 
 eighty-four years, and Mrs. Schwartz in .July, 1858, 
 aged sixty-five years. 
 
 FIRST EVENTS. 
 
 The pioneer baby in Avon township was a son to 
 Wilber and Priscilla Cahoon, — the date December 
 1, 1814. This child is Leonard Cahoon, who married 
 Mary Titus, and now resides in Elyria village. 
 
 First marriage : This highly interesting event 
 occuri'ed in the fall of 181 G. The parties most in- 
 terested were William Richmond and Miss Rhoda, 
 adopted daughter of Reuben Cooper ; Joel Terrell, 
 Esq., of Ridgeville township, made the twain one 
 fiesh. This coujde are both deceased. 
 
 The first doctor to locate in Avon township was 
 Heman, son of Larkin Williams. Dr. Williams is 
 spoken of as a gentleman of fine ability and sui^erior 
 professional attainments. The present medical staff 
 of Avon consists of Dr. Beers, Daly and Smyth. 
 
 The first death was Lydia M., daughter of Larkin 
 Williams, .January 11, 1818. Her remains were the 
 first interred in the cemetery at the center. 
 
 It is believed that the first post office was established 
 in 1835, and that Dr. Williams was the first post- 
 master. The present postmaster is James West, at 
 French creek. 
 
 The first wheat sown was by Willier Cahoon, on 
 section eleven, in the fall of 1815. The previous sea- 
 son a crop of corn was raised on the same ground. 
 
 The spring following his settlement in Avon, Wil- 
 ber Cahoon planted an orchard of one hundred trees 
 on section eleven. The trees were procured at New- 
 burgh, Cuyahoga county. The greater part of this 
 orchard is still standing. 
 
 Samuel Carpenter opened the pioneer store in Avon, 
 at French creek, in 1834 or 1835. His venture does 
 not appear to have been a success, as he soon closed 
 
274 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 ouL and removed from the township. The pruicut 
 business at tliis point is as follows : General mer- 
 chandise, John Burgett and John Lansing; groceries, 
 Lewis Keeler ; tinware and stoves, James West ; boots 
 and shoes, George Fisher. 1'here is also a harness 
 and tailor shop. At the center Peter Ostcrmann has 
 a dry goods and grocery store, G. Dingier, boot and 
 shoe shop. There are also a blacksmith, a carriage- 
 maker and a painter. 
 
 The first blacksmith in Avon township was a man 
 named Cheeney. He removed from the township 
 prior to 1818. Adoljihus (farlick succeeded him in 
 1818 or 1819. This was at French creek. Ciyrns 
 Bnel came soon after. There are now several of 
 these useful artisans at this point. 
 
 The first hotel was kept by John Steel, at French 
 creek, soon after the settlement. The Avon house at 
 this phice is kept by Lewis Keeler. A distillery 'was 
 erected at French creek quite early in the settlement, 
 by two men from Dover township, Cuyahoga county. 
 This was in operation only a few years. 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 On the 27tli of October, 1818, the land a-t ])resnt 
 comprised within the limits of Avon township, to- 
 gether with the annexations before mentioned, was 
 set off fi-om Dover, and organized a separate township 
 by the name of Troy, by the commissioners of Ciiya- 
 ahoga county. At this date, the river from the point 
 where it passes into Sheffield, north to tbe lake, was 
 the boundary line between Huron and Cuyalioga 
 counties. 
 
 A special election was ordered for township officers, 
 to be held November '.), 1818, at which time the fol- 
 lowing persons were elected : Elah Park, John Wil- 
 liams and Lodovick Moon, trustees; Larkin Wil- 
 liams, clerk; Abraham Moon, treasurer; James B. 
 Fitch and Tyler Williams, constables. June 23, 1819, 
 Jabez Burrell and Wilbcr Gaboon were elected justices 
 of the peace. 
 
 The officers for 1878 are, Ezra Jackson, Luther 
 Hicks and Laurence Heckle, trustees; Horace Wilcox, 
 clerk; E. E. AVilliams, treasurer; H. J. Gaboon, 
 assessor; Oscar Wilcox, Lemuel Stickney and John 
 Osterman, constables; H. J. Gaboon, .Joseph Creitzer 
 and A. W. Sherbouda, justices of the peace. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 The first religious service in Avon township was 
 held at the house of Nicholas Young, immediately 
 after a settlement was commenced, by a local jireacher 
 of the Baptist faith, named Jashar Taylor, then 
 I'esiding in Dover township, Cuyahoga county. A 
 church was not formed, however, until the summer 
 of 1817. In June of that year Elder Hartwell, from 
 the east, making a missionary tour through this 
 portion of the Reserve, held meetings at the house of 
 Wilbur Gaboon a few times, and traveled westward. 
 Returning some two or three months later, he found 
 
 that the seed sown on his first visit had brought forth 
 fruit, the result of which was that the following 
 persons were formed into a church: Nicholas Young 
 and wife and Jared Barr, of Avon- Jashar Taylor 
 
 and Alwell aiul wife, of Dover; Dean 
 
 and Alexander and wife, of Rockport. In 
 
 1818 a log school house was built at the center, and 
 in this regular services were held. The first ordained 
 minister to settle in Avon was the Rev. John Tuttle, 
 who remained until his death, some four years. He 
 was followed by the Rev. Mr. Teachout and others, 
 whose names are forgotten. In the year 1820, or 
 1827, a large block meeting house was built by the 
 members and friends of this church. In it meetings 
 were held by all denominations, and it was a great 
 convenience. This was aecidently burned in 18.37 
 and again this congregation was without a place of 
 worship. The present church was erected in 18.39 
 or 1840, and is thirty by forty feet in size. It has 
 been repaired, painted and otherwise improved at ;i 
 recent date, the cost of which was twenty-five hun- 
 dred dollars. The present pastor is Rev. D. R. 
 Owens, who has cared for this flock for four years 
 past. The church officers are H. H. Williams. J. B. 
 Gaboon and Selam Moon, trustees; Burton G. Jame- 
 son, clerk; William Nesbett and Milo Williams, 
 deacons; Everett Williams and D. L. Sawyer, super, 
 intendents of Sabljath school, u]ion which there is an 
 attendance of sixty scholars. The foregoing history 
 of the Baptist church is furnished from memory b^' 
 0. B. Gaboon and wife. 
 
 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 The first class of the Methodist Episcopal church 
 was organized as early as 1820. Mr. Calvin Sweet 
 furnishes the data from which the following brief 
 history is prepared: This class was composed of 
 Keyes Carpenter and wife. Waterman Sweet and 
 wife, Ephraim Keyes and wife, Amasa Chapman 
 and wife, Elah Park and wife, Willis Potter and 
 wife, William Richmond and wife, and Mrs. Polly 
 and Mary Goo])er, wives of David and Reuben 
 Cooper. Keyes Carpenter was class leader. Rev. 
 Mr. Smith, a local preacher, organized this class 
 and was the first minister of this deuominalion to 
 locate in Avon. In the year 1834 the first Metho- 
 dist Episcopal church was built. This was in size 
 twenty-six by thirty feet, cost five hundred dollars, 
 and stood on the site of the present church. The 
 old church was sold upon the completion of the 
 jiresent one in 1855, and was converted into a dwelling. 
 The neat edifice now occupied by the denomination 
 cost two thousand dollars. The Rev. Newel Close is 
 the present pastor ; the membership is sixty. The 
 stewards are Calvin Sweet, Ezra Jackson, George 
 Bliss and John Benham; ch'.ss leaders, George W. 
 Sweet and William Wilder; superintendent of Sabbath 
 school, Glemant Snow. 
 
 The following list of ministers who have presided 
 over the Methodist Episcopal church, in Avon, is fur- 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 275 
 
 nished from memory from 1830 to 1830, the remiiincler 
 is copied from the records: Orren Gilmore, James 
 
 (roddurd, Walker Brothers, Alesbury, 
 
 Ooners, Z. Costin, Rouark, Havens, 
 
 Elliott, Berry, Colclasier, 
 
 Elnathaa Gavitt, 
 
 Taylor, 
 
 Carpenter, 
 
 William Reynolds, William Billings, James Wheeler, 
 Thomas Barkdull, Samuel Allen, William Hudson, 
 Daniel Conant, William Harris, M. L. Starr, Leonard 
 Parker, William C. Pierce, John L. Tibbals, Hugh L. 
 Parrish, T. L. Pope, Peter Sharp, Zara C. Norton, 
 L. M. Pounds, Orrin Mitchell, Joseph Wykes, N. 
 Worden, William Hitchcock, John R. Jewett, C. L. 
 Foote, 1). D. T. Mattisoii, Jacob A. Brown, Samuel 
 M. Beatty, L. F. Ward, William C. Huestiss, J. W. 
 Redding, John Sites, Tracy L. Waite, George W^, 
 Dunn, Omar Lawrence, James Evans, Orlando Pearce, 
 Z. Kauffmau, 0. Milton Ashbaugh, Elijah H. Dissell, 
 John McKean, and Newell J. Close who is the present 
 minister in charge. 
 
 THE HOLY TRINITY CHURCH. 
 
 The first settlers at East Avon were Catholics, na- 
 tives of Bavaria, Germany. Those who formed the 
 ehurcli were as follows: Jacob Muller, Paulus Faber, 
 John Schwarz, settled in 1835; Peter Schwarz, John 
 Nagel, and Peter Biermacker, 1841; Simon and Adam 
 Zeh, Nicholas Matsch and P. Kraus, 1843; John 
 Nagel, second, Nicholas Maringer, and Peter Scheit, 
 who came in 1845, joined immediately afterward. 
 The first church was erected in 1843, and was a snb- 
 stantial frame structure, thirty by forty feet in size, 
 and stood on what is now the cemetery. Soon the 
 church became too small, and under the direction of 
 Simon Zeah as treasurer, and Peter Wirsch, Nicholas 
 Maringer and Henry Seibert, building committee, the 
 present church was erected. The original dimensions 
 were thirty-five by sixty feet. The cost was about 
 three thousand dollars. I'lie old church was joined 
 to the rear of the new one, nuAing a total length of 
 one hundred feet. This now s-^rves as a sanctuary 
 and sacristy. The building was finished in 1863. 
 There is a neat parsonage in connection; and a pretty 
 brick school house, in which school is taught by the 
 pastor. Rev. T. Heidegger, ten months in the year. 
 The income of the church is thirteen hundred dollars 
 per year. There is another Catholic church, at French 
 creek, but of this we have been unable to procure the 
 data necessary for a history. 
 
 There was at one time quite an extensive Congre- 
 gational church in Avon. This has long since ceased 
 to be. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The first school house in Avon township was erected 
 in the summer of 1818. The material of which it 
 was constructed was logs, and the site was at the 
 center of the township, near the present residence of 
 William Ellison. The subsequent fall, Larkin A. 
 Williams began school in this building. There were 
 twenty-five children in attendance, mostly from the 
 
 families of Cahoon, Cooper, Williams and Steel. 
 From the report of the board of education of Avon 
 township, for the year 1878, we find the present items 
 of school interest, as follows: There are ten school 
 houses, which are valued, with grounds and fixtures, 
 at ten thousand dollai-s. The total amount paid to 
 leachers was twenty-five hundred and ninety-three 
 dollars; and the whole number of youth of the requi- 
 site school age, four hundred and seventy-seven. 
 
 INDUSTKIAL PUKSUITS. 
 
 The first saw mill v/as erected on section eleven, in 
 the fall of 1815, by Wilber Cahoon. The waters of 
 French creek were utilized to propel the rude ma- 
 chinery of this mill, which was in operation full fifty 
 years; now there is scarcely a vestige of it remaining. 
 Another saw mill was built on the same stream, by 
 Messrs. Jameson & Hemingway Brothers, in the year 
 1834. This is still in operation. 
 
 In the summer of 1818, Mr. Cahoon built a srist 
 mill near the saw mill mentioned above, the water, 
 propelling which, being supplied from the same pond. 
 There were .two run of stone. This mill was finally 
 abandoned in consequence of a scarcity of water. 
 
 The large steam flouring mill on French creek, now 
 in successful operation, was constructed by H. H. 
 Williams in 1857. This is equipjjed in first class 
 style throughout, and has three run of stone. The 
 engine is of fifty horse power. The entire cost of 
 mill, real estate and machinery was eight thousand 
 dollars. The steam saw mill adown Frencii creek 
 was built by Mr. Williams the same season. 
 
 The first cheese factory was erected on section 
 twenty-eight, in about 1865, by Messrs. Jamesons, 
 Snow & Phelps. It was not a success, and was dis- 
 continued after one season. 
 
 The "French Creek Factory" was l)uilt in March, 
 1875, by Wilber and Joseph B. Cahoon, on section 
 eleven. The first season there were one hundred and 
 twenty-five cows in contribution. There is at present 
 a capital invested of fifteen hundred dollars. Durino- 
 the season of 1878, the milk of two hundred cows was 
 used. 
 
 C.VERiAGE Manufactory.— In the year 1850, 
 John Benham came to Avon, and locating at French 
 creek, began in a small way the manufacture of 
 wagons. This increased until in 1873, when the 
 business had assumed extensive proportions. He 
 had some twelve thousand dollars invested, and 
 emjiloyed an average of fourteen workmen. He 
 manufactures an excellent grade of carriages. The 
 depression of the past few years has materially effected 
 the business. He employs at present six workmen. 
 
 ancient fortifications. 
 
 When the settlement was made in Avon, there was 
 on the west bank of French creek, on section eleven, 
 quite a remarkable embankment. It was constructed 
 of stone, circular m form, of some six or eight feet in 
 height, and perhaps four rods in diametei-. The stone 
 
2r(j 
 
 mSTUKY OF LOKAIN COUMTY, OUIO. 
 
 were of small size, ami wure not regtilai'ly laiil, huf 
 wore ,sini])ly i)ile(l up. 
 
 Fai'ther down the crook was an iiniiioiise mound of 
 st.ono, tlio most romarkablo foaturo of wliioli was, 
 tluit it was composod of snuill sizod " oohhlo-hoad " 
 stones, and was located in a jiortion of tho township 
 whore this kind o£ stones do not abou<id. 
 
 On the ridge, whore now stands tho Methodist 
 Episco]iaI church, were a number of mounds. These, 
 on being opened, were found to contain human bones. 
 Those wore lovoled to the earth, and tho stones com- 
 prising tho foi'titications wore drawn away as rocpiirod, 
 until nothing now remains to mark the sjiot. 
 
 Agricultural Statistics for 1878. 
 
 Wheat, l.nos acres a8,a« bushels. 
 
 Oats, 1,471 " 5U,603 
 
 Corn, l,.5fi2 " 57,-i55 ■' 
 
 Potatoes. aOO " 21.817 
 
 Orchards, 441 " 9,0;« 
 
 Meadow, .>,51(i " 2,fl61 
 
 Butter 37,347 pounds. 
 
 Cheese 13,275 " 
 
 Population in 1870 I,9:i4 
 
 VtjTE FOR President in 1870. 
 R. B. Hayes KiU | .S. ,1, Tilden 280 
 
 Biographical Sketches, 
 
 EDWIN SNOW. 
 
 Early tradition says throe brothers canio from Eng- 
 land in the Mayllowor. From them came the ancestor 
 of Edwin Snow. 
 
 His grandfather, Oliver Snow, resided at Beckett, 
 MassachiLsetts; removing from there, ho settled in 
 Auburn, Geauga county, Ohio. About tlie year 18'^."), 
 he died at Auburn. 
 
 Franklin Snow, his sou, and father of Edwin Snow, 
 was born at Beckett, Massachusetts, January 27, 177!-l. 
 His business was farming; he married Miss Lydia 
 Olcott. Eight children — five girls and three sons — 
 wore liorn to them. Mrs. fjydia Snow died in 1830, 
 and was Iniried at Manilla,, I'ortage C(ninty, Ohio. 
 
 i\Ir. I''. Snow remaining, had issue, one daughter, 
 Hannah Snow. Burying his second wife at Avon, 
 Ohio, in ISoO, he, respected by all, died at Avon, 
 Ohio, in 1803; aged eighty-four years and ten months. 
 
 Edwin Snow, son of the above, was born at Ptirtage 
 county, Ohio, February 17, 1800. He removed to 
 Avon, Lorain county, Ohio, in 1837. When i)urchas- 
 iiig four hundred acres of laud, he commenced life as 
 a farmer, which he has ever since been engaged in 
 with great success; married, in the year 1843, to Julia, 
 daughter of Trueman and Lucy Lewis, of Orango- 
 ville, Wyoming county. New York. Five children, 
 viz: Theodore L., Oliver S., Clemon H., Florence 
 H. and Lucy L. , all living, perpetuate the many vir- 
 tues of their parents. 
 
 Mr. Snow has hoen honored by his fellow towns- 
 men with the oftiee of trustee of tho townshij), and now 
 with every comfort around him, ho looks back to the 
 past with no regrets; to the future for the '•All 
 Good." 
 
 WILLIAM HURST. 
 
 William Hurst was born at Elkington, Northamp- 
 tonshire, England, January 7, 180-4. He came to this 
 country in June, 1831, and was a resident of Dover, 
 Cuyahoga county, until the year 1834; he then re- 
 moved to Elyria, and was engaged in the townshiii 
 Inisiness for four years. Ho thence removed to Avon, 
 Lorain county, whore he has since resided, and was 
 engaged in farming, in which he was enterprising 
 and successful until the time of his death. He died 
 December G, 1875, of paralysis, aged seventy-one years 
 and eleven months. He married Elizabeth Town- 
 shend for his first wife; she died, and he married 
 Lucina E. Moon, September 20, 1837. She was born 
 March 33, 1830. They had six children: Elizabeth 
 S., born August 13, 1838; she was married to Edward 
 Carter, August, 1861, by whom she had livi' children; 
 she died January 34, 1873. Win. H. was born April 
 33, 1840; died October 35, 1844. Josiah 0., born 
 May 19, 1843, died November 8, 1844. Lucina M. 
 was born November 16, 184.5. Goo. W., born Janu- 
 ary 30, 1848. VVm. 0.. born February 33, 1851, 
 was married January 19, 187G, to Jennie Hawley, by 
 whom he has one son, George H., who was born Jan- 
 uary 30, 1877. Mrs. Lucina £., the mother, died 
 .lanuarv 35, 1873. 
 
 JOSEPg SCHWARTZ, 
 
 son of the oldest German settler in Avon, Ohio, tells 
 his own story in the following words: 
 
 "My father, John Schwartz, came with my mother. 
 Catliarino, from Bavaria, Germany, in 1833. Their 
 young family consisted of five children, namely: Jo- 
 se])li, Anna, Mary, Catharine and Frederick. Jly 
 father settled on section thirty-three, in Avon, on the 
 34th of December, 1833. Two other persons, both 
 heads of families, accompanied him, by name, Jacob 
 Miller and Paul Faber. These were the first and 
 only (Jerman settlors that I know of in Avon until 
 1840, when my uncle, Peter Schwartz, came in with a 
 family of seven persons. Then German settlers came 
 flocking in. In 1844, Trinity church was built in 
 East Avon."' 
 
 Mr. Joseph Schwartz lived with his father until the 
 hitter's death, in the year 1870; his mother having died 
 in July, 1858. He married Catharine, daughter of 
 Peter Kraus. This marriage left eight children, seven 
 sous and one daughter, all living. Still living on the 
 
ALBIN STICKNEY. 
 
 The genealogy of the Stickney family is as follows : 
 
 Lemuel, who is the son of Solomon, who is the son of 
 Albin, who was the son of Lemuel, who was the son of Moses, 
 who was the son of Joseph, who was the son of Benjamin, 
 who was the son of Benjamin, who was the son of Amos, who 
 was the son of William, who was the son of William, who 
 was the son of Robert. 
 
 In the county of Lincolnshire, in England, is situated the 
 parish of Stickney, from which the famih- derives its sur- 
 name. 
 
 The first who came to America by this name was William 
 Stickney, who settled at Rowley, Essex Co., Mass., in 1637. 
 He was born in Frampton, England, in l.')92 (the day and date 
 not known), and was baptized Sept. 6, 1592, in St. Mary's 
 Church at Frampton. It is not known when he was married, 
 or to whom, except that her name was Elizabeth. To them 
 were born ten children. He died at Rowley, Mass., in 1665, 
 at the age of seventy-three years. 
 
 His father, whose name was also William, of Frampton, 
 was baptized Dec. 30, 1558, and married Margaret Pierson, 
 June 16, 1585. His grandfather's name was Robert. We 
 find that he made his will October 3, and was buried Oct. 18, 
 1.582. 
 
 Amos, the second son of William and Elizabeth Stickney, 
 who emigrated to America, was born in England about the 
 year 1635, and married Sarah Morse, at Newbury, Mass., 
 June 24, 1663. He was a weaver by trade, and set up at 
 Rowley the first fulling-mill in America, about the year 1643. 
 To Amos Stickney and his wife Sarah there were born nine 
 children. He died in Newbury, Aug. 29, 1678, at the age of 
 forty-three years. 
 
 Benjamin Stickney, the sixth son of Amos, was born at 
 Newbury, April 4, 1673. He married Mary Palmer, June 
 16, 1700. To him were born eleven children. He died March 
 5, 1756, at the age of eighty-three years. 
 
 Joseph Stickney, the third son of Benjamin, was born at 
 Rowley, Oct. 8, 1705, was baptized April 1, 1706, and was 
 married Dec. 26, 1727, to Jane Pickard, who was born March 
 5, 1704. She died, and he was married in Boxford, Nov. 7, 
 1737, to Hannah Goodrich, who was born in Newbury, Feb. 
 1, 1712. By these two wives he had sixteen children : by his 
 first wife five, and by his second wife eleven. He died in 
 March, 1756, at the age of fifty-one years. 
 
 Moses, the first son of Josepli and Jane Stickney, was born 
 at Boxford, Feb. 11, 1729; was married tliereto Abigail Hall, 
 Aug, 28, 1750. He was a private soldier in Captain William 
 Thurlow's company, and served through the Revolutionary 
 
 war. He had eleven children, and died at Springfield, Vt., 
 Aug. 11, 1819, in the ninety-first year of his age. 
 
 Lemuel Stickney, the fifth son of Moses, was born at Box- 
 ford, Feb. 13, 1761 ; was married in 1781 to Polly Tomlinson. 
 He settled in Cornwall, Vt., where three of his children were 
 born. Here his wife died, and he married for his second wife, 
 in Weybridge, Addison Co., Vt., Martha Scovill, who was 
 born at Saybrook, Conn., June 14, 1760, by whom he had 
 eight children, all born at Weybridge. He finally moved to 
 and settled in Franklin, Franklin Co., N. Y., where he died 
 May 3, 1842, at the age of eight3--one years. 
 
 Albin Stickney, the second son ot Lemuel, and subject of 
 this sketch, was born at Cornwall, Vt,, Nov. 29, 1786. He 
 served for a time in the war of 1812, and came to Madison, 
 Ohio, in 1815, and from there he came to what is now Avon, 
 Lorain Co., Ohio ; here he bought a farm and settled in 1817, 
 where he lived until his death. He married Clarissa Moon, 
 Feb. 1, 1821, at Avon. She was born at Tyringham, Mass., 
 May 30, 1795, and died at Avon, May 3, 1866, aged seventy 
 years, Albin Stickney was a man of great industry and per- 
 severance, of moral integrity, and honesty of purpose. He 
 accumulated considerable property, and in his later years 
 loaned money ; but such were his convictions of uprightness, 
 that while money everywhere commanded ten and twelve per 
 cent., he never asked or would receive but six per cent., the 
 then legal interest. He died Feb. 7, 1867, at the age of eighty- 
 one years. They had three children, — Solomon R., born at 
 Avon, Ohio, Jan. 22, 1823; Sarepta R., born at Avon, Ohio, 
 June 9, 1826 ; Sidney A., born at Avon, Ohio, Oct. 29, 1830. 
 
 Solomon R. was married to Catharine Crow, Jan 1, 1845. 
 To them have been born Amos M., Nov. 30, 1846, who died 
 July 17, 1865; Clarissa E., born Aug. 23, 1848, and died 
 March 1, 1849; Esther J., born June 20, 18.50, and died May 
 7, 1866 ; Lemuel S., born Aug. 2, 1852, and married Josephine 
 Mumm, Oct. 13, 1878; and Clarissa C, born July 8, 1864. 
 They now live on the old homestead at Avon. 
 
 Sarepta R., only daughter of Albin and Clarissa Stickney, 
 was married at Avon, Ohio, to Rev. L. S. Johnson, Aug. 11, 
 1844, by whom she has five children, — William A., born 
 March 5, 1851; Albert W., born Dec. 10, 1854; Cora E., 
 born May 7, 1862; Clarissa A., born Nov. 25, 1864. They 
 now live in Fairfield, Huron Co., Ohio. 
 
 Sidney A., youngest son of Albin and Clarissa Stickney, mar- 
 ried Julia M." Goldsmith, July 4, 1852. To them have been 
 born three children, — Albin S., born March 4, 1855; Eddie 
 A., born Feb. 9, 1859, and died July 25, 1860; Martha H., 
 born June 17, 1875. They live at Avon, Lorain Co., Ohio. 
 
JOSEPH SCHWARTZ. 
 
 / 
 
 E.G. MOON. 
 
 Or TRHMAN B. DAILEY 
 
 f*Horos Bv Lee. Ely^ia.Ohio. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 277 
 
 old homestead, a meiuboi- of the Geniian Catholic 
 chureli, with liis dear old wife, always and ever 
 atteiidin,^- to tlie farm and its interests, refnsing 
 always any tender of olhee from his fellow citizens, 
 lie is a striking example of what Gerniau tlirift may 
 (hi for a man. 
 
 ELBRIDGE G. MOON. 
 
 Jacob Moon, wlio lived at Lennox, ]\[ass. , was the 
 fatiier of Colonel Abrahani Moon, wlio was born ar 
 ijennox, Berkshire county, Mass., in 1790. He came 
 to Troy (now Avon), this county, in the spring of 
 1816, when he commenced the stern realities of fron- 
 tier life. He bought and cleared u[) a, farm on which 
 he lived until his death. In 1830 he was married to 
 Teressa Durand, who was born in 1S03. To them 
 were born live children: Elbridge (!. was born March 
 5, 1823 ; Selim born in 1824 and died in 1838 ; Dewit 
 C., born October 15, 1835, and died January 14, 1861; 
 Cordelia Q., born June, 1837 ; Stern W., born No- 
 vember 5, 1839. Col. Abraham Moon died in Sep- 
 tember, 1831. Elbridge G. Moon was married on 
 the 29th day of Uecember, 1844, to Ann Eliza Wilder, 
 who was born March 38, 1835, at Bristol, Onta- 
 rio county, N. Y. To them were born Russel E., 
 I)ecember31, 1845; Durand D., November 5, 1854; 
 C. Bell, August 11, 1857. Dewit C. married Mary J. 
 Davis, October, 1853. They had one son and four 
 daughters. Cordelia Q. married Ezra Jackson, Dc- 
 ceudjer 39, 1S44. Theyliavo had three sons and foul' 
 daughters. Stern W. married Ann C. Hicks, in the 
 spring of 1858. They have one daughter born Feb- 
 ruary 14, 1861. Mrs. Terresa D. Moon, the mother 
 of Elbridge, died at Avon, December 3d, 1877, aged 
 74 j'ears. Russel E., eldest son of Elbridge, married 
 Rachel Orum, February 16, 1873. They have Ger- 
 trude E., born January 30, 1873; Myra B., born 
 December, 1874; Morris R., Novendjer, 1876; May 
 S., l)orn April, 1878. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is a farmer, having in- 
 herited the farm from his father, it being a part of 
 the original homestead. He has constantly improve<l 
 it until he has built up for himself and family a 
 beautiful home. He excels as a horticulturist and 
 stock raiser, the Jerseys being his especial pets. As 
 a man, neighbor, citizen and christian, he ranks high 
 in the community in which he lives. 
 
 DR. TRUMAN B. DAILEY. 
 
 Elijah Dailey, the grandfather of Dr. Dailey, emi- 
 grated when a boy, with his father's family, from Ire- 
 land to Massachusetts, about 1750. He went into the 
 
 revolutiomxry war at its commencement, and con- 
 tinued until its close. He was at the defense of Bos- 
 ton and in the battle of Bunker Hill. He died about 
 1837, at Potsdam, New York. His son Benjamin 
 was born at Cambridge, Massacliusetts, in 1780. He 
 married Jane Moe, m Essex, Essex county, Vermont, 
 in 1803. She was born in Massachusetts, in 1785, 
 and died in 1871, at the- age of eighty-six years. 
 He was a farmer and a man of the strictest integrity ; 
 one who lived to do his neighbors good. He set a just 
 value upon his labor, and estimated and regulated tlie 
 sale of his ])rodncts accordingly ; for instance, he 
 estimated that he could produce hay for six dollars 
 per ton. If Ihe [irice was below that he would not 
 sell ; if above, no matter how much, he would only 
 ask that, and would I'eccive no more; so with all his 
 other products. He would not, however, sell to spec- 
 ulators, only to those who needed it for their own 
 consumption. He came from Essex, Vermont, to 
 Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, New York, about the 
 year 1807, at which place he bought and cleared up a 
 farm, on which he lived until his death. He served 
 as a soldier througli the war of 1813, and died in 1873, 
 at the age of ninety-two years. He had ten children. 
 
 Dr. T. B. Dailey, the subject of this sketch, lived 
 with his father on the farm, until he was twenty-one 
 years of age, working on the farm during the sum- 
 mer, attending the St. Lawrence academy in the fall, 
 and teaching in the winter. He graduated at the St. 
 Lawrence academy in the twenty-tirst year of his age, 
 at which time he commenced the study of medicine 
 at Madrid, St. Lawrence county, with Drs. Pierce 
 and Manley, with whom he studied two years, teach- 
 ing school winters. In the spring of 1844 he came 
 to Dover, Cuyahoga county, Ohio. Here he contin 
 ued the study of medicine with Dr. Jason Peab(jdy, 
 his uncle. He remained with him two years, and 
 finally graduated at the Cleveland medical college, 
 in March. 1846. 
 
 In 1847 he settled at Avon. Lorain county, where 
 he commenced the practice of medicine, and soon by 
 his untiring industry and ]ierseverauce, built up a 
 large practice. He educated himself, and liy his own 
 energy and integrity, has won an lionoralilc name in 
 the community in which he lives and may justly be 
 said to be a sclf-nuide man. 
 
 He was married to Laura A. Rogers, at Avon, April 
 5tli, 1848, by whom he had three chddren : Jamin, 
 born January Cth, 1849 ; Ezra, born September 3d, 
 1851, and died April 1st, 1853 ; Leslie, born .January 
 39, 185.'5, and died October 8th, 1853. His wife, 
 Laura A., died July 3d, 1853. lie mari'ied a second 
 time, his choice being Martha Ballon, March 36, 
 1854. 
 
 He united with the M. E. CUiurch at the age of 
 seventeen vears, and has ever continued a living 
 working member. 
 
 He still lives at Avon, this county, where he has a 
 large medical practice and a host of friends. 
 
HUNTINGTON 
 
 TowNsiiii' number two, in the eif(litcentli r;inn;e, is 
 bouiKleil on the north by Wellington townshij), on 
 the sonth by Sullivan township, Ashland county, on 
 the east by Spencer township. Medina county, and on 
 the west by Rochester. The surface is generally 
 level, except along the streams, which are of but 
 slight importance. They arc as follows: Wellington 
 creek, which rises in the eastern portion of the town- 
 siiip, a short distance south of the center line, and 
 flowing an almost due north course, crossing the 
 township line a short distance east of the center, on 
 lot seven; Charlemont creek has its rise on or near 
 the south line of the township, and near the south- 
 east corner. The course of this stream is slightly east 
 of south, passing into Wellington township on lot 
 thirty-two. These streams are tributary to the west 
 branch of Black river. Tlie soil is clay, Ijut, when 
 suitably tilled, ])r<>duces large crops of all kinds of 
 grain, and is especially good for grass. 
 
 ORIGINAL PROPRIETORSHIP. 
 
 The original owners by deed from the State of Con- 
 necticut, were Oliver Sheldon, Simeon (iriswold, 
 John Cowles, Benjamin Kent and others. Joseph 
 Sage, Skinner, Bowles, and a number of persons 
 whose names are not in oui' possession, soon became 
 large proprietors by purchase. Tiie lands selected by 
 Joseph Sage were situated in the southwest (juarter of 
 the townsliip. ami here was made tlie i)i()neer 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 In the yeai- 1818, Joseph Sage induced several fami- 
 lies to emigrate from their old homes in the cast, with 
 a view to cultivate for themselves farms in the wilder- 
 ness of the Western Reserve. The first to make the 
 venture was a son-in law of Mr. Sage, John Jjaborie. 
 The place of his nativity was Huntington, Fairfield 
 county, Connecticut, and the date of leaving for Ohio 
 was February 12, 1818. In the company were Joseph 
 Sage, Mr. Laborie, his wife and two children, four 
 young men and a hired man. They started in a 
 sleigh, and found snow in abundance until reaching 
 Hudson, tiieu in Portage county, at which point they 
 arrived four weeks after beginning the toilsome jour- 
 ney. The weather was severe; the coldest known. 
 At Buffalo, the snow was drifted to the chamber win- 
 dows, and had not thawed a jiarticle for seventeen 
 days. Much of the journey from this point to Ohio 
 was made on the ice. When they reached Hudson, 
 Mrs. Laborie was too unwell to proceed further, and 
 a halt was made until she had sufficiently recovered 
 
 to resume the journey. Tliey left Stow township on 
 Monday, March 1511), and journeyed on much of the 
 way through the dense forest, with nothing but an 
 occasional marked tree to guide them. 
 
 On arriving at Westfield, they put u|) at Mr. 
 Brainard's, then oecupynig a small log house, of l)ut 
 one room, and this was occupied by four families. 
 The addition of the ten jiersons comprising our party, 
 filled the little cabin to overflowing; but a big heart, 
 full of hospitality, made everything seem quite com- 
 fortable. Arriving in Sullivan township, they took 
 up their abode in a little log house, built by Henry 
 Chase. This was a distance of one and one-half miles 
 from the lands selected in Huntington township. 
 "They rested that night as emigrants of to-day know 
 nothing about." The house was a cheerless affair, 
 without chimney, door or windows; and the wide 
 spaces between the logs, not being chinked, afforded 
 easy access for the clouds of snow which the furious 
 March winds sent whirling through the air. Here 
 the family remained until a log house had been con- 
 structed. This was on lot nineteen, tract two. The 
 family moved into it on April 13th. As the weather 
 was fine, and the men anxious to get a piece of ground 
 ready for planting, the floor was not put down, or 
 dooi', windows and chimneys constructed, until sev- 
 eral weeks later. As it was impossible to procure 
 straw for beds, the dry leaves were used instead, and 
 it is said they made a good substitute. Provisions 
 were scarce, especially meat, and although deer, tur- 
 keys and other game were plenty, yet at this season of 
 the year they were too poor to eat. About May 1st, 
 Mr. Sage went to Worthington, near Columbus, to 
 purchase stock; and being gone longer than was ex- 
 pected, the pi'ovisions became exhausted, except a 
 small quantity of Indian meal, and the bran from a 
 bushel of wheat; this was mixed with water and baked 
 into a loaf, and on this diet the family subsisted for 
 some three weeks, but at length the needed supplies 
 arrived. Wooster, in Wayne county, was the nearest 
 village, and to this point our settlers were obliged to 
 go to find a store, grist mill, post office or blacksmith 
 shop. The family of IMr. Laborie are: Sarah, born 
 in Milford, Connecticut; she came to Ohio, and died 
 at the age of thirteen years. Anthony, who was a 
 mere babe when the family settled in Huntington, 
 married Laura A. Darry; they have six children, 
 and live on tract two. Jane, who was born in Ohio, 
 became the wife of William Kelsey; they live in 
 Williams county, this State, and have five children. 
 Myra married William S. Preston; they have four 
 
 (278) 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 379 
 
 cliiklrcn, ;iud live on fcnict oue. Charlotte married 
 William II. Howard; they reside in Rochester town- 
 sliiji, this county, and have six children. Emily 
 married (iideon Bliss; they went on a visit to Ver- 
 mont, and died soon after. James married Louisa 
 Cook, and lives on tract three, they have one child. 
 Perry married Mary A. Cole (deceased); and Alzina, 
 the youngest, married Edwin \V. Williams; they have 
 four children, and reside on tract two. John Ijaliorie 
 is dead. The aged widow yet resides in the township 
 of which she was the pioneer white woman. She has 
 rendered us material aid in mir laliors, for which our 
 thanks are tendered. 
 
 The following June, Isaac Sage a hrother of Joseph 
 arrived, and hegan settlenrent about three-fourths of 
 a mile south of Laborie's. His family consisted of a 
 wife and the following children: Charles who mar- 
 ried Anna Rice, deceased; Polly who married John 
 Mnnson, deceased; Lucetta who married John Cros- 
 by, and lives in Huntington; Alzina married M. Rice, 
 deceased; Isaac married LucindaCase, also dead, and 
 Jackson who is the only living male representative 
 of the family. He lives in Huntington. 
 
 The subsequent September Benjamin and Oliver 
 Rising arrived from ('onnecticut, and made a loca- 
 tion about oue mile south of tlie center. Isaac Sage 
 soon exchanged his first location for hands near the 
 Rising's. 
 
 A few days after the arrival of the Messrs. Rising, 
 Daniel Tillotson and family put in an appearance at 
 the settlement. A brother, Ira and D. C. Hickok 
 arrived early the following winter, and were soon fol- 
 lowed by Henry R. Ferris, Capt. Timothy Culver 
 who settled one mile north of the center; Captain 
 Chauncey Barker and Capt. Benjamin Banning. The 
 former settled on lands some half a mile south of 
 Isaac Sage's son; Barker located near John Laborie's. 
 Joseph Sage returned East, and soon came on with 
 his family, which consisted of a wife, Sarah Kelsey 
 Sage, and the following children: Philomela, wife 
 of Chauncey Barker, deceased; Myra who married 
 George Case, deceased; Marilla who married John 
 Laborie; her husband is dead, and she now lives witb 
 a son, James, in Huntington township; JIarlo P. 
 who married Jusan Mallory; she died, and he married 
 again; he is a minister of the Univeralist faith, and 
 lives on the old homestead. Two or three gi-and- 
 children also came with Mr. Sage's family, and 
 Thomas H. Case; Erastus Royce came about the same 
 time. Zenas Kelsey and several sons purchased land 
 of Joseph Sage, and settled thereon. The following 
 persons settled north of the center: David Rogers, 
 Zelotus North, Dudley Lewis, Daniel Chapman, 
 William Lang and John Chapman. 
 
 Of Reuel Lang, another pioneer of Huntington, we 
 learn that the place of his nativity was Epson, Merri- 
 mac county, New Hampshire. In 1818, he began to 
 learn the cabinet maker's trade, in his native State, 
 and on completing it, started with a horse and wagon 
 for the west; stopping for a time in Allegheny county. 
 
 Pennsylvania, where he made a set of tools from a 
 beech tiee, which had been used as a whipping post, 
 in the days when Pennsylvania was a slave state, and 
 by the way, these tools are now, nearly all of them, 
 in his possession. After, ])erha])S, two years, he came 
 on horseback to Ohio, bringing his effects with him. 
 
 At Springfield, Portage comity, this State, he 
 engaged to make some furniture for Jesse llart, who 
 had just completed a large brick house, and while 
 engaged in prosecuting the labors of his trade, he 
 became conscious of a new sensation. lie fVdl in love. 
 Amy, the fair daughter of his employer, was the ob- 
 ject of his devotion. They were married January 
 30, 1833. The following spring, they settled in 
 Elyria. Here he built a house, and remained for one 
 year, when he removed to Huntington township, 
 where he lived until a few years since. He now lives 
 in Wellington village. Mr. Lang was for many years 
 a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. 
 He was always a strong anti-slavery man, and in con- 
 sequence of the connection of the church with the 
 institution of slavery, he withdrew, and assisted in 
 forming a Wesleyan Methodist church, of which he 
 was an official member until it disbanded. 
 
 Their children are as follows: Josiah B., who 
 married Losena M. Chapman, and lives in Welling- 
 ton; (to this gentleman we are under obligations 
 for much of the matter contained in this history); 
 Jesse H., married Mary E. Fitch, lives in Oberlin; 
 Cyrus, died in 181:7; Charles R., died in 1840; 
 Louisa M., married P. S. Wright, and lives in Michi- 
 gan; Esther A., married C. W. Horr, Esq., and lives 
 in Wellington; Olive A. married Dr. M. B. Lnkins, 
 and lives in Cleveland; George L., married Lizzie 
 Viles, and lives in Dennisoii, Ohio; and Merrill W., 
 married Mary L. Cook; she died, and he married Etta 
 Root. He lives in Wellington. 
 
 Abiier Chapman, wife, Olive Fisher Chapman, and 
 a family of six children, came from Montgomery, 
 Hamden county, Massachusetts, and settled in Hunt- 
 ington township in 1833. They located ou the farm 
 now occupied by Lucius Walker. Six children 
 remained at the East; after a time, two settled in 
 Troy, Geauga county, Ohio. Those who came with 
 the parents to Iluntingtou were: Abner, Jr., who 
 marled Eliza A. Cone, and now lives in Huntington, 
 (of his six children, there are now living: Paul, who 
 married Margaret Case, lives in Erie, Pennsylvania; 
 Lucien H., who marrried Deette G. Phelon, lives in 
 Rochester ou lot five, has five children; and Agnes E., 
 who married J. T. Haskell, and lives with her par- 
 ents); William F., married Rowena Babcock, — they 
 have five children; one son was killed at the battle of 
 Antietam; Eunice, married Lyman West, and lives at 
 Lansing, Michigan; Huldah, married J. Crosby Lang 
 — she is deceased; J. Austin, married Isabel Lindsey, 
 lives in Wellington; and Eemline, married Edmond 
 West, and lives in Huntington. 
 
 Delos Phelon, who was born in Connecticut, came 
 to Huntington from Cooperstown, New York, in 
 
280 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 18.'53. He was tlion in tlie forward iri!^ and commis- 
 sion l)iisiness at. Black River. He located at the 
 center of the township, where he still resides, lie 
 has five children: D.inii'l W., Joseph, Deette, Tasso 
 D. and Mary. 
 
 The history of the settlement has l)een gleaned 
 from every availaljle source, and is helieved to be sub- 
 stantially correct. Should there be errors or omis- 
 sions, the memory of man is alone responsible Tor 
 them. 
 
 INDIANS. 
 
 Scattering mi'mbcrs of the Wyandot and Seneca 
 Indians were frequent in (his vicinity when the settle- 
 ment was made. 'J'liey came only during the hunting 
 season and made their linme further west. In about 
 1828 they look l.licir linal dcpai'turc fi-oni the 
 township. 
 
 KAIU.Y EVENTS. 
 
 The first white child born in the townshiii of 
 Huntington was a son to Mr. and Mi's. Daniel 
 Tillotson; the date December, 1818. This child was 
 named Enos, but of his subsequent cai'eer we know 
 nothing. The following January, ]?enjamin Rising 
 was l)orn. The first death was an infant son 
 of John and Marilla Laboi'ie, born in March, 1819. 
 The little stranger lived but sixteen days. 
 
 The first adult death was that of lienjaniin 
 I'anuing. The body was intci-rod in the orchard just 
 south of his late residence. 
 
 The townshij) contains two cemeteries; one on the 
 former farm nf .Joseph Sage, which was jirivate 
 property until a few years since, when it was con- 
 veyed; the other, just north of the center, was a gift 
 from Jesse Johnson and afterwards enlarged by a 
 gift from Captain Henry Tracy, and a further addi- 
 tion by i)urchase from Reuel Lang. The first 
 interment in the cemetery at the center was a child of 
 11. M. Humphrey; the first adult buried there was 
 Welcome Hart, a bother of Mrs. Reuel Lang. The 
 first coui)le married in Huntington was Miss Polly 
 Sage to Mr. John Mnnson, of Harrisonville. This 
 event occurred on .lanuary fii-st in the year 1S50; 
 Henry H. Close, justice of the jjeace. performed the 
 ceremony. This e<mi)le are now both deceased. The 
 second marriage was a daughter of Captain Timothy 
 'Culver 
 
 The first franu^ Imilding was put up by Isaac Sage, 
 for a barn. It sto'id near the present residence of 
 li. P. Sage. 
 
 The first frame house was erected by Reuel Lung, 
 nearly opposite the present ivsidenceof Edmond West. 
 
 The first store was put in operation by Isaac Sage. 
 •Ir. We Inive not the date. Following are the na,mes 
 of all who have represented the mercantile interest in 
 Huntington township: Hiram Rogers, Allen Taylor, 
 D. Phelon, T. H. Case, Nathan Cone, B. G. Carpen- 
 ter, L. S. Gibbs, A. P. Parks, A. H. Messenger, 
 Messrs. Gibbs & Whiton, J. & P. Laborie, R. A. 
 Horr, J. B. Laug, T. G. Haines, and A. J, Burrell 
 
 who is proi»rietor of the p/esent store. He is also 
 postmaster. 
 
 Isaac Sage, Jr., opened the first jMiblic house in the 
 township. His sign read, "Isaac Sage Inn." He 
 was followed by Darius Perkins, T. H. Case and sev- 
 eral others. There has never been a saloon in the 
 townshij), nor has liquor been sold excci)t at the hotels. 
 The Huntington House is the only hotel in the town- 
 ship. I). Wideman is the present proprietor. 
 
 OKGANIZATION. 
 
 In August, 1832, the commissioners of Medina 
 county, to which Ifuntinglon then belonged, incorpo- 
 rated the township by the name it now bears. It de- 
 rived its name fr(jm Huntington, Connecticut, the 
 former home of John Ijaborie. Notice was issued to 
 the (pialified electors to meet at the school honse in 
 said township, on the first Monday of September, and 
 then and there proceed to organize, by electing the 
 necessary township ottioers re([uired by law. 
 
 In accordance with said notice, they met, and it was 
 agreed that Joseph Sage, Henry R. Ferris, and Isaac 
 Sage, should act as judges, and Oliver Rising and 
 David C. Hickok, clerks. The result of the election 
 was as follows: Josejih Sage, Henry R. Ferris and 
 Benjamin Banning, trustees; Isaac Sage, clerk; David 
 C. Hickok, treasurer; John Chapman and Charles R. 
 Sage, fence viewers; Isaac Sage and John Chapman, 
 supervisors, John Laborie and Benjamin Banning, 
 overseers of the poor, Benjamin Itising and John 
 Laborie, listers and appraisers. The entire number 
 of electors at this time numbered fifteen. 
 
 The township oflScers for 1878, are, Edward West, 
 James Laborie and Elbert F. Chapman, tru.stees; A. 
 J. Burrell, clerk; James A. Newton, treasurer; C. 
 W. Johnson, assessor; S. J. Perkins and Putnam 
 Griggs, constables; N. B. (iriggs and J. F. Haskell, 
 justices of the peace, and fifteen supervisors. 
 
 Jose]ili Sage was the first justice of the peace; 
 electeil October 14, 182,3. He was succeeded, in 182(!, 
 bj' Benjamin l>anning, who died before the expiration 
 of his term of office, and Henry Ferris was elected to 
 fill the vacancy. A second justice of the peace was au- 
 thorized April 15, 183;). Samuel Smith -was elected, 
 butr not l)eing eligible, .lohn (r. CMark was elected in 
 his place. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 THE JIETIIODIST EPISCOPAL ('lU'RCH. 
 
 The first religious meetings were helil in the log 
 school house spoken of in connection with the schools, 
 by tht^ Rev. Nathan Smith, one of the pioneers of 
 Pittsfield township. Frequent meetings were after- 
 wards held in this house, and for want of a minister, 
 Isaac Sage generally read a sermon. The first chureh 
 organized was that of the Methodist; we have been un- 
 able to procure the date. This class was composed of 
 the following members: Capt. Timothy Culver and 
 wife, H. R. Ferris and wife, and Amanda Culver. 
 This church was organized by the Rev. James Mur- 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 281 
 
 ray. Tliey occiqiied the school house for many years. 
 In 18-t7 they purchased a lot, and soon afterwards 
 erected thereon their present church edifice. This 
 church cost complete some two tliousaiid dollars; the 
 l)arsouage connected with this church was purchased 
 in 1876 at a cost of seven hundred dollars; the present 
 membership is ninety. Tlie churcli officers are Lewis 
 Cann, Lyman June and William Haskins, leaders; 
 John Snow, Carlos Rogers, Asel Nooney and Edson 
 Clark, stewards. The Sabbath school of this society 
 numbers eighty scholars; Joseph Haskell, superintend- 
 ent. We have been unable to procure a complete list 
 of tiie ministers who have presided over this church. 
 The following are a portion of them: Rev. William 
 Reynolds, — Thompson, — Matlock, Chester L. 
 P^oot, James Hartley, C. A. Reeder, — Hurd, Uri 
 Richards, James Haldeman, L. F. Ward, G. W. 
 Pepper, — Card, T. .T. Guard, Simeon Dunbar, Tracy 
 L. Waite, Herman SaUord, — Spafiford, 0. Pierce and 
 the present pastor, James F. Smith. 
 
 THE BAPTIST CHURCH 
 
 was constituted by a council convened December 13, 
 A. D. Ls;j3. and consisted of the following members: 
 Abner Cliajjman, Olive Chapman, Abner, Jr., Wil- 
 liam F., Eunice, and Huldah Chapman, Jonathan 
 and Esther Niles, Jesse Johnson, and Reuben T. 
 Pierce. The right hand of fellowship was extended 
 by Elder James Newton. The first year of its exist- 
 ence, the membership increased to twenty. This is 
 now a large and flourishing church. The church 
 had no regular or convenient place of worship, but 
 assembled a part of the time at the center school 
 house, which stood where the Baptist meeting house 
 now stands, and a part of the time at the dwelling of 
 Jesse Johnson; preaching one-fourth or one-half of 
 tiie time by ministers living at a distance, and some- 
 times dependent upon ministei's for occasional sup- 
 plies. In the month of January, 1840, the church 
 and community were greatly blessed through the 
 labors of Elders Simmons and Matthews, who were 
 sent out by the missionary board of the Lorain Bap- 
 tist Association. It has not, perhaps, been exceeded 
 by any revival in this township, before or since. The 
 church strengthened and encouraged, secured and 
 Continued a pastor for two years, one-half of the time. 
 The present church edifice was erected during the 
 year 1813. It was not, however, fully completed un- 
 til several years later. Rev. James Newton com- 
 menced his laliors in the spring of 1834, and preached 
 one-fourth of the time, for fifty dollars a year. He 
 lived in Milton, Wayne county, a distance of nearly 
 forty miles. Rev. Mr. Mack followed him. Mr. 
 Newton's successors, as far as we have been able 
 to trace them, are as follows : Rev. Mr. Wait, 
 
 Frederick Freeman, B. Hill, James Becknell, 
 
 Skinner, S. Dimick, Levi Farnsworth, M. W. Alfred, 
 James Goodrich, S. S. Woodworth, J. T. Smith, S. 
 D. Bowker. The present pastor is Rev. Asa Fox. 
 Jonathan Niles was the first deacon, and Abner Chap- 
 
 36 
 
 man, Jr., clerk. The present officers are, W^. F. 
 Chapman and James Rogers, deacons; N. B. Griggs, 
 clerk and treasurer; (this gentleman has written a 
 sketch of the church, from which we have derived 
 much of interest); Elbert F. Chapman, A. J. Sage, 
 and Jasper West, trustees. Elbert F. Chapman is 
 superintendent of the Sabbath school. The numlier 
 of children in attendance averages fifty. 
 
 THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 
 
 and society was organized May 1, 1839, with the fol- 
 lowing members: Spencer Clark, Julius C. Mead, 
 Beckford Lang, Otis Boice, David L. Lang, Allen 
 Taylor, Erastus Clark, Darius Perkins, and M. L. 
 Sage, who was the clerk; and Otis Boice, deacon. 
 Nearly all of the above were married men, and their 
 wives were also members of the church. 
 
 The following summer, they built a large two-story 
 frame building, at the south, and facing the public 
 square at the center of the township. The upper 
 story was finished, and used as a place of worship 
 until 1849, when the present church was erected. 
 President Asa Mahan preached to this church a short 
 time, in fact until Rev. Joel Talcott, who was its first 
 resident pastor, was engaged. For many years this 
 church flourished and increased in numbers, but the 
 summit of prosijerity was reached, and then came the 
 decline. Gradually tlie ranks were decimated by 
 death and removal, until at jiresent the membership 
 is very small and they have no stated pastor. 
 
 THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH 
 
 have held an organization in the southwest portion of 
 the township foi' many years, meeting in the school 
 house in that locality. In 1877 they erected a neat 
 chapel. This cost twelve hundred dollars. It was 
 dedicated on the 17th day of January, 1878, by the 
 Rev. Mr. Abel. Rev. William P. Burnell is the 
 present minister. The membership is twenty-five. 
 There is a Sabbath school in connection. Lewis 
 Boice, sujierintendent; Hiram Tillotson, Sylvester 
 Boice and Madison Andrews, trustees of the church. 
 
 THE WBSLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH 
 
 was organized in the southeast jiart of the township, 
 in the year 1844, and, soon after, l)uilt a comfortable 
 church. Among its first members were Reuel Lanof 
 and wife, John T. Chapman and wife, J. W. Wilbur, 
 Sr., and wife, Joseph Ferris and wife, Amos Foote 
 and wife, .Jolin Young and wife, and a number of 
 others. The church prospered for a few years, but 
 finally, many of its members having removed to other 
 localities, the organization ceased, and tlie church 
 edifice was converted into a cheese factory. 
 
 PHYSICIANS. 
 
 The first who settled in Huntington was John 
 Quigley, now a prominent minister in the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. George E. Conant was the next 
 doctor to locate here. He remained a few years 
 
•^83 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 and removed to Wisoonsiu. Dr. Clark Ciiiiie uext, 
 and practiced for a short time. He was succeeded by 
 E. B. Pritchard, who remained a longer time than 
 any of his predecessors. Several others have, from 
 time to time, occupied the field; among tliese were 
 Harrington, Green, Alfred Paige, Stewart, AVm. R. 
 Elder and Bigelow. The field is now occupied liy 
 Dr. Burtch. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The first school house in Huntington was Ijuilt in 
 the winter of 1831-22. It was of logs, and stood 
 near where was subsequently the residence of John A. 
 Chapman. The lands upon which this rude institu- 
 tion of learning was situated were then the property 
 of Isaac Sage. In the spring following sufficient 
 money was raised by subscrijition with which to pay 
 a teacher, and Miss Lovina Loveland became tiie 
 pioneer school teacher. This school was composed 
 of the following children: Laura, Cornelia and Syl- 
 vester Banning, Tillotson and Eunice Ilickok, 
 Alzina and Alonzo Sage, Clarissa, Caroline and 
 Celestia Rising, Chauncey Parker, Joshua Culver, , 
 Anthony and Sarah Laborie. The teacher died soon 
 after the completion of her school. In 1878 there 
 were in the township six school houses, valued at 
 twenty-seven hundred dollars. The total amount 
 })aid teachers for the school year ending August 
 thirty-first of that year was ten hundred and twenty- 
 two dollars. The number of children of school age 
 was one hundred and sixty-three. 
 
 INDUSTRIAL I'URSriTS. 
 
 The first cheese factory in the township was put in 
 operation in the spring of 1866, by Messrs. J. C. and 
 C. W. Ilorr. It was located one and one-half miles 
 from the center. The patronage the first year was one 
 thousand cows. The successors to the above firm were 
 Messrs. Horr, Warner & Co., who now own or con- 
 trol all the factories iu this section. The season of 
 1878 there were eight hundred cows in contribution. 
 A creamery is also operated m connection with the 
 factory. The total manufactures were thirty-nine 
 thousand three hundred and thirty-three pounds of 
 butter and two hundred and twenty-two thousand 
 four hundred and ten pounds of cheese. 
 
 Another factory was established in April, 1868, by 
 J. A. Snow. It was located upon his farm one and 
 one-half miles northwest of the center. Messrs. 
 Horr, Warner & Co. purchased this factory in 1869 
 or 1870. The season of 1878 the milk of five hun- 
 dred cows was utilized. The aggregate make was 
 tliirty-six thousand five hundred and forty pounds of 
 butter and two hundred and sixteen thousand eight 
 hundred and two pounds of cheese. 
 
 The first manufacturing was done by Benjamin 
 Rising, who had a lathe, operated by a spring pole, 
 for turning wooden bowls. This was quite a curiosity. 
 A bark rope was attached to a long spring pole over- 
 head, then passed around the mandrel and fastened 
 
 to a treadle below. Pressure on this would throw the 
 block around two or three times, and then the spring 
 of the pole would turn the block back again ready 
 for another gauge. 
 
 The first blacksmithing was done by William Lang; 
 this was quite early; his shop stood a few rods north 
 of the old Case hotel. D. C. Hickok was the pioneer 
 shoemaker. Isaac Sage put in operation an ashery 
 in the settlement; tliis continued several yeai's. 
 
 Several saw mills have been built in the township. 
 Urben Kelsey erected the first one; this was on Charle- 
 monte creek, near the west line of the townsliiji. 
 Henry R. Ferris built the next one; this was propelled 
 by the waters of Wellington creek; it stood one mile 
 north, and one-half mile east of the center. 
 
 The first and only grist mill in Huntington town- 
 ship was built by John Galehouse; this was on Wel- 
 lington creek, perhaps half a mile below the Ferris 
 mill. 
 
 Messrs. Milton and Orlando Barker built a steam 
 saw mill one-half mile south of the center, and Wil- 
 liam Boone built one in the northeast corner of the 
 township. The Barker mill was once blown up and 
 once burned. Boone's mill has been three times de- 
 stroyed by the fiery element. 
 
 Several railroads have been projected through the 
 township. The Clinton Line Extension came nearest 
 being a success; their route was nearly east and west 
 tlirough the township; considerable work was done, 
 and (piito a large amount of stock collected. This, 
 however, failed, and although several lines have been 
 talked n\) since, yet they have elicited little or no 
 encouragement. 
 
 TUE UNION AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
 
 This society, which has grown to be a permanent 
 institution in the south part of the county, had its 
 origin in this township. 
 
 Some time during the summer of 18.5-1, a call was 
 issued for a meeting to effect an organization, which 
 was signed by such men in the vicinity as P. L. Goss, 
 
 A. M. Parmclee, J. H. Wclcher, K. T. Finn, W. B. 
 Rudd, M. D. Smith, A. S. Taylor, A. 1). Perkins, J. 
 
 B. Lang, Hiram Woodworth, S. I). Whitney and 
 others, for a meeting which was held m the Metho- 
 dist churcli. An organization was effected, and the 
 following officers elected: President, Philip L. Goss; 
 vice-president, A. M. Parmelee; treasurer, .1. H. 
 Welchcr; secretary, J. B. Lang. 
 
 Its first fair was held on grounds fitted nyt by 
 volunteer labor, on the farm of A. S. Taylor, just 
 west of the center. The address was delivered by 
 Hon. James Monroe. The success of this fair was 
 very satisfactory to its originators, who decided to 
 hold another the following year, under the same 
 management. This was also a success, but, having 
 no permanent buildings or inclosure, so that gate fees 
 could be taken, its finances were small. After this 
 year, a proposition was made to remove the exhibition 
 to Wellington, where grounds could be fenced and 
 

 MRS.ABRAM f^OLLAND 
 
 ABRAM HOLLAND , 
 
 Residence OF ABRAM [HOLLAND, |(un 
 
UISTOUY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 283 
 
 buildings erected. A fiiir has been held every year 
 since, except one, during tlio darkest days of tlie war. 
 It has now fine grounds and permanent buildings, 
 with a better prospect for the future than in tlie past. 
 
 Aghicdltdbal Statistics for 1878. 
 
 Wlieat, 4in acres 0,219 bushels. 
 
 I'ltaUies, 11 " 4,889 
 
 Oats, eaj " 25,402 " 
 
 Orchards, :ilU " l,"8e 
 
 Corn, rai " 3!),848 " 
 
 Meadotr, 2,137 " 2,379 tons. 
 
 Butter 28,S43 pounds. 
 
 Cheese 698,835 " 
 
 Maple Sugar 3,740 " 
 
 Population in 1S70 834 
 
 Vote for President in 1876. 
 Hayes 151 | Tllden 50 
 
 Biographical Sketches. 
 
 ABRAM HOLLAND 
 
 wasboi-n in Warren, Worcester county, Massachusetts, 
 August 20, 1804, and was the second son in a family 
 of five children of George and Mary Holland. His 
 father died wlien he was four years old, and his mother 
 soon thereafter moved to Chester, Hampden county, 
 Massacliusetts, where she remained until 1834:. In 
 tlie latter year AUram Holland removed to Ohio, and 
 settled in Huntington township. His educational 
 
 advantages were limited, but he attended the common 
 schools a few years. He has always followed the plow, 
 and has made farming tlie business of his life. 
 
 On the Gth of November, 18:33, he was united in 
 marriage with Mary Ann, daughter of William and 
 Betsey Henry, she being a native of Chester, Massa- 
 chusetts. She was born April 10, 1811. Her mother 
 is still living at the advanced age of ninety-five years, 
 at North Adams, Massachusetts. Mrs. Holland has 
 had five children: George Henry, born September 3, 
 1833. He is a farmer and lives in Huntington. 
 Helen Louisa, born July 24, 1840; now the wife of 
 William Davis Dimmock, a farmer, of Huntington 
 township. Adelaide A., born November 4, 1843; 
 died February 20, 18G3; Alida, born September H, 
 1849; Walter Scott, born July 1, 1854. 
 
 On arriving at his new home Mr. Holland bought 
 one hundred acres of laud, to which by subsequent 
 purchases he has added one hundred acres more, mak- 
 ing a total of two hundred acres. He is a good prac- 
 tical farmer, and is considered one of the honest and 
 substantial farmers of his township. In jjolitics he 
 is a republican, but he has never sought, nor would 
 he accept political preferment. He is liberal in his 
 religious views, but a christian gentleman "for a' 
 that." He is a lineal descendant of the Holland fam- 
 ily, members of wliich have made Western Massachu- 
 setts famous; notably Drs. J. J. Holland and J. G. 
 Holland, the latter of whom now edits Scribner's 
 Magazine, and is an author and poet of universal 
 celebrity. 
 
ROCHESTER, 
 
 This TOWNSHIP is silimleil in the oxtrenie south- 
 west corner of the couiitj', ami is boiiiuled as follows: 
 on the north by Brighton township; south, \>y Troy 
 township, Aslilaiid county; cast, by Huntington town- 
 shiji; and west, by New London township, Huron 
 county. The surface is generally of a level nature, 
 the only exception being along the streams. Here 
 we find bold bluffs descending to the water's edge on 
 the east, and gentle slopes on the west. The soil is 
 clay, slightly mixed with gravel, and excellent for 
 grass and grain. 
 
 The streams are the west branch of the Black river 
 and its triljutarics. The former flovvs from near the 
 southwest corner of the township, is joined by a small 
 stream on lot ten, and continues a general northeast 
 direction, until it reaches lot sixteen, tract five, when 
 it turns to the northwest and flows across the north- 
 ern township line on lot fifteen, tract six; Blair brook 
 enters the township on lot twelve, ti-act three; and 
 Buck creek on lot thirteen. These streams flow nearly 
 parallel, unite on lot nine, in tract five, and empty 
 into Black river, at the point where it makes the 
 curve westward on lot sixteen. When in a state of 
 nature, the bottom land skirting these streams was 
 heavily timbered, black walnut being found in abun- 
 dance, also white ash and oak. 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 Rochester townshij) was the latest settled of any of 
 the townships now comprised within the boundary 
 lines of the county of Lorain. In the year 1837, a 
 man named Dodge, his wife Emeline, and a son, 
 Newell, came into the township. They were of the 
 class known in all new countries as squatters, and 
 soon erected a small log cabin on lot number nine, in 
 tract three, now know as the Minus fai;m. This was 
 the first white family who dared to brave the solitude 
 hitherto unliroken, save by an occasional hunter from 
 the surrouiuling country. The history of this family 
 is sad indeed. In the spring of 1839, a child was 
 l)orn to them, which death soon claimed for its victim. 
 The demise of the mother occurred soon after. A 
 rude coffin was prejKired by the sorrowing husband 
 and son, the funeral obsequies were performed by 
 them, and the body interred on the brow of the hill 
 near the river. Imagination can scarcely conceive 
 the dread solemnity of this burial: "no sable hearse 
 or nodding plume" decked the funeral array; no 
 minister of (jod pronounced the solemn ritual for the 
 dead; all was dreary, all was desolate. The remain- 
 
 ing members of the family soon after took their 
 departure from the townshi]i. 
 
 In April, ls:3I, Stephen l?abcoek came to Ohio 
 from Blaudford, Massachusetts, lie selected a farni 
 about half a mile west of Rochester center. He con- 
 tracted with Elijah T. Banning, living temporarily in 
 Huntington, to cut the timber on thirty acres of his 
 land. A log house was put up, into which Mr. Ban- 
 ning removed his family, and with whom Mr. Bab- 
 cock remained during the summer, putting up a 
 house, and making such })reparations as the circum- 
 stances demanded for the comfort of his family. He 
 returned east for them the subsequent fall, and before 
 he arrives in Rochester again we shall have time to 
 say something of Mr. Banning and others. lie was 
 born in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio. His wife. 
 Miss Patience Hart, was a native of !S[>ringfield, 
 Portage county, this State. 'Jhey were married in 
 1838, and immediately removed to llnntington. His 
 final location in Rochester was about one and one- 
 fourth miles north of the center, on lands now occu- 
 pied by D. L. Mitchell. Mr. Banning was one of the 
 hardy, hard-working class. He cut the timber on 
 nearly two hundred acres of land. His death occurred 
 .July 19, 1855. The widow resides at the station.. 
 The children of this couple are: Elmer Elijah, who 
 married Mary Mitchell, lives at the station; Amy, who 
 married Alexander Dolph (deceased); Archie Hart, 
 who married Eliza Smith, lives in Wellington; and 
 Cornelia Ann, who married Franklin Peek, and now 
 lives in New London, Ihiroii county. 
 
 Edward Wheeler, of Allegheny county, Pennsyl- 
 vania, married Catharine Clino. lie came to Ohio in 
 I81(i, locating in Richland county. They had three: 
 children at this time: .John who married Mary Shaw, 
 now dead; Jacob who married Emily C. Converse; 
 he lives on lot number two, Rochester township; has 
 eight children, all living; Ann Lewis who married 
 Lorinda Bunce, lives in Rochester. In the spring of 
 1831, soon after Banning's settlement, the three boys, 
 John. Jacob and Lewis, came to Rochester, and con- 
 tracted for lands in lots eight, fourteen and seventeen. 
 They soon constructed log cabins on their several 
 selections, and began the work of cutting away the 
 forest. These lands were pnrchased of Orrin Meach. 
 John was to receive a deed for one hundred acres of 
 laud, in payment for cutting the timber from an equal 
 number of acres. Jacob and Lewis cut a few acres on 
 lot fourteen; on this they planted some potatoes, and 
 sowed turnips. In this clearing they built a hewed 
 log house for the remainder of the family who arrived 
 
 (284) 
 
MRS. ROSWELL BOICE. 
 
 ROSWELL B. BOICE 
 
 was the elder son of Samuel S. Boice, who married 
 Mary A. Blair, and had eight children, namely, — 
 Roswell B., Sylvester S., Sarah E., James W., 
 Mary A., Lois M., Judson A., and Elizabeth, of 
 whom four survive. The Boice family were of 
 Scotch descent, and those now living are prominent 
 citizens of the communities in which they reside 
 respectively. 
 
 Roswell B. Boice was born in Massachusetts, 
 Oct. 12, 1814. He resided in his father's house 
 until he was fifteen years of age, when he emigrated 
 to Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, where he lived about 
 five years. He then removed to Rochester township, 
 in the same county and State, remaining there about 
 one year; subsequently renting a farm in Hunting- 
 ton township, upon which he lived three years. At 
 the expiration of liis rental, he returned to Rochester 
 township, where he purchased the farm which he 
 now occupies. 
 
 On Christmas Day, 1833, he was united in mar- 
 riage with Nancy C, daughter of Samuel and Anna 
 Stillwell, who were early settlers of Lorain County. 
 
 Of this union were born six cliildren, four .sons 
 and two daughters, namely, — Mary Adeline, James 
 W., Lois M., Lewis S., Hiram A., and Dell R., of 
 whom four ave living. James W. died Nov. 15, 
 1841, aged three months and five days; Hiram A. 
 died Jan. 28, 1848, aged two months and twenty- 
 eight days. Mary A. married G. Ostrander, April 
 26, 1863; Lois M. married Francis M. Perkins, 
 Oct. 26, 1865 ; Lewis S. married Laura North. 
 
 Mr. R. B. Boice and his excellent wife are both 
 exemplary members of the Congregational Church. 
 They formerly belonged to the Baptist Church of 
 Huntington township. Mr. Boice has followed 
 agricultural pursuits during the whole of his active 
 business life, and is generally considered a good 
 practical farmer. In politics he is, and always was, 
 since he attained his majority, a Republican. He 
 was elected trustee of Rochester township, and 
 served faithfully and well for three years. He is 
 noted for the honesty and regularity of his life, and 
 enjoys a prominent place in the estimation of his 
 fellow-citizens. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 285 
 
 the following fall. The children of Edward Wheeler 
 not mentioned above are: Betsy, Martha, I'olly, Ed- 
 Avard, Coourodand Margaret. John Jaqiies Wheeler, 
 father of Edward, is worthy of a passing notice. He 
 was an Englishman, and came to America a short 
 time prior to the Rcvohitionary War. He immedi- 
 ately enlisted in the army of the United States in 
 which he fought the years, lie was afterwards en- 
 gaged in tiie Indian wars two years moi-e; he settled in 
 Ohio at the close of the war, and was killed by a fall- 
 ing tree in 1821. 
 
 Stephen Babcoek and family first occupied the new 
 house in Rochester in the early spring of 1832. A 
 daughter, Eliza, had married Charles Conant at the 
 East. They settled in Rochester prior to the arrival 
 of the remaining members of the family. Mrs. 
 Babcoek was Patia Marcy, of Otis, Berkshire county, 
 Massachusetts. Of the remaining eight children, the 
 following are dead: Orliiia, Watson, Almira, Mary 
 Ann and Philena. Melissa married Oliver Webster, 
 and lives ill Wellington. Rowena married William F. 
 Chapman, and resides in Huntington. Smith mar- 
 ried Martha Meach, and lives in Rochester. 
 
 Hiram Wood worth, of Madison county. New York, 
 married Caroline L. Wales, of the same place. They 
 came to Ohio in 1831; selected lands in Rochester 
 township, then owned by Messrs. Tillotson and Dom- 
 ing, of Rochester, New York; constructed a house 
 thereon, and in May of the year 1832, moved into 
 the township. He lived there many years, and by 
 hard labor brought his lands to a profitable state of 
 cnltivation. He removed to Wellington where he 
 died October 8, 1872. The widow still resides there. 
 The children are: Roxania S. who married J. A. 
 Braman, of Rochester; Rosenia who married U. L. 
 Wadsworth, of Wellington; Victoria R. who married 
 F. M. Sheldon, of New York; Ettie G. who married 
 S. E. Wilcox, at present, the host of the American 
 Honse in Wellington, and Warren Woodworth who 
 now resides at Atlantic City, Iowa. 
 
 Erastus Knajip, wife and two children, came from 
 near Rochester, New York, to Ohio, in May, 1832. 
 The family remained in Huntington township until 
 he had built a log house on his farm in Rochester. 
 This was on lot number live, now occupied by A. J. 
 Snyder. The house was finished and first occupied 
 by the family in December following. On this farm 
 they resided thirty years. In IS'Il, they located at 
 the station, where they now reside. There were no 
 roads at the date of their settlement in the township, 
 their only guide in traversing the wilderness being 
 marked trees. The children of this couple are: 
 Thomas M., who married Mary Lovejoy, (he lives on 
 lot number one, Rochester township); Mary E., is 
 dead; Sarah A., who married John Conkling, (they 
 live near the center); Ellen J., who married Samuel 
 Long, and lives in Crawford county, this State; 
 Elizabeth A., who married Theodore Robbins, of 
 La Grange; Caroline, who married John Bruce, 
 and lives iu Sullivan, Ashland county; and Charley 
 
 M., who married Adelia Crebs; he resides in Hun- 
 tington. 
 
 Luther Blair and faiuily, consisting of a wife and 
 eleven children, came from Becket, Berkshire county, 
 Massachusetts, to Rochester in 1832, arriving in the 
 township on December 31. He settled on the north- 
 east corner lot at the center. Ilis log house, which 
 was the first built in tliis vicinity, stood a few rods 
 east of the present dwelling of Stephen Richards. 
 Mr. Blair became prominent in the church and town- 
 ship. He died in December, 1852; his wife died tlie 
 September following. Two children, Marietta and 
 Ralph E., are dead. Tlie remainder are: Caroline, 
 Martin L., Alonzo ()., now practicing medicine at 
 Columbus, Ohio; Caleb P., David B., Harmony, 
 Amanda, Mary P., and William H., who married 
 Lucina Mann, and resides at Rochester station. 
 
 Nathan W. Fay and family, consisting of a wife 
 and three children, settled in Rochester, on lot nine, 
 in 1832. Three children were born in Ohio. John, 
 the eldest of these, now lives on the old homestead. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Fay, Sr., are both dead. 
 
 Orrin Meach, his wife and six children settled on 
 lot seven. The parents are dead, and the homestead 
 is now occupied by the heirs. 
 
 John G. Chirk was one of the early settlers. He 
 located on lot fourteen. John Slayman made settle- 
 ment on lot four. John Johnson settled on the 
 center road, near the south township line, on lot 
 thirteen. The Peets, the descendants of whom still 
 reside in this locality, were early settlers among the 
 pioneers. 
 
 Israel Phelps, one of the substantial men of Roches- 
 ter, was among the jiioneers. He settled on lot eight. 
 The place of his nativity was in Seneca county. New 
 York. He married Julia F. Phillips, of Ontario 
 county; cleared up his wilderness farm, erected 
 thereon a fine residence, and died October 9, 1869. 
 The widow still resides on this farm. Five of the 
 children are dead — Henrietta C, Priscilla, Israel 
 Frank, Julia E., and Alice E. The remainder are: 
 Milton, who married Mary Kelsey, and lives in 
 Rochester; Calvin R., who married Elsie M. Wilcox, 
 also lives in Rochester; and Vincent C, the youngest, 
 who lives with the mother. 
 
 William Carvey located on lot eleven, at an early 
 period, and still lives there. William II. Marshall 
 came to Rochester, from Trumbull county, iu 1833. 
 He purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land in 
 lot number three, and returning he married Sophro- 
 nia Iliukley, of Hiram, Portage county. In Febru- 
 ary, 1838, he settled on his farm, and has lived there 
 until the present. He has now two hundred and 
 thirty-five acres under profitable cultivation. Of his 
 family numbering eleven children, the following are 
 living : Rachel A. ; Eliza J. ; Benjamin II. Holmes ; 
 Maria, Mary, Eugene and Allie. 
 
 Roswell B. Boice settled in Amherst township, in 
 the year 1830. He removed to Rochester and located 
 ou lot seventeen, in 1833. He has a family of four 
 
286 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 children — Adaline, Lois, Lewis anil Adelbert. His 
 wife was Nancy StiUwell. 
 
 Ncliemiali Tinkei-, wife and twelve cliildreii, came 
 witli a team of liorses from Wortiiinglon, IIam|)sliire 
 county, Mass., to Rocliustor, whither tliey arrived in 
 the latter i)art of September, 1833. They located on 
 one hundred and twenty acres of land in lot number 
 twenty-four, tract live, tlieii attached to Huntington. 
 Mr. Tinker erected a log house in the southeast cor- 
 ner of the lot. He remained on this farm until his 
 dcaUi. Himself and wife died but a few days apart 
 in 1S53. The children were : Lydia U., Omri, Min- 
 ei-va, Laura, dead ; Abigail, Adelia, dead ; Erasmas 
 D., who married Elizabeth (Uitsliall, and resides at 
 Rochester station; Martlia, dead; Oscar, dead; Aman- 
 da, Cynlliaand Lorinda. 
 
 (histavus, Orvillc and Hiram Noble settled in the 
 townshi]> in l!S35. Their father had contracted for 
 the greater part of the land along the east and west 
 road in the north part of the township. The Messrs. 
 Noble were single when they began settlement. Gus- 
 tavus married Ilari-iet Fancher, at New London. He 
 died, and bis widow became the wife of DeGrass 
 Tiiomas. William Peck, with a family consisting of 
 a wife and eight children, arrived from Vermont and 
 made settlement in the northwestern portion of the 
 township; this was in lS3.'i. 
 
 John Cluunbei'lain, a former resident of Ontario, 
 Wayne ccuinty. New York, tnade settlement in Co- 
 lumbia township, this county, in 1830. His family 
 were a wife and six children. In 183.5, they removed 
 to Rochester township, and first located on the fai-m 
 now occupied by Orrin Thomas. Moses, the eldest 
 of the children, was a sort of a moving jdanet, and 
 finally died in Michigan. Marshall, the next child, 
 settled at the center in about 18i.'6; he was the pioneer 
 jihysician; he married Betsey Odell; in 1858, he re- 
 moved to Oberlin, and a few years later to Hillsdale, 
 Michigan, where he now resides. John, Jr., married 
 Zephey Sabin, of Liverpool township; he located on lot 
 fourteen, near the northwest corner of the township, 
 and died January 14, 187.5. Charles S., the youngest 
 child of this gentleman, married Tillie Kissinger, of 
 Tiffin; he is now a successful jiractitioner of medicine 
 in Rochester township. Caroline, now dead. Norman 
 married Lifa StiUwell; he is a prominent physician, 
 at (ij-and Rajiids, Michigan. Jeremiah, who married 
 Cynecia Reed, is also a physician; he now resides at 
 Romeo, Michigan. John Chaniberlin, Sr., died Jan- 
 uary 8, 18G0; his wife died February 11, 18.5G. John 
 Chaniberlin, Jr., was a large hearted, public spirited 
 man, ever ready to assist those less fortunate in the 
 possession of this world's goods than himself; he held 
 the office of township trustee sixteen years, and was 
 occupving the position of infirmary director when he 
 died. " 
 
 John I. Masten was born in Duchess county. New 
 York; he married Rosalie Loomis, of the same county, 
 and came immediately to Ohio, arriving in Rochester 
 township in June 7, 1836. Anson Pierce had built a 
 
 small log cabin on lot three, and in this Mr. and Mrs. 
 Masten Itegan life. There was no road ojiened to 
 them until some three years later. He first purchased 
 sixty acres of land in lot ten, and on this constructed 
 a log house, into which he soon removed. The jires- 
 ent residence now occupied by the family was built 
 in 1803. The original farm has been added to, until 
 he now owns two hundred and thirty-five acres, lying 
 in a body. Those early years were fraught with pri- 
 vations. Too poor to purchase a team, Mr. Masten 
 procured an ox, for which lie constructed a rude 
 hai'uess. From the fork of a tree, a sled was pre- 
 ])ared, and with this novel turn-out, the black salts 
 were transported to Wellington, to be exchanged for 
 the necessities of life. By the aid of this faithful 
 beast, some three acres of land were cleared, plowed 
 and sowed to wheat. The children of this couple are: 
 Decolia V., who married Harriet Bevins, of Welling- 
 ton; he died at the Soldiers' Home, in Dayton, Ohio, 
 from injuries received at the battle of Antietam; 
 Amelia C., who married Cordon L. Bouncy, lives in 
 Wellington; Mortimer C, who married Harriet Ames, 
 lives in Michigan; Celie, who married I). W. Man- 
 chester, lives in Cleveland; Delia M., who married 
 .1. H. Bessell, lives at Rochester station; NinaC, who 
 married A. .1. Irish, lives in Sheffield township, this 
 county; .lohn D., who married Elmore Myers, lives 
 in Michigan; and Frank L., who is single, and re- 
 mains at home. 
 
 Other early settlers in this vicinity were Ira Pierce, 
 Isaac Ilumiston, Horatio Stevens and others. Morris 
 Howard was a native of Andover, W^indsor county, 
 Vermont. He married Hannah Smith, and removed 
 to Ohio in the sjiring of 1837. He remained in Ash- 
 land county until March, 1838, when he removed to 
 Rochester and settled permanently on two hundred and 
 sixty acres of land in lot number eleven, tract three. 
 This farm he partially cleared. His wife died in 
 184G. He removed to Wisconsin and died there in 
 1861. He was a soldier in the war of 1813, having 
 been in the service some eighteen months; was at the 
 battle of Plattsburgand several others. His children 
 were S. V. R. , who married Barbara Bowman, and 
 lives on the old iiomestead. Cyntha died young. 
 William II., who married Charlotte Laborie. He 
 lives on lot ten, Rochester township. Emily R., a 
 daughter of this couple, married Solomon Farnsworth, 
 who also lives on lot ten. Nancy, who married 
 Augusta E. Kelsey, lives in Kansas. David and 
 Louisa are dead. Isadore is now the wife of Wdliam 
 Fenton, who lives in Clarion county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Edmond Thomas was born in Brattleborough, Ver- 
 mont. He married Aseneth Crapo, of Jefferson 
 county. New York. In 1835 he removed to Oliio, 
 locating in Pittsfield township, this county, where he 
 remained until 1844, when he removed to Rochester, 
 locating in the northwest corner of the township, lot 
 number twenty-eight; he yet resides where he first 
 settled. His wife died May 17, 1877. The children 
 are: DeGrass, who married Mrs. Harriet Noble; they. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 287 
 
 have two cliildreu and reside on a portion of the old 
 farm. Orriii, who married MarciaFancher; they have 
 three children — reside on lot thirteen. Eliza Manette, 
 who married Luther M. Merrifield; tiiey now live in 
 Michigan; have seven children. Jenette, who married 
 Harvey J. Hart; they have one child, live in Char- 
 lotte, Michigan. Maria, who lives at home; and 
 Jane, who married Isaac Hart; she lives in Lenox, 
 Iowa; has two children. 
 
 Benjamin Perkins, Es(j., was agent for mnch of 
 the lands in Rochester township. He was one of the 
 pioneers. He is spoken of as the father of tiie 
 townsiiip. 
 
 FIRST EVKNTS. 
 
 The first child, born of a permanent settler in 
 Rochester township, was Amy, daughter of Elijah T. 
 and Patience Banning. The date of her birth was 
 June 2-i, 1S3"2. She grew to womanhood, married 
 Alexander Doli)h, removed to New Loudon, Huron 
 county, and died their October 15, 1873. 
 
 The first marriage in the townsiiip was doubtless 
 that of Watson Babcock to Miss Jane Hamlin, of 
 Elyria. We have not the date. Mv. Babcock is not 
 now living. 
 
 Tiie first adult death of a permanent settler was 
 that of Stephen Babcock, whieii occurred on January 
 14, 183.5. The funeral services were conducted by 
 the Rev. Mr. Talcott, of Wellington. The body was 
 the first interred in the cemetery near tiie center of 
 the township. 
 
 The first post office was established in 1837. Hiram 
 Woodworth was appointed postmaster, and tlie office 
 located at bis residence in tlie southeast corner of the 
 township. The office was authorized on condition that 
 the government were to be at no expense in trans- 
 porting the mails. John Clark volunteered to can-y 
 the mail gratis, and did so while the office remained 
 in the locality. This office was eventually removed 
 to the center, and Martin L. Blair appointed post- 
 master. It is now located at the station; George Gar- 
 rison, postmaster. 
 
 The first wheat was sown in the fall of 1831, by 
 Elijah T. Banning and Daniel Campbell. 
 
 Tiie pioneer orcliard was [ilanted on the farm of 
 Orrin Meach, in tlie year IS'i'Z, and consisted of one 
 hundred and twenty trees. It is still in a thriving 
 condition. 
 
 The first store was opened by George G. Ogden, 
 as was also the first hotel. They were located at the 
 center. This was in about 18-18. The only hotel in 
 the township at present, is at the station. This was 
 built by Rufus Norton, in 1853, and is now owned by 
 John Cnrrey, who conducts a general store in connec- 
 tion. 
 
 The remaining mercantile interest at this point is 
 as follows: J. B. Garrison & Son, general merchan- 
 dise; Peter Dagnon, drugs; Robert Potter, groceries; 
 M. Bailey, tin shop. 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 At the session of the commissioners of Lorain 
 county', held in March, 1835, lots one to fifteen, 
 inclusive, of tract three, with all of tracts four and 
 five, and a part of tract six, in range nineteen, to- 
 gether with surplus lots nine to fourteen, inclusive, 
 lying west of the range, with a part of surplus lot 
 eight, were united, and formed into the township of 
 Rochester. An election for town hip officers was 
 held on the 6th of the April following, when John 
 Coiiant, Joseph Iladley and Nehemiah Tinker were 
 elected trustees; M. L. Blair, clerk; and Benjamin 
 C. Perkins, treasurer. The township offic^ers for 1878, 
 are: A. A. Pond, Dr. Charles L. Chamberlin, and M. 
 Phelps, trustees; D. R. Lnvrie, clerk; John Currey, 
 treasurer; A. A. Pond, assessor; J. Martin Mann 
 and II. II. Howard, constables; Asa Mann and R. 
 M. Johnson, justices of the peace and nii.e su))er- 
 visors of highways. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 MET1I(M>IST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 Erasmus D. Tinker furnishes the following : In 
 the fall of 1833, Rev. John Ferris, a Methodist, com- 
 menced holding meetings in the log house of Nehe- 
 miah Tinker, and soon after, in the little log school 
 house near there. The result of these religious ser- 
 vices was the formation, the following spring, of the 
 first class, or religious organization in the township 
 of Rochester. It was composed of but four mem- 
 bers — Nehemiah Tinker and Moses Barnes, with their 
 respective wives. In 1835 another class of the M. E. 
 tUiurch was formed in the southeast corner of the 
 township by the Rev. John T. Kelluni, with the fol- 
 lowing members : Aaron Welsher, Sr., and wife ; 
 Erastus Kiiapp and wife ; Aaron Welsher, Jr., and 
 wife; Mrs. Hiram Woodworth and John Clark. 
 Aaron Welsher, Sr., was first class leadei'. Meetings 
 were held at the dwellings of the settlers, and after- 
 wards ill the Meach school house. This society grew 
 to be large and prosperous. In 1859' the church edi- 
 fice at the station was built, and the societies consoli- 
 dated. The cost of this building was twenty-five 
 hundred dollars. The present membershii) is sixty- 
 one. Officei-s: T. M. Knapp, Peter Taylor, and 
 Henry Barnes, stewards; Robert Anderson, Thomas 
 Knajip and Miles Fisher, class leaders. The present 
 minister is Rev. Edwin L. Warner. The Sabbath 
 school connected with this church numbers seventy- 
 five scholars. George Hull is its suj)crintendent. 
 
 THE CONGRE(}ATIONAL CHURCH 
 
 was formed in the year 1838, with the following mem- 
 bers: Luther Blair and wife, Stephen Babcock and 
 wife, John Conant and wife, Jonathan Ames and 
 wife, Benjamin C. Perkins and wife, Nathan W. Fay 
 and wife, and C. W. Conant and wife. The meetings 
 of this denomination were begun at the log house of 
 Luther Blair, as early as 1833. There was no preacher. 
 
288 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 the service being conducted by Mr. Hluir, \w reuding 
 a sermon from a volume in his possession. The first 
 ))astor to locate in the township was the Rev. Mr. 
 lligbee; lie was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Kellogg, and 
 he by Dr. Palmer. This brings us up to 1848, at 
 which time the present pastor, Rev. M. Elliot, 
 assumed charge of the church. The present meet- 
 ing house at the center was erected in 1842, and was 
 the tirst in the township. It is a neat frame struc- 
 ture, and cost twenty-five hundred dollars. The ofK- 
 cers, on organization, were: Luther Blair and Jona- 
 than Ames, deacons. The first trustees were Luther 
 Ulair, Benjamin C. Perkins and John Conant. A 
 Sabbath school was soon organized, with William 
 Shepard, of New London, Huron county, as the first 
 superintendent. The present church officers arc: 
 John Lang, William Squires and John Brandston, 
 trustees; William Elliot, William Squires and D. Curn- 
 mings, deacons; superintendent of Sabljath school and 
 clerk, .John Fay. Average attendance at Sabbath 
 school, seventy; present membership, forty-five. 
 
 rNITED BRETHREN. 
 
 The church of the United Brethren was formed in 
 1853, under the ministerial efforts of the Rev. Mr. 
 Waldraff. The first meud)ers were, Joseph Kimball 
 and wife and Mrs. Goodman. Meetings were held in 
 the school house, on lot twenty-three. The following 
 ministers have presided over the destinies of this 
 
 church: Rev. Michael Bulger, Charles Slater, 
 
 Thayer, D. F. Reynolds, Addison Hill, Charles Price, 
 Charles Kester, C. 0. Mclntire, Isaiah Dennis, Ira 
 Moody, John Excell, Samuel P]vans, David Kosht, 
 IL J. Becker, and John Noel who is the ])resent \yds- 
 tor. The church officers are: E. I). Tinker, leader; 
 Edwai-d Clifford, steward and trustee. The present 
 menil)ership is twenty-one; average attendance at 
 sabbath school, fifty; Walter Crandall, superintend- 
 ent. Services are conducted in the Union church at 
 tlie station. 
 
 THE BAPTIST CHURCn 
 
 was organized about 1842, by the Rev. Mr. Chambers, 
 with the following members: Joseph Bailey and wife, 
 John Chamberlin, Jr., and wife; Marcus Chamber- 
 lin and wife, and jiorhaps others, whose names are not 
 renienibercd. .Meetings were held in private houses 
 until 184.5, when a commodious log building was 
 constructed on lot thirteen. This was christened 
 "the alibey," and in this tbe meetings were held for 
 many years. 'J'hey finally joined with the United 
 Brethren and built the Union church at the station. 
 The present membership is small, (uily about twenty. 
 Rev. C. A. Gleason is the ])resent pastor. (Jooley 
 Stevens and Cyrus Coates are the deacons. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The little log school house spoken of in connection 
 with the .Methodist Episcopal church, was first oceu- 
 jiied for a school in the winter of 18;!3-34. Miss 
 Abigail Tinker was the teacher. There were some 
 
 twenty children in attendance. A school house had 
 been erected in the Meach settlement at about the 
 same date. The first teacher was John Johnson. 
 The report of the board of education for Rochester 
 townshij), for the year ending August 31, 1878, shows 
 seven school hou.ses, valued at five thousand dollars; 
 the total amount jiaid teachers for the year was one 
 tliousand three hundred dollars; the number of chil- 
 dren in the township of the school age was one hun- 
 dred and eighty. 
 
 PHYSICIANS. 
 
 The pioneer disciple of Esculaiiius to locate in 
 Rochester township was Marshall Chamberlin, who 
 began practicing at the center in 1836. He remained 
 in the township over twenty years. The jiresent 
 medical staff is composed of Charles S. Chamberlin, 
 a nephew of the above, and T. S. Field, whose 
 residence is at the station. 
 
 INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 
 
 The earliest cheese factory in the township is the 
 one on lot number fifteen, tract three. This was 
 built by L. Beckley in 1870, and has been extensively 
 patronized. During the season of 1878 this factory 
 utilized tlie milk of four hundred and fifty cows. 
 
 The cheese factory on lot number twenty-seven was 
 built by DeGrass Thomas and Perry Noble in the 
 spring of 1873. The total amount invested was two 
 thousand dollars. The first season the jiatronage 
 was two hundred cows. The patronage has gradually 
 increased until the season of 1878, when the lactial 
 wealth of four hundred and twenty-five cows was 
 converted into butter and cheese. Mr. Noble is a 
 practical cheese-maker, and superintends that depart- 
 ment of the business. 
 
 The first saw and grist mill in the township was 
 built at the center by Benjamin S. Perkins in 1837; 
 this was destroyed by fire. 
 
 A water saw mill was built by Frederick Van 
 Tassel in 1847. This was located on lot number 
 fifteen. 
 
 The present flouring and saw mil], located at the 
 station, was buiU in 1844, by Daniel Franklin. It 
 stood just west of the center, on the west branch of 
 Black river, and was removed to its present site in 
 18(;4. The jM'csent proprietors, Messrs. D. Lowrie 
 & Son, ])urcliased the jiroperty in Ajiril, 1874, paying 
 for the same ten thousand dollars. A fifty-horse 
 jiower engine propels the two run of stone, by which 
 both custom and merchant work is done. The saw 
 mill in connection is operated by a twenty-live horse 
 power engine. Messrs. Lowrie conduct a cooper shop 
 at the same point. 
 
 Messrs. Conant & Shepard had in operation, at the 
 station, the most extensive manufacturing establish- 
 ment ever in Rochester townshiii. Their principal 
 work was the making of walnut gun stocks for the 
 United States government. Tiie close of the war 
 and of this establishment was simultaneous. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 289 
 
 An ashery was built in about 1838, by Samuel Ed- 
 wards, on lot eight. He disposed of this proi)erty to 
 Messrs. Griswold, Dunn & Calkins, who conducted 
 the business for a number of years. They also sold 
 goods in connection. 
 
 A man named Beals erected another ashery a short 
 time after the above. This was located on Blair 
 brook. 
 
 Hiram Scoville built the first blacksmith shop. 
 This was located at the center. James Earls suc- 
 ceeded Mr. Scoville. The present blacksmiths are A. 
 Mitchell and J. N. Kinney. E. E. Banning and John 
 Hanley have wagon shops; C. Curtis, a harness shop; 
 W. M. Crandall, boots and shoes; and M. Sage, a livery 
 stable. 
 
 The roads are laid out at right angles across the 
 township, and one mile apart. They were surveyed 
 by Benjamin Perkins and Luther Blair, and the 
 
 settlers cut them out and made them passable by 
 voluntar}' subscription. 
 
 In May, 1871, a portion of Rochester township was 
 visited by a genuine sensation. It came in the shape 
 of a juvenile hurricane, from a northwest direction, 
 and carried devastation and ruin in its train, uproot- 
 ing the giant trees of the forest, unroofing buildings, 
 and generally demoralizing the face of dame nature. 
 
 Wheat, 
 Potatoes, 
 Oats, 
 Orchards, 
 Corn, 
 Clover, 
 Meadow, 1,58:) 
 Butter 
 
 AoRicPLTimAi. Statistics. 
 341 acres 5,14,3 bushels. 
 
 26 
 449 
 202 
 573 
 
 143 
 
 Cheese 2O2..'i20 
 
 Maple Sugar 1,840 
 
 Population in 1870 
 
 .3,169 " 
 19,695 
 
 1,582 
 26,920 
 
 271 *' 
 
 8,036 tons. 
 40,680 pounds. 
 
 Hayes. 
 
 Vote fob President in 1876. 
 143|TiIden 
 
 091 
 
 58 
 
 CAMDEN.^ 
 
 The township of Camden is situated in the 
 western side of the county, being town number four, 
 in range nineteen, and was originally included in 
 Brighton and Henrietta. The surface is for the most 
 part level, though in some parts it is rolling, and the 
 land is broken by small streams. The soil is in some 
 places gravelly and sandy, but clay predominates. 
 Running through the township, from south to north, 
 entering at the southwest corner, and leaving at a 
 point near the north and south center road, is the 
 eastern branch of the Vermillion river. There are no 
 otiier streams of any importance in this territory, but 
 numerous small rills and rivulets brighten the land- 
 scape and lend value to the farms. 
 
 Like all of the other townships in the nineteenth 
 range, Camden was originally laid off in tracts, and 
 the territory included within its present limits was 
 annexed to other townships for purjioses of equaliza- 
 tion. These tracts extended from east to west across 
 the range, and were numbered from the south line 
 towai'ds Lake Erie. The township, as at present 
 constituted, contains two tiers of lots (as subdivided) 
 in the northern part of tract number eight and the 
 whole of tracts number nine, ten and eleven, together 
 with the surplus lands lying west of said tracts. 
 
 ORIGINAL OWNERS. 
 
 In the original drawing of the Western Reserve, 
 tract number nine, was drawn by Lemuel Storrs, 
 
 • This liistory is written, largely, from information furnished by the 
 kindness of Reuben Eddy, Esq. 
 
 37 
 
 tract number ten by Nehemiah Hubbard and Joshua 
 Storrs, and tnact number eleven by Henry Champion 
 and Lemuel Storrs. When the land was put into the 
 market, tract number eight (or that part of it lying 
 in the present township limits) was the projierty of 
 Abagail Doming, of Hartford, Connecticut. Philip 
 L. Goss was her agent. Aristarchus Champion, of 
 Rochester, New York, became the proprietor of tract 
 number nine, and he conveyed it, in 1835, to Ezra S. 
 Allen, of Brockport, New York. Cyrus Butler, of 
 Norwalk, Huron county, became the agent of Hub- 
 bard. Tract number eleven came into the possession 
 of the heirs of Sylvester Mather, of New York, whose 
 agent was John W. Allen, of Cleveland. The sur- 
 plus lands on the west side of the township were 
 owned by Hemau Ely, of Elyria, and by Washington 
 College- of Hartford, Connecticut. 
 
 GAME. 
 
 Game of the smaller kinds was very abundant be- 
 fore the hunters became too numerous. It cannot be 
 positively stated that any old bears were killed in the 
 township after the settlement was begun; but there 
 is a vague tradition to the effect that Solomon Root 
 and Joseph Ross once found two in a whitewood tree 
 in the southwest part of the town, and killed them. 
 Reuben Eddy disco.vered three cubs in a tree, and 
 fastening his cap and coat upon the bark to keep 
 them from coming down, he went after his gun and 
 dog, and returning, killed two of them and took the 
 third captive. Only one wolf was killed after the 
 
290 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN" COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 settlement of the town. Wild lious were fn'(|uently 
 met witli and killed by tlie hunters. Jfoscs Pike and 
 Leonard Clark were aroused one night by the outery 
 that their dog made, and knowing that some animal 
 must be prowling a1)out their cabin, they held a short 
 diseussioii, the object of which was to decide who 
 should go out and make an investigation. Clark 
 declined assuming the responsibility, and Pike, seiz- 
 ing a heavy club, used as a fire poker, threw the door 
 open and stepped out, fully expecting to see a bear, 
 lie fonnd instead a couple of wild or shack hogs. 
 Swinging his club with tremendous force, he sti'uck 
 one of them a blow which broke the savage brute's 
 back, and then calling to Clark and informing him of 
 the success of the attack, he made an onslaught upon 
 hog number two, but did not kill him. The tusks 
 of the animal killed by the first well-directed blow, 
 measured between thi-ee and four inches. 
 
 The wild hogs were but little valued for their flesh, 
 and as a general thing the hunters killed them only 
 for the reason that they were savage and dangerous 
 pests. Deer, wild turkeys and raccoons were found 
 in abundance, and made much more palatal)le food. 
 
 SETTLEiMENT. 
 
 When the first settlement of Camden was made, 
 the territory, at present included in its bounds, 
 belonged to Henrietta and Brighton, the dividing 
 line between those townships being what is now the 
 east and west center road through Camden. As the 
 township was not settled until several j'cars later than 
 those adjoining, the pioneers had no experience with 
 the Indians. The red man had retreated before the 
 vanguard of the great advancing hosts of civilization 
 and left but faint traces of his presence in the forest, 
 which Leonard Cilark invaded in 1839. Clark might 
 be more properly termed a pioneer than a settler. 
 He remained but two years and then jiassed on, in all 
 probability, to some point farther west, where he may 
 have remained a longer time. He-built a small log 
 cabin on lot twenty-five, tract eleven, and cleared off 
 three or four acres in lot twenty-six. Clark brought 
 with him his family and his father-in-law, Moses Pike. 
 The second log cabin was built liy one Johnson 
 soon after Clark's arrival. Johnson had his family 
 with him. He built his house upon the northern 
 ])n,rt of lot sixteen, made a small clearing upon lot 
 fifteen, sowed it with timothy seed and then left the 
 country. 
 
 John White was another settler who remained but 
 a short time and left no record behind him. He 
 moved on to lot fourteen, tract eleven, and chopped 
 some timber in 1831. 
 
 Herod Pike, a son of Moses Pike, moved his 
 family into a log cabin upon lot fifteen, tract eleven, 
 in 1831. Moses Pike lived with his son after the 
 departure of Leonard Clark, and the two, working 
 together, chopjjcd and cleared three or four acres 
 which they sowed in wheat in the year 1832. Herod 
 and his wife Eliza left soon after this, but the father 
 
 staid to harvest the wheat which he and his son had 
 sown. When the crop had been secured in the sum- 
 mer of 1833, he, too, took his departure, going to 
 Henrietta, where he remained for several years. He 
 returned, however, to Camden, and lived there to a 
 good old age. 
 
 m March, 1833, William Scott and John Johnston, 
 natives of Scotland, put up a log cabin on lot five in 
 tract eleven, and moved their families into it. They 
 were the first families who came into Camden after 
 the land was put into the market, and the first per- 
 manent settlers in the township, all before them being 
 "squatters." 
 
 The settlement increased rapidly during 1833, and 
 the following year or two. Gideon Waugh and his 
 wife Minerva came from Oswego county. New York, 
 in the summer of 1833, and settled upon lot twenty- 
 three, in tract eleven. Their family consisted of 
 Gideon, Chapman, Alanson, and James H. The 
 mother of this family died soon after coming into 
 the country, and Gideon Waugh afterward married 
 Mindwell Shepherd, by whom he had a daughter, 
 (j\L-s. M. W. French). Gideon Waugh removed to 
 Wakeman in 1853, where he died in 18f;9. 
 
 Thomas Lee and his wife, Ijxieinda Waugh, of Os- 
 wego county. New York, settled in 1833, upon lot 
 twenty-four, tract eleven. Mrs. Lee walked all the 
 way from Birmingham to Camden, and carried a small 
 child in her arms. Thomas Lee was one of the most 
 indomitable spirits among the pioneers of Camden. 
 He had much to contend with, but in spite of all 
 difficulties, and beginning with nothing, achieved in- 
 dependence and won respect from all. Soon after 
 ■coming into the country he lost the use of one of his 
 hands by erysipelas, and was unable to perform any 
 work with it for many years. He neverthless accom- 
 plished more than some men who had the use of both 
 hands. The first season he was in the country he 
 sowed two acres of wheat upon the place where his 
 wife at present resides. He died in 1877. The fam- 
 ily consists of six children: Andrew, Norman, Mar- 
 garet (Hose), in Camden, two in Wisconsin and one 
 in Clarksfield. 
 
 Robert Douglass, also of Oswego county, New 
 Tork, came in 1833, and settled upon lot three, in 
 tract ten. 
 
 William Hawkins, of Auburn, Cayuga county, 
 settled in 1833, on lot thirteen, tract ten, where he is 
 still living with his wife, (Mary Abbott, of Henrietta) 
 liaving reared a family of eight children. 
 
 Hiram Smith came in previous to 1833, and took 
 land in lot seven, tract eleven. 
 
 Thomas Sigsworth, a native of England, was a 
 prominent arrival in 1833. He came to Camden from 
 Binghampton, New York, his wife, Mai-y, accompa- 
 nying him. They had two sons; one of them, John, 
 now living on the place taken up by his father, lot 
 fourteen, tract eleven, and five daughters, all of whom 
 are living. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 291 
 
 B. Bayloss came from the vicinity of Auburn, 
 Now York, during the same year, and took up land 
 on lot six, tract ten, though he made his home 
 ' with Thomas Lee. Piatt Squires, who was also a New 
 Yorker, came about this time. The Gagers, of Bing- 
 hampton, New York, came to Camden in the fall of 
 1833. Thomas Gager and wife, with Israel, settled 
 upon lot twenty-six, tract eleven, and Aaron upon lot 
 twenty-five. Edwin and Joseph came a year or so 
 later. David Wells, of Connecticut, was another of 
 the settlers of 1833, taking up land in lot seventeen, 
 tract eleven. He was without family, reuiained but 
 a short time, and is now a resident of Brownhelm. 
 
 Reuben Eddy, in the fall of 1833, bonglit lot 
 twenty, tract ten, and in February, 1834, moved on 
 to it with his household, which then consisted of his 
 father, Johu, his mother. Experience, and one sister. 
 Reuben Eddy was born in Rutland, Jefferson county, 
 New York, and reached his seventy-third year in 
 1878. He has been one of the most prominent and 
 influential men of Camden, and has been honored by 
 being called upon to fill offices of trust and honor. 
 He has served eighteen years as a justice of the peace. 
 He was married in February, 1835, to Hannah Sigs- 
 worth, who still lives witli him. Their family con- 
 sists of four children, — Cliarles, now in Michigan; 
 John, a resident of Camden; Luther, in Michigan; 
 an<l Annette, at home. 
 
 Obadiah HolcomI), and his wife Rachel, moved 
 iiuo Camden in 1834, from Henrietta, and settled on 
 lot six, in tract ten, but left in about three years for a 
 point near Columljus, Ohio. The family consisted of 
 Montgomery, Almina, Orlanda and, Henrietta, who 
 was named after the townsiiip in which she was born. 
 
 Truman Holcomband Phebe, his wife, caine in from 
 Henrietta in 1835, and settled upon lot six, tract ten. 
 Truman died in 1873, and his wife in 1 875. They had 
 seven children, Moses, Mehitable, (dead); Harriet, 
 (Mrs. E. C. Williams, of Camden); Arvilla, (in Iowa); 
 Ambrosia, (dead); Ann Janette, (in Michigan); and 
 William, (also in Michigan). Moses Holcomb is a 
 resident of Camden, and has a family, which con- 
 sists of his wife, Hannah Tenuiint, and four children; 
 Olivia, (Mrs. D. R. Brown); Truman T., (m Iowa); 
 Fred and George, at home. Elida and William are 
 dead. 
 
 How fast the settlement increased in size during 
 1834 may be inferred from a fact stated by W. W. 
 Cook, who came into the townshij) in June of that 
 year, and attended thirty raisings, during the next 
 six months. Mr. Cook and his wife, Maria Durfee, 
 came from Binghampton, New York, and settled on 
 lot twelve, in tract ten. Otis Bates came from Lewis 
 county. New York, in the same year, and settled on 
 lot two, in tract ten. 
 
 Harrison Hurd and wife, of Lewis county, New 
 York, settled in 1834, on lot eleven, tract ten, and 
 reared there a family of ten children, who have shown 
 great musical al)ility. Judson and Frances (Mrs. 
 Lee,) are now in Camden. 
 
 John F. Hovey, a native of Vermont, settled upon 
 lot twenty-one, tract ten, early in 1835. John Yos- 
 burg and Jared Watkins, both of New York State, 
 came during the same year. 
 
 It was in 1834 that Norman Breckenridge settled 
 on lot twenty-six, tract ten. His descendants of the 
 first generation are: Abm/.o L., Norman, Daniel, 
 Benjamin, Justin, Henry, Mary and Francis. George 
 Arnold came during the year, and his brother James 
 a little later. Both settled on lot twenty-seven, tract 
 ten. E. Arnold, of Saratoga county, New York, set- 
 tled on lot nineteen about the time that James came. 
 
 During the same or the following year came the 
 Wliitneys. William W. and his family settled on lot 
 fifteen, tract eleven; and in the following year, Cal- 
 vin, a brother, settled near the line. Hiram, another 
 brother, came in 1836, and located on lot tweuty-six, 
 tract ten. John R., the father, and Catharine, came 
 soon after; they were from Binghampton, Broome 
 county, New York. William W.'s children, born be- 
 fore he came to Camden, were: Catharine, Mary and 
 William; afterwards Hannah, Jane, John F., Samuel 
 H. and Reuben. Hiram's children were: Henry, 
 Hiram and Hannibal. John R. married a second 
 wife, by whom he had six children: Mary, Elisha, 
 Warren, Warner, Lucretia and Frank. Calvin Whit- 
 ney's children, by his wife Emma L. Morse, were: 
 Will K., now in Camden; George, in Kansas; Charles, 
 in Pittsfield; Caroline, Olive, Alice and Lizzie. John 
 R., William W. and Hiram Whitney are dead. 
 
 Azel Washburn and his wife, Elizabeth N., came in 
 January, 1835, and settled on lot twenty-nine, tract ten. 
 They were formerly from Orange, New Hampshire, 
 but had resided in Lake county, Ohio, three years. 
 They had three sons: Azel D., George G. and Fred- 
 erick S. ; and one daughter, Francis E. Only one of 
 the family is now living. The oldest son, Azel D., 
 died in Camden, February 10, 1842. Frances E. died 
 in Montgomery, Alabama, May 31, 1853. The mother 
 died in Waterloo, Iowa, March 9, 1859. Frederick 
 S. fell mortally wounded in the assault on Vicksburg, 
 May 33, 18G3, while leading his gallant Ninth Iowa 
 regiment in the charge, and died the day after he 
 reached his home in Waterloo, Iowa, June 16, 1863. 
 The father died at the home of his son George, in 
 Elyria, Dccemljer 30, 1807. George G., the only sur- 
 vivor of the family, removed to Elyria in 1847, where, 
 for twenty-nine years, he has been engaged as a jour- 
 nalist; he is now editor and proprietor of the Elyria 
 RejnMican. 
 
 Rufus Washburn bought lot thirty, tract ten, in 
 1834, but did not settle in Camden until 1841. He 
 married Mrs. Mary Allen, who survives him and still 
 resides at the old home on lot thirty. He was held ' 
 in high esteem by all who knew him, and died April 
 33, 1877. 
 
 John Farmer settled upon lot 33, tract ten, in 
 1834; he was from Binghampton, New York. Han- 
 cock, another New Yorker, who originally settled in 
 Henrietta, came in the same year, but remained only 
 
292 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 a short time. John Cyrenius and wife, from near 
 Oswego, New York, settled in 1834, upon lot nine- 
 teen, in tract ton, but returned east two years after. 
 Joseph and Benjamin AVilcox, brothers, from Penn- 
 sylvania, sometime during this year, took up lots 
 thirty-one and thirty-two, in tract ten. 
 
 Among the settlers who ai-rived in 1835 were Fran- 
 cis Bates, of Lewis county. New York, who took up 
 land iu lot three, tract ten, and Johiel Bailey, who set- 
 tled upon the same lot, but afterward took lot twenty- 
 one. Ncitlier of them is now living, and neither has 
 any descendants in the town. 
 
 Daniel, a brother of Gideon Waugh, settled about 
 1835 upon lot fourteen, tract ten. He married Abi- 
 gail Hovey, and some time afterward removed to 
 Kansas. Another brother, Lansing, generally known 
 as Elder Waugh, took up lot five, tract ten, at a later 
 day, but afterward became a resident of Wakemai . 
 
 Solomon B. Clark came into the township in 1834, 
 or the following year, and took lot twenty-five, in 
 tract eleven. He was from near Binghamptou, New 
 York. 
 
 John D. Williams and his wife, Jane, from the 
 vicinity of Cuyuga Lake, New York, settled upon lots 
 twenty-five and twenty-six, tract eleven, in 1836. 
 Elisha C. now lives upon lot twenty-three, same tract. 
 S. B. is in Kipton village. John W. and Wilson are 
 also residents of the township. Mary Jane lives upon 
 the old place. The only other living member of tlie 
 family of brothers and sisters is Heman. Albert R. 
 died in 1878. Clarissa and Minerva are also dead. 
 
 Samuel Morgan, and Amy, his wife, came from Mon- 
 roe county. New York, in 1840. The family consists 
 of two sons and two daughtei-s. D. S. is in Brock- 
 port, engaged in the manufacture of mowers and 
 reapers. David is a farmer in Camden and Sarah 
 (Mrs. Hill) and Celestia, (Mrs. Hinman) are also 
 living in the township. The family of David Morgan 
 consists of Charles D., D. B., (in Michigan,) Celes- 
 tia, Celia (dead), Edna, Mary M., and Elmer Ells- 
 worth. Mrs. Hill has two children, Emma and Nel- 
 son Morgan, and Mrs. Hinman, a son, A. F. 
 
 Jacob Devener was quite an early settler, coming 
 from Pennsylvania before 1840, and taking land in 
 lot three, tract ten. 
 
 Tract number nine was not put into the market 
 until 1835 wlien it was bought of Ceristarchus 
 Champion by PJiilemon Allen, who deeded it to Ezra 
 S. Allen, of Brockport, New York. After the land 
 came into market, it was taken up by settlers quite 
 fast. Some came from the east, and otliers moved 
 into the newly opened tract from the northern part 
 of the township. Ezra S. Allen removed to Camden 
 ■wliere he resided about four years, and died in 1841. 
 He willed tliis property to Hiram Allen, who settled 
 upon what has smce been known as the Taylor farm 
 at the corners. H. H. Crandall was one of the 
 earliest settlers in this part of the township, — west 
 side. He removed to Birmingham, but came back to 
 his Camden home where he now lives, one of the in- 
 
 fluential residents of the town. Among the earliest 
 settlers in the southern part of the township was 
 Solomon Root and a man by the name of Heath. 
 They occupied respectively lots thirty-four and thirty- 
 five in tract nine. Marcus Bartlett took up lot thirty- 
 nine; Francis Bennett bought out Root about 1840; 
 Henry Bates took up lot nineteen; — Warner lot 
 thirty-eight, and Seneca Andrews a part of lot thirty- 
 nine,— *11 at an early day. Charles Kingsbury, of 
 Brockport, New York, settled in 1840, aast of the 
 Taylor farm. Moses S. Tennant and wife, Jane Bill- 
 ings, of Rochester, Now York, came in 1847, and 
 located upon lot seven in tract nine; a son, William, 
 is now circuit judge in Saginaw county, Michigan. 
 Allen R. Tennant and his wife, Nancy Cook, settled 
 upon lot six in the year 1838. Selden Tennant, father 
 of William and Allen came to Camden in 1845, 
 bringing with him two children, David R. and Mar- 
 garet. He took up considerable land, including lots 
 nine and ten, where he lived. Ira Hill came in 1839. 
 The Rev. John Cannan and his son by the same name 
 came into Camden in 1840, the father purchasing a 
 farm upon the east part of lot eight, tract eight. 
 The elder Cannan preached in his own neighborhood 
 for several years, and in the Free Will Baptist 
 Churches of Henrietta and La Grange. He was a 
 strong and original thinker, and a man of most con- 
 scientious and practical piety. Of his son, Dr. John 
 Cannan, mention is made in another portion of this 
 chapter. He is still livin'g upon the old place sur- 
 rounded by his family. A sister, Isabella, is the wife 
 of W. S. (titford, of Camden. The southern portion 
 of C'amden is now nearly as well settled as the 
 northern part. Its history not extending back to 
 pioneer days, has few, if any, elements of interest. 
 
 OROANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 During the months of .Tanuary and February, 1835, 
 a petition was circulated among, and numerously 
 signed by, the inhabitants of what was then the 
 southern half of Henrietta and the northern half of 
 Brighton, praying the county commissioners to set 
 off a separate township. The petition was presented 
 to the commissioners at their annual meeting in 
 March, and its prayer granted, an order being issued 
 for the completion of the organization, by the election 
 of officers on the first Monday of April, in the same 
 year. 
 
 Pursuant to (his order, on the tith of April, 1835, 
 was held the first election ever had in Camden. The 
 electors met at the school house, and prepared for the 
 exercise of their right of suffrage by choosing as 
 judges, Piatt Squii-es, Solomon B. Clark and Robert 
 Douglass; and as clerks, Israel D. Gager and John 
 Cyrenius. Every person in the township limits 
 entitled to a vote had a ballot in the box, except one 
 who was detained at home. Following are the 
 officers who were chosen: Trustees, Azel Washburn, 
 Robert Douglass, Obed Holcomb; clerk, John Cyre- 
 nius; treasurer, David Wells; overseers of the poor, 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 393 
 
 Thomas Lee and .Joscpii Wilcox; fence viewers, Junios 
 Smith, Joseph Wilcox and Henjamin Wilcox; super- 
 visors of highways, Gideon Wangh, James Smith and 
 Reuben Eddy; constable, Thomas Lee. In October 
 iif the same year, 1). Wangh was a|)|ioiiit"e<l townsliip 
 clerk, to fill the vacancy caused by John Cyrenius' 
 departure from the townshiii. (Jideon Wangh was 
 elected justice of the peace in June, 1835, with but 
 one dissenting vote. 
 
 When the township was carved out of Briglitonand 
 Henrietta, (rideou Wangh suggested to the county 
 commissioners the name of Camden, and the name 
 was accordingly bestowed. 
 
 The present township officers are as follows: Trus- 
 tees, Wm. Prince, Charles Hardy, Matthew Tucker; 
 clerk, John Eddy; treasurer, Alonzo L. Breckenridge; 
 assessor, Henry Sheffield; justices of the peace, Joseph 
 B. Flickinger and John Rose; constables, Charles 
 Bayles and William Eastman. 
 
 FIKST EVENTS. 
 
 The first log cabin that was built was the handi- 
 work of Leonard Clark, and was raised by him upon 
 lot number twenty-five in tract eleven, in the year 
 18"-i9. Tlie first framed dwelling was built in the year 
 1837 on lot nnml)er twelve in tract ten, liy Roswell 
 Babcock. It was not finished immediately, however. 
 William Hawkins moved it to the adjoining lot, 
 numlier thirteen, and completed it soon after. About 
 the same time Edwin Gager put up a small, rough 
 frame house on lot number twenty-six, tract eleven. 
 A year or so later, Ezekiel Arnold built a frame house 
 on lot number nineteen, tract ten, moved into it and 
 lived there during the remainder of his life, dying in 
 1840. All three of these early erected dwellings have 
 been destroyed. The first framed barns were built 
 in 183(5 by David Wells and Reuben Eddy. There 
 'was only a few days difference in the date of the 
 raisings. The first brick building was a store erected 
 at Kipton in the year 185(1, by H. McParland. It is 
 still used for the purpose originally intended. 
 
 The first suit ever tried before 'Scjuire Gideon 
 Waugh, the earliest dispenser of justice in the town- 
 ship, was the State of Ohio us. James Smith for 
 assault and battery, William W. White, complainant. 
 The defendant was discharged. The first civil suit 
 was Reuben Eddy vs. Piatt Squires for damages on 
 contract for chopping and clearing laud. Jnd^ment 
 was given for the plaintiff. These two suits are 
 given by Mr. Eddy from m.emory. 
 
 The first white child born in the township was 
 Betsey, daughter of Herod and Eliza Pike. She 
 was born in July or August of the year 1833. The 
 first male child was polite enough to keep out of the 
 world until the first female child had come into the 
 township. Minerva, wife of Gideon Waugh, became 
 the mother of a bi'ight boy babe on the 24th of 
 August, 1833, and gave him the name of James H. 
 
 Moses Pike cut the first tree within the limits of 
 the township for the purpose of improvement. 
 
 Four years after the first settlement of the town- 
 ship, in 1833, occurred the first death among the 
 pioneers; Minerva, wife of Gideon Waugh, died of 
 consumption on the second day of October. The 
 funeral was attended by the few persons then denizens 
 of the almost unbroken wilderness. Elder Call con- 
 ducted a simple service, and the mortal remains of 
 the deceased were buried in lot number twenty-three, 
 tract eleven, not far from the desola(-o cabin of the 
 bereaved husband. After a burying ground liiid been 
 laid out the body was removed to it. 
 
 The first cou])le joined together in the l)onds of 
 wedlock were Reuben Eddy and Hannah Sigsvvorth. 
 The marriage was celebrated February 13, 1835, 
 James Durand, Esq., of Henrietta, officiating. Reu- 
 ben Eddy was born in Rutland, Jefferson county. 
 New York, and Hannah Sigsworth in Yorkshire, 
 England. They are still living together, and both 
 enjoy a degree of health that makes the prospect good 
 of their attaining the fiftieth anniversary of the wed- 
 ding. 
 
 The first tavern was a small log structure, located 
 three-quarters of a mile west of tiie center. It was 
 opened in the year 1845, by Levi Forbes, who is said 
 to have been a very accommodating and obliging 
 landlord; he was succeeded by .James Weeks. 
 
 The first store in Camden was opened in the s|)ring 
 of 1841, in the woodhouse of Samuel Morgan. It. 
 was a branch of a store at Brownhelm, which was 
 owned by the Glendale and Goodrich manufacturing 
 ccuupany of Stockbridge, Massachusetts. 
 
 This company, at that time, had in o[)eration an 
 extensive ashery, shipi)ing large quantities of potash 
 to the eastern market. They nianufactnred from 
 seven to ten tons per week, and received from one 
 hundred and thirty to one hundred and sixty dollars 
 per ton. This ashery was under the supervision of a 
 Mr. McFall, and later by one Hammond. The store 
 was started for the purpose of exciianging goods for 
 ashes, and was put in operation by Ezekiel Goodrich, 
 of Brownhelm, with Obadiah Prentiss as storekeeper. 
 Wiuslow Fay succeeded Prentiss in tiie fall of 1841. 
 About four months after he had assumed charge of 
 the business, the stock of goods was removed to 
 better quarters, in a building erected expressly for 
 the mercantile business, at a place called "Sam 
 Town," about three-fourths of a mile west of Cam- 
 den center. After an experience of one year, Mr. 
 Fay was called to the Brownhelm store, Mr. G. D. 
 Hinman succeeding him in Camden. Dry goods, 
 boots and shoes, groceries and hardware comprised 
 the stock. It cannot be definitely ascertained how 
 long this store existed. The business carried on by 
 this eastern firm was one of the most extensive at 
 that day, in this part of the country. Wood was fur- 
 nished for the ashery at twenty-five to thirty-one 
 cents per cord, cut and piled up, showing but a small 
 remuneration isr labor. There is nothing left of the 
 ashery to mark the place, unless it be a huge pile of 
 old ashes that still remain near the bank of the river. 
 
294 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 THE UNDEUGKOUND K.V[LUO.VI). 
 
 Samuel Morgan was the lirst voter of the abolition 
 ticket in Camden. TI(! was a station agent on the 
 "undergroiunl railroad," the long zigzag line of travel 
 which led from slavei-y to freedom. Many a poor, 
 dazed darkey slave was spirited over this branch of 
 tiie i-oad whicii ran through Camden, and many a 
 fugitive, trembling between hope and fear, lias iiad 
 to come to thank S-amuel Morgan for helping him 
 upon his journey toward a place whore he was safe 
 from llu' pursuer — a place where he need no more 
 stand in terror of the lash and bloodhoutid. The 
 runaways were almost invariably ignorant of tlio 
 names of their friends, and it was often the case that 
 one man in the long chain extending from the Oliio 
 border to the lake did not know who extended tiie 
 lielping hand before him. Mr. Morgan would occa- 
 sionally find a colored man at his door, and, without 
 asking any rpxestions as to wiiero ho came from or 
 wlio had brought him thus far upon his journey, he 
 would take him to Oijcrlin, or some otber point where 
 the fugitive would be quietly placed in charge of 
 some other friend. Sometimes the fleeing slaves 
 came through in companies of half a dozen or more. 
 One party, consisting of six men and women, were 
 left at .Mr. Morgan's house upon a dark, dreary night, 
 and bellied u[)on their way to 01)erlin, after being 
 properly cared for. At another time four stopped at 
 this station, and, soon taking the road again, went 
 traveling on to freedom, the place of their destination. 
 
 A RAISING INCIDENT. 
 
 Wben Otis Bates got the framj of his iiouse ready 
 to be raised, he notified his neighbors, as was custom- 
 ary, and at the same time signified his intention 
 to abstain from furnishing any whiskey upon tiiat 
 occasion, which was not customary. He promised to 
 furnish cider, iiowever, and this partial concession to 
 establisheil prejudice, was sufficient to bring togetiier 
 f(uite a large number of men. A Ijai-re! of cider was 
 sent for, and tiiat innocent a[)plo juice would doubt- 
 less have arrived in condition mild enough to have 
 betin within the limit of beverages allowed a teetotaler, 
 had it not been for the misciiievousnesss of two or 
 three young men. The cider was bought, and started 
 upon the road for the scene of the honse raising, but 
 there was, unfortunately, a distillery upon that road, 
 and in tliis fact lay the secret of the (juite phenom- 
 enal strength of the cider furnished at the Bates" rais- 
 ing. Two gallons of cider were taken from the barrel 
 and replaced with an equal amount of simon-pure 
 whiskey. The barrel being rolled some distance over 
 a rough road, the two elements became thoroughly 
 mixed. The contents of the cask was sampled, at first 
 quite gingerly, but it was noticed that after the first 
 drink had been taken, many who had formely ex- 
 pressed themselves as indifferent toward cider as a 
 beverage, seemed suddenly to have acquired an intense 
 liking for it, and lingered about the vicinity of the 
 
 bung-lioh^ with a i)ertinacity that was at the time in- 
 ex])licable. The secret of their newly acquired and 
 strong liking for cider, was explained when the rais- 
 ing was over, and the joke was exposed by the per- 
 petrators. There were several men who got decidedly 
 well drunk at this temperance house-raising. 
 
 FIRST RELIIilOUS SEIIVICE. 
 
 The first sermon listened to in the townsliip was 
 preached by Elder Call in the little cabin where Mrs. 
 Johnson taught the first school. This was sometime 
 in 1S;S3. Religious services were iield in July or 
 August of the following year at the log school house, 
 by the Rev. Xenophon Betts, a Presbyterian minister 
 from Wakeman. 
 
 THE HAl'TIST OFIURCH. 
 
 The Baptists wore jiioneer-i in Camden in the organ- 
 ization of a church. The church was formed Sep- 
 tember (1, 1835, and there were only seven constituent 
 members, viz: Harrison Hurd and Rebecca his wife, 
 John F. Hovey and his wife Elizabeth, Margaret, 
 wife of David Morgan, Huldah, wife of Chauncey 
 Spencer, and Wm. W. Cook. The church was organ- 
 ized by Elder Mack, a home missionary. Elder 
 Brown was the first pastor of the church. In 18-18 
 a good substantial meeting house was built at the 
 center. This house was unfortunately completely 
 destroyed by fire in the following year. A small 
 dwelling house which stood very close to the church 
 took fire, and although the alarm was immediately 
 given and a number of people who assembled upon 
 the spot made every effort within their jjower to save 
 the church, it was very quickly enveloped in flames 
 and burned to the ground. The members of the 
 church and society promptly went to work to raise 
 funds for the building of another church, and applied 
 themselves perseveringly to the task until success was 
 assured. The new honse, which is still standing 
 and ill use, was completed in the summer of 18G0, 
 the contract having been let to John Ames, the man 
 who built the first structure. This church is now in 
 a flourishing condition. At close of 1878 it had a 
 membership of one hundred and sixty-five persons. 
 Pastor, the Rev. J. II. Smith. Officers: trustees, W. 
 VV. Cook, D. Morgan, Joseph Flickinger, Cyrus 
 Robinson, Wm. Pomoroy; clerk, Selden Tennant; 
 treasurer, D. Morgan; deacons, C. M. Cook, D. 
 Morgan. 
 
 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CnUKCII. 
 
 In the winter of 183G and 1837 Elder Kilburn 
 organized a Methodist class in the northern part of 
 the township, and about two years later another was 
 organized in the southwest part. The Methodists 
 kept up their organization until a few years since. 
 Some died, some moved away from the township, 
 and having but few accessions the church passed out 
 of existence. No house of worship was ever built by 
 this denomination. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 295 
 
 FEEE WILL BAPTISTS. 
 
 About, tlio same time or a little before tlie Metho- 
 dist organization, the Free Will Bajitists organized a 
 church and kept up meetings for several years. The 
 society never became strong enough -to build a church, 
 and after a short existence ceased the struggle for life. 
 A few jieople of the Free Will Baptist faith are still 
 resident in the township, but they are not sufficiently 
 numerous to hold meetings and they have no organi- 
 zation. 
 
 THE DISCIPLE CHURCn 
 
 of Camden, came into being in May, 1843, the organ- 
 izing members being John Cyrenius, Norton Bates, 
 .lane Jf.. iiis wife, Henry Crandalj, and Irene Cyre- 
 nius. The church soon increased iu numbers, and 
 its members began to feel the need of a place for 
 holding other meetings. To meet this want a church 
 •was built in 1851 at tiie center. This church was tlie 
 regular place of worship for the society until 1871, 
 when, for the accommodation of the majority of 
 members, the church took possession of a new brick 
 meeting house at Kipton. The first person employed 
 to lill the pulpit of the Disciple church was the Rev. 
 Mr. Miller. The desk is now filled half of the time by 
 the Rev. F. M. Gibbs, and half of the time by the Rev. 
 Walter D. Close. The church, at the close of 1878, 
 had over two hundred members, fifty being added in 
 December through interest awakeneil l)y a revival. 
 Following are the officers of this church : Elders, 
 William Anderson, Hiram Prentiss; deacons, William 
 Douglas, Chauncey Cloe, H. H. Crandall, F. Dauzy; 
 clerk, H. V. Hawkins; treasurer, Hiram Prentiss; 
 trustees, H. H. Crandall, James Van Deusen, William 
 Anderson, Chauncey R. Close, Hiram Prentiss. 
 
 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 
 
 About the year 1845, though possilily not until 
 184G or 1847, a Congregational church was organized 
 by Rev. Dr. Betts, of Brownhelm. The names of the 
 constituent members cannot be procured. Meetings 
 were held wherever and whenever it was convenient, 
 until the year 1849, when funds were raised through 
 the efforts of Dr. Betts and applied toward the build- 
 ing of a small church, three-fourths of a mile west 
 of the center. The church kept up its organization 
 until about 18(14, when it was dissolved, the members 
 all taking letters to other churches. Rev. Dr. Betts 
 was the first pastor. Otis Bates and wife, Israel Gager 
 and wife, and Mrs. Azel Washburn, were probably 
 among the members, and at no time were there many. 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOLS. 
 
 The first Sunday school was organized in the month 
 of July, in the first log school house built in the 
 township. The officers were: John Cyrenius, supcrin 
 tendeut; William W. Cook, assistant; Daniel Waugh, 
 liin-arian. There were but three scholars on the first 
 Sunday, but from this small beginning grew a large 
 and prosperous school, which is still in existence. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The trustees of Henrietta, at their March nu'cting, 
 in 1833, set ofE that portion of the township now in 
 Camden as a separate road and school district. The 
 inhabitants of this district went to work and put up 
 a log school house, and employed Miss Laura Allen as 
 a teacher during the summer months. Her wages 
 were seventy-five cents per week, and she "boarded 
 'round." She had butasnuill number of ijuitc young 
 pu])ils, and they came from all parts of the township 
 to receive the first elements of an edncation. Other 
 school houses were provided as the population in- 
 creased; and as the necesities of education became 
 more apparent, the wages of teachers were advanced, 
 and the character of the schools as well. The first 
 brick school house was built three-quarters of a mile 
 west of the center, in 1803. There are at present six 
 school houses in the township, and five of them are 
 brick. A new sub-district was made in the spring of 
 1778, iu which it is the intention of the trustees to 
 build another brick school house. The number of 
 youth of school age, enrolled in 1878, is two hundred 
 and twenty-six. 
 
 KIPTON. 
 
 Sometime during the year 1853 the first locomo- 
 tive and train of cars came sweeping through the 
 northern part of Camden, upon the Lake Shoi'C and 
 Michigan Southern Railroad, bringing with its rum- 
 bling thunder, a suggestion of stimulated industry 
 and the possibility of opening new enterprises. 
 
 During the same year that the railroad was put in 
 operation, or perhaps in 1853, William W. Whitney, 
 the owner of the land upon which the station is now 
 located, laid out a town which was at first called 
 Binghampton upon the town plat. But not long 
 afterward the name of the station and of the post 
 office being changed to Kipton, the little village grow- 
 ing up by the railroad became also Kipton by com- 
 mon consent. Obadiah Bowen built a hotel at the 
 station which he conducted for some time. One room 
 was finished off for a store, and was taken by Hector 
 Taylor, who immediately put in a varied though not 
 extensive stock of goods. The place has slowly but 
 steadily increased in jwpulation until, at the ])resent 
 writing, it contains (juite a fair sized cluster of dwell- 
 ings. It has one good country store, kept Ijy Benja- 
 min F. Breckenridge, a grocery and drug store kept 
 l)y William Douglass, a hotel of which John Sigsvvorth 
 is "mine host," a boot and shoe shop, a tin shop, 
 two blacksmith shops and other provisions for the 
 needs of its people. 
 
 POST OFFICE. 
 
 The first post office in Camden was established in 
 the year 1835, its name being Panalize. James Ar- 
 nold was the first postmaster deputized. The office 
 was located three-quarters of a mile east of the cen- 
 ter. The name of the post office became, after a time, 
 the same as that of the township, but it was again 
 
296 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 cli;ingt'd to distinguish it from un office l)y the sanic 
 name in i'reble county, to A'orth Camden. When the 
 railroiid was built, a jrost office was located at the sta- 
 tion, and James Weeks was commissioned postmaster. 
 A mail route was established between the office known 
 as Noi'th Camden and this office. Finally, there still 
 being much inconvenience arising from the similarity 
 of name between the Preble county office and this one, 
 tlie name was changed to Kipton. Tlie present jiost- 
 niaster is IJenjamin F. Breckenridge. 
 
 NORTH CAMDEN GRANGE, NO. 10.58 
 
 was organized October 26, 1874. The first officers 
 were, .John 15ddy, master; C. W. Allen, overseer; 
 Gideon Lattimcr, lecturer; A. M. Tennant, steward; 
 1). C. Gibson, assistant steward; James Van Deuseu, 
 chaplain; Hiram Prentiss, treasurer; A. Ilovey, secre- 
 tary; A. J. Ilediugton, gate keeper; Mrs. A. M. 
 Tennant, lady assistant steward; Mrs. Flora Gibson, 
 ceres; Mrs. K. E. Allen, pomona; Mrs. U. B. Bartlett, 
 flora. 
 
 The present officers are as follows: Philip Ritzen- 
 thaler, master; Gideon Lattimer, overseer; William 
 Jickels, lecturer; W. W. Ward, steward; John Eddy, 
 assistant steward; J. N. Hurd, chaplain; H. P. 
 Draper, treasurer; S. D. Tennant, secretary; A. J. 
 Redington, gate keeper; Mrs. W. W. Ward, ceres; 
 Mrs. J. N. Hnrd, pomona; Mrs. John Eddy, flora; 
 Mrs. 1). C. Gil)S()n, lady assistant steward. The 
 grange has about forty members. 
 
 TirE BURIAL PLACE. 
 
 In the year 1837, the inhabitants of Camden town- 
 ship began to feel the need of having a proper resting 
 [ilace tor their dead. At a meeting called for the 
 purpose of devising some place for the establishment 
 of a cemetery, it was agreed that a committee should 
 be appointed to select a suitable site, and that the 
 trustees of the township should purchase it at town 
 expense. Ezekiel Arnold, Harrison Hurd, and Reuben 
 Eddy were appointed said committee, and after ex- 
 amining several pieces of ground, they selected a 
 location on the south side of lot number twenty-seven, 
 in tract number eleven, on an east and west road, in 
 tlie northeast part of the township. The trustees of 
 the township purchased an acre of ground of Thomas 
 Sigsworth, and cleared it of timl)er, for at this time, 
 the little piece of ground which was to become "God's 
 acre," like most of the laud lying around it, was 
 covered with trees of a heavy growth. It was fenced 
 in and lotted oft', one lot being assigned to each resi- 
 dent of the township, who was the head of a family. 
 .Since the first j)urcha.sc, iuilf an acre has been added 
 to the l)uryiug ground, and as the whole has been 
 well cared for, it is now one of the best cemeteries to 
 be found in tiie rural townships. 
 
 PHY.SICIANS. 
 
 The first physician in Camden was Dr. Sterling W. 
 Allen, who came in the year 1837, and settled on lot 
 
 number four in tract nine, near the center. He re- 
 mained about two years, during which time he had a 
 very successful practice. 
 
 Dr. William Grout moved into the township Nov- 
 ember 1, 1843, and his family came in February fol- 
 lowing. Ho settled about three-fourths of a mile 
 west of the center where he still lives. He has been 
 a very reliable and successful physician throughout his 
 long practice, and a useful memberof society. He is 
 no longer in practice. 
 
 Two physicians by the names of Grant and .Jackson 
 [)racticed each a short time in the township. 
 
 Dr. .John Cannan came into the township with his 
 father, when a boy. After studying medicine and 
 surgery, he sttled on a farm in the southeast jiart of 
 the township, and had quite an extensive practice. 
 When the rebellion broke out, he volunteered his ser- 
 vices to aid the Union, and served as assistant surgeon 
 during a greater part of the war. At the close of the 
 rebellion he returned to Camden, and resumed prac- 
 tice. He is still living upon his farm of two hundred 
 and sixteen acres. 
 
 Another resident physician is Dr. G. W. Mono- 
 smith who settled at Kipton in 1877, and has already 
 won a respectable share of the patronage of the com- 
 munity and the unqualified respect of the people 
 among whom he lives. 
 
 INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 
 
 The first and only grist mill ever built in the town- 
 ship was a small steam mill built at Kii)ton in the 
 year 1859, by H. McFarland, and run by different 
 parties for about fourteen years. Horace Hoover was 
 its last owner, and lost the mill by fire. 
 
 CHEESE FACTORIES. 
 
 Tlie first cheese factory in this township was started 
 in the spi'iug of 1867, by L. A. Parker, G. R. Par- 
 ker, D. B. Morgan and J. P. Hovey, under the firm 
 name of Parker, Moigan & Hovey. This was the 
 only cheese factory in the township, until 1874, when 
 A. L. Perkins started one about a mile south of 
 the center (the first was about the same distance 
 north). Parker, Morgan & Ilovey owned and ran 
 their factory until the s]iring of 1876, when they sold 
 out to B. F. Morrison. The same season, Perkins 
 and Morrison consolidated their interests in the busi- 
 ness, and they have managed since then both factories. 
 Parker, Morgan & Hovey, when they commenced 
 business, took the milk of about three hundred cows, 
 but the industry gradually increased in nuignitude 
 until the time of the consolidation of the firms, when 
 nine hundred cows were milked for the two factories. 
 Perkins & Morrison make now about three hundred 
 and fifty thousand pounds of cheese. The Morrison 
 factory is located on lot four, tract ten, and the Per- 
 kins factory upon lot twenty-two, tract ten. 
 
 SAW MILLS. 
 
 In the summer of 1830 theGager brothers, Edwin, 
 Joseph and Israel, jjut up a water power mill on lot 
 

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 ("noT'tS Sr Piatt . Elv»H«.0 
 
 
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 C^^'i'^CAyvK/yCeA^ /Oi 
 
 ■O^-O-JL 
 
 fjESIDENCE OF JOHN ROS lI. Kl PI ON . LOf^AI N COUNTY. OHIO. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 297 
 
 number twenty-six, which proved a great convenience 
 to the people in the vicinity. It was about eight 
 miles at that time to any other mill. There were no 
 roads — nothing but narrow and difficult trails. After 
 the mill was put in ojieration it was run constantly 
 whenever there was sufficient water, and even then 
 turned out scarcely enough lumber for house use. 
 Very little was at any time carried out of the town- 
 ship. The greater part of the lumber sawed was 
 whitewood, and it only brought an average of five 
 dollars per thousand feet. The best black walnut 
 was worth but a little more. The mill was kept 
 running until it wore out, rotted down aud was 
 never rebuilt. 
 
 In the year 1847, Hiram Allen, David Morgan aud 
 Edwiu ttager built a steam saw mill on lot number 
 two in tract nine. The mill was burned down after 
 it had been in operation about two years. 
 
 In 1850, Messrs. Prestou & lilodgett built a mill 
 on lot number thirty, tract ten. The ownershii) of 
 this mill was several times changed, and finally the 
 mill was moved into the black swamp, near the farm 
 of Benjamin Eldridge. 
 
 REVOLVING HORSE RAKES, ETC. 
 
 In the year 1862 or 1803, A. S. and James P. 
 Ilovoy put uj) on lot twenty-one, in tract ten, about 
 a mile and a half west of Kipton station, a shop in 
 wiiicli they did (piite a lively business for three or 
 four years in manufacturing revolving horse rakes, 
 cultivators and other farm implements and utensils. 
 
 ROADS. 
 
 Tliere are five roads running north and south 
 througli the township, except tiuit there is about a 
 mile in tiiat upon the east side of the township which 
 has never been opened. There are three roads run- 
 ning east and west entirely through the township, 
 one in tiie soutii part extending oast from the center 
 I'oad to the next road, and one in the north part of 
 tiie township, running from Kipton west to the first 
 north and south road. The north and south and east 
 aiul west center roads were the first ones laid out. 
 Tiiey were established before the land came into the 
 market, and the others were opened soon after the 
 commencement of the settlement. 
 
 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 
 
 Following are the statistics for 1877, showing the 
 amount of the most important productions of the 
 townsiiip, also the population in 1870, and tlic vote 
 for president in 1870: 
 
 Wheat, 448 acres 5,485 bushels. 
 
 Potatoes, 80 " 1,557 ■■ 
 
 Oats, 698 " 3]J400 
 
 Orchards, 378 " B153 " 
 
 Corn, 717 " 38,780 
 
 Meadow, 3,335 " 0312 " 
 
 Butter. 18,590 pounds. 
 
 Cheese 133,080 " 
 
 Maple Sugar 873 
 
 Population in 1870 858 
 
 Vote for President in 187G. 
 
 R. B. Hayes 153 | S. J. Tilden 83 
 
 38 
 
 Biographical Sketches, 
 
 JOHN ROSE. 
 
 Jesse Rose, grandfather of the gentleman whose 
 name is found at the head of this sketch, was a native 
 of Virginia. He married Susan Smith, (whose home 
 was not far from the resort known as tlie Warm 
 Springs,) aud six weeks subsequent was drafted into 
 the service of the United States. Leaving his youth- 
 ful bride and his pleasant home on the banks of the 
 Potomac, for the hardships aud dangers of soldier 
 life, he did not return until the war was over. He 
 was in the last engagement at Yorktown, and helped 
 to swell the glad shout of victory at the fiual surren- 
 der of Coruwallis, October 17, 1783. A few years 
 later Mr. Rose removed to Ohio, locating ia Poland 
 townshi2i, Mahoning county. Here was born to them 
 four sons and three daughters. Jesse Rose, Jr., was 
 the third son. He married Susan Everhart in the 
 year 181G, and settled on a farm in Ellsworth town- 
 shi]), where he died. John Rose, the subject of this 
 biography, was the eldest son of Jesse, Jr. He was 
 born September 35, 1819. November 4, 1840, he was 
 married to Lucinda Parshall, of Youngstown, Ohio, 
 by the Rev. Dillon Prosser of the Methodist Episcopal 
 church, of which denomination both were members. 
 In the spring of 1854, he settled in Camden township, 
 Lorain county, where he yet resides. He was accom- 
 panied by his youngest brother, Preston B. Rose, now 
 professor in the university at Ann Arbor, Michio-an. 
 The children of John and Lucinda Rose, are: Euphra- 
 sia, who died when eight years of age; Eugene, who 
 entered Oberlin college, when fourteen years of age, 
 enlisted in the army at the age of seventeen, served 
 until the close, was honorably discharged therefrom, 
 and is now in business in New York City: Ezra Nor- 
 ris, who married Mattie Close, and now lives in Ches- 
 ter, Eaton county, Michigan, aud Olin who remains 
 with his parents on the old homestead. Of the polit- 
 ical history of Mr. Rose, we learn that in 1840 he 
 came out against the party of log cabins, hard cider, 
 and coon skins, and his first ballot was cast for Martin 
 Van Buren. He continued with the democratic party 
 until they nominated that arrant rebel, Vallaudino-- 
 hain, for governor, when he became a republican, and 
 continues to this time a firm adherent to the sterlino- 
 principles of that party. He has served as township 
 trustee and justice of the peace for many years. 
 
 Mr. Rose has been an earnest, steadfast christian 
 from early life. At the age of nineteen years he 
 helped to organize the Methodist Episcopal church at 
 Ellsworth, Mahoning county, Ohio, and not only he 
 but his worthy and estimable companion have ever 
 been foremost in promoting the interests of the cause 
 of Christianity, and are now engaged with others in 
 the erection of a Union church edifice at Kipton. 
 
PENFTELD. 
 
 A SURVEY of Penfield discloses to one, upon every 
 side, the evidences of the truest and best prosj)erity, 
 evidences of material wealth and of moral well being 
 — secured and transmitted to their descendants of 
 to-day by the hardy pioneers whose ax blows resounded 
 in the forest over half a hundred years ago. They 
 are gone now — nearly all of the simple, honest, hard 
 working, unconsciously heroic men and women who 
 tooii up their abode in the wilderness; but tlie exam- 
 ple of their lives endures; the good that they began 
 moves on; the institutions that they organized still 
 exist, increasing constantly in strength. The relig- 
 ion that they planted is flourishing in fruition, and 
 tlie solid substructure of social and sjjiritual life 
 wliieh tliey laid down remains souiul and intact, the 
 foundation of all that is adniiral)le in the edifice of 
 to-day. 
 
 The rinsfinff of the church bells will sound no more 
 forever upon the ears of many who loved to hear their 
 call. They have passed from the church militant 
 to the church triumphant, but their children and 
 their childrens' children obey the summons, and upon 
 Sabbath mornings, from all directions, come to listen 
 to the gospel which was the solace and the consola- 
 tion of their forefathers as it is theirs. 
 
 The inheritance which the present generation has 
 secured, is one which included something more than 
 the broad farms cleared and the fine orchards planted 
 by the pioneers. It is an inheritance of good princi- 
 ples, morality, religion, education, of sturdy inde- 
 pendence, of industry, of strong patriotism and of 
 tlie varied qualities that combine to make the early 
 residents of the Reserve men of sterling worth. 
 
 What we have said of Penfield is applicable in a 
 degree to almost any of the farming townships in the 
 New England of the west. We have sim]ily taken it 
 as a type. 
 
 THE FACE OF THE COUNTKT. 
 
 Penfield was first known as town number three in 
 the seventeenth range of the original Western Re- 
 serve. It is upon what is known as the talde or level, 
 situated about twenty miles from Lake Erie, and ten 
 miles north of the dividing line of the waters. The 
 Black river enters the township at about the center of 
 its southern line, and flows northward and a little 
 eastward m <piite a tortuous course. It has broad 
 bottom lauds, and has made but few bluffs, and those 
 not more than ten feet high. The soil is a clay loam 
 with a mixture of more or less sand. The laud is 
 most rolling east of the river, and there contains the 
 most sand. The subsoil is a little heavier than the 
 
 top, and when worked up and mixed with it, makes 
 an earth which will boar as fine crops of wheat as 
 could be produced fifty years ago. 
 
 ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 
 
 Township number three in range seventeen became 
 by the original drawing the property of Caleb At- 
 water. He paid for it the not extravagant sum of 
 twenty-five cents per acre, or about four thousand 
 dollars for the entire township which contains not far 
 from sixteen thousand acres. He deeded this land to 
 his six daughters, Lucy Day, Ruth Cook, Abigail 
 Andrews, Mary Beebe, Sarah Merrick, and the wife 
 of Judge Cook, dividing it into six equal sections. 
 
 Only tliree of these sections were in the market 
 when the first settlers came to the township. 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 Peter Penfield and Calvin Spencer, both from East- 
 ern New York, came into Penfield, in the fall of 1818, 
 for the purpose of seeking lauds suitable for settle- 
 ment. They were assisted in their examination by 
 James, a son of Major Ingersoll, of Grafton. They 
 experienced some considerable difficulty in finding 
 the townshiij linos, so as to know on what lands they 
 were, or what township they were in. They finally 
 succeeded in finding the corners of the townships 
 tiiat ai'e now known as Litchfield, Grafton, LaGrange 
 and Penfield, which occupied most of the first day. 
 They returned to Major IngersolTs that night. This 
 was a trip of about tliirteen miles, almost entirely 
 through the wilderness. The next day they went out 
 with another son of Major Ingersoll's, Marshall, and 
 when they struck Black river they followed up the 
 stream for some distance on the river bottoms, and 
 the sight of the large black walnut timber growing, 
 and the rich lands, called forth many expressions of 
 admiration, especially from Mr. Spencer. With this 
 short exploration they returned to Major Ingersoll's 
 that night, and the next morning they set out to re- 
 turn homo, making tlie round trip in about six weeks. 
 Ouring the following year negotiations were made 
 with the proprietors who proposed to give to Peter 
 Penfield the agency of part of their lands in the town- 
 ship, and each to give him fifty acres off from each 
 section, in consideration that he should move with his 
 family into said township witli a view of remaining 
 there. The quantity of land was afterward reduced 
 to twenty-four acres from each of the six proprietors. 
 
 In the fall of tlie following year, 1819, Peter Pen- 
 field returned with his sou Alansou and selected 
 
 (298) 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 399 
 
 land. Seth C. Ingersoll being engaged to erect a 
 house upon it, the father returned to his New York 
 liouie, leaving Alanson in Sheffield, on the 33ud of 
 February following, 1830. Peter Peufield and his 
 ncpiicw Lathrop, started from Ilarpersfield, Delaware 
 county. New York, and with backs turned upon their 
 old home pushed resolutely forward to the forest in 
 which they were to nuike a new home. After a 
 fatiguing journey of four weeks they arrived in Graf- 
 ton and stopped at Ingersoll's headquarters for new- 
 comers. After collecting a quantity of provisions 
 tlioy started for the jjlace where they were to begin 
 life as frontiersmen, and had a pretty hard experience 
 upon the very outset. They were literally obliged to 
 cut their way through the woods to the land that had 
 been purchased. When they arrived at the cabin (lot 
 four, section six,) they found it unfinished. They 
 were then alone in the midst of a wilderness, which 
 stretched from Elyria to Harrisville, and from Me- 
 dina to Wellington. Besides the work of cutting a 
 trail from Grafton, the Penfields opened the north 
 and south road through the wilderness as far as But- 
 ternut ridge, spending about thirty days' time, for 
 which they never i-eceived any remuneration. They 
 were obliged while doing this work to go to Har- 
 risville, a distance of fifteen miles, for provisions. 
 Their horses strayed away, and after ten days search 
 they found them ujion Rocky river, north of Medina. 
 The work of preparing the ground for corn and wheat 
 was immediately undertaken. Peter Penfield returned 
 east in July, Lathrop and Alanson remaining to en- 
 large the clearing about their log cal)in, and came 
 back to town number three, as it was then called, 
 bringing his family, in March, 1831. Truman Pen- 
 field came ont in May, selected a site for a home, 
 lot eleven, section four, and went back in th& follow- 
 ing month for his family, which consisted of his wife 
 and one son, Samuel S. He returned with his house- 
 hold, November 5tli, 1830. His family was, there- 
 fore, the first that had a home in the township, and 
 that of Peter Penfield the second. Lewis Penfield 
 and his son Amos moved in the year 1834, and Amzi, 
 anotlier son, came in 1837. Ephraim came still after. 
 Lewis located upon lot fourteen, section four. 
 
 The descendants of the Penfields have been numer- 
 ous, and had even the sons and daughters of those 
 who were among the first settlers all become residents 
 of the township at one time, it would have had a fair 
 [)opulation. Some of these, as has been shown, did 
 not come into the country until several years after the 
 ari'ival of Peter, Lathrop and Truman. 
 
 Peter Penfield's family alone, from first to last, 
 numbered fifteen persons. His wife was Catharine 
 Ilawley. Their descendants were: Alanson, Marilla, 
 Sarah, all three deceased; Horace, now in California; 
 Austin C. and Benjamin, deceased; Homer and Rus- 
 sell H., residents of Elyiia and heads of families; 
 Maria, deceased; Emily (Mrs. Walker), in Massachu- 
 setts; Susan (Mrs. Clark), in Huntington township: 
 and Harriet, deceased. 
 
 Lewis Penfield, a brother of Peter, and his wife, 
 Ada, were the parents of Truman, Betsey (Mrs. Ray- 
 mond Starr), Ephraim, Amos, Lathrop, Atnzi and 
 Gideon, all of whom are now dead but Lathrop, who 
 is a resident of Springfield, Ohio; he married, in 1834, 
 Caroline West, and their children were: Franklin, 
 Betsey, Warren and Fletcher. 
 
 Amzi Penfield was also the father of a large family 
 of children, of whom Rosalie, Henry and Euphemia 
 are residents in Penfield, and James in Wellington. 
 
 Truman Penfield's children were: Samuel S. and W. 
 W., resident in the township; Truman and Mana 
 (Mrs. Hiram Smith), in Illinois; and Jane (Mrs. A. 
 W. Hendry), in Sandusky, who was the second child 
 born in the towushi]i. Truman Penfield's first wife 
 was the first white woman who entered the wilderness; 
 she endured many hardships, and died soon after 
 coming into the settlement, it is said, from the effects 
 of the pioneer's life of toil, privation and exjwsure. 
 Truman Penfield married a second wife. 
 
 Again, taking up the descendants of Peter Penfield, 
 it may be stated that the family of Austin C. is at 
 Saratoga, and that the children of Horace — George, 
 Myron and Willie — are at the old homestead, where 
 the first cabin was built. Russell II. married Henri- 
 etta Virginia Blanchard; their children are: Emerson, 
 Anna M., Florence V. and Aniia P. Homer Penfield 
 and his wife, Martha, have two sous, Norman and 
 Roderick. 
 
 The Starrs were one of the largest families amono- 
 the early settlers. Raymond was the first. He came 
 from New Harpersfield, Delaware county. New York, 
 in 1839, and settled on lot nine, section four (the 
 center). He married Betsey Peufield, and they were 
 the parents of Lewis, who resides in LaGrange; 
 George R. and Horace 0., of Elyria; Russell (dead); 
 Franklin and Alonzo, in Cincinnati, Ohio; and Betsey 
 (Mrs. Goodwin, of Elyria). 
 
 William Starr came into the settlement in 1830, 
 and took up land in lot two, section four. His three 
 sons were, Orrin K., George W. (dead), and Gideon 
 B. The daughters were, Polly Ann (Smith), of 
 Wellington, Clarinda, Orline, Jane, and another. 
 
 Orrin Starr came iu 1834, and took land in lots five 
 and six, section five. His wife's name is Abigail. 
 They have six children, four of whom are in the 
 county. H. H. is iu Nebraska, and Mana (Taylor), 
 in Michigan. The others are: Heman E., Clapp R., 
 Minerva (Smith), and Edna (Dixon). 
 
 Talcott came into the township last of all, having 
 remained in Elyria sometime after coming into Ohio. 
 He took uj) lot eight, section five. Two of his des- 
 cendants, Matthew L. and Gideon L., are residents of 
 Penfield. Alden is iu Cleveland, Angeline in New 
 York, and Maria dead. 
 
 The Starrs have been prominently identified with 
 the interests of Peufield, and have contributed much, 
 iu various ways, toward its prosperity. 
 
 Abner Beardsley, a squatter, and his family, came 
 to the township next after Peter and Freeman Pen- 
 
300 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 field. Calvin Spencer came again in 1821, selected 
 liuul, engaged Peter Penfiekl to build a log house, and 
 returned east. 
 
 The Knapp family were the first permanent set- 
 tlers after tlie pioneer Penfields. They were from 
 Ilarpersfield, Delaware county, New York, and tlieir 
 first representative, Samuel, who remained in the 
 township, carae to the settlement in the spring of 
 1832, locating on lot fifty-five, section three, east of 
 the center. His wife's name was Mary. She died in 
 1842, and lie married his second wife, Sarah Hayes. 
 Samuel Knapp died in 1874. William Knapp had 
 come out in the spring of the same year with Peter 
 Penfield and located land on lot forty-nine, section 
 four. On his way back after his family he was taken 
 si(-k, and died at Haml)urg, New York, near Buffalo. 
 Stephen Knapp and his wife, Grace Jolinson, came 
 in October, 1825, and settled on lot forty-nine, section 
 four. They brought with them two children, Lucy 
 and \¥illiam J., aged respectively three years and one 
 year and two months. William J. is still a resideni 
 of the township, and has not ijeen absent more than 
 two years altogether since his arrival. He is a car- 
 penter and joiner by trade. His wife is Eliza 
 Lindslcy, a native also of Delaware county. New 
 York. The other children born to Stephen and 
 Grace Knapp, were Charles S., Julius B,, Sally, Har- 
 riet, Van Buren, Ephraim, Helen, Charlotte and 
 Carrie. All are living except one. Steplien Kna]i]i 
 died March 22, 1870, and his wife is still living. 
 Shubael Knapp, a brother of Samuel, Stephen and 
 William came into the township in 1830, and took uj) 
 lot thirty-four, in section four. He was killed, a few 
 years later, by the falling of a large hollow sycamore 
 log, which he was assisting in standing upon end for 
 the purpose of making a smoke liouse. His skull 
 was crushed and he died almost instantly. His chil- 
 dren were L. L., Abigail and Shubael. Lewis Knapf), 
 anotlier brother, came in about 1S34, bringing his 
 mother and settling upon lot thirty-five, section 
 four. 
 
 .Tames .Job and family resided for a short time upon 
 lot two, section six, arriving in 1828. 
 
 Calvin Spencer and his family, and brother Ichabod, 
 moved into the settlement from Durham, New York, 
 in the spring of 1824. Calvin hadpurcliased land on 
 lots seventeen, eighteen, nineteen and twenty, section 
 two. His children were: Merwin, Mary, Harriet, 
 Iloyt, David and Julia (Mrs. Carman, the famous 
 singer of Norwalk). 
 
 Benjamin E. Merwin and wife, of Durham, Greene 
 county, New York, came in May, 1824, and located 
 on lot thirty-seven, section five. Their children were: 
 David P. Ji-., Geo. E., Caroline and Irene. David 
 P. Merwin, Sr., arrived a year later. None of the 
 family are now resident in the township. 
 
 Elijah and Mei'cy Hawley came at the same time 
 as Calvin Spencer, and the husband died in August 
 of 1825. Tlieir cliildren were Jesse, Elijah, Catha- 
 rine, Mary (ilrs. C. Spencer) and Eunice. Jesse 
 
 Hawley is accredited with the honor of having been 
 the originator of the Erie canal scheme. 
 
 Dr. James Hall, of Cairo, New York, settled in 
 1825, upon lot two, section six. 
 
 William, usually known as Sipiire, Andrews settled 
 in 1828. He was from Wallingford, Connecticut, and 
 was a brother of Judge Andrews, of Cleveland. He 
 died in 1876. Beri Andrews, a cousin of tlic S(|iiire, 
 became a resident in 1834. 
 
 William L. Hayes, of Delaware county, New York, 
 arrived in 1829, and .settled upon lot forty eight, sec- 
 tion four. His father, Andrew Hayes, came two 
 years later. William married Aurilla Lindslcy, and 
 reared a family of seven children. 
 
 H. G. Witbeck and liis wife, Freelove (Welton), 
 came from Scholiarie county. New York, in 1831, 
 bringing with them three cliildren^ Josiah H., 
 Hiram and Mahala (afterwards Mrs. R. Peters). 
 Josiah H. and lliram are residents of Penfield. The 
 other descendants of II. G. and wife were James, 
 Abel, Mitchell and Lucinda. 
 
 D. W. C. Dixon, of Litchfield, Connecticut, settled 
 in 1832. upon lot fourteen, section one, and Lewis 
 Hart, of the same State, came about the same time. 
 In 1833, J. B. Gaylord and his wife Hannah, came 
 from Delaware county. New York, and settled upon 
 lot fifty-eight, in section two. Peter Bosh, of New 
 York State, settled the same year upon a farm in sec- 
 tion two. 
 
 Elisha Sheldon took up land in 1834, and in 1835 
 himself and wife settled upon it. Their homestead 
 is upon lot sixty-one, section one. They had seven 
 children, of whom five are still living: Sarah E., 
 (Mrs. C. E. Starr), Daniel P., and A. E. in Welling- 
 ton, William L. and C. H. in Penfield. 
 
 Edward Palmer, of Columbia county, Kew York, 
 came in 183G. Giles, Charles, Randolph and Sarali 
 were his descendants. The last named is the only 
 one now living. 
 
 Joel B. Smitli was an early settler, and a son, Levi 
 Smith, is now one of the leading citizens of Penfield. 
 Pliny Jackson made the first settlement in the 
 northwest part of the township, taking up the extreme 
 corner lot, in 1832. His children were Jane, Martha, 
 George, Alonzo, Melissa, Harriet, and Eliza. 
 
 Dr. .Tames Blancliard, who had previously made a 
 visit to the township, settled upon lot forty, section 
 six, in 1835. He was from Cairo, New York. 
 
 Hiram Norton, of Allegany county. New York, 
 settled in 1841, in the southeastern jiart of the town- 
 ship. He had three sons. George II. Norton is a res- 
 ident of Penfield. Edward J. and Andrew J. are in 
 Michigan. 
 
 INDIANS. 
 
 When the Penfields came into the woods they 
 found a few Wyandot Indians encamped there, pur- 
 suing their only occupation, hunting and trapping. 
 They were seen in the vicinity more or less frequently 
 for ten or a dozen years later, and then the last brave 
 disajipeared before the advancement of the suijerior 
 
 'I 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 301 
 
 race. Some of the squaws were very handsome in 
 tlieir swarthy savage style of beauty, ami are said to 
 liave known liow to enhance their charms by many 
 rude arts of the toilet, but their ai)pearance was 
 rendered less suggestive of wild woodland life than 
 tile imaginative reader would like to suppose by 
 tlicir wearing calico dresses; the warriors wore deer 
 skius. The Indians came sometimes to trade with 
 the whites and bartered baskets, turkey wings and 
 other trinkets, as well as venison, for calico, blankets, 
 and bread or flour. 
 
 Among the Indians who were seen in early days at 
 tills settlement was the famous Seneca chieftain, Red 
 Jacket, a savage nobleman of symmetrical figure, 
 powerful and of commaiuling presence. It was evi- 
 dently with great reluctance that he forsook the old 
 hunting ground of his tribe. 
 
 The Indians were in the custom of going just before 
 tlie holidays to Sandusky, where they exchanged 
 furs aiul other trophies of the chase with the traders 
 f(jr blankets, trinkets and supi)lies for the winter. 
 In the spring they returned to the Black river 
 country to hunt and make nuij)le sugar. The mer 
 chants of Sandusky would furnish them with certifi- 
 cates in these words: "This is to certifiy that the 
 bearer is of the Seneca tribe of Indians, which is an 
 entirely ])eaceful tribe, and desires that he be per- 
 mitted to hunt on the lands unmolested, and in no 
 case to give him whiskey." These certificates they 
 were very forward to show. 
 
 Maple sugar making was very generally practiced 
 by the Indians in the spring, and the same ones have 
 been known to return season after season to localities 
 favorable for following this, the most civilized prac- 
 tice they engaged in. They made their saj) troughs 
 of bark peeled from trees of medium size, and taken 
 off in pieces about two feet long, half cylinders in 
 shape. The ends were turned up and tied with 
 thongs, the rough outer bark being removed, and the 
 trough, when finished, was capable of holding three 
 or four quarts of sap. The Ijark, stripjied from a 
 huge tree, would make a reservoir of sufficient size 
 to contain half a barrel, and this was used as a recep- 
 tacle for the collected contents of the smaller sap 
 troughs. Kettles were hung above a fire, and the 
 same process of sugar making was pursued, that is 
 so commonly practiced to-day. 
 
 Nearly all of the Indians wiio encamped in Pen- 
 field, were upon friendly terms with the settlers, and 
 many favors were extended by each race to the other. 
 
 W. J. Knapp, who came iiito the woods when a little 
 boy, with his father, remembers playing with the In- 
 dian children, particularly one bright, active, hand- 
 some little fellow, of whom be learned how to shoot 
 witli bow and arrow. 
 
 Spy Buck, an Indian of magnificient physique, 
 and a great hunter, encamped with others of his tribe 
 in the woods for some time one season, and was much 
 admired by many of his pale-faced brethren. He had 
 with him a very beautiful squaw, and the two seemed 
 
 to live together in a condition of sylvan happiness al- 
 most idylic, but one day a party of Indians arrived 
 from the headquarters of tiie tribe in U})per San- 
 dusky, and compelled Sj)y Buck and his band, includ- 
 ing the handsome squaw, to return with them. The 
 settlers heard along time afterward that the S(iuaw be- 
 longed to another Indian, and that in punishment for 
 their infidelity, she and Spy Buck had been put to 
 death at the stake. The other Indians of this tribe 
 were very reticent in regard to what had become of 
 the two, l)ut it was evident from their manner when 
 the wherealjouts of Sjiy Buck and the squaw was 
 asked, that they knew perfectly well their fate. 
 
 Among the last of the Indians who came into Pen- 
 field, was Seneca Jolin. In company with sevei'al 
 others, lie had l)een camping for some time in the 
 favorite hunting grounds of this vicinity, and finally 
 some of the settlers nuide up their minds that Seneca 
 John and his untutored companions must leave tlie 
 counti'v. Thi'ee of them constituted themselves a 
 kind of a delegation to make known to the Indians 
 the desire of their white brothers. They took with 
 them a colored man, and proceeding to the hut of 
 Seneca John, informed that dignitary that he and 
 those of his race must depart from the country. 
 Seneca John listened to the spokesman of the ])arty 
 quietly, until he had ceased speaking, and then draw- 
 ing himself up to his full height, expressed briefly 
 but forcibly his indignation and contempt: 
 
 "Ugh! damn! four v/hite men, one of 'em nigger, 
 tell Indian he must no more hunt on Black river! 
 ugh! damn! " 
 
 After this brief extempore speech, tlie " four white 
 men" left, and notwithstanding the force of the 
 declaration of independence he had made, Seneca 
 .lolin and his braves cleared the country a few days 
 after. 
 
 WILD ANIMALS. 
 
 The territory lying along the Black river formed 
 the favorite hunting grounds of the wandering bands 
 of Indians, who had headquarters farther west. They 
 enjoyed undisputed jiossession of this forest before 
 the white came in, and still lingered in the vicinity 
 when the settlement contained a dozen families. As 
 the forests disappeared, the Indians and the game 
 went also. Deer were very numerous. The country 
 was full of wild hogs, opossums, jiorcupine, turkeys, 
 raccoons, and the smaller varieties of animals. Be- 
 side these, there were wolves and wildcats. Hunting 
 was sufficiently dangerous to be exciting, and those 
 who went into tlie woods to secure material for a din- 
 ner, had to be upon their guard lest they should be 
 made a meal of. Lewis Penfield provided himself 
 and family with their first thanksgiving dinner, with 
 his rifle. He was a pretty good siiot, and concluding 
 that some venison would lend attractions to thelioard, 
 he went out a short distance into tlie woods, and in a 
 few minutes time brought down a fine buck. Stephen 
 Knapp was a great hunter, and many instances of his 
 
302 
 
 HISTORY OF LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 success ill woodcraft might be cited. He was very 
 fond of adveiitui-e, and often made long tramps in 
 ([uest of the hirger kinds of game. He once shot a 
 wildcat under his dwelling house, aud made a huge 
 l)antlier hite the dust, over in the edge of Litchfield 
 township. Several otliers were killed about the same 
 time. Wild turkeys sometimes came very close to the 
 dwellings of the early settlers, and quite a number of 
 them were eiilrai>ped through their temerity, upon 
 one occasion. Quite a flock of them entered Mr. 
 Knapp's barn, to pick up kernels of grain from the 
 floor. They were seen to enter, and one of the family 
 creeping cautiously to the barn, (piickly shut the door. 
 Afterwards the barn was several times baited as a 
 trap, and once or twice the family was successful in 
 making a catch. There were beaver in Peiitleld, but 
 they abandoned their dam very soon after the first 
 sound of the ax was heard in the clearing. The 
 writer was shown by Mr. W. J. Knaiip, the dam 
 which still stands as a monument to the industry of 
 these strange animals. It extends across a swale 
 through which a small stream runs, about a quarter 
 of a mile north of the center. It is now about six 
 feet high above the bed of the stream, and was prob- 
 ably two feet higher wlien constructed. Its form is 
 plainly visible. It is that of an arch, with the con- 
 vex side up stream. It was built in the place where 
 the minimum of work would secure the maximum of 
 result, aud had the intelligence of man instead of the 
 instinct of animals, been exerted in its construction, 
 it could not have been made more perfect. The 
 extent of the overflow caused by the building of the 
 dam, was from twelve to fifteen acres. 
 
 FIRST EVENTS. 
 
 In the matters of birth, a girl got a little the start of 
 the other sex, as girls usually do in all the att'airs of life. 
 The first child born was Harriet, daughter of Peter 
 and Catharine Penfield. The birth occurred in De- 
 cember, 1821. John, son of Amor and Altana Pen- 
 field, was the first boy born. 
 
 Tiie first death in the township was that of Ruth 
 Ann, wife of Truman Penfield, the first woman who 
 claimecl a house in the settkunent. 
 
 The first marriage in the township was that of Car- 
 oline, daughter of David Merwin, Sr., to Dr. Samuel 
 Strong. It took place in 1826. The first resident of 
 the township married, was Lathrop Penfield. He 
 was married March 17, 1824, to Caroline West, of 
 (Jraftou, the ceremony being conducted by Franklin 
 Wells, Esq. 
 
 The first litigation, was between Peter Penfiidd and 
 Levi Mills, in the summer of 1820 or 1827. It was 
 in regard to work done uiiou a mill-dam, and the dis- 
 pute was settled by referees. 
 
 The first log house was that built in the fall of 
 1811), for Peter Penfield, by Seth C. Ingersoll. The 
 first frame house was built by Peter Penfield, upon 
 his homestead, in 1822. The first brick house was 
 built about 185-1, near the center, by Hiram Smith. 
 
 The first tavern was a strictly temperance house, 
 condncfed by Truman Penfield. 
 
 The first store was opened in 1828, by Raymond 
 Starr. 
 
 The first row of corn was planted Ijy Lathrop Pen- 
 field, ill 1820, the small timlier lieing cleared from two 
 acres aud a half of land for this crop. Some wheat 
 was sown the same season, where now stands the first 
 orchard, i)lanted by Peter Penfield. 
 
 RICHLAND — PENFIELD. 
 
 The township was noted for its fertile soil and 
 fine crops. Corn and the cereals were raised in larger 
 ([uantity and of better quality than in the adjoining 
 townships. It was a not uncommon thing in the first 
 decade of its settlement, for the pioneers of older 
 townships to come here for produce, when, because of 
 inferior soil, and perhaps through want of j)roper 
 tillage, their own crops had proven insufficient. 
 
 A farmer once drove into the settlement at the 
 head of a small procession of other farmers, each in a 
 huge wagon, and, addressing one of the resiilents, 
 said: "We come after that for which the children of 
 Israel went to Egypt. — corn!" Tiieir wagons went 
 back heavily laden. 
 
 So prolific was the soil, aud so rich the harvest, 
 that, when a name was to be chosen for the township, 
 that of Richland was popularly agreed upon, and be- 
 fore the town was organized the commissioners of 
 Medina county were petitioned to bestow upon it that 
 name. They took it into consideration; but, discov- 
 ering that there were other localities named Richland, 
 rejected the petition and named the township Pen- 
 field, in honor of the first settler. It may be added 
 that the productiveness of the soil has not been de- 
 creased by the application of this name. The town- 
 ship is still Rlchlaml, in fact, though Penfield by 
 name; and its farms and orchards fully attest, to-day, 
 the truth of what was said in regard to the agricul- 
 tural ([ualities of the township fifty years ago, by the 
 men who first felled the forest and broke the ground. 
 
 ORIiANIZATION. 
 
 The first township election was ordered to be held 
 upon the first Monday of April, 1825, at the house of 
 Trninan Penfield. The following officers were elected 
 upon that occasion: clerk, Truman Penfield; trus- 
 tees, Samuel Knapp, Samuel Root, Peter Penfield; 
 treasurer, Lathrop Penfield; overseers of the poor, 
 Lewis Penfield, Calvin Spencer. In 1826, May 27, 
 Benjamin Merwin was elected justice of the peace, 
 the first in the township. At the close of 1878 the 
 township officers were: clerk, Andrew Denliam; trus- 
 tees, W. C. Hastings, Elisha Sheldon, M. E. Starr; 
 treasurer, A. D. Lindsley; justices of the peace, W. 
 W. Penfield, George H. Norton; constables, W. J. 
 Krebs, Perry Best. School Board: David C. Bunt, 
 president; Samuel McCoy, Calvin Ensign, Foster 
 Lewis, Douglass Goodyear, Edward M. Linder, D. 
 F. Curtice, Orrin K. Starr. 
 
C^{aZ o^ioCi.lMJf 
 
 0^<ru/., p/> cJ(^^t^U>UAf 
 
 ■,«• '■■:Ytf.'\^ '■ 
 
 
 
 RESIDENCE OETHE LATE BERI ANDREWS , Penfield, LORAIN CO . 0, 1879^ 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 303 
 
 RELIGIOUS. 
 
 Tho ciirliest religious service of which any of tlio 
 ])resent residents of Penfield have recollection, was 
 held in 183G. 
 
 Elisha Fields preached the first week of March in 
 Miat year at David Merwin's house. After that, meet- 
 ings were held every four weeks until fall, by the same 
 preacher, and then the Rev. Harry 0. Siieldon began 
 his ministrations in the township, speaking to small 
 assemblages at the old log school liouse. Rev. Mat- 
 thew L. Starr was also an early preacher. He came 
 from the east, and preached his first sermou in an un- 
 finished house, standing upon a workman's licnch 
 which had been left in the largest room of t]u> rather 
 small dwelling. 
 
 CONGREGATIONAL CITURCn. 
 
 The first church formed in Penfield was of the 
 Presbyterian denomination. It was organized .Janu- 
 ary 14, 1829, by Revs. A. H. Betts, Xenophon Betts, 
 Joel Talcott and T). W. Lathrop. Following are the 
 names of the original members: Lewis Penfield and 
 wife, Peter Penfield and wife, Truman Penfield and 
 wife, Amos Penfield and wife, Anizi L. Penfield and 
 wife, Dr. James Hall and wife, and Anna Merwin, 
 wife of David Merwin — thii'teen in all. 
 
 The church had in 1878 forty-five members and a 
 meetinghouse adequate to its needs. The jiastor was 
 tlie Rev. O. V. Rice and the officers the following : 
 trustees, L. H. Penfield, Peter Dalilglish, Ileman 
 Starr; clerk, Robert McCoiiaughy; deacons, W. W. 
 Penfield and Robert McConaughy; Sunday school 
 superintendent, W. W. Penfield; assistant, L. H. 
 Penfield. 
 
 THE METHODIST Ei'ISCOI'AL CHURCH. 
 
 The first class of this church was organized in 
 August, 1834, the Rev. A. Billings in ciuirge. It 
 was composed of the following members: Wm. L. 
 Hayes, AuriJla L. Hayes, Mrs. Sarah Hayes, Esther 
 Mary Hayes, Russell H. Starr, Henry G. Witbeck 
 and Freelove Witbeck. But two of the original 
 members ai-e still living — Mr. and Mrs. Wm. L. 
 Hayes. The society at this date, December, 1878, 
 numbers one hundred and sixteen members. The 
 Rev. 'J'homas (r. Roberts is pastor, and the officers of 
 church and society are as follows: stewards, Levi 
 Smith, A. B. Hayes, E. A. Starr (recording), S. 
 Long, Wm. Knapp; class leaders, James Webber, 
 Wm. Furze, Wm. P. Boice, Clapp Starr ; local 
 preachers, P. C. Bunt, George Norton, Mathew L. 
 Starr (superanuated); Sunday school su2ierintendcnt, 
 James Weber; trustees, Orrin Starr; Mathew L. 
 Starr, .Joseph Jones, Geoi'ge Norton, S. Barton, Wil- 
 hird Hart, James Webber, Wm. L. Hayes. A cJiurch 
 building was erected in 1842, half a mile east of tlie 
 renter, but the society moved to the center about 
 1855, and occupied tlie more commodious house at 
 present in use. 
 
 BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 In the year 1830 or 1840, the Baptist church was 
 organized with twelve membeis, viz: Rev. Asa 
 Straight and wife, Samuel Knapp and wife, Wm. 
 Rogers and wife, Peter Bost and wife, Mrs. Elisha 
 Sheldon, Mrs. Kellogg Latham, Mrs. Edward Hart, 
 and the mother of Wm. Rogers. Mrs. Siieldon is the 
 only one of the original members living. For some 
 time this church had no ri^giilarly settled pastor, but 
 was suj)plied with pi-eacliing by different ministers. 
 Meetings were held in school houses and private 
 dwellings for several years. In 1853 efforts were 
 made to secure funds for building, and in April of 
 18.5.5 a house of worship was dedicated. Rev. E. Tib- 
 bals being the pastor in chai'ge. Previous to this 
 time, however, the church had a settled minister — 
 Elder George Edwards. The present pastor is the 
 Rev. Michael Shank; deacons, Silas Rogers, Elisha 
 Sheldon; trustees, Elisha Sheldon, W. B. Andrews, 
 Sliubael Knapp; clerk, W. B. Andrews; treasurer, 
 Elisha Sheldon. 
 
 EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 An Episcopal church was organized in 1844, but 
 did not remain long in existence. The following, 
 from the record of tlie church, explains how it came 
 into being: 
 
 "We whose names are hereunto affixed, deeply im- 
 pressed with the importance of the christian religion, 
 and earnestly wishing to promote its holy influence in 
 the hearts and the lives of ourselves, our families and our 
 neighbors, do hereby associate ourselves together, un- 
 der the name, and style, and title of the parish of Christ 
 Church, ill the township of Penfield, county of Lorain, 
 and State of Ohio, and by so doing do adopt the 
 constitution and canons of the Protestant Ejiiscopal 
 churcli in the diocese of Ohio, in communion with 
 the Protestant EjiLscopal church of the United States 
 of America. 
 
 To the above form the names of twenty subscribers, 
 the number required, were affixed, and a meeting was 
 iield, in conformity to notice given, upon the 13th of 
 August, 1844, at wiiich time Rev. Messrs. Davis and 
 Ilolden, being present, the church was organized and 
 the following officers elected: senior warden, Daniel 
 .Vndrews; junior warden, Beri Andrews; vestrymen, 
 Lewis Jones, Bishop Richmond, William Andrews; 
 clerk, William Andrews. The church never built a 
 house of worship. 
 
 S(.'IIOOLS. 
 
 Before the usual facilities for teaching were jiro- 
 \i(leil, Clarissa Rising, of Huntington, taught a 
 school in Calvin Spencer's private house, about a mile 
 south of the center. This was the first sciiool in the 
 township, and was held in the summer of 1839. 
 Among the pujiils were Samuel and Jane Penfield, 
 Horace Starr and Betsey Ann Starr, William Avery 
 Penfield, and the Spencer children, Mary Merwin, 
 Harriet Hoyt and David Hoyt. George R. Starr, 
 
304 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 now of Elyria, taught the second school in the winter 
 of 183!) and 1830, and Lucy Adams also taught after 
 him. The first school house was erected a mile and 
 a half east and about three quarters of a mile north 
 of tlie center. It was a frame structure covered with 
 rough boards. Several log school houses were built 
 aftorwiirds. The first select scliool was taught in 
 185-1, by Eleazer Hale, an Oberlin student. At tliis 
 writing the township has eight district schools. 
 
 CEMETERY. 
 
 The burial place is u]>on a plat of ground, half a 
 mile east of the center, a portion of wliich was do- 
 nated by Gideon Penficld, in 1840. Additions have 
 been made at various times, as has been made neces- 
 sary by the increase of the population, and propor- 
 tionable increase of mortality. There is a family 
 burying ground ujjon the old Samuel Knapp farm, one 
 of the earliest dedicated to those wiio luive have passed 
 over to the silent majority. 
 
 ROADS. 
 
 It is a notiualdu fact tliat, in the soutliorn part of 
 Loraiu county, and in territory lying contiguous to 
 it, the roads first laid out have been those running 
 from soutli to north. There is an explanation of this 
 fact. We find tliat the settlers in this part of the 
 country, and fm-tlier soutli, had a desire to perfect 
 routes of travel to the lake, for it was there that they 
 naturally expected to find a market, in future years, 
 for the corn and wheat they did not need for home 
 consumption. 
 
 The first road tlirough Penfleld, was one of these 
 roads, laid out as a line of travel, l)y which the inland 
 farmers might take their produce to the larger towns 
 near the lake shore, and to the harbors. It is known 
 now as the River road, and was opened from S])encer 
 and Homer, in Medina county, through Penficld, in 
 the early days of the settlement. Much time was 
 spent in its improvement. But little was done upon 
 tlie Penficld and Wellington road for many years, the 
 swamp in the latter township remaining a place to 
 lie dreaded at all times of the year, and nearly, if not 
 quite, impassable during the wet seasons. 
 
 The north and south center road was laid out and 
 [ilanked in 18.30, or the following year, and was known 
 as one of the best roads in this part of the country, as 
 long as it was kept in repair. The planks have Ijeon 
 a thing of the past for many years. 
 
 POST OFFICE. 
 
 In the spring of 1830, a mail route was laid out 
 from Medina to Norwalk, through Penfield center. 
 The first mail was carried through in April, by a man 
 named Laborie, who traveled on foot. The Penfields 
 living a mile and half from the line, arranged to de- 
 posit all of their mail matter in a hollow tree, at the 
 river crossing, and to have matter left there for them. 
 This was the primitive post office of the township. 
 
 In April, 1821, Truman Penfield moved on to the 
 line, and took chavge of the mail, in an informal way, 
 until 1835, when he was commissioned postmaster, 
 lie held the office for many years, and was not a 
 defaulter. His successor was D. W. C. Dixon, and 
 he was succeeded by Lyman Hayes. W. J. Krebs 
 was commissioned as postmaster upon the 17th of 
 December, 1878. 
 
 MANUFACTURINfi INTERESTS. 
 
 The first saw mill in the township was built !)y 
 Peter Penfield about 1838. Samuel Knapp built one 
 about two years after; and Calvin Sjteneor and others 
 at a still later date. Black walnut timber was so com- 
 mon that it was used very largely for fence rails, and 
 the lumber was sold for only four dollars per thousand. 
 In 1850, a saw mill was built and operated by R. II. 
 Penfield, Horace Penfield, Orrin Starr, Lyman Hayes 
 and Almond Lindsley, for the purpose of furnishing 
 lumber for the plank road leading north through 
 LaOrange. This was burned in 1857, and subse- 
 quently rebuilt. It is now owned by W. W. Penfield. 
 There is also another saw mill, witii a flouring mill 
 in conjunction, owned by S. Samson & Son, which 
 was built in 18(!8, by A. C. Hitchcock. Both of 
 these mills are located near the center, upon lot 
 twelve, tract four. 
 
 CHEESE FACTORIES. 
 
 Hi ram Witbcck and John Mcdraw started a cheese 
 factory upon the center road, west of the center, in 
 the spring of 18G9, and took the milk of about three 
 hundred cows. McGraw soon sold out his interest to 
 Witbeck, who contined to run the factory until 1877, 
 when he sold to Mr. Crozier, of Wellington. Christy 
 & Norton started a factory in 18G9, in the south part 
 of the township, conducted it for several years, and 
 then transferred the property to Baldwin & Laundon, 
 of Wellington. This firm also owns the factory 
 started in 1870, east of the river, by a Mr. Benedict, 
 of Litchfield. S. White started a small factory in 
 1875, which he still manages. There is another fac- 
 tory upon the river, in the northeast part of the 
 township, which was started in 1875, by R,. Ilolcomb, 
 and is now owned by George liozier, of Wellington. 
 
 AGRICL'LTURAL STATISTICS. 
 
 The following are the statistics for 1877, showing 
 the amount of the most important productions of the 
 township; also the population in 1870, and the vote 
 for President in 1870: 
 
 Wheat, 6T4 acres 9, T60 bushels. 
 
 Potatoes, 3G " 3,S65 
 
 Oats, 513 " 82,121 
 
 Orchanls, 376 " Sas 
 
 Corn, 807 " 31,785 " 
 
 Meadow, 1,935 " 2,358 tons. 
 
 Butter. H7,2r)4 pounds. 
 
 Cheese 3W,5;iO " 
 
 Maple Sugar fj,33<) 
 
 Population in 1S70 74.i 
 
 Vote for President in 187G. 
 Hayes 163 | Tilden 3'.) 
 
i 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 305 
 
 Biographical Sketches, 
 
 TRUMAN PENFIELD. 
 
 Prominently identified witli tlie material progress 
 and development of Penfield township, and among 
 its most respectable citizens, was Trnman Penfield. 
 Removing to Penfield nearly sixty years ago, he was 
 one of the pioneers of the township, and became one 
 of -its most substantial business men, as well as among 
 its best practical farmers. He not only witnessed the 
 transition of a sjjarsely settled region into a prosper- 
 ous and flourishing locality, from an uncultivated 
 wilderness to a highly fertile and productive agricul- 
 tural township, but by his industry, energy and thrift, 
 did much toward the consummation of these various 
 and beneficial improvements. 
 
 Truman Penfield was born at Fairfield, Connecti- 
 cut, October 4, 1789, and died at Penfield, Ohio, 
 April 20, 1868. He was the son of Lewis Penfield, 
 who was born March 3G, 1705. He married Adah 
 Beardslee, January 32, 1780. In 1802, they removed 
 to Harpersfleld, Delaware county. New York, wliere 
 they became respectable citizens. 
 
 Truman Penfield was married to Ruth Ann Sco- 
 ville, May 10, 1814. The fruits of this union were: 
 Samuel S., born -Tnly 13, 1818, in Harpersfield, New 
 York; married Permelia Dayton, September 23, 1839; 
 resides in Penfield. Jaue A., born August 27, 1833, 
 in Penfield, Ohio; was graduated from the Oberlin 
 Collegiate Institute (ladies' course of 1847); in the 
 following year, August 15, 1848, was married to Judge 
 A. W. Hendry, of Sandusky, Ohio, where they have 
 since resided. 
 
 Mrs. Ruth A. Penfield died Decembers, 1834. For 
 his second wife, Mr. Penfield married Maria Dayton, 
 of Harpersfield, New York, in September, 1825. The 
 children of this second marriage were: Maria, born 
 August 22, 1828; married Iliram Smith, September 
 18, 1851; they reside at Flint, l\Iichigan. 
 
 William Wirt Penfield was born June 29, 1831; and 
 November 32d, 1854, was married to Martha, daughter 
 of Jedediah (iaylord, of Penfield. He (William W.) 
 has always lived upon the homestead farm at Penfield 
 center, where he was born. In 1873, he removed the 
 old farm house and built a new one, in modern style, 
 an illustration of which, with portraits, adorns an- 
 other page of our work. He is extensively engaged 
 in raising improved breeds of cattle, with which the 
 old farm is well stocked. In addition to his agricul- 
 tural pursuits, he is (piite largely interested in the 
 manufacture of lumber, he being the owner of a capa- 
 cious and well furnished steam saw mill located at the 
 center. He occujiies a leading position in liis town- 
 ship, and in his life and character has admirably 
 tyjiified what well directed energy, perseverance and 
 industry will accomplish. 
 
 38 
 
 Truman Penfield, third and last child of Truman 
 and Maria (Dayton) Penfield, was born August 3, 
 1833; married Sarah, daughter of Levi Caylord, 
 March 20, 1857. He now occupies the position of 
 general ticket and passenger agent for the Hannibal 
 & St. Joseph Railroad Company, and resides at Han- 
 nibal, Missouri. The character for personal integrity 
 and high moral worth which the Penfield family have 
 always maintained, is so well known to the residents 
 of Lorain county that anything of a laudatory nature 
 from us, in this respect, would be superfluous. The 
 desire to improve the locality where he cast his lot 
 nearly sixty years ago, was one of the strongly marked 
 traits of Truman Penfield. His son has done much 
 toward beautifying the homestead, and in adding 
 many improvements, which his father would have 
 done had he lived a few years longer. They have cer- 
 tainly, between them, made Penfield center a delight- 
 ful as well as a beautiful hamlet, which, in future 
 years, shall remain a monument to their enterprise. 
 
 ELISHA SHELDON. 
 
 Closely identified with affiairs tending to develop 
 the general interests of the townshiji of Penfield, and 
 always endeavoring, by his life and character, to exer- 
 cise a beneficial influence in the community of which 
 for many years he has been a prominent member, 
 Elisha Sheldon to-day deservedly enjoys a foremost 
 position among the best citizens of that township. 
 
 Elisha Sheldon was born in the town of Kortright, 
 Delaware county. New York, January 16, 1811. He 
 continued to reside in Kortright until the death of 
 his father, Jonathan Sheldon, which occurred in 1822, 
 when he went to live with an uncle in the adjoining 
 town of Harpersfield, where he lived until he was 
 twenty-two years of age. He was engaged as a team. 
 ster for Croswell & Diekermau, tanners, of Gilboa, 
 Schoharie county. New York, with whom he contin- 
 ued almost one year. In the spring of 1834, he re- 
 moved to Ohio and purchased one hundred and eighty- 
 eight acres, located in the town of Penfield, Lorain 
 county, wpon which he worked, and also by the 
 month, until the fall, when he returned to New York, 
 and the following year married Sallie Peters, and 
 returned to the new home in Ohio, May 3, 1835. He 
 then put up a log cabin, in the midst of an almost 
 unbroken wilderness, into which he moved before it 
 had windows, and lived therein six months before it 
 had a chimney. In the January following, he built 
 that necessary appendage to a comfortable dwelling, 
 his young wife helping to lay the brick. After the 
 elapse of forty-five years, Mrs. Sheldon very appro- 
 priately designates her exj)erience in the brick-laying 
 line, as "the spice of pioneer life." The first year 
 of his settlement, Mr. Sheldon cleared off some six 
 or eight acres and sowed it to wheat. Every year 
 since has witnessed some improvement to his farm, 
 
306 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 to which he added seventy acres, subsequent to his 
 original purchase, upon wliich he still resides. He 
 has deeded to each of liis sons a good farm, thus giv- 
 ing them an infinitely better and easier start iu life 
 tlian he ever had. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon have had seven children, 
 namely: Sarah E., now the wife of C. E. Starr, resides 
 in Penfleld; Daniel P. lives at Wellington; Addison 
 resides on a farm in Wcllinglon township; William L. 
 lives on a farm in Pcuriold; Charles II. lives at home 
 with his parents, owning a part of tiie homestead; 
 .James M. and .lohn L. are dead, the former dying at 
 the age of five years and five months, and the latter 
 at the age of almost ten years. 
 
 In politics Mr. Sheldon is a republican. He has 
 served his township as assessor and ti-ustee several 
 terms. He and his excellent wife are both members 
 of the Penfield Bai)tist church, of wliich Mrs. Shel- 
 don is the only one of the constituent members now 
 living. This worthy coujile have pulled together 
 forty-four years, and the prospects are for them to 
 celebrate their golden wedding. 
 
 Mr. Sheldon is noted for his liberality in sustaining 
 benevolent and charitable institutions, aud for the 
 generous aid he lends to worthy objects connected with 
 religion and education, lie is deservedly esteemed as 
 an upright and honest citizen, a good neighbor, a 
 kind husband and an atfectionate father. He has 
 lived an industrious and busy life, and in the man- 
 agement of his intei'ests has been careful and econom- 
 ical, so that he and his wife, who has largely assisted 
 him iu the accumulation of his property, can pass 
 tiieir declining years iu comparative ease aud comfort. 
 Having always been temperate and regular in his 
 habits, he enjoys perfect good health, and bids fair to 
 exceed liy many years, the allotted span. 
 
 BERI ANDREWS 
 
 Prominently connected witii the material interests of 
 Penfield, and among its early and respected citizens 
 was the subject of these lines. He was born in 
 Meriden, Connecticut, February 5, 1800. He was the 
 son of Marvel aud Sallie (Bronson) Andrews, both of 
 whom were natives of Connecticut, and among the 
 worthy citizens of that State. At the age of twenty- 
 three, Mr. Andrews married Eliza Hall, the union re- 
 sulting in four children — two sous aud two daugh- 
 ters, namely: Bela, now married and settled in Henry 
 county, Illinois; Hannah E., Sarah B. and William 
 B., all living on the homestead farm. Mrs. Andrews 
 died April 31, 1857. On the twenty-ninth of April, 
 1858, he married Amy, daughter of Jonathan Shel- 
 don. She survives him. 
 
 In 1834 Mr. Andrews moved to Lorain county, 
 Ohio, and settled on the farm where his widow now 
 resides. The place then contained over three hundred 
 
 and fifty acres, of which two hundred acres remains 
 in the family. 
 
 Mr. Andrews held several offices, notably those of 
 township clerk and justice of the peace, in which he 
 served with general satisfaction to the people, and 
 with jiersonal credit. He was an exemplary member 
 of the Protestant Episco])al Church, of which he 
 was senior warden for many years. After an emi- 
 nently useful life Mr. Andrews died October 0, 1868. 
 He was a man who was greatly respected for his many 
 excellent qualities. A good practical farmer, and an 
 industrious and honest citizen, his death was felt as 
 an irreparable loss in the community in which he had 
 lived so long, and in which his worth was well 
 known and so generally appreciated. 
 
 A portrait of himself and widow, together with a 
 view of the old homestead, is inserted in this work, as 
 a deserved testimonial of a meritorious life, and as a 
 token of regard from her to whom his many virtues 
 wereiis a household word, and to whom his death 
 was a sad bereavement. 
 
 ORRIN STARR. 
 
 Among the representative pioneers of Penfield town- 
 ship, who have materially assisted in the growth and 
 progress of that town, none are more worthy a place in 
 its history than Orrin Starr. Emigrating to this sec- 
 tion of the country forty-five years ago, at a time 
 when the territory now embraced within the limits 
 of the township, contained but two frame dwellings, 
 and when the number of families therein did not ex- 
 ceed a half score, he has contributed not a little to its 
 l)resent prosperity. Orrin Starr was born in Dela- 
 ware county, New York, October 30, 1803. He is 
 the son of Eleazar and Rebecca (Clapp) Starr, old 
 settlers of that county. He received what literary 
 education he ever obtained at the common schools of 
 iiis native county. When seven years of age his father 
 died, and the duty of helping to provide for his wid- 
 owed mother devolved upon him, which duty he 
 cheerfully preformed, assisted by his elder brothers. 
 1 lis early years were spent on the homestead farm. 
 Iu 1834 he sold out his interest in the family estate 
 and emigrated to Lorain county, Ohio, and settled on 
 tlie farm now occupied by David Drake, aud located 
 about one mile and a half northeast of Penfield ecu • 
 lor where Mr. Starr now resides. On the 13th of 
 September, 1835, he was married to Abigail, daughter 
 of Heman and Lucinda Ilickok, of Schoharie county. 
 New York. 
 
 Hon. Heman Hiekok was born in Watertown, Con- 
 necticut, and removed iu au early day to JefEerson, 
 Schoharie county. New York, where he was exten- 
 sively engaged iu farming and milling. He was a 
 public benefactor, and for many years a justice of the 
 peace of his town, a side judge, aud also a member 
 of the legislature of the State of New York. In 1833 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 307 
 
 Mr. Ilickok and his wife removed to Ashtjibula coun- 
 ty, Ohio, wliere tliree of their sons, Ambrose, Homan 
 C. und Hiniin, had preceded them some years. 
 
 Til is worthy couple have now lived together har- 
 moniously for fifty-three years, having celebrated 
 their golden wedding three years ago, suri'ounded by 
 many relatives and friends. They had eleven children, 
 of whom six survive. The names of the children are 
 as follows : Melinda, deceased ; Minerva and Maria, 
 twins ; tlie former lives in Penfield, the latter in 
 Michigan; Elizabeth, died in Kansas, Alonzo B. died 
 of disease contracted in the army, at Mount Vernon, 
 Kentucky ; Hiram H. resides in Nebraska, Emma L. 
 deceased ; Edna, resides in Oberlin ; Clapp R., Marian 
 A., deccixsed. Those living are all married and set- 
 tled in life and are good and respectable citizens. 
 
 Mr. Starr is a republican in politics, and was for- 
 merly an old line whig. He was elected to the office of 
 justice of the peace in his township, but resigned after 
 serving about a year, feeling as though his time was 
 required in the management of his pei'soual affairs. 
 He has also been elected to other township offices. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Starr are lioth members of the Methodist 
 Episcopal church, the latter having joined it in the 
 days of her youth. Mr. Starr now owns a fine farm 
 of two hundred and thirty-seven and a half acres, lo- 
 cated at the center, an illustration of the buildings of 
 which, with portraits of himself and wife, appears on 
 another jwge of this work. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Starr are not only among the pioneers 
 of their town, but are also among its most respectable 
 and influential citizens ; and no history of the town 
 of Penfield would have been complete without a rep- 
 resentation of themselves and their home. Their en- 
 tire career has been characterized by an honest en- 
 deavor to promote the best interests of their children, 
 and to leave a record behind them worthy the emula- 
 tion of those who follow. Industry, economy and a 
 determination to succeed have been the prime factors 
 of llieir life work, and the results have been alike ilat- 
 leriutr and well deserved. 
 
 STREET GOODYEAR AND FAMILY. 
 
 Eli Goodyear, father of Street, the subject of this 
 sketch, married Sally Hitchcock, both residents of 
 Hampden, Connecticut. They had five children, viz: 
 Chester, Wooster, Ezra, Lucinda and Street. 
 
 Street Goodyear was born May 19, 1808, and unfor- 
 liinatoly, during his youthful days, he had little 
 opportunity of gaining even a good common school 
 education; but being possessed of a quick and active 
 brain, he, by observation, or rather by intuitive percep- 
 tion, acquired good business qualifications, enabling 
 him to make progress where others might have failed. 
 At the age of eight years he was left without a pro- 
 tector to shield him from the rough, thorny pathway 
 of life; but by rare good sense, and pleasant mien, he 
 
 b 
 
 won his way step by steji uj) the rugged hill of for- 
 tune. He was married November 25, ISS-l, to Miss 
 Susan A. Jones, of North Madison, Connecticut. 
 
 Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Lucy (Austin) Jones were 
 residents of North Madison, Connecticut. They were 
 parents of twelve children, viz: Sally M., Lewis, 
 Austin, Lucy Ann, Nancy, Polly, Caroline, Joseph, 
 Emeline, Henrietta, George and Susan A., all bora 
 in North Madison, Connecticut. All are now living 
 excepting Polly and Lucy Ann. 
 
 After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Street Goodyear set- 
 tled in Northford, Connecticut, where four of their 
 children were born, viz: Jane Ann, born March 27, 
 183C; Gilbert L., born June 35, 1837; Francis R., 
 born October 12, 1841, died October 29, 1849; and 
 Edward S., born August 39, 1843. 
 
 Ill the fall of 1844, the family removed to Penfield, 
 Lorain county, Ohio, establishing a new home amid 
 the wilds of an unbroken forest, where wild beasts 
 roamed at night in search of prey. After settling in 
 this pioneer home, two more jewels were added to the 
 mother's crown, viz: Douglas J., born June 14, 1840; 
 Lucy Ann, born January 4, 1851. Jane Ann mar- 
 ried Hiram Witbeck and settled in Penfield; number 
 of children seven. Gilbert L. married Nettie Stew- 
 art, of Hinkley, Medina county — only one heir. 
 Edward S. married Miss Mary Crane, of Penfield; 
 they have two children. Douglas J. married Miss 
 Mary E. Ecker, of Rousburg, Ashland county, Ohio, 
 three heirs; Lucy Ann remains single, ministering to 
 the wants of the many. Like a sister of merey, 
 doing good as opportunities are presented. 
 
 Politically Mr. Goodyear is a strong and earnest 
 republican. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Goodyear, early experiencing a change 
 of heart, they became members of the Congregational 
 church in Northford, Connecticut, remaining in good 
 and regular standing until their removal to Ohio. 
 
 After a short sojourn in their pioneer home they 
 united with the Methodist Episcopal church, becom- 
 ing active and efficient members, and workers in the 
 vineyard of the Lord. 
 
 The toils and struggles consequent upon a pioneer 
 life, and the man}' cares laid upon willing hands, 
 have (piite unfitted Mrs. Goodyear for enjoying the 
 blessing of health. She being an invalid, is dependent 
 upon others to guide the faltering footsteps along the 
 shore of time. Of a quiet and pleasing address, and 
 social temperament, she wins affection, and binds 
 with cords of love the hearts of her household. 
 
 Although Mr. (Joodyear's life has been one of 
 almost constant toil, he has ever been personally a ' 
 stranger to sickness, and yet remains an active, ener- 
 getic man for one of his years. His persevering- 
 industry has yielded a competence sufficient for all 
 necessai-y wants, and he is wont to compare the pres- 
 ent with the past, when immediate wants compelled 
 him to work for his more fortunate neighbors, receiv- 
 ing his pay in grain, which he was forced to take upon 
 his back (for want of an easier conveyance) and go 
 
308 
 
 HISTOKY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 to mill in order to secure sustenance for the loved 
 ones at home. 
 
 To procure money necessary to pay taxes, he was 
 compelled to fell trees, ])ile them in immense heaps, 
 then burn to ashes, and convert into black salts, 
 they being the only article that would command cash 
 on delivery in the pioneer days. 
 
 How little the sons and daughters of the present 
 time know of the toils and struggles endured to 
 secure the independence now enjoyed by them. If 
 they would seek for enlightenment, let them question 
 such men as Mr. Goodyear, whose life lessons wore 
 learned in the tread-mill of experience. 
 
 LA GRANGE 
 
 La Grange is township number four, range seven- 
 teen. It presents to one who drives through its ter- 
 ritory an appearance of thrift and plenty. Broad, 
 well tilled fields, huge barns, almost bursting with 
 their store, snug farm houses, and beautiful villas 
 moot the eye upon all sides, and silently attest the 
 wisdom, the energy, and the cultivated taste of their 
 owners. 
 
 PHYSICAL FEATUKES. 
 
 The township is almost perfectly level, except in 
 the extreme eastern and western parts, where it is 
 traversed by small streams. Here the surface is somc- 
 wiuit rolling, The east branch of the Black river 
 flows from south to north, through the eastern por- 
 tion of the township, and Wellington creek, a small 
 rivulet, diversifies the western part, and adds a pleas- 
 ing element to the landscape. The soil is. for the 
 most part, clay, or a clay loam, though there are small 
 areas in which sand and gravel ajtpear. Deep down, 
 'under all, is the solid sandstone, which, had it lain 
 nearer the surface, would have proved a vast element 
 of wealth. It only appears at the surface in the 
 northwest corner of the township, where it is ipiarried 
 in a small way. 
 
 THE OKKHNAL I'KOPRIETOKS 
 
 of La Grange township were Henry Chamiiion and 
 Lemuel Storrs, the former having drawn two-thirds 
 and the latter one third of the laud. These men also 
 had three thousand, seven hundred acres in tract 
 eight, range nineteen, now in Brighton and Camden. 
 In 18:i5, Champion conveyed his portion of the lands 
 to his sou-in-law, Elizur Goodrich, of Hartford, Con- 
 necticut. Goodrich was not long in possession of his 
 western estate, for he began exchanging it, in the 
 summer of the same year, for New York State prop- 
 erty. Nathan Clark, Roger Pheli)S, Noah Ilolcomb, 
 and .James I'elton, of Jefferson county, were the first 
 to obtain land of him, and soon others followed their 
 example, the "westward, ho!" fever extended, and 
 so it came about that a colony of New Y6rkers was 
 located in the wilderness of -southern Loraiu county. 
 
 Phelps, Ilolcomb, and Pelton, in the autumn of 
 182.5, came out to examine the land. After a short 
 stay, they returned, and made so favorable a report 
 that others, among whom were David and Asa Rock- 
 wood, Fairchild Hubbard, .Joseph Robbins, Sylvester 
 Merriam, and Levi Johnson were induced to jjurchase 
 farms. They, too, exchanged lands with Goodrich. 
 
 THE FIRST SETTLEMENT 
 
 was made by Nathan Clark, on the 14th day of No- 
 vember, 1825. Clark was a native of Harlem, Con- 
 necticut, and was married in ISKi, to Ann Loomis, 
 who came with him to Ohio. He settled near the 
 cast branch of Black river, and resided there for some 
 time, but afterward bought lot number fifty-one, upon 
 which he remained until 1855, when he removed to 
 Michigan, in which State he died in 1860. His first 
 wife died in 1833, and he subse(piently married Lucy 
 Barnes. 
 
 As soon as the season of 1836 opened so as to allow 
 journeying over the rough roads, and through the 
 almost unbroken woods, the families of Noah Ilol- 
 comb, Sylvester Jlerriam, James Disbrow, Joseph A. 
 Graves, James Pelton, Levi Johnson, Curtis Hastings, 
 Charles Rounds and two sons, Joseph Robbins, David 
 and Asa Rockwood and Henry Townsend came into 
 the township, and each established a rude and primi- 
 tive home. Fairchild Hubbard came in November, 
 from Brighton, where he had been living for severtil 
 months. 
 
 There were, in the latter part of the year 1826, sev- 
 enty persons within the ])resent limits of LaGrange, 
 some in the east, some in the west, some at the center 
 and still others in the northern and southern portions 
 of the township. All however were neighbors. Men 
 living five miles apart in those days knew more of each 
 other than do many uow-a-days who occupy the same 
 city house, and felt more truly friendly concern for 
 each other than exists at present, in most cases, be- 
 tween neighbors whose gardens adjoin. Half a cen- 
 tury ago there was a vast deal of sincerity in the daily 
 greetings of the people, a sincerity which the Araer- 
 
t 
 
 /^^w "S /h. 
 
 f^ESlDENCE OF D(^, E D. |V1ERRI AM , Laoi^ang£ , LOK*iN Co.. . 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 309 
 
 ic:ui of 1879 luis met so seldom as scarcely to rocog- 
 iiize. 
 
 Altlioiigli there was now quite a settlement, people 
 who had been accustomed to the more advanced con- 
 ditions of life upon the farms or in the villages of 
 New York, felt an almost unbearable sense of loneli- 
 ness. Tlie comparative isolation in whicii they dwelt 
 was new to them, and their hearts turned fondly back 
 to the old love, to the place of their birth and early 
 life, around which hung the halo of the dearest asso- 
 ciations and memories. At this period, there was 
 scarcely a man or woman in the little colony who 
 would not have gladly returned to the old home, had 
 it been feasible to leave the new without sacrificing 
 everything. Several did leave. Those who remained 
 overcame more obstacles, and in the end accomplished 
 more than their fondest hope had ever painted. Tiie 
 country, they found, was not all that the first cnthu- 
 astic writers had represented it to be. The soil was 
 of a nature difficult to handle with the rude imple- 
 ments they had; teaming was difficult, on account of 
 llie wet condition of the undrained ground; and the 
 timljer was of extremely large growth, rendering the 
 clearing of the forest a greater task than in many 
 other portions of the country. There were many 
 hardships to be endured. Food was at certain seasons 
 hard to obtain. Leeks grew in abundance, and were 
 for a time about the only edible vegetable that the 
 settlers could procure. The cows fed upon them, 
 and their milk was tainted by the pungent bulbs. 
 Cattle were too valuable to be slaughtered for food; 
 aiul when game failed, some of the hardy pioneers 
 were driven to expedients whicli tlieir gra.nd-children 
 or great-grand-ehildren of to-day would fancy they 
 could not endure. It is related of the children in one 
 family, that in a time when the provision store was 
 low, they obtained their principal sustenance from 
 basswood buds, which they climbed the trees to get. 
 Murrain attacked the cattle, and often the pioneer 
 was obliged to lose the value of considerable time 
 expended in preparing the soil for a crop, because his 
 oxen were suddenly stricken with this disease, to which 
 they generally succumbed. Tliere were few vehicles 
 of any kind in the settlement. One man owned a 
 wagon, of which he frequently made two carts, whicli 
 he rented to the neighbors. The price paid for the 
 loan of one of them to make a journey to Elyria was 
 a day's work in logging. 
 
 There was every thing to overcome, and but very 
 little at hand to do it with. The men who persevered 
 in the long, hard struggle, and hewed out homes for 
 themselves from tlie primeval forest, made the begin- 
 ing of what is now one of the most thriving, wealthy 
 and respectable communities in the county. Every 
 [iioneer who entered tlie Reserve, was a hero wlio 
 should be reverently and thankfully remembered by 
 those whom he prepared the way, and as fully as the 
 limited knowledge of the facts and the limited force 
 of words will permit. 
 
 Of all who came to La Grange in 1836, Joseph Rob- 
 
 bins alone remains to tell of the privation and toil of 
 the early settlers. He is still living at the age of 
 ninety years, the father of eight children, three of 
 whom, Nicholas L., George H. and Mrs. Delos Der- 
 nier reside in the township. Nicholas L. lives upon 
 a farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres, a mile 
 or more west of the center, with his wife Harriet 
 Lamoure, daughter of an early settler, and is prob- 
 ably as well preserved a man of three score years, as the 
 county contains. George II. is a merchant, and it is 
 under his roof that his aged father's later years have 
 been spent. Josiali, or Deacon Robbins, as he is 
 generally known, came from Champion, Jefferson 
 county, New York, in 1820, and settled one mile west 
 of the present village, ujion the farm now owned by 
 Allen Sanders. He lived here with his wife, Mehit- 
 able Ilurlburt, for thirty-flve years, and then came to 
 the cornel's. He is a man whom all revere, and his 
 long life has been spent for the good of all who have 
 been within the reach of its influence. Mehitable, 
 his wife, died in 1878. 
 
 Of tiie other settlers who came at the same time 
 Deacon Robbins entered the county, and all of whom 
 are now dead, but little can be learned. Noah Hol- 
 comb settled u]ion a farm on the southeast corner of 
 the township; Sylvester Merriam in the eastern part 
 on what is now the River road. He died in 18(i3, 
 May sixth. .James Disbrow settled on the same road 
 in the southern part of the township. .Joseph A. 
 Graves located on the east and west road near the 
 boundary of Grafton. Fairchild Hubbard settled 
 near the center, led a long and useful life, aiid was 
 widely known and resiiected for his many good (piali- 
 ties. He died in 1859, at the age of eighty-eight 
 years. 
 
 ONE HUNDRED YEAR.S OLD. 
 
 David Rockvvood, born in Manciiester, New llani|)- 
 shire, October 4, 1777, married Roba, daughter of 
 Ciiarles Rounds, of C!lianipion, New York, and came 
 to LaGrange in 1820, arriving on the 5th of -June. 
 He was the oldest mnn in thetownsliip when lie died, 
 having reached tlie age of one hundred years one 
 month and twenty-five days. He died November 28, 
 1877, having been a resident of LaGrange for over 
 half a century. The helpmate who came with him 
 had an experience of pioneer life in strange dispro- 
 portion to his. She died the year after coming into 
 her new home and was the first person who passed 
 over to the silent majority from the little settlement. 
 Mr. Rockwood married Polly or Patty Graves in 1828, 
 and she died in 1844. Two years afterwards he mar- 
 ried Mrs. Lindsley, of Elyria. David Rockwood was 
 the father of thirteen children, three of whom live 
 in La Grange. F. W. Rockwood lives u]>on a farm in 
 the northwest corner of the township, near tiic one 
 upon which his father settled. There are also two 
 daughters — Mrs. Emetine Gott and Mrs. Palina 
 Bussell. There are twenty-two grandchildren, de- 
 scendants of David Rockwood, and thirty-eight 
 great-grandchildren. 
 
310 
 
 HISTORY OF LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 The one liundi'cdtli birthday of Uiis patriarch and 
 l)ioneer was eelehratod by his friends and neighbors, 
 and was a memorable oecasioii. 
 
 The funeral was iieid Deeeniber 2d, four days after 
 the decease of the centennarian pioneer, and was one 
 of the most impressive ceivmonies ever witnessed in 
 the vicinity. The sermon was i)reached by tlie Rev. 
 Jolm Mitchell, before a very large audience conqwsed 
 of the people of LaG range and the aged friends of the 
 deceased from adjoining and distant to\vnshi|)s. 
 After its c'onclusion the masonic fraternity, of which 
 Mr. Rockwood had been a meml)er for over seventy 
 years, took charge of the service and conducted their 
 solemn burial rite. David Rockwood well illustrated 
 the truth of the old saying, that the longest life is 
 too short. He said upon the one hundredth anni- 
 versary of his birth that as he looked back upon his 
 pilgrimage it seemed bi'ief, very brief. 
 
 Asa Rockwood, who came into the country aboul 
 the same time as his brother David, remained in 
 LaGrange but a short time and then removed to 
 I'ittsfield. John Rockwood, a nei)hew, came to the 
 townshi]! in 1S2S, and made the first settlement on 
 tJie street north of the center, on the farm now owned 
 by W. W. Noble. 
 
 David Gott came also, either late in 1820 or in the 
 early part of the following year. 
 
 In 1837 there were a number of additions to the 
 populiition of the township, prominent among whom 
 was Rev. Julius Becman, of Otsego county. New 
 York. He was promised by Goodrich fifty acres of 
 land on condition that he would move into the town- 
 sliip and officiate as a minister of the gospel for ten 
 years. He accepted, and ufter the lapse of ten years, 
 during which he had done good service in the settle- 
 ment for his religion, received a deed of the propei'ty. 
 He was the first preacher who settled in the neigh- 
 borhood and the only one for miles around. His 
 work Wiis not confined to LaGrange, foi' ho rode into 
 all of the adjoining territory and held sei'viees in a 
 number of localities at considerable distance from his 
 iiome. He died in 1853, at the advanced age of 
 eighty, retaining his faculties in a marked degree of 
 excellence to tiie last. He was a native of Warren, 
 rvitchfield county, Connecticut, and was born January 
 28, 1773. He commenced preaching when twenty- 
 eight years old, in IJensselaer county. New York, 
 having been ordaineil in 1803. 
 
 Calvin Wilcox was another of the settlers of 1827. 
 He was born November 7, 1790, in Charlestown, 
 Montgomery county. New York, and came to Well- 
 ington in 1825. Two years later he settled at La- 
 Grange center, and married Harriet, a daughter of 
 Fairchild Hulibard. Ho was a man who held deserv- 
 edly the high esteem of his neighbors, and through 
 their election held various offices of honor and trust. 
 He died in 1871. 
 
 Ephraim Lewis and brother, and Noah and Marcus 
 Kellogg came in the same year as the above. Noah 
 Kellogg settled ou lot number forty. 
 
 Hewey Noble came in 1828 from New York, and 
 made the second settlement upon the road north of 
 the center, on the farm owned in 1878 by Mr. Black- 
 well. He died ujion this place in 1871. 
 
 Russell Loomis, now living aged ninety-two years, 
 canie in 1829, and took up a farm lying next the one 
 uiion which he now lives, which is in lot fifty. He 
 was born in 1780, in Coventry, Connecticut. He has 
 one son living in the same house with him, R. N., 
 aged sixty-two years. 
 
 Jeremiah Filley was a noteworthy and eccentric 
 genius, who came into the township in LS3(i. It is 
 said that ho cleared and caused to be cleared over two 
 thousand six hundred acres of land. He was a re- 
 markably shrewd man in bargaining, an energetic, 
 wide awake man in the now fast growing community, 
 and a great hunter. 
 
 AN INDIAN INCIDENT 
 
 of curious character, in which Pilley played a prom- 
 inent ])art, is always suggested to old settlers i)y the 
 mention of his name. Most of the Indians had dis- 
 aj)peared from the county by the time Filley arrived, 
 but a few remained, and usually made their place of 
 rendezvous Indian Hollow, in Carlisle township. 
 They were occasionally to be seen sweeping through 
 the woods upon their jionies, in pursuit of deer, and 
 sometimes camped within the territory of La Grange. 
 Filley had met them more than once, and had doubt- 
 less resorted to various means to get them to leave 
 the country. At any rate, they were known to enter- 
 tain anything but friendly feelings toward him. One 
 day while hunting, he came ujion a party of them, and 
 after a short conversation, succeeded in rousing the 
 rod men's ire to such a point, that they threatened to 
 kill him. He saw that there was no lack of intention 
 on their part, and resorted to a bold plan to make 
 good his escape. The Indians' rifics were loaning 
 against a tree, at a little distance from them, and in 
 this fortunate circumstance, Filley saw his deliverance 
 from danger. He drew his own rifie to his face, sud- 
 denly, raised the hammer, and covering, with accurate 
 aim, the little party of braves, told them that the first 
 who moved would be the first to die. Keeping the 
 gun to his shoulder, and his eye upon the Indians, he 
 slowly retreated until he had gained a safe distance, 
 when he changed his tactics, and ran for dear life. 
 After that, he very naturally felt somewhat suspicious 
 of Poor Lo, and avoided his society. Several weeks, 
 or perhaps months, after his narrow escape from the 
 tender mercies of the Senecas, the hunter had occa- 
 sion to pass the scene of the unpleasant little occur- 
 rence, and found blazed upon a large tree, his own 
 portrait, full length and life sized, while upon other 
 trees surrounding this one, were the figures of In- 
 dians, all with their guns pointed toward the central 
 figure. This hieroglyphic work, the hunter interpreted 
 as a threat to take his life, should the Indians ever 
 have the pleasure of meeting him again. The scene 
 of the occurrence was in the woods, only a short dis- 
 

 Photos. et Lee Fl*ria,0. 
 
 'e^floM (zf^A^jT^^tei/ft- 
 
 j- * 'Mi^kh-^-:' 
 
 iWUjJj^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 Residence OF BOMAN FREEWAN, Ugranoe , Lorain Co. .Ohio. 
 
 ^ORTM jioe or Ro.*n 
 
;»1RS.E.|^.SANDEP,S 
 
 PHOTOS SI LEE CLrt^lA, OHIO. 
 
 E H SANDEf^S, 
 
 
 ^^^^^^^i^tij^^l^ifej^te^^^k^ifefe^l^^ 
 
 FfESIDENCE or E. H.SANDERS , Laqranoe. Lot^AiN Co , Ohio 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 311 
 
 tance northecast of what is now the village of La 
 Grange. Tlie representations of men cut or blazed 
 upon the trees have been seen by many persons now 
 living, and are said to have been reniarkaly natural 
 and suggestive. Filley gave up the life of a woodman 
 aud hunter, became a ])reacher, and wont to Michigan. 
 Tlie settlement grew fast from the year 18cO. In 
 1831 there were fifty-seven families in tlie township, 
 more than twice as many as in 1828; in 1835 there 
 were one hundred and seven, and in 1840 there were 
 one hundred and thirty-four. Tlie amount of public 
 expenditures for the year ending March 2, 1829, was 
 ten dollars and thirty-four cents. 
 
 Horace Sanders came to the township in 1830 or 
 1831, a,nd is now represented by a son, Allen Sanders, 
 who lives upon tlio old Robbins farm, lots fifty-eight 
 and sixty-tliree. 
 
 H. C, or as he is commonly called, Casey Hastings, 
 like most of the other settlers, came from New York. 
 He first took a farm on the road running east from 
 the farm of Mr. Adams, but sold out and bought in 
 lots forty-four and forty-seven, a mile west of the 
 center. He is at the present writing seventy-two years 
 of age. He is tlie father of ten children, and they 
 form a remarkable family. His five sons and himself 
 atrgregate a weinlit which makes their average over 
 two hundred pounds apiece. Mr. Hastings has some 
 lively recollections of the ferocity of the wild or 
 "shack" hogs, wiiich were ({uite numerous when he 
 came to tlie country. He went out to hunt the next 
 nioi'uing after his arrival, and was very skeptical when 
 told about the savageness of the undomesticated 
 porkers. He was soon convinced, however, tiiat all 
 lie had been told was true, for a small herd charged 
 upon him, and he only saved himself from their tusks 
 by climbing high up among the roots of a fallen tree, 
 by which he was fortunately standing when the hogs 
 made the onslaught. One of them fastened its jaws 
 upon his boot-heel and bent it off. These wild hogs 
 were perhaps a greater cause of annoyance than the 
 wolves were, to the early settlers of La Grange and its 
 vicinity. They were certainly more savage, and un- 
 like wolves, would never hesitate to attack a man in 
 the woods. They were occasionally used for food, but 
 the moat was coarse, spongy and ill flavored. 
 
 The year 1832 was a good one for the settlement, 
 jis it witnessed a large increase in the population. 
 During the year came the families of Adolphus Gott, 
 Peter Gott, Josepli Lincoln, William Lamoure, Joiia- 
 tluiu Olmsted, and others, and in the same or the 
 following year I'liineas and Harvey Powers arrived. 
 
 Adolphus Gott bought a farm one mile south and 
 two miles west of the center and Peter Gott, a farm 
 about a mile and a half northwest from the center 
 upon which his son, William H. now lives. He has 
 two other sons and a daughter living in the township. 
 Jonathan Olmsted bought a farm adjoining Gott's. 
 Joseph Lincoln bought two miles southwest of the 
 center. Lamoure bought west of the center. William 
 Ormsby came in the same year as the above. He is* 
 
 , still living, aged ninety-six years, and as Deacon 
 Ormsby, is widely known. 
 
 A silk enterprise engaged the attention of Phineas 
 Powers. He came from Worcester, New York, bought 
 land southwest of the center, made a clearing, and, 
 conceiving the idea of establishing himself in the 
 silk producing business, he planted in 1830 upon six 
 acres of ground, twenty thousand mulberry trees. 
 He erected a factory, procured silk worm eggs from 
 Ashland, and was soon rewarded for his enterprise by 
 having a ([uar.tity of skeins ready fm- the market. He 
 was assisted in the manufacture by his sister, Mrs. 
 Sibley, and the two seem to have brought a large share 
 of good judgment and industry to bear upon the 
 business. The county ])aid a premium of fifteen 
 cents per pound upon all silk manufactured, and this, 
 with the legitimate profit of trade, led Mr. Powers to 
 anticipate success. But unfortunately the worms all 
 died the second year, and nearly all the money and 
 labor expended in the enterprise was lost. Powers 
 went to Ashland, remained there six years, returned 
 to La Grange, and after a short time removed to 
 Cleveland. Such, in brief, is the history of one 
 among many failures in a business which, forty years 
 ago, held out perhaps more inducements to the man 
 of speculative turn of mind than any other. 
 
 The Freemans — Simeon and Olive — with their sons 
 Bonian, Glen J. and F. N., came in 1834, and the 
 father settled upon lot forty-eight, at present owned by 
 Bomau, Sr. R. Freeman, Joshua E. Freeman, F. R, 
 Freeman, and Henry Freeman, came about the same 
 time. The heads of these families have all passed 
 iway. 
 
 Prominent among the settlers of 1833 was Nathan 
 P. Johnson, of Hartford, Washington county, New 
 York. He married eleven years before coming into 
 Ohio, Laura Waite, of Champion. Mr. Johnson was 
 elected to the legislature, in 1844 and 1855, and 
 elected senator in 184G. While serving in this capac- 
 ity he took a strong stand against the repudiation of 
 the State debt, a position which made him unpojiular 
 with his party at the time, but won res])ectforhim in 
 the end. His wife died in 184(;, aud he afterward 
 married Mary Hart, of Elyria. In 18(52 he moved 
 lo the center, and was apjiointed postmaster by Pres- 
 ident Lincoln. He held this ottice until bis death in 
 !874. He spent his life in doing good, and he was 
 'lighly esteemed by all who knew him. 
 
 David C. Peltoii came to the township in the same 
 year. He has been married three times, and is the 
 fatlicr of twenty-one children, two of whom, a son, 
 Floyd, and daughter, Mrs. Lydia Crowner, live in the 
 township. 
 
 Allen Sheldon and his wife, Anna Mari.a, settled 
 also in 1833, on a farm one and a half miles west of 
 the center, now owned by a son. Colonel L. A. Shel- 
 ilon. There are two other sons, Wm. E. and F. Y. 
 L. A. Sheldon was colonel in the Forty-second regi- 
 ment Ohio volunteer infantry, and was elected to 
 congress three terms — 1868, '70 and '72, from the 
 
312 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 sccoihI Limisiiuui district. Allen Sheldon, tlie [)ioneer, 
 was ;i man of un<|uestioned probity of character. 
 Elder Beenian baptized him, niari'ied him, and 
 preaclied his fnneral sermon. 
 
 IIoratH! Knowles came in 1833, from Wellington, 
 Massachnsetts. He was until recently in excellent 
 health, and is said to have done as much hard work 
 as any man who ever lived in the townshi]), accumu- 
 lating thereby a snug fortune for himself and a com- 
 petency for his children. His wife, Catharine, died 
 in 1877. Mr. Knowles is at this writing eighty-three 
 years of age. 
 
 Minor C. Noble and Peter Crowner arrived in 1834, 
 and took up lands, the former in the northern part of 
 the town and the latter about a mile north and a mile 
 west of the center. Both are living. Mr. Noble is 
 eighty-one years of age and Mr. Crowner eighty-three. 
 Four generations of the Crowner family are living. 
 INIr. Noble had three sons and three daughters. W. 
 W. Noble and M. E. Noble own farms about two 
 miles north of the center ujjon the old plank road. 
 
 EARLY EVENTS. 
 
 The first cliihl, born in the township, was Eliza, 
 daughter of Henry Townsend. The date of her birth 
 is in dispute. It is said by some that she was born 
 June 3, I82G, but there is a strong probal)ility that 
 she first opened her eyes upon this world in November 
 of the same year. Miss Townsend went, when seven 
 years of age, to Geauga county. 
 
 An event of considerable interest to the whole com- 
 munity, and particularly to Curtiss and Patty Has- 
 tings, their parents, was the birth of the twins, Good- 
 rich and Hubbard Hastings, so named after the origi- 
 luil proprietors of the township. They were born 
 June 2G, 1837. The twins were honored by visits 
 from all the people for miles around, and were the 
 objects of much curiosity and admiration. It is re- 
 lated that they were rocked to sleep in a saj) trough. 
 I'loth iire now living near the place where born. E. 
 II. llastiugs has a farm of two hundred and twenty- 
 six acres, and E. G. Hastings one of one hundred and 
 forty-two, ujion which his father also has his home. 
 
 The first marriage and the first death occuri'cd in 
 the year 1837. A very hapjiy occasion was that of the 
 marriage of Calvin Wilcox, of Wellington, to Harriet, 
 daughter of Fairchild and Phebe Hubbard. The 
 liiidegroom and a party of friends rode upon horse- 
 back from Wellington, and their horses stood tethered 
 out of doors all night, awaiting their return. The 
 (•cromony was conducted by Rev. Alfred Betts, of 
 Hrownhelm, who earned his fee by riding twenty 
 miles though the woods, to officiate at the wedding. 
 The bridal trip was by bridlepath to Wellington, and 
 was performed upon the day following the wedding. 
 This nujitial knot was tied March 8, 1827. 
 
 In the fall of the same year, November seventh, the 
 hearts of the pioneer settlers were first saddened by 
 llie presence of the great destroyer in their midst. 
 The family visited was that of David Rockwood, and 
 
 the member taken was a loving wife and mother. She 
 died after a short illness, of bilious fever, and the 
 friends assembled at the bereaved home to attend the 
 funeral, sad beyond the power of words to tell, and 
 solemn in its simplicity. There was no saljle hearse, 
 no retinue of carriages, no luxurious or conventional 
 expression of grief, no funeral sermon, but tenderly 
 and lovingly the inaninnite body was laid in earth 
 after a homely, earnest prayer and the singing of a 
 good old hymn. Hearts were left aching as they ever 
 have since man came upon the earth, and ever will 
 until the race is no more. That was all. Deacon 
 Graves conducted what little there was of funeral ser- 
 vice, and when the burial had been made, the sorrow- 
 ing people disjjcrsed to their homes. Mrs. Rockwood 
 was a daughter of Charles and Lydia Rounds, of 
 Chamjjion, New York. 
 
 A terrible fate befel two young children of Josepli 
 Lincoln and wife. These people, as has been before 
 stated, settled in 1833 upon the farm now owned by 
 Reuben Wright, two miles southwest of the center. 
 A few years after, as Mr. Lincoln and his wife were 
 returning, one winter evening, from a visit to a friend 
 about three miles distant, they were startled by find- 
 ing their house on fire; and when they arrived at the 
 l)lace, they made the horrifying discovery that two of 
 their children liad been burned alive. Two older 
 children, girls, had escaped from the house before it 
 was completely wrapped in flames, but were so fright- 
 ened that they lost their presence of mind, and were 
 unable to render the fire-imprisoned little ones any 
 assistance. They saw the children at the windows, 
 and heard their agonizing shrieks until they perished 
 in the flames. Speaking of the casualty in after years, 
 the sisters said that the memory of the horrible scene 
 would haunt them to their dying day. 
 
 The first frame building in the township was a barn 
 erected by David Rockwood, on his farm near the east 
 branch of Black river; and the first frame building 
 at the center was a store upon the s<nitheast corner of 
 the s(piare, put up and occupied by Dr. Hubbard. 
 Calvin Wilcox built for his own occiipaney the first 
 frame dwelling house. The first brick building was 
 the store of Rol)bins & (iott, at the center, biiill, in 
 1805. 
 
 Curtiss Hastings drove the first horse team owned 
 in the townshiji. It is said that on one occasion he 
 was three days in making a journey to pjlyria and 
 back, such was the state of the road. 
 
 ou(;anization of the tovvmshit. 
 
 The commissioners of L(U-ain county, at the .June 
 session, in 1824, attached La Grange townshij) to 
 Carlisle, for civil and judicial purposes, and it was 
 not until 1837 that it was separately organized. It 
 was detached in January, of the year mentioned, and 
 the first election, at which twenty-nine ballots were 
 cast, was held at the house of Fairchild Hubbard, in 
 April following. These are the otficers elected: 
 Eber W. Hubbard, township clerk; Noah Holcomb, 
 
'% 
 
 V 
 
 tf^'iWT ^p •>& i 
 
 //RS. ALLEN SANDERS 
 
 fHoros.Sr Lee, Zuf(\*- o. 
 
 Allen Sanders 
 
 1 
 
 ^y&: #;#*' M: 
 
 
 nL-MDtLNI.I^ U^ <^LUEN JirtnuC-RS , LMU-RanGl , LUPJAI n L.Oui'J I I , OrMU 
 
N _^ 
 
 DELOS /Vl.SANDEf^S 
 
 jVlRS.DELOS fJl. SANDERS 
 
 PHOrOS ST J C POITER.ELTffU.OHIO 
 
 FtTSIdenGe-. or DELOS jV[, SANDERS , Pittsfield Tf, LOf^AiN Co , 0, 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 313 
 
 Noah Kellogg, and Paircliild Hubbard, trustees; 
 James Disbrow, treasurer; Joseph A. Graves and 
 Natlian Clark, overseers of the poor; James Disbrow 
 and Henry Townsend, fence viewers; Henry Hubbard, 
 constable; Henry 'J'ownsend and Nathan Clark, super- 
 visoi's; El)er W. Hubbard, justice of the ])cace. 
 Faircliild Hubbard, Joseph A. Graves, and Noah 
 Holconil) acted as judges of election, and Eber W. 
 and Henry Hulibard as clerks. 
 
 Following are the officers of 1878: M. W. Ingalls, 
 clerk; J. B. Gott, treasurer; A. Ryan, Darius Nich- 
 ols, and N. T. Wilniot, trustees; L. L. Crane and J. 
 H. Brown, justices of the peace; P. Holcomb and 
 Wm. P. Woolcott, constables. 
 
 The townshij:) was given its name by Dr. Eljer W. 
 Hubbard, a great admirer of General La Payette, 
 whose country home in Prance was called La Grange. 
 
 CHEESE FACTORIES, SAW MILES, ETC. 
 
 The first saw mill in the township was built on the 
 farm of Noah Holcomb, by Andrew Holcomb, aiid 
 tjie lirst grist mill was a very weak one-horse power 
 affair, in tlie north part of the town, of which one 
 Cross was the proud proprietor. La Grange has now 
 its full share of manufactories, of various kinds. — 
 most of tliem are in the village. There is an old 
 llouring and saw mill on the east brancli of Black 
 river, two miles east of the center, the property of 
 Bradley Woodmansee, and there are three in the 
 village. 
 
 Of cheese factories, there are three outside of the 
 . village, one owned by L. G. Parsons, half a mile east 
 : of tlie old plank road, and two miles and a half north 
 from the center; one owned by George Kelner, two 
 miles northwest from the center; and Crozier & Shel- 
 don's factory, two miles east, and a mile and a half 
 ^Duth of the center. 
 
 .Toel Curtiss has a cliecsebox factory a mile west of 
 flie center, and two miles south, whicli su])plies many 
 clieese factories in the vicinity, and some .at a consid- 
 erable distance. 
 
 A small sfiHie (|uarry, in tbe northwest corner of 
 tlir tiiwnshii), is operated l)y Charles Kelner. 
 
 I 
 
 BURIAL PLACES. 
 
 The remains of Mrs. David Rockwood, the first per- 
 son who died in La Grange, were interred in a small 
 "chopi)ing," or clearing, upon the farm of Deacon 
 Robbins, in the western portion of the township, and 
 rested there for seventeen years, when they were 
 removed and re-interred upon Mr. Rockwood's farm. 
 
 Tlie first cemetery laid out was the one on the north 
 side of the road, just west of the center. Here repose, 
 after toilsome and noble lives, many of the brave 
 pioneers of La Grange. There are two other ceme- 
 teries, one upon the River road, in the eastern part 
 of the township, and one in the northwest corner. 
 The first burial in the cemetery at the center was a 
 child of Lewis Rounds, aged two j'ears. 
 
 40 
 
 LA GRANGE VILLAGE. 
 
 Lying exactly in the center of tlie townshij), ipuir- 
 tered by the nortli and south and the east and west 
 roads, built up about an open square, is the well-to-do, 
 progressive little village of La Grange. It has a hand- 
 some brick town hall, seventy-eight \>y thirt^'-eight 
 feet, built in 1875, three churches, a hotel, nearly a 
 dozen stores, several quite extensive manufactories, 
 and as well educated, well behaved class of citizens as 
 any community in the county. 
 
 INCORPOEATION. 
 
 The growth of "the corners," or the center, had 
 liecn a slow and steady one through many years, but 
 the size of the little village increased so fast during 
 a few years prior to 1875, that the people began to 
 think of having a corporation government, and ac- 
 cordingly petitioned for a charter in the year men- 
 tioned. The first election was held April 8, 1875, and 
 the choice of officers resulted as follows: Mayor, J. 
 E. Willard; clerk, D. D. Gott; marshal, P. Holcomb; 
 councilmen for one year, A. Ryan, G. H. Robbins 
 and Wm. Hopkins; for two years, D. Holcomb, E. L. 
 Gott and 0. Dale; and treasurer, D. L. Gott. In 
 1870, the councilmen elected were: A. Ryan, Wm. 
 Hopkins aiul Chas. Kelner. The officers elected in 
 1877 were; Mayor, E. W. Clark; clerk, A. A. Cragin; 
 marshal, Horace Knowles, Jr. ; councilmen, 0. Dale, 
 .1. C. Willard and George Wliitney; treasurer, C. C. 
 Manville; and street commissioner (appointed), Rufus 
 Knowles. The office of mayor was made vacant by 
 Clarke's departure from town, and at a special elec- 
 tion, L. L. Crane was elected to fill the vacanc}^ In 
 1878, three councilmen were elected; Chas. Kelner, 
 N. Marcey and J. B. Hastings. 
 
 THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY 
 
 of La Grange shows a stalwart growth from a small 
 beginning. The people of this township, however, 
 were of good material for the leaven of religious feel- 
 ing to work in. Tlie efforts of the early preachers 
 were warmly seconded by the early settlers, who had 
 come from a part of the country in which churches 
 had long been estaljlished. There was from the first 
 a feeling favorable to the organization of the institu- 
 tions of I'eligion. Something has already been said 
 of the labors of the first preachei'. Rev. Julius Beemau, 
 and a few facts in regai'd to his son-in-law. Rev. P. R. 
 Preeman, who was a strong and influential minister, 
 will not be inappropriate in this connection. He was 
 born October ti, 1805, in Worcester, Otsego county. 
 New York, and was married, by her father, to Lucy 
 Beeman, in October of 1826. In 1838, he came to 
 La Grange, where he remained until 1850. He cleared 
 two farms, set out two orchards, and shared nearly 
 all of the hardships of pioneer life. It was while in 
 the midst of these labors and trials that he entered the 
 ministry. Up to the time of his departure, Mr. Pree- 
 man ])reached almost uninterruptedly in La Grange, 
 
314 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Pittsficld anil iici,i;hVi(iring t.owiisliii)S. He was ono of 
 tlio soviMi men in fiii (Grange wlio voted for Hirney, 
 abolition caiulidato for the Presidency, :ind was a 
 member of tlie Buffalo Convention of 1848, wlicrcat 
 was formed the free soil party. Mr. Freeman is the 
 only jierson living, of all the iiunibcr who were iqion 
 the deck of the first steam packt^t in the world — the 
 Clcremont — before, during, or just after the great (rial 
 from New York to Albany, lie was a child two years 
 of a.ge at the time, and was carried on board of Kul- 
 ton's famous steamboat, upon her arrival at Albany, 
 by his father. Mr. Truman's age is now seventy-tour 
 years, and that of liis wife seventy. His home, at 
 the present writing, is and has been, since \s:>i), in 
 Jjlinois. 
 
 TIFE ]!AI'TIST CIirr.CH 
 
 was organized as early as 18'iS, only three years after 
 the first settler came to the township. It might, 
 l)erhaps, l)e called the first fruit of Rev. .Julius ]5ee- 
 man's labors. May 13th there assembled eighteen 
 persons who wei-e the constituent meml)ers of the 
 church, — Julius and Charlotte Heeinau, (Miarles and 
 Lydia Rimnds, Hannah Pearce, Noah Jlolcomb, Sr., 
 Eunice Ilolcomb, Polly Hastings, Noah Holcomb, 
 Jr., Alice Holcomb, \Vm. Case, Alfred Stilwall, 
 I'hobe Stilwall, Laura Ilerrick, Joseph Itobl)ins, 
 Joseph A. Graves, Jerusha Graves and Asenath Mor- 
 gan. Deacon lloljbias is the only one of the original 
 uuaiibers now alive. The places of worship were two 
 log school hou.ses, one in the eastern and one in the 
 western portion of the township. Services wei-c held 
 in them alternately for the accommodation of mem- 
 bers living in their neighborhood. The present pastor 
 of the church is the Hev. 8. Jones, and the deacons 
 are Thomas Perkins, Jose[ih Itoi)bin sand D. L. 
 Gott. Mrs. L. M. Noble is clerk and Mrs. Helen 
 Gott, treasurer. Tiie church huilding now m use is 
 at the center; it was built in 18.j0. David L. Gott, 
 W. W. Noble and Wells Chamberlain are tiie trustees. 
 
 METHODISM. 
 
 A Methodist class was organized in the east part 
 of town in 18;);5, the members being Stephen Cottrell 
 and wife, Mrs. Hunt, her son and his wife, Peter 
 Gott and wife, and Mrs. James Peltoii. Peter Gott 
 was class leader from the first and foi- many 3-ears. 
 After a time, as the i)opnlation in the settlement 
 increased, it was thought advisal)le to hold meetings 
 at the center. Mr. Munger's house was most com- 
 monly used, but a log school house across the street 
 near wluu'e the Woolcott house now stands, was some- 
 times the place of meeting. Uev. Mr. Morey, a cii-cuit 
 jireacher, occasionally was present and gave the little 
 class encouragement. The first rpiarterly meeting 
 was held in Munger's barn, there being no church 
 edifice at the time and that being the largest building 
 available. This meeting, we are told, was largely 
 attcndeil and very satisfactory. It was conducted by 
 a Rev. Mr. Petty. The Methodists began building 
 iu 1839, upon a lot donated by Mr. Munger, a church, 
 
 which was completed the following year. C. Noble 
 made and presented the sash. Peter Gott, Carey 
 Hastings, Otis Hastings and Nathaniel Smith were the 
 ])rincipal financial pillars of the church at this time 
 and contributed most of the means used in the erec- 
 tion of the small building. The old church is now 
 in the rear of Robbins & Gott's store, and is used as 
 a warehouse. It gave place in 1875 to a handsome 
 wooden structure of Gothic architecture, thirty-eight 
 by seventy-five feet in dimension, which cost about 
 seven thousand dollars. The pastor in 1878 was the 
 Rev. G. L. Hannawalfc; stewards, F. V. Sheldon, (ieo. 
 
 A. Whitney, Walter Dale, H. A. Wilcox; recording 
 steward, Henry Wilkins; trustees, R. Knowles, W. C. 
 P.utler, E. R. Hulburt, S. G. Humphrey, R. C. Hast- 
 ings, E. Blackwell, H. A. Wilcox, F. V. Sheldon, 
 George Smith. 
 
 The first protracted meeting was held at Elder 
 Beenuxn's, and continued two or three weeks. Services 
 were held every morning, afternoon and evening, and 
 a great many conversions were made. Of the founders 
 of Methodism in La Grange, two only still remain at 
 that place. Peter Gott and Polly, his wife, live in the 
 village, full of years, and beloved and esteemed by all. 
 
 THE CONG RELATION A T.rSTS, 
 
 though they were third in tlie order of organizing a 
 (diurch, built the first church edifice in the township. 
 There is now no church of this denomination in the 
 tdwn. The constituent members of the Congrega- 
 tional ehurch organized in 1834, were Nathan P. 
 Johnson and wife, Calvin Wilcox and wife, William 
 Dixon and wife, Sylvester Merriam and wife, William 
 
 B. Dixon and Mehitable Robbins. Services were held 
 at the house of Calvin Wilcox, and Rev. Mr. Talcott, 
 of Wellington, for a time, supplied the pulpit. Rev. 
 Mr. Eells, of Oberlin, was the first j)astor. The 
 society Iniilt, in 183."), a house which they used alter- 
 nately with the Baptists until the latter denomination 
 erected a church of their own which they invited the 
 Congregationalists to share with them, neither church 
 being strong enough to support weekly i)reaching. 
 This relation continued until the Disciples liuilt, when 
 the Congregationalists j>urchased a half interest in 
 their meeting house. The old (!ongregational church 
 was bought by the town in 18.53, and made into a 
 school house, after which it became a feed store, and 
 then a hardware store, finally disappearing in a neat 
 building erected by Dr. Merriam. The Congrega- 
 tional society lost some of its niendjers who were best 
 able to sustain the church, through their removal 
 from town, and those remaining being unable to keep 
 up the church oi-ganization and work, it became ex- 
 tinct. 
 
 TTIE FIlRE-WrLI, 1! A I'TFSTS ANTI) THE UrSCI IM.ES. 
 
 The Free-Will B iptists and the Disciples have had 
 churches in La Grange, but neither denomination is 
 now alive. The Disciple Church was organized by 
 Calvin Smith in October, 18.53, and the first pastor 
 
1^. B.fVluNF^O 
 
 Photos By Lee. Elybia 0. 
 
 )V(RS. R.BJVlUNRO- 
 
 FfEsiDENCE OF R.B.MUNRO, Lagrange;, Lorain Co.Ohio. 
 
 I 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 315 
 
 was Rev. S. R. Willard. The society built, iu 1854, 
 a house in wliicli the Uuiversalists now worship, and 
 in wliicli the Cougrogatiotialists still have an interest. 
 The trustees were D. M. Adams, O. Billings, L). 
 (tott, Jr., If. FuUon and 11. Freeman. 
 
 ■run UNIVEIISALIST CHURCH 
 
 was organized May 19, 18G1, its first officers being tiie 
 following: Deacons, Elisha Saxton, David Cott; 
 clerk, .1. II. Brown; trustees, D. T. Parsons, Horace 
 Sanders, J. II. ]?rown. The first pastor was the Rev. 
 II. R. Nye. Tlic officers for 1878 are: Trustees, 
 Allen Sanders, D. II. Gott, J. L. Rowell; clerk, J. 
 II. Brown; treasurer, Maria Hastings. The church 
 has, at tliis writing, no pastor. 
 
 .SCUOOLS. 
 
 Throughoiil: the Western Reserve tlic cluirch and 
 the schdiil Jiave been, from the days of the first settle- 
 ment, almost inse|iarable, yet distinct in titutions. 
 Thev iiave sprung ii:to Ijeing from one motlier and 
 one motive — the desire to perpetuate in the west the 
 good intluences of the older eastern States. Almost 
 invariably the j)ioneers Jiave taken measures for the 
 mental advancement of their children at the same 
 time they have established the church iu which tiiey 
 siudl receive their moral education. It was so in 
 La Grange: the same year that witnessed the building 
 of the first church, logs were hewn for two school 
 houses, one in the eastern and one in the western jiart 
 of the township. This was in 1828, only three years 
 afrer the first settler came into the county. The first 
 
 I teachers were Henry Hubbard and Polly Greeves. 
 After them came numerous others of all degrees of 
 ability; most of them, however, but jioorly qualified 
 to teach. 
 
 A farmer from an adjoining township, anxious to 
 get a school for liis daughter, mentioned, as a strong 
 iceommendation, the fact that she had been part of a 
 term to a high school. But, iu those days, there was 
 
 ' not as much required of a teacher as now, and the 
 pay was considerably less than the young men and 
 women of to-day receive for "teaching the young idea 
 111 shoot." Male teachers received from twelve to six- 
 teen dollars jier mouth, and young women three 
 diiUars per month. 
 
 There was a steady advancement in the quality of 
 the district schools, and it culminated at the center 
 aliout 1808, in the establishment of the union school 
 system, which has since been in vogue. A two- 
 story brick l)uilding was erected in tliat year at a cost 
 i)f about three thousand five hundred dollars, and a 
 small frame building ))ut up in 1877. P. V. Sheldon, 
 Dr. (reo. C. Underbill and Geo. E. Freeman were the 
 members of the school board at that time, and Dr. 
 Geo. N. Snyder was the first sujjerintendent. At 
 jiresent E. D. Merriam, D. L. Gott and H. C. Wilcox, 
 constitute the board, and Dr. Snyder is again super- 
 intendent. His assistants are John Handyside and 
 Emma Rawson. The school has three de])artments: 
 
 the i)rimary with fifty-five ))upils, the intermediate 
 with twenty-four, and the high scho(d with forty-fonr, 
 making a total of one hundred and twenty-three. 
 
 ¥. AND A. MASONS. 
 
 La Gt;ANiii5 Lodge, No. 3!)!), was organized on 
 the i;3th, of November 18(;7,with the followiTig charter 
 niendjers: Harlow P. Sage, ElizurG. Johnson, Martin 
 Stroup, Orrin P. Rol)berts, Edson Hastings, Elijah 
 Hastings Joseph E. Hastings, Reuben Curtice, Har- 
 vey Bartholomew, Silas Stroup, David L. Gott, 
 Louis L. Crane, (Jeorge 0. Underbill, Albert Foster, 
 (Jeorgc Foster, John B. Hastings and Edward L. 
 Gott. The first officers were : Elizur G. Johnson, 
 W. M ; John B. Hastings, S. W ; Martin Stroup, J. 
 W ; Albert Foster, Treasurer; Harvey Bartholomew, 
 secretary ; Orrin P. Robberts, S. D ; Elijah H. Hast- 
 ings, J. D ; (ieorgo Foster, steward ; Louis L. Crane, 
 tyler. In 1878 the following were the officers: G. B. 
 Chamberlain, W. M ; Edson Hastings, S. W ; George 
 Foster, J. W ; II. B. Crozin, treasurer ; D. P. Crow- 
 ner, secretary ; II. J. Wilkins, S. D ; J. E. Hast- 
 ings, J. D ; A. Foster, A. W. Nichols, stewards ; S. 
 Stroup, tyler; I). L. Gott, George C. Underbill, F. 
 V. Sheldon, finance committee. The Lodge has a 
 handsome room, thirty by sixty feet, in the third story 
 of the brick building erected in 1805. Robbins 
 & Gott occui»y the lower j)ortion for a store. 
 
 I'UYSIOIANS. 
 
 The pioneer |iractitioner of medicine was Dr. Ebes 
 W. Hubbard, oldest son of Fairchild Hubbard. He 
 was born in Steuben, Oneida county. New York, in 
 the year 1800, and graduated at the College of Physi- 
 cians and Surgeons at Fairfield, Herkimer county, 
 the same State. He came to La Grange in 1836. Dr. 
 Hubbard had quite an extensive practice and enjoyed 
 the thorough confidence of the people among whom 
 he lived, as is attested by the fact that he was many 
 times elected to impcu'tant offices. He was the first 
 clerk of the township ; was three times elected justice 
 of the peace; became associate judge in 1831 ; was 
 elected as representative three terms — 1835, 1830 and 
 is;)7. In the last mentioned year he was appouited 
 bank commissioner of the State, and in 1813 was made 
 commissioner of the Ohio Canal fund. Dr. Hubbard 
 married Honor Kingsbury of Brighton, and was the 
 father of six children. He resided for many years in 
 Elyria, and in 1853 removed to Stateii Island, where 
 be died in 1873. 
 
 Dr. Spencer was the next ]iliysieian in town. He 
 was followed by Dr. Julins Beeman, and tlien came 
 Dr. Jonathan Gibbs. Other jjhysicians who came at 
 an early day, were Doctors George C. Underbill, James 
 R. Pelton and E. D. Merriam. Pelton remained 
 until about 1870. Doctors Underbill and Merriam 
 are still in practice, as are also Doctors George N. 
 Snyder, — Park, M. W. Ingalls. Charles W. Higgins 
 and — Green, each remained but a shm't time. 
 
316 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Dr. Underliill is the senior physician of the town. 
 He came in 1842, and has been in constant practice in 
 the vilhige ever since, with theexce])tion of two years, 
 wiien he was in the army as surgeon of the Eleventh 
 Cavalry. He is a native of Vermont, and a graduate 
 of Willoughby (Lake county) medical college. His 
 age in 1878 was fifty-eiglit years. Dr. Undcrhill, it is 
 s:iid, was the tirst physician in this part of the county 
 will) used ([uinine in cases of typhoid fever and in- 
 Ibimniation of the lungs. He began to use this 
 medicine in the first mentioned disease about twenty- 
 five years ago, and in the latter as many as thirty 
 years ago. 
 
 POST OFFICE. 
 
 (!alvin Wilcox was the first postmaster. lie; hud 
 the office for about twenty years, and kt'pt the few 
 letters he received at his house where they were called 
 for not, daily, as at present, but once a week or fort- 
 night. George Wilcox succeeded his father. David 
 Gott was postmaster for a number of years. Hon. 
 Nathan P. Johnson was postmaster for fourteen 
 years. His daughter, Mrs. E. M. .J. Nolile, was ap- 
 pointed to the office when he died, in 1873, and is the 
 present postmistress. 
 
 MANUFACTORIES, I'.USINESS HOUSES, ETC. 
 
 The first tavern was built and kept by J. K. Pel- 
 ton. It was situated a few rods west of the center, 
 upon the north side of the road. Pelton also built the 
 Woolcott House in 18-t(i, and Daniel Pelton built an- 
 other hotel on the north side of the s(|uare, still stand- 
 ing but unoccupied. The jn-eseut ])roprietor of the 
 Woolcott House is William F. Woolcott. 
 
 Among the most important of the industrial pur- 
 suits in the village is the cheese factory and creamery 
 of Butler, Crozier & Sheldon, which daily manu- 
 factures into cheese or butter, the milk of about five 
 hundred cows. 
 
 The wood bending and grindstone turning estab- 
 lishment of Whitney Bros., James and George, is a 
 manufactory of considerable extent. 
 
 A. Odellhas a manufactory from which are turned 
 nut wasliing machines and clothes wringers. 
 
 There are three saw-mills, Sheldon & Coleman's, W. 
 C. Butler's, and Behuer & Butler's, the latter also a 
 cheese box factory. Ewiug & Benschoter have a 
 planing mill. Carriage making is carried on by Beh- 
 uer Bros., and by A. Ryan; the first named firm also 
 has a foundry'. 
 
 The following is a list of business houses, etc: 
 
 Rohbins & Gott, seneral dealers; F. V. Sheldon, and D. P. Crowner, 
 groceries; M. W. Ingalls. and (ieorge N. Snyder, drugs; Cragin & 
 Knowles, hardware;: C. C. Manville, clothing, boots, shoes, and men's 
 furnishing goods, etc.; L. L. Crane, harness; F.Sweeney, meat mar- 
 ket; Mrs. A. E. Stewart, and Mrs. Grace Bartholomew, millinery; 
 Smith & Sheldon, and A. Ryan, blacksmithing. 
 
 STATISTICS. 
 
 The following are the statistics for 1877, showing 
 the amount of the most important productions of the 
 
 township, also the population for 1870, and the vote 
 for president in 1870: 
 
 Wheat, 560 acres. 
 Potatoes, 96 " . 
 Oats, .WI " . 
 
 Orchards, 213 " 
 Corn, 793 " .. 
 
 Meadow, 2,:iB " . 
 
 111,11") bushels. 
 
 7,4U8 
 23,143 " 
 
 1,1S6 
 29,809 
 
 2,611 I 
 
 , tons. 
 
 Butter 88,130pouuds. 
 
 Cheese 466.065 " 
 
 Mai>le Sugar 310 
 
 Population in isru 13li;i 
 
 Hayes. 
 
 Vote for President in 1876. 
 91)1 Tilden 
 
 Biographical Sketches. 
 
 E. D. MERRIAM, M.D. 
 
 The pioneer iiractitioner of medicine had many 
 obstacles to surmount and diificulties to overcome. 
 In the early days of a new settlement much sickness, 
 particularly of a malarial form, was prevalent; and 
 such also may be said to have been the case twenty- 
 five or thirty years ago. Among those who liavebeen 
 prominent in battling with disease and in the pro- 
 fessional care of the sick, none enjoy a better rejiuta- 
 tiou than Dr. Merriam. For nearly thirty years he 
 has stetidily practiced the healing art, and during 
 tliat protracted period has met with good general 
 success. 
 
 E. 1). Alerriam was born in the town of Champion, 
 Jefferson county. Now York, July 18, 1824. He is 
 the son of Sylvester iferriani, who moved to Ohio, 
 accompanied by his family, including the subject of 
 this sketch, in the year 1836. He settled in the 
 eastern part of LaC range townslii]i, on what is now 
 known as the Dean farm. There were then but five 
 families residing within the present limits of tlie 
 townshiji. The first few years of Dr. Merriam's life 
 was spent in agricultural prusuits, and the accpiisi- 
 tiou of an elementary education at the common 
 schools of La (Jrange. In 1842, he entered the Ober- 
 lin collegiate institute, where he received a liberal 
 literary education, completing whicli, he commenced 
 the study of medicine under Professor Dascomb, M.D. 
 The next few years were spent in alternate teach- 
 ing and professional study, and in 1849 and '50 he 
 finished his medical education with Professor H. A. 
 Ackley, M.D., at the old medical school of Cleve- 
 land. Keturning to La Grange, in the spring of 1851, 
 he commenced the practice of medicine under very 
 favorable auspices, receiving from the first a liberal 
 share of patronage. At the age of fifty-four years, 
 we still find Dr. Merriam in the active practice of his 
 profession. 
 
 In June, 1802, Dr. Merriam was married to Laura 
 A., daughter of Daniel Bartholomew, of Watertown, 
 
A man actuated in private and public life by motives 
 founded on the right and good never fails to leave his impress 
 on the community in which lie resides. Few men had more 
 to do in the healthy moulding of Lorain County than the 
 Hon. N. P. Johnson, of Lagrange. He was of New England 
 stock, his parents having been born at Old Haddam, Conn. 
 The\' removed to Hartford, Washington Co,, N. Y., in 1785. 
 April, 1801, gave them a new home at Champion, Jefl'erson 
 Co., N. Y. Of their early history the writer knows little. 
 
 At Hartford, as above, their son, Nathan P. Johnson, was 
 born Jan. 30, 1801 ; in Champion his early years were spent. 
 Of this earl}' life meagre are the details. However, such op- 
 portunities as he had for education and for self-improvement 
 must have been eagerly embraced and worthily used. Ere he 
 had reached the age of thirty he served his fellow-citizens at 
 Champion for three years as trustee, and for five years was 
 elected as justice of the peace; commissioned a lieutenant 
 in the TGth Regiment of the New York Militia in 1823, 1824 
 gave him commission as captain. 
 
 In the year 1833, exchanging real estate, he moved into La- 
 grange, Lorain Co., Ohio, where his remaining days were 
 spent; days full of work, — work for self and family ; work for 
 his town, his county ; work for the good and the true every- 
 where. 
 
 On the 20th (jf October, 1822, Mr. Johnson married Miss 
 Laura Waite, daughter of Dorastus Waite, Esq., of Cham- 
 pi<in, N. Y., who was to her husband a companion in his every 
 endeavor in the early Lagrange life. She died verj' suddenly, 
 on the 19th of January, 1846, while her husband was at Colum- 
 bus, Ohio. 
 
 Mrs. Laura .lohnson was a woman of singular merit. With 
 gratefulness do her children — now men and women grown — 
 look back to hor kindly care, self-denial, and example that had 
 so much to do in forming the characters that have made them 
 valuable citizens. 
 
 On the 13th day of August, 1846, Mr. Johnson was again 
 a husband. May R. Hart, daughter of J. Hart, formerly of 
 Norwich, Conn., becoming the wife. She is yet living at the 
 old home, hallowed by the memories of the past, and mourns 
 the loss of the fond husband who has gone before her. 
 
 N. P. Johnson was father of the following children : Sarah 
 L., born Sept. 14, 1823; living. William H, born Sept. 
 19, 1825; died Oct. 11, 1829. Cynthia, born Sept. 25, 1827; 
 living. Mary L., born June 29, 1830; living. Phoebe M., 
 born' April 24, 1832 ; died April 4, 1806. William H., born 
 
 May 30, 18.34 ; living. Elizur G., born Nov. 24, 1836 ; living. 
 Ellen M., born Jan. 25, 1840; living. Ann Eliza, born 
 Feb. 11, 1842; died Dec. 4, 1869. 
 
 Mr. Johnson's early life in Lagrange was that of all pio- 
 neers — daily toil. His occupation, farmer. His integrity 
 and large common sense .soon attracted attention. Township 
 offices were showered upon him ; fidelity in the duties of such 
 offices drew attention to his merits, local respect soon became 
 general, and in the fall of 1844 he was elected to the Legisla- 
 Une of Ohio from Lorain County, and re-elected in 184.5. 
 So well were the duties of this position performed that the 
 years 1847 and 1848 saw him a member of the Ohio Senate, 
 from the district composed of Lorain and Medina Counties. 
 Returning to Lagrange, there the remainder of his days 
 were passed, each and every da}' made joyous to him by the 
 numerous trusts confided to him by his fellow-citizens. 
 
 N. P. Johnson was noted for deep religious convictions 
 and for true manhood. Strong and earnest in his feelings, 
 prejudice was but a flitting cloud over his grand, kind heart. 
 An ardent Whig of the old school, he was never the mere 
 partisan, looking ever for the good. Party was no factor in 
 any moral or political problem to him presented for solution. 
 In 1846, while running for the State Senate, many prominent 
 politicians took open and decided grounds for the repudiation 
 of the State debt. Mr. Johnson took just as decided ground 
 in favor of sustaining the faith and credit of the State. On 
 this issue the people heartilj' sustained him. 
 
 Duty and right being to him the uU, he found no difficulty 
 in laboring with voice or pen, as a man and a legislator, for the 
 repeal of the infamous Black Laws of Ohio, although temporary 
 odium followed his eBbrts. Retiring from public life, so far as 
 office was concerned, bis voice and trenchant pen were ever 
 found ready to defend and aid that which he considered the 
 right. This was wonderfully true during the dark years of the 
 Rebellion. 
 
 Quick in his decisions, of remarkable mental equipoise, Mr. 
 Johnson was noted as a presiding officer. No one during his 
 life was more frequently called upon in Lorain County to 
 preside over conventions, whether religious, moral, or political. 
 
 Honored by all, giving always with no grudging hand of 
 his means, and of the rich experiences of a well-spent life, he 
 died Dec. 29, 1874 True of him is that said of another : 
 
 " This man, that thought himself nobody, is dead, is buried ; 
 his life has been searched; and his memory is hallowed for- 
 ever." 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 317 
 
 New York. 8ho was born in that city August 23, 
 183,5, and witli her parents moved to Oliio in Jlay, 
 18,iG. 
 
 It is not only as a professional man thai Dr. Mer- 
 riatn enjoys tlie respect and esteem of the eomniunity, 
 in wliieli lie has i)assed nearly all his life, hut also in 
 the many other walks of life in which his general 
 intelligence and rectitude carry him. As a man and 
 citizen, the doctor is hold in high regard, and de- 
 servedly occupies an exalted social position. 
 
 R. B. MONRO 
 
 was born in Herkimer county, New York, January 
 31, 1817. When he was three years of age bis father 
 removed with his family to Jefferson county, New 
 York, where they remained until 1833, when they 
 
 eniicrated to Canada, residing there until about 1838, 
 when they returned to "^'ork State, and continued to 
 live there until 1844, when the subject of this sketch 
 moved to Ohio, and settled in La Grange, Lorain 
 county, whither he was followed by his father in 1S4G. 
 lie was boi'n in Connecticut, and during his last siek- 
 nes she resided with and was carefully attended by 
 his son. lie died in 1870. 
 
 R, B. Monro started in Ohio by working on a farm 
 by the month, whicli he did four years, dui-ing which 
 time he purchased lifty acres of land, paying for it 
 with his earnings. In 1848 he was married to Mar- 
 garet, daughter of John McGregor. They have one 
 son, James, who resides at home, and also, an adopted 
 daughter. Mr. Monro has held various township 
 offices, among others those of road commissioner and 
 school director. In politics he is a democrat. He is 
 a self made man, and generally considered a worthy 
 citizen, and an upright and honest num. 
 
 BRIGHTON. 
 
 Brigiitun consists of tract seven, and portions of 
 tracts six and eight, in range nineteen of the original 
 Western Reserve. It is uj)on the extreme west of the 
 county, and is bounded upon the north by Camden, 
 east by Wellington, south by Rochester and west by 
 the township of Clarksfield, Huron county. The soil 
 in the northern part is clay, principally, but in the 
 southern portion a gravelly soil is found. The sur- 
 face is more uneven than that presented to the eye in 
 must of the southern townships of Lorain county, the 
 west branch of the Black river having cut its way 
 through the territory from a point near the south- 
 west corner of the township to the eastern boundary, 
 whore it emerges about one mile south of the Camden 
 line. Its course is very irregular, and .its stream has 
 left broad and very fertile bottom lands, which are as 
 i;(i(id for the general purposes of farming as any in 
 the county. 
 
 THE ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS 
 
 of the lands now included in Bi'ighton were Lemuel 
 Storrs, Ephraim Root, James Ross, Peter Brooks, 
 .lohn C!all, William Shaw, George Black and Pennewel 
 Cheney. Tract seven, extending through the center 
 of the township from east to west, and containing 
 four hundred acres, was the property of Root & Ross. 
 It was by them sold to Harmon Kingsbury and others, 
 and was the portion first put into the market for sale 
 to the settlers. Storrs, the owner of tract eight and 
 the several owners of tract six sold to, or exchanged 
 
 lands with, Tuekerman Brothers, of Boston, Norton 
 and Stocking of Hartford, Connecticut, Frederick 
 Hamlin of Berkshire, Massachusetts, Deming and Al- 
 ford. Levi Bliss, of Massachusetts, bought out Tncker- 
 num Brothers. The surplus lands upon the west side 
 of the township were originally owned by Goodrich of 
 Hartford, and several others. Brighton is what is 
 known as an equalizing township. Its name was be- 
 stowed by Abner Loveland at the time of organization. 
 
 INDIANS 
 
 were quite numerous when tiie first sei tiers came in 
 and all accounts agree as to their friendliness to, and 
 fair treatment, with few exceptions, of the whites. 
 They were of the Seneca and Wyandot tribes. Befoi'c 
 the time of settlement, these Indians were in the cus- 
 tom of camping upon what they called the "big bot- 
 tom," upon the farm which is now the property of 
 Leonard H. Loveland, but after the first settlers 
 arrived they seldom had an encampment within the 
 territory now included in the townshij). They traded 
 very frequently with their pale faced brothers, bring- 
 ing fine venison hams, which they were always de- 
 lighted "to exchange for bread or ]>ork. Leoiutrd 
 Loveland remembers seeing with them, upon one 
 occasion, a very old, though remarkably well preserved 
 man, who was said l)y the Indians to hiive seen the 
 sun of one hundred and fort_y-five summers. It is 
 probable that this was not far from being correct, for 
 events that the Indian sjioke of as occurring in the 
 
318 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 years of his youiio- iiuinhood wcix' kiiiiwu to liavo ;i 
 place more than a liinidrod years old in the iiistory of 
 the couiilry. 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 'riio iiioiu'cr 1)1' Urightoii was Alinoi' Loveland, Jr. 
 He ciiterecl tiic forest alone in the fall of 1820, witii 
 the intention of hecoiiiing a perni.inent resident, and 
 built n|)on lot one, in tract seven, the first luiinan 
 habitation, save the lints and wigwams of tlie Indians, 
 in the territory included a few years later in the limits 
 of Brighton. He carried upon his back the poles of 
 which he built his cabin. In tlie spring of 1831, he 
 started for tlie east, bnt a great snow storm made it 
 impossible for liim to pursue his journey, and he 
 stop)>ed in (irafton, wliei'e he I'emained until fall, 
 working for vai-ious settJers. In the fall he again 
 prepared to go to his liouie, but, receiving a letter 
 from his father, saying that he had bought land in 
 Brighton and wanted him to begin clearing it, he went 
 back to the place which he had originally selected ami 
 jirepared for the coming of his father and the family 
 by erecting a log house. In July of 18'>1, came the 
 father, Abner Loveland, Sr. , his wife Lois, four 
 daughters, So])hia, Lovina, ramelui, Minerva and a 
 son Leonard H. with his wife Margaret Whitlock. 
 They made this journey, with an ox team, in six 
 weeks. The Lovelands were natives of Otis, Berk- 
 shire county, Massachusetts, Aimer, Jr., the first 
 arrival, ma<le the journey from liruiiswick. New 
 Jersey, upon foot. His wife was I'aima DeWolf, and 
 he had by her five children, three of whom arc now 
 living, Celestia A. in Wellington, (Jort^lia J. (Mrs. I). 
 Reamer) in Oberliu, and Franklin in New York. 
 Abner Loveland, Jr., renu.)Ved from Brighton to 
 Wellington in 1834, and, his wife tlying, ho married 
 some time afterwards, Mrs. Anna Kimmel. He is 
 still living, at the age of eighty-two years, being born 
 in 1796. Leonard H. Loveland still lives iipoi lot 
 one, tract seven, a few rods from the site of the first 
 log house built in the towiishiji, and is eighty-four 
 years of ago. His children, lieside WMiitlock, who 
 died when a babe, were (!ordelia, born Novemlier 12, 
 1S2I3, and died March ;5, 18.")2, and Kineline Margaret, 
 born March 4, 18.");!. Mr. Ijovelaud, like his brother, 
 is living with his second wife, and he is lier second 
 husband. Her iiiaiilen name was Fanny Allen. tSlic 
 was from Vermont, and her Inisband facetiously 
 claims that she was a connection of Ethan Allen, 
 "the Green mountain lioy." Abner Loveland, Sr., 
 and his wife have been dead for many years. Both 
 were born in 17f;4._^ 
 
 The Kingsbiirys' arrived after Abner Loveland, 
 Jr., and before all the others of this family. Joseph 
 Kingsbury was the second settler. He was the father 
 of Harmon Kingsbury, before mentioned as one of 
 the original owners of the land. He came early in 
 1821, from Otis, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, 
 bringing his wife, four daugliters, one of whom died 
 young, and two sons, Solomon and Austin. One of 
 
 the daughters married Loren Wadsworth, another 
 . Eber W. Hubbard, and Louisa A. married Calvin 
 Roice. Josei>li Kingsbury settled on lot thirteen, 
 Solomon on lot ten, and Austin on lot nine — all in 
 tract seven; which, as has been heretofore stated, was 
 the only portion of the lands offered for sale. Har- 
 mon Kingbury was never a resident of the township, 
 but was a frequent visitor. Austin Kingsbury reared 
 a family of six children, of whom Mrs. Orrin Hall 
 (Tjouisa A.) is one. A sister resides in Wellington. 
 William Harvey is in Oberliu. 
 
 The next settlers, after the Kiiigsburys, were the 
 Halls. Avery Hall and wife, and their grown-up 
 sons, Alfred and Ori'in, with Selden, who was of age 
 soon after coming into the country, emigrated from 
 Great Barrington, Massachusetts, in 1822. Other 
 children in this family were: Lrastus, Sarah, Edwin 
 (now in Eiyria), Theophilus (in Litchfield), Julia (in 
 Perrysburg), John and William. Avery Hall, upon 
 arriving, settled upon lot two, and his son Alfred on 
 lot six. Selden afterward settled on the same lot; he 
 married a daughter of Luke Whitlock, and removed 
 some years after to Wellington, where he died in 
 1878. Orrin Hall settled on lot nine, where he still 
 lives. Alfred Hall removed to Perth Amboy, New 
 Jersey. Soon aftei' the Halls arrived, a man named 
 ]5ailey came into the Bcttlement, but made no ]>ur- 
 cliase of land, and remained but a short time. An- 
 other squatter came at the same time, but like Bailey 
 left no mark upon the jieople among whom he had a 
 brief residence, or upon the map of Brighton town- 
 ship. 
 
 H(n'ace, John and Joseph Crosby, the latter not of 
 ago, and another brother who died (juite young, came 
 with their mother soon after the arrival of the Halls, 
 from Tyriiighain, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, 
 and settled upon lot three. John was married in 
 1825 to Locitte Sage. 
 
 Luke Whitlock came in the spring of 1822, and his 
 brother John, at a later date. They settled upon lot 
 seven. The Whitlocks were from Soxith Brunswick, 
 New Jersey. 1'he family of Luke Whitlock consisted 
 of his wife Elizabeth, a son John, who died eai'ly, 
 Ellen, now Mrs. Augustus Fox, residing near the cen- 
 ter, and Jane, who married Koswell Smith, and after- 
 warils Selden Hall, now living in Wellington. Luke 
 Whitlock died suddenly and among strangers. He 
 was in Pittsburgh upon his way home and was stricken 
 dead upon the street and buried before his relatives, 
 who left for that city as soon as the sad news reached 
 them, had arrived. 
 
 Clark Looniis settled about the year 182."> ujion lot 
 twelve, and removed soon after to Chagrin Falls. 
 
 Justice Battle, Sr., and wife, and Justice Battle, 
 Jr., and wife were among the first settlers, but the 
 date of their arrival cannot be definitely ascertained. 
 They came from Tyriugham, Berkshire county, Mas- 
 sachusetts and located upon lot sixteen. 
 
 Calvin Roice came into the settlement early enough 
 to be properly classed among the pioneers, though he 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 319 
 
 first settled in Wellington. On coming into Biigli- 
 ton he lociitoil u])on lot ten. Ho married a daughter 
 of Joseph Kingsbury, by whom he had three children, 
 — Boughton, now in Clarksville, Eunice, in Avon, and 
 Sarah. 
 
 There wei-e sevei-al who arrived in the townshii) 
 soon after tlic lirst settlement was made but wlio 
 could not be called settlers. Among these was Elijah 
 Fox, a worthy man from Berkshire county, Massa- 
 chusetts, who came in 1833 and l)oarded for some time 
 with Leonard H. Loveland. He took up land a num- 
 ber of years afterwards. His son E. S. Fox now re- 
 sides upon lot eight, in tract seven. David Fox, the 
 aged father of Elijah, was a Methodist exhorter of 
 considerable ability. Daniel Smith came to Brighton 
 in the latter part of 1S31 or early m tiie following year 
 and worked for Joseph King«bury. 
 
 Of tiie later settlers we can only speak Ijriefly. After 
 the organization of the township and after the land 
 in tracts six and eiglit were put into the market, the 
 number of inhabitants rapidly inreascd. There being 
 no land but that in tract seven, — the center tract, ^ 
 offered for sale until 183.3, many were deterred from 
 coming into Brighton from apprehension that it would 
 not for many years become a well settled township. 
 It wa»s this fear that led Abner Loveland, the pioneer, 
 to sell out his land and remove into Wellington. It 
 was liought by Daniel Clark, of Litchfield, Connecti- 
 cut. Albert Niles came into tlic township between 
 the time of organization and the year 1830. He 
 owned altogether and at different times fifteen farms. 
 — Fisk settled about the same time as Niles. Loren 
 Lovi^land a brother of Leonard H. and Abner, came 
 in a little later. Dr. Eber W. Hubbard and his 
 father wlio were among the first settlers in La Grange, 
 were residents of this township for a few years, and 
 resided on the Kingsbury farm. James Whipple, of 
 Whitestown, New York, came and locateil on lot 
 twelve in 183;5. Erasmus ,Tudd and wife settled as 
 early as 1833 on lotsix, and brought u]i a family of five 
 children. They were from Litchfield, Connecticut. 
 Isaac Everson settled in the summerof 1833, upon lot 
 twenty-one. Henry Converse, his wife and five ehil 
 dren became residents in 1833, settling upon lot ten. 
 His childreu were Nelson, Lucinda, Harrison, Maria 
 and Emma (Mrs. Jacob Wheeler, of Rochester). Nel- 
 son was drowned in the Black river, Jiaving been swept 
 over his saw mill dam in a dug out. He is said to 
 have been a phenomenal swimmer, and his drowning 
 could only be accounted for upon the supposition that 
 he was hurt in some way by his fall. Octavus Gillitt 
 settled upon lot sixteen in the gore, m 1830, and his 
 brother, (reo:ge, near him soon after. Jolin Dnnbar, 
 his son, Simeon, and Harriet, the wife of the latter, 
 came from Wayne county. New York in August, 1835, 
 :ind located upon lot eight in tract seven, .lames 
 Humphrey, his wife and three children settled about 
 the same time upon the same lot. They were from 
 (I real Barrington, Massachusetts. 
 
 Philip L. Goss, a native of Winchester, New Hamp- 
 
 shire, settled on lot seventeen, in 1836, coming from 
 Brecksvillo, Cluyahoga county, where he had resided 
 for a short time. He was one of the substantial, 
 influential men of the town, and always prominent 
 in its institutions until his removal in 1878, to Wel- 
 lington, where he and his wife, Serena, at present 
 reside with their married daughter, Mrs. Dr. Rust. 
 He has a son, Charles P., in Oberlin, and another 
 daughter, Sarah, who married a son of Dr. Beach, of 
 Pittstield. David Goss, bronher of Philip L., arrived 
 in 1843. His sons, Maurice and Otis, reside in 
 Brighton, and his daughters in Illinois, and Huron 
 county. Ohio. 
 
 Smith Stocking and Harry Haws came into the 
 township in 1837, the former settling upon lot fifteen, 
 in the gore, and the latter u])oii the same lot, a little 
 to the north, where D. .Tohnson located two years 
 later. Wm. Bunee and Samuel Lamb took up farms 
 about the same time, upon lot one in tract seven, 
 building houses u|)on the east and west road. 
 
 Cornelius Seeley ca.me into Avon in 1831, and orig- 
 inally emigrated from Westmoreland, Oneida county. 
 New York. His wife's maiden name was Rachel 
 Smith. They had fourteen children, twelve of whom 
 lived to maturity. H. S., the eldest, settled in 
 Brighton, on lots thirty-oue and thirty-two, where he 
 now resides. Morrell E., Anna, and Dwight, his 
 childreu, now live in Brighton, the first named upon 
 the Loveland farm. 
 
 The earliest settlers of Brighton endured many 
 hardships. Food was for a time exceedingly scarce, 
 and could only be liad in small variety. When the 
 wheat was harvested it was often found full of smut, 
 and as there were no machines in those days for clean- 
 ing it, the smut went into the Ijread, making it so 
 black tliat the Indians often refused to eat it. The 
 nearest j)!ace where the pioneers could get a grist 
 ground was at Clarksfield. Leonard Loveland was 
 once pursued by wolves while returning from the mill 
 in that place. These jiests of every new country were 
 very plentiful. 'L'hey were not usually regarded as a 
 source of danger, but of annoyance. They would 
 often surround a settler's cabin and make night hid- 
 eouH with their horrible howling. Deer were found 
 in the woods in large numbers, and venison was so 
 common upon the tables at which hard working, hun- 
 gry men sat down, tliat it was looked upon with no 
 more favor than jtork. As many as fifty deer have 
 been seen in a single herd in Brighton. Enormous 
 flocks of wild turkeys wei'e often met with, during 
 the first few years after the woods were invaded by 
 white men, and all kinds of small game was found in 
 abundance, but most of the pionee'rs had too much 
 work to do with the ax and plow to spend their time 
 in hunting. There were few who carried the rifle 
 except when the larder was low. 
 
 FIRST EVENTS. 
 
 The first child born was John, son of Avery and 
 Lucy Hall. He came into the world and into Brigli- 
 
'A-M 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 ton August 26, 1823, and is now living in Wisconsin. 
 
 The first death was tliat of Whitlock Loveland, a 
 nine months old chdd of Leonard II. and Margaret 
 Loveland. He was born .January 2, 1820, and died 
 on the 13tli of October. Tlie burial was upon the 
 clearing maJe by the Lovelands, a few rods south of 
 their log house, and of Leonard Loveland's present 
 honu'. Otiior nieml)ei's of the family now lie by tlie 
 side of the little one for whom the first grave was 
 made. The funeral was attended by only two or 
 three persons beside the family, among them being 
 tlie Rev. Mr. Parmele, a Baptist minister of Sullivan, 
 who s})oke the few words of com fort, and offered the 
 prayer at the grave. 
 
 Sometime in ls2o, Albert Niles, then of Welling- 
 ton, and a native of Berkshire county, Massacliusetts. 
 was married to Sophia., daughter of Leonard il. and 
 Margaret Loveland. The ceremony was performed at 
 jSI'r. Loveland's log cabin, by Squire Ephriani A. 
 Wilcox, of Wellington, and was witnessed by about 
 twenty or twenty-five persons, or the entire popula- 
 tion of the township. In the evening, a substantial 
 suj)per was served, all present sitting down to the 
 table, wliicli was more sensibly set than those which 
 gi-oan under the weight of modern marriage feasts. 
 Steaming moats, home-made bread, and wholesome 
 vogetaljles were in al)uudance, but cakes, confections, 
 and ices, with French names, did not have a jjlace 
 upon the board. The young married couple settled 
 in Brighton, upon lot seventeen, tract seven, where 
 they remained for a number of years. Both have 
 been dead for some time. 
 
 The first school was tauglit by Paima De W'olf, 
 wife of Abner Loveland, after their marriage, and was 
 held in the log house which they occupied. She gave 
 instruction, to the best of her aliility, to about a dozen 
 children, an(.l received therefor the sum of six shil- 
 lings per week. This was previous to 1827. In tliat 
 year a log school house was built, about three-ijuarters 
 of a mile east of the center. Polly Warren was the 
 first teacher of the school held in this Ijnilding. The 
 first frame school school house was built in 183(], — the 
 frame being erected l)y the free labor of John Dunbar 
 and his two sons, llosea and Simeon, who took the 
 timber from the woods. It was completed through 
 repeated subscriptions by the citizens, and for several 
 years served as both church and school house, until 
 the Congregational church was built. Brighton is 
 now well abreast of her sister townships in the ex- 
 cellence of her schools, as well as in general improve- 
 ments. 
 
 In the earliest, days of the settlement, the pioneers 
 were obliged to go as far as Liverpool to olitain their 
 mail, or to dispat.cli letters. Afterwards they were 
 able to got their mail in Wellington, and in 1824, or 
 182.5, they had a. regular mail, carried liy one Bovee. 
 A man by the name of Wyatt carried the first mail 
 that e\er went through the township. He came 
 through on the east ami west center road on his first 
 trip, ilarch 13, 1821. 
 
 Alfred Hall went into service as postmaster at 
 Brighton about 1830. He was only nominally post- 
 master however, for Ransom Foote, the deputy, had 
 the real work to do, and kept the few letters and pa- 
 pers that came to tlie settlers at his house near the 
 center, because Hall lived a mile and a half away. 
 Jefferson Whip]ile is the present postmaster. He was 
 appointed in 187G. 
 
 The first store was opened at the center about the 
 year 1830, hy Samuel .Jones who continued in busi- 
 ness some time. A large general store is now kept by 
 Whipple & Hall who are the successors of Richmond 
 & Whipple. 
 
 William Battle opened the first hotel in 1850, and 
 kept a well conducted temperance house. (Jeorge 
 Peasley now offers food and shelter to the wayfarer 
 and tlic stranger. 
 
 The first road of travel tluough the township was 
 the east and west center road. This was laid out in 
 1819. The north and south center road was opened 
 ten or twelve years later, and the various roads par- 
 allel to these two were laid out at different times as 
 the number of inhabitants increased, and there was 
 demand for new means of communication. 
 
 The township has but one cemetery, besides the 
 several private burial places where were laid the re- 
 mains of the first few persons who died in the .settle- 
 ment. The town cemetery is ujion the west side of 
 the road, just a few rods south of the center. The 
 land was donated by Austin Kingsbury in 184:5. 
 
 The Lovelands, father and sons sowed the first 
 wheat in the fall of 1821. They put ii eight acres, 
 and the next summer harvesteil a womlcrful crop. 
 They also planted the first orchard, the tr'cs in which 
 were started from seed brought by them from Mas- 
 sachusetts. Several apple trees were still living, and 
 bore fruit in 1878. 
 
 OIKiANIZATION. 
 
 "The township was organized at the spring election 
 of 1823. .Joseph Kingsbury, Avory Hall and Calvin 
 Roice, were elected trustees; Leonard H. Loveland, 
 clerk: Abner Loveland, treasurer; and Abner Love- 
 land, Jr., justice of the ])eaco. There were twelve 
 electors, just about the number of porsons rei|uired to 
 fill the offices in those days. The townsliip belonged 
 to Lorain, as then formed, but, with other townships, 
 remained attached to Medina county, until the organi- 
 zation of Lorain was completed."'* 
 
 The following are the township officers of 1878: 
 Clerk, I). M. Hall; treasurer, J. C. Whijiple; assessor, 
 L. W. Hart; trustees, E. Anderson, C. D. Stocking, 
 0. Peabody; justices of the peace, D. M. Hall, 0. A. 
 .Tohnson; constable, 0. E. Johnson. 
 
 THE KETJOIOl'S BEGINNrSTfi. 
 
 In the death of the infant son of Leonard H. and 
 Margaret Loveland, we find the cause of the bereaved 
 
 * Boyuton. 
 
Residence or JAMES WHIPPLE. Brighton. Loi?ain Co. Ohio. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 321 
 
 parents' conversion, and, were we able to trace the 
 sequence, should doubtless discover, iu this taking 
 away of life, the initial impulsion in a long series of 
 causes and effects resultant in great good. There is 
 here an illustration of the mysterious means of Provi- 
 dence. Mr. Loveland and his wife were the first 
 persons to experience religion in Brighton. Wiien 
 their cliild died they liogan thinking tliat they. were- 
 not good enough to follow him into tiie future world, 
 and the result was tiiat they accepted the teachings 
 (if the Bible as their guide, and tried to conform 
 their lives to its precepts. Tiie first religious service 
 ever iield in the towushiit was at the grave of tlie 
 little one taken from these parents. Not very long 
 afterwards meetings wore held in the vicinity, and, in 
 1S33, or the following year, what was known as the 
 Black River circuit was laid out and a Rev. Mr; 
 Coston rode through a number of the townships, 
 preaching wherever he could get together a dozen 
 listeners. As the little clearings in the wilderness 
 became larger and moi-o numerous, the need of re- 
 ligious fellowship was felt by several, and hence, in 
 tlie fall of 1S"27, it came about that the class was 
 organized which was the beginning of 
 
 THE jrETHODIST EPISCOPAL CIIUECU 
 
 of Brighton. The church was organized by Rev. A. 
 Brainard, and the preaching which its members at- 
 tended during the first year of its existence was by 
 Rev. Henry 0. Sheldon, who was then traveling the 
 circnit which included this point. Meetings were 
 held at Loveland's and at the center, though most 
 frequently at the former place. The constituent 
 members of this church were: Abner Loveland, Lois 
 his wife, Leonard H. Loveland, Margaret his wife, 
 Pamelia Loveland, Minerva Loveland, Elizabeth Whit- 
 lock, Erastus Hall. S:ira,h Hall and David Fox. Leon- 
 ard H. Loveland was class leader. As time wore on, 
 the church received accessions, and it was found that 
 the congregation had outgrown the capacity of a 
 dwelling house, and must have a proi)er place of 
 meeting. Accordiugly, a neat but plain structure, 
 the one now iu use, was built at the center. The 
 frame was erected iu 1850, but on accouut of sick- 
 ness of the workmen, and for want of means, it was 
 not inclosed until the following spring; when, by the 
 earnest efforts of T. Hall and E. S. Bidwell and oth- 
 ers, the work was carried on to completion. It was 
 dedicated, free from debt, November G, 18.53. The 
 present membership is forty-five, and would be much 
 larger, but many residents of the southern part of the 
 township, of the Methodist denomination, attend the 
 church at Rochester station. The present pastor is 
 Rev. E. A. Warner, and the class leaders, 0. Peabody 
 and William Ward. The stewards are D. M. Hall 
 (recording steward), Freeman Green and H. S. Seeley. 
 The follovviug are the trustees of thechureh property: 
 D. M. Hall, Freeman Green, Simeon Dunbar, Wil- 
 liam Ward and H. S. Seeley. 
 
 41 
 
 THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 
 
 was organized in 183G, and the first meetings were 
 held in the school house east of the center. The 
 original members were: Justice Battle, and his wife 
 Esther, his son's wife Bathsheba, Selden Hall and 
 wife, .Joseph Kingsbury, Austin Kingsbury, W. R. 
 Strong and wife, Philip L. Goss, Serena S. Goss and 
 Peter Dickinson. The first regular minister who 
 preached in this church was Rev. Mr. Kellogg, from 
 New York state. Much of the time, the pulpit was 
 supplied by students from Oberlin. The first deacons 
 of the church were Philip L. Goss and W. R. Strong. 
 The society built a church at the center in 1840. The 
 church now has a membership of thirty-five, the only 
 ones upon the roll who were among the first members 
 being Philip L. Goss and his wife. Rev. D. T. Wil- 
 liams is pastor; Lewis Hart and .Tames S. Jones, dea- 
 cons. The trustees are] J. Bennett, Otis Goss and 
 Mark Smith; clerk of the church, Lewis Hart; clerk 
 of the society, Maurice Goss, who is also acting treas- 
 urer. 
 
 PHYSIf;iANS. 
 
 There is reason to believe that Brighton is at pres- 
 ent an unusually healthful place. It has no resident 
 physician. In the past the men of medicine were not 
 numerons. The few who came into the township re- 
 mained but a short time each, and none of them 
 became so wealthy from their practice as to be able to 
 retire. Dr. Holcomb was the pioneer practitioner, 
 but did not come in until 1848. He was an excellent 
 physician. After a moderately successful practice, 
 extending through five or six years, he moved away, 
 and his place was taken by a Dr. Gilson, who, after a 
 very short time, was followed by Dr. William Elder, 
 whose practice in the township was concluded in abont 
 three years. Dr. Cannan, now of Camden, practiced 
 in Brighton for a few months. 
 
 INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 
 
 Brighton is essentially a farming township. It has 
 no manufacturing interests save those which are com- 
 monly found in the townships of Lorain county, viz: 
 
 CHEESE FACTORIES AND SAW MILLS. 
 
 The Brighton cheese factory, owned by Goss & 
 .Jones, is located upon the center road, a short distance, 
 perhaps a quarter of a mile south from the center. 
 It receives the milk of about five hundred cows, 
 which is mostly manufactured into cheese. Only a 
 small quantity of butter is made. The factory was 
 first projected by Goss & Comj^any, in 18G7, and after 
 running a number of years was burned down. The 
 present factory building was erected in the season of 
 1874-5. 
 
 Horr & Warner, of Wellington, have a cheese factory 
 on the town line road, adjoining Wellington, and 
 nearly a mile from the southern boundary of the 
 township, on lot thirty-one. They receive the milk 
 
322 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 of about four huiulred cows. This factory was 
 started in 1S72, by William D. Miner. 
 
 The Centennial cheese factory, so named fmm the 
 fact that it was started in 187G, is the property of 
 Henry Wood, who also owns the farm upon which it 
 is located. This is what is known as a "full cream 
 factory," and tiie proprietor does not manufacture 
 any butter. Not far from three hundred and fifty 
 cows are milked for this factory. Mr. Wood is a na- 
 tive of CUieshire, England. 
 
 The first saw mill was built by a man named Foote, 
 some time previous to 1825, upon the western branch 
 of Black river, and was washed away ijy a frcslict. The 
 next was upon the same stream and was the projierty 
 of Solomon Kingsbury an<l Nelson Converse. There 
 is now one steam saw mill in the townsiiip, owned 
 and rnn by Otis Goss. It is located south of the 
 center, upon lot sixteen. 
 
 TEMPERANCE. 
 
 As early as ISoG, Brighton organized a temperance 
 society, with the usual pledge of total abstinence 
 from all intoxicating li<piors (oxce)it wine and cider). 
 Pliilip L. Goss was president of said society. A new 
 impulse was given in the year 1841, under tiie name 
 of the Washingtonian movement. Refurmed drunk- 
 ards related tlieii- experience in the degi'ading Jiabit 
 of drink, and of tiieir new life in refornnUidu, inspir- 
 ing with hope tiie fallen, declaring total abstinence 
 from all intoxicating drinks tiie only safeguard of 
 sobriety. First among this class of reformers was 
 one Captain F. Turner. Deacon Pliilip Goss was 
 president. At tlie next annual meeting John V. 
 Wliitlock was elected ])resident. In the summer of 
 184:3, the county (puirterly meeting was held at 
 Brigiiton, Mr. Cheney, of Elyria, president. The 
 Rev. Ansel Clark, of Huntington, and Mr. Van Wag- 
 oner, were the [inneipal sjieakers. At the close of 
 tiie lecture, Mr. N'anWagoner gave a description of 
 how a jierson wiiuld act in a fit of delirium tremens. 
 At the next election, in the year 1845, II. B. Dunbar 
 was elected president of said society. He served five 
 years, and obtained four hundred and thirtv-seven 
 signatures to the jiledge. Djacon Elier .Jones was 
 next president of (he society; and ever since, there has 
 been, and is now, a temperance organization in Bright- 
 on. Although it has not been able to entirely sup- 
 press intemperance, yet its inllaence lias ke[)t tiie 
 townsiiip free from the unmitigated curse of a saloon 
 or place where intoxicating liquors, witli the exi^ep- 
 tion of cider, could be bought. The selling of eider 
 to be drunk, is not reputable in Brigiiton. 
 
 Agricultural Statistics. 
 
 Wheat, SiH acres 3,608 bushels. 
 
 Potatoes, .33 " 2,799 *' 
 
 Oats, 3B0 " iVtSS 
 
 Orchards, 149 *' 700 
 
 Corn, 46-Z " 31495 " 
 
 Meadow, 1,470 " 1,480 tons. 
 
 Butter 4(;,5IJ8 pounds. 
 
 Cheese 44(1.717 " 
 
 Maple Su^ar 1,52,5 " 
 
 Population in 1870 5()g 
 
 Vote for Preside.nt in 1876. 
 Hayes 1S8 | Tildeu 27 
 
 Biographical Sketches. 
 
 JAMES WHIPPLE 
 
 was born in the town of Pomfret, Windham county, 
 Connecticut, March IG, 1811. His father, Charles 
 Whiiiple, was born at North Providence, Rhode Island, 
 April 28, 1779. His mother, Harriet Whipple, was 
 born at North Providence, Rhode Island, November 
 14, 1786. In the year 1807, they moved to Pomfret, 
 Connecticut; and in 1815, to Westmoreland, Oneida 
 county. New York., where they resided until death. 
 Charles AVhipple died January IG, 18G(), aged eiglity- 
 six years. Hannah Whipple died December G, 18G.3, 
 aged seventy-eight years. 
 
 In the 22d year of his age. May 24, 1833, James 
 Whipple came to Brighton, Lorain county, Ohio, 
 having first bouglit in Rrighton one hundred acres of 
 land, known as the Loomis farm. He has at present 
 over two hundred acres. He was married to Melinda 
 Dunbar, November 13, 1839; she was born at Sandy 
 Lake, Rensselaer county. New York, September C, 
 1819. Her father's name was .John Dunbar, who was 
 born at Bridgewater, Norfolk county, Massachusetts, 
 June, 1777; he was of Scotch and English descent. 
 He lived with his i^arents at Bridgewater until he 
 was sixteen years of age; then he moved with tliein 
 to Grantham, Sullivan county. New Hampshire; and 
 in 1800, he married Sally Annadown, daughter of 
 Josepli and Dorcas Annadown, of Soiitlibridge, Massa- 
 chusetts; she was born September 29, 177G. He 
 resided at Grantham until Eebruary, 1818, and then 
 removed to Sandy Lake. From there, he removed to 
 Ludlow, Windsor county, Vermont, in 1820; and in 
 1831, he removed to Minerva, Essex county. New 
 York. He came from Mernava to Ohio, the latter part 
 of May, 1835, and located in Brighton, September, 
 18'db, where he resided until his death, January 18, 
 1838, aged sixty-one years. He was a farmer, and his 
 farm lay about three-fourths of a mile north of the 
 center. Sally Dunbar, wife of John Dunbar, died Sep- 
 tember 22, 1854, aged seventy-eight years. Melinda 
 was sixteen years of age when her parents removed into 
 Brighton. Slie had a common school education. Since 
 her marriage she has always resided on the same farm 
 where they now live They have had four children, 
 as follows: Jefferson C. Whipple, liorn August 18, 
 1841; Anzonette Whipple, born February 8, 1851; 
 Emma Whipple, born April 2, 1857; Manette C. Whip- 
 ple, born October iil, 18G1. Emma died June 12, 
 1859, aged two years, two months and ten days; 
 Anzonette died June 17, 1859, aged eight years, four 
 months and nine days. The homestead is situated 
 one and one-half miles from Brighton. The owner 
 early identified himself with the religions and politi- 
 cal interests of the town, bearing his share of the 
 common burdens, and sharing in its general pros- 
 perity. 
 
HISTOEY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 323 
 
 ''^^' - "^W.^V^^^^xxS^^^^^'"^"' 
 
 LEONARD H. LOVELAND. 
 
 MRS. LEONAKD H. LOVELAND. 
 
 LEONARD H. LOVELAND 
 
 was born in Soutlifiekl, IJerksliire county. Miissaeliu- 
 setts, October:!, 1794, and livetl witb bi.s"fatlier,Abiier 
 Lovohmd, until he attained his majority. Ilis educa- 
 tion was confined to that of the common schools, but 
 by studing at niglit, wliilo otliers slejit, he qualified 
 iiimself for the honorable calling of teaching, and for 
 two years taught school, with marked success. He 
 then married Margaret V., daughter of Luke and 
 Elizabeth Wliitlock. She was born in Connecticut, 
 June 25, 1794; and died August 18, 1855. This union 
 resulted in three children, one son and two daughters, 
 luunely : Abncr, born January 2, 1S21, in South 
 Brunswick, New Jersey ; died October 13, 1831. 
 Cordelia, born November 12, 1833, in Lorain county, 
 Ohio ; died March 33, 1853. Emiline M., born March 
 4, 1833 ; died October 30, 1874. 
 
 Abner Loveland, father of him of who we write, was 
 born in Connecticut, April 18, 1764. He was mar- 
 ried to Lois, daughter of Benjamin Hodge. In 1831 
 he removed with his family to Ohio. There were si.v 
 children, namely : Dolly, Lovma, Parmelia, Minerva, 
 TiUman E., Loring, Luther, Leonard 11. and Abuer. 
 At Buffalo they took a sister of Mr. Loveland's in 
 their wagon. The brothers and sisters are all deceased, 
 the last brother dying at Wellington, Ohio, March 3, 
 1879. Abner Loveland died September 6, 1847. He was 
 a man of many excellent qualities, and his death was a 
 sad event in the tlien rather thinly settled country, 
 where he settled, labored and died. 
 
 On the 18th, of August, 1855, L. H. Loveland sus- 
 tained the loss of his wife, which was a sore bereave- 
 ment to him and the children. For his second wife 
 he married Mrs. Anna Rnlison, widow of James 
 Rulison, and daughter of Moses Allen ; a lady very 
 generally esteemed by her ac(juaintances and friends. 
 Mr. Loveland has followed farming nearly all his life, 
 
 and has attained tlie dignity of being ctmsidered one 
 of the best j)ractical farmers of Brighton township ; 
 as he is also one of its most substantial citizens. His 
 unswerving personal integrity, and tlio general recti- 
 tude of his life, have gained for him an enviable re])u- 
 tation in the comnumity where he is best known, and 
 where his many ([ualities of head and heart are duly 
 appreciated. 
 
 SELDEN HALL, Su. 
 
 Avery Hall, father of Selden, came to Brighton, 
 Lorain county, Ohio, in the year 1833, being among 
 the pioneer settlers of that town. He was married in 
 Meriden, Connecticut, December 34, 1800, to Miss 
 Sarah Foster. She died in 1803. He was married 
 a second time in Woodbury, Connecticut, September 
 1, 1805, to Miss Lucy Bacon. She died October 38, 
 1853. A few years after, he married, for his third 
 wife, Mrs. Leaeli, — -she only living three years after 
 this marriage. He died at the age of seventy-four, 
 and was buried in Brighton. He had two children 
 by his first wife, viz: Selden, born September 19, 1801; 
 Alfred born May 31, 1803. His second union was 
 blessed with eleven children, viz: Erastus, born July 
 38, 1806; S.irah, born November 11, 1807; Edwin, 
 born April 9, 1809; Avery, born Feljruary 38, 1813; 
 Lucy, born April 13, 1814; Orrin, born April 5, 1816; 
 Julia, born April 19, 1818; Theophilus, born May 15, 
 1831; John W., born August 36, 1833; William, born 
 April 11, 1835; Clarissa, born August 33, 1839. 
 
 Mr. Selden Hall was born in Meriden, Connecticut, 
 September 19, 1801, and died November 38, 1878. 
 In 1833 he, in company with his brother Alfred, 
 traveled on foot from Meriden, Connecticut, to 
 Brighton, Lorain county, Ohio, preceding his father 
 
 I 
 
324 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 iind family hy a year. When they reached their des- 
 tination, they found but four white families in the 
 tovviisliii) to bid them welcome to au unbroken wilder- 
 ness, where mariv-ed trees were the only guides to dis- 
 tant thoroiighl:'ares. He had come for the purjjose of 
 fanning, and soon settled on a piece of ground one- 
 half a mile west of the center of the town, built a 
 substantial log cabin, and in 1828, he was married to 
 Miss Emily A. Smith, who lived with her widowed 
 mother and brothers on the old Smitli farm, on tlie 
 town line between Wellington and Brighton. 
 
 Under the management of this stirring pioneer, 
 and his worthy wife, this forest home began to put on 
 the look of a thriving homestead. They were the pa- 
 rents of five children, viz: Fidelia N., the eldest, born 
 June 11, 1829, was married December 10, 1840, to 
 Jasou W. Gillett, the eldest son of Octavus Gillett. 
 He came to Brighton with his father's family, when 
 a boy of twelve years. The fruit of this union was 
 three children. The eldest, Anice M., was born 
 September 12, 1847, and was married on tlie twen- 
 tietli anniversary of her mother's wedding day, De- 
 cember 10, 18G(i, to Howard H. Hall, the second son 
 of Avery Hall. He served his country for more than 
 two years, during the late rebellion, enlisting m the 
 Twelfth Ohio volunteer cavalry, October i;j, 180.3, 
 and mustered out witli tlie i-egiment December 15, 
 180.5. 'I'hey have one child, Charlie M., born October 
 21, IST'O. Tlie second daughter, ilinda J., was born 
 August 28, 1851, and was married November 10, 
 1875, to Robert D. La Dow, youngest son of Abraham 
 La Dow, of Camden. One daugliter came to bless 
 this union, — Maude A., born June 22, 1878. The 
 third child, Octavus M., was born March 3, 1853, and 
 was mai'ried December 10, 1874, to Miss Mary L. 
 Griggs, youngest daughter of John S. Griggs. One 
 daughter was the fruit of this union, — Eda B., born 
 August 0, 1870. The second daughter, Augusta M., 
 was Ijorn February 14, 1832, and was married May 4, 
 1858, to James M. Jones, formerly of I'ennsylvauia. 
 She died May 14, 1864. At the time of her death, 
 her husband was fighting for his country, being in au 
 
 engagement on the day of her death. He was a mem- 
 ber of the One Hundred and Third regiment Ohio 
 volunteer infantry, served three years, and was mus- 
 tered out with the regiment in June, 1865. She left 
 two boys, — Willie W., born March 3, 1859, and 
 Frank S., born May 8, 1800. The third child, Lo- 
 renzo J., was born February 3, 1836, and was married 
 November 25, 1862, to Miss Redia Griggs, eldest 
 daughter of John S. Griggs. He died December 29, 
 1860, leaving one child, — Horace E., born September 
 29, 1864. The fourth child, Louisa C, born March 
 26, 1842, and was married November 29, 1866, to 
 James M. Jones, the former husband of her late sister 
 (Augusta). They have one child, Emily A., born 
 June 27, 1875. The youngest child, Selden S., was 
 born March 26, 1S43, and was married May 9, ISOO, 
 to Lorinda ]\I., only daughter of Tlieophilus Hall. 
 He also was a faithful soldier of the rebellion, receiv- 
 ing a severe wound in the shoulder, at the liattle of 
 Resaca. Notwithstanding tliis, he served his three 
 years, and was honorably mustered out with the regi- 
 ment. He was in the One Hundred and Third Ohio 
 volunteer infantry, a regiment whose record Lorain 
 county may well be proud of. Two sons blessed this 
 marriage, — Eber W., born March 21, 1868, and Eddie 
 E., born February 28, 1871. 
 
 On April 24, 1807, Emily, wife of Selden, Sr., 
 died from that dreaded disease, cancer, after pro- 
 tracted suffering for more than a year. April 29, 
 1808, he married Mrs. Roswell Smith, of Wellington. 
 From that time until his death, he resided at the 
 Smitli homestead. He was a faithful husljand, a lov- 
 ing father, a warm friend, and a good neighbor. 
 Many an orphan in need has had reason to remember 
 him with gratitude, for his kindly deeds and fitly 
 spoken words. Early in life he made a jirofession of 
 Christianity, and for the past fifty years he has tried 
 to be a faithful follower of his Master, and died with 
 the full assurance of a glorious immortality, retaining 
 his consciousness to the last. The thanksgiving he 
 had planned to keep with dear ones at home, was 
 spent with loved ones gone before. 
 
^. 
 
 
 Residence or C. BAILLY, Amherst Tp. lorain Co.,o: 
 
AMHERST. 
 
 PHYSICAL FEATURES. 
 
 Amherst is township six in range eighteen; lies in 
 the northwestern section of Lorain county, a dis- 
 tance of three miles from the lake, and is bounded on 
 tlie north by Black River, on the east by Elyria, on 
 tile soutli by Russia, and on the west by Brownhelm. 
 Its surface is moderately uneven, and it is traversed 
 from east to west by tliree ridges which run the entire 
 length of the lake, the ancient beaches upon which 
 old Erie's waves spent their force in ages of which 
 no man knows the beginning or the end. It is prin- 
 cipally in these ridges, the north, middle and south, 
 tljat the Ohio sandstone which has made the name of 
 Amherst world famous, is found cropping out or com- 
 ing so close to the surface as to make quarrying prac- 
 ticable. In some places along the north ridge, the 
 rock rises in mounds or ledges. These elevations, 
 undoubtedly, were once bare, bleak islands in a vast 
 inland sea — fortresses of rock which have withstood 
 the tiei'ce onslaught of the north winds' advancing 
 hosts of waves, through centuries. In some places 
 the effect of the wave washing can bo clearly 
 seen. 
 
 The only streams of water in the township are 
 ]?eaver and Little Beaver creeks, so called, because 
 the early settlers found in them large numbers of 
 beaver. Both streams are small. They run a nortli- 
 erly course through the townshi)), and are nearly par- 
 allel. 
 
 Tlie soil upon the ridges is sandy, and between 
 them it is jjrincipally clay with a black loam under- 
 neath. 
 
 ORIGINAL PROPRIETORSHIP. 
 
 Amherst was drawn by Martin Sheldon, Calvin 
 Austin, Oliver L. Phelps and Asahel Hathaway. 
 Tract number two consisting of four thousand acres 
 in Black River, was annexed to equalize it. In con- 
 15 nection with the present townsliips of Black River, 
 Brownlielm and Russia, Amherst was in 1817 organ- 
 ized into a township under the name of Black River. 
 . This was by order of the Commissioners of Huron 
 county, issued in February of the above year. The 
 organization was effected iu the following February. 
 Brownhelm was detached and incorporated as an in- 
 dependent township iu 1818, and seven years later the 
 territory, now included in Russia township, was sep- 
 arated. From that time until 1830 the present 
 townships of Amherst and Black River were included 
 in one under the latter name. 
 
 INDIANS. 
 
 When the first settlers came into the township, 
 Indians were (piite numerous. They looked upon the 
 whites as an enemy, but the exhibition of ill feeling 
 was not decided or bold. There was never auy serious 
 trouljle between the ])ioneers, and on the contrary 
 there was an occasional interchange of kind civility, 
 (leorge Disbrow. one of the early settlers of the South 
 Ridge, says that he often had dealings with the Indi- 
 ans, and was on very jileasant terms with some of 
 them. He never drew a rifle upon an Indian but 
 once, and then was not oliliged to fire. There was 
 among the whites general a feeling of distrust to 
 ward their nomadic fellow human beings, and they 
 never felt perfectly secure until the last red man had 
 removed from their vicinity. 
 
 Ezeliiel (i. Barnes, a pioneer and celebrated woods- 
 num, relates an incident that occurred as late as 182(3. 
 There was at that time a growing dislike for the In- 
 dians among the young hunters, caused, perhaps, by 
 the fact that the former killed too many of the deer, 
 which the whites regarded as exclusively their own. 
 Young Barnes came to the conclusion that somethino- 
 must be done to cause the Indians to clear the coun- 
 try. He thought the matter over and decided to go 
 to them, tell them in a friendly way of their unpopu- 
 larity among their white brethren, and drop a hint as 
 to the nature of what might occur if they remained 
 longer in the vicinity. He accordingly went to their 
 encampment and advised the Indians to journey 
 toward hunting grounds farther west, adding that 
 there was such a feeling among the whites that 
 they would be in danger of their lives if they longer 
 remained here. The Indians listened stoically to the 
 story, and Barnes went home to await develcpments. 
 A few days afterward, learning that they still re- 
 mained in their camp, he got together six or eight 
 young men living within a few miles of his home, 
 and, late at night, the party started into the woods, 
 following a narrow pathway to the Indian hut. 
 Barnes was captain of the attacking army. He 
 desired a bloodless victory, consequently he had all, 
 except one man in whom he had plenty of confidence, 
 load their rifles without ball. He put lead as well as 
 powder in his own gun, and thus forearmed against 
 the savage dogs, of which the Indians were known to 
 have several, the party silently approached their 
 enemy's hut. Contrary to their expectation, the dogs 
 were not aware of their ap[)roach and made no sound. 
 The whole squad approached so close to the little 
 
 (325) 
 
326 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 bark structure that they could almost touch it with 
 their long rifles. All was as still as death. The 
 Indians slept as soundly as only people of clear con- 
 science are popularly supposed to. Suddenly, how- 
 ever, they were aroused from oblivion, and rudely, 
 too. The silence of the forest was broken by the 
 sharp crack of eight guns, and eight flashes of fire 
 leaped out against the bark wall of the hut. Tiie 
 little party of adventurers then filed back to their 
 starting place as silently as they had come, and dis- 
 ]iersed to their homes in tin- firin belief that the 
 Indians had been so friglitciied that they would leave 
 the counti-y; and they judged correctly, for. on the 
 following day. the camp was deserted. The Indians 
 firmly believed that the attack iiad Ijeen made by men 
 who wished to take their lives, and it was no more 
 than natural they should have thougiit so, for they 
 found, as they declared, holes in the side of the iiut 
 made by rifle balls. They left for Sandusky, but 
 threatened, before they went, to return with all of 
 their tribe they could get together in that vicinity, 
 and scalp every man, woman and ciiild in the settle- 
 ment. It was feared by many that the savage threat 
 wc)uld be carried out; but tiie party never returned, 
 and but few Indians were afterward seen in Amherst 
 townsiiip. These Indians were of the Seneca tribe, 
 and belong'ed to the Sandusky branch. Some time 
 before the occurrence related, Mr. Barnes and another 
 young man drove out a small luirty of Indians, fol- 
 lowing them several miles rifle in band. 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 The first settler in the territory now included in 
 the bounds of Aniiierst township, was Jacoii Sliupe. 
 He came into Black River in the year 1810, and a year 
 later moved to a iwint on Beaver creek, about a mile 
 and a half mnth of the ])resent village of North 
 Amherst. He was of Dutch or German descent; was 
 born in Pennsylvania in the year 1778, and conse- 
 (piently was thirty-three years of age when, in 1811, 
 he made the first clearing in the township. lie built, 
 in 1813, the first mill in the county i>t Lorain. Pre- 
 vious to this time the settlers in Black River had been 
 compelled to carry their grist, either to Chagrin P'alls, 
 forty-eight miles distant, or to Huron River, thirty 
 miles west, in either case making a journey of three 
 days" duration In 1815 Mr. Shupe started the first 
 distillery, and was quickly followed by some of the 
 other settlers who came into the neighborhood. Mr. 
 Shupe Avas the father of eleven children, who were 
 born in the order in which their names are here given: 
 George and John, who died very young; Louis, also 
 dead; Peggy, wife of Stephen Gunn, of Michigan; 
 Polly, Betsy, William and Catharine, all dead; Ann, 
 now a resident of Grand Haven, Michigan; Harriet 
 who is still living in Missouri, and Isaac, fifty-four 
 years of age, at the ])resent writing a resident of 
 Amherst village, in which (lot twenty-five) he owns a 
 farm of forty-five acres. Jacob Shupe, the pioneer, 
 was a somewhat peculiar man, very active in his 
 
 habits, energetic and untiring. His life was cut short 
 by accident. When he was fifty-four years of age, he 
 was killed, while engaged in repairing his mill, by the 
 fall of a heavy stick of timber. This was in 1833. 
 His wife survived him until 1870, dying in her ninety- 
 first year. 
 
 Reuben Webb and family came in the year 181-1 or 
 181.5, and settled in the locality now known as Webb's 
 corners, but for some time lived near Jacob Shupe's 
 for the sake of society. Adoniram Wcbl) was a son 
 of Reuben, and he in turn had a son named Reuben, 
 and a daughter who married George Bryant, a native 
 of England, who came to this country in 1830. and, 
 settling in Amherst, took a farm upon the south ridge, 
 or what is now known as the telegraph road. Reuben 
 Weill) died in \S,--liK and Adoniram not many years 
 later. 
 
 Chiliab Smith, of Tyringham, Berkshire county, 
 Massachusetts, arrived in Amherst in October, 1815, 
 bringing his wife and five chddren. He had three 
 sons and two daughters, Warren, David, Sylvester, 
 Lucia and Florinda. They are all dead but Sylvester, 
 who lives at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and the only de- 
 scendants of the old pioneer living within the county, 
 are three children of David Smith, Mrs. Wm. Annis, 
 of South Amherst, and L. P.. Smith and Miss. L. E. 
 Smith, of Elyria. Chiliab Smith, on coming into the 
 township, settled on the south ridge road, about four 
 miles west of Elyria, and there kept the first tavern 
 in the vicinity. He died in 1847, and his wife in 
 18-i4. 
 
 Roswell Crocker came from Oneida county. New 
 York, and settled on lot number forty-four. He had 
 three sons and five daughtei's, all of whom, with the 
 exception of Eliza Ann, afterwards the wife of 0. 
 Barney, were born in the township. She was born 
 while the family were on the road, in New York State, 
 only one day's journey from their starting place. 
 Mr. Crocker lived in the township for twenty-seven 
 years, and then went to Lake county, where he died 
 in 1808, aged seventy-one. His sons, Alonzo and 
 L )renzo, are now residents of the township. 
 
 Caleb Ormsby came from Becket. Berkshire county, 
 Massachusetts, in 1817, or the following year. He 
 built a log house at the corners, now North Amherst, 
 upon the exact spot where now stands the residence 
 of J. M. "Worthington. 
 
 Jesse Smith settled on the north ridge in 1815, and 
 cleared the first farm in that part of the townshiji, 
 the one now owned by Henry Todd. 
 
 Stephen Cable came also in 1815. He had been 
 living before that in Ridgeville. He took up the land 
 lying about the corners, at one time known as IIul- 
 bert's corners, si.x miles west of Elyria. He kept a 
 log tavern which afforded a temporary home to many 
 of the settlers who came into the county later. 
 
 Ezekiel Crandall and family settled near Cable's. 
 
 The Oustines, — father Federick, and seven sons, 
 Daniel, Frederick, George, Heuiy, John, Michael and 
 Philip, — arrived at about the same time as the above 
 
PHOTOS Bi' /*. « FiArr OBEftttK o 
 
 J.J i^lCE. 
 
 fwiRS J J RlC£. 
 
 (Residence of j.j. RiCE.a foundi^y of J.j.RICE a.Co..AMH£F^ST Tp. lof^ain Co, 
 
 I 
 
Photos By ftATT. oewiiN.c 
 
 L.R.Cook 
 
 f DeCEj»S£0-) 
 
 Mrs Emeu NE Cook 
 
 
 Ute Residence or L.R. COOK 'fr*° 
 
 (RESIDENCE or EMELINE COOK, .v 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 iianied settlers. Tliey came into Ainlierst township 
 from 15iifTalo. but were origiiiallj' from Canada. Tliey 
 left that country to avoid impres.sment into the army, 
 and abandoned a property of considerable value. 
 Several of the sons went into the Ignited States' army, 
 and in consideration of their services the family was 
 granted by Congress a tract of laud lying in the 
 utn-tlnvest ]iart of the township, and consisting of 
 nine hundred acres. This action on the jiart of the 
 government was suggested by Mr. Wiiittlesey, then a 
 congressman. 
 
 The Oustine family Inirying ground is upon a sandy 
 knoll at the end of a rocky ridge. Here are buried a 
 numlter of the family in surroundings fit to guard the 
 long last sleep of the pioneer. The place is lonely 
 and romantic. All about seems serene and stately. 
 and no sound is heard but the laughing of the wind 
 in the ancient trees that overshadow the little group 
 of graves. 
 
 Ezekiel Barnes, of Worcester county, Massachu- 
 setts, came to Amherst township in 1817, with his 
 wife, a son-in-law, and eight children. lie settled on 
 lot forty-three, and afterwards bought a portion of lot 
 \ forty-four. He was born in .January, 1770, and died 
 in his ninety-first year, ISIiO. His (children were 
 Ezekiel (}., Sardins D., Palina, Fanny, Amanda, 
 Lovina D., Juliette and Charlotte. Palina married 
 Koswell fh-ocker, and is still living. Fanny married 
 David Smith, son of Chiliab Smith. She i.s the 
 niother of three children, L. B., Livonia, and Lovira 
 E., the latter now in Elyria. Livonia married Wil- 
 liam Annis, a son of,Stephen Annis, and is the mother 
 of six children; Adelbert, living on the farm adjoin- 
 ing his fathers', and five daughters, two of whom are 
 married. Amanda Barnes married Warren Smith, 
 who afterward joined the Mormons and was killed in 
 the raid on Nauvoo. She is now living in Salt Lake 
 City. 
 
 Ezekiel G. Barnes, born in 1799, is still living. He 
 has resided on lot fifty-seven, on the middle ridge, for 
 forty years. Mr. Barnes has four children living in 
 Amherst: Gilbert H., Louisa, (Mrs. J. Gawne), Gard- 
 ner Monroe, Henry, and S. N., the latter on a fine 
 farm in lot forty-five, middle ridge road. Mr. Barnes 
 was, in his younger years, a great hunter, and was 
 known through a wide stretch of country as "Nim- 
 rod," more people probably recognizing him by that 
 title than by his name. The first season that he be- 
 gan hunting he killed, beside small game, eight or 
 nine deer. The next season he had so improved in 
 woodcraft and marksmanship that eighty-three were 
 brought to earth by his rifle, and the third season he 
 killed, incredible as it may seem, one hundred and 
 twenty-five of these animals. 
 
 The most notable man who arrived in 1818, was 
 Josiah Harris. He was a remarkable and truly great 
 man — great not alone in ability, tact and enterprise, 
 but in justice, purity and honesty. Much of that 
 which is admirable in the institutions and the people 
 of Amherst, is so from the result of his labor and 
 
 example. His history is written upon the township, 
 and his strong personality seems still to pervade the 
 scenes among which was passed his busy, manly life. 
 He was, during a long life, the object of universal 
 respect, and his memory is revered by all who know 
 him. No man in the township cxertc^d a wider or 
 more ]>otent influence for good; no man was more 
 active in promoting the best interests, niaterial and 
 moral, of the community. No man was longer or 
 more closely identified with its growth and improve- 
 ment, and no man, living or dead, has a larger share 
 of the po])ular appreciation and admiration, than 
 .Judge Josiah Harris. He was born in Becket, Berk- 
 shire county, Massachusetts, November .30, 1783, and 
 died March 2(i, 18G7, aged eighty four years. He 
 made journeys to Ohio in 1814 and 181.5, purchased 
 laud, and in 1818 came to Amherst, arriving July 2, 
 and immediately began the work of building a log 
 hut upon Beaver creek. Mr. Harris was elected jus- 
 tice of the peace in 1821, and served for thirty-six 
 years. He was the first sheriff of Lorain county, 
 served seven years as associate justice, being appointed 
 in ]8'29; was a member of the general assembly of 
 Ohio in 18-.'7, representing Cuyahoga county; repre- 
 sented Lorain and Medina counties in the House, and 
 afterwards was elected to the State Senate from the 
 same district. .Judge Harris was probably the oldest 
 postmaster in the United States. He was appointed 
 by Postmaster-general Meigs, back in the twenties, 
 and held the office continuously to the time of his 
 death, (over forty years) except when in the legisla- 
 ture. .Judge Harris assisted in various ways the de- 
 velopment of the country. He was agent for a num- 
 ber of eastern land owners, and in this capacity he 
 was enabled to do many a kind turn for the new com- 
 ers. He gave them the best terms that he could, 
 aided them in selecting good locations, and was liked 
 by all, because every purchaser knew that he was in 
 no danger of any oppression in default of payment 
 on account of sickness or misfortune, as Ions- as 
 .Judge Harris stood between him and the owners. 
 'As a magistrate he urged the settlement of suits, and 
 through his counsel parties litigant often left the 
 court with all ill feeling removed, and their cause 
 amicably adjusted. The children of the Judge were 
 four in number. Josiah A., the eldest, w'ho was for 
 many years the editor of the Cleveland Herald, is 
 now dead; Loring P. is in Texas; Milo is a leading 
 and influential citizen of North Amherst, and Em- 
 eline 0. is living in Philadelphia. A notable fact in 
 regard to the Harris family, is that three of its mem- 
 bers have held the oflice of sheriff of Lorain county. 
 Judge Josiah Harris was the first sheriff; his son, 
 Josiah A., held the office at a later period, and Milo 
 Harris was sheriff in 1861. 
 
 Eliphalet Redington, or Captain Redington as he was 
 generally called, came to the township in February, 
 1818, became widely known, took a prominent part 
 in many public affairs ; led an active life and exerted 
 a strong influence in the community. He was a 
 
328 
 
 HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 native of Berksliire county, Mitssachusctts, but came 
 to'Amhei-st from Trumbull county, where he had re- 
 sided for a short time. He was one of the committee 
 appointed l)y the legislature to locate the road leading 
 from the Miami of the lake road to Elyria. Eliphalet 
 Redington settled on the South Ridge road. He had 
 four children, Myra, now dead, who married Thomp- 
 son Miles ; Ransom, also dead, who married Pamela 
 Manter ; Tcrsa, who married Addison Tracey, and A. 
 TI., whose wife is Jane Bryant. Mr. A. 11. Redington's 
 home has l>een most of the time in South Amherst, 
 though since 1875 he has been a citizen of Klyria. 
 
 Elijah Sanderson came at the same time as (Japtain 
 Redington, worked for him and soon after settled 
 near by. 
 
 Reuben Allen settled about this time at what is now 
 Kirkbride's corners, and Jeremiah Ferris west of him 
 upon the main road. 
 
 Stephen Johnson and his sister Abbie, also came 
 into the township and settled in this locality, not far 
 from the time of the above named pioneers. Among 
 others who came in the same or following year, may 
 be named Israel Cash, Thompson Blair and Jesse 
 Smith, Elisha Foster and his sons Elisha and Leon- 
 ard, and Daniel Cornwell, 
 
 Elisha Foster was born in ]?i'atllet>oro, ^"ermont, 
 ' in I7ti.j, and originally, upon coming to Ohio settled 
 in Avon, then in Cuyahoga county, in the year 1810. 
 He bought land in the locality now known as Foster's 
 corners. Elisha, Jr., took up one hundred and 
 twenty acres near his fathei-, and Leonard took the 
 farm now owned l)y Eiihraim Towne. Daniel Corn- 
 well bought a farm now owned by James Nichol. He 
 was untloubtedly the first shoemaker in the township. 
 Jesse Smith ■ remained but a short time, and then 
 moved into liussia townshij), where his son Loren now 
 resides. 
 
 Jonas Stratton came in 1S1'.». He was born in New 
 Hampshire in 1791. He settled near Webb's corners. 
 His children were H. D wight, Lemuel B., Amanda 
 and Lucy. Dwight married Pamela C. Bryant, and 
 Lucy became the wife of 11. B. Bryant, and thus was 
 foi'med the association of families which was really 
 the beginning of a partnership which became celebrat- 
 ed through the length and breadth of the United 
 Sates. Bryant & Stratton's commercial colleges and 
 their system of book keeping are known every where. 
 
 Nathaniel Bryant, senior, was born in Eastingtou, 
 Gloucestershire, England, in the year 171:9. He 
 came to America in 18"29, and settled in South Am- 
 herst with his son, John Bryant, in 1830. He died in 
 South Amherst in 18:).5. His children were John, 
 born in Sussex, England, in 1789. Mary (Mrs. Gil- 
 man), born in Coventry, Warwickshire, England, in 
 1795. Robert (Rev. IK. Bryant), born in Coventry, 
 England, in 1797. Nathaniel, Jr., born in Coventry, 
 England, in 1799. John Bryant was married to 
 Pamela Collins in King Stanley, Gloucestershire, 
 England, in 1813. Pamela Collins, wife of John 
 Bryant, was born in King Stanley, England, in 1787, 
 
 and was the daughter of John Collins. She died in 
 Amherst, August 24, 18G4. John Bryant's children 
 were: George, born in King Stanley, England, No- 
 vember 1, 1814; Jane, born June 1, 1816; Ann, 
 born in 1819; John C, born in December, 1821; 
 Henry B., born in April, 1824; Pamela C, born in 
 1820. This family came from England to America, 
 in the fall of 1829, and remained in Philadeliihia 
 during the winter. Moved to Norwalk, Ohio, m the 
 spring of 1830, and thence to Amherst in the fall of 
 the same year. 
 
 Elias Peabody settled in the extreme southwestern 
 corner of the township in the year 1819. He was 
 born ill 1791, in Middleton, Massachusetts, and is still 
 living, being in his eighty-seventh year at this writ- 
 ing. His residence is now in Russia township. 
 
 Ebenezer, Joseph L. and Daniel G. Whiton all came 
 to the township before 1820. Ebenezer and Daniel 
 settled in 1817, and Joseph L., though buying in 1818, 
 did not come to reside continuously until 1832. The 
 farm which he i)urchased was in lot forty-seven, which 
 is to-day the only undivided lot in the township, and 
 the property of his sou, Joseph L. A daughter, Mrs. 
 M. W. Axtell,. is also a resident of Amlnn'st. Joseph 
 Lucas Whiton was born in Lee, Massachusetts, in the 
 year 1799. His wife was Lovina Wright, of Spring- 
 field, Massachusetts. Mr. Whiton was one of the 
 prominent men of the township and county. He 
 served seven years as an associate judge; was a justice 
 of the peace for twelve years, and was a memljcr of 
 the legislature in 1851 and 1852. 
 
 Ebenezer Whiton came to Amherst in 1817, the 
 month of June, and removed to Elyria in 1824, in 
 which year he was aj)pointed clerk of the court. He 
 served in this otlice and that of recorder until his 
 death in 1834. Mr. Whiton and wife, Samantha, 
 were both from Lee, Berkshire county, Massachus- 
 setts. Mrs. Whiton died December 13, 1878, aged 
 eighty-four years. She died in St. Charles, Minne- 
 sota, of which place she had been a resident since 
 1855. 
 
 Harvey Redington purchased lot thirty-two, of 
 Cable, in 1819, and sometime during the following 
 year settled upon it. One of his children had a very 
 narrow escape from death when the family was cross- 
 ing Rocky river, on the way to Amherst. One of the 
 wagon wheels went off the bridge, and the sudden 
 jolting movement threw the baby from the wagon. 
 The shawl in which it was wrapped fortunately 
 caught upon some blackberry bushes, and the little 
 one was thus saved from being dashed to pieces in 
 the bed of the stream below. Redington was a jus- 
 tice of tlie peace from 1822 to 1845, and the docket 
 kept during the early years of his service sliows that 
 people were not more slow then than they are now in 
 going to law. Sums of less than one dollar we 
 frequently sued for. There are some entries, how- 
 ever, of a nature not usually met with iijion justices' 
 records in late years. For_ instance, the ancient 
 docket shows that complaint was made by William D. 
 
""■-^:^ ^^)|m,| i|I|^^^<5NSSSS!^ 
 
 SA.MUEL KENDEKIH 
 
 MRS. JANE C. KENDEIGII. 
 
 rhotus. by Lee, Elyrin, i\ 
 
 SAMUEL KENDEIGH 
 
 was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., July 17, 1823, 
 and is the second son of John and Nancy Kendeigh, 
 both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, as also 
 was the grandfather of Samuel, Henry Kendeigh, 
 who was born in Lancaster County, in that State, 
 in January, 1796, and died Aug. 13, 1836. The 
 name as formerly used in Pennsylvania was Kentisch 
 or Kintigii, and is of German origin. 
 
 In the year 1824, Henry Kendeigh, the father of 
 him of whom we write, emigrated to Ohio, and settled 
 in the town of North Amherst, Lorain Co., in the 
 spring of that year. The farm upon which he 
 located was situated about four miles southwest of 
 Black River. He remained there about three years, 
 and then moved on to the place now occupied by 
 the widow of his eldest son, John J. Kendeigh, 
 where he continued to reside until his death, in 1835 
 or 1836. 
 
 Samuel Kendeigh spent the early years of his life 
 as a mechanic, aiding in tlie construction of build- 
 ings in the vicinity of his former home. On the 
 27th of January, 1854, he was married to Jane C, 
 daughter of Joiin R. and Esther Striclvler, of Fayette 
 Co., Pa. Six children have been born to them, 
 namely, — Charles D., Milo, Esther Ann, Jennie, 
 Lula, and Lottie (the last two being twins), all living. 
 Shortly after marriage he purcliased a farm contain- 
 
 ing one hundred and fifty acres in Henrietta town- 
 ship. Upon this he remained about seven years, 
 clearing the land and making improvements. He 
 subsequently exchanged the farm for mill property 
 in North Amherst, which he owned and managed 
 for about eighteen months with reasonable success, 
 and tlien traded it off for the well-known Younglove 
 farm in Elyria township. At the expiration of a 
 year and a half he sold out and moved to North 
 Amherst; and from tiience on to the Peter Rice 
 farm ; and from there to his present farm, which 
 is pleasantly located about seven miles west of 
 Elyria. His place is a very comfortable one, and 
 has commodious and well-arranged outbuildings, as 
 shown in the illustration of it on another page of this 
 volume. Mr. Kendeigh also owns a farm of ninety- 
 seven acres (adjoining the famous quarries of Halde- 
 man & Son), which, owing to the superior quality of 
 grindstone and building rock, is very valuable. He 
 also possesses a farm of one hundred and thirteen 
 acres in Russia township. Mr. Kendeigh is a self- 
 made man, and the very fact of his accumulating so 
 extensive a property as he at present owns, speaks 
 well for his enterprise and business sagacity. The 
 aggregate of his landed possessions foots up three 
 hundred and thirty acres, including some valuable 
 village building lots. 
 
j^^r 
 
 yfm'T'W '^''^'^^s~^5:^r^ 
 
 o 
 
 c 
 
 ^.^^ 
 
 -^-— li- 
 
 'vjyT^e, j.j.'j'i-- 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 329 
 
 Edsoii against Asaliel Craiidall iind Mr. Lambert for 
 ])rofauG swearing. Anotlier entry shows a fine of 
 two dollars imposed for Sabbath-breaking. The 
 family of the Iledingtons consisted of ten cliildren, 
 as follows : Nancy (Mrs. Jolin Frost), Ransom N. 
 (on the old lionu'stcad), Lorinda {Urn. Wm. Ilurl- 
 liiii't). Fjoiiisa (Mrs. JJiMiudage), Ilarmonie (Mrs. 
 Noaii KUlred), Henry II. (in Cambridge, Iowa), 
 Myra (who was fatally injured by a fall), Terris.?a 
 (Mrs. Joshua Simmons, of Iowa), Mary Ann (Mrs. 
 Westley Morris, of Illinois), and Alfred J. (of Cam- 
 den township). 
 
 Jesse Cutler came into the township about 1830 
 and settled on lot forty-two, but remained only a 
 shoi't time. Eli Wallace and G. Gillett arrived aliout 
 tlie same time. 
 
 Joseph Quigley came in 1S23, purciiased lanil in 
 lot four, taking a deed of the pioneer Shupe, and 
 immediately erected a log house, where the present 
 stone residence of his son George W. now stands. 
 He was from Washington county, Pennsylvania, orig- 
 inally, but had been for eleven years a resident in 
 Black River. He was born in 1777. His son George 
 W., and wife Anna W., witli three children, are resi- 
 dent at this writing upon the old place. 
 
 Abram Rice, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, 
 came into the settlement in the fall of 183:i, and took 
 up one hundred acres of land now owned by Benja- 
 min llildebrandt and Conrad llageman, but a year 
 or two later removed to a farm a half mile north of 
 Weblvs Corners. He had seven sons and seven 
 daughters — Daniel, Samuel (dead), Mary (Mrs. 0. P. 
 Kdner), Ann E. (Mrs. Hiram Wilbur), 'John S., 
 Melissa (dead), Adaline (Mi's. VVm. Pearl), Margaret 
 (Mrs. I. G. Hazel;., Nancy (Mrs. G. R. Barney), 
 Susan B. (Mrs. J. K. Hazel), Abram G. (dead), 
 Westley C, Ciiarles C, and George W. 
 
 Induced by his brother-in-law, Abram Rice, John 
 Kendeigh, Sf. , and wife Mary, came from Lancaster 
 county, Pennsyhania, in 1822. He made the jour- 
 ney of three huiidi-ed miles in fourteen days, driving 
 a Hock of sheep. He [)urchased north of the corners 
 aiu] east of Shape's mill, but afterward went to the 
 southern part of the township, where he purchased 
 land in lots ninety-one and ninety-two, upon wliieh 
 he resided to the time of his death. 
 
 Henry Kendeigh, Jr., arrived in 1823, and after a 
 short residence in the northern part of the township, 
 purchased one hundred and three acres of land at 
 Kendeigh's corners, for which he paid three dollars 
 ]ier acre. His son .lohn was three years of age when 
 he came into Amherst. The father died in 183G, 
 leaving his widow, Nancy, seven children to provide 
 for. She brought up the family, and died, at a rii>e 
 old age, in 1871. Samuel Kendeigh, liis wife Jane 
 C, and six children, now live on lot sixteen. His 
 father settled on lot ninety-five. 
 
 George Disbrow and his wife Caroline, came from 
 Greene county, New York, in October, 1834, and took 
 up their residence upon lot ten (South Amherst). 
 
 42 
 
 Mr. Disbrow brought with him two ox teams, and 
 though well prejiared to begin life as a pioneer farmer, 
 he chose to follow his trade, which was that of a 
 blacksmith. He was one of the first trustees of Rus- 
 sia townsliii). George Disbrow and wife were both 
 living in 1878, aged respectively seventy-eight and 
 seventy-three years. 
 
 Nicholas Stanton and wife, Jemima Traverse, born 
 in Becket, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, were 
 among the arrivals of 1824. They settled upon the 
 west side of Beaver creek, but afterward sold out to 
 one of the Oustiues, and bought east of the present 
 village of North Amherst. 
 
 Freeman Richmond settled in Black River in 1824, 
 or the succeeding year, but the date of his settlement 
 ill Amherst was considerably later. George Dudley 
 and Roswell Cune were in the township by this time, 
 or soon after. 
 
 Royal Barney, wife and family, of Ellisburgh, Jef- 
 ferson county, New York, settled on lot forty-five in 
 1825, it having been purchased the year jirevious. 
 Upon their arrival, they were welcomed by Judge 
 Harris, and the tanzy bitters bottle was l)rought forth 
 to cement the newly formed friendshij). The Barney 
 family lived in the log school house, near the corners, 
 until they could build a house upon their own land. 
 The sons were Orimel, Edson and Royal. Orimel is 
 still a resident, and a respected one, of North Am- 
 herst, where he has been engaged in various callings 
 and enterprises. He was station agent upon the Lake 
 Shore and Michigan Southern railroad for twenty-one 
 years. In 1834, he married Eliza A. Crocker. 
 
 Salmon Johnson came into the settlement in 1827, 
 first taking up his residence upon lot seventeen. His 
 son, Alvah T., one of the jn'ominent men of the 
 township, now lives upon lot sixteen. Addison Tra- 
 cey settled upon the South ridge in 1820 or 1827. 
 
 Captain Stanton Sholes, born in Groton, New Lon- 
 don county, Connecticut, in 1770, also settled in the 
 town in 1827. He had been a captain upon the sea 
 and in the war of 1812; had kept hotel in Pittsburgh, 
 Akron, Medina, Elyria and Black River; and was 
 quite a num of afFairs, active and somewhat eccentric. 
 He purchased fifty acres of land in lot twenty-three, 
 and liecoming a citizen, took a prominent part in the 
 puljlic and social life of Amherst until 1833, when he 
 removed to Rock Island, Illinois. He died in Colum- 
 bus, Ohio, in 1805. 
 
 Ephraim Towne, a native of Massachusetts, but for 
 twelve years a resident of Willoughby, Lake county, 
 Ohio, with his wife, Almira Mitchell, settled on lot 
 forty-three, taking seventy-five acres, in 1838. The 
 Townes, with several of their children, are still resi- 
 dents of Amherst at this writing. 
 
 During the same year, James Jackson and wife 
 came from Vermont. Three of their children, James, 
 Michael and Louise, reside in the township, and 
 Michael is proprietor of the Henrie House at North 
 Amherst. 
 
 J. J. Rice and wife, Emily .J., live upon a farm of 
 
330 
 
 HISTOEY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 about one hundred and forty acres, in lots ninety-four 
 and ninety-five. Mr. Rice is a descendant of tlie old 
 stock, his parents coming into tlie town in \S2'J. 
 John B. and Peter Rice were also early setllers. A 
 Mr. Norton came either in 1828 or the following 
 year. 
 
 In 1830, the setUoment liegan to increase quite fast, 
 and so many families came in that it is impossiijle for 
 the historian to present a record of tlicm all. Among 
 tliose who arrived about this time may bo nu'ntioiicd 
 Orjum Winton, Eli L. Seeley, Willis Potter, John 
 and Ilorace Steele, Homer Tyrell, Wesley Perkins, 
 Benjamin Bivcns and Irad Aiken. Tyrell was a na- 
 tive of Massachusetts. He settled on lot fifty-six, 
 but afterwards removed to the village of North Am- 
 herst, where he remained until IS?'), when ho went 
 to Cleveland. Eli L. Soeley came from t!onnectieut. 
 Benjamin Bivens was quite a prominent man in the 
 community. He served for quite a time as justice of 
 the peace and in other official capacities. A son, 
 Lyman, still lives in the township. Wesley Perkins 
 was born in ISO."), in Orwell, Vermont, and, upon 
 coming to Amherst, opened a shop, in which foi' manv 
 years he pursued his fi-ade of wagon nrikiiig — also 
 sjiending much time nursing the sick. 
 
 Willis Potter was a native of Pi-ovidence, Rhode 
 Island. He took up a farm adjoining that of E. Towno, 
 in lot forty-two. His fainily consisted of himself, wife 
 and fhirtecn childi-en. Three of the five who arc still 
 living reside in Amherst: W. P., Sylvestei'. aud Kli/.a- 
 beth Moore. Among those who cam(» soon after 
 1S:J0, were (he Beklens, M. B. ;iud Iliram. They 
 were born in Berkshii'c county, Massachusetts, and 
 came west at the solicitation of their uncle. Captain 
 Stanton Sholes. Hiram cauie to North Amherst, 
 then known as the Corners, in l!s3'.t, hut refuiMied 
 home, and did not come with intention of permanent 
 residents until 1833. Ho purchaseil lot foi1v in 
 Brownhelm, but Captain Sholes made him a ]iresent 
 of fifteen acres of land in lot ninety-seven (Amherst), 
 on condition that he woulil Imild and live thereon. 
 Later he moved into the village of North Amherst. 
 His children living are Lucy, Mattie J., Ellen C, 
 Hattie S., Hiram and Hnlsoy. M. B. Belden came 
 in 1834, and took land mi lots ninety-seven and 
 ninety-eight. He has four cliildren living: Eli/a A. 
 (Robertson), Prudence A., Rollin B. and Clarissa. 
 
 John B. Robertson was a prominent arrival in 183-1. 
 He was born at Ballston, Saratoga county, New York, 
 in 17!i7, and came to Ohio in 1820. On coming to 
 Amherst he settled on lot sevenry-sevcii, on the mid- 
 dle ridge, where he resided most of the time until his 
 death, which occurred in 1875. He was a. ]iolitieian 
 of (H)nsiderable influence; democratic in ])rinciple. 
 He was a member of the first legislature of Nebraska, 
 in 18.5(i, and in the following year was appointed by 
 President Bucliamin as agent ammig tlie Oimiha In- 
 dians. In 185!) he returned to Amherst. His family 
 consisted of his wife. Temperance Foot, of Berkshire 
 county, Massachusetts, and five children: Sarah M., 
 
 Theodora IL, (died in 1874, near Omaha), John B. 
 Jr., who was a farmer until 18G5, and for the past 
 six years has been marshal of North Amherst village, 
 Frank Nelson, and M. L.. now the wife of Parks 
 Foster, of Elyria. 
 
 Eli A. Turney came in 1833, from Geauga, county, 
 Ohio. 
 
 Among those who came at a still later day thnn 
 those settlers wiio are named in the foregoing, we men- 
 tion Elam Fairchild, of C!onnecticut, who settled in 
 South Amherst in 1841; E. P. Fi-ink, whose mother 
 came with six children, in 1832, from New York 
 State. They owned laml, first in the Shupe farm, 
 then in the Onstine tract, and E. P. and his wife, 
 .\urelia, now live on lot si\t v-three. 
 
 Codfrey and Sarah Fowle were early settlers u])ou 
 the south ridge, oi- telegraph road, on lot eighty-seven. 
 They had nine chililrcu: Henry, Eli/.aboth, Catha- 
 I'iuc, Sarah, ALirgaret, Codfrey, Jacob, Mary K., 
 Philip J., and (roorge. J.icob now lives on lot sev- 
 enty-tiiree, and Philip J. on lot eighty-eight. 
 
 Henry Remington ciimo in, in 1840, having lived 
 the previous eighteen yeai-s in Pittsficld, and Russia, 
 and in the State of Indiana. 
 
 Lyman Cole took nj) his residence on lot ninety-one 
 in 1854, and Henry Robinson several years later, on 
 lot ninety-two. Both were from New York. 
 
 Joseph Trost, a native of France, came in 1853, 
 and has been, since 18G5, foreman of the Wilson & 
 Hughes stone quarry. We mention him as a re]ire- 
 sentative foreigner, aud one of the very few of his 
 nationality resident in the townshij). 
 
 Joseph Duress is a leading citizen, of Irish nation- 
 ality, aud a section master upon the Lake Shore and 
 Michigan Southern railroad. 
 
 OROANIZATION 01' TltR TOWXSIiri'. 
 
 An ap]ilication was made to the legislaturf^ for the 
 seiiarate organization of Black river, in 1829, and on 
 the 12th of .January, 1830, an act was passed incor- 
 porating the townshi]). aud the act further ])rovided 
 that township number six in range eighteen, should 
 be detached, and remain separate from fractional 
 township numl'er seven, aud be known as Amherst. 
 
 The name was bestowed by Jonas Stratton, in honor 
 of the town of Amherst, in liis native State, New 
 Hampshire. 
 
 In April, 1830, the first election was held at Daniel 
 Whiton's house, on the middle ridge. Following are 
 the officers who were at, that time elected: clerk. 
 .Tosiali Harris; treasurer, Stanton Sholes; trustees, 
 Salmon Johnson, Royal Barney, David Smith; consta- 
 Ijles, Alvali T. .Johnson, Shedrich Moore; overseers of 
 the poor, Royal Barney, Stanton Sholes. 
 
 The officers of 1878 are the following: clerk, John 
 Utile; treasurer, William Brown; assessor, Anton 
 Stiwald; trustees, Joseph Whiton, Henry Clans, Jo- 
 seph Robbins; justices of the peace, Jacob Hildebrand, 
 E. II. Ilinmai), William H. Plain; constables, John 
 B. Robertson, Orriii Storv. 
 
( PHOTOS BY LEE. EUTRIA.C. ) 
 
 Caspep^ Dute 
 
 /^RS. Casper Dute, 
 
 y&i : ^;^g^:^;^■g■"■ ^ ^■W^^^^^^;afe:^;»^-?!^^^^ 
 
 OLD f{OME, 
 
 F^ESiDENCE or CASPER DUTE, North Amhefist, Lqf?ain Co. Ohio. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 331 
 
 FIRST EVENTS. 
 
 Tlio lir.st iiianiugo, according to tlio testimony of 
 several old settlers, was that of Aretus Oillniore and 
 Ora Weljl), an adojited dangliter of Adonii'am Webb. 
 This conple wei'o nnited by Jolm S. Reid. The date 
 we have been unable to ascertain. The service that 
 united Abel Garlicli, a stone eutter of Cleveland, and 
 Betsy Ferris, is said by some to have been the first 
 ever celebrated, but the greatest weight of authority 
 attests the priority of the marriage of the first-men- 
 tioned couple. The latter-mentioned marriage took 
 ])lace, according to the best recollection of Exekiel G. 
 Harnes, in IS:M or 18;il. 
 
 The elements of the pathetic and the grotesqr.e 
 were strangely mingled upon the occasion of the first 
 burial in the township. A very young child of the 
 Webbs sickened and died soon after tiiey settled in 
 tlie place. They were living at the time near Jacob 
 8hu|)e's, in the northern jiart of the township, but 
 owned land in the southern part, upon which they 
 intended to take up their permanent residence, and 
 naturally desired that the child should be buried 
 tlici'e. The distance to the Webb clearing was four 
 miles. Old man Shupe took the child in its tinyeof- 
 liu, in front of him, upon his horse, and followed the 
 trail through the woods to the jihieeof burial, whist- 
 ling ;dl the way, and, it is alleged, to the tune of Vaii- 
 L'cfl Dijodlv. The body of tlie child was consigned to 
 mother earth, and this was the beginning of the lit- 
 tle burying ground lying upon a gentle slope, at the 
 right-hand side of the South Ridge road, as one goes 
 I toward Heiirietta hill. Others of the family have 
 long been sleeping by the side of the little one whose 
 rude burial occurred more than half a century ago. 
 
 The first child born in the township was Betsey, 
 daughter of Jacob Shupe. She was born in 1811, 
 was twice married, the first time to John T. Clay, 
 and then to one Musselman; she died in 1878, in 
 Michigan. 
 
 Alon^o and Lorenzo, sons of Roswell Crocker, were 
 the tirst twins born in the township. They are both 
 living — the oldest men born in Amherst. They wore 
 liorn ill Ajiril, 1819. Captain John S. Reid, of Black 
 liiver, promised to name a vessel of his, about to be 
 launched, after the twins, on condition that tlieir 
 mother would take them on board and remain there 
 with them until the vessel was in the water. Mrs. 
 ( 'rocker took the babes to Black River and accepted 
 Captain Reid's offer, but became afraid at the last 
 moment and refused to comply with the condition the 
 caiitain had imposed. 
 
 The first male child born in the township waf 'n 
 all probaliility a son of Stephen Cable, but this car A 
 be alisolutely afflnned. The first acre of tindjer cut 
 in the township fell under the blows of Roswell 
 Crocker's axe. He was engaged to cut it by Judge 
 Harris, and the amount of pay agreed upon was four 
 dollars. The work was performed so satisfactorily, 
 and so (piickly, that the Judge made Mr. Crocker a 
 
 present of half a dollar in addition to the amount 
 
 earned. The North Amherst post office stands about 
 iqion the center of the acre thus cleared. 
 
 The first saw mill, the first grist mill, and tlie first 
 distillery were luiilt iiy .lacob Shupe. It is ]>robable, 
 too, that l_)y his hand was sowed the first wheat that 
 turned to gold under the summer's sun in Amherst. 
 The firil log house was built liy .Jacoli Sliiqie, and he 
 undoubtedly built the tirst frame house. The first 
 brick house was erected by one of the Oustines, and 
 is still standing in North Amherst village, just west 
 of Beaver creek, dwelt in by Ilalsey Belden. Chiliab 
 Smith is thought to have built the second frame 
 house; and (laptaiii Redington is generally accredited 
 with the erection of the tirst frame building at South 
 Amherst. 'J'he first school house was a small log 
 structure upon the North ridge. Caleb Ormsby 
 planted the first orchard, where the house of James 
 M. Worthington now stands. 
 
 G.\ME. 
 
 (rame was not so alnindant in Amherst, as in s(.)me 
 of her sister townships. Deer were very plenty, and 
 a few of the early settlers killed largo nundjers of 
 them. All kinds of small game were found, but 
 bears were not by any means common. Several were 
 killed in the early tlays, and one was slaughtered as 
 late as 1830. by Theron Wliite. It pursued .James 
 Jackson, about half a mile, at a somewhat leisurely 
 run, but sutficiently fast to nudic him exert all of his 
 powers of pedestrianism. 
 
 Among the wild beasts to he found in the woods, 
 the "shack" hogs were more feared than any other, 
 animals, except Bruin. They were very ugly cus- 
 tomers to meet in droves, and if the hunter did not 
 take gooil care of himself, he was liable to receive 
 terrible wounds from their long, sharp tusks. A 
 small herd of them once drove Michael Jackson and 
 two other boys, Isaac and Joseph \V'hel[)ley, to take 
 refuge in a tree, and kejit them there half of 'the 
 night. 
 
 Deer, as has been before said, were killed in great 
 niimiiers during the first ten or fifteen years after the 
 township was settled. It has already been I'elated 
 that E/ekiel G. Barnes shot many of them. Other 
 hunters did nearly as well. After 1825, or 1830, but 
 few were seen, though there are several instances of 
 their lieing found still later. Dr. Samuel Strong dis- 
 jiatched one which, after running along the road for 
 some time in front of his house, finally got its leg 
 fastened in a. log bridge. Royal Barney had a terri- 
 ble encouutiu- with a s])ike buck, upon the middle 
 ridge, and came very near being worsted in the en- 
 counter, the animal turning at bay. He succeeded 
 in getting hold of the hind feet of the buck, iiowever, 
 and kee])iiig ujion the op])osite side of a small sapling, 
 worried him until he lost strength, and then cut his 
 ham strings and killed him. Mr. Barney came out 
 of the struggle an almost completely used up man. 
 
332 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Sometimes luiiits were engaged in with great .lutici- 
 ]);itions, and tlie results were very small; and ad- 
 ventures jilanned wliieli ended ludicrously enough. 
 Something of the kind was within the experience of 
 Rosvvcll Crocker. He had lost several sheep, or sup- 
 jiosed that he had, and finally, with careful preparor 
 tion and all due precaution, a ti-ap was cunningly set 
 to capture the hear or wolves wliicli had committed 
 the depredation. The next morning one of his own 
 fine fat hogs was found in the trap enduring the tor- 
 ture as coolly as could be expected of an animal sup- 
 posed to love ease and comfort. 
 
 Rattlesnakes were very numerous in tlie stone 
 ridges, and were often killed by hunters and others 
 who happened to go near their favorite haunts. 
 They were much dreaded Ijy the settlers. It is related 
 of a man by the name of Putnam, a brother-in-law 
 of one of the Redingtons, that when he first came to 
 the settlement he stepped upon a rattlesnake, and was 
 so frightened that he returned to New York, and 
 remained there forty years before he again ventureil 
 into the western wilds. 
 
 LOST IN THE WOODS. 
 
 On one occasion Ezekiel G. Barnes, while upon a 
 hunting exhibition, found himself at night a consid- 
 erable distance from home, resolved to camj) out in 
 the woods. His doing so was the cause of a life being 
 saved. The silence of the forest was broken by a ci'y 
 which sounded like a woman's voice, and evidently 
 was borne from a quite distant ])oint. The young 
 hunter lighted a torch at his little camp fire, and 
 started through the dense wood in the direction from 
 which the sound came. He had ]>rocceded alioufc 
 half a mile, when he discovered a woman on horse- 
 back. She had lost the trail, and, afraid to descend 
 from her horse on account of wolves, was in great 
 jjcrplexity and distress, and, as may be sujiposed, was 
 overjoyed at Mr. Barnes' appearance. The woman 
 was Mrs. Porter, of Elyria, the mother of Samuel 
 Porter, of North Amherst. She was on her way, 
 when lost, to Jacob Shupe's, to get one of his daugh- 
 ters to assist in caring for her sick husband. Barnes 
 went with Mrs. Porter to Shupe's house, and then 
 returned with her to p]lyria, acting in the capacity of 
 guide, ])hilosoi)her and friend. 
 
 AN EARLY FOUIITII OF JULY CELEMKATION. 
 
 Orimel Barney relates a pleasant incident of 1827, 
 the first Fourth of .July celebration held in the settle- 
 ment. Preiiarations were made for an out-door meet- 
 ing u})on Independence I>ay, and as the weather was 
 fine the few settlers who assembled had a very pleas- 
 ant social time. The meeting was held on the farm 
 of Daniel G. Whiton, and there were present nearly 
 all of the settlers then resident in the township, with 
 their families. The dinner was a substantial meal of 
 venison, with turkey, wild grape puddings, iron-wo d 
 bark coffee, and was washed down with occasional 
 draughts of Ohio whisky, which was doubtless neces- 
 
 sary to take away the taste of the peculiar variety of 
 coffee used. 
 
 A SPIRIT MEDIUM. 
 
 Whisky was in the beginning of the settlement a 
 legal tender or a circulating medium. Notes were 
 made payable in whisky upon condition that the corn 
 crop pi'oved good, and payable in hickory nuts if the 
 corn cro|) should be poor. Not long after Jacob 
 Shupe started his distillery several others were put in 
 operation, and one locality had so many at one time 
 that it was dubbed " Whiskyville" — a name which it 
 retains to this day. Nearly all of the whisky manu- 
 factured was for home consumption, and was often 
 given in payment for a day's work or in exchange for 
 various commodities. The liquor had at least one 
 merit. It was an honest article. The equivalent in 
 money, for a gallon of whisky, was from a shilling 
 up to twenty cents, and even two shillings. The dis- 
 tillers after Jacob Shupe were Michael Oustine, Ste- 
 ])hen Gunn, Nathan Edson, Lewis Shupe, Elias 
 ilann, .John Hildebrand & Snider, and Ira Tillotson. 
 
 THE EAKLY TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. 
 
 The first temperance meeting was held in the sum- 
 mer of 1833. being gotten up by Captain Stanton 
 Sholes. A society was formed of which he was made 
 president. Dr. Samuel Strong, vice-president, and Di: 
 John Quigley, secretary and treasurer. There were 
 fifteen members. One of them — Wesley Perkins — 
 Being sick sometime after the organization of the 
 society, sent to Orlum Winton's for whisky. Winton 
 happened to be out of the required article, and think- 
 ing it would be a g(jod joke upon the newly fledged 
 total abstinence man, sent him a bottle of spring 
 water. Judge Harris, on learning of the trick, 
 reproved Mr. Winton, and getting his own jug filled, 
 took it to Perkins' house, where, soon after, another 
 friend arrived bringing a bottle of wine and other 
 delicacies, intended, jirobably, to counteract the effect 
 of the water, in case the sick man had I'aslily drunk 
 of it. 
 
 MORMONISM. 
 
 In IS.'Sl, or []w, following year, Mornionisni made its 
 api)earance in the community, and gained from forty 
 to fifty adherents. One of the jireachers was a man 
 named Fuller, and the arch-ai>ostle, Rigdon, also 
 labored in this field. They preached in ])rivate 
 houses; iield meetings quite frequently, and at one 
 time aroused a considerable excitement. A few of the 
 converts made joined in the westward heigera, but 
 most of them became lukewarm in the faith, or re- 
 lapsed altogether into the old manner of life and way 
 of tliinking. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 The church history of Amherst, could it all be 
 produced, would make a bulky and interesting chaji- 
 ter. The zeal of the peojile for organizing churches 
 
.^ 
 
 -- ^*&^i^^^-x 
 
 Photos, by Lee, Elyria. 
 
 ^.£^^ 
 
 '^a^ ■y^J^^Z^C^^^^' 
 
 ^oLi^Zcry^^ ^ TS^l-^^y^^ 
 
 GEOKGE BRYANT. 
 
 George Biyaiit was born at Stanley, Gloucester- 
 shire, England, and is the eldest of a family of six 
 children of John and Pamelia (Collins) Bryant, of 
 Gloucestershire, who emigrated to this country in 
 company with his brother's family and others in the 
 year 1829, landing in New York on the 29th day 
 of November of that year. They went from New 
 York to Philadelphia, at which latter place they re- 
 mained until April, 1830, when they returned to 
 New York, and proceeded thence up the Hudsou 
 River to Albany, in a packet commanded by Captain 
 Littk'john. At Albany they took passage on the 
 Erie Canal, and after a week's travel arrived at 
 Buffalo. After a sojourn of a few days in the then 
 infant Lake city, they embarked on the schooner 
 " Young Lion," bound for Sandusky, where they 
 landed in the early days of ISIay, 1830. From San- 
 dusky they proceeded to Norwalk, and on the 8th 
 day of October, just one year from the time of leav- 
 ing their home in the old country, they settled in the 
 present town of Amherst, and one year later pur- 
 chased the farm now owned and occupied by George 
 Bryant, whose name heads these lines. 
 
 On the 5th of January, 1837, Mr. Bryant married 
 Adeline Lodoisk, daughter of Adinirum Webb and 
 Deidamia Moore, of English ancestry, though Amer- 
 icans by birth. This niarria2:e was blessed with eiglit 
 children, of whom five are living, namely: Mary 
 D., wife of James Redford, of Hays City, Kan.sas ; 
 George W., married Sarah Howard, lives near the 
 old homestead; Parniclia C, wife of George Caiup, 
 of Laport, Lorain Co., Oiiio; Elmer C, married 
 
 Hainiali Kelley, and resides in South Amherst; 
 Charles C. lives with his parents; Ellen T., wife of 
 Darius Plumb, she died May 10, 1863 ; Fernando 
 D., died Feb. 18, 1841; Dorliska, died Sept. 11, 
 1841. 
 
 Soon after his marriage Mr. Bryant commenced 
 clearing land, and cleared ninety-one acres on the 
 farm now owned by Lyman Cole. On the 16th of 
 February, 1865, he moved on to the farm he at 
 present occupies, and has continued to improve it 
 ever since. He now has a well-cultivated and pro- 
 ductive farm, upon which are comfortable buildings. 
 He is one of the pioneers of Lorain County, an<l a 
 good practical farmer. He is now sixty-four years 
 of age, and his wife is sixty-two, and they have lived 
 together forty-two years. 
 
 In the year 1836, John Bryant, father of the 
 subject of this sketch, erected u residence on the 
 present site of that in which the latter now resides, 
 and while on his way from Pittsburgh, whither he 
 had gone to purchase windows and doors, the house 
 was destroyed by fire. He rebuilt in 1837 the hou.se 
 now occujued by his son George. 
 
 Mrs. Bryant is a member of the Congregational 
 Church of Amherst, with which she formerly united 
 in 1864. Mr. Bryant is a man of great personal 
 integrity and general worth, and a firm believer in 
 moral manhood. Himself and wife are both liberal 
 supporters of all enterprises tending to the public 
 good or the advancement of the community in which 
 they have lived so long, and in which they are so 
 highly respected and esteemed. 
 

 m^t^' ^^j^^a^i^^-t-t^ /p£o^^o^i^JL 
 
 JOHN J. KENDEIGH. 
 
 The Kendeigh family is of Genuan origin, the progeni- 
 tors of the present stock having settled in Lancaster Co., 
 Pa., some years prior to the commencement of the present 
 century. Henry Kendeigh, Sr., of Lancaster, had two sons, 
 Henry and John ; the former born Jan. 20, 1796; the 
 latter, Jan. 8, 1800. When John was quite young, his 
 father removed to Lebanon Co., Pa., and to Carlisle, Perry 
 Co., in 1812. In 1823, Henry and John Kendeigh were 
 induced to move to Ohio by their brother-in-law, Abram 
 Rice, starting from Westmoreland Co., Pa. They occupied 
 two weeks in making the journey. John made the entire 
 distance of three hundred miles on foot, driving before him 
 thirty sheep and three head of cattle, and keeping pace with 
 the team which brought his family, and which was driven 
 by his brother-in-law above named. Henry drove a team 
 consisting of three horses and a Pennsylvania wagon, in 
 which were his wife and two sons, Daniel and John J., 
 together with their goods and chattels. Henry married 
 Nancy Rice, and John married Mary Rice, sisters of Abram 
 Rice. After coming to Ohio, John J. Kendeigh married 
 Cecelia Tooze, of Tiverton, Devonshire, England, March 
 18, 18G3. She was born May 11, 1839, and came to 
 Oberlin in the fall of 1856. To them were born three 
 children, namely, — Henry B., born Feb. 19, 1866; Jonas 
 E., born May 3, 1867 ; Mary Emma A., born March 27, 
 1873. The two latter were born in the old homestead at 
 Kendeigh 's Corners. 
 
 Mrs. Kendeigh was an old and succe.ssful teacher, having 
 spent some time in study at Oberlin. She taught school in 
 Pittsfield, Oberlin, Russia township, and South Amherst, 
 and also in the district in which she now resides. 
 
 John J. Kendeigh was born in Fayette Co., Pa., Aug. 
 5, 1820. His father died in 1836, leaving a family of five 
 sons and one daughter to the care of his widow. John J., 
 the subject proper of this sketch, being the eldest, though 
 only sixteen, had to take the place of his father to some 
 
 extent in assisting his mother to care properly for the other 
 children. The fidelity with which he fulfilled this mission 
 is best known to his brothers and sister who survive him, 
 and remember with grateful aifection his labors of love for 
 them. Through the whole of his life, Mr. Kendeigh has 
 had more than an ordinary share of responsibility on his 
 hands. For fifteen years his mother was a great sufferer 
 from that painful disease, chronic rheumatism. For many 
 years he cared for her alone, much of the time attending to 
 the farm and doing the work of the house. After his mar- 
 riage, as above stated, his wife proved a helper indeed to 
 him, and cheerfully assumed a part of the care of his af- 
 flicted mother. Faithfully and well did each fulfill their 
 mission of love for the dear one until her sufierings were 
 terminated by death, July 14, 1871, after having been bed- 
 ridden for four and a half years. 
 
 ]Mr. Kendeigh was a mechanic by nature, especially as a 
 carpenter and joiner. At an early day he acquired a dex- 
 terity and aptness for tools used in that branch of business, 
 and buildings erected even in his boyhood arc among the 
 most elegant in his neighborhood, and are regarded as su- 
 perb pieces of workmanship. Mr. Kendeigh was a man of 
 natural taste and refinement. He was a genuine musician ; 
 sang well and played excellently. He had a fondness for 
 sacred music, and held a place in the choir of the Congre- 
 gational Church for many years. His soul was attuned to 
 music, which had a harmonizing and refining influence on 
 all the social elements of his life. 
 
 After an eminently useful and honorable life, he died 
 June 2, 1876, and his earthly remains repose in the family 
 burying-ground at Kendeigh's Corners. He left a most 
 amiable and loving wife and three children (mentioned 
 above) to mourn the irreparable loss of a fond husband and 
 an affectionate father. They enjoy the consolation, how- 
 ever, that, owing to his blameless and meritorious life, their 
 loss will be his gain. 
 
HISTOKY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 333 
 
 seems only to luive been equalled by their cureless dis- 
 regnrd of retaining records. Eiohteen or twenty 
 churcbes have been organized, and ten are in exist- 
 ence at the present writing, but the older organizations 
 which have the most interesting history, liave witiiout 
 exception failed to preserve their early papei's, and in 
 two or three instances have nothing whatever worthy 
 of tiienanicof record. The historian has, therefore, 
 been conij)elled to rely solely upon the menioi-y of 
 early residents. A strange anecdote, but one of which 
 the truth is attested by many persons, is related of the 
 building of the first 
 
 METHODIST EPISCOPAL (JIIITRIJII. 
 
 A class had been in existence for some time, but no 
 church building had ever been erected up to 1830, or 
 perliaps 1833. Some time between the years here 
 mentioned, Captain Stanton Sholes, an eccentric, but 
 honorable man, of whom mention has been heretofore 
 made, became the instrument, in the hand of Provi- 
 dence, for the establishment of a .place of worshij). 
 He was riding his horse along the road one day, when 
 the animal, making a vicious sidelong movement, 
 unseated him. His foot remained fastened in the 
 stirrup, and he was dragged along the rougli road for 
 some distance at a terrible rate of s])eed. Ilis life 
 was of course in great peril. Captain Sholes testified 
 afterwards that he was never so thoroughly frightened 
 and overcome with the fear of a horrible death as at 
 this time, lie instinctively, as persons will when in 
 danger, prayed that^ his life might be spared, and 
 made a promise within his heart that if God delivered 
 him from death, he would build llim a house of 
 worship. Almost instantly the horse stopjjed, and 
 hastily extricating himself from his perilous position, 
 he resumed his ride. Within three days from this 
 occurrence, the captain, true to the sacred promise he 
 had made, began preparations for the building of a 
 meeting house. Tlie work was soon pushed to com- 
 jiletion, but some obstacles to its i)rogress were met 
 with and overcome. When the frame was in readi- 
 ness to be raised, a large crowd gathered to assist in 
 tlie work; but Captain Sholes, who was a staunch 
 temperance man, refusing to furnish liquor, tlie men 
 could not be induced to exert themselves. They had 
 assembled with the expectation of having a wild 
 carouse. They could not forego the pleasure, and 
 they succeeded before they dispersed in having what 
 was probably tlie largest spree ever known in Am- 
 herst. When they found that there was no hope of 
 getting any li((uor from Captain Sholes, they pur- 
 chased quite a quantity, procured miljc and sugar, 
 and bringing a large churn out on to the village 
 green, made up a collossal punch, of which all who 
 chose to, imbibed, some so freely tliat the effects of 
 the li(|Uor were very plainly visible. There are not a 
 few gray-haired men now in Amherst who i-emember 
 the scene presented upon the little park that day; and 
 there are some who look back to the occasion as the 
 first and only time they were ever under the influence 
 
 of the ardent. The church was not raised until some 
 days or weeks later, wlien Captain Sholes gathered 
 together the total abstinence men of several adjacent 
 townships, and had the pleasure of seeing the build- 
 ing go up. 
 
 There is no record left to show who was the first 
 preachei' in this historical house, or who were tiio 
 early otlieers of thechun^h. The building remained 
 in use until it was replaced' in 1875 by a more com- 
 modious structure, at a cost of three thousand dollars. 
 The trustees in 1878 were James .Jackson, Walter 
 Seeley, E. C. Shuler, V. A. Criffin aud James Abel. 
 Following are the stewards: James Jnckson, Walter 
 Seeley, E. CI. Shulei-, Alvah T. Johnson (recording 
 steward). Kev. S. E. Breen became ])astor in 1878. 
 
 CONfiREGATIONAL OnUKCn OF NORTH AMHERST. 
 
 None of the early records of this church are in 
 existence, aud the information which the historian 
 has been able to glean in regard to it, is not of an exact 
 nature, as dates cannot be supplied. The church 
 came into being soon after that of the Methodists, in 
 whose house it was organized by the assistance of Kev. 
 Dr. Betts and the Rev. Brown, of Brownhelm, Father 
 Eells and the Rev. Goodell, of Birmingham. The 
 original members were John Cliapin aud wife, A. S. 
 Moffatt and wife. Freeman Nye and wife, Nathan 
 King, Miss Bassett, Almond Chapin, Homer Tyrell, 
 
 and wife, Smith, (!alvin Harris and wife, aud 
 
 Miss Harriet Chapin. John Chapin and A. S. Moffatt 
 were elected deacons. Father Eells preached for a 
 short time after the organization of the church. 
 
 The church split, in two or three years, upon the 
 rock of abolitionism, several members who lived on 
 the South Ridge withdrawing and forming a separate 
 association. The church was one-half or two-thirds 
 composed of whigs, with a sprinkling of democrats 
 and abolitionists. A. S. Moffat, who is mentioned 
 as one of the first members cast the first abolition 
 vote in Amherst. The present church building was 
 erected in 1840, after a long and tiresome exertion on 
 the ]»art of a few strong sup[)i)rters of Congregation- 
 alism. The lot was a gift from Judge Harris. There 
 were two factions iri the church. One of them strove 
 to keep the church within the Congregational Asso- 
 ciation, and the other endeavored to achieve an inde- 
 pendent organization. The latter was successful, but 
 the church, after several years' existence in an inde 
 ]icndent state, went back into the association. The 
 preaching for a number of years was almost entirely 
 by the professors from Oberlin College. At the close 
 of the year, 1878, the church makes a favorable show- 
 ing as regards membership) and general prosperity. 
 The membership is sixty-five. Present pastor. Rev. 
 H. C. Haskell. Officers of the church : clerk, Mrs. 
 George Bryant ; deacons, E. P. Tuttle, Alexander 
 Lambertson. Officers of the society: trustees, John 
 B. Clough, A. L. Spitzer, A. Riggs ; secretary, E. H. 
 Hinman; treasurer, Charles E. Cook. 
 
334 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 SOUTH AMIIEUST METIfOUIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 Tills chui-cli was organized in the fall of 1824, and 
 meetings were held at Welilj's house and other dwell- 
 ings until 1838, when a jjhice of worship was raised 
 which has since then been In use. ifcv. Charles 
 Elliott was the first minister. George Dlsbrow was 
 elected clerk. 
 
 The pastor, in 1878, was Rev. S. E. IJreen, who 
 also has charge of the M. E. Ohuroii at North Am- 
 herst. The trustees at present are 0. A. Feleh, Jolin 
 Petty, Edwin Durand, James Wyatt and Jonathan 
 Messoll ; stewards, John Petty, Edwin Durand and 
 James Butson. 
 
 THE NORTH AMHERST BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 It is probalde that ]ireaclinig was Ijegun t)y the 
 Baptists in North Andierst at a very early day. 
 The Rev. Geo. R. Bryant is known to liave ocea- 
 slonallv preached there. The present Baptist church 
 was organized in the winter of 1854. The Rev. 
 Geo. W. Allen, having resigned his pastorate at Bir- 
 mingham, came to reside up.ni the south ridge, and 
 being disengaged, was urged to pi-cach fur the few 
 Baptists in the vicinity. Tiie lirst meeting held Ijy 
 him was in the Metiiodist ciiurch in Decembei' of 
 1853. In the following winter a series of meetings 
 were held and many persons experienced religion. A 
 strong desire for church fellowship being engendered, 
 notice was given of the intention to organize a 
 church, and on the 8tli day of Feliruary, ]8.")4, a 
 number of persons holding, lettei-s of dismissal from 
 various Baptist churches assembled in the Methodist 
 meeting-house, where, after preaching by the Rev. S. 
 Wadsworth, the regular Baptist cluireii in North 
 Amherst was organized with the following mem- 
 bers: Rev. Geo. W. Allen, Lewis R. Cook, Liith; r 
 Owen, Beujamin Iirdfeni, Luther IJonner, Ansel F. 
 Wattles, Reuben Allen, Phebe A. Bonner, Emellne 
 C'ook, Rutli Crocker, Elizabeth A. Blanchett, Eliza 
 Bonner, Mary Wilford, Lucy A. Barney, Nancy 
 Owen, Hannah 0. Allen and Pearly Allen. Lewis 
 R. Cook was chosen clerk. L. Owen and L. Bonner 
 were made deacons. Rev. Geo. W. Allen was the 
 first minister of the church. The first persons ba.]i- 
 tlzed were Abigail Wattles, Bliss Remington, William 
 Wilkinson, Anna Medlnirn, Anna Maria Foster and 
 Emily G. Cook, March 12, 1854. The place of meet- 
 ing was for two years the old school house or town 
 hall, but In 185G was commenced the erection of I be 
 l)resent cliurch edifice. It was dedicated in Decem- 
 ber of the same year, the Rev. J. I). Fulton, then 
 of Sandusky, otficlatlng. The lot upon which the 
 structure was raised was beught of the Cleveland and 
 Toledo railroad company. Rev. Anuisa Heath became 
 pastor in 1857 and was superseded in 1800, after nine 
 years efficient service, ])y the Rev. Charles II. DeWolf, 
 then of Seville. In Septendjer, 18G7, Rev. S. Jones, 
 of Rldgevllle, became pastor, and two years later gave 
 place to the Rev. William U. Stenger, of Zanesville. 
 
 Rev. C. C. Park entered upon his pastorate in Novem- 
 ber of 1870. The present deacons of the church are 
 N. L. Cotton and Frank Snyder; and the clerk, Les- 
 ter Cook. Ezra Straw, Frank Snyder and Lester 
 Cook are trustees. 
 
 CllUUcn OF THE EVANOELICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 'J'iils German church was organized in 1845. The 
 presiding elder was J. G. Zinger, and the constituent 
 members were J. G. Tliouer, Adam Iloll, Phil Rau, 
 John Berk, Philip Beal, John Holzhauer, Jacob Vet- 
 ter, Geo. Miller and Geo. Ilosenfplug. The new 
 church was established in l.sri4, and the building was 
 brougiit from Browiihelm. Tlie j)ai'sonage was built 
 in 1861. The jiresent jiastor is the Rev. Jacob llon- 
 necker. Tills church Is in the village of North Am- 
 herst, but has a lirancli u]ion the south ridge road, 
 of which Rev. Leonard Li ler was tiie first minister. 
 
 THE CONCREGATIONAL CIIURCH OF SOI'TII AMIIEUST 
 
 was organized on "the second day of December, 1834. 
 Addison Tracy was clerk; Alexander Gaston was aji- 
 polnted deacon in January, 1835. The church build- 
 ing was erected in the winter of 1838 and 1839. H. 
 Tyler is the present supply pastor, and the following 
 are the present officers of the church: Deacons, 
 Lyman Cole, Alonzo Wright, Sr. , J. W. Humphrey; 
 clerk of the church, George Prince; clerk of the 
 society, Alonzo Wright; treasurer, D. J. Dulmage; 
 trustees, D. J. Dulmage, (ieorge Prince and Luther 
 Clark. 
 
 ST. 1'AUL's LUTHERAN CHURCH 
 
 was established in North Amherst in 1874, and luis, 
 at the present writing, a nienibei'siil|i of thirty-seven 
 persons. Rev. Louis Damuiaiin is pastor, and has 
 held that office for three years. The trustees elected 
 for 1878 were L. Boeslng, William Ilintzand WiUiani 
 tirugal. 
 
 ST. Peter's EVAN(iELicAL church 
 
 was constituted ir. October, 1857. Tiie lirst trustees 
 were Adam Ilargeniann, B. Ilililebnuid, Henry Young 
 and John Sehaiier. 'I'he present pastor is the Rev. 
 Jacol) Von Tabel, and the trustees are John G. Bans, 
 (i. Cotli, H. Scliunch, John I'reidrlch, F. Reffennlg, 
 (i. Roth and V. Fey. Tlie cburc-li is' in North Am- 
 herst. 
 
 Tin; ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 
 
 of North Amherst originated in 18G8. Previous to 
 that time Rev. L. Molon, of Elyria, had been for 
 three years holding monthly services in a room be- 
 longing to John Plato, in the old Reuben Wooleott 
 building. About six families attended. The con- 
 gregation having considerably increased, it was de- 
 cided, in 18G8, to have a snitablc place for holding 
 religious services, and accordingly a lot was bought of 
 Joseph Trost, on Tenney Street, upon which was 
 erected a church building thirty by forty feet m 
 dimension, which was consecrated ou the 15th of 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 335 
 
 August. Ill 1873, Rev. R, Roucliey was settled as 
 pastor of the Vermillion and North Amherst Catholic 
 churches, and, after he hud been with the society for 
 one year, it was found that it had grown so as to 
 necessitate an enlargement of tlie building. The 
 addition was built in 1873. Rev. Roucliey was in 
 charge of the congregation up to August, 1875, after 
 wliich, the present ])riest. Rev. Joseph Roemer, was 
 sent liy Bishop Gilmour to take charge of the church, 
 and also that at Vermillion. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 School houses wore built at an early day in the 
 north and south parts of the township. It is now 
 impossible to ascertain vyhich jiortion of the settle- 
 ment tlie j^enple first did honor unto themselves, by 
 providing for the instruction of their children. A 
 school house located on lot forty-eight, ujton tlic 
 south ridge, is said to have l)een the first in the town- 
 ship. Sophronia Rlair taught a small school tliere. 
 Another was built upon lot thirty-eight, just east of 
 "the corners" n,nd outside of the present corporation 
 line of North Amiierst. Miss Fanney Barnes (now 
 Mrs. David Smitii) was teacher here in the summer 
 of 1823, and afterward Miss Philania Barney, (Mrs. 
 S. N. Moore), taught in the same log building. 
 Joseph Quigley erected a building near his home for 
 the quaker Mollenoux to preach in, and it was also 
 used as a school-liouse until Henry Walker bought it 
 and converted it into a dwelling house. Miss Murray 
 of Carlisle, afterwards the wife of Clark Eldred, of 
 Elyria, was the first teacher in this school-house. The 
 first male teacher was either Wm. H. Root of Shef- 
 field, or J. A. Harris. Both of them taught at an 
 early day in the (Quigley school. Joseph L. and Daniel 
 G. Wliiton were also teachers. 
 
 The present district-schools of Amherst, and the 
 public schools of North Amherst, compare favorabl}' 
 with those of otlier places of similar size. Passing 
 from the mention of tlie smaller district and sub-dis- 
 trict-schools, we will follow the growth that ha.s cre- 
 ated the present school of North Amherst village. It 
 was not long before tlie accommodations of tlie old 
 school-houses, with their rough slab seats with pegs 
 driven in them for legs, were found insufficient for the 
 growing needs of the community. The old town-liall, 
 a frame building twenty-five by thirty-five feet in 
 dimensions, was used as a school-house until 184!), 
 when it was removed to its present location, on Clnirch 
 street. Hereafter being made more appropriate for 
 the use intended, by refitting, it was again made to 
 serve as a jilace for the education of the youth until 
 1856, when it was found to be too small for the in- 
 creased number of pupils. In the year mentioned 
 the village of Amherstville, as it was tiien called, was 
 organized into a union school-district, with Josiah 
 Harris, Alvah T. Jolinson, Dr. A. A. Crosse, Dr. A. 
 C. Moore, Daniel Axtell and M. Wilton as directors. 
 Judge Harris donated a piece of land as a site for a 
 school-house, and the directors, after some delay,made 
 
 arrangements for the creation of a brick building. 
 Charles Tjeach drew the plan, and the contract for 
 Iniilding was awarded to Daniel Axtell and M. Du- 
 rand. The building was erected, two stories in height, 
 and twenty five by forty feet. The brick were made 
 from clay taken from the cellar and baked upon the 
 spot. 'I'hc cost of this building was about three 
 thousand two hundred dollars. In 1874 the building 
 was found inadequate to accommodate the cliildren of 
 the village, and an addition was built, which nearly 
 doubled the capacity of the school. Plans for the 
 addition were drawn by L. Dickenson, and the eon- 
 tract was let to Pliilip SilHe and Adam IIoll. The 
 new part, and rejiairs ujion tlie old, cost six thousand 
 dollars. 'I'liis Iniilding affords, at the present writing, 
 ample accommodation for over five hundred children. 
 The jtresent suiierintendent is J. P. Yarrick, and the 
 school board is composed of John P. Jenne, presi- 
 dent; George E. Biyant, secretary; E. C. Shuler, 
 Joseph Barber, John G. Bans and Henry A. Plato. 
 The first superintendent under the system now in vo- 
 gue was 1j. a. Gray. 
 
 PHYSICIANS. 
 
 Prior to 1830 there was no resident physician in 
 An;herst. Dr. Baker, of Florence, and Dr. Chair- 
 man, of Elyria, administered to the sick up to that 
 year. Dr. Samuel Strong came in 1830, and was the 
 pioneer of a host of medical gentlemen who came 
 after. Following is a list of the physicians in the 
 order of their coming : Drs. Samuel Strong, Cook, 
 Smith, Luman Tenney, Wright, L. D. Griswold, B. 
 F. Blackmer, II. F. Hulibard, A. A. Crosse, Sladiel, 
 Tompkins, Smith 2nd, Charles Crosse, C. C. Oran- 
 dall, J. Bryant, Woigaud, Evans, Price, A. C. Moore, 
 Wilsey, More, Tuttle, Leuse, Gibbs, Oaks, Arndt, 
 Mrs Arndt, Schenck, Schraeder, Reitel, Charles 
 Rockwood, D. W. Starkey, H. Lilly, 0. P. Maynard. 
 
 Of these Drs. Crosse, Moore, Rockwood, Maynard 
 and Mrs. Arndt are resident in 1878. Dr. Crosse 
 came in 1842, and Dr. Moore in 1851. 
 
 ROADS. 
 
 Tlie present Middle Ridge road was opened as a 
 trail at a very early day, and it is probable that the 
 first mail was carried through the township upon the 
 line of this road. Roliert Wolverton was the first 
 mail carrier. The Telegraph or South Ridge road 
 was next opened and put in good shape, and the stage 
 coaches carrying mail and passengers went tlirougli 
 on this road. The Cleveland road was next laid out, 
 Hiram Belden doing much of the surveying. 
 
 BURIAL I'LAOES. 
 
 The burying grounds in Amherst are more numer- 
 ous than in most townships. The first one laid out 
 was that on the Cleveland road just east of the vil- 
 lage of North Amherst. There is one upon the 
 Middle Ridge (lot sixty-three), one near Kendeigh's 
 corners, lot (ninety-four), one at Webb's corners, one 
 
33G 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 at South Amherst (lot ten,) and another u])ou the 
 North Ridge, beside several small burial places and 
 family lots. 
 
 TAVEllNS. 
 
 The first tavern kept at South Amherst, was that 
 of the Webbs. Stephen Cable kept soon after. At 
 North Amherst, when it was known as "the corners," 
 Judge Harris had a log tavern very soon after his arri- 
 val in 1818, and was landlord for many years. The 
 Henrie house, or rather a small portion of it, was 
 originally built by Dr. Samuel Strong. Following is 
 a list of landlords at North Amherst down to and 
 including thejjresent proprietor of the Henrie house: 
 Josiah Harris, L. Foster, Father Champney (Old Pie), 
 J. B. Whelpley, Wm. F. Ringland, L. P. Harris, 
 Thomas Case, Ira B. Tillotson, Thomas Brown, 
 .Tames Allen, .Joseph Hamlin, Franklin Blackmer, 
 Smith E. Crandall, Orimel Barney, H. F. Hubbard, 
 Smith Steele, John Steele, Horace Steele, Samuel 
 Ketideigh, Joseph Trost, .James Jackson, M. .Jackson, 
 Latliro]) & Walker, and M. .Jackson. 
 
 INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 
 THE STONE (JUARIUES. 
 
 The vast formation of sandstone underlying a j)or- 
 tiou of the State, seems nowhere to be of better 
 quality for purposes of architecture, than in the town- 
 ship of Amherst and its vicinity. Tlie quarrying 
 business is here most eminently practicable, and the 
 stone laud being near the lake, the question of trans- 
 portation was ready solved, as soon as the work of 
 taking out the treasure was commenced. The close 
 pro.Kimity of the L. S. & M. S. R. R. offers another 
 great advantage to those whose business it is to delve 
 for a nation's building material. 
 
 Nature has formed here, and left accessible to man, 
 what is practically an inexhaustible sup[)ly of the best 
 building stone upon earth. Estimating the thick- 
 ness of tiie stone at an average of only lifty feet, — -and 
 good authorities say that it must be nearer an hun- 
 dred, — the number of cubic feet afforded by one acre 
 would be over two million. One hundred men could 
 scarcely <juarry out a full aero from top to bottom in 
 less than ten years" constant labor. Vast as has been 
 the amount of stone taken from the Amherst quarries, 
 it sinks into insignificance in comparison with that 
 remaining. The stone lies almost entirely above the 
 ground, and above the drainage level, and the huge 
 blocks sent to all parts of the United States, Canada, 
 and even Soutii America, are quarried without any of 
 the obstructions found in other parts of the country. 
 A list of hundreds of buildings built of the Amherst 
 stone might bo given, imt we have space for only a 
 few of the most important as follows: 
 
 Ooininion Bank, British American Insnr.ance Building, St James' Ca- 
 thedral, Consumer's lias Company Buildiuij, of Toi'onto, Canada; the 
 Windsor Hotel, Montreal, Canada; Post Ofticeand Custom House, Little 
 Rock, Arkansas; Best Brewery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; J.a Fayette 
 Siiu-ire < 'hureh. and Central Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, Maryland; 
 Palmer House, William; Block. Grand PaciBc Hotel, Tremont House, 
 Honore Block, Bryan Block, Nixon's Building, McCormick's Reaper 
 
 Block, Henry Corwitb's Buddmg, S. B. Cohb's Building, Hale & Ayer's 
 Building, Bookseller's Row, Stewart & Busby's Bu Idings, Chicago; State 
 Capitol, Lansing, Michigan; City Hall, Detroit, Michigan; Boody House, 
 Toledo, Ohio; County Court House, Cleveland, Ohio; City Hall, Colum- 
 bus, Ohio; W. Ct. Fargo's Dwelling, Buffalo, New York; Powers' Block, 
 Rochester. New York; McCarthy's Bank, Sj'racuse, New York; Univer- 
 sity Buildings, Easton, Pennsylvania; Jewish Synagogue, Young Men's 
 Christian Association, Brooks Brothers & Co's Store, W. B. Astor's 
 Dwellings, New York City; Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York; Young 
 Men's Christian Association, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; U. S. Court 
 House and Post Ofiflce, Trenton, New Jersey ; U. S. Custom House and 
 Post Office, Ogdensburg, New York; Princeton College, Elizabeth, New 
 Jersey; Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Church, corner South and 
 Broad, Philadelphia, Agricultural College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; 
 County Court House, SteubenviUe, Ohio; County Court House, Zanes- 
 ville, Ohio; Post Office and Court House, London, Canada; Post 
 Office and Court House, Hamilton, Canada; Custom House, University 
 of Toronto, Normal School, Toronto, Canada; City Hall, Peterboro, Can- 
 ada; Parliament Buildings. Ottawa, Canada; Moleson's Bank, Christ's 
 Church, Montreal, Canada; Trmity College Buildings, Hartford, Con- 
 necticut; Rossmore House, Roosevelt Hospital, New York; Gardner 
 Brewer's Building, Fifty Associates' Building, New South Church. 
 Young Men's Christian Ass'.ciation, Boston. 
 
 The Stone business of Amherst, like all great indus- 
 tries, had a small and humble beginning. Before the 
 great value of the stone was known, owners of the 
 best quarry land in Amherst and vicinity would 
 gladly have taken for an acre of the so called "waste 
 land" what is now-a-days paid for fifty cubic feet of 
 building block, or its equivalent in grindstones. 
 
 Henry Warner first opened the Browniielm quarry, 
 now owned by the Worthingtons, in 1847, and is be- 
 lieved to have shiiqiod the first stone sent out from 
 this section. The blocks were hauled on wagons to 
 Vermillion, and from there shipped to their destina- 
 tion in Canada, having been jjurchased by John Wor- 
 thington, then a contractor. Mr. Warner gave for 
 this quarry six hundred dollars, worked it six years, 
 and then sold it for six thousand dollars. He was a 
 native of Middlesex county, Connecticut, and had a 
 varied experience before he became one of the pioneer 
 ([uarrymen of Lorain county. 
 
 Grindstones were taken out of the John Elliott 
 quarry, lots fifty-nine and sixty in Amherst, in 1848, 
 by Sylvester Silsby. There were no lathes then in 
 use, and the work of shaping the stones was done en- 
 tirely with the chisel. This quarry was worked for 
 fifteen years by William James, who finally bought it 
 of Elliott. Parks and E. C. Foster were the next 
 owners, and they sold to Ceorge E. Hall, of Cleveland, 
 who, ill turn, sold to Worthington & Sons. lilock 
 stone was furnished from this quarry for the building 
 of the abutments of the Lake Shore & Michigan 
 Southein Kailroad bridge at Ashtabula, when -the 
 road was established. It was taken out by Ackley & 
 Smith. 
 
 Henry Warner was associated with Mr. Clark in the 
 ownership of the middle quarry, now owned by the 
 Clougli Company, in 1854. Baxter Clough bought 
 into this quarry, and soon became the sole owner. 
 Warner afterwards became owner of what is at this 
 writing the Ilaldeman quarry. 
 
 Nearly all of the stone quarries of this townshi2i have 
 l>assed through the ownership of many parties, and 
 been developed in different degrees by each until to-day 
 they form such a collossal interest as to have brought 
 
■mDTDLE QUARRY. AMHERST. 
 
 VIEW OF CLOUGH STONE COMPANY'S Q 
 

 GRINDSTONE LATHC AMHERST 
 
 ===S^ 
 
 ?IES. OFFICE. NORTH AMHERST, OHIO. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 337 
 
 together ciiougli jteople to form a village of one tliou- 
 saiul and five luiiulred inlnibitaiits. North Anilierst 
 has grown almost entiri-ly from the stimulus given by 
 the development of the stone, and as it is lioth literally 
 andfigurativelylniiltuponarock, its safety of existence 
 and jirosiierity is assured. A great change lias taken 
 place since tlie first small opening was made for tlic 
 purpose of taking out stone. The whole northern 
 and western part of the township may be said to fairly 
 liristle with heavy iron rigged derricks which, worked 
 t)y powerful engines, swing ponderous blocks of stone 
 from the deep rugged walled caverns to the ground 
 above, and deposit tiiem upon railroad cars, or swing 
 them to the saw mill and turning lathe. Hundreds 
 of men, assisted by the giant slave, steam, are toiling 
 in the ledges and pits, taking out the rough stone, 
 which under the chisel of the artizan shall be con- 
 formed into shapes of grace and beauty and strength, 
 to lend majesty to the Iniildings in the great marts of 
 trade. 
 
 Most of the growth of the stone industry of Amherst 
 and tlie adjacent country has Iteen the result of the 
 business, energy .■ind tact of the present proprietors 
 of the quarries. Wo have endeavored to secure facts, 
 which briefly related, will convey to the reader an 
 idea of what has been acconijilished. 
 
 For a description of the Clough Stone Company, 
 see biogra]ihical sketch of Baxter Clough. 
 
 Ti[E WoKTiiiNfJTON QuAURiES are extensively 
 worked by James M. and George H. Worth ington. 
 The elder Wortliington was a man of great energy and 
 business shrewdness, a native of Canada, and a large 
 contractor upon government buildings. He came to 
 Amherst and bought into the quarries in 1853. The 
 business once embarked in, it was not long before he 
 became one of the most extensive owners and opera- 
 tors of quarry property, in the country. His sons 
 carry on the business in a large way, at present. 
 They have quarries in lots fifty-nine and sixty, Am- 
 iierst, (formerly known as the Hall), also in Krown- 
 helra, lots twenty-seven and twenty-eight, also val- 
 uable quarry projierty at Grindstone City, Huron 
 county, Michigan, and an extensive dock at Vermil- 
 lion harbor, from which point their Amherst and 
 Brownhelm stone is shipped. This is supplied with 
 three heavy derricks. They run seven engines, nine 
 lathes, and six gangs of saws. Their houses and 
 tools were valued in 1876, at fifty-eight thousand dol- 
 lars, and tlieir real estate at one hundred and sixty 
 thousand dollars. During the years 1871, 1873 and 
 1873, their sales of grindstones amounted respectively 
 to fractions over seven thousand nine hundred and 
 fift}', nine thousand seven hundred and twenty-six, 
 and nine thousand two hundred and twenty-six tons. 
 The sales of block stone were in 1871, one hundred 
 and eighty-eight thousand two hundred and thirty- 
 three cubic feet; in 1873, two hundred and forty-seven 
 thousand two hundred and thirty-nine cubic feet, and 
 in 1873, two hundred and five thousand four hundred 
 and ninety cubic feet. Beside their office in North 
 
 43 
 
 Amherst, they have branches in New York, Chicago, 
 and Pittsburgh. 
 
 The Wilson & Hughes Stone Company own 
 quarries in lots fifty-nine and sixty-two. Their office 
 is in Cleveland. The (juarries were opened in 1803, 
 and all of the stone taken out of them at that time 
 had to be hauled either to Black River, or the village 
 of North Amherst, but in 18(18 a contract was made 
 with the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Com- 
 pany, wherel)y they extended tracks into the quarries 
 from the main road, and since then the business has 
 been largely increased. The business has been suc- 
 cessful from the first, and the average yearly sales 
 have amounted to from fifty thousand to one hun- 
 dred thousand dollars. The quarry property consists 
 of about thirty-seven acres, and the company has all 
 of the modern improvements, such as steam derricks, 
 engines, saw mill, lathe, shojis and dwelling houses 
 for the employes. The quarries are in good condition 
 and working order, and among the best in Amherst. 
 A. Hughes is president of the company, and William 
 and J. F. Wilson are superintendents. 
 
 L. Haldeman & Son. — The quarry property 
 owned by this firm, having their office in Cleveland, 
 consists of about thirty-five acres in lots eighteen 
 and nineteen, and the first stone was taken out by 
 Wilson & Cook in 1808 or the following year. 
 Messrs. Haldeman & Son purchased from McDer- 
 mott & Cromwell, in March, 1873. The quarry had 
 been worked but little nntil the ju'esent jiroprio- 
 tors bought it. The valuation of the projierty is, 
 including machinery, tools, etc., seventy-five thou- 
 sand dollars. Average sales for the years 187-1:, 1875, 
 1876 and 1877, have been in the neighborhood of 
 one hundred thousand dollars. The firm has excel- 
 lent facilities for quarrying and shipping building 
 and grindstone, and is largely interested in the 
 manufacture of the latter. Their trade includes the 
 prominent axe, edge tool and saw manufacturers 
 throughout the United States and Canada. Block 
 stone has been furnished for the construction of some 
 of the largest buildings in the leading cities. 
 
 TriE Amiiekst Stone Company has for its officers: 
 president, Truman Denham; vice-president, J. E. 
 French; secretary and treasurer, W. S. Dodge. The 
 office of the company is in Cleveland. Their property 
 in Amherst is known as the old Quigley jjroperty, and 
 consists of twenty-nine acres in lot four, and twenty- 
 six and a half acres in lot ninety-seven. The quarry 
 was opened by the company in the fall of 1872, and is 
 now ])rovided with seven derricks, grindstone lathes 
 and a saw mill. The sales since the opening of the 
 ffuarry have aggregated about two hundred and thirty 
 thousand dollars. 
 
 The Turkey Rock Quarry — so called because 
 the tracks of turkeys were found at an early day in 
 tiie rock near the foot of some large trees — is the 
 ]iroiierty of W. H. Bryant, who pui chased it in 1874 
 from Nathaniel Bryant. The quarry was opened the 
 same year that this transfer was made. The projierty 
 
338 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 lies in lot fourteen, and consists of about twelve or 
 thirteen acres. Most of the rock taken from this 
 quarry has been made into grindstones because of its 
 peculiar grit, and tliey rival the famous Wickersley 
 stones of England. The grain in the rock pitches 
 toward the north at a uniform angle, showing tliis 
 was once the shore line of Lake Erie. The stone 
 found below the shore formation is soft, and very 
 much more open than any other fnund in tlic noigli- 
 borhood, and this soft stone is made a s})ecialty by 
 Mr. Bryant for tool-grinding. The product from tlie 
 quarry has amounted to six or seven liiiiidied tons, 
 ])riucipally of the variety known as the American 
 Wickersley. 
 
 THE NICnOL QUA UK Y. 
 
 .Tames Nichol, a native of Dundee, Scotland, came 
 to tliis country in 1853. He was a stoae cutter by 
 trade, and for the next nine years after arrival in New 
 York followed this occupation iu various cities. lie 
 took tlie management of the Messrs. Wortiiington's 
 Urowuholm ([uarry until 1870, when he removed to 
 Andierst and took up his residence upon a farm which 
 lie bad bought of llaunab Hubbard and Sally Owen. 
 Adjoining this farm, in lot fifty-nine, was the quarry 
 which he purchased of Joseph Barber in 18G7, and 
 which lias since been generally known as the Nicliol 
 i|ii;irry. Mr. Nichol remained some time as silent 
 partner of the Messrs. Wdrtliington, acting as general 
 superintendent of all the quarries ()j)erate(l by that 
 firm. At the expiration of that partnership, in 187<), 
 he immediately entered the niarket on his own account, 
 operating his own quarry, and manufacturing build- 
 ing, grind and scythe stones. In February, 1877, 
 with Dudley Miller, of New York, he entered into the 
 partnership of Nichol & Miller, each owning one balf 
 of a quarry containing fifty-tliree acres, located in 
 Florence township, Erie county, Ohio, with main 
 office at North Amherst, Ohio. Tlie thorough and 
 extended accpiaintance that Mr. Nichol had with all 
 the details connected with the stone Inisiness, enaliled 
 this comparatively new firm to at once occupy a 
 prominent jiosition in tlie market. At the pivsent 
 time they have a large and constantly increasing trade 
 in building, grind and scythe stones, in the markets of 
 the United States, and a large share of the export 
 trade. 
 
 Besides the quarries heretofore described, there are 
 a number of others which are small, and either not 
 worked at all, or conducted u])on a plan iiuich less 
 extensive than those mentioned in the foregoing. We 
 mention the names and the location of each by lot 
 number: Ohio Stone Company, fifty-nine; James 
 Wyatt, ninety-seven; Grove Quarry, ninety-seven; J. 
 D. Bothwell, fifty-nine; Samuel Keudeigh, ninety- 
 three; Joseph Barber, ninety-three (opening); Butler 
 Quarry, ninety-eight, owned by the heirs of Charles 
 Collins. Besides these, again, there are many still 
 smaller quarries located u]ion farms, and used only 
 as a mine from which the owner may procure what 
 
 small stone he may need f(U' his own, or possibly a 
 neighbor's use. 
 
 MILLS. 
 
 The first grist mill and the first saw mill were Iniilt 
 by Jacob Shuiio, about 1814 or 1815. A few years 
 after, he moved iiis grist mill from Beaver creek up 
 to the corners, and connected with it a carding ma- 
 chine, which was at that time the only one in a largo 
 stretch of country. He endeavored to run this mill 
 with a horse power, but was not satisfied, and moved 
 back to the old site and run it again by water power. 
 The second grist mill was built at North Amherst, 
 on the site that the brewery now occupies, by Hilde- 
 braud & Snider. A Mr. Smith built the third mill 
 in the south part of the village, upon the Elyria road, 
 and the same man, in 18G1, built the stone mill at 
 the foot of the hill west of North Amherst park. 
 Mr. Hitchcock built a mill on Church street, which 
 was taken jiossession of, in 1865, by Hazel & Thomp- 
 son. After this, Daniel Frees and Mr. Boardman built 
 a mill on the flats between the east and west parts of 
 North Amherst village. At present, those engaged 
 in this business are John Ueyman and Jolui Uerloek. 
 
 After Jacob Shupe's mill, built on Beaver creek, 
 at the north line of the township, Eliphalet lied- 
 iiigton built a saw mill at South Amherst. A. T. 
 Johnson limit one between the North and JMiddle 
 ridges, and a Mr. S;i wtell built one in S.iuth Amherst 
 just north of IJedington's. .Tosiah Harris ]nit up a 
 mill on Harris creek, just south of North Amherst. 
 Royal Barney, and a man by tlie name of Norton, 
 built a mill on Barney creek (then called Beaver), in 
 1820, and sawed a great deal of lumber. Good whitj^'- 
 wood was at that time worth but four dollars jicr 
 thousand feet. In 1831, John T. Clay constructed a 
 mill on the same creek, and Ephraim Tovvne had one 
 a few years later. David Smith built a mill on Smith 
 creek, near the South ridge, about 1S30. Pliilii> 
 Oustine, the Graves Brothers, and Harry anJ William 
 Oustine also had saw mills at an early day. Most of 
 these were what were known ns '•thunder shower 
 mills," and were only in running order during a small 
 part of the year. Three steam saw mills have been 
 built in the village of North Amherst, and four more 
 in the township. Those now in operation are G. C. 
 Prince's, South Amherst, lot ten; J. E. Keudeigh's 
 and George Gill's, in North Amherst village. 
 
 MiscELLAXEous. — J. J. Ricc, Lcck & Cook, have 
 an iron foundry ujion lot ninety-five, where they carry 
 on the manufacture of plows and agricultural imple- 
 ments. It was started in 1843, or the following year, 
 by members of the Rice family. "' 
 
 There are two cheese factories in the township. 
 Eggleston, Braman & Co. own one which is located 
 upon lot ten, just off from the south ridge road. 
 They take the milk of about six hundred cows, and in 
 1878 manufactured nearly two hundred thousand 
 pounds of cheese, and about thirty-five thousand 
 pounds of butter. This cheese factory and creamery 
 was established in 1874. 
 
"~^-mSMmm' 
 
 HENRY WARNER. 
 
 Henry Warner was born in Middletown, Middle- 
 sex Co., Conn., Oct. 16, 1801. He was united in 
 marriage April 21, 1825, to Elizabeth Whitcoin, of 
 Wayne Co., N. Y. By this union were born eleven 
 children, viz. : William H., John V., Esther A., 
 Maria J., Malita A., Augustus A., Jerome B., Cyre- 
 nius P., Vandalia S., Irving N., and Valeria E., 
 two of whom are living. Augustus A. resides in 
 Ashtabula Co., Ohio ; Cyreniiis, in Michigan. 
 
 The subject of this memoir moved to Brownhelm, 
 Lorain Co., Ohio, in 1847, having previously pur- 
 chased the stone quarry now owned by the Worth- 
 ington Brothers. From this quarry he shijjped, it 
 
 is believed, the first stone that was shipped from 
 Lorain County ; this shipment was to Canada. 
 
 Some time in 1854 or 1855 he was associated with 
 Baxter Clough in the quarry business, and was 
 owner of the Haldeman quarry in 1847. He spent 
 his days on the fai'm where he died, which is now 
 owned and occupied by his son-in-law, J. R. Miller, 
 and located about one mile east of North Amherst 
 village, on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern 
 Railway. 
 
 Mr. Warner died Jan. 25, 1876, in the seventy- 
 fifth year of his age. His wife died Aug. 25, 
 1872. 
 
HISTOEY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 339 
 
 Another factory, the property of Eggleston, Horr 
 & Warner, is located upon lot cighty-seveu, a few 
 rods from the Elyria liuo, and near the telegraph 
 road. 
 
 NORTH AMHERST VILLAGE. 
 
 Early iu the history of Amherst township, the 
 nucleus for a village was formed upon tiie north ridge, 
 about a mile northwest of the center of the townshii). 
 This settlement, — the embryo village of North Am- 
 herst, — was known for many years as "the corners."' 
 .Judge Josiah Harris had (piite a tract of land here, 
 and he laid out a portion of it in lots, and founded 
 the village of Andierstville. Through the decades, 
 beginning with the years 1830, 1840, and 1850, the 
 gi-owtli of the village was slow, but it received an im- 
 petus from the building of the Lake Shore railroad, 
 then called the Cleveland and Toledo railroad, and 
 gradually increased in size, and built up in business 
 importance until 1870, when the stone tjuarries began 
 to lie worked upon a scale of enterprise much further 
 advanced than ever before, and then for several years 
 the population increased quite rapidly. 
 
 About this time Milo Harris purchased the interest 
 of the other heirs of his father's estate, laid out an 
 aildition to the village, changed its name from Am- 
 herstvillo to North Amherst, and in 187.'5 the jjeople 
 secured a charter of incor])oration from the legislature. 
 
 The charter was gi'anted in April, and the cor})or- 
 ation was organized by the election of the following 
 ollicers: A. A. Crosse, mayor; J. W. (rilbert, clerk; 
 .Joseph Trost, treasurer; John B. Robertson, marshal; 
 tieorge Fuller, William Brown, and John Nathan, 
 couucilmen for one year; F. 0. Barney, J. H. Clouse, 
 and .James Manning, councilnien for two years. 
 
 In 1874, three couucilmen were elected to fill 
 vacancies caused by the expiration of the short term, 
 as follows: .J. M. Worthington, Daniel Freese, and 
 Henry Hirsching. 
 
 In 187-5, the following were elected: A. C. Moore, 
 mayor; C. (J. Hirsching, clerk; Joseph Trost, treas- 
 urer; .John B. Robertson, marshal; E. C. Foster, M. C. 
 Sieley, John G. Bans, and Joseph Barber, coiTncilmen. 
 
 In 1870, the couucilmen elected were -John G. 
 Bans, Daniel Frees, and Daniel Horn. 
 
 The officers in 1877 were: J. W. Gilbert, mayor; 
 C. 0. Hirsching, clerk; Josejjh Trost, treasurer; 
 John B. Robertson, marshal; Joseph Robbins, Henry 
 Clouse, Jacob Hildebrand, Joseph Barber, and Con- 
 rad Fey, councilmen. 
 
 In 1878, the councilraou elected were: L. Horn, 
 Wni. Brown, and J. B. Parker. Parker resigning, 
 .T. P. tMianey was elected to fill his place. A. Roth- 
 gery was elected street supervisor. 
 
 SOCIETIES. 
 
 MASONIC. 
 
 Stonington LoDciE F. c& A. M., No. 503. — The 
 charter for this lodge was obtained October 21, 1875. 
 
 Following are the first officers elected: W. M., Geo. 
 Bacon; S. W., J. M. Worthington; J. W., Geo. 
 Fuller; secretary, Chauncey Peck; treasurer, James 
 Nichols; S. D., E. C. Shuler; J. D., .-Vdam Hall; 
 tyler, H. A. Lewis. The officers for 1878 are as fol- 
 lows: W. M., James M. Worthington; S. W., W. W. 
 Halstead; J. W., J. Basrance; secretary, J. W. Gil- 
 bert; treasurer, James Nichols; S. D., II. A. Lathroji; 
 .J. D., It. Patterson; tyler, K. Sinclair. 
 
 INDEPENDENT UJiDER OF ODD FELLOWS. 
 
 Pl.ito Lodge, No. 303, was organized January 31, 
 1853. The original members who signed the petition 
 for a charter were Theodore J. Eamcs, Orimel Barney, 
 Robert B. Carhart, Milo Harris and James Walker. 
 The present officers are N. G., A. E. Stiwall; V. G., 
 J. B. Barrance; recording secretary, Ohas. M. Par- 
 sons; permanent secretary, G. H. Barnes; treasurer, 
 Joseph Robbins. 
 
 Jaeger Lodge, No. 440, was organized July 7, 
 1870, by members of the order, who, previous to that 
 time, had been in Plato Lodge. Following is the list 
 of officers first elected: N. G., Wm. Jaeger; V. G., 
 L. Horn; corresponding and recording secretary, John 
 G. Bans; treasurer, Wm. Brown. The charter mem- 
 bers were Henry Uthe, Sr., William Jaeger, Edward 
 Biveus, Adam Holl, John King, L. Horn, John (}. 
 Bans, Chas. Jaeger, Wm. Brown, Peter Meutz, Geo. 
 Ashenbach, Daniel Freese, C. 0. Hirsching, Fondine 
 Geolach, Henery Hagemann, AVm. Fullmer, C. Fey, 
 P. Fey. The officers for 1878 are: N. G., John 
 Kothe; V. G., L. Holzhaner; corresjjouding secretary, 
 Wm. Beilor; recording secretary, C. Fey; treasurer, 
 C. 0. Hirsching. 
 
 KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 
 
 Lodge, No. 74. — This lodge was organ- 
 
 ized in May, 1875, the charter members being J. 
 Stager, Wm. Jaeger, John G. Bans, C. Fey, Geo. 
 Ashenbach, Peter Mentz, Philip P. Sippel, C. 0. 
 Hirsching, Peter Fey, J. F. Uthe, Jo.seph Trost, 0. 
 C. Jaegej-, Fondine Gerlach, Geo. Keller. The first 
 officers were the following: P. C, Jacob Stoll; C. C. 
 Wm. Jaeger; V. C, John G. Bans; prelate, P. Sip- 
 pel; secretary, C. Fey; master of finance, Geo. Ashen- 
 bach; master of exchequer, C. C. .Jaeger; D. D. G. C, 
 Jacob Stoll. Following are the officers for 1878: 
 P. C, E. C. Shuler; C. C, A. E. Stiwall; V. C, J. 
 F. Uthe; prelate, C. Fey; keeper of records and seals, 
 R. Patterson; master of finance, P. Sippel; master of 
 excheciuer, C. 0. Hirsching; D. D. G. C, C. 0. 
 Hirsching. 
 
 ANCIENT ORDER OF UIHERNIANS. 
 
 Division No. 1, A. 0. F., was organized in A])ril, 
 1876. The first i)resident was Peter Brady, and the 
 other officers were as follows : Vice President, James 
 Smith; secretary, John Shelly, Jr.; assistant secre- 
 tary, Thomas Kelch ; treasurer, J. W. Duress. The 
 officers elected in 1878 are the following : president. 
 
3W 
 
 HISTOKY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Peter Brady ; vice president, Michael Bowden ; sec- 
 retary, Patrick Smith ; assistant secretary, John 
 Leonard ; treasurer, J. W. Uuross. 
 
 St. Joseph's Society was founded in the niontli of 
 December, 1871, by members of the Catholic Church. 
 Its object is benevolent. Members are entitled in 
 case of sickness to tlie aid of the society, and in case 
 of deatli assistance is extended to the family. The 
 officers elected at tlie time of organization were : 
 jiresident, liev. E. Roucliey ; vice president, Ilerr- 
 manu Kauders ; secretary, M. Z. Gach ; financial 
 secretary, Henry Plato ; treasurer, John E. Plato. 
 The present officers of the society arc: president. 
 Rev. Josej)!! Roomer; vice president, Henry A. Plato; 
 secretary, M. H. Fehreubacli ; financial secretary, 
 John H. Plato; treasurer, .loiin E. Plato; Marslial, 
 Joseph Wesbecher. 
 
 TEMPERANCE. 
 
 The Amherst branch of the National Christian 
 Temjjerance Union was organized May 2'J, 1877, at 
 the Metliodist Episcopal church, and the following 
 officers elected for six months: president, Milo Harris; 
 first vice president, W. H. Clougli; second vice pres- 
 ident, E. C. Slmler; secretary, A. M. Hazel, corres- 
 ponding secretary, C. S. Aiken; treasurer, E. C. 
 Foster; executive committee, M. W. Axtell, chairman, 
 James Duress, L. Horn, J. R. Miller, M. C. Seeley, 
 Mrs. E. E. Mussey, Mrs. G. E. Bryant. The follow- 
 ing are the officers of 1878: president, E. C. Foster; 
 first vice president, T. M. Lewis; second vice presi- 
 dent, E. C. Shuler; secretary, S. Crocker; treasurer, 
 H. C. Haskell; executive committee, A. L. Spitzer, 
 chairman, Thomas Milford, C. M. Parsons, A. C. 
 Moore, M. C. Seeley. The society, though but a 
 short time has elapsed from the date of its organiza- 
 tion to the present writing, has accomplished consid- 
 erable in the line of its intention. ITpwards of one 
 tliousand persons have signed the i)ledge. 
 
 FIRE riEPARTMENT. 
 
 A volunteer fire department was organized in tlie 
 sjn-ing of 1S7G, and a good hand engine purchased 
 for tlie protection of the village from fire. H. C. 
 Smith was twice elected foreman, and then chief of 
 the department. The first chief was one Steele, and 
 the second Josejjh Trost. He resigned and John 
 Northam was elected ti) fill the vac;incy. 
 
 I'OST OFFICE. 
 
 Tlie first post office at North Amherst was kejit in 
 a frame dwelling house on Main street. Judge Josiali 
 Harris was the first postmaster, and his term of office 
 extended through forty-one years. He was followed 
 by Dr. A. A. Crosse, who held the position but eight 
 months, and he by Homer Terrell, who occupied the 
 office four months. Tlie present postmaster, A. M. 
 Crocker, has held the office for eleven years, and given 
 universal satisfaction. North Amherst post office was 
 originally known as Plato. The name was changed 
 in 186U. 
 
 The first store in the village was built by a Mr. 
 Mills, and now stands on Elyria street. William 
 Walker built a store on tliis street in 18o7. John 
 Goodell, the first blacksmith, settled at the corners 
 in 1828. The following is believed to be a com- 
 plete list of the merchants, (firms and individuals) of 
 North Amherst, down to the year 1878, and not in- 
 cluding those in business during that year: Mr. 
 Mills, Stanton Sholes, Orlum Winton, Harris & Dyer, 
 Fury & Harris, Lewis Shupe, William Walker, E. L. 
 Goodrich, Landon Rood, Mr. Prime, Hall & Mof- 
 fatt, Hall & Carliart, Hall & Woolcott, Jackson & 
 Baunnister, W. Parsons, L. Rood & Barney, 0. Bar- 
 ney & Rood, M. Belden, J. B. Whelpley & Blackmer, 
 J. B. Whelpley, L. P. Harris, M. Winton & Co., W. 
 Norton & Brother, E. Norton, L. Sherman, Wilson 
 & Houghton, H. Houghton, Houghton & Boyer, H. 
 Osborne, Steele & Brother, Luther Rood & Brother, 
 Luther Rood, Milo Harris, E. E. Mussey & Harris, 
 Mussey & King, Mussey, Mussey & Steele, Hirsching 
 & Harris, Hirsching, Clough & Sons, Hurst, Hirsch- 
 ing & Son, A. A. Crosse, J. B. Robertson, Huehire 
 & Hirsching, William Jaeger & Son, Charles Jaeger, 
 Jaeger & Huessner, R. Kelch, M. Jackson, A. Kline. 
 
 MANUFACTORIES, BUSINESS HOUSES, ETC., 1878. 
 
 Brewery, Wm. Braun; steam gristmills, John Hey man, JohnGeiioek; 
 foundry, J. E. Kendeigh; cooper shop, Lewis Hanchett; chair factorj^ 
 John Toffenton. Hotels— Henrie house, M. Jackson; Sherman house, 
 H. Boardman. Groceries— Charles Hirsching & Bro., Henry Uthe, 
 Plato Brothers, Jacob Hildebrand, Mears & Kelley. Groceries and Dry 
 Goods— Johnson A: Whitney, E. R. Huene, Thomas Randall. Drugs — 
 John F. Uthe, John H. Haniau. Hardware— Cook <S: Wesbecher. E. S. 
 Smith. Boots and Shoes— J. Ct. Bans, A. L. Spitzer, John Sippel, C. 
 Humes, John Huefed. Bankers— Spitzer Bros. Musical Instruments^ 
 J W. Gilbert. Furniture— Undertakers— Fey & Horn. Jewelry — H. C. 
 Smith. Livery— S. Porter, Geo. McNeil. Merchant Tailoring— G. Moe- 
 bius. MiUiuei-y- Mrs. Ci. Morse, Mrs. Barney, Mrs. C. Frederick, Mrs. 
 Bartlett. Painters— Fey & Fredeiick, John Raemer, O. Story, Perkins 
 Bros., Lorenzo Crocker. Meat Markets— J. Jackson & Son., E. C. Shu- 
 ler, Charles Parsons. Harness Shops— R. I. Wolcott, L. F. Dubroy. 
 Dentist^A. W. Hazel. Photographer— Wni. Bellows. Barbers— J. A. 
 Bodine, Conrad Kraoht. Blacksmiths — Henry Claus, Wm. Hartniau, 
 Chas. Bodfish, Mr. Frank. Cigar Makers— A. E. Stiwald, Mr. Scha- 
 viusky. 
 
 SOUTH AMHERST. 
 
 The little village in the southern part of the town- 
 ship, is known as South Amherst, though the post 
 office is Amherst. Its early settlers have been noticed | 
 in the first part of this chapter, and as the village is 
 not incorporated, and in fact consists of only a few 
 people and a small cluster of houses, there remains 
 but little to be said about it. The place was known 
 many years ago by the uupoetical title of "Podunk." 
 It was also known as the " Little Whig hole,"' for 
 nearly all of its residents were whigs. All of the 
 j)ost masters up to the time the party died, were of 
 this political persuasion. Eliphalet Redington was 
 the first. He was followed by A. H. Redington, his 
 son, and he by Peter Lunt. Joseph Reynolds was 
 the next jiostmaster, and then came J. C. Jackson. 
 The present incumbent, Heiii-y Jackson, followed him. 
 
 The first store at South Amherst was kept by Ad- 
 dison Tracey. Stores were kept later by R. E. Gil- i 
 lett, Elijjhalet Redington, George S. Everett, J. C, ! 
 
./■ 
 
 / 
 
 ^ c 
 
 ^^/^'^'^ 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 341 
 
 and H. S. Jacksou. Roswell Cune had a tannery 
 tliere as early as 1835. The only business and indus- 
 trial interests reprcsente'i in 1878, are Henry Jaokson, 
 keeper of a general store; Stephen Barnes, harness 
 maker; (}. (Iriffiu, shoe maker; and Wni. Biggs, 
 wagon maker. 
 
 AGRICULTURAL STATISTU'S. 
 
 Following are the statistics for 1878, showing the 
 amount of the most important productions of the 
 townshii), also the poi)ulatiou in 187i>, and tlie vote 
 for president in 1876: 
 
 Wheat, l.OfS acrps 18,630 bushels. 
 
 Potatoes, lOr " 13.872 
 
 Oats, 758 " *^,1W " 
 
 Orchards, 415 " 1*.*15 
 
 Corn, 1,042 " 3'>,-l''S 
 
 Meadow, l,9:iO " 2,4S2 tons. 
 
 Butter. 29,(i90 pounds. 
 
 Cheese 132,080 - 
 
 Maple Sugar 193 
 
 Populationm 1870 2,482 
 
 Vote for President in 1870. 
 R. B. Hayes 2S0 | S. J, Tilden 337 
 
 Biographical Sketches. 
 
 BAXTER C LOUGH 
 
 was l)orn in Canterbury, New Hampshire, September 
 15, 1807. He was the fourth child of a family of 
 fifteen, of Deacon John and Judith (Gerrish) C'lough. 
 His mother was granddaughter of Joanna Hale, who 
 was a near relative of fJaptain Nathan Hale, the martyr 
 spy of revolutionary fame, also a descendant of Sir 
 Matthew Hale, of England. In childhood and Ciirly 
 manhood he did not enjoy firm health; he attended 
 the district school (wliich was two miles from his 
 home), a limited time; and it may 1-ie said tiiat his 
 only education was obtained \>y observation and read- 
 ing, which his vigorous, thougiitfnl mind digested to 
 good purpose. He vvas naturally inquisitive and in- 
 ventive. Many incidents illustrating this are related; 
 among the rest he discovered a living spring of the 
 purest water near his father's residence, and brought 
 it to the house and barn, which was of incalculable 
 l)euefit. His father and grandfather before him had 
 lived on the farm, and not suspected the existence of 
 such a spring. Another time his father had his 
 orchard grafted. Ba.xter did not think it was done 
 in the best way, and thought he could do it better. 
 In his father's absence he did it as he thought best. 
 His father, on his return, very sorrowfully said, 
 "Baxter, you have ruined my orciiard;" but he saw 
 his mistake when, in a few years, it sap]>lied him 
 bountifully with choice fruit, and it was an original 
 idea with Baxter. His ancestors were eminent chris- 
 tians, and he was naturally serious and thoughtful; and 
 
 at the age of fifteen made a public profession of 
 religion, and united witli the (.Congregational church. 
 He had a musical bass voice of great power, and was 
 of great assistance in the cliurch choir; was also quite 
 a proficient on the flute. He assisted his father in 
 the cultivation of his farm, and in his seventeenth 
 year, his fatlicr, while overseeing the building of a 
 church, left the management of the farm to Baxter, 
 who emiiloyed men, and did the haying and harvest- 
 ing without the use of rum, a thing considered im- 
 ])ossiiile at that time. Much against his parents' and 
 friends' wishes, who did not give him any pecuniary 
 aid, in 1830 he came to Ohio. Tlie journey was made 
 by stage as far as Albany, and from there by Erie Canal 
 to Buffalo. Cleveland being his destined point, he took 
 a sailing vessel from Buffalo, but the wind not being 
 favorable for landing, passed by, up as far as Black 
 River (now Lorain), and then returned to Cleveland. 
 Soon after arriving there he was taken sick, when his " 
 clothes and the small amount of money he had were 
 stolen from him. He recovered, and with courage 
 undaunted sought employment, and found an ojipor- 
 tunity to peddle tin ware, which suited him, as he 
 wished to look over the country before locating. He 
 finally bought one hundred and forty acres of land in 
 Solon township, in Cuyahoga county, then an unbroken 
 wilderness, to go into the dairy business. A cousin 
 from New Hampshire, and himself, cleared a small 
 place, and erected a log cabin, and commenced clear- 
 ing the land of its heavy timber, keeping bachelor's 
 hall in the mean time. July 10, 1833, he was united 
 in marriage to Miss Hannah Gerrish, formerly of 
 Boscawan, New Hampshire, at that time residing with 
 her brother in Solon. It was the first wedding in 
 that town, and their sufferings and enjoyments were 
 many and ]ieeuliar to ]iioneer life. He was active, 
 public spirited and enterprising in all that related to 
 the future welfare of the town, such as making roads, 
 arranging for schools, etc. He went into the work of 
 l)romoting the worship of God and Sunday schools 
 with all his heart. His feelings, however, were deeply 
 injured by the lack of sympathy and hard criticisms 
 of those less zealous than himself, so that for many 
 years afterwards he did not take an active part in 
 church matters, but was always a firm believer and 
 friend of the cause. He owned and worked this farm 
 with success for seven years, but during the time his 
 health not being firm and strong, commenced travel- 
 ing through Pennsylvania and other States, building 
 hay scales, the e.xercise of horseback riding being bene- 
 ficial to him. In 1839 he disposed of his farm, and 
 moved to Cleveland; and commenced making scales of 
 different kinds, and during this time was appointed 
 city weigher. As he was unable to get such castings 
 as he needed in the maiuifacturing of scales, he added 
 a foundry to his business. 
 
 And now his ingenuity and inventive mind came 
 into play, and enabled him to make many improve- 
 ments. During this time he invented a stove called 
 the Regulator, which was considered the best extant 
 
342 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 at that time. In 18-10 lie moved to Berea, and engaged 
 in the business of nianufai'luring pig iron. U'his 
 venture was disastrous to him, as a change in (he 
 tariff caused a decline in the price of pig iron from 
 fifty dollars to twenty dollars per ton. Here he was 
 taken sick with typhus fever, and his life was des- 
 paired of for a time, but he recovered, and he always 
 said and felt sure his life was spared in answer to 
 prayer, that he might provide for his family. After 
 his recovery h(^ manufactured small grindstones for a 
 short time, when his attention was called to the 
 qnarries at North Auilierst, Ohio, where he moved in 
 18.52, and formed a jiarinership with P. & Tv. Dean, 
 which was of short duration, he having jnirchased the 
 interests of the Mes^^rs. Dean, when he commenced 
 alone themanufactureof grindstones, which amounted 
 to from two to four hundred tons a year. 'I'hcy were 
 hauled by teams to Hlack River, and sliii)ped by water 
 to Cleveland, and exchanged for goods of various 
 kinds. ITp to this time, his career had not lieen 
 specially notalile, but. peaceful and useful, winning for 
 him the respect and esteem of a wide circle. He 
 conceived the idea of obtaining for them a more ex- 
 tensive sale throughout the east, and in order to do 
 that, went east, and introduced them successfully 
 among the large manufacturers of edge tools, and to 
 increase the supply as was needed, invented machinery 
 and applied steam for turning large grindstones, 
 and from this time was continually inventing and 
 applying dilferent kinds of machinery to facilitate 
 the working of the ipiarries. The trade increased 
 raiiidly from year to year until 1860, when the annual 
 manufacture amounted to three thousand tons. 
 Aljout this time there sprung up a demand for block 
 stone for l)uil(ling jiurposes, and he turned his atten- 
 tion more particularly to tluit branch of the business, 
 which increased I'apidly until the year 1871. During 
 the next four years there were manufactured and de- 
 livered the amount of nine hundred and sixty-one 
 thousand eight biindred and sixty-eight cubic feet, 
 the greatest amount being shi])iied in 1872 — two 
 hundred and seventy-eight thousand seven hundi'ed 
 and eighty cubic feet. During these years he built a 
 dock at the lake so as to ship by water, hauling his 
 ])roducts there some two and one-half miles with mule 
 teams; but always progressive, went to work, and 
 built a railroad, and eijuipped the same with steam 
 engine and Hats, having then what no other <piari'y 
 owner possessed, a direct outlet of his own to ship by 
 water. He was always making experiments witli 
 machinery to cheai)en the manufacture of stone, the 
 majority of which proved successful; other (|ua.rry 
 owners waiting the results, thus reajiing the benefit 
 of his experience. He also purchased and developed 
 what is known as the Independence and Columbia 
 (piarries; manufactured large amounts of both block 
 and grindstones which found a I'eady market at re- 
 munerative prices. He was loved and respected by 
 all, especially the men in his employ. He always 
 used his iiersoiial inlluence to hel]) them to be indus- 
 
 trious, steady and frugal, to save their wages and 
 secure homes, which a large number have done. lie 
 died very peacefully, in November, 1872. A short 
 time before his death he united with the Congrega- 
 tional church, of which for many years he had been a 
 zealous friend, and liberal supporter. He was a man 
 of fine person, good address, pleasing manners, strict 
 integrity, faithful to the duties and requirements of 
 a varied life. His wife survives him, and this biog- 
 raphy would be incomplete if we did not add that 
 through his married life, she was a true heli)meet, 
 always labor ng and economizing to jiromote his intei- 
 ests and the welfare of their hii'ge family. Their 
 eldest son died in infancy; their youngest daughtci', 
 Ella J., died eight months ])revions to the time of 
 their father's death, and Mai-y E. , wife of 0. P. Mc- 
 Millan, live months later. The son.s, J. I>. and JI. 
 H., continue the large and ])ros])erous business left 
 by their father. Mattie A., wife of N. C. Gibson, 
 resides in Hamilton, Missouri. Sarah J., wife of J. 
 K. Hunt, resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Ilattie II. 
 remains at home, and cares for the mother who, though 
 now growing feeble, has always labored faithfully and 
 clieerfully for the best interests of the society in which 
 she moved. 
 
 ASAHEL ALLEN C^KOSSE. 
 
 Asahel Allen Crosse, physician and surgeon, was 
 born in Cincinnatus, Cortland county. New York, on 
 the 23d of August, 1824. His parents were in mod- / 
 crate circumstances, and he early learned the lesson 
 of self-dependence and self-help. At the age of thir- 
 teen years he left home to make his own way m the 
 world, and henc-eforth relied entirely upon his own 
 resources. He went to work on a farm, and such 
 school education as he obtained was by going to a 
 district school during the winter months, his sum- 
 mers being too much occupied in farm labor to give | 
 him any o])i:ortuuity for summer study. Not long 
 after leaving home he went to Ashtabula, Ohio, and 
 there, in addition to the oppirtunities afforded by the 
 district schools, he for a time enjoyed the advantage 
 of attending tiie Ashtabula academy. From thence | 
 he removed to Mentor, Lake county, Ohio, where at 
 the age of sixteen he commenced the study of medi- 
 cine. After having attended three full courses of 
 medical lectures he graduated at the Willoughby 
 university, in Lake county, Ohio, in the year 1842, 
 and went at once to Amherst, Lorain county, Ohio. 
 He had, when he arrived in Amherst, fifty dollars, 
 and on the day after his arrival he made the uncom- 
 fortable discovery that forty-six dollars of his little 
 fortune consisted of bills of a bank known a-^ the Ohio 
 Railroad Bank, lotated at Cleveland, Ohio, which had 
 failed the day before, and were perfectly worthless, so 
 that his available assets amounted to just four dollars. 
 Fortune was not stubborn against him, however, for 
 almost immediately he formed a jJartuership with Dr. 
 
A. A. CRUSSE, JI.D. 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 343 
 
 Luman Teniiey, an old physician of the place, and so 
 was introduced to a practice that speedily became 
 large and lucrative. His partner died at the end of 
 tlirce years, and tlien he took the entire charge of the 
 jiractico. Ilis diligence, ability and skill, added to 
 the liigh reputation he had already earned, made him 
 well known as one of the most successful physicians 
 in tlie county. As a citizen, no less tlian a piiysiciau, 
 is he appreciated in the community, and from time to 
 time that appreciation has been shown by placing him 
 in several of the elective offices of tlie township of 
 Amherst. He has successively held the offices of 
 township assessor, township clerk, justice of l:he])caco, 
 and was the first mayor of the incorporated village of 
 Nortli Amlicrst. Ho was postmaster of Amherst 
 during President Jolmson's administration. Politi- 
 cally he is a democrat, and, although the renuire- 
 nients of liis profession do not leave him much leisure 
 to devote to politics, he is nevertheless one of the lead- 
 ing spirits of his party in the community where he 
 lives. Althougli lie has acquired a fair competence, 
 liis experience lias not been one of unmingled pros- 
 perity. On the 1st of March, 1858, he was thrown 
 from his carriage, and his right leg was broken at tlie 
 ankle. Being a heavy man, the ends of the broken 
 Ijones were forced througli the skin and boot-leg, and 
 were driven three or four inclies into the ground liy 
 the violence of his fall. It was found impossible to 
 save the limb, antl it was amputated bejovv the knee 
 by Professor Horace A. Ackh^y, his former preceptor. 
 He has been three times married. His first wife, 
 Diantha Walker, he married in 1844, by whom he had 
 four children, three daughters and one son, one of 
 whom, Mrs. II. W. Barnard, is now living. His wife, 
 Diantha, dieil in 185.5. On the IGth of September, 
 1859, he married Sarah E. Post, of Milwaukee, Wis- 
 consin, by whom he had one son, now living. His 
 second wife died in 18G6, and on the 18th of Novem- 
 ber, 1875, he married Ella G. Pelton, of Vermillion, 
 Ohio. The doctor has a vigorous constitution, and 
 from present appearances he will feel of pulses, look 
 at. tongues, and deal poisons for many years to come; 
 that is, he is hale and hearty, and the youngest in the 
 community always find him a pleasant social com- 
 panion. 
 
 CURTIS BAILEY 
 
 was born in Potton Township, Canada East, February 
 17, 1830. He was the fifth child in a family of ten 
 children : his father was Jonathan B. Bailey, who 
 was born at Peacham, Vermont, October 31, 1794, 
 and died October 6, 1875. 
 
 He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his father 
 bcfoi-e him, Abijah Bailey, had been a soldier in the 
 revolutionary war, and died at the age of eighty-four 
 years. 
 
 Jonathan B. Bailey spent the earlier part of his life. 
 
 and up to 1844, in Orleans county, Vermont. His oc- 
 cupation was farming, at which he was engaged nearly 
 all his life. In the fall of 1844 he removed to Lorain 
 county, first stopping at Brownlielm, where he remain- 
 ed four years. The next four or five years of his life 
 were passed in Henrietta township, from whence he 
 removed to Ransom, Hillsdale county, Michigan, where 
 he spent the remainder of his life. He always lived 
 an honest and industrious life, and at the same time 
 an humble and unostentatious one. His friends and 
 ac(piaintances will bear us out in the assertion that 
 he was a man of irroproachalile personal integrity 
 and general worth. He married Hannah Dufur, who 
 was born in New llampsliire, May 15, 1797, and died 
 in Ransom, Michigan, .January 3, 1879. They were 
 both exemplary and consistent members of the Con- 
 gregational ciliircli. They had a large family, to the 
 bringing up of whom, in a jiroper manner, was ex- 
 pended almost all he could accumulate. He was 
 never very successful in the acquisition of wealth, 
 but was always generous, according to his means. 
 
 Curtis Bailey's early life was confined to agricul- 
 tural pursuits, which he followed until lie attained his 
 twenty-fifth year. In the spring of 1855 he removed, 
 with his family, tti Amherst township, and entered 
 the employ of Baxter Clough, to work in his stone 
 quarries. At the end of the first year he became 
 foreman, and has continued in his and the employ of 
 the Clough Stone Company, as superintendent of 
 tiieir stone (juarries, ever since, with the exception of 
 one and one-half years, in 1804-05, at which time 
 they lived in Hillsdale county, Michigan, one year, 
 and at Wellington, six months. At tlie age of twenty- 
 two years, and on the 30th of March, 1852. he was 
 married to Lovina, daughter of Arvy Whitney, and 
 Lucinda Remington, of Camden township, who was 
 born in Sherbouriie, Chenango county. New York, 
 March 10, 1802. She was born in Clarendon. Mon- 
 roe county. New York, April 1, 1832. They have 
 four children, namely : Ida J., born January 10, 
 1853, married Horace Seeley, of Amherst township, 
 March 30, 1872; Edna C, born December 11, 1857, 
 married F. M. Lewis, editor of the Amherst Free 
 /'/■ess. May 9, 1878; Florence H., born January 27, 
 1800; Warren C, born August 7, 1872. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are both members of the Free 
 Will Baptist church, having joined that denomina- 
 tion in Henrietta, in the year 1854. 
 
 The ancestors of both Mr. and Mrs. Bailey were of 
 New England origin. The i)aternal grandfather of 
 Mrs. Bailey was Elisha Whitney, who was born in 
 Vermont, August 25, 1707, and died August 27, 1822. 
 His wife was born in Connecticut. Her maiden name 
 was Mariam Eaton. She was twice married, first to 
 Ezra Taylor, January 10, 1780 ; second, to Elisha 
 Whitney, March 24. 1791. Mr. Bailey's maternal 
 grandfather was William Remington, who was born 
 in Stephentown, New York, January 25, 1775; died 
 in Sweden, New York, September 13, 1827. He 
 married Lovina Hill, who was born in Steplienson, 
 
344 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 Now York, February 20, 1781; died in Sweden, New 
 York, October 2, 1828. 
 
 Mr. Bailey i.s quite exten.sively known in tlie coni- 
 iniinity in wliicli be resides, and bis general good 
 cbaraeter, faitbfulness and industrious luiltits bave 
 o-ained for biin an cnvinMo r('|mlation. He obtained 
 tlie res))octof bis eni))loyi'i's a-iul olliers by close atten- 
 tion to dntv, and bas retained tbe same by bis con- 
 tinued fiiitbful discbarge of tbe same. lie possesses 
 aliility and ai)i)lies it ; be is iionest and practices tbai^ 
 (piality always ; bence bis success in life. 
 
 JOSEPH AND ,1. J. RICE. 
 
 A balf century ago, wbcn tbe territory embraced 
 witbiu tbe present limits of Lorain county was mostly 
 an uidiroken wilderness, witb berc and tbere, at con- 
 siderable distances, a solitary clearing, Josepb Rice, 
 witb bis wife and four sons, arrived and effected a 
 pernnment settlement in wbat is now the town of 
 Amberst. We quote from a series of bistorical rem- 
 iniscences, by "Squib," publisbed in tbe Amberst Free 
 Press, tbe following information relative to these 
 pioneer settlers: 
 
 "Joseph Rice, son of John and Ann Rice, was born 
 in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, MayG, 1788. After 
 arriving at mature age, be married Betsey E. Fiery. 
 In tbe spring of 1829, he came to Amberst, bringing 
 with him bis family, consisting of bis wife and four 
 sons. He ]iurcbased a farm, a little west of Kcn- 
 deigb's cornel s, and began clearing and improving it 
 for bis future borne. But in 1835 bis health failed, 
 which resulted in bis death, September 30 of that 
 year, at the age of forty-seven. His widow continued 
 to live on the ftirm, surviving ber husband thirty 
 years, and died October 3, 18(1.5, at the age of eighty 
 years. 
 
 Tbe four sons who accompanied their father to 
 Amiierst, we judge, were all tbe children born to Mr. 
 Rice. Tbeir names were as follows: Henry, born 
 July 13, 1810; be moved to Crawford county, Wis- 
 consin, where he died March 5, 184!); bis family 
 came to Amberst. Peter J., born February U), 1818, 
 who lives at this date of writing (September, 1870,) 
 about two miles west of Oberliu. Samuel B., born 
 February 1, 1825; he went to Wisconsin in 1846, and 
 from tbence went to California in 1852, and died 
 September 23, of tbe same year. Josepb J., born 
 September 17, 1828, aiul is living on the old home- 
 stead, which bis father first purchased in Amberst. 
 
 J. .). KICE, 
 
 son of Josepb and Betsey E. Rice, was born, as above 
 stated, Septemlier 17, 1828, in Fayette county, Penn- 
 sylviLiiia. He remained with bis father until the 
 death of tbe latter. On tbe 29th of October. 1857, 
 he married Emily .)., daughter of L. R. Cook, of 
 Amherst. By this uni(jn were born three children, 
 namely, Arthur J., Virgil K. and Tracy J., all of 
 
 whom are living, and reside at home. Mr. Rice en- 
 gaged early with his brothers, Henry and Peter J., 
 in tbeir foundry, first as a laborer, and subsequently 
 as a partner; and finally, in 1857, be became sole 
 jiroprietor of tbe business by purchase, and has con- 
 tinued to conduct the same ever since. He is also 
 engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning about one 
 buudred and forty acres of land, being tbe old home- 
 stead, which be has continued to improve from time 
 to time, until it is quite a pleasant home and a highly 
 cultivated farm. A neat and natural illustration of 
 bis place, together with the portraits of himself and 
 wife, appears on another page of this volume. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Rice is a republican, and has been 
 since tlie organization of that party, having been a 
 whig prior to that event. He is a liberal minded 
 gentleman, and bas always contributed bis full share 
 to all public enterprises tending to jiromote social 
 ])rooress. To religious and educational interests he 
 is ever a cheerful giver. He is now one of the oldest 
 living settlers, having resided in the place where he 
 now lives for fifty years. He is a deservedly i)opular 
 and nuieb respected citizen. 
 
 LEWIS RODMAN COOK. 
 
 For upwards of thirty years, the gentleman whose 
 name beads these lines, was a prominent and well 
 known citi/.en of Amberst township. He was born in 
 Franklin, Delaware county. New Y'ork, August 5, 
 181-1, and was tbe youngest of a family of six chil- 
 dren. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, . 
 and died when Lewis was three months old, leaving 
 bis family in a poor condition, financially. At the 
 age of nine, therefore, it became necessary for Lewis 
 to work for himself, and at the age of sixteen be 
 learned the carpenter and joiner's trade. 
 
 In tbe year 1835, he was married to Miss Emeline 
 Remington, daughter of Daniel and Nancy Reming- 
 ton, who are of New England origin; berfatiicr having 
 been born in Vermont February 15, 1785; ber mother, 
 Nancy Rich, at Bristol, Connecticut, December 17, 
 1795. Mr. and Mrs. Cook had three children, all 
 living and married, as follows: Emily J-, now tbe 
 wife of J. J. Rice, of North Amberst; Arniina J., 
 wife of John S. Perry, of Browubelm; and Newel, 
 who married Miss Eliza Ilarley, of Camden township. 
 Lorain county. After his marriage, Mr. Cook con- 
 tinued to work at bis trade, making Franklin bis 
 headquarters, until tbe fall of 1843, when he moved 
 to Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, remaining tbere 
 three years. In 1840, he moved to Amherst town- 
 ship, and purchased the fiirin on which he spent the 
 remaining days of bis life. 
 
 At the age of twenty, he became a zealous chris- 
 tian worker, was baptized in the Baptist faith, and 
 lived a consistent member of that body to tbe end of 
 bis days. Mr. Cook was a man of some faults; who 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 345 
 
 is not? but his good qualities greatly predominated, 
 charity Ijeing a leading trait in his character, and all 
 who knew him can testify to his willingness ever to 
 help tiiose in sorrow, sickness, or distress. He was a 
 scrupulously honest and economical person, and dur- 
 ing his lifetime accumulated a comfortable compe- 
 tence; liut lilierality, in deserved cases of poverty or 
 trouble, was a leading feature of his disposition. 
 
 He was a faithful husband, a kind and indulgent 
 father, a liberal provider, and a highly respected 
 member of society. His loss is not only felt in the 
 church, where iiis zeal and activity were greatly ben- 
 eficial, but his family, and a large circle of friends, 
 will sorely miss his kindly presence and genial worth. 
 
 On Sunday, Septembers, 1878, he was taken sick 
 with jaundice, but was not confined to his bed en- 
 tirely till six weeks later. From the commencement 
 of his indisposition he seemed to have a premonition 
 that his disease would terminate fatally. He sank 
 slowly but surely, ever bearing up under his affliction 
 with christian fortitude, and a longing to be with 
 his God. At last, on Sunday evening, November 
 10, 1878, the soul returned to the God who gave it, 
 and Lewis Rodman Cook passed quietly into eternity. 
 
 His widow and three children survive him. Mrs. 
 Cook is a devoted and earnest member of the Baptist 
 church, with which she formally united, at Franklin, 
 thirty-eight years ago. She is an eminently christian 
 woman, and a worthy relict of the good man whose 
 faithful wife she was. 
 
 CASPER BUTE 
 
 was born in Rutt.inburg, (Jermany, on the 38th of 
 January, 1837. He was the tnily child of George and 
 Ann Catharine (Miller) Dute. Tlie latter (George) 
 had one brother and four sisters; the brother died in 
 Germany and two of the sisters emigrated to this 
 country, whither George Dute also came in 18:54, 
 landing at Hlack river on the 18th of September of 
 that year, and located in Black River townsiiip, aiwut 
 one mile and a half north of the i^resent residence of 
 his son Casper, and half a mile from the lake shore. 
 A rude log cabin, floorless and generally dilapidated, 
 was then standing on the farm, which, with slight 
 repairs, was used by the family for a dwelling for 
 nine years. Tiiey then sold the place and purchased 
 the one upon which Casper Dute now resides. An 
 opening had to be made in the then unbi'oken forest, 
 and a log house was erected for the use of the family. 
 The farm contained fifty-one acres. The parents of 
 tiie subject of this Ijrief sketch are both dead. His 
 mother died December 22, 18(i8, and his father Au- 
 gust 9, 1875. Tiiey were a worthy and highly 
 respected couple, and were among the pioneers of tiie 
 town in which they passed so many years of their 
 lives. Casper Dute married Mary Ileidenreich March 
 1, 1850. By this union were born fifteen children, of 
 
 41 
 
 whom fourteen are living, namely: J. George, Cath- 
 arine, Elizabeth, .John A., Anton, Ann Martha, J. 
 Henry, Valentine, .Julius, Annie Dora, A'nton Au- 
 gust, Mary Orelia, John Harvey, Henry .Jacob, Cas- 
 per Cleine, Orlie Ferdinand (deceased). Of these, 
 two are married — J. George and Catharine; tiie for- 
 mer to M;irv Shupe, the latter to Ferdinand Jisch- 
 truth. 
 
 In politics Mr. Dute is a democrat, and h;is always 
 acted with that party. He has been a liberal con- 
 trilnitor to religiou;^ as well as to educational inter- 
 ests. By unremitting industry and careful manage- 
 ment of ills affairs, he has become possessed of quite 
 an extensive property, consisting of over three hun- 
 dred acres of land. A sketch of his farm ami build- 
 ings is inserted in this work, as one of the finest in 
 the town. Mr. Dute has always held a prominent 
 position among his own countrymen. 
 
 CAPTAIN E. P. FRINK. 
 
 Among the prominent navigators and sliip owners 
 on Lake Erie, none have had greater general success 
 or enjoy a fairer record than the subject of this 
 sketch. He was the son of Eli and Hannah (Squires) 
 Frink, both natives of Massachusetts. They had eight 
 sous and one daughter, of whom six sous and the 
 daughter survive. At an early day they removed to 
 Rochester, New York, where Mr. Frink erected the 
 Strong's flouring mills. He died there about 1829, 
 one of the most respected citizens of the then com- 
 paratively small place. Two or three years after the 
 death of her husband, Mrs. Frink removed, with her 
 family of seven children, to Elyria, ai'riving there m 
 1832. They came from Buffalo to Cleveland on the 
 steamer Superior, the second steamer sailing on Lake 
 Erie. 
 
 Captain E. P. Frink was born at Rochester, Monroe 
 county. New York, December 27, 1822. He accom- 
 panied his widowed mother to El^'ria when about ten 
 years of age. From 1832 to 1831 he worked for a 
 half sister in Carlisle township, and also for an uncle 
 in Elyria township. During, or about that time, he 
 was apprenticed to a tailor, but, not liking the trade, 
 he only remained about four weeks, concluding to 
 move and do for himself. He proceeded to Black 
 River township, where he remained until about 1839, 
 during which year he first went on the lake, busying 
 iiimself in the meanwhile as best he could. He 
 learned the caulkers trade about 1839. From that 
 time until the present he has been interested in sail- 
 ing and maritime matters, having an interest in four 
 sailing vessels. He has been quite successful, never 
 having lost but one vessel. He has bought and sold 
 several farms, mostly at a pecuniary advantage. 
 
 In October, 184(3, Captain Frink was united in 
 marriage with Aurilla Gillmore, of Amherst town- 
 ship. Her parents were of New England ancestry. 
 
346 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 She hiid eight sisters and five brothers, of whom five 
 of the former and fonr of tlie latter are living. Her 
 mother used to relate how she rode all the way 
 through the woods to Elyria to get married. They 
 were among the pioneers of Amherst, and all their 
 family were born in that township. The father was a 
 farmer, and a good practical business man. 
 
 Captain Frink stayed ashore during the season of 
 187S, for the first time since he commenced sailing, 
 about forty years ago. In politics he is a republica)!, 
 and liberally supported the government during the 
 war of the rebellion, being true to the iirincijtles of 
 his party and the best interests of the country. He 
 
 neveraffiliated with any religious organization; neither 
 did Mrs. Frink, although both are true christians in 
 the broadest and best sense. He has generally sup- 
 ported all religious enterju-iscs, donating one hundred 
 dollars toward the building fund of the Methodist 
 house of worship at Black River, among other similar 
 acts of generosity. He is noted for his boundless 
 charity, particularly to tlie poor and needy. In his 
 business career his motto has been S(juare dealing, 
 and the triteness of the phrase is significant of a broad 
 interpretation; for personal honor and a regard for 
 righteous dealing have characterized all the acti(uis 
 of his business life. 
 
 N\,\V^^ ^'^XW""' ^/^V^ 
 
 Jacob Hildebrand, 
 
 Mrs, Jacob Hildebrand. 
 
WELLINGTON. 
 
 In the thirty-ciglith draft by the members of the 
 Coiincctieiit hind comiiany, April 4, 1807, Ephraim 
 Root and James Ross drew township number three in 
 ranL,'e eighteen, witli other hmd.s, and in tiie division, 
 Ei)hraini Root heeunie the original proprietor of Wel- 
 lington. 
 
 The township contains an area of twenty-two and 
 otie-halF miles and a fraction over — by tlie original 
 snrvey, thirteen thousand nine hundred and twelve 
 acres of land. It was divided into forty-eight oi'iginal 
 lots. It was six lots deej), running from south to 
 iiortii, and thence from north to south, and num- 
 liered in tliis order consecutively. It is eight lots in 
 length east and west. They are of uue((ual size; tlie 
 lots west of the center road are the larger. The first 
 tier of lots is on the east side of the township. The 
 s(uitheast corner lot is number onl^ numbei'ing thence 
 north consecutively; number six is the northeast cor- 
 ner lot, returning thence on the second tier of lots to 
 the south line; so back and forth, ending with lot 
 forty-eight, in the south-west corner. 
 
 February 18, 1812, the general assembly of the 
 State of Ohio fixed the territorial limits of the county 
 of Medina by an act of that date, wherein it was pro- 
 vided that all tliat part of the (Jonnecticut Western 
 Reserve lying west of the eleventh range, south of 
 number five and east of the twentieth range, shall be 
 attached to and be a i)art of the county of Portage. 
 
 The territory thus set to Medina embraced town- 
 shiii number three, range eighteen — Wellington. On 
 the organization of Medina county in Januai'y, 1818, 
 it was a part thereof, and so remained until the organ- 
 ization of Lorain county, January 31, 1834. 
 
 At the organization of Medina county, the sound of 
 the woodman's axe had never been heard within the 
 township. The only works of civilization were the 
 blazed trees indicating the lot lines made by the 
 surveyor's hatchet. The wilderness was unbroken. 
 The Wyandots were still here, and here remained for 
 several years after the arrival of the first settlers. 
 Remains of their old wigwams, near an orchard of 
 wild plums in Penfield township, were seen as late as 
 1840. 
 
 The township is traversed by several affluents of 
 Black river, Wellington creek in the eastern, Charle- 
 mout creek and the west branch of Black river in the 
 western and northern parts. It is therefore well 
 watered, and has a diversified soil of alluvium and 
 upland. The surface is level, and much of it back 
 from the streams was originally regarded as swale 
 lands, but their adaptation for meadow and grazing 
 
 purposes is unsurpassed. There is not an acre of 
 waste laud in the township. In the eastern jjart are 
 still seen the remains of an old beaver dam, which in 
 an early day served to Hood an extent of fifty or 
 seventy-five acres, and was known as Wellington 
 swain|i. It ali'orded a secure retreat for wild ani- 
 mals. It was the haunt of the bear and the wolf. 
 Its impenetrable thickets afforded an effectual screen 
 from the hunter's vigilance. The wolf, for miles 
 away, when closely pursued, headed for Wellington 
 swamp, and it was a struggle of skill and endurance 
 on the part of the hunter to cut him off' from that 
 retreat. The east and west center road, when con- 
 structed, crossed it in the middle. The road was 
 made by felling the brush upon the surface of the 
 morass, upon which stringers were placed lengthwise 
 upo;i cross i)ieces placed on the brush; over these 
 stringers the corduroy covering was laid. The road 
 was literally a bridge, which, as used, would gradu- 
 ally settle below the surface, when other stringers 
 were jilaced aud more corduroy was laid. It was too 
 narrow for teams to meet and pass thereon. If two 
 met, the lightest loaded was unhitched, load removed, 
 wagon uncoupled and crowded to one side, team 
 backed to terra finiin, while the other jnished on. 
 Such hindrances rarely occurred, however, for the 
 noise of the jolting wagon ujion the rough corduroy 
 gave timely notice that the road was occupied. 
 
 To-day the site of that swamp is occupied by well 
 cultivated fields of unsurpassed and exhaustless fer- 
 tility. 
 
 The Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indian- 
 apolis railway traverses the townshi]) diagonally, from 
 the northeast to the southwest corner. It is crossed 
 by five roads running north and south, and by three 
 east and west. It is about midway between Elyria 
 on the north, Ashland on the south, Medina on the 
 east, and Norwalk on the west, and on the most direct 
 road to each. This fact, at an early day, gave Wel- 
 lington importance as the center of local trade, and 
 rendezvous for land owners and settlers. 
 
 Ei)hraim Root, the original proprietor of Welling- 
 ton, sold the township to Colonel Francis Herrick, 
 Harmon Kingsbury, P'rederick Hamlin, and Norton 
 and Stocking, of Berkshire county, Massachusetts. 
 In the record of transfers of Medina county, for the 
 year 1819, the first transfer from Ei)hraim Root to 
 Francis Herrick of three thousand five hundred and 
 sixty acres, township three, range eighteen, is entered. 
 From the same to Joseph Kingshury, two thousand 
 two hundred and seventy-eight acres. In 1820, the 
 
 (347) 
 
348 
 
 UISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 same to Amos Adams, six hundred and fifty acres; to 
 Adams, Norton and Stocking, tiiree tlionsaud four 
 hundred and seven ty-eiglit acres; to Lyniau and Saa- 
 ford Brown and Frederick Hamlin, two thousand 
 acres; to John ('Htford, tliree hundred and fifty acres; 
 to .liilin (Milford, Ji'., seventy-five acres; to John 
 llowk, seven liundred and thirty-four and three- 
 fourths acres. Tliese transfers were nuide to actual 
 settlers. And it was a happy thing for Wellington that 
 theso lands did not fall into the hands of speculators, 
 
 FIRST SETTLEMENT AND SETTLERS. 
 
 in >[arch, 181S, the first settlers arrived. They 
 were: E])hraini Wilcox and (Jharles Sweet, who came 
 out in the employ of Frederick Hamlin; John Clif- 
 ford and Joseph Wilson, of Berkshire county, Massa- 
 chusetts; and William T. Welling, of Montgomery 
 county. New York. The first four left Berkshire 
 county in February, with i)acks and tools loaded upon 
 a cutter, drawn by one old mare. One drove while 
 the others walked. Welling joined them en route. 
 In M:irch, they reached Grafton, the most advanced 
 out-j)()st in the direction of their lands. They at 
 once commenced cutting a " trail " to townshi]i num- 
 ber three, of range eighteen, and entered the townshijt 
 at the northeast corner thereof, and thence to the 
 center lots. 
 
 They reached their destination in the latter part of 
 March, at night-fall. They camped for the night, and 
 the next day commenced and nearly comjileted a 
 temporary cabin, which was to be their home for 
 ■weary months. It was erected near the corner of lots 
 twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-seven and twenty- 
 eight, upon the ground where the house of Mrs. J. P. 
 Nickles now stands. They made benches for chairs; 
 matresses of dried leaves for beds, placed upon bed- 
 steads made by driving four crotched stakes into the 
 ground, with stringers stretching from stake to 
 stake, and white oak shakes crossing from strinoor to 
 stringer, upon which the leaf matresses were laid. 
 These rude beds soon gave place to more luxurious 
 couches, made by the pioneer with axe and auger, 
 consisting of four posts, four straight ])oles for the 
 side and foot rails, extending from post to post, of 
 requisite length and width, inserted in auger holes 
 and interwoven with liasswood bark, which, until the 
 bark got too dry and brittle, made a bed a kins 
 might envy, if invparcd for its enjoyment by the 
 toils of pioneer life. 
 
 Their temporary cabin completed, they at once 
 commenced work upon their lands, finding them liy 
 the surveyor's plat, and the marks upon the corner 
 stakes of the lots, Ephriam Wilcox u])on lot twenty- 
 eight; John Clifford upon lot sixteen; Joseph Wilson 
 upon lot fourteen; and Charles Sweet, for Frederick 
 Ilamlin, upon lot twenty-seven. By the 1st of Ajiril 
 the ringing of the woodman's ax, the crash of falling 
 trees, gave token of the advent of civilization, of the 
 dawn of that struggle to plant the institutions of New 
 England in the forest, which it took a generation to 
 complete. 
 
 On the 4th day of July, of that year, they wei-e 
 joined by the family of Ephraiin Wilcox, consisting 
 of wife and child, Theodore Wilcox and sister, Miss 
 Caroline Wilcox, accompanied by Dr. Daniel J. 
 Johns, Frederick Hamlin, and Austin Kingsbury. 
 The log house was ready for their reception, into 
 which they were received on this glad fourth of July, 
 after a sejjaration of live months, passed by the hus- 
 band and father in the depths of the forest, far from 
 the sound of woman's voice, or children's )irattle. 
 
 These women were the first white women in Wel- 
 lington. The site of their first home, — that first log 
 cabin, — is still seen, about three-quarters of a mile 
 northwest of the center of the townshiji. An old 
 peach tree, an apple tree, a hop vine, the rums of 
 the old stone and clay cliimney still mark the place 
 in a field now owned by Daniel J. Johns. It is remote 
 from any road, for it j)receded roads. No lovelier 
 place for a home could have been chosen, facing the 
 east, upon a gentle declivity, at the foot of which a 
 bubbling brook sent up, in those days, the music of 
 its unceasing murmur, and near by, an unfailing 
 spring sent forth an abundant su])ply of the purest 
 water. To such a home and such sceneiy were these 
 women welcomed. The welcome and lovely scene 
 was not unappreciated by them, which appreciation 
 wiis manifested by Mrs. Wilcox in the most timely 
 and fitting manner possible, to wit: by the j)resenta- 
 tion to her husband and infant colony of a num child, 
 John W. Wilcox, born on the twenty-fifth day of 
 Se])tember, A. D. 1818, the first white child born in 
 the township. He grew to manhood, and died heii\ 
 leaving a widow and two sons, Stanley and Arthur. 
 
 The journey of these last arrivals was performed 
 from Massachusetts, in just four weeks' time. They 
 came with horses and wagons, bringing such house- 
 hold goods as were absolutely necessary. Dr. Johns 
 was then just twenty-one years old, and fi-om that 
 day to this has been closely identified with every inter- 
 est of Wellington and the surrounding townsiiips. 
 He was for years the only jihysician in a circuit of 
 fifteen miles. Here he j)urchased and cleared a farm, 
 built a home, married and reared a family of chil- 
 dren. He helped to organize the township and the 
 county, filled various township offices, and was an 
 associate judge of the Lorain court of common pleas 
 from February, 18;i8, to February, 1845, inclusive. 
 No further accessions were made to the settlement 
 until in the late fall of that year. One morning the 
 tinkle of a strange cowbell was heard from the direc- 
 tion of the center. Curious to see from what it pro- 
 ceeded, the sound was followed, and an emigrant's 
 team was found grazing, and the first shanty ei'octed 
 was found occupied, not by strangers, hut by friends 
 from their old Massachusetts home, Josiah Bradley 
 and wife, John and Alauson Ilowk, and their mother. 
 Miss Electa Ilowk, and a sister and "Dean," a female 
 servant, a relic of Massachusetts slavery, who had 
 continued to live with her old mistress after the 
 adoption of the constitution of 1780, and had fol- 
 
o 
 
 <: 
 
 
 2 
 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 -J 
 u 
 
 CO 
 U 
 
 5 
 
HISTOEY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 349 
 
 lowed her into the wiklenicss. They had reached 
 tlie center of the township after dark tlie night be- 
 fore. Their trail ended tliero. Tlie deserted slianty 
 was found and occiii)iea until morning slioiikl reveal 
 the whereabouts of the settlei-s. They were never 
 accorded a more joyful welcome than that which then 
 was given tlicm. The meeting of those pioneer 
 women in the depths of the forest, months having 
 intervened since two of them iiad looked upon any of 
 their own sex save themselves, was one of intense 
 emotion. Encircling arms, tear-dimmed eyes were 
 the exi)ression of a joy too great for utterance. 
 Alauson Howk sedled upon lot twenty-two ; .lolin 
 llowk upon lot fifteen, and .losiah Bradley upon lot 
 number forty. 
 
 Frederick Hamlin, having conii)leted his log-house 
 on lot twenty-seven, that fall returned to Massachu- 
 setts for his family. The next year he returned with 
 his wife, Mrs. Nancy Hamlin, and four children, viz: 
 Frederick M., Lucius, Homer and Jane. 
 
 The providence that sent this family into the wil- 
 derness was beneficent to Wellington. Active in the 
 organization of schools, earnest in promoting the 
 interests of society, prominent in the civil affairs of 
 the township and county, filling some of the most 
 important places of jiublic trust in both, the name 
 of Frederick Hamlin, and after hiui of his son Fred- 
 erick M., ajipears on every ]iage of its history for the 
 first forty years. , The father was one of the tirst 
 common pleas judges of the county, sat u]iou the 
 bench at the first term of court ever held in the 
 county. May term, 182-t, and continued to serve 
 until the March term, 1831. In after years, when 
 the county had become populous and wealthy, the 
 son, Frederick M., wa,^ chosen treasurer Of the 
 county for two successive terms. He entered into the 
 office in September, A. D., 1865, and retired Septem- 
 ber, 1869, and no man ever served the iniblic tlu-rein 
 more acceptably. 
 
 Homer Hamlin removed to Iowa after seeing the 
 township all settled and a large village springing up 
 around the very spot where the old log house, the 
 home of his childhood, stood. They have all passed 
 away now, the work of their hands, and a fragrant 
 memory are all that remain to speak for them. 
 
 On the 13tli of November, 1819, Ahner Loveland, 
 from Otis, Massachusetts, came. He journeyed the 
 entire distance on foot, reached the settlement on 
 Friday, hired to Judge Hamlin (mi Saturday as a wood- 
 chiipper, and commenced his job on Monday. He 
 linally settled in Brighton, but returned to Welling- 
 ton in after years, where ho lived until his death, in 
 March, 1879. At a very early period of the anti-sla- 
 very movement he identified himself therewith, and 
 suffered bonds and imprisonment because of his de- 
 votion to the cause of hunuin liberty. This same 
 year came Lyman Howk, who located upon lot ten, 
 where he continued to live until his death. 
 
 In May, 1820, John Clifford, who had returned 
 east in the fall of 1818, after making a small clearing. 
 
 returned with his family, consisting of his wife and 
 ten children, six sons and four daughters, viz: John 
 Clifford, Jr., Daniel, Luther L., Flijali M., (ieorge 
 W., Benjamin F., Hannah, Theodosia, Harriet and 
 Polly, a noble force for the woi-k in hand. They at 
 once commenced the erection of a log house, and in 
 one week their luuise was ready. Shortly after, an 
 addition was built to it, and here was taught the first 
 school, by Miss Caroline Wilcox, Mr. Clifford furnish- 
 ing not only the house but over half the pupils. In 
 this house was preached the first sermon, by Rev. Mr. 
 McMalioii, pi-i'siding elder of the Methodist Episcopal 
 church. And here Kev. Adam Foe jircached his first 
 sermon. The old log house, in a few years, gave 
 place to a substantial frame house, in which Mr. Clif- 
 ford lived from thence to the day of his death, Sep- 
 tember 17, 18()9, aged ninety-two years, surviving his 
 sons, Luther L. and George W. This was the first 
 frame house built. 
 
 This year Mr. Hamlin opened a small store in a log 
 house at the center, and here the first post office was 
 kept by him, the first postmaster. 
 
 In 1847, Rev. Ansel R. Clark delivered an historical 
 sermon to the First Congregational church of Wel- 
 lington. Speaking of the progress of the settlement, 
 he said tluit in the beginning of the year 1821, there 
 were thirty-seven inhabitants in the township. That 
 year came Amos Adams, Milton Adams, and their 
 sister. Miss xVtlurnira Adams, who married Austin 
 Kingsbury, Russell B. Webster, Ithel Battle. Whit- 
 man De Wolf, Loren Wadswor; li, Judson Wadsworth, 
 William Foote, Daniel Smith and .Insiah B. Miinlev. 
 The latter, with his wife and three chihiren, journeyed 
 from Massachusetts with an ox team, and was forty 
 days in making the journey, the last night of whii'h 
 was spent in the woods within four miles of the set- 
 tlement, without food for themselves or team; sur- 
 ivuiuded from dark till dawn by legions of howling 
 Wolves. They arrived at the settlement at early dawn, 
 aud found every man absent. 
 
 LOST IN THE WOODS. 
 
 The wonl had been sent the night before from Sul- 
 livan, that a child was lost in the forest, and lielp was 
 wanted to search for the wanderer. These tidings 
 liy faithful messengers, were for\varded to adjacent 
 settlements in Brighton and Pittslield, with a recpiest 
 that all should engage in the search and they assembled 
 at Sullivan at sunrise on the next morning to organ- 
 ize. Many had come a distance of fifteen miles. It 
 was a bleak November day, Init that morning beheld 
 a column of men three miles long, asseudded at the 
 l)lace of designation. As the child had last l.iecn seen 
 east of the dwelling of its iiarents, the commander of 
 the forces conceived the idea that the little wanderer 
 was to be found east. The order to march was given, 
 and the line moved forwai'd into the dejjths of the 
 wilderness. They crossed Black riverand penetrated 
 into the wilds beyond, where no child could [lossibly 
 go. In the afternoon a violent snow storm came on. 
 
350 
 
 HISTOEY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 It was thouglit the child must perisli; :i backward 
 inarcli was made and the chiki was left to his fate. 
 The next spring its remains were found, partially eaten 
 by the Avolves. The child had crawled under the 
 body and upturned roots of a fallen tree;, evidently 
 for shelter, and thei'e had perished, west of the house 
 and within half a mile thereof. Among those from 
 Wellington was Ifiissell B. Webster, a young man of 
 stalwart frame, with great jiowei-s of endurance, and 
 possessed of mental force to malch. Exhausted with 
 the long tram]) to Sullivan in the night, the fruitless 
 march, and the ri'turn tramp home, some (jf tliecom- 
 l)any sank down exhausted by the way. Wel)stei' 
 lifted, led or carried these to places of safety, where 
 rest could be had. Webster besought the leader to let 
 the company search the woods around the house on 
 all sides first, but was unfortunately overruled. 
 
 To get lost in the woods was no uucom?non occur- 
 rence to the pioneers themselves, but over children 
 such careful watch was kept that it was rare, and but 
 ftnv instances of the kind happened. If a man at night- 
 fall did not return it was surmised he was lost. Tin 
 horns were blown and guns were fired to direct his 
 course, should the sound reach him, while the man 
 himself would climb a tree the better to catch the 
 sound he know his friends would make, and if no 
 sound reached him the Ijranches of the tree were his 
 resting place till morning, unless the rigors of the 
 season demanded constant walking to i)revent freez- 
 ing. The craft of the experienced w(jodmen soon 
 taught them when the sun was hidden to follow the 
 wafer courses; sooner oi' later these would lead to a 
 settler's path. Every nuin's house was a home, the 
 latch string always hung out, the wanderers, the weai'y 
 aiul the hungry always were welcomed with a hospi- 
 tality that ]nits to shame the cold civilities of nu)re 
 modern life — the hospitality of the heart. 
 
 Wolves were numerous, their nightly howls were 
 hideous, their havoc among sheep and domestic aiii- 
 nuils ruinous. The sheep, for better j)rotcction from 
 them, were nightly housed in folds, and woe to the 
 flock if this precaution was neglected. They often fol- 
 lowed at a safe distance the pioneer's footsteps, rarely, 
 if ever, attacking him. Their attitude was one of per- 
 petual threatening, but like all cowards, never execut- 
 ing, ready and willing to make an attack, ojjportunitv 
 presenting, and hunger pressing. At last the legis- 
 latui-e of the State legistated the wolves to that land 
 from whose bourne net wolf returns. A state bounty 
 of four dollars and twenty-five cents for the scaJ]i of 
 every wolf over six months old, was offered and paid, 
 and for those under six months, two dollai's and fifty 
 cents. As this was about the only way of getting 
 money, except counterfeiting, which latter method 
 was confined to Akron, mainly, every man, theoret- 
 ically or practically, became a wolf-hunter. Old worn 
 out horses and diseased cattle were conveyed or driven 
 into the loneliest depths of the forest and slaughtered, 
 and their carcasses surrounded with wolf traps, hid- 
 den among the leaves, chained to heavy clogs, that 
 
 would prevent escape, but not hold the animal so fast 
 he could not drag it after him. If caught by the leg 
 and held immovable the wolf would escape by gnaw- 
 ing off the leg. The other way he could barely crawl, 
 leaving a broad trail behind him made by himself, 
 t rap and clog, to some thicket where he could be easily 
 found. Wolf scalps, black salts, for pearls were the 
 only products the settlers had to sell, these afforded 
 theiroiily means for getting money to pay their taxes, 
 which was about the only use they had for money. 
 
 CLOTHING AND I'UOU. 
 
 They made their own cloth from yarn sjiun from 
 wool raised from their own slice]), or fiax raised 
 themselves and dressed by themselves; carded and 
 sj)un by the women. They wore hats home made 
 from braided straw, orca])sfrom the skins of animals, 
 with a well preserved suit, brought from New Eng- 
 land, for Sundays. The njek ma])le afforded an abun- 
 dant suijjily of sa]), which in March was gathered and 
 boiled into sugar sufficient for the wants of a year. 
 For the first few years their wants, outside of home 
 lirodnctions, were few indeed. The forest snpjilied 
 them with the choicest venison for substantial meat, 
 while for delicacies, they had wild turkey, duck and 
 l)heasant. The woods furnished grazing for cattle, 
 and though the butter and milk had a flavor of gar- 
 lic from the locks with which the woods abounded, 
 111)011 which the cows fed, yet they learned to make 
 that "do with an onion." For early vegetables the 
 streams afforded water cresses, the marshes, cowsb'iis 
 for greens. Fox grapes, wild gooseberries, and wild 
 ])lunis were abundant. The curculio was unknown. 
 Hogs fattened ui)on hickory nuts, beech nuts and 
 acorns, without cost or trouble to the owner, and of 
 all the domestic animals thrived the best. 
 
 Ijarge numbers of cattle were annually lost from 
 murrain, taking often the settler's only cow or team, 
 and he without the means of rei)lacing the loss. Such 
 misfortunes were common to every neighborhood and 
 were at that time a real calamity, the extent of which 
 can not now be ai)i)rehended. This disease gradiuiUy 
 disaii])eared as the country became older, and is now 
 nearly or (juite extinct. 
 
 TRAVEL AXD ITS DANGERS. 
 
 The new roads for the larger portion of the year 
 were almost imjiassable; nearly all travel was with 
 ox-tcauis hauling loads, and on horseback for Journey- 
 ing. 
 
 The streams were not bridged, and crossing was 
 dangerous in high water, even after bridges were con- 
 structed; for the overflow of the flats obscured the 
 track, and washed it away. The crossing of Black 
 river, on the northern boundary of the township, was 
 ])articularly hazardous in high water, and iinniorous 
 anecdotes are told of accidents and hairbreadth escajjes 
 here. Here President Fairchild came near losing his 
 life by flood. Here Russell B. Webster, in mid- 
 winter, saved his, by the vigorous exercise of the 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 351 
 
 great strength with which nature had endowed liini, 
 iind that reniavkahlc fortitude and self command 
 tlirougli wliicli liis presence of mind never forsook 
 liini. ITnder the floating ice, and on the ice, unable 
 to swim, he succeeded in drawing himself out of the 
 jaws of death into the hranches of a tree, there to 
 remain, chilled to the bono, until help came. lie 
 saved liiniself, Ijut lost his team. 
 
 Ague and bilious fever were the prevailing diseases, 
 before which many a hardy pioneer succumbed, and 
 moss-grown tombstones mark their early graves, cut 
 off in the prime of their manhood in their stern bat- 
 tle with nature's forces. 
 
 DEATH ROLL. 
 
 The first death occurred on August 31, 1824. Jo- 
 siah B. Munloy, at the early age of thirty-two, died 
 of disease incident to the new country. It was a 
 great shock to the infant settlement, and a grevious 
 loss to the community, and irreparalile to his family, 
 consisting of a wife and three children. 
 
 Charles W. Sweet died next, August 23, 1820, at 
 the age of thirty-two years. 
 
 Miss Caroline Wilcox married Dr. Iliram Hamlin, 
 and lived at Wellington most of her life. She died 
 December -1, 1801, at the age of sixty-two years. 
 
 Ephraim A. Wilcox, after filling various responsi- 
 ble township positions, died August 28, 1835, aged 
 forty-four years. His widow survived him ten years. 
 One marble slab marks their resting place, on which 
 are incribed their names and dale of deatii, and these 
 words, "The first family of Wellington settlement. 
 Erected by early settlers of Wellington." 
 
 John Uowk lived until December 24, 1809. He 
 died aged seventy-eight years. On the headstone to 
 bis grave is inscribed, "Here lies an honest man," 
 and in his case it was no unmeaning comiiliment, but 
 a deserved tribute to worth. 
 
 John S. Reed, one of the earliest merchants, died 
 in .June, 18,55, at the age of forty-two years. He was 
 drowned wliile bathing in Black river, and his loss 
 was a grevious one to Wellington. He was active in 
 all matters of puljlic interest, and a friend to progress. 
 His early taking off, his untimely fate, his prom- 
 inence, all conspired to make the event one of especial 
 significance in the histor3'of Wellington. 
 
 Colonel Francis Herrick lived until 1855. He died 
 at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Though one 
 of the original proprietors of the town, he did not re- 
 move here until several years after the arrival of the 
 first comers. 
 
 Loring Wadsworth died in 1871, seventy-two years 
 of age. His father, Benjamin Wadsworth, died De- 
 cember 30, 1814, aged seventy years; Amos Adams, 
 June 19, 1830; Josiah Bradley, September 1, 1809; 
 David Webster, October 14, 1807; Alanson Howk, 
 April 9, 1850. 
 
 Lawton Wadsworth, who erected the first hotel, — 
 the American house, — as early as 1833, died February 
 21, 1807. 
 
 ORGANIZATION, NAME, ETC. 
 
 The township was organized in the year 1821. 
 The records of the first years are lost. They were 
 kept upon slips of paper at first, and when a record 
 book was opened in 1824, the transcribing was neg- 
 lected. The first township officers were John Howk, 
 Josiah Bradley and Austin Kingsbury, trustees; 
 Ephraim Wilcox, justice of the peace, and Amos 
 Adams, township clerk. 
 
 In selecting a name for the township, tlie honor 
 of naming it was put up and struck off to the high- 
 est bidder. The bid being an offer to chop out 
 roadway, the highest offer to chop, linear measure- 
 ment, to win. Charles Sweet bid eighty rods, and 
 the naming of the township was accorded to him. 
 He named it Charlemont, which was not acceptable 
 to the rest. They offered to do Sweet's job for 
 him, he surrendering his right to name. He con- 
 sented, and Wellington was the name agreed upon, 
 to the satisfaction of all concerned, some favoring 
 that name through admiration of the Iron Duke, 
 others through a desire to honor their compatriot, 
 William T. Welling, one of the first five who came, 
 so that all were gratified. 
 
 The first election of which any record is preserved 
 was a special election held July 5, 1824, for electing 
 a justice of the peace. The record certifies that 
 the result was a tie between E. Wilcox and R. B. 
 Webster. It seems a second balloting was had, which 
 resulted in ten votes for Wilcox, seven for Web- 
 ster, and two scattering. This election was declared 
 irregular, another was called and resulted ' in the 
 election of Mr. Wilcox. At the annual State elec- 
 tion, on the 12th of October, A. D. 1824, Benjamin 
 Wadsworth, Judson Wadsworth and James Wilson 
 acted as judges of election, and D. Z. Johns and E. A. 
 Wilcox clerks. There were but ten votes cast at this 
 election. A cojiy of the poll list shows that thei'c 
 were ten electors, as follows: Loring Wadsworth, 
 Whitman DeWolf, .Tames Wilson, Frederick Hamlin, 
 .Judson Wadsworth, E. A. Wilcox, D. J. .Johns, Beiij. 
 Wadsworth, Silas Boly and Amos Adams. Allen 
 Trimble had ten votes for governor and Alfi'cd Kelly 
 ten votes for representative in congress. As these 
 were the candidates of the federal party, it is inferred 
 that these electors were all federalists. The demo- 
 crats did not vote; they perhaps forgot the day, for it 
 was before the times when electors were kept from 
 the polls by bulldozing. The next election of which 
 a record is kept in the township records, was held 
 October 14, 1828, and Allen Trimble, out of the 
 whole number of votes cast, which were thirty, had 
 thirty votes. Again Wellington patriots all voted 
 one way. But at the presidential election, on the 
 31st of October of that year, there were forty-five 
 votes cast, of which the federal candidates for elect- 
 ors had thirty-eight votes and the democratic electors 
 had seven votes. 
 
 In 1829, there were twenty-one liouseholders in the 
 school district number one, the center district. lu 
 
352 
 
 HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 district number two, tlic western district, tliere were 
 eleven liouseholders. Those two districts embraced 
 t,he entire townsliiji. 
 
 At tlie Octol)er election, 1S;50, there were thirty- 
 six votes east, of which l>uncan McArtluirhad thirty- 
 live votes for <>ov('rnoi-, and Hobert Lucas had one 
 vote. At an election for justice of the ])eace, in 183;5, 
 there were fifty-five votes cast. At the October elec- 
 tion, in is:u;, the total iiuniiicr of votes polled was 
 one liiindnMl and thirty, of which Eli Baldwin liad 
 sixty-nine, and .Josejih \'ance sixty-one foi- governor. 
 .Tosei)h ViMice was the whii;' candidate. At the presi- 
 denlial election that year, there were one hundred 
 ;ind sixty-three votes polled, of which number the 
 whin' electors received eiglity-seven votes, and the 
 democratic seventy-seven, making one more than the 
 whole number of votes cast. At the election, in 
 1837, Eber W. Ilubliard, democrat, and Daniel T. 
 Baldwin, whig, had each sixty-seven votes for repre- 
 sentative in the State legislature. At the Sfate elec- 
 tion, in 1838, Joseph Vance, whig, had seventy-four 
 votes, and Wilson Shannon, democrat, had seventy- 
 three. At the State election, in 1840, the total vote 
 was one hundred and fifty-six, of which Thomas Cor- 
 win, whig candidate, had ninety-five, and Wilson 
 Shannon, democratic, fifty-nine votes for governor. 
 Sherlock J. Andrews, whig candidarte for representa- 
 tive in congress, had ninety-six votes, the highest 
 nundjer cast for any candidate at that election. At 
 the president:ial election of that year, the Harrison 
 electors received eighty-nine votes, the Van Buren 
 electors sixty-live votes, and the electoral ticket for 
 James G. Birney, the candidate of the anti-slavery 
 party, called the liberty party, for president, received 
 three votes. 
 
 WELLINGTON VILLAGE. 
 
 On the 14th of March, A. I)., 1830, the legislature 
 chartci'ed the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati 
 Rail Hoiid Company, l>ut the charter became dormant 
 liy 11(1)1 iisfr, and an act of revival was i)assed in 1845, 
 March I'Z. After this, active steps were taken to 
 push the enterpiMse. Several routes were contemplated 
 liy the company, among which was one via Elyria 
 and west of Wellington; one via Ashland and east of 
 Wellington, through I'enfield; another through Wel- 
 lington, touching no large towns, en route to Colum- 
 bus, even leaving Delaware to the west about two 
 miles. The struggle to secure the location was 
 spirited. There is but little doubt that Elyria was a 
 dangerous competitor to Wellington, had she seen fit 
 to exert herself. The latter place did her best. Dr. 
 D. Z. Johns, in its behalf, was instant in season and 
 out of season. He was untiring in exertions to arouse 
 the energies of the lown. He called meetings, he 
 gave tinu' and money, he secured the right of way by 
 donation wlierever possible. He gave valuable lands 
 himself, and all the people who had means sub- 
 scribed liberally to the stock of the comiiany. They 
 succeeded in securing the location through the center 
 
 of the township, within twenty rods of the stone that 
 marks the center. The credit of this achievement 
 belongs to Dr. Joiins more than to any other. It was 
 the turning point to the fortunes of the place. The 
 road on either side would have lilasted all village 
 prospects, and where the village now is would have 
 been four farms and nothing more. As soon as the 
 location was secured and the line of the road estab- 
 lished, the company began the work of construction 
 and pushed it most vigorously. One of the deepest 
 fills on the road is in Wellington, at the crossing of 
 ('harlomont creek, nnd was quite an obstacle that had 
 to be overcome, in securing the location of the line. 
 Clouds of workmen, in the summer of 1840, with 
 shovel and pick entered the township, and the work 
 of grading went forward with vigor. From the hour 
 of location the growth of the village has been most 
 healthful: not rajiid, but steadily increasing from 
 year to year. 
 
 Two disastrous fires, as regarded at the time, have 
 visited the place — one on the 13th of Septendjcr, 18.")8, 
 which consumed the entire business portion of the 
 town on the west side of Main street, burning five 
 stores and much of their contents. The other fire 
 occurred on the 1st of May, 1865, and burned the 
 store of Foot & ^'an Deusen, on the corner of Main 
 and Liberty sti'cets, with adjoining Imildings. 
 
 The corporate limits embrace about one thousand 
 two hundred aci'esof land, being original lots numbers 
 twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-seven and twenty- 
 eight. The organization of the village as a munici- 
 pality was effected August G, 1855. The first corjiorate 
 election was held the 3d of December, 1855. John 
 M. Swift was chosen Mayor. The following is a list 
 of the incund)ents of that office from that date to 
 1879, inclusive, to wit: 
 
 E. S. Tripp, term of offloo, from April, IMJIi, to April, 1858. 
 
 F. M. Hamlin. " •' '■ 1&59 " 18S0. 
 Loring Wadsworth, " " " 18«0 " 1861, 
 Henry Phelps, " " " ISIil " 1862. 
 
 F. M. Hamlin. " " " 1863 " 1865. 
 E. S. Tripp. '■ " ■' 1865 " 1867. 
 .1. H. Dickson, " " " 186" " 1868. 
 
 G. \V. Bnrte, " " ■' 186S " 1869. 
 A. H. Palmer, " " " 1H69 " 1870. 
 J. B. Lang, " " " ISTO " 187i. 
 N. Huokins, " " " 1873, to Sept., 1873. 
 J. W. Hoiightou, " from Sept., 1N73, to April, 1874. 
 A W. Palmer, " from April, 1874 " 1876. 
 A. W. Palmer, " " " 1876 " 1878. 
 A. W. Palmer was re-elected in 1878. 
 
 The population of the village at the census of 1860, 
 was one thousand and twenty-nine; in 1870, it was 
 one thousand two hundred and eighty-one; in the 
 census of 1850, covering both tow-nship and village, 
 the population was one thousand five hundred and 
 fifty-six; in 1860, it was one thousand seven hundred 
 and twenty; in 1870, one thous.and eight hundred 
 and ninety-one. The vilkige, in 187'.», estim;ifed by 
 the vote, two thons;ind two hundred: the township 
 and village, three thousand. 
 
 The business of tlie place is mainly commercial— 
 lart^e ouantities of merchandise are annually retailed. 
 At the time of the incorporation of the village, the 
 
HON. JOSEPH H. DICKSON. 
 
 Hon. Joseph H. Dickson, one of 
 Wellington's pnmiinent and honored 
 citizens, located there in December, 
 1855. 
 
 Tli.s attention was directed early 
 in lii'e to the possibilities embraced 
 within the scope of high legal attain- 
 ments, and entering accordingly upon 
 a course of study, he found that his 
 earnestly directed and energetic ambi- 
 tion urged him rapidly forward ujion 
 his chosen path, and graduating event- 
 ually with conspicuous honors, he was, 
 in August, 1852, admitted to the 
 bar. 
 
 Photo. \>s W. F. Saw tell, Wullingtoli, 0. 
 
 Directly upon his settlement in Wel- 
 lington he began to win popular rec- 
 ognition, and to make his influence 
 felt in a more than ordinary measure. 
 
 He was chosen to represent Lorain 
 County in tbe Fifty-eighth and Fil'ty- 
 ninth General Assemblies of the State 
 of Ohio, whereby he was enabled to 
 contribute something toward the legal 
 recognition of the equality of all men 
 before the law by voting for the adop- 
 tion of the joint resolution ratifying, 
 on the part of Ohio, the adoption of 
 the fifteenth amendment to the con- 
 stitution of the United States. 
 
 RESIDENCE OF J. H. DICKSON , WELLINGTON , OHIO . 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 353 
 
 principal merchants were 0. S. Foote and I. S. Van 
 Dcuseii, uiuler the tinn name of Foote & Van Deusen; 
 J. 11. Woolcy and D. Reamer, niuler the iirm name 
 Wooley & Reamer; William Runnells, W. F. Herrick 
 and S. F. Wolcott, under the fii-m name of Herrick & 
 Wolcott. 
 
 There wai'e several manufacturing establishments, 
 among which were the following: Mills of the Wel- 
 lington Manufacturing Company; carriage factory of 
 E. S. Tripp; Bennett, Kirk & C!o., wood work and 
 agricultural implements; cabinet work and furniture 
 store of A. G. Couch. 
 
 In 18.")3, a newspaper was established here, under 
 the management of George Brewster, elsewhere in 
 this work referred to; afterward it was discontinued, 
 and in ISOG, the Wellington Enferprisn was estab- 
 lished. 
 
 THE DAIRY INTEREST. 
 
 Soon after the completion of the Cleveland and 
 Columbus railroad the business of buying and ship- 
 ping cheese at Wellington was opened by R. A. Horr, 
 then residing in Huntington. Mr. Horr built up a 
 large order trade. Others soon went into the busi- 
 ness, which rapidly grew. The first cheese ware 
 house or shipping house was opened by B. G. Car- 
 penter. Others were speedily established until, in 
 1878, there was a number of different houses and 
 firm.f engaged in the business of manufacturing, buy- 
 ing and selling cheese and butter. Among the prin- 
 cipal ones in that year were Messrs. Horr, Warner & 
 Co., Baldwin, Laundou & Co.; George W. Crosier & 
 Co.; Palmer & Lewis. The first-named firm that 
 year sent Mr. Horr to Europe, where he formed busi- 
 ness arrangements whereby this firm have since been 
 making large shipments of butter and cheese to Liv- 
 erpool and Glasgow. The amount of cheese shipped 
 from Wellington in 1878 was six million four hundred 
 and sixty-five thousand six hundred and seventy-four 
 pounds; butter, one million one thousand six hun- 
 dred and sixty-one pounds. 
 
 The total valuation of these products for that year 
 at a fair average estimate was not less than eight 
 hundred thousand dollars. 
 
 The first cheese factory, erected in Lorain county, 
 was built by C. W. Horr, of the present firm of Horr, 
 Warner & Co., in 1866. It was located in a fine dairy 
 section in Huntington township, and from the start 
 proved a successful undertaking. In the year 1878, 
 from that beginning there were over forty cheese and 
 butter factories owned by Wellington dealers, the pro- 
 ducts of which were all delivered at Wellington for 
 market. This interest has built up a large business 
 in the manufacture and sale of dairy implements and 
 utensils. Tiie dealers in cows in February, March 
 and April do an extensive business in buying and 
 selling to supply the demand for dairy purposes. 
 The number of men in and around Wellington, en- 
 gaged in this business directly or indirectly, is num- 
 bered by thousands, so that at this day there is 
 scarcely a town in the non-dairy sections of the 
 
 45 
 
 United States, where Wellington cheese is not found. 
 The industry shows no signs of decline as yet, but the 
 promise of enlarged demand and increase in the pro- 
 duct is good. 
 
 BANKING. 
 
 On the twenty-fourth day of June, A. D. 1864, tlie 
 charter for a national liank to be called Tiie National 
 Bank of Wellington was issued. It was organized 
 with a ca))ital stock of fifty thousand dollars. Hon. 
 S. S. Warner was chosen its first president, andR. A. 
 Horr, Es(j., its first cashier, which positions they have 
 continued to fill from that time to this. On the 
 twenty-ninth of November, A. D. 1871, the capital 
 stock was increased to one hundred thousand dollars. 
 
 The second year of its existence the safe of the 
 bank was burglarized and i-obbed of sixty thousand 
 dollars in government bonds and currency. A large 
 reward was offered for the apprehension of the robbers. 
 The police of the cities, stimulated by the reward 
 offered, became vigilant; finally trace was found, so 
 that one of the robbers was caught in New York, one 
 in Charleston, South Carolina, whither an agent of 
 the bank followed and apprehended him, armed with 
 a requisition from the Governor of Ohio upon the 
 Governor of South Carolina, which was the first made, 
 and recognized after the close of the war upon that 
 State. Nearly forty thousand dollars of the stolen 
 bonds were recovered. 
 
 The first board of directors were S. S. Warner, R. 
 A. Horr, B. G. Carpenter, Samuel K. Laundon, F. 
 M. Hamlin, of Wellington, T. W. Laundon and R. 
 G. Horr, of Elyria. 
 
 LIFE INSURANCE. 
 
 In 1874 there was organized a life insurance associa- 
 tion on the co-operative plan. The charter members 
 were S. S. Warner, W. R. Wean, R. A. Horr, A. K. 
 Hand, J. H. Hood, Alfred Elwell, A. Y. Waters, W. 
 W. Boynton, J. H. Dickson. The growth of the as- 
 sociation has been rapid, and at the close of the cor- 
 porate year, A. D. 1819, there were five thousand 
 members thereof. It had paid about sixty thousand 
 dollars to the families and heirs of deceased members. 
 Hon. S. S. Warner was chosen the first president of 
 tiie association, and W. R. Wean, secretary, which 
 positions they still fill. The association has agencies 
 in almost or quite every county in the northern part 
 of the State extending south to the central. It con- 
 fines its operations to the State of Ohio entirely, and 
 mainly the northern part. 
 
 BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES. 
 
 The order of F. and A. Masons established a lodge 
 September 27, 1844, called Wellington Lodge No. 
 127. The first master was Jabez L. Wadsworth; 
 Daniel TiJlottsou, the first secretary. A Masonic 
 Chapter was subsequently organized. O. Herrick 
 was the (irst high priest. The lodge now numbers 
 eighty members; the chapter forty-five. W. S. Ste-- 
 
354 
 
 HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 jjlicnson is now maslor of t-lic loilgp, iiml J. IT. Rowl- 
 Ijy, the sc'crotai'}'. High priest of the cliaijtor, Oscir 
 HeiTick. 
 
 The order of Odd Fellows organized a lodge known 
 as Lorain Lodge No. 381, May 25, IS.'ir). The lirst. 
 noble grand was R. II. Holcomli. Tlic pi-csent. 
 officers are Ransom Peabody, N. (i.; Henry Wood, V^ 
 0.; C. N. Christy, secretary; Levi Bowman, treas- 
 urer. 
 
 sriiO()i,s. 
 
 In 1840, Gideon Adams erected a building for 
 school jnirposes. It was designed for an academical 
 school. The school was oi)ened that year by Miss 
 Mary Ann Adams, an accomplished instructor, who 
 had been for a number of years at the head of the 
 female department of Oberlin College. Under the 
 management and charge of Miss Adams, the school 
 prospered and acquired a liberal patronage, and was 
 highly serviceable to those desiring an academical 
 course of instruction. Under other management 
 this school was continued a number of years after the 
 incorporation of the village, after which the schools 
 wei-e organized on the graded plan of the Ohio union 
 school system. Much effort was put forth to concen- 
 trate all interests in the public schools. 
 
 The present school buildings east of Main street 
 were erected in 1807 and 'G8, at a cost of thirty thou- 
 sand dollars. 
 
 W. S. Eversole was the first sujierintendent, and, 
 under his advice, a most complete course of study was 
 prescribed, the different grades estaiblished, and the 
 schools well started. 
 
 In September, 1870, W. R. Wean became super- 
 intendent, under whose efficient management and 
 thorough instruction the schools have acipiired :i just 
 celebri ty. 
 
 The marked progress of the Wellington schools, 
 nnder Mr. Wean's administration, has afi'orded a 
 practical illustration of the beiiotits of the graded 
 system, that has greatly endeared it to the peojde. 
 They have become the pride of every patron, and 
 have been the source of inspiration to many young 
 men and women who to-day are nninfully fighting 
 life's battles. The healthy ambition infused into the 
 minds of the students is evinced by the number of the 
 graduates of the Wellington high school, who are 
 found in the higher universities of learning through- 
 out the country. 
 
 The growth of the village is quite fa.irly illustrated 
 by the growth of the schools. The superintendent's 
 report for each successive year, fmm the year ending 
 June 30, 1871, showing the wlmlc number of |)npils 
 enrolled, is as follows: 
 
 1871, wliolp luiiiibt'i 
 
 1873, 
 
 1873, 
 
 1874, 
 
 1875, 
 
 18711, 
 
 1877, 
 
 1S78, 
 
 A7Z 
 
 ■102 
 41 a 
 421 
 421 
 473 
 483 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 FIRST fONGUEfiATIONAL CnURCH OF WELLINOTON. 
 
 On the 20th day of April, A. D. 1824, the Rev. Lot 
 B. Sullivan and Rev. Alfred Betts, being commis- 
 sioned by presbytery, organized a church, which they 
 styled the church of Wellington. The names of the 
 members were Joseph Kingsbury and wife, ]\rartha 
 Kingsbury; Amos Adams and wife, Huldah Adams; 
 David Webster and Harmon Kingsbury, from Otis. 
 Massachusetts; Nancy Hamlin, Sarah Wilcox and 
 Sarah Battle, from Tyringham, Massachusetts; and 
 Lydia Sullivan, from Lyme, Ohio. Letters nf dis- 
 missal and rec(mimendation were granted to Mrs. 
 Sullivan December 20, to Joseph llunnon and Mar- 
 tha Kingsbury June 13, 182.'>, leaving the church 
 composed of seven members — two men and five 
 women. In October, 1825, there was an accession of 
 four members, one of whom, Mrs. Orpba Webster, 
 still survives — April 1, 1870. The first place of 
 meeting was a log school house at the center, where 
 the brick block on the northeast corner now stands. 
 In June, 182G, Austin Kingsbury and Milton Adams 
 joined, the latter of whom, through all the changes 
 and vicissitudes of fifty-four years, has continued his 
 church membership, and at this date is still a con- 
 sistent member thereof. In 1827 the accessions were 
 six by letter; in 1828, six; in 1820, five, in 1830, thir- 
 teen, of whom Deacon John L. Case still continues; 
 in 1831, forty-two, mostly by profession' of faith; in 
 1832, eight, among whom were Russell B. Webster; 
 in 1833, four; in 1834, twenty-four. In the first ten 
 years there were one hundred and twenty-four mem- 
 bers added to the rolls. On the 20th of Novemlier, 
 A. D. 1828, Rev. Joel Talcott was settled as pastor 
 over the church. He was the first settled minister, 
 and remained as such until September 4, 1837. It 
 was during his ministry that the above exhibit of 
 growth mainly occurred. During the nine years of 
 his pastorate there were one hundred and fifty-two 
 accessions to the church; in whicdi connection it 
 should be borne in mind that the number of inhabit- 
 ants in the township was but small from whom to 
 recruit its ranks. On the 5th of October, 1838, the 
 church and society extended a call to Rev. li. W. 
 Fairfield to become its pastor, the pul])it having lieen 
 filled, during the interval since Mr. Talcott resigned, 
 by temporary supplies from Oberlin, mainly by Pro- 
 fessor Henry Cowles. On the 1st of April, 1830, Mr. 
 Fairfield requested the church to release him from 
 his engagement, which was not acceded to, but ]\h-. 
 Fairfield's name, as minister, does not appear but a 
 few times thereafter. In 1841, Horace A. Taylor, of 
 unenviable subsequent notoriety, preached, residing 
 in Oberlin, and on the 8th of December, A.D. 1841, 
 the church voted to settle him as its minister by a 
 light vote of thirteen to one, Imt in those days only 
 men voted in church and society meetings. They, 
 the same year, voted to raise four hundred bushels of 
 wheat for the support of the gospel; whether to be 
 
T. DO I. AX I), 
 
 MAN UFACTURERo-CARRI AGES, WAGONS, 8c SLEIGHS, 
 
 NORTH MAIM ST., WELLI N &T0 N, OHIO. 
 
HISTOKY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 355 
 
 niised liy sowing and tilling or by sub.scrijitions pjiy- 
 ;ible in wlioat, tiie record fails to disclose. 
 
 l\Ir. Taylor never became a settled minister to this 
 cliurcli. In accepting the call lie imposed certain 
 conditions, which were rejected by the cluirch, and 
 bis ministrations being soon after interrnpted by con- 
 lineinent- in jail for a year, no more is heard of him 
 as a preacher. The next settled minister was Kev. I). 
 W. Lathroj). He came in April, 1843, and was 
 settled in 8ei)tembor of that year. During liis min- 
 istry certain radical differences among the member- 
 shiji, njion doctrines and church polity which had 
 been for a number of years growing to a head, culmi- 
 nated in what seemed a hopeless estrangement and 
 division. 
 
 The incejition of the dillicnlty was probably first 
 in tlie dilference of views respecting Presbyterianism 
 and Congregationalism. The ciiurch was organized 
 by agreeing to adopt tlie congregational mode of 
 discipline, but yet was connected with ju'esbytery, 
 in accordance with the very general usage among the 
 churches of that day iu the new communities. 
 
 On the oOtli of August, 184;^, Harvey Grant offered 
 in church meeting a preamble and resolution, as fol- 
 lows: "Whereas, it has come to the knowledge of this 
 church that there are persons who wish to join this 
 church who cannot fully subscribe to the fourth, 
 s.^venth and thirteentli articles thereof; therefore, 
 resolved, that we will not require an assent to these 
 articles asacpuditication."' The resolution was adopted 
 by a vote of fifteen yeas to nine nays. After the adop- 
 tion of the same, ou the -1th day of September, 1842, 
 Matliew Allyn, Clara Allyn, Lawton Wadsworth, 
 Nancy 1\. Wadsworth, and Benjamin Warien were 
 received into the church, assent to the said articles 
 being waived in their behalf. The fourth article was 
 a doctrinal belief in (iod"s sovereignty. The seventh 
 was the enunciation of a belief "that God did, from 
 eternity, choose some of the human race to salvation 
 through yanctilication of the spirit and belief of 
 the truth; and that all of those whom he has thus 
 chosen he will renew and sanctify in this life, and 
 keep them by his power through faith unto salvation." 
 The thirteenth article was a formulation of the doc- 
 trine of infant baptism. 
 
 On the 14th of December, 1842, Philo llerrick of- 
 fered the following preamble and resolution iu church 
 meeting: '•Whereas, we are a Congregational church 
 and believe in true congregational principles; resolved, 
 therefore, that we take the lirst op|)ortunity to ask 
 leave of i)resbytery to withdraw and unite with Lorain 
 association, and that we appoint delegates for that 
 purjiose, and tiiat a committee be chosen to recom- 
 mend the best coui'se to be pursued in the prem- 
 ises." 
 
 This resolution was adojited, and on the 3nd day of 
 .January following, a most vigorous protest was spread 
 upon the church records, signed by eighteen mem- 
 bers, all loading and influential men iu the chui'ch. 
 
 At the next meeting of the presbytery, the action 
 
 of the church in the foregoing particulars was dis- 
 approved, and the protestants were sustained. 
 
 At the next meeting of the church a reply to the 
 [)rotest and to the presbyteiy was made, and also 
 S[)read u[)on the records. Out of this difference a 
 tierce controversy arose, and was most vigorously sus- 
 tained on either side. Strong int,clleets and iron 
 wills gra[)|)led in a manner more creilitable to brains 
 than to ])iety. 
 
 On the 27th of Mai-ch. 1843, thirty-nine members 
 withdrew in :i body, and organized a new church, 
 called the Independent church. This body took 
 advanced ground on the subject of slavery, and were 
 foMowed by othei's from the First church, until some 
 |fifty-seven members had withdrawn. They built a 
 meeting iiouse of their own, settled and sustained 
 Ipastors, and kejit up a stated preaching, and all the 
 'institutions of the church. 
 
 In 1840 Rev. Ansel R. Clark became the i)astor of 
 the First Congregational church, and was continued 
 from that time to 18-58. 
 
 In that year, through the efforts of Rev. II. E. 
 Peck and others, a union of the two churches was 
 effected. Rev. Mr. Bartlett was chosen the first 
 pastor of the re-united church. He was followed by 
 Rev. Fayette Shii)herd. On the 1st of April, A. D. 
 isi;."). Rev. L. B. Stone was settled as its pastor, and 
 remaiueil with the church as such until A[um1, 1877. 
 
 This cliui'ch, since its organization, has erected 
 three houses of worshiji, — four, including the house 
 erected by the Independent church. The latter, after 
 the re-union, was sold to the township for a town 
 hall, and served for that purpose the wants of the 
 township for some fifteen years, or over. 
 
 The first meeting house was erected in the year 
 183'.J. It was comi)leted, and accepted by the society 
 in November of that year. A series of revival meet- 
 ings was being held the winter following. A iVIr. 
 Ingersoll, fi'om Ashtabula, was preaching, when the 
 house was discovered to be on fire. As the congrega- 
 tion began to raise the alarm of fire, the preacher 
 cried out, " Never mind the fire that water will 
 ([uench, the fires of hell are what you need to fear," 
 which admonition had but little effect upon the mov- 
 ing congregation that seemed intent upon escaping 
 the fire the most imminent.* The house was burned 
 to the ground, and the loss seemed irreparable. The 
 cost of the house was about three thousand dollars. 
 
 The next season the church and society entered 
 u}ion the work of rebuilding, and put up and finished 
 a new one, upon the same site, and upon the same 
 jilan as that destroyed, at about the same cost. 
 
 In May, 1877, the Rev. James A. Daily came to 
 this church and was engaged as its pastor in August 
 of that year. Under his ministrations a new imjie- 
 tus was given to the church and society. The old 
 wood structure of almost forty years' standing was 
 seen to be insufHcient for its congregation. The 
 
 * This Ingersoll was the father of Colonel Robert Ingersoll, whoso 
 distaste for theology may be thus accounted for. 
 
350 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 work of building a new one on a new site was entered 
 upon. Tlio first blow was struck in March, A. D., 
 1878. The I'difice was completed, and the church 
 di'dic-atud Ajiril ;J, 187!). Rev. Thomas K. I5eecher, 
 of Elniiia, New York, dolivei'ed tlie dedication ser- 
 mmi. Tiie total cost of the structure, exclusive of the 
 site, was twenty-four thousand nine hundred and 
 eighteen dollars and live cents, the whole of whicli 
 was provided for before dedication. 
 
 Tlie erection of this beautiful church was the re- 
 sult of Mr. Daily's efforts. A live man, earnest, en- 
 ergetic and persistent, he gave himself to it with an 
 ardor that no obstacle could daunt, no discourage- 
 ments could Hag. 
 
 MORAL QIIESTI0N8. 
 
 This church very early took advanced grounds upon 
 the subject of temperance and slavery. In 1833, on 
 the subject of temperance the following preamble and 
 resolution were adopted : "Whereas, the use of dis- 
 tilled spirits as an article (if drink has been the occa- 
 sion of great trouble to the church, and is destructive 
 to vital godliness: therefore, resolved, that this church 
 will rerpiire a pledge of entire abstinence in tlie use 
 and traffic of this article for the above purpose, of all 
 members which are received in future. And we who 
 vote for this resolution pledge ourselves to abide by 
 the same rule which we prescribe to others. 
 
 It was adopted unanimously. This action anti- 
 dated the Washingtonian movement by seven years. 
 
 In 1836, the following resolutions on the subject of 
 American slavery were adopted : Resolved, 1st, that 
 slavery, as it exists iu the United States, is a heinous 
 sin against God, and ought immediately to be abol- 
 ished. 
 
 2d. That inasmuch as the church is deeply involved 
 in the sin and guilt of slavery, it becomes tlie duty of 
 all who love the christian name publicly to bear testi- 
 mony against this heinous sin, and to use all scrip- 
 tural means to eradicate it from the church." 
 
 When consideration is had of the very early day in 
 the anti-slavery movement at which this action was 
 had, the record is one of which the church may take 
 just pride. There were twenty-five male members 
 whose names are recorded as voting upon these reso- 
 lutions and iu favor thereof. To-day it may well be 
 said of them: Stalwart men ! in tiie van of human 
 progress ! 
 
 DISCIPLINE. 
 
 They were strict disciplinarians and the names of 
 male members are few against whom, at one time or 
 another, charges were not preferred, truils had there- 
 on, and confessions extorted from recusants. There 
 are many incidents that at this day provoke a broad 
 smile in the contemplation thereof. One case sliould 
 ])e preserved. In 1834, the standing committee pre- 
 ferred a charge against B for "making use of 
 
 ardent spirits to intoxication," on tlie last of July or 
 first of August 1833, also about the same time of year 
 
 1834, and for using profane language at those times. 
 The defendant was cited to appear. He sent word to 
 the church "to jjroceed without delay in this case 
 of discipline" but remained absent himself, neither 
 confessing or denying the charge. So the ehuch 
 gave him the benefit of the legal presumption of in- 
 nocence, assigned him counsel, and proceeded with 
 the trial. Witnesses were examined, and the evidence 
 seemed (|nife clear that on these occasions, which it 
 will be perceived was just at the close of haying and 
 harvesting on each of these years, the old gentleman 
 "if not full, just Jiad plenty," and duly, or unduly, 
 celebrated "harvest home," and recklessly said "damn 
 it," and "I swear." So they voted him guilty, and 
 after reasonable expostulation and duo delay, to give 
 an opportunity for repentance, they ]iroceeded to j)ro- 
 nounce the sentence of expulsion, wliich is recorded 
 in these words: "On motion, voted unanimously, 
 
 that B be, and he is hereby, excommunicated 
 
 from this church, and is heuceforth to be regarded 
 l)y us as a heathen man and a publican." 
 
 This pretty effectually "got him out." While he 
 might not have been "cut out" for a very good ehurcli 
 member, all who knew him will unite in saying he 
 was a good neighbor, citizen, and friend. He was 
 genial, kind-hearted, and generous. His love of fun 
 led him doubtless to the " celebration "that scan- 
 dalized his brethren. 
 
 Of the early members but few remain. Among the 
 few who are left are Jlilfon Adams, Russel B. Web- 
 ster and wife, Mrs. Orpha Webster; of those whose 
 names are upon the rolls some have moved away, but 
 most have gone to their rest. 
 
 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHUECH. 
 
 It is said that as early as 1823 Rev. Zarah (Ezra?) 
 Costin came to Wellington, as he was traveling tlie 
 Black River circuit, and preaciiod in the log school 
 house then standing on the corner, north-eact of the 
 center of the town. In 18'^4 the circuit was traveled 
 by J. C. Taylor, and in 1825 Elijah Field succeeded 
 to the work. It seems that at Rev. Costin's first visit 
 a class-meeting was held, but a regular organization 
 of the church seems not to have taken place till 1825. 
 In 1820 Rev. Ansel Brainard and H. 0. Sheldon were 
 the preachers, and during this year the log church 
 was built, about twenty rods west of Mr. Case's tan- 
 nery, three-fourths of a mile west of the center. At 
 this time, among the members were John Clifford, 
 Sen., and wife, Charles Sweet (who brought a letter 
 from Alassachusetts), John Clifford, Jr., and wife, 
 Daniel Clifford and wife, a daughter of John Clif- 
 ford, Sen. (who married a Mr. Knox), Theodosia 
 Clifford, Lyman Ilowk, .Tosiah Bradley and wife, and 
 Asa Hamilton and wife. The j)reachers afterward 
 were: 1827, Orrin Gilmore; 1828, Shadrack Ruiick; 
 1829, Cyrus Carpenter; 1830, Cyrus Carjienter and 
 
 E. C. Gavitt; 1831, Wm. Runnels and Elliott; 
 
 1832, Wm. Runnels and Jno. Canular; 1833, A. Bil- 
 lings and Barry; 1834, Jno. Morey aud Jas. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 357 
 
 Kellani; 1835, Juliii Moroy iiiiil 
 
 Frc't'.son; LS30, 
 
 Jno. T. Kt'llaiu aud Peter noweiisteiii. 
 
 The old brick cliuroh was erected in 18;5."i, ;i( I ho 
 center, tlioiiiili not linislied for nearly two yearj there- 
 after. It was huilt where tlie jirescnt clmrch stands, 
 on groLMiil houi;ht of Lyman Howk. At tiie time, it 
 was considered the liest JEetiiodist chnrcli in Oliio. 
 
 In 1837 tlie i)reaciiers were .Ino. T. Kellani and 
 Cyrus Sawyer; 1838, 11. L. Pai-rish and Jas. Brew- 
 ster; 1S39, .Tohn Mitchell and Philip Wareham; 18-10, 
 Jolm Mitchell and Myron T. llnrd; 1841, M. L. Starr 
 and Joseph Jones; 1843, M. L. Starr and Jno. S. 
 Ferris; 1843, Wesley J. Wells and C. C. Graves; 1844, 
 Wesley J. Wells and Jos. Sanlley; 184G, Wesley Broch 
 and Wm. Goodfellow; 1848, Wm. Thatcher and J. M. 
 Morrow; 1840, Wm. Runnels and H. Safford; 1850, 
 Wm. Runnels and H. Chapman; 1851, T. Thompson 
 and J. Matlack; 1853, H. Humphrey and L. F. Ward; 
 1853, II. Humphrey and S. Fairchild; 1854, C. L. 
 Foote and W. C. Huestiss; 1855, C. L. Foote and 
 N. B. Wilson; 1856, C. Hartley and R. H. Chubb; 
 1857-58, A. K. Owen and C. Thomas; 1859, H. Saf- 
 ford and T. L. Waite; 1860, H. Safford and D. Strat- 
 ton; 1801, G. A. Ruder and A. C. Hurd; 1803. L. F. 
 Ward and W. M. Spafford; 1863, L. F. Ward and 
 J. H. Close; lS04-'65, Uri Richards and S. D. Sey- 
 mour; 1866, Wellington, made a station, and Q. AV. 
 Pepper, pastor. New brick church built in 1867. 
 First subscriptions by Miss Armenia Herrick and 
 J. II. Woolley, five hundred dollars each. The dedi- 
 cation sermon was preached by Bisho)) Kingsley, 
 July, 1868. 1867, Rev. E. H. Bush, pastor; 1868-70, 
 F. M. Searles; 1871-73, E. Y. Warner; 1873, J. W. 
 Mendenhall; 1874-'75, Geo. Mather; 1876-'77, A. 
 Pollock; 1879, Rev. Albright. The church has— 
 beginning of 1879 — two hundred and seventy mem- 
 bers and an average attendance iu its Sunday school 
 of two hundred and thirty-five. 
 
 DISCIPLE rnt-RCH. 
 
 This church was organized October 5, 1853, with 
 •eleven members. In 1861, they built their first meet- 
 inghouse. It was dedicated in October, 1861. James 
 A. Garfield, who at that time was a Disciple preacher, 
 delivered the dedicatory sermon. The number of the 
 present membership is eighty. Rev. Mr. Thompson 
 came to this society as its preacher in 1877. Rev. 
 Mr. Allen preceded him and preceded Atwater also. 
 
 The growth of the church has been gratifying to 
 its friends. It is established ujjon a firm basis, and 
 is regarded as one of the permanent institutions of 
 the place. Its liberality towards others has been one 
 of its marked characteristics. John Pierpont, when 
 other churches were closed against him, preached 
 from the Disciple pulpit. Mr.Forbush, Liberal Uni- 
 tarian, delivered a series of discourses from the same 
 pulpit; so that, while it retains its standing among 
 sister churches of the ])lace, it has obtained a broad 
 sympathy iu the community among those outside of 
 all churches. 
 
 ward's mail CATCnKR.* 
 
 "The fii'st catcher made and |iut in operation was 
 made at Wellington, this county. The wants of the 
 post office department were communicated to nie by 
 G. B. Hamilton, Esq., then a route agent on the 
 Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati railroad. Ham- 
 ilton invited me to go with him, in hojie that I could 
 devise some machine or way in which the mail could 
 be caught by the agent when the train w;is in ra]iid 
 motion. After going to Columbus and back with 
 him, I saw my way to the invention, and immediately 
 made a catcher and went to Cleveland and ajiplied it 
 to the car. It worked well from the first. I made, 
 or caused to be made, several catchers, each of which 
 was an ini]irovement. They have been in constant 
 use on the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati I'ail- 
 road to the present time. This was late in the year 
 1864. It was a desideratum with the post office de- 
 ]iartment to obtain a catcher that could lie used. 
 Numerous trunk lines of railroads had built postal 
 cars (traveling distributing offices), but as they could 
 do no local work, they stood idle in the shed, or were 
 made into liaggage cars. This was on the Erie rail 
 way, on the New York and New Haven, on the old 
 Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana, as well as 
 on the Michigan Central and other roads. Special 
 agents were sent to this road, from Washington, to 
 try this new catcher; and after repeated tests by 
 different parties, in December, 1866, the post office 
 department definitely agreed to adopt it so far as a 
 full trial was concerned. G. B. Hamilton was ap- 
 pointed special agent to put the catcher in operation, 
 which office he held until the 1st of .June, 1867. In 
 January, 1807, and after the department had adopted 
 the catcher, I obtained a patent for the same. Mr. 
 Hamilton started the catcher on the Washington 
 branch of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and on 
 the Erie railway, which was completed about the 1st 
 of .June, 1867. The October following, I was detailed 
 to superintend the catching service, started it iu Octo- 
 ber on the Lake Shore, and Cleveland and Toledo 
 railroads; on the Vermont Central, Northern New 
 Hampshire, Concord, Boston and Lowell railroads; 
 and during the winter on the Boston and Alljaiiy, 
 Hartford and New Haven, and New York and New 
 Haven railroads; since which time over sixty-one 
 thousand miles of railroads are using the catcher — 
 catching thousands of mails daily, and at the high- 
 est rates of sjiecd. 
 
 "Before starting the 'Fast Mail," Mr. Geo. S. Bangs, 
 Genera' Superintendent of the I'ailway mail service, 
 sent for me to come to Washington, and asked me to 
 get u]> an improved heavy catcher for that sjiecial 
 service. I devised and brought out Ward's iniiuoved 
 heavy catcher, with cast head, which works so finely 
 as to have superseded all the lighter and earlier ones. 
 
 "The catcher has been an important factor in the 
 vast improvement made in the last few years in the 
 
 * By L. F. Ward. 
 
358 
 
 HISTORY OF LOEAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 mail service. To briefly show the lulvanlages of tliis 
 invention, I may say, before its inlrdiiiietiun, mails 
 were carrit'd on local or accoininodation trains, and 
 at short distances. For instance, to bej;iii at ISiew 
 York, the tirst day, the local service was done to 
 -Mbany, New York; tJu' next to Syracuse; the next 
 to liulfalo. New York; tlie day following, fi-oni Buf- 
 falo to Cleveland; the day following, from Cleveland 
 to Toledo; the next day, from Toledo, Ohio, to Chi- 
 cago, Illinois — six days for the local woi'k froin New 
 York to Chicago. By the use of the catcher, the 
 work is now done in less than thirty-six hours; and 
 the rural districts are favored with all tlie facilities of 
 lapid mail exchanges, as well as the larger cities." 
 
 KESCUE CASE. 
 
 No ])roi)er history of Wellington could be written 
 without reference to the so-called and ever memora- 
 ble Wellington rescue case, which seemed the begin- 
 ning here of those troublous times that ci'nwdeil so 
 rapidly upon it. On the morning of the loth of Sep- 
 tember, 1S.5S, the burning of a large portion of the 
 business part of the town, heretofore nicntinned, had 
 called together a large crowd of }ieople from the sur- 
 rounding country. It was nearly noon before the 
 flames were extinguished. The flames being seen to 
 a great distance, the ci'owd was continually aug- 
 mented. Shortly after noon it was rumored that a 
 negro had Ijcen kidnap]ied at Obei'lin, under the 
 charge of being a fugitive slave, and that his captors 
 had him confined in the Wellington House. This 
 rumor received confirmation, aiul it was soon known 
 that Mr. Jennings and Mr. Mitchell, of Kentucky, 
 and U. S. Marshal Lowe and Samuel Davis, of Colum- 
 bus, were at the hotel then kept by 0. S. Wadsworth, 
 having in custody a negro named John, wliom they 
 claimed to be a fugitive from Kentucky arrested by 
 them at Oberlin, and that they awaited ihe train for 
 Columbus to jjroceed on their way to Kentuckv. The 
 marshal and assistants were (juickly followed by num- 
 bers of men from Oberlin, who mixed in with the 
 excited crowd already assembled, and soon made it 
 the most remarkable day Wellington ever saw. The 
 crowd rajjidly grew Ijy constant accessions from Ober- 
 lin. Men on horstbick, men on foot, armed and 
 unarmed, were seen coming from the north as far as 
 eye could reach. 
 
 The hotel was surroiiiuled; \n> avenue of escai)e was 
 left unguarded; its halls and rooms were filled with 
 men eager and determined. The slave-catchers were 
 alarmed, and fled with their charge to the attic, 
 which was difficult of access, while the public stpuire 
 and streets on either side were filled with men. The 
 marshal attempted to speak to the people, to ex)ilain 
 to them, as he said, the situation. Magistrates were 
 sent for, law officers went Inisily through the crowd, 
 which they cautioned and urged to do no violence, 
 assured none was needed to rescue the man. 
 
 Judging of Ohio from what they knew of Ken- 
 tucky, these men were in an awful fright. They 
 
 were told that no hurt was designed them personally 
 — that till! captive was all the crowd demandetl, and 
 that it was useless to try to get him away. The cap- 
 tors tried to make John make a s|)eech, and say he 
 wanted to go back — was tii'ed of staying away from 
 his old master. So John came upon the hotel bal- 
 cony, with marshal and assistants on either side, and 
 made his memorable siieech; "I want to go back, 
 because — because, I 'spose I must," and was hurried 
 back to the room in the attic. The door was barri- 
 caded, and, treniljling with fear, they awaited behind 
 it what fate had for them. 
 
 Such was the forbearance of the crowd, that the 
 afternoon wore away in parleying on one side, and 
 demanding the man on the other. There was a stern 
 determination that the visiting Kentuckians should 
 not be injured, and that the negro should not go 
 south with them. The train south came in at its 
 time and departed, but they were not on board. 
 Towards evening a rumor was circulated that a tele- 
 gram for troops had been sent to Cleveland. This 
 seemed to decide the course of procedure. A long 
 ladder was thrown u[) to the attic window, and two 
 stalwart men, — one of them John Mandeville, — as- 
 cended it. Others forced the door on the inside, 
 these, the window on the outside, and in an instant 
 the negro man was seen borne high upon hands uj)- 
 lifted, with arms and legs sprawling over the heads of 
 the crowd, into a buggy driven by Simeon Bushnell, 
 and conveyed away upon a rapid run. To the credit 
 of all concerned, but especially to the cool men of 
 Wellington, who exerted all their influence in that 
 direction, no man was in the slightest manner hurt. 
 No insult was offered to the marshal or assistants. 
 Not a hair of their heads suffered, other than that 
 occasioned by standing on end, which was inconven- 
 ient to each hair and owner. It was a mob of princi- 
 ple. It was a mob obedient to all law, except the 
 fugitive slave law, and in resisting this, it did not 
 propose to do murder, or even to commit an unneces- 
 sary assault. As soon as tiie man was rescued, the 
 terrified slaveholders saw the crowd disperse, and 
 greatly astonished at the forbearance manifested, 
 walked to the next train of cars, and wended their 
 way home again. 
 
 In December of that year, the grand jury of the 
 United States district court for the northern district 
 of Ohio, found bills of indictment against thirty- 
 seven persons, for rescuing, or aiding in rescuing, the 
 fugitive. Of the number, Abner Loveland, Matthew 
 Gillett, Matthew De Wolf, Loring Wadsworth, Eli 
 Boise, John Mandeville, Henry Niles, Walter Soules, 
 Lewis Hines, and William Siples were citizens of 
 Wellington, all of whom were immediately arrested. 
 The government not being ready for trial, they en- 
 tered into their individual recognizances to apjiear 
 when called for. 
 
 On the 5th day of April, 1859, their cases were 
 called, and all of the above named were present in 
 court. The government finally dismissed all proceed- 
 
MR. LAWTON WADSWORTH. 
 
 MRS. LAWTON WADSWORTH. 
 
 LAWTON WADSWORTH. 
 
 " A fair ship Bails on the sea of time ; 
 Prosperous gales befriend her. 
 Yet storm may wreck — the ship go down ; 
 Watch well thy pilot, mariner." 
 
 Lawton Wailsworth was the third son of Jonathan and Deidama 
 (Snow) Wadsworth, and first saw the light June 24, 17S5, in Becket, 
 Berkshire Co., Mass. 
 
 Oct. 15, 1S06, he was married to Nancy R., daughter of Elijah 
 Lawton, of Otis, Berkshire Co., Mass. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth settled in Bceket, and became the parents 
 of seven children. In 1833 they migrated to Wellington, Ohio, where 
 the ensuing year Mr. Wadsworth built the first brick house seen in 
 the town, their first residence in Wellington having been a log cabin. 
 
 In common with the pioneers of the West they battled bravely for 
 existence amid the hardships of frontier life. and,su]iported by strength 
 of will and earnest purpose, prospered as time passed on, and lived 
 to see fertile farms and blooming gardens where once a wilderness 
 covered the vast expanse. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth passed the declining years of their lives 
 at the home of their son Francis, and when they were at last called 
 upon to leave the scenes of their earthly labors the record of their 
 lives bore upon it the satisfactory assurance that the duties of exist- 
 ence had been faithfully performed. 
 
 Mrs. Lawton Wadsworth died May 1, 1S73, and her husband Feb. 
 21, 1876. 
 
 Their children, as already observed, were seven in number, as fol- 
 lows: Milo H., born Oct. 2, 1S07, and married July 6, 1836, to Miss 
 Huldah Andrews, of Winchester, Litchfield Co., Conn. ; Oliver S., born 
 May 22, 1809, and married to Miss Alma Van Deusen ; Lorenzo Q., 
 born Aug. 27, 1813, and married July 6, 1835, to Miss W. A. Whitney, 
 of Pittsfield, Ohio; Elijah M., born Feb. 9, 1815, and married Feb. 9, 
 1840, to Miss Clarissa Batclle, of Wellington ; Albert 0., born Aug. 
 27, 1819, and married in 1S40 to Miss .Sarah Mason. Their other 
 children were Francis S. and David L. 
 
 David L. Wadsworth, seventh son of Lawton and Nancy R. Wads- 
 worth, was born in Becket, Berkshire Co., Mass., June 1, 1S25, and 
 in 1833 removed with his parents to Wellington, Ohio. Favored in 
 early life with a good common-school education, he passed also a few 
 terms at Oberlin preparing for duty as a teacher. Teaching school 
 for about seven years, he also, in 1S40, read medicine with Dr. Hall, 
 of Orange; but soon acquiring a tlistaste for the pursuits of medieal 
 science, he retired to the homestead, where he busied himself with 
 farming and trading in stock, and developed to a considerable extent 
 an inherent speculative and enterprising spirit. 
 
 Oct. 20, 1S50, he was married to Miss R. C. Woodworth, of Roches- 
 ter, Lorain Co., Ohio. She was born in Bristol, N. Y., Nov. 5, 1831, 
 and was the second daughter of Hiram and Caroline (Wales) Wood- 
 worth, who were married in Fenner, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept 20, 1828. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Woodworth moved to Rochester in 1832, and 
 were closely identified with the first settlement of the township. He 
 purchased a large tract of land,/elled the first trees, built the first 
 log cabin, and accumulated in the course of time a handsome com- 
 petency. After Mr. Wadsworth's marriage he purchased the old 
 homestead, and devoted himself largely to farming and stock-dealing. 
 
 In 1856, May 20, the Wadsworth household was cheered by the 
 presence of the first-born, — Kitty May, — who remaining but briefly 
 upon earth, jiassed away April 6, 1858, in which year Mr. Wadsworth 
 leased his farm, and with his family removeil to the village. 
 
 They have two living children, — George M., born Sept. 25, 1861 ; 
 and Leon H., born Oct. 13, 1863. 
 
 In 1865 and 1866 the present homestead was erected. In 1869, Mr. 
 Wadsworth purchased a planing-mill, and began the manufacture of 
 doors, sash, blinds, etc., dealing also largely in lumber, shingles, 
 laths, etc. Since then he has added to the mill an extensive cheese- 
 box and butter-box factory. Among his other real estate possessions 
 may be enumerated twenty-five or thirty dwelling and business houses 
 which he erected in various parts of the city. 
 
 Mr, Wadsworth's present political faith was established upon the 
 breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, in 1861, ^vhen he became 
 a zealous War Democrat, and materially aided at all times the work 
 of enlistment by furnishing liberally of his means. 
 
 Since assuming a prominent part in local political history he has 
 participated in all Democratic State and county conventions, and 
 before the Democratic State Convention of 1875 he was a defeated 
 nominee for the office of State treasurer, but by only a vote or two. 
 Not long thereafter he was appointed by Governor Bishop to be one 
 of the trustees of the Clevelaml Asylum for the Insane. 
 
 Mr. Wadsworth was one of the early members of Masonic lodge 
 No. 127, of Wellington, and filled in succession all of the official 
 positions of the lodge. He is now a member of Oriental Commandery, 
 No. 12, of Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
 Mr. Wadsworth's public spirit takes a wide scope of action, and 
 towards the building of churches always reaches out an assisting 
 arm irrespective of creed. 
 
 In 1875, Mr. and Mrs. Wailsworth celebrated their silver wedding 
 with a regal entertainment, in which upwards of three hundred guests 
 participated, and presented a multitude of costly silver offerings, 
 precious mementos of a joyous occasion. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 350 
 
 ings against Wellington defendants, except Mattliew 
 Gillett. Matthew De Wolf, Abner Lovelaud, and 
 Loring Wadswortli, all of whom were men of means, 
 and able to jiay their fines. All of tlumi, except Mat- 
 thew Gillett, entered a plea of nolle rtmiendrc. Judge 
 Andrews, of Cleveland, on entering this plea, ad- 
 dressed the eonrt in their behalf in coneiliatory re- 
 marks. The court fined them twenty dollars and 
 costs of prosecution, which were high, and sent tliem 
 to jail for twenty-four hours. 
 
 Matthew Gillett refused to plead augiit hut "not 
 guilty." The government was exceedingly anxious 
 to get rid of the case as to him. The odium of the 
 prosecution had aroused tiie indignation of the peo- 
 ple. Tlie old man Gillett, over seventy years of age, 
 kept in jail, was a buruiug rebuke to the crime of 
 human slavery, which demanded for its support 
 fugitive slave laws, that transformed every citizen 
 into a slave catchei', at the beck of any slave-holder 
 whose chattels had lied. The old man refused to 
 plead inillr roii/rnilre; he refused to give bail; he re- 
 fused to go home on his own recognizance. " If you 
 are turned out of jail, will you go?" asked the gov- 
 ernment attorney. " If the choice lies between sleep- 
 ing in the street and going home, I shall go home," 
 answei'cd the inllexiblo old man. " Go, then," was 
 the response, and the venerable man came home in 
 triumph. 
 
 The remarks of .Judge Andrews were published in 
 the Herald of the same evening. Mr. Loveland, on 
 reading them, instantly addressed the following card 
 to that paper: 
 
 "J/('.<.s-'r.«. Editors: — After reading your remarks in 
 last, evening's Herald in reference to me, I deem it 
 due to myself to ask you to state that I did not author- 
 ize my counsel yesterday to give my views on Govern- 
 ment to the Court, and disclaim holding to many of 
 the doctrines exjjressed by him. I simply authorized 
 him to enter for me the plea of tiolk r nfendre, pro- 
 testing, at the same time that I am not guilty of vio- 
 lating any law, and re(|uiring the protest to Ije entered 
 on the T'ceords of this court. 
 
 AiiNER Loveland." 
 
 Of these men, who thus suffered for a cause, and 
 who eontriliuted to the upbuilding of that public 
 sentiment that finally, by its ii'resistible force, made 
 human slavery impossible in this country, none are 
 now left. Two of them died without seeing the fru- 
 ition of their hopes for freedom. Matthew Gillett 
 died September 5, 1863, aged seventy-seven years. 
 Loring Wadsworth died Novembers, 1863, aged sixty- 
 two years Matthew DeWolf and Abner Loveland. 
 survived the war, and saw the emancipation of the 
 slave, and tiie death, eonsefpiently, of the fugitive 
 slave law. Abner Loveland was the last to go. lie 
 lived to give to the writer many of the facts which 
 are here recorded, and ]iassed away in March, ISli). 
 Of him and his compatriots it may be«said: "They 
 did something for mankind and for their country." 
 
 WELI,IN(iTON IN THE WAK. 
 
 In this work are already given the names of her sol- 
 diers and the history of her service, of her dead, and 
 of her part in that fiei'ce conllicl, and il- may be said 
 in a, bi'ief word, she did her i)art well. 
 
 Of those who died, and who now sleej) in her 
 cemetery, there are twenty-six transferred from fields 
 where they fell by loving hands to sleep their long 
 sleep in the home they loved so well. Eleven more 
 are in nameless graves on the hills of Virginia, at 
 (ihattanooga, at South Mountain and elsewhere, 
 "where men men died to make man free." 
 
 Every May. day, garlands of flowers are strewn upon 
 their graves, or offered upon the shrine of their 
 memory by gentle hands, and moistened by tear- 
 dimmed eyes. And so it shall be for ages hence. 
 
 "When spring, with dewy fingers cold. 
 Returns to deck their hallowed mould, 
 She then shall dress a sweeter sod 
 Than fancy's feet have ever trod." 
 
 FINALE. 
 
 In this brief and iini)crfect record of Wellington 
 there is but little to regret, and much to awaken just 
 ])ride. On all the stirring questions of her time she 
 has occupied advanced ground in the van of progress. 
 Her people were the early friends of the temperance 
 cause, and zealous advocates of the anti-slavery 
 movement from the start. Knowing that good society 
 is the outgrowth of a sound morality as taught in 
 the church, she established churches, and liberally 
 maintained them. Knowing that the sum of human 
 hai)piness is increased by culture, she early estab- 
 lished schools, and has generously sustained them. 
 Knowing that prosperity is the reward of enterprise, 
 she has evinced a stirring activity in the pursuits of 
 the various industi'ics, and has ju-ospered. Knowing 
 that intellectual vigor is begotten by intellectual ac- 
 tivity, her jieople have always been upon the alert, 
 and she has no inmates in the asylums for the insane 
 or idiotic. Knowing that a manly independence is 
 what makes the free man, her people have carved 
 their own way, and are not place-seekers. Knowing 
 that worth makes the man, her people do no homage 
 to place or station and court no man for patronage. 
 Her history is not yet made; the first half century of 
 her existence was laying the ground work, from which 
 history is hereafter to be constructed. 
 
 Biographical Sketches. 
 
 FRANCIS S. WADSWOKTH. 
 
 Francis S. Wadswortli was born in Beckct, F.erk- 
 shire county, Ma.ss., April 27, 1821, and was the sixth 
 son of Law ton and Nancy II. Wadswortli. 
 
 In lS:i3 he removed with his family to Wellington, 
 Lorain county, Ohio, where a new home was located 
 
300 
 
 HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 in tlie then almost iiiihroken wiklorness, situufed one 
 and one-lialf miles north of the center. 
 
 He spent the greater part of his time on the home 
 farm until his majority, gaining in the meantime a 
 irood common sciiool education, witii several terms at 
 the select schools. For the next ten years his t.ime 
 was ofcupied in working at the trade of a builder and 
 l)aiiiter, excepting two years, spent as a student in 
 Oberlin College. 
 
 September 20, ]8.">4, he was united in marriage 
 to Saraii A. Leonard, of Akron, Summit county, 
 Ohio. Siic was l)orn January G, 18;);5, in Middle- 
 sex, Ontario co\inty, New York, and Wi^s the young- 
 est child of Truman and Uoxana (Allis) Leonard. 
 
 In 18o5, tiie family removed to Chatham, Medina 
 county, Oiiio, settling on a farm when the country 
 was new. 
 
 Her father died February U, 1846. In July fol- 
 lowing she removed with her mother to Akron to live 
 with a brother and complete her schooling. Sep- 
 tember 12, 184(i, her mother died. 
 
 For the next two years she was a student in the 
 first graded school of Ohio, located at Akron, Summit 
 county. Ohio. 
 
 Two weeks id'ter the marriage this couple settled 
 upon the farm where they now reside, in Wellington 
 township. 
 
 lu the (lavs that followed, two children came to bless 
 this union, a daugiiter and a son. Etta R. Wads- 
 worth, born Ai)ril 'Ih, iK.iiS, graduated at the Wel- 
 lington High School, with the class of ISTT. She was 
 married to H. ]?. Ilerrick, son of Hon. Lucius Her- 
 rick, December 27, 1877. Franklin L. O. Wadsworth 
 was born October 24, 186(!, and early developed a 
 genius for mathematical and mechanical pursuits. 
 
 Mr. Wadsworth is an earnest worker, ever seeking 
 to elevate the standard of agriculture, often contrib- 
 uting articles of \vi>rtli to the leading jnurnals of the 
 day. 
 
 For the past twenty years he has been a prominent 
 member of the Union agricultural society, located 
 in Wellington, holding the office of president, vice 
 president, &c., and executing the duties of said offices 
 with commendable satisfaction. The brighter side of 
 his character is l>est known in the home circle where 
 peace sits a daily guest. 
 
 lu addition to the many duties devolving upon a 
 farmer's w'ife, Mrs. Wadsworth tinds time to contrib- 
 ute many articles to the press, corresponding regu- 
 larly for two weekli'^s and occasionally for others. 
 We judge the articles are not without merit, as they 
 are nearly all |ii-iimiitly |inblislu'd. and others solicited 
 by the editors to whom they are sent. 
 
 The homestead has been christened "Evergreen 
 llill,""and the hosiiitality of the farm house is pro- 
 vi'rbial. 
 
 Mr. Wadsworth is an earnest, practical, thorough 
 business man, carrying into daily practice the pre- 
 cepts and examples taught in youth by most worthy 
 parents. His reputation for personal honesty and 
 
 rectitude is above reproach, and all with whom he 
 comes in contact esteem him a worthy citizen in every 
 respect. 
 
 SERENO I). BACON. 
 
 Joseph Bacon was born in (Jardner, Worcester 
 county, Massachusetts, Afarch 2, 1787, was educated 
 in the common school; learned the carpenter ti'ade, 
 and was esteemed a most excellent young man. He 
 married Miss Lucy Wood, August 26, 1813. 
 
 Miss Lucy Wood, wife of .Joseph Bacon, was born 
 September 30, 1782, in Gardner, Massachusetts. Af- 
 ter marriage this couple settled at housekeeping in 
 Grafton, Windham county, Vermont; Mr. Bacon car- 
 rying on the business of farming, as well as keeping up 
 the practice of his trade as the opportunity presented. 
 
 During their residence in said locality, live childi'en 
 were born to bless their union, viz: Francis S., born 
 March 28. 1817. Aaron Wood, born December 28, 
 1818. Sereno D., third son, — see biographical sketcli. 
 Lucy Almira, born April 16, 1827. Mary M., born 
 June 25, 1835. Francis S. married Miss Jane Ann 
 Lee, of Burlington, Vermont, December 20, 1840, 
 now resides in tbe city of Brooklyn, New York, and 
 is tbe father of two daughters, EJleii and Marion. 
 
 Aaron Wood married Miss Mariali P. Prindle, of 
 Carlisle, Lorain county, F'ebruary 16, 1848, who now 
 lives in Oberlin, and who left no heirs. 
 
 Lucy Elmira was married Novemljer 22, 1847, to 
 Elijah Rose; settled in Carlisle, and has three sons, 
 viz: Dr. F. A. Rose, who settled at Olmstead Falls, 
 Ohio; George E. and Charlie E., who are both single. 
 Jlary M. was married July 9, 1864, to Howard Fisher, 
 and settled in Adrian, Michigan; died November 22, 
 1876, leaving three little boys: Carl, aged twelve years; 
 Rcibbie, aged ten years; and Elwin C, aged two years. 
 
 Joseph Bacon died in Carlisle, August 29, 1865. 
 Lucy (Wood) Bacon died in the same place, Sep- 
 tember 20, 1871. Their record through life Wiis bright- 
 ened by good deeds, and '"their works do follow 
 them." 
 
 S. 1). Bacon, third son of .loseph and Lucy (Wood) 
 Bacon, was born in Grafton, Windham county, Ver- 
 mont, June 23, 1825. Seventeen years of his boy- 
 hood were spent in this home among the hills, receiv- 
 ing in the mean time a good common school educa- 
 tion, as well as acquii'ing a knowledge of farming. 
 
 In the year 1842 the family removed to Carlisle, 
 Lorain county, Ohio; founding a new home in the 
 then most settled portion of the township, and as be- 
 fore following the business of farming. 
 
 Mv. Bacon was married to Mary Ann Bailey of Car- 
 lisle, F'ebruary 26, 1846. She was born April 19, 
 1827, in Gowanda, Cattaraugus county. New York. 
 She was the youngest child of Asa and Mary (Cox) 
 Bailey. Her mother dying soon after her birth she 
 was adopted J)y Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Morehouse, re- 
 siding in Hanover, Chautauqua county. New York. 
 
^^^^ -^^^^^ 
 
 
 M'.NER LOVELAND. 
 
 SELDEN HALL. 
 
 MRS. SELDEN HALL. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 361 
 
 At the age of twelve years she came with her adopted 
 parents to Medina, Medina county, Ohio. In 1843 
 tlie family removed from Medina to Carlisle, wliore 
 they made a permanent home. After niai-riage Mr. 
 and Mrs. Bacon rented a farm in Carlisle and went to 
 house keeping, making dairying their principal busi- 
 ness. In 1S51 they removed to Pittsfield, Lorain 
 county, stoj)ping for a few months on a rented farm. 
 In December 1851 they again moved, this time to 
 Wellington, bujnng a farm on which they now reside. 
 The fruit of this union was one son and two daugh- 
 ters. The dates of births were as follows: George Ba- 
 con, I>orn June 13, IS.")!. Enphame Bacon, born 
 August 22, 1853. Ada. Bacon, born November 13, 
 18G3. George Bacon married Miss Ida Peck of Pitts- 
 field, Lorain county. Their present home is in Pen- 
 field, this county. Enphame Bacon was married to 
 Charles Findley, January 13, 1874; both living at 
 home till her death, January 19, 1875. Siie left an in- 
 fant son five days old. The child lived a few months 
 only, dying Marcii 17, 1875. The two were buried in 
 one grave, and slept in the silent city of the dead. 
 Miss Ada Bacon, now in her teens, resides at home, 
 the light and Joy of the household. At school she 
 has ever stood at the head of her classes, and bids fair 
 for a bright record in the future. 
 
 By industry, economy and jjerseverance Mr. and 
 Mrs. Bacon have accumulated a nice property, and 
 their residence (see engraving) is fair to look upon. 
 
 In politics Mr. Bacon is a staunch republican; stand- 
 ing by his party with firmness and fidelity. He was 
 elected to the oflBce of town trustee in 1870, and has 
 retained the same office ever since. He was also elect- 
 ed infirnui-ry director, in October, 1875. This office 
 also, is still in his keeping. In reputation, he. stands 
 a representative man. 
 
 ABNER LOVELAND, Jr. 
 
 Abner Loveland, Jr., was born November 5, 1796, 
 in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, was educated in 
 the common schools, and followed the avocation of a 
 farmer. In 1819, when the frosts of autumn were 
 tinging the foliage of the wide-spreading forests with 
 golden gleams, Mr. Loveland came to Lorain county, 
 Oiiio. In 1830, he purchased land in Brighton town- 
 ship, and commenced the toil of a hardy pioneer, in 
 full faith that the future would yield a rich return. 
 March 28, 1826, he was joined in wedlock to Miss 
 Pamelia DeWolf, of Otis, Massachusetts. Pamelia was 
 the oldest daughter of Captain James and Naomi 
 (Ames) DeWolf, born July 10, 1794. Soon after mar- 
 riage they commenced housekeeping in Brighton, 
 and, eight years thereafter, purchased a farm in Wel- 
 lington, one and a half miles south of the center, 
 where he pursued his avocation according to the most 
 approved methods in use, making it their home for 
 eighteen years, and rearing their children, four in 
 number, two sons and two daughters. In 1850 he 
 
 46 
 
 erected a nice brick dwelling house in the village of 
 Wellington, removing thither in 1852, where be might 
 secure the best advantages for completing the educa- 
 tion of his children. 
 
 For integrity, honor and sterling worth, Mr. Love- 
 land had no superior. He was of a quiet, retiring 
 disposition, never seeking notoriety; yet, when duty 
 called, he wavered not, but was firm in defense of 
 right, however great the sacrifice. Politically, Mr. 
 Loveland (in his younger days) was an old line whig; 
 later, a zealous and devoted abolitionist, or friend of 
 bondmen; later, a staunch and faithful republican. 
 Offices of trust were given him l)y butli county and 
 town, and were always administei'ed with fidelity and 
 zeal. Though honor and distinction were sought not, 
 yet the people award liiin a record of worth}' merit. 
 
 Mrs. Pamelia, wife of Abner Loveland, Jr., died 
 June 5, 1802. Before marriage. Miss P. DeWolf 
 spent her time in tenching. Edwin died November 
 4, 1800. Mr. Loveland died March 3, 1879, and the 
 people mourned his loss. By loving hands this 
 tribute of respect is dedicated to loved ones gone be- 
 fore: "Blessed are they who die in the Lord, for 
 their works do follow them.'' 
 
 ROSWELL SMITH. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was a son of .Joel and 
 Nancy Smith; was born in Sandisfield, Berkshire 
 county, Massachusetts, June 1. 1797. Very little is 
 known of his early life, aside from the fact that his 
 parents lived upon rented land, and were in indigent 
 circumstances. There was a large family of children, 
 which made it necessary for Roswell to shift for him- 
 self at an early age. Record of family: Joel Smith, 
 born 1767, died February 4, 1824; Nancy Smith, born 
 1773, died August 39, 1829. Children: Catharine, 
 born November 7, 1793, died 18—; Phebe, born 
 June 1, 1795, living; Roswell, born .June 1, 1797, 
 died October 36, 1866; Daniel, born February 27, 
 1799, living; Lovisa, born September 19, 1800, died 
 July 1, 1870; Lois, born March 7, 1803, died April 
 30, 1840; Martha, born September 13, 1803, died Au- 
 gust 13, 1877; Eunice, born Aiu'il 4, 1806, died May 
 7, 1859; Emily, born July 18, 1807, died April 24, 
 1807; Lucinda, born May 10, 1810, died February 8, 
 1854. Roswell, soon after becoming of age, left 
 home, and for about three years was employed in the 
 salt works near Syracuse, New York. Here he con- 
 tracted chills and fever, and becoming rather reduced 
 in circumstances, he resolved to push on farther west, 
 arriving in Wellington, Decem'ber 35, 1833, with very 
 little capital to begin life with, and in a half dead con- 
 dition from the effects of the ague. For the next five 
 years he made it his home with his brother Daniel. 
 At that time it was one unbroken wilderness, with 
 few, if any, thoroughfares. The red men were far 
 more numerous than the white, were friendly, and 
 often came to the house for the purpose of exchang- 
 
362 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 ingyenison, etc., for salt, bread, and other commodi- 
 ties of civilization. Game was plentiful, including 
 deer, bear, wild cat, wolves, etc. Tlie latter were very 
 bold, coming uninvited many times to the settler's 
 home, making it necessary to confine stock nights in 
 enclosures built of logs. In May, 1823, Roswell bought 
 seventy-five acres of land of Frederick Hamlin, for 
 the consideration of two hundred and sixty-eight dol- 
 lars, being part of lot forty-one, in Wellington town- 
 ship. Several years after, he bought seventy-five 
 acres adjoining, on the south of said lot, of Milton 
 Hamlin. He married, November 7, 1837, Jane G., 
 youngest daughter of Luke and Elizal)eth Whitlock. 
 He moved on his farm in 1828, erecting a log cabin 
 in the northeast corner. They lived here ten years. 
 In 1837 he built a more commodious dwelling, in a 
 more central location. At this time, he took corn to 
 Captain Remington on the ridge, exchanging a bushel 
 of corn, even, for a pound of nails; the price of a 
 yard of factory muslin, being the same. In IS'l-i, his 
 fatherdying, hisbrother Daniel returned east, bringing 
 back with him the widowed niotlior and five sisters, 
 leaving three sisters there, viz: Catharine, Lovisaand 
 Lois. The mother lived with Roswell after his mar- 
 riage. She died in 1829, and was buried in the old cem- 
 etery, in Wellington. Although the pioneers did, of 
 necessity, see many hard times, there were also bright 
 sides to their lives. During one year there were five 
 marriages out of the Smith household, viz: Roswell, to 
 Jane Whitlock, November 7, 1837; Daniel, to Marie 
 Humphrey, in 1828. She dying, he married for his 
 second wife, Mrs. Mary Bell. Eunice married Calvin 
 Adams, October 7, 1838, Rev. Joel Talcott officiating. 
 Mr. Adams died, March 1, 1SG4. Martha married 
 Ransom Foote, March 19, 1838. Emily married Selden 
 Hall in 1838. Mr. Hall died November 38, 1878. 
 The other children married as follows: Lucinda to 
 Almond Green; Phebe to Josiah Arnold; Lovisa mar- 
 ried Elisha Smith, January 22, 182-1:. Mr. Smith 
 died east, September 7, 1844. About ISriO his widow 
 moved to Ohio, where she resided until her death. 
 
 Catharine married Morgan, and died east. 
 
 Lois was the only one who led a single life. She died 
 in Colebi'ook, Connecticut. 
 
 To return to Roswell: In politics, he was first a 
 whig, then a freesoiler, and afterward a republican. 
 He was a strong anti-slavery man, and when the war 
 broke out, himself and sons contributed over one 
 thousand dollars in money toward suppressing the 
 rebellion. Hisbrother, Daniel, took a prominent part 
 in the underground railway system, and many a slave 
 has cause to be grateful to him for food and shelter, 
 and a free passage to Oberlin. He came to Welling- 
 ton in the spring of 1821, his labor for three years be- 
 ing compensation for one hundred acres of land. 
 Roswell, when but eighteen years of age, embraced 
 Christianity, and soon after reaching Ohio, united 
 with the Presbyterian church, of which he was one of 
 the original members. lie afterward Ijecame a Con- 
 gregationalist. He paid freely toward building the 
 
 different churches of the place. He not only believed 
 it to be his duty to support the church, but nothing 
 but sickness prevented his regular attendance at pub- 
 lic worship. He died October 26, 1866, beloved by 
 all as an upright, conscientious, christian man, a man 
 who was a peace-maker in the broadest sense of the 
 term. He left two sons. Philander W., born April 
 30, 1830; Orlando E., born November 27, 1839. His 
 widow, April 29, 18G8, married Selden Hall, but con- 
 tinued to reside at the old homestead. Mr. Hall died 
 November 28, 1878, leaving her a widow the second 
 time. Jennie E. Whitlock, a niece of Mrs. Smith, 
 came to live in the Smith family in 185*;, and has had 
 a home there since. She was born in Brighton, Lo- 
 rain county, November 23, 1853. 
 
 Jane G., wife of Roswell Sniitii, was the youngest 
 daughter of Luke and Elizabetli Whitlock, was born 
 May 15, 1813, in South Brunswick, Middlesex county, 
 New Jersey. Luke Whitlock was of French descent. 
 He was married November 2, 1799, to Elizabeth 
 Griggs, in South Brunswick, Middlesex county. New 
 Jersey. Luke Whitlock was born July 38, 1779; he 
 died May K!, 1847. Elizabeth Whitlock, born Janu- 
 ary 38, 1783; she died March 15, 1845. Children: 
 John v., born December 30, 1800; died January 31, 
 1877. Margaret V., born Seiitember 10, 1802; died 
 October 3, 1860. James G., born May 23, 1806; died 
 November 30, 1807. Ellen S., born November 37, 
 1808; living. Sarah, born September 39, 1811; died 
 November 10, 1811. Jane G., born May 15, 1813; 
 living. In April, 1844, John was married to Hannah 
 Jones. She died December 25, 1846. In April, 1847, 
 he married Eliza Jones, a sister of his former wife. 
 She died April 33, 1856, leaving three children, the 
 youngest of wiiom, Jennie E., was taken and cared 
 for l)y her aunt, Mrs. Smith. Margaret was married 
 to Leonard Loveland in 1830. Ellen S. was married 
 to Elijah S. Fox, in 1835. Mr. Fox died February 
 38, 1875. Jane G. married Roswell Smith, Novem- 
 ber 7, 1827. The family arrived in Brighton, Lorain 
 county, April 13, 1822. The father's occupation was 
 teaching. While on his way homo from a school he 
 was taken ill, died, and was buried at Pittsburgh, 
 Pennsylvania. The mother died, and was buried 
 in Brighton. 
 
 Philander W., eldest son of Roswell an<l Jane G. 
 Smith, was born April 30, 1830, in the log cabin. He 
 remained at home during his boyhood, working on the 
 farm. He was married January 13, 1853, to Miss 
 Laura J., only daughter of George and Eunice Cowles. 
 She was born in Colebrook, Connecticut, January 39, 
 1833. George Cowles and family came to Wellington 
 in October, 1836, and have since resided on their 
 farm known as "Maple Hill."' For nearly ten years 
 after his marriage Piiilander W. lived at the old home- 
 stead. In the summer of 1801 he erected a house on 
 the corner of the old farm, where he has since resided. 
 They had two children, Arthur G., born May 8, 1853. 
 Clara M., born October 10, 1867. In November, 
 1875, the family left their home, and went to Florida, 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY. OHIO. 
 
 363 
 
 to try the effect of the climate upon members of the 
 family. After spending eighteen months there, with 
 little or no material benelit, they returned to their old 
 liomc. In politics, Mr. Smith has always been a rc- 
 ])ublican since that party had an existence. He con- 
 t ributed freely towards carrying on the war. Although 
 never taking an active part in politics, he was ever in 
 full sympathy with the Union army. la 180C he 
 purchased what is known as the James Spellman 
 farm, adjoining the homestead on the south. He has 
 always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 
 1873, himself, wife and son united with the First Con- 
 gregational church, of Wellington, Dr. L. B. Lane 
 being pastor at that time. 
 
 Orlando E., youngest son of Roswell and Jane 
 Smith, was born November 27, 1830, at the old home- 
 stead. During his boyhood he did not enjoy good 
 health, but as he approached man's estate he became 
 more healthful. He was married December 23, 1862, 
 to Lydia J., youngest daughter of William and Polly 
 
 A. Hall. She was born in Brighton, Lorain county, 
 December 23, 1842. After living with his father's 
 family three years, he purchased fifteen acres of what 
 was known as the Lyman Marshall farm, where he has 
 since resided. In 1873 he thoroughly remodeled his 
 dwelling house, and in 1876 he purchased the remain- 
 der of the Marshall farm. Two children were born 
 to them: Roswell, born September 20, 1871; Ralph 
 W., born January 10, 1875. Little Roswell bright- 
 ened their home only four days; he died Sej>teniber 
 24, 1871. In 1803, during the war of the rebellion, Mr. 
 Smith was drafted. His health unfitting him for 
 active service and the exposure of camp life, he hired 
 a substitute. In politics he has always been a repub- 
 lican, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham 
 Lincoln, in 1864. Of late years his occujiation has 
 been dairy farming. In 1873 himself and wife were 
 converted, and received into the First Congregational 
 church of Wellington, during the ministry of Dr. L. 
 
 B. Lane. 
 
 HOMER MASON AND FAMILY. 
 
 -Sampson Mason, father of Homer, and twelfth son 
 of Samjjson and Mercy (Baker) Mason, was born in 
 South Adams, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, April 
 15, 17!)!). He was brought up on a farm, and received 
 a common school education equal to the times. The 
 first of May, 1822, he was married to Miss Hannah 
 Childs, and commenced farming in the town of his 
 liirth. 
 
 Miss Hannah Childs, fourth daughter of Stephen 
 and Zilpa (Brooks) Childs, was born June 20, 1792. 
 The births of children were as follows: Nancy, born 
 March 4, 1823; Stephen C, born March 28, 1826; 
 Angeline, born August 13, 1827; Minerva, born De- 
 cember 15, 1831; and Homer, born September 18, 
 1833. 
 
 In 1835, Mr. Mason and family came to Welling- 
 
 ton, Ohio, and settled upon land where the homestead 
 now is. (See engraving.) 
 
 Nancy married Henry Allyn; she now resides in 
 Ilirain, Portage county, Ohio. There have been five 
 heirs, three now living. Henry Allyn died December 
 11, 1878. 
 
 Stephen C. married Mary Barge; he settled in Wel- 
 lington. They had three children. Stei)hen C. died 
 June 20, 1872. 
 
 Angeline married I. S. Van Deuscn; they now re- 
 side in Passaic, New Jersey. They have three chil- 
 dren, and one grandchild. 
 
 Minerva died June 4, 1848. 
 
 Horace married Ellen Lyon, of Wellington, August 
 22, 1858, continuing to reside at the old homestead, 
 where their children were born as follows: Harry B., 
 born November 20, 1860; Hattie M., born October 1, 
 1867; Willis L., born November 21, 1869; Annah E., 
 born July 16, 1876; and Arthur D., born April 18, 
 1878. These children are receiving the advantages 
 of a good education, as age permits, and bid fair to 
 become an honor to their parents. 
 
 Hannah, wife of Sampson Mason, died May 16, 
 1858. Mr. S. Mason still resides at the old home- 
 stead, bearing the honorable title of grandfather and 
 great-grandfather — a venerable man, whom the chil- 
 dren delight to honor. 
 
 Air. and Mrs. Homer Mason received a good com- 
 mon school education, and their home is one of 
 culture and refinement, where many people are hos- 
 pitably entertained. Mr. Mason's politics is republi- 
 can. He has been a prominent member of the Union 
 agricultural society of Wellington. He is an excel- 
 lent farmer, a good citizen, and held in high esteem 
 by all acquaintances. 
 
 JAMES SHELDEN AND FAMILY. 
 
 Benjamin, father of James Shelden, was born in 
 Delaware county. New York, July 7, 1791; married 
 Lovisa Rice, January 22, 1815. Miss Lovisa Rice, 
 born in Delaware county, July 6, 1790, settled in 
 Lock, Cayuga county. New York, and engaged in 
 millinery quite extensively. 
 
 Birth of children, as follows: Nelson, born March 
 26, 1816, and died in infancy; Salvinia M., born 
 October 2, 1817; George W., born August 4, 1819; 
 Benjamin, born December 6, 1821; Anna S., born 
 April 15, 1824; David F., born May 14, 1829; James, 
 born March 11, 1831. 
 
 Benjamin, Sr., died in LaGrange, Lorain county, 
 July 17, 1870; Lovisa, wife of Benjamin Shelden, 
 Sr., died September 9, 1870; united in life, they 
 were not long separated, and their children rise up 
 and call them blessed. 
 
 James Shelden was educated in the common schools, 
 learned the joiner's trade, and in 1857, February 
 eleventh, was joined in wedlock to Miss Adeline West, 
 
364 
 
 HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 eldest child of Amasa H. and Maria West; Amasa H. 
 West was born in Hartwick, Orange county. New 
 York, May 'H, 1810. Miss iMaria West, born iu the 
 same place. May 27, 1809. They wure married Febru- 
 ary 24:, 18o4, and moved to Ohio, soon after, where the 
 children were born, as follows: Adeline, born October 
 19, 18:311; Henry, born October 2i, 1838; Franklin, 
 born Septcndjer 8, 18-40; Charles, born June 5, 1853. 
 
 lleni-y West enlisted in the war of the rebellion; 
 was wounded in battle April seventh; died May 2, 
 1862, at St. Louis. Remains brought to Wellington 
 for burial. 
 
 Franklin West was married February 12, 18G8, to 
 Miss Viola Burlingame, of Centerville, Allegany 
 county, New York. He died March 23, 1878. 
 
 Charles West married AUie Dibble, of Pittsfield, 
 Lorain county, Ohio; have three children. 
 
 Amasa H. West, father of Adeline, died June 24, 
 1872. Mrs. Maria West, mother of Mrs. Shelden, 
 married again 0. J. West, November 11, 1873, and 
 settled in Wellington village. 
 
 After marriage Mr. and ]Mrs. Shelden commenced 
 dairying on a farm in Wellington. In 1860 he pur- 
 chased the farm where he now resides, and continued 
 dairying. In 1867 he built liis present residence. 
 (See engraving). Two years later he erected suitable 
 buildings, andconnuenced the manufacture of cheese, 
 according to tlie factory system, extending and en- 
 larging his conveniences and facilities until three 
 millions of pounds and over were manufactured at, the 
 home factory in 1878. 
 
 Mr. Shelden, at the present time, owns an interest 
 iu five other factories, and has in his employ seventeen 
 men. As a factoryman Mr. Shelden stands at the 
 front, giving as good, or better satisfaction to 
 patrons, than others engaged in the same business: 
 and as dairying is the principal business of the farmers 
 of Wellington and vicinity, the rivalry with which 
 Mr. Shelden has to compete, may readily be seen. 
 Children — Jessie, born January 5, 1862; Lettie, born 
 June 5, 1867; Charles, born April 3, 1869. Mr. 
 Shelden's children are receiving excellent advantages 
 for education, and bid fair to become ornaments to 
 society, aud are true blessings in the household. 
 
 The family are most hosiiitably inclined; there 
 seems always room for one more, and guests are wont 
 to enjoy their visits there most heartily, as the host 
 and hostess are merry-hearted and desirous of minis- 
 tering to the pleasure of their friends. 
 
 In politics Mr. Shelden is a republican. lie is a 
 generous, free-hearted, liiieral man, keeping u}) with 
 the progress of the age. 
 
 SILAS MILLER AND FAMILY. 
 
 Ephraim, second son of Ephraim Miller, was born 
 in Worcester, Massachusetts, June 8, 1774, and mar- 
 ried Rachel Buttolph March 13, 1800. Rachel Rut- 
 
 tolph was born in Stonington, Connecticut, October 
 2, 1773. After the marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Miller set- 
 tled in Chester, Massachusetts, pursuing the avocation 
 of farming, the same as his ancestors. In Chester all 
 their children were born, to wit: Silas, born April 
 13, 1802: Emily, born February 5. 1804: George, 
 born February 28, 1806; Moses, born .l:iiiu;iry 8, 1809; 
 Ephraim, born October 36, 1811; Edmund, born 
 January 27, 1S14; Fordis, born Aprd 12, 1816; died 
 August 18, 1829. 
 
 Ejihraim Miller died, at his son Silas' house, in 
 Wellington, March 30, 1868, aud had reached the re- 
 markable age of ninety-four years. Rachel his wife 
 died in Mindon, Michigan, September 27, 1869, the 
 year following her husband's death. This couple 
 lived together sixty-eight years, never being se])arated 
 over a week at a time, their affection being like that 
 of Ruth for Naomi. 
 
 Silas Miller was born, as stated above, April 13, 
 1802. He received a good corjimon school education, 
 and beside the knowledge of farm life, acquired at 
 at home, he learned the trade of tanning leather, of 
 William Hubbard, Cummington, Massachusetts. Be- 
 ing a youtli of mnch enterprise and true grit, he was 
 bound to get on in the world, his motto being: "' If 
 I fall, I will get up again."' 
 
 He married Miss Cynthia Holcomb, in West Hart- 
 ford, Connecticut, December 2."), 1828. flynthia IL, 
 daugher of Asel and Martha (Flagg) Holcomb, was 
 born in Cranliy, Connecticut, .July 29, 1799. They 
 settled at housekeeping and farming in Chester, Mas- 
 sachusetts. The record of births in the family are as 
 follows: Caroline S., born October 2, 1832; Fordis 
 N., born Ajiril 3, 183."); and Sarah E., born May 26, 
 1838, Cynthia, wife of Silas Miller, died February 
 16, 1840. The family having moved to York, Medina 
 county, Ohio, the year previous, May 26, 1839. 
 
 August 20, 1840, Silas Miller married Miss Lydia 
 Branch, of York, Medinacounty, Ohio. Lydia Branch, 
 third child of Nathan and Polly (Capron) Branch, 
 was born in Gratten, Tompkins county, New York, 
 January 16, 1810. The birth of children are as fol- 
 lows: Silas F., born June 23, 1842; Herman, born 
 November 9, 1843; Lucinda, born February 18. 1847; 
 Nathan, born .lune 18, 1849; George, born October 
 8, 18.52. 
 
 Sarah E. , daughter of Silas and Cynthia Miller, 
 married and settled on the Cumberland mountains, 
 Tennessee. 
 
 ('aroline was well cducatiMl, and followed the occu- 
 jiation of teaching for a goodly number of years, 
 making a record of worth. 
 
 Fordis N. married Augusta Howe, and settled in 
 Noble county, Indiana, and carries on a mercantile 
 trade. The fruits of this union are four daughters 
 aud one sou, viz: Cynthia, Carrie, Laurie, Emily 
 and Silas. Augusta, wife of Fordis N. Miller, died 
 March 3, 1877. 
 
 Silas F., son of Silas and Lydia Miller, died in the 
 army, May 8, 1863. He belonged to the One Hun- 
 
% 
 
 '\V'». 
 
 Silas Miller 
 
 Lydia I^Iiller 
 
 Pfloros Br KM run". OSERLIN 
 
 f^EsiDENCE or SILAS MILLER .Wellington Tp, Lof^AiN Co,0- 
 
HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 365 
 
 di-ed and Twenty-fourth Ohio vohiuteer infantry, — a 
 soldier in the war of the great rebellion. 
 
 Heruiau, also a soldier, served three years in the 
 United States artillery, suffered as many other sol- 
 diers suffered, and contracted a disease (chronic diar- 
 rluea), of which he has never fully recovered, and 
 which will, no doubt, be the means of shortening his 
 life. Herman married Mrs. Mary Knapp, of Welling- 
 ton, Februarys, 1868. Evelyn L., only daughter of 
 Herman and Mary Miller, was born July 23, 1871. 
 
 Lueinda married Jerry Whitehead, of Wellington. 
 December 28, 1875, settled in Ogden, Michigan, and 
 iier husband follows the avocation of farming. 
 
 Nathan (the bachelor,) resides with his parents; a 
 youth of enterprise, spirit, and ability, well (|ualitied 
 to keep up with the jjrogress of the age. 
 
 George died December 'i, 1871, — a youth of fair 
 ]iromise, just merging into manhood. His death was 
 a severe affliction to the family. 
 
 From York the family moved to Lorain county, 
 settling in AVellington April 0, 1861, where they now 
 reside, on the farm formerly owned by 0. >S. Wads- 
 worth, engaged quite extensively in dairying as well 
 as farming. 
 
 Mr. Miller has been an active, stirring man, pos- 
 sessed of a remarkable memory, retains events, dates, 
 names, and places in mind, as the famed Napoleon. 
 He is known far and near, as his journeyings have 
 taken him into many States. In politics he is a re- 
 publican, and his general character is good, as his 
 code of morals, as well as those of his family, is most 
 excellent. 
 
 BERT B. HEKIHCK AND FAMILY. 
 
 riiilo Herrick, secontl son of Amasa and Polly 
 (Robison) Herrick, and fatiier of Hon. Lucius Her- 
 rick, and grandfather of Bert B., was born in Tyring- 
 ham, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, January 15, 
 17'.*4:. He received his education in the common 
 seiiools, and developed tlie character of a model 
 young man. January 1, 181G, he was joined in mar- 
 riage to Sophia Blodgett. Sophia Blodgett, sixth 
 child of Caleb and Ruth (Lombard) Blodgett, was 
 born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, September 27, 1788. 
 After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Philo Herrick went to 
 live in Watertown, New York, where he jiursued the 
 business of tanner, currier and shoemaker. From 
 there he i-emoved to Hounsfleld, same State. Rec- 
 ord of birth of children as follows: Loring, born 
 October 5, 1816, in Watertown, Jefferson county; 
 Amasa B., born April 20, 1818, in Hounsfleld; Lu- 
 cius, born Novembers, 1820, iu Hounsfleld; George 
 F., born November 11, 1824, in Hounsfleld. In the 
 year 1835 the family moved to Wellington, Ohio 
 (then denominated the far west), and settled on the 
 homestead (see engraving), where a few years were 
 spent in active service to secure the comforts of a 
 home in a pioneer settlement, the children in the 
 
 meantime securing the best advantages for education 
 provided in the township, ere they separated to work 
 out their future fortunes and establisii homes for 
 themselves. .June 3, 18-14, Loring married Miss M. 
 Bronson, a teacher among the Winnebago Indians, 
 Iowa. April 23, 1846, Amasa married Lydia Ann 
 Young, in Uockton, Winnebago county, Illinois. A 
 record of ten birtiis graces this union, (ieorge F. 
 Herrick left home for Wisconsin, June 9, 1845; died, 
 Se|>tember 15, the same year. Lucius Herrick, 
 remaining at home, married, April 15, 1844, Miss 
 Mary E. Griffith. Mrs. Mary E., wife of Lucius 
 Herrick, died January 15, 1845, leaving an infant 
 son, Luther G., born January 11. April 8, 1851, 
 Lucius Herrick was united in marriage to Miss Har- 
 riet E. Bidwell, of Brighton, Lorain county, Ohio. 
 Miss Harriet E. Bidwell, daughter of Truman and 
 Eveline (Doty) Bidwell, was born October 26, 1827. 
 Truman E. Bidwell was born September 20, 1806; 
 died March 31, 1876. Eveline (Doty) Bidwell, born 
 1802; died October 27, 1848. Harriet E., wife of 
 Lucius Herrick, died February 28, 1854; Bert B., son 
 of Lucius and Harriet Herrick, was born December 
 27, 1851. July 3, 18:j2, Mr. Lucius Herrick married 
 Miss Sarah West, of Elyria, third child of Francis 
 and P\inny West, born in Elyi-ia and educated in 
 ililan and flnishing in the academy at Stockbridge, 
 Berkshire county, Massachusetts; is a lady of cul- 
 ture and reflnement. July 8, 18G2, Luther G. Her- 
 rick died. He was a young man universally beloved, 
 possessed of rare talents, and was pursuing a course 
 of study at Oberlin when the fatal hand of disease 
 sai)ped the current, of life. Philo Herrick died 
 March 15, 1866. Mrs. Philo Herrick is still residing 
 at the old homestead — the oldest person in town; is 
 active, wonderfully well preserved for a lady of her 
 years, retaining her memory remarkably well; and it 
 is to her the writer of this sketch is indebted for 
 the principal dates found in this biography. 
 
 Since the family of Philo Herrick came to Wel- 
 lington, Lucius has been identified with the con- 
 tinued progress of the townshij). Being a represent- 
 ative man, active in business, he has held important 
 offices by the gift of the people of Lorain county. 
 For several years ho was county commissioner, and 
 is now representing the county of Lorain in the State 
 legislature. 
 
 Bert B. was united in marriage to Miss Etta R. 
 Wadsworth, December 27, 1877. Miss Etta R. was 
 born in Wellington, April 25, 1858; and is the only 
 daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Wadsworth; is a 
 graduate of the class of 1877 of Wellington high 
 school; average school report, for five years, ninety- 
 seven and one-half — first grade; motto, excelsior; 
 aim, to do well. After a short wedding tour, Mr. 
 and Mrs. B. B. Herrick commenced housekeeping 
 on the home farm, March 28, 1878. His father pur- 
 chasing and removing to a new residence near by, the 
 farm and its belongings fell to the care of B. B. In 
 connection with other business matters in the line of 
 
366 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 t'jiriiiing, u d;iiry "f tliirty or more cows is kept, and 
 the milk iimiiufuetured iii(,o biittor and cheese, at 
 home, and maiketed l)y Mr. Herrick. Tiic excellent 
 advantages for an edncation, and the opportunities 
 for travel bestowed by a fonil parent, have fitted him 
 for an active bnsincss life, fjiving a fair ontlook for 
 fiitui'e j)ros|ierity and renown. March 39, 1879, a 
 daughter was born to Mr. Ilerriuk — Ella R. Herrick; 
 christened l)y grandma, "the light of the lionse- 
 liold" — by its parents, Sarah Ethel. 
 
 The genealogy of the Herrick family can be traced 
 in a direct line back to one Eric, a Danish chief who 
 invaded Britain during the reign of Alfred. For 
 farticulars, see genealogical liistory, published by 
 Zedekiali Herrick, giving statistics from 1029 to 
 1840. 
 
 DR. .lOHN W. HOUGHTON. 
 
 Dr. John W. Houghton, of the Wellington Eiiter- 
 prise, is the son of Asa llougldon, deceased, and 
 Clara Cole Houghton. He was born in Eatavia, New 
 York, and is now in his forty-fifth year. He studied 
 two yeai's at the l^niversity at Delaware, Ohio, taught 
 several terms, j)rotracted his classical coui'se so as to 
 keep uj) his musical studies parallel with it, gradu- 
 ating at Haldwin University in 1800, and fi'om a Cin- 
 cinnati Medical College the same year. In lSO:i the 
 degree of A. M. in course was conferi-ed Ijy his AIiiki, 
 Mater. 
 
 Soon after graduation he commenced tlie practice 
 of his profession at Wellington, continuing for ten 
 years when he was obliged to abandon it from im- 
 paired health. He has since devoted his time princi- 
 ])ally to the drug and book trade, established some 
 years previously, until in 1870 he took the additional 
 care and labor involved in the j)ulilishing and editing 
 a, weekly newspaper, in connection with a job ottice. 
 
 WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON SUTLIFF. 
 
 This gentleman was Itorn in Erie county, New York, 
 in July, 1815. His father's name was Solomon, his 
 l)laco of nativity being New York State, Genesee 
 county. 
 
 'J'he subject of this sketch received a good common 
 s(!hool education. At the age of twenty ho left his 
 father's home and came to Oberlin, Ohio, where he 
 resided for three years. In 1838 he went to Michi- 
 gan, where he remained thirteen years, except an in- 
 terval of nearly a year in 1840, which he i^assed in 
 
 Ohio. While in the former State he entered govern- 
 ment land. Returning to Ohio in 1853 he made his 
 residence ill Carlisle township for two years, when he 
 removed to Wellington, where he has since resided. 
 In 1840, he married Miss Pho'be D. Gott, of La 
 Grange. Mr. and Mrs. Sutlilf have been the parents 
 of twelve children, seven of whom are now living, 
 viz: AVilliam II., Charles E., George AV., Jam^s 
 Alfred, Frederick M., Emily Jane and Franklin P. 
 Mr. SutlitI has held a number of township offices, 
 both here and in Michigan, and is a worthy and 
 highly esteemed citizen. 
 
 R. J. ROBINSON 
 
 tells the story of his life as follows: 
 
 I was born in Winchester, Virginia, March 18, 
 1818, of free ]iarents. My father was the grandson 
 of Lord Fairfax, and my mother the daughter of 
 Colonel Novel, of revolutionary fame. Myself, with 
 my jiarents and other children, was allowed the priv- 
 ilege of common schools, although denied to other 
 colored people. My father died in 1836, and in the 
 same year, at the age of seventeen I removed with my 
 mother and the rest of the children, six in number, 
 to Illinois, settling iu Springfield, where I ajjcned a 
 barber shop. ATiiong my customers were Abraham 
 Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, and Edward Baker. 
 Novendjcr 31, 1837, I was married to Sarah Ann 
 Wigins, of Macdonough county, Illinois, the first 
 colored marriage west of the Illinois river. In 1840, 
 I moved to St. Louis, ^lissouri, but was arrested for 
 coming into the State without license, and returned 
 to Illinois and liccauie a citizen of Alton, where I 
 reniaine<l until 1800, when I removed to Wellington, 
 taking up my residence here in April of 1861. I have 
 eight children, five boys and three girls. My oldest 
 son Jonathan was captured by the rebels in 1801 and 
 kept a prisoner two years. My son .loseph enlisted 
 in company F of the one hundred and twenty-third 
 regiment, but was killed at Frankfort, Kentucky. 
 My son James enlisted in Company G, third regi- 
 ment U. S. colored heavy artillery, and was dis- 
 charged March 9, 1805, by reason of expiration of 
 time of service. My children have all received a 
 practical education. My oldest daughter is a gradu. 
 ate of Oberlin College, is married, and lives in Wash- 
 ington, D. C. 
 
 I was forty-three years old when I was permitted to 
 cast my first vote. It was cast for Abraham Lincoln. 
 I can say that I have only been free since I came to 
 this place. Here, thank God, I am in an open field, 
 in pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, and where I 
 intend to spend the remainder of my days. 
 
'x, 
 
 X 
 
 4v 
 
 -»«' 
 
 H>- : 
 
 WmH H SUTLIFF. 
 
 MRSWm H.H SUTLirr. 
 
 Residence of Wm. H.H. SUTUFF, Wellington Tr.Lohain Co., Ohio. 
 
PITTSFIELD 
 
 SITUATION, son. ANn WATER TOURSKS. 
 
 BouNBED upon the iiortli by Russia, east by La 
 Grange, soiitb by Wellington, and west by Cam- 
 den, lies Pittsfield, township number four, in range 
 eighteen. Its surface, except in the northwestern 
 part, where it is almost a perfect level, varies from 
 the gently undulating to the moderately uneven. The 
 soil is jirincipally a soft clay, though a clay loam is 
 found in many places, and occasionally, in the north- 
 western quarter particularly, there a]ipears sandy and 
 gravely loam. A very good article of sandstone ap- 
 pears in the Ited of a small creek, half a mile west of 
 the center, and the same geological formation is ob- 
 servable in lot twenty-one, in the northeastern portion 
 of the township. The stoue comes to the surface in 
 tiie latter place, rendering quarrying practicable. 
 This industry, by the way, has been for some time 
 carried on in a small way, though large enough to 
 meet all demands, by V. McRoberts. 
 
 The principal stream within the limits of the town- 
 ship is the west branch of Black river, which, entering 
 the territory at the southern line, midway between 
 tiie eastern and western boundaries, winds a tortuous 
 course toward the extreme eastern corner. Welling- 
 ton creek flows from south to north along the eastern 
 boundary of the township, and several small brooks 
 diversify the western half of the town. 
 
 ORIGINAL OWNERS. 
 
 The original owners of Pittsfield, with the number 
 of lots they possessed, were the following: Elisha 
 Tracey, seventy-five lots; Lewis Devotion, twenty 
 lots; Joseph Barnham, nine lots; Richard MeCurdy, 
 twenty-one lots; Samuel Dorrence, twelve lots, Wm. 
 Perkins, thirteen lots; John McClellan, four lots; and 
 J. Ward, six lots — whole number of lots in the town- 
 ship, one hundred and sixty. 
 
 J. Ward probably sold out to Simon Perkins, and 
 Perkins sold or gave the tract to the Western Reserve 
 College. Milton Whitney bought the Dorrance tract 
 of one Keeler. 
 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 The first white men ever known to have been in- 
 habitants of this township were a man by the name 
 of Baker, and his two sons. As early as 1812 or 181.3, 
 they cleared a small spot of ground on the northeast 
 corner of lot ninety-six, and built a log cabin. They 
 )emained here for some time, but fear of the Indians 
 and the British soldiers, who were at that time scour- 
 ing the country, induced them to leave. The father 
 
 is known to have gone into the army of the United 
 States, and whether his sons also entered the militai-y 
 service is a matter of conjecture. They remained in 
 the vicinity some time after his departure. It is not 
 improbable that these men made the original survey 
 of tiie township. A fact pointing to this conclusion 
 was the discovery of a lot of surveyor's instruments in 
 their cabin a number of years after they left. Their 
 names were also mt'ntioned as surveyors in some of 
 the deeds given the first settlers. 
 
 In 1819, when the townshi]) was surveyed into lots 
 and divided between the purciiasers, Milton Whitney 
 became a large owner. He came from the east in the 
 following year, made an examination of his land, and 
 induced a couple of enterprising young men to settle 
 upon it. Tiiomas Waite, of New York State, origi- 
 nally settled in Amherst township, but, after a short 
 sta}', removed into Russia. His sons, Jerry and 
 Thomas, were the first men who went into Pittsfield 
 with the intention of permanent residence. Milton 
 Whitnev gave each of them fifty acres of land in lot 
 one hundred and seven, and they took up their abode 
 upon it in the spring of 1821. Jerry Waite died iu 
 early life. Thomas Waite is in his seventy-eiglith 
 year, and resides upon almost the exact site of the 
 rude log cabin which he erected half a century ago. 
 
 Henry and Chauncey Remington came into the 
 township from Soutiiwick, Massaeimsetts, in the fall 
 of 1833, each receiving from Mr. AVhitney a farm of 
 fifty acres, as remuneration for cutting twenty acres 
 of timber. Both removed from the township before 
 1830. Chauncey died in Henrietta in 18(J0. His 
 widow married Lucius Washburn, of Henrietta, with 
 whom she is now living, aged seventy-five years. 
 Henry is in Amherst. About the same time, in all 
 probability, though possibly before, came a man named 
 Smith, and his sons, Charles and Joel, from New 
 York. Joel settled on lot twenty-four with his father, 
 and Charles took up a farm in lot forty-four. 
 
 Following tiie Smiths came John Norton, who set- 
 tled on lot one hundred and twenty-eight, and who, 
 it is said, built the first frame bara in the townsiiip. 
 Norton died some time previous to 1830. 
 
 L. D. Boynton, father of Judge W. W. Boynton, 
 became a temporary resident of the township soon 
 after the Smiths and Norton came in. He built a 
 cabin upon lot one hundred and thirty, but made no 
 purchase of land and remained but a short time. 
 
 Israel Cash, who obtained an unenviable notoriety 
 in Amherst, was a resident of the township for a 
 brief period. 
 
 (367) 
 
3fi8 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 John and Jacob Munsinger came into the township 
 about the year 1827, buying of Cash tlie old Reming- 
 ton farm, lot one hundred and eleven. 
 
 Samuel Ratliburn and two sons, Daniel and George, 
 came from New York State in 1838, the father and 
 younger son settling upon lot sixty-four and Daniel 
 upon lot fifty-seven. 
 
 Aljout the year 1830, ^\'nl. I'liillrr and live sons 
 from the Em[iire State, settled on lot thirty-seven, 
 and, in the same year, came Samuel Wightman, who 
 located on lot seventeen, and Petcu- Beam and his son 
 Joseph, who took up their residence on hit twonty-five. 
 
 William Mat.cham and his son-in-law, Levi L. 
 WowcU, came to the township in 1831. Sullivan 
 h'dwcll a,nil his sons, .lohu fj., James, C. B. and Levi, 
 came later from Granville, Massachusetts, and settled 
 on lot one hundred and nine. 'I'lie Matchams were 
 fi-iim I'ittsfleld, in the same State. Edward came the 
 year before his fatlier, and settled njion lot one hun- 
 dred and twenty-tive, on the old State road, about one 
 mile south di the center, where he still resides. He 
 married Abigail 'I'inker, of Rochester townsliip, April 
 8, 1835. 
 
 Teter McRoberts was the first arrival after the 
 organization of the town. About this time settlers 
 came in quite fiist, and it is impossible even to name 
 them all. There arc in Pittsfield three families of 
 Whitneys, and a circumstance that seems somewhat 
 singular, is that they bear no relationslii[) to each 
 other. Milton Whitney came from Pittsfield, Massa- 
 chusetts, in 18"^(t, the year after the survey had been 
 made, and, after making arrangements for the Waites 
 to settle, as has previously been related, returned to 
 his home in tiie east, lie took uj) his permanent 
 residence in this townshiji in 1834. He had five sons, 
 S. D., Oliver W., Asa W., Jlenry and Frederick, and 
 two daughters; the first-named son now lives upon 
 lot one hundred and sixteen. Josepii Whitney, the 
 head of another distinct family, came about the year 
 1833. His sons, Ira E., Cepha, Mark and Augustine, 
 live in Pittsfield, and Loren and Aaron T. in Oberlin, 
 and Norman iu Florida. Nathan Whitney, the third 
 original settler bearing the same name, but no relation 
 to the other two, came into the township about the 
 same time, and is represented by his son Ira, who 
 lives upon lot seventy-two; another son, Abram, is in 
 Olierlin. 
 
 (Cornelius Gilford and sons, John Nye, Cornelius 
 F. and Sidney, came about the year 183.5. .John Nye 
 had one son and three daughters by his wife, Roxy 
 Messenger, of Windham. Cornelius Gitford had also 
 foui- (laughtei's, the youngest of whom is the wife of 
 JMark Whitney. Daniel and Sally Wilder came in 
 1835 from Vermont. Jesse Bradley came about the 
 same time, and settled upon the center road to- 
 ward the southern part of the township, afterwards 
 selling out to Bethuel Phelps who is the oldest man in 
 the township at this writing, (1878) being in his 
 ninety-second year. William Lucas and sons, William, 
 Ira and David, and his son-in-law, Hiram Welch, came 
 
 about the same time as the above. David W. Davis 
 came in about the year 1834, and in the following 
 year John Ives moved from Portage county, where he 
 had emigrated in 1815, and settled upon lot fifty- 
 eight. James R. Ward came iu 183G from Vermont, 
 and settled upon a farm of one hundred acres in lot 
 one hundred and three. His wife is Lucinda, daugh- 
 ter of Ira Smith. The Worcestors, Samuel, his sons 
 .John, James, Frank, Joseph, David and Emerson, 
 were early settlers. Henry is now living on lot 
 seventy-eight, and Horace II., a son of John, on lot 
 seventy-seven. Samuel A. Root came in 1837 with 
 liis father, mother and one brother from Massachu- 
 setts. He settled upon lot seventy-nine where he still 
 resides, but owns land, also, in lots eighty-two and 
 eighty-three. Jared Watkins and wife came from 
 Morristown, St. Lawrence county. New York, in 1835, 
 and settled on the State road north of the center. In 
 1843 came R. S. Sheffield. He lived in Camden a 
 number of years, but has been longest and most prom- 
 inently identified with Pittsfield township. He 
 married Delia II., a daughter of Jared Watkins. 
 Denis Horton and wife, F. S. Horton, settled, several 
 years later, upon lot ninety-one. Thej' were from 
 Rutland, Vermont. Gaylord Ferris came in 1834. 
 Orlando Hall came in 1835 from Vermont, and settled 
 in the northeastern part of the township. His 
 wife. Lucetta Hall, is still living. The Proberts, 
 James and Sarah, were from England. Their de- 
 scendants were Eliza, .lohn, George W., James W., 
 David G., Albert B. find Sarah A. (Mrs. Wat-kins, of 
 Pittsfield). (feorge W. Probert also lives in this town 
 ship, lot seventy-three, and owns a farm of about two 
 hundred acres. .James W. is dead, and the other 
 descendants of Jamcj and Sarah live in Oberlin. 
 Lewis Shaw came into the township in 1847, and set- 
 tled on lot one hundred and fifty-two or one hundred 
 and fifty-three, but now resides near the center. Ed- 
 ward Rogers, a native of England, sixty-two years of 
 age, settled first (1845), in the eastern part of the 
 town, on lot fifty-nine, but removed, several years 
 since, to a comfortable home near the junction of the 
 north and south center and State roads. In 1845 
 came, also, Joshua West and his sons, Oliver, Wash- 
 ington and Amasa, from Massachusetts. They settled 
 jn Wellington in 1833, but did not remove to Pitts- 
 field until the year first mentioned. Oliver West lives 
 at the center; Mrs. Polly, the widow of Washing- 
 ton, with her son, W. West, on the center road, half 
 a mile west of the center, and Amasa is in Henrietta. 
 Carlos Avery came in 1843, and settled on the State 
 niad (lot one hundred and forty five) soutli of the 
 center. Ephraim K. Avery, a Methodist minister, 
 came from Connecticut in 1851, and from the time of 
 his settlement uj) to his death had much to do with 
 the Methodist church of Pittsfield. His son, Edwin 
 K., and a daughter, Mrs. R. T. Worden, now live in 
 the township, the former upon lot ninety-five, on the 
 north and south road, a short distance south of the 
 center. E. R. Bement, sou of Nathaniel Bement, of 
 
Residence of J. T. CARTER , Pittsfield , Lorain Co.. 0. 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 369 
 
 LaGrange, came into the township about 1840. Wm. 
 Billings came in 183G: also L. D. Glynn and F. E. 
 Parsons. Erastus Campbell settled on lot one hund- 
 red and eleven, the old Remington farm, in 1857, and 
 though not as old a resident as many others, is deserv- 
 ing of mention, because a representative man of the 
 township. 
 
 Of the settlers who may properly be called pioneers, 
 those who came into the township before its organiza- 
 tion, only two remain to relate the incidents of their 
 early days — Thomas Waite and Edward Matcham. 
 Death has been, for the past few years, fast thinning 
 the ranks, and a very large number have moved 
 away. Mr. Edward Matcham counts upwards of a 
 hundred and fifty heads of families who were in Pitts- 
 field prior to 18-10, and who are now either dead or 
 removed to other parts of the country. 
 
 EARLY IXCIDENTS. 
 
 "The annals of a 'quiet neighborhood' would not 
 be an inappropriate title for the history of Pittsfield 
 township. It has been said that 'all of history, which 
 is not biography, is the recital of deeds of violence 
 and wrong doing, of rapine and ruin, of bloodshed 
 and of war.' Pittsfield truly has no such history as 
 this. He who asks the oldest inhabitant for thrilling 
 anecdotes of adventure with wild man or wild beast, 
 asks in vain. No romance but the everywhere exist- 
 ing romance of live and love, no tragedy but the oft 
 and ever recurring tragedy of death, has been the 
 cause of sensation or of horror. The dramatic is not 
 here. The history savors only of the honest home- 
 spun, of simple, sincere, strong characters, who began 
 bravely in the heart of the forest a hard fight for the 
 comforts and conveniences of life. How well the 
 fight was fought is shown by the condition of the 
 community to-day. One has only to think for a mo- 
 ment, to see that a really vast victory has been won 
 wherever city or village has been made, or where 
 the earth has been dotted with human habitations. 
 Every such place has a history which cannot be put 
 into words — the history of man's efl^orts and achieve- 
 ments, and more than all, of his joys and sorrows, 
 glad realizations and bitter disajjpointments — the 
 hidden history of heart and soul. 
 
 We have already given the names of those early set- 
 tlers who bore the brunt of the struggle against the 
 stubborn obstacles to progress which a new country 
 always presents. The duty now remaining to the 
 historian is the presentation of whatever he has been 
 able to glean in regard to early occurrences, and the 
 building up of the social fabric. The pioneers of 
 Pittsfield had but little experience with the Indians, 
 and industrious interviewing fails to elicit descrip- 
 tion of bear hunt or tale of dangerous adventure with 
 fierce animals. 
 
 A few Wyandot and Seneca Indians roamed through 
 the woods, but they had no extensive encampment in 
 the vicinity, and seldom appeared in bands of more 
 than half a dozen. 
 
 47 
 
 Mrs. George Rathburn had quite a scare soon after 
 she became a resident of this small community. She 
 was all alone in the cabin, one day, when suddenly 
 the doorway was darkened by the form of an Indian 
 who demanded bread, brandishing a large knife fiercely 
 as he did so, and pointing to the bake-kettle which 
 was upon the fire. The woman made her unwelcome 
 visitor understand that he could have some bread as 
 soon as was it done, and he waited in stoical silence 
 until the steaming loaf was turned oixt; then cutting 
 off a large portion, he gave utterance to the customary 
 grunt of satisfaction, and strode away into the forest 
 as silently as he came. 
 
 Thomas Waite once killed a full-grown elk upon 
 the farm of Edward Matcham, which, so far as can 
 be learned, was the only animal of the kind that ever 
 fell victim to an early settler's rifle. He shot the 
 stag several times before he brought him down, and 
 finally drove him into the bed of a small creek, where 
 a well-directed shot finished his life. Mr. Waite, 
 otherwise known as' "Uncle Tommy," had the antlers 
 in his possession many years, and was very fond of the 
 trophy. 
 
 FIKE AXD WATER. 
 
 The great ordinance of earth and heaven that makes 
 man and woman one, was first celebrated in the year 
 1823 or 1824. The bridegroom was Jeremiah Waite, 
 and the bride Clara Smith. The ofliciating clergy- 
 man was the bride's father, the Rev. Nathan Smith. 
 A hapi^y party assembled upon this occasion and a 
 feast was served, of which potatoes are said to have 
 formed the leading luxury. The wedded life began 
 by this couple, was not of the character that fond 
 lovers are wont to picture as their future, for if popu- 
 lar report is to be accredited, the young wife, when the 
 blissful honeymoon had become only a recollection, 
 applied verbal blister to the soul of Jeremiah. He 
 sought advice and consolation from his father-in-law, 
 who briefly and quietly replied to the husband's com- 
 plaint: "When your wife throws fire, you must throw 
 water." It was not very long before the practical 
 minded man had an opportunity to act upon the sug- 
 gestion given him, and as he had interpreted it liter- 
 ally, the result was somewhat startling to the wife. 
 She began one day to pour forth "thoughts that 
 breathe, and words that burn," and the husband im- 
 mediately seizing two buckets, started for the brook, 
 back of the house, and filled them. As soon as he re- 
 turned to the cabin, he dashed the ice cold contents of 
 one i^ail over the astonished woman, and then explain- 
 ing that her father told him he must throw water 
 whenever she threw fire, applied the second bucket- 
 ful to thoroughly quench the eml^ers of her wrath. 
 Cotemporary chroniclers have failed to note, carefully, 
 the result of this phase of the water cure treatment, 
 and so the value of the experiment is, in a measure, 
 lost to the world. 
 
 The first life given, and the first life taken away, 
 must in any household, be incidents fraught with the 
 fullest intensity of joy and grief, respectiveh", that the 
 
370 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 humiin heart cau appreciate. And these events oc- 
 curing in tlie midst of a small community, newly 
 grown, in a strange and lonely forest country, where 
 iiulividual lines are more closely knit together by the 
 chords of sympathy, than they are in the bustling, 
 selfish, sordid city, Ining hapi)iness and sorrow to all, 
 friend, neighbor and kindred. When we mention 
 hero the date of the first death tiiat occured in Pitts- 
 field, we place our finger upon a day in a calender 
 more than lialf a century old, which brought a vast 
 burden of sad and solemn feeling to every person 
 then in tlie scattered little settlement. Mary, wife of 
 Chauncey Remington, died August 18, 182-2. Her re- 
 mains were laid in lot one hundred and eleven, the 
 second farm cleared in the townshiii, and had their 
 resting place there for many years, but were finally 
 removed. 
 
 The first child born in I'ittsfield was Henry H. 
 Remington, and the date of birth was August 12, 
 1823. 
 
 The first log house was the cabin built by the 
 Bakers, — father and sons, — spoken of as the first 
 white men ever known to have come into the town- 
 ship. Thomas Waite built the second. The first 
 framed house was built by a man named Terry, in 
 1833, on lot ninety-five, and is still standing. The 
 present residence of Edward Matcham is the second 
 framed house still remaining. The first brick house 
 was built in 1851, by Harris R. Sheldon. 
 
 The first tavern was presided over by John Sibley. 
 It was upon lot forty-four, upon the old State road. 
 The date of its erection was probably 1832. Horatio 
 Harmon built a tavern not long after, on lot thirty- 
 seven. David H. Ranney kept the first store, in con- 
 nection with a hotel, south of the center. 
 
 Lewis Barnard received the first postmaster's com- 
 mission, and kept the post office half a mile east of 
 the center. The present postmistress is Mrs. Olimena 
 Kingsbury. 
 
 The first cemetery laid out is now the resting ]ilace 
 of many of the early settlers of tlie township. It is a 
 well fenced and well kept enclosure, about a quarter 
 of a mile east of the center, and belongs to tlie town. 
 There is a small cemetery at the junction of the north 
 and south center and State roads, owned by a private 
 corporation, and still another in the northeast corner 
 of the townsjiiji. 
 
 FUfilTIVE SLAVES. 
 
 There was a branch of the ■• underground railroad " 
 through Pittsfield. Here, as elsewhere, obstructions 
 were occasionally placed upon the track, for the pur- 
 pose of stopping trains. We liave not the date, and 
 it makes but little difference in the relation of the 
 incident, but any way, during the days when the road 
 was doing its largest business, two fugitive slaves,— 
 a man and a woman, — were arrested in Pittsfield, by 
 persons of pro-slavery feelings, and bronght before 
 the bar of justice, which, in this case, was the bar of 
 Squire Asa W. Whitney, and also, it may be said, the 
 
 bar of Harmon's small but quite popular tavern. A 
 question arose as to whether a justice court was :t 
 court of record, the squire having no right to hold 
 the fugitives, if it was not. Squire Clark, an eccen- 
 tric character, desiring to have the runaway slaves 
 held, and at the same time to have a little amuse- 
 ment, said in answer to Justice Whitney's anxious; 
 query, "Is my court a court of record?" "Why, 
 Squire, you keep a record, don't you? What more da 
 you want to make a court of record? "' But the proof 
 that he had power to hold the fugitives was not strong; 
 enough to thoroughly convince the justice, and the 
 captives were finally, after considerable discussion, 
 sent to Elyria, where they were placed in the jail, 
 from which they soon after made their escape, much 
 to the joy of their abolition friends, and discomfiture 
 of the sympathizers with slavery. There were in Pitts- 
 field (piite a nunil)cr who held stock in the "under- 
 ground railroad." 
 
 KAISIXGS AXD WHISKY. 
 
 About the only thing that the earlv settlers of the 
 Western Reserve regarded as impossible, was raising^ 
 a barn or building of any kind without whisky enough 
 to more or less stimulate the muscles that managed to 
 do all other kinds of work without its aid. So general 
 was the belief that a man must drink liquor when 
 engaged in a "rasin' bee," and sonearly universal was 
 the custom of providing it on such occasions that it 
 was almost a literal impossibility to get a building 
 erected without conforming to the popular prejudice 
 and throwing away principle for policy's sake. There 
 was only one among fifty men, perhaps, upon the 
 average, who had any decided aversion to whisky thirty 
 or forty years ago, but when the majority tried te 
 bend down that man's will, they generally found it too 
 stiff to yield a hair's breadth, though the refusal 
 might cause him a large inconvenience. Edward 
 Matcham was, and is a strong temperance man, and 
 when he built his barn, there were not enough tem- 
 perance or total absistence men in the crowd which 
 assembled, to raise the frame. He refused to furnish 
 the necessary spirits, and finding him resolute in his 
 refusal, the men dispersed, after partaking of other 
 refreslunents. Soon after a neighbor — Ebenezer Par- 
 sons — had a raising, the liquor being duly brought 
 forth. The building went up quickly, and then the 
 owner standing upon a beam, made a brief address to 
 his assistants, of which (as the newspapers say) the 
 following is a verbatim report: "Men, I tell you what 
 it is; we all acted like a lot of fools over at Matcham's 
 the other day, and now I'm going over there for one, 
 and I want all of you that's willing to raise that barn 
 whisky or no whisky to follow me." He started, and 
 one by one the good-natuved farmers followed after, 
 strung out in a procession ten rods long. They 
 started slowly, then walked faster to keep up witli 
 their leader, and arrived at Mr. Matcham's upon a 
 double-ijuick, took hold of the work with a will, tug- 
 ged and i)ushed, and pulled and lifted with all of their 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 371 
 
 strength; and the building went up as i|uickly as barn 
 was ever raised in Pittsliehl. 
 
 Just here it is not inaiiju-oiu-iate to say that I'itts- 
 tiekl is to-day the equal of any of its sister to\vnshii)s 
 in point of tenii)erance and general morality. U'here 
 is not at present, nor has there been for the past thirty 
 years any saloon or place for the sale of lifjunrs. ale 
 or beer within the town limits. 
 
 ORGANIZATIOX. 
 
 The town was early annexed to Wellington for town- 
 siiip purposes, and later to other townships for mili- 
 tary purposes. In 1831 it was detached upon the 
 petition of its inhabitants, and incorporated as a sep- 
 arate and independent township, the name of Pitts- 
 field being bestowed by Asa Whitney, who, with 
 many other settlers, was from the town of Pittstield, 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 Judges and clerks were appointed or chosen m De- 
 cember, 1831 — so the record states — and in April. 
 1833, the organization of the township was completed 
 by the election of officers. Thirteen ballots were cast, 
 and ten officers elected. Neither of the clerks was 
 qualified for his position. One was a legal non- 
 resident of the State ; the other not arrived at his 
 majority. Their names were Asa W. Whitney and 
 Edward Matcham. The Judges were George Rath- 
 burn, Lewis Barnard and Charles Smith. Following 
 are the officers elected : clerk, George Rathburn : 
 trustees, Joseph Terry, Samuel Wightman, John Sib- 
 ley; supervisors, Charles Smith, Thomas Waite: over- 
 seer of the poor, Charles Smith; constable, Isaac 
 Butler; fence viewer, George Rathburn; treasurer, 
 Peter Beam. The officers elected in 1878 are the 
 following: clerk, C. A. West; treasurer, Lewis Shaw; 
 trustees, Mark Whitney, E. Campbell, Delos Sanders; 
 assessor, James C. Clarke; justices of the peace, Rich- 
 ard Mills, Henry McRoberts ; constables, Adam Han- 
 mer, William J. Rogers. 
 
 A very neat little town hall was built in 1877. It 
 is of brick, and cost between fifteen and sixteen hun- 
 dred dollars. 
 
 RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT. 
 
 A Methodist class was formed in Pittsfield as early 
 as 182-1 or the succeeding year, through the efforts of 
 the Rev. Nathan Smith. Meetings were held regu- 
 larly and irregularly, and the interest so increased 
 that in the winter of 1831 two services were held 
 once a month by a circuit preacher — the Rev. Wil- 
 liam Runnels. Rev. Mr. Smith left property, which, 
 upon certain prescribed conditions, was to aid in the 
 erection of a church edifice, but the society did not 
 comply with the conditions, and so lost the benefit 
 of the funds. It was not until many years afterward 
 that this denomination had a house of worship in 
 the town of Pittsfield, and in fact it was not until 
 184.5 that the present Methodist church was ushered 
 into organic being and entered the arena as a part of 
 the sacramental host of God. To the Congregation- 
 
 alists belongs the credit of founding the first of the 
 two churches at present existing. 
 
 THE i'OS(;i,-EG.\TIOXAL CHUIiCH 
 
 was organized April 25, 1830, under the name of the 
 Evangelical Union Church of Christ. This church 
 owes its being to Deacon William Lucas, a goodly and 
 godly man, who, from the first, was unsparing in his 
 efforts to promote the interests of morality and relig- 
 ion, lie rode tljrough the then sparsely settled town- 
 ship and personally interviewed the j)eople, to dis- 
 cover how many were favorable to the establishment 
 of the church, and influenced, at one time and 
 another, many men and women to identify them- 
 selves with the organization after it had been com- 
 pleted. The Rev. John J. Shi])herd, the founder of 
 Oberlin, officiated at the organization of this church, 
 assisted by the Rev. John Ingersoll. There were only 
 nine constituent members, as follows: William Lucas, 
 William W. Lucas, Sarah Lucas, Ann Lucas, Daniel 
 Wilder, Sally Wilder, Joel Wilder, Mary Matcham 
 and Mary Welch. William Lucas was the first dea- 
 con of the church, and Joel Wilder was clerk. The 
 Eev. Ira Smith became pastor in 1842 or 1843, and 
 three or four years after the present church building 
 was erected. Previous to that time the society wor- 
 shipped in various private houses, in school houses 
 and in new barns. Barns were preferred to dwell- 
 ings or school houses, because larger, and nearly 
 every barn built in the township, prior to cne con- 
 struction of the first church, has, at some time, shel- 
 tered a devout but small congregation, and echoed 
 the earnest voice of the itinerant preacher as it rose 
 in praise or was lowered in supplication. During 
 most of the years intervening between the organiza- 
 tion and the time when the first pastor was settled, 
 there was stated preaching, and though the roads 
 were often in an almost impassable condition, and 
 the farmers had a long distance to come, the congre- 
 gations were almost alw'ays larger in proportion to 
 the population than those that now-a-days assemble 
 to hear popular preaching. The Congregational 
 church has, at this writing, a membership of sixty- 
 eight persons. The pastor is Rev. C. C. Baldwin; 
 the deacons, Oliver West and R. T. Werden; Miss 
 Franc E. Y'oung is the clerk and treasurer. Of the 
 nine original members of this church, only three or 
 four are now living, and only one resides in the town- 
 ship — Miss Sally Wilder, nearly ninety-nine years old, 
 but still retaining her faculties to a remarkable de- 
 gree — as bright and cheerful an old lady as can be 
 found in the county, or, for that matter, in the 
 State. 
 
 About the same time that the Congregational 
 chm'ch was organized, the close-communion Baptist 
 and the free-will Baptist churches came into being. 
 The former had a very small membership, and the 
 latter numbered nearly as many members as the Con- 
 gregational church. Both are now e.xtinct. The 
 U^niversalists also had, for some time, a considerable 
 
372 
 
 HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 streugth, tliough not sufficient at any time to support 
 regular preaching. 
 
 THE METHODIST EPISCOl'AL CHrRCH. 
 
 The present Methodist Episcopal Church was organ- 
 ized in 1845, Rev. Hugh L. Parrish officiating. The 
 original members were R. Mills. Edward Rogers, Ann 
 Rogers, John Wilton, Eunice Staples, Cynthia Shel- 
 don, Susanna Stone, Abigail Avery, Eliza McRoberts, 
 Mary Brandyburg, J. Whetan, Jo]in Wright. Ann 
 Wilton and Mary A. McClelland. R. ilills was class 
 leader. The first four mentioned in the foregoing 
 list, and also Cynthia Sheldon, are still living and 
 members of the church. The church received several 
 accessions in 1820, and there was a general revival in 
 the winter of 1859, under the preaching of Rev. G. A. 
 Reeder, the then pastor. Many young people, together 
 with the heads of families, were converted. Over 
 sixty persons united with the churcli at one time, 
 upon a beautiful Sunday morning, the service being 
 held in the maple grove upon the farm of R. T. 
 Werden. Of the old members, some ha\'e removed 
 to distant states, some lost their lives in the service 
 of their country, and some — man}' — have died in the 
 service of their chosen Master, and gone to receive 
 the promised welcome, " Well done, good and faith- 
 ful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.'" At 
 present the church has fifty-four members. Follow- 
 ing is a list of the officers of 18T8: trustees of the 
 church, R. Mills, E. Rogers, H. A. Cole. G. D. 
 Matcham, Wm. Daniels, J. Newcomb, S. Jordan; 
 class leaders, R. Mills, H. A. Cole; stewards, D. G. 
 Matcham (recording steward). J. Jordan, E. Rogers. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The first school in Pittsfield was located ou lot one 
 hundred and thirteen, and was held in a small log 
 cabin built for tke purpose. Miss Minerva Lovelaud 
 was the first teacher. Edward Matcham began teach- 
 ing in 1831 or 1832 and continued ten seasons, passing 
 at thi.<! vocation, as he says, some of the most pleasant 
 and profitable years of his life. His wife, Abigail 
 Tinker, taught in 1833, receiving for her services, the 
 then very fair sum of one dollar per week. Mr. 
 Matcham had ten dollars per month. 
 
 There are at present eighi regular school districts, 
 and a special district at the center. A handsome 
 brick house was built here in the fall of 1878, and 
 furnished with the latest and most approved styles of 
 desks and seats. The directors who constitute the 
 board in this special district, are David W. Davis. 
 ]\Iark Whitney, and Bradford Blackmer. Mark 
 Whitney is president: David W. Davis, clerk: and 
 Richard ^lills, treasurer. The teacher emjiloyed in 
 1878 was Miss Mary Whitney. 
 
 PHYSICI.VXS. 
 
 Dr. Daniel Howard was the pioneer physician of 
 Pittsfield. He came into the township in the year 
 1835, and remained for a number of years, having 
 
 quite a large practice. Previous to his taking up his 
 residence here, the people made Dr. Eber W. Hub- 
 bard, of La Grange, their main reliance, in case the 
 services of a physician were needed. Dr. Evans had 
 a short experience of practice in the township, and 
 was followed by Dr. D. M. Young, wlio commenced 
 practice in 1845, and continued until his death, in 
 1870, winning the very general esteem of the peoi)le, 
 alike by professional good qualities and his fine traits 
 as a man and citizen. 
 
 Dr. C. H. Beech, the resident physician in 1878, 
 was born in New Jersey, in 1812, and came to Ohio 
 in 183(5, having graduated at the Jefferson medical 
 college of Philadelphia. He first located in Welling- 
 ton, where he remained until 1860, when he left, and 
 spent ten years in various parts of the L^nited States, 
 as widely removed as New Orleans and Long Island. 
 In 1870 he returned to Ohio, and began to practice in 
 Pittsfield, which has been very satisfactory both to 
 people and physician. Nothing further need he said. 
 
 INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 
 CHEESE FArxORY. 
 
 The cheese factory and creamery now owned by Wil- 
 liam Crozier, was built in 18fi9. by J. W. Worcester. 
 It is located upon lot number eighty-three, about one 
 and one-third miles east of the center. It was first 
 operated by E. L. Tucker, and afterward by W. D. 
 Fuller, of whom Mr. Crosier purchased in the latter 
 part of July 1877. The factory has taken, most of 
 the time, the milk of about four hundred cows, and 
 has turned out from five to thirty cheeses per diem, 
 beside a large quantity of butter. The amount of 
 milk received per day has varied from fifteen hundred 
 to ten thousand pounds. The cheese is manufactured 
 for the farmers who furnish the milk, and is sold for 
 them by Crosier & Sheldon, of Wellington. 
 
 SAW MILLS. 
 
 The first saw mill was built by Parsons & Whitney, 
 on lot number one hnndred and thirty-five, as early 
 as 1835 or 183C, and continued in operation for some 
 time. su]iplying the neighborhood with lumber. 
 There are at present two mills: one, the property of 
 Ira Whitney, on the center road, two miles west, and 
 the other, owned by Ebenezer Parsons, on lot one 
 hundred and twenty-four. Whitney's mill has been 
 running for about twenty-five years. 
 
 ROADS. 
 
 According to the statement of an old resident, the 
 earliest roads in the township were railroads. It 
 should be explained that by railroad is here meant 
 the old fashioned necessary evil of corduroy road, 
 made of split rails and small logs laid side by side, 
 like the ties of a railway, but close together. These 
 roadways were anything but pleasant to travel over, 
 but were made because travel in any kind of vehicle 
 would have been almost, if not cjuite, an absolute 
 impossil)ility without them. In 1832, there were but 
 
HISTORY OF LORAIK COUNTY, OHIO. 
 
 373 
 
 three roads in the township. The State road, from 
 Elyria to Wellington, crossed the township almost 
 directly from north to south, and was the road most 
 iu use. There was a rude, rough road from Russia 
 township, down through Pittsfield, al)out jialf a mile 
 from the western boundary: and a roadway was eho]iped 
 out, but unfinished, from this to the State road, about 
 a mile south of the center. It was upon this road that 
 most of the early comers to the township toiled, to 
 j)ay their property and poll taxes. 
 
 AORICDLTPHAL STATISTICS. 
 
 Wheat, fiacres 
 
 Potatoes, 74 *' 
 
 Oats, 626 " [[ 
 
 Orchards, 321 " 
 
 Corn, 902 " 
 
 Meadow, 2,402 " 
 
 Butter 
 
 Cheese 
 
 Maple Sugar ['" I'^m 
 
 Population in 1870 ,jj^ 
 
 Vote for President in :876. 
 Hayes 165|Tilden 72 
 
 7,718 bushels. 
 
 .'■-,«.58 
 27,488 
 
 4,i>ll 
 32,69.'; 
 
 3,2,55 tons. 
 28,860 pounds. 
 10,81)0 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 On page 103. second column, thirtieth line from the bottom, read Fort London for - Fort Loudon " 
 
 On page 103, in the second column, twenty-eighth line, read Yolwyhania tor " Yohoguiua " 
 
 On page 103, in the second column, fourteenth line from the bottom, read Canasauga for '• Cunasataugee " 
 
 On page 10.5, where the name " Brace " occurs, read Brute. 
 
 In the second line from the bottom of the second column, page 106, for " Gulpin " read Galpi7i 
 
 In the twentieth hne from the bottom of the first column, page 110, read Parviely for " Purnley " 
 
 In the second hue from the bottom of the first column, page 111, read John F. Butler for " John M Butler 
 
 On page 131, first colunui, twenty-second line from the top, read Natural for " national " 
 
 On page 246. first column, twelfth line from the bottom, read Congregational for '• congressional " 
 
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