Camden Township (part 1 of 5)

Camden Township

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 ata point near the north and south center road, is the eastern branch of the Vermillion river. There are no other streams of any importance in this territory, but numerous small rills and rivulets brighten the landscape 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 purposes of equalization. These tracts extended from east to west across towards 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

tract number ten by Nehemiah Hubbard and Joshua Storrs, and tract 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 property of Abagail Deming, 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 Hubbard. '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 surplus lands on the west side of the township were owned by Heman Ely, of Elyria, and by Washington College of Hartford, Connecticut.

Game

Game of the smaller kinds was very abundant before 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 discovered 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 settlement of the town. Wild hogs were frequently met with and killed by the hunters. Moses Pike and Leonard Clark were aroused one night by the outery that their dog made, and knowing that some animal must be prowling about their cabin, they held a short diseussion, the object of which was to decide who should go out and make an investigation. Clark declined assuming the responsibility, and Pike, seizing a heavy club, used as a fire poker, threw the door open and stepped out, fully expecting to sce a bear. He found instead a couple of wild or shack hogs. Swinging his club with tremendous force, he struck 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 three 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 palatable food.

Settlement

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 years 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 Clark invaded in 1829. Clark might be more properly termed a pioneer than a settler. He remained but two years and then passed on, in all probability, to some point farther west, where he may have remained a longer time. 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 by one Johnson soon after Olark's arrival. Johnson had his family with him. He built his house upon the northern part 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, chopped 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 summer of 1833, he, too, took his departure, going to Henrietta, where he remained for several years. He returned, however, to Camden, and lived there toa good old age.

in 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 permanent 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 twentythree, 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, (Mrs. M. W. French). Gideon Waugh removed to Wakeman in 1852, where he died in 1869.

Thomas Lee and his wife, Lucinda Waugh, of Oswego 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 independence and won respect from all. Soon after coming into the country he lost the use of one of his work with it for many years. He neverthless accomplished 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 family consists of six children: Andrew, Norman, Margaret (Rose), in Camden, two in Wisconsin and one in Clarksfield.

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) having reared a family of eight children.

Thomas Sigswerth, a native of England, was a prominent arrival in 1833. He came to Camden from Binghampton, New York, his wife, Mary, accompanying 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.

B. Bayless came from the vicinity of Auburn, New York, during the same year, and took up land on lot six, tract ten, though he made his home with Thomas Lee. Platt Squires, who was also a New Yorker, came about this time. The Gagers, of Binghampton, 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, remained but a short time, and is now a resident of Brownhelm.

Reuben Eddy, in the fall of 1833, bonght lot twenty, tract ten, and in February, 1834, moved on to it with his household, which then consisted of his father, John, 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 Sigsworth, who still lives with him. Their family consists of four children, - Charles, now in Michigan; John, a resident of Camden; Luther, in Michigan; and Annette, at home.

Obadiah Holcomb, and his wife Rachel, moved into Camden in 1834, from Henrietta, and settled on lot six, in tract ten, but left in about three years for a point near Columbus, Ohio. The family consisted of Montgomery, Almina, Orlanda and, Henrietta, who was named after the township in which she was born.

Truman Holcomb and Phebe, his wife, came in from Henrietta in 1835, and settled upon lot six, tract ten. Truman died in 1872, and his wife in 1875. 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 consists of his wife, Hannah Tennant, and four children; Olivia, (Mrs. D. R. Brown); Truman T., (in 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 township 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 ability. 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 Vosburg 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: Alonzo 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, settled on lot nineteen about the time that James came.

During the same or the following year came the Whitneys. William W. and his family settled on lot fifteen, tract eleven; and in the following year, Calvin, a brother, settled near the line. Hiram, another brother, came in 1836, and located on lot twenty-six, tract ten. John R., the father, and Catharine, came soon after; they were from Binghampton, Broome connty, New York. William W.'s children, born before 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, Lucretiaand Frank. Calvin Whitney'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 Frederick S.; and one daughter, Francis KE. 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, 1852. The mother died in Waterloo, Iowa, March 9, 1859. Frederick 8. fell mortally wounded in the assault on Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, 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, December 30, 1867. George G., the only survivor of the family, removed to Elyria in 1847, where, for twenty-nine years, he has been engaged as a journalist; he is now editor and proprietor of the Elyria Republican.

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 23, 1877.

John Farmer settled upon lot 22, tract ten, in 1834; he was from Binghampton, New York. Hancock, another New Yorker, who originally settled in Henrietta, came in the same year, but remained only a short time. John Cyrenius and wife, from near Oswego, New York, settled in 1834, upon lot nineteen, in tract ten, but returned east two years after. Joseph and Benjamin Wilcox, brothers, from Pennsylvania, sometime during this year, took up lots thirty-one and thirty-two, in tract ten.

Among the settlers who arrived in 1835 were Francis Bates, of Lewis county, New York, who took up land in lot three, tract ten, and Johiel Bailey, who settled upon the same lot, but afterward took lot twentyone. Neither 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 Abigail 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 Binghampton, 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 the 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 Monroe county, New York, in 1840. The family consists of two sons and two daughters. D. S&S. is in Brockport, 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,) Celestia, Celia (dead), Edna, Mary M., and Elmer Ellsworth. Mrs. Hill has two children, Emma and Nelson Morgan, and Mrs. Hinman, a son, A. F.

Tract number nine was not put into the market until 1835 when it was bought of Ceristarchus Champion by Philemon 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 others moved into the newly opened tract from the northern part of the township. Ezra S. Allen removed to Camden where he resided about four years, and died in 1841. He willed this property to Hiram Allen, who settled upon what has since 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. Heremoved 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 thirtyfive in tract nine. Marcus Bartlett took up lot thirtynine; Francis Bennett bought out Root about 1840; Henry Bates took up lot nineteen; - Warner lot thirty-eight, and Seneca Andrews a part of lot thirtynine, - all at an early day. Charles Kingsbury, of Brockvort, New York, settled in 1840, oast of the Taylor farm. Moses 8. Tennant and wife, Jane Billings, of Rochester, New 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 Margaret. He took up considerable land, including lots nine and ten, where he lived. Ira Hill came in 1839. The Rey. John Cannan and his son by the same name came into Camden in 1846, 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 conscientious and practical piety. Of his son, Dr. John Cannan, mention is made in another portion of this chapter. He is still living upon the old place surrounded by his family. A sister, Isabella, is the wife of W. 8. Gifford, of Camden. The southern portion of Camden 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.

During the months of January 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.

exercise of their right of suffrage by choosing as judges, Platt Squires, 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 Cyrenius; treasurer, David Wells; overseers of the poor,

Thomas Lee and Joseph Wilcox; fence viewers, James Smith, Joseph Wilcox and Benjamin Wilcox; supervisors of highways, Gideon Waugh, James Smith and Reuben Eddy; constable, Thomas Lee. In October of the same year, D. Waugh was appointed township clerk, to fill the vacancy caused by John Cyrenius' departure from the township. Gideon Waugh was elected justice of the peace in June, 1835, with but one dissenting vote.

When the township was carved out of Brighton and Ienrictta, Gideon Waugh suggested to the county commissioners the name of Camden, and the name was accordingly bestowed.

The present township officers are as follows: Trustees, 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.

First Events

The first log cabin that was built was the handiwork of Leonard Clark, and was raised by him upon lot number twenty-five in tract eleven, in the year 1829. The first framed dwelling was built in the year 1837 on lot number twelve in tract ten, by Roswell 3ubcock. It was not finished immediately, however, William Hawkins moved it to the adjoining lot, number 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 1836 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 1856, by H. McFarland. It is still used for the purpose originally intended.

The first suit ever tried before "Squire Gideon Waugh, the earliest dispenser of justice in the township, was the State of Ohio vs. James Smith for assault and battery, William W. White, complainant. The defendant was discharged. The first civil suit was Reuben Eddy vs. Platt Squires for damages on contract for chopping and clearing land. Judgment was given for the plaintiff. These two suits are given by Mr. Eddy from memory.

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 1832. 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 bright boy babe on the 24th of August, 1833, and gave him the name of James H.

Four years after the first settlement of the township, in 18338, 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 conducted a simple service, and the mortal remains of the deceased were buried in lot number twenty-three, tract eleven, not far from the desolate cabin of the bereaved husband. Aftera burying ground had been laid out the body was removed to it.

The first couple joined together in the bonds of wedlock were Reuben Eddy and Hannah Sigsworth. The marriage was celebrated February 12, 1835, James Durand, Esq., of Henrietta, officiating. Reuben 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 wedding.

The first tavern was a small log structure, located three-quarters of a mile west of the 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 spring 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 company of Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

This company, at that time, had in operation an extensive ashery, shipping large quantities of potash to the eastern market. They manufactured 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 Ilammond. The store was started for the purpose of exchanging goods for ashes, and was put in operation by Kzekiel Goodrich, of Brownhelm, with Obadiah Prentiss as storekeeper. Winslow Fay succeeded Prentiss in the 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 Camden 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 furnished for the ashery at twenty-five to thirty-one cents per cord, cut, and piled up, showing but a small remuneration for 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.

The Underground Railroad

Samuel Morgan was the first voter of the abolition ticket in Camden. He was a station agent on the "underground railroad," the long zigzag line of travel which led from slavery to freedom. Many a poor, dazed darkey slave was spirited over this branch of the road which ran through Camden, and many a fugitive, trembling between hope and fear, has had to come to thank Samuel Morgan for helping him upon his journey toward a place where he was safe from the pursuer - a place where he need no more stand in terror of the lash and bloodhound. 'The runaways were almost invariably ignorant of the names of their friends, and it was often the case that one man in the long chain extending from the Ohio border to the lake did not know who extended the helping hand before him, Mr. Morgan would occasionally find a colored man at his door, and, without asking any questions as to where he came from or who had brought him thus far upon his journey, he would take him to Oberlin, or some other 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 hen and women, were left at Mr. Morgan's house upon a dark, dreary night, and helped upon their way to Oberlin, 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

When Otis Bates got the fram? of his house ready to be raised, he notified his neighbors, as was customary, and at the sam> time signified his intention to abstain from furnishing any whiskey upon that occasion, which was nof customary. He promised to furnish cider, however, and this partial concession to established prejudice, was sufficient to bring together quite a large number of men. A barrel of cider was sent for, and that innocent apple juice would doubtless have arrived in condition mild enough to have been within the limit of beverages allowed a teetotaler, had it not been for the mischievousnesss of two or three young men. The cider was bought, and started upon the road for the scene of the house raising, but there was, unfortunately, a distillery upon that road, and in this fact lay the secret of the quite phenomenal strength of the cider furnished at the Bates' raising. 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 expressed 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-hole with a pertinacity that was at the time inexplicable. The secret of their newly acquired and strong liking for cider, was explained when the raising was over, and the joke was exposed by the perpetrators. There were several men who got decidedly well drunk at this temperance house-raising.

First Religious Service

The first sermon listened to in the township was preached by Elder Call in the little cabin where Mrs. Johnson taught the first school. This was sometime in 1833. Religious services were held in July or August of the following year at the log school house, by the Rey. Xenophon Betts, a Presbyterian minister from Wakeman.

The Baptist Church

The Baptists were pioneers in Camden in the organization of a church. The church was formed September 6, 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 organized by Hlder Mack, a home missionary. Elder Brown was the first pastor of the church. In 1848 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 power 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 forthe building of another church, and applied themselves perseveringly to the task until success was assured. The new house, which is still standing and in use, was completed in the summer of 1860, 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 Rey. J. H. Smith. Officers: trustees, W. W. Cook, D. Morgan, Joseph Flickinger, . Cyrus Robinson, Wm. Pomeroy; clerk, Selden Tennant; treasurer, D. Morgan; deacons, ©. M. Cook, D. Morgan.

Methodist Episcopal Church

In the winter of 1836 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.

Free Will Baptists

About the same time or a little before the Methodist organization, the Free Will Baptists 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 people 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 organization.

The Disciple Church

of Camden, came into being in May, 1842, the organizing members being John Cyrenius, Norton Bates, Jane M., his wife, Henry Crandall, and Irene Cyrenius. The church scon increased in 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 the center. This church was the 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 fill the pulpit of the Disciple church was the Rey. 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 awakened by a revival. Following are the officers of this e¢hurch: 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 possibly not until 1846 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 building of a small church, three-fourths of a mile west of the center. 'The church kept up its organization until about 1864, when it was dissolved, the members all taking letters to other churches. Rey. 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, superin tendent; William W. Cook, assistant; Daniel Waugh, librarian. 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.

The trustees of Henrietta, at their March meeting, in 1833, set off 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 but asmail number of quite young pupils, and they came from all parts of the township to receive the first elements of an education. Other school houses were provided as the population increased; 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 1863. '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, in 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.

Sometime during the year 1852 the first locomotive and train of cars came sweeping through the northern part of Camden, upon the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad, bringing with its rumbling 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 growing up by the railroad became also Kipton by common 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 population until, at the present writing, it contains quite a fair sized cluster of dwellings. It has one good country store, kept by Benjamin F. Breckenridge, a grocery and drug store kept by William Douglass, a hotel of which John Sigsworth 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 Arnold was the first postmaster deputized. 'The office was located three-quarters of a mile east of the center. 'The name of the post office became, after a time, the same as that of the township, but it was again changed to distinguish it from an office by the same name in Preble county, tv North Camden. When the railroad was built, a post office was located at the station, and James Weeks was commissioned postmaster. A mail route was established between the office known as North Camden and this office. Finally, there still being much inconvenience arising from the similarity of name between the Preble county office and this one, the name was changed to Kipton. The present postmaster is Benjamin F. Breckenridge.

North Camden Grange, No. 1058

was organized October 26, 1874. The first officers were, John Eddy, master; C. W. Allen, overseer; Gideon Lattimer, lecturer; A. M. Tennant, steward; D. C. Gibson, assistant steward; James Van Deusen, chaplain; Hiram Prentiss, treasurer; A. Hovey, secretary; A. J. Redington, gate keeper; Mrs. A. M. Tennant, lady assistant steward; Mrs. Flora Gibson, ceres; Mrs. R. E. Allen, pomona; Mrs. H. B. Bartlett, flora.

The present officers are as follows: Philip Ritzenthaler, 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. Hurd, pomona; Mrs. John Eddy, flora; Mrs. D. C. Gibson, lady assistant steward. The grange has about forty members.

The Burial Place

In the year 1837, the inhabitants of Camden township began to feel the need of having a proper resting place for their dead. Ata 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. Hzekiel Arnold, Harrison Hurd, and Reuben Kiddy were appointed said committee, and after examining several pieces of ground, they selected a location on the south side of lot number twenty-seven, in tract number cleven, on an east and west road, in the northeast part of the township. 'The trustees of the township purchased an acre of ground of Thomas Sigsworth, and cleared it of timber, for at this time, the little piece of ground which was to become ''God's acre," like most of the land lying around it, was covered with trees of a heavy growth. It was fenced in and lotted off, one lot being assigned to each resident of the township, who was the head of a family. -

Dr. William Grout moved into the township Noyember 1, 1843, and his family came in February following. He 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.

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 part of the township, and had quite an extensive practice. When the rebellion broke out, he volunteered his services 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 practice. He is still living upon his farm of two hundred and sixteen acres.

Another resident physician is Dr. G. W. Monosmith who settled at Kipton in 1877, and has already won a respectable share of the patronage of the community and the unqualified respect of the people among whom he lives.

Industrial Pursuits

The first and only grist mill ever built in the township was a small steam mill built at Kipton 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 Pfactories

The first cheese factory in this township was started in the spring of 1867, by L. A. Parker, G. R. Parker, D. B. Morgan and J. P. Hovey, under the firm name of Parker, Morgan & 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 & Hovey owned and ran their factory until the spring of 1876, when they sold out to B. F. Morrison. 'lhe same season, Perkins and Morrison consolidated their interests in the business, 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 magnitude 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 Perkins factory upon lot twenty-two, tract ten.

Saw Mills

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 operation 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 township. 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 and was never rebuilt.

In the year 1847, Hiram Allen, David Morgan and Edwin Gager 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. Preston & Blodgett built a mill on lot number thirty, tract ten. The ownership 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 1863, A. S. and James P. Hovey put up on lot twenty-one, in tract ten, about a mile and a half west of Kipton station, a shop in which they did quite a lively business for three or four years in manufacturing revolving horse rakes, cultivators and other farm implements and utensils.

There are five roads running north and south through the township, except that there is about a mile in that upon the east side of the township which has never been opened. 'There are three roads running east and west entirely through the township, one in the south part extending east from the center road to the next road, and one in the north part of the township, running from Kipton west to the first north and south road. The north and south and east and west center roads were the first ones laid out. They 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 township, also the population in 1870, and the vote for president in 1870:

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 the Warm Springs,) and six weeks subsequent was drafted into the service of the United States.. Leaving his youthful bride and his pleasant home on the banks of the Potomac, for the hardships and 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 final surrender of Cornwallis, October 17, 1782. A few years later Mr. Rose removed to Ohio, locating in Poland township, 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 1816, and settled on a farm in Ellsworth township, where he died. John Rose, the subject of this biography, was the eldest son of Jesse, Jr. He was born September 25, 1819. November 4, 1846, he was married to Lucinda Parshall, of Youngstown, Ohio, by the Rey. 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 accompanied by his youngest brother, Preston B. Rose, now professor in the university at Ann Arbor, Michigan. The children of John and Lucinda Rose, are: Euphrasia, 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 Norris, who married Mattie Close, and now lives in Chester, Haton county, Michigan, and Olin who remains with his parents on the old homestead. Of the political 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, Vallandingham, for governor, when he became a republican, and continues to this time a firm adherent to the sterling 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,

A suRVEY of Penfield discloses to one, upon every side, the evidences of the truest and best prosperity, 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 took up their abode in the wilderness; but the example of their lives endures; the good that they began moves on; the institutions that they organized still exist, increasing constantly in strength. 'The religion that they planted is flourishing in fruition, and the solid substructure of social and spiritual life which they laid down remains sound and intact, the foundation of all that is admirable in the edifice of to-day.

The ringing 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 consolation 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 principles, morality, religion, education, of sturdy independence, of industry, of strong patriotism and of the 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 simply taken it as a type.

The Face Of The Country

Penfield was first known as town number three in the seventeenth range of the original Western Reserve. It is upon what is knownas the table 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 in quite a tortuous course. It has broad bottom lands, and has made but few bluffs, and those not more than ten feet high. The soil isa clay loam with a mixture of more or less sand. The land is most rolling east of the river, and there contains the most sand. The subsoil is a little heavier than the

Original Proprietors

Township number three in range seventeen became by the original drawing the property of Caleb Atwater. 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.

Peter Penfield and Calvin Spencer, both from Eastern New York, came into Penfield, in the fall of 1818, for the purpose of seeking. lands suitable for settlement. They were assisted in their examination by James, a son of Major Ingersoll, of Grafton. They experienced some considerable difficulty in finding the township lines, 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 that are now known as Litchfield, Grafton, LaGrange und Penfield, which occupied most of the first day. They returned to Major Ingersoll's that night. This was a trip of about thirteen 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, und the rich lands, called forth many expressions of udmiration, 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- 'urn home, making the round trip in about six weeks. During 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 township, and each to give him fifty acres off from each section, in consideration that he should move with his family into said township with a view of remaining there. The quantity of land was afterward reduced to twenty-four acres from each of the six proprietors, land. Seth C. Ingersoll being engaged to erect a house upon it, the father returned to his New York home, leaving Alanson in Sheffield, on the 22nd of February following, 1820. Peter Penfield and his nephew Lathrop, started from Harpersfield, Delaware county, New York, and with backs turned upon their old home pushed resolutely forward to the forest in which they were to make a new home. After a fatiguing journey of four weeks they arrived in Grafton and stopped at Ingersoll's headquarters for newcomers. After collecting a quantity of provisions they started for the place 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 (Jot 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 Medina 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 Butternut ridge, spending about thirty days' time, for which they never received any remuneration. They were obliged while doing this work to go to Harrisville, a distance of fifteen miles, for provisions. Their horses strayed away, and after ten days search they found them upon 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 enlarge the clearing about their log cabin, and came back to town number three, as it was then called, bringing his family, in March, 1821. Truman Penfield came out in May, selected a site for a home, lot eleven, section four, and went back in the following month for his family, which consisted of his wife and one son, Samuel 8. He returned with his household, November 5th, 1820. His family was, therefore, 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 1824, and Amzi, another son, came in 1827. Ephraim 'came still after. Lewis located upon lot fourteen, section four.

The descendants of the Penfields have been numerous, 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 population. Some of these, as has been shown, did not come into the country until several years after the arrival of Peter, Lathrop and Truman.

Peter Penfield's family alone, from first to last, numbered fifteen persons. His wife was Catharine Hawley. Their descendants were: Alanson, Marilla, Sarah, all three deceased; Horace, now in California; Austin C. and Benjamin, deceased; Homer and Russell H., residents of Elyria and heads of families; Maria, deceased; Emily (Mrs, Walker), in Massachusetts; 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. Raymond Starr), Ephraim, Amos, Lathrop, Amzi and Gideon, all of whom are now dead but Lathrop, who is a resident of Springfield, Ohio; he married, in 1824, 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 8. 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 township. 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 exposure. 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 H. married Henrietta Virginia Blanchard; their children are: Emerson, Anna M., Florence V. and Amia P. Homer Penfield and his wife, Martha, have two sons, Norman and Roderick.

The Starrs were one of the largest families among the early settlers. Raymond was the first. He came from New Harpersfield, Delaware county, New York, in 1829, and settled on lot nine, section four (the center). He married Betsey Penfield, and they were the parents of Lewis, who resides in LaGrange; George R. and Horace U., 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 in 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 in 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 up lot eight, section five. Two of his descendants, Matthew L. and Gideon L., are residents of Penfield. Alden is in Cleveland, Angeline in New York, and Maria dead.

The Starrs have been prominently identified with the interests of Penfield, and have contributed much, in various ways, toward its prosperity.

The Knapp family were the first permanent settlers after the pioneer Penfields. They were from Ilarpersfield, Delaware county, New York, and their first representative, Samuel, who remained in the township, came to the settlement in the spring of 1822, locating on lot' fifty-five, section three, east of the center. His wife's name was Mary. She died in 1842, and he 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 sick, and died at Hamburg, New York, near Buffalo. Stephen Knapp and his wife, Grace Johnson, came in October, 1825, and settled on lot forty-nine, section four. They brought with them two children, Lucy and William J., aged respectively three years and one year and two months. William J. is still a resident of the township, and has pot been absent more than two years altogether since his arrival. He is a carpenter and joiner by trade. His wife is Eliza Lindsley, a native also of Delaware county, New York. The other children born to Stephen and Grace Knapp, were Charles 8., Julius B,, Sally, Harriet, Van Buren, Ephraim, Helen, Charlotte and Carrie. All are living except one. Stephen Knapp 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 up 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 house. His skull was crushed and he died almost instantly. His children were L. L., Abigail and Shubael. Lewis Knapp,. another brother, came in about 1834, bringing his mother and settling upon lot thirty-five, section four.

Calvin Spencer and his family, and brother Ichabod, 'moved into the settlement from Durham, New York, in the spring of 1824. Calvin had purchased land on lots seventeen, eighteen, nineteen ard twenty, section two. His children were: Merwin, Mary, Harriet, Hoyt, 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: Dayid P. Jr., Geo. E., Caroline and Irene. Dayid P. Merwin, Sr., arrived a year later. None of the family are now resident in the township.

Elijah and Mercy Hawley came at the same time as Calvin Spencer, and the husband died in August of 1825. Their children were Jesse, Elijah, Catharine, Mary (Mrs. OC. Spencer) and Eunice. Jesse

William, usually known as Squire, 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 the Squire, became a resident in 1834,

William L. Hayes, of Delaware county, New York, arrived in 1829, and settled upon lot forty eight, section four. His father, Andrew Hayes, came two years later. William married Aurilla Lindsley, and reared a family of seven children.

H. G. Witbeck and his wife, Freelove (Welton), came from Schoharie county, New York, in 1831, bringing with them three children - Josiah H., Hiram and Mahala (afterwards Mrs. R. Peters). Josiah H. and Hiram are residents of Penfield. The other descendants of H. 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 section 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 Wellington, William L. and CO. H. in Penfield.

'Edward Palmer, of Columbia county, New York, came in 1836. Guiles, Charles, Randolph and Sarah were his descendants. The last named is the only one now living.

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. James Blanchard, 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 part of the township. He had three sons. George H. Norton is aresident of Penfield. Edward J. and Andrew J. are in Michigan.

When the Penfields came into the woods they found a few Wyandot Indians encamped there, pursuing 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 disappeared before the advancement of the superior race. Some of the squaws were very handsome in their swarthy savage style of beauty, and are said to have known how to enhance their charms by many rude arts of the toilet, but their appearance was rendered less suggestive of wild woodland life than the imaginative reader would like to suppose by their wearing calico dresses; the warriors wore deer skins. 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 this settlement was the famous Seneca chieftain, Red Jacket, a savage nobleman of symmetrical figure, powerful and of commanding presence. It was evidently with great reluctance that he forsook the old hunting ground of his tribe.

The Indians were in the custom of going just before the holidays to Sandusky, where they exchanged furs and other trophies of the chase with. the traders for blankets, trinkets and supplies for the winter. In the spring they returned to the Black river country to hunt and make maple sugar. The mer chants of Sandusky would furnish them with certificates in these words: ''Thisis to certifiy that the bearer is of the Seneca tribe of Indians, which is an entirely peaceful tribe, and desires that he be permitted to hunt on the lands unmolested, and in no case to give him whiskey." were very forward to show.

Maple sugar making was very generally practiced by the Indians in the spring, and the same onos have been known to return season after season to localities favorable for following this, the most civilized practice they engaged in. They made their sap 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 'bark, stripped from a huge tree, would make a reservoir of sufficient size to contain half abarrel, and this was used as a receptacle for the collected contents of the smaller sap troughs. Kettles wore 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 who encamped in Penfield, were upon friendly terms with the settlers, and many favors were extended by each race to the other.

W. J. Knapp, who came into tho woods when a little boy, with his father, remembers playing with the Indian children, particularly one bright, active, handsome little fellow, of whom he learned how to shoot with 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 almost idylic, but one day a party of Indians arrived from the headquarters of the tribe in Upper Sandusky, and compelled Spy Buck and _ his band, include ing the handsome squaw, to return with them. The settlers heard a long time afterward that the squaw belonged 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, but it was evident from their manner when the whereabouts of Spy Buck and the squaw was asked, that they knew perfectly well their fate.

Among the last of the Indians who came into Penfield, was Seneca John. In company with several others, he had been camping for some time in the favorite hunting grounds of this vicinity, and finally some of the settlers made up their minds that Seneca John and his untutored companions must leave the country. Three 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 party quietly, until he had ceased speaking, and theu drawing himself up to his full height, expressed briefly but forcibly his indignation and contempt:

After this brief extempore speech, tne ** four white men" left, and notwithstanding the force of the declaration of independence he had made, Seneca John.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 further west. They enjoyed undisputed possession 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, porcupine, turkeys, raccoons, and the smaller varieties of animals. Beside these, theré were wolves and wildcats. Hunting was sufficiently dangerous to be exciting, and those made a meal of. Lewis Penfield provided himself and family with their first thanksgiving dinner, with his rifle. He was a pretty good shot, and concluding that some venison would lend attractions to the board, he went out a short distance into the woods, and in a few minutes time brought down a fine buck. Stephen success in woodcraft might be cited. He was very fond of adventure, and often made long tramps in quest of the larger kinds of game. He once shot a wildcat under his dwelling house, aud made a huge panther bite the dust, over in the edge of Litchfield township. Several others 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 entrapped 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, quickly 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 Penfield, 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. Knapp, 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 probably two feet higher when constructed. Its form is plainly visible. It is that of an arch, with the convex side up stream. It was built in the place where the minimum of work would secure the maximum of result, and 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.

In the matters of birth, a girl got a little the start of the other sex, as girls usually do in all the affairs of life. The first child born was Harriet, daughter of Peter and Catharine Penfield. The birth occurred in December, 1821. John, son of Amor and Altana Penfield, was the first boy born.

The first marriage in the township was that of Oaroline, daughter of David Merwin, Sr., to Dr. Samuel Strong. It took place in 1826. Tae first resident of the township married, was Lathrop Penfield. He was married March 17, 1824, to Caroline West, of Grafton, the ceremony being conducted by Franklin Wells, Esq.

. The first litigation was between Peter Penfield and Levi Mills, in the summer of 1826 or 1827. It was in regard to work done upon a mill-dam, and the dispute was settled by referees.

The first log house was that built in the fall of 1819, for Peter Penfield, by Seth O. Ingersoll. The first frame house was built by Peter Penfield, upon his homestead, in 1822. The first brick house was built about 1864, near the center, by Hiram Smith.

The first row of corn was planted by Lathrop Penfield, in 1820, the small timber being cleared from two acres and a half of land for this crop. Some wheat was sown the same season, where now stands the first orchard, planted by Peter Penfield.

The township was noted for its fertile soil and fine crops. Corn and the cereals were raised in larger quantity 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 proper 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 residents, said: 'We come after that for which the children of Israel went to Egypt - corn!" 'Their wagons went back heavily laden.

So prolific was the soil, and so rich the harvest, that, when a name was to be chosen for the township, that of Richland was popularly agreed upon, and before the town was organized the commissioners of Medina county were petitioned to bestow upon it that name. 'They took it into consideration; but, discovering that there were other localities named Richland, rejected the petition and named the township Penfield, in honor of the first settler. It may be added that the productiveness of the soil has not been decreased by the application of this name. The township is still Richland, 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 agricultural qualities of the township fifty years ago, by the men who first felled the forest and broke the ground.

Organization

The first township election was ordered to be held upon the first Monday of April, 1825, at the house of Truman Penfield. The following officers were elected upon that occasion: clerk, Truman Penfield; trustees, 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 Denham; trustees, 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 Bost. School Board: David O. Bunt, president; Samuel McOoy, Calvin Ensign, Foster

Religious

Elisha Fields preached the first week of March in that year at David Merwin'shouse. After that, meetings were held every four weeks until fall, by the same preacher, and then the Rev. Harry O. Sheldon began his ministrations in the township, speaking to small assemblages at the old log school house. Rev. Matthew L. Starr was also an early preacher. He came from the east, and preached his first sermon in an unfinished house, standing upon a workman's bench which had been left in the largest room of the rather small dwelling.

The first church formed in Penfield was of the Presbyterian denomination. It was organized January 14, 1829, by Revs. A. H. Betts, Xenophon Betts, Joel Talcott and D. 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, Amzi L. Penfield and wife, Dr. James Hall and wife, and Anna Merwin, wife of David Merwin - thirteen in all.

The church had in 1878 forty-five members and a meeting house adequate to its needs. The pastor was the Rev. O. V. Rice and the officers the following : trustees, L. H. Penfield, Peter Dahlglish, Heman Starr; clerk, Robert McConaughy; deacons, W. W. Penfield and Robert McConaughy; Sunday school superintendent, W. W. Penfield; assistant, L. H. Penfield.

The Methodist Episcopal Church

The first class of this church was organized in August, 1834, the Rev. A. Billings in charge. It was composed of the following members: Wm. L. Hayes, Aurilla L. Hayes, Mrs. Sarah Hayes, Esther Mary Hayes, Russell H. Starr, Henry G. Witbeck and Freelove Witbeck. But two of the original members are still living - Mr. and Mrs. Wm. L, Hayes. The society at this date, December, 1878, numbers one hundred and sixteen members. The Rey. Thomas G. Roberts is pastor, and the officers of church and society are as follows: stewards, Levi Smith, A. B. Hayes, E. A. Starr (recording), 8. 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 superintendent, James Weber; trustees, Orrin Starr; Mathew L. Starr, Joseph Jones, George Norton, 8. Barton, Willard Hart, James Webber, Wm. L. Hayes. building was erected in 1842, half a mile east of the center, but the society moved to the center about 1855, and occupied the more commodious house at present in use.

Baptist Church

In the year 1839 or 1840, the Baptist church was organized with twelve members, 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. Sheldon is the only one of the original members living. For some time this church had no regularly settled pastor, but was supplied with preaching 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 1855 a house of worship was dedicated, Rey. E. Tibbals being the pastor in charge. 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, Shubael 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 the church, explains how it came into being:

''We whose names are hereunto affixed, deeply impressed with the importance of the christian religion, and earnestly wishing to promote its holy influence in the hearts and the lives of ourselves, ourfamiliesand our neighbors, do hereby associate ourselves together, under the name, and style, and title of the parish of Christ Church, in the township of Penfield, county of Lorain, and State of Ohio, and by so doing do adopt the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of Ohio, in communion with the Protestant Episcopal 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 held, in conformity to notice given, upon the 13th of August, 1844, at which time Rev. Messrs. Davis and Holden, being present, the church was organized and the following officers elected: senior warden, Daniel Andrews; junior warden, Beri Andrews; vestrymen, Lewis Jones, Bishop Richmond, William -Andrews; clerk, William Andrews. The church never built a house of worship.

Before-the usual facilities for teaching were provided, Clarissa Rising, of Huntington, taught a school in Calvin Spencer's private house, about a mile south of the center. This was the first school in the township, and was held in the summer of 1829. Among the pupils 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, now of Elyria, taught the second school in the winter of 1829 and 1830, and Lucy Adamsalso taught after him. The first school house was erected a mile and a half east and about three quarters of a mile north of the center. It was a frame structure covered with rough boards. Several log school houses were built afterwards. The first select school was taught in 1854, by Eleazer Hale, an Oberlin student. At this writing the township has eight district schools.

Cemetery

The burial place is upon a plat of ground, half a mile east of the center, a portion of which was donated by Gideon Penfield, in 1840. Additions have been made at various times, as has been made necéssary by the increase of the population, and proportionable increase of mortality. There is a family burying ground upon the old Samuel Knapp farm, one of the earliest dedicated to those who have have passed over to the silent majority.

It is a noticable fact that, in the southern part of Lorain county, and in territory lying contiguous to it, the roads first laid out have been those running fact. We find that the settlers in this part of the country, and further south, 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 through Penfield, was one of these roads, laid out as a line of travel, by 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 Spencer and Homer, in Medina county, through Penfield, in the early days of the settlement. Much time was spent in its improvement. But little was done upon the Penfield and Wellington road for many years, the swamp in the latter township remaining a place to be 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 planked in 1836, 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 been a thing of the past for many years.

In the spring of 1820, 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 deposit all of their mail matter in a hollow tree, at the"

In April, 1821, Truman Penfield moved on to the line, and took charge of the mail, in an informal way, until 1825, when he was commissioned postmaster. He held the office for many years, and was not a defaulter. His successor was D. W. OC. Dixon, and he was succeeded by Lyman Hayes. W. J. Krebs was commissioned as postmaster upon the 17th of December, 1878.

Manufacturing Interests

The first saw mill in the township was built by Peter Penfield about 1828. Samuel Knapp built one ubout two years after; and Calvin Spencer and others at a stilllaterdate. Black walnut timber was so common 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. H. Penfield, Horace Penfield, Orrin Starr, Lyman Hayes and Almond Lindsley, for the purpose of furnishing lumber for the plank road leading north through LaGrange. This was burned in 1857, and subsequently rebuilt. Itis now owned by W. W. Penfield. There is also another saw mill, with a flouring mill in conjunction, owned by 8. Samson & Son, which was built in 1868, by A. C. Hitchcock. Both of these mills are located near the center, upon lot twelve, tract four.

Cheese Factories

Hiram Witbeck and John McGraw started a cheese factory upon the center road, west of the center, in the spring of 1869, 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 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 factory upon the river, in the northeast part of the township, which was started in 1875, by R. Holeomb, and is now owned by George Rozier, of Wellington.

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 1876:

Truman Penfield

Prominently identified with the material progress and development of Penfield township, and among its most respectable citizens, was Truman 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 mén,'as well as among its best practical farmers. He not only witnessed the transition of a sparsely settled region into a prosperous and flourishing locality, from an uncultivated wilderness to a highly fertile and productive agricultural 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, Connecticut, October 4, 1789, and died at Penfield, Ohio, April 20, 1868. He was the son of Lewis Penfield, who was born March 26, 1765. He married Adah Beardslee, January 22, 1789. In 1802, they removed to Harpersfield, Delaware county, New York, where they became respectable citizens.

Truman Penfield was married to Ruth Ann Scoville, May 10, 1814. The fruits of this union were: Samuel 8., born July 13, 1818, in Harpersfield, New York; married Permelia Dayton, September 23, 1839; resides in Penfield. Jane A., born August 27, 1823, 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 December 5, 1824. 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 Hiram Smith, September 18, 1851; they reside at Flint, Michigan.

William Wirt Penfield was born June 29, 1831; and November 22d, 1854, was married to Martha, daughter of Jedediah Gaylord, of Penfield. He (William W.) has always lived upon the homestead farm at Penfield center, where he was born. In 1872, he removed the old farm house and built a new one, in modern style, 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 agricultural pursuits, he is quite largely interested in the manufacture of lumber, he being the owner of a capacious and well furnished steam saw mill located at the center. He occupies a leading position in his township, and in his life and character has admirably typified what well dirccted energy, perseverance and industry will aceomplish.

Truman Penfield, third and last child of Truman and Maria (Dayton) Penfield, was born August 3, 1833; married Sarah, daughter of Levi Gaylord, March 20, 1857. He now occupies the position of general ticket and passenger agent for the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company, and resides at Hannibal, 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 certainly, between them, made Penfield center a delightful 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 township of Penfield, and always endeavoring, by his life and character, to exercise 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 & Dickerman, tanners, of Gilboa, Schoharie county, New York, with whom he continued almost one year. In the spring of 1834, he removed to Ohio and purchased one hundred and eightyeight acres, located in the town of Penfield, Lorain county, upon which he worked, and also by the 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 achimney. Inthe 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 appropriately designates her experience 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 yeay since has witnessed some improvement to his farm, to which he added seventy acres, subsequent to his original purchase, upon which he still resides. He has deeded to each of his sons a good farm, thus giving them an infinitely better and easier start in life than he ever had.

Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon have had seven children, namely: Sarah E., now the wife of OC. E. Starr, resides in Penfield; Daniel P. lives at Wellington; Addison resides on a farm in Wellington township; William L. lives on a farm in Penfield; Charles H. lives at home with his parents, owning a part of the homestead; James M. and John 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 trustee several terms. He and his excellent wife are both members of the Penfield Baptist church, of which Mrs. Sheldon is the only one of the constituent members now living. This worthy couple 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, and for the generous aid he lends to worthy objects connected with religion and education. He is deservedly esteemed as an upright and honest citizen, a good neighbor, a kind husband and an affectionate father. He has lived an industrious and busy life, and in the management of his interests has been careful and economical, so that he and his wife, who has largely assisted him in the accumulation of his property, can pass their declining years in comparative ease and comfort. Having always been temperate and regular in his habits, he enjoys perfect good health, and bids fair to exceed by many years, the allotted span.

Beri Andrews

Prominently connected with 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, 1806. He wasthe son of Marvel and Sallie (Bronson) Andrews, both of whom were natives of Connecticut, and among the worthy citizens of that State. At the age of twentythree, Mr. Andrews married Eliza Hall, the union resulting in four children - two sons and two daughters, 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 21, 1857. On the twenty-ninth of April, 1858, he married Amy, daughter of Jonathan Sheldon. 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 served with general satisfaction to the people, and with personal credit. He was an exemplary member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which he was senior warden for many years. After an eminently useful life Mr. Andrews died October 9, 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 were as a household word, and to whom his death was asad bereavement.

Among the representative pioneers of Penfield township, 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 section 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 exceed a half score, he has contributed not a little to its present prosperity. Orrin Starr was born in Delaware 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 his native county. When seven years of age his father died, and the duty of helping to provide for his widowed mother deyolyed upon him, which duty he cheerfully preformed, assisted by his elder brothers. fis early years were spent on the homestead farm. In 1834 he sold out his interest in the family estate ind emigrated to Lorain county, Ohio, and settled on tne farm now occupied by David Drake, and located about one mile and a half northeast of Penfield center where Mr. Starr now resides. On the 12th of September, 1825, he was married to Abigail, daughter of Heman and Lucinda Hickok, of Schoharie county, New York.

sively engaged in farming and milling. He was a public benefactor, and for many years a justice of the peace of his town, a side judge, and also a member of the legislature of the State of New York, In 1823

Mr. Hickok and his wife removed to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where three of their sons, Ambrose, Heman C. and Hiram, had preceded them some years.