Eaton Township (part 1 of 2)

Page Contents

This is town five, range sixteen. The original proprietors were Daniel Holbrook, Caleb Atwater, Turlumd Kirtland and ten others. To equalize it with the selected townsliips there was annexed tract one, gore fonr, in range eleven. Until December 3, 1823, the date of its organization, it was called " Holbrook," after one of its principal owners, Daniel ITolbrook.

Topography

The surface is generally monot(jnously level, with a prevailing clay soil, modified by sand and gravel along Butternut and Chestnut ridges, which cross the northwest corner of the township, about half a mile distant from, and nearly i)arallel with each other. North, and for some distance south of these ridges, the soil is a clay combined with a black loam, strong and fertile. Besides the east branch of Black river, which crosses merely the southwest corner of Eaton, two other unnamed tributaries of that stream comprise the only water courses of the township worthy of mention. One of these I'ises in Grafton and drainthe southern ludf of the town. The other rising east of the center, with a northern branch with which it unites on lot eighty-eight, and flows thence southwesterly into Black river west of lot ninety-four. There were formerly several swamps in Katon, the largest of which was the llance swamp, in the southeast part, and one embracing within its extent some seventy-five acres, in the northern part. With cultivation and drainage these formerly unsightly marshes have become the most fertile portions of the township - the soil a deep, black muck, rich, mellow and enduring. Eaton was originally covered with a magnificent growth of timber, differing in variety not materially from that of adjoining towns. On Butternut and Chestnut ridges those kinds of timber were respectively found in abundance, from wliich circumstance the ridges derived their names. Whitewood, walnut, beech and hard maple were also native to this portion of the township. In the less elevated portions, beech, hard and soft maple, hickory, blackash, basswood and elm were among the leading varieties.

The First Location

was made in the fall of 1810, by Silas Wilmot, Asa Morgan and Ira B. Morgan. Tiiey were from Waterbury, Connecticut, and all unmarried at the time of their arrival in the township. They erected a cabin on Butternut ridge - lot eighty-nine - which for a time they jointly occupied. The next summer Wilmot married Chloe Hubbard, of Ashtabula county, and began married life in the log cabin on the ridge, which by consent had become his property, and he has the honor of being the first settler in the township. This pioneer cou])le had, as all pioneers ought to have, a large family of children. Tlie number was fourteen, and all lived to mature age. Eight are now (fall of 1878) living, and four are residents of the county, as follows : Mrs. J. L. Tucker in Eaton, Artemas iu Carlisle, Jeannette - unmarried - and Norris in LaGrauge. A son - Don Carlos - now residing in the west, was the first white child born in the town. Wilmot lived on his original location until his death, in 1855.

In the spring of 1813, Ira B. Morgan married Louisa Bronson, daughter of Levi Bronson of Columbia, and took up his abode on Butternut ridge, lot seventy-two. The land is now owned by Barney Jackson. He was the second son of Asahel Morgan, who settled in Ridgeville in the fall of 1813. He came to Columbia iu the spring of 1810, with a party of some twelve or thirteen men, most of whom settled in Ridgeville. He was a surveyor, and surveyed much of the territory through this section.

Asa, an older brother, came into tlie country with Tillotson Terrell and family, who were the first settlers in Ridgeville. He afterwards married a daughter of David Beebe of Ridgeville, and located just west of Wilmot.

Sylvester Morgan, another brother, married a daughter of Borden Beebe of Ridgeville, and settled, in 1817, on the same lot on which Ira B. had settled. He afterwards sold his place and moved into Ridgeville, settling on Chestnut ridge, and later on Center ridge. He finally sold and removed to Portage county, where he died.

Thurot F. Chapman, also from Connecticut, removed to Chenango county. New York, in 1808. In 1811, he married Lydia Andress, and, in 1817, emigrated to Ohio. At Ashtabula his money was entirely gone, and he was compelled to remain there two weeks. He located first in Ridgeville, where he arrived July 3d of the above year. In the fall of the same year he moved into Eaton. He erected his house where Mr. Varsey's now stands; but, on discovering subsequently that he was on the wrong lot, he vacated, moving into a house then owned by Levi Mills. In March, 1831, while the family were absent, the house burned to the ground with its contents, leaving the family very destitute. They received some assistance from friends, and were enabled to commeuce housekeeping again, but, for a long time afterward, were without many articles of household necessity. The first }'ear they liad neither a table nor a chair in the house, and two cups and saucers, two knives and forks each, and two plates, comprised their entire stock of crockery.

Mr. Chapman worked at chopping and clearing by the job for a number of years after settlement. He cleared and fenced for others over two hundred acres, besides about seventy-five acres for himself. He was in tiie war of 1813, and was made a prisoner at Queenstown. He died, at the age of seventy-one, December 16, 1800. Three children are living, Alonzo A. in Henry county, Emily in Oberlin, and Harlan in La Porte.

Indian Incident

For a few years succeeding the war of 1813, the forests of Eaton were a favorite resort of a band of Indians, who came every winter from Sandusky, and remained until spring. One winter, they had an encampment of fifteen families on Butternut ridge, near the swamp. The names of some of them were Good Flint, Tobago, Silver Heels, Yellow Jacket, Bill Harris, Seneca John, Joe Seneca and Little Billy. Of their suljsequcnt history, nothing is known with the exception of Seneca John and Bill Harris, the former of whom was executed for alleged witchcraft. Chapman on one occasion saved the life of the latter, and the Indian always afterward manifested the warmest gratitude toward his deliverer. When the report of the destruction by fire of Cliaimian's house reached Harris, he hastened to Elyria, and incjuired of Levi Mills, who was then carrying on a distillery there, if it was true that his "good friend's house was burned." Mills answered in the affirmative, and jokingly added that Chapman suspected liiin of setting it on fire, and that he had better keep out of the way or Chapman would shoot him. The Indian believed the cruel joke and disappeared. Chapman, in endeavoring to ascertain his whereabouts that he might undeceive him. learned that he went to Sandusky, crossed over into Canada, and there died a few months after.*

During the next few years, the following named persons became settlers of Eaton: Sylvester Morgan, A. M. Dowd, Levi Mills, Seneca Audress, Merrit Osborn, Dennis Palmer, Erastus Case, Borden Handley, James Field, Archibald Harper and others. Of the most of these there are at present no descendants in the township, and we are unable to give particulars as to their settlement. Mills took up his residence near the west lino of the township, on lot ninety-two. The farm is now owned by J. O. Humphrey. He subsequently removed to Illinois. Samuel Finch located on lot seventy, on land now owned by W. H. Phillips. Fields settled on lot eighty-eight. His son Gilbert now occupies the place. Jeremiah Finch arrived a few years after his brother Samuel, and settled east of him. Jeremiah Hance, a shoemaker by trade, was the first settler in the town south of Butternut ridge. With his son Hiram, then a lad some fourteen years of age, he left Cranberry, Niagara county. New York, for the woods of Eaton, February 1, 1824, having previously exchanged his farm there for one hundred and fifteen acres, on lot twenty-two here. Tiie journey was made with a single horse and a sled, with which some bedding and provisions were brought. lie drove on the ice for two days after leaving Buffalo, and with other emigrants, who subsequently joined him, experienced many dangers - the ice in many places breaking, at one time when the party were several miles from shore. Afterwards, the snow disappearing, the sled was abandoned, the bedding placed upon the horse, and father and son footed it. They arrived at their journey's end about the 1st of March, having been about a month on the way. A mere pole shanty was provided for their immediate necessities. This was then the only habitation between the center of Columbia and La Porte. The settlers on Butternut ridge were five or six miles away; there were no roads, and several swamjis to traverse in order to reach them: consequently but little intercourse was iiad with them.

Mr. Hance found his nearest neighbors in Grafton, one and a half miles distant. The father and son kept bachelors' hall through the summer, working Samuel Curtis' sugar bush on shares. They next underbrushed and cleai-ed out a road from North street to their land, after which preparations were made for the erection of a log house, in which their Grafton neighbors assisted. Indians from Sandusky frequently visited this region at that time, the same, / probably, as previously mentioned, having camjied on Butternut ridge. After clearing a piece of land ready for logging, Mr. Hance went to Cleveland and worked at his trade until the arrival of his family, wlio had been jareviously sent for. They reached 1 Eaton late in the fall. Many events in the life of this hardy jjioneer could be given, illustrative of the hardships endured by early settler.s, but want of space forbids. Mr. Hance died a few years ago at the advanced age of ninety-seven, and a few years after his widow followed, aged ninety-four. The son Hiram oc(;upies the old homestead, himself quite advanced in life.

In 182C, Henry J. Phillips joined the settlement, locating on lot fifty-one. He came from Tompkins ' county. New York. Phillips made the first wheeled vehicle in town. His son, W. H. Phillips, is a well known resident of Eaton.

On the township records we find the followiiiL; persons, not previously mentioned, elected as township officers between the years 1833 and 1830, who must have settled prior to the latter date: Tyler, Day, Beebe, Burr, Pond. Edson, Whitconib, Boughton, Blain, Nichols.

In IS'.Vi, Alva Brooks and Richard Crowell moved in, coming from Tompkins counter, New York. The former was originally from Vermont, and the latter from New Jersey. Brooks, who was a widower, was accompanied by a little daughter, two years old. Crowell's family consisted of his wife and four children. They both settled at the center, the former ou the farm which he still occupies with his son James, and the latter on that, a part of which is occupied by his son Aaron. He built his house immediately after his arrival, which was the first habitation in this portion of the townshii). Mr. Brooks chopped off twenty acres of his purchase and built his cabin the first year after his arrival. There was at that time no road in this part of the town, except the center road to Columbia, and that was merely cut out. In 1S41, he assisted in cutting out the southern half of the north and south center road. In 1853, he erected the large frame house which he now occupies. Mr. Crowell died in the fall of 1875. His widow and one son reside in Grafton: two sons and a daughter are residents of Eaton.

Edmund Holden, from Waterbury, Connecticut, arrived iii about the year 1833, and settled on lot forty-six. His house was the first frame erection at the centre. He was a man of much public spirit, and did much for the advancement of public interests. He removed to Michigan many years ago, and now resides there. A daughter is the wife of James Brooks.

Oel Durkee, one of the earliest settlers in the southwest quarter of the town, and who continues to reside there in the seventy-second year of his age, moved in from New York in the spring of 1834. He located temporarily on Butternut ridge, remaining there until August following. He then removed to his purchase of one hundred and eleven aci'es on lot eighty-three. A log cabin liad been previously erected on this farm, and was then occui>ied by a tenant, Forrester Ijangdon and family, consisting of wife and six children.

Mr. Durkee moved, with his family of wife and three children, into the house with Langdon, which was about twenty-four feet by eighteen in size, and without a chimnej' or window. There was only one room for the thirteen occupants; but they continued to live thus until the following November, when Langdon moved out.

Among the early settlers of this portion of the town, some of whom arrived previous to Durkee, were the following: Voman Felt, William Burchard, James Johnson, John Shadford, Thomas Moran, Oliver Terrell, William Wallace, Job and William Clark, William Dobsou, John Sayre, John Gamble, William Lawson, William Wilson, Peleg M. Terry, j\Iiehael Montague and others. Harvey Coy came to Eaton in 1834, remaining until 1850, when he removed to Columbia. J. I). Swift and Thomas Sutton were among the earliest settlers on Chestnut ridge. The former now resides in Williams county, Ohio.

Ransom Tyler located on the west part of lot thirtyfive, in 1834. He afterward moved to lot fifty-five, and resided there at the time of his death. His widow now resides in Elyria.

Jacob Tucker, a native of New Hampshire, removed to Vermont when twenty years of age, was married there and aftei-wards became a resident of Buffalo. There he remained until the spring of 1817, when, with his family, which at that time consisted of his wife and five children, he removed to Ohio, by boat, settling in Erie county on land now occupied by the village of Vermillion. In the spring of 1819 he moved to Windham, Portage county. With an ojjen row boat the family jjroceeded by way of the lake to Cleveland, and then up the Cuyahoga about two miles. Here Mr. Tucker left his family while he proceeded on foot to Windham and obtained an ox team with which he returned for wife and children. They resided in Windham until the year 1832 or 1833, when they came to Eaton, ])urchasing of John A. Ferguson the farm on which his son, J. L. Tucker, now resides. He occupied this farm until his death, whicii occurred in 1803. His wife died two years previous. Four of the family are residents of this county and three of this township, as follows : R. F. Tucker, J. L. Tucker, and Hannah, unmarried. The first is a justice of the peace in Eaton. Wm. H. resides in Elyria, where he is engaged in insurance and real estate.

Nicholas Taylor, formerly from Pennsylvania, moved into Eaton from Carlisle, in 1832, and settled east of the center. He now resides in Iowa.

Chilion Sperry, now residing in Mansfield, arrived in 1834, and settled a mile and a half east of the center. Walter Giles came in 1833, and located north of the center, where he now resides.

Thomas Bennington was a native of England. He emigrated to the United States in 1839, landing at Quebec. From there he went to Grafton, and a few months subsequently to Eaton and purchased a farm of fifty acres in the southern part of the towushij). This farm i^ now owned by James Johnson. After erecting his log house he sold his farm and then returned to England, and while there married. The spring following he returned to this country with his bride, remained in Elyria through the summer, and then bought the farm on lot seventy-six, on which his widow now resides at the age of seventy-two. Mr. Bennington died in Sejjtember, 1874.

Ebenezer Abbey, when thirteen years of age, removed from Windham county, Connecticut, to New York, where he resided until the year 1830. ki December of that year he removed with his family, consisting of wife iind eleven children, und a grandchild, to tJiis township, making a tcm})orary location of about two months on Butternut ridge. lie then moved to Carlisle, settlingon theeast line of that town, lie built an ashery the first or second year of his settlement, on the little stream near his house, and for many years was engaged in the manufacture of potash, pcarlash, and saleratus. He became a settler in Eaton in 1833, erecting, a short distance north of the present residence of his son, Lemuel Aliltey, a house which he used jointly as a residence tiud coo]ier-shop. Five years subsequently he built the frame house now occupied by his son Lemuel.

In December, 1830, Mrs. Susanna Wiglit- t.ook up her residence on lot thirty-five, purchasing a i)ortion of that lot, and now resides there with lier sou Harrison, who is uunuirried, and a mathematical genius, hy tlie way. Mrs. Wight was born in Saratoga, New York, April 4, 1793, and was married to Reuben Wight, July 17, 1814. They removed in August, 1834, with their ten children, from Fowler, St. Lawrence county. New York, to llockport, Cuyahoga county, Ohio. Mr. Wight died of cholera, the twentieth of that month, and was l)uried at midniglit in the Alger settlement burying ground, a box of rough whitewood boards containing the remains. Mrs. Wight is now in the eighty-sixth year of her age, and reads without the aid of spectacles.

Samuel Alexander emigrated to the United States from England in 1835, and located in St. Lawrence county. New York, reuiained five years, and then removed to Elyria. The purchaser of his farm in New York was unable to pay him uutil long after the date stipulated, and lie, and liis wife also, were compelled in consequence, to work at wiiatever they could find to do, after their arrival in Ohio, in order to obtain the necessaries of life. Mrs. Alexander was a daughter of Joliu Elbro, an English nobleman, and because of her marriage with Mr. Alexander, was disinherited by her father.

After a residence of a few years in Elyria, he removed to Grafton, locating two miles southeast of that village. He erected a log house, which he occupied before it was "chinked," and while yet without a floor or cliininey. He subsequently moved to this town. His first erection liere was a log house, which, in more pros]icrous days, gave way to a frame, wiiicli is yet standing, though unoccupied.

In 1837, Timothy Cooley located on lot thirty-four. He was formerly from Ham}ishire county, Massachusetts. At the early age of twelve, circumstances compelled him to work out for a living. Witli his last employer he remained seven years, according to contract, by which lie was to receive, at the end of his term of service, one hundred dollars in money. When the day of settlement came, his employer asked !iim if he was ready to receive his money. The thought of possesing such an immense sum in cash, appalled the young man. Having determined to emigrate to Ohio, visions of robbery and murder haunted him.

He therefore determined to make his late employer his banker, until he should find use for his funds; and then, with his bundle of clothes on his shoulder, he started forth on foot, determined to go where he could obtain some land of his own. This was in the fall of 1817. Arriving in Geauga county, he procured work on a farm near Wclshfield, and jiurchased forty acres of land in the township of Newlniry, in tliat county. He went, soon after, to Portage county, and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. About two years after his arrival, he sent for his money, which his employer promptly sent him. Soon after his settlement in Portage county, lie married Sally Lewis, whose brother, Oliver H. Lewis, has long been a resident of Ridgeville. After a residence of some fifteen years in Portage, he removed to Ridgeville, and located on Center ridge. Five years afterward, he came to Eaton, arriving in the year above stated. He ])urchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-one acres, and erected his shanty a short distance west of his present residence. This farm Mr. Cooley still occupies.

In November, 1838, a little daughter of Mr. Cooley wandered away from home, and became lost in the dense woods. A few days afterward, a hunting party found the child just across the Columbia line, about three miles from home. She had nearly perished from hunger and cold.

Mr. Cooley is eighty-two years of age, and resides on his original jiurchase, with his son, Truman Cooley. His wife died in the fall of 187G.

Civil Organization

At the time of the organization of Ridgeville, in 1813, that township embraced Eaton, then called IIolbrook, and the union was continued until December 3, 1823, when number five, range sixteen, was detached by order of the commissioners of Cuyahoga county, on jietition of the inhabitants, and organized as an independent township under the name of Eaton.

The first election of township officers was held in the spring of 1833, when the following were chosen: Ira B. Morgan, clerk; Merritt Osboru, Archibald Harper, Asa Morgan, trustees; Silas Wilmot, David M. Tyler, overseers of the jioor; Eleazer Day, appraiser; William Beebe, Dennis Palmer, fence viewers; Levi Mills, lister; Sylvester Morgan, treasurer; Freeman Burr, constable; A chibald Harper, Jr., supervisor of highways. We find no record of a justice of the peace being chosen at this time.

Religious

ants generally, heing iinsectarian in character. At these meetings some missionary or Methodist circuit preacher wonld usually officiate. We have been unable to ascertain when the first class or society was formed. Probably the first church edifice erected in town was by the Roman Catholics. It was a small frame building situated on the west line of the township. The Methodists erected a frame building on lot forty-five, in 1846, by voluntary contributions in work, and was used until the erection by the Congregationalists of the present frame structure at the Center in 1857, which the two societies have since used in common.

Stephenson Burke was an early Methodist preacher ill Eaton. On one occasion, while preaching at the house of Almond Loomis, he abruptly finished his discourse, informed his hearers that they were incapable of appreciating talent, closed his Bible, and, in disgust, <|uit the ministry and the town. He tried the law with success, and afterwards served as judge of common pleas for Lorain, Medina and Summit counties. He is now a prominent member of the Cleveland bar.

was organized not far from 1839, but with what membershi]) we are unable to state. The society, in membershij), is at present very weak, there being at this time about a dozen members. Timothy Cooley is deacon. Rev. Mr. Hyde of Grafton, preaches every alternate Sabbath. The present church edifice was built in 1857, at a cost of about eight hundred dollars. A union Sabbath school of this and the Methodists exists, numbering some fifty or sixty scholars. Truman Cooley is superintendent.

In regard to the earlier history of this church we get the following facts fromllayden's "History of the Disciples on the Western Reserve." It was first established in North Eaton. Mrs. Chloe Tucker, who came to Eaton from Windham, in 1833, while visiting her native place in 1840, entreated a young preacher of the church, by the name of M. J. Streator, to come to Eaton and conduct a series of meetings. He came in October of that year. Meetings were held at the brick school house and resulted in the conversion of two sons of Mrs. Tucker. Meetings were again held by Mr. Streator in March following, and also in October, 1843, when an organization was effected, with a membership of twentyfive. J. D. Swift was api>ointed overseer, and J. A. Fei'guson, deacon. In the fall of 1843 the location of the church was changed to the center, on which occasion Jared Patchen was chosen overseer, and Chester Cooley, deacon. In 1845 the church building was erected. J. D. Benedict, formerly a Baptist minister, then a lawyer filling the position of prosecuting attorney for Lorain county, officiated at the opening of this church. The congregation increased until a larger house was reipiired and in the fall of 18G3 a new edifice was erected at the center. Brother J. H. Jones, chaplain of the Forty-second regiment Ohio volunteers, under Colonel (iarlield, condiictud the dedicatory service. The church continues to he pros})erous, having at ]ireseiita membership of one hundred and fiftyfive. Brother W. H. Scott is the resident preacher. S. M. Streator, A. Rollin, and R. Hinkley are overseers, and A. Dawloy and R. Haven, deacons. It also has a Sabbath school of about one hundred and fifty scholars, of which James Robinson is superintendent.

Mormonis.M In Eaton

Eaton was for a very brief period afflicted with this religious fanaticism. In 1843-'43, Lyman Wight ])reached the doctrine at La Porte, while his son, Orange, held forth in Eaton, in that portion of the town then known as the "Island." Several other Mormons also i)reached there. Nearly all of the inhabitants of the "Island" were converted to Mormonism and ba])tised by immersion. Their last assemblage was at the house of Almond Loomis, at the center, February 14, 1843, when a doctrinal discussion arose between their leaders and a Campbellite preacher who was present. Soon after this they dissolved, some of the recent converts joining the Disciple church, more went back to the world, while a few went to Nauvoo, and subsequently to Salt Lake. And thus ended Mormoiii.sm in Eaton.

The first school was taught on Butternut ridge by Julia Johnson, daughter of Phineas Johnson, of Carlisle, in the summer of 1819. A son taught the succeeding winter, and another daughter the second summer. Maria Terrell, a inaii by the name of Cadwell, D. C. Wilmot, and Deborah Phillips, who sub- ,se([uently became Wilmot's wife, were also among the early school teachers in town. The first frame school building burned down in February, 1833. The present brick building was erected in the summer of 1859.

The school district at the center was organized January 10, 1834. At a meeting convened for that purpose, Joseph Fauver, Horace J. Terrell and Richard Crowell were chosen directors, N. H. Crowell clerk, and Nicholas Taylor treasurer. It was voted that a tax be levied for the purpose of building a school house on lot forty-six. This primitive house was a log, twenty feet square, and was located about twelve rods north of the center, on land belonging to Edmund Holden, and was used as a town house also, until 1843, when it gave way to a frame costing about two hundred and fifty dollars. The present brick structure at the center, was erected in 1808, at a cost of three thousand eight hundred dollars. It is a two story building, thirty l)y forty feet in size, the upper story being used for a town hall, and the lower for school i)urposes. The report of the board of educa-

Cheese Factories

This industry is extensively carried on in this township. During the last season, there have been four, and a part of the time five, factories in operation.

The Eaton Factory

located a short distance south of the center, is the oldest. It was established by Nichols, Haven and othei's, in the fall and winter of 1868, at a cost of about four thousand dollars. In the winter of 187.3, a feed mill was added, which was destroyed l)y fire in the Jtlarch following, but was immediately rebuilt. It was again burned in November, 1876, together with the factory, and three hundred and fifty dollars worth of cheese, besides the engine and boiler, costing eleven hundred dollars, were ruined. New buildings were erected the following winter, by the enterprising proprietors, at a cost of two thousand, eight luiudred dollars. The following is the report of the factory for the season of 1877, as made liy its efficient secretary, Harrison Wight: located on the west line of the township, was estaljlished in 1869, by Thomas Bennington and Lemuel Abbey. The building was erected at a cost of about one thousand dollars. Capital now employed in the business, about one thousand four hundred dollars. During the past season the consumption of milk averaged about six thousand pounds daily, making fourteen cheese of forty pouuds each.

The Streatok Factory

This is located between the Center and North Eaton station, and is owned and operated by S. M. Streator, by whom it was established in the spring of 1870, witli a capital of about two thousand dollars. It is much less now, owing to depreciation of property. The building was erected in 1871. The past season the business averaged about four thousand pounds of milk daily, manufacturing eight cheese of fifty pounds each i^er day.

Orchard Factory

is situated on Butternut ridge, and was established by Oel Durkee, Jr., in the spring of 1873. Two j^ears subsequently it was purchased by Charles Jackson, who, with S. Stephens, now owns it. It has worked about two thousand pounds of milk during the season of 1878. The factory has done a very limited business during the last few years, and will probably soon be discontinued, there being too many cheese factories in this section to render the business profitable.

Saw Mills

The first saw mill in town was built by Rico and Smith of Litchfield, Medina county, in the fall of 1851, and was located on lot forty-three. This mill is now owned and run by Philo Bannister. There are two other saw mills in the township, that of Angelo Rawson, in the southwest jiart of town, and one near North Eaton station, owned by John Page.

Agricultural Statistics For 1878 Lemuel Abbey

The life of the pioneer, with its manifold struggles and privations, offers an interesting study, and one replete with instructive lessons. It admirably illustrates the old aphorism '-' Industry is the parent of plenty;" for we rarely find oue who toiled to reclaim the wilderness, and cultivate the soil in the primitive days of the settlement, but that accumulated a competence, who, if blessed with a ri])e old age, which is generally tiie case, enjoy the fruits of his labors and frugality. The subject proper of this l)rief narrative came of a j)ioneer race. His parents, Ebeaezer and Mary (Blauehard) Abbey were of New England origin, and possessed the requisite qualifications of early settlers. The former was born in Tolland county, Connecticut, June 9, 1781, and died March 19, 18G3; the latter in Rutland, Vermont, December 19, 1787, she preceding her husband to the grave by but ten days. They lived together nearly fifty-seven years, having been united in marriage April 6, 1805. They had a family of fourteen children, of whom ten grew to maturity.

Si-x of the sons were teachers in common schools, two heoame phj'sicians, one a hiwj'cr, and four farmers. Mrs. E. A. Abbey Brush is well known as one of Elyria's most devoted women in the cause of temperance.

Ebenezer Abbey was a man of somewhat remarkable business ability. In 17ii4, he accompanied his parents to Otsego county, New York, where they became respected and influential citizens. December 15, 1830, he commenced tlie then laborious journey of removing to Ohio. January 15, 1831, found him on Butternut ridge, North Eaton, Ohio, - his large family and worldly effects on two wagons, drawn by one span of horses, and one pair of oxen, - with but seventy-five cents in bi.s pocket, which he paid out for a bushel of wheat. Then commenced the trial in earnest with the wilderness. He selected a place for his future home, where his son Lemuel now resides. It was not, however, until April 6, 1831, that he jierinancntly located tliereon. His purchase consisted of one hundred and thirteen acres, of which seventylive were located in Carlisle township, and tliirtyeight in Eaton, lie is accredited with having hauled the first load of wheat from Wayne county, Ohio, which he distributed among the settlers.

While in New York State he had been exteusivelv engaged in the manufacture of pot and pearl ashes, and had also learned the cooper's trade, both of which industries he carried on after settling in his new western home, llis father had once been in comfortable circumstances, but he sold his property in the east, taking in payment four thousand dollars of continental money, just jirior to the congressional act of repudiation. He lost everything, and, on returning to Otsego county, then an old man, he never recovered either his health or his fortune. Hence, it fell upon Ebenezer to make his own way in the world, which he did, meeting with many reverses, among others, losing a large number of barrels of ashes by the embargo placed on American products, during the war of 1813. With a perseverance commendable of his race, he moved to the then " far west," as above stated, and there resumed his old time avocations, utilizing the surplus timber, and bringing into the then infant settlement considerable money for his ashes.

Noveinlier 9, 1840, he commenced building a saw mill on Black creek, sawing the first log therein on the day of General Harrison's inauguration as president of the United States, March i, 1841. Mr. Abbey was a man of but little school education, but of native shrewdness and natural ability. After accumulating enough to make his family comfortable, he apjjlied his surplus to paying some old debts from his old home in New York, of more than two hundred dollars, thus freeing himself from all old obligations, and allowing him to enjoy a clear conscience for the remainder of his days. His wife was of the same family of Blanchards as that from which sprung Mrs. President Hayes, and in her humble sphere did equal honor to her respectable ancestry.

Lemuel Abbey, son of the above, was born in Otsego county, N. Y., January 23, 1821. He was early tauglit sound practical lessons of industry and self-reliance, which have since been of great benefit to him. On the 25th of March, 1859, he married Sarah, daughter of William Lawson, of J^aton, formerly of Yorkshire, England. She was born August 29, 1826. They have had no children. In early years, Mr. Abbey was taught to "follow the ]tlow," and has most of his life been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a man of sound judgment, and of an intelligent and inquiring nature. In political faith, he is a staunch and unswerving republican, and in religious belief, a liiieral thinker, and not a memliur of any particular denomination. His sterling integrity and tiio even rectitude of his life require no orthodox afliliations to bring him within the pale of consistent Christianity, nor do any who as closely live up to the Golden Rule as does he.

Oel Durkee

The Durkee family in America traces its ancestry to three brothers who left Scotland at an early day and settled in New England. Prior to the commencement of the present century, we find Joseph Durkee, grandfather of our subject, settled in Connecticut, where Alba Durkee, son of the latter and father of Oel, was born. They were a hardy and industrious race, and also ])ossessed the quality of economy, that has become a well-known characteristic of their race. The mother of Oel Durkee was Thankful Whitcomb, and she died at Pottsdam, St. Lawrence county. New York, in 1811, when he was but four years of age. On the death of his wife. Alba Durkee returned to Pittsfield, Rutland county, Vermont, where he had resided previous to his removal to New York State. Two of his daughters rode horseback, and Mr. Durkee carried on a pillow an infant of only four months old.

Oel Durkee was born in Pittsfield, Vermont, October 28, 1807. His early boyhood was passed in Stockbridge, Windsor county, in the same State, where he lived until he was about seventeen years of age. On his parents' removal to York State, he was an infant, and, on his father's return to Vermont, he rode beliind him on the same horse. He then went to live with an uncle, Norman Weber, and resided with him until he was about fifteen. His sisters made their home with Ebbe Durkee, an uncle. The father married again and i-eturned to Pottsdam, New York, where lie remained a few years, returning temporarily to Pittsfield, and subsequently removing to Bethany, Genesee county, New York, where lie died. His second wife's maiden name was Sarah Newton. By her he had six children ; by his first wife, seven, namely: Elizabeth, Joseph, Cynthia, Thomas, Lucy, Oel and Nancy, of whom the first, thinl, sixth and seventh named survive.

At the age of seventeen, Oel went to Nashua, New Hampshire, and worked on the canal five years. He met with many reverses. He made his home, winters, at Stock bridge, Vermont. He afterward removed to Allegany, now Wyoming county. New Y'^ork, where he engaged as a farm laborer. He there married Betsey Terrey, in 1830. Four years later, he came to Ohio, and settled on the farm where he still resides, in Eaton township. Their children numbered eleven, of whom six are living. They were Mason A., born November 12, ls;jl; Nancy, born July l(i, lSI5:i; (two dying in infancy unnained); Fidelia, liorn June 20, 1838, died July 17, 1871; Hiram, born January 2, 1840, killed at South Mountain, JIaryland, Septeml)er 14, 18G"2; Persis, born March 12, 1841, died February 20, 184S; Oel, .Jr., born Decendier 2, 1843; Betsey Eveline, born February 18, 184.5; Horace A,, born June 29, 1848; and Oscar A., born August 1, 184'.). Those deceased are Fidelia, Persis and Hiram. Tlu)sc living are all married, and are resjiectable members of society. Mr. and Mrs. Durkee have three great-grand children and twentytwo grand-children, with fair prospects of having these numbers largely augmented. Mrs. Durkee was born in the town of Pike, Allegany C'ounty, New Y^ork, June 12, 1810. Her father was Peleg Mason Terry; her mother, Betsey Swift. They were married on Thanksgiving day, 1808. They had three children: Lorinda and Betsey, the other dying in infancy. The Terrys moved into Ohio in 1836, settled in Eaton township, and lived and died there - Mrs. Terrv dying in 1838, and her husband January 28, 1875. He married the widow of a Mr. Nye, and she survives.

Mr. Durkee can recall the time when there had not besn a tree cut from a half mile south of 15utternut ridge and Rawsonville, the whole territory being covered with a dense forest. On arriving in Eaton, he moved into a log shanty, with eight others, all livinoin one room, and continued to live in this way for almost three months. The shanty served as a habita- \tion for almost two years, when he built a small frame

Mt. Durkee and his excellent wife are in every sense a worthy couple. They have lived together nigh unto half a century, and we trust they will both live and enjoy g((od health and prosperity for many years after celebrating their golden wedding. Mr. Durkee is in politics a staunch republican; in religion, a free thinker.

William Ii. Phillips, Esq

Among the few surviving pioneers of Eat(m township, none ante-date the arrival of 'Si|uire Phillips. It is nearly fifty-three years since he settled in Eaton, ami with the exception of a few yeai's' absence, has continued to reside where he now lives during that jieriod. William II. Phillips was born in Greene county. New York, September, 17, 180!i. IR. is the son of Henry and Abigail (Finch) Phillips, the former of whom was born in Connecticut, on the !)th of June, 1780, the latter in the same State, October 12, 1784. The family is of Anglo-German descent, and combines the sturdiness of the former with the frugality of the latter, in their character. On the 26th of October, 1826, William H. Phillips removed to Ohio and settled in Eaton township, Lorain county, ui)ou the place he now lives and has almost ever since occupied. He married Jlaria Slater, November 10, 1839. She died January 16, 1868. They had six children, namely : William A., Letitia (deceased), Edgar A., who was shot July 9, 1864, near Martins, burg, N'irginia, while serving his country as a soldier, Corda C, and Lena M. Phillips. Mr. Phillips is a republican, and has been honored with nearly every townshij) olHce, notably those of assessor, which he held over twenty years, and justice of the peace for fifteen years at the completion of his present term. He honestly performs the duties of his office, and gives general satisfaction in the same.

John Roach

was born in Market Arborough, Leicestershire, England, April 20, 1811. He embarked at Liverpool, in March, 1857, and landed at Castle Garden, New York, in the following May. The ship he came over on had quite a tempestuous passage, but arrived at its destination safely. While waiting to move west, the wharf on which was stowed the baggage of the emigrants gave way, and nearly all the personal effects weie precipitated into the ocean, and most of the same were lost. After a brief stay in New York, Mr. Roach ]iroceeded up tlie Hudson river to Albany, and took tiie cars there for Amherst, where ho remained nntil tlio following fall. In the meanwhile he lostJiis wife, Elizabetli Eames Roach, of tHijisorn, England, to wiioni he was married in ISil. They had seven children, three sons and four daughters, namely: Mary, who married Samuel Maddock of Henry county, Ohio; Ann, who married Henry Townsend of Carlisle township; Joseph, who married Eliza Bonner, now living in Nel»raska; William, who was killed in the army, by tlie accidental <lisi'liarge of a comrade's revolver in 18G'2; Betsey, wiio married Henry Montague, and resides on the adjoining farm to her father; Sophia, who married Peter Watts, Kingston, Indiana; Thomas, unmarried, and resides with his father.

In 1800, Mr. Roacli settled on Plum Creek, in Carlisle township, where he remained about one year. In 18GI he permanently located on the place where he now lives, which is a neatly kept and well cultivated farm of fifty acres, having upon it comfortable buildings, an illustration of wiiich appears on another page of this work.

In politics Mr. Roacli is a republican. He has held the offices of township trustee, and supervisor of the road district in winch he resides. In religious lielief he is a Baptist. He is an industrious and economical farmer; honest and fair in iiis dealings witii others, and one of whom it can be truly said that he is an upriglit man, a good neigiibor and citi/en.

Black River

By the survey of 1806, Black River (town number seven in the eighteentli range) was divided into tiiree parts - gore number one, tract number two, and gore numljer three. It was not drawn as a township, but was used for equalizing 2)urposes, gore one being annexed to Olmsted, tract two to Amherst, and gore tliree to the township of Medina, and the original jiroprietors of tliose townships became the owners of tlie soil of Black River.

The surface of the township is reuiarkably even, sloping gradually to the lake, with a deep, dark, generally loamy clay soil of exceeding fertility. The water courses of tlie township are Black River, Beaver Creek and Martin's Run, all of which have tlieir outlets in the lake. Black River divides a small part of the towusliip in the nortlieast corner from the rest of its territory, and atfords excellent sidvan tages for tlie utilization of water power. Beaver creek drains the western part of town, while Martin's run courses through the center.

On the lake shore the native kinds of timber were chieHy hickory, white oak, elm and basswood, while farther inland the principal variety was white oak.

Settlement

"The earliest attempted settlement was at the mouth of Black River. In 1787, a few Moravian ministers, missionaries among the Delawares and other tribes, with a band of christian Indians, undertook to make a ' pennanent settlement at that point. In the spring of that year they removed from Pilgrim's Rest,' on the Cuyahoga, to the place contemplated as tlieir new abode. Here they hoped to estaljlish a center and plant the seeds of the christian civilization of the Indians. Their hopes, however, were not to be realized. They had remained but a few days upon the spot selected, when a message from the chief of the Delawares, commanding them to depart from Black river was received and at once obeyed. This was the first settlement in what is now the county; for although temporary and of but .short duration, it was a settlement in fact coupled with an intent to remain."

In 1807, Nathan Perry came to the mouth of Black river and erected a house a short distance east of the river, in which he opened a store for trade with the Indians. Ho had in his emjiloy Azariah Beebe and wife, who occupied his hou.se. They were the first family that settled in the townshij). They remained only a few yeai's, however, when they removed from the township, settling on Huron river, wiiere they both died a few years after. Perry, after a few years, removed to Cleveland, where he engaged in merchandizing, continuing his trade with the Indians, and eventually ama.ssed a large property. He was a son of Judge Nathan Perry, of Rutland, Vermont, who was an early sjttler in Cleveland. He was a man of more than ordinary ability. His son Horace was for many years clerk of the court of common pleas of Cuyahoga county. Horatio, another son, settled first in Vermillion and afterwards in Elyria. Judge Perry's only daughter was the wife of Peter Weddell, of Cleveland, who built the Weddell house of that city.

Daniel Perry, a brother of the judge, was the next ]iernianent settler in the townshi|). He, with his family, arrived in March, 1810, and located a <iuarter of a mile west of the river. He afterwards removed to his nephew's farm east of the river, still retaining the farm on which he first settled. Squire Perry, as he was familiarly called, with his large family, had ail uiiliill life of it in Black River, and to better his condition, removed in an early day to Brownlielm, and settled near the center of the town. He lived to a good old age, and reared a large family of oliiklren, some of whom are now living in Brownlielm ((uito advanced in life.

This same year the families of Josepli Quigley, Jonathan Seeley, ( feorge and Andrew Kelso and Ralph Lyon were added. Quigley, at an early date, removed to number six, range eigiiteen, Amherst. He lived to the great ago of ninety-four or ninty-five years. Seeley located on lot twenty-one. Of his subsequent history, as well as that of some others mentioned, notiiing is Ivuown. Ralph Lyon and family, then consisting of his wife and two children, came to Black River from Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1810. He located about two miles west of the river on the lake shore, on the farm now owned by Alanson Gillmore, lot twenty. After a short stay here, he removed to Beaver creek, jiurchasing the farm now occupied by H. Kolb. This he afterwards sold, and he then moved to the mouth of Black river, wliere he died at tlie home of his son-in-law, Natiiau Edson, in January, 1833. His wife died a few months afterward. Their family consisted of six children, all now dead. A son, John, wa.i born in the spring of 1813, and was the first white child born in the territory comprised within the present limits of Black river. A daughter, Catharine, married the wellknown Captain William Jdiies, of Tjorain. She died 111 October, 1S7.5.

The next family that settled in Black River was that of John S. Reid. Mr. Reid, who was a native of New Jersey, was residing in the vicinity of Cleveland at the time of his removal to this township. He and his daughter Elizabeth came to the mouth of Black river in the s))ring of 1810. His first erection stood nearly opposite the present site of the large frame building, at the foot of Elyria street, now owned by Artemas Beebe, of Elyria, which was also built by Reid. His original cabin was a double block house, a stately structure for the time, and was used for many years by Mr. Reid as a dwelling, tavern, postoffice and justice's office combined. In the spring of 1811 the rest of the family arrived. This family formed the center around which a little settlement at the mouth of the river gathered, and which soon came to be known by the name of " Black River."

Mr. Reid was a man of strong points of character, and naturally exercised considerable local influence. In 1819, when this township was embraced in the county of Huron, he was one of the commissioners of that county, and in 1834 was one of the first three commissioners of Lorain county. He was also postmaster and justice of the peace for many years. He died in December, 1831, and Mrs. Reid in March, 1833. A son, Conrad, is still a resident of Black

Rivei-, having resided at the month of the river for sixty-seven consecutive years. Cornelius, an older son, was drowned on the lake, in November, 1818. Jlis father engaged a Captain Brooks, with his vessel, to take a load of corn, in the ear, to Detroit, and Cornelius was sent in charge of the cargo. Two other men were also aboard. When off Huron, a terrible gale capsized the vessel, and all on board were lost. Tlie names of the other children were So]iliia, Elizabeth and Ann. The first two became, respectively, the wives of Daniel T. Baldwin and Quartus Gillmore. Before we take leave of Mr. Reid, we will relate an anecdote which we have not before seen in print.

In the early settlement of the country, the "extract of corn " was a universal beverage, taken, of course, to "keep off fever." No well ordered public liouse, especially, could get along without it, and the li(juid was always within easy access of the guests, who were expected to help themselves at will. On one occasion.

Reid. The next morning, when he came to settle his bill, he found among the items charged that of whiskey. The doctor assured his host that he had used no liquor, and demanded a consequent reduction in the amount of the bill. "It don't make any difference." replied Reid, "whether yon used it or not, the whisky was before you, and it is your own fault if you didn't have it." The doctor paid the bill and departed. Some months afterwards ho stopped with Reid again, who, on presenting his bill, was confronted with one for a like amount by the doctor, for medicine. " What do you mean?" said Reid, "I have had no medicine.'' "That doesn't matter," retorted the doctor, " it wiis ill my medicine haij, end it was your OH'H fdidl if you (Jidii't." Reid tliought the cases sufficiently parallel to give the doctor a free night's lodging.

William Jlartin, a native of Pennsylvania, with his family of wife and six children, joined the settlement in April, 1811, performing the journey with an ox team and wagon. Martin exchanged his farm of three hundred acres in Pennsylvania, for nearly a thousand acres in Black River and Amherst, most of it in the latter township. He took up his residence on lot twenty-one, moving in a house erected the year previous by Jonathan Seeley. For some unknown cause, he never obtained a title to any of his western land, except that comprised in lot twentyone, in this township.

Martin came to an untimely death, in October, 1830, by a singular accident. He had just come out of a well, which he with others was sinking on the farm of Nathan Edson, on the Oberlin road, when Edson took hold of him to engage in a friendly scuffle, the result of which was that Martin fell into the well, twenty feet deej), killing him almost instantly. His widow died in 1843. There were eight children in this family, two l)orn subsequent to the settlement in Black River. The only surviving member of the

Conrad Reid was born, Sept. 30, 1802, in the town of Wilkesbarre, Susquehanna Co., Pa., and was the fourth child of John S. and Anna Reid. John S. Reid was a native of New Jersey. His father and mother spent their last days in Janesville, Ohio, some of his descendants still living in that vicinity. John S. and family emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio, about the year 1806 or 1807, during the month of February ; was a house carpenter by trade ; removed his family from Cleveland to Black River in the spring of 1811, where he spent the remainder of his days; died Dec. 3, 1831. His wife died March 5, 1832. Our subject remained with his parents until twentyone years of age, when he was united in marriage to Abigail, daughter of Wra. Murdoch, of Connecticut. By this union were born twelve children, - eleven sons and one daughter, - three of whom are living. His first wife died April 10, 1861 ; married for his second partner Catharine Horn, a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, Dec. 25, 1862. During the early part of Mr. Reid's life he followed sailing; built many vessels which he sold, followed the business some fifteen or sixteen years, and thus derived the title of captain, by which he his familiarly known. After leaving Lake Erie he engaged in the hotel business at Black River, building a hotel in the year 1835, of which he is still proprietor. He also remained in the vessel business until a few years since. He acquired a fine property, and occupies a high social position in both town and county.

family is Mrs. Sleator, wlio resides on tiie old homestead, nearly ciglity-one years of age. A son, liobert, died by accident, on a steamboat, at Pcrrysbnrg, Ohio, in 1833.

Next in order is P^dmuiid Gillmore, wlio came to Black River from Chester, Hampshire connty, Massaclnisetts, in 1811. He was accompanied by his son, Aretus, and a nephew, Ashbel Gillmore, and his family. He selected a location on lot twenty-two, erected a house, and leaving Aretus in chai-ge, returned to Massachusetts for the residue of his family, with whom lie arrived in June of the following year.

Ashbel Gillmore not liking the level, wet lands of Black River, had been convej'ed by his uncle to the hills of Geauga county, where he found in the township of Chester, in that county, a location more to his taste.

Quartus Gillmore, another son of Edmund, with a cousin, (brother of Ashbel,) preceded the family, making the entire journey on foot, the latter joining his brother in Geauga county.

Mr. Gillmore, senior, built the first frame bai'u in the connty. He was a large owner of land, having, at one time, nearly a thousand acres, most of it in this and Amherst townships. He had a family of nine children, three of whom are yet living, - Truman, Alanson, and Edmund, - the first two in Black River, aged respectively eighty and seventy-four. Edmund resides in Minnesota.

Quartus, at the age of thirty- four, married Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, nee Elizabeth Reid, daughter of John S. Reid. She married, at the age of sixteen, William Smith, of Black River, who died four years after the marriage. After six years of widowhood, Mrs. Smith married Mr. Gillmore. Mr. and Mrs, Gillmore lived to a hale old age, and reared a large family of children, all of whom are living, and one of whom - Quincy A. - rose to fame and honors in the war of the rebellion. Major General Gillmore resides in New York City, and has charge of the military defetices between that city and Florida. The other children are Elizabeth, now Mrs. William Prince, of Cleveland; Sophia, wife of Daniel S. Leslie, residing in Xorthport, Michigan; Roxana, widow, in California Edmund, Alice (Mrs. James Connolly), Quartus and Cornelius, are all residents of Black River. Edmund, many years since, met with an accident by which he was made a crip[)le for life. While engaged in calking the scow, Couiin Mary, in ISfiO, it became necessary for him, in the prosecution of his work, to get under the center board, which partially settled upon him. He was quickly released from his perilous situation, but it was found that his lower limbs were paralyzed, and he has been unable ever since to use them. He is at jiresent performing the double ser- . vice of township clei'k and justice of the peace. 1 No other additiions were made to the settlement ! until after the close of the war, which almost completely arrested emigration. Among the later arrivals was the family of Captain Augustus Jones. He was originally from Middlesex county, Connecticut; was liy trade a shii>wright, and became a cajjtain of a vessel on the Atlantic. He came to Black River in company with a brother of his wife, Enoch Murdock, in the spring of 1818. He immediately commenced work for Captain James Day, who was then building the General Huntinyion - Murdock returning to Connecticut. In the fall of the same year, the family of Captain Jones, wife and five children, followed. They wei-e brought by Elisha Murdock, another brother of Mrs. Jones, to Buffalo, where they took passage for Cleveland on the boat Friendship - jMurdock, with his horse and wagon, continuing the land journey alone. Captain Jones met his family at Cleveland, and brought them to Black River. He and Murdock, who was a single man, made a joint purchase on lot twenty-one. Captain Jones soon after sold his interest to Murdock, and purchased on lot one, where he made a permanent location and cleared up a fai'm. He afterwards engaged almost exclusively in vessel building, and the Jones family have acquired extensive reputation in this line. Perhaps no other one family in the nation have built so many vessels as Captain Jones and his five sons. He died in 1843 - Mrs. Jones previously. Their children, of whom there were seven - five sons and two daughters - are all living but one. William, seventy-two years of age, younger in appearance by many years, - resides in Lorain, retired from active business, except to look after his vessel interests, which are by no means small. George VV. lives in Cleveland, and is a captain on the lake. Frederick, in Buffalo, and J. M., in Detroit, are both engaged in ship building. Buel B., deceased, lived in Milwaukee. Maria lives in Kansas, and Antoinette in Cleveland.

Captain James Day, of whom mention has been made, was also a Connecticut man, and came to Black River in the fall of 1817. Samuel Gilbert, E. Crawford, Jesse Cutler, John Morrill, John Pollard and Amos Perry also came about this time. The first three located in the southeast part of the town, and several years after removed from the State. The others located on the lake shore.

Daniel T. Baldwin of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, came to Ohio at an early date. He subse((uently married a daughter (Sophia) of John S. Reid, and settled in Black River, west of the river, on the farm known as the Brownell farm. Baldwin was a man of superior ability and of some prominence. He was elected to the State legislature in the fall of 18-34, being chosen by a majority of thirty-four votes over his democratic opponent, E. W. Hubbard of La Grange. He was also associate judge for this county. He died in 1847.

Captain Judah W. Ransom came in the year 1819. He was a sailor-farmer, spending his summers on the lake and his winters on the farm, east of the river, known iis tlic E. firep'g f;irni. lie ni;i(lo (>\t(>nsivo iniin-civciuents on Miis iil;ice, building a l)arn whicli, Mr. Ivooi says, "took iiU the men within the circuit of ten miles to raise," the force even tlien being unrtble to complete the work in one day. This barn is yet standing, though not on its original site.

After a residence of a few years in Wack River, Ransom removed with his family to Sandusky. His death occurred in 1840, wlicn he and all llie rest of the crew of the "Helen Man" were drowniMl.

Thomas Brown, who has been a resident of fiorain county nearly half a century, came to the month of Black river from Detroit in 1829, an<l opcnctl a tailor shop there. He married Ann Smith, danghtor of William and Elizabeth Smith, (who was the daughter of John S. Reid) and eontiiuu'(l his residence in Black River for twenty-two years. Mr. Brown snbsec|uently engaged in the business of hotel keeping, and was the proprietor ef the American House in Elyria for many years. He has now (1878) charge of the I'ark House in Oherlin. The father of ]\Irs. Brown, (William Smith), settled in Black River at an ea-i-ly date, and a son, Lester Smith, now resides there.

As to later settlers, Mr. W. H. Root writes: "Up to the year 1830 little or no settlement was made in this township away from the lake road, and but few in the southeast corner of the town. The unsettled portion was a dense wilderness, covered i)rineii)ally with white oak timber, when the sturdy (icrnians began its settlement in tiie year 1833. They did not all come in one month or one year, but their numbers increased rapidly, and wiierever they went they made their mark, which mark is j)laiu to be seen at the present time. I will name a few of these pioneers as I remember them and am able to wi'ite out their names: 0. L. Faber, Baiinliaets, Jacobs, Friends, Barks, Haulsaure, Ilagerman, Hauns, X'etter, Harwick, and others."

Organization

At the organization of Dover, Cuyahoga county, in 1811, that township included the territory of Black River east of the i-iver. In March following, that part of Black River west of the river was also annexed to Dover. The union thus continued until Vermillion was organized when the latter annexation was changed to that township; and in October, 1818, on the organization of the township of Troy, Black Rivtr east of the river, constituted a part of that township. In 1817 the commissioners of Huron county, whofe eastern boundary extended for a distance east of Black River, ordered, "that township, number six (Amherst) and that part of number seven (Black River) in the eighteenth range, which lay in the county of Huron, with all the lands thereto attached in said Huron county, be set olT from the township of Vermillion and organized into a separate township by the name of Black River. Thus Amherst, Black River and Brownhelm wiM'e lirst organized as Black River." In June, 18'^4, the corner of the town east of thr river was annexed to Black River for judicial purposes.

The first election for townshiji oflicers was held af the house of John S. Reid, Ajiril 17, 1817. John S. Reid was called to the chair, and Chilial Smilli and Edmund Gillmoi-e ajjpointed judges of election. Township officers were elected as follows: Daniel Perry, clerk; Adoniram Wel)b, (^uartus Gillmore and Joseph Quigley, trustees; Chilial Smith and Edmund Gillmore, overseers of the poor; George Kelso and Stephen Cable, fence viewers : Orrin Gillmoi-e and James Webster, appraisers of pro])erty ; William Martin, Ralph Lyons, Chilial Smith and Reuben Webb, supervisors of highways; .John S. Reid, tre.-isurei'. At the election in Black River, for State and county officers, October 14, 1817, there were cast, according to the poll list in the handwriting of Daniel Perry, clerk, seventeen votes, as follows : .lohn S. Reid, Daniel T. Baldwin, Jacob Shupe, Joseph Quigley. Quartus (Fillmore, A. Webb, Reuben Wel)b, S. Cable, Daniel Perry. John Morrell, Chilial Smith, Fred Onstine, Daniel , Samuel Cable, Henry Onstine,

The relation as formed in 1817, continued until October, 1818, when Brownhelm was detached and incorporated as an independent township. Russia was detached in June, 1825, leaving the territory now embraced in the township of Amherst and Black River forming one township. These two towns continued as one until January 13, 1830, when by a special act of the legislature, they were divided. "There was an act in force that inhibited the inc(nporation of any township, by the act of the county commissioners, with less than twenty-two S(|uare miles, unless it included a town corporate ; and this inhibition prevented the organization of Black River, with its present limits, by the commissioners of the county. An aitplication was therefore made to the legislature fora separate organization, and on the IxMli of .January, 1830, an act was passed incorporating the inhabitants of fractional township number seven, range eighteen, in the Connecticut Western Reserve, by the name of Black River. The act directed, that on the first Monday of April, then next, an election for township officers should be held at the house of John S. Reid, Esq., in manner and form as provided by law."

The book containing the record of this election was rescued by Edmund Gillmore, the present town clerk and justice of the peace, from a party of boys in Lorain, who were about to use it for a mark in their target practice. From it we find that, in pursuance of the act above referred to, a meeting of the electors of the township of Black River was held at the house of John S. Reid, on Monday, the 5th day of April, 1830. Quartus Gillmore, Samuel Gilbert and Barna Meeker were apjiointed judges, and Daniel T. Baldwin and John Myers, clerks of the election, whicli resulted as follows: Daniel T. Baldwin, clerk; Quartus Gilniore, Samuel Gilbert and Barna Meeker, trustees; John S. Keid and Eleazer Crawford, overseers of the poor; John S. Roid and Eleazer Crawford, fence viewers; Morris Jackson, treasurer; John 8. Rcid, Tiiomas Wymans, George Kelso and Eleazer Crawford, supervisors of highways; Sidney Mitchell, constable. We find no election of a justice of the peace until the following year, April 4, 1831, when Quartns Gillmore was elected to that office.

The following named are the present incumbents of the respective township offices: Edmund Gillmore, clerk; W. H. Aiken, Elias Baumhart and Frederick Friend, trustees; Thomas Gawn, treasurer; P. B. Delany, assessor; Chas. Friend and John Aschenbach, constables; Edmund Gillmore and S. C. McMillen, justices of the peace.

There were originally two post offices in the town. One was located on the South ridge, now South Amherst, and called '-The Black River Post Office." The other was named "The Mouth of Black River Post Office," and was kept at the mouth of the river. Eli]ihalet Redington was the first post master of the former office, and John S. Reid of the lattei". Henry Chapman is the present incumbent of the Lorain post office.

The first school in Black River was opened at an unascertainable date in an unoccupied log house of Edmund Gillmore. The teacher was David Smith, of Amherst. The first school house was erected not long after, on the farm of William Martin, the first school in which was taught by Lucia Smith, a sister of David. According to the report of the board of education for Black River for the year ending August 31, 1878, there are in the townsliip outside of the village of Lorain, two school houses, valued, including the ground, at one thousand two hundred dollars; amount pn.id teachers, five hundred and seventy-four dollars; pupils enrolled, sixty-eight.

The initiatory stej)s in the erection of the handsome and commodious brick school building in Lorain, were taken at a special election held May 30, 1874, when it was voted almost unanimously to bond the village to the amount of fourteen thousand dollars, to bo used substantially as follows: Two thousand dollars for the juirchase of a site, ten thousand dollars for the building, and two thousand dollar's for maintaining the schools the first year. The building was erected in 1874-5. The first principal of the schools in the new building was Miss Hattie Ayers. J. R. Rogers is at present occupying that position. There is also a frame school building, recently repaired.

From the report above referred to we learn the following facts as to this, the "Lorain Union School District:" Number of school houses, two, which, with the grounds, are valued at thirteen thousand dollars; number of teachers employed, six; number of pupils, two hundred and sixty-five; amount paid

Metuodist Episcopal Church

We experienced much difficulty in o';taining exact information concerning the history of this church, and regret that we cannot give it more complete.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Lorain was organized in the spring of 1850, by the Revs. Hard and Griffin, and was the result of the remarkable revival meetings conducted by them the preceding winter. There were ninety-nine persons who united at the time of organization. In 1864, during the pastorate of Rev. G. A. Hughes, there were forty additions made to the membership. The present membership is something over one hundred. The jiresent pastor is Rev. Uri Richards, resident at Berea. G. I. Baldwin is superintendent of the Sabbath school, which is large and prosperous.

The church Iniilding was erected in 1873, costing (hree thousand dollars. A parsonage is at the present writing in course of erection, to cost when finislied aljout one thousand dollars.

Evangelical Church

There was an organization of this denomination many years ago, in the northwest part of the township. The society built a meeting house on the farm of George Drudy. The church Avas subsequently disbanded and the meeting house sold, most of the members uniting with a similar society at North Amherst. 'J'he rest of the members continued their meetings, usually holding them at the log house of widow Brown, in Lorain, and in a few years organized the i-resent church, and erected a building which cost six or seven hundred dollars. The members were Jacob Vedder and wife, Mrs. Mary Brown, son and daughter (John ami Elizal)eth), and a few others whoso names cannot now be recalled. The church now numbers about forty members. Rev. Jacob llunniker is pastor, and Henry Wicgand and .lohn Horn, class leaders. The Sabbath school numbers about one hundred pupils, with H. Wiegand, superintendent.

Congregational Church

The Congregational church of Lorain, was organized July 23, 1872, by a council called for the purpose, with Rev. Samuel Wolcott, D. D., as moderator. The following churches were represented in the council : Oberlin First, Oberlin Second, Amherst, and Ridgevillc. For some time previous to the calling of the council, there had been a growing feeling in regard to tlic organization of a new cluirch in tlie jilace, the Metliodist being tlie only cliurcli in the village, with tlie exception of a small German church. There were a mimlier of Presbyterians and Congregationalists living in Lorain, and after a careful consideration of the proposed movement, tlie organization was decided nixm and effected, as stated, largely through the efforts of Mr. Fitzgerald. The church was com- ])osed of nine members, of whom Deacon Roland Osgood was the only male member. The others were Laura Osgood, Cassie Osgood, Ruba Prince, Elizabeth Peachy, Ann Gillmore, Mary J. Gillmore, Elizabeth Brown, and Margaret Cunningham. A confession of faith, which is still used by the church, and a covenant, which has since been revised, were drawn up by Dr. Woloott. To these, assent was given, and the little band was recognized as a church.

They found a place of worship in a little old building, one of the tirst frame houses built in the place, which bad once been used as a boarding house, - subsequently and for many years as a house of worship, successively by the Bajitists, Presbyterians and Methodists, and still later as a town hall. It stood originally in the hollow, near the foundry, but was aft,rwards removed twice, in order to better accommodate the societies that worshiped in it. In IM'i it was moved from its original location to the lot now occupied by the i\Iethodist church, and subsequently to the lot on which the Congregational church now stands, where it is still standing, and affords a striking contrast to the imposing edifice that has supplanted it.

For some time, all the oflficers of the church, except that of deacon, were filled by individuals who were not members of the church, and to whom great credit is given for their eflicient help, when it was so greatly needed.

The first pastor was Rev. A. T. Reed, miw the successful pastor of the largest and perhaps the most prosperous church in Medina county. He was a very faithful and efficient pastor. During his connection with the church, there was not a house, hotel, saloon or any building in which people lived or congregated, into which he did not go and present the cause wliicii he re[)resented, and almost every communion service witnessed accessions to the church.

In the winter of lSTt-7"^, there was an extensive revival, and the March following, thirty-three additions were made to the church, nearly all of them on profession of faith. Mr. Reed's labors closed that, spring, and for some time the pulpit was sujiplied by different individuals.

In the fall of 1873, Rev. B. N. Chamberlain was called as jiastor, and was ordained and installed Novemlier Gtli. He remained only until the following May, the failure of his health compelling him to relinquish his work. He was a man of deep, earnest piety, and had the prosperity of the church at heart. Soon after his resignation. Rev. Mr. Upton was called to supply the pulpit, and except a short period, preached until the spring of 1875. During his labors the church was built up, not so much numerically as spiritually. In the midst of his labois, the following winter, he was called away by the sickness of his father, whose death, a short time after, made it necessary that he sever his connection with the church, which he did the next spring. He was followed by Rev. J. B. Stocking,* who officiated as pastor for two years and a half. His jiastorate was. marked by a rapid growth of the church, its membership being nearly doubled. His labors were unremitting for the temporal and spiritual welfare of his people. The unfitness of the old building used by the society as a house of worship, and the growth of the congregation, rendered necessary the erection of a new building, and in the summer of 1876, on a pledge of four hundred dollars, the same was begun, but for want of funds, was not completed sufficiently to be dedicated until November 13, 1878. Rev. Dr. Woleott, of Cleveland, preached the dedication sermon. The cost of the building was about seven thousand dollars, three thousand, six hundred doll.irs of which was secured on the day of dedication. The building is a handsome one, and reflects great credit upon those to whose energy, perseverance and liberality its erection is attributable.

Mr. Stocking remained pastor until the fall of 1877, when he resigned, and was immediately succeeded by Rev. Frank McConaughy, of t)berl)n, who was ordained pastor, and has continued until the present. His pastorate has been a very efficient one. The success which has attended the building of the present house of worship, is largely due to his untiring interest and labor. The present membership is about one hundred. The officers are: Roland Osgood and Beaver Brown, deacons; Edward C. Kinney, Sherman A. Andrus, and Beaver Brown, trustees; Rowland Rowley, clerk; Beaver Brown, treasurer. The Sabbath school numbers about one hundred and twenty-five. Sherman A. Andrus is superintendent.

Disciple Church

This church was organized December 17, 1870, with the following membership: Alanson Gillmore and wife, W. A. Wire, wife and daughter Emily, V. H. Osgood and wife, F. F. Field and wife, D. S. Crawford and wife, Mrs. S. D. Porter, Mrs. Emma E. James, Mrs. M. E. Bowles, Mrs. C. B. Doty, Mrs. Jane Swartwood, Mrs. Ireaa Ma|)es, Airs. Sophia Field. The meetings were held in the second story of the Edison store building until the fall of .1877, when a house of worship was built, at a cost of about one thousand dollars, and which was dedicated by Brother (iarvin, of Columbus. The present membership numbers about sixty, with W. A. Wirj, elder, and F. F. Field and V. H. Osgood, deacons. There is a flourishing Sabbath school, of which D. S. Crawford is superintendent.

Although the village of Lorain is of conipiii-iitivcly recunt growth, its antecedent history dati^s back to an early jjcriod. Abont the year 1830, the mouth of Black river began to assume importance as a point for the shipment of grain to the east by the lake. This was before the era of railroads and canals in Ohio, and the harbor of Black river became the outlet for the cereals of a large section of country, the grain being hauled in wagons from as far away as Medina county. This of itself ])roduced no little activity, and the little settlement known as Black River soon began to assume the semblance of a village, and, although "Charleston," under which name the village was subsei(nently incorporated, is now chiefly remembered as only a happy illustration of the glorious uncertainty of land speculation, an account of its ''rise and fall" may properly have a place in the history of this townsh i p.

The Ohio Railroad was surveyed in the year 1832, the first attempt at railroad building ever made in the State, and the route as surveyed led through the village. The following year work was begun on the Ohio canal, whose terminus, it was confidently expected, would be at this point. The expected early completion of these two great commercial enterprises gave a great impetus to the activity of the place, and especially as to the [irice of real estate. A part of the John S. Reid farm, at the mouth of the river, was surveyed and laid olf into lots in 183-t, by Edward Dnrand, and soon afterwards land for a considerable distance around the Center was held as high as a thousand dollars an acre, while village lots were almost beyond reach. For some inscrutable reason the canal went to Cleveland, and, while this was felt as a loss, it was not of sufficient im[)ortance to chill the ardor of the people of Black River as to the future greatness of their village. With land adjacent to town at a thousand dollars per acre and village lots beyond the possession of all of ordinary resources, its destiny was fixed, and the failure to secure a canal was a matter of minor importance; besides, the railroad was sure, work upon which was afterwards, in 1837, actually begun.

"In eai'Iy spring, 18.36, State Engineer Dodge, with his corps of assistants, came in from Coshocton, via. Wooster, surveying what was termed the Kilbuck and Black River Canal. As the engineers came down real estate went up. About this time Dr. Samuel Strong put in an appearance. His first purchase of real estate was some five acres of land taken from the farm of Conrad Reid. adjoining the village plat of Black River. This was mapped out on paper, with streets, lanes, etc., and sales commenced. Every pei-son in Black River that could write, and had any leisure time, was set tc- writing out articles of agreement for the doctor and his purchasers. The five acres were soon exhausted and the doctor bought six acres from the same farm, adjoining the five acres. All the Black River clerical force was again employed writing land contracts. About this time the great patroon, H. C. Stevens, put in his appearance and gobbled up all that was left, that was for sale. He purchased the residue of the C'onriid Reid farm, entering into con- tract to pay for the same seventy -five thousand dollars. He also purchased of Quartus Gillmore a one-third interest in the original plat of Black River for a liberal sum. We all dabbled in city lots more or less, and nearly every body in Black River, and a good many in Elyria got rich - on paper - in a very short time" H. C. Stevens claiiiieti to be worth half a million - in fact we were all rich."

In 1835 the following were the i>rinoipal business men of Black River: William .Jones, merchant; Cafes & Green, general merchandise; Delos Phelon and 0. Root, forwarding and commission merchants; Daniel T, Baldwin, farmer; Barna Meeker, proprietor of the old Reid House; A. T, Jones, blacksmith; E. Miller, shoemaker; Thomas Brown, tailor; W. E, Fitch, stave dealer; Quartus CiUmore, farmer and justice of the peace; Conrad Reid, postmaster.

In 183G the village was honored by the legislature with a corporation charter by the name of Charleston, and in the spring of 1837 the first and only charter election under that name was held. We are unable to give the names of the officers cho.sen, who, for some unknown reason, never entered upon their official duties.

The Ohio railroad scheme resulted in an ignominious failure. The funds of the company, never burdensome, gave out,, an appeal to the legislature for aid was denied, and the city of Charleston had to keep along with its old wagon trade, the importance of which had almost been lost sight of in the excitement over the projected great enterprise of j)i'evious mention.

Its monopoly of the grain business for this section of the State continued, and Charleston kept on growing until it i-cached a population of several hundred, with stores, grain warehouses, hotels, etc, and property was still held at a high figure. In 18.51 its grain trade was seriously curtailed by the building of the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati railroad. Then for the first time the village realized what it had lost in the failure of the Ohio railroad scheme. In 18.53 the Cleveland and Toledo road was begun. Unable to offer pecuniary inducements for a lake shore route, Charleston saw in her a.dversity, only eight miles distant, Elyria with a railroad assured, wealth and many natural advantages, starting oft' in a- manner indicative of a prosperous future. Its fall is thus referred to by Major Hammond, in the Black River Cummvcial:

" It died without a struggle. Its hotels were practically closed; its merchants departed; its warehouses were almost given away to farmers for barns and fences, and even its corp irate oi-ganizati.in was abandoned ; its name blotted out by common c jnseiit, and its memory placed in the catagory of western paper-city failures."

Some of the owners of ])ro])erty were unwilling to thus ingloriously and ruinously end the struggle, begun under circumstances so favorable, and strenuous efforts were made to revive the place; notably by II. R. Penfield, who, at almost his own expense, had a survey made from Rocky river to Vermillion, through Black River (as the place again came to be called) for the proposed Cleveland, Port Clinton and Toledo railroad, but capitalists could not be induced to foster the scheme. S. 0. Edison, also a large owner of land, established a charcoal furnace and built a saw mill on the river nearly a mile from its mouth. The furnace was afterwiirils burnt down. It was not, however, until the commencement of the Lake Shore and Tuscarawas Valley railroad tliat the place began to show signs of returning life. When the point was reached that the early completion of the road was no longer a matter of speculation, a remarkable revival of activity immediately began, and since that time thegrowtli of the place has been steady and constant, until it now has, according to a recent school census, a population numbering fifteen hundred and forty-five.

At the regular meeting of the county commissioners, in the latter ]iart or January, 1874, that body unanimously granted to Black River a ciiartcr of incorporation, under the name of Charleston, but the autiiorities at Wasiiington refused to give tiie town a post-office with that name, as there was one or more of a similar name in the State; and on request of the citizens, "Lorain "was substituted. The first election of the re-incorporated village was held the 0th of April, ISH, when tlio following named persons were chosen for the respective offices, viz: Conrad Reid, mayor; E. Gregg, treasurer; II. A. Fisher, clerk; E. C. Kinney, civil engineer; Quartus Gillmore, marshal; R. J. Cowley, street commissioner; E. Gillmore, Thomas Gawn, E. T. Peck, John Stang, James Porter and F. \V. Edison, councilmen; R. 0. Rockwood, M. D., A. Beatty, M. D., James Connelly, E. Swartwood, \Vm. Cunningham and Beaver Brown, board of health. The village officers, elected in the spring of 1878, are as follows: T. W. Fancher, mayoi ; Otto Braun, clerk; John Staug, W. A. Jones, F. Hogan, Chas. B. Chapman. Adolph Braiui and C. S. Vorwerk, councilmen; Alanson Bridge, marshal; and Beaver Brown, street commissioner.

Bi'si><F.ss Houses OP Lorain. - M. Z. Lanipman, hotel and custom office; Reid Hou^e, Conrad Reid, proprietor; Lorain House, , proprietor; Boarding House, o£ S. Pahler; S. A. Andrus, drugs, books and stationery; Gardner & Davis, drugs and stationery; Wiegand Bros., boots and shoes; C. Shoemaker & Co., boots and shoes; A. H. Babcock, groceries; F.J.King, groceries; C. S. Vo:\verk, groceries; M. J. Farwell, groceries; Lester Smith, grocei-ies; Peter McBride. groceries; Wm. M Cunningham, merchant tailoring and gents' furnishing goods; Union Clothing Store, Thomas Bowen, proprietor; William Tulp, furniture; William A. Jones, general merchandi.se; J. B. Linderman. dry goods: Root Bros , feed store; Ida A. Rolliu. millinery; Mrs. E. Carney, millinery; Marcella (J'Conner, fancy goods; fdison & Fancher, hardware; Davidovitch & Capp. meat market; Henry Short, meat market; John Purcupile, blacksmith; J. H. Pierce, wagon shop: H. Chai>- man, wagon shop; Harry Jones, bakery; two barber shops; G. Hogan, real estat«; L D. Lawler, Loraui Monitor; Physicians, Dre. Harris, Bowman, Smith and Reamer.

This enterprise was iii:uigiirated in the summer of 1875. A stock conii)aMy was formed by some of the leading citizens of Loi';tin and two manufacturers of stoves in Troy, New York. The association w;is called the "Lorain Stove Company." June 3d, of that year, a bo;ird of directors was chosen, composed of the following stockholders: J, C, Ileuderson and Jacob Shaver of Troy, New York, S. 0. Edison, Francis Warriner and G, Hogan, of Lorain, Officers were chosen by the board of directors as follows: J. C. Henderson, president; S. 0. Edison, vice president; G. Hogan, secretary; T, S, Nelson, treasurer. Buildings were erected, which, with the ground and machinery, cost some fifteen thousand dollars. The enterprise did not prove a success, for the reason, chiefly, th,at the Troy parties, to whom, on account of their experience in the business, the management of the enterprise was resigned by the company, conducted the business for the especial benefit of their New York factory, A change of officers was made, the New York parties being ousted; but the enterprise had begun badly, and could not recover the ground thus lost. An assignment was subsequently made, and the property sold. The f.ietory is now owned by j)rivate ptirties, and is being operated under a long term lease by the Co-operative Stove Company of Cleveland. This is an important enterprise for Lorain. The company employ at present forty-five men, the money paid to whom is largely disbursed in the village. C. H. Baldwin is resident manager.

Planing Mills

The planing mill of Brown Bros. & Co. was built in 1873, It is a large two-story building, and is re ]ilete with the necessary machinery, propelled by a fifty-horse power engine, for the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, molding, and for scroll sawing. The firm have, in connection with the mill, an extensive lumber yard, and also do a large business as contractors anil builders.

The planing mill of E. Slaight & Sons was also established in 1873, The building is a one story with iron roof. The machinery is run by a fifty-horse l)owcr engine. Doors, sash, blinds, etc., are manufactured. In 187f), a grist mill with two run of stone was added.

The Harbor

The natural :iil\:intages of the harbor of Black river are not excelled, if indeed, they are equaled, by those of any other on the shore of Lake Erie. For three or four miles up the riv(>r the stream is over two hundred feet wide, witii an average depth of about fifteen feet, and is therefore ntivigable for the largest craft that sails on tiie lake.

The following figures taken from the books of the Deputy Collector of the port, M. Z. Lam[)mon, who h;is served in that capacity since 18.5(i, shows a rein:irkable increase in the business of the port since the completion of the Lake Shore and Tusctirawas Valley railroad, in 1873.

For the mouths of July, August and September, 1873, the total receipts were thirty-four dollars and forty cents. For the same period in 1878, they were four hundred and forty-seven dollars and five cents.

"rienoriil Iluntiiigton," in tlie ye;ir 1S19, and continued with great activity until 1873. In common with other hranclies of Industry this interest has been greatly depressed by the liard times inaugurated by the panic of that year, and it will be seen in the api)ended list of vessels built here that but relatively few have been built since that date.

The building of the steanaboats Bunker Hill, and Onnslellalioii, in IS.'JO-'S? gave birth to an association of tlie business men of Black River, the following winter, called the -'Black River Steamboat Association." Those boats were called Black River boats, although the controlling interest in them was owned by parties in Buffalo and Cleveland, and the business men of Black River, believing that their interests would be better promoted by the building of a vessel which should be owned aud controlled exclusively by Iheniselves, organized the above association for the jnirjuise indicated. The steamboat Lexington, was built l>y this company.

The ofticers of this association were as follows: Daniel T. Baldwin, president; Barna Meeker, vice president; N. B. Gates secretary and treasurer.

The following is a complete list of the vessels built at the port of Black River, with the year in which they were built and the name of the builder.

Ebenezer Gregg

was the youngest son of Kljeiie/.er and Betsey Gregg, of Dorchester, New llainiisliire, and wiis born April 5, l.so;5. He was of Scotch jiarentage, liis ancestors liaving l)ehiiigeil to the noted Prcsljyterian colony wlu) settled Lonchniderry, New Ilampsliire. His grandfather liore a distinguisiied |iart in the revolutionary war. Jle was colonel under General Stark, at the nieinorahle battle of Bennington, and was jiresent when the general, in rallying his troops, addressed to him the words so aplly given by the poet:

Mr. Gregg has inhciited in a marked degree tlie peculiarities of his Scotch ancestors, having a vigorous constitution, great physical endnrance, perseverance and energy of cliai-acter. He was married September

24, ls30, to Mary W. Daufortli, of Derry, New Hampshire. They emigrated to Ohio in 1835, in company with his brother, the late Colonel William Gregg, and settled on a farm two miles north of the village of Elyria. In 1842, he purchased a farm in the then townshiji of Shellii'ld, and resided there for several years; but for the juirjiose of educating his children, he removed to Elyria in 1857. Here he and his wife united with the Methodist church, and here, in August 11, 1871, after a residence of fourteen years, his wife closed her earthly labors.

They had eight children, three of whom died in infancy. His second son, Arthur Livermoi-e, died in )ShefBeld, February 28, 1873, aged thirty-one years. There are now living, two sons and two daughters, all of wiiom are married. His three sons, Simeon, Arthur, and Luther, served as brave and faithful soldiers in the war of the rebellion, were honorably discharged, and safely returned home at the close of the war. December 30, 1872, Mr. Gregg was married to Adaline W. Danforth, of Adrian, Michigan. At this time he sold his i)roj)erty in Elyria, and removed to his farm for a permanent residence. Although he is now seventy-six years old, he has wonderful health and vigor, and still leads an active, useful life. He is a member of the Methodist church in Lorain and is warmly identified with the interests of the growing town around him, cheerfully contributing his share to its growth and jirosperity. He is strictly temperate in his habits, and is an enemy alike to liquor and tobacco, seldom neglecting to "show his colors'" when occasion offers.

Captain Samuel L. Flint

was born at Plattsburg, New York, February 18, 1830, being the sixth child of John and Amy (Hammond) Flint of that place; all of Scotch descent. When eight years of age he accompanied his parents to Buffalo, New York, remaining there about two years, when they removed to Toledo, Ohio, where his parents spent the remainder of tlieir days.

When nineteen years old Captain Flint commenced to work for John P. Freeman, of Toledo, at the carpenter and joiner trade. After attaining his majority he removed to Black River, this county, where he became engaged as a ship carpenter, which he followed winters for nearly twenty years, sailing on the lakes until the close of na\igation every year, which latter occupation he still follows. At an early period in his business career, Caiitain Flint became interested in farming, and is now considered a good, ])ractical farmer, as well as an excellent lunigator. Eight years ago he jiurcliased the comfortable farm and residence, an illustration of which ajijiears elsewhere in this volume.

On the 20tli of July, 1850, he married Helen M., daughter of Adam Miller, of Black River. They had five ciiildreii, of whom Alice L., Helen A. and Sam- uel L. survive. Mrs. Flint dep;irled this life May 3, 18G4. After mourning the loss of his first wife just one year, the Captain married again, the subject of his choice this time being his present excellent wife, who at the time of their marriage was Jane D. Tracy, widow of E. F. Tracy, of Elyria, and daughter of Captain Luther Dcnnison and Agnes Martin, the former born in Vermont, the latter at Dykehead, Scotland. Mrs. Flint has two daughters by her first husband, Louisa S., now the wife of John Maxfield, of Lamont, Michigan, and Elizabeth R., wife of Cajjtain H. W. Stone, of Cleveland.

Among other experiences of a nautical career, extending over twenty-eight years, the following befel Captain Flint. On the 26th of August, 1874, the propeller Persian, then the largest vessel on Lake Erie, and commanded by Captain Flint, took fire, from the ignition of gas in the coal bunkers. After burning almost three hours, she sunk, and all hands, - nineteen in number, including Captain Flint, - took refuge on the hatches, upon which they floated for two hours and a half, when they were ])ickcd up by the propeller Badger, and thus saved from a watery grave.