Jefferson Township (part 2 of 2)

The church has had twenty-three pastors in sixty years, eight of them, however, serving less than one year each, being called to fill vacancies, etc. Only four ministers have had charge of the church more than three years, viz., Blodgett, Barr. Burnham, and Wyman. Rev. John Blodgett came soon after the organization, and was pastor five years. Rev. Oliver Barr, who was killed at the Xorwalk (Connecticut) railroad disaster, was settled with the church three different times, in all about eighty years. The great union meeting of 1S38, conducted by Rev. Mr. Day at the brick church, was held during Elder Barr's second pastorate ; forty-four were added to the church. In his third engagement the house was moved. Rev. H. Burnham served four years, 1849 - 53. Rev. 0. T. Wyman, the present pastor, came in June, 1862. and remained over twelve years ; and, after an absence of two years (Dr. X. Summerbell pastor in the interim), returned in October, 1876. In 1862 the church was very low; no services had been held for a year. There were but seventy-five names on the roll, aud sixteen of them were dropped. In 1871 there was a great revival, - Rev. S. H. Morse, evangelist; ninety-eight were received during the year. The present membership is two hundred aud fifty. The Sabbath-school, in 1862, was reorganized with fifteen scholars ; but for the last ten years there have been from one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fourteen - the present membership - enrolled. The Christian chapel at Amboy was built in 1873; services are held in this building a part of the time.

The Congregational Church

The Congregational church of Conneaut was organized April 14, 1849, at the house of Robert Montgomery. The services were conducted by Revs. Joseph Badger, Giles H. Cowles, and Ephraim T. Woodruff. The first members were Ebenezer Buck, Ada Buck, Robert Montgomery, Stephen Webb, Luther Jones, Mary Jones, Sarah Sanford, Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Julia Kennedy, and Miss Laura Buck.

The church was organized on the union plan of government, - Congregational and Presbyterian. It was a Congregational church joined to a presbytery. It was changed into a Presbyterian church in 1835, and remained such until December 30, 1847, when it was unanimously voted to make its government purely Congregational.

The first church edifice - the old brick church on Liberty street - was commenced in 1826, seven years after the church was organized. Religious services prior to this time were held in school-houses and private dwellings. The members were intensely interested in the project of building the church, and most of them made great sacrifices in order to accomplish it. The labor was interrupted for a time in consequence of lack of means, but a fund necessary to complete it was after a little realized from a sale of the seats. Services were held in the church before it was finished. The year 1828 witnessed its completion, and the year 1829 its dedication. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Luther Humphrey.

The new brick edifice, situated on the corner of Main and Buffalo streets, was erected in 1873, and finished in 1876. Sixteen hundred dollars were paid for the lot, and the building cost about eighteen thousand dollars. It was dedicated in the spring of 1877, Rev. Mr. Wolcott, of Cleveland, preaching the dedication sermon.

From 1829 to 1836 the following gentlemen officiated as pastors and ministers : Revs. Luther Humphrey, Olds, John Pettit, Maltbee (Methodist), Jesse Viets (Methodist), Kelsey, J. J. Bliss, John Keep,

Wheeler, and William Whittley. Since 1836 the pastors have been Revs. William Fuller, two years; Norris Day, one year; John Hovey, three years; E. F. Dickenson, ten years; William Scales, four years ; J. A. Woodruff, two years ; Alvin Nash, three years; A. Bartlett, four years; and R. M. Keyes, the present pastor, nearly thirteen years.

The Baptist Church

The Baptist church was organized in the old school-house on the south ridge, October 18, 1831, with twenty-three members, as follows: Rev. Isaac Jacobs and wife, Isaac Crittenden and wife, Electa Crittenden, Phebe Crittenden, David Taylor, Mary Sawtelle, Albert Hebbard, Deborah Benton, Ira Benton, Elmira Benton, Alfred Crittenden, Sarah Crittenden, Lydia Crittenden, Sarah Ann Jacobs, Sally C. Williams, Lydia Williams, Mary Ann Williams, Louisa Williams, Thirza Wright, Elvira Clark, and Abner Clark. Of these, the first twelve had letters from other churches; the rest had been recently baptized by Elder Jacobs.

There were present at the constitution of the church Rev. Asa Jacobs, pastor elect, Rev. Jacob Bailey, of Kingsville, and Rev. Churchill, of Springfield, Pennsylvania.

The church continued to meet at the school-house on south ridge till the spring of 1837, when it moved to Conneaut village, under the pastoral care of Rev. Judah L. Richmond, in which place it has since continued to meet and worship.

The longest pastorate was that of Rev. P. W. Mills, from 1852 to 1860 ; the shortest, that of Rev. J. Du Bois, from September, 1860, to May 4, 1861, when he was expelled from the church. The greatest number of additions were made during the pastorate of Rev. J. W. Weatherby, who baptized fifty-two in six years, during which time, in 1850, the church reached its highest membership, one hundred and twenty-nine. The present membership is about eighty-five.

The Methodist Episcopal Church

A Methodist -class was formed in Conneaut village about the year 1827 or 1828. One had previously been organized in the east part of the township, and one at Amboy in the year 1823, by Rev. Jesse Viets. We have been unable, after repeated efforts, to gather any further information in relation to the early history of this church. The present pastor is Rev. W. J. Wilson, and the membership numbers about one hundred aud fifty-six.

Evergreen Lodge, No. 62, F. and A. 31., was organized at Conneaut, then Salem, Ohio, March 17, 1821, with John R. Read, Right Worshipful Master; Joel Jones, Senior Warden ; John Brooks, Junior Warden ; Josiah Brown, Treas. ; Joshua Z. Cozens, Sec.; Elias Clark, Senior Deacon; Samuel Blakesley, Junior Deacon ; and Lewis Thayer, Tyler ; all of whom continued to be active members for years afterwards, and were each honored by positions, and nearly all filled the chair.

As time passed on we find on its roll of membership Daniel Baldwin, John Silverthorn, Job Whitney, Amos Kellogg, L. G. Montgomery, Wm. Perrin, Joshua Fuller, Alex. R. Chase, Eber Ward, L. Draper, Peck Clerk, Elijah Baker, Stephen Kellogg, Joseph W. Carpenter, Miron Hutchinson, I. M. Bemirs, John Peters, Erastus Budd, Geo. Wright, A. H. Bowen, A. Capron, Lyman Willcox, T. C. Owen, O. Edwards, M. Fuller, John Venen, A. D. Brown, N. Webster, J. Blodget, L. Woodworth, D. Whitney, D. Jacobs, Eli Sanford, C. C. Abbott, A. Marcy, N. Gridley, A. C. Morrison, Greenleaf Fifield, J. Flagg, F. II. Carter, S. Bates, C. Fifield, A. Dart, II. Keyes, R. Brown, Harvey Guthrie, C. Loomis, D. Spaulding, E. Dibble, Benj. Abbott, Samuel Eaton, and others. After about the date of the Morgan excitement, the meetings do not appear to have been as frequent or as well attended, aud the last communication of which there is any record was held June 15, 1829, at which Nathan Weed was raised to a Master Mason. The meetings were held at the union school-house.

Evergreen Lodge, No. 222, F. and A. 31., was organized under dispensation on the 5th day of February, 1852, with Horace Wilder, W. M. ; Samuel Blakesley, S. W. ; Ezra Dibble, J. W. ; Henry Keyes, Treas. ; Nelson Selkirk, Sec. ; Harvey Guthrie, S. D. ; David Nobles, J. D. ; Philander Wheeler, Tyler; and Josiah Brown, Otis Burgess, G. R. L. Baker, Alex. Brown, and Freeman Palmer as members.

Instituted under charter November 18, 1852, with the same names as charter members, Brother G. C. Loveland, acting G. M., by proxy. The Past Masters of this lodge are H. Wilder, O. Burgess, T. J. Carlin, J. F. Fifield, W. B. Chapman, S. E. Boughton, W. F. Stanley, W. A. Ward, E. A. Stone, C. Hayward. From the date of its organization to 1856 the lodge occupied a hall in common with the Odd-Fellows, over the store of C. Hall, during which season the schoolhouse on Broad street was erected, and by agreement with the board of education the lodge built the second story thereof and received a clear title, and occupied the same that fall. This hall (over school-house) was duly dedicated to Masonry June 24, 1857.

The lodge met here until 1869, when it sold its interest in the building to the board of education of the borough for a school-room, and removed to its old quarters on Main street. During the summer of 1870, Union block being in course of erection, the lodge entered into contract with the parties thereof, and together with Conneaut chapter, No. 76, R. A. M., erected the third story thereof, thereby securing a large and commodious hall aud side-rooms, and a permanent home, of which said lodge and chapter hold a clear and warranted title. The first communication was held in the new hall September 19, 1870. Partially refurnished hall during summer of 1876, giving it a very pleasing aud attractive appearance. Membership, January 1, 1878, one hundred and eighteen. Stated communications meet first and third Thursdays of each month.

Conneaut Chapter, No. 76, R. A. 31., was organized by virtue of a letter of dispensation, dated March 18, 1857, issued to Otis Burgess, Harvey Guthrie, Sr., Philander Wheeler, A. S. Langdon, J. B. Pettie, Wm. Edey, Harvey Guthrie, Jr., A. J. lluland, James McKendree, Geo. W. Cumming, David Nobles, Wm. Willard, Levi Briggs, and M. H. Collins, March 27, 1857, with Comp. Otis Burgess as M. E. II. P. Date of charter, October 17, 1857 ; constituted under charter October 29, 1857, Comp. G. A. Loveland, as proxy of Dept. Grand High Priest, presiding. P. H. P. : O. Burgess, H. Guthrie, Sr., S. E. Boughton, W. F. Stanley, W. A. Ward, J. F. Fifield, B. S. Withered, E. A. Stone. Membership, January 1, 1878, sixty-nine. The chapter is provided with very fine robes,

B. S. Witherell, D. P. Yenen, L. B Stanley, S. Hazeltine, E. M. Webster, and A. L. Callendar, and it was organized by virtue of same on the 31st day of same month, with W. A. Ward as T. I. M., W. F. Stanley D. I. M., and 0. Phillips P. C. W. It was chartered October 13, 1866, and constituted under same November 20, 1866. Past T. I. M.'s: W. A. Ward, W. F. Stanley, E. A. Stone. Membership, January 1, 1878, twenty-two. The stated assemblies meet on the first Tuesday of each month.

Cache Commandery, No. 27, Knights Templar. - Dispensation issued by Grand Commandery of Ohio, at Columbus, October 3, 1872. Organized November 20, 1S72. Dispensation members, W. A. Ward, W. F. Stanley, Samuel Hazeltine, Oliver Phillips, E. A. Stone. A. K. Smith, D. W. Hutchinson, D. Russell, James Hannon, E. Backenstose, and Elie Eley. W. A. Ward was appointed first Em. Com., S. Hazeltine Gen., and E. A. Stone C. G. Chartered September 4, 1873, and constituted September 25, 1873, Sir B. D. Babcock, of Oriental commandery, No. 12, Cleveland, as proxy of Rt. Em. Gr. Commander, presiding. Dr. Ward continued to serve the commandery as Eminent Commander until December, 1877, having been re-elected at each succeeding annual election for over six years, and at that date was succeeded by Dr. A. K. Fifield.

This commandery participated in the Templar parade at Cleveland, Ohio, at the triennial conclave of the Grand Encampment of the United States, in August, 1877, one of the finest pageants ever witnessed in that city, turning out over forty knights, Sir C. W. Hall acting as Captain General. It has a splendid array of banners, paraphernalia, etc., and Conneaut, considering geographical position and population, is fortunate in having such an organization, as they are scarcely known outside of our cities. Membership, January 1, 1878, forty-seven. This body meets on the third Monday of each month.

Grand Army Op The Republic

Custer Post, No. 9, was organized October 16, 1876, with fifteen charter members. The following are their respective names, rank, and regiment : T. J. Carlin, captain, Second Ohio Battery; A. K. Fifield, surgeon, Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; M. D. Townsend, private, Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry ; Calvin Crane, drum-major, Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; W. W. Crane, first lieutenant, Seventh Kansas Cavalry ; L. Harper, corporal, Twenty-ninth Ohio V olunteer Infantry ; N. L. Guthery, corporal, Second Ohio Battery ; Alex. Brewer, private, Second Ohio Battery ; D. M. Fox, private, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; A. W. Mills, sergeant, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Lorenzo Norton, private, Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; E. L. Sturtevant, corporal, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry; J. Ferguson, private, First New York Artillery ; Delos Armstrong, Private, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh New York Infantry; Chancy L. Andrews, private, Second Ohio Battery.

It numbers now (January 1, 1878) forty-six men. The following are the names and rank of the officers: M. D. Townsend, Post Commander ; Lewis Harper, Senior V. Commander; W. W. Crane, Junior V. Commander; Delos Armstrong, Adjutant; C. L. Andrews, Quartermaster ; W. A. Ward, Surgeon ; T. J. Carlin, Chaplain ; A. W. Mills, Officer of the Day ; A. Brewer, Officer of the Guard.

Independent Order Of Good Templars

The lodge kept up an existence for a little over six years, and during a portion of the time numbered a large membership, and accomplished much work in the temperance cause. The following-named persons held the office of W. C. T. : T. J. Carlin, Rev. 0. T. Wyman, J. P. Rieg, C. W. Benton, and A. R. Thurber.

Eureka Council, No. 1, Royal Templars of Temperance, was instituted at Conneaut, January 25, 1878, by Supreme Lecturer A. J. Winship, of Angola, New York. The officers chosen for the present year are F. A. Loomis, S. C. ; M. D. Townsend, V. C. ; E. A. Stone, P. C. ; J. E. Gerould, Chaplain; T. C. Baudle, H. ; L. V. Stone, Sec. ; W. W. Kinney, Treas. ; D. Phillips, G. ; D. C. Turner, Sent.

This society is a secret organization, having for its object the promotion of the cause of temperance, and also to afford reliable life insurance to temperance people. Its principles are founded on hope, love, and truth. Its membership consists of three classes, - first, active members, males, above the age of eighteen and under sixty years ; second, honorary members, males, above the age of sixty ; and, third, life members, females, generally the wives and daughters of the other two classes. It is a new organization, growing out of the Murphy temperance movement of 1877, and Eureka council was the first organized in this State. Its membership numbers sixty-one.

Fire Department

Conneaut Fire-Engine and Hose Company was organized in 1841, with about twenty members. An engine was bought of the Great Falls fire-engine and hose company, for which three hundred dollars were paid. John Reid was the first foreman, and G. S. Cleveland the first treasurer, of the company.

In 1850 the old company was reorganized as the Cataract fire-engine and hose company, at which time the present Cataract engine - twenty-two men power - was purchased for one thousand dollars. It is one of the best men-power engines in the country, and has been proven the best in the county at several friendly contests.

The Cataract Fire Company has been composed of reliable, active young and middle-aged citizens, who have proven themselves very efficient in several instances of fire. The company have a pleasant room in the new town-house in which to hold meetings, besides large rooms for the engines.

The present officers are C. Hayward, foreman : W. W. Armstrong, first assistant ; E. G. Atwood, second assistant ; C. W. Hall, secretary ; 0. W. Germond, treasurer. The company numbers about forty members.

Two carriage-manufactories, two planing- and matching-mills, one cabinet-shop and furniture-factory, two flouring-mills (one a steam- and the other a water-mill), two paper-mills, and D. Cummins' canning-house, just outside the village limits, constitute the principal manufacturing interests of Conneaut.

The Conneaut River paper company employs constantly from twenty to twentyfive hands, runs day and night, and manufactures from one and one-half to two tons of manilla paper per day. The company also manufactures flour-sacks and floursack paper. The mills were built in 1871 by a stock company, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. The first officers were Isaac Skinner, president ; Cyrus Cleveland, secretary and treasurer ; T. S. Norton, superintendent ; J. S. Skinner,

C. Cleveland. H. S. Stearns, H. D. Cook, Julius Williams, S. J. Smith, and T. S. Norton, directors. In 1875 the mills were bought by S. J. Smith, C. Cleveland, and J. Hicks, and in 1877, Mr. Smith purchased Mr. Cleveland's interest, and is now proprietor of the mills. The machine-room is ninety by thirty feet, and the rag engine-room forty-four by fifty feet, and three stories high. The mills are run in part by water-power and in part by steam, - the engine-room containing two engines, one one hundred and fifty horse-power, and one fifty horse-power, with three boilers of sufficient capacity to correspond.

D. Cummins' canning-house, at Conneaut Centre, is second only to the papermills in importance among the manufacturing interests of the place. He has been engaged for about fifteen years in gardening, and for the past few years has conducted a large canning business in connection. His present canning establishment, erected in 1877, is a building fifty by seventy-two feet, two stories high and basement, and cost over three thousand dollars. Mr. Cummins puts up about one hundred thousand cans of tomatoes and corn annually. He manufactures his own cans, and consumes forty thousand feet of lumber in manufacturing boxes to ship in.

The business status of the village of Conneaut makes the following exhibit at this date, April, 1878: five dry-goods and general merchandise stores, six grocery-stores, three clothing-stores, one boot and shoe store, two fancy goods stores, four drug and book stores, five millinery-stores, three hardware-stores, two furniture-stores, three jewelry-stores, two photograph-parlors, two banks, three hotels, three restaurants, three bakeries, two harness-shops, one carriage-trimming shop, three markets, one printing-office, one paper-mill, two flouring-mills, two carriagemanufactories, two planing- and matching-mills, one machine-shop, one cabinetshop and furniture-factory, one marble-shop, one tannery, one barrel-factory, three boot and shoe shops, five livery-stables, five blacksmith-shops, two lawyers' offices, two dentists, six physicians.

Banking

The Conneaut Mutual Loan Association was organized April 20, 1871, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, in shares of two hundred and fifty dollars each. The first board of directors consisted of Cyrus Cleveland, Abner Kellogg, Josiah Hicks, H. D. Cook, E. A. Keyes, S. Hayward, and J. S. Stearns; C. Cleveland, president, and S. Hayward, cashier. January 1, 1872, S. Hayward was elected president, and E. A. Higgins cashier. In April, 1874, Mr. Higgins retired, and Charles Hayward was appointed teller, and January 1, 1875, elected cashier. The officers for 1878 are: Directors, C. Cleveland, Charles Hall, Hiram Judson, S. J. Smith, S. Hayward, Conneaut ; A. Kellogg, Jefferson; L. D. Kellogg, Ashtabula ; S. Hayward, president ; Charles Hayward, cashier. The association owns and occupies nineteen feet front of Monroe block, corner Main and Washington streets, three stories and basement, valued at three thousand six hundred dollars.

Conneaut Cemetery

A more beautiful spot for a burial-place is rarely to be found. Located in the southwestern part of the village, on a fine rise of ground that forms a portion of the north bank of Conneaut creek, it has a natural beauty and adaptation to the purposes for which it is used, which, supplemented by the great pains taken by the citizens in their efforts to further beautify it, make it one of the finest cemeteries to be found anywhere in towns of similar size. 'Squire Aaron Wright, one of the first settlers of this township, in the year 1826 made a donation to the village of one acre of ground, which the present limits of the cemetery now include, and afterwards adjacent ground was added, until now it embraces about ten acres. The cemetery contains many very elegant and costly monuments, and the people are justified in taking great pride in their beautiful cemetery.

Town Hall

This fine structure - an engraving of which may be seen elsewhere in this volume - was built in 1876, and cost twenty thousand dollars. It is a two-story brick building, fifty by eighty feet, containing in the first story (fifteen feet high) the mayor's office, the clerk's office, the voting-room, fireman's room, enginerooms, and lock-up, and in the second story (twenty-two feet high) a large, fine hall, capable of seating about six hundred people. This elegant building reflects great credit on the people of Conneaut, and shows them to be animated with the spirit of enterprise and progress.

Biographical Sketches Hon. Daniel C. Allen

Among those who are widely known to and highly esteemed by the people of this county is he whose name heads this sketch. Prominently connected with the material interests of the county, and especially of his own township, which he labored in a signal manner to promote ; occupying a position as the editor of an influential newspaper, which, through many years, carried his name, his words, and his influence to the firesides of a large number of residents in the county ; stanch and persistent in the advocacy of measures calculated to improve the habits and morals of his fellow-men ; his has been a career of which any citizen might well feel proud.

Mr. Allen was born in Sommer Hill, Cortland county, New York. January 10, 1818. He died in Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio, March 5, 1878. M hen fifteen years of age he commenced to learn the printers trade at Cortland, Xew York, and in 1837 came to Conneaut, Ohio, and began work in the Gazette office. In the following January he associated himself with a Mr. Finch, and began the publication of the only daily paper ever published in Ashtabula County. It was called The Budget. It was devoted chiefly to news relating to the troubles in Canada at that time. Mr. Allen, as soon as navigation opened, walked to the harbor - two and a half miles - every evening to gather the latest intelligence, upon the arrival of the daily steamer from Buffalo, for his paper, which would appear the next morning, and on which he would work until a late hour in the night, so as to issue it early in the morning, and have it delivered by carriers to its readers at hreakfast-time. The Gazette suspended June 12, 1841, for lack of patronage, but on the 11th day of September, of the same year, its publication was resumed by Messrs. Allen and Tait. In September of the year 1842, Mr. Allen retired from connection with the paper, and the following April it ceased to exist. The inconvenience of not having a newspaper was soon appreciated by the people of Conneaut, and in the winter of 1843 - 44, Mr. Allen raised a small amount of money, went to Buffalo, and purchased new material, which he transported from that place as one wagon-load, and in January of 1844 issued the first number of the Conneaut Reporter. The struggle for a long time was a severe one. It required great business tact, indomitable perseverance, rigid economy, and unremitting toil to establish the paper on a paying basis. Mr. Allen possessing in a high degree these essentials, succeeded when most other men would have failed. Under his management the paper became remunerative for the labor expended upon it. It seldom happens in the history of journalism that so long and fierce a battle, with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, is so successfully maintained, and in the end so signally won, as was the case in this instance. In 1860 he sold the establishment to John P. Rieg, Esq., the present proprietor of the Reporter.

To show the character of Mr. Allen and to illustrate his adherence to principle and to his convictions, we give the following incident in his life :

In the spring of 1847, at the township election, when a vote was taken for -- license" and " no license," Mr. Allen, being a stanch temperance man, took a decided stand against license. The feeling ran high, and the excitement was great. The license men were bitterly incensed against Air. Allen for his course. After counting the vote and ascertaining that the license party had been successful, Mr. Allen was called out into a shed and was faced by two men with whips in their hands, since quite prominent citizens, who demanded a retraction in his paper of what he had said against license. This he refused to do. and the men would undoubtedly have executed their threats of violence but for the timely arrival of some of Air. Allen's friends. In the next issue of the paper, instead of a retraction, appeared a full account of the dastardly attack, with the names of the two assailants published in full.

He lost about fifty subscribers from among the license party, but this fact nor nothing else could make him swerve from his honest convictions.

In 1858 and 1859, Air. Allen represented his county in the Ohio house of representatives. His name being the first on the roll of members, he was invariably called upon for the first " aye" or " no" on all questions, and so prompt and decided were his responses that the house tendered him a unanimous vote of commendation on the last day of its session. In Alarch, 1861, he was made postmaster

On the 16th day of February, 1840, he was united in marriage with Rachel L. Gifford, daughter of Elijah and Esther Stevens Gifford, of Conneaut. Air. and Airs. Allen have been the parents of six children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows :

Air. Allen was for forty years a member of the Baptist church. He was a prominent and influential member of the Republican party. He was connected with a lodge of Good Templars, and was ever, both in his life and teaching, a strong advocate of temperance. For more than twenty years he was a prominent member of the Conneaut Agricultural society, holding the office of secretary and treasurer of that society for about eighteen years from its organization. His life was one of great usefulness, and his death was deeply and widely deplored.

Dr. Dayid Webster Rayaioxd

DR. DAYID WEBSTER RAYAIOXD was born in the town of Austerlitz, county of Columbia, and State of Xew York, on the 7th day of Xovember, 1808, he being the sixth of a family of nine children, as follows : Alargarette, Lucretia, Cynthia, Isaac, William, David W., Betsey AL, James X., and Catherine. In the winter of 1819, the family moved from Austerlitz to West Springfield, Erie county, Pennsylvania, where the doctor's father, Jacob Raymond, died Alarch 28, 1829 ; while his mother, Elizabeth, died at his residence in Conneaut, August 25, 1851. At the age of twenty-three, he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Fenton, of Conneaut, finishing his course with Dr. Peck, of Attica, Genesee county, Xew York, and graduating on the 14th day of January, 1833, in the Fairfield Aledical college, county of Herkimer, and State of Xew York, his diploma bearing the signature of the venerable Dr. Wested Willoughby, June 22. 1833. He established himself as a physician in Rome, Ashtabula County, remaining there a few months upwards of two years. In Xovember, 1833, he came to Conneaut, and formed a copartnership with the late Dr. Greenleaf Fifield, which existed until July 11, 1839. Alay 1, 1836, he was married to Frances J., daughter of Dr. L. L. and Jerusha C. Chester, of Rome. By this marriage three children were born, as follows : Ellen A., Alay 4, 1837. She was liberally educated, and became a most accomplished musician. Xovember 30, 1871, she was married to Air. James W. Sutherland, of Xeodesha. Kansas, where she is still living. Lee Chester, the second child, was born April 27, 1843. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the Second Ohio Battery, serving for thirteen months as a corporal, when he was honorably discharged on account of sickness. Restored to health, in the spring of 1864 he commenced the study of medicine with his father, finishing his course with Dr. J. C. Hubbard, of Ashtabula, and receiving his diploma from the Bellevue Hospital Aledical college, Xew York city, February 28, 1867. Having graduated with honor, he established himself in his father's office, where he practiced until February, 1873. September 12, 1867, he was married to Aliss Elizabeth Burgess. February 27. 1873, accompanied by his wife, he went to San Francisco, California, where he continued with marked success in the practice of medicine until the time of his death, which occurred Alay 15, 1876, leaving his widow and an only son, Lee Burgess Raymond, who was born Alay 3, 1874, to mourn his untimely death. His remains, accompanied by his wife and child, were brought to Conneaut for burial, and now rest by the side of those of his father. Henry Atkins, the youngest, was born October 30, 1845, and died July 2, 1846.

December 4, 1S48, his wife Frances J. died, and Alarch 4, 1850, he was again married to Aliss Alary L., eldest daughter of Thomas and Lucretia Gibson. From this marriage no children were born, and Airs. Raymond is still living.

Dr. Raymond died in Conneaut, June 18, 1865, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. For thirty-three years he had been a leading and most universally successful physician. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. The immediate cause of his death was the result of an injury which he received at the age of fourteen, and which had made him a cripple for life.

Captaix Oxey Salisbury

is the youngest of a family of six children. He was born in Cortland county, Xew York, in the year 1812. His parents were Olender and Rebecca Tolbert Salisbury, the former of whom was born in Gloucester, Rhode Island, October 19, 1772, and the latter in Killingly, Connecticut. The family removed to Ohio, and located in Conneaut township, in October, 1822. The father died here in 1850, and the mother some three years previous. Captain Salisbury was educated prior to his removal to Ohio. At the age of fourteen years he commenced his seafaring life as a cook on the " Conneaut Packet was on her two seasons, then went " before the mast" on the " New Connecticut" two seasons. The season of 1834 he was in command of the sloop " Dart," and the following spring sailed as captain of the schooner " Commercial ;" and from this time until the year 1865, when he retired to his farm, he sailed as commander on eight sail- and eleven steam-vessels. Two years of this time, however, viz., 1849 and 1850, he remained ashore, and during this time built the Empire flouring-mill at Conneaut. This was a fine mill. During the entire time the captain sailed he never met with any serious misfortune, and never cost an insurance company one dollar ; and when he retired he was well and favorably known throughout the entire chain of lakes. On December 10, 1837, Captain Salisbury was married to Miss Sarah Benjamin. The children of this marriage are as follows : Loren G., born November 19, 1838, married Ellen Castle, resides in Conneaut; Ellen A., born May, 1840, married Theron A. Macumber; Frank D., born December 3, 1843, married M. E. Griswold, - he, with Milo 0., who was born December 24, 1844, and married Ida Parker, resides on the old homestead. The next three children are deceased, viz., Sarah B., Mary E., and Oney W. The captain and his estimable wife are regular attendants at the Christian church at Conneaut. Politically, Captain Salisbury is stanch and true to the teachings of the Bepublican party, as are his sons. He was an Odd-Fellow from the commencement of a lodge in Conneaut till its close, and is at present a member of Evergreen lodge, F. and A. Masons, of Conneaut, Ohio.

was born in Burke, Caledonia county, State of Vermont, September 8, 1807. He removed to Ohio with his parents in 1819, and died in Conneaut, Ohio, March G, 1877. Mr. Burington was well and popularly known as a man of high character and standing. He was an accomplished and thoroughly scientific mechanic, skillful, and competent for any position as an artisan and builder. His name and avocation have been for the past thirty years or more identified with the building and completion of the United States public works upon the entire chain of lakes, and perhaps no other individual has filled so prominent a position in this line of duty as Mr. Burington. He was engaged upon nearly all the public improvements from Mackinaw to Buffalo, consisting of light-houses, beacon-lights, public piers, jetties, etc. He possessed a singular and happy power of attraction, and secured the respect and affection of all those with whom he was engaged ; especially was this the case with the United States topographical engineers, their assistants, clerks, etc.

As an artisan his experience was ripened by long services ; his judgment good, sound, and reliable. Thus was it easy for him to win and retain confidence in his ability, integrity, and purity of character.

In the death of Mr. Burington, a man of exalted standing was removed, leaving a void that cannot easily be filled. His death was deeply lamented.

He was married, in the year 1836, to Miss Mary A. Lewis, of Conneaut, who survives him as his widow. Their issue was seven children, three of whom have died and four survive, - two sons and two daughters. They are all married.

Thomas Gibson

was born in Windham county, Connecticut, on the 6th day of September, 1800. He is the sixth of a family of nine, the children of James and Elizabeth Gibson, of the before-mentioned point, and who resided there until their decease. Mr. Gibson was educated at the district school in his native place, and for some nine years after attaining his majority was employed in the cotton-mills in different parts of Connecticut. At the age of thirty years (1830) he removed to Ohio, and located in the same township which is now his home. Soon after his arrival he became a partner in the firm of Farnham & Gibson, and erected the grist-mill yet known as the " Farnham mill." There was also a saw-mill in connection. He continued in this business some three years, when he disposed of his interest and purchased and located upon the farm he now occupies, - lots 42 and 54, - consisting at present of two hundred acres. The business of his life since his occupancy of the farm has been that of stock-raising and farming. He has served as trustee of Conneaut township for some fourteen years ; was first elected in 1842. Mr. Gibson was united in marriage, on December 23, 1822, to Lucretia, daughter of Thomas and

Abigail Farnham, of Hampton, Windham county, Connecticut. From this union have been born to them the following children, viz. : Charles C.,born April 11, 1824, married Loanda Moon (deceased) ; Mary L., born January 6, 1826, married Dr. D. W. Raymond, and now resides in Conneaut village ; Maria E., born January 22, 1828, married James M. Fifield, also a resident of Conneaut ; Henry C., born May 2, 1832 (died young) ; Julia L., born September 8, 1834, married George C. Brown, now living in Jefferson county, Kansas; John M., born January 25, 1838, married Roxy R. Burington, is living on the old homestead ; Thomas F., born May 9, 1840, married Mary Clark, resides in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Politically, Mr. Gibson is heartily in sympathy with the Republican party, and his religious views are in unison with the teachings of the Universalist church.

A. C. Dibble

the son of Ezra and Deborah Dibble, was born in the State of New York, August 10, 1810. Mr. A. C. Dibble has resided in the township of Conneaut since 1825. His father was a native of Massachusetts, where he was born June 30, 1778, and his mother, of Conneaut. The date of her birth is November 14, 1781. His mother died in Conneaut township, August 7, 1848, and his father in the same place, February 15, 1856. Mr. Dibble came to Ashtabula County with his parents in 1810. His education was such as he was able to acquire in the common district schools during the winter months of his boyhood. Mr. Dibble is a useful and worthy citizen, and has ever been held in high esteem by his fellow-denizens. He has held numerous offices in his township ; has been justice of the peace since 1854 ; has held the office of township trustee and assessor. In 1834, March 15, he was united in marriage with Diadena de Marauville. Their children have been Deborah A., born October 10, 1841, who was married to Rufus Frock, and now living in Amboy ; and Ezra H. Dibble, bom October 3, 1844, is married and is living in Dallas county, Iowa. Mr. Dibble lost his wife April 27, 1874, and on the 1st day of October, 1876, married Ellen M. Fuller, with whom he is now living. A Republican in politics and a member of the Free and Accepted Masonic society, he occupies an influential position among his neighbors, by all of whom he is held in high esteem.

Elisha Farnham

This gentleman was of Puritan origin. His father and grandfather participated in the Revolutionary struggle, and he inherited the same spirit of loyalty. He contributed liberally in aid of the flag during the Rebellion. Mr. Farnham was born in Hampton, Connecticut, June 8, 1806, and was the sixth of a family of ten children. His parents, Thomas and Abigail Farnham, were by no means wealthy, and his advantages for schooling were limited, yet he acquired a good common-school education. Being the eldest son, he was, at an early age, obliged to rely on his own resources ; beside, a portion of his wages were contributed to the support of his father's family. He learned the machinist trade, and it is said was a skillful workman. In the fall of 1830 he packed his worldly effects in a knapsack and came to Conneaut, Ohio, locating on land still occupied by his heirs. He erected in 1841 the grist-mill on the south ridge, still in operation, - at present owned by his son. Mr. Farnham, with good health, a strict adherence to business, and a Connecticut birthright combined, accumulated a competence. His death occurred on October 4, 1875. Mr. Farnham was twice married: first to Mary A. Ring, of Conneaut, Ohio, November 14, 1833. This lady died August 11, 1849, and on January 30, 1850, he was again married ; this time to Mrs. Harriet A. Sanborn, who is still living. The children, who were all born from the first marriage, are as follows : D. Alphonso, born June 5, 1835, married Sophia Brooks ; he was a soldier of the Union army during the Rebellion, and died in the service. Flora, the next child, was born June 12, 1837 ; she is now the wife of our popular sheriff, T. S. Young. P. Henry, born November 14, 1838, married Mary Mallory, and lives in Conneaut. Mary, boru February 27, 1841, married Martin Reals. Lydia E., born March 30, 1843, married C. L. Fuller, who was drowned in Lake Erie. Emily, the last child, was born September 21, 1847 ; married Wm. G. Buss. Mr. Farnham held many positions of trust, and was for many years a township officer. He was not only a worthy citizen, but an obliging neighbor and an indulgent husband and father.

Mrs. Lydia King

This lady, who is the widow of Benjamin Howard King, is daughter of Avery and Lydia Proctor Moulton, whose nativity was, the former, Amesbury, Massachusetts, and the latter Kingston, New Hampshire. Mrs. King was boru in Loudon, New Hampshire, in May, 1794. Her parents removed to Stanstead, where her father died in 1828. The mother came to Ohio, and died in Conneaut, November. 1S65. The education of Mrs. King was acquired at Stanstead; was married in 1818, and her husband died in 1852, and left her on a farm, but having no heirs, the property reverted to her husband's brothers. She, however, bought them out, and eventually sold the farm to the late D. C. Allen. Mrs. King is a very worthy woman, and has been a member of the Christian church for more than fifty-five years.

Calvin Poole, Jr

Calvin Poole, father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Connecticut. When twenty years of age removed to 'the State of New York, and, it is said, taught the first school west of the Genesee river. His wife was Hannah Perkins. Of their four children, Calvin was the youngest, and is now the only one living. He was boru in Genesee, Livingston county, New York, on April 22, 1811. His parents removed to \\ heatland, New York, in 1812, and his mother died there in 1813. In the year 1819, Calvin was "bound out" to one Francis Smith ; remained with him until 1832, and during this time was not allowed the advantages of school. After leaving him, drove team one year, for twelve dollars per mouth. On December 1, 1834, he was married to Miss Harriet Trowbridge, and started soon for Ohio. He, however, went no farther than Allegheny county, New York. Here he made his first purchase of land. This was forty acres, for which he paid four hundred dollars. Remained on this farm only one year, when he sold out, and again started westward, halting this time at North East, Pennsylvania, for one year, and from this time until the date of his removal to Conneaut (February, 1873) resided in New York and Pennsylvania. While in New York did some military duty; was in 1841 appointed on the staff of Colonel Stoner, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Regiment, receiving his commission from Hon. William H. Seward. In 1855 was appointed steward of the Erie county almshouse, and retained the position until bis removal to Ohio, as above. In April, 1S74, began the mercantile business, in connection with Jno. A. Caldwell, at Conneaut village, and is yet engaged in that avocation. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Poole are as follows: Dolly 31., who was born August 14, 1836; her present husband is C. R. Buchling ; resides at Erie, Pennsylvania. Daniel P., born August 22, 1837 ; died October, 1859. Delia D., born November 26, 1838 ; married John A. Caldwell; resides at Conneaut, Ohio. Emeline E.,born March 15, 1840 ; married Bensone Bingham ; home at North East, Pennsylvania. John C., born November 9, 1S42 ; enlisted August, 1862, in One Hundred and Fortyfifth Pennsylvania; was wounded May 12, 1864, at battle of the Wilderness, in left knee, from which it became necessary to amputate the limb; this he endured with heroic fortitude : was removed to Fredericksburg, and died there on the 26th of same month. Almost his last words were, " I am glad that I died for my country." The next child was Henry P., who was born November 18, 1843 ; he married Mary W. Brown ; lives in Conneaut. Harriet S., the last child, born September 20, 1850, married Dennis McCarty, and is now resident of Ashtabula. Politically, Mr. Poole is a Republican, and feels a just " pride in belonging to that grand party." There are perhaps few men in the township who have battled with the strong current any more successfully than has he, and in closing he pays to his companion in life the highest compliment possible : " She always made our home pleasant.''

Plin Smith

It was in Sheldon, Franklin county, Vermont, on the 5th day of August, 1802, that the subject of the following sketch was born. His father, John Smith, who was born in New London, Connecticut, died when Plin was fourteen years of age; he, however, remained at home until 1821, when he came to Ohio, the greater part of the way on foot. Arrived at the house of his uncle, Roger Cadwell, in Andover, on February 15 of that year. His first business on reaching this wilderness was chopping. To procure an axe, he cut an acre of heavy timber and piled the brush ; he estimates that this axe and helve cost him at least seven dollars. He then hired out to chop, and continued to prosecute this vocation until he had cleared one hundred acres of forest. From the effect of this labor he became an invalid, and returned to his native place. In doing this he was so fortuuatc as to engage for a gentleman to drive cattle over the mountains to Philadelphia. B. F. Wade was his companion, and they received for their services.nine dollars per month ; arrived home, he learned the trade of wagon-making. On January 25, 1829, was married to Aurelia, daughter of John Weeks, of Sheldon, Vermont, and the subsequent October started again for Ohio, and after some two weeks spent on the road arrived at the above-mentioned uncle's bouse, purchased twenty-five acres of wild land, put up a log house, and began house-keeping. The first wagon he built was hewn from the adjacent timber, his wife assisting him in turning the hubs, and also in sawing logs from which to make the rails necessary to fence their farm. They have lived in Richmond and Austinburg township, but the greater part of their lives was passed in Andover. They are living in Conneaut. The children of this venerable pioneer couple are Philo, born June 6, 1830, married Elsie Frink, and lives in Madison, Lake county ; Jasctte, born November 4, 1832; she is the wife of E. B. Linn, M.D.. Richmond township; Sagito, born August 23. 1834, married Alicia Lake, and lives in Conneaut. Delia was born April 17, 1836. married Olmstead Baker, and now resides at Andover. Mary was born March 28, 1838; she is now the wife of the Rev. L. E. Beardsley, of Akron, Ohio. John Harrison was bom March 29, 1840, married Martha Hartshorn, and lives at Frayer. Iowa. Aurelia, bom March 12, 1842, married Cyrenus Laughlin ; home at Rouseville, Pennsylvania. Eliza Ann. the next child, was born March 19, 1844 ; died May 29, 1867. Plin Weeks, born January 1, 1847, married Mary Kelley, and lives in Chicago, Illinois. Aurelia A. was bora May 6, 1849; her husband is Professor N. L. Guthrie, of Conneaut. Lizzie H., born December 12, 1853, married Chas. Morris, and lives at Millerstown. They have been life-long members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

General Henry Keyes

is an only child ; was bom on the 16th day of November, 1793, in New Marlboro', Massachusetts. His parents, Elias and Phebe Keyes, removed from that point to Ohio, in 1814, and made settlement in Conneaut township. The education of the general was obtained in his native State prior to his removal to Ohio ; arriving here his life has been spent in farming, he being now an extensive landowner and capitalist. Has held numerous offices in his township ; was first mayor of the village of Conneaut. The title by which he is familiarly known was given him years since, he having been commissioned as such in the State militia. January 19, 1819, he was married to Mary Cale, of Conneaut. The children of this union are Henry P.. born February 14, 1820; married Sarah M. Huntington. Alvin C., born October 25, 1821 ; married Minnie Rupp. These two children reside at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mary C., the next child, was born November 14, 1823 ; she married Edward Grant, now living in Conneaut. In 1824 occurred the death of Mrs. General Keyes, and on July 9, 1829, he was again married, to Vesta Bates, from Cummington, 31 ass. Seven children have been born to them, viz., 31 arcus B., who married Louisa Gordon, deceased ; 3Iartin B., married Ann Eliza Lloyd; Charles W., died in 1854; Elias A., married Charlotte E. Trenton ; Phebe A., Russel 31., and 3Iilo O. Of these, all living reside in Conneaut, except those designated above.

Benoni Andrews

was a practical and successful farmer and dairyman, industrious, energetic, determined, and persevering in character. The manufacture of dairy products was his specialty, in which he was self-taught and eminently successful, having been awarded the first premiums at the State fairs in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Zanesville, and Sandusky, and winning for his products prices far above the general market. He was a critical observer, analyzing and comparing in order to understand the philosophy of his manipulations. He was a good financier, meeting his obligations promptly, and never suffered the humiliation of a dun. He performed the duties of magistrate with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow- citizens.

In his domestic relations he was kind and affectionate, an obliging neighbor, and a true friend. As a temperance man he was a model, his only beverage being water. He yielded his influence and gave his support to all movements for elevating the condition of humanity, morally, intellectually, and religiously. He was bitterly opposed to the extension or perpetuation of slavery, and well acquainted with the working of the " underground railroad." From an earnest Whig he became an active Republican, and gave the party his warmest support. He was a warm friend of education, and gave several of his large family the advantages of academical instruction.

Benoni Andrews was born on the 8th day of April, 1809, in the town of German, county of Chenango, New York. He emigrated to Wayne with his father's family in the year 1821. He was married to Betsy Palmater in 1S25. He soon purchased about three hundred acres of wild land on credit, lying on the north and south centre road, near the north line of the township, which he cleared, improved, paid for, and on which he erected good farm buildings without pecuniary assistance. Here he carried on his busiuess until the financial inflation of 1865, when he sold the entire property at inflation prices, and moved his homestead to Conneaut, where he died April 27, 1876, at the age of sixty-seven.

Rev. Orrin T. Wyman

This gentleman was born at Millville, Orleans county, New York, August 25, 1836. His parents, who were natives of New England, were Oliver and Emily Wyman. The mother is yet living ; the father died in 1861. The education of the Rev. Mr. Wyman was academic. In 1855, feeling the need of a better preparation for the ministry, he, in September, entered " Meadville Theological School" for one year, then became a pupil of Antioch college (Yellow Springs, Ohio). Sickness obliged him to leave this school after two mouths. September, 1857, returned to Meadville, Pennsylvania, completed a three-years' course, and graduated June, 1859. About October 1, 1854, he left home with an uncle - Rev. S. H. Morse, evangelist - to assist in revival meetings in Chautauqua county, New York. Preached his first sermon at Fluvanna, New York, January 14, 1855. After leaving school continued his studies, and supplied churches at different points in Orleans and Chautauqua counties. Was ordained at a special session of Erie Christian conference, called for that purpose at De Wittville, New York. June,

1862, and on the 15th of same month delivered his first sermon in the Christian church at Conneaut, Ohio. The membership, when he became pastor of this church, was not numerous, but during the sixteen years he has been in charge, he has raised its membership to two hundred and fifty, and has thoroughly repaired the church edifice. His labors have certainly been crowned with merited success. He is a strong advocate of temperance, and a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars and Royal Templars of Temperance. In politics, Republican. He is also president of the Erie Christian conference, and a trustee of " Christian Biblical Institute," at Stanfordville, New York.

On the 7th of September, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss T. V., daughter of Newell and Lucy Putnam, also natives of the New England States. This estimable lady received an academic education, and was a teacher for several terms. She is also a member of the Christian church.

It may appear to the reader, perhaps, that the history of this, the pioneer township of Ashtabula County, should be of length commensurate with the date of settlement. To such we have but to say that, as those who came here eighty years ago have finished their labors, and, in many instances, have left no descendants, we have been compelled in the preparation of this history to depend almost entirely upon tradition for details, except in the case of the first three families. As we have received it so it is given to you, and the simple fact that we do not manufacture history must be our apology for its brevity.

In the year 1797 a number of persons residing in Harpersfield, Delaware county, New York, formed themselves into a company, and in June of that year entered into a contract with Oliver Phelps and Gideon Granger, of the Connecticut land company, for six townships of land in what was then termed New Connecticut, at the Northwestern Territory. The present township of Harpersfield was one of the six so purchased. This company was comprised, in part, of the following persons : Aaron Wheeler, William McFarland, Roswell Hotchkiss, and Alexander and Joseph Harper. The September following a committee was sent to Ohio for the purpose of ascertaining " how the land lay." After due search it was decided that Harpersfield was the most eligible locality in which to commence settlement, and accordingly, on March 7, 1798, Alexander Harper, William McFarland, and Ezra Gregory, with their families, and Benjamin Hartwell took their departure from old Harpersfield for this " El Dorado" or " land of promise." Arriving at Rome, New York, they remained until the 1st of May, at which time the journey was resumed ; first in boats to Queenstown, from thence by teams to Fort Erie, going up on the Canada shore, as there were at that time no roads west of the Genesee river ; in fact, there were but three families in Buffalo, and only a garrison at Fort Erie. At this point they found a small vessel (which was used to transport stores for the garrison) about ready to sail. In this a passage was secured for the families and a small quantity of provisions. The vessel was too heavily loaded to admit of much additional weight. It is thought that this vessel was the only one owned on the American side of Lake Erie. Arriving at the Peninsula, they were, after a week, enabled to procure small boats, with which to complete the journey, and by the aid of which they arrived at the mouth of the stream now known as Cunningham creek on June 28, 1798, and the first night encamped on the beach of the lake, with no other shelter than the " starrydecked canopy of heaven." The following day they cut a road through to what is now Harpersfield, and at evening made an encampment in the northwest corner of the township ; and it was here, near the residence of Phineas Pixley, that Alexander Harper erected the first log house in the township, and undoubtedly within the present limits of Ashtabula County. The evening of their arrival, however, a rude bark hut was constructed beneath the wide-spread branches of a giant tree. This must have been a capacious affair at least, for we learn that the whole colony - consisting of twenty-fite individuals of all sizes - found an abidingplace for some three weeks within its walls.

William McFarland located originally east of Unionville, where he remained a few years, eventually removing to the south side of Grand river, and made a permanent location on lot No. 76 (now owned by F. B. Brakeman), where he resided until his decease, March 20, 1820. He was a valued member of the colony. And we have often heard the title "Uncle Mack" used in connection with the school days of our honored mothers, - he having taught several terms of school. Ezra Gregory also went south to the river, living for perhaps one year on lot 80 ; removing in the fall of 1799 farther up the stream, and making a permanent location on lot No. 90.

Mr. or " Judge" Gregory, as he was familiarly called, was also a public-spirited man, and it was through his efforts that many early improvements in the township were brought about.

In July, 1799, Joseph Harper and family joined the colony, and in October of the same year Aaron Wheeler and family arrived, and with them John Harper, and located near the present Episcopal church. This year also Daniel and Abraham Bartholomew, and a sister, Betsey, from Wooster, Otsego county, New York, arrived in the township, and located on lot No. 9, erecting a log house a little north of where now stands the residence of Orlando Miller. Late the same fall Daniel returned for his family, which consisted of a wife and four children (the youngest of whom, Daniel B., is yet living, and is thought to be the oldest pioneer resident of the township), and on March 3, 1800, arrived at the mouth of Cowles creek. The ice upon which they had driven from Buffalo had parted from the shore, and much difficulty was experienced in effecting a landing. In June, 1801, Ebenezer Hewins and a brother, William, originally from Stockbridge, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, arrived in the township and located, the former opposite the present residence of B. D. Bartholomew. Remained there until the winter of 1811, when he removed to the house now occupied by D. M. Dow, keeping in this house the pioneer hotel, known in old staging times as " The Bull." Mr. Hewins was an upright, honorable man, and for many years associate judge of the common pleas court of Ashtabula County; was also county commissioner, filling that and other county offices to the satisfaction of his constituents. His brother William located on the farm now occupied by his son, William A.

In 1802, John Brakeman, of Davenport, Otsego county, New York, arrived in the township, and located on lot No. 77, now occupied by William D. Hutchins. His was a numerous family, - Mary, the fourth child of this gentleman, afterwards became the wife of Gustavus H. SeCheverell, and to this couple the writer is indebted for numberless favors.

Ezekiel Woodworth and family, and Levi Montgomery and family came about the same time ; the former of whom located south of Unionville, on lot No. 48, now occupied by his heirs. Montgomery located just down the river from Brakeman's, on lands now owned by Galusha Tower. This year also came Meeker and family from Delaware county, New York, who located on lands now occupied by John Saxton (lot No. 96), and remained there until his death. This gentleman was the grandfather of Charles Atkin, to whom we are indebted for assistance in the preparation of this history ; also Davis Williams, who settled on lands now occupied by Mary Williams. In the spring of 1803, Joseph Bartholomew and family arrived, and began housekeeping in the log cabin erected by his brothers, - David aud Abraham, - who had removed to the farm now owned by Frank Knapp. Their log cabin stood on the north side of the ridge, near Knapp's barn.

In 1 804 a number of persons began settlement in the township : among these were Thomas Atkin and family, who located on lot 110, now occupied by Charles Atkiu ; Clearer Davis and family, who was the first settler on the Ilickok road, his house having been erected near the spot now occupied by the dwelling of John Ilarly (lot 20). In this year also John Lamont (usually pronounced Lemon) and his son Robert and Benjamin Custin arrived in Harpersfield, from Geneva ( they having lived there some three years previous), and erected a log cabin on the corner of lands owned by John Brakeman. Of these persons, we learn that Robert, in the early part of the War of 1812, joined the Northwestern army, and after the disastrous affair at the River Raisin, was dispatched by General Harrison with a flag of truce to Malden, then under command of the white ravage. Proctor. On their way the party stopped for the night in a log hut, which stood where is now the thriving city of Toledo, affixing their flag near the entrance. In the course of the night a party of the enemy came upon them, and in total disregard of the flag (to which they had trusted for safety), fired through the opening left for a chimney, killing Lamont instantly, and wounding the French guide and Dr. McGehan. his traveling companions. Robert was an onlv son, and hearing of his murder, the old man. his father, became frantic, raved at the destitution of British honor and of Indian barbarity, and swore vengeance on them all. Tis said many a red-skin lost his scalp to avenge the anger of the father. In 1805, Jacob Tiffany made the first settlement on the river road east of the centre. His house was near the present one of Daniel P. Tuttle. Of other settlers at about this time of whom we have no details, we find the names of David Hendry. William Blanchard, Michael Thomas. Benjamin Morse, Daniel and Gilbert Prentice, and it is highly probable there are others whose names are forgotten. Of additional settlers on the south side of the river, David Brainard

1 1 ties an honorable position, he having arrived in the township from old Harpersfield. New York, in 1813, and located on lot 104. This property is now occupied bv the youngest son, Newell W., with whom resides the father, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Josiah Dodge and Jehoiakum Burget settled in the township about the same time, and Archelas Parker and Isaac Patehen a few years later; William Burget and family located on lot 118 in 1817 ; Samuel Wilder about same time located on lands now occupied by his son Benjamin.

In the year 1802 a log school-house was erected on lot No. 14, and a term tanght therein the summer of the same year by Elizabeth Harper, who afterwards became the wife of Judge Tappen. This was the first school-house erected in the countv. The winter subsequent the school was taught in the same building by A. Tappen, at which time scholars were in attendance from Windsor and Burton townships.

The first frame school building was erected in the year 1817, and was located at Unionville. It was two stories in height, the upper part of which was occupied fru a Masonic hall, and the lower for school and church purposes. The first schoolhouse on the south side of the river was of logs, erected in 1827, and stood near where now stands the S'Cheverell meeting-house. Miss C. Brakeman taught a summer school the same season the house was built. There were some twenty scholars in attendance, and she received for her services the sum of seventyfive cents per week.

In 1877 there were ten school-houses in the township, which were valued with grounds at five thousand dollars. There were of the requisite school age three hundred and thirty-nine, and the total amount paid teachers for the year was one thousand three hundred and fifty-eight dollars.

The first sermon delivered in the township was by the Rev. Joseph Badger, who came on to the Reserve in the year 1800 as a missionary. Where this meeting was held we are unable to learn, but it was doubtless at one of the pioneer dwellings.

The first edifice erected for church purposes was on lands formerly owned by Judge Ilickok father of Hiram Ilickok, who has aided us materially in the preparation of this sketch). This was of hewn logs, and was probably built in 1804. In about 1830 the first frame church was erected. This was on lands now owned by Manuel Wharram (lot No. 104), and was known as the " Baptist Meeting-house. This was built by individual subscriptions; gradually went to decay, and some few years since was torn down. The church at the centre was erected in, probably, 1836. This was also by subscription, and was a union church. There was at one time a large and flourishing class here, with a fine choir and Sabbath -school. The church-going people have, many of them, removed, and a new element taken its place, and now regular religious services arc discontinued, and the building is rapidly going to decay. The church at South Harpersfield was formed at the house of G. H. S'Cheverell, where many pioneer religious meetings were held prior to the erection of a church. This class consisted of seven members, the leader of which was G. II. S'Cheverell. The Rev. John Crawford was the preacher in charge at this timd. In about 1846 the church edifice at this point was erected (corner lot No. 122), and is now in a flourishing condition, with a large membership, choir, etc. Rev. S. S. Collier is the minister in charge at present.

The Episcopal church, situated about one-half mile east of Unionville, was erected in about the year 1831 ; have now no settled pastor. There is also a Congregational church at Unionville. In 1816 the eccentric divine, Lorenzo Dow, delivered a sermon in the barn of Judge Tappen. The citizens generally attended, and many amusing anecdotes are related of this discourse.

Post-Offices

The first one established in the township was in about 1820. Ezra Gregory was commissioned first postmaster, and the mails were distributed from his house, which stood on the hill north of the river. The present postmaster is Ambrosea Jerome, and the office is located at the centre. In about 1830 another post-office was established in South Harpersfield. Gustavus H. S'Cheverill (through whose efforts, mainly, the office was established) was commissioned first postmaster, and the office was kept at his house on the State road for a number of years, removing to the centre road in about 1850. He continued to be postmaster for a term of years. E. Phillips is the present postmaster, the office being kept at his residence on lot No. 137.

The first road in the township, and probably in the county, was laid out in the year 1802 by Aaron Wheeler. Eliplialet Austin, and Solomon Griswold, commissioners. James and William Harper and D. Bartholomew comprised the surveying-party on this occasion. This was what is now known as the south ridge road, and was formerly the route of the primitive stage-coach from Erie to Cleveland. The first entry on the commissioners' record shows that in March, 1815, a road was opened from " D. Hendry's to John Brakeman's.'' June, same year. " From the west line of the township, at the end of a road lately laid out from Painesville, through Madison to Harpersfield line ; thence northeasterly, parallel with the ridge road, to Ashtabula creek." March, 1816, "From near the house of Judge Hewins, thence southerly to the Windsor road." June, same year, " From the river road, on the southeast comer of David Brown's lot of land, thence west to the road from John Lamont's to the ridge road, at the southeast corner of William Ellis' land.' Same date, " From the northeast corner of Benjamin Curtin's lot, and running easterly to the road leading from Zeri Cowles' to Austinburg mills." December, 1S17, "From the northwest corner of lot No. 102, and the northeast corner of lot No. 113, and running south between said lots to the southeast corner oflot No. 151 and the southwest corner of lot No. 150 to the south line of township." Same date, " From a little east of the northwest comer of lot No. 75 to Thompson's road, west of A. Stiles' barn, on lot No. 107." December, 1818, " From the ridge road to the lake on the west line of the county. December, 1819, "From the southeast corner of lot No. 119, running thence through lot No. 134 to the house of Samuel Wilder, on lot No. 133 ; thence easterly through lots Nos. 132 and 131 to the south comer of lot No. 115 ; thence to east line of township." Same date, " From the Windsor road, on north line of lot No. 105, and site of bridge on lot No. 71. " June, 1820, " From west line of township, between lots Nos. 12S and 144 ; thence easterly on line of lots to each line of 117 and 133; thence northeasterly to east line of township, intersecting Windsor road between lots No. 113 and 129.'' June, 1821, "From the ridge road opposite the Geneva centre road, on or near the line between lots Nos. 7 and 8 ; thence south to road leading to bridge on Grand river."

The first saw-mill erected in Harpersfield township (and possibly in the countv was in 1S03, on Grand river, lot No. 89, by Ezra Gregory. And a grist-mill was soon after put in operation at the same point. This was what was afterwards known as the " Schillinger Mills," and for many years did a flourishing business. In time other mills were established in more accessible locations, and this mill went into decay, until at this date not a vestige of it remains. In 1822 or 23 a saw-mill was erected on the same stream, near the centre of the township. This was burned, and in 1S37 John Ransom began operations at this spot, erecting a woolen-factory, grist- and saw-mill. The business, under the energetic management of Mr. Ransom, rapidly increased, until perhaps 1843, when it was at its zenith. He was employing from thirty-five to forty workmen, and had erected quite a village of tenement-houses for their accommodation, was operating an extensive store, aud was considered one of the " solid men" of the county. He will be remembered perhaps more generally as having been connected with a gift scheme, or lottery, of seventy-five thousand dollar magnitude, designing thereby to dispose of his lands and houses. In this the fates were against him, as they seemed to be ever during the later years of his life. Gradually he took the downward path, friends, warm during his prosperous days , deserted him, and in August, 1864, he closed out, and, taking the remnant of his once ample fortune, removed to Cleveland, where he still resides. It was in a little studio on this plantation that his daughter Carrie (whose portrait appears in another portion of this work) took the first steps in the art of which she is now Ohio's favored one. This property is now owned by Messrs. Aaron and Obed Blanchard, who occupied the factory building for an axehandle manufactory. This was burned July 25, 1877, and with it the grist-mill, which was owned by Benjamin Kimball. The saw-mill had been replaced by a new one. This was saved, and is the only thing left which calls to mind the former scene of bustle and busy life of my boyhood recollections. Frank Cooley operates a carriage-manufactory in the old store building.

The first orchard in Ilarpersfield was planted by Mrs. Alexander Harper, on their farm, north of Unionville, in the year 1800. This was without doubt the pioneer orchard in this part of the lleserve. There were, in 1877, three hundred and seventeen acres of orcharding, with a product of thirty-five thousand four hundred and sixty-five bushels.

The first mercantile establishment in the township was opened by Aaron Wheeler, just east of Unionville village, in 1807. The business at this point at present is the dry goods- and grocery-store of A. S. Hardy, a drug-store by W. H. Pasko, and F. Sherwood's merchant tailoring establishment. At the Centre there were at one time two general stores, two carriage-shops, cabinet-shop, three .blacksmithshops, hotel, etc. Of the merchants at this point we find the names of F. M. Benham, 0. Belding, G. H. SeCheverell, etc. In the grocery trade there were C. C. Gleason, George Shattuck, R. C. Kenney, R. H. Chapman, etc. Evander S. Potter is at present the " Bascom" of these " cross-roads." in this township was undoubtedly that of William Harper and Miss Robinson, the latter a resident of Conneaut, which interesting event occurred on the 25th day of February, 1808.

The first disciple of Esculapius who graced this township by his presence was Nathan B. Johnson, who emigrated from the land of "wooden nutmegs" (Connecticut) in the year 1808. Dr. Johnson was, it is said, an excellent physician, of a constitution well adapted to endure the hardships incident to a pioneer practice. He was a public benefactor, devoting his life to the profession. He died June 6, 1832. Dr. Hotchkiss was another of the pioneer medical staff of Harpersfield, though both he and Dr. Johnson resided within what is now the township of Geneva. Among physicians of a more recent date we find the names of Jerome Gregory, Jonathan Williams, L. L. Bennett, and D. D. Gist. This township is now without a resident physician. There has been but one resident dentist in the township. This was J. Hamp. S'Cheverell, who began to practice at the Centre in the spring of 1867, continued until July 25, 1877, when he removed to Jefferson, where he now resides.

The First Male Child

born in Harpersfield was a son of Holly and Hannah Tanner, on the 23d day of July, 1799. This was the James Tanner who, in 1852, resided in Kirtland, Lake county, since which time we have no record of his whereabouts.

The First Death

On the 10th day of September, 1798, Colonel Alexander Harper died. Of this calamity, sorrowful ever, but doubly so to our little band of pioneers, we quote from the finely-written " Tales of our Grandmother," by Mrs. Sherwood : " The funeral obsequies were prepared by his sorrowing friends; a coffin of plank, hewn from one of the forest-trees, was the best that could be procured, and the war-worn soldier was borne to his long home. . . . His was a pioneer grave of the forest. The moaning wind sighed among the trees, and sang the funeral requiem, while the hollow sound of interment too surely announced that the body of their beloved friend was committed to the ground, - earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, - there to await the final resurrection. Imagination can scarcely conceive the dread solemnity of this burial ; ' no sable hearse or nodding plume' decked the funeral array, no minister of God pronounced the solemn ritual for the dead, all was dreary, all was desolate. The fading leaves of autumn strewed the solitary mound, as fit emblems of departed goodness and the decay of dearest hopes." The place of interment on this occasion was on lot No. 32, being the same now occupied for cemetery purposes at Unionville.

The first person buried under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity in Ashtabula County was that of William McFarland, who, it will be remembered, was one of the first three original settlers. His death occurred on March 30, 1820. James Harper was then W. M. of Temple lodge, and was master of ceremonies on this occasion. The body was interred in the cemetery at Unionville. The next burial of this description was that of James Harper. This was on the 18th day of September following.

The surface of the township of Harpersfield is generally rolling, with a soil principally composed of clay, except along the northern portion, where sand predominates. It is perhaps as productive as the sister townships, is quite a dairy township, and much of the north part is devoted to grape culture. The principal water-course is that of Grand river, which flows from the east in nearly a west course, crossing the east and west centre line of the township some seven times. There are also numerous small streams, but, as they are wholly unimportant, we omit their names. It may interest some to know that at an early day Grand river was " declared navigable," and that to this township belongs the honor of having launched the first " vessel" upon its placid bosom. This boat was built by Ezra Gregory, on his farm, and first cut the water with its well-turned prow in 1799. The launch took place at, or near, the site of the former Gregory (Schillinger) mills. This craft was thirty-five feet in length and five and a half feet beam. In March, 1800, this boat (which was, we believe, named the " Gregory") began to do a regular shipping business, plying between Painesville and Windsor, transporting the goods of the early settlers, - salt, flour, etc. Another boat, named the " Austinburg," was built about this time in that township, and also one in Windsor, by George Phelps, after whom it was named. These three constituted the " navy" of Ashtabula County at that time.

Organization

In 1807 the territory now comprised in the townships of Hartsgrove, Trumbull, Harpersfield, and Geneva was detached from the township of Richfield, and erected as a new township, to. be known by the name of Harpersfield. It was, however, for many years denominated New Harpersfield, to distinguish it from Harpersfield, New York. The first township election was held on April 1, 1807, but the officers elected on this occasion we are unable to give, as the records have been destroyed. The officers for 1877 are H. R. Curtis, Clark Martin, and A. N. Parker, trustees ; E. S. Potter, clerk ; B. F. Luther, treasurer ; H. W. Pangburn, assessor; J. F. Warring and William Parker, constables; and twenty-one supervisors. The first justice of the peace was Benjamin Morse. The present incumbents to that office are A. J. Harper and E. Phillips.

The first and only cheese-factory in the township was established by William Burget, in the spring of 1873, and has been operated by him until the present. The number of cows contributing the first year was probably two hundred and fifty, from the product of which some fifty-eight tons of cheese were manufactured. E. A. Park, at the " Bee Hive," manufactures butter envelopes, scale boards, " little washers," and whatever else comes in his line. This business has grown to be one of considerable magnitude. L. L. Brakeman has a steam shingle-manufactory, on the centre road, near the south line of the township. Has also the only undertaking establishment in the township.

Grand River Lodge, No. 297, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized under dispensation, in the summer of 1S57, and received its charter on the 23d day of October, a.l. 5857. The following are the charter members : G. H. S'Cheverell, L. L. Bennett, O. Warner, J. V. A. French, J. H. French, Samuel Cowles, D. Henry, Jr., Elijah Hart, T. J. Wood, James Lockwood, D. Brainard, H. W. Stone, A. C. Osborn, J. Burget, and Benjamiu Hartwell. The first officers were G. II. S'Cheverell, W. M. ; H. W. Stone, S. W. ; and Joseph V. French, J. W. The present membership of this lodge is forty. Total number of members since organization, one hundred and seven. The building in which this order convenes is owned by them. The present officers are B. F. Luther, W. M. ; Daniel Sumner, S. W. ; A. M. Burget, J. W. ; A. C. Wilson, Sec.; and R. P. Wolcott, Treas. The stated communications are the first and third Saturdays of each month. The only living charter member now an affiliaut with this lodge is David Brainard.

Grand River Grange was organized March 15, 1874, with sixteen charter members. First officers: A. M. Parker, M. ; II. C. Brakeman, L. ; Wm. Bur-

Biographical

This township has an excellent soldier-record, and has from its infancy been celebrated for its patriotism. On July 4, 1812, occurred the first celebration of our national independence in Ilarpersfield. This was on the farm now owned by Frank Knapp. Dr. Johnson was orator of the day, and Rev. Jonathan Leslie chaplain. Of those present on this occasion the following names are remembered : Major Levi Gaylord, Samuel Ilendry, John Brakeman, Ezra Gregory, Rufus Houghton, the Harpers, the Bartholomews, Benjamin Hartwell, the Hewins brothers, and some twenty Revolutionary soldiers. There was a numerous attendance of women and children from the new settlements. War having been declared with England, the pioneers were filled with enthusiasm, and it is said the orator spoke in terms of "withering scorn of the Tory proclivities of an adjoining township."

John Lamont, Tiie Wizard

. . . " Among these pioneers was one who, although he never became eminent in church or state, yet was at the time a man of more than ordinary intellect among his compeers. Of French descent, with a brawny frame, erect carriage, and more than six feet in height, he had a cold gray eye, solemn visage, and sinister aspect; and, although shrewd and sarcastic, he was always indolent and unthrifty. Such was John Lamont, - an object of terror to the children and of superstitious awe to the older members of the community. He was a wizard, - so said his Dutch neighbors, and they had no doubt of the truth of their assertions. If the leaven failed to rise and a heavy loaf resulted, the unlucky housewife charged John Lamont with the misfortune. Did the alkali and grease show less than their usual affinity and fail to combine as soap, it was bewitched, of course, and John Lamont bore the blame. There were some who knew that he possessed a familiar spirit , and vouched for the fact that they had seen the nipple from which the imp derived its nourishment. The forest teemed with game, and those men were mighty hunters. The bear, the deer, and the wild turkey furnished their larders. But John Lamont could put a spell upon their rifles, and when the day's hunt proved unsuccessful, or the rifle failed in its usual accuracy, old Lamont bore the blame. Silver was regarded as an antidote, and they often scraped their brooches and Spanish quarters into the crucible, while the lead was in a state of fusion, that the bullets might possess a charm against his incantations.

" But, fortunately for a people so afflicted, there was a man among them by the name of Tiffany, who was versed in all the charms and counter-ceremonies necessary to circumvent and counteract all the incantations of the wizard. And this he followed as a profession. He was often called to exorcise the demon, or to overcome his enchantments. Feeling confident in his power, he often boasted that whoever else might be beset by the wizard, he, at least, would be exempt. Great then was the surprise when it was rumored that Tiffany's sugar-bush was bewitched. His syrup would not grain. Tiffany was indignant. He regarded this as a direct challenge to test their powers, and he resolved upon the most terrible retribution. One of his recipes taught him that if any substance bewitched could be consumed by fire, and the witch could be kept from contact with the substance while burning, that the death of the witch would be inevitable. Tiffany was calm but confident. He boiled his sugar-water to syrup as usual, and when the day came for " sugaring off," he resolved to exterminate the nuisance. The syrup was placed in the kettle in the usual manner, and then the wood was heaped and the fire stirred around it. While the smoke from this antidote was ascending, as was expected, John Lamont made his appearance, approaching through the woods in apparent agony. lie begged for a little warm syrup to ease his colic pains. But he met with no sympathy. Tiffany was unmerciful. He seized a handspike and drove the sufferer roughly from the camp. The result showed the sugar destroyed and the wizard unharmed. The storyT got wind, and furnished a theme for mirth to the disbelieving Yankees of the neighborhood."

John Hamilton Secheverell

February 6, 1841, is the date, and Harpersfield township, Ashtabula County, the place, of the birth of him who is the subject of this sketch. His parents were Gustavus II. and Mary S'Cheverell. He was the youngest son. Receiving a fair common-school education, he early developed a strong predilection for the art epistolary. When he was but fourteen years of age he was engaged in preparing local items for the Forest City Gleaner. This experience served to cultivate a literary taste in Mr. S'Cheverell, which has never deserted him. In later years he has been a local correspondent for several papers of this and other localities. He has written a large number of the township histories for this work, and has evinced an ability for this department of literary labor of no small merit. Careful about his facts, he is accurate in stating them.

In the War of the Rebellion he was among the first of his township to proffer his services, and became a soldier in Company B of the indomitable Twenty-ninth. The date of his enlistment was August 19, 1861. He was in the battle of Winchester, March 23, 1862, and was made prisoner, with others of his comrades, by Stonewall Jackson, at the same place, in the following June. After a brief captivity he was paroled, sent to Washington, and by general order No. 65, adjutantgeneral's office, June 12, 1862, discharged. He came home, regained his health, and July 28, 1863, re-enlisted in Company M, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery. He was discharged from service June 23, 1865, at Chicago, Illinois, where he had served as hospital steward of the United States army. Soon after his return home he was united in marriage to Miss L. Ada Alderman, of Hartsgrove township, this county. He was compelled to mourn her death in a little more than a year from the date of their nuptials. Prior to his enlistment he had devoted considerable time to the study of dentistry, and upon the death of his wife he repaired to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where, with Messrs. Alderman Brothers, he completed a full course of study, thoroughly mastering the subject of deutistry. Returning to Harpersfield, his old home, he was married to Celia, the youngest daughter of Dr. L. L. and Sophrona Bennett, of that township. The date of this marriage was December 2, 1868. Dr. S'Cheverell and his amiable and estimable companion have been the parents of three children, two of whom are still living, - Gurleigh Hamilton, the eldest, born September 11, 1869, and Hugh Bernard, born August 25, 1872. Claude Lorrainne, born April 10, 1870, died May 25, 1872. Dr. S'Cheverell prosecuted the duties of his profession for ten years in his native township, when he removed to Jefferson, Ohio, July 25, 1877, where he still resides. He has justly won the reputation of a skillful and reliable dentist, and is known as a worthy citizen of the unpretending kind. He has been a member of Masonry since 1S62, and is at present connected with Tuscan lodge, No. 342, Jefferson, Ohio. He has also for some years been prominently connected with the soldier organization known as the Grand Army of the Republic, and is at present the Commander of Giddings post, No. 7, which holds its sessions at Jefferson, Ohio. He was for six years clerk of Harpersfield township, and filled the office for several years of secretary of Grand River lodge, 297, F. and A. M. He is at present engaged with the proprietors of this work, and expects to accompany them to other fields of labor.

Gustavus Hamilton Secheverell

was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery county, New York, on December 13, 1796. He was the only child of G. H. and Jane S'Cheverell, of that point. His father was a teacher, and was drowned in the year 1798, while crossing Lake Ontario in an open boat with a load of merchandise, which he had received for teaching a term or two of school in Canada. The mother came to Ohio eventually, and died at the home of the subject of the present sketch, in 1857. Mr., or Colonel, S'Cheverell, as he was familiarly called, began life in Madison, Lake county, Ohio, where he remained some two years, and, after a year spent in Unionville, same county, purchased a wild farm in Harpersfield township, and removing thereon, set himself industriously to work subduing the dense forest with which it was covered. Gradually, by dint of hard labor, he acquired a competence, and was induced to invest in one of those whirlpools which have ever proved ruinous to all concerned, viz., a Farmers' Company store. After a time it became a foregone conclusion that under the management then existing a " collapse" must ensue, and thinkin that he could " hold the fort," entered into an arrangement with the remainin stockholders, by which he became sole owner, they, however, pledging themselves to " stand by" him until he was " out of the woods." This, as is often the case, they failed to do (there was one honorable exception, in the case of Hiram Ilickok, who yet resides in Harpersfield), and after vainly fighting against fate for perhaps ten years, was obliged to succumb, and his once ample fortune was swept away, much of it in paying other people's debts. He never recovered from the shock produced by the loss of his property and the perfidy of pretended friends, and died of softening of the brain in December, 1866. Mrs. S'Cheverell died December, 1876. Of the life of the colonel, we find that he was a soldier of the War of 1812. Was a life-long member of the Methodist church, for the ministers of which he always kept open house and an opeu poclcet-hoolc. He was a zealous adherent to the principles inculcated in the order of Freemasonry, having become a member of that society as early as 1819, and received the Iloyal Arch degrees prior to the time of the insane " Morgan excitement," and throughout all those years maintained his allegiance, and was the founder of Grand River lodge, No. 297, of Harpersfield, of which he was Master for a number of years.

Colonel S'Cheverell was united in marriage on January 9, 1817, to Miss Esther Myers. This lady died the following August, and in November, 1818, he was again married, to Mary, daughter of John and Hannah Brakeman, of Harpersfield township, this county. From this marriage a numerous family was born to them, as follows, viz.: Lawrence, the eldest, was born December 23, 1819. In 1845 lie started for South America, and as no tidings came from him after reaching New Orleans, it is presumed that he died before reaching his destination. Prudentia, the next child, was born March 4, 1 822. She married Thomas Baxter ; resides in Austinburg. Alfred, born December 31, 1823 ; married Hannah Foreman ; died in 1859. Jane, married Silas Kellogg ; died in Madison, Lake county, in 1869. Catherine, born October 31, 1829; married John B. Mills; died in 1867. Esther, born 1832 ; died young. Henry Gustavus, born May 10, 1834 ; married Marion Elizabeth Knowlton ; died February 4, 1871 ; and John Hamilton, the junior member, was born February 6, 1841 ; married Celia Bennett.