Litchfield Township

Litchfield Township

It appears from early records that the portion of Medina county now called Litchfield was wholly owned by Judge Holmes, of Litchfield, Connecticut, who caused it to be surveyed into lots, and an opening, ©r improvement, of several acres, to be made on the southwest corner of the Center, planted an orchard and erected a cabin. Some time- thereafter, the land reverted to the State of Connecticut, and, under the supervision of Mr. Beers, acting School Commissioner, it was thrown into market. During the time it was under the control of Judge Holmes, it was generally known by the name of Holmestown. When controlled, thereafter, by Mr. Beers, he called it, on his surveyed map, Litchfield, and by that name it was known at the date of its organization.

For many years prior to its settlement by the whites, tradition says s<t was a part of the choice hunting grounds of the Wyandott Indians; and that their wigwams were seen along Center Creek, in 1822. Prior to that year, the settlements at Liverpool on the north, and Harrisville on the south, had begun tp spread and drive out the wild game that had been the wealth and food of the Redman, and caused him to deseft his rude wigwam and seek after game elsewhere. Mr. Cyrus Cook, wife and child, were the first white p'ersons who came and made the first opening in the north part of the township, on the line of the north and south center road. He came in Februr.'ry, 1 S30 ^ £b May following. - 21

Jonathan Richards, wife and three children, (Charles, Abigal and Jujia,) Thomas Wilcox and wife, George Wilcox and wife, with two daughters, (Lucretia and Abigal,) Eliphalet Howd and wife, Asahel Howd and family, (Henry, Elizabeth, Caroline,) Judah Howd and George Olcott, came from Connecticut and settled iu the township. About the same time, Henry Howd, wife and three sons, (Albert, John and James,) came from Sheffield, Massachusetts, and settled. The Howds began their settlement on the west side of the center road, near the creek, and Richards located on the opposite side of the road, about one mile north from the Center. George Olcott settled on the south-west corner of the present Center, and George Wilcox on west side of road, about one mile south from Center. In the fall of 1830, D. W. C. Dickeson, Jacob Road and Z. Stafford came into the township and became settlers.

In May, 1831, Lewis Finiey and Asa Strait, with their families, became settlers, and were soon followed by J. L. Hinman, D. Pickett, O. Niekerson, W. Cole and their families. Mr. Hinman built the first frame house in the township.

Miss Jane T. Strait, aged thirteen year's, was the first person who died in the township, on the 13th June, 1831. A.t her funeral was the first public religious service ever observed by the settlers. On the following Sabbath, Asa Strait, by invitation, lecbured to the people, and may be said to have delivered the first sermon ever heard by the then residents of Litchfield township! If the names of all then present were called, how few would answer ! The moral and religious influence that prevailed in New England was cherished with respect; and as the children, one after another, left the homes of their parents and became parents in the wilds of the Western Reserve, they came together and worshipped as did their fathers. When the morn of the Sabbath came, they congregated, not at the sound of bell, but prompted by the impressions made in childhood ; and thankfully acknowledged the superintending care of Providence.

On 30th June, 1831, the township of Litchfield was organized, by electing E. Howd, J. Vandventer, George Olcott, Trustees; Thomas Wilcox, Clerk; Asahel Howd, Treasurer ; and Jonathan Richards, Justice of the Peace. At that election, nine votes were cast.

In the month of May, 1832, forty-*one persons came into the township in one day. Of that number, Messrs. Crow, Halladay, Wheeler, Peltons and tbeir families comprised a part. So great a number soon gave life and power to the sparse settlers, and encouraged perseverance.

The fourth July, 1832, was celebrated by the settlers of Litchfield meeting, selecting a site, cutting and hauling logs, and building a log meeting-house. To give sanction to such work on that day, the good wives, at the appointed time, came with baskets of cooked provisions, and, with their husbands, ate thaukfully and joyfully, when they reflected on the prospects before them. At the same place, and on the same day, they formed a Temperance and Moral Reform Society, which grew in influence and in numbers, and may really be considered one of the very necessary aids of moral reform. Nine names were obtained to the Temperance Pledge on that day ; and shortly thereafter, a Temperance Society was duly organized, which continued to meet and act until 1844, when its members adopted the Washingtonian Pledge. It still exists ; and, in 1861, numbers two hundred and twelve members, most of whom are active, exemplary, temperance men and women. Who will criminate the citizens of

In 1832 there was only one house at the Center, which was built and owned by George Olcott. The nearest house to the Center was that of Lewis Finley on the north, on the east that of D. Conyer, on the south that of W. Cole, on the west that of G. Pomnroy.

Mr. Moses was the first tanner and shoe-maker, and in due course of time he became the first saddle and harness maker ; and, still persevering, he became the builder and»owner of the first steam grist-mill.

The first Baptist Church was established in August, 1833, with thirteen members. Rev. Asa Strait was the first pastor in that Church. The number of members increased to thirty-two; harmony prevailed ; but in 1848, owing to causes that then prevailed, the church organization ceased.

of births is three hundred am] seventy two in fifteen years, two hundred and ten of % which are males and one hundred and sixty-two females. Should all tarry at home, and live to count three score and ten years, there is a strong probability that the year 1 900 may find a full hundred of shrivelled old bachelors travelling solitary and alone within the precincts of the township.

There have been one hundred and four marriages within the township, up to 1845 Within fifteen years, one hundred and twenty-'our persons have deceased in the township since the first death, being a fraction more than eight each year. If the number of deaths that occur can be relied on as an index of health, or the reverse, certainly the township of Litchfield may compare, in salubrity, with any other section of the county.

The oldest pioneer residing in the township is Charles Richards, who came in 1830. The next three entitled to that appellation are, Mrs. S. Strait, N. Strait, and J. V. Strait. To them there is a marked difference between what they saw in 1831, and what they see in 1861.

In 1832, when the Assessor travelled over the township to take a list of the property subject to taxation, he returned - one horse and twenty-four cattle, as appears on duplicate, valued at two hundred and thirtytwo dollars. Compare that list with the number and value of horses and cattle in the annexed statistical table, and those of the first settlers ; who examine, will hardly believe that so great an increase could be made in thirty years - a striking^proof of what industry and economy can accomplish :

Litchfield Statistics Personal Property

If to the foregoing be added the amount that yearly accrues from Oats, Clover-seed, Grass Seeds, Potatoes, Barley, Flax, Orchards and Gardens, it would augment the sum at least fifty thousand dollars, making the yearly products of the township to be one hundred and twenty-five thousand two hundred and sixty.

Source changes here: from History of Medina County and Ohio, Containing a History of the State of Ohio, from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time ... a History of Medina County, Giving an Account of Its Aboriginal Inhabitants ... Pioneer Incidents, Its Growth, Its Improvements, Organization of the County ... Biographical Sketches; Portraits of Some of the Early Settlers and Prominent Men, Etc., Etc. .., by Perrin, William Henry, D. 1892?, Comp, published 1881; 3,998 words in this source stream.

Litchfield Township

WILLIAM H. BROOKEK, molder. Litchfield; was born in Wolcottville, Litchfield Co., Conn., Feb. 9, 1826, and came with his fathers family to this State and county in September, 1834. When he was 13 years old. he went to live with a Mr. Frederick Graves, who then resided in Seville. His occupation at that time was the care of horses, in which Mr. Graves dealt quite extensively. At the age of 20, through love of adventure and boyish curiosity, he resolved to enlist for the Mexican war; with two other boys, he sallied out on foot to seek a recruiting office. Going to Wooster, Ohio, they were fated to disappointment, and trudged back, via Seville, to Litchfield, and thence to Monroeville? but again disappointment awaited them - the recruiting officer having met with an accident which disabled him. Nothing daunted, the three, being out of funds, laid tlieir case before the landlord, offering him one-half of their bounty of $8 each if he would keep them over night and carry them to Sandusky City the next day. With this he cheerfully complied, and the young men were soon made glad by their acceptance in the 6th U. S. Regular Infantry, February, 1846. Soon after, they were sent via Cincinnati, to New Orleans, where they took a steamer for Yera Cruz, Mexico. They arrived the same night the city surrendered to the victorious army under Gen. Scott. The first battle in which he engaged was that of Cerro Gordo, followed by that of Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Rev, the Castle of Chapultepec, and the taking of the Mexican capital. Mr. Brooker was wounded by a musket ball passing through his leg, and at the same time three ribs were broken; this was in the fight at Churubusco. Peace was declared, and he was sent home to be mustered out of the service at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., in August, 1848. Upon his return to Litchfield, he learned the trade of molder in the furnace owned by Harvey Rico, in the creek bottom in the western part of the township. He married, Feb. 22, 1850, Miss Alsina Herrick,

6 Tborn in Montgomery Township, Hampden Co., Mass., Feb. 2, 1828. Mr. Brooker continued to work at his trade until the breakingout of the rebellion, when he entered the service as Lieutenant of Co. E. 10th Ohio Cavalry, Capt. Nathan W. Filkin. They were mustered in at Cleveland, Jan. 15, 1863. He was in several skirmishes in Tennessee, when, on account of some disagreement with his regimental commander, he resigned in February, 1865. He remained at home about six weeks, when he again entered the service as Lieutenant of Co. E, Capt. Nobles, lS2d O. V. I. They were mustered in at Toledo, Ohio, March 27, 1S65, and were mustered out of the service at Columbus, July 7, 1865. 'With this regiment, he participated in the battle of Nashville, which was the last battle of the lS2d Infantry. Mr. Brooker's father, Warren Brooker, was born in Connecticut, in the year 1800, and married Miss Mary Ann Keys, April 24, 1825. She was born in Middletown, Conn., in 1807, and is now living in Wauseon, Fulton Co., Ohio. Mr. Warren Brooker died Nov. 21, 1875. Their children are - William H., born Feb. 9, 1826; Mary A., Aug. 24, 1827 (now Mrs. Henry Kellogg); Frederick M., March 17, 1829, died March 12, 1880; Emeline E., born Nov. 12, 1830; Warren, Feb. 25, 1833; Lury J., Oct. 22, 1834 (now Mrs. William Nickson): Lucius E., Oct. 18, 1837 ; Nettie V.. Nov. 30, 1841 (she married Mr. Walter Travis, and died March 18, 1864): Hiram R., Sept. 24, 1842; Merritt W., July, 1845, died Oct. 28, 1845: Alfred J., Sept. 4, 1846; Merritt W. second, April 30, 1848. There were four of these brothers in the army - William H., Warren, Lucius and Hiram; the last two were mustered out as Lieutenants; three veteranized and served throughout the war.

JAMES HARVEY CARPENTER, physii cian, Litchfield. James Harvey Carpenter, M. D., was born in Ontario Co., N. \T., Feb. ; 8, 1818, and taught school from his 15th year until 1839. He came to Ohio in 1838. Read

Biographical Sketches

: medicine 'with Dr. Tolman, of Litchfield, and attended lectures at Willoughby and Cleve- I land, beginning the practice of medicine in | 1845. Previous to this time, he had been associated with Dr. Tolman in medical practice.

- and, when the latter left Litchfield, he continued alone. In 1S36, Dr. Carpenter was married to Miss Sarah Sperry, of Greece, Monroe Co., X. Y., who bore him several children ; those still living are as follows: Elmira L. (wife of A. B. Curtis, of Cuyahoga Falls), was born in 1839, and married in 1867; Charles X. Carpenter, of Litchfield, was bom in 1S42; Josephine H. Carpenter was born in 1S54 and resides at home. Mrs. Sarah Sperry Carpenter died in 1804, and. in 1S05. he married a sister of his first wife, who has borne him two children - Edna M., born in I860, and Frank A., born in 1867, both of whom are living at home.

H. HARTWELL DOAXE, physician. Litchfield. H. Hartwell Doane, M. D., was bom in La Fayette, Medina Co., Ohio, Oct. 11, 1844. He attended school in Muskegon, Mich., until he began reading medicine with Dr. W. J. Sloan, of Muskegon, from whose ofiice he went I to attend lectures at the Chicago Eclectic Medical Institute; he graduated from that institution in 1866, and immediately began the practice of medicine with his former preceptor at Muskegon. He continued there three years, removing at the end of that time to Grand Rapids, where he remained about the same time. In 1872, Dr. Doane removed from Grand Rapids to Litchfield, Ohio, and has since resided here in the successful practice of his profession. In 1874, he was married to Miss Mary A. Caswell, of Litchfield, who has borne him one child - Bertha M.. now 5 years of age. During his medical practice, Dr. Doane has been very successful in the use of electricity as a remedy for various diseases, , and has provided himself with the latest and best instruments for its appliance. One unfortunate circumstance attending his practice in Litchfield was the burning of his dwelling and office, in 1879, by which he lost his books, ; instruments and medicines. In other respects ; he has been extraordinarily successful in his : professional practice.

MOSES HALLADEY, farmer; P. O. Litchfield. Is of the old Xew England stock, and was bom in Hampden Co., Mass., March 16, 1810. He was married to Miss Emily Allen, who was born in the same county and State, Sept. 16, 1813. Their children were William D., born April 9, 1S33; Chester F., April 6,1835, both born in Massachusetts ? John Tyler, bom here May 10, 1840; he enlisted in the three months' service, and after his discharge was drafted, but on account of business was obliged to hire a substitute to take his place. Henry C., born Aug. 4, 1843? Ethan A.. March 10, 1S45; Emily D., Sept. 10, 1850, died in Aug. 1853. Mr. Halladey bought the north part of his brother Solomon's farm, a lot of 30 acres, afterward buying 18 acres more. There was a log house upon the place, which they moved into, and then commenced to clear the place and reclaim it from the wilderness. His brother Solomon's farm at first consisted of 300 acres, but he sold a part of it. He was bom Feb.

2, 1800, and died Sept. 1, 1878. He married Miss Dotia Chamberlain, born in Otsego Co., X. Y.,in 1819. Moses Halladey's father was born in Connecticut, in 1753, but moved to Massachusetts in his younger days, and, taking up a tract of wild land, began the life of a pioneer. His wife, Mrs. Submitta (Wright ) 1 Halladey, was born in Connecticut in 1767, and died in 1826; he died in 1831. Their children were eight in number: James, Levi, Ruth, Solomon, Tallethv, Betsey, Moses and Delia. Moses Halladey came to this State and county in 1836, and ten years after, or' in 1846, had the misfortune to have his house burned to the ground, losing in the fire all the records and books of the family. The only furniture saved was the family spinningwheel and a few light articles. Ethan A., then one year of age, narrowly escaped, he was saved by one of the neighbors. Mrs. Halla- - dey's mother, Rachel (Babcock) Allen (widow of Mr. Ransford Allen, of Westfield Farms Mass.) was bom in Norwich, Conn., Feb. 16, 1778, and is, therefore, 103 years of age, and the oldest person living in that State. She is mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and greafigreat-grandmother of 105 lineal descendants, eighty-one of whom are still living in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Carolina and Georgia, and the eighty-one, with those connected by marriage, will give a present total of 125 who may be numbered in her family. Of the eighty-one, eight are children, thirty-eight grandchildren, twenty-nine great grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. At 100 years, she was bright, active and intelligent, and the only sign of failing was evidenced by a dimness of vision, which prevented the recognition of the features of a person, except they addressed her, when she would know them bv the voice.

ANSEL S. JENNE, farmer; P. O. Litchfield. Was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Sept. 25, ISOS; was married to Narcissa Merrill, Sept. 27, 1830. He came to Ohio in 1836, and earned money by mowing grass to make a payment on 65 acres of land on the Smith Road, paying $6 per acre. He had to endure all the hardships of pioneer life, and for many years had a hard struggle to keep the wolf from the door. At one time he conceived the idea of collecting the ashes left by the burning of logs and trees in clearing the land, and for many years earned on a good business in manufacturing " black salts " and pearl-ash, for which he found market at Elyria. At one time he started for that place in a woodenwheeled cart, driving a pair of 4-year old steers, when he became mired, and only got out with the assistance of his faithful wife. On that occasion, he promised her that she should ride over that self-same road some day in future in a carriage of her own. and with as good a team as any one in the township, a prediction which he has since fulfilled. To Mr. and Mrs. Jenne were born ten children, five of whom are still living. The names of those who grew up are as follows: Allison was bom in the State of New York, Jan. 2(J, 1832, and died in Maple Rapids, Mich., Oct. 6, 1872; Samantha M.,was born in Litchfield, Ohio, J une 6, 1837, and died Aug. 14, 1857; Mary J. was born June 21, 1847, and died Aug. 13, 1850; Margaret A., wife of Philander Starr, of Litchfield, was born Oct. 1, 1830, married May 20, 1852; Fannie R., wife of Nelson Hams, of Lodi, was born March 13, 1835, married Feb. 22, 1855; Ann Eliza, wife of John Price, of Fulton, Mich., was bora in Litchfield, April 22, 1840, married in 1873; James, of Fulton,

* success is due, under Providence, to his own | exertions. Pie has been a member 'of the | Methodist Episcopal Church since about his i 25th year. His wife, who was born in 1810, j has been a member of the same denomination ! since her eighteenth year. By hard work and | strict integrity, this worthy pioneer couple ; have built up a name and fortune which are j an honor to them and to their posterity. In i the early days it was very common to see deer ! among the few cattle which were turned out ! to graze, and Mr. Jenne has frequently shot j them by keeping along with the cattle, and using them as a decoy and screen at the same time, until he got in shooting distance. Wild hogs were also killed, but it was necessary to make sure work, or the hunter would have to run to " save his bacon," as the porkers were very ferocious when wounded. To dress the hogs was somewhat difficult, as few iron kettles were to be had. It was necessary to heat large stones in a log-heap and throw them into a wooden trough filled with water, thus bringing it to a boil. Such was life at that time in the community in which he has lived for so many years.

MRS. CLARA P. JFDSON, Litchfield. Mrs. Clara Pickett Judson was bora in Colesville, Broome Co.. N. Y., in 1812. She was married to Orville Nickerson in 1829; came | to Ohio in 1831, and settled in Litchfield, Medina Co. Mrs. Nickerson bore her first husband several children, the names of those now living being given below: Jane A., wife of Francis Peck, of Litchfield Township, was born in New Y"ork State in 1831, and was married in 1849; Sarah E.. wife of E. C. Minor, of Jonesville, Mich., was born in 1834, and J. was married about 1854; Cornelia C., wife of ; Edward Campbell, of Hillsdale, Mich., was : born in 1838, and married about the year ; 1858; Benjamin F. Nickerson, of Greenwich,

; Huron Co., Ohio, was bom in 1840; Orville | Nickerson, of California, was bora in 1840. j Mr. Nickerson died in 1848. In 1850, the | subject of this biography was married to Mr.

Nelson Judson, of Litchfield, and bore him one child - Alary L.. wife of Frank P. Smith, of Atichigan. AErs. Judson is the only person now living in Litchfield Township who was here when the first church society (Congregational) was organized, and of which she was a member.

JAMES LIFE, general merchandise, Litchfield. This gentleman's ancestry is traced back to a prisoner in one of the wars in Den- : mark, who was exiled to the British Islands, i and settled in Scotland. After several gener- I ations, the family moved to England, this time settling in Hull, l'orkshire, on the property known as the Cockgrove Farm. Air. j George Life, grandfather of the subject of this j biography, married Miss Ann Swinglehurst, ! the last descendant of the generation of the j Helms and Hays families. They had owned j and occupied the ancient property known as St. Johns of Jerusalem, a freehold landed property, which descended to the Life family by the marriage as mentioned above, and which is still held by them. AH. John Life, the father of our subject, was born in the northern part of Yorkshire, England, and came to this country in 1854, and settled in the township of Royalton, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. He was born in 1805, and was, by occupation, a farmer and shoemaker. He was known and i respected as an honest and industrious citi- j zen, strictly moral and conscientious in all his | intercourse with his fellow-men. He married Aliss Alary Bramley. of Lancashire, England, who was born in 1803, and they were married in 1830. Their children were James, Alary , Ann (now ABs. Isaac Gifford, of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio), Swinglehurst and Richard. Air. John Life died Nov. 10, 1879, in the triumph 1 of a faith in Christ. Air. J ames Life was born Feb. 15, 1829, in Bury, Lancashire, England, and married Aliss Susan Barefoot, of Oxford, j They were married at Preswich, Lancashire, j Aug. 29, 1854, and, for a wedding tour, ; the day after, set sail for the United States, and, after a safe sea voyage, settled in ! Royalton, Cuyahoga Co. Their children are William, born Sept. 12, 1855; Emily, born ' Alarch 17, 1857; Henry, born Juno 1, 1859; Arthur Helm, June 10, 1801, and Celestia, , born Aug. 20, 1805. Air. Life, while in En- i gland, served as an attendant and nurse in the Preswich Hospital under the celebrated Dr. Joseph Holland and Dr. AYillson, of Paris. It was while there he became proficient in the use of drugs and in the care of the sick. This enabled him to render his adopted country good and efficient service during the war, as he went south in the fall of 1802, as a volunteer Hospital Steward under Drs. Harvey and Flack, of Illinois. The first service rendered was at the battle of Perryville, and here his experience in the English hospital was very valuable to this country, as there was a scarcity of educated help, and, night and day, he was busy dressing the wounded and caring for those in his charge. The battles of Lebanon and Murfreesboro followed, while the work of the hospital attendants was very severe and arduous. The soldiers whom he had relieved appreciated this, and in some of the newspapers, published their thanks to AH. Life for his kindness and devotion to the sick and wounded in his care. AH. Life engaged in the drug business for some two years, and then went into the general merchandise business at Royalton, moving to Litchfield Aug. 1, 1880, where he now conducts the same business with the help of his sons. His thoughts and ideas of both religion and politics are of the liberal, progressive kind, and he has always lent a helping hand to the permanent reforms of the day, and toward such enterprises as help build up society and benefit the town in which he lives.

AIILES LEACH, farmer; P. O. Litchfield; was born Oct. 10, 1809, in Litchfield, Conn., and was the fifth of a family of nine children. His father's name was Benoni Leach, whose .ancestors came from AVales. Three of his grandfather's brothers served in the Revolutionary war. In his younger days, he helped his father in his occupations and worked very hard. After coming of age, he sold the clocks manufactured by North, in Connecticut, traveling principally in the State of Pennsylvania. He came into this State via Cleveland, and bought his present farm of one hundred acres, paying Si) per acre for it. There were only two and a half acres of slashing done on the place, and ho has improved it to its present high state of cultivation by great industry and toil; liis farm buildings are of the substantial sort, and no one has a better right to be proud of his achievements than Mr. Leach. He is independent in thought, so far as religious subjects are concerned, and believes truth should be taught in preference to creeds and dogmas. He was married in Litchfield, Ohio, in 1843, to Miss Martha E. Bradley, who was born in Suffield, Conn., July 8, 1S17. Their children were William E., born April 2, 1844, who left the college in Oberlin, Ohio, and enlisted for one hunched days in the army, but, during what is known as Early's raid upon the capital, he was wounded, and died in front of Ft. Stevens, Washington, D. C., July 11, -13, 1864. Thus fell the eldest of the family, in his young manhood, for his devotion to the old flag. Harvey E., born Aug. 13, 1845; Byron B., born May 2, 1851, and died Nov. 4, 1851; Harvey E., who married Miss Matilda Kinney, who was bom in La Fayette Township, this county, Jan. 8, 1850; they were married Sept. 26, 1871. Their children are Willis E., born July 24, 1874; Orra L ., born Juno 29, 1876; Carrie E., born Aug. 10, 1879. He takes an active interest in the temperance question, and has held for two terms the position of President of the Temperance Christian Union Association of Litchfield Township.

EDWABD B. McKENZIE, M. D., Litchfield. Edward R. McKenzie, M. D.. was bora in New Haven, Conn., Oct. 5, 1819. His father, Alexander McKenzie, was a woolen manufacturer, and removed from New Haven to Litchfield, Conn., when Edward was very young, whence he came to Ohio with his brother-in-law, Russell Brooker, when he was 13 years of age. He read medicine under Dr. L. E. Jones, of Cincinnati, and graduated from the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College, in 1851, coming to Litchfield, Ohio, immediately upon finishing his medical course. He has since remained here in the successful practice of his profession. Dr. McKenzie's early educational advantages were not the best, and his success in life is due to his own exertions.

JAMES H. OLCOTT, farmer: P. O. Litchfield Center; was bora in Litchfield, Conn., March 5, 1815. Ho came to Litchfield with the family of his father, Benoni, when he was 19 years of age. Together with a younger brother, Mr. Olcott chopped down the tree# and cleared the spot now covered by the Litchfield Hotel, and a portion of the park, about one square acre in area. After cutting, hewing and laying up the logs for his father's dwelling, he went through the mud for ten or twelve miles from the settlement, until he had collected sufficient lumber to finish the house. The roof was of what is known as "shake," i no nails being used, but weight poles in their stead. With the exception of one small rock- ! ing-chair, which the family brought from their ! home in the Nutmeg State, the seating accom- ;

; modations of the family consisted of benches split out of whitewood. The table and floor 1 were of similar material. When the young folks went to an old-fashioned country hoe- 1 j down, it was necessaiy to stoop when passing ; under the low joist of the ceiling, or a bumped 1 head was the consequence. Mr. Olcott danced in the first set ever on the floor of the old Litchfield Hotel, some forty-three years ago. On the 4th of January, 1S38, Mr. Olcott was married to Miss Lovisa Snow, of Chat- j ham, Medina Co., who bore him two children. Newton R. Olcott was born Aug. 24, 1841, and married Miss Kate S. Murphy, of Marshall, Tex., Oct. 6, 1874, and is now living in Hous- : ton, Tex. Adalaide D. Olcott was born Nov. i 25, 1846, and is now living at home. Mr. Benoni Olcott donated the ground upon which the Congregational Church in Litchfield now stands, and subsequently assisted in building the edifice. He also gave one acre of ground ! to the Township Trustees, which was laid out ! for a place of interment for the dead, and is ! now used for that purpose. Also, one and a | half acres of ground for the first steam sawmill and grist-mill which was built in Litch- ; field; this he donated to David Hinman, now' I

A. C. STRANAHAN, fanner; P. O. Litch- ' field. Augustus C. Stranahan wras bora in , Plainfield, Windham Co., Conn., Nov. 21, 1809; he came to Ohio in 1831, and remained in Columbia, Lorain Co., during the winter and 1 summer of 1832, and then returned to Connecticut; remaining there through the winter ' of 1832-33, he again came to Ohio, and ! bought a farm of 55 acres near Columbia, in the spring of 1833, for which he paid $3 per

'acre. Jan. 1, 1834, lie married Miss L. C. Rood, of Litchfield Township, Medina Co., Ohio. In 1842, he removed his family to Litchfield, and bought SO acres of land, north of the village, where he lived until 1878, when he came to Litchfield, and has since resided there. Besides farming, Mr. Stranahan has worked at the trade of a carpenter for some years, when not actively engaged in farming. His wife bore him two sons, both of whom are dead. Soon after his removal to Litchfield, Mr. Stranahan received a fall which dislocated his hip, and he has since been incapacitated for active labor.