Liverpool Township (part 2 of 2)

In the fall of 1831, he was sent to the State of Alabama, under Judge Roberts, to engage in the construction of a steamboat canal around Muscle Shoals, on the Tennessee River. He succeeded Judge Roberts as Engineer in Chief in 1833, and finished the work in 1836, when he was promoted to the rank of Colonel in the United States Topographical Engineer Corps, and placed upon the staff of Gen. Andrew Jackson, then President, in 1838. He afterward resigned for a more active service - that of Consulting Engineer of the State of Tennessee, on a State system of McAdam and turnpike roads. In this position he remained. until the summer of 1843, when he resigned and came North to Oneida Co., N. Y., but removed in the spring of 1846 to Western Néw York, and settled in Ontario Township, Wayne Co., where he followed the plow until 1850, when he was called to a more congenial pursuit as Chief En gineer on the enlargement of the Erie Canal, with an office located at' Lockport, where he remained until removed by the opposite political party, when he obtained a situation as Chief Engineer on the Auburn & Syracuse Railroad in 1852 and 1853. He resigned to accept the position of Resident Engineer on the enlargement of the Erie Canal during the years of 1853 to 1856, having sole charge of the construction of forty-three miles of the canal, from Spencer Port to Reynales Basin. He was again removed by the accession to power of the Know-Nothing party, to make room for some party favorite, in the fall of 1856. In 1860, Mr. Williams labored earnestly for the election of Abraham Lincoln, espousing the cause of the North, the more heartily from his knowledge of the evils of slavery, which his residence in the South had given him. He tendered his services to the Government, but was refused on accountof his age. He became identified with the history of Medina Co. by moving to the eastern part of Spencer Township, where his son Levi C. now resides, in the spring of 1866, and purchased what was then known as the Peter Rice farm, where he lived until his death by apoplexy, Oct. 29, 1879. He experienced religion a few years before, and was a man universally respected as upright, just and charitable in all his dealings - a friend of the needy and oppressed, a champion of every reform. We cannot close this interesting biography without speaking of the life comes ae panion of Mr. Williams. Annis Amanda Seymour was born in the town of Lee, Oneida Co., N. Y., June 19, 1807. She was related directly, on her father's side, with ex-Gov. Seymour, of New York. Her father was one of the earliest settlers of Oneida Co. She followed her husband with unerring devotion in all his various professional wanderings. of seven children, three girls and four boys ; only four of them are now living. She was ever the faithful, affectionate wife and kind, loving mother. After Mr. Williams' death, she bought a house and lot in the village of Chatham Center, this county, where she still lives, at the age of 73 years.

REV. ABEL WOOD, farmer and clergyman, Spencer. His parents were Francis Wood, born Oct. 12,1764, in New Jersey ; his mother, Rachel (Dodd) Wood, born in New Jersey, in January, 1774. They were married Oct. 22, 1722, in New Jersey. The father died Jan. 8, 1853, in this township, and his mother died in Sullivan, Lorain Co., Ohio. Mr. Abel Wood was born Oct. 9, 1802, in New Jersey; and married Jan. 9, 1823, in Richland Co., Ohio, Miss Catharine Rowland, who was born Aug. 6, 1800. The children by | his first marriage were Rachel M., William B., Joseph R., Francis M., Christina R., James A. and Charles D. His wife and infant child died

Brunswick

GEORGE BARRY, farmer; P. O. Brunswick. Among the prominent farmers and stockmen is the subject of this sketch. He is the son of George Barry, Sr., a native of New York, who married Catharine Faussaur, a native of France. They had three children - Henry. Stephen and the subject of this sketch. He was born in New York City in 1829. He was employed as a clerk in a wholesale establishment of his native city, and came to Brunswick in 1853. He was married to Maria Beadle, a native of New York. They have fourteen children - Catharine, Alice, Raphael, George, Carrie, Edward, William, Ella, Charles, Jessie, Stephen, Moses, Ernest and Oliver. Catharine is married to Joseph Beebe; Alice is married to Frank Beebe; Carrie is married to H. E. Bolles ; George is married to Rosetta Heacox.

April 7, 1838. The second marriage was with Mrs. Sophia (Graves) Tubbs, who was born Sept. 19, 1810, in Leroy, Genesee Co., N. Y. The children were Lucena S., Lebbues A., Charlotte C., Parmelia A., all born in Spencer Township. ~ Mr. Wood has belonged to the Methodist Church for fifty-one years, and has assisted in' the services, first, as Class-leader and Exhorter, and was ordained Deacon in 1853, and Elder in 1862. He was one of the earliest settlers, and a pioneer preacher ; a conscientious earnest worker in his Master's service, sometimes, in order to meet appointments, walking to Sullivan, Brighton, Rochester, and many other places to hold divine services on Sundays. For further details of his pioneer life, see history of Spencer Township. His son, L. A. Wood, is a farmer, living a mile and three-quarters north of River Corners, formerly called Spencer's Mills. He was married March 22, 1869, to Miss Caroline Koons, who was born in Homer, Medina Co., Ohio, Feb. 20, 1850. The names of their children are as follows : Monroe E., born April 26, 1871, and died April 24, 1872 ; Mary A., March 15, 1873 ; Arthur Sidney, July 10, 1875. Mr. Wood's farm contains 103 acres, and shows the evidences of thrift and good management usual to our young American farmers.

He was a participant in the great sleigh ride. He is a lover of fine stock, and takes pride in having some of the best horse-flesh extant. WILLIAM WAYNE BROWN, farmer ; P. O. Brunswick. Samuel B. Brown, a native of New York, was born Nov. 16, 1803, and was married to Sybel Seton Oct. 24, 1824. She was born in New York July 19, 1806. Three of their children are now living - William W., Edwin B. and Amelia E. William Wayne was born in Hinckley, Medina Co., Dec. 11, 1831. He received a common-school education, and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. He was married, June 6, 1851, to Jane Furniss, a native of Royalton, Ohio. She died a short time after their marriage. He was re-married,

HENRY BENNETT, farmer; P. O. Bruns- | wick. Among the prominent farmers of Brunswick is the subject of this sketch. His father, Capt. O. R. Bennett, was a native of New Hampshire, and was in the war of 1812. He was married to Elizabeth Ford. They came here in 1828, and were the parents of seven children, among whom was Henry. He was born in Brunswick July 29, 1829. He obtained a common-school education, and has been an honored resident and farmer ever since. He was married, in 1851, to Eunice Squier, a native of New York. They have two children - Addie M. and Hallie W. The former is married to Egbert Benjarhin; they have three children - Clarence C., Alda C. and Anna L.

WILLIAM BENNETT, farmer ; P. O. Brunswick ; was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., Sept. 18, 1820. He is the son of John Bennett, who married Hester Johnson. They had four children, of whom he is the oldest. They came here in a wagon, when the country was new, in 1826. He was married, in 1849, to Sarah M. Pritchard, a native of New York. They have one daughter - Alice. He is one of the prominent farmers of his township, and has served as Township Trustee several terms. He has been President of the Medina County Agricultural Society for a number of years, and is extensively known throughout the county.

NEWELL M. COWLES, farmer; P. O. Brunswick. Sylvester Cowles was born March 4, 1796, and was from Amherst, Mass. He married Sophronia Mason, of Covington, Mass. | land, and made it fit for farming. Newell M. was | married in 1852, to Helen M. Davis, a native of | | ject of this sketch, was born in Granger, Me-

Carrigan, who was the daughter of Patrick Carrigan. They had six sons and two daughters ; two of the sons are now living, James and Peter. His parents emigrated to this country in 1848. He has been living in Brunswick fer the past fifteen years. He was married in 1870 to Mary McDonald, a native of Montville Township, this county. They have four children - Mary Jane, born Jan. 6, 1872; Margaret, born Jan. 26, 1874; William, born Feb. 9, 1877 ; James, born Aug. 20, 1879. "They are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

LANSON GRAHAM, farmer ; P. O. Brunswick. He was born in Brattleboro, Vt., in 1818. His father, Caleb Graham, was married to Lucy Whitney, a native of Vermont. They had nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the oldest. His parents came to Medina Co. in 1819. His father started from Vermont with a horse and wagon, and, when within fifty miles of Buffalo, the horse died. They then came to Cleveland in a boat, and the family was left there until the father came to Brunswick, and obtained a yoke of oxen with which he went to Cleveland, and brought his family to their new home in the wilderness. He obtained his education in the common schools, and was married in 1842, to Jane Stephenson, a native of New York, she coming into this county when 12 years old. They have six children, two sons and four daughters. He has held the office of Township Trustee for several terms. He was at one time a member of the I. O. O. F., and is now a Freemason. Below, we give the names of children and marriages: Almira C., married to George Wait ; Helen M., married to Charles Strong ; Ella J., married to Nelson Forschner ; James M., Harold B. and Zelma E.

MARTIN GANYARD,farmer ; P. O. Brunswick. His father, James Ganyard, a native of New York, was married to Sallie Low. They settled in Granger, this county, in 1818. They had six children - James 5S., Almira, Martin, Matilda, Ansel and Roenus. Martin, the subdina Co., Ohio, in 1827. He obtained a com- He came to Brunswick in 1868. He was married, in 1853, to Eliza M. Briggs, a native of New York. They have three children - Almond, Willis, who is married to Jennie Harrington. They have two children - Leona and an infant, and Ella, who is married to Arthur Wyman. They have one child. This is a record of a family of musicians. They are relatives of the celebrated violinist Ganyard, of New York.

WILLIAM KENNEDY, farmer; P. O. Brunswick. He was born in Scarboro, Canada, in 1818. His father, Andrew Kennedy, was a native of New York. He was married to Mary Perkins, a native of Maine. There were seven children, five sons and two daughters. The subject of this sketch was the second son. His education was obtained in a common school. He spent his younger days on his father's farm. When he became 20 years of age, the patriot war was raging in Canada. He was an American, and was styled as a " Yankee." His life was threatened and he was compelled to escape. He came to Medina Co. in 1838, and was married, in 1841, to Elizabeth Hamilton, a native of Medina County. They have seven children - Henry P., Albert H., Irving H., Mary E., Loretta E., Viola E. and Hattie E. He is a member of the Congregational Church. He has been Justice of the Peace for twelve years, and has served as County Commissioner eight years. His grandfather, John Kennedy, was in the Revolutionary war, and drove the oxen that drew bales of hay up Bunker Hill for fortifications. Tradition says he steered the boat when Washington crossed the Delaware. Thus it will be seen that patriotic blood flows in the veins of the subject of this sketch.

THEODORE KEHREN, farmer; P. O. Brunswick. Laurent Kehren was a village schoolmaster. His ancestors were from Holland. He was married to Catharine Metzger, a native of Alsace. They had thirteen children, among whom was the subject of this sketch. He was born in Rommanswiler, Alsace, Nov. 9, 1831. He worked at the trade of candlemaker for the paltry sum of $1 per month. He came to America in 1848, and worked a short time in Milton, N. J.,in a wadding factory, and then went to New York City, where he learned the trade of a watch-case maker. At this he labored incessantly for sixteen years, and, by economy and prudence, amassed some means, with which he bought the farm on which he now resides. He came to Brunswick in 1864, where he has been living ever since. He was married, in 1863, to Caroline Hammon, a native of Liverpool, this county. They have two children - George L. and Florine. He has the esteem and respect of his neighbors, and all those with whom he is acquainted. His sentiments and ideas are liberal. He is no slave to any church or secret organization. He takes for his religious standard "a true, moral, positive science." He is a firm believer and supporter of the constitution, and takes pride in being a kind and indulgent father, and a true, honest and upright citizen of the United States. Although he has made some enemies by his expression of sentiments, he fears not to speak what his conscience dictates him to be right and just. He is a deep and liberal thinker, and does not shirk an expression of sentiment. These traits are evidences of true manhood and nobility, and adored by him when compared with deception and bigotry. But, with all these traits, he claims to be far from perfection, but human and liable to err.

EPHRAIM LINDLY, farmer; P. O. Brunswick ; whose portrait has been selected and appears in connection with the history of Brunswick as a fit representation of the old pioneers, was born in Rutland, Vt., Sept. 16, 1796, and is the son of Abia and Nancy (Power) Lindly. So far back as we are able to give it the genealogy of his father's people, only reaches to the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Jacob Lindly, his grandfather, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He married Mindwell Pond, and they reared a family of ten children, three daughters and seven sons. Abia, one of the latter, was the father of Ephraim. He was a loyal citizen, and served his country in the war of 1812. In 1802, he, with his wife, went to Connecticut, where they remained until 1811. They then came West, and settled in the Western Reserve. This trip was made overland in a two-wheeled cart, drawn by a yoke of oxen, and one horse, driven at tandem. They were two months on the journey. Ephraim attained only a common-school education, he being obliged to spend much of his early life helping his father to clear land. On his mother's side, Nathaniel Power, her grandfather, was born in Cumberland, R. L, June 23, 1748. He died April 17, 1836, in Lenox, Penn., in his 89th year. Lucy Tingly, the wife of Nathaniel Power, was born in Attleboro, Mass., in 1758, and was married to Nathaniel Power on Nov. 29, 1774; Nancy Power, daughter of Nathaniel and Lucy, was born in Attleboro, Mass., on Dec.

15, 1777, and was married to Abia Lindly, on Jan. 1, 1794, in Kingsbury, N. Y. In October, 1816, Ephraim Lindly became a resident of Brunswick Township, and, in 1821, he was married to Miss Mary Crittenden, who is a native of Massachusetts. Their beginning in life was under difficulties to be overcome, requiring the stoutest hearts and the most willing of hands. Few of the present generation, who are residents of Brunswick Township, can comprehend the loneliness of their little cabin home in a vast wilderness, surrounded by wild animals and Indians. Yet, under these difficulties, they have in the years of their residence in Brunswick, builded for themselves a home and a reputation that stands as a monument to their honesty and industry. Mr. Lindly has been a member of the M. E. Church for about half a century. For the past forty years, he has been Superintendent of the M. E. Sabbath school connected with his church. For thirty-five years, he has been exhorter in the church. He was also elected a delegate to the Annual Conference held in Wooster, Ohio. The citizens have honored him with the office of Township Trustee. They have reared a family of six children, named as follows: Julia, now wife of James O. Johnson ; Mary, now wife of David S. Safford ; Rachel, now wife of Edward Hulet ; John W., George E. and Francis W. The latter, who married Miss Hattie M. Stevens, has taken a very active part in the prosperity of the M. E. Church and Sabbath school, in which he has been elected Steward and Recording Steward for the Brunswick Circuit. He was born in 1839, and now lives with his father. During the war of the rebellion, he: served his country nobly in the 103d O. V. L, Co. K. While in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, he was wounded, by which misfortune he lost one of its limbs.

HANNAH M. LOCKWOOD ; P. O. Brunswick. Andrew Lockwood was born April 6, 1763, in Stamford, Conn. He married Elizabeth Webb, who was born March 16, 1771, in the same place. They had six children - Benjamin, Isaac, Webb, Oliver F., Maria Jane and Rena. Oliver F., the husband of the subject of this sketch, was born in Stamford, Conn., April 26, 1807. He learned the trade of shoemaker. He was married, in 1829, to Hannah M. Finney. They removed to Ashtabula, Ohio, in 1834 ; remained there until 1847, whenthey removed to Brunswick. They have five children - Mary E., who married Daniel Strong ; Josephine E., who married Lewis T. Rogers ; E. Webb, who married Marietta Doolittle ; they have two children - Frank R. and Burton M.; John A., married to Mary J. Moon; they have four children - Gertrude L., Harley F., Jesse L. and Lena; Maria J.

PETER LEISTER, farmer; P. O. Brunswick ; was born in Prussia Jan. 5, 1825, and obtained a common-school education. He emigrated to America in 1846, and went to Cleveland, and remained there until 1850, when he came to Brunswick, where he has been living ever since, He was married, in 1850, to Anna C. Krause, a native of Prussia. She emigrated to America with her parents in 1845; they have four children - Anton A., Adam, Eliza and Caroline.

OMRI MORTON, farmer ; P. O. Bennett's Corners. Simeon Morton, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was married to Sybil Graves; they had three children, among whom was Reuben Morton, who was married to Mary Frary. They had eight children. Omri Morton was born in Whately, Franklin. Co., Mass., July 24, 1815. He attended the common schools, and learned the trade of stonemason. He came to Medina Co. in 1840, and was married to Selecta Carpenter, a native of Strongsville, Cuyahoga Co. Ohio. They have four children - Bradley C., married to Sarah Beaham, who have three children - Lena, Lucy and Alma; Mary, married to W. Clement, who have one child - Rollin ; Alexander H. and Marcus. He is a highly respected citizen, and is extensively acquainted throughout the township. :

JOHN W. MORTON, farmer ; P. O. Brunswick; was born in Massachusetts in 1819; eame to this county in 1833, and has lived here ever since. He was married, in 1841, to Harriet Hall; they had four children - Emma, Ellen, Mary and Frank. She died in 1870; he was remarried to Mary A. Collyer, a native of England. He is a member of the M. E. Church. He has served as Township Trustee several terms, and also as Assessor.

ZEPHANIAH OAKLEY, bridge-builder ; Brunswick. Abraham Oakley, a native of New Lisbon, N. J., was married to Betsey Taylor They had four children - William, Emmanuel, Mary and the subject of this sketch. He was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1826. He came to Medina Co. in 1831, and has resided here the major portion of his life. His educacation was received in the common schools. He learned the trades of blacksmith and carpenter. He was married, in 1851, to Moriva E. Wells, a native of Summit Co.; she is a daughter of Jared Wells, one of the pioneers of the county. She is a woman of refinement, a Christian, kind-hearted lady in every sense of the word, as all her neighbors and acquaintances testify. They are one of the model families of Brunswick, bearing the esteem, confidence and good-will of all. They are members of the M. E. Church, and the needy and comfort-seeking are never forgotten by them. They have two children - Alvin A., who is married to Anna Stevenson, and Clara E., who is married to Albert Marshall Mr. Oakley is in the employ of the King Iron Bridge Company, of Cleveland, and superintends the construction of bridges in all parts of the country. THEODORE PERKINS, farmer; P. O. Brunswick. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was born in Enfield, Conn., June 7,1797. His grandfather, Daniel Perkins, was a Representative in the Legislature. He married Rebecca Wadsworth, a sister of Gen. Wadsworth, a Revolutionary officer. They had two children - George and Daniel. The latter married Persus Billings ; her father was a participant in the French and Revolutionary wars, and witnessed the death of Gen. Wolfe. They had five children - Norman, Theodore, Henry, Horace and Samuel. He worked at the coloring business, when young, and farmed some. He accumulated some wealth and went into the peddling business with Maurice Matthews, an Englishman of wealth. This they carried on very successfully, and erected a business house near Rochester, N., Y., which was destroyed by fire. He took the means he had left and purchased land in Medina Co., and has resided here since 1832. He was married to Polly M. Johnson, a native of Fairfield, Vt. They have four children. Maurice M., who married Rachel Davis; six children - Myrtia E., William T., Thomas J., Mary A., Stella M., Maurice M. Peter married to Mary Bryan, four children - Josephine, Frederick, Theodore, George. William married to Mary Stone, two children - Emma, Bessie. Charlotte married to Linus Thayer, three children - Cora, Frank, Eva. He has suffered loss several times by fire, and his house, with all its contents, burned to the ground recently. He is a member of the honorable fraternity of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, and "governs himself accordingly."

ALBERT F. ROOT, store, Brunswick. The ancestors of the subject of this sketch were prominent, people, and were extensively acquainted throughout the county. William Root, a native of Connecticut, was the father of six sons and one daughter. One of the sons, James A., was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Brunswick July 14, 1818. He was married to Susan H. Whitman, a native of Connecticut. His younger days were spent on a farm. His educational facilities were very iimited, and all the prestige he won in his town was through his own exertions. His father kept a tavern, where he had an opportunity of judging human nature and learning the lesson of life. By his honesty of character, sincerity of purpose and traits of true manhood, he won the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. His whole life was marked by deeds of charity. Was a family in need by unforeseen occurrences, such as fire and sickness, he was always ready to contribute abundantly to alleviate their sufferings. He had a moral influence such as no other man can boast of. He was ever ready to do a charitable act; to make the suffering happy was his joy ; doing good was his element. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for twentyone years. He was elected to the Legislature in 1864, and was on the Ways and Means Committee; he introduced the "bill to raise the wages of jurymen." His greatest aim in life was to be honest. He was the father of one son - Albert F., who was born Aug. 14, 1841. His younger days were spent in attending school His father kept a store, and, when he had finished his education, he aided him in earrying on his business. His father died Nov. 2, 1878 ; this left the son in charge of the business, which they had by their strict attention and fair dealing made an object. He was married, in 1871, to Sarah Buckingham, a native of New York. After a short and happy union, death again came to his door, and she expired Oct. 29, 1880.