Lorain City (part 15 of 77)

Solomon Whittlesey

One of the earliest and most prominent settlers of Brownhelm, was Solomon Whittlesey. We find him frequently mentioned in J. H. Fairchild's "History of Brownhelm." The exact date of his arrival is not given, but his name appears in connection with early religious matters in the year 1819. It is stated in the work above referred to that " The church was organized June 10, 1819, at the house of Solomon Whittlesey, and consisted of sixteen members, seven . men and nine women." Again referring to Mr. Whittlesey, President Fairchild says : "Thrifty men pursued the business of hunting as a pastime. The only man in town, perhaps, to whom it afforded profitable business in any sense, was Solomon Whittlesey. Other professional hunters were shiftless men, to whom hunting was a mere passion, having something of the attraction of gambling. Mr. Whittlesey did not neglect his farm, but he knew every haunt and path of the deer and the turkey, and was often in their track by day and by night. He is with us to-day, (1867) and reports the killing of one bear, two wolves, twenty wild cats, almost one hundred and fifty deer, and smaller game too numerous to specify. One branch of his business was bee hunting, a pursuit which required a keen eye, good judgment and practice. The method of the hunt was to raise an odor in the forest, by placing honey comb on a hot stone, and in the vicinity another piece of comb charged with honey. The liees were attracted by the smell, and having gorged themselves with the honey, they took a hec line for their tree. This line the hunter observed and marked by two or more trees in range. He then took another station, not on this line, and went through tiie same operation. These two lines, if fortunately selected, would conyerge upon the bee tree, and could be followed out by a pocket compass. The tree, when found, was marked by the hunter with his initials, and could be cut down by him, at the proper time." Mr. Whittlesey is also accredited with having been among the first in Brownhelm township to manufacture pearl-ash, which he did quite extensively. He seems to have been one of the most industrious and energetic of the pioneers, and a worthy man in every respect. He died February 22, 1871, aged eighty-four years, nine months and twenty-two days ; his excellent widow survived him about two years, she departing this life on the 26th of April, 1873, aged seventy-one years, one month and three days.

William Sayles

was Ijoi'ii at Milan, Erie county, Oliio, June 5, 1821, and was tlie sixth child in a family of eight children of Lemuel Sayles, who was born March 8, 1783, and Laura Adams, who was born February 4, 1789, she being a native of Utica, New York. Tlie subject of this sketch started out in life at the age of fourteen, sustaining the loss of his excellent mother at a tender Duriuir the winter months he attended school, and by being industrious and intlefatigalde in the pursuit of knowledge, he became ([uite prot:cient in the English branches, and followed school teaching as an avocation, commencing in the winter of 183'J-"40, at New London Center, Huron county, Ohio, and continued for nineteen consecutive winters, all but the first one, in the vicinity of his present home. He made his first purchase of land, consisting of fifty acres, in the year 1845, in Vermillion township. He bought his present farm of one hundred acres in the spring of 1851, and has since added some adjoining land to it.

Mr. Sayles was united in marriage with Sarah C, daughter of Perry and Elizabeth Darley, July 3, 1843. She was from Frederickstowu, Maryland. She died May G, 1870, regretted by her friends, and deeply mourned by her relatives. . She joined the Congregational Church of Vermillion, in 1845, and her connection with that body ceased only with her life. Ilcr husljand became a member of the church at the same time, and still retains his connection with it. For his second wife, Mr. Sayles married Lovina E., daughter of John and Elizabeth Gordon, of Paulding county, Ohio, in Seiitomber, 1877, who is still living.

Mr. Sayles is a self-made man in the broadest sense of that term. He secured his education by personal efforts, and the same energy and determination to succeed that characterized his endeavors in that direction, has attended him in his subsecpient business career. From .January 18, 18G4, until 1875, he occupied the position of superintendent of the Antwerp Iron Works, located in Paulding county, Ohio, and retains an interest in the same at present.

In early life he was an old line whig; and in the formation of the republican party espoused its principles as being best calculated to perpetuate popular government and our American institutions. He was elected a justice of the peace in 187(!, and still holds that office. He has also been township treasurer, assessor, etc., at ditfcrent, times. A fine illustration, surmounted with the family jiortraits, api)ears elsewhere in this volume, which forms an approjjriate page in the history of Brownlielm.

John H. Heymann

was born in Nassau, Germany, August 13, 1828. lie was the third son in a family of eight children of (ieorge Ileymann. The whole fannly emigrated t.o

America in 1848, and settled in Lyme township, Huron county, Ohio, where they purchased a farm of two hundred acres, upon which John II. worked three years. In 1851, he went to California by way of the Isthmus, where he worked at blacksinithing, mining and teaming. He remained thei'c until 1855, when ho returned to Lyme township and purchased a farm, upon which he remained until 18G8, when he bought a flouring mill, a saw mill and other buildings adjoining, situated in Brownhelm Hollow, on Vermillion river, an illustration of which mills, etc., is given elsewhere in this volume. In 1875, he obtained a half interest in the Amherst flouring mill, and three years later purchased the other half and became sole proprietor of it. The mill in Brownhelm Hollow was destroyed by fire in October, 1876; it was rebuilt the following year, and is one of the finest mills in the county. It contains all the modern improvements, and is capable of turning out as good grist as any mill within a radius of fifty miles.

In August, 1855, Mr. Hcymann and Miss Katheriiie Schied were united in marriage. She was born in Nassau, Germany, January 12, 1832. Her parents were natives of the same place. She had three brothers and two sisters, all of whom came to this country ill 1854, and settled in Peru, Huron county, Ohio, where Mr. Schied bought a farm of one hundred and sev(uity-five acres. They all now live in Huron and Erie counties, except the father, who is dead.

Mr. and Mrs. Heymann have had ten children, seven daughters and three sons, all of whom are living. The oldest son is married, as is also the oldest daughter.

Mr. Heymann is one of the substantial and respected men of his towiishi]), and enjoys a good general reputation for industry, honesty and economy.

Henry Brown

Judge Brown was born in Stockbridge. Massachusetts, .June 3, 1773. In his youth he commenced a course of liberal education and entered Harvard college, l)ut l:)y reason of the failure of his health when in his sophomore year he was compelled to discontinue his studies. After partially restoring his health by travel, he engaged in merchandise in his native town and continued in the business until his western interests required its abandonment. In the fall of 181G, he visited the tract of country, then simply known as iiuml)er six in the nineteenth range (now Brownhelm) and on his return east he entered into contract with the Connecticut Land Company for the purchase of threefourths of the township, and with the Messrs. Rockwells, of Colebrook, Connecticut, for the rest. Under his lead many of his old neighbors in Stockbridge removed to his western purchase and settled. Col. 'Brown, as he was formerly called, selected for himself a t ract of about a mile s(piare, in the northeast corner of the town, and sent out, in the winter of 1816-17, several young men to ei'ect him a house and to commence the improvement of his land. lie removed with his family in the summer of 1818, and took up his abode on the lake shore in tlie house previously built.

Upon the organization of the county of Lorain, Col. Brown was ajijiointed one of the three associate judges of the county, a position which, both by reason of his business cx]icriencc and the natural bent of liis mind, he was well (|ualitied to fill. Not unfrequeutly, in the absence of the presiding judge, he was obliged to proceed with the business, even to charging tlie jury. He was always C((ual to these emergencies. Judge Brown's record on tlio bench was an exceedingly creditable one.

He was a man of cntoi'prise and public spirit, liberally supporting with his means and time every object tending to the improvement of society. Long before his conversion, which occurred at a comparatively late period in his life, no one was more earnest in the support of the gospel, and few members of the churcli more regular in their attendance upon its appointed services. When the people in Brownhelm began to think of inviting a minister to settle among them, he proposed to pay one-eighth of the expense. After a few years he united with the church, his wife and some of the children having previously joined. ^ His lialiit of i)unctuality in everytJiing, especially in his attendance at every meeting, directly or indirectly iitfecting tlie church, was reniarkalile. It is said by one who knew liini well '"that during a whole winter, ; two evenings in a week, when nearly seventy years of age, he came through mud and rain, snow and frost, (o attend a singing school; and u}) to his last attendance on jiublic worship he was always to be found in his place in the choir."

He was frequently a delegate from the presbytery to tlie general assembly of the Presbyterian church, and in one year spent not less than five months, including his attendance at a churcli trial in Pbiladelj)hia, and the convention at Auburn.

Judge Brown also took an active part in the establishment of a college in the Western Reserve, attending the meeting at Hudson, called for the purpose. '"Indeed," says a writer on this subject, "but for him and another friend of the college, no such charter would have been obtained as the friends of the institution would have accepted. There was deadly hostility to it in the Legislature; and the charter which tliey asked was so altered in its provisions as to jtrevent the possibility of securing religious instruction, and as such was passed through the house. Intelligence of this was comnuuiicated to the friends of the institution. Judge Brown and the other (Rev. Caleb Titkin) went with haste to Columbus, and arrived just as the bill was about to be read for tlie third time. They succeeded, by the aid of a friend, in arresting this; and after days and evenings of patient waiting upon the opponents of the contemplated institution, they succeeded in obtaining the charter as they had asked, with the exception of two trustees, against whom there was such personal hostility as no arguments could overcome."

Judge Brown Avas afterwards a member of the board of trustees of this college, and continued in the ollicc until the infirmities of age compelled him to relinipiisli it.

He was a man of many social <[ualities, and of much intelligence. His hospitality was unljininded. His log house on the hdvc shore was the general rendezvous of the early emigrants and in many other ways tliey were the recipients of his practical benevolence.

Rev. Alfred Ii. Betts

Rev. Alfred H. Betts took up his residence in Brownhelm in January, 1821. He was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, September 2, 1786. November 2, 1809, he was united in marriage to Sally Harris, daughter of Captain Luther Harris, of Bridgeport, Connecticut. In early life, he adopted the profession of medicine, and ijracticed for ten years in Daubury. In the fall of 1816, he and his father-in-law came to Ohio, and selected a place for settlement in Florence, Erie county. After the erection of a cabin. Captain Harris returned cast for their families, with whom he arrived the next season. Dr. Betts sjjent the first two or three Sabbaths with Deacon Beardslee and family, who, a short time before, settled in Vermillion. They had a few religious" exercises, such as singing, prayer, and a sermon, read by Dr. Betts. He was soon invited by others in their neighborliood to come to their dwellings, and hold similar meetings, at which a few families would be invited to attend. And thus began his "i-eading meetings."

In a short time. Dr. Betts had regular appointments at Birmingham, Florence, Vermillion, and other places. In consequence of the detention of his freight at Buffalo, until the next spring after his arrival. Dr. Betts had but one suit of clothes, which, having to wear in the woods through the week, was hardly suitable for the pulpit on the Sabbath. Long before the arrival of his goods, his old coat needed repairing, and Deacon Beardslee's wife would mend it as best she could, with the means she had. Some rents were drawn up, and some covered with patclies of such cloth as she had, which was not always of the same color. In the spring his boots were gone, and a neighbor made him a pair of moccasins. The condition of his apparel greatly disturbed him, and he began to question whether he had better continue in his old clothes, or suspend the meetings until the arrival of his goods. He consulted a few of his friends in regard to the matter, who told him that, as he had

After his stock of printed sermons was exhausted ho prepared discourses of his own; yet he did not call them sermons, and he was always careful to assure his auditors that he was not actually a minister. A missionary hearing of Dr. Betts' labors called upon him for the purj)ose of satisfying himself as to the denomination to which he belonged. "I came to Vermillion," he said, 'and asked a young man if they had any preaching:" He said 'uo.' 'Have you any meetings?' 'Yes, a num comes from tlie Uidge and holds meetings on the Sabbath.' 'What is he?' 'Don't know; guess a Methodist?' Of another I made the same inquiries wlio guessed you whs a Baptist. Another still, thought you was a Univorsalist. "And now," said he, "I want to i<u(iw fnun you, yourself, what you arc?' " Dr. Betts was al)lc to satisfy him and lie departed.

In the su)rimer of 1810. Dr. Betts went to Iludsuif, Portage county, io prepare himself for the ministry. He remained until April, 1830, when he was licensed by the Presljytery. lie returned to Florence, where his family liad remained, and continued the meetings formerly held by him. In tlie winter of 1820-'21, he received a call from the Congregational church in Brownlielm, whicli he accepted and was ordained and installed Ajiril 5, 1821. He continued pastor of the church twelve years, when he 'was dismissed at his own request. Dr. Betts was one of the busiest and best known men in the country. For years he traveled all over this region, having visited every township on the fire lands, assisting in organizing churclies and performing the duties of colporteur and Bible distributor. On the occasion of a donation visit at a late period in his life, by his friends from many of the towns comprising the field of his early labors, it was remarked by one of the visitors that a great many people had assembled. "Yes," said Dr. Betts, after a moment's' reflection, "and there is not a family represented that I have not lodged with.''

His busy and useful life came to a close September 8, 1860. Of his thirteen children ten lived to mature vears. Six are now living; two of them in Brownlielm.

Henrietta Physical Features

The township is described on the county records as town number five, in range nineteen of the Connecticut Western Reserve. Its jiosition in the county is in the western tier of townships ; to the nortli, Brownhelm ; to the east Russia; to the south, Camden; to the west, the county line. The surface in its general features is (juite level, with pleasing undulations in those portions through which its small streams run, particularly in tlie uortliwest corner. The soil is generally a clay loam, with a more sandy soil in small portions. The water courses are Chance creek in the eastern part, Leonard lirook in tlie western, l)oth tributaries of the Vermillion river, which makes a detour into the northwest corner of the township, from Erie county. The east branch of the Vermillion traverses the southwest part. Tliere are a few other smaller streams, mere rivulets, one of which is Division lirook, in the northern part. The principal original kinds of timber were whitewood, white oak, hickory, walnut, white and black ash, beech, elm and liasswood. At an early period, evidently long previous to settlement, a terrific hurricane sweiit through the township, by wliich all of the larger timber, for over a half a mile in width, was blown down. This district is called "Tlie Windfall." It is jihiinly indicate<l by the younger and more unifoim growth of the tiinlier than that of the adjoining territory, tlie varieties consisting chiefly of wliite ami lilack ash, elm, oak, liickory, maple and cherry.

Tlie township was surveyed by Edward Duranil in connection with other territory. The three northern tiers of lots, constituting about one-thii'd of tlie area of the township, formed a part of Brownhelm until tlie year 1827, when they were set off to Henrietta; and, on the county map, it will be noticed that those lots arc numbered continuously with those of Brownhelm. Tlie remainder of the township was surveyed in connection with territoi'y lying south of it. The survey began at tlie southern boundary of the Western Reserve, in the township of Troy, then Lorain county, now Ashland, and the laiid divided int(j fifteen ti'ucts, nuniljcrs twelve, thirteen, fourteen and fifteen beiug in this township. These were subdivided into lots. That part of the gore embraced in Henrietta is divided into lots twenty-three, twenty-four and twenty-five. The part detached from Brownhelm was originally owned by Col. Brown, by contract with the Connecticut Laud Company, and the rest of the township by difEerent jjersons.

The family that is generally accorded the honor of being tiio first settlers in the townshiji was that of Simeon Durand. Durand was a native of France. At the age of sixteen years, he and a brother, Merari, accompanied La Fayette to Amei-ica, Simeon acting as the generaFs inlerpi-eter, and, in tliat caiiacity. continned to serve him until the close of the Revolution. He married soon after the close of tlie war, and settled iu Essex county. New York. He lived there until the winter of 1817, when, with wife and youngest child, the older children coming subseijMently, he removed to Henrietta. He settled on lot ninety-eight, and the family lived under a shelter made of poles and covered with bark until a more civilized habitation could be provided. His purchase comprised one hundred ai.d sixty acres.

The life of this hardy pioneer came to a close on his original farm. May 35, 1831. His wife survived him many years, and leached the advanced age of ninety. Her death occurred in tJie year 1854, at tlie house of her son Merari, in the township of Russia. She possessed, iu a marked degree, those rfualities necessary to a successful combat with the hardships of pioneer life. The remainder of the children came into the township subsequently. Lucinda, the oldest, married Joseph Powers in New York, with whom she removed to Henrietta from the State of Vermont a few years after the first settlement. Deacon Powers, as he came to be called, kept a public house here for many years, and was also a leading member of the Baptist church. His location was on the same lot on which Durand located. He lived for a time in Wisconsin subsequent to his settlement in Henrietta, but returned and died here. His widow died in New Jersey.

Hiram Durand, the next oldest of the children, with his family, settled on a part of his father's farm. He did not remain long in the township, however, removing to Illinois and, subsequently to California. Louisa married a cousin Durand. They, many years ago, removed to Michigan. Edward was one of the most jn-ominent citizens of Henrietta, and was well known throughout the county for many years. He has held the offices of county surveyor and county auditor, justice of the peace and other townshij) offices. He removed with his family to Wisconsin, and died there soon after of cholera. He was twice married; first to a daughter of Thomjison Blair, of Amherst. She died some fifteen years afterwards, and he subsequently married a widow Bnrrell, of Sheffield. The next of the children was Teressa. She is now a widow, living in Avon. Betsey married Charles Wells, of Henrietta; afterwards removed to Illinois, and died there. Merari, the 3-oungest, married twice and was the father of twelve children, ten of whom are living, and one, Dorleski, wife of L. N. Higgins, in Henrietta.

Calvin Leonard. He was a native of Bennington county, Vermont, removed to Cayuga county New York, when eighteen years of age, whence, in the summer of ISUI, on foot and alone with his jiaok on his back, he came to Henrietta. He purchased some three hundred acres on the lot (ninely-seven) next west of Durand, and twenty-five (gore). Choice of location with the first settlers was determined not so much by the quality of soil as by a desire for new neighbors, and we usually find them locating upon land adjoining, or near, that on which a settlement lia<l been made. Young Leonard cleared a small piece on lot ninety-seven, built his log cabin, and, the following winter, returned to New York to consummate an arrangement previously made with Miss Tryphena Root, immediately after the fulfillment of which he set out for tlie far west with ox-team and sled and a few household goods. His wife came by stage to Buffalo, and there joined her husband. The weather was pro|)itious for this ])rimitive bridal journey. It is authentically stated that the first snow, that season, fell the day before they started and disappeared the day after their arrival in Henrietta. Where Elyria now is, a bear was seen to cross their path a short distance in front of them. That part of the county was then an almost unbroken wilderness. Mr. Leonard was better off, as regards ready means, than perhaps any of the earlier jiioneers. He had the money to pay for his land, and that can rarely be said of the settler in that early day. He was, moreover, an enterjirising, industrious farmer, and eventually became well off. Their family consisted of three children, Jeannette, Cnyler anil Hervej. The daughter became the wife of Rev. Oliver VV. Mather, a Presbyterian minister who was a graduate of Yale College. At the time of his marriage he was located at Birmingham, Erie county, but preached also at other points. He eventually returned to Connecticut, and died there. Mrs. Mather died many years previous, at the residence of her brother Hervey, in Henrietta. Cuyler graduated at Hudson College, remained a tutor there for two years, then studied law, and was for many years a leading member of the bar of Sandusky City. He married a young lady of high social rank in Danbury, Connecticut. His death took place in 1859. Hervey Leonard resides in Oborlin, having, a few years since, removed there from Henrietta, where he had resided on the farm, on which he was boin, for forty-nine consecutive years. His first wife was Maretta 0. Wheden, of Washington county, New York, originally but subsequently of Oberlin, where she griiduated. She died in 1868, and Mr. Leonard married, three years afterward, Mrs. Helen M. Dart, of Oberlin, with whom he is now living.

Next in order came Ruluff Andress and Jolui Denison, and their families, in the fall of 1817. They were also from New York, as were nearly all of the early settlers. The women and children came by boat from Dunkirk to the mouth of Black river, and were thirteen days on the water, and experienced an almost unprecodcntly rougli voyage. Tlieir store of provisions was exliaustetl on tlieir arrival at Black river, having nothing in that line, except half a barrel of salt beef, which Denison had put aboaiil. Andress and Denison came through with their team.s, and ariived at the nioulli of Black river, where they expected to liiid tlieir families, three days in advance of them.

Andress located east of Duraiid, taking up a Inindred and sixty acres, lie was a carpenter and joiner, and was much employed in the iniilding of mills, bridges, etc. He built for Perez Starr, of Birmingham, the first, dam across the Vermillion. He also built a mill for Mr. Starr. Andress .subsequently removed to Huron county, where, in a little place called I'Lickerbrush, he kept hotel for a tipie. His wife died while there, and he afterwards returned to Henrietta, where he died in about the year 1855. His was a busy, useful life. Of his nine childi-en, four are yet living. The (ddest of these, Almon, lives in Birmingham, who, although feeble in body, retains his memory unimpaired, and we are indebted to him for many facts relating to the early settlement of the townshiji. Milo is a Mormon, living in i)olygamy at Salt Lake. Charlotte (Mrs. Abhott) and Harriett (Mrs. Lang) reside in Iowa.

Mr. l)enison made his location just west of Henrietta Hill. He was possessed of some ready means on his arrival, but instead of ])ayingfor his land, he kept his money for possible contingencies. A condjiuation of adverse events exhausted his resources, and he was finally dispossessed of his land, by which he lost all that he had exjicnded in the improvement of it. He then rented land of Calvin Leonard for a nundjer of years, and then, his wife having died, he took nj) his abode with his daughter, Mrs. Bristol, in Birmingham, with whom he s])ent the remainder of his life. He died March 11, ISfiG. His wife died February 13, 182C. She was carried to the grave upon an ox cai-t, on which the mourners also rode. Four of his six children are living, viz: Mrs. Lewis, in Ridgeville; Mrs. D. 0. Marsh and Mrs. Charles A. Bristol, in Birmingham; and John S., in Henrietta. The latter has lived in the town longer than any other present resident of the township.

Joseph Swift moved into town this same year, fi'om Connecticut, and settled in the northwest corner of the township, then the southwest corner of Browulielni, on lot eighty-one. He eventually owned a large amount of land on the Vermillion bottom, on which he raised immense cro})S of corn, and that locality claimed to lie called "Egypt." His product of this cereal one season was live thousand bushels, which he sold for one dollar per bushel. He was an enterprising, successful farmer, and acquired a large property. He built a house as early as 1840, which cost some five thousand dollars. It was a grand structure for the time, with pillars which were brought ;ill the way from Albany, New York. This house is now occupied by Nicholas Wilbur. Swift married a sister of Mrs. Calvin Leonard, Elizabeth Root, and had a family of six children, four of whom are living, as follows: Joseph, in Iowa; Elisha and Mrs. Cooley, near Jackson, Michigan; and Mrs. Griggs, in Detroit. Mr. Swift died at (irass Lake, Michigan, about three years since, and his widow now resides there. Almon and Jedediah Holconib and their families moved in, in the sjiring of 1830. They have now no descendants in the township.

Uriah Hancock joined the settlement in 1830. He was a wheelwright, and had a machine shop on Leonard brook, in an early day. He subsequently removed to Illinois, and died there. His secoiid son. Smith Hancock, was killed in a somewhat singular manner. He was riding in an ox cart loaded with hogs, one of the wheels of which coming into collision with a stump, the cart was overturned upon him, killing him almost instantly.

S((uire Abbott joined the settlement in June, 1835. He was originally from Massachusetts, but removed to New York at an early date, and thence to Kingsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, and subse(|uently to this townshi]), as stated. He made his location on Henrietta Hill, and struck the first blow ever made there. His habitation occupied the spot on which is now the residence of Ansel Hales. Mr. Abbott was a Ba])tist jireacher, and was the first settled minister ill town. His wife was Annie Spalford, also of Massachusetts. His death occurred in December, 1853, at the age of eighty-one years and six mouths. His wife died in January, 1845. Their daughter Wealthy, is the wife of Alnicron Stedman, of Henrietta, who came into tlie townshiji in 1837. Mr. Stedman had ]>reviously made a journey from Litchfield, Connecticut, to Kingsville, in Ashtabula county, for the purpose of visiting an uncle, and while there met Miss Abbott, whom he afterwards married in Henrietta.

He took up fifty acres on lot one hundred and one. a short distance south of the Hill, on the north and south center road, and he still occupies his original jiurchr.se, which has lieen increased by subsequent additions. His primitive log cabin stood a little south of his present neat frame house. Although Mr. Stedman settled here ten years after the first settlement was made, there was not even then a stick cut south of him to Brighton. Mrs. Stedman is a woman of much intelligence, possesses a tenacious memory as to early events, and has given the writer many facts in the history of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Stedman, now well advanced in life, raised a family of thirteen children, all of whom lived to adult life. Justin Abbott, the oldest of Squire Abbott's family, died in Minnesota. Anna was the wife of Amos Morse, one of the early settlers in Kingsville, Ashtabula county, and is now living in widowhood, in Nebraska. Susan became the wife of Ferris Webster, spent her married life in Jefferson, Ashtabula county, and died there. Orlan is living in Kansas. Thirza married Orlando Holconib, both

Prominent among sul)seqnent arrivals was that of Moses Fnller, in 1831, from Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York, with his wife and one child. He located on the farm now occupied by Horace Sanders. He l)uilt on Cliancc creek, a sawmill, the first mill in the township; and an embankment, the remains of his dam, can yet be seen. He ingeniously attached a .spinning-wheel, whicli was propelled by the same motive ])()wer, and his industrious wife s])ent many an hour with it, liehind the roaring dam. He died in Wauseon, Fulton county, Oliio, in August, ],s?7, luiving removed thei'e some seven or eight years previous. He was a worthy member of the Baptist churcli in Henrietta for forty years, and left at his deatli many friends, who revered him for his many admirable traits of character. His widow still survives him in Wauseon. He was the father of nine children, two of whom i-eside in this townsliip. Mrs. S. 0. Well man, whose hnsband died in Decemberj 1875, and a son, Byron.

William Hales moved into the township at about this time, and located on the farm now owned by Adam Ilensner, on lot eighty-eight. He subsequently changed his location to the hill, purchasing the farm now owned by his son Ansel. He resided here until 1S7"2, wlieu he removed to North Amherst, where he now lives in his seventy-sixth year, lie is the fatiier of eleven children, all of whom are living, four in this township, three in Amlierst, and one in Brownlielm.

Simeon Shepard, with his family, consisting of his wife and five children, came to Henrietta from Madison county. New York, in about the year 1830. He settled on the State road, about a mile and a half east of Birmingham, on lot ninety-eight. He cleared up a farm of one hundred acres, and lived upon it until his death, in 18G8. His widow survived him three years. Three of the five children are living, viz: Jacob, in Henrietta on a farm of sixty-six acres, onehalf mile south of the center, and Oliver and Sarah, in Iowa. Simeon, .Jr., died in Texas, September 17, 1878, and Lucy (Mrs. Sizer), many years ago, in Henrietta.

Silas Wood, a native of New York, removed from Pennsylvania, to Ohio with his jiarents in 1834. The family settled in Greenfield, Huron county. He married, in 1827, Hannah Eunes, whose parents came to Birmingham in 182.1. He afterwards became a member of the firm of Hawley & Whittlesey, proprietors of a woolen factory and carding machine near Birmingham, Erie county. Several years afterward he purchased a farm in Berlin, in that county, and took up his residence there for a year or two, and then moved into this town, buying one hundred acres of Calvin Leonard. He eventually removed to Birmingham, and built a stone grist mill, and also engaged in merchandise, ftlr. Wood's life was one of great activity. He possessed excellent business qualifications, and amassed a fine property. He died of heart disease in 1860, and his wife died subse- (piently. Four of his five children are now living, viz: Mrs. Althida Arnold and George S., in Birmingham, and Mrs. Hannah A. Kline and Mr.s. Sarah A. Strauss, in Oberlin.

A family by the name of Pike settled in the gore at an early date. A son, James, was a military officer, and fought at Lundy's Lane. He was afterwards much engaged in forming and drilling ritle companies. He was a man of local iirouiinence, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was killed in 1831 while at work in the woods, a tree which he cut down falling on him.

The first permanent settler in the south part of the township was John Hunter, who removed from Cayuga county. New York, in about the year 1830. He bought one hundred acres in the north part of lot ten, in tract twelve, and afterwards added the north part of lot nine, erecting his cabin on tlie former lot. He eventually removed to Florence, Erie county.

John R. Hawkins came in in 1834, and made his purchase in lots ten and eleven. He rolled togetheihis log house and cut out a door, and with his family, consisting of his wife and five children, "moved in." He added a roof and floor afterwards. Without means, not even a team, and with a large family to supijort, Hawkins found life in Henrietta woods an uphill struggle, and after several years of hard toil, which was only moderately rewarded, removed to the ])rairies of Illinois, where a farm could be brought under cultivation with less difficulty. He died there a few years after, and his widow eventually became insane.

Sometime in 1834, might have been seen an aged cou])lo traveling on foot along the angling road that led from Birmingham to Camden. They were William Bates and his wife, from New York State, on their way to Camden, to visit some of their children who had settled there, and to examine the country, reports of the excellence of which had been sent back by the children. After returning, Mr. Bates being pleased with the western country, disposed of his projierty in New York, and with the residue of his family, except William Bates, Jr., who remained in New York, emigrated to Henrietta, arriving in 1830. The family located on lots thirteen and fourteen in tract twelve, purchasing of Robert Johnson and .James Peak, who had made a beginning there. The Bates' eventually (jwned the whole of those lots, and except a small portion they are still in their pos.sesion or that of tlieir descendants. The pioneer Bates was twice married iind became the father of fifteen children, ten boys and five girls. The family was not only remarkable for its size numerically, but also for the stature of its members, their great physical strength, and their longevity. The ten sons aggregated a hight of nearly sixty-two feet. These characteristics were doubtless inherited from the father, who, it is said, was a powerful man, weighing over tlircc hundred pounds. He died in tlie fall of 1848, in the eighty-flftli year of his age, and was buried on tlie bank of the Vermillion. His remains, however, were siibse(juently removed to the SduMi Henrietta burying ground. Two sons and three daughters are yet living, all of whom are well advanced in life. Two of tlie daughters arc aged respectively eighty-eiglit and eighty-four. Bennett Bates and Thaxter Bates reside in Henrietta.

Henry Rosa, with Ins family of wife and four children, moved into Hciii-ietta in is:5."), from Birmingham, Erie county, whither he had come two years jtri'viously from Cayuga county, New York. He took up his residence on fifty acres of lot ten, tract twelve, which had been ])urchased by his oldest son, James H. Rosa. A log house had been built on the place some two years jireviously, by Alexander Knnes, of New York, who, on selling, removed to Birmingham where he now resides. This farm is still owned and occupied by Mr. Rosa, Sr., who is now eighty-five years of age. He married Mary Hawkins, who died about twenty years ago. Mr. Rosa served in tlu' war of 1813. His sou, James H. Rosa, resides on one hundred and foui'teen acres in lot nine. He is the present justice of the peace for the south part of the township.

Moses R. Mapes, a native of Pennsylvania, moved in in the spring of 1838, from Florence townshi|i, Erie cjunty, taking up his residence on lot twelve, track fourteen. Hi married Elizaljetli Hawkins, of Newburg, Orange county. New Yoi-k, and raised a family of ten childi'en, six sons and four daughters. She died in the spring of 1843, and Mr. Mapes subsequently married a Mrs. Tisdel, of Vermillion, where he resided for several years previous to his death, wliich took jdace in Mai-ch, 18(U. Three of the children now live in the township. Harvey, who lives on tlie farm to which he removed over thirty years ago; Samuel, who lives (Ui the farm first occupied by John Hunter; and Rosella, now Mrs. Barhyte, who resides on the farm cleared up by John Hawkins. Her husband, Uichanl Barliyte, was killed by a kick from his horse, December 2o, 1874.

Robert JolinsoQ was th3 first settler on lot thirteen. Hj died S0()n aftei' settlemsnt, and his widow subsetpiently married Jacob Ennes, of Birmingham. She finally became insuu, and hung herself to a limb of tree on the bank of the river.

Further east we find as early settlers, John Balys, Medad Buckley, Aldridge and Roswell Allen, Benjamin Griffin, Levi Vincent, John Jewel, Tiiomas McCreedy, Richard Call, John Hemlerson, and two families by tlie names of Lewis and Billings. Balys and Buckley were the first permanent settlers on lots sixteen and seventeen, in tract twelve. Balys preceded bis family, who arrived in 1834. After a residence of many years in Henrietta, he removed to Berlin, Erie county, but subsequently returned to this township, and bought out John Hunter. He afterward sold to Samuel G. Mapes, his son-in-law.

The Aliens located on lot fifteen. Roswell built a saw mill on the east branch of the Vermillion, in an early day, which, however, proved an unprofitable venture, - the dam continually breaking away. He, some ten years since, removed to Iowa, where he now lives. Aldridge died in 1875, aged eighty.

Levi Vincent settled in 1834, purchasing fifty acres each in lots four and five, of Judge Ely. He was originally from Canada East, but emigrated to Lake county, Ohio, where he remained in the township eighteen months, and then came to Henrietta. He and his aged wife are still living on the original purchase.

Thomas McCreedy was an early settler in Brownhelm, whence he removed to Henrietta. He is a native of Plattsburgh, New York, and removed to Cleveland in 1834. He remained there three or four years, engaged ]iriucipally in chopping wood, cutting in eighteen months seven hundred cords. His next move was to Brownhelni, where he lived some thirteen years, and then moved to Henrietta, and ]iurchased forty-nine acres on lot thirteen, tract thirteen. To this he has since added, and now owns something over seventy-one acres. His first wife died in 1845, while residing in Brownhelm, and he married, three years subsequently, the widow of Caleb Dunham. Mr. and Mrs. McCreedy are still living, aged respectively seventy-five and seventy-seven.

Peal:)ody settled where he still resides, on lot one hundred and four. He came to Henrietta with his family, in 1835, his native State being New Hampshire. His first wife died many years ago. He renuirried, and his second wife is also dead. She lived only a few months after her marriage. Mr. Peabody is in his eighty-third year.

Richard Kelly and John Petty were also early settlers in this section of the town. Petty emigrated to America from Yorkshire, England, when a young man, worked in a coal mine in Pennsylvania, for a time, and then came to the townshii> of Russia, purchased fifty acres of land, married and raised a family. After a residence there of many years, he came to Henrietta. He is still living on the windfall road, with his younger children, aged seventy-six.

The most of lot seven, tract twelve, was originally settled by Newell, Jesse and Chapman M. Cook, brothers. The former two came to Henrietta in 1837, and the latter in 1838. They were from New York, and all very poor when they came to Henrietta; but they were industrious, and cheerfully eiulured the hardships of those early times. The first work of clearing that Newell and Jesse did for others, in order lluit no time might be wasted in going back and forth for their meals, they carried a store of provisions with them to the woods, and kept bachelors' hall in a large hollow log. Newell was not long to enjoy the fruit of his toil; he died in 1843. Jesse moved to Camden in 1857; he served the Bai)tist Church in Henrietta for upward of thirty consecutive years. Chapman still lives on the old homestead, on lot seven.

The pioneers of Henrietta, while exempt from some of the hardships by which those of other townships, which were settled before the close of the war of 1813, were surrounded, were nevertheless subject to many privations and hardships of which it is difficult for those who have not actually experienced them, to form an adequate conception. The first settlers here lived in almost complete isolation. There were other settlers in Brownhelm, but they lived on the lake shore between which and the southern part of that township lay an unbroken forest of some five miles in extent, and there was, therefore, but little intercourse between the two sections. Provisions were sometimes scarce and difficult to obtain. The nearest grist mill was not far away - Col. Brown's, on the Vermillion - but it was not in opei'ation mucli of the time and long journeys would have to be made to get the grain ground into flour. The earlier settlers in Henrietta frequently carried their grain to a mill at Cold creek, near Sandusky, to get their grinding done. Simeon Durand once carried on his back a bushel of wheat to Rocky river to get it ground.

Murrain attacked the cattle with terribly fatal results, and a disease among the sheep, of which they died in large numbers, while many were killed by the predatory wolf. The woods abounded in wild animals of which the wolf was the most annoying to the inhabitants, not only because of his frequent incursions into the farmer's sheepfold, but' also on account of his nightly howls around the lonelj' cabin. He was a ravenous animal, and even deer would frequently become the victim of his rapacity. They showed a great deal of ingenuity in capturing the deer, an animal too fleet to be overtaken by pursuit. Christopher Shaffer, an old hunter through this region, now living in Florf ence, relates that on a certain occasion, as he was I going to his traps in Henrietta, he came upon the I path, in the snow, of a pack of wolves, and he fol- . lowed it up. For some distance the path showed that they had traveled along in single file, when suddenly it disajipeared from the hunter's sight. On looking around liini, however, he found numerous tracks on liiith sides of the path, indicating that from some cause they had suddenly dispersed. On further examination the skeleton of a large buck was found. The wolves, on discerning the deer had instantly broken ranks, surrounded him, and thus secured their prey.

Occasionally the farmers in several adjoining townships would organize a grand hunting party. The object was two-fold - to enjoy the fine sport which such a hunt furnished, and to rid the country of the wolf, which, however, was not frequently caught. The first of these hunts was organized in January, 1828, under the lead of Captain Tracy, of Amherst, and centered in this township. Men from Henrietta, Brownhelmn, Amherst, Russia, Brighton, and Florence, Erie county, participated. The method of the sport was to surround a large tract of country, the line thus formed moving gradually toward the center. The sport was not without danger from cross-firing as the hunters approached each other, and instances of fatal accident are not wanting. On this occasion a man by the name of Harris, of Amherst, who was on horseback, was shot in the ankle. A lai-ge quantity of game was killed, including a bear. Calvin Leonard, John Denison and Almeron Stedman, of Henrietta, were members of this hunting party.

Wild hogs were numerous, and the male often dangerous. A man by the name of Manville, living in Wakeman, was once attacked, and being without means of defence, the boar struck him in the leg, terribly hu crating the flesh. He ran to the nearest stump, climbed upon it, and remained there until the hog disajjpeared. Shaffer himself was thus once attacked, but having his rifle with him, he proved more than a match for his adversary. One night while he and his father lay in their hut, at the sugar bush, in the south part of Henrietta, - -which' they established long previous to the advent of the white settler there, - they were arroused by a commotion outside, in which their dog apparently had a jiart. On going out to see, it was found that the dog had seized a cub bear. The old gentleman ran into the cabin for his gun, the old bear, in the meantime, intent on seeing fair play, coming to the assistance of her cub. She rushed at Shaffer, Sr., furiously, but he quietly brought the rifle to his shoulder and fired, killing the brute on the spot. The cub escaped in the woods, the dog only too glad to jiart company with his embracing antagonist.

Indians annually visited Henrietta foi- many years after the settlement. They would come in the fall, and remain to hunt through the winter. They had a little camp, soon after the close of the war, in the southern part of the township, on the east branch of the Vermillion, and one, of twelve or fifteen families, long subsequent on Chace creek, just east of Mr. Stedman's. They wei'c peaceably disposed, and the inhabitants experienced no annoyance from them.

Early Events

The first wedding was that of Joseph Swift and Elizabeth Root. This interesting event took place August 22, 1818. The nuptial knot was tied by Rev. Alvin Coe. Among the earliest marriages was that of Festus Powers and Sally Andress, which occurred sometime in 1819.

The first death was that of Betsey Holcoinl). She died August 24, 181S, at the age of eighteen years. Tlie male inhabitants mot, and selected a site for a burying ground, on land lielonging to Edward Duraud. Smith Hancock and Almon Andross l)rnslied off apiece of ground, and there dug tlie grave.

Henry Brown Ilolconib was tiu^ first ciiild born. It is said that Colonel Brown had promised to give the parents of the first child born in what was then Browulielm, the sura of fifty dollars, and that that amount was endorsed on the land contract of Squire Holcomh, who had made his purchase of Colonel Brown. The births of Jeannctte Leonard and Charlotte Andress were among the earliest.

Joseph Powers' was the first house opened for the accommodation of travelers. Subsecfuently the large frame house on the hill, owned by Anson Hales, was built by James Uurand, and kept by him as a hotel. The stage road was a great thoroughfare in those days, and Durand's large hotel was almost constantly filled. General Winfield Scott, accompanied by his staff, has been a guest at this house.

A post office was established on the hill, soon after the organization of the town, and Squire Abbott was appointed the first post master. The office was subsequently held successively by Edward Durand, Moses Fuller, Harvey Page, Stephen Jones, and Ansel Hales, the last-named being the present incumbent.

Henrietta was organized in 1837. In November, 1836, the inhabitants in the south part of Brownhelm petitioned the commissioners to take off the three south tiers of lots and to attach them to unsettled lands lying south, and incorporate the same into a township. The j)etitioners look occasion to say that it was seven miles from the lake shore to the south line of the township; that there had been but little communication between the north and south settlements; and that it was extremely inconvenient for some of the people to attend on the public business of the town. The prayer of the petition was rejected; but at the same session of the commissioners it was ordered that tracts nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen and fifteen, in range nineteen, with surplus lots lying west of said tracts, be erected into a township by the name of Henrietta, and be attached to Brighton for judicial purposes. This township, as thus formed, included a large part of the present township of Camden and a little more than two-thirds of the present township of Henrietta. As organized, it was not satisfactory to the inhabitants in the south part of Brownhelm, and in Februarv, 1837, upon their petition, two tiers of lots, being over a mile in widtii, wore detached from the south part of Brownholm and annexed to Henrietta; and tract number nine was detached from Henrietta and annexed to Brighton. An election was ordered for township officers, which took jdaee in Ajiril, 1837. Calvin Leonard, Simeon Durand and Smith Hancock, were elected trustees; Justin Abbott, clerk; Joseph Powers, treasurer; Olied Holcomh, overseer of the poor; John E. Page, fence viewer; Josejdi Weston, constable; Orlando llolcomb, supervisor; Edward Durand, justice of the peace. In March, 1830, lots eighty-six, eighty-seven and eighty-eight were detached from Brownhelm and annexed to Henrietta; and in March, 1835, lots eighty-one, eighty-two, eighty-three, eightyfour and eighty-five, the remainder of the tier, were added.

The lu'csent township officers are as follows: C. L. Ferguson, clerk; W. A. Thomas, Washington Covenhoven, Sylvester Petty, trustees; L. A. Hisrgins, treasurer; Marseiui Peabody, assessor; Henry Whitney and Eugene Walker, constables; G. L. Ferguson and James H. Rosa, justices of the peace.

The earliest schools were held at ])rivate houses. The first teacher was Marinda Morrison, who taught in the summer of 1819. Soon afterward a rude log school house, with stick chimney, Dutch back fireplace, and whitewood slabs for seats, was erected on the farm of Simeon Durand. Dr. Forbes taught the first school in this structure in the winter of 1831-3. He was a medical practitioner, and was the first doctor in town.

The log school house served its purj)0se for a few j'ears. and then a frame was built. It was the first frame school house in this section of the country. It was years afterwards sold to Carlo Andress, and is now used on his old place as a barn. Sarah Ann lugham, James Durand, Lucinda Johnson, and Wealthy Abbott were among the earliest teachers. Durand taught in the winter of 1835, and Miss Abbott the following summer. Her wages were seven shillings per week which were paid in merchandise. The patrons of the school paid in proportion to the number of children they sent. Henrietta occupies a front rank among the townships of Lorain county with respect to the character of her school houses. They are exceeded in their aggregate value by only two other of the townshiiis in the county in which there is not an incorporated village, and in the average value takes the lead. The rejMrt of the clerk of the board of education, ending August 31, 1878, gives the following statistics :

The pioneers of Henrietta wore not behind their neiglibors in providing for their religious wants. The earliest religious meetings were held at the house of Josejjh Powers. This was before the advent of the ])reacher, and these services were very simple, and, of course, undenominational in character. The first preacher was Rev. Alva C'oe, from Boston, a missionary among the Indians. He preached the first sermon in Henrietta, at the house of Calvin Leonard.

Baptist Chukch

The Baptists were the first to move in the matter of a church organization. A society was formed Octol>er 10, 1818, by Elder Goodell, of Painesville, of some fourteen or fifteen members, of whom we have only the following names : Joseph Powers and wife, Mrs. Simeon Durand, Betsey Duraud, Jedodiah Holcomb and wife. Joseph Powers was appointed deacon. The church had occasional pi'eaching by Elder Joseph Phillips, of Berlin, Erie county, and by others, but it was not until 1825 that stated preaching was had. In tliat year Elder Squire Abbott moved into town from Kingsville, Ashtabula county, and became the pastor of the church. The society gradually increased in membership for two years following, when dissensions of a radical nature arose in the church, which continued for some time, "and were not healed until another doctrine was embraced by the juistor and a large proportion of the members," who withdrew from the church. "In this state of things trying scenes were experienced by those who maintained their allegiance to the church," yet the church kept up its organization, reported to the Huron Association, of which it was a member, and had occasional preaching. The records of the church were taken away by the seceding members, and were not restored until February, 18.'i3. At that time there were ten memliers. During this and the following year, Peter Lattinier })reached occasionally. After this, stated preaching was had. The salary of these early preachers was very small, and not always promptly paid. Until 1837, the meetings of the [church were held in the school house, west of the Hill, and for a year or tw^o subsequently, in the school house on the Hill. In July, 1837, by resolution of the church, the following members were constituted a branch of the church in Birmingham : James and Catharine Daly, Henry and Mary Howe, John and Ann Blair, Richard and Catharine Laughton, and Hannah Brown, and the church took the name of the Henrietta and Birmingham Church. In May, 1840, the Birmingham branch organized independently.

In 1838, Edwaixl Durand, Es<(., erected the house on the hill, in which Harvey Page now resides. The upjier part was fitted up for an audience room for the use of the church. It was completed in August of that year, and the Huron Association held their annual session with the church in its new place of worship on the 29tli and 30th of that month. An act of incorporation, on petition of the church, was granted by the legislature of the State, February 28, 1842, under the name of the "First Regular Baptist Church and Society of Henrietta." Chauncey Remington, Philemon Shepard, Daniel Axtell, Moses Fuller and Simeon D. Powers were constituted trustees by said act. In 1850, the church edifice on the hill was erected and dedicated to the worshiiJ of God on the 18th of November of that year, the Rev. Mr. Berton, of Elyria, officiating on the occasion, assisted by the pastor. Elder Fuller. Elder Julius Beemau of Lagrange, L. Wilder of Berlin, Erie county, and G. W. Allen of Amherst were present and took part in the exercises. The house cost about one thousand six hundred. The present pastor is Rev. Malcom Wood. William A. Thomas is clerk. Pi-esent memi)ership, fifty. The salary of the pastor is five hundred and sixteen dollars. A Sabbath school was organized on the first Sabbath in July, 1832, of about thirty scholars; Philemon Shcjiard was appointed superintendent. The first teachers were Philemon Shepard, Dennis Powers, Patience Shepard, Venera Shepard and Jane Ellis. There are now eighty-three scholars enrolled, with an average attendance of fifty; William A. Thomas, superintendent.

The Union Church

Sometime prior to 1852 a Methodist Episcoj^al class and a Free Will Baptist society were formed. The constituent members of the Baptist society were the following: Jesse Cook and wife, George Couover, Mrs. Austin and James H. Rosa and wife. We are not informed as to the original members of the Methodist Episcopal class. They held their meetings in the school house in the former school district number three. In the above year they combined in the erection of a church building. The organization was effected under the name of the " Free Church Association,"' and immediate steps taken to erect a house of worship. Article four of the constitution specifies that the house is to be free to all denominations of Christians, and to all j^ublic sjieakers who have in view moral, religious or political reform, or the advocacy of any benevolent enterprise. A house was accordingly built on lot six, tract twelve, costing about eight hundred dollars, and was dedicated by Elder Whijjple of Oberlin. The Methodists afterward withdrew and formed a class in Kipton, but were subsequently divided into two sections by the slavery agitation, and the more radical wing in regard to the ([uestion returned to worship with the Baptists as formerly.

The church has now a membership of thirty-two. J. B. Cook is clerk, Jesse Cook is deacon, and E. G. Wightmau, officiating deacon. Rev. G. H. Damon of Medina, and Rev. Hushour of Pittsficld, preach every alternate Sabbath. The church has accomjilished much good. It has a flourishing Sabbath school of some sixty scholars, of which Charles Buckley is the superintendent.

United Brethren

Tliere were originally tlirco classes of this rleiiomiiiatioii - one at the center, oue on the first road oast of tlie center, and another on the second road east of the center, called the " Windfall" class. The class at the center was formed in 18.55, by Kev. Alva Prescott, an itinerant revivalist preacher, engaged in the organization of classes of this denomination. The other classes were formed a short time previously. They united in their meetings, which were held in an old log school house on the I'oad next east of the center. Kev. Mr. Prescott was their first minister. He remained a year and a half with them. Tlie center and middle classes subsequently united at the center, and erected a house of worsiiij), wliich is still used by them. It was erected in 1864, and dedicated by Bishop Glossbenner. The present membership is fourteen or fifteen. It had, in more prosperous days, a membership of f(jrty. Uobert Wliite is the leader of this class, and Charles McCreedy, steward. After the union of the two classes at the center, the "Windfall" class held their services in jirivate houses in the immediate vicinity, until the erection of a school house, when they occupied that. Marsena Peabody is the present loader, and Thomas Jolmson, steward. Kev.- Peter Ish, of Oberlin, preaclies for both classes.

was organized in tlie year 1868, with twenty-five or thirty members, by the Rev. George Berg. Meetings were held in the school house in disti'ict number one, until the erection, in 1875, of the present neat and commodious house on the State road. It cost some twenty seven hundred dollars, including tlie furniture, and was dedicated by Rev. Paoles, of Berea. The church is in a flourishing condition, having some fifty members, and has also a prosperous Sabbath school, of which Henry Haneisen is superintendent. Rev. Adam Weber, of Vermillion, preaches once every Salfbath.

The German Preshyterian Church

situated in the western part of the township, a mile South of Birmingham, was organized in 1872, and a building erected, costing eight hundred and fifty dollars. The first preacher of this church was Rev. Kuhler, of Vermillion. Rev. Mr. Brown is the present pastor. The original membership was some twelvi' in number, and is now twenty. The church has a prosi)erous Sabbath school, Adam AlmroHi being the superintendent.

The first road in Henrietta was the old State road, now usually called the telegraph road, which runs a diagonal course through the three northern tiers of lots, passing through lot eighty-eight on the east line, and lot ninety-seven on the west. It was originally half a mile south of its present location. There are now two other east and west roads in the township, and five running north and south, besides the county line road; all of which extend through the town e"xcept the second one east of the county line, known as "log lane;" presumably so named from the numlier of logs scattered along the street by the s(juattors who made their locations there. This road is not opened north of the telegraj)h road.

Saw Mills. - As previously stated, the first saw mill was built by Moses Fuller, on Chance creek. Abnor Hancock also had a mill on this creek, and Roswell Allen oue at an earlier date in the south part of the town, on the east branch of the Vermillion. There are now two mills of this kind in the townshiji, that of L). S. Davis at the iiill, and the Currier mill at the center. The Davis mill was built by Durand in about the year 1847. It was destroyed by fire in 1850, and rebuilt since then - machinery for the manufacture of shingles, a blacksmith shop and a wagon shop have been added. The Carrier mill was built originally by one Ousterhout. It was burned down after the Currier brothers came into possession, and by them rebuilt.

The Maple Grove Cheese Factory - Lees and McDowell, proprietors - was by them established in the spring of 1870. It is in a flourishing condition, many improvements having been added during the past year. There is also a cheese factory in the southwest part of the town.

One of the most flourishing enterprises ever carried on in the township, was the ashery of Edward Durand, and although long since dead, deserves mention. It was established as early as 1835, and perhaps at an earlier date. It was originally located just west of the saw mill. Mr. Durand made potash only, but he subsequently removed to the opposite side of the street, and engaged in the manufacture of that article. James Lees, who was foi'merly in Duraud's employ, bought the factory in 1853 or 1854, and carried on the business more extensively than ever before, making saleratus in addition to pearlash. He continued in the business until 1872, when, becoming unprofitable, it was discontinued. A large pile of ashes now marks the location of this early industry. Tliore were at one time also, in the northwest ]>art of the township, near the first settlement, the asheries of Abner Hancock and .Tames Ilosford.

This township is bounded on the north by Elyria, on tlie south by LaGrange, on tlie east by Eaton, and on the west by Russia. It luis but two streams of water, and these are the east and west branches of the Bhick river, the former of which flows from the southeast across tlie townsliip; the otlier from the southwest, and both cross the north line of the township near the northeast corner, forming a junction at Elyria.

The surface of the township is generally level; the soil is largely clay, .and for the most part well adapted to agriculture, the bottom lands being extremely fertile. The township is described and known on the records as number live in the seventeenth range, and was drawn by Joseph Perkins, John Richmond, Tracy, Uoyt, William Eldridge, John McClunnan, Daniel Tildeu and Jabez Adams - (Island number six, then Cunningham's, now Kelly's, consisting of two thousand seven hundred aiul forty-seven acres, was annexed to number five for the pur})ose of ciiualization.)

Kame

Before the township was organized, the western portion had acquired the name Mui-rayvillo from settlers of that name in that locality. This was not satisfactory to the residents of the eastern portion, Phinehas Johnson wishing to name it Berlin after his native town in Connecticut. Unable to agree on either name, a compromise was effected by calling it Carlisle.

The first settler of Carlisle township was John Bacon, of Windham county, Vermont, who made the journey from that ])oint with a team of horses and wagon, arriving in Ridgevillein the month of October, 1815. He remained there until the early months of 181G, when he came to Carlisle and made a permanent settlement on what is now known as Murray Ridge. lie brought with him from the east a few necessary household goods, and his family consisting of a wife and the following children: Clarissa, Hiram and Susan. The first and last are deceased. Iliram married Louisa Halford and yet resides on the old homestead, hale and hearty, though at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. .John Bacon died in 1864; his wife in 1857.

A few months after Mr. Bacon made a commencement, a brother-in-law, Abel Farr, came on from Vermont and located on the north line and near the center east and west. His family that came with him was a wife and four children. Others who were married remained in Vermont; two came on afterwards and settled near the father. None of them now live in the township, and the only descendants are the widow and children of a son, Lowell, who was one of the children who came with the family.

There was no further settlement made in the township until the spring of 1819, when Samuel Brooks and family arrived in Carlisle. They were of sturdy Connecticut stock, and made the journey to Ohio by the substantial method of that day, i. c, with an ox team and a stout wagon. In these later years of harnessed lightning iind rapid transit the idea of traveling six hundred miles with an ox team seems prosy enough; yet this slow method had its advantages. There were no collisions nor trains trying to " ]iass each other on the same track." The date of the arrival of Mr. Brooks in Carlisle was April, 1810. His log house was constructed near the eastern township line, and was the first in that part of the township. Samuel Brooks was born February 27, 1780, and died in Elyria, December 20, 1874; his wife, who was Sophia (Johnson) Brooks, was born June 22, 1791. The children who accompanied the parents to Ohio were: Lydia K., who died August 10, 1851; Henry J., who resides in Cleveland; Julia L. (Bishop) who resides at Cuyahoga Falls, and Ira K., who died September 22, 1869.

On November 5, 1819, Hezekiah Brooks, and family, consisting of his wife and three children; Martin L. (now Dr. Brooks, of Cleveland); Ann H., afterwards missionary to Jamaica, who died in Memphis, Mississippi; and Hannah M. (Vincent), now living in Elyria, James Brooks, (father of Samuel and Hezekiah,) his wife and two sons, Calvin and Ileman, together with Phinehas .Joimson and faniily, came to Carlisle, and with Elisha Brooks and Riley Smith and wife, - who arrived two weeks earlier, - took up their abode with Samuel Brooks, making a total of thirty persons in the little log house. However, other dwellings were soon constructed, and ere long, ipiite a settlement had sprung uj) in the wilderness. This locality is now designated as La Porte. There was, at one period, a flourishing little hamlet here, with numerous manufacturers and minor industries; but of late years, the town has lost its former presitgc.

The rest of Mr. Brooks' children are, Samuel C, of Cleveland; Stephen S., of California; Edward W., of Red Wing, Minnesota; Sophia, now Mrs. Dr. Briggs, of Elyria, (to whom our gratitude is due for assistance in the preparation of this history, as well as for favors sliowii us in our labors at the court liouse); Emeline L., now Mrs. Foote of Tal)or, Iowa; Mary L., who died young; and William M., who is now president of Tabor college, Iowa.

The children of Hozekiah and Ilannah Brooks, not before given, are, James, a physician, residing in New York; Hezekiah, Jr., of California; Sophronia (Hall), of Oberlin; George, who i.s the only descendant residing in the township of Carlisle; Harriet, of Ncwburgh, Cuyahoga county, Ohio; Emily (West), living in Wellington, this county; and Fllen (Ruggles), who resides at Newburgh, Ohio.

The children of Phinehas Johnson, a gentleman well and favorably known, in the earlier years of the settlement of Lorain county, are, Sophia, wife of Samuel Brooks; Hannah, wife of Hezekiah Brooks; Cornelia, wife of D. Griswold, now living in Washington Territory; Samuel C, who died before the family came to Ohio; Julia, who married Edmund West (deceased); Irene, who was twice married, and is now deceased; William II., who married Alma Otis (deceased); Lucretia, who died at the age of nineteen years; Phienhas M., who married Orra Ann Collins (deceased); Delia M., who married H. N. Gates, and lives in Cleveland; and Isaac M., the youngest, who married Cornelia Mussey. She died, and he married Mary Hale, his present wife. He resides at Oakland, California. This gentleman is the father of tiie |)resent deputy county treasurer.

The Brooks' and Johnsons' were of I'uritan ancestry, and in the journey to Ohio, which was of nearly seven weeks" duration, tliey religiously observed the Sabbath day, by encanijiing promptly each Saturday night, and not resuming the journey until Monday morning.

William Webster, in liis '"reminiscences," published in the Elyria Rcpiiblkaa, April 7, 1876, says that ''Asahel KeKsey came from Connecticut at the same time," referring to the Brooks' and Johnsons', '"and settled on the south side of the east branch of the Biack rivir."

Philo Murray and his family, a wife and five children, from Connecticut, made settlement in the township in 1820 or '21. His location was in the western part of the township, on the ridge bearing his name. As none of the family are now residents of Carlisle we are unable to obtain further data concerning them.

Salmon Sutliff, of Erie county, Now York, came to Lorain county in August, 1820. He made a temporary location in Avon township, coming to Carlisle the f(jllowing January. The journey from the east made with a horse team, and three cows and a few sheep were driven along. The family consisted of a wife and four boys: Silas B., William H. H., Asa G., (who afterward became the pioneer settler in Waseca county, Minnesota) and Oliver H. P. Another child, a girl, Lovisa, was born and died previous to emigrating to Ohio. Two months after they reached Avon a son was born, Charles B. The place of their location was on one hundred acres of land in section ten, now occnjiied by S. M. Mason. Upon this farm they remained until 1831, and during this interval the following children were born: Ralph 0., Lucetta, Warren C, Lucinda, and Jesse S. In May, 1831, Mr. Sutliff removed to section one, locating on the farm now owned by the son, Oliver H. P., where the father and mother remained until their decease. The former died in November, 1857; the latter May 18, 3870. Of this large family of children ten are now living, seven of them in Ohio. Warren C, (to whom we are indebted for the data of this sketch) married Jane A. Bennett, and resides on three hundred acres of land in section twelve, Carlisle township.

Channcey Prindle, of Waterbury, Connecticut, was the first settler at the center of Carlisle township. In the spring of 1823 he came through with his family, a wife and two children. He came overland with a team of horses. Mr. Prindle stopped at Capt. James Brooks' until he could cut a road to his farm, on section number thirteen, distant one and one-fourth miles, and erect a log cabin thereon. He then moved into the woods and began in earnest to make a farm. The children above mentioned were Maria, who married Aaron Bacon, and resides in Oberlin, and Henry II., who married Christiana E. Spafford, and resides on the old homestead. One child was born toChauncey Prindle and wife, subse(juent to their removal to Ohio. This was Mary J., who became the wife of .T C. Slaughter, and is now deceased. Channcey Prindle died in May, 1872. Mrs. Prindle died on the 23d day of the previous September.

Obed Gibbs, also from Waterbury, Connecticut, settled in Carlisle in 1822, on the farm now occupied by his son Ransom. With him came his wife and two children. Ransom, the eldest child, had a wife and one daughter, Jane, who eventually married George Boughton, and removed after a few years, to Nebraska, where she died. Sally the second child of Obed Gibbs married Merrett Clark. They did not renniin long in the wilderness, ere they became homesick, when they returned to their native New England. Obed Gibbs died in Carlisle in 1840, and his wife a few years later. The children of Ransom Gibbs, born subsequent to his removal to Ohio, were: Harriet, who married Alson Wooster, and resides in Elyria; Lewis, who married Martha Jackson, and lives in Nebraska City; and David, who married Jane Slaughter, and occupies the old homestead.

Daniel Bennett, from Londonderry, Windham county, Vermont, came to Ohio in 1827, and purchased one hundred and twelve acres of land in section twelve, Carlisle township (now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. W. S. Sutliff).- Mr. Bennett then returned east, and, the following spring, came to permanently settle on his farm. His family consisted of a wife and niece. In May, 1828, they arrived in

History Op Lorain Cottnty, Ohio

Carlisle. For a short time the}- lived ill a sliuill log house standing near where is now the Hart Cheese Factory. There was at tliis time but one family in this vicinity, that of Lewis Shumway, who had a wife and two cliildren. He was from the east, but only remained a year or two, going still farther west. Mr. Bennett erected, on section twelve, tiie first frame house in this part of the township. Here he lived, reared a family of six children, brought the land to a jirofitable state of cultivation, and died July Ifi, 18G3. His first wife died August 10, 1829, and February 6, 1830, he married Jane Galpin, of Elyria, who survives her husband and lives on the old homestead. From this marriage the following children were born: Polly, who died at the age of fifteen years; Jane, who married Warren C. Sutliff and occupies the old farm; Emerett, who married Curtis Webster and lives in Elyria; Celestia, who died in infancy; Melvin R. and Cassimar D., who live with their mother. Daniel Bennett was a justice of the peace for many years, and a very worthy citizen.

William Webster, of West Hartford, Connecticut, married Abigail Johnson, of Berlin, same State, .January 4, 1800, and removed to Onondaga county. New York, in 1818, and to Carlisle in 1838; arriving there on May loth of that year, he settled and cleared up the farm cue mile north of Laporte, now owned by William Brush. In 1832, Mr. Webster removed to the southeast corner of the township, where he died October 27, 1844. Mrs. Webster died August 16, 1862. The children were as follows: Harriet, who married Joseph Weston; Amanda, who married Calvin Brooks; William, Jr., who married Catharine Phillips (a daug'.iter of this couple is now the wife of Dr. Kelsey, of Elyria); Abigail, who married Levi Lee; Bethuel, who married Roxa Andrews; Louisa, who married Abram V. D. Bergh; Nancy, who married Harris R. Shelden; and Henry, who married Sarah Johnson.

The first settlers in this corner of the township were John B. Andrus, Paul Taylor, John Randall, Thomas Girard, Cornelius V. D. Bergh, Elias Morgan. William Cook, James V. Baker, Enoch Forbinder, Stephen Wiiichell, and a family named Shepard. Of these, but two arc now residents of the township, Stephen Winchell and William Webster, Jr.

Joseph Patterson moved into Carlisle from Berkshire county. New York, in 1834, locating on section six. His family were a wife and nine children. Of these but two now live in Carlisle: Hiram, at present the superintendent of the County Infirmary, and William, who married in the east and came to Carlisle in the spring of 1837, locating on section eighteen. This he cleared. He was elected sheriff of Lorain county by the free soil party. While occupying the position he bought the farm of one hundred and sixty-four acres, on which he now resides, in section fourteen.

his death, February 1, 187 J. His wife was Miss Sylvia Kent, of Dorset, Vermont. Mr. Tenney was a native of Temple, New Hampshire. Mrs. Tenney is living with a daughter at Thayer, Kansas. The children of this couple are Benjamin, Jewctt, Emily, George, Myron and Ellen who are dead, and Horace, Henry W., Maria E., Electa and Daniel K., now living, the greater part of them at least, in Kansas.

B. F. Marlett, the "Village Blacksmith," came from Steuben county. New York, to Carlisle in 1844. He was then 17 years of ago. Two years later he began his present vocation. He was for three years a soldier in Company K, Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In 1840 he married Cecelia Breckenridge, of (Jrafton township, this county.

Fiust Events

The first birth in the township was that of a son to William and Clarissa Bacon Saxton, which event occurred immediately after a settlement was made on Murray Ridge. The child was named James, eventually married a Miss Flint, and removed to Iowa where he died. The pioneer birth in the eastern part of the township was that of Samuel C. to Samuel and Sophia Brooks. Cleveland is now the home of this, at that early date, important addition to the colony.

The first marriage was that of Miss Cornelia, daughter of Phinehas .lolinson, to Mr. Dudley Griswold. The ceremony was performed at the residence of the bride's father by Sherman Minott, Esq., of Elyria townshijj. This happened in the fall of 1820. The couple now reside in Washington Territory.

In the cemetery at Laporte we find a small sandstone slab erected to the memory of Lucretia M., daughter of Phinehas and Hannah Johnson, who died August 23, 1823; aged eighteen years. This is presumably the first death of a white person in the township.

In the western portion of Carlisle, lands were donated for the cemetery in section two by Philo Murray, and the first interment therein was the body of Emeline, daughter of J. D. Murray, who died- December 27, 1825.

The first post-otfice in the township, was established in about the year 1825. Phinehas Johnson was duly commissioned post-master, and the mails were received and distributed from his residonce. M. V. B. Pitkin is the jireseiit jiost-master at this jioint. Another office was established a few years later, in the western portion of the township, at Murray's Mills. This office was named " Murray ville." Charles Drake'ly was commissioned first jiost-master, or at least he was among the first. This office was afterwards removed to the dwelling of Ransom Gibbs, who was appointed post-master, and remained as such until the office was discontinued, in the spring of 1853.

Phinehas Johnson kept a house of entertainment as early as the spring of 1820, but it was not until about 1830 that he formally opened a hotel. This was at LaPorte. During the period of stage coaches, two large hotels were iu operation at this place. There is at })reseiit none. Anotlier hotel was erected Ijy Obed (libbs, in the west part of the townsliip (section twelve). Abiram Drakely also liail a iiotel on section nine. These existed at an early date. Botli were long since closed as hotels.

Tlie Hrst store was opei ed in about is;}'). Alonzo rha])nian was its pro])i-ietor and sole manager. The building occupied by liini, stood on or near tlie site of M. V. B. Pitkin's present mercantile establishment. Mr. Chapman followed mercliandising some years. There are now at Lal'orte, in addition to tlie store given above, C. L. Hnrlbut, general merchandise, and a tin store by II. Lake.

The first to locate in Carlisle, was Milton Chapman, whose residence was on the ridge. Dr. Chapman was a gentleman of excellent jirofessional attainments, and practiced there many years. Deacon Turner, tlie builder of the mills bearing his name in the western portion of the township, was also a physician, but did not, wo understand, practice his profession to any considerable extent. Dr. J. F. Butler, afterwards a j)r()niinent memlier of the medical staff of Elyria, prai'tiecd at LaPorte for a time. Dr. Hiram Thompson, now of Grafton townshi]), also practiced at La- Porte some years before removing to his present location. After he left, the physicians of Elyria were employed to compound atid administer the divers nauseous drugs by aid of which dame nature is kept in proper working order over in Carlisle. At present H. E. Ilaring is the only physician iu the township.

The first mills in the township were built by Phinehas Johnson and Asahel Kelsey, in 1820. The one built by the former was a saw mill. It stood on the north side of the east branch of the Black river; and that of the latter was a grist mill, on the ojjjMjsite side of the river. Of this mill, William Webster says: "The stones were home-made, and manufactured by a citizen out of hard-head stones found in the neighborhood. It required a strong and well-braced building to stand the motion of the stone when grinding, as they were not very round or true, but did the work well foi- those days. In the spring of 1838, the water made an ojiening between the mill and the bank, in consequence of wliicii it became necessary to renidve the mill to another loeation. This was done, and for some years the old mill was in operation. Dr. Turner built a second saw mill, in about 1834, at Murrayville. This is, we believe, still in operation, and is at present owned by Henry Morehouse. Dr. Turner also erected a grist mill soon after the saw mill was put iu operation, near the same place.

The first clieese factory was constructed near the center of tiie township, in the spring of 1869, by a stock company, composed of some twelve or fifteen persons. The patronage the first season was two hundred cows. This factory was burned in the fall of 1873. The present factory was erected the following spring, by H. H. Prindle, Clark and Eckley. This factory was operated during the season of '78, by A. Wilmot, who utilized the milk of two hundred cows.

Walnut Grove factory is located on sectiun eleven, and was started by H. H. Hart in tlie spring of 1872, and had four hundred cows the fii'st season. It was conducted by Mr. Hart until the spring of 1877, when Messrs. Braman, Ilorr and Warner became the owners. This enterprising firm established the "Cedar Grove Creamery," in connection with the factory. In the season of 1878, four hundred and fifty cows were in contribution. John T. Vincent is the maker. In about 1840, Anson Braman planted the first stock in the Carlisle Nursery. This was the first nursery in Lorain county, Mr. Braman was its proprietor for a number of years.

In the year 1849, a stone quarry was opened, on section twenty-five, Carlisle township, by Messrs. Lockhart and J. W. Hart. The last named became sole owner, and iu 1870 began the manufacture of grindstones, and this has grown to be the major j)art of the business.

In 1873, the Black River Stone Company was organized, with a capital of two hundred thousand dollars. The following well known capitalists were the incorpoi'ators: Selah Chamberlain, Dr. S. S. Steeter, William II. Grout, George E. Dascomb, John Dayton, and J. W. Hart. Mr. Hart retains one hundred and twelve thousand dollars of the stock. The officers of the comptmy are, George E. Dascom, president; Dr. S. S. Streeter, vice-president; J. C. Hills, secretary and treasurer; and J. W. Hart, superintendent. In 1849 and '50, a spur track was laid to the quarry by the C. C. C. & I. R. R., and a large quantity of the stone used in the construction of the bridges and culverts of the above road, was quarried here. The stone from which the Forest City and Arlington blocks, and the First Presbj^terian church, of Cleveland, were constructed, came from this quarry. Forty workmen are regularly employed, with a jiayroll averaging fourteen hundred dollars monthly. The company are now making heavy shipments of building stone to Toronto, Canada.

Just above the quarry named, is another extensive one, owned and operated by the Grafton Stone Coml)any, W. E. Miller, superintendent. They employ an average of thirty-five men. Their products are princijtally railroad and building stone. Both the above quarries are situated on the C. C. C. & I. and C. T. V. & W. railroads.

The Elyria Chair Company is located in Carlisle township, on the east branch of Black river, and wa> established March 15, 1878, by John Kelley, Jamo Measley, and P. M. Peabody. It employs seven workmen. The investment is one thousand dollars. Wood-seat chairs are exclusively manufactured. There is also a saw mill at the same point, owned by Clayton Johnson.

William Patterson comes of ancestors noted f\)r longevity. Ciiarles Patterson, his grandfather, was born at Danbury, Conn., where lie married Miss Martha Hall, born at the same place. Moving into Berkshire Co., Mass., Charles died there, ninetytwo years of age.

Joseph, his son, being born at Mount Washington, Berkshire Co., Mass., Oct. 17, 1780, took for his life partner Miss Elizabeth Kane, in 1808. He took up his residence in Carlisle, Lorain Co., Ohio, in 1834, and engaged in farming, moving to Minnesota in 1869. He there died in 1871, in his ninety-first year. His aged wife yet lives in Minnesota to mourn his loss.

William, son of Joseph, commenced this life at Mount Washington, as above, Feb. 27, 1811. To use his own words, " I lived on ray father's farm for years, amongst the rocks that afforded no advantage for either man or beast." Leaving such opportunities and going to Green River, N. Y., he there married Miss Phoebe Vincent, March 4, 1833. Following his father, he settled in Carlisle, in May, 1837, where he still resides. There, with little or nothing, a home has he wrought out by hard labor as a farmer.

In the relation of father, by his first wife one son and two daughters look back to his efforts for their welfare, more especially in the matter of education : Dr. Patterson, of Baltimore; Mrs. Camp, of Jackson, Mich., whom so many parents and pupils of the Union School of Elyria remember as the kind and efficient teacher ; and Mrs. Harriet A. Herdman, of Zanesville, Ohio.

Mr. Patten-son's first wife died in 1856, July 14. He was again married, in 1857, to Miss Caroline A. Blanchard, daughter of Dr. Jas. C. Blanchard, of Penfield, Lorain Co., Ohio, the happy mother now of an only son.

Again his fellow-citizens, knowing his fitness, made him commissioner of said county, and his own townshi]) have expressed their respect for him by electing him to every local office.

Proud of his children, with a competency, all who have to do with Mr. Patterson, love and respect, and regard him as a finished example of a self-made man.

Chauncby Prindle

Chauncey Prindle was born in Connecticut, in the year 1794, and resided with his father until the death of the latter, which occurred in 1812. Soon after this sad event he married a daughter of Johnson Mercy, a happy union, which resulted in a ianiily of three children, - one son and two daughters. The son, H. H. Prindle, who lives on the old homestead, has this sketch of his father, with the accompanyingportrait, inserted in this work as a token of filial regard. Maria P., a married daughter (wife of A. W. Bacon), now resides at Oberlin. The other daughter, Mary J., married J. C. Stanton, and resided on an adjoining farm until her death.

Chauncey Prindle removed to Ohio in the fall of 1822, and first settled on fifty acres of land located in Carlisle township, Lorain Co., which he had received in payment of a debt. He started from his native place in Connecticut with fifteen dollars in money and about the same amount invested in tinware.

The journey occupied six weeks, and he Ijartercd most of his tinware with tavern-keepers on the road West, and was glad to find that he could do so, and thus save what little cash he had on hand. The appearance of his land was anything but flattering when he arrived here, as it was covered with several inches of water, and presented anything but a brilliant prospect for the anxious pioneer. By dint of hard work, and assisted by his excellent wife, he soon had his land cleared, and added to it from time to time until he had one hundred and thirty acres well improved, and upon which he erected comfortable buildings.

One of the peculiar hardships he had to encounter was the construction of about a mile of road through the woods, in order to get to his land. He also experienced great difiiculty in getting his wagon ihrouoh the mud and mire.

Mr. Prindle continued a farmer until his death, which occurred May 8, 1872, his good wife having preceded him to the grave about a year, Sept. 23, 1871. They were in every sense a worthy couple, and enjoyed the esteem and respect of all with whom they came in contact, either in business or social communion.

Mr. Prindle held several offices in his township, all of which he filled with the same honesty of purpose and faithfulness to duty that characterized the management of his personal affairs.

Okoakiz-Ition

Carlisle and Elyria townships, then of Huron county, were organized as one township, for civil purposes, under the name of Elyria, on the 20th day of October, 1819. Tliis connection was continued until June 4, lS-3v', when the present townsliip of Carlisle was organized. The first record of an election we are able to procure, bears date April 4, 1825, when tlie following persons were elected: Lyman J. Frost, Obed Gibbs, and Samuel Brooks, trustees; I. A. Sexton, clerk; Samuel Brooks, treasurer; and Ransom Gibbs, Barton Waite, and Ilezekiah Brooks, supervisors of highways. Pliinehas .lohnsou's bond as justice of the peace, - and he was without doubt the first person to fill that office, - bears date February 19, 1823.

The officers for 1878 are, William Patterson, Julius Beuhring, and James McMullin, trustees; M. R. Bennett, clerk; John Booth, treasui'er; William H. Sutliff, assessor; William L. Taylor and John Einig, constables. There are twenty-six supervisors.

Justice of the peace, Phinehas Johnson, was succeeded in 1833 by Hezekiah Brooks, and following are the names, with date of election, of each person who has filled the office until the present time: April G, 1835, David Bennett; August 22, 1836, Joseph Patterson; February 25, 1837, Henry M. Warner; April 2, 1838, Solimus Wakcley; April 3, 1843, Daniel Tenney; October 23, 1843, David Bennett; 1840, both re-elected; 1849, Nelson Groat and J. P. Noble; 1851, Joshua C. Bassett, who resigned March 7, 1853; Adna Groat, October 14, 1852; Daniel Tenney from 1853 to 1850, Lyman Rawson, 185G; 1859, Tenney and Rawson re-elected; 1862, Nelson Groat and James Carroll; 1805, I. S. Straw and Daniel Tenney; 1808, William Patterson and Warren S. Sutliff; 1874, Patterson and Sutliff re-elected; 1877, Sutliff and Elbert Haring.

On the 29th of October, 1822, agreeable to previous aj)poiutments, the jjcople convened to consider the propriety of organizing a church in Carlisle township. The Revs. Joseph Treat and Alfred Belts, missionaries from the missionary society of Connecticut, and members of the Presbytery of Portage, were present, and the following persons were duly constituted the " Congressional Church in Carlisle," viz: Hannah (wife of Phinehas Johnson), Samuel Brooks and Sophia his wife, Hezekiah Brooks and Hannah his wife, Lydia, wife of James Brooks, Samuel Eldred aud Irene Johnson. Samuel Brooks was chosen clerk. This church was removed to Elyria and consolidated with the Presbyterian church at that point, upon its organization, November 25, 1824. It remained thus until August 2, 1833, when at the request of Deacon Samuel Brooks, the members residing in Carlisle were granted permission to form ! themselves into a church in that townshi^J. For a time the cliui'ch fiourislied. A substantial meetinghouse was erected in about 1830, and a Sabbath school was organized. Gradually, however, tlie ranks were decimated until preaching was abandoned and the church ceased to be.