Lorain City (part 17 of 77)

The first of those modern industries - cheese factories - was started by Hobart Corning, in 1807. The location was near Daniel Kinsley's. There was a patronage of over four liuudred cows. This was sold to Messrs. Robson & Tranu, in the winter of 1877-8, and removed to Rawsonville, where it is now in operation. In the fall of 1877, Nahum Holcomb erected a cheese factory on Duke Mennell's farm, lot number forty-three. This worked the j a^t season the milk of two huiulred and fifty cows. Other factories have been in operation in (Jrafton. They are now closed.

In the winter of 1810-17, an addition, or wing, was constructed on tlie back ])art of the house of Major William Ingersoll, and in this his son Thomas began the manufacture of splint-bottomed chairs. This was the |)ioueer manufactory in Grafton township. The father became (piite an ade|)!, cooper, making tubs, buckets, cliurns and other useful articles. This shop was burned, as before stated. The first saw mill was built in the summer and fall of 1S17, by David Asliley, of Pittsfield, Mas. achusetts. In 1818 another saw mill was erected at Rawsonville, by Jonathan and Griudell Rawson and Nathan Boughton. This is now toru dowu. Ill 1826 these same persons built a grist mill near the saw mill. The present grist mill is at this place, and is a fine steam aifair, owned by 0. F. Banmetz. There arc also two steam saw mills in the township.

Prom the address of Hon. W. W. Boynton, we learn that Grafton towiisliip, when first settled, be longed to Medina county, which was formed in 1812, * * * Prom its foundation to its organization, it remained attached to Portage county, where the deeds of the early settlers were recorded. On the 25tli day of July, 1818, on petition of the inhabitants, the town was incorporated by the name of Grafton, by the commissioners of Medina county.

The first election was held at the house of William B. Crittenden, on August 3, 1818, at which time the following persons were elected: Eliphalet Jones, William Ingersoll, and William B. Crittenden, trustees; William Bishop, clerk; Reuben Ingersoll, treasurer; David Ashley, appraiser of property; Seth C. Ingersoll, lister of pi'operty; William Turner and Giles Sibley, overseers of the poor; Grindell Rawson and Reuben Ingersoll, fence viewers; Jonathan Rawson, Seth C. Ingersoll, William Ingersoll, Jr., and David Ashley, supervisors of highways; Guy C. Boughton, constable; and Jonathan Rawson, justice of the peace. Previous to this, the township had been attached to Liverpool township, for judicial purposes, and at the April election, 1818, Reuben Ingersoll had been elected a justice of the jieace, - the first in Grafton township. At the State election, holden on the 13th of the following October, there were thirteen votes cast.

The first sermon delivered in the towuship of Grafton, was preached by the Rev. Reuben Jones, of the Methodist connection, then residing at Mantua. This meeting was held at the dwelling of Eliphalet Jones, in the summer of 1817. Other meetings followed, and during the subsequent fall a small class was formed, with Aaron Root leader. We are unfortunately unable to give the names of those composing this class at its formation, but in 1S20, we find that the following were members : Lydia Crittenden, Oliver, Polly, and Eliza Ashley, Mary and Polly Jones, .lohn P. Root, Daniel Crittenden, and it is quite probable there were others whose names are not remembered. Meetings were held at the dwellings of Messrs. Root, Crittenden, Ashley and others. In the summer of 1818, a log school house was built at the center, and in this meetings were held with more or loss regularity. In 1827, quite a largo two story frame building was constructed, also at the center. This was for the purpose of a town hall, school and church. All denominations occupied it we believe, at pleasure. It was afterwards sold to the Baptist society, and occupied by them for a church so long as the organization existed, after which it was converted into a dwelling, and is now occupied by William Moses.

The present Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in the year 1850, but was not fully completed until the following year. The first regular minister was the Rev. Mr. Smith, of Pittsfield. This was in about 1820. The following list of pastors in this church is given from memory by Mr. Ashley Root and wife, and is substantially correct: Ezra Booth. Ezra Fields, Zera Castin, Taylor, Adam Poe, II. 0. Shelden, H. Calclizor, E. C. Gavitt, Geo. Elliott, William Reynolds, Carpenter, .John T. Galium, Cyrus Sawyer, Brewster, H. L. Parish, A. P. Jones, Breakfield, Thomas Pope, Peter Sharp, Kinnear, Jacob Brown, George Phillips, A. L. S. Bateman, .John Mitchell, Foote, Uri Richards, Thomas Thompson, William Thatcher, Euratas Bush, William Spafford, Safford, Charles Thomas, Matthew L. Starr, Asbury Cassel, L. M. Pounds, A. K. Owen, T. J. Gard, Ward, John R. Jewett, Hulbrook, W. Ben Taggart, W. W. Smith, F. S. Wolf, John Mitchell and George Haniwault, the present pastor. The last of these gentlemen, upon the breaking out of the rebellion, doiled their clerical robes for the "faded coat of blue," and served their country valiantly during the entire war. The present church officers are Ashley S. Root and Henry S. Williams, leaders; D. G. Kinsley, H. S. Williams and - . Goodsell, stewards; Charles Cragin, superintendent Sabbath school. Attendance, one hundred scholars; the total church membership is about seventy.

Methodist Episcopal Church

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Rawsonville was formed in March, 1871. Meetings were held in Hart's hall by Rev. Mr. Isbaugh, and a small class formed, the following persons constituting it: E. Robson (from whom we obtain valuable data), William Tranu and wife, Robert Salisbury and wife, Theodore Witbeck and wife, and A. J. Wilson and wife. Charles Bolton was appointed class leader; services were held in the above hall; a Sabbath school organized, and everything moving along harmoniously when a fire destroyed their place of worship. The members at once set about building a church edifice, and on Januai-y li, 1875, it was dedicated by the Rev. Mr. Currier. The total cost was twenty-four hundred dollars. The ministers have been Revs. Brice, Pope, Richards, Brien and Foote. There are at present eighty members. The church officers are John Dent and William Trann, class leaders; A. J. Williams and .Tohn Dent, stewards; E. Robson, Wni. Trann, A. J. Wilson, John Dent, Henry Hornby and Fred. Burgess, trustees; Sheldon Seers, superintendent of the Sabbath school. Total enrollment seventyfive.

In point of time the Episcopal Cliurcli was the next formed. Service was read as early as 1817 by the Rev. Roger Searls, then travelling on this portion of the Reserve as a missionary. Thischnrcli grew to respectable proportions, and as early as 1834 erected a fine brick edifice, the first in the township. This was located at the center on the site now occnpicd by tlie town hall. The causes leading to the close of this church we are unable to give, but certain it is that in 1853 meetings ceased, and the building was sold and removed.

This society was formed at Grafton Center, by Rov. Joel Talcott and Rev. Oliver Eastman, on the 15ch day of Marcli, 183-1, and consisted of the following members: Philip P. Davis, Barratt Benjamin, William Davis, and Aseneth, his wife. Silo Thorp and Jacob Rood. The cliurch was organized in connection with Medina Presbytery, on the plan of union adopted by the Congregational and Presbyterian churches of the Western Reserve, and contiuned as a Congregational church until January 13, 1873, when it became Presbyterian, and the following elders were elected: H. E. Bartlett, I. L. Fisher and J. F. Man tor; deacons J. T. Walker and T. B. Rogers. The present elders, elected 187G, are: I. L. Fisher, I. S. Thorp and W. N. Shoot. T. B. Rogers is the present superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an attcudanco of thirty scholars. This church first met in the l)uilding before referred to in connection with the Methodist Episcojial church. In fact, we lean that this churcli continued to hold services there until the erection of their present churcli edifice, in 1844. This was only enclosed and temporarily seated at the time, and was used in this condition for four years, when seats were added and the churcli completed. The Congregational officers were: J. W. Rood, Truman Bagg and Edwin Rogers, trustees; 11. E. Bartlett, secretary; and C. R. Baldwin, treasurer. The present officers are: I. L. Fisher, Cyrenus Simmons and I. E. Tliorp, trustees; T. B. Rogers, clerk; and I. T. Walker, treasurer. J. W. Rood was the first clerk of tlie cluu-ch, and held the office until 1846, when he was succeeded by I. L. Fislicr, who is the present incumbent. The pulpit has been supplied by the following ministers, in the order in whicli they are named: Reverends 0. Eastman, Israel Shaler, William Salisbury, James Eals and John P. Cowles. October 37, 1846, Rev. G. C. Judson was ordained and installed pastor of the church, and remained until June 1, 1852. Rev. Erastus Cole served the church as stated supply seven years. Rev. H. Lawrence succeeded him for seven years. Then came Rev. Madison Elliott, who remained the same number of years; Rev. S. M. Burton, three years; Rev. William Honnell, nine months; then Rev. Owen Jenkins, one year, and he was followed by the present pastor. Rev. n. Till-all, of Litchfield township.

Rawsonville Congregational Church

was organized at the house of Elcazar Goodman, January 8, 1854, by Rev. Ansel R. Clark, who had held services at that point since January 1, 1853. The first members were: Elcazar Goodman, Sr., and wife, Elcazar Goodman, Jr., and wife, Titus II. Hand and wife, Mrs. Adaline P. Preston, Harry Chandler, and daughter Jeruslia. The present house of worship was dedicated May 30, 1855, by Rev. Henry Cowles, of Oberlin. The following are clergymen who liave had charge of the church: Reverends A. B. CJlark, Stephens Cook, D. M. V. Stewart, Julius O. Beardloe, - Conklin, S. M. Burton, H. II. Honnell, - Cady, 0. Judkins, R. A. Baird, and Rev. Mr. Hyde, who is iit present officiating. The membershi)i is fifty. The officers are: A. A. Bisbee and David Stockwell, deacons; J. A. Berthrong, clerk; II. II. Hickok, Frederick Smith and A. A. Bisbee, trustees; Theodore Belding, su[)erintendent of Sabbath school. Tlie attendance is forty children.

This was the first church of this faith formed between Cleveland and Sandusky. It was organized in 1840 by Bishop Rapp. of Cleveland, and began with a small membership. A small wood building was erected in Carlisle township, near the present cemetery, on section six, soon after the church was formed. In this meetings were held until about 1863, when it was removed to Rawsonville, Grafton township. Four years after the present massive stone church was erected. This is in size forty-five by eighty feet, and cost ten thousand dollars. This church has now a total membership of seven hundred. The Rev. Mr. Halley, of Norwalk, Huron county, was the first resident minister. Revs. R. A. and Alexander Sibley held service here prior to Mr. Halley. Father John Daudet, the present pastor, assumed charge in 1871. After the building of the present church the old building was enlarged to double its former size, and converted into a school room. This is now under the management of the pastor, and has an eiiroUuient of fifty scholars.

The first log school house was Duilt on the southeast corner of Mr. Turner's lot, in the spring of the year 1818. The first teacher was Miss Mary Sibley, in age only a few years in advance of her scholars, of whom there were eighteen, and it is a somewhat remarkable fact that of this number twelve are yet alive. The report of the board of education for Grafton township, for the year ending August 31, 1878, shows six school houses valued at three thousand eight hundred dollars. The amount paid teachers one tliousaiid one hmidrod iuid forty two dollars. The number of children of the reijuisite school ago is two hundred and seven. This does not include the "Rawsonville Union School District," which was organized August 15, 18GS, and is composed of school district number one in Grafton, and an adjoining district in Elton township. The board of education at that time was T. Mattisou, president ; 0. Harper, clerk ; and H. 15. Itawson, treasurer. The present fine school building was erected in the summer of 1875, and cost complete, including furniture and ai)pai'atus, seven thousand dollars. The course of study embraces two grades, grammar and primary.

The following have been the principals and assistants: 1869, John Blanchard, at present county recorder, and Miss Lucy Westover; 1870, same principal, Miss .1. Boughton assistant; 1871, E. S. Snow, same assistant; 187:i, M. G. Young, Miss Mattie Richardson assistant; 1873, W. W. Richardson, same assistant; 1874, D. L. Hinckley, same assistant; 1875, I. N. Saddler, who is the present pi'incipal; Miss Mattie Richardson was his assistant, and continued to occupy that position until the spring of 1878, when Mrs. Allie M. Saddler, the wife of the i)rincipal, succeeded as assistant. The board of education for 1878 is: V. M. Ryan, president; Henry Weedon, treasurer; and F. C. Smith, secretary. The amount paid to teaciiers in 1878 was seven hundred and thirty-four dollars. Tiie total attendani^e is one hundred and forty-five. This school is spoken of as being in a tlourisliing and highly satisfactory condition.

We understand there is another benevolent society at this place, called the "Hibernians," but were unable to procure the data necessary for a sketch.

Oil Interest

When the hardy New England pioneers began to explore the wooded fastness of number four, they discovered along the margin^of the stream now known as Center creek, two marshy spots or springs, one on the farm of Eliphalet Jones and another on lands now owned by Ashley Root, which attracted their attention, from the ])rosence, upon the surface of the water at these locations, of a dark colored substance, haying an oleaginous appearance and a peculiar odor. In after years small quantities of it would be gathered, but we have no evidence that it was ever utilized. Finally samples of this substance were examined by experts, and it was pronounced iietroleum. Nothing was done, however, towards boring for oil until the year 1856, when a gentleman from Pennsylvania, we are unfortunately unable to give his name, sunk a well on the farm of Erastus Jones. At a depth of thirty feet oil was found. A jiump was applied. The well yielded some forty barrels, when the supply ceased and the business was abandoned.

In about 18G0 quite an oil excitement existed in Grafton, and perhaps a dozen wells were sunk with more or less success. The greater portion of them, however, yielded no oil. The present revival of the oil interest in Grafton began in July, 1875, when oil was struck on the Card farm at a depth of sixty feet, by Mr. Charles Rupert. This well produced at the start sixty barrels per day, and continued to furnish oil in paying quantities for some two years, when it ceased entirely. This well caused a great excitement, parties congregating in Grafton from the oil fields of Pennsylvania, and in fact all parts of the country. Land went up to almost fabulous prices and the owners of real estate went wild over the prospect. During tiie succeeding six months large quantities of land were leased, and as numy as fifty wells put down. Of these only about one-third found oil at all, and but a small proportion of these in paying quantities. In March, 1876, J. C. Blood (whose courtesies we wish to acknowledge) arrived on the scene. He was from the oil regions of Pennsylvania, and immediately began operations. On August 15th following he found, in his fourth trial, the greatest produciiiowell then on the territory. This was on the Shafer farm. At a distance of one hundred and sixty-two feet from the surfjice ho struck the oil j^roducinosand and begaH pumping. Although he found nothing but salt water, and by the way, oil is never found here except when mixed with salt water, yet his former experience kept his courage from waning, and at the end of three weeks' incessant pumpin"-, his efforts were crowned with success. The well beo-an to pump one hundred and thirty barrels of nearly pure oil per day. This well now yields seven barrels l)ei- day, and is the second best in the township. The October subsequent Mr. Blood sunk another well on the same farm that yielded by the same process ninety barrels per day. This now produces four.

The total number of wells sunk on this territory is three hundred and fifty. Of these, about one in four find oil, but only alwut one in seven in paying quantities. There are no flowing wells. Owing to the absence of carbon, the oil produced hero cannot be refined for burning purposes; but it is one of the best mineral lubricating oils j'ct discovered. Tlie following table shows the condition of this inij)ortaut interest in Grafton:

These are scattered over an area two and one-half miles east and west by one mile north and south, though there is, doubtless, a great fextent of surrounding territory yet undeveloi)ed; in fact, from general observation in the eastern part of Ohio, it is evident that this is the outcrop of a petroleum ruck extending entirely through the State.

The surface is a general level, with a blue clay soil. At a distance of from two to fifteen feet below the surface is found a soap stone stratum, varying in thickness from forty feet at the west end of the territory, to one hundred and sixty at its eastern boundary, the dip being towards the southeast. Immediately below this is found the oil-producing sand, varying from two to one hundred and sixty feet in thickness. This is broken and lying in dejiosits, at some points breaking off nearly perpendicular, but uniform at the top, excepting the dip, the slojie being from the bottom. Tlie oil is found in paying (]uaiitities only in the deep sand - none in less tiian forty feet. .This sand is variable - crystals, flint and sandstone grit. The oil is usually found in the former and latter. Below the sand is a white substance, known as "pulty" or fire-clay, of from one to ten feet in thickness; below this is a red clay from five to fifty feet thick, and below that the slate. It is not known whether there is another stratum of oil-jiroducing sand still below this or not, although a well has been drilled three hundred feet without finding it.

daughter of Major Wm. Ingersoll, was born in Lee, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in the year 1807. Her father removed to Grafton, in this county, in 1816, bringing his family witii him. Harriet, the youngest of eleven children, was but nine years of age, and was the first unmarried female who became a resident of tliat township. Of the trials and struggles of tlie jiioneer settlers in the wilderness, a graphic description is given in the early recollections of the settlement of Grafton, written by Mrs. Nesbett. At the age of seventeen she returned to Massachusetts, and, for a year and a lialf, enjoyed advantages denied to pioneer children of that early date. She returned to her home in Ohio, and, in 1826, was married to Daniel Nesbett, of Grafton. In 1829, they removed to Elyria, and settled on a farm on the ridge road, near the eastern line of the township. Toil and privations were expected of pioneer wives, while their husbands labored to cultivate their forest farms. After remaining upon this farm some more than twenty years, a pleasant home was imrchased in the village, where Mrs. Nesbett still resides. She has been the mother of seven children - one son and six daughters. The son died in infancy, and a daughter at two years of age; another daughter, "Libbie," at the age of twenty-six. Libbie was a gentle and sweet spirited girl, and died greatly lamented by her surviving relatives and friends, who cherish her memory. Four daughters are living, and all are married. The oldest is the wife of D. L. Harkness, and resides at Berlin, Wisconsin; the next oldest is wife of Jerome Manville, a successful druggist in Elyria; a third daughter is the wife of H. S. Howe, and resides in Mankato, Minnesota; the remaining daughter is the wife of A. D. Foote, residing in Cliicago. All the daughters are well settled in life. Mr. Nesbett died about the year 1804. at the age of sixty-six.

In 1830 Mrs. Nesbett, united with the Methodist Episcopal church in Elyria. when their place of worship was the "old yellow school house."' One only who was at that time a member of that branch of the church, is living in Elyria at this date. During all these years she has been a faithful and active member, constant in attendance upon its work aud ordinauces. She possesses considerable ability as a writer. The history of the first settlement of (fraftou, published in this volume, is from her pen. In 1876 she wrote a series of articles, which were published iu the Elyria Republican, descriptive of pioneer life in Grafton and other townships, which attracted general attention. She has ever been among the foremost in carrying on works of benevolence and charity, in the church and community. Among the regrets of her life time are the disadvantages arising from lack of early privileges at school. But aside from this great privilege, and a busy active life, she found time for reading and the cultivation of her literary taste. She has been a faithful wife, a good uKjther, and has ever enjoyed the respect of the community. Siie is in the enjoj'ment of excellent healtii, her bodily and mental powers continuing in full vigor, and bids fair to enjoy life to a ripe old age.

Cirindall Rawson

This gentlenuin was born in Massachusetts, February 20, 1793. In 1816, he visited Grafton township, Lorain county, Ohio, selected a parcel of land, and then returned to Massachusetts, where he remained long enough to complete the necessary preparations for a permanent settlement on his new purchase, upon which he located in 1817, and continued to reside there until his death, in 1876, (aged eighty-three years), a period of nearly sixty years. One year after his settlement in Grafton, he married Mariah, daughter of David Ashley, which marriage was blessed with eight children, - five sons and three daughters, - ^of whom six are living. The above was the first marriage ceremony performed in Grafton townshij). He held several offices in the township government, which he filled satisfactorily. Mrs. Rawson survived her husband almost two years, she dying January 9, 1878. She was born September 2, 1796, and was consequently eighty-two years of age at the time of her death. They were an excellent and worthy couple, and were so esteemed by all to whom they were known, or with whom they came in social or business communion.

Henry B. Rawson

son of Grindall Rawson, was born upon the home stead farm, where he still resides, in 1825. For fiftyfour years he has lived in the same place, and is among the earliest and most influential citizens of his township. His farm consists of three hundred and six acres, is well ini])r(ived, and has upon it substantial and comfortable buildings. On the 6tli of October, 1847, he married Cynthia A., daughter of Joseph arid Dollie Phelps, and they had six children born to them, - four sons and two daugliters, - namely, Abbott P., Frank B., George G., Kate C, Burt H., and Dollie M. Rawson.

The Rawson family have been, and continue to he, noted for their industrious iiabits, and honesty of life. As among tiie pioneers, so are they among the most prominent citizens of the township in every respect.

Allen W. Nichols

was the son of Nathaniel Nichols who was born in Rodman, New York, May 7, 1806. He married, September 16, 1827, Dorcas, daughter of Benjamin Bailey, of Leicester, New York. vShe was born March 20, 1804, at Elniira, New York, and died at La Grange. Ohio, February 10, 18(i4. They had five children, namely: Allen Woolsey, born in Y'ork, July 3, 1828; Martha Emma, born July 2, 1831; Mary Ann, born in Dayton, December 27, 1834; Rolla Alonzo, born in Nnnda, New York, June 7, 1838; Ellen Dorcas, liorn at Nunda, New York, September 25, 1843. Allen W. Nichols was raised by an uncle and aunt, Allison aud Esther Nichols, bachelor brother and maiden sister of his father. When the grandfather of A. W. Nichols became infirm from old age and imjiaired health, he offered to his brother and sister above named, a deed of the farm ])rovided they would come and live with him and his wife, and pay off whatever of indebtedness there was on the place. This they agreed to do, and fulfilled the duty faithfully and well, and also assisted any of the other brothers and sisters if they, or any of them, needed a helping hand. By the time Nathaniel went to housekeeping, they had moved into a frame house, so he commenced in the log one in which Allen W. was born. His uncle and aunt became so much attached to him, that when his parents got ready to move away, they did not wish to let him accompany them, so that he remained with his uncle and aunt iienceforth. except at intervals, when he would pay brief visits to his father and mother. When he was thii-teen years of age, his grandparents had both died, so his uncle and aunt concluded to sell out the old homestead in York, Livingston county, New Y'ork, and move to Grafton, Ohio, where their brothers and sisters had previously settled. So they sold out and purchased the farm where Allen W. now resides, thirty-four years ago. They redeemed it from a wild uncultivated spot, and made of it a fertile and highly productive farm. They were both members of the Methodist Church in their younger days, but as they grew older, they preferred the retirement and sanctity of tlie home circle and society to public worship. They were very temperate iu their habits, aud generous and benevolent to all. Of Allison Nichols it can be truly said he was a christian iu the broadest sense of tiiat term, an liouest man, and a good neighbor and citizen. Wlien he sold out iiis farm cast, liegave his brothers and sisters an amount ci|ual to whattheii' father had paid on the place prior to his deeding it to him. lie died May 8, 1873; his faithful and loving sister luid jircceded him to the.grave a siiort time, she having departed this life in the faith and fear of God, December 14, 1873 They both sleep the slcej) of the righteous, and their works do follow tiiem.

During Allen W.'s minority his uncle ujcd to allow him to raise stock and sell it, from the proceeds of which he saved enough to ])urchasc forry acres of land. His uncle deeded him the home fai-m just before he died. Allen \V. Nichols married Mrs. Eli/,ai)eth Durkee, daughter of Jolui (Tanible, a pioneer settler of Eaton township, Lorain county, Ohio, on the twenty-second of February, 1870. His uncle and aunt evinced a desire that he should remain single, and he did so up to within about two years of their death. They were well pleased witii his choice of a wife, and never felt as thougli any of their rigiits were usurped l)y her; aud learned to love her and enjoy her presence.

The "Grandfather ()f Allen W. Nichols was a revolutionary hero, aiul was also in the war of 1812. His uncle was also in the war of 1S12, and an only brother of Allen's, KoUa Alouzo Nichols, was in the war of the rebellion, and died in the regular service about two years since. The Nichols family have always been conspicuous fo)' sturdy honesty ami independence. Those of the present are worthy re]iresentatives of a wor.hy race. (See Illustrations and Poi traits.)

Was born in Charlestown township. Portage county, Ohio, September 19th, 1823. He remained with his father on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he removed to Windham, in his native county, aud attended the academy of that place, going through a regular academic course of studies. In the spring of 1813 he commenced reading medicine with George Conant, M. D., subseijuently prosecuting his medical studies with Professor John C. Delamater, of Cleveland, in whose office he remained as a student until tJie spring of 184.5, when he was regularly graduated and received his diploma. He soon thereafter moved to Grafton, Lorain county, and entered upon the l)ractice of medicine, wliich he followed until the winter of 1851 and 1853. During the latter year he turned iiis attention to the stiuly of dentistry under Dr. Kellogg, of Cleveland, with whom he i-emained almost one year. He then returned to Grafton, where he continued to reside until the spring of 1860, at which time he removed to Elyria, and engaged in the active practice of dentistry, iu which he continued until 1875. He then disposed of his dental practice to Dr. White, and moved to Oberlin, where he practiced until Se[)teud3er, 1878, at which time he returned to Grafton, where he oversees the Inisiness of his farm, and also practices his profession.

Dr. Knowlton married Caroline C, daughter of William and Mary Kinney, who were among the early settlers of Grafton. They have one son, William E. Knowlton, who resides at home with his parents.

In politics Dr. Knowlton is a republican, having acted with that party many years. He is generally considered a first-class professional man, an honest man, and a good citizen.

Margaret R. Brown Stephen H. Brown

Stephen H. Brown, son of Stephen and Ruth M. Brown, was born May 4, 1803, in that portion of WindiSor, Hartford Co., Conn., now called Bloonifield. His father was born at Windsor, in the same county, in the year 1777, and was the son of Stephen Brown, who came from England early in the seventeenth century. Stephen Brown married Ruth M., daughter of Benjamin Loomis, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of Old Windsor. He had a family often children, namely, - Benjamin, George, William, John, Joel, Adin, James, Ruth M., Rhoda, and Julia Ann. The grandfather of Stephen H. Brown had also ten children : James, Bradley, Stephen, Jesse, Oliver, Eunice, Patty, Sally, Malinda, and Rebecca.

The fruits of the union of Stephen and Ruth M. Brown were three children,- - one son and two daughters: Stephen H., born May 4, 1803 ; Ruth Eliza, born in 1805 ; Martha E., born in 1807. The mother died in 1811, and the father married again, to Alma Kelsey, who died three or four years after her marriage, leaving no issue. Mr. Brown married again, to Lydia Bronson, by whom he had two children : Stephen H., who lived at home and worked in his father's shop, biacksmithing, until he was twenty-one years old. He then removed to Washington, Litchfield Co., Conn., and worked the first year in the marble quarries of Allen, Batterson & Wheaten. In the winter he resumed his trade again, and followed it for three or four years, during which time he married Lucy Reynolds, Nov. 17, 1828, and had by her three children, all boys, namely, - Edwin A., born Jan. 8, 1830, died Aug. 5, 1845 ; Albert R., born Feb. 12, 1832; Charles L., born June 8, 1834, died Aug. 25, 1845. In 1831 he moved to Norwalk, Conn., remaining thei'e and at other places until 1842, when he started for Oliio. Two years prior to this, he lost his wife, who died Sept. 13, 1840. She was buried in the old " Jemima Burying-Ground," so called from an eccentric old lady who used to preach in that part of the country.

May 13, 1841, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary B. Shepard, widow of Levi Shepard, and daughter of Oliver and Alice Chapin, of Chicopee, Mass. By this union were born two children : George B., born July 28, 1843, and Helen J., born Feb. 19, 1850.

In 1841 he came to Ohio, and purchased the Wells farm, in Grafton township. He returned to Connecticut, and shipped his goods by water to Cleveland, and thence in wagons. Ho resided upon the farm until 1875. His second wife died March 1, 1864. He was married to Margaret R. Rowell, widow of Benjamin Rowell, November 16 of the same year ; she survives. They live in comfortable circumstances. Mr. Brown has three children living, one by his first wife and two by his second wife. Albert R. married Clorinda Rickard, of La Grange. George B. married, first, Sarah A. Inger.soll, of Grafton ; second, Jennie Bevier, of Plymouth. Mr. Brown is a Republican in politics, having been a Jackson Democrat up to the war of the Rebellion. He is an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Margaret R. Brown was born June 6, 1812, and was a daughter of John and Eleanor Woodworth, of Stillwell, Saratoga Co., N. Y. Her grandfather emigrated from England, and was an early settler of Saratoga County. The children born to John and Eleanor Woodworth were as follows: Patrick, Allen, Sally Ann, Ephraim, Rensselaer, Margaret R., Martin, and Isaac ; of these, three survive. John Woodworth was born in 1767, and died in 1818. Margaret was married to Benjamin Rowell, of Vermont, Sept. 5, 1831. She had four children, - two sons and two daughters: Sarah A., born Feb. 11, 1833; married Sly Odell, of Washington Co., N. Y. ; now lives in Minnesota. Alfred J., born Dec. 24, 1835 ; married Abbie IMerrell, and resides at Cohoes, N. Y. Margaret Ann, born Sept. 5, 1839 ; married Henry Wilkin, of Grafton. Charles E. B., born March 12, 1843; married Sybil Smith, and resides in Minnesota, same county as Sarah A.

Her husband died Aug. 10, 1862. He was engaged in farming and lumbering ; in the latter, quite extensively. He came to Ohio in 1848. He was a worthy man, and a good, honest citizen.

Mrs. Brown is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Grafton ; was formerly a Presbyterian, but joined the Methodists at the same time her husband did, in 1848.

Avon, or township number seven, in range sixteen, is located in the northeast cornerof Lorain county, and is bounded as follows: on the north liy Lake Erie; on the south by the township of Kidgeville; on the east by Dover township, in Cuyahoga county, and on the west l)y Shcftield township.

The surface is generally level. Passing through the township from east to west and bearing southward, is what seems to be a continuation of the ridge so ])r(iininently marked in the eastern counties of the State, antl generally believed to have been, at some remote period, the shore of Lake Erie. The soil fi'om the ridge to the Lake is varied; first sand, then a ma7"shy strip extending entirely across the township, and north of that clay and sand. South of the ridge for a short distance the soil is sandy, and from tliis to the southern boundary line of the township clay largely predominates.

Avon is an agricultural townsliip, though dairying finds some encouragement, and on the extreme shore of tiie Lake grape growing is prosecuted to quite an extent.

There is but one stream of water in the township of sufficient importance to deserve mention. This is known as French creek. It flows from the southeast corner of the township in a general northwesterly course, crossing the west township line on section four. This stream was of almost incalculable service to the early settlers, and was of respectable size; but since the forest has disai)peared along its banks, the waters have subsided until now it is a diminutive affair indeed, except during the fall and spring months.

" Pierpont Edwards became proprietor at the draft in 1807, of town number seven, range seventeen (Avon) togethei- with Bass Island number one, comprising one thousand three hundred and twenty-two acres; Bass Island number two, of seven hundred acres, and Island number five, thirty-two acres, in Lake Erie, west of north of Sandusky, annexed to the town, for the purpose of equalization.

"Previous to 1818 the iniiabitants called the town Xeuma, notwithstanding it was a part of Dover. On organization the township was christened Troy, and continued to be thus known, to the great inconvenience of the inhabitants, until December, 1834, when, upon the jietition of forty citizens, the name was changed to Avon by the Commissioners of Lorain County."

Early in the history of the Western Resevre, a road was established from Cleveland westward along the shore of the lake. Over this the mail was transported as early as 1807. (Sec history of Columbia.) Through the townshiji of Avon this road passes very near the bank of the lake, and here, where is now a succession of tasty cottages and beautiful villas, Noah Davis, in the year 1813, made a settlement, the first in the township. He erected the first log house, but where it was located, or who composed his family, we have been unable to ascertain, as he only remained a short time, removing from the township in less than one year. Two years pass before another attempt at a settlement is made, this time by men of great courage and a fixed determination to make themselves permanent homes in the wilde;ness. How well they have succeeded, the finely kept farms, with their substantial residences, skirting the line of the settlement (the ridge road) bear ample evidence.

In the summer of 1814, Wilber Cahoon and family; Nicholas Young and son William; Lewis Austin and family; Ej)hraim Keyes and family, and two brothers, Spink and Reuben Cooper, with their wives, took their departure from Montgomery county. New York, for Ohio, - the objective point being township number seven, in the sixteenth range. The cavalcade consisted of five horses, four yoke of oxen and five cows. Arriving at Ashtabula, Keyes and the brothers Cooper decided to remain there for a time. The other three families came on, and early in the fall reached the end of the ridge road, at Barney Hall's, in Dover township, Cuyahoga county. Here the families remained until a road had been cut along the summit of the ridge to section eleven, in which the greater portion of the lands selected by Mr. Cahoon were situated. Soon a log house was constructed on this section, the first built by a permanent settler, and into this the family of Mr. Cahoon soon removed. This stood on the site of the present homestead residence, which was l)uilt in the year 1836, and was the first frame house built in the township of Avon.

Mrs. -Cahoon was formerly Mis.^ Priscilla Sweet, of Rhode Island. The children were, Susan, who married Harley Mason, and now lives in Erie county, this State; Jessie S., who married Marcus Moore, (deceased); Wilber, who married Theresa Moore, (died in California); Ora B., who married Jane T. Jameson. He now resides on a portion of the old homestead, in section eleven, and to him we wish to acknowledge our obligations for valnahle aid in collecting data for the history of Avon. His family numbers seven, all living. Orra, the next child, married Henry Titus, (deceased); Huldah died in 183fi; Melissa M. married .loiin C. Steele, (deceased); and Leonard, who married Mary Titus, and lives in Elyria.

Wilber Cahoon jnirehased his lands in Avon, of Orrin Ensign, (who had surveyed the township, and received in payment certain tracts, lying in different sections of the township), paying therefor in eastern lands. He had in addition to the three hundred acres in section eleven, about two hundred acres in section six. Mr. Cahoon did not live to witness the completion of the first frame house in the township. Suddenly and swiftly came the pale messenger; while in full health he was stricken down with apoplexy, and in one brief hour was dead. This was in 1826. The wife and mother survived him many years; she died in 1857.

The lands of Nicholas Young, consisted of one hundred acres in section tweuty-t-wo; now owned by Dr. N. 8. Townshend. Upon this a log dwelling was constructed during the summer of 1815, by himself and his son William. When it was ready for occupancy, Mr. Young returned east for his family, with whom he arrived in Avon in the mouth of October. He had, at this date, five children. Several more were added to the family circle during the years he lived in Avon. He exchanged his farm in section twenty-two for lands in section fifteen, at the center, upon which he remained until 1S35, when he disjiosed of his property, and removed to Wisconsin.

Lewis Austin settled on fifty acres of land, in section twenty-seven, then owned by Waterman Sweet, and now the property of the heirs of William Hurst. Mr. Austin's family were a wife and seven children, none of whom now remain in the townshi]) except Reuena, now Mrs. Justin Williams, and Elsie, wife of John Tomlin.

The summer of 1815, the three families who remained at Ashtabula joined our little colony. Ephraim Keyes was originally from Tyringham, Massachusetts. He settled on the west side of section eleven. His family were a wife and three children, none of whom are now remaining iu the township.

The Messrs. Coojier became the owners of the entire lands contained in section one. Spink Cooper and wife both died in about 18:!3, leaving no children. The wife of R('ul)en Cooper died soon after settling iu Avon, and he marric-d a young wife, by whom he had two childi'cu. In .Iiiiic, 18-21!, he and Family were returning from an adjoining township, and, while attempting to cross Black river (then swollen to an unusual height by recent rains) iu a cart drawn by oxen, the conveyance was overturned, and he and one child drowned, as was also a young girl, Rachel Potter, who was with them. The wife afterward married Levi Wetmore, and finally removed to Michigan.

Three brothers, Abraliam, Oliver and Lodowick Moon, reached Avon at about the same period the Coopers did, and, a short time after, Amos Moon, another brother, arrived. Colonel Abraham Moon married Gerissa Durand in 1819. She was a native of Essex county. New York, but had located iu Henrietta, this county, prior to marriage. Colonel Moon purchased three hundred acres of land, iu sections one and two. He erected a double log house, and, in time, ]>lanted an orchard of five hundred trees, covering a space of ten acres. He died in September, 1831. His family consisted of three sous and one daughter. The eldest son, E. G. Moon, was born iu 1831. He married A. E. Wilder in 1844, and still resides on section one. The other two sons were D. C. and S. Moon. The daughter married E. S. Jackson in 1844.

Elah Park, whose place of nativity was Tyrinoham, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, married Elizabeth Moon, of the same place. He settled on section twentyone, in Avon township, iu the fall of 1815. Mr. Park was a prominent public man, and held many positions of honorable distinction, beginning with the office of justice of the peace, to w'hich he was many times elected. He was recorder of Lorain county from 1841 to 1843, and State representative from 1840 to 1848. He died in Avon, October 23, 180G. Mrs. Park died March 14, 18fi9. The children of this couple are Etna E., who died at the age of six years; Plumb M. (mute), who married Charlotte Peck, resides at Columbus, Ohio; Theresa M. married James S. Brown, who superintended the building of, and was sujicrintendeut of the institution for mutes, at Indianapolis, Indiana; he held the same position at Baton Rouge until public sentiment forced him north; Candace E. married Thomas E. Foot, and resides in Amherst, this county; Sarah H. married John Yaryan, a distinguished lawyer at Richmond, Indiana; Clarissa married David Skillman (deceased); Etna E., 3d, married Jay Terrell, proprietor of "Lake Breeze" summer resort, SheHield township; Margaret married Janus H. McNeely, and resides at Evansville, Indiana; Alice H. (mute), married Martin M. Hanson (deceased); and Harriet C, who resides at Evansville, Indiana.

Waterman Sweet came from Norway, Herkimer county. New York, to Avon, in the year 1817, arriving on July 18th of that year. He located on three hundred acres of land in section twenty-seven, and built his log house upon the site where now stands the residence of a son George W. With Mr. Sweet came his aged father and mother, Jesse and Huldah Sweet, a widowed sister who married Daniel Wilcox, and his own family, then a wife and three children, William, Calvin and [jaiira. Four children were born subsequently to his locating in Avon: Eliza, Henrietta, Cinderella and Mary Ann. Waterman Sweet died November 14, 1872, and Mrs. Sweet July 28, 1843. The following is the record of the children: William, the eldest, died some two years subsequent to the an-iviil of tlie f;uiiily in Avon, from the effect of the kick of an ox; and Calvin, the next child, married Bricene Chadwick, of Lee, Massachusetts; she died May, 29, 18G3. Tiie three eldest chihlron of this coujile, Luther Alfred, Tiieodore Parish and AVilliam Edward were soldiers in the Union army durino- the rebellion. The eldest was a non-commissioned officer in company E., Forty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, and died at Memphis, Tennessee, March 37, 180:3. The other children are Calvin, Melville (deceased), Bricene Etta, Mary Malvina, Waterman, George and Charles Denison. The next cliild of Waterman Sweet was Laura, who married Dr. Samuel M. Hopkins, now residing in Black River township. Of the children born in Ohio, Eliza married James E. Brooks, and lives in Elyria; Henrietta R. married Charles Caryl (deceased); Cinderella married James Towner and resides in New York, while Mary Ann died in infancy.

John Steele was the first settler on French creek. He came in 1817. llis log house was erected on the site of the present parscuiage. He had a family of six children, who now reside, the majority of them at least, in California.

Adam Miller and Gaston Young were the first permanent settlors on the lake shore. Mr. Jliller located on section six; Mr. Young moved into the Davis cabin. Of other settlers along the shore we find that .Joseph Moore, from Middletown, Connecticut, settled on section eighteen. John Mascin,

Lai'kin Williams and family, of a wife and eight children, came from Berksliire county, JMassachusetts, in the fall of 1817. He settled on the ridge east of the center.

Alljin Stickney nuide the trip from Cornwall, Vermont, to Ohio, in 1815, ti'aveling the entire distance on foot. He remained in Madison, Lake county, until the year 1817, when he removed to Avon. He settled on one hundred and fifteen acres in section twenty-two. His wife was Miss Clarissa Moon, of Avon. They died upon this farm - she May 3, 186G, and he February 17, 1867. Three children were born of this union: S. R., mari-ied Catharine M. Crow, and lives on the old farm, (he has five children); Serepta R. married Rev. L. D. Johnson, of Olena, Huron county; and Sidney A., nuirried Julia M. Goldsmith, of Vermillion, Erie county. He also lives on the old JKjmestead, and has two children.

John Burlingame came from Rutland, Vermont, to Ohio in the fall of 1833, locating on one hundred acres of land in section seven, directly on the bank of the lake. Mr. Burlingame was single when he came to Avon, but was married about one year suljsequently to Sophia, daughter of Joseph and Hannah Moore of former mention. The children of this

Joseph B. Jameson, wife and three children, from New England, settled in Avon in 1834. Their location was on the ridge, some half a mile east of French creek, now occupied by Malcom B. Jameson. Of the children, two are deceased; the eldest, Jane Thankful, is now the wife of Ora B. Cahoon. Mr. Jameson died in Avon in .June 18G7.

John Schwartz and Catharine his wife came from Bavaria, in ({ermanj', <ind located in the wilderness, on section twenty-three. The family consisted of five children, namely: Joseph, who married, and still resides on section twcuty-tliree; .Vnna, Mary, Catharine and Frederick. The date of their settlement was December 34, 1833. Jacob Miller and Paul Faber, with their families, came with Mr. Schwartz. Tiiey located near, and were the only settlers direct from Germany for some years. In 1840, a brother, Peter Schwartz, with a family of seven, settled in this locality, and soon German settlei's began to locate rapidly in this vicinity. They are a frugal, thrifty people. .John Schwartz died .January, 1870, aged eighty-four years, and Mrs. Schwartz in .July, 1858, aged sixty-five years.

The pioneer baby in Avon township was a son to Wilber and Priscilla Cahoon, - the date December 1, 1814. This child is Leonard Cahoon, who married Mary Titus, and now resides in Elyria village.

First marriage : This highly interesting event occuri'ed in the fall of 181 G. The parties most interested were William Richmond and Miss Rhoda, adopted daughter of Reuben Cooper ; Joel Terrell, Esq., of Ridgeville township, made the twain one fiesh. This coujde are both deceased.

The first doctor to locate in Avon township was Heman, son of Larkin Williams. Dr. Williams is spoken of as a gentleman of fine ability and sui^erior professional attainments. The present medical staff of Avon consists of Dr. Beers, Daly and Smyth.

The first death was Lydia M., daughter of Larkin Williams, .January 11, 1818. Her remains were the first interred in the cemetery at the center.

It is believed that the first post office was established in 1835, and that Dr. Williams was the first postmaster. The present postmaster is James West, at French creek.

The first wheat sown was by Willier Cahoon, on section eleven, in the fall of 1815. The previous season a crop of corn was raised on the same ground.

The spring following his settlement in Avon, Wilber Cahoon planted an orchard of one hundred trees on section eleven. The trees were procured at Newburgh, Cuyahoga county. The greater part of this orchard is still standing.

Samuel Carpenter opened the pioneer store in Avon, at French creek, in 1834 or 1835. His venture does not appear to have been a success, as he soon closed ouL and removed from the township. The pruicut business at tliis point is as follows : General merchandise, John Burgett and John Lansing; groceries, Lewis Keeler ; tinware and stoves, James West ; boots and shoes, George Fisher. 1'here is also a harness and tailor shop. At the center Peter Ostcrmann has a dry goods and grocery store, G. Dingier, boot and shoe shop. There are also a blacksmith, a carriagemaker and a painter.

The first blacksmith in Avon township was a man named Cheeney. He removed from the township prior to 1818. Adoljihus (farlick succeeded him in 1818 or 1819. This was at French creek. Ciyrns Bnel came soon after. There are now several of these useful artisans at this point.

The first hotel was kept by John Steel, at French creek, soon after the settlement. The Avon house at this phice is kept by Lewis Keeler. A distillery 'was erected at French creek quite early in the settlement, by two men from Dover township, Cuyahoga county. This was in operation only a few years.

On the 27tli of October, 1818, the land a-t ])resnt comprised within the limits of Avon township, together with the annexations before mentioned, was set off fi-om Dover, and organized a separate township by the name of Troy, by the commissioners of Ciiyaahoga county. At this date, the river from the point where it passes into Sheffield, north to tbe lake, was the boundary line between Huron and Cuyalioga counties.

A special election was ordered for township officers, to be held November '.), 1818, at which time the following persons were elected : Elah Park, John Williams and Lodovick Moon, trustees; Larkin Williams, clerk; Abraham Moon, treasurer; James B. Fitch and Tyler Williams, constables. June 23, 1819, Jabez Burrell and Wilbcr Gaboon were elected justices of the peace.

The officers for 1878 are, Ezra Jackson, Luther Hicks and Laurence Heckle, trustees; Horace Wilcox, clerk; E. E. AVilliams, treasurer; H. J. Gaboon, assessor; Oscar Wilcox, Lemuel Stickney and John Osterman, constables; H. J. Gaboon, .Joseph Creitzer and A. W. Sherbouda, justices of the peace.

The first religious service in Avon township was held at the house of Nicholas Young, immediately after a settlement was commenced, by a local jireacher of the Baptist faith, named Jashar Taylor, then I'esiding in Dover township, Cuyahoga county. A church was not formed, however, until the summer of 1817. In June of that year Elder Hartwell, from the east, making a missionary tour through this portion of the Reserve, held meetings at the house of Wilbur Gaboon a few times, and traveled westward. Returning some two or three months later, he found that the seed sown on his first visit had brought forth fruit, the result of which was that the following persons were formed into a church: Nicholas Young and wife and Jared Barr, of Avon- Jashar Taylor

1818 a log school house was built at the center, and in this regular services were held. The first ordained minister to settle in Avon was the Rev. John Tuttle, who remained until his death, some four years. He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Teachout and others, whose names are forgotten. In the year 1820, or 1827, a large block meeting house was built by the members and friends of this church. In it meetings were held by all denominations, and it was a great convenience. This was aecidently burned in 18.37 and again this congregation was without a place of worship. The present church was erected in 18.39 or 1840, and is thirty by forty feet in size. It has been repaired, painted and otherwise improved at ;i recent date, the cost of which was twenty-five hundred dollars. The present pastor is Rev. D. R. Owens, who has cared for this flock for four years past. The church officers are H. H. Williams. J. B. Gaboon and Selam Moon, trustees; Burton G. Jameson, clerk; William Nesbett and Milo Williams, deacons; Everett Williams and D. L. Sawyer, super, intendents of Sabljath school, u]ion which there is an attendance of sixty scholars. The foregoing history of the Baptist church is furnished from memory b^' 0. B. Gaboon and wife.

Methodist Episcopal Church

The first class of the Methodist Episcopal church was organized as early as 1820. Mr. Calvin Sweet furnishes the data from which the following brief history is prepared: This class was composed of Keyes Carpenter and wife. Waterman Sweet and wife, Ephraim Keyes and wife, Amasa Chapman and wife, Elah Park and wife, Willis Potter and wife, William Richmond and wife, and Mrs. Polly and Mary Goo])er, wives of David and Reuben Cooper. Keyes Carpenter was class leader. Rev. Mr. Smith, a local preacher, organized this class and was the first minister of this deuominalion to locate in Avon. In the year 1834 the first Methodist Episcopal church was built. This was in size twenty-six by thirty feet, cost five hundred dollars, and stood on the site of the present church. The old church was sold upon the completion of the jiresent one in 1855, and was converted into a dwelling. The neat edifice now occupied by the denomination cost two thousand dollars. The Rev. Newel Close is the present pastor ; the membership is sixty. The stewards are Calvin Sweet, Ezra Jackson, George Bliss and John Benham; ch'.ss leaders, George W. Sweet and William Wilder; superintendent of Sabbath school, Glemant Snow.

The Holy Trinity Church

The first settlers at East Avon were Catholics, natives of Bavaria, Germany. Those who formed the ehurcli were as follows: Jacob Muller, Paulus Faber, John Schwarz, settled in 1835; Peter Schwarz, John Nagel, and Peter Biermacker, 1841; Simon and Adam Zeh, Nicholas Matsch and P. Kraus, 1843; John Nagel, second, Nicholas Maringer, and Peter Scheit, who came in 1845, joined immediately afterward. The first church was erected in 1843, and was a snbstantial frame structure, thirty by forty feet in size, and stood on what is now the cemetery. Soon the church became too small, and under the direction of Simon Zeah as treasurer, and Peter Wirsch, Nicholas Maringer and Henry Seibert, building committee, the present church was erected. The original dimensions were thirty-five by sixty feet. The cost was about three thousand dollars. I'lie old church was joined to the rear of the new one, nuAing a total length of one hundred feet. This now s-^rves as a sanctuary and sacristy. The building was finished in 1863. There is a neat parsonage in connection; and a pretty brick school house, in which school is taught by the pastor. Rev. T. Heidegger, ten months in the year. The income of the church is thirteen hundred dollars per year. There is another Catholic church, at French creek, but of this we have been unable to procure the data necessary for a history.

The first school house in Avon township was erected in the summer of 1818. The material of which it was constructed was logs, and the site was at the center of the township, near the present residence of William Ellison. The subsequent fall, Larkin A. Williams began school in this building. There were twenty-five children in attendance, mostly from the families of Cahoon, Cooper, Williams and Steel. From the report of the board of education of Avon township, for the year 1878, we find the present items of school interest, as follows: There are ten school houses, which are valued, with grounds and fixtures, at ten thousand dollai-s. The total amount paid to leachers was twenty-five hundred and ninety-three dollars; and the whole number of youth of the requisite school age, four hundred and seventy-seven.

Industkial Puksuits

The first saw mill v/as erected on section eleven, in the fall of 1815, by Wilber Cahoon. The waters of French creek were utilized to propel the rude machinery of this mill, which was in operation full fifty years; now there is scarcely a vestige of it remaining. Another saw mill was built on the same stream, by Messrs. Jameson & Hemingway Brothers, in the year 1834. This is still in operation.

In the summer of 1818, Mr. Cahoon built a srist mill near the saw mill mentioned above, the water, propelling which, being supplied from the same pond. There were .two run of stone. This mill was finally abandoned in consequence of a scarcity of water.

The large steam flouring mill on French creek, now in successful operation, was constructed by H. H. Williams in 1857. This is equipjjed in first class style throughout, and has three run of stone. The engine is of fifty horse power. The entire cost of mill, real estate and machinery was eight thousand dollars. The steam saw mill adown Frencii creek was built by Mr. Williams the same season.

The first cheese factory was erected on section twenty-eight, in about 1865, by Messrs. Jamesons, Snow & Phelps. It was not a success, and was discontinued after one season.

The "French Creek Factory" was l)uilt in March, 1875, by Wilber and Joseph B. Cahoon, on section eleven. The first season there were one hundred and twenty-five cows in contribution. There is at present a capital invested of fifteen hundred dollars. Durinothe season of 1878, the milk of two hundred cows was used.

C.VERiAGE Manufactory. - In the year 1850, John Benham came to Avon, and locating at French creek, began in a small way the manufacture of wagons. This increased until in 1873, when the business had assumed extensive proportions. He had some twelve thousand dollars invested, and emjiloyed an average of fourteen workmen. He manufactures an excellent grade of carriages. The depression of the past few years has materially effected the business. He employs at present six workmen.

When the settlement was made in Avon, there was on the west bank of French creek, on section eleven, quite a remarkable embankment. It was constructed of stone, circular m form, of some six or eight feet in height, and perhaps four rods in diametei-. The stone

Fai'ther down the crook was an iiniiioiise mound of st.ono, tlio most romarkablo foaturo of wliioli was, tluit it was composod of snuill sizod " oohhlo-hoad " stones, and was located in a jiortion of tho township whore this kind o£ stones do not abou<id.

On the ridge, whore now stands tho Methodist Episco]iaI church, were a number of mounds. These, on being opened, were found to contain human bones. Those wore lovoled to the earth, and tho stones comprising tho foi'titications wore drawn away as rocpiirod, until nothing now remains to mark the sjiot.

Edwin Snow

His grandfather, Oliver Snow, resided at Beckett, MassachiLsetts; removing from there, ho settled in Auburn, Geauga county, Ohio. About tlie year 18'^."), he died at Auburn.

Franklin Snow, his sou, and father of Edwin Snow, was born at Beckett, Massachusetts, January 27, 177!-l. His business was farming; he married Miss Lydia Olcott. Eight children - five girls and three sons - wore liorn to them. Mrs. fjydia Snow died in 1830, and was Iniried at Manilla,, I'ortage C(ninty, Ohio.

i\Ir. I''. Snow remaining, had issue, one daughter, Hannah Snow. Burying his second wife at Avon, Ohio, in ISoO, he, respected by all, died at Avon, Ohio, in 1803; aged eighty-four years and ten months.

Edwin Snow, son of the above, was born at Ptirtage county, Ohio, February 17, 1800. He removed to Avon, Lorain county, Ohio, in 1837. When i)urchasiiig four hundred acres of laud, he commenced life as a farmer, which he has ever since been engaged in with great success; married, in the year 1843, to Julia, daughter of Trueman and Lucy Lewis, of Orangoville, Wyoming county. New York. Five children, viz: Theodore L., Oliver S., Clemon H., Florence H. and Lucy L. , all living, perpetuate the many virtues of their parents.

Mr. Snow has hoen honored by his fellow townsmen with the oftiee of trustee of tho townshij), and now with every comfort around him, ho looks back to the past with no regrets; to the future for the '-All Good."

William Hurst

William Hurst was born at Elkington, Northamptonshire, England, January 7, 180-4. He came to this country in June, 1831, and was a resident of Dover, Cuyahoga county, until the year 1834; he then removed to Elyria, and was engaged in the townshiii Inisiness for four years. Ho thence removed to Avon, Lorain county, whore he has since resided, and was engaged in farming, in which he was enterprising and successful until the time of his death. He died December G, 1875, of paralysis, aged seventy-one years and eleven months. He married Elizabeth Townshend for his first wife; she died, and he married Lucina E. Moon, September 20, 1837. She was born March 33, 1830. They had six children: Elizabeth S., born August 13, 1838; she was married to Edward Carter, August, 1861, by whom she had livi' children; she died January 34, 1873. Win. H. was born April 33, 1840; died October 35, 1844. Josiah 0., born May 19, 1843, died November 8, 1844. Lucina M. was born November 16, 184.5. Goo. W., born January 30, 1848. VVm. 0.. born February 33, 1851, was married January 19, 187G, to Jennie Hawley, by whom he has one son, George H., who was born January 30, 1877. Mrs. Lucina £., the mother, died .lanuarv 35, 1873.

"My father, John Schwartz, came with my mother. Catliarino, from Bavaria, Germany, in 1833. Their young family consisted of five children, namely: Jose])li, Anna, Mary, Catharine and Frederick. Jly father settled on section thirty-three, in Avon, on the 34th of December, 1833. Two other persons, both heads of families, accompanied him, by name, Jacob Miller and Paul Faber. These were the first and only (Jerman settlors that I know of in Avon until 1840, when my uncle, Peter Schwartz, came in with a family of seven persons. Then German settlers came flocking in. In 1844, Trinity church was built in East Avon."'

Mr. Joseph Schwartz lived with his father until the hitter's death, in the year 1870; his mother having died in July, 1858. He married Catharine, daughter of Peter Kraus. This marriage left eight children, seven sous and one daughter, all living. Still living on the

Albin Stickney

Lemuel, who is the son of Solomon, who is the son of Albin, who was the son of Lemuel, who was the son of Moses, who was the son of Joseph, who was the son of Benjamin, who was the son of Benjamin, who was the son of Amos, who was the son of William, who was the son of William, who was the son of Robert.

The first who came to America by this name was William Stickney, who settled at Rowley, Essex Co., Mass., in 1637. He was born in Frampton, England, in l.')92 (the day and date not known), and was baptized Sept. 6, 1592, in St. Mary's Church at Frampton. It is not known when he was married, or to whom, except that her name was Elizabeth. To them were born ten children. He died at Rowley, Mass., in 1665, at the age of seventy-three years.

His father, whose name was also William, of Frampton, was baptized Dec. 30, 1558, and married Margaret Pierson, June 16, 1585. His grandfather's name was Robert. We find that he made his will October 3, and was buried Oct. 18, 1.582.

Amos, the second son of William and Elizabeth Stickney, who emigrated to America, was born in England about the year 1635, and married Sarah Morse, at Newbury, Mass., June 24, 1663. He was a weaver by trade, and set up at Rowley the first fulling-mill in America, about the year 1643. To Amos Stickney and his wife Sarah there were born nine children. He died in Newbury, Aug. 29, 1678, at the age of forty-three years.

Benjamin Stickney, the sixth son of Amos, was born at Newbury, April 4, 1673. He married Mary Palmer, June 16, 1700. To him were born eleven children. He died March 5, 1756, at the age of eighty-three years.

Joseph Stickney, the third son of Benjamin, was born at Rowley, Oct. 8, 1705, was baptized April 1, 1706, and was married Dec. 26, 1727, to Jane Pickard, who was born March 5, 1704. She died, and he was married in Boxford, Nov. 7, 1737, to Hannah Goodrich, who was born in Newbury, Feb. 1, 1712. By these two wives he had sixteen children : by his first wife five, and by his second wife eleven. He died in March, 1756, at the age of fifty-one years.

Moses, the first son of Josepli and Jane Stickney, was born at Boxford, Feb. 11, 1729; was married tliereto Abigail Hall, Aug, 28, 1750. He was a private soldier in Captain William Thurlow's company, and served through the Revolutionary

Lemuel Stickney, the fifth son of Moses, was born at Boxford, Feb. 13, 1761 ; was married in 1781 to Polly Tomlinson. He settled in Cornwall, Vt., where three of his children were born. Here his wife died, and he married for his second wife, in Weybridge, Addison Co., Vt., Martha Scovill, who was born at Saybrook, Conn., June 14, 1760, by whom he had eight children, all born at Weybridge. He finally moved to and settled in Franklin, Franklin Co., N. Y., where he died May 3, 1842, at the age of eight3--one years.

Albin Stickney, the second son ot Lemuel, and subject of this sketch, was born at Cornwall, Vt,, Nov. 29, 1786. He served for a time in the war of 1812, and came to Madison, Ohio, in 1815, and from there he came to what is now Avon, Lorain Co., Ohio ; here he bought a farm and settled in 1817, where he lived until his death. He married Clarissa Moon, Feb. 1, 1821, at Avon. She was born at Tyringham, Mass., May 30, 1795, and died at Avon, May 3, 1866, aged seventy years, Albin Stickney was a man of great industry and perseverance, of moral integrity, and honesty of purpose. He accumulated considerable property, and in his later years loaned money ; but such were his convictions of uprightness, that while money everywhere commanded ten and twelve per cent., he never asked or would receive but six per cent., the then legal interest. He died Feb. 7, 1867, at the age of eightyone years. They had three children, - Solomon R., born at Avon, Ohio, Jan. 22, 1823; Sarepta R., born at Avon, Ohio, June 9, 1826 ; Sidney A., born at Avon, Ohio, Oct. 29, 1830.

Sarepta R., only daughter of Albin and Clarissa Stickney, was married at Avon, Ohio, to Rev. L. S. Johnson, Aug. 11, 1844, by whom she has five children, - William A., born March 5, 1851; Albert W., born Dec. 10, 1854; Cora E., born May 7, 1862; Clarissa A., born Nov. 25, 1864. They now live in Fairfield, Huron Co., Ohio.

Sidney A., youngest son of Albin and Clarissa Stickney, married Julia M." Goldsmith, July 4, 1852. To them have been born three children, - Albin S., born March 4, 1855; Eddie A., born Feb. 9, 1859, and died July 25, 1860; Martha H., born June 17, 1875. They live at Avon, Lorain Co., Ohio.

Joseph Schwartz E.G. Moon

old homestead, a meiuboi- of the Geniian Catholic chureli, with liis dear old wife, always and ever atteiidin,^- to tlie farm and its interests, refnsing always any tender of olhee from his fellow citizens, lie is a striking example of what Gerniau tlirift may (hi for a man.

Elbridge G. Moon

Jacob Moon, wlio lived at Lennox, ]\[ass. , was the fatiier of Colonel Abrahani Moon, wlio was born ar ijennox, Berkshire county, Mass., in 1790. He came to Troy (now Avon), this county, in the spring of 1816, when he commenced the stern realities of frontier life. He bought and cleared u[) a, farm on which he lived until his death. In 1830 he was married to Teressa Durand, who was born in 1S03. To them were born live children: Elbridge (!. was born March 5, 1823 ; Selim born in 1824 and died in 1838 ; Dewit C., born October 15, 1835, and died January 14, 1861; Cordelia Q., born June, 1837 ; Stern W., born November 5, 1839. Col. Abraham Moon died in September, 1831. Elbridge G. Moon was married on the 29th day of Uecember, 1844, to Ann Eliza Wilder, who was born March 38, 1835, at Bristol, Ontario county, N. Y. To them were born Russel E., I)ecember31, 1845; Durand D., November 5, 1854; C. Bell, August 11, 1857. Dewit C. married Mary J. Davis, October, 1853. They had one son and four daughters. Cordelia Q. married Ezra Jackson, Dcceudjer 39, 1S44. Theyliavo had three sons and foul' daughters. Stern W. married Ann C. Hicks, in the spring of 1858. They have one daughter born February 14, 1861. Mrs. Terresa D. Moon, the mother of Elbridge, died at Avon, December 3d, 1877, aged 74 j'ears. Russel E., eldest son of Elbridge, married Rachel Orum, February 16, 1873. They have Gertrude E., born January 30, 1873; Myra B., born December, 1874; Morris R., Novendjer, 1876; May S., l)orn April, 1878.

The subject of this sketch is a farmer, having inherited the farm from his father, it being a part of the original homestead. He has constantly improve<l it until he has built up for himself and family a beautiful home. He excels as a horticulturist and stock raiser, the Jerseys being his especial pets. As a man, neighbor, citizen and christian, he ranks high in the community in which he lives.

Dr. Truman B. Dailey

Elijah Dailey, the grandfather of Dr. Dailey, emigrated when a boy, with his father's family, from Ireland to Massachusetts, about 1750. He went into the revolutiomxry war at its commencement, and continued until its close. He was at the defense of Boston and in the battle of Bunker Hill. He died about 1837, at Potsdam, New York. His son Benjamin was born at Cambridge, Massacliusetts, in 1780. He married Jane Moe, m Essex, Essex county, Vermont, in 1803. She was born in Massachusetts, in 1785, and died in 1871, at the- age of eighty-six years. He was a farmer and a man of the strictest integrity ; one who lived to do his neighbors good. He set a just value upon his labor, and estimated and regulated tlie sale of his ])rodncts accordingly ; for instance, he estimated that he could produce hay for six dollars per ton. If Ihe [irice was below that he would not sell ; if above, no matter how much, he would only ask that, and would I'eccive no more; so with all his other products. He would not, however, sell to speculators, only to those who needed it for their own consumption. He came from Essex, Vermont, to Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, New York, about the year 1807, at which place he bought and cleared up a farm, on which he lived until his death. He served as a soldier througli the war of 1813, and died in 1873, at the age of ninety-two years. He had ten children.

Dr. T. B. Dailey, the subject of this sketch, lived with his father on the farm, until he was twenty-one years of age, working on the farm during the summer, attending the St. Lawrence academy in the fall, and teaching in the winter. He graduated at the St. Lawrence academy in the twenty-tirst year of his age, at which time he commenced the study of medicine at Madrid, St. Lawrence county, with Drs. Pierce and Manley, with whom he studied two years, teaching school winters. In the spring of 1844 he came to Dover, Cuyahoga county, Ohio. Here he contin ued the study of medicine with Dr. Jason Peab(jdy, his uncle. He remained with him two years, and finally graduated at the Cleveland medical college, in March. 1846.

In 1847 he settled at Avon. Lorain county, where he commenced the practice of medicine, and soon by his untiring industry and ]ierseverauce, built up a large practice. He educated himself, and liy his own energy and integrity, has won an lionoralilc name in the community in which he lives and may justly be said to be a sclf-nuide man.

He was married to Laura A. Rogers, at Avon, April 5tli, 1848, by whom he had three chddren : Jamin, born January Cth, 1849 ; Ezra, born September 3d, 1851, and died April 1st, 1853 ; Leslie, born .January 39, 185.'5, and died October 8th, 1853. His wife, Laura A., died July 3d, 1853. lie mari'ied a second time, his choice being Martha Ballon, March 36, 1854.

TowNsiiii' number two, in the eif(litcentli r;inn;e, is bouiKleil on the north by Wellington townshij), on the sonth by Sullivan township, Ashland county, on the east by Spencer township. Medina county, and on the west by Rochester. The surface is generally level, except along the streams, which are of but slight importance. They arc as follows: Wellington creek, which rises in the eastern portion of the townsiiip, a short distance south of the center line, and flowing an almost due north course, crossing the township line a short distance east of the center, on lot seven; Charlemont creek has its rise on or near the south line of the township, and near the southeast corner. The course of this stream is slightly east of south, passing into Wellington township on lot thirty-two. These streams are tributary to the west branch of Black river. Tlie soil is clay, Ijut, when suitably tilled, ])r<>duces large crops of all kinds of grain, and is especially good for grass.

Original Proprietorship

The original owners by deed from the State of Connecticut, were Oliver Sheldon, Simeon (iriswold, John Cowles, Benjamin Kent and others. Joseph Sage, Skinner, Bowles, and a number of persons whose names are not in oui' possession, soon became large proprietors by purchase. Tiie lands selected by Joseph Sage were situated in the southwest (juarter of the townsliip. ami here was made tlie i)i()neer

In the yeai- 1818, Joseph Sage induced several families to emigrate from their old homes in the cast, with a view to cultivate for themselves farms in the wilderness of the Western Reserve. The first to make the venture was a son-in law of Mr. Sage, John Jjaborie. The place of his nativity was Huntington, Fairfield county, Connecticut, and the date of leaving for Ohio was February 12, 1818. In the company were Joseph Sage, Mr. Laborie, his wife and two children, four young men and a hired man. They started in a sleigh, and found snow in abundance until reaching Hudson, tiieu in Portage county, at which point they arrived four weeks after beginning the toilsome journey. The weather was severe; the coldest known. At Buffalo, the snow was drifted to the chamber windows, and had not thawed a jiarticle for seventeen days. Much of the journey from this point to Ohio was made on the ice. When they reached Hudson, Mrs. Laborie was too unwell to proceed further, and a halt was made until she had sufficiently recovered to resume the journey. Tliey left Stow township on Monday, March 1511), and journeyed on much of the way through the dense forest, with nothing but an occasional marked tree to guide them.

On arriving at Westfield, they put u|) at Mr. Brainard's, then oecupynig a small log house, of l)ut one room, and this was occupied by four families. The addition of the ten jiersons comprising our party, filled the little cabin to overflowing; but a big heart, full of hospitality, made everything seem quite comfortable. Arriving in Sullivan township, they took up their abode in a little log house, built by Henry Chase. This was a distance of one and one-half miles from the lands selected in Huntington township. "They rested that night as emigrants of to-day know nothing about." The house was a cheerless affair, without chimney, door or windows; and the wide spaces between the logs, not being chinked, afforded easy access for the clouds of snow which the furious March winds sent whirling through the air. Here the family remained until a log house had been constructed. This was on lot nineteen, tract two. The family moved into it on April 13th. As the weather was fine, and the men anxious to get a piece of ground ready for planting, the floor was not put down, or dooi', windows and chimneys constructed, until several weeks later. As it was impossible to procure straw for beds, the dry leaves were used instead, and it is said they made a good substitute. Provisions were scarce, especially meat, and although deer, turkeys and other game were plenty, yet at this season of the year they were too poor to eat. About May 1st, Mr. Sage went to Worthington, near Columbus, to purchase stock; and being gone longer than was expected, the pi'ovisions became exhausted, except a small quantity of Indian meal, and the bran from a bushel of wheat; this was mixed with water and baked into a loaf, and on this diet the family subsisted for some three weeks, but at length the needed supplies arrived. Wooster, in Wayne county, was the nearest village, and to this point our settlers were obliged to go to find a store, grist mill, post office or blacksmith shop. The family of IMr. Laborie are: Sarah, born in Milford, Connecticut; she came to Ohio, and died at the age of thirteen years. Anthony, who was a mere babe when the family settled in Huntington, married Laura A. Darry; they have six children, and live on tract two. Jane, who was born in Ohio, became the wife of William Kelsey; they live in Williams county, this State, and have five children. Myra married William S. Preston; they have four cliiklrcn, ;iud live on fcnict oue. Charlotte married William II. Howard; they reside in Rochester townsliiji, this county, and have six children. Emily married (iideon Bliss; they went on a visit to Vermont, and died soon after. James married Louisa Cook, and lives on tract three, they have one child. Perry married Mary A. Cole (deceased); and Alzina, the youngest, married Edwin \V. Williams; they have four children, and reside on tract two. John Ijaliorie is dead. The aged widow yet resides in the township of which she was the pioneer white woman. She has rendered us material aid in mir laliors, for which our thanks are tendered.

The following June, Isaac Sage a hrother of Joseph arrived, and hegan settlenrent about three-fourths of a mile south of Laborie's. His family consisted of a wife and the following children: Charles who married Anna Rice, deceased; Polly who married John Mnnson, deceased; Lucetta who married John Crosby, and lives in Huntington; Alzina married M. Rice, deceased; Isaac married LucindaCase, also dead, and Jackson who is the only living male representative of the family. He lives in Huntington.

The subsequent September Benjamin and Oliver Rising arrived from ('onnecticut, and made a location about oue mile south of tlie center. Isaac Sage soon exchanged his first location for hands near the Rising's.

A few days after the arrival of the Messrs. Rising, Daniel Tillotson and family put in an appearance at the settlement. A brother, Ira and D. C. Hickok arrived early the following winter, and were soon followed by Henry R. Ferris, Capt. Timothy Culver who settled one mile north of the center; Captain Chauncey Barker and Capt. Benjamin Banning. The former settled on lands some half a mile south of Isaac Sage's son; Barker located near John Laborie's. Joseph Sage returned East, and soon came on with his family, which consisted of a wife, Sarah Kelsey Sage, and the following children: Philomela, wife of Chauncey Barker, deceased; Myra who married George Case, deceased; Marilla who married John Laborie; her husband is dead, and she now lives witb a son, James, in Huntington township; JIarlo P. who married Jusan Mallory; she died, and he married again; he is a minister of the Univeralist faith, and lives on the old homestead. Two or three gi-andchildren also came with Mr. Sage's family, and Thomas H. Case; Erastus Royce came about the same time. Zenas Kelsey and several sons purchased land of Joseph Sage, and settled thereon. The following persons settled north of the center: David Rogers, Zelotus North, Dudley Lewis, Daniel Chapman, William Lang and John Chapman.

Of Reuel Lang, another pioneer of Huntington, we learn that the place of his nativity was Epson, Merrimac county, New Hampshire. In 1818, he began to learn the cabinet maker's trade, in his native State, and on completing it, started with a horse and wagon for the west; stopping for a time in Allegheny county.

Pennsylvania, where he made a set of tools from a beech tiee, which had been used as a whipping post, in the days when Pennsylvania was a slave state, and by the way, these tools are now, nearly all of them, in his possession. After, ])erha])S, two years, he came on horseback to Ohio, bringing his effects with him.

At Springfield, Portage comity, this State, he engaged to make some furniture for Jesse llart, who had just completed a large brick house, and while engaged in prosecuting the labors of his trade, he became conscious of a new sensation. lie fVdl in love. Amy, the fair daughter of his employer, was the object of his devotion. They were married January 30, 1833. The following spring, they settled in Elyria. Here he built a house, and remained for one year, when he removed to Huntington township, where he lived until a few years since. He now lives in Wellington village. Mr. Lang was for many years a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was always a strong anti-slavery man, and in consequence of the connection of the church with the institution of slavery, he withdrew, and assisted in forming a Wesleyan Methodist church, of which he was an official member until it disbanded.

Their children are as follows: Josiah B., who married Losena M. Chapman, and lives in Wellington; (to this gentleman we are under obligations for much of the matter contained in this history); Jesse H., married Mary E. Fitch, lives in Oberlin; Cyrus, died in 181:7; Charles R., died in 1840; Louisa M., married P. S. Wright, and lives in Michigan; Esther A., married C. W. Horr, Esq., and lives in Wellington; Olive A. married Dr. M. B. Lnkins, and lives in Cleveland; George L., married Lizzie Viles, and lives in Dennisoii, Ohio; and Merrill W., married Mary L. Cook; she died, and he married Etta Root. He lives in Wellington.

Abiier Chapman, wife, Olive Fisher Chapman, and a family of six children, came from Montgomery, Hamden county, Massachusetts, and settled in Huntington township in 1833. They located ou the farm now occupied by Lucius Walker. Six children remained at the East; after a time, two settled in Troy, Geauga county, Ohio. Those who came with the parents to Iluntingtou were: Abner, Jr., who marled Eliza A. Cone, and now lives in Huntington, (of his six children, there are now living: Paul, who married Margaret Case, lives in Erie, Pennsylvania; Lucien H., who marrried Deette G. Phelon, lives in Rochester ou lot five, has five children; and Agnes E., who married J. T. Haskell, and lives with her parents); William F., married Rowena Babcock, - they have five children; one son was killed at the battle of Antietam; Eunice, married Lyman West, and lives at Lansing, Michigan; Huldah, married J. Crosby Lang - she is deceased; J. Austin, married Isabel Lindsey, lives in Wellington; and Eemline, married Edmond West, and lives in Huntington.

18.'53. He was tlion in tlie forward iri!^ and commission l)iisiness at. Black River. He located at the center of the township, where he still resides, lie has five children: D.inii'l W., Joseph, Deette, Tasso D. and Mary.

The history of the settlement has l)een gleaned from every availaljle source, and is helieved to be substantially correct. Should there be errors or omissions, the memory of man is alone responsible Tor them.

Scattering mi'mbcrs of the Wyandot and Seneca Indians were frequent in (his vicinity when the settlement was made. 'J'liey came only during the hunting season and made their linme further west. In about 1828 they look l.licir linal dcpai'turc fi-oni the township.

Kaiu.Y Events

The first white child born in the townshiii of Huntington was a son to Mr. and Mi's. Daniel Tillotson; the date December, 1818. This child was named Enos, but of his subsequent cai'eer we know nothing. The following January, ]?enjamin Rising was l)orn. The first death was an infant son of John and Marilla Laboi'ie, born in March, 1819. The little stranger lived but sixteen days.

The townshij) contains two cemeteries; one on the former farm nf .Joseph Sage, which was jirivate property until a few years since, when it was conveyed; the other, just north of the center, was a gift from Jesse Johnson and afterwards enlarged by a gift from Captain Henry Tracy, and a further addition by i)urchase from Reuel Lang. The first interment in the cemetery at the center was a child of 11. M. Humphrey; the first adult buried there was Welcome Hart, a bother of Mrs. Reuel Lang. The first coui)le married in Huntington was Miss Polly Sage to Mr. John Mnnson, of Harrisonville. This event occurred on .lanuary fii-st in the year 1S50; Henry H. Close, justice of the jjeace. performed the ceremony. This e<mi)le are now both deceased. The second marriage was a daughter of Captain Timothy 'Culver

The first store was put in operation by Isaac Sage. -Ir. We Inive not the date. Following are the na,mes of all who have represented the mercantile interest in Huntington township: Hiram Rogers, Allen Taylor, D. Phelon, T. H. Case, Nathan Cone, B. G. Carpenter, L. S. Gibbs, A. P. Parks, A. H. Messenger, Messrs. Gibbs & Whiton, J. & P. Laborie, R. A. Horr, J. B. Laug, T. G. Haines, and A. J, Burrell

Isaac Sage, Jr., opened the first jMiblic house in the township. His sign read, "Isaac Sage Inn." He was followed by Darius Perkins, T. H. Case and several others. There has never been a saloon in the townshij), nor has liquor been sold excci)t at the hotels. The Huntington House is the only hotel in the township. I). Wideman is the present proprietor.

In August, 1832, the commissioners of Medina county, to which Ifuntinglon then belonged, incorporated the township by the name it now bears. It derived its name fr(jm Huntington, Connecticut, the former home of John Ijaborie. Notice was issued to the (pialified electors to meet at the school honse in said township, on the first Monday of September, and then and there proceed to organize, by electing the necessary township ottioers re([uired by law.

In accordance with said notice, they met, and it was agreed that Joseph Sage, Henry R. Ferris, and Isaac Sage, should act as judges, and Oliver Rising and David C. Hickok, clerks. The result of the election was as follows: Josejih Sage, Henry R. Ferris and Benjamin Banning, trustees; Isaac Sage, clerk; David C. Hickok, treasurer; John Chapman and Charles R. Sage, fence viewers; Isaac Sage and John Chapman, supervisors, John Laborie and Benjamin Banning, overseers of the poor, Benjamin Itising and John Laborie, listers and appraisers. The entire number of electors at this time numbered fifteen.

Jose]ili Sage was the first justice of the peace; electeil October 14, 182,3. He was succeeded, in 182(!, bj' Benjamin l>anning, who died before the expiration of his term of office, and Henry Ferris was elected to fill the vacancy. A second justice of the peace was authorized April 15, 183;). Samuel Smith -was elected, butr not l)eing eligible, .lohn (r. CMark was elected in his place.

The first religious meetings were helil in the log school house spoken of in connection with the schools, by tht^ Rev. Nathan Smith, one of the pioneers of Pittsfield township. Frequent meetings were afterwards held in this house, and for want of a minister, Isaac Sage generally read a sermon. The first chureh organized was that of the Methodist; we have been unable to procure the date. This class was composed of the following members: Capt. Timothy Culver and wife, H. R. Ferris and wife, and Amanda Culver. This church was organized by the Rev. James Mur- ray. Tliey occiqiied the school house for many years. In 18-t7 they purchased a lot, and soon afterwards erected thereon their present church edifice. This church cost complete some two tliousaiid dollars; the l)arsouage connected with this church was purchased in 1876 at a cost of seven hundred dollars; the present membership is ninety. Tlie churcli officers are Lewis Cann, Lyman June and William Haskins, leaders; John Snow, Carlos Rogers, Asel Nooney and Edson Clark, stewards. The Sabbath school of this society numbers eighty scholars; Joseph Haskell, superintendent. We have been unable to procure a complete list of tiie ministers who have presided over this church. The following are a portion of them: Rev. William Reynolds, - Thompson, - Matlock, Chester L. P^oot, James Hartley, C. A. Reeder, - Hurd, Uri Richards, James Haldeman, L. F. Ward, G. W. Pepper, - Card, T. .T. Guard, Simeon Dunbar, Tracy L. Waite, Herman SaUord, - Spafiford, 0. Pierce and the present pastor, James F. Smith.

The Baptist Church

was constituted by a council convened December 13, A. D. Ls;j3. and consisted of the following members: Abner Cliajjman, Olive Chapman, Abner, Jr., William F., Eunice, and Huldah Chapman, Jonathan and Esther Niles, Jesse Johnson, and Reuben T. Pierce. The right hand of fellowship was extended by Elder James Newton. The first year of its existence, the membership increased to twenty. This is now a large and flourishing church. The church had no regular or convenient place of worship, but assembled a part of the time at the center school house, which stood where the Baptist meeting house now stands, and a part of the time at the dwelling of Jesse Johnson; preaching one-fourth or one-half of tiie time by ministers living at a distance, and sometimes dependent upon ministei's for occasional supplies. In the month of January, 1840, the church and community were greatly blessed through the labors of Elders Simmons and Matthews, who were sent out by the missionary board of the Lorain Baptist Association. It has not, perhaps, been exceeded by any revival in this township, before or since. The church strengthened and encouraged, secured and Continued a pastor for two years, one-half of the time. The present church edifice was erected during the year 1813. It was not, however, fully completed until several years later. Rev. James Newton commenced his laliors in the spring of 1834, and preached one-fourth of the time, for fifty dollars a year. He lived in Milton, Wayne county, a distance of nearly forty miles. Rev. Mr. Mack followed him. Mr. Newton's successors, as far as we have been able to trace them, are as follows : Rev. Mr. Wait,

Skinner, S. Dimick, Levi Farnsworth, M. W. Alfred, James Goodrich, S. S. Woodworth, J. T. Smith, S. D. Bowker. The present pastor is Rev. Asa Fox. Jonathan Niles was the first deacon, and Abner Chap- man, Jr., clerk. The present officers are, W^. F. Chapman and James Rogers, deacons; N. B. Griggs, clerk and treasurer; (this gentleman has written a sketch of the church, from which we have derived much of interest); Elbert F. Chapman, A. J. Sage, and Jasper West, trustees. Elbert F. Chapman is superintendent of the Sabbath school. The numlier of children in attendance averages fifty.

The Congregational Church

and society was organized May 1, 1839, with the following members: Spencer Clark, Julius C. Mead, Beckford Lang, Otis Boice, David L. Lang, Allen Taylor, Erastus Clark, Darius Perkins, and M. L. Sage, who was the clerk; and Otis Boice, deacon. Nearly all of the above were married men, and their wives were also members of the church.

The following summer, they built a large two-story frame building, at the south, and facing the public square at the center of the township. The upper story was finished, and used as a place of worship until 1849, when the present church was erected. President Asa Mahan preached to this church a short time, in fact until Rev. Joel Talcott, who was its first resident pastor, was engaged. For many years this church flourished and increased in numbers, but the summit of prosijerity was reached, and then came the decline. Gradually tlie ranks were decimated by death and removal, until at jiresent the membership is very small and they have no stated pastor.