Lorain City (part 18 of 77)

The Universalist Church

have held an organization in the southwest portion of the township foi' many years, meeting in the school house in that locality. In 1877 they erected a neat chapel. This cost twelve hundred dollars. It was dedicated on the 17th day of January, 1878, by the Rev. Mr. Abel. Rev. William P. Burnell is the present minister. The membership is twenty-five. There is a Sabbath school in connection. Lewis Boice, sujierintendent; Hiram Tillotson, Sylvester Boice and Madison Andrews, trustees of the church.

The Wbsleyan Methodist Church

was organized in the southeast jiart of the township, in the year 1844, and, soon after, l)uilt a comfortable church. Among its first members were Reuel Lanof and wife, John T. Chapman and wife, J. W. Wilbur, Sr., and wife, Joseph Ferris and wife, Amos Foote and wife, .Jolin Young and wife, and a number of others. The church prospered for a few years, but finally, many of its members having removed to other localities, the organization ceased, and tlie church edifice was converted into a cheese factory.

The first who settled in Huntington was John Quigley, now a prominent minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. George E. Conant was the next doctor to locate here. He remained a few years and removed to Wisoonsiu. Dr. Clark Ciiiiie uext, and practiced for a short time. He was succeeded by E. B. Pritchard, who remained a longer time than any of his predecessors. Several others have, from time to time, occupied the field; among tliese were Harrington, Green, Alfred Paige, Stewart, AVm. R. Elder and Bigelow. The field is now occupied liy Dr. Burtch.

The first school house in Huntington was Ijuilt in the winter of 1831-22. It was of logs, and stood near where was subsequently the residence of John A. Chapman. The lands upon which this rude institution of learning was situated were then the property of Isaac Sage. In the spring following sufficient money was raised by subscrijition with which to pay a teacher, and Miss Lovina Loveland became tiie pioneer school teacher. This school was composed of the following children: Laura, Cornelia and Sylvester Banning, Tillotson and Eunice Ilickok, Alzina and Alonzo Sage, Clarissa, Caroline and Celestia Rising, Chauncey Parker, Joshua Culver, , Anthony and Sarah Laborie. The teacher died soon after the completion of her school. In 1878 there were in the township six school houses, valued at twenty-seven hundred dollars. The total amount })aid teachers for the school year ending August thirty-first of that year was ten hundred and twentytwo dollars. The number of children of school age was one hundred and sixty-three.

The first cheese factory in the township was put in operation in the spring of 1866, by Messrs. J. C. and C. W. Ilorr. It was located one and one-half miles from the center. The patronage the first year was one thousand cows. The successors to the above firm were Messrs. Horr, Warner & Co., who now own or control all the factories iu this section. The season of 1878 there were eight hundred cows in contribution. A creamery is also operated m connection with the factory. The total manufactures were thirty-nine thousand three hundred and thirty-three pounds of butter and two hundred and twenty-two thousand four hundred and ten pounds of cheese.

Another factory was established in April, 1868, by J. A. Snow. It was located upon his farm one and one-half miles northwest of the center. Messrs. Horr, Warner & Co. purchased this factory in 1869 or 1870. The season of 1878 the milk of five hundred cows was utilized. The aggregate make was tliirty-six thousand five hundred and forty pounds of butter and two hundred and sixteen thousand eight hundred and two pounds of cheese.

The first manufacturing was done by Benjamin Rising, who had a lathe, operated by a spring pole, for turning wooden bowls. This was quite a curiosity. A bark rope was attached to a long spring pole overhead, then passed around the mandrel and fastened to a treadle below. Pressure on this would throw the block around two or three times, and then the spring of the pole would turn the block back again ready for another gauge.

The first blacksmithing was done by William Lang; this was quite early; his shop stood a few rods north of the old Case hotel. D. C. Hickok was the pioneer shoemaker. Isaac Sage put in operation an ashery in the settlement; tliis continued several yeai's.

Several saw mills have been built in the township. Urben Kelsey erected the first one; this was on Charlemonte creek, near the west line of the townsliiji. Henry R. Ferris built the next one; this was propelled by the waters of Wellington creek; it stood one mile north, and one-half mile east of the center.

The first and only grist mill in Huntington township was built by John Galehouse; this was on Wellington creek, perhaps half a mile below the Ferris mill.

Messrs. Milton and Orlando Barker built a steam saw mill one-half mile south of the center, and William Boone built one in the northeast corner of the township. The Barker mill was once blown up and once burned. Boone's mill has been three times destroyed by the fiery element.

Several railroads have been projected through the township. The Clinton Line Extension came nearest being a success; their route was nearly east and west tlirough the township; considerable work was done, and (piito a large amount of stock collected. This, however, failed, and although several lines have been talked n\) since, yet they have elicited little or no encouragement.

Tue Union Agricultural Society

Some time during the summer of 18.5-1, a call was issued for a meeting to effect an organization, which was signed by such men in the vicinity as P. L. Goss,

Its first fair was held on grounds fitted nyt by volunteer labor, on the farm of A. S. Taylor, just west of the center. The address was delivered by Hon. James Monroe. The success of this fair was very satisfactory to its originators, who decided to hold another the following year, under the same management. This was also a success, but, having no permanent buildings or inclosure, so that gate fees could be taken, its finances were small. After this year, a proposition was made to remove the exhibition to Wellington, where grounds could be fenced and buildings erected. A fiiir has been held every year since, except one, during tlio darkest days of tlie war. It has now fine grounds and permanent buildings, with a better prospect for the future than in tlie past.

Abram Holland

wasboi-n in Warren, Worcester county, Massachusetts, August 20, 1804, and was the second son in a family of five children of George and Mary Holland. His father died wlien he was four years old, and his mother soon thereafter moved to Chester, Hampden county, Massacliusetts, where she remained until 1834:. In tlie latter year AUram Holland removed to Ohio, and settled in Huntington township. His educational advantages were limited, but he attended the common schools a few years. He has always followed the plow, and has made farming tlie business of his life.

On the Gth of November, 18:33, he was united in marriage with Mary Ann, daughter of William and Betsey Henry, she being a native of Chester, Massachusetts. She was born April 10, 1811. Her mother is still living at the advanced age of ninety-five years, at North Adams, Massachusetts. Mrs. Holland has had five children: George Henry, born September 3, 1833. He is a farmer and lives in Huntington. Helen Louisa, born July 24, 1840; now the wife of William Davis Dimmock, a farmer, of Huntington township. Adelaide A., born November 4, 1843; died February 20, 18G3; Alida, born September H, 1849; Walter Scott, born July 1, 1854.

On arriving at his new home Mr. Holland bought one hundred acres of laud, to which by subsequent purchases he has added one hundred acres more, making a total of two hundred acres. He is a good practical farmer, and is considered one of the honest and substantial farmers of his township. In jjolitics he is a republican, but he has never sought, nor would he accept political preferment. He is liberal in his religious views, but a christian gentleman "for a' that." He is a lineal descendant of the Holland family, members of wliich have made Western Massachusetts famous; notably Drs. J. J. Holland and J. G. Holland, the latter of whom now edits Scribner's Magazine, and is an author and poet of universal celebrity.

This TOWNSHIP is silimleil in the oxtrenie southwest corner of the couiitj', ami is boiiiuled as follows: on the north by Brighton township; south, \>y Troy township, Aslilaiid county; cast, by Huntington townshiji; and west, by New London township, Huron county. The surface is generally of a level nature, the only exception being along the streams. Here we find bold bluffs descending to the water's edge on the east, and gentle slopes on the west. The soil is clay, slightly mixed with gravel, and excellent for grass and grain.

The streams are the west branch of the Black river and its triljutarics. The former flovvs from near the southwest corner of the township, is joined by a small stream on lot ten, and continues a general northeast direction, until it reaches lot sixteen, tract five, when it turns to the northwest and flows across the northern township line on lot fifteen, tract six; Blair brook enters the township on lot twelve, ti-act three; and Buck creek on lot thirteen. These streams flow nearly parallel, unite on lot nine, in tract five, and empty into Black river, at the point where it makes the curve westward on lot sixteen. When in a state of nature, the bottom land skirting these streams was heavily timbered, black walnut being found in abundance, also white ash and oak.

Rochester townshij) was the latest settled of any of the townships now comprised within the boundary lines of the county of Lorain. In the year 1837, a man named Dodge, his wife Emeline, and a son, Newell, came into the township. They were of the class known in all new countries as squatters, and soon erected a small log cabin on lot number nine, in tract three, now know as the Minus fai;m. This was the first white family who dared to brave the solitude hitherto unliroken, save by an occasional hunter from the surrouiuling country. The history of this family is sad indeed. In the spring of 1839, a child was l)orn to them, which death soon claimed for its victim. The demise of the mother occurred soon after. A rude coffin was prejKired by the sorrowing husband and son, the funeral obsequies were performed by them, and the body interred on the brow of the hill near the river. Imagination can scarcely conceive the dread solemnity of this burial: "no sable hearse or nodding plume" decked the funeral array; no minister of (jod pronounced the solemn ritual for the dead; all was dreary, all was desolate. The remaining members of the family soon after took their departure from the townshi]i.

In April, ls:3I, Stephen l?abcoek came to Ohio from Blaudford, Massachusetts, lie selected a farni about half a mile west of Rochester center. He contracted with Elijah T. Banning, living temporarily in Huntington, to cut the timber on thirty acres of his land. A log house was put up, into which Mr. Banning removed his family, and with whom Mr. Babcock remained during the summer, putting up a house, and making such })reparations as the circumstances demanded for the comfort of his family. He returned east for them the subsequent fall, and before he arrives in Rochester again we shall have time to say something of Mr. Banning and others. lie was born in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio. His wife. Miss Patience Hart, was a native of !S[>ringfield, Portage county, this State. 'Jhey were married in 1838, and immediately removed to llnntington. His final location in Rochester was about one and onefourth miles north of the center, on lands now occupied by D. L. Mitchell. Mr. Banning was one of the hardy, hard-working class. He cut the timber on nearly two hundred acres of land. His death occurred .July 19, 1855. The widow resides at the station.. The children of this couple are: Elmer Elijah, who married Mary Mitchell, lives at the station; Amy, who married Alexander Dolph (deceased); Archie Hart, who married Eliza Smith, lives in Wellington; and Cornelia Ann, who married Franklin Peek, and now lives in New London, Ihiroii county.

Edward Wheeler, of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, married Catharine Clino. lie came to Ohio in I81(i, locating in Richland county. They had three: children at this time: .John who married Mary Shaw, now dead; Jacob who married Emily C. Converse; he lives on lot number two, Rochester township; has eight children, all living; Ann Lewis who married Lorinda Bunce, lives in Rochester. In the spring of 1831, soon after Banning's settlement, the three boys, John. Jacob and Lewis, came to Rochester, and contracted for lands in lots eight, fourteen and seventeen. They soon constructed log cabins on their several selections, and began the work of cutting away the forest. These lands were pnrchased of Orrin Meach. John was to receive a deed for one hundred acres of laud, in payment for cutting the timber from an equal number of acres. Jacob and Lewis cut a few acres on lot fourteen; on this they planted some potatoes, and sowed turnips. In this clearing they built a hewed log house for the remainder of the family who arrived was the elder son of Samuel S. Boice, who married Mary A. Blair, and had eight children, namely, - Roswell B., Sylvester S., Sarah E., James W., Mary A., Lois M., Judson A., and Elizabeth, of whom four survive. The Boice family were of Scotch descent, and those now living are prominent citizens of the communities in which they reside respectively.

Roswell B. Boice was born in Massachusetts, Oct. 12, 1814. He resided in his father's house until he was fifteen years of age, when he emigrated to Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, where he lived about five years. He then removed to Rochester township, in the same county and State, remaining there about one year; subsequently renting a farm in Huntington township, upon which he lived three years. At the expiration of liis rental, he returned to Rochester township, where he purchased the farm which he now occupies.

On Christmas Day, 1833, he was united in marriage with Nancy C, daughter of Samuel and Anna Stillwell, who were early settlers of Lorain County.

Of this union were born six cliildren, four .sons and two daughters, namely, - Mary Adeline, James W., Lois M., Lewis S., Hiram A., and Dell R., of whom four ave living. James W. died Nov. 15, 1841, aged three months and five days; Hiram A. died Jan. 28, 1848, aged two months and twentyeight days. Mary A. married G. Ostrander, April 26, 1863; Lois M. married Francis M. Perkins, Oct. 26, 1865 ; Lewis S. married Laura North.

Mr. R. B. Boice and his excellent wife are both exemplary members of the Congregational Church. They formerly belonged to the Baptist Church of Huntington township. Mr. Boice has followed agricultural pursuits during the whole of his active business life, and is generally considered a good practical farmer. In politics he is, and always was, since he attained his majority, a Republican. He was elected trustee of Rochester township, and served faithfully and well for three years. He is noted for the honesty and regularity of his life, and enjoys a prominent place in the estimation of his fellow-citizens.

the following fall. The children of Edward Wheeler not mentioned above are: Betsy, Martha, I'olly, Ed- Avard, Coourodand Margaret. John Jaqiies Wheeler, father of Edward, is worthy of a passing notice. He was an Englishman, and came to America a short time prior to the Rcvohitionary War. He immediately enlisted in the army of the United States in which he fought the years, lie was afterwards engaged in tiie Indian wars two years moi-e; he settled in Ohio at the close of the war, and was killed by a falling tree in 1821.

Stephen Babcoek and family first occupied the new house in Rochester in the early spring of 1832. A daughter, Eliza, had married Charles Conant at the East. They settled in Rochester prior to the arrival of the remaining members of the family. Mrs. Babcoek was Patia Marcy, of Otis, Berkshire county, Massachusetts. Of the remaining eight children, the following are dead: Orliiia, Watson, Almira, Mary Ann and Philena. Melissa married Oliver Webster, and lives ill Wellington. Rowena married William F. Chapman, and resides in Huntington. Smith married Martha Meach, and lives in Rochester.

Hiram Wood worth, of Madison county. New York, married Caroline L. Wales, of the same place. They came to Ohio in 1831; selected lands in Rochester township, then owned by Messrs. Tillotson and Doming, of Rochester, New York; constructed a house thereon, and in May of the year 1832, moved into the township. He lived there many years, and by hard labor brought his lands to a profitable state of cnltivation. He removed to Wellington where he died October 8, 1872. The widow still resides there. The children are: Roxania S. who married J. A. Braman, of Rochester; Rosenia who married U. L. Wadsworth, of Wellington; Victoria R. who married F. M. Sheldon, of New York; Ettie G. who married S. E. Wilcox, at present, the host of the American Honse in Wellington, and Warren Woodworth who now resides at Atlantic City, Iowa.

Erastus Knajip, wife and two children, came from near Rochester, New York, to Ohio, in May, 1832. The family remained in Huntington township until he had built a log house on his farm in Rochester. This was on lot number live, now occupied by A. J. Snyder. The house was finished and first occupied by the family in December following. On this farm they resided thirty years. In IS'Il, they located at the station, where they now reside. There were no roads at the date of their settlement in the township, their only guide in traversing the wilderness being marked trees. The children of this couple are: Thomas M., who married Mary Lovejoy, (he lives on lot number one, Rochester township); Mary E., is dead; Sarah A., who married John Conkling, (they live near the center); Ellen J., who married Samuel Long, and lives in Crawford county, this State; Elizabeth A., who married Theodore Robbins, of La Grange; Caroline, who married John Bruce, and lives iu Sullivan, Ashland county; and Charley

Luther Blair and faiuily, consisting of a wife and eleven children, came from Becket, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, to Rochester in 1832, arriving in the township on December 31. He settled on the northeast corner lot at the center. Ilis log house, which was the first built in tliis vicinity, stood a few rods east of the present dwelling of Stephen Richards. Mr. Blair became prominent in the church and township. He died in December, 1852; his wife died tlie September following. Two children, Marietta and Ralph E., are dead. Tlie remainder are: Caroline, Martin L., Alonzo ()., now practicing medicine at Columbus, Ohio; Caleb P., David B., Harmony, Amanda, Mary P., and William H., who married Lucina Mann, and resides at Rochester station.

Nathan W. Fay and family, consisting of a wife and three children, settled in Rochester, on lot nine, in 1832. Three children were born in Ohio. John, the eldest of these, now lives on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Fay, Sr., are both dead.

John G. Chirk was one of the early settlers. He located on lot fourteen. John Slayman made settlement on lot four. John Johnson settled on the center road, near the south township line, on lot thirteen. The Peets, the descendants of whom still reside in this locality, were early settlers among the pioneers.

Israel Phelps, one of the substantial men of Rochester, was among the jiioneers. He settled on lot eight. The place of his nativity was in Seneca county. New York. He married Julia F. Phillips, of Ontario county; cleared up his wilderness farm, erected thereon a fine residence, and died October 9, 1869. The widow still resides on this farm. Five of the children are dead - Henrietta C, Priscilla, Israel Frank, Julia E., and Alice E. The remainder are: Milton, who married Mary Kelsey, and lives in Rochester; Calvin R., who married Elsie M. Wilcox, also lives in Rochester; and Vincent C, the youngest, who lives with the mother.

William Carvey located on lot eleven, at an early period, and still lives there. William II. Marshall came to Rochester, from Trumbull county, iu 1833. He purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land in lot number three, and returning he married Sophronia Iliukley, of Hiram, Portage county. In February, 1838, he settled on his farm, and has lived there until the present. He has now two hundred and thirty-five acres under profitable cultivation. Of his family numbering eleven children, the following are living : Rachel A. ; Eliza J. ; Benjamin II. Holmes ; Maria, Mary, Eugene and Allie.

Roswell B. Boice settled in Amherst township, in the year 1830. He removed to Rochester and located ou lot seventeen, in 1833. He has a family of four

Ncliemiali Tinkei-, wife and twelve cliildreii, came witli a team of liorses from Wortiiinglon, IIam|)sliire county, Mass., to Rocliustor, whither tliey arrived in the latter i)art of September, 1833. They located on one hundred and twenty acres of land in lot number twenty-four, tract live, tlieii attached to Huntington. Mr. Tinker erected a log house in the southeast corner of the lot. He remained on this farm until his dcaUi. Himself and wife died but a few days apart in 1S53. The children were : Lydia U., Omri, Minei-va, Laura, dead ; Abigail, Adelia, dead ; Erasmas D., who married Elizabeth (Uitsliall, and resides at Rochester station; Martlia, dead; Oscar, dead; Amanda, Cynlliaand Lorinda.

(histavus, Orvillc and Hiram Noble settled in the townshi]> in l!S35. Their father had contracted for the greater part of the land along the east and west road in the north part of the township. The Messrs. Noble were single when they began settlement. Gustavus married Ilari-iet Fancher, at New London. He died, and bis widow became the wife of DeGrass Tiiomas. William Peck, with a family consisting of a wife and eight children, arrived from Vermont and made settlement in the northwestern portion of the township; this was in lS3.'i.

John Cluunbei'lain, a former resident of Ontario, Wayne ccuinty. New York, tnade settlement in Columbia township, this county, in 1830. His family were a wife and six children. In 183.5, they removed to Rochester township, and first located on the fai-m now occupied by Orrin Thomas. Moses, the eldest of the children, was a sort of a moving jdanet, and finally died in Michigan. Marshall, the next child, settled at the center in about 18i.'6; he was the pioneer jihysician; he married Betsey Odell; in 1858, he removed to Oberlin, and a few years later to Hillsdale, Michigan, where he now resides. John, Jr., married Zephey Sabin, of Liverpool township; he located on lot fourteen, near the northwest corner of the township, and died January 14, 187.5. Charles S., the youngest child of this gentleman, married Tillie Kissinger, of Tiffin; he is now a successful jiractitioner of medicine in Rochester township. Caroline, now dead. Norman married Lifa StiUwell; he is a prominent physician, at (ij-and Rajiids, Michigan. Jeremiah, who married Cynecia Reed, is also a physician; he now resides at Romeo, Michigan. John Chaniberlin, Sr., died January 8, 18G0; his wife died February 11, 18.5G. John Chaniberlin, Jr., was a large hearted, public spirited man, ever ready to assist those less fortunate in the possession of this world's goods than himself; he held the office of township trustee sixteen years, and was occupving the position of infirmary director when he died. "

John I. Masten was born in Duchess county. New York; he married Rosalie Loomis, of the same county, and came immediately to Ohio, arriving in Rochester township in June 7, 1836. Anson Pierce had built a small log cabin on lot three, and in this Mr. and Mrs. Masten Itegan life. There was no road ojiened to them until some three years later. He first purchased sixty acres of land in lot ten, and on this constructed a log house, into which he soon removed. The jiresent residence now occupied by the family was built in 1803. The original farm has been added to, until he now owns two hundred and thirty-five acres, lying in a body. Those early years were fraught with privations. Too poor to purchase a team, Mr. Masten procured an ox, for which lie constructed a rude hai'uess. From the fork of a tree, a sled was pre- ])ared, and with this novel turn-out, the black salts were transported to Wellington, to be exchanged for the necessities of life. By the aid of this faithful beast, some three acres of land were cleared, plowed and sowed to wheat. The children of this couple are: Decolia V., who married Harriet Bevins, of Wellington; he died at the Soldiers' Home, in Dayton, Ohio, from injuries received at the battle of Antietam; Amelia C., who married Cordon L. Bouncy, lives in Wellington; Mortimer C, who married Harriet Ames, lives in Michigan; Celie, who married I). W. Manchester, lives in Cleveland; Delia M., who married .1. H. Bessell, lives at Rochester station; NinaC, who married A. .1. Irish, lives in Sheffield township, this county; .lohn D., who married Elmore Myers, lives in Michigan; and Frank L., who is single, and remains at home.

Other early settlers in this vicinity were Ira Pierce, Isaac Ilumiston, Horatio Stevens and others. Morris Howard was a native of Andover, W^indsor county, Vermont. He married Hannah Smith, and removed to Ohio in the sjiring of 1837. He remained in Ashland county until March, 1838, when he removed to Rochester and settled permanently on two hundred and sixty acres of land in lot number eleven, tract three. This farm he partially cleared. His wife died in 184G. He removed to Wisconsin and died there in 1861. He was a soldier in the war of 1813, having been in the service some eighteen months; was at the battle of Plattsburgand several others. His children were S. V. R. , who married Barbara Bowman, and lives on the old iiomestead. Cyntha died young. William II., who married Charlotte Laborie. He lives on lot ten, Rochester township. Emily R., a daughter of this couple, married Solomon Farnsworth, who also lives on lot ten. Nancy, who married Augusta E. Kelsey, lives in Kansas. David and Louisa are dead. Isadore is now the wife of Wdliam Fenton, who lives in Clarion county, Pennsylvania.

Edmond Thomas was born in Brattleborough, Vermont. He married Aseneth Crapo, of Jefferson county. New York. In 1835 he removed to Oliio, locating in Pittsfield township, this county, where he remained until 1844, when he removed to Rochester, locating in the northwest corner of the township, lot number twenty-eight; he yet resides where he first settled. His wife died May 17, 1877. The children are: DeGrass, who married Mrs. Harriet Noble; they.

have two cliildreu and reside on a portion of the old farm. Orriii, who married MarciaFancher; they have three children - reside on lot thirteen. Eliza Manette, who married Luther M. Merrifield; tiiey now live in Michigan; have seven children. Jenette, who married Harvey J. Hart; they have one child, live in Charlotte, Michigan. Maria, who lives at home; and Jane, who married Isaac Hart; she lives in Lenox, Iowa; has two children.

Benjamin Perkins, Es(j., was agent for mnch of the lands in Rochester township. He was one of the pioneers. He is spoken of as the father of tiie townsiiip.

First Evknts

The first child, born of a permanent settler in Rochester township, was Amy, daughter of Elijah T. and Patience Banning. The date of her birth was June 2-i, 1S3"2. She grew to womanhood, married Alexander Doli)h, removed to New Loudon, Huron county, and died their October 15, 1873.

The first marriage in the townsiiip was doubtless that of Watson Babcock to Miss Jane Hamlin, of Elyria. We have not the date. Mv. Babcock is not now living.

Tiie first adult death of a permanent settler was that of Stephen Babcock, whieii occurred on January 14, 183.5. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Talcott, of Wellington. The body was the first interred in the cemetery near tiie center of the township.

The first post office was established in 1837. Hiram Woodworth was appointed postmaster, and tlie office located at bis residence in tlie southeast corner of the township. The office was authorized on condition that the government were to be at no expense in transporting the mails. John Clark volunteered to can-y the mail gratis, and did so while the office remained in the locality. This office was eventually removed to the center, and Martin L. Blair appointed postmaster. It is now located at the station; George Garrison, postmaster.

Tiie pioneer orcliard was [ilanted on the farm of Orrin Meach, in tlie year IS'i'Z, and consisted of one hundred and twenty trees. It is still in a thriving condition.

The first store was opened by George G. Ogden, as was also the first hotel. They were located at the center. This was in about 18-18. The only hotel in the township at present, is at the station. This was built by Rufus Norton, in 1853, and is now owned by John Cnrrey, who conducts a general store in connection.

The remaining mercantile interest at this point is as follows: J. B. Garrison & Son, general merchandise; Peter Dagnon, drugs; Robert Potter, groceries; M. Bailey, tin shop.

At the session of the commissioners of Lorain county', held in March, 1835, lots one to fifteen, inclusive, of tract three, with all of tracts four and five, and a part of tract six, in range nineteen, together with surplus lots nine to fourteen, inclusive, lying west of the range, with a part of surplus lot eight, were united, and formed into the township of Rochester. An election for town hip officers was held on the 6th of the April following, when John Coiiant, Joseph Iladley and Nehemiah Tinker were elected trustees; M. L. Blair, clerk; and Benjamin C. Perkins, treasurer. The township offic^ers for 1878, are: A. A. Pond, Dr. Charles L. Chamberlin, and M. Phelps, trustees; D. R. Lnvrie, clerk; John Currey, treasurer; A. A. Pond, assessor; J. Martin Mann and II. II. Howard, constables; Asa Mann and R. M. Johnson, justices of the peace and nii.e su))ervisors of highways.

Erasmus D. Tinker furnishes the following : In the fall of 1833, Rev. John Ferris, a Methodist, commenced holding meetings in the log house of Nehemiah Tinker, and soon after, in the little log school house near there. The result of these religious services was the formation, the following spring, of the first class, or religious organization in the township of Rochester. It was composed of but four members - Nehemiah Tinker and Moses Barnes, with their respective wives. In 1835 another class of the M. E. tUiurch was formed in the southeast corner of the township by the Rev. John T. Kelluni, with the following members : Aaron Welsher, Sr., and wife ; Erastus Kiiapp and wife ; Aaron Welsher, Jr., and wife; Mrs. Hiram Woodworth and John Clark. Aaron Welsher, Sr., was first class leadei'. Meetings were held at the dwellings of the settlers, and afterwards ill the Meach school house. This society grew to be large and prosperous. In 1859' the church edifice at the station was built, and the societies consolidated. The cost of this building was twenty-five hundred dollars. The present membershii) is sixtyone. Officei-s: T. M. Knapp, Peter Taylor, and Henry Barnes, stewards; Robert Anderson, Thomas Knajip and Miles Fisher, class leaders. The present minister is Rev. Edwin L. Warner. The Sabbath school connected with this church numbers seventyfive scholars. George Hull is its suj)crintendent.

was formed in the year 1838, with the following members: Luther Blair and wife, Stephen Babcock and wife, John Conant and wife, Jonathan Ames and wife, Benjamin C. Perkins and wife, Nathan W. Fay and wife, and C. W. Conant and wife. The meetings of this denomination were begun at the log house of Luther Blair, as early as 1833. There was no preacher.

the service being conducted by Mr. Hluir, \w reuding a sermon from a volume in his possession. The first ))astor to locate in the township was the Rev. Mr. lligbee; lie was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Kellogg, and he by Dr. Palmer. This brings us up to 1848, at which time the present pastor, Rev. M. Elliot, assumed charge of the church. The present meeting house at the center was erected in 1842, and was the tirst in the township. It is a neat frame structure, and cost twenty-five hundred dollars. The ofKcers, on organization, were: Luther Blair and Jonathan Ames, deacons. The first trustees were Luther Ulair, Benjamin C. Perkins and John Conant. A Sabbath school was soon organized, with William Shepard, of New London, Huron county, as the first superintendent. The present church officers arc: John Lang, William Squires and John Brandston, trustees; William Elliot, William Squires and D. Curnmings, deacons; superintendent of Sabljath school and clerk, .John Fay. Average attendance at Sabbath school, seventy; present membership, forty-five.

The church of the United Brethren was formed in 1853, under the ministerial efforts of the Rev. Mr. Waldraff. The first meud)ers were, Joseph Kimball and wife and Mrs. Goodman. Meetings were held in the school house, on lot twenty-three. The following ministers have presided over the destinies of this

Thayer, D. F. Reynolds, Addison Hill, Charles Price, Charles Kester, C. 0. Mclntire, Isaiah Dennis, Ira Moody, John Excell, Samuel P]vans, David Kosht, IL J. Becker, and John Noel who is the ])resent \ydstor. The church officers are: E. I). Tinker, leader; Edwai-d Clifford, steward and trustee. The present menil)ership is twenty-one; average attendance at sabbath school, fifty; Walter Crandall, superintendent. Services are conducted in the Union church at tlie station.

was organized about 1842, by the Rev. Mr. Chambers, with the following members: Joseph Bailey and wife, John Chamberlin, Jr., and wife; Marcus Chamberlin and wife, and jiorhaps others, whose names are not renienibercd. .Meetings were held in private houses until 184.5, when a commodious log building was constructed on lot thirteen. This was christened "the alibey," and in this tbe meetings were held for many years. 'J'hey finally joined with the United Brethren and built the Union church at the station. The present membership is small, (uily about twenty. Rev. C. A. Gleason is the ])resent pastor. (Jooley Stevens and Cyrus Coates are the deacons.

The little log school house spoken of in connection with the .Methodist Episcopal church, was first oceujiied for a school in the winter of 18;!3-34. Miss Abigail Tinker was the teacher. There were some twenty children in attendance. A school house had been erected in the Meach settlement at about the same date. The first teacher was John Johnson. The report of the board of education for Rochester townshij), for the year ending August 31, 1878, shows seven school hou.ses, valued at five thousand dollars; the total amount jiaid teachers for the year was one tliousand three hundred dollars; the number of children in the township of the school age was one hundred and eighty.

The pioneer disciple of Esculaiiius to locate in Rochester township was Marshall Chamberlin, who began practicing at the center in 1836. He remained in the township over twenty years. The jiresent medical staff is composed of Charles S. Chamberlin, a nephew of the above, and T. S. Field, whose residence is at the station.

Industrial Pursuits

The earliest cheese factory in the township is the one on lot number fifteen, tract three. This was built by L. Beckley in 1870, and has been extensively patronized. During the season of 1878 this factory utilized tlie milk of four hundred and fifty cows.

The cheese factory on lot number twenty-seven was built by DeGrass Thomas and Perry Noble in the spring of 1873. The total amount invested was two thousand dollars. The first season the jiatronage was two hundred cows. The patronage has gradually increased until the season of 1878, when the lactial wealth of four hundred and twenty-five cows was converted into butter and cheese. Mr. Noble is a practical cheese-maker, and superintends that department of the business.

The present flouring and saw mil], located at the station, was buiU in 1844, by Daniel Franklin. It stood just west of the center, on the west branch of Black river, and was removed to its present site in 18(;4. The jM'csent proprietors, Messrs. D. Lowrie & Son, ])urcliased the jiroperty in Ajiril, 1874, paying for the same ten thousand dollars. A fifty-horse jiower engine propels the two run of stone, by which both custom and merchant work is done. The saw mill in connection is operated by a twenty-live horse power engine. Messrs. Lowrie conduct a cooper shop at the same point.

Messrs. Conant & Shepard had in operation, at the station, the most extensive manufacturing establishment ever in Rochester townshiii. Their principal work was the making of walnut gun stocks for the United States government. Tiie close of the war and of this establishment was simultaneous.

An ashery was built in about 1838, by Samuel Edwards, on lot eight. He disposed of this proi)erty to Messrs. Griswold, Dunn & Calkins, who conducted the business for a number of years. They also sold goods in connection.

Hiram Scoville built the first blacksmith shop. This was located at the center. James Earls succeeded Mr. Scoville. The present blacksmiths are A. Mitchell and J. N. Kinney. E. E. Banning and John Hanley have wagon shops; C. Curtis, a harness shop; W. M. Crandall, boots and shoes; and M. Sage, a livery stable.

The roads are laid out at right angles across the township, and one mile apart. They were surveyed by Benjamin Perkins and Luther Blair, and the

In May, 1871, a portion of Rochester township was visited by a genuine sensation. It came in the shape of a juvenile hurricane, from a northwest direction, and carried devastation and ruin in its train, uprooting the giant trees of the forest, unroofing buildings, and generally demoralizing the face of dame nature.

The township of Camden is situated in the western side of the county, being town number four, in range nineteen, and was originally included in Brighton and Henrietta. The surface is for the most part level, though in some parts it is rolling, and the land is broken by small streams. The soil is in some places gravelly and sandy, but clay predominates. Running through the township, from south to north, entering at the southwest corner, and leaving at a point near the north and south center road, is the eastern branch of the Vermillion river. There are no otiier streams of any importance in this territory, but numerous small rills and rivulets brighten the landscape and lend value to the farms.

Like all of the other townships in the nineteenth range, Camden was originally laid off in tracts, and the territory included within its present limits was annexed to other townships for purjioses of equalization. These tracts extended from east to west across the range, and were numbered from the south line towai'ds Lake Erie. The township, as at present constituted, contains two tiers of lots (as subdivided) in the northern part of tract number eight and the whole of tracts number nine, ten and eleven, together with the surplus lands lying west of said tracts.

Original Owners

tract number ten by Nehemiah Hubbard and Joshua Storrs, and tnact number eleven by Henry Champion and Lemuel Storrs. When the land was put into the market, tract number eight (or that part of it lying in the present township limits) was the projierty of Abagail Doming, of Hartford, Connecticut. Philip L. Goss was her agent. Aristarchus Champion, of Rochester, New York, became the proprietor of tract number nine, and he conveyed it, in 1835, to Ezra S. Allen, of Brockport, New York. Cyrus Butler, of Norwalk, Huron county, became the agent of Hubbard. Tract number eleven came into the possession of the heirs of Sylvester Mather, of New York, whose agent was John W. Allen, of Cleveland. The surplus lands on the west side of the township were owned by Hemau Ely, of Elyria, and by Washington College- of Hartford, Connecticut.

Game

Game of the smaller kinds was very abundant before the hunters became too numerous. It cannot be positively stated that any old bears were killed in the township after the settlement was begun; but there is a vague tradition to the effect that Solomon Root and Joseph Ross once found two in a whitewood tree in the southwest part of the town, and killed them. Reuben Eddy disco.vered three cubs in a tree, and fastening his cap and coat upon the bark to keep them from coming down, he went after his gun and dog, and returning, killed two of them and took the third captive. Only one wolf was killed after the settlement of the town. Wild lious were fn'(|uently met witli and killed by tlie hunters. Jfoscs Pike and Leonard Clark were aroused one night by the outery that their dog made, and knowing that some animal must be prowling a1)out their cabin, they held a short diseussioii, the object of which was to decide who should go out and make an investigation. Clark declined assuming the responsibility, and Pike, seizing a heavy club, used as a fire poker, threw the door open and stepped out, fully expecting to see a bear, lie fonnd instead a couple of wild or shack hogs. Swinging his club with tremendous force, he sti'uck one of them a blow which broke the savage brute's back, and then calling to Clark and informing him of the success of the attack, he made an onslaught upon hog number two, but did not kill him. The tusks of the animal killed by the first well-directed blow, measured between thi-ee and four inches.

The wild hogs were but little valued for their flesh, and as a general thing the hunters killed them only for the reason that they were savage and dangerous pests. Deer, wild turkeys and raccoons were found in abundance, and made much more palatal)le food.

When the first settlement of Camden was made, the territory, at present included in its bounds, belonged to Henrietta and Brighton, the dividing line between those townships being what is now the east and west center road through Camden. As the township was not settled until several j'cars later than those adjoining, the pioneers had no experience with the Indians. The red man had retreated before the vanguard of the great advancing hosts of civilization and left but faint traces of his presence in the forest, which Leonard Cilark invaded in 1839. Clark might be more properly termed a pioneer than a settler. He remained but two years and then jiassed on, in all probability, to some point farther west, where he may have remained a longer time. He-built a small log cabin on lot twenty-five, tract eleven, and cleared off three or four acres in lot twenty-six. Clark brought with him his family and his father-in-law, Moses Pike. The second log cabin was built liy one Johnson soon after Clark's arrival. Johnson had his family with him. He built his house upon the northern ])n,rt of lot sixteen, made a small clearing upon lot fifteen, sowed it with timothy seed and then left the country.

John White was another settler who remained but a short time and left no record behind him. He moved on to lot fourteen, tract eleven, and chopped some timber in 1831.

Herod Pike, a son of Moses Pike, moved his family into a log cabin upon lot fifteen, tract eleven, in 1831. Moses Pike lived with his son after the departure of Leonard Clark, and the two, working together, chopjjcd and cleared three or four acres which they sowed in wheat in the year 1832. Herod and his wife Eliza left soon after this, but the father staid to harvest the wheat which he and his son had sown. When the crop had been secured in the summer of 1833, he, too, took his departure, going to Henrietta, where he remained for several years. He returned, however, to Camden, and lived there to a good old age.

m March, 1833, William Scott and John Johnston, natives of Scotland, put up a log cabin on lot five in tract eleven, and moved their families into it. They were the first families who came into Camden after the land was put into the market, and the first permanent settlers in the township, all before them being "squatters."

The settlement increased rapidly during 1833, and the following year or two. Gideon Waugh and his wife Minerva came from Oswego county. New York, in the summer of 1833, and settled upon lot twentythree, in tract eleven. Their family consisted of Gideon, Chapman, Alanson, and James H. The mother of this family died soon after coming into the country, and Gideon Waugh afterward married Mindwell Shepherd, by whom he had a daughter, (j\L-s. M. W. French). Gideon Waugh removed to Wakeman in 1853, where he died in 18f;9.

Thomas Lee and his wife, Ijxieinda Waugh, of Oswego county. New York, settled in 1833, upon lot twenty-four, tract eleven. Mrs. Lee walked all the way from Birmingham to Camden, and carried a small child in her arms. Thomas Lee was one of the most indomitable spirits among the pioneers of Camden. He had much to contend with, but in spite of all difficulties, and beginning with nothing, achieved independence and won respect from all. Soon after into the country he lost the use of one of his hands by erysipelas, and was unable to perform any work with it for many years. He neverthless accomplished more than some men who had the use of both hands. The first season he was in the country he sowed two acres of wheat upon the place where his wife at present resides. He died in 1877. The family consists of six children: Andrew, Norman, Margaret (Hose), in Camden, two in Wisconsin and one in Clarksfield.

William Hawkins, of Auburn, Cayuga county, settled in 1833, on lot thirteen, tract ten, where he is still living with his wife, (Mary Abbott, of Henrietta) liaving reared a family of eight children.

Thomas Sigsworth, a native of England, was a prominent arrival in 1833. He came to Camden from Binghampton, New York, his wife, Mai-y, accompanying him. They had two sons; one of them, John, now living on the place taken up by his father, lot fourteen, tract eleven, and five daughters, all of whom are living.

B. Bayloss came from the vicinity of Auburn, Now York, during the same year, and took up land on lot six, tract ten, though he made his home ' with Thomas Lee. Piatt Squires, who was also a New Yorker, came about this time. The Gagers, of Binghampton, New York, came to Camden in the fall of 1833. Thomas Gager and wife, with Israel, settled upon lot twenty-six, tract eleven, and Aaron upon lot twenty-five. Edwin and Joseph came a year or so later. David Wells, of Connecticut, was another of the settlers of 1833, taking up land in lot seventeen, tract eleven. He was without family, reuiained but a short time, and is now a resident of Brownhelm.

Reuben Eddy, in the fall of 1833, bonglit lot twenty, tract ten, and in February, 1834, moved on to it with his household, which then consisted of his father, Johu, his mother. Experience, and one sister. Reuben Eddy was born in Rutland, Jefferson county, New York, and reached his seventy-third year in 1878. He has been one of the most prominent and influential men of Camden, and has been honored by being called upon to fill offices of trust and honor. He has served eighteen years as a justice of the peace. He was married in February, 1835, to Hannah Sigsworth, who still lives witli him. Their family consists of four children, - Cliarles, now in Michigan; John, a resident of Camden; Luther, in Michigan; an<l Annette, at home.

Obadiah HolcomI), and his wife Rachel, moved iiuo Camden in 1834, from Henrietta, and settled on lot six, in tract ten, but left in about three years for a point near Columljus, Ohio. The family consisted of Montgomery, Almina, Orlanda and, Henrietta, who was named after the townsiiip in which she was born.

Truman Holcomband Phebe, his wife, caine in from Henrietta in 1835, and settled upon lot six, tract ten. Truman died in 1873, and his wife in 1 875. They had seven children, Moses, Mehitable, (dead); Harriet, (Mrs. E. C. Williams, of Camden); Arvilla, (in Iowa); Ambrosia, (dead); Ann Janette, (in Michigan); and William, (also in Michigan). Moses Holcomb is a resident of Camden, and has a family, which consists of his wife, Hannah Tenuiint, and four children; Olivia, (Mrs. D. R. Brown); Truman T., (m Iowa); Fred and George, at home. Elida and William are dead.

How fast the settlement increased in size during 1834 may be inferred from a fact stated by W. W. Cook, who came into the townshij) in June of that year, and attended thirty raisings, during the next six months. Mr. Cook and his wife, Maria Durfee, came from Binghampton, New York, and settled on lot twelve, in tract ten. Otis Bates came from Lewis county. New York, in the same year, and settled on lot two, in tract ten.

Harrison Hurd and wife, of Lewis county, New York, settled in 1834, on lot eleven, tract ten, and reared there a family of ten children, who have shown great musical al)ility. Judson and Frances (Mrs. Lee,) are now in Camden.

John F. Hovey, a native of Vermont, settled upon lot twenty-one, tract ten, early in 1835. John Yosburg and Jared Watkins, both of New York State, came during the same year.

It was in 1834 that Norman Breckenridge settled on lot twenty-six, tract ten. His descendants of the first generation are: Abm/.o L., Norman, Daniel, Benjamin, Justin, Henry, Mary and Francis. George Arnold came during the year, and his brother James a little later. Both settled on lot twenty-seven, tract ten. E. Arnold, of Saratoga county, New York, settled on lot nineteen about the time that James came.

During the same or the following year came the Wliitneys. William W. and his family settled on lot fifteen, tract eleven; and in the following year, Calvin, a brother, settled near the line. Hiram, another brother, came in 1836, and located on lot tweuty-six, tract ten. John R., the father, and Catharine, came soon after; they were from Binghampton, Broome county, New York. William W.'s children, born before he came to Camden, were: Catharine, Mary and William; afterwards Hannah, Jane, John F., Samuel H. and Reuben. Hiram's children were: Henry, Hiram and Hannibal. John R. married a second wife, by whom he had six children: Mary, Elisha, Warren, Warner, Lucretia and Frank. Calvin Whitney's children, by his wife Emma L. Morse, were: Will K., now in Camden; George, in Kansas; Charles, in Pittsfield; Caroline, Olive, Alice and Lizzie. John R., William W. and Hiram Whitney are dead.

Azel Washburn and his wife, Elizabeth N., came in January, 1835, and settled on lot twenty-nine, tract ten. They were formerly from Orange, New Hampshire, but had resided in Lake county, Ohio, three years. They had three sons: Azel D., George G. and Frederick S. ; and one daughter, Francis E. Only one of the family is now living. The oldest son, Azel D., died in Camden, February 10, 1842. Frances E. died in Montgomery, Alabama, May 31, 1853. The mother died in Waterloo, Iowa, March 9, 1859. Frederick S. fell mortally wounded in the assault on Vicksburg, May 33, 18G3, while leading his gallant Ninth Iowa regiment in the charge, and died the day after he reached his home in Waterloo, Iowa, June 16, 1863. The father died at the home of his son George, in Elyria, Dccemljer 30, 1807. George G., the only survivor of the family, removed to Elyria in 1847, where, for twenty-nine years, he has been engaged as a journalist; he is now editor and proprietor of the Elyria RejnMican.

Rufus Washburn bought lot thirty, tract ten, in 1834, but did not settle in Camden until 1841. He married Mrs. Mary Allen, who survives him and still resides at the old home on lot thirty. He was held ' in high esteem by all who knew him, and died April 33, 1877.

John Farmer settled upon lot 33, tract ten, in 1834; he was from Binghampton, New York. Hancock, another New Yorker, who originally settled in Henrietta, came in the same year, but remained only a short time. John Cyrenius and wife, from near Oswego, New York, settled in 1834, upon lot nineteen, in tract ton, but returned east two years after. Joseph and Benjamin AVilcox, brothers, from Pennsylvania, sometime during this year, took up lots thirty-one and thirty-two, in tract ten.

Among the settlers who ai-rived in 1835 were Francis Bates, of Lewis county. New York, who took up land iu lot three, tract ten, and Johiel Bailey, who settled upon the same lot, but afterward took lot twentyone. Ncitlier of them is now living, and neither has any descendants in the town.

Daniel, a brother of Gideon Waugh, settled about 1835 upon lot fourteen, tract ten. He married Abigail Hovey, and some time afterward removed to Kansas. Another brother, Lansing, generally known as Elder Waugh, took up lot five, tract ten, at a later day, but afterward became a resident of Wakemai .

Solomon B. Clark came into the township in 1834, or the following year, and took lot twenty-five, in tract eleven. He was from near Binghamptou, New York.

John D. Williams and his wife, Jane, from the vicinity of Cuyuga Lake, New York, settled upon lots twenty-five and twenty-six, tract eleven, in 1836. Elisha C. now lives upon lot twenty-three, same tract. S. B. is in Kipton village. John W. and Wilson are also residents of the township. Mary Jane lives upon the old place. The only other living member of tlie family of brothers and sisters is Heman. Albert R. died in 1878. Clarissa and Minerva are also dead.

Samuel Morgan, and Amy, his wife, came from Monroe county. New York, in 1840. The family consists of two sons and two daughtei-s. D. S. is in Brockport, engaged in the manufacture of mowers and reapers. David is a farmer in Camden and Sarah (Mrs. Hill) and Celestia, (Mrs. Hinman) are also living in the township. The family of David Morgan consists of Charles D., D. B., (in Michigan,) Celestia, Celia (dead), Edna, Mary M., and Elmer Ellsworth. Mrs. Hill has two children, Emma and Nelson Morgan, and Mrs. Hinman, a son, A. F.

Tract number nine was not put into the market until 1835 wlien it was bought of Ceristarchus Champion by PJiilemon Allen, who deeded it to Ezra S. Allen, of Brockport, New York. After the land came into market, it was taken up by settlers quite fast. Some came from the east, and otliers moved into the newly opened tract from the northern part of the township. Ezra S. Allen removed to Camden he resided about four years, and died in 1841. He willed tliis property to Hiram Allen, who settled upon what has smce been known as the Taylor farm at the corners. H. H. Crandall was one of the earliest settlers in this part of the township, - west side. He removed to Birmingham, but came back to his Camden home where he now lives, one of the influential residents of the town. Among the earliest settlers in the southern part of the township was Solomon Root and a man by the name of Heath. They occupied respectively lots thirty-four and thirtyfive in tract nine. Marcus Bartlett took up lot thirtynine; Francis Bennett bought out Root about 1840; Henry Bates took up lot nineteen; - Warner lot thirty-eight, and Seneca Andrews a part of lot thirtynine, - *11 at an early day. Charles Kingsbury, of Brockport, New York, settled in 1840, aast of the Taylor farm. Moses S. Tennant and wife, Jane Billings, of Rochester, Now York, came in 1847, and located upon lot seven in tract nine; a son, William, is now circuit judge in Saginaw county, Michigan. Allen R. Tennant and his wife, Nancy Cook, settled upon lot six in the year 1838. Selden Tennant, father of William and Allen came to Camden in 1845, bringing with him two children, David R. and Margaret. He took up considerable land, including lots nine and ten, where he lived. Ira Hill came in 1839. The Rev. John Cannan and his son by the same name came into Camden in 1840, the father purchasing a farm upon the east part of lot eight, tract eight. The elder Cannan preached in his own neighborhood for several years, and in the Free Will Baptist Churches of Henrietta and La Grange. He was a strong and original thinker, and a man of most conscientious and practical piety. Of his son, Dr. John Cannan, mention is made in another portion of this chapter. He is still livin'g upon the old place surrounded by his family. A sister, Isabella, is the wife of W. S. (titford, of Camden. The southern portion of C'amden is now nearly as well settled as the northern part. Its history not extending back to pioneer days, has few, if any, elements of interest.

During the months of .Tanuary and February, 1835, a petition was circulated among, and numerously signed by, the inhabitants of what was then the southern half of Henrietta and the northern half of Brighton, praying the county commissioners to set off a separate township. The petition was presented to the commissioners at their annual meeting in March, and its prayer granted, an order being issued for the completion of the organization, by the election of officers on the first Monday of April, in the same year.

Pursuant to (his order, on the tith of April, 1835, was held the first election ever had in Camden. The electors met at the school house, and prepared for the exercise of their right of suffrage by choosing as judges, Piatt Squii-es, Solomon B. Clark and Robert Douglass; and as clerks, Israel D. Gager and John Cyrenius. Every person in the township limits entitled to a vote had a ballot in the box, except one who was detained at home. Following are the officers who were chosen: Trustees, Azel Washburn, Robert Douglass, Obed Holcomb; clerk, John Cyrenius; treasurer, David Wells; overseers of the poor,

Thomas Lee and .Joscpii Wilcox; fence viewers, Junios Smith, Joseph Wilcox and Henjamin Wilcox; supervisors of highways, Gideon Wangh, James Smith and Reuben Eddy; constable, Thomas Lee. In October iif the same year, 1). Wangh was a|)|ioiiit"e<l townsliip clerk, to fill the vacancy caused by John Cyrenius' departure from the townshiii. (Jideon Wangh was elected justice of the peace in June, 1835, with but one dissenting vote.

When the township was carved out of Briglitonand Henrietta, (rideou Wangh suggested to the county commissioners the name of Camden, and the name was accordingly bestowed.

The present township officers are as follows: Trustees, Wm. Prince, Charles Hardy, Matthew Tucker; clerk, John Eddy; treasurer, Alonzo L. Breckenridge; assessor, Henry Sheffield; justices of the peace, Joseph B. Flickinger and John Rose; constables, Charles Bayles and William Eastman.

Fikst Events

The first log cabin that was built was the handiwork of Leonard Clark, and was raised by him upon lot number twenty-five in tract eleven, in the year 18"-i9. Tlie first framed dwelling was built in the year 1837 on lot nnml)er twelve in tract ten, liy Roswell Babcock. It was not finished immediately, however. William Hawkins moved it to the adjoining lot, numlier thirteen, and completed it soon after. About the same time Edwin Gager put up a small, rough frame house on lot number twenty-six, tract eleven. A year or so later, Ezekiel Arnold built a frame house on lot number nineteen, tract ten, moved into it and lived there during the remainder of his life, dying in 1840. All three of these early erected dwellings have been destroyed. The first framed barns were built in 183(5 by David Wells and Reuben Eddy. There 'was only a few days difference in the date of the raisings. The first brick building was a store erected at Kipton in the year 185(1, by H. McParland. It is still used for the purpose originally intended.

The first suit ever tried before 'Scjuire Gideon Waugh, the earliest dispenser of justice in the township, was the State of Ohio us. James Smith for assault and battery, William W. White, complainant. The defendant was discharged. The first civil suit was Reuben Eddy vs. Piatt Squires for damages on contract for chopping and clearing laud. Jnd^ment was given for the plaintiff. These two suits are given by Mr. Eddy from m.emory.

The first white child born in the township was Betsey, daughter of Herod and Eliza Pike. She was born in July or August of the year 1833. The first male child was polite enough to keep out of the world until the first female child had come into the township. Minerva, wife of Gideon Waugh, became the mother of a bi'ight boy babe on the 24th of August, 1833, and gave him the name of James H.

Four years after the first settlement of the township, in 1833, occurred the first death among the pioneers; Minerva, wife of Gideon Waugh, died of consumption on the second day of October. The funeral was attended by the few persons then denizens of the almost unbroken wilderness. Elder Call conducted a simple service, and the mortal remains of the deceased were buried in lot number twenty-three, tract eleven, not far from the desola(-o cabin of the bereaved husband. After a burying ground liiid been laid out the body was removed to it.

The first cou])le joined together in the l)onds of wedlock were Reuben Eddy and Hannah Sigsvvorth. The marriage was celebrated February 13, 1835, James Durand, Esq., of Henrietta, officiating. Reuben Eddy was born in Rutland, Jefferson county. New York, and Hannah Sigsworth in Yorkshire, England. They are still living together, and both enjoy a degree of health that makes the prospect good of their attaining the fiftieth anniversary of the wedding.

The first tavern was a small log structure, located three-quarters of a mile west of tiie center. It was opened in the year 1845, by Levi Forbes, who is said to have been a very accommodating and obliging landlord; he was succeeded by .James Weeks.

The first store in Camden was opened in the s|)ring of 1841, in the woodhouse of Samuel Morgan. It. was a branch of a store at Brownhelm, which was owned by the Glendale and Goodrich manufacturing ccuupany of Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

This company, at that time, had in o[)eration an extensive ashery, shipi)ing large quantities of potash to the eastern market. They nianufactnred from seven to ten tons per week, and received from one hundred and thirty to one hundred and sixty dollars per ton. This ashery was under the supervision of a Mr. McFall, and later by one Hammond. The store was started for the purpose of exciianging goods for ashes, and was put in operation by Ezekiel Goodrich, of Brownhelm, with Obadiah Prentiss as storekeeper. Wiuslow Fay succeeded Prentiss in tiie fall of 1841. About four months after he had assumed charge of the business, the stock of goods was removed to better quarters, in a building erected expressly for the mercantile business, at a place called "Sam Town," about three-fourths of a mile west of Camden center. After an experience of one year, Mr. Fay was called to the Brownhelm store, Mr. G. D. Hinman succeeding him in Camden. Dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries and hardware comprised the stock. It cannot be definitely ascertained how long this store existed. The business carried on by this eastern firm was one of the most extensive at that day, in this part of the country. Wood was furnished for the ashery at twenty-five to thirty-one cents per cord, cut and piled up, showing but a small remuneration isr labor. There is nothing left of the ashery to mark the place, unless it be a huge pile of old ashes that still remain near the bank of the river.

Samuel Morgan was the lirst voter of the abolition ticket in Camden. TI(! was a station agent on the "undergroiunl railroad," the long zigzag line of travel which led from slavei-y to freedom. Many a poor, dazed darkey slave was spirited over this branch of tiie i-oad whicii ran through Camden, and many a fugitive, trembling between hope and fear, lias iiad to come to thank S-amuel Morgan for helping him upon his journey toward a place whore he was safe from llu' pursuer - a place where he need no more stand in terror of the lash and bloodhoutid. The runaways were almost invariably ignorant of tlio names of their friends, and it was often the case that one man in the long chain extending from the Oliio border to the lake did not know who extended tiie lielping hand before him. Mr. Morgan would occasionally find a colored man at his door, and, without asking any rpxestions as to wiiero ho came from or wlio had brought him thus far upon his journey, he would take him to Oijcrlin, or some otber point where the fugitive would be quietly placed in charge of some other friend. Sometimes the fleeing slaves came through in companies of half a dozen or more. One party, consisting of six men and women, were left at .Mr. Morgan's house upon a dark, dreary night, and bellied u[)on their way to 01)erlin, after being properly cared for. At another time four stopped at this station, and, soon taking the road again, went traveling on to freedom, the place of their destination.

A Raising Incident

Wben Otis Bates got the framj of his iiouse ready to be raised, he notified his neighbors, as was customary, and at the same time signified his intention to abstain from furnishing any whiskey upon tiiat occasion, which was not customary. He promised to furnish cider, iiowever, and this partial concession to establisheil prejudice, was sufficient to bring togetiier f(uite a large number of men. A Ijai-re! of cider was sent for, and tiiat innocent a[)plo juice would doubtless have arrived in condition mild enough to have betin within the limit of beverages allowed a teetotaler, had it not been for the misciiievousnesss of two or three young men. The cider was bought, and started upon the road for the scene of the honse raising, but there was, unfortunately, a distillery upon that road, and in tliis fact lay the secret of the (juite phenomenal strength of the cider furnished at the Bates" raising. Two gallons of cider were taken from the barrel and replaced with an equal amount of simon-pure whiskey. The barrel being rolled some distance over a rough road, the two elements became thoroughly mixed. The contents of the cask was sampled, at first quite gingerly, but it was noticed that after the first drink had been taken, many who had formely expressed themselves as indifferent toward cider as a beverage, seemed suddenly to have acquired an intense liking for it, and lingered about the vicinity of the bung-lioh^ with a i)ertinacity that was at the time inex])licable. The secret of their newly acquired and strong liking for cider, was explained when the raising was over, and the joke was exposed by the perpetrators. There were several men who got decidedly well drunk at this temperance house-raising.

The first sermon listened to in the townsliip was preached by Elder Call in the little cabin where Mrs. Johnson taught the first school. This was sometime in 1S;S3. Religious services were iield in July or August of the following year at the log school house, by the Rev. Xenophon Betts, a Presbyterian minister from Wakeman.

The Baptists wore jiioneer-i in Camden in the organization of a church. The church was formed September (1, 1835, and there were only seven constituent members, viz: Harrison Hurd and Rebecca his wife, John F. Hovey and his wife Elizabeth, Margaret, wife of David Morgan, Huldah, wife of Chauncey Spencer, and Wm. W. Cook. The church was organized by Elder Mack, a home missionary. Elder Brown was the first pastor of the church. In 18-18 a good substantial meeting house was built at the center. This house was unfortunately completely destroyed by fire in the following year. A small dwelling house which stood very close to the church took fire, and although the alarm was immediately given and a number of people who assembled upon the spot made every effort within their jjower to save the church, it was very quickly enveloped in flames and burned to the ground. The members of the church and society promptly went to work to raise funds for the building of another church, and applied themselves perseveringly to the task until success was assured. The new honse, which is still standing and ill use, was completed in the summer of 18G0, the contract having been let to John Ames, the man who built the first structure. This church is now in a flourishing condition. At close of 1878 it had a membership of one hundred and sixty-five persons. Pastor, the Rev. J. II. Smith. Officers: trustees, W. VV. Cook, D. Morgan, Joseph Flickinger, Cyrus Robinson, Wm. Pomoroy; clerk, Selden Tennant; treasurer, D. Morgan; deacons, C. M. Cook, D. Morgan.

In the winter of 183G and 1837 Elder Kilburn organized a Methodist class in the northern part of the township, and about two years later another was organized in the southwest part. The Methodists kept up their organization until a few years since. Some died, some moved away from the township, and having but few accessions the church passed out of existence. No house of worship was ever built by this denomination.

Feee Will Baptists

About, tlio same time or a little before tlie Methodist organization, the Free Will Bajitists organized a church and kept up meetings for several years. The society never became strong enough -to build a church, and after a short existence ceased the struggle for life. A few jieople of the Free Will Baptist faith are still resident in the township, but they are not sufficiently numerous to hold meetings and they have no organization.

of Camden, came into being in May, 1843, the organizing members being John Cyrenius, Norton Bates, .lane Jf.. iiis wife, Henry Crandalj, and Irene Cyrenius. The church soon increased iu numbers, and its members began to feel the need of a place for holding other meetings. To meet this want a church -was built in 1851 at tiie center. This church was tlie regular place of worship for the society until 1871, when, for the accommodation of the majority of members, the church took possession of a new brick meeting house at Kipton. The first person employed to lill the pulpit of the Disciple church was the Rev. Mr. Miller. The desk is now filled half of the time by the Rev. F. M. Gibbs, and half of the time by the Rev. Walter D. Close. The church, at the close of 1878, had over two hundred members, fifty being added in December through interest awakeneil l)y a revival. Following are the officers of this church : Elders, William Anderson, Hiram Prentiss; deacons, William Douglas, Chauncey Cloe, H. H. Crandall, F. Dauzy; clerk, H. V. Hawkins; treasurer, Hiram Prentiss; trustees, H. H. Crandall, James Van Deusen, William Anderson, Chauncey R. Close, Hiram Prentiss.

Congregational Church

About the year 1845, though possilily not until 184G or 1847, a Congregational church was organized by Rev. Dr. Betts, of Brownhelm. The names of the constituent members cannot be procured. Meetings were held wherever and whenever it was convenient, until the year 1849, when funds were raised through the efforts of Dr. Betts and applied toward the building of a small church, three-fourths of a mile west of the center. The church kept up its organization until about 18(14, when it was dissolved, the members all taking letters to other churches. Rev. Dr. Betts was the first pastor. Otis Bates and wife, Israel Gager and wife, and Mrs. Azel Washburn, were probably among the members, and at no time were there many.

Sunday Schools

The first Sunday school was organized in the month of July, in the first log school house built in the township. The officers were: John Cyrenius, supcrin tendeut; William W. Cook, assistant; Daniel Waugh, liin-arian. There were but three scholars on the first Sunday, but from this small beginning grew a large and prosperous school, which is still in existence.

The trustees of Henrietta, at their March nu'cting, in 1833, set ofE that portion of the township now in Camden as a separate road and school district. The inhabitants of this district went to work and put up a log school house, and employed Miss Laura Allen as a teacher during the summer months. Her wages were seventy-five cents per week, and she "boarded 'round." She had butasnuill number of ijuitc young pu])ils, and they came from all parts of the township to receive the first elements of an edncation. Other school houses were provided as the population increased; and as the necesities of education became more apparent, the wages of teachers were advanced, and the character of the schools as well. The first brick school house was built three-quarters of a mile west of the center, in 1803. There are at present six school houses in the township, and five of them are brick. A new sub-district was made in the spring of 1778, iu which it is the intention of the trustees to build another brick school house. The number of youth of school age, enrolled in 1878, is two hundred and twenty-six.

Sometime during the year 1853 the first locomotive and train of cars came sweeping through the northern part of Camden, upon the Lake Shoi'C and Michigan Southern Railroad, bringing with its rumbling thunder, a suggestion of stimulated industry and the possibility of opening new enterprises.

During the same year that the railroad was put in operation, or perhaps in 1853, William W. Whitney, the owner of the land upon which the station is now located, laid out a town which was at first called Binghampton upon the town plat. But not long afterward the name of the station and of the post office being changed to Kipton, the little village growing up by the railroad became also Kipton by common consent. Obadiah Bowen built a hotel at the station which he conducted for some time. One room was finished off for a store, and was taken by Hector Taylor, who immediately put in a varied though not extensive stock of goods. The place has slowly but steadily increased in jwpulation until, at the ])resent writing, it contains (juite a fair sized cluster of dwellings. It has one good country store, kept Ijy Benjamin F. Breckenridge, a grocery and drug store kept l)y William Douglass, a hotel of which John Sigsvvorth is "mine host," a boot and shoe shop, a tin shop, two blacksmith shops and other provisions for the needs of its people.

The first post office in Camden was established in the year 1835, its name being Panalize. James Arnold was the first postmaster deputized. The office was located three-quarters of a mile east of the center. The name of the post office became, after a time, the same as that of the township, but it was again cli;ingt'd to distinguish it from un office l)y the sanic name in i'reble county, to A'orth Camden. When the railroiid was built, a jrost office was located at the station, and James Weeks was commissioned postmaster. A mail route was established between the office known as Noi'th Camden and this office. Finally, there still being much inconvenience arising from the similarity of name between the Preble county office and this one, tlie name was changed to Kipton. Tlie present jiostniaster is IJenjamin F. Breckenridge.

North Camden Grange, No. 10.58

was organized October 26, 1874. The first officers were, .John 15ddy, master; C. W. Allen, overseer; Gideon Lattimcr, lecturer; A. M. Tennant, steward; 1). C. Gibson, assistant steward; James Van Deuseu, chaplain; Hiram Prentiss, treasurer; A. Ilovey, secretary; A. J. Ilediugton, gate keeper; Mrs. A. M. Tennant, lady assistant steward; Mrs. Flora Gibson, ceres; Mrs. K. E. Allen, pomona; Mrs. U. B. Bartlett, flora.

The present officers are as follows: Philip Ritzenthaler, master; Gideon Lattimer, overseer; William Jickels, lecturer; W. W. Ward, steward; John Eddy, assistant steward; J. N. Hurd, chaplain; H. P. Draper, treasurer; S. D. Tennant, secretary; A. J. Redington, gate keeper; Mrs. W. W. Ward, ceres; Mrs. J. N. Hnrd, pomona; Mrs. John Eddy, flora; Mrs. 1). C. Gil)S()n, lady assistant steward. The grange has about forty members.

In the year 1837, the inhabitants of Camden township began to feel the need of having a proper resting [ilace tor their dead. At a meeting called for the purpose of devising some place for the establishment of a cemetery, it was agreed that a committee should be appointed to select a suitable site, and that the trustees of the township should purchase it at town expense. Ezekiel Arnold, Harrison Hurd, and Reuben Eddy were appointed said committee, and after examining several pieces of ground, they selected a location on the south side of lot number twenty-seven, in tract number eleven, on an east and west road, in tlie northeast part of the township. The trustees of the township purchased an acre of ground of Thomas Sigsworth, and cleared it of timl)er, for at this time, the little piece of ground which was to become "God's acre," like most of the laud lying around it, was covered with trees of a heavy growth. It was fenced in and lotted oft', one lot being assigned to each resident of the township, who was the head of a family. .Since the first j)urcha.sc, iuilf an acre has been added to the l)uryiug ground, and as the whole has been well cared for, it is now one of the best cemeteries to be found in tiie rural townships.

Phy.Sicians

Dr. William Grout moved into the township November 1, 1843, and his family came in February following. Ho settled about three-fourths of a mile west of the center where he still lives. He has been a very reliable and successful physician throughout his long practice, and a useful memberof society. He is no longer in practice.

Dr. .John Cannan came into the township with his father, when a boy. After studying medicine and surgery, he sttled on a farm in the southeast jiart of the township, and had quite an extensive practice. When the rebellion broke out, he volunteered his services to aid the Union, and served as assistant surgeon during a greater part of the war. At the close of the rebellion he returned to Camden, and resumed practice. He is still living upon his farm of two hundred and sixteen acres.

Another resident physician is Dr. G. W. Monosmith who settled at Kipton in 1877, and has already won a respectable share of the patronage of the community and the unqualified respect of the people among whom he lives.

The first and only grist mill ever built in the township was a small steam mill built at Kii)ton in the year 1859, by H. McFarland, and run by different parties for about fourteen years. Horace Hoover was its last owner, and lost the mill by fire.

Tlie first cheese factory in this township was started in the spi'iug of 1867, by L. A. Parker, G. R. Parker, D. B. Morgan and J. P. Hovey, under the firm name of Parker, Moigan & Hovey. This was the only cheese factory in the township, until 1874, when A. L. Perkins started one about a mile south of the center (the first was about the same distance north). Parker, Morgan & Ilovey owned and ran their factory until the s]iring of 1876, when they sold out to B. F. Morrison. The same season, Perkins and Morrison consolidated their interests in the business, and they have managed since then both factories. Parker, Morgan & Hovey, when they commenced business, took the milk of about three hundred cows, but the industry gradually increased in nuignitude until the time of the consolidation of the firms, when nine hundred cows were milked for the two factories. Perkins & Morrison make now about three hundred and fifty thousand pounds of cheese. The Morrison factory is located on lot four, tract ten, and the Perkins factory upon lot twenty-two, tract ten.

number twenty-six, which proved a great convenience to the people in the vicinity. It was about eight miles at that time to any other mill. There were no roads - nothing but narrow and difficult trails. After the mill was put in ojieration it was run constantly whenever there was sufficient water, and even then turned out scarcely enough lumber for house use. Very little was at any time carried out of the township. The greater part of the lumber sawed was whitewood, and it only brought an average of five dollars per thousand feet. The best black walnut was worth but a little more. The mill was kept running until it wore out, rotted down aud was never rebuilt.

In the year 1847, Hiram Allen, David Morgan aud Edwiu ttager built a steam saw mill on lot number two in tract nine. The mill was burned down after it had been in operation about two years.

In 1850, Messrs. Prestou & lilodgett built a mill on lot number thirty, tract ten. The ownershii) of this mill was several times changed, and finally the mill was moved into the black swamp, near the farm of Benjamin Eldridge.

Revolving Horse Rakes, Etc

In the year 1862 or 1803, A. S. and James P. Ilovoy put uj) on lot twenty-one, in tract ten, about a mile and a half west of Kipton station, a shop in wiiicli they did (piite a lively business for three or four years in manufacturing revolving horse rakes, cultivators and other farm implements and utensils.

Tliere are five roads running north and south througli the township, except tiuit there is about a mile in tiiat upon the east side of the township which has never been opened. There are three roads running east and west entirely through the township, one in tiie soutii part extending oast from the center I'oad to the next road, and one in the north part of tiie township, running from Kipton west to the first north and south road. The north and south and east aiul west center roads were the first ones laid out. Tiiey were established before the land came into the market, and the others were opened soon after the commencement of the settlement.

Agricultural Statistics

Following are the statistics for 1877, showing the amount of the most important productions of the townsiiip, also the population in 1870, and tlic vote for president in 1870:

John Rose

Jesse Rose, grandfather of the gentleman whose name is found at the head of this sketch, was a native of Virginia. He married Susan Smith, (whose home was not far from the resort known as tlie Warm Springs,) aud six weeks subsequent was drafted into the service of the United States. Leaving his youthful bride and his pleasant home on the banks of the Potomac, for the hardships aud dangers of soldier life, he did not return until the war was over. He was in the last engagement at Yorktown, and helped to swell the glad shout of victory at the fiual surrender of Coruwallis, October 17, 1783. A few years later Mr. Rose removed to Ohio, locating ia Poland townshi2i, Mahoning county. Here was born to them four sons and three daughters. Jesse Rose, Jr., was the third son. He married Susan Everhart in the year 181G, and settled on a farm in Ellsworth townshi]), where he died. John Rose, the subject of this biography, was the eldest son of Jesse, Jr. He was born September 35, 1819. November 4, 1840, he was married to Lucinda Parshall, of Youngstown, Ohio, by the Rev. Dillon Prosser of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which denomination both were members. In the spring of 1854, he settled in Camden township, Lorain county, where he yet resides. He was accompanied by his youngest brother, Preston B. Rose, now professor in the university at Ann Arbor, Michio-an. The children of John and Lucinda Rose, are: Euphrasia, who died when eight years of age; Eugene, who entered Oberlin college, when fourteen years of age, enlisted in the army at the age of seventeen, served until the close, was honorably discharged therefrom, and is now in business in New York City: Ezra Norris, who married Mattie Close, and now lives in Chester, Eaton county, Michigan, aud Olin who remains with his parents on the old homestead. Of the political history of Mr. Rose, we learn that in 1840 he came out against the party of log cabins, hard cider, and coon skins, and his first ballot was cast for Martin Van Buren. He continued with the democratic party until they nominated that arrant rebel, Vallaudino-- hain, for governor, when he became a republican, and continues to this time a firm adherent to the sterlinoprinciples of that party. He has served as township trustee and justice of the peace for many years.

Mr. Rose has been an earnest, steadfast christian from early life. At the age of nineteen years he helped to organize the Methodist Episcopal church at Ellsworth, Mahoning county, Ohio, and not only he but his worthy and estimable companion have ever been foremost in promoting the interests of the cause of Christianity, and are now engaged with others in the erection of a Union church edifice at Kipton.

A SURVEY of Penfield discloses to one, upon every side, the evidences of the truest and best prosj)erity, evidences of material wealth and of moral well being - secured and transmitted to their descendants of to-day by the hardy pioneers whose ax blows resounded in the forest over half a hundred years ago. They are gone now - nearly all of the simple, honest, hard working, unconsciously heroic men and women who tooii up their abode in the wilderness; but tlie example of their lives endures; the good that they began moves on; the institutions that they organized still exist, increasing constantly in strength. The religion that they planted is flourishing in fruition, and tlie solid substructure of social and sjjiritual life wliieh tliey laid down remains souiul and intact, the foundation of all that is adniiral)le in the edifice of to-day.

The rinsfinff of the church bells will sound no more forever upon the ears of many who loved to hear their call. They have passed from the church militant to the church triumphant, but their children and their childrens' children obey the summons, and upon Sabbath mornings, from all directions, come to listen to the gospel which was the solace and the consolation of their forefathers as it is theirs.

The inheritance which the present generation has secured, is one which included something more than the broad farms cleared and the fine orchards planted by the pioneers. It is an inheritance of good principles, morality, religion, education, of sturdy independence, of industry, of strong patriotism and of tlie varied qualities that combine to make the early residents of the Reserve men of sterling worth.

What we have said of Penfield is applicable in a degree to almost any of the farming townships in the New England of the west. We have sim]ily taken it as a type.

The Face Of The Countkt

Penfield was first known as town number three in the seventeenth range of the original Western Reserve. It is upon what is known as the talde or level, situated about twenty miles from Lake Erie, and ten miles north of the dividing line of the waters. The Black river enters the township at about the center of its southern line, and flows northward and a little eastward m <piite a tortuous course. It has broad bottom lauds, and has made but few bluffs, and those not more than ten feet high. The soil is a clay loam with a mixture of more or less sand. The laud is most rolling east of the river, and there contains the most sand. The subsoil is a little heavier than the

Original Proprietors

Township number three in range seventeen became by the original drawing the property of Caleb Atwater. He paid for it the not extravagant sum of twenty-five cents per acre, or about four thousand dollars for the entire township which contains not far from sixteen thousand acres. He deeded this land to his six daughters, Lucy Day, Ruth Cook, Abigail Andrews, Mary Beebe, Sarah Merrick, and the wife of Judge Cook, dividing it into six equal sections.

Peter Penfield and Calvin Spencer, both from Eastern New York, came into Penfield, in the fall of 1818, for the purpose of seeking lauds suitable for settlement. They were assisted in their examination by James, a son of Major Ingersoll, of Grafton. They experienced some considerable difficulty in finding the townshiij linos, so as to know on what lands they were, or what township they were in. They finally succeeded in finding the corners of the townships tiiat ai'e now known as Litchfield, Grafton, LaGrange and Penfield, which occupied most of the first day. They returned to Major IngersolTs that night. This was a trip of about tliirteen miles, almost entirely through the wilderness. The next day they went out with another son of Major Ingersoll's, Marshall, and when they struck Black river they followed up the stream for some distance on the river bottoms, and the sight of the large black walnut timber growing, and the rich lands, called forth many expressions of admiration, especially from Mr. Spencer. With this short exploration they returned to Major Ingersoll's that night, and the next morning they set out to return homo, making tlie round trip in about six weeks. Ouring the following year negotiations were made with the proprietors who proposed to give to Peter Penfield the agency of part of their lands in the township, and each to give him fifty acres off from each section, in consideration that he should move with his family into said township witli a view of remaining there. The quantity of land was afterward reduced to twenty-four acres from each of the six proprietors.

land. Seth C. Ingersoll being engaged to erect a house upon it, the father returned to his New York liouie, leaving Alanson in Sheffield, on the 33ud of February following, 1830. Peter Peufield and his ncpiicw Lathrop, started from Ilarpersfield, Delaware county. New York, and with backs turned upon their old home pushed resolutely forward to the forest in which they were to nuike a new home. After a fatiguing journey of four weeks they arrived in Grafton and stopped at Ingersoll's headquarters for newcomers. After collecting a quantity of provisions tlioy started for the jjlace where they were to begin life as frontiersmen, and had a pretty hard experience upon the very outset. They were literally obliged to cut their way through the woods to the land that had been purchased. When they arrived at the cabin (lot four, section six,) they found it unfinished. They were then alone in the midst of a wilderness, which stretched from Elyria to Harrisville, and from Medina to Wellington. Besides the work of cutting a trail from Grafton, the Penfields opened the north and south road through the wilderness as far as Butternut ridge, spending about thirty days' time, for which they never i-eceived any remuneration. They were obliged while doing this work to go to Harrisville, a distance of fifteen miles, for provisions. Their horses strayed away, and after ten days search they found them ujion Rocky river, north of Medina. The work of preparing the ground for corn and wheat was immediately undertaken. Peter Penfield returned east in July, Lathrop and Alanson remaining to enlarge the clearing about their log cal)in, and came back to town number three, as it was then called, bringing his family, in March, 1831. Truman Penfield came ont in May, selected a site for a home, lot eleven, section four, and went back in th& following month for his family, which consisted of his wife and one son, Samuel S. He returned with his household, November 5tli, 1830. His family was, therefore, the first that had a home in the township, and that of Peter Penfield the second. Lewis Penfield and his son Amos moved in the year 1834, and Amzi, anotlier son, came in 1837. Ephraim came still after. Lewis located upon lot fourteen, section four.

The descendants of the Penfields have been numerous, and had even the sons and daughters of those who were among the first settlers all become residents of the township at one time, it would have had a fair [)opulation. Some of these, as has been shown, did not come into the country until several years after the ari'ival of Peter, Lathrop and Truman.

Peter Penfield's family alone, from first to last, numbered fifteen persons. His wife was Catharine Ilawley. Their descendants were: Alanson, Marilla, Sarah, all three deceased; Horace, now in California; Austin C. and Benjamin, deceased; Homer and Russell H., residents of Elyiia and heads of families; Maria, deceased; Emily (Mrs. Walker), in Massachusetts; Susan (Mrs. Clark), in Huntington township: and Harriet, deceased.

Lewis Penfield, a brother of Peter, and his wife, Ada, were the parents of Truman, Betsey (Mrs. Raymond Starr), Ephraim, Amos, Lathrop, Atnzi and Gideon, all of whom are now dead but Lathrop, who is a resident of Springfield, Ohio; he married, in 1834, Caroline West, and their children were: Franklin, Betsey, Warren and Fletcher.

Amzi Penfield was also the father of a large family of children, of whom Rosalie, Henry and Euphemia are residents in Penfield, and James in Wellington.

Truman Penfield's children were: Samuel S. and W. W., resident in the township; Truman and Mana (Mrs. Hiram Smith), in Illinois; and Jane (Mrs. A. W. Hendry), in Sandusky, who was the second child born in the towushi]i. Truman Penfield's first wife was the first white woman who entered the wilderness; she endured many hardships, and died soon after coming into the settlement, it is said, from the effects of the pioneer's life of toil, privation and exjwsure. Truman Penfield married a second wife.