Lorain City (part 29 of 77)

His next venture was painting and glazing, in the employ of William Wheat. At this time the cholera broke out in its most malignant form in the cities of Cleveland and Ohio City. Young Gates did not flee to the country or shut himself up in some secluded retreat, as so many did, but he made it his entire business for weeks to watch with the sick, to care for the dying, and to bury the dead. He spent day and night in performing these duties until the cholera subsided. At the urgent request of his brother, H. N. Gates, on the 1st day of September, 1834, he visited Elyria for rest and recreation, spending the winters of 1834 and 1835 in Elyria, clerking for Gates & Greene.

On the 17th day of May, 1835, he went to Black River and opened a general assortment store for Gates & Greene, where he resided with varying success and experience until the fall of 1838. Here his Vermont constitution underwent a fearful struggle; a nine months' siege of regular old-fashioned typhus fever and swamp ague could not conquer it; but, in his own words, "there was nothing left of him but his boots and spurs."

From the year 1836 until 1844 a copartnership existed between himself and brother, H. N. Gates, in the forwarding and commission business, headquarters being at- Black River.

In the fall of 1838, Mr. Gates was elected. sheriff of Lorain County, removing to Elyria. It has since been his residence. During his residence in Black River he filled the various offices of constable, justice of the peace, and marshal of Charlestown village. On the 12th day of November, 1838, he took the oath of office as sheriff, and entered upon its duties. The court of Common Pleas was then in session. This was the time of great excitement among the bogus or counterfeiting fraternity, who at that time seemed to have a strong foothold in many of the townships of Lorain County. Times were hard. Nearly all the banks in the country had suspended specie payment; the paper money then in circulation was of all grades and value. Many thought they would take a hand in currency tinkering, which was the order of the day. Therefore, many resorted to counterfeiting and the making of bogus coin. Men who had been arrested and placed in jail, charged with this offense, broke out and fled for their country's good. Mr. Israel Cash, who had turned State's evidence, was shot through the body, but not killed, by the son of an implicated counterfeiter. Lorain County was all excitement. Such was the condition of affairs when Mr. Gates entered upon the duties of his office. Thus they remained for over a year. Strict justice will ever give to Sheriff Gates, a determined judge and efficient prosecutor, the credit of breaking up this nefarious gang, whose wicked ramifications even reached into families hitherto called honest and respectable. His prompt action routed the whole gang, root and branch. Many, under the kind care of Sheriff Gates, visited Columbus, others fled their country, some reformed, and others died.

In 1840 a zealous Whig was Mr. Gates; active was the part he took in that ever memorable campaign. Zeal and ardency actuated his every action. As marshal, on his famous black horse Bucephalus, did he lead the procession from Elyria and adjoining townships that visited that imposing and grand convention, held on the banks of the Maumee River, June 11, 1840.

On the 12th day of May, 1841, Mr. Gates married Miss Sarah S. Monteith, eldest daughter of the Rev. John Monteith, who formerly had filled the position of professor of ancient languages at Hamilton College, New York. Coming to Elyria he took charge af the first select school taught in Elyria of any note. This school, so well known as the High School, is yet remembered with the fondest memory by many a one who can never forget the kindness and the many virtues of their teacher long years since.

From this marriage numbers the issue, viz.: John Quincy, who died in early years; Elizabeth Monteith, wife of Dr. Wheeler, of Cleveland; Charlotte Augusta, wife of Rey. T. Y. Gardner, pastor of the Congregational Church, Hudson, Ohio; Mary Ely, who died in early years ; Charles Alexander, graduate of Western Reserve College; William Nahum, in business at Massillon, Ohio; Nellie, at home; and Frederick Hayes, the baby, but a good-sized one, now a student at Western Reserve College.

In 1843, Mr. Gates purchased of Mr. Heman Ely a mill site on the west branch of Black River, and proceeded at once to build a saw-mill, sash, door, and blind factory, to which he gave his personal supervision and much hard labor for twenty-three years, when, in 1866, he sold out. In 1843 he built an ashery on the west branch of the Black River, and has kept the same in successful operation up to the present time. Mr. Gates thinks he may be classed as the oldest, long-continued, and successful ashery-man in the State. This ashery is still smoking. On the first day of September, 1869, purchasing of Davis M. Clark the soap factory on the west side of Black River, he has since been and now is engaged in the manufacture of his celebrated chemical erasive soap.

The Lorain County Agricultural Sosiety was organized in 1845, and lived along at a poor, dying rate until 1852, when Mr, Gates was elected president of the same. He immediately set to work to stimulate its activities and infuse new life by inclosing grounds, building stables and pens, erecting sheds, revising and enlarging the premium lists ; and since that time he has served ten years as its president, always taking the laboring oar, and perhaps to no one more than him is said society more indebted for its progress, growth, and present prosperity. Of its thirty-three annual

'in promoting its interests. In 1844 he engaged in the general merchandise business at No. 1 Cheapside, Elyria. Not liking the cares and perplexities of the business, he made an advantageous sale of his whole stock of goods in 1845 to Messrs. Castle & King, of Medina, Ohio, saying, as he closed out his goods, "that he should never engage in the mercantile business again unless he got hard up." Mr. Gates was among the founders and active workers in the Elyria Union School. He has been a member of the Board of Education the most of the time for the last quarter of a century. 1860 saw him coroner of Lorain County, which office he filled for two years,

He was ever active and a hard worker in the various railroad projects which have been connected with the history of Elyria for the last thirty years. In 1850 he was a director in the Lorain Plank-Road Company, and for many years was superintendent of said road. The year 1860 found him an active worker for the Republican party, and an officer in the Wide-Awake Club. In 1862 he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the fourteenth district of Ohio, by Abraham Lincoln, where he remained until removed by Andrew Johnson, " my policy" being in the way. Elected as mayor of Elyria in 1843 for the first time, he has since that time filled that position for twelve years, and is now acting in that capacity.

In 1856, Caleb 8. Goodwin, treasurer of Lorain County, dying, Mr. Gates was appointed to fill the vacancy, and served acceptably for one year.

Mr. Gates's life in Elyria has been one of constant action. For example: in the year 1856 he was treasurer of the county, mayor of Elyria, township trustee, member of the Board of Education of Elyria Union Schools, superintendent of the Lorain Plank-Road, foreman of Altna (Elyria) Fire Company, discharging the several duties appertaining to each with acceptance, to say the least, besides attending to his own personal affairs, which were neither few nor small. .

He was mainly instrumental in the formation of Elyria Lodge, No. 103, of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and was one of its charter members. This lodge was instituted March 1, 1848, and from that day to this it has been an honored and respected institution. Mr. Gates is the oldest member of said lodge, and the only one left of its charter members, or of those present at its inauguration.

During the Rebellion no one was more efficient than Mr. Gates. His quota of years required no personal enlistment to fill any quota demanded from Lorain County, yet it may be truly asserted that no one not subject to draft (and few, if any, that were) did more than Mr. Gates, by word, act, and money, for the republic. .

Of strong and pronounced opinions, his ear is ever open to reason's call. Commencing life with little or nothing, prosperity has not elevated him above the cry of the poor and needy. Generous and self-sacrificing, his purse is ever open to true charity, and his hand is always found helping the downtrodden and oppressed. Of him may it truly be said no one in Elyria has spent more hours in watching with the sick, in burying the dead, in visiting the widow and orphan, than Mr. Gates.

The writer knows of no citizen of Elyria who has spent more time for the public at large, with less pay, than Mr. Gates. No one can he recall who has, according to his means, so liberally contributed with voice, action, and money to Elyria's various improvements. Now at the ripe age of sixty-six years, with commanding presence, hale and hearty, as if yet he breathed the mountain air of his old Vermont home, surrounded with the comforts of life, with home graced by the dear wife ever young, cheered by the presence of manly and womanly children, and amused by the prattle of grandchildren, Colonel Gates lives honored and respected by all.

and for a portion of the time chief justice of the supreme court of Ohio. He died in Sandusky on the 12th of June, 1866. He may with much propriety be ranked among the great men of Ohio. He graduated at Harvard College in 1811, and studied law with Judge Matthew Griswold, at Lyme, Conn. He did not confine himself to his profession alone, but during his whole life he eagerly pursued the different branches of natural science, and became eminent as a naturalist. The first deed executed by Mr. Ely was made to Ebenezer Lane, dated June 1, 1818. It conveyed lot sixty-four, east of the river, containing sixty-four acres; the second to Edmund West; the third to Artemas Beebe. Mr. Beebe and George Douglas had contracted for the land in the fall of 1817. It consisted of the ground where his old tavern stood. The building still remains on the same spot, in good condition. arly in 1817, Mr. Ely had contracted with Joshua Henshaw to survey the township and village. He was assisted by Clark Eldred and others. Mr. Eldred says they were in the habit of starting out on Monday morning, with their week's provisions and blankets on their backs. They stopped wherever night overtook them. They cooked their own provisions, and the water they drank was sometimes filled with wrigglers. Part of the surveys were made in 1816, but the township was not allotted until 1817. The town plat was first surveyed in'blocks in 1820. It was not divided into lots until 1823.

First Celebration Of The Fourth Of July

This occurred at Elyria in 1819, with all the "pomp and circumstance" which became the sons of New England patriots. The settlers in all the adjacent townships turned out en masse. Grafton especially was represented by nearly all its inhabitants. They came generally with ox-teams, and all entered into the spirit of the occasion. A blacksmith's anvil served in place of a cannon, and was kept warm during the day. The dinner was one of the interesting features, and was for those days quite sumptuous. The dessert consisted of several popular beverages, of which whisky formed the chief ingredient. Mr. Elbridge Gerry, then residing in Ridgeville, delivered the oration, which was patriotic and of course loudly applauded. Mr. David Gibbs, of Carlisle, led the martial music. He was not only a good drummer, but proficient on the fife and clarionet. Mr. Beebe says:

"Tn order to approximate as near as possible the old-fashioned manner, an old fowling-piece was strapped on the back of John Gould, who placed himself on all-fours, serving as gun-carriage, when a toast would be read, and the gunner, with a grand flourish of his hot poker, would discharge the old flint-lock amidst rounds of applause."

The exercises were closed with a grand ball in the evening, in which all participated. The fiddler was John Shafer, of Ridgeville. Several remained until morning. It is said whisky was freely used, as was then the custom, but no one became intoxicated.

master, which office he held until the Ist of April, 1833. The revenues accruing to the government during the first four years ranged from two dollars and forty-one cents to eight dollars and twenty-eight conts.

Perhaps no more suitable place can be found to give a brief sketch of some of the lives of the first settlers of Elyria. The biography of some of them will be written by an abler pen. In reference to Mr. Heman Ezy, it can be said that he was eminently just as a landed proprietor. He usually sold his lands on four years' time, on a written contract or article of agreement, each party retaining a copy. Ile was very systematic and methodical in his business transactions, living up fully to his contracts, and he expected those with whom he dealt to fulfil their obligations; but he was never known to dispossess any of the early settlers of their lands who were industrious, temperate and frugal, and were doing the best they could to make themselves homes and to pay for their land. 'Those who were intemperate, lazy and shiftless, and others who took up land merely to strip it of its most valuable timber, without intending to pay for it, found no mercy at his hands.

It used to be said of him that he could tell, by looking on his map, whenever a tree was cut on any part of his domain, and that he would at once mount his horse and ride directly to the spot. He was much on horse-back, and early settlers. will remember the old bay horse that stood hitched in front of his office, ready saddled and bridled, every day when he was at home. He never sought official position, though he served for six years as associate judge of the county; and he was on several occasions a member of the State board of equalization, which met at Columbus to.equalize the lands of the State for taxation. In business transactions, he was a man of few words, but when free from the cares of business he was genial and_ sociable, and loved to hear and tell a good story. So much for Mr. Ely, the founder of the township.

CapraIn Frestus CooLEy commanded a company of Massachusetts troops in the war of 1812. He marched his company to Boston, but as Massachusetts troops were not permitted by the governor to Jeave the State, it is not believed that the company of Capt. Cooley were guilty of shedding any British blood. He came to Elyria from Springfield on foot, arriving eg the 29th day of May, 1817, and imme- that were erected in 1816. He put them in good order, and all things seemed to prosper in the way of making improvements in the wilderness. Mr. Beebe says ''every man worked with a will; there were no drones in those days." In the spring of 1819, Capt. Cooley went east, and returned with his family in August of the same year. He moved into the old tavern stand, built by Mr. Beebe and George Douglas, which he ocenpied for about a year, until Mr. Beebe arrived with his bride. Capt. Cooley lived in this town until the time of his death, August 9, 1872, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Mrs. Cooley survived him several years; she died August 4, 1876. He was a kind and obliging neighbor and friend, and died without an enemy. He was the father of several daughters, who all died soon after reaching maturity. His only son Festus, late of Elyria, now of Blue Rapids, Kansas, is his only surviving child.

LuTHER LANE came to Elyria with the first party of immigrants. Being hired for only eight months, he returned at the end of that time, in company with the late Judge Lane, to Massachusetts. They made the entire distance on foot. He returned to Elyria, in 1821, and, in a year or two, built the house where he resided until his death. On the 4th of July, 1826, he married Miss Ann Cooley, in West Springfield, and brought her to his new western home. She lived to share his toils, joys and sorrows. She died only afew years before her husband, ripe in years, and lamented by all, who loved her for her many christian virtues. Mr. Lane was one of the original members of the Presbyterian church in Elyria, and was elected deacon at the time of its organization. He was, pre-eminently, a good man. No one spoke ill of him. He was honest, industrious, temperate, and kind to all with whom he associated. Children loved him, for he always had a kind word for them. He owned the farm on the east side of the river, opposite the residence of Rey. L. F. Ward. Deacon and Mrs. Lane raised no children of their own, but they brought up a number of orphan children, who were treated with parental affection. He died on the 23d of November, 1868.

JAMES PoRTER was an industrious,. hard working man, and accumulated considerable property. He owned the farm now belonging to I. J. Raymond, east of the river, and several houses and lots in town. He left one child, a daughter, who was six years old at the time of his death, and is now the wife of M. B. Purnly, of Dayton, Ohio. His widow married Dr. H. F. Hubbard, who died in Wisconsin. She is still living, and resides with her children in Colorado.

GEORGE Dovatas died young. He is remembered by the early settlers as an enterprising, kind-hearted man. He died on the 5th day of November, 1829; aged thirty-five years.

GersHom Danks bought the farm now occupied by Sheldon Paddock, in Ridgeville, which he occupied for several years. He sold out many years ago, and moved west. His subsequent history is unknown.

the pioneers, removed to his farm in Carlisle, where he resided many years. He died not long ago, at an advanced age. Uncle John, as he was familiarly called, was a gencrous and kind-hearted man, as first incorporated, embraced only the territory lying between the branches of Black river. Its boundaries have been extended, so that it now embraces a good part of the township. Should its territory all be occupied as a city, it would contain about two hundred thousand inhabitants. .

The east and west branches of the river approach each other at the south line of the township, to within the distance of about one mile. The west branch runs in a northerly direction, until it reaches the wést falls, The east branch runs parallel to it, until it passes some distance north of Broad street, where it bends west, and for a short distance, south; turning again to the west, it reaches the east falls, a little below the bridge, which connects Washington avenue with Broad street. These falls are forty feet perpendicular, and when the river is high, present a grand appearance. The river there makes its way through a rocky gorge, about sixty rods, where it unites with the west branch. The west fall is about the same heighth as the east. After leaping the fall, it runs through a similar rocky gorge, for about forty rods, where the two branches form a junction.

Scenery

The scenery on both branches below the falls is grand and beautiful. Immense ledges of sandstone project over the valley, for part of the distance, while large boulders of the same material are found in the bed of the stream, which, in a measure, obstruct its passage. The banks on either hand are covered with deciduous trees, with which are intermingled evergreen trees, consisting of pines and hemlocks. At the foot of the west fall, on the south side, there is a large, wide-mouthed cave, over-arched with sand rock. It is a famous resort for both young and old. High up on the projecting rock, many names are inscribed, and among them, in large letters, is that of Q. A. Gilmore, 1844. At that date, General Gilmore was a bright lad, attending school in Elyria.

At some period in the distant past, the west falls were located some twenty rods below where they are at present, and at the place where they poured over the precipice, the rocks are water-worn, giving abundant evidence of their former location. Many interesting relics have been found in the former bed of the stream.

At the foot of the ancient junction, there is a basin or small lake, covering an acre or more of ground. Surrounding this basin, the scenery is indescribably grand; rocks are piled on rocks, in endless confusion. This is a famous resort for artists, many of whom have visited Elyria for the purpose of sketching its scenery. A little below the basin, there is an island of several acres, covered with majestic trees of maple, beech, and sycamore, the property of Mrs. Charles Arthur Ely. This she has generously cleared of underbrush, and provided with rustic seats. She has also built a stairway, leading down from the high bank above, and thrown her beautiful grounds open to the public. Pic-nic parties come from a distance to enjoy this beautiful retreat. Strangers visiting Elyria are not aware that within a stone's throw of Broad street, can be found the most beautiful scenery in the State.

Relics Of An Ancient Race

On the west bank of the river, on the northern border of the township, there is a lot known as the Fort Lot. On this lot there are extensive works, constructed, probably, by a race of people who inhabited this country prior to the present Indian race. About forty years ago, a party of gentlemen, of whom the writer was one, made a survey of these works. They consisted first, of a large central mound, near the river bank, and a smaller mound on each side of it. The bank of the river descended gradually for about twenty feet, where was a level plateau, some two rods in width. Out of this bank gushes a spring of pure water, of sufficient size to carry an overshot wheel, and falls into the river, the perpendicular bank of which is some seventy-five feet in height. Extending around these mounds, some ten rods or more from them, wasa ditch. It commenced at the river bank, some twenty rods north of the mounds, and terminated at a deep ravine, about a quarter of a mile from its place of beginning. At the distance of about ten rods from each other, were pits or caches, evidently made for the purpose of storing provisions. Very ancient oaks grew from the bottom of the ditch, in places. We excavated the largest mound rather imperfectly, and found nothing but pieces of pottery, and fragments of human bones. The mounds were undoubtedly used as places of sepulture, where, after some battle, perhaps, large numbers of the slain were entombed. It is to be regretted that, the owners of the land, in a spirit of vandalism, have ploughed over the mounds, and they are nearly on a level with the surrounding surface.

On the twentieth of October, 1819, the township of Elyria, comprising townships number five and six, in range seventeen, now Carlisle and Elyria, was, by the commissioners of Huron county, erected a separate township. It was named in honor of its pioneer owner and settler, Heman Ely, - Ely-ria. The first election occurred on the 3d of April, 1820, at which time there were twenty votes cast. The following list gives the names of the electors at that time: Sherman Minot, John M. Butler, John Bacon, James A. Sexton, Abel Farr, Dudley Starr, George Douglas,

William Sexton, Enos Mann, Calvin Rice, Burton Waite, Chester Wright, J. L. Terrell, Elias Mann, Heman Ely, Roger Cooley, Festus Cooley, James Ledoit, Henry Wolford and Edmund West. James Ledoit and Sherman Minot were judges of election, and Edmund West, clerk. Heman-: Ely, Sherman Minot and Jonathan A. Sexton, were elected trustees. Edmund West, clerk and treasurer. Heman Ely and Festus Cooley, overseers of the poor. Chester Wright and Enos Mann, fence viewers. John F. Butler and Festus Cooley, appraisers of property. George Douglas, constable, and Heman Ely and William Sexton, supervisors of highways. Sherman Minot was the first justice of the peace; elected, doubtless, in 1820, though the only record we find is a copy of the notice for an election of justice of the peace, ''in place of Sherman Minot, whose term of office expired December 23, 1822."

From a list of taxable property, prepared in May, 1820, by Roger Cooley and Phineas Johnson, we learn that there were in the township eleven horses, ninetyeight cattle, and seven houses, five of which were vyalued at one hundred dollars each, one at fourteen hundred (Heman Ely's}, and another (Artemas Beebe's) at nine hundred dollars. The number of horses returned by the assessor in the spring of 1878 was seven hundred and seventy-seven, valued at thirtyeight thousand four hundred and seventy-five dollars; cattle, one thousand one hundred and twenty-seven, valued at twenty-two thousand two hundred and ninety-four dollars; total value of real estate and buildings, township, three hundred and twelve thousand and thirty-five dollars; village, one million and eighty-one thousand dollars; total in township and village, one million five hundred and ninety-three thousand and thirty-five dollars.

The records of the township cannot be found further back than 1842. At the spring election this year Herrick Parker, Ira Cunningham and Israel Everden were judges; Schuyler Putnam and Benjamin F. Robinson, clerks. The officers elected were Ebenezer Griffith, Daniel Nesbitt and William Gregg, trustees; Schuyler Putnam, township clerk; Abraham Burrell, treasurer; William Doolittle and John I. Faxon, constables, and nine supervisors of highways.

In 1848, Clark Eldred, Daniel Nesbitt and Artemas Beebe, trustees; Stephen B. Wolcott, township clerk; A. Burrell, treasurer; John H. Faxon, constable; Ieman Burch and Edson A. Griswold, justices of the peace.

Mr. Ely visited Columbus in the winter of 1821-2, for the purpose of securing an act for the organization of the county of Lorain. He traveled on horse- back, and the first day out he became lost in the woods. He succeeded in finding his way back to his home at night, and the next day was more successful in finding his way, and finally reached the State capital. The new county was not formed at that session of the General Assembly, but on the 22d of December, 1822, an act was passed for its formation. It was taken from the counties of Cuyahoga, Huron and Medina, and was named Lorain. It took its name from Lorraine in France, in which province Mr. Ely spent some time while in Europe, and with which he was greatly pleased. It will be observed that the name is somewhat anglicised. It originally embraced the townships of Homer and Spencer now in Medina, and Sullivan and Troy now in Ashland county. At the same session a board of three commissioners was appointed to locate the county seat. Black River and Sheffield were competitors with Elyria, and the commissioners visited both of those townships; but, after a fair consideration of their claims, fixed upon Elyria as the seat of justice for the new county, and on the 14th of February, 1823, drove the stakes for the location of the new court house. It was located at the north east corner of Middle avenue and Broad street, and occupied the ground where J. A. Bean's grocery store now stands. Mr. Ely agreed to furnish buildings for the court house and jail, and to pay two thousand dollars towards the erection of a new court house whenever the county commissioners should see fit to build one.

After the erection of the new court house, the original building was removed to a lot fronting Broad street, and was used for a time as a school house and afterwards as a Presbyterian church. It now stands in the rear of Snearer and Waldeck's cabinet shop. The jail was erected on what is now the South public square, nearly opposite the present residence of N. L. Johnson. It was a two-story frame building, the inside' of one end lined with square-hewn logs, which was used as a prison. The other end was used by the family of the jailor. It answered its purpose very well, few if any prisoners haying escaped from it. It now stands on Kast Third street, and is owned and occupied as a dwelling by R. W. Pomeroy.

Some of the townships in Lorain county were quite rapidly settled after the first improvements. Such was not the case with Elyria. Its population is not remembered, but the following list shows the houses and their occupants at the above date. Commencing at the east end of Broad street the first house stood nearly opposite the old tannery, and was occupied by aMr. Cunes. The second house was occupied by Mr. Gardner Howe, a tanner. Third, Heman Ely's residence, now occupied by his son Heman. Fourth, the old tavern of Mr. Beebe, standing nearly opposite Mr. Ely's. Fifth, the residence of Mr. Edmund West, now owned and occupied by Albert Ely. Sixth, residence of Deacon Luther Lane, now owned by Mr.

Budd. Seventh, the residence of Mr. Kingsbury, now owned and occupied by Mr. Coburn. Eighth, George Gilbert, a blacksmith. Ninth,' residence of Dr. John F. Butler, corner of Broad street and Middle avenue. Tenth, residence of Hiram Emmons. Eleventh, residence of Thompson Miles. Twelfth, residence (name not remembered) on ground afterwards occupied by residence of Samuel Goodwin. Thirteenth, residence of Halstead Parker. Fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth, occupants not remembered. Eighteenth, occupied by Roger Cooley. Nineteenth, resident not known, Twentieth, residence of Francis Douglas. Twenty-first, residence of Ebenezer Whiton. Twenty-second, resdence of James Porter. Twenty-third, now occupied by W. H. Park, built by Ransom Redington, at that time unfinished.

A number of persons whose names have' not been mentioned settled in Elyria prior to 1825. William Turner, Jr., whose father came to Grafton in 1816, was apprenticed to George Douglas, to learn the house joiner and carpenter's trade, in 1822. He married Miss Olive M. Lynde, in 1824, and became a permanent resident. By a life of industry he has accumulated a competence, and is now living at the wife, aged seventy-three, is also living. Hiram Emmons came from Connecticut in 1821. He died in 1865 aged seventy-two. He was an honest man and a good citizen.

Stanton Sholes was one of the early merchants of Elyria. Hesold out to Thompson Miles, who succeeded him both as a merchant and resident in 1824, and removed to a pleasant home in Amherst. Capt. Sholes afterwards removed to the vicinity of Columbus, where he died recently, aged over ninety years. He commanded a company in the war of 1812, and did good service for his country. Mr. Miles having secured a competence, retired from business in 1833. He died in September, 1845, aged fifty-five - years, leaving a highly respectable family.

Ezra 8S. Adams, from Canton, Conn., settled in Elyria in 1821, and established the first harness and saddlery shop in the county. He kept the hotel built by George Douglas for a time, and was a partner of Mr. A. Beebe, in establishing the first line of stage coaches between Cleveland and Sandusky, (now Fremont.) He afterwards carried on the business of harness making for many years. He died January 22, 1847, aged forty-six years.

A young man who, with good habits and energy, says, "This will I do," rarely fails. William H. Tucker is a living illustration of this fact. He was born in Windham, Portage Co., Ohio, March 21, 1826, the youngest son of Jacob and Chloe Tucker. Jacob first settled in Ohio, at Vermillion, in 1816. In1818he moved into Windham, as above, from which place he removed to Eaton, Lorain Co., Ohio, in 1832, purchasing a farm on Chestnut Ridge.

Here with his wife he remained until their respective deaths ; Mr. Tucker dying in 1863, in his eighty-eighth year ; his wife having died two years previous.

From the mother did W. H. Tucker get the notions which, worked out, have made the valuable citizen. Mrs. Chloe Tucker was a woman of uncommon energy ; the great motherly heart of a good woman, by precept and example, left an impress on the character of her children that to this day recalls the memory of a mother who ever watched over them with self-sacrificing devotion, and aided them to become the true man or true woman.

The father, of a different mental mould, ever kind, no matter how gloomy the outlook, was ever cheerful ; always thinking '' Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Mr. W. H. Tucker, well rermembering the exodus from Portage to Lorain County, recalls the passage of Cuyahoga River, at Cleveland, Ohio, on a floating bridge, the all of his parents in a lumber wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen, those parents to work out of the then woods of Eaton a home for selves and little ones. Such a home, poor as it was, was even then made so pleasant that one and all of those children look back to it with fond memories.

Early life in Lorain County gave limited opportunities for education. At the age of sixteen Mr. Tucker began to think for a better education than home schools provided. In his seventeenth year his father gave him all he could, viz., his time. With this and a fixed determination he commenced the business of education, chopping cord-wood for tuition, and doing chores for board. He was a pupil at a select school at Ridgeville, Ohio. The following winter found him teacher of the common school at Lagrange, Ohio. In the following July, to acquire further funds for schooling, he commenced work with a traveling threshing-machine. A week's work left him with only one leg, and even life in danger. Good early habits and a sound constitution pulled him through so far as the physical was concerned ; but, as he looked fo the future, "black care brooded o'er his mind.'' Fearing he should become a burden to his friends, he almost wished for death. However, will-power and kind attention of tender friends drove such thoughts away, and left him with a fixed purpose. Engaging in school teaching for the following twenty-two years, Mr. Tucker taught every winter, frequently fall and summer terms, in the common schools of Ohio; now and then a select school. Al this time as teacher he was everywhere a learner.

In the year 1864, Mr. Tucker removed to Elyria, Ohio, where he now lives. He was married in his twenty-third year to Miss Clarissa Andrews, who as kind wife, with joyous and sunny disposition, cheered his life until her death, which occurred at Elyria, Jan. 20, 1870. She left three sons, the youngest but eight days old, her only daughter having died before, aged two years.

He was remarried, March 13, 1871, to Mrs. M. C. Hart, widow of Hermon Hart, of Grafton, Lorain Co., Ohio, who now with every womanly grace makes home pleasant to husband and their many friends.

Mr. Tucker was elected recorder of Lorain Co., Ohio, in 1864, filling the position, by two re-elections, for nine years. Retiring from office with health somewhat impaired by close confinement and strict attention to official duties, for a short time he engaged in sundry business occupations. Having, during his recordership, reviewed his law studies under the instruction of Judge tn C. Hale (which studies were originally made under Judge W. W. Boynton), he was admitted to the bar, at a sitting of the District Court, at Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1875, Mr. Tucker was a prominent mover in the organization of a lodge of Knights of Honor at Elyria, and was chosen past dictator of said lodge. In 1876 he represented said lodge in grand council, and has ever since been a member of that body, now being grand trustee.

In February, 1878, as charter member, he helped the formation of a council of Royal Arcanums at Elyria, of which he was elected past regent. He now fills the office of grand secretary of the grand council of said order for the State of Ohio.

Elected by his fellow-citizens as justice of the peace; a member of the law firm of Fary & Tucker; with an official reputation as recorder of Lorain County unequaled either by successor or predecessor; with the trusts of a grand officer in his hands; his ever charitable hand; his undeviating life of integrity in al/ its meaning ; the universal respect of all with whom he comes in contact, Mr. Tucker can be well said to have grandly done his '' This will I do," ;

William Webster was born in West Hartford, Conn., Oct. 20, 1778, and moved to Laporte, Lorain Co., Ohio, May 15, 1828, from the town of Spafford, Onondaga Co., N. Y. His son William was born at Florence, Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 20, 1809.

The occupation of both father and son was that of blacksmithing. William, the father of the subject of this sketch, worked at his trade in Elyria, in company with George G. Gilbert, from 1831 to 1834. His wife was born July 3, 1813, and was the daughter of Henry J. Phillips. They were married Oct. 27, 1831, in Eaton, Lorain Co., Ohio. Mrs. Webster died Nov. 13, 1868, leaving six children, viz. : Daniel, Edward, Cordelia, (wife of Dr. L. C. Kelsey, of Elyria, Ohio), Iral A., Fred, and Will.

Iral A. Webster was born on Butternut Ridge, Eaton township, Lorain Co., Ohio, Dec. 23, 1840. In Iral's youth his parents moved to the State of Illinois. Returning from the West, for a short time Cleveland, Ohio, was their home ; and in 184, Carlisle, Lorain Co., Ohio, became his father's residence, where he still lives.

Iral A. Webster's early days were spent on the home farm, in the blacksmith-shop, or in a quarry belonging to his father, except such time as was given to the district school, until 1861. During this year he attended a select school at Elyria, Ohio. In 1862 he commenced studies at Oberlin, Ohio, where some time was spent until the spring of 1866; the balance was passed in teaching school at Lagrange and Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, and in reading law with J. D. Horton, of Ravenna, Ohio. Continuing his reading, with C. W. Johnston, Esq., of Elyria, he was, in said place, admitted to the bar Aug. 29, 1867. In December, 1867, he opened a law office at Oberlin, Ohio, where his family still resides, although Mr. Webster's time is mostly passed in Elyria, where he started a branch office, August, 1877. He formed a copartnership with Charles G. Finney, Jr., in February, 1872, which lasted but a few months, owing to the ill health of his partner. Jan. 1, 1877, saw his uncle, H. L. Webster, in the law business with him, which relation continued for one year, when Mr. Webster formed a partnership with his brother Fred, which still continues.

In December, 1877, Mr. I. A. Webster purchased onehalf of the Oberlin Weekly News, and continued one of its owners and publishers until Jan. 1, 1879, his efforts having aided in a great degree in placing it upon a sound foundation.

On Noy. 25, 1868, Mr. Webster married Miss Lottie Robb, daughter of Jackson and Mary Robb. Of this marriage were born Albert M., Feb. 13, 1875; Angie L.., April 8, 1877.

Mr. Webster is yet young, a man of high moral standing, and an ardent supporter of every movement looking towards the right. He is a prominent member of the Republican party. Sharing the confidence and good will of all, he enjoys that true respect of his fellows that only follows a life of strict integrity.

Zenas Barnum built a forge on the west side of the river, where Gates' saw-mill was afterwards built in 1818, and carried on the business of manufacturing wrought iron until 1832. He then removed to Rockport, where he died many years ago.

Elias Mann came to Elyriain 1819. He married a daughter of Major David Beebe, of Ridgeville and removed to Amherst, where he lived to a good old age.

Elyria Village Incorporated In 1833

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That all that part of the township of Elyria, in the county of Lorain, which is included within the branches of Black river, be and the same is hereby created a town corporate, and shall hereafter be known and distinguished by the name of the Town of Elyria. The above was passed February 23, 1833. Signed,

We are unable to find the record of elections prior to April 6, 1842. At this date an election was held and the following gentlemen were chosen, viz: Orren Cowles, mayor; Benjamin F. Robinson, recorder; Archibald S. Park, Thompson Miles, Israel Everden, Ansel Keith, and T. Crane, trustees; and Samuel Goodwin, treasurer. 1843: Nahum B. Gates, mayor; Austin C. Penfield, recorder; Herrick Parker, T. Crane, I. Everden, Orville L. Mason and William Olcott, trustees; treasurer re-elected. 1844: Oliver R. Ryder, mayor; I. Eyerden, O. L. Mason, C. S. Goodwin, and Norman Crandall, trustees; recorder re-elected; Horace C. Starr, treasurer. 1845: officers re-elected entire. 1846: Albert A. Bliss, mayor; O. L. Mason, O. Cowles, T. Crane, N. B. Gates and William Olcott, trustees; recorder and treasurer reelected. 1847: Heman Ely, Jr., mayor; M. R. Keith, recorder, B. F. Robinson, W. F. Lockwood, A. Wooster, A. Culver and Milo Bennett, trustees; H. C. Starr, treasurer. We pass to a recent date. 1876: John H. Boynton, mayor; John Childs, George H. Ely, E. G. Johnson and Charles Spitzenburg, trustees. 1877: N. B. Gates, mayor; council, John Childs, George H. Ely, E. G. Johnson, Charles Spitzenburg, William Allen and George R. Starr. 1878: N. B. Gates, mayor; council same as before, adding John W. Hart and D. J. Nye.

In making out the foregoing list of officers we have copied from the records as kept by the recorder, hence we are not responsible for the omission of first names.

Soon after the commencement of the settlement, Mr. Ely saw the necessity of having bridges across both branches of the river, and contracted with Maj. Calvin Hoadley to build them. They were completed in the fall of 1818. Their location was substantially on the sites of the present stone and iron bridges.

tions. This stood on the east side of the east branch of the river, near the spring in the rear of the sand pits. Enos Mann and others afterwards carried on this distillery. Long years sinceit went into decay and now not a vestige of it remains.

At a very early date, a carding and fulling mill was in operation. It was located on the site of Messrs. Topliff and Ely's extensive manufactory. Gardner Howe at first carried it on, who was succeeded by John L. Butler, and he, in turn, by Herrick Parker. The spinning wheel and hand-loom having become things of the past, Mr. Parker converted it into a woolen manufactory, but does not seem to have been successful, as the work was abandoned some twenty years ago.

The grist and saw mills, built by Mr. Ely a® the time of the first settlement, near the east branch bridge, have been succeeded by others, with more modern improvements, which are still in operation.

The old red mill at the east falls was built by Mr. Ely, as early as 1824. In February, 1832, there was a great freshet, caused by heavy rains, which caused the breaking up of the ice. It swept away every mill dam above Elyria, gathering force at each, and came down almost like a wall of waters, bearing along large trees, which had been torn up by the roots. Nearly half of the red mill standing over the water was swept away, and all of the running gear, including the mill stones, and made a complete wreck of the lower portion of the mill. That part of the building next the water, settled a foot or more, and the whole structure came near falling into the stream. It was soon repaired, and has, until recently, done a large business, both as a custom and merchants' mill. It is not now in operation.

The Lorain Iron Company was established in 1832, on the west side of the river, near the west falls. Heman Ely furnished the capital, and built the necessary works. It was, at one time, an extensive affair, employing one hundred, or more, men. It was not a success, financially, and was eventually abandoned. Its failure was probably due to the fact that it used bog ore, which was not very rich in iron. Had the iron mines of Lake Superior been then known, it would doubtless have been in operation at the present time.

Below the '' old red mill," was a second one, which was burned down, and between the two, a gentleman named Clark, put in operation an axe manufactory. This business was carried on for a number of years, and turned out a very good class of work. This has, long since, ceased to be. Mr. N. B. Gates, for many years, run a saw-mill, and carried on a sash and blind manufactory, on the west branch, above the falls. As timber became scarce, it was abandoned, not being profitable.

Elyria Natural History Society

block, furnished each side of it with glass cases, for the reception of specimens - a platform and desk occupying the front of the room. It was also supplied with seats, to accomodate about three hundred persons. The glass cases were generally filled with choice specimens, illustrating geology, mineralogy, ¢onchology, ornithology, and botany. Many Indian relics were also collected, together with a small library. In this room, weekly public free lectures were given for about four years, except during the month of August. The lecturers were mostly residents of Elyria, among whom were Drs. N. 8. Townshend, Eber W. Hubbard, and L. D. Griswold; Joel Tiffany, A. A. Bliss, P. Bliss, and Woolsey Wells, attorneys; Rev. D. A. Grosvenor; and H. A. Tenney, editor, and others, not recollected. The lecturers were all volunteers, and performed their duties without compensation. During the existence of the association, several distinguished scientists from abroad were employed, who delivered courses of lectures upon chemistry and geology. For nearly four years, the hall was filled, weekly, by the young and middle-aged citizens of Elyria, who were constant attendants upon the lectures. No one can properly estimate the influence for good, especially upon the young people of our village, resulting from these lectures. Elyria has ever been celebrated' for the literary and scientific culture of its inhabitants, and it is believed that, its reputation is, to a great extent, due to the influence of this society.

After about four years of prosperity, several gentlemen, who had been prominent in conducting its affairs, removed from town, the regular lectures were discontinued, and it gradually fell into decay. In 1852, a fire consumed the block and what specimens remained in the room.

Churches In Elyria

Was organized in the log school house east of the river, on Thursday, the 25th of November, 1824. There were present on the occasion, Rev. Alfred H. Betts, a minister of the Presbytery of Huron, and the Revs. Daniel W. Lathrop, Joseph Treat, and Caleb Pitkin, of the Missionary Society of Connecticut. The following persons presented themselves for examination, viz: Luther. Lane, Celia Ely and Pamelia Beebe, from the First church in West Springfield, Massachusetts; Abbe W. Lathrop, from the First Presbyterian church in Brooklyn, Long Island; William Smith, from the church in Sheffield; Samuel Brooks, Hezekiah Brooks, Lydia Brooks, Sophia Brooks, Hannah Brooks, Hannah Johnson and Irene Johnson, of the Presbyterian church in Carlisle; and Harriet Hamlin, Julia West, Pearly Douglas, Ann Palmer and Pamelia Manter, who had never before made a public profession of religion.

The building, occupied exclusively as a church, stood on the northeast corner of of the public square, and is the same now occupied by Snearer & Waldeck as a cabinet shop.

In 1834, a wooden church edifice was erected on lot No. 247 East Second street. This was completed, and on February 12, of the same year, was dedicated to the service of Almighty God. On the same day, the Rey. James I. Eells was ordained pastor of the church. This building is now owned by Mrs. Sarah W., widow of the Rev. D. A. Grosvenor, and is occupied as a dwelling.

The massive and beautiful stone church on the corner of Second and Court streets was completed in the spring of 1848, and dedicated May 17, of that year, at a total cost of twelve thousand five hundred and eighty-eight dollars and sixty-five cents. The clock which occupies the tower of this church was put up some years later, and cost three hundred dollars; the bell, six hundred dollars, and the fine organ, fourteen hundred dollars. A neat stone chapel was erected just south of the church in 1853.

Committee on Missionary, Sunday School and Bible Society Collections - Elijah DeWitt, Heman Ely, E. W. West, Joseph Swift, Jr., and I. S. Metcalf.

Officers of the Society - Nahum B. Gates, president; I. S. Metcalf, secretary and treasurer. Trustees - Heman Ely, Artemas Beebe, Thomas L. Nelson, John W. Hulburt and Joseph Swift, Jr.

In the Sabbath school, the total enrollment is six hundred and twenty-five; average attendance, three hundred and seventy-five. 'There are also sustained by the church six mission schools, with an attendance of from thirty to sixty each.

Methodist Episcopal Church

The following brief sketch of this religious society is prepared from data furnished by Clark Eldred and Mrs. W. O. Cahoon. Occasional services were held in Elyria, at the houses of the settlers, by preachers of this faith, soon after the settlement, prior to 1820.

Standrews Episcopal Church, Elyria , Ohio Arthur M.Backus, Rector

1832, William Runnels and George Elliot; 1833, William Runnels and J. Kinnear; 1834, A. Billings and A. A. Brewster; 1835, A. Billings and J. Wilkinson; 1836, J. Wheeler and T. Barkdull; 1837;°S. M. Allen and J. Tiudson; 1888, John M. Goshorn; 1839, James Brewster; 1840, Joseph Jones and John Brakefield; 1841, Cyrus Sawyer and S8. B. Guyberson; 1842, E. C. Gavitt and Peter Sharp.

In May, 1824, a class was formed, composed of the following persons: Hiram Emmons (who was first class leader) and wife, Clark Eldred and wife, George H. Gilbert and wife, Heber G. Sekins and wife, Sally Gilbert, and some others whose names cannot be ascertained. Soon after the year 1824, a church edifice was erected by this class and outside friends. It was a comfortable wooden structure, and stood near the site of the present Methodist Episcopal church.

The present brick church was erected in 1850, at a cost of five thousand dollars. The society is now taking measures to build a new and more commodious church edifice.

The old church building was converted into a dwelling house, and is occupied by Clayton Johnson. It has been so modernized and improved in its architecture that no person would recognize it.

A lot for a parsonage was purchased in 1831, and soon after a house was put up for the use of the pastor. The parsonage trustees, at that time, were: Lewis Ely, George G. Gilbert, Hiram Emmons, William Peters, Henry B. Tenis, Jonah Bradley, Clark Eldred, Charles Abbey and Jabez Hamlin. The first parsonage has since been sold, and a new and better one erected.

The present parsonage trustees are: Levi Morse, John C. Houghton, Jerome Manville, Waterman Morse, T. L. Taylor, C. M. Eldred, I. J. Carpenter and Joseph Biggs.

The Protestant Episcopal Church in Elyria was organized in 1837 under the superintendence of the Rev. Anson Clark, missionary, with the aid of the missionary committee of the diocese of Ohio.

The following are the names of those who first signed the articles of association: Orrin Cowles, Jane C. Cowles, M. Augustus Cowles, E. H. Leonard, Sarah W. Leonard, Drake Andrews, Lucy Andrews, Chauncey Prindle, Nancy Prindle, Aaron Andrews, Eunice W. Andrews, Maria Prindle, Julia Vandeberg, Caroline Leonard, L. D. Griswold, Jerusha H. Griswold, Caroline Byington, Ruth Minot, Perley Blakesley, Mary Blakesley, William Babbitt, and Mary Babbitt.

The first meeting of the parish was held at the house of Orrin Cowles, Rev. Anson Clark, presiding, and Hliphalet H. Leonard, secretary. At this meeting the name, style and title of St. Andrew's Church was adopted, and the following persons elected wardens and vestrymen: Drake Andrews, senior warden; Orrin Cowles, junior warden; vestrymen, Chauncey Prindle, E. H. Leonard, and L. D. Griswold.

In the summer of 1839, Rev. Mr. Clark resigned the charge, and during the next year the first church edifice was erected at a cost of one thousand five hundred dollars.

In 1841, Rev. Hugh Kelley was called to the charge of the parish, and resigning in 1842, was followed by the Rey. George 8. Davis who remained until 1845. From this time for a series of years the church was without a settled rector. In consequence of this and the death and removal of several leading members the church gradually declined.

In May, 1851, the first rector, Rev. Anson Clark,- was recalled, and found but little remaining except the church edifice, but a congregation was soon collected, and among these were fifteen communicants.

In October, 1853, Mr. Clark resigned, leaving twenty-six communicants who worked faithfully and earnestly in the church for its permanent growth. After a short interval the Rev. Francis Granger became rector, and continued as such until Easter, 1857. In May following, the Rev. B. T. Noakes assumed charge and remained until May 1, 1860, when he resigned on account of failing health. During the time he was rector the church edifice was greatly enlarged; a parsonage built; sixty-four persons added to the church, and forty confirmed. In June, 1860, the Rey. Richard L. Chittenden assumed charge of the parish, remaining until December, 1862, when he left to accept a commission as chaplain of the forty-third regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, then in Tennessee. In February, 1864, he resigned his rectorship. During the interval of his absence the Rev. William C. French, of Oberlin, held afternoon services for a period of some ten months, and visiting clergymen occasionally supplied the pulpit until July, 1865. In August, 1865, Rev. Mr. Chittenden resumed charge, but in consequence of failing health, resigned in June, 1868. In July, of that year, Rev. 8. A. Bronson, professor in the Diocesan Theological Seminary took charge, temporarily, of the parish, and continued until Easter, 1869, when the Rey. R. L. Chittenden assumed charge and remained until Easter, 1870. He was succeeded in June following by the Rev. B. T. Noakes, who remained until February, 1876. During his rectorate the present beautiful church edifice was erected and informally dedicated on the nineteenth Sunday after Trinity, 1872. It was afterwards consecrated by Bishop Gillespie of the Diocese of Western Michigan, in the absence from the country of the Bishop of the Diocese, in July, 1875. It cost thirteen thousand dollars. The organ was made by Hook & Hastings, of Boston, Mass., and cost one thousand six hundred dollars.

After the resignation of Rey. B. T. Noakes the Rey. John Coleman officiated during the months of March and April, 1876. The Rev. William Hyde became rector May 1, 1876, and resigned June 1, 1877. The present rector, Rey. Arthur M. Backus, entered upon his duties July 1, 1877.

Baptist Church

In the latter part of June, 1836, the Rev. Daniel C. Waite, who had but recently graduated at Hamilton, N. Y., came west in search of a field for gospel labor. Arriving at Cleveland, Ohio, he was, on consultation with the Rey. Leyi Tucker, directed to Elyria, where he held the first meeting in July following. This was in the court house, and after a few meetings held there, they were transferred to the old yellow school house, then standing on the west side of the public square. On the 26th of November ensuing, the following persons united in constituting the First Baptist Church in Elyria: Daniel C. Waite, pastor; Luther Hartson, sen., Luther Hartson, jr., Mrs. Mercy Brooks, Miss Margaret Wright, Lucius and Sally Andress - seven in all. Mr. Waite continued as pastor until January, 1837. From that time until the following September there was no settled pastor, but occasional preaching. Rey. Mr. Hillis, the next pastor, assumed the pastorate in September.

The first sabbath in January, 1838, was the commencement of a series of meetings which resulted in a general awakening and an addition of twenty-six to the church. At the close of these meetings measures were put in operation for, the building of a church edifice, which was completed perhaps one and a half years later. Rey. Mr. Hillis resigned from physical infirmities in June, 1838, and the Rev. Silas Tucker succeeded him. He remained until November, 1840, when he resigned. Rev. Joseph Elliot, of Pontiac, Mich.. followed him. He commenced his labors the February following, and continued for three years, These were the most prosperous of any equal period ir the history of the church as far as increase of merhbership is concerned. In November, 1842, the Rev. Elijah Weaver, an evangelist, of Wall Lake, Mich., assisted in a series of meetings which continued four weeks.

From June, 1842, to June, 1843, one hundred and ten members were added to the church. 'The entire list of pastors after Mr. Elliot, who served three years, is as follows: H. Silliman, D. Bernard, D. Eldridge, N. S. Burton, L. Ramstead, A. Heath, Rev. Mr. Hayhurst, George E. Leonard, H. H. Bawden, M. L. Bickford and Rev. W. A. Depew, who has recently resigned his pastorate. He assumed charge in March, 1877. The present membership is one hundred and fifty; enrollment in Sabbath school, one hundred and twenty-five. Miss L. 8S. Carter is superintendent of the Sabbath school.

The officers of the church are Henry E. Mussey, T. W. Laundon, Cyrus Wheeler, Thomas Biggs and J. W. Rockwell, trustees; Thomas Biggs, and J. W. Rockwell, deacons; Amos Maxted, clerk. '

The entire property of the church, including the church edifice, parsonage, organ, etc., is valued at thirteen thousand five hundred dollars.

Church

The congregation was organized kefore the church was built, under the ministry of the Rev. H. W. Lothmann, and services were held in the Presbyterian chapel, court house, and other places. Present membership, eighty to ninety families. Connected with the church is a parochial school, numbering eighty pupils. This is taught by the pastor, Rev. J. A. Schmidt.

The trustees of this church, consisting of Henry Fowle, president; Paul Krause, secretary; and Gotlieb Mobeus, treasurer, on the 16th day of October, 1871, purchased of the vestry of St. Andrew's Church the building and lot then occupied by the latter named body, paying therefor the sum of two thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars.

Rey. Mr. Deering was the minister of this parish from October, 1871 to July, 1872; Rev. Mr. Waltberger from July, 1872, to January 1873; Rey. Mr. Deering from January, 1873, to May 26, 1873; Rev. Mr. Rein from May 26, 1873, to November, 1873; Rey. Mr. Schelloha from November, 1873, to October, 1875; Rev. Mr. Seybold from October, 1875, to September, 1877; Rev. Mr. Schattle from September, 1877, to September, 1878. Rey. Mr. Sputhulf took charge September, 1878, and is the present minister of the parish.

Disciple Church

This church was formed in 1832. Among the early preachers of the denomination were Sidney Rigdon, Rey. Mr. Clapp, William Hayden, and Rev's Messrs. Green, Moody, and Jones. It, at one time, embraced forty members, among whom were Dr. John F. Butler, H. Redington, Asahel Parmely, Herrick Parker, and others. Many of the members removed to other localities, some died, and the church, many years ago, ceased its labors.

Roman Catholic Church

We are unable to obtain any authentic history of this church. It was established in 1852. Its first priest was Father Haley. It purchased a lot on which is erected a large wooden church building, which has a seating capacity of five hundred. It is always filled when there are services. It has also, on the same lot, on Middle avenue, a fine parsonage. It also purchased a large lot on the east side of the avenue, on which is a school house, and a fine site for a new church, which will soon be erected. The school numbers one hundred pupils. Father Louis L. Molon is the present priest. He discourses both in the English and German languages.

The early settlers of Elyria, Mr. Heman Ely and his associates, were from the State of Massachusetts, and brought with them to this western wilderness, the idea, which was then, and ever has been held, throughout New England, that a good common school education is necessary to prepare boys and girls for citizenship ina republic. Their descendants, and others who have selected this beautiful place for a residence, have maintained the same opinion, and the present efficient system of graded schools, may be considered as the outgrowth of the sentiment of the early settlers.

Mr. Ely, and a few others, came here in 1817. As soon as there were pupils enough to organize a school, Mr. Ely built a log house on the east side of the east branch of the river, on the corner of East Bridge street and the street leading to the cemetery. This building was erected in the fall of 1819. Miss Irene Allen, afterwards wife of Roger Cooley, taught the first school in the log house. The summer of 1820, Miss Julia Johnson taught in the same place. Some others who taught there were Dr. Howe, Mrs. Clark Eldred, Mr. Bronson, and perhaps a few others. Miss Pamelia Manter, afterwards Mrs. Ransom Redington, taught an unfinished term in the log house, in the summer of 1824. Among Miss Manter's pupils was a young man nineteen years old. The first day for which he was reproved by his teacher. Towards the close of the day, when standing in spelling class, he put his foot out to prevent a small pupil from going above him, on a word he had misspelled. When told that he must not do so, he said: '* What will you do with me? Will you whip me?" Miss Manter immediately replied that she would report him to the trustees of the school, and he would be dismissed. Ife gave no farther trouble. No school was taught in the log house after the winter of 1824-25.

The summer of 1825, Miss Manter taught a school in a house in Mr. Miles' garden. The house is, still standing in the same place, and is used as a residence. It is the house back of Mr. Monroe's business block, and is near the corner of Hast avenue and the street at the rear of the railroad depot. She had about fifty pupils, ranging in age from five to twenty. One pupil pursued the study of history. Other studies taught were such as pupils ordinarily pursue in ungraded schools.

What was known as the "'session room" was erected by Mr. Ely in 1823. It stood where the building now stands which Mr. Bean occupies as a grocery, on the corner of Broad and Hast Court streets. The "session room" is now occupied by Mr. Snearer as a store room for furniture. After the trustees ceased to use Mr. Miles' house for school purposes, school was taught in the "'session room" till the completion of the ''yellow school house," which stood where the town hall now is, on the west side of the public square. This building was erected for school purposes in the year 1827, and was used for such for a number of years. It now stands on the east side of Middle avenue, between Third and Fourth strects, and is occupied by the Catholic parochial school. Mr. Ely donated the land upon which the building was erected, and contributed one hundred and thirtyfive dollars towards its erection, and built the second story at his own expense, with the privilege of using the same in any way which would not injure the school. The remaining expense of the house was met by a tax on the property of district number one of

Elyria township, except that Mr. Ely's property was exempt on account of his liberal donation toward the enterprise. This was the first school house erected in the district, any part of whose expense was defrayed by a tax upon the property of the district.

From 1827 on till 1850 several private schools were successfully carried on in Elyria. Among these, the one known as the 'Elyria High School" should be mentioned in this connection. It was under the management of a. board of trustees known as the '"T'rustees of the Elyria High School." Mr. Ely erected a building on land at the rear of the Methodist church, between Broad and Second streets, in the year 1831, and leased the building and land to the trustees for a term of years.

were taught advanced studies as well as the common branches. J. H. Fairchild, now president of Oberlin College, and his brother, E. H. Fairchild, now president of Berea College, Kentucky, were wholly, or in part, prepared to enter college at this school.

Mr. and Mrs. Branch, Dr. A. B. Brown and wife, Rey. John P. Cowles, afterward professor in Oberlin College, Rev. Mr. Mills and Luther M. Oviatt, suecessively had the management of the Elyria high school.

After retiring from this school, Mr. Monteith established a school at his own house, where Mayor N. B. Gates now lives, where he and his wife taught for several years.

Rey. Mr. Grosvenor established a girls' school in what had been the Presbyterian church. The building now stands on Kast Third street, and is occupied as a dwelling.

In the spring of 1846 a meeting of the voters of school district number one was called to vote a tax of one thousand dollars, to be used in building a school house for the use of the common schools of the district. The vote was unfavorable. Many of the citizens feeling dissatisfied with the result of the vote,

In the winter of 1846-47, meetings were held in districts number one and nine, and each district voted a tax of one thousand dollars for the erection of a school house within its own territory. The following season the stone school house on the corner of East avenue and Third streets was erected in district number one, and a brick building in the west part of the village in number nine, Public schools are still taught in both these houses.

During these years the sentiment was growing among educators that the public schools of the cities and villages should be greatly improved. Much work was done by a few men to arouse the citizens to the importance of improving their schools. The result of their labors is the law which was enacted February

On the 13th of May, 1850, but a little more than a year after the passage of the above act, a notice wasposted in Elyria calling upon the citizens to assemble at the court house on the 24th of May, to decide by vote whether they would reorganize their schools under the law of 1849. The vote was favorable to reorganization. An election was held on the 8th day of June, 1850, at which the following persons were chosen members of the board of education: For three years, E. DeWitt and O. Cowles; for two years, M. W. Pond and Tabor Wood; for one year, C. 8. Goodwin and P. C. Dolley.

In October, 1850, Mr. Jason Canfield was called to take charge of the Elyria union schools, which consisted, at that time, of the two primary schools in the stone and brick houses which were erected in 1847, in the east and west parts of the village, an intermediate or secondary school and a high school, both of which were taught in the 'Elyria High School" building before mentioned in this article.

In April, 1851, Mr. Canfield was succeeded by Mr. M. J. Oatman, who remained in the schools for more than three years. The scholarship and experience of Mr. Oatman were such as to render him a valuable man in perfecting the organization upon which the schools had been started.

In 1853, another department was organized, making three below the high school. This school was taught in the old ''session room," which had previously been occupied for church, for a court room, and for schools.

The present high school building, between Middle and West avenues, was erected in pursuance of a vote of the electors of the union school district, at a mecting held January 26, 1856,-and adjourned to February 9, 1856, The building was commenced in 1856, and was completed in 1857, and first occupied by the high, grammar, and secondary departments, in the winter term of 1858. The old "high school" house and the '"session room" were now abandoned to other uses.

What are now known as the east and west side primary schools of the Elyria union schools, were formerly sub-districts number two and number six of Elyria township. These were assumed by the Elyria school board in April, 1864.

Seeing the need of more room for the increasing number of pupils, in 1868 the board erected a twostory wing on the south side of the high school building. In this wing are two rooms. The lower room was first occupied in September, 1868; the upper room was first used in September, 1870.

In 1875, the board erected a school building west of that occupied by the high school, fronting on Sixth street. This house contains four rooms, two of which were occupied in January, 1876, one in October, 1877, and one is still unoccupied.

The truth of the law "that like produces like" is forcibly illustrated in the life of Elizur G. Johnson, the seventh child of Hon. Nathan P. Johnson. He was born at Lagrange, Lorain Co., Nov. 24, 1836.

In those days a boy's life devoid of labor was a remarkable exception. E. G. Johnson's life was not the exception. His work for twenty-one years was on the homestead, except such time as was devoted to school and school teaching. The district school, Oberlin, for a time during the winter months, and an intelligent father were his sources of education.

Arriving at maturity, farm labor, the teaching of school, and other employments occupied him for a time. Then commencing the reading of the law under Mr. L. A. Sheldon, he was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio, making Lagrange his residence. He there remained for several years, practicing his profession; years more of hard work, study, and mental gain than pecuniary profit. Here, as his father had been before him, was he honored by his fellow-citizens with local offices.

Elected as auditor of Lorain County in 1868, Elyria became his residence. So strict was his attention to duty, and so courteous his treatment of all with whom business brought him into contact, that he was successively re-elected in 1870-1872, and again in 1874.

Leaving the auditor's office with a perfect record, Mr. Johnson again engaged in the practice of law at Elyria, in which and where he still remains, with a large and everincreasing practice.

was always found on the side of justice, temperance, and morality, and proved an efficient and ever active aid to the Republican party, of which he has been a member since its origin.

Holding at the present time, as he has for many years, the office of secretary of the Lorain County Agricultural Society, none have surpassed, and but few equaled him in endeavor, by word and act, to make said society the worthy

On Jan. 1, 1859, Miss Lydia D. Gott, of Lagrange (daughter of Peter Gott, an original settler in said township, yet living, over eighty years of age), became Mr. Johnson's wife.

To him in early days of toil and hardship. she was a true companion. And now with comforts on every side, a devoted member of the Methodist Church, with a fond mother's eye she watches the growth and education of seven children, ever holding in the mother's heart the memory of the two little ones that death took from her in childhood.

Mr. E. G. Johnson, yet in the vigor of manhood, warm in his friendships, generous to a fault, with private and public character untarnished, now reaps a glorious harvest. True it is, the seed was sown under every difficulty, but he was never discouraged ; and now, with a reputation fitting him for any office that his neighbors and fellow-citizens may call him to, he has well and honestly earned the high rank he takes among Lorain County's best men.

Judge John

John C. Hale was born at Oxford, New Hampshire, March 3, 1831. His parents were Aaron and Mary Hale. His mother's maiden name was Kent; she was a daughter of Thomas Kent. John ©. was born and brought up upon his father's farm, where he remained until he was nineteen years of age. During this period he availed himself of such advantages of education as the common schools of that State then provided. Feeling the necessity of something beyond this, he began fitting himself for college. Entering Dartmouth College soon after, he graduated in the class of 1857. At the end of his collegelife he found himself nearly a thousand dollars in debt, all of which he has since paid with interest. Immediately remoying to Cleveland, Ohio, he employed himself in teaching in the public schools of that city. In this employment he remained three years, in the mean time studying law with Judge Prentiss.

On the 27th day of December, 1859, he married Miss Carrie A. Sanborn, of Cleveland, Ohio. In July, 1861, he was admitted to the bar, and in October of the same year he removed to Elyria, Ohio, and commenced the fractice of the law. Here he soon won a cominanding position as a lawyer, and a high place in the confidence of the people. This is evidenced by the fact that in 1863, but two years after he came to Elyria, an entire stranger to the people of Lorain County, he was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney, which position, by two successive re-elections, he held for six years.

C. Hale

During this time he also held the office of register of bankruptcy, the duties of which he acceptably discharged until the consolidation of districts abolished the office.

In 1878 he was elected to the constitutional convention, and took an active and influential part in the deliberations of that body. Pleas, which position he now holds, and fills with distinguished

J udge Hale has always taken an active part in the promotion of every enterprise calculated to advance the public good. As amember of the village council and the board of education of Elyria, he rendered valuable services in behalf of education and economical municipal government.

As a lawyer he had no superior at the Lorain bar, a fact that is attested by his successful and lucrative practice. His clear perception, his candor and strict integrity, gave him early in his practice a strong hold upon the people, and a commanding position in his profession.

As a judge he brings to his assistance a large common sense, tempered by a thorough legal and scholastic education. Just in the vigor of manhood, with mental and physical powers undiminished, deserving and possessing the full confidence of the people, and guided by a strict integrity, his career of usefulness has but just commenced, and he will long hold the high position he has fairly won among the foremost men of Lorain County and the State of Ohio.

Judge Washington W. Boynton

Among the other New England States"that sent their hardy sons to mould the early history of Lorain County, Maine sent her representative in the Boynton family.

Lewis D. Boynton, father of Judge Boynton, was born in the State of Maine, in August, 1802. Emigrating to Ohio in 1826, he purchased a farm in - Russia township, Lorain Co., where and in Elyria he resided until his death, which occurred in September, A.D. 1875.

Washington W. Boynton was born in Russia township, Jan. 27, 1833, and spent his early years upon his father's farm. His father being of limited means, and charged with the support of a large family, did not think it practicable to send young Boynton to college, and he was forced to content himself with such advantages.as the common school of his district provided. Adding to this, constant study and close application, maturity found him eminent in scholarship, although no college had added a title to his name. From that time until the present he has been a hard student. For several winters he taught school, in the mean time pursuing the study of the law, which he early chose as his profession. He was for a number of years a member of the Board of School Examiners of Lorain County.

He was admitted to the bar in 1856, and he soon became prominent in his profession, a position which he held until chosen Common Pleas judge. In 1859 he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of prosecuting attorney, which office he held for two successive re-elections until the fall of 1863, when, on account of ill health, he resigned. <A trip to Minnesota, where he remained during the winter of 1863-64, gave him necessary rest, which, together with the change of climate, greatly improved his health. Returning to Elyria, he again opened a lawoffice, and soon found himself in the midst of an extensive and lucrative practice.

In 1865, Judge Boynton was elected to represent Lorain County in the Legislature for the term of two years. In 1867 he was the unanimous choice

While a member of the Legislature, Mr. Boynton had the honor and pluck to introduce a resolution proposing an amendment to the constitution of Ohio to strike the word "' white" from the clause relating to the election franchise. After a stormy debate in a House largely Republican, the resolution was defeated, lacking a few votes of the necessary two-thirds majority required to submit it to a vote of the people. This debate aroused such a sentiment throughout tre State that, in a few weeks after, a similar resolution was introduced into the Senate by Hon. Abner Kelloge, of Ashtabula, and having passed that body, was sent to the House, and after a heated debate finally adopted and the question submitted to the people. The proposition was lost, but it was soon followed by the amendment of the Federal constitution which forever put the question to rest..

In February, 1869, Mr. Boynton was appointed by Governor Hayes a Common Pleas judge of Lorain, Medina, and Summit Counties, on the resignation of Judge Burke. elected to fill the vacancy, and two years thereafter wide as the State, and at once stepped into the front In 1876 he was elected judge of the Supreme Court of the State, which position he still holds.

has been honored by the people with offices of trust and high responsibility, and in every capacity has proved himself a competent and fearless officer, and an upright and honest man.

As a lawyer, legislator, and jurist he has achieved a success that reflects great credit upon himself and honor upon Lorain County, whose representative he isif + ie

At a meeting of the board of education held November 17, 1859, a course of study for all the departments was adopted. In the grades below the high school, provision was made for instruction in reading, spelling, writing, drawing, vocal music, arithmetic, geography, grammar, composition, declamation, physiology, United States history, and morals. For the high school a three years' course of study was laid down, and provision was made for a fourth year, which was to be optional. The board then declared that pupils completing the full course of four years in the high school should receive a diploma from the president of the board, signed by its members, and also by the superintendent and examining committee.

The first class which graduated from the high school course was that of 1863, consisting of Lydia A. Ball, Beza N. Boynton and Henrietta C. Schaibly. A class had graduated in the year 1861, having completed some of the studies contained in the course before its adoption by the board. This class consisted of Cyrus Y. Durand, Thankful D. Boynton, Frances W. Sanford and Louise Terrell.

At a meeting of the board, held September 3, 1867, the course of study was revised. At the same mecting, a set of rules regulating the board meetings, and specifying the duty of members of board, of superintendent, teachers and pupils, was adopted.

"'Public schools are expensive. They cost the young people a great deal of valuable time. They cost teachers and other friends of education a great deal of labor and care. They cost tax-payers a good deal of money. But schools are worth all they cost. No community can afford to do without them. It is cheaper to support schools and churches than penitentiaries and infirmaries. Free public schools are the palladium of liberty. Universal education is the surety for the permanency of free institutions. Every good citizen feels a direct interest in the prosperity and efficiency of schools, and should also feel a personal responsibility therefor. Good schools are not only worth what they cost; they are worth understanding and caring for. The best way to know them is to go and see them. Any one may learn more about schools by visiting them a few hours, than by much fault-finding with the teachers and board of education."

The above quotation is made to indicate the sentiment which has pervaded the board of education of the Elyria union schools from their organization to the present time. They have spared neither time nor money necessary to carry on their schools in an efficient manner.

The course of study was again revised April 12, 1870, that for the first eight years being the same as in the Cleveland schools. In 1871, the board published a ''manual of the course of study, rules and regulations of the Elyria union schools." Since that time, the course of study has undergone some changes to adapt it more fully to the wants of the times. More attention has been paid to the use of language. Also much more time has been devoted to the acquisition of a knowledge of the best thoughts of the best

It has been the aim of the board to have the children of Elyria enjoy educational advantages equal to those enjoyed by the children of any other place in Ohio. They have endeavored to secure competent teachers, and to retain them as long as possible.

During the twenty-eight years of the Elyria high school, forty-one different ladies have been connected with it as teachers. Of these, Mrs. W. C. Catlin and Miss L. F. Ingram remained three years. <A few of the others remained two years, but most of them for a shorter time. Miss Beza N. Boynton, now Mrs. Peter H. Kaiser, was teacher in the high school four and two-thirds years in the aggregate, but her teaching was at three different times. What has been true of the high school, has been true of the lower grades. The want of permanency in the profession of teaching is an injury to the cause. Miss L. E. Smith has been for many years a teacher in some one of the different departments of the schools of Elyria. Her work deserves honorable mention. No adequate mention can be made of the good she has done in this community.

Since 1863, a class has graduated from a four years' course of study in the high school each year, except 1866 and 1871. The whole number of pupils who have graduated is eighty-eight, with a class of fifteen to graduate in 1879, making one hundred and three.

The advantages flowing from an efficient system of schools, in a place like Eryria, are not to be estimated by the number of graduates from the high school. Many young people have taken a portion of the course of study to prepare themselves for admission to higher institutions of learning. Many more have left school after completing half of the high school course of study to enter various callings. These have become much more successful in business and useful as citizens on account of the training received in the last two years of their course. Many pupils have left the lower grades of school to enter upon lives of idleness and crime. But when pupils have spent two years in the high school, they have formed habits of industry and application to their work which they carry with them into their life-work.

Graduates from the Elyria high school are filling positions of responsibility and trust in large manufacturing and business establishments, are practicing successfully the various professions, and are the light and life of many home circles,

Manufacturing Interests

We have already shown the Elyria of ''lang syne." We will now take a turn among its present-manufactories. Just below the depot of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railway, and connected with this railway by a spur track, stand the extensive brick buildings owned and occupied by the Messrs. ToPLIFF & Ezy, in the manufacture of special carriage hardware. These gentlemen, in the year 1865, erected a wooden building near the site of their present manufactory, and investing fifteen thousand dollars, began the making of hubs, spokes, ete. This branch of the business was abandoned in 1874. In the year 1874, they began the manufacture of tubular bow sockets for carriage bows, in a small room on Broad street. The rapidly-increasing business rendered additional room necessary, and in 1872 they completed the first of the brick buildings they now occupy. 'This was 24x64 feet in dimension, and two stories high. In 1874, another small building was added, but these were soon found wholly inadequate to accommodate the business, and in 1877 extensive enlargements were begun, which are just completed - showing a frontage of three hundred and forty feet, by an average depth of sixty-five feet. They have now invested in the business one hundred thousand dollars. They employ on an average forty workmen, with a monthly payroll of eighteen hundred dollars. The yearly sales aggregate one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The steel tubular bow socket is the principal article manufactured. It was patented in 1870 by f. N. Topliff, a brother of the senior partner of the present firm. This is the only manufactory of these goods in the world, and they find a market not only in the United States, where they have an immense sale, but in England, France, South America, Australia, etc. These buildings have their foundation upon the solid rock, which at this point crops out and forms the bank of Black river. The propelling power is derived from the waters of that stream, and from steam as a reserve. Their elegant engine is from the manufactory of C. H. Brown & Co., at Fitchburg, Mass., and is of one hundred horse power. One hundred and fifty sets of these sockets are made each day, or a complete set for a buggy every four minutes.

The Cleveland Screw And Tap Factory

This company was organized and commenced business in Cleveland in October, 1873. On the 23d of October, 1874, the works were shut down, and, as soon as practicable, the machinery was transferred to the commodious brick building, which had been erected in Elyria, this point offering superior facilities in many respects. The citizens of this town contributed liberally towards the erection of the building and to aid the company in other respects. This building is fifty by one handred and fifty feet in size and four stories high. It is located near the crossing of the L. S. & M. S. and the C., T. V. & W. railroads. The cost of the building was thirty-one thousand dollars; machinery, tools, ete., forty-seven thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight dollars. New articles of incorporation were issued on the 20th of November, 1874. The following officers were elected under the new charter: 8. H. Matthews, president; F. B. Hine, vice-president; C. H. Morgan, superintendent; W. F. Hulburt, secretary and treasurer. The above officers, with E. W. Phelps and R. C. DeWitt, constituted the board of directors. The present officers are F. B. Hine, president and treasurer; R. OC. DeWitt, vicepresident; M. H. Levagood, secretary and superintendent. 'The average number of hands employed is thirty-three; average monthly pay-roll, twelve hundred dollars; average yearly sales, twenty-eight thousand dollars.

The engine which drives the numerous ingenious machines of this establishment, is of on? hundred and fifty horse power. In addition to the manufactures implied by that name, are set and cup screws, hand and machine taps, cylinder studs, finished and casehardened nuts, ete.

Since the foregoing was written, we regret to add that, owing to losses resulting from many of its customers haying gone into bankruptcy, the general depression of the iron interests of the country, and bad management, the company has been compelled to make an assignment. M. H. Levagood, the assignee, still carries on the business. The stockholders will, doubtless, lose their entire stock, and the property will pass into the hands of the bond holders, who, it is hoped, will reorganize and carry on the business successfully.

The Elyria Shear Company

which occupies a portion of the screw and tap company's building, was incorporated on the 7th day of March, 1878, with an authorized capital of ten thousand dollars, which was paid in soon after the articles of incorporation were received. The first and present officers are: T. L. Nelson, president; W. P. Hatch, vice-president; M. A. Mihills, secretary; and John Clauso, treasurer. This industry alone fugnishes eme ployment for thirty-four workmen, who receive an aggregate of one thousand dollars, at the end of each month's labor. The monthly sales average thirty-five hundred dollars, and are steadily increasing. 'hey manufacture shears and scissors of every description, and of a superior quality. The company are general agents for the union knife company's cutlery, and intend soon commencing the manufacture of this class of goods.

Planing Mills

Dickinson, WittraAmMs & Faxon. - In 1852, Alexander Smith came from the east, formed a partnership with John W. Bullock, bought a lot north of the L. 8S. & M. 8S. Ry. depot, and erected thereon a building, which was fitted up with the machinery requisite for the manufacture of agricultural implements. In the year 1854, Mr. Bullock retired from the firm. Henry Thurston purchased his interest, and put in a planer and matcher, surface planer and machinery for making sash, doors, and blinds. In September, 1856, the building and contents were destroyed by fire. Messrs. Franklin and Levi A. Dickinson joined with Mr. Thurston, purchased the site, and erected a large, two-story building, and in the spring of 1857, began the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, etc., in connection with general planing mill work. They also engaged extensively in general jobbing and building. Clayton Johnson having become a member of the firm, the business was continued under the firm name of Dickinson, Johnson & Oo., until February, 1865, when Franklin Dickinson, (in consequence of failing health,) sold his interest to the two remaining partners. The business had grown to such magnitude that, from twelve to fifteen workmen were kept in constant employment. In 1871, extensive additions were made to the buildings, and improved machinery added. In 1875, Mr. Johnson sold his interest to George D. Williams and Theodore Faxon, and the business has been continued under the firm name of Dickinson, Williams and Faxon until the present time. The entire capital invested is fifteen thousand dollars. Average number of workmen employed, fifteen. Average monthly pay roll, seven hundred dollars. Engine, forty horse power. They also manufacture specialties in furniture.

The planing mill owned by John W. Hart is situated on Broad street. It was erected several years since, but of its early history we are unable to obtain details. Mr. Hart purchased the property in 1873, and has thoroughly refitted it with machinery of the latest and most approved pattern. The engine is of forty horse power. There is a force of eightcen workmen employed, who receive on the average eight hundred dollars pay monthly. Mr. Hart has invested in the business the snug sum of fifty thousand dollars.

C. Parsch's planing mill is located on Mill street, near the L. S. & M. 58. railway. He has five thousand dollars invested, and employs nine workmen. His engine is of twenty-five horse power. He also deals in shingles, lath, ete.

JamMES Houiis' FounpRY & MACHINE SHop. - Mr. Hollis has been engaged in this line of business in Elyria for about thirty years. He began work in his present building, on Maple street, in 1874, with a capital of five thousand five hundred dollars. He manufactures engines, horse powers, and does general repairs, foundry and machine work.

EK. F. Bronson manufactures (also on Maple street) the centennial lap board, and also specialties in fine furniture. The business, which was established in November, 1877, already represents a capital of six thousand dollars, and may be claimed among the

Elyria Variety Works

This business was established in the year 1867, by its present proprietor, Mr. James A. Tite. The manufactures are of a general nature - lawn mowers, feed cutters, etc. The specialty is of making hghtning rod tips. Engine is of fourteen horse power. The average number of workmen employed is nine.

Carriage Manufactory

That of Crisp & Hensen is the only exclusive manufactory of fine carriages in Elyria. These gentlemen commenced business in April, 1872, investing three thousand dollars. They employ an average of ten workmen. This establishment turns out a fine line of carriages, wagons, sleighs, etc.

Flouring Mills

Undoubtedly, the oldest flouring mill now in operation in Elyria is the one at the foot of Broad street, on the east branch of Black river, near the bridge. The present proprietor is Mr. Garret Reublin, who has recently purchased the property, investing ten thousand five hundred dollars. This mill has four run of stones, and is in fine condition. It does both custom and merchant milling. The principal propelling power is water, though there is a forty horse power engine, which is used in seasons when the water islow. The saw-mill adjoining, owned by the same gentleman, is of more recent construction.