Lorain City (part 31 of 77)

After the burning of the Willoughby Female Seminary, efforts were made to start a similar seminary at Elyria. To this enterprise Mr. Ely gave untiring work. Giving the land so beautiful, (upon which he afterwards built his residence,) subscribing not only money but material; laboring with others he succeeded in obtaining all that was asked of Elyria, and although failing in his endeavor, he had the satisfaction of feeling that all that he could do was done.

As the rebellion broke out in 1861, thronged was the court house at Elyria just after the first call for troops. What should Elyria do? Much was the talk, various the plans suggested, whereby to raise men and money. Speech followed speech. It was left for C. A. Ely, trembling with excitement, with flashing eye to warn the assembled audience that the impending struggle was to be no ephemeral 'affair, as others had stated ; that the situation meant men and money - money to support the families of those who answered their country's call. Mourning his feeble health that prevented actual service, he moved the appointment of a committee to raise funds for the desired purpoes. His princely subscription of $1,000 had its due effect, and many a man left that room a better man, in that he had followed, so far as he could, Mr. Ely's example.

Such are some of the salient features in the public life of this good man. Of his innumerable private kindnesses, his tender abnegation of self amongst personal friends, it were almost sacrilege to write.

Charles Arthur Ely fighting all the time against fearful odds, viz: depressing ill health ; knowing the short tenure of his life - was remarkable for his patience. The writer can recall no short look, cross word, or complaint, only as it proceeded from the sadness of that so grand heart, that ever looking at death as near neighbor, yet wished so much to live for the good of his fellow man. Dying in the prime of life, his memory is so thoroughly embalmed in the hearts of his fellow townsmen, that fathers and mothers will make his life and actions an example for their children, and as those children's children visit the Elyria library, his memory will ever become more dear.

In a sermon preached at Elyria, Feb. 8th, 1852, by the Rev. D. A. Grosvenor, on the death of Hon. Heman Ely, he said as follows: ''I asked Judge Ely shortly before death, '' How would you wish to amend your life were you to live it over?" He answered, "Were I to live my life over again, I would do more in this particular : I would do more for the community and the world." Deep must these words have sunk into Charles Arthur Ely's soul, for he lived for others.

Hon. Philemon Bliss

The subject of this sketch illustrates, in a forcible manner, what can be accomplished by a person possessing a well balanced and well cultivated mind, with increasing industry and application. For many years his life seemed to hang by a single thread, and when he went to Florida, in the fall of 1834, in the hope that its mild climate might prolong his life, his friends hardy dared hope that he would return alive.

He was born in Canton, Hartford county, Connecticut, July 28, 1813. In the summer of 1821, he removed, with his parents, (Asahel and Lydia Bliss), to the west part of Whitestown, Oneida county, New York, where, as a boy, he worked ona farm. From fifteen to nineteen years of age, he was away at school, most of the time; principally at the Oneida institute, at Whitesboro, New York, and at Hamilton college. The want of means prevented wim from graduating at the latter institution. Much of the time while at school; he worked for his board, or boarded himself in his room. In 1833, after leaving college, he entered the law office of Theodore Sill, (formerly Gold & Sill), of Whitesboro, where he studied the law until the fall of 1834, when, in consequence of bronchial troubles, which were becoming chronic, he went to Florida. At this time he was much emaciated, and his cough was constant and extremely harassing.

north, and soon after came to Elyria, where an older brother, the Hon. A. A. Bliss, was engaged in the practice of the law. After reaching Elyria, he was disposed to give up the study of the law, on account of his health, but on its improvement, he completed his studies, and entered upon the practice in 1841.

In the winter of 1848-9, he was elected by the general assembly of Ohio presiding judge of the fourteenth judicial district, which embraced the counties of Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga, which responsible position he filled, to the satisfaction of the bar and the public, until the judicial offices were vacated by the adoption of the new. constitution in 1851. The judges held their positions until the end of the year.

In the fall of 1854, he was elected a member of the thirty-fourth congress, and re-elected in 1856 to the thirty-fifth. He was a quiet, though an industrious, member of congress, and gained the respect and confidence of his fellow members, south as well as north. He made several carefully prepared arguments upon the legal aspects of slavery, in its relations to the

In 1861, he was appointed, by Mr. Lincoln, chief justice of Dakota Territory, but, after organizing the courts, and putting them in successful operation, resigned in 1864, before the expiration of his term, and went down the river to St. Joseph, Missouri, and united with the republicans in making Missouri a free State, as that State was not included in the president's proclamation, and it was feared that it would continue to sustain slavery. He was employed to edit the St. Joseph Daily Union, and had been down from Dakota before moying to St. Joseph, and for some months had written for the Daily Tribune, both of which were republican papers, and efficient in sustaining the republican policy of the State and national administrations.

In 1872, he was elected professor of law in the Missouri State university, and dean of the law faculty, and opened the law department, which position he now holds. He has published one or more law books, which are considered standard authority.

Such a record as the foregoing needs no comment. We may add that, his oldest son, William, has been, for several years,-United States district attorney for the eastern district of the state of Missouri, appointed by President Grant, and has filled that difficult position to the satisfaction of the government and people. We are proud of this Elyria boy. Some of his opinions are said to be among the ablest in the Missouri reports.

Dr. Luther Dwight Griswold

was born February 7, 1809, in Bloomfield, Hartford county, Conn. His father, Elijah Griswold, was a soldier of the revolution, haying entered the patriot army when but sixteen years of age. His mother, Lydia Adams Griswold, was a native of Massachusetts. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of a family of eleven children, of whom five were boys and six girls. All save one grew to maturity and became heads of families. But three of the number are now living. His father was a farmer and horticulturist. He spent a long life in collecting and cultivating the choicest varieties of fruits of that day, and probably had at one time the best collection in the State. The doctor was raised on the farm and acquired a taste for fruit growing and the cultivation of flowers, which he has retained through life, but circumstances have prevented its gratification to any great extent. His educational advantages were very limited. He attended the common district school summer and winter until he was ten years of age, and in the winter season until he was fifteen. At the age of sixteen he passed a country school through the winter. He had anumber of scholars from eighteen to twenty years of age, but had no difficulty in governing the school. At seventeen he determined to obtain better qualifications as a teacher, and attended a school of a higher grade. From that time until twenty-one years of age he taught every winter. While filling the position of a teacher he was an earnest student, and most of the limited education he obtained was acquired by the fireside and by the light of a tallow-candle. He worked on the farm summers until twenty-one years of age, at which time, with twenty dollars in his pocket, he started for the west. He stopped at Ludlowyville, Tompkins county, N. Y., to visit a brother, where he remained and taught school for one year. In September, 1831, he came to Elyria to visit two sisters who were at that time residing in that township. During the winters of 1831-2, and 1832-3, he taught school in the yellow school-house, it being the only school in the place. In the spring of 1832 he commenced the study of medicine with the late Doctor Samuel Strong, who was then residing in North Amherst.. He completed his preliminary studies under the tuition of the late Dr. Asa B. Brown. In the fall and winter of 1834-5, he attended a course of lectures at the Berkshire Medical College, located at Pittsfield, Mass., and at the close of the term received a license from the Massachusetts Medical Society. He was married on the 25th of March, 1835, to Miss Jerusha H. Smith, a former resident of Elyria. She died at Dayton, Ohio, on the 11th of March, 1875. For almost forty years she was to him a true and faithful wife and-a wise and prudent counsellor. Though a great sufferer from ill health during nearly the whole period of her married life, by her energy and force of character, she discharged the duties of a wife and foster-mother with such prudence and sound judgement as to win the love and confidence of her household and of her numerous friends and acquaintances. The memory of such a wife and mother is blessed. In the spring of 1835, he returned to Elyria and entered into partnership with the late Dr. R. L. Howard. Business being very dull through the summer, the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent in the fall and Dr. Griswold removed to Grafton, where he continued in practice for one year. In the fall of 1836 he was elected auditor of Lorain county, and returned to Elyria. At the close of his official term, in 1838 he entered into partnership with the late Dr. Luman Tenney, and removed to Amherst where he remained two years. In 1840 he returned to-Elyria. He continued in practice most of the time in connection with the late Dr. Eber W. Hubbard (with the exception of two years which he spent in Cleveland,) until _ the summer of 1862, when he entered the military service as surgeon of the one hundred and third regiment of Ohio volunteers. In 1844 the Cleveland Medical College conferred on him the honorary degree of M.D. In 1856 he was appointed by Governor

Salmon P. Chase, a trustee of the Northern Ohio Lunatic Asylum. In 1860 he was re-appointed to the same office by Governor Dennison. He held that position for the period of ten years, and became deeply interested in that as well as the other benevolent institutions of the State. He was one of the active agents in the organization of the Elyria Natural History Society, as well as one of the volunteer lecturers before that institution.

In reference to his military services, the doctor, while his regiment was stationed at Frankfort, took possession of a comfortable dwelling house and converted it into aregimental hospital, which was complimented by the medical inspector as a model institution. While here an event occurred which may be worth relating. the troops were ordered to drive all negroes from their camps, which order was not very rigidly enforced. A poor fellow named Ben, who had joined the regiment some forty miles in the rear, was brought to the hospital by the chaplain, with the request that he should be taken care of. So the doctor set him at work. Some two weeks afterwards Ben came trembling into the office saying his master was after him. The surgeon placed a revolver in his breast pocket, with the handle projecting, so as to be prepared for any emergency. Soon the owner came in, accompanied by two city marshals and a Catholic priest, and

"' Your boy," said the doctor ; ''you may be some of the negro thieves that are following the army, and arresting colored men in order to get the reward offered. I don't know you, sir. You must do two things before you can have him. First, you must prove your loyalty; and second, you must prove before the court your title to him, and if you, or either of you, lay a hand on him begs you coply with these terms, I will shoot you."

After conferring together for a few minutes, the owner, the priest and one of the marshals retired, and in about two hours returned with two writs, one commanding the doctor to appear before the court, and, on the owner's giving bond in the sum of sixteen hundred dollars, to appear before the court at its next term, and prove his title to Ben, he was to be given up. The other writ was for the doctor to appear at the same term, and prove-his title to the slave. By this time, a mob of about one thousand people had gathered in front of the hospital, and a company with the regimental band had paraded, also, in front, for the purpose of escorting the doctor to the court house. He sent them back to camp, mounted his horse, with Ben at his side, surrounded by a howling mob, and reported in court.

The officials were exceedingly polite, and presented a bond for his approval, which probably represented half a million of dollars, and Ben was handed over to his master. Had not the doctor been backed by a

The doctor placed his own law suit in the hands of John M. Harlan - a brother of Justice Harlan, of the supreme court - who took him before a notary, and he subscribed an oath that he was in the military service of the United States, which put the case off till the close of the war. In about a month, the doctor received a letter from Ben's master, proposing that, if he would pay the costs, he would withdraw the suit. The surgeon replied that, if the court at Cleveland decided, after the war, that he should pay the costs, he would do so. In about a year, while in Hast Tenn- ~ essee, he received a letter from Mr. Harlan, stating that the case had been dismissed at the plaintiff's cost.

In August, 1863, the regiment, (with the twentythird army corps,) crossed the Cumberland mountains into Kast Tennessee, the rebel army retiring before them.

Early in November, the Union army was all concentrated at Knoxville, indulging the vain hope that they were going into winter quarters. Before the cabins for quarters were completed, General Longstreet appeared before the city, with ten thousand troops, and the seige of Knoxville commenced. The skirmishers, on both sides, were under fire, day and night, for twenty-two days. Several battles occurred during the time.

The battle of Armstrong's Hill was fought on the the 27th of November, in which the one hundred and third bore a conspicuous part. The rebel assault was repulsed, with great loss to them. The one hundred and third lost, in that engagement, two killed and thirty-two wounded, many of whom died of their wounds. Surgeon Griswold made temporary dressings of their wounds, as they were brought in, treating union and rebel soldiers alike, and sent them in ambulances to a new hospital in the city. He visited the hospital the next day, and found the wounded lying on the floor, in their bloody clothing, without even blankets to cover them. He proposed at once to take charge of his own men, and soon after was appointed surgeon in charge of the hospital. He soon procured, through the quartermaster, a supply of wooden bunks, and the union ladies of Knoxville, (of whom Mrs. Smoyer - a daughter of Parson Brownlow and now the wife of Dr. Boynton, late of this place - was a leading spirit,) a quantity of bed-ticks. He also secured a load of straw and blankets, and the poor wounded soldiers soon had comfortable beds. He was also appointed surgeon in charge of hospital No. 4, which contained five hundred patients, and, for a time, had charge of two hospitals, containing, in the aggregate, eight hundred sick and wounded soldiers.

The men suffered greatly for want of proper nourishment, during the siege, but after the seige was raised, and railroad communication opened, by aid of the government and the christian and sanitary com-

On the first of May, the twenty-third army corps started on the Atlanta campaign. The one hundred and third regiment fought its first great battle on the 12th of May, at Resaca, Georgia. It went into the fight three hundred strong, and came out with a loss of twelve killed and eighty-two wounded.

Surgeon Griswold was ordered to the rear, at the beginning of the fight, to establish a field hospital for the third division, As fast as hospital tents could be put up, they were filled with wounded, and in about three hours the hospital contained three hundred and sixty-two wounded men. The hospital of the second division, near by, contained about the same number. The doctor being at the time chief operator for the division, was engaged for thirty-six hours, with a corps of assistants, in performing the necessary operations and in dressing the wounds. He performed a number of capital operations, including three amputations of the thigh and two of the shoulder. As soon as possible, the field hospital was broken up, and the patients sent to Chattanooga, as the army had moved on in pursuit of Joe Johnson, the rebel general. He was then placed in charge of the corps hospital, which in about two weeks was also broken up, and the patients sent to the rear. He soon joined the main army, which was about forty miles in advance. Asa line of skirmishers was kept constantly in advance, who were day and night exchanging shots with the rebel skirmishers, wounded men were brought to the rear for treatment every day, and the surgeons were not idle. During this campaign, Dr. Griswold slept on the muddy ground, under a dog kennel tent, almost every night. It rained twenty-two days in succession, and his blanket and clothing were never dry during that time.

At length, after crossing the Chattahoochee river, having arrived within eight miles of Atlanta, the objective point of the campaign, Dr. Griswold found himself so reduced in strength by the diseases and fatigues of the camp and field, that he very reluctantly resigned his position in the army and returned home. After regaining his health, he again entered upon the practice of his profession.

In 1865, he was elected to the Ohio senate, and was re-elected in 1867. During his four years' service as senator, he was faithful in the discharge of his duties, being always in his'seat, and gave general satisfaction to his constituents. He was principally instrumental in securing the passage of a law for the establishment of the Reform and Industrial School for Girls. He» had felt for years that the interests of the people of the State demanded a home for incorrigible and vicious young girls, where they could be reformed, educated and fitted for lives of usefulness, In order to carry these views into effect, during the session of 1868, he offered a resolution for the creation of such an institution, and for the appointment of a committee to fix upon a location, and to report at the adjourned session. The resolution was agreed to, and the doctor was appointed a member of the committee. The work of the committee was thrown principally upon him, and during the summer recess he corresponded extensively with the authorities of kindred institutions in this country and England. Soon after the general assembly re-assembled, he presented a report which attracted considerable attentian, and a large number of extra copies were ordered' to be printed. The bill accompanying the report became a law, and thus was established one of the most beneficent institutions of the State.

After the close of the war of the rebellion, Dr. Griswold, with many other members of the grand army of the republic, felt a deep interest in the welfare of the orphans of our dead soldiers, many of whom were homeless and inmates of county infirmaries. At a meeting of the grand army at Sandusky, in the spring of 1869, measures were instituted for the establishment of a home for soldiers' orphans, where they could be provided for and educated. 'The Rev. Geo. W. Collier was appointed a general agent of the society, who traveled extensively through the State, addressed public meetings, and collected considerable money for the establishment of such a home, In December following, the home was opened in the city of Xenia, and sustained for several months by contributions of the grand army of the republic. In the spring of 1870, it was adopted by the general assembly as a State institution, and Dr. Griswold was appointed its first superintendent. The people of Xenia and the county of Greene has donated to the grand army one hundred acres of excellent land, located within half a mile of the city, composed of clear land for cultivation, and an open forest, and commanding a fine view of the city. They had also 'agreed to put up buildings for the accommodation of two hundred and fifty children. The grand army had erected two brick cottages, and got out timber for a large barn. Xenia put up the frame, and in a very rough manner converted it into school rooms and a home for the children. This was the condition of things when the doctor took charge of the home. The grand army had previously turned the entire property over to the State. The grounds required to be cleared up; tree tops, brush, chips and stumps were gathered and piled in large heaps by the children. The burning of these piles at night afforded them great delight. The doctor remained in charge of the home a little more than four years, when he was superceded from political considerations only.

During his administration, the number of children increased from one hundred and fifty to six hundred. A large central building was erected, with an extension to the rear of one hundred and thirty feet. The | basement of this contained a kitchen and bakery; the second story a dining room, one hundred and thirty feet in length. The third story was used for a storeroom, sewing rooms and sleeping rooms for the employes. Twenty brick cottages were erected, each

In 1822, from Genesee Co., N. Y., came to Avon, Lorain Co., Ohio, the parents of Ansor Braman, who was born in said county in 1811. In the year 1832, A. Braman removed from Avon to Carlisle, where he followed the vocation of farmer and nurseryman. In 1855 he removed to Elyria, Lorain Co., Ohio; where he started the nurseries now owned by J. C. Hill.

Remaining in Elyria until 1872, he went to Northport, Mich., where he now resides with the faithful wife who shared the struggles of his early Carlisle life. She - of maiden name Miss Emeline Vincent - was born at Mount Washington, Berkshire Co., Mass., Oct. 10, 1818 ; commencing the duties of a wife at Carlisle in 1835. Their oldest child, William A., was born at Carlisle, Oct. 4, 1836. Twenty-one years were spent on the home farm. When desirous of better education, he worked by the month on other farms. Teaching school during the winter gave to him the necessary funds with which to gratify his desires. Thus passed seven years.

The following three years found him in partnership with J. E. Boynton, engaged in the purchase and sale of cheese. During the spring of 1874 the firm of Braman, Horr & Warner was founded, for the manufacture and general dealing in cheese and butter, with which firm he still remains connected.

This firm has become one of the largest in Northern Ohio, its business averaging during the last four years two hundred thousand dollars per year. Whilst buying to a certain extent of others, the great bulk of the butter and cheese handled by them has been and is of their own manufacture through their control of the many factories of Northern Lorain County and adjacent territory, controlling the past year the products of over four hundred dairymen, and four thousand cows.

Mr. Braman was married, April 18, 1865, to Miss Sophia E. Patterson, daughter of Hiram Patterson, then of Katon, Lorain Co., Ohio. Two sons and one daughter make cheerful his pleasant home at Elyria, to which place he came, as a permanent resident, from Carlisle in 1869.

Mr. Braman is distinguished for his untiring energy and clear perceptions. These qualifications have made him a leading business man of Lorain County, and one eminently fitted for official position. Various are the places of trust he has filled: township trustee for four years; president of the Lorain County Agricultural Society six years, a full record of which is given in the history of said society in this history ; commissioner of Lorain County. All were filled with such fidelity that-the reputation thus formed makes him one of the present members of the Union School Board, a place held by him since 1873. He was one of the directors of the Savings Deposit Bank of Elyria from its foundation. This faithfulness to trusts imposed also gave to him the treasurership of Lorain Co., Ohio, in 1876, and again in 1878 by acclamation, no competitor even appearing in the conventions that honored him so highly.

Mr. Braman, in the prime of life, with every surrounding pleasant, both private and public, may well take pride for the high rank he takes among Lorain County's " leading men."

Aug. 9, 1861, he enlisted as private in Company I, 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served the first year in West Virginia, and afterwards in the Army of the Potomac. Advanced to the position of sergeant, he was, at the consolidation of the 4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry into the 4th Battalion, made a first lieutenant. He was wounded at the battle of North Anna River, May 24, 1864. A return to the comrades of three years' noble work for the Republic gave him honorable discharge after full term of enlistment.

Returning to Elyria, August, 1864, he soon engaged in whatever his hand might find. For eight years he was elected to various offices in the township of Elyria, for

He was married, Sept. 5, 1865, to Miss Helen M. Nickerson, who gave to him five children, three now living and two dead. Now in active business as coal merchant, even with a limb partially paralyzed by a "' rebel bullet ;" in easy circumstances, he forgets the early toil and struggles of a two stories high, and a capacity for thirty children, also a commodious and well-arranged hospital, a chapel, a laundry, and a building for steam boilers, which furnished power for the laundry, and warmed all the buildings of the institution, except the chapel, which was heated by a furnace. A water tower was also erected, eighty feet in height, which contained tanks in the top, with a capacity for one thousand barrels of water. From this tower water was conveyed to all the cottages and the hospital, as well as to the steam boilers. The water was forced to the top of this tower from a clear spring stream at the base of the hill, some sixty rods distant, by a steam forcepump. 'The gas works were also located at the base of the hill. The lawn in front of the main building and cottages was ornamented with trees, shrubbery and flowering plants from the green-house. The children at the home were bright and happy; many of them were beautiful, and attracted the attention of friends and visitors. in their education. They looked upon the superintendent as their second father, and will remember him with gratitude and love long after he has passed away. 'This was the crowning work of his life.

is the fifth child in a family of eight children, of David and Betsey (Merriam) Kelsey, the former of whom was born in Newport, New Hampshire, November 11, 1790, the latter at Brandon, Vermont.

L. C. Kelsey was born at Whiting, Vermont, July 18, 1824. At the age of three years, he removed with his parents to Brandon, Vermont, where he attended the common schools, durmg the winter months, and in the summer season, worked upon his father's farm. He subsequently entered the Brandon seminary, remaining there until he reached his seventeenth year, when he removed to Ohio, and entered the preparatory department of Oberlin collegiate institute; teaching school during the winter vacations. He left college in the sophomore year, and went to Geneva, Illinois, and there taught a select school, with marked success.

He subsequently returned to Ohio, and located at Mt. Vernon, where, for two years, he studied dentistry with his brother, Dr. C. M. Kelsey. After completing his studies in dentistry, he located and practiced his profession at Galion, Ohio, where he remained about two years.

Not feeling entirely satisfied with that profession, and wishing for a wider field of activity, in a more public way, he entered the Unitarian theoiogical school, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, from which institution he was honorably graduated, in 1854, after which he moved to Dixon, Illinois, and formed a Unitarian society, raised funds for the erection of a fine church edifice, and remained its pastor for almost three years.

On account of failing health, he left Dixon, and returned to Ohio, and located temporarily at Newark, where, after recuperating his impaired health, he resumed the practice of dentistry. From Newark, he moved to Malta, Illinois; and while there, the war of the rebellion broke out, and in August, 1862, Dr. Kelsey entered the union service as a private in the one hundred and twenty-fourth Illinois volunteer infantry, and remained in the army until after the close of the war. He participated in several engagements, notably those of Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hills, and the seige of Vicksburg. After the fall of

On his discharge, he settled permanently in Elyria, where he has since been a successful practitioner of dentistry. He is a man of more than ordinary literary attainments, and is thoroughly educated in his profession. Two diplomas have been granted him; one from the Unitarian theological school, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, and one from the Ohio State board of examiners, for the practice of dentistry.

Dr. Kelsey has been twice married; first, in 1849, to Miss Elizabeth M. Avery, of Wellington, O., who died at Dixon, Ill., in 1857. By this union were born two children, Harriet J. and Frances Estella, the latter of whom died in infancy. For his second (and present) wife, he married Cordelia Webster, of Carlisle, O., by whom he has six children, Kate Isadore, Elizabeth M., Charles 8., Grace M., Ada May and Florence W.

In politics Dr. Kelsey is a steadfast and consistent republi: n.. Since 1871 he has held the office of corporation clerk of Elyria, which office he has filled with satisfaction to the people at large, and to his personal credit. The doctor is an able exponent of the Unitarian faith, and an exemplary member of that religious sect. His general reputation is so well known to the people of Lorain county, that anything of a laudatory nature we could say of him would be entirely superfluous. His business probity and thie general rectitude of his life are proverbial, while his activity in the various enterprises calculated to promote the best interests of the community of which he is an honored member, is a well established fact.

William W. Aldrich

William W. Aldrich was born in Dover, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, October 17, 1817, - son of Aaron and Elizabeth Aldrich, who were natives of Rhode Island. A. Aldrich was born April 27, 1793, and Elizabeth was born December 22, 1795, by maiden name, Winsor. Married September 11, 1814. In 1816 they removed to Dover, Ohio. The journey there consumed six weeks of toilsome travel. Passing through Cleveland, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, only three dwellings greeted the eyes of Mr. A. and his companion, in the place of the so many fine mansions, that make it now so beautiful. In the history of Mr. A. Aldrich, occurs one of the rare and signal interpositions of divine providence, which it is pleasurable to record. Soon after his arrival amongst the woods of Dover, he became disabled from excessive labor. Having been reared in factory life, the labor of felling the forest was too much for him? What should he do? Disqualified as a woodsman; a growing family upon his hands, and in a country uncultivated, unexpected as the ''manna" descended for the relief of the children of Israel, came a letter from a stranger, authorized by a company of strangers. This proposed a removal to Otsego county, N, Y., where he might take charge of a cotton factory, with a salary of eight hundred dollars per year, with house rent and _ firewood free. This proposal was accepted asa. godsend. For several years he remained in this employ, each year increasing his compensation, until Mr. Levi Beebe, of Watertown, N. Y. proposed higher wages, wishing Mr. Aldrich to put a.cotton factory in operationat that place. Consenting, Mr. Aldrich remained at Watertown for nearly two years, when, finding himself provided with necessary means to found a home for himself and family, he again moved to Ohio. He re-settled in Dover in 1829. Habits of industry and economy secured for him a comfortable and beautiful home on the shore of Lake Erie, a few miles west of the romantic residence of Ex-Governor Wood.

Mr. A. Aldrich affords a commendable example of industry, frugality, integrity, benevolence, piety and good will toward all men. Of a sound and discriminating mind, he was for many years selected as a mazistrate in the township. In the discharge of the duties of said office he was ever more anxious to adjust matters of difference by compromise than litigation - neyer an instigator of quarrels, but a peace maker.

Mr. Aldrich and wife were baptized and united with the First Baptist church in Avon, Ohio, in 1832, elder Hanks officiating. In 1836 Mr. Aldrich was one of the original five who met and formed the First Baptist church of Dover, Ohio. For many years he maintained his christian profession with uniform consistency, and the jeer of the infidel was put to silence by his godly life.

Died, in Dover, on May 27, 1856, Deacon Aaron A. Aldrich, aged sixty-three years and one month. In his decease the Baptist church sustained an irreparable loss in member and office bearer; community mourned the loss of one whom all joined in saying, 'che was truly a good man." To his family he was ever dear, and his memory is ever hallowed at the family altar which he soconstantly visited, no matter what the pressure might be of worldly business. Six

Mrs. Elizabeth Aldrich died December 21, 1869. She was a faithful christian worker, was always kind to the poor and needy, and ever ready and willing to supply their needs.

William W. Aldrich, son of Aaron Aldrich, received the advantages of a good common district school education until twelve years of age. 'Three years after that he attended school during the winter months. With this exception, he from choice, worked faithfully for his father until he was twenty-one years of age. These early years were spent in clearing up the forest, making roads, tearing down the old log dwelling, and replacing it with new structures. Often did he work until midnight to burn the log heap rolled together during the day. Homespun garments he wore, homespun tow and linen in summer, the fuller cloth in winter. Well does he remember the yoke of cattle and lumber wagon that, filled with father's family and neighbors, he so often drove to the old town house in Dover, where all denominations met under one roof to worship a common father.

At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Aldrich hired to his father for the term of one year, at eleven dollars per month; losing but a half day's time once in four weeks - this to attend covenant meetings.

February 5, 1840, Mr. Aldrich was married to Miss Martha Bassett, daughter of Nathan Bassett, of Dover. Renting his father's farm, he worked it for one year, receiving one-third of its products for his share. At this time, with twenty-five dollars as first payment, he commenced on a farm of his own. Five years, only, passed, when he was the owner of seventy-five acres of land. From this time, while he remained in Dover, he was ever active in business. His good wife, in every sense of the word a helpmate, by her wisdom and prudence, contributed largely to the success which followed.

Soon after the death of Mrs. Aldrich's father, who was killed by lightning, April 6, 1842, Mr. Aldrich took possession of the ''old homestead," buying up the other heirs. To this valuable farm of one hundred and sixty-eight acres, he added many other acres.

Commencing, in 1844, in a small way, the slaughtering business, increasing trade led him to build a slaughter house, from which, for twenty-five years, he supplied Cleveland markets. At the same time, he was engaged on Lake Erie in a general coastwise trade. Wood and ship plank from Black River to Cleveland, limestone from Kelly's Island, and coal to Detroit, kept busy three scows - the ' Mayflower," purchased of Livingstone & Phelps, of Black River; the scow '* Consuello," of the same place; and finally, the scow '' Wave," of Fairport, Ohio. All these ventures added to his capital, which he employed in general speculations; dealing largely in horses, cattle, sheep - in fact, in any thing that could be traded or sold.

Mrs. M. W. Pond

In the spring of 1870, Mr. Aldrich removed to Elyria, where he purchased of Thomas Ashton the well known Charles Abbe farm, paying for the same a few thorough bred Hereford cattle, since which time he has made the breeding of that class a successful specialty, until the present day. Mr. Aldrich, when he first commenced the handling of Herefords, found it to be an ''up hill" business. At town, county, or State fair, public opinion was against him; but his energy, skill, and business courtesy, soon set men everywhere to thinking. And now, (as the old Grecians marked a happy day with a white stone,) Mr. Aldrich, in his travels through many States, finds very many white-faced Herefords that say to him, "'Your toil and patience have made me worthy of notice." The issue of the first cow, '' Florena," alone brought Mr..Aldrich two thousand, five hundred dollars. Competing at many of the State fairs, his success has been unequalled, and to-day, Mr. W. W. Aldrich is recognized as the leading Hereford breeder of the United States, with only one exception, viz: Mr. T. L. Miller, of Illinois, who purchased his first stock of Mr. Aldrich.

Martha, the first wife of Mr. Aldrich, died November 29, 1875, leaving eight children to mourn the loss - of one, who, as wife, mother, and member of the Congregational church, filled well every function of the true woman.

consin, with whom he is happily living. In her younger days, she was a resident of Avon, Lorain county, Ohio. For a time after her marriage with Mr. Hilliard, they resided in Avon and Dover, where they formed many strong friendships. After an absence of twenty years in Wisconsin, ten years as a widow, surrounded by a happy home, kind friends, and a large circle of acquaintances, all of whom were reluctant to part with her, yet wishing her every joy and all happiness, they bade her farewell, as with her husband she returned to the friends of her youth. Mrs. Aldrich, in her fourteenth year, .professed her faith in Christ, and united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and has ever since lived a consistent christian life.

Mr. W. W. Aldrich, on profession of his faith, was baptized by Elder Moses Ware, and united with the First Baptist church, at Avon, Ohio, A. D. 1835, which membership he retained until January 27, 1836. At that time four brethren, viz: A. A. Aldrich, Wm. W. Aldrich, Jesse Atwill, Wm. Nesbit, and Sister Alexander met in conference, and resolved, with the advice of sister churches, to form a church in Dover. Said conference, met February 24, 1836, and formed said church, Elder Ware giving the "right hand of fellowship."

On the 5th of March following, this little band met for church and covenant meeting, and voted Mr. W. W. Aldrich clerk of their body, which office he held for nine years. To this church did Mr. Aldrich belong until 1856, when, on the death of his father and the removal of many of the members, the church was disbanded. Mr. Aldrich has never since united with a church, but has ever lived and maintained his first profession, by a well ordered life, and godly conversation.

Mr. Aldrich is yet hale and hearty, with a pleasant home, dear wife, kind children, and stands out as an example of what integrity, temperance, and economy may do for a man.

Martin Webster Pond

Was born in Harwinton, Connecticut, on the 12th of March, A. D. 1814. His father, Roswell Pond, was born July 15, 1772. His mother's maiden name was Hannah Webster. Mr. Pond descended from revolutionary stock, his grandfather (who was born "at Bradford, Connecticut, in 1746) was a soldier of the Revolution, under Washington, and died on Long Island, July 8, 1776.

In April, 1825, his sister, Lydia Pond, was married to Ezra S. Adams, a son of General Adams, of Canton, Connecticut; and as they were about to emigrate to New Connecticut, which was then considered the far west, she prevailed upon his father and mother to permit them to take Martin (then but eleven years old) with them. They traveled the entire distance from Canton to Elyria with a single horse and wagon. Mr. Adams arrived at Elyria, the terminus of his journey, on the 1st of July, and established the first saddle and harness manufactory in Lorain county. Their goods were shipped by the Erie Canal and Lake Erie, and were landed at Cleveland the last of June.

Martin had attended the common schools of his native State, and the first winter after his arrival in Elyria attended the district school, taught by Norris O. Stow. He afterwards, until sixteen years of age, attended the district school in the old yellow school house, and for a single term, the select school taught by the late Schuyler Putnam.

He then entered the shop of his brother-in-law, the late E. S. Adams, as an apprentice, and worked faithfully until he had completed his twenty-first -year. Soon after attaining his majority, he left Elyria for the purpose of perfecting himself in the art of saddlemaking, in which he took great pride. During. his absence, he worked at Cleveland, Detroit, Wheeling, Va., and other places. He returned to Elyria at the end of two yeais, with impaired health, but with a consciousness that he was capable of making a good saddle. After his health was in a measure restored, he again engaged in the business of his trade, which he followed until the year 1852. During these years, he formed various partnerships, at first with B. F. Robinson, secondly with Waterman Morse, and afterward with the late William Doolittle.

Pond left Elyria for California, by the Nicaragua route. Being delayed twenty-one days on the isthmus, where he was attacked with Panama fever, he finally, after a tedious voyage of sixty-six days from the time of leaving home, arrived at San Francisco in a very feeble condition. He gradually recovered his health, and engaged in mining, his head-quarters being at Nevada City. He returned to Elyria, via the Panama route in June, 1853, and again entered into partnership wit Waterman Morse, in carrying on the saddlery and harness business. This connection terminated at the end of a year, and Mr. Morse conducted the business alone. In March, 1858, the fire that swept away the old Mansion House, destroyed also the adjoining building belonging to Mr. Pond, which he immediately rebuilt, and in January, 1859, he engaged in his old business, which he continued until 1870, when he engaged in the manufacture of a harness pad, for which he had obtained a patent. In 1862, he invented the first successful tug buckle, to the sale and introduction of which he gave much attention until 1870.

On the tenth of December, 1835, the subject of our sketch married Miss Eliza J. Sayles, who was born at Mayville, Chatauqua county, N. Y. They have been blessed with a family of five sons and one daughter. One of the sons died in childhood, another, Horace, from disease caused by exposure and arduous duties in the Union army during the late rebellion. Three sons are living and filling responsible positions in business. 'Che daughter is married and is a good wife and mother.

Mr. Pond has filled many positions of honor and trust conferred on him by his fellow citizens. An ardent Mason, he has filled many offices in the different branches of that order. He has been treasurer of Marshall Chapter, No. 47, for fifteen consecutive years. In 1841, he assisted in forming at Elyria a lodge of the '* Mechanic's Mutual Protection," an order founded for the benefit of practical mechanics. It held weekly meetings, at most of which lectures were delivered, and the association was supplied with books and other means of improvement. Perhaps no institution has exerted so permanent an influence for good upon the citizens of Elyria as the lodge above referred to. The organizaticn of our present excellent system of union schools, was to a great extent effected through its influence, On 'the passage of a bill by the general assembly for the founding of union schools, this institution, through a committee, corresponded with the friends of education in other cities in regard to the merits of such schools in their midst. The Protection then appointed a committee consisting of Mr. Pond and 'Thomas Quark to obtain the signatures of six freeholders to a call for a public meeting none of them to be members of the Protection. After three days of hard labor they obtained the following signatures: Robbins Burrell, Roswell Snow, N. H. Manter, Herrick Parker, Tabor Wood, and William Olcott, none of them members of the Protection but committee could not obtain the requisite number outside the order. The meeting was held at the court house in Elyria, on the 24th of May, 1850; a favorable vote was secured, and thus, by the untiring and persistent work of the protection our union schools were established.

Such is a brief record of the life of Mr. Pond, With a competency won by honest labor, and enjoying the respect of his fellow citizens, he may be classed among the representative men of Elyria.

Hon. Stevenson Burke

The subject of this sketch was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., November 26, 1826. In March, 1834, his father removed from New York to Ohio, wnd settled in North Ridgeville, Lorain county, where he resided up to the time of his decease, in August, 1875. The subject of this sketch had in early life such facilities as the common schools of the time afforded, which consisted of about ninety days of very indifferent instruction in the winter, and none during the rest of the year. At about the age of sixteen, he had the benefit of instruction in a very good select school at Ridgeville Center; and afterwards he studied several terms in a private school, conducted by T. M. Oviatt, at Elyria. Luter still, he studied a year or so at Delaware University, where, in 1846, he commenced the study of law with Messrs. Powell & Buck. In the spring of 1848, he returned to Elyria and completed his studies, preparatory to admission to the bar, under the instruction of Hon. H. D. Clark, and was admitted to practice by the supreme court August 11, 1848, and at once commenced the practice at 'Elyria. In April, 1849, Mr. Clark, who was then one of the most prominent and successful lawyers at the bar in Lorain county, admitted him into a copartnership, which continued up to May, 1852.

We have thus in a few lines sketched the career, up to the tine he commenced the practice of the Jaw wlone, of one who, for more than twenty-five years, has occupied a very prominent position at the bar in Northern Ohio. From 1852 to February, 1862, Mr. Burke devoted himself to the practice of his profession with such zeal and devotion to the interests of his clients, as to merit and command success. There were few cases tried in the court of common pleas, or district court of Lorain county, or in the supreme court taken from Lorain county, in which he was not engaged. His industry and attention to business were rare and a!most exceptional. He spent no time in idleness, and his patrons were always sure to find him in his office in business hours, unless engaged in business elsewhere. His close attention to business and sedentary habits affected seriously his health, and in 1861 he found his health so seriously impaired as to render a change of business necessary; and his friends having secured his election as one of the judges of the court of common pleas of the fourth judicial district of Ohio, he gave up his practice and entered upon the discharge of his 'duties as judge. After serving a term of five years to the satisfaction of the bar and the people, he was re-elected in 1866 fora second term. He served, however, but two years of his second term, when, having regained his health, he resigned his position as judge, January 1, 1869, and at once commenced the practice of law in Cleveland, in partnership with Hon. F. T. Backus and EK. J. Estep, Esq. The copartnership was dissolved by the death of Mr. Backus, in May, 1870, but was continued with Mr. Estep until the winter or spring of 1875, since which time he has practiced alone. His practice in Cleveland has been a very successful one. He has been constantly engaged in the courts and'in his office, and during the last ten years has probably tried as many cases of importance, involving large amounts of money or property, as any lawyer in Northern Ohio. He has during that period argued many cases in the supreme court.of the State of Ohio, several in the United States supreme court, and in the supreme courts of adjoining States. The history of the profession in Northern Ohio furnishes few examples of a more sucoessful practice.

In addition to his professional business, Judge Burke has devoted much attention to other business; he is now, and has been for several years past, a director and chairman of the finance and executive committee of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis Railway Company, and its general counsel. He has held for several years and still holds the position of director, general counsel and chairman of the finance and executive committee of the Cleveland and Mahoning Valley Railway Company, and he is also the representative in this country of all the stock of the last-named company, it being owned in Europe. He is also the representative. of the owners of the stock of the Shenango and Allegheny Railroad Company, and also of the Mercer Mining and Manufacturing Company, and a director in both of the lastnamed companies. He has been for some time a director of the Cincinnati, Springfield and Indianapolis and St. Louis railroad companies. He has also for several years been a director of the Lake Shore Foundry and director and president of the Cleveland and Snow Fork Coal Company, both large private corporations.

The foregoing is a very brief outline of a very active professional and business life. It is too early yet to compare the subject of this brief sketch with others, or go into detail in regard to his professional, judicial and business career; he is still in the prime of life; time has dealt gently with him, and his appearance indicates that he has many years of active life still before him.

Elwood P. Haines

A mother dying at Bordentown, N. J., left an only child, Elwood P. Haines, three months.of age, who was born March 4, 1834. Soon after her death, Mr. Haines, with his mother and little son, came to Ohio, where they settled, in Deerfield, Portage county. Engaging in farming, this young life had every advantage of nature's kindly teachings; and the aspirations which grew with his years, had their beginning here. He early turned his attention toward a professional life; and to this end he availed himself of the excellent advantages afforded by an academy in a neighboring town, where he studied for years preparing for Western Reserve College. These preparations were finished under the instructions of Rev. Elias C. Sharp, a man of blessed memory in Atwater. He went through his college course and received his diploma at its close with honor to himself - ever a joy and delight to his friends. Having concluded to study medicine, he went into the office of Dr. Dudiey Allen, now of Oberlin. where he remained some time, after which he took a course at Michigan University, where he graduated, receiving also the degree of M.D. from the Cleveland Medical College.

Then came the war of the rebellion. He waited not for high position, but at once enlisted as hospital steward. The duties of this office were so well performed, that on March 2, 1863, he was appointed assistant surgeon of the Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. A letter from the surgeon-general of Ohio, dated August 29, 1864, says as follows:

"Enclosed, please find your commission as major surgeon of the Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a promotion conferred for long and meritorious services."'

With such record did Dr. Haines leave the service of his country, June 26, 1865. His life in the army was characterized, as in all other circumstances, by purity and integrity in every particular.

At the close of the war he settled with his wife, whom he had married while on furlough, at Orwell, Ashtabula county. Here he entered at once into the hard work of the practice of medicine in the country. He was soon called to the bitter trial of losing his wife, who left him a little daughter, still living, although those who loved her so fondly then, have gone the way of all the earth.

Dr. Haines died October 24, 1877, at the age of forty-three and a half years. His work was done, and he rests from his labors. One who trusted his life with Dr. Haines may not be an impartial judge, yet it is his duty, aye, pleasure, to say that, as a man, he performed every duty 'with true manhood; as a member of the Presbyterian church, bigotry was no element in his religious thought; as a citizen, he was true to the best interests of his country and to all the relations of life; as a pension surgeon and surgeon of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad, he was faithful and efficient; as a physician, he was ever welcome, with genial face and kind attention.

Let the kind relations ever existing between him and his brothers in the practice of medicine - let the many to whose ills he ministered, who, with weeping eyes, paid their respect to a good and true man, when all joined in the sad rites that gave him rest - testify to the goodness and beauty of his character. Beloved by all, Elyria mourns the loss of Dr. Haines.

Edwin Dorr Holbrook

It is but a labor of love to trace from the earliest boyhood days the development of those principles which made prominent the brief but eventful life of Edwin Dorr Holbrook. He was born in Elyria, Lorain county, Ohio, October 10, 1835, is a son of Dexter and Jerusha Holbrook, grandson of Captain Holbrook and Tyler, who entered Fort Ticonderoga with Ethan Allen; also great-grandson of General Seth Pomeroy, of Bunker Hill fame.

Before scarcely attaining to the dignity of boys' apparel, while surrounded by- his pets upon his father's farm, the proceeds of his first sale was, 'to buy a new dress for my mother." -This was the keynote of an unselfish life - '' not for myself, but for my ~ mother, to whom I owe so much."

Here he received his rudimentary education, and became familiar with nature in its various forms; studying the habits of birds, bees and animals; loving flowers; training the woodbine and wild rose around the farm-house; skilled in hunting, skating, boating and swimming, a: knowledge which enabled. him to rescue many from watery graves, - once returning hatless and coatless, after saving King Barton and a companion. Again, hearing that Mr. Snow's son was drowning in the presence of a crowd of anxious friends, he leaped into the swollen tide. For a time, they believed him lost. Soon his voice was heard: "Ts this the right direction?" Again he disappeared; again they believed him drowned, being caught by the death struggles of the boy, and drawn under; but by almost superhuman exertions, he bore the lifeless form to the shore.

This unflinching bravery, daring to face any danger for the accomplishment of good, characterized the boy as well as the man. Fun and frolie entered largely into his composition, and he was the acknowledged leader in boyish tricks. He was one of a class of boys who seemed moulded for future action by that ripe scholar, C. D. B. Mills. He ever cherished his memory, and, in after years, expressed the wish that he might travel with him as his companion. Studied law with his brother-in-law, Judge T. 8. Johnson, and with Judge Rex, of Wooster; was admitted May 7,.1857; opened an office in Elyria, and continued his studies, including German. In early life he was a constant reader; history, poetry and the writings of our early statesmen were carefully studied, as his well worn books evince. His room at his father's house was filled with books, papers and speeches, which were very familiar to him. Born and bred in the democratic faith, he struggled, even during his minority, for the success of that party.

June 3, 1861, he bade adieu to home and friends, and sailed for California, where he remained one year with his brother, practicing law, when, with thousands, who in consequence of the overflow of the Sacramento river and the almost fabulous tales of the richness of the Salmon river mines, he emigrated northward a distance of eight hundred miles, May 16th, 1862, he wrote:

"T start to-morrow astride a mule which carries myself, bed and provender, off into a wilderness, over mountains and dangerous moun tain streams, through a country where the red man lies in ambush to bear my scalp to the maid he loves But I am young, have a life before me, and desire making my fortune as quickly as possible, and to see something of this country. I only 'care for life that I may make you all happy and independent. If I succeed all is yyours - if I fail I want no mourners."'

During the next three years, before the perfect system of mail communication was established, occasional letters and rumors reached his home-friends, of perilous adventure; his narrow escape from a snow-slide by leaping from his horse, which was buried under a pitiless sheet of snow and ice ; his traveling over narrow, precipitous mountain trails to fulfil professional engagements. In December, 1865, he took his seat as the youngest member of the thirty-ninth congress. As a member of congress he labored zealously for the development of his beloved mountain home - Idaho ; for appropriations for the perfection of mail routes and roads, for the building of the assay office and penitentiary ; also was ever laboring for the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad, in the interest of which he addressed the capitalists of Boston. After having faithfully labored for the development of his territory for two successive terms in congress, bidding adieu for the last time to his home friends, May 26th, 1869, he crossed for the eighth time the plains to his mountain home where a demonstration awaited him. He at once opened a law office at Boise and Idaho City, and engaged actively in his practice. Laboring as before for everything pertaining to the © advancement of Idaho, which he hoped would soon attain to the dignity of a State, in the midst of a successful professional career, with light hopes of the future, at the close of the summer day, June 18th, 1870, while resting with his feet upon the railing in

Houston H. Poppleton

Houston H. Poppleton was born near Bellville, Richland county, Ohio, March 19, 1836, and is the youngest son of Rev. Samuel and Julia-A. Poppleton.

Rev. Samuel Poppleton was born in the State of Vermont, Jtily 2, 1793, but while quite young moved with his father to Genesee county, New York, where he lived until 1820, when he moved to Ohio. He lived in Richland county, Ohio, from 1822, until March, 1853, when he moved to Delaware,- Ohio, where he continued to reside most of the time until his death, which occurred at Delaware, September 14, 1864. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and served with honor and distinction. Shortly after its close he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, and continued to preach, as his health would permit, for nearly fifty years. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Parthenia Steinback, of Genesee county, New York, and his second, Miss Julia A. Smith, of Richland county, Ohio. By the first marriage, four children were born, to wit: Rowena L., intermarried with F. W. Strong, of Mansfield, Ohio; Samuel D., killed in 1864, at the battle of Atlanta, Georgia; Mary Ellen, intermarried with Daniel Fisher, of Bellville, and Andrew J., who died at West Unity, Ohio, September 25, 1850.

Emory E. has been engaged in business in Detroit and Chicago, and is now the secretary of the Cleveland and Mahoning Valley Railroad, 'residing at Cleveland.

Parthenia P. married Hon. S. Burke, long prominently identified with the Lorain bar, and after residing in Elyria for over twenty-two years, moved to Cleveland. She died at Salt Lake City, Utah, January 7, 1878, and is buried in Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland.

Damaris A. was married to Hon. George B. Lake, formerly a member of the Lorain bar, and now chief justice of the State of Nebraska. She died in April, 1854, and is buried in the cemetery at Elyria.

Earley F. read law, and was admitted to the bar at Elyria, and after practicing there several years, moved to Delaware, Ohio, where he has ever since been. actively and successfully engaged in law and politics. He was elected State senator from the counties of Licking and Delaware, and after serving one term was elected on the democratic ticket to the fortyfourth congress, from the ninth Ohio congressional district. Although one of the youngest members of that body, he was active and industrious, and served

Zada C. was married to Thomas H. Linnell, of Elyria, and resided there during the whole of her married life. She died March 29, 1875, and is buried in the cemetery at Elyria.

Houston H. Poppleton received his early education in the common schools at Bellville, but entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, in the spring of 1853, and, although his attendance was not continuous, he graduated from that institution in June, 1858. He taught school several winters in the counties of Delaware and Richland, while pursuing his studies at the university, and also had general charge of his father's mercantile house at Richwood, from April, 1855, to February, 1857. In September, 1858, he entered the law office of Hon. S. Burke, at Elyria, and prosecuted his studies there until October, 1859, when he entered the Cincinnati Law College. Completing the prescribed course there, he graduated from it April 16, 1860, and was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati the same day. Returning to Elyria, he formed a law partnership with Judge Burke, 'and commenced practice May 2, 1860. After Judge Burke's election to the bench, he formed a law partnership with Hon. H. D. Clark, which continued about two years. On the 10th of February, 1864, at Cincinnati; he was married to Miss Lucina H. Cross, of that-city. He resided on the northwest corner of Broad and Chestnut streets, in Elyria, until September 24, 1875, when he moved with his family to Cleveland.

From the latter part of 1864 he continued in active general practice at Elyria, without a partner, until November, 1873, when he was appointed general attorney of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis railway company, with headquarters at Cleveland, which position he still holds. He was prominent, active and successful in his practice, as the records of the courts of Lorain and adjoining counties abundantly show, and in his removal the bar of Lorain county sustained a serious loss. By accepting the position of general attorney of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis railway he became the head of the legal department of that corporation, and has had entire charge of its legal business along the whole line, as well as elsewhere. Giying his personal attention to the details of all the litigation of the company - trying only causes that should be tried, and settling those that should be settled - he has, by his fair, honorable and judicious course, made many friends for himself, and secured for his company a reputation and good will that any railroad in the country might well envy.

David Bennett

was born in Westmoreland, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, May 26, 1788. He was the second son of David and Abigail Bennett, and third in a family of fifteen children. When about fifteen years old, he was apprenticed to a man named Dutton, living in Dummerston, Windham county, Vermont. Becoming dissatisfied with the treatment he received, he ran away soon after he was sixteen, and went to Homer, Cortland county, New York.

On the 6th of December, 1810, he married Miss Polly Wheeler, and lived in Londonderry, Vermont, on a farm on the east slope of the Green mountains. He came west, to look for a farm, in 1827, and moved from Londonderry, April 21, 1828, with his family, consisting of himself and wife, his wife's step-father, and his neice, Miss Malvina F. Bennett. They came by wagon to Troy, New York, in two days, thence by canal boat to Buffalo, by schooner to Cleveland, which took three days, then by wagon to Carlisle, - in all, a journey of three weeks.

On the 23rd day of August, 1828, he purchased of Joseph and Mary Perkins the south one-half of the southwest quarter of section twelve, town five, range seventeen, where he spent the remainder of his life.

He married, the second time, February 6, 1830, Miss Jane Galpin, of Elyria, daughter of Neri and Betsey Galpin. They had six children, four of whom are living. He held various township offices from 1830 to 1860, being three times elected justice of the peace. He was a man of strict integrity, and his word was as good as his bond. He died July 16, 1863, of paralysis.

JANE GALPIN was born in Woodbury, Litchfield county, Connecticut, August 11, 1810. She was the daughter of Neri and Betsey Galpin, and the eldest in a family of ninechildren. Her parents moved to New Milford, Susquehannacounty, Pennsylvania, when she was about nine monthsold. In May, 1818 they moved to Center township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania. In November, 1822, they left Center for Carlisle, Ohio, then called Murraysville, Huron county. They moved in a covered wagon drawn by a yoke of steers and a span of old horses. They were three weeks on tha road and had but two pleasant days in the whole time. In some places the wagon hub would roll on the mud. They moved in with Abner Murray's family until Mr. Galpin built his house, which stood just over the line in Elyria township. February 6, 1830, she married Dayid Bennett and moved on to the farm in Carlisle, where she still lives.

front of his office, which he had surrounded by forest trees, dreaming his happy dreams of the future, Charles H. Douglas lurked behind him and fired a fatal shot. The wounded man struggled to his feet, attempted to raise his arm, but aimed too low. He was borne into his office, where in intense pain he ctlmly awaited death, saying, '"'I am not afraid to die, but want to sce my brother before I go. Am glad I did not hit Douglas when I fired,.on account of his wife and little ones." Asking again if Theo- dore had come, for whom a messenger had been dispatched, he fell into a calm sleep, and as the Sabbath day dawned his spirit took its flight.

Marks of respect and tenderness were shown by the warm-hearted people, and with aching hearts loying hands consigned him to his resting place. And while the breezes of his mountain home chant the requiem above his grave, loving hearts will entwine and bedew with their tears an imperishable garland to the memory of Edwin Dorr Iolbrook.

Physical Features

In the western part of the township the surface is level. In the central and eastern portions it is undulating, but nowhere rough and broken.

The soil is generally a clay loam, varied in some places by gravel. It is one of the best watered townships in the county. Rocky river flows northward through the township, gathering up in its course many tributaries. Plum creek flows in a nearly parallel direction through the western part of the town. The timber native to its soil was beech, maple, hickory, black and white oak, black and white ash, basswood, elm, sycamore, buckeye, walnut and butternut.

Purchase

Prior to the apportionment by draft of that part of the Reserve lying west of the Cuyahoga river, Levi Bronson, Azor Bronson, Harmon Bronson, Calvin Howlley, Jared Pritchard, and some fifteen others, formed an association called the '* Waterbury Land Company." This company, together with William Law, Benjamin Doolittle, Jr,, and Samuel Doolittle, drew at the fourth draft, April 4, 1807, this township us number five, range fifteen, with two thousand six hundred and fifty acres in the townships of Boston and Richfield, in Summit county, annexed to equalize it. The draft was in the following proportions: to the Waterbury Land Company, twenty one thousand six hundred dollars; William Law, two thousand eight hundred and fifteen dollars; Benjamin Doolittle, Jr., one thousand five hundred and ninety-two dollars; Samuel Doolittle, eighty dollars. The deed was executed on the 28th day of May, 1807, by John Caldwell, John Morgan, and Jonathan Brace, for the Connecticut Land Company, to Levi Bronson, Calvin Hoadley, Jared Pritchard, Azor Bronson and Harmon Bronson, in trust for the Waterbury Land Company.

*Our thanks are due Ransom Bronson, for information furnished in the preparation of this history. He has kept a record of early events, for the past twenty years, access to which has been of much service to us.

Pending the negotiation for the extinguishment of the Indian claim to the lands west of the Cuyahoga, the company bought of William Edwards a thousand acres of land in tract two, town eight, range eleven, Kuclid, (now Hast Cleveland), and a number settled there the summer previous to the draft.

Survey

In the summer of 1807 the township was surveyed. A surveyor by the name of Lacey was first employed, but his chain was found to be of an incorrect length and he was discharged. In August of the same year Robert Worden, a surveyor from Columbiana county, was engaged, who, with Levi Bronson, Daniel Bronson, Benoni Adams, and Elias Frost of Euclid, as ax and chain men, set out from Cleveland taking a southwest course until the northeast corner of the town was reached. From this point they proceeded west two and a half miles, thence south a like distance to the center of the township. 'The party made their encampment here, on the west bank of Rocky river. A dvaghter of Levi Bronson, afterwards Mrs. Oliver Terrell, accompanied the party to do their cooking, to whom must be accorded the honor of being the first white woman that ever set foot on the soil of Columbia.

In September, 1807, a company numbering thirtythree persons, left Waterbury, Connecticut, for this township. They were, Bela Bronson, his wife and one child; Calvin Hoadley, wife and five children; John Williams, wife and five children; Lemuel Hoadley, wife and three children, his father and his wife's mother; Lithrop Seymour and wife; Mrs. Parker and four children; Silas Hoadley and Chauncey Warner. Two months afterwards the company reached Buffalo, west of which place there was then no road, and they were compelled to choose between the dangers, at that time of year, of lake navigation and those attending a journey along the beach. The company divided, four families embarking on the lake, while the remainder preferred the land route. The little party set sail under a bright sky and with a favoring breeze, but not long afterward encountered one of those sudden gales common at that time of year, which carried them back a distance of several miles, where the vessel went ashore. A week was spent before another start could be made. Arriving in sight of Presque Isle the vessel was again struck by a contrary wind and driven back to a point on the Canada shore under which the yoyagers took shelter. They remained here two weeks for a fayorable wind, when the journey was resumed.

They proceeded without further reverses until within sight of Cleveland, then a pretentious place of three log cabins, when a violent wind struck their craft, and they were forced to retreat until near the site of the present city of Erie, where they went ashore. They were now thoroughly discouraged with their experience by lake. The season was growing late, and whether to make another attempt by water or undertake the long journey by land on foot was not a pleasant alternative. Calvin Hoadley determined to make another trial, and, with his family, arrived at Cleveland after encountering many experiences similar to those we have mentioned. 'The most of them, however, determined upon the land route. Bela Bronson, wife and child, were of this party; Mrs. Bronson carrying the child in her arms for a distance of fifty miles west of Erie, where they were met by teams with which friends had gone back from Cleveland in search of them. Arriving at Cleveland, the company made a location there, with the exception of Bela Bronson and family, who, with ox-team and sled, pushed on towards Columbia. 'They were accompanied by Levi Bronson, Jared Pritchard, John Williams, Silas Hoadley, Calvin Hoadley, and five or six others who went ahead and cut a road for them. The family brought along in the sled cooking utensils - with which Mrs. Bronson prepared the food for the company - and camp equipage. Their progress was, of course, slow, eight days being consumed in reaching Columbia. day of December, 1807 - they arrived on lot twentyseven, where Bronson and family made a location.

The company divided into three sections, commencing simultaneously the erection of three cabins, one for Bela Bronson, on lot twenty-seven; one for John Williams, on sub-lot three; and one for Calvin Hoadley, on lot thirty-four. During the erection of Bronson's house, the box of the sled was turned up against a tree, and under this the family took shelter until their cabin was built. 'The house was ready for occupancy by Christmas.

In 1810, Mr. Bronson changed his location to the Center, where the cellar of the house in which he resided can yet be seen. He died here in October, 1811. He was one of the ten sons of Seba Bronson. His wife's maiden name was Sally Twitchell. Mrs. Bronson subsequently married Benoni Adams. Two children of this pioneer family are now living - Rey.

Sherlock A. Bronson, D.D., who was eight months old at the time of the settlement of the family in Columbia, now an Episcopal clergyman of ability and usefulness, resident in Mansfield, O., and a daughter Sally, living in Ottawa county. In an address deliyered in this township July 4, 1859, Rev. Dr. Bronson gives the following interesting picture of their situation in the winter of 1807:

"Our post office was at Painesville, fifty miles distant; the nearest mill was at Newburgh, twenty-eight miles away; and but little provision could be obtained short of Painesville. That winter my father wrote back to his friends that he was the richest man in town. He might have written himself down the greatest nabob of all of Ohio that lay west of Cleveland and north of Wooster, and there would have been none to dispute his claim. For a time, that winter, ours was the only residence in Western Ohio. Gloomy, desolate and lonely as those times were, my mother kept up good cheer, and said she always hoped for better times. Taking into account the time of arrival, late in December, no house ready for occupancy, that in the company was a woman with an infant only eight months old, and the nearest dwelling twenty miles distant, you have before you a rare picture of pioneer life."

The second family that settled in town was that of John Williams, who moved in from Cleveland after spending the holidays with his friends there, arriving January 3, 1808. They took up their abode in the cabin already partially prepared for them on sub-lot three. In 1810 he removed to a farm a mile south of the Center on lot forty-eight. Mr, Williams died in the spring of 1813, and his remains lie in an unmarked grave in the Center burying ground. The only surviving member of the family is Mrs. Weaver Harrington, now residing in Eaton county, Mich.

Calvin Hoadley followed closely after Williams, arriving in the first part of March of the same year, and commenced life in the Columbia woods in the house previously built on lot thirty-four. In the summer of 1809, he built a grist mill on Rocky river, south of the Center, the first mill in the county. He afterward built a grist mill and also a saw mill, on the same river, on lot twenty-one. Captain Hoadley was a man of great energy of character, and became one of the most prominent men of the town. He -was a son of Lemuel Hoadley, S-., who raised a family of eight children. Calvin was the second child and oldest son. He was a carpenter by trade. His wife's maiden name was Marian Terrell. They raised a family of five children. A daughter, the only living representative of the family, resides in Berea, O.

Early in the spring of 1808, the following additions were made to the settlement: Lemuel Hoadley, Sr., and Lemuel Hoadley, Jr, on lot forty-seven; James Geer, on lot thirty-five, south part; Lathrop Seymour, on lot eleven; Jared Pritchard, on lot thirty-one; Silas Hoadley, on lot twenty-nine; Isaac Frost and his two sons, Elias and Lyman, on lot twenty-eight; Nathaniel Doan, on the north part of lot thirty-five; and Benoni Adams, on lot fifty.

The Hoadleys were originally from either Salem or Plymouth, Conn. Lemuel Hoadley, Sr., was the father of eight cnildren. Mary, the eldest, became the wife of Asahel Osborn. Of Calvin we have already given a brief history. The next was Lemuel; he was a colonel in the war of 1812. Sally married Zephaniah

Potter. Lemuel was a mechanic, and much of his life was engaged in the erection of mills; he built most of the grist mills in this region of country. He removed to Brecksville in 1812, and built the first mill in that town; and two years subsequently he went to Bath and erected mills there. In 1819, he settled in Olmsted, Cuyahoga county, and erected for himself the pioneer mill in that township, and also built the first frame house there. In 1824, he exchanged his farm and a mill in Olmsted for a farm in Ridgeville, west of the center of the town, and took up his abode there. In 1832, he sold owt and moved back to Olmsted, and with his son-in-law, John Barnum, built a saw-mill at the mouth of Plum Creek, and laid out a village there. In 1838, he removed to Chillicothe. He married Chloe Tyler.

He was known everywhere as Major Hoadley, a title which he acquired, it is said, on the journey from Connecticut. The company would sometimes be obliged to construct a bridge across a swollen stream, and Mr. Hoadley was so perfectly at home at such work that his companions gave him the honorary title of "major," which he ever afterwards bore.

Luther was also a colonel in the war of 1812, and died in the service. David, a carpenter by trade, died in Connecticut. Urania married Riley Whiting, an extensive clock-maker of Winsted, Conn.

In 1810, James Geer changed his location to the north part of the township, exchanging his original purchase with Calvin Hoadley, for land on lot twentyone. Here he established a rude tannery, using sap troughs for vats, and an axe to pulverize the bark. He also followed shoemaking, having learned the trade of his wife, formerly Mrs. Mary Parker, whose first husband was a shoemaker.

Nathaniel Doan was a man of more than average ability, and, was a leading man in the settlement. He was the first justice of the peace of the township. He subsequently removed to Cleveland.

Benoni Adams was at that time a single man, but in 1810 he married Mrs. Sally Bronson, widow of Bela Bronson, and settled at the Center. In 1808, Mr. Adams carried the mail on foot from Cleveland to Maumee. The only habitations of white men on his route were those of Nathan Perry, at the mouth of Black river, and a Frenchman at Milan. 'T'wo weeks were usually consumed in making the trip. He lost his way on one occasion, and failea of reaching the end of his journey within the required time, and his pay was withheld for that trip. Sometimes the streams were swollen to such a degree that he was compelled either to travel a long distance to find a place through which he could wade, or to construct a raft with which to cross. His route lay through the Black Swamp, the passage of which, from its extent, could not be made in asingle day, and he was obliged to spend a night in the woods, usually making his bed on the trunk of a fallen tree. Says Dr. Bronson, whose mother subsequently became the wife of Mr. Adams: ''I have heard him say he has traveled the swamp when the water was half-way to the knee, and he was obliged to break the ice the whole forty miles."

During the same year, Seba Bronson, Sr., and his two sons, Seba and Daniel, moved in from Ashtabula county. The elder Bronson settled on sub-lot four, Seba, Jr., living with him. Daniel located on the north part of lot thirty-six.

In 1812, Seba Bronson, Jr., removed to Liverpool, Medina connty, remained a year, and then returned to Columbia. In the spring of that year, it is said, he dug out a canoe, and journeyed down the river to the lake, thence to the mouth of Sandusky river, thence up that river, to Lower Sandusky (now Fremont). There, in an opening in the forest, he planted a piece of ground to corn, under the protection of Fort Stephenson. After harvesting his crop, he returned to Columbia, residing there until his death, in 1851, aged seventy-five.

In 1809, Roswell Scovil, Horace Gunn, Timothy Doan, Daniel Bunnell, Zephaniah Potter, Wm. Hoadley, Noah Warner, Marcus Terrell, and Joseph Burke joined the settlement. Scovil settled on lot thirty; Gunn on lot - . The latter carried the first mail west of Cleveland, in 1808. InJune, 1809, he married Ann Pritchard, daughter of Jared Pritchard, which was the second marriage in Columbia. Timothy Doan located on lot twenty-nine, buying out Silas Hoadley, who returned to Connecticut. Bunnell drew, by draft, lot one, which he exchanged with Samuel Pardee for land in Olmsted. Potter settled on lot - . He was a doctor - the first in the township. Hoadley settled on lot thirty-five, south part, but returned to Connecticut in 1811. Marcus Terrell settled on the northwest corner of lot thirty-nine. Warner, in 1811, removed to Liverpool.

Joseph Burke was the earliest settler in Euclid. He came from New York, in 1798, traveling from Buffalo to Grand river in an open boat. Leaving his family there, he came on to take a look at the wilderness, in which he thought of settling, and after making a selection at Euclid, returned for his family. He resided in Euclid eleven years, and then removed to this township, locating on lot twelve. He died July 4th, 1814. His widow removed to Michigan, and died there in 1832. Of their large family of fourteen children, only two are living: Ira Burke on the old homestead, aged seventy-five, and Mrs. Sophia Lender, residing in Illinois. A little daughter, four years of -age, while in the woods with her brother, who was making maple sugar, wandered away and was never found. The generally accepted theory as to her fate is, that she was carried away by Indians seen in the vicinity a day on two previous.

1805. In that year he came from Waterbury, Connecticut, to Cleveland, on foot, by way of Albany and Buffalo, and returned by way of Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York, walking almost the entire distance. In 1809, he again came to Ohio, also on foot, this time for the purpose of settlement. . He was a carpenter and joiner, and on his arrival at Cleveland, engaged at work for a Mr. Murray, for whon he built a log house near the mouth of the Cuyahoga, on the east side of the river, and about where the government piers are now. His family, then consisting of a wife and three daughters, and his mother, (his father, Seba Bronson, Sr., having come to Columbia three years previous), came on soon afterward on a little vessel called the '' Ranger," Captain Hathaway, landing at the mouth of the river March 15th. Other members of the company, and their families, came at the same time. Mr. Bronson made a settlement in Columbia, erecting a house on sub-lot four.

At the breaking out of the war of 1812, when it was generally feared that this part of the State would be overrun by Indians, Mrs. Harmon Bronson, with her three girls, - the oldest about thirteen, - and an infant son less than a year old, started from Cleveland in September, 1812, with a horse, saddle and bridle, and took her little family back to Waterbury, the heroic mother walking the entire distance. It required four weeks to make the journey.

She remained in Waterbury until late in the fall of 1815, and then set out in a lumber wagon for Ohio. At Bloomfield, in the State of New York, her funds at fifty cents a week each, while she worked for her board and that of her two younger children. About the 1st of March, 1816, the journey was resumed, and the family reached Columbia in the latter part of that month.

Mr. Bronson kept a store in Columbia from 1816 to 1820. He removed to Hast Cleveland in December, 1821, and lived there until July, 1824, when he moved into Boston township, then Portage, now Summit county. He died December 18th, 1853. He was the seventh of the fourteen children of Seba Bronson, Sr., all of whom lived to mature age and were married. Azor and Bela died in Columbia, in 1811, October 5th and 13th, respectively. Harmon was the last survivor of the family. - His birth, marriage and death occurred in the same month and on the same day of the month - December 18th. He was seventy-nine yéars old at his death. His wife survived him four years and two months, and was something over eighty. Two of his family are now living - his second daughter, now seventy-cight years old, and the youngest child, a son, now sixty-seven - both residing in Peninsula, Summit county. From the latter, Mr. H. V. Bronson, we have obtained the facts here given.

David Eddy, born in New Jersey, came to Ohio while yet a single man, in the year 1804 or 1805. He made a location in Euclid, Cuyahoga county, and erected a cabin there. The following year his father and mother, with a son named Timothy, came on and took up their abode in the primitive habitation already prepared by David. Caleb Eddy, the father, spent the remainder of his days here, but David soon pushed on further west, and joined the infant colony in Columbia. He ''stuck his stakes" on lot forty, and built his log house on the bank of Rocky river. In the early winter of 1814 he married Elizabeth Shirdine, of Washington county, Penn., and about two years subsequently began pioneer life in the little cabin previously mentioned. Eddy was a member of the militia, and was an occupant of the block house. His life was one of many hardships and of arduous toil. He died, on the farm on which he first located, October 21, 1853, and his widow about a year afterward, October 6th, 1854. heir children were four in number, two boys and two girls, viz: Jesse, Enos, Susannah and Eunice. Jesse married Caroline Chamberlain, daughter of John Chamberlain, of Rochester, Lorain county. He, Jesse, is now living there. His wife died February 5th, 1855, leaving two children, Mary EK. (Mrs Myers,) and Hattie E. (Mrs. Mann). Hnos married Cynthia Bradford, now deceased. Susannah married Myron Bradford, and both are dead. Hunice married, first, Hiram Bradford, and afterwards Samuel Hanley, with whom she is now liying in the township of Rochester.

In 1810 Levi Bronson moved in from Euclid and took up his residence on sub-lot three, the first location of John Williams. Of him Rey. Dr. Bronson bears the following testimony:

'* My father became interested in the lands of Columbia by purchase of his brother Azor, but both died before deeds were given or paymeut fully made, and matters were left in an unsettled state, and aftera while became entangled with other land matters. These have since been a prolific source of strife,and arich fieldforlawyers. * *

* *- Tdeemit my duty to bear witness to the unyielding integrity, public spirit and self-sacrifice of Levi Bronson. When all the land in Columbia would not have sold for more than enough to pay the taxes, he borrowed money, worked on the road, turned and twisted every way to save the property of his father and his deceased brother for their heirs."

In regard to other arrivais this year we mention the following: Asahel Osborn and Marshall Culver, his son-in-law, the former on the south part and the latter on the north part of lot thirty-seven. They came from Salem, Connecticut. Osborn married Mary Hoadley, daughter of Lemuel Hoadley, Sr. He was a man of good natural ability, and of local influence.

Timothy Eddy cleared a piece of land on lot seventeen, sowed it to wheat, and then returned to Euclid to live; James and Walter Strong chopped off a piece on lot fifteen; Samuel Hitchcock settled on lot forty, purchasing of Calvin Hoadley.

Asa Robertson made a beginning on the west part of lot one, then removed to Liverpool, Medina county, where he made a permanent location. Samuel Heacock also arrived in 1810, and located on lot thirtysix, but returned to Connecticut the following year.

John Adams, father of Benoni, with his wife, five sons and a daughter, left Waterbury, Connecticut, for Columbia, in the fall of 1811, and moved in with

Benoni, on lot fifty. Adams having sold his farm for twenty-five hundred dollars, and taken his pay in clocks at five dollars a piece, must turn his property into cattle and the cattle into money, which took up the time until October.

He brought his wife and boys, with some of the household goods, with a team and wagon, a young man by the name of Marshall Bronson accompanying the family with a team and wagon of his own, with which he brought a part of their goods. The daughter, who was a child of a former wife of Mr. Adams, and a cousin of Bronson, rode with the..young man. In consequence of a violent snow storm they remained several days at a tavern a few miles west of Buffalo. The next house on their route was Mack's tavern, eighteen miles distant, the road to which was along the beach until within four miles of the tavern, when it lead away from the lake through a dense forest. This is the road the collector of historical facts so frequently hears spoken of by early settlers as the ''four mile woods."