Lorain City (part 32 of 77)

It was December, too late to travel along the beach with safety, as there were many rocky cliffs which extended out into the lake; and to get by them, the emigrants usually drove into the. water. In attempting to pass one of these points, Adams' team became frightened at the. dashing of the waves, and refused to go, and he was obliged to cut them loose from the wagon in order to save his wife and children. After much difficulty, they succeeded in reaching the shore, and proceeded in the direction of the tavern, Adams evidently thinking that Bronson, who was ahead, had got through in safety. Not so, however: he had _become involved in a situation more perilous than that from which Adams and his family had escaped. The wheel of his wagon caught fast in the seam of a rock, and the horses, in their struggle, became entangled in the harness and were thrown down; and Bronson, almost paralyzed with cold and fear, could not release them. His situation would haye appalled the stoutest heart. The roar of the angry waves, the horses struggling beneath them, and the cries of his companion, coupled with his utter powerlessness to aid her, filled him with frantic terror. He determined to go for help. Reaching the shore with great difficulty, he hurried to the tavern and gave the alarm. Several men started for the scene of distress, meeting Mr. Adams and family on the way.

The mother and children were conducted back to the house by one of the party, while the father returned with the rest to the relief of his daughter. But it was too late - her lifeless body was found in the water, carried to the tavern, and buried in Mack's garden. Some time after, a passing missionary, on request of the family, preached a funeral discourse. The team of Bronson was drowned, and his wagon a complete wreck. Another was constructed out of the parts as they floated ashore, and then turned into cash. The other wagon, which was without serious damage, was also sold, and a sled purchased. A few articles were gathered up as they floated ashore, and the surviving family resumed their jonrney. Arriving in Euclid, friends induced them to remain there till the following spring, when they moved into Columbia. A son of Mr. Adams is yet living in Olmsted, nearly eighty years of age, and preserves a clear recollection of the painful disaster.

Another prominent arrival in 1811, was the family of Azor Bronson. They left Waterbury, Conn., in June of that year. They experienced a tedious time getting through Cattaraugus swamp. Night overtook them in the ''four mile woods," while yet a long distance from Mack's tavern, at Cattaraugus creek, to which they were making, and they were unable to proceed. Leaving the mother and children in the wagon, which was buried to the axletree in mud, Mr. Bronson went to the tavern for help. The ever-accommodating Dr. Mack, with a lantern and accompanied by a couple of friendly Indians, returned with Mr. Bronson for his family and assisted them to the tayern. In Middleburg, Cuyahoga county, their wagon broke down, and wife and children were thence carried te Columbia on the horses. They arrived at the center of town July 4, 1811. Mr. Bronson died the next year after his arrival. Ransom and Albert Bronson, residing in Olmsted, Cuyahoga county, aged seventy-three and seventy-six respectively, are the only surviving members of the family.

Samuel Pardee also moved in, in 1811, settling on the south part of lot thirty-six, and kept a tavern, the sign of which was a pair of deer's horns.

Jonathan Vaughan became an inhabitant of the township during this same year. The following year, he, with his brother Richard and EK. Hickox, entered the service of the government and aided in cutting a road from Sandusky to Maumee. 'This was in war time, and the men, some three hundred in number, cut the road under the protection of a military guard. Vaughan was afterwards stationed for a time in Fort Stephenson. He subsequently married a daughter of Calvin Hoadley and settled in Middleburg, Cuyahoga county, residing there until 1834, when he purchased an interest in the Hoadley Mills, and returned to Columbia.

About this time also, Noah Terrell and Thomas Osborn came into town. Terrell was a valuable acquisition to the settlement, being skillful in the manufacture of every kind of wooden dishes, such as milkbowls, trenchers, cups and saucers, salt-cellars, pepper boxes, and little kegs which took the place of pails. Being a Terrell, he was of course a hunter, and supported his family to a great extent by his gun. He subsequently removed to Ridgeville, where his daughter Harriet was soon after bora. She was the first child born in that township...

Osborn settled on the farm first occupied by Bela Bronson. He was a blacksmith, and carried on his trade in that early day under difficulties which would be thought insurmountable in this. This pioneer blacksmith went on foot through an unbroken wilder- ness to New Lisbon, Columbiana county, a distance of about one hundred miles, to obtain his material, which, having paid for in labor, he then lugged home on his back. His untiring industry was eventually rewarded by a handsome competency.

Reuben Lewis moved in from New York State in 1814. He established in that year the first tannery worthy of the name in the county. It stood on lot thirty-four, on which also the first mill in the county, the grist mill of Captain Hoadley, was built.

Ephraim Bigelow became an inhabitant of Columbia in 1816, settling on lot twenty-eight, and Amos Richmond, the same year, on lot twenty-nine.

Julius and Albert Bronson settled on lot twentythree, on the north and south parts respectively, in 1817, and Thomas G. Bronson on lot eighteen the same year. Gideon Richmond located in 1818, and Sylvanus, the following year, on lot fifty.

Simeon Nichols arrived with his family in about the year 1820. He was also a Waterbury man. He started in the winter, and, when he got into the State of New York, the snow was so deep as to make traveling with a wagon difficult. He therefore bought a sled, placed his wagon on the top of it, and thus resumed the journey. All went well until he arrived at what was then called the '"'Holland purchase," in that State. This was a newly cleared piece of land and he could not pass among the thick stumps with his wagon; he therefore cut off the axles. He traveled without further impediment until he arrived in the eastern part of Ohio, when the snow left and he was obliged to provide himself with new axles. He arrived in Columbia in early spring and settled on lot fortyseven.

Nichols was an industrious and respected citizen. He held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years, and was a leading member of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

We can but but briefly mention subsequent settlers. Heman Terrell on lot twenty-eight; Miles Seymour rented the farm of 'Timothy Doan, in 1821; William Adams on lot four hundred and ninety-one; Abner Martin (and his distillery) on lot forty-seven. Solomon Hancock on lot twenty-seven, in 1822; Manly Hitchcock on lot forty-four; Hiram Richmond on lot twenty-six; Asa Jewett on lot sixty-four, in 1823; Sterling Goddard on lot seventy-six; James Mattison on the same lot; William Brown on lot seventy-four, in 1829; Amos Curtis.on lot seventy-seven; Samuel Hoadley on lot twenty-one; Elihu Morgan on _ lot forty-seven; Ransom Bronson on lot thirty-nine, in 1825; Anson A. Goddard on lot sixty-three, in 1826; John Cole on lot eighty-eight; Simon and John Crockers on lot ninety, in 1828; 8. H. Frink on lot twenty-two, in 1831; David Chamberlain on lot seventy-nine; John McCreery on lot forty; Wakeman Beers on lot sixty; John Chamberlain on lot sixty; Seth and Bina Wood on lot sixty-one; Stephen Sabin on lot forty; Ezekiel Olcott on lot fifty-nine, in 1832; Samuel Gaylord in 1835.

Among the later settlers are: Abel Goodwin, from New London county, Connecticut, who arrived in 1828, and located on lot eighty-eight. He died in

June, 1841. Elishaand Richard Harrington, originally from Vermont, came to Ohio in 1815, settling in Cuyahoga Falls. They came to Columbia, Elisha in 1834, and located on lot eighty-six, and the latter in 1837, on lot fifty-seven. Elisha now lives on lot seventy-five, and Richard on his original purchase. Norman T. Beers, from the State of New York, located in 1832, where the widow of Marcus Nichols now resides. He died April, 1878, and his widow now lives on lot fifty-nine. Joseph Osborn became a settler in 1837, on lot fifty-seven. He now resides with his son Andrew, on the old homestead, and is eighty-four years of age - the oldest man in the township. William Brown located on Plum creek, iu 1827.

"The Bronsons were Episcopalians, and when they came to Ohio, they brought their prayer books with them. When they reached here they used those books, though they had no minister. My father gathered around him, as soon as he had neighbors, as many as he could and read the service anda sermon. When the grave closed over him, my grandfather took it up. When he passed away, Levi Bronson coninued it; and after his death, it, for a while, devolved on me."

The first organized church society was of the Episcopal faith, some time in the year 1809, Bishop Chase officiating in its organization. The following named were the constituent members: Seba Bronson and wife, Bela Bronson, Levi Bronson and wife, and John Williams and wife. A meeting house was built on the east side of the river, on sub-lot three, as late as 1835 or 736.

Methodism

The first Methodist services held in town were at the house of the widow of Joseph Burke, in about the year 1818. They were conducted by Rev's Messrs. Goddard and Booth. 'The following year a society was formed, by Rev. Mr. Goddard, of the following members: Calvin Hoadley, Julius Bronson and wife, Mrs. Joseph Burke and her two sons, Allen and Orrin, and Mrs. McConkey. Julius Bronson was appointed leader of the class. The church building at the Center was erected in 1830, and was the first house of worship in Columbia. This society is at present under the charge of Rev. J. W. Thompson. It hasa membership of sixty. The Sabbath school has a membership of some seventy scholars. Frank Snell is superintendent.

There is also a Methodist Episcopal society at West View, the church having been erected in 1844. Services are held every alternate Sabbath by Rev. J. W. Thompson.

The Wesleyan Methodist Church Of West

THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH OF WEST View. - This church was formed April 1, 1843, with sixteen members, as follows: Ransom Bronson and wife, Moses C. Baker and wife, Jane Baker, Clark Hoadley and wife, Cornelius Smith and wife, Calvin Hoadley, Calvin R. Hoadley and Edwin Hedgins (all of whom seceded from the Methodist Episcopal church of West View because of its alleged indifference with regard to the question of human slavery) and Jesse Eddy and wife, Clarissa and Jane Bronson. Of this number only Ransom Bronson remains. The church building was erected in 1845, costing about one thousand dollars. The dedicatory sermon was preached by James Langdon. Jahial Porter and John McCloud were the first regular preachers. The existing membership is fifty-five. William B. Moody is pastor. The two churches unite in a sabbath school, which has a membership of forty-five, with J. M. Geer as superintendent.

A Congregational society was organized about the year 1820 by Rey. Mr. Shaber of Richfield and was composed of the following members: Boltis Ruple, Marshall Culver and wife, Mrs. Mary Osborn, Mrs. Roxana Nichols, Sterling Goddard and wife, William Brown and wife. Sterliag Goddard and Boltis Ruple were appointed deacons. This society never erected a house of worship.

The First Baptist Church of Columbia, located at the Center was organized May 12, 1832, with nineteen members, as follows: John Stranahan, John Cole, Robert Fuller, Abel Goodwin, from the Baptist church in Liverpool, Medina county; Simeon Crocker, Jeremiah Chamberlain, who had letters from a church in the east; Mary Goodwin, Amelia Crocker, Clarissa Crocker, Nancy Bigelow, Margaret Chamberlain, Prudence Stranahan, Olive Goodwin, Betsey Cole, Mary Cole, Constant G. Cole, William Cole, Robert N. Fuller, and John Cole, Jr. Elder James Hovey officiated as moderator; Abel Goodwin was chosen clerk. Of the constituent members, two only, William Cole and John Cole, remain. The erection of the building was commenced in 1841, but was not completed until 1848. The church has at present a membership of one hundred and four. Rev. L. Yarnell is pastor, N. N. Cole, clerk, and John Cole and Cyrus Ives, deacons. A Sabbath school was organized in 1847. The officers and teachers at present number eleven; scholars, eighty-three; superintendent, N. N. Cole.

The first school was opened by Mrs. Sally Bronson, in her own house, in the summer of 1808. The number of her scholars was ten. The following winter her husband, Bela Bronson, taught a school in Lemuel] Hoadley's blacksmith shop. Rev. Dr. Bron- son, son of these pioneer educators, speaks as follows in regard to the opportunities afforded for acquiring an education more than rudimentary:

'"'My own experience will illustrate the difficulty of obtaining anything beyond what the district school afforded, In 1824 I set out to obtain an education. An old Latin grammar was found and studied under the instruction of Rev. Luke Bowen of Strongsville. After a while a dictionary was needed. We sold a cow for eight dollars and with this sum I mounted a horse and rode more than a hundred miles in a fruitless search for a Latin dictionary. This led to my going to Tallmadge and studying with Elizur Wright, Esq., where I could have the use of a dictionary. There I remained three months, working two days in the week for Francis Wright for my board, and two days in the month for his father to pay my tuition. After this I found the required book and a teacher nearer home,"

A private school was taught at the house of T. G. Bronson by Rey. C. P. Bronson, in 1825. The first school house in town was erected in 1817, on lot thirty-six. From the report of the clerk of the board of education for the year ending August 31, 1878, we present the following statistics:

Early Events

The first white child born in Columbia was Sally Hoadley, daughter of Lemuel Hoadley, Jr. This interesting event occurred September 26, 1808. She became th> wife of Albert T'errel, who now lives in Ridgeville. On the 17th of October following Calvin Geer, son of James Geer, was born, and his was the second birth in town. Mr. Geer is yet living, and resides in Olmsted. In the spring of 1809, Marcus Terrell married Dillie Doan, - EHsquire Nathaniel Doan, the bride's father, performing the ceremony. This was the first marriage. The next was that of Horace Gunn to Anna Pritchard, in June of the same year.. The first death was that of a child of Lathrop Seymour, in 1809. It was buried on Nathaniel Doan's farm, east of the center. The first adult death was that of Mrs. Chloe Tyler, mother of Mrs. Lemuel Hoadley, in August, 1810. She was buried in Benoni Adams' orchard. The old burying ground was laid out in 1811. The first interment was that of Azor Bronson; the next that of Bela Bronson.

The first post office in town was established about the year 1817. The first post master was Thomas G. Bronson, who kept the office in his house. _ The name selected was the Indian name for Rocky river, "'Copokah." In the papers sent from Washington the word was mis-written Copopo, and the error was never corrected. The postal route extended from Cleveland to Liverpool, a man by the name of Mallett being the first mail carrier. He received fifty dollars per year, making the trip on foot once a week.

Harmon Bronson, in the fall of 1816, built the first frame house in Columbia, on sub-lot four. The first frame barn was built by Tin othy Doan, in 1826, The first brick house was that of Simeon Nichols, on lot forty-seven. Harmon Bronson brought the first mercantile goods into town in 1816. He kept his "'store" in his house on the hill, half a mile east of the center. He also, the year following, brought the first cast iron plow ever seen in these parts. In 1819 the first bridge that ever spanned Rocky river, was built half a mile south of the center. The first doctor was Zephaniah Potter, who began to dispense jalap and calomel in 1809. In 1812 Potter was town clerk, and while his wife was out in the woods with her servant one day, gathering grapes, his house burned to the ground and the town records were destroyed. The deed was supposed to have been committed by Indians, out of revenge, Dr. Potter haying assisted Dr. Long, of Cleveland, in dissecting the body of the Indian Omik, who was hung there for the murder of two men in Huron county a short time before. The present doctor is Asahel Culver. The first shoemaker was Mrs. James Geer. She was the widow Parker, mentioned as one of the orginal party from Waterbury, Conn. She remained in Cleveland the first winter, and while there married James Geer. Her former husband was a shoemaker, and Mrs. Parker, in emigrating to this country, brought his outfit of tools with her. She made shoes for the women, but the work of making boots, which were entirely sewed in those days, was too irksome for her, and after teaching her husband the trade she resigned the work to him. Lemuel Hoadley constructed the pioneer fanning-mill of Columbia.

The first orchard was set out by John Williams a short distance north of Copopo. J. Warner erected in the fall of 1812 the first cider-mill, near the block house. The first tavern was kept by Samuel Pardee, in 1812, in a log house on lot thirty-six. Rev. Mr. Hyde, a Presbyterian, was the first resident minister. The first blacksmith was Lemuel Hoadley, Sr. His shop was built in 1808, on lot forty-seven.

The Militia

In the year 1810, a company of militia, composed of men from the townships of Columbia, Ridgeville, Eaton, and also Middleburg in Cuyahoga county, was organized. The following are the names of the members:

In the election of officers, Calvin Hoadley was chosen captain; Lemuel Hoadley, lieutenant; Lathrop Seymour, ensign; Elias Frost, first sergeant; Samuel Potter, second sergeant; Daniel Bronson, third sergeant; Bela Bronson, fourth sergeant; Capt. Levi Bronson, first corporal; Capt. Samuel Hickox, second corporal; and Jared Pritchard, third corporal.

After the selection of these '' old soldiers" as corporals, young Eli Hickox stepped up and said: "Tl be the fourth to carry the jug for the old men," and was thereupon elected fourth corporal. Joseph Burke was drummer; Marshall Culver and Zephaniah Potter, fifers.

The intelligence of Hull's surrender produced a feeling of the gravest apprehension among the inhabitants; and when, shortly afterward, the information was circulated that a large party of men, ragged and dirty, and some with blankets around them, and handkerchiefs on their heads, were seen landing at Huron, the wildest excitement prevailed. They were believed to be British and Indians overrunning the country, and the people of Columbia, and those of Ridgeville and Eaton also, sought safety in flight. Every wagon, cart and sled was loaded, and a general exodus made for Hudson - an older settled town, then under the protection of the forces of Gen. Wadsworth, who was stationed at ''Old Portage." Men, women and children, cattle, sheep and hogs, marched along in promiscuous confusion.

Roswell Scovill, having no other means of conyeyance, tied a feather-bed on to an unbroken pet colt, placed his wife and babe, then three weeks old, upon it, and thus took them in safety to Hudson, a distance of thirty miles. The first night, some of them encamped on the ridge between Brunswick and Strongsville; some to the east of that ridge; while others took up their quarters in the old log house of Silas Burke. Uncle Oliver Terrell could not be induced to enter the house, but preferred the exposure of a lodgment on the ground to the more dangerous one, as he believed, in the house. Sentinels were placed to observe the approach of danger, and every preparation made to prevent surprise. 'That same night, however, Levi Bronson, who, to obtain more definite information in regard to the report, had gone to Cleveland, arrived with the cheering information that the party supposed to be British and Indians, were Hull's paroled prisoners, and the people thereupon returned to their homes.

On their flight, believing their homes would be pillaged and burned, they concealed many of their household goods in the woods, hiding them in hollow logs, in the thick brush, and in other places where they believed them safe from the supposed invaders. When they returned, many valued articles, which they supposed were effectually concealed, lay on the ground in plain sight, while others of but little worth or use were so securely hid that it was impossible again to find them.

After the return of the fugitives, Capt. Hoadley, to re-assure the people, called out the militia, and immediately afterward received orders from Gen. Wadsworth to proceed with his company to the defence of Cleveland. This the doughty captain peremptorily refused to do, and thus leave the people without protection in time of danger. He was therefore not court-martialed for disobedience of orders, but directed to establish 'frontier military headquarters" in Columbia, and the erection of so long a historical landmark of this exciting period, was accordingly begun, under the direction of David Beebe, of Ridgeville. Its location was a short distance south of Copopo, on the east side of the river. The building was some thirty-five feet square, two stories, the upper projecting over the lower story two feet on the sides, with a row of port-holes in each story. While in course of erection the militia occupied the house of Mrs. Azor Bronson near by. The fort was garrisoned for about three months. The company was furnished, by the United States government, with new rifles, which were brought by Sylvester Morgan, and two others on horseback, from Cleveland. About one-half of the company afterwards became substitutes for drafted men, and served under Gen. Harrison.

Until Perry's yictory on Lake Erie, in September, 1813, the red coat and the scalping knife haunted the settlers in visions by day and in dreams by night; and a rumor, however improbable, would cause immediate flight to the fort.

In the spring of 1812, Benoni Adams, while in search of some cattle, spied Joseph Burke as he was getting over a brush fence some distance from him, and it occurred to Adams to have a little sport. Hvidences of Indians in the immediate vicinity had recently been seen, and, when Adams gave a shout in imitation of the Indian's warwhoop, Burke darted off like a deer for his house. Adams, seeing his fright, and fearing the consequences of his joke, called after him to stop, but that only frightened Burke the more. Arriving at his house, he apprised his family of their danger, and, with their youngest child in his arms, Mrs. Burke following with the rest, set out for the fort, Burke yelling ''Indians!" all the way.. The alarm spread rapidly, and many ludicrous scenes were enacted.

Mrs. Azor Bronson, then a widow, lived a short distance from the fort, and the family of Noah Warner lived with her. Mrs. Bronson, on hearing the alarm, collected together a few things, and, seizing an old musket that had neither lock nor stock, with which to defend herself, started for the fort; while Mrs. Warner took a kettle of beans from over the fire and followed, in her terror forgetting her babe in the cradle.

After the close of the war small bands of Indians oc- ~ casionally returned to the Columbia hunting grounds. The last of them was a small party that encamped one winter on the bank of the river opposite the block _ house, in which, that same winter, Samuel Potter taught school. In the spring they went south, and only an occasional Indian was afterwards seen.

During the first years of the settlement there were seasons of great scarcity of food. Such a season occurred in1809. Whole families lived for many weeks at a time without bread and other necessaries of life. This season the people were reduced to such extremities that provisions had to be imported. James Geer and Seba Bronson, Jr., dug out a canoe and in it went down Rocky river, thence to Cleveland, where they engaged a man named Johnson, with his boat, to go with them to the river Raising, now Monroe, Mich., after provisions. <A terrific storm overtook them and they came near being lost. Their progress was slow, the journey so prolonged, and the people reduced to such a degree of want for food, that on the return of the party with provisions, a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God was observed.

The year 1811 was also a dismal one for the pioneers. A fever prevailed extensively, resulting in the death of nine members of the little community. Azor Bronson was the first and Bela Bronson the next; soon after followed Mrs. Pardee, three children of Ashael Osborn, and three of John Williams. Whole families were sicx at the same time, and there were not enough left in health to attend the sick. The dead were interred in coffins made by Captain Hoadley, out of planed whitewood slabs, and blackened with a mixture of basswood charcoal and milk.

At the time of its organization, this township was a part of Geauga county. At the election of officers, held at the house of Calvin Hoadley, Nathaniel Hoadley was called to the chair, and Bela Bronson appointed secretary. 'Township officers were chosen viva voce, as follows: Bela Bronson, elerk; Calvin Hoadley, John Willams and Jared Pritchard, trustees; Lathrop Seymour, constable. In May following, Nathaniel Doane was elected justice of the peace.

'All of Geanga county lying west of Columbia was annexed to that township for judicial and other purposes. The jurisdiction of that judicial functionary covered, in territorial extent, nearly an empire. The plaintiff in the first action brought before him, lived on Grand river, and the defendant on the Vermillion. It was the case of Skinner vs. Hulburt. The plaintiff had judgment, which was paid, not in legal tender, but in labor."* The labor was performed by the defendant for Calvin Hoadley and Nathaniel Doane, which paid the judgment.

Mrs. Sally Brown, in honor of being the first white woinan that settled in town, was accorded the privilege of naming it. She selected that of her native township, ''Columbia." At the time of the organization, there were twenty voters in the township, as follows: Lemuel Hoadley, Sr., Lemuel Hoadley, Jr., Calvin Hoadley, Jared Pritchard, Horace Gunn, Nathaniel Doane, Timothy Doane, Job Doane, Lathrop Seymour, Isaac Frost, Elias Frost, Lyman Frost,

Grist Mill

The first manufacturing establishment ever built in the county was the rude log grist mill of Calvin Hoadley, built in the summer of 1809. Its location was on the east bank of Rocky river, on lot thirtyfour. The captain built a dam across the creek on that lot, about where the present road intersects the creek, and carried the water to his mill by a ditch some fifty rods in length. The mill-stones of this pioneer establishment were made out of a couple of ''hard-heads," by Lemuel Hoadley. The mill was crowded with business, but it soon came to an inglorious end. The great drawback was its failure to run in dry weather, and the first freshet carried away the dam. The enterprise was abandoned, and a location was selected on the same river, on the north line of the township, on lot twenty-one. Here he erected, in April, 1811, another log mill, and the same year a saw mill. These mills, in that early time, constituted a center of as much importance as a great city does to-day. '' Hoadley's Mills" were known far and wide. In 1816, the log grist mill gave way toa frame. This old mill, built over sixty years ago, is still in operation, and has undergone but little change, although the familiar, smiling face of the miller has long since disappeared.

Saw Mill

A saw mill was built by Reuben Lewis in about the year 1814, a half-mile south of the center. A man by the name of Olmsted made the running gear and set it in operation. When the water was let on, the wheel turned the wrong way, and before the slight defect could be remedied, a freshet washed a channel around the mill and swept it away.

There are at the present time one grist mill - the old mill of Capt. Hoadley - now owned by O. Van Hise, and two saw mills, those of O. Van Hise and Brown & Brother.

The Columbia Cheese Factory

the only one in the township, was built in 1867. It is located at the center, and is owned by W. B. Follansbee. The number of cows supplying the factory is about three hundred. Average daily consumption of milk during the season of 1878 was from six to seven thousand pounds, making twelve cheese per day, of forty pounds each, and seventy pounds of butter. B. B. Adams, of the center, is at present conducting the enterprise.

The only store in Columbia is that of R. J. Bastard & Son, who carry a general stock of merchandise. The post office is in their store - R. Bastard, P. M.

Agricultural Statistics For 1878 Ransom Bronson

Mr. Bronson is a worthy descendant of an old and honored family. He was born in Waterbury, Conn., Sept. 11, 1805. He traces his lineage back to John Bronson, who emigrated from England to the United States in the year 1636. He settled in Hartford, Conn., but afterwards removed to Farmington, where he died in the year 1680.

The successive descendants, in the line of ancestry, were as follows: John Bronson, Joseph Bronson, Seba Bronson, and Azor Bronson, the.father of the subject of this sketch. He was one of a family of fourteen children, nearly all of whom emigrated to the West, as did also their parents.

He was one of the five trustees of the Waterbury Land Company, and was therefore one of the original owners of the soil of Columbia. He emigrated to the township with his family, consisting of his wife and four children, in the summer of 1811, arriving at the place of destination on the 4th day of July. He located on sub-lot 11, but before the completion of his house he was stricken down by a malignant disease, which was so fatally prevalent in the infant settlement at that time.

The family was left at his death in peculiarly unfortunate circumstances. The mother had four young' boys - the oldest only thirteen - to care for in the uncleared forest, with no available means to clear the land of the debt resting against it, or even to put the uncompleted house in a condition for occupancy. She moved into a house belonging to Nathaniel Doane, which she occupied until her marriage to Reuben Lewis, some three years after the death of her first husband.

Instead of ameliorating her condition by this marriage, as she evidently expected to do, it was rendered infinitely worse by the unkindness of her husband, both-to herself and children. After an unharmonious union of four years a separation ensued, Mr. Lewis

During this time the boys worked out at whatever they could find to do, and thus supported themselves, and for a time were kept together with their mother.

Ransom, at the age of eleven, took up his abode, under contract, with Marshall Culver. One day he thoughtlessly cut down some of the trees in his employer's growing sugar-bush. Culver was greatly offended, and refused to keep the boy longer. The lad regarded this as a great misfortune, but it really proved a blessing in disguise, for he was immediately after placed under the care of Samuel Hitchcock, to whose teaching and influence he attributes much of his subsequent success in life. He was trained by him in habits of industry and economy.

Dec. 4, 1833, Mr. Bronson was united in marriage to Mrs. 8. H. Frink. His mother subsequently made her home with them, and died at their residence in Columbia, in the year 1851, aged seventy-seven.

Mrs. Ransom Bronson

Mr. Bronson's occupation has been that of a farmer, and by good management, untiring industry, and frugal habits he has accumulated a fine property.

He has held various township offices, such as trustee, justice of the peace, etc. He was elected to the former office when twenty-two years of age. He was formerly a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but at the organization of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of West View, which was the result of a division of the former church on the question of slavery, became one of the charter members.

His first wife died in 1877, and Dec. 25 of the same year he married the widow of Aaron J. Chapin, with whom he is now living at West View, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio.

Mrs. Bronson is the daughter of Moses and Almira (Smith) Adams, who were born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., in the year 1805; the father, Aug. 7, and the mother, April 26.

They had a family of six children, - two boys and four girls. The oldest daughter died in Joliet, IIl., in 1878, and ason, John Q. A. M., died when young.

Ida married, in the year 1870, Lindsey Anderson, and is now residing at Harvard, Ill. The two sons, unmarried, also reside there. Olive died March 19, 1859.

Mr. and Mrs. Chapin first settled in Canada, where they remained about a year, thence removing to Iowa. After a residence there of three years they moved to Minnesota, and two years subsequently, back to their former home in Riceville, Pa.

He was a cabinet-maker, and was a skillful workman. Mr. Chapin served four years in the war of the Rebellion, being a member of Company D, Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He died in Canada, in the year 1871.

During her widowhood, Mrs. Bronson resided mostly at Titusville, Pa., but retained her home in Riceville. Though encountering many difficulties, by industry and frugality she maintained herself and children, whom she gave also a good education. She looks back to that period as one of great usefulness.

Jesse Eppy was born in Washington Co., Pa., Dec. 15, 1814. He was the son of David and Elizabeth Eddy, and lived at the home of his parents until he became of age.

David Eddy came from Pennsylvania about 1806, and erected a log cabin for his father, Caleb Eddy, in Euclid township, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. He spent a part of his time in Columbia township, Lorain Co., until his marriage with Elizabeth Sherdine, of Pennsylvania, March 4, 1814. The following year (1815) he brought his wife and settled in Columbia township, remaining there until his death, which occurred Oct. 21, 1853. His wife survived him about one year, she dying Oct. 6, 1854. They had four children, as follows, namely :

Jesse, born Dec. 15, 1814; married Caroline Chamberlain, Jan. 30, 1837; had issue - Mary E., who married Cephas Myers; Susan Josephine, who died in early childhood; Hattie E., who married James M. Mann; both now reside in Rochester township.

Eunice Eddy, born Feb. 22, 1822 ; married - 1st, Hiram N. Bradford; 2d, Samuel Huntley. Her children were Eddy, Sylva E., Viola 8., Henry O., of whom Viola died Oct. 1, 1862; Sylva married Dr. M. H. Miller; and Henry married Miss Ella Storrow:

Caleb Eddy was born in the year 1754, in Morristown, Morris Co., N. J. He married a Miss Brown. © Their children were Timothy, born March 4, 1781; David, born Feb. 1, 1783; Elizabeth, born Dec. 9, 1784, still living in New Jersey in her ninety-third year.

Caleb Eddy married for his second wife a Widow Jones, and had by her four sons and two daughters, - Ksther, born Aug. 9, 1789; Caleb, Jr., born Sept. 25, 1791; Sarah, born Sept. 4, 1793; Phebe, born Dec. 12, 1797; Samuel, born Nov. 24, 1799, still living in Bristol township, Kenosha Co., Wis. ; Isabel, born Sept. 20, 1804.

About the year 1790, Caleb Eddy moved into Washington Co., Pa., where his last five children were born. He went from Pennsylvania to Euclid, Ohio, about the year 1807, and was among the pioneers of Cuyahoga County. He died there about the year 1819. His widow afterwards married a Mr. Blinn, and died at Euclid. Caleb Eddy followed his trade, that of a blacksmith, most of his life, giving little attention to farming.

'Jesse Eddy, as before stated, remained at home until he was twenty-one. He was occupied as a farm laborer, renting lands for a year or two after his marriage, when his father gave him twenty acres. - He subsequently purchased ten acres more, making a total of thirty acres. These he exchanged for sixty acres of woodland, and on this he built a log cabin, and commenced life in real earnest by carving for himself a home.

His wife died in the old home, Feb. 5, 1855. She never had a strong constitution, but was full of energy and ambition. Her death was deeply mourned by her husband and friends.

Mr. Eddy has had various offices of trust bestowed upon him by his fellow-citizens. He was postmaster at Rochester Depot for four and a half years, and bears the reputation of having been its most efficient officer. During his term he registered nine hundred letters; the smallest amount having been fifty cents, the largest, seven thousand dollars, in bonds, which went to Fort Collins, Col. He has also held other trusts, all of which he filled faithfully and well. :

Danae Ser

The surface rises from the north in successive ridges, parallel to the lake shore, the principal of which are Center ridge, Chestnut ridge and Butternut ridge. The soil is varied and fertile, producing abundantly whatever the hand of the husbandman entrusts to it. The township is one of the most highly improved in the county, presenting to one who rides through it an almost constant succession of cultivated fields and tasty homes. Along the ridges originally prevailed the chestnut, butternut, whitewood, white oak, beech and maple - the chestnut being especially abundant. On the lower land, the elm, basswood, black ash and hickory were the leading varieties, The streams are few and unimportant, the principal being East creek, Center creek and West creek, so called from their position in the township. The first two flow into Avon, where they unite and form French creek, a tributary of Black river. West creek flows into the township of Elyria and is also an affluent of Black river.

There are two stone quarries in the northeastern part of the township, owned and worked by Lovel and Sydney L. Beebe. The stone underlies a considerable tract of land and is sandstone of the newer formation. Some of the finest building stone in the country are obtained at these quarries. It is finished up by the owners, at the present time, chiefly for monumental use. There is'a similar quarry on the farm of Wyllis Terrell, though not extensively worked.

First Arrivals

In the fall of 1809, Oliver Terrell, Ichabod Terrell and David Beebe, Sr., of Waterbury, Conn., exchanged their New England farms with Mr. Root for something over one-fourth of the township. Having the privilege of selecting their land, they chose the northeast quarter, with some additional territory on Butternut ridge.

In April of the next year, a company of men, some twelve or thirteen in number, on foot and with their knapsacks on their backs, set out from Waterbury for the western purchase. Their names were David Beebe and two sons, David and Loman, Joel Terrell, Oliver Terrell, Philander Terrell, Elihu Terrell, Lyman

At Buffalo they bought an outfit consisting of axes, saws, planes, chains, and some other articles for their use in the Ridgeville woods. A man with a small sail boat was engaged to carry the tools to Cleveland, one of the men, Lyman Root, accompanying to take charge of the valuable cargo on its arrival at Cleveland. The rest of the company resumed the journey the next morning and reached Cleveland only a day after the arrival of the vessel. From this place, then a little settlement of only a few cabins, they proceeded to Ridgeville, by way of Columbia, carrying in their knapsacks some of the lighter implements and leaving the rest to be brought afterwards on pack-horses. They reached the end of their long journey on Tuesday, May 10th. As they approached the Ridgeville line David Beebe, Jr., quietly passed ahead of his associates, and arriving first on the ground, cut down the first tree. The first improvement was made on lot fifteen, on land now owned by John Lonsby. Here the men erected a rude log cabin, the roof of which consisted of bark. The structure was without even the luxury of a puncheon floor. In this the men kept bachelor's hall, while on their selected locations they prosecuted the work of clearing and preparing for the arrival of their families later in the season.

The First Settlement

in the town was made July 6, 1810. On that day Tillotson Terrell and his family, consisting of his wife and three children, from Waterbury, Connecticut, came upon the ground and took up their abode in the cabin with the men on lot fifteen. They all lived here as one family until the following September. Mr. Terrell remained until October, when he moved into a house which, in the meantime, had been erected for him on the place now occupied by the residence of the widow of Harry Terrell. On the arrival, soon afterwards, of his father, Ichabod Terrell and his family, Mr. Terrell changed his location to the east bank of Center creek, and afterwards to a more permanent one two miles farther east, on lot eight. The farm is now occupied by his son Lovinus. Here he spent the remainder of his life. He was born in Waterbury, Conn., May 1,.1785. He married, at the age of eighteen, Electa Wilmot, daughter of Elisha and Hannah Wilmot, and lived in Waterbury until his emigration to Ohio. The life of this pioneer came to an untimely end December 23, 1838. While in the woods hunting, about a mile from his house, he was shot by one Sylvester Powers, who, seeing Mr. Terrell at some distance from him through intervening brush mistook him for a deer. He lived until the following morning, and although conscious from the first that he was mortally hurt, exhibited the greatest coolness and self possession in the midst of surrounding grief and excitement, and died without a murmur at his fate, or a word of reproach for the man who was the cause of it. His widow continued to carry on the farm until her younger children were settled in life, when she made her home with her youngest son, on the old homestead. She died November 23, 1861, aged seventy-six. There were eleven children, and all were living at the time of the father's death. Five are now (January, 1879,) living. Eliza lives near Grand Rapids, Michigan. She married Rev. William Peters, a Methodist minister and resided in Ridgeville for some years. Esther is the wife of John H. Faxon, Esq., of Elyria, and Harriet the wife of Dr. George Underhill, of La Grange. 'Two sons, : Marcus and Lovinus, are residents of this town. Lucinda was the first wife of Laurel Beebe, a well known resident of the town. She died in 1851.

Lost In The Woods

It was during the residence of the family in their first location on the Ridge that the following incident occurred. One morning while Mr. Terrell was at work preparing for the erection of his house on Center creek, Mrs. Terrell went to the stream at a point further east to get a pail of water. Instead of returning immediately as she had intended, she concluded to go over to her husband and see how his work was progressing and started, as she supposed, in the right direction. But she soon became bewildered and lost in the dense woods, and could neither find her husband nor her home, where she had left little children. After wandering about in the woods nearly all day, over logs and through brush and swamp, she came by accident upon the "Indian trail" which led from Columbia through Ridgeville to the mouth of Black river. This, by chance, she followed in the right direction, and finally reached her home, though ina terribly worn and wretched condition. It will serve to indicate the newness of the country to know that the spring to which Mrs.. Terrell went for the water was only about thirty rods from the house.

In the latter part of October, 1810, the families of David Beebe, Sr., David Beebe, Jr., and Lyman Root, who arrived under the care of David Beebe, Jr., and Ichabod Terrell, his family and his aged father, Oliver Terrell, were added to the infant colony. 'There were in the party some twenty-two persons, the oldest eighty-two years and the youngest five weeks. Two wagons, three yoke of oxen and one horse, brought the emigrants and their effects.

At Cleveland, Ichabod Terrell bought a barrel each of flour and salt, paying therefor the snug sum of forty dollars. Instead of going around through Columbia, as their predecessors had done, they took amore direct course, and from Rocky river to the place of destination, had to cut theirown road. This part of the journey, only twelve miles in extent, consumed nearly four days. As the party approached the house of Tillotson Terrell, Mrs. 'David Beebe, Jr., who was a near neighbor of Mrs. Terrell in Waterbury, led the way so as to be the first to greet her friend. 'The two women were so moved by the meeting, that neither could utter a word for some time, during which they stood with hands clasped across the brush fence that surrounded the Terrell cabin. Mrs. Beebe was the first white woman Mrs. Terrell had seen for over three months,

When the party reached the settlement Lorin Smith who had driven one of the teams through, was told that each of the pioneers had done some special act to signalize the settlement of the colony and that it was his work to do the first plowing. He complied with the suggestion, and thus he has the honor of turning the first furrow in Ridgeville. Mr. Smith afterwards settled in Delaware county, where he died in March, 1878.

The Beebes located on lot twenty-one. Dayid Beebe, Sr., was born in Waterbury, Conn., April 23, 1747. He married Lydia Terrell, February 1, 1768, who was born in Waterbury, January 10,1747. They had eleven children, as follows, named in the order of their birth: Alice, Ava, Electa, Lydia, Esther, Eunice, David, Molly, Chester, Augustus, Loman.

Mr. Beebe became blind some years previous to his death, which occurred in the year 1840, at the advanced age of ninety-four. Mrs. Beebe died in 1833, aged eighty-eight.

Four Days And Three Nights In The Woods

. Early one morning in the fall of 1811, Mr. Beebe went into the woods in search of his horses, and the day being cloudy, he lost his way and wandered about all day without the least knowledge of the direction in which he was going. Night overtaking him, he crept into a hollow tree and there passed a sleepless night. The next day he moved about unceasingly to discover some object by which he could determine his whereabouts, but without success, and in looking fora lodging place, to his great amazement, he found the same hollow tree in which he spent the previous night. Convinced by this that he had been travelling in a circle, he adopted the plan the following day of selecting three or more trees in range, and in this way was enabled to travel in.a direct course. Another night, however, was spent in the woods, making-his bed on mother earth under one of the trees which he had selected in line. In the forenoon of the fourth day he reached the lake shore in Avon, which he followed westward until reaching the house of John S. Reid at the mouth of Black river. Here he was given a little food, his famished condition not permitting the quantity his wasted physical condition craved, and was then sent by Mr. Reid in the care of a guide to the house of Asahel Porter, on the lake

John Terrell, with two brothers, Roger and Jesse, emigrated from England to America about the year 1630. Roger is mentioned in history, in 1639, as one of the New Haven colonists who settled Milford, Conn.; he coming from Wethersfield, and probably from Watertown, Mass., to Wethersfield.

Jesse settled at Naugatuck: The first mention of John, at Milford, is on the church record, as follows: John Terrell and his wife, Abigail, baptized August, 1644; so that probably he came to Milford a few years later than his brother Roger. Subsequently he settled in New York, and owned two acres of land where the city hall now stands. John had a son John, who was born in 1655. This John had eight children, among whom was Josiah, born in 1695. Josiah married Mary Goodwin, Jan. 1, 1723. They had seven children, among whom was Oliver, born in 1730. Oliver had two children, Ichabod and Lucinda. Oliver came, with his children and their families, from Waterbury, Conn., to Ohio in 1810, when he was eighty years old. He was very spry and active, and rode on horseback the entire distance. He died in Columbia, this county, in 1816, aged eighty-six.

Ichabod, the only son of Oliver, was born in 1763. He married, in 1783, Rhoda Williams, one of the very few survivors of the Wyoming massacre. To them were born ten children, as follows, - Tillotson, born May 1, 1785; married Electa Wilmot in 1804, and died Dee. 23,1836; they had eleven children. Lydia, born Nov. 1, 1787; married James Emmons in 1807; they had thirteen children; she died Oct. 25, 1871, aged eighty-four. Philander, born Dec. 10, 1789; married Lora Beebe in 1811; had fifteen children, and died in April, 1875, aged eighty-six. Oliver, born Sept. 2, 1791; married, in October, 1815, Anna Bunnel; had three children; he died Feb. 19, 1865, aged seventy-five. Lucinda, born Nov. 6, 1795 ; married Aaron Warner, June 29, 1813 ; had five children, and died Sept. 3, 1872, aged seventyseven. Orpha, born May 2, 1798; married John Shaffer in 1817; had twelve children, and died in August, 1872, aged seventy-four. Ichabod, born Oct. 1, 1800; married Sally Humphrey, Oct. 8, 1823; they have six children, and live in Ridgeville, on the farm where they commenced their married life. Elihu F., born Jan. 3, 1802; married Electa Marsh in 1822; he had four children, and died April 9, 1843, aged forty-one. Horace, born Aug. 10, 1803; married Minerva Mc- Neal, July 4, 1823; he has had thirteen children, and now lives in Iowa. Harry was born at Waterbury, Conn., April 7, 1806; he married, March 2, 1826, Annis, daughter of Joseph and Betsey Humphrey. She was born at Simsbury, Conn., Jan. 7, 1807.

Ichabod, the father of Harry, exchanged his lands in Waterbury, Conn., for an undivided third of the northesst quarter of the township of Ridgeville. On this tract of land he settled with his family in October, 1810, then an unbroken wilderness. They came from Connecticut with ox-teams, and were seven weeks on the way. They cut their road from Rocky River, a distance of twelve miles, camping out three nights between that and Ridgeville. Ichabod Terrell was a man of sterling traits of character, holding different offices of trust among his people. He lived to see a home built up for his family amid this wilderness. He died July 23, 1825, aged sixty-one,

His wife survived him a number of years, and died in June, 1851, aged eighty-five. She was pre-eminently fitted to endure the privations and hardships of frontier life; a woman of unflinching courage, and fearless among the Indians and wild beasts of the forest. She was a mother to each pioneer family as they made their advent into the new settlement, and far and near she was known as " Aunt Rhoda."

Harry, their youngest son, and subject of this sketch, was but four years old when he was brought into this unbroken wilderness to battle with the stern realities of frontier life. He very early learned to use the rifle with unerring aim, and many were the trophies of deer, bear, wolves, ete., of which he and his brothers were the victors. He met with two very narrow escapes with his lifefrom wild animals while hunting alone in the woods; but these incidents were quite common to all the early settlers.

His early education was such as he could pick up in this pioneer settlement, where every one was battling to clear the soil of its dense forest. His arithmetic was learned by figuring with a coal on the puncheon floor, his father being the instructor. Eager and quick to learn, he soon mastered reading, writing, ete., and was much in advance of the other pioneer children of his age, so that we find him at the age of nineteen teaching their school. He was commissioned by Governor Allen Trimble as captain in the 9th Company, 2d Regiment, 2d Brigade, 9th Division, in the Ohio Militia, to rank as such from the 7th day of November, 1829. He held various offices of trust, both from his town and county. Elected justice of the peace in 1835, he held that office for many years for which he was so well qualified. Several instances are mentioned in which he adjourned court and went with the parties to their homes to effect a settlement and reconciliation. Among the German settlers he was known as "the man vot makes it all right."

He was proverbially neat in his person and appearance, and correct and exact in everything he did. Always cheerful and social, in his later years nothing pleased him better than to have a houseful of young people " as visitors."'

He died Sept. 4, 1864. His wife survives him, and still lives on the farm and in the same house where they commenced their married life fifty-three years ago, and where he had lived since he was four years old.

shore in Dover, where he was again refreshed with food and rest, and then conducted to his home. Every possible effort had been made to find the unfortunate man - men from adjoining towns assisting his immediate friends and neighbors in the search. While in the woods he subsisted on a few hickory nuts which he had been carrying in his pocket.

David Beebe, Jr., or Major Beebe, as he was generally called, built a distillery at an early date on Center creek, opposite the Cahoon grist mill, operated it for a few years and then abandoned the business. He was a mason by trade and was much engaged in brick and stone laying in this region of country, especially in Elyria. His death took place August 27, 1847, aged seventy-six. His wife, Belinda Beebe, survived him many years; her death occurred at the age of nearly eighty-seven. There were seven children, two of whom are living, viz: David, in Elyria, and Mrs. Bennett Smith, in Buffalo.

Lyman Root removed to Dover the next spring after his arrival in Ridgeville, but returned in 1815, and settled near East creek, on what is known as the Mills farm. He manufactured the ashes of the settlers into black salts, and also kept a little store in an early day. He died in Ridgeville in 1836; his wife many years after, in Wood county, Ohio. They had eleven children, and seven of them are now living, though none in town.

Ichabod Terrell moved into the house then occupied by his son Tillotson, who vacated when his house on Center creek, then in course of erection, was completed. Mr. Terrell was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1763.- He married Rhoda Williams, also of Waterbury, who was a survivor of the Wyoming massacre. They had a family of ten children, of whom Tillotson was the oldest. The other children were Lydia, Philander, Oliver, Lucinda, Orpha, Ichabod, Franklin, Horace, and Harry. They all, with one exception, settled and resided in the town for longer or shorter periods.

Ichabod, now living in Ridgeville, has been a resident of the place for nearly sixty-nine consecutive years. He is the sole survivor in town of those who arrived in 1810. He is now seventy-eight, and his wife, who was Sally Humphrey, seventy-seven.

Ichabod, the pioneer, died in 1825. His wife died in Columbia, in 1851, in the eighty-sixth year of her age. She left, at her death, ninety-one grand-children and a large number of great grand-children surviving her.

Noah Terrell came from Waterbury, with his family, when Tillotson Terrell came. He stopped in Columbia, for a short time, and then removed to Ridgeville, occupying, for a while, the first cabin moved to Columbia, and later, to Dover, but, eventually returned to this town, and died here. He had a turning lathe, with which he made wooden ware, such as trenchers, or plates, milk bowls, and many

In the fall of 1810, Joel Terrell returned to Waterbury, and in July, of the next year, he and his wife, and their son Wyllis, and his family, of wife and five children, started for their home in the distant west. They joined the infant colony in September following. They erected a house on the ground now occupied by the frame tavern at the Center, and the two families jointly occupied it, until the elder Terrell built a house where his grandson, Wyllis Terrell, now lives. He moved into his cabin January 13, 1812. It was a very primitive structure, when Mr. Terrell and wife began house-keeping in it. It was without a floor, and indeed, had not a board in it, except two planks used as a foundation for the bedstead, and through an opening in the roof, over the fire-place, the tops of three large oaks could be seen. This house was occupied for thirteen years, and then a frame was built on the same spot, or nearly so.

Mr. Terrell being a shoemaker, was a valuable acquisition to the little settlement. The settlers paid him, for the shoes he made them, in clearing and logging. He was a very successful bee hunter, and for years, now and then, a tree was found in Ridgeville forests, bearing the inscription of his name. He was a.man of much energy of character, and was one of the most prominent men in the place. He was the first justice of the peace elected in the township. His death occurred in 1825, at the age of sixty-eight, and his wife, Eunice, in 1842, aged eighty-four.

They had but one child, Wyllis. He, Wyllis, soon opened his log house as a tavern. It was a favorite place of resort for the Indians, both before and after the war. Major Terrell always treated them kindly, occasionally yielding to their importunities for liquor, ebut always exacting from them the promise that they would not get drunk, a promise which, it is said, they always kept. Major Terrell bought the Cahoon grist mill, soon after it was built, and the Indians always yielded to their requests to be trusted for payment, and this gained their further admiration. They frequently brought the family presents. They finally gave the tavern the name of and, on one occasion, some twenty of the men brought their squaws and pappooses to see the wonderful place. Some time afterwards, one of their number brought a pair of deers' horns, and fastened them up to the front side of the house. For a number of years, small bands of them would pass and repass the place, and would often stay over night in the house. In 1821, the old structure was torn down, and the following year a frame was built, and in this Major Terrell kept tavern up to the date of his death, in 1830. His wife died in 1857. There were six children in this family, four of whom are living, as fol-

During the year 1812, a few additions were made to the settlement. George Sexton, with his family of wife and one child, arrived in the spring of that year. He was originally from Bennington county, Vermont, but had resided for a short time in Newburgh, Cuyahoga county. He settled on Center ridge, on lot thirty-nine. The location is now occupied by the saw mill: of John Cahoon. He remained there three years, and then sold to Samuel Cahoon, and moved farther west on the same road... Sexton married a daughter of Joseph Cahoon, and the two families emigrated from Vermont together, Cahoon settling in Dover, Cuyahoga county. Mr, Sexton died in November, 1829, and his wife in the fall of 1859. Of their seven children, all but two are dead. Cyrus S. lives in Ridgeville, and Amos in Cuyahoga county.

Jonathan A. Sexton, a brother of George, arrived in town in 1812, and married here and 'settled, His wife was Betsey Shellhouse. He lived on lot thirtynine for several years and then moved to Carlisle, and later to Wisconsin, where he died. Soon after, another brother, James Sexton, came into the township with his family, and settled on the lot on which his brother George last lived. He sold out in 1834, and eventually removed to Wisconsin and died there. His widow, who was a daughter of Martin Shellhouse, is now (January, 1879,) living in St. Joseph, Mo., at the age of eighty-seven.

Incident

One night, in 1817, Mr. Sexton was aroused by a fracas in the direction of his sheep pen, and, on going out to ascertain the cause, found, in the corner of the fence, his large dog and a wolf engaged in deadly conflict. Sexton procured a club and went to the assistance of the dog. In a few moments Mrs. Sexton arrived with the ax, with which her husband quickly despatched the wolf. The ground was covered with snow at the time, and both husband and wife were barefoot. Mrs. Sexton, herself, with only a broom for her weapon, once rescued a pig from the jaws of a bear.

Hardships Of The Early Settlers

There were now some ten families in the township. Their nearest neighbors were in Columbia, and between them lay the unbroken forest. West of them the nearest settlement was at Florence, Erie county, twenty-two miles away. But their comparative isolation was not their greatest hardship. Food was sometimes very scarce and hard to procure. After the land was once brought under cultivation it produced abundantly, but it was covered with an extremely heavy growth of timber, which rendered the work of clearing, slow and difficult. The price of many articles of food which the people of to-day would regard as indispensable, was so high as to render them beyond the reach of the pioneers, and their food. was consequently of the plainest character. A mush, made of "jointed" corn, milk and stewed pumpkin, were some of the dishes composing the meal. Until the erection of the Cahoon mill, in the spring of 1813, it was often difficult for the settlers to get their grinding done. 'They sometimes carried their grain to the mill at Chagrin Falls, forty miles distant, and, at others, depended on the '' mortar and pestle."

The clothing of the early settlers was as simple as their food. For a number of years after settlement, every farmer whose land was suitable for the growth of flax, cultivated more or less of the product, from which most of the clothing for summer wear was made. In the winter the men occasionally wore whole suits of buckskin, and their pantaloons were frequently of that material. It was far more durable than agreeable. The pants would often be wet to the knees, and, when dried in the evening before the blazing fire, something of a struggle would be required for the wearer, on going to rest, to bring about a separation; and the experience of getting into them of a morning, with the thermometer, perhaps, down to zero, can be better imagined than described.

While their condition was one of poverty, it was softened by the fact that none were exempt from it. They all shared. the same lot, endured the same hardships, subsisted on the same food, and were arrayed in the same rude garments, and there was, therefore, no occasion for envy or uneasiness on the part of any one.

There were many things, however, that tended to discouragement. 'The cattle died in large numbers of murrain - a disease from which they were not wholly exempt for many years. Wolves attacked and killed the sheep, and considerable expense was incurred in building enclosures to protect them from

Not only were the sheep unsafe from them, but they would frequently kill calyes and young cattle. Joel Terrell, one night, thus lost two young cattle only a short distance from his house.

In the prosecution of the work of clearing, the larger trees were generally girdled, and, when dead, would frequently in a dry time take fire from burning logheaps, when an arduous struggle would be required for the settlers to save their homes. A fire, originating in this manner, destroyed, in the summer of 1815, the log house of the elder Beebe, ioe all its contents except a single bed.

In August, 1812, Hull surrendered Detroit, and a few days after, a report reached Ridgeville that a party of British and Indians were seen landing at Huron. This information created the greatest excitement among the inhabitants, and preparations for flight were immediately commenced. Household hollow logs, and even buried in the earth, while a few blankets and other camp equipage were packed on horses, or in wagons, a general hegira was made for Columbia. There were about ten famlies living in Ridgeville at this time. David Beebe, Sr., David

Beebe, Jr., Joel Terrell, Wyllis Terrell, and Loman Beebe, and their families, with a wagon and two yoke of cattle journeyed along the ridge road, until they reached the old "mud road leading to Columbia. Ichabod Terrell and his family, with a cart and a yoke of oxen, took the old Indian trail to Columbia. In preparing for the journey, Mr. Terrell discovered that one of his oxen was suffering intensely from the bite of a rattlesnake, his swollen tongue hanging out of his mouth, and the family traveled only a mile and a half the first day. They camped in the woods the first night, and the next day, the disabled ox having partially recovered, they arrived in 'Columbia. The Beebe party, after many mishaps, reached Hoadley's Mills, on the north line of the township of Columbia, and spent the night in a deserted log cabin. The Columbia settlement was found to be nearly abandoned. The next day, word reached them that the party, supposed to be Hull's victors, were the paroled prisoners, and the refugees returned to their homes, all surviving their terrible fright. From this time until Perry's victory, the settlers lived in almost constant fear of Indian massacre.

All the men in Ridgeville, who were subject to military duty, were stationed at the block house, in Columbia, and thus the women and children were left to the protection of a few old men. Thus things continued until September, 1813. On the tenth day of that month, the roar of cannon was plainly heard in Ridgeville, booming, at first, so slowly that, it is said, Mrs. David Beebe distinctly counted sixty guns when the firing became a confused sound. The inhabitants knew that a battle on the lake was in progress, and that on its result, depended the safety of their homes, and perhaps their lives, and hence their minds were intensely agitated. Soon the joyful news arrived that Perry had won a glorious victory, and further fears were dispelled.

The following are the names of those from Ridgeville who were on duty at the block house, viz: Wyllis Terrell, David Beebe, Jr., Loman C. Beebe, Samuel Beebe, Leverett Terrell, Oliver Terrell, Philander Terrell, Tillotson Terrell, Noah Terrell, John W. Hill, and Sheldon Wooster.

A few additions were made to the settlement during the war. Stephen Cables came into the township in 1812, and settled on lot thirty-three. Three years afterward, he removed to Amherst, where he lived the remainder of his life.

Asahel Morgan settled on center ridge, lot sixteen, in September, 1813. He came into the country without his family in the fall of 1810, driving one of the teams of the party that came at that time - as far as the eighteen mile woods, in New York. He svon after returned to Connecticut for his family, but was dissuaded from moving at that time by the prospect of war. Mr. Morgan died in 1837, on his original location. His wife died in 1832. They had seven children, as follows: Asa, Ira B., Sylvester, Martin, Minerva, Eli L. and Maria. The first three emigrated to Ohio a few years before the remainder of the family, and were among the first settlers in Haton township. The rest of the children, except Maria, who died early, married and settled in Ridgeville. Eli is the only surviving member of the family; he lived in Ridgeville until 1862. He now lives in Carlisle, and is seventy-four years of age.

Martin Shellhouse and family, and his oldest son Martin and his family, came into the township, in 1813, and located on center ridge. The old gentleman was in very feeble health at the time of arrival, and died a week afterward. The wife of Martin Jr. also died shortly after settlement. The rest of the two families, except two daughters who intermarried with the Sextons, removed to Florence, Erie county.

Moses Eldred came into the township in December, 1813. He was a native of Massachusetts, whence he removed to Dover, Cuyahoga county, in March, 1811. His location in Ridgeville was on center ridge, lot forty-six. At the time of his settlement there was not a house west of him nearer than Florence, Erie county. He lived in Ridgeville until 1836, and then again took up his residence in Cuyahoga county, in Bedford, and later in Carlisle, where he died in June, 1857. Mrs. Eldred died in 1832. They had a family of ten children, six of whom are living. Clark, Noah and Melissa (Mrs. Wm. O. Cahoon) live in Elyria township, and Francis in Ridgeville. Aaron lives in Medina county, Ohio, and Jarvis in Michigan.

Mr. Eldred served in the war of 1812, and was wounded in a skirmish with the Indians on the peninsula, near Sandusky, in September, 1812. Joshua R. Giddings, then a young man, sixteen or seventeen years of age, was in the same engagement, and carried Mr. E. from the field of battle. He was the first postmaster in Ridgeville, and at a subsequent period was associate judge for Lorain county.

Calvin Smith and Zenas Barnum came into the township in 1815. The latter bought out Stephen Cables. His father, John Barnum, arrived the next year.

Chauncey and James Emmons were the first settlers on Butternut ridge, in this township, settling in 1814. In 1818, Joseph Cole planted himself between them. Buel Peck, N. H. Hinkley, N. Case, Philo Murray, E. Rice, Peter Cole, Miles Tyler, and a family of the name of Chanter, came about the same time.

on Center ridge, lot twenty-eight. A few years subsequent, he moved to Chestnut ridge, and bought the farm previously owned by his son-in-law, Truman Walker, and spent the remainder of his life there.

Aaron Sexton, father of the Sextons previously mentioned, with his wife and three sons, arrived in 1816, and took up his abode on the lot on which James and George were then residing, they erecting a house for him. His son Wilhkiam afterward married and settled in Carlisle, and. Platt in Huron county. The other son, Eastus, was a cripple and never married. The father died in 1827 or 1828, and his wife many years after, in the ninety-fourth year of her age.

Truman Walker was the first settler on Chestnut ridge. He located in the year 1813 or 1814. John Shaffer was an early settler in this 'part of the town. Harris Emmons and Seth R. Alcott located further west on the same road, in 1818.

John Kibby settled here on lot fifteen, in the summer of 1821. He and his wife are living, and on their original location. A little romance is associated with their marriage, which occurred on their journey from Connecticut. Having suddenly determined to emigrate with Origen Adams and family to the ''far west," a compliance with the law, requiring the publication from the pulpit of the marriage bans for three successive Sundays preceding the marriage, was impossible. But as soon as the party got out of their native county, a justice of the peace was sought, to whom the young man stated his case, accompanied by a request to unite him to his traveling companion, ''if he could do so in view of the law." The magistrate expressed his contempt for the law, tied the nuptial knot, and the young people resumed the journey as man and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Kibby are now aged respectively eighty and seventyeight. Mr. Kibby has been blind for the last four years. Adams located in the western part of the town on Center ridge. Some twenty years afterward, he removed to Wisconsin, where he subsequently died. A son, Elmer, lives in Elyria; and a daughter, Mrs. Jeremiah Van Wormer, in Ridgeville.

Ebenezer Porter settled on Sugar ridge in 1822, and died here in 1867, at the advanced age of ninety-two. Two of the children live in the county, viz: Mrs. Cyrus L. Sexton in Ridgeville, and Mrs. Williams in' Avon. The family was from Massachusetts, as was also that of Richard Van Wormer and his father, Jeremiah, who located on the same road in 1823.

Thomas Phelps arrived in 1822,.lccating on lot twenty-eight, where Borden Beebe previously lived. He eventually removed to the township of Sullivan and subsequently died there.

Chester Beebe, son of David Beebe, Sr., with his family, consisting of his wife and two sons, joined the settlement in October, 1818. He settled on the northeast corner lot of the: township, known as the "'windfall" lot, erecting his house on the location now occupied by hisson, Sidney L. Beebe. He raised a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. The sons, Laurcl, Lovel,

William Blain and his family moved into town in the same year. They were from New Jersey. Mr. Blain made his location on Butternut ridge. He cleared up the farm now occupied by the! widow of his son, Richard, and lived on it until his death in 1849. Mrs. Blain died in 1861. They had a family of seven children, two of whom, Mrs. Lydia Abbey and Isaac Biain reside in the township.

James Blakesley and his family, consisting of his wife and five children, moved into town in February, 1820. 'They were originally from Waterbury, but came from Trumbull county to Ridgeville. Mr. Blakesley located on Butternut ridge, on lot fourteen, and lived there until his death in 1858, aged eightytwo. His wife died in 1840. Chauncey Blakesley is the only member of the family now living in the town. A daughter, Eliza, marred Elijah Rigby, in Trumbull county. He came to Ridgeville with his family in 1819, settling on lot fourteen. He subsequently went to Illinois, where his wife died. He now liyes in Wisconsin.

Joseph Humphrey and family, consisting of wife and four children, came to Ridgeville from Connecticut, in 1822. He settled at the Center, on the location of the brick hotel, which he built in 1830. His tavern bore the name of '' Farmer's Inn." His death occurred in 1853 or 1854. His widow died many years after, aged eighty-six. Three children are now living, and in Ridgeville, viz: Mrs. Ichabod 'Terrell, Mrs. Harry Terrell and Mark Humphrey. He - Mark - continued the hotel for a number of years after his father's death.

The first couple married in the township was Jethro Butler, of Dover, to Clarissa Beebe, daughter of Borden Beebe. They were married in the winter of 1813, by Joel Terrell, justice of the peace. The first child born in Ridgeville of civilized parents, was Harriet Terrell, daughter of Noah and Esther Ter- This event occurred in the spring of 1811, and, very appropriately, in the first house -built in the township. Wyllis Terrell, in writing of this event in the Elyria Constitution, says :

"During the winter frequent rains and heavy snow-fall filled the swamps and low places with water, and at the opening of Spring, to make the matter still worse, there came an unusually heavy rain, and Center creek swelled to the size of a river. David Beebe becoming alarmed at the situation, started up the creek to look after his daughter © and family, and found her and her babe, three weeks old, in bed, and the water four inches deep on the floor, and a little fire ina kettle near the bed. He moved the family to his home on the ridge, and thus the cabin was deserted after being the home of the first settlers for eleven months." township was Nancy Beebe, daughter of David and Belinda Beebe. She was born April 18th, 1812. She became the wife of Mark Humphrey, now living in Ridgeville. The first male child born in the town was Owen A. Cable, son of Stephen Cable. He was born in 1813. The first death was that of Martin Shellhouse, an old gentleman who was brought from Vermont to Ridgeville on a bed. ' He died Noy. 27, 1813, one week after his arrival in the township. The second death was that of Lydia Terrell, daughter of Noah Terrell. She died in August, 1814, before completing the first term of school taught in the town. The first place selected for the burial of the dead, was on the farm of Asahel Morgan, on lot sixteen. Only a few interments were made there, however, the location being abandoned a few years after, and a site selected at the center of town, the ground for which was given by Joel Terrell. The change of location was the cause of much displeasure to Mr. Morgan, who is credited with the remark, when it was decided upon, that he would never be buried in the Terrell burying ground as long as he lived and had his senses. John Barnum, who died in 1819, was the first person buried in this cemetery. Most of the bodies in the old graveyard were removed to the new. That of Lydia Terrell, however, was never disturbed, and the precise spot in which it rests is not now known. The first frame erection in the township was the barn of Amos Cahoon, built in 1813. The old structure. was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1878. The first frame house was the tavern of Wyllis Terrell, Sr., built in 1822. The first blacksmith was Zenas Barnum. His first shop was located at the center of town, and consisted simply of a few forked stakes and poles, with a roof of shakes. Afterwards he had a better structure in the west part of town. The first doctor that practiced in the town was Zephaniah Potter, of Columbia. The earliest settled physician was Dr. John Butler. The first wolf killed in the township was shot by Garry Root, in 1812, then a lad of fourteen years. This was quite an event, as the cunning animal was rarely bagged by the most experienced hunter. The - made in the township, and, very probably, the first in Lorain county, was made by Mrs. Belinda Beebe, in 1813. She pressed it with a fence rail, one end of which was stuck in between the logs of their cabin, while, on the other end, was hung a basket filled with stones. The basket consisted simply of a bark hoop peeled from the body of a tree. A forked stick constituted the cheese ladder. Thus is necessity fertile in expedients. FIRST LAW SUIT.

at the house of David Beebe, June 17, 1813, and before Asahel Osborn, a justice of the peace of Columbia. It was an action for damages, the plaintiff claiming unfaithfulness, wasteage and poor work, on the part of defendant in the grinding of a quantity of wheat for plaintiff, in May of the above year. The decision of the court, rendered June 18, 1813, was in the following words:

"It appears, from evidence before this court, that, from twenty-eight bushels of wheat, which said plaintiff carried to said defendant's mill, said defendant made one hundred and eleven pounds' weight less flour, and that not so good as Capt. Calvin Hoadley generally makes out of similar wheat. From a mature consideration of the evidence and circumstances, it is the opinion of this-court that the said plaintiff, Loman C. Beebe, is entitled to receive of the said defendant, Joseph Cahoon, the sum of six dollars damage, and five dollars and seventy-seven cents costs of suit, for which judgment is rendered in favor of the plaintiff against defendant by this court."

The first legal process issued by a magistrate of Ridgeville after its organization, was a writ of attachment, taken out by Loman C. Beebe, against Simeon Tylor. It was dated August 2, 1813, and signed by Joel Terrell, justice of the peace. This was served

Religious Matters

In emigrating to the new country, the pioneers of Ridgeville did not leave behind them the New England habits in which they had been trained. <A religious service was held the first Sunday after the arrival of David Beebe and his associates. Joel Terrell conducted the exercises, which consisted of the reading of a portion of scripture, a prayer, and the singing of a psalm, or two, to which David Beebe '"'pitched" the tunes. Very few of the earliest settlers were members of the church, and a church organization was not formed until twelve years after settlement; but during all this time, Sabbath services were regularly kept up. For this, much credit is due Joel Terrell, who was by profession a Baptist. He did more to establish religious worship, and to regularly maintain it, in the absence of a minister and a church organization, than any one else. He usually conducted the meetings, which were at first held at the dwellings of the inhabitants, and subsequently at the school house at the Center. The was formed December 20, 1822, Rev. Alfred H. Betts, of Brownhelm, and Rey. Lot R. Sullivan officiating in its organization. The people, on the occasion, assembled at the school house, but it was found to be too small to accommodate the large number that came together, and the congregation repaired to the barn of Joseph Humphrey, on the opposite side of the road, where a sermon, appropriate to the occasion, was delivered by Dr. Betts. The organization was called «The First Presbyterian Church of Ridgeville," and was composed of six members, as follows: Chester Beebe, and Marcia Beebe, his wife, Hezekiah Case, Samuel Eldred, Seth R. Alcott, and Lucinda.Cahoon. Mr. Alcott was appointed church clerk.

that occasion, presented letters for admission, and, on examination, were received into the church, viz: Mrs. Hezekiah Case, Marcus Case, Laura Case his. wife, and Ora Case. The church never had a settled pastor, but depended upon neigboring towns for the ministry of the Word. Meetings were held in the school house, at the center of town, and in the school house at the west part of town, until the erection of a house of worship in

The church was never very prosperous. It struggled along, under adverse circumstances, for many years, but gradually lost ground, until it practically ceased toexist. Such was the condition of things when, in February, 1841, D. C. White, a lay member of a church in New Jersey, came into the place, and began to preach the gospel. '* Under his labors," (we quote from the church records), '' the church seemed somewhat resuscitated, and agreed" to renounce its creed, or articles of faith and covenant, and take the simple word of God, as recorded in the Bible, for their only rule of faith and practice. They also agreed to have a communion seas6n, and that they would covenant together anew; and although some cases of discipline existed, the past should be forgotten, and each member should receive his brother, and for the future walk in love, ohe with another."

On the fourth of July, of this year, Mr. White was invited, by a unanimous vote, to become the pastor of the church. He accepted, and, on the third of the following September, he was ordained and installed by a committee of the '' Lorain County Association," the sermon, on the occasion, being delivered by Rev. Chas. G. Finney, of Oberlin. The church embraced, at this time, a membership of fifty-five. Oliver H. Lewis was church clerk, succeeding Ebenezer Porter who was appointed to the office January 31, 1825.

June 27, 1873, work was commenced in the erection of the fine brick church edifice, now occupying the former location of the old church, which was removed to the opposite side of the street, and now stands a few rods west of the residence ef Albert Terrell, and is unused. The new. church was not completed until January, 1876. The first service in it was held on Christmas immediately preceding. It was dedicated January 12, 1876, Rev. Dr. Wolcott preaching the dedicatory sermon.

According to the figures of Mr. Bradford Race, who was treasurer of the building committee, presented on that occasion, the cost of the church was ten thousand, two hundred and forty-four dollars and fourteen cents. 'he church had previously been named, at a meeting called for the purpose, the First Congregational Church of Ridgeville. The number of members now (January, 1879,) belonging to the church, is forty-seven. Chas. Herrick is clerk, and Henry D. Rogers, T. T. Winkles, Le Roy Race, Edward Ames, deacons. There is no settled pastor at present, but preaching is had once every Sabbath, by ministers from Oberlin. Job Lickorish is superin-

The Methodists

A Methodist Episcopal class was formed on Butternut ridge in 1825, by Rev. Harry O. Sheldon, one of the earliest circuit preachers in this region. There were seyen members composing the organization, namely: Wilson Blain and wife, Elijah Rigby and wife, and Harris Emmons, wife and daughter. Wilson Blain was the first ledder of the class. John Kibby and wife joined the class the following year. The meetings were first held in the log house of Mr, Blain, and later in the frame school house then standing on the site of the present brick school house at the cross roads, The circuit preacher officiated once in two weeks. According to a class-book in the 'possession of Mrs. Richard Blain, the class contained in 1843, forty-three members. Rey. Adam Poe was the presiding elder of the district. the pastor in charge, and Richard Blain class-leader. The membership now numbers twenty-eight. Rev. N. J. Close, of Avon, is the pastor of the church. James Nye is the class-leader. He is also the super. intendent of the Sabbath school. The church building was erected in 1850.

During the pastorate of Rev. Dissette, in 1875, some eight or nine members of the church, including among the number some whose connection with it embraced a period of nearly fifty years, were "expelled for non-attendance upon church service. The expelled members, who absented themselves for the alleged reason of dissent from the doctrines enunciated by the pastor, with a like number who withdrew from the church, were organized by a Rev. Mr. Bell into a class under the name of Free Methodists. The organization was effected in February, 1876. Meetings were held at the school house and at the house of Henry Dickson, until the erection of a house of worship on Butternut ridge, in the summer of 1876. Revs. Hart and Bell officiated in the ded. Rev. Scott Marshall is the present pastor of the church. Osborne Hale is the superintendent of the Sabbath school.

This church was formed in February,.1875. It embraced a membership of some forty-five at its organization. A church building at the Center was erected in the fall and winter of the same year. The present membership is about sixty. The Sabbath school contains nearly fifty scholars. Rev. J. Heidegger, the priest in charge, has been connected with the church in that relation since its formation.

The first house in which school was kept was built of logs, and stood on ground now occupied by the brick tavern at the center. 'The seats consisted of slabs resting on pins, and hewed on the upper side. In one end of the building was a fire place with stone back, but without jambs, and the logs would frequently catch fire. In the end opposite was the window, made by cutting out, for a distance of ten or twelve feet, a single log of the structure, and placing glass in the opening. Along the window, and fora few feet at each end beyond it, was a rude desk at which the scholars practiced their writing lessons.

The first teacher was Lydia Terrell; who taught in the summer of 1814, but died before completing the term. The next school was kept by Betsy Shellhouse. John Reading was the first male teacher. Abigal Davis taught in the summer of 1817. She has lived, until recently, in Cleveland for many years, and is well advanced in life. Samuel Mills was the last teacher in the old school house, which was destroyed in the winter of 1817 by fire of unknown origin.

Another house, also of logs, was built immediately afterwards on the opposite side of the street, and a short distance further east. Wyllis Terrell, Sr., was an early school teacher in this structure, and he is thought by some to have taught in the old house.

The town was subsequently divided into two schoo] districts, and a house built in the west part of the town and one in the east part. The latter was the first frame school house in town, and, it is believed, the first in the county. It was erected in 1821. It was situated in what was then called the northeast district, on the farm then owned by Philander Terrell, now owned by Oliver H. Lewis. The nails used in the construction of this building were made in

The first school taught in this house was kept by Peter Barton, in the winter of 1821-22. Merritt Osborne taught the following winter: His term ended with a school exhibition, a novel feature then. It was held in the barn of Asahel Morgan, old and young alike participating in the exercises.

The division of the township, with the location of the two school houses, as previously stated, was unsatisfactory to the people at the center of town, and they erected for themselves a house at the center. Subsequently they succeeded in obtaining a school district in this portion of town.

A catholic school was established at the center in October, 1876, with about forty-five scholars. The number now enrolled is fifty-five. in the town hall.

Organization

The township was organized the first Monday in April, 1813, at the Terrell tavern. There were fifteen voters, and they were all at the election, which resulted as follows: Wyllis Terrell, clerk; David Beebe, Sr., Ichabod Terrell and Joel Terrell, trustees; David Beebe, Jr., and John Reading, constables; Joel Terrel, justice of the peace.

The township officers elected at the spring election of 1878 are the following: Albert G. Terrell, clerk; Wm. D. Fuller, Randall Stetson and Lester C. Sexton, trustees; Chauncey Blakesley and James Healy, justices of the peace.

Post Office

A post office was established in Ridgeville in 1815. Moses Eldred was the first postmaster, who kept the office in his own house. He held the office until 1828, his successors being as follows:

Edward Byington, until 1836; Levi W. Terrel, 1842; Alonzo Benham, until 1846; Joel Terrel until 1851; Joseph Humphrey, until 1854; David Beebe, now of Elyria, until 1860; Alonzo Benham, until 1864; Doctor Palmer, until 1866; John Browen, until 1867; H. G. Linder, until 1868; George P. Burrell, until 1869; Bert Wilmot, until 1870; E. P. Smith, until 1874; Orson J. Tervell, is the present incumbent of the office, which is located at the center of the town.

The first store m the township was kept in his own house by Lyman Root. 'There are at the present writing four stores in the town, the name of the owners being as follows: Orson J. Terrell, Nicholas Diedrich, H. Ramsdall, M. Bruce.

In 1812, and prior to the partition of their lands, Joel, Oliver and Ichabod Terrell, and David Beebe, Sr., gave to Joseph Cahoon sixty acres of land at the center of the town, the consideration of the conyeyance being that the grantee build a grist mill on the land so conveyed. 'The deed was excuted December 3, 1812. This was the first real estate transfer in the township. In the spring of 1813 the mill was erected. It stood on the west bank of Center creek, a few feet north of the bridge that now crosses the stream. The mill was about eighteen by twenty fect in size, constructed of basswood logs, hewed on the inside, and was the best mill in the county in its day. It had but one run of stone, which was made out of a common 'hard head." Wyllis Terrell, Sr., bought the mill a few months after its completion and opereted it until 1826 or '27, when he sold to Orsén Humpbrey. The mill long sivee ceased to éxist, and thefe is now none of the kind in the tewnship.