Lorain City (part 38 of 77)

Salmon Sutliff, of Erie county, New York, came to Lorain county in August, 1820. He made a temporary location in Avon township, coming to Carlisle the following January. The journey from the east wus made with a horse team, and three cows and a few sheep were driven along. The family consisted of a wife and four boys: Silas B., William H. H., Asa G., (who afterward became the pioneer settler in Waseca county, Minnesota) and Oliver H. P. Another child, a girl, Lovisa, was born and died previous to emigrating to Ohio. Two months after they reached Avon a son was born, Charles B. The place of their location was on one hundred acres of land in section ten, now occupied by 8S. M. Mason. Upon this farm they remained until 1831, and during this interval the following children were born: Ralph O., Lucetta, Warren C., Lucinda, and Jesse 8. In May, 1831, Mr. Sutliff removed to section one, locating on the farm now owned by the son, Oliver H. P., where the futher and mother remained until their decease. The former died in November, 1857; the latter May 18, 1870. Of this large family of children ten are now living, seven of them in Ohio. Warren C., (to whom we are indebted for the data of this sketch) married Jane A. Bennett, and resides on three hundred acres of land in section twelve, Carlisle township.

Chauncey Prindle, of Waterbury, Connecticut, was the first settler at the center of Carlisle township. In the spring of 1823 he came through with his family, a wife and two children. He came overland with a team of horses. Mr. Prindle stopped at Capt. James Brooks' until he could cut a road to his farm, on section number thirteen, distant one and one-fourth miles, and erect a log cabin thereon. He then moved into the woods and began in earnest to make a farm. The children above mentioned were Maria, who married Aaron Bacon, and resides in Oberlin, and Henry H., who married Christiana KE. Spafford, and resides on the old homestead. One child was born to Chauncey Prindle and wife, subsequent to their removal to Ohio. This was Mary J., who became the wife of J ©. Slaughter, and is now deceased. Chauncey Prindle died in May, 1872. Mrs. Prindle died on the 23d day of the previous September.

Obed Gibbs, also from Waterbury, Connecticut, settled in Carlisle in 1822, on the farm now occupied by hisson Ransom. With him came his wife and two children. Ransom, the eldest child, had a wife and one daughter, Jane, who eventually married George Boughton, and removed after a few years, to Nebraska, where she died. Sally the second child of Obed Gibbs married Merrett Clark. They did not remain long in the wilderness, ere they became homesick, when they returned to their native New England. Obed Gibbs dicd in Carlisle in 1840, and his wife a few years later. The children of Ransom Gibbs, born subsequent to his removal to Ohio, were: Harrict, who married Alson Wooster, and resides in Elyria; Lewis, who married Martha Jackson, and lives in Nebraska City; and David, who married Jane Slaughter, and occupies the old homestead.

Daniel Bennett, from Londonderry, Windham county, Vermont, came to Ohio in 1827, and purchased one hundred and twelve acres of land in sec- | tion twelve, Carlisle township (now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. W. 8. Sutliff), Mr. Bennett then returned east, and, the following spring, came to permanently settle on his farm. His family consisted of a wife and niece. In May, 1828, they arrived in

Carlisle. For # short time they lived in a small log house standing near where is now the Hart Cheese Factory. There was at this time but one family in this vicinity, that of Lewis Shumway, who had a wife and two children. He was from the east, but only remained a year or two, going still farther west. Mr, Bennett erected, on section twelve, the first frame house in this part of the township. Here he lived, reared @& family of six children, bronght the land to a profitable state of cultivation, and died July 16, 1863. His first wife died August 10, 1829, and February 6, 1830, he married Jane Galpin, of Elyria, who survives her husband and lives on the old homestead. From this marriage the following children were born: Polly, who died at the age of fifteen years; Jane, who married Warren C. Sutliff and occupies the old farm; Emerett, who married Curtis Webster and lives in Elyria; Celestia, who died in infancy; Melvin R. and Cassimar D., who live with their mother. Daniel Bennett was a justice of the peace for many years, and a very worthy citizen.

William Webster, of West Hartford, Connecticut, married Abigail Johnson, of Berlin, same State, January 4, 1800, and removed to Onondaga county, New York, in 1818, and to Carlisle in 1828; arriving there on May 15th of that year, he settled and cleared up the farm one mile north of Laporte, now owned by William Brush. In 1832, Mr. Webster removed to the southeast corner of the township, where he died October 27, 1844. Mrs. Webster died August 16, 1862. The children were as follows: Harrict, who married Joseph Weston; Amanda, who married Calvin Brooks; William, Jr., who married Catharine Phillips (a daughter of this couple is now the wife of Dr. Kelsey, of Elyria); Abigail, who married Levi Lee; Bethuel, who married Roxa Andrews; Louisa, who married Abram V. D. Bergh; Nancy, who married Harris R. Shelden; and Henry, who married Sarah Johnson.

The first settlers in this corner of the township were John B. Andrus, Paul Taylor, John Randall, Thomas Girard, Cornelius V. D. Bergh, Elias Morgan, William Cook, James V. Baker, Enoch Forbinder, Stephen Winchell, and a family named Shepard. Of these, but two are now residents of the township, Stephen Winchell and William Webster, Jr.

Joseph Patterson moved into Carlisle from Berkshire county, New York, in 1834, locating on section six. His family were a wife and nine children. Of these but two now live in Carlisle: Hiram, at present the superintendent of the County Infirmary, and William, who married in the east and came to Carlisle in the spring of 1837, locating on, section eighteen. This he cleared. He was elected sheriff of Lorain county by the free soil party. While occupying the pesition he bought the farm of one hundred and sixty-four acres, on which he now resides, in section fourteen.

his death, February 1, 1875. Kent, of Dorset, Vermont. of Temple, New Hampshire. Mrs. Tenney is living with a daughter at Thayer, Kansas. The children of this couple are Benjamin, Jewett, Emily, George, Myron and Ellen who are dead, and Horace, Henry W., Maria K., Electa and Daniel K., now living, the greater part of them at least, in Kansas.

B. F. Marlett, the '' Village Blacksmith," came from Steuben county, New York, to Carlisle in 1844. He was then 17 years of age. Two years later he began his present vocation. He was for three years a soldier in Company K, Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In 1849 he-married Cecelia Breckenridge, of Grafton township, this county.

First Events

The first birth in the township was that of a son to William and Clarissa Bacon Saxton, which event occurred immediately after a settlement was made on Murray Ridge. The child was named James, eventually married a Miss Flint, and removed to lowa where he died. 'The pioneer birth in the eastern part of the township was that of Samuel C. to Samuel and Sophia Brooks. Cleveland is now the home of this, at that early date, important addition to the colony.

The first marriage was that of Miss Cornelia, daughter of Phinehas Johnson, to Mr. Dudley Griswold. The ceremony was performed at the residence of the bride's father by Sherman Minott, Esq., of Elyria township. This happened in the fall of 1820. The couple now reside in Washington Territory.

In the cemetery at Laporte we find a small sandstone slab erected to the memory of Lucretia M., daughter of Phinehas and Hannah Johnson, who died August 23, 1823; aged eighteen years. This is presumably the first-death of a white person in the township.

In the western portion of Carlisle, lands were donated for the cemetery in section two by Philo Murray, and the first interment therein was the body of Emeline, daughter of J. D. Murray, who died December 27, 1825.

The first post-office in the township, was established in about the year 1825. Phinehas Johnson was duly commissioned post-master, and the mails were received and distributed from his residence. M. V. B. Pitkin is the present post-master at this point. Another office was established a few years later, in the western portion of the township, at Murray's Mills. This office was named '' Murrayville." Charles Drakely was commrissioned first post-master, or at least he was among the first. This office was afterwards removed to the dwelling of Ransom Gibbs, who was appointed post-master, and remained as such until the office was discontinned, in the spring of 1853.

Phinehas Johnson kept a house of entertainment as early as the spring of 1820, but it was not until about 1830 that he formally opened a hotel. This was at LaPorte. During the period of stage coaches, two large hotels were in operation at this place. There is at present none. Another hotel was erected by Obed tibbs, in the west part of the township (section twelve). Abiram Drakely also had a hotel on section nine. These existed at an early date. Both were long since closed as hotels.

The first store was ope: ed in about 1835. Alonzo Chapman was its proprietor and sole manager. The building occupied by him, stood on or near the site of M. V. B. Pitkin's present mercantile establishment. Mr. Chapman followed merchandising some years. There are now at LaPorte, in addition to the store given above, C. L. Hurlbut, general merchandise, and a tin store by H. Lake.

The first to locate in Carlisle, was Milton Chapman, whose residence was on the ridge. Dr. Chapman was a gentleman of excellent professional attainments, and practiced there many years. Deacon Turner, the builder of the mills bearing his name in the western portion of the township, was also a physician, but did not, we understand, practice his profession to any considerable extent. Dr. J. F. Butler, afterwards a prominent member of the medical staff of Elyria, practiced at LaPorte fora time. Dr. Hiram Thompson, now of Grafton township, also practiced at La- Porte some years before remoying to his present location. After he left, the physicians of Elyria were employed to compound and administer the divers nauseous drugs by aid of which dame nature is kept in proper working order over in Carlisle. At present H. KE. Haring is the only physician in the township.

The first mills in the township were built by Phinehas Johnson and Asahel Kelsey, in 1820. The one built by the former was a saw mill. It stood on the north side of the east branch of the Black river; and that of the latter was a grist mill, on the opposite side of theriver. Of this mill, William Webster says: "The stones were home-made, and. manufactured by a citizen out of hard-head stones found in the neighborhood. It required a strong and well-braced building to stand the motion of the stone when grinding, as they were not very round or true, but did the work well for those days. In the spring of 1828, the water made an opening between the mill and the bank, in consequence of which it became necessary to remove the mill to another location. 'This was done, and for some years the old mill was in operation. Dr. Turner built a second saw mill, in about 1824, at Murrayville. This is, we believe, still in operation, and is at present owned by Henry Morehouse. Dr. Turner also erected a grist mill soon after the saw mill was put in operation, near the same place.

The first cheese factory was constructed near the center of the township, in the spring of 1869, by a stock company, composed of some twelve or fifteen persons. 'The patronage the first season was two hundred cows. 'This factory was burned in the fall of 1873. The present factory was erected the following spring, by H. H. Prindle, Clark and Eckley. This factory was operated during the season of '78, by A. Wilmot, who utilized the milk of two hundred cows.

Walnut Grove factory is located on section eleven, and was started by H. H. Hart in the spring of 1872, and had four hundred cows the first season. It was conducted by Mr. Hart until the spring of 1877, when Messrs. Braman, Horr and Warner became the owners. This enterprising firm established the '' Cedar Grove Creamery," in connection with the factory. In the season of 1878, four hundred and fifty cows were in contribution. John T. Vincent is the maker. In about 1840, Anson Braman planted the first stock in the Carlisle Nursery. This was the first nursery in Lorain county, Mr. Braman was its proprietor for a number of years.

In the year 1849, a stone quarry was opened, on section twenty-five, Carlisle township, by Messrs. Lockhart and J. W. Hart. The last named became sole owner, and in 1870 began the manufacture of grindstones, and this has grown to be the major part of the business.

In 1872, the Black River Stone Company was organized, with a capital of two hundred thousand dollars. The following well known capitalists were the incorporators: Selah Chamberlain, Dr. S. S. Steeter, William H. Grout, George E. Dascomb, John Dayton, and J. W. Hart. Mr. Hart retains one hundred and twelve thousand dollars of the stock. The officers of the company are, George E. Dascom, president; Dr. 8. S. Streeter, vice-president; J. C. Hills, secretary and treasurer; and J. W. Hart, superintendent. In 1849 and '50, a spur track was laid to quantity of the stone used in the construction of the bridges and culverts of the above road, was quarried here. The stone from which the Forest City and Arlington blocks, and the First Presbyterian church, of Cleveland, were constructed, came from this quarry. Forty workmen are regularly employed, with a payroll averaging fourteen hundred dollars monthly. The company are now making heavy shipments of building stone to Toronto, Canada.

Just above the quarry named, is another extensive one, owned and operated by the Grafton Stone Company, W. EK. Miller, superintendent. They employ an average of thirty-five men. 'Their products are principally railroad and building stone. Both the above quarries are situated on the 0. CO. OC. & L and C. T. V. & W. railroads.

The Elyria Chair Company is located in Carlisle township, on the east branch of Black river, and was established March 15, 1878, by John Kelley, James . Measley, and P. M. Peabody. It employs seven workmen. 'The investment is one thousand dollars. Wood-seat chairs are exclusively manufactured. There is also a saw mill at the same point, owned by Clayton

William Patterson comes of ancestors noted for longevity. Charles Patterson, his grandfather, was born at Danbury, Conn., where he married Miss Martha Hall, born at the same place. Moving into Berkshire Co., Mass., Charles died there, ninetytwo years of age.

Joseph, his son, being born at Mount Washington, Berkshire Co., Mass., Oct. 17, 1780, took for his life partner Miss Elizabeth Kane, in 1808. He took up his residence in Carlisle, Lorain Co., Ohio, in 1834, and engaged in farming, moving to Minnesota in 1869. He there died in 1871, in his ninety-first year. His aged wife yet lives in Minnesota to mourn his loss.

William, son of Joseph, commenced this life at Mount Washington, as above, Feb. 27,1811. To use his own words, " I lived on my father's farm for years, amongst the rocks that afforded no advantage for either man or beast.". Leaving such opportunities and going to Green River, N. Y., he there married Miss Phcebe Vincent, March 4, 1833. Following his father, he settled in Carlisle, in May, 1837, where he still resides. There, with little or nothing, a home has he wrought out by hard labor as a farmer,

In the relation of father, by his first wife one son and two daughters look back to his efforts for their welfare, more especially in the matter of education : Dr, Patterson, of Baltimore; Mrs. Camp, of Jackson, Mich., whom so many parents and pupils of the Union School of Elyria remember as the kind and efficient teacher ; and Mrs. Harriet A. Herdman, of Zanesville, Ohio.

Mr. Patterson's first wife died in 1856, July 14. He was again married, in 1857, to Miss Caroline A. Blanchard, daughter of Dr. Jas. C. Blanchard, of Penfield, Lorain Co., Ohio, the happy mother now of an only son.

Again his fellow-citizens, knowing his fitness, made him commissioner of said county, and his own township have expressed their respect for him by electing him to every local office.

Proud of his children, with a competency, all who have to do with Mr. Patterson, love and respect, and regard him as a finished example of a self-made man,

Chauncey Prindle

Chauncey Prindle was born in Connecticut, in the year 1794, and resided with his father until the death of the latter, which occurred in 1812. Soon after this sad event he married a daughter of Johnson Mercy, a happy union, which resulted in a family of three children, - one son and two daughters. The son, H. H. Prindle, who lives on the old homestead, has this sketch of his father, with the accompanying portrait, inserted in this work as a token of filial regard. Maria P.,a married daughter (wife of A. W. Bacon), now resides at Oberlin. The other daughter, Mary J., married J. C. Stanton, and resided on an adjoining farm until her death.

Chauncey Prindle removed to Ohio in the fall of 1822, and first settled on fifty acres of land located in Carlisle township, Lorain Co., which he had received in payment of a debt. He started from his native place in Connecticut with fifteen dollars in money and about the same amount invested in tinware.

The journey occupied six weeks, and he bartered most of his tinware with tavern-keepers on.the road West, and was glad to find that he could do so, and thus save what little cash he had on hand. The appearance of his land was anything but flattering when he arrived here, as it was covered with several inches of water, and presented anything but a brilliant prospect for theanxious pioneer. By dint of hard work, and assisted by his excellent wife, he soon had his land cleared, and added to it from time to time until he had one hundred and thirty acres well improved, and upon which he erected comfortable buildings.

One of the peculiar hardships he had to encounter was the construction of about a mile of road through the woods, in order to get to his land. He also experienced great difficulty in getting his wagon through the mud and mire.

Mr. Prindle continued a farmer until his death, which occurred May 8, 1872, his good wife having preceded him to the grave about a year, Sept. 23, 1871. They were in every sense a worthy couple, and enjoyed the esteem and respect of all with whom they came in contact, either in business or social communion.

Mr. Prindle held several offices in his township, all of which he filled with the same honesty of purpose and faithfulness to duty that characterized the management of his personal affairs.

Carlisle and Elyria townships, then of Huron county, were organized as one township, for civil purposes, under the name of Elyria, on the 20th day of October, 1819. This connection was continued until June 4, 1822, when the present township of Carlisle was organized. The first record of an election we are able to procure, bears date April 4, 1825, when the following persons were elected: Lyman J. Frost, Obed Gibbs, and Samuel Brooks, trustees; I. A. Sexton, clerk; Samuel Brooks, treasurer; and Ransom Gibbs, Barton Waite, and Hezekiah Brooks, supervisors of highways. Phinehas Johnson's bond as justice of the peace, - and he was without doubt the first person to fill that office, - bears date February 19, 1823.

The officers for 1878 are, William Patterson, Julius Beuhring, and James McMullin, trustees; M. R. Bennett, clerk; John Booth, treasurer; William H. Sutliff, assessor; William L. Taylor and John Einig, constables. There are twenty-six supervisors.

Justice of the peace, Phinehas Johnson, was succeeded in 1832 by Hezekiah Brooks, and following are the names, with date of election, of each person who has filled the office until the present time: April 6, 1835, David Bennett; August 22, 1836, Joseph Patterson; February 25, 1837, Henry M. Warner; April 2, 1838, Solimus Wakeley; April 3, 1843, Daniel' Tenney; October 23, 1843, David Bennett; 1846, both re-elected; 1849, Nelson Groat and J. P. Noble; 1851, Joshua OC. Bassett, who resigned March 7, 1853; Adna Groat, October 14, 1852; Daniel Tenney from 1853 to 1856, Lyman Rawson, 1856; 1859, Tenney and Rawson re-elected; 1862, Nelson Groat and James Carroll; 1865, I. S. Straw and Daniel Tenney; 1868, William Patterson and Warren 8S. Sutliff; 1874, Patterson and Sutliff re-elected; 1877, Sutliff and Elbert Haring.

On the 29th of October, 1822, agreeable to previous appointments, the people convened to consider the propriety of organizing a church in Carlisle township. The Revs. Joseph Treat and Alfred Betts, missionaries from the missionary society of Connecticut, and members of the Presbytery of Portage, were present, and the following persons were duly constituted the '' Congressional Church in Carlisle," viz: Hannah (wie of Phinehas Johnson), Samuel Brooks and Sophia his wife, Hezekiah Brooks and Hannah his wife, Lydia, wife of James Brooks, Samuel Eldred and Irene Johnson. Samuel Brooks was chosen clerk. This church was removed to Elyria and consolidated with the Presbyterian church at that point, upon its organization, November 25, 1824. It remained thus until August 2, 1833, when at the time the church flourished. A substantial meeting house was erected in about 1836, and a Sabbath school was organized. Gradually, however, the ranks were decimated until preaching was abandoned and the church ceased to be.

The following sketch of the Methodist church is prepared from data furnished us by A. A. Chapman, a former member: Rey. H. O. Sheldon, it is believed, was the first minister of this denomination to hold services in Carlisle township. 'This was in 1824 or 1825. A class was not formed, however, until 1830 or 1831, which consisted of the following persons: A. A. Chapman, Cornelius Vandebergh, Nancy, Jane and Cathorine Vandebergh, J. B. Andrews and wife, (Andrews was local preacher,) Henry Spicer and wife, Stephen Winchell and wife, Enoch Fossfinder, Paul Taylor, Harriet Taylor and James V. Baker and wife. Cornelius Vandebergh was first leader of this class, and it was formed in the western portion of the township. A second class was organized in the eastern part of the township, now called Laporte, in about 1833. Among its members were O. J. Humphrey, leader, wife and two daughters, and Mrs. Abigail Webster and a daughter. The church edifice at this point was erected some thirty years since and cost one thousand dollars. There is a present membership of sixty. The pastor is Chester L. Foote; class leader, William Brush; stewards, Thomas Pound and Gilbert Fields; superintendent of Sabbath school, Gilbert Fields. The attendance is sixty. The following are some of the early ministers: Elnathan C. Gavit, George Elliott, William Runnells. He that is now Bishop Harris was on this circuit in 1835 and 1836. Thomas Barkdull, D. M. Conant, M. L. Starr, W. M. Safford, Wm. C. Pierce, Spafford C: Thomas, H. L. Parrish, T. J. Pope, James, Sawyer, Guiberson and others. Both the Baptists and Universalists have had an organization in Carlisle. None now exists.

In the summer of 1821, Miss Julia Johnson taught the first term of school in the east part of the township. This was held in a little log school house erected the previous spring, on the hill east of the river. In the west part a school house was built on section ten, now the farm of D. 0. Pember. This was erected about the same date as the one mentioned above, and the first term taught therein was by Miss Minerva Murray, - cannot give the exact year.

May 29, 1826, the township of Carlisle was divided into two school districts. The western half was number one, and contained the families of Abner, J. D. and Philo Murray, William and Iona A. Sexton, Abiram Drakeley, Dr. Milton Chapman, Noah H. Hurd, Obed and Ransom Gibbs, Henry and Charles Smith, Barton Waite, John Bacon, Salmon Sutliff, Asahel. Powers, Anson Seward, Chauncey Prindle, Lyman J. Frost and Moses C. Baker. The residents in district number two, then comprising the entire eastern half of the township, were, Samuel, Hezekiah and James Brooks, Phinehas Johnson, Asahel Kelsey, Thouret F. Chapman and Dudley Griswold.

Carlisle towuship had in 1878 eight school houses, whose valuation, including grounds, was seven thousand dollars. The total amount paid teachers for the same year was one thousand four hundred and seyventeen dollars, and there were of the requisite schoo] age two hundred and eighty-five children.

THIS TOWNSHIP, known as number seven in range seventeen, is bounded on the north by Lake Erie, south by the shire township of the county, Elyria,

River. The soil through the greater part of the township is clay. The ridge passing southwesterly across the extreme southern portion of the township, presents a sandy soil, and along the streams are flats or bottom lands, fertile, and of great productiveness. It isan agricultural township. Along the shore of the lake large quantities of barley are grown, and of a very superior grade. Red clover seed is also another important article of production in this region.

The streams are Black river, French and Sugar creeks. Black river, the most important water course in the township, crosses the southern boundary line on lot seventy-five. It flows a general northerly course to near the center of the township, where it makes an abrupt bend westward and flows from the township on lot fifty-two, its waters emptying into Lake Erie a short distance west, in Black River township. French creek enters the township on its eastern line, lot seven, and flowing a southwest course, forms a junction with Black river on lot sixty-four. Sagar creek rises in Ridgeville township, flows across the southwest corner of Avon, and en.ers Sheffield near the southeast corner, on lot two. It empties into French creek, on lot sixty-four.

Town number seven, in range seventeen, in the original partition by draft, was drawn by William Hart, of Saybrook, Conn. 'Tract fourteen in Henrietta township was annexed to Sheffield to equalize it. In January, 1815, Mr. Hart sold the entire township to Capt. Jabez Burrell and Capt. John Day, of Sheffield, Berkshire county, Mass. After the purchase Obadiah Deland, of Sheffield, Capt. Joshua Smith, Col. Joseph Fitch and Solomon Fitch, of New

Marlborough, Berkshire county, Isaac Burrell, of Salisbury, Herkimer county, State of New York, and Henry Austin, of Owasco, Cayuga county, same State, became partners.

Previous to Hart's disposition of the lands now comprised within the boundary lines of Sheffield township, and in about 1812, he agreed with Timothy Wallace to give him his choice in lots, if sold by lot, if he would settle and occupy the same. Wallace accepted. He selected lot sixty-five, now owned by Edward P. Burrell, improved a few acres, and finally abandoned it. This was the first attempt at settlement in Sheffield township. ~ ©The two Burrells, Day, and Smith, explored the township in June, 1815, and selected lots for themselves and friends. About the first of October following, Captain Smith, and his oldest son Douglas, then a lad seventeen years of age, left Massachusetts with a yoke of oxen and one horse, and the necessary tools for clearing and cultivating a new farm." The boy made the greater patt of the tedious journey alone. His father left him soon after starting, to visit friends at Sackett's Harbor, New York, and did not rejoin him until he had nearly reached the "' Mecca" of their toilsome pilgrimage, Ohio. On the 11th day of November, they arrived at the hospitable dwelling of

' Wilber Cahoon, in Avon township. This being Saturday, they remained here over the Sabbath, and on Monday morning, November thirteenth, 1815, they followed down French creek, without a trail, and commenced on lot sixty-four, the first permanent settlement in the township. This farm is now owned by Frederic Kreble. Captain Smith's nearest neighbors were John S. Reid and Daniel Perry, at the mouth of Black river, some four miles distant, Wilber Cahoon, of Avon township, five miles away, and Captain Moses Eldred, seven miles distant, at Ridgeville. 'Ina few days after the arrival of Captain Smith and son, they were joined by two young men from New Marlborough, Samuel B. Fitch and Ashar Chapman. These four men soon built a rude cabin, where they spent the winter of 1815-16, shut out from the outer world, and dependent upon their own resources for amusement and enjoyment. Captain Smith was a humorous, jovial man ; enjoyed a joke and was fond

In February, 1816, Freeman Richmond arrived in the township, and settled on lot two,-now owned by Joseph Townshend. Mrs. Richmond was the first _white female who became a permanent settler in Sheffield township. This family afterwards removed from the township, and we believe, reside at present in Amherst, this county. .

Henry and Mary (Day) Root, and family were the next settlers. They left their native town, Sheffield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, on the 15th day of February, 1816, and came, at least a greater part of the way by teams, both oxen and horses, arriving at the mouth of Black river on the Ist day of the subsequent April. For perhaps three weeks they remained in the Smith cabin; in the interval preparing a habitation upon lot seventeen where they permanently located. This was near where now stands the Catholic church, in the eastern part of the township. Of this family, a son, William H. Root, Esq., says: «This proved to be an unfortunate location, so far as lands about it were concerned; and, for long years, was one of the most isolated spots in all that part of the county, no neighbor nearer than three-fourths of a mile, for cighteen years." Following are the children of this couple: Aaron, who was a sailor, and generally known as Capt. Root. He married Esther Buck, aud had nine children. 'He died a few years since. William Henry, the next child, married Eliza Case, and by her had three children, daughters, two of whom are now living, Maria at home, and Mrs. H. Garfield, now living in Sheffield. Mrs. Root died April 29, 1833, and on April 15, 1834, he contracted a second marriage, taking for a companion Miss Fanny Day. The fruit of this union was three boys. Orville, the eldest, is now the obliging auditor of Lorain county, whose many courtesies the writer takes pleasure in acknowledging, and Walter and William, twins, whoare living near the paternal mansion. The next child of Henry and Mary Root was Julia Ann, who married Norman Day, now deceased. Jane, who married Harvy Austin, now lives at Monroe, Michigan. Francis died unmarried. Mary, the youngest child, married A. R. Fitzgerald, and is now deceased. Henry Day died April.9, 1829. Mrs. Day died February 6, 1857.

Soon after the arrival of Mr. Root and family, Oliver Moon, from Avon, State of New York, located on lot eleven; Milton Garfield and John B. Garfield, of Tyringham, Massachusetts, on lots seventy-three and seventy-four; A. R. Dimmick on lots seventy-five

On the 26th of July, Capt. Day and family arrived. The children were as follows: William, generally known as "Judge Day." He married Augusta Burrell. They have a family of seven children, all of whom are now living. The judge resides on the old homestead, lot sixty-six. His son is postmaster at Sheffield post office. John, Jr., the next child, married Cornelia Ann Sackett, of Avon. They reside on lot eighty. Their children number eight, four of whom are living: Norman, married Julia Ann Root, and resides on lot forty-two. They were blessed with seven children, all now living. To this gentleman we desire to express our obligations. " on the settlement of Sheffield, we have gleaned much valuable data. Fanny, the next child, became the wife of William H. Root, Esq., and is now deceased;{James, married Ann Eliza Austin, and resides on lot sixty-four. Of their seven children, five are now living, Lydia, married Kendrick K. Kerney, Esq. They have but one child, a son, who resides with them on lot seventyone. Kellogg, married Mary L. Ingalls, of Napoli, New York. He was a teacher among the Cherokee Indians for a term of years. He is now engaged in merchandising at Denmark, Iowa. His family are three daughters, all living. Frederick, married Mary S. Sackett. He died August 11, 1840, leaving two children, a son and daughter, who are now living in Michigan. Edmond, the next child, was born subsequent to the settlement in Sheffield. He married Camilla Austin. He was a physician for many years, but is not now practicing. He resides in Cleveland. Of their four children, three are now living. Eleanor, the youngest child, married James Austin, and resides on lot seventy-four; they have but one child, a son.

On the 11th of August, Captain Burrell and family of eight children, and Solomon Weeks, a young man who had been an apprentice to Captain Burrell, arrived by way of the lake, on the schooner Black Snake, and came up the river on Reid's ferry scow. The names of the children were: Julia (Mrs. Humphrey), resides near Rochester, New York; Savah M. (Mrs. Knapp), now of Knappton, Oregon; Robbins, died in Sheffield, August 24, 1877; Lyman J. lives in California; Jabez L. lives in Oberlin; and Eliza (Mrs Whittlesey) lives in Cleveland. Mary Ann (Mrs. Robert E. Gillett) died July 31, 1837. Solomon Weeks lives in Allen county, Indiana. Ariel Moore died February 10, 1824; Mrs. Moore removed to Fredonia, New York; she is now dead. Lonieda (Mrs. Norman Bedortha), and her sister Lovina, live at Saratoga, N. Y. Abigail (Mrs. Burgess) went on a mission to India, and died there. Nathan Stevens and wife died in Michigan. Henry Austin and wife returned to their native town in 1820.

Davis died October 18, 1858. Erastus married Eunice Burrell, and is now dead. James Burrell died September 29, 1855. Mrs. James Burrell died July 6, 1862. Harriet mairied John B. Garfield, and is the only survivor of the family. Cyla died March 20, 181°. Almoran died December 28, 1841; and Alva J. died June 20, 1833. Arnold Burrell and wife live in Elyria. . Isaac Burrell died March 12,1860. Mrs. Burrell, the last of the pioneers who came into the township with a family, died December 17, 1864.

'Messrs. Burrell and Day shipped their heavy household goods and farming utensils at Schnectady, on a small, half-decked schooner of about fifteen tons burthen, called the '' Fire Fly," built there by Anon Harmon of New Marlborough, Massachusetts. He sailed up the Mohawk, locked by the Little Falls, and thence by the Rome canal into Wood creek, down Wood creek into Oneida lake, then down the outlet and Oswego river to Lake Ontario. At Queenston he unloaded and drew her out, loaded her on cart wheels, drew her by Niagara Falls to Chippewa and launched; then drew her cargo and reloaded; then proceeded through the lake and up Black river to the mouth of French creek, and landed her cargo of salt and goods on the ' Big, Bottom. '" ;

In the fall of 1816, Captain Smith went to Massachusetts for his family, and returned in March, 1817. In his family were eight children: Douglass, Isaac, Rachel, Elazar, Harvey, Warren, Caleb and Reuel. Ariel Moore came from New Marlborough with Captain Smith. His family were a wife and three children: Lorinda, Lovina and Abigail. He settled on lot fifty-six. In February of this year Henry Austin and wife, from Owasco, State of New York, settled on lot eighty-one, and Nathan Stephens and wife from New Marlborough, on lot eighty-four. In June, Davis and Erastus Hecock selected lots eightyfive and eighty-six, and commenced improving them, keeping bachelor's hall. About the same time Samuel Munson commenced on lot seventy-two.

On the 5th of July, James Burrell, from Bloomfield, New York, arrived and settled on lot sixty-nine. Isaac Burrell, one of the proprietors, from Salisbury, New York, arrived on the 28th of February. - In his

In the spring of this year, Daniel Perry, Esq., who came from Vermont to the mouth of Black river in 1810, sold his farm there, and moved into Sheffield. He had a family, consisting of a wife and nine children, - Polly, Harvey, Sophia, Alexander Hamilton, Royal, Julius, Lester, Bushrod and William. He located on lot twenty-two, where he lived several years, finally removing to Brownhelm. Himself and wife both died several years since.

Jonathan C. Bennett came to Ohio in 1832, He died in Sheffield on the farm now occupied by his sons John W. and Daniel, on the 24th day of April, 1872, at the remarkable age of one hundred and four years.

Samuel B. Fitch, before mentioned, married Miss Dolly J. Smith, of Geneva, Ashtabula county, this State, September 18, 1818. She was a native of Rutland, Vermont. From this marriage the following children were born: Joseph Wellington, who married Harriet Lewis, lives in Sheffield, (he is postmaster of the postoffice called ''Lake Breeze"); Mary, died in infaney; Martha, married Burt Brett, and lives in Geneva, Ashtabula county, Ohio; Mary Elizabeth, married Jesse H. Lang, lives in Oberlin; Phebe, married Auren Knapp, Jr., lives at Kwappa, Oregon; Henry Martyn, married Lydia A. Day, resides at Sheridan, Montana. Mrs. Dolly J. Fitch died May 6, 1845. 'The second wife of Mr. Hitch was Nancy Willard, of Paulet, Vermont. She died November 4. 1860. Mr. Fitch died September 16, 1861.

The first white child born in the township of Sheffield was Mary Ann Austin. The date was August 20, 1817. She died in Skaneateles, Onondaga county, New York, November 15, 1831.

The first marriage was consumated between Samuel Munson and Miss Phila Taylor, by Ebenezer Whiton, Ksq., on the 17th of December, 1818. Mr. Munson died August 6, 1820. Mrs. Munson married Mr. Rooks, and died at Niles, Cayuga county, New York, July 3, 1862.

Captain Smith, the first settler, was the first to die. The date was September 29, 1817. The infant settlement was shocked as the sad news spread from house to house, '' Captain Smith is dead." Deacon James, of Brownhelm, officiated at the funeral. The pieces sung on the occasion were, '' Hark from the tombs," tune New Durham, and the nineteenth psalm '' Lord, what a Feeble Piece," tune Florida. It was a solemn day, and the death of Captain Smith was deeply lamented. A burying ground was selected on the bluff near French creek bridge, where he was buried. This burial place was afterward abandoned, and the bodies removed to the ridge cemetery. The widow of Captain Smith married General Isaac Hull, of Pompey, - now La Fayette, - Onondaga county, New York, at which place she died, October 18, 1859.

The first post office was established at the center of the township, in about 1818. Jabez Burrell, Esq., was.the pioneer post master, and remained as such for many years. William A. Day is at present the post master of the Center.

Near the Catholic church, in the eastern part of the township, there is another post office called Crandall. We failed to get the date it was established. Nicholas Kelling is the present post master.

was first opened in about 1840. It has had a variety of names and locations. It was given its present name, '' Lake Breeze," a short time since. J. W. Fitch is now post master, the office being kept at his house, on lot forty-one.

George Crehore

The mercantile interest has never been represented to any great extent in Sheffield township. William Day was the pioneer merchant. He erected a small building on lot sixty-seven, and in 1827, opened his first stock of goods. He only remained in the business a few years, and was succeeded by Alonzo Park. His stay was also of short duration. Isaac L. Case sold goods a short time on the Lake Shore road. In the German settlement, a grocery store was in operation for a short time.

A distillery was put in operation in about 1822, by Chester Wright. It was situated onthe ridge, in the south part of the township, and continued for some years to convert grain into that ''simmering compound of liquid devils," the use of which so soon causes man to forget '' his God, his family and himself." A second distillery was erected in 1824 or 1825, on lot sixty-one. §S. B. Fitch was its proprietor. It was abandoned after some five years of feeble existence.

The pioneer sawmill was built by Messrs Day and Burrell, in 1817. It was located on French creek, about three-fourths of a mile from the center of the township.

1824. It was on Black river, occupying the site where now stands the mills of W. and 8. B. Day. The largest steam sawmill in Sheffield, was that known as the Globeville mills, on Black river. This was undoubtedly the largest mill in Lorain county. Shipping plank was the principal lumber sawed.

The first school taught in Sheffield township was by Dr. Preston Pond, of Keene, New Hampshire, in the winter of 1817-18. This was in the little log building, before referred to as standing near the site of the present church. The following winter a term was taught by the Hon. Daniel T. Baldwin, a Berkshire county man, who settled at Black River and became one of the prominent men of Lorain county. He was a '' worthy man," and one of superior talent. August 21, 1878, there were eight school houses in the township, valued at seven thousand dollars. The amount paid teachers for the preceding year, was fourteen hundred and forty-seven dollais, and the total number of children in the township, of school age, was two hundred and eighty-six.

"From the organization of the county of Huron until the organization of Lorain, Sheffield owed a divided allegiance. Originally Dover embraced Avon, and all of Sheffield and Black River east of the river. At a later day, Avon, and the same parts of Sheffield and Black River that formerly belonged to Dover, constituted the township of Troy, and they were then in Cuyahoga county. From 1815 to 1824, all of

Sheffield, west of Black mver, was attached to the township of Black River, as it existed before its territory was reduced to its present limits: This part of Sheffield was then in Huron county. The township was then known as number seven, in range seventeen. On the first Monday of June, 1824, touched with a little ambition for territorial expansion, she laid her petition before the commissioners of the county of organization that should embrace in extent, its present area, all of Black River township east of Black river, and so much of number six, range seventeen (Elyria), as was set off to Enoch Perkins in the partition of the township. The action before the commissioners resulted in the organization of the town- Sheffield was the first township incorporated after the county was organized. Its incorporation was the first official act of the commissioners at their June session, 1824. A special election was ordered for the township officers, and took place July 10, 1824. The following persons were elected: John Day, Isaac Burrell and A. R.

Garfield, treasurer; Jabez Burrell and Henry Root, overseers of the poor. Jabez Burrell had been elected justice of the peace in 1819, while the town was a part of Troy, and re-elected in 1822, and was still exercising the duties of the office at the date of the township organization." The following is the official roster for 1878: Leopold Miller, Russell Walker and S. B. Day, trustees; Ed. P. Burrell, clerk; William A. Day, treasurer; Isaac B. Hecock, assessor; Joseph Rothgarry, constable; William H. Root and L. F. Parks, justices of the peace, and nine supervisors of roads and highways.

in the winter of 1816, religious meetings were held at the house of Captain Burrell, which consisted in reading a sermon, singing and prayer, by Mr. Hanchett, of Ridgeville, then working for Captain Burrell, for there was not at that time a male professor in the settlement. Whatever of moral and religious principle hangs about the native population of Sheffield is due to the influence of pious pioneer mothers. William H. Root, Esq., says: '* We cannot forbear, in this place, to single out of these mothers one whose nme will go down to posterity as a model Christian mother - Mrs. Jabez Burrell, whose maiden name was Mary Robbins. Always kind to every one; with a mantle of charity to throw over the faults of others; with a smile and hearty greeting for rich and poor alike - such was this mother in Israel."

The first sermon preached in the township of Sheffield was by Rev. Alvin Coe, in the spring of 1817. Through the summer following three missionaries, Revs. Hartwell, Treat and Seward held meetings in the township. In the fall of 1817, Rev. Alvin

Hyde, a young divine from Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and son of Dr. Hyde, of Lee, in that county, commenced preaching in Dover, Ridgeville and Sheffield alternately. He was sent out by the '' Berkshire Missionary Association," to visit the new settlements on the Reserve. Mr, Hyde's efforts were successful, and in the spring of 1818 the in Sheffield was formed, Rev. Mr. Williams assisting Mr. Hyde on the occasion. The thirteen original members were as follows: Nathan Stevens and wife, Mrs. Mary Burrell, wife of Captain Jabez Burrell, and her two daughters, Julia and Sarah, Mrs. Martha Smith, wife of Captain Joshua Smith, and her son Douglas Smith, Henry Root, Preston Pond, William Day, Samuel B. Fitch, William Smith and Daniel Perry. Meetings were first held in the old log school house, which stood on the brow of the hill just north of where the church now stands. This building for a long time answered the double purpose of church and school house.

In 1822 Rev. William Reynolds organized a class at the Titus school house in Avon township, but a large portion of the members were from Sheffield township. Meetings were held previous to this at the house of Alexas Miller. The following persons composed this class: Adam Miller and wife Anna, Alexas Miller and wife Caroline, Susanah Parshall, Delia Ann Case, now widow of Theron Moore, Norman Moore, Anson Titus and Susan his daughter. This church was removed to Sheffield in 1843, and meetings have since that date been held in the school house in district number three. It belongs to the Avon charge. The membership is now only small; Rev. N. J. Chase present pastor. A Baptist church was formed 'in Sheffield in 1833, also in the school house in district number three. It was not in operation but a few years, disbanding, and the members, a portion of them uniting with the Methodist Episcopal church, the remainder joining the Baptist church in Avon.

organized in 1845, by Rev. Peter Griesh, with the following membership: John Miller and his wife Catharine, Christian March and his wife, John Forster, Peter Loux and his wife Elizabeth. Henry Swartz and his wife Magdalene, Peter Schneider and his wife, Mathias Shuler and his wife Mary Catherine, George Lusbauer and his wife Catharine, Peter Urich, John Diedrich and his wife Gertrude, Peter Rothgery and his wife Magdalene, Andrew Guberna, Peter Young, Leopold Miller, John Conklin and his wife Anna, John Marks, George Glensherin and his wife Theresa, Antone Deitsh and his wife Kunneyunda,

John Kelling and his wife Catharine, At the organization of the church, each member paid one dollar, with which they bought one acre of land upon which they built a Jog church twenty-four by thirty feet, which was occupied-until the new church was built in 1847. The new church was forty by sixty feet, and cost fifteen hundred dollars. One acre of land was bought of Aaron Root, with the understanding that if he sold his farm he would give them another acre, which he did; so they have two acres in the church lot. At the organization, John Miller, Christian Maich, Peter Loux and Peter Schneider were appointed church trustees. At present the church is represented by fifty-five families. The church property is valued at four thousand dollars.

The following we quote from Mr. Day's address, It is familiar to every student of McGuffey's series of readers: In the summer of 1821, Peter Miller, a lad of seventeen, had been laboring near the center of Sheffield. Saturday afternoon he started to go home to his father's on the lake shore, in Avon. It was five miles through the wilderness, and much of the way his path was near a large swamp infested with bears. When about one-third of the way through, he saw a bear and two cubs. He shouted to scare them away, but bruin, fearing her cubs would be disturbed, showed fight, and came towards him. In early pioneer times it was said that a bear could not climb a small tree; and in an instant young Miller had selected a small, smooth elm, and began to climb, but to his surprise and consternation he saw the bear following him up the tree. He climbed as far as he thought prudent to go, and when she got near enough, he began to kick her on the head. She grappled his foot, then let go her hold on the tree, and fell to the ground, lacerating his foot terribly with her teeth. She immediately started up the tree aguin. Miller could only watch her progress, vainly endeavoring to frighten her back. When she arrived within his reach, he used the other foot, and met with the same success. 'The bear, determined not to lose her prey, ascended the third time. The boy, frightened and exhausted, lost his hold, and both tumbled tothe ground together. 'The bear, evidently alarmed at being so closely pursued from the tree, jumped a few paces, and turned to look at her intended victim. The boy ran for his life, casting anxious glances over his shoulder at his pursuer. She, however, gave up the chase. Young Miller arrived at the settlement in a sorry plight, bareheaded; his shoes gone, and his feet mangled in a shocking manner. The neighbors rallied and searched for the bear, but without success.

The only hotel in Sheffield township is the summer resort known as '' Lake Breeze." This was opened in the year 1873, by its present proprietor, Mr. Jay Terrell, formerly of Ridgeville township, this county.

Erastus Hecock

The aged widow of Erastus Hecock, knowing little of the history of his parents, says he was born in Connecticut, March 27, 1793. his parents, Silas and Hannah J., moved into the town of Fairfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y. Their son kimer Co., to learn the trade of clothier or clothdresser, and there enlisted in the war of 1812, at the age of eighteen. Remaining until discharged, he returned to Salisbury, where he spent a year.

In the year 1818 he moved into the township of Sheffield, Lorain Co., Ohio, taking up one hundred and forty acres of land upon which no improvements had been made. gained him many friends at that early day. At an early date he built the mills at Sheffield, which,

After a long life of toil, by which he had acquired much property and the respect of his fellow-men, having been prominently identified with the early history of Lorain, County, he met his death the 23d of August, 1866, in the following manner: returning from Wayne Co., Ohio, with a drove of stock, whilst on foot driving the cattle, he was overtaken by Mr. Bishop, an acquaintance, who asked him to ride.

caught, and a passing freight-train instantly killed them both. The kindly hands of children and dear old friends laid him to rest in the cemetery at Sheffield, Ohio, where his widow now resides on the old

Zopher Irish. Mrs. Ann Irish Isaac Burrell. Jonathan C. Bennett

It is situated on lot number forty, upon the bank of, and overlooking the blue waters of Lake Erie. Terrell has, in connection with the hotel, a number of cottages, and keeps pleasure boats for the use of guests.

White fishing is prosecuted quite extensively by the dwellers along the shore. nets. We have been unable to procure the data in relation to the fishing interest, but many tons are caught annually.

That portion of the following history that relates to the settlement of the township, is from the able pen of Mrs. Harriet I. Nesbett. It is not only an interesting narrative, but it is full and authentic.

THIS TOWNSHIP, which is described as number four in the sixteenth range, is bounded as follows : on the north by Eaton township; south by Litchfield town. ship, Medina county; east by Liverpool township, same county; and west by LaGrange township, this county. The surface is gently undulating for the most part, the southern portion only being broken, and that simply along the streams. 'he soil is principally clay. As an agricultural township Grafton is about on an average with those surrounding it, and its soil about equally devoted to agricultural and dairy products. The streams are quite numerous, the largest of them being the west branch of the Black river, flowing along the western line, a portion of the way in this, and the remainder in LaGrange township. The other streams are tributary, and are Center creek, flowing as the name implies, through the central part of the township ; Sibley creek, in the southern, and Swamp creek in the northern portion. These are those that are worthy of mention, though there are numervus small crecks and spring stre.ms in the township.

In September, 1816, Major William Ingersoll and family, left Lee, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, to commence the first settlement in township number seven, sixteenth range, New Connecticut Western Reserve. A brief account of the moving train will be given, showing the great improvements in ways and means of traveling, which have evidently kept pace with other advancements. 'Taverns in those days usually provided movers with room to prepare food, or spread beds when needed. A daily enquiry is plainly remembered, as follows: '' Can we have accommodations for the night for thirteen persons, one span of and vegetables were abundant, so with what chests, baskets and bags afforded, a good meal was not expensive, though it often cost the mother tears, who was reluctantly 'taking her children from homes of comfort, and privileges most dear, the loss of which is still felt by sensitive hearts. But '' westward " is the motto, and while weather is fine and roads good we press forward.

The North river, at Albany, was crossed in a ferry boat, the first craft of the kind ever scen, (except a canoe). Near the middle of the State of New York we find friends that had lived ''westward" a number of years. This was a happy meeting on account of the great distance that had separated us a few years only. his year the State prison at Auburn was being built. A mother's earnest admonition is remembered, showing the importance of right doing to avoid incarceration within such massive walls. The villuge of Syracuse was scarcely seen. Buffalo is just rising from its bed of ushes, made in 1814. The first sight of Lake Erie is calm and still; not a sail to be seen; no steamboat's keel had parted its waters; no whistle as signal, to break the awful stillness.

We next come to Ashtabula, the first county in Ohio, which was an oasis to weary, home-sick trayelers. Here friends from Berkshire welcomed us, and the joy was mutual; theirs increased by hearing from friends left in native land. Again, in Mentor we find friends who are just beginning, from Ohio soil, to supply themselves with food. And here let me say that sweeter turnips have never been on exhibition at the ''Northern Ohio Fair," than those grown in Mentor in 1816. Another day's journey and we again stop with friends, in Newburgh, where we rest a day ortwo. Our friends then come to help us through the ''woods" as far as Cleveland, and see us on board the 'ferry boat," then in use, to cross the Cuyahoga river,

Excuse me while I make some truthful contrasts. The little village of Cleveland, with its less than one hundred inhabitants, was situated upon that terrible hill we had just descended with so much difficulty. Lake Erie on the north, scarcely visited by any craft; no, Walk-in-the-Water had then been built; no appropriation had been made to render the harbor safe or accessible; on the east and south, oak trees, with faded foliage, seemed like a sable curtain drawn around tv meet the unbroken forest on the western banks of the Cuyahoga river. Now, upon and around that ''terrible hill" is the beautifal 'Forest City," with its vast population, its great and grand improvements, with nearly two hundred thousand inhabitants, surrounding a monument, commemorating an event which made these western wilds inviting, and the pioneers' dwelling safe and peaceful. This, indeed seems like a fanciful flight of imagination, rather than truthful history. Are the voices all hushed that made the woods ring in honor of brave Perry?

After this we make our way as best we can, over a new road, made among trees and logs, fording Rocky river with our three covered wagons; then all that can, are picking their way on foot to lessen the burdens of horses and cattle, until we come to a log house in Columbia, Cuyahoga county. It was nearly dark, but light enough for the first sight imside that log cabin to be remembered. 'There stood a good motherly-looking woman, with short gray hair, making hasty pudding in a good sized brass kettle which made a little pioneer girl laugh. Another day, and we come to Liverpool; only five miles more of unbroken forest, and we arrive at the place where our home was to be.

In Liverpool we stop a few days, while our strong force, consisting of father and brothers, go forward and prepare a road. This was done through the underbrush, over logs, and around trees, whose roots in some places serve as a pavement for one side of a muddy swale, wagon wheels sinking in mud, and water on the other, the inmates calling forth, '' Oh! oh! don't tip us out in this terrible place!" '* Drive slowly, there's no danger," is the answer; and sure enough, we near the township line in safety, and make our way as fast as possible, until we reach our shanty shelter, to spend our first November night in the woods.

The shanty just mentioned was built and occupied during the summer by John Sibley and Daniel Nesbett, while making small clearings each side the line, between their lots of wild land. They had returned to West Stockbridge, expecting to come again in the spring, which they did. Here, in this only shelter in town, fifteen persons are-haddled. 'Two experienced log house builders had been hired to oversee the building of the first log house in number four, sixteenth range, thus increasing our family. Not a sign of civilization was found in the twelve by twelve foot shanty, except an excuse for a bedstead made in one corner, by boring holes in the logs, putting in strong poles for head and foot, two posts supporting the front side, while bark for cord completed this only piece of furniture.

Next morning, every person in town is here before breakfast, and how is my mother going to prepare it, in this awful looking place, this first morning in the woods? In due time, nine men and boys, with broad and narrow axes, driving the patient oxen, with heavy chains bound around their yoke, the two builders taking the lead, start for the spot never to be forgotten, though the foundation marks have long since passed away.

Selections of land had been made the previous summer, by men from different towns in Berkshire county. Number seven was owned by some of the original members of the Connecticut Land Company, and through their agents, many farms in Berkshire were exchanged for wild land, and for many years, every family in the settlement was from Berkshire county. The dear ''old hills" have not faded from memory. My father received in exchange for his farm one thousand and forty acres of land, and a thousand 'dollars in money. 'The lots were in different parts of the township, but the one nearest Liverpool is decided upon, and the house must be built before the snows of winter fall upon our homeless family. This first house was built on lot number twenty-six, where Daniel Kingsley now resides.

Locating a stranger on this once familiar spot, must not prevent me from noticing an unpleasant affair that occurred during the building of this first house. My brother Joseph, then nineteen years of age, full of hope and courage, who had been working with the rest during tie day, started for the shanty, a little in advance, in order to drive home the cows, whose bells were heard in the distance, though not in the direction of the shanty. He started from the north side of the blind path, and crossed it unperceived. Still traveling, and expecting soon to find the way, he made rapid steps in the wrong direction. Before thinking himself lost, he espied a young bear in asmall tree, and with his shot-gun, was about to bring it down, but thinking quickly if the old bear would let him alone he would not disturb her cub, he renewed his steps, - still in the wrong direction. Darkness convinces him that he is lost, and must spend a night of suffering in the lonely forest, without fire or extra clothing. With his shot-gun he could not kindle:a fire, and only by constant exertion did he keep from perishing with cold, - sometimes clasping trees, and running swiftly around them. In this manner the coldest night, so far, in that November month was passed. Rocky river was frozen over from shore to shore. He afterwards said he felt of his teeth to see if they were not all loose. His course had taken him through a wind-fall, two miles south, and nearly impassable under other circumstances, young underbrush, the size of hand-spikes and broomsticks. The marks upon his face were evidence of suffering. All this could hardly exceed the agony of the family during that sleepless night. My mother thought surely that wild beasts would devour her Joseph. Only a few days had we been in the woods, and did not know how numerous or ferocious the wild beasts of the forest might be. The howling wolf had been heard in the distance, the nimble deer had not yet been seen. The important tin horn had been overlooked in the outfit for pioneer life. Guns were fired, hallowing of strong voices made a solemn echo through the unbroken stillness. Torches made of hickory bark were lighted and carried quite a distance from the shanty, while voices and guns made the starting point evident. At early dawn a brother was sent to Liverpool for a tin horn and men to search for the lost one. But the lost one began to find himself as soon as it was light and safe to leave the place where he had kept himself from freezing during the night. He soon found a '' hub" or corner and was tracing the marked trees, when a hunter who had gone in pursuit espied him, though each claimed to see the other first; no matter, the lost was found, and on reaching the shanty, hungry and weary, with torn garments and bleeding face and hands, truly there was rejoicing before unknown in that rude shelter.

A pleasant incident occurred next day, which I think was the laying of foundation logs, at right angles, by '' Joshua Henshaw," who was passing through on a surveying tour, assuring us we were not out of humanity's reach. The size of this house being built was eighteen by twenty-four feet. <A window with nine lights of seven by nine glass in the north side, stick chimney in the east,-door in the south and another small window in the west end. The chimney proves quite a sky-light, sun and moon aslant can be seen, snow, hail and rain sometimes entering in quantities to nearly extinguish fires built upon the ground instead of hearth. The puncheon floor made of split and hewn logs is next laid. Webster does not name, or place, puncheon for floors, but custom did, and pioneers continue to do so in their reminiscences. The door was made from boards of the largest wagon box, called the '' Ark" when making our journey. This door, with its wooden trimmings, had a latch-string outside and was never pulled in, even when Goodhurt or Red Jacket wished to enter, and more than once did they find the ample fire-place more comfortable than their solitary wigwam, covered only with bark, and no squaw or pappoose to prepare his food or keep him company. One, after sleeping by our fire, and while eating breakfast by himself, discovered he was not provided with a cup of tea, which called forth this amusing request, '' Can't Indian havea plate of tea?" This request was granted, and with seeming relish enjoyed.

shanty in two weeks' time, when eight of us take possession and call it home. We are now in the best built and furnished house in town, with more cause for gratitude than complaint.

Allow a little nine year old girl to place the furniture made by unskilled hands, and some brought from the best room six hundred miles away. We will furnish the first floor by placing two bedsteads, one in each corner, at the west end of the ample room, with a trundle bed under one. 'These were made by hands unused to work with such tools and timber, sometimes requiring force to make them stand steady long enough to be secured with ropes. These become places of repose for tired nature; 'balmy sleep " visited the occupants, and dreams of better days were just as reliable as under other circumstances. The nice looking bureau placed between the bedsteads, with table and stand near by, (relics of better days,) without the aid of Nast made an impressive picture. Chairs were easily counted; two chests made to fit the wagon in which the family rode, covered like settees, now stand on either side of the broad fireplace. Long wooden pins firmly placed in the logs on which shelves, made from the remainder of wagon box, serve as cupboard for crockery, besides bright pewter plates and platters of various sizes, pewter basins also, childrens' individual property, oft filled to overflowing by the same gentle cows from hillside pasture, now cropping browse and herbage in the unbroken forest. Stoutly wrought andirons, slice and tongs, long crane and hooks, take their places and prove as useful as in a New England kitehen.

The old-fashioned clock, made fast to the logs, has resumed its forward march, and with extended hands faithfully marks the passing time, yet more than anything else, constantly reminding of time, and opportunities past, never to return. Only quite recently has its time or speed, its marks of comely face, or perfect form, been questioned; when silently its place of usefulness is yielded, and in its stead a more beautiful face and form, with gilded hands and nimbler step, is measuring the flight of time. This same old clock, the first ever heard to fick in native land, the first pendulum swung in Grafton township, can now be heard and seen in Elyria this. first day of January, 1879. Unlike young America is its slow and even step; its clear yet modest tick sometimes stopping entirely, as if asking '' how much longer?" receiving in answer, ''be patient, old settler, stand at your post to the last. Truth breaks through your faded face, while your worn and battered hands still point in the right direction."

Log house number second is built where I will settle my eldest brother, Seth C. Ingersoll, with his wife and three little pioneer boys, Ardin, Reuben and Ralph. This was on the lot directly north of my father's, and now owned by Hobart Corning. Seven children were added to their family after coming to Grafton. The first white child born in number four

I am expected to be brief, but just here I must linger, while remembering these solitary houses, built in November, 1816. One only road leads to our nearest neighbor, five miles distant. We hear of families being seven miles north, twenty miles south, and forty directly west. Our one road must be trayeled constantly to bring food for thirteen persons. Barrels of flour were brought from Canton, Stark county, and other eatables that could be found at Columbia and Liverpool, were obtained at a dear rate. The indispensable bake kettle or oven was before the fire, without a hearth until rough and uneven stone were dug from a creek near by, which improved our condition for cooking. No wonder my mother drooped like a willow, knowing her children must obtain food to keep the wolf from entering the door, from this frost-bound soil and the leafless forest trees. Not this alone causes sorrow, but the doors of church and school seem forever closed against us. The Sabbath was known by the solemn Stillness. The ring of axes and the crash of falling trees were hushed, telling the Sabbath had come, and that in our dear native land, friends were enjoying privileges of which we were deprived. The faded, falling leaves had left sure promise of return in coming spring-time. But distant indeed seems the time when advantages of civilization will be enjoyed in this desolate place. Cheering hope, with great courage and fortitude, overcomes formidable difficulties, tenden and family, from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, come among us, being the first pleasant company, out of town during the winter. Mr. Crittenden becomes the first settler at the center of the town, owning the southeast corner lot. I want to write the names in full of every person coming to our settlement in 1817. William B. Crittenden, his wife Lydia, eldest daughter Marietta, four years of age; the little boy Henry, now a resident of Grafton. Some incident might be given in connection with every name I shall write. Again are we rejoiced to see covered wagons bringing settlers to join us. This time, the family of Mr. Eliphalet Jones, from Tyringham, Berkshire county, is remembered; Eliphalet, and Polly, his wife, familiarly called Uncle Liff and Aunt Polly; their eldest son, Linas, nearly nineteen; Samantha, sixteen; Emeline, twelve (afterward Mrs. Josiah Taylor); John R., always called Riley, aged nine, now living at Rawsonville; Erastus, seven, remained on the spot where log house number four was built until his death in 1877; Harriet, then three years of age, now Mrs. Ashley Root. Mr. and Mrs. Root are the only couple of pioneers remaining in Grafton in 1879 - children in 1817.

The next lot west, on the same side of the road, was owned by Elder Robert Nesbett, from West Stockbridge, Berkshire county. This family numbered nine, besides a lad named Levi Loomis, who. came with them. Their names were: Robert Nesbett, and Mary, his wife; five daughters, named Catharine, Nancy, Mary, Betsey and Sarah; Daniel, who came a few months before the rest of the family, and took possession of the log house built during the winter, for the sum of forty dollars. All this family are buried in the cemetery, near the homestead, where they resided until their death, except Daniel, who died in Elyria. We now come to the only diagonal road in town, and settle the family of Stephen Sibley, Esq., on lot next west of Nesbett's. This family, too, were from West Stockbridge, and all adults. Three sons named John, George and Giles; two daughters named Nancy and Mary. John and George soon afterwards make their home two miles south of the center, living in one house; having married twin sisters, they continued as one family until the death of one of the sisters, Descendants, only a few in number, are living in

Two more families to be settled this spring of 1817, which are from West Stockbridge, Mr. Nathan Boughton and wife, two daughters and a son, named Rhoda, Electa and Guy. Mr. Jonathan Rawson and wife; Mrs. Rawson was youngest daughter of Mr. Nathan Boughton. Grindall Rawson, brother of Jonathan Rawson, was a member of their family until his marriage. The addition of these families makes forty-two persons in town, all but four on this north street.

The first saw mill was built in the same summer and fall by David Ashley, of Pittsfield, Berkshire county, on the lot owned by Jonathan Rawson, and the only mill privilege on Black river in the township.

Early in June of that year, while a number of children were picking wild flowers, a stranger was seen approaching, leading his horse, and evidently searching for something. It proved to be the hub, or corner he was looking for. 'Children, can you tell me the number of this lot?" 'No, sir," one speaks up, but we know who iscoming here. Capt. Turner, from Great Barrington; he's got ten children; then we're going to have a school house " - an appropriate truth as we shall see. The stranger's smile indicated his acquaintance with the family. Mr. Turner left his family in Columbia until a small clearing was made, and on the fourth of July, 1817, log house number nine was raised. Mr. Turner was the first blacksmith in the township, and the cheery ring of the anvil was heard early and late for many years. Two only of Mr. Turner's family now reside in Grafton: Mrs, Orville Lyndes and Mrs. Benjamin Corning. Mr. and Mrs. Corning living at the homestead near where the old. house stood. Wm. Turner, Jr., and family reside in Elyria. Four children were added to this family after settling in Grafton.

It has been appropriately asserted that the life and services of a good man constitute an important part of the history of the community in which he has passed any considerable portion of his time. The career of a self-made man, with the narrative of the principal events that led to the successful issue of his various enterprises, to the fulfillment of his hopes, the consummation of his aims, and the realization of his aspirations, affords a record at once interesting and instructive. The life of him whose name heads this brief sketch offers many features of an excellent nature, and fairly illustrates what well-directed energy, industry, and business tact can and almost invariably does accomplish.

B. 8. Corning was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., Nov. 16, 1812. He is the grandson of Bliss Corning, who was born in Massachusetts, Oct. 30, 1763, and at an early day settled in Columbia County, where he continued to reside until his death. The name of B.S. Corning's father was Nathan S., and he was born at Norwich, Conn., in the year 1788, and moved with his father, Bliss Corning, above mentioned, to New York, where he remained until 1834, during which year he and his family removed to Grafton, Lorain Co., Ohio, where he resided until his death.

B. S. Corning was the eldest of thirteen children. As a means of perpetuating their names to posterity, we quote from the family record as follows:

Nehemiah Corning, born 1717, son of Joseph and greatrandson of Samuel, married Mary, widow of Abner Pride, ormerly Mary Richards, Noy. 14, 1745, and had the following children:

1. Joseph, the oldest, born Oct. 7, 1746; taken by the British during the Revolutionary war and put on board of the Jersey prison-ship at New York, and never was heard from after.

children, - Lois, Charles, and Joseph ; Mary ; Uriah, married Sophronia Hall, and had eight children, namely, Elias Bliss, Rebecca W., Betsey (died in-infancy), Betsey (2d), Jedediah, Amos, Sally B., and Elizabeth Willett.

On settling in Ohio, Mr. Corning at once assumed a prominent position in township affairs, which position he has ever since retained. At an early day he was engaged as a builder and contractor, which business he followed for about twenty years. He then purchased. the farm upon which he now lives, located about two and a half miles east of Grafton. On the 10th of April, 1836, he married Miss E. L., daughter of William and Mary Turner. She was born in Massachusetts, Feb. 22, 1811. From this union four children were born, namely, Dwight, born Sept. 23, 1887; Hobart E., born April 19, 1839; Howard, born Aug. 1, 1843; and Angelina G., born March 1, 1847.

In 1866, Mr. Corning was elected to the office of county commissioner, and was twice re-elected to the same office, serving in al] nine years. He gave very general satisfaction in this important office, as he had always done in minor positions to which the poeple called him. In politics he isa Republican, ak Fag them in the organization of that party in 1854. Both he and his worthy wife are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Grafton, to which they are liberal poriiibokee The portrait of Mr. Corning appears above this brief sketch, and that of his wife, his companion for more than forty-three years, on the opposite page, both worthy occupants of the places assigned them in the history of the county in which hey have lived and labored for nigh half a century. May they live many years to enjoy the esteem of those who know them as at present, and dying at a ripe old age, leave behind them

B. 8. Corning

It is now November, and two families have settled near the center. I will mention first Mr. Aaron Root's family, already in their log house, built by their oldest son, Pomeroy, during the summer, onehalf mile west of the center. Mr. Root was from Pittsfield, Berkshire county. Mr. Root, while a widower in Pittsfield, with five children, was married to Mrs. Anna West with five children; three became members of Mr. Root's family. They were called Uncle Aaron and Aunt Anna during their life time. Their children's names were Pomeroy, Samuel, Ashley and Mary Root, Caroline, Albert and 'Clarinda West. The two youngest born to this couple were Frederick and Oliver. Pomeroy joined the family of Shakers in Newburgh more than fifty years ago, and to-day is an honored member of that order; nearly eighty years old. Samuel, the next oldest, was drowned in 1825, living at that time in Penfield. Caroline West, oldest daughter of Mrs. Root, long since passed from scenes of earth, still lives in heart and memory of surviving friends. She was married to Mr. Lathrop Penfield, and resided in Penfield township at the time of her death. Ashley, third son of Mr. Root, is still a resident of Grafton, hale and hearty with mind well stored with historic lore. Albert West, son of Mrs. Root, settled in Grafton, and died there more than thirty years ago. Hisson, Albert West, Jr., is in a soldier grave made on the southern battle field. Mary, youngest daughter of Mr. Root, married Wm. Kinney, of Grafton, fifty-two years ago. After his decease in 1849, she became the wife of Mr. Joseph Thompson, of Grafton, and died quite recently. For a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Thompson lived upon the spot where her father's log house stood, so plainly remembered by allsurvivors. Mr. Thompson died in 1878. Clarinda West, youngest daughter of Mrs. Root, was married to George R. Starr, of Penfield. Mr. Starr has been a resident of Elyria more than forty years, and prominently connected with the mercantile interest of that place. Mrs. Starr died in 1876, sincerely lamented. Mr. George Starr resides 'in Elyria, in the house built by his father on Broad street.

Mr. Bildad Belden and family, from Hancock, Berkshire county, came in company with Mr. Root, and settled south of the center one half-mile: His father and mother resided with him, making only one family. Mr. and Mrs. Belden had four children. Minerva, the oldest, then ten years old, is now Mrs. David Merwin, residing in Oberlin. Daniel Belden, late of Grafton, was their only son. Betsey, their second daughter, afterwards Mrs. Clement Stebbins, will be mentioned in another place. Sarah is remembered as Mrs. Chauncey Baldwin. Mr. Belden brought two colored boys (after giving bonds then required), who proved to be honest, industrious men. Their names were Gabriel and Titus Gunn.

One more log house to be built this month for Jesse Taylor, from Pittsfield, Berkshire county. He brings a family of five children - oldest son, Franklin, twelve years old, oldest daughter, Sarah Ann, ten, James and Jesse, younger sons, with the baby, Caroline. Nearly three miles from any house then built, his lot was located; and, after a lonely stay of eighteen months in that place, we find them settled threequarters of a mile south of the center. Mr. and Mrs: Taylor both died in 1825; Mr. Taylor at the age of forty-one, Mrs. Taylor, thirty-nine.

Reuben Ingersoll, a cousin from Lee, joining our settlement in 1817, returned to his native town, and, in early spring of 1818, came again with his wife, and settled more than half a mile west of the center.

The last log house, built in 1817, was for Ladowick Jones, from Tyringham, brother of Eliphalet Jones, before mentioned. The family of Mr. Jones numbered seven. His aged father and mother are counted with this family. Lorenzo, Alonzo and Adaline are the names of their children. Lorenzo for many years resided in Cincinnati, Ohio, known as ''Doctor," "Prof." and 'Old Doc" Jones. Drs. Sampsel and Reefy, physicians in Elyria, were students in his office in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Mr. David Ashley, of Pittsfield, reached our settlement early in March, 1818, coming the whole distance in sleighs. His invalid wife and four daughters made the journey with him. The names of the daughters were Maria (afterwards Mrs. Grindell Rawson), Polly, Eliza and Sally, the youngest then thirteen years of age. The three last named rode in a two-horse sleigh, driven by Dayid Stevens, brother of Mrs. Ashley, who afterwards settled at the center. His first house was built on the northeast corner lot, opposite Wm. B. Crittenden.

Mrs. Curtis, a widow from West Stockbridge, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, came to our settlement in 1818, bringing three sons and two daughters, names, Samuel, Harvey and Landress, the sons; Harriet and Mary, eldest and youngest, daughters. Three of these children married and settled in Grafton. Their first settlement was made nearly a mile east of log house number one.

Wm. T. Welling was an early settler of Grafton. Mr. Welling was among the very first that penetrated the woods of number three, eighteen range, and may for a time be counted with the pioneers of Wellington. He was a resident of Grafton twenty-five years, and in that time was married to Harriet Curtis. They removed to Medina, where they lived twenty years, afterwards to Black Earth, Wisconsin, where they were residents some twenty years, and where he recently died, aged eighty-three years.

any who had ventured among us. He taught school in a log school house called the ''Union School House," built in the woods, between the north street and the center of the town; so that every scholar in town of suitable age might receive instruction. His house was burned before the close of the first term, which terminated the school days of many of his scholars. Contrasts and comparisons of to-day only seem to tell our loss. Mr. Wells was our second elected justice of the peace, afterwards associate judge in Lorain county. He was married to Mary Sibley in 1823.

Mr. Lyman Peabody was an early settler: His wife was the eldest daughter of Mr. Aaron Root. Their eldest daughter is Mrs. George Pomeroy, now residing near the centre of Grafton.

Mr. Orrin Hurlbut and his brother William, from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, were early settlers. Both afterwards married and settled in Grafton, and resided there the remainder of their lives. Orrin Hurlbut married Mrs. Wm. B. Crittenden. Their son, James Hurlbut, is justice of the peace at the center of Grafton at this writing; very recently he has become a resident of Elyria.

In writing this brief account of the first settlement of Grafton, it is often found to be painful to pass so lightly over famiiies and friends, when even the writing of a name brings the history of joys and sorrows of their life before us. A stranger can step rapidly among the graves of households in Grafton to-day without a pang; but not so with one who lived there when the first graves were made, their loss then settling like a pall upon our young settlement.

Seldom does a sister record the settling of seven brothers on uncultivated farms in one township. My second brother, Wm. Ingersvll, Jr., came with his little family in May, 1817, and settled one and a half miles south of the center. The eldest daughter, Maria, three years of age, and John, only a few months, in his mother's arms, make the third family of Ingersolls. Ten children were added to these parents, making six sons and six daughters, mest of whom re- 'ceived paternal care beyond the wants of childhood. Much labor and courage were needed to provide for a family among these thickly standing trees. These parents lived to see their wild surroundings become fruitful fields of waving grain, and remained upon the spot near where their first house was built until their deaths, which occurred under trying circumstances. My brother died April 29, 1859, aged seventy-one years; and on May 1, two days afterwards, his wife, unconscious that her companion had gone before, died also, age sixty-six years: both died of congestive fever. John, the babe before spoken of, with wife and daughter, are living near, and were the only family of Ingersolls in Grafton in January, 1879,

Thomas, third son of Major Ingersoll, commenced clearing his wilderness in 1819. He had learned to manufacture common splint bottom chairs before coming to Grafton, and by exchanging these for days' work in chopping, had-quite a clearing and a log house built before his marriage, which was in 1820. His lot was one-half mile east of log house number one. When Elyria began to offer advantages, he bought a house and lot on the corner of Second street and Hast avenue, where he resided a few years, still owning his farm in Grafton. He returned to his farm again, and continued to make improvements until 1861, when, finding years of toil and hardship, with increasing age, were unfitting him for farm life, his home in Grafton was sold, and the one in Elyria taken possession of. His wife, who had faithfully shared privations during these years of toil, died in October, 1870, my brother in September, 1871. Their golden wedding was celebrated in February, 1870. Rey. F. L. Kenyon was present, and made appropriate remarks to a large company of friends assembled.

My fourth brother, Joseph, began clearing his new farm at the south part of town. His outfit was a yoke of oxen and a year's board, being too far to board at home. Board could be obtained at the nearest neighbor's, one-half mile or more, for one bushel of wheat a week, or one dollar. After clearing some dozen or more acres in this lonely place, he became discouraged, and returned to his native town in Berkshire.

In 1827 he came again to Grafton with his wife and little daughter, and did not then see sufficient inducement to become a farmer, and plough and hoe among the clay lands of Grafton. He made his home in Elyria in 1828, where he resided until his death, in 1861, aged sixty-four years. The first English families coming to Grafton in 1825, were Mr. Crispen Mennell, Mr. Jesse Welborne, and John Langdale. Mr. Mennell remained a citizen until his death, in 1857, aged seventy-one. Mr. Welborne died in 1853, aged fifty-six. Mr. Langdale was a resident of Elyria at the time of his death, which occurred in 1870, aged seventy-nine. A Mr. Hance and family came to Grafton, in 1820, I think, and afterwards settled in Eaton. The names of the children are remembered, while other items are forgotten: Riley, Ira, Hiram and Charles, may still be residents of Eaton. The name is often seen, and some of the descendants of these early settlers are residents of Elyria.

James, my fifth brother, began clearing his wild land in 1822, and continued to do so under discouraging circumstances. His lot was just a half-mile east of the center, where one of the best oil wells in Grafton was found some two years ago. His boarding place for some time was at Mr. Belden's, the price for board being a bushel of wheat a week.

After building a log house, it was at once occupied by a family, with whom he boarded. In 1826 he was married and commenced housekeeping and improving his farm, until in 1832, he began to build quite a large public house for those days, at the center, upon a lot bought of Mr. David Ashley, where it is seen to-day, the siglit of which brings sad memories, while in the cemetery near by so many of this once large

Fimber, Yorkshire, England Crispin Mennell

Crispin MENNELL was born in Norton, England, in the year 1786, At the age of thirteen he commenced working on a farm, and continued in that occupation uninterruptedly until his marriage, in 1809. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Wellborn. By this union were born to them one son and one daughter, the latter of whom died in 1876 ; the son is still living. Mr. Mennell emigrated to America in 1817, and first settled in what is now the city of Albany, where he resided three years. He then removed to Pittsfield, Mass., and lived there six years. In 1826 he moved to Ohio and settled in Grafton township, Lorain Co., where he continued to reside until his death, May 22, 1857. He was a good, practical farmer, and a man of sound common sense. He had no education except what he obtained the few years he was able to attend the national schools of the old country. He held several offices of trust in the township of Grafton, all of which he filled with fidelity, and to the satisfaction of the people whom he served. He was among the early settlers of the township, and his loss was generally considered a public calamity.

Duxe MENNELL, only son of Crispin Mennell, was born in Fimboro', England, in the year 1810. He lived with his father until the latter emigrated to this country, when he went to reside with his grandfather, William Wellborn, who would not consent to his accompanying his father to the United States. In 1823, however, Duke accompanied his uncle Jesse, Wm. Wellborn, and Wm. Matcham to the New World, joining his father in Massachusetis. On the 23d of June, 1835, he married Rachel, daughter of Theodore Curtis. Eight children have been born to them, four sons and four daughters, all of whom, save one, are living. Their names are Elizabeth (died April 29, 1854), Andrew J., Theodore C., Mary G., Anna H., Charles B., Flora A., and Elmer C. Mr. Mennell's first wife died Sept. 29, 1858; and for his second wife he married Mary A, widow of Charles Johnson, and daughter of John Hardy, in 1861. They had four children, - three sons and one daughter, - namely : Perry D., J. D., A. E., and Elizabeth M., all living.

Until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Mennell was a Democrat ; but contemporary with the firing of the first gun on Fort Sumter his political sentiments changed, and he has since been a consistent Republican. He has held the office of township trustee, performing the duties thereof faithfully and well. He is an industrious citizen, a kind and affectionate husband and father, and a worthy representative of his respectable parentage generally.

family rest. My brother died in 1863, in the sixtyfifth year of his age, and in December, 1865, the wife of his youth, who had been a faithful sharer in all the changing scenes of life, also died, in the sixtyseventh year of her age. These records could not be made without many regrets unless a hope was cherished that ere long, without restraint in words, or limited space, these early recollections will be carefully revised, and the name of every descendant of my parents known to be living, be placed in proper form. Only a few families, for a time, settled in Grafton, except those who from time to-time married among us. The families of Thompson and Turner, coming from New York state in 1822 or 1823 are remembered. Some of Mr. Thompson's family have ever since resided in Grafton. Dr. Hiram Thompson has for a number of years practiced medicine in Rawsonville, and quite recently died at the age of seventytwo.

In September, 1825, my brother, Marshall, was married to my early pioneer friend, Sarah Ann Taylor. Soon after, they settled in their log house, two miles west of the center, where oil wells and derricks now cover the ground, where big and lesser trees stood thickly fifty-two years ago. Their residence was in Elyria for some twelve years before my brother's death, which was in September, 1874, aged seventytwo. His widow is still a resident of Elyria.

During the winter of 1827, my youngest (and only brother living) was married and settled in a log house near the homestead. This was eleven years after the first log house in Grafton was built, in which time my seven brothers have begun to earn their bread on uncultivated soil, by hand labor. There were no tramps or drones in those days in Grafton. Only a few years longer did this brother remain on his farm, but purchased the place in Elyria now occupied and owned by 8. B. Wolcott, where he resided a number of years. His home is now with his son, C. O. Ingersoll, on the pleasant street east of the east branch bridge, within the corporation of Elyria.