Lorain City (part 43 of 77)

In April, 1830, the first election was held at Daniel Whiton's house, on the middle ridge. Following are the officers who were at that time elected: clerk, Josiah Harris; treasurer, Stanton Sholes; trustees, Salmon Johnson, Royal Barney, David Smith; constables, Alvah T. Johnson, Shedrich Moore; overseers of the poor, Royal Barney, Stanton Sholes.

The officers of 1878 are the following: clerk, John Uthe; treasurer, William Brown; assessor, Anton Stiwald; trustees, Joseph Whiton, Henry Claus, Joseph Robbins; justices of the peace, Jacob Hildebrand, E. H. Hinman, William H. Plain; constables, John B. Robertson, Orrin Story.

The first marriage, according to the testimony of several old settlers, was that of Aretus Gillmore and Ora Webb, an adopted daughter of Adoniram Webb. This couple were united by John 8. Reid. The date we have been unable to ascertain. The service that united Abel Garlich, a stone cutter of Cleveland, and Betsy Ferris, is said by some to have been the first ever celebrated, but the greatest weight of authority attests the priority of the marriage of the first-mentioned couple. 'The. latter-mentioned marriage took place, according to the best recollection of Ezekiel G. Barnes, in 1820 or 1821.

The elements of the pathetic and the grotesque were strangely mingled upon the occasion of the first burial in the township. A very young child of the Webbs sickened and died soon after they settled in the place. They were living at the time near Jacob Shupe's, in the northern part of the township, but owned land in the southern part, upon which they intended to take up their permanent residence, and naturally desired that the child should be buried there. The distance to the Webb clearing was four miles. Old man Shupe took the child in its tiny coffin, in front of him, upon his horse, and followed the trail through the woods to the place of burial, whistling all the way, and, itis alleged, to the tune of Yankee Doodle. he body of the child was consigned to mother earth, and this was the beginning of the little burying ground lying upon a gentle slope, at the right-hand side of the South Ridge road, as one goes toward Henrietta hill. Others of the family have long been sleeping by the side of the little one whose rude burial occurred more than half a century ago.

The first child born in the township was Betsey, daughter of Jacob Shupe. She was born in 1811, was twice married, the first time to John T. Clay, and then to one Musselman; she died in 1878, in Michigan.

Alonzo and Loreuzo, sons of Roswell Crocker, were the first twins born in the township, 'They are both living - the oldest men born in Amherst. They were born in April, 1819. Captain John 8. Reid, of Black River, promised to name a yessel of his, about to be launched, after the twins, on condition that their mother would take them on board and remain there with them until the vesscl was in the water. Mrs. Crocker took the babes to Black River and accepted Captain Reid's offer, but became afraid at the last moment and refused to comply with the condition the captain had imposed.

Tho first male child born in the township wag 'u all probability a son of Stephen Cable, but this can vt be absolutely affirmed. The first acre of timber cut in the township fell under the blows of Roswell Crocker's axe. He was engaged to cut it by Judge Harris, and the amount of pay agrced upon was four dollars. The work was performed so satisfactorily, and so quickly, that the judge made Mr. Crocker a present of half a dollar in addition to the amount earned. The North Amherst post office stands about upon the center of the acre thus cleared.

The first saw mill, the first grist mill, and the first distillery were built by Jacob Shupe. It is probable, too, that by his hand was sowed the first wheat that turned to gold under the summer's sun in Amherst. The first log house was built by Jacob Shupe, and he undoubtedly built the first frame house. The first brick house was erected by one of the Oustines, and is still standing in North Amherst village, just west of Beaver creck, dwelt in by Halsey Belden. Chiliab Smith is thought to have built the second frame house; and Captain Redington is generally accredited with the erection of the first frame building at South Amherst. The first school house was a small log structure upon the North ridge. Caleb Ormsby planted the first orchard, where the house of James M. Worthington now stands.

_ Game was not so abundant in Amherst, as in some of her sister townships. Deer were very plenty, and a few of the early settlers killed large numbers of them. All kinds of small game were found, but bears were not by any means common. Several were killed in the early days, and one was slaughtered as late as 1830, by Theron White. It pursued James Jackson, about half a mile, at a somewhat leisurely run, but sufficiently fasteto make him exert all of his powers of pedestrianism.

Among the wild beasts to be found in the woods, the ''shack" hogs were more feared than any other animals, except: Bruin. They were very ugly customers to meet in droves, and if the hunter did not. take good care of himself, he was liable to receive terrible wounds from their long, sharp tusks, A small herd of them once drove Michael Jackson and two other boys, Isaac and Joseph Whelpley, to take refuge in a tree, and kept them there half of the night.

Deer, as has been before said, were killed in great numbers during the first ten or fifteen years after the township was settled. It has already béen related that Ezekiel G. Barnes shot many of them. Other hunters did nearly as well. After 1825, or 1830, but few were seen, though there are several instances of their being found still later. Dr. Samuel Strong dispatched one which, after running along the road for some time in front of his house, finally got its leg fastened in a log bridge. Royal Barney had a terrible encounter with a spike buck, upon the middle ridge, and came very near being worsted in the encounter, the animal turning at bay. He succeeded in getting hold of the hind feet of the buck, however, and keeping upon the opposite side of a small sapling, worried him until he lost strength, and then cut his ham strings and killed him. Mr. Barney came out of the struggle an almost completely used up man.

Sometimes hunts were engaged in with great anticipations, and the results were very small; and adventures planned which ended ludicrously enough. Something of the kind was within the experience of Roswell Crocker. He had lost several sheep, or supposed that he had, and finally, with careful preparation and all due precaution, a trap was cunningly set to capture the bear or wolves which had committed the depredation. The next morning one of his own fine fat hogs 'was found in the trap enduring the torture as coolly as could be expected of an animal supposed to love ease and comfort.

Rattlesnakes were very numerous in the stone ridges, and were often killed by hunters and others who happened to go near their favorite haunts. They were much dreaded by the settlers. Itis related of aman by the name of Putnam, a brother-in-law of one of the Redingtons, that when he first. came to the settlement he stepped upon a rattlesnake, and was

On one occasion Ezekiel G. Barnes, while upon a hunting exhibition, found himself at night a considerable distance from home, resolved to camp out in the woods. His doing so was the cause of a life being saved. The silence of the forest was broken by a cry which sounded like a woman's voice, and evidently was borne froma quite distant point. The young hunter lighted a torch at his little camp fire, and started through the dense wood in the direction from which the sound came. He had proceeded about half a mile, when he discovered a woman on horseback. She had lost the trail, and, afraid to descend from her horse on account of wolves, was in great perplexity and distress, and, as may be supposed, was overjoyed at Mr. Barnes' appearance. 'The woman was Mrs. Porter, of Elyria, the mother of Samuel Porter, of North Amherst. She was on her way, when lost, to Jacob Shupe's, to get one of his daughters to assist in caring for her sick husband. Barnes went with Mrs. Porter to Shupe's house, and then returned with her to Elyria, acting in the capacity of guide, philosopher and friend.

An Early Fourth Of July Celebration

Orimel Barney relates a pleasant incident of 1827, the first Fourth of July celebration held in the settlement. Preparations were made for an out-door meeting upon Independence Day, and as the weather was fine the few settlers who assembled had a very pleasant social time. The meeting was held on the farm of Daniel G. Whiton, and there were present nearly all of the settlers then resident in the township, with their families. The dinner was a substantial meal of venison, with turkey, wild grape puddings, iron-wo d bark coffee, and was washed down with occasional draughts of Ohio whisky, which was doubtless neces-

A Spirit Medium

Whisky was in the beginning of the settlement a legal tender or a circulating medium. Notes were made payable in whisky upon condition that the corn crop proved good, and payable in hickory nuts if the corn crop should be poor. Not long after Jacob Shupe started his distillery several others were put in operation, and one locality had so many at one time that it was dubbed '' Whiskyville" - a name which it retains to this day. Nearly all of the whisky manufactured was for home consumption, and was often given in payment for a day's work or in exchange for various commodities. The liquor had at least one merit. It was an honest article. The equivalent in money, for a gallon of whisky, was from a shilling up to twenty cents, and even two shillings. The distillers after Jacob Shupe were Michael Oustine, Stephen Gunn, Nathan Edson, Lewis Shupe, Elias Mann, John Hildebrand & Snider, and Ira Tillotson.

The Early Temperance Society

The first temperance meeting was held in the summer of 1832, being gotten up by Captain Stanton Sholes. A society was formed of which he was made president, Dr. Samuel Strong, vice-president, and Dr. John Quigley, secretary and treasurer. There were fifteen members. One of them - Wesley Perkins - being sick sometime after the organization of the society, sent to Orlum Winton's for whisky. Winton happened to be out of the required article, and thinking it would be a good joke upon the newly fledged total abstinence man, sent him a bottle of spring water. Judge Harris, on learning of the trick, reproved Mr, Winton, and getting his own jug filled, took it to Perkins' house. where, soon after, another friend arrived bringing a bottle of wine and other delicacies, intended, probably, to counteract the effect of the water, in case the sick man had rashly drunk of it.

Mormonism

In 1831, or the following year, Mormonism made its appearance in the community, and gained from forty to fifty adherents. One of the preachers.was a man named Fuller, and the arch-apostle, Rigdon, also labored im this field. They preached in private houses; held meetings quite frequently, and at one time aroused a considerable excitement. A few of the converts made joined in the westward heigera, but most of them became lukewarm in the faith, or relapsed altogether into the old manner of life and way of thinking.

The church history of Amherst, could it all be produced, would make a bulky and interesting chapter. The zeal of the people for organizing churches

George Bryant

George Bryant was born at Stanley, Gloucestershire, England, and is the eldest of a family of six children of John and Pamelia (Collins) Bryant, of Gloucestershire, who emigrated to this country in company with his brother's family and others in the year 1829, landing in New York on the 29th day of November of that year. They went from New York to Philadelphia, at which latter place they remained 'until April, 1830, when they returned to New York, and proceeded thence up the Hudson River to Albany, in a packet commanded by Captain Littlejohn. At Albany they took passage on the Erie Canal, and after-a week's travel arrived at Buffalo. After a sojourn of a few days in the then infant Lake city, they embarked on the schooner "Young Lion," bound for Sandusky, where they landed in the early days of May, 1830. From Sandusky they proceeded to Norwalk, and on the 8th day of October, just one year from the time of leaving their home in the old country, they settled in the present town of Amherst, and one year later purchased the farm now owned and occupied by George Bryant, whose name heads these lines.

On the 5th of January, 1837, Mr. Bryant married Adeline Lodoisk, daughter of Adinirum Webb and Deidamia Moore, of English ancestry, though Americans by birth. This marriage was blessed with eight children, of whom five are living, namely: Mary D., wife of James Redford, of Hays City, Kansas ; George W., married Sarah Howard, lives near the old homestead ; Parmelia C., wife of George Camp, of Laport, Lorain Co., Ohio; Elmer C., married

Hannah Kelley, and resides in South Amherst; Charles C. lives with his parents; Ellen T., wife of Darius Plumb, she died May 10, 1863; Fernando D., died Feb. 18, 1841; Dorliska, died Sept. 11, 1841.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Bryant commenced clearing land, and cleared ninety-one acres on the farm now owned by Lyman Cole. On the 16th of February, 1865, he moved on to the farm he at present occupies, and has continued to improve it ever since. He now has a well-cultivated and productive farm, upon which are comfortable buildings. He is one of the pioneers of Lorain County, and a good practical farmer. He is now sixty-four years of age, and his wife is sixty-two, and they have lived together forty-two years.

In the year 1836, John Bryant, father of the subject of this sketch, erected a residence on the present site of that in which the latter now resides, and while on his way from Pittsburgh, whither he had gone to purchase windows and doors, the house was destroyed by fire. He rebuilt in 1837 the house now occupied by his son George.

Mrs. Bryant is a member of the Congregational Church of Amherst, with which she formerly united in 1864. Mr. Bryant is a man of great personal integrity and general worth, and a firm believer in moral manhood. Himself and wife are both liberal supporters of all enterprises tending to the public good or the advancement of the community in which they have lived so long, and in which they are so

The Kendeigh family is of German origin, the progenitors of the present stock having settled in Lancaster Co., Pa., some years prior to the commencement of the present century. Henry Kendeigh, Sr., of Lancaster, had two sons, Henry and John; the former born Jan. 20, 1796; the latter, Jan. 8, 1800. When John was quite young, his father removed to Lebanon Co., Pa., and to Carlisle, Perry Co., in 1812. In 1823, Henry and John Kendeigh were induced to move to Ohio by their brother-in-law, Abram Rice, starting from Westmoreland Co., Pa. They occupied two weeks in making the journey. John made the entire distance of three hundred miles on foot, driving before him thirty sheep and three head of cattle, and keeping pace with the team which brought his family, and which was driven by his brother-in-law above named. Henry drove a team consisting of three horses and a Pennsylvania wagon, in which were his wife and two sons, Daniel and John J., together with their goods and chattels. Henry married Nancy Rice, and John married Mary Rice, sisters of Abram Rice. After coming to Ohio, John J. Kendeigh married Cecelia Tooze, of Tiverton, Devonshire, England, March 18, 1863. She was born May 11, 1339, and came to Oberlin in the fall of 1856, To them were born three children, namely, - Henry B., born Feb. 19, 1866; Jonas E., born May 3, 1867; Mary Emma A., born March 27, 1873. The two latter were born in the old homestead at Kendeigh's Corners.

nt some time in study at Oberlin. She taught school in Pittsfield, Oberlin, Russia township, and South Amherst, and also in the district in which she now resides.

5, 1820. His father died in 1836, leaving a family of five sons and one daughter to the care of his widow. John J., the subject proper of this sketch, being the eldest, though only sixteen, had to take the place of his father to some extent in assisting his mother to care properly for the other children. The fidelity with which he fulfilled this mission is best known to his brothers and sister who survive him, and remember with grateful affection his labors of love for them. Through the whole of his life, Mr. Kendeigh has had more than an ordinary share of responsibility on his hands. For fifteen years his mother was a great sufferer from that painful disease, chronic rheumatism. For many years he cared for her alone, much of the time attending to the farm and doing the work of the house. After his marriage, as above stated, his wife proved a helper indeed to him, and cheerfully assumed a part of the care of his afflicted mother. Faithfully and well did each fulfill their mission of love for the dear one until her sufferings were terminated by death, July 14, 1871, after having been bedridden for four and a half years.

Mr. Kendeigh was a mechanic by nature, especially as a carpenter and joiner. At an.early day he acquired a dexterity and aptness for tools used in that branch of business, and buildings erected even in his boyhood are among the most elegant in his neighborhood, and are regarded as superb pieces of workmanship. Mr. Kendeigh was a man of natural taste and refinement. He was a genuine musician ; sang well and played excellently. He had a fondness for. sacred music, and held a place in the choir of the Congregational Church for many years. His soul was attuned to music, which had a harmonizing and refining influence on all the social elements of his life.

After an eminently useful and honorable life, he died June 2, 1876, and his earthly remains repose in the family burying-ground at Kendeigh's Corners. He left a most amiable and loving wife and three children (mentioned above) to mourn the irreparable loss of a fond husband and an affectionate father. They enjoy the consolation, however, that, owing to his blameless and meritorious life, their loss will be his gain.

seems only to have been equalled by their careless disregard of retaining records. Eighteen or twenty churches have been organized, and ten are in existence at the present writing, but the older organizations which have the most interesting history, have without exception failed to preserve their carly papers, and in two or three instances have nothing whatever worthy of thename of record. The historian has, therefore. been compelled to rely solely upon the memory of early residents. A strange anccdote, but one of which the truth is attested by many persons, is related of the building of the first

A class had been in existence for some time, but no church building had ever been erected up to 1830, or perhaps 1833. Some time between the years here mentioned, Captain Stanton Sholes, an eccentric, but honorable man, of whom mention has been heretofore made, became the instrument, in the hand of Provyidence, for the establishment of a place of worship. He was riding his horse along the road one day, when the animal, making a vicious sidelong movement, unseated him. His foot remained fastened in the stirrup, and he was dragged along the rough road for some distance at a terrible rate of speed. His life was of course in great peril. Captain Sholes testified afterwards that he was never so thoroughly frightened and overcome with the fear of a horrible death as at this time. He instinctively, as persons will when in danger, prayed that his life might be spared, and made a promise within his heart that if God delivered him from death, he would build Him a house of worship. Almost instantly the horse stopped, and hastily extricating himself from his perilous position, he resumed his ride. Within three days from this occurreuce, the captain, true to the sacred promise he had made, began preparations for the building of a meeting house. The work was soon pushed to completion, but some obstacles to its progress were met with and overcome. When the frame was in readiness to be raised, a large crowd gathered to assist in the work; but Captain Sholes, who was a staunch temperance man, refusing to furnish liquor, the men could not be induced to exert themselves. They had assembled with the expectation of having a wild carouse. 'They could not forego the pleasure, and they succeeded before they dispersed in having what was probably the largest spree ever known in Amherst. When they found that there was no hope of getting any liquor from Captain Sholes, they purchased quite a quantity, procured milk and sugar, and bringing a large churn out on to the village green, made up a collossal punch, of which all who chose to, imbibed, some so freely that the effects of the liquor were very plainly visible. There are not a few gray-haired men now in Amherst who remember the scene presented upon the little park that day; and there are some who look back to the occasion as the first and only time they were ever under the influence of the ardent. The church was not raised until some days or weeks later, when Captain Sholes gathered together the total abstinence men of several adjacent townships, and had the pleasure of seeing the building go up.

There is no record left to show who was the first preacher in this historical house, or who were the early officers of the church. The building remained in use until it was replaced in 1875 by a more commodious structure, at a cost of three thousand dollars. The trustees in 1878 were James Jackson, Walter Seeley, E. ©. Shuler, F. A. Griffin and James Abel. Following are the stewards: James Jickson, Walter Seeley, E. C. Shuler, Alvah T. Johnson (recording steward). Rev. S. E. Breen became pastor in 1878.

Congregational Church Of North Amiierst

None of the early records of this church are in existence, and the information which the historian has been able to glean in regard to it, is not of an exact nature, as dates cannot be supplied. The church came into being soon after that of the Methodists, in whose house it was organized by the assistance of Rey. Dr. Betts and the Rev. Brown, of Brownhelm, Father Kells and the Rev. Goodell, of Birmingham. The original members were John Chapin and wife, A. 8. Moffatt and wife, Freeman Nye and wife, Nathan King, Miss Bassett, Almond Chapin, Homer 'Tyrell, and wife, - - Smith, Calvin Harris and wife, and Miss Harriet Chapin. JolnChapinand A. 8. Moffatt were elected deacons. Father Hells preached for a short time after the organization of the church.

The church split, in two or three years, upon the rock of abolitionism, several members who lived on the South Ridge withdrawing and forming a separate association. The church was one-half or two-thirds composed of whigs, with a sprinkling of democrats and abolitionists. A. S. Moffat, who is mentioned as one of the first members cast the first abolition vote in Amherst. The present church building was erected in 1840, after a long and tiresome exertion on the part of a few strong supporters of congregationalism. The lot was a gift from Judge Harris. There were two factions in the church. One of them strove to keep the church within the Congregational Association, and the other endeavored to achieve an independent organization. The latter was successful, but the church, after several years' existence in an inde pendent state, went back into the association. 'The preaching for a number of years was almost entirely by the-professors from Oberlin College. At the close of the year, 1878, the church makes a favorable showing as regards membership and general prosperity. The membership is sixty-five. Present pastor, Rev. H. GC. Haskell. Officers of the church: clerk, Mrs. George Bryant; deacons, E. P. Tuttle, Alexander Lambertson. Officers of the society: trustees, John B. Clough, A. L. Spitzer, A. Riggs ; secretary, E. H. Hinman; treasurer, Charles E. Cook.

South Amherst Methodist Episcopal Church

This church was organized in the fall of 1824, and meetings were held at Webb's house and other dwellings until 1838, when a place of worship was raised which has since then been in use. Rey. Charles Elliott was the first minister. George Disbrow was elected clerk.

The pastor, in 1878, was Rev. 8. E. Breen, who also has charge of the M. E. Church 'at North Amherst. The trustees at present are CO. A. Felch, John Petty, Edwin Durand, James Wyatt and Jonathan Messoll ; stewards, John Petty, Edwin Durand and James Butson. :

The North Amherst Baptist Church

It is probable that preaching was begun by the Baptists in North Amherst at a very eurly day. The Rev. Geo. R. Bryant is known to have occasionally preached there, 'The present Baptist church was ofganized in the winter of 1854. The Rey. Geo. W. Allen, having resigned his pastorate at Birmingham, came to reside upon the south ridge, and being disengaged, was urged to preach for the few Baptists in the vicinity. The first meeting held by him was in the Methodist church in December of 1853. In the following winter a series of meetings were held and many persons experienced religion. A strong desire for church fellowship being engendered, 'notice was given of the intention to organize a church, and on the 8th day of February, 1854, a number of persons holding letters of dismissal from various Baptist churches assembled in the Methodist meeting-house, where, after preaching by the Rey. 8. Wadsworth, the regular Baptist church in North Amherst was organized with the following members: Rev. Geo. W. Allen, Lewis R. Cook, Luthcr Owen, Benjamin Redfern, Luther Bonner, Ansel F, Wattles, Reuben Allen, Phebe A. Bonner, Emeline Cook, Ruth Crocker, Elizabeth A. Blanchett, Eliza Bonner, Mary Wilford, Lucy A. Barney, Nancy Owen, Hannah O. Allen and Pearly Allen. Lewis R. Cook was chosen clerk. L. Owen and L. Bonner were made deacons. Rev. Geo. W. Allen was the first minister of the church. The first persons baptized were Abigail Wattles, Bliss Remington, William Wilkinson, Anna Medburn, Anna Maria Foster and Emily G. Cook, March 12, 1854. The place of meeting was for two years the old school house or town hall, but in 1856 was commenced the erection of the present church edifice. It was dedicated in December of the same year, the Rev. J. D. Fulton, then of Sandusky, officiating. The lot upon which the structure was raised was bought of the Cleveland and Toledo railroad company. Rev. Amasa Heath became pastor in 1857 and was superseded in 1866, after nine years efficient service, by the Rev. Charles H. DeWolf, then of Seville. In September, 1867, Rey. 8S, Jones, of Ridgeville, became pastor, and two years later gave place to the Rev. William H. Stenger, of Zanesville.

Rey. C. ©. Park entered upon his pastorate in November of 1870. The present deacons of the church are N. L. Cotton and Frank Snyder; and the clerk, Lester Cook. Ezra Straw, Frank Snyder and Lester

Churoh Of The Evangelical Association

This German church was organized in 1845. The presiding elder was J. G. Zinger, and the constituent members were J. G. Theuer, Adam Holl, Phil Rau, John Berk, Philip Beal, John Holzhauer, Jacob Vetter, Geo. Miller and Geo. Hosenfplug. The new church was established in 1864, and the building was brought from Brownhelm. The parsonage was built in 1861. The present pastor is the Rev. Jacob lonnecker, This church is in the village of North Amherst, but has a branch upon the south ridge road, of which Rey. Leonard Lider was the first minister.

The Congregational Ciiurch Of South Amherst

was organized on the second day of December, 1884. Addison Tracy was clerk; Alexander Gaston was appointed deacon in January, 1835. The church building was erected in the winter of 1838 and 1839, H. Tyler is the present supply pastor, and the following are the present officers of the church: Deacons, Lyman Cole, Alonzo Wright, Sr., J. W. Humphrey; clerk of the church, George Prince; clerk of the society, Alonzo Wright; treasurer, D. J. Dulmage; trustees, D. J. Dulmage, George Prince and Luther Clark. ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH was established in North Amherst in 1874, and has, at the present writing, a membership of thirty-seven persons. Rev. Louis Dammann is pastor, and has held that office for three years. The trustees elected for 1878 were L. Boesing, William Hintz and William Grugal.

The Roman Catholic Church

was constituted in October, 1857. The first trustees were Adam Hargemann, B. Hildebrand, Henry Young and John Schaber.* The present pastor is the Rey. Jacob Von Tabel, and the trustees are John G. Bans, G. Coth, H. Schanch, John Freidrich, F. Reffennig, G. Roth and C. Fey. The church is in North Amherst. :. THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH of North Amherst originated in 1868, Previous to that time Rev. L. Molon, of Elyria, had been for three years holding monthly services in a room belonging to John Plato, in the old Reuben Woolcott building. About six families attended. The congregation having considerably increased, it was decided, in 1868, to have a suitable place for holding religious services, and accordingly a lot was bought of. Joseph Trost, on Tenney Street, upon which was erected a church building thirty by forty feet m dimension, which was consecrated on the 15th of

August. In 1872, Rev. R. Rouchey was settled as pastor of the Vermillion and North Amherst Catholic churches, and, after he had been with the society for one year, it was found that it had grown so as to necessitate an enlargement of the building. The addition was built in 1873. Rev. Rouchey was in charge of the congregation up to August, 1875, after which, the present priest, Rev. Joseph Roemer, was sent by Bishop Gilmour to take charge of the church, and also that at Vermillion.

School houses were built at an early day in the north and south parts of the township. It is now impossible to ascertain which portion of the setilement the people first did honor unto themselves, by providing for the instruction of their children. A school house located on lot forty-eight, upon the south ridge, is said to have been the first in the township. Sophronia Blair taught a small school there. Another was built upon lot thirty-eight, just east of 'the corners" and outside of the present corporation line of North Amherst. Miss Fanney Barnes (now Mrs. David Smith) was teacher here in the summer of 1823, and afterward Miss Philania Barney, (Mrs. S. N. Moore), taught in the same log building. Joseph Quigley erected a building near his home for the quaker Mollenoux to preach in, and it was also used as a school-house until Henry Walker bought it and converted it into a dwelling house. Miss Murray of Carlisle, afterwards the wife of Clark Eldred, of Elyria, was the first teacher in this school-house. The first male teacher was either Wm. H. Root of Sheffield, or J. A. Harris. Both of them taught at an early day in the Quigley school. Joseph L. and Daniel G. Whiton were also teachers.

The present district-schools of Amherst, and the public schools of North Amherst, compare favorably with those of other places of similar size. Passing from the mention of the smaller district and sub-district-schools, we will follow the growth that has created the present school of North Amherst village. It was not long before the accommodations of the old school-houses, with their rough slab seats with pegs driven in them for legs, were found insufficient for the growing needs of the community. The old town-hall, a frame building twenty-five by thirty-five feet in dimensions, was used as a school-house until 1849, when it was removed to its present location, on Church street. Hereafter being made more appropriate for the use intended, by refitting, it was again made to serve as a place for the education of the youth until 1856, when it was found to be too small for the increased number of pupils. In the year mentioned the village of Amherstyille, as it was then called, was organized into a union school-district, with Josiah Harris, Alvah T. Johnson, Dr. A. A. Crosse, Dr. A. C. Moore, Daniel Axtell and M. Wilton as directors. Judge Harris donated a piece of land as a site for a school-house, and the directors, after some delay, made arrangements for the creation of a brick' building. Charles Leach drew the plan, and the contract for building was awarded to Daniel Axtell and M. Durand, The building was erected, two stories in height, and twenty five by forty feet. The brick were made from clay taken from the cellar and baked upon the spot. The cost of this building was about three thousand two hundred dollars. In 1874 the building was found inadequate to accommodate the children of the village, and an addition was built, which nearly doubled the capacity of the school. Plans for the addition were drawn by L. Dickenson, and the contract was let to Philip Siffle and Adam Holl. The new part, and repairs upon the old, cost six thousand dollars. This building affords, at the present writing, ample accommodation for over five hundred children. The present superintendent is J. F. Yarrick, and the school board is composed of John P. Jenne, president; George E. Bryant, secretary; E. C. Shuler, Joseph Barber, John G. Bans and Henry A. Plato. The first superintendent under the system now in vogue was L. A. Gray.

Prior to 1830 there was no resident physician in Amherst. Dr. Baker, of Florence, and Dr. Chapman, of Elyria, administered to the sick up to that year. Dr. Samuel Strong came in 1830, and was the pioneer of a host of medical gentlemen who came after. Following is a list of the physicians in the order of their coming: Drs. Samuel Strong, Cook, Smith, Luman Tenney, Wright, L. D. Griswold, B. F. Blackmer, H. F. Hubbard, A. A. Crosse, Sladiel, Tompkins, Smith 2nd, Charles Crosse, C. C. Crandall, J. Bryant, Weigand, Evans, Price, A. C. Moore, Wilsey, More, Tuttle, Leuse, Gibbs, Oaks, Arndt, Mrs Arndt, Schenck, Schraeder, Reitel, Charles Rockwood, D. W. Starkey, H. Lilly, O. F. Maynard.

The present Middle Ridge road was opened as a trail at a very early day, and it is probable that the first mail was carried through the township upon the line of this road. Robert Wolverton was the first mail carrier. The Telegraph or South Ridge road was next opened and put in good shape, and the stage coaches carrying mail and passengers went through on this road. The Cleveland road was next laid out, Hiram Belden doing much of the surveying.

The burying grounds in Amherst are more numerous than in most townships. The first one laid out was that on the Cleveland road just east of the vil- There is one upon the Middle Ridge (lot sixty-three), one near Kendeigh's corners, lot (ninety-four), one at Webb's corners, one

The first tavern kept at South Amherst, was that of the Webbs. Stephen Cable kept soon after. At North Amherst, when it was known as '"'the corners," Judge Harris had a log tavern very soon after his arrival in 1818, and was landlord for many years. The Henrie house, or rather a small portion of it, was originally built by Dr. Samuel Strong. Following is a list of landlords at North Amherst'down to and including the present proprietor of the Henrie house: Josiah Harris, L. Foster, Father Champney (Old Pie), J. B. Whelpley, Wm. F. Ringland, L. P. Harris, Thomas Case, Ira B. Tillotson, Thomas Brown, James Allen, Joseph Hamlin, Franklin Blackmer, Smith E. Crandall, Orimel Barney, H. F. Hubbard, Smith Steele, John Steele, Horace Steele, Samuel Kendeigh, Joseph Trost, James Jackson, M. Jackson, Lathrop & Walker, and M. Jackson.

The Stone Quarries

The vast formation of sandstone underlying a portion of the State, seems nowhere to be of better quality for purposes of architecture, than in the township of Amherst and its vicinity. The quarrying business is here most eminently practicable, and the stone land being near the lake, the question of transportation was ready solved, as soon as the work of taking out the treasure was commenced. The close proximity of the L. 8S. & M.S. R. R. offers another great advantage to. those whose business.it is to delve for a nation's building material.

Nature has formed here, and left accessible to man, what is practically an inexhaustible supply of the best building stone upon earth. Estimating the thickness of the stone at an average of only fifty feet, - and good authorities say that it must be nearer an hun- ' dred, - the number of cubic feet afforded by one acre would be over two million. One hundred men could scarcely quarry out a full acre from top to bottom in less than ten years' constant labor. Vast as has been the amountof stone taken from the Amherst quarries, it sinks into insignificance in comparison with that remaining. 'The stone lies almost entirely above the ground, and above the drainage level, and the huge blocks sent to all parts of the United States, Canada, and even South America, are quarried without any of the obstructions found in other parts of the country. A list of hundreds of buildings built of the Amherst stone might be given, but we have space for only a few of the most important as follows:

The stone business of Amherst, like all great industries, had a small and humble beginning. Before the great value of the stone was known, owners of the best quarry land in Amherst and vicinity would gladly have taken for an acre of the so called ''waste land" what is now-a-days paid for fifty cubic feet of building block, or its equivalent in grindstones.

Henry Warner first opened the Brownhelm quarry, now owned by the Worthingtons, in 1847, and is believed to have shipped the first stone sent out from this section. 'I'he blocks were hauled on wagons to Vermillion, and from there shipped to their destination in Canada, having been purchased by John Worthington, then a contractor. Mr. Warner gave for this quarry six hundred dollars, worked it six years, and then sold it for six thousand dollars. He was a native of Middlesex county, Connecticut, and had a varied experience before he became one of the pioneer quarrymen of Lorain county.

'Grindstones were taken out of the John Elliott quarry, lots fifty-nine and sixty in Amherst, in 1848, by Sylvester Silsby. There were no lathes then in use, and the work of shaping the stones was done entirely with the chisel. 'This quarry was worked for fifteen years by William James, who finally bought it of Elliott. Parks and E. C. Foster were the next owners, and they sold'to George E. Hall, of Cleveland, who, in turn, sold to Worthington & Sons. Block stone was furnished from this quarry for the building of the abutments of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad bridge at Ashtabula, when the road was established. It was taken out by Ackley & Smith.

Henry Warner was associated with Mr. Clark in the ownership of the middle quarry, now owned by the Clough Company, in 1854. Baxter Clough bought into this quarry, and soon became the sole owner. Warner afterwards became owner of what is at this writing the Haldeman quarry.

Nearly all of the stone quarries of this township have passed through the ownership of many parties, and been developed in different degrees by each until to-day they form such a collossal interest as to have brought together enough people to form a village of one thousand and five hundred inhabitants. North Amherst has grown almost entirely from the stimulus given by the development of the stone, and as it is both literally and figuratively built upon arock, its safety of existence and prosperity is assured. A great change has taken place since the first small opening was made for the purpose of taking out stone. The whole northern and western part of the township may be said to fairly bristle with heavy iron rigged derricks which, worked by powerful engines, swing ponderous blocks of stone from the deep rugged walled caverns to the ground above, and deposit them upon railroad cars, or swing them to the saw mill and turning lathe. Hundreds of men, assisted by the giant slave, steam, are toiling in the ledges and pits, taking out the rough stone, which under the chisel of the artizan shall be conformed into shapes of grace and beauty and strength, to lend majesty to the buildings in the great marts of trade.

Most of the growth of the stone industry of Amherst and the adjacent country has been the result of the business, energy and tact of the present proprietors of the quarries. We have endeavored to secure facts, which briefly related, will convey to the reader an idea of what has been accomplished.

THE WORTHINGTON QUARRIES are extensively worked by James M. and George H. Worthington. The elder Worthington was a man of great energy and business shrewdness, a native of Canada, and a large contractor upon government buildings. He came to Amherst and bought into the quarries in 1853. The business once embarked in, it was not long before he became one of the most extensive owners and operators of quarry property, in the country. His sons carry on the business. in a large way, at present. 'They have quarries in lots fifty-nine and sixty, Amherst, (formerly known as the Hall), alsoiin Brownhelm, lots twenty-seven and twenty-eight, also valuable quarry property at Grindstone City, Huron county, Michigan, and an extensive dock at Vermillion harbor, from which point their Amherst and Brownhelm stone is shipped. 'This is supplied with three heavy derricks. 'They run seven engines, nine lathes, and six gangs of saws. Their houses and tools were valued in 1876, at fifty-eight thousand dollars, and their real estate at one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. During the years 1871, 1872 and 1873, their sales of grindstones amounted respectively to fractions over seven thousand nine hundred and fifty, nine thousand seven hundred and twenty-six, and nine thousand two hundred and twenty-six tons. The sales of block stone were in 1871, one hundred and eighty-eight thousand two hundred and thirtythree cubic feet; in 1872, two hundred and forty-seven thousand two hundred and thirty-nine cubic feet, and in 1873, two hundred and five thousand four hundred and ninety cubic feet. Beside. their office in North

THE WILSON & HuGHES STONE CoMPANY own quarries in lots fifty-nine and sixty-two. Their office is in Cleveland. 'The quarries were opened in 1863, and all of the stone taken out of them at that time had to be hauled either to Black River, or the village of North Amherst, but in 1868 a contract was made with the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Company, whereby they extended tracks into the quarries from the main road, and since then the business has been largely increased. The business has been successful from the first, and the average yearly sales have amounted to from fifty thousand to one hundred thousand dollars. The quarry property consists of about thirty-seven acres, and the company has all of the modern improvements, such as steam derricks, engines, saw mill, lathe, shops and dwelling houses for the employes. The quarries are in good condition and working order, and among the best in Amherst. A. Hughes is president of the company, and William and J. F. Wilson are superintendents.

L. Hatpeman & Son. - The quarry property owned by this firm, having their office in Cleveland, consists of about thirty-five acres*+in lots eighteen and nineteen, and the first stone was taken out by Wilson & Cook in 1868 or the following year. Messrs. Haldeman & Son purchased from McDermott & Cromwell, in March, 1873. The quarry had been worked but little until the present proprietors bought it. The valuation of the property is, including machinery, tools, etc., seventy-five thousand dollars. Average sales for the years 1874, 1875, 1876 and 1877, have been in the neighborhood of one hundred thousand dollars. The firm has excellent facilities for quarrying and shipping building and grindstone, and is largely interested in the manufacture of the latter. Their trade includes the prominent axe, edge tool and saw manufacturers throughout the United States and Canada. Block stone has been furnished for the construction of some of the largest buildings in the leading cities.

THE AMHEKST STONE Company has for its officers: president, Truman Denham; vice-president, J. E. French; secretary and treasurer, W. 8. Dodge.. The office of the company is in Cleveland. Their property in Amherst is known as the old Quigley property, and: consists of twenty-nine acres in lot four, and twentysix and a half acres in lot ninety-seven. ' The quarry was opened by the company in the fall of 1872, and is now provided with seven derricks, grindstone lathes and a saw mill. The sales since the opening of the quarry have aggregated about two hundred and thirty thousand dollars.

Tue TurKEY Rock QuARRY - so called because the tracks of turkeys were found at an early day in the rock near the foot of some large trees - is the property of W. H. Bryant, who purchased it in 1874 from Nathaniel Bryant. The quarry was opened the The property lies in lot fourteen, and consists of bout twelve or thirteen acres. Most of the rock taken from this quarry has been made into grindstones because of its peculiar grit, and they rival the fame stones of England. The grain in toward the north at a uniform angle, | 'showing this was once the shore line of Lake Erie. The stone found below the shore formation is soft, and very much more open than any other found in the neighborhood, and this soft stone is made a specialty by Mr. Bryant for tool-grinding. The product from the quarry has amounted to six or seven hundred tons, principally of the variety known as the American Wickersley.

The Nichol Quarry

James Nichol, a native of Dundee, Scotland, came to this country in 1852. He was a stone cutter by trade, and for the next nine years after arrival in New York followed this occupation in various cities. He took the management of the Messrs. Worthington's Brownhelm quarry until 1870, when he removed to Amherst and took up his residence upon a farm which he had bought of Hannah Hubbard and Sally Owen. Adjoining this farm, in lot fifty-nine, was the quarry which he purchased of Joseph Barber in 1867, and which has since been generally known as the Nichol quarry. partner of the Messrs. Worthington, acting as general superintendent of all the quarries operated by that firm. At the expiration of that partnership, in 1876, he immediately entered the market on his own account, operating his own quarry, and manufacturing building, grind and scythe stones. In February, 1877, with Dudley Miller, of New York, he entered into the partnership of Nichol & Miller, each owning one half of a quarry containing fifty-three acres, located in Florence township, Erie county, Ohio, with main office at North Amherst, Ohio. The thorough and extended acquaintance that Mr. Nichol had with all the details connected with the stone business, enabled this comparatively new firm to at once occupy a prominent position in the market. At the present time they have a large and constantly increasing trade in building, grind and scythe stones, in the markets of the United States, and a large share of the export trade.

Besides the quarries heretofore described, there are a number of others which are small, and either not worked at all, or conducted upon a plan much less extensive than those mentioned in the foregoing. We mention the names and the location of each by lot number: Ohio Stone Company, fifty-nine; James Wyatt, ninety-seven; Grove Quarry, ninety-seven; J. D. Bothwell, fifty-nine; Samuel Kendeigh, ninetythree; Joseph Barber, ninety-three (opening); Butler Quarry, ninety-eight, owned by the heirs of Charles Collins. Besides these, again, there are many still smaller quarries located upon farms, and used only as a mine from which the owner may 'procure what

The first grist mill and the first saw mill were built by Jacob Shupe, about 1814 or 1815. A few years after, he moved his grist mill from Beaver creek up to the corners, and connected with it a carding machine, which was at that time the only one in a large stretch of country. He endeavored to run this mill with a horse power, but was not satisfied, and moved back to the old site and run it again by water power. The second grist mill. was built at North Amherst, on the site that the brewery now occupies, by Hildebrand & Snider. A Mr. Smith built the third mill in the south part of the village, upon the Elyria road, and the same man, in 1861, built the stone mill at

Mr. Hitchcock built a mill on Church street, which was taken possession of, in 1865, by Hazel & Thompson. After this, Daniel Freesand Mr. Boardman built a mill on the flats between the east and west parts of North Amherst village. At present, those engaged in this business are John Heyman and John Gerlock.

Aa Johnson built one between the North and Middle ridges, and a Mr. Sawtell built one in South Amherst just north of Redington's. Josiah Harris put up a mill on Harris creek, just south of North Amherst. Royal Barney, and a man by the name of Norton, built a mill on Barney creek (then called Beaver), in Good whitethousand feet. In 1831, John T. Clay constructed a mill on the same creek, and Ephraim Towne had one a few years later. David Smith built a mill on Smith creek, near the South ridge, about 1830. Philip Oustine, the Graves Brothers, and Harry and William Oustine also had saw mills at an early day. Most of these were what were known as ''thunder shower mills," and were only in running order during a small Three steam saw mills have been built in the village of North Amherst, and four more

MIScELLANEOUS. - J. J. Rice, Leek & Cook, have an iron foundry upon lot ninety-five, where they carry on the manufacture of plows and agricultural implements. It was started in 1842, or the following year, by members of the Rice family.

There are two cheese factories in the township. Eggleston, Braman & Co. own one which is located upon lot ten, just off from the south ridge road. They take the milk of about six hundred cows, and in 1878 manufactured nearly two hundred thousand pounds of cheese, and about thirty-five thousand pounds of butter. This cheese factory and creamery was established in 1874.

Henry

Henry Warner was born in Middletown, Middlesex Co., Conn., Oct. 16, 1801. marriage April 21, 1825, to Elizabeth Whitcom, of Wayne Co., N. Y. By this union were born eleven children, viz.: William H., John. V., Esther A., Maria J., Malita A., Augustus A., Jerome B., Cyrenius P., Vandalia S., Irving N., and Valeria E.,

The subject of this memoir moved to Brownhelm, Lorain Co., Ohio, in 1847, having previously purchased the stone quarry now owned by the Worthington Brothers. From this quarry he shipped, it

Warner

'Some time in 1854 or 1855 he was associated with Baxter Clough in the quarry business, and was owner of the Haldeman quarry in 1847. He spent his days on the farm where he died, which is now owned and occupied by his son-in-law, J. R. Miller, and located about one mile east of North Amherst village, on the Lake Shore and Michigan' Southern Railway.

Another factory, the property of Eggleston, Horr & Warner, is located upon lot eighty-seven, a few rods from the Elyria line, and near the telegraph road.

North Amherst Village

Early in the history of Amherst township, the nucleus for a village was formed upon the north ridge, about a mile northwest of the center of the township. This settlement, - the embryo village of North Amherst, - was known for many years as ''the corners." Judge Josiah Harris had quite a tract of land here, and he laid out a portion of it in lots, and founded the village of Amherstville. Through the decades, beginning with the years 1830, 1840, and 1850, the growth of the village was slow, but it received an impetus from the building of the Lake Shore railroad, then called the Cleveland and Toledo railroad, and gradually ineages in size, and built up in business importance until 1870, when the stone quarries began to be worked upon a scale of enterprise much further advanced thin ever before, and then for several years the population increased quite rapidly.

About this time Milo Harris purchased the interest of the other heirs of his father's estate, laid out an addition to the village, changed its name from Amherstville to North Amherst, and in 1873 the people secured acharter of incorporation from the legislature.

The charter was granted in April, and the corporation was organized by the election of the following officers: A. A. Crosse, mayor; J. W. Gilbert, clerk; Joseph Trost, treasurer; John B. Robertson, marshal; George Fuller, William Brown, and John Nathan, councilmen for one year; F. O. Barney, J. H. Clouse, and James Manning, councilmen for two years.

In 1874, three councilmen were elected to fill vacancies caused by the expiration of the short term, as follows: J. M. Worthington, Daniel Freese, and Henry Hirsching.

In 1875, the following were elected: A. C. Moore, mayor; C. O. Hirsching, clerk; Joseph Trost, treasurer; John B. Robertson, marshal; E. C. Foster, M. C. Seeley, John G. Baus, and Joseph Barber, councilmen.

The officers in 1877 were: J. W. Gilbert, mayor; C. QO. Hirsching, clerk; Joseph Trost, treasurer; John B. Robertson, marshal; Joseph Robbins, Henry Clouse, Jacob Hildebrand, Joseph Barber, and Conrad Fey, councilmen.

Masonic Independent Order Of Odd Fellows

Puato Lopas, No. 203, was organized January 21, 1852. 'The original members who signed the petition for a charter were Theodore J. Eames, Orimel Barney, Robert B. Carhart, Milo Harris and James Walker. The present officers are N. G., A. E. Stiwall; V. G., - J. B. Barrance; recording secretary, Chas. M. Parsons; permanent secretary, G. H. Barnes; treasurer, Joseph Robbins.

JAEGER Lop@r, No. 449, was organized July 7, 1870, by members of the order, who, previous to that time, had been in Plato Lodge. Following is the list of officers first elected: N. G., Wm. Jaeger; V. G., L. Horn; corresponding and recording sécretary, John G. Baus; treasurer, Wm. Brown. 'The charter members were Henry Uthe, Sr., William Jaeger, Edward Bivens, Adam Holl, John King, L. Horn, John G. Baus, Chas. Jaeger, Wm. Brown, Peter Mentz, Geo. Ashenbuch, Daniel Freese, C. O. Hirsching, Fondine Geolach, Henery Hagemann, Wm. Fullmer, C. Fey, P. Fey. 'The officers for 1878 are: N. G., John Kothe; V. G., L. Holzhaner; corresponding secretary, Wm. Beiler; recording secretary, C. Fey; treasurer, C. O. Hirsching.

Knights Of Pythias

- hLonesx, No. 74. - This lodge was organized in May, 1875, the charter members being J. Stager, Wm. Jaeger, John G. Baus, C. Fey, Geo. Ashenbach, Peter Mentz, Philip P. Sippel, C. O. Hirsching, Peter Fey, J. F. Uthe, Joseph Trost, C. C. Jaeger, Fondine Gerlach, Geo. Keller. The first officers were the following: P. C., Jacob Stoll; C. C. Wm. Jaeger; V. C., John G. Baus; prelate, P. Sippel; secretary, C. Fey; master of finance, Geo. Ashenbach; master of exchequer, OC. C. Jaeger; D. D. G: C., Jacob Stoll. Following are the officers for 1878: P. @., HE. 0. Shuler; C:-Cl) AYE? Stiwall; V. C., J. F. Uthe;. prelate, C. Fey; keeper of records and seals, R. Patterson; master of finance, P. Sippel; master of exchequer, C. O. Hirsching; D. D. G. C., C. O. Hirsching.

Ancient Order Of Hibernians

Division No. 1, A. O. F., was organized in April, 1876. The first president was Peter Brady, and the other officers were as follows: Vice President, James Smith ; secretary, John Shelly, Jr.; assistant secretary, Thomas Kelch ; treasurer, J. W. Duross. The officers elected in 1878 are the following : president,

St. Joseph's Society was founded in the month of December, 1871, by members of the Catholic Church. Its object is benevolent. Members are entitled in case of sickness to the aid of the society, and in case of death assistance is extended to the family. The officers elected at the time of organization were: president, Rev. R. Reuchey; vice president, Herrmann Rauders; secretary, M. Z. Gach; financial secretary, Henry Plato; treasurer, John E. Plato. The present officers of the society are: president, Rey. Joseph Roemer; vice president, Henry A. Plato; secretary, M. H. Fehrenbach ; financial secretary, John H. Plato; treasurer, John E. Plato; Marshal, Joseph Wesbecher.

A volunteer fire department was organized in the spring of 1876, and a good hand engine purchased for the protection of the village from fire. H. OC. Smith was twice elected foreman, and then chief of the department. The first chief was one Steele, and the second Joseph Trost. He resigned and John Northam was elected to fill the vacancy.

The first post office at North Amherst was kept in a frame dwelling house on Main street. Judge Josiah Harris was the first postmaster, and his term of office extended through forty-one years. He was followed by Dr. A. A. Crosse, who held the position but eight months, and he by Homer Terrell, who occupied the office four months. The present postmaster, A. M. Crocker, has held the office for eleven years, and given universal satisfaction. North Amherst post office was originally known as Plato: The name was changed in 1866,

The first store in the village was built by a Mr. Mills, and now stands on Elyria street. William Walker built a store on this street in 1837. John Goodell, the first blacksmith, settled at the corners in 1828. The following is believed to be a complete list of the merchants, (firms and individuals) of North Amherst, down to the year 1878, and not including those in business during that year: Mr. Mills, Stanton Sholes, Orlum Winton, Harris & Dyer, Fury & Harris, Lewis Shupe, William Walker, E. L. Goodrich, Landon Rood, Mr. Prime, Hall & Moffatt, Hall & Carhart, Hall & Woolcott, Jackson & Baunnister, W. Parsons, L. Rood & Barney, O. Barney & Rood, M. Belden, J. B. Whelpley & Blackmer, J. B. Whelpley, L. P. Harris, M. Winton & Co., W. Norton & Brother, E. Norton, L. Sherman, Wilson & Houghton, H. Houghton, Houghton & Boyer, H. Osborne, Steele & Brother, Luther Rood & Brother, Luther Rood, Milo Harris, E. E. Mussey & Harris, Mussey & King, Mussey, Mussey & Steele, Hirsching & Harris, Hirsching, Clough & Sons, Hurst, Hirsching & Son, A. A. Crosse, J. B. Robertson, Huehire & Hirsching, William Jaeger & Son, Charles Jaeger, Jaeger & Huessner, R. Kelch, M. Jackson, A. Kline.

Manufactories, Business Houses, Etc., 1878 South Amherst

The little village in the southern part of the township, is known as South Amherst, though the post office is Amherst. Its early settlers have been noticed in the first part of this chapter, and as the village is not incorporated, and in fact consists of only a few people and a small cluster of houses, there remains but little to be said about it. The place was known many years ago by the unpoetical title of "* Podunk." It was also known as the 'Little Whig hole," for nearly all of its residents were whigs. All of the postmasters up to the time the party died, were of this political persuasion. Eliphalet Redington was the first. He was followed by A. H. Redington, his son, and he by Peter Lunt. Joseph Reynolds was the next postmaster, and then came J. C. Jackson. The present incumbent, Henry Jackson, followed him,

The first store at South Amherst was kept by Addison Tracey. Stores were kept later by R. E. Gillett, Eliphalet Redington, George 8. Everett, J. C.,

Following are the statistics for 1878, showing the amount of the most important productions of the township, also the population in 1870, and the vote for president in 1876: was born in Canterbury, New Hampshire, September 15, 1807. He was the fourth child of a family of fifteen, of Deacon John and Judith (Gerrish) Clough. His mother was granddaughter of Joanna Hale, who was a near relative of Captain Nathan Hale, the martyr spy of revolutionary fame, also a descendant of Sir Matthew Hale, of England. In childhood and early manhood he did not enjoy firm health; he attended the district school (which was two miles from his home), a limited time; and it may be said, that his only education was obtained by observation and reading, which his vigorous, thoughtful mind digested to good purpose. He was naturally inquisitive and inventive. Many incidents illustrating this are related; among the rest he discovered a living spring of the purest water near his father's residence, and brought it to the house and barn, which was of incalculable benefit. His father and grandfather before him had lived on the farm, and not suspected the existence of such a spring. Another time his father had his orchard grafted. Baxter did not think it was done in the best way, and thought he could do it better. In his father's absence he did it as he thought best. His father, on his return, very sorrowfully said, "Baxter, you have ruined my orchard;" but he saw his mistake when, in a few years, it supplied him bountifully with choice fruit, and it was an original idea with Baxter. His ancestors were eminent christians, and he was naturally serious and thoughtful; and at the age of fifteen made a public profession of religion, aud united with the Congregational church. He had a musical bass voice of great power, and was of great assistance in the church choir; was also quite a proficient on the flute. He assisted his father in the cultivation of his farm, and in his seventeenth year, his father, while overseeing the building of a church, left the management of the farm to Baxter, who employed men, and did the haying and harvesting without the use of rum, a thing considered impossible at that time. Much against nis parents' and friends' wishes, who did not give him any pecuniary aid, in 1830 he came to Ohio. The journey was made by stage as far as Albany, and from there by Erie Canal to Buffalo. Cleveland being his destined point, he took a sailing vessel from Buffalo, but the wind not being favorable for landing, passed by, up as far as Black River (now Lorain), and then returned to Cleveland. Soon after arriving there he was taken sick, when his clothes and the small amount of money he had were stolen from him. He recoyered, and with courage undaunted sought employment, and found an opportunity to peddle tin ware, which suited him, as he wished to look over the country before locating. He finally bought one hundred and forty acres of land in Solon township, in Cuyahoga county, thenan unbroken wilderness, to go into the dairy business. A cousin from New Hampshire, and himself, cleared a small place, and erected a log cabin, and commenced clearing the land of its heavy timber, keeping bachelor's hall in the mean time. July 19, 1832, he was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Gerrish, formerly of Boscawan, New Hampshire, at that time residing with her brother in Solon. It was the first wedding in that town, and their sufferings and enjoyments were many and peculiar to pioneer life. He was active, public spirited and enterprising in all that related to the future welfare of the town, such as making roads, He went into the work of promoting the worship of God and Sunday schools with all his heart. His feelings, however, were deeply injured by the lack of sympathy and hard criticisms of those less zealous than himself, so that for many years afterwards he did not take an active part in friend of the cause. He ownedand worked this farm with success for seven years, but during the time his health not being firm and strong, commenced traveling through Pennsylvania and other States, building hay scales, the exercise of horseback riding being beneficial to him. In 1839 he disposed of his farm, and moved to Cleveland; and commenced making scales of different kinds, and during this time was appointed city weigher. As he was unable to get such castings as he needed in the manufacturing of scales, he added a foundry to his business.

And now his ingenuity and inventive mind came into play, and enabled him to make many improvements. During this time he invented a stove called the Regulator, which was considered the best extant atthattime. In 1846 he moved to Berea, and engaged in the business of manufacturing pig iron. This venture was disastrous to him, as a change in the tariff caused a decline in the price of pig iron from fifty dollars to twenty dollars per ton. Here he was taken sick with typhus fever, and his life was despaired of for a time, but he recovered, and he always said and felt sure his life was spared in answer to prayer, that he might provide for his family. After his recovery he manufactured small grindstones for a short time, when his attention was called to the quarries at North Amherst, Ohio; where he moved in 1852, and formed a partnership with P. & L. Dean, which was of short duration, he having purchased the interests of the Messrs. Dean, when he commenced alone the manufacture of grindstones, which amounted to from two to four hundred tons a year. They were hauled by teams to Black River, and shipped by water to Cleveland, and exchanged for goods of various kinds. Up to this time, his career had not been specially notable, but peaceful and useful, winning for him the respect and esteem of a wide circle. He conceived the idea of obtaining for them a more extensive sale throughout the east, and in order to do that, went east, and introdnced them successfully among the large manufacturers of edge tools, and to increase the supply as was needed, invented machinery and applied steam for turning large grindstones, and from this time was continually inventing and applying different kinds of machinery to facilitate the working of the quarries. The trade increased rapidly from year to year until 1860, when the annual manufacture amounted to three thousand tons. About this time there sprung up a demand for block stone for building purposes, and he turned his attention more particularly to that branch of the business, which increased rapidly until the year 1871. During the next four years there were manufactured and delivered the amount of nine hundred and sixty-one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight cubic feet, the greatest amount being shipped in 1872 - two hundred and seventy-eight thousand seven hundred and eighty cubic feet. During these years he built a dock at the lake so as to ship by water, hauling his products there some two and one-half miles with mule teams; but always progressive, went to work, and built a railroad, and equipped the same with steam engine and flats, having then what no other quarry owner possessed, a direct outlet of his own to ship by water. He was always making experiments with machinery to cheapen the manufacture of stone, the majority of which proved successful; other quarry owners waiting the results, thus reaping the benefit of his experience. Ile also purchased and developed what is known as the Independence and Columbia quarries; manufactured large amounts of both block and grindstones which found a ready market at remuuerative prices. He was loved and respected by all, especially the men in his employ. He always used his personal influence to help them to be industrious, steady and frugal, to save their wages and secure homes, which a large number have done. He died very peacefully, in November, 1872. A short time before his death he united with the Congregational church, of which for many years he had been a zealous friend, and liberal supporter. He was a man of fine person, good address, pleasing manners, strict integrity, faithful to the duties and requirements of a varied life. His wife survives him, and this biography would be incomplete if we did not add that through his married life, she was a true helpmeet, always labor:ng and economizing to promote his interests and the welfare of their large family. Their eldest son died in infancy; their youngest daughter, Ella J., died eight months previous to the time of their father's death, and Mary E., wife of O. P. Me- Millan, five months later. The sons, J. B. and H. H.,.continue the large and prosperous business left by their father. Mattie A., wife of N. C. Gibson, resides in Hamilton, Missouri. Sarah J., wife of J. K. Hunt, resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Hattie H. remains at home, and cares for the mother who, though now growing feeble, has always labored faithfully and cheerfully for the best interests of the society in which she moyed.

Asahel Allen Crosse

Asahel Allen Crosse, physician and surgeon, was born in Cincinnatus, Cortland county, New York, on the 22d of August, 1824. His parents were in moderate circumstances, and he early learned the lesson of self-dependence and self-help. At the age of thirteen years he left home to make his own way in the world, and henceforth relied entirely upon his own resources. He went to work on a farm, and such school education as he obtained was by going to a district school during the win'er months, his summers being too much occupied in farm labor to give him any opportunity for summer study. Not long after leaving home he went to Ashtabula, Ohio, and there, in addition to the opportunities afforded by the district schools, he for a time enjoyed the advantage of attending the Ashtabula academy. -From thence he removed to Mentor, Lake county, Ohio, where at the age of sixteen he commenced the study of medicine. After having attended three full courses of medical lectures he graduated at the Willoughby university, in Lake county, Ohio, in the year 1842, and went at once to Amherst, Lorain county, Ohio. He had, when he arrived in Amherst, fifty dollars, and on the day after his arrival he made the uncomfortable discovery that forty-six dollars of his little fortune consisted of bills of a bank known as the Ohio Railroad Bank, located at Cleveland, Ohio, which had fuiled the day before, and were perfectly worthless, so that his available assets amounted to just four dollars. Fortune was not stubborn against him, however, for almost immediately he formed a partnership with Dr.

A. A. Crosse. M.D.

Luman Tenney, an old physician of the place, and so was introduced to a practice that speedily became large and lucrative. His partner died at the end of three years, and then he took the entire charge of the practice. His diligence, ability and skill, added to the high reputation he had already earned, made him well known as one of the most successful physicians in the county. Asa citizen, no less than a physician, is he appreciated in the community, and from time to time that appreciation has been shown by placing him in several of the elective offices of the township of Amherst. He has successively held the offices of township assessor, township clerk, justice of the peace, and was the first mayor of the incorporated village of North Amherst. He was postmaster of Amherst during President Johnson's administration. Politi- 'cally he is a democrat, and, although the requirements of his profession do not leave him much leisure to devote to politics, he is nevertheless one of the leading spirits of his party in the community where he lives. Although he has acquired a fair competence, his experience has not been one of unmingled prosperity. On the Ist of March, 1858, he was thrown from his carriage, and his right leg was broken at the ankle. Being a heavy man, the ends of the broken bones were forced through the skin and boot-leg, and were driven three or four inches into the ground by the violence of his fall. It was found impossible to save the limb, and it was amputated below the knee by Professor Horace A. Ackley, his former preceptor. He has been three times married. His first wife, Diantha Walker, he married in 1844, by whom he had four children, three daughters and one son, one of whom, Mrs. H. W. Barnard, is now living. His wife, Diantha, died in 1855. On the 16th of September, 1859, he married Sarah E. Post, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by whom he had one son, now living. His second wife died in 1866, and on the 18th of November, 1875, he married Ella G. Pelton, of Vermillion, Ohio. The doctor has a vigorous constitution, and from present appearances he will feel of pulses, look at tongues, and deal poisons for many years to come; that is, he is hale and hearty, and the youngest in the community always find him a pleasant social companion.

Curtis Bailey

was born in Potton Township, Canada Kast, February 17, 1830. He was the fifth child in a family of ten children ; his father was Jonathan B. Bailey, who was born at Peacham,- Vermont, October 31, 1794, and died October 6, 1875.

He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his father before him, Abijah Bailey, had been a soldier in the revolutionary war, and died at the age of eighty-four years.

and up to 1844, in Orleans county, Vermont. His occupation was farming, at which he was engaged nearly all his life. In the fall of 1844 he removed to Lorain county, first stopping at Brownhelm, where he remained four years. The next four or five years of his life were passed in Henrietta township, from whence he removed to Ransom, Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he spent the remainder of his life. He always lived an honest and industrious life, and- at the same time an humble and unostentatious one. His friends. and acquaintances will bear us out in the assertion that he was a man of irreproachable personal integrity and general worth. He married Hannah Dufur, who was born in New Hampshire, May 15, 1797, and died in Ransom, Michigan, January 3, 1879. They were

| both exemplary and consistent members of the Congregational church. They had a large family, to the bringing up of whom, in a proper manner, was expended almost all he could accumulate. He was

Curtis Bailey's early hfe was confined to agricultural pursuits, which he followed until he attained his twenty-fifth year. In the spring of 1855 he removed, with his family, to Amherst township, and entered the employ of Baxter Clough, to work in his stone quarries. At the end of the first year he became foreman, and has continued in his and the employ of the Clough Stone Company, as superintendent of their stone quarries, ever since, with the exception of one and one-half years, in 1864-65, at which time they lived in Hillsdale county, Michigan, one year, and at Wellington, six months. At the age of twentytwo years, and on the 30th of March, 1852, he was married to Lovina, daughter of Arvy Whitney, and Lucinda Remington, of Camden township, who was born in Sherbourne, Chenango county, New York, March 10,1802. She was born in Clarendon, Monroe county, New York, April 1, 1832. They have four children, namely: Ida J., born January 10, 1853, married Horace Seeley, of Amherst township, March 30, 1872; Edna ©., born December 11, 1857, married F. M. Lewis, editor of the Amherst /'ree Press, May 9, 1878; Florence H., born January 27, 1869; Warren C., born August 7, 1872.

The ancestors of both Mr. and Mrs. Bailey were of New England origin. 'The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Bailey was Elisha Whitney, who was born in Vermont, August 25, 1767, and died August 27, 1822. His wife was born in Connecticut. Her maiden name was Mariam Eaton. She was twice married, first to Ezra 'Taylor, January 16, 1786; second, to Elisha Whitney, March 24, 1791. Mr. Bailey's maternal grandfather was William Remington, who was born in Stephentown, New York, January 25, 1775; died in Sweden, New York, September 13, 1827. He married Lovina Hill, who was born in Stephenson,

New York, February 20, 1781; died in Sweden, New York, October 2, 1828. Mr. Bailey is quite extensively known in the community in which he resides, and his general good.

character, faithfulness and industrious habits have gained for him an enviable reputation. He obtained the respect of his employers and others by close attention to duty, and has retained the same by his continued faithful discharge of the same. He possesses ability and applies it ; he is honest and practices that quality always ; hence his success in life.

Joseph And J. J. Rice

A half century ago, when the territory embraced within the present limits of Lorain county was mostly an unbroken wilderness, with here and there, at considerable distances, a solitary clearing, Joseph Rice, with his wife and four sons, arrived and effected a

Amherst. We quote from a series of historical reminiscences, by ''Squib," published in the Amherst F'ree Press, the following information relative to these pioneer settlers:

<' Joseph Rice, son of John and Ann Rice, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, May 6, 1788, After arriving at mature age, he married Betsey E. Ulery. In the spring of 1829, he came to Amherst, bringing with him his family, consisting of his wife and four sons. He purchased a farm, a little west of Kendeigh's corneis, and began clearing and improving it for his future home. But in 1835 his health failed, which resulted in his death, September 30 of that year, at the age of forty-seven. His widow continued to live on the farm, surviving her husband. thirty years, and died October 3, 1865, at the age of eighty years.

The four sons who accompanied their father to Amherst, we judge, were all the children born to Mr. Rice. 'Their names were as follows: Henry, born July 13, 1816; he moved to Crawford county, Wisconsin, where he died March 5, 1849; his family came to Amherst. Peter J., born February 19, 1818, who: lives at this date of writing (September, 1876,) about two miles west of Oberlin. Samuel B., born February 1, 1825; he went to Wisconsin in 1846, and from thence went to California in 1852, and died September 23, of the sume year. Joseph J., born September 17, 1828, and is living on the old homestead, which his father first purchased in Amherst.

J. J. Rice

son of Joseph and Betsey E. Rice, was born, as above stated, September 17, 1828, in Fayette county, Pennsylvenia. He remained with his father until the death of the latter. On the 29th of October,4857, he married Emily J., davghter of L. R. Cook, of Amherst. By this union were born three children, namely, Arthur J., Virgil HE. and Tracy J,, all of whom are living, and reside at home. Mr. Rice engaged early with his brothers, Henry and Peter J., in their foundry, first as a laborer, and subsequently as a partner; and finally, in 1857, he became sole proprietor of the business by purchase, and has continued to conduct the same ever since. He is also engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning about one hundred and forty acres of land, being the old homestead, which he has continued to improve from time to time, until it is quite a pleasant home and a highly cultivated farm. A neat and natural illustration of his place, together with the portraits of himself and wife, appears on another page of this volume.

In polities, Mr. Rice is a republican, and has been since the organization of that party, having been a whig prior to that event. He is a liberal minded gentleman, and has always contributed his full share to all public enterprises tending to promote social progress. 'To religions and educational interests he is ever a cheerful giver. He is now one of the oldest living settlers, haying resided in the place where he now lives for fifty years. He is a deservedly popular und much respected citizen.

Lewis Rodman Cook

For upwards of thirty years, the gentleman whose name heads these lines, was a prominent and well known citizen of Amherst township. He was born in Franklin, Delaware county, New York, August 5, 1814, and was the youngest of a family of six children. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died when Lewis was three months old, leaving At the age of nine, therefore, it became necessary for Lewis to work for himself, and at the age of sixteen he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade.

In the year 1835, he was married to Miss Emeline Remington, daughter of Daniel and Nancy Remington, whoare of New England origin; her father haying been born in Vermont February 15, 1785; her mother, Nancy Rich, at Bristol, Connecticut, December 17, 1795. Myr. and Mrs. Cook had three children, all living and married, as follows: Emily J., now the wife of J. J. Rice, of North Amherst; Armina J., wife of John 8. Perry, of Brownhelm; and Newel, who married Miss Eliza Harley, of Camden township, Lorain county. After his marriage, Mr. Cook continued to work at his trade, making Franklin his headquarters, until the fall of 1843, when he moved to Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, remaining there three years. In 1846, he moved to Amherst township, and purchased the farm on which he spent the remaining days of-his life.

At the age of twenty, he became a zealous christian worker, was baptized in the Baptist faith, and lived a consistent member of that body to the end of his days. Mr, Cook was a man of some faults; who is not? but his good qualities greatly predominated, charity being a leading trait in his character, and all who knew him can testify to his willingness ever to help those in sorrow, sickness, or distress. He was a scrupulously honest and economical person, and during his lifetime accumulated a comfortable competence; but liberality, in deserved cases of poverty. or trouble, was a leading feature of his disposition.

He was a faithful husband, a'kind and indulgent father, a liberal provider, and a highly respected member of society. His loss is not only felt in the church, where his zeal and activity were greatly beneficial, but his family, and a large circle of friends, will sorely miss his kindly presence and genial worth.

On Sunday, September 8, 1878, he was taken sick with jaundice, but was not confined to his bed entirely till six weeks later. From the commencement of his indisposition he seemed to have a premonition that his disease would terminate fatally. He sank slowly but surely, ever bearing up under his affliction with christian fortitude, and a longing to be with his God. At last, on Sunday evening, November 10, 1878, the soul returned to the God who gave it, and Lewis Rodman Cook passed quietly into eternity.

His widow and three children survive him. Mrs. Cook is a devoted and earnest member of the Baptist church, with which she formally united, at Franklin, thirty-eight years ago. She isan eminently christian woman, and a worthy relict of the good man whose faithful wife she was.

Casper Dute

was born in Ruttinburg, Germany, on the 28th of January, 1827. He was the only child of George and Ann Catharine (Miller) Dute. The latter (George) had one brother and four sisters;. the brother died in Germany and 'two of the sisters emigrated to this country, whither George Dute also came in 1834, landing at Black river on the 18th of. September of that year, and located in Black River township, about one mile and a half north of the present residence of his son Casper, and half a mile from the lake shore. A rude log cabin, floorless and generally dilapidated, was then standing on the farm, which, with slight repairs, was used by the family for a dwelling for nine years. 'I'hey then sold the place and purchased the one upon which Casper Dute now resides. An opening had to be made in the then unbroken forest, and a log house was erected for the use of the family. The farm contained fifty-one acres. 'The parents of the subject of this brief sketch are both dead. His mother died December 22, 1868, and his father August 9, 1875. They were a worthy and highly respected couple, and were among the pioneers of the town in which they passed so many years of their lives. Casper Dute married Mary Heidenreich March 1, 1850. By this union were born fifteen children, of whom fourteen are living, namely: J. George, Catharine, Elizabeth, John A., Anton, Ann Martha, J. Henry, Valentine, Julius, Annie Dora, Anton August, Mary Orelia, John Harvey, Henry Jacob, Casper Cleine, Orlie Ferdinand (deceased). Of these, two are married - J. George ayd Catharine; the former to Mary Shupe, the latter to Ferdinand Eschtruth.

In politics Mr. Dute is a democrat, and has always acted with that party. He has been a liberal contributor to religious as well as to educational interests. By unremitting industry and careful management of his affairs, he has become possessed of quite an extensive property, consisting of over three hundred acres of land. A sketch of his farm and buildings is inserted in this work, as one of the finest in the town. Mr. Dute has always held a prominent position among his own countrymen.

Captain E. P. Frink

Among the prominent navigators and ship owners on Lake Erie, none have had greater general success or enjoy a fairer record than the subject of this sketch. He was the son of Eli and Hannah (Squires) Frink, both natives of Massachusetts. They had eight sons and one daughter, of whom six sons and the daughter survive. At an early day they removed to Rochester, New York, where Mr. Frink erected the Strong's flouring mills. He died there about 1829, one of the most respected citizens of the then comparatively small place. Two: or three years after the death of her husband, Mrs. Frit k removed, with her family of seven children, to Elyria, arriving there in 1832. They came from Buffalo to Cleveland on the steamer Superior, the second steamer sailing on Lake Erie.

Captain E. P. Frink was born at Rochester, Monroe county, New York, December 27, 1822. He accompanied his widowed mother to Elyria when about ten years of age. From 1832 to 1834 he worked for a half sister in Carlisle township, and also for an uncle in Elyria township. During, or about that time, he was apprenticed to a tailor, but, not liking the trade, he only remained about four weeks, concluding to move and do for himself. He proceeded to Black River township, where he remained until about 1839, during which year he first went on the lake, busying himself in the meanwhile as best he could. He learned the caulker's trade about 1839. From that time until the present he has been interested in sailing and maritime matters, having an interest in four sailing vessels. He has been quite successful, never having lost but one vessel. He has bought and sold several farms, mostly at a pecuniary advantage.

In October, 1846, Captain Frink was united in marriage with Aurilla Gillmore, of Amherst township. Her parents were of New England ancestry.

She had eight sisters and five brothers, of whom five of the former and four of the latter are living. Her mother used to relate how she rode all the way through the woods to Elyria to get married. They* were among the pioneers of Amherst, and all their family were born in thgt township. The father was a farmer, and a good practical business man.

Captain Frink stayed ashore during the season of 1878, for the first time since he commenced sailing, about forty years ago. In politics he is a republican, and liberally supported the government during the war of the rebellion, being true to the principles of his party and the best interests of the country. He never affiliated with any religious organization; neither did Mrs. Frink, although both are true christians in the broadest and best sense. He has generally supported all religious enterprises, donating one hundred dollars toward the building fund of the Methodist house of worship at Black River, among other similar acts of generosity. He is noted for his boundless charity, particularly to the poor and needy. In his business career his motto has been square dealing, and the triteness of the phrase is significant of a broad interpretation; for personal honor and a regard for righteous dealing have characterized all the actions of his business life.

Mrs. Jacob Hildebrand

In THE thirty-eighth draft by the members of the Connecticut land company, April 4, 1807, Ephraim Root and James Ross drew township number three in range eighteen, with other lands, and in the division, Ephraim Root became the original proprietor of Wellington.

The township 'contains an area of twenty-two and one-half miles and a fraction over - by the orginal survey, thirteen thousand nine hundred and twelve acres of land. It was divided into forty-eight original lots. It was six lots deep, running from south to north, and thence from north to south, and numbered in this order consecutively. It is eight lots in length east and west. They are of unequal size; the lots west of the center road are the larger. The first tier of lots is on the east side of the township. The southeast corner lot is number one, numbering thence north consecutively; number six is the northeast corner lot, returning thence on the second tier of lots to the south line; so back and forth, ending with lot forty-eight, in the south-west corner.

February 18, 1812, the general assembly of the State of Ohio fixed the territorial limits of the county of Medina by an act of that date, wherein it was provided that all that part of the Connecticut Western Reserve lying west of the eleventh range, south of number five and east of the twentieth range, shall be attached to and be a part of the county of Portage.

The territory thus set to Medina embraced township number three, range eighteen - Wellington. On the organization of Medina county in January, 1818, it was a part thereof, and so remained until the organization of Lorain county, January 21, 1824.

- At the organization of Medina county, the sound of the woodman's axe had never been heard within the township, The only works of civilization were the blazed trees indicating the lot lines made by the surveyor's hatchet. 'The wilderness was unbroken. The Wyandots were still bere, and here remained for several years after the arrival of the first settlers. Remains of their old wigwams, near an orchard of wild plums in Penfield township, were seen as late as 1840.

The township is traversed by several affiuents of Black river, Wellington creek in the eastern, -Charlemont creek and the west branch of Black river in the western and northern parts. It is therefore well watered, and has a diversified soil of alluvium and upland. 'The surface is level, and much of it back from the streams was originally regarded as swale lands, but their adaptation for meadow and grazing purposes is unsurpassed. There is not an acre of waste land in the township. In the eastern part are still seen the remains of an old beaver dam, which in an early day served to flood an extent of fifty or seventy-five acres, and was known as Wellington swamp. It afforded a secure retreat for wild animals. It was the haunt of the bear and the wolf. Its impenetrable thickets afforded an effectual screen from the hunter's vigilance. The wolf, for miles away, when closely pursued, headed for Wellington swamp, and it was a struggle of skill and endurance on the part of the hunter to cut him off from that retreat. The east and west. center road, when constructed, crossed it in the middle. The road was made by felling the brush upon the surface of the morass, upon which stringers were placed length wise upon cross pieces placed on the brush; over these stringers the corduroy covering was laid. The road was literally a bridge, which, as used, would graduuly settle below the surface, when other stringers were placed and more corduroy was laid. It was too narrow for teams to meet and pass thereon. If two met, the lightest loaded was unhitched, load removed, wagon uncoupled and crowded to one side, team backed to ¢erra firma, while the other pushed on. Such hindrances rarely occurred, however, for the noise of the jolting wagon upon the rough corduroy gave timely notice that the road was occupied.

The Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis railway traverses the township diagonally, from the northeast to the southwest corner. It is crossed by five roads running north and south, and by three east and west. It is about midway between Elyria on the north, Ashland on the south, Medina on the east, and Norwalk on the west, and on the most direct road to each. This fact, at an early day, gave Wellington importance as the center of local trade, and rendezvous for land owners and settlers.

Ephraim Root, the original proprietor of Wellington, sold the township to Colonel Francis Herrick, Harmon Kingsbury, Frederick Hamlin, and Norton and Stocking, of Berkshire county, Massachusetts. In the record of transfers of Medina county, for the year 1819, the first transfer from Ephraim Root to Francis Herrick of three thonsand five hundred and sixty acres, township three, range eighteen, is entered. From the same to Joseph Kingsbury, two thousand two hundred and seventy-eight acres. In 1820, the same to Amos Adams, six hundred and fifty acres; to Adams, Norton and Stocking, three thousand four hundred and seventy-eight acres; to Lyman and Sanford Brown and Frederick Hamlin, two thousand acres; to John Clifford, three hundred and fifty acres; to John Clifford, Jr., seventy-five acres; to John Howk, seven hundred and thirty-four and threefourths acres. These transfers were made to actual settlers. And it was a happy thing for Wellington that these lands did not fall into the hands of speculators, FIRST SETTLEMENT AND SETTLERS.