Lorain City (part 6 of 77)

9, 1802. John W. Finch, discharged at Columbus, O., October 4, 1862. John Gillanders. discharged at Washington, D. C, January, 23, 1863. Gttffett, dischargeil at Dumfries, Va., Februaiy 18, 1803. Phillip Grigsby, discharged at Washington, D. C, July 24, 1863, by reason of wounds received in battle of Dumfries, Va., December 27, 1862. Mathis N. Hamilton, discharged at Cumberland, Md., August 33, 1863. Henry G. Hixon, discharged at Romney, Va., December 24, 1861. Henry Howard, discharged .it Columbus, O., April 9, 1863. Albert Hubble, discharged at Columbus, O., July 7, 1862. Lewis J. Jones, discharged at Harper's Feny, Miirch 10, 1863, for wounds received at battle of Cross Lanes, Va., August 26, 1861 . Seldon B. Kingsbury, discharged at Columbus, O., August 2, 1862. Dan G. Kingsbury, discharged .at Hai-per's Ferry, Va., October 30, 1862; as Hospital Steward United States Army. Stephen Kellogg, discharged for wounds received in battle of Winchester, Va. James A. Massa, discharged at Columbus, O., June 23, 1861. Joseph Massey, discharged at Winchester, Va., M<ay, 1862. Elan B. Myers, discharged at Cohuubus, O. Albert Osborn, discharged at Columbus, O., May 7, 1863. HobertG. Orton. discharged at Cincinnati, O., October 11, 1862. by reason of wounds received in battle of Cross Lanes, August 26, 1861. Alexander Parker, discharged at Columbus, O. Reuben R. Potter, discharged at Harper's Ferry, Va., October 34, 1862;

George Roj?ers, discharged at Harper*s Ferry, Va., Oct. 30, 1862. Enlisted in U. S. Engineers. Edward C. Root, dieeharged at Columbus. O., August 2, 1862. Orlando Richmond, discharged at Columbus, O., February 21, 18(53. Oeorgt' L. Spees. discliarged at (Jauley Bridge, Va., November 18. 1861. Clinton N. Sterry, discharged at Alexandria, "O., October 18, 1862. Kdnumd R. Stiles, discharged at Columbus, O. Edwin R. Smith, discharged at Columbus, O., July 7, 1863; appointed

St'coud Lieutenant in Fifth U. S. Colored Trot)ps. H. Scott, discharged at Columbus. O., November 20, 1864. Henry G. Sheldon, discharged at Columbus, O., July 3, 18^3, for woimds received in battle of Cross Ijanes, Va., August 36, 1861. Heiijamin L. S«vey, discharged at Washington, D. C, February .5, IStW. David J. Thompson, discharged at Columbus, O., June 2,5, 1864. George U. Thrasher, discharged at Washington, D. C. June 19, 1862. Lucius V. Tutile, discharged at Columbus, O., July 31, 1862. R. C. Van Orman, discharged at Camp Dennison, O., February 15. 1864. Warren F. Walworth, discharged at Columbus O. July 11, 1863, for wounds received at battle of Winchester, Va., March 23, 1862. Leroy Warren, discharged at Cohimbus. C, July 22, 1862. AVillard W. Wheeler, discharged at Detroit, Mich., June 2:i, 1862. Theodore Wilder, di-^charged at Alexaiidna. October 20, 1862, for wounds

Transferred

Sergeant Frank Harmon, appointed Sergeant January 1, 1863: transferred to N. C. S. as Quartermaster Sergeant, Septemqer 1, 1862; at Gettysburg,

Corporal James W. Ramond, transferred to Detachment of Recruits in the field at Ackworth, Ga., June II, 1864; wounded in battle of Ringgold, Ga.

William O. Barnes, transferred to Company B. Fifth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, October 31, 1864; wounded at Ringgold, Ga., November 27, 1863.

Joseph Cleverton, transferred to Company B, Fifth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, October 31, 1864; wounded at Ringgold, Ga.. November 27, 1863.

John Connolly, enrolled June 6, 1861; discharged May 19, 1862. Adolph Gawzert. enrolled June 6, 1861; discharged September 6, 1862. Myron M. Keith, enrolled Jmie 6. 1861; discharged January 21, 1863, of

Company K, Twenty-Third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry

Organized at EljTia, Ohio. Mustered into service at Camp Jackson, near Columbus. Ohio, June U, 1861. Mustered out of service at Cumberland, Maryland, July 26. 186.5.

Commissioned Officers

Sergeant Lewis D. Lee, re-enlisted jis Veteran Volunteer. Sergeant George W. Moulton, discharged for disability, Septembers, 1862 Sergeant Thomas G. Wells, kihed in the battle of South Mountain, Md.,

1862. Corporal Lyman W. Cai-penter, died at Charleston, W. Va., August 8, 1862. Corporal Daniel R. King, discharged May 20, 1863, for disability. Corporal Benjamin F. Bums.

Siebert Abel, discharged December 15, 1862, by reason of wounds received at tlie battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862. John Aschenbach. Gilbert I. Braman.

18(i2, to regulai" cavalry. Valentine Faidhaber, appointed Corporal November 12, 1862. Isaac W. Gray. Isaac Hill, wounded in the battle of South Mountain, Md., September 14,

18<>2; transferred to invalid corps. G ittleib Hurlebaus, re-enlisted a veteran volunteer November 30, 186.3. Ceorge H. Hubbard, discharged February 10. 1862, for disability. Horace Hill, re-enlisted veteran volunteer October 1, 1863. Frederick Isbelle, discharged October 20, 1861, for disabihty. James James, re-enlisted as veteran volunteer November 30. 1863. Charles A. Jewell, re-enlisted as veteran volunteer December 31, 1863. John Lent, discharged September 20. 1861, for disability. Henr>' O. Loomis re-enlisted veteran volunteer, December 31, 1863. Ira W. Mead.

John \V. Mo.sser, discharged September 20, 1861. for disability. George W. Mason, re-enhsted as veteran volunteer October 1, 1863. Charles Maturah. Joseph Mitchell, wounded in the battle of Antietam, Md., September 17

John C. Springer, re enlisted as veteran volunteer October 1, 18G3. Wyatt B. Thorp, discharged September 2, 1863, for disability. William Treadwell, discharged May 4, 186:3, for disability. P'rai cis Taylor, discharged July 12, 1862, for disability, Willis R. Terrell, transferred to regular cavalrj-, October 26, 1862. John Tisdale.

George M. Rogers, promoted to Sergeant. Oliver M. Smith, died in 1802. Harvey Sanderson, died at Corinth, Miss., 1802. Josiah Staples, killeil in battle, May 27, 1864. George D. Simmonds. James Tooze. George G. Tifft. Benoni B. West, died in 181*4. Henry West, killed at Shiloh, April 7, 1863. Jobn E. Smith.

John A. Bean, killed in action, June 3, 18(i4. Hiram K. Bedortha, died October 22. 1861 Charles W. Conklin; killed in action June 3, 1804. .Tames H. Davis, mustered out with company. Jared Gridley, mustered out with company. Edward T. Lufkin, discharged July 1864. Charles T. Smith, promoted to Sergeant.

Company

COMPANY C, EirrllTY-SIXTn REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. Mustered into service July 14, iSiW. for six months. Mustered out of service at expiration of enlistment.

Fiei-D And Staff Officers

Quarter-Master, July 21. 18ti3. Hospital Steward Cyrus Durand. promoted from Sergeant in Co. H. Fife-Major John Mountain, discharged May 15. 18iJ3. Sergeant-Major Gilbert S. Judd, promoted from Sergeant in Co. F.,

Captain Philip C. Hayes, promoted to Colonel of regiment, June <>. 18().\ Fii-st Lieutenant Simeon Windecker. promoted to Captain. June 04, isfi2. Second Lieutenant Charles E. Morgan, promoted to Captain, November 18, 1864.

Non-Com Mission Ed Officers

Justin A. Breckenridge, discharged in 1S63, dale not given. Theodore F. Brown . Alfred O. Briggs. Thomas Burnham. Thomas Butson. Francis Cook .

William O. Humphrey, discharged at Frankfort. Ky., date not given. Ezekiel Jones, discharged at Columbus, O., March 2."), 1H63. James M. Jones. William Jordon. Edward C. Kinney. James E. Kenyon.

Miiatered into service at Camp Chase, Ohio, on May 11, 1864, for one hundred days. In the absence of a Muster-out Roll, it is presumed the Company was mustered out of the service at the expiration of the term of service for which they were enlisted.

Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry

of service June 14, 1865. Captain Aaron K. Lindsley, mustered out with company. First Lieutenant Joseph A. Lovejoy. promoted Captain Aprils, 1865, and

April 8, 1865, assigned to Company C, mustered out with company. Louis B. Avery, discharged May 2:i, 1865. Almon G. Bruce, mustered out with company. Sergeant Henry Bennett, appointed Sergeant September 33, 186i. Wesley S. Battle, mustered out with company. Joseph H. Battle, mustered out with company. Corporal Robert N. Bleur, appointed Cori>oral September 33, 1864, J. W. Beaman. mustered out with company. Luther S. Brown, died December 16, 1864. John Croteer, mustered out with company. Walter Catifield, mustered out with company. Sergeant Luther W. Clark, appointed Sergeant, March 3, 1865. George F. Clark, mustered out with company. James R. Daley, mustered out with company. Wlliam G. Dudley, mustered out with company. James H, Daugherty, mustered out with company. Dewitt C. Everlee, mustered out with company. Washington Forbes, mustered out with company. Albert Forbes, died December 5, 1864. James Foote. died May S, 1865. Addison W. Gregg, mustered out ^vith company. Corporal Grantham Grundy, appointed Corporal September 33, ISW. Robert P. Gibbs, mustered out with company. Eli D. Gilson, nuistered out with company. Nathan Gray, died November 3, 1864. Joseph Gray, mustered out T.vith company. George AV. Griggs, mustered out with company. Lewis Gwyun, mustered out with company. Drummer Charles Hayes, mustered out with company. Hiram Harpster, mustered out with company. Sergeant Carolus Hickox, promoted Sergeant September 23, 1864. Linville E. Hamilton, mustered out with company. Ricliard S. Bines, mustered out with company. George C. Hanes, mustered out with company. First Sergeant Henry W. Houghton, died March 3, 1865. Orlow M. luman, mustered out with company. William Jickles, not accounted for on muster out roll. Corporal Edgar C. Jeffries, promoted Corporal January 1, 1865. Sergeant Ezekiel Jones, appointed Sergeant September 3^3, 1864. James Lewis, mustered out with company. William T. Little, mustered out company. Benjamin F. Le\vis, mustered out with company. John W. Moon, mustered out with company. Edward Munsinger, mustered out with company.

Non-Couhissioned Officers

Corporal Merwin Blanchard, discharged by reason of severe injury caused by his horse leaping a fence whileeudeavoring to escape the enemy, by whom he was captured and paroled.

Tenn., August 6, 1863. Hugh Chambei-s, transferred to Battery K.. April 6, 1864. John G. Courser, discharged for disabiHty, March 34, 1862. Theodore Gott, re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer, January 4, 1864. Ransom E. Gillett, transferred to Battery K., April 6, 1S64. Egbert Holcomb. promoted to Corporal January 15, 1863; re-enlisted given. John Jackson, re-enhsted as Veteran Volimteer, Januaiy 4, 1864. George Mason, discharged for disability, March 23, 1863. Harlan P. Penfield, re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer; promoted to Corporal January 5, 1864. John Ripperton, re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer. John W. Renouard, re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer,

Tinteer. William R. Stanfield, re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer. James H. Sloan, re-enlist-ed as Veteran Volunteer. Theodore White, died at Lebanon, Ky., February 18, 1803. Alonzo White, discharged for disability, Ajiril 30, 1863. Arthur West, discharged for disability, July 19, 1863. David Burnham, joined the Battery, September 28, 1863; discharged arm at battle of La Vergne; arm amputated, and discharged in consetpience. Date not given. Walter Dalgleisb, joined the Battery, September 28, 1862; mustered out

First Sergeant James Reed, promoted from Corporal December 20, 1864. Sergeant Frederick Dibble, promoted from Con^oral December 20, 1864. Sergeant Seth W. Rolhn, promoted from Corporal April 23, 1865. Sergeant Marshall Ferguson, promoted from Corporal March 1, 1865.

Corporal Lafaj-ette S. Lee, promoted from private December 20, 1W4. Coi-poral George Donaldson, promoted from private March 1, 1865. Corporal Joshua R. Potter, promoted from private March 1, 1865. Corporal Azor H. Osboru, promoted from private April iXi, 1865. Artificer Joseph Gates, promoted from private December 20, 1865.

January' 14, 1865. Chester Phillips, died at Collierville, Tenn., February 7, 1863. Lyman W. Smith, died at Memphis, Tenn., 1863. John H. Taylor, died at Memphis, Tenn., March 30, 1863. John H. Taft, died at LaGrange, Tenn., January 33, 1863. Curtis E. Thompson, died at Memphis, Tenn., September 13, 1863. Charles I. Spencer, died at home; date unknown. Ezra Dunton, discharged July 33, 1863, for disability. Otis R. Snell, discharged April 1, 1863, for disability. Bradley Fauver, transferred to InvaUd Corps. Orfield Stearns, transferred to Invalid Corjjs.

Second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry

This regiment was organized at Camp Wade, Cleveland, O., from August to October. 1861, for three years. A portion of the men became veterans; the remainder were mustered out on e.xpiration of their term of enlistment.

Henry Van Sickles, promoted to Corporal, June 17, 1865. William H. Blair - date of discharge not given. Lewis La Duke - date of discharge not given. John Robinson.

Commissioned Officers

Eli Smith, mustered out June 15, 1865. William Soules, mustered out with company. Ri"hard J. Staples, promoted Sergeani September 1, 1865. Emerson O. Stone, mustered out with company. William Turner, mustered out with company. John W, "Wilson, discharged February 35, 1864. Eugene A. Burrell, mustered out July 10, 1S65. Sergeant Carlos A. West, mustered out June 15, 1865. Benjamin A. Briggs, killed in action June 8, 1864. Corporal John McOee, committed suicide August 3, 1865.

The "Ely Guards,'' since changed to "Hart Guards,'' were mustered into the service of the State July 2, 1877, to serve for a period of five years. The Company was soon after assigned to the Fifteenth Regiment as Company G., with head -quarters at Cleveland, Ohio. The whole number enlisted is seventy men. Those whose names do not appear above have been discharged for various reasons, principally on account of removal from the county.

History

This township was named for its iirincipal projnietor, the late Hon. Heman Ely. It originally eniliraced the territory now contained in Carlisle, number five, and Elyria, number six in range number seventeen, of the Connecticut Western Reserve. It is situated on and between both branches of Black river, in north latitude forty-one degrees and fortytive minutes It is twenty-four miles west of Cleveland, and eight miles above the mouth of the river.

Topography

Above the village it is generally level, the banks of the river being low. An excellent quality of sandstone crops out along the river banks, which forms good building material, and is used extensively for flagging the streets. There are over nine miles of stone sidewalks within the limits of the village. Several quarries are extensively worked. The largest is owned by Mr. Henry E. Mussey, situated on the west side of the west branch of the river. He has built a spur branch of the C, T. V. & W. railroad to his quarry, and the work of turning grindstones, raising the stone from the quarry, loading cars, etc., is done by steam power. The stone are shipj)ed by railroad to many parts of the country.' Mr. John Weller has also a fine (juarry below the town, which is worked by steam power. Stone are extensively quarried on the east branch for building and flagging purposes.

Below the village, the banks of the river are generally high and rugged, though there are several fine farms of alluvial bottom lands, which are easy to till and very productive. The sandstone termimxtes and tlie Huron shale crops out along the river bank aljout two miles below the village. On the east side of the river there are several small streams running at right angles with it, and discharging themselves into tlie main stream. These have worn deep ravines in the soil, and extend a mile or more back from the river, but the roads are graded and the streams bridged so that they are quite passable. Running parallel with the lake are two, and in some places three or more ridges, composed of sandy loam, and in some places gravel. The first is about four miles from Lake Erie and is called the North Ridge. The second passes through Elyria, and extends east through all the northern counties of the Western Reserve. They were formed by a subsidence of the lake at some remote period of the world's history ; but after the growth of timber, as large trees are found, in digging wells, twenty feet or more below the surface. These ridges make excellent roads, and the soil is warm and productive, well adapted to fruit growing and early gardens.

Col. James Smith

Perhaps no more fitting preface to the history of the early settlement of the township of Elyria could be procured than a brief sketch of the above named person, who was doul)tleKs the first white man who ever lived for any considerable time in what now constitutes the above township. We are indebted for the facts to a book called "Our Western Border," written by Charles McKnight, and published during the centennial year, which was kindly loaned us by G. G. Washburn, Esq., and also to an article published in The Elyria Repuhlican, in 1876. We have not space to publish the entire narrative of Col. Smith, but shall, as far as possible, give it in his own quaint and terse language:

" In May, 1755, the Province of Pennsylvania agreeil to send out three hundred men in order to cut a wagon road from Fort London to join Braddock's road near the Turkey Fork, or the three forks of the Yohoguina. My brother-in-law, William Smith, was commissioner, and though but eighteen years of age. I concluded to accompany the expedition. We went on the road without interruption until near the Alleghany mountains, when I was sent back in order to hurry up some provision wagons that were on the way after us. I proceeded down the road as far as the crossing of the Jimiata, where, finding that the wagons were coming on as fast as possible, I returned up the road toward the Alleghauj^ mountains in company with one Arnold Vigoras. About four or five miles above Bedford three Indians hail made a blind of bushes stuck in the ground as though they had grown naturallj', where they concealed themselves, about fifteen yards from the road. When we came opposite to them they fired upon us at this short distance and killed my fellow traveler; yet their bullets did not touch me, but my horse making a violent start threw me, and the Indians immediately ran up and took me prisoner. The one that laid bold on me was a Cunasataugee, the other two were Delawares.- One of them could speak English. Two of them stood by me while the other* scalped my comrade. We slept on the Alleghany moimtains that night without fire. The next morning they divided their remaining provisions and gave me an equal share, which consisted of two or three ounces of mouldy bi.scuit. They continued their journey to Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh) and when they reached the bank of the Mleghany the Indians gave the scalp halloo, which was answered by the firing of guns and the shouts of the French and Indians who were in and about the Fort."

He Runs The Gauntlet

" I saw numbers of Indians running towards me stripped naked except breech-clouts, and painted in the most hideous manner. As they approached they formed themselves in two long ranks about two or three rods apart. I was told by an Indian who could speak English that I

** There appeared to be general rejoicing around me, yet I could find notliing like joy in my breast; but I started to the race with all the resolution and vigor I was capable of exercising, and found it was as I had been told, for I was flogged all the way. "When I had got near the end of the race I was struck by something that appeared to me to be a stick, or the handle of a tomahawk, which caused me to fall to the gi-ound.

"On my recovering my senses I endeavored to renew my race, but as I arose some one cast sand in my eyes which blinded me so that I could not see where to run. They contiiiued beating me most intolerably imtil I was at length insensible, but before I lost my senses I remembered wishing them to strike the fatal blow."

"Soon after I was visited by a Delaware Indian who could speak broken English. I asked hiui if I had done anything that offended the Indians. He said no. it was only an old custom the Indians had, and was like ' how do you doV After that, he said, I would be well used.''

" The day after my arrival at the aforesaid town a number of Indians gathered about me, and one of them began to pull the hair out of my head. He had some ashes on a bark in which he frequently dipped his fingers in order to take a firmer hold, and so he went on as if he had been plucking a turkey, until he had all the hair clean out of my head, except a snuill spot, three or tour inches square, on the crown. This they cut oft with a pair of seissoi-s, excepting three locks, which they dressed up in theirown mode. Two of these they wrapped around with a narrow beaded garter, made by themselves for the purpose, and the other they plaited atfuU length and stuck it full of silver brooches. After this they bored my nose and ears, and fixed me off with nose and ear jewels. Then they ordered me to strip off my clothes and put on a breech-clout, which I did. They then painted my face, hands, and body in various colors. They put a large belt of wampum on my neck, and silver bands on my hands and right arm, and so an old chief led me out in the street and gave the alarm halloo several times repeated quick, "coo wigh .'" and on this all that were in the town came running and stood round the old chief who held me by the hand in the midst."

"As at that time I knew nothing of their mode of adoption, and had seen them put to death all they had taken, I made no doubt but they were about putting me to death in some cruel manner. The old chief, holding me by the hand, made a long speech, very loud, and, when he had done, he handed me to three young squaws, who led me by the hand down the bank into the river, until tiie water was up to our middle. The squaws then made signs to me to plunge myself into the river, but I did not uruierstaud them. I thought the i-esult of the council was that I was to be drowned, and that these young ladies were to be the executioners. They all three laid violent hold of me, and I for some time resisted them with all my might, which occasioned loud laugliter by the multitude that were on the bank. At length one of the squaws said, no hurt you; on this I gave myself up to their ladyships, who were as good as their word, for, thougli they plunged me under the water, and rubbed me. I could not say they hurt me much. Tliey then led me up to the council house, where the tribe were ready with new clothes for me. They gave me a new ruffled shirt, which I put on; also a pair of leggins done off with riljbons and beads; also a pair of moccasins and a tinsellaced cappo. They again painted my head and face with various colors. When I was seated the Imlians came in di-essed in their grandest manner. At length one of the chiefs made a speech as follows: 'My son, you are now flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone. By the ceremony which wa< performed this day every drop of white blood is washed out of your veins.' After this ceremony I was introduced to my new kin and invited to attend a feast that night, which I did."

We must omit many of tlie events tliat occurred at the cami) on the Muskingum. The name of one of tlie chiefs was Tecanyaterighto, alias Pluggy. During the fall Pluggy headed a war party to the frontiers of Virginia. While they were absent, Smith and a jiarty of Indians went south on a hunt. On this liunt they encamped at Buffalo Lick, where they killed several buffaloes. This lick must have been in the

It was here that our hero, while following buffalo, got lost in the woods, where he spent the night. The Indians found him in the morning. For this offense his gun was taken from him, and he was reduced to a bow and arrows for nearly two years.

They were on this tour for about six weeks. When they returned, Pluggy and his party had got back, bringing with them a number of scalps and prisoners. They also brought with them an English Bible, which they gave to a Dutch woman who was a prisoner, but as she could not read English, she made a jiresent of it to Smith, which was very acceptable.

"I remained in this town until some time in October, when my adopted brother, Toutileaugo,who had married a W^yandotte squaw, took me with him to Lake Ene. On this route we had no horses with us, and when I started from the town all the pack I carried was a poucii containing my books, a little dried venison and my blanket. I liad then no gun, but Tontileaugo, who was a first-rate hunter, carried a rifle gun, and every day killed deer, raccoons or bears. We left the meat, excepting a little for present use, and carried the skins with us until we camped, when we dried them by the fire."

They struck the Canosadooharic (Black river) probably near its source, and followed it down for some distance, when they must have left it as they reached the lakeshore some six miles west of its mouth. As the wind was very high the evening they reached the lake, our traveller was surprised " to hear the roaring of the water and see the high waves that dashed against the shore like the ocean." They camped on a run near the shore, and, as the wind fell that night, they pursued their journey in the morning towards the mouth of the river on the sand along the side of the water. They observed a number of large fish that had been left in the hollows by the receding waves, and numbers of gray and bald eagles were along the shore devouring them.

Some time in the afternoon they came to a large cam]) of Wyaiidottes at the mouth of the Canesadooharic, where Tontileaugo's wife was. Here they were hospitably received and entertained for some time. Smith says: ''They gave us a kind of rough, brown potatoes, which grew spontaneously and were called by the Caughnewagas, ohenata. The.se potatoes, peeled and dipped in raccoon's fat, tasted like our sweet potatoes." (Query: what were they?) They killed while here some deer and many raccoons which were remarkably large and fat. They kept moving up the river until they came to the great falls. These were, doubtless, the east falls of Black river, now within the corporate town of Elyria. They Iniried their canoe and erected a winter cabin. This was probably located on Evergreen Point, somewhere in the vicinity of the present residence of T. L. Nelson, Esq. The narrative proceeds:

"It was sometime in December when we finished oin- winter cabin but then another difficxdty arose, we had nothing to eat. While the hunters were all out exerting their utmost ability, the squaws and boys (in which class I was,) were scattered in the bottom, hunting red haws and hickory nuts. We did uot succeed in getting many haws, but had tolerable success in scratching up hickory nuts from under a light snow. The hunters returned with only two small turkeys, which were but little

This day, March 17, 1879, brings to the memory of an aged man Marcli 17, 1817. Sixty-two years ago, this day, Mr. A. Beebe first visited the log house, only sign of the now pleasant town of Elyria. Only living member of the little band that first settled Elyria, in his eighty -sixth year, he alone is left to tell the birth and growth of said town.

Of a family noted for longevity, his father was born at Waterbnry, Conn., and removed to West Springfield, Mass., where he died at the advanced age of eighty-six, in the year 1852. His faithful wife died in 1851, seventy-nine years of age.

Mr. Beebe, of whom we write, was born at Russell, Hampden Co., Mass., Oct. 7, 1793. Scanty were his educational opportunities. A clerkship in his father's store, and the district school, however, gave to him much that in after-years he used so well. Like many young men of his day in New England, he had a strong desire to " go West." Ohio then was almost the end of western civilization. A fellow-townsmen coming into possession of a large tract of land on the Western Reserve aiForded a chance to gratify his wish. On the 20th of February, 1817, a company of six left West Springfield, Mass., for Ohio, composed as follows: Heman Ely, founder; Ebenezer Lane (afterwards chief justice of Ohio) ; Mr. A. Beebe ; Luther Lane (so well known in afteryears as the good deacon) ; Ann Snow, housekeeper ; and Ned, a colored boy.

]\Ir. Beebe received twenty dollars for expenses, and the privilege of riding as far as Buffalo, N. Y. From that ])lace through the forests, over unbridged streams, on foot, he arrived at the " log house" on the aforesaid date, late in the day. Using his own words: "On the morning of the 18th of March, 1817, I got up to see where the sun came from, and found it came up all right, and it has ever since." No time did he have to regret the comforts of a New England life. A new life was to commence; that life that did so much for over half of a century in making Elyria what it is. Carpenter and joiner his calling, his first work was the erection of the first frame building in Elyria, built on the corner of what is now Broad and Cedar Streets. In this building were born many others. Used for a shop for one year, it was filled in the ensuing year, with such goods as filled the limited wants of pioneers, by Edmund West & Co.

In the latter part of the year 1817, Mr. Beebe and Mr. Douglas jointly purchased of Heman Ely the first city lot ever sold in Elyria. On this property, in 1818, they built the building so well known to this day as the " Old Beebe Tavern" (hotel being a term as yet unknown). For years was this place the home of all new-comers until their own fireside was established. Under its roof were held many social gatherings. There was held the first meetings of Elyria's original Masonic lodge. At the expiration of one year Mr. Beebe purchased of Mr. Douglas his share of said property, and in him has the title ever since remained. Constant work was Mr. Beebe's mission until February, 1819, when he, with a horse bought for the purpose, left Elyria for the old home, via Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and New York, to regain health injured by constant toil. A sliort visit, and the little " gray horse" and one-horse lumber-wagon landed him once more in Elyria. Now a few months are spent in various activities. The following February again witnessed his departure for New England. This trip was performed in great share on foot. Arriving at West Springfield, there and in its vicinity he remained until the following October. Of this visit came nuich to him, - much to Elyria. He gained the life-partner of his early hardships, of his later prosperity, and Elyria won one of its truest women. One of tiie first meetings of Mr. Beebe with his future wife was at West Springfield, where she was a member of the Contrrearational Church. She was also a member of the choir, of which Miss Celia Belden, afterwards first wife of Judge Heman Ely, was also a member. Short was the courtship, but long and pleasant the many years tliat followed. Mr. Beebe was married to ]\Iiss Pamelia Morgan Oct. 4, 1820. This marriage was solemnized under peculiar circumstances, viz., by the Rev. Joseph Lathrop, wiio for two geuerations had performed the duties of a pastor in said town. To him was it left, after performing the marriage ceremony for the last time in his life (then in his eighty-ninth year, totally blind), to send out the young couple to the western wilds with all and every good wish and fond hopes for their future welfare. No Saratoga trunk or useless finery filled the wagon-box that left Mrs. Beebe's early home. The plain and substantial comprised its contents. The brass kettle, the warming-pan, the candlesticks, the andirons, etc., yet in the family tell their own tale. A long journey full of incident, now with wagon overturned, again vexatious delay from impassable roads, or rustic bridge swept away, ended Nov. 17, 1820. With earnest hearts, a wi'll to do, and hands trained to work, Mr. and ^Irs. Beebe commenced life in the " Old Beebe Tavern." Many years were there passed. To Mrs. Beebe much of the reputation this tavern gained in early days was due. She not only made it the place of entertainment for the weary traveler, but many a one homesick, and longing for the eastern home, from her got words of healthy cheer and kind sympathy. From this time onward, until the date of her death, June, 26, 1878, Mrs. Beebe's life was one of womanly work. Noted as the housewife; earnest and active in the church ; as neighbor kind, ever i-eady with helping hand to aid and comfort the sick, genial in social intercourse, she was eminently the good woman. One of the original ten who formed the First Presbyterian Church of Elyria, Nov. 24, 1824, she was always its ardent supporter, in word and deed living out her profession. Her energy and economy aided the husband in acquiring the competency that in declining years made their home so pleasant, and caused them both to forget the early privations attendant upon the " fii'st settler."

She left at her death two sons and three daughters, all in the maturity of life. An obituary notice says of her: "She died rich in all those experiences she had garnered up with the growth of Elyria. To her was given the good fortune to watch, help, or nurture a little hamlet of one or two log houses become a town of churches, schools,*and a prosperous people."

In 1826, Mr. Beebe, in partnership with Ezra Adams, purchased of Silas Wolverton the contract for carrying the mail between Cleveland and Lower Sandusky, now called Fremont. Mr. Beebe performed the duties of said ^contract between Elyria and Cleveland ; Mr. Adams and others between Elyria and Fremont. At the end of one year Mr. Beebe purchased the entire business. Increase of population demanded greater facilities than the single horse, with mail-bag, could perform. Soon Mr. Beebe, with letters from the Hon. Elisha Whittlesey and others, visited Washington, D. C, and from the Postmaster- General obtained a general contract for the transportation of mails and passengers between the abovementioned i)oints. The coach seating six, with its four horses, soon had to give way to the more commodious coach, which gave ample room to nine.

The coach, with its merry driver and noisy tin horn, excited as much attention, and drew as many to the " stage otKce" on its coming and departure, in proportion to the iJopulatiou, as the steam car, with more noisy steam horn, did twenty-five years after. Fraught with labor was this undertaking; poor roads, poorer bridges were ever opposing him; shipwrecked coaches and drowned horses were not uncommon. But Mr. Beebe's untiring energy overcame every obstacle of nature and all opposing lines started by others; and the year 1831 .saw a daily line of four-horse coaches running over his route. Success rewarded his efforts until 1842, when he sold this branch of his business to Neil Moore & Co., of Columbus, Ohio.

From the years 1830 to 1833, Mr. Beebe was engaged in the business of general merchandise, with H. N. Gates as partner. Shortly after disposing of his mail contracts he purchased of Deacon L. Lane the Eagle Mills, on the east branch of Black River, which he successfully operated for twenty-three years, selling them then to the late I. W. Bullock.

In 1846, remembering the "Old Beebe Tavern," and seeing Elyria in need of a first-class hotel, he built the Beebe House. A building an ornament to the town, an honor to the builder, long and favorably has it been known to the traveling public.

Motives outside of mere pecuniary gain must have actuated Mr. Beebe in this enterprise. The needs of Elyria for a hotel far better than any existing, it seems, must have induced him, regardless of any ultimate dividend, to have erected so substantial, so complete a structure. Erected thirty-three years ago, it yet remains in many respects a pattern for more modern structures. At the time of its building, nothing like it for its jiurpose stood upon the Western Reserve in towns of similar size. A similar motive must have had much to do in influencinsr Mr. Beebe to build the beautiful Beebe House on Put-in-Bay Island, so many years and still kept by his eldest son, Henry Beebe. In this respect he may well be called a public benefactor. In 1847, when the subject of a bank was agitated among Elyria's citizens, Mr. Beebe was one of the first to respond. An original stockholder and director from its birth, in its change to a national bank he has ever held both positions until the present day. In 1849, becoming a stockholder in the Plank-Road running from Black River, Lorain Co., to Homer, Medina Co., he was largely instrumental in bringing the advantage of said road to his fellow-citizens, and in completing it, being appointed superintendent of its construction.

The latter j-ears of Mr. Beebe's life, although not as full of actual labor, have been none of idleness. The duties of bank director, trusts confided him by his fellows, the care of a large property, and farming interests have constantly busied him. Such is a brief outline of the life of the remaining link between Elvria's beirinnint!: and its now onlv survivina; raember of the little band of six who nearly seven decades ago laid Elyria's foundation ; he yet remains.

As a man Mr. Beebe was ever noted for strict integrity ; ever careful to aid the cause of morality and religion, always an attendant upon religious observances, and ever contributing to the church. Upon May 6, 1866, making public profession of religion, he became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Elyria. Now past the allotted age of man, hardly one remaining of his early associates he lives Elyria's oldest citizen. The children, ay, even the grandchildren, of those with whom his youth and middle age were spent with reverence and respect regard him, ever seeing the sterling integrity, clear business decision, and prompt action that he used so well in the building up of the town of Elyria.

among eight hunters, and thii-teen squaws, boys and children. But they were divided equally. The next day, the hunters turned out again, and succeeded in killing one deer and three bears. One of the bears was remarkably large and fat. All hands turned out the nest morning to bring in the meat.

*' During the whiter, a war party of four went out to the borders of Pennsylvania, to procure horses and scalps, lea\ing the same number in camp, to jjrovide meat for the women and children. They returned towards spring, with two scalps and four horses. After the departure of the warriors, we had hard times, and though not out of provisions, we were brought to short allowance. At length, Tontileaugo had fair success, and brought into camp sufficient to last ten tiays. Tontileaugo then took me with him in order to encamp some distance from the winter cabin. We steered south up the creek ten or twelve miles, and went into camp . "

This was jirobably iu La Grange. They went to bed hungry the first night, but the ne.xt day, succeeded in killing a bear, and the day after, a bear and three cubs. They remained here about two weeks, killing an abundance of game, and then returned to the winter cabin. On their arrival, there was great joy, as all were in a starving condition.

About the first of Ajjril, they dug up their canoe, but were forced to make an additional one to carry all their riches - left their winter cabin at the falls, and proceeded to the lake - -Tontileaugo by water, and Smith on horseback. On reaching the mouth of the river, they proceeded west along the shore to Sunyeu-deauk (Sandusky), where was another Wyandotte town. Late in the fall. Smith joined a hunting party, and i^roceeded to the Cuyahoga river. At the distance of about thirty miles from its mouth, they formed an encamjjment near a small lake, and spent the winter in catching beaver. In the spring of 1757 they returned to Sandusky, and soon proceeded by water to Detroit, where they disposed of their peltry to the French traders.

In 1759, Smith accomiianied his Indian relatives to Montreal, where he was finally exchanged, and returned home in 17G0, to find his old sweetheart married, and all sup))osing him dead. He afterwards became a captain iu the regular British army, and was engaged, principally, in protecting the border settlers against Indian raids. During the revolutionary war, he joined the patriot army, rose to the rank of colonel, and did good service, both against the British and their Indian allies. In 1788, he migrated to Bourbon county, Kentucky, where he represented his district in the assembly down to the present century.

The township of Elyria was, in April, 1807, drawn by the following individuals of the Connecticut land company, vi/,: Justin Ely, Roger Newberry, Jonathan Bruce, Elijali White, Enoch Perkins, .John H. Buel, .Jonathan Dwiglit, and others, whose names are not mentioned.

At the September term of the supreme court, in Portage county, iu 1816, the south part of the township (about one-third of the whole,) was set off to Justin Ely; the central part to Elijah White. A tract of two thousand, one hundred and ten acres, lying immediately north of this, was assigned to Jonathan Bruce, and the remaining portion of the township to Enoch Perkins and Roger Newberry.

White conveyed his tract to Justin Ely, and he, in turn, to Heman Ely, his son, who purchased the Bruce tract, making him the owner of twelve thousand five hundred acres lying in a single body. The following history of the settlement of the township of Elyria is prepared from reminiscences of the venerable Artemas Beebe, the Hon. Heman Ely, the address of the Hon. W. W. Boynton, and from personal interviews with N. B. (iates and such early settlers as are now remaining in the township.

Settlement

In the spring of the year 181G, Heman Ely, of West Springfield, Massachusetts, came to Oliio to look after his estate. He came in a sulky, until he readied Buffalo, where, leaving his sulky, he completed his journey on horseback.

A Narrow Escape

' ' In following the trail which wound along the lake shore, through the unbroken forest, the ground gave way, his horse's hind feet were thrown over a high wash bank. The horse, however, clung with his fore feet; Mr. Ely clung to the bridle and mane, and a vigorous use of the whip probably saved the life of the founder of Elyria."

He made his home, temporarily, with Moses Eldred, father of Clark Eldred now of Elyria, who then kept a tavern some two miles east of the river, in Ridgeville township.

Mr. Ely immediately set about the work of improvement. First of all, he contracted with Jedediah Hubbell, and a man named Shepard, of Newburgh, Cuj'ahoga county, to build a dam, and erect a grist and saw mill. These were located on the east branch of Black river, near the foot of the present Broad street. There was also erected a large log house, which stood near where Mr. Beebe afterwards built his tavern stand. This was occoupied by John Bacon, late of Carlisle, who boarded the men who were engaged iu the construction of the mills.

During his first visit, Mr. Ely, while examining his lands, in company with Clark Eldred, then a young man, came upon a spot, some two and a half miles west of the river, which jjleased young Eldred, and which he selected for his future home. Though as yet unsurveyed, he made a verbal contract for it, and after its survey, secured a deed. Mr. Eldred occupied this farm for fifty-five years, and for many years kept a hotel. He now, after a long and useful life, resides in the village, retaining his full powers of mind and memory.

Mr. Ely returned to Massachusetts, in the fall of 1816, and immediately commenced making preparations for his I'emoval to liis wilderness possessions on Black river.

About the first of January, 1817, Mr. Ely sent on three men, with axes in their hands, to commence clearing land. They made the entire distance on foot

(about six hundred miles), and before Mr. Ely arrived with his party, in March, they had made quite a hole in the woods. Their names were Roderick Ashley, Edwin Bush, and James Porter.

On the 20th of February, 1817, Mr. Ely and his party commenced their weary journey, much of the way by a wood route, barely passable at any time, but especially difficult at that season of the year. AVe who live in this age of telegraiihs and railroads, and can to-day take our breakfast in Elyria, and to-morrow morning, after a comfortable night's rest in a sleeping-car, take the same meal in New York City, have but a feeble conception of the trials and difficulties attending the same journey, from the cast, sixty-one years ago. The mode of conveyance of these pioneers was, by a stout pair of horses harnessed to an equally stout wagon. This vehicle was covered with homespun tow-cloth over the bows, in the prevailing emigrant style. The party, six in all, started from their New England homes in high spirits. It consisted of Heman Ely, the founder of the present township and village of Elyria, Ebenezer Lane, afterwards chief justice of the supreme court of Ohio, Miss Anna Snow, housekeeper, Luther Lane, who drove the team, Artemas Beebe, a house joiner and carpentei', who had been engaged to accompany the expedition; and a colored servant of Mr. Ely's, named "Ned." They proceeded as far as Seneca Falls when, the sleighing being good, they halted, and made a sled. Loading the wagon and goods on the sled, they pushed on to the vicinity of Buffalo, when the sleighing left them. From Buffalo to '('attarangus creek, they traveled on the ice. They arrived at Cleveland, without accident or material incident, on the IGtli of March, and a few days subsequent, at the Mecca of their pilgrimage, where they were duly installed in the log house, before mentioned. I quote from the interesting reminiscences of Mr. Beebe:

** Mr. Bacon and family went to their home in Carlisle, and Mr. Luther Lane went with the team for straw to fill the beds. When the river fell so that the load could be brought over, two beds were made, and a description of them will not be out of place. Mr. Ely had brought some bed-ticks from the east, ready-made, and the cover of the wagon was also converted into ticks. The bedsteads were made of poles, with bark stretched across them for bottoms, and pillows were scarce. Some coarae cloth was used for sheets.''

A family named Beach made a settlement, in 181 fi, in the western part of the township, near the site of the present Haag's mill. This was the first white family settle in the township. On the 10th of September, 1817, Mrs. Beach gave birth to a son, the Jimt whUc child born in the township. lie was named Henrj', and was living, at a recent date, in Rockjwrt, Cuyahoga county, and with him, his aged mother. Mr. Beach was taken sick soon after the birth of the child, and died on the 2'2d of the succeeding November. Mrs. Beach took her family, and the dead body of her husband, to the log school house, opposite Captain Eld red's. He was buried in a sandy ridge, a little east of of the center of Ridgeville. Mr. A. Beebe made the coffin. This was, doubtless, the first death of a white person in the townshijj.

Mr. Beebe says the first improvement in the way of chopi)ing, was made by Clark Eldred, who had about two acres chopped down when the improvements were commenced in the village. The first clearing in the village was made at the foot of Broad street, and progressed westward, as required. In this clearing, the houses of Mr. Ely and }t\r. A. Beelje were built. George Douglas and Gershom Danks, car- {)enter?, arrived from Westficld, Massachusetts, about tlie first of April, 1817, and so(m after the work of building was commenced. The ^rst/rajned build in;/ erected was to be occu])ied for a store. This was located on the southwest corner of the Ely homestead lot, at the corner of Cedar " and Broad streets. It was about twenty by forty feet, one story high, and without a cellar. During the year 1817 it was used for a joiner shop, but the next year it was filled with goods by Edmund West & Co. This was the pioneer store in Elyria which has since been " noted for its trade in dry goods, and for the success which has attended the enterprise of some of its early merchants." The next building was the residence of Mr. Ely, and is the same now occujiicd by his son, Hon. Heman El}". This house was forty-five feet front by forty feet deep, with a kitchen and wood-house in the rear and a cellar under the main building. It has undergone various changes and iinjjrovemcnts both externally and internally, and its present fine architectural appearance and Iteautiful surroundings are in striking contrast with the ])icture it presented in the dense forest sixty years ago. The siding of the lioit-c was all made from one whitewOod tree that stood at the turn of the street near where the large willow now stands.

On the 39th day of Jlay, 1817, Captain Festus Coolcy, father of Festus Cooley late of Elyria but now of Kansas, arrived from Westfield, Mass., and took charge of liotli the saw and grist mills. He came tlie whole distance on foot. In the summer Enos Mann came to Elyria. He was from Becket, Mass. lii located on the farm east of the rivei', since owned by Deacon Lane. Mr. Mann was a turner of wooden bowls, and, it is said, followed this vocation for a number of years after his arrival in Elyria. During the fall following their arrival Mrs. Mann gave birth to a son, the second born in the township. Mrs. Mann died on the 9th of March, 1833, and her remains were the first interred in the Elyria cemetery. A plain sandstone slalis marks the spot, and upon it the following inscription: "In memory of Mrs. Clamaney Mann, consort of Mr. Enos Mann, who died JIarch 9, 183.", in the fortieth year of her age." A simple collection of words and figures, yet of what terrible significance to the bereaved ones, hundreds of miles from relatives, in a comparative wilderness. Friends were raised up for them, and kind, tiiougli strange hands, ministered to tlie wants of the motherless ones.

pied by Anson Pangburn. Seven cliildren came with liini. Of Uiese but one resides in Elyria: Marcus D., who married Amanda Ely, daugliter of Lewis Ely, who came to the IJesorve in isoO, louatiug in Deerfield, now Portage county, with his parents, Lewis and Anna (Granger) Ely.

Lewis Ely, Jr., came to Elyria in ISTi, purchased two lots oh West Broad street, put up a small frame house, returned, and, with his family, removed to Elyria in the spring of 1834. Mr. Ely was killed by a runaway horse, in Juno, 1831. He was sheriff of Jjorain county at the time of his death. Mrs. Ely died in 1863.

Francis Douglas,*brother of George Douglas, came from Westfield, Mass., to Elyria in 1830. He was a carpenter, and for several years a Methodist local preaclier. lie built several houses, one of which is the l)rick front west of the pul)lic square now occupied i)y Dr. Sherwood. In 1843, he removed to Worcester, Mass., where ho died in March, 1878, aged eighty j^ears.

Calvin Smith removed witli his family from Naugatuck, Conn., to Elyria in 1819. He built a log house east of the river on the lot now occupied by Mr. L. F. Ward, where he resided several years. He removed from thence to Sheffield, where, after a long sickness, he died in 1836. He was a fine singer, and led the singing in the early religions meetings in the log school house east of the river.

Heber G, Sekins, born in Stafford, Vt., came to Elyria in the fall of 1835. His family then consisted of a wife and two cliildren. Ira 15., the oldest, still resides in Elyria. He was for years connected with the military organizations. One of his daughters is the widow of the late Thomas Childs, and still resides in the village. Another daughter married Elizur Northrop. They are residents of Cleveland.

Immediately after the first settlement of the township, Mr. Ely and others felt the importance of establishing and maintaining religious institutions. They had built a log school house on the triangular piece of ground between the railroad and the highway, just across the east branch of the river. Here the pioneers assembled every Sunday and engaged in public worship. Mr. Ely usually read a sermon; Luther Lane and William Smith were called upon to lead in prayer; Calvin Smith, assisted by Irene Allen and others, led the singing. We again quote from Mr. Beebe's reminiscences: j "The first sermon preached in Elyria was hy the Rev. Alvin Hyde, on ! the 5th of February, ISIS. He was a son of the Rev. Dr. Hyde of Lee, Berlcsliire countv, Mass. His text was from Jonah 2: 9, ' Salvation is of I the Lord.' During part of the years 1817-18, he resided in Dover, where he preached half i>f the time, and the other half in the adjacent town- I ships.

" Our ordinary rations consisted of pork, flour and peas. Sometimes we got venison and fresh fish. The Indians furnished us with the first fish we had. They caught them below the falls. They shot the deer where they could find them, and would come riding in single file with 1 squaws and pappooses on their ponies. They came from Upper Sandusky to hunt and fish, and belonged to the Wyandotte and Seneca tribes. They used to camp on the ground now occupied by Mrs. Hoyle and Col; Gates, which was then covered by a small grovrth of hemlocks and pines.

" Mr. Chester Wright had established a distilleiy on the east side of the cast brani'h, in the rear of the sand pits. The Indians, being great lovers of whisky, could obtain supplies at the distillery, whisky being considered one of the necessities of life." Mr. Beebe remarks that "distilleries were then as plenty as cheese factories are now. Some of the Indians' names were Goodhunt, Red Jacket, Betwixt-the-Logs, etc. They were civil and gave us no trouble."

Wild Animals

Bears were frequently killed by the early settlers, and were particularly destructive of the pigs that roamed in the woods in those days. In the winter of 1830, J. A. Harris, late of the Cleveland Herald, who then resided in Elyria, encountered four - an old bear and three well grown cubs - in the woods just east of E. A. Griswold's. The three cubs ascended a tree, while the old bear maintained her position on the around. He first lodged a ball in the old bear. Instead of attacking. him, she fled, leaving her young unprotected. He fired deliberately at each of the three in the tree, bringing them all dovvn, and killing bat one. He had only a squirrel rifle. With a target gun, such as are used at this time, he would probably have bagged them all. A party of hunters followed them the next day, tracking them by their blood, but did not overtake them. lu the winter of 1831-3, the writer was teaching school in the yellow school house which stood west of the public square, on the ground now occupied by the town hall. One afternoon the school was thrown in great commotion by a bear passing through the town just back of the school house, pursued by dogs and hunters. It crossed the river below the falls, and was killed about three miles down the river, on the farm belonging to the late Aaron R. Taylor. This was the last bear seen iii this vicinity. Wolves were quite numerous until about 1835. Their bowlings could be heard almost every night in the woods north of town. One evening during the fall of 1833, the writer was i^assing on foot along the road which skirted a swamp near the residence of Harlcjw Wells, in the northwest part of the township, a pack of wolves followed him, keeping along the boiirder of the swamp, so near that he could hear the pattering of their feet. Their bowlings were not musical, but very much diversified. Like the retreating soldier, though not frightened he was somewhat demoralized. The last wolf was seen in Elyria during the year 1844. He was evidently lonely, as he sought the society of dogs; but the dogs did not fraternize with him, but avoided his society. Many times he came into the village during the evenings, and our largest bull-dogs, after a brief encounter, retreated to their kennels in disgust. He created much excitement among the citizens. Those who had brief glimpses of him greatly magnified his size, and imagined him to be some huge wild animal, probably a panther of the largest class. At length during the ensuing winter a party of hunters got on his track which they followed for three days, killing him in New Haven, Huron county. While being pursued he would stop occasionally to kill a sheep on which to refresh himself. Tiie party returned in triumph, bringing his skin, wlii(;li \v:is stuflod and preserved in the rooms of the Natural History Society until February 10, 1852, when the block containing the rooms was consumed by fire, and this, with all other specimens, perished. He was a gray wolf of the largest size, and evidently a veteran.

Many anecdotes could be related of the encounters of our pioneer settlers with Avolves; some of them being followed by a pack in the evening were forced to take refuge in trees, where they remained till morning, when their pursuers retreated. Mr. George Sexton and wife, living a mile and a half east of the village, hearing a disturbance among their slieep in the barnyard, got up and went out en dishabille, and with an axe dispatched the disturber of their repose among their sheep.

Deer were very numerous until about 1835. The writer once saw tliirty in a flock on the farni of Mr. Asahel Parmely. Tlioy liad entered the clearing probably to avoid the black flies wbicli were very numerous in tlie woods at tluit time. Venison and pork, with an occasional wild turkey, furnished meat for the early settlers. There were no butchers' meat-shops in those days. When a pioneer got out of meat he took down his trusty rifle, and usually soon brought in a deer. What he could not consume in liis own family he distributed to his neighbors.

The last deerseen in tJie township was in the winter of 1841. A party of fifteen or twenty young clerks and mechanics went out one pleasant day in February, with hounds to hunt rabbits. On entering the woods west of Gates' saw-mill they discovered fresh deer tracks. The dogs were put upon the tracks and soon gave tongue. The boys were directed to form a line across the woods. Before the line was fully formed one of the deer broke through and was killed by the writer. A second one passed by the end of the line and escaped, pursued by one of the dogs. The third and last one, a noble buck, approached the line at its east end. He was but two or tliree rods in advance of the di)g, and instead of running at full speed he was making leaps three or four feet from the ground. He turned on seeing the boys and ran about ton rods in front of them the whole length of the line. Each one had his shot, but no one was guilty of shedding one drop of his blood. This skirmish line was about as harmless as some at a later day, in the army, where immense quantities of ammunition were wasted without loss on either side. The two deer which escaped were killed the same day by other hunters, one in Amherst and the other at the stave landing on Black river.

Wild turkeys, which were very numerous at the first settlement of the country, have almost entirely disappeared. They were sold on the street at an early day for twenty-five cents each. The largest size weighed thirty pounds dressed.

Mr. Ely'S Journey

In the fall of 1817, Mr. Ely started on horseback for his old home in Massachusetts, while Ebenezer Lane and Luther Lane started for the same destination on foot. They walked as far as Albany where they took the stage for Springfield. During their absence Mr. George Douglas and Mr. Beebe remained and worked on the inside of Mr. Ely's house. Mr. Ely returned in the spring of 1818.

In the fall of 1818, Mr. Ely took the steamboat " Walk-in-the- Water " for the east. The steamer first went to Detroit, as she could not stop at Cleveland on her way down, there being no har-bor. He left Cleveland on the 17th of September, reaching Detroit on the 21st, and Buffalo on the 24th. The ' ' Walk-in- the- Water" was the first steamboat on Lake Erie, and seems to have been a slow walker.

"Mr. Ely reached West Spriiigflekl on the first day cf October, and on the 10th of the same month was married to Miss Celia, daughter of Col. Ezekiel P. Belden, of Weather^ field, Conn. On the 18th, they started for Elyria, where they arrived October 30th, in company with Ebenezer Lane and his wife. Those who knew the first Mrs. Ely, speak of her in terms of warm enthusiasm. She was a beautiful and accomplished lady, kind and affectionate in her disposition, and generous to the poor and needy. She was especially loving to the little children of the pioneers- She always had a piece of cake and kind words for them when they called upon her, and her memory was cherished by all of them. One - a child at that lime - who was the life companion of the writer, often spoke of her in glowing terms of praise.''

The framed house not being comideted when Mr. Ely returned with bis bride, they commenced house- - keeping in the log house. An incident is related by Mr. Beebe. We quote in his own words:

'*As soon as it was known in the settlements that Mr. Ely bad brought home w'ith him a blooming bride, the ladies felt it a duty as well as a pleasure to call on her. Accordingly, a short time after their arrival, Mrs. George Sexton, of Ridgeville, and a lad.v friend started on foot through the woods to call on the bride. On arriving, they were met at the door of his cabin, as it was called by Mr. Ely, who received them cordiall.y and introduced them to his wife, who entertained them very pleasantly the afternoon. They accepted an invitation to tea, and their companionship was so agreeable that the da.v was far spent before thej' started on their return home. Tl>ey had not gone far from the settlement before they lo.st their way, and wandered on until late in the night, when they came to the conclusion that they were really lost in the wilderness, and would be compelled to submit to the necessity of staying where they were till mornmg. They therefore crawled up on a fallen, leaning tree, and held on by other trees to keep from falling, and waited for morning to come, as it did at last with all the chills and frosts of a November night. They soon found their way home, and were quite well satisfied as they had visited the bride, and had a good time after all." »

Mr. Beebe and George Douglas built a house for Ebenezer Lane (afterward Judge Lane), east of the river, on the farm afterward bought by Clement Northrop. Ebenezer Lane, on the 11th of October, 1818, married Frances Ann, daughter of Gov. Roger Griswold, of Lyme, Conn., and returned to Ohio in company with Mr. Ely and wife. His house being in readiness, he commenced* housekeeping at once. He remained on his farm less than a year. Having been ' appointed jjrosecuting attorney of Huron county, he } removed to Norwalk, October 10, 1819. The Jour ! ney from Elj'ria to Norwalk was made on horseback, f Mrs. Lane riding one horse and lier husband another, he carrying their infant child on a pillow in his arms and being two days on the road. He rose to distinction in his profession, and was for many years a judge;

Nahum Ball Gates was born in St. Alban's, Vt., Sept. 28, 1812. His father, John Gates, and his mother, Abigail Ball, emigrated from Northborough, Mass., to St. Alban's in 1 800, and settled on a farm in that township. His father was of Puritan stock, and belonged to Revolutionary blood. The day he was sixteen years of age he enlisted in the army of the Revolution for three years, served until the close of the war, and was then discharged by Gen. Knox, in the vicinity of New York. His three eldest brothers, Samuel, Silas, and William, served in the same war during its continuance.

The subject of this sketch was the youngest of twelve children. His early education was the best afforded in those days in the district schools of his native town, with one term at the St. Alban's Academy, to fit him for a " country pedagogue," teaching district school for three winters in his native State.

The years of his minority were spent on his father's farm, attending and teaching school winters, and laboring on the farm the residue of the year. In this way he secured for himself an athletic frame and vigorous Vermont constitution. Being violently attacked on his father's farm, in the spring of 1834, with what was termed the " Western Fever," which prevailed at that time in Vermont to almost an alarming extent, he, on the 29th day of April, 1834, bade farewell to his native heath and started for Ohio, for the ostensible purpose of visiting his brother, Horatio N. Gates, who at that time was engaged in the mercantile business at Elyria, Ohio, under the firm-name of Gates & Greene.

After remaining in Elyria a few weeks, he went to Cleveland to learn more of the West and find something to do. Whilst standing in front of the Western Reserve Hotel, then in Ohio City, on the west side of Cuyahoga River, a man by the name of Swain came along, and inquired of young Gates if he knew of any one who would on the following day go into the woods and score timber for him, as he was about to erect a dwelling-house. Young Gates volunteered his services, and a bargain was soon struck. The next day saw a good, honest day's work done.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In 1843, Mr. Gates purchased of Mr. Heman Ely a mill site on the west branch of Black River, and proceeded at once to build a saw-mill, sash, door, and blind factory, to which he gave liis personal supervision and much hard labor for twenty-three years, when, in 1866, he sold out. In 1848 lie built an ashery on the west branch of the Black River, and has kept the same in .successful operation up to the present time. Mr. Gates thinks he may be classed as the oldest, long-continued, and successful ashery-man in the State. This ashery is still smoking. On the first day of September, 1869, purchasing of Davis M. Clark the soap factory on the west side of Black River, he lias since been and now is engaged in the manufacture of his celebrated chemical erasive soap.

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

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

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

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

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

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

As a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Elyria, and society of said church, he may be termed a pronounced Presbyterian in all its meanings.

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

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

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

and for a portion of the time chief justice of the supreme court of Ohio. He died in Sandusky on the 12th of June, 186G. He may with mucli propriety be ranked among the great men of Ohio. He graduated at Harvard College in 1811, and studied law with Judge Matthew Griswold, at Lyme, Conn. He did not confine himself to his profession alofte, but during his whole life he eagerly pursued the different branches of natural science, and became eminent as a naturalist. The first deed executed by Mr. Ely was made to Ebenezer Lane, dated June 1, 1818. It conveyed lot sixty-four, east of the river, containing sixty-four acres; the second to Edmund West; the third to Artcmas Beebe. Mr. Beebe and George Douglas had contracted for the land in the fall of 1817. It consisted of the ground where his old tavern stood. The building still remains on the same spot, in good condition. Early in 1817, Mr. Ely had contracted with Joshua Henshaw to survey the township and village. He was assisted by Clark Eldred and others. Mr. Eldred says they were in the habit of starting out on Monday morning, with their week's provisions and blankets on their backs. They stopped wherever night overtook them. They cooked their own provisions, and the water they drank was sometimes filled with wrigglers. Part of the surveys were made in 1816, but the township was not allotted until 1817. The town plat was first surveyed in blocks in 1820. It was not divided into lots until 1823.

First Celebration Of The Fourth Of July

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

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

The exercises were closed with a grand ball in the evening, in which all participated. The fiddler was John Shafer, of Ridgeville. Several remained until morning. It is said whisky was freely used, as was then the custom, but no one became intoxicated, master, which office he held until the 1st of April, 1833. The revenues accruing to the government during the first four years ranged from two dollars a;id forty-one cents to eight dollars and twenty-eight C3nts.

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

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

Captain Festus Cooley' commanded a company of Massachusetts troojjs in the war of 1812. He marched his company to Boston, but as Massachusetts troojis were not permitted by the governor to leave the State, it is not believed that the company of Capt. Cooley were guilty of shedding any British blood. He came to Elyria from Springfield on foot, i.rriviug on the 29th day of May, 1817, and immediately took charge of both the saw and grist mills, that were erected in 181G. He put them in good order, and all things seemed to prosper in the way of making improvements in the wilderness. Mr. Beebe says "every man worked with a will; there were no drones in those days." In the spring of 1819, Capt. Cooley went east, and returned with his family in August of the same year. He moved into the old tavern stand, built by Mr. Beebe and George Douglas, which he occupied for about a year, until Mr. Beebe arrived with his bride. Capt. Cooley lived ia this town until the time of his death, August 9, 1872, at the advanced age of eiglity-six years. Mrs. Cooley survived hiui several years: she died August 4, 1876. He was a kind unci oliiiging nciglilior and friend, and died without an enemy, lie was tlie father of several daughters, who all died soon after reaciiing maturity. His only son Festus, late of Elyria, now of Blue Rapids, Kansas, is his only surviving child.

LuTHEii L.VNE came to Elyria with the first jiarty of immigrants. Being hired for only eight months, he returned at the end of that time, in company with the late Judge Lane, to Massachusetts. They made the entire distance on foot. He returned to Elyria, in 1821, and, in a year or two, built the house where he resided until his death. <)u the 4th of July, 1836, he nuirried Miss Ann Cooley, in West S])ringfield, and brought her to his new western home. She lived to share his toils, joys and sorrows. She died only a few years before her husband, ripe in years, and lamented liy all, who loved her for her many christian virtues. Mr. Lane was oue of the original members of the Presbyterian church in Elyria, and was elected deacon at the time of its organization. He was, pre-eminently, a good man. No one spoke ill of him. lie was honest, industrious, temperate, and kind t(i all witli whom he associated. Children loved him, for he always had a kind word for them. He owned the farm on the east side of the river, opposite the residence of Rev. L. F. Ward. Deacon and Mrs. Lane raised no children of their own, but they brought up a number of orphan children, who were treated with parental affection. Ho died on the 23d of November, 1868.

James Porter was an industrious, hard working man, and accumulated considerable property. He owned the farm now belonging to I. J. Ra3inond, east of the river, and several houses and lots in town. Ho left one child, a daughter, who was six years old at the time of his death, and is now the wife of M. B. Purnly, of Dayton, Ohio. His widow married Dr. H. F. Hubbard, who died in Wisconsin. She is still living, and resides with her children in Colorado.

George Douglas died young. He is remembered by the early settlers as an enterjirisiug, kind-hearted man. He died on the 5th day of November, 1820; aged thirty-five years.

Roderick Ashley went east after a year or two, and engaged in boating on the Connecticut river, between Sjjringfield and Hartford. He accumulated a fortune, and died at an advanced age, in the spring of 1878, lamented by all who knew him.

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

the pioneers, removed to his farm in Carlisle, where he resided many years. He died not long ago, at an advanced age. Uncle John, as he was familiarly called, was a generous and kind-hearted nuiu.

Elyria Village

as first incorporated, embraced only the territory lying between the branches of Black river. Its boundaries have been extended, so that it now embraces a good part of the township. Should its territory all be occupied as a city, it would contain about two hundred thousand inhabitants.

The cast and west branches of the river approach each other at the south line of the township, to within the distance of about one mile. The west branch runs in a northerly direction, until it reaches the west falls. The east branch runs parallel to it, until it passes sume distance north of Broad street, where it bends west, and for a short distance, south; turning again to the west, it reaches the east falls, a little below the bridge, which connects Washington avenue with Briiad street. These falls are forty feet per])endieular, and when the i-iver is high, j)resent a grand ap- ])earance. The river there nuikes its way through a rocky gorge, about sixty rods, where it unites with the west lira.nch. The west fall is about the same heighth as the east. After leaping the fall, it runs through a similar rocky gorge, for about forty rods, where the two branches form a junction.

Scenery

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

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

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

Eelics Of An Ancient Race

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

On the twentietii of October, 1819, the township of Elyria, comjirising townsjiips number five and six,, in range seventeen, now Carlisle and Elyria, was, by the commissioners of Huron county, erected a separate township. It was named in honor of its jjioneer owner and settler, Heman Elj-, - Ely-ria. The first election occurred on the 3d of April, 1830, at which time there were twenty votes cast. The following I list gives the names of the electors at that time: Sherman Miuot, .Tohn M. Butler, John Bacon, James A. Sexton, Abel Farr, Dudley Starr, George Douglas,

William Sexton, Enos Mann, Calvin Eice, Burton Waite, Chester Wright, J. L. Terrell, Elias Mann, Heman Ely, Roger Cooley, Festus Cooley, .James Ledoit, Henry Wolford and Edmund West. James Ledoit and Sherman Minot were judges of election, and Edmund West, clerk. Heman Ely, Sherman Minot and Jonathan A. Sexton, were elected trustees. Edmund West, clerk and treasurer. Heman Ely and Festus Cooley, overseers of the poor. Chester Wright and Enos Mann, fence viewers. John F. Butler and Festus Cooley, appraisers of property. George Douglas, constable, and Heman Ely and William Sexton, supervisors of highways. Sherman Minot was the first justice of the peace; elected, doubtless, in 1820, though the only record we find is a copy of the notice for an election of justice of the })eace, "in place of Sherman Minot, whose term of office expired December 33, 1822."

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

The records of the townshiii cannot be found further back than 1842. At the spring election this year Herrick Parker, Ira Cunningham and Israel Everden were judges; Schuyler Putnam and Benjamin F. Robinson, clerks. The otHcers elected were Ebenezer (h'iffith, Daniel Nesbitt and William Gregg, ti-ustees; Schuyler Putnam, township clerk; Abraham Burrell, treasurer; William Doolittle and John II. Faxon, constables, and nine supervisors of highways.

In 1843, Clark Eldred, Daniel Nesbitt and Artemas Beebe, trustees; Stephen B. Wolcott, township clerk; A. Burrell, treasurer; John H. Faxon, constable; Heman Burch and Edson A. Griswold, justices of the peace.