Norwalk Township (part 1 of 2)

Picturesque Huron

A ViKw Takkn at the Celedkation oe the Iihith Birthpav of Martin Kei.i.cm-.o, At liis Home in Broiisnn Township. Tuesday. Scptein^tr -JI, issrt.

The Preceding Page

Myron r.rcckeiiriil-c uns liorii I),ei.-iiilier H, 17!i.'> ;it Cliarlotte. Cliittetulcii county, \'l. Ilr moved to Ohio in fall of l.-<:!i;, cnniins l>y wa;^on, bringini^ witli liini liis family, and settled in I'eru, Huron county, where he lived for twenty years. Afterwards he lived on a farm near Plymouth, Richland county, for three years. For six years lie was in bu.sine.ss with his son I'xiward P. at Richmond. Ind. Tlien he moved to Xorwalk where he remained until lie died, h\1iruar\- li. ISS", at the advanced age of HI vears. Tie was an honest, consistent christian man, an active member of the Methodist ICpiscoprd church for more 111 lu 7u years, and commanded the respect of every community in which he lived.

MRS. ALMIRA M. liRIiCKICNRIDGK. Mrs. Almira Morton Breckeniidge. wife of Myron Breckenridije, was born at Middlebury, Vennont, January 1-, ISOS, and married June 7, 1H81. She shared with her husband the privations and hardships of pioneer life, and is tlie mother of ei^ht children, all living. vSlie is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Sampson Ciiay, at Xorwalk, Mrs. Gray being her voungest daughter. She is in the enjoyment of good health, and at the advanced age, 87, is a charming old lady, beloved by all who know her.

HON. HKNRV C. HRIiCKKNRIDGlC. Henry Clay Breckenridge was born April 14, lSo2, at Charlotte, Vt , a son of Myron and Almira Krtckeiiridge. He came with the family to Ohio, at the age of four years. He carried on the hardware business at Plvmouth, for some time, and was also a member of the firm of H. C. and \V. C. Breckenridge, of Norwalk. He was elected by the repid)licans as representative for Huron county, in the general assembl\'. for the term of 1X72-74. Ilis present home is in Toledo. O., where he is engaged in a large manufactory.

ABRAM I). JKNN'KV. Abrani U. Jenncy wa.s born at Acushnet, near Fairliaven, Mass., May lO, 1S13, the son of John and Catharine Jenney. At an early age he came with the family to Scipio, in the western part of New York, and from there to Greeiwvich township, Huron county, in 18-24. He is the youngest of ten children, four of whom were boys. His brothers were Benjamin, ()be<liah and Mordecai. all of whom became well known in the vicinity where they resided. Obediah was for a long time a resident of Norwalk. Abram and Benjamin lived in Greenwich, where they have been leading nienibeis of the Krieiids church, and inflneutial and highly respected citizens. In 1S41 Abram married Sally A., daughter of Henry Griffin, of Fitchville township. Her death occurred in 1811-3.

Hon. H. I,. Stkwart

Harlon L. Stewart was born in Norvvalk, C, Dec. 12, ISlJl, the son of Hon. G. T. Stewart. Harlon received his early education in the public schools of the city, anil later at the Ohio State University. In ls,><i2, he entered the newspaper. business, first pnblisliing the Daily News, and afterwards the IC.xperiment-News. He was nominated, by the democrats, for their candidate for Congress in IX'.HI, Imt as the district was republican he was defeated. In IS'.H, he was elected as State Senator, and was the youngest member of the l)ody. He was nominated lor reelection in IS'.i;;, but was defeated. He devotes his time to his pnbli.-^hiiig business. He married Ora, daughter of W. L. and Rosaltha G. (Boslwick) Parker, of Norwalk.

Rtf Us Shhldon

Rufus Sheldon was born in Oneida county. N. V.. February S. |sii!i He was a son of Rnfus and Joanna Sheldon. In 1^24 the famih came tii Greenwich township and settled upon a farm near the "Center." Wli, ni Rnfus grew up, he purcha.se<l the farm, and made his home upon it. In, IS-il) he married Mary Griffin, daughter of Henry and Flizabeth GrilTi;!.; who had moved to Fitchville township, from Greene county. New York, in lx:l:J. Rufus and .Mary had six children, aniong whom are Albeit. l)reseut auditorof Huron county ; ICli/.abeth, wife of J. F. I.aiiing: H. G., a leading attorney, of Delaware. Ohio; and R. N., a jdiysician residing at Kelly's Island, O. Rulus Sheldon was justice of the peace for manv years, and for twelve years, before a railroad was built through ( ".reenwitli. kept at his house, the post office, on the stage line from Wooster to Norwalk.

He resided upon the old homestead until 1872, when he moved to New London, and from there to Fitchville in 18~:I. His death occurri d January 1, 1X7-J. He was a leading citizen, a christian gentleman, and his demise was mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives.

David H. Reed, M. I)., was born in Greenwicii township. Huron county, January -H. 1S82. He t.-'ught school, and studied meiiicine. until 185'), when he begin practice at North Fairfield: where lie has since resided, and followed his profession. In iMi:) he was commissioned cajitain and organized the militia of the southern district of Huron coniitv He was elected colonel of the Tiiird reginiei.t, and .served until the or gauization was disbanded. In lX!l-'> he was elected by the Repubiictins o! the county as Representative, and was re-elected in ls;)."i. He i-. emincnl in his practice, and an able and devoted legislator.

Edgar Martin, M. D., was born in Fitchville township. Huron coi:iit;. October 10, 182i>. His parents were Gilbert and Hannah (Washburn Martin. He began the practice of medicine at Townsend in 1X-')1, am continued at his profession at that place until l^*^-"i. In ]S't',< he wa: elected justice of the peace and held the office in Townsend for twenty four years. In the early part of the war he was commissioned firlieutenant in the 12''>dO. V. I.,and was soon promoted toacaptaincy in lii< llitith O. Y. I. In 187:1 he was elected by the T^Iuron county republican as member of the state legislature. In l>>8-> lie removed to Norwalk and has since niatle this city his home. In 18S.S he was elected a jnsti>' of the peace, and has held the position since, making over thirly-t«' yeirs that he has served the public in that capacity, a testimonial of higi order. He is a genial gentleman and is a ninch resjiected citizen.

Hon. Gforgic F. Brady

HON. GFORGIC F. BRADY. George F. Brady was born in Ireland. January 10, 1831, and came 1< this countr) with his parents, the following year, .settling in Maryian^. In 1X47 he enlisted at B.iltiniore, in the lltli U. S. Infaiitrv. and wen to the Mexican war. .\fter its clo.se he served five years in the 2d I > I)i.i'.;oons. In 18-'»8 he took up his residence at IClyria, Lorain count> Ohio. Ill September, IXtJl, he enlisted in the 42d Ohio, Garfield's rcgi mint, iiiti ling the .service as a private. At Camp Chase, before going 1' the hoiil, he was made First Lieutenant. In the summer of IXiiJ h i.iiiK- home and recruited company H, Ptild O. Y. I., and became its cap t.iiu. In ixii:;, he resigned on account of disability. In 1X7" he came l' Norw.ilk. He was the Democratic nominee for ri ))resentative li"i' Huron coiiiit\- in 18X7. hut was defeated. In IXX'.i. he was elccti' state senator, and served his constituents wit!; .nbilitv.

Short Biographies Of Persons Whose Portraits Appear On The Foregoing Pages

In June, 18114, he was elected to the vice presidency of the bankinj; house above referred to, of which he has been a member of its board of directors since its orirauization.

ir,, 1,S4.-). He native town, and in ISliJ attended the CoUnnbus. Ohio, lii.nh school, while working? at nijjht as a telegraph oiierator. In ]8(;i he was assistant chief operator in the teU-^;ra])h oflicc at Cincinnati, and in December of the same year went to Kamtchatka by way of Xicara;..;ua, California, and the North Pacific. .\s a leader of one of the Rus.so-.\merican tele;4r,ipli company's exploring; parlies in northecistcr!i Siberia in lSli."i-'li, and as superintentleiU of construction for the middle disliict of the .Siberian di\isi(.n from lNf!li to lS(i,'<, he explored and located a route for the Kusso-American teleKrajih line, between the (Ikhotsk sea and Beliriui; strait, spendin,;; nearly three years in constant travel in the interior of northeastern .Siberia, and returning; to the I'nited .States on the abandoinnent of the enteri)ri.se in 18l!8. In 1S7II he went to Russia to explore the mountains of the eastern Caucasus, proceeded down the \'oh<a river to the Caspian sea, made extensive exidorations on horseback in l)ai;hcstaii and Cllechnia, crossins; the j;reat rani;c of the Caucasus three times in dilTerent places, and in b^Tl returne<l to this country. In IS'S.Vli he made a jonrne\ ol l-'),tl"ll miles thnJUKh northern Ru.ssia and Siberia for the purpo.se of investij;atini; the Russia exile system, visitin".; all the convict prisons and mines between the Cral mountains and the head waters of the .\nioor river and explored the wildest part ol the Russian Altai. .Since his return from Ru.ssia he has become very fannius as a lecturer and writer on what he saw upon his traxels.

Was burn July !->, IN!'.', at IhulinKUm, N'ermoiit. He w.is educated at the common schools. He removed toOhio in lS:lti, settling in \'erniillion, now ICrie county, but formerly Huron county. Here he assumed control of a (ninace business and was engaged iu this enterprise for ten years. Dnrinj; the gold excitement in C.difornia he spent three years in that state. When the desperadoes inaugiuateil the reign of terror which threatened to drive all reputable people from the golden state, he was made captain of the famous vigilance coHimittee at Sacramento, which t.uight villians that justice was abroad, even in that rude .society, by hanging Rowe, the brutal mujdeier of Myers at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He removed to Ohio, and located at X^orwalk in 18"):>. engaging in the mercantile business. In 18()8,he was nominated on the democratic ticket forsheritT. In 1874 he was the democratic candidate for representative; at both elections he ran way ahead of his ticket. In 187.'). he was elected sergeautat-arms of the Ohio Senate. In 1877 he was elected to the state senate. He was a highly esteemed citizen and made an excellent representative.

The eldest son of Charles and lietsey Slickney, was born at Moira, N. Y., Jamiary iOth, ls)0. Until the age of twenty-one he remained upon the home farm gleaning snch education as was possible by attendance of the public schools of the community. After leaving the farm he entered an academy at Pot.sdaiii. N. V.. where he remained for four years; supporting himself by teaching school during the winter months. In 1841 while upon a visit to Ohio, he was induced by a former fellow student, the late Jairns Kennan, of N'orwalk, then a practicing attorney, to enter his olTice and to commence the study of law. In 1*»44 he w.is admitted to the bar, and, upon the creation of the Co\irt of I'robate in 18ol, was elected judge of that court in Huron county. Judge Stickney al.so served upon the city Council, as Mayor of the city of X<jrwalk, .School K.xaminer, member of Hoard of ICdncation. and was also a member of Whittlesey Academy. He was a kind-hearted and l>enevoIent gentleninn. esteemed by all who knew him. He ilied at the good old age of Mi years, February J")th, 1"~1HI.

Henry W. Shaw was born in Lanesboul, Berkshire ojunly. Mass., .\pril iJl, I'HlS. His father was Hon. Henry Shaw, a prominent citizen r>f Berkshire ct)unty, who was a member of Congiess at the age of twenty-five years, and at that time the youngest member ever elected to C ingress ; and for twenty-five years was in public life as a member of Congress, or the Legislatuie of .Massachusetts.

In 183:2, Henry W^. Shaw entered college at Hamilton, X. V.. and remained one year, when he returned home to spend his vacation. When oTi his return trip to college, on a canal boat between Alb.iny an>l Utica. he met as passengers, two adventurers on their wa\ to St. Louis, and their stories of the wild west .so captured the student that college was left in the rear, and he coninned his journey until he reached St. Louis, where he joined a bauil of adventurers who were going across the plains to the Pacific, but owing to troubles with the Indians, the party broke up, leaving young Shaw a tramp in the .streets of St. Louis, from which city he wandered east, arriving in Norwalk, sometime in the winter of l,S:;.')-0, where his brother Robert was then engaged in mercantile business.

Here "Josh" spent his younger years, boarding at the hotel and having all the fun he could get out of the small village, such as Norwa'k was at that time. .Many anecdotes of "Josh's " pranks are still remembered. His filher was the owner of a large tract of land in Townsend, on the Medina road, and he gave Henry a larm where the Hill family now live, where he staved part of the time, though the hotel in town was his home. His principal business was trading horses, and il made but little difference whether he got a gooti trade or a poor one. .so that he traded. But he was a good judge of horses and hard to beat, tiiough occasionally he got worsted.

In |Nl"i, Henry married Miss Bedford, of Lanesbord. Mass.. and biought his wife to Norwalk for their home, nuich to the snrjirise of his friends and aciiuaintances who had never mistrusted that Henry thought of marrying. Then they were much more surprised at his marrying such a chaiming, accomplished, and agreeable young lady: whose influence seemed to change hiin at once to a man of stability, with good habits, a kind husband, and an indulgent parent. Henry purchased the house on Whittlesey avenue of John TifTt, and lived there with his family for some eight years, when he sold the proj>erty back to Doctor Tifft, and

After tlnec years "Josh" returiiLcl to NorwalU. and .si)ciit the winter, and in the -prinK lie located in l',iU.i^hUeei)sie, X. V., thence to New York City.

In ISH:;, Henry W. Shaw coninienced writing sliort essays in phonetic character style, signin- "Josh ]!illini;s," the first heing "On the Mnle," for which he received .'*I. ;''-', and from that time onward until his death he C(jntinued to write and lecture, until his writings were known and appreciated as those of one of the happiest and most pleasing humorists in the country. As a you!ig man of leisure about town, he was ahvavs full of wit and ready at repartee. At one time he comnienceil studying law with Hoalt iS: Worcester, prominent lawyers of this city, but after a few weeks he did not ai>i'car al the oflice, and Mr. lioalt meeting him on the street one day sai.l to him "Henry I h.iveu't seen \ou at the oftice lately." "No," says Henry, "I think the office has moved away ; I liaven't been able to find it," and that was the last of his studying law.

Henry W. Shaw died at Monterey, California, October I'j, IHSO, and was buried at I, anesbord, Mass., and has a block of rough granite, si. -c feet long, four feet square, laid hori/ontal al tile head of the grave with " Josh Hillings" cut on the f ice and "Henry \V. Siiaw " on the upper surface.

GIvNKRAI, I'RAXkl.lX SAWVICR. A distinguished soldier, patriot, and lirilliaiit attorney, was liorn in Auburn, Crawford county, Ohio, July 1".. ISii."). He was educated at Norwalk seminar}- and OranviUe cnllege. In 1^47 he was admitted to the bar and in If*-''^) was elected prosecuting attorney of f{uron county. In ISGO General Sawyer organized the Norwalk Light Guards, which, on April 20, ISOl, became Company 1), f^th O. V. I., and he was commissioned its captain. Upon the reorganization of the regiment at Camp Dennison, Ohio, in May, K^til, Cai)tain Sawxer was nuide major and with it went to the front, where for more than three years he was conspicuous for gallantry in camp and upon hard fought battle grounds. Having led his cominanfl ui>on inan\ previous battle-fields he was, after the battle of Gettysburg, in which lie was severel) w:)Uiided, promoted fn)m lieutenant colonel, to brigadier-general, in appreciation of his bravery and meritorious conduct.

In ISt).') lie was elected a represcntatixe in the Ohio legislature and proved a valuable u'.enilier. .\fter most faithful service, both as a .soldier and a citizen, he died April loth, 1S'.'2.

Hon. John A. Williamson

Son of James and Phebe Williamson, was born in New London toxvnsliip September 2.'), IS f2. His youth was passed upon his father's farm, and at sixteen he entered Oberlin College. He then entered Vale College from which he was graduated willi honors in 1M14. In LSlio he w IS graduated from the law deliartnieut ol the University of New York. In I81I7 he became deputy Clerk of Courts in Huron c.junty, which pcsition lie resigned in lytJX to enter a partnership in the practice ol law with Hon. S. W. Tennant, of ICast Saginaw, Mich. In 1S71 he returmd to Norwalk, wliere h-; has since resiiled. In 1S77 lie was elected a nieu.- ber of the House of Representatives from Huron county, and was reelected in 187'.'. During this term he acted in the capacity of speaker pro liui. He is presideiit of the Huron County Banking Co.. of Norwalk, and is one of tlie city's most valued and respected citizens.

HON. G. T. STIvWART. Gideon T. Stewart, ICsci., was l)orn in Johnstown, X.Y., in 1824, At the age of 14 he renio\i.d with his parents to Oberlin, where he attended college, but left in his Sophoinnre \ear in order to stud_v law, first in Norwalk and later at Columbus. ().. with Attorney Swa\ ne, afterwards of the U. .S. Supreme Court. He began the practice of law in

Mr. Stewart was also an eilitor of distiiignished abilitx'. He ediie.l the whig organ at Xorwalk for three vears. and inl^'ll the l^ubuipK Daily 'I'inies. He owned at one time a one-hall interest in the 'I'oSed^. Daily lilade, and later a half interest in the Toledo CoMimorcial. |i, politics Mr. Stewart is known throughout the United States as apmniiiieni I'rohibitionist, receiving many honors al that party 's hauls. He has been a nominee for supreme judge and for governor 1 f Ohio, on the state ticket, and also candidate for vice president on the national l'rohibiti.,11 ticket. He is one of Xorwalk's most able and distinguished citizens.

Was born in Middletown. Pennsylvania, in 1K:!H. coming to Huron coiiiil\ with his parents in 184il. His earl\ year.s were passeil in Plymouth and in Galion, but in I81I1I removed to Monroeville. where he had been appointed cashier of the Iv^change H.iuk, succeeding the late S. V. Harkiie.ss. the well known standard oil niagnate. The ICxchange I'.ank has sinic become the First National Hank of M(jn (;evi!le, and Mr. Stenlz. who was the moving spirit of the bank, was years ago made jiresideii'.

He is also a director in the Nati uial Hank of PlyuKHith.and (jf G.ihon. Mr. Stenlz is, apart from his banking interests, one of the large-l real estate ow-ners in northern Ohio, owning and operating over l.joiiaeres of the best land in Huron county.

Without recoiiisj to hazardous speculations he lias accunuilated one of the handsomest fortunes of all this region, and liis .sncce.ss is a shining example of what an honest and capable young man may d.j Ijy Ins own unaided efforts.

GKORGI' W. M.\X.\1L\X Was liorn in Cayuga county, X. V., October 1, I'-ll. and <.anie I.. Nb.nroeville, Ohio, in \'6'-\-\. .Mr. Manahan was a cari)eiiter b.\- trade. Mriiy line buildings in Norwalk and vicinity still remain as mute w-itnc~ses 01 his skill, one of which was the female seminars , now occuiiied b> ^Ir>. 1'. H. lioalt, on West .Main street. In l^4'.l he moved to Hartland township, purchasing a farm of ;iUJ acres, a large part ol which was unbroken forest, and resided thereon until 1871. devoting his energies to farming and operating a steam saw-mill. In the autumn l'*71 he removed to Norwalk, where he resided until his death in l8ill. Mr. Manahan was an active, energetic man. pleasant and conipani<mal>le. ' and will be kindly remeinbered by many Irieiids in Hunin and adiuining counties.

Timothy R. Strong

TIMOTHY R. STRONG Was born April 7. 1817, in Cayuga county, N. Y., a sou of William and Laura Strong. He received his education at a seminary in OiMiulago county and al Predonia Academy, Chautamiua county, same state, .\ller reading law for .some time he was admitted to the bar in 1843. and iiegan a general practice at Norwalk, O. He conducted many extensive cases of a civil nature but was especially eminent in criminal law. He po.s>e.s- e 1 an iiuxhaustable fund of dry humor and keen .sarcasm, with a wondeiiul power of moving his audience at will to laughter or to tears. His di ath occurred July 11, 18i»4.

Martin Kkllogg

MARTIN KKLLOGG. Was born September 21. 17^1), in Bethel. Wind.sor Co., Vt. He married in 18(111 Lucy Fay. also of Windsor county. In June, l8l.i, Mr and Mrs. Kellogg located in Huron county, where they remained the balance ol their lives. At the age of 111.5 years, leu months and twenty-seven days. Mr. Kellogg died Augu^t 17, 18!t2.

HON. i;. A. PRAY. IClhan Allen Pray was a native of the town of Killingly. Windoui county. Conn., born June l.'i, 181:;. In about 1817 his father. Jacb Pra> , a native of Pnividence, R. 1.. removed with his family to Cayuga. coniilN, X. Y., and permanently .settled there. Here the subject wareared and received a liberal education. Soon after the conclusion ol

In \Kl'.\ he caiiir '.(< Hun^ii comity and schhi after located in I'ilchville tinviisliip, wliere he remained until IX")'), when he was ai)i»iinted superillteiuleiit of the Ihiroil Colint> iiilinnarv, a jiositioii which he filled with Kreat credit until IStil. He was then elected justice of the peace in Xorwalk township and served tvveKe \ears. During; the w;ir he was elected iiia.N or of Nor.valk. While Inllilliii^; the duties of this office, assisted in layiiij; out iiian\' of its streets. He was admitted to the liar in and for two .\ears held the ofllce of city solicitor, after which he devoted himself to commercial law.

Was horn in I'leasniit Valley, Duchess county, N. V.. Mar;h4. 1S0,S. In ]S:!1 he married Miss I'ermelia Ro.se, and in \S-'A they settled in Camden, Lorain county, where they resided a number of years, and where Mr. Gnger did a vast amount of pioneer work in the then unbroken wilderness.

Was born in Xorwalk, Conn., in 171I7, and was there reared. He received his ediication and was graduated a practical engineer at IthaQa, N. Y. He assisted in the location and construction of one of the fiist railroads constructed in the state of X. Y., known as the Itliaca and Oswego railroad. In lS;jii he moved to Huron Co. He first located upon a farm in Fairfield Township., but after a brief period, became a permanent resident of Xorwalk Township. In ISJO lie was elected county surveyor, and for fourteen consecutive years he performed the duties of that offue witli great credit He was a member of the Methodist Hpiscopa! church, and a man of sterling integrity and christian virtues. He died Jan. 2.s, 1S7!I.

JAMHS R IT, ICY GRIbFIX Was Itorn April 20, ISlii. in the town of Hunter, Greene county, X. V. His boyhood was passed upon his father's farm and in attending winter .school. When a youth he learned the trade of a carpenter, though he continued to give his attention t(p books. After .settling in Greenwich township he taught .several terms of scluxil in hitchville township, the highest salary paid being .^15 per month and "boarding round." January "21, lS:!'.t, he married I'liilena Washburn, who was brought by her parents to Greenwich township in ISllt. .She died I'eliruary 20. l.si;:). January 21, 1S|14, he married Mrs. .Mary Jane (Carl) liaker. Mr. GriOin settled upon a farm of I'll) acres in Greenuich township in IS^U and there resided until b^T'i. when lie removed to the town of Greenwich, where he has since resided, living a semi-retired life.

Whose portrait appears elsewhere in this volume, was born in Berkshire county, Ma.ss., in lS:;i). Abimt 1S:!1 the iiarents of the suliject. (J. M. and Sallic Bradley Whitoii) removed to the "Western Reserve." and settled in Huntington, I.orain county. Here the subject was reared, attending such schools as the community alTorded. and when a youth learned the t.'ade of a blacksmith. In .1S4'.I he left lor California and for several years devoted his attention to gold mining. 1,S.")2 found him returned to Lorain counly. and embarked in mercantile pursuits at Huntington.

In IS.Jo he removed to a farm inirehased and pre-emiited in Hardin county, Iowa, where, in ISVi, he assisted in the orgaiii/ation of Pleasant township of that county.

He is a member of the Congregational clinrih and ha-, lor years been an active .Sabbath school worker. He is aKo a valued member of the I'ireland's Historical .Society.

Probate Judge of Huron county, son of I'ri li. Thomas and Hlleii (McOmber) Thomas, was born in Greenwich towii«hip, Hi.u n (ounty. Ohio, September II, IS;')!;. He attended school for some liuie at Oberliii College, and liuchtel College at .\kro'i: then studied law and was admitted to practice February 2, IXSII. He was mayor of the village of Greenwich. IH.S.'i to \XX'>, and about the .same time held the ollices of township clerk, member of boird of education and secretary of The Greenwich Land and liuildiiig Association. In X'ovember, llsX'i, he began the |)ractice of law at Xorwalk In is'.lil Ik- was elected Probate Judge, and was re elected in ]Mt:>. He is a fluent si)eaker, and is often called upon to make public addresses. Mr. Thomas was married to Miss l-'r.inia J. .Miller, of Fairfield township, this county, .\pril Hi, Ls.si)^ and they have one child, Alton Orr Thomas.

William Henry Price, one of our energetic business men. was Ixtni in Wales. ICducated in Fji.gland. he came to .\iiierica in liis twentysecond year, locating in Cleveland. ().. where he was for several years engaged in the shipping and packing business. His health failing him he sold out and went to luirope where lie spent one year, .\fter his return, and three > ears more in business, his health again tailing him. he sold out and located in Xorwalk on a farm within a short distance of the city.

.\s soon as he had recuperated, he again est.ibli.-.hed hiin--eif in business, engngiug in several enterprises. In ISS'.t he with C. H. .Stewart and W. (). Monnett, org.inized the Xorwalk Savings Bank Co.. of wliirh concern he is now president. He is vice president of the First Xational bank, and is also interested in Cleveland Hanks, and a .great many industries of Xorwalk. When the Sandusky, Milan and X'orwalk electric railroad was projected he took an active interest in it, and was lor a considerable time one of its directors. He, with Mr. C. II. Stewrrt lias built more than 100 houses in Xorwalk and has done a great deal toward the extension and building up of the city.

Rev. Gkorgf H. Li'Onarp

The .son of Jacob Drake and Xancy Brown Leonard, was born in the state of Maryland in l.s;j2. His boyhooil days were spent ii: Marietta. O. He received his educaticjii in Marietta .Academy. GranviPe College ( now Denison University ). and in Xewlou ( Ma.ss.) Theologic.il Instilulion. He graduated .\. 1!. from Grain ille College in lsi.'i2; received the ilegree of .\. M. ill ls'i.">: and the degree of D. D. from .same iiistilutioii in |S8.s.

He was ordained pastor of the Baptist church in Mt. X'eriion. O., in 1S54, and, subse((UeiUly, .served as pastor of Baptist churches in Lockland. O., Ironton, C, ICIyria, O , Wanseon, O.. and 1S71 to IS.'>:2 iu Peru. Ind. In 1S.'^2 he was elected secretary and superintendent ol mis.sions for the Ohio Baptist Convention, and having accepted, removed to .N'oiwalk wdiere he resided until .August. ls!l.">, when he reiimved to Granville. (). During the rebellion he was in the service of the cliristi.m coinmis-.ion. on the fiehl, and in hospitals.

Is a prominent attorney, residing at Xevv London, O. He came to that place at an early day, and has lor many vear.-% been one of its most esteemed citizens. In li^S2 he was chosen to repicsent Huron county in the state legislature and .served for two vears.

For many years a well-known and hi},'hly esteemed resident of Clarksfield township, was liorii in ( )ntario county, X. V., .September 11, W'2'->. At alMiut the af;e of ten wars, he accompanied his mother, brothers, and a sister, to Huron county, Ohio, locating in Clarkslleld township. While a youth he learned the traile of a shoemaker, and after devoting; some years to that industry he transferred his attention to the cultivation of fruit, fruit trees, and general farming, which proved a successlul venture. He married on July 4. lS4l>, .Miss ,Sabra, daughter ol Sherman Smith, of Clarkslleld township, and to them were born five children. Mr. I'anuing died December 11, IS'.ll, at his home lour miles north of New London.

The subject of this sketcli was born in X'ew London township. Huron count.v. June 14, L'^-''l, and was the lirst child born in a frame house in that locality.

Upon the completion of his studies at Olierlin college, he returned to his fathcr'.s farm, .sharing in the labor of its successful conduct until he embarked in personal enterprises.

September 27, 180-5, he married Miss Mary A. Ward, of Milan, Ohio, who died October 14, 1881. Later in life he married Miss Ellen L. V/ard, a sister of his deceased wife.

He was a director of the hirst Xational 15ank of Xew London, from its incorporation in 1872, and for eleven years served as its vice president, audits president for .six years. In 181*2 the institution was reorgani7.ed under the name of 'J'he Xew London Bank, of which he became president, serving until his death. Up:>n the seas of commerce and in the fields of agriculture he was alike successful.

Was born in Xewbnrg, N. Y., January 22, 17I'ii. She with her husband' were residents of Greenwich township for a great number of years. She died May 7, 180(!, at the home of her .son, C.ideon B. Coutant. At the time of her death, .she enjoyed the distinction of being a centenarian and the oldest resident of Huron Co.

The subject of this sketch was onebf the pioneers of Huron count) . and of Xew London township. He was born at (Ireenbush. X'. V., May 2i">, 1704. On August }.'), '[SVk he first visited Xew London, and after a - few weeks of investigation became convinced of the desirability and the fertility of the .soil, and despite the exceediii.g wildness of the land and the nianv dangers to be encountered, determined to establish his home here. He, however, first returned to his eastern home, and on hebruars 4, Isb',, accoiiip.inii d by a brother. Hiram Townseiid. started tor their future liome in the then wilds of Xew London, .\fter

With him he brought the iron from which was made the first jilow used in turning the virgin soil of .\ew London. 'I'o hint also lielongs the credit ol having planted the lirsi orchard (in 1S2<I) and the erection of the first frame dwelling (l?'2i!, in the township. March 2'i. l-sjl he married Miss Sophia Case, who taught the first scIkkiI established in the township. He was a soldier in the war of 1X12. and by an act Congress he was granted I'i" acres of la;ul. to the cultivation of wliieli he always gave his attention, and at his deatli he was tile |Misse->sor oi more than one thou.saml acres in Xew Loiuhm and I'itclivlUf townsliii».

.\t the time of his death, which <K:curred IkcemlKT Is, 1S><4. lie was j a citizen of .Xew Loiulon village, having resided there and in tlie town ) ship for nearly seveiits \ears. He was indeed a pioneer. j

In \onlh he attended the public schools and ()l>erlin college, after | which he devoted his attention during the winter months to teai-hing in

Whose portrait appears elsewhere within these pages, w.as Ixirn in Ilelmont | county. Ohio, in 1822, and in 1^2:^ he came with his parents to Huron j county, locating in Ripley township. The absence of schools rendered j our subject's earlier cducati<in very meager, but in youth, by close study j after hours of toil in the forest, he acquired a knowledge of the coninioii j branches much in advance of the average. In l^'iO Mr. .Stotts married j Miss Maryetta Boughton. of iMtchville township, in whose honor the village of B(nightonville was named.

Althou.gh devoting his attention almost exclusively to a.gricullure. | Mr. Stotts has, since I'^T'.'. been the president of the Hunm Count> j Iviiniers' Insurance company. |

Was born in Kssex Co., X. V., Jan. 2'.. lS|ii .-\t the age of fourteen he " bound " him.self to an apprenticeship of nearly .seven years, learning the trade of a machinist and moukl^r. H-? w.is employed at various points in Xew York state until lf<4i! when he removed to Xorwalk. making the journey from Dunkirk, X. Y. to Milan, Ohio, by boat. I'ntil IS.'illlie was cniplo\ cd at making thieshing machines, in the old building now known as the ICmpiie Building, Xorwalk. Then followed two years with IIk- Michigan Central Railro.ad at Detroit. In IX.V! he became C(nniected with the Toledo, Xorwalk and Cleveland Ry. For thirty-six years he was employed by that line, and during that liinc made many valuable imiirove nieiits in mechanical devices. He now lives in rettrement. in Xorwalk.

Mr. Sherman was horn in Wakeman township, Huron count\', \ovenilier 14, 1-S:!0, and his entire life was jiassed upon the farm of his i'.ativit>-. In the active of his life he was a successful fanner, hut !,'a\e some attention to newspaper re|iortin^. I'dr thirty-five years he ke]it a diar\ , recon'.in^ not only events of a persmial character, hut those also ol .ijeiieral interest. His weatlier rep.orts were puhlished hy many of tlie leadiii<f newspajiers.

'i'h<)U>^Ii not a politician he was frei|uentl>- a delegate to tlie conventions and councils of the RepuMicaii party, and had the honor to assist in the reuomiuation of President Grant at the National Repuhlican convention at Philadelpliia in 1S7-. Ih- was for vears an acti\'e memher of the C<>ns.irej;ational church at Wakeman. and was one of Its deacons at the time of his death, which occurred .May 27, ISI':-!,

Was horn in Cayuga county, New York, in ISltJ. In 1.S17 hi.i parents moved to Slateu Island, New York, and there the s ibject was reared. In l.S'24 they removed to Greenwich township. Huron county, locating in the woods, and Mr. Brady assisted .ijreatly in cleariug the fore.st ami opcnin.CT to cultivation the present hroad and fertile acres of the southern portion of the county. Mr. Brady, at a ripe oKl age, is still residing amid the scenes of his I.nhors.

A well known resident of Cliica.oo, Ohi,,, was horn Octoher H, I.S:!i;. in ,Sandusk\ coiint\-, Ohio. After having recei\ed a thorough education he devoted some nine \ears to teachin.y; in the schools of his native count\ and Huron count\ . In lXl!:l he purchased a farm near New Ilaxeii which he conducted successfull\- without interfering with his professional duties as instructor.

That Mr. Severance po.ssesses great eiiergv and progressiveliess is proven hy the fact that in March, 1S7,S, ;u the age of fortv -two, he was admitted to the Huron county har, and immediately hegau the practice of that profession, at Chicago, In ISHl he was appointed local counsel for the lialtimore and Ohio railroad compliny.

FRANKLIN I). RICM) Was the first white child hoin in Iliiron count\-, which event occurred Apiil *2.'), I.sli, in what is now Greenfield township, of which his father, Hanson Read, was one of the first, if not the first .settler. He married Miss Melvina I"it/gerald, a native of New York state, Mav -!, ls;i4, and they reared five children. In his youth he learned the trade of a stone inasim, thongii nearly, or iiiiile his entire Iile w.is spent as a fanner. In the earlier days when wild game ahonnded. he gained considerahle lame as a hunter, and his aliilit\ as a naturalist was widely recognized. He died August \-i. l-'*'.*!.

Was horn in Harre, \'t., Septemhjr 2i», IM I. He came to Huron county with his parents early in life, settling in what is now Townsend township In IS.'ll he married Miss I'olly Jones. They settled upon a farm in Norwalk township and hegan their united career in a log cahin with its primitive I'urnisliings. Iiidustrv ami frugality soon hroughl a competence, and jiioneer structures gave place to more pietenlions huildings. He built and operated the first sawmill in the rirelands, and lumber for all purjioses, for miles around, came from that mill. He was a staunch Abolitionist and was one (f the leaders in tlie operation and maintenance of the underground railway. He died in Norwalk Se|itemher 24, ISl'l,

Thi.s subject was born March 10, ]H-S.'., near Kingslynii county, of Norfolk. Kngland. and was there reared. He married July 2. lK4(i. Maria Starling, also of the count> of Norfolk, and to the union nine children have been born, \'\\x- of whom were born in I-jigland. .\ugust in, l.S.')4. he embarked for America, arriving at New York ( )ctober ti. 1S.')4, and immediately proceeded to Monrocville, this county, where he has since resided. In ISli') he was engaged by the officials of the cnunty to establish certain grades, to improve roads, etc.. and the success and skill with which he jierformed the labor was sd great as to recommend his ser\-ices to those having such work in ch.irge, even to this flate.

It may be lrul.\ said that "when I'licle Hilly" 'as he is familiarly known), completes a ji^b, it displax s the master's toneli and remains lor \ears a monuinent to his genius."

Martin M. Hkstkr

Was born September 2:^', 1822, in Orange townshi|), Richland (nov Ash. land) county, Ohio. He removed with lii.s latheis family t-j !-iroiison township, Huron county, Ohio, 1x27.

He was married May2I,l.s50,to Miss .Mary Kinlay of Coshocton co'jnty. Ohio. To them were born three children : Wm, J., of Cambridge. Ohio; Catherine Iv, wife of Rev H. J. \'. Booth, of Doyleston. Ohio, and Finlay on the home farm.

While he has been diligent in business he has been I'aith.ful in church service. For forty-nine years, a member of the Methodist l-^piscapal church, h'or fi)rty-seveu years continuously recording steward of the circuit, and lor over forty-two years ha.s not mi.ssed being present at Huarterly meeting. He was a hsent hut fti'iir on account of sickness. out of ISS (|uarlerly meetings. Hehjs been forty-five years .secretary and treasurer of board of truste- s : twice chairman of building committee; has had charge of building two churches. He has been forty vears a class leader: more than twenty years district steward ; more than twenty years Sunday school superintendent : more than thirty years Sunday school teacher, and twenty-four years continnonsly Justice of the Peace.

Hon. Icyhrt Bogardis

HON. ICYHRT BOGARDIS Was liorn September I"., Is|:l. He died June 2S, ls;i2. .\sa manhewas upright and honest in his dealings: as a citizen he was public spirited. He served the county twelve years, as commissioner, as representative in the general assembl> , and as justice of the peace. .\s a christian his life was exemplary, and his memor\ is green and fragrant in the minds of his friends and neighbors.

Was born in the state ot \'erm(>iit, in 177^. He came to Huron county, Oliio, in 1.S17. In 1S20 he was married to Miss Polly Barbour, a native of I)L-la\var(;. ^vlio caint to this coniity in I^IH, wIkii 11» years of ajje. TliL-ir first li'iinc was in 'IN.uiiseiul. It was a loj^ caliiii in tin woods, and coiitaiiiL-d only one room, 14 fi-t-l scinarc. It was not only tlic kitchen. Iicdrooni and parlor, hut also a niiniatnrc factory - for lieri; stood llic oldfashioned loom and s|iinnin<; wheel, on which she spiiii the wool and wove the cloth from which their ciothiiit; was made. In the construction of this house there was n.ilhinj; of iron, noi even a nail, and no sawed board or timber. The woud> around the home alioimded in liears. wolves, deer and other wilil aiiimaN. and less tliau a mile distant was an Indian camp, lu ll^'!l they removed to their home on the Medina roarl, two and a half miles east of Xorwalk. Ileie .\Ir. Sherman dievl in IS.Sl), and Mrs. .Sherman in IH.SfS. They were l)i)tli. Irom their youth, esteemed inend)ers of the Hai>tist church. There were liorn to them seven children, only two of whom are now I'vinj;: Mrs. Harriet Roberts, widow of Warren I). Rol.eits, and Mrs I.ucv S . uife of Rev. C. ]'. Leonard. I) I).

A representative business man of Norwalk, was born at Wilkesbarre. Penua.. March -!!. IS-IV In IS 17 his parents removed to Huron county Ohio. The subject was educated at the Huron Institute at Milan, an:l in youth taught scIuxjI in this county. Later he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, .stone ((uarryinj;, and dealing in real estate. He assisted in laying out the route of the Wheeling and Lake Rrie Railway.

Was born in Thornton, C.rafton Co.. New Hampshire, May (I. ISDI, where he resided until 1X!2. when he removed with his parents to Hopkinpton, N. H. In 1M17 his parenis a,u;aiu removed to Middlesse.x, New York where they resided until ISij:!, in which year they removed to Rid.t;efield township, Huron Co. The subject of the sketch came in the fall of same year, covering the entire distance on foot. April '22, lSo2, he was united in marriage to Miss ICnima Jane Hloomer, who died October !l, ISMS.

When a yonn,g man he learned the trade of a carpenter, and though he became a master workman in that line he abandoned it, devoting his attention to fanning. In INSJ he removed to Kast Xorwalk where he resided until his death, which occurred May '2'2, 1S!I4.

Mrs. Albert Browx

iMuma Jane Bloomer was born in Dorset, \'ermout. May IS, ]si1,s. She removed to Ridgefield with her parents, Reuben and Loi ; Bloomer, in \x\l. Aprd '22, 1S;!'2, she married Albert Brown, and for more than fiftythree years they were residents of Monroeville. Mrs. Brown united with the Presbyterian church in IS-IO and was a consistent Christian and men - bcr until lier death, O.-tobc'r '.>. l>iS,S.

Large land ownor and stuck raider of the northern part of C.reeuwich townsiiip, second son of Cieorge Thomas and .\daline (Baker) TluMuas, was born in the town of I^seter. Otsego comity. Xew York, October "24. ISIS; obtained a common school education in the district school nf his neighb<irhood. and at a school academy at Clinton, Xew York. In the winter of lS4(t-41. taught district school at Hiru\ington h'lats, X. Y. Studied law for one summer in 1^^4:1, afterwards taught .schocd winters and worked on liis father's farm suniniers. .\pril, lS4'i. he came to Ohio and .settled on the farm where he now lives. In 1S4II Mr. 'JMiomas was united in marriage with Miss lUlen .McOmber. at Columbus, Ohio: from this union the following children were born: Orr I'ri Thomas, George '1'. Thomas. presi.-nt probate judge of Huron county, and Dora H. Thomas. In lS''il Mr. Thomas' wife died, and in IS(i4 he was married to Miss Myra B. Stowe of Huron, t^rie count.\ . Ohio. Mr. Tliomas is a man of wide reading, highly intelligent and of gre;it [lerseverance.

Martix Hi'Sticr

attending during the winter months, the subscription schools ,,| i;,. community. When his jiareiits removefl to Columbiana counts , (1. acconipaiiie<l them, where for four ..r five years he devoted his atteiti,,. to fanning. He then removed to Orange township. Richland (now .\vhh,,., count)), where he liecame tlie jxisscssor ol liiil acres of land, and resnl, until 1S24, in which \ear he removed to Bronsoii townshi]). llx,r,,- coniitv . settling upon land purchased from Judge Soutligate, and Har. spent the remainder of his busy life, dying in 1S7t». In !'«)!» he marrii. .Miss Mar> Stongli. of l-ayette county. Pa., and to the union were Uirn live children.

JAMi:S C. GIBBS. This subject was born in Xorwalk. August 7. 1S.»2, and there rear-i| After being graduated from the Xorwalk High Scliwl in D^tlit, he learne., the trade of a printer. He then attended Lafayette College at j;asto!i Peiina., after which he became connected with the Chicago Inter Ocean. In ]S7:1 he purchased an interest in the Xorwalk Reflector, and has many years been manager of that successlul journal. I le is vice i)resideiil of The Lanir.g I'rinting Co.; treasurer of the Xalional IC.litorial .Vsso^-i:,. tion of the United States; president of the Ohio .Savings. Loan ar.ii Investment Co ; president of the present board of education of the city of Xorwalk, and is also connected with various enterpri.ses calcu lated to advance the moral and material interests of the coniniunity.

HOX. J.\Y F. I.AXIXC, Was bom at Xew London, O., May IJ. 1.^.'):'.. where he resided until January, 1.SS2, when he moved to Xorwalk, which city lias since lH:e;i his residence. He was educated cliiclly at the public .schools. From the a'^e ol l.Jto21 his time was sjient winters in teaching. During these year.s his spare hours were devoted to the study of law. In l>7o he w. as admitted to the bar, and followed the practice for eight years.

In lS7'i he married Caroline K. Sheldon, youngest daughter of Rnlus and .Mary Sheldon, for many years residents of Greenwich township, an.i six children have blest their union.

He was a member of the council of this city f.r four yeirs. and is ji present the member of the state senate, having been elected in 1*11:1 ami reelected in I'^'.i.').

a.ssunie the duties ol clerk of courts, to which ofTice he h.ad Ik-c-u elected j in the fall of 1SS4. 'I'his office he continued to ludd for six years, when he retired from it. and again began the practice f)f law . I'or seven years he has been a member of the cit.\ board of education.

.Son of Klmon and F,li/abeth Hoyt, was born October 22. IStjO, at Xorth Fairfield, this county. His boyhood w.as passed U|win the farm and in ! attendance of the public .schools. After clerking in a general store at Xorth Fairfield for one year he was given the management ol it and for si.x years successfully conducted same. In IsS:! he and his father became owners of the stock, and erected, in the same year, a large brick Iniildinu where Mr. Hoyt established perhaps the l)est country store in Ohio. In 1SS7 he removed to Xorwalk. engaging in the dry goods business. In IS'.K', he. with Mr. C. F. J.ukson. purchased the lot upon which the ol.i Methodist Church stood for many years, and erected the kirge building known as the Gl.iss Ulock. In his venlnres Mr. Hoyl has ilisplaycd excellent jnilgniciit anil as a gentleman and lniMincss man he is highly esteemed.

Sanuiel A. Viildman ua-^ liorii in Clarkslkld, Huron county. March 2H, 1M4);. He is tlie sun ol t-rederick .\. Wildniaii. a resident of tliis city. At the age of 1"> he entered a printing office, l)Ut uIkii not (|uite 1^> years old, in February, ISii}, he enlisted as a private in the --<[\i ()liio Infantry Volunteers, and served until the muster out of tiie regiineiU on June X, ISdt!, more than a .\ear alter the close of the war. llis rank at muster out was that of sergeant. In li^tiT he entered Western Reserve college at Hudson, <")., Init did not complete his course. I'imiu leaving cidlege he began the studv of law. was admitted to the bar in 1^70, and has been engaged in practice e\er since.

At present he is i>resideut of the Cliildren's Home association ol Huron county, president of the Xorwalk board of educition, was for years trustee of the h'irelands Historical societv'. and has been for man\- years secretary of the Whittlesey Academy of Arts and .Sciences. He was the nomijice of the Republican party for circuit judge in 18K7. Mr. Wildman is one ol the leaders of the Norwalk bar, ninkiiig as one of its brightest ornaments. His literar>' ability is ol a very high order. He was nuirried on July 1-i, 1S7'', to h'lien lUizabeth Howe, daughter of Samuel H. Howe, of Xorw.ilk.

Chari.Ks H. Stewart

CHARI.KS H. STEWART, Son of Hon. Gideon T. and .Vbby (Sinnnons) Stewart, was born in Norwalk, November >>, IM.'iD. He attended the schools of Norwalk and coniideted his education at the Ohio Wesleyan l'ni\ersily, Delaware, C, after which he commenced the study of law in his father's office and in 1>SSJ was admitted to the bar. He spent some time in successful practice, but at the same time was operating largely in real estate. He laid out and disposed ol several additions to the city ol' No'walk, and built a great many houses, a large lunnber of which he retains. His enlei prise has been a factor of importanci- in the growth of the city. He has been actively connected with a nundjer ol industries and business enterprises calcidated to promote the growth ol Norwalk. He was one of the founders and i.« \'ice President of the Norwalk Savings bank. His financial operations have not been confined to Norwalk, he having assisted in organizing the ICuc'id Avenue Savings bank of Cleveland and is now its president. He has been very successful in his undertakings and there is seemingly a brilliant future for him.

Eldest son of Rufus and Mary Griffin Sheldon, was Ijorn in Greenwich township. He passed his early years upon a farm. At quite a juvenile age he commenced teaching .school, and fin' .several years divided his lime between teaching and going to .school at Oberlin. He graduated at the Cleveland Medical College, and practiced medicine, until in 1SS4. I'e became connected with tile Lauing I'rinting Co., and took up his home in Norwalk. His affable ways made him many friends, and in IS'.'ii he was elected Auditor of Huron county. He has been a very popular official, and was re-elected in IMI-J.

Frederick. Christian Wick.Ham

The Uiird sou of Judge FVederick and Lucy Bancroft Wickham was born in Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, .\ugust o, lf<4:2. When a lad he attended the public .schools of Norwalk. When ready to complete his education enlisted in August. lHi2, in the l"J:!d O. V. I. regiment, serving as commissary of the regiment until mustered out with his regiment in June, 1S(!."). Was postmaster of Norwalk for eight years. Is a printer by trade, and assistant local editor of the Norwalk Daily Reflector. He resides with his family in Norwalk, Ohio.

graduated from the Norsvalk high school in 1«II7. In IS'il' he was elected sui«.rintendent of the IWUevue public .scIum.Is, which i>..sition he held for six years. He was admitted to-lhe bar in 1N77. He was city clerk of Norwalk for two years and mend)er of the Huron county board of examiners, three years. In 1X711 he was elected prosecnting att.iniey ol Huron ci>unty and held that olfice b.r seven years. He was elected t(i the state legislature in lx.s7 and twice re-elected. In \X-<2 he was chosen speaker of the house of representatives. Mr. I.aylin is now engaged in the practice of his prolessioii, ranking among our leading attorneys and most public spirited citizens.

John Gardiner

JOHN GARDINER W.is born September ->, IXltJ. at Gardiner's I'oint. Connecticut. In ls:!l ht attended school at 1! icon Academy, Connecticut. In the fall of IM:.', he was peistiaded by his uncle, J. M. Latimer, to visit Ohio and in -May, is:',:;, he arrived at Norwalk. After clerking for a time in the store of P. and J. Latimer he took a clerkship in the Bank ot Norwalk and afterward bec.mic its cashier. In 1840 he began the business of merchandising and continued in that until 1x47. when he. with others. established the Norwalk branch ol the State Hank of Ohio, witli which he remained as cashier ."lul manager until the bank closed its busine.ss in 18i;.). He then organized Tile Norwalk National Bank and has sinc^ been its President.

Mr. C>ardiner was one of the origin.d incorporators of the Toledo. Cleveland and Norwrilk Railway company, which afteiward became the Cleseland and Toledo Railway company. He was a director in that company and for a considerable time its president. He is a diiector ot the Siiidusk\ , M.msfield and Newark Railway company and has lieeii its president for a number of years. He has also l)eeii counected with other railway enterprises and projects ol a similar clia'.acter.

Ry industry, integrit\- .and perseverance he has accumulated a handsome loituiie and is one of the largest properly holders in Huion county.

Hon. C. P. Wickham

HON. C. P. WICKHAM Was born in Norwalk and had been admitled to the bar, after graduating from the Cincinnati Law School, shortly before the breaking out of t!ie civil war. linlisting in IXGl as a private in the onh O. V. I., he served all through the war and returned as Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment.

Resuming his law practice, he was elected pro.secnting attorney and afterwards common pleas judge. He w.as elected member of coiigie.ss, resigning from the bench to take his .se.at in Washington. He .served through the and .")lst Congresses, being appointed by Si)eaker Reed chairman of the important committee on Coinage. Weights and Measures.

Since his public career terminated he has diligently practiced his profession, his practice extending to all the counties of northern Ohio, his services being freiiuently called lor when important mailers are in litigation. Judge Wickham is justly regarded at home and abroad as one of Ohio's leading citizens.

Judge Frederick Wickham

JUDGE FREDERICK WICKHAM Was born in New York City, March 11, 181-2. His boyhcod w.as spent in Sodus. N. v.. where the family moved swni alter his birth. M the age of 21 he and his brother opened a store in Norwalk, O.. and there in l.x:>.) he married Miss Lucy B. Preston, the only daughter of .Samuel Pre.sto!!. who in lx:ll) founded the Reflector. A short time alter his marriage Mr. Wickham entered his father-in laws printing office, and that occiip.ilion he has follo.ved ever since. Aside from his editorial duties. Judge \\ ickham has taken a very .active and prominent part in the affairs of his community and state. He has been a.s.sociate common pleas judge, a member of the Ohio senate, mayor of Norwalk, and has held many other honorable positions.

Was 1)1)111 ill Norw:ilk, in l.s:U .lli.s >;Kimllatlur, I'l;iU liL-iK-ilict, hiiik IIilfirst house ill XorwalU, in 1S17. Me j;r.ulualf(l al Madison University, HaiTiiltoii, X. v.. in Is'iii, and at tlie Ciiicinnati Law .School in IM-'iS. Practiced law in Michij;.ni until IH72, was prosecuting attorney in that state ten consecutive years, and iiieiiiberof its legislature in IfiGU- 7. Since Ids return to Xorwalk iii 1S72, he has l)een an active friend and promoter of all worthy pnlilic eiiterpri.ses and to l>is efforts and energy Xorwalk is largely indelited lor the possession of the Wlu-eling and Lake Ivrie k. K. and its shops, The A. li. Chase factory and many other improvements. He is I'resident of the Home Sivings and Loan Co. of Norwalk.

Was iHirn in Wcslmorchuul count)-, I'a., January ^Jn. IT'.U. The records of the pension department show that his father, William McKelvey. was granted a pension for si.\ years' actual .service in the Revolutionary war. The family removed from l'eniis\lvania to Portage count)'. Ohio, in 1804, from there to Trumbull county, in ISOi;, .md from there to Oreenlleld townshiii in 1^1.'). Xanc\ Adams was horn in Wiiidom county, \'ermont, July -'in, IT'.'S, and with licr parents moved to Creenliekl township, in ISIo. Iler lather, liildad Adams, was one <if the first three commissioners of Huron county, and she tau.ght the first school in Peru township. It was at Max\ille, and w.is one lA the first in the county. Xancv Adams and Matthew .\lcKelve.\- were married March 27, ISIS, in (Jreeiifield township. .Soon after their marriage they moved to the town of Portland, now the city of Sauduskx', where the originals of the portraits appearing elsewhere in this volume were painted. The\ are believed to have been the first portraits painted in u h.it was then Huron count), now Huron and birie counties. Mr. McKel\e\- was engaged in the mercantile business at Portland until ISJ.J, when lumoved to Paris, now Plymouth, Huron and Richland counties, where he purchased and completed the tliiril frame building erected in that locality, opened the first general store, and materially aided in advancing the growth of the town by building a considerable number of houses In 1S:1II he erected a building lor the purpose and established a "Seminary for Voung Ladies." The) resided in PI) mouth until 1S41. when the)- moved to Hardin count)-. I)ut returned to PI) mouth in lS4l'. Mr McKelvey died in Greenfield towlisliip March LS, IS.VL They had ten cliildren, seven .girls and three bo\s. Tile three youngest of the children are still living: Martha. Mrs. ]-.. C. Scovell. in ('.reeiitield township, Matthew, in Tiffin, Ohio, and John, in .Sandusky. O.

Hox. Elkuthlros Cookic

HOX. ELKUTHLROS COOKIC Died at his home in Sandusky, December 27, ISIU. For nearly a half century, his name was identified with many i)ublic enterprises and improvements incident to the settling of the iMrelands. He w.is the pioneer of railroad eiiterpri.se in the West, having been the original projector and an earnest co-worker in the construction ol the Mad River Railroad, which was the first railroad built west of the Allegheny Mountains and the fourth in the United States. He served in both branches of State Legislature and as a iiiember of Congress. As a lawyer he had few ecpials in Ohio. He was born in Granville, X'. V., December 2"i, 17S7, the year in which the i-onstitution of the United States was framed by the general convention, and his name Llentheros was given in coiiiluemoration of that event.

He was at one time a resident of Lyme township, at Cooke's Corners, this county, and a view of his home, the liirth place of his son, the eminent financier, Jay Cooke, is given el.sewdiere in this volume.

Mr Wildman was born September 24. l.S4(), in Clarksfield township, Huron county, where he was reared and became the recipient of a g<Mid educat on

Hates and Gilbert, of Xorwalk. Later he removed tt) Iowa Palls, !i.u:\. where he was employed in a mercantile estalilisliment. In ISSO, liavinreturned from the west several years i>reviiius. he embarked, in a .sni.iU wa) , in the dry goods and notion business at Oberlin: and later at Kipton, Lorain county. In ISlSil he remo,ed to Clarksfield. and in l>i'.il (,, West Clarksfield, where, until ISI'.j, he successfully conducted a large general store. Mr. Wildman is a staunch Republican and in Ai)ril. 1MI2, was appointed postmaster at West Clarksfield. He now resjiles ill Xorwalk, having retired from active business engagements.

Left Danbury, Conn., early in the spring of 1817, and in the suinnier of that year located in Clarksfield township, and was the first white settler. He immediately began the work of tlie erection of the first dwellinc:. wliii li was of logs and Inrnished in ir.o.st primitive style. He .soon after leturned to Connecticut and in the following year. 1S|S. he again made the joiirne)- to his log house in the wilderness of Clarksfield lown>li:p. ami liter erected the fir-l Irame house in the tcjwnship, it being situated in the

He was prominent in pioneer improvements, and assisted greatl) in the advaiueineiit of all measures calculated to be of benefit to the com. iiiuuity. He was religiously, a Presbyteiian, and conducted at hi.s home the first religious services held in Clarksfield township, he reading <iom volumes of sermons brought with him through the forests to ClaiksfieUI.

Came to Norwalk, Ohio, from Xorwalk, Ctnin., with his father's family in is IS. The portrait appearing el.sewhere was made when he was thirty-five

.Mr. Theodore Williams i> a native of Xorwalk. O., and w.as Iktu Januar\ :;, lS2n. His father was a law)er of prominence, and was lor several ) ears i)rosecutiiig attorne) of Huron county. Mr. Williain>' elenieutar) education w.is obtaiiieil in the district and private school.- of tl'.at early date, and was completed in llie X..rw.ilk Seminary. In ls;!4 he commenced clerking in llie store ol P. and J. M. Latimer, in .Xorwalk. In is:'i7 he entered upon a clerksliip in the store <.f .Milton W. G.mkIiiow. succeeded in a short time b\- the linn of Goodnow & I'Mwards. Ill 1>>4:; he became an e(|ual partner in the firm of Goodnow & Williams. This partnership continued until January. 1S.>1, when by the death of .\Ii. Goodnow it terminated, and Mr. Williams purchased Mr. GiKidiiow's interest in the business.

Mr. Williams continued in the bu>iiiess of merchaiidi-ing until 1"^^-'. a period of 42 vears. Upon retiring he found himself the owner ol t'.vo merchant llouring mills, one located in Xorwalk. and the other near Toledo, and these to.gether with the managing of his several larnis. occupy most of his time and attention. In 1SS2 he was elected president of the I'irst Xational bank of Xorwalk. holding the iMisitioii lor eight years, when he resigned after l)eiiig re-elected to the ixisition. He has al.so held other offices of trust and responsibility, and i> at pre-eiit president, secretar) . treasurer and superiiiteiideiit ol WiMidlawn ceiiieter) .

In 1S70 he was elected on the State Hoard of luiuali/ation. Kor seventeen years he was a member of the board of education of the public scho<ds of Xorwalk, and occupied during a large part of the time the po-itioii of \)resideiit of the board.

Rkv. Johx H. Pitkzicl

Was born in Frederick county, Md., .\pril IS. 1814, son of Heiiiy and Mary P. Pite/.el ; moved to Licking county, Ohio, in the spring ol 1823. Here his parents twice went into the unbroken forest, in each

Picturesque Muron

JAMKS WHirPLK liAKICU, The eldest .son of Timothy liaker, was bom in Fairfield, Herkimer coniily. N. Y., May 11, iNll', and came to Norwalk the same year arriviiij; September :'l. His education wa.s in the Norwalk Academy, and a short time in Uenison Uiiiversily, in Giauville, Ohio. I'Vom 1841 to 18I.5 he was eiigas^ed in the mercantile business in company with his father, under the firm name of J. W. liaker & Co. And again from IMS to l;<il with N. H. Jennings, under the name of Haker & Jennings. I'rom 1S45 to 1S.J8 he cariied on the foundry and machine business, corner of Iwst Main and Medina (now Woodlawu) streets.

From 1841 to 1S4'), he held the ofTice of township clerk: Isl.') and (i he was a meinber of the city cjuncil. From 1877 to l8S:i he was deputy collector of internal revenue, having the counties of Huron, Seneca and Crawford as his district. He has lor manv years been prominently connected with the Baptist church.

MRS, MARY HIGGINS GHiliS Was born in li^-.th. New York, May 17, 18i2(!, the daughter of James Gilbert Higgins. Her mother was Charlotte Townsend. In 18;>j she came 'o Norwalk, living with her uiandiather, Rev. David Higgins, a pioneer Presbyterian preacher and a Revnlutionary soldier. For a few years she lived in Ottawa, III, and with her father enduring the countless privations of genuine pioneer lite. Her father died in 18411. and she returned to Noiwalk, marrying here in ISPi, Ral]ih Mai\iii Gibbs (son of one of Norwalk's earliest .settlers, D.ivid Gibbs), who was born in 1824 and died suddenly of cholera in 18J4, leaving her a widow with four small children, three daughters and one .sou - James G. Gibbs.

She made her home with her sj,tei, Mrs. IClizabeth H. F'arr, and until the death of Mrs. F'arr in l^l'v!. the two were inseparable in works of religion, benevolence and Icniperaiice. For half a century she has been a zealous meinber of the Presbyterian church, and for as long she has taught a class in the Sunday school. For forty years she was a member of the choir, most of the time as (.rganist. leader, and as the principal sojjrano singer of the town ; her mu.sical talent was always ready to respond to every call of a public nature. F'or twenty years she has regularly conductc.l religious services on Sunday in the jail ; and in many other ways lur time ami talents have been devoted to the good of others.

Fxizap.Icth Higgins Farr

Was born in Bath, N. Y., June 17, 18-J:>, and with a sister came to Norwalk in 18:j.j, and was reared by her grandfather Rev. David Higgins. a pioneer minister. In 18.j.") she married Joseph M. F'arr. one of the lounders of the Norwalk Ivsperiinent. She was a life long member ol the Presbyterian church, and was a faithlul and beloved teacher in the Sunday .school. As a worker in the temperance cause, in the Relief Society, among the poor, and among the unfortunate, the sick, tlie dying, in every walk of life, her .labors were constant and marked by that tender sympathy and that forgetfulness of self which attested their genuineness. She died July 2.'), 18!t:l.

Mrs. F. A. Pitkzki

Miss Ivslhei Ann (^.ibbs was born in Norwalk, Conn., April iM, 181.1. With her pareius, Samuel R. Gibbs. Sr., and wife, and six children, herself included, she came to Norwalk, Ohio, in June, 1818, and setlkd on a farm in I-^ast Norwalk. The familv lived in several places but returned 'o Norwalk, where she became a student in the old Norwalk Seniinary. .She was a teacher one year at the Wyandot Mission. In l.^:|ii she married Rev. George W. Brecktnridge, and spent thirty-three lia[ipy years with him in the itinerancy, blest with a lainily of seven children, four boys and three girls, of whom one daughter and three s<jns survive. She has lived in Norwalk now nearly twenty years. In Is^T she was married to Rev. J. II. P.te/.vl. with whom in her ipiiet home she expects to spend the remnant of her d.iys. She has been a niemljer of the Methodist ICpiscop.il Church for sixty-two years.

Mrs. M. A. Corwin

Is a daughter of the late Hon. Timothy Baker, one of Norwalk's earliest iiioneers. She was educated at the old Norwalk Semiiiary when it was a leading institution of the state. In 1840 she married Rev. Ira Corwin. Mrs. C'orwin has been a prominent leader in promoting the literary and social culture of Norwalk. where she now resides at an advanced age. respected and beloved by all who know her.

Was born June *i, 1820, in Greene county, New York. He came to Norwalk in 18.')4 with his parents, who located upon a farm in Bronson township. He attended the Norwalk schools, and when a young man de\ oted .some time and attention to teaching. In l>4<i he embarked i:i mercantile pursuits in Norwalk and continued in .same for many years- He at one time conducted the St Charles Hotel.

He was distinguisheil for his earnest work in the church and Sunday school. He was one of the most active members of the F'irelaiids Pioneer Society, and took great interest in its work. His life among us was well spent, and at his death, November 14, 18.s7, manv who cherislieil his friendsliip vere left to mourn his departure.

Sumuel I". Newuian was born Juh 10. 1.'<2'1, at Greenville. Greene county. New Yoik. In IS^U he moved with his p irents to Huron county, where he received his education in the district sclnxil. augmented by a short course at Bahiwiu's Institute located at Berea. <). After teaching district .school for five > cars, he was called to fill the chair of mathematics and natural science in Norwalk Institute in 18.'i2. teaching three jears. He then taught in the public schools until the year IS.IS. Resigning, lie, with Rev. .A. C. Brainard, established the Western Reserve Normal .-chool at Milan, O. Rev. Brainard resigning after two years. Mr. Newman ronducted that school as principal tor eleven years. During that time over 1,1100 teachers were educated. In lS7lMie returned to Norwalk and en. gaged in the insurance business, which business he now lollows. In l>>'>2 he was appointed county examiner of schools, a position he has filled almost constantly since that time. He was a member of the Norwalk City Council, and of the Board of Kducation, for several terms. In 1>i;0 Keiiyon College granted him the honorary degree of A. M.

Col. C. L. Khnnan

Cortland L. Kennan is the son of Jaras and Charlotte E. ( C»ardiner I Kennaii, one of the pioneer families of Huron county, the father having took up his residence here in 18;!1. The son was Inirn December 2'.'. l'«47. He was educated in the (mblic schools of Ni>rwalk. and at Adelbert College, from which he graduated in 1^7'!. He afterwards studied law, and has been one of the prominent members of the Huron county bar. Mr. Kennan has a decided love for military affairs. In 1877 he joined Co. G., Kith Regt.. O. N. G. He was promoted rapidly and l>ecame First Lieutenant in 18S2. In 1>'87 the company was transferred to the "itli Regt.. and in 1>><7 he became Lieutenant Colonel. He was elected as Colonel ill 180:5. Col. Kennan, as a comnianding officer, is regarded as one of the best in the National Guard,

Is a ii.itive of Toiiipkiii^ t<niiity. \. V., luirn NnvL-iiilicr l>^Jli. Hi: came with his paic-iits U) Huron county in IS.'!:!. Mis cihicalion wu^. ohtainei.1 in the (.onnlrv .schools ami al the old Norualk SL-uiinarv. Hestudicil law in the ollkx- at tlic Hon. SaiiuRl T. Wocistci. but before completing the course necessars to ailinit him lo the liar, he was licensed as a local preaciier in the M. 1'.. cliuieh. He occupied severaf leadinj^ appointments and had so risen in prominence in 1>>I!4, that he was stationed at Trinity M. K. church, New York cit\ . l-'ailing health obliged his resignation of thatcliar^'c and in 1NU7, he returned to Xorwalk. A year later he was j;ivcn charge ol the local M. H. Churcli. He has since held many pastorates of prominence in Michigan and Ohio. Dr. Hildreth is a very eloc|uent speaker and few excel him as a lecturer or pulpit orator. Having; retired froi!> active ministry, he now lives in a quiet way in Norw.ilk. He retains a high degree of \ igor ol both body and mind and his services in the pulpit or on the platform are much sought.

lUAVAkl) ICVKLVN HISTHIJ, Son ol Samuel Hasted, was born in iJanbury. Conn.. IJeceml>er l-!. 1mi.', and came with his father's family to Clarkslield. Huron Co , Oliio, in 1>*11). He married Deborah Oray. December LI, 1n:!1. Iu 1>41 .Mr Hn.sted was elected sheriff of the county, and M;rve<l two terui.s, rectiv ing his first commission I'rom Thomas Corwin, and his second from (',(,\ Shannon. Afterwards he held tlie office of county treasurer for tw.i terms. For many years Mr. Hnsltd was in the boot and shoe bu>iiie«, with his brother-in law. I^raslu< Gray, who came lo Norwalk in 1^ ;j. Mr. Husted died Decemljer 24. 1"<7S. hi.s wife September 'J*^. 1^n4. The-, were active inemtiers of the Xorwalk Congregational church, transferring tlieir membership lo that body soon after its organization. To Mr. and Mrs. Hii.-.ted were born ten children, seven of them living to become themselves, patents. For .several years he was a memlier of iht rnion School board, and always took an active pari in whatever would advance the best interests of Norwalk.

Pack

Ceinelerv atilCast Towiisend. a view in .l-'i Cemeterv at New London, a view in 44 Central School Building, Norwalk... r, Center street, New Haven Ii»l»

Source changes here: from History of Huron County Ohio Its Progress and Development, by A.J. Baughman, published 1909; 11,662 words in this source stream.

Norwalk City

Norwalk, the county seat of Huron county, takes its name from Huron, Connecticut. The inhabitants of that town having suffered great loss by the British, burning and destroying property in that town, in the Revolutionary war, were in part compensated for their loss by lands in Ohio, called the Firelands, and organized as Huron county 1818, containing half a million of acres. Their loss was estimated at eighty-six thousand, two hundred and ninety-six dollars.

Norwalk is a beautiful city, fifty-six miles west of Cleveland, about ninetyfive miles north of Columbus, and fifty-seven miles east of Toledo. One of the chief attractions of Norwalk is its principal avenue, Main street, which is two miles in length and is beautifully shaded by rows of maple trees. The center is the business portion, with court house, school buildings and churches. Much taste is evinced in the private residences and churches, and in adorning the ground around them with shrubbery and flowers. As a whole the city is one of the most beautiful and attractive in Ohio.

The town is often called "Maple City," on account of the beautiful maple trees that line the streets. The town is an important station on the Michigan Southern and the Wheeling & Lake Erie railroads. It also has a number of electric railroads as given elsewhere.

Platt Benedict was the founder of the town. He was from Danbury, Connecticut. His death occurred October 25, 1866, at the age of ninety-one years, seven months and seven days.

He was four years old when the British red-coats came to his native town to do mischief, having burned Norwalk, Connecticut on their way. Perhaps it was this incident that indirectly paved the way to his founding an Ohio Norwalk. When he came out here in 1817, he was seven weeks on the journey coming out, with his family and household goods, the latter stowed away in a wagon drawn by oxen.

About a mile west of the village were some ancient fortifications. The town is surrounded by rich farming lands, has a fine commercial trade, and considerable manufacturing interests.

The site of Norwalk was first visited with a view to founding a town, by Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, Platt Benedict, and one or two others, in October, 1815. The place was then in the wilderness, and there were but a few settlers in the county. The examination being satisfactory, the town plat was laid out in the spring following, by Almon Ruggles, and lots offered for sale at from sixty to one hundred dollars each. In the fall of 1817, Platt Benedict built a log house with the intention of removing his family there, but in his absence, it was destroyed by fire. He reconstructed his dwelling shortly afterwards, and thus the founding of the village was commenced. In the May following Norwalk was made the county seat, and the public buildings subsequently erected. The year after a census was taken and the population had reached one hundred and nine. In the first few years of the settlement church organizations were formed, the Methodist being the first, a class being fermed in 1820. In 1821, the Episcopal church was instituted. From that time to the present the town has grown with the progressive increase of the county.

Early History Of Bellevue And Its Progress

Bellevue is located on the north and south line between the counties of Huron and Sandusky, being on the west line of the Connecticut Western Reserve, one hundred and twenty miles west of the east line of the state of Ohio, and one hundred and two miles east of its western boundary, and is twelve miles south of Sandusky Bay. It is on the line of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad, forty-five miles east of Toledo and sixty-seven miles west of Cleveland.

Immediately eastward lie the prairies, and, adjacent, on the west are what was in early times called the Openings," and the vicinity on all sides is first class farming land of hardly surpassed fertility and beauty.

The limestone formation - Silurian period - crops out a little east of town, and its comb on edge, of varying width from two to four miles, extends in a line nearly north and south from near Sandusky Bay, some fifteen miles southward. The limestone is amply covered by the "drift" adapting the region to farming uses, but the rock is very much fractured and tilted, forming innumerable crevices and caves, and so thick is the formation that these caves and crevices form usually an abundant under drainage to the said limestone region and there are no streams of any considerable length on the surface. At different places these caverns cay be entered by passages leading down to the great reservoir of waters below. This is what is consequently called the "sink-hole" region, and is beyond question the source of the splendid springs of unfailing and abundant water power to the mills of Gold Creek and Venice and the village of Bellevue whenever the times comes, may, by means of the proper machinery, easily procure from this great natural reservoir an abundant supply of clear. cold water.

The titles to land in the Huron county portion of the village have an interesting history, going back to the charter of Charles the IL, king of Great Britain. in A. D. 1662, known as the Connecticut charter, and involving also interesting events in the Revolutionary war, and subsequent accounts of congress and of the state of Connecticut; but we have not space to pursue the subject.

Huron county was created by the act of February 7, 1807, and included all the "Firelands," viz, five hundred thousand acres off the west end of the Western Reserve, and was to be organized when the legislature should think proper, but till then, was to remain as it then was, attached to Portage and Geauga counties for judicial purposes. The War of 1812, and other causes deferred the organization of Huron county, until the 31st of January, 1815.

The territory now embraced in Lyme and Groton townships was first organized as the township of Wheatsborough, being named after Mr. Wheat, who owned a large tract in what is now Groton. In A. D. 1820, Lyme township was organized, embracing its present territory and also a strip one mile wide next north thereof now a part of Groton. In 1840, its limits were fixed as thev now are. Sandusky county was part of an old Indian territory, and was organized April r, 1820.

Earliest Settlers

John Baker and his son, Hiram, Mark Hopkins, Elnathan George, Return Burlinson, Charles E. Drake, James and John Kinney, Henry Williard, Thomas G. Amsden, Frederick Chapman, Dr. Amos Amsden, N. Chapman and Dr. L. G. Harkness are among the first settlers in the vicinity and of the above named pioneers only three are still living, namely, Hiram Baker, Thomas G. Amsden and Dr. L. G. Harkness.

First Settlers Who Built Log Cabins In What Is Now Bellevue

The first settler within the present limits of Bellevue was Mark Hopkins, of Genesee county, New York, who with his family located in the fall of 1815, where Peter Bates now lives and built the first log cabin.

The next was Elnathan George, who came with his family in the spring of 1816, from Genesee county, New York. He purchased one acre of land of Gurdon Williams, for which he gave him a cow, and built the second log house and fixed his home on the lot where the Tremont block still stands. The next year he put up an addition to his dwelling, making it a "double-loghouse," and opened a tavern. The settlements in this region were yet very sparse, but the main line of travel between the east and west was the Strong's Ridge road to this point.

Return Burlinson next came and fixed his home, on what is now known as the Herl property, on the Sandusky county side in A. D. 1817, and started a blacksmith shop. He at first bought two acres and afterwards bought eleven one-hundredths of an acre more at the southeast corner of the same and built the third log house thereon, and which stood partly in what is now Main street, a litle westward from the southwest corner of the present Exchange hotel and nearly opposite the head of Kilbourne street. A year or two after Mr. John Kinney completed a log house, near D. Moore's present blacksmith shop, making the fourth habitation of this kind. He also followed blacksmithing.

Charles E. Drake, in 1822 purchased of the United States "fractional-eighty," being the east one-half of southeast quarter of section twenty-five in York township, embracing most of the present village on the Sandusky side, and about the same time Captain Zadoc Strong "entered" for Dr. James Strong the eighty acres next west.

In the division of the Firelands among the "sufferers" that part next to Bellevue fell to the Latimers, or they became the assignees of the same, and it was known as the "Latimer tract." Gurdon Williams purchased of the Latimers 1816, and Elnathan George bought of Williams. Elnathan George sold his house to Charles F. Drake, Drake to James Kinney, brother to John, Kinney to Hiram Baker, who remodeled it into a frame building in 1831. Baker then transferred it to Mrs. Parmelee, Mrs. Parmelee to Lowell Chandler, who erected the Tremont house in 1836. It passed through several hands and was then again purchased by Lowell Chandler. Shortly after, Mr. J. Egle purchased it and is still its proprietor. The building was occupied as a hotel but a few years, when Mr. Chandler remodeled it into stores, which are now occupied by W. R. West and J. L. Reis.

The First Frame Building

The first frame building on the Sandusky county side, was erected by Chapman & Amsden, on the ground where the Bellevue bank now stands, and was used by them as a store, T. G. Amsden using the upper portion of this building as a dwelling house. The next frame building on the same side was a dwelling house built by N. Chapman, about 1829, in the rear of Goodson & Hubbard's drug store. When the present block was erected this building was moved to the corner of Castalia and North streets. The third frame house Mr. Return Burlinson erected on the lot now owned by Mrs. Herl, where it still stands. Hiram Baker built the first frame building on the Huron county side, in the year 1831, on the land which the Tremont block is situated. This building was burned shortly after. He immediately built another frame house on the same spot, which was occupied by himself and Mr. D. H. Fitch. That building now comprises the east part of the long building east of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1834, Mr. Fitch built another frame building.

The First Road Through Bellevue

In the fall of 1815, when Mr. Baker came here, there were scarcely any public roads, although Indian trails were very thick. He and his son, Hiram, cut a road through the woods from Russel's Corners to Strong's Ridge, where they lived, to the stone quarries, about one mile west of town, and in the spring of 1817 Hiram Baker was one of the party who commenced the road through to Burd's, near Clyde, at which place, and also at Cook's Corners, they put up guide boards, directing travelers to and from Lower Sandusky through Strong's settlement, as it had usually gone from Cook's Corners to Pipe creek and up the North Ridge. At this time there was not a settler between here and Fremont, or Lower Sandusky, as it was then called.

First Stores

Thomas G. Amsden, who came into this country in December, 1819, in company with Nathaniel and Frederick Chapman, has the honor of starting the first store, which was opened in November, 1823, in a good sized log building. When he first came into the country, he was engaged in traffic with the Indians and French.

First Hotels

It was very essential for the weary traveler to have some place to rest and refresh himself, and to provide for this, Mr. Elnathan George threw open the doors of his log "mansion" and invited all who were in need of refreshments for the "inner man," to make themselves at home under his roof. This was done somewhere about 1816, from which time the first hotel takes its date. In 1829 the Exchange was built and opened by Chapman & Harkness.

First Death, Birth And Marriage, Sermon And Church

In the spring of 1817, Mrs. Mark Hopkins was bitten by a massauger, causing her death very shortly after. A few hours before her death she gave birth to a daughter - Jeannette Hopkins. The child grew up to womanhood here. Said birth and death were the first in Bellevue.

The first marriage was that of Israel Markham to Louise Leonard, in 1818, at a house on the lot recently owned and occupied by H. M. Sinclair as his residence.

First School

The first school was opened about the year 1830, at which date the first school house was built, or rather the log building formerly used by Mr. Kinney as a blacksmith shop, was remodeled. It stood in the angle of intersection of

Miscellaneous Items

The first manufacturing establishment was a blacksmith shop, owned by Return Burlinson. Next was the shoe shop of H. Baker. After this Nathan Colwell built a wagon shop. His brother soon followed him and made wagons in a log building a few rods east of the Methodist Episcopal church. A saw mill was next erected by Chapman & Amsden, near the distillery. A postoffice was established here in 1830, with Frederic Chapman as postmaster and went by the name of "York Cross Roads." 1831, Chapman & Amsden put in operation a tannery. The first cabinet shop was opened by David and Benjamin Moore, who for some time were the only furniture dealers in Bellevue. The first practicing physicians were Drs. Harkness and Lathrop, and a Mr. Kent opened the first law office.

The first mill in Lyme township, was built in 1818, by John Baker, and was used only to grind corn. Its construction was as follows: In the first place he took a large white oak stump, perfectly sound, and built a fire on the top or rim of the stump, with chips, etc. This he kept burning directed in such a manner as to form a hole, mortar like, which would hold about one-half bushel of corn. He then set up a crotch a short distance from it which supported a spring pole. To the end of the hole he attached a pestle, with a pin through the handle. About three quarts of corn was put in the mortar at a time, and the churn-like operation of grinding would commence. People used to come miles to grind corn enough to keep them alive until such times as they could get to Cold creek. The finest of the ground corn was used for cake, and the coarsest for mush.

The first election in Lyme township was held in a log school house, on the Ridge in April, 1820. The following were the officers elected: James Hamilton and George Sheffield, justices of the peace; Nathan Strong, Gurdon Williams and Chester Hamilton, trustees; Joseph and Zadoc Strong, overseers of the poor; J. Strong and J. Hamilton, fence viewers; Gurdon Williams, Lester G. Williams and E. Hamilton, appraisers of personal property ; G. Williams and C. Hamilton, constables; Frances Strong, treasurer, and George Sheffield, clerk.

This cave, situated near the west border of Lyme township, was discovered by Gurdon Woodward, in 1817. While hunting one day he saw a wild cat run into a hole, and on removing a stone, discovered the cave. "It is one hundred and fifty to two hundred feet in depth. At that part the clear water of the subterranean stream, or river, runs north. The cave appears to be formed, or part at least, by the washing away of the rocks or stones underneath, and the falling down of them from above. This process going on from year to year, will remove a large amount of stone. The descent into the cave is sometimes steep and difficult, and in other places it is a greatly inclined plane. The opening is not in one room, but diversified. It extends north and south with the course of the water a considerable distance. Its width is from one to four feet. In former times, hundreds of rattlesnakes made this their den."

The First Paper

Bellevue's first paper was started in 1851, by G. W. Hopkins, in a small room in the second story of the Howard Mansion, on Monroe street. It lived only three or four months. It was a five column sheet, and bore the title of Bellevue Gazette, and Huron, Seneca, Erie and Sandusky Advertiser. Its motto was "Open to all." The next attempt to establish a paper was made by a Mr. Chapman, about thirteen years ago, which also proved a failure. His paper was called the Bellevue Independent. In '67, E. P. Brown started the Bellevue Gazette, which has been prospering ever since, and is now one of the ablest conducted local journals in the United States.

By a treaty between the United States and the Indians, the latter among other stipulations, ceded to the former the right of way for a road one hundred and twenty feet wide from the "west" line of the Western Reserve, to the foot of the lower rapids of the Miami of Lake Erie, also the land to the extent of one mile on each side of said roadway. The United States afterwards ceded the same to the state of Ohio for the same purpose. In 1824 said road was laid out and established on its present line, making its eastern terminus here in connection with the "Strong's Ridge" road, and its construction immediately commenced. This was the great starting point towards making a village here. From Thomas C. Amsden the place was called "Amsden's Corners," and when the principal roads were established here, it was called "York Cross Roads." The last name was the one by which it was known abroad and received in the transmission of letters and goods. The first postoffice here was called "York Cross Roads."

The Kilbourne road through the influence of Colonel Kilbourne and principly under his management was laid out and established about 1830, from Sandusky City to Upper Sandusky, running in a right line some sixteen or seventeen miles from Sandusky City to near the line between Sandusky and Seneca counties, where was a slight change in its direction to Melmore, etc. It crossed the west line of the Firelands just ten miles from Sandusky, and passed into Sandusky county, going about two miles west of Amsden's Corners, and near the present residence of Amos Carver, and thence on, as aforesaid. Frederick Chapman and others at once took measures to change its location, and in 1832 procured a change, so that, starting at a point in its original line about eight miles southwest, it was laid directly to York Cross Roads, and in approaching the place, the chimney of the "Stone House," (now Exchange hotel) was an object of direction of its central line. Between Sandusky City and said point of deviation to this place, the "Kilbourne" was never opened on its first line. Said change in its direction bringing its terminus here gave the "Corners" other lift. Soon after a road was laid out hence to Sandusky City, a route near Parkertown, and corresponding very nearly with the subsequent line of the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad. But this was reviewed and changed, resulting in the establishment of the present road to Cold Creek or Castalia.

The old Strong's Ridge road, or more properly "trail," at first ran along the high ground south of Alfred Stebbins', to the sawmill, near the present site of Woodward's distillery, and thence to where Main street now crosses the county line. This accounts for the awkward angle at which Monroe street comes to the center. The Strong's Ridge road was afterwards straightened upon its present line and thus we see how it is that there is no known line in the village which conforms to any point of the compass known to the science of navigation. Up to this date the town had grown up guess."

When Bellevue Was Surveyed And Laid Out

In the year 1835, the land on the Huron county side consisting of fifty acres, owned by Gurdon Williams, was purchased by F. Chapman, James Hollister, Josiah Hollister, Thomas G. Amsden, L. G. Harkness and Pickett Latimer, and during that year was surveyed and laid out into village lots by David Camp. The lots varied in size and price, fifty dollars being the average price for a quarter acre lot. In 1839 Chapman & Amsden, who at that time owned a large quantity of land west of the county line, had it also surveyed and laid out. These lots were somewhat larger. In order to induce people to locate here, they put their prices at the lowest figures possible, giving long time, at the same time taking great care never to sell to parties who wished to buy the land to speculate on, their principal object being to build up a village.

Mad River And Lake Erie Railroad

The Mad River & Lake Erie railroad, was completed from Sandusky City tothis place in 1839. James H. Bell, a civil engineer in the employ of said railroad company, was authorized to name the station here. He called it Bellevue, as at once suggestive of his own name, and his idea of the appearance of the place. Said railroad was extended to Republic and Tiffin, in 1841, and soon after reached its connection with the Little Miami railroad at Springfield. The line of the Mad River & Lake Erie railroad was changed between Tiffin and Sandusky, and laid by way of Greenspring, Clyde and Castalia, in 1855, and the track upon the Bellevue route taken up.

Incorporation Of Bellevue

The town of Bellevue was incorporated by the act of the legislature, passed January 25, 1851, and its charter limits were about a mile from east to west along Main street, and extending about one-quarter of a mile on either side of the same, embracing nearly equal portions of Huron and Sandusky counties. A government was organized February 24, 1851, with the following officers: mayor, Abraham Leiter; recorder, Samuel Z. Culver; trustees, Eliphalet D.