Suffield Township (part 1 of 14)

Suffield Township

SUFFIELD, at the division of the Reserve lands, fell to the lot of par ties in Connecticut, living at Suffield, the principal one of whom was Benejob Kent. Royal Pease also owned a considerable portion of the land, and as he was the first to come out the township was known as Peasetown, being in the surveys Town 1, Range 9. The township was slow of settlement, and although it was one of the first in the county to I'eceive a settler, yet some sixteen years elapsed before it was regularly organized. The land is highly productive, and although somewhat hilly throughout and swampy in the lower sections, it is finely adapted to wheat. It is excellent for sheep and general grazing, and the soil being principally a sandy, light gravelly loam, with the many southerly exposed uplands, makes it peculiarly well adapted to grape culture. Fruit is raised easily and abundantly, and it is here that originated the famous "Baldwin" apple. One of the first settlers, Benjamin Baldwin, brought with him from his home in Connecticut a large quantity of apple seeds, gathered at diiferent times and from many orchards. He planted some of these seeds and gave some to his neighbors. In a few years he had a fine young orchard, and among the bearing trees he found an apple that was particularly tine. Only here and there was a ti*ee of this kind, so he wondered where he had obtained the seed that grew such good fruit, and no matter how much he puzzled over it, he could never think where they came from. From those few trees the "Baldwin" apple has spread, not only over Ohio, but to many other States.

About the 1st of May, 1802, Eoyal Pease started from his home in Connecticut and made his way slowly and with many hardships to his land on the Reserve, arriving here in June. He located on what was known as the Kent place, where he made a clearing, built a cabin, and put out his first crop. It must be remembered that 1802 was quite an early date to be in the woods of Ohio, for there were at the time probably not much over a dozen families in the county of Portage, or rather what is now Portage, There were no roads leading to where Pease settled, and not a human being nearer to him than five or six miles. He had many neighbors, however, in the dense forests that surrounded bim - entirely too many - and their bowlings through the long and dreary nights of this tii'st winter in the wilds was enough to " fright the souls" of sterner men than Royal Pease.

In April, 1803, arrived Benjamin Baldwin from Connecticut, the originator, as stated above, of the "Baldwin" apple, and at the same time came Eliakim Merriman, also from Connecticut. In the same month David Way and family moved in, and located on the northern part of Lot 9.

The first birth was that of a daughter, Rebecca, to David Way, in December, 1803. The first death, that of Orestes Hale, son of Samuel Hale, occurred in June, 1805. The first couple married after the organization were Alpha Wright and Lucy Foster.

In 1804 John Fritch, a Pennsylvania German, arrived, and made his settlement at the small lake southwest of the Center, for whom it has since been called Fritch's Pond. This lake is about one mile in diameter, and is one of the sources of the Little Cuyahoga River. Here honest John, the first of the Germans to make this township their habitation, but who have since come in in such numbers as to form fully three- fourths of the population, erected a mill, which was a great accommodation to the settlers, but in the construction of the dam it uncovered considerable soil, which bred malarious diseases, and it had finally to be destroyed, thereby putting an end to the mill as well. Also in this year came from Connecticut Daniel Warner, and soon after Ezekiel Tupper, Bradford Waldo and Champlin Minard, the latter in 1816 removing to Brimtield Township, where he remained. Waldo built the first house in Mogadore on the Sufiield side

In 1805 Martin Kent and family, and Jonathan Foster, a single man, came in. Foster afterward married Betsey Eggleston, of Aurora, moved to Mantua, became a prosperous farmer, a useful citizen, and for many years was a Justice of the Peace, besides tilling the position of Associate Judge. Both himself and wife died in 1867. In this year came Samuel Hale and his two sons Thomas and Orestes, the latter dying shortly after his arrival, from small -pox, which he had contracted at Pittsburgh. The father died in 1808 and was the tirst person interred in the grave-yard north of Josiah Kent's.

arrived, among whom was Moses Adams from Massachusetts. He had a large family of children, but his wife died on the road out. In 1810 he was elected Justice of the Peace and served nine years; he also represented Portage County in the Legislature. Mr. Adams took as his second wife Sarah Packer, a widow with six children. His son Horace, born in 1811, is now a hale and hearty old gentleman. His father settled on Lot 48. Moses Adams, Jr. , was a noted hunter in his day, also Miles and Hiram Culver and John Fritch, and many are the stories related by the old settlers of how they would bring a fine buck in before breakfast, or a bear, or a brace of turkeys.

In April, 1808, Springfield Township was organized, embracing the territory of six townships now included m this and Summit Counties. Benjamin Baldwin was elected the first" Justice of the Peace, and about his first oflicial act was to marry Fi-eeman Upson and Sally Culver.

Sufiield with its present boundaries was organized April 6, 1818, and at the request of some of the land owners in Sufifield, Coan., was so named in place of retaining the unofficial title, Peasetown, by which it had been known. At the election held at the house of Thomas Hale, Martin Kent was chosen Chairman; Thomas Hale, Clerk, and Samuel Hale and Isaac Miller, Judges, the election resulting as follows: Trustees, Martin Kent, James L. Van Gorder, Ebenezer Cutler; Clerk, Thomas Hale; Treasurer, Samuel Hale; Overseers of the Poor, Isaac Harget, John Martin; Lister and Constable, Arad Upson. On the 7th day of May, following, Thomas Hale was elected Justice of the Peace. On May 15, 1818, the first list of taxable property was filed by Arad Upson, with the Township Clerk, Thomas Hale. The present Township Officers are: Trustees, G. F. Newbaur, Joseph Paulus, George Lutz; Clerk, G. D. Fritch; Treasurer, Lawrence Memmer; Assessor, J. B. Stine; Constables, Lewis Knapp, Henry Weaver; Justices of the Peace, William Paulus, M. O. Martin.

In 1807 Harvey Hulbert presided over a school of nine pupils. In the summer of 1809 Laura Moore (Mrs Thomas Hale), presided over a school of six pupils in the same house where Hulbert taught in 1807. The present condition of schools is shown by the following statistics: Revenue in 1884, $4,- 936.48; expenditure, $3,083.15; number of houses, 10, valued at $10,000; pay of teachers, $20; enrollment, 220 boys and 185 girls.

Mogadore Union School District. - Revenue in 1884, $497.70; expenditure, $414.35: one schoolhouse valued at S2,000; pay of teachers, $35 and $55; enrollment, 66 boys and 59 girls.

Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1875, a house of worship erected in 1876, is served by Rev. Harshman, of Mogadore. The membership enrolled is about thirty. John Royer is Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and Isaac Slabaugh, Steward.

Suffield Reformed Church was founded in 1841, by Rev. Ham, of Manchester, under the name German Reformed Church. In 1883 the society was reorganized under the present name with sixty-five members, and Rev. J. H. Beek, pastor, who was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Novinger. The house now occupied by the Newbauer family contains the logs of the first church; the frame of the second building is now Smith & Walter's store. In 1882 the present church was erected at a cost of $3,500. The Trustees are G. F. Newbauer, Daniel Bolander, Ambrose Garris and Newton Cook.

when he was trying to find out, like the rest of the owners of that property, what it was best suited for. The next store was opened in Mogadore, in 1827, by William Kichards, on the lot owned by Dr. J. C. Ferguson. The first postoffice was established iu 1833, one mile and one-fourth west of the Center, and Benjamin Fritch was the first Postmaster. The first tavern was opened in 1840, by Seth Dustin, at the Center.

In 1835-37 a large German immigration set into the township, and as lands were cheap, soon largely increased the population. The emigrants brought with them principles of strict economy, industry and honesty, and they have made Suffield " blossom as a rose." Some of the best farms to be found anywhere are here; splendid orchards everywhere, and the finest barn on the Reserve can be seen on the road between the Center and Brimfield.

On the 18th of May, 1825, a fearful wind storm passed through the township from southwest to northeast. It was a genuine cyclone, and tore down trees as though they were so many dry weeds, killing quite a number of cattle and destroying all buildings in its path. It also passed across the southeast corner of Brimfield, and other points to the northeast.

Mogadore. - This village lies exactly upon the line dividing Portage from Summit County, and most of the business is on the west side of the line. The name is singular, and it is not known who suggested it. There is only one other Mogadore, and that is in Africa. The stores are in Summit County, but there are here two large potteries, operated respectively by Monroe & Son, and Martin Bros.-, also a steam clay-mill, a water clay-mill, a cider-mill and a grist-mill. There is a tile factory one mile from this village, and a pottery two miles therefrom. S. Bitterraan keeps a hotel. Drs. Ferguson & Bowers are the physicians. Dr. Francis Schuck lives in the east part of the township.

Suffield Center. - General stores, Geidlinger Bros., Smith & Walter. Carriage factory, Michael Bletzer. Harness shop, F. E. Schumacher. Carriage shop, Nicholas Luly. Tinners and slaters, F. C. Sweeney & Co. Physician, Dr. F. P. Russell. Postmaster, C. R. Geidlinger. There is at the Center a Reformed Church, no pastor, and a Methodist Episcopal Church, pastor. Rev. G. L. Norris.

The Fritch Mills at Fritch's Pond were erected in 1805 or 1806; but owing to the miasma generated by the damming of the pond, the whole industry was declared a nuisance, and the dam destroyed. The second mill was built by James Shields, who sold it to Van Gorder. After passing through many hands, Daniel Harper converted it into a carding shop. Sometime after this David Ely put in saw-mill machinery and operated it for some years. In after years David and Samuel Ely established a pottery here.

Nicholas Luly's carriage shop on the east side of the village was established many years ago. About 1878 Mr. Luly established it as a carriage shop. He gives employment to five men.

The new Fritch saw-mill was established seventeen or eighteen years ago, by G. W. Fritch. This mill employs three men annually. In 1884 he put up a cider-mill and operated it that fall.

The harness shop was established by F. C. Sweeney and Jacob Ebell three years ago (February, 1882). In 1884 they sold their interests to F. E. Schumacher (at the time he sold his carriage shop to Michael Bletzer) who carries on the work of harness making. Ambrose G arris is employed here. He has worked at this trade in the township over twelve years.

The carriage and wagon factory of Michael Bletzer was started by F. E. Schumacher seven years ago. This industry gives employment to three hands.

There is a Schweitzer kase factory near the southern border of the township, where is manufactured an article almost equal to the imported. A number of schoolhouses dot the township at different points. The business of pottery is the largest interest in the township, the clay being obtained across the line in Summit County.

Chapter Xxxiv

The Becket Land Company - The March Westward - Some Early Settlers - Organization and Officers - Churches and Preachers - Initial Events of Interest - Primitive Educators - Building and Enterprise- Business - Grand Army - Township Officers - Statistics.

WINDHAM was owned originally by Gov. Caleb Strong, of Massachusetts, Lemuel and Asahel Pomeroy and Ebenezer Hunt, Strong owning twelve-thirteenths of the wj^ole property which in the survey was known as Town 4, Range 6.

On the 11th day of September, 1810, the following persons met at the house of Thatcher Couant, in Becket, Berkshire Co., Mass., for the purpose of forming a company to purchase a township in New Connecticut and remove there: Bills Messenger, John Seeley, Jeremiah Lyman, Aaron P. Jagger, Benjamin C. Perkins, Elijah Alford, Alpheus Streator, Benjamin Higley, Elisha Clark, Isaac Clark, Ebenezer Messenger, Thatcher Conant, Nathan Birchard, Enos Kingsley, Gideon Bush and Dillingham Clark. The company being formed, a committee of one, Dillingham Clark, was appointed to wait upon Gov. Strong and ascertain upon what terms thej could purchase the township, nearly all the land of which he held. A favorable report having been made by Clark, the company appointed him and Jeremiah Lyman to proceed to their proposed purchase and explore it, which they did, returning in about six weeks with accounts that the purchase was closed with the proprietors, Strong and the Pomeroys. Hunt in the meantime had disposed of his interest to the two latter. The terms of the sale were that the purchasers should turn over to the sellers their property in Massachusetts at its appraised value, and in this way Gov. Strong's interest was entirely paid for. The sale was consummated in November, and the price per acre was $1.76, there being about 14,845 acres. Tlie deed was made to "Dillingham Clark, Esquire, Alpheus Streator. yeoman, and Thatcher Conant, gentleman." The township having been surveyed into 100 equal lots, each purchaser had the pvoportion, according to his investment, deeded to him, the south half of Lot 56 being previously reserved for public use, an act of wisdom of those early settlers that is fully appreciated by their descendants. Dillingham Clark, afterward so well known as one of the best and wealthiest citizens of Portage, having invested 16,000, became the owner of nearly one-fourth of the township. The name of the township was then changed from its survey title to Strongsburg.

Having made all arrangements necessary for a departure to the Western country, the company selected four young men to go in advance and prepare the way for the rest of them. These young men were Elijah Alford, Jr., Oliver Alford, Ebenezer O. Messenger and Nathan H. Messenger. They came on foot, and had a sled and horse to carry their baggage. Arriving on the 16th day of March, 1811, they immediately commenced a settlement. The Alfords made a clearing on Lot 84, and erected a cabin twenty feet in length by fifteen in width, which was the first house in the township. The Messengers erected a cabin on Lot 82, and made a clearing at the same time. On the clearing opened by the Alfords a crop of wheat was put out for them in the following fall by Col. Benjamin Higley, who, from three bushels of wheat sown on four acres, harvested lOQ bushels the next season, which was the first crop raised in the township. Elijah Alford, however, remained only two months, when he returned to Becketand gave many discouraging reports of New Connecticut, but returned to his Western home in a couple of years. Ebenezer O. Messenger also made several changes and finally moved to Wisconsin. On the 27th of same month Wareham Loomis and family moved into the township and settled on Lot 92. He moved in from Nelson, where he had lived for some time, and remained only until the following year, when he settled in Mantua. Loomis was not a very valuable acquisition to the township as he was '' half crook, half crank," as he would now be called, and although he was a kind-hearted and accommodating fellow, could not keep his hands off of other people's property. As stated in the history of Mantua, he wound up his career in Portage with a twelve years' term in the penitentiary for passing " home-made " money. On the 12th of June of this year, 1811. Bills Messenger, the farst one of the proprietors to come in, arrived with his son Hiram and his family, for the purpose of establishing his son in his new home. The old gentleman remained only about three months, when he returned to the East. Hiram settled on Lot 76. Joseph Southworth, a single man, came in with the Messengers. On the 5th of July Alpheus Streator arrived and settled on Lot 85. Mr. Streator was a kind and good neighbor and an excellent citizen. He died in 1829, leaving forty-seven descendants, living in ten diiferent States. On the 13th of July Thatcher Conant and Jeremiah Lyman arrived, but did not commence their settlement till the 27th; they settled upon Lot 86. On the 15th Col. Benjamin Higley came in and settled on Lot 36. On the 20th Ebenezer N. Messenger, father of Ebenezer O. Messenger, who had been sent on ahead, came in and settled on Lot 82, which his son had commenced to clear. Gideon Bush also came in and settled on Lot 77. On the 12th day of October Deacon Elijah Alford arrived and settled on Lot 57. Nathan Birchard also came in this year, 1811, from Becket, Mass., but not for permanent settlement, as he left his family in the East till he could make a clearing and erect a cabin. On the 30th of June following he moved his family in.

or ten years will be given, all of whom are now deceased: Asahel Blair, who drove one of Mr. Birchard's teams, came in 1812; he enlisted in the war of that period and was killed at Black Rock, near Buffalo, in 1814. Dr. Ezra Chaffee also came in this year, was married shortly afterward and removed to Palmyra in 1814. Oliver Eggleston, who afterward removed to Mantua, came in this year. In 1813 Ephraim Seely, son of John Seely, one of the proprietors, came in on foot and commenced preparing a home for his father. Erastus Snow, in company with Nathan Snow, Stillman Scott and H. Crane, arrived this year on foot.

January 2, 1814, Dillingham Clark, one of the proprietors who was born in the vicinity of Cape Cod, but who in early life moved west, but still in Massachusetts, came in, and up to the time of his death was one of the most honored citizens of the county. Jacob Earl, a brother of Deacon Robert Earl, and James Snow, father of Erastus Snow, also came this year.

In 1815 John Seely, an old Revolutionary sire, came in, as did also Daniel Jagger, who was considerable of a property holder when he came here, and afterward getting wealthy was a liberal contributor to all worthy objects, giving at one time $100 toward the payment of an organ for his church. Joseph Higley came this year. In 1816 came Joel Bradford, Deacon Robert Earl, "William Hobart, Ezra Taylor, and Rev. Joseph Treat, a Congregational minister. In 1817 came Joseph Earl, Levi Ellis, Deacon Isaac Clark, Jonathan Foot, Reuben Ferguson, James Robe, Xenophon Wadsworth, and Benjamin "Wroth, who soon after went away and returned in 1820. In 1818 came Deacon Henry Bliss, Levi Bush, Joseph Belong, Samuel Foster, Stephen B. Pulsifer, and many others. In 1819 Jason Streator, an erratic genius with a weakness for poetry, came and lived till 1838, when he moved to Shalersville; also came Nathaniel Ruddand Moses Sanford. In 1820, among a number of others, came William Millikan, a native of Massachusetts, a self-made man of energy and activity, and with great capacity to lead in any movement.

March 2, 1813, the township, which had been informally christened Strongsburg, and which, with Nelson, was included in the township of Hiram for election pui'poses, was set apart and the name changed to Sharon, as Gov. Strong was an unflinching Federalist, and opposed the Government in the war then raging with England, thereby rendering himself extremely unpopular with the settlers on the Reserve. On the first Monday in April following an election was held which resulted as follows: Trustees, Thatcher Conant, Benjamin Higley, Jeremiah Lyman; Overseers of the Poor, Hiram Messenger, Thatcher Conant; Fence Viewers, Levi Alford, Ephraim H. Seeley; Lister and Appraiser, Ebenezer N. Messenger; Constable, - Hiram Messenger; Treasurer, Oliver Alford. On the 15th of November following, Deacon Elijah Alford was elected Justice of the Peace, seventeen votes being cast, and but one ticket was in the field. There was little use for a Conservator of the Peace in those harmonious times, and not a case appeared upon the virgin docket of the old Justice for nearly two years, when, as the best of friends will fall out sometimes, Hiram Messenger sued Thatcher F. Conant for $3, for an otter he had sold him. Messenger discovered a hole, where he saw an otter go in, so he put a stone at the hole and afterward sold otter, stone, hole, etc., for the sum named, but the buyer found nothing, and refused to pay. The plaintiff gained the suit, but the defendant threatening to appeal, the Justice paid the amount. In 1820 the name of the township was changed to Windham. The first child born in the township was to Mrs. Hiram Messenger, October 27, 1811, but it never opened its eyes, dying at its birth. The first living white child was a girl, born

The first wedding occurred June 11, 1812, when Dr. Ezra Chaffee married Miss Polly Messenger. The Doctor was a man of exceptional ability in his profession, and it was a great loss to the settlement when he moved away in 18 1-1. The next marriage was that of Levi Alford and Miss Edna E. Conant, a daughter of Thatcher Conant. She was a school-teacher of considerable reputation, and when she gave up teaching for household duties her place was difficult to till.

In 1811, shortly after the first settlers arrived, Dillingham Clark donated a plat of ground at the Center to be used as a burial-ground, but in 1817 the present beautiful location was selected, and the remains of the seven persons buried in the first grounds were transferred to the new cemetery. A singular coincidence in regard to quite a number of the early settlers is that they died at sixty-six years, or thereabout, some seven or eight passing away at that age. Up to 1823 the township was remarkably healthy, bat in this year there were eleven deaths. In 1818 a benevolent society was formed for the purpose of rendering assistance to the worthy, as well as for missionary work.

The early settlers of this district, before starting out on their long journey, organized themselves into a Congregational Church, and selected Deacon Elijah Alford, who had held the same position over their church at Becket since 1807, as their Deacon in the New Connecticut. Thatcher Conant was Clerk of the church, and the day after his arrival in the settlement, which was Sunday, the 14th of July, 1811, religious services were held at the house of Alpheus Streator, attended by all the settlers, forty- two in number. On the last day of August following the first sermon was preached at the same place by Rev. Nathan B. Darrow.

The Congregational Society was reorganized under State law, February 25, 1876. T. O. Angel was Moderator; C. F. Jagger, Clerk; E. P. Clark. W. Chaffee, Jason Angel, M. G. Donaldson and William A. Perkins were elected Trustees.

By the spring of 1817 the township had made such progress that the population had grown to 203 persons, comprised in thirty-seven families, and they sorely felt the need of a building in which to hold any public meeting, and especially religious services, so a hewn- log structui'e was reared at the Center, 30x24 feet, and comfortably finished, in which, on the 24th of September, the Rev. Joseph Treat was installed as pastor of the First Congregational Church of Sharon, he having previously received a "call " from the new organization, and which relation he held till October 2, 1827. In 1828, the church feeling the need of a building of their own, instituted such measures that in 1829 a commodious and tasteful building was commenced, and finished in 1830.

The Disciples of Christ, on May 27, 1828, organized a church society, which met in a schoolhouse on the State road, near where it crosses Indian Creek, but in 1834 erected a neat brick building at the Center.

Up to 1843 the Methodists held service, at the houses of the members of that church and other places, but in that year they erected a small building, which was shortly afterward burned down and the following year built an elegant and commodious edifice at the Center. The society was reorganized June 16, 1871, when Bidwell Pinney, J. C. Ensign, William Moore,. F. D. Snow, George S. Belden, C. L. Weed, Royal Buckley, Daniel Stroup, Clark L. Bryant were elected Trustees. James Greer, P. E., was present. In 1884 the work of building a new church was entered upon, and on February 8, 1885, the building was dedicated. The basement is divided into Sunday-school rooms and vestibule. The audience room is arranged much after the manner of the majority at the present time - platform for preacher and singers at end farthest from the doors, and gallery at opposite end from platform. The church is heated by furnaces. It is covered with a slate roof, and cost, completed, about $9,000. The principal contributions were: Amount subscribed, $5,000; amount left by will from Mrs. Seeley's estate, $700; amount donated, $2,134. Among the principal articles and amounts donated are: Moving old church, G. S. Pinney, $50; bell, John Patterson; chandelier, Moses A. Birch - ard; stone, Pinney Bros. ; Ladies' Aid Society, $250. The bell weighs about 1,000 pounds.

The lirst school in the township was taught gratuitously in the house of Alpheus Streator by his daughter Eliza, and Rebecca Conant, daughter of Thatcher Conant, in the winter of 1811-12. They taught alternate weeks. Miss Streator married Mr. Cochran, of Aurora, in 1823, and Miss Conant married Leander Sacett, of Tallmadge, in 1822, and went to Maumoe as a missionary. In the fall of 1812 a log schoolhouse was erected on Lot 86, near where the stone schoolhouse was afterward erected, and Dr. Chaffee taught school the following winter, having about twenty scholars, there being then thirteen families in the township. From this time on schools were maintained. An educational association was formed in 1834, for the purpose of affording better facilities for instruction in the higher branches, and accordingly an academy building was erected and in 1835 chartered by the Legislature, a school being opened in the spring of that year as the " academy," by John F. Hopkins.

In 1824 a library association was formed, and about 100 volumes collected and placed in charge of one of the members. Not much interest was taken in the project and it went down, but in 1851 a new association was formed and regularly chartered, since which time it has been quite successful, having now about 500 select volumes.

November 6, 1813, Jacob Earl and Benjamin Yale erected the first frame building in the township. It was a saw-mill, located about half a mile southwest of the Center. April 16, 1814, Nathan Birchard erected the first frame barn, and April 11, 1816, the same gentleman erected the first frame dwellinghouse. In this year from an orchard set out by Ebenezer N. Messenger, peaches were raised, and in 1818 some apples were taken from trees grown from seeds brought from Massachusetts seven years before. In June, 1817., Deacon Isaac Clark arrived, and July 11 he opened a stock of goods in a Icehouse at the Center. They were valued at $500, and he sold calico at 60 cents per yard, cambric at 80 cents and fulled cloth at $1.75; tea was $1.50 and pepper 50 cents per pound. The first Postmaster was Dillingham Clark, appointed in 1818, and he had his office at his house on the State road. la 1820 Thomas Lee, a blacksmith, opened for business on Lot 54. In 1825 a distillery was started, but it did not last long. In 1829 Henry E. Canfield opened a cabinet shop in the house of Col. Benjamin Higley. In 1824 the first regular practitioner of medicine. Dr. John S. Matson, came in, and settled, but Windham was too healthy for him, and he left in a few months.

township, and the Cleveland & Mahoning Valley Railroad, runs across the northeast corner. The former has a station near Windham Center and the latter at Mahoning. They are both now a portion of the system of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Road.

Portage Lodge, No. 456, I. O. O. F., was organized July 25, 1870, by W. Chaffee, who has been D. D. G. M. for four years. This lodge is one of the most prosperous in the district.

There is at the Center a Methodist Episcopal Church, with Rev. H. S. Jackson, pastor; Congregational Church, Rev. T. R. Jones, pastor. An excellent high school is taught in a fine new building that cost $6,000; Prof. Duane Tilden, Principal. At Mahoning Station M. G. Donaldson is Postmaster, who also is station agent and runs a coal yard. A beautiful soldiers' monument stands at the Center, which was erected in 1866 at a cost of $1,100. It is twenty-one feet in height, and is exquisitely wrought from white Italian marble. Windham furnished thirty-eight soldiers for the Union during the Rebellion, sixteen of whom were either killed or died.

Biographical Sketches

E. D. BAITH, member of the firm of Baith & Jackson, merchants, Atwater, is a native of Atwater Township, this county, born in 1854, son of Amos and Mary A. (Kump) Baith, natives of Mahoning County, Ohio, who settled in Atwater Township, this county, in 1850. They reared a family of five children, all of whom are now living: E. D., Hattie (wife of L. C. Porter), Ella (wife of E. R. Spires), Albert and Anna. Our subject was brought up on a farm and followed agricultural pursuits until 1883, when he purchased the interest of Brush and Alden, of the firm of Brush, Alden & Butler. In 1884 Mr. Jackson succeeded Mr. Butler, and the firm became Baith & Jackson. They carry a general stock of merchandise worth about $10,000, and do an extensive business. Mr. Baith is a member of the Congregational Church.

MRS. E. H. BEACH, P. O. Atwater, was born February 6, 1817, in Durham, Greene Co., N. Y. ; daughter of Eliakim, Jr., and Frances Stannard, natives of Connecticut, born May 16, 1786, and March 22, 1790, respectively. They wei'e the parents of nine children, viz.: Adaline, Antoinette, Harriet, Lucinda M., Edward, Lucy, Piatt, Mary, Eliakim. Mrs. Beach's grandparents were Eliakim, Sr., and Bethia Stannard, of Puritan stock, both natives of Connecticut, former born August 31, 1753, and latter born July 15, 1759. Lucinda M., our subject, was twice married, on first occasion November 26, 1843, to Ransom Hinman, born in Greene County, N. Y., in 1813, and who, when but a child, came with his parents to this county, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying December 22, 1857. Our subject afterward, May 1, 1861, was united in marriage with E. H. Beach, also a native of New York, born in Victor. Mr. Beach came to this county in 1861 and is highly respected and favorably known in this community.

NELSON BENJAMIN, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born in Greene County, N. Y., September 15, 1814, son of Richard and Jerusha (Clark) Benjamin, natives of Connecticut, who were among the early settlers of New York State, where they both died. The subject of this sketch is the only living child born to this couple. He came to this county in 1846 and began the work of his life without means, but possessed of untiring energy and perseverance. He cleared the farm, consisting of 175 acres, where he now resides and which is finely improved. Mr. Benjamin was married, in his native county, to Miss Adeline Stannard, born May 20, 1811. Their generation is as follows: Piatt, married to Nellie Baldwin (have seven children: AddieL., Frances S., Pearl R., Mabel G., Ray L., Chester and Josephine); Frances, wife of Amos Whitten, residing in Boston, Mass. (have the following children: Chester H., Edgar B., Charles N. and William M.); Cyrus, married to Jerusha Blakesley (have three chil-

LUTHER BUTLER, retired farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born in North Branford, Conn., in 1801; son of David and Betsey Butler, who were among the pilgrims of 1827 to Atwater Township, this county, where they located on land now occupied by our subject, and there lived to the close of their lives. Of thirteen children born to them, seven survive. The subject of this sketch served seven years as Drum Major in the militia, and took an active part as drummer in the Presidential Campaign of 1884, joining in most if not in all the torch-light processions and parades, and he is ever happiest when in the ranks beating the drum. He was married, in 1830, to Miss Eliza Jones, by whom he has the following children: Lyman W., Lucius F., Susan S., and Henry W., married to Weltha Wintersteen (they have two children: Albert H. and Arthur W.) In 1880 Mr. and Mrs. Butler celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding day, when there were present, besides other guests, thirteen grandchildren.

W. W. CLEVERLY, farmer, P. .0. Atwater, is a descendant of one of the pioneers of Atwater Township, where he was born in 1835; son of William and Eliza Cleverly, natives of New York and Maryland, respectively, who were the parents of six children, five of whom are now living (the oldest being dead): W. W. ; Eliza, wife of J. E. Garrison, of Junction City, Kan.; Fannie, wife of E. Ellison; Abbey, wife of William Ripple, of Warsaw, Ind.; and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. William Cleverly located in Atwater Township in 1831, settling on land now owned by Charles Bradley, Jr., and both died in the township. Our subject was married, in 1861, to Miss Lydia, daughter of John Webber, of Deerfield Township, this county. By this union were born five children: Chase, Charles, John, Florence and Bertie. In 1862 Mr. Cleverly settled on his present farm of 107 acres, which was then wholly wooded but he has cleared about sixty acres, has erected a fine commodious brick residence, and is making other improvements.

THORNTON DOUTHITT, farmer, P. O. Atwater Center, was born in Edinburg Township, this county, October 11, 1831; son of Daniel and Rachel (Pumphrey) Douthitt, the former born in Pennsylvania, the latter a native of Huron County, Ohio, and Avho joined the early settlement at Edinburg. They were parents of twelve children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the third. Daniel Douthitt, in the latter part of his life, removed to Hardin County, Ohio, where he died in February, 1881, Mrs. Douthitt dying in 1849. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm with scarcely any educational advantages outside the severe discipline of labor, which taught him economy. Honesty, perseverance and regular habits, giving him a vigorous constitution, combined with a natural ambition to achieve success, seconded by excellent judgment, have caused him to more than equal his greatest anticipations. Neither early habits nor later indulgences have weakened him in body or mind, using neither strong drink nor tobacco. He married, February 16, 1852, at Atwater, Ohio, Miss Matilda Ann Siddull, second child of Mahlon and Elizabeth (Gould) Siddall, of Atwater, Ohio. Mrs. Douthitt was born April 1, 1831, and in all the laborious undertakings of her husband has borne her equal share, acting nobly and truly a self-sacrificing part. She is a kind friend, afi'ectionate mother and good wife; their home being ample and sufficiently ornamental to dispense to a large circle of friends that free-hearted hospitality for which they are justly noted. She (Mrs. Douthitt) has borne our subject five children: Andrew M., born April 20, 1853, admitted to the bar, but engaged in teaching (has two children: Bertha Ann and Dudley M.);

George F., born June 12, 1856, a teacher in the Union Schools, but preparing for the practice of law; Jennie T., born September 10, 1864, mai*ried, January 1, 1885, to H. Alva Myers, a teacher; Thomas D., born January 27, 1867, engaged in teaching: Clinton A., born June 1, 1870, attending school and helping his father on the farm. During the late war Mr. Douthitt located on his present farm of 225 acres, clearing it of timber, etc., besides several other large tracts, and with the revenue received from the railroad company (in payment for thousands of cords of wood) he has paid for the farm and liquidated other large obligations. The majority of the family are regular attendants on the service of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but not any are members of any religious denomination. In politics Mr. Douthitt is an unswerving disciple of Jefferson, but although living in a township overwhelmingly Republican, his fellow- townsmen have seen fit to repose in him the responsible position of Real Estate Assessor in 1880, and Township Trustee for three terms.

JAMES B. ELTON, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born in Atwater January 14, 1848, son of Erbin and Caroline (Woodruff) Elton, and grandson of Ebenezer and Emily Elton, of Piiritan stock, who came from Connecticut in 1833 via canal to Buffalo, thence by lake to Ohio, and settled on the land now occupied by their son Erbin. Mrs. Caroline Elton came with her parents. Chancy and Perlina Woodruff, from Farmington, Conn., to Atwater Township, this county. They had with them their seven childi'en: Havey, Ezekiel, Henry, Caroline, Cornelius, Cornelia and Alfred, and after coming here had two more - Sarah and William. Ebenezer and Emily Elton had six children: Lucella, married Watrous Fairchild Taylor; Erbin, married Caroline Elton; Elizabeth, married John Norton; Harriett, married Lucius Walker; Edwin, married Harriett Knapj), aud Ebenezer, died at the age of two years. Ebenezer Elton lived to enjoy pioneer life but a short time, dying December 22, 1835, aged forty-three. At hia death, Erbin, who was but a boy at the time, took charge of the homestead and diligently cleared it of timber, etc., and still makes it his residence. He had four children: Edwin, died April 18, 1870, aged twenty-six; those now living are James B., born in this township in 1848, (married, in 1871, Miss Sarah Hacock, by whom he has two children: lona A. and Edwin); Henry, a farmer, Windham Township, this county (married Miss Eliza Hacock, June 26, 1883, have two daughters: Carrie and Nina); Emily, married October 8, 1879, to Earnest Youngman, farmer, Windham Township, this county. The family are highly esteemed and respected members of the Methodist Episcopal Chvirch.

THOMAS W. GILSON, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born in Oil Creek Township, Crawford County, Penn., in 1823; son of William and Mary (Lafferty) Gilson, natives of Pennsylvania, both now deceased. Of their children, John, Alice, Peter, Margaret and Thomas W. are now living. Our subject spent the greater part of his life in his native county, and has always been a farmer by occupation. He was married, in 1846, to Miss Cynthia Fowler, a native of Crawford County, Penn., who died January 19, 1876, the mother of five children, viz.: M. H. , M. W. , L. A., A. T. and E. L., who have been spared to care for their father and his home through the declining years of his life. In 1865 Mr. Gilson purchased and settled on his present estate, comprising 120 acres, now one of the best cultivated farms in Atwater Township. He and his family are highly respected in this community.

HOMER HILLYER, retired, was born in Deerfield Township, this county, November 17, 1815; son of Daniel and Charity (Loomis) Hillyer, natives of Southwick, Mass. The family, along with a colony of seventy-five persons, embarked for the West in 1815, and were forty-four days on the road, settling in this county daring October, 1815. Daniel Hillyer was a farmer and did considerable surveying in Atwater and Randolph Towuships. Of the six children born to him and his wife, three are now living: Homer, Joseph T. and Edwin, the two younger now residents of Dodge County, Wis. Homer Hillyer was brought up on a farm and was married, June 11, 1845, to Miss Hannah Cooney, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, who died January 17, 1865, without issue. He was married, on second occasion, September 6, 1865, to Miss Celinda C. Crail,born in Beaver County, Penn. Mr. Hillyer was appointed station agent at Atwater on the C. & P. R. R. at the time it was built and acceptably served in that capacity until 1884, when he resigned, being one of the oldest agents on the road, and retired to enjoy the wellearned results of his labors. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for years, and is widely known and esteemed by all.

IRA JACKSON, firm of Baith & Jackson, merchants, Atwater, was born in Mt. Vernon, Knox Co., Ohio, in 1853, and is an adopted son of Josiah and Lucy A. (Phinney) Jackson, former of whom, now in his seventy-ninth year, is a native of Rutland County, Vt., and the latter of Dover, Ohio. The family settled in Freedom Township, this county, at an early date and cleared a farm where they resided until their removal to this village. The subject of this sketch served an apprenticeship of ten years at Ravenna in merchandising, and in the spring of 1884 formed the present partnership. This firm are successors to Brush, Alden & Butler, the leading business house of Atwater. Mr. Jackson married, August 15, 1877, Miss Mary F., daughter of Capt. J. C. Long, of Nantucket, commander of a whaling vessel for years, but now living a retired life in Ravenna. The children born to this union are William and George. Mr. Jackson is a member of the Congregational Church; a member of the Royal Arcanum.

S. W. JOHNSON, farmer, P, O. Atwater, was born in New Haven County, Conn., in 1825; son of Levi and Eliza (Riggs) Johnson, who crossed the country, arriving in this county in 1834, and settling in Rootstown Township, where the father purchased a farm and founded a home. In 1846 Levi Johnson removed to Atwater Township, where he lived till the close of his life, August 25, 1862. His widow is now in the eighty-sixth year of her age. Of the children born to this couple, but two survive: S. W. and Henry. The subject of this sketch was married, in 1849, to Miss Sally, daughter of Stephen Wooley, deceased. His living children are James R. and Eliza, wife of B. F. Hathaway, present Clerk of Atwater Township. In 1850 Mr. Johnson settled on a farm of 100 acres in the northern part of Atwater Township, on which he resided until 1882, when he moved to his present farm, comprising sixty acres, situated near Atwater Station. He has spent a life-time of labor and toil in clearing land and creating from the wilderness scenes of growth and abundance.

JOHN KENNEDY, section foreman Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad, P. O. Atwater, was born inTipperary, Ireland, in 1819; son of John and Ann Kennedy. He crossed the ocean in 1851 and began the struggle of life, possessing a vigorous constitution, strong ambition and an honest heart as his only capital. He made his way to the "West" and worked for two months on the Akron branch of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Delaware Railroad. In 1852 he was appointed to his present position, and has proved, by his careful application to business, one of the best, as he is one of the oldest, men in the company's employ. He was married first to Miss Mary A. Sebrell, who died in 1871, leaving four children: Ellen, Ann. John and Patrick. He was married, on second occasion, to Mrs. Margret Coats, who died in March, 1883. Mr.

Kennedy, who has ever been temperate and frugal in habits, in 1864 was enabled to purchase his present farm, consisting of 128 acres of land.

WILLIAM W. KETTRING, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born in Atwater Township, this county, in 1842; son of Jacob and Rachel (Petrie) Kettring, natives of Baden, Geruiany, the former born in November, 1815, the latter in 1822, the respective families immigrating to America in 1831. They were the parents of six sons: William W., George, Joshua, Jacob, Caleb and Eli. Jacob Eettring, Sr., cleared forty acres of land in Atwater Township, this county, where he engaged in farming till his death. His widow, who survives him, is a resident of Atwater, this county. Our subject was brought up on the farm, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. In 1862 he joined the Union Army, enlisting in Company C, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving till the close of the war. He participated in the battle of Stone River, siege of Knoxville, the Georgia and Atlanta campaigns, Franklin, Ft. Fisher and Nashville under Thomas, and received an honorable discharge as Corporal in July, 1865. Returning to peaceful pui'suits he was married, in 1867, to Miss Lucy A., daughter of Thomas Gilson, of Atwater Township, this county. Six children were born to this union, all now living: Henry, Clara, Charles, Maggie, Edith and Mary. Mr. Kettring is a member of the I. O. O. F.

JOHN MANSFIELD, farmer, P. O. Atwater Centre, was born in Wallingford. Conn., November 18, 1806; son of Ira and Susan (Kirtland) Mansfield, who had a family of six children, of whom our subject is the only survivor. His grandfather, John Mansfield, was an officer of some distinction in the Revolutionary struggle. Ira Mansfield, his father, better known as Maj. Mansfield, made his way through the wilderness of Ohio in 1806, and succeeded in making a trade of land with Joshua Atwater, the original proprietor of the township, securing 360 acres. Returning to the East he brought his family back with him in 1808, and here founded a home. This land he subsequently sold, and purchased 150 acres near the present homestead. He raised a company of volunteers for the war of 1812, in which he took an active part. While in camp at Detroit his trusted clerk decamped with $1,500 of his money. For a time this crippled him, but his untiring ambition soon enabled him to retrieve the loss. Ira Mansfield's death occurred in Atwater in 1849. His widow survived him until 1851. Oui- subject was married, in 1833, to Miss Mary Hall, also a native af W^allingford, Conn., and who has borne him two sons: Ira K., residing at Chicago, 111, is married to Emma J. Cook (their living children are Mary M., Susan M. and Bessie I.); Silliman S., married to Margaret Goss, they reside in Atwater Township, this county, (Their children are Charles K., Alfred H., Pearl Vi., Henry L., Carrie J., Frankie G. and Ira S.). Mr. Mansfield is among the oldest settlers of Atwater Township. He has served as Assessor several terms, and has ever taken an active part in the development of his township.

EDGAR H. MANSFIELD, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born May 4, 1843, in Atwater Township, this county; son of Henry E. Mansfield, born in Wallingford. Conn., August 16, 1803, and grandson of Maj. Ii'a Mansfield, a pioneer of 1807 to Atwater Township. Henry E. Mansfield was twice married, first to Miss Jane Stanly, a native of Newton Falls, Trumbull Co., Ohio, who died April 2, 1837. Jane, the only surviving child of this union, married M. D. Motherspaw, and is the mother of two children - Harry and Frank - and grandmother of Carl and Ruby. His second union was with Ann S. Stanly, a sister of his deceased wife, born August 16, 1815, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Moore) Stanly, the former born November 15, 1768, died August 13, 184S, the latter born August 22, 1772, died June 11, 1847, and who had thirteen children, of whom two survive: James, born July 23, 1801, and Ann S. There are seventy-nine living descendants of this couple. The subject of this sketch was married, in 1869, to Miss Lora E., daughter of William Campbell, a native of Atwater Township, this county. This family and its connections are among the oldest and most respected in Atwater Township; they are both industrious and successful, walking in the steps of their forefathers.

SIDNEY A. MATTOON, farmer, P. O. Atwater, is a native of Atwater Township, this county, born December 25, 1832, son of Caleb and Betsey (Hall) Mattoon, of Connecticut, and grandson of Caleb Mattoon, one of the earliest pioneers of this township, coming here from Connecticut with an ox team. Here he cleared a farm comprising 100 acres and lived the balance of his life. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, in Atwater Township, this county, January 9, 1856, with Miss Elizabeth, adopted daughter of Aaron Baldwin. This union has been blessed with five children, four now living: Charles A., Jessie, Estella and Edwin. In 1858 Mr. Mattoon settled on his present farm of 240 acres. He is Trustee of the Congregational Church and Superintendent of the Sabbath-school The family are among the oldest and most respected in Atwater Township.

JOHN MYEKS, Atwater, Ohio, was born in Berlin Township, Mahoning Co., Ohio, December 22, 1828, son of Daniel and Polly Myei's from Pennsylvania, and early pioneers of Mahoning County, Ohio. The subject of this sketch had not the advantages of acquiring an education that many boys, even of his time, possessed. Arithmetic was his "main fort," and in that branch he got as far as the "double rule of three." His constant practice in compound numbers, interest, percentage and mensuration has made him so proficient in these departments of arithmetic, that better scholars than he frequently acknowlege his superiority in these departments. When about twenty years old he commenced to battle with life for himself, and his first undertaking was a contract to cut 100 cords of four-foot wood at 25 cents per cord for John Boles, of Campbellsport. Taking for a partner his brother Henry, they accomplished the feat in ten days, going to and from their work twice during the time, a distance of fifteen miles. With his share of the proceeds, as part payment, Mr. Myers purchased a "Cantield grain thresher" for which he paid $200. This was his first investment, and he continued to follow threshing for sixteen years. In February, 1851, he was married to Miss Sophia Betts, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, but who when two years old moved with her parents to Trumbull County, Ohio, where she lived until united in marriage to Mr. Myers. Our subject and wife spent one year of their married life in Berlin Township, and in the fall of 1852 they moved to Atwater Township, this county, on the farm where they now live, consisting of 120 acres, for which Mr. Myers paid $17.50 per acre; about ten acres of this farm were cleared off when Mr. Myers moved ; on it, but being possessed of a strong constitution and a tireless ambition, with the best elements of character and natural frugality, his life's work has been crowned with merited success. He is owner of over 500 acres of land in Atwater Township, and notwithstanding the vast apaount of labor connected with operating such a farm, he has always taken an active interest in educational matters, giving his children every advantage of acquiring a thorough education. The record of his family, all of whom are now living, is: AV. C, born November 3, 1852; Lucy A., born July 11, 1854, married to L. I. Glass; Chester A., born December 16, 1856, married to Clara E. Hawn; H. Alva, born August 20, 1859, married to Jennie T. Douthitt; Vinnie M., born August 27, 1861; Eddie M., born December 11, 1864; Hattie

J., born January 8, 1867; Jesse O., born May 26, 1870, and Worthy Allen, born December 14, 1873. Six of these have taught school, viz.: VV. C, Chester A., H. Alva. Vinnie M., Eddie M. and Hattie J. Mr. Myers is a strong supporter of Democracy, casting his first Presidential vote for Franklin Pierce, and voting for every Democratic candidate for President since that time.

HENKY NICHOLS, farmer, P. O. Atwater Centre, was born in Fairfield, Columbiana Co., Ohio, September 20, 1825, son of Nasin and Elizabeth (Gould) Nichols, natives of New York State, where the former died when our subject was but two years of age. The widowed mother, with her son, came West and located in Ellsworth, Mahoning Co., Ohio, and three years later removed to this county, settling in Edinbtirg Township, where she was married,'on second occasiou, in Columbiana County, to Mahlon Siddall, by whom she had eleven children, nine of whom are now living: Marilda J., George W., Matilda A., Louisa and Elisha (twins), Lovinia, Keller, Isaac and Melissa. The subject of this sketch has been a resident of Atwater and Edinburg Townships, this county, since 1834 and experienced all the hardships incident to pioneer life. Between his residence and Atwater Center the road covers hidden timber which he helped to fell in order to obtain a pass through the woods. He has been twice married, first in 1850 to Miss Mary K. Lynn, born in Limestone, Fayette Co., Penn., September 29, 1831, and who died in 1874, the mother of two children, both now living: Frances J., wife of Jerome Huxley, of Princeton, Kan. (have two children: Dallas H. and George E ), and Samuel E., residing in Atwater, married to Ada Wireman (have two sons: Bernard H. and Walter). Mr. Nichols was married on second occasion, in 1875, to Miss Eliza, daughter of Jesse and Emily Rogers, a pioneer family. Mr. Nichols in 1866 settled on his present estate, comprising 126 acres, where he has established a permanent home. He and his wife are connected with the Disciples Church of Edinburg.

JOHN NORTON, farmer, P. O. Atwater, one of the oldest native residents of Atwater Township, this county, was born here in 1813; son of Jerry and Rachel (Hubbard) Norton, who journeyed fi*om Connecticut in 1812, with ox teams and one horse. They had two children with them, were six weeks on the road, and located in Atwater Township, this county. They had a family of twelve children, of whom five are now living: Sarah, wife of Daniel Hall, in Richmond, Mich.; Mary, wife of Isaac Elliott; John; James; and Ellen, wife of Henry Beebe. Jerry Norton in the latter years of his life removed to Randolph Township, where he died. Our subject was married in Edinburg, this county, March 11, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Elton, of Atwater Township. Their only child (adopted), Martha, married Z. Strong and has three children: Willie, Henry and Landa. Mr. Norton lives on the homestead farm consisting of 100 acres. He has served his township as Treasurer.

JAMES SPIERS, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born in England, October 16, 1813, son of Thomas and Ann (Parkins) Spiers, with whom he immigrated to this country in 1833, and located in Deerfield Township, where Thomas Spiers died the following week. In 1840 our subject secured fifty acres of his present estate, now comprising eighty-two acres, which at that time was wholly wooded. A road through the forests had to be cut to make a clearing for the erection of a cabin. Their bread was baked in a kettle suspended on poles, over a fire, and they experienced all the other hardships and privations incident to a pioneer's life. He was married in Boardman, then Trumbull, now Mahoning County, Ohio, February 29, 1844, to Miss Betsey, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Webber, by whom he has the following children living:

Milo; Lucy, wife of Charles Craig (have one child - Ethel M. ), and Celeste, residing at home, the joy and solace of her parents' declining years. The family are widely known and highly esteemed.

C. J. STANFORD, member of firm of Stanford & Mendenhall, furniture dealers and undertakers, Atwater, was born in Randolph Township, this county, September 7, 1841. His father, Orrin Stanford, a native of Connecticut, came to this county when a youth, with his father, Oliver, who was one of the pioneers of Randolph Township. Orrin Stanford married Eliza Coe, a daughter of Deacon James Coe, Sr. , who was born in Granville, Mass., March 19, 1769, and settled in Randolph Township, this county, in 1811. The Coe family came to this country from the County of Suffolk, England, where their ancestors for many generations back had resided. Robert Coe, of Milford, Suffolk, was burned at the stake by orders from Queen Mary, September, 1555. Robert Coe (of the ninth generation) is the first of this name who came to this county. The svibject of this sketch learned the carpenter's trade of his father, and worked at the same until he joined the Union Army, in 1861, enlisting in Company A, Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and serving three years. Ho participated in the battles of Middle Creek, Ky., under Garfield, Pound Gap, Siege of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, and in other skirmishes. After his return he worked at his trade until 1877 when he opened a furniture store and undertaking establishment at Edinburg. In 1880 he removed his business to Atwater, and in 1883 Mr. Mendenhall was admitted a partner in the concern. Mr. Stanford was married, March 15, 1883, to Miss Nina Mendenhall, by whom he has one son - William.

W. H. STOCKBERGER, carriage manufacturer, P. O. Atwater Center, was born in New Lisbon, Columbiana Co., Ohio, in September, 1841, son of Frederick and Elizabeth Stockberger, who emigrated from Germany in 1835. They were married at New Lisbon and settled at Atwater Center in 1854. Their family consisted of four children: Caroline, W. H., Daniel and Lizzie. Frederick Stockberger was a carriage-maker by trade, and established tha present business here, which he carried on to the close of his life, in 1878. His widow is still surviving. The subject of this sketch was married in Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1862, to Miss Louisa Rettman, also a native of Germany. Their living children are Jessie, Carrie, Mary, Frank, Lottie, Frederick, Walter and one net named. Mr. Stockberger has made great improvements in the carriage factory, moving the old building to the rear and erecting a substantial two-story structure. The main floor is used as a carriage repository and the upper floor as a paint shop and drying room. This addition was completed in 1880. Mr. Stockberger and family are members of the Lutheran Church.

JARED STRATTON, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born in 1841, in Atwater Township, this county; son of Jared and Damaris (Perkins) Stratton, natives of Connecticut, who settled in Atwater Township in 1821. Of their children, three are now living: Almon, born in this township, in 1831, married to Rebecca Henline (they have two children: Willie J. and Howard S. ); Jared; and Samuel, unmarried. Jared Stratton, Sr., was a carpenter by trade, and worked at this dccupation until within a few years previous to his death in 1883. His widow is now a resident of the old homestead farm. The subject of this sketch, in 1871, settled on his present farm, consisting of fifty-six acres, which he has greatly improved and cultivated. He was married in 1872, to Miss Lydia B. McLeish, who has borne him four children: Fannie, Frank, John and Walter. Mr. Stratton is present Clerk of this district, School Director and a member of the Board of Education. He was appointed a Deacon in the Congregational Church, of which he is a member, in 1883.

SAMUEL STRATTON, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born in Atwater Township, this county, June 21, 1843; youngest son of Jared Stratton, Sr., whose history appears above. Samuel Stratton has always remained on the homestead farm, and since his father's death, February 18, 1883, has been the support and companion of his respected mother, now in her eightieth year. Our subject has added thil'ty-seven and one- quarter acres to the original homestead, making a total of seventy- five and one-fourth acres. He is connected with the Congregational Church.

WILLIAM THOMPSON, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born in Deerfield Township, this county, in 1822, son of Uriah and Elizabeth (Allen) Thompson, natives of New Jersey, and among the pioneers of 1810 to settle in Deerfield Township. At that time there were but ten families in the township, the country was covered with woods, and wild animals were in abundance. Their nearest market was New Lisbon. Uriah Thompson secured eighty acres of land which he cleared, but subsequently removed to Atwater Township, where he and his wife died at the ages of eighty-four and seventy-nine, respectively. Of their six children, three now survive: Uriah, Jr., William and Elizabeth. Our subject has occupied his present farm, now comprising 225 acres, since he was eighteen years of age. He erected a cheese factory on his place, and has won for himself a wide reputation as a successful manufacturer of this commodity. He began life empty-handed, clearing his farm of woods and slowly improving it until he has now one of the best in the county, Mr. Thompson was married in 1855, to Miss Emily Fowler, of Pennsylvania. Of the children born to this union five are living: Louie, Owen P., Lillie, Leona and Wendell.

SAMUEL TOWNSEND. ticket and station agent, Atwater, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1836; son of Jonathan and Ann Townsend, of English and French descent, I'espectively. They came from Bucks County, Penn., and settled in Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1833, where they both died. Our subject was married in 1865 to Miss Lois Roller, of his native county. He was brought up on a farm and followed various occupations until his removal to Atwater in 1870. He was subsequently employed as assistant station agent until the resignation of H. Hillyer, in January, 1884, when he succeeded him, and has proved himself to be an efficient officer. He is well known and highly respected.

SILAS P. WALLER, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born November 6, 1841, on the Waller estate, this township, in the old log-cabin which his father first occupied in 1837, since when two generations have been born within its honored walls. His father, David G. Waller, was born in Palmyra Township, this county, August 12, 1812, and was married to Catherine Webber, born in Pennsylvania, October 17, 1804, daughter of Peter Webber, who was born September 4, 1779, in Berkshire County, Penn., a son of Christian Webber, a native of Germany who fled from that country when eighteen years of age to avoid being pressed into the army. To this union were born the following children, viz.: Hiram, Silas P. (our subject), and David Webber. David G. Waller's parents, Silas, Sr., and Betsey (Knappen) Waller, were natives of Connecticut and parents of thirteen children, only two of whom now survive: David G., and Mason, a native of Palmyra Township, where he still resides. Silas Waller, Sr., was a son of Joseph (who died in Connecticut) and Sarah Waller, who accompanied her three sons, Silas, David and Asel, with their families, who settled in Palmyra in 1805; she died February 21, 1815. Our subject was married June 2, 1870, to Miss Angeiine V., daughter of Henry and Sophia Dawes, early settlers of Deerfield Township, natives of England and the parents of twelve children. To Mr. and Mrs. Waller have been born six children, four now living: Mary Sophia, Fannie Betsey, Cora Elizabeth and George Edmund. Our subject enlisted in 1861 in the three months' call, but did not go out. He re-enlisted for three years in Company G, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was wounded in the battle of Cedar Mountain, Va., August 9, 1862, and was honorably discharged on account of same, March 16, 1863. After being dischai'ged from the army he attended school at the Poland Seminary, Mahoning Co., Ohio, for one year, and during the winter of 1864-65 he attended the Iron City Commercial College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1865. In October, 1865, he removed to Lawrence County, Mo., and was engaged in teaching school for live years, during which time he assisted in organizing a teachers' institute, and establishing a teachers' library of over 350 volumes; was one of the prime movers in establishing a normal school at Marionville (the building costing $12,000). He was a member of its first Board of Directors, and Secretary of the Board of Directors for three years, and also one of the Building Committee. In the spring of 1870 he returned to the old homestead on a visit, during which he married Angeline Victoria Dawes, and in September returned with his bride to Missouri. During the winter he taught school. In the spring of 1871 he engaged in farming, in which he continued for five years, and during that time he held the ofiices of Township Clerk, Township Treasurer and Collector of Taxes; he was First Lieutenant of Company I, Missouri State Militia. During the fall of 1873 they lost their little boy, Edmund Guy, and in the spring of 1874 they buried their little boy, Henry Lester, over which his wife became very despondent. Her health remaining very poor all summer, she returned to Ohio on a visit the first of October, staying all the winter of 1874-75. During that time he was engaged in teaching school. In the spring of 1875 he returned to Ohio, and stayed all summer, during which time his wife's health greatly improved. In the fall of 1875 he proposed to his wife that they return to Missouri again, to which she objected, saying that she would rather live in Ohio in a log-cabin than in Missouri in a mansion. He then, decided to return to Missouri, dispose of his property and come back and settle on the old homestead, and is now living in the old log-cabin which has been standing some sixty- five years, and in which the third generation is now living. He has been a member of the Township Board of Education for seven years, and has always taken an active part in public and private enterprises.

E. WARRINGTON, M. D., Atwater, was born in Butler Township, Columbiana Co., Ohio, in April, 1821, son of Abraham and Keziah (Woolman) W^arrington, who were the first couple married in Springfield Settlement, Columbiana Co., Ohio, where they raised their family of ten children and resided the balance of their lives. Our subject was raised on a farm, receiving a primary education in Friends' select schools and at Mt. Pleasant Academy. After teaching twelve years and practicing surveying he began the study of medicine, and graduated at Cleveland in the Medical Department of the Western Reserve College in 1852. For five years he practiced his profession at North Benton, Mahoning Co., Ohio. In 1857 he settled in Atwater Center, where he has since been in constant and successful practice, and with two exceptions is the oldest living physician in the county. He has been a member of the Portage County Medical Society for sixteen years, ever since it was started; is also a member of the Northeastern Ohio Medical Association. During his twenty-eight years' residence in Atwater seven doctors at different times have tried to get a foothold there, but would remain only a short time. Dr. W^arrington for many years back has used antiseptic method in the treat- ment of both wounds and diseases with marked success generally, and in some individual cases with marvellous results. In 1853 the Doctor was married to Miss Jane Sproat, who died in 1863, leaving two children - Richard and Jessie. He was married on second occasion in April, 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Ritchie, of Columbiana County, Ohio. Dr. Warrington has served as Township Treasurer and on Board of Education. He is connected with the Congregational Church.

JAMES WEBBER, Jr., farmer, P. O. Atwater Centre, was born on the homestead farm where ho now resides in Atwater Township, this county, April 8, 1825, the second son of James, Sr., and Phebe (Mix) Webber (whose record appears in this book elsewhere). Our subject was married in 1855 to Margaret, widow of Isaac L. Webber, eldest son of James Webber, Sr. (by whom she had three children: James B., Charles E. and Lida L.), and a native of Harrison County, Ind. To our subject and wife have been born two sons: Robert L. and Howard H. Residing from birth on the old homestead, our subject's life has necessarily been uneventful. He has served as Justice of the Peace some years and in various other township offices of trust.

HIRAM B. WEBBER, merchant, P. O. Atwater Centre, was born in Atwater Township, this county, July 18, 1828, son of James, Sr., and Phebe (Mix) Webber, natives of Wallingford, Conn., whose history appeal's in this work. The subject of this sketch left home when seventeen years of age, and followed mercantile business at New Albany, Ind., where he was extensively engaged for upwards of thirty years. He was united in marriage in Indianapolis, Ind., in 1856, with Miss Fannie E. Smith, of Bloomington, Ind., and who died in Atwater, this township, March 6, 1881. By this union there are three children, now living: Louis C, Mary J. and John L, Mr. Webber moved to St. Louis in 1872, and engaged in the sale of carpets, but in 1875 returned to his native place, where he erected his present place of business, in which he carries a general stock of goods. Mr. Webber was a stock-holder and Dii'ector in the Ohio Falls Iron Works at New Albany, Ind., and has been otherwise identified with prominent operations here and elsewhere.

FRIEND WHITTELSEY, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born April 10, 1830, in Atwater Township, this county, son of Randolph and Clarissa (Mansfield) Whittelsey, of Wallingford, Conn., who were the parents of five children: Patrick, Edgar, Friend, Randall, and Clara, wife of Ambrose Goss. The paternal grandfather of our subject, John H. Whittelsey, also a native of Wallingford, Conn., of Scotch descent, settled in the woods near Atwater about 1807, on the farm now owned and occupied by John B. Whittelsey, Jr., his only living child. Our subject was married in 1856 to Miss Eliza Ballinger, of Atwater, who came from Cheltenham, England, with her parents in 1850, and who died in November, 1859, leaving one son - Elisha. Mr. Whittelsey was married, on second occasion, to Miss Susan B. Smith, of Deerfield, by whom he has two childi'en: Susan B. and Edgar; Mr. Whittelsey occupies a part of the old homestead, having a farm of 260 acres. He is regarded as one of the substantial men of Atwater Township.

RANDALL WHITTELSEY, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born on the homestead farm, upon Avhich he now lives, in Atwater Township, this county, August 30, 1842, the youngest son of Randolph S. and Clarissa (Mansfield) Whittelsey, natives of Wallingford, Conn., where the former was born September, 1799, and the latter in November, 1800. They reared a family of five children, all of whom are now living: Patrick, Edgar, Friend, Randall, and Clara, wife of Ambrose Gross. Randolph S. Whittelsey came to this county when seven years of age, with his father, John H. , who founded a home on the land in Atwater Township, now occupied by John B. Whittelsey. Our subject was married November 16, 1876, to Miss Lucy L. , daughter of Royal Merwin, of Palmyra Township, this county, and whose family were pioneers of that township. The three children boi'n to this union are all living: Lois, born June 11, 1878; Clara Jane, born August 7, 1880, and Koyal, born August 1, 1882. The Whittelseys are among the most numerous of the pioneers, and are highly respected. Under our subject's able administration the homestead farm has become one of the finest in Atwater Township.

A. V. WILLSEY, Postmaster and merchant, Atwater, was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., in 1823, son of Henry T. and Orpha (Snow) Willsey, natives of that State. The family located north of Atwater Center in 1840, and subsequently moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, where Mr. Willsey died. His widow lived to attain her eighty-fifth year, and died in Atwater Township, this county, March 28, 1884. They raised a family of five children, all of whom are living, and of these, Moses, who served three years in the Union Army during the late war of the Rebellion, is now a resident of Ashtabula County, Ohio. The subject of this sketch learned the carpenter's trade in his native place, and followed this occupation in connection with farming until his appointment as Postmaster of Atwater by President Grant in 1871, which position he has filled continuously since that time. Mr. Willsey was married in 1843, to Miss Mary J. Clover, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has three children: Louisa, wife of Z. Crubaugh; Henry, and Delilah, wife of G. Gelbart. Mr. Willsey owns a farm in Atwater Township, this county, which he operates in connection with his other business. He has served six years as Justice of the Peace, and two terms as Notary.

HOMER H. WOOLF, hardware merchant, Atwater, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, October 24, 1851, son of George and Eliza A. (Baum) Woolf, natives of Columbiana County and Mahoning County, Ohio, respectively, and who had a family of six children, of whom five are now living: Preston G., Homer H., Maurice O., Clark E. and Wilson W. George W^oolf came to this county in 1848, and followed farming until he retired from business. He is now a resident of Atwater township. His wife died December 2, 1880. Our subject was brought up on a farm, and after attending Mt. Union College three years, taught school nine terms and then embarked in business. He was married in Ravenna, June 17, 1875, to Miss Carry V. Crumrine, a native of Mahoning County, Ohio, by whom he has three children: Edith A., A. Leslie and Elsie L. Mr. Woolf, with his brother Preston, established their present business in Atwater in 1874, and in March, 1882, Preston disposed of his interest to our subject, who has since carried it on alone and is doing a good trade, having a stock of about $3,000. He is now serving his third term as Justice of the Peace, and has filled other township ofiices. His father's family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Aurora Toavxship

REUBEN N. AVERY, farmer, P. O. Aurora, was born on his present farm in Aurora Township, this county, December 10, 1829, son of Reuben and Corrinna (Lewis) Avery. Reuben Avery, Sr. , was born at Horseneck, Conn., March 7, 1772, and removed to this township in 1816 with his first wife, Rachel Baldwin, by whom he had ten children. xlfter her death he was married to Mrs. Corrinna (Lewis) Faxon, widow of Isaac D. Faxon, by whom she had four children. She was born in Farmington, Hartford Co., Conn., December 23, 1789, came to Mantua TownshijD, this county, in 1813, and in early life taught school. Her union with Mr. Avery resulted in the birth of six children: Amelia M., Minerva C, Augustus, Henry, Reuben N. and Betsey E. The father died May 22, 1873. Our subject was educated in the common school of his native township. He was piarried January 1, 1854, to Frances Hatch, born in Aurora Township, this county, December 14, 1835, daughter of Dr. John and Harriet (Gordon) Hatch, natives of Otsego County, N. Y., who removed to Aurora Township in 1826 and 1829 respectively, and where the former died in 1842- His widow is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Avery are the parents of six children, four of whom are living: Lawrence G., Willis L., John H. and Lillian F. Our subject is a farmer by occupation, and owns eighty acres of land. He has filled a number of the township offices. In politics he is a Democrat.

HARVEY BALDWIN, farmer, P. O. Aurora, was born in Geauga County, Ohio, April 14, 1823; son of Harvey and Laura (Kent) Baldwin, who were the parents of four children: Laura Ann (deceased), Harvey, Philander (deceased) and Oscar O. , residing in Minnesota. Harvey Baldwin, Sr., was born in Danbury, Conn., in 1796, and came to Cleveland, Ohio, with his father and family in 1806, and the following year to Aurora Township, this county. At eighteen years of age he left his home and embarked upon his career in life, first taking a trip South, thence to New York. In 1819 he purchased a quantity of cheese and cranberries, which he conveyed overland to the Ohio River, thence by skiffboat to Louisville, where he disposed of them. The following year he shipped a cargo to New Orleans, and continued in the cheese business for a period of twenty-five years, making frequent trips down the Ohio River, and as often as once a year to New Orleans. In 1830 he purchased land in Streetsboro, this county, and in connection with farming, engaged extensively in the manufacture and sale of cheese. He died in February, 1882. His wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Suffield, Conn., March, 1797, came to Aurora Township, this county, in 1807, and is now residing with our subject. Mr. Baldwin, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm, anJ. educated in the common schools. Leaving home when eighteen years of age, he engaged as farm-hand for Charles Harmon, and in 1847 commenced farming for himself in connection with dairying, which he has since continued, excepting three years spent in California. In December, 1847, he married Emily Carver, who has borne him the following children: Ella F., wife of E. R. Merrill; Alice W., wife of F. A. Gould; Carrie E. deceased; Hattie E. ; Anna Laura and Minnie C.

GEN. NELSON EGGLESTON, farmer, was born October 3, 1811 , in Aurora Township, Portage Co., Ohio ; son of Moses and Sally (Taylor) Eggleston. His father was born in Middlefield, Mass., in 1784. He came to this township with his brother Joseph in the spring of 1806; after arriving, and looking up the land for which their father's farm in Massachusetts was exchanged, they commenced clearing away the trees, and making preparations for the arrival of the rest of the family the coming year. Among other labors, the ensuing spring, they made maple sugar, fashioning the spouts and buckets, for gathering sap, from basswood, with only their axes, knives and a sap gouge for tools. During the succeeding summer Joseph revisited Massachusetts, and returned with the Eggleston, Taylor, and Root families, in all, thirty-two in number. They came through Pennsylvania and by way of Pittsburgh. In 1810 Moses had made uite an opening on his land and erected a cabin; having provided it according to the fashion of those times, he proposed to Miss Sally Taylor to come and join with him in the labors and struggles of a border life. This place was one mile and a quarter northwest of the center of Aurora, on the old Cleveland and Newburg road. In the war of 1812 Moses enlisted in the service, and was sent to Huron with his company immediately after the surrender of Hull. His wife stayed at the cabin, not knowing what hour the British and Indians might defeat her defenders, and repeat again the scenes of the River Raisin. In 1824 he moved to the Center, where he remained until his death, August 6, 1866. He was formerly of the Federal, then of the Whig and Republican party, by which he was honored with repeated elections to the offices of Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner. He was an influential member of the Presbyterian Church, and his career that of a man of industry, economy and integrity. The mother of our subject was born in Massachusetts, in 1792, and died in April, 1838. She had three children, two of whom survive her - Nelson and Wealtha. The latter is now living in Tuscola, 111., the widow of Simeon D. Kelley, by whom she had seven children, three boys and four girls; the sons, Moses, Hiram, and Randolph, served through the late war of the Rebellion. Moses, settled at El Presidio, Texas, where he in a short time accumulated a handsome property, and became a prominent citizen, but was murdered about 1880. His two brothers still reside there. Oar subject passed his early life on his father's farm, received a common school education, and spent some time at Hudson College, whence he graduated in 1831. He taught school in Calloway (bounty, Ky., nearly a year, returned, and commenced to read law with Mathews & Hitchcock, of Painsville, Ohio; subsequently he studied with Humphrey & Hale, of Hudson, and September 9, 1834, was admitted to the bar upon motion before the Supreme Court sitting at Ravenna. He was mari'ied, January 29, 1835, to Miss Caroline Lacy, daughter of Isaac J. Lacy. By this union there are two children, Emmett and Addis. Mr. Eggleston engaged earnestly in the practice of his profession for a time, but submitting to the demands made upon him by his father for help in the working of land, and receiving no pecuniary aid from him in the purchase of books, or in the erection of an office, for which things he was unwilling to run in debt, he flung up the law, and has devoted himself since to farming. In 1834-35 he was Adjutant of the cavalry regiment in the Twentieth Brigade, Ohio Militia, under Col. O. L. Drake, of Freedom; afterward was promoted to the Colonelcy, which office he held two or three years until his resignation. Still later he was elected to the command of the brigade with the rank of General. Mr. Eggleston has a wide acquaintance with the early settlers of noi'theastern Ohio, and has been connected In various ways with its progress. He called the first meeting at his own house that was ever held to consider the subject of a railroad from

Pittsburgh to Cleveland. The report of this meeting raade by him and published, resulted immediately in a large convention at the center of Aurora, from all the towns on the route. He has earned a handsome competence, owning 500 acres of improved land in Ohio, and 1,200 in Missouri. He takes a lively interest in literature and polititcs, but does not permit them to interfere with his daily labor and the management of his farms. He is a disciple of Thomas Jefferson, and acknowledges no other master.

JOHN GOULD, of Aurora Township, Portage County the gentleman here introduced, a well known citizen of Aurora, is now in his forty-second year, having been born in Twinsburg, Ohio, in 1844, of New England parentage. His father, John W. Goald, came from Vermont to Ohio in 1837, and his mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Post, from Saybrook, Conn., removed to Ohio with her parents in 1821. Mr. Gould and Miss Post were married in 1839, which relation was broken in 1882, when the beloved mother died, leaving besides her husband, three children: John, Aaron, and Ettie. In 1848 the family removed to Aurora, where they resided an unbroken family until 1879. John, the subject of this sketch, led much the life of any farmer's son, going to township schools, and for several winters was under the tutorship of the Rev. Joseph S. Graves; being of a very studious turn of mind, he added to his limited school advantages a general fund of information gleaned from an extended reading of books, magazines and the best papers. In 1870 Mr. Gould became locally connected with the Cleveland Herald, and in 1878 was advanced to the position of traveling agent of the paper. The year following he became a staif correspondent, and in that capacity made extended tours, his travels in one year alone taking him into nearly a score of States. When the temperance movement known as the " Woman's Crusade" began, Mr. Gould was delegated by his paper to report it, and for over three months this was his exclusive duty, his observations taking him to nearly every corner of the State. In 1879 Mr. Gould was married to Miss Helen Ferris, only daughter of Dr. Osman Ferris, of Mantua, Ohio. Giving up journalism, they located at Auroia Station, Ohio, and farming became his occupation, but in 1880, upon the reorganization of the editorial staflf of the Herald, he again became connected with the editorial force of that paper, with special assignment to its agricultural department, though his pen furnished manji columns to other departments, and many long journeys were taken as a "special correspondent." The same year, by urgent solicitation, Mr. Gould also became dairy editor of the Ohio Farmer, and for years his writings for that journal over the pseudonym of " Sam," have been widely read. W^hen Secretary Chamberlain, of Columbus, organized the lecture course known as "Farmers' Institutes," Mr. Gould was early assigned to a prominent place as a special lecturer upon dairy and kindred subjects, and during the winters of 1882-83 and 1884, he has visited nearly every part of the State in that capacity. While rarely ever speaking of the extent of his literary work, it is known that he is a frequent contributor to the better class of farm journals, and his writings are sought for, from East to West, by such papers as the New York Tribune, Rural Neiv Yorker, Country Gentleman, Coleman''s Rural, Prairie Farmer, etc. With the disappearance of the Herald in 1885, Mr. Gould was promptly offered a position upon the editorial staff of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Mr. and Mrs. Gould have always resided at Aurora Station, where they assert they shall always continue to reside, and in the future, as in the past, welcome their many friends to the hospitalities of their home.

SAMUEL F. HICKOX, retired farmer, Aurora, was born in Hartford County, Conn., September 9, ISIO; son of Josiah and Betsey (Forward) Hickox, who were the parents of four children: Josiah V. ; Betsey, wife of Marcus Taylor; Sam- uel F. , and Chauncey, deceased in 1836, Josiah Hickox, a native of Watertown, Conn., was born August 22, 1777, a son of Ebenezer Hickox, a soldier in the Revolutionary war, who was descended from one of three brothers, natives of England, who immigrated to America in the early part of 1700. The father of our subject came with his family to Aurora Township, this county, in 1818, and here engaged in farming until his death, which occurred August 2, 1840. His widow, who survived him until January 15, 1884, was born in Granby, Conn., June 18, ]787, daughter of Samuel and Susanna (Holcomb) Forward, also natives of Granby, Conn., who came to Aurora Township, this county, in 1803, and here died, the father in 1821, and the mother in 1830. Samuel F. Hickox was I'eared on a farm, and received a common school education. In 1840 he was married to Miss Emily Blair, born in Aurora, November 21,1816, and died January 26, 1884, leaving four children: Oliver, Walter G. , Henry M. B. and Olivia, wife of Albert Sheldon. Mr. Hickox is a Democrat in politics; an active member of the order of A. F. & A. M.

CHESTER R. HOWARD, farmer and mechanic, P. O. Aurora Station, was born February 3, 1812, in Hartford, Conn. ; son of Freeman and Eunice A. (Risley) Howard, natives of Hartford, Conn. , and a descendant of Thomas and Susanna Howard, who emigrated from England to America, and settled in Ipswich, Mass. , in the year 1634. Freeman Howard, subject's father, was born in 1789; was a carriage-maker by trade, and in 1828 came to Aurora and erected and controlled a saw-mill and grist-mill. He died in Chardon, Ohio, February 3, 1867. His wife was born June 15, 1788, died June 26, 1866, at Chardon, also. They were the parents of the following children: Freeman, Jr., Chester Risley, Eliza, Celestia and Julius Field. Our subject remained at iiome during his minority, assisting his father in farming and in the saw-mill. In 1846 he bought the property his father had first owned in Ohio, and has since continued to occupy it. He has been twice married, on first occasion to Harriet Benjamin, who died July 10, 1864, leaving the following children: Emerett, Emerson, Elmira and Eliza. He subsequently, September 7, 1865, married Harriet, daughter of Robert and Rhoda (Henry) Root. Mr. Howard has always quietly and assiduously devoted himself to his private affairs, except when he bas been called by the citizens of his township from time to time to discharge the duties of District Assessor, and other local offices.

ELISHA HURD (deceased) was born March 10, 1822, in Aurora Township, Portage Co., Ohio, son of Hopson and Betsey (Lacy) Hard, who had a family of seven children: Maria, wife of P. H. Babcock, of Cleveland, Ohio; Elisha; Hopson; Eliza, wife of S. C. Greene; Frank; Cornelia, wife of J. E. Williams, and a daughter deceased. About 1815 Hopson Hurd, accompanied by Roman Humphrey, came over the mountains with a stock of goods and embarked in business in Aurora. Mr. Humphrey in a short time withdrew from the firm, and the business was then carried on for many years by Mr. Hurd alone. He accumulated a large fortune and died in Aurora in 1869. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Aurora Township, and here married, October 13, 1852, Louisa Williams, boi-n in Newark Valley, N. Y., May 13, 1830, daughter of Stephen Williams, of Tioga County, N. Y. Four children were born to this union: Eliza, wife of Frank Aldrich, in Cleveland, Ohio; C. Williams; Fred S. ; and McClellan. also in Cleveland. Mr. Hui-d remained at home assisting his father on the farm until he was twentynine years of age, when he engaged in cattle dealing on his own account, and about 1857, in company with his brother Frank, embarked in mei'cantile trade, and at the same time attended to his dairy, live stock and farming interests, This firm continued until the death of Elisha, when Frank carried on the bus- inesB until 1879, and then sold out to Fred and William S. , sons of Elisha Hurd. Mr. Hurd was a Republican in politics. By industry, tact and perseverance he accumulated considerable propeiiiy, and owned over 700 acres of land at the time of his death, June 17, 1868.

ZENO KENT, farmer, P. O. Aurora, was born on his present farm in Aurora Township, this county, February 20, 1821, son of Zeno and Emily (Granger) Kent, natives of Connecticut, who made a permanent settlement in Aurora Township, this county, in 1810. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom are now living: Julius, a farmer in Chagrin Falls, Ohio; Zeno, and Delight, wife of Mr. Gillman, of Iowa. Mr. Kent died March 27, 1837, and his widow, February, 1865. Our subject was reared on the farm, and received such an education as could be obtained at the schools of Aurora and Ravenna in those early days. In 1848 he was married to Miss Almira, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Gould, who were natives of Vermont. Mrs. Kent died November 27, 1867, leaving six children: Helen H. ; Leroy Zeno; Charles E. ; Emily D., wife of Arthur Stanton; Dora and Nora. Keno Kent is one of the oldest living residents and natives of this township. He has followed the occupation of a farmer during his life, and is now owner of 340 acres of good land, besides having given each of his sons a farm to start them in life.

SOLOMON LITTLE, farmer, P. 0. Aurora, was born on the farm where he now resides in Aurora Township, Portage Co., Ohio, December 27, 1825, son of Warren and Susanna (Spencer) Little. Warren Little was born April

16, 1780, in Middlefield, Mass. He was thrice married, on the second occasion to the mother of our subject, also a native of Middlefield, where she was born September 12, 1781, and who bore him seven children, three of whom are now living: Harmony, wife of Seth Sawyer; Nancy, widow of Oliver Smith, and Solomon. Our subject's father and mother both died in Aurora Township, this county, the former November 8, 1868, the latter July 30, 1838. Our subject was reared on the farm upon which he now resides, and in 1864 he married Myra Ward, born at Middlefield, Mass., January 13, 1840, daughter of John and Phoebe (Church) Ward, also natives and residents of Middlefield, Mass. To this union have been born three children, two of whom are now living: Elma and Harry. Mr. Little, who is a farmer by occupation, owns one of the best farms in the township, comprising 330 acres of tine land. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church.