Wellington Township (part 2 of 2)

A. Hall. She was born in Brighton, Lorain county, December 23, 1842. After living with his father's family three years, he purchased fifteen acres of what was known as the Lyman Marshall farm, where he has since resided. In 1873 he thoroughly remodeled his dwelling house, and in 1876 he purchased the remainder of the Marshall farm. Two children were born to them: Roswell, born September 20, 1871; Ralph W., born January 10, 1875. Little Roswell brightened their home only four days; he died Sej>teniber 24, 1871. In 1803, during the war of the rebellion, Mr. Smith was drafted. His health unfitting him for active service and the exposure of camp life, he hired a substitute. In politics he has always been a republican, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864. Of late years his occujiation has been dairy farming. In 1873 himself and wife were converted, and received into the First Congregational church of Wellington, during the ministry of Dr. L.

Homer Mason And Family

-Sampson Mason, father of Homer, and twelfth son of Samjjson and Mercy (Baker) Mason, was born in South Adams, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, April 15, 17!)!). He was brought up on a farm, and received a common school education equal to the times. The first of May, 1822, he was married to Miss Hannah Childs, and commenced farming in the town of his liirth.

Miss Hannah Childs, fourth daughter of Stephen and Zilpa (Brooks) Childs, was born June 20, 1792. The births of children were as follows: Nancy, born March 4, 1823; Stephen C, born March 28, 1826; Angeline, born August 13, 1827; Minerva, born December 15, 1831; and Homer, born September 18, 1833.

Nancy married Henry Allyn; she now resides in Ilirain, Portage county, Ohio. There have been five heirs, three now living. Henry Allyn died December 11, 1878.

Horace married Ellen Lyon, of Wellington, August 22, 1858, continuing to reside at the old homestead, where their children were born as follows: Harry B., born November 20, 1860; Hattie M., born October 1, 1867; Willis L., born November 21, 1869; Annah E., born July 16, 1876; and Arthur D., born April 18, 1878. These children are receiving the advantages of a good education, as age permits, and bid fair to become an honor to their parents.

Hannah, wife of Sampson Mason, died May 16, 1858. Mr. S. Mason still resides at the old homestead, bearing the honorable title of grandfather and great-grandfather - a venerable man, whom the children delight to honor.

Air. and Mrs. Homer Mason received a good common school education, and their home is one of culture and refinement, where many people are hospitably entertained. Mr. Mason's politics is republican. He has been a prominent member of the Union agricultural society of Wellington. He is an excellent farmer, a good citizen, and held in high esteem by all acquaintances.

James Shelden And Family

Benjamin, father of James Shelden, was born in Delaware county. New York, July 7, 1791; married Lovisa Rice, January 22, 1815. Miss Lovisa Rice, born in Delaware county, July 6, 1790, settled in Lock, Cayuga county. New York, and engaged in millinery quite extensively.

Benjamin, Sr., died in LaGrange, Lorain county, July 17, 1870; Lovisa, wife of Benjamin Shelden, Sr., died September 9, 1870; united in life, they were not long separated, and their children rise up and call them blessed.

James Shelden was educated in the common schools, learned the joiner's trade, and in 1857, February eleventh, was joined in wedlock to Miss Adeline West, eldest child of Amasa H. and Maria West; Amasa H. West was born in Hartwick, Orange county. New York, May 'H, 1810. Miss iMaria West, born iu the same place. May 27, 1809. They wure married February 24:, 18o4, and moved to Ohio, soon after, where the children were born, as follows: Adeline, born October 19, 18:311; Henry, born October 2i, 1838; Franklin, born Septcndjer 8, 18-40; Charles, born June 5, 1853.

lleni-y West enlisted in the war of the rebellion; was wounded in battle April seventh; died May 2, 1862, at St. Louis. Remains brought to Wellington for burial.

Amasa H. West, father of Adeline, died June 24, 1872. Mrs. Maria West, mother of Mrs. Shelden, married again 0. J. West, November 11, 1873, and settled in Wellington village.

After marriage Mr. and ]Mrs. Shelden commenced dairying on a farm in Wellington. In 1860 he purchased the farm where he now resides, and continued dairying. In 1867 he built liis present residence. (See engraving). Two years later he erected suitable buildings, andconnuenced the manufacture of cheese, according to tlie factory system, extending and enlarging his conveniences and facilities until three millions of pounds and over were manufactured at, the home factory in 1878.

Mr. Shelden, at the present time, owns an interest iu five other factories, and has in his employ seventeen men. As a factoryman Mr. Shelden stands at the front, giving as good, or better satisfaction to patrons, than others engaged in the same business: and as dairying is the principal business of the farmers of Wellington and vicinity, the rivalry with which Mr. Shelden has to compete, may readily be seen. Children - Jessie, born January 5, 1862; Lettie, born June 5, 1867; Charles, born April 3, 1869. Mr. Shelden's children are receiving excellent advantages for education, and bid fair to become ornaments to society, aud are true blessings in the household.

The family are most hosiiitably inclined; there seems always room for one more, and guests are wont to enjoy their visits there most heartily, as the host and hostess are merry-hearted and desirous of ministering to the pleasure of their friends.

Silas Miller And Family

Ephraim, second son of Ephraim Miller, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, June 8, 1774, and married Rachel Buttolph March 13, 1800. Rachel Ruttolph was born in Stonington, Connecticut, October 2, 1773. After the marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Miller settled in Chester, Massachusetts, pursuing the avocation of farming, the same as his ancestors. In Chester all their children were born, to wit: Silas, born April 13, 1802: Emily, born February 5. 1804: George, born February 28, 1806; Moses, born .l:iiiu;iry 8, 1809; Ephraim, born October 36, 1811; Edmund, born January 27, 1S14; Fordis, born Aprd 12, 1816; died August 18, 1829.

Ejihraim Miller died, at his son Silas' house, in Wellington, March 30, 1868, aud had reached the remarkable age of ninety-four years. Rachel his wife died in Mindon, Michigan, September 27, 1869, the year following her husband's death. This couple lived together sixty-eight years, never being se])arated over a week at a time, their affection being like that of Ruth for Naomi.

Silas Miller was born, as stated above, April 13, 1802. He received a good corjimon school education, and beside the knowledge of farm life, acquired at at home, he learned the trade of tanning leather, of William Hubbard, Cummington, Massachusetts. Being a youtli of mnch enterprise and true grit, he was bound to get on in the world, his motto being: "' If I fall, I will get up again."'

He married Miss Cynthia Holcomb, in West Hartford, Connecticut, December 2."), 1828. flynthia IL, daugher of Asel and Martha (Flagg) Holcomb, was born in Cranliy, Connecticut, .July 29, 1799. They settled at housekeeping and farming in Chester, Massachusetts. The record of births in the family are as follows: Caroline S., born October 2, 1832; Fordis N., born Ajiril 3, 183."); and Sarah E., born May 26, 1838, Cynthia, wife of Silas Miller, died February 16, 1840. The family having moved to York, Medina county, Ohio, the year previous, May 26, 1839.

August 20, 1840, Silas Miller married Miss Lydia Branch, of York, Medinacounty, Ohio. Lydia Branch, third child of Nathan and Polly (Capron) Branch, was born in Gratten, Tompkins county, New York, January 16, 1810. The birth of children are as follows: Silas F., born June 23, 1842; Herman, born November 9, 1843; Lucinda, born February 18. 1847; Nathan, born .lune 18, 1849; George, born October 8, 18.52.

Fordis N. married Augusta Howe, and settled in Noble county, Indiana, and carries on a mercantile trade. The fruits of this union are four daughters aud one sou, viz: Cynthia, Carrie, Laurie, Emily and Silas. Augusta, wife of Fordis N. Miller, died March 3, 1877.

Heruiau, also a soldier, served three years in the United States artillery, suffered as many other soldiers suffered, and contracted a disease (chronic diarrluea), of which he has never fully recovered, and which will, no doubt, be the means of shortening his life. Herman married Mrs. Mary Knapp, of Wellington, Februarys, 1868. Evelyn L., only daughter of Herman and Mary Miller, was born July 23, 1871.

Lueinda married Jerry Whitehead, of Wellington. December 28, 1875, settled in Ogden, Michigan, and iier husband follows the avocation of farming.

Nathan (the bachelor,) resides with his parents; a youth of enterprise, spirit, and ability, well (|ualitied to keep up with the jjrogress of the age.

From York the family moved to Lorain county, settling in AVellington April 0, 1861, where they now reside, on the farm formerly owned by 0. >S. Wadsworth, engaged quite extensively in dairying as well as farming.

Mr. Miller has been an active, stirring man, possessed of a remarkable memory, retains events, dates, names, and places in mind, as the famed Napoleon. He is known far and near, as his journeyings have taken him into many States. In politics he is a republican, and his general character is good, as his code of morals, as well as those of his family, is most excellent.

Bert B. Hekihck And Family

riiilo Herrick, secontl son of Amasa and Polly (Robison) Herrick, and fatiier of Hon. Lucius Herrick, and grandfather of Bert B., was born in Tyringham, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, January 15, 17'.*4:. He received his education in the common seiiools, and developed tlie character of a model young man. January 1, 181G, he was joined in marriage to Sophia Blodgett. Sophia Blodgett, sixth child of Caleb and Ruth (Lombard) Blodgett, was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, September 27, 1788. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Philo Herrick went to live in Watertown, New York, where he jiursued the business of tanner, currier and shoemaker. From there he i-emoved to Hounsfleld, same State. Record of birth of children as follows: Loring, born October 5, 1816, in Watertown, Jefferson county; Amasa B., born April 20, 1818, in Hounsfleld; Lucius, born Novembers, 1820, iu Hounsfleld; George F., born November 11, 1824, in Hounsfleld. In the year 1835 the family moved to Wellington, Ohio (then denominated the far west), and settled on the homestead (see engraving), where a few years were spent in active service to secure the comforts of a home in a pioneer settlement, the children in the meantime securing the best advantages for education provided in the township, ere they separated to work out their future fortunes and establisii homes for themselves. .June 3, 18-14, Loring married Miss M. Bronson, a teacher among the Winnebago Indians, Iowa. April 23, 1846, Amasa married Lydia Ann Young, in Uockton, Winnebago county, Illinois. A record of ten birtiis graces this union, (ieorge F. Herrick left home for Wisconsin, June 9, 1845; died, Se|>tember 15, the same year. Lucius Herrick, remaining at home, married, April 15, 1844, Miss Mary E. Griffith. Mrs. Mary E., wife of Lucius Herrick, died January 15, 1845, leaving an infant son, Luther G., born January 11. April 8, 1851, Lucius Herrick was united in marriage to Miss Harriet E. Bidwell, of Brighton, Lorain county, Ohio. Miss Harriet E. Bidwell, daughter of Truman and Eveline (Doty) Bidwell, was born October 26, 1827. Truman E. Bidwell was born September 20, 1806; died March 31, 1876. Eveline (Doty) Bidwell, born 1802; died October 27, 1848. Harriet E., wife of Lucius Herrick, died February 28, 1854; Bert B., son of Lucius and Harriet Herrick, was born December 27, 1851. July 3, 18:j2, Mr. Lucius Herrick married Miss Sarah West, of Elyria, third child of Francis and P\inny West, born in Elyi-ia and educated in ililan and flnishing in the academy at Stockbridge, Berkshire county, Massachusetts; is a lady of culture and reflnement. July 8, 18G2, Luther G. Herrick died. He was a young man universally beloved, possessed of rare talents, and was pursuing a course of study at Oberlin when the fatal hand of disease sai)ped the current, of life. Philo Herrick died March 15, 1866. Mrs. Philo Herrick is still residing at the old homestead - the oldest person in town; is active, wonderfully well preserved for a lady of her years, retaining her memory remarkably well; and it is to her the writer of this sketch is indebted for the principal dates found in this biography.

Since the family of Philo Herrick came to Wellington, Lucius has been identified with the continued progress of the townshij). Being a representative man, active in business, he has held important offices by the gift of the people of Lorain county. For several years ho was county commissioner, and is now representing the county of Lorain in the State legislature.

Bert B. was united in marriage to Miss Etta R. Wadsworth, December 27, 1877. Miss Etta R. was born in Wellington, April 25, 1858; and is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Wadsworth; is a graduate of the class of 1877 of Wellington high school; average school report, for five years, ninetyseven and one-half - first grade; motto, excelsior; aim, to do well. After a short wedding tour, Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Herrick commenced housekeeping on the home farm, March 28, 1878. His father purchasing and removing to a new residence near by, the farm and its belongings fell to the care of B. B. In connection with other business matters in the line of t'jiriiiing, u d;iiry "f tliirty or more cows is kept, and the milk iimiiufuetured iii(,o biittor and cheese, at home, and maiketed l)y Mr. Herrick. Tiic excellent advantages for an edncation, and the opportunities for travel bestowed by a fonil parent, have fitted him for an active bnsincss life, fjiving a fair ontlook for fiitui'e j)ros|ierity and renown. March 39, 1879, a daughter was born to Mr. Ilerriuk - Ella R. Herrick; christened l)y grandma, "the light of the lionseliold" - by its parents, Sarah Ethel.

The genealogy of the Herrick family can be traced in a direct line back to one Eric, a Danish chief who invaded Britain during the reign of Alfred. For farticulars, see genealogical liistory, published by Zedekiali Herrick, giving statistics from 1029 to 1840.

Dr. John W. Houghton, of the Wellington Eiiterprise, is the son of Asa llougldon, deceased, and Clara Cole Houghton. He was born in Eatavia, New York, and is now in his forty-fifth year. He studied two yeai's at the l^niversity at Delaware, Ohio, taught several terms, j)rotracted his classical coui'se so as to keep uj) his musical studies parallel with it, graduating at Haldwin University in 1800, and fi'om a Cincinnati Medical College the same year. In lSO:i the degree of A. M. in course was conferi-ed Ijy his AIiiki, Mater.

Soon after graduation he commenced tlie practice of his profession at Wellington, continuing for ten years when he was obliged to abandon it from impaired health. He has since devoted his time princi- ])ally to the drug and book trade, established some years previously, until in 1870 he took the additional care and labor involved in the j)ulilishing and editing a, weekly newspaper, in connection with a job ottice.

William Henry Harrison Sutliff

This gentleman was Itorn in Erie county, New York, in July, 1815. His father's name was Solomon, his l)laco of nativity being New York State, Genesee county.

'J'he subject of this sketch received a good common s(!hool education. At the age of twenty ho left his father's home and came to Oberlin, Ohio, where he resided for three years. In 1838 he went to Michigan, where he remained thirteen years, except an interval of nearly a year in 1840, which he i^assed in

Ohio. While in the former State he entered government land. Returning to Ohio in 1853 he made his residence ill Carlisle township for two years, when he removed to Wellington, where he has since resided. In 1840, he married Miss Pho'be D. Gott, of La Grange. Mr. and Mrs. Sutlilf have been the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are now living, viz: AVilliam II., Charles E., George AV., Jam^s Alfred, Frederick M., Emily Jane and Franklin P. Mr. SutlitI has held a number of township offices, both here and in Michigan, and is a worthy and highly esteemed citizen.

I was born in Winchester, Virginia, March 18, 1818, of free ]iarents. My father was the grandson of Lord Fairfax, and my mother the daughter of Colonel Novel, of revolutionary fame. Myself, with my jiarents and other children, was allowed the privilege of common schools, although denied to other colored people. My father died in 1836, and in the same year, at the age of seventeen I removed with my mother and the rest of the children, six in number, to Illinois, settling iu Springfield, where I ajjcned a barber shop. ATiiong my customers were Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, and Edward Baker. Novendjcr 31, 1837, I was married to Sarah Ann Wigins, of Macdonough county, Illinois, the first colored marriage west of the Illinois river. In 1840, I moved to St. Louis, ^lissouri, but was arrested for coming into the State without license, and returned to Illinois and liccauie a citizen of Alton, where I reniaine<l until 1800, when I removed to Wellington, taking up my residence here in April of 1861. I have eight children, five boys and three girls. My oldest son Jonathan was captured by the rebels in 1801 and kept a prisoner two years. My son .loseph enlisted in company F of the one hundred and twenty-third regiment, but was killed at Frankfort, Kentucky. My son James enlisted in Company G, third regiment U. S. colored heavy artillery, and was discharged March 9, 1805, by reason of expiration of time of service. My children have all received a practical education. My oldest daughter is a gradu. ate of Oberlin College, is married, and lives in Washington, D. C.

I was forty-three years old when I was permitted to cast my first vote. It was cast for Abraham Lincoln. I can say that I have only been free since I came to this place. Here, thank God, I am in an open field, in pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, and where I intend to spend the remainder of my days.