Westfield Township

Westfield Township

The first settlers were H. Palmer and Eben Mallory, in the spring of 1817. At that period there were settlements in Guilford and Harrisville, that more readily invited the speedy ingress of settlers into Westfield. Mr. Mallory and Mr. Palmer made the first opening on lot Ten, near the present residence of Mr. Daniels. Mr. Palmer still survives, residing with his son in Harrisville. Some of the family yet reside in the county.

Mr. Mallory came to his death in the following manner : while aiding his son in putting a saw-log on trucks, the chain that fastened the log broke and let it down upon him, causing instant death.

The first female child born in the township was Fanny Morton, in 1817. The first male child born was H. F. Mallory, in April 1818. The former resides in Lorain county, the latter in Illinois. The first person that died in the township was the wife of Alvah Beach, in August, 1821.

The first school was taught by Miss Hosmer, in the summer of 1818 ; and the first winter school was taught by Ansel Brainard, the following winter. The school house was eighty rods north from " Morse's Corners." The names of the scholars that attended school were Melissa, Theron and Alfred Harrington, Alonzo and Lewis Nye, Charles Mallory, Jane and Sherwood Palmer, Eliza, Lucy and Lorenzo Brainard.

The Methodist Church was organized in 1819, by Ansel Brainard, Jr. The number and names of those then composing the organization are now forgotten.

In a few years thereafter the Baptist Church was organized; also the Congregational Church. Since the organization of these churches the accession in membership has been great and exerts a salutary influence in the township.

In 1820, the township was organized. At the first election twenty-six votes were polled. Messrs. Vaughn, Hamilton and Brainard were the first Trustees ; and George Collier, Clerk. Kufus Vaughn was the first Justice of the Peace. For several years prior to the organization, Westfield was attached to Harrisville and listed as part of that township. After the first openings were made the township filled rapidly with settlers, and in 1821, Westfield was considered as well tilled with settlers." The privations they encountered were somewhat similar to those were that endured in other sections of the county.

How striking the contrast between the appearance exhibited in 1818, and that seen in 1861. The forest is tamed, the wild beasts have fled, the visage of the red man is no longer visable ; in their stead can be looked upon, with delight and gratitude, waving fields of grain in its season, heards of tamed cattle, and a dense population of orderly, industrious, moral, church going, patriotic citizens. The hastily constructed cabins are supplanted by commodious dwellings, the old log school house in which the first school rallied. has disappeared, and the township is dotted over with educational dwellings giving evidence of the improved stale of society.

1 Ipon ;i portion of the forest where George Collier and others, forty-four years since, were accustomed to roam in search of wild game, can now be seen Churches, mechanic shops, and a dwelling owned by the Farmers' Insurance Company, that indicate the foresight and perseverance of the citizens. In every county in the State notoriety is given to the Insurance Company/and the safe wTay in which its financial operations are conducted, give assurance that it is a safe Company.

Wbstfikld Statistics Personal Property

If to the above be added the avails that yearly result from the products of all other articles, the total will amount to one hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars.