226 - HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

NEWBURY.

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BY E, JENKS.

The township of Newbury is situated in range eight (8), town seven (7). It is the second tier from the south and the second from the west, being in the southwest part of Geauga county. It is laid out in three (3) tracts, known as tract one, tract two and tract three.

Tract one is composed of a strip two (2) miles wide across the north side of the township.

Tract two consists of one mile wide, through the center of the township, on both sides of the east and west center road.

Tract three is the balance of the township, being two miles wide across the south side of the township.

Tract one is laid out into thirty-six (36) lots, of about two hundred acres each, commencing at the southwest corner of the tract, running north three lots, then back and forth across the tract, bringing lot thirty-six in the southeast corner of said tract.

Tract two is laid out in eighteen lots, commencing at the northeast corner, running west on the north tier, and east on the south side of the center road, bringing lot eighteen south of lot one on the east side of the township.

Tract three is divided into forty-four lots, of one hundred and sixty acres each, beginning with number one in the northwest corner of the tract, running east to the line of the township, to tract eleven, then west on the second tier, and back and forth, bringing lot forty-four in the southwest corner of the township.

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SURFACE.

The northern and western part of the township is somewhat rolling and hilly, the central and southern more level, but undulating. There is but very little waste land, the hill land being good grazing, and the low lands are excellent grass or mowing lands.

There are four bodies of water or lakes in the eastern part of the township. The first, known as Houghton's pond, is situated on lot four, in tracts two and twenty-four, in tract one. The second, or Synair's pond, on lot three, on tract two. Then there is a little pond on lot thirteen, tract two. The Big pond, or as known in later years as Emerald lake, lies in lot seventeen, tract two, and lot ten, in tract three, which is the largest body of water in the county.

STREAMS.

Houghton's pond finds an outlet to the northwest through Coe's brook, where it finds its way to Chagrin river, near the northwest corner of the township, and then to Lake Erie near Willoughby.

Synair's pond, about one-fourth of a mile east of Houghton's, finds its way to the head of Emerald lake, thence southeast out near the corner of the township to the Cuyahoga river, to Lake Erie at Cleveland. So water that starts so near together wanders a long distance before uniting again in Lake Erie.

Silver creek, in the southwest part, flows north of west, and enters Chagrin river near the center of Russell.

The township is very well watered, except the central southern portion, where living water on the surface is somewhat scarce.

SOIL AND TIMBER.

The soil and timber in the township are somewhat diversified. The soil varies from a black muck to gravel and heavy clay, but is generally of a good quality, raising good crops of corn, wheat, oats, etc. Grass grows in all parts, and is the principal crop. The inhabitants are mostly engaged in dairying and stock-raising. But little grain is raised for export, except potatoes.

Nearly all kinds of timber of our climate are represented. Beech and maple predominate, but in some parts of the township oak and chestnut are plenty; also, hickory, elm, basswood, whitewood, cucumber, black and white ash, black walnut, butternut, etc. The township was well timbered with heavy timber. In early days what was known as the great windfall passed through the north part of the township, doing a great amount of damage to the timber. In 181r another hurricane passed through the township, entering near Fullertown and passing in a southerly direction, passing by north of center, and then down the pond, blowing down the house of Mr. Royce to the chamber floor, and laying waste a wide scope of country. It felled nearly every tree in its track, some of the way making a clean sweep. The land came into briers, and finally a second , growth of timber sprang up, growing very straight and thick, and by the time the old logs had rotted and gone the land was well timbered with small trees.

SETTLEMENTS.

The first improvements in the township of Newbury is supposed to have been made by Judge Stone, near North Newbury, about 1802. Judge Stone settled in the township of Burton, but cleared land in both townships about the same time. Soon after Mr. Lemuel Punderson came from Connecticut as a land agent for some eastern land companies, and commenced making improvements.

In 1808 Mr. Punderson and Mr. Hickox entered into partnership to build a grist-mill, a saw-mill and a distillery near the foot of the big pond. During this year they cut the road west from Beard's saw-mill, and to the lower end of

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the pond. During the summer of 1809 they got out the timber (Mr. Punderson being a carpenter) for their buildings, and cleared the land to build on, and also built the dam. Soon after letting the water against the dam, there came a flood and carried off their dam, causing them a loss of several hundred dollars. They rebuilt immediately, and successfully too. The mill irons were brought from Pittsburgh overland, and the millstones were made by a Mr. Parks, of Burton, from hard head stones. In the year aro, they completed the mill and distillery; then commenced making whiskey, and feeding cattle and hogs. Those mills proved a success and a benefit to the surrounding country, whiskey then commanding a good price and a ready sale.

A Mrs. Royce kept the house and did the cooking for Mr. Punderson, and his men andMr. Royce worked on the mill, and was the first miller in the town.

About 1816 or 1817 Punderson built the saw-mill. They first attempted to take the water from the upper dam in the race that they cut in the east bank of the hollow, but it being of a soapy clay, it would not stand. So the neighbors around the country built the present dam, and moved the mill, taking their pay in sawing at the mill as they wanted the lumber to use on their barns or houses. For a fuller account, see the personal sketch of Punderson.

In 1818 Mr. Marcena Munn commenced erecting a saw-mill in the west part of the township, but dying soon after its completion, it was occupied by Mr. Thomas A. Munn, his son.

In the month of July, 1810, Mr. Lemuel Punderson and wife moved from Burton (where they had lived most of the time since their marriage in 1808) and settled where the Punderson homestead now stands, near the foot of the lake, and commenced improvements in earnest, where he had previously built their mill and distillery.

From that time the settlement of Newbury became a reality, and family after family came into town from the eastern States.

Among the settlers from 1810 to 1815 we find the names of Johnson and Uri Hickox, Samuel Barker, Moses, Niger, and Bildad Bradley, Hamlet Coe, Capt. Elezer Patchin, Samuel Davidson, and, perhaps, some others, the Bradleys and Coe settling south of the mill, and Barker, Patchin, and the Hickoxes going north from the mill.

In the spring of 1815 Joshua M: Burnett and Harry Burnett came from Massachusetts, and bought out Bildad Bradley, and he moved to the township of Auburn, being the first family in that town, but John Jackson chopped the first land, and rolled up the first log house body.

Soon after their arrival, came Solomon Johnson and Seth, his son, who bought land west of Punderson's, and commenced improvements.

The forepart of July following, Joshua Burnett returned to Massachusetts, returning in the fall with his family, and in company, came Welcome Bullock and John Cobb with their families, arriving in Newbury on the fifth day of October, 1815, after a journey of forty-one days' length.

The next spring (1816) Jonah Johnson and John Earl came with their families, and also the family of Solomon Johnson.

Among the settlers of 1816, 1817 and 1818, we find Elisha Talcott, John Bacheldor, Eliphalet Gay, Sherry Burnett, Justin Alexander, John Randolph, David Walker, Cutler Tyler, Jo Morton, John Hunt, John Brown, Marcena Munn, T. A. Munn, Asa Robinson, Samuel Hodges, Mr. Stockman, Abel Fisher, Noah Morton, Thomas Riddle, Lovel Green, Jonas Ward, Thomas Manchester, Hamilton Utley, Jothan Houghton, John and Jo Fisher, Upham, Adams, Patchins, Smiths, Elisha Mott, a quack doctor, Black, Brownell, Hobert, Roswell Manchester, Frederick Rima, Bosworths, David Burnett.

About 1816 the settlement began to spread. Talcott, Gay, Sherry Burnett, t.

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Johnson, Bullock, going west on Music street; Bacheldor and Cobb going west on south road; Houghton going on center road, west from Hickox's; and later, Alexander Hunt, Munns, Robinsons, Stockman, Riddle, Green, Ward, Utley, Hodges, etc., settled west of Punderson's Patchins, Smith, Black, Noah Morton, and others, going north and northwest from the mill; Jo Morton, Randolph, Walker, Tyler, Brown, and others, going west on the south road.

Among the early marriages in the township we find that of Moses Bradley to Miss Celia Parks, of Burton; married by Esquire Hickox, May, 1816. Eliphalet Gay to Miss Calista Bennett, September 4, 1816, by John Ford, esq. Josiah Bennett to Miss Diadama Johnson, June 21, 1818, by Lemuel Punderson. Elisha Talcott to Urana Johnson, December 3, 1818, by Rev. L. Humphrey. Levi Savage to Tripehena Alexander, February 24, 1820, by L. Punderson. Benjamin Hosmer to Orindo Robinson, April 11, 1820, by L. Punderson. Levi Patchin to Emeline Fowler, September 28, 1820, by J. Brooks. Seth Johnson to Saloma Curtiss, March 18, 1821. Jothan Houghton to Clarissa Loveland, May 6, 1821, by L. Punderson. Jeremiah Evans to Laura Munn, February 24, 1822, by L Punderson.

The first birth in Newbury was a daughter to Mrs. Royce, by the name of Evelina. She was born on the twelfth day of November, 1811.

The first white boy was Samuel Punderson, who was born January 7, 1812, and the next was Daniel Punderson, who was born February 6, 2814.

It is supposed that the first death in Newbury was a child, from two to three years old, belonging to Bildad Bradley, and buried in South Newbury burying ground. The next was a boy by the name of Bowers, killed by the fall of a tree. Lemuel Punderson died August 30, 1822, and was buried in the same yard. Probably Marcena Munn was the first person buried in the Munn burying ground, out west; and, I believe, Uncle Calvin Chase was the first buried in the grave-yard at the center of the township.

In the year 1812 the State road was cut through to Chardon. The contract was to cut all timber

less than eight inches, and clear out the road. The larger timber was girdled so it would die.

In 1820, Welcome Bullock, J. M. Burnett, Lemuel Punderson, Jonah Johnson, and others blazed the trees and cut the brush from Burnett's tavern to Chagrin Falls, there meeting a company from Cleveland at work on the same undertaking. They all camped a few rods north and east of the Falls. The next morning, after breakfast, they separated, each company going home over their own road.

Geauga county was set off from Trumbull county, in the year 1806, and one of the first orders of its commissioners was for that part of Middlefield lying in Geauga county, embracing the twelve southern towns, to be made a township, and to be known as the township of Burton, with orders for the qualified voters to assemble at the academy and elect its officers.

In the year 1817 the present township of Newbury was set off from the township of Burton by the commissioners, and an election ordered to be held at the house of Lemuel Punderson, on the first Monday of April, 1807, for the purpose of electing township officers. The following was the election: Lemuel Punderson, moderator; John Cobb; clerk; L Punderson, Solomon Johnson, Joshua M. Burnett, trustees; Hamlet Coe, Thomas Manchester, overseers of the poor; Eliphalet Gay, Moses Bradley, fence viewers; Seth Johnson, John Bacheldor, appraisers and listens.

In the summer of 1815 Grandpa Burnett very generously gave the use of his back parlor in his log house for the purpose of holding school. Here Miss Chloe Humphrey gathered her orphanless children around her, as a hen gathers her chickens, to try to instil into, their youthful minds good and wholesome.

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truths and ideas that would be of use to them in their older and more sober days. And this was the beginning of common schools in Newbury, then a dense wilderness, more than sixty ago, many of the scholars having to go miles through an unbroken woods, with nothing but blazed trees to direct on their narrow path.

In the year 1816 the first school-house was built just north of the old Parker barn or the South Newbury cheese factory, on what is known as the Gilbert garden, now owned by Henry Hodges. It was built without any tax being levied or collected.

The first frame school-house was built by Ithiel Wilber, in 1820, just north of Gilbert's tannery, in South Newbury.

After this the Riddle, Utley, Hickox and other school-houses were built, as the necessity of the people required. Some were built of logs and some framed, and there have been schools supported in them every year since. When one was worn out and whittled up or burned down, another has been built on or near the same site. So all have had an opportunity for a good common school education. Perhaps no country town in the county took greater interest in the education of their youths than did the new settlers of Newbury. The early inhabitants being mostly of New England origin, the subject of common schools was kept uppermost in their minds. Not only have there been district schools, but select schools have been very common in different parts of the township, and always well supported.

Among the early teachers are remembered the names of Miss Chloe Humphrey, the first teacher in the township; Mrs. Stockman, the first teacher out west; Daniel Houghton, the first teacher in the Riddle neighborhood, he having taught one term of school in Uncle Jonah's old house; Miss Calistia Burnett, Thalia Beard, Eunice Harmon, Hamilton Utley, Mrs. Fisher, the Fisher girls, Amaziah Wheelock, Dr. Rawson, Dr. Russell, Dr. Cowles, Dr. Ludlow, A. G. Riddle and brothers, Mary Barney, Lovina Stone, Susan Bartholomew, Sylva Bradley, Mary Walker, Caroline Stone, the Wilder girls, Emeline Coe, Julia Beebe, the Vincents, Tylers, Gilberts, Greens, Johnsons, etc.

In 1814 Lemuel Punderson built the first frame barn in the township (the barn south of the old homestead)—a bank barn covered with white oak boards and chestnut shingles. Mr. Punderson, being a mill-wright, built a mill in what is now Portage county, and afterward rented the mill and did the sawing for his mills, barns and other buildings, drawing his lumber from the southeast for a number of miles. In the above barn Rev. Thomas Punderson, of Connecticut, preached the first sermon ever preached in the township, he being an Episcopalian minister.

In 1816 Newbury, for the first time, publicly celebrated the Fourth of July. The whole community assembled on the hill, where Daniel Punderson's house now stands, and had a general jollification, by firing Sibley's old anvil, splitting logs and stumps with gun powder, etc. Mr. Welcome Bullock delivered a very eloquent oration.

In 1819 Joshua M. Burnett returned to Massachusetts, received pay for property sold, and came back, bringing with him material for building, and that season employed David Hill, of Burton, to erect him a frame house, it being the first frame house in the township. People gathered from all this and neighboring townships to the raising. They came early and stayed late, it being a new era in the new settlement. The building was named, after the custom of those days, "The Farmers' Delight," by Mr. Hamlet Coe, after which, the bottle of whiskey was thrown from the top of the house to the center of the road without breaking, which was considered a good omen, and called forth loud huzzas. The house is the one now occupied by Mr. D. M. Allen.

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Mr. Burnett was the first keeper of a public hotel in Newbury. In those days the neighbors thought it a great treat to gather around the bar of Uncle Josh and tell stories, sing songs, and interview the strange traveler, who might perchance have come from some of the old homes of the settlers. But he had to drink and answer questions, whether he was acquainted or not. He was from the east, and that was enough. He was common property for the evening. Those were joyful days, and every stranger was warmly welcomed, whether rich or poor.

Afterwards followed Parker's, Hickox's, Si Burnett's, Shumway's, Black's, Willoughby's, and other taverns.

Dr. Joel Burnett was the first resident of the township to practice medicine. He was soon followed by Drs. Rawson, Palmer, Scott, Russell, Cowles, Ludlow, Bell, Draper, and others. Later came Burlingame, Fisher, Hiccock, Strickland, McGraw, etc.

From all that can be learned, Fullertown seems to have been a separate province, and settled independent of the rest of the township. The first house seems to have been built of split whitewood logs, by Roswell Manchester, on lot two, tract one, in 1816, but was never occupied on that site. It appears from the best record that can be found that a man by the name of Frederick Rima built a house in 1818, a little east of the old mill by the bridge, on the east side of the river. It is probably that Mr. Rima has the honor of being the founder of Fullertown in 1818.

In 1820 Mr. Thomas Fuller and a Mr. Allison purchased lot three, in tract one, containing two hundred acres, at four dollars per acre, to be paid for in a term of years, in oxen, at the following price agreed upon : Fifty dollars per yoke, each ox to girth six feet; and for each additional inch any ox should girth, one dollar should be added to his price. They commenced work on the gristmill the same season, boarding with Mr. Rima.

The following spring Mr. Fuller moved his family into a house which they had built, and the same season raised the Fullertown mill. A Mr. Parks, of Burton, worked the mill-stones out of some hardhead rocks, and they were drawn by oxen on what were called "chronicles" (crotched trees) around by Maple hill through the woods to the mill, where they were put to work without roof or siding, so eager were they to have a mill running. Mr. Allison, becoming discouraged, soon sold out to Mr. Fuller, for so much wheat, leaving Mr. Fuller with the mill to finish and the land debt to pay off. Mr. Fuller, being a man of much nerve, often run his mill day and night for three or four days in succession to keep up with the custom grinding. He succeeded in paying off the debts, and built a saw-mill upon the opposite side of the river, and also put carding works into the upper part of his mill, and after a few years he built a woolen-mill, about thirty rods below the grist-mill, where he continued wool-carding until he was over ninety years of age. He tore down the old grist-mill and built a new one about one-half a mile down the stream, but still taking the water, in a race, from the same dam.

On the center road, west from Hickox's, the settlement commenced early, but scattering. Jothan Houghton made an opening, about one mile east of the center, about 1816 or '17. Soon after this the Fishers, John and Joseph, commenced in the west part of the township, with Upham and others along the road. Then came John Bosworth, who settled near Jothan's. In 1818, Harman Bosworth commenced, a little east of the center, and occupied the same place until he died, in 187-. In 1819, Jenks and Dunham came and took the place occupied by John Bosworth. Here Jenks and Dunham and two Bosworths formed a copartnership, and kept a bachelor's hall, and run it on principles of fun, strictly, for a few years, when Jenks and Dunham, becoming disgusted with frontier life,

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abandoned their western home and prospects, and returned east. So goes life.

Mr. Alexander, better known as "Uncle Alex." was one of the earliest preachers to hold meetings in the school-houses in different parts of the township. He was assisted in the good cause by Revs. Bigalow, Jones, Williams, and others.

In the year 1832 the Methodist church was organized in William Morrow's barn, consisting of David Walker and wife, Elisha Talcott and wife, Nester Young and wife, and Mrs. Stockman. For many years they used to hold preaching meetings once in two weeks, at the Riddle school-house, and the alternate Sunday prayer-meetings at Brother Jenks' near by.

In the year 1842 Mr. Dutton and sons, of Auburn, built a church, one mile south of the center of the township, where there have always been meetings held.

The Baptist church was formed July 27, 1832, with the following members : Elijah Hawes, Sarah Hawes, Parley Wilder, Mr. and Mrs. Daggett, Mrs. Taylor, Lucy Bosworth, and Mahitable Shaw. They held their meetings at the center school-house generally, until 1845, when they united with the Univeralists, and built a union church at the center of the township, but they did not keep up meetings, and in a few years a good share of the members had moved out of the township, and the Baptist church is among the things that were.

The Congregational church was organized by Rev. Chester Chapin April 15, 1832. It consisted of five males and seven females: Males—Gideon Russell,. John Batcheldor, Amplius Green, Rufus Black; females-Pamelia Barker, Gemima Russell, Sarah Russell, Sarah Bacheldor, Polly Barker, Lucy Willson, and Lucy A. Willson. They held meetings in the school-houses at the State road and on the south road until the Methodist church was built, when they occupied their house one half the time, until after the brick church was built by them in 1851.

After Punderson's and Munn's saw-mills we find in 1822, Fuller's mill, then Alexander's and Samuel Bittle's mills, each doing a good business for a while; then the creeks became uncertain, and then came the age of steam-mills, and we had the steam-mill built in the southeast part of the township, about the year 1850, which succeeded in nearly breaking up every company which took hold of it. It changed hands most every year for some years, and finely came out ahead, and no one would trade for it. And the same was true of one out west.

Then came the Ober Boy's mill which was burned, as the property of Mr. Brown. At present there is the steam-mill, three-fourths of a mile west of Newbury center, known as Hodges' and Neve's mill, owned by W. C. Hodges and Thomas Neve, who are doing a large business in cheese boxes at the present time.

The old steam-mill at the State road that has laid still so long, is again running by Mr. Wesley Brown.

The first thing that we find on going south from Burnett's tavern, is the woolen works of Hamlet Coe, established about 1815 or 1816, on the banks of Niger's creek. Here Mr. Coe was ever ready to help lessen the labors of the women, by being ready to dye and dress all sorts and kinds of woolen cloths and flannels. To Mr. Coe must be given the honor of introducing those beautiful teazels growing so majestically on every farm in the township—and, probably, will always stay with us—he having to use them in some process of dressing cloth, and, by raising his own, could save the expense of importing them. After a few years Mr. Coe removed his factory to a more powerful water power, northwest of the center of the township.

One of the earliest mechanical enterprises was Bradley's furniture works, situated on the water power of Niger's creek. There the early settlers procured their splint-bottom chairs, spinning-wheels, reels, looms, four-post bedsteads,

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rolling-pins, potato-mashers, tables, light stands, etc. Mr. Bradley erected shops and warerooms on the south side of the road, but hig turning lathe and machinery were on the creek, on the west side of the road.

Next in importance were the asheries. Every man had a small establishment of his own, where he could convert the ashes from his fallow into black salts, and sell them at any store in the country, taking their pay in goods. But the first commercial ashery was built by Amos Parker, near Burnett's corners, where was carried on the manufacture of black salts, potash, pearl ash, and saleratus. Now the inhabitants could find a ready sale for their ashes, taking their pay in pins, needles, thread, saleratus, combs, and such other goods as the ash peddler could carry in a little old tin trunk. What happy days were those for the women when they saw the ashman come—could point to the pile of ashes in the corner of the fence with an air of dignity, which said, "these are mine!" After Parker's ashery, there came Gardner's, Willoughby's, Chase & Clark's, Worrallo's, and others, scattered over the township, all doing a flourishing business for a time, but they are now among the things that were, but are not.

About 1828 Augustus Gilbert built his tannery, a little north of Bumett's tavern, where he carried on a flourishing business. The founder (Gilbert) died about 1850, since which time it has been carried on by different parties, at present being the property of J. H. Hodges.

In 1834 John Jackson started the wagon business, on the State road, and continued in business until 1845, when he moved his works to Chagrin Falls. Since then there have been Whalen's, Centre's, Redfield's, Ober's, Luther's, and others, but at the present time there is no shop running successfully in the township.

Among the early blacksmiths we find such names as Samuel Sibley, Roswell Royce, Palmer Bartholomew, Perry Brothers, Parley Wilder,. Hyde, Owen, Piper the Dutchman, Chase & Johnson, Arad Way, Bill Chase, Don Austin, Woodin, Boyington, Wheeler; and, later, we had Jo. Gilbert, the Hawes boys, Frank Craft; and now we find such names as John Weller, Lime Smith, J. Huff, Buffington Warwick, etc.

For coopers we had Nathan Willson, Cole Williams, Joseph Baker, Briant Clark, James Russell, Black Willoughby, and a host of others, but now there are none but Coats found who can shave a stave or drive a stray hoop.

As shoemakers we find Jonas Ward, Caleb Smith, Marb Weaver, John Howard, Alpheus Hawes, John Robinson, A. Gilbert, John Ferris, Charles Woodward, Hi. Clark, Thomas Bittles, Sol. Burnett, Andrew Burnett, and a host of others.

About 1825 John 0. Granger established a stage line from Fairport, on Lake Erie, to Ravenna, there connecting with stages south and elsewhere. Among the first drivers were found Daniel Allshouse, Lew. Turner, and others of note as early drivers. They changed horses at Hickox tavern, and stopped at Chardon, North Newbury, Auburn, Mantua, and Shalersville. Thus a direct and convenient route of travel was opened from the lake to the interior part of the State.

At this time all cattle were transported east to New York and Philadelphia by driving on foot over the mountains, and all produce was wagoned to the Ohio river for the southern market. Those were great days when a train of six to fifteen wagons, loaded with pork or cheese, started for Wellsville, making the trip in from eight to ten days. Then was the time the fool in the crowd was to be pitied, if no other time, for he was sure to have to bear the fun of them all.

The first post-office was established in 182o, and Mr. David T. Bruce was the first postmaster, followed by Gardner, Hayden, Matthews, Canfield, and is now held by Mrs. P. M. Burnett, within a few rods of where it was first estab-

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lished. In 184o the post-office was established at North Newbury. Colonel Shumway was appointed postmaster.

The center of the town was not settled until 1834. Sylvester Black commenced on the northeast corner, and L. C. Willoughby on the northwest corner the same year. Esquire Warrallo opened a store and hotel soon after on the southeast corner. In 1835 the school-house was built on the north side of the square. In early days there was a nice square laid out at this place where the militia of Newbury used to gather every September, to drill and make ready for general training, to be held at Burton, Auburn, or some other large town near by. But after the woods were cut away, letting the sun shine into Jugville, the common has nearly shrivelled up to just a four corners—no square to be seen.

Ford post-office was established at the center of the town in the year 1852, or thereabouts. Mr. Welcome Bullock was appointed the first postmaster, there being no other person near about there who held to the same political faith as the administration. But Mr. Bullock never saw the inside of the post-office, he being too feeble to go there; so he had to do all his business through deputies.

On the evening of December 31, 1838, Mr. Paddock and wife, who resided two miles west of the center, went to make an evening visit. When they returned their house was burned down, and in it perished their four boys. Mr. John Zethmayr says he gathered up the remains of the four children and buried them in a seven by nine glass box, on the southeast corner of lot nine, in tract two.

On the twenty-third of May, 1870, Mr. Frank W. Kinney, a son of Ira Kinney, of Fullertown, was struck by lightning and killed. I believe this is the only person ever killed by lightning in the township.

At the present time there are eight school districts in the township, and schools in all.

The first temperance organization in the township was in 1831. Almond Riddle was president of the society. After a few years, what was known as the old Washingtonian society was formed, and had a run. Somewhere about 1849 or '5o, Uncle Lucas Shaw, who had been quite a drinking man. in his day, went through the township with a temperance pledge, presenting it to every man, woman and child, and asking them to give him encouragement in his good undertaking.

On the twenty-ninth day of June, 1850, Newbury division No. 119, Sons of Temperance, was organized at the center of the township, in the hall of Leonard Aldrich, where they met until winter, when they were burned out. They then met in the church and in the school-house, and then at what was known as Hy Clark's shoe-shop, a little room seven by nine, for a few nights. Then they finished off the chamber of George Centre's wagon-shop, and had a very comfortable division room. The next year they built the Sons' hall, where they continued to meet until after the war broke out. The following is a list of the charter members: Jonas Allshouse, Anson Reed, Dr. J. M. Burlingame, Chris. Ellsos, James Gilbert, Horatio A. Smith, Isaac Money smith, George R. Parker, Leonard Aldrich, and Simon Gould.

In the winter of 1854 and '55, Geauga Lodge No. 72, Good Templars, was organized in the brick church, and did business for a number of years. Mr. James H. Gilbert was the first worthy chief.

On October 15, 1856, a lodge of good templars was formed at the center, with the following charter members: Nelson Parker, Joan Parker, C. P. Bail, Edmund Sanborn, Elizabeth Sanborn, Leonard Parr, Rachel Parr, W. E. Parr, Harriet Parr, William and Louisa McKee, Homer Sanborn, Alpheus and Sarah

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Williams, Aaron and Angeline Williams, William and Caroline Davis, Sarah and Louis Black, Perry and Charley Williams, and Lyman Parker.

Both lodges did a flourishing business for a time, but finally went the way of all the earth.

South Newbury division No. 197, Sons of Temperance, was organized February 23, 1875, with Johnson Way, W. P., and the following as some of the charter members: J. B. Watterton, Silas Coats, R. H. Ober, Miss E. Pinney, J. J. Smith, Lidia Smith, Ray Munn, John Reeves, N. Mathews, and others.

On the eighth day of April Crystal Division, No. 158, Sons of Temperance, was instituted at the center, with the following as officers: W. P., W. C. Blair; W. A., Florence Andrews; R. S., Gains Munns; A. R. S., Viett Andrews; T., Perlie Munn ; T. S., S. C. Clark; C., T. C. Neave; A. C., Ella Blair; I. S., Ellen McNish; and 0. S., A. D. Dickinson.

While speaking of secret societies we will notice Newbury Council, No. 496, of what was termed " Know Nothings," instituted September 22, 1854, with the following members: Orange Fisher, president; E. Hayden, vice-president; Anson Reed, secretary; Patrick Ladow, treasurer; R. K. Munn, instructor; John Cutler, marshall; G. 0. Blair, inside guard; Alen Parks, outside guard; Martin Stone and William L. Smith.

On January 12, 1874, the Woman's Sufferage Political club was organized, with Ruth Munn, as president; Joel Walker and D. M. Allen, as vice-presidents.

On July 1, 1876, Centennial Grange was organized, with William M. Briggs as master, and fourteen members.

About 1831 A. C. Gardner opened a general store near Burnett's farm, and did a large trade for many years, taking all kinds of produce in exchange for goods. But finely he sold out and moved to Chagrin Falls, since which time the mercantile business has been in the hands of such men as Weston & Doolittle, E. Hayden, Johnson, Ben Williams, Mr. Warrallo, Anson Mathews, Col. Shumway, Clark & Chase, Herrick Brothers, Canfield, and Coferth. Mrs. Burnett being the only one engaged in the business this centennial year.

After the opening of the Ohio canals there was a chance for our inhabitants to take the benefit of the southern market. It being a great grass township, the people entered largely into the dairy business, every family making their own butter and cheese. Such men as Henry, Harmon, Kent, Hurd, Williams, Willmott, Herrick Brothers, buying the cheese of farmers, paying from three to eight cents per pound, and shipping to New York, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, New Orleans, St. Louis, etc., sometimes making, and at other times loosing money. After awhile the factory system started, The factory man collected the curd every day from the farmers, paying so much per pound for the curd, and making cheese of a uniform size and quality. But this plan did not prove a success, and after a few years it was abandoned.

About 1865 the factory system broke out in a new form; the factories taking the milk every day and manufacturing it into butter and cheese. Now we have five cheese factories in the township, as follows: South Newbury, Gore's Webber's, Baker's, and Gould's; and we also have a number near the township lines, which take large quantities of milk from the township. The benefits claimed for the factory system are, first, it is a great saving of labor for the women; second, making cheese of uniform size and quality, it commands a ready sale, and more uniform price; and it also has a number of other reasons in its favor.

In speaking of early times, we should notice the distilleries. We had three. The first was Punderson's, a little southwest of the grist-mill; then Parker's, near Burnett's tavern, and one built by Harry Burnett and Ithel Wilber, in the west part of the township. These distilleries opened a market for the surplus rye and corn, which the people exchanged for whiskey, which they could use,

236 - HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.

or exchange for goods at any of the stores in the country. This stimulated the settlers to the raising of crops which they could not before, for the want of a market, as it was impossible to transport their grain to more distant markets over the almost impassable roads that were so common at the time.

In an early day Wilber & Burnett built a mill, in connection with their distillery, and Loveland & Bullock also built a grist-mill about three miles northwest of the center.

About 1848 or 1850, J. B. Lawrence opened a foundry, one-half mile west of the center, for the manufacture of plows and general castings. He did a flourishing business for a number of years, then sold out to Mr. J. J. Smith, who moved the shops to the next road south, where he still carries on the business in all its branches, doing a good business at the present time-being the only foundry and plow shop in this county.

In the year 1818 the first military training was held. It took place south of Punderson's, and opposite the tannery. Mr. Thomas Shepherd was the captain.

Among the early things to be remembered were the singing schools of Thomas Riddle, where were to be seen such persons as Amos Upham and wife, Hamlet Coe, "Aunt Polly" Johnson, Sam Hodges and wife, Mrs. Riddle, Loren Snow, and many others; when they used to sing such tunes as "Old Hundred," "Windom," "Haddam," "Coronation," "Bridgewater," "Sherbourne," "Mortality," "Ocean," "New Durham," "Exhortation," "Stafford," "Northfield," "Plymouth," "America," "Florida," "Concord," "Greenefield," and other tunes that used to be full of real, genuine music. Those were times that never were forgotten as long as any of them lived. They thought nothing of going miles on foot or on horseback to enjoy one of those pleasant gatherings, and they used to sing as if they were in earnest and meant their time should not be lost.

The tax-payers of Newbury, for the year 1817, were as follows:

So we see in 1817 the whole taxable personal property in the township of Newbury was twelve horses and sixty-seven cattle, and the whole personal property tax was ten dollars and thirty cents.

Uncle Jo Wilber used to doctor clocks and watches on the Oakhill road half a mile east of the grist-mill.

HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO - 237

John Earl was a man who could make any thing he ever saw, and do a nice job at it, so he was a very handy man to have in any new community.

Welcome Bullock was one of the greatest hunters ever in the township. He used to furnish his own and neighboring families with meat a great share of the time.

Hamilton Utley was a famous school teacher, he having taught school twenty-one winters in succession. He was also a great story-teller and singer of songs. He and nearly every one of his sons were good fiddlers.

So we see that what was an unbroken forest in 1808 has now, after a space of seventy years become as one of the old settled countries, every farm in the township settled and cleared. For a number of years, we have hardly seen a fallow burned. Timber that was a drug, and used to be burned in log-heaps, now finds a ready sale at a fair price.

Farms that, forty years ago, had no lot that could be well plowed for the stumps and roots that were in the way, are now clean. A few years makes an old country of a wilderness.

CIVIL ROSTER.

The following officers have served in the township of Newbury, since its organization, in 1817:

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

1817. Lemuel Punderson

1820. Lemuel Punderson

1822. Hamilton Utley, Abel Fisher

1825. Hamilton Utley, Cutler Tyler, Vene Stone

1828. Cutler Tyler

1832. Thomas A. Munn, Alborn C. Gardner

1837, A. C. Gardner, Jeremiah Evans

1840. David Stearns, Marsena Warrallo, A. C. Gardner.

1841. Jeremiah Evans. John P. Smith.

1843. Hamilton Utley, Marcena Worrallo.

1845. Anson Reed, Vene Stone.

1846. Hamilton Utley

1847. Grove Curtiss,

1848. Alexander McNish.

1849. Hamilton Utley.

1850. Anson Show.

1851. Hamilton Utley.

1853. Anson Shaw.

1854. Alexander McNish, Lucius Bartlett, Anson Matthews.

1857. Martin Stone, Lucius Bartlett.

1859. William Munn.

1862. William Munn.

1864. Henry Bartlett.

1865. Daniel Johnson.

1867. John Sanborn.

1871. Daniel Johnson.

1873. John Sanborn.

1874. Daniel Johnson.

1876. Edward Bosworth.

1877. Gains Munn.

1879. Edward Bosworth.

TOWNSHIP CLERKS.

1827. John Cobb.

1828. John Cobb.

1819. Hamilton Utley.

1820. Hamilton Utley.

1822. Hamilton Utley.

1822. Hamilton Utley

1823. Hamilton Utley

1824. Hamirton Utley

1825. Hamilton Utley

1826. Amos Upham.

1827. Amos Upham.

1828. Harmon Bosworth.

1829. Harmon Bosworth.

1830, Hamilton Utley.

1832. Hamilton Utley.

1832. Hamilton Utley

1833. Cutter Tyler

1834. Cutler Tyler

1835. Cutler Tyler

1836, Reuben k. Munn

1837. R. K. Munn

1838. Cutler Tyler

1839. Cutler Tyler

1840. Thomas A. Munn

1841. Jose M. Riddle.

1842. Luke Gore.

1843. William Munn.

1844. Luke Gore.

1845. William Munn.

1846. Leonard Aldrich.

1847. R. K. Munn.

1848. R. K. Munn.

1849. R. K. Munn.

1850. Leonard Aldrich.

1851. Franklin Dickinson.

1852. Franklin Dickinson.

1853. Martin Stone.

1854. Martin Stone.

1855. B. C. Herrick.

1856. R. C. Herrick.

1857. William W. Munn.

1858. William W. Munn.

1859. William W. Munn.

1860. William W. Munn.

1861. R. A. Gains.

1862. Edward Bosworth,

1863. Homer Hawes.

1864. Edward Bosworth. (He has held the office every year up to and inducting 2879.)

238 - HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.

ASSESSORS.

1817. Seth Johnson, John Bache'dor.

1818. Seth Johnson, Ezra Summers.

1819. Jonas Ward, T. A. Munn.

1820. Jonas Ward, Seth Johnson.

1821. Hamilton Utley, Seth Johnson.

1822. Hamilton Utley, Jonas Ward.

1823. Hamlet Coe, T. A. Munn.

1824. T. A, Munn, Cutler Tyler.

1825. Amos Upham, T. A. Munn.

1842. J. M. Riddle.

1843. Solomon Johnson.

1844. J. M. Riddle.

1845. Asa Cowles.

1846. Eldridge Hayden.

1847. Eldridge Hayden.

1848. Roswell Riddle.

1849. Samuel H. Hewes.

1850. Luther Andrews.

1851. John Sanborn.

1852. Luther Andrews.

1853. John Sanborn.

1854. Eldridge Hayden.

1855. Roswell Riddle.

1856. Roswell Riddle.

1857. William Munn.

1858. Henry Bartlett.

1866. Daniel Johnson.

1859. Luke Gore.

1860. Daniet Johnson.

1862. Hiram Covil.

1863. Erastus Hodges.

1864 J. B. Lawrence,

1865, Daniel Johnson.

1866. Hiram Covil.

1867. Roswell Riddle.

1868. Gains Munn.

1869. Gains Munn.

1870. William Munn.

1871. Gains Munn.

1872. Harvey Ferris.

1873. D. A. Gates,

1874. Johnson Way,

1875. Johnson Way.

1876. M. H. Dutton.

1877. M. H. Dutton

1878. E. J. Jenks.

1879. Nelson Matthews.

TRUSTEES

1817. Lemuel Punderson, Solomon Johnson, Joshua Burnett.

1818. Eleazor Patchin, Hamlet Coe, John Bachelor.

1819. Hamtet Coe, John Bachelor, Thomas Riddle.

1820. Thomas Riddle, Abel Fisher, Amos Upham.

1821. Thomas Riddle, Hamlet Coe, Cutler Tyler.

1822. Cutter Tyler, Thomas Riddle, Amos Upham.

1823. Amos Upham, T. A. Munn, Thomas Riddle.

1824. Amos Upham, T. A. Munn, Vene Stone.

1825. Harmon Bosworth, Cutler Tyler, Jonas Ward.

1826. Jonas Ward, Uri Hickox, Harmon Bosworth.

1827. Uri Hickox, Harmon Bosworth, Apollas Hewit.

1828. Uri Hickox, Cutler Tyler, Anset Savage.

1829. Levi Patchin, Henry Burnett, Apollas Hewit.

1830. David Stearns, Joseph Wilber, Jeremiah Evans.

1831. Thomas Munn, Thomas Billings, David Stearns.

1832. T. A. Munn, Thomas Billings, Dudley Loveland.

1833. Harmon Bosworth, Hamilton Utley, D. Loveland.

1834. Harmon Bosworth, Hamilton Utley, Vene Stone.

1835. Harmon Bosworth, Vene Stone, Jeremiah Evans.

1836. Vene Stone, Jere Evans, Thomas Billings.

1837. Amos Upham, Cutler Tyler, Jonathan Luther.

1838. Vene Stone, John Stater, Anson Reed,

1839. Vene Stone, Sam H. Hewes, Moses Hayden.

1840. Harmon Bosworth, Jonathan Luther, Amplias Green.

1841, Harmon Bosworth, Jonathan Luther, Amplias Green.

1845. Ithiel Wilder, J. Luther, Elbridge Hayden.

1846, Ithiel Witber, H, N. Wyekoff, E. Hayden.

1847. Ithiel Wilber, John Chase, Isaac Moneysmith.

1848. Ithiel Wilbert, John Chase, Nelson Parker.

1849. Ithiel Wilber, Amos Green, Samuel Bittles.

1850. Anson Reed, Sam. Bittles, Nelson Parker.

1851, Ira Kinney, J. Luther, Anson Reed,

1852. Roswell Riddle, Ira Kinney, J. Luther.

1853. Roswell Riddle, Charles Bullard, David Bayley.

1854. O. Chapman, D. Johnson, A. Knowles.

1855. John Sanborn, Henry Bartlett, A, G. Smith.

1856. W. W. Munn, A.G, Smith, Martin Stone.

1857. Martin Stone, Roswell Blair, J. B, Clark.

1858, Martin Stone, Alexander McNish, Hiram Covel.

1859. Hiram Covel. A. McNish, John Cutler.

1860. Hiram Covel, John Cutler, C. P. Bail.

1861. John Cutler, Patrick Ladow, C. P. Bail.

1862. E. J . Jenks, C. P. Bail, R. K, Munn.

1863, R. K. Munn, E. J. Jenks, Ira Kinney.

1864. Ira Kinney, George Morton, Sam Bittles.

1865. Sam Bittles, George Morton, Luke Gore.

1866. George Morton, Sam Bittles, Luther Hawes.

1867. George Morton, Sam Bittles, U. C. Hickox.

1868. George Morton, Ira Kinney, Ashley Parker.

1869. Ira Kinney, Ashley Parker, Harvey Ferris.

1870. Ira Kinney, Ashley Parker, Harvey Ferris.

1871. Ira Kinney, Ashley Parker, Harvey Ferris.

1872. David Gates, Ira Kinney, G, H. Ober,

1873. J. B, Lawrence, Ira Kinney, A. J. Parks.

1874. J. B. Lawrence, D. A. Gates, Gains Munn.

1875. J. B. Lawrence, D. A. Gates, Gains Munn.

1876. J. B. Lawrence, Gains Munn. Hiram

HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO - 239

1842, Clark Robinson, Asa Cowles, Charles Chase.

1843. Clark Robinson, Daniel Punderson, Franklin Stone.

1844. Clark Robinson, James Russell, George Witson.

1877. J. B. Lawrence, Gains Munn, Hiram Potter.

1878. J. B. Lawrence, M. H. Dutton, Perry Morton.

1879. J. B. Lawrence, Elijah Baker, B. F. Hodges.

TREASURERS

1817. Joshua M. Burnett,

1818. Lemuel Pundersen.

1819-20. Eleazer Patchin.

1822. Andrew Paterson.

1822 to 1827, inclusive. Abel Fisher.

1828-29. Harmon Bosworth.

1830-31-32. Lovel Green.

1833-34-35. R. K, Munn.

1836-37-38. T. A. Munn.

1839-40. William Munn.

1841 to 1844, inclusive. Anson Reed.

1845 to 1847, inclusive. T. A. Munn.

1848. William Munn.

1849-50. Roswell Blair.

1851 to 1855, inclusive. Simon Gould,

1856. Ira B. Clark.

1857. R. K. Munn.

1858. R. K. Munn.

1859. R. K. Munn.

1860. R. K. Munn.

1861-62-63-64-65. I. B. Clark.

1866, Franklin Dickinson.

1867. I. B. Clark,

1868 to 1879, inclusive. Henry Bosworth.

CONSTABLES

1817-18. Benjamin Hobart.

1818. Benjamin Hobart, Elisha Talcott

1819. Samuel Hodges, Seth Johnson.

1820. John Randolph, Seth Johnson.

1821. Henry Burnett.

1822. Jonas Ward, Henry Burnett.

1823. Jonas M. Squire, Seth Johnson

1824. C. M. Squire, Abiather Alexander.

1825. John Randolph, A. Alexander

1826. Randolph, Ansel Savage.

1827. Randolph, Ansel Savage,

1828. John Robinson, Linson Patchin.

1829. Linson Patchin, Wm. Taylor.

1830. L. Patchin, T. A. Munn.

1831. John Robinson, L. Patchin.

1832-33. L. Patchin, Wm. Munn.

1834. Elbridge Havdon, Detroit Burnett.

1835. E. Haydon, Ithiel Wilber.

1836. John M. Slater, Daniel Punderson.

1837. Daniel Punderson, Hiram Havens.

1838. Daniel Punderson, David Robinson.

1839. Daniel Punderson.

1840. John Randolph, Winslow Shaw.

1841. Henry Utley, I. B. Clark.

1842. Henry Utley, James M. Moore.

1843. Ira B. Clark, Roswell Blair,

1844. Andrew Burnett, I. B. Clark, Orrin Parsons.

1845. Roswell Riddle, John M. Stater, Sam Dunning

1846. Alfred Utley, Roswell Riddle, Sam Dunning

1847. Alfred Utley, Jas. Ferris, Sam. Dunning.

1848. Ira B. Clark, Ira Kinney, John Coe.

1849. Ira Kinney, John Walker, John A. Bishop

1850. Alpheus Chafe, Elijah Littlefield, V. S. Bastion.

1851. James Whaley, John T, Coe, E. E. Littlefield.

1852. I. B. Ctark, Jno. Curtis, Erastus Hodges.

1853. C. P. Bail, Almon T. Coe, Franklin Croft,

1854. Perry Morton, Sant. Dunning, O. H. Parsons.

1855. O. H. Parsons, C. A, Jones, Henry Redfierd.

1856. H. Redfietd, Wm. McNish, O. H. Parsons.

1857. H. Redfield, Wm. McKee, James M. Bullock.

1858. H. Redfield, Wm. McKee, James B. Lawrence.

1859. J. B. Lawrence, Wm. McKee, Benjamin Luther.

1860. B. F. Luther, Wm. McKee, Gains Munn.

1861. Gains Munn, Wm. McKee.

1862. Wm. McKee, John Cutler.

1863. John Cutler, Wm. McKee.

1864. John Cutter, Lyman Hitl.

1865. Levings Gould, Henry Clark.

1866. O. V. Chapman, Levings Gould.

1867. Edwin Robinson, jr., O. V. Chapman.

1868. Edwin Robinson, jr., O. V. Chapman.

1869. O. V. Chapman, Frank Plumb.

1870. Frank Prumb, S. B. Chapman.

1871. W, B. Cole, Henry Reed.

1872. Wm, Bagley, W. B. Cole.

1873. W. W. Cole, O. L. Davis.

1874. Wm. B. Cole, Henry Reed.

1875. E.J. Jenks, Monroe Bitttes.

1876. E.1. Jenks, W. C. Blair.

1877. W. C. Blair, E. J. Jenks.

1878. W. R. Munn, W, C, Blair.

1879. W. R. Munn, W. C. Brair.

MILITARY ROSTER

The following is a list of soldiers from Newbury in the civil war:

NINETEENTH REGIMENT

Amos M. Parker,

D. D. Tucker,

Anson Green.

Ed. Patchin,

Henry Osmond,

240 - HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.

Marynes Kelley, 9th Regiment.

E. R. Hawes, 23d Regiment.

FORTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

H. C. Webber,

John Jones,

H. P. Burnett, killed.

John Whitlam,

W. W. Munn, killed.

William C. Hodges,

Hurbert Fisher,

Shubal M. Neave,

George Patterson,

Homer Andrews, died.

John Cutts,

Fletcher Andrews,

Lumen Harrington, died.

Hubert Harrington,

Adison Smith,

A. J. Hill,

Levings Gould,

Charley Williams, killed.

Harlow Felton,

Albert Kinney, died.

Lewis Fuller,

Frank Savage,

D. C. Morton, died.

Curtis Dunning,

E. M. Saubourn,

David R. Bartlett.

D. A. Gates, 42d Regiment.

C. C. Webber,

W. H. Gilbert, killed.

Leroy Patchin,

J. C. Smith, died.

George Wilder, killed.

Walter Meed,

Francis Ferris,

Orange Fisher,

Delos Morton,

Burnett Parks,

Leonard Hammond,

William Farrell,

Amos A. McNish,

William Harrington,

C. P. Bail.

Guy Smith,

Daniel Bartlett,

John Good,

Sylvester Ladow,

William Buck, killed.

George L. Bartlett, killed.

George Hill,

William Hall, died.

Levi Dunning,

Charles Danforth,

George H. Hickox,

EIGHTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT

Lewis Andrews,

Willson Russell,

Charles Bittles.

William Alexander, 87th Regiment.

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH REGIMENT

Walter Strickland,

Ed. Patchin,

Stephen Patchin,

William Allshouse,

Jonas Allshouse,

Justin Bulton,

Elmer Russell,

Samuel Pease,

Dexter Knox, died.

Avril Way, died.

David Patchin,

D. D. Tucker,

S. Sanborn,

Jared Bulton,

Eugene Hayden.

Byron Pease, killed.

Testus Alexander, died.

ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT

Herbert Osmond,

W. C. Hodges,

Albert Thayer.

Alanson Knox,

Osmond Chase.

Thomas Chase, Heavy Artillery, died.

Pliny E. Hill, 6th Cavalry.

ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT

A. Lampson,

Adison Hawes,

Arthur Gilbert,

R. S. Knox,

Wallace Stone,

B. L. Smith,

John Cutler,

C. B. Berwick,

Harvey Ferris,

F.M. Zethmayr,

Henry Clark,

Henry Bosworth,

Lyman Bosworth,

James McNish,

George Bail

John Buck

B. Lampson, died.

John Tyler,

J. H. Hodges,

Frank S. Torrey,

J. J. Smith,

Roswell Riddle,

W. C. Blair.

Cyrus Hunt,

Anson Perkins,

Clifford Hayden,

Stephen Bosworth,

Almon Russell,

Orson Barker,

B. F. Luther,

S. B. Chapman,

Henry Mansfield,

HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO - 241

EIGHTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

Josiah Andrews,

Abner Pease,

Henry Davis,

Ira Bidlake,

0. V. Chapman,

Aaron Williams,

W. W. Chapman,

J, Naughton,

G. W. Torrey,

J. A. White,

Almon Green,

Wesley Strickland,

M. B. Cook,

A. L. Savage,

H. H. Woods,

C. A. Green,

S. H. Morton,

Frank Thayer.

SKETCHES,

LEMUEL PUNDERSON

was born in New Haven, Connecticut, June 4, 1782. " Boys should know well the value of labor," was a belief held by the thrifty and well-to-do classes of the east. From one of the first families in New Haven, the youth named started out to learn the carpenter's trade, and was master of it, under the training of such skillful workmen as John and Elias Ford. The well kept account books, written in his own hand, signify that he had some early mental training, and a fair share of schooling. When twenty-one, he appeared in Poland, Ohio —this was in the year 18o3—and afterwards went to Warren, where he made acquaintances, and engaged to build a house for General Perkins, the land agent. His ability was assured from the first, or he could not have secured the job of building a mansion for this first family.

Settling his accounts in the east, in February, he started for Ohio, with the purpose of making a settlement there, and arrived in Burton early in 1807. Esquire Law had employed him to build a house and barn on the lot near the Beard house, which were put up that summer. The building of a saw-mill for Esquire Law at the Cuyahoga rapids----tfinds mention on the books in a credit to Andrew Durand, for rounds to trundle-head to saw-mill, April 12, 1808, $1.50." It may have been begun in the fall and winter of 1807. It was run- in the spring of 1809, and Seth Harmond and Amzi Atwater are charged with boards, to pay them for work done on the mill. Esquire Law is charged with $50, April 25, 1808, to pay John Ford towards finishing the college. Hay in 18o8 was sold at the rate of $7.50 per ton, Simeon Moss and Thaddeus Bradley being charged for it at 37 cents per hundred. It is not intimated whether this was wild grass or timothy. The first notice of Burton as a county seat occurs under date of May 2, 1808, where he charges Law with the day, "waiting on committee to look at Burton for county seat." Punderson favored Burton, and kept this committee away from Chardon hill in the woods below, looking a long time, but one of them persisted, and he finally said if they could find the way on to the hill, he would go with them. The ascent began, and when once on top, the stakes were set, and the county seat located. October 12th is charged "two days time and one and a half gallons of whiskey, given to get the Cuyahoga cleared from lower to upper bridge."

Into the wilderness of Newbury, he went, also, in 1808, with mind full of plans for the building of a grist-mill, and a distillery, at the foot of the " Big Pond," just over the eastern line of the township. Of this enterprise, rn which Eleazer Hickox joined with him, the general history of the township gives an interesting account. Purchasing a large tract of land surrounding this inland lake, that he might forever control it to the high water mark, it became known

242 - HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.

as Punderson's pond. Southward, by a big spring, was built a cabin, in the woods, for the men while building the mill. This busy man questioned his own heart as to who should keep this cabin of the forest, when the hands were gone. Sybil, the sister of Hickox, had put the house of her brother, in Burton, in order, and it had not escaped notice that it was well done. Of her spirit and courage there was no doubt. Looking for Hickox one night, the Indians came to her bed, and, seeing their mistake, said: "Squaw, squaw!" and went off The dancing frolics and yells of the savages used to cause her some alarm. It is not told of the oftentimes Punderson went round to this house of her brother, by special invitation, to a Sunday dinner, and how the afternoons in her society passed quickly. Burton square was a wild garden of blackberries, and the shining fruit, picked by her own hand, was fresh on the table.

One autumn day, October 20, 1808, there were two weddings—Lemuel and Sybil, Eleazer and Stella; and after this, for nearly two years, Sybil kept house in the brother's store-building. Her husband must have been much of the time from home, at the mills and at the Rapids. Not strong in health, her will more than compensated for the loss, and when the mills were up, July 12, 1810, the wife moved into the cabin, completing the home, and it became the radiating center of a great work.

Punderson, a strong, heavy man, of full height, cared more for business than style, and went with sleeves rolled up and barefoot. Eastern people coming in would inquire of this stalwart man for Punderson. He would answer, "He's 'round about somewhere," and with a merry twinkle in his eye would say, "Come in," and then pass to them the courtesies of the house, a draft of whisky in a tin cup, with compliments of Mr. Punderson. Once in Warren, it is told of him, as going barefoot into a. store, and the clerk would not sell him goods. He went to another store, where he was known, his credit being high, and was busy trading, when in came the owner of the first store to apologize for the slight offered by his clerk. Punderson laughed, but went on buying, all the same.

Once lost in the woods of Mantua, on the low banks of the Cuyahoga, he was so chilled in the night as to feel that he would die. Near morning he was aroused by the howling of the wolves. The blood started in his veins, and mounting his horse, he rode off, ever after having a friendly feeling for the wolf, believing their howls had saved his life.

His barn, built in 1814, has on it still the same oak siding fastened with wrought nails.

He went extensively into the selling of lands, and was agent for Andrew Hull, jr., for Henry Thorndike, and a Mr. Ely, of Massachusetts, and also for William Law, whose account figures largely on his bo aks. Hickox looked after this camp, while Punderson was away constructing Law's mill at the Rapids.

When the family had possession of the cabin it was the first permanent settlement in town, and fixed near the outlet of the beautiful lake, where the crystal waves of spring water pass on beds and roll on shores of sand. In this day, to the woods of these shores come the tourists and anglers of the cities and towns and set up their tents for the summer vacation, and in the generous kindness of Daniel, the eldest son, and the Pundersons, are permitted to hunt and fish at will. Here, where the pure brook starts off to the sea, at the cabin and beside the young wife, Punderson studied, and mapped out a wide field of work. In the great brain of this active man were surveyed and dotted compass points, that seemed touched with the foresight of prophecy. In the outlook on the advancing civilization that was so soon to convert the wilderness into pathways of commerce, and into lots teeming with the busy hands of agriculture, he comprehended, more than any man of the region, where the great centers of business would be fixed, and the ships of the inland seas would come and go, laden with

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the wealth of the world. Perhaps the masts and the harbor of New Haven grew large on the imagination, and he painted, in visions, her shipping in ports of the west. Years have proved the vision true. He had lands in Painesville, and over two hundred acres in Cleveland, on the north side of Euclid, now the finest residence street in all the great west, and also tracts in other localities. His real estate transactions were on a liberal scale, commensurate with the ideas of the man. When the war had passed by, the land business increased, and the agency for first owners was extensive. He felt the stringency of the times, foresaw danger, and began wisely preparing to meet it. A letter, written to his father, so well expresses the condition of the currency then, and is so good a showing of a large business, in those days, that a portion of it will be of interest here. It bears date at Newhury, November 22, 1819, and says:

" I begin to feel alarmed on account of the scarcity of money in this country. The little we have is not good for anything abroad; is not worth much at home, as there is but little of it that is redeemed at the banks. * * * * I have thought best to make you a true statement of my situation, that you might judge of the propriety of assisting me in case It should be convenient for you.

Demands against me, now due - $4.704 57

In addition, demands due in one year - 990 79

" " two years - 523 63

" " three years - 726 00

Total    - $6.944 99

I have been so particular as to cast the interest upon all my debts up to the time they became due.

Due me at this time - $ 6,489 10

" " one year from this date - 2,243 32

" " two years - 1,391 14

" " three years from this date - 466 29

" " four years from this date - 726 00

" " from the store concern - 4,000 00

In the hands of Mr. Phelps, for lands sold - 2,000 00

I have in bank - 900 00

Asa Gilbert's note - 500 .00

Total - $18,715 83

Home farm, 250 acres, 40 of which is well cleared, and with the grist- and saw-mills,

     barns and other buildings, ought to be worth$9,000, but we will say - $ 8,000 00

373 acres of first rate timber land in this township, @ $5 00 per acre - 1,865 00

1075 acres in different parts of this county, @ $3 00 per acre - 3,225 00

Neat cattle, horses, sheep and hogs, now on the farm - 1,136 00

150 yards of fulled cloth, at $2 50 per yard -375 00

Making in the whole - $33,316 85

Subtract what I owe - 6,944 96

Balance in my favor - $26,371 86

He adds, that he believes the above statement is within bounds, and that he has between two and three hundred bushels of wheat, and as much corn, besides hay and oats, to keep all the cattle, thirty acres of wheat sown, cart, wagon, plows, drays, etc. His credit had been good, and he did not like to sacrifice property now, nor to destroy a good reputation by forcing a collection of debts due him. In such cases property was sold at sheriff's sale, and was usually bid in, by the creditor at his own price, and he did not want to get property in that way, or to risk his own going so. The indebtedness was small, compared with large, though unavailable, resources.

Here was the foundation of an extensive fortune, and in the hands of this large-minded man, would have proved a public blessing. Not only were the mills and land business attended with care, but he was prompt to aid in cutting roads, and cleared a way over and by the hills, leading the travel to the settlement by the mill. In 1820 he helped to open the road to Chagrin Falls. He was the first justice of the peace, the first postmaster, and was the leading and foremost man of all that region.

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The breath of the Destroyer was in the wind. Fevers raged at noonday and at midnight the summer of 1822, and he was prostrated. All the skill of the medical profession was called, including Drs. Scott, Goodwin, and, finally, Denton, and he so far recovered as to be called convalescent, but ate of watermelon within his reach, and died. This was August 20, 1822. So sudden and so startling was the unwelcome news, Mr. Riddle wrote: "What an almost commotion, as the word ran along roads and trails through the woods, Punderson is dead. It could hardly be believed, so many interests were centered in his life. An immense concourse assembled at the funeral. The elements of a fortune great in possibility, the achievements of the coming years which were to be and were not, all the hopes and expectations of others, resting in the net-work of his life, vanished, leaving fragments, broken hopes, sad, sad memories, and fqr wife and children heartbreak and anguish. All the large and small schemes and plans of a strong brain and will, an extensive web reaching in various directions had dissolved like frost-work.

Men buried him, talked, wondered, and went their ways. They laid him in the new, little burying ground; on the beautiful hill-side, near his own mill-pond, where the rays of the afternoon sun fell pleasantly in the heart of the new world his brain and hand had created, and the world went on." However well the condition of his affairs—as would seem from his statement in 1819—so sudden was the break that some things known only to him must have passed away with his life.

The settlement of so extensive an estate, involving so many interests, was not accomplished without loss. How well it was settled in the hands of administrators, running along through the years, may not be known. There were many losses in those perilous times.

The widow, a woman of high intellectual qualities, with a resolute will, determined on saving what she could, and went through the lonely years training the family, and with a mother's heart watching over the flock, led it on to the age of responsibility. Known in all the region round about as "Aunt Sybil," the home lost none of its hospitality and kindness in her care. For almost fifty years she was spared to the children, but followed him March 31, 1872.

Samuel the eldest son, died early.

Daniel married Miss Ann Shaw, and in a pleasant home across the road from the mill, they enjoy what of good cheer the world has to give. He is miller, and tolls the sacks as they used to seventy years ago in his large mill, standing on the veritable spot where turned the wheels of that first mill in the far away time.

John and his sister Betsy remain single, and have a home in Burton—the old Nettleton place—and are much respected citizens. Betsy was famous as a school teacher in the early time.

Miles lives in Troy.

Eleazer, the youngest son, occupies the old homestead by the spring, near where the cabin stood, and the grand-children play in the willow tree's shade by the brook where rested the father so long ago.

WELCOME BULLOCK

was born in Royalston, Massachusetts, May 12, 1775. He was a son of David and Mary Bullock. His mother died when he was three years of age. She was the daughter of Maturen Balton, and sister of Hosea Balton.

Welcome, when a lad of fourteen, was bound out to Joel Kendal, of Athol,

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Massachusetts, until he was twenty-one, and served his time. In the year 1798 he was married to Miss Grace Fay, who was born at Athol. He was one of the first to enlist from South Orange, Massachusetts, in the war of 1812, and served as orderly of his company during the war. Immediately after the war he moved his family to Ohio. He was forty-one days on the road, and arrived at the cabin of Solomon Johnson, in Newbury, October 5, 1815. He took up land and built a log cabin on what is now known as the William Munn farm. In the fall of 1817 he sold his farm to Jonas Ward. The coming winter he built a cabin about one mile east of the center of Newbury, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was six feet high, of heavy build and powerful strength, dark hair and dark blue eyes, and light complexion. He was a great hunter ; killed hundreds of deer, and a great many elk, bears, wolves, and made it a point to shoot every wildcat he came across, as they carried off lambs.

In early days he adopted his uncle's religious views, and sometimes expressed them in public. He was an ardent hater of Great Britain, and a staunch Democrat. In 1855 he was appointed postmaster of Ford post-office, at Newbury center, by Franklin Pierce, which position he held until his death, which occurred in 1858.

The last twelve years of his life he was afflicted with rheumatism, and the last two years he was nearly helpless.

He was obliged to go from Newbury to Warren, a distance of thirty-five miles, to make payments on his land, and never failed to meet the payments when due. He went on foot from Newbury to Warren and back, a distance of seventy miles, in one day.

Mrs. Welcome Bullock was a daughter of Solomon Fay. The Fays were among the early settlers of Athol, and their descendants are now among the first families for moral and intellectual worth.

Bullock's family consisted of seven children. Hiram A. who never married, was an ingenious mechanic; Susannah married Dudley Loveland; Sabra died at the age of twenty-one years, and was much beloved by all who knew her; Mary B. became the wife of Syrenus Hawley; Luceba was the first wife of Roswell Jones. All these have long since passed away. James M. Bullock, the last and only survivor of the family, was born in Newbury, November t, 1817. He became the owner of the old homestead; married Grace Ann Bittles, May 6, 1842; sold the old farm in 1860, and moved to Chagrin Falls, where he now resides.

AMPLEUS GREEN.

The subject of this sketch was born in Palmyra, Wayne county, New York, September 30, 1802. He was the eldest son of his parents, Winslow Green and Desire Douglas, and with them removed to Newbury in 1816. He was married at the age of twenty-four to Lovina Fox, daughter of Captain John Fox, of Troy. After laboring one year upon the farm which they intended to purchase, they left it to work a year for Squire Thorndike, in the town of Thorndike—now called Brimgeld—where he had formerly been employed, and where they received as wages a sufficient amount to enable them to complete the payment for the farm, upon which they afterward lived during all the active years of their life. On account of his having once acted as captain of a training company, he was always familiarly known and addressed as Captain Green.

In 1832 he assisted largely in organizing in Newbury a Congregational church, to whose interests he was ever after devotedly attached. In the year 1850 and

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'51 he was prominet in the measures adopted for the erection of a substantial brick building as a house of worship. His means being limited, and his family large, it was only by the laborious sacrifices and the strictest economy of the wife and mother that he was enabled to give largely both of time and money to this object. The greater share of the money employedin the construction of the church was contributed by Cutler Tyler, who with him, Anson Read, Augustus Gilbert and Herman Ober, constituted the building committee, and of whom he was for several years the only survivor.

He was for many years deacon of the church, and his christian life was marked in a good degree by the "faith which works by love." It is but just, however, to record that his strict Puritanism and zeal for the honor of the truth as he saw it, sometimes led him to incur, and perhaps deserve, the charge of intolerance toward those who held opposite, and as he believed, pernicious views of religion.

Always a friend of freedom and a champion of human rights, he was an earnest abolitionist in the days of slavery. After this institution perished, he soon ardently espoused tke cause of woman's suffrage, and was one of the most prominent and enthusiastic leaders in the movement for which South Newbury was then and still is famous. Meeting those who charged him with acting contrary to Scripture in advocating equal rights for woman, he was accustomed to cite them to the words of Christ—the golden rule—which he considered his abundant vindication. He was of a nature at once jovial and earnest, liberal and just. His character and conduct was such as to inspire both the respect and affection of his family, and of all who knew him best.

In 1866, leaving the old farm in the the of his youngest son, he removed with his wife and two daughters to the State road, where he spent the remaining eight years of his life in tranquil content, his death occurring April 7, 1874.

As was frequently the case when important events were approaching, he seemed for some time, even while in comfortable health, to have a presentment of his near decease. This he would speak of with as much cheerfulness and composure as of any ordinary affair of life. He had made all possible provision for those dependent on him, and for himself he doubted not his treasures were in heaven. So when the stroke fell suddenly upon him he was ready, and after lingering, paralyzed and almost .unconscious, for three days, he passed peacefully away, leaving behind him the ever blessed "memory of the just."

A. M. G.

JOSEE MERRICK RIDDLE.

The descent of the Riddles is mentioned in the sketch of W. H. H. The subject of this notice, the second son of Thomas and Minerva Riddle, was born at Monson, Massachusetts, July 27, 1808. He received the name of his maternal grandfather. During his early life, he was usually called by the first, later by the second name. The paternal farm was of Massachusetts rills, rocks and sand, with one or two small alder swamps; one fine trout stream traversed it, called "sap brook," for a clump of maples that grew near it. The family was well to do, and the child early developed the hardy, cheery, active spirit, delighting in free out-door action, which marked his life. When he was eight years old, the family then numbering five children, moved to Ohio. The journey was made in a stout wagon with a pair of strong, active young oxen, on the pole; shod and working in breeching, with a pair of mares on the lead; Josee M., and his elder brother, Almon, riding the horses. The journey was made late in the autumn, most of the incidents of which, remained fresh in the memory of this

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adventurous boy. The fortunes of the family in Ohio were those of the pioneers. Never was a boy better fitted by spirit, hardihood, activity and strength, for the rude stimulating life of the frontier. Born insensible to fear of men or beasts, understanding wood craft almost by instinct, gay and gallant of spirit, self-devoted and hopeful, few boys ever got more out of such life, or made themselves more useful in the woods. His father carried with him a new rifle, also a shot gun, was himself a good rifle shot, but went into the woods too late to become an expert hunter. His guns, however, did good service. The young boy with the fusee, attended him in the hunt, and usually pointed out the game, while many turkeys, partridges and myriads of pigeons, fell under his hand. As he grew older and able to master the rifle, he became an expert hunter, widely known for his skill with that weapon. His father died when he was fifteen years old. He was now a fine, well-grown, strong, ruddy-faced, brave, willing boys almost the only one of the numerous family, who escaped the sickness of that season. The eldest, Almon, remained prostrated for months after the loss of the father. Bravely he bore the brunt, for the sad, almost awful months which followed. For the three or four ensuing years, he remained on the farm, unselfishly with the elder brother, making a subsistence for the mother and the helpless brood of infants. When the mother made a brief change in her life, he became an apprentice to Joel Chapman, of Mantua, learned the carpenter's trade, and became, for several years, a master builder, prosecuting his business in Newbury, Auburn, and the adjoining townships. He was an ingenious and thorough workman.

In 1836 he was joined in marriage with Caroline, eldest daughter of Moses Hayden, then of Newbury, one of the most attractive young ladies of her time, in that region. He now made arrangements with the heirs to become the owner of the Riddle homestead, where he built a house and commenced his married life; cleared a large new breadth across the whole lot, built barns, purchased horses, cows, and worked quite all the hours of all the days. The markets and times were adverse. A part of his mother's family were on his hands. No exertions could meet and overcome the difficulties which gathered around him. He finally exchanged his property in the homestead for wild land in Genessee county, Michigan, and in 1845 he made a new house in the woods of Thetford, miles from any other cabin, still occupied by the native Indians, and swarming with all the animals ever known to that region, especially bears. Here, with his brave-hearted, devoted wife, and three children, he began life anew. Stout, spirited, resolute and hopeful, he cleared a new farm, hunted and destroyed the predacious animals, which preyed on the fruits of his hands and new fields. He had just conquered life anew, when in the midst of his labors and hopes, he was smitten with a fatal fever, and died within seven or eight days, leaving his wife and seven children to continue the battle as best they could. His death occurred August 9, 1855. Thus far, all the members of this family, including the parents, have died after very short illnesses.

In quite early manhood, Mr. Riddle was attracted to the militia service, and he arose rapidly to the command of a regiment, and became known as Colonel Riddle. Although of a quick, bright mmd, distinguished by good sense, good judgment of men and things, he betrayed little aptitude for books, and none for study. He could not endure the school-room. He was a hunter. He would leave school any sunshiny day to hunt bees, track coons, or to run foxes with the dogs; even breaking steers or colts, had a greater charm for him than the problems of Daybol, which exercised such influence over his brothers Almon and Harrison. He loved a farm, loved farming, loved cattle and horses, liked the odor of growing things, the smell of newly cleared land, the fragrance of freshly plowed ground, the aroma of the fallen autumn leaves; loved every thing rural;

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knew the haunts and habits of all wild animals, their calls and voices; the notes of all wild birds, the cries and sounds of all insects; loved the changes of the seasons, the skies and clouds, and his life was a part of the free and healthful outside life of nature. His soul, too, was reverent, as the souls of such men are. He lived in constant recognition of the power which rules.

Though disregarding the ordinary means of education, and averse to early study, he became quite an extensive reader, and was a well informed man of varied intelligence. In person he was five feet eight and a half inches, straight as an arrow, and admirably made. Though without regular features, he had fine eyes, carried himself well, and with his frank, pleasant ways he had the reputation of being one of the best looking young men of his time. His appearance was striking and manly, especially on horseback. He loved horses—rode and managed them with skill and grace. To few persons of either sex was given more of the faculty to win regard than to him. All men liked him, many trusted him. All women admired him, many loved him. Unselfish, he bore these regards modestly, without ever attempting to use them. Generous and high-hearted, scrupulous of the rights of others, full of kindness to all about him, his untimely death was deeply and widely deplored.

His widow survives him. Of his sons, the eldest is the well known Elmer Riddle. The second son, Corwin, served through the war in the Seventh Ohio, and was severely wounded at the battle of Cedar Mountain. He resides near the mother, in Thetford, Michigan. The youngest, Charles, is in business at Titusville, Pennsylvania. The daughters are all married and pleasantly situated in life.

Elmer is a prominent Republican, at times serving upon the county executive committee ; was an ardent supporter of the government during the war ; for several years was engaged in running a steam mill a half mile west of Newbury center, and is now in the lumber business at Chardon, Ohio. An active, energetic, gentlemanly business man, he is well liked by all. A, G. R.

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON RIDDLE.

The Riddles are a Scotch clan, several members of which are known in the histories of the British Isles, and some of the descendants have gained honorable mention in this country. James the I planted a colony of the Riddles and others in Tyrone county, Ireland, and most of the Riddles of America are the descendants of those colonists.

Thomas Riddle, a native of Ireland, emigrated to this country in childhood, married, and reared a numerous family, of which three of the older sons served in the Revolutionary war.

The youngest son, Thomas, born in 1781, in Monson, Massachusetts, married Minerva Merrick, of Welch descent, in December, 1805. They migrated to Newbury, Geauga county, Ohio, late in the year 1817. They were the parents of nine children, of whom the seventh, Mrs. V. N. Clark, now residing in Indiana, was the sole daughter. The third died in infancy. The subject of this sketch was the fourth, and born at Monson, April 13, 1812. He was a large, vigorous, bright child, and in the air, frugal fare, and active exercise of pioneer life, grew up to vigorous and seemingly hardy manhood. His years were mostly spent on the farm; chopping, clearing land, plowing, hoeing, reaping, mowing, snaking sugar, black salts, and a great many other things that few farmer boys could do. The family had unusual mechanical aptitude, and Harrison, as he was called, except the youngest, was the most ingenious of the brothers, several of

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whom became skilled mechanics. There were few things formed of wood that he could not make. All the needed things about the house and farm, as he grew up, passed under his hands, from hand sleds to ox-carts, the first of which, ever used on the farm, was made by him, and was noted for the neatness, almost elegance of its finish and painting. He made lasts, and on them made shoes for himself and others. Later, though he had never seen one, he constructed an electrical machine of very considerable power, which he used in a vain attempt to relieve his sufferings from rheumatism.

His father died when he was eleven years old, and the numerous family was soon after scattered, never again to be permanently reunited. This consequence was especially painful to Harrison, who was devotedly attached to his mother, brothers and sister, and to the family home. He first lived with Harmon Bosworth, near the center. Though not remote, a dense forest of a mile intervened between. Here he remained for a year or so, then returned home. He was taken with inflammatory rheumatism in the right ankle and leg when he was thirteen or fourteen years of age, and though he fully recovered the use of the limb, it confined him to the house, at intervals, during quite all his life. From his thirteenth to his fifteenth year he lived with Deacon Atwater, in Mantua. He then returned to the neglected homestead, to the care of his mother and the younger children. Here he remained until he was twenty-three years old, and few men of his age ever wrought more effectively than he during these years. The mother, for her time and advantages, may well be called a remarkable woman. Harrison certainly was a remarkable young man. At seventeen, he had quite reached his full growth, above the ordinary height and size. His mind and judgment seemed fully matured. The fences and log buildings were quite dilapidated, and the farm stocked neither with cattle, sheep or horses. The oldest brother sent, from Painesville, a quantity of grain for the first few months' food. The next oldest was away at a trade. The mother and younger children had, for a time, abandoned the place. The buildings were repaired, fences rebuilt, new fields redeemed from the forest, and nearly all the old ones sown to wheat, or planted with corn the first season. The farm was well stocked, the juniors neatly clothed and sent to school, and finally commodious, and neatly-finished frame buildings took the places of those of the pioneers. Much more than this was done.

This young Riddle might well be called intellectual. From earliest childhood he manifested an eager, inquiring, grasping mind. Quickness, solidity, and logical accuracy were its characteristics. At school he was at once noted. as the best in all his classes; at home and in the neighborhood he was remarked for the extent of his reading and the accuracy of his knowledge. At this modern date of the family, after his return from Mantua, he found Dr. O. W. Ludlow in the neighborhood—a man of intense mentality, some learning, and much reading. The friendship and companionship of this man was of great use to the young man. As his means increased, he was enabled to indulge his taste and hunger for reading. He purchased new books, took two or three leading journals from the eastern cities, and the house became quite a little center for the literary and intelligent of that immediate circle. As years increased, it became apparent that he could not hope to have the constant bodily activity necessary for the life and labor of a farmer. He was intensely ambitious, had already, with Ludlow's aid, become a good Latin scholar, as well as an accomplished mathematician, and he resolved to study law. . His friend took him to Jefferson, Ohio, and introduced him to Joshua R. Giddings, and Benjamin F. Wade, then practicing in Ashtabula county, who received him as a student. He entered there in the spring of r835, and remained there two years, making a very extensive and thorough course, as well as keeping up his classical and other studies.

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When he finished, Mr. Wade, as a token of his esteem, presented him with a complete outfit of fine clothes, from hat to boots, including a beautiful pin for the shirt front.

At the recommendation of Mr. Giddings and Mr. Wade, Reuben Hitchcock, of Painesville, received him as a law partner, and he entered upon this in April, 1837, under the most flattering prospects. He became one of the family of his partner. Here he died on the sixth of the ensuing June. He was ill but four or five days, was a little wandering in mind; was hardly confined to his room, and died with his clothes on, a victim of intense and continuous devotion to study. Thus died, at twenty-five years, one of the most promising of the young men of his time, and his name is already becoming effaced from the stone that. marks his resting place, in the little burial-ground, by his father's side, in the west part of Newbury.

In person he was near five feet ten inches, well formed, with large head, massive forehead, fine brow and eyes, otherwise plain featured. A born gentleman, if such there are, of fine address, and polished manners. In mind, not brilliant, or showy, but strong, massive, and would have become profound, with time and thought. High-souled, brave of spirit, pure of life, devoted, self-sacrificing, few were more fortunate in winning the love of all who knew him. None ever were more strongly loved, more deeply deplored, or their memories more fondly cherished, by family and kindred surviving.

The homestead, which he did so much to rebuild and improve for the mother and the younger children, is now nicely kept by Roswell, the youngest son living. On the site of the original block-house he resides, a quiet farmer, having the family mental structure, and fond of reading. He was in the one hundred days' service for the Union. His first wife was Romelia Smith. After her death he married Mrs. Alvira Way, and they are well situated.

GEORGE WASHINGTON RIDDLE.

Thomas Riddle was warmly a patriot, and marked his appreciation of the great men of his country by naming some of his boys after them. He survived the bestowal of the last but a few months, and may have died with the fancy that they were not unworthy of them. These two bore them not long, and wore them blamelessly.

The youngest was born at Newbury, April 26, 1823, and died at his eldest brother, Almon's, house, in Wabash county, March 8, 1843, not twenty years of age. His father died the September following his birth. In the general sickness, distress and hardships of the family that season, George, at the death of his father, was for a few months received and cared for by a Mrs. Savage, a daughter of Rev. Justin Alexander, a friend of the family. One of the usual fortunes of the youngest attended George—he was the favorite, and not alone of his family. He was too young to ever know, even by memory, the sorrows and misfortunes of his house. Of rare beauty as a child, joyous and gay-spirited, the outside air was filled with sunshine. The woods were near and the ground produced nothing but flowers for him. His first preference, like that of many boys, was for martial display. His brother, Harrison, made him a sword, gun and a plume, and with such uniform as his mother furnished, he performed many campaigns, being himself the whole contingent. He was at once dubbed "Captain," and was for years known by no other name. Among the friends and neighbors of this numerous family, the children were arranged in groups, and George was classed with the hunters and sportsmen. He used to shoot before he could load

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his own fowling piece. He had quite the ingenuity of Harrison—was expert in the production and use of traps and cross-guns. One of his earliest exploits was the shooting of a famous chipmunck, which, as he averred, he "blew into pieces so fine, and so entirely away, that you couldn't find a speck of his blood, not even a hair of 'im." Many were the contests he had with his brother, Roswell, next older, over the remarkable disappearance of this ground squirrel (Roswell more than insinuating that he got off quite in a mass, and in comparatively good bodily health.) Although one of the most social of urchins, George carried on his industrial pursuits quite alone. He had a separate garden, a cornfield and potato-patch of his own, as also a sugar camp, and he always disposed of their fruits to advantage. At ten or twelve he built quite a bee-house in the garden, though the impression was that this institute had too many predacious visitors to make large returns. His term for study and books came late, in the Riddle family, not until he was twelve or thirteen. Up to that age it was quite impossible to get him to school, unless there was some one to go with him. His mother would push him out of the door in the morning, in the pleasant summer days. He would stop and cling to the gate, upon loosening his hands from that, he would seize on to a corner of the fence, and was so loth to go on, that it was many times quite difficult to launch him on the journey to school. He was really quite stupid with his books, and it was amusing to witness an interview between him and Dr. Ludlow, the neighborhood tutor. A dialogue like this was often heard between them, at a call of the doctor:

Doctor. " Well, Captain, can you tell me where England is ?"

Captain. " Don't you know ?"

Dr. "I want to see if you know."

Capt. " Why do you care about that ?"

Dr. " I want to see how you get on with your geography."

Capt. " What is that to you ?"

Dr, "0, I take a lively interest in it."

Capt. " Do you know where it is, Doctor ?"

Dr. "Yes, but I want to see if you do."

Capt. " I'll bet you don't know, and are trying to have me tell you ?"

Dr. " Well, wont you ?"

Capt. " No."

And so it would run on, in every way but the right one. George, pleasant tempered, would grow sulky, and the doctor would laugh, but he seldom, if ever, got a direct answer. It was amusing to watch the frank, ingenious boy's face at these interviews. Every particle of intelligence would at once go out of it. But his mind, when it awoke, like the saber of the Corsair,

"Shed fast atonement for its first delay."

At fourteen or fifteen, he quite mastered everything the district schools could do for him, and became a somewhat independent student. At sixteen, after the help of some of the better select schools, he had several months at the old Painesville academy. He taught, and studied as he could. His appetite for books became all absorbing and ravenous, and he neglected the conditions favorable for human life. Strangely, with the fate of his elder brother before him, his mother and friends were blind to the course he was pursuing, and his death came as sudden and startlingly to them, as did that of the other. In the fall of 1842, he went to his elder brother's, in Indiana, taught school a few months, became a little ill, closed his school for a day or two, went home to his brother's house, and, about the third or fourth day of seeming indisposition, laid down and died, without note of warning to them. He had been buried many days ere his mother, brothers and sisters in Ohio, knew of his illness.

A favorite resort of his was an open space in the woods, on the high bluff

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which overlooks the beautiful Paw-paw creek. Here, under some grand old oaks, his brother laid him to rest in his beantiful youth. As the country settled, and children died, they were buried by him. When his mother visited the place, she carried from her own lawn a sprig myrtle, and planted it on his grave. In the fulness of time, she was laid by him, and the myrtle extended its green cover over them both.

He had not ripened and matured sufficiently, so that one is warranted in speaking of his mental qualities. His mind was quick, and he had much wit. In person, of the full height, of quite rare personal advantages, hair of a light gold, fine black eyes, and complexion to match his hair, fine features, and a mouth of girlish sweetness and beauty. Gentle, tender, loving, no unseemly. word ever passed his lips; no uncomely act, such as are readily forgiven to youths of spirit, were the fruit of his hands. His feet but a little way pressed the earth, and they bore no stain of its soil to the presence of his God.

The lives and fates of these youths, to the survivors of the family, were ever an inscrutable mystery. It was many years after their departure, ere their names were spoken in the presence of others. They have almost passed from earthly speech. Ere they pass entirely away I would lay here a broken spray for the memory of each of them. A. G. R.

CUTLER TYLER

was born at Western (now Warren), Massachusetts, November 19, 1794 He had a taste for mechanics, and worked at the carpenter's trade, and for a short time before he reached the age of twenty-one years, bought his time of his father. He was not only resolute and self-reliant, but of great physical energy and endurance, as evinced by his walking from Western to Boston, a distance of over seventy miles, in one day, and returning the next. In 1818 he came in company with Marsena Munn and family, and others, leaving Munson, Massachusetts, May isoth, and reaching Newbury June 28th. The following fall or winter he returned on foot to Massachusetts, and in 1819 again started for Ohio with a horse and sleigh, but was obliged to leave his sleigh, and get a wagon before reaching his journey's end. Here, while others leveled the forests, he reared the timber into dwellings for the human family, and some of the earliest and best buildings in Burton and Newbury were chiefly the work of .his hands. More for a home than for the purpose of agriculture, he bought a farm in the southern part of Newbury, and November 13, 1825, he was married to Miss Sarah Fisher. The newly married pair settled at once in their log cabin, situated on the site of the frame house he built later, and which he occupied until his death, and which is now occupied by their daughter, Ruth, and her husband, John B. Waterton. Here he gradually became a farmer, finding, however, frequent use for his carpenter's tools to make improvements for himself and neighbors. His works were exact and durable, and many of them still stand as proof of their worth, thus lasting not only while he lived as he claimed, they would, but some of them bid fair to last another generation, at least. Such was the nature of his word as well ,as. his work that if possible, it was doubly true, and his judgment was deservedly held in high respect.

For several years he filled the office of justice of the peace, and for a few terms some other township offices, each time the public position being reluctantly accepted rather than sought for. But his integrity and unselfishness in his official duties won the confidence of all. Between the age of forty and fifty years he made a public profession of religion, arid was baptized, but united

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with no church, yet was a liberal contributor for the support of the gospel, and maintained family worship. His wife was an active and devoted christian, and a member of the Congregational church, sustained with her part, and assisted in their household religion. Both were warm friends of temperance, education and true reform, and not only the minister, but the temperance, scientific and anti-slavery lecturer found a hospitable home at Squire Tyler's. In such circumstances it is not strange that of their six children who lived to maturity, not one ever used tobacco in any form, or alcoholic stimulants, as a beverage. One important feature of his life is best embalmed in the gratitude and praise of those who were known by him to be in need. It is best recorded in the book of him who keeps an account of all things and credits as loans to himself the gifts to the poor, He was one of the first and most active in planning and furnishing funds for the building of the brick house and school-room at South Newbury, and his funeral was the first service held in the church room. One little incident of his life showing his disposition to overcome difficulties, is worthy of mention. The same season that he was building one of his barns, he was also having a well dug, and one day looking at it, he accidentally fell in, turning some of the toes of one foot over backwards. Doctor Ludlow proposed setting them, which would require him to keep quiet for some time, and thus hinder him about his work, so he wanted them cut off, which the doctor refused to do; so with a chisel and mallet and one blow he severed them, when the doctor dressed his foot, and with a block nailed to the sole, and the upper leather cut from the toe of his shoe, he went to work at his barn again.

His death was sudden and unexpected April 3, 1857. Returning from Cleveland, while descending the hill west of Chagrin Falls, he was observed in a reclining position upon his wagon; and when help reached him—a few gasps, and all was over. Thus, at the age of sixty-two years, he quickly passed through the veil, leaving his friends on this side sorrowing, but not without a bright hope of meeting him in the "Grand Forever."

WELCOME A. JENKS

was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, September is, 1797. His father died when he was three years old, leaving him to the care of a mother of ten children, most of whom were young.

He was put to work in the first cotton factory erected in America, at the early age of six years, working for two shillings per week. He remained in the same factory until fourteen years of age, when he removed to Berkshire county, Massachusetts, with his uncle, with whom he lived the first year. He then worked for Simeon Hodges until he was twenty-one.

He arrived in Newbury February 23, 1819, having come from Massachusetts on foot, in company with Charles Dunham, their journey occupying about twenty days' time. He brought most of his worldly possessions in a knapsack on his back.

Soon after their arrival, they, together, bought a farm one mile east of the center of the town; worked there two years, then they gave up the place, and he went to work by the month, in Mentor, working one year for Colonel Nathan Corning, and one year for Asa Webster, at ten dollars per month, and saving one hundred dollars per year. After working till the fourth of July, oh the second year, for Webster, he returned to Rhode Island, and worked one year; then came to Mentor and worked part of a year for Mr. Hodges; then went the second time to Rhode Island, and worked three years for a Mr. Dex-

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ter. He arrived again in Newbury on presidential election day, 1828, and came to the farm he now occupies, the following February.

On April 28, 1830, he married E. Jenette Jackson, daughter of John Jackson, one of the earliest settlers of Auburn. They have always resided on the same farm where they now are; have raised three children-two girls and one boy. Sarah married H. L. Canfield, and died soon after; Lola married Edwin Robinson, jr., and has one son, Harry, and lives in Auburn. Mr. Jenks and wife united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1834, and have always been members of the church since.

Mr. Jenks was a Whig in politics in an early day, and has been connected with the Republican party, but is not given to arguing politics.

He came to this country in an early day, and has seen the early settlements change into an old and well settled country, always earning his bread by the sweat of his brow on the farm and in the woods. When a lad of fourteen he could neither read nor write, but after that by earnest application of his time in the years he was in Massachusetts, he acquired a passable education.

He has always been a jovial, honest, hard-working, good citizen, well liked by his neighbors and friends, of which he has many. He has lived to see most of the early settlers of Newbury pass away, there being but three of his early associates now residing in town, viz.: David Walker, Jotham Houghton, and Mrs. Calislia Parker.

His son, Edward J., was born August 25, 1832. His father, seeing the convenience of an education, tried to give him a chance at school, but in his early life he was a very dull and careless scholar; he would rather play than study. But in later years he did a little better. In the winters of 1853 and 1854 he taught school in his own district, afterwards teaching in southern Ohio and Illinois, having taught ten terms in all with very good success.

He was married to Ann Canfield in 1856, and has a family of five girls-Jennie, Sarah, Lola, Flora, and Zue. In. 1863 they moved to Illinois, and remained five years; from there to Iowa, and lived five years; then returned to Newbury, and now lives on the old homestead with his father. Edward J. has always been a Republican in politics, and has held a reasonable share of township and school offices in the States where he has resided.

ARAD WAY.

The subject of the following sketch, son of James and Sarah Lewis Way, was born at Plymouth, Litchfield county, Connecticut, December 20, 1776, and was one of a large and long-lived family. He came as blacksmith with a colony to Canfield, Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1800. Among this company was General Elijah Wadsworth and Matthew Steele, his future father-in-law.

Esther Steele, his wife, whose paternal grandmother was a sister of Noah Webster, was born in Cornwall, Connecticut, August 18, 1784, and came to Canfield with her father. They were married in 1802.

Canfield at this time knew no improvements except those made by the few families that came the year before. There was no market nearer than Pittsburgh or Georgetown, and many were the journeys he was obliged to make through the sixty miles of wilderness for reach the then little villages, that he might procure the necessaries of life for his family, and the small stock of iron and steel to carry on his business. His was probably the first blacksmith shop on the Western Reserve, and he worked here at his trade until Hull's surrender in the war of 1812, when he volunteered, made his pistols and furnished

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his equipments. He was appointed quartermaster under Colonel Raine. The good service he rendered his country is shown in the fact that he was bearer of dispatches to General Harrison from Sandusky through the Black swamp to Fort Meigs. After six months' hard service he returned to his family and resumed his business.

His old account book, now in the possession of his son, contains the following : "1816, August 11. ' Comfort S. Mygatt, debtor, to iron door for Western Reserve Bank, $25."

In 1817 he removed to Middlebury, now a part of Akron, and opened a blacksmith shop, putting in a power hammer to do work for the different parties who tried to make iron from the ore mined in that vicinity, but the iron was of so poor a quality that the enterprise was abandoned. This trip-hammer, run by the water of the Cuyahoga, was without doubt the first enterprise of the kind in Akron, where now we find all the improvements known to modern methods of making iron. Thus in a little more than sixty years a single shop with a triphammer is replaced by rolling mills, machine shops and agricultural works the largest the State can boast. In i820 he sold out and returned to Canfield, and carried on his farm and shop. He served three years as a justice of the peace. In 1826 he came with his wife and family to Auburn, purchased a farm in the northern part of the township, on lot five, and here took up again his trade, His account books show the names of all the early settlers for miles around, and their jobs of shoeing oxen, making log chains, traps, etc. And when the infirmities of age had settled upon himself and the wife of his youth, they still remained upon the "old farm" with their eldest son, loved and respected by all who knew them.

Mr. Way was made a Mason while living in Connecticut. He was a charter member of Lake Erie Lodge, No. 3, Warren, Ohio, and was borne to his last resting place by members of the fraternity April 1, 1858,* aged eighty-two.

Mrs. Way died October 27, 1857, aged seventy-three years.

Seven children were born to them. Amanda, the eldest, was born in Canfield, October 30, 1803. She married Hiram Colton in 1827, and after his decease in 1830 she remained a widow twelve years, when she married Elijah Bushnel, and was again left a widow in 1859. She resides in Chardon. Athalia was born in Canfield, June 11, 1806 ; married Edmond Spaulding in 1824 ; he died in 1847. In 1866 she married John Ford, and was the second time widowed. She resides in Munson. Lewis was born in Canfield, January 10, 1810; married Mary Averill in 1835; she died in 1837, and in 1840 he married Eleanor Johnson, and resides at the old homestead. Lucius was born in Canfield, January 27, 1812; married Mary Ann Frazer in 1845; died April 27, 1871, aged fifty-nine years. Sarah was born in Canfield September 20, 1813, and died June 5, 1817, aged three years. Elijah Wadsworth was born in Middlebury, October 9, 1818; married Susan Luther in 1849, and resides in Newbury. Lydra was born in Auburn, April 25, 1827; married John Barnes in 1845; died May 25, 1852, aged twenty-five years.

ANSON MATTHEWS

was born in Massachusetts in 1809, and in 1814 his parents removed to Ohio, and settled in Mentor, now Lake county. The country being new, the advantages for education were limited, and they could only give the rudiments. But,

* Writer says 1858, we think it should be 1878.

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through his own exertions, by untiring perseverance, he acquired a good, thorough education, and was very successful as a teacher for several years.

In 1829 he was married to Betsey A. Durand, who was born in Connecticut, in 1804, her parents removing to Painesville in 1806.

They settled in Mentor, and in 1833 removed to Russell, Geauga county— then a wilderness— remaining on the same farm seventeen years. The old home became noted for its hospitality, and the warm welcome given to stranger as well as friend. Always ready and cheerful in the discharge of every duty at home, as a citizen and a neighbor, he combined, in a rare and eminefit degree, great mental capacity, executive ability, and a genial, loving domestic nature. He was respected by the business world, and loved by the many for whom he transacted business. During these seventeen years there was not one but he filled some office of public trust, serving two years as representative to the State legislature in 1847 and '48.

In 1850 he left the farm and settled in Newbury, Geauga county, engaged in the mercantile business, and was appointed postmaster, where he remained until 1864, nearly all the time adding to his own business the duties of notary public or justice of the peace. At this time, his health failing, he removed to southern Illinois, remaining there until 1870, when he removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, his sons having settled there some time previous. His health continued to fail, and he suffered intensely from a throat disease until his death, April 24, 1873, leaving his wife, and a large circle of children, relatives and friends, to remember his unexampled generosity, piety, and untiring devotion to the cause of right. At home, or among strangers, in private or public life, he was always the same kind and considerate friend, always looking more to the interests of others than his own, retaining with unscrupulous fidelity through life, a personal integrity and a character above reproach, his name will ever be remembered as a synonym of love, truth and fidelity.