HISTORY

OF THE

TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF LORAIN COUNTY,

ELYRIA.

THIS TOWNSHIP was named for its principal proprietor, the late Hon. Heman Ely. It originally embraced the territory now contained in Carlisle, number five, and Elyria, number six in range number seventeen, of the Connecticut Western Reserve. It is situated on and between both branches of Black river, in north latitude forty-one degrees and forty-five minutes It is twenty-four miles west of Cleveland, and eight miles above the mouth of the river.

TOPOGRAPHY.

Above the village it is generally level, the banks of the river being low. An excellent quality of sandstone crops out along the river banks, which forms good building material, and is used extensively for flagging the streets. There are over nine miles of stone sidewalks within the limits of the village. Several guarries are extensively worked. The largest is owned by Mr. Henry E. Mussey, situated on the west side of the west branch of the river. He has built a spur branch of the C., T. V. & W. railroad to his quarry and the work of turning grindstones, raising the stone from the quarry, loading cars, etc., is done by steam power. The stone are shipped by railroad to many parts of the country. Mr. John Weller has also a fine quarry below the town, which is worked by steam power. Stone are extensively quarried on the east branch for building and flagging purposes.

Below the village, the banks of the river are-generally high and rugged, though there are several fine farms of alluvial bottom lands, which are easy to till and very productive. The sandstone terminates and the Huron shale crops out along the river bank about two miles below the village. On the east side of the river there are several small streams running at right angles with it, and discharging themselves into the main stream. These have worn deep ravines in the soil, and extend a mile or more back from the river, but the roads are graded and the streams bridged so that they are quite passable. Running parallel with the lake are two, and in some places three or more ridges, composed of sandy loam, and in some places gravel. The first is about four miles from Lake Erie and is called the North Ridge. The second passes through Elyria, and extends east through all the northern counties of the Western Reserve. They ere formed by a subsidence of the lake at some remote period of the world's history ; but after the growth of timber, as large trees are found, in digging wells, twenty feet or more below the surface. These ridges make excellent roads, and the soil is warm and productive, well adapted to fruit growing and early gardens.

COL. JAMES SMITH.

Perhaps no more fitting preface to the history of the early settlement of the township of Elyria could be procured than a brief sketch of the above named person, who was doubtless the first white man who ever lived for any considerable time in what now constitutes the above township. We are indebted for the facts to a book called "Our Western Border," written by Charles McKnight, and published during the centennial year, which was kindly loaned us by G. 0. Washburn, Esq., and also to an article published in The Elyria Republican, in 1876. We have not space to publish the entire narrative of Col. Smith, but shall, as far as possible, give it in his own quaint and terse language:

“In May, 1755, the Province of Pennsylvania agreed to send out three hundred men in order to cut a wagon road from Fort London to join Braddock's road near the Turkey Fork, or the three forks of the Yohoguina. My brother-in-law, William Smith, was commissioner, and though but eighteen years of age, I concluded to accompany the expedition. We went on the road without interruption until near the Alleghany mountains, when I was sent back in order to hurry up some provision wa;ons that were on the way after us. I proceeded down the road as far as the crossing of the Juniata, where, finding that the wagons were coming on as fast as possible, I returned up the road toward the Alleghany mountains in company with one Arnold Vigoras. About four or five miles above Bedford three Indians had made a blind of bushes stuck in the ground as though they had grown naturally, where they concealed themselves, about fifteen yards from the road. When we came opposite to them they tired upon us at this short distance and killed my fellow traveler; yet their bullets did not touch me, but my horse making a violent start threw me, and the 1ndians immediately ran up and took me prisoner. The one that laid hold on me was a Cunasataugee, the other two were Delawares. One of them could speak English. Two of them stood by me while the other scatped my comrade. We slept on the Alleghany mountains that night without tire. The next morning they divided their remaining provisions and gave me an equal share, which consisted of two or three ounces of moldy biscuit. They continued their journey to Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh) and when they reached the bank of the Alleghany the 1ndians gave the scalp halloo, which was answered by the firing of guns and the shouts of the French and 1ndians who were in and about the Fort."

HE RUNS THE GAUNTLET.

"I saw numbers of 1ndians running towards me stripped naked except breech-clouts, and painted in the most hideous manner. As they approached, they formed themselves in two long ranks about two or three rods apart. I was told by an 1ndian who could speak English that I

104 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

must run between these ranks, and that they would flog me all the way as I ran, and if I ran quick it would be so much the better.

" There appeared to be general rejoicing around me, yet I could find nothing like joy in my breast; but I started to the race with all the resolution and vigor I was capable of exercising, and found it was as I had been told, for I was flogged all the way, When I had got near the end of the race I was struck by something that appeared to me to be a stick, or the handle of a tomahawk, which caused me to fall to the ground.

"On my recovering my senses I endeavored to renew my race, but as I arose some one cast sand in my eyes which blinded me so that I could not see where to run. They continued beating me most intolerably until I was at length insensible, but before I lost my senses I remembered wishing them to strike the fatal blow."

He was conveyed to the Fort and the French doctor dressed his wounds and applied remedies.

"Soon after I was visited by a Delaware Indian who could speak broken English. I asked him if I had done anything that offended the 1ndians. He said no, it was only an old custom the 1ndians had, and was like ' how do you do?' After that, he said, I would be well used.''

After this Smith was taken by his captors to an Indian town on the banks of the Muskingum river in Ohio.

HIS ADOPTION INTO. THE TRIBE.

This ceremony being somewhat interesting we take the liberty of giving it at length in his own words:

" The day after my arrival at the aforesaid town a number of Indians gathered about me, and one of them began to pull the hair out of my head. He had some ashes on a bark in which he frequently dipped his fingers in order to take a firmer hold, and so he went on as if he had been plucking a turkey, until he had all the hair clean out of my head, except a small spot, three or four inches square, on the crown. This they cut off with a pair of scissors, excepting three locks, which they dressed up in their own mode: Two of these they wrapped around with a narrow beaded garter, made by themselves for the purpose, and the other they plaited at full length and stuck it full of silver brooches. After this they bored my nose and ears, and fixed me off with nose and ear jewels. Then they ordered me to strip off my clothes and put on a breech-clout, which I did. They then painted my face, hands, and body in various colors. They put a large belt of wampum on my neck, and silver bands on my hands and right arm, and so an old chief led me out in the street and gave the alarm halloo several times repeated quick, "coo wigh !" and on this all that were in the town came running and stood round the old chief who held me by the hand in the midst."

"As at that time I knew nothing of their mode of adoption, and had seen them put to death alt they had taken, I made no doubt but they were about putting me to death in some cruel manner. The old chief, holding me by the hand, made a long speech, very loud, and, when he had done, he handed me to three young squaws, who led me by the hand down the bank into the river, until the water was up to our middle. The squaws then made signs to me to plunge mysetf into the river, but I did not understand them. I thought the result of the council was that I was to be drowned, and that these young ladies were to be the executioners, They all three laid violent hold of me, and I for some time resisted them with all my might, which occasioned loud laughter by the multitude that were on the bank. At length one of the squaws said, no hurt you; on this I gave myself up to their ladyships, who were as good as their word, foro though they plunged me under the water, and rubbed me, I coutd not say they hurt me much. They then led me up to the council house, where the tribe were ready with new clothes for me. They gave me a new ruffled shirt, which I put on; also a pair of leggins done off with ribbons and beads; also a pair of moccasitis and a tinsel-laced cappo. They again painted my head and face with various colors. When I was seated the Indians came in dressed in their grandest manner. At length one of the chiefs made a speech as follows: ' My son, you are now flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone. By the ceremony which was performed thrs day every drop of white blood is washed out of your veins.' After this ceremony I was introduced to my new kin and invited to attend a feast that night, which I did."

We must omit many of the events that occurred at the camp on the Muskingum. The name of one of the chiefs was Tecanyaterighto, alias Pluggy. During the fall Pluggy headed a war party to the frontiers of Virginia. While they were absent, Smith and a party of Indians went south on a hunt. On this hunt they encamped at Buffalo Lick, where they killed several buffaloes. This lick must have been in the Hocking valley, between the Muskingum and Scioto rivers. While here with their small kettles they made about a half-bushel of salt.

It was here that our hero, while following buffalo, got lost in the woods, where he spent the night. The Indians found him in the morning. For this offense his gun was taken from him, and he was reduced to a bow and arrows for nearly two years.

They were on this tour for about six weeks. When they returned, Pluggy and his party had got back, bringing with them a number of scalps and prisoners. They also brought with them an English Bible, which they gave to a Dutch woman who was a prisoner, but as she could not read English, she made a present of it to Smith, which was very acceptable.

"I remained in this town until some time in October, when my adopted brother, Tontiteaugo, who had married a Wyandotte squaw, took me with him to Lake Erie. On this route we had no horses with us, and when I started from the town all the pack I carried was a pouch containing my books, a little dried venison and my blanket. I had then no gun, but Tontileaugo, who was a first-rate hunter, carried a rifte gun, and every day killed deer, raccoons or bears. We left the meat, excepting a little for present use, and carried the skins with us until we camped, when we dried them by the fire."

They struck the Canesadooharic (Black river) probably near its source, and followed it down for some distance, when they must have left it as they reached the lake shore some six miles west of its mouth. As the wind was very high the evening they reached the lake, our traveller was surprised " to hear the roaring of the water and see the high waves that dashed against the shore like the ocean." They camped on a run near the shore, and, as the wind fell that night, they pursued their journey in the morning towards the mouth of the river on the sand along the side of the water. They observed a number of large fish that had been left in the hollows by the receding waves, and numbers of gray and bald eagles were along the shore devouring them.

Some time in the afternoon they came to a large camp of Wyandottes at the mouth of the Canesadooharic, where Tontileaugo's wife was. Here they were hospitably received and entertained for some time. Smith says: "They gave us a kind of rough, brown potatoes, which grew spontaneously and were called by the Caughnewagas, ohenata. These potatoes, peeled and dipped in raccoon's fat, tasted like our sweet potatoes." (Query: what were they ?) They killed while here sbme deer and many raccoons which were remarkably large and fat. They kept moving up the river until they came to the great falls. These were, doubtless, the east falls of Black river, now within the corporate town of Elyria. They buried their canoe and erected a winter cabin. This was probably located on Evergreen Point, somewhere in the vicinity of the present residence of T. L. Nelson, Esq. The narrative proceeds:

"It was sometime in December when we finished our winter cabin but then another difficulty arose, we had nothing to eat. While the hunters were all out exerting their utmost ability, the squaws and boys (in which class I was,) were scattercd in the bottom, hunting red haws and hickory nuts. We did not succeed in getting many haws, but had tolerable success in scratching up hickory nuts from under a light snow. The hunters returned with only two small turkeys, which were but little

104A - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO

ARTEMAS BEEBE, SR.

This day, March 17, 1879, brings to the memory an aged man March 17, 1817. Sixty-two years ago this day, Mr. A. Beebe first visited the log house, only sign of the now pleasant town of Elyria. Only living member of the little band that first settled Elyria, in his eighty-sixth year, he alone is left to tell the birth and growth of said town.

Of a family noted for longevity, his father was born at Waterbury, Conn., and removed to West Springfield, Mass., where he died at the advanced age of eighty-six, in the year 1852. His faithful wife died in 1851, seventy-nine years of age.

Mr. Beebe, of whom we write, was born at Russell Hampden Co., Mass., Oct. 7, 1793. Scanty were his educational opportunities. A clerkship in his father's store, and the district school, however, gave to him much that in after-years he used so well. Like many young men of his day in New England, he had a strong desire to " go West." Ohio then was almost the end of western civilization. A fellow-townsmen coming into possession of a large tract of land on the Western Reserve afforded a chance to gratify his wish. On the 20th of February, 1817, a company of six left West Springfield, Mass., for Ohio, composed as follows : Heman Ely, founder; Ebenezer Lane (afterwards chief justice of Ohio) ; Mr. A. Beebe ; Luther Lane (so well known in after- years as the good deacon); Ann Snow, housekeeper ; and Ned, a colored boy.

Mr. Beebe received twenty dollars for expenses, and the privilege of riding as far as Buffalo, N. Y. From that place through the forests, over unbridged streams, on foot, he arrived at the " log house" on the aforesaid date, late in the day. Using his own words : "On the morning of the 18th of March, 1817, I got up to see where the sun came from, and found it came up all right, and it has ever since." No time did he have to regret the comforts of a New England life. A new life was to commence ; that life that did so much for over half of a century in making Elyria what it is. Carpenter and joiner his calling, his first work was the erection of the first frame building in Elyria, built on the corner of what is now Broad and Cedar Streets. In this building were born many others. Used for a shop for one year, it was filled in the ensuing year, with such goods as filled the limited wants of pioneers, by Edmund West & Co.

In the latter part of the year 1817, Mr. Beebe and Mr. Douglas jointly purchased of Heman Ely the first city lot ever sold in Elyria. On this property, in 1818, they built the building so well known to this day as the " Old Beebe Tavern" (hotel being a term as yet unknown). For years was this place the home of all new-corners until their own fireside was established. Under its roof were held many social gatherings. There was held the first meetings of Elyria's original Masonic lodge. At the expiration of one year Mr. Beebe purchased of Mr. Douglas his share of said property, and in him has the title ever since remained. Constant work was Mr. Beebe's mission until February, 1819, when he, with a horse bought for the purpose, left Elyria for the old home, via Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and New York, to regain health injured by constant toil. A short visit, and the little " gray horse" and one-horse lumber-wagon landed him once more in Elyria. Now a few months are spent in various activities. The following February again witnessed his departure for New England. This trip was performed in great share on foot. Arriving at West Springfield, there and in its vicinity he remained until the following October. Of this visit came much to him,—much to Elyria. He gained the life-partner of his early hardships, of his later prosperity, and Elyria won one of its truest women. One of the first meetings of Mr. Beebe with his future wife was at West Springfield, where she was a member of the Congregational Church. She was also a member of the choir, of which Miss Celia Belden, afterwards first wife of Judge Heman Ely, was also a member. Short was the courtship, but long and pleasant the many years

104B - LORAIN COUNTY HISTORY, OHIO

that followed. Mr. Beebe was married to Miss Pamelia Morgan Oct. 4, 1820. This marriage was solemnized under peculiar circumstances, viz., by the Rev. Joseph Lathrop, who for two generations had performed the duties of a pastor in said town. To him was it left, after performing the marriage ceremony for the last time in his life (then in his eighty-ninth year, totally blind), to send out the young couple to the western wilds with all and every good wish and fond hopes for their future welfare. No Saratoga trunk or useless finery filled the wagon-box that left. Mrs. Beebe's early home. The plain and substantial comprised its contents. The brass kettle, the warming-pan, the candlesticks, the andirons, etc., yet in the family tell their own tale. A long journey full of incident, now with wagon overturned, again vexatious delay from impassable roads, or rustic bridge swept away, ended Nov. 17, 1820. With earnest hearts, a will to do, and hands trained to work, Mr. and Mrs. Beebe commenced life in the "Old Beebe Tavern." Many years were there passed. To Mrs. Beebe much of the reputation this tavern gained in early days was due. She not only made it the place of entertainment for the weary traveler, but many a one homesick, and longing for the eastern home, from her got words of healthy cheer and kind sympathy. From this time onward, until the date of her death, June, 26, 1878, Mrs. Beebe's life was one of womanly work. Noted as the housewife; earnest and active in the church ; as neighbor kind, ever ready with helping hand to aid and comfort the sick, genial in social intercourse, she was eminently the good woman. One of the original ten who formed the First Presbyterian Church of Elyria, Nov. 24, 1824, she was always its ardent supporter, in word and deed living out her profession. Her energy and economy aided the husband in acquiring the competency that in declining years made their home so pleasant, and caused them both to forget the early privations attendant upon the "first settler."

She left at her death two sons and three daughters, all in the maturity of life. An obituary notice says of her : "She died rich in all those experiences she had garnered up with the growth of Elyria. To her was given the good fortune to watch, help, or nurture a little hamlet of one or two log houses become a town of churches, schools, and a prosperous people." 

In 1826, Mr. Beebe, in partnership with Ezra Adams, purchased of Silas Wolverton the contract for carrying the mail between Cleveland and Lower Sandusky, now called Fremont. Mr. Beebe performed the duties of said contract between Elyria and Cleveland ; Mr. Adams and others between Elyria and Fremont. At the end of one year Mr. Beebe purchased the entire business. Increase of population demanded greater facilities than the single horse, with mail-bag, could perform. Soon Mr. Beebe, with letters from the Hon. Elisha Whittlesey and others, visited Washington, D. C., and from the Postmaster-General obtained a general contract for the transportation of mails and passengers between the above mentioned points. The coach seating six, with its four horses, soon had to give way to the more commodious coach, which gave ample room to nine.

The coach, with its merry driver and noisy tin horn, excited as much attention, and drew as many to the "stage office" on its coming and departure, in proportion to the population, as the steam car, with more with labor was this undertaking; poor roads, poorer bridges were ever opposing him; shipwrecked coaches and drowned horses were not uncommon. But Mr. Beebe's untiring energy overcame every obstacle of nature and all opposing lines Started by others; and the year 1831 saw a daily line of four-horse coaches running over his route. .Success rewarded his efforts until 1842, when he sold this branch of his business to Neil Moore & Co., of Columbus, Ohio.

From the years 1830 to 1833, Mr. Beebe was engaged in the business of general merchandise, with H. N. Gates as partner. Shortly after disposing of his mail contracts he purchased of Deacon L. Lane the Eagle Mills, on the east branch of Black River, which he successfully operated for twenty-three years, selling them then to the late I. W. Bullock.

In 1846, remembering the " Old Beebe Tavern," and seeing Elyria in need of a first-clasS hotel, he built the Beebe House. A building an ornament to the town, an honor to the builder, long and favorably has it been known to the traveling public.

Motives outside of mere pecuniary gain must have actuated Mr. Beebe in this enterprise. The needs of Elyria for a hotel far better than any existing, it seems, must have induced him, regardless of any ultimate dividend, to have erected so substantial, so complete a structure. Erected thirty-three years ago, it yet remains in many respects a pattern for more modern structures. At the time of its building, nothing like it for its purpose stood upon the Western Reserve in towns of similar size. A similar motive must have had much to do in influencing Mr. Beebe to build the beautiful Beebe House on Put-in-Bay Island, so many years and still kept by his eldest son, Henry Beebe. In this respect he may well be called a public benefactor. In 1847, when the subject of a bank was agitated among Elyria's citizens, Mr. Beebe was one of the first to respond. An original stockholder and director from its birth, in its change to a national bank he has ever held both positions until the present day. In 1849, becoming a stockholder in the Plank-Road running from Black River, Lorain Co., to Homer, Medina Co., he was largely instrumental in bringing the advantage of said road to his fellow-citizens, and in completing it, being appointed superintendent of its construction.

The latter years of Mr. Beebe's life, although not as full of actual labor, have been none of idleness. The duties of bank director, trusts confided him by his fellows, the care of a large property, and farming interests have constantly busied him. Such is a brief outline of the life of the remaining link between Elyria's beginning and its now only surviving member of the little band of six who nearly seven decades ago laid Elyria's foundation ; lie yet remains.

As a man Mr. Beebe was ever noted for strict integrity ; ever careful to aid the cause of morality and religion, always an attendant upon religious observances, and ever contributing to the church. Upon May 6, 1866, making public profession of religion, he; became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Elyria. Now past the allotted age of man, hardly one remaining of his early associates he lives Elyria's oldest citizen. The children, ay, even the grandchildren, of those with whom his youth and middle age were spent with reverence and respect regard him, ever seeing the sterling integrity, clear business decision, and prompt action that he used so well in the building up of the town of Elyria.

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 105

among eight hunters, and thirteen squaws, boys and children. But they were divided equally. The next day, the hunters turned out again, and succeeded in kilting one deer and three bears. One of the bears was remarkably large and fat All hands turned out the next morning to bring in the meat

"During the winter, a war party of four went out to the borders of Pennsylvania, to procure horses and scalps, leaving the same number in camp, to provide meat for the women and children. They returned towards spring, with two scalps and four horses. After the departure of the warriors, we had hard times, and though not out of provisions, we were brought to short allowance. At length, Tontileaugo had fair success, and brought into camp sufficient to last ten days. Tontileaugo fair then took me with him in order to encamp some distance from the winter cabin. We steered south up the creek ten or twelve miles, and t into camp."

This was probably in La Grange. They went to bed hungry the first night, but the next day, susceeded in killing a bear, and the day after, a bear and three cubs. They remained here about two weeks, ailig an abundance of game, and then returned to the winter cabin. On their arrival, there was great epy, as all were in a starving condition.

About the first of April, they dug up their canoe, but were forced to make an additional one to carry their riches—left their winter cabin at the falls, and proceeded to the lake—Tontileaugo by water, and .Smith on horseback. On reaching the mouth of the Over, they proceeded west along the shore to Sun-yen-deauk (Sandusky), where was another Wyandotte town. Late in the fall, Smith joined a hunting :party, and proceeded to the Cuyahoga river. At the distance of about thirty miles from its mouth, they formed an encampment near a small lake, and spent the winter in catching beaver. In the spring of 1757 they returned to Sandusky, and soon proceeded by :water to Detroit, where they disposed of their peltry to the French traders.

In 1759, Smith accompanied his Indian relatives to .Montreal, where he was finally exchanged, and returned home in 1760, to find his old sweetheart married, and all supposing him dead. He afterwards became a captain in the regular British army, and was engaged, principally, in protecting the border settlers against Indian raids. During the revolutionary war, he joined the patriot army, rose to the rank of colonel, and did good service, both against the British and their Indian allies. In 1788, he migrated to Bourbon county, Kentucky, where he represented his district in the assembly down to the present century.

After this long digression, we return to the history of Elyria in later times.

ORIGINAL OWNERS.

The township of Elyria was, in April, 1807, drawn by the following individuals of the Connecticut land company, viz: Justin Ely, Roger Newberry, Jonathan Bruce, Elijah White, Enoch Perkins, John H. Buel, Jonathan Dwight, and others, whose names are not mentioned.

At the September term of the supreme court, in Portage county, in 1816, the south part of the township (about one-third of the whole,) was set off to Justin Ely; the central part to Elijah White. A tract of two thousand, one hundred and ten acres, lying immediately north of this, was assigned to Jonathan Bruce, and the remaining portion of the township to Enoch Perkins and Roger Newberry.

White conveyed his tract to Justin Ely, and he, in turn, to Heman Ely, his son, who purchased the Bruce tract, making him the owner of twelve thousand five hundred acres lying in a single body.

The following history of the settlement of the township of Elyria is prepared from reminiscences of the venerable Artemas Beebe, the Hon. Heman Ely, the address of the Hon. W. W. Boynton, and from personal interviews with N. B. Gates and such early settlers as are now remaining in the township.

SETTLEMENT.

In the spring of the year 1816, Heman Ely, of West Springfield, Massachusetts, came to Ohio to look after his estate. He came in a sulky, until he reached Buffalo, where, leaving his sulky, he completed his journey on horseback.

A NARROW ESCAPE.

"In following the trail which wound along the lake shore, through the unbroken forest, the ground gave way, his horse's hind feet were thrown over a high wash bank. The horse, however, clung with his fore feet; Mr. Ely clung to the bridle and mane, and a vigorous use of the whip probably saved the life of the founder of Elyria."

He made his home, temporarily, with Moses Eldred, father of Clark Eldred now of Elyria, who then kept a tavern some two miles east of the river, in Ridgeville township.

Mr. Ely immediately set about the work of improvement. First of all, he contracted with Jedediah Hubbell, and a. man named Shepard, of Newburgh, Cuyahoga county, to build a dam, and erect a grist and saw mill. These were located on the east branch of Black river, near the foot of the present Broad street. There was also erected a large log house, which stood near where Mr. Beebe afterwards built his tavern stand. This was occupied by John Bacon, late of Carlisle, who boarded the men who were engaged in the construction of the mills.

During his first visit, Mr. Ely, while examining his lands, in company with Clark Eldred, then a young man, came upon a spot, some two and a half miles west of the river, which pleased young Eldred, and which he selected for his future home. Though as yet unsurveyed, he made a verbal contract for it, and after its survey, secured a deed. Mr. Eldred occupied this farm for fifty-five years, and for many years kept a hotel. He now, after a long and useful life, resides in the village, retaining his full powers of mind and memory.

Mr. Ely returned to Massachusetts, in the fall of 1816, and immediately commenced making preparations for his removal to his wilderness possessions on Black river.

About the first of January, 1817, Mr. Ely sent on three men, with axes in their hands, to commence clearing land. They made the entire distance on foot

106 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

(about six hundred miles), and before Mr. Ely arrived with his party, in March, they had made quite a hole in the woods. Their names were Roderick Ashley, Edwin Bush, and James Porter.

On the 20th of February, 1817, Mr. Ely and his party commenced their weary journey, much of the way by a wood route, barely passable at any time, but especially difficult at that season of the year. We who live in this age of telegraphs and railroads, and can to-day take our breakfast in Elyria, and to-morrow morning, after a comfortable night's rest in a sleeping-car, take the same meal in New York City, have but a feeble conception of the trials and difficulties attending the same journey, from the east, sixty-one years ago. The mode of conveyance of these pioneers was, by a stout pair of horses harnessed to an equally stout wagon. This vehicle was covered with home Spun tow-cloth over the bows, in the prevailing emigrant style. The party, six in all, started from their New England homes in high spirits. It consisted of Heman Ely, the founder of the present township and village of Elyria, Ebenezer Lane, afterwards chief justice of the supreme court of Ohio, Miss Anna Snow, housekeeper, Luther Lane, who drove the team, Artemas Beebe, a house joiner and carpenter, who had been engaged to accompany the expedition; and a colored servant of Mr. Ely's, named " Ned." They proceeded as far as Seneca Falls when, the sleighing being good, they halted, and made a sled. Loading the wagon and goods on the sled, they pushed on to the vicinity of Buffalo, when the sleighing left them. From Buffalo to Cattaraugus creek, they traveled on the ice. They arrived at Cleveland, without accident or material incident, on the 16th of March, and a few days subsequent, at the Mecca of their pilgrimage, where they were duly installed in the log house, before mentioned. I quote from the interesting reminiscences of Mr. Beebe:

" Mr. Bacon and family went to their home in Carlisle, and Mr. Luther Lane went with the team for straw to fill the beds. When the river fell so that the load could be brought over, two beds were made, and a description of them will not be out of place. Mr. Ely had brought some bed-ticks from the east, ready-made, and the cover of the wagon was also converted into ticks. The bedsteads were made of poles, with bark stretched across them for bottoms, and pillows were scarce. Some coarse cloth was used for sheets."

A family named Beach made a settlement, in 1816, in the western part of the township, near the site of the present Haag's mill. This was the first white family to settle in the township. On the 10th of September, 1817, Mrs. Beach gave birth to a son, the first white child born in the township. He was named Henry, and was living, at a recent date, in Rockport, Cuyahoga county, and with him, his aged mother. Mr. Beach was taken sick soon after the birth of the child, and died on the 22d of the succeeding November. Mrs. Beach took her family, and the dead body of her husband, to the log school house, opposite Captain Eldred's. He was buried in a sandy ridge, a little east of of the center of Ridgeville. Mr. A. Beebe made the coffin. This was, doubtless, the first death of a white person in the township.

Mr. Beebe says the first improvement in the way of chopping, was made by Clark Eldred, who had about two acres chopped down when the improvements were commenced in the village. The first clearing in the village was made at the foot of Broad street, and progressed westward, as required. In this clearing, the houses of Mr. Ely and Mr. A. Beebe were built. George Douglas and Gershom Danks, carpenters, arrived from. Westfield, Massachusetts, about the first of April, 1817, and soon after the work of building was commenced. The first framed building erected was to be occupied for a store. This was located on the southwest corner of the Ely homestead lot, at the corner of Cedar and Broad streets. It was about twenty by forty feet, one story high, and without a cellar. During the year 1817 it was used for a joiner shop, but the next year it was filled with goods by Edmund West & Co. This was the pioneer store in Elyria which has since been "noted for its trade in dry goods, and for the success which has attended the enterprise of some of its early merchants." The next building was the residence of Mr. Ely, and is the same now occupied by his son, Hon. Heman Ely. This house was forty-five feet front by forty feet deep, with a kitchen and wood-house in the rear and a cellar under the main building. It has undergone various changes and improvements both externally and internally, and its present fine architectural appearance and beautiful surroundings are in striking contrast with the picture it presented in the dense forest sixty years ago. The siding of the house was all made from one whitewood tree that stood at the turn of the street near where the large willow now stands.

On the 29th day of May, 1817, Captain Festus Cooley, father of Festus Cooley late of Elyria but now of Kansas, arrived from Westfield, Mass., and took charge of both the saw and grist mills. He came the whole distance on foot. In the summer Enos Mann came to Elyria. He was from Becket, Mass. He located on the farm east of the river, since owned by Deacon Lane. Mr. Mann was a turner of wooden bowls, and, it is said, followed this vocation for a number of years after his arrival in Elyria. During the fall following their arrival Mrs. Mann gave birth to a son, the second born in the township. Mrs. Mann died on the 9th of March, 1823, and her remains were the first interred in the Elyria cemetery. A plain sandstone slabs marks the spot, and upon it the following inscription: "In memory of Mrs. Clamancy Mann, consort of Mr. Enos Mann, who died March 9, 1823, in the fortieth year of her age." A simple collection of words and figures, yet of what terrible significance to the bereaved ones, hundreds of miles from relatives, in a comparative wilderness. Friends were raised up for them, and kind, though strange hands, ministered to the wants of the motherless ones.

Neri Gulpin, from Litchfield county, Conn., settled in Elyria in November, 1822, on the farm now occu-

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 107

pied by Anson Pangburn. Seven children came with him. Of these but one resides in Elyria: Marcus D., who married Amanda Ely, daughter of Lewis Ely, who came to the Reserve in 1800, locating in Deerfield, now Portage county, with his parents, Lewis and Anna (Granger) Ely.

Lewis Ely, Jr., came to Elyria in 1823, purchased two lots on West Broad street, put up a small frame house, returned, and, with his family, removed to Elyria in the spring of 1824. Mr. Ely was killed by a runaway horse, in June, 1831. He was sheriff of Lorain county at the time of his death. Mrs. Ely died in 1863.

Francis Douglas, brother of George Douglas, came from Westfield, Mass., to Elyria in 1820. He was a carpenter, and for several years a Methodist local preacher. He built several houses, one of which is the brick front west of the public square now occupied by Dr. Sherwood. In 1843, he removed to Wor̊ester, Mass., where he died in March, 1878, aged eighty years.

Calvin Smith removed with his family from Naugatuck, Conn., to Elyria in 1819. He built a log house east of the river on the lot now occupied by Mr. L. F. Ward, where he resided several years. He removed from thence to Sheffield, where, after a long sickness, he died in 1826. He was a fine singer, and led the singing in the early religious meetings in the log school house east of the river.

Heber G. Sekins, born in Stafford, Vt., came to Elyria in the fall of 1825. His family then consisted of a wife and two children. Ira B., the oldest, still resides in Elyria. He was for years connected with the military organizations. One of his daughters is the widow of the late Thomas Childs, and still resides in the village. Another daughter married Elizur Northrop. They are residents of Cleveland.

We are unable to obtain the names and history of many of the first settlers, but shall refer to some of them incidentally as we proceed.

Immediately after the first settlement of the township, Mr. Ely and others felt the importance of establishing and maintaining religious institutions. They had built a log school house on the triangular piece of ground between the railroad and the highway, just across the east branch of the river. Here the pioneers assembled every Sunday and engaged in public worship. Mr. Ely usually read a sermon; Luther Lane and William. Smith were called upon to lead in prayer; Calvin Smith, assisted by Irene Allen and others, led the singing. We again quote from Mr. Beebe's reminiscences:

"The first sermon preached in Elyria was by the Rev. Alvin Hyde, on the 5th of February, 1818. He was a son of the Rev. Dr. Hyde of Lee, Berkshire county, Mass. His text was from Jonah 2: 9, Salvation is of the Lord.' During part of the years 1817-18, he resided in Dover, where he preached half of the time, and the other half in the adjacent townships.

"Our ordinary rations consisted of pork, tlour end peas. Sometimes we got venison and fresh fish. The Indians furnished us with the first fish we had. They caught them below the falls. They shot the deer where they could find them, and would come riding in single file with squaws and pappooses on their ponies. They came from Upper Sandusky to hunt and fish, and belonged to the Wyandotte and Seneca tribes. They used to camp on the ground now occupied by Mrs. Hoyle and Col. Gates, which was then covered by a small growth of hcmlocks and pines.

"Mr. Chester Wright had established a distillery on the east side of the east branch, in the rear of the sand pits. The 1ndians, being great lovers of whisky, could obtain supplies at the distillery, whisky being considered one of the necessities of life." Mr. Beebe remarks that "distilleries were then as plenty as cheese factories are now. Some of the Indians' names were Goodhunt, Red Jacket, Betwixt-the-Logs, etc. They were civil and gave us no trouble."

WILD ANIMALS.

Bears were frequently killed by the early settlers, and were particularly destructive of the pigs that roamed in the woods in those days. In the winter of 1830, J. A. Harris, late of the Cleveland Herald, who then resided in Elyria, encountered four—an old bear and three well grown cubs—in the woods just east of E. A. Griswold's. The three cubs ascended a tree, while the old bear maintained her position on the ground. He first lodged a ball in the old bear. Instead of attacking him, she fled, leaving her young unprotected. He fired deliberately at each of the three in the tree, bringing them all down, and killing but one. He had only a squirrel rifle. With a target gun, such as are used at this time, he would probably have bagged them all. A party of hunters followed them the next day, tracking them by their blood, but did not overtake them. In the winter of 1831-2, the writer was teaching school in the yellow school house which stood west of the public square, on the ground now occupied by the town hall. One afternoon the school was thrown in great commotion by a bear passing through the town just back of the school house, pursued by dogs and hunters. It crossed the river below the falls, and was killed about three miles down the river, on the farm belonging to the late Aaron R. Taylor. This was the last bear seen in this vicinity.

Wolves were quite numerous until about 1835. Their howlings could be heard almost every night in the woods north of town. One evening during the fall of 1832, the writer was passing on foot along the road which skirted a swamp near the residence of Harlow Wells, in the northwest part of the township, a pack of wolves followed him, keeping along the boarder of the swamp, so near that he could hear the pattering of their feet. Their howlings were not musical, but very much diversified. Like the retreating soldier, though not frightened he was somewhat demoralized. The last wolf was seen in Elyria during the year 1844. He was evidently lonely, as he sought the society of dogs; but the dogs did not fraternize with him, but avoided his society. Many times he came into the village during the evenings, and our largest bull-dogs, after a brief encounter, retreated to their kennels in disgust. He created much excitement among the citizens. Those who had brief glimpses of him greatly magnified his size, and imagined him to be some huge wild animal, probably a panther of the largest class. At length during the ensuing winter a party of hunters got on his track which they followed for three days, killing him in New Haven, Huron county. While being pursued he

108 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

would stop occasionally to kill a sheep on which to refresh himself. The party returned in triumph, bringing his skin, which was stuffed and preserved in the rooms of the Natural History Society until February 10, 1852, when the block containing the rooms was consumed by fire, and this, with all other specimens, perished. He was a gray wolf of the largest size, and evidently a veteran.

Many anecdotes could be related of the encounters of our pioneer settlers with wolves; some of them being followed by a pack in the evening were forced to take refuge in trees, where they remained till morning, when their pursuers retreated. Mr. George Sexton and wife, living a mile and a half east of the village, hearing a disturbance among their sheep in the barnyard, got up and went out en dishabille, and with an axe dispatched the disturber of their repose among their sheep.

Deer were very numerous until about 1835. The writer once saw thirty in a flock on the farm of Mr. Asahel Parmely. They had entered the clearing probably to avoid the black flies which were very numerous in the woods at that time. Venison and pork, with an occasional wild turkey, furnished meat for the early settlers. There were no butchers' meat-shops in those days. When a pioneer got out of meat he took down his trusty rifle, and usually soon brought in a deer. What he could not consume in his own family he distributed to his neighbors.

The last deer seen in the township was in the winter of 1841. A party of fifteen or twenty young clerks and mechanics went out one pleasant day in February, with hounds to hunt rabbits. On entering the woods west of Gates' saw-mill they discovered fresh deer tracks. The dogs were put upon the tracks and soon gave tongue. The boys were directed to form a line across the woods. Before the line was fully formed one of the deer broke through and was killed by the writer. A second one passed by the end of the line and escaped, pursued by one of the dogs. The third and last one, a noble buck, approached the line at its east end. He was but two or three rods in advance of the dog, and instead of running at full speed he was making leaps three or four feet from the ground. He turned on seeing the boys and ran about ten rods front of them the whole length of the line. Each one had his shot, but no one was guilty of shedding one drop of his blood. This skirmish line was about as harmless as some at a later day, in the army, where immense quantities of ammunition were wasted without loss on either side. The two deer which escaped were killed the same day by other hunters, one in Amherst and the other at the stave landing on Black river.

Wild turkeys, which were very numerous at the first settlement of the country, have almost entirely disappeared. They were sold on the street at an early day for twenty-five cents each. The largest size weighed thirty pounds dressed.

MR. ELY'S JOURNEY.

In the fall of 1817, Mr. Ely started on horseback for his old home in Massachusetts, while Ebenezer Lane and Luther Lane started for the same destination on foot. They walked as far as Albany where they took the stage for Springfield. During their absence Mr. George Douglas and Mr. Beebe remained and worked on the inside of Mr. Ely's house. Mr. Ely returned in the spring of 1818.

In the fall of 1818, Mr. Ely took the steamboat " Walk-in-the-Water" for the east. The steamer first went to Detroit, as she could not stop at Cleveland on her way down, there being no harbor. He left Cleveland on the 17th of September, reaching Detroit on the 21st, and Buffalo on the 24th. The " Walk-in-the-Water" was the first steamboat on Lake Erie, and seems to have been a slow walker.

"Mr. Ely reached West Springfield on the first day of October, and on the 10th of the same month was married to Miss Celia, daughter of Col Ezekiel P. Belden, of Weathersfield, Conn. On the 18th, they started for Elyria, where they arrived October 30th, in company with Ebenezer Lane and his wife. Those who knew the first Mrs. Ely, speak of her in terms of warm enthusiasm. She was a beautiful and accomplished lady, kind and affectionate in her disposition, and generous to the poor and needy. She was especially loving to the little children of the pioneers. She always had a piece of cake and kind words for them when they called upon her, and her memory was cherished by all of them. One—a child at that time—who was the life companion of the writer, often spoke of her in glowing terms of praise."

The framed house not being completed when Mr. Ely returned with his bride, they commenced housekeeping in the log house. An incident is related by Mr. Beebe. We quote in his own words:

"As soon as it was known in the settlements that Mr. Ely had brought home with him a blooming bride, the ladies felt it a duty as well as a pleasure to call on her. Accordingly, a short time after their arrival, Mrs. George Sexton, of Ridgeville, and a lady friend started on foot through the woods to call on the bride. On arriving, they were met at the door of his cabin, as it was called by Mr. Ely, who received them cordially and introduced them to his wife, who entertained them very pleasantly during the afternoon. They accepted an invitation to tea, and their companionship was so agreeable that the day was far spent before they started on their return home. They had not gone far from the settlement before they lost their way, and wandered on until late in the night, when they came to the conclusion that they were really lost in the wilderness, and would be compelled to submit to the necessity of staying where they were till morning. They therefore crawled up on a fallen, leaning tree, and held on by other trees to keep from falling, and waited for morning to come, as it did at last with all the chills and frosts of a November night. They soon found their way home, and were quite well satisfied as they had visited the bride, and had a good time after all."

Mr. Beebe and George Douglas built a house for Ebenezer Lane (afterward Judge Lane), east of the river, on the farm afterward bought by Clement Northrop. Ebenezer Lane, on the 11th of October, 1818, married Frances Ann, daughter of Gov. Roger Griswold, of Lyme, Conn., and returned to Ohio in company with Mr. Ely and wife. His house being in readiness, he commenced housekeeping at once. He remained on his farm less than a year. Having been appointed prosecuting attorney of Huron county, he removed to Norwalk, October 10, 1819. The journey from Elyria to Norwalk was made on horseback, Mrs. Lane riding one horse and her husband another, he carrying their infant child on a pillow in his arms and being two days on the road. He rose to distinction in his profession, and was for many years a judge,

108A - NAHUM BALL GATES

Nahum Ball Gates was born in St. Alban's, Vt., Sept. 28, 1812. His father, John Gates, and his mother, Abigail Ball, emigrated from Northborough, Mass., to St. Alban's in 1800, and settled on a farm in that township. His father was of Puritan stock, and belonged to Revolutionary blood. The day he was sixteen years of age he enlisted in the army of the Revolution for three years, served until the close of the war, and was then discharged by Gen. Knox, in the vicinity of New York. His three eldest brothers, Samuel, Silas, and William, served in the same war during its continuance.

The subject of this sketch was the youngest of twelve children. His early education was the best afforded in those days in the district schools of his native town, with one term at the St. Alban's Academy, to fit him for a " country pedagogue," teaching district school for three winters in his native State.

The years of his minority were spent on his father's farm, attending and teaching school winters, and laboring on the farm the residue of the year. In this way he secured for himself an athletic frame and vigorous Vermont constitution. Being violently attacked on his father's farm, in the spring of 1834, with what was termed the " Western Fever," which prevailed at that time in Vermont to almost an alarming extent, he, on the 29th day of April, 1834, bade farewell to his native heath and started for Ohio, for the ostensible purpose of visiting his brother, Horatio N. Gates, who at that time was engaged in the mercantile business at Elyria, Ohio, under the firm-name of Gates & Greene.

After remaining in Elyria a few weeks, he went to Cleveland to learn more of the West and find something to do. Whilst standing in front of the Western Reserve Hotel, then in Ohio City, on the west side of Cuyahoga River, a man by the name of Swain came along, and inquired of young Gates if he knew of any one who would on the following day go into the woods and score timber for him, as he was about to erect a dwelling-house. Young Gates volunteered his services, and a bargain was soon struck. The next day saw a good, honest day's work done.

His next venture was painting and glazing, in the employ of William Wheat. At this time the cholera broke out in its most malignant form in the cities of Cleveland and Ohio City. Young Gates did not flee to the country or shut himself up in some secluded retreat, as so many did, but he made it his entire business for weeks to watch with the sick, to care for the dying, and to bury the dead. He spent day and night in performing these duties until the cholera subsided. At the urgent request of his brother, H. N. Gates, on the 1st day of September, 1834, he visited Elyria for rest and recreation, spending the winters of 1834 and 1835 in Elyria, clerking for Gates & Greene.

On the 17th day of May, 1835, he went to Black River and opened a general assortment store for Gates & Greene, where he resided with varying success and experience until the fall of 1838. Here his Vermont constitution underwent a fearful struggle ; a nine months' siege of regular old-fashioned typhus fever and swamp ague could not conquer it ; but, in his own words, " there was nothing left of him but his boots and spurs."

From the year 1836 until 1844 a copartnership existed between himself and brother, H. N. Gates, in the forwarding and commission business, headquarters being at Black River.

In the fall of 1838, Mr. Gates was elected sheriff of Lorain County, removing to Elyria. It has since been his residence. During his residence in Black River he filled the various offices of constable, justice of the peace, and marshal of Charlestown village. On the 12th day of November, 1838, he took the oath of office as sheriff, and entered upon its duties. The court of Common Pleas was then in session. This was the time of great excitement among the bogus or counterfeiting fraternity, who at that time seemed to have a strong foothold in many of the townships of Lorain County. Times were hard. Nearly all the banks in the country had suspended specie payment ; the paper money then in circulation was of all grades and value. Many thought they would take a hand in currency tinkering, which was the order of the day. Therefore, many resorted

108B - NAHUM BALL GATES.

to counterfeiting and the making of bogus coin. Men who had been arrested and placed in jail, charged with this offense, broke out and fled for their country's good. Mr. Israel Cash, who had turned State's evidence, was shot through the body, but not killed, by the son of an implicated counterfeiter. Lorain County was all excitement. Such was the condition of affairs when Mr. Gates entered upon the duties of his office. Thus they remained for over a year. Strict justice will ever give to Sheriff Gates, a determined judge and efficient prosecutor, the credit of breaking up this nefarious gang, whose wicked ramifications even reached into families hitherto called honest and respectable. His prompt action routed the whole gang, root and branch. Many, under the kind care of Sheriff Gates, visited Columbus, others fled their country, some reformed, and others died.

In 1840 a zealous Whig was Mr. Gates ; active was the part he took in that ever memorable campaign. Zeal and ardency actuated his every action. As marshal, on his famous black horse Bucephalus, did he lead the procession from Elyria and adjoining townships that visited that imposing and grand convention, held on the banks of the Maumee River, June 11, 1840.

In 1840 he was re-elected sheriff of Lorain County. Serving to the end of his term, he completed his four years, the constitutional limit.

On the 12th day of May, 1841, Mr. Gates married Miss Sarah S. Monteith, eldest daughter of the Rev. John Monteith, who formerly had filled the position of professor of ancient languages at Hamilton College, New York. Coming to Elyria he took charge of the first select school taught in Elyria of any note. This school, so well known as the High School, is yet remembered with the fondest memory by many a one who can never forget the kindness and the many virtues of their teacher long years since.

From this marriage numbers the issue, viz. : John Quincy, who died in early years ; Elizabeth Monteith, wife of Dr. Wheeler, of Cleveland ; Charlotte Augusta, wife of Rev. T. Y. Gardner, pastor of the Congregational Church, Hudson, Ohio ; Mary Ely, who died in early years ; Charles Alexander, graduate of Western Reserve College ; William Nahum, in business at Massillon, Ohio ; Nellie, at home ; and Frederick Hayes, the baby, but a good-sized one, now a student at Western Reserve College.

In 1843, Mr. Gates purchased of Mr. Heman Ely a mill site on the west branch of Black River, and proceeded at once to build a saw-mill, sash, door, and blind factory, to which he gave his personal supervision and much hard labor for twenty-three years, when, in 1866, he sold out. In 1843 he built an ashery on the west branch of the Black River, and has kept the same in successful operation up to the present time. Mr. Gates thinks he may be classed as the oldest, long-continued, and successful ashery-man in the State. This ashery is still smoking. On the first day of September, 1869, purchasing of Davis M. Clark the soap factory on the west side of Black River, he has since been and now is engaged in the manufacture of his celebrated chemical erasive soap.

The Lorain County Agricultural Society was organized in 1845, and lived along at a poor, dying rate until 1852, when Mr. Gates was elected president of the same. He immediately set to work to stimulate its activities and infuse new life by inclosing grounds, building stables and pens, erecting sheds, revising and enlarging the premium lists ; and since that time he has served ten years as its president, always taking the laboring oar, and perhaps to no one more than him is said society more indebted for its progress, growth, and present prosperity. Of its thirty-three annual fairs he has been present at all of them,.actively engaged in promoting its interests.

In 1844 he engaged in the general merchandise business at No. 1 Cheapside, Elyria. Not liking the cares and perplexities of the business, he made an advantageous sale of his whole stock of goods in 1845 to Messrs. Castle & King, of Medina, Ohio, saying, as he closed out his goods, " that he should never engage in the mercantile business again unless he got bard up." Mr. Gates was among the founders and active workers in the Elyria Union School. He has been a member of the Board of Education the most of the time for the last quarter of a century. 1860 saw him coroner of Lorain County, which office he filled for two years.

He was ever active and a hard worker in the various railroad projects which have been connected with the history of Elyria for the last thirty years. In 1850 he was a director in the Lorain Plank-Road Company, and for many years was superintendent of said road. The year 1860 found him an active worker for the Republican party, and an officer in the Wide-Awake Club. In 1862 he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the fourteenth district of Ohio, by Abraham Lincoln, where he remained until removed by Andrew Johnson, " my policy" being in the way. Elected as mayor of Elyria in 1843 for the first time, he has since that time filled that position for twelve years, and is now acting in that capacity.

In 1856, Caleb S. Goodwin, treasurer of Lorain County, dying, Mr. Gates was appointed to fill the vacancy, and served acceptably for one year.

Mr. Gates's life in Elyria has been one of constant action. For example: in the year 1856 he was treasurer of the county, mayor of Elyria, township trustee, member of the Board of Education of Elyria Union Schools, superintendent of the Lorain Plank-Road, foreman of 'Etna (Elyria) Fire Company, discharging the several duties appertaining to each with acceptance, to say the least, besides attending to his own personal affairs, which were neither few nor small.

He was mainly instrumental in the formation of Elyria Lodge, No. 103, of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and was one of its charter members. This lodge was instituted March 1, 1848, and from that day to this it has been an honored and respected institution. Mr. Gates is the oldest member of said lodge, and the only one left of its charter members, or of those present at its inauguration.

As a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Elyria, and society of said church, he may be termed a pronounced Presbyterian in all its meanings.

During the Rebellion no one was more efficient than Mr. Gates. His quota of years required no personal enlistment to fill any quota demanded from Lorain County, yet it may be truly asserted that no one not subject to draft (and few, if any, that were) did more than Mr. Gates, by word, act, and money, for the republic.

Of strong and pronounced opinions, his ear is ever open to reason's call. Commencing life with little or nothing, prosperity has not elevated him above the cry of the poor and needy. Generous and self-sacrificing, his purse is ever open to true charity, and his hand is always found helping the downtrodden and oppressed. Of him may it truly be said no one in Elyria has spent more hours in watching with the sick, in burying the dead, in visiting the widow and orphan, than Mr. Gates.

The writer knows of no citizen of Elyria who has spent more time for the public at large, with less pay, than Mr. Gates. No one can he recall who has, according to his means, so liberally contributed with voice, action, and money to Elyria's various improvements. Now at the ripe age of sixty-six years, with commanding presence, hale and hearty, as if yet he breathed the mountain air of his old Vermont home, surrounded with the comforts of life, with home graced by the dear wife ever young, cheered by the presence of manly and womanly children, and amused by the prattle of grandchildren, Colonel Gates lives honored and respected by all. 

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 109

and for a portion of the time chief justice of the supreme court of Ohio. He died in Sandusky on the 12th of June, 1866. He may with much propriety be ranked among the great men of Ohio. He graduated at Harvard College in 1811, and studied law with Judge Matthew Griswold, at Lyme, Conn. He did not confine himself to his profession alone, but during his whole life he eagerly pursued the different branches of natural science, and became eminent as a naturalist. The first deed executed by Mr. Ely was made to Ebenezer Lane, dated June 1, 1818. It conveyed lot sixty-four, east of the river, containing sixty-four acres; the second to Edmund West; the third to Artemas Beebe. Mr. Beebe and George Douglas had contracted for the land in the fall of 1817. It consisted of the ground where his old tavern stood. The building still remains on the same spot, in good condition. Early in 1817, Mr. Ely had contracted with Joshua Renshaw to survey the township and village. He was assisted by Clark Eldred and others. Mr. Eldred says they were in the habit of starting out on Monday morning, with their week's provisions and blankets on their backs. They stopped wherever night overtook them. They cooked their own provisions, and the water they drank was sometimes filled with wrigglers. Part of the surveys were made in 1816, but the township was not allotted until 1817. The town plat was first surveyed in blocks in 1820. It was not divided into lots until 1823.

FIRST CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY.

This occurred at Elyria in 1819, with all the "pomp and circumstance" which became the sons of New England patriots. The settlers in all the adjacent townships turned out en inane. Grafton especially was represented by nearly all its inhabitants. They came generally with ox-teams, and all entered into the spirit of the occasion. A blacksmith's anvil served in place of a cannon, and was kept warm during the day. The dinner was one of the interesting features, and was for those days quite sumptuous. The dessert consisted of several popular beverages, of which whisky formed the chief ingredient. Mr. Elbridge Gerry, then residing in Ridgeville, delivered the oration, which was patriotic and of course loudly applauded. Mr. David Gibbs, of Carlisle, led the martial music. He was not only a good drummer, but proficient on the fife and clarionet. Mr. Beebe says:

"In order to approximate as near as possible the old-fashioned manner, an old fowling-piece was strapped on the back of John Gould, who placed himself on all-fours, serving as gun-carriage, when a toast would be read, and the gunner, with a grand flourish of his hot poker, would discharge the old flint-lock amidst rounds of applause."

The exercises were closed with a grand ball in the evening, in which all participated. The fiddler was John Shafer, of Ridgeville. Several remained until morning. It is said whisky was freely used, as was then the custom, but no one became intoxicated.

A post office was established in Elyria on the 23d of May, 1818, and Heman Ely was appointed post master, which office he held until the 1st of April, 1833. The revenues accruing to the government during the first four years ranged from two dollars and forty-one cents to eight dollars and twenty-eight cents.

Perhaps no more suitable place can be found to give a brief sketch of some of the lives of the first settlers of Elyria. The biography of some of them will be written by an abler pen. In reference to Mr. HEMAN ELY, it can be said that he was eminently just as a landed proprietor. He usually sold his lands on four years' time, on a written contract or article of agreement, each party retaining a copy. He was very systematic and methodical in his business transactions, living up fully to his contracts, and he expected those with whom he dealt to fulfil their obligations; but he was never known to dispossess any of the early settlers of their lands who were industri ous, temperate and frugal, and were doing the best they could to make themselves homes and to pay for their land. Those who were intemperate, lazy and shiftless, and others who took up land merely to strip it of its most valuable timber, without intending to pay for it, found no mercy at his hands.

It used to be said of him that he could tell, by looking on his map, whenever a tree was cut on any part of his domain, and that he would at once mount his horse and ride directly to the spot. He was much on horse-back, and early settlers will remember the old bay horse that stood hitched in front of his office, ready saddled and bridled, every day when he was at home. He never sought official position, though he served for six years as associate judge of the county; and he was on several occasions a member of the State board of equalization, which met at Columbus to equalize the lands of the State for taxation. In business transactions, he was a man of few words, but when free from the cares of business he was genial and sociable, and loved to hear and tell a good story. So much for Mr. Ely, the founder of the township.

A sketch of the life of ARTEMAS BEEBE will be found elsewhere.

CAPTAIN FESTUS COOLEY commanded a company of Massachusetts troops in the war of 1812. He marched his company to Boston, but as Massachusetts troops were not permitted by the governor to leave the State, it is not believed that the company of Capt. Cooley were guilty of shedding any British blood. He came to Elyria from Springfield on foot, arriving on the 29th day of May, 1817, and immediately took charge of both the saw and grist mills, that were erected in 1816. He put them in good order, and all things seemed to prosper in the way of making improvements in the wilderness. Mr. Beebe says "every man worked with a will; there were no drones in those days." In the spring of 1819, Capt. Cooley went east, and returned with his family in August of the same year. He moved into the old tavern stand, built by Mr. Beebe and George Douglas, which he occupied for about a year, until Mr. Beebe

110 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

arrived with his bride. Capt. Cooley lived in this town until the time of his death, August 9, 1872, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Mrs. Cooley survived him several years; she died August 4, 1876. He was a kind and obliging neighbor and friend, and died without an enemy. He was the father of several daughters, who all died soon after reaching maturity. His only son Festus, late of Elyria, now of Blue Rapids, Kansas, is his only surviving child.

LUTHER LANE came to Elyria with the first party of immigrants. Being hired for only eight months, he returned at the end of that time, in company with the late Judge Lane, to Massachusetts. They made the entire distance on foot. He returned to Elyria, in 1821, and, in a year or two, built the house where he resided until his death. On the 4th of July, 1826, he married Miss Ann Cooley, in West Springfield, and brought her to his new western home. She lived to share his toils, joys and sorrows. She died only a few years before her husband, ripe in years, and lamented by all, who loved her for her many christian virtues. Mr. Lane was one of the original members of the Presbyterian church in Elyria, and was elected deacon at the time of its organization. He was, pre-eminently, a good man. No one spoke ill of him. He was honest, industrious, temperate, and kind to all with whom he associated. Children loved him, for he always had a kind word for them. He owned the farm on the east side of the river, opposite the residence of Rev. L. F. Ward. Deacon and Mrs. Lane raised no children of their own, but they brought up a number of orphan children, who were treated with parental affection. He died on the 23d of November, 1868.

JAMES PORTER was an industrious, hard working man, and accumulated considerable property. He owned the farm now belonging to I. J. Raymond, east of the river, and several houses and lots in town. He left one child, a daughter, who was six years old at the time of his death, and is now the wife of M. B. Purnly, of Dayton, Ohio. His widow married Dr. H. F. Hubbard, who died in Wisconsin. She is still living, and resides with her children in Colorado.

GEORGE DOUGLAS died young. He is remembered by the early settlers as an enterprising, kind-hearted man. He died on the 5th day of November, 1829; aged thirty-five years.

RODERICK ASHLEY went east after a year or two, and engaged in boating on the Connecticut river, between Springfield and Hartford. He accumulated a fortune, and died at an advanced age, in the spring of 1878, lamented by all who knew him.

GERSHOM DANKS bought the farm now occupied by Sheldon Paddock, in Ridgeville, which he occupied for several years. He sold out many years ago, and moved west. His subsequent history is unknown.

EDWARD BUSH returned to the east, but afterwards removed to the State of Illinois, where all trace of him is lost.

JOHN BACON, who kept the log boarding house for the pioneers, removed to his farm in Carlisle, where he resided many years. He died not long ago, at an advanced age. Uncle John, as he was familiarly called, was a generous and kind-hearted man.

Of the first settlers in Elyria, Mr. A. Beebe is believed to be the only survivor.

ELYRIA VILLAGE

as first incorporated, embraced only the territory lying between the branches of Black river. Its boundaries have been extended, so that it now embraces a good part of the township. Should its territory all be occupied as a city, it would contain about two hundred thousand inhabitants.

The east and west branches of the river approach each other at the south line of the township, to within the distance of about one mile. The west branch runs in a northerly direction, until it reaches the west falls. The east branch runs parallel to it, until it passes some distance north of Broad street, where it bends west, and for a short distance, south; turning again to the west, it reaches the east falls, a little below the bridge, which connects Washington avenue with Broad street. These falls are forty feet perpendicular, and when the river is high, present a grand appearance. The river there makes its way through a rocky gorge, about sixty rods, where it unites with the west branch. The west fall is about the same heighth as the east. After leaping the fall, it runs through a similar rocky gorge, for about forty rods, where the two branches form a junction.

SCENERY.

The scenery on both branches below the falls is grand and beautiful. Immense ledges of sandstone project over the valley, for part of the distance, while large boulders of the same material are found in the bed of the stream, which, in a measure, obstruct its passage. The banks on either hand are covered with deciduous trees, with which are intermingled evergreen trees, consisting of pines and hemlocks. At the foot of the west fall, on the south side, there is a large, wide-mouthed cave, over-arched with sand rock. It is a famous resort for both young and old. High up on the projecting rock, many names are inscribed, and among them, in large letters, is that of Q. A. Gilmore, 1844. At that date, General Gilmore was a bright lad, attending school in Elyria.

At some period in the distant past, the west falls were located some twenty rods below where they are at present, and at the place where they poured over the precipice, the rocks are water-worn, giving abundant evidence of their former location. Many interesting relics have been found in the former bed of the stream.

At the foot of the ancient junction, there is a basin or small lake, covering an acre or more of ground. Surrounding this basin, the scenery is indescribably grand; rocks are piled on rocks, in endless confusion. This is a famous resort for artists, many of whom

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 111

have visited Elyria for the purpose of sketching its scenery. A little below the basin, there is an island Of several acres, covered with majestic trees of maple, beech, and sycamore, the property of Mrs. Charles Arthur Ely. This she has generously cleared of underbrush, and provided with rustic seats. She has also built a stairway, leading down from the high bank above, and thrown her beautiful grounds open to the public. Picnic parties come from a distance to enjoy this beautiful retreat. Strangers visiting Elyria are not aware that within a stone's throw of Broad street, can be found the most beautiful scenery in the State.

RELICS OF AN ANCIENT RACE.

On the west bank of the river, on the northern border of the township, there is a lot known as the Fort Lot. On this lot there are extensive works, constructed, probably, by a race of people who inhabited this country prior to the present Indian race. About forty years ago, a party of gentlemen, of whom the Writer was one, made a survey of these works. They consisted first, of a large central mound, near the river bank, and a smaller mound on each side of it. The bank of the river descended gradually for about twenty feet, where was a level plateau, some two rods in width. Out of this bank gushes a spring of pure water, of sufficient size to carry an overshot wheel, and falls into the river, the perpendicular bank of which is some seventy-five feet in height. Extending around these mounds, some ten rods or more from them, was a ditch. It commenced at the river bank, 4ome twenty rods north of the mounds, and terminated at a deep ravine, about a quarter of a mile from its place of beginning. At the distance of about ten rods from each other, were pits or caches, evidently made for the purpose of storing provisions. Very ancient oaks grew from the bottom of the ditch, in places. We excavated the largest mound rather imperfectly, and found nothing but pieces of pottery, and fragments of human bones. The sounds were undoubtedly used as places of sepulture, where, after some battle, perhaps, large numbers of the slain were entombed. It is to be regretted that, the owners of the land, in a spirit of vandalism, have ploughed over the mounds, and they are nearly on a level with the surrounding surface.

ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP.

On the twentieth of October, 1819, the township of Elyria, comprising townships number five and six, in range seventeen, now Carlisle and Elyria, was, by the commissioners of Huron county, erected a separate township. It was named in honor of its pioneer owner and settler, Heman Ely,—Elyria. The first election occurred on the 3d of April, 1820, at which time there were twenty votes cast. The following list gives the names of the electors at that time: Sherman Minot, John M. Butler, John Baoon, James A. Sexton, Abel Farr, Dudley Starr, George Douglas,

William Sexton, Enos Mann, Calvin Rice, Burton Waite, Chester Wright, J. L. Terrell, Elias Mann, Heman Ely, Roger Cooley, Festus Cooley, James Ledoit, Henry Wolford and Edmund West. James Ledoit and Sherman Minot were judges of election, and Edmund West, clerk. Heman Ely, Sherman Minot and Jonathan A. Sexton, were elected trustees. Edmund West, clerk and treasurer. Tiernan Ely and Festus Cooley, overseers of the poor. Chester Wright and Enos Mann, fence viewers. John F. Butler and Festus Cooley, appraisers of property. George Douglas, constable, and Heman Ely and William Sexton, supervisors of highways. Sherman Minot was the first justice Of the peace; elected, doubtless, in 1820, though the only record we find is a copy of the notice for an election of justice of the peace, "in place of Sherman Minot, whose term of office expired December 23, 1822."

From a list of taxable property, prepared in May, 1820, by Roger Cooley and Phineas Johnson, we learn that there were in the township eleven horses, ninety- eight cattle, and seven houses, five of which were valued at one hundred dollars each, one at fourteen hundred (Homan Ely's), and another (Artemas Beebe's) at nine hundred dollars. The number of horses returned by the assessor in the spring of 1878 was seven hundred and seventy-seven, valued at thirty-eight thousand four hundred and seventy-five dollars; cattle, one thousand one hundred and twenty-seven, valued at twenty-two thousand two hundred and ninety-four dollars; total value of real estate and buildings, township, three hundred and twelve thousand and thirty-five dollars; village, one million and eighty-one thousand dollars; total in township and village, one million five hundred and ninety-three thousand and thirty-five dollars.

The records of the township cannot be found further back than 1842. At the spring election this year Herrick Parker, Ira Cunningham and Israel Everden were judges; Schuyler Putnam and Benjamin F. Robinson, clerks. The officers elected were Ebenezer Griffith, Daniel Nesbitt and William Gregg, trustees; Schuyler Putnam, township clerk; Abraham Burrell, treasurer; William Doolittle and John H. Faxon, constables, and nine supervisors of highways.

In 1843, Clark Eldred, Daniel Nesbitt and Artemas Beebe, trustees; Stephen B. Wolcott, township clerk; A. Burrell, treasurer; John H. Faxon, constable; Heman Burch and Edson A. Griswold, justices of the peace.

The officers for 1878 are Levi Morse, H. C. Vail and George F. Sears, trustees; W. H. Park, clerk; George D. Williams, treasurer; 0. Dole, Charles Myers and S. A. Rawson, constables; Wm. H. Tucker, justice of the peace.

ELYRIA CHOSEN AS THE COUNTY SEAT.

Mr. Ely visited Columbus in the winter of 1821-2, for the purpose of securing an act for the organization of the county of Lorain. He traveled on horse-

112 - HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

back, and the first day out he became lost in the woods. He succeeded in finding his way back to his home at night, and the next day was more successful in finding his way, and finally reached the State capital. The new county was not formed at that session of the General Assembly, but on the 22d of December, 1822, an act was passed for its formation. It was taken from the counties of Cuyahoga, Huron and Medina, and was named Lorain. It took its name from Lorraine in France, in which province Mr. Ely spent some time while in Europe, and with which he was greatly pleased. It will be observed that the name is somewhat anglicised. It originally embraced the townships of Homer and Spencer now in Medina, and Sullivan and Troy now in Ashland county. At the same session a board of three commissioners was appointed to locate the county seat. Black River and Sheffield were competitors with Elyria, and the commissioners visited both of those townships; but, after a fair consideration of their claims, fixed upon Elyria as the seat of justice for the new county, and on the 14th of February, 1823, drove the stakes for the location of the new court house. It was located at the north east corner of Middle avenue and Broad street, and occupied the ground where J. A. Bean's grocery store now stands. Mr. Ely agreed to furnish buildings for the court house and jail, and to pay two thousand dollars towards the erection of a new court house whenever the county commissioners should see fit to build one.

After the erection of the new court house, the original building was removed to a lot fronting Broad street, and was used for a time as a school house and afterwards as a Presbyterian church. It now stands in the rear of Snearer and Waldeck's cabinet shop. The jail was erected on what is now the South public square, nearly opposite the present residence of N. L. Johnson. It was a two-story frame building, the inside of one end lined with square-hewn logs, which was used as a prison. The other end was used by the family of the jailor. It answered its purpose very well, few if any prisoners having escaped from it. It now stands on East Third street, and is owned and occupied as a dwelling by R. W. Pomeroy.

ELYRIA 1N 1825.

Some of the townships in Lorain county were quite rapidly settled after the first improvements. Such was not the case with Elyria. Its population is not remembered, but the following list shows the houses and their occupants at the above date. Commencing at the east end of Broad street the first house stood nearly opposite the old tannery, and was occupied by a Mr. Canes. The second house was occupied by Mr. Gardner Howe, a tanner. Third, Heman Ely's residence, now occupied by his son Heman. Fourth, the old tavern of Mr. Beebe, standing nearly opposite Mr. Ely's. Fifth, the residence of Mr. Edmund West, now owned and occupied by Albert Ely. Sixth, residence of Deacon Luther Lane, now owned by Mr. Budd. Seventh, the residence of Mr. Kingsbury, now owned and occupied by Mr. Coburn. Eighth, George Gilbert, a blacksmith. Ninth, residence of Dr. John F. Butler, corner of Broad street and Middle avenue. Tenth, residence of Hiram Emmons. Eleventh, residence of Thompson Miles. Twelfth, residence (name not remembered) on ground afterwards occupied by residence of Samuel Goodwin. Thirteenth, residence of Halstead Parker. Fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth, occupants not remembered. Eighteenth, occupied by Roger Cooley. Nineteenth, resident not known. Twentieth, residence of Francis Douglas. Twenty-first, residence of Ebenezer Whiton. Twenty-second, residence of James Porter. Twenty-third, now occupied by W. H. Park, built by Ransom Redington, at that time unfinished.

There were but few farmers settled in the township outside the village.

From the report of the appraiser of real estate for 1870 (the last made) we take the following:

Village. Number of houses 554; valued at $418,615 00

228 other buildings, valued at 40,625 00

In the township, 174 houses, valued at 67,005 00

155 other buildings, valued at 32,007 00

Total, village and township $558,842 00

Real estate is appraised at less than half its true value.

A number of persons whose names have not been mentioned settled in Elyria prior to 1825. William Turner, Jr., whose father came to Grafton in 1816, was apprenticed to George Douglas, to learn the house joiner and carpenter's trade, in 1822. He married Miss Olive M. Lynde, in 1824, and became a permanent resident. By a life of industry he has accumulated a competence, and is now living at the age of severity-five, respected by the community. His wife, aged seventy-three, is also living. Hiram Emmons came from Connecticut in 1821. He died in 1865 aged seventy-two. He was an honest man and a good citizen.

Stanton Sholes was one of the early merchants of Elyria. He sold out to Thompson Miles, who succeeded him both as a merchant and resident in 1824, and removed to a pleasant home in Amherst. Capt. Sholes afterwards removed to the vicinity of Columbus, where he died recently, aged over ninety years. He commanded a company in the war of 1812, and did good service for his country. Mr. Miles having secured a competence, retired from business in 1833. He died in September, 1845, aged fifty-five years, leaving a highly respectable family.

Ezra S. Adams, from Canton, Conn., settled in Elyria in 1821, and established the first harness and saddlery shop in the county. He kept the hotel built by George Douglas for a time, and was a partner of Mr. A. Beebe, in establishing the first line of stage coaches between Cleveland and Sandusky, (now Fremont.) He afterwards carried on the business of harness making for many years. He died January 22, 1847, aged forty-six years.

112A - WILLIAM H. TUCKER

A young man who, with good habits and energy, says, "This will I do," rarely fails. William H. Tucker is a living illustration of this fact. He was born in Windham, Portage ' no., Ohio, March 21, 1826, the youngest son of Jacob and Ohloe Tucker. Jacob first settled in Ohio, at Vermillion, in 1816. In 1818 he moved into Windham, as above, from which place he removed to Eaton, Lorain Co , Ohio, in 1832, purchasing a farm on Chestnut Ridge.

Here with his wife he remained until their respective deaths ; Mr. Tucker dying in 1863, in his eighty-eighth year ; his wife having died two years previous.

From the mother did W. H. Tucker get the notions which, worked out, have made the valuable citizen. Mrs. Chloe Tucker was a woman of uncommon energy ; the great motherly heart of a good woman, by precept and example, left an impress on the character of her children that to this day recalls the memory of a mother who ever watched over them with self-sacrificing devotion, and aided them to become the true man or true woman.

The father, of a different mental mould, ever kind, no matter how gloomy the outlook, was ever cheerful ; always thinking "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Mr. W. H. Tucker, well remembering the exodus from Portage to Lorain County, recalls the passage of Cuyahoga River, at Cleveland, Ohio, on a floating bridge, the all of his parents in a lumber wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen, those parents to work out of the then woods of Eaton a home for selves and little ones. Such a home, poor as it was, was even then made so pleasant that one and all of those children look back to it with fond memories.

Early life in Lorain County gave limited opportunities for education. At the age of sixteen Mr. Tucker began to think for a better education than home schools provided. In his seventeenth year his father gave him all he could, viz., his time. With this and a fixed determination he commenced the business of education, chopping cord-wood for tuition, and doing chores for board. He was a pupil at a select school at Ridgeville, Ohio. The following winter found him teacher of the common school at Lagrange, Ohio. In the following July, to acquire further funds for schooling, he commenced work with a traveling threshing-machine. A week's work left him with only one leg, and even life in danger. Good early habits and a sound constitution pulled him through so far as the physical was concerned ; but, as he looked to the future, "black care brooded o'er his mind." Fearing he should become a burden to his friends, he almost wished for death. However, will-power and kind attention of tender friends drove such thoughts away, and left him with a fixed purpose. Engaging in school teaching for the following twenty-two years, Mr. Tucker taught every winter, frequently fall and summer terms, in the common schools of Ohio; now and then a select school. All this time as teacher he was everywhere a learner.

In the year 1864, Mr. Tucker removed to Elyria, Ohio, where be now lives. He was married in his twenty-third year to Miss Clarissa Andrews, who as kind wife, with joyous and sunny disposition, cheered his life until her death, which occurred at Elyria, Jan. 20, 1870. She left three sons, the youngest but eight days old, her only daughter having died before, aged two years.

He was remarried, March 13, 1871, to Mrs. M. C. Hart, widow of Hermon Hart, of Grafton, Lorain Co., Ohio, who now with every womanly grace makes home pleasant to husband and their many friends.

Mr. Tucker was elected recorder of Lorain Co., Ohio, in 1864, filling the position, by two re-elections, for nine years. Retiring from office with health somewhat impaired by close confinement and strict attention to official duties, for a short time he engaged in sundry business occupations. Waving, during his recordership, reviewed his law studies under the instruction of Judge John C. Hale (which studies were originally made under Judge W. W. Boynton), he was admitted to the bar, at a sitting of the District Court, at Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1875, Mr. Tucker was a prominent mover in the organization of a lodge of Knights of Honor at Elyria, and was chosen past dictator of said lodge. In 1876 he represented said lodge in grand council, and has ever since been a member of that body, now being grand trustee.

In February, 1878, as charter member, he helped the formation of a council of Royal Arcanums at Elyria, of which he was elected past regent. He now fills the office of grand secretary of the grand council of said order for the State of Ohio.

Elected by his fellow-citizens as justice of the peace ; a member of the law firm of Fary & Tucker ; with an official reputation as recorder of Lorain County unequaled either by successor or predecessor ; with the trusts of a grand officer in his hands ; his ever charitable hand ; his undeviating life of integrity in all its meaning ; the universal respect of all with whom he comes in contact, Mr. Tucker can be well said to have grandly done his " This will I do."

112B - IRAL A. WEBSTER

William Webster was born in West Hartford, Conn., Oct. 20, 1778, and moved to Laporte, Lorain Co., Ohio, May 15, 1828, from the town of Spafford, Onondaga Co., N. Y. His son William was born at Florence, Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 20, 1809.

The occupation of both father and son was that of blacksmithing. William, the father of the subject of this sketch, worked at his trade in Elyria, in company with George G. Gilbert, from 1831 to 1834. His wife was born July 3, 1813, and was the daughter of Henry J. Phillips. They were married Oct. 27, 1831, in Eaton, Lorain Co., Ohio. Mrs. Webster died Nov. 13, 1868, leaving six children, viz. : Daniel, Edward, Cordelia, (wife of Dr. L. C. Kelsey, of Elyria, Ohio), Iral A., Fred, and Will.

Iral A. Webster was born on Butternut Ridge, Eaton township, Lorain Co., Ohio, Dec 22, 1840. In Iral's youth his parents moved to the State of Illinois. Returning from the West, for a short time Cleveland, Ohio, was their home; and in 1848, Carlisle, Lorain Co., Ohio, became his father's residence, where he still lives.

Iral A. Webster's early days were spent on the home farm, in the blacksmith-shop, or in a quarry belonging to his father, except such time as was given to the district school, until 1861. During this year he attended a select school at Elyria, Ohio. In 1862 he commenced studies at Oberlin, Ohio, where some time was spent until the spring of 1866 ; the balance was passed in teaching school at Lagrange and Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, and in reading law with J. D. Horton, of Ravenna, Ohio. Continuing his reading, with C. W. Johnston, Esq., of Elyria, he was, in said place, admitted to the bar Aug. 29, 1867. In December, 1867, he opened a law office at Oberlin, Ohio, where his family still resides, although Mr. Webster's time is mostly passed in Elyria, where he started a branch office, August, 1877. He formed a copartnership with Charles G. Finney, Jr., in February, 1872, which lasted but a few months, owing to the ill health of his partner. Jan. 1, 1877, saw his uncle, H. L. Webster, in the law business with him, which relation continued for one year, when Mr. Webster formed a partnership with his brother Fred, which still continues.

In December, 1877, Mr. I. A. Webster purchased one-half of the Oberlin Weekly News, and continued one of its owners and publishers until Jan. 1, 1879, his efforts having aided in a great degree in placing it upon a sound foundation.

On Nov. 25, 1868, Mr. Webster married Miss Lottie Robb, daughter of Jackson and Mary Robb. Of this marriage were born Albert M., Feb. 13, 1875 ; Angie L., April 8, 1877.

Mr. Webster is yet young, a man of high moral standing, and an ardent supporter of every movement looking towards the right. He is a prominent member of the Republican party. Sharing the confidence and good will of all, he enjoys that true respect of his fellows that only follows a life of strict integrity.

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 113

Zenas Barnum built a forge on the west side of the Iriver, where Gates' saw-mill was afterwards built in '1818, and carried on the business of manufacturing wrought iron until 1832. He then removed to Rockport, where he died many years ago.

Elias Mann came to Elyria in 1819. He married a daughter of Major David Beebe, of Ridgeville and removed to Amherst, where he lived to a good old age.

John Gould and Ebenezer Perry settled on the east side of the river, on the ground now occupied by the cemetery. Both died many years ago.

ELYRIA VILLAGE.

INCORPORATED IN 1883.

Section first of an act to incorporate the town of Elyria, reads as follows:

Be it enacted by the Generil Assembly of the State of Ohio, That all that part of the township of Elyria, in the county of Lorain, which is Included within the branches of Black river, be and the same is hereby created a town corporate, and shall hereafter be known and distinguished by the name of the Town of Elyria. The above was passed February 23, 1833. Signed,

DAVID T. DISNEY, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

SAMUEL P. MILLER, President of the Senate.

We are unable to find the record of elections prior to April 6, 1842. At this date an election was held and the following gentlemen were chosen, viz: Orren Cowles, mayor; Benjamin F. Robinson, recorder; Archibald S. Park, Thompson Miles, Israel Everden, Ansel Keith, and T. Crane, trustees; and Samuel Goodwin, treasurer. 1843: Nahum B. Gates, mayor; Austin C. Penfield, recorder; Herrick Parker, T. Crane, I. Everden, Orville L. Mason and William Olcott, trustees; treasurer re-elected. 1844: Oliver R. Ryder, mayor; I. Everden, 0. L. Mason, C. S. Goodwin, and Norman Crandall, trustees; recorder re-elected; Horace C. Starr, treasurer. 1845: officers re-elected entire. 1846: Albert A. Bliss, mayor; 0. L. Mason, 0. Cowles, T. Crane, N. B. Gates and William Olcott, trustees; recorder and treasurer reelected. 1847: Heman Ely, Jr., mayor; M. R. Keith, recorder, B. F. Robinson, W. F. Lockwood, A. Wooster, A. Culver and Milo Bennett, trustees; H. C. Starr, treasurer. We pass to a recent date. 1876: John H. Boynton, mayor; John Childs, George H. Ely, E. G. Johnson and Charles Spitzenburg, trustees. 1877: N. B. Gates, mayor; council, John Childs, George H. Ely, E. G. Johnson, Charles Spitzenburg, William Allen and George R. Starr. 1878: N. B. Gates, mayor; council same as before, adding John W. Hart and D. J. Nye.

In making out the foregoing list of officers we have copied from the records as kept by the recorder, hence we are not responsible for the omission of first names.

Soon after the commencement of the settlement, Mr. Ely saw the necessity of having bridges across both branches of the river, and contracted with Maj. Calvin Hoadley to build them. They were completed in the fall of 1818. Their location was substantially on the sites of the present stone and iron bridges.

In the summer of 1819 Chester Wright erected a distillery, one of those, at that day, popular institutions. This stood on the east side of the east branch of the river, near the spring in the rear of the sand pits. Enos Mann and others afterwards carried on this distillery. Long years since it went into decay and now not a vestige of it remains.

At a very early date, a carding and fulling mill was in operation. It was located on the site of Messrs. Topliff and Ely's extensive manufactory. Gardner Howe at first carried it on, who was succeeded by John L. Butler, and he, in turn, by Herrick Parker. The spinning wheel and hand-loom having become things of the past, Mr. Parker converted it into a woolen manufactory, but does not seem to have been successful, as the work was abandoned some twenty years ago.

The grist and saw mills, built by Mr. Ely at the time of the first settlement, near the east branch bridge, have been succeeded by others, with more modern improvements, which are still in operation.

The old red mill at the east falls was built by Mr. Ely, as early as 1824. In February, 1832, there was a great freshet, caused by heavy rains, which caused the breaking up of the ice. It swept away every mill dam above Elyria, gathering force at each, and came down almost like a wall of waters, bearing along large trees, which had been torn up by the roots. Nearly half of the red mill standing over the water was swept away, and all of the running gear, including the mill stones, and made a complete wreck of the lower portion of the mill. That part of the building next the water, settled a foot or more, and the whole structure came near falling into the stream. It was soon repaired, and has, until recently, done a large business, both as a custom and merchants' mill. It is not now in operation.

The Lorain Iron Company was established in 1832, on the west side of the river, near the west falls. Heman Ely furnished the capital, and built the necessary works. It was, at one time, an extensive affair, employing one hundred, or more, men. It was not a success, financially, and was eventually abandoned. Its failure was probably due to the fact that it used bog ore, which was not very rich in iron. Had the iron mines of Lake Superior been then known, it would doubtless have been in operation at the present time.

Below the " old red mill," was a second one, which was burned down, and between the two, a gentleman named Clark, put in operation an axe manufactory. This business was carried on for a number of years, and turned out a very good class of worn. This has, long since, ceased to be. Mr. N. B. Gates, for many years, run a saw-mill, and carried on a sash and blind manufactory, on the west branch, above the falls. As timber became scarce, it was abandoned, not being profitable.

ELYRIA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

Sometime during the year 1844, the above society was organized. It rented a large hall in the Ely

114 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

block, furnished each side of it with glass cases, for the reception of specimens—a platform and desk occupying the front of the room. It was also supplied with seats, to accommodate about three hundred persons. The glass cases were generally filled with choice specimens, illustrating geology, mineralogy, conchology, ornithology, and botany. Many Indian relics were also collected, together with a small library. In this room, weekly public free lectures were given for about four years, except during the month of August. The lecturers were mostly residents of Elyria, among whom were Drs. N. S. Townshend, Eber W. Hubbard, and L. D. Griswold; Joel Tiffany, A. A. Bliss, P. Bliss, and Woolsey Wells, attorneys; Rev. D. A. Grosvenor; and H. A. Tenney, editor, and others, not recollected. The lecturers were all volunteers, and performed their duties without compensation. During the existence of the association, several distinguished scientists from abroad were employed, who delivered courses of lectures upon chemistry and geology. For nearly four years, the hall was filled, weekly, by the young and middle-aged citizens of Elyria, who were constant attendants upon the lectures. No one can properly estimate the influence for good, especially upon the young people of our village, resulting from these lectures. Elyria has ever been celebrated for the literary and scientific culture of its inhabitants, and it is believed that, its reputation is, to a great extent, due to the influence of this society.

After about four years of prosperity, several gentlemen, who had been prominent in conducting its affairs, removed from town, the regular lectures were discontinued, and it gradually fell into decay. In 1852, a fire consumed the block and what specimens remained in the room.

CHURCHES IN ELYRIA.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH *

Was organized in the log school house east of the river, on Thursday, the 25th of November, 1824. There were present on the occasion, Rev. Alfred H. Betts, a minister of the Presbytery of Huron, and the Revs. Daniel W. Lathrop, Joseph Treat, and Caleb Pitkin, of the Missionary Society of Connecticut.

The following persons presented themselves for examination, viz: Luther Lane, Celia Ely and Pamelia Beebe, from the First church in West Springfield, Massachusetts; Abbe W. Lathrop, from the First Presbyterian church in Brooklyn, Long Island; William Smith, from the church in Sheffield; Samuel Brooks, Hezekiah Brooks, Lydia Brooks, Sophia Brooks, Hannah Brooks, Hannah Johnson and Irene Johnson, of the Presbyterian church in Carlisle; and Harriet Hamlin, Julia West, Pearly Douglas, Ann Palmer and Pamelia Manter, who had never before made a public profession of religion.

* Derived mostly from the church records, and from conversation with the Hon, Heman Ely.

The building, occupied exclusively as a church, stood on the northeast corner of of the public square, and is the same now occupied by Snearer & Waldeck as a cabinet shop.

In 1834, a wooden church edifice was erected on lot No. 247 East Second street. This was completed, and on February 12, of the same year, was dedicated to the service of Almighty God. On the same day, the Rev. James H. Eells was ordained pastor of the church. This building is now owned by Mrs. Sarah W., widow of the Rev. D. A. Grosvenor, and is occupied as a dwelling.

The massive and beautiful stone church on the corner of Second and Court streets was completed in the spring of 1848, and dedicated May 17, of that year, at a total cost of twelve thousand five hundred and eighty-eight dollars and sixty-five cents. The clock which occupies the tower of this church was put up some years later, and cost three hundred dollars; the bell, six hundred dollars, and the fine organ, fourteen hundred dollars. A neat stone chapel was erected just south of the church in 1853.

The following list shows the pastors who have ministered to the church, with the date they were severally installed:

June 29, 1825, Rev. Daniet W. Lathrop; February 2, 1831, Rev. John J. Shipherd; February 11, 1833, Rev. James H. Eells; September 26, 1837, Rev. Lewis H. Loss; February 9, 1813, Rev. David A. Grosvenor; November 4, 1852, Rev. F. M. Hopkins; April 4, 1855, Rev. Francis A. Wilber; July 2, 1867, Rev. Fergus L. Kenyon; March 1, 1872, Rev. C. H. Wheeler; August 21, 1872, Rev. E. E. Williams; present pastor was employed and installed December 9, 1873.

The present officers of the church, many of whom have grown grey in its service, are as follows:

Deacons—Elijah DeWitt (Emeritus), Joseph Swift, Jr., Edward W. West, 1saac S. Metcalf.

Standing Committee—Thomas L. Nelson, Heman Ely, Edward W. West, Elijah DeWitt, Joseph Swift, Jr., and Reuben M. Carter.

Clerk— 1saac S. Metcalf.

Ladies' Committee—Mrs. Heman Ely, Mrs. J. J. Monroe, Miss Eliza J. Hall.

Chorister—John W. Hulburt.

Organist—Miss Ann M. Crandall.

Superintendent of Sabbath School—Heman Ely.

Assistant Superintendent—H. M. Parker.

Secretary and Treasurer—Mrs. T. L. Nelson.

Committee on Missionary, Sunday School and Bible Society Collections —Elijah DeWitt, Heman Ely, E. W. West, Joseph Swift, Jr., and 1. S. Metcalf.

Officers of the Society—Nahum B. Gates, president; 1. S. Metcalf, secretary and treasurer. Trustees—Heman Ely, Artemas Beebe, Thomas L. Nelson, John W. Hulburt and Joseph Swift, Jr.

In the Sabbath school, the total enrollment is six hundred and twenty-five; average attendance, three hundred and seventy-five. There are also sustained by the church six mission schools, with an attendance of from thirty to sixty each.

The present membership of the church is two hundred and ninety.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The following brief sketch of this religious society is prepared from data furnished by Clark Eldred and Mrs. W. 0. Cahoon. Occasional services were held in Elyria, at the houses of the settlers, by preachers of this faith, soon after the settlement, prior to 1820.

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 115

From 1820 to 1823, Elyria was included in Huron circuit and was supplied by the following ministers:

In 1820 and 1821, Dennis Goddard; 1822, Philip Green; 18S3, N. and John

Werner.

From 1824 to 1831, Elyria was included in Black river circuit, and supplied by the following ministers:

1824, Zarah Coston; 1825, James Taylor; 1826, E. H. Field; 1827, Harry O. Sheldon; 1828, Shadrack Ruark; 1829, John C. Havens; 1830, E. S. Carpenter and H. Colclazer; 1831, E. S. Carpenter and E. C. Gavitt.

From 1832 to 1842, it was known as Elyria circuit:

1832., William Runnels and George Elliot; 1833, William Runnels and J. Kinnear; 1834, A. Billings and A. A. Brewster; 1835, A. Billings and J. Witkinson; 1836, J. Wheeler and T. Barkdull; 1837, S. M. Allen and J. Hudson; 1838, John M. Goshorn; 1839, James Brewster; 1840, Joseph Jones and John Brakefleld; 1841, Cyrus Sawyer and S. B. Guyberson; 1842, E. C. Gavitt and Peter Sharp.

From 1842 to the present time, Elyria has been an independent station, and supplied as follows:

1843 and 1844, William Runnels; 1845 and 1846, Lorenzo Warner; 1847 and 1848, William B. Disbro; 1849, 1850 and 1851, Wm. C. Pierce; 1851 to 1858, Samuet L. Yourtee; 1853 to 1855, James M. Morrow; 1855 to 1856, Uri Richards; 1856 to 1858, M. K. Hard; 1858 to 1859, Thomas Barkdull; 1859 to 1860, J. A Kellum; 1860 to 1862, C. •H. Owens; 1862 to 1863, Wm. B. Disbro; 1863 to 1865, E. H. Bush; 1865 to 1867, Gaylord H. Hartupee; 1867 to 1868, J. S. Broadwell; 1868 to 1871, John A. Mudge; 1871 to 1873, J. W. Mendenhall; 1873 to 1876, A. J. Lyon; 1876 to the present time, J. H. McConnelt.

In May, 1824, a class was formed, composed of the following persons: Hiram Emmons (who was first elms leader) and wife, Clark Eldred and wife, George H. Gilbert and wife, Heber G. Sekins and wife, Sally Gilbert, and some others whose names cannot be ascertained. Soon after the year 1824, a church edifice was erected by this class and outside friends. It was a comfortable wooden structure, and stood near the site of the present Methodist Episcopal church.

The present brick church was erected in 1850, at a cost of five thousand dollars. The society is now taking measures to build a new and more commodious church edifice.

The old church building was converted into a dwelling house, and is occupied by Clayton Johnson. It has been so modernized and improved in its architecture that no person would recognize it.

A lot for a parsonage was purchased in 1831, and soon after a house was put up for the use of the imstor. The parsonage trustees, at that time, were: eLewis Ely, George G. Gilbert, Hiram Emmons, William Peters, Henry B. Tenis, Jonah Bradley, Clark Eldred, Charles Abbey and Jabez Hamlin. The first parsonage has since been sold, and a new and better one erected.

The present parsonage trustees are: Levi Morse, John C. Houghton, Jerome Manville, Waterman Morse, T. L. Taylor, C. M. Eldred, I. J. Carpenter and Joseph Biggs.

Trustees of the Church-Seymour W. Baldwin, William Snearer, Levi Morse, Wiltiam Bennington and A. C. Phipps.

Stewards-O. Bowen, Levi Morse, E. C. Griswold and Hiram Patterson.

Recording Steward-S. B. Sprague.

District Steward-Hiram Patterson.

There is a large and flourishing Sunday school in connection with the church, of which S. B. Sprague s superintendent.

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

The Protestant Episcopal Church in Elyria Was organized in 1837 under the superintendence of the Rev. Anson Clark, missionary, with the aid of the missionary committee of the diocese of Ohio.

The following are the names of those who first signed the articles of association: Orrin Cowles, Jane C. Cowles, M. Augustus Cowlès, E. H. Leonard, Sarah W. Leonard, Drake Andrews, Lucy Andrews, Chauncey Prindle, Nancy Prindle, Aaron Andrews, Eunice W. Andrews, Maria Prindle, Julia Vandeberg, Caroline Leonard, L. D. Griswold, Jerusha H. Griswold, Caroline Byington, Ruth Minot, Perky Blakesley, Mary Blakesley, William Babbitt, and Mary Babbitt.

The first meeting of the parish was held at the house of Orrin Cowles, Rev. Anson Clark, presiding, and Eliphalet H. Leonard, secretary. At this meeting the name, style and title of St. Andrew's Church was adopted, and the following persons elected wardens and vestrymen: Drake Andrews, senior warden; Orrin Cowles, junior warden; vestrymen, Chauncey Prindle, E. H. Leonard, and L. D. Griswold.

In the summer of 1839, Rev. Mr. Clark resigned the charge, and during the next year the first church edifice was erected at a cost of one thousand five hundred dollars.

In 1841, Rev. Hugh Kelley was called to the charge of the parish, and resigning in 1842, was followed by the Rev. George S. Davis who remained until 1845. From this time for a series of years the church was without a settled rector. In consequence of this and the death and removal of several leading members the church gradually declined.

In May, 1851, the first rector, Rev Anson Clark, was recalled, and found but little remaining except the church edifice, but a congregation was soon collected, and among these were fifteen communicants.

In October, 1853, Mr. Clark resigned, leaving twenty-six communicants who worked faithfully and earnestly in the church for its permanent growth. After a short interval the Rev. Francis Granger became rector, and continued as such until Easter, 1857. In May following, the Rev. B. T. Noakes assumed charge and remained until May 1, 1860, when he resigned on account of failing health. During the time he was rector the church edifice was greatly enlarged; a parsonage built; sixty-four persons added to the church, and forty confirmed. In June, 1860, the Rev. Richard L. Chittenden assumed charge of the parish, remaining until December, 1862, when he left to accept a commission as chaplain of the forty-third regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, then in Tennessee. In February, 1864, he resigned his rectorship. During the interval of his absence the Rev. William C. French, of Oberlin, held afternoon services for a period of some ten months, and visiting clergymen occasionally supplied the pulpit until July, 1865. In August, 1865, Rev. Mr. Chittenden resumed charge, but in

116 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

consequence of failing health, resigned in June, 1868. In July, of that year, Rev. S. A. Bronson, professor in the Diocesan Theological Seminary took charge, temporarily, of the parish, and continued until Easter, 1869, when the Rev. R L. Chittenden assumed charge and remained until Easter, 1870. He was succeeded in June following by the Rev. B. T. Noakes, who remained until February, 1876. During his rectorate the present beautiful church edifice was erected and informally dedicated on the nineteenth Sunday after Trinity, 1872. It was afterwards consecrated by Bishop Gillespie of the Diocese of Western Michigan, in the absence from the country of the Bishop of the Diocese, in July, 1875. It cost thirteen thousand dollars. The organ was made by Hook & Hastings, of Boston, Mass., and cost one thousand six hundred dollars.

After the resignation of Rev. B. T. Noakes the Rev. John Coleman officiated during the months of March and April, 1876. The Rev. William Hyde became rector May 1, 1876, and resigned June 1, 1877. The present rector, Rev. Arthur M. Backus, entered upon his duties July 1, 1877.

The present officers are L. D. Griswold, senior warden; William Jewett, junior warden; J. D. Faxon, R. H. Hill, J. C. McDonald, H. C. Starr, and G. S. Davis, vestrymen. Present number of communi. cants, one hundred. Total enrollment of Sunday school scholars one hundred and forty.

We are indebted to the Rev. A. M. Backus for the foregoing data.

BAPTIST CHURCH.

[Compiled principally from the memorial sermon delivered by the Rev.

L. Andress, November 16, 1876.]

In the latter part of June, 1836, the Rev. Daniel C. Waite, who had but recently graduated at Hamilton, N. Y., came west in search of a field for gospel labor. Arriving at Cleveland, Ohio, he was, on consultation with the Rev. Levi Tucker, directed to Elyria, where he held the first meeting in July following. This was in the court house, and after a few meetings held there, they were transferred to the old yellow school house, then standing on the west side of the public square. On the 26th of November ensuing, the following persons united in constituting the First Baptist Church in Elyria: Daniel C. Waite, pastor; Luther Hartson, sen., Luther Hartson, jr., Mrs. Mercy Brooks, Miss Margaret Wright, Lucius and Sally Andress—seven in all. Mr. Waite continued as pastor until January, 1837. From that time until the following September there was no settled pastor, but occasional preaching. Rev. Mr. Hillis, the next pastor, assumed the pastorate in September.

The first sabbath in January, 1838, was the commencement of a series of meetings which resulted in a general awakening and an addition of twenty-six to the church. At the close of these meetings measures were put in operation for the building of a church edifice, which was completed perhaps one and a half years later. Rev. Mr. Hillis resigned from physical infirmities in June, 1838, and the Rev. Silas Tucker succeeded him. He remained until November, 1840, when he resigned. Rev. Joseph Elliot, of Pontiac, Mich.. followed him. He commenced his labors the February following, and continued for three years. These were the most prosperous of any equal period in the history of the church as far as increase of membership is concerned. In November, 1842, the Rev. Elijah Weaver, an evangelist, of Wall Lake, Mich., assisted in a series of meetings which continued four weeks.

From June, 1842, to June, 1843, one hundred and ten members were added to the church. The entire list of pastors after Mr. Elliot, who served three years, is as follows: H. Silliman, D. Bernard, D. Eldridge, N. S. Burton, L. Ramstead, A. Heath, Rev. Mr. Hayhurst, George E. Leonard, H. H. Bowden, M. L. Bickford and Rev. W. A. Depew, who has recently resigned his pastorate. He assumed charge in March, 1877. The present membership is one hundred and fifty; enrollment in Sabbath school, one hundred and twenty-five. Miss L. S. Carter is superintendent of the Sabbath school.

The officers of the church are Henry E. Mussey, T. W. Laundon, Cyrus Wheeler, Thomas Biggs and J. W. Rockwell, trustees; Thomas Biggs, and J. W. Rockwell, deacons; Amos Masted, clerk.

The entire property of the church, including the church edifice, parsonage, organ, etc., is valued at thirteen thousand five hundred dollars.

GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN.—ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.

The first members were Daniel Haag, Louis Haserodt, Edward Beese, John Duchtler, J. G. Boehm, Henry Rembacb, and Ernest Schmittgen.

Ministers of the Church.—H. Juengel, A. Heitmueller, H. W. Lothmann, C. C. Schmidt, and J. A. Schmidt, present pastor.

The church building was dedicated on the 16th of March, 1868. It cost four thousand, five hundred dollars.

The congregation was organized lefore the church was built, under the ministry of the Rev. H. W. Lothmann, and services were held in the Presbyterian chapel, court house, and other places. Present membership, eighty to ninety families. Connected with the church is a parochial school, numbering eighty pupils. This is taught by the pastor, Rev. J. A. Schmidt.

UNITED EVANGELICAL.—ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. (GERMAN.)

The trustees of this church, consisting of Henry Fowle, president; Paul Krause, secretary; and Gotlieb Mobeus, treasurer, on the 16th day of October, 1871, purchased of the vestry of St. Andrew's Church the building and lot then occupied by the latter named body, paying therefor the. sum of two thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars.

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 117

Rev. Mr. Deering was the minister of this parish from October, 1871 to July, 1872; Rev. Mr. Waltberger from July, 1872, to January 1873; Rev. Mr. Veering from January, 1873, to May 26, 1873; Rev. Mr. Rein from May 26, 1873, to November, 1873; :lev. Mr. Schelloha from November, 1873, to Octobier, 1875; Rev. Mr. Seybold from October, 1875, to September, 1877; Rev. Mr. Schattle from September, 4877, to September, 1878. Rev. Mr. Sputhulf took obarge September, 1878, and is the present minister of the parish.

The following constitute the board of trustees: Paul Krause, president; George Dachtler, secretary; and Fred Dachtler, treasurer.

At the organization of the church there were twenty-five families, and the present membership embraces thirty-five families.

DISCIPLE CHURCH.

This church was formed in 1832. Among the early preachers of the denomination were Sidney Rigdon, Rev. Mr. Clapp, William Hayden, and Rev's Messrs. Green, Moody, and Jones. It, at one time, embraced 'forty members, among whom were Dr. John F. Butler, H. Redington, Asahel Parmely, Herrick Parker, and others. Many of the members removed to other localities, some died, and the church, many years ago, ceased its labors.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

We are unable to obtain any authentic history of this church. It was established in 1852. Its first priest was Father Haley. It purchased a lot on which is erected a large wooden church building, which has a seating capacity of five hundred. It is -always filled when there are services. It has also, on the same lot, on Middle avenue, a fine parsonage. It also purchased a large lot on the east side of the avenue, on which is a school house, and a fine site for a new church, which will soon be erected. The school numbers one hundred pupils. Father Louis L. Molon is the present priest. He discourses both in the English and German languages.

We are indebted to Prof. H. M. Parker, superintendent of the union schools of Elyria, for the following

HISTORY OF ELYRIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The early settlers of Elyria, Mr. Heman Ely and his associates, were from the State of Massachusetts, and brought with them to this western wilderness, the idea, which was then, and ever has been held, throughout New England, that a good common school education is necessary to prepare boys and girls for citizenship in a republic. Their descendants, and others who have selected this beautiful place for a residence, have maintained the same opinion, and the present efficient system of graded schools, may be considered as the outgrowth of the sentiment of the early settlers.

First, let us spend a little time in looking up the buildings in which the schools have been taught.

Mr. Ely, and a few others, came here in 1817. As soon as there were pupils enough to organize a school, Mr. Ely built a log house on the east side of the east branch of the river, on the corner of East Bridge street and the street leading to the cemetery. This building was erected in the fall of 1819. Miss Irene Allen, afterwards wife of Roger Cooley, taught the first school in the log house. The summer of 1820, Miss Julia Johnson taught in the same place. Some others who taught there were Dr. Howe, Mrs. Clark Eldred, Mr. Bronson, and perhaps a few others. Miss Pamelia Manter, afterwards Mrs. Ranitom Redington, taught an unfinished term in the log house, in the summer of 1824. Among Miss Manter's pupils was a young man nineteen years old. The first day he was in school he committed several lawless acts, for which he was reproved by his teacher. Towards the close of the day, when standing in spelling class, he put his foot out to prevent a small pupil from going above him, on a word he had misspelled. When told that he must not do so, he said: " What will you do with me? Will you whip me?" Miss Manter immediately replied that she would report him to the trustees of the school, and he would be dismissed. He gave no farther trouble. No school was taught in the log house after the winter of 1824-25.

The summer of 1825, Miss Manter taught a school in a house in Mr. Miles' garden. The house is still standing in the same place, and is used as a residence. It is the house back of Mr. Monroe's business block, and is near the corner of East avenue and the street at the rear of the railroad depot. She had about fifty pupils, ranging in age from five to twenty. One pupil pursued the study of history. Other studies taught were such as pupils ordinarily pursue in ungraded schools.

What was known as the "session room" was erected by Mr. Ely in 1823. It stood where the building now stands which Mr. Bean occupies as a grocery, on the corner of Broad and East Court streets. The "session room" is now occupied by Mr. Snearer as a store room for furniture. After the trustees ceased to use Mr. Miles' house for school purposes, school was taught in the "session room" till the completion of the "yellow school house," which stood where the town hall now is, on the west side of the public square. This building was erected for school purposes in the year 1827, and was used for such for a number of years. It now stands on the east side of Middle avenue, between Third and Fourth streets, and is occupied by the Catholic parochial school. Mr. Ely donated the land upon which the building was erected, and contributed one hundred and thirty- five dollars towards its erection, and built the second story at his own expense, with the privilege of using the same in any way which would not injure the school. The remaining expense of the house was met by a tax on the property of district number one of

118 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

Elyria township, except that Mr. Ely's property was exempt on account of his liberal donation toward the enterprise. This was the first school house erected in the district, any part of whose expense was defrayed by a tax upon the property of the district.

From 1827 on till 1850 several private schools were successfully carried on in Elyria. Among these, the one known as the "Elyria High School" should be mentioned in this connection. It was under the management of a board of trustees known as the "Trustees of the Elyria High School." Mr. Ely erected a building on land at the rear of the Methodist church, between Broad and Second streets, in the year 1831, and leasid the building and land to the trustees for a term of years.

Rev. John Monteith was called to take charge of the first school taught in the new building. He was assisted by his wife and Miss Mary Eells. The pupils were taught advanced studies as well as the common branches. J. H. Fairchild, now president of Oberlin College, and his brother, E. H. Fairchild, now president of Berea College, Kentucky, were wholly, or in part, prepared to enter college at this school.

Mr. and Mrs. Branch, Dr. A. B. Brown and wife, Rev. John P. Cowles, afterward professor in Oberlin College, Rev. Mr. Mills and Luther M. Oviatt, successively had the management of the Elyria high school.

After retiring from this school, Mr. Monteith established a school at his own house, where Mayor N. B. Gates now lives, where he and his wife taught for several years.

Rev. Mr. Grosvenor established a girls' school in what had been the Presbyterian church. The building now stands on East Third street, and is occupied as a dwelling.

In the spring of 1846 a meeting of the voters of school district number one was called to vote a tax of one thousand dollars, to be used in building a school house for the use of the common schools of the district. The vote was unfavorable. Many of the citizens feeling dissatisfied with the result of the vote, drew up a bill providing for the division of district number one into numbers one and nine. This bill became a law soon after.

In the winter of 1846-47, meetings were held in districts number one and nine, and each district voted a tax of one thousand dollars for the erection of a school house within its own territory. The following season the stone school house on the corner of East avenue and Third streets was erected in district number one, and a brick building in the west part of the village in number nine. Public schools are still 'taught in both these houses.

During these years the sentiment was growing among educators that the public schools of the cities and villages should be greatly improved. Much work was done by a few men to arouse the citizens to the importance of improving their schools. The result of their labors is the law which was enacted February 21, 1849, entitled "an act to provide for the better regulation of public schools in cities and towns, etc."

On the 13th of May, 1850, but a little more than a year after the passage of the above act, a notice was posted in Elyria calling upon the citizens to assemble at the court house on the 24th of May, to decide by vote whether they would reorganize their schools under the law of 1849. The vote was favorable to reorganization. An election was held on the 8th day of June, 1850, at which the following persons were chosen members of the board of education: For three years, E. DeWitt and 0. Cowles; for two years, M. W. Pond and Tabor Wood; for one year, C. S. Goodwin and P. C. Dolley.

In October, 1850, Mr. Jason Canfield was called to take charge of the Elyria union schools, which consisted, at that time, of the two primary schools in the stone and brick houses which were erected in 1847, in the east and west parts of the village, an intermediate or secondary school and a high school, both of which were taught in the "Elyria High School" building before mentioned in this article.

In April, 1851, Mr. Canfield was succeeded by Mr. M. J. Oatman, who remained in the schools for more than three years. The scholarship and experience of Mr. Oatman were such as to render him a valuable man in perfecting the organization upon which the schools had been started.

In 1853, another department was organized, making three below the high school. This school was taught in the old "session room," which had previously been occupied for church, for a court room, and for schools.

The present high school building, between Middle and West avenues, was erected in pursuance of a vote of the electors of the union school district, at a meeting held January 26, 1856, and adjourned to February 9, 1856. The building was commenced in 1856, and was completed in 1857, and first occupied by the high, grammar, and secondary departments, in the winter term of 1858. The old "high school" house and the "session room" were now abandoned to other uses.

What are now known as the east and west side primary schools of the Elyria union schools, were formerly sub-districts number two and number six of Elyria township. These were assumed by the Elyria school board in April, 1864.

Seeing the need of more room for the increasing number of pupils, in 1868 the board erected a two- story wing on the south side of the high school building. In this wing are two rooms. The lower room was first occupied in September, 1868; the upper room was first used in September, 1870.

In 1875, the board erected a school building west of that occupied by the high school, fronting on Sixth street. This house contains four rooms, two of which were occupied in January, 1876, one in October, 1877, and one is still unoccupied.

When first organized there were but four schools in the "union school district;" there are now fourteen

118A - ELIZUR G. JOHNSON

The truth of the law " that like produces like" is forcibly illustrated in the life of Elizur G. Johnson, the Seventh child of Hon. Nathan P. Johnson. He was born at Lagrange, Lorain Co., Nov. 24, 1836.

In those days a boy's life devoid of labor was a remarkable exception. E. G. Johnson's life was not the exception. His work for twenty-one years was on the homestead, except etch time as was devoted to school and school teaching. The district school, Oberlin, for a time during the winter months, and an intelligent father were his sources of education.

Arriving at maturity, farm labor, the teaching of school, and other employments occupied him for a time. Then commencing the reading of the law under Mr. L. A. Sheldon, he was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio, making Lagrange his residence. He there remained for several years, practicing his profession ; years more of hard work, study, and mental gain than pecuniary profit. Here, as his father had been before him, was he honored by his fellow-citizens with local offices.

Elected as auditor of Lorain County in 1868, Elyria became his residence. So strict was his attention to duty, and so courteous his treatment of all with whom business brought him into contact, that he was successively re-elected in 1870-1872, and again in 1874.

Leaving the auditor's office with a perfect record, Mr. Johnson again engaged in the practice of law at Elyria, in which and where he still remains, with a large and ever increasing practice.

During the years 1875 and 1876, with great ability he conducted the Elyria Republican as its editor. His pen was always found on the side of justice, temperance, and morality, and proved an efficient and ever active aid to the Republican party, of which he has been a member since its origin.

Holding at the present time, as he has for many years, the office of secretary of the Lorain County Agricultural Society, none have surpassed, and but few equaled him in endeavor, by word and act, to make said society the worthy organization it is.

As a citizen of Elyria he has been and is now a member of its council, and noted for his constant efforts for the improvement of Elyria.

On Jan. 1, 1859, Miss Lydia D. Gott, of Lagrange (daughter of Peter Gott, an original settler in said township, yet living, over eighty years of age), became Mr. Johnson's wife.

To him in early days of toil and hardship she was a true companion. And now with comforts on every side, a devoted member of the Methodist Church, with a fond mother's eye she watches the growth and education of seven children, ever holding in the mother's heart the memory of the two little ones that death took from her in childhood.

Mr. E. G. Johnson, yet in the vigor of manhood, warm in his friendships, generous to a fault, with private and public character untarnished, now reaps a glorious harvest. True it is, the seed was sown under every difficulty, but he was never discouraged ; and now, with a reputation fitting him for any office that his neighbors and fellow-citizens may call him to, he has well and honestly earned the high rank he takes among Lorain County's best men.

118B - JUDGE JOHN C. HALE.

John C. Hale was born at Oxford, New Hampshire, March 3, 1881. His parents were Aaron and Mary Hale. His mother's maiden name was gent; she was a daughter of Thomas Kent. John C. was born and brought up upon his father's farm, where he remained until he was nineteen years of age. During this period he availed himself of such advantages of education as the common schools of that State then provided. Feeling the necessity of something beyond this, he began fitting himself for college. Entering Dartmouth College soon after, he graduated in the class of 1857. At the end of his college- life he found himself nearly a thousand dollars in debt, all of which he has since paid with interest. Immediately removing to Cleveland, Ohio, he employed himself in teaching in the public schools of that city. In this employment he remained three years, in the mean time studying law with Judge Prentiss.

On the 27th day of December, 1859, he married Miss Carrie A. Sanborn, of Cleveland, Ohio. In July, 1861, he was admitted to the bar, and in October of the same year he removed to Elyria, Ohio, and commenced the practice of the law. Here he soon won a commanding position as a lawyer, and a high place in the confidence of the people. This is evidenced by the fact that in 1868, but two years after he came to Elyria, an entire stranger to the people of Lorain County, he was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney, which position, by two successive re-elections, he held for six years.

During this time he also held the office of register of bankruptcy, the duties of which be acceptably discharged until the consolidation of districts abolished the office.

In 1878 he was elected to the constitutional convention, and took an active and influential part in the deliberations of that body. In 1876 he was elected judge of the court of Common Pleas, which position he now holds, and fills with distinguished ability.

Judge Hale has always taken an active part in the promotion of every enterprise calculated to advance the public good. As a member of the village council and the board of education of Elyria, he rendered valuable services in behalf of education and economical municipal government.

As a lawyer he had no superior at the Lorain bar, a fact that is attested by his successful and lucrative practice. His clear perception, his candor and strict integrity, gave him early in his practice a strong hold upon the people, and a commanding position in his profession.

As a judge he brings to his assistance a large common sense, tempered by a thorough legal and scholastic education. Just in the vigor of manhood, with mental and physical powers undiminished, deserving and possessing the full confidence of the people, and guided by a strict integrity, his career of usefulness has but just commenced, and he will long hold the high position he has fairly won among the foremost men of Lorain County and the State of Ohio.

118C - JUDGE WASHINGTON W. BOYNTON.

Among the other New England States that sent their hardy sons to mould the early history of Lorain County, Maine sent her representative in the Boynton family.

Lewis D. Boynton, father of Judge Boynton, was Dorn in the State of Maine, in August, 1802. Emigrating to Ohio in 1826, he purchased a farm in Bussia township, Lorain Co., where and in Elyria he resided until his death, which occurred in September, A.D. 1875.

Washington W. Boynton was born in Russia township, Jan. 27, 1833, and spent his early years upon ' his father's farm. His father being of limited means, and charged with the support of a large family, did not think it practicable to send young Boynton to college, and he was forced to content himself with such advantages as the common school of his district provided. Adding to this, constant study and close application, maturity found him eminent in scholarship, although no college had added a title to his name. From that time until the present he has been a hard student. For several winters he taught school, in the mean time pursuing the study of the law, which he early chose as his profession. He was for a number of years a member of the Board of School Examiners of Lorain County.

He was admitted to the bar in 1856, and he soon became prominent in his profession, a position which he held until chosen Common Pleas judge. In 1859 he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of prosecuting attorney, which office he held for two successive re-elections until the fall of 1863, when, on account of ill health, he resigned. A trip to Minnesota, where he remained during the winter of 1863-64, gave him necessary rest, which, together with the change of climate, greatly improved his health. Returning to Elyria, he again opened a law-office, and soon found himself in the midst of an extensive and lucrative practice.

In 1865, Judge Boynton was elected to represent Lorain County in the Legislature for the term of two years. In 1867 he was the unanimous choice of his party for re-election, but he declined it and continued in the practice of law.

While a member of the Legislature, Mr. Boynton had the honor and pluck to introduce a resolution proposing an amendment to the constitution of Ohio to strike the word " white" from the clause relating to the election franchiSe. After a stormy debate in a House largely Republican, the resolution was defeated, lacking a few votes of the necessary two-thirds majority required to submit it to a vote of the people. This debate aroused such a sentiment throughout the State that, in a few weeks after, a similar resolution was introduced into the Senate by Hon. Abner Kellogg, of Ashtabula, and having passed that body, was sent to the HouSe, and after a heated debate finally adopted and the question submitted to the people. The proposition was lost, but it was soon followed by the amendment of the Federal constitution which forever put the question to rest.

In February, 1869, Mr. Boynton waS appointed by Governor Hayes a Common Pleas judge of Lorain, Medina, and Summit Counties, on the resignation of Judge Burke. At the enSuing fall election he was elected to fill the vacancy, and two years thereafter was re-elected for the full term. As judge of the Common Pleas Court, Mr. Boynton won a fame as wide as the State, and at once stepped into the front rank of the legal profession of Ohio. In 1876 he was elected judge of the Supreme Court of the State, which position he still holds.

Mr. Boynton was married Dec. 20, 1859, to Miss Betty A. Terrell, daughter of Ichabod Terrell, of Ridgeville, Lorain Co., Ohio.

Mr. Boynton is a man whom his friends and fellow-citizens hold in the highest esteem. His record both in public and private life is free from blemish. He has been honored by the people with offices of trust and high responsibility, and in every capacity has proved himself a competent and fearless officer, and an upright and honest man.

As a lawyer, legislator, and jurist he has achieved a success that reflects great credit upon himself and honor upon Lorain County, whose representative he is.

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 119

different schools, with fifteen teachers besides the superintendent, and special teachers of German, music and penmanship.

At a meeting of the board of education held November 17, 1859, a course of study for all the departments was adopted. In the grades below the high school, provision was made for instruction in reading, spelling, writing, drawing, vocal music, arithmetic, geography, grammar, composition, declamation, physiology, United States history, and morals. For the high school a three years' course of study was laid down, and provision was made for a fourth year, which WWI to be optional. The board then declared that pupils completing the full course of four years in the high school should receive a diploma from the president of the board, signed by its members, and also by the superintendent and examining committee.

The first class which graduated from the high school course was that of 1863, consisting of Lydia

Ball, Beza N. Boynton and Henrietta C. Schaibly. A class had graduated in the year 1861, having completed some of the studies contained in the course before its adoption by the board. This class consisted Of Cyrus Y. Durand, Thankful D. Boynton, Frances W. Sanford and Louise Terrell.

At a meeting of the board, held September 3, 1867, the course of study was revised. At the same meeting, a set of rules regulating the board meetings, and specifying the duty of members of board, of superintendent, teachers and pupils, was adopted.

After stating the duties of members of the board, the minutes of the meeting above mentioned read as follows:

"Public schools are expensive. They cost the young people a great deal of valuable time. They cost teachers and other friends of education a great deat of labor and care. They cost tax-payers a good deal of money. But schools are worth alt they cost. No community can afford to do without them. It is cheaper to support schools and churches than penitentiaries and infirmaries. Free public schools are the palladium of liberty. Universal education is the surety for the permanency of free institutions. Every good citizen feels a direct Interest in the prosperity and efficiency of schools, and should also feel a personal responsibility therefor. Good schools are not only worth what they cost; they are worth understanding and caring for. The best way to know them is to go and see them. Any one may learn more about schools by visiting them a few hours, than by much fault-finding 'With the teachers and board of education."

The above quotation is made to indicate the sentiment which has pervaded the board of education of the Elyria union schools from their organization to the present time. They have spared neither time nor money necessary to carry on their schools in an efficient manner.

The course of study was again revised April 12, 1870, that for the first eight years being the same as In the Cleveland schools. In 1871, the board published a " manual of the course of study, rules and regulations of the Elyria union schools." Since that time, the course of study has undergone some changes to adapt it more fully to the wants of the times. More attention has been paid to the use of language. Also much more time has been devoted to the acquisition of a knowledge of the best thoughts of the best authors.

It has been the aim of the board to have the children of Elyria enjoy educational advantages equal to those enjoyed by the children of any other place in Ohio. They have endeavored to secure. competent teachers, and to retain them as long as possible.

After the resignation of Mr. Oatman, in 1854, Mr. N. W. Demunn acted as superintendent till June, 1856; Mr. Frank Robbins, from September, 1856, to June, 1857; Mr. J. H. Barnum, from September, 1857, to June, 1859; Mr. W. C. Catlin, from September, 1859, to June, 1862; Mr. H. M. Parker, from September, 1862, to June, 1864; Mr. J. S. McKee, from September, 1864, to June, 1865; Mr. Geo. L. Mills, from September, 1865, to June, 1867; Mr. Peter H. Kaiser, from September, 1867, to June, 1868; Mr. Geo. N. Carruthers, from September, 1868, to June, 1873; Mr. H. M. Parker, from September, 1873, to the present time.

During the twenty-eight years of the Elyria high school, forty-one different ladies have been connected with it as teachers. Of these, Mrs. W. C. Catlin and Miss L. F. Ingram remained three years. A few of the others remained two years, but most of them for a shorter time. Miss Beza N. Boynton, now Mrs. Peter H. Kaiser, was teacher in the high school four and two. thirds years in the aggregate, but her teaching was at three different times. What has been true of the high school, has been true of the lower grades. The want of permanency in the profession of teaching is an injury to the cause. Miss L. E. Smith has been for many years a teacher in some one of the different departments of the schools of Elyria. Her work deserves honorable mention. No adequate mention can be made of the good she has done in this community.

Since 1863, a class has graduated from a four years' course of study in the high school each year, except 1866 and 1871. The whole number of pupils who have graduated is eighty-eight, with a class of fifteen to graduate in 1879, making one hundred and three.

The advantages flowing from an efficient system of schools, in a place like Eryria, are not to be estimated by the number of graduates from the high school. Many young people have taken a portion of the course of study to prepare themselves for admission to higher institutions of learning. Many more have left school after completing half of the high school course of study to enter various callings. These have become much more successful in business and useful as citizens on account of the training received in the last two years of their course. Many pupils have left the lower grades of school to enter upon lives of idleness and crime. But when pupils have spent two years in the high school, they have formed habits of industry and application to their work which they carry with them into their life-work.

Graduates from the Elyria high school are filling positions of responsibility and trust in large manufacturing and business establishments, are practicing successfully the various professions, and are the light and life of many home circles.

120 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.

We have already shown the Elyria of "lang syne." We will now take a turn among its present manufactories. Just below the depot of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railway, and connected with this railway by a spur track, stand the extensive brick buildings owned and occupied by the Messrs. TOPLIFF & ELY, in the manufacture of special carriage hardware. These gentlemen, in the year 1865, erected a wooden building near the site of their present manufactory, and investing fifteen thousand dollars, began the making of hubs, spokes, etc. This branch of the business was abandoned in 1874. In the year 1874, they began the manufacture of tubular bow sockets for carriage bows, in a small room on Broad street. The rapidly-increasing business rendered additional room necessary, and in 1872 they completed the first of the brick buildings they now occupy. This was 24 x 64 feet in dimension, and two stories high. In 1874, another small building was added, but these were soon found wholly inadequate to accommodate the business, and in 1877 extensive enlargements were begun, which are just completed—showing a frontage of three hundred and forty feet, by an average depth of sixty-five feet. They have now invested in the business one hundred thousand dollars. They employ on an average forty workmen, with a monthly payroll of eighteen hundred dollars. The yearly sales aggregate one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The steel tubular bow socket is the principal article manufactured. It was patented in 1870 by I. N. Topliff, a brother of the senior partner of the present firm. This is the only manufactory of these goods in the world, and they find a market not only in the United States, where they have an immense sale, but in England, France, South America, Australia, etc. These buildings have their foundation upon the solid rock, which at this point crops out and forms the bank of Black river. The propelling power is derived from the waters of that stream, and from steam as a reserve. Their elegant engine is from the manufactory of C. H. Brown & Co., at Fitchburg, Mass., and is of one hundred horse power. One hundred and fifty sets of these sockets are made each day, or a complete set for a buggy every four minutes.

THE CLEVELAND SCREW AND TAP FACTORY.

This company was organized and commenced business in Cleveland in October, 1873. On the 23d of October, 1874, the works were shut down, and, as soon as practicable, the machinery was transferred to the commodious brick building, which had been erected in Elyria, this point offering superior facilities in many respects. The citizens of this town contributed liberally towards the erection of the building and to aid the company in other respects. This building is fifty by one hundred and fifty feet in size and four stories high. It is located near the crossing of the L. S. & M. S. and the 0., T. V. & W. railroad& The cost of the building was thirty-one thousand dollars; machinery, tools, etc., forty-seven thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight dollars. New articles of incorporation were issued on the 20th of November, 1874. The following officers were elected under the new charter: S. H. Matthews, president; F. B. Hine, vice-president; C. H. Morgan, superintendent; W. F. Hulburt, secretary and treasurer. The above officers, with E. W. Phelps and R. C. DeWitt, constituted the board of directors. The present officers are F. B. Hine, president and treasurer; R. C. DeWitt, vice-president; M. H. Levagood, secretary and superintendent. The average number of hands employed is thirty-three; average monthly pay-roll, twelve hundred dollars; average yearly sales, twenty-eight thousand dollars.

The engine which drives the numerous ingenious machines of this establishment, is of one hundred and fifty horse power. In addition to the manufactures implied by that name, are set and cup screws, hand and machine taps, cylinder studs, finished and casehardened nuts, etc.

Since the foregoing was written, we regret to add that, owing to losses resulting from many of its customers having gone into bankruptcy, the general depression of the iron interests of the country, and bad management, the company has been compelled to make an assignment. M. H. Levagood, the assignee, still carries on the business: The stockholders will, doubtless, lose their entire stock, and the property will pass into the hands of the bond holders, who, it is hoped, will reorganize and carry on the business successfully.

THE ELYRIA SHEAR COMPANY

which occupies a portion of the screw and tap company's building, was incorporated on the 7th day of March, 1878, with an authorized capital of ten thousand dollars, which was paid in soon after the articles of incorporation were received. The first and present officers are: T. L. Nelson, president; W. P. Hatch, vice-president; M. A. Mihills, secretary; and John Claus̊, treasurer. This industry alone furnishes employment for thirty-four workmen, who receive an aggregate of one thousand dollars, at the end of each mouth's labor. The monthly sales average thirty-five hundred dollars, and are steadily increasing. They manufacture shears and scissors of every description, and of a superior quality. The company are general agents for the union knife company's cutlery, and intend soon commencing the manufacture of this class of goods.

PLANING MILLS.

DICKINSON, WILLIAMS & FAXON - In 1852, Alexander Smith came from the east, formed a partnership with John W. Bullock, bought a lot north of the L. S. & M. S. Ry. depot, and erected thereon a building, which was fitted up with the machinery

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 121

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requisite for the manufacture of agricultural implements. In the year 1854, Mr. Bullock retired from the firm. Henry Thurston purchased his interest, and put in a planer and matcher, surface planer and machinery for making sash, doors, and blinds. In September, 1856, the building and contents were destroyed by fire. Messrs. Franklin and Levi A. Dickson joined with Mr. Thurston, purchased the site, and erected a large, two-story building, and in the spring of 1857, began the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, etc., in connection with general planing mill work. They also engaged extensively in general jobbing and building. Clayton Johnson having become a member of the firm, the business was continued. under the in name of Dickinson, Johnson & Co., until February, 1865, when Franklin Dickinson, (in consequence of failing health,) sold his interest to the two remaining partners. The business had grown to such magnitude that, from twelve to fifteen workmen were kept in constant employment. In 1871, extensive additions were made to the buildings, and improved machinery added. In 1875, Mr. Johnson d his interest to George D. Williams and Theodore Faxon, and the business has been continued under the firm name of Dickinson, Williams and Faxon until the present time. The entire capital invested is fifteen thousand dollars. Average number of workmen employed, fifteen. Average monthly pay roll, seven hundred. dollars. Engine, forty horse power. They also manufacture specialties in furniture.

The planing mill owned by John W. Hart is situated on Broad street. It was erected several years since, but of its early history we are unable to obtain details. Mr. Hart purchased the property in 1873, and has thoroughly refitted it with machinery of the latest and most approved pattern. The engine is of forty horse power. There is a force of eighteen Workmen employed, who receive on the average eight hundred dollars pay monthly. Mr. Hart has invested in the business the snug sum of fifty thousand dollars. He does a general planing mill work, including sash, doors, blinds, etc. He is also extensively engaged in the stone trade.

C. Parsch's planing mill is located on Mill street, near the L. S. & M. S. railway. He has five thousand dollars invested, and employs nine workmen. His engine is of twenty-five horse power. He also deals in shingles, lath, etc.

JAMES HOLLIS' FOUNDRY & MACHINE SHOP.-Mr. Hollis has been engaged in this line of business in Elyria for about thirty years. He began work in his present building, on Maple street, in 1874, with a capital of five thousand five hundred dollars. He manufactures engines, horse powers, and does general repairs, foundry and machine work.

E. F. Bronson manufactures (also on Maple street) the centennial lap board, and also specialties in fine furniture. The business, which was established in November, 1877, already represents a capital of six thousand dollars, and may be claimed among the growing industries of Elyria. Employment is furnished for six workmen. Average monthly sales, six hundred dollars.

ELYRIA VARIETY WORKS.

This business was established in the year 1867, by its present proprietor, Mr. James A. Tite. The manufactures are of a general nature—lawn mowers, feed cutters, etc. The specialty is of making lightning rod tips. Engine is of fourteen horse power. The average number of workmen employed is nine.

CARRIAGE MANUFACTORY.

That of Crisp & Hensen is the only exclusive manufactory of fine carriages in Elyria. These gentlemen commenced business in April, 1872, investing three thousand dollars. They employ an average of ten workmen. This establishment turns out a fine line of carriages, wagons, sleighs, etc.

FLOURING MILLS.

We have already given the pioneer grist and saw mills, which were situated on or near the site of the present mills.

Undoubtedly, the oldest flouring mill now in operation in Elyria is the one at the foot of Broad street, on the east branch of Black river, near the bridge. The present proprietor is Mr. Garret Reublin, who has recently purchased the property, investing ten thousand five hundred dollars. This mill has four run of stones, and is in fine condition. It does both custom and merchant milling. The principal propelling power is water, though there is a forty horse power engine, which is used in seasons when the water is low. The saw-mill adjoining, owned by the same gentleman, is of more recent construction.

The flouring mill owned by I. S. Metcalf is located on Broad street, between West and Middle avenues, and was erected by Messrs. Chapman & Gibson. Mr. Metcalf purchased the property in 1874, paying therefor ten thousand dollars. It is driven by a forty horse power steam engine. There are two run of stones, and both custom and merchant milling are done.

ASHERY AND SOAP MANUFACTORY.

The former was put in operation in the fall of 1843, by N. B. Gates, and is still owned and operated by him. At the time it was established, large quantities of ashes could be procured from the settlers, who were clearing lands and burning log heaps. Black salts were also ,brought in in large quantities, which Mr. Gates converted into pearlash. Now the ashes are collected from the citizens, made from wood consumed in their dwellings. The location is on the west branch of the river near the railroad bridge. The making of pot and pearl ashes is still continued. The soap works were built in 1862, by Messrs. Clark & Cathcart. Mr. Gates purchased them in September, 1869, and manufactured chemical erasive soap,

122 - HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

turning out ten tons per year, and an equal quantity of pot and pearl ashes. He has four thousand two hundred dollars invested, and employs four workmen.

ELYRIA LIBRARY.

This enduring monument to the memory of its generous founder was first opened on the 10th day of June, 1870. It came into being as follows:

To the will of the lamented Charles Arthur Ely, executed March 19, 1856, was added a codicil, December 1, 1857, containing a bequest, by the provisions of which the executor was directed to convey to five well-known gentlemen (named in the will), trustees, the site of the present Library Block, and the building then standing thereon. The executor was also directed to pay to said trustees the sum of five thousand dollars, to be invested in books for immediate use, and the further sum of ten thousand dollars to be invested as a permanent fund, the income only of which was applicable to the use of the library. Mr. Ely died on the 30th of September, 1864; and the provisions of the will above mentioned were carried into effect by his administrator.

The trustees named in the will were: Dr. Norton S. Townshend, Heman Ely, Harwood M. Redington, George Olmstead and Prof. James Monroe, of Oberlin. Mr. Monroe declining to act, Hon. John C. Hale was appointed to fill the vacancy. They immediately entered upon their labors; the building above referred to was fitted up; two thousand volumes were purchased, and on April 1, 1870, the present very able librarian, Miss Nettie E. Wheeler, began the labor of arranging the books and preparing a catalogue; and on the 10th of the following June, the library was formally opened for the use of the public. The exercises were conducted at the court house, and consisted of an address by the Hon. Norton S. Townshend, and such other ceremonies as are usual on occasions of this kind.

In the disastrous fire which occurred on the 15th day of March, 1873, the building and library were consumed. Only three hundred and seventy-five books, out of four thousand volumes then in the library, were saved. There was a thousand dollars of insurance on the building, and from the avails of this and a small amount additional the present elegant building was erected. This was completed, and first occupied on May 11, 1874. It was not opened to the public until the 25th of July following. There is at the present time a very choice collection of books, numbering six thousand volumes.

BANKING 1NTERESTS.

Pursuant to an act "to incorporate the State Bank of Ohio and other banking companies," passed February 24, 1845, the Lorain Bank, in Elyria, (the first in the county), was established on the 25th day of May, 1847, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. This was divided into one thousand shares of one hundred dollars each. On June 23, 1847, a meeting of the stockholders convened; Heman Ely was appointed chairman and Elijah DeWitt secretary. The next business was the election of a board of directors. This was done by ballot, and the following gentlemen were elected: Heman Ely, Elijah DeWitt, Enoch Clark, Artemas Beebe, Amasa Chapman, Conrad Reid, John B. Wilbor, Aaron Root and Heman Ely, Jr. The following officers were then elected: Heman Ely, president; Artemas Beebe, vice-president; Elijah DeWitt, secretary; W. A. Adair, cashier, and Levi Burnell, teller and book-keeper.

Having effected an organization, a banking house was opened in Room No. 3 of the Beebe House Block (now occupied by L. Taylor as a crockery store), and in this the business of the bank was transacted until January 1, 1875, when it was removed to its elegant rooms in the Ely Block (first floor of the library building). Mr. Ely resigned his position as president April 24, 1849, and Artemas Beebe was elected his successor, but declined the acceptance of the office, whereupon Elijah DeWitt was elected to the position, and is still the able incumbent of that office. On the date above given, the office of vice-president was discontinued.

The board of directors has suffered few changes, and remains substantially as at first organized. Mr. Adair resigned his position as cashier, December 4, 1849, which was accepted, and, on January 1, 1850, John R. Finn was elected to succeed him. Mr. Finn was elected vice-president of the State Bank of Ohio in 1855, and he resigned his position as cashier. Heman Ely was appointed cashier pro tem., and served until January 7, 1856, when the present incumbent of the office, Mr. John W. Hulburt, was elected. The bank continued to do a highly prosperous business until the year 1864, when, on April 2d, a meeting of the citizens was held, under the act of Congress to provide for a national currency, approved February 25, 1863, to take the preliminary steps toward organizing the First National Bank of Elyria. The subscribers to the stock of the new organization at this time were as follows:

Artemas Beebe 154 shares of 100 dollars each, $ 15,400

Seymour W. Baldwin 103 " 16,300

Heman Ely 142 “ 14,200

George R. Starr 143 “ 14,300

Henry E. Mussey 145 “ 14,500

Geo. G. Washburn 144 “ 14,400

Elijah DeWitt 109 “ 10,900

1,000 - $100,000

The certificate of authorization was issued May 25, 1864. Subsequently directors were elected as follows: Artemas Beebe, Elijah De Witt, George G. Washburn, Henry E. Mussey, Seymour W. Baldwin, and George R. Starr. Elijah De Witt was elected president and John W. Hulburt, cashier. In 1876 the office of vice president was created and Heman Ely was elected to fill the position. The directors for 1878, are Artemas Beebe, S. W. Baldwin, William Jones, H. E. Mussey, George R. Starr, James M. Chapman, Elijah DeWitt, George G. Washburn, and Heman Ely. This bank has been conducted in the interest of the

Residence of Geo. G. Washburn and Union Hall Clothing House

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 123

people and not in the interest of a ring or individuals. It has, from its inception, done an honorable and prudent business. The Bank Examiner speaks in terms highly commendatory of its management.

SAVINGS DEPOSIT BANK OF ELYRIA,

began business in November, 1873, with T. L. Nelson, president; J. C. Hill, cashier; Hon. Sidney S. Warner, Hon. John C. Hale, Hon. R. A. Horr, C. W. Horr, S. R. Laundon, Hon. W. W. Boynton, William A. Braman, John W. Hart, I. S. Metcalf, and Lorenzo Clark, directors. The board of investment, T. L. Nelson, J. C. Hill, William A. Braman, John C. Hale, and W. W. Boynton. The responsibility of this bank aggregates five hundred thousand dollars which is pledged and liable for the payment of all debts and obligations of the bank. The business is of a general nature. The savings department is designed to afford those who desire to save their money the means of emloying it to advantage without incurring any risk of losing it, as is often the case when loaned to individuals.

MERCANTILE HISTORY OF ELYRIA.

Edmund West opened the first store in Elyria. Heman Ely (the founder of the township) was his partner, though he took no active part in conducting the business. Theodore W. Ely, from West Springfield, Mass., became a partner of Mr. West, June 1, 1825. Theodore W. Ely died May 2, 1826, at the age of twenty-three years. Mr. West died July 15, 1825, at the age of twenty-nine years. He was succeeded by Norris O. Stow, who associated with him Theodore W. Ely whose early death is above stated. Mr. Stow conducted the business until his death, which occurred the 12th of April, 1830. He was succeeded by Addison Tracy and Phineas Johnson under the firm name of Tracy and Johnson, who conducted the mess until 1832, when they became members of the Lorain Iron Company, and their stock of goods was removed to the company's store as part of its stock in e. When the Lorain Iron Company suspended business, Isaac M. Johnson purchased their stock of goods, and continued in business but a year or two when he sold out to Thomas Wilcox and William M. Beebe, under the firm-name of Wilcox and Beebe. They in turn sold, in 1840, to Baldwin & Company. At an early period in the history of Elyria, probably in 1823 or '24, Stanton Sholes established a store in the building now occupied by Mr. Monroe, on the north side of Broad street, between Middle and East avenues. In two or three years he sold out to Thompson Miles, who soon after built a brick store at the northwest corner of Broad street and East avenue, where he transacted business until 1832, when, having secured a competence, he retired from business. About the year 1827, two brothers, Sheldon and C. B. Guthrie, established a store in a frame building on the north side of Broad street, about midway between Middle and East avenues. They continued in business for about three years. Sheldon Guthrie is now living in New Orleans. His brother, C. B. Guthrie, died. recently in Washington City. Raymond Starr commenced trade in Elyria in 1828, and continued in business until 1835, when he retired. The brick building adjoining the one now occupied by the Elyria Republican printing office, was erected by him and occupied for several years as a store.

HORACE K. KENDALL.—This gentleman deserves more than a passing notice, for he revolutionized trade not only in Elyria, but to a great extent throughout Northern Ohio. He came from Suffield, Conneoticut, to Elyria in the spring of 1832, and opened a store in the brick building erected by Captain Sylvanus Parmely, on the corner where the present Beebe House stands. The merchants of Elyria having been accustomed to sell goods to the farmers on credit, and as they expected to lose from thirty to fifty per oent., marked their prices on that basis. Mr. Kendall sold his goods only for cash, and fixed his prices very much lower than they had ever before been offered in this market. He soon had a rush of customers, and in a year or two built the large brick store on the north side of Broad street, now occupied by Hannan & Obits. He purchased all kinds of farmers' produce, paying cash; but most of it was left in the store in payment for goods. Soon . trade flocked in, not only from the extreme parts of this county, but from Medina, Wayne and Cuyahoga counties, and Elyria became a center of trade.

He possessed a great deal of dash and enterprise, and was not afraid of the liberal use of printer's ink. He, for a considerable time, published a monthly paper filled mostly with his advertisements, but containing in addition a great deal of miscellaneous and entertaining reading matter. This was distributed gratuitously, and eagerly sought for. His advertisements were striking, ingenious and amusing.

In the spring of 1842, Henry E. Mussey, who had long been his confidential clerk, became associated with him in the business. Mr. Kendall had been for many years an active and influential member of the Baptist church, and contributed liberally towards the erection of their fine brick church building, which stands on the corner of Second street and Middle avenue.

Mr. Kendall died on the 4th of June, 1850, at the early age of forty-one years. He left a handsome fortune. In his death, Elyria and Lorain county sustained a great loss. After his death, Mr. Mussey, who associated with himself Hiram Fuller, conducted the business successfully until 1858, when they sold out to Seymour W. Baldwin, T. W. Laundon and T. L. Nelson, under the firm name of Baldwin, Laundon & Nelson. Mr. Mussey retired from mercantile business. Mr. Fuller removed to Akron, where he now resides.

OZIAS LONG.—This gentleman obtained the contract to build the court house, in 1828, and started a store principally, it is believed, for the payment of his workmen. After completing his contract, he

124 - HISTORY OR LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

continued mercantile business successfully for several years. In 1833 or 1834, John M. Gillett, S. R. Darling and S. B. Wolcott, under the firm name of Gillett, Darling & Wolcott, became his successors. Mr. Long was for six years one of the associate judges of the court of common pleas for Lorain county, and afterwards served as postmaster for the term of four years. He died February 21, 1859, aged sixty years. Gillett, Darling & Wolcott were his successors, and conducted the business for two or three years, when they sold out to William F. Church. After a year or two, Mr. Church removed his goods to Sullivan, when our present mayor, Nahum B. Gates, put in a stock of goods. He sold out at the end of a year to.Messrs. Castle & King, of Medina, and the goods were removed to that place.

In 1832, the following merchants were doing business in Elyria:

A. Beebe, afterwards Beebe & Gates; Horatio N. Gates and Charles Green, Gates & Green; the Lorain Iron Company, 1saac M. Johnson, Thompson Miles, H. Guthrie, Raymond Starr and Ozias Long.

We are unable to tell from any data we can obtain when all these gentlemen commenced or discontinued business.

Between the years 1832 and 1842, the following merchants were doing business:

Ransom Redington, Erastus and Edwin Hall (E. & E. Hall), W. F. Church, H. K. Kendall & Co., S. W. Baldwin, Enoch Clark, Cowles and Ryder, Sanford and Andrews, Gillett, Darling & Wolcott, Andrews and Morse, Cowles, Merwin & Hull, Nichols & Knowles, and Henry Bush.

In 1852, the merchants were:

Orrin Cowles, J. B. Merwin & Co., H. Brush & Co., Baldwin & Co. and H. E. Mussey & Co.

SEYMOUR W. BALDWIN. —In the fall of 1834, Orrin Cowles opened a store, under the firm of Baldwin & Cowles. S. W. Baldwin, the senior member of the firm, did not come to Elyria until the spring of 1835. They conducted a successful business until 1839, when the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Cowles opened a new store. Mr. Baldwin associated with him William M. Judd, and subsequently David B. Andrews, under the firm name of Baldwin & Co. In 1840, they bought out Wilcox & Beebe for the sake of getting the corner store. Soon after, D. B. Andrews left him, and was associated for a few years with F. B. Sanford (Sanford & Andrews). They dissolved, Sanford continuing the business, and Andrews opened a new store, associating with himself Levi Morse. Cowles took for a partner Mr. Erastus Hall. Subsequently they dissolved, and Cowles associated with himself Oliver R. Ryder (Cowles & Ryder). Erastus Hall formed a co-partnership with his brother Edwin Hall (E. & E. Hall).

In the year 1840 or 1841, Mr. Baldwin formed a partnership with George R. and Horace C. Starr, under the firm name of Baldwin & Co. Subsequently they gave Thomas W. Laundon and Thomas L. Nelson an interest in the business, This firm did a very successful business until 1852, when Mr. Baldwin, having secured a competence, retired from the firm, and returned to his former home, in Meriden, Connecticut. After three years' absence, Mr. Baldwin, having become. tired of a life of inactivity, returned to Elyria in 1855, and renewed his partnership with Starr Brothers & Co. This continued for the limited term of three years, when Mr. Baldwin, associating with himself Messrs. Laundon and Nelson, purchased the stock of goods of Henry E. Mussey, and commenced business under the firm name of Laundon & Nelson. This firm was dissolved in 1870, Mr. Nelson becoming president of the Elyria Deposit and Savings Bank.

Mr. T. W. Laundon lives a quiet, retired life, enjoying the fruits of many years of industry and enterprise. Soon after the dissolution of the firm, Mr. Baldwin made the tour of Europe with his son.

In the year 1858, S. W. Baldwin, T. W. Laundon, S. K. Laundon, and T. L. Nelson, formed a co-partnership and opened a store in Wellington which has done a very successful business and is still continued. It is conducted by Mr. S. K. Laundon.

Of all the young men who were trained in the store of Mr. Baldwin and his partners it is believed not one has turned out badly. All of them occupy prominent positions in business and in society.

This is due mainly to the fact that their morals were carefully guarded and they acquired habits of industry and integrity. Many of them boarded with Mr. Baldwin. They were furnished with the best of reading matter and had no inclination to spend their evenings in idleness or on the streets. Mr. Baldwin has become wealthy and enjoys most fully the respect and confidence of the people of Elyria and of Lorain county.

Geroge R. Starr and Horace C. Starr were clerks of S. W. Baldwin & Co. Their former business connection with him has been already stated. After the dissolution of the firm of Baldwin, Starr & Co. they associated with themselves Mr. John L. Cole and their brothers Frank and Alonzo Starr. The latter withdrew from the firm in three years, but Mr. Cole continued a member until 1872. They did a large business and enjoyed the friendship and esteem of the people to a remarkable degree. In the year 1873 their store and its entire contents were consumed by the disastrous lire which destroyed the entire block, containing some eight or ten business rooms. Their loss by this fire was fifty thousand dollars over and above their insurance. With their usual pluck they at once fitted up a store in the town hall, purchased a new stock of goods and again commenced business. They continued in business in the town hall for about a year, when, the new block being completed, they returned to their old quarters. Though greatly crippled by the fire they continued until February, 1878, when they retired. Few men, if any, have done as much to adorn and beautify our village, and none are more respected by its citizens and the people of the county.

The firm of Cowles & Ryder was dissolved in 1847, and Mr. Cowles continued the business until 1856,

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when he removed to Fulton, Ill., where he still resides.

Stephen B. Wolcott succeeded Mr. Cowles and continued in business until the present year when he sold out to John Murbach.

DRUG STORES.—In 1832, Dr. John S. Matson :ned a small drug store in the front room of his welling house. The same room contained also the postoffice. In a few years he put up a pretty large wooden store and greatly enlarged his business. About the year 1838 he added dry goods to his stock of drugs. In 1842 or '43, he removed to Cleveland, leaving his store in charge of his brother-in-law, Addison Tracy. He died soon after his removal, and Drs. E. W. Hubbard and L. D. Griswold purchased the stock of drugs, and conducted the business for a year or two when

they sold out to Mr. John F. Wooster. Mr. Wooster soon associated with himself his brother. Mr. William F. Wooster, and soon after sold out to him. Mr. William F. Wooster still continues the business. He has been a very successful merchant, and has accumulated a handsome property.

DR. ELIJAH DEWITT, in the year 1824, settled in Harrisvile, Medina county, and engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery. His ride was extensive find laborious at that early day. In July, 1835, he removed to Elyria and opened a drug store. He did a successful business in that time until 1852, when, having been appointed secretary and treasurer of the Junction Rail Road, then being constructed, he left his drug store in charge of his son, R. C. DeWitt, who had for several years been his partner. He was for six years an associate judge of the county. In about a year the store was sold to Mr. Charles Arthur Ely, a who in turn sold it to Messrs. Bagg & Jenkins, who after two years sold to Messrs. Redington & Jenkins. These gentlemen conducted the business for several years, when it again became the property of Mr. Ely, 'who sold it to Mr. Jerome Manville.

In the year 1850, Dr. Eber W. Hubbard established a drug store in the Beebe block. In 1852, Dr. Hubbard being about to remove to Staten Island, N. Y., sold his stock of drugs to Dr. L. D. Griswold and J. Manville. They continued in partnership about five-years, when Dr. Griswold retired from the firm. Mr. Manville still continues the business and has been very successful.

Dr. Laselle and G. D. Hayward kept a drug store for a time in the Beebe House block.

The following were the business houses in Elyria on the first of October, 1878.

DRY GOODS AND NOTIONS.—D. C. Baldwin & CO., Goldburg & Co. H. C. Kupfer & Brother.

DRUGS AND MEDICINES.—W. F. Wooster, Jerome Manvrlle, William H. Park, and H. J. Eady.

GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS.—H. Brush, Hoyle Brothers, McCullum & Lilly, Henry Wurst, W. H. Smith, J. A. Bean, George M. Haag, Frank Root, William Downing, Diedrich & Wiler, and J. C. King.

MILLINERY.—Webb & Co., Mrs. Olmsted, Misses M. L. & A. Reilly, Miss E. Lewis, Mrs. Dibble & Son, Misses A. & S. Bancroft.

HARDWARE, STOVES, ETC.—H. Brush, Carpenter & Brooks, Hannan & Obitts, Xenophon Peck, J. Lane, Wright & Semple.

AGRICULTURAL 1MPLEMENTS.—W. E. Brooks & Co., Beal & Halter.

JEWELRY AND SILVER WARS.—French & Fisher, G. W. Smith, John Murbach, C. R. Bickford.

CLOTHING AND FURNISHING GOODS,—Charles Spitzenburg, H. H. Wimmers, Baker & Foster, and Frank D. Dibble.

BOOTS AND SHOES.—Cogswell & Co„ S. H. Bowen, J. Burdett, William Oahlke, Philpot & Daniels, T. Gray, James Collins, and W. Ireland.

HARNESS SHOPS.—Waterman Morse, W. A. Morse & Co. (saddlery hardware), J. W. Ropp and John Joint.

BOOKS AND STATIONERY.—William S. Wilson. Mr. Wilson bought out E. C. Griswold, in 1877, who had successfully carried on the business for twenty-two years.

FURNITURE.—Snearer & Waldeck.

MISCELLANEOUS.—Wm. I. Hobill, music store; T. L. Taylor, crockery and glass ware. Jones & Moshier, and Jakob Stephen, bakery and groceries. Clark & Faxon, candy manufacturers and wholesale dealers, W. F. Burget, Upholsterer. J. B. Woolbridge, Marble Works. Geo. G. Washburn, Printer, Editor, and Publisher of the Elyria Republican. E. S. Reefy, Editor and Publisher of the Elyria Constitution. Ingersoll & Harris, Job Printers. G. It. Byfordo Book-binder. Joseph Kelling, Flour and Feed Store. H. E. Mussey & Co., dealers in Building and Flagging Stone. Charles F. Lee, I. S. Haines. and H. S. Williams, Photographers. John Mountain and W. Walker, Merchant Tailors. Miss A. Bayless, Mrs. L. E. Snell, H. L. Underwood, Mrs. C. M. Dake, and J. M. Cook & Co., Dressmakers. Sneerer & Waldeck and P. A. Anderson, Undertakers. Andrus and J. Burdick, Livery.

CIGARS AND TOBACCO.—Mussey & Howk, J. W. Massey & Son, J. Micheloon, A. E. Lord.

HOTELS.—Beebe House, C. C. Briggs, proprietor; National House, J. D. Perkins; American House, Z. Bliss; East Avenue House, H. Etzel; Metropolitan, Charles Myers.

TRADES AND SPECIALTIES.—A. F. Parsons and Paul Krause, Carriage Painters. Allen & Holcomb, C. W. Goodspeed, R. W. Todd, Marvin Todd, and Paul Dumas, Sign and House Painters. C. W. Hunt, Carriage Trimmer. Abel Goodspeed and D. E. Dengate, Wagon Makers. Ward & Maple, F. Gilbert, L. Wait, Hafner & Dachtler, and N. Wagoner & Sons, Blacksmiths.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

To guard against the ravages of the firey element, has been the aim of every community. Elyria village has been taught this lesson by dire experience. Two extensive fires have prevailed, destroying, in both instances, the business part of the town. We are unable to give the losses, but they were very great. In the year 1839, a small hand fire engine was purchased, and a company of thirty men organized, under the name of the “AEtna Fire Company No. 1." S. W. Baldwin was foreman, and Samuel C. Goodwin, secretary and treasurer. This constituted the entire department until 1850, when another hand engine was purchased, and "Phoenix Fire Company No. 2," consisting also of thirty members, was organized. About this time, the hook and ladder company, of thirty members, was also formed. The force was now considered an efficient one, until the Memorable fifteenth of March, 1873, when it was demonstrated that it was wholly insufficient to cope with the conflagration. Immediately after this event, the common council procured a number two steam fire engine from the manufactory of the Messrs. Silsby, at Seneca Falls, New York, which, with two hose carts and one thousand feet of two and a half inch rubber hose cost six thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollars. The officers of this company are: John T. Houghton, chief engineer; John Hailer, assistant engineer; Charles S. Bird, engineer; John M. Tite fireman. "'Etna Hose Company" has thirty-five men; George Kline, foreman; Frank Stark, assistant. "'Etna Fire Company" still maintains its organization; Fred Duchtler, foreman; Henry Fairman, assistant. The

126 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

water supply is ample, and consists of twenty reservoirs and two tanks. There is also a fancy hook and ladder company, which has a fine record. As at present organized, the fire department of Elyria is far above the average in efficiency.

TOWN HALL.

This fine structure was erected jointly by the township and village of Elyria, in the year 1867, and cost, when completed, twenty-nine thousand dollars. An extensive addition was made to it in 1878, at an investment of seven thousand dollars. The upper floor is wholly occupied by an audience hall, stage, dressing and property rooms. The seating capacity is nearly one thousand. The first floor is occupied by the fire department, mayor's office, lockup, etc.

SOCIETIES.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.—King Solomon's Lodge No. 56, of this order, was granted a dispensation on Monday, the 13th day of December, A. D. 1819, with Homan Ely as W. M., Jabez Burrell, S. W., and John Reading, J. W. The charter was granted December 11, 1821, and the growth of this lodge was, from that time, very satisfactory, until the outbreak growing out of the Morgan excitement rendered it advisable to cease labor. This took place in 1828, and for twenty years there was no lodge in Elyria.

On the 26th of September, 1848, a new charter was issued, bearing on its face the names of Eber W. Hubbard, W. M., Ozias Long, S. W., and Ansel Keith, J. W., and from that time until the present, the order has been steadily gaining strength, until it has now a membership of one hundred and twelve. Their path has not, however, been always strewn with roses. In the extensive conflagration which prevailed in Elyria in 1852, the lodge room was consumed, and with it everything it contained. The records were at the house of the secretary, and were saved, but on the occasion of the second fire, in 1872, they were not so fortunate. Everything was, we believe, this time consumed. Truly they have been " tried by fire," but, like the Phoenix, they have risen from the ashes, and by the aid of strong and willing hands, have now the finest lodge room in the county.

Officers for 1878 are: D. J. Nye, W. M.; W. F. Burget, S. W.; John Holcomb, J. W.; J. W. Hulburt, Treas.; L. C. Kelsey, Sec.; Charles A. Schade, S. D.; D. F. Ward, J. D.; Otto Martin and H. R. Whiteman, Stewards, and Judd C. Potter, Tyler.

The stated communications are held at Masonic hall, in Commercial block, on the second and fourth Monday evenings of each month, from October 1 to May 1, and on the second Monday, only, the remainder of the year.

MARSHALL CHAPTER No. 47, was granted a dispensation on the 3d day of October, 1851, upon the petition of companions A. Clark, E. W. Hubbard, Ozias Long, M. Chapman, E. L. Warner, Wm. Hoyle, John Sherman, F. Hubbard, and Elijah Parker. A. Clark was, by this instrument, made High Priest; E. W. Hubbard, King; and Ozias Long, Scribe. We are unable to give any thing further of the early work.

The officers for 1878 are: J. W. Hulburt, H. P.; W. E. Brooks, K.; James Allen, Scribe; G. H. Mapes, C. H.; D. J. Nye, P. S.; G. M. Moshier, R. & C.; D. F. Ward, M. 3rd V.; E. A. Brush, M. 2nd V.; John Holcomb, M. 1st V.; M. W. Pond, Treas.; George Cogswell, Sec.; and J. C. Potter, Guard. There is at present a membership of ninety-six. The stated convocations are held in Masonic hall, on the evening of the first Thursday of each month.

This body has also passed through the fiery furnace, losing everything.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.—Elyria Lodge No. 103, of this order, was instituted on March 1, 1848, by E. W. Fitch, Deputy Grand Master, with the following charter members: N. B. Gates, P. Bliss, Russell J. Smith, Edwin A. Cowles, and E. D. Moxley. The officers on organization were: N. B. Gates, N. G.; E. A. Cowles, V. G. ; E. D. Moxley,; P. and R Sec.; Russell J. Smith, Treas.

On the night of its institution, the following gentlemen were admitted: J. F. Manter, L. D. Griswold, L. C. Leonard, G. D. Hayward, 0. N. Owens, B. F. Tillotson, B. F. Robinson and George E. Nichols; and on the anniversary, held thirty years subsequent, these persons were all living, and nearly all in good standing in the fraternity.

The officers for 1878 are: S. C. Cox, N. G.; James Lewis, V. G.; Charles Cox, P. S.; Samuel A. Rawson, R. S.; Henry J. Eady, Treas. Present membership, one hundred and eight. Regular meeting, Tuesday evening of each week, in Odd Fellows Hall. This lodge is in a prosperous condition, with twenty-five hundred dollars on interest.

ENCAMPMENT.—Lorain Encampment, No. 81, was instituted on the 7th day of May, 1856, with the following gentlemen as charter members: N. B. Gates, R. M. Holcomb, Mozart Gallup, M. A. Elder, 0. G. King, J. L. Hutchinson and N. H. Underhill. The present officers are: N. B. Gates, C. P.; 0. Bowen, H. P.; Thomas Baker, S. W.; S. C. Cox, J. W.; George D. Williams, S.; and William W. Laundon, Treas. Present membership, twenty-three. The stated meetings are held at Odd Fellows Hall, on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.—Star Lodge, No. 81, was instituted on the 27th day of January, 1875, with the following gentlemen as charter members: John Gorman, Geo. D. Williams, William H. Laundon, J. C. Potter, Otto Martin, John E. Kenyon, Samuel C, Cox, Nelson B. Jennings, W. S. Lyons and C. B. Spring. The first officers were: John Gorman, P. C. ; Geo. D. Williams, C. C.; William W. Laundon, V. C.; J. C. Potter, P.; Samuel C. Cox, M. of E.; John E. Kenyon, M. of F.; Otto Martin, K. of R. and S.; Nelson B. Jennings, M. at A.; W. S. Lyon, I. G.; and C. B. Spring, 0. G.

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This society meets on Friday evening of each week, at Odd Fellows Hall. The present membership is twenty-one. The officers for 1878. were: Robert C. Gamble, P. C.; J. C. Potter, C. C.; Richard T. Gamble, V. C.; James Lewis, P.; Wm. M. Laundon, M. of E.; George D. Williams, M. of F. ; Otto Martin, K. Of R. and S.; J. E. Lozier, M. at A.; C. B. Spring, I. G. S. C. Cox, 0. G.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS.—Elyria Lodge, No. 93, Independent Order of Good Templars, was authorized to assemble for organization, by a charter bearing date March 1, 1877, which was issued to the following persons: A. 0. Griswold, F. W. Kirchner, C. H. Williams, J. E. Cryer, J. C. Biggs, William Davis, James L. Edwards, Conrad Fischer, W. L. Roe, Dr. L. C. Kelsey, Charles Faux, A. J. Houghton, George W. Rich, Mrs. H. McElwin, Mrs. H. Brush, Mrs. Frances Crouk, Miss S. K. Nichols, Miss Anna Hackett and Miss Lydia Forbes. The first officers were: A. 0. Griswold, W. C. T.; Mrs. H. McElwin, W. V. T.; Miss S. K. Nichols, W. R. S.; Mrs. H. Brush, W. T.; and W. L. Roe, W. M. The membership of this society has increased with such

rapidity that there are now one hundred and five in good standing. The meetings are held in Mussey's Block, on Wednesday evening of each week. Officers for 1878 are: Charles A. Metcalf, W. C. T.; Mrs. H. Brush, W. V. T.; C. W. Dickinson, W. R. S.; E. L. Griswold, W. F. S.; Miss May Morse, W. T. ; James Wallace, W. M.; Miss Lizzie Upton, W. S. G.; E. D. Ashley, W. O. G.; Mrs. Bacon, W. C.; Mrs. M. II. Boynton, R. H. S.; and Miss Eliza Robinson, R. H. S.

ANCIENT ORDER OF GOOD FELLOWS.—OD September 2:3, 1860, Elyria Lodge, No. 17, A. 0. of G. F., was instituted. The charter members were: M. Erne, C. Frame, V. Seabert, F. Schmidt, A. Eand, F. Beeze, G. Mabius, J. Schultz, S. Fehr, H. Hammer, F. Martin, F. Muse, J. Steifel, M. Morlak, H. Reimbach, C. Baase, W. Scmidt, J. Geipel and E. Greeshamer. The officers on organization were: G. Seibert, N. G. ; W. Scmidt, V. G.; M. Erne, C.; W. Morlach, Sec.; H. Reimbach, R. S.; E. Greeshamer, Treas. Meetings on Thursday evening of each week. The roll of initiates numbers seventy, but hard times and an inability to keep up the dues has reduced the membership to eighteen persons. The officers for 1878 were: C. Scmidt, N. G.; M. Bucher, V. G.; J. Stiefel, C. ; P. Strauss, Sec.; J. Stark R. S.; and John Hufner, Treas.

KNIGHTS OF HONOR.—Anchor Lodge, No. 119, Knights of Honor, was instituted June 3, 1875, with twenty-two charter members, who were as follows: W. H. Tucker, W. L. Fay, G. H. Tyrrell, F. S. Reefy, B. McNeal, R. I. Jones, John E. Kenyon, John Blanchard, Zenas Bliss, R. E. Braman, Xenophon Peck, Thomas Tunnington, H. J. Eady, A.H. Bullock, A. F. Parsons, James E. Bronson, F. M. Whiteman, J. W. Ropp, William Crisp, W. W. Richardson, J. A. Tite and Thomas H. Linnell. The first officers were: Past Dictator, William H. Tucker; Dictator, Geo. H.

Tyrrel; Vice Dictator, F. M. Reefy; Assistant Dictator, R. E. Braman; Guide, John Kenyon; Reporter, W. L. Fay; Financial Reporter, H. J. Eady; and Treasurer, John Blanchard. Regular meetings, Thursday evenings of each week, at Odd Fellows Hall. The total membership is sixty-two. The officers for 1878 were: A. H. Bullock, P. D.; W. E. Hubbell, D. ; M. H. Levagood, V. 11; John Blanchard, A. D.; R. H. Hill, Chaplain; J. W. Ropp, Guide; John H. Faxon, Jr., Rep.; F. M. Whiteman, F. R.; William H. Park, Treas.; P. S. Hatter, Guard; and George Butts, Sentinel.

ROYAL ARCANUM.—Elyria Council, No. 57, of this brotherhood, was organized February 27, 1878. The charter members were: W. L. Fay, W. H. Tucker, L. McLean, R. E. Braman, 0. Dole,. Wm. H. Park, H. C. Woodruff, E. C. Perry, George G. Washburn, 0. Root, H. M. Parker, J. E. Bronson, T. S. Faxon, J. H. Faxon, Jr., W. E. Brooks, John Lersch, J. L. Cole, D. J. Peck, Ed. H. Fisher, E. A. Brush, J. D. Faxon, J. W. Ropp, Geo. C. Williams, L. B. Smith, W. S. Wilson, E. G. Johnson, D. W. Fuller, J. A. Tite, M. A. Levagood, G. H. Mapes and C. B. Clark. The first officers were: W. H. Tucker, Past Regent; W. L. Fay, Regent; W. H. Park, Vice Regent; L. McLean, Orator; W. E. Brooks, Secretary; George G. Washburn, Collector; J. H. Faxon, Jr., Treasurer; W. H. Levagood, Chaplain; J. W. Ropp, Guide; 0. Dole, Warden; and E. A. Brush, Sentinel. The officers are elected semi-annually, but as the present officers are substantially the same as those first elected, it is unnecessary to give them. The membership is thirty-eight. The regular meetings are on Monday evenings of each week, at Odd Fellows Hall.

SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.

SYLVANUS PARMELY came to Elyria as early as 1822, and was engaged for several seasons in brick-making. He excavated a hole in the rock at the east fall, some twenty feet in depth, into which a portion of the stream was turned. The water wheel was at the bottom of the excavation, which furnished the motive power for running the old red mill. Mr. Parmely built a two-story brick dwelling house on the corner where the Beebe House now stands, the corner room of which was used as a store. He removed to Sullivan, now in Ashland county, in 1832, where he owned a large farm. He spent much time and money in efforts to secure the formation of a new county of which Sullivan should be the county seat, but failed to obtain success. He was at one time a representative to the State legislature for Lorain county. He was a man of unbounded energy and perseverance. He raised a highly respectable family, and died some ten years ago at an advanced age.

ASAHEL PARMELY, from Somerset, Vt., came to Ohio, arriving in Sullivan township August 7, 1817. He came with an ox team conveying his father, mother and two brothers, his wife and two children. These were Amandrin M. and Hannah, the latter of

128 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

whom died on the road. The former in due time married Emily Thomas, of Massachusetts, and now resides on thirty-four acres of land, lot thirty-five, Elyria township, it being the old family homestead. Mr. Parmely, senior, came through without material incident (driving the family cow), until he arrived at Harrisville, now Medina county, from which point to Sullivan township there was an unbroken forest, through which he was obliged to cut a road some ten miles in length. Arriving at his destination, he made a selection of some four hundred acres of land in different sections. He located on one hundred and fifty acres, in lot forty-seven. With the assistance of his family he prepared a cabin of puncheons, placed on stakes driven in the ground. In this the family lived for three months, when a log house was erected and the family moved in. He remained in Sullivan until 1829. On the 17th of April of this year he removed to Elyria, locating on the land now occupied by his son Amandrin M. Here, after a long and peaceful life, he died January 4, 1859. Mrs. Parmely died October 18, 1875. The children born in Ohio were Ashley, who lives on the old homestead in Sullivan; Lovilla H. and Rexaville E., both deceased; Freeman and Stanley M. The last two and their elder brother, Amandrin M., have pleasant homes within a stone's throw of each other. All are prosperous and valuable citizens.

WILLIAM O. CAHOON came, with his father Joel Cahoon, to Dover, Cuyahoga county, in 1810, when four years of age. He grew to manhood on his father's farm. He first came to Elyria in 1826, and worked at chopping, but did not settle in town with his family until 1831. His wife was a daughter of Judge Moses Eldred. He was a stone mason by trade, and followed that business until his death. He owned a stone quarry on the east branch of the river, and a very large portion of our excellent sidewalks were put down by him. He was a model of industry, and worked until the day of his death, which occurred on the 20th of July, 1878. He was seventy-two years of age. Mr. Cahoon was for many years a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HARLOW WELLS came from Connecticut with his brother-in-law, Hezekiah Kelsey, to Elyria in 1827, and settled on the farm where he now resides. It was then an unbroken forest, but he cleared up the land and made himself a pleasant home. He has lived a life of quiet industry, and now, at an advanced age, is enjoying the fruits of his labor.

JONATHAN T. PARSONS came also from Connecticut to Elyria in 1828. He settled on the farm on Lake avenue which he afterwards sold to Arad Smith. He died October 31, 1838, leaving a wife and two sons, one a babe and the other five years of age.

EDSON A. GRISWOLD was born in Wintonbury, Connecticut, in the year 1805. He removed to Elyria in 1832, and bought the farm on Lake avenue on which he now resides. It was at that time a wilderness. He has served two terms as a magistrate, and been a prosperous farmer. He has retired from active labor, and has transferred his farm to his son Arthur E. He still lives, at the age of seventy-three, in the enjoyment of good health of body and mind

ARAD SMITH, of Amherst, Mass., married Miss Salome Elmer, of Virginias, Vt., in 1799. He removed to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where he remained till 1833, when he came to Elyria and purchased the farm of Jonathan T. Parsons, lots thirty-seven and thirty-three, west of the river, sixty- six acres now occupied by his son Stephen Smith. He died in 1859, his wife having died in 1827. He was the father of thirteen children, five of whom are living. Stephen Smith has added to the old homestead, and now has one hundred and fifty-five acres.

COL. WILLIAM GREGG, from Londonderry, N. H., married Hannah Jewett, of Stratham, N. H. They came to Elyria in 1834, and settled on the ridge road south of Arad Smith. Col. Gregg died August 31, 1874, at an advanced age. He was a valuable citizen. The children were William B., who married Mary Ann Bailey; they reside on the old homestead; Henry B. died in 1839; John died in California. Mrs. Gregg, relict of Col. Gregg, is still living, at the age of seventy-five.

EBENEZER WHITON came to Elyria from Lee, Mass. We are unable to give the time of his arrival. He was appointed clerk of the court of common pleas at its first session, which commenced August 12, 1824, and held the office until the time of his death, which occurred August 31, 1834. He purchased lots sixty-two and sixty-three, and built the house next west of Mrs. Haines, which is still occupied.

Mrs. Whiton removed with her children to Wisconsin many years ago, and died in December, 1878, aged eighty years.

EBENEZER GRIFFITH came from Allegany county, N. Y., to Elyria, in 1827, and in company with his brother, Luther N. Griffith, purchased the hotel built by George Douglas, then standing on the site of the present Union Block. After a few years the brothers dissolved, and Reuben Nichols (who came with his family from Vermont) became the partner of Mr. Griffith. They soon erected a new brick hotel on the . same ground, called the Mansion House.

This was considered a fine building for that day. It was two stories in height, with a veranda occupying the entire front, supported- by massive columns. This hotel was kept by the parties for many years, and was the best in town until the erection of the Beebe House. Mr. Griffith filled the office of sheriff for one or two terms, and other positions of honor and responsibility. He raised a family of eight children, five of whom are living. Of these, two only reside in Elyria, viz: Lomida M., wife of S. Bodwell, and Arvilla L., wife of Ira B. Sekins. Mr. Griffith died in December, 1866.

CLARK ELDRED.—This venerable relic of pioneer times has been noticed in preceding pages of this

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 129

history. He was the son of Moses Eldred, who settled two miles east of the village in 1813, and for many tars kept a hotel. The subject of this sketch, though a boy of sixteen, was for a short time a soldier of the war of 1812. After Hull's surrender of Detroit, there was great alarm among the pioneer settlers along the south shore of Lake Erie. They were but few in number, and their dwellings were isolated and scattered. The British had induced all or nearly all of the Indian tribes of the west to become their allies. The savage murder of defenceless families was a comion occurrence.

The people of Ridgeville, with their wives and little ones, fled through the forest, driving their live stock, and took refuge in a log fort that had been built in eollimbia. Young Eldred's father had been severely wounded in a skirmish with the Indians on the PeninJails, and was borne from the field to the late Joshua R. Giddings. It was under these circumstances that the boy Eldred went to the front and commenced the life of a soldier. The capture of the British fleet by Commodore Perry, on Lake Erie, soon after relieved the pioneer settlers of all their fears, and those who had joined the army returned to their homes.

The first brick manufactured in Elyria were made by Mr. Eldred. The first land sold in the township as purchased by him; the first clearing was made by him; the first frame building raised without the aid of whisky was his. He was one of the first members of the Methodist Episcopal church in this place, and has continued a faithful member to the present time.

RANSOM REDINGTON was the son of Eliphalet Redington, who removed from Massachusetts and settled In South Amherst, in this county, at an early day. He came to this township as early as 1819, then a young man. He was for several years a clerk in the store of Thompson Miles, and afterward a partner. He was also in partnership with Raymond Starr, after Mr. Miles retired from business. In 1832 or '33, he opened a dry goods store in the Ely Block, and continued in trade for eight or ten years, when he sold out. In 1842, he, in company with Charles Parsons, opened a book store—the first in Elyria. In 1844, they sold out to E. C. Griswold, who continued the business until 1877. Mr. Redington, for the rest of his life, was engaged principally in the law book trade through Northern Ohio. At the same time, he purchased of miscellaneous books for himself and friends every book that was rare, ancient or valuable, and many choice pictures and works of art. There is scarcely a pleasant home in this part of the State that is not adorned with pictures of his selection. He possessed remarkable taste in making such selections. He was also an amateur in the cultivation of choice flowers, and supplied himself and friends with the choicest bulbs and flower seeds. The influence of such a life for good in any community can hardly be over-estimated. He was a profound thinker, and speculated much on theological subjects. He was married in 1826, to Miss Pamelia Manter, sister of Dr. Manter, who is still living at the age of seventy- eight, in full possession of her faculties of mind and memory. She is a highly cultured Christian lady, and, with Mr. A. Beebe, is the only remaining pioneer of this township. Mr. Redington died May 9, 1870, aged seventy years.

MEDICAL HISTORY.

DR. JOHN F. BUTLER must have come to Elyria as early as 1819, as he was a voter at the first election in the township in 1820. We are unable to state the place of his nativity, and only know that he was a graduate of the Fairfield Medical College, in Herkimer county, N. Y. He was a man of fair attainments, and a faithful, attentive physician, thoroughly devoted to his calling. Families who employed him had great confidence in his skill, and cherish his memory. He removed to his farm in Ridgeville, where he continued in the practice of his profession for many years. He died in 1858.

DR. AUGUSTUS WOLCOTT came to Elyria, also, in 1819, and practiced his profession for several years. He too graduated at the Fairfield Medical School. He retired from practice and settled on his farm in Sheffield in 1829. He was a man of close observation and sound judgment, and his prognosis in a case of disease, in the opinion of his patrons, settled the question of life or death. He died of cancer of the face May 17, 1841, aged sixty-one years.

DR. NATHAN MANTER was born at Ashfield, Mass., August 23, 1792. His father, Dr. Francis Manter, died early, leaving him to the care of a devoted mother, who carefully trained him for a life of usefulness. The love and care of this faithful mother were met by the filial affection of the son, which was strikingly manifested during the whole course of her life. Dr. Manter was educated at the Fairfield Academy, in Herkimer county, N. Y. He pursued his medical studies with his uncle, Dr. Nathan Harwood, of that State. When he had completed the usual course of study, he came to Ohio, then almost a wilderness, and settled in Euclid, Cuyahoga county, in 1815. Here he secured a successful practice, and remained until 1824, when he removed to Elyria. In 1823, he married Miss Susan Miles, mother of his four children, who died November 29, 1836. She was a devoted wife, a tender and careful mother, and a faithful Christian. He afterward married Mrs. Pamelia Clapp, who died July 29, 1848. Dr Man ter was fortunate in both of his marriages; he was happy in his domestic relations. Pure refinement and affection characterized his home life.

He had an extensive practice, and for many years was recognized as the leading physican in this section of the country. He was a skillful surgeon, and did most of the business in that branch of his profession until younger men relieved him, by his own request, in the more difficult and delicate operations. We quote

130 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

from an obituary notice written by a professional friend, * published after his death:

" After continuing in what is called regular practice for more than thirty years, Dr. Mentor gradually changed to the system of Hanneman. This change, while it deprived him of the professional sympathy of his former medical associates, did not deprive him of the personal friendship or esteem of any one of them; whatever reasons or motives others may be supposed to have for a similar change, no one doubted the conscientiousness of Dr. Manter. Two years before his death hc was stricken with paralysis. This attack was doubtless brought on by the death of his son, Col. Frank H. Manter, in the army. During his two years of suffering he exhibited a remarkable degree of patience and resignation. He was tenderly cared for by his chitdren, who wiltt devoted affection ministered to every want. He died February 19, 1866, aged 73. Dr. Manter was a close student during his whole professional life, and was thoroughly conversant with the medical literature of his day. He was a man of close observation, and faithful in his attention to his patients. His mind was not distracted by political ambition or disturbed by outside influences. He was not only " the good physician " to most of the early inhabitants of the viltage, but their contidential friend. He was genial and courteous in his manner, polite and dignified in his social intercourse with all. 1n short he was an accomplished Christian gentleman of the old school. For more than thirty years he was an influential member of the Presbyterian church, and by his life he adorned his profession.',

DR. SAMUEL STRONG was educated at the Fairfield Medical School in the State of New York, and removed to Brownhelm in this county, about the year 1828. After two years of successful practice he changed his residence to Amherst, where he remained about two years. In 1833 he removed to Elyria and formed a co-partnership with Dr. N. H. Manter. This connection continued six or eight years, when it was dissolved. He continued in practice in Elyria until his decease. He died March 26, 1850, aged forty-four years.

Dr. Strong was in many respects a remarkable man. He was an enthusiast in his profession and obtained a reputation for carrying through safely apparently hopeless cases of disease. He pursued the heroic plan of treatment, and would sit by the bedside of important and dangerous cases for whole days and nights watching the course of disease and the effect of remedies, and in this way would generally carry them through in safety. He was a decided optimist, always looking on the bright side. This led him into some unfortunate speculations, but he enjoyed the respect of the community and the love of his friends while he lived. He was warm-hearted and generous, and seemed to enjoy more pleasure in performing acts of kindness for others than in promoting his own interests. He left a widow and two children. Mrs. Strong afterwards became the wife of Mr. Otis Briggs, and is still living. His daughter, Carrie, married Mr. Edwin Mussey, who was for a long time a merchant in Amherst. His son, Samuel, has for many years been at the head of the great wholesale drug house in Cleveland of the firm of Strong, Cobb & Co.

Dr. ASA B. BROWN, a native of Vermont, and a graduate of Berkshire Medical College, settled in Elyria, in 1832, and soon built up a respectable practice. In the fall of 1834, having lost his young and beautiful wife and feeling greatly depressed, he retired from practice, and soon after took charge of the Elyria High School. Ho conducted this school for

* Dr. Norton S. Townshend.

several years, when he removed to the. State of Michigan, where he soon died. Dr. Brown was a man of more than ordinary ability. Had he adhered to his profession he would doubtless have risen to eminence.

DR. RICHARD L. HOWARD was the successor of Dr. Brown in the practice of his profession in Elyria. He was born in Andover, Vt., in the year 1809.

At the age of seventeen his father died, and he was left with the care of a widowed mother. With that indomitable energy which characterized his whole life, he discharged the new responsibilities with prudence and entire success. He began the study of medicine when quite young, and graduated with honor at the Berkshire Medical College at the age of twenty- two years. He moved to Windham, Portage county, and commenced the practice of his profession, and on the retirement of Dr. Brown from practice in 1834, he came to Elyria and took his place. He soon gained a large practice both as a physician and surgeon, and remained in Elyria until 1844, when he removed to Columbus, Ohio, where he soon secured a leading practice. He was mainly instrumental in establishing the Starling Medical College in that city, of which he became Professor of Surgery. The late Lyne Starling, a wealthy citizen, donated the munificent sum of thirty thousand dollars, which, with an additional amount, mainly furnished by Dr. Howard, was expended in the erection of that beautiful college building which now adorns the Capital City.

During the time he occupied the chair of surgery, he visited France, and spent some time in the famous hospitals of Paris. He returned, richly laden with the latest improvements in modern surgery. He died in the prime of life, at Columbus, January 16, 1854. He was, for several years, considered the leading surgeon in Central Ohio, and was an excellent teacher. Until his health failed, he edited the Ohio Medical and Surgical Journal. Dr. Howard was, in many respects, a remarkable man. Not naturally brilliant, Ile made it up by his indomitable energy and perseverance. He was ambitious, but his ambition run only in the line of his chosen profession. He placed his standard high, and turned neither to the right nor left until he had reached the object sought. He had accumulated a handsome property, which he left to his widow and children.

A sketch of the life of Dr. LUTHER D. GRISWOLD is given elsewhere in this volume.

DR. EBER W. HUBBARD was a graduate of the Fairfield Medical College. He located in La Grange, near the time of its first settlement, and had a large practice in that and adjacent townships. He removed to Elyria, in 1838, and from that time until 1852, when not in public life, practiced in his profession. He was one of the associate judges of this county, for six years, before he settled in Elyria. He was three times elected to the lower branch of the general assembly, and was an able and influential member. He served for three years as bank commissioner, and the same length of time as fund commissioner. While

130A - DR. EDWIN C. PERRY

The falsity of old proverbs or trite sayings are often shown in the history of men. " A prophet is not without honor except in his own country" is altogether wrong, as applied to Dr. Edwin C. Perry.

Abel R. Perry and Lucy Ackley moved into Ohio, from Ferrisburg, Vt., in 1833, settling at Ridgeville, Lorain Co., Ohio. Mr. A. R. Perry removed to Elyria in 1854. His family embraced six children, all of whom are dead except the fifth (whose genial face heads this article). He yet remains, with his wife, at Elyria, a respected citizen, and justly proud of the success of his remaining child.

Dr. E C. Perry was born at Ridgeville, as above, Jan. 20, 1840. The doctor owes much to the "New England energy" that made and moulded so much Lorain County character.

His mother, in the early life of her son, gave him the home teachings of Mrs. Adelia Ferris, who was more competent than the common-school teacher. This, however, was but limited, and not until the removal of his father did he get much educational privilege.

Under the teachings of Mr. Oatman, Mills, and others, at the Union School of Elyria, he distinguished himself as a scholar, graduating with honors. Soon looking the " problem of life" in the face, he determined to become a physician. Reading medicine in Elyria the proper time, he attended the full course of lectures at the Eclectic Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, Ohio. With high standing he graduated Feb. 6, 1861, at the early age of twenty-one.

Commencing at once the high function of a physician, in spite of any and every prejudice, so often existing in all communities against the "boy" who essays his mark, he was not long in gaining his reputation of a " careful healer,"—one whose mere kindly presence ever brings relief to the sufferer.

Dr. Perry was married May 30, 1871, to Eliza Holbrook, daughter of Dexter and Jerusha Pomeroy Holbrook, both of New Fane, Windham Co., Vt. Mrs. Perry's parents, at an early day, moved into Pittsfield, Lorain Co., Ohio, removing to Elyria, where they now reside.

Dr. Perry, with justifiable pride, remembers that his wife, on the mother's side, was a great-grandchild of General Pomeroy, who, at the battle of Bunker Hill, stepped into the place of General Warren as he was slain ; and on the father's side, great-grandchild of Mr. Holbrook, who was with General Ethan Allen at the surrender of Ticonderoga.

Not conforming always to the rule of his particular school, Dr. Perry is everywhere an eclectic in its broadest sense. Ever ready to consult with the disciples of other schools, he lives to learn from all that which shall enable him to become of greatest service to his fellow-man in his profession.

As a citizen, he is notably charitable. During the war of the Rebellion he procured a man to fill his place in the field. He is ever ready to lend a helping hand to all Elyria's improvements. He is the medical examiner of Council No. 57 of the Royal Arcanus of Elyria. Possessing a reputation unsullied by any act as a man, private or professional, he is a living example of one of Elyria's present self-made men.

130B - DR. CHARLES F. CUSHING.

The early annals of Scituate, Mass., show on their records frequently the name of Cushing. Francis Cushing was born at Scituate, and was a ship-builder. To him was given the honor of being one of the master-builders of the United States ship of war the " Old Constitution." Charles, his son, followed the calling of a farmer ; was born at Scituate, and married Miss Sally R. Thayer, whose ancestors were of the Turner family, a name so common to the antiquarian who studies the early history of New England. Charles and his wife, Sally R., were the parents of ten children, one of them, Dr. C. F. Cushing, being born in 1829.

His early life was that of the average New England boy ; work on the farm, the common school, and three months' study in the select school found him seventeen years of age. Then buying his time of his father for one hundred dollars, the next four years were spent in work as he found it, now on the farm and again as a school teacher. Funds thus earned repaid the debt to his father, and were used for better educational privileges at Lewiston Falls, Maine.

Now with the world before him, the vocation of teacher was pursued by him at the South for three years,—years of much pleasure and of mental profit to him.

The spring of 1854 gave to him a new home, and greater opportunities of self-improvement. With the exception of a short visit to the East, the following five years were passed in California. Varied was his experience there : now in the city, now at the diggings, now proprietor of a hotel in the mountains ; again, in connection with a friend, a tract of land is taken up, fenced, prepared, and planted with fruit- trees and the grape-vine. This contract was made between the friends : " He who first marries, to him shall this property belong." The friend gained the " ranche," Elyria won her courteous physician.

Mr. Cushing commenced the reading of medicine with Dr. Norman, of Suisun Valley, California. These readings were completed with Dr. John Wheeler, at Cleveland, Ohio. Entering the Western Homceopathie College, of the same city, he graduated with honor in the spring of 1861.

Soon after taking up his residence in Elyria he engaged in the practice of his profession ; his first two winters, however, being spent at Cleveland, where, at his Alma Mater, he was demonstrator of anatomy, virtually filling that chair,

Commencing at Elyria as an exponent of the Hahnemann idea of medicine,—an idea yet unpopular with the many,— slow but sure was his steady progress in his profession, and marked was the esteem he daily gained as a citizen. This esteem showed itself in this way. Requested in 1862 to form a company of " squirrel hunters," with alacrity did he respond. Many a young man of Elyria will ever remember his departure from Elyria ; the camp of weeks' duration upon Gen. W. H. Harrison's old homestead ; the thanks with which Governor Tod sent them home under Captain Cushing, who as captain, physician, and friend performed those various duties so well.

In 1866 he wedded Miss Mary L. Hayward, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Thus did the grandson of the builder of the " Old Constitution" become the husband of the granddaughter of Mr. Lyman Knowles, who, at the request of " Boston's solid men," built, at Amherst, Mass., the famous carriage for General Jackson from the historical timbers of said " Old Constitution." Of this marriage little Charlie alone remains to make the parents' home gladsome, two little sisters having passed away.

Now in the full vigor of manhood, with ever-increasing practice ; honored by the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad Company with the position of surgeon of said road, after the death of the late Dr. E. P. Haines, which position was filled by Dr. Cushing until general order abolishing such offrce ; with the most courteous relations existing between himself and brother physicians, no matter of how different schools ; with the respect of all, as citizen and physician, he lives one of Elyria's prominent men.

130C - FREDERICK S. REEFY

Frederick S. Reefy* was born in the village of Boezingen, at the foot of the Jura, in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, Sept. 1, 1833, and the following year emigrated with his parents to the United StateS, and located on a farm near Mount Eaton, Wayne Co., Ohio. Here he spent his early boyhood, the summers at work upon the fields, and the winters at school, where he received his rudimentary education in the English language, and was instructed to read and write the German by his parents. Being of a studious habit, he took at an early age the first rank in his classes, and in a few years mastered the branches taught in the district schools. In the fifteenth year of his age the family moved to Tuscarawas County, near Wilmot. Here four more years were spent on the farm and at school, when he began teaching in the winter, and during the summer pursued the higher branches of education. This course, alternating as a teacher and student, continued seven years; and having acquired his education mainly by his own

* The German spelling was Riffe.

efforts and means, he was thorough and practical, and became a successful educator.

In the spring of 1860, Mr. Reefy went West, and located at Roanoke, Ind., where he organized the Roanoke Educational Society, and by its aid founded Roanoke Seminary. In 1862 he married Miss Mary Shearer. He remained at the head of the seminary eight years, during which time it was one of the most popular schools in Northern Indiana. In addition to his educational labors at the seminary, he served part of this time as superintendent of the sub-district schools of Huntington County. On account of failing health, in 1868, he quit teaching for a time, and subsequently moved to Bluffton, Indiana, and organized the graded schools of that place, and remained in charge as superintendent until 1872, when he resigned, and with his family moved to Elyria, and became editor and proprietor of the Elyria amtitution.

As a political writer Mr. Reefy is conscientious, bold, and vigorous. He criticises severely and commends generously. In the descriptive, his pen delineates the picturesque and beautiful in nature with happy effect.

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 131

he was acting in the latter capacity, the legislature authorized a loan of three million dollars, at seven per cent interest, provided Ohio bonds could be sold at par. For some time, the bonds of the State had been worth but fifty cents on the dollar, in the New York market. Under these discouraging circumstances, Dr. Hubbard and the late Governor Brough (then auditor of State,) proceeded to New York and Boston, and in six weeks negotiated for the entire amount. On reaching the city, they issued a pamphlet, showing the wealth and resources of Ohio, and the additional fact that, she had never failed promptly to pay the interest on her bonds when due.

In 1851, Dr. Hubbard removed to Tottenville, Staten Island, where he continued in practice until the time of his death, in 1872, at the age of seventy-three years.

Dr. Hubbard was a man of much more than ordinary ability. He was not only well versed in his profession, but as a scientist, he enjoyed, to a considerable extent, a national reputation. He did not commence the study of the national sciences until he was forty years of age, and engaged in the practice of a laborious profession, and yet he became thoroughly familiar with the botany of this country, was well posted in geology and mineralogy, and as a conchologist had one of the finest collections of fresh water and marine shells in the country. His cabinet attracted visitors from a distance, and they were amply repaid for their trouble. He was genial and pleasant in the discharge of his professional duties, and his presence in the sick room was cheering, and added

much to his success in the treatment of his patients.

DR. NORTON S. TOWNSHEND is still living and in the midst of his usefulness. We do not feel competent to write a sketch of his life and do him justice. We shall briefly recapitulate the important positions he has held, without much comment. His father emigrated from England to this country when Norton an only child—was fourteen years of age, and settled in Avon, in this county, on the beautiful farm which the doctor still owns. What advantages for obtaining an education he enjoyed before coming to Ohio, we do not know; but, after the family settled in Avon, his labor was needed on the farm, so that he never found time to attend even the district schools of that day. Perhaps he did not need the aid of teachers as most persons do. His mind was capable of grasping and mastering any branch of study that lay in his way. We first heard of him as a well grown boy aiding in organizing a literary society and then a book club among the young people of his own age, and the influence for good, especially of the reading club, is felt in Avon to this day.

In 1837, he entered the office of Dr. B. L. Howard, in Elyria, as a student of medicine. He was then about twenty-one years of age. In the fall and winter of that year he attended a course of medical lectures in Cincinnati. He returned to Elyria in the spring, and continued his studies until the fall of 1839, and, after attending a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, graduated in the spring of 1840. He immediately sailed for Europe and spent the succeeding year and a half in attending the hospitals of Paris, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. At the close of this time he returned to Ohio, and, for a short time, practiced medicine in Avon.

In 1843, he was married to Miss Harriet Wood, an estimable lady, and moved to Elyria. Here, as everywhere, his influence was felt. He took a prominent part in organizing and carrying on the Elyria Natural History Society, and delivered more and better lectures before that society than any other person. Whenever a lecturer failed to appear, Dr. Townshend was called on to fill the place, and he was always ready to deliver a most interesting and instructive lecture. While in practice he performed a number of capital surgical operations, such as lithotomy, amputations of the thigh, shoulder, etc.

In 1848, Dr. Townshend was elected to the house of representatives of the State by the free soil party. It so happened that he and the Hon. John F. Morse, of Lake county, were the only free Boilers elected, and that they held the balance of power between the whig and democratic parties. They used this power to great advantage, and, with the aid of the democracy, secured the repeal of the odious "black laws," which had disgraced the statute book of Ohio for many years. They also secured the election of Salmon P. Chase to the United States senate—which was the beginning of his public life—as well as the appointment of several other anti-slavery men, to prominent positions in the State. The doctor was understood to be the controlling spirit in bringing about these results.

In 1850, Dr. Townshend was elected a member of the constitutional convention which formed our present excellent constitution, and occupied a prominent ,position in that body. In the fall of that year he was elected a member of the thirty-second congress. Berng a young man and an abolitionist, he was cut by the lordly slaveholders, who then had a controlling :influence in congress. Mr. Stanley, of North Carolina, condescended to attack him in a speech on the floor, to which the doctor replied; and it is said that after the reply the gentleman from North Carolina was known as "the late Mr. Stanley." At the end of hrs congressional term he was nominated for re-election, but the democracy had so gerrymandered his ;district that he was defeated.

In 1853, he was elected to the State senate. Dnring the session, he introduced a bill to establish an asylum for imbecile children and youth. It passed at the next session, and he was appointed a member of the board of trustees, which position he held, by reappointment, until 1878.

In 1858, while living on his farm, in Avon, he was elected a member of the State board of agriculture, and, by re-election, this office was held by him for

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eight years, he being twice elected president of the board.

In 1863 he was appointed, by President Lincoln, a medical inspector in the army, with the rank of colonel of cavalry, which position be held until the close of the war.

In 1867, he accepted a professorship in the Iowa agricultural college, which position he resigned at the end of two years.

In 1870, he labored earnestly and successfullyto secure the passage of a law to establish an agricultural and mechanical college for this State, and when the bill passed, he was appointed a trustee.

In 1873, when the college buildings were completed, and the institution ready to be opened, he accepted a professorship, and removed with his family to Columbus. He is still an honored and useful member of the faculty.

In the winter of 1854, his first wife died, leaving a son and daughter. He was subsequently married to Miss Margaret A. Baily, of Clarksburg, Virginia, who is a highly cultured and excellent lady, and makes the doctor's home very pleasant.

Few men in Ohio can show such an honorable record, and few have done more to promote the general welfare of the people. Dr. Townshend is yet in the prime of life, possesses a robust constitution, and has, we trust, many years of usefulness before him.

DR. EDWIN KELLEY came to Elyria in 1849, and soon secured a good practice. He was thoroughly educated in his profession, was gentle and courteous in his manners, warm in his friendships, and pure in his morals. He married a daughter of William M. Beebe, of Hudson, Ohio. Pulmonary consumption, that insatiable messenger of death, soon made him its victim. He spent a winter in Florida, without any permanent benefit, and, in a year or two, he passed away, greatly lamented in this community, where he had many friends.

DR. JAMIN STRONG was born in Parma, Monroe county, New York, November 27, 1825. From the age of five until twelve he attended school in his native village, most of the time. After his parents removed to Sheffield, in this county, in 1838, he attended the common schools, and was assisted in his studies, during the intervals, by his sister, who was a teacher. For one year previous to his entering upon the study of medicine, he studied Latin, botany and chemistry. He entered the office of Dr. Eber W. Hubbard, in Elyria, as a student, in the spring of 1846. After attending three courses of lectures at the medical department of the Western Reserve College, he graduated at that institution, in 1849. He immediately thereafter commenced practice in Elyria, and continued in successful business until 1870.

In 1866, he was appointed professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics in the medical department of the Wooster University, and resigned that position in the spring of 1870.

In the fall of 1869, he was elected to the house of representatives of the general assembly of Ohio, which office he resigned in June, 1870, at which time he was appointed special agent of the post office department, and resigned the same in September, 1875.

In November, 1875, he was appointed superintendent of the Cleveland Asylum for the Insane, which position he still holds.

It will be seen that Dr. Strong has filled many positions of honor and trust, and in every position he has done credit to himself, and greatly benefited the public. In his present difficult and responsible office, having the care of nearly six hundred unfortunates who are deprived of reason, he has united firmness with gentleness and kindness in a remarkable degree, and has manifested a high degree of administrative ability.

The present physicians of Elyria are: G. R. Sherwood, P. D. Reefy and J. V. Sampsel, of the regular profession.

P. W. Sampsell, E. C. Perry and G. H. Tyrrell, Eclectic.

C. F. Cushing and G. F. Peckham, Homeopathists.

SKETCHES OF FORMER RESIDENTS OF ELYRIA,

WHO HAVE ATTAINED DISTINCTION HERE OR ELSEWHERE.

In the year 1855, there were in the Elyria High School a class of boys who will be long remembered by our older citizens as the brightest and most intelligent of any who have passed through our union schools. Their names are: Charles C. Goodwin, Osceola Bliss, Henry Joy, Thomas J. Boynton and Charles C. Parsons. They organized a school lyceum, and their debates and other exercises attracted the attention and admiration of many of the best cultured minds in this community.

CHARLES C. GOODWIN, after doing good servioe as an officer in the Union army, during the war of the rebellion, went into business at its close, in Jackson, Mich., where he now resides.

OSCEOLA BLISS opened a drug and apothecary store also in Jackson, where he made many friends, and enjoyed the confi dence and regard of the entire community. He died young, leaving a wife and daughter, greatly lamented by his friends and acquaintances.

HENRY JOY is a distinguished minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and resides in the State of Michigan.

THOMAS J. BOYNTON was the son of John H. Boynton, Esq., and was born in Amherst, August 31, 1838. When twelve years of age, he removed with his father's family to Elyria, and was educated in our union schools. He studied law with the Hon. L. A. Sheldon, and was admitted to the bar when twenty years of age. He opened an office in St. Joseph, Missouri, and during the winter of 1858-59, was a correspondent of the Missouri Democrat. His letters attracted much attention on account of their ability and brilliancy. In March, 1861, he was appointed by President Lincoln marshal of the southern district of Florida. This office he filled with prudence and

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ability for two years, when in 1863, on the resignation of Judge Marvin, he was appointed United States judge for the above district. It is believed that "he was e youngest person ever appointed to that position in the history of this country." He discharged his duties with eminent satisfaction until 1869, when failing health compelled him to resign. He hoped that a change of climate would result in the restoration of his health. He spent most of his time, after his resignation, among the mountains in the western territories, but without receiving any benefit. His disease—which was a bony tumor pressing upon the brain—steadily progressed. He submitted to an operation for its removal, at the Bellevue Hospital, in New York. The operation was performed by the celebrated surgeon, Dr. Wood, and for ten days there seemed a fair prospect for his recovery; but at the ttd of that time, inflammation set in, which soon destroyed his life. His parents reached his bedside while he was able to recognize them, but was unable to speak. He died on the 2d of May, 1871, aged thirty-two years. His remains were brought to this village for interment.

This is a brief history of the brief life of an estimable young man, but how precious is his memory to his f amily and surviving friends. Few young men have left such a record. Perhaps none have done more honor to the town where he was raised and educated. The following are the closing paragraphs of an obituary notice published in the Missouri Democrat :

“Judge Boynton was a man of remarkable promise. He was unusually talented, and if health and the ability to use his faculties had been granted him, he would doubtless have achieved a wide reputation. He was an earnest and eloquent speaker and a peculiarty facile and vigorous writer. When but twenty-one years of age he was employed as a campaign speaker in New York, and the same year was appointed to welcome Governor Seward to St. Joseph, on the occasion of his visit to that city. He was for several years an able and always interesting correspondent of the Missouri Democrat. His early demise witl be deeply regretted by a very large circle of warm friends."

CHARLES CARROLL PARSONS was the son of Jonathan Trumbull and Mary C. Parsons, who removed from Bloomfield, Hartford county, Connecticut, to Elyria, in 1827, and settled on the farm now owned by Stephen Smith. Mr. Parsons died October 31, 1838, and the subject of this sketch, then a babe six months old, with his mother and a brother aged five years, became members of the family of his uncle, Dr. Griswold. His mother married the Rev. William Butlin, after three or four years, but Chary, as we loved to call him, remained most of the time in the family of his uncle, who considered him a foster son. He was educated in our public schools, and was distinguished as a bright, active boy, and an excellent scholar. In 1857 he was appointed by Judge Bliss (who was then in Congress) a cadet at West Point. He graduated in 1861, and was at once commissioned a first lieutenant and assigned to the Fourth regiment U. S. artillery. He served a few onths in the mountains of West Virginia, and then joined Gen. Buell's troops, who by a forced march reached the battle field of Shiloh at the close of the first day's battle, when the Union troops were defeated and greatly demoralized. Gen. Buell's troops crossed the river as soon as possible, the army was rallied and before morning took their position for the second day's battle. Lieut. Parsons commanded a battery of U. S. troops in that battle, which resulted in a victory for the Union army, and the next day a detail of officers was appointed to examine as to the execution of his battery, who reported a hundred and fifty dead rebels on the field killed by his guns. For distinguished bravery in this action he was promoted and made a captain. In the early summer he obtained a "leave of absence," returned north and was married to Miss Celia Lippett, of Brooklyn, New York. Returning to duty he reached Louisville, where he found communication with his battery cut off by the rebel General Bragg. General Terrel, then in command, made a detail of two hundred men from the raw troops of the infantry regiments, and ordered them to report to Capt. Parsons for duty. Out of this material he organized an eight gun battery. He commanded this battery at Perryville. Gen. Jackson, his division commander, and Gen. Terrel, who commanded a brigade, were killed almost at his side. His men, though raw, seem to have been brave, as forty of them were killed or wounded. The rest, with the regiment supporting the battery, retreated. His horses were nearly all killed and still Capt. Parsons stood by his gulls. It was emphatically a one man battery.

At this juncture a column of rebel troops advanced to take the battery, and the Captain with his face to the enemy, retreated backwards. A hundred guns were raised to shoot him, but the rebel officer, admiring his bravery, ordered them not to fire, and the two officers, giving each other the military salute, Capt. Parsons walked deliberately away. The next morning he re-took part of his battery. For distinguished bravery in this battle he was breveted major. His next battle was that of Stone River. Gen. Palmer (since Governor of Illinois) says of him: "During the whole day I regarded the battery under command of Capt. Parsons as my right arm. My orders to Parsons were simple: Fight where you can do the most good !' Never were orders better obeyed." For this battle he was breveted lieutenant-colonel of the regular army. Soon after this battle he went to New York to submit to a surgical operation and soon after was detailed as an instructor at the West Point Military Academy, where he remained until the close of the war, at which time he was ordered to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he served for two years, part of the time on the plains, when he was again ordered to to West Point as a teacher. While there he became acquainted with Bishop Quintard of the diocese of Tennessee, under whose guidance he began the study of theology. He resigned his position in the army and repaired to Memphis, where he took holy orders in 1870. He was for a time rector of St. Mary's in

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Memphis, but was soon called to St. Mary's in the Highlands, at Cold Spring, opposite to West Point. He served the church faithfully and acceptably for about two years, when he was called to the Church of the Holy Innocents, at Hoboken, N. J. He served here for three years, when the death of his beloved wife making a residence at that place painful to him, he returned to Memphis, and became canon of St. Mary's cathedral. Here he labored with the zeal and earnestness, which had characterized "his whole life, until that fatal scourge (yellow fever) which made Memphis a charnel house, took possession of that doomed city. At the commencement of the disease, and before it became epidemic, he sent his wife and two children (he had re-married in Memphis) to friends in the country, but he remained faithful at the post of duty, laboring night and day in comforting the siek and administering the consolations of religion to the dying. We quote from an article published in the Chicago Tribune, written by a former comrade:

" A man of polished intellect, of beautiful soul, the possessor of every grace, Parsons seemed to have been created for the sweet offices of charity and friendship. From the outbreak of the plague until he became one of its victims he had been constantly busied, (as he wrote me a few days ago) " in caring for the dead, the dying and forsaken." He has been winning the useful victories of peace; he has stood by his guns, but alas, the invisible enemy, less generous than the visible, has not held his tire."

Another writer, in the Madison (Wis.) Democrat, says:

" He looked death calmly in the face, and when his turn came, died as a true soldier of Christ, at his post of duty. Let no one sorrow over such a death. 1t rounds out in full perfection the record of a hero's courage and a martyr's steadfastness."

The Memphis Avalanche says of him:

" He died to save those against whom he fought."

He died September 6, 1878, leaving a disconsolate widow, and a son and daughter, the eldest but four years of age.

COL. FRANK H. MANTER was the son of the late Dr. Nathan H. Manter, and was born in Elyria, December 31, 1824. He spent his boyhood here, and, at a suitable age, entered the Western Reserve College, at Hudson, where he remained two years. He then, at the age of twenty, took charge of an academy at or near Natchez, Miss., for about two years, when he removed to St. Louis, Mo. He soon obtained the position of clerk of one of the courts, and, while discharging the duties of that office, studied law and was admitted to the bar. On retiring from office, he opened a law office and soon obtained a leading practice. He was for a time president of the city council, in which position "he diligently and intelligently served his constituents." We quote from the proceedings of a meeting of the " St. Louis bar" convened immediately after his death:

" When the clouds which have since burst in storm over our land, began to gather and give sign of the approaching tempest, he was prompt among the foremost to promote the organisation of those bodies to which the successful resistance of St. Louis to the efforts of secession in the spring of 1861, was mainly due."

We cannot better detail the subsequent career of Col. Manter than by quoting the general order of Major General Steele, issued at the time of his death:

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,

LITTLE ROCK, June 13, 1864.

General Orders No. 39.

With feelings of sorrow and regret the general commanding announces to the troops of this department the untimely death of Col F. H. Manter, chief of staff. He died at two o'clock this morning from an injury received by the falling of his horse. He survived the fatat accident but a few hours, and breathed his last surrounded by his military friends and companions. Col. Neutersis military career, which commenced at the commencement of this rebeltion, reflects great credit upon his character as an officer. He was energetic in raising troops to stay the rebeltion in Missouri immediately after the Camp Jackson affair, and first distinguished himself on the battle-field at Wilson's Creek, as first lieutenant in the First Missouri infantry, having previously participated in the skirmish at Boonesville. After the battle of Witson's Creek, his regiment was transferred to the artillery service, and he was promoted to the command of Battery A, which served in Gen. Steele's division during the first campaign into Arkansas, and acquired a reputation for discipline and efficiency, which no volunteer battery in the west had at that time acquired. 1n the summer of 1862 he was promoted to the command of the Thirty-second Missouri infantry, and commanded his regiment in the assault on Chickasaw Bayou, and at Arkansas Post in Blair's brigade, Steele's division. He commanded one of Steele's brigades during Grant's memorable campaign into Mississippi, which cutminated in the surrender of Vicksburg. 1n consequence of the arrival of a senior officer at Vicksburg, who was entitled to the command of the brigade, Col. Kanter was assigned to duty on the staff of Major General Steele, then in command of the Fifteenth Army Corps, and served in that capacity during Sherman's siege of Jackson, and the pursuit of the rebel, Joe Johnson, beyond Brandon, and in the capacity of chief of staff he accompanied Gen. Steele on the Arkansas expedition, which resulted in the capture of Little Rock and the occupation of the line of the Arkansas. He accompanied the command in the recent operations south of the Arkansas, and had just returned from an important mission, when his career of honor and usefulness was suddenly terminated by a fatal accident. Those who knew him most intimately can but appreciate the great toss which the government as well as themselves have sustained. He was brave, patriotic, able, independent in thought and action, a true soldier and an honest friend.

By order of Major General F. Steele.

W. D. Gases, Assistant Adjutant General.

Col. Manter was married September 1, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth M. Redington, daughter of the late Ransom Redington. She died July 26, 1856, leaving an infant son, who is living and grown to maturity. So tenderly did Col. Manter cherish the memory of his beloved wife that he never again entered the marriage relation. Their remains sleep side by side in our Elyria cemetery.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CHARLES A. ELY

Not long before the division amongst three brothers of a large estate, the youngest brother wrote as follows : " Some men are born to business, others achieve business, and some have business thrust upon them. Of this last class am I, though I shall remain off duty as long as Heaven sends excuses ; and perhaps when Heaven withholds, I may make some excuse for myself. Yet one thing is certain, when action commences, even though I may be compelled to employ one hand to keep both ends together, the other shall always be free to grasp the beautiful, to seize the true, or to return my native town what I owe to a sense of duty."

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Grandly did Charles Arthur Ely perfect the above statement in after life. Youngest son of Judge Heman Ely, (whose early life, and whose connection with the early history of Elyria are already set forth in this volume,) and Harriet M. Salter Ely, he was born at Elyria, Ohio, May 2d, 1829. Of. Puritan stock was C. A. Ely, on the mother's side. William Salter, born in England in 1633, emigrated to Boston, Mass. He and his wife were members of the first church established in Boston, which "Atood on State street. As this church grew strong, from it went out Mr. Salter and others, who founded the famous “Old South Church." Of such descent was Mrs. Harriet M. Ely, in direct line. Of New England culture, Mrs. Ely trained her son in that culture, which means so much. Brought up in habits of strict economy, never did that son in future life lose the distinction between the use and abuse of wealth to which he was born.

C. A. Ely's early years were spent in Elyria. After usual primary education, he commenced the necessary training for College, under the Rev. John Monteith, Rev. John P. Cowles and others, who were teachers in the "old high school house," or in select schools. During the year 1846 severe disease of the eyes compelled cessation from study. His characteristic energy allowed no idea of idleness. Various were his employments for the following two years. At the bench of Caleb Goodwill (cabinet maker,) he improved the mechanical skill with which nature had gifted him. At the woolen manufactory of Herrick Parker he soon became expert at the loom. Thus did he work until the fall of 1847, when he went to Cleveland, Ohio, as a clerk for Clark & Morgan, dry goods men. Returning to Elyria, he engaged in study under the Rev. C. D. B. Mills.

March 1st, 1849, " The Elyria Academical Instituion " gave its annual exhibition.” No. 18 on the programme was a colloquy—C. A. Ely author. This ended any study so far as Elyria was concerned. In the summer of 1849 Boston was visited for treatment of ever troublesome eyes. Entering the Scientific School at Cambridge, Mass., the time was passed until 1851. During this year a few months’ residence in Cincinnati, Ohio, gave to him a full course in book-keeping. In the latter part of the same year he went to New Grenada, South America, his general residence being at Carthagena. Returning thence April 3d, 1852, after a short stay in Elyria he again visited Cambridge, where most of his time was spent until the fall of 1853. In February, 1854, on the division of his father's estate, he commenced the duties of life. His own words can best express his idea of such duties. " No one has more laborious position to fill than the man who finds himself at maturity the possessor of wealth, with an earnest desire so to use it that he may in the largest sense benefit himself and others." With this laudable desire, active work commenced in the improvement of his property.

On June 19, 1854, taking Miss Louise C. Foot, daughter of the Hon. John A. Foot, of Cleveland, 0., as partner in the joys or sorrows of his future—leaving his native land June 24, 1854, the next five months were spent in travel over Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and France. In these travels, a mind, already highly cultivated, gained deeper insight, greater breadth. To his artistic eye, the beautiful, as he met it in the old countries, always appealed. The old and ancient, however, to him, was only an adjunct to the now. Everything was made subservient to the one idea: " What may I here learn of farming, of science, of art, that I may make useful to my fellow men." .

Again at home, in December, 1854, he received an injury, which, though long after, caused his death. The spring of 1855 found him engaged in the work that lay very near his heart, viz: the preparation of his farm; the building a large stock farm; the perfecting arrangements he had made for the introduction of a fine herd of Devon cattle into Lorain county. December, 1855, brought to him the first attack of disease which in the end proved fatal. With indomitable will he struggled bravely against it until waning health demanded rest and recreation. August, 1856, saw his pleasant household broken up. Some months were spent in travel. The winter of 1856 and 1857 was passed at Brattleboro, Vt. The summer and fall of the same year Elyria welcomed him as resident, with the exception of a short trip to the upper lakes.

For increasing ill health physicians advised a sea voyage. Thus advised, Mr. Ely and wife sailed from New York, February 10, 1858, for China. A pleasant voyage landed them on its shores. Visiting many of its leading cities, he entered Canton just after its reduction by the combined English and French forces; various the experience, much was learned.

Departing from Hong Kong in June, 1858, August 6th following gave to them a new home at San Francisco, Cal. Mr. Ely spent nearly two years in California—years of great mental profit and physical pleasure, even though marred by the ever haunting presence of fatal disease. Here his favorite study had full scope in the great agricultural resources of that young State. The result of such studies was given to others in a series of articles written for and published in the Alta Californian.

Leaving California July, 1860, stopping at Valparai o, Lima and other South American cities, October, 1860, he cheered Elyria again with his presence. Now full of happiness at the universal love and respect showered upon him by his fellow citizens, with hopeful heart he again essayed the completion of former notions, laying the foundations of the beautiful residence (since so fully finished by his widow). None envied him; all loved him, and wished for him every good. Not such his fate: fell disease made rapid inroad. Unable to carry.into completion his wishes for Elyria, Elyria's benefactor died September 30, 1864, leaving not only the dear wife and only son, but all who had ever known him, to mourn his loss.

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" Wealth and social position do not always make the man, but the two combined give their owner wonderful opportunity for use or abuse." Thus wrote C. A. Ely, in 1852. It is a great pleasure for a friend to try, in some feeble way, to show how Mr. Ely, with his advantages, so used them, as to become a man. Of fine, even commanding appearance, he was, under all circumstances, the well bred man—gentleman. Knowing no distinction of class or race, he who respected himself, ever had C. A. Ely's respect. No one, however humble his place in life, can say, did he look upon me with haughty eye. He endeared himself to those in his employ, by courteous treatment and unvarying kindness. The early teachings of a devotedly pious mother only enhanced his innate religious idea.

Whilst in Boston, attending and learning from the teachings of clergymen of different views, he writes as follows: "A church, whose religion shall be a pure and active humanity, is what I need. If men can only be waked up and set in motion, I care not how eccentric their orbit; whether one run off into spiritualism, another into materialism, and still another into blind creed worship, the revolution is what man needs, and then following a natural law, the orbit will eventually become the perfect circle of truth."

With such thoughts for years, he writes, May 4, 1860, to his wife, from San Francisco, saying: " My name has been propounded and voted upon for membership in a church. I may see my duty in a light a little different from those I join, still I can labor with them, and be sustained bye them, just as the violet ray comes from the same sun, and through the same atmosphere as the yellow, or red ray, yet it has a different end in the overruling providence of heaven. I shall become a member of a Congregational church, where I find professions of feelings that are expressed by deeds, prayers that live themselves out in active charities."

Nature endowed Mr. Ely with an intense love of the beautiful. This love did he express on the musical instrument, by his pencil and brush, and by the adornment of his home by works of art, saying: " These I may not live to enjoy, but surely they will make others happy."

As a scholar, he was wonderful in this. Ever troubled with weak eyes, it was with uncomplaining pain he studied. Devoting much attention to science, he was elected secretary of the Cambridge scientific association at Harvard University. A member of the American scientific association, its annual meetings were attended as health allowed. A personal friend and student of Prof. Agassiz, and his colleagues, pleasant were his relations with them. Writing from Cambridge, in 1849, he says: "Will it not be curious if, in the progress of science, that an electric light be brought into common use. We may soon hear the student talk of removing the oxidized carbon from the positive and negative poles of his electro-magnetic illuminator, instead of trimming the 'midnight oil.' "

His studies in science he made of great service to others, while in California, where he delivered a course of scientific lectures at Oakland, to the students of California college. At an earlier day, he had been prominent at home (for one so young), in building up the Natural History Society, of Elyria, and also under the tutelage of Dr. E. W. Hubbard, of making one of the finest collections of Ohio shells, in the State. As a citizen, in its every sense, words will fail to do him justice.

Commencing farming operations, but forced to leave in search of health, he writes from the distant water cure: "Let my plans be carried out as far as practicable. I shall soon return. Keep the men at work, even if they dig up trees on my wood lands and plant them on the streets of Elyria." Returning to Elyria he interested himself greatly in the Lorain county agricultural society. Developing his farm he became a prominent breeder of Devon cattle, and at one time had no equal in the United States. His herd at the Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, and other State fairs, outstripping all competitors ; and finally, at the United States fair, at Louisville, Ky., taking the highest premiums.

In 1856, as a member of the school board, he worked long and hard, in securing the present site and erection of the union school building. Again, in

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1856, he used every exertion in his power to commence a public ibrary. His action proving of no avail, through the indifference of others who might have helped him, to him, then, it became almost a sacred duty to found such library. How grandly this duty was performed, let the " Elyria Library," jesting monument of the great heart of C. A. Ely, bear witness. Its past history and its present condition are already fully described in this volume. What pen, and who so wise to use it aright, as to write the future benefits that must follow this noble gift.

After the burning of the Willoughby Female Semitary, efforts were made to start a similar seminary gt Elyria. To this enterprise Mr. Ely gave untiring work. Giving the land so beautiful, (upon which he sfterwards built his residence,) subscribing not only money but material ; laboring with others he succeeded in obtaining all that was asked of Elyria, and although failing in his endeavor, he had the satisfaction of feeling that all that he could do was done.

As the rebellion broke out in 1861, thronged was the court house at Elyria just after the first call for troops. What should Elyria do ? Much was the Milt, various the plans suggested, whereby to raise men and money. Speech followed speech. It was left for C. A. Ely, trembling with excitement, with flashing eye to warn the assembled audience that the impending struggle was to be no ephemeral affair, as others had stated ; that the situation meant men and money—money to support the families of those who answered their country's call. Mourning his feeble health that prevented actual service, he moved the appointment of a committee to raise funds for the desired purposes. His princely subscription of $1,000 had its due effect, and many a man left that room a better man, in that he had followed, so far as he could, Mr. Ely's example.

Such are some of the salient features in the public life of this good man. Of his innumerable private kindnesses, his tender abnegation of self amongst personal friends, it were almost sacrilege to write.

Charles Arthur Ely fighting all the time against fearful odds, viz : depressing ill health ; knowing the short tenure of his life—was remarkable for his patience. The writer can recall no short look, cross word, or complaint, only as it proceeded from the sadness of that so grand heart, that ever looking at death as near neighbor, yet wished so much to live for the good of his fellow man. Dying in the prime of life, his memory is so thoroughly embalmed in the hearts of his fellow townsmen, that fathers and mothers will make his life and actions an example for their children, and as those children's children visit the Elyria library, his memory will ever become more dear.

In a sermon preached at Elyria, Feb. 8th, 1852, by the Rev. D. A. Grosvenor, on the death of Hon. Heman Ely, he said as follows : "I asked Judge Ely shortly before death, "How would you wish to amend your life were you to live it over ?" He answered, " Were I to live my life over again, I would do more in this particular : I would do more for the community and the world." Deep must these words have sunk into Charles Arthur Ely's soul, for he lived for others.

HON. PHILEMON BLISS.

The subject of this sketch illustrates, in a forcible manner, what can be accomplished by a person possessing a well balanced and well cultivated mind, with increasing industry and application. For many years his life seemed to hang by a single thread, and when he went to Florida, in the fall of 1834, in the hope that its mild climate might prolong his life, his friends hardy dared hope that he would return alive.

He was born in Canton, Hartford county, Connecticut, July 28, 1813. In the summer of 1821, he removed, with his parents, (Asahel and Lydia Bliss), to the west part of Whitestown, Oneida county, New York, where, as a boy, he worked on a farm. From fifteen to nineteen years of age, he was away at school, most of the time; principally at the Oneida institute, at Whitesboro, New York, and at Hamilton college. The want of means prevented him from graduating at the latter institution. Much of the time while at school, he worked for his board, or boarded himself in his room. In 1833, after leaving college, he entered the law office of Theodore Sill, (formerly Gold & Sill), of Whitesboro, where he studied the law until the fall of 1834, when, in consequence of bronchial troubles, which were becoming chronic, he went to Florida. At this time he was much emaciated, and his cough was constant and extremely harassing.

He remained in Florida one year, without material benefit to his health, when he again returned to

the north, and soon after came to Elyria, where an older brother, the Hon. A. A. Bliss, was engaged in the practice of the law. After reaching Elyria, he was disposed to give up the study of the law, on account of his health, but on its improvement, he completed his studies, and entered upon the practice in 1841.

In the winter of 1848-9, he was elected by the general assembly of Ohio presiding judge of the fourteenth judicial district, which embraced the counties of Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga, which responsible position he filled, to the satisfaction of the bar and the public, until the judicial offices were vacated by the adoption of the new constitution in 1851. The judges held their positions until the end of the year.

In the fall of 1854, he was elected a member of the thirty-fourth congress, and re-elected in 1856 to the thirty-fifth. He was a quiet, though an industrious, member of congress, and gained the respect and confidence of his fellow members, south as well as north. He made several carefully prepared arguments upon the legal aspects of slavery, in its relations to the

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federal government, which Mr. Sumner and other leading anti-slavery members pronounced the best upon the subject made in the house.

In 1861, he was appointed, by Mr. Lincoln, chief justice of Dakota Territory, but, after organizing the courts, and putting them in successful operation, resigned in 1864, before the expiration of his term, and went down the river to St. Joseph, Missouri, and united with the republicans in making Missouri a free State, as that State was not inchilled in the president's proclamation, and it was feared that it would continue to sustain slavery. He was employed to edit the St. Joseph Daily Union, and had been down from Dakota before moving to St. Joseph, and for some months had written for the Daily Tribune, both of which were republican papers, and efficient in sustaining the republican policy of the State and national administrations.

In the fall of 1868, he was elected judge of the supreme court of Missouri, and served in that capacity his term of four years.

In 1872, he was elected professor of law in the Missouri State university, and dean of the law faculty, and opened the law department, which position he now holds. He has published one or more law books, which are considered standard authority.

Such a record as the foregoing needs no comment. We may add that, his oldest son, William, has been, for several years, United States district attorney for the eastern district of the state of Missouri, appointed by President Grant, and has filled that difficult position to the satisfaction of the government and people. We are proud of this Elyria boy. Some of his opinions are said to be among the ablest in the Missouri reports.

DR. LUTHER DWIGHT GRISWOLD

was born February 7, 1809, in Bloomfield, Hartfoid county, Conn. His father, Elijah Griswold, was a soldier of the revolution, having entered the patriot army when but sixteen years of age. His mother, Lydia Adams Griswold, was a native of Massachusetts. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of a family of eleven children, of whom five were boys and six girls. All save one grew to maturity and became heads of families. But three of the number are now living.

His father was a farmer and horticulturist. He spent a long life in collecting and cultivating the choicest varieties of fruits of that day, and probably had at one time the best collection in the State. The doctor was raised on the farm and acquired a taste for fruit growing and the cultivation of flowers, which he has retained through life, but circumstances have prevented its gratification to any great extent. His educational advantages were very limited. He attended the common district school summer and winter until he was ten years of age, and in the winter season until he was fifteen. At the age of sixteen he passed an examination, and though poorly qualified, taught a country school through the winter. He had a number of scholars from eighteen to twenty years of age, but had no difficulty in governing the school. At seventeen he determined to obtain better qualifications as a teacher, and attended a school of a higher grade. From that time until twenty-one years of age he taught every winter. While filling the position of a teacher he was an earnest student, and most of the limited education he obtained was acquired by the fireside and by the light of a tallow-candle. He worked on the farm summers until twenty-one years of age, at which time, with twenty dollars in his pocket, he started for the west. He stopped at Ludlowville, Tompkins county, N. Y., to visit a brother, where he remained and taught school for one year. In September, 1831, he came to Elyria to visit two sisters who were at that time residing in that township. During the winters of 1831-2, and 1832-3, he taught school in the yellow school-house, it being the only school in the place. In the spring of 1832 he commenced the study of medicine with the late Doctor Samuel Strong, who was then residing in North Amherst. He completed his preliminary studies under the tuition of the late Dr. Asa B. Brown. In the fall and winter of 1834-5, he attended a course of lectures at the Berkshire Medical College, located at Pittsfield, Mass., and at the close of the term received a license from the Massachusetts Medical Society. He was married on the 25th of March, 1835, to Miss Jerusha H. Smith, a former resident of Elyria. She died at Dayton, Ohio, on the 11th of March, 1875. For almost forty years she was to him a true and faithful wife and a wise and prudent counsellor. Though a great sufferer from ill health during nearly the whole period of her married life, by her energy and force of character, she discharged the duties of a wife and foster-mother with such prudence and sound judgement as to win the love and confidence of her household and of her numerous friends and acquaintances. The memory of such a wife and mother is blessed. In the spring of 1835, he returned to Elyria and entered into partnershipe with the late Dr. R. L. Howard. Business being very dull through the summer, the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent in the fall and Dr. Griswold removed to Grafton, where he continued in practice for one year. In the fall of 1836 he was elected auditor of Lorain county, and returned to Elyria. At the close of his official term, in 1838 he entered into partnership with the late Dr. Luman Tenney, and removed to Amherst where he remained two years In 1840 he returned to Elyria. Ile continued in practice most of the time in connection with the late Dr. Eber W. Hubbard (with the exception of two years which he spent in Cleveland,) until the summer of 1862, when he entered the military service as surgeon of the one hundred and third regiment of Ohio volunteers. In 1844 the Cleveland Medical College conferred on him the honorary degree of M.D. In 1856 he was appointed by Governor

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 139

Salmon P. Chase, a trustee of the Northern Ohio Lunatic Asylum. In 1860 he was re-appointed to the same office by Governor Dennison. He held that on position for the period of ten years, and became deeply interested in that as well as the other benevolent positions of the State. He was one of the active interested in the organization of the Elyria Natural History Society, as well as one of the volunteer lecturers before that institution.

In reference to his military services, the doctor, while his regiment was stationed at Frankfort, took possession of a comfortable dwelling house and converted into a regimental hospital, which was complimented by the medical inspector as a model institution. While here an event occurred which may be worth relating. It was during the era of slavery, and the troops were ordered to drive all negroes from their camps, which order was not very rigidly enforced. A poor fellow named Ben, who had joined the regiment some forty miles in the rear, was brought to the hospital by the chaplain, with the request that he should be taken care of. So the doctor set him at work. Some two weeks afterwards Ben came trembling into the office saying his master was after him. The surgeon placed a revolver in his breast pocket, with the handle projecting, so as to be prepared for any emergency. Soon the owner came in, accompanied by two city marshals and a Catholic priest, and sid very blandly:

" You have my boy here, and I have come after him."

"Your boy," said the doctor ; "you may be some of the negro thieves that are following the army, and arresting colored men in order to get the reward offered. I don't know you, sir. You must do two things before you can have him. First, you must prove your loyalty; and second, you must prove before the court your title to him, and if you, or either of you, lay a hand on him before you comply with these terms, I will shoot you."

After conferring together for a few minutes, the owner, the priest and one of the marshals retired, and in about two hours returned with two writs, one commanding the doctor to appear before the court, and, on the owner's giving bond in the sum of sixteen hundred dollars, to appear before the court at its next term, and prove his title to Ben, he was to be given up. The other writ was for the doctor to appear at the same term, and prove his title to the slave. By this time, a mob of about one thousand people had gathered in front of the hospital, and a company with the regimental band had paraded, also, in front, for the purpose of escorting the doctor to the court house. He sent them back to camp, mounted his horse, with Ben at his side, surrounded by a howling mob, and reported in court.

The officials were exceedingly polite, and presented a bond for his approval, which probably represented half a million of dollars, and Ben was handed over to his master. Had not the doctor been backed by a 'regiment of bayonets, he would, doubtless, have been torn to pieces by the mob.

The doctor placed his own law suit in the hands of John M. Harlan—a brother of Justice Harlan, of the supreme court—who took him before a notary, and he subscribed an oath that he was in the military service of the United States, which put the case off till the close of the war. In about a month, the doctor received a letter from Ben's master, proposing that, if he would pay the costs, he would withdraw the suit. The surgeon replied that, if the court at Cleveland decided, after the war, that he should pay the costs, he would do so. In about a year, while in East Tennessee, he received a letter from Mr. Harlan, stating that the case had been dismissed at the plaintiff's cost.

So ended his Kentucky law suit.

In August, 1863, the regiment, (with the twenty- third army corps,) crossed the Cumberland mountains into East Tennessee, the rebel army retiring before them.

Early in November, the Union army was all concentrated at Knoxville, indulging the vain hope that they were going into winter quarters. Before the cabins for quarters were completed, General Longstreet appeared before the city, with ten thousand troops, and the seige of Knoxville commenced. The skirmishers, on both sides, were under fire, -day and night, for twenty-two days. Several battles occurred during the time.

The battle of Armstrong's Hill was fought on the the 27th of November, in which the one hundred and third bore a conspicuous part. The rebel assault was repulsed, with great loss to them. The one hundred and third lost, in that engagement, two killed and thirty-two wounded, many of whom died of their wounds. Surgeon Griswold made temporary dressings of their wounds, as they were brought in, treating union and rebel soldiers alike, and sent them in ambulances to a new hospital in the city. He visited the hospital the next day, and found the wounded lying on the floor, in their bloody clothing, without even blankets to cover them. He proposed at once to take charge of his own men, and soon after was appointed surgeon in charge of the hospital. He soon procured, through the quartermaster, a supply of wooden bunks, and the union ladies of Knoxville, (of whom Mrs. Smoyer—a daughter of Parson Brownlow and now the wife of Dr. Boynton, late of this place— was a leading spirit,) a quantity of bed-ticks. He also secured a load of straw and blankets, and the poor wounded soldiers soon had comfortable beds. He was also appointed surgeon in charge of hospital No. 4, which contained five hundred patients, and, for a time, had charge of two hospitals, containing, in the aggregate, eight hundred sick and wounded soldiers.

The men suffered greatly for want of proper nourishment, during the siege, but after the seige was raised, and railroad communication opened, by aid of the government and the christian and sanitary corn-

140 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

missions, they were supplied with everything necessary for their comfort.

On the first of May, the twenty-third army corps started on the Atlanta campaign. The one hundred and third regiment fought its first great battle on the 12th of May, at Resaca, Georgia. It went into the fight three hundred strong, and came out with a loss of twelve killed and eighty-two wounded.

Surgeon Griswold was ordered to the rear, at the beginning of the fight, to establish a field hospital for the third division. As fast as hospital tents could be put up, they were filled with wounded, and in about three hours the hospital contained three hundred and sixty-two wounded men. The hospital of the second division, near by, contained about the same number. The doctor being at the time chief operator for the division, was engaged for thirty-six hours, with a corps of assistants, in performing the necessary operations and in dressing the wounds. He performed a number of capital operations, including three amputations of the thigh and two of the shoulder. As soon as possible, the field hospital was broken up, and the patients sent to Chattanooga, as the army had moved on in pursuit of Joe Johnson, the rebel general. He was then placed in charge of the corps hospital, which in about two weeks was also broken up, and the patients sent to the rear. He soon joined thp main army, which was about forty miles in advance. As a line of skirmishers was kept constantly in advance, who were day and night exchanging shots with the rebel skirmishers, wounded men were brought to the rear for treatment every day, and the surgeons were not idle. During this campaign, Dr. Griswold slept on the muddy ground, under a dog kennel tent, almost every night. It rained twenty-two days in succession, and his blanket and clothing were never dry during that time.

At length, after crossing the Chattahoochee river, having arrived within eight miles of Atlanta, the objective point of the campaign, Dr. Griswold found himself so reduced in strength by the diseases and fatigues of the camp and field, that he very reluctantly resigned his position in the army and returned home. After regaining his health, he again entered upon the practice of his profession.

In 1865, he was elected to the Ohio senate, and was re-elected in 1867. During his four years' service as senator, he was faithful in the discharge of his duties, being always in his seat, and gave general satisfaction to his oonstituents. He was principally instrumental in securing the passage of a law for the establishment of the Reform and Industrial School for Girls. Et. had felt for years that the interests of the people of the State demanded a home for incorrigible and vicious young girls, where they could be reformed, educated and fitted for lives of usefulness. In order to carry these views into effect, during the session of 1868, he offered a resolution for the creation of such an histitution, and for the appointment of a committee to fix upon a location, and to report at the adjourned session. The resolution was agreed to, and the doctor was appointed a member of the committee. The work of the committee was thrown principally upon him, and during the summer recess he corresponded extensively with the authorities of kindred institutions in this country and England. Soon after the general assembly re-assembled, he presented a report which attracted considerable attentian, and a large number of extra copies were ordered to be printed. The bill accompanying the report became a law, and thus was established one of the most beneficent institutions of the State.

After the close of the war of the rebellion, Dr. Griswold, with many other members of the grand army of the republic, felt a deep interest in the welfare of the orphans of our dead soldiers, many of whom were homeless and inmates of county infirmaries. At a meeting of the grand army at Sandusky, in the spring of 1869, measures were instituted for the establishment of a home for soldiers' orphans, where they could be provided for and educated. The Rev. Geo. W. Collier was appointed a general agent of the society, who traveled extensively through the State, addressed public meetings, and collected considerable money for the establishment of such a home. In December following, the home was opened in the city of Xenia, and sustained for several months by contributions of the grand army of the republic. In the spring of 1870, it was adopted by the general assembly as a State institution, and Dr. Griswold was appointed its first superintendent. The people of Xenia and the county of Greene has donated to the grand army one hundred acres of excellent land, located within half a mile of the city, composed of clear land for cultivation, and an open forest, and commanding a fine view of the city. They had also agreed to put up buildings for the accommodation of two hundred and fifty children. The grand army had erected two brick cottages, and got out timber for a large barn. Xenia put up the frame, and in a very rough manner converted it into school rooms and a home for the children. This was the condition of things when the doctor took charge of the home. The grand army had previously turned the entire property over to the State. The grounds required to be cleared up; tree tops, brush, chips and stumps were gathered and piled in large heaps by the children. The burning of these piles at night afforded them great delight. The doctor remained in charge of the home a little more than four years, when he was superceded from political considerations only.

During his administration, the number of children increased from one hundred and fifty to six hundred. A large central building was erected, with an extension to the rear of one hundred and thirty feet. The basement of this contained a kitchen and bakery; the second story a dining room, one hundred and thirty feet in length. The third story was used for a storeroom, sewing rooms and sleeping rooms for the employes. Twenty brick cottages were erected, each

L. D. Griswold

140A - R. E. BRAMAN.

In 1822, from Genesee Co., N. Y., came to Avon, Lorain Co., Ohio, the parents of Anson Braman, who was born in said county in 1811. In the year 1832, A. Braman removed from Avon to Carlisle, where he followed the vocation of farmer and nurseryman. In 1855 he removed to Elyria, Lorain Co., Ohio, where he started the nurseries now owned by J. C. Hill.

Remaining in Elyria until 1872, he went to Northport, Mich., where he now resides with the faithful wife who shared the struggles of his early Carlisle life. She—of maiden name Miss Emeline Vincent—was born at Mount Washington, Berkshire Co. Mass., Oct. 10, 1818 ; com- mencing the duties of a wife at Carlisle in 1835. Their oldest child, William A., was born at Carlisle, Oct. 4, 1836. twenty-one years were spent on the home farm. When desirous of better education, he worked by the month on other farms. Teaching school during the winter gave to him the necessary funds with which to gratify his desires. Thus passed seven years.

In 1864 he commenced the business of live-stock dealing. This he followed until 1870, J. E. Boynton and J. C. Hill being partners.

The following three years found him in partnership with J. E. Boynton, engaged in the purchase and sale of cheese. During the spring of 1874 the firm of Braman, Horr & Warner was founded, for the manufacture and general dealing in cheese and butter, with which firm he still remains connected.

This firm has become one of the largest in Northern Ohio, its business averaging during the last four years two hundred thousand dollars per year. Whilst buying to a certain extent of others, the great bulk of the butter and cheese handled by them has been and is of their own manufacture through their control of the many factories of Northern Lorain County and adjacent territory, controlling the past year the products of over four hundred dairy- men, and four thousand cows.

Mr. Braman was married, April 18, 1865, to Miss Sophia E. Patterson, daughter of Hiram Patterson, then of Eaton, Lorain Co., Ohio. Two sons and one daughter make cheer, ful his pleasant home at Elyria, to which place he came, as a permanent resident, from Carlisle in 1869.

Mr. Braman is distinguished for his untiring energy and clear perceptions. These qualifications have made him a leading business man of Lorain County, and one eminently fitted for official position. Various are the places of trust he has filled : township trustee for four years ; president of the Lorain County Agricultural Society six years, a full record of which is given in the history of said society in this history ; commissioner of Lorain County. All were filled with such fidelity that the reputation thus formed makes him one of the present members of the Union School Board, a place held by him since 1873. He was one of the directors of the Savings Deposit Bank of Elyria from its foundation. This faithfulness to trusts imposed also gave to him the treasurership of Lorain Co., Ohio, in 1876, and again in 1878 by acclamation, no competitor even appearing in the conventions that honored him so highly.

Mr. Braman, in the prime of life, with every surrounding pleasant, both private and public, may well take pride for the high rank he takes among Lorain County's " leading men."

R. E. BRAMAN was born at Carlisle, Lorain Co., Ohio, Oct. 20, 1838. Until the age of twenty-three his life was spent on the father's farm. Hard work filled up his time, with the exception of the educational advantages of the common school.

A brief notice of the parents of Ranson E. Braman is given in the biography of his brother, William A.

Aug. 9, 1861, he enlisted as private in Company I, 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; served the first year in West Virginia, and afterwards in the Army of the Potomac. Advanced to the position of sergeant, he was, at the consolidation of the 4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry into the 4th Battalion, made a first lieutenant. He was wounded at the battle of North Anna River, May 24, 1864. A return to the comrades of three years' noble work for the Republic gave him honorable discharge after full term of enlistment.

Returning to Elyria, August, 1864, he soon engaged in whatever his hand might find. For eight years he was elected to various offrces in the township of Elyria, for four years being deputy marshal of the Northern District of Ohio. Mr. Braman was elected sheriff in 1872, and again in 1874.

He was married, Sept. 5, 1865, to Miss Helen M. Nickerson, who gave to him five children, three now living and two dead. Now in active business as coal merchant, even with a limb partially paralyzed by a " rebel bullet ;" in easy circumstances, he forgets the early toil and struggles of a " pioneer's" son.

Martin W.Pond

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 141

two stories high, and a capacity for thirty children, also a commodious and well-arranged hospital, a chapel, a laundry, and a building for steam boilers, which furnished power for the laundry, and warmed all the buildings of the institution, except the chapel, which was heated by a furnace. A water tower was also erected, eighty feet in height, which contained tanks in the top, with a capacity for one thousand barrels of water. From this tower water was conveyed to all the cottages and the hospital, al well as to the this boilers. The water was forced to the top of this tower from a clear spring stream at the base of the hill, some sixty rods distant, by a steam force-pump. The gas works were also located at the base of the hill. The lawn in front of the main building and cottages was ornamented with trees, shrubbery and flowering plants from the green-house. The children at the home were bright and happy; many them were beautiful, and attracted the attention friends and visitors. They made rapid advances in their education. They looked upon the superintendent as their second father, and will remember him with gratitude and love long after he has passed away. This was the crowning work of his life.

He has retired from business, and now resides in Elyria, his home for many years, and the only place which seems to him like home.

DR. L. C. KELSEY

is the fifth child in a family of eight children, of David and Betsey (Merriam) Kelsey, the former of whom was born in Newport, New Hampshire, November 11, 1790, the latter at Brandon, Vermont.

L. C. Kelsey was born at Whiting, Vermont, July 18, 1824. At the age of three years, he removed with his parents to Brandon, Vermont, where he attended the common schools, during the winter months, and in the summer season; worked upon his father's farm. He subsequently entered the Brandon seminary, remaining there until he reached his seventeenth year, when he removed to Ohio, and entered the preparatory department of Oberlin collegiate institute; teaching school during the winter vacations. He left college in the sophomore year, and went to Geneva, Illinois, and there taught a select school, with marked success.

He subsequently returned to Ohio, and located at Mt. Vernon, where, for two years, he studied dentistry with his brother, Dr. C. M. Kelsey. After completing his studies in dentistry, he located and practiced his profession at Galion, Ohio, where he remained about two years.

Not feeling entirely satisfied with that profession, and wishing for a wider field of activity, in a more public way, he entered the Unitarian theological heel, school at Meadville, Pennsylvania, from which institution he was honorably graduated, in 1854, after which he moved to Dixon, Illinois, and formed a Unitarian society, raised funds for the erection of a fine church edifice, and remained its pastor for almost three years.

On account of failing health, he left Dixon, and returned to Ohio, and located temporarily at Newark, where, after recuperating his impaired health, he resumed the practice of dentistry. From Newark, he moved to Malta, Illinois; and while there, the war of the rebellion broke out, and in August, 1862, Dr. Kelsey entered the union service as a private in the one hundred and twenty-fourth Illinois volunteer infantry, and remained in the army until after the close of the war. He participated in several engagements, notably those of Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hills, and the seige of Vicksburg. After the fall of Vicksburg, he was detailed as chief clerk at the headquarters of Gen. Maltby.

On his discharge, he settled permanently in Elyria, where he has since been a successful practitioner of dentistry. He is a man of more than ordinary literary attainments, and is thoroughly educated in his profession. Two diplomas have been granted him; one from the Unitarian theological school, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, and one from the Ohio State board of examiners, for the practice of dentistry.

Dr. Kelsey has been twice married; first, in 1849, to Miss Elizabeth M. Avery, of Wellington, 0., who died at Dixon, Ill., in 1857. By this union were born two children, Harriet J. and Frances Estella, the latter of whom died in infancy. For his second (and present) wife, lre married Cordelia Webster, of Carlisle, 0., by whom he has six children, Kate Isadore, Elizabeth M., Charles S., Grace M., Ada May and Florence W.

In politics Dr. Kelsey is a steadfast and consistent republican. Since 1871 he has held the office of corporation clerk of Elyria, which office he has filled with satisfaction to the people at large, and to his personal credit. The doctor is an able exponent of the Unitarian faith, and an exemplary member of that religious sect. His general reputation is so well known to the people of Lorain county, that anything of a laudatory nature we could say of him would be entirely superfluous. His business probity and the general rectitude of his life are proverbial, while his activity in the various enterprises calculated to promote the best interests of the community of which lie is an honored member, is a well established fact.

WILLIAM W. ALDRICH.

William W. Aldrich was born in Dover, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, October 17, 1817,—son of Aaron and Elizabeth Aldrich, who were natives of Rhode Island. A. Aldrich was born April 27, 1793, and Elizabeth was born December 22, 11795, by maiden name, Winsor. Married September 11, 1814. In 1816 they

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removed to Dover, Ohio. The journey there consumed six weeks of toilsome travel. Passing through Cleveland, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, only three dwellings greeted the eyes of Mr. A. and his companion, in the place of the so many fine mansions, that make it now so beautiful. In the history of Mr. A. Aldrich, occurs one of the rare and signal interpositions of divine providence, which it is pleasurable to record. Soon after his arrival amongst the woods of Dover, he became disabled from excessive labor. Having been reared in factory life, the labor of felling the forest was too much for him? What should he do? Disqualified as a woodsman; a growing family upon his hands, and in a country uncultivated, unexpected as the "manna" descended for the relief of the children of Israel, came a letter from a stranger, authorized by a company of strangers. This proposed a removal to Otsego county, N, Y., where he might take charge of a cotton factory, with a salary of eight hundred dollars per year, with house rent and firewood free. This proposal was accepted as a godsend. For several years he remained in this employ, each year increasing his compensation, until Mr. Levi Beebe, of Watertown, N. Y. proposed higher wages, wishing Mr. Aldrich to put a cotton factory in operation at that place. Consenting, Mr. Aldrich remained at Watertown for nearly two years, when, finding himself provided with necessary means to found a home for himself and family, he again moved to Ohio. He re-settled in Dover in 1829. Habits of industry and economy secured for him a comfortable and beautiful home on the shore of Lake Erie, a few miles west of the romantic residence of Ex-Governor Wood.

Mr. A. Aldrich affords a commendable example of industry, frugality, integrity, benevolence, piety and good will toward all men. Of a sound and discriminating mind, he was for many years 'selected as a magistrate in the township. In the discharge of the duties of said office he was ever more anxious to adjust matters of difference by compromise than litigation—never an instigator of quarrels, but a peace maker.

Mr. Aldrich and wife were baptized and united with the First Baptist church in Avon, Ohio, in 1832, elder Hanks officiating. In 1836 Mr. Aldrich was one of the original five who met and formed the First Baptist church of Dover, Ohio. For many years he maintained his christian profession with uniform consistency, and the jeer of the infidel was put to silence by his godly life.

Died, in Dover, on May 27, 1856, Deacon Aaron A. Aldrich, aged sixty-three years and one month. In his decease the Baptist church sustained an irreparable loss in member and office bearer; community mourned the loss of one whom all joined in saying, "he was truly a good man." To his family he was ever dear, and his memory is ever hallowed at the family altar which he so constantly visited, no matter what the pressure might be of worldly business. Six children are now grown to maturity and mostly settled in life. Two of these are companions of Baptist ministers in this State.

Mrs. Elizabeth Aldrich died December 21, 1869. She was a faithful christian worker, was always kind to the poor and needy, and ever ready and willing to supply their needs.

William W. Aldrich, son of Aaron Aldrich, received the advantages of a good common district school education until twelve years of age. Three years after that he attended school during the winter months. With this exception, he from choice, worked faithfully for his father until he was twenty-one years of age. These early years were spent in clearing up the forest, making roads, tearing down the old log dwelling, and replacing it with new structures. Often did he work until midnight to burn the log heap rolled together during the day. Homespun garments he wore, homespun tow and linen in summer, the fuller cloth in winter. Well does he remember the yoke of cattle and lumber wagon that, filled with father's family and neighbors, he so often drove to the old town house in Dover, where all denominations met under one roof to worship a common father.

At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Aldrich hired to his father for the term of one year, at eleven dollars per month; losing but a half day's time once in four weeks—this to attend covenant meetings.

February 5, 1840, Mr. Aldrich was married to Miss Martha Bassett, daughter of Nathan Bassett, of Dover. Renting his father's farm, he worked it for one year, receiving one-third of its products for bis share. At this time, with twenty-five dollars as first payment, he commenced on a farm of his own. Five years, only, passed, when he was the owner of seventy-five acres of land. From this time, while he remained in Dover, he was ever active in business. His good wife, in every sense of the word a helpmate, by her wisdom and prudence, contributed largely to the success which followed.

Soon after the death of Mrs. Aldrich's father, who was killed by lightning, April 6, 1842, Mr. Aldrich took possession of the " old homestead," buying up the other heirs. To this valuable farm of one hundred and sixty-eight acres, lie added many other acres.

Commencing, in 1844, in a small way, the slaughtering business, increasing trade led him to build a slaughter house, from which, for twenty-five years, he supplied Cleveland markets. At the same time, he was engaged on Lake Erie in a general coastwise trade. Wood and ship plank from Black River to Cleveland, limestone from Kelly's Island, and coal to Detroit, kept busy three scows—the " Mayflower," purchased of Livingstone & Phelps, of Black River; the scow " Consuello," of the same place; and finally, the scow " Wave," of Fairport, Ohio. All these ventures added to his capital, which he employed in general speculations; dealing largely in horses, cattle, sheep—in fact, in any thing that could be traded or sold.

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In the spring of 1870, Mr. Aldrich removed to Elyria, where he purchased of Thomas Ashton the Well known Charles Abbe farm, paying for the same nine thousand dollars. Of Mr. Ashton he also bought a few thorough bred Hereford cattle, since which time he has made the breeding of that class a successful specialty, until the present day. Mr. Aldrich, When he first commenced the handling of Herefords, found it to be an " up hill" business. At town, county, or State fair, public opinion was against him; but his energy, skill, and business courtesy, soon set men everywhere to thinking. And now, (as the old Grecians marked a happy day with a white stone,) Mr. Aldrich, in his travels through many States, finds very many white-faced Herefords that say to him, "Your toil and patience have made me worthy of notice." The issue of the first cow, " Florena," alone brought Mr. Aldrich two thousand, five hundred dollars. Competing at many of the State fairs, his success has been unequalled, and to-day, Mr. W. W. Aldrich is recognized as the leading Hereford breeder of the United States, with only one exception, viz: Mr. T. L. Miller, of Illinois, who purchased his first stock of Mr. Aldrich.

Martha, the first wife of Mr. Aldrich, died November 29, 1875, leaving eight children to mourn the loss of one, who, as wife, mother, and member of the Congregational church, filled well every function of the true woman.

On January 21, 1878, Mr. Aldrich took for his second wife Mrs. Lorinda Hilliard, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, with whom he is happily living. In her younger days, she was a resident of Avon, Lorain county, Ohio. For a time after her marriage with Mr. Hilliard, they resided in Avon and Dover, where they formed many strong friendships. After an absence of twenty years in Wisconsin, ten years as a widow, surrounded by a happy home, kind friends, and a large circle of acquaintances, all of whom were reluctant to part with her, yet wishing • her every joy and all happiness, they bade her farewell, as with her husband she returned to the friends of her youth. Mrs. Aldrich, in her fourteenth year, professed her faith in Christ, and united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and has ever since lived a consistent Christian life.

Mr. W. W. Aldrich, on profession of his faith, was baptized by Elder Moses Ware, and united with the First Baptist church, at Avon, Ohio, A. D. 1835, which membership he retained until January 27, 1836. At that time four brethren, viz: A. A. Aldrich, Wm. W. Aldrich, Jesse Atwill, Wrn. Nesbit, and Sister Alexander met in conference, and resolved, with the advice of sister churches, to form a church in Dover.. Said conference met February 24, 1836, and formed

said church, Elder Ware giving the "right hand of fellowship."

On the 5th of March following, this little band met for church and covenant meeting, and voted Mr. W. W. Aldrich clerk of their body, which office be held for nine years. To this church did Mr. Aldrich belong until 1856, when, on the death of his father and the removal of many of the members, the church was disbanded. Mr. Aldrich has never since united with a church, but has ever lived and maintained his first profession, by a well ordered life, and godly conversation.

Mr. Aldrich is yet hale and hearty, with a pleasant home, dear wife, kind children, and stands out as an example of what integrity, temperance, and economy may do for a man.

MARTIN WEBSTER POND

Was born in Harwinton, Connecticut, on the 12th of March, A. D. 1814. His father, Roswell Pond, was born July 15; 1772. His mother's maiden name was Hannah Webster. Mr. Pond descended from revolutionary stock, his grandfather (who was born at Bradford, Conneoticut, in 1746) was a soldier of the Revolution, under Washington, and died on Long Island, July 8, 1776.

In April, 1825, his sister, Lydia Pond, was married to Ezra S. Adams, a son of General Adams, of Canton, Connecticut; and as they were about to emigrate to New Connecticut, which was then considered the far west, she prevailed upon his father and mother to permit them to take Martin (then but eleven years old) with them. They traveled the entire distance from Canton to Elyria with a single horse and wagon. Mr. Adams arrived at Elyria, the terminus of his journey, on the 1st of July, and established the first saddle and harness manufactory in Lorain county. Their goods were shipped by the Erie Canal and Lake Erie, and were landed at Cleveland the last of June.

Martin had attended the common schools of his native State, and the first winter after his arrival in Elyria attended the district school, taught by Norris 0. Stow. He afterwards, until sixteen years of age, attended the district school in the old yellow school house, and for a single term, the select sohool taught by the late Schuyler Putnam.

He then entered the shop of his brother-in-law, the late E. S. Adams, as an apprentice, and worked faithfully until he had completed his twenty-first year. Soon after attaining his majority, he left Elyria for the purpose of perfecting himself in the art of saddle-making, in which he took great pride. During his absence, he worked at Cleveland, Detroit, Wheeling, Va., and other places. He returned to Elyria at the end of two yea's, with impaired health, but with a consciousness that he was capable of making a good saddle. After his health was in a measure restored, he again engaged in the business of his trade, which he followed until the year 1852. During these years, he formed various partnerships, at first with B. F. Robinson, secondly with Waterman Morse, and afterward with the late William Doolittle.

By the advice of physicians, in June, 1852, Mr.

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Pond left Elyria for California, by the Nicaragua route. Being delayed twenty-one days on the isthmus, where he was attacked with Panama fever, he finally, after a tedious voyage of sixty-six days from the time of leaving home, arrived at San Francisco in a very feeble condition. He gradually recovered his health, and engaged in mining, his head-quarters being at Nevada City. He returned to Elyria, via the Panama route in June, 1853, and again entered into partnership with Waterman Morse, in carrying on the saddlery and harness business. This connection terminated at the end of a year, and Mr. Morse conducted the business alone. In March, 1858, the fire that swept away the old Mansion House, destroyed also the adjoining building belonging to Mr. Pond, which he immediately rebuilt, and in January, 1859, he engaged in his old business, which he continued until 1870; when he engaged in the manufacture of a harness pad, for which he had obtained a patent. In 1862, be invented the first successful tug buckle, to the sale and introduction of which he gave much attention until 1870.

On the tenth of December, 1835, the subject of our sketch married Miss Eliza J. Sayles, who was born at Mayville, Chatauqua county, N. Y. They have been blessed with a family of five sons and one daughter. One of the sons died in childhood, another, Horace, from disease caused by exposure and arduous duties in the Union army during the late rebellion. Three sons are living and filling responsible positions in business. The daughter is married and is a good wife and mother.

Mr. Pond has filled many positions of honor and trust conferred on him by his fellow citizens. An ardent Mason, he has filled many offices in the different branches of that order. He has been treasurer of Marshall Chapter, No. 47, for fifteen consecutive years. In 1841, he assisted in forming at Elyria a lodge of the " Mechanic's Mutual Protection," an order founded for the benefit of practical mechanics. It held weekly meetings, at most of which lectures were delivered, and the association was supplied with books and other means of improvement. Perhaps no institution has exerted so permanent an influence for good upon the citizens of Elyria as the lodge above referred to. The organization of our present excellent system of union schools, was to a great extent effected through its influence. On the passage of a bill by the general assembly for the founding of union schools, this institution, through a committee, corresponded with the friends of education in other cities in regard to the merits of such schools in their midst. The Protection then appointed a committee consisting of Mr. Pond and Thomas Quark to obtain the signatures of six freeholders to a call for a public meeting none of them to be members of the Protection. After three days of hard labor they obtained the following signatures: Robbins Burrell, Roswell Snow, N. H. Minter, Herrick Parker, Tabor Wood, and William Olcott, none of them members of the Protection but

Herrick Parker, and he was accepted because the committee could not obtain the requisite number outside the order. The meeting was held at the court house in Elyria, on the 24th of May, 1850; a favorable vote was secured, and thus, by the untiring and persistent work of the protection our union schools were established.

To this protection is Elyria also indebted in a great degree for her present fine side-walks, and the introduction of fire cisterns.

Such is a brief record of the life of Mr. Pond. With a competency won by honest labor, and enjoying the respect of his fellow citizens, he may be classed among the representative men of Elyria.

HON. STEVENSON BURKE.

The subject of this sketch was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., November 26, 1826. In March, 18,34, his father removed from New York to Ohio, and settled in North Ridgeville, Lorain county, where he resided up to the time of his decease, in August, 1875. The subject of this sketch had in early life such facilities as the common schools of the time afforded, which consisted of about ninety days of very indifferent instruction in the winter, and none during the rest of the year. At about the age of sixteen, he had the benefit of instruction in a very good select school at Ridgeville Center; and afterwards he studied several terms in a private school, conducted by T. M. Oviatt, at Elyria. Later still, he studied a year or so at Delaware University, where, in 1846, he commenced the study of law with Messrs. Powell & Buck. In the spring of 1848, he returned to Elyria and completed his studies, preparatory to admission to the bar, under the instruction of Hon. H. D. Clark, and was admitted to practice by the supreme court August 11, 1848, and at onu„ commenced the practice at Elyria. In April, 1849, Mr. Clark, who was then one of the most prominent and successful lawyers at the bar in Lorain county, admitted him into a copartnership, which continued up to May, 1852.

We have thus in a few lines sketched the career, up to the time he commenced the practice of the law alone, of one who, for more than twenty-five years, has occupied a very prominent position at the bar in Northern Ohio. From 1852 to February, 1862, Mr. Burke devoted himself to the practice of his profession with such zeal and devotion to the interests of his clients, as to merit and command success. There were few cases tried in the court of common pleas, or district court of Lorain county, or in the supreme court taken from Lorain county, in which he was not engaged. His industry and attention to business were rare and almost exceptional. He spent no tine in idleness, and his patrons were always sure to find him in his office in business hours, unless engaged in business elsewhere. His close attention to business

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and sedentary habits affected seriously his health, and in 1861 he found his health so seriously impaired as to render a change of business necessary; and his friends having secured his election as one of the judges of the court of common pleas of the fourth judicial district of Ohio, he gave up his practice and entered upon the discharge of his duties as judge. After serving a term of five years to the satisfaction of the bar and the people, he was re-elected in 1866 for a second term. He served, howevel, but two years of his second term, when, having regained his health, he resigned his position as judge, January 1, 1869, and at once commenced the practice of law in Cleveland, in partnership with Hon. F. T. Backus and E. J. Estep, Esq. The copartnership was dissolved by the death of Mr. Backus, in May, 1870, but was continued with Mr. Estep until the winter or spring 1875, since which time he has practiced alone. His practice in Cleveland has been a very successful one. He has been constantly engaged in the courts and in his office, and during the last ten years has probably tried as many cases of importance, involving large amounts of money or property, as any lawyer in Northern Ohio. He has during that period argued many cases in the supreme court of the State of Ohio, several in the United States supreme court, and in the supreme courts of adjoining States. The history of the profession in Northern Ohio furnishes few examples of a more sucoessful practice.

In addition to his professional business, Judge Burke has devoted much attention to other business; he is now, and has been for several years past, a director and chairman of the finance and executive committee of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis Railway Company, and its general counsel. He has held for several years and still holds the position of director, general counsel and chairman of the finance and executive committee of the Cleveland and Mahoning Valley Railway Company, and he is also the representative in this country of all the

stock of the last-named company, it being owned in Europe. He is also the representative of the owners of the stock of the Shenango and Allegheny Railroad Company, and also of the Mercer Mining and Manufacturing Company, and a director in both of the last named companies. He has been for some time a director of the Cincinnati, Springfield and Indianapolis and St. Louis railroad companies. He has also for several years been a director of the Lake Shore Foundry and director and president of the Cleveland and Snow Fork Coal Company, both large private corporations.

The foregoing is a very brief outline of a very active professional and business life. It is too early yet to compare the subject of this brief sketch with others, or go into detail in regard to his professional, judicial and business career; he is still in the prime of life; time has dealt gently with him, and his appearance indicates that he has many years of active life still before him.

ELWOOD P. HAINES.

A mother dying at Bordentown, N. J., left an only child, Elwood P. Haines, three months of age, who was born March 4, 1834. Soon after her death, Mr. Haines, with his mother and little son, came to Ohio, where they settled, in Deerfield, Portage county. Engaging in farming, this young life had every advantage of nature's kindly teachings; and the aspirations which grew with his years, had their beginning here. He early turned his attention toward a professional life; and to this end he availed himself of the excellent advantages afforded by an academy in a neighboring town, where he studied for years preparing for Western Reserve College. These preparations were finished under the instructions of Rev. Elias C. Sharp, a man of blessed memory in Atwater. He went through his college course and received his diploma at its close with honor to himself—ever a joy and delight to his friends. Having concluded to study medicine, he went into the office of Dr. Dudley Allen, now of Oberlin, where he remained some time, after which he took a course at Michigan University, where he graduated, receiving also the degree of M.D. from the Cleveland Medical College.

Then came the war of the rebellion. He waited not for high position, but at once enlisted as hospital steward. The duties of this office were so well performed, that on March 2, 1863, he was appointed assistant surgeon of the Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. A letter from the surgeon-general of Ohio, dated August 29, 1864, says as follows:

" Enclosed, please find your commission as major surgeon of the Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer 1nfantry, a promotion conferred for long and meritorious services."

His merit was recognized by Order No. 4, June 1865:

"Surgeon E. P. Haines, Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteers, is hereby announced as surgeon-in-chief of brigade. General Wm. Hawley, commanding."

With such record did Dr. Haines leave the service of his country, June 26, 1865. His life in the army was characterized, as in all other circumstances, by purity and integrity in every particular.

At the close of the war he settled with his wife, whom he had married while on furlough, at Orwell, Ashtabula county. Here he entered at once into the hard work of the practice of medicine in the country. He was soon called to the bitter trial of losing his wife, who left him a little daughter, still living, although those who loved her so fondly then, have gone the way of all the earth.

Broken up in his domestic matters, he bethought him of an old schoolmate who had long been a teacher in Kentucky; finding her, he soon realized "a sweet dream of his boyhood," for she became his wife in March, 1870. Soon after they came to Elyria, where Dr. Haines was the successor of Dr. Jamin Strong, whose residence and office he purchased. By this marriage there were two children, both daughters. One led the way and waited for "papa" in the better land, and one still cheers her mother's widowed heart.

146 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

Dr. Haines died October 24, 1877, at the age of forty-three and a half years. His work was done, and he rests from his labors. One who trusted his life with Dr. Haines may not be an impartial judge, yet it is his duty, aye, pleasure, to say that, as a man, he performed every duty with true manhood; as a member of the Presbyterian church, bigotry was no element in his religious thought; as a citizen, he was true to the best interests of his country and to all the relations of life; as a pension surgeon-and surgeon of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad, he was faithful and efficient; as a physician, he was ever welcome, with genial face and kind attention.

Let the kind relations ever existing between him and his brothers in the practice of medicine—let the many to whose ills he ministered, who, with weeping eyes, paid their respect to a good and true man, when all joined in the sad rites that gave him rest—testify to the goodness and beauty of his character. Beloved by all, Elyria mourns the loss of Dr. Haines.

EDWIN DORR HOLBROOK.

It is but a labor of love to trace from the earliest boyhood days the development of those principles which made prominent the brief but eventful life of Edwin Dorr Holbrook. He was born in Elyria, Lorain county, Ohio, October 10, 1835, is a son of Dexter and Jerusha Holbrook, grandson of Captain Holbrook and Tyler, who entered Fort Ticonderoga with Ethan Allen; also great-grandson of General Seth Pomeroy, of Bunker Hill fame.

Before scarcely attaining to the dignity of boys' apparel, while surrounded by his pets upon his father's farm, the proceeds of his first sale was, " to buy a new dress for my mother." This was the keynote of an unselfish life—" not for myself, but for my mother, to whom I owe so much."

Here he received his rudimentary education, and became familiar with nature in its various forms; studying the habits of birds, bees and animals; loving flowers; training the woodbine and wild rose around the farm-house; skilled in hunting, skating, boating and swimming, a knowledge which enabled him to rescue many from watery graves,—once returning hatless and coatless, after saving King Barton and a companion. Again, hearing that Mr. Snow's son was drowning in the presence of a crowd of anxious friends, he leaped into the swollen tide. For a time, they believed him lost. Soon his voice was heard: "Is this the right direction?" Again he disappeared; again they believed him drowned, being caught by the death struggles of the boy, and drawn under; but by almost superhuman exertions, he bore the lifeless form to the shore.

This unflinching bravery, daring to face any danger for the accomplishment of good, characterized the boy as well as the man. Fun and frolic entered largely into his composition, and he was the acknowledged leader in boyish tricks. He was one of a class of boys who seemed moulded for future action by that ripe scholar, C. D. B. Mills. He ever cherished his memory, and, in after years, expressed the wish that he might travel with him as his companion. Studied law with his brother-in-law, Judge T. S. Johnson, and with Judge Rex, of Wooster; was admitted May 7, 1857; opened an office in Elyria, and continued his studies, including German. In early life he was a constant reader; history, poetry and the writings of our early statesmen were carefully studied, as his well worn books evince. His room at his father's house was filled with books, papers and speeches, which were very familiar to him. Born and bred in the democratic faith, he struggled, even during his minority, for the success of that party.

June 3, 1861, he bade adieu to home and friends, and sailed for California, where he remained one year with his brother, practicing law, when, with thousands, who in consequence of the overflow of the Sacramento river and the almost fabulous tales of the richness of the Salmon river mines, he emigrated northward a distance of eight hundred miles. May 16th, 1862, he wrote :

"I start tomorrow astride a mule which carrres myself, bed and provender, off into a wilderness, over mountains and dangerous moun tain streams, through a country where the red man lies in ambush to bear my scalp to the maid he loves But I am young, have a life before me. and desire making my fortune as quickly as possible, and to see something of this country. I only care for life that I may make you all happy and independent. 1f I succeed all is ,ours—if I fail I want no mourners."

During the next three years, before the perfect system of mail communication was established, occasional letters and rumors reached his home-friends, of perilous adventure ; his narrow escape from a snow-slide by leaping from his horse, which was buried under a pitiless sheet of snow and ice ; his traveling over narrow, precipitous mountain trails to fulfil professional engagements. In December, 1865, he took his seat as the youngest member of the thirty-ninth congress. As a member of congress he labored zealously for the development of his beloved mountain home—Idaho ; for appropriations for the perfection of mail routes and roads, for the building of the assay office and penitentiary ; also was ever laboring for the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad, in the interest of which he addressed the capitalists of Boston. After having faithfully labored for the development of his territory for two successive terms in congress, bidding adieu for the last time to his home friends, May 26th, 1869, he crossed for the eighth time the plains to his mountain home where a demonstration awaited him. He at once opened a law office at Boise and Idaho City, and engaged actively in his practice. Laboring as before for everything pertaining to the advancement of Idaho, which he hoped would soon attain to the dignity of a State, in the midst of a successful professional career, with light hopes of the future, at the close of the summer clay, June 18th, 1870, while resting with his feet upon the railing in

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

ELYRIA.

HOUSTON H. POPPLETON.

Houston H. Poppleton was born near Bellville, Richland county, Ohio, March 19, 1836, and is the youngest son of Rev. Samuel and Julia A. Poppleton.

Rev. Samuel Poppleton was born in the State of Vermont, July 2, 1793, but while quite young moved with his father to Genesee county, New York, where he lived until 1820, when he moved to Ohio. He lived in Richland county, Ohio, from 1822, until March, 1853, when he moved to Delaware, Ohio, where he continued to reside most of the tine until his death, which occurred at Delaware, September 14, 1864. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and served with honor and distinction. Shortly after its close he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, and continued to preach, as his health would permit, for nearly fifty years. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Parthenia Steinback of Genesee county, New York, and his second, Miss Julia A. Smith, of Richland county, Ohio. By the first marriage, four children were born, to wit: Rowena L., intermarried with F. W. Strong, of Mansfield, Ohio; Samuel D., killed in 1864, at the battle of Atlanta, Georgia; Mary Ellen, intermarried with Daniel Fisher, of Bellville, and Andrew J., who died at West Unity, Ohio, September 25, 1850.

By the second marriage, six children were born, to wit: Emory E., Parthenia P., Damaris A., Earley F., Houston H and Zada C.

Emory E. has been engaged in business in Detroit and Chicago, and is now the secretary of the Cleveland and Mahoning Valley Railroad, residing at Cleveland.

Parthenia P. married Hon. S. Burke, long prominently identified with the Lorain bar, and after residing in Elyria for over twenty-two years, moved to Cleveland. She died at Salt Lake City, Utah, January 7, 1878, and is buried in Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland.

Damaris A. was married to Hon. George B. Lake, formerly a member of the Lorain bar, and now chief tice of the State of Nebraska. She died in April, 1854, and is buried in the cemetery at Elyria.

Earley F. read law, and was admitted to the bar at Elyria, and after practicing there several years, moved to Delaware, Ohio, where he has ever since been actively and successfully engaged in law and politics. He was elected State senator from the counties of Licking and Delaware, and after serving one term was elected on the democratic ticket to the forty-fourth congress, from the ninth Ohio congressional district. Although one of the youngest members of that body, he was active and industrious, and served with ability, and with credit to himself and to his party.

Zada C. was married to Thomas H. Linnell, of Elyria, and resided there during the whole of her married life. She died March 29, 1875, and is buried in the cemetery at Elyria.

Houston H. Poppleton received his early education in the common schools at Bellville, but entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, in the spring of 1853, and, although his attendance was not continuous, he graduated from that institution in June, 1858. He taught school several winters in the counties of Delaware and Richland, while pursuing his studies at the university, and also had general charge of his father's mercantile house at Richwood, from April, 1855, to February, 1857. In September, 1858, he entered the law office of Hon. S. Burke, at Elyria, and prosecuted his studies there until October, 1859, when he entered the Cincinnati Law College. Completing the prescribed course there, he graduated from it April 16, 1860, and was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati the same day. Returning to Elyria, he formed a law partnership with Judge Burke, and commenced practice May 2, 1860. After Judge Burke's election to the bench, he formed a law partnership with Hon. H. D. Clark, which continued about two years. On the 10th of February, 1864, at Cincinnati, he was married to Miss Lucina H. Cross, of that city. He resided on the northwest corner of Broad and Chestnut streets, in Elyria, until September 24, 1875, when he moved with his family to Cleveland.

From the latter part of 1864 he continued in active general practice at Elyria, without a partner, until November, 1873, when he was appointed general attorney of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis railway company, with headquarters at Cleveland, which position he still holds. He was prominent, active and successful in his practice, as the records of the courts of Lorain and adjoining counties abundantly show, and in his removal the bar of Lorain county sustained a serious loss. By accepting the position of general attorney of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis railway he became the head of the legal department of that corporation, and has had entire charge of its legal business along the whole line, as well as elsewhere. Giving his personal attention to the details of all the litigation of the company—trying only causes that should be tried, and settling those that should be settled—he has, by his fair, honorable and judicious course, made many friends for himself, and secured for his company a reputation and good will that any railroad in the country might well envy.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

CARLISLE.

 DAVID BENNETT

was born in Westmoreland, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, May 26, 1788. He was the second son of David and Abigail Bennett, and third in a family of fifteen children. When about fifteen years old, he was apprenticed to a man named Dutton, living in Dummerston, Windham county, Vermont. Becoming dissatisfied with the treatment he received, he ran away soon after he was sixteen, and went to Homer, Cortland county, New York.

On the 6th of December, 1810, he married Miss Polly Wheeler, and lived in Londonderry, Vermont, on a farm on the east slope of the Green mountains. He came west, to look for a farm, in 1827, and moved from Londonderry, April 21, 1828, with his family, consisting of himself and wife, his wife's step-father, and his neice, Miss Malvina F. Bennett. They came by wagon to Troy, New York, in two days, thence by canal boat to Buffalo, by schooner to Cleveland, which took three days, then by wagon to Carlisle,—in all, a journey of three weeks.

On the 23rd day of August, 1828, he purchased of Joseph and Mary Perkins the south one-half of the southwest quarter of section twelve, town five, range seventeen, where he spent the remainder of his life.

His wife died August 10, 1829, without children. He married, the second time, February 6, 1830, Miss Jane Galpin, of Elyria, daughter of Neri and Betsey Galpin. They had six children, four of whom are living. He held various township offices from 1830 to 1860, being three times elected justice of the peace. He was a man of strict integrity, and his word was as good as his bond. He died July 16, 1863, of paralysis.

JANE GALPIN was born in Woodbury, Litchfield county, Connecticut, August 11, 1810. She was the daughter of Neri and Betsey Galpin, and the eldest in a family of nine children. Her parents moved to New Milford, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, when she was about nine months old. In May, 1818 they moved to Center township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania. In November, 1822, they left Center for Carlisle; Ohio, then called Murraysville, Huron county. They moved in a covered wagon drawn by a yoke of steers and a span of old horses. They were three weeks on the road and had but two pleasant days in the whole time. In some places the wagon hub would roll on the mud. They moved in with Abner Murray's family until Mr. Galpin built his house, which stood just over the line in Elyria township. February 6, 1830, she married David Bennett and moved on to the farm in Carlisle, where she still lives.

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 147

front of his office, which he had surrounded by forest trees, dreaming his happy dreams of the future, Charles H. Douglas lurked behind him and fired a fatal shot. The wounded man struggled to his feet, attempted to raise his arm, but aimed too low. He two borne into his office, where in intense pain he calmly awaited death, saying, "I am not afraid to die, but want to see my brother before I go glad I did not hit Douglas when I fired, on account of his wife and little ones." Asking Again if Theodore had come, for whom a messenger, had been dispatched, he fell into a calm sleep, and as the Sabbath day dawned his spirit took its flight.

Marks of respect and tenderness were shown by the warm-hearted people, and with aching hearts loving hands consigned him to his resting place. And while the breezes of his mountain home chant the requiem above his grave, loving hearts will entwine and bedew with their tears an imperishable garland to the memory of Edwin Dorr Holbrook.