278 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO
HUNTINGTON.
TOWNSHIP number two, in the eighteenth range, is bounded on the north by Wellington township, on the south by Sullivan township, Ashland county, on the east by Spencer township. Medina county, and on the west by Rochester. The surface is generally level, except along the streams, which are of but slight importance. They are as follows: Wellington creek, which rises in the eastern portion of the township, a short distance south of the center line, and flowing an almost due north course, crossing the township line a short distance east of the center, on lot seven; Charlemont creek has its rise on or near the south line of the township, and near the southeast corner. The course of this stream is slightly east of south, passing into Wellington township on lot thirty-two. These streams are tributary to the west branch of Black river. The soil is clay, but, when suitably tilled, produces large crops of all kinds of grain, and is especially good for grass.
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORSHIP.
The original owners by deed from the State of Connecticut, were Oliver Sheldon, Simeon Griswold, John Cowles, Benjamin Kent and others. Joseph Sage, Skinner, Bowles, and a number of persons whose names are not in our possession, soon became large proprietors by purchase. The lands selected by Joseph Sage were situated in the southwest quarter of the township, and here was made the pioneer
SETTLEMENT.
In the year 1818, Joseph Sage induced several families to emigrate from their old homes in the east, with a view to cultivate for themselves farms in the wilderness of the Western Reserve. The first to make the venture was a son-in-law of Mr. Sage, John Laborie. The place of his nativity was Huntington, Fairfield county, Connecticut, and the date of leaving for Ohio was February 12, 1818. In the company were Joseph Sage, Mr. Laborie, his wife and two children, four young men and a hired man. They started in a sleigh, and found snow in abundance until reaching Hudson, then in Portage county, at which point they arrived four weeks after beginning the toilsome journey. The weather was severe; the coldest known. At Buffalo, the snow was drifted to the chamber windows, and had not thawed a particle for seventeen days. Much of the journey from this point to Ohio was made on the ice. When they reached Hudson, Mrs. Laborie was too unwell to proceed further, and a halt was made until she had sufficiently recovered to resume the journey. They left Stow township on Monday, March 15th, and journeyed on much of the way through the dense forest, with nothing but an occasional marked tree to guide them.
On arriving at Westfield, they put up at Mr. Brainard's, then occupying a small log house, of but one room, and this was occupied by four families. The addition of the ten persons comprising our party, filled the little cabin to overflowing; but a big heart, full of hospitality, made everything seem quite comfortable. Arriving in Sullivan township, they took up their abode in a little log house, built by Henry Chase. This was a distance of one and one-half miles from the lands selected in Huntington township. "They rested that night as emigrants of to-day know nothing about." The house was a cheerless affair, without chimney, door or windows; and the wide spaces between the logs, not being chinked, afforded easy access for the clouds of snow which the furious March winds sent whirling through the air. Here the family remained until a log house had been constructed. This was on lot nineteen, tract two. The family moved into it on April 13th. As the weather was fine, and the men anxious to get a piece of ground ready for planting, the floor was not put down, or door, windows and chimneys constructed, until several weeks later. As it was impossible to procure straw for beds, the dry leaves were used instead, and it is said they made a good substitute. Provisions were scarce, especially meat, and although deer, turkeys and other game were plenty, yet at this season of the year they were too poor to eat. About May 1st, Mr. Sage went to Worthington, near Columbus, to purchase stock; and being gone longer than was expected, the provisions became exhausted, except a small quantity of Indian meal, and the bran from a bushel of wheat; this was mixed with water and baked into a loaf, and on this diet the family subsisted for some three weeks, but at length the needed supplies arrived. Wooster, in Wayne county, was the nearest village, and to this point our settlers were obliged to go to find a store, grist mill, post office or blacksmith shop. The family of Mr. Laborie are: Sarah, born in Milford, Connecticut; she came to Ohio, and died at the age of thirteen years. Anthony, who was a mere babe when the family settled in Huntington, married Laura A. Darry; they have six children, and live on tract two. Jane, who was born in Ohio, became the wife of William Kelsey; they live in Williams county, this State, and have five children. Myra married William S. Preston; they have four
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HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 279
children, and live on tract one. Charlotte married William H. Howard; they reside in Rochester township, this county, and have six children. Emily Married Gideon Bliss; they went on a visit to Vermont, and died soon after. James married Louisa Cook, and lives on tract three,' they have one child. Perry married Mary A. Cole (deceased); and Alzina, the youngest, married Edwin W. Williams; they have four children, and reside on tract two. John Laborie is dead. The aged widow yet resides in the township of which she was the pioneer white woman. She has rendered us material aid in our labors, for which our thanks are tendered.
The following June, Isaac Sage a brother of Joseph arrived, and began settlement about three-fourths of a mile south of Laborie's. His family consisted of a wife and the following children : Charles who married Anna Rice, deceased; Polly who married John Munson, deceased; Lucetta who married John Crosby, and lives in Huntington; Alzina married M. Rice, deceased; Isaac married Lucinda Case, also dead, and Jackson who is the only living male representative of the family. He lives in Huntington.
The subsequent September Benjamin and Oliver Rising arrived from Connecticut, and made a location about one mile south of the center. Isaac Sage Soon exchanged his first location for hands near the Rising's.
A few days after the arrival of the Messrs. Rising, Daniel Tillotson and family put in an appearance at the settlement. A brother, Ira and D. C. Hickok arrived early the following 'winter, and were soon followed by Henry R. Ferris, Capt. Timothy Culver who settled one mile north of the center; Captain Chauncey Barker and Capt. Benjamin Banning. The former settled on lands some half a mile south of Isaac Sage's son; Barker located near John Laborie's. Joseph Sage returned East, and soon came on with his family, which consisted of a wife, Sarah Kelsey Sage, and the following children: Philomela, wife of Chauncey Barker, deceased; Myra who married George Case, deceased; Marilla who married John Laborie; her husband is dead, and she now lives with a son, James, in Huntington township; Harlo P. who married Jusan Mallory; she died, and he married again; he is a minister of the Univeralist faith, and lives' on the old homestead. Two or three grandchildren also came with Mr. Sage's family, and Thomas H. Case; Erastus Royce came about the same time. Zenas Kelsey and several sons purchased land of Joseph Sage, and settled thereon. The following persons settled north of the center: David Rogers, Zelotus North, Dudley Lewis, Daniel Chapman, William Lang and John Chapman.
Of Reuel Lang, another pioneer of Huntington, we learn that the place of his nativity was Epson,
Merrimac county, New Hampshire. In 1818, he began to learn the cabinet maker's trade, in his native State, and on completing it, started with a horse and wagon for the west; stopping for a time in Allegheny county,
Pennsylvania, where he made a set of tools from a beech bee, which had been used as a whipping post, in the days when Pennsylvania was a slave state, and by the way, these tools are now, nearly all of them, in his possession. After, perhaps, two years, be came on horseback to Ohio, bringing his effects with him.
At Springfield, Portage county, this State; he engaged to make some furniture for Jesse Hart, who had just completed a large brick house, and while engaged in prosecuting the labors of his trade, he became conscious of a new sensation. He fell in love. Amy, the fair daughter of his employer, was the object of his devotion. They were married January 30, 1823. The following spring, they settled in Elyria. Here he built a house, and remained for one year, when he removed to Huntington township, where he lived until a few years since. He now lives in Wellington village. Mr. Lang was for many years a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was always a strong anti-slavery man, and in consequence of the connection of the church with the institution of slavery, he withdrew, and assisted in forming a Wesleyan Methodist church, of which he was an official member until it disbanded.
Their children are as follows: Josiah B., who married Losena M. Chapman, and lives in Wellington; (to this gentleman we are under obligations for much of the matter contained in this history); Jesse H., married Mary E. Fitch, lives in Oberlin; Cyrus, died in 1847; Charles R., died in 1846; Louisa M., married P. S. Wright, and lives in Michigan; Esther A., married C. W. Horr, Esq., and lives in Wellington; Olive A. married Dr. M. B. Lukins, and lives in Cleveland; George L., married Lizzie Viles, and lives in Dennison, Ohio; and Merrill W., married Mary L. Cook; she died, and he married Etta Root. He lives in Wellington.
Abner Chapman, wife, Olive Fisher Chapman, and a family of six children, came from Montgomery, Hamden county, Massachusetts, and settled in Huntington township in 1833. They located on the farm now occupied by Lucius Walker. Six children remained at the East; after a time, two settled in Troy, Geauga county, Ohio. Those who came with the parents to Huntington were: Abner, Jr., who maried Eliza A. Cone, and now lives in Huntington, (of his six children, there are now living: Paul, who married Margaret Case, lives in Erie, Pennsylvania; Lucien H., who married Duette G. Phelon, lives in Rochester on lot five, has five children; and Agnes E., who married J. T. Haskell, and lives with her parents); William F., married Rowena Babcock,-they have five children; one son was killed at the battle of Antietam; Eunice, married Lyman West, and lives at Lansing, Michigan; Huldah, married J. Crosby Lang -she is deceased; J. Austin, married Isabel Lindsey, lives in Wellington; and Eemline, married Edmond West, and lives in Huntington.
Delos Phelon, who was born in Connecticut, came to Huntington from Cooperstown, New York, in
280 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
1833. He was then in the forwarding and commission business at Black River. He located at the center of the township, where he still resides. He has five children: Daniel W., Joseph, Deette, Tasso D. and Mary.
The history of the settlement has been gleaned from every available source, and is believed to be substantially correct. Should there be errors or omissions, the memory of man is alone responsible for them.
INDIANS.
Scattering members of the Wyandot and Seneca Indians were frequent in this vicinity when the settlement was made. They came only during the hunting season and made their home further west. In about 1828 they took their final departure from the township.
EARLY EVENTS.
The first white child born in the township of Huntington was a son to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Tillotson; the date December, 1818. This child was named Enos, but of his subsequent career we know nothing. The following January, Benjamin Rising was born. The first death was an infant son of John and Manilla Laborie, born in March, 1819. The little stranger lived but sixteen days.
The first adult death was that of Benjamin Banning. The body was interred in the orchard just south of his late residence.
The township contains two cemeteries; one on the former farm of Joseph Sage, which was private property until a few years since, when it was conveyed; the other, just north of the center, was a gift from Jesse Johnson and afterwards enlarged by a gift from Captain Henry Tracy, and a further addition by purchase from Reuel Lang. The first interment in the cemetery at the center was a child of H. M. Humphrey; the first adult buried there was Welcome Hart, a bother of Mrs. Reuel Lang. The first couple married in Huntington was Miss Polly Sage to Mr. John Munson, of Harrisonville. This event occurred on January first in the year 1820; Henry R. Close, justice of the peace, performed the ceremony. This couple are now both deceased. The second marriage was a daughter of Captain Timothy Culver
The first frame building was put up by Isaac Sage, for a barn. It stood near the present residence of H. P. Sage.
The first frame house was erected by Reuel Lang, nearly opposite the present residence of Edmond West.
The first store was put in operation by Isaac Sage, Jr. We have not the date, Following are the names of all who have represented the mercantile interest in Huntington township: Hiram Rogers, Allen Taylor, D. Phelon, T. H. Case, Nathan Cone, B. G. Carpenter, L. S. Gibbs, A. P. Parks, A. H. Messenger, Messrs. Gibbs & Whiton, J. & P. Laborie, R. A. Horr, J. B. Lang, T. G. Haines, and A. J. Burrell who is proprietor of the present store. He is also postmaster.
Isaac Sage, Jr., opened the first public house in the township. His sign read, "Isaac Sage Inn." He was followed by Darius Perkins, T. H. Case and several others. There has never been a saloon in the township, nor has liquor been sold except at the hotels. The Huntington House is the only hotel in the township. D. Wideman is the present proprietor.
ORGANIZATION.
In August, 1822, the commissioners of Medina county, to which Huntington then belonged, incorporated the township by the name it now bears. It derived its name from Huntington, Connecticut, the former home of John Laborie. Notice was issued to the qualified electors to meet at the school house in said township, on the first Monday of September, and then and there proceed to organize, by electing the necessary township officers required by law.
In accordance with said notice, they met, and it was agreed that Joseph Sage, Henry R. Ferris, and Isaac Sage, should act as judges, and Oliver Rising and David C. Hickok, clerks. The result of the election was as follows: Joseph Sage, Henry R. Ferris and Benjamin Banning, trustees; Isaac Sage, clerk; David C. Hickok, treasurer; John Chapman and Charles R. Sage, fence viewers; Isaac Sage and John Chapman, supervisors, John Laborie and Benjamin Banning, overseers of the poor, Benjamin Rising and John Laborie, listers and appraisers. The entire number of electors at this time numbered fifteen.
The township officers for 1878, are, Edward West, James Laborie and Elbert F. Chapman, trustees; A. J. Burrell, clerk; James A. Newton, treasurer; C. W. Johnson, assessor; S. J. Perkins and Putnam Griggs, constables; N. B. Griggs and . F. Haskell, justices of the peace, and fifteen supervisors.
Joseph Sage was the first justice of the peace; elected October 14, 1823. He was succeeded, in 1826, by Benjamin Banning, who died before the expiration of his term of office, and Henry Ferris was elected to fill the vacancy. A second justice of the peace was authorized April 15, 1833. Samuel Smith was elected, but not being eligible, John G. Clark was elected in his place.
CHURCHES.
THE METHODIST. EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first religious meetings were held in the log school house spoken of in connection with the schools, by the Rev. Nathan Smith, one of the pioneers of Pittsfield township. Frequent meetings were afterwards held in this house, and for want of a minister, Isaac Sage generally read a sermon. The first church organized was that of the Methodist; we have been unable to procure the date. This class was composed of the following members: Capt. Timothy Culver and wife, H. R. Ferris and wife, and Amanda Culver. This church was organized by the Rev. James Mur-
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio - 281
ray. They occupied the school house for many years. In 1847 they purchased a lot, and soon afterwards erected thereon their present church edifice. This church cost complete some two thousand dollars; the parsonage connected with this church was purchased in 1876 at a cost of seven hundred dollars; the present membership is ninety. The church officers are Lewis Cann, Lyman June and William Haskins, leaders; John Snow, Carlos Rogers, Asel Nooney and Edson Clark, stewards. The Sabbath school of this society numbers eighty scholars; Joseph Haskell, superintendent. We have been unable to procure a complete list of the ministers who have presided over this church. The following are a portion of them: Rev. William Reynolds, — Thompson, - Matlock, Chester L. Foot, James Hartley, G. A. Reeder, - Hurd, Uri Richards, James Haldeman, L. F. Ward, G. W. Pepper, — Card, T. J. Guard, Simeon Dunbar, Tracy L. Waite, Herman Safford, - Spafford, O. Pierce and the present pastor, James F. Smith.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH
was constituted by a council convened December 12, A. D. 1833, and consisted of the following members: Abner Chapman, Olive Chapman, Abner, Jr., William F., Eunice, and Huldah Chapman, Jonathan and Esther Niles, Jesse Johnson, and Reuben T. Pierce. The right hand of fellowship was extended by Elder James Newton. The first year of its existence, the membership increased to twenty. This is now a large and flourishing church. The church had no regular or convenient place of worship, but assembled a part of the time at the center school house, which stood where the Baptist meeting house now stands, and a part of the time at the dwelling of Jesse Johnson; preaching one-fourth or one-half of the time by ministers living at a distance, and sometimes dependent upon ministers for occasional supplies. In the month of January, 1840, the church and community were greatly blessed through the labors of Elders Simmons and Matthews, who were sent out by the missionary board of the Lorain Baptist Association. It has not, perhaps, been exceeded by any revival in this township, before or since. The church strengthened and encouraged, secured and continued a pastor for two years, one-half of the time.
The present church edifice was erected during the year 1842. It was not, however, fully completed until several years later. Rev. James Newton commenced his labors in the spring of 1834, and preached one-fourth of the time, for fifty dollars' a year. He lived in Milton, Wayne county, a distance of nearly forty miles. Rev. Mr. Mack followed him. Mr. Newton's successors, as far as we have been able to trace them, are as follows : Rev. Mr. Wait, Frederick Freeman, B. Hill, James Becknell, Skinner, S. Dimick, Levi Farnsworth, M. W. Alfred, James Goodrich, S. S. Woodworth, J. T. Smith, S. D. Bowker. The present pastor is Rev. Asa Fox. Jonathan Niles was the first deacon, and Abner Chap man, Jr., clerk. The present officers are, W. F. Chapman and James Rogers, deacons; N. B. Griggs, clerk and treasurer; (this gentleman has written a sketch of the church, from which we, have derived much of interest); Elbert F. Chapman, A. J. Sage, and Jasper West, trustees. Elbert F. Chapman is superintendent of the Sabbath school. The number of children in attendance averages fifty.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
and society was organized May 1, 1839, with the following members: Spencer Clark, Julius C. Mead, Beckford Lang, Otis Boice, David L. Lang, Allen Taylor, Erastus Clark, Darius Perkins, and M. L. Sage, who was the clerk; and Otis Boice, deacon. Nearly all of the above were married men, and their wives were also members of the church.
The following summer, they built a large two-story frame building, at the south, and facing the public square at the center of the township. The upper story was finished, and used as a place of worship until 1849, when the present church was erected. President Asa Mahan preached to this church a short time, in fact until Rev. Joel Talcott, who was its first resident pastor, was engaged. For many years this church flourished and increased in numbers, but the summit of prosperity was reached, and then came the decline. Gradually the ranks were decimated by death and removal, until at present the membership is very small and they have no stated pastor.
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
have held an organization in the southwest portion of the township for many years, meeting in the school house in that locality. In 1877 they erected a neat chapel. This cost twelve hundred dollars. It was dedicated on the 17th day of January, 1878, by the Rev. Mr. Abel. Rev. William. P. Burnell is the present minister. The membership is twenty-five. There is a Sabbath school in connection. Lewis Boice, superintendent; Hiram Tillotson, Sylvester Boice and Madison Andrews, trustees of the church.
THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH
was organized in the southeast part of the township, in the year 1844, and, soon after, built a comfortable church. Among its first members were Reuel Lang and wife, John T. Chapman and wife, J. W. Wilbur, Sr., and wife, Joseph Ferris and wife, Amos Foote and wife, John Young and wife, and a number of others. The church prospered for a few years, but finally, many of its members having removed to other localities, the organization ceased, and the church edifice was converted into a cheese factory.
PHYSICIANS.
The first who settled in Huntington was John Quigley, now a prominent minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. George E. Conant was the next doctor to locate here. He remained a few years
282 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
and removed to Wisconsin. Dr. Clark came next, and practiced for a short time. He was succeeded by E. B. Pritchard, who remained a longer time than any of his predecessors. Several others have, from time to time, occupied the field; among these were Harrington, Green, Alfred Paige, Stewart, Wm. R. Elder and Bigelow. The field is now occupied by Dr. Burtch.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house in Huntington was built in the winter of 1821-22. It was of logs, and stood near where was subsequently the residence of John A. Chapman. The lands upon which this rude institution of learning was situated were then the property of Isaac Sage. In the spring following sufficient money was raised by subscription with which to pay a teacher, and Miss Lovina Loveland became the pioneer school teacher. This school was composed of the following children: Laura, Cornelia and Sylvester Banning, Tillotson and Eunice Hickok, Alzina and Alonzosi Sage, Clarissa, Caroline and Celestia Rising, Chauncey Parker, Joshua Culver, Anthony and Sarah Laborie. The teacher died soon after the completion of her school. In 1878 there were in the township six school houses, valued at twenty-seven hundred dollars. The total amount paid teachers for the school year ending August thirty-first of that year was ten hundred and twenty- two dollars. The number of children of school age was one hundred and sixty-three.
INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.
The first cheese factory in the township was put in operation in the spring of 1866, by Messrs. J. C. and C. W. Horr. It was located one and one-half miles from the center. The patronage the first year was one thousand cows. The successors to the above firm were Messrs. Horr, Warner & Co., who now own or control all the factories in this section. The season of 1878 there were eight hundred cows in contribution. A creamery is also operated in connection with the factory. The total manufactures were thirty-nine thousand three hundred and thirty-three pounds of butter and two hundred and twenty-two thousand four hundred and ten pounds of cheese.
Another factory was established in April, 1868, by J. A. Snow. It was located upon his farm one and one-half miles northwest of the center. Messrs. Horr, Warner & Co. purchased this factory in 1869 or 1870. The season of 1878 the milk of five hundred cows was utilized. The aggregate make was thirty-six thousand five hundred and forty pounds of butter and two hundred and sixteen thousand eight hundred and two pounds of cheese.
The first manufacturing was done by Benjamin Rising, who had a lathe, operated by a spring pole, for turning wooden bowls. This was quite a curiosity. A bark rope was attached to a long spring pole overhead, then passed around the mandrel and fastened to a treadle below. Pressure on this would throw the block around two or three times, and then the spring of the pole would turn the block back again ready for another gauge.
The first blacksmithing was done by William Lang; this was quite early; his shop stood a few rods north of the old Case hotel. D. C. Hickok was the pioneer shoemaker. Isaac Sage put in operation an ashery in the settlement; this continued several years.
Several saw mills have been built in the township. Urban Kelsey erected the first one; this was on Cherlemonte creek, near the west line of the township. Henry R. Ferris built the next one; this was propelled by the waters of Wellington creek; it stood one mile north, and one-half mile east of the center.
The first and only grist mill in Huntington township was built by John Gatehouse; this was on Wellington creek, perhaps half a mile below the Ferris mill.
Messrs. Milton and Orlando Barker built a steam saw mill one-half mile south of the center, and William Boone built one in the northeast corner of the township. The Barker mill was once blown up and once burned. Boone's mill has been three times destroyed by the fiery element.
Several railroads have been projected through the township. The Clinton Line Extension came nearest being a success; their route was nearly east and west through the township; considerable work was done, and quite a large amount of stock collected. This, however, failed, and although several lines have been talked up since, yet they have elicited little or no encouragement.
THE UNION AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
This society, which, has grown to be a permanent institution in the south part of the county, had its origin in this township.
Some time during the summer of 1854, a call was issued for a meeting to effect an organization, which was signed by such men in the vicinity as P. L. Goss,
A. M. Parmelee, J. H. Welcher, K. T. Finn, W. B. Rudd, M. D. Smith, A. S. Taylor, A. D. Perkins, J.
B. Lang, Hiram Woodworth, S. D. Whitney and others, for a meeting which was held in the Methodist church. An organization was effected, and the following officers elected: President, Philip L. Goss; vice-president, A. M. Parmelee; treasurer, J. H. Welcher; secretary, J. B. Lang.
Its first fair was held on grounds fitted up by volunteer labor, on the farm of A. S. Taylor, just west of the center. The address was delivered by Hon. James Monroe. The success of this fair was very satisfactory to its originators, who decided to hold another the following year, under the same management. This was also a success, but, having no permanent buildings or inclosure, so that gate fees could be taken, its finances were small. After this year, a proposition was made to remove the exhibition to Wellington, where grounds could be fenced and
Residence of Abram Holland, Huntington, Lorain Co., Ohio
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 283
buildings erected. A fair has been held every year since, except one, daring the darkest days of the war. It has now fine grounds and permanent buildings, with a better prospect for the future than in the past.'
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS FOR 1878.
Wheat, 419 acres 6,219 bushels.
Potatoes, 41 " 4,289 "
Oats, 622 " 25,402
Orchards, 264 " 1,786
Corn, 734 " 29,848 “
Meadow, 2,137 " 2,379 tons.
Butter 28,843 pounds.
Cheese 698,835 "
Mapte Sugar 8,740 "
Population in 1870 834
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT IN 1876.
Hayes 151
Tilden 50
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ABRAM HOLLAND
was born in Warren, Worcester county, Massachusetts, August 29, 1804, and was the second son in a family of five children of George and Mary Holland. His father died when he was four years old, and his mother soon thereafter moved to Chester, Hampden county, Massachusetts, where she remained until 1834. In the latter year Abram Holland removed to Ohio, and settled in Huntington township. His educational advantages were limited, but he attended the common schools a few years. He has always followed the plow, and has made farming the business of his life.
On the 6th of November, 1832, he was united in marriage with Mary Ann, daughter of William and Betsey Henry, she being a native of Chester, Massachusetts. She was born April 10, 1811. Her mother is still living at the advanced age of ninety-five years, at North Adams, Massachusetts. Mrs. Holland has had five children: George Henry, born September 2, 1833. He is a farmer and lives in Huntington. Helen Louisa, born July 24, 1840; now the wife of William Davis Dimmock, a farmer, of Huntington township. Adelaide A., born November 4, 1842; died February 26, 1862; Alida, born September 11, 1849; Walter Scott, born July 1, 1854.
On arriving at his new home Mr. Holland bought one hundred acres of land, to which by subsequent purchases he has added one hundred acres more, making a total of two hundred acres. He is a good practical farmer, and is considered one of the honest and substantial farmers of his township. In politics he is a republican, but he has never sought, nor would he accept political preferment. He is liberal in his religious views, but a christian gentleman "for a' that." He is a lineal descendant of the Holland family, members of which have made Western Massachusetts famous; notably Drs. J. J. Holland and J. G. Holland, the latter of whom now edits Scribner's Magazine, and is an author and poet of universal celebrity.