250 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO

SHEFFIELD.

THIS TOWNSHIP, known as number seven in range seventeen, is bounded on the north by Lake Erie, south by the shire township of the county, Elyria, east by Avon, and west by the township of Black River. The soil through the greater part of the township is clay. The ridge passing southwesterly across the extreme southern portion of the township, presents a sandy soil, and along the streams are flats or bottom lands, fertile, and of great productiveness. It is an agricultural township. Along the shore of the lake large quantities of barley are grown, and of a very superior grade. Red clover seed is also another important article of production in this region.

The streams are Black river, French and Sugar creeks. Black river, the most important water course in the township, crosses the southern boundary line on lot seventy-five. It flows a general northerly course to near the center of the township, where it makes an abrupt bend westward and flows from the township on lot fifty-two, its waters emptying into Lake Erie a short distance west, in Black River township. French creek enters the township on its eastern line, lot seven, and flowing a southwest course, forms a junction with Black river on lot sixty-four. Sugar creek rises in Ridgeville township, flows across the southwest corner of Avon, and enters Sheffield near the southeast corner, on lot two. It empties into French creek, on lot sixty-four.

ORIGINAL OWNERS.

Town number seven, in range seventeen, in the original partition by draft, was drawn by William Hart, of Saybrook, Conn. Tract fourteen in Henrietta township was annexed to Sheffield to equalize it. In January, 1815, Mr. Hart sold the entire township to Capt. Jabez Burrell and Capt. John Day, of Sheffield, Berkshire county, Mass. After the purchase Obadiah Deland, of Sheffield, Capt. Joshua Smith, Col. Joseph Fitch and Solomon Fitch, of New Marlborough, Berkshire county, Isaac Burrell, of Salisbury, Herkimer county, State of New York, and Henry Austin, of 0wasco, Cayuga county, same State, became partners.

SETTLEMENT.

Previous to Hart's disposition of the lands now comprised within the boundary lines of Sheffield township, and in about 1812, he agreed with Timothy Wallace to give him his choice in lots, if sold by lot, if he would settle and occupy the same. Wallace accepted. He selected lot sixty-five, now owned by Edward P. Burrell, improved a few acres, and finally abandoned it. This was the first attempt at settlement in Sheffield township.

"The two Burrells, Day, and Smith, explored the township in June, 1815, and selected lots for themselves and friends. About the first of October following, Captain Smith, and his oldest son Douglas, then a lad seventeen years of age, left Massachusetts with a yoke of oxen and one horse, and the necessary tools for clearing and cultivating a new farm." The boy made the greater part of the tedious journey alone. His father left him soon after starting, to visit friends at Sackett's Harbor, New York, and did not rejoin him until he had nearly reached the " Mecca " of their toilsome pilgrimage, Ohio. On the 11th day of November, they arrived at the hospitable dwelling of Wilber Cahoon, in Avon township. This being Saturday, they remained here over the Sabbath, and on Monday morning, November thirteenth, 1815, they followed down French creek, without a trail, and commenced on lot sixty-four, the first permanent settlement in the township. This farm is now owned by Frederic Kreble. Captain Smith's nearest neighbors were John S. Reid and Daniel Perry, at the mouth of Black river, some four miles distant, Wilber Cahoon, of Avon township, five miles away, and Captain Moses Eldred, seven miles distant, at Ridgeville. "In a

Residence of L. F. Parks, ESQ., Sheffield Tp., Lorain Co., Ohio

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 251

few days after the arrival of Captain Smith and son, they were joined by two young men from New Marlborough, Samuel B. Fitch and Ashar Chapman. These four men soon built a rude cabin, where they Vent the winter of 1815-16, shut out from the outer world, and dependent upon their own resources for amusement and enjoyment. Captain Smith was a humorous, jovial man ; enjoyed a joke and was fond of a good story. He was well calculated to amuse him- self and companions in their seclusion."

In February, 1816, Freeman Richmond arrived in he township, and settled on lot two, now owned by Joseph Townshend. Mrs. Richmond was the first , white female who became a permanent settler in Sheffield township. This family afterwards removed from the township, and we believe, reside at present in Amherst, this county.

Henry and Mary (Day) Root, and family were the next settlers. They left their native town, Sheffield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, on the 15th day of February, 1816, and came, at least a greater part of the way by teams, both oxen and horses, arriving at the mouth of Black river on the 1st day of the subsequent April. For perhaps three weeks they remained in the Smith cabin; in the interval preparing a habitation upon lot seventeen where they permanently located. This was near where now stands the Catholic church, in the eastern part of the township. Of this family, a son, William H. Root, Esq., says: "This proved to be an unfortunate location, so far as lands about it were concerned; and, for long years, was one of the most isolated spots in all that part of the county, no neighbor nearer than three-fourths of a mile, for eighteen years." Following are the children of this couple: Aaron, who was a sailor, and generally known as Capt. Root. He married Esther Buck, and had nine children. He died a few years since. William Henry, the next child, married Eliza Case, and by her had three children, daughters, two of whom are now living, Maria at home, and Mrs. H. Garfield, now living in Sheffield. Mrs. Root died April 29, 1833, and on April 15, 1834, he contracted a second marriage, taking for a companion Miss Fanny Day. The fruit of this union was three boys. Orville, the eldest, is now the obliging auditor of Lorain county, whose many courtesies the writer takes pleasure in acknowledging, and Walter and William, twins, who are living near the paternal mansion. The next child of Henry and Mary Root was Julia Ann, who married Norman Day, now deceased. Jane, who married Harvey Austin, now lives at Monroe, Michigan. Francis died unmarried. Mary, the youngest child, married A. R. Fitzgerald, and is now deceased. Henry Day died April 9, 1829. Mrs. Day died February 6, 1857.

Soon after the arrival of Mr. Root and family, Oliver Moon, from Avon, State of New York, located on lot eleven; Milton Garfield and John B. Garfield, of Tyringham, Massachusetts, on lots seventy-three and seventy-four; A. R. Dimmick on lots seventy-five and seventy six; William Richmond on lot two, with his brother Freeman, and Willis Potter, on lot one.

On the 26th of July, Capt. Day and family arrived. The children were as follows: William, generally known as "Judge Day." He married Augusta Burrell. They have a family of seven children, all of whom are now living. The judge resides on the old homestead, lot sixty-six. His son is postmaster at Sheffield post office. John, Jr., the next child, married Cornelia Ann Sackett, of Avon. They reside on lot eighty. Their children number eight, four of whom are living: Norman, married Julia Ann Root, and resides on lot forty-two. They were blessed with seven children, all now living. To this gentleman we desire to express our obligations. From his "anniversary address," on the settlement of Sheffield, we have gleaned much valuable data. Fanny, the next child, became the wife of William H. Root, Esq., and is now deceased; James, married Ann Eliza Austin, and resides on lot sixty-four. Of their seven children, five are now living. Lydia, married Kendrick K. Kerney, Esq. They have but one child, a son, who resides with them on lot seventy-one. Kellogg, married Mary L. Ingalls, of Napoli, New York. He was a teacher among the Cherokee Indians for a term of years. He is now engaged in merchandising at Denmark, Iowa. His family are three daughters, all living. Frederick, married Mary S. Sackett. He died August 11, 1840, leaving two children, a son and daughter, who are now living in Michigan. Edmond, the next child, was born subsequent to the settlement in Sheffield. He mar- ried Camilla Austin. He was a physician for many years, but is not now practicing. He resides in Cleve- land. Of their four children, three are now living. Eleanor, the youngest child, married James Austin, and resides on lot seventy-four; they have but one child, a son.

On the 11th of August, Captain Burrell and family of eight children, and Solomon Weeks, a young man who had been an apprentice to Captain Burrell, arrived by way of the lake, on the schooner Black Snake, and came up the river on Reid's ferry scow. The names of the children were: Julia (Mrs. Humphrey), resides near Rochester, New York; Sarah M. (Mrs. Knapp), now of Knappton, Oregon; Robbins, died in Sheffield, August 24, 1877; Lyman J. lives in California; Jabez L. lives in Oberlin; and Eliza (Mrs Whittlesey) lives in Cleveland. Mary Ann (Mrs. Robert E. Gillett) died July 31, 1837. Solomon Weeks lives in Allen county, Indiana. Ariel Moore died February 10, 1824; Mrs. Moore removed to Fredonia, New York; she is now dead. Lonieda (Mrs. Norman Bedortha), and her sister Lovina, live at Saratoga, N. Y. Abigail (Mrs. Burgess) went on a mission to India, and died there. Nathan Stevens and wife died in Michigan. Henry Austin and wife returned to their native town in 1820.

Davis Heacock and Erastus Heacock left their river farms, and located in the seuthwest part of the town.

252 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

Davis died October 18, 18.58. Erastus married Eunice Burrell, and is now dead. James Burrell died September 29, 1855. Mrs. James Burrell died July 6, 1862. Harriet mar ried John B. Garfield, and is the only survivor of the family. Cyla died March 20, 181-. Almoran died December 28, 1841; and Alva J. died June 20, 1833. Arnold Burrell and wife live in Elyria. Isaac Burrell died March 12, 1860. Mrs. Burrell, the last of the pioneers who came into the township with a family, died December 17, 1864.

"Messrs. Burrell and Day shipped their heavy household goods and farming utensils at Schnectady, on a small, half-decked schooner of about fifteen tons burthen, called the "Fire Fly," built there by Anon Harmon of New Marlborough, Massachusetts. He sailed up the Mohawk, locked by the Little Falls, and thence by the Rome canal into Wood creek, down Wood creek into Oneida lake, then down the outlet and Oswego river to Lake Ontario. At Queenston he unloaded and drew her out, loaded her on cart wheels, drew her by Niagara Falls to Chippewa and launched; then drew her cargo and reloaded; then proceeded through the lake and up-Black river to the mouth of French creek, and landed her cargo of salt and goods on the 'Big Bottom. ' "

In the fall of 1816, Captain Smith went to Massachusetts for his family, and returned in March, 1817. In his family were eight children: Douglass, Isaac, Rachel, Elazar, Harvey, Warren, Caleb and Reuel. Ariel Moore came from New Marlborough with Captain Smith. His family were a wife and three children: Lorinda, Lovina and Abigail. He settled on lot fifty-six. In February of this year Henry Austin and wife, from Owasco, State of New York, settled on lot eighty-one, and Nathan Stephens and wife from New Marlborough, on lot eighty-four. In June, Davis and Erastus Hecock selected lots eighty-five and eighty-six, and commenced improving them, keeping bachelor's hall. About the same time Samuel Munson commenced on lot seventy-two.

On the 5th of July, James Burrell, from Bloomfield, New York, arrived and settled on lot sixty-nine. Isaac Burrell, one of the proprietors, from Salisbury, New York, arrived on the 28th of February. In his family were six children: Eunice, Hiram, Jane, Augusta, Mary and Charlotte.

In the spring of this year, Daniel Perry, Esq., who came from Vermont to the mouth of Black river in 1810, sold his farm there, and moved into Sheffield. He had a family, consisting of a wife and nine children, Polly, Harvey, Sophia, Alexander Hamilton, Royal, Julius, Lester, Bushrod and William. He located on lot twenty-two, where he lived several years, finally removing to Brownhelm. Himself and wife both died several years since.

Jonathan C. Bennett came to Ohio in 1832. He died in Sheffield on the farm now occupied by his sons John W. and Daniel, on the 24th day of April, 1872, at the remarkable age of one hundred and four years.

Samuel B. Fitch, before mentioned, married Mile Dolly J. Smith, of Geneva, Ashtabula county, this State, September 18, 1818. She was a native of Rutland, Vermont. From this marriage the following children were born: Joseph Wellington, who married Harriet Lewis, lives in Sheffield, (he is post-master of the postoffice called "Lake Breeze"); Mary, died in infancy; Martha, married Burt Brett, and lives in Geneva, Ashtabula county, Ohio; Mary Elizabeth, married Jesse H. Lang, lives in Oberlin; Phebe, married Auren Knapp, Jr., lives at Kwappa, Oregon; Henry Martyn, married Lydia A. Day, resides at Sheridan, Montana. Mrs. Dolly J. Fitch died May 6, 1845. The second wife of Mr. Fitch was Nancy Willard, of Paulet, Vermont. She died November 4, 1860. Mr. Fitch died September 16, 1861.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first white child born in the township of Sheffield was Mary Ann Austin. The date was August 20, 1817. She died in Skaneateles, Onondaga county, New York, November 15, 1831.

The first marriage was consumated between Samuel Munson and Miss Phila Taylor, by Ebenezer Whiton, Esq., on the 17th of December, 1818. Mr. Munson died August 6, 1820. Mrs. Munson married Mr. Rooks, and died at Niles, Cayuga county, New York, July 3, 1862.

Captain Smith, the first settler, was the first to die. The date was September 29, 1817. The infant settlement was shocked as the sad news spread from house to house, "Captain Smith is dead." Deacon James, of Brownhelm, officiated at the funeral. The pieces sung on the occasion were, "Hark from the tombs," tune New Durham, and the nineteenth psalm "Lord, what a Feeble Piece," tune Florida. It was a solemn day, and the death of Captain Smith was deeply lamented. A burying ground was selected on the bluff near French creek bridge, where he was buried. This burial place was afterward abandoned, and the bodies removed to the ridge cemetery. The widow of Captain Smith married General Isaac Hull, of Pompey,—now La Fayette,-Onondaga county, New York, at which place she died, October 18, 1859.

The first post office was established at the center of the township, in about 1818. Jabez Burrell, Esq., was the pioneer post master, and remained as such for many years. William A. Day is at present the post master of the Center.

Near the Catholic church, in the eastern part of the township, there is another post office called Crandall. We failed to get the date it was established. Nicholas Kelling is the present post master.

On the Lake Shore road is the third post office. Edward Swan was the first post master, and the office was first opened in about 1840. It has had a variety of names and locations. It was given its present name, "Lake Breeze," a short time since. J. W. Fitch is now post master, the office being kept at his house, on lot forty-one.

Residence of The Late George B. Crehore, Sheffield Tp., Lorain Co., Ohio

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 253

The mercantile interest has never been represented to any great extent in Sheffield township. William Day was the pioneer merchant. He erected a small building on lot sixty-seven, and in 1827, opened his first stock of goods. He only remained in the business a few years, and was succeeded by Alonzo Park. His stay was also of short duration. Isaac L. Case sold goods a short time on the Lake Shore road. In the German settlement, a grocery store was in opera- tion for a short time.

A distillery was put in operation in about 1822, by Chester Wright. It was situated on the ridge, in the south part of the township, and continued for some years to convert grain into that "simmering compound of liquid devils," the use of which so soon causes man to forget "his God, his family and himself." A second distillery was erected in 1824 or 1825, on lot sixty-one. S. B. Fitch was its proprietor. It was abandoned after some five years of feeble existence.

The pioneer sawmill was built by Messrs Day and Burrell, in 1817. It was located on French creek, about three-fourths of a mile from the center of the 'township.

The first gristmill was built by Charles Chaney, in 1824. It was on Black river, occupying the site where now stands the mills of W. and S. B. Day.

The largest steam sawmill in Sheffield, was that known as the Globeville mills, on Black river. This was undoubtedly the largest mill in Lorain county. Shipping plank was the principal lumber sawed.

SCHOOLS.

The first school taught in Sheffield township was by Dr. Preston Pond, of Keene, New Hampshire, in the winter of 1817-18. This was in the little log building, before referred to as standing near the site of the present church. The following winter a term was taught by the Hon. Daniel T. Baldwin, a Berkshire county man, who settled at Black River and became one of the prominent men of Lorain county. He was a "worthy man," and one of superior talent. August :21, 1878, there were eight school houses in the township, valued at seven thousand dollars. The amount paid teachers for the preceding year, was fourteen hundred and forty-seven dollars, and the total number of children in the township, of school age, was two hundred and eighty-six.

ORGANIZATION.*

"From the organization of the county of Huron until the organization of Lorain, Sheffield owed a divided allegiance. Originally Dover embraced Avon, and all of Sheffield and Black River east of the river. At a later day, Avon, and the same parts of Sheffield and Black River that formerly belonged to Dover, constituted the township of Troy, and they were then in Cuyahoga county. From 1815 to 1824, all of

* Boynton. Sheffield,

west of Black river, was attached to the township of Black River, as it existed before its terri- tory was reduced to its present limits. This part of Sheffield was then in Huron county. The township was then known as number seven, in range seventeen. On the first Monday of June, 1824, touched with a little ambition for territorial expansion, she laid her petition before the commissioners of the county of Lorain at their June session, in the first year of the organization of the county, praying for a township organization that should embrace in extent, its present area, all of Black River township east of Black river, and so much of number six, range seventeen (Elyria), as was set off to Enoch Perkins in the partition of the township. The action before the commissioners resulted in the organization of the township with its present boundaries. Sheffield was the first township incorporated after the county was organized. Its incorporation was the first official act of the commissioners at their June session, 1824. A special election was ordered for the township officers, and took place July 10, 1824. The following persons were elected: John Day, Isaac Burrell and A. R. Dimmick, trustees; Nathan Stevens, clerk; Milton Garfield, treasurer; Jabez Burrell and Henry Root, overseers of the poor. Jabez Burrell had been elected justice of the peace in 1819, while the town was a part of Troy, and re-elected in 1822, and was still exercising the duties of the office at the date of the township organization." The following is the official roster for 1878: Leopold Miller, Russell Walker and S. B. Day, trustees; Ed. P. Burrell, clerk; William A. Day, treasurer; Isaac B. Hecock, assessor; Joseph Rothgarry, constable; William H. Root and L. F. Parks, justices of the peace, and nine supervisors of roads and highways.

CHURCHES.

In the winter of 1816, religious meetings were held at the house of Captain Burrell, which consisted in reading a sermon, singing and prayer, by Mr. Hanchett, of Ridgeville, then working for Captain Burrell, for there was not at that time a male professor in the settlement. Whatever of moral and religious principle hangs about the native population of Sheffield is due to the influence of pious pioneer mothers. William H. Root, Esq., says: "We cannot forbear, in this place, to single out of these mothers one whose name will go down to posterity as a model Christian mother—Mrs. Jabez Burrell, whose maiden name was Mary Robbins. Always kind to every one; with a mantle of charity to throw over the faults of others; with a smile and hearty greeting for rich and poor alike—such was this mother in Israel."

The first sermon preached in the township of Sheffield was by Rev. Alvin Coe, in the spring of 1817. Through the summer following three missionaries, Revs. Hartwell, Treat and Seward held meetings in the township. In the fall of 1817, Rev. Alvin

254 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

Hyde, a young divine from Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and son of Dr. Hyde, of Lee, in that county, commenced preaching in Dover, Ridgeville and Sheffield alternately. He was sent out by the "Berkshire Missionary Association," to visit the new settlements on the Reserve. Mr. Hyde's efforts were successful, and in the spring of 1818 the

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

in Sheffield was formed, Rev. Mr. Williams assisting Mr. Hyde on the occasion. The thirteen original members were as follows: Nathan Stevens and wife, Mrs. Mary Burrell, wife of Captain Jabez Burrell, and her two daughters, Julia and Sarah, Mrs. Martha Smith, wife of Captain Joshua Smith, and her son Douglas Smith, Henry Root, Preston Pond, William Day, Samuel B. Fitch, William Smith and Daniel Perry. Meetings were first held in the old log school house, which stood on the brow of the hill just north of where the church now stands. This building for a long time answered the double purpose of church and school house.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

In 1822 Rev. William Reynolds organized a class at the Titus school house in Avon township, but a large portion of the members were from Sheffield township. Meetings were held previous to this at the house of Alexas Miller.. The following persons composed this class: Adam Miller and wife Anna, Alexas Miller and wife Caroline, Susanah Parshall, Delia Ann Case, now widow of Theron Moore, Norman Moore, Anson Titus and Susan his daughter. This church was removed to Sheffield in 1843, and meetings have since that date been held in the school house in district number three. It belongs to the Avon charge. The membership is now only small; Wv. N. J. Chase present pastor. A, Baptist church was formed in Sheffield in 1833, also in the school house in district number three. It was not in operation but a few years, disbanding, and the members, a portion of them uniting with the Methodist Episcopal church, the remainder joining the Baptist church in Avon.

ST. THERESA CHURCH (CATHOLIC),

organized in 1845, by Rev. Peter Griesh, with the following membership: John Miller and his wife Catharine, Christian March and his wife, John Forster, Peter Loux and his wife Elizabeth, Henry Swartz and his wife Magdalene, Peter Schneider and his wife, Mathias Shuler and his wife Mary Catherine, George Lusbauer and his wife Catharine, Peter Urich, John Diedrich and his wife Gertrude, Peter Rothgery and his wife Magdalene, Andrew Guberna, Peter Young, Leopold Miller, John Conklin and his wife Anna, John Marks, George Glensherin and his wife Theresa, Antone Deitsh and his wife Kunneyunda, John Kelling and his wife Catharine. At the organization of the church, each member paid one dollar, with which they bought one acre of land upon which they built a log church twenty-four by thirty feet, which was occupied until the new church was built in 1847. The new church was forty by sixty feet, and cost fifteen hundred dollars. One acre of land was bought of Aaron Root, with the understanding that if he sold his farm he would give them another acre, which he did; so they have two acres in the church lot. At the organization, John Miller, Christian March, Peter Loux and Peter Schneider were appointed church trustees. At present the church is represented by fifty-five families. The church prop- erty is valued at four thousand dollars.

INCIDENT.

The following we quote from Mr. Day's address. It is familiar to every student of McGuffey's series of readers: In the summer of 1821, Peter Miller, a lad of seventeen, had been laboring near he center of Sheffield. Saturday afternoon be started to go home to his father's on the lake shore, in Avon. It was five miles through the wilderness, and much of the way his path was near a large swamp infested with bears. When about one-third of the way through, he saw a bear and two cubs. He shouted to scare them away, but bruin, fearing her cubs would be disturbed, showed fight, and came towards him. In early pioneer times it was said that a bear could not climb a small tree; and in an instant young Miller had selected a small, smooth elm, and began to climb, but to his surprise and consternation he saw the bear following him up the tree. He climbed as far as he thought prudent to go, and when she got near enough, he began to kick her on the head. She grappled his foot, then let go her hold on the tree, and fell to the ground, lacerating his foot terribly with her teeth. She immediately started up the tree again. Miller could only watch her progress, vainly endeavoring to frighten her back. When she arrived within his reach, he used the other foot, and met with the same success. The bear, determined not to lose her prey, ascended the third time. The boy, frightened and exhausted, lost his hold, and both tumbled to the ground together. The bear, evidently alarmed at being so closely pursued from the tree, jumped a few paces, and turned to look at her in- tended victim. The boy ran for his life, casting anxious glances over his shoulder at his pursuer. She, however, gave up the chase. Young Miller arrived at the settlement in a sorry plight, bareheaded; his shoes gone, and his feet mangled in a shocking manner. The neighbors rallied and searched for the bear, but without success.

The only hotel in Sheffield township is the summer resort known as "Lake Breeze." This was opened in the year 1873, by its present proprietor, Mr. Jay Terrell, formerly of Ridgeville township, this county.

354A - ERASTUS HECOCK.

The aged widow of Erastus Hecock, knowing little of the history of his parents, says he was born in Connecticut, March 27, 1793. At an early day his parents, Silas and Hannah J., moved into the town of Fairfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y. Their son Erastus soon removed from there to Salisbury, Herkimer Co., to learn the trade of clothier or cloth-dresser, and there enlisted in the war of 1812, at the age of eighteen. Remaining until discharged, he returned to Salisbury, where he spent a year.

In the year 1818 he moved into the township of Sheffield, Lorain Co., Ohio, taking up one hundred and forty acres of land upon which no improvements had been made. His energy and strict integrity gained him many friends at that early day. At an early date he built the mills at Sheffield, which, having changed ownership many times, yet retain his name.

He was a member of the State militia ; he became captain, and was advanced to the rank of colonel.

On the 6th of December, 1827, Mr. Hecock married Eunice, daughter of Isaac and Huldah Burrell. ReSultant of this union was a family of seven children, all living, viz.; Pamelia, Isaac B., Hannah, Harry, Celia, Hiram, and Silas.

After a long life of toil, by which he had acquired much property and the respect of hiS fellow-men, having been prominently identified with the early history of Lorain County, he met his death the 23d of August, 1866, in the following manner : returning from Wayne Co., Ohio, with a drove of stock, whilst on foot driving the cattle, he was overtaken by Mr. Bishop, an acquaintance, who asked him to ride. In attempting to cross the railroad track in Lagrange township, the horse's foot was caught, and a passing freight-train instantly killed them both. The kindly hands of children and dear old friends laid him to rest in the cemetery at Shef- field, Ohio, where his widow now resides on the old homestead.

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 255

It is situated on lot number forty, upon the bank of, and overlooking the blue waters of Lake Erie. Mr. Terrell has, in connection with the hotel, a number of cottages, and keeps pleasure boats for the use of guests.

White fishing is prosecuted quite extensively by the dwellers along the shore. The fish are caught in gill nets. We have been unable to procure the data in relation to the fishing interest, but many tons are caught annually.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS FOX 1878:

Wheat, 887 acres. 15,489 bushels.

Potatoes, 76 " 6,994

Oats, 748 " 27,141

Barley, 416 " 11,050

Orchards, 872 " 9,515

Corn, 1,039 " 35,572

Meadow, 1,831 " 2,425

Butter 28,495 pounds.

Cheese 630 Maple Sugar 550

Population in 1870 973

VOTE FOR PRESIDENT IN 1876.

R. B. Hayes 120

S. J. Tilden 99