HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 347
WELLINGTON.
Residence of D. L. Wadsworth, North Main St., Wellington Tp., Lorain Co., Ohio
IN THE thirty-eighth draft by the members of the Connecticut land company, April 4, 1807, Ephraim Root and James Ross drew township number three in range eighteen, with other lands, and in the division, Ephraim Rat became the original proprietor of Wellington. .
The township contains an area of twenty-two and one-half miles and a fraction over-by the original survey, thirteen thousand nine hundred and twelve acres of land. It was divided into forty-eight original lots. It was six lots deep, running from south to north, and thence from north to south, and numbered in this order consecutively. It is eight lots in length east and west. They are of unequal size; the lots west of the center road are the larger. The first tier of lots is on the east side of the township. The southeast corner lot is number one, numbering thence north consecutively; number six is the northeast corner lot, returning thence on the second tier of lots to the south line; so back and forth, ending with lot forty-eight, in the southwest corner.
February 18, 1812, the general assembly of the State of Ohio fixed the territorial limits of the county of Medina by an act or that date, wherein it was provided that all that part of the Connecticut Western Reserve lying west of the eleventh range, south of number five and east of the twentieth range, shall be attached to and be a part of the county of Portage.
The territory thus set to Medina embraced township number three, range eighteen-Wellington. On the organization of Medina county in January, 1818, it was a part thereof, and so remained until the organization of Lorain county, January 21, 1824.
At the organization of Medina county, the "sound of the woodman's axe had never been heard within the township. The only works of civilization were the blazed trees indicating the lot lines made by the surveyor's hatchet. The wilderness was unbroken. The Wyandots were still here, and here remained for several years after the arrival of the first settlers. Remains of their old wigwams, near an orchard of wild plums in Penfield township, were seen as late as 1840.
The township is traversed by several affluents of Black river, Wellington creek in the eastern, Charle Mont creek and the west branch of Black river in the western and northern parts. It is therefore well watered, and has a diversified soil of alluvium and upland. The surface is level, and much of it back from the streams was originally regarded as swale lands, but their adaptation for meadow and grazing purposes is unsurpassed. There is not an acre of waste land in the township. In the eastern part are still seen the remains of an old beaver dam, which in an early day served to flood an extent of fifty or seventy-five acres, and was known as Wellington swamp. It afforded a secure retreat for wild ani- mals. It was the haunt of the bear and the wolf. Its impenetrable thickets afforded an effectual screen from the hunter's vigilance. The wolf, for miles away, when closely pursued, headed for Wellington swamp, and it was a struggle of skill and endurance on the part of the bunter to cut him off from that retreat. The east and west center road, when con- structed, crossed it in the middle. The road was made by felling the brush upon the surface of the morass, upon which stringers were placed lengthwise upon cross pieces placed on the brush; over these stringers the corduroy covering was laid. The road was literally a bridge, which, as used, would gradually settle below the surface, when other stringers were placed and more corduroy was laid. It was too narrow for teams to meet and pass thereon. If two met, the lightest loaded was unhitched, load removed, wagon uncoupled and crowded to one side, team backed to terra .firma, while the other pushed on. Such hindrances rarely occurred, however, for the noise of the jolting wagon upon the rough corduroy gave timely notice that the road was occupied.
To-day the site of that swamp is occupied by well cultivated fields of unsurpassed and exhaustless fertility.
The Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis railway traverses the township diagonally, from the northeast to the southwest corner. It is crossed by five roads running north and south, and by three east and west. It is about midway between Elyria on the north, Ashland on the south, Medina on the east, and Norwalk on thd west, and on the most direct road to each. This fact, at an early day, gave Wellington importance as the center of local trade, and rendezvous for land owners and settlers.
Ephraim Root, the original proprietor of Wellington, sold the township to Colonel Francis Herrick, Harmon Kingsbury, Frederick Hamlin, and Norton and Stocking, of Berkshire county, Massachusetts. In the record of transfers of Medina county, for the year 1819, the first transfer from Ephraim Root to Francis Herrick of three thousand five hundred and sixty acres, township three, range eighteen, is entered. From the same to Joseph Kingsbury, two thousand two hundred and seventy-eight acres. In 1820, the
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348 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
same to Amos Adams, six hundred and fifty acres; to Adams, Noiton and Stocking, three thousand four hundred and seventy-eight acres; to Lyman and Sanford Brown and Frederick Hamlin, two thousand acres; to John Clifford, three hundred and fifty acres; to John Clifford, Jr., seventy-five acres; to John Howk, seven hundred and thirty-four and three-fourths acres. These transfers were made to actual settlers. And it was a happy thing for Wellington that these lands did not fall into the hands of speculators,
FIRST SETTLEMENT AND SETTLERS.
In March, 1818, the first settlers arrived. They were: Ephraim Wilcox and Charles Sweet, who came out in the employ of Frederick Hamlin; John Clifford and Joseph Wilson, of Berkshire county, Massachusetts; and William T. Welling, of Montgomery county, New York. The first four left Berkshire county in February, with packs and tools loaded upon a cutter, drawn by one old mare. One drove while the others walked. Welling joined them en route. In March, they reached Grafton, the most advanced out-post in the direction of their lands. They at once commenced cutting a "trail" to township number three, of range eighteen, and entered the township at the northeast corner thereof, and thence to the center lots.
They reached their destination in the latter part of March, at night-fall. They camped for the night, and the next day commenced and nearly completed a temporary cabin, which was to be their home for weary months. It was erected near the corner of lots twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-seven and twenty-eight, upon the ground where the house of Mrs. J. P. Nickles now stands. They made benches for chairs; mattresses of dried leaves for beds, placed upon bed- steads made by driving four crotched stakes into the ground, with stringers stretching from stake to stake, and white oak shakes crossing from stringer to stringer, upon which the leaf matresses were laid. These rude beds soon gave place to more luxurious couches, made by the pioneer with axe and auger, consisting of four posts, four straight poles for the side and foot rails, extending from post to post, of requisite length and width, inserted in auger boles and interwoven with basswood bark, which, until the bark got too dry and brittle, made a bed a king might envy, if prepared for its enjoyment by the toils of pioneer life.
Their temporary cabin completed, they at once commenced work upon their lands, finding them by the surveyor's plat, and the marks upon the corner stakes of the lots, Ephriam Wilcox upon lot twenty-eight; John Clifford upon lot sixteen; Joseph Wilson upon lot fourteen; and Charles Sweet, for Frederick Hamlin, upon lot twenty-seven. By the 1st of April the ringing of the woodman's ax, the crash of falling trees, gave token of the advent of civilization, of the dawn of that struggle to plant the institutions of New England in the forest, which it took a generation to complete.
On the 4th day of July, of that year, they were joined by the family of Ephraim Wilcox, consisting of wife and child, Theodore Wilcox and sister, Miss Caroline Wilcox, accompanied by Dr. Daniel J. Johns, Frederick Hamlin, and Austin Kingsbury. The log house was ready for their reception, into which they were received on this glad fourth of July, after a separation of five months, passed by the husband father in the depths of the forest, far from the sound of woman's voice, or children's prattle.
These women were the first white women in Wellington. The site of their first home, that first log cabin,—is still seen, about three-quarters of a mile , northwest of the center of the township. An old peach tree, an apple tree, a hop vine, the ruins of the old stone and clay chimney still mark the place in a field now owned by Daniel J. Johns. It is remote from any road, for it preceded roads. No lovelier place for a home could have been chosen, facing the east, upon a gentle declivity, at the foot of which a bubbling brook sent up, in. those days, the music of its unceasing murmur, and near by, an unfailing spring sent forth an abundant supply of the purest water. To such a home and such scenery were these women welcomed. The welcome and lovely scene was not unappreciated by them, which appreciation was manifested by Mrs. Wilcox in the most timely and fitting manner possible, to wit: by the presentation to her husband and infant colony of a man child, John W. Wilcox, born on the twenty-fifth day of September, A. D. 1818, the first white child born in the township. He grew to manhood, and died here, leaving a widow and two sons, Stanley and Arthur.
The journey of these last arrivals was performed from Massachusetts, in just four weeks' time. They came with horses and wagons, bringing such house- hold goods as were absolutely necessary. Dr. Johns was then just twenty-one years old, and from that day to this has been closely identified with every interest of Wellington and the surrounding townships. He was for years the only physician in a circuit of fifteen miles. Here he purchased and cleared a farm, built a home, married and reared a family of children. He helped to organize the township and the county, tilled various township offices, and was an associate judge of the Lorain court of common pleas from February, 1838, to February, 1845, inclusive.
No further accessions were made to the settlement until in the late fall of that year. One morning the tinkle of a strange cowbell was heard from the direction of the center. Curious to see from what it proceeded, the sound was followed, and an emigrant's team was found grazing, and the first shanty erected was found occupied, not by strangers, but by friends from their old Massachusetts home, Josiah Bradley and wife, John and Alanson Howk, and their mother, Miss Electa Howk, and a sister and "Dean," a female servant, a relic of Massachusetts slavery, who had continued to live with her old mistress after the adoption of the constitution of 1780, and had fol-
Residence of James Sheldon, Wellington Tp., Lorain Co., Ohio
Residence of S. D. Bacon, Wellington, Ohio
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 349
lowed her into the wilderness. They had reached the center of the township after dark the night be- fore. Their trail ended there. The deserted shanty was found and occupied until morning should reveal the whereabouts of the settlers. They were never accorded a more joyful welcome than that which then was given them. The meeting of those pioneer women in the depths of the forest, months having intervened since two of them had looked upon any of their own sex save themselves, was one of intense emotion. Encircling arms, tear-dimmed eyes were the expression of a joy too great for utterance. Alanson Howk settled upon lot twenty-two ; John Howk upon lot fifteen, and Josiah Bradley upon lot number forty.
Frederick Hamlin, having completed his log-house on lot twenty-seven, that fall returned to Massachusetts for his family. The next year be returned with his wife, Mrs. Nancy Hamlin, and four children, viz: Frederick M., Lucius, Homer and Jane.
The providence that sent this family into the wilderness was beneficent to Wellington. Active in the organization of schools, earnest in promoting the interests of society, prominent in the civil affairs of the township and county, filling some of the most important places of public trust in both, the name of Frederick Hamlin, and after him of his son Frederick M., appears on every page of its history for the first forty years. The father was one of the first common pleas judges of the county, sat upon the bench at the first term of court ever held in the county, May term, 1824, and continued to Serve until the March term, 1831. In after years, when the county had become populous and wealthy, the son, Frederick M., was chosen treasurer of the county for two successive terms. He entered into the office in September, A. D., 1865, and retired September, 1869, and no man ever served the public therein more acceptably.
Homer Hamlin removed to Iowa after seeing the township all settled and a large village springing up around the very spot where the old log house, the home of his childhood, stood. They have all passed away now, the work of their hands, and a fragrant memory are all that remain to speak for them.
On the 13th of November, 1819, Abner Loveland, from Otis, Massachusetts, came. He journeyed the entire distance on foot, reached the settlement on Friday, hired to Judge Hamlin on Saturday as a wood-chopper, and commenced his job on Monday. He finally settled in Brighton, but returned to Wellington in after years, where he lived until his death, in March, 1879. At a very early period of the anti-slavery movement he identified himself therewith, and suffered bonds and imprisonment because of his devotion to the cause of human liberty. This same year came Lyman Howk, who located upon lot ten, where be continued to live until his death.
In May, 1820, John Clifford, who had returned east in the fall of 1818, after making a small clearing, returned with his family, consisting of his wife and !ten children, six sons and four daughters, viz: John Clifford, Jr., Daniel, Luther L., Elijah M., George W., Benjamin F., Hannah, Theodosia, Harriet and Polly, a noble force for the work in hand. They at , once commenced the erection of a log house, and in one week their house was ready. Shortly after, an addition was built to it, and here was taught the first school, by Miss Caroline Wilcox, Mr. Clifford furnishing not only the house but over half the-pupils. In this house was preached the first sermon, by Rev. Mr. McMahon, presiding elder of the Methodist Episcopal church. And here Rev. Adam Poe preached his first 'sermon. The old log house, in a few years, gave place to a substantial frame house, in which Mr. Clifford lived from thence to the day of his death, September 17, 1869, aged ninety-two years, surviving his sons, Luther L. and George W. This was the first frame house built.
This year Mr. Hamlin opened a small store in a log house at the center, and here the first post office was kept by him, the first postmaster.
In 1847, Rev. Ansel R. Clark delivered an historical sermon to the First Congregational church of Wellington. Speaking of the progress of the settlement, he said that in the beginning of the year 1821, there were thirty-seven inhabitants in the township. That year came Amos Adams, Milton Adams, and their sister, Miss Atlumira Adams, who married Austin Kingsbury, Russell B. Webster, Mel Battle, Whitman De Wolf, Loren Wadsworth, Judson Wadsworth, William Foote, Daniel Smith and Josiah B. Munley. The latter, with his wife and three children, journeyed from Massachusetts with an ox team, and was forty days in making the journey, the last night of which was spent in the woods within four miles of the Settlement, without food for themselves or team; surrounded from dark till dawn by legions of howling wolves. They arrived at the settlement at early dawn, and found every man absent.
LOST IN THE WOODS.
The word had been sent the night before from Sullivan, that a child was lost in the forest, and help was wanted to search for the wanderer. These tidings, by faithful messengers, were forwarded to adjacent settlements in Brighton and Pittsfield, with a request that all should engage in the search and they assembled at Sullivan at sunrise on the next morning to organize. Many had come a distance of fifteen miles. It was a bleak November day, but that morning beheld a column of men three miles long, assembled at the place of designation. As the child had last been seen east of the dwelling of its parents, the commander of the forces conceived the idea that the little wanderer was to be found east. The order to march was given, and the line Moved forward into the depths of the wilderness. They crossed Black river and penetrated into the wilds beyond, where no child could possibly go. In the afternoon a violent snow storm came on.
350 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
It was thought the child must perish; a backward march was made and the child was left to his fate. The next spring its remains were found, partially eaten by the wolves. The child had crawled under the body and upturned roots of a fallen tree, evidently for shelter, and there had perished, west of the house and within half a mile thereof. Among those from Wellington was Russell B. Webster, a young man of stalwart frame, with great powers of endurance, and possessed of mental force to match. Exhausted with the long tramp to Sullivan in the night, the fruitless march, and the return tramp home, some of the com- pany sank down exhausted by the way. Webster lifted, led or carried these to places of safety, where rest could be had. Webster besought the leader to let the company search the woods around the house on all sides first, but was unfortunately overruled.
To get lost in the woods was no uncommon occurrence to the pioneers themselves, but over children such careful watch was kept that it was rare, and but few instances of the kind happened. If a man at nightfall did not return it was surmised he was lost. Tin horns were blown and guns were fired to direct his course, should the sound reach him, while the man himself would climb a tree the better to catch the sound he knew his friends would make, and if no sound reached him the branches of the tree were his resting place till morning, unless the rigors of the season demanded constant walking to prevent freezing. The craft of the experienced woodmen soon taught them when the sun was hidden to follow the water courses; sooner or later these would lead to a settler's path. " Every man's house was a home, the latch string always hung out, the wanderers, the weary and the hungry always were welcomed with a hospitality that puts to shame the cold civilities of more modern life-the hospitality of the heart.
Wolves were numerous, their nightly howls were hideous, their havoc among sheep and domestic animals ruinous. The sheep, for better protection from them, were nightly housed in folds, and woe to the flock if this precaution was neglected. They often fol- lowed at a safe distance the pioneer's footsteps, rarely, if ever, attacking him. Their attitude was one of perpetual threatening, but like all cowards, never executing, ready and willing to make an attack, opportunity presenting, and hunger pressing. At last the legislature of the State legislated the wolves to that land from whose bourne no wolf returns. A state bounty of four dollars and twenty-five cents for the scalp of every wolf over six months old, was offered and paid, and for those under six months, two dollars and fifty cents. As this was about the only way of getting money, except counterfeiting, which latter method was confined to Akron, mainly, every man, theoretically or practically, became a wolf-hunter. Old worn out horses and diseased cattle were conveyed or driven into the loneliest-depths of the forest and slaughtered, and their carcasses surrounded with wolf traps, hidden among the leaves, chained to heavy clogs, that would prevent escape, but not hold the animal so fast he could not drag it after him. If caught by the leg and held immovable the wolf would escape by gnawing off the leg. The other way he could barely crawl, leaving a broad trail behind him made by himself, trap and clog, to some thicket where he could be easily found. Wolf scalps, black salts, for pearls were the only products the settlers had to sell, these afforded their only means for getting money to pay their taxes, which was about the only use they had for money.
CLOTHING AND FOOD.
They made their own cloth from yarn spun from wool raised from their own sheep, or flax raised themselves and dressed by themselves; carded and spun by the women. They wore bats home made from braided straw, or caps from the skins of animals, with a well preserved suit, brought from New England, for Sundays. The rock maple afforded an abundant supply of sap, which in March was gathered and boiled into sugar sufficient for the wants of a year. For the first few years their wants, outside of home productions, were few indeed. The forest supplied them with the choicest venison for substantial meat, while for delicacies, they had wild turkey, duck and pheasant. The woods furnished grazing for cattle, and though the butter and milk had a flavor of garlic from the leeks with which the woods abounded, upon which the cows fed, yet they learned to make that "do with an onion." For early vegetables the streams afforded water crosses, the marshes, cowslips fcr greens. Fox grapes, wild gooseberries, and wild plums were abundant. The curculio was unknown. Hogs fattened upon hickory nuts, beech nuts and acorns, without cost or trouble to the owner, and of all the domestic animals thrived the best.
Large numbers of cattle were annually lost from murrain, taking often the settler's only cow or team, and he without the means of replacing the loss. Such misfortunes were common to every neighborhood and were at that time a real calamity, the extent of which can not now be apprehended. This disease gradually disappeared as the country became older, and is now nearly or quite extinct.
TRAVEL AND ITS DANGERS.
The new roads for the larger portion of the year were almost impassable; nearly all travel was with ox-teams hauling loads, and on horseback for journeying.
The streams were not bridged, and crossing was dangerous in high water, even after bridges were constructed; for the overflow of the flats obscured the track, and washed it away. The crossing of Black river, on the northern boundary of the township, was particularly hazardous in high water, and numerous anecdotes are told of accidents and hairbreadth escapes here. Here President Fairchild came near losing his life by flood. Here Russell B. Webster, in mid-winter, saved his, by the vigorous exercise of the
Residence of Homer Mason, Wellington Tp., Lorain Co., Ohio
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 351
great strength with which nature had endowed him, and that remarkable fortitude and self command through which his presence of mind never forsook him. Under the floating ice, and on the ice, unable to swim, he succeeded in drawing himself out of the jaws of death into the branches of a tree, there to remain, chilled to the bone, until help came. He saved himself, but lost his team.
Ague and bilious fever were the prevailing diseases, before which many a hardy pioneer succumbed, and moss-grown tombstones mark their early graves, cut off in the prime of their manhood in their stern battle with nature's forces.
DEATH DOLT
The first death occurred on August 21, 1824. Josiah B. Munloy, at the early age of thirty-two, died of disease incident to the new country. It was a great shock to the infant settlement, and a grevious loss to the community, and irreparable to his family, consisting of a wife and three children.
Charles W. Sweet died next, August 23, 1826, at the age of thirty-two years.
Miss Caroline Wilcox married Dr. Hiram Hamlin, and lived at Wellington most of her life. She died December 4, 1861, at the age of sixty-two years.
Ephraim A. Wilcox, after filling various responsible township positions, died August 28, 1835, aged forty-four years. His widow survived him ten years. One marble slab marks their resting place, on which are inscribed their names and date of death, and these words, "The first family of Wellington settlement,. Erected by early settlers of Wellington."
John Howk lived until December 24, 1869. He died aged seventy-eight years. On the headstone to his grave is inscribed, "Here lies an honest man," and in his case it was no unmeaning compliment, but a deserved tribute to worth.
John S. Reed, one of the earliest merchants, died in June, 1855, at the age of forty-two years. He was drowned while bathing in Black river, and his loss was a grevious one to Wellington. He was active in all matters of public interest, and a friend to progress. His early taking off, his untimely fate, his prominence, all conspired to make the event one of especial significance in the history of Wellington.
Colonel Francis Herrick lived until 1855. He died at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Though one of the original proprietors of the town, he did not re- move here until several years after the arrival of the first corners.
Loring Wadsworth died in 1871, seventy-two years of age. His father, Benjamin Wadsworth, died December 30, 1844, aged seventy years; Amos Adams, June 19, 1836; Josiah Bradley, September 1, 1869; David Webster, October 14, 1867; Alanson Howk, April 9, 1850.
Lawton Wadsworth, who erected the first hotel,— the American house,-as early as 1833, died February 21, 1867.
ORGANIZATION, NAME, ETC.
The township was organized in the year 1821. The records of the first years are lost. They were kept upon slips of paper at first, and when a record book was opened in 1824, the transcribing was neglected. The first township officers were John Howk, Josiah Bradley and Austin Kingsbury, trustees; Ephraim Wilcox, justice of the peace, and Amos Adams, township clerk.
In selecting a name for the township, the honor of naming it was put up and struck off to the highest bidder. The bid being an offer to chop out roadway, the highest offer to chop, linear measurement, to win. Charles Sweet bid eighty rods, and the naming of the township was accorded to him. He named it Charlemont, which was not acceptable to the rest. They offered to do Sweet's job for him, he surrendering his right to name. He consented, and Wellington was the name agreed upon, to the satisfaction of all concerned, some favoring that name through admiration of the Iron Duke, others through a desire to honor their compatriot, William T. Welling, one of the first five who came, so that all were gratified.
The first election of which any record, is preserved was a special election held July 5, 1824; for electing a justice of the peace. The record certifies that the result was a tie between E. Wilcox and R. B. Webster. It seems a second balloting was had, which resulted in ten votes for Wilcox, seven for Webster, and two scattering. This election was declared irregular, another was called and resulted in the election of Mr. Wilcox. At the annual State election, on the 12th of October, A. D. 1824, Benjamin Wadsworth, Judson Wadsworth and James Wilson acted as judges of election, and D. Z. Johns and E. A. Wilcox clerks. There were but ten votes cast at this election. A copy of the poll list shows that there were ten electors, as follows: Loring Wadsworth, Whitman DeWolf, James Wilson, Frederick Hamlin, Judson Wadsworth, E. A. Wilcox, D. J. Johns, Benj. Wadsworth, Silas Boly and Amos Adams. Allen Trimble had ten votes for governor and Alfred Kelly ten votes for representative in congress. As these were the candidates of the federal party, it is inferred that these electors were all federalists. The democrats did not vote; they perhaps forgot the day, for it was before the times when electors were kept from the polls by bulldozing. The next election of which a record is kept in the township records, was held October 14, 1828, and Allen Trimble, out of the whole number of votes cast, which were thirty, had thirty votes. Again Wellington patriots all voted one way. But at the presidential election, on the 31st of October of that year, there were forty-five votes cast, of which the federal candidates for electors had thirty-eight votes and the democratic electors had seven votes.
In 1829, there were twenty-one householders in the school district number one, the center district. In
352 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
district number two; the western district, there were eleven householders. These two districts embraced the -entire township.
At the October election, 1830, there were thirty-six votes cast, of which Duncan McArthur had thirty- five votes for governor, and Robert Lucas had one vote. At an election for justice of the peace, in 1833, there were fifty-five votes cast. At the October election, in 1836, the total number of votes polled was one hundred and thirty, of which Eli Baldwin had sixty-nine, and Joseph Vance sixty-one for governor. Joseph Vance was the whig candidate. At the presidential election that year, there were one hundred and sixty-three votes polled, of which number the whig electors received eighty-seven votes, and the democratic seventy-seven, making one more than the whole number of votes cast. At the election, in 1837, Eber W. Hubbard, democrat, and Daniel T. Baldwin, whig, had each sixty-seven votes for representative in the State legislature. At the State election, in 1838, Joseph Vance, whig, had seventy-four votes, and Wilson Shannon, democrat, had seventy-three. At the State election, in 1840, the total vote was one hundred and fifty-six, of which Thomas Corwin, whig candidate, had ninety-five, and Wilson .Shannon, democratic, fifty-nine votes for governor. Sherlock J. Andrews, whig candidate for representative in congress, had ninety-six votes, the highest number cast for any candidate at that election. At the presidential election of that year, the Harrison electors received eighty-nine votes, the Van Buren electors sixty-five votes, and the electoral ticket for James G. Birney, the candidate of the anti-slavery party, called the liberty party, for president, received three votes.
WELLINGTON VILLAGE.
On the 14th of March, A.D., 1836, the legislature chartered the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Rail Road Company, but the charter became dormant by non user, and an act of revival was passed in 1845, March 12. After this, active steps were taken to push the enterprise. Several routes were contemplated by the company, among which was one via Elyria and west of Wellington; one via Ashland and east of Wellington, through Penfield; another through Wellington, touching no large towns, en route to Columbus, even leaving Delaware to the west about two miles. The struggle to secure the location was spirited. There is but little doubt that Elyria was a dangerous competitor to Wellington, had she seen fit to exert herself. The latter place did her best. Dr. D. Z. Johns, in its behalf, was instant in season and out of season. He was untiring in exertions to arouse the energies of the town. He called meetings, he gave time and money, he secured the right of way by donation wherever possible. He gave valuable lands himself, and all the people who had means sub- scribed liberally to the stock of the company. They succeeded in securing the location through the center of the township, within twenty rods of the stone that marks he center. The credit of this achievement belongs to Dr. Johns more than to Any other.' It was the turning point to the fortunes of the place. The road on either side would have blasted all village prospects, and where the village now is would have been four farms and nothing more. As soon as the location was secured and the line of the road established, the company began the work of construction and pushed it most vigorously. One of the deepest fills on the road is in Wellington, at the crossing of Charlemont creek, and was quite an obstacle that had to be overcome, in securing the location of the line. Clouds of workmen, in the summer of 1849, with shovel and pick entered the township, and the work of grading went forward with vigor. From the hour of location the growth of the village has been most healthful; not rapid, but steadily increasing from year to year.
Two disastrous fires, as regarded at the time, have visited the place—one on the 13th of September, 1858, which consumed the entire business portion of the town on the west side of Main street, burning five stores and much of their contents. The other fire occurred on the 1st of May, 1865, and burned the store of Foot & Van Deusen, on the corner of Main and Liberty streets, with adjoining buildings.
The corporate limits embrace about one thousand two hundred acres of land, being original lots numbers twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-seven and twenty-eight. The organization of the village as a municipality was effected August 6, 1855. The first corporate election was held the 3d of December, 1855. John M. Swift was chosen Mayor. The following is a list of the incumbents of that office from that date to 1879, inclusive, to wit:
E. S. Tripp, term of office, from April, 1856, to April, 1858.
F. M. Hamlin, “ " 1859 " 1860.
Loring Wadsworth, " " " 1860 " 1861.
Henry Phelps, " 1862
F. M. Hamtin, “ ” 1862 “ 165
E. S. Tripp, “ " 1865 1867
J. H. Dickson, “ " 1867 “ 1868
G. W. Burte, “ ” “ 1868 “ 1869
A. H. Palmer, “ " " 1869 “ 1870
J. B. Lang, “ ” "1870 “ 1872
N. Huckins, “ ” “ 1972 to Sept., 1874
J. W. Houghton, “ ” “ From April 1874 to April 1874
A W. Palmer, “ From April 1874 “ 1876
A. W. Palmer “ ” 1876 “ 1878
A. W. Palmer was re-elected in 1878.
The population of the village at the census of 1860, was one thousand and twenty-nine; in 1870, it was one thousand two hundred and eighty-one; in the census of 1850, covering both township and village, the population was one thousand five hundred and fifty-six; in 1860, it was one thousand seven hundred and twenty; in 1870, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one. The village, in 1879, estimated by the vote, two thousand two hundred; the township and village, three thousand.
The business of the place is mainly commercial— large quantities of merchandise are annually retailed. At the time of the incorporation of the village, the
Residence of J. H. Dickson, Wellington, Ohio
352A - HON. JOSEPH H. DICKSON.
Hon. Joseph H. Dickson, one of Wellington's prominent and honored citizens, located there in December, 1855.
His attention was directed early in life to the possibilities embraced . within the scope of high legal attainments, and entering accordingly upon a course of study, he found that his earnestly directed and energetic ambition urged him rapidly forward upon his chosen path, and graduating eventually with conspicuous honors, he was, in August, 1852, admitted to the bar.
Directly upon his settlement in Wellington he began to win popular recognition, and to make his influence felt in a more than ordinary measure.
He was chosen to represent Lorain County in the Fifty-eighth and Fifty- ninth General Assemblies of the State of Ohio, whereby he was enabled to contribute something toward the legal recognition of the equality of all men before the law by voting for the adoption of the joint resolution ratifying, on the part of Ohio, the adoption of the fifteenth amendment to the constitution of the United States.
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principal merchants were 0. S. Foote and I. S. Van Deusen, under the firm name of Foote & Van Damien; J. H. Wooley and D. Reamer, under the firm name Wooley & Reamer; William Runnells, W. F. Herrick and S. F. Wolcott, under the firm name of Herrick & Wolcott.
There were several manufacturing establishments, among which were the following: Mills of the Wellington Manufacturing Company; carriage factory of E. S. Tripp; Bennett, Kirk & Co., wood work and agricultural implements; cabinet work and furniture store of A. G. Conch.
In 1852, a newspaper was established here, under the management of George Brewster, elsewhere in this work referred to; afterward it was discontinued, and in 1866, the Wellington Enterprise was established.
THE DAIRY INTEREST.
Soon after the completion of the Cleveland and Columbus railroad the business of buying and shipping cheese at Wellington was opened by R. A. Horr, then residing in Huntington. Mr. Horr built up a large order trade. Others soon went into the business, which rapidly grew. The first cheese ware house or shipping house was opened by B. G. Carpenter. Others were speedily established until, in 1878, there was a number of different houses and firms engaged in the business of manufacturing, buying and selling cheese and butter. Among the principal ones in that year were Messrs. Horr, Warner & Co., Baldwin, Laundon & Co.; George W. Crosier & Co.; Palmer & Lewis. The first-named firm that year sent Mr. Horr to Europe, where he formed business arrangements whereby this firm have since been making large shipments of butter and cheese to Liverpool and Glasgow. The amount of cheese shipped from Wellington in 1878 was six million four hundred and sixty-five thousand six hundred and seventy-four pounds; butter, one million one thousand six hun- dred and sixty-one pounds.
The total valuation of these products for that year at a fair average estimate was not less than eight hundred thousand dollars.
The first cheese factory, erected in Lorain county, was built by C. W. Horr, of the present firm of Horr, Warner & Co., in 1866. It was located in a fine dairy section in Huntington township, and from the start proved a successful undertaking. In the year 1878, from that beginning there were over forty cheese and butter factories owned by Wellington dealers, the products of which were all delivered at Wellington for market. This interest has built up a large business in the manufacture and sale of dairy implements and utensils. The dealers in cows in February, March and April do an extensive business in buying and selling to supply the demand for dairy purposes. The number of men in and around Wellington, engaged in this business directly or indirectly, is num- bered by thousands, so that at this day there is scarcely a town in the non-dairy sections of the United States, where Wellington cheese is not found. The industry shows no signs of decline as yet, but the promise of enlarged demand and increase in the product is good.
BANKING.
On the twenty-fourth day of June, A. D. 1864, the charter for a national bank to be called The National Bank of Wellington was issued. It was organized with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. Hon. S. S. Warner was chosen its first president, and R. A. Horr, Esq., its first cashier, which positions they have continued to fill from that time to this. On the twenty-ninth of November, A. D. 1871, the capital stock was increased to one hundred thousand dollars.
The second year of its existence the safe of the bank was burglarized and robbed of sixty thousand dollars in government bonds and currency. A large reward was offered for the apprehension of the robbers. The police of the cities, stimulated by the reward offered, became vigilant; finally trace was found, so that one of the robbers was caught in New York, one in Charleston, South Carolina, whither an agent of the bank followed and apprehended him, armed with a requisition from the Governor of Ohio upon the Governor of South Carolina, which was the first made, and recognized after the close of the war upon that State. Nearly forty thousand dollars of the stolen bonds were recovered.
The first board of directors were S. S. Warner, R. A. Horr, B. G. Carpenter, Samuel K. Laundon, F. M. Hamlin, of Wellington, T. W. Laundon and R. G. Horr, of Elyria.
LIFE INSURANCE.
In 1874 there was organized a life insurance association on the co-operative plan. The charter members were S. S. Warner, W. R. Wean, R. A. Horr, A. K. Hand, J. H. Hood, Alfred Elwell, A. Y. Waters, W. W. Boynton, J. H. Dickson. The growth of the association has been rapid, and at the close of the corporate year, A. D. 1819, there were five thousand members thereof. It had paid about sixty thousand dollars to the families and heirs of deceased members. Hon. S. S. Warner was chosen the first president of the association, and W. R. Wean, secretary, which positions they still fill. The association has agencies in almost or quite every county in the northern part of the State extending south to the central. It confines its operations to the State of Ohio entirely, and mainly the northern part.
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
The order of F. and A. Masons established a lodge September 27, 1844, called Wellington Lodge No. 127. The first master was Jabez L. Wadsworth; Daniel Tillottson, the first secretary. A Masonic Chapter was subsequently organized. 0. Herrick was the first high priest. The lodge now numbers eighty members; the chapter forty-five. W. S. Ste-
354 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
phenson is now master of the lodge, and J. H. Bowlby, the secretary. High priest of the chapter, Oscar Herrick.
The order of Odd Fellows organized a lodge known as Lorain Lodge No. 281, May 25, 1855. The first noble grand was R. H. Holcomb. The present officers are Ransom Peabody, N. G.; Henry Wood, V. G.; C. N. Christy, secretary; Levi Bowman, treasurer.
SCHOOLS.
In 1849, Gideon Adams. erected a building for school purposes. It was designed for an academical school. The school was opened that year by Miss Mary Ann Adams, an accomplished instructor, who had been for a number of years at the head of the female department of Oberlin College. Under the management and charge of Miss Adams, the school prospered and acquired a liberal patronage, and was highly serviceable to those desiring an academical course of instruction. Under other management this school was continued a number of years after the incorporation of the village, after which the schools were organized on the graded plan of the Ohio union school system. Much effort was put forth to concentrate all interests in the public schools.
The present school buildings east of Main street were erected in 1867 and '68, at a cost of thirty thousand dollars.
W. S. Eversole was the first superintendent, and, under his advice, a most complete course of study was prescribed, the different grades established, and the schools well started.
In September, 1870, W. R. Wean became superintendent, under whose efficient management and thorough instruction the schools have acquired a just celebrity.
The marked progress of the Wellington schools, under Mr. Wean's administration, has afforded a practical illustration of the benefits of the graded system, that has greatly endeared it to the people. They have become the pride of every patron, and have been the source of inspiration to many young men and women who to-day are manfully fighting life's battles. The healthy ambition infused into the minds of the students is evinced by the number of the graduates of the Wellington high school, who are found in the higher universities of learning throughout the country.
The growth of the village is quite fairly illustrated by the growth of the schools. The superintendent's report for each successive year, from the year ending June 30, 1871, showing the whole number of pupils enrolled, is as follows:
1871, whole number enrolled - 372
1872, 373
1873, 402
1874, 412
1876. 421
1876, 421
1877, 473
1878, 483
CHURCHES.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WELLINGTON.
On the 20th day of April, A. D. 1824, the Rev. Lot B. Sullivan and Rev. Alfred Betts, being commissioned by presbytery, organized a church, which they styled the church of Wellington. The names of the members were Joseph Kingsbury and wife, Martha Kingsbury; Amos Adams and wife, Huldah Adams; David Webster and Harmon Kingsbury, from Otis, Massachusetts; Nancy Hamlin, Sarah Wilcox and Sarah Battle, from Tyringham, Massachusetts; and Lydia Sullivan, from Lyme, Ohio. Letters of dismissal and recommendation were granted to Mrs. Sullivan December 20, to Joseph Hunnon and Martha Kingsbury June 13, 1825, leaving the church composed of seven members-two men and five women. In October, 1825, there was an accession of four members, one of whom, Mrs. Orpha Webster, still survives-April 1, 1879. The first place of meeting was a log school house at the center, where the brick block on the northeast corner now stands. In June, 1826, Austin Kingsbury and Milton Adams joined, the latter of whom, through all the changes and vicissitudes of fifty-four years, has continued his church membership, and at this date is still a consistent member thereof. In 1827 the accessions were six by letter; in 1828, six; in 1829, five, in 1830, thirteen, of whom Deacon John L. Case still continues; in 1831, forty-two, mostly by profession of faith; in 1832, eight, among whom were Russell B. Webster; in 1833, four; in 1834, twenty-four. In the first ten years there were one hundred and twenty-four mem- bers added to the rolls. On the 29th of November, A. D. 1828, Rev. Joel Talcott was settled as pastor over the church. He was the first settled minister, and remained as such until September 4, 1837. It was during his ministry that the above exhibit of growth mainly occurred. During the nine years of his pastorate there were one hundred and fifty-two accessions to the church; in which connection it should be borne in mind that the number of inhabit- ants in the township was but small from whom to recruit its ranks. On the 5th of October, 1838, the church and society extended a call to Rev. H. W. Fairfield to become its pastor, the pulpit having been filled, during the interval since Mr. Talcott resigned, by temporary supplies from Oberlin, mainly by Professor Henry Cowles. On the 1st of April, 1839, Mr. Fairfield requested the church to release him from his engagement, which was not acceded to, but Mr. Fairfield's name, as minister, does not appear but few times thereafter. In 1841, Horace A. Taylor, of unenviable subsequent notoriety, preached, residing in Oberlin, and on the 8th of December, A.D. 1841, the church voted to settle him as its minister by a light vote of thirteen to one, but in those days only men voted in church and society meetings. They, the same year, voted to raise four hundred bushels of wheat for the support of the gospel; whether to be
T. Doland, Manufacturer of Carriages, Wagons & Sleighs, North Main St., Wellington, Ohio
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 355
raised by sowing and tilling or by subscription s payable in wheat, the record fails to disclose.
Mr. Taylor never became a settled minister to this church. In accepting the call he imposed certain conditions, which were rejected by the church, and his ministrations being soon after interrupted by confinement in jail for a year, no more is heard of him as a preacher. The next settled minister was Rev. D. WC Lathrop. He came in April, 1843, and was settled in September of that year. During his ministry certain radical differences among the membership, upon doctrines and church polity which had Wen for a number of years growing to a head, culminated in what seemed a hopeless estrangement and division.
The inception of the difficulty was probably first in the difference of views respecting Presbyterianism and Congregationalism. The church was organized by agreeing to adopt the congregational mode of discipline, but yet was connected with presbytery, in accordance with the very general usage among the churches of that day in the new communities.
On the 30th of August, 1842, Harvey Grant offered in church meeting a preamble and resolution, as follows: "Whereas, it has come to the knowledge of this church that there are persons who wish to join this church who cannot fully subscribe to the fourth, seventh and thirteenth articles thereof; therefore, resolved, that we will not require an assent to these articles as a qualification." The resolution was adopted by a vote of fifteen yeas to nine nays. After the adoption of the same, on the 4th day of September, 1842, Mathew Allyn, Clara Allyn, Lawton Wadsworth, Nancy R. Wadsworth, and Benjamin Warren were received into the church, assent to the said articles being waived in their behalf. The fourth article was a doctrinal belief in God's sovereignty. The seventh was the enunciation of a belief "that God did, from eternity, choose some of the human race to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth; and that all of those whom he has thus chosen he will renew and sanctify in this life, and keep them by his power through faith unto salvation." The thirteenth article was a formulation of the doctrine of infant baptism.
On the 14th of December, 1842, Philo Herrick offered the following preamble and resolution in church meeting: "Whereas, we are a 'Congregational church and believe in true congregational principles; resolved, therefore, that we take the first opportunity to ask leave of presbytery to withdraw and unite with Lorain association, and that we appoint delegates for that purpose, and that a committee be chosen to recommend the best course to be pursued in the premises."
This resolution was adopted, and on the 2nd day of January following, a most vigorous protest was spread upon the church records, signed by eighteen members, all leading and influential men in the church.
At the next meeting of the presbytery, the action of the church in the foregoing particulars was disapproved, and the protestants were sustained.
At the next meeting of the church a reply to the protest and to the presbytery was made, and also spread upon the records. Out of this difference a fierce controversy arose, and was most vigorously sustained on either side. Strong intellects and iron wills grappled in a manner more creditable to brains than to piety.
On the 27th of March, 1843, thirty-nine members withdrew in a body, and organized a new church, called the Independent church. This body took advanced ground on the subject of slavery, and were followed by others from the First church, until some fifty-seven members had withdrawn. They built a meeting house of their own, settled and sustained pastors, and kept up a stated preaching, and all the institutions of the church.
In 1846 Rev. Ansel R. Clark became the pastor of the First Congregational church, and was continued from that time to 1858.
In that year, through the efforts of Rev. H. E. Peck and others, a union of the two churches was effected. Rev. Mr. Bartlett was chosen the first pastor of the reunited church. He was followed by Rev. Fayette Shipherd. On the 1st of April, A. D. 1865, Rev. L. B. Stone was settled as its pastor, and remained with the church as such until April, 1877.
This church, since its organization, has erected three houses of worship,-four, including the house erected by the Independent church. The latter, after the re-union, was sold to the township for a town hall, and served for that purpose the wants of the township for some fifteen years, or over.
The first meeting house was erected in the year 1839. It was completed, and accepted by the society in November of that year. A series of revival meetings was being held the winter following. A Mr. Ingersoll, from Ashtabula, was preaching, when the house was discovered to be on fire. As the congregation began to raise the alarm of fire, the preacher cried out, "Never mind the fire that water will quench, the fires of hell are what you need to fear," which admonition had but little effect upon the moving congregation that seemed intent upon escaping the fire the most imminent.* The house was burned to the ground, and the loss seemed irreparable. The cost of the house was about three thousand dollars.
The next season the church and society entered upon the work of rebuilding, and put up and finished a new one, upon the same site, and upon the same plan as that destroyed, at about the same cost.
In May, 1877, the Rev. James A. Daily came to this church and was engaged as its pastor in August of that year. Under his ministrations a new impe- tus was given to the church and society. The old wood structure of almost forty years' standing was seen to be insufficient for its congregation. The
*This Ingersoll was the father of Colonel Robert Ingersolt, whose distaste for theology may be thus accounted for.
356 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
work of building a new one on a new site was entered upon. The first blow was struck in March, A. D., 1878. The edifice was completed, and the church dedicated April 3, 1879. Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, of Elmira, New York, delivered the dedication sermon. The total cost of the structure, exclusive of the site, was twenty-four thousand nine hundred and eighteen dollars and five cents, the whole of which was provided for before dedication.
The erection of this beautiful church was the result of Mr. Daily's efforts. A live man, earnest, energetic and persistent, he gave himself to it with an ardor that no obstacle could daunt, no discouragements could flag.
MORAL QUESTIONS.
This church very early took advanced grounds upon the subject of temperance and slavery. In 1833, on the subject of temperance the following preamble and resolution were adopted :
"Whereas, the use of distilled spirits as an article of drink has been the occasion of great trouble to the church, and is destructive to vital godliness; therefore, resolved, that this church will require a pledge of entire abstinence in the use and traffic of this article for the above purpose, of all members which are received in future. And we who vote for this resolution pledge ourselves to abide by the same rule whioh we prescribe to others.
It was adopted unanimously. This action anti- dated the Washingtonian movement by seven years.
In 1836, the following resolutions on the subject of American slavery were adopted : Resolved,
1st, that slavery, as it exists in the United States, is a heinous sin against God, and ought immediately to be abolished.
2d. That inasmuch as the church is deeply involved in the sin and guilt of slavery, it becomes the duty of all who love the christian name publicly to bear testimony against this heinous sin, and to use all scriptural means to eradicate it from the church."
When consideration is had of the very early day in the anti-slavery movement at which this action was had, the record is one of which the church may take just pride. There were twenty-five male members whose names are recorded as voting upon these resolutions and in favor thereof. To-day it may well be said of them: Stalwart men ! in the van of human progress !
DISCIPLINE.
They were strict disciplinarians and the names of male members are few against whom, at one time or another, charges were not preferred, trials had thereon, and confessions extorted from recusants. There are many incidents that at this day provoke a broad smile in the contemplation thereof. One case should be preserved. In 1834, the standing committee preferred a charge against B_____ for "making use of ardent spirits to intoxication," on the last of July or first of August 1833, also about the same time of year 1834, and for using profane language at those times. The defendant was cited to appear. He sent word to the church "to proceed without delay in this case of discipline" but remained absent himself, neither confessing or denying the charge. So the church gave him the benefit of the legal presumption of innocence, assigned him counsel, and proceeded with the trial. Witnesses were examined, and the evidence seemed quite clear that on these occasions, which it will be perceived was just at the close of haying and harvesting on each of these years, the old gentleman "if not full, just had plenty," and duly, or unduly, celebrated "harvest home," and recklessly said "damn it," and "I swear." So they voted him guilty, and after reasonable expostulation and due delay, to give an opportunity for repentance, they proceeded to pro- nounce the sentence of expulsion, which is recorded in these words: "On motion, voted unanimously, that B be, and he is hereby, excommunicated from this church, and is henceforth to be regarded by us as a heathen man and a publican."
This pretty effectually "got him out." While he might not have been "cut out" for a very good church member, all who knew him will unite in saying he was a good neighbor, citizen, and friend. He was genial, kind-hearted, and generous. His love of fun led him doubtless to the " celebration " that scandalized his brethren.
Of the early members but few remain. Among the few who are left are Milton Adams, Russel B. Webster and wife, Mrs. Orpha Webster; of those whose names are upon the rolls some have moved away, but most have gone to their rest.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
It is said that as early as 1823 Rev. Zarah (Ezra?) Costin came to Wellington, as he was traveling the Black River circuit, and preached in the log school house then standing on the corner, north-east of the center of the town. In 1824 the circuit was traveled by J. C. Taylor, and in 1825 Elijah Field succeeded to the work. It seems that. at Rev. Costin's first visit a class-meeting was held, but a regular organization of the church seems not to have taken place till 1825. In 1826 Rev. Ansel Brainard and H. 0. Sheldon were the preachers, and during this year the log church was built, about twenty rods west of Mr. Case's tannery, three-fourths of a mile west of the center. At this time, among the members were John Clifford, Sen., and wife, Charles Sweet (who brought a letter from Massachusetts), John Clifford, Jr., and wife, Daniel Clifford and wife, a daughter of John Clifford, Sen. (who married a Mr. Knox), Theodosia Clifford, Lyman Howk, Josiah Bradley and wife, and Asa Hamilton and wife. The preachers afterward were: 1827, Orrin Gilmore; 1828, Shadrack Ruack; 1829, Cyrus Carpenter; 1830, Cyrus Carpenter and E. C. Gavitt; 1831, Wm. Runnels and — Elliott; 1832, Wm. Runnels and Jno. Canular; 1833, A. Billings and — Barry; 1834, Jno. Morey and Jas.
Residence of B. B. Herrick, Wellington Tp., Lorain Co., Ohio
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 357
Kellam; 1835, John Morey and ____Freeson; 1836, Jno. T. Kellam and Peter Howenstein.
The old brick church was erected in 1835, at the center, though not finished for nearly two years there- after. It was built where the present church stands, on ground bought of .Lyman Howk. At the time, it was considered the best Methodist church in Ohio.
In 1837 the preachers were Jno. T. Kellam and Cyrus Sawyer; 1838, II. L. Parrish and Jas. Brewster; 1839, John Mitchell and Philip Wareham; 1840, John Mitchell and Myron T. Hurd; 1841, M. L. Starr and Joseph Jones; 1842, M. L. Starr and Jno. S. Ferris; 1843, Wesley J. Wells and C. C. Graves; 1844, Wesley J. Wells and Jos. Santley; 1846, Wesley Broch and Wm. Goodfellow; 1848, Wm. Thatcher and J. M. Morrow; 1849, Wm. Runnels and H.. Safford; 1850, Wm. Runnels and H. Chapman; 1851, T. Thompson and J. Matlack; 1852, H. Humphrey and L. F. Ward; 1853, H. Humphrey and S. Fairchild; 1854, C. L. Foote and W. C. Huestiss; 1855, C. L. Foote and N. B. Wilson; 1856, C. Hartley and R. H. Chubb; 1857-'58, A. K. Owen and C. Thomas; 1859, H. Safford and T. L. Waite; 1860, H. Safford and D. Stratton; 1861, G. A. Ruder and A. C. Hurd; 1862, L. F. Ward and W. M. Spafford; 1863, L. F. Ward and J. H. Close; 1864-'65, Uri Richards and S. D. Seymour; 1866, Wellington, made a station, and Q. W. Pepper, pastor. New brick church built in 1867. First subscriptions by Miss Armenia Herrick and J. H. Woolley, five hundred dollars each. The dedication sermon was preached by Bishop Kingsley, July, 1868. 1867, Rev. E. H. Bush, pastor; 1868'-70, F. M. Searles; 1871-72, E. Y. Warner; 1873, J. W. Mendenhall; 1874-'75, Geo. Mather; 1876-'77, A. Pollock; 1879, Rev. Albright. The church has beginning of 1879-two hundred and seventy mem- bers and an average attendance in its Sunday school of two hundred and thirty-five.
DISCIPLE CHURCH.
This church was organized October 5, 1853, with eleven members. In 1861, they built their first meeting house. It was dedicated in October, 1861. James A. Garfield, who at that time was a Disciple preacher, delivered the dedicatory sermon. The number of the present membership is eighty. Rev. Mr. Thompson came to this society as its preacher in 1877. Rev. Mr. Allen preceded him and preceded Atwater also.
The growth of the church has been gratifying to its friends. It is established upon a firm basis, and is regarded as one of the permanent institutions of the place. Its liberality towards others has been one of its marked characteristics. John Pierpont, when other churches were closed against him, preached from the Disciple pulpit. Mr. Forbush, Liberal Unitarian, delivered a series of discourses from the same pulpit; so that, while it retains its standing among sister churches of the place, it has obtained a broad sympathy in the community among those outside of all churches.
WARD'S MAIL CATCHER.*
"The first catcher made and put in operation was made at Wellington, this county. The wants of the post office department were communicated to me by G. B. Hamilton, Esq., then a route agent on the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati railroad. Ham- ilton invited me to go with him, in hope that I could devise some machine or way in which the mail could be caught by the agent when the train was in rapid motion. After going to Columbus and back with him, I saw my way to the invention, and immediately made a catcher and went to Cleveland and applied it to the-car. It worked well from the first. I made, or caused to be made, several catchers, each of which was an improvement. They have been in constant use on the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati railroad to the present time. This was late in the year 1864. It was a desideratum with the post office department to obtain a catcher that could be used. Numerous trunk lines of railroads had built postal cars (traveling distributing offices), but as they could do no local work, they stood idle in the shed, or were made into baggage cars. This was on the Erie railway, on the New York and New Haven, on the old Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana, as well as on the Michigan Central and other roads. Special agents were sent to this road, from Washington, to try this new 'catcher; and after repeated tests by different parties, in December, 1866, the post office department definitely agreed to adopt it so far as a full trial was concerned. G. B. Hamilton was appointed special agent to put the catcher in operation, which office he held until the 1st of June, 1867. In January, 1867, and after the department had adopted the catcher, I obtained a patent for the same. Mr. Hamilton started the catcher on the Washington branch of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and on the Erie railway, which was completed about the 1st of June, 1867. The October following, I was detailed to superintend the catching service, started it in October on the Lake Shore, and Cleveland and Toledo railroads; on the Vermont Central, Northern New Hampshire, Concord, Boston and Lowell railroads; and during the winter on the Boston and Albany, Hartford and New Haven, and New York and New Haven railroads; since which time over sixty-one thousand miles of railroads are using the catcher- catching thousands of mails daily, and at the highest rates of speed.
"Before starting the 'Fast Mail,' Mr. Geo. S. Bangs, General Superintendent of the railway mail service, sent for me to come to Washington, and asked me to get up an improved heavy catcher for that special service. I devised and brought out Ward's improved heavy catcher, with cast head, which works so finely as to have superseded all the lighter and earlier ones.
"The catcher has been an important factor in the vast improvement made in the last few years in the
* By L. F. Ward.
358 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
mail service. To briefly show he advantages of this invention, I may say, before its introduction, mails were carried on local or accommodation trains, and at short distances. For instance, to begin at New York, the first day, the local service was done to Albany, New York; the next to Syracuse; the next to Buffalo, New York; the day following, from Buffalo to Cleveland; the day following, from Cleveland to Toledo; the next day, from Toledo, Ohio, to Chicago, Illinois—six days for the local work from New York to Chicago. By the use of the catcher, the work is now done in less than thirty-six hours; and the rural districts are favored with all the facilities of rapid mail exchanges, as well as the larger cities."
RESCUE CASE.
No proper history of Wellington could be written without reference to the so-called and ever memorable Wellington rescue ease, which seemed the beginning here of those troublous times that crowded so rapidly upon it. On the morning of the 13th of September, 1858, the burning of a large portion of the business part of the town, heretofore mentioned, had called together a large crowd of people from, the surrounding country. It was nearly noon before the flames were extinguished. The flames being seen to a great distance, the crowd was continually augmented. Shortly after noon it was rumored that a negro had been kidnaped at Oberlin, under the charge of being a fugitive slave, and that his captors had him confined in the Wellington House. This rumor received confirmation, and it was soon known that Mr. Jennings and Mr. Mitchell, of Kentucky, and U. S. Marshal Lowe and Samuel Davis, of Columbus, were at the hotel then kept by 0. S. Wadsworth, having in custody a negro named John, whom they claimed to be a fugitive from Kentucky arrested by them at Oberlin, and that they awaited the train for Columbus to proceed on their way to Kentucky. The marshal and assistants were quickly followed by numbers of men from Oberlin, who mixed in with the excited crowd already assembled, and soon made it the most remarkable day Wellington ever saw. The crowd rapidly grew by constant accessions from Oberlin. Men on horseback, men on foot, armed and unarmed, were seen coming from the north as far as eye could reach.
The hotel was surrounded; no avenue of escape was left unguarded; its halls and rooms were filled with men eager and determined. The slave-catchers were alarmed, and fled with their charge to the attic, which was difficult of access, while the public square and streets on either side were filled with men. The marshal attempted to speak to the people, to explain to them, as he said, the situation. Magistrates were sent for, law officers went busily through the crowd, which they cautioned and urged to do no violence, assured none was needed to rescue the man.
Judging of Ohio from what they knew of Kentucky, these men were in an awful fright. They were told that no hurt was designed them personally —that the captive was all the crowd demanded, and that it was useless to try to get him away. The captors tried to make John make a speech, and say he wanted to go back was tired of staying away from his old master. So John came upon the hotel balcony, with marshal and assistants on either side, and made his memorable speech: "I want to go back, because—because, I 'spose I must," and was hurried back to the room in the attic. The door was barricaded, and, trembling with fear, they awaited behind it what fate had for them.
Such was the forbearance of the crowd, that the afternoon wore away in parleying on one side, an demanding the man on the other. There was a stern determination that the visiting Kentuckians should not be injured, and that the negro should not go south with them. The train south came in at its time and departed, but they were not on board. Towards evening a rumor was circulated that a telegram for troops had been sent to Cleveland. This seemed to decide the course of procedure. A long ladder was thrown up to the attic window, and two stalwart men, one of them John Mandeville,—ascended it. Others forced the door on the inside, these, the window on the outside, and in an instant the negro man was seen borne high upon hands uplifted, with arms and legs sprawling over the heads of the crowd, into a buggy driven by Simeon Bushnell, and conveyed away upon a rapid run. To the credit of all concerned, but especially to the cool men of Wellington, who exerted all their influence in that direction, no man was in the slightest manner hurt. No insult was offered to the marshal or assistants. Not a hair of their heads suffered, other than that occasioned by standing on end, which was inconvenient to each hair and owner. It was a mob of principle. It was a mob obedient to all law, except the fugitive slave law, and in resisting this, it did not propose to do murder, or even to commit an unnecessary assault. As soon as the man was rescued, the terrified slave-holders saw the crowd disperse, and greatly astonished at the forbearance manifested, walked to the next train of cars, and wended their way home again.
In December of that year, the grand jury of the United States district court for the northern district of Ohio, found bills of indictment against thirty-seven persons, for rescuing, or aiding in rescuing, the fugitive. Of the number, Abner Loveland, Matthew Gillett, Matthew De Wolf, Loring Wadsworth, Eli Boise, John Mandeville, Henry Niles, Walter Sonles, Lewis Hines, and William Siples were citizens of Wellington, all of whom were immediately arrested. The government not being ready for trial, they entered into their individual recognizances to appear when called for.
On the 5th day of April, 1859, their cases were called, and all of the above named were present in court. The government finally dismissed all proceed-
358A - LAWTON WADSWORTH
"A fair ship sails on the sea of time;
Prosperous gales befriend her.
Yet storm may wreck-the ship go down;
Watch well thy pilot, mariner."
Lawton Wadsworth was the third son of Jonathan and Deidama (Snow) Wadsworth, and first saw the light June 24, 1785, in Becket, Berkshire Co., Mass.
Oct. 15, 1806, he was married to Nancy R., daughter of Elijah Lawton, of Otis, Berkshire Co., Mass.
Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth settled in Becket, and became the parents of seven children. In 1833 they migrated to Wellington, Ohio, where the ensuing year Mr. Wadsworth built the first brick house seen in the town, their first residence in Wellington having been a log cabin.
In common with the pioneers of the West they battled bravely for existence amid the hardships of frontier life, and, supported by strength of will and earnest purpose, prospered as time passed on, and lived to see fertile farms and blooming gardens where once a wilderness covered the vast expanse.
Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth passed the declining years of their lives at the home of their son Francis, and when they were at last called upon to leave the scenes of their earthly labors the record of their lives bore upon it the satisfactory assurance that the duties of existence had been faithfully performed.
Mrs. Lawton Wadsworth died May 1, 1873, and her husband Feb. 21, 1876.
Their children, as already observed, were seven in number, as follows: Milo H., born Oct. 2, 1807, and married July 6, 1836, to Miss Huldah Andrews, of Winchester, Litchfield Co., Conn.; Oliver S., born May 22, 1809, and married to Miss Alma Van Deusen; Lorenzo Q., born Aug. 27, 1813, and married July 6,1835, to Miss W. A. Whitney, oi Pittsfield, Ohio; Elijah M., born Feb. 9, 1815, and married Feb. 9, 1840, to Miss Clarissa Batelle, of Wellington; Albert 0., born Aug. 27, 1819, and married in 1849 to Miss Sarah Mason. Their other children were Francis S. and David L.
David L. Wadsworth, seventh son of Lawton and Nancy R. Wadsworth, was born in Becket, Berkshire Co., Mass., June 1, 1825, and in 1833 removed with his parents to Wellington, Ohio. Favored in early life with a good common-school education, he passed also a few terms at Oberlin preparing for duty as a teacher. Teaching school for about seven years, he also, in 1840, read medicine with Dr. Hall, of Orange; but soon acquiring a distaste for the pursuits of medical science, he retired to the homestead, where he busied himself with farming and trading in stock, and developed to a considerable extent an inherent speculative and enterprising spirit.
Oct. 20, 1850, he was married to Miss R. C. Woodworth, of Rochester, Lorain Co., Ohio. She was born in Bristol, N. Y., Nov. 5, 1831, and was the second daughter of Hiram and Caroline (Wales) Woodworth, who were married in Fenner, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept 20, 1828.
Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Woodworth moved to Rochester in 1832, and were closely identified with the first settlement of the township. He purchased a large tract of land, felled the first trees, built the first log cabin, and accumulated in the course of time a handsome competency. After Mr. Wadsworth's marriage he purchased the old homestead, and devoted himself largely to farming and stock-dealing.
In 1856, May 20, the Wadsworth household was cheered by the presence of the first-born,-Kitty May,-who remaining but briefly upon earth, passed away April 6, 1858, in which year Mr. Wadsworth leased his farm, and with his family removed to the village.
They have two living children,-George M., born Sept. 25, 1861 and Leon H., born Oct. 13, 1863.
In 1865 and 1866 the present homestead was erected. In 1869, Mr. Wadsworth purchased a planing-mill, and began the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, etc., dealing also largely in lumber, shingles, laths, etc. Since then he has added to the mill an extensive cheese- box and butter-box factory. Among his other real estate possessions may be enumerated twenty-five or thirty dwelling and business houses which he erected in various parts of the city.
Mr. Wadsworth's present political faith was established upon the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, in 1861, when he became a zealous War Democrat, and materially aided at all times the work of enlistment by furnishing liberally of his means.
Since assuming a prominent part in locate political history he has participated in all Democratic State and county conventions, and before the Democratic State Convention of 1875 he was a defeated nominee for the office of State treasurer, but by only a vote or two. Not long thereafter he was appointed by Governor Bishop to be one of the trustees of the Cleveland Asylum for the Insane.
Mr. Wadsworth was one of the early members of Masonic lodge No. 127, of Wellington, and filted in succession all of the official positions of the lodge. He is now a member of Oriental Commandery, No. 12, of Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. Wadsworth's public spirit takes a wide scope of action, and towards the building of churches always reaches out an assisting arm irrespective of creed.
In 1875, Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth celebrated their silver wedding with a regal entertainment, in which upwards of three hundred guests participated, and presented a multitude of costly silver offerings, precious mementos of a joyous occasion.
"Ever-Green Hill," Residence of F. S. Wadsworth
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 359
ings against Wellington defendants, except Matthew Gillett, Matthew De Wolf, Abner Loveland, and Loring Wadsworth, all of whom were men of means, and able to pay. their fines. All of them, except Matthew Gillett, entered a plea of none contender Judge Andrews, of Cleveland, on entering this plea, addressed the court in their behalf in conciliatory remarks. The court fined them twenty dollars and costs of prosecution, which were high, and sent them to jail for twenty-four hours.
Matthew Gillett refused to plead aught but "not guilty." The government was exceedingly anxious to get rid of the case as to him. The odium of the prosecution had aroused the indignation of the people. The old man Gillett, over seventy years of age, kept in jail, was a burning rebuke to the crime of human slavery, which demanded for its support fugitive slave laws, that transformed every citizen into a slave catcher, at the beck of any slave-holder whose chattels had fled. The old Man refused to plead nolle contendre; be refused to give bail; he refused to go home on his own recognizance. "If you are turned out of jail, will you go?" asked the government attorney. "If the choice lies between sleeping in the street and going home, I shall go home," answered the inflexible old man. "Go, then," was the response, and the venerable man came home in tri u mph.
The remarks of Judge Andrews were published in the Herald of the same evening. Mr. Loveland, on reading them, instantly addressed the following card to that paper:
"Messrs. Editors:-After reading your remarks in last evening's Herald in reference to me, I deem it due to myself to ask you to state that I did not authorize my counsel yesterday to give my views on Government to the Court, and disclaim holding to many of the doctrines expressed by him. I simply authorized him to enter for me the plea of nolle centendre, protesting, at the same time that I am not guilty of violating any law, and requiring the protest to be entered on the records of this court.
ABNER LOVELAND."
Of these men, who thus suffered for a cause, and who contributed to the up-building of that public sentiment that finally, by its irresistible force, made human slavery impossible in this country, none are now left. Two of them died without seeing the fruition of their hopes for freedom. Matthew Gillett died September 5, 1863, aged seventy-seven years: Loring Wadsworth died November 3, 1862, aged sixty- two years Matthew DeWolf and Abner Loveland survived the war, and saw the emancipation of the slave, and the death, consequently, of the fugitive slave- law. Abner Loveland was the last to go. He lived to give to the writer many of the facts which are here recorded, and passed away in March, 1879. Of him and his compatriots it may be said: "They did something for Mankind and for their country."
WELLINGTON IN THE WAR.
In this work are already given the names of her soldiers and the history of her service, of her dead, and of her part in that fierce conflict, and it may be said in a brief word, she did her part well.
Of those who died, and who now sleep in her cemetery, there are twenty-six transferred from fields where they fell by loving hands to sleep their long sleep in the home they loved so well. Eleven more are in nameless graves on the bills of Virginia, at Chattanooga, at South Mountain and elsewhere, "where men men died to make man free."
Every May day, garlands of flowers are strewn upon their graves, or offered upon the shrine of their memory by gentle hands, and moistened by tear- dimmed eyes. And so it shall be for ages hence.
"When spring, with dewy fingers cold,
Returns to deck their hallowed mould,
She then shall dress a sweeter sod
Than fancy's feet have ever trod."
FINALE.
In this brief and imperfect record of Wellington there is but little to regret, and much to awaken just pride. On all the stirring questions of her time she has occupied advanced ground in the van of progress. Her people were the early friends of the temperance cause, and zealous advocates of the anti-slavery movement from the start. Knowing that good society is the outgrowth of a sound morality as taught in the church, she established churches, and liberally maintained them. Knowing that the sum of human happiness is increased by culture, she early established schools, and has generously sustained them. Knowing that prosperity is the reward of enterprise, she has evinced a stirring activity in the pursuits of the various industries, and has prospered. Knowing that intellectual vigor is begotten by intellectual activity, her people have always been upon the alert, and she has no inmates in the asylums for the insane or idiotic. Knowing that a manly independence is what makes the free man, her people have carved their own way, and are not place-seekers. Knowing that worth makes the man, her people do no homage to place or station and court no man for patronage. Her history is not yet made; the first half century of her existence was laying the ground work, from which history is hereafter to be constructed.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
FRANCIS S. WADSWORTH.
Francis S. Wadsworth was born in Becket, Berkshire county, Mass., April 27, 1821, and was the sixth son of Lawton and Nancy R. Wadsworth.
In 1833 he removed with his family to Wellington, Lorain county, Ohio, where a new, home was located
360 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
in the then almost unbroken wilderness, situated one and one-half miles north of the center.
He spent the greater part of his time on the home farm until his majority, gaining in the meantime a good common school education, with several terms at the select schools. For the next ten years his time was occupied in working at the trade of a builder and painter, excepting two years, spent as a student in Oberlin College.
September 20, 1854, he was united in marriage to Sarah A. Leonard, of Akron, Summit county, Ohio. She was born January 6, 1833, in Middlesex, Ontario county, New York, and was the youngest child of Truman and Roxana (Allis) Leonard.
In 1835, the family removed to Chatham, Medina county, Ohio, settling on a farm when the country was new.
Her father died February 24, 1846. In July following she removed with her mother to Akron to live with a brother and complete her schooling. September 12, 1846, her mother died.
For the next two years she was a student in the first graded school of Ohio, located at Akron, Summit county, Ohio.
Two weeks after the marriage this couple settled upon the farm where they now reside, in Wellington township.
In the days that followed, two children came to bless this union, a daughter and a son. Etta R. Wadsworth, born April 25, 1858, graduated at the Wellington High School, with the class of 1877. She was married to B. B. Herrick, son of Hon. Lucius Herrick, December 27, 1877. Franklin L. 0. Wadsworth was born October 24, 1866, and early developed a genius for mathematical and mechanical pursuits.
Mr. Wadsworth is an earnest worker, ever seeking to elevate the standard of agriculture, often contributing articles of worth to the leading journals of the day.
For the past twenty years he has been a prominent member of the Union agricultural society, located in Wellington, holding the office of president, vice president, &c., and executing the duties of said offices with commendable satisfaction. The brighter side of his character is best known in the home circle where peace sits a daily guest.
In addition to the many duties devolving upon a farmer's wife, Mrs. Wadsworth finds time to contribute many articles to the press, corresponding regularly for two weekies and occasionally for others. We judge the articles are not without merit, as they are nearly all promptly published, and others solicited by the editors to whom they are sent.
The homestead has been christened "Evergreen Hill," and the hospitality of the farm house is proverbial.
Mr. Wadsworth is an earnest, practical, thorough business man, carrying into daily practice the precepts and examples taught in youth by most worthy parents. His reputation for personal honesty and rectitude is above reproach, and all with whom he comes in contact esteem him a worthy citizen in every respect.
SERENO D. BACON.
Joseph Bacon was born in Gardner, Worcester county, Massachusetts, March 2, 1787, was educated in the common school; learned the carpenter trade, and was esteemed a most excellent young man. He married Miss Lucy Wood, August 26, 1813.
Miss Lucy Wood, wife of Joseph Bacon, was born September 30, 1782, in Gardner, Massachusetts. After marriage this couple settled at housekeeping in Grafton, Windham county, Vermont; Mr. Bacon carrying on the business of farming, as well as keeping up the practice of his trade as the opportunity presented.
During their residence in said locality, five children were born to bless their union, viz: Francis S., born March 28, 1817. Aaron Wood, born December 28, 1818. Sereno D., third son, see biographical sketch. Lucy Almira, born April 16, 1827. Mary M., born June 25, 1835. Francis S. married Miss Jane Ann Lee, of Burlington, Vermont, December 20, 1840, now resides in the city of Brooklyn, New York, and is the father of two daughters, Ellen and Marion.
Aaron Wood married Miss Mariah P. Prindle, of Carlisle, Lorain county, February 16, 1848, who now lives in Oberlin, and who left no heirs.
Lucy Elmira was married November 22, 1847, to Elijah Rose; settled in Carlisle, and has three sons, viz: Dr. F. A. Rose, who settled at Olmstead Falls, Ohio; George E. and Charlie E., who are both single. Mary M. was married July 9, 1864, to Howard Fisher, and settled in Adrian, Michigan; died November 22, 1876, leaving three little boys: Carl, aged twelve years; Robbie, aged ten years; and Elwin C., aged two years.
Joseph Bacon died in Carlisle, August 29, 1865. Lucy (Wood) Bacon died in the same place, September 20, 1871. Their record through life was brightened by good deeds, and "their works do follow them."
S. D. BACON, third son of Joseph and Lucy (Wood) Bacon, was born in Grafton, Windham county, Vermont, June 23, 1825. Seventeen years of his boyhood were spent in this home among the hills, receiving in the mean time a good common school education, as well as acquiring a knowledge of farming.
In the year 1842 the family removed to Carlisle, Lorain county, Ohio; founding a new home in the then most settled portion of the township, and as before following the business of farming.
Mr. Bacon was married to Mary Ann Bailey of Carlisle, February 26, 1846. She was born April 19, 1827, in Gowanda, Cattaraugus county, New York. She was the youngest child of Asa and Mary (Cox) Bailey. Her mother dying soon after her birth she was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Morehouse, residing in Hanover, Chautauqua county, New York.
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 361
At the age of twelve years she .came with her adopted parents to Medina, Medina .county, Ohio: In 1843 the family removed from Medina ,to Carlisle, where they made a permanent home. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bacon rented a farm in Carlisle and went to house keeping, making dairying their principal business. In 1851 they removed to Pittsfield, Lorain county, stopping for a few months on a rented farm. In December 1851 they again moved, this time to Wellington, buying a farm on which they now reside. The fruit of this union was one son and two daughters. The dates of births were as follows: George Bacon, born June 13, 1851. Euphame Bacon, born August 22, 1853. Ada Bacon, born November 12, 1863. George Bacon married Miss Ida Peck of Pittsfield, Lorain county. Their present home is in Penfield, this county. Euphame Bacon was married to Charles Findley, January 13, 1874; both living at home till her death, January 19, 1875. She left an infant son five days old. The child lived a few months only, dying March 17, 1875.
The two were buried in one grave, and slept in the silent city of the dead. Miss Ada Bacon, now in her teens, resides at home, the light and joy of the household. At school she has ever stood at the head of her classes, and bids fair for a bright record in the future.
By industry, economy and perseverance Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have accumulated a nice property, and their residence (see engraving) is fair to look upon.
In politics Mr. Bacon is a staunch republican; standing by his party with firmness and fidelity. He was elected to the office of town trustee in 1870, and has retained the same office ever since. He was also elected infirmary director, in October, 1875. This office also, is still in his keeping. In reputation, he stands a representative man.
ABNER LOVELAND, JR.
Abner Loveland, Jr., was born November 5, 1796, in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, was educated in the common schools, and followed the avocation of a farmer. In 1819, when the frosts of autumn were tinging the foliage of the wide-spreading forests with golden gleams, Mr. Loveland came to Lorain county, Ohio. In 1820, he purchased land in Brighton township, and commenced the toil of a hardy pioneer, in full faith that the future would yield a rich return. March 28, 1826, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Pamelia DeWolf, of Otis, Massachusetts. Pamelia was the oldest daughter of Captain James and Naomi (Ames) DeWolf, born July 16, 1794. Soon after marriage they commenced housekeeping in Brighton, and, eight years thereafter, purchased a farm in Wellington, one and a half miles south of the center, where he pursued his avocation according to the most approved methods in use, making it their home for eighteen years, and rearing their children, four in number, two sons and two daughters. In 1850 he
erected a nice brick dwelling house in the village of Wellington, removing thither in 1852, where he might secure the best advantages for completing the education of his children.
For integrity, honer and sterling worth, Mr. Loveland had no superior. He was of a quiet, retiring disposition, never seeking notoriety; yet, when duty called, he wavered not, but was firm in defense of right, however great the sacrifice. Politically, Mr. Loveland (in his younger days) was an old line whig; later, a zealous and devoted abolitionist, or friend of bondmen; later, a staunch and faithful republican. Offices of trust were given him by both county and town, and were always administered with fidelity and zeal. Though honor and distinction were sought not, yet the people award him a record of worthy merit.
Mrs. Pantelia, wife of Abner Loveland, Jr., died June 5, 1862. Before marriage, Miss P. DeWolf spent her time in teaching. Edwin died November 4, 1866. Mr. Loveland died March 2, 1879, and the people mourned his loss. By loving hands this tribute of respect is dedicated to loved ones gone be- fore: "Blessed are they who die in the Lord, for their works do follow them."
ROSWELL SMITH.
The subject of this sketch was a son of Joel and Nancy Smith; was born in Sandisfield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, June 1, 1797. Very little is known of his early life, aside from the fact that his parents lived upon rented land, and were in indigent circumstances. There was a large family of children, which made it necessary for Roswell to shift for himself at an early age. Record of family: Joel Smith, born 1767, died February 4, 1824; Nancy Smith, born 1772, died August 29, 1829. Children: Catharine, born November 7, 1793, died 18-; Phebe, born June 1, 1795, living; Roswell, born June 1, 1797, died October 26, 1866; Daniel, born February 27, 1799, living; Lovisa, born September 19, 1800, died July 1, 1870; Lois, born March 7, 1802, died April 30, 1840; Martha, born September 12, 1803, died August 12, 1877; Eunice, born April 4, 1806, died May 7, 1859; Emily, born July 18, 1807, died April 24, 1867; Lucinda, born May 10, 1810, died February 8, 1854. Roswell, soon after becoming of age, left home, and for about three years was employed in the salt works near Syracuse, New York. Here he contracted chills and fever, and becoming rather reduced in circumstances, he resolved to push on farther west, arriving in Wellington, December 25, 1822; with very little capital to begin life with, and in a half dead condition from the effeets of the ague. For the next five years he made it his home with his brother Daniel. At that time it was one unbroken wilderness, with few, if any, thoroughfares. The red men were far more numerous than the white, were friendly, and often came to the house for the purpose of exchang-
362 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
ing venison, etc., for salt, bread, and other commodities of civilization. Game was plentiful, including deer, bear, wild cat, wolves, etc. The latter were very bold, coming uninvited many times to the settler's home, making it necessary to confine stock nights in enclosures built of logs. In May, 1823, Roswell bought seventy-five acres of land of Frederick Hamlin, for the consideration of two hundred and sixty-eight dollars, being part of lot forty-one, in Wellington township. Several years after, he bought seventy-five acres adjoining, on the south of said lot, of Milton Hamlin. He married, November 7, 1827, Jane G., youngest daughter of Luke and Elizabeth Whitlock. He moved on his farm in 1828, erecting a log cabin in the northeast corner. They lived here ten years. In 1837 he built a more commodious dwelling, in a more central location. At this time, he took corn to Captain Remington on the ridge, exchanging a bushel of corn, even, for a pound of nails; the price of a yard of factory muslin, being the same. In 1824, his father dying, his brother Daniel returned east, bringing back with him the widowed mother and five sisters, leaving three sisters there, viz: Catharine, Lovisa and Lois. The mother lived with Roswell after his mar- riage. She died in 1829, and was buried in the old cemetery, in Wellington. Although the pioneers did, of necessity, see many hard times, there were also bright sides to their lives. During one year there were five marriages out of the Smith household, viz: Roswell, to Jane Whitlock, November 7, 1827; Daniel, to Marie Humphrey, in 1828. She dying, he married for his second wife, Mrs. Mary Bell. Eunice married Calvin Adams, October 7, 1828, Rev. Joel Talcott officiating. Mr. Adams died, March 1, 1864. Martha married Ransom Foote, March 19, 1828. Emily married Selden Hall in 1828. Mr. Hall died November 28, 1878. The other children married as follows: Lucinda to Almond Green; Phebe to Josiah Arnold; Lovisa married Elisha Smith, January 22, 1824. Mr. Smith died east, September 7, 1844. About 1856 his widow moved to Ohio, where she resided until her death. Catharine married Morgan, and died east. Lois was the only one who led a single life. She died in Colebrook, Connecticut.
To return to Roswell: In politics, he was first a whig, then a freesoiler, and afterward a republican. He was a strong anti-slavery man, and when the war broke out, himself and sons contributed over one thousand dollars in money toward suppressing the rebellion. His brother, Daniel, took a prominent part in the underground railway system, and many a slave has cause to be grateful to him for food and shelter, and a free passage to Oberlin. He came to Wellington in the spring of 1821, his labor for three years being compensation for one hundred acres of land. Roswell, when but eighteen years of age, embraced christianity, and soon after reaching Ohio, united with the Presbyterian church, of which he was one of the original members. He afterward became a Congregationalist. He paid freely toward building the different churches of the place. He not only believed it to be his duty to support the church, but nothing but sickness prevented his regular attendance at public worship. He died October 26, 1866, beloved by all as an upright, conscientious, christian man, a man who was a peace-maker in the broadest sense of the term. He left two sons, Philander W., born April 30, 1830; Orlando E., born November 27, 1839. His widow, April 29, 1868, married Selden Hall, but con- tinued to reside at the old homestead. Mr. Hall died November 28, 1878, leaving her a widow the second time. Jennie E. Whitlock, a niece of Mrs. Smith, came to live in the Smith family in 1856, and has had a home there since. She was born in Brighton, Lo- rain county, November 22, 1853.
Jane G., wife of Roswell Smith, was the youngest daughter of Luke and Elizabeth Whitlock, was born May 15, 1813, in South Brunswick, Middlesex county, New Jersey. Luke Whitlock was of French descent. He was married November 2, 1799, to Elizabeth Griggs, in South Brunswick, Middlesex county, New Jersey. Luke Whitlock was born July 28, 1779; he died May 16, 1847. Elizabeth Whitlock, born January 28, 1782; she died March 15, 1845. Children: John V., born December 20, 1800; died January 31, 1877. Margaret V., born September 10, 1802; died October 3, 1860. James G., born May 23, 1806; died November 20, 1807. Ellen S., born November 27, 1808; living. Sarah, born September 29, 1811; died November 10, 1811. Jane G., born May 15, 1813; living. In April, 1844, John was married to Hannah Jones. She died December 25, 1846. In April, 1847, he married Eliza Jones, a sister of his former wife. She died April 22, 1856, leaving three children, the youngest of whom, Jennie E., was taken and cared for by her aunt, Mrs. Smith. Margaret was married to Leonard Loveland in 1820. Ellen S. was married to Elijah S. Fox, in 1825. Mr. Fox died February 28, 1875. Jane G. married Roswell Smith, November 7, 1827. The family arrived in Brighton, Lorain county, April 13, 1822. The father's occupation was teaching. While on his way home from a school he was taken ill, died, and was buried at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The mother died, and was buried in Brighton.
Philander W., eldest son of Roswell and Jane G. Smith, was born April 30, 1830, in the log cabin. He remained at home during his boyhood, working on the farm. He was married January 12, 1852, to Miss Laura J., only daughter of George and Eunice Cowles. She was born in Colebrook, Connecticut, January 29, 1833. George Cowles and family came to Wellington in October, 1836, and have since resided on their farm known as "Maple Hill." For nearly ten years after his marriage Philander W. lived at the old homestead. In the summer of 1861 he erected a house on the corner of the old farm, where he has since resided. They had two children, Arthur G., born May 8, 1853. Clara M., born October 10, 1867. In November, 1875, the family left their home, and went to Florida,
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 363
to try the effect of the climate upon members of the family. After spending eighteen months there, with little or no material benefit, they returned to their old home. In polities, Mr. Smith has always been a republican since that party had an existence. He contributed freely towards carrying on the war. Although never taking an active part in polities, he was ever in full sympathy with the Union army. In 1866 he purchased what is known as the James Spellman farm, adjoining the homestead on the south. He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1873, himself, wife and son united with the First Congregational church, of Wellington, Dr. L. B. Lane being pastor at that time.
Orlando E., youngest son of Roswell and Jane Smith, was born November 27, 1839, at the old home- stead. During his boyhood he did not enjoy good health, but as he approached man's estate he became more healthful. He was married December 23, 1862, to Lydia J., youngest daughter of William and Polly A. Hall. She was born in Brighton, Lorain county, December 23, 1842. After living with his father's family three years, he purchased fifteen acres of what was known as the Lyman Marshall farm, where he has since resided. In 1873 he thoroughly remodeled his dwelling house, and in 1876 he purchased the remainder of the Marshall farm. Two children were born to them: Roswell, born September 20, 1871; Ralph W., born January 10, 1875. Little Roswell brightened their home only four days; he died September 24, 1871. In 1863, during the war of the rebellion, Mr. Smith was drafted. His health unfitting him for active service 'and the exposure of camp life, he hired a substitute. In politics he has always been a republican, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864. Of late years his occupation has been dairy farming. In 1873 himself and wife were converted, and received into the First Congregational church of Wellington, during the ministry of Dr. L. B. Lane.
HOMER MASON AND FAMILY.
Sampson Mason, father of Homer, and twelfth son of Sampson and Mercy (Baker) Mason, was born in South Adams, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, April 15, 1799. He was brought up on a farm, and received a common school education equal to the times. The first of May, 1822, he was married to Miss Hannah Childs, and commenced farming in the town of his birth.
Miss Hannah Childs, fourth daughter of Stephen and Zilpa (Brooks) Childs, was born June 20, 1792. The births of children were as follows: Nancy, born March 4, 1823; Stephen C., born March 28, 1826; Angeline, born August 13, 1827; Minerva, born December 15, 1831; and Homer, born September 18, 1833.
In 1835, Mr. Mason and family came to Wellington, Ohio, and settled upon land where the homestead now is. (See engraving.)
Nancy married Henry Allyn; she now resides in Hiram, Portage county, Ohio. There have been five heirs, three now living. Henry Allyn died December 11, 1878.
Stephen C. married Mary Barge; he settled in Wellington. They had three children. Stephen C. died June 20, 1872.
Angeline married I. S. Van Deusen; they now reside in Passaic, New Jersey. They have three children, and one grandchild.
Minerva died June 4, 1848.
Horace married Ellen Lyon, of Wellington, August 22, 1858, continuing to reside at the old homestead, where their children were born as follows: Harry B., born November 20, 1860; Hattie M., born October 1, 1867; Willis L., born November 21, 1869; Annah E., born July 16, 1876; and Arthur D., born April 18, 1878. These children are receiving the advantages of a good education, as age permits, and bid fair to become an honor to their parents.
Hannah, wife of Sampson Mason, died May 16, 1858. Mr. S. Mason still resides at the old homestead, bearing the honorable title of grandfather and great-grandfather-a venerable man, whom the children delight to honor.
Mr. and Mrs. Homer Mason received a good common school education, and their home is one of culture and refinement, where many people are hospitably entertained. Mr. Mason's polities is republican. He has been a prominent member of the Union agricultural society of Wellington. He is an excellent farmer, a good citizen, and held in high esteem by all acquaintances.
JAMES SHELDEN AND FAMILY.
Benjamin, father of James Sheldon, was born in Delaware county, New York, July 7, 1791; married Lovisa Rice, January 22, 1815. Miss Lovisa Rice, born in Delaware county, July 6, 1796, settled in Lock, Cayuga county, New York, and engaged in millinery quite extensively.
Birth of children, as follows: Nelson, born March 26, 1816, and died in infancy; Salvinia M., born October 2, 1817; George W., born August 4, 1819; Benjamin, born December 6, 1821; Anna S., born April 15, 1824; David F., born May 14, 1829; James, born March 11, 1831.
Benjamin, Sr., died in LaGrange, Lorain county, July 17, 1870; Lovisa, wife of Benjamin Shelden, Sr., died September 9, 1870; united in life, they were not long separated, and their children rise up and call them blessed.
James Shelden was educated in the common schools, learned the joiner's trade, and in 1857, February eleventh, was joined in wedlock to Miss Adeline West,
364 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
eldest child of Amasa H. and Maria West; Amasa H. West was born in Hartwick, Orange county, New York, May 24, 1810. Miss Maria West, born in the same place, May 27, 1809. They were married February 24, 1834, and moved to Ohio, soon after, where the children were born, as follows: Adeline, born October 19, 1836; Henry, born October 24, 1838; Franklin, born September 8, 1846; Charles, born June 5, 1853.
Henry West enlisted in the war of the rebellion; was wounded in battle April seventh; died May 2, 1862, at St. Louis. Remains brought to Wellington for burial.
Franklin West was married February 12, 1868, to Miss Viola Burlingame, of Centerville, Allegany county, New York. He died March 23, 1878.
Charles West married Allie Dibble, of Pittsfield, Lorain county, Ohio; have three children.
Amasa H. West, father of Adeline, died June 24, 1872. Mrs. Maria West, mother of Mrs. Shelden, married again 0. J. West, November 11, 1873, and settled in Wellington village.
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shelden commenced dairying on a farm in Wellington. In 1860 he purchased the farm where he now resides, and continued dairying. In 1867 he built his present residence. (See engraving). Two years later he erected suitable buildings, and commenced the manufacture of cheese, according to the factory system, extending and enlarging his conveniences and facilities until three millions of pounds and over were manufactured at the home factory in 1878.
Mr. Shelden, at the present time, owns an interest in five other factories, and has in his employ seventeen men. As a factoryman Mr. Shelden stands at the front, giving as good, or better satisfaction to patrons, than others engaged in the same business; and as dairying is the principal business of the farmers of Wellington and vicinity, the rivalry with which Mr. Shelden has to compete, may readily be seen. Children-Jessie, born January 5, 1862; Lettie, born June 5, 1867; Charles, born April 3, 1869. Mr. Shelden's children are receiving excellent advantages for education, and bid fair to become ornaments to society, and are true blessings in the household.
The family are most hospitably inclined; there seems always room for one more, and guests are wont to enjoy their .visits there most heartily, as the host and hostess are merry-hearted and desirous of ministering to the pleasure of their friends.
In politics Mr. Shelden is a republican. He is a generous, free-hearted, liberal man, keeping up with the progress of the age.
SILAS MILLER AND FAMILY.
Ephraim, second son of Ephraim Miller, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts,. June 8, 1774, and married Rachel Buttolph March 13, 1800. Rachel Buttolph was born in Stonington, Connecticut, October 2, 1773. After the marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Miller settled in Chester, Massachusetts, pursuing the avocation of farming, the same as his ancestors. In Chester all their children were born, to wit: Silas, born April 13, 1802; Emily, born February 5, 1804; George, born February 28, 1806; Moses, born January 8, 1809; Ephraim, born. October 26, 1811; Edmund, born January 27, 1814; Fordis, born April 12, 1816; died August 18, 1829.
Ephraim Miller died, at his son Silas' house, in Wellington, March 30, 1868, and had reached the remarkable age of ninety-four years. Rachel his wife died in Mindon, Michigan, September 27, 1869, the year following her husband's death. This couple lived together sixty-eight years, never being separated over a Week at a time, their affection being like that of Ruth for Naomi.
Silas Miller was born, as stated above, April 13, 1802. He received a good common school education, and beside the knowledge of farm life, acquired at at home, he learned the trade of tanning leather, of William Hubbard, Cummington, Massachusetts. Being a youth of much enterprise and true grit, he was bound to get on in the world, his motto being: "If I fall, I will get up again."
He married Miss Cynthia Holcomb, in West Hartford, Connecticut, December 25, 1828. Cynthia H., daughter of Asel and Martha (Flagg) Holcomb, was born in Granby, Connecticut, July 29, 1799. They settled at housekeeping and farming in Chester, Massachusetts. The record of births in the family are as follows: Caroline S., born October 2, 1832; Fordis N., born April 3, 1835; and Sarah E., born May 26, 1838. Cynthia, wife of Silas Miller, died February 16, 1840. The family having moved to York, Medina county, Ohio, the year previous, May 26, 1839.
August 20, 1840, Silas Miller married Miss Lydia Branch, of York, Medina county, Ohio. Lydia Branch, third child of Nathan and Polly (Capron) Branch, was born in Gratten, Tompkins county, New York, January 16, 1810. The birth of children are as follows: Silas F., born June 23, 1842; Herman, born November 9, 1843; Lucinda, born February 18. 1847; Nathan, born June 18, 1849; George, born October 8, 1852.
Sarah E., daughter of Silas and Cynthia Miller, married and settled on the Cumberland mountains, Tennessee.
Caroline was well educated, and followed the occupation of teaching for a goodly number of years, making a record of worth.
Fordis N. married Augusta Howe, and settled in Noble county, Indiana, and carries on a mercantile trade. The fruits of this union are four daughters and one son, viz: Cynthia, Carrie, Laurie, Emily and Silas. Augusta, wife of Fordis N. Miller, died March 3, 1877.
Silas F., son of Silas and Lydia Miller, died in the army, May 8, 1863. He belonged to the One Hun-
Residence of Silas Miller, Wellington Tp., Lorain Co., Ohio
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY OHIO - 365
dred and Twenty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry,-a soldier in the war of the great rebellion.
Herman, also a soldier, served three years in the United States artillery, suffered as many other sol- diers suffered, and contracted a disease (chronic diarrhea), of which he has never fully recovered, and which will, no doubt, be the means of shortening his life. Herman married Mrs. Mary Knapp, of Wellington, February 8, 1868. Evelyn L., only daughter of Herman and Mary Miller, was born July 23, 1871.
Lucinda married Jerry Whitehead, of Wellington, December 28, 1875, settled in Ogden, Michigan, and her husband follows the avocation of farming.
Nathan (the bachelor,) resides with his parents; a youth of enterprise, spirit, and ability, well qualified to keep up with the progress of the age.
George died December 2, 1871,-a youth of fair promise, just merging into manhood. His death was a severe affliction to the family.
From York the family moved to Lorain county, settling in Wellington April 9, 1864, where they now reside, on the farm formerly owned by 0. S. Wadsworth, engaged quite extensively. in dairying as well as farming.
Mr. Miller has been an active, stirring man, possessed of a remarkable memory, retains events, dates, names, and places in mind, as the famed Napoleon. He is known far and near, as his journeyings have taken him into many States. In politics he is a republican, and his general character is good, as his code of morals, as well as those of his family, is most excellent.
BERT B. HERRICK AND FAMILY.
Philo Herrick, second son of Amasa and Polly (Robison) Herrick, and father of Hon. Lucius Herrick, and grandfather of Bert B., was born in Tyringham, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, January 15, 1794. He received his education in the common schools, and developed the character of a model young man. January 1, 1816, he was joined in marriage to Sophia Blodgett. Sophia Blodgett, sixth child of Caleb and Ruth (Lombard) Blodgett, was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, September 27, 1788. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Philo Herrick went to live in Watertown, New York, where he pursued the business of tanner, currier and shoemaker. From there he removed to Hounsfield, same State. Record of birth of children as follows: Loring, born October 5, 1816, in Watertown, Jefferson county; Amasa B., born April 26, 1818, in Hounsfield; Lucius, born November 8, 1820, in Hounsfield; George F., born November 11, 1824, in Hounsfield. In the year 1835 the family moved to Wellington, Ohio (then denominated the far west), and settled on the homestead (see engraving), where a few years were spent in active service to secure the comforts of a home in a pioneer settlement, the children in the meantime securing the best advantages for education provided in the township,, ere they separated to work out their future fortunes and establish homes for themselves. June 3, 1844, Loring married Miss M. Bronson, a teacher among the Winnebago Indians, Iowa. April 13, .1846, Amasa married Lydia Ann Young, in Rockton, Winnebago county, Illinois. A record of ten births graces this union. George F. Herrick left home for Wisconsin, June 9, 1845; died, September 15, the same year. Lucius Herrick, remaining at home, married, April 15, 1844, Miss Mary E. Griffith. Mrs. Mary E., wife of Lucius Herrick, died January 15, 1845, leaving an infant son, Luther G., born January 11. April 8, 1851, Lucius Herrick was united in marriage to Miss Harriet E. Bidwell, of Brighton, Lorain county, Ohio. Miss Harriet E. Bidwell, daughter of Truman and Eveline (Doty) Bidwell, was born October 26, 1827. Truman E. Bidwell was born September 20, 1806; died March 31, 1876. Eveline (Doty) Bidwell, born 1802; died October 27, 1848. Harriet E., wife of Lucius Herrick, died February 28, 1854; Bert B., son of Lucius and Harriet Herrick, was born December 27, 1851. July 3, 1852, Mr. Lucius Herrick married Miss Sarah West, of Elyria, third child of Francis and Fanny West, born in Elyria and educated in Milan and finishing in the academy at Stockbridge, Berkshire county, Massachusetts; is a lady of culture and refinement. July 8, 1862, Luther G. Herrick died. He was a young man universally beloved, possessed of rare talents, and was pursuing a course of study at Oberlin When the fatal hand of disease sapped the current of life. Philo Herrick died March 15, 1866. Mrs. Philo Herrick is still residing at the old homestead-the oldest person in town; is active, wonderfully well preserved for a lady of her years, retaining her memory remarkably well; and it is to her the writer of this sketch is indebted for the principal dates found in this biography.
Since the family of Philo Herrick came to Wellington, Lucius has been identified with the continued progress of the township. Being a representative man, active in business, he has held important offices by the gift of the people of Lorain county. For several years he was county commissioner, and is now representing the county of Lorain in the State legislature.
Bert B. was united in marriage to Miss Etta R. Wadsworth, December 27, 1877. Miss Etta R. was born in Wellington, April 25, 1858; and is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Wadsworth; is a graduate of the class of 1877 of Wellington high school; average school report, for five years, ninety-seven and one-half first grade; motto, excelsior; aim, to do well. After a short wedding tour, Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Herrick commenced housekeeping on the home farm, March 28, 1878. His father purchasing and removing to a new residence near by, the farm and its belongings fell to the care of B. B. In connection with other business matters in the line of
366 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO
farming, a dairy of thirty or more caws is kept, and the milk manufactured into butter and cheese, at home, and marketed by Mr. Herrick. The excellent advantages for an education, and the opportunities for travel bestowed by a fond parent, have fitted him for an active business life, giving a fair outlook for future prosperity and renown. March 29, 1879, a daughter was born to Mr. Herrick—Ella R. Herrick; christened by grandma, the light of the house- hold"— by its parents, Sarah Ethel.
The genealogy of the Herrick family can be traced in a direct line back to one Eric, a Danish chief who invaded Britain during the reign of Alfred. For particulars, see genealogical history, published by Zedekiah Herrick, giving statistics from 1629 to 1846.
DR. JOHN W. HOUGHTON.
Dr. John W. Houghton, of the Wellington Enterprise, is the son of Am Houghton, deceased, and
Clara Cole Houghton. He was born in Batavia, New York, and is now in his forty-fifth year. He studied two years at the University at Delaware, Ohio, taught several terms, protracted his classical course so as to keep up his musical studies parallel with it, graduating at Baldwin University in 1860, and from a Cincinnati Medical College the same year. In 1863 the degree of A. M. in course was conferred by his Alma Mater.
Soon after graduation he commenced the practice of his profession at Wellington, continuing for ten years when he was obliged to abandon it from im- paired health. He has since devoted his time principally to the drug and book trade, established some years previously, until in 1876 he took the additional care and labor involved in the publishing and editing a. weekly newspaper, in connection with a job office.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON SUTLIFF.
This gentleman was born in Erie county, New York, in July, 1815. His father's name was Solomon, his place of nativity being New York State, Genesee county.
The subject of this sketch received a good common school education. At the age of twenty he left his father's home and came to Oberlin, Ohio, where he resided for three years. In 1838 he went to Michigan, where he remained thirteen years, except an interveral of nearly a year in 1840, which he passed in Ohio. While in the former State he entered government land. Returning to Ohio in 1852 he made his residence in Carlisle township for two years, when he removed to Wellington, where he has since resided.
In 1840, he married Miss Phoebe D. Gott, of La Grange. Mr. and Mrs. Sutliff have been the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are now living, viz : William H., Charles E., George W., James Alfred, Frederick M., Emily Jane and Franklin P. Mr. Sutliff has held a number of township offices, both here and in Michigan, and is a worthy and highly esteemed citizen.
R. J. ROBINSON
tells the story of his life as follows:
I was born in Winchester, Virginia, March 18, 1818, of free parents. My father was the grandson of Lord Fairfax, and my mother the daughter of Colonel Nevel, of revolutionary fame. Myself, with my parents and other children, was allowed the privilege of common schools, although denied to other colored people. My father died in 1836, and in the same year, at the age of seventeen I removed with my mother and the rest of the children, six in number, to Illinois, settling in Springfield, 'where I opened a barber shop. Among my customers were Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, and Edward Baker. November 31, 1837, I was married to Sarah Ann Wigins, of Macdonough county, Illinois, the first colored marriage west of the Illinois river. In 1840, I moved to St. Louis, Missouri, but was arrested for coming into the State without license, and returned to Illinois and became a citizen of Alton, where I remained until 1860, when I removed to Wellington, taking up my residence here in April of 1861. I have eight children, five boys and three girls. My oldest son Jonathan was captured by the rebels in 1861 and kept a prisoner two years. My son Joseph enlisted in company F of the one hundred and twenty-third regiment, but was killed at Frankfort, Kentucky. My son James enlisted in Company G, third regiment U. S. colored heavy artillery, and was discharged March 9, 1865, by reason of expiration of time of service. My children have all received a practical education. My oldest daughter is a graduate of Oberlin College, is married, and lives in Washington, D. C.
I was forty-three years old when I was permitted to cast my first vote. It was cast for Abraham Lincoln. I can say that I have only been free since I came to this place. Here, thank God, I am in an open field, in pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, and where I intend to spend the remainder of my days.
Residence of Wm. H. H. Sutliff, Wellington Tp., Lorain Co., Ohio