History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio, Part 90

Author: Williams Brothers
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 443

USA > Ohio > Lake County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 90
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 90

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

By reason of the very large emigration at that time, Mr. Ladd was induced to engage in the business of keeping tavern, and accordingly erected for that purpose, soon after his settlement, the house now occupied as a dwelling by Joseph Wood. This business he carried on until his death, in 1827, but, owing principally to the hard times succeeding the war of 1812, during which property depreciated in value to a generally ruinous figure, the enterprise never proved successful finan- cially, and he died insolvent. The farm, with buildings, which alone cost some five thousand dollars, was after his death sold for three thousand six hundred dollars.

He married Rubey Brewster, of Massachusetts, whose ancestor, Elder William Brewster, was a prominent passenger in the " Mayflower." Of the five children, four are now living, as follows : Mrs. Edward Bissell, Mrs. Cushing Cunningham, Mrs. (now widow of ) Dr. Andrews Merrimon, all residing in Madison; and S. T. Ladd, of the firm of Ladd & Marshall, lumber-dealers, Painesville.

Mr. and Mrs. Ladd died, he in August, 1827, and she in July, 1824.

The first marriage in the western part of the township occurred in the year 1811. The happy pair were John Loring and Miss Esther Hanks.

Erial Cook left Washington, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in the spring of 1812. Arriving in the State of New York, he passed one season there, and completed his journey to Ohio in the spring of 1813. He was single, and came with Jesse Ladd, an uncle. Mr. Cook took up one hundred acres of land, married Miss Phebe Curtis Turney, of Madison. Mr. Cook cleared the farm and removed to Michigan, where he died in 1867. The children were Fanny, married Walter Olmstead; Harriet, married Fred M. Foster; George T., married L. G. Genung; Harmony, married Charles Dunham ; and Phebe, who married J. Beardslee, (deceased). Mr. Cook was quite a hunter, and it is said that in April, 1824, he killed a wild-cat, a monster fully six feet in length.

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RESIDENCE or W. H. FORD, MADISON TP, LAKE CO., OHIO.

LITH. BY L. N. EVERTS, PHILA.PA.

RESIDENCE OF D. A.WARNER, MADISON TE, LAKE COUNTY, OHIO.

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233

HISTORY OF GEAUGA AND LAKE COUNTIES, OHIO.

Arthur Waterman came from Rhode Island to Madison, arriving in August, 1813. An ox-team with a horse hitched ahead formed the motive-power. He located on the farm now occupied by his youngest son, John H. He took up two hundred acres. The family who came with him were a wife and ten chil- dren ; two were born subsequent to their arrival in Ohio. Of this extensive family the following now reside in Madison : Labin, married Sally Austin ; Phebe, married Luther Winchell; Lucy, married James Lewis; and John H., who married Emeline St. John. Mr. Waterman died October 9, 1830. Mrs. Water- man deceased November 15, 1861.

Abel C. Ely came from West Springfield, Massachusetts, to Ohio in the spring of 1817, walking the entire distance. He purchased one hundred acres in lots two and four, tracts six and four, Madison township. He returned immediately, and the following fall came on with his family, then consisting of but a wife. Tamar Leonard Ely, and Alexis L., who eventually married Mary Hotchkiss. He became a physician of more than average ability. He died in New Lyme, Ashtabula county, October 14, 1854. The children born after removal to Ohio were Asaph B., married Altha C. Williams, who deceased, and he married Lois D. Converse, with whom he now resides, occupying the old homestead upon which he was born. Harriet, the next child (deceased); Lucy B. (deceased) ; Mary C. married Aaron Sherwood, resides in Wisconsin ; Abel C., Jr., was drowned in Sacramento river, California, November 14, 1859. Mr. Ely, Sr., was a gentle- man of education, and had, prior to his removal to Ohio, been occupied in a store in Boston, and also taught several terms of school. He became a successful farmer. He died in Madison, February 6, 1865. Mrs. Ely died October 1, 1840.

Edward Bissell came to Madison about the time of Ely's settlement. He located on the adjoining farm south, and is yet living. Levi Loveland settled in Madison as early as 1815; has no descendants now living in the township. Gus- tavus H.S.Cheverell married Esther Myers, of Amsterdam, Montgomery county, New York, January 9, 1817, and came immediately to Ohio, locating in Madison village. His wife died the August following, and in November, 1818, he married Mary Brakeman, of Harpersfield township, Ashtabula county. He resided in Madison some two years, then removed to Unionville, and after one ycar's sojourn at this point removed to Harpersfield, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying there in December, 1866.

William Balch came to Ohio, December 9, 1817, from New Boston, Massa- chusetts. He came on horseback, purchased one hundred acres of land (now occupied by Sextus Wood), erected a log cabin thereon, and the following Feb- ruary returned to the East, married Mary Boyanton, of Vermont, purchased a team of horses, and came to Ohio for a final stay, arriving June 12, 1818. His children were John, married Mary A. Stoddard, lives in Wisconsin ; William Nelson, killed by a runaway team; Hiram, married Martha Curtiss, lives in Arkansas ; Mary, married William Duke, lives in Illinois; and George, who mar- ried Emma Warner and lives on the old homestead. Mrs. Balch died in 1843, and the year following Mr. Balch was again married to Mary Whitney, of Aus- tinburg, Ashtabula county, with whom he still resides. Mr. Balch by economy and hard work has acquired a handsome property. In about 1838 he sustained a heavy loss by fire, being the total destruction of his fine residence (recently finished and furnished), together with forty bushels of wheat, one hundred of potatoes, a quantity of corn, and some sixty cords of wood. In 1820, Mr. Balch dug a well for Isaac Martin, and when some sixteen feet from the surface he came upon what had been apparently a pile of brush, and in this was a quantity of chips, some of them as large as a man's hand; they bore the appearance of having been cut with a sharp instrument. There was considerable speculation at the time in regard to this strange matter.

Lionel Bennett, from Cortland county, New York, came to Madison in 1819, and located on the farm he still occupies (tract two, northern division). He had married Miss Sarah Norton, of Newtown, Connecticut, previous to coming to Ohio, and one child was born to them. This was Lionel L., who married Sophronia Fowler, is now practicing medicine in Chardon, Geauga County. After Mr. and Mrs. Bennett settled in Madison, four children were born to them ; these were John, who married Clarissa Olds, lives at Barraboo, Wisconsin ; Ira, married Jane Cooper, also lives in Wisconsin ; Albert, married Mary A. Noyes, died in Wisconsin in 1859; and Margaret, the youngest child, who married Roger S. Miller, lives on the old homestead, and with her the aged parents. Mr. Bennett was always a hard-working farmer, a Republican, and a member of the Disciple church with his estimable companion for the past forty years. Jasper Brewster and John Sherwood settled on the south ridge at an early day.

Joseph Cudy was born in Norfolk, Connecticut, September 13, 1788. When sixteen years of age he removed with his parents to Vernon, Oneida county, New York, where he remained until 1811. He then started on foot and alone through the dense wilderness for Ohio. For subsistence on the journey he car-

ried a knapsack of provisions. He came, whenever practicable, along the beach . of the lakes, as there were no roads in the interior. He arrived in Austinburg, Ashtabula county, at the end of twenty-one days, remaining there but a few days, when he came to Madison. Before he had selected a location he volunteered, and went with a regiment as drum-major. Returning safely, he purchased fifty acres of land in what is now Madison village, and erected a log cabin thereon, using bass- wood bark for a roof, split puncheons for floor and door, and sticks daubed with mud for a chimney.

On September 19, 1816, he married Phebe A. Tisdel. Their children are Sarah A., Chester (deceased), Curtis T. (deceased), Henry P. (dead), Oscar H., and Newton J., who lives on the old homestead. Mr. C. died January 26, 1868, and his aged companion still lives on the old farm. She is seventy-eight years old.

As before stated, the pioneer " tavern" was built at Unionville in 1805. The present hotel is the " Madison House," which is really one of the best hotels in the county. This will accommodate some forty guests. Zerah Judd is the pro- prietor.

At Unionville we find the Union House, W. A. Webster proprietor. This is also one of the ancient buildings of this village.

Hon. Rice Harper, son of John A. Harper, and at present residing at San- dusky, Ohio, was, without doubt, the first white child born within the present limits of Madison township. He was born in November, 1803.

The building at present occupied for a hall for the public meetings of the town- ship was erected, in about 1828, by individual contributions. Its location was a few rods north and east of its present position. When erected it was designed for a meeting-house for all denominations, and was occupied as such until 1840, when the present county of Lake was organized. The elections had been held and the business of the township transacted prior to this date principally at the middle ridge. The township was enlarged, and the seat of government removed to Madison village. In 1867 the hall was put into its present condition; across the rear of the building are two rows of marble tablets, upon each of which is cut the name of a loyal son of Madison who gave his life for the flag during the terrible war of 1861.

Dry Goods, Notions, etc .- Hendry & Son, Cook & Allen, N. Stratton, Jr., and Coslite Brothers.

Groceries and Provisions .- Saxton Brothers, O. Hoskins, E. Harrington, W. J. Cornelius, George Yeldham, and H. E. Kellogg.

Drugs .- Cook & Allen, H. E. Kellogg, and George W. Lawton.

Clothing .- J. W. Stray and Bliss & Isham.

Hardware and Tin .- Barnes & McDonald and D. Donaldson, Jr.

Boots and Shoes .- O. S. Childs and Philo Philes.

Millinery .- Beardsley & Brinckerhoff, Mrs. Booth, and Mrs. Matson.

Furniture-Dealer .- C. L. Keener.

Harness-Makers .- H. C. Gill and William Halstead.

Carriage-Makers .- Philo Smith, John Harris, and William Sherwood.

Blacksmiths .- M. O. Preston, Orin Copp, William Callister, and Davet Brothers.

Carriage-Painters .- Henry Hurlburt, Charles Halstead, T. C. Walding, and Ezra Nichols.

Meat- Markets .- Huntoon & Potter and Swain & Ingersoll.

RELIGIOUS MATTERS.

In 1813 the Rev. Giles H. Cowles, of Austinburg, delivered, in the log cabin of J. T. Andrews, the pioneer sermon of the township. This house stood on the place now occupied by George Fisher. In July, 1814, a Congregational church was organized at the log house of Lemuel Kimball. There were nine members, as follows: Jesse Ladd, Sr., John Cunningham, Thomas Montgomery, Rebecca Montgomery, Jesse Ladd, Ruby Ladd, Lemuel Kimball, Polly Kimball, and Abigail Mixer. Prior to the ordination of Rev. A. Hyde, August, 1819, this church worshiped upon the south ridge. After that time, and until 1830, the middle ridge was the place of their meetings, occupying for that purpose the town hall, then standing on lot No. 1. On the date above given twenty-four members were dismissed for the purpose of forming a church farther south, and soon organized what is now the Second Congregational church of Madison, in Madison village, then called Centreville. The names of these founders of this church are Fanny, Justin, and Eunice Ware, Sidney L. Marshall, Mary A. and Theodocia Brewster, Andrews and Grata Merriman, Lucinda Pease, John Isham, Mary Brooks, Abraham and Nancy Clark, Benjamin Scovell, David and Lydia White, Samuel L. Collins, Rebecca Talcott, Polly Kimball, Clarissa Cole, Anna Cady, and Tumor Ely. Revs. Jonathan Winchester, Jonathan Leslie, Perry Pratt, and Caleb Burbank assisted in the organization of this church. The first two were from the presbytery of Grand River, with which this church was con- nected. Revs. Winchester and M. Chapin were its ministers until 1834, when

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HISTORY OF GEAUGA AND LAKE COUNTIES, OHIO.

Rev. J. A. Woodworth was installed pastor. His pastorate was, however, limited to nine months. After him came Revs. Saunders, Lyman, Broughton, Parker, and Gurney. In 1841, Rev. Reuben Linker became its pastor, serving as such until 1846. During his connection with the church it withdrew from the pres- bytery, and united with Grand River conference. In 1853 it withdrew from this and joined Plymouth Rock conference, and still retains this connection. The pastors until the present are Revs. Mead Holmes, Martin Wilcox, Wm. Wake- field, R. S. Eggleston, Chas. W. Loney (who remained its pastor more than eight years), Rev. Levi Loring, J. F. Severence, J. H. Laird, and Rev. E. Gale, its present pastor. Membership, December 25, 1876, one hundred and seventy. In 1834 the substantial church edifice of the First church, located at " Branch's Corners," was erected. We are, unfortunately, unable to procure a list of the clergy of this church. The present pastor is Rev. S. D. Peet, formerly of the Congregational church in Ashtabula.

Soon after the first settlements were made in this township, a church of the Baptist denomination was organized in what is now Madison village, which lived but a few years. In the year 1830 a number of Baptists settled in the north part of Madison, who had been communicants of the North Perry church. Fifteen of these petitioned to be formed into a church in Madison. This was accord- ingly done, April 6, 1831. Of these first members, eight were males and seven females. The first pastor was Rev. Azariah Hanks, who served them once or twice per month for two years. At first their meetings were held in the town hall and at private dwellings. In 1842 the church edifice now occupied by them was completed, and was by Rev. Adrian Foot dedicated August 11, of that year. At this time the membership was more than one hundred, and they had a settled pastor and regular Sabbath services.

Their second pastor was Rev. E. F. Goodrich. The following are the entire number of ministers who have presided over this church: Revs. Gilead Dodge, J. L. Richmond, Jacob Bailey, - Beckwith, E. G. Wood, Adrian Foot, J. W. Weatherby, Lyman Whitney, M. Roberts, P. P. Kennedy, J. L. Smith, W. Clark, E. C. Farley, C. S. Thomas, Increase Child, C. R. Richmond, Thomas H. Gray, and Rev. O. N. Fletcher, who is the present pastor. Of the fifteen members who constituted this church, but two are now living. These are William Balch and Mrs. Zilpha Green. Present membership, one hundred and forty.

METHODIST CHURCH.

The churches of this denomination in the township of Madison are four in number. The " Log Chapel" at North Madison was organized about 1840, under the pastorate of Revs. Cowles and Elliott. Among the members of this class are remembered the names of Lewis Platt and wife, Daniel Norton and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Brockway, Mr. and Mrs. Ayers and father, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Grover, Mr. and Mrs. D. N. Morris, and Truman Rowley, who was the first class-leader, and wife. Their first church, erected about this time, was of logs; in size some twenty by twenty-six feet, a rude, uncouth affair. This was christened with the name which still attaches to this location. In this " chapel" meetings were con- ducted until about 1851, when the present neat little church was erected. The greatest contributor towards the erection of this church was Dr. J. J. Hewitt, to whom we are indebted for these facts. Some two years were consumed in its erection. There is at present a membership of one hundred, with a Sabbath- school of eighty scholars convening regularly each Sunday of the year, under the superintendence of Rufus Foster. Class-leaders, Dr. J. J. Hewitt, J. W. Harris, and Charles Cummings; stewards, Leonard Sweatland, Freeland Winchester, Samuel Foster, and Lorenzo Brockway. The pastor is the Rev. G. Elliott, who also presides over the church in Madison village. The fine structure at Madison village was erected some fifteen years since. Present membership, seventy-five; Sabbath-school averaging nearly one hundred. In the southeast portion of the township, on what is called the " gore," there is a class of some fifty souls, with a Sabbath-school continuing through the summer months only. Rev. J. K. Shafer, of Thompson, is its pastor.

. At Madison there is a small church of the Catholic faith.

EARLY METHODISM.

We learn from Mr. Harlow Bailey that the first class of this denomination was organized under the following circumstances : In the early part of the year 1822 one of those general gatherings known as " camp-meetings" was had in the town- ship of Concord. The settlers attended generally, and among them was himself and Gustavus H. SeCheverell (who was afterwards a prominent member of this church in Harpersfield). They were apparently more interested in temporal than spiritual affairs, for they carried with them guns and fishing-tackle. They, how- ever, both " experienced" religion ere the meeting closed, and returning to their homes, erected family altars, and warmly espoused the cause to which they had so recently become attached. Prayer-meetings were held alternately at the house of

each, others became interested, a preacher was sent there and meetings were held in the school building, and the same year a class was organized by the Rev. Alfred Bronson. We are unable to give the entire number who formed this class; Mr. Sanborn was class-leader. Harlow Bailey and Apphia, his wife, Gustavus H. S.Cheverell and Mary his wife, and Mrs. Levi Bartram, are all the names remembered. This church increased until there were sixty members on its class- book. A commodious church edifice was erected, and a large and flourishing Sabbath-school in operation. From deaths, removals, and other untoward circum- stances, the membership has decreased until there is at present but a feeble class and no settled pastor; Rev. Mr. Seeley, of Painesville, holding service cach alter- nate Sabbath.

PHYSICIANS.

The first who located in Madison was a man named Miller. He lived in the southwest corner of the township. We are unable to ascertain the precise date of settlement, but are assured it was prior to 1815. Doubtless his practice was not lucrative in an excessive degree, as he only remained in the township a few years. He was followed by Storm Rosa, au eminent practitioner ; afterwards became a homeopathist, and was, we believe, at one time a professor of the Homoeopathic College. After him came Merriman Emory, surgeon, etc., and at Unionville, M. P. Sherwood, who, although of a rough exterior, was as soft-hearted as a woman at the bedside of the sufferer. He was thoroughly wedded to the profession, as is his son, William H., whose residence is also at Unionville. He has acquired a wide reputation as a surgeon. At Madison village there are three physicians. R. M. Powers, who, although yet young, is an eminently successful practitioner, and already occupies a prominent position in the profession. J. C. Winans has an extensive practice; is a rising member of the profession. N. B. Holbrook has, we believe, retired from active life. Dr. J. J. Hewitt, who was the pioneer eclectic physician in the township, located at Madison village in 1843. He remained there until 1846, when he removed to North Madison, and has prac- ticed continuously until the present time. His children are Susan (deceased), J. Emory, who is also a physician, located in Perry. Emily and Marcus remain at home.

In the year 1816, James R. Ford opened in the granary of Jesse Ladd, which stood on the lot now owned by Joseph Wood, the first stock of goods ever brought to the township of Madison. In the year 1860, John Williams erected the large brick storage and shipping building just north of Madison village, on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railway. This was the first in Madison. Mr. Williams did an extensive shipping business, principally in potatoes, in the grow- ing of which Madison has become famous.

The first brick business block in the village was erected in 1859 by Messrs. Elisha Wood, Cook & Howard. For further particulars of Mr. Wood see his biographical sketch in another portion of this volume.

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.

Madison Grange, No. 819, was organized April. 2, 1874, at the house of Ste- phen Raplee, by A. P. Axtell, of Perry, County Deputy, with the following char- ter members : Stephen, H. S., Mrs. E. H., and Miss Ella Raplee, E. F. and H. C. Ensign and wives, J. P. Merritt and wife, O. H. Cady and wife, John S. Fowler and wife, W. H. Hill and wife, D. W. Amidon and wife, L. J. Wadsworth and wife, J. L. Wood and wife, Nelson Haywood and wife, Reuben and W. H. Bliss, W. G. and H. E. Cook, J. L. Brooks, J. D. Bates, and Ira Hodges. The first officers were E. F. Ensign, M .; Stephen Raplee, O .; H. C. Ensign, Lec. ; H. S. Raplee, Steward; O. H. Cady, Asst. Steward; L. J. Wadsworth, Chap .; J. L. Wood, Treas. ; J. L. Brooks, Sec .; N. Haywood, G. K .; Mrs. L. J. Wadsworth, Ceres; Mrs. J. L. Wood, Pomona; Mrs. N. Haywood, Flora; and Mrs. O. H. Cady, Lady Asst. Steward.

ORGANIZATION.

At a meeting of the board of commissioners of the county of Geauga, held on the 13th day of March, 1811, it was ordered "That so much of that part of Harpersfield as lies in the county of Geauga, and is included in township No. 12, and all that part of township No. 11 which lies north of Grand river, in the sixth range of the original surveyed township be, and the same is hereby incorporated and erected into a separate township, to be known by the name of Madison. (Prior to this date this territory was called Chapintown.) And also that the electors meet at the house of Phineas Mixer, in said township, on the first Monday of April next, for the purpose of choosing township officers." Signed, Nehemiah King, clerk. Pursuant to which, the citizens convened. Abraham Tappan was chosen chairman, Samuel Potter and John A. Harper, judges, and Samuel Potter, clerk. The officers elected on this occasion were Uriah Bartram, Asa Turney, and Thomas Montgomery, trustees; Roland Ellis and James Miller, overseers of the poor; John Wood and Daniel Turney, fence-viewers; Uriah

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RESIDENCE oF F. WINCHESTER, NORTH MADISON , LAKE CO, OHIO.

RESIDENCE or L. D. BROCKWAY, MADISON T !; LAKE CO. O.

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FREME

LITH BY L. H.EVENTS, PHILA, PA.

W. W. BRANCH, J" MANUFACTURER OF SAWED & SHAVED LUMBER, CHEESE-BOX, HOOPS & VENEENS. MADISON, O.

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HISTORY OF GEAUGA AND LAKE COUNTIES, OHIO.

Bartram and Benjamin Custin, appraisers of property ; Roland Ellis and James Miller, supervisors of highways; Luke Bonesteed, constable; Abe Chapin, treas- urer, and John A. Harper, justice of the peace.

In the winter of 1814 and 1815 Aaron Wheeler taught a term of school in a log house, standing on or near the site now occupied by the wagon manufactory of William Sherwood, at Unionville. This was the first school taught in the township of which we have been able to procure any record.

In 1816 a log school-house was erected on the northwest corner of the commons. This was without doubt the pioneer school-house in the township. Through the politeness of William Genung we are furnished the following in relation to that Alma Mater of many of our readers :

THE MADISON SEMINARY.

The original building was completed and ready for occupancy in the spring of 1847, when C. S. Hartwell, who had prior to this taught in the town-house, took charge of the school. He taught one term, and was succeeded by G. N. Camp- bell the subsequent fall. Mr. Campbell was highly successful as a teacher; soon had one hundred pupils in attendance; in fact, did much toward putting the school on a solid basis. In March, 1848, he severed his connection with the school and went abroad as missionary to Burmah, where he died. Rev. S. R. Daviess, a graduate of Yale College, and wife succeeded him. They remained in charge of the school until July, 1819, when they resigned to accept a position in Paines- ville school. From this time until 1857 there were the following teachers : C. S. Hartwell, E. B. Olmsted, A. B. Tuttle, - Parmeter, - Bierce, - Bur- rows, and - Smith. In 1857, Mrs. Chadwick, of Willoughby College, and Smith, of Ingham, became the teachers. The former of those ladies is now the wife of the highly-successful surgeon, William H. Sherwood, of Unionville, this county. In 1859 the brick building now occupied by the school was com- pleted, and the old building converted into a boarding-hall. S. A. Savoth was principal at this time,-Miss Chadwick assistant. In 1861, G. W. Phinney, now pastor of Congregational church at Geneva, was principal. Fall of 1862, C. H. Dewolf became principal ; was succeeded by Misses Smith and Chadwick. Avery was next teacher,-succeeded by Rev. Kingsley in 1866; he by Mr. Ellenwood. W. N. Wight was the next,-taught four years. Fall of 1873, C. H. Hibbard assumed control ; he made special improvement in several important studies. The subsequent spring the present principal, Mrs. N. A. S. Bliss, was placed in charge ; she is assisted by Miss C. G. Brewer, and Miss Della Morse, music teacher.

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History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio, Part 90

Author: Williams Brothers Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages: 443

Author: Williams Brothers
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 443