USA > Ohio > Lorain County > History of Lorain County, Ohio > Part 54
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The building of the steamboats Bunker Hill, and Constellation, in 1836-'37 gave birth to an associa- tion of the business men of Black River, the following winter, called the "Black River Steamboat Associa- tion." Those boats were called Black River boats, although the controlling interest in them was owned by parties in Buffalo and Cleveland, and the business men of Black River, believing that their interests would be better promoted by the building of a vessel which should be owned aud controlled exclusively by themselves, organized the above association for the purpose indicated. The steamboat Leringlon, was built by this company.
The officers of this association were as follows: Daniel T. Baldwin, president; Barna Meeker, vice president; N. B. Gates secretary and treasurer.
The following is a complete list of the vessels built at the port of Black River, with the year in which they were built and the name of the builder.
NAME.
YEAR.
BUILDER.
Schooner Return
1855
D. Fox.
General Huntington.
1819
F. Church.
Schooner Ann.
1821
.F. Church.
Young Amaranth. 1895 .F. Church.
Necleus.
1827
. William Wilson.
Bark Levi Rawson.
1861
William Jones.
Sloop William Tell. 1828
. Captain A. Jones.
Bark William Jones
1862
Jones & Co.
Schooner Alice Curtis.
1858
Edwards.
Propeller Queen of the Lakes.
1855
William .Jones.
Brig Audubon
1854
William Jones.
Schooner (Hohe. 1832
Captain A. Jones.
Schooner John Fretter
1853
. Charles Hinman.
Brig John Henzie.
1833
.W. & B. B. Jones.
Schooner E. F. Allen
1862 ..
. A. Gillmore.
Schooner Nancy Donsman. 1833
.Captain A. Jones.
Bark Franz Siegel.
1862 .G. W. Jones.
Brig Indiana.
1834
.W. Jones. A. Gillmore.
1862
. William Jones.
Schooner Florida
1834
William & B. B. Jones.
Conrad Reid
1862
H. D. Root.
Schooner Juliette.
1834
William & B. B. Jones.
H. D. Rool.
1863
II. D. Root.
SÅ‚oop Lorain. . 1834
Ed. Gillmore, Jr.
Minerva
1863
William Jones.
Schooner St. Joseph 1835
F. N. Noyes.
William H. Chapman
1865
H. D. Root.
Schooner Texas.
1836
J. Hamblin.
Schooner Fostoria
1865
W. S. Lyons.
Schooner Erie
1836
.F. N. Jones.
Pride
1866
H. D. Root.
Brig Ramsey Crooks.
1831
.G. W. Jones.
W. S. Lyons
1866
W. S. Lyons.
Brig North Carolina.
.1831
.J. Hamblin.
Bark Summer Cloud
1864
Lester Smith.
Steamer Bunker Hill.
1837.
F. N. Jones.
Schooner Lillie Fox
1866
D. Fox.
Steamer Constellation.
1837
A. Gilhnore.
Kate Lyons.
1866
William Jones.
Steamer Lexington
1838
.F. N Jones.
Bark P. S. Marsh
1867 .G. W. Jones.
Sloop Rodolph
1837
.Captain A. Jones.
Schooner H. C. Post (rebuilt)
1866
Thomas Wilson.
Schooner Algonquin.
1839
G. W. Jones.
Gen. Q. A. Gillmore 1867.
Thomas Wilson.
Schooner Tom Corwin.
1810
.G. W. Jones.
H. G. Cleveland 1467
. William Jones.
Schooner Marion ..
1811
. Captain Thomas Cohb.
C'longh
1867
D. Fox.
Vernie Blake.
1867
H. D. Root.
Thomas Wilson
1868
Thos. Wilson.
Brig Rosa.
. F. N. Jones.
Brig E. Cohen 1867
Il. D. Root.
Brig Hoosier.
1842
.F. N. Jones.
Thomas Gawn 1822.
.John Squires.
Brig Alert.
1842
.F. N. Jones.
Barge Sarah E. Sheldon
1872
. Quelos & Peck.
Schooner Equator.
1813
.F. N. Jones.
Mary Groh 1873.
II. D). Root.
Steamer Charles Hickox .1873
II. D. Root.
Schooner Trenton
1843
.W. S. Lyons.
Steam Barge Egyptian 1873 .. .. Quelos & Peck.
Steamer C. Hickox 1873.
H. D. Root.
Schooner Our Son.
1875 H. Kelley.
Schooner Farmer (rebuilt).
1844
D. Rogers.
Schooner Sumatra
1873
Quelos & Peck.
Schooner Magnolia.
1845
.W. S. Lyons.
Schooner Three Brothers
.1873
.Il. D. Root.
Schooner John Erwin.
. Cohb & Burnell.
Schooner Theodore Voges. 1876
H. D. Root.
Tug Myrtle 1876
Scows.
NAME.
YEAR.
BUILDER.
Amherst
1847
.D. Dayton.
Diana
1848
D. Dayton.
Schooner T. L. Hamer. 1847 .W. S. Lyons.
NAME. VEAR.
BUILDER.
S .homner Rambler. .1947
Schooner Samet Strony. 1817
... Captain T. Cobb.
Propeller Delaware 1817
Propeller Ohio. 1818
.S. D. Burnell.
Schooner Vincennes.
1816
. W. S. Lyons.
Brig Enreka. 1817
Schooner Asia. 1818
Brig A. R. Cobb.
.Captain [. Cohb.
Brig Mahoning.
1848
William Jones.
Schooner Florence
1818
Propeller Ilenry Clay (rebuilt)
1851
William Jones.
Schooner T. P. Handy 1819
. William Jones.
Schooner Meridian.
. William Jones.
Schooner Abig.til 1819
Lyons & Fox.
Bark Buckeye State
1852
.Mr. Hubbard.
Schooner J. Reid ..
1952
.W. S. Lyons.
Schooner Winfield Scott 1852
.. William Jones.
Schooner Main
1852.
. W. S. Lyons.
Schooner Hamlet.
1852
. William Jones.
Schooner H. C. Window
1853
. William Jones.
Schooner W. F. Allen
1853
.Jones & Co.
Schooner City.
1853
. D. Rogers.
Schooner Cascade
1853
. William Jones.
Schooner H. E. Mossey
1853 Benjamin Flint.
Schooner Wings of the Morning. . 1854
Jones & Co.
Schooner Peoria
.1851
A. Gillmore.
Propeller Dick Pinto. .1851
G. W. Jones.
Schooner G. L. Newman 1855
B. Flint.
Schooner Drake. 1855
Jones & Co.
Bark Lemuel Crawford 1855
Iones.
Schooner Kyle Spangler .1856
William Jones.
Schooner Leader.
1836
Lyons & Gillmore.
Schooner W. H. Willard . 1856
.Charles Hinman.
Schooner John Webber. 1836 Charles Hinman.
Schooner Grace Murray .1836
William Jones.
Schooner Resolute. 1856
Schooner L. J. Farwell 1856
William Jones.
Bark David Morris
1857
William Jones.
Schooner Herald
1857
William Jones.
Schooner Freeman
1855
William Jones.
Schooner Ogden. 1857
William Jones.
Schooner President No. 1. .1829
. Captain A. Jones.
Steamer General Gratiot 1831
.Captain A. Jones.
Schooner White Pigeon. 1832 . W. & B. B. Jones.
Schooner President No. 2.
.1841
Schooner George Watson.
1841
G. W. Jones.
Schooner Acorn.
1842
.Captain Thomas Cobb.
Schooner Endora.
.1843
.T. Cobh.
Schooner Andover.
184
William Jones.
Schooner Thomas G. Colt
William Jones.
Schooner W. A. Adair.
1845
.T. H. Cobb.
Steamer H. Hudson. 1846 .Jones & Co.
Brig Emerald.
1811 .Joseph Keating.
Brig Concord ..
1846 .. W. S. Lyons.
Schooner Palestine.
,1817. .J. Keating ..
Sea Witch
1850 .S. F. Drake.
.Cobb, Burnell & Co
S. D. Burnell.
.Captain T. Cobh.
.W. S. Lyous.
. Benji'nin Flint.
.. F. N. Jones.
1841
1815 1816
Bark Orphan Boy.
216
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
NAME.
YEAR.
BUTLI.DER.
Elmira
185
.. T. More.
Rocky Mountains.
1850
Wm. Jones.
John P. Hale
1852
H. Sheldon.
Cousin Mary
1853
H. D. Root & Bro.
Forest Maid.
1853
Sheklon.
Rush.
1833
.L. Smith.
Ifonte
1551
1 .. Smith.
Gladiator
1854
H. Adams.
E. Mastor
1854
S. W. Buck.
Black Swan
1854
S. W. Buck.
A. Fredericks
1854
Edwards.
Black Rover
1855
A. Lumm.
Planet .
1855
L. Smith.
Roena.
1856
II. S. Smith.
Belle ..
C. Johnson.
Free Masou
1557
D. Fiells.
Nimrod
1837
William Curtis.
JUNIO ..
1853
L. W. Buck.
E S. Taylor.
1857
II. D. Root.
E. K Kane
1861
II. D. Root.
Supply.
1861
S. Fields.
John F. Prince.
1861
1. Gillmore. 1
Almirn.
1849
William Curtiss.
Nellie
1866
Aunt Ruth
1863 ..
. A. Gillmore.
Mona .
S. Fields.
Elyria
1867
D. Fox.
F. L. Jones
1867
H. D. Root.
Penguin
Lester Smith.
J. W. Porter
1868
W. S. Lyons.
Ada J. Root
1868
H. D. Root.
Frank T. Church
1868
A. Bullock.
Growler
1888
.S. Root.
German.
1868
II D. Root.
Ferret (rebuilt)
M Tuttle
1870
A. Pelo.
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.
Wheat.
738 acres
11,305 bushels.
Oats,
505
17.316
Corn,
469 .
25.410
Patatoes. 58
4,370
..
Orchards, 12
2,248
Meadow, 1.746
814 tous.
Butter
12,513 pounds.
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT IN 1876.
Hayes
224 | Tilden, 105
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
EBENEZER GREGG
was the youngest son of Ebenezer and Betsey Gregg. of Dorchester, New Hampshire, and was born April 5, 1803. He was of Seotch parentage, his ancestors having belonged to the noted Presbyterian colony who settled Londonderry, New Hampshire. His grandfather bore a distinguished part in the revolu- tionary war. He was colonel under General Stark, at the memorable battle of Bennington, and was pres- ent when the general, in rallying his troops, addressed to him the words so aptly given by the poet:
" We'll beat the British ere set of sun, Or Molly Stark is R widow it was done."
Mr. Gregg has inherited in a marked degree the peculiarities of his Scotch ancestors, having a vigorons constitution, great physical endurance, perseverance and energy of character. He was married September
24, 1830, to Mary W. Danforth, of Derry, New Hampshire. They emigrated to Ohio in 1835, in com- pany with his brother, the late Colonel William Gregg. and settled on a farm two miles north of the village of Elyria. In 1842. he purchased a farm in the then township of Sheffield, and resided there for several years; but for the purpose of educating his children, he removed to Elyria in 1854. Here he and his wife united with the Methodist church, and here, in Au- gust 11, 1871, after a residence of fourteen years, his wife closed her earthly labors.
They had eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Ilis second son, Arthur Livermore, died in Sheffield, February 28, 1873, aged thirty-one years. There are now living, two sons and two daughters, all of whom are married. His three sons, Simeon, Arthur. and Luther, served as brave and faithful soldiers in the war of the rebellion, were honorably discharged, and safely returned home at the close of the war. December 30, 1872, Mr. Gregg was married to Adaline W. Danforth, of Adrian, Michigan. At this time he sold his property in Elyria, and removed to his farm for a permanent residence. Although he is now seventy-six years old, he has wonderful health and vigor, and still leads an active, useful life. He is a member of the Methodist church in Lorain and is warmly identified with the interests of the growing town around him, cheerfully contributing his share to its growth and prosperity. He is strictly temper- ate in his habits, and is an enemy alike to liquor and tobacco, seldom neglecting to " show his colors" when occasion offers.
CAPTAIN SAMUEL L. FLINT
was born at Plattsburg, New York, February 18, 1830, being the sixth child of John and Amy (Ham- mond) Flint of that place: all of Scotch descent. When eight years of age he accompanied his parents to Buffalo, New York, remaining there about two years, when they removed to Toledo, Ohio, where his parents spent the remainder of their days.
When nineteen years old Captain Flint commenced to work for John P. Freeman, of Toledo, at the car- penter and joiner trade. After attaining his majority he removed to Black River, this county, where he be- came engaged as a ship carpenter, which he followed winters for nearly twenty years, sailing on the lakes until the close of navigation every year, which latter occupation he still follows. At an carly period in his business career, Captain Flint became interested in farming, and is now considered a good, practical farmer, as well as an excellent navigator. Eight years ago he purchased the comfortable farm and residence, an illustration of which appears elsewhere in this volume.
On the 20th of July. 1850, he married Helen M., daughter of Adam Miller, of Black River. They had five children, of whom Alice L., Helen A. and Sam-
will !
217
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
nel L. survive. Mrs. Flint departed this life May 3, 1864. After mourning the loss of his first wife just one year, the Captain married again, the subject of his choice this time being his present excellent wife, who at the time of their marriage was Jane D. Tracy, widow of R. F. Tracy, of Elyria, and daughter of Captain Luther Dennison and Agnes Martin, the former horn in Vermont, the latter at Dykehead, Scotland. Mrs. Flint has two daughters by her first husband, Lonisa S., now the wife of John Maxfield, of Lamont, Mich- igan, and Elizabeth E., wife of Captain HI. W. Stone, of Cleveland.
Among other experiences of a nantical career. ex- tending over twenty-eight years. the following befel Captain Flint. On the 26th of Angust, 1874, the propeller Persian, then the largest vessel on Lake Erie, and commanded by Captain Flint, took fire, from the ignition of gas in the coal bunkers. After burning almost three hours, she sunk, and all hands, -nineteen in number, including Captain Flint,- took refuge on the hatches, upon which they floated for two hours and a half, when they were picked up by the propeller Budger, and thus saved from a watery grave.
BROWNHELM.
PREFATORY NOTE.
Following the settlement, is subjoined the greater part of the address of President J. H. Fairchild, on the " Early Settlement and History of Brownhelm," delivered at Brownhelm, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of its settlement. We make use of this instead of writing a new sketch, because (1) as a history of the township it is quite full and remarkably acenrate, as we have verified by personal interviews with the older residents of the place; and (2) because of its admirable treat- ment of some phases of pioneer life of which they only, who have ex- perienced them, can give an adequate portrayal. President Fairchild was himself a pioneer of Brownhelm, and describes the characteristics of life in the new country from the standpoint of experience.
The early settlement we have written up more fully but regret that in regard to some of the early settlers, but little information conld he obtained. Some additional matter in regard to the churches, township organization, etc., is likewise incorporated.
TOWN number six, in range nineteen, of the Con- nectient Western Reserve was drawn in the draft by Asher Miller and Nathan Shalor. It originally ex- tended south to tract fourteen and fifteen, in the nineteenth range, and included nearly a third of the territory now embraced in the township of Henrietta.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The western part of the township is traversed by the crooked Vermillion, whose broad valley, and high. steep banks give a pleasing diversity to the generally level surface. There are several other small streams not designated by name on the county map.
The soil is more or less clay, modified along the ridges by gravel and sand, and, in small areas in the northern part of the town, by a deep, black muck of great fertility.
NAME. *
" The privilege of naming the place was yielded by the citizens, at a meeting called for the purpose, at Mr. Barnum's, to Colonel Brown. He gave it the name of Brownhelm, a name which, in the early
days. was a sonree of some displeasure, as implying that Colonel Brown was to steer the ship, a thought which was probably not in his mind in connection with the name. lle doubtless sought only for an agreeable termination of the name, and found it in the old Saxon word ham or hem, softened for enphony to helm, and signifying 'home,' or dwelling place, and thus the name means ' Brown's home." To some of the early inhabitants, it sounded like Brown at the helm, and a petition was at one time circulated to have the name changed to Freedom. We may be thankful that the popular disgust never reached such a consummation. The good old name is original, enphonions, and happy in its signification. There is . no better name in the land. "
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
In 1816, Col. Henry Brown of Stockbridge, Massa- chusetts, visited this portion of the Western Reserve, with the purpose in view of selecting for purchase a large tract of land, and on his return to Massachu- setts he entered into contract for this township, then known only as number six, in range nineteen. In the fall of the same year, accompanied by several young men, he came on the ground, erected a log house on the lake shore, and then returned to Massa- chusetts, leaving his men to make further preparations for the reception of the families the next season.
Early in the following year, Levi Shepard and Syl- vester Barnum and their families, and two daughters of Stephen James, who came with Mr. Shepard, left Stockbridge for this township, where they arrived, after a protracted and tedious journey, in the after- noon of July 4, 1817. Mr. James with his two sons (his wife having died previously) started from Stock- bridge about the same time as Deacon Shepard and
* President Fairchild.
28
218
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
his associates, but taking the boat, at. Buffalo for Black River, reached the place about a week in ad- vance of them. Mr Shepard and family are the conceded first settlers. "Mr. Shepard and his wife, without indicating their purpose to their fellow trav- elers, were carefnł to lead the way as they approached the selected territory, so as to be first on the ground. They crossed the line between Black River and Brown- hehin some rods in advance of their associates, and thus they properly have the honor of being the first settlers."
Some of the young men who came with Colonel Brown had returned east, but four of them remained and were on the ground when the three families arrived. These were Peter P. Pease, William Alver- son, Charles Whittlesey and William Lincoln. They were then single, but they subsequently married and settled in the town.
The first occurrence worthy of note after the arri- val of Deacon Shepard and his party is thus described by President Fairchild: "The first work of the as- sembled group was to prepare an independence din- ner in honor of the occasion. This is believed to have been the first meal ever spread in the township by white women. Some of the young men, looking on while the women prepared the meal, were moved to tears. It was the first sight of any thing like home that had met their eyes for many months. The ma- terial for the dinner was not over-abundant or varied, embracing the bread and pork which the young men contributed, and the relics of the provisions with which the travelers had been furnished for the jour- ney. But the seasoning of appetite, novelty and hope made it a dinner long to be remembered, such as one enjoys but once in a life time."
Of that party of sixteen persons that shared in the meal, two are yet living,-Levi Shepard and Mrs. Parkhust, then Cordelia James, - the former having reached the advanced age of ninety-four.
Shepard, Barnnin, and James took up their abode on the lake shore, jointly occupying, for a time, the log house of Colonel Brown. Barnum, in a few days, vacated, his family living in a lumber wagon, on his purchase, for a short time, until the completion of his house. He remained but a few years in the township. Most of his family died of a malignant, disease called " milk sickness," or " siek stomach," which prevailed so fatally in the town in an early day, and he returned to Massachusetts, where he subsequently died.
Shepard and James continned their occupancy of the Brown house, until the erection, by the former, of a cabin, on his purchase on lot six, when the two families took up their abode there,-Mr. James and family occupying a part of the house for about a year, when he erected a cabin on his farm, west of Colonel Brown.
It is rarely that we find, in the prosecution of our work, the first settler of a township still living. Deacon Shepard now lives in Brownhelm, well along
in his ninety-fifth year. Ile was born near Sturbridge, Worcester county, Massachusetts, December 9, 1284. and when a boy, removed with his parents to Stock- bridge, where he resided until his emigration to Ohio. Hle was a blacksmith, and prosecuted his trade in con- neetion with his farm work, for several years in Brownhelm, his patrons paying him in work at clear- ing and logging on his farm. Mr. Shepard was blessed with a remarkably strong constitution. At the age of eighty-three, he could work all day with almost as little consequent fatigue as in the days of his young manhood; and the summer immediately preceding his eighty-fourth birthday, he was engaged in chopping wood, and splitting rails, almost the entire season. In December, 1876, he sustained a partial stroke of paralysis in his lower limbs, and since that time, he has moved about with ditliculty. His hearing and eyesight are also much impaired. But, notwithstanding his bodily infirmities, his mind still remains comparatively vigorous, and his memory of early events is remarkably good. Ile is small in stature, and his form is now much bent,-bowed down by the weight of years. He enjoys, extremely, a chat about pioneer times, and relates with glee how he secured for himself and family the honor of being the first settlers. Deacon Shepard has no descendants now livinging the town. His third wife died some years ago, and of his four children,-two sons and two daughters,-only the former are living, -some- where in the west.
Stephen James was born in Middlesex, Connecti- ent, Angust 8, 1767, but removed to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, when young. He was prominently identified with the church for many years in Brown- helm, and also in Stockbridge, where he was first elected to the office of deacon under Rev. Dr. West. This office he filled with equal eredit to himself, and satisfaction to the church. le instituted the first. known religions services held in this township, hold- ing a meeting at JJudge Brown's house the Sunday immediately preceding the arrival of Deacon Shepard and his associates. Before the advent of the minis- ter, he led the meetings of the little band in the woods of Brownhelm, regularly sustaining a reading service on the Sabbath, in connection with his breth- ren, until they were blessed with the stated ministry of the word. He frequently officiated on funeral and other occasions, and assisted in the organization of religions services in neighboring settlements. He was well qualified for such work, possessing, it is said, among other qualifications, considerable fluency of speech. In all the walks of life, Deacon James was distinguished for benevolence, moral rectitude, and earnest, active piety. He married, at the age of twenty-seven, Hannah Schofield, of Stanford, Con- neetient, who died in 1811, leaving five children, three sons and two daughters. One of the sons being an apprentice in Massachusetts, never emigrated to the west. In the fall of 1828, he married Miss Rhoda Buck, of Connecticut, who was visiting friends in
PHOTOS BY LEE ELYA
ELIZA J. MORSE
GEORGE G.MORSE.
RESIDENCE OF GEORGE C. MORSE, BROWNHELM TP., LORAIN CO., O
GEORGE G. MORSE.
Among the prominent citizens of the town in which he resides, the subject of this sketch occupies a foremost position. He is one of the pioneers of the county, and also one of its best practical farmers. He is the fifth child of Abishua and Anna Morse, and was born in the town of Great Barrington, Mass., Feb. 15, 1819. Two years prior to the time when he first saw the light, his grandfather, Seth Morse, himself a native of Massachusetts, made a visit to Ohio for the purpose of selecting lands. His choice fell upon the place where his son (Abishua) settled in the fall of 1821. It was not, however, until abont the year 1826 or 1827 that Seth Morse came to reside on the land he had purchased. After his second coming, he re- mained until his death. Abishna erected a primi- tive log house near where George G. now resides. To do this he had to fell some trees in order to effect a clearing. He continued to improve his farm, and a short time subsequent to the erec- tion of his log honse, he built a frame barn, and a few years preceding his demise he erected the present residence of his son, of whom we write more particularly.
At the time of his death, which occurred Dec. 11, 1835, he possessed from two hundred to two hundred and fifty acres of land, and had he lived to an old age he would doubtless have been a very wealthy man, as he was a very good one. He enjoyed the esteem and respect of all who knew him.
George G. Morse began life as a farm laborer, work-
ing for his brother and others for some eight or ten years. His first start for himself was the purchase of forty acres of land, about the year 1845. From that time to the present he has been eminently success- ful, and now occupies the position of a good citizen and first-class agriculturist, and an honest man. This is the natural result of untiring energy and ceaseless industry.
Mr. Morse has been twice married. His first wife was Mary A., daughter of Purley Moulton, of Brownhelm, with whom he united his fortunes May 15, 1851. She died August 15, 1861. His second and present wife was Eliza J., daughter of Jesse Ball, Jr., of Ver- milion township. They have had five children born to them, namely : Henry G., Herbert J., Jennie E., George B., who died at the age of four years, and Freddie Ray. Mrs. Morse is an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Morse is a liberal contributor to religious and educational enterprises, having as- sisted in building nearly every church in his vicinity.
ANNA RAY MORSE.
He is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and fifty acres, upon which are good frame buildings, an illustration of which appears in another page of this work.
Owing to general regular habits, he preserves the hale and hearty appearance of a man in the prime of life, and in his personal appearance resembles very closely Prof. Morse, of telegraph fame, to whom he is related.
219
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
Brownhelm at the time. No children were born of this marriage. Dearon James died in 1841, his wife surviving him several years. Ilis daughter, Mrs. Park- hurst, is still living in the township, aged seventy- three.
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