History of Lorain County, Ohio, Part 63

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 626

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

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

2.59

IHISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OIIIO.

Davis died October 18, 1858. Erastus married Eunice Burrell, and is now dead. James Burrell died Sep- tember 29, 1855. Mrs. James Burrell died July 6, 1862. Harriet married John B. Garfield, and is the only survivor of the family. Cyla died March 20, 181 . Almoran died December 28, 1841; and Alva J. died June 20, 1833. Arnold Burrell and wife live in Elyria. Isaac Burrell died March 12, 1860. Mrs. Burrell, the last of the pioneers who came into the township with a family, died December 17, 1864.

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

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

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

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

Jonathan C. Bennett came to Ohio in 1832. Hle died in Sheffield on the farm now occupied by his sons John W. and Daniel, on the 24th day of April. 18:2. at the remarkable age of one hundred and four years.

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

FIRST EVENTS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

MRS. KEZIAH CREHORE.

"PHOTOS BY LEE ELYRIA Ő

GEORGE CREHORE.

1111114711

253

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

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

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

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

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

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

SCHOOLS.

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

ORGANIZATION .*

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

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

CHURCHES.

In the winter of 1816, religious meetings were held at the house of Captain Burrell, which consisted in reading a sermon, singing and prayer, by Mr. Ilunchett, of Ridgeville, then working for Captain Burrell, for there was not at that time a male pro- fessor in the settlement. Whatever of moral and religions principle hangs about the native population of Sheffield is due to the influence of pions pioneer mothers. William 11. Root, Esq., says: " We cannot forbear, in this place, to single out of these mothers one whose name will go down to posterity as a model Christian mother-Mrs. Jabez Burrell, whose maiden name was Mary Robbins. Always kind to every one; with a mantle of charity to throw over the faults of others; with a smile and hearty greeting for rich and poor alike-such was this mother in Israel."

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

* Boynton.

254

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

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

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

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

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

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

ST. THERESA CHURCH (CATHOLIC),

organized in t845, by Rev. Peter Griesh, with the following membership: John Miller and his wife Catharine, Christian March and his wife, John For- ster, Peter Loux and his wife Elizabeth. Henry Swartz and his wife Magdalene, Peter Schneider and his wife, Mathias Shuler and his wife Mary Catherine, George Lusbaner and his wife Catharine, Peter Urich, lohn Diedrich and his wife Gertrude, Peter Rothgery and his wife Magdalene, Andrew Guberna, Peter Young, Leopold Miller, John Conklin and his wife Anna, John- Marks, George Glensherin and his wife Theresa, Antone Deitsh and his wife Kunneyunda,

John Kelling and his wife Catharine. At the organ- ization of the church. each member paid one dollar, with which they bought one aere of land upon which they built a log church twenty-four by thirty feet, which was occupied until the new church was built in 1844. The new church was forty by sixty feet, and cost fifteen hundred dollars. One acre of land was bought of Aaron Root, with the understanding that if he sold his farm he would give them another acre, which he did; so they have two acres in the church lot. At the organization, John Miller, Chris- tian March, Peter Loux and Peter Schneider were appointed church trustees. At present the church is represented by fifty-five families. The church prop- erty is valued at four thousand dollars.

INCIDENT.

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

The only hotel in Shetfield township is the summer resort known as "Lake Brecze." This was opened in the year 18:3, by its present proprietor, Mr. Jay Terrell, formerly of Ridgeville township, this county.

Eunice Heroch

ERASTUS HECOCK.

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

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

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

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

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

I hotos. by Lee, Elyria.

ZOPHER IRISH.

MRS. ANN IRISH.

ISAAC BURRELL.

JONATHAN C. BENNETT.

255

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

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

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

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS FOR 1878.

15,439 bushels.

Potatoes,

6,994 44

Oats,

748

27,141

Barley,

416

11,050

Orchards, 372

9.515

Corn,

1,039

35,572

Meadow, 1,831 4 4

2, 125

Butter.

28, 195 pounds.

Cheese.

630

Maple Sugar.

550

Population in 1870

923

VOTE FOR PRESIDENT IN 1876.

R. B. Hayes.

120 | S. J. Tilden 99

GRAFTON.

PREFATORY NOTE.

That portion of the following history that relates to the settlement of the township, is from the able pen of Mrs. Harriet 1. Neshett. It is not only an interesting narrative, hut it is full and authentic.

THIS TOWNSHIP, which is described as number four in the sixteenth range, is bounded as follows : on the north by Eaton township ; south by Litchfield town- ship, Medina county ; cast by Liverpool township. same county ; and west by LaGrange township, this county. The surface is gently undulating for the most part, the southern portion only being broken, and that simply along the streams. The soil is prin- cipally clay. As an agricultural township Grafton is about on an average with those surrounding it, and its soil about equally devoted to agricultural and dairy products. The streams are quite numerous, the largest of them being the west branch of the Black river, flowing along the western line, a portion of the way in this, and the remainder in LaGrange township. The other streams are tributary, and are Center creek, flowing as the name implies, through the cen- tral part of the township ; Sibley creek, in the south- ern, and Swamp creek in the northern portion. These are those that are worthy of mention, though there are numerons small ereeks and spring stre .ms in the township.

SETTLEMENT.

In September, 18t6, Major William Ingersoll and family, lett Lee, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, to commence the first settlement in township number seven, sixteenth range, New Connectient Western Re- serve. A brief account of the moving train will be given, showing the greit improvements in ways and means of traveling, which have evidently kept pace with other advancements. Taverns in those days usu- ally provided movers with room to prepare food, or spread beds when needed. A daily enquiry is plainly remembered, as follows : " Can we have accommoda- tions for the night for thirteen persons, one span of

horses, four yoke of oxen and three cows ?" Fruit and vegetables were abundant, so with what chests, baskets and bags afforded, a good meal was not expen- sive, though it often cost the mother tears, who was reluctantly taking her children from homes of com- fort, and privileges most dear, the loss of which is still felt by sensitive hearts. But "westward " is the motto, and while weather is fine and roads good we press forward.

The North river, at Albany, was crossed in a ferry boat, the first craft of the kind ever seen, (except a canoe). Near the middle of the State of New York we find friends that had lived "westward" a number of years. This was a happy meeting on account of the great distance that had separated us a few years only. This year the State prison at Auburn was be- ing built. A mother's earnest admonition is remem- bered, showing the importance of right doing to avoid incarceration within snch massive walls. The village of Syracuse was scarcely seen. Buffalo is just rising from its bed of ashes, made in 1814. The first sight of Lake Erie is calm and still; not a sail to be seen; no steamboat's keel had parted its waters; no whistle as signal, to break the awful stillness.

We next come to Ashtabula, the first county in Ohio, which was an oasis to weary, home-sick trav- elers. Here friends from Berkshire welcomed us, and the joy was mutual; theirs increased by hearing from friends left in native land. Again, in Mentor we find friends who are just beginning, from Ohio soil, to supply themselves with food. And here let me say that sweeter turnips have never been on exhi- bition at the "Northern Ohio Fair, " than those grown in Mentor in 1816. Another day's journey and we again stop with friends, in Newburgh, where we rest a day or two. Our friends then come to help us through the "woods" as far as Cleveland, and see ns on board the "ferry boat," then in use, to cross the Cuyahoga river.

Wheat,

887 acres.

256

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

Excuse me while I make some truthful contrasts. The little village of Cleveland, with its less than one hundred inhabitants, was situated upon that terrible hill we had just descended with so much difficulty. Lake Erie on the north, scarcely visited by any craft; no, Walk-in-the- Water had then been built; no ap- propriation had been made to render the harbor safe or accessible: on the east and south, oak trees, with faded foliage, seemed like a sable curtain drawn around to meet the uubroken forest on the western banks of the Cuyahoga river. Now, upon and around that "terrible hill" is the beautiful "Forest City," with ils vast population, its great and grand improve- ments, with nearly two hundred thousand inhabitants, surrounding a monument, commemorating an event which made these western wilds inviting, and the pioneers' dwelling safe and peaceful. This, indeed seems like a fanciful flight of imagination, rather than truthful history. Are the voices all hushed that made the woods ring in honor of brave Perry?

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History of Lorain County, Ohio, Part 63

Author: Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers Number of Pages: 626

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 626