History of Lorain County, Ohio, Part 65

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

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Renben Ingersoll, a cousin from Lee, joining our settlement in 1817, returned to his native town, and, in early spring of 1818, came again with his wife, and settled more than half a mile west of the center.

W'm. Bishop, with small family, joined our settle- ment in early spring. He was from West Stock- bridge, Berkshire county. Left Grafton in 1825.

The last log house, built in 1817, was for Ladowiek Jones, from Tyringham, brother of Eliphalet Jones, before mentioned. The family of Mr. Jones num- bered seven. His aged father and mother are counted with this family. Lorenzo, Alonzo and Adaline are the names of their children. Lorenzo for many years resided in Cincinnati, Ohio, known as "Doctor," " Prof." and "Old Doe" Jones. Drs. Sampsel and Reefy, physicians in Elyria, were students in his office in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Mr. David Ashley, of Pittsfield, reached our settle- ment early in March, 1818, coming the whole distance in sleighs. His invalid wife and four daughters made the journey with him. The names of the daughters were Maria (afterwards Mrs. Grindell Rawson), Polly, Eliza and Sally, the youngest then thirteen years of age. The three last named rode in a two-horse sleigh, driven by David Stevens, brother of Mrs. Ashley, who afterwards settled at the center. His first house was built on the northeast corner lot, opposite Wmn. B. Crittenden.

Mrs. Curtis, a widow from West Stockbridge, Berk- shire county, Massachusetts, came to our settlement in 1818, bringing three sons and two daughters, names, Samuel, Harvey and Landross, the sons; Harriet and Mary, eldest and youngest, daughters. Three of these children married and settled in Grafton. Their first settlement was made nearly a mile east of log house number one.

Wm. T. Welling was an carly settler of Grafton. Mr. Welling was among the very first that penetrated the woods of number three, eighteen range, and may for a time be counted with the pioneers of Wellington. He wasa resident of Grafton twenty-five years, and in that time was married to Harriet Curtis. They removed to Medina, where they lived twenty years, afterwards to Black Earth, Wisconsin, where they were residents some twenty years, and where he recently died, aged eighty-three years.

Franklin Wells, from Massachusetts, proved a great accession to our settlement. He was fitted for college in his native land, which placed him in advance of any who had ventured among us. He taught school in a log school house called the "Union School House," built in the woods, between the north street

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HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

and the center of the town; so that every scholar in town of suitable age might receive instruction. His house was burned before the close of the first term, which terminated the school days of many of his scholars. Contrasts and comparisons of to-day only seelt to tell our loss. Mr. Wells was our second elected justice of the peace, afterwards associate judge in Lorain county. He was married to Mary Sibley in 1823.

Mr. Lyman Peabody was an early settler. His wife was the eldest daughter of Mr. Aaron Root. Their eldest danghter is Mrs. George Pomeroy, now residing near the centre of Grafton.

Mr. Orrin Hurlbut and his brother William, from Pittsfield. Massachusetts, were early settlers. Both afterwards married and settled in Grafton, and resided there the remainder of their lives, Orrin Hurlbut married Mrs. Wm. B. Crittenden. Their son. James Hurlbut, is justice of the peace at the center of Grafton at this writing; very recently he has become a resident of Elyria.

In writing this brief account of the first settlement of Grafton, it is often found to be painful to pass so lightly over families and friends, when even the writ- ing of a name brings the history of joys and sorrows of their life before us. A stranger can step rapidly among the graves of households in Grafton to-day without a pang; but not so with one who lived there when the first graves were made, their loss then settling like a pall upon our young settlement.

Seldom does a sister record the settling of seven brothers on uncultivated farms in one township. My second brother, Wm. Ingersoll, Jr., came with his little family in May, 1817, and settled one and a half miles south of the center. The eldest daughter, Maria, three years of age, and John, only a few months, in his mother's arms, make the third family of Ingersolls. Ten children were added to these parents, making six sons and six daughters, most of whom re- ceived paternal care beyond the wants of childhood. Much labor and courage were needed to provide for a family among these thickly standing trees. Theso parents lived to see their wild surroundings become fruitful fields of waving grain, and remained upon the spot near where their first house was built nutil their deaths, which occurred under trying circumstances. My brother died April 29, 1859, aged seventy-one years; and on May 1, two days afterwards, his wife, unconscious that her companion had gone before. died also, aged sixty-six years: both died of congestive fever. John, the habe before spoken of, with wife and daughter, are living near, and were the only family of Ingersolls in Grafton in January, 1819.

Thomas, third son of Major Ingersoll, commenced clearing his wilderness in 1819. He had learned to manufacture common splint bottom chairs before coming to Grafton, and by exchanging these for days' work in ehopping, had quite a clearing and a log house built before his marriage, which was in 1820. Ilis lot was one-half mile east of log house number

one. When Elyria began to offer advantages, he bought a house and lot on the corner of Second street and East avenue, where he resided a few years, still owning his farm in Grafton. He returned to his farm again, and continued to make improvements until 1861, when, finding years of toil and hardship, with increasing age, were unfitting him for farm life, his home in Grafton was sold, and the one in Elyria taken possession of. His wife, who had faith- fully shared privations during these years of toil, died in October, 1820, my brother in September, 1871. Their golden wedding was celebrated in February, 1870. Rev. F. L. Kenyon was present, and made appropriate remarks to a large company of friends assembled.

My fourth brother, Joseph, began clearing his new farm at the south part of town. His outfit was a yoke of oxen and a year's board, being too far to board at home. Board could be obtained at the nearest neighbor's, one-half mile or more, for one bushel of wheat a week, or one dollar. After clear- ing some dozen or more acres in this lonely place, he became discouraged, and returned to his native town in Berkshire.

In 1827 he came again to Grafton with his wife and little daughter, and did not then see sufficient induce- ment to become a farmer, and plough and hoe among the clay lands of Grafton. He made his home in Elyria in 1828, where he resided until his death. in 1861. aged sixty-four years. The first English fami- lies coming to Grafton in 1825, were Mr. Crispen Men- nell, Mr. Jesse Welborne, and JJohn Langdale. Mr. Mennell remamed a citizen until his death, in 185%. aged seventy-one. Mr. Welborne died in 1853, aged fifty-six. Mr. Langdale was a resident of Elyria at the time of his death, which occurred in 1820, aged seventy-nine. A Mr. Hanee and family came to Grafton, in 1820, I think, and afterwards settled in Eaton. The names of the children are remembered, while other items are forgotten: Riley, Ira, Hiram and Charles, may still be residents of Eaton. The name is often seen, and some of the descendants of these early settlers are residents of Elyria.

James, my fifth brother, began clearing his wild land in 1822, and continued to do so under diseour- aging circumstances. His lot was just a half-mile east of the center, where one of the best oil wells in Graf- ton was fonud some two years ago. His boarding place for some time was at. Mr. Belden's, the price for board being a bushel of wheat a week.

Here I should like to speak of the worthy. indus- trions pioneer women of Grafton.

After building a log house, it was at once occupied by a family, with whom he boarded. In 1826 he was married and commenced housekeeping and improving his farm, until in 1832. he began to build quite a large publie house for those days, at the center, upon a lot bought of Mr. David Ashley, where it is seen to-day, the sight of which brings sad memories, while in the cemetery near by so many of this once large

BIRTH - PLACE OF DUKE MENNELLAID HIS MOTHER ELIZABETH MENNELL. FIMBER YORKSHIRE ENGLAND

RESIDENCE OF DUKE MENNELL, GRAFTON , TP., LORAIN CO., OHIO.

Briefing Mannell Menwell

CRISPIN MENNELL.

CRISPIN MENNELL was born in Norton, Eng- land, in the year 1786. At the age of thirteen he commenced working on a farm, and continued in that occupation uninterruptedly until his marriage, in 1809. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Wil- liam Wellborn. By this union were born to them one son and one daughter, the latter of whom died in 1876 ; the son is still living. Mr. Mennell emigrated to America in 1817, and first settled in what is now the city of Albany, where he resided three years. He then removed to Pittsfield, Mass., and lived there six years. In 1826 he moved to Ohio and settled in Grafton township, Lorain Co., where he continued to reside until his death, May 22, 1857. He was a good, practical farmer, and a man of sound commuon sense. He had no education except what he obtained the few years he was able to attend the national schools of the old country. He held several offices of trust in the township of Grafton, all of which he filled with fidelity, and to the satisfaction of the people whom he served. He was among the early settlers of the township, and his loss was generally consid- ered a public calamity.

DUKE MENNELL, only son of Crispin Mennell, was born in Fimboro', England, in the year 1810. He lived with his father until the latter emigrated to this country, when he went to reside with his

grandfather, William Wellborn, who would not con- sent to his accompanying his father to the United States. In 1823, however, Duke accompanied his unele Jesse, Wm. Wellborn, and Wm. Matcham to the New World, joining his father in Massa- chusetts. On the 23d of June, 1835, he married Rachel, daughter of Theodore Curtis. Eight chil- dren have been born to them, four sons and four daughters, all of whom, save one, are living. Their names are Elizabeth (died April 29, 1854), Andrew J., Theodore C., Mary G., Anna H., Charles B., Flora A., and Elmer C. Mr. Mennell's first wife died Sept. 29, 1858; and for his second wife he married Mary A, widow of Charles Johnson, and danghter of John Hardy, in 1861. They had four children,-three sons and one daughter,-namely : Perry D., J. D., A. E., and Elizabeth M., all living.

Until the breaking out of the war of the Rebel- lion, Mr. Mennell was a Democrat ; but contemporary with the firing of the first gun on Fort Sumter his political sentiments changed, and he has since been a consistent Republican. He has held the office of township trustee, performing the duties thereof faith- fully and well. He is an industrious citizen, a kind and affectionate husband and father, and a worthy representative of his respectable parentage generally.

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IHISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OIIIO.

family rest. My brother died in 1863, in the sixty- fifth year of his age, and in December, 1865, the wife of his youth, who had been a faithful sharer in all the changing scenes of life, also died, in the sixty- seventh year of her age. These records could not be made withont many regrets unless a hope was cher- ished that ere long, without restraint in words, or limited space, these early recollections will be care- fully revised, and the name of every descendant of my parents known to be living, be placed in proper form. Only a few families, for a time, settled in Grafton, except those who from time to time married among us. The families of Thompson and Turner, coming from New York state in 1822 or 1823 are re- membered. Some of Mr. Thompson's family have ever since resided in Grafton. Dr. Hiram Thompson has for a number of years practiced medicine in Raw- sonville, and quite recently died at the age of seventy- two.

In September, 1825, my brother, Marshall, was married to my early pioneer friend, Sarah Ann Taylor. Soon after, they settled in their log house, two miles west of the center, where oil wells and derricks now cover the ground, where big and lesser trees stood thickly fifty-two years ago. Their residence was in Elyria for some twelve years before my brother's death, which was in September, 1874, aged seventy- two. HIis widow is still a resident of Elyria.

During the winter of 1827, my youngest (and only brother living) was married and settled in a log house near the homestead. This was eleven years after the first log house in Grafton was built, in which time my seven brothers have begun to earn their bread on uncul- tivated soil, by hand labor. There were no tramps or drones in those days in Grafton. Only a few years lon- ger did this brother remain on his farm, but purchased the place in Elyria now occupied and owned by S. B. Wolcott, where he resided a number of years. Ilis home is now with his son, C. O. Ingersoll, on the pleasant street east of the east branch bridge, within the corporation of Elyria.

Mr. Jason Royce and wife, coming from Berkshire in 1832, obtained the farm just left by my brother in Grafton, which the family own to-day. Their only son died during the war, of disease contracted while a soldier at Kelley's Island. Their only daughter, Mrs. Hobart Corning, is living on the farm where my brother Seth C. located in 1816. Mr. Royce died some eight years ago, at their home, where his widow now resides. Mr. Hobart Corning is now sheriff of Lorain county, which brings more descendants of carly settlers to become residents of Elyria.

Harriet, the eleventh and youngest child of the first settler in Grafton, was married to Daniel Nesbett, March 29, 1826-marriage license obtained in Medina, by the mail carrier, and ceremony performed by Frank- lin Wells, Esq. Mr. Nesbett was one of the first set- tlers of number four, and among the first that ex- changed their place of residence in Grafton for one in Elyria. This was done in 1829. The lots twenty-

four and twenty-five, on the east line of Elyria, on the ridge road, were deeded to Daniel Nesbett by Hleman Ely and Harriet M. Ely, August 16, 1829. After remaining upon this farm some twenty years, a home was purchased in the village, where Mr. Nesbett and family resided at the time of his death, which occurred, March 16, 1863, of apoplexy, aged sixty-six years. Mrs. Nesbett is still a resident of Elyria.

In the early spring of 1829, the death of Stephen Sibley is distinctly remembered. He was seen to leave his work in the yard, and slowly enter the house only a short time before his death was announced. This was the first sudden death to be mentioned among the first settlers in Grafton, the cause not defi- nitely known, then as now. There was no physician in town to examine the case. Mr. Sibley had shared the trials of pioneer life twelve years, and at the time of his death was seventy years of age. Before the time of Mr. Sibley's death, his son-in-law, Franklin Wells, had assumed the cares of the homestead, and built a fine residence for early days. This was sold to Mr. Isaac Van Densen, from Berkshire, father of George Van Deusen, who was a resident of Grafton until within a few years past. His home is now in Lowell, Massachusetts. After Mr. Isaac Van Densen was set- tled in this desirable place, his house and many val- uable articles, were destroyed by fire. This was the first frame building burned in Grafton. This farm was afterwards sold to Justin Breckenridge, who built the ample brick house seen upon his premises to-day.

Carlos Fisher and family, from Delaware county, New York, settled in Grafton in 1828. They located one mile east of the center, when first coming, but afterwards at the center, where they resided at the time of Mr. Fisher's death, in 1855, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. Mrs. Fisher died in 1870, in the seventy-first year of her age. One son, Mr. Isaac L. Fisher, is the only one of nine children remaining in Grafton. Their second daughter, Nancy, is Mrs. Artemas Beebe, Jr., of Elyria. Mrs. C. W. Johnston, of Elyria, is another member of that family. A son is settled in Wellington, in this county. It is readily seen that quite a number of the first settlers in Grat- ton, became residents of Elyria, and many of their descendants are found there to-day, and still they are coming.

Clement Stebbins, from Granville, Massachusetts, came to Grafton in April, 1832. Chauncey Baldwin accompanied him, and soon after their arrival they opened a store at the center, where Mr. Stebbins has more or less been connected with the mercantile inter- ests at the center of Grafton, until a recent date. Ile was justice of the peace some thirty years ; has seen the rise and fall of many business firms, until not one is left that can with him retrace the years and events of 1832. Mr. Stebbins married Betsey, daughter of Bildad and Polly Belden, October 16, 1835. Mrs. Stebbins died August 19, 1874. Their only child liv- ing, is Mrs. George D. Williams, of Elyria, where Mr. Stebbins now resides.

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HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

The families of Jadwin and Newton settled south of the center ; the exact dates cannot be given. Some of the descendants of Mr. Newton are living in Graf- ton, something over a mile south of the center. Mr. Jadwin and wife were residents of Elyria a number of years before his death, which occurred quite recently. Ilis widow's home is still in Elyria. Some grandehil- dren of Mr. Jadwin are residents of Grafton, in this, the beginning of the year 1879.

In 1834. Joseph Hurlbut and wife, from Lee, Berkshire county, settled upon a new forest farm. This was situated two miles south and one east of the center road, north and south. Scarcely has any one farm in Grafton been so largely cultivated, commene- ing under such disadvantages. With small outfit, except industrions hands, they lived for over two years outside the sight of smoke, from other than their own chimney. Felling trees, burning brush and logs, were bravely kept up, together with other inces- sant toil connected with farm life, until some five years since, his nearly three hundred acres of culti- vated fields were sold, and he is now a resident of Elyria.

Much might be said of pioneer women, who were indeed help-meets for their husbands. Worn and faded garments were kept tidy as long as possible. Frowsers faced front and back with deer skins, required more skill in fitting than pantaloons of to-day. Daniel Belden, Sr., understood the art of dressing deer skins, nearly if not quite equal to chamois of to-day. As soon as flax could be raised, every garment, and every article of household need, from straw bed-tick, flour bag, and hand towel, to the finest sheet and pillow case, then in use, were manufactured by pioneer women. A few sheep only as yet had been kept in Grafton. ligh pens, built of heavy rails, were needed to protect them at night from the prowling wolf, which made it difficult, for a number of years, to raise a flock of sheep.

Without market or money, pioneers passed year after year, through what could truthfully be called hard times. Thankfulness for money and cloth- ing. until we could raise our bread from among the stumps, did not prevent garments from growing thin, or feet going bare.

In 1838, the family of Thomas Johnston settled at the west part of the town. Five sons and five daugh- ters belonged to this family when first coming to Grafton. One only is living in town at this time, which is Mrs. Sanford Thorp. C. W. Johnston, Esq., of Elyria, was fourth son of this family. Dr. I. D. Griswold resided at the center some over a year, or until he was called to till the office of County Auditor. Much thrift is seen at the center these days. The common is graded and improved. Churches and places of business, besides tidy residences, are seen in every direction. Those then living in Grafton should be better prepared with dates and personal experience than the writer, who has not been a resident of Graf- ton since 1829. At that time seven families of Inger-

solls were living in town. No loss by death, except an infant, had then been recorded. My father died No- vember 10, 1837, aged seventy-six years, just twenty- one years since the comforts of a New England home had been exchanged for privations, known only to those who first began to make the dense forest of Lo- rain county what it is found to be to-day. My mother's death occurred July 17, 1843, in the eightieth year of her age. An obituary notice by Rev. D. W. Lathrop, then of Elyria, was printed in the "Ohio Atlas," which might be given if space were allowed. Taking leave of Grafton to-day is indeed sad, not only of the center, but the whole township. Only a few persons left to represent the fourteen families that made their homes in number nine, range sixteen, in 1816 and 1817, at which time not one of the twenty-one town- ships then settled in Lorain county, or afterwards, could show such improvements made in the same space of time.

A visit made at the center of Grafton, during the winter of 1839 and 1840, might be mentioned. A marriage ceremony was performed in the Episcopal church, then an ornament to the place. The persons married were Mr. Erastus Van Densen and Miss Sarah Fitch. The church was nicely decorated and well filled. After the services, quite a number of persons were seen at the hotel, which was noted for its well spread tables. Among the number were S. B. Wolcott and Miss Harriet Cheever, D. B. Andrews and Miss Susan Burch, all from Elyria. Miss Cheever soon after became Mrs. Wolcott, and Miss Burch about the same time was married to D. B. Andrews, both couple settling in Elyria. This is mentioned to show that Grafton was not then behind neighboring towns as a place for pleasant entertainments of differ- ent kinds. To-day, contrasts too sad to relate may be seen. The Episcopal church just mentioned, has long since been leveled to the last foundation stone. The sightly residence built by Judge Wells, and occupied for many years by Stephen Brown, Esq., has passed into stranger hands. The hotel, without improve- ment in outside appearance, has from time to time been occupied by strangers. Not a store or shelf for goods of importance, is found at Grafton center to-day. The iron rail is laid diagonally across the once tidy "common," where freight ears stand on either side of the main traveled street, marring the remains of beauty, though from some points hiding the appearance of rongh saloons, which show inereas- ing business in that trathic, following the "oil spec- ulation " that gathers at the center of Grafton.

The improvements made in Grafton since 1840, will be given by the gentlemanly historian who has lately visited the township, and' is prepared with dates and names of important organizations formed in Grafton and Rawsonville since that date. Only eight or nine persons are found in Grafton to-day who were among the families that became settlers in 1816-17. Mr. Ashley Root and Mrs. Orville Lyndes are the oldest remaining in Grafton. Henry Crittenden and

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HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

John Ingersoll were only months in age when their parents came to Grafton in 1817, where they still remain. Oliver Root, a habe of weeks only then, is the youngest pioneer that came to Grafton, and has remained a resident since November, 181".

While attempting to give an account of the first. settlement of Grafton township, the writer has found difficulties nearly insurmountable. The thought that young and highly educated gentlemen from distant cities, with eminent writers in Lorain county, were writing history that would be perpetuated, well nigh prevents consent for publication of what is so imper- fectly prepared. Memory is called the staff of age. By aid of this mysterious boon, some events of more than sixty years have been retraced. Bounding as by a step from the trackless forest to the city full, we find only here and there one who can with us retrace childhood's footsteps among our own beloved hills, or that gathered wild flowers from unbroken forest in Lorain county, in 1817. Not too soon is the history of many towns in this county being written. Valu- able items of personal history, with many interesting events have been saved from oblivion by this effort. It chills the warmest heart to consult history chiselled on marble monument, or neglected headstone. The cemeteries in Grafton have recently been visited, both showing great neglect. Unpleasant reflections were my only company while lingering among the graves of relatives and friends that have been gathering since 1819, calling to mind this exclamation of an unknown "Ah! who will think of me in sixty years!" But sentiment, however strongly prompted, must be overcome and silently yield to narrative. While cull- ing thoughts suitable only for this history, an under current often surges through memory's hidden pos- session, stirring the very depths of emotion, as a mere glance of past experiences, of joys and sorrows, of a lengthened pathway, passes before us.

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History of Lorain County, Ohio, Part 65

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

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