History of Lorain County, Ohio, Part 70

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

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The township contains two cemeteries; one on the former farm of Joseph Sage, which was private property until a few years since, when it was con- veyed: the other, just north of the center, was a gift from Jesse Johnson and afterwards enlarged by a gift from Captain Henry Tracy, and a further addi- tion by purchase from Renel Lang. The first. interment in the cemetery at the center was a child of H. M. Humphrey; the first adult buried there was Welcome Hart. a bother of Mrs. Renel Lang. The first couple married in Huntington was Miss Polly Sage to Mr. John Munson, of Harrisonville. This event occurred on January first in the year 1820; Henry R. Close, justice of the peace, performed the ceremony. This conple are now both deceased. The second marriage was a daughter of Captain Timothy 'C'ulver

The first frame building was put up by Isaac Sage, for a barn. It stood near the present residence of HI. P. Sage.

The first frame honse was erected by Reuel Lang. nearly opposite the present residence of Edmond West.

The first store was put in operation by Isaac Sage. Jr. We have not the date. Following are the names of all who have represented the mercantile interest in Huntington township: Hiram Rogers, Allen Taylor, D. Phelon, T. IL. Case, Nathan Cone, B. G. Carpen- ter. L. S, Gibbs. A. P. Parks. A. H. Messenger. Messrs, Gibbs & Whiton, J. & P. Laborie. R. A. Horr, J. B. Lang, T. G. Haines, and A. J. Burrell

who is proprietor of the present store. He is also postmaster.

Isaac Sage, Jr., opened the first publie house in the township. Ilis sign read, "Isaac Sage Inn." He was followed by Darius Perkins, T. H. Case and sev- eral others. There has never been a saloon in the township, nor has liquor been sold except at the hotels. The Huntington House is the only hotel in the town- ship. D. Wideman is the present proprietor.

ORGANIZATION.

In August, 1822, the commissioners of Medina county, to which Huntington then belonged, incorpo- rated the township by the name it now bears. It de- rived its name from Huntington, Connectient, the former home of lohn Laborie, Notice was issued to the qualified electors to meet at the school house in said township, on the first Monday of September, and then and there proceed to organize, by electing the necessary township officers required by law.

In accordance with said notice, they met, and it was agreed that Joseph Sage, Henry R. Ferris, and Isaac Sage, should act as judges, and Oliver Rising and David C. Hickok, clerks. The result of The election was as follows: Joseph Sage, Henry R. Ferris and Benjamin Banning, trustees: Isaac Sage, clerk: David C. Hickok, treasurer; John Chapman and Charles R. Sage, fence viewers; Isaac Sage and John Chapman, supervisors, John Laborie and Benjamin Banning, overseers of the poor, Benjamin Rising and John Laborie, listers and appraisers. The entire number of electors at this time numbered fifteen.

The township officers for 1878, are, Edward West, James Laborie and Elbert F. Chapman, trustees; A. J. Burrell, clerk; James A. Newton, treasurer: C. W. Johnson, assessor: S. J. Perkins and Putnam Griggs, constables; N. B. Griggs and J. F. Haskell, justices of the peace, and fifteen supervisors.

Joseph Sage was the first justice of the peace: elected October 14, 1823. He was succeeded, in 1826, by Benjamin Banning, who died before the expiration of his term of office, and Henry Ferris was elected to fill the vacaney. A second justice of the peace was an- thorized April 15, 1833. Samuel Smith was elected, but not being eligible, John G. Clark was elected in his place.

CHURCHES.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The first religions meetings were held in the log school house spoken of in connection with the schools. by the Rev. Nathan Smith, one of the pioneers of Pittsfield township. Frequent meetings were after- wards held in this house, and for want of a minister. Isaac Sage generally read a sermon. The first church organized was that of the Methodist: we have been nn - able to proenre the date. This class was composed of the following members: Capt. Timothy Culver and wife. H. R. Ferris and wife, and Amanda Culver. This church was organized by the Rev. James Mur-

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HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

ray. They occupied the school house for many years. In 1847 they purchased a lot, and soon afterwards erected thereon their present church edifice. This church cost complete some two thousand dollars; the parsonage connected with this church was purchased in 1876 at a cost of seven hundred dollars; the present. membership is ninety. The church officers are Lewis Cann. Lyman JJune and William Haskins, leaders; John Snow, Carlos Rogers, Asel Nooney and Edson Clark, stewards. The Sabbath school of this society numbers eighty scholars; Joseph llaskell, superintend- ent. We have been unable to procure a complete list of the ministers who have presided over this church. The following are a portion of them: Rev. William Reynolds, - Thompson, - Matlock, Chester L. Foot, James Hartley, G. A. Reeder, - Hard, Uri Richards, James Haldeman, L. F. Ward, G. W. Pepper, - Card, T. J. Gnard, Simeon Dunbar, Tracy L. Waite, Herman Safford, -Spafford, O. Pierce and the present pastor, James F. Smith.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH

was constituted by a council convened December 12, A. D. 1833, and consisted of the following members: Abner Chapman, Olive Chapman, Abner, Jr., Wil- liam F., Ennice, and Huldah Chapman, Jonathan and Esther Niles, Jesse Johnson, and Reuben T. Pierce. The right hand of fellowship was extended by Elder James Newton. The first year of its exist- ence, the membership increased to twenty. This is now a large and flourishing church. The church had no regular or convenient place of worship, but assembled a part of the time at the center school house, which stood where the Baptist meeting house now stands, and a part of the time at the dwelling of Jesse Johnson; preaching one-fourth or one-half of the time by ministers living at a distance, and some- times dependent upon ministers for occasional sup- plies. In the month of January, 1840, the church and community were greatly blessed through the labors of Elders Simmons and Matthews, who were sent out by the missionary board of the Lorain Bap- tist Association. It has not, perhaps, been exceeded by any revival in this township, before or since. The church strengthened and encouraged, secured and continued a pastor for two years, one-half of the time.

The present church edifice was erected during the year 1842. It was not, however, fully completed un- til several years later. Rev. James Newton com- menced his labors in the spring of 1834, and preached one-fourth of the time, for fifty dollars a year. He lived in Milton, Wayne county, a distance of nearly forty miles. Rev. Mr. Mack followed him. Mr. Newton's successors, as far as we have been able to trace them, are as follows : Rev. Mr. Wait, Frederick Freeman, B. Hill, James Becknell, Skinner, S. Dimick, Levi Farnsworth, M. W. Alfred, James Goodrich, S. S. Woodworth, J. T. Smith, S. D. Bowker. The present pastor is Rev. Asa Fox. Jonathan Niles was the first deacon, and Abner Chap-

man, Jr., clerk. The present officers are, W. F. Chapman and James Rogers, deacons; N. B. Griggs, clerk and treasurer; (this gentleman has written a sketch of the church, from which we have derived much of interest); Elbert F. Chapman, A. J. Sage, and Jasper West, trustees. Elbert F. Chapman is superintendent of the Sabbath school. The number of children in attendance averages fifty.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI

and society was organized May 1, 1839, with the fol- lowing members: Spencer Clark, Julius C. Mead, Beckford Lang, Otis Boice, David L. Lang, Allen Taylor, Erastus Clark, Darius Perkins, and MI. L. Sage, who was the clerk: and Otis Boice, deacon. Nearly all of the above were married men, and their wives were also members of the church.

The following summer, they built a large two-story frame building, at the south, and facing the public square at the center of the township. The upper story was finished, and used as a place of worship until 1849, when the present church was erected. President Asa Mahan preached to this church a short time, in fact until Rev. Joel Talcott, who was its first resident pastor, was engaged. For many years this church flourished and increased in numbers, but the summit of prosperity was reached, and then came the decline. Gradually the ranks were decimated by death and removal, until at present the membership is very small and they have no stated pastor.

THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

have held an organization in the southwest portion of the township for many years, meeting in the school house in that locality. In 1877 they erected a neat chapel. This cost twelve hundred dollars. It was dedicated on the 17th day of Jannary, 1878, by the Rev. Mr. Abel. Rev. William P. Burnell is the present minister. The membership is twenty-five. There is a Sabbath school in connection. Lewis Boice, superintendent; Hiram Tillotson, Sylvester Boice and Madison Andrews, trustees of the church.

TIIE WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCHI

was organized in the southeast part of the township, in the year 1844, and, soon after, built a comfortable church. Among its first members were Reuel Lang and wife, John T. Chapman and wife, J. W. Wilbur, Sr., and wife, Joseph Ferris and wife, Amos Foote and wife, John Young and wife, and a number of others. The church prospered for a few years, but finally, many of its members having removed to other localities, the organization ceased, and the church edifice was converted into a cheese factory.

PHYSICIANS.

The first who settled in Huntington was John Quigley, now a prominent minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. George E. Conant was the next doctor to locate here. He remained a few years

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HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

and removed to Wisconsin. Dr. Clark came next, and practiced for a short time. Hle was succeeded by E. B. Pritchard, who remained a longer time than any of his predecessors. Several others have, from time to time, occupied the field; among these were Harrington, Green, Alfred Paige, Stewart, Wm. R. Elder and Bigelow. The field is now ocenpied by Dr. Burtch.

SCHOOLS.

The first school honse in IInntington was built in the winter of 1821-22. It was of logs, and stood near where was subsequently the residence of John A. Chapman. The lands upon which this rude institu- tion of learning was situated were then the property of Isaac Sage. In the spring following sufficient money was raised by subscription with which to pay a teacher, and Miss Lovina Loveland became the pioneer school teacher. This school was composed of the following children: Laura, Cornelia and Syl- vester Banning, Tillotson and Eunice Hickok, Alzina and Alonzo Sage, Clarissa, Caroline and Celestia Rising, Chauncey Parker, Joshua Culver, o Anthony and Sarah Laborie. The teacher died soon after the completion of her school. In 1878 there were in the township six school houses, valued at twenty-seven Indred dollars. The total amount paid teachers for the school year ending August thirty-first of that year was ten hundred and twenty- two dollars. The number of children of school age was one hundred and sixty-three.

INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

The first cheese factory in the township was put in operation in the spring of 1866, by Messrs. J. C. and C. W. Horr. It was located one and one-half miles from the center. The patronage the first year was one thousand cows. The successors to the above firm were Messrs. Horr, Warner & Co., who now own or con- trol all the factories in this section. The season of 1878 there were eight hundred eows in contribution. A creamery is also operated in connection with the factory. The total manufactures were thirty-nine thousand three hundred and thirty-three pounds of butter and two hundred and twenty-two thousand four hundred and ten pounds of cheese.

Another factory was established in April, 1868, by J. A. Snow. It was located upon his farm one and one-half miles northwest of the center. Messrs. HIorr, Warner & Co. purchased this factory in 1869 or 18:0. The season of 1878 the milk of five hun- dred cows was utilized. The aggregate make was thirty-six thousand five hundred and forty pounds of butter and two hundred and sixteen thousand eight hundred and two pounds of cheese.

The first manufacturing was done by Benjamin Rising, who had a lathe, operated by a spring pole, for turning wooden bowls. This was quite a curiosity. A bark rope was attached to a long spring pole over- head, then passed around the mandrel and fastened

to a treadle below. Pressure on this would throw the block around two or three times, and then the spring of the pole would turn the block back again ready for another gauge.

The first blacksmithing was done by William Lang; this was quite early: his shop stood a few rods north of the old Case hotel. D. C. Ilickok was the pioneer shoemaker. Isaae Sage put in operation an ashery in the settlement; this continued several years.

Several saw mills have been built in the township. Urben Kelsey erected the first one; this was on Charle- monte creek, near the west line of the township. Henry R. Ferris built the next one; this was propelled by the waters of Wellington creek; it stood one mile north, and one-half mile cast of the center.

The first and only grist mill in Huntington town- ship was built by John Galehonse; this was on Wel- lington creek, perhaps half a mile below the Ferris mill.

Messrs. Milton and Orlando Barker built a steam saw mill one-half mile south of the center, and Wil- liam Boone built one in the northeast corner of the township, The Barker mill was once blown up and onee burned. Boone's mill has been three times de- stroyed by the fiery element.

Several railroads have been projected through the township. The Clinton Line Extension came nearest being a success; their route was nearly cast and west through the township; considerable work was done, and quite a large amount of stock collected. This, however, failed, and although several lines have been talked up since, yet they have elicited little or no encouragement.

THE UNION AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

This society, which has grown to be a permanent institution in the south part of the county, had its origin in this township.

Some time during the summer of 1854, a call was issued for a meeting to effect an organization, which was signed by such men in the vicinity as P. L. Goss, A. M. Parmelee, J. HI. Welcher, K. T. Finn, W. B. Rudd, M. D. Smith, A. S. Taylor, A. D. Perkins, J. B. Lang, Hiram Woodworth, S. D. Whitney and others, for a meeting which was held in the Metho- dist church. An organization was effected, and the following officers elected: President. Philip L. Goss; vice-president, A. M. Parmelee; treasurer, J. H. Welcher; secretary, J. B. Lang.

Its first fair was held on grounds fitted up by volunteer labor, on the farm of A. S. Taylor, just west of the center. The address was delivered by JIon. James Monroe. The success of this fair was very satisfactory to its originators, who decided to hold another the following year, under the same management. This was also a success, but, having no permanent buildings or inclosure, so that gate fees could be taken, its finances were small. After this year, a proposition was made to remove the exhibition to Wellington, where grounds could be fenced and

MRS. ABRAM HOLLAND

ABRAM HOLLAND.

RESIDENCE OF ABRAM HOLLAND, HUNTINGTON , LORAIN CO.,O

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HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

buildings erected. A fair has been held every year since, except one, during the darkest days of the war. It has now tine grounds and permanent buildings, with a better prospeet for the future than in the past.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS FOR 1878.

Wheat,

419 aeres

6,219 bushels.

Potatoes, 11

4,289

Oats, 622

25,402

Orchards, 261

1,786

Corn,

29,848

Meadow, 2,137

2,379 tons.

Butter.

.28,843 pounds.

Cheese

698,835

Maple Sugar

3,710

Population in 1870

834

VOTE FOR PRESIDENT IN 1876.

Hayes

151 | Tilden. 50

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ABRAM HOLLAND

was born in Warren, Worcester county, Massachusetts, August 29, 1804, and was the second son in a family of five children of George and Mary Holland. His father died when he was four years old, and his mother soon thereafter moved to Chester, Hampden county, Massachusetts, where she remained until 1834. In the latter year Abram Holland removed to Ohio, and settled in lluntington township. His educational

advantages were limited, but he attended the common schools a few years. He has always followed the plow, and has made farming the business of his life.

On the 6th of November, 1832, he was united in marriage with Mary Ann, daughter of William and Betsey Henry, she being a native of Chester, Massa- chusetts. She was born April 10, 1811. Her mother is still living at the advanced age of ninety-five years, at North Adams, Massachusetts. Mrs. Holland has had five children: George Henry, born September 2, 1833. He is a farmer and lives in Huntington. Helen Louisa, born July 24, 1840; now the wife of William Davis Dimmock, a farmer, of Huntington township. Adelaide A., born November 4, 1842; died February 26, 1862; Alida, born September 11, 1849; Walter Scott, born July 1, 1854.

On arriving at his new home Mr. Holland bought one hundred acres of land, to which by subsequent purchases he has added one hundred aeres more, mak- ing a total of two hundred aeres. He is a good prac- tieal farmer, and is considered one of the honest and substantial farmers of his township. In polities he is a republican, but he has never sought, nor would he accept political preferment. Le is liberal in his religious views, but a christian gentleman "for a' that." Ile is a lineal descendant of the lolland fan- ily. members of which have made Western Massachu- setts famous; notably Drs. J. J. Holland and J. G. Ilolland, the latter of whom now edits Seribner's Magazine, and is an author and poet of universal celebrity.

ROCHESTER.

THIS TOWNSHIP is situated in the extreme south- west corner of the county, and is bounded as follows: on the north by Brighton township: south, by Troy township, Ashland county: cast, by Huntington town- ship; and west, by New London township, Inron county. The surface is generally of a level nature, the only exception being along the streams. Here we find bold bluffs descending to the water's edge on the east, and gentle slopes on the west. The soil is clay, slightly mixed with gravel. and excellent for grass and grain.

The streams are the west branch of the Black river and its tributaries. The former flows from near the southwest corner of the township, is joined by a small stream on lot ten, and continues a general northeast direction, until it reaches lot sixteen, tract five, when it turns to the northwest and flows across the north- ern township line on lot fifteen, tract six; Blair brook enters the township on lot twelve, tract three; and Buck creek on lot thirteen. "These streams flow nearly parallel, unite on lot nine, in tract five, and empty into Black river, at the point where it makes the eurve westward on lot, sixteen. When in a state of nature. the bottom land skirting these streams was heavily timbered, black walnut being found in abun- dance, also white ash and oak.

SETTLEMENT.

Rochester township was the latest settled of any of the townships now comprised within the boundary lines of the county of Lorain. In the year 1827. a man named Dodge, his wife Emeline, and a son, Newell, came into the township. They were of the class known in all new countries as squatters, and soon erected a small log cabin on lot number nine, in tract three, now know as the Minus famn. This was the first white family who dared to brave the solitude hitherto unbroken, save by an occasional hunter from the surrounding country. The history of this family is sad indeed. In the spring of 1829, a child was born to them, which death soon claimed for its victim. The demise of the mother occurred soon after. A rade coffin was prepared by the sorrowing husband and son, the funeral obsequios were performed by them, and the body interred on the brow of the hill near the river. Imagination can scarcely conceive the dread solemnity of this burial: "no sable hearse or nodding phone" decked the funeral array; no minister of God pronounced the solemn ritual for the dend; all was dreary, all was desolate. The remain-

ing members of the family soon after took their departure from the township.

In April, 1831, Stephen Babeock came to Ohio from Blandford, Massachusetts. He selected a farm about half a mile west of Rochester center. He con- tracted with Elijah T. Banning, living temporarily in Huntington, to ent the timber on thirty acres of his land. A log house was put up, into which Mr. Ban- ning removed his family, and with whom Mr. Bab- cock remained during the summer, putting up a house, and making such preparations as the cireum- stances demanded for the comfort of his family. He returned east for them the subsequent fall, and before he arrives in Rochester again we shall have time to say something of Mr. Banning and others. He was born in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio. His wife, Miss Patience Hart, was a native of Springfield, Portage county, this State. They were married in 1828, and immediately removed to Huntington. His final location in Rochester was about one and one- fourth miles north of the center, on lands now ocen- pied by D. L. Mitchell. Mr. Banning was one of the hardy, hard-working class. He ent the timber on nearly two hundred acres of land. His death occurred July 19, 1855. The widow resides at the station. The children of this couple are: Elmer Elijah. who married Mary Mitchell, lives at the station; Amy, who married Alexander Dolph (deceased): Archie Hart, who married Eliza Smith, lives in Wellington; and Cornelia Ann, who married Franklin Peck, and now lives in New London, Iluron county.

Edward Wheeler, of Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, married Catharine Cline. He came to Ohio in 1816, locating in Richland county. They had three children at this time: John who married Mary Shaw. now dead: Jacob who married Emily C. Converse; he lives on lot number two, Rochester township; has eight children, all living; Ann Lewis who married Lorinda Bunce, lives in Rochester. In the spring of 1831, soon after Banning's settlement, the three boys, John. JJacob and Lewis, came to Rochester, and con- tracted for lands in lots eight, fourteen and seventeen. They soon constructed log cabins on their several selections, and began the work of cutting away the forest. These lands were purchased of Orrin Meach. John was to receive a deed for one hundred acres of land, in payment for cutting the timber from an equal number of acres. Jacob and Lewis cut a few acres on lot fourteen; on this they planted some potatoes, and sowed turnips. In this elearing they built a hewed log house for the remainder of the family who arrived

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MRS. ROSWELL BOICE.

ROSWELL B. BOICE

was the elder son of Samnel S. Boice, who married Mary A. Blair, and had eight children, namely,- Roswell B., Sylvester S., Sarah E., James W., Mary A., Lois M., Judson A., and Elizabeth, of whom four survive. The Boice family were of Scotch descent, and those now living are prominent citizens of the communities in which they reside respectively.

Roswell B. Boice was born in Massachusetts, Oct. 12, 1814. He resided in his father's house until he was fifteen years of age, when he emigrated to Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, where he lived about five years. He then removed to Rochester township, in the same county and State, remaining there about one year ; subsequently renting a farm in Hunting- ton township, upon which he lived three years. At the expiration of his rental, he returned to Rochester township, where he purchased the farm which he now occupies.

On Christmas Day, 1833, he was united in mar- riage with Nancy C., daughter of Samuel and Anna Stillwell, who were early settlers of Lorain County.

Of this union were born six children, four sons and two daughters, namely,-Mary Adeline, James W., Lois M., Lewis S., Hiram A., and Dell R., of whom four are living. James W. died Nov. 15, 1841, aged three months and five days; Hiram A. died Jan. 28, 1848, aged two months and twenty- eight days. Mary A. married G. Ostrander, April 26, 1863; Lois M. married Francis M. Perkins, Oct. 26, 1865; Lewis S. married Laura North.

Mr. R. B. Boice and his excellent wife are both exemplary members of the Congregational Church. They formerly belonged to the Baptist Church of Huntington township. Mr. Boice has followed agricultural pursuits during the whole of his active business life, and is generally considered a good practical farmer. In politics he is, and always was, since he attained his majority, a Republican. He was elected trustee of Rochester township, and served faithfully and well for three years. He is noted for the honesty and regularity of his life, and enjoys a prominent place in the estimation of his fellow-citizens.

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History of Lorain County, Ohio, Part 70

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

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