USA > Ohio > Lorain County > History of Lorain County, Ohio > Part 89
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Philander W., eldest son of Roswell and Jane G. Smith, was born April 30, 1830, in the log cabin. He remained at home during his boyhood, working on the farm. lle was married January 12. 1852, to Miss Laura J., only daughter of George and Eunice Cowles. She was born in Colebrook, Connectient, January 29, 1833. George Cowles and family came to Wellington in October, 1836, and have since resided on their farm known as "Maple Hill." For nearly ten years after his marriage Philander W. lived at the old home- stead. In the summer of 1861 he erected a house on the corner of the old farm, where he has since resided. They had two children, Arthur G., born May 8, 1853. Clara M., born October 10, 1867. In November, 1875, the family left their home, and went to Florida,
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HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
to try the effect of the climate upon members of the family. After spending eighteen months there, with little or no material benefit, they returned to their old home. In politics, Mr. Smith has always been a re- publican since that party had an existence. He eon- tributed freely towards carrying on the war. Although never taking an active part in politics, he was ever in full sympathy with the Union army. In 1866 he purchased what is known as the James Spellman farm, adjoining the homestead on the south. He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 18:3, himself, wife and son united with the First Con- gregational church, of Wellington, Dr. L. B. Lane being pastor at that time.
Orlando E., youngest son of Roswell and Jane Smith, was born November 27, 1839, at the old home- stead. During his boyhood he did not enjoy good health, but as he approached man's estate he became more healthful. He was married December 23, 1862, to Lydia J., youngest daughter of William and Polly A. Hall. She was born in Brighton, Lorain county, December 23, 1842. After living with his father's family three years, he purchased fifteen acres of what was known as the Lyman Marshall farm, where he has since resided. In 1843 he thoroughly remodeled his dwelling house, and in 1876 he purchased the remain- der of the Marshall farm. Two children were born to them: Roswell, born September 20, 1871; Ralph W., born January 10, 1825. Little Roswell bright- ened their home only four days; he died September 24, 18:1. In 1863, during the war of the rebellion, Mr. Smith was drafted. His health unfitting him for active service and the exposure of camp life, he hired a substitute. In politics he has always been a repub- lican, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864. Of late years his occupation has been dairy farming. In 1813 himself and wife were converted, and received into the First Congregational church of Wellington, during the ministry of Dr. L. B. Lane.
HOMER MASON AND FAMILY.
-Sampson Mason, father of llomer, and twelfth son of Sampson and Mercy (Baker) Mason, was born in South Adams, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, April 15, 1:99. ]Ie was brought up on a farm, and received a common school education equal to the times. The first of May, 1822, he was married to Miss Hannah Childs, and commenced farming in the town of his birth.
Miss Hannah Childs, fourth daughter of Stephen and Zilpa (Brooks) Childs, was born June 20, 192. The births of children were as follows: Nancy, born March 4, 1823; Stephen C., born March 28, 1826; Angeline, born August 13, 1827; Minerva, born De- cember 15, 1831; and Homer, born September 18, 1833.
In 1835, Mr. Mason and family came to Welling-
ton, Ohio, and settled upon land where the homestead now is. (See engraving.)
Nancy married llenry Allyn; she now resides in lliram, Portage county, Ohio. There have been five heirs, three now living. Henry Allyn died December 11, 1828.
Stephen C. married Mary Barge; he settled in Wel- lington. They had three children. Stephen C. died June 20, 1872.
Angeline married I. S. Van Densen; they now re- side in Passaie, New Jersey. They have three chil- dren, and one grandchild.
Minerva died June 4, 1848.
Horace married Ellen Lyon, of Wellington, August 22, 1858, continuing to reside at the old homestead, where their children were born as follows: Harry B., born November 20, 1860; Hattie M., born October 1, 1867; Willis L., born November 21, 1869; Annah E., born July 16, 1876; and Arthur D., born April 18, 1878. These children are receiving the advantages of a good education, as age permits, and bid fair to become an honor to their parents.
Hannah, wife of Sampson Mason, died May 16, 1858. Mr. S. Mason still resides at the old home- stead, bearing the honorable title of grandfather and great-grandfather-a venerable man, whom the chil- dren delight to honor.
Mr. and Mrs. Homer Mason received a good com- mon school education, and their home is one of culture and refinement, where many people are hos- pitably entertained. Mr. Mason's politics is republi- can. He has been a prominent member of the Union agricultural society of Wellington. He is an excel- Ient farmer, a good citizen, and held in high esteem by all acquaintances.
JAMES SHELDEN AND FAMILY.
Benjamin, father of James Shelden, was born in Delaware county, New York, July 7, 1791: married Lovisa Rice, January 22, 1815. Miss Lovisa Rice, born in Delaware county, July 6, 1796, settled in Lock, Cayuga county, New York, and engaged in millinery quite extensively.
Birth of children, as follows: Nelson, born March 26. 1816, and died in infancy; Salvinia M., born October 2, 1817; George W., born August 4, 1819; Benjamin, born December 6, 1821; Anna S., born April 15, 1824; David F., born May 14, 1829; James, born March 11. 1831.
Benjamin, Sr., died in LaGrange, Lorain county, July 17, 1870; Lovisa, wife of Benjamin Shelden, Sr., died September 9, 1870; united in life, they were not long separated, and their children rise up and call them blessed.
James Shelden was educated in the common schools, learned the joiner's trade, and in 1857, February eleventh, was joined in wedlock to Miss Adeline West,
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ITISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OIIIO.
eldest child of Amasa H. and Maria West; Amasa II. West was born in Hartwick, Orange county, New York, May 24, 1810. Miss Maria West, born in the same place, May 27, 1809. They were married Febru- ary 24, 1834, and moved to Ohio, soon after, where the children were born, as follows: Adeline, born October 19, 1836: Henry, born October 24, 1838; Franklin, born September 8, 1846: Charles, born June 5, 1853.
ltenry West enlisted in the war of the rebellion; was wounded in battle April seventh; died May 2. 1862, at St. Louis. Remains brought to Wellington for burial.
Franklin West was married February 12. 1868, to Miss Viola Burlingame, of Centerville. Allegany county, New York. He died March 23, 1828.
Charles West married Allie Dibble, of Pittsfield, Lorain county, Ohio; have three children.
Amasa II. West, father of Adeline, died June 24, 1842. MIrs. Maria West, mother of Mrs. Shelden, married again O. J. West, November 11, 1843, and settled in Wellington village.
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shelden commenced dairying on a farm in Wellington. In 1860 he pur- chased the farm where he now resides, and continued dairying. In 1867 he built his present residence. (See engraving). Two years later he erected suitable buildings, and commenced the manufacture of cheese. according to the factory system, extending and en- larging his conveniences and facilities until three millions of pounds and over were manufactured at the home factory in 1878.
Mr. Shelden, at the present time, owns an interest in five other factories, and has in his employ seventeen men. As a factoryman Mr. Shelden stands at the front, giving as good, or better satisfaction to patrons, than others engaged in the same business; and as dairying is the principal business of the farmers of Wellington and vicinity, the rivatry with which Mr. Shelden has to compete, may readily be seen. Children-Jessie, born January 5. 1862; Lettic, born June 5, 1867; Charles, born Aprit 3, 1869. Mr. Shelden's children are receiving excellent advantages for education, and bid fair to become ornaments to society, and are true blessings in the household.
The family are most hospitably inelined; there seems always room for one more, and guests are wont to enjoy their visits there most heartily, as the host and hostess are merry-hearted and desirous of minis- tering to the pleasure of their friends.
In politics Mr. Shelden is a republican. Ile is a generous, free-hearted, liberal man, keeping up with the progress of the age.
SILAS MILLER AND FAMILY.
Ephraim, second son of Ephraim Mitler, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. Anne 8, 1714, and mar- ried Rachel Buttolph March 13, 1800. Rachel But-
tolph was born in Stonington, Connecticut. October 2, 1773. After the marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Miller set- tled in Chester, Massachusetts, pursuing the avocation of farming, the same as his ancestors, In Chester all their children were born, to wit: Silas, born April 13, 1802: Emily, born February 5, 1804: George, born February 28, 1806; Moses, born January S. 1809; Ephraim, born October 26, 1811; Edmund, born January 27, 1814; Fordis, born April 12, 1816; died August 18, 1829.
Ephraim Miller died, at his son Silas' house, in Wellington, March 30, 1868, and had reached the ro- markable age of ninety-four years. Rachel his wife died in Mindon, Michigan, September 27, 1869, the year following her husband's death. This couple lived together sixty-eight years, never being separated over a week at a time, their affection being like that of Ruth for Naomi.
Silas Miller was born, as stated above, April 13, 1802. He received a good common school education, and beside the knowledge of farm life, acquired at at home, he learned the trade of tanning leather, of William Hubbard, Cummington, Massachusetts. Be- ing a youth of much enterprise and true grit, he was bound to get on in the world, his motto being: "If I fall, i will get up again."
He married Miss Cynthia Holcomb, in West Hart- ford, Conneetient, December 25, 1828. Cynthia II .. daugher of Asel and Martha (Flagg) Holcomb, was born in Granby, Connecticut, July 29, 1499. They settled at housekeeping and farming in Chester, Mas- Fachusetts. The record of births in the family are as follows: Caroline S., born October 2, 1832; Fordis N., born April 3. 1835; and Sarah E., born May 26, 1838. Cynthia, wife of Silas Miller, died February 16, 1840. The family having moved to York, Medina county, Ohio, the year previous, May 26, 1839.
Angust 20, 1840, Silas Miller married Miss Lydia Branch, of York, Medina county, Ohio. Lydia Branch, third child of Nathan and Polly (Capron) Branch, was born in Gratten, Tompkins county, New York, January 16, 1810. The birth of children are as fol- Jows: Silas F., born June 23, 1842; Herman, born November 9, 1843: Lucinda, born February 18. 1847: Nathan, born June 18, 1849; George, born October 8, 1852.
Sarah E., daughter of Silas and Cynthia Miller, married and settled on the Cumberland mountains, Tennessee.
Caroline was well educated, and followed the occu- pation of teaching for a goodly number of years, making a record of worth.
Fordis N. married Augusta Howe, and settled in Noble county, Indiana, and carries on a mercantile trade. The fruits of this union are four daughters and one son, viz: Cynthia, Carrie, Laurie, Emily and Silas. Augusta, wife of Fordis N. Miller, died March 3, 1877.
Silas F., son of Silas and Lydia Miller, died in the army, May 8, 1863. He belonged to the One Hun-
SILAS MILLER
LYDIA MILLER
PHOTOS BY H M PLATT OBERLIN O
RESIDENCE OF SILAS MILLER , WELLINGTON TP., LORAIN CO. O.
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HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
dred and Twenty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, -a soldier in the war of the great rebellion.
Herman, also a soldier, served three years in the United States artillery, suffered as many other sol- diers suffered. and contracted a disease (chronic diar- rhwa), of which he has never fully recovered, and which will, no doubt, be the means of shortening his life. Herman married Mrs. Mary Knapp, of Welling- ton, February 8, 1868. Evelyn L., only daughter of Herman and Mary Miller, was born July 23, 1871.
Lueinda married Jerry Whitehead, of Wellington. December 28, 1875, settled in Ogden, Michigan, and her husband follows the avocation of farming.
Nathan (the bachelor, ) resides with his parents; a youth of enterprise, spirit, and ability, well qualified to keep up with the progress of the age.
George died December 2, 1871,-a youth of fair promise, just merging into manhood. His death was a severe affliction to the family.
From York the family moved to Lorain county, settling in Wellington April 9, 1864, where they now reside, on the farm formerly owned by O. S. Wads- worth, engaged quite extensively in dairying as well as farming.
Mr. Miller has been an active, stirring man, pos- sessed of a remarkable memory, retains events, dates, Dames, and places in mind, as the famed Napoleon. Hle is known far and near, as his journeyings have taken him into many States. In politics he is a re- publican, and his general character is good, as his code of morals, as well as those of his family, is most excellent.
BERT B. HERRICK AND FAMILY.
Philo Herrick, second son of Amasa and Polly (Robison) Herrick, and father of Hon. Lucius Hler- riek, and grandfather of Bert. B., was born in Fyring- ham, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, January 15, 1794. He received his education in the common schools, and developed the character of a model young man. January 1, 1816, he was joined in mar- riage to Sophia Blodgett. Sophia Blodgett, sixth child of Caleb and Ruth (Lombard) Blodgett, was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, September 21, 1788. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Philo Herrick went to live in Watertown, New York, where he pursued the business of tanner, currier and shoemaker. From there he removed to Hounsfield, same State. Ree- ord of birth of children as follows: Loring, born October 5, 1816, in Watertown, Jefferson county; Amasa B., born April 26, 1818, in Hounsfield; bu- cius, born November 8, 1820, in Hounsfield; George F., born November 11, 1824, in Hounsfield. In the year 1835 the family moved to Wellington, Ohio (then denominated the far west), and settled on the homestead (see engraving), where a few years were spent in active service to secure the comforts of a home in a pioneer settlement, the children in the
meantime securing the best advantages for education provided in the township, ere they separated to work out their future fortunes and establish homes for themselves. June 3, 1844, Loring married Miss M. Bronson, a teacher among the Winnebago Indians, lowa. April 23, 1846, Amasa married Lydia Ann Young, in Rockton, Winnebago county, Illinois. A record of ten births graces this union. George F. Herrick left home for Wisconsin, June 9, 1845; died, September 15, the same year. Luejus Herrick, remaining at home, married, April 15, 1844, Miss Mary E. Griffith. Mrs. Mary E., wife of Lueins Herrick, died January 15, 1845, leaving an infant son, Luther G., born January 11. April 8, 1851, Lueins Herrick was united in marriage to Miss Har- riet E. Bidwell, of Brighton, Lorain county, Ohio. Miss Harriet E. Bidwell, daughter of Truman and Eveline (Doty) Bidwell, was born October 26, 1827. Truman E. Bidwell was born September 20, 1806; died March 31, 1876. Eveline (Doty) Bidwell, born 1802; died October 27, 1848. Harriet E .. wife of Lucius Herrick, died February 28, 1854; Bert B., son of Lucius and Harriet Herrick, was born December 27, 1851. July 3, 1852, Mr. Lucius Ilerrick married Miss Sarah West, of Elyria, third child of Francis and Fanny West, born in Elyria and educated in Milan and finishing in the academy at Stockbridge, Berkshire county, Massachusetts; is a lady of cul- ture and refinement. July 8, 1862, Luther G. Her- rick died. He was a young man universally beloved. possessed of rare talents, and was pursuing a course of study at Oberhn when the fatal hand of disease sapped the current of life. Philo Herrick died March 15, 1866. Mrs. Philo Herrick is still residing at the old homestead-the oldest person in town; is active, wonderfully well preserved for a lady of her years, retaining her memory remarkably well; and it is to her the writer of this sketch is indebted for the principal dates found in this biography.
Since the family of Philo Herrick came to Wel- lington, Lucius has been identified with the con- tinued progress of the township. Being a represent- ative man, active in business, he has held important oflices by the gift of the people of Lorain county. For several years he was county commissioner, and is now representing the county of Lorain in the State legislature.
Bert B. was united in marriage to Miss Etta R. Wadsworth, December 22, 1877. Miss Etta R. was born in Wellington, April 25. 1858; and is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Wadsworth; is a graduate of the class of 1877 of Wellington high school; average school report, for five years, ninety- seven and one-half - first grade; motto, excelsior; aim, to do well. After a short wedding tour, Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Herrick commenced housekeeping on the home farm. March 28, 1848. His father pur- chasing and removing to a new residence near by, the farm and its belongings fell to the care of B. B. In connection with other business matters in the line of
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HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
farming, a dairy of thirty or more cows is kept, and the milk manufactured into butter and cheese, at home, and marketed by Mr. Herrick. The excellent advantages for an education, and the opportunities for travel bestowed by a fond parent, have fitted him for an active business life, giving a fair outlook for future prosperity and renown. March 29, 1879, a daughter was born to Mr. Herrick-Ella R. Herrick ; christened by grandma, "the light of the house- hold "- by its parents, Sarah Ethel.
The genealogy of the Herrick family can be traced in a direct line back to one Eric, a Danish chief who invaded Britain during the reign of Alfred. For particulars, see genealogieal history, published by Zedekiah Ilerriek, giving statistics from 1629 to 1846.
DR. JOHN W. HOUGHTON.
Dr. John W. Houghton, of the Wellington Enter- prise, is the son of Asa Houghion, deceased, and Clara Cole Houghton. He was born in Batavia, New York, and is now in his forty-tifth year. He studied two years at the University at Delaware, Ohio, taught. several terms, protracted his classical course so as to keep up his musical studies parallel with it, gradu- ating at Baldwin University in 1860, and from a Cin- cinnati Medical College the same year. In 1863 the degree of A. M. in course was conferred by his Alma Mater.
Soon after graduation he commenced the practice of his profession at Wellington, continuing for ten years when he was obliged to abandon it from im- paired health. He has since devoted his time princi- pally to the drug and book trade, established some years previously, until in 1856 he took the additional care and labor involved in the publishing and editing a weekly newspaper, in connection with a job office.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON SUTLIFE.
This gentleman was born in Erie county, New York, in July, 1815. Ilis father's name was Solomon, his place of nativity being New York State, Genesce county.
The subject of this sketch received a good common school education. At the age of twenty he left his father's home and came to Oberlin, Ohio, where he resided for three years. In 1838 he went to Michi- gan, where he remained thirteen years, except an in- terval of nearly a year in 1840, which he passed in
Ohio. While in the former Slate he entered govern- ment land. Returning to Ohio in 1852 he made his residence in Carlisle township for two years, when he removed lo Wellington, where he has since resided.
In 1840, he married Miss Phorbe D. Gott, of La Grange. Mr. and Mrs. Sutliff have been the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are now living, viz : William 11., Charles E., George W., James Alfred, Frederick M., Emily Jane and Franklin P'. Mr. Sutlitt has held a number of township offices, both here and in Michigan, and is a worthy and highly esteemed citizen.
R. J. ROBINSON 1
tells the story of his life as follows:
1 was born in Winchester, Virginia, March 18, 1818, of free parents. My father was the grandson of Lord Fairfax, and my mother the daughter of Colonel Nevel, of revolutionary fame. Myself, with my parents and other children, was allowed the priv- ilege of common schools, although denied to other colored people. My father died in 1836, and in the same year, at the age of seventeen I removed with my mother and the rest of the children, six in number, to Illinois, settling in Springfield, where I opened a barber shop. Among my customers were Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, and Edward Baker. November 31, 1836, I was married to Sarah Ann Wigins, of Macdonough county, Illinois, the first colored marriage west of the Illinois river. In 1840, 1 moved to St. Louis, Missouri, but was arrested for coming into the State without license, and returned to Illinois and became a citizen of Alton, where I remained until 1860, when I removed to Wellington. taking up my residence here in April of 1861. I have eight children, tive boys and three girls. My oldest son Jonathan was captured by the rebels in 1861 and kept a prisoner two years. My son Joseph enlisted in company F of the one hundred and twenty-third regiment, but was killed at. Frankfort, Kentucky. My son James enlisted in Company G, third regi- ment U. S. colored heavy artillery, and was dis- charged March 9, 1865, by reason of expiration of time of service. My children have all received a practical education. My oldest daughter is a gradu_ ate of Oberlin College, is married, and lives in Wash- ington, D. C.
I was forty-three years old when I was permitted to east my first vote. It was cast for Abraham Lincoln. I can say that I have only been free since I came to this place. Here, thank God, I am in an open field, in pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, and where I intend to spend the remainder of my days.
WM. H H SUTLIFF.
MRS.WM.H. H SUTLIFF.
RESIDENCE OF WM. H.H. SUTLIFF, WELLINGTON TP., LORAIN CO., OHIO.
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PITTSFIELD.
SITUATION, SOIL AND WATER COURSES.
BOUNDED upon the north by Russia, east by La Grange, sonth by Wellington, and west by Cam- den, lies Pittsfield, township number four, in range eighteen. Its surface, except in the northwestern part, where it is almost a perfect level, varies from the gently undulating to the moderately uneven. The soil is principally a soft clay, though a clay loam is found in many places, and occasionally, in the north- western quarter partienlarly, there appears sandy and gravely loam. A very good article of sandstone ap- pears in the bed of a small creek, half a mile west of the center, and the same geological formation is ob- servable in lot twenty-one, in the northeastern portion of the township. The stone comes to the surface in the latter place, rendering quarrying practicable. This industry, by the way, has been for some time carried on in a small way, thongh large enough to meet all demands, by V. McRoberts.
The principal stream within the limits of the town- ship is the west branch of Black river, which, entering the territory at the southern line, midway between the eastern and western boundaries, winds a tortnons course toward the extreme eastern corner. Welling- ton creek flows from south to north along the eastern boundary of the township, and several small brooks diversify the western half of the town.
ORIGINAL OWNERS.
The original owners of Pittsfield, with the number of lots they possessed, were the following: Elisha Tracey, seventy-five lots; Lewis Devotion, twenty lots; Joseph Barnham, nine lots; Richard MeCurdy, twenty-one lots; Samnel Dorrenee, twelve lots, Wm. Perkins, thirteen lots; John MeClellan, four lots; and J. Ward, six lots-whole number of lots in the town- ship, one hundred and sixty.
J. Ward probably sold out to Simon Perkins, and Perkins sold or gave the tract to the Western Reserve College. Milton Whitney bought the Dorrance tract of one Keeler.
SETTLEMENT.
The first white men ever known to have been in- habitants of this township were a man by the name of Baker, and his two sons. As early as 1812 or 1813, they cleared a small spot of ground on the northeast corner of lot ninety-six, and built a log cabin. They remained here for some time, but fear of the Indians and the British soldiers, who were at that time scour- ing the country, induced them to leave. The father
is known to have gone into the army of the United States, and whether his sons also entered the military service is a matter of conjecture. They remained in the viemity some time after his departure. It is not improbable that these men made the original survey of the township. A fact pointing to this conclusion was the discovery of a lot of surveyor's instruments in their cabin a number of years after they left. Their names were also mentioned as surveyors in some of the deeds given the first settlers.
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