History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 143

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1014

USA > Ohio > Medina County > History of Medina county and Ohio > Part 143

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905

GRANGER TOWNSHIP.

been a resident of Granger Township since 1848. He owns 200 acres of well-improved land, and is one of the successful farmers and wool-growers of the county. He is a man of retiring disposition, broad and liberal in his views, but firm in his convictions of right and wrong. Politically, he is a Republican.

BENJAMIN BURT, P. O. Granger. Dan- iel and Hannah (Trafton) Burt, parents of this gentleman, were born, reared and married in Massachusetts. During the early settlement of Ontario Co., N. Y., they were among the first to go there. Here, in 1813, Mr. Burt died, leav- ing his wife and eight children to mourn his loss. Some five years later, when quite a number of persons from Ontario Co. canie to settle in Medina Co., Ohio, John and Daniel Burt, sons of the above gentleman, came to the county and began the improvement of a piece of land in what is now Granger Township, which they had traded for the same year. In February, of 1819, the mother with the family, started for the new home in Ohio, arriving at their desti- nation on the 5th of March the same year. The two sons had been out the year pre- vious and built a log cabin, into which the family moved on their arrival. The house had no windows or doors, and to make matters worse, the day after they arrived there was a heavy snow-storm. The mother, however, sup- plied this deficiency by hanging quilts at the doors and windows, which in a measure kept out the cold until warm weather set in. Ben- jamin Burt was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Feb. 14, 1804, and was but 15 years of age when the family came to Ohio. He started a day or so before the family, with the cows, and expected they would overtake him in a short time. This, however, they did not do, for he arrived the day before the family at their new home, having walked almost the entire distance. In 1820, John Burt built a double log cabin where the village of Grangerburg now stands, and the next year returned to New York, where he was married, returning to Ohio in the spring of 1822 ; his wife dying the same year that Benjamin went to live with him, the two broth- ers kept bachelor's hall for about cighleen months. Their house served the various pur- poses of a dwelling, a church, a tavern and a schoolhouse. John Burt taught school in the house in the winter of 1822, and quite fre- quently the scholars arrived at the schoolhouse

before the two brothers had their work done up. In this case the larger girls would assist in sweeping, washing dishes, etc. The year after their arrival in Ohio, Benjamin wanting a pair of shoes, and not having the money to purchase them, worked nine days at 25 cents per day for a man who obtained them for him by making a turn with a third party.

In 1826, Timothy Wilder and wife came in a lumber wagon from New York, to visit their friends in Ohio. On their return, Benjamin Burt and his mother accompanied them, and spent some time visiting friends in New York and Massachusetts. Mr. Burt remained in liis native State some years, working by the month. He was united in marriage with Miss Parmelia Hatch, Dec. 31, 1829. She was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1812. In the spring of 1830, he re- turned to Ohio, bringing his wife witlı him, Eben Bissell and wife being also in the com- pany. On their arrival at Cleveland, it was necessary that one of the men should go to Granger and procure teams to bring the women and goods to that place. The distance was about thirty miles, and Mr. Burt walked the distance in a half-day, and this when the country was almost an uninhabited wilderness, filled with logs, groups of underbrush, ravines, etc. The furniture of their new home was of regular pioneer order. They used a chest for a table until a more fashionable article could be procured. When they had company, two chests were placed together, one being much lower than the other. In this way began Benjamin Burt and wife, who have been well and favorably known to the people of Medina Co., for over half a century. They are the parents of three children, viz .: Ozro Seymour, born Jan. 31, 1831 ; Charles Milton, born Oct. 9, 1833, and Lucretia E., born Oct. 3, 1837. These children are all married and the heads of families. Ozro S., was married Nov. 11, 1854, to Miss Mercy A. Shaw. She was born in Sum- mit Co., Ohio, Oct. 7, 1834. They have a family of eight children-Elroy C., Biou U., Diana, Minnie, Benjamin, Elbridge, Grace E. and Mary G. After marriage and until 1867, this gentle- man was engaged in farming, dairying and deal- ing in live stock. At this time, he purchased a half-interest in a store in Grangerburg, of his brother-in-law, although he remained on his farm. In 1870, he purchased the entire stock of goods and has since conducted the business

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

alone. He earries a large stock, and is doing a large and steadily inereasing business. In 1868, he and James McMillen erected a large cheese manufactory at Grangerburg, having a manufacturing capacity of 1,300 pounds daily. It is now, and ever has been sinee built, in active operation, during the cheese-making season. Besides the above property, he owns a nicely improved farm of 250 acres adjoining the village. He is an intelligent, progressive gentleman, and has held all the township offices in the gift of the people. He has been for some years a member of Medina Lodge, No. 76, F. & A. M.

Charles M. Burt, like his brother, was raised upon a farm. He attended the common schools of the neighborhood until he was about 17 years of age, when he attended sehool at Oberlin, Ohio, for some time, and then came home and worked for his father until about 24 years of age, at which time he and his brother Ozro S. purchased the old homestead of 170 acres, which they farmed in common for two years, when he purchased his brother's interest. He continued to deal in real estate and make addi- tions to the home farm until he owned 400 aeres in one body. In 1871, he went to Wads- worth and purchased the Exchange Hotel, which he owned and run for about eighteen months and then traded it for one-fifth interest in the Eureka Lead Works of that placc. After about two years, he disposed of this and he and Mr. H. Z. Chandler purchased 2,700 acres of pine lands in Michigan, paying $30,500 for the same. This he now owns, together with 234 aeres of land in Granger Township, and a valuable and nicely improved home property in Wadsworth, which he now makes his home. He was united in marriage with Miss E. A. Hills, March 28, 1859. She was born in Granger Township in 1841. They have two children-Elno O. and Abbie J. Lucretia E. Burt married Mr. James Hopkins, and is now residing in Akron, Ohio. Thus it will be seen that the three ehil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Burt are well- to-do people, and have profited by the examples of sobriety, economy and industry set them by their most worthy parents. Benjamin Burt has devoted nearly all his life to agricultural pur- suits, never seeking the publicity of office, although he has filled many township officcs with much credit to himself and lasting benefit to those for whom he laborcd. He held the

office of County Commissioner six years, and was a member of that body during the period when the new court house was built, and was the only member who voted against the remod- eling of the old house. He has always acted independent of sects and denominations, favor- ing everything known to be right, and promptly opposing everything known to be wrong. He and sons are stalwart Republicans, and have been since the organization of that party. He is now in his 78th year, and, with his silver locks and tardy steps, is quietly awaiting " the last of earth." His wife is nearly 70 years of age.

M. C. CODDING, Granger. The name of Codding was originally Coddington, and their progenitor was from England. Some years after the Plymouth Colony had established itself on this continent, there came to the colony one Sir William Coddington, from England. He was descended from the nobility of his native coun- try, but, through misfortune, had lost his prop- erty, and, to recuperate, had come to America. He was a man of much more than ordinary ability, and of very decided views regarding religion and men. He held that infant baptism was not necessary to salvation, and that every man had a right to worship God as he saw fit. He was pronounced by the Council a heretic, and an order issued that he should be sent back to England. Before this could be executed, however, he had left the colony, gone to Rhode Island and joined the Williams Colony. Here he remained the rest of his life, becoming, at last, Governor of Rhode Island, and one of the wealthiest men in the colony. All the Cod- dings now in the New World, so far as known, are descendants of this gentleman, and the coat of arms used by himself and family is still to be seen in the old State House at Newport. George Codding, the father of our subject, was born in Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., March 31, 1800. He was reared upon a farm, receiving but a limited education. In 1821, he left his native State and came to Granger Township, this county. He had traded for Lot 28 before leaving home, and, upon his arrival in the town- ship, he at onee began preparing his land for tillage. His marriage with Miss Jerusha Spen- cer occurred Nov. 22, 1822. She was born in Seneca, Ontario Co., N. Y., Aug. 18, 1802. From this union there were seven children viz., Myron C., Spencer F., Nancy T., Albert T., Harriet M., William E. and Luey A. Mrs.

GRANGER TOWNSHIP.

907

Codding died May 1, 1841. On the 18th of May, 1842, Mr. Codding was united iu marriage to Eliza Johnson, who was the mother of one child-Helen L. This lady died June 20, 1861. Mr. Codding departed this life April 15, 1845. Although never aspiring to political promi- nence, he was honored, during his lifetime, with a number of positions in Granger Township, and was, for a number of years, Captain of a company of militia. He was of a retiring dis- position, devoting his entire lifetime to agri- cultural pursuits, the temporal and spiritual welfare of his family, and the promotion of the best interests of the community in which he lived. Myron C. Codding was born upon the farm he now owns and resides upon, March 1, 1824. Although his educational advantages are somewhat limited, yet he has become a fair scholar in the English branches, and has held, during the last decade, many positions of honor and trust in Granger Township. He was united in marriage with Miss Phoebe H. Ganyard Sept. 13, 1848. This lady was born in Granger Township Feb. 8, 1828, and is the daughter of Festus Ganyard, Esq., one of the first settlers of the township. From this union, four chil- dren were born, viz., Albert T., George, Harriet E. and Lena R. Mr. Codding has, for a num- ber of years, been engaged in farming, stock- raising and dairying, in all of which he has been very successful. Although he never learned any trade, he readily turned his hand to anything required to be done, especially ex- celling as a wood-workman. He has been a remarkably industrious and hard-working man, very frugal in his habits, and has accumulated quite a competency by his regard for these manly virtues. He is a substantial and useful member of the community, and has beeu quite liberal in contributions for charitable and educational enterprises. He owns a nicely im- proved farm of 132 acres ; is a stanch Repub- lican in politics, and a consistent member of the M. E. Church. Medina Co. would be much better off had it more such men as M. C. Cod- ding.

JASPER A. CODDING, farmer ; Remson's Corners; is a native of Granger Township, where he was born in 1819 ; he is the oldest per- son born in the township now living ; his par- ents were John and Hannah Spencer Codding ; his father was a native of Ontario Co., N. Y., born May 2, 1797 ; his mother was a native of

Connecticut, they were united in marriage in Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., and came to Granger Township in March 1818 ; liis mother died in the township; his father subsequently sold his farm and removed to Medina, where he departed this life Oct. 20, 1866, after a stir- ring, eventful life, regretted by all who knew him ; he served in active public life for a great many years, representing all of the township offices, and serving as Justice of the Peace for many terms ; he was well posted in law and business, and was largely employed by his townsmen, to transact their business and legal matters ; he represented his district in the State Legislature, and subsequently was chosen State Senator, offices which he fulfilled with ability and honor ; he was chosen as one of the Commissioners for the appraisement of the Western Reserve school lands, and at one time was a Presidential Elector. In his early man- hood, John saved the life of a neighbor named Moore, who was bitten by a rattlesnake, by ap- plying his mouth to the wound and drawing the poison out ; it was an office of great danger, and illustrates the nobility and courage of his nature ; his children now living are as follows : Jasper A., Wilder M., a resident of Wadsworth Township; Elsie A. McFarland, living in Summit Co .; Charles G., a resident of Medina. Our sub- ject passed his early life upon his father's farm, teaching school several winter sessions, until 25 years of age, when he was united in mar- riage to Miss Phoebe J. Huntley April 17, 1844; she was born in New York State in March, 1827; her father was John Huntley, an old resident of Medina Co. Mr. and Mrs. C. have been blessed with the following children : John S., living in Portage Co .; Frank D., a res- ident of Knox Co., Ill .; Emma L. Perrin, living in Granger Township. After his marriage Mr. Codding engaged in farming for a year and a half in Summit Co., and then removed to Granger, where he has since resided ; he lo- cated in 1850 one-half mile east of Remson's Corners, where he now lives ; he has 63 acres of fine improved land; he is a useful and re- spected citizen of the township, having served the township for six terms as assessor, and al- ways taken an active interest in schools and township matters.

SAMUEL CUTTER, farmer ; P. O. Remson's Corners ; is a prominent citizen of Granger Township, he is a native of Columbia Co.,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Penn., where he was born in 1801 ; his parents were Samuel and Mary (Cole) Cutter, natives of New Jersey, they were pioneers of Holmes Co., where they located in 1819, and residents of that county the remainder of their days. Samuel when a youth went to Wooster and learned the blacksmith's trade, which occupa- tion he followed there for a number of years. While a resident of Wayne Co., he was elected to the office of Sheriff of the county, and served for two terms ; at the expiration of his last term of office he farmed in Wayne Co. for three years, and then removed to Homer Township, Medina Co., where he resided for nine years upon a farm. In 1861, he removed to his present lo- cation in Granger Township ; he has a farm of 125 acres, located in the northeastern portion of the township, well improved. He was united in marriage in 1831, to Miss Deborah Sprague, she bore him two sons, Henry and Charles- both now deceased. Henry was in the service nearly three years and Charles 100 days ; his wife died in Wooster. Mr. Cutter was mar- ried to a second wife, Miss Mary Mason, Jan. 9, 1840 ; she is a native of New Hamphire, and was born in 1804, they have two children liv- ing. Harvey, he is married to Miss Ann Baker, a native of Michigan, they have four children- Frank, Charles, Israel and Mary ; Harvey resides with his parents; Ellen Young, another daugh- ter living in Kansas ; Mr. and Mrs. Cutter are both members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Cutter, while out hunting in Chatham woods, in the night of Nov. 13, 1833, was a spectator of the great meteoric showers which occurred at that date ; he relates that the sight was one of grand and indescribable splendor, and lasted from 12 o'clock until daybreak.

EBENEZER COMSTOCK ; P. O. Granger ; was born Oct. 20, 1820, in Montville, New Lon- don Co., Conn. He is the son of Ebenezer and Hannah (Stimpson) Comstock, both natives of Connecticut. By this union there were the fol- lowing family of children : Mark, Jeremiah, Ebenezer, Mary S. and Elizabeth A. Mr. Com- stock's first wife was a Miss Turner, who was the mother of ten children, viz .: Elisha, Henrietta, Nancy, Ficha, Desiah, Lucretia, Catharine, Art- lissa and two not named. The father served his country in the navy during the war of the Revolution ; he was taken prisoner by the British, but escaped and joined Gen. Greene's army. He died in Connecticut in 1835, and his

wife in Medina Co., Ohio, in 1864. For thirteen years after the death of his father, the subject of this sketch followed the life of a sailor ; he served in all capacities, from a common sailor to commander and owner of a vessel. In 1848, he came to this county, which he has since made his home. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Krieble May 2, 1856 ; she .vas born in Pennsylvania March 9, 1838. They have had four children, three of whom are yet living, viz. : Eunice, William and Frank ; the one deceased was named Job. Mr. Comstock began life as a poor sailor boy, and has made what he now possesses by his own exertions. He owns a well-improved farm of 153 acres, near the center of Granger Township. He has in his possession a number of old deeds that were made to his grandfather for Connecticut land during the reigns of George the Second and Third, of England. In politics, he is a stalwart Republican. He is a well-informed man, of broad and liberal views, generous to a fault, but firm in his convictions of right and wrong. The county would be much better off had it more such men as Mr. Comstock.

DANIEL FLUENT, farmer ; P. O. Wey- mouth ; was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., in 1814. His parents were Jonathan and Mehita- ble (Dudley) Fluent, natives of Maine, where they were married, subsequently removing to New York State and then to Ohio, locating in Steuben Co. Our subject passed his carly life in that county ; at the age of 20, he came to Hinck- ley Township, where he took up 50 acres of land, remaining there about eight years ; he then moved to Granger Township, where he has since resided. His farm consists, at present, of 88 acres, located in the northwest corner of the township, and is fine farming land and well im- proved in every respect. He was united in marriage in 1837, to Miss Alice Conant, a daughter of Timothy Conant, of Hinckley Township ; she was born in Richfield Township, Summit Co., July 6, 1821. They have six chil- dren, as follows : Louisa Hall, living in Wayne Co .; Jennie Williams, a resident of Cleveland ; Margaret Smedley, living in Weymouth ; J. K. Polk, Viola and Edgar B. Mr. Fluent has de- voted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, and is spoken of as a first-class farmer and a prominent and respected citizen.

GEORGE M. GANYARD, Granger. About the year 1750, two brothers, James and Peter

GRANGER TOWNSHIP.

909

Ganyard by name, embarked from France, their native country, in a merchantman owned by them, for the West Indies, intending to estab- lish themselves in the mercantile business on

the Island of Hayti. They must have been

quite wealthy, for they owned several vessels, and, after establishing themselves in business, opened trade with the colonies of North America and their mother country. Both had received good educations in their native country, but they soon found that to do a successful busi- ness with the people of the New World, would necessitate their becoming more proficient in their English education. To this end, Peter, who was at this time a minor, was sent by his older brother to America to attend school,

while he remained in Hayti to look after the

business. The younger brother was supplied with plenty of money and admonished to im- prove his time and talents acquiring an English education, and learning the customs and habits of the Colonists. Quite the contrary did he do, however, for, after a time, he ran away from school and went to what is now the State of

Connecticut, where, at Killingworth, he ap-

prenticed himself to a shoemaker. While here he became acquainted with Miss Esther Merritt, to whom he was married in 1760. The elder brother not hearing from Peter, made diligent search and inquiry, but could learn nothing of him. He had, in the meantime, become Gov-

about fourteen years, the Captain of one of his ernor of Hayti, and was very wealthy. After

vessels hearing that there was a shoemaker by the name of Ganyard, in. Killingworth, Conn., determined to visit the place and see if it was

not the long-lost brother. Arriving at Kil-

lingworth, he visited the shop of the shoe- maker and began questioning him in regard to

his ancestors. The younger brother stoutly

denied his identity, and it was only after the earnest entreaties of his wife and the Captain, that he confessed and expressed his willing- ness to go to Hayti and see his brother. The

younger brother's family, at this time, con-

sisted of himself, wife and five children. He

was placed in charge of a large sugar and cot- ton plantation belonging to his brother, where

found himself and family at their old home in tired of his occupation, and the year 1772 he remained some years. At last he became

Killingworth, and he working at his trade. It may be as well to state here that James, the

elder brother, died of yellow fever, and that his wife returned to France. They had no children, and it is said that all the Ganyards in America are descendants of Peter Ganyard, the shoe- maker. The older brother's property was nearly all destroyed during the rebellion on the Island,

in 1772 and 1773. The younger brother went there after order was restored, and managed to obtain about $3,000, which, on his return, was invested in a farm of 300 acres in Litchfield Co., Conn. Here he passed the remainder of his days, as did his wife. They were the parents of ten children, one of whom, James, being the grandfather of our subject. He was born Jan. 14, 1772, and married Miss Phoebe Hatch, who was born at Saybrook, Conn., April 26, 1767. They were married in Hartland, Conn., Nov. 30, 1792, and began housekeeping in a portion of Peter Ganyard's house in Litchfield Co., Conn. They were the parents of quite a large family, of whom appropriate mention will be made in another part of this work. In 1798, James Ganyard went to what was then known as the " Phelps and Gorham Purchase," in the Genesee country, New York. Liking the country, he returned to Connecticut, and, in January of the following year, removed to that country, which, at the time, was considered the very verge of civilization. He purchased 90 acres of land of Simeon Hatch, in North Bristol, Ontario Co., and began its improvement. He was a hard working man, and, in a few years, had a comfortable home for himself and family. In October of 1817, Mr. Ganyard, in com- pany with Elizur Hills, Anthony Low and Burt Codding, came to Ohio to view Town 3, Range 3, of the Western Reserve. After viewing the land, and being satisfied with soil, climate, loca- tion, etc., they returned to New York and con- tracted with Gideon Granger, the proprietor of the land, for three-fourths of the township, at $4 per acre, giving their lands in Bristol, N. Y., in part pay, and securing the balance by giving mortgage on their lands in Ohio. This mort- gage, in after years, was a great draw-back to the settlers of the township, and caused many of them considerable expense and anxi- ety. After the agreement was made, and before the article was signed by the purchasers, Mr. Ganyard transferred his right to Mr. John Codding, reserving only to himself such lands as he liad paid for. This is the reason why his name never appeared on any of the origi-

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

nal records of the company. He came to Granger Township in 1819, and located on Lot 35, where he ever afterward resided. He died Dec. 20, 1844, and his wife Mareh 2, 1840. They are buried on the old home farm, and a humble stone, bearing their names, is the only memorial which marks the spot where rest two of the first pioneers of Granger Township. Their son, Festus Ganyard, was born March 27, 1795, in Litchfield Co., Conn. When his parents removed to New York, he was but a child ; his early education was quite limited, but in later years he acquired quite a knowl- edge of the sciences ; he became quite proficient in botany and history, and was often called on to prescribe for the sick of the neighborhood. He attended his first term of school in East Hollow, Ontario Co., N. Y .; in this school he was taught his A B C's by Miss Jane Gid- dings ; she was a sister of the Hon. Joshua R. Giddings, so well known to the people of the United States. In after years, Mr. Ganyard often spoke of this school and of Miss Giddings as being a model teacher. Festus Ganyard came to Granger Township one year prior to his parents, and began improving the land owned by his father. He was united in mar- riage with Miss Betsey Burt, March 27, 1822 ; she was born March 13, 1802. They were the parents of three children, viz., Harriet, Phoebe and George M. Mr. Ganyard, during his life, held many positions of honor and trust ; he assisted in the organization of civil govern- ment in Granger Township; it was he who, with others, formed the Congregational Church of Granger, the first Christian organization in the township, and he and his wife continued worthy and exemplary members of this ehureh until their deaths. Mr. Ganyard was a man of much more than ordinary ability and natural powers of mind. He was of a retiring dispo- sition, and did not meddle much in political affairs, yet he held decided opinions, which he did not fail to express at the ballot-box. He did his part as a faithful father, husband and Christian. Hc died March 22, 1868, and his faithful wife and companion Nov. 10, 1866. He and wife were buried in the cemetery on the old homestead, upon land eleared by his own hand when he was a young man.

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History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 143

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1014

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1014