USA > Ohio > Huron County > Norwalk > History of Norwalk township, Huron county, Ohio taken from Williams' History of Huron and Erie counties > Part 16
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The late Seth Jenning. of Milin, says (Pioneer, March. 1860, page 11): "I commenced splitting clap- boards out of oak timber to make the roof of. Every man that could work was on hand to help and do his best toward getting up the house. The women turned out and brought up our linners that day : but we got along so well with the house that the next morning Mr. Benedict moved up, and Mrs. Benedict cooked our dinners that day by a log near the house."
In "Scattered Sheaves, by Ruth." it is stated ( Pioneer of September, 1800, page 42), .There were
Timothy Baker 1
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
present, Levi Cole and his sons, Maj. Underhill, David and Jasper Underhill, his nephews, Lott Her- rick, --- Sanderson, Daniel Clary. Noah P. Ward, Elihn Potter, Richard Gardiner. Reuben Pixley and his son Reuben, Henry Lockwood, David Gibbs and others. Says David Underhill. 2d., Asher Cole, Sanderson and myself, cut logs in the woods near, or on the ground now occupied by the railroad. buildings, and the water was ankle deep : Lott Her- rick drove the team. Mr. Benedict regaled his fellow laborers with Jamaica run, instead of whisky. which was nsnally furmshed on such occasions. Mrs. Un- derhill, furnished, cooked the diner, and sent it to us. It consisted mainly of pork, potatoes, turnips and bread.' "
In an unpublished narrative, dictated by Mrs. Benedict not long before her death, she says: "Two miles from any neighbor our little cabin stood ; the floor of logs split in the middle, not smoothed be plane or chisel: our chairs made in the same rude manner; our table was of pieces of boxes in which our goods had been packed, and " saplings" fastened together, formed our bedsteads. On one side of our cabin was a large fire-place, on the east and west sides were doors, on the north our only windows, in which to supply the place of glass, we pasted pieces of greased paper.
"And many pleasant evenings we spent beside that huge fire-place. cracking nuts and eating, not apples, but turnips. You need not laugh, I tell you those raw turuips tasted good when there was nothing else to eat, and as the flames grew bright, our merry party would forget that they were not in their castern home, but far away in the wilds of Ohio.
"We heard the bowl of the wolf and the whoop of the Indian resounding through the forest, for o favorite hunting ground of these wild men was situ- ated near our cabin, and often would the Indians assemble and renew their noisy sports, little dreaming of the tide of emigration which should finally sweep them away.
"One night the loud barking of our dog attracted our attention, followed by a knock at the door: on opening which, in stalked a large Indian, dressed in fur; and blanket. and fully armed. The children huudled close to me as he came near and asked for "daddy." He was evidently intoxicated. and I did not dare to let him know that "daddy" was not at horae. I asked him to sit down, but he preferred to stretch himself before the fire, where he soon fell asleep. When he awoke he was nearly sober and quite inclined to be talkative. He told me of the many wrongs the Indian had suffered; that the white man planted corn over his father's bones: and the poor old Indian wept. Finally he started up, ex- claiming, 'daddy no coine, you no sleep, I go to my brothers', and he went away ..
** Sleep was a stranger to our eyes that night. we kept ourselves in readiness for fight. for we expected the .red-face' would return with his brothers to murder
us ail. The riches of a kingdom would not repay us for another such mght of anxiety. But as time passed on, we gained the friendship of these denizens of the forest, and they brought as many, many pres- ents in their own rude way.
From the date of Mr. Benedict's settlement to that of his death, bis history is so completely intertwined with that of the growth and prosperity of the town. that to give it here in detail would only be a repeti- tion of a large part of the history of Norwalk."
June 17, 1856, he married, as his second wife, Mrs. Lavina P. Benton of Republic, Ohio, who survived him and died February 9. 1875.
A few days before his death, he attended the Grand Encampment of Masons at Toledo, became very much fatigued by over exertion, was attacked by bowel complaint, but so great were bis physical powers and so determined his will. that he returned to Norwalk, after which he rapidly grew worse; yet, so remarka- De was lus vitality that he kept up and aronud kis room until within a very few hours of the end. One of his last acts preceding his death. only about six hours, was the dictation and signing a very salutary codicil to his will for the benefit of his wife.
With all his faculties of mind clear and distinct to the last, he quietly passed away October 25. 1866, aged ninety-one years, seven months and seven days. His funeral took place on the following Sabbath and was conducted by the Knights Templar from various patt, of northern Ohio, who came in specis! trains run from. Cleveland and Toledo for that pur- posc.
ILty cherished and aged friend, Rev. Samuel Marks of Euroa, Ohio, officiated. and at the grave, in the presence of assembled thousands, said: "Venerable man! May thy ashes rest in peace, and the elods fall lightly upon thy bosom ! Thy virtues will be em- baimed forever in our heart of hearts. Fare thee well."
HON. TIMOTHY BAKER.
The subject of this sketch, was a native of North- ampton. Mass., where he was born August 3, 1:S ;. He went in 1801 to Uries and in 1805 made las home in Herkimer, N. Y., where, m 1816, he married Miss Eliza Remington. of Fairfield. a union which brought him forty-six years of rare domestic happiness. unti! her death, which occurred September 21. 1882.
In 1814, he joined some friends in a journey to this county, but with no intention of removing here or of making parebases himself. Passing through Norwalk on an Indian trail, the party found shelter for che night in a log cabin about fifteen feet square. two miles south of the village. with several other similar compatiies, ten or twelve making their bed on the poles and bark that formed the Hoor under the prim- itive roof. He again visited Ohio m 1815 and par- chased several large tracts of land. meluding the farm
HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO. .
in Norwalk, to which he came with his family and his brother, Theodore Baker, September 27, 1813, and where he resided for nearly sixty years, when the shadow of death again fehl upon the home, and at the age of ninety years, on January 22, 1828. his earthly life ended.
Others, parents, relatives, and friends, had been borne from his house to their last resting place. but. his own family had been spared through all these years, and his six children, one danghter and five sons, with their companions, yet survive him.
The little company of inhabitants in Norwalk em- braeed abont ten or twelve families when he came, and was very cordially welcomed by them. He en- tered at once earnestly and heartily into all their plans for the advancement of the place, and was for forty years personally connected with nearly every public enterprise that promised to increase its wealth, its prosperity, or its intelligence.
The tannery that he built in 1820 soon passed to his brother, and in his own business he soon became widely known as a landholder and merchant. .. He was also more or less engaged in banking, and was for many years president of the Bank of Norwalk. then one of the most substantial institutions of the kind in Ohio. In 1821 he was chosen by the Legislature an associate judge (finder the old judicial system), and after twenty-one years of service, declined another nomination in 184 ?. It is but justice to say that during that long period he maintained a standing as a jurist reached by few in that position, his relations to the court being recognized as far more important than were often accorded to associates. This was due alike to his sonnd judgment, careful investigation, and conscientious regard for justice. "
In 1842 he became a member of the First Baptist Church of Norwalk, a relation that he assumed with great self-distrust. The tie thuis formed was a source of strength and blessing in the changes that came with the passing years, of which the sweetness of his elosing days gave precious evidence.
In his home he was the kind and thoughtful hus- band, the loved and honored father, the genial com- panion, the hospitable friend, practicing in his own life the habits of self-control that he enforced upon his children who recall his life with mingled love and reverence.
GIDEON T. STEWART.
Mr. Stewart was born at Johnston, Fulton county, New York. in 1824, and is therefore nearly fifty-tive years old. His ancestors, ou his father's side. cane from the north of Ireland, originally from Scotland. They became the founders of the first academy in Schenectady, New York, which afterwards became Union College. His mother was the daughter of a distinguished Methodist divine of revolutionary fame.
Rev. Nicholas Hill, Sr., and a sister of the celebrated lawyer of the same name. At the age of fourteen he removed with his father's family to Oberlin, Ohio. He soon entered Oberlin college, but while in his sophomore year, left that institution to eommenee the study of law, first at Norwalk, and subsequently at Columbus in the office of Chief Justice Swayne of Ohio, now of the United States Supreme court. In Angust, 1846, he commenced the practice of his pro- fession at Norwalk, Ohio, where he now resides. He edited the Whig organ at Norwalk for three years, and was three times elected eonnty auditor by that party. Immediately npon the organization of the Republican party he identified himself with it.
In 1861 he went to Dubuque, lowa, and purchased the Daily Times of that place, the only Union daily newspaper then published in the north half of that state. Ile edited it through the war, then sold out and returned to Norwalk, and resumed the practice of law, which he has since continued. He at one time owned one-half of the Toledo Daily Blade, and at another, one-half of the Daily Commercial of that eity.
In 1847 he helped organize Norwalk division of the Sons of Temperance, which is still an active working temperance society, and of which he remains .a ebarter member. He has been three times elected presiding officer of the Order of Good Templars in Ohio.
As an item of interest in the history of the temper- anee reform, it may be well to say that in 1857. Mr. Stewart presided over a state temperance convention, held at Columbus, for the purpose of organizing an independent prohibition political party: that this convention appointed a committee to call a state nominating convention, but the movement was stopped by the war in Kansas, followed by the war of the rebellion. In 1869 be was a delegate to the Chicago convention, that organized the National Prohibition party, and has ever since been a member of the national executive committee. He has been three times candidate of the Prohibition Reform party in Ohio for supreme judge. and thrice for governor.
Hle is a elear. logical reasoner, and possessed of excellent executive ability. He is thoroughly posted in political history and economy, and there are few, if any, men in the country who more thoroughly understand the questions relating to tensperance.
BARNARD CORTRITE
is a son of Garrett V. and Electa Cortrite. his father being a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother, ot Connecticut. He was born in the town of Phelps, Ontario county, New York. September 25. 1931. He remained with his parents, devoting himself industri- only to the occupation of farming until he was
RES. & FACTORY OF B. CORTRITE, 119 EAST MAIN ST., NORWALK, 0.
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
twenty-two years of age. All the education he re- ceived was "picked up" in a district school, some two miles distant from his home.
Having a natural fondness for machinery, and his father being one of the first to introduce the mowing machine into Outorio county, young Barnard, when he was but fourteen years old, at the request of a farmer living some twelve miles distant, took his father's mower, and drove to the place, arriving late at night. Going to work in the meadow the next morning, he cut, by noon of the second day, twenty acres of grass: for which feat he was highly com- plimented in the county newspapers.
In April. 1854, Mr. Cortrite went to Wisconsin, to manage a farin consisting of a section of land, for a gentleman by the name of 1. C. Loomis, where he remained until that gentleman's death. He then went to Saginaw, Michigan, and engaged in the Saginaw City mills, as an assistant sawyer, but at the end of three weeks he was promoted to the position of first sawyer, by the proprietor of the mills. JIere he cast his first vote, in the fall of 1856, for General Fremont. For the rest of that year. after the saw- ing season was over, he employed himself in chopping cord wood, at fifty cents a day.
. In 1857, on account of his father's death, he was called home to settle up the estate. After perform- ing this duty, he took the whole family, viz. : His mother, three brothers and three sisters, to Genesee county, Michigan, where they located.
At about this period, Mr. Cortrite became con- nected with the firm of Ledyard & Bennett, of Ply- mouth, Wayne county, Michigan, as salesman and collector during the spring, summer and fall, and during the winter, as manufacturer of fanning mills. With this firm he remained five successive years, dur- ing which time, on the 28th of September, 1860, he was married to Lydia Ann, daughter of Stephen and Sarah Terry, of Plymouth, Michigan. Of this union were born two children, Hattie E. and Sarah A., both of whom are hiring.
In the year 1854, after a protracted illness, he en- gaged with the firm of Shutts & Ferrier, manu- faeturers of machinery, as salesman for a term of three years. While engaged with this firm. he was solicited by Mr. Bennett, one of his former employ- ers, to go to Ohio and engage in the fanning mill business with him, becoming an equal partoer and manager. This he did, purchasing land and erecting a factory in the village of Norwalk, Huron eounty, and entering inte partnership for a term of three years. At the end of this term he purchased Mr. Bennett'sinterest, and became sole owner of the pro- perty.
During his many years' experience in this business. Mr. Cortrite became convinced that a more perfeet mill than those then in use, was needed, and could be constructed. And soon after becoming sole proprietor of the establishment above named, he invented what i
is now widely known as the "Eureka Fanning Mill," for which he obtained letters patent.
This invention has proved eminently successful, and its success is attributable not only to the ingenu- ity of the invention itself. but also to the prudence, energy and financial ability with which the inventor has, for a period of some fourteen years, conducted his affairs. His business has rapidly increased until, with the facilities afforded by his Norwalk factory, and the one recently established by him at Harris- burg, Pennsylvania, the average number of his mills sold annually is over one thousand.
During the years of 1867-8, Mr. C. erected and completed the fine residence, a view of which appears on another page of this work, and which the people of Norwalk properly regard as an ornament to their village. He has also made many improvements upon his factory buildings and the surrounding grounds. which are indicative of his artistic taste, as well as of his pecuniary ability.
In the year 1822, Mr. Cortrite made a public pro- fession of religion and united with the M. E. church, of which he is still an active member.
DAVID HARLOW PEASE.
D. H. Pease was born in Somers, Connecticut. November 9, 1826, and at the time of death, January 13. 18:2, was in the forty-sixth year of his age.
His early years were spent in his native town, and in addition to such knowledge as he could obtain at the public school. he pursued his studies for two years at the village academy at Wilbraham, Massa- elusetts.
He came to Norwalk, Ohio, in 1852. and was en- graged in the book and drug business until 1863, when he was elected county anditor, and filled that posi- tion with remarkable fidelity for three successive terms until 1889. since which time, until his death. he was actively engaged in merchandise.
So, few words express in general terms the story of Mr. Pease's life. He was not a man to limit hvis cares or his labors to his own or his family's well be- ing, With an earnest desire to promote the welfare of all within the reach of nis influence. he combined a rare judgment, an indomitable perseverance and re- markable efficiency. While yet a young man. he de- termined to do what one man could to promote the cause of temperance, and his time, labor, means and connsel have been freely given, year after year. to further this great object. He was active in the for- mation of the Young Men's Library and Reading Room Association, and at the time of his death, was one of its most efficient and valuable officers. His in- terest in the Fire-land's Historieal Society was unflag- ging for year -. His duties. as secretary of the society and editor of the Pioneer, occupied much of his val- uable time, and this he freely gave from some time
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in the year ISGo, when he was chosen editor of the Pioneer, to the time that he was compelled by weak- ness to lay aside his pen. In early manhood he made up his mind that whatever was excellent in character or elevating and ennobling in tendency, was generally connected with the Christian church. He, therefore, sustained the publie worship of God by his example and most generous contributions, and his counsel and personal presence could always be depended upon in sustaining the Sabbath school. He was foremost in every good work. and counted no sacrifice to great for the public good. Sneh characters as Mr. Pease's are not common ; it is only here and there that such a man is vouchsafed to a community. Genial and happy in his home-a kind neighbor, a wise and faithful citizen-we miss his presence in our as- semblages-we miss his counsels and his labors. He has gone from ns in the prime of life and in the midst of great usefulness, but has left to the com- munity the rich legacy of a pure and upright life. Let us imitate his example and emulate his virtues.
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JOHN LAYLIN.
John Laylin was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1:91. His parents removed to Beaver, Pennsylvania, in 1696. In Mareh. 1810,
his father sold his farm and started. for the lake country," taking with him all his family, except John, who remained behind until June of the same year to receive a payment for the farm, which became dne at that time. John hired out during the summer to a farmer at tou doffers and fifty cents per month, and attended school during the following winter. . In the spring his grandfather. Abrahan: Powers, and
Hansou Reed, decided to follow John's parents to the frontier. Accordingly they started overland. through the wilderness, taking with them such house- hold goods and other property as they could carry. John accompanied them, assisting in driving stock and in other ways rendering them aid during their long, tedious journey. The party at length arrived at Cuyahoga portage. They then learned that John's father and party had stopped there the previous spring, on their way to the frontier, and raised a crop of corn, and in the fall had removed to the month of Black river, on the lake shore. John remained with his grandfather's party until they reached Greenfield, Huron county, where they settled. He remained with Hanson Reed one month, to assist him in plant- ing corn. He then started alone and on foot, by Indian trails, to join his father's family, near Black river. While on this lonely journey, sleeping on the bank of the Vermillion river, he was surrounded by wolves, but, by the greatest vigilance, and kindling a fire, he kept them at bay until morning. In October, 1811, the family removed to West Berlin, Erie county. During the following winter, Mr. Laylin taught school, receiving his board and one dollar and a quar- ter tuition per scholar, as compensation.
In the spring of 1812 war was declared between England and the United States. A meeting of the citizens of that and the surrounding counties' was held to provide means for defenee. A petition, ask- ing for assistance from the governor of Ohio, was forwarded, and a company of "minute men" was organized for home defence. Mr. Laylin joined the company, and on the next day it marched to the peninsula off Sandusky to ascertain if there were any Indians in the vicinity. Mr. Laylin was pre- vented joining this expedition by severe sickness. From the entire company of thirty, only four or five survived the expedition. Nothing was heard of the poor fellows until their whitened bones were found in the following September by a detachment of Com- modore Perry's vietorious troops. In August, General Hull surrendered to the British, which was not known among the settlers until a small British fleet appeared off Huron, from which some of the prisoners taken were sent in small boats to the shore.
The greatest consternation prevailed. In the panic which followed, the family fled to Mount Vernon. At Mansfield, they met a regiment hastening to the protection of the citizens on the border, and Mr. Laylin joined these troops. After his term of enlist- ment had expired, he rejoined his father's family at Mount Vernon. Here he learned the mason's trade. He was fond of reading and study and, not being confined closely at his trade, found time to avail himself of the advantages of a public library. He beeame a great .student of ancient and modern history. He also watched with deep interest the great dis- coveries in science and the inventions of genin. It. was during this time that bis most lasting political and religious opinions were formed. In the mean-
Caleb M Gallup bomber 17. 1908
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
time, his father's family had removed to Norwalk, but he remained in Mount Vernon until 1817, when he was called home by the death of his father. In October. 1818, he married Olive Clark, wife of Daniel Clark, of Bronson. Mr. Laylin then settled near Norwalk, on a farm which he had previously bought, where he passed the most active and useful portion of his life. During the years that followed he was a most zealous worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church and Sabbath school, having made that the church of his choice. Nearly all religious services, prior to the erection of a church edifice in the village, were held at his house. He was appointed superin- tendent of a Sabbath school in the neighborhood, which position he filled for a number of years, Dar- ing the year 1841, he was sorely bereaved in the death of his wife and two children. There remained of the family six children: two see- and four doughters.
Six years afterward, Mr. Larliu married Mrs. Mary Weyburn States, of Hartland, who proved an excel- lent wife and mother. In the strength of her atfec- tion she gathered into her love the remains of two broken families and was a true mother to thein all.
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Soon after his second marriage he removed to a residence on Medina streer. Norwalk, where he re- mained until his death.
His faithful wife died April 16. 1811, afrer a long, painful illness, which battled :kill, love and care. For several years her husband's iafironty, and his desire to have her by him, contined her to the pre- cints of home. She was it: light and strength. Her worth was manifest in the high esteem and reverence in which she was held by all her family. Mr. Laylin survived the death of his wife but a few days. He died, peacefully, April 20, 1317. There remain of his children: Elvira, Mrs. Richard Elliott: Celestine, Mrs. W W. Hildreth: Olive. Mr. M. I .. Carr: Marriette, Mrs. F. wird: and Marie, Mrs. Frank Evans. His sons, Theodore and Lewis C., are residents of Norwalk.
Mr. Laylin was a man of unliving energy and per- severence. Favored with few wilg advantages for mental culture, he availed hin if to the wimost of what he had. Strength and Aoditt urss were leading characteristics of his mind. Ho hoMl dee'del and independent judgments og 't aeligions ann political questions that from time to time stirred public thought during his long lite.
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