History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers, Part 111

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company
Number of Pages: 726

USA > Ohio > Erie County > History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 111
USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 111

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

John Hoak had ten children, only one of whom, Henry, remains in the township. John Hoak, with the remainder of his family living, removed to La- grange county, Indiana, where he died in 1859, at the age of seventy-three years. He made a kiln of brick, on his farm, in 1812, the first on the Fire- lands.

The first white settler within the limits of the township was Mr. John Dunbar, unless a Mr. Tillison, who owned the land, which afterwards was the homestead of Curtis Benschoter, preceded him. The Tillison family were very hospitable, and it is said Mrs. Tillison once told a guest if he would not stay to supper she would "knock him down." This rude hospitality showed itself in ways that would offend the more fastidious tastes of the present. One night John Thompson was caught at the Tillison cabin by a terrible storm. He, of course, did not want to face the storm, and Tillison said they had no spare bed. . Mrs. Tillison was adequate to the emergency: "I say, Till," said she, "Tompk can sleep with us," and he did. Another story told of this family made many a hearty laugh around the blazing hearths of the pioneers. The whole family, with their guests, would sit in a circle, and above their heads, suspended by a cord from the rafters, was a jug of whisky. This arrangement saved the trouble of waiting on any one, for the jug was swung round and round, from mouth to mouth, till all were satisfied.

John Dunbar came from the State of New York, 1809, and purchased the farm afterwards known as the Weatherlow farm. His brother, Isaiah, came with him. He soon after moved to the center, on the place

occupied by Dr. X. Phillips. The Dun bars disappeared and left no trace.

Perez and Thomas Starr came from Connecticut in 1810, and built a mill on the lands now owned by H. L. Hill. In the autumn of that year, Thomas Starr built a house on the farm now owned by J. S. Lowry. The night before the raising, the snow fell six inches deep, and he feared no one would come, but his fears were vain. In those days the neighbor- hood extended five miles in every direction, and early in the morning, "old Mr. Burdue" made his appear- ance, whooping like an Indian, with four gallons of whisky, and soon after, the hands came from Florence and Milan, and after the job was finished, enjoyed the "old rye" in a way which would not be satisfactory to the Good Templars. The Starr brothers kept bach- elor's hall for a time. In 1812, Thomas was drafted into the army, from which he returned, and in Feb- ruary, 1814, married Clementina Clark, of Florence. He moved to the center part of the township. Thomas Starr was a blacksmith, and used to go to Huron and Vermillion to work on vessels. He did the iron work on the first deck vessel built this side of Erie. When he returned home at night, he carried torches, not only to show him the way, but to keep off the wolves, which howled around him. His eldest son, William Eldridge, born in January, 1815, was the first male child born in the township.

John Mclaughlin, who came with the earliest ad- venturers, settled on the western border of the town- ship, on the lands adjoining Mclaughlin's corners, where he continued to reside until his death, in 1849, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife died in 1836. The only survivor of his family, in the town- ship, is Milton McLaughlin.

Nathaniel Burdue, or " Old Mr. Burdue," as he was called by everybody, settled near the spring now used by the creamery. While living on the Huron river, he set out one Sunday, with a piece of soap in . his pocket, saying he should travel until he found a spring of soft water, and there he should locate. In the afternoon he came to this beautiful spring, and at once decided to make his home by its side. His orchard was the first to bear in this section. Apples were then scarce, and Mr. Burdue watched his orchard with such vigilance that he became associated in the minds of the boys with Cloven-foot himself.

William Fitzgerald came from New York in 1810, accompanied by Joel Simpson, and settled on the farm now occupied by Henry Hine. None of his descendants remain.

Hieronymus Mingus came from New York State in 1811, and Aaron Fox and his wife came at the same time. The eldest son of Mr. Mingus was killed in 1813, in the battle on the Peninsula. The second son, Jacob, lived and died on the farm now occupied by his son, Benjamin. The third son, James, married Phebe Darley, and settled in Townsend, Huron county. He was the Nimrod of those days. Aaron Fox and

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

wife reside in the northern part of the township, on the farm they selected in the wilderness.

John Thompson came from Pennsylvania at an early day, and in 1813 married the widow Hubbard. This marriage was, probably, the first in the town- ship, although the honor is disputed, it being claimed that Lazarus Young and Becky Laughlin have the honor.

In 1811, occurred the first birth and the first death. Milan has claimed Mrs. Millerman as the first child, but Berlin has that honor. Her father, Lazarus Young, was such a moving planet that it is difficult to decide, but there is little doubt that she was born on Berlin soil. The death was accompanied with horrible circumstances. The wife of John Dunbar, while her husband was absent, in a state of insanity threw herself into the fire, made of large logs, placed against one side of the house. Her screams brought Mr. Dunbar to the house, and he quickly took her from the flames and placed her on the bed while he could go after assistance, but she wildly ran after him. All that day he shouted for help, not daring to leave her, but not until near night did any assist- ance come to the terribly afflicted family in their re- mote cabin. She died that evening, and was buried on the banks of the Old Woman creek, where now is the township burying ground. Mr. Dunbar then lived on the place afterwards occupied by Dr. X. Phillips, and the splendid spring which gushes out from the hill wa's long known as the " Dunbar spring."

Jeremiah Benschooter was a native of Sempronins, New York, as was his wife, Sally Weatherlow, whom he married in 1808. He came to Berlin in 1811, and settled on lot twenty, fourth section. They had thirteen children: Harry, Milo, Ensign, William, Curtis, Aaron, Weatherlow, Harriet, Delia, Betsey, Jeremiah, Sarah and Mary Ann. Curtis Benschooter passed nearly his whole life on his farm, removing to the Heights in his declining age. He died in 1877, at the age of seventy years. His son, Moses M., resides at Stone's corners, and is one of the most successful physicians in the vicinity.

Othaniel Field came in 1810, and purchased section nine, range six, of Samuel White, who had made considerable improvements, by way of clearing. Field was a Vermont man, and industriously devoted him- self to corn raising, so much so that the destitute new-comers gave his place the name of Egypt. For a long time he kept bachelor's hall, and his eccentric ways still linger in the memories of those who knew him. He, after many years, married, but had no children. He died in 1850, at the age of seventy- nine, his wife surviving until 1876.

Stephen Meeker settled on lot ten, section four, in 1811, where he resided until his death, in 1849, having been preceded by his wife by only a few weeks. He worked at blacksmithing, and kept a public house, and for several years held the office of judge. IIe married Polly Platt, in 1799. They had seven chil-

dren: Barney, Hezekiah, Edward, Hanford, Grissel, Maria and George T.

Daniel Butler came to Berlin in 1814, from Cleve- Jand, to which place he came from Massachusetts, in 1811. Losing his wife, he returned to Massachusetts in 1816, and married Jemima Bishop. They had six children, and he had two by his first wife. The chil- dren by the second marriage were: Amanda, Climena, Lucinda, Daniel, Charles and Harriet, none of whom are at present living in the township. He was an able man, and was the first who held the office of justice of the peace, or, at least, the second. For many years before his death, which occurred in 1854, in his seventy-fifth year, he had been subject to insanity, which had a religions aspect, and caused him to take his own life. He received a revelation to build a house fifty by one hundred feet, for the second coming of Christ, and not being able to build the whole, built a quarter, and thus, for years, his family lived in this most awkward tabernacle. This building lately has fallen in ruins and been destroyed. His son Daniel inherited his father's tendencies, and at last put an end to his own life, in the same manner, in 1861, at the age of thirty-four.

Samuel Reed came in 1815. 'He was five weeks on the lake, from Buffalo to Huron. He bought the farm now owned by J. S. Lowry, where he lived till spring. whn he went to Milan to work on Merry's mill, his wife working for the workmen. In 1816, he removed to Florence: in 1817, he purchased the ·lot seven, range two of section two, and made the first clearing on the farm of Juduthan Cobb, to whom he sold it in 1820, and removed to Oxford in this county.

Nathan Harris was born in Berrytown, Connecticut, where he arried Betsey Moon, and moved to the then far west, stopping at Perry, New York, and reaching Berlin in 1815. They had eleven children: Thomas, Emma (Mrs. Sanders), Betsey (Mrs. John Meeker), Hiram, Nathan, Anna (Mrs. Storrs). Mrs. Harris died in 1845, and in 1846, Mr. Harris removed to Indiana where he died in 1858.

The war having closed, and no danger to be appre- hended from Indians, the tide of immigration poured westward, and the unoccupied lands were rapidly ap- propriated. .

Samuel Lewis came from New York, near Seneca lake, in 1816. He married Elizabeth Hine, and pur- chased lot nineteen, section fourth, which remained in his possession until his death, in 1851, at the age of fifty-five. He left a wife, now Mrs. Oliver Peak, and six children : Lyman, Charles, Baldwin, Luther, Clarinda, and Mary (Mrs. Raws), none of whom now reside in the township. They had lost four.

Lewis Jones came from New York, Bushkill, in 1816, and purchased lot seven, range five, and after a few years removed to lot twelve, range six; he, after a time, removed to Wood county. His wife, Hannah Ewiliken, was a native of Ulster county, New York. They had eight children: Levi, now living in this

Pray - Sunnners

Julia & Summers

BENJAMIN SUMMERS.

Benjamin Summers was of Revolutionary ancestry. His parents were from Newtown, Fairfield Co., Conn., where his ancestors had lived for three generations. His grandfather, Benjamin Summers, was the son of Samuel Summers, and was one of a family of nine sons and three daughters. His ancestor, Benjamin, served with dis- tinction in the old French war. He was too old for general service during the Revolution, but was active in getting recruits; was in command of a company of Silver Gray Minute-Men, and was out in the service at the time the British were chased to their shipping after the burning of Fairfield, Danbury, and Norwalk.

Mark Summers, the father of Benjamin, was born May 21, 1765, at Newtown, Conn., and in 179- fixed his home among the rough hills of Middletown, Delaware Co., N. Y. Here his son Benjamin was born, May 21, 1801. Iu his ninth year he was sent back to the old family home at Newtown, that he might attend school ; thither, also, his parents soon after removed, in order to educate their children. They remained there seven or eight years. In the mean time Benja- min had acquired "a good common-school education, and a couple of years in Latin, mathematics, and surveying."

In the fall of 1817, Mark Summers and his family removed to the West, arriving at their home on the Fire-Lands, Nov. 17, 1817, after a journey of forty days in the wilderness, pitching their tent in Vermillion township. The land which he had purchased, three hun- dred and forty acres, lay in Jessup (now Florence) township. It was a little too far in the woods, and to be nearer to neighbors they bought a half-lot in Vermillion, which spot became the permanent home of the family. One inducement to bny the half-lot was that there was a clearing of two or three acres and a dwelling-house thereon. The house was a log hut of one story and one room, and they " moved in with the family already occupying, making in all fifteen in one room, and most of the time twn hired men in addition."

Benjamin taught the district school part of the winter of 1819, and occasionally afterward. In the winter of 1824-25 he clerked in a atore in Milan, and was married to Miss Olive Stevens, of that place, recently from Sheffield, Mass. She lived but a short time after their marriage. Mr. Summers married his second wife, Miss Julia Burr, April 4, 1827. She, also, like his former wife, had had the advan- tages of a New England education.

Mr. Summera' health was never very firm, he being afflicted with rheumatism, which partially disabled him for years. He succeeded, however, very well in business, and soon became a leading man in his community ; filled various offices, was justice of the peace three terms, and in the winter of 1837 was, by the State Legislature, elected associate judge of Hurnn County. Mr. Summers was a Whig, and the Legislature by which he was elected was Democratic. The office was unsolicited and unexpected by him. Judge Summers took his seat at the March term, 1837. At the Legislative session of 1838-39, the Democrats, being in power, set off to Erie County what is now its eastern portion, and thus Judge Summers was, as claimed by the Democrats, legislated out of office, he, by the change in county lines, being no longer a resident of Huron County. Various legal questions were raised; but Judge Summers and Judge Choate, of Milan, whose case was similar, continued to act as associate judges uf Huron County. The case was taken to the Supreme Court, where a difference of opinion existed. After some two years a political change gave the Democrats a majority in the Supreme Court, and Summers and

Choate were ousted. At the solicitation of his party friends, Judge Summers consented to be the Whig candidate of his district for rep- resentative in the Legislature. He was elected in 1844, and re- elected in 1845, and was by his friends asked to be a candidate for State Senator in 1846, but declined the nomination. It "did not pay" in any sense, and he very much disliked the cabaling, intrigue, and "tin-pan" which seemed almost inseparable from, or, at least, too much practiced in, political life. From this period Mr. Summers was a prominent man (to whom the " widow and the orphan" came for advice and counsel), but preferred private life, was successful as a farmer, keeping up with the times in his reading and observation of men and things. His health seemed firmer, and he realized the ease of competence and the happiness of home. Realizing the benefits of an education, he gave to his children such advantages as were in his power. He was among the early members of the Fire-Lands Historical Society, filled various offices in the same from time to time, was one of its efficient supporters, and furnished various contributions for its magazine.

His temperament was nervous-bilious, and he suffered much from nervous headaches, which interfered with his labors and literary pur- suits. He had a great thirst for knowledge, and read everything within his reach ; had a general knowledge on most subjects, without confining himself to any one line of thought. His farming was after the style of his reading. He delighted in improvements, was fond of intro- ducing new and superior fruits, grains, vegetables, ornamental trees, etc. He did not confine himself to one production. When his curiosity and ambition were satisfied with producing the finest and greatest variety of peaches, he turned his attention to the culture of grapes, and so on. The money value of a thing was not its chief value to him. He was not visionary, however, or reckless, but cautious, and commonly succeeded in whatever he undertook. Though not a read lawyer, he had a pretty good knowledge of legal principles, and his viewe on legal questions were much respected and sought after by his neighbors and friends. He was just, punctual, and forbearing in his dealings and intercourse, firm where doty required, but yielding where no principle would be sacrificed ; hence he was the uncompro- mising enemy of slavery and every pretext for oppression, a reliable friend, a rather "inconvenient enemy," an accommodating neighbor, and kind and indulgent in his domestic relations. For many years he was a consistent and active member of a Christian church, but was naturally somewhat skeptical on some points of orthodoxy. aud for a time seemed to delight in controversy on these pointa. In later years he disliked this controversy, and earnestly sought to return to the faith of his earlier manhood. Advancing years enfeebled the health of himself and wife. They sold the old homestead and removed to Berlin Heights, where they resided two or three years until the decease of his faithful wife, who had been a true helpmeet for forty- seven years, on Nov. 19, 1874. By this event his home was broken up; his health also gave way, and for ten months he was an intense sufferer. These last months were spent with his children, " far away from the Fire-Lands," and they learned to know him better and rever- ence his character more and more as the days of his pilgrimage drew to a close. He departed this life, in the full vigor of his intellectual faculties, at the residence of bis daughter, wife of Rev. G. H. Har- tupee, D.D., at Mansfield, Ohio, Aug. 11, 1875, in the seventy-fifth year of his age.

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

township; Alvah J., Morris, Betsey (wife of Captain Kelley, of Milan), Polly (Mrs. Green, now of Town- send), Gideon, Amos and Hannah.

Aaron Benschoter and wife came from Neversink, New York, in 1816, with their family. William, Daniel, and a daughter who married Oliver Peak. They were middle-aged when they came, and lived to advanced age. William purchased lot twenty-seven, range four, when both he and his wife died, in 1833. Their daughter, Esther, married Joel Fox, and is the only member of the family remaining in the township. Oliver, Alanson and Betsey D., moved to the West. Daniel purchased lot twelve, range eight, and soon after, losing his wife, married Rebecca, daughter of Hezekiah Smith. They had six children: Gardner, Leander, Sheffield, Hoffman, Cordelia and Eliza. Gardner and Hoffman, only. reside in the township, the latter remaining on the old homestead. Mrs. Benschoter died in 1872.

In 1816, Baswell Wood and James Kellogg came from Tolland, Connecticut. James Kellogg settled on lot seven, range one. He had three children: James, Arlica (Mrs. Keeler), Lydia (Mrs. John An- derson). He died in 1821, his wife, Nancy Wood, several years later. Baswell Wood settled on lot eight, range third, where he resided until his death, in 1851, at the age of eighty-one. He had six children : Andrew, Nancy, Sally (Mrs. Nehemiah Smith), Margaret and Baswell. Mrs. Wood and her youngest child died in 1818. Andrew Wood resided in the township until his death, in 1874, at the age of sixty-eight.

Jared Hine came in 1816 from Litchfield, Connec- ticut, and purchased lot eleven, range eight, which he made his permanent home. In 1815 he married Betsey Miner, of his native town, and the next year moved to the far-off wilderness of Ohio. His land was first settled by Fitzgerald, who sold to Anson Fox, who sold to Hubbard, from whom it was pur- chased by Mr. Hine. These owners had each made some improvements. Yet the country was then wild enough, and the first night the young couple stayed in their new home they were disturbed by a prowling bear. One night, hearing a scream in the forest, Mrs. Hine, thinking it was her brother was lost, went to the door and blew a horn. Every time she stopped the scream answered nearer, until Mr. Hine, whom she had awakened, thinking it no human voice, told her that she had better come in. It was a panther; and, although they were secure, the night was passed anything but pleasantly. Mr. Hine was an energetic man and upright citizen, and held the office of justice of the peace for fifteen years. He was the third chosen to that office. He died in 1844, at the age of fifty-six. They had but one child, Henry W., who still resides on the old homestead. In 1812, Jared was joined by his brothers Sheldon, Nathaniel and Charles, and, the next year, Sheldon returned to Connecticut and married Sally Osborne, returning with his brother Amos.

The journey from Connecticut in those days was a greater undertaking than a voyage to Japan would be at present, and consumed almost as much time. They were forty days on the road, driving ox teams. When Sheldon arrived with his bride he found the log house he had left, with all the stores for the coming year, had been burned. This, united with ague by which he was prostrated, was enough to discourage any or- dinary man, but these pioneers were heroic in their endurance, and by sheer pluck and perseverance con- quered the wilderness.

Sheldon Hine purchased lot eight, range eight, of Joshua Poyer, and resided there until his death in 1854, at the early age of forty-six. He suffered from malarial disease of the new country, and his untiring industry exposed him recklessly to all kinds of weather. He built a saw mill on the Old Woman creek, where he worked night and day, and also a cider mill. The saw mill was not only a great accommodation to the people but of profit to him. He soon became pos- sessed of large tracts of land in various parts of the township. Mrs. Hine still survives, enjoying a green old age. She had seven children: Lucius A., who devoted his life to reform; Horatio S .; Daniel N .; Theodore B., now in Toledo, but still owning the old homestead; Leman G., now practing law in Washing- ton, D. C .; Julia (Mrs. S. T. Burnham), now living in Saginaw; Laura F. (Mrs. Powers), now living in Kansas.

Amos Hines purchased lot nine, range eight, where he lived until his death in 1854, at the age of sixty- four years. He built a saw mill on the Old Woman creek, which was a great convenience to the people. Before leaving Connecticut he married Polly Allen. They had three children: Lorenzo, Allen, and Mary (Mrs. Simms), who only survives. Mrs. Hine still resides in the old homestead, which she keeps in ex- cellent repair. It is an old fashioned Connecticut farm house, the first brick house erected in the town- ship except Judge Meeker's, on the lake shore, which was built first, but before that section became a part of Berlin.

Nathaniel Hine staid only for a short time in Ber- . lin, removing to Florence where he was drowned in 1826, leaving a wife and three children.

Charles Hine purchased lot eight, range eleven, the farm now owned by L. S. Chapin. He was twice married, but was childless. He died in 1855, aged fifty-six years. His second wife, a few years since, married Mr. George Butler, of Milan.

Oliver Peak was born in Starksburg, Vermont, in 179%, and came to Berlin in 1811. He had previously married Mary Benschoter, daughter of Aaron Ben- schoter. He purchased lot eighteen, section four, which he always retained. They had five children: Daniel, George, Mary J. (Mrs. George Douglas, now of Toledo), and Amy. George is the only one now residing in the township, being one of the most in- fluential and enterprising farmers.

Oliver Peak came into the wilderness with little

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

means, but by industry and economy amassed con- siderable wealth, and had the satisfaction of seeing all his family more than usually prosperous. His first wife died, and he married the widow of the late Samuel Lewis with whom he lived till his death. He, for many years, was justice of the peace, and was an upright, honorable and patriotic citizen.

Reuben Brooks came with Mr. Peak from New York, and for a time both held the same lot of land. He afterwards purchased lot seventeen where he re- sided until his death, about 1860. Only one son, Absalom, is now a resident of the town.

Hezekiah Smith was born in Waterford, Conneeti- cut, in 1726, and married Rebecca Miner, of that place. Their son, Paul G., came to Berlin, and set- tled on lot eleven, range two, in 1817, and the next year Mr. Smith with his family came and settled on lot ten, range one. He built a frame house which was one of the first. He resided on this farm until his death in 1829, at the age of sixty-three, and his wife died in 1834, aged sixty-three. They had eleven children: Paul G., Turner MI., Nancy, Rebecca, Maria, Nehemiah, Patty (Mrs. Benjamin Smith), Hezekiah, Theodore, Henry and Emeline. Turner MI. pur- chased lot ten, range two, where he resided until his death. Before removing from Connecticut, he mar- ried Anne Whiteman. They had three children: Gurdon, and Lucas, now residing in Minnesota, and Horace who is a progressive farmer, still holds the homestead, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and where he says he shall remain until he dies. He has made a speciality of Herefords, and has a splendid herd.

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History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers, Part 111

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.) Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company Number of Pages: 726

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company
Number of Pages: 726