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 46

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 46
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 46

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The first and only known murder committed in the township occurred in May, 1843. The victim was the wife of Alexander Lawtha. She was strangled to death by the hands of her husband, assisted by John Simpson, a neighbor. The body of the woman was thrown into a well, and when found, the print of the fingers on her neck could be plainly seen. The mur- derers were convicted of the crime, and Lawtha was sentenced to the penitentiary for hfe, but before his removal from the county jail, he cut his throat with a razor, but before death made a confession of his crime. Simpson was sentenced to the penitentiary for ten years, and served out his term.

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.

Wakeman was attached to Florence for township purposes until February, 1824, at which time, on petition of the inhabitants, it was set off by the county commissioners, and organized independently. The election was held at the log school house near Mr. Canfield's, in April following. Woodward Todd was elected clerk; Samuel Bristol, Justin Sherman and Silas French, trustees: Amial P. Pierce, treasurer; Justin Sherman and Silas French, overseers of the

Amial P. Pierce.

Augustin Canfield.

Erastus French.

Philo Sherman.

William Barnes.

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HISTORY OF IIURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

poor: Angustin Canfield and Isaac Hill, fence view- ers: Angustin Canfield, appraiser; Cyrus Minor, lister; Amos Clark and Marens French, supervisors; Erastus French, constable; Dr. H. M. Clark, justice of the peace. During his term of three years he issned neither a warrant, nor a summons which attests the law-abiding character of the inhabitants. Dr. Clark was followed in office by Captain Pierce.

Township officers elected in April, 1829, are as follows: W. J. Redfield, clerk; George Humphrey, James A. Cummings and Elon Parker, trustees: H. J. Shannon, treasurer: Eugene Gibson, assessor; S. T. Gibson and B. L. Dereamer, justices of the peace; Samuel White and Thomas Conry, constables.

MILLS.

The first settlers went to Esquire Merry's mill in Milan township to get their grinding done, a distance of fourteen miles as the road originally ran. Subse- quently, and until the erection of a grist mill by Bur- ton Canfield in 1824, they obtained their grist at Rug- gles' mill in Florence, and at Husted's mill in Clarksfield. In 1823, Burton Canfield built a saw mill on the Vermillion, where the grist mill now stands east of Wakeman village. The next year he added a frame grist mill with one run of stone. The mill stones were made out of the ordi- nary "hard head " stone by Elder Phillips, a pioneer Baptist preacher of Berlin. He took the job for thirty-five dollars, and realized less than a shilling a day, the stone proving harder than he had estimated.

A saw mill was built on the La Chapelle in 1823 by Justin Sherman. This and the Canfield mill were erected at the same time, but the Sherman mill sawed the first log. On the same stream there were for- merly three other saw mills, one built by Esquire Pierce about the year 1833, one by C. C. Canfield in 1840, and one by B. M. Canfield in 1848. That of C. C. Canfield was in operation for thirty years, and did an extensive business. The only saw mill now in operation in this portion of the township is the steam mill of Darwin Canfield, located on lot twenty-one. Cyrus Minor built a saw mill at an early day on Bran- dy creek, the only mill ever erected on that stream.

THE WAKEMAN CHEESE FACTORY,

a stock concern, was incorporated in the spring of 1867 with a capital invested of about 87.000. The factory has been operated under a lease by the Messrs. Vanfleet Bros. for the last three years, who have done an extensive business in the manufacture of butter and cheese.

Henry Peck also has a cheese factory in the south- west quarter of the township, but it is not in opera- tion. It has done an extensive business.

EARLY ROADS.

The first road was that along the west town line, called the "Reed road," a man of that name having opened it. The first road within the township was

that along the line of the first settlements, called the New London road. It is a mile east of the west line road, and runs a generally north and south direction. It was opened by the settlers, being at first merely underbrushed and originally ran a more crooked eonrse than it now does, in order to avoid swales and steep hills. The east and west center road was opened west of the center in 1825 or 1826, and east of the cen- ter a few years after.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school was opened by Mrs. Dr. Clark in her own house, in the summer of 1818. Her scholars were Calvert C., Royal R. and Sarah Ann Canfield; Lemuel B., Bennett and Minott Pierce. Mrs. Clark tanght for one dollar per week. and boarded herself. Her wages were paid, not in money, but in the pro- duets of the soil, the usual legal tender in those early times. The school was also kept by Mrs. Clark in the log house of Mr. Canfield. The scholars would each carry an ear of corn to school which the teacher would boil for them, this constituting the only dinner they had. School was kept in Wakeman only a few weeks in the year, and the children, or at least the boys, the eldest of whom was not more than ten years of age, attended a school in Florence, traversing an unbroken forest for a distance of three miles. In the year 1820 the first school house was built, of logs of course, on the farm of Augustin Canfield, about forty rods north of where John G. Sherman now resides. Levi Bodwell, of Clarksfield, taught the first school in this house and was the first male teacher in the place. Levi Platt, now living in the township of Greenfield, in the eighty-fourth year of his age, was the next. He was followed by Dr. Clark.

The log school house served the double purpose of a place of teaching and a house of worship for about nine years, when it was replaced by a comfortable frame school house, twenty-two by twenty-six feet in size, with a genuine shingle roof. The meeting to consider the question of its erection was held at the old school house, January 29. 1829. Bela Coe was chosen moderator of the meeting, and Augustin Canfield, elerk. It was decided to build the house by a tax, the cost of which was to be one hundred and seventy dollars. Among other things it was re- solved that "we will have a chimney in said house," that " a writing desk shall be attached to the side of the house," ete. It was also stipulated that the house should be open on the Sabbath to the Congregational and Methodist churches, each to occupy it one-half of the time, " but if it so happens that one denomina- tion does not want to occupy their half of the time, and the other does more. it shall be their privilege to do so." The house had a kind of dedication by a union service of the two churches on Christmas Eve, 1829. the Rev. Xenophon Betts and True Pattee offi- eiating on the occasion. The house was trimmed with evergreens and illuminated. The first teacher in the new school house was J. M. Root, afterwards a mem-

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

bei of Congress and a lawyer of ability and distinc- tion, recently deceased.

The first election of a school board, of which there is a record, occurred October 31, 1828, when Angustin Canfield was elected clerk ; Justin Sherman, Philo Sherman and Samuel Bristol, directors.

Until 1822 the township constituted one school district. The location of the first school house being determined by the center of the population, it was built in the third section, as previously stated. In the spring of the above year a second school district was erected, embracing nearly three-fourths of the township, and a log school house built at the center of town. A few years after a frame school house was built there.

In regard to the character of her schools and school houses, Wakeman occupies a front rank among the townships of the county. There are at present eight school houses, all of which are brick, with but one exception.

The school in the village is at present under the efficient management of A. J. Cobben.

RELIGIOUS.

The first religions meeting in Wakeman was held at the house of Augustin Canfield, Sunday evening, January 10, 1819. Rev. Lot B. Sullivan, a mission- ary, was the preacher. Mr. and Mrs. Canfield, Dr. Cla:k and wife led the singing. They were the pioneer choir of Wakeman for many years.

The first church organization was formed at the house of Mr. Pierce, October 25, 1822, by Rev. A. H. Betts and Rev. Joseph Treat. The society was of the Congregational order, and consisted of the following members: Barzilla S. Hendricks and wife, Justus Minor, Mrs. Electa Pierce, Dr. H. M. Clark, Ruth French, Sally Sherman and Mary Barnum. The society was called the First Congregational church of Wakeman. Rev. Xenophon Betts was the first pastor of the church, and was installed April 9, 1829, at the house .of Mr. Pierce. Mr. Betts continued pastor until December 25, 1836, when he was dis- missed at his own request. He was a man of good attainments, and was a faithful and efficient pastor. During his pastorate there were forty-five additions to the membership. The subsequent history of the church will be found in connection with that of the Second ('ongregational church.

SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The following sketch is mainly compiled from the interesting memorial address of Mr. Alvan C. Hall at the farewell services held at the old chuch building December 31, 1848.

The organization of the church is the result of a division in the First Congregational Church which grew out of a difference of views and sentiments re- specting certain ideas and principles upon which Oberlin had been founded in February, 1834. In the fall of 1835 Mr. Finney's large tent (or "tabernacle"

as it was called) which was used for holding pro- tracted meetings, was set up at the four corners in the west part of the township on the farm then owned by Bela Coe, now owned by Mr. Cummings. Presi- dent Mahan, of Oberlin, on invitation of the church, with several theological students who had recently left Lane Seminary because of the repressive measures adopted by that institution concerning the discussion of the question of salary by its students, came and held a meeting of several days duration in the tent. The meeting resulted in a number of conversions. The year following. the pastor, Rev. Xenophen Betts who belonged to the Presbytery (as most of the con- gregational ministers then did) severed his connection with the church to take charge of the Presbyterian Church in Lyme in this county, and the theological students before mentioned came out from Oberlin and preached during the interim. Prominent among those students was John Watson Alvord, afterwards connected with the Freedmen's Bureau. So much was he esteemed that children were named after him by their parents, and Wakeman has had a Watson Hill and an Alvord Hill. At length another pastor was obtained who remained a year or two, when re- conrse was again had to the Oberlin students. In the meantime the breach between the old school part of the church and that which sympathized with the doetrines and principles of Oberlin was constantly growing wider.

"In those days it was customary," says Mr. Hall, "to have a sermon both forenoon and afternoon. and frequently one in the evening, or at five o'clock. The people usually carried a lunch in their baskets or pockets, to eat at the recess at noon; and during this recess, and while eating their lunch, a group would frequently be gathered together discussing the sub- ject and doctrines of the forenoon sermon. We re- call 'to mind a sermon preached at the old school house which stood a little north of John Sherman's. in which sermon God was represented as not only willing, but infinitely desirous of saving all mankind. This sermon was the subject of considerable comment at the noon recess. We remember distinctly a ques- tion asked by one of our old school brethren in appar- ent honesty and sincerity, namely: 'Would it not be derogatory to the character of God, to hold that he was not only willing, but infinitely desirous of saving all mankind, and then fail to do it?'"

Thus the church continned, hiring a minister for a year or two, and at the end of the term getting students from Oberlin to supply the interval, until the fall of 1843, or spring of 1844, when Rev. William Russell, from Connecticut, was employed, and it was hoped that he would be able so to compromise the matter of difference as to bring about more union of feeling and consequent prosperity to the church. This he endeavored to do, but failed. The subject of building a meeting house began to be diseussed, which proved a cause for increased contention. If Oberlin ministers were to be shut out from the pulpit,

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

as one part desired, there would be no disposition with the other, and more able part, to assist in the building. In order to awaken a greater interest in the proposed erection, the pastor, Rev. Mr. Russell, preached a sermon' bearing upon the subject, in which he intimated that if the church could not be sufficiently united to build a meeting house, it had better divide. The question was discussed by the church, and terminated in the adoption of a resolu- tion to give letters of dismission to those who should wish to withdraw for the purpose of forming a new church. A request for letters was circulated among the members and received the following signatures, to-wit: Augustine Canfield, Reuben Hall, Amos Clark, Lemuel B. Pierce, C. C. Canfield, Leverett Hill, Alvan C. Hall, Kneeland Todd, Rufus J. Bunce, Isaac Todd, Mary Bunce, Eunice Pierce, Esther Hill, Betsey Hall, Electa Pierce, Mary E. Canfield, Caro- line C. Burr, Minerva Pierce, Susan L. Pierce, Ruth A. Clark, Sophia Wheeler and Juliatte Travis. The above-named received a letter of dismission in a body, dated August 30, 1844. Next day a meeting was held at the center school house (the building now occupied by Mr. Reed as a dwelling) for the purpose of form- ing a new church. Rev. Henry Cowles, of Oberlin, officiated at the organization, which consisted of the seceding members above named (with the exception of Kneeland Todd, Juliatte Travis and Susan L. Pierce) and Cordelia B. Hall, who brought a letter from the church in Edinburg, Ohio. November 24th following, Mr. Todd and Mrs. Travis united, together with Amos Pierce and Minott Pierce, who were the first to unite on profession. Mrs. Susan L. Pierce, one of the number who withdrew from the first church, did not unite until March 16, 1845. Of the original twenty members the following are still living: C. C. Canfield, Isaac Todd, Amos Clark, Alvan C. Hall. Mary Bunce, Mary E. Canfield, Catharine C. Burr and Esther Hill. Seven of these eight reside reside in Wakeman. Jeremiah Butler, an Oberlin student, was employed by the church as the first pastor, and remained a year. Their meet- ings were held, with the Methodists, in the school houses at the center and in the north part of town, one Sunday in one, and the next in the other.

The society was soon after incorporated, and in 1845 a house of worship was erected near the center, the lot for which was donated by Justin Sherman. The building was dedicated October 2, 1845, the sermon on the occasion being preached by Rev. Henry Cowles. Rev. Wm. A. Westervelt was ordained the same day in the church, and officiated as pastor for one year. The building was subsequently consider- ably enlarged, mainly by the efforts of Mr. C. C. Canfield.

The following are the ministers who have officiated as pastors of the church for one year or more, with the term of service of each, as near as can be ascer- tained, viz. :

Jeremiah Butler, Wm. A. Westervelt and Wm. F.

Clarke, one year each ; Minor W. Fairfield, nearly three years ; James M. Van Wagner-first installed pastor-about six years ; Prof. Henry E. Peck, near- ly three years ; Henry S. Bennett, about four years ; Joseph L. Edwards, nearly three years ; Levi Loring, one year: S. Lee Hillyer, one year; Edward B. Payne, between two and three years. Mr. Payne was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. C. C. Creegan, who began his labors July 1, 1875, and was regularly installed September 5, 18:7. Mention should be made of Professor James A. Thorne, who preached for the church nearly a year as a temporary supply.

For two or three years subsequent to the organiza- tion of the church no deacon was chosen. The num- ber has increased from one to five, the present num- ber. Those who have served as such, are Leverett Hill, James Wilson, Justin Hill, James A. Burham, Isaac Todd, George Barnes, Wm. H. Pierce aud Wil- liam Barber. The first three are deceased.

The first member of the church that died was Mrs. Electa Pierce, January 10, 1845. She was one of the original twenty, and "was truly a mother to the chnreh." The church has steadily grown from that small beginning in 1844, every year having witnessed accessions, until, at the date of this writing-March, 18:9,-the membership has reached three hundred and twenty-three.

Mention should be made of the faithful service of Mr. L. S. Hall, the efficient leader of the choir, who has officiated as chorister for over thirty years, and without any pecuniary consideration whatever. His labors have been of great value to the society.

The Sabbath school was in existence during the organization of the first church, of which James Wilson and Leverett Hill were superintendents. It is now one of the largest and most prosperons in the county, the number of pupils enrolled being over three hundred. Mr. S. H. Todd, who possesses more than a local reputation as an efficient Sabbath school worker, is the present superintendent.

THE NEW BUILDING.

The subject of the erection of a more commodious house of worship than the one so long used by the society, was first discussed in 1875. The corner stone was laid, with impressive ceremonies, September 5, 1877, Rev. Dr. Wolcott, of Cleveland, conducting the services. It was completed in December, 1878, and dedicated on the first day of January, 1879, President J. H. Fairchild, of Oberlin, preaching the dedication sermon. There were fourteen hundred people in at- tendance, representing forty-three different townships in the surrounding country. The church is a hand- some and imposing brick edifice, evincing in its de- sign and appearance, good practical judgment and excellent taste on the part of those to whose energy and liberality its erection is due. The audience room is forty by sixty-six feet, with two wings, eighteen by thirty feet cach, the rooms being neatly fitted up for prayer and social meetings, and galleries above. The

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

interior is finished in chestnut, in the natural wood, and presents a rich and beautiful appearance. The cost of the building was sixteen thousand dollars, the 'whole of which is provided for.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The first class was formed in December, 1828, by Rev. True Pattee, a circuit preacher. The following were the constituent members: Philo Sherman, Betsey Sherman, Lucius Tomlinson, Charlotte Tomlinson, Phedima Smith and Anna French. The first named was appointed leader of the class. The church held their meetings alternately with the Congregationalists at he two school houses until the erection of a church building by the Congregationalists, when being offered the use of the house on Sabbath afternoons, they held their meetings there. An unusual harmony and christian spirit always characterized the relations of the two churches. The class was eventually dis- banded.

The present Methodist Episcopal Church at Wake- man village was organized in the town hall, by Rev. A. J. Lyon, June 16, 1872, and consisted of the fol- lowing members: J. M. Whiton, Sarah M. Whiton, William Denman, Samuel Webb, Jane Webb, M. E. Wattles, E. M. Bell, E. F. Squire, A. P. Phillips, Rebecca Phillips, Hiram Hurd, J. M. Cahoon, Seyn- thia E. Cahoon, Mary M. Harris, George Randall, Harriet M. Randall, Edward Denman and Jane Den- man. Mr. Whiton was chosen leader. Wakeman was at this time embraced in the East Townsend cir- cuit, but a year and a half afterwards was set off as Wakeman charge, with Birmingham annexed. The following have officiated as pastors of the church: Revs. G. L. Hannawalt, D. R. Moore, E. Hayes, J. A. Kaull, C. D. Patterson, G. E. Scott and Hiram Royce, whose term of service has not expired.

The erection of a church building was first dis- cussed by a few men, not members of any church, one evening in the spring of 1872, at the store of Mr. John Harris. Johnson Brazington proposed it, and would give fifty dollars. It was favored by others. A member of the Congregational Church, formerly a Methodist, solicited subscriptions, and the erection of a building was soon after begun. It was completed in September, 1873, and dedicated on the 23d of that month, Rev. Mr. Godman, of Berea, preaching the dedication sermon. When the house was completed, there was an indebtedness of one thousand and four hundred dollars which was assumed by the building committee. On the day of the dedication one thou- sand and six hundred dollars was raised, and the church is now out of debt. The cost of the church including the lot and bell, was four thousand six hundred dollars. The membership is now fifty-six, with G. H. Mains, leader. A Sabbath school was or- ganized in January, 1874, by J. M. Whiton who has been the superintendent up to the present time. The number of scholars enrolled at this writing, is one hundred and eighteen.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

This church was organized by Rev. Anson Clark, August 14, 1837, with the following list of members: Joel Wheeler, Elvira Wheeler, Charlotte Tomlinson, Lucins Tomlinson, Jabez Hanford, Abbie Hanford, Cyrenus Beecher, Betsey Beecher, Samuel Bristol, Eunice Bristol, Ezra Sprague, Harriet Spragne, Justin Sherman, Betsey Sherman, Lester T. Farrand, Ann E. Farrand, Joab Squire, Harriet Squire, Peter Sherman, Samantha Sherman, Louis Markham, Eliza M. Redding, James C. Judson, Laura Wheeler, Phebe Burgess, Starr Hoyt, Ezekiel W. Arnold, Mary Arnold, Sala Todd, Aurilla Masters, Martin Bell, Polly Bell, George Todd and Harmon M. Clark. Joel Wheeler and Jabez Hanford were elected wardens; Cyrenus Beecher, Peter Sherman and Starr Hoyt, vestrymen. Justin Sherman was chosen secretary of the church at a meeting held at his home, April 16, 1838. The church was incorporated as "St. John's Church, of Wakeman," by act of the legislature, session of 1838-39. The church building, near the center, was erected in 1840, the lot for which was donated by Justin Sherman, Rev. Anson Clark was the first rector of the church, and since then the following clergymen have successively filled the pastoral office, viz: Thos. Barrow, J. Rice Taylor, Abram Bronson, E. D. Irvine, Chas. F. Lewis and G. W. Williams. Most of these lived elsewhere, and officiated here on alter- nate Sabbaths. Much of the time the church was without stated preaching, and the regularity of the services depended upon the established forms of the church as conducted by lay readers. Cyrenus Beecher, John Kiloh, J. E. Hanford and others had been com- missioned by the bishop, and officiated in that capac- ity. The church has been in a low condition of pros- perity for some time, no regular services having been held for the last two or three years, and many of the younger members of the church have joined the Con- gregational church,

ST. MARY'S (CATHOLIC) CHURCH.

This church was organized by the Irish inhabitants of the township, in the fall of 1868, Rev. Father Hally, of Norwalk, officiating at the organization. The erection of a church building was soon after commenced, which was completed the following spring. The church consists of about forty-five fam- ilies, about the same number as when organized. The society is now under the care of Father Quinn.

POST OFFICE.

In the year 1829 the inhabitants of Wakeman at- tained to the felicity of a weekly mail. Isaac Todd and Cyrus Minor drew up, or caused to be drawn up, a petition for the extension of the mail route from Grafton, Lorain county, to Norwalk, and carried it to Grafton to obtain the signatures of the settlers along the proposed route. After the mail was estab- lished, the settlers along the line turned out and under-brushed a road from Wakeman to Grafton.

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, .OHIO.

The first mail-carrier was one Cole, who carried the mail once a week, making his journeys on foot. The first trip he made through Wakeman he stopped at Isaac Todd's, whose house was the first on his route west of La Grange. No mail-bag being visible. Mr. Todd inquired about it. "Oh, I've got it," replied the carrier, and he reached in his pocket and drew forth a large-sized pocket-book, on which was a pad- lock about the size of a silver half dollar. Mr. Todd, naturally taken back at the apparently unimportance of the enterprise he had labored hard to establish, said : " You don't mean to say you carry the mail in that ?" " Yes," rejoined Cole, "and it's large enough; there's nothing in it!" The route was established, and the mail-carrier had to make the trip, although there was not an item of mail to carry. It was not long, however, before a more capacious mail bag was substituted for the pocket-book.

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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 46

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