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 54
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 54
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The name of the township was changed to Berlin in 1819, because of a township and a post office of the
name of Greenfield in another county in the State. The township continued under the name of Berlin until 1822, when the original name was restored. The following are some of the early justices of the peace who have served since Esquire Smith, to-wit: Ben- jamin Washburn, John Cook, Joseph Cook, Charles W. Miller, James McIntyre, John Call, E. B. Arthur, E. M. Wright, Charles B. Simmons, James Brown, L. Q. Campbell. The poll book for the election for justice of the peace held April 3, 1820, gives the number of votes cast at said election as fifty-nine, of which Benjamin Washburn received nineteen, David Lovell seventeen, and Bildad Adams thirteen. The above election was evidently to fill a vacaney in the office of justice of the peace, as another election was held for the same officer November 3d of the same year, at which twenty-three votes were cast, of which John Cook received twenty-two and John Williamson one. At the election for justice of the peace held October 8, 1822, there were thirty-eight votes cast, fourteen of which were given to Joseph Cook, twelve to Eli Halladay and eleven to Harlan E. Simmons.
The poll book of the election held in this township on the 13th day of October, A. D. 1818, William Mc- Kelvey, Eli Halladay and Thomas Tillson, judges, and Henry Adams and Simon Raymond clerks of the election, gives the following list of electors, who voted at said election (Peru being then attached to Green- field), to wit: Eli Halladay, Thomas Tillson, Simon Raymond, Joseph Ruggles, William McKelvey, Andrew Dewitt, Samuel Spencer, Samuel C. Spencer, Newell Adams, Alden Pierce, Bildad Adams, Erastns Smith, Abel Halladay, Hiram Spencer, Robert An- derson, Charles Dougherty, Levi Savage, Daniel Hal- laday, David Lovell, Joel Clark, William Carkhuff, Thomas Evans, Dennis Eddy, Benjamin T. Smith, Nathaniel Haynes, Warden Ashley, Alexander Pierce, John Cook, Esq., Henry Adams, Luther Ashley, Seba Mather, Levi R. Sutton, Elihu Clary, James Ashley, John Nelson, Horace Mather, Amos Hark- ness, John Sample, Joseph Cook.
The candidates voted for at this election, and the number of votes received by each, was as follows: Governor-Ethan A. Brown, thirty-six; Ethan A. Allen, three. State Senator -- John Campbell, twenty- six; John Adams, one. Representative in Congress -Peter Hitchcock, thirty-eight. Representative in State Legislature -- Lewis Dilley, thirty-three; Alfred Kelley, twenty-nine; Ebenezer Merry, six. County Commissioner -- Bildad Adams, thirty; Erastus Smith, nine.
MILLS.
In the winter of 1814-15, Hanson Read and Abram Powers built a grist mill on Huron river, in the first section, near where the Phoenix Mills now stand. This was undoubtedly the first grist mill erected in the county as now constituted. The character of the establishment was in keeping with those simple times. ' The frame was made of poles, with forked stakes
225
HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
driven into the ground for a foundation and a roof made of "shakes." The bolt was turned by hand with a crank. The mill stones were made by Mr. Powers, then seventy years of age, of stone obtained at the mouth of the Vermillion river, and were hauled to Greenfield by eight yoke of oxen. Mr. Powers and a boy brought the irons for the mill in pack- saddles, upon the backs of two horses, from the falls of Big Beaver.
In 1816, Mr. Read sold the mill to William Cark- huff for fourteen hundred dollars, a part of the pay- ment being made in goods. Carkhuff soon after re. moved the pole structure and erected a log building over the works. It was quite an improvement over the former building, but nevertheless a cheap con- trivance. It was built of logs and hewed puncheons, without a sawed board in it, and was covered with oak bark.
Nathan Keith, who moved into Bronson with Judge Southgate and family in 1816, was injured in this mill during its erection, which caused his death a short time after.
In 1835 Ezra Smith, of Peru, erected a frame grist mill at this point, which was destroyed by fire in 1850. The present stone mill was built by Barnet Roe (deceased) in 1856. The stone of which it is built was obtained from the quarry on the farm of Elias Easter. The mill was recently purchased and is now owned by John Minges and Alonzo L. Sim- mons.
SAW MILLS.
The first saw mill was built in 1819, by Josiah Root, on Huron river, on land now owned by Hiram Smith. The next was built by Hiram C. Spencer, east of the center of town, on the river, a short dis- tance below the bridge. It was built about the year 1827 or 1828, and did a large business. A few years after, Archibald Easter erected a saw mill where that of Barnett Roe now stands, and at about the same time one was built by Dan Lindsey on the west branch of the river, on the farm now occupied by Mrs. Joiner. Jacob and David Noggle built the Curtis mill about the year 1835.
The steam saw mill located on lot nineteen, in the fourth section, and owned by Jonathan Bliss and sons, was built in 1846. A saw mill was erected on the west branch of the river some twenty years ago, by a man of the name of Burke. About the year 1820, Seha and Horace Mather built a saw mill, grist mill and fulling mill on Huron river, east of the cen- ter, on the Fairfield road. The grist mill was small, having one run of stone, and after a few years was discontinued, and the fulling mill was enlarged. The first building was built of logs, but subsequently a two-story frame was erected by Seba Mather, Horace having previously died. This was the only mill of the kind in this section of country at the time of its establishment, and farmers came with their wool from a distance of twenty-five or thirty miles. Mr. Mather
did an extensive and prosperous business until about the year 1849, when he sold to Ellenwood Brothers, and not long after the works were discontinued.
There is one cheese factory in the township, near the stone grist mill, owned by Barnet Roe.
Three distilleries were in operation in this town- ship in an early day, the first of which was built by Wilham McKelvey, in 1817, in the southeast part of the township on the Huron river.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ERASTUS SMITH AND HIRAM SMITH.
The Smith family, of Greenfield, is one of the oldest upon the Fire-lands, and its history will be found interwoven with that of the township.
Erastus Smith built the second house in Greenfield. He arrived there in 1811, from Trumbull county, Ohio, and during the short term of years intervening between his settlement and his death, did much to establish a correct moral tone in society, and to en- courage the growth and improvement of the settle- ment. He was a man admirably adapted to pioncer life, having great energy and perseverence, and a certain ability to make others as enthusiastic in the work of developing the country as himself. His example was of great benefit to the infant settlement in many ways, and he is reverently remembered by the few persons still living who knew him in pioneer days. He was born January 7, 1:84, and married Fanny Spencer, December 19, 1805. When the couple came to Greenfield they had three children-Martin, Lydia and Truman. Subsequently there were born to them four more-Erastus, Lester, Hiram and Henrietta. Erastus Smith, the father of these children, died from congestion of the brain July 16, 1820. His widow is still living, at the age of ninety-four years, with her son Hiram Smith, surrounded by all the comforts that old age require, a fitting compensation for the toils, privations and cares of her pioneer life. A view of this home appears elsewhere in this work. Its owner, Hiram Smith, was born November 21, 1816, and was, consequently, at the time of his father's death, in 1820, but four years of age. He went to live with his grandfather Spencer, and re- mained there until he was sixteen, becoming accus- tomed to farming, the occupation which he has most of his life followed, although he was also engaged four years in the mercantile business at Steuben or Greenfield center, and was an extensive dealer in stock. His business and farming interests have been the principal objects that have engrossed his atten- tion, and he has taken but little part in the affairs of his township. This has been rather because of a retiring, quiet nature, than from lack of interest and
29
22G
HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
due regard for public welfare. He is regarded as one of the substantially worthy men of this part of the county .- scrupulously honorable in all things, gen- erous to those in need, and kind to all. He is one of the few men who seem to have passed through a long life, actively engaged and constantly mingling with men, and yet been exempt from reproach-to have received no scar, to have remained untarnished. His education has been mostly self-acquired, and he pos- sesses a well balanced, well stored, mind, practical in its cast, yet finely tempered with the reflective quality.
Mr. Smith was married, December 31, 1840, to Polly Rockwell, daughter of Thaddeus and Polly Rockwell, then of Greenfield, but formerly of New York. The offspring of this union were six child- ren, viz: Emma Fannett, Hiram J., Henry Dayton, Sarah Francis, George Rockwell and Fanny Eliza, the last three now residing at the old homestead. Emma Fannett married Harry C. Sturges; Hiram J. married Sarah A. Wheeler, and lives in the township of Greenfield; Henry Dayton married Jenny Winspa, nad is living in Washington Territory.
BRONSON.
ORIGINAL OWNERS.
FOR an explanation of the following table the reader is referred to the history of Wakeman township:
BRONSON, TOWNSHIP NUMBER THREE IN THE TWENTY-SECOND RANGE.
CLASSIFICATION No. 1, SECTION 1.
Original Grantees.
Am't Loss.
Classified by.
Am't Classed.
James Tilley
1533
10
0
Isaac Bronson
1210
4
Stephen Babcock
34
9
116
=
93
10
616
James Lamphier 233
0
0
5
10
0
Footing of Classification No. 1, £1,344
7
0
CLASSIFICATION NO. 2, SECTION 2
Original Grantees.
Am't Loss.
Classified by.
Am't Classed.
Ann Richards
215
4
10
Thomas R. Gold
224
15
10
Mary Richards
258
1
0
258
17
0
Peter Rogers
16
4
16
4
Sarah Setchel
56
16
0
0
=
7
10
0
Ann Simmonds
13
18
0
16
4
4
8
Mary Taylor
26
15
10
26
15
10
John Prentice
3
16
0 00
0
..
14
3
16
0
Joseph Cocks
1
5
3
g
0
=
15
0
0
George Rogers
Footing of Classification No. 3, €1,344
CLASSIFICATION No. 4, SECTION 4.
Original Grantees.
Am't Loss.
Classified by.
Am't Classed .
€
8
Nathan Beers
1
0
Isaac Bronson =
19
8
. 546
Abigail Raymond
144
4
3
144
4
3
Eliakim Smith
203
16
4
206
16
Daniel Hyat
85
6
85
6
Josialı Thatcher,
210
5
0
0
9
2
1016
Doc. Uriah Rogers heirs
Daniel Smitlı
99
5
..
0
$1
273
11
016
Footing of Classification No. 2, £1,344 0
CLASSIFICATION No. 3. SECTION 3.
Original Grantees.
Am't Loss.
Classified by.
Am't Classed .
Mary Benedict
40
0
Gideon Granger
40
0
0
Abner Booth
40
1
6
=
40
1
6
John Burchard
35
9
10
35
O
10
Silas Barton
48
12
6
48
12
6
Jedikiah Hanford
39
1
11
64
39
1
11
Peter Hitchcock
11
13
6
11
13
6
Azor Mead
36
6
11
48
11
John St. John
51
16
3
46
51
16
3
Josiah Thatcher
John Bigsbee
Daniel Wildman
31
19
5
16
10
5
16
10
Joseph Wildman
278
5
4
11
23
6
8
Ebenezer Benedict
4
15
0
4
1
5
1
4
Sam'l Olmstead 3d
23
16
23
16
7
David Olmstead
36
James Sturges
10
11
17
5
4
5
10
10
4
4
1
49
10
11
10
0
41
6
11
0
Abner Wilson
0
0
81
4
17
10
=
12
19
116
Rebecca Church
52
11
10
0
0
0 0271
1
6
2
.4
..
11
6
Ichabod Powers
620
R
0
10
C
Mary Goodfaith
15
0
14
O
0
0
=
4
4
0
John Carter
14
9
0
13
4
18
10
211 62
15
James Stewart
13
18
6
Gideon Granger
1
8
Anthony Wolf
4
14
0
44
0
8
15
0
Thomas Griffin
3
8
0
0
0
4
0
Jonath Latham
3
4
Isaac Bronson
44
G
6
Mary Rich
44
41
3
0
15
44
31
9
9
Jas. Lamphier, Jr.
95
10
6
Committee
10
7
36
6
8070100 7 1 n
0
16
2
0
416
14
0
Bridget Ledyard
397
14
5
Daniel Hurlburt
126
14
Footing of Classification No. 4, £1,344
0
00
Stephen Smith
48
400
6
5
44
150
2
5
0
6
31
19
7
Ebenezer Monson
23
6
Samuel Olmstead
37
Ebenez'r Olmstead
31
9
11%
Mary Gardner
123
16
36
2
11
8
Bartlet Folliot
10
Matthew Keeler .
4
Philip Dundrey
3
Eb'nez'r Sherwood
13
10
11
James Hounan
209
17
6 9
John Borno
Walter Bebee
William Coit
44
Thomas Gardner
David Gardner
11
0
0
11
4
18
John Harris 1st
11
13
18
Benjamin Sutton
5
3
18
9
14
14
0
8
12
0
John Lathrop
1
11
9
1
14
9
0
Thomas Colt
13 .
4
Jeremiah Miller
634 3
Simeon Chester
Mary Latham
James Hownom
Caleb Mead 21
76
11
26
7
2
0
Jabez Fitch
215
10
116
Jos. Hobby, Jr.,
99
5
1
Eliz'h'th Whelpley
17
Thomas Betts, Jr.
13
14
Eliphalet Mead, Jr. Danlel Merrit
3
S.
d.
13
10
1116
837 4 914 217
Matthew Griswold
10
Abigail Holt
18
Thomas Holt
Widow Dorset
2
0
64
3
16
0
Wm. Comstock
3
Hannah Bebee
6
14 + 20
4
1
11
9
Joshna Hempsted
8 0
3
4
8
210
5
0
Doc. Uriah Rogers' heirs
14
41
8
1
Nath'I Reynolds
47
17
18
11
1
James Stewart
816
5
11
9
4
4
0
8
16 10
0
0
James Smith
4
d
S.
d.
4
14
0
4
George Fottal
12
4
Ebenezer Jones
4
10
1
W'm. Brandoge
49
161
10
6
Neh. St. John 2d
0
0
33
21
4
4
4
18
.
4
1 6
23
6
14
8
0
4
208
31
11
16
56
Ann Squire
10
16
281
Ebenezer Lester
Jabez Z. Richards
23
2535
15
..
552359
0
6
Ebenezer Benedict
S.
d.
S.
d.
0
£ 195
d
44
10
12
17
36
6
278
1
0
3
1
13
11
.
Jr., 2 rights
225
0
..
51
1×
12
8
546
5
9
18
12
227
HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
NAME.
The township derived its name from Isaac Bronson, one of the original owners of the soil.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The township, while generally level, is diversified by the branches of the Huron in the western part. In this portion of the township the soil is a loamy clay mixed with gravel, while the eastern half is mostly clay. Sandstone of the newer formation un- derlies a considerable portion of the township, and is quarried in some portions to a considerable extent. The varieties of timber were whitewood, hickory, beech, white ash, black walnut, the oak in several varieties, butternut, basswood, elm, sycamore, chest- nut, and some other kinds of less importance. Sev- eral of the eastern branches of the Huron river run through the township, their general course being northwest. The stream called East branch crosses the southwest corner of the township, and another crosses the northeast corner, while High Bridge creek flows from the southeast part to the northwest. The stream received the name of "High Bridge" from the circumstance that a bridge which formerly crossed it south of the present residence of David Morse was considerably elevated, the banks being steep.
There are several quarries of sandstone in the third section, which have been extensively worked for build- ing purposes. The dwelling of Mr. George Lawrence is built of stone obtained from one of these quarries.
NATIVE ANIMALS.
The animals of the forest were the bear, deer, wolf, wild cat, fox, raccoon, opossum, etc. The wild tur- key was the principal bird, and was quite abundant. Bears were not infrequently seen, but were not often killed. Deer were numerous, and venison was a com- mon article of food with the earlier settlers. Their skin was an article of clothing, as well as of trade. Two deer skins would suffice to make a pair of panta- loons, and one would face a pair. The facing was done by sewing the neck of the hide on to the seat, and the half of the balance on the front of each leg, with a strip around the bottom.
The woods abounded in wolves, and they were a great annoyance to the farmer. It was usnal to pen their sheep up at night, in rail pens, built near the house, for to leave them out at night was to insure their destruction.
Rattlesnakes, also, were very numerous in the first settlement of the township, more especially in the vicinity of the streams. A nest of them was discov- ered by Ephraim Herrick on the bank of the creek, near his father's house, and, with the help of two or three others, quarried out from among the rock and killed one hundred and twenty.
SETTLEMENT.
The first habitation erected in Bronson, for the abode of civilized people, was the log cabin of the
squatter, John Welch, built in the summer of 1815. He came from Pennsylvania with his family, and located west of the creek, opposite Mr. Kellogg's. His parents and his brothers came in soon after, some of whom located in Peru, but none of the family made a permanent settlement.
We date the actual settlement of the township from the arrival of Benjamin Newcomb and family, who moved in, in the winter of 1815-16, and settled on lot number four, section number three, where Adam Leutman now resides. Newcomb was a native of Leb- anon, (now Columbia, ) Connecticut. At the age of eighteen he removed, with his widowed mother, to Bridgewater, Pennsylvania, and while yet a young man came to Trumbull county, Ohio. He married Stata Crosby, and before the war of 1812 came to the Fire-lands, and settled on the southwest corner of Norwalk township.
While residing there he had occasion to go to Huron after provisions, and, while there, was attacked by an Indian through mistaken identity. A man by the name of Hayes kept a sort of tavern at Huron, to which the Indians frequently resorted for whiskey. and he had greatly offended one of them by refusing to give him a drink. Newcomb so strongly resembled the tavern-keeper, that, while standing outside of the tavern, the Indian, supposing him to be Hayes, ap- proached him in a menacing manner, when New- comb seized an ax that was sticking in the wall of the house, and knocked him down.
The next day the Indian suddenly rode up to him near his house, with tomahawk and scalping knife in his belt; but, before he had time to dismount, New- comb jerked him from his horse and beat him until he was insensible. Supposing him to be dead, New- comb dragged him into a corner of the fence, and the children covered him up with brush and leaves, but the next morning Poor Lo was missing.
When information of Hull's surrender was received -which was conveyed to the inhabitants in that sec- tion by John Laylin, of Norwalk-Newcomb and family immediately started for Trumbull county. They were soon joined by others from Huron, and, when they reached the Vermillion river, the water . was so high that a delay was occasioned for a day or so, during which Newcomb returned to the vicinity of his home for the purpose of reconnoitering, and wit- nessed the burning of his house by the Indians. The deed was evidently committed out of revenge for the treatment by Newcomb of the Indian previously men- tioned, as no other dwelling was destroyed so far from the lake shore.
After reaching Trumbull county, he went into the army as teamster. At the close of the war he re- turned with his family to his former residence in Norwalk, but, soon after, disposed of his contract for the lot to Levi Cole, and purchased and settled in Bronson, as already stated.
The life of this hardy pioneer was cut short by an accident, which occurred the next year after his set-
228
HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
tlement. He was returning from mill at Mansfield July 4, 1816, with flour which was carried in pack- saddles on two horses; and, while adjusting the load near Plymouth, was kicked in the stomach by the horse, killing him instantly. Ifis son Sterling, then a lad nine years old, was with him, and carried the sad news of his father's death to Plymouth, where he obtained assistance in removing the body to the home of the bereaved family. The next day after the burial of her husband, July 6, 1816, Mrs. Newcomb gave birth to a son, who was the first child born in Bron- son. She survived her husband about eighteen months only, her death occurring at Mansfield in December, 1817. Their children were Samuel Sterling, Clark Benjamin, Mary (who married Philo Comstock), and Timothy T., the last-named being the only survivor.
The next settler was Martin Kellogg. He and his family, consisting of his wife and three daughters, Mandane, Luey and Rebecca: Aaron Fay, (father of Mrs. Kellogg), his wife, two sons, Lucius and Apol- los, and daughter Clarissa; the wife of John Fay and her brother Eliphaz Bigelow,-left Bethel, Windsor county, Vermont, for the Fire-lands, June 17, 1815. This company was increased at Granville, New York, by the birth of a daughter (Polly) to Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg. This event necessitated a stop of only a week. On account of the reported bad condition of the roads west of Buffalo, four of the company (Apol- los and Clarrissa Fay, Mrs. John Fay and E. Bigelow) with the goods, journeyed from Buffalo to Huron in an open top boat. After a tedious journey, both on land and water, the party arrived at the house of Eb- enezer Merry, in Milan, tben Avery, on the 30th of July, and a few days afterwards took up their abode in the block house. In August following, Mr. Kel- logg moved to Ridgefield and occupied the unfinished house of David Underhill, who had returned to New York for his family. He lived there until the next March, when he moved on to a farm in Norwalk town- ship, now owned by Miner Cole. He remained here until June 17, 1816, just one year after leaving Ver- mont, and then located on the farm on which he has . since resided, lot eight, section three. Mr. Kellogg was born in Bethel, Windsor county, Vermont, Sep- tember 21, 1286. December 7, 1809, he married Polly Fay, who was born in Barnard, same county, July 17, 1787. She died April 1, 1866. Mrs. Kellogg was a woman of intelligence and exalted character. They had a family of twelve children, as follows: Mandane (now Mrs. Perry G. Harding) lives in Nebraska; Lucy (Mrs. Jason K. Thompson) lives in Berlin; Rebecca married Daniel Goff, of Norwalk. Both died in 1837. Polly F. (Mrs. Devine) lives with a son in Greenfield; Aaron F. married Mary Ann Coffey, November 24, 1844, and they now reside in Greenfield; Martin died May 22, 1837, unmarried; Elentheira (Mrs. Edward Familiar) lives in Fairfield: Lyman and Harriet L. (Mrs. L. L. Thayer) live in Bronson, the latter on the old homestead. Anson lives in Milan township. Thomas died in infancy: Kinsley B. died February 4,
1858. Eleven of the children lived to adult age. Mr. Kellogg still lives on the farm on which he settled so long ago, having reached the advanced age of nearly ninety-three years. He retains his mental and phys- ical faculties in a marked degree of excellence. IIe is a fine old gentleman and is also a man of extensive information and of original thought. He is as busy as most men are at sixty, and has only quite recently written and published in a local newspaper, a history of his native town.
In the fall of 1816, Simon Amnurman, a native of Pennsylvania, moved in from Cayuga county, New York. He settled on lot four, where Benjamin New- comb formerly resided. He continued to live there until his children were settled in life, after which he made his home with his son John. He died March 11, 1860; his wife, February 7. 1851. There were eight children, four of whom are yet living, viz: Mrs. Charles Gardner in Peru; widow of Seth C. Parker in Greenfield, and widow of John Hagaman in Bron- son.
Reuben Pixley moved on to lot number six in the third seetion, in the winter of 1816-17. He came to the Fire-lands from the State of New York before the war of 1812, and the name is associated with the Sey- more tragedy. In the fall of 1812, Reuben C. Pix- ley, his son, then sixteen years of age, was assisting Seymore in entting down a bee-tree on Seymore creek, when they were fired upon by two Indians in ambush. Seymore was shot through the head and fell dead at Pixley's feet. The Indians came up and sealped Seymore, and finding the boy unhurt, though a bullet had pierced his hat, they turned him around with his face toward the west and ordered him to run. He obeyed, and they ran together behind him, con- cealing him as much as possible, until they got away from the settlement. He was taken to Canada and kept a prisoner for about six months, when he was bought of the Indians, at one of their drunken carousals, for seventy-five dollars, by a man by the name of Hunt. Hunt understood well the Indian nature and knew that when they became sober they would break their bargain and endeavor to recapture the boy, and he therefore took him home and secreted him in his eellar. The next day the Indians went to Hunt's house, laid down the money and demanded Pixley, saying that they loved him and could not give him up; that they had adopted him and had a squaw selected for his wife. Hunt replied that the bargain was a fair one, that he paid the price asked for their captive, and, supposing that it was satisfactory, had sent the boy to Detroit. The Indians doubted Hunt's statement that Pixley had gone and they remained near the house, watching for his appearance. After watching for three days they went away for a short time, and Pixley, taking advantage of this fortunate circumstance, made good his escape.
Reuben Pixley and his son were much engaged in clearing land by the job, making roads, etc. They made, in 1827 and '28, a part of the turnpike between
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