H. B. Rawson

Grandall Rawson

Reside of Henry B. Rawson, Grafton, Lorain Co., Ohio
(See Biographies)
 

[Page 257]
young underbrush, the size of hand-spikes and broomsticks.  The marks upon his face were evidence of suffering.  All this could hardly exceed the agony of the family during that sleepless night.  My mother thought surely that wild beasts would devour her Joseph.  Only a few days had we been in the woods, and did not know how numerous or ferocious the wild beasts of the forest might be.  The howling wolf had been heard in the distance, the nimble deer had not yet been seen.  The important tin horn had been overlooked in the outfit for pioneer life.  Guns were fired, hallowing of strong voices made a solemn echo through the unbroken stillness.  Torches made of hickory bark were lighted and carried quite a distance from the shanty, while voices and guns made the starting point evident.  At early dawn a brother was sent to Liverpool for a tin horn and men to search for the lost one.  But the lost one began to find himself as soon as it was light and safe to leave the place where he had kept himself from freezing during the night.  He soon found a ''hub" or corner and was tracing the marked trees, when a hunter who had gone in pursuit espied him, though each claimed to see the other first; no matter, the lost was found, and on reaching the shanty, hungry and weary, with torn garments and bleeding face and hands, truly there was rejoicing before unknown in that rude shelter.
     A pleasant incident occurred next day, which I think was the laying of foundation logs, at right angles, by "Joshua Henshaw," who was passing through on a surveying tour, assuring us we were not out of humanity's reach.  The size of this house being budt was eighteen by twenty-four feet.  A window with nine lights of seven by nine glass in the north side, stick chimney in the east, door in the south and another small window in the west end.  The chimney proves quite a sky-light, sun and moon aslant can be seen, snow, hail and rain sometimes entering in quantities to nearly extinguish fires built upon the ground instead of hearth.  The puncheon floor made of split and hewn logs is next laid.  Webster does not name, or place, puncheon for floors, but custom did, and pioneers continue to do so in their reminiscences.  The door was made from boards of the largest wagon box, called the "Ark" when making our journey.  This door, with its wooden trimmings, had a latch-string outside and was never pulled in, even when Goodhurt or Red Jacket wished to enter, and more than once did they find the ample fire-place more comfortable than their solitary wigwam, covered only with bark, and no squaw or pappoose to prepare his food or keep him company.  One, after sleeping by our fire, and while eating breakfast by himself, discovered he was not provided with a cup of tea, which called forth this amusing request, "Can't Indian have a plate of tea?"  This request was granted, and with seeming relish enjoyed.
     Our house was made more comfortable than the shanty in two weeks" time, when eight of us take possession and call it home.  We are now in the best built and furnished house in town, with more cause for gratitude than complaint.
     Allow a little nine year old girl to place the furniture made by unskilled hands, and some brought from the best room six hundred miles away.  We will furnish the first floor by placing two bedsteads, one in each corner, at the west end of the ample room, with a trundle bed under one.  These were made by hands unused to work with such tools and timber, sometimes requiring force to make them stand steady long enough to be secured with ropes.  These become places of repose for tired nature; "balmy sleep " visited the occupants, and dreams of better days were just as reliable as under other circumstances.  The nice looking bureau placed between the bedsteads, with table and stand near by, (relics of better days,) without the aid of Nast made an impressive picture.  Chairs were easily counted; two chests made to fit the wagon in which the family rode, covered like settees, now stand on either side of the broad fireplace.  Long wooden pins firmly placed in the logs on which shelves, made from the remainder of wagon box, serve as cupboard for crockery, besides bright pewter plates and platters of various sizes, pewter basins also, childrens' individual property, oft filled to overflowing by the same gentle cows from hillside pasture, now cropping browse and herbage in the unbroken forest.  Stoutly wrought andirons, slice and tongs, long crane and hooks, take their places and prove as useful as in a New England kitchen.
     The old-fashioned clock, made fast to the logs, has resumed its forward march, and with extended hands faithfully marks the passing time, yet more than anything else, constantly reminding of time, and opportunities past, never to return.  Only quite recently has its time or speed, its marks of comely face, or perfect form, been questioned; when silently its place of usefulness is yielded, and in its stead a more beautiful face and form, with gilded hands and nimbler step, is measuring the flight of time.  This same old clock, the first ever heard to tick in native land, the first pendulum swung in Grafton township, can now be heard and seen in Elyria this first day of January, 1879.  Unlike young America is its slow and even step; its clear yet modest tick sometimes stopping entirely, as if asking "how much longer?" receiving in answer, "be patient, old settler, stand at your post to the last.  Truth breaks through your faded face, while your worn and battered hands still point in the right direction."
     Log house number second is built where I will settle my eldest brother, SETH C. INGERSOLL, with his wife and three little pioneer boys, Ardin, Reuben and Ralph.  This was on the lot directly north of my father's, and now owned by Hobart Corning.  Seven children were added to their family after coming to Grafton.  The first white child born in number four

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was Nancy, eldest daughter of Seth C. Ingersoll, May 18, 1817.
     My brother continued to reside upon his farm until his death, which occurred Feb. 15, 1859, aged seventy-two years.  His wife died Apr. 30, 1852, in the sixty-fifth year of her age.
     I am expected to be brief, but just here I must linger, while remembering these solitary houses, built in November, 1816.  One only road leads to our nearest neighbor, five miles distant.  We hear of families being seven miles north, twenty miles south, and forty directory west.  Our one road must be traveled constantly to bring food for thirteen persons.  Barrels of flour were brought from Canton, Stark county, and other eatables that could be found at Columbia and Liverpool, were obtained at a dear rate.  The indispensable bake kettle or oven was before the fire, without a hearth until rough and uneven stone were dug from a creek near by, which improved our condition for cooking.  No wonder my mother drooped like a willow, knowing her children must obtain food to keep the wolf from entering the door, from this frost-bound soil and the leafless forest trees.  Not this alone causes sorrow, but the doors of church and school seem forever closed against us.  The Sabbath was known by the solemn stillness.  The ring of axes and the crash of falling trees were hushed, telling the Sabbath had come, and that in our dear native land, friends were enjoying privileges of which we were deprived.  The faded, falling leaves had left sure promise of return in coming spring-time.  But distant indeed seems the time when advantages of civilization will be enjoyed in this desolate place.  Cheering hope, with great courage and fortitude, overcomes formidable difficulties.
     In the month of February, 1817, WILLIAM B. CRITTENDEN and family, from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, come among us, being the first pleasant company, out of town during the winter.  Mr. Crittenden becomes the first settler at the center of the town, owning the southeast corner lot.  I want to write the names in full of every person coming to our settlement in 1817.  William B. Crittenden his wife Lydia, eldest daughter Marietta, four years of age, the little boy Henry, now a resident of Grafton.  Some incident might be given in connection with every name I shall write.  Again are we rejoiced to see covered wagons bringing settlers to join us.  This time, the family of Mr. Eliphalet Jones, from Tyringham, Berkshire county, is remembered; Eliphalet, and Polly; their eldest son, Linas, nearly nineteen; Samantha, sixteen; Emeline, twelve (afterward Mrs. Josiah Taylor); John R., always called Riley, Aged nine, now living at Rawsonville; Erastus, seven, remained on the spot where log house number four was built until his death in 1877; Harriet, then three years of age, now Mrs. Ashley Root.  Mr. and Mrs. Root are the only couple of pioneers remaining in Grafton in 1879 - children in 1817.
     The next lot west, on the same side of the road, was owned by Elder ROBERT NESBETT, from West Stockbridge, Berkshire county.  This family numbered nine, besides a lad named Levi Loomis, who came with them.  Their names were: Robert Nesbett, and Mary, his wife; five daughters, named Catherine, Nancy, Mary, Betsey and Sarah; Daniel, who came a few months before the rest of the family, and took possession of the log house built during the winter, for the sum of forty dollars.  All this family are buried in the cemetery, near the homestead, where they resided until their death, except Daniel, who died in Elyria.
     We now come to the only diagonal road in town, and settle the family of Stephen Sibley, Esq., on lot next west of Nesbett's.  This family, too, were from West Stockbridge, and all adults.  Three sons named John, George and Giles; two daughters named Nancy and Mary, John and George soon afterwards make their home two miles south of the center, living in one house; having married twin sisters, they continued as one family until the death of one of the sisters.  Descendants, only a few in number, are living in Grafton by the name of Sibley.
     Two more families to be settled this spring of 1817, which are from West Stockbridge, Mr. Nathan Boughton and wife, two daughters and a son, named Rhoda, Electa and Guy.  Mr. Jonathan Rawson and wife; Mrs. Rawson was youngest daughter of Mr. Nathan Boughton. Grindall Rawson, brother of Jonathan Rawson, was a member of their family until his marriage.  The addition of these families makes forty-two persons in town, all but four on this north street.
     The first saw mill was built in the same summer and fall by David Ashley, of Pittsfield, Berkshire county, on the lot owned by Jonathan Rawson, and the only mill privilege on Black river in the township.
     Early in June of that year, while a number of children were picking wild flowers, a stranger was seen approaching, leading his horse, and evidently searching for something.  It proved to be the hub, or corner he was looking for. "Children, can you tell me the number of this lot?''  "No, sir," one speaks up, but we know who is coming here.  Capt. Turner, from Great Barrington; he's got ten children; then we're going to have a school house "—an appropriate truth as we shall see.  The stranger's smile indicated his acquaintance with the family.  Mr. Turner left his family in Columbia until a small clearing was made, and on the fourth of July, 1817, log house number nine was raised.  Mr. Turner was the first blacksmith in the township, and the cheery ring of the anvil was heard early and late for many years.  Two only of Mr. Turner's family now reside in Grafton: Mrs. Orville Lyndes and Mrs. Benjamin Corning.  Mr. and Mrs. Corning living at the homestead near where the old house stood.  Wm. Turner, Jr., and family reside in Elyria.  Four children were added to this family after settling in Grafton.

B. S. Corning

Mrs. B. S. Corning

(See Biography)

[Page 259]
     It is now November, and two families have settled near the center.  I will mention first Mr. AARON ROOT's family, already in their log House, built by their oldest son, Pomeroy, during the summer, one-half mile west of the center.  Mr. root was from Pittsfield, Berkshire county.  Mr. Root, while a widower in Pittsfield, with five children, was married to Mrs. Anna West with five children; three became members of Mr. Root's family.  They were called Uncle Aaron and Aunt Anna during their life time.
Their children's names were Pomeroy, Samuel, Ashley and Mary Root, Caroline, Albert and Clarinda West.  The two youngest born to this couple were Frederick
and Oliver.  Pomeroy joined the family of Shakers in Newburgh more than fifty years ago, and to-day is an honored member of that Order; nearly eighty years old.  Samuel, the next oldest, was drowned in 1825, living at that time in Penfield.  Caroline West, oldest daughter of Mrs. Root, long since passed from scenes of earth, still lives in heart and memory of surviving friends.  She was married to Mr. Lathrop Penfield, and resided in Penfield township at the time of her death.  Ashley, third son of Mr. Root, is still a resident of Grafton, hale and hearty with mind well stored with historic lore.  Albert West, son of Mrs. Root, settled in Grafton, and died there more than thirty years ago.  His son, Albert West, Jr., is in a soldier grave made on the southern battle field. Mary, youngest daughter of Mr. Root, married Wm. Kinney, of Grafton, fifty-two years ago.  After his decease in 1819, she became the wife of Mr. Joseph Thompson, of Grafton, and died quite recently.  For a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Thompson lived upon the spot where her father's log house stood, so plainly remembered by all survivors.  Mr. Thompson died in 1878. Clarinda West, youngest daughter of Mrs. Root, was married to George E. Starr, of Penfield.  Mr. Starr has been a resident of Elyria more than forty years, and prominently connected with the mercantile interest of that place.  Mrs. Starr died in 1876, sincerely lamented.  Mr. George Starr resides in Elyria, in the house built by his father on Broad street.
     Mr. BILDAD BELDEN and family, from Hancock, Berkshire county, came in company with Mr. Root, and settled south of the center one half-mile.  His father and mother resided with him, making only one family.  Mr. and Mrs. Belden had four children.  Minerva, the oldest, then ten years old, is now Mrs. David Merwin, residing in Oberlin.  Daniel Belden, late of Grafton, was their only son.  Betsey, their second daughter, afterwards Mrs. Clement Stebbins, will be mentioned in another place.  Sarah is remembered as Mrs. Chauncey Baldwin.  Mr. Belden brought two colored boys (after giving bonds then required), who proved to be honest, industrious men.  Their names were Gabriel and Titus Gunn.
     One more log house to be built this mouth for JESSE TAYLOR, from Pittsfield, Berkshire county.  He brings a family of five children—oldest son, Franklin, twelve years old, oldest daughter, Sarah Ann, ten, James and Jesse, younger sons, with the baby, Caroline.  Nearly three miles from any house then built, his lot was located; and, after a lonely stay of eighteen months in that place, we find them settled three-quarters of a mile south of the center.  Mr. and Mrs. Taylor both died in 1835; Mr. Taylor at the age of forty-one, Mrs. Taylor, thirty-nine.
     REUBEN INGERSOLL, a cousin from Lee, joining our settlement in 1817, returned to his native town, and, in early spring of 1818, came again with his wife, and settled more than half a mile west of the center.
     WM. BISHOP, with small family, joined our settlement in early spring.  He was from West Stockbridge, Berkshire county.  Left Grafton in 1825. 
     The last log house, built in 1817, was for LADOWICK JONES, from Tyringham, brother of Eliphalet Jones, before mentioned.  The family of Mr. Jones numbered seven.  His aged father and mother are counted with this family.  Lorenzo, Alonzo and Adaline are the names of their children.  Lorenzo for many years resided in Cincinnati, Ohio, known as "Doctor," "Prof." and "Old Doc" Jones.  Drs. Sampsel and Reefy, physicians in Elyria, were students in his office in Cincinnati, Ohio.
     Mr. DAVID ASHLEY, of Pittsfield, reached our settlement early in March, 1818, coming the whole distance in sleighs.  His invalid wife and four daughters made the journey with him. The names of the daughters were Maria (afterwards Mrs. Grindell Rawson), Polly, Eliza and Sally, the youngest then thirteen years of age.  The three last named rode in a two-horse sleigh, driven by David Stevens, brother of Mrs. Ashley, who afterwards settled at the center.  His first house was built on the northeast corner lot, opposite Wm. B. Crittenden.
     MRS. CURTIS, a widow from West Stockbridge, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, came to our settlement in 1818, bringing three sons and two daughters, names, Samuel, Harvey and Landress, the sons; Harriet and Mary, eldest and youngest, daughters.  Three of these children married and settled in Grafton.  Their first settlement was made nearly a mile east of log house number one.
     WM. T. WELLING was an early settler of Grafton.  Mr. Welling was among the very first that penetrated the woods of number three, eighteen range, and may for a time be counted with the pioneers of Wellington.  He was-a resident of Grafton twenty-five years, and in that time was married to Harriet Curtis.  They removed to Medina, where they lived twenty years, afterwards to Black Earth, Wisconsin, where they were residents some twenty years, and where he recently died, aged eighty-three years.
     FRANKLIN WELLS, from Massachusetts, proved a great accession to our settlement.  He was fitted for college in his native land, which placed him in advance of any who had ventured among us.  He taught school in a log school house called the "Union School House," built in the woods, between the north street

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and the center of the town; so that every scholar in town of suitable age might receive instruction.  His house was burned before the close of the first term, which terminated the school days of many of his  scholars.  Contrasts and comparisons of to-day only seem to tell our loss.  Mr. Wells was our second elected justice of the peace, afterwards associate judge in Lorain county.  He was married to Mary Sibley in l823.
     Mr. LYMAN PEABODY was an early settler.  His wife was the eldest daughter of Mr. Aaron Root.  Their eldest daughter is Mrs. George Pomeroy, now residing near the centre of Grafton.
     Mr. ORRIN HURLBUT and his brother William, from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, were early settlers.  Both afterwards married and settled in Grafton, and resided their the remainder of their lives.  Orrin Hurlbut married Mrs. Wm. B. Crittenden.  Their son, .James Hurlbut, is justice of the peace at the center of Grafton at this writing; very recently he has become a resident of Elyria.
     In writing this brief account of the first settlement of Grafton, it is often found to be painful to pass so lightly over families and friends, when even the writing of a name brings the history of joys and sorrows of their life before us.  A stranger can step rapidly among the graves of households in Grafton to-day without a pang; but not so with one who lived there when the first graves were made, their loss then settling like a pall upon our young settlement.
     Seldom does a sister record the settling of seven brothers on uncultivated farms in one township.  My second brother, WM. INGERSOLL, JR., came with his little family in May, 1817, and settled one and a half miles south of the center.  The eldest daughter, Maria, three years of age, and John, only a few months, in his mother's arms, make the third family of Ingersolls.  Ten children were added to these parents, making six sons and six daughters, most of whom received paternal care beyond the wants of childhood.  Much labor and courage were needed to provide for a family among these thickly standing trees.  These parents lived to see their wild surroundings become fruitful fields of waving grain, and remained upon the spot near where their first house was built until their deaths, which occurred under trying circumstances.  My brother died Apr. 29, 1859, aged seventy-one years; and on May 1, two days afterwards, his wife, unconscious that her companion had gone before, died also, aged sixty-six years: both died of congestive fever.  John, the babe before spoken of, with wife and daughter, are living near, and were the only family of Ingersolls in Grafton in January, 1879.
     Thomas, third son of Major Ingersoll, commenced clearing big wilderness in 1819.  He had learned to manufacture common splint bottom chairs before coming to Grafton, and by exchanging these for days' work in chopping, had quite a clearing and a log house built before his marriage, which was in 1820.  His lot was one-half mile east of log house number one.  When Elyria began to offer advantages, he bought a house and lot on the corner of Second street and East avenue, where he resided a few years, still owning his farm in Grafton.  He returned to his farm again, and continued to make improvements until 1801, when, finding years of toil and hardship, with increasing age, were unfitting him for farm life, his home in Grafton was sold, and the one in Elyria taken possession of.  His wife, who had faithfully shared privations during these years of toil, died in October, 1870, my brother in September, 1871.  Their golden wedding was celebrated in February, 1870.  Rev. F. L. Kenyon was present, and made appropriate remarks to a large company of friends assembled.
     My fourth brother, Joseph, began clearing his new farm at the south part of town.  His outfit was a yoke of oxen and a year's board, being too far to board at home.  Board could be obtained at the nearest neighbor's, one-half mile or more, for one bushel of wheat a week, or one dollar.  After clearing some dozen or more acres in this lonely place, he became discouraged, and returned to his native town in Berkshire.
     In 1827 he came again to Grafton with his wife and little daughter, and did not then see sufficient inducement to become a farmer, and plough and hoe among the clay lands of Grafton.  He made his home in Elyria in 1828, where he resided until his death, in 1861, aged sixty-four years.  The first English families coming to Grafton in 182.5, were Mr. Crispen Mennell, Mr. Jesse Welborne, and John Langdale.  Mr. Mennell remained a citizen until his death, in 1857, aged seventy-one.  Mr. Welborne died in 1853, aged fifty-six.  Mr. Langdale was a resident of Elyria at the time of his death, which occurred in 1870, aged seventy-nine.  A Mr. Hanee and family came to Grafton, in 1820, I think, and afterwards settled in Eaton.  The names of the children are remembered, while other items are forgotten: Riley, Ira, Hiram and Charles, may still be residents of Eaton.  The name is often seen, and some of the descendants of these early settlers are residents of Elyria.
     James, my fifth brother, began clearing his wild land in 1822, and continued to do so under discouraging circumstances.  His lot was just a half-mile cast of the center, where one of the best oil wells in Grafton was found some two years ago.  His boarding place for some time was at Mr. Belden's, the price for board being a bushel of wheat a week.
     Here I should like to speak of the worthy, industrious pioneer women of Grafton.
     After building a log house, it was at once occupied by a family, with whom he boarded.  In 1826 he was married and commenced housekeeping and improving his farm, until in 1832, he began to build quite a large public house for those days, at the center, upon a lot bought of Mr. David Ashley, where it is seen to-day, the sight of which brings sad memories, while in the cemetery near by so many of this once large

Birth place of Duke Mennell and his mother Elizabeth Mennell
Fimber Yorkshire, England

Residence of Duke Mennel, Grafton Tp., Lorain Co., Ohio

Chrispin Mennell   -   M. D. Mennell

CHRISPIN MINNELL

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family rest.  My brother died in 1863, in the sixty-fifth year of his age, and in December, 1865, the wife of his youth, who had been a faithful sharer in all the changing scenes of life, also died, in the sixty-seventh year of her age.  These records could not be made without many regrets unless a hope was cherished that ere long, without restraint in woods, or limited space, these early recollections will be carefully revised, and the name of every descendant of my parents known to be living, be placed in proper form.  Only a few families, for a time, settled in Grafton, except those who from time to time married among us.  The families of Thompson and Turner, coming from New York state in 1822 or 1823 are remembered.  Some of Mr. Thompson's family have ever since resided in Grafton.  Dr. Hiram Thompson has for a number of years practiced medicine in Rawsonville, and quite recently died at the age of seventy-two.
     In September, 1825, my brother, Marshall, was married to my early pioneer friend, Sarah Ann Taylor.  Soon after, they settled in their log house, two miles west of the center, where oil wells and derricks now cover the ground, where big and lesser trees stood thickly fifty-two years ago.  Their residence was in Elyria for some twelve years before my brother's death, which was in September, 1874, aged seventy-two.  His widow is still a resident of Elyria.
     During the winter of 1827, my youngest (and only brother living) was married and settled in a log house near the homestead.  This was eleven years after the first log house in Grafton was built, in which time my seven brothers have begun to earn their bread on uncultivated soil, by hand labor.  There were no tramps or drones in those days in Grafton.  Only a few years longer did this brother remain on his farm, but purchased the place in Elyria now occupied and owned by S. B. Wolcott, where he resided a number of years.  His home is now with his son, C. O. Ingersoll, on the pleasant street east of the east branch bridge, within the corporation of Elyria.
     Mr. JASON ROYCE and wife, coming from Berkshire in 1832, obtained the farm just left by my brother in Grafton, which the family own to-day.  Their only son died during the war, of disease contracted while a soldier at Kelley's Island.  Their only daughter, Mrs. Hobart Corning, is living on the farm where my brother Seth C. located in 1816.  Mr. Royce died some eight years ago, at their home, where his widow now resides.  Mr. Hobart Corning is now sheriff of Lorain county, which brings more descendants of early settlers to become residents of Elyria.
     Harriet, the eleventh and youngest child of the first settler in Grafton, was married to Daniel Nesbett, Mar. 29, 1826—marriage license obtained in Medina, by the mail carrier, and ceremony performed by Franklin Wells, Esq.  Mr. Nesbett was one of the first settlers of number four, and among the first that exchanged their place of residence in Grafton for one in Elyria.  This was done in 1829.  The lots twenty-four and twenty-five, on the east line of Elyria, on the ridge road, were deeded to Daniel Nesbett by Heman Ely and Harriet M. Ely, Aug. 10, 1829.  After remaining upon this farm some twenty years, a home was purchased in the village, where Mr. Nesbett and family resided at the time of his death, which occurred, Mar. 16, 1863, of apoplexy, aged sixty-six years.  Mrs. Nesbett is still a resident of Elyria. 
     In the early spring of 1829, the death of STEPHEN SIBLEY is distinctly remembered.  He was seen to leave his work in the yard, and slowly enter the house only a short time before his death was announced.  This was the first sudden death to be mentioned among the first settlers in Grafton, the cause not definitely known, then as now.  There was no physician in town to examine the case.  Mr. Sibley had shared the trials of pioneer life twelve years, and at the time of his death was seventy years of age.  Before the time of Mr. Sibley's death, his son-in-law, Franklin Wells, had assumed the cares of the homestead, and built a fine residence for early days.  This was sold to Mr. Isaac VanDeusen, from Berkshire, father of George VanDeusen, who was a resident of Grafton until within a few years past.  His home is now in Lowell, Massachusetts.  After Mr. Isaac VanDeusen was settled in this desirable place, his house and many valuable articles, were destroyed by fire.  This was the first frame building burned in Grafton.  This farm was afterwards sold to Justin Breckenridge, who built the ample brick house seen upon his premises to-day.
     CARLOS FISHER and family, from Delaware county.  New York, settled in Grafton in 1828.  They located one mile east of the center, when first coming, but afterwards at the center, where they resided at the time of Mr. Fisher's death, in 1855, in the sixty-fifth year of his age.  Mrs. Fisher died in 1870, in the seventy-first year of her age.   One son, Mr. Isaac L. Fisher, is the only one of nine children remaining in Grafton.  Their second daughter, Nancy, is Mrs. Artemas Beebe, Jr., of Elyria.  Mrs. C. W. Johnston, of Elyria., is another member of that family.  A son is settled in Wellington, in this county.  It is readily seen that quite a number of the first settlers in Grafton, became residents of Elyria, and many of their descendants are found there to-day, and still they are coming.
     CLEMENT STEBBINS, from Granville, Massachusetts, came to Grafton in April, 1833.  Chauncey Baldwin accompanied him, and soon after their arrival they opened a store at the center, where Mr. Stebbins has more or less been connected with the mercantile interests at the center of Grafton, until a recent date.  He was justice of the peace some thirty years; has seen the rise and fall of many business firms, until not one is left that can with him retrace the years and events of 1832.  Mr. Stebbins married Betsey, daughter of Bildad and Polly Belden, Oct. 16, 1835.  Mrs. Stebbins died Aug. 19, 1874.  Their only child living, is Mrs. George D. Williams, of Elyria, where Mr. Stebbins now resides.

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[Page 263]

 

 

 

FIRST EVENTS.

 

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INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS

 

 

A. W. NICHOLS

Mrs. A. W. Nichols

Residence of A. W. Nichols, Grafton, Lorain Co., Ohio, 1879

 

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CHURCHES.

 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

 

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THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

 

A BAPTIST CHURCH

 

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

 

RAWSONVILLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

 

ST. MARY'S CHURCH, (CATHOLIC)

 

SCHOOLS.

 

 

C. B. Knowlton

Residence of Dr. C. B. Knowlton, Grafton, Lorain Co., Ohio

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SOCIETIES.

 

OIL INTEREST

 

BIOGRAHICAL SKETCHES.

MRS. HARRIET NESBETT

GRINDALL RAWSON

HENRY B. RAWSON

ALLEN NICHOLS

DR. C. B. KNOWLTON.

---------

Stephen H. Brown

Margaret R. Brown

STEPHEN H. BROWN

     Stephen H. Brown, son of Stephen and Ruth M. Brown, was born May 4, 1803, in that portion of Windsor, Hartford Co., Conn., now called Bloomfield.  His father was born at Windsor, in the same county, in the year 1777, and was the son of Stephen Brown, who came from England early in the seventeenth century.  Stephen Brown married Ruth M., daughter of Benjamin Loomis, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of Old Windsor.  HE had a family of ten children, namely, - Benjamin George, William, John, Joel, Adin, James, Ruth M., Rhoda, and Julia Ann.  The grandfather of Stephen H. Brown had also ten children:  James, Bradley, Stephen, Jesse, Oliver, Eunice, Patty, Sally, Malinda, and Rebecca.
     The fruits of the union of Stephen and Ruth M. Brown were three children, - one son and two daughters; Stephen H., born May 4, 1803; Ruth Eliza, born in 1805; Martha E., born in 1807.  The mother died in 1811, and the father married again, to Alma Kelsey, who died three or four years after her marriage, leaving no issue.  Mr. Brown married again, to Lydia Bronson, by whom he had two children; Stephen H., who lived at home and worked in his father's shop, blacksmithing, until he was twenty-one years old.  He then removed to Washington, Litchfield Co., Conn., and worked the first year in the marble quarries of Allen, Batterson & Wheaten.  In the winter he resumed his trade again, and followed it for three or four years, during which time he married Lucy Reynolds, Nov. 17, 1828, and had by her three children, all boys, namely, -  Edwin A., born Jan. 8, 1830, died Aug. 5, 1845; Albert R., born Feb. 12, 1832; Charles L., born June 8, 1834, died Aug. 25, 1845.  In 1831 he moved to Norwalk, Conn., remaining there and at other places until 1842, when he started for Ohio.  Two years prior to this, he lost his wife, who died Sept. 13, 1840.  She was buried in the old "Jemima Burying-Ground," so called from an eccentric old lady who used to preach in that part of the country.
     May 13, 1841, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary B. Shepard, widow of Levi Shepard, and daughter of Oliver and Alice Chapin, of Chicopee, Mass.  By this union were born two children:  George B., born July 28, 1843, and Helen J., born Feb. 19, 1850.
     In 1841 he came to Ohio, and purchased the Wells farm, in Grafton township.  He returned to Connecticut and shipped his goods by water to Cleveland, and thence in wagons.  He resided upon the farm until 1875.  His second wife died Mar. 1, 1864.  He was married to Margaret R. Rowell, widow of Benjamin Rowell, Nov. 16, of the same year; she survives.  They live in comfortable circumstances.  Mr. Brown has three children living, one by his first wife and two by his second wife.  Albert R. married Clorinda Rickard, of La Grange.  George B., married, first, Sarah A. Ingersoll, of Grafton; second, Jennie Bevier, of Plymouth.  Mr. Brown is a Republican in politics, having been a Jackson Democrat up to the war of the Rebellion.  He is an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

     MARGARET R. BROWN was born June 6, 1812, and was a daughter of John and Eleanor Woodworth, of Stillwell, Saratoga Co., N. Y.  Her grandfather emigrated from England, and was an early settler of Saratoga County.  The children born to John and Eleanor Woodworth were as follows:  Patrick, Allen, Sally Ann, Ephraim, Renselaer, Margaret R., Martin, and Isaac; of these, three survive.  John Woodworth was born in 1767, and died in 1818.  Margaret was married to Benjamin Rowell, of Vermont, Sept. 5, 1831.  She had four children, - two sons and two daughters: Sarah A., born Feb. 11, 1833; married Sly Odell, of Washington Co., N. Y.; now lives in Minnesota.  Alfred J., born Dec. 24, 1835; married Abbie Merrell, and resides at Cohoes, N. Y.  Margaret Ann, born Sept. 5, 1839; married Henry Wilkin, of Grafton.  Charles E. B., born Mar. 12, 1843; married Sybil Smith, and resides in Minnesota, same county as Sarah A.
     Her husband died Aug. 10, 1862.  He was engaged in farming and lumbering; in the latter, quite extensively.  He came to Ohio in 1848.  He was a worthy man, and a good, honest citizen.
     "Mrs. Brown is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Grafton; was formerly a Presbyterian, but joined the Methodists at the same tie her husband did, in 1848.