[Vermilion Twp., Erie County, Ohio] "VERMILLION TOWNSHIP" History from HISTORY OF THE FIRELANDS; 1879 by W.W.Williams pages 440-444 This township was named after the principal river emptying into the lake through its territory, and is bounded on the north by Lake Erie; south by Florence and Berlin townships; east by Brownhelm township, Lorain county; and west by the township of Berlin. The surface of the township is level in the northern portion, while in the south part it is broken with alternate sandy ridges and low lands. The soil is variable, and embraces sandy loam, gravel and clay marl. Numerous stone quarries abound in the township, which produce an excellent quality of stone. Iron ore has also been found in paying quantities. STREAMS. These are the Vermillion, La Chapelle, and Sugar creek. The first and largest of these rises in Ashland county; runs north through the eastern part of Huron and western part of Lorain counties, emptying into Lake Erie near the east line of Vermillion township. It was named by the Indians, in consequence of a paint which they found along its banks. Sugar creek was so named from the fact that a mound stood at its mouth which resembled a sugar loaf, and also that the Indians made sugar from the extensive sugar orchards along the stream. La Chapelle rises in Huron county, and passes through the townships of Wakeman, Florence, and Vermillion. ORIGINAL OWNERS. [ note: the following list of "sufferers" is abridged. Also included was the amount of loss, by whom classified, and amount classified. This refers to those claims granted in the "Firelands" in 1808 to those in Connecticut whose property had been destroyed by fire during the Revolution. Nearly all of these claims were sold to Guy Richards, except those marked with an asterisk, which were sold to Fred Stanley, John Prentice, or Daniel Hershaw.] VERMILLION, TOWN NUMBER SIX, IN RANGE TWENTY. CLASSIFICATION No.1, SECTION 1. Simon Wolcott, Giles Mumford, Bridget Harris, George Newcomb, Elizabeth Plumb, Guy Richards & Sons, Amos Lester, Edgecomb Lee, James Young, Lydia Avery, widow Nelson CLASSIFICATION No.2, SECTION 2. David Bryne, Jeremiah Brown, Lodowick Champlin, Nathaniel Coit, Jr. , Joseph Desbon, Sarah Edmond, John Crocker, Nathaniel Harris, John Harris, Walter Harris, Grace Harris, Tiodate Little, Richard Lattimer, Lewis Minor, Christopher Prince CLASSIFICATION No.3, SECTION 3. Widow Nelson, Borer Gibson, William Coit, Joseph Harris, Jr., Stephen Colver, John Gordon, Jonathan Colfax, Robert Manwaring, Samuel Belden*, Amos Rogers*, Henry Deshon*, Walter Welch, Eliza Seabury CLASSIFICATION No.4, SECTION 4. Christopher Prince, Joseph Plumbe, Green Plumbe, Stephen Rougette, Benjamin Rogers, William Skinner, Adam Shapeley, Robert Smith, Daniel Tinker, John Ward, Lucretia Wolf, James Thompson, Speary Douglass, Simon Wolcott SETTLEMENT. The following is principally from the sketches published in the [FIRELANDS] PIONEER by William H. Crane and Hon. Benjamin Summers: "William Haddy came in 1808; William Austin, George and John Sherarts, Enoch Smith, and Horatio Perry in 1809; Almon Ruggles, Solomon Parsons, Benjamin Brooks, Barlow Sturges, Deacon John Beardsley, and James Cuddeback in 1810. Peter Cuddeback and others in 1811. They came with teams principally." Captain William Austin located about half a mile west of the mouth of Vermillion river. 'Tis said that he often held Commodore 0. H. Perry on his knee when a baby. Captain A. was a man of energy, and built one of the first boats launched from these shores, and sailed her before and during the war of 1812. He died many years since. The children were: John, George, William, Jedediah, Sally, Betsey, Nancy, and Polly. George Sherrats was from Pennsylvania, and located some half a mile west of Captain Austin's. He was esteemed as industrious, honest and pious, and an excellent citizen. The children were: Christina, Betsey, Catharine, George, Jr., Polly, Rebecca, Jacob, John, Hannah, Rachel, Barbara and Sophia. John Sherarts and wife, Elizabeth, located on the lake shore, about half a mile west of the river, where they remained until 1818, when they removed from the township. The children were: Mary, Betsey, Catharine, David, Caroline, John, Jane and Angeline. Enoch Smith settled on the ridge where Henry Todd now lives (lot three, section two). He afterwards removed to Florence township. The children were: William, Rebecca, Laura, Lyman, Amanda, Henry and John. Horatio Perry came from Cleveland and settled on the farm next west of Captain Austin's. He married Miss Prentiss, who died young, leaving a daughter, Sophia. When thirty years of age, be became so broken down with hard work that he was compelled to cease farm labor. He married Miss Smith and removed to Elyria, Lorain county. Hon. Almon Ruggles, who was the surveyor of the Fire-lands, settled on the lake shore, midway between Vermillion and Huron rivers. In 1808, he married Miss Annis Dibble, of Brookfield, Connecticut, by whom one child (Rebecca) was born previous to locating in Ohio. Judge Ruggles for many years acted as land agent for the proprietors of the Fire-lands. After the organization of Huron county, he was its first recorder. This was in 1809. He was appointed associate judge of Huron County in 1815, State senator in 1816, and re-elected in 1818. In 1824 he was elected representative. Judge Ruggles was not famous as an orator, but possessed good, practical abilities, and in all positions of honor, trust or profit filled by him, he gave general satisfaction. He built a mill for the proprietors in 1809. This was near the south line of Florence township, on the Vermillion river, and was soon carried away by high water. In 1811-12, he built a mill near the northeast corner of Florence township, on La Chapelle creek, which was a great benefit to the settlers for many miles around. His wife died in 1815, leaving two children, Rebecca and Betsey, and he married Mrs. Rhoda Buck, by whom two children were born, Charles and Richard. Judge Ruggles died July 17, 1840, aged seventy years. His second wife died in 1851. Solomon Parsons came with wife and children from Delaware county, New York. He was advanced in life, and Mrs. Parsons died early in 1812. The children were: Levi, Burton, Ira, Sarah and Pheba, who resided in Vermillion for many years, the sons holding many offices of responsibility both in the township and county. Benjamin Brooks, with a family, consisting of a wife and three children, settled on the farm next east of George Sherarts', afterwards occupied by a son. Mr. Brooks was a captive amongst the Indians for many years in his younger days, and well acquainted with their manners, customs and traditions. He died a few years subsequent to locating in Vermillion, leaving three children: Jonathan, Joseph and Betsey. Captain Barlow Sturges and wife, Eunice, with a son, Frederick, and his wife, Charlotte, settled at the mouth of the Vermillion river, where they opened a hotel and established a ferry. Captain Sturges died a few years subsequent to settlement, and the son in 1818. They were seafaring men, of good abilities and generous impulses. Deacon John Beardsley settled on lot number twelve, in the second section. He was a good and useful man, and fully devoted to his Christian duties. He first introduced religious meetings into the different neighborhoods round about, by holding reading meetings, which he conducted by singing, prayers, reading a sermon, etc., and which, in the absence of regular clergy, was very beneficial in keeping up the form, and, to some extent, the spirit of religion, and steadying the ark of the Lord in the wilderness. Deacon Beardsley died of lockjaw, in the year 1831. His children were: Philo, Joseph Smith and Clement, Sophia, Joseph Smith the second, Harriet, Seth, Maria, John and Irene. James Cuddeback settled half a mile west of the river. He was industrious, prudent and an honest citizen. He died many years since; children: Rhoda, Hannah, James, Emily, Sarah and Paulina. The son, who was a deaf mute, was run over by the cars at Vermillion, in the spring of 1862. Peter Cuddeback and his wife Jane were of the Dutch stock of the Mohawk, and settled two miles west of the river. Uncle Peter and aunt Janey were noted far and wide for thrift and unbounded hospitality. Although their children, to the number of near a dozen, were usually at the family board, scarcely ever did they fail, for a meal, to also supply the want of visitors, travelers, immigrants, or any others who would partake of their good cheer. They had enough for each and for all; and it seemed to be the peculiar delight of aunt Janey to cook for and wait on her friends, and she counted all strangers and new-comers as such, as well as those of longer standing. Peter Cuddeback died in 1833. The children were: James J., Polly, Sallie, Hiram, Fanny, Nathan, Norman, Jane and Permilla. Rufus Judson located in Vermillion in 1811 or 1812. He was a blacksmith and farmer. He had four sons: Charles P., Wakeman, Eli S., and George. Mrs. Judson, an excellent woman, was lost on the Lake while returning from Buffalo. The foregoing are all who may be strictly considered pioneers. Among later settlers are: About 1815, a man named Wilcox built a cabin on the north half of lot number two in the second section, where he remained a short time. Jonah Barton, and his son, Jonah, Jr., built a cabin about the same time, near the center or lot number eleven, in the same section. The old gentleman went, some years after, to reside with his children in Milan, and died there. Jonah, Jr., married Hannah Allen, and became a resident of the ridge, just east of the cemetery, where he died in 1833, leaving several children. A man named Burroughs made an opening and raised a house in the southeast corner of lot number one. He left the county in 1818. Samuel and Jesse Sanders settled near where Sugar creek crosses the north ridge, as early as 1815 or 1816, and Benjamin Durand, a little farther west on the same ridge. Almon Keeler and wife, Mahitabel, were from Newtown, Connecticut, and settled next east of Rufus Judson, about 1816 or 1817. He was killed by the fall of a tree about 1821 or 1822, leaving a wife and four children. In the spring of 1817, Eli Winton moved into the house built by Wilcox. He was a miller. During the winter of 1817 or 1818 he moved to the block house on lot number three. The children were seven in number. About this time John Miller, a sailor, from Connecticut, settled on La Chapelle creek, about a mile from the lake. He had two sons: John and Isaac, who were mighty hunters. A daughter, Ann, married Joseph Brooks. In November, Mark Summers, also from Newtown, located in the township. His wife was Dinah Botsford. He was possessed of sufficient mechanical genius to make anything in wood and iron, from a nail to rifle, gun, lock, stock and barrel, and from a rake tooth to an old-fashioned bull plow. His wife died in 1842; he, in 1855, aged ninety years. Children: Sally; Benjamin, who succeeded Esquire Wells in the justiceship for six years, was, for a few years, associated judge of the district; before and at the time Erie was set off, and twice represented the Fire-lands district in the lower house of assembly; Betsey and John. Philo Wells, Esq., was from Dutchess county, New York. His wife was Hannah Lewis, from Connecticut. Settled in the township in 1818. He is still living. His wife died in 1848, and he married for his second, Mrs. Smith, also from Connecticut. The children were: George, Lewis, Wheeler, Eliza and Emeline. Lewis is at present in the mercantile business at Vermillion village. Joel Crane, Esq., first settled in Florence, near the south line of Vermillion, and subsequently in this township. His wife was Olive Mitchell. The children were: Simeon M., Ann, Edward and William H., who married Harriet Chandler. Joel Crane died in 1844, and his wife in 1857. Captain Harris and his wife were aged when they located in Vermillion. The four children that came with him were: Amos, who became a physician, settled in Milan, married Miss Goodrich, reared a family, and died in 1843; Abagail, who married Rev. John Monteith, afterward connected with Elyria schools; Abraham, removed westward; and Delpha, who married Rev. Mr. Burbank. Jesse Ball first settled on the lake shore. He married Susan Gilbert. Eleven children were born to them; Horace, Orissa, Sally, Susan, Jesse, Jr., Eli, Julia, Ann, Harriet, Eliza and Emily. Benjamin Munn and wife settled on the North ridge, near Sugar creek. He died a few years later, and his widow returned East. Amason Washburn married Sallie Whitney, and located in Vermillion township in 1819. He united blacksmithing and farming, and by persevering industry and frugality obtained a competence. The children were: Wheeler, David L., who married Irena Beardsley; Charles, who married Sally Ball; Marietta, who married Benajah Butler; Benjamin S., who married Sarah Brobeck; Betsey, who married James Mordoff; Delpha, who married John Harrison; James, who married - Webster, and Amason Jr. Capt. Josiah S. Pelton located in Vermillion in 1818. He was originally from near Hartford, Connecticut, 1819. but had removed to Euclid, Cuyahoga county (where his wife died), previous to finally settling in Vermillion. He had been in the West India trade as captain of a trading vessel. He was far advanced in life, and ill prepared to begin life in a new country, although he was possessed of fine talents, and quite extensively read. The oldest son, Josiah S., Jr., became the manager and main support of the family, and being a good financier, became comparatively wealthy. He married Mrs. Sophia Leonard, of Buffalo, New York. The remainder of the children are: Allen, who married Fanny Cuddeback; Sylvester A., who married Eunice Sturges; Austin, who married Sarah Sturges; Franklin, who married Eliza Davis; Phoebe, who married Anson Cooper; Charlotte, who married Levi Parsons; and Lucy, who became the wife of John Miller. Of later settlers, Moses Tod came from East Haven, Connecticut, to Vermillion, arriving May 28, 1835. He purchased the farm first owned by Enoch Smith. Mr. Todd died December 22, 1848, aged eighty-three. Mrs. Todd died in 1857, aged eighty-nine. The children are: Sarah, Woodward, Henry, Charlotte D., and Isaac and Kneeland (twins), who are all yet living. FIRST EVENTS. The first white child born in the township of Vermillion was John Sherrats, in 1809. He grew to manhood and removed to Van Buren County, Michigan. The first couple married was Catherine Sherarts to Bud Martin, in the spring of 1814. Both are now dead. The first death was that of a stranger -name not known- at the house of Barlow Sturges, in the winter of 1810-11. The following year the wife of Solomon Parsons died. This was the first death of an actual settler in Vermillion. The first house in the township was erected in 1808, by William Hoddy. It was of logs, and stood on the lake shore, near the month of the river, and the second by Captain William Austin, a short distance west. Peter Cuddeback built the first frame house, in 1818. In 1821, Captain Austin built a stone house, the first in the township, and to Horatio Perry belongs the honor of having erected the first brick house in the township. Through the efforts of Judge Ruggles, a post office was early established in Vermillion. Judge Ruggles, it is thought, was the first commissioned postmaster. The mails were carried on foot, first, by a Mr. Leach. The present postmaster is Henry Baxtine. The first orchard was planted in 1812, by Peter Cuddeback, on the farm afterwards occupied by his son, J. J. Cuddeback. Captain William Austin opened the first public house, says Wm. H. Crane, at or near the mouth of the river. At present (1879) there is but one hotel in the township. This is the "Lake House," located in the village, W. I. Irish, proprietor. C. P. Judson put in the first stock of goods. His store was located in the village. At present the business houses are as follows: Lewis Wells, and Delker & Englebrecht, dry goods, etc.; Ed Kane and John King, groceries; Dr. F. C. McConnelly and others, drugs; a hardware, furniture, jewelry and several millinery stores, with a number of boot and shoe and blacksmith shops. ORGANIZATION. The first record of an election bears date April 6, 1818. It was held at the residence of Hon. Almon Ruggles, who was elected township clerk. Peter Cuddeback and James Prentiss were judges of the election, which resulted as follows: Francis Keyes, John Beardsley, and Rufus Judson, trustees; Peter Cuddeback, treasurer; Jeremiah Van Benschoter and Horatio Perry, overseers of the poor; Peter Cuddeback and Francis Keyes, fence viewers; Peter Cuddeback, lister and appraiser; Stephen Meeker, appraiser; George Sherrats, Francis Keyes, William Van Benschoter, and James Prentiss, supervisors. Mr. Cuddeback seems to have carried off the honors of office on this occasion, probably with great opposition, as the emoluments were nothing and the public crib empty; in fact, it was soon after resolved that all township officers perform their duties free of expense to the township. The township officers for 1879 are: John H. Farber, Jesse Ball, and S. A. Pelton, trustees; Otis H. Tilden, clerk; Franklin Pelton, treasurer; David Haber, assessor; Conrad Nuhn, L. W. Champney, and L. P. Walker, constables; Otis H. Tilden, M. J. Trinter, and Lemuel Goldsmith, justices of the peace; and eight supervisors. CHURCHES. The first religious meeting was held at the house of Captain William Austin in the spring of 1810, by the Rev. Joseph Badger, who was one of the earliest missionaries in northeastern Ohio, and identified with the churches during the first twenty-five years of settlement. The first church organized in the township was the Congregational, February 20, 1818. The first meeting house was built near the center of the township in the Spring of 1828, and on the 22d day of May, the same year, the first pastor, Rev. Harvey Lyon, was installed. The first class of the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed in the Fall of 1834. Members: John Myers and wife, Miss Zuba Jackson, and subsequently Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Juilia Summers, wife of Hon. Benjamin Summers. John Myers was the leader of the class. Rev. Henry 0. Sheldon and Edward Thompson were the first ministers. There are at present, in addition to the above, four German churches, but of these we have no statistics. SCHOOLS. The first school house was built on the lake shore in the spring of 1814. Miss Susan Williams taught a term of school, the first in the township, the summer following the erection of the school house. Among her scholars were: J. J. Cuddeback, Jacob Sherarts and Joseph Brooks. The village school district was made a special district at the March meeting of the board of education in 1851, and was re-organized in 1873, April 14th of which year it was decided to erect a school building. Work was begun as soon as practicable, and the building was completed in 1874. It is a substantial brick structure, and cost, with grounds and furniture, some eighteen thousand dollars. The school comprises three grades, primary, intermediate and grammar, and employs four teachers. The present board of education is composed of the following: J. C. Gilchrist, president; Otis H. Tilden, clerk; H. G. Delker, treasurer; William McGraw and G. W. Lavoo, directors. SOCIETIES. Ely Lodge, No. 424, F. and A. Masons. The charter of this body was issued November 9, 1868. On September 7, 1870, the building was burned in which the lodge convened, and with it the charter, records, jewels and furniture. The present charter was issued October 22, 1870, and contains the following names: Dr. F. C. McConnelly, E. H. Anders, Thomas W. Green, Stephen Van Winkle, Homer Durand, R. Case, James Nicholl and Alfred Smith. The officers on charter were: E. H. Anders, W. M.; Dr. F. C. McConnelly, S. W.; Thomas W. Green, J. W. The society has a present membership of thirty-five, and is in a prosperous condition. It meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month. The officers for 1879 are: Dr. F. C. McConnelly, W. M.; M. M. Pelton, S. W.; J. J. Patchet, J. W.; C. B. Summers, secretary; L. Body, treasurer; H. Sturdevant, S. D.; B. Parsons, J. D.; William Bolams, tyler; W. S. Irish and Royal Harris, stewards. Dr. McConnelly was the founder of this lodge, and has occupied his present position the greater part of the time since its formation. Koeing Lodge No.543, I.0.0.F., was instituted November 25, 1872, with the following charter members: J. M. King, N. Fischer, V. Gerlach, Charles Leimbach, John Englebrecht, J. Krapp, A. Trinter, Charles Nagle, M. Herman, C. Bachman, L. Body, A. Heusner, J. Englebrecht, J. Schade and J. Miller. The officers on organization were: J. M. King, N. G.; V. Gerlach, V. G.; J. Krapp, P. Sec.; Charles Nagle, R. Sec., and N. Fischer, treasurer. Present membership, twenty-one; meetings, Thursday evening of each week. The officers for 1879 are: A. Trinter, N. G.; J. Gerlach, V. G.: C. Bachman, R. S.; John Englebrecht, P.S., and J. M. King, treasurer. Temperance societies have several times effected an organization in the township. None are now in operation. PHYSICIANS. The first to represent the medical profession in Vermillion township was Dr. Strong, who came very early, but of him we have no record. Prominent among physicians of a later date was A. E. Merrell, at present probate judge of Erie county. F. C. McConnelly, M. D., began his practice in Vermillion, immediately after receiving his degree, in 1851. He soon acquired an extensive and lucrative practice, which still continues. Two other physicians reside in the township at present: B. F. Bond and A. McMillan. INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. George Sherrats built, in the years 1809-10, the first flouring mill in the township. This was propelled by hand, and commenced to grind wheat in the spring of 1810. Shortly after, Peter Cuddeback built a similar mill, and for three years or more the inhabitants of this, and some of adjoining townships, patronized these mills extensively. No other grist mills have been built in the township. The first saw mill was erected by Job Smith, on La Chapelle creek, in 1819. In 1830 or '31, Messrs. Ford, Sanford, Tracy and others, of the Geauga Iron Company, put in operation at Vermillion village the Huron Iron Company. This grew to be an extensive business, and was in operation until 1855. It was succeeded by the Vermillion furnace, under the ownership of Philo Tilden, who was afterward associated with D. R. Paige. Some fifty thousand dollars were invested in the business, and an average of sixty men employed. The furnace ceased business in 1865. Two cheese factories have had an existence in the township, and one is still in operation. This is what is known as the Switzer factory, is located on lot number three, in the second section, and began business in April, 1877, with a patronage of one hundred cows. Christopher Bauman is the manufacturer. The milk is made into one cheese daily, and these, when cured, are marketed in the cities of New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. Fischer & Company have a sash, door and blind manufactory in the village. VERMILLION VILLAGE, situated at the mouth of Vermillion river, was incorporated by a special act of legislature, in 1837. The first record of an election bears date April 6, 1839, when the following were elected: Joseph B. Clarke, mayor; William B. Andrews, recorder; Noah Loomis, treasurer; Chris. Grover, A. W. Melsheimer, A. B. Smith, Charles Burr and Barlow Sturges, trustees. The officers for 1879 are: Charles B. Summers, mayor; Otis M. Tilden, clerk; Franklin Pelton, treasurer; David Newbury, Henry Jackson, A. A. Edson, Charles Martin, George Krapp and J. C. Gilchrist, councilmen. SHIPPING INTERESTS, ETC. It was many years after settlement before anything was done toward improving the harbor at the mouth of the Vermillion river. Action was finally taken by the government, and, in about 1841 or 1842, Major Borns came on and built a pier and dredged the channel, and several years later a light house was constructed and further dredging performed, giving some fourteen feet of water in the channel. The first boat of any kind was built by Captain William Austin, as early as 1815. She was named the "Friendship," and was of, perhaps, thirty tons capacity. We have no knowledge of her subsequent career. After the harbor was improved, ship building was extensively prosecuted. Alva Bradley, now of Cleveland, was, without doubt, the largest builder, and, in company with Ahira Cobb, constructed many sail and steam crafts. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Notice: the above material is Public Domain (no copyright)." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Ted Reising tedohio@yahoo.com Dec. 15, 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------------------