OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - And Then They Went West (published 1897) [Part 5] *********************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 April 24, 1999 *********************************************************************** Historical Collections of Ohio The Kelley Family Book compiled by Hermon Alfred Kelley 1897 And Then They Went West by D. Kelley 1998 (Part 5) *********************************************** Early Settlers An important addition was made to the population of the island in 1838 with the arrival of Mr. George C. Huntington with his wife and infant son Erastus. He had previously resided in Cleveland, where he met Emeline, daughter of Datus Kelley, and married her, Nov 7th,1837. They resided in Cleveland until after the birth of Erastus, who was born August 18th,1838. In George Huntington, Charles Carpenter and William S. Webb, Datus Kelley had three sons-in-law who were men of exceptional abilities. They were outstanding characters on the island and contributed largely to the development of the island resources, as will be seen further on in this history. In 1839, John Titus arrived and made a material addition to the population by bringing a large family of unmarried children, besides being followed by several sons-in-law soon after. He had been preceded by his eldest son-in-law, Jesse E. Woodford, who, as earlier stated, was there in 1837 helping to build Addison Kelley's house, but settled on the island later. Next to the Kelley family, the Titus family was the most numerous on the island. His sons-in-law were Edmund Ward, Joseph Lincoln, Sylvester S. Dwelle, James Watkins, James Hamililton, and J. E. Woodford. His younger sons, Jared and James, also in due time, did their part in increasing the population. The first to buy land, after Addison Kelley were Horace Kelley and Bernard McGettigan, in 1838; Patrick Martin, John Titus, J.E. Woodford and James Hamilton, in 1839; Julius Kelley. George Kelley and G.C. Huntington, 1842, in the order named. The remainder of Datus' sons received deeds in 1848 to 1851 and Irad's sons, Edwin and Charles Kelley, in 1848 . It would be interesting to know the names of the sixty-eight persons who were on the island in 1840, but it seems impossible at this date to learn them all, nor who arrived subsequent to that date and when, except from the record of the town clerks, in which we find them faithfully recorded, begining with the first elections of the newly township of Kelleys Island, which was established as such by an act of the Ohio Legislature January 21st 1840, as a result of a petition sent by the Islanders to Columbus. The names of all the voters on that occasion,and for each year subsequent to that date, until 1853, are recorded in the clerk's book. I quote from that ancient record book as follows: "Pursuant to notice being regularly given, the electors of Kelley's Island met on the first Monday in April 1840, at the school house on said island and proceeded to organize said township by choosing Walter Beardsley, Chester Stocking, and Ephriam T. Smith judges of the election, and George C. Huntington and Addison Kelley clerks, who being duly qualified, the election was declared open between the hours of 8 and 11 of said day, at which time and place the electors proceeded to vote for township office. The whole number of votes pulled was 15. For trustees, Addison Kelley had thirteen votes, Elmer Emory had fourteen and Walter Beardsley had fifteen votes and were duly elected. For Treasurer-- Horace Kelley had fourteen votes-- For township clerk--Datus Kelley had thirteen votes-- For overseers of the poor--John Titus and Hezekiah Becksford had twelve votes each. For Fence Viewers--Chester Stocking received twelve and George Wires and Henry Provost eleven votes. For Constable--Joseph Willet received fouteen votes. For Supervisor of Highways--Henry Harris received twelve votes. Each of which are duly elected. Each of the above named township officers have taken an oath to fulfill the duties prescribed to them according to law. Horace Kelley has given bonds as Treasurer and Joseph Willet as constable. An election was also had for county Officers for the new county of Ottawa and returns duly made to the temporary seat of Justice at Port Clinton. May,1840--Datus Kelley". It is seen that the only men not elected to some office of the fifteen voters were Ephraim T. Smith and George C. Huntington. However on the sixth of April, five days later, an election was held for the purpose of choosing a justice of peace. George C Huntington was elected to that office with fourteen of the fifteen votes cast. He propably voted for Henry Harris, who received one vote. At this electon there was one more elector, Theodore Morgan. The year of 1840 was an epochal year for the island. As we have seen the erection of a township with a new name, Its first election and it become an organized community. It ceased to be a paternal govenment, although Datus Kelley's influence was doubtless little lessened by the change. The islanders were actively engaged in various pursuits of farming, wood cutting, commercial fishing, and quarrying. While it is true that Datus brought the peach tree and grape vine to the island and demonstrated the suitability of both the soil and climate of the locality for these fruits, it is a true fact that the farmers of the island directed thier first agricultural efforts to raising wheat, and in this they were remarkably sucessful, and for some years paid little attention to horticulture. It was not until smut and the Hessian fly,or,as they then said, " The Midge", ruined the wheat crops, that they paid attention seriously to raising fruits. In the 1841 election. the results were several changes in officers, but there were only eleven votes cast. Other new names appear on the list however. That of Patrick Martin, Jacob Hay and James Estes, but Hay had been on the island since 1836. In 1842, the number of votes cast rose to eighteen. The new names appearing on the poll book were Erastus D. Scott. Horace Scott, Adam Bixbee, Lucius Dean and Jessie E. Woodford. Mr. Woodford, who originally settled at Plaster Bed on the upper Sandusky Bay, had in 1839 obtained a contract from the Kelleys for 58.25 acres on the east sho re at Barnum's Point now at this writing called Woodford's Point, where he built a substancial house. In 1843 there were three new names recorded They were Ezra McCallister, Jonathon Smith, and Rais Sperry. In this year, Mr Charles Carpenter arrived on the island. He was a distant cousin of Mr George C. Huntington. His mother being Mary Huntington. In this year Datus Kelley started to build a new home which was located on lot six on the northeast coner of Division street and Water Street overlooking the lake and staemboat dock. At this time, this was the most pretentious dwelling house on the island. It was two stories high and was framed of Oak and Cedar and mortised and pinned in true New England style. There were not enough men on the island to " raise " it, so some sailors brought tackle from a ship that was loading there and assisted in the raising. Mr carpenter who was then courting Caroline Kelley was doubtless glad to assist ( as he did) his prospective father-in -law in constructing the house. It was not completed until the spring. Mr. John Dean also assisted in the construction. Between the years of 1844 and 1846, new names appeared on the records. they were as follows; Charles M. Verguson, Edmund Ward, William S Webb, Levi Thompson,and John Dean.