Local History

In the year 1818, Joseph Sage induced several families to emigrate from their old homes in the east and commence anew in the nearly unbroken forest of Ohio. The first to make the start was John Laborie, a son-in-law of Joseph Sage, his wife Manila, two small children, Sarah and Anthony, four young men a hired girl and Joseph Sage.

They started on this adventure, February 12, 1818, from Huntington, Fairfield County, Connecticut. The first part of this journey was a sleigh. From Huntington Connecticut to Buffalo, New York this portion of the trip was pleasant. A road had been blazed before them and pioneers welcomed them into their cabins and shared their simple foods with them. But the road ended in Buffalo, so Mr. Laborie led his horses onto the ice on Lake Erie. Traveling on the ice brought real hardships. The party for the first time became hungry. Cabins along the shore were few and far between and the settlers barely had enough food to keep them alive. The horses had to be fed and oats were a dollar a bushel. Warmer weather came and softened the ice and the party pushed ahead, with the horses plowing through slush. Mrs. Laborie became ill from exposure, but every minute counted and the party pressed on.

At the time of the first election, May 27, 1819, the township was five miles wide and ten miles long, including what we now know as Huntington and Sullivan township. In 1822 Huntington became a separate township. These are the slate of officers elected at that first election:

• Clerk, John Hooker
• Constable, John Parmely
• Trustee, Henry Close
• Trustee, Whitney Chamberlain
• Trustee, Asa Palmer
• Road Supervisor, John laborie
• Road Supervisor, Simeon Munson
• Road Supervisor, Asa Palmer
• Fenceviewer, Abraham D. Hendryse
• Fenceviewer, Nathan Hoyet
• Overseer of the poor, Benjamin Close
• Appraiser of property, Rhesa Close

The settlement flourished. About 1820 a post office was established in a new route running from Wooster to the Indian Village (Milan). In 1822 this district of Sullivan became Huntington Township. Both townships, Huntington and Sullivan, were included in the organization of Lorain County in 1824. Sullivan later was made part of Ashland County when it was formed in 1846. The Wyandot and Seneca Indians frequently used this area as hunting grounds. It is reported that their final departure was about 1828.

By the late 1830’s sawmills were established. One was built by Urben Kelsey on the Charlemont Creek, near the west line of the township, and another sawmill by Mr. Ferris on the Wellington Creek, one mile north and ½ mile east of the center. With the coming of sawmills, Huntington had a building boom. As you go down the roads of Huntington, there are many homes and Church buildings built during the 1840’s that are in good shape and still used today.

Sometime during the summer of 1854 a meeting was called to organize the Union Agricultural Society. The society was to promote agriculture with a fair. The officers elected were: President Philip L Goss, Vice President A.M. Parmelee, Treasurer J.H. Welcher, and Secretary J. B. Lang. Its first fair was on ground owned by A. S. Taylor on the southwest corner of State Routes 58 & 162. The ground was fitted by volunteer labor. The success of this fair was very satisfactory, and it was decided to hold another fair the following year, under the same management. This fair was also a success. (It has been told that the first fair had a merry-go-round that was turned by a horse on the inside of the ring). Having no permanent buildings or enclosures, so that gate fees could be taken, its finances were small. After this year, a proposition was made to move the exhibitions to Wellington. The location of this Wellington site was where the public school now stands on South Main Street. This site was used until 1869 when the present location was leased from Wellington Township.

In the year 1857, a map shows the population of Huntington to be 1,173. It was during this time that Lorain County’s first railroad, the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis Line (the Big Four) was routed through Wellington. The maiden run from Wellington to Cleveland was made on August 8, 1850. As a result of the railroad going through Wellington, growth ceased in Huntington. There were as many as 17 houses that were uprooted and moved to Wellington. In the Lorain County News June 5, 1867 the population was 983.

Legend says runaway slaves stayed in a three foot space between the living room and bedroom during daylight until they could be transported to Oberlin and eventually across Lake Erie to Canada. The house had trap doors in the attic and flooring that could be raised to enter the basement. Burton Pratt lived in the home more than 80 years. He moved to the home with his parents in 1874 when he four years old.

Three year old Hattie Pratt was the subject of an Archibald Willard painting named “Blue Girl”. Hattie died of diphtheria in 1862 at 3 years of age.  The painting was done from a photo a few years later. There is an obelisk in Huntington Cemetery inscribed with the four Pratt family names: Benjamin - father; Alta - mother; Jerome; Hattie.  What is believed to be Hattie's headstone was found under a post of an outbuilding on the Pratt farm in the 1990's and is currently on display at the Huntington Historical Society Museum.

The history of church life in Huntington spans more than 180 years. The first religious meeting in Huntington Township was held by a Baptist, A. Captain Parmely from Sullivan Township. The first Methodist class met in 1822. The United Church of Huntington was formed in 1933 combining three churches in the Township and erecting the present church building 1847. The Reverend Aaron Rapking served from 1914 to 1917. He was responsible for the beautification of the cemetery that is located directly adjacent and south of the Church. In the early days, burials were on private property but at this point all the deceased were transferred to the main cemetery. This church had a renewal in 1947 with the coming of the Reverend Dale Clark. These years are significant episodes in the history of Huntington's church life. Huntington's foundation has been and continues to be a firm belief in God.

The churches in Huntington's history are as follows;

• Methodist Episcopal, established unofficially in 1822
• Huntington Baptist, established 1833
• Congregational, established 1839
• Wesleyan Methodist, established 1844
• Universalism, establishment unknown
• Community, established 1917
• United Church of Huntington (Union of Methodist, Episcopal, and the Community churches), established 1932

The revival of the United Church of Huntington came in 1947 when the Reverend Dale Clark was appointed to the United Church of Huntington. Under the Reverend Clark’s tutelage this church prospered. This rural church that could scarcely meet a $600 budget in 1946 met a budget of over $3000 in 1949. The United Church of Huntington had grown so much by 1956 that it was bursting at the seams. The average Sunday school attendance was 115 and 52 of these people had perfect attendance. Many discussions took place during this time and it was decided a new building, 30 ft. x 80 ft. of cement block would be built. It was ready for use by 1957.

In January 1958 the building was named Ward Hall, honoring the Ward family who gave so much of themselves toward the preservation of this church. Growth continued in 2002 with the addition of nearly 10,000 square feet. The church is presently a member of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference or the 4 C's.

A special board meting was called August 10, 1975. The reverend Dale Clark had suffered a heart attach and stroke. The Reverend Roger Herman was retained to fill the pulpit. There were others that filled the pulpit during the years that followed. The Reverend Clark’s health deteriorated and the search committee decided it was time to find a new pastor to fulfill the duties of Huntington.

On May 10th 1980 the search committee interviewed Stephen G. Carmany. A letter was received from Mr. Carmany stating "I am very interested in pursuing the possibility of coming to be your pastor." By a vote from the congregation Stephen Carmany became the new pastor on Sunday June 22, 1980. This would be Steve’s first pastorate. He was ordained in a ceremony held here at this church November 1980. Life went on and the church work both spiritually and physically continued with a new sense of enlightenment.