The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-04-01
Another Pioneer Gone.


paralysis and lung disease, John Boo.
niger, Sen., aged 80 years.
Mr.. Boosinger was born in Easter
Virginia, March 18th, 1855. His ps
rents were born and raised in tn
same vicinity. In 1870 his parent
moved 10 Port Cumberland, Virgins
and remained there until 1900, whel
they came to Ohio. His father bough
two hundred acres in Ravenna, cleared
five. sowed with wheat, and then re
turned to Virginia. The next Marcel
the family moved to Ravenna, wher:
they remained some eight years, pai(
$500 on the farm, but owing to a grea
scarcity of money, all was lost, ant
the family moved to Tallmadge, Sum
nit County.
During his stay in Ravenna young
Boosinger had quite an adventure, re.
naming ali one night at the foot of 6
tree, surrounded by wolves, which
came within few feet of him and
were only prevented from satisfying
their hunger by a constantly burning
fire.
liz lSO6 he worked for the Hon. b
Tappan, at So per month. This yeal
Portage County was organized. Mr.
Boosinger's account of the location OF
the county-seat is this: "Mr. Tappan
was lawyer and was absent part OF
the time at Warren, attending court.
On his return one evening he told his
wife that he had received grant for
a county-seat. She asked where he
thought it would be established. He
said on the Cuyahoga river. at the
'Stadning Stone,' Gas named by the
Indians,) on account of the excellent
water privilege. She told him that if
he would clear place where Ravenna
now is, the committee would there To-
cate the county-seat. The next morn
ing Mr.. Tappan told me to take my
AK and we would go and select site.
We did SO, and blaZed around about
two acres. The next day Mr.. T. cut a
string three feet long, and directed me
to cut every tree that that would
reach around. 1 did SO, clearing, or
underbrushing about three acres be-
fore the arrival of the committee
When they came they went TO the
Standing Stone,' and when they re-
turned and retired for the evening l
heard their conversation. They said
that Kent was certainly the right
place, but as Mr.. Tappan had been
to so much trouble, they would de-
eide in favor of Ravenna. The next
day 1 went with them and by their
direction cut largo stake and drove
it for the county-seat."
In 1872, at the time of Hull's sur
render at Detroit, he was called out as
spy. He went to Huron river, and
for some time did scouting duty.
Soon after his return he Joined the
army of Gen. Wadsworth, with Capt.
McArthur's company. He served over
a month in the ranks, when his team
was pressed into the service and be
was detailed as teamster. He hauled
supplies from Canton, Stark County,
Ohio, to Cleveland, and frem there up
the lakes to army headquarters, forty
miles from the mouth of the Maumee
river. He served several months,
was honorably discharged at Cieve.
land, and returned home.
While engaged as teamster during
the winter OF 1912 and 1918 the ice
was so strong on Lake Erie that
heavy loads were drawn from Cleve-
land to various places on the lake.
One day while crossing the lake in
of Henry Boszor and VIM.
Ward, the cold was so intense that he
and Mr.. Boszor started their teams at
d full trot and followed to keep from
freezing. Mr.. Ward continued to ride
but it was soon discovered by his
that he was growing
sleepy. They seized him, lifted him
from his sled, and each taking an arm
him to run until he became
warm, and thus his life was saved. In
December, 1913, he married Barbara
and in June, 1916 moved to
the farm that he has since occupied,
in then Wildstown, afterwards Thorn
dyke, but now Brimfield, in honor of
Drimfield in Massachusetts. tits said
that Mr.. Wilds paid 500 to have the
name changed to Brimfield. Mr.. B.
was the first permanent settler in this
now wealthy township. The hard
ships and privations that he expert
enced are more easily imagined than
described. Wild msat was large
portion of his living, and wolves were
often troublesome companions. One
incident is mentioned in the County
Atlas that attests the hardships of the
early days. He had only been in
Brimfield few days, and had Just
'thrown up rough cabin when he
was summoned as witness in suit
pending at Ravenna, where he was
obliged to remain till the next day.
Mrs. Boosinger had to pass the night
alone, with her two children, one
eighteen months old and the other
only four weeks, in q mere log pen,
with no door, but only a blanket hung
up at the opening. AS darkness came
on, the wolves surrounded this rude
structure with their hideous howlings
for their prey. They would
thrust their noses through
the wide spaces between the logs, and
now and then present themselves at
the doorway and attempt to enter by
pushing aside the blanket. The only
protection Mrs. B. had was dog,
who faithfully performed his part in
keeping the beasts intimidated by