Destination Lodi: A historical journey
Looking through the 1897 Atlas of Medina County, the Lodi section has several drawings of properties that were part of the Western Reserve. I have passed this home for the past 44 years on my way to work. Yesterday I finally stopped to talk with the current owners on the history of this home.
Celebrated local artist Craig Staufer and family have lived in this home for 26 years. The house full of antiques has wide plank floors, the original staircase and a basement with three walls of rock. Last year they restored the second floor and uncovered a five-sided roof beam and hand-hewn beams. The woodwork is plain but original, with the formal dining room showing Greek revival woodwork.
The drawing of the house shows another section to the right that is no longer. It is the understanding of Mr. Staufer, part of the house moved down the road and is now a part of the old Haines home.
In the Harrisville Township log, it states W.D. Prouty settled in Harrisville in 1834, occupation: farmer.
According to "History of Medina Co. and Ohio," William D. Prouty was native to Vermont, Windham County, born May 23, 1813. His father Stephan was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, enlisting in the service at the age of 16. His father married Udith Devol, with whom he had eight children, William the youngest. The family emigrated to St. Lawrence County, N.Y. in the year 1826.
In the spring of 1833, William came west, having only 75 cents in money. He worked by the month for his brother for some time, and afterward worked wherever work was. He finally purchased 135 acres of unimproved land at $4 per acre, paying $100 down. Erecting a log cabin, he began clearing timber. He marketed his wheat in Cleveland, at 3 shillings per bushel.
On Dec. 17, 1835, he married Lydia Foster, who was born in Jefferson County, N.Y., on Nov. 6, 1815. Co. The couple had two children Chester and Luther. Chester, relocated to Lafayette County and returned to the family farm in 1869. Luther moved to Chatham where Prouty Road is located.
As stated about William in "History of Medina Co. and Ohio," “Though a Democrat in principle, yet has never been ultra in his opinions, having always been contented to abide by the decision rendered by the masses and to cheerfully conform to the powers to be.” Sounds to me, he always wanted what was best for the community and worked with others to do so.
William and Lydia are now buried at the Old Lodi Cemetery.
Celebrated local artist Craig Staufer and family have lived in this home for 26 years. The house full of antiques has wide plank floors, the original staircase and a basement with three walls of rock. Last year they restored the second floor and uncovered a five-sided roof beam and hand-hewn beams. The woodwork is plain but original, with the formal dining room showing Greek revival woodwork.
The drawing of the house shows another section to the right that is no longer. It is the understanding of Mr. Staufer, part of the house moved down the road and is now a part of the old Haines home.
In the Harrisville Township log, it states W.D. Prouty settled in Harrisville in 1834, occupation: farmer.
According to "History of Medina Co. and Ohio," William D. Prouty was native to Vermont, Windham County, born May 23, 1813. His father Stephan was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, enlisting in the service at the age of 16. His father married Udith Devol, with whom he had eight children, William the youngest. The family emigrated to St. Lawrence County, N.Y. in the year 1826.
In the spring of 1833, William came west, having only 75 cents in money. He worked by the month for his brother for some time, and afterward worked wherever work was. He finally purchased 135 acres of unimproved land at $4 per acre, paying $100 down. Erecting a log cabin, he began clearing timber. He marketed his wheat in Cleveland, at 3 shillings per bushel.
On Dec. 17, 1835, he married Lydia Foster, who was born in Jefferson County, N.Y., on Nov. 6, 1815. Co. The couple had two children Chester and Luther. Chester, relocated to Lafayette County and returned to the family farm in 1869. Luther moved to Chatham where Prouty Road is located.
As stated about William in "History of Medina Co. and Ohio," “Though a Democrat in principle, yet has never been ultra in his opinions, having always been contented to abide by the decision rendered by the masses and to cheerfully conform to the powers to be.” Sounds to me, he always wanted what was best for the community and worked with others to do so.
William and Lydia are now buried at the Old Lodi Cemetery.