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CHAPTER VI
BERLIN TOWNSHIP
Berlin ToAvnship was originally named Eldridge, from one of its
original proprietors, who OAvned about one-half of it. Mr. Eldridge is
described as a "pleasant gentleman," but he fell into disrepute with
his neighbors, probably because of the hatred which the early settler
felt for the land speculator. They willingly gave credence to certain
rumors that he had committed forgery in Connecticut to restore his
credit, and were unwilling to perpetuate his name. Mr. Eldridge not
only lost the confidence of his neighbors, but was actually ruined by
the burden of taxation on his unimproved lands; improvements at that
time being exempt from taxation.
In 1832 the name of the toAvnship AVIIS changed by the commissioners
of Huron County, of Avhich it was then a part. It Avas just at the time
of the Milan-Berlin treaty, and Noah Hill suggested that as there Avas a
Milan, Avhy not have a Berlin.
As first surveyed, the toAvnship Avas five miles square, but was afterward
enlarged by the addition of part of Vermillion, giving it a frontage
on the lake of about tAvo miles and a half, Avhich in those days of
so much dependence upon Avaler transportation, AVIIS a matter of A'cry
great importance.
The surface is level (except Avhere small valleys are formed by the
streams') from the lake to the ridge, where it rises from 50 to 100 feet,
and then extends southward as level as before. It is believed by geologists
that this ridge represents what Avas once the shore line of the lake.
It extends through the toAvnship from northeast to southeast, and in one
place, called the "pinnacle," the base of the bluff is 60 feet above the
level of the lake, and its slope presents three distinct terraces or shore
lines, at heights of 100. 150 and 195 feet above the lake, each indicating
a period of subsidence.
Timber AVIIS abundant, and consisted of various kinds of oak, chestnut
and white wood; of the latter, this township has supplied more than
any other in the firelands. The eastern part of the northern division
was most heavily timbered.
The soil is generally sandy, the surface formation being almost exclusively
of drift, and in places boulders, often of large size, arc
thickly scaltered, though the northern part is loAver and has a clayey
soil. There were four marshes in the township, but these marsh lands
are being reclaimed. Sandstone abounds, and half a dozen quarries have
been opened and worked at different times. From these large quantities
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