Huron County Pioneers

BARZIL CHURCH

(Although the BIO states his name to be Brazil I think this is a misprint because his name was actually BARZIL)

Brazil R. Church, blacksmith and farmer, resident on section 20 Lincoln Township, was born in Canada, May 5, 1845, and is the son of Oliver and Rhoda (Smith) Church. His parents were natives of the State of Vermont, and after their marriage they became residents of Canada, where they lived during the remainder of their lives. Their family included 13 children. Mr. Church is the eighth son and the youngest of the children of his father's household. He acquired a common-school education, and at the age of 19 years he was apprenticed to learn his trade. He served three years, and followed the business of blacksmithing three years in succession, when he became interested in the manufacture of brick, in which he operated for a similar length of time. He next engaged in farming, and spent three years in the management of his father's farm. After that he was variously engaged, until his removal to Huron County in May, 1879, when he bought 80 acres of wild land in the township where he has since resided. He has improved and cultivated about 35 acres. Mr. Church is a Republican in political connection, and has held various township offices. In the spring of 1884 (current year), he was elected Supervisor of Lincoln Township. His marriage to Amelia Wright occurred Nov 4, 1869 at Morristown, N.Y. They have five children - Arthur, Samuel, Mary, Bertha and Viola. Mrs. Church was born in the state of New York April 2, 1847, and is the daughter of Lowell Wright. Mr. Church is a member of the Protestant Association; he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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from "100 years in Huron County: Kinde, Pinnebog and Filion" printed in the Huron Daily Tribune on August 20, 1981

"Barzil Church was the first blacksmith, later selling his shop to Isaiah DesJardins. Last owner of the shop was Bert Armstrong until it was discontinued about 1926."

Submitted by Jim Church January 2001

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Last updated January 5, 2001.