Hi Jan: In the 1885 Portage County History there is an article on Joseph L. Carrier son of Lucius and Orilla Emerson Carrier, and his grandfather was Elisha Carrier a native of Connecticut who settled in Brimfield. Brimfield was one of the last townships to be settled because of the swamps, and the first permanent settler came in 1816. By 1835 there were numerous families here. "From 1821 to 1840 came the following persons: old father Cairier and his son Lucius". Elisha cleared land for a farm which was passed to his grandson Joseph. Lucius died in 1842 with Joseph being his only child. Elisha died in August 1845. This county was largely settled by people from New England, especially Connecticut, not only because it was the Connecticut Western Reserve but also because of lack of work and land in Connecticut. It wasn't just the pioneer spirit but economic reasons that led people to this area. I hope this has been helpful. Jackie