It was a cold day in February, 1 847, and the little town of Milan, Ohio, was noisy with the rumble of farm wagons carrying wheat to the Canal
for shipment to Lake Erie ; the wharf was crowded with farmers, shippers, labourers, and idlers, all gathered together to assist or retard the weighing and loading of the grain ; everywhere appeared bustle and movement save, perhaps, in the Edison homestead, where the advent of a new life was
awaited.have assembled--having preferred to remain indoors until the birth of his child was safely accomplished..