A history of Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland, (Vol. 1), Part 10

Author: Coates, William R., 1851-1935
Publication date: 1924
Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 600

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In 1811, also, Benona Brown, Samuel Wolcott, Almon Wolcott and Charles Wolcott, from Massachusetts, settled in the northeast part of the township, and Robert Donalson, Mr. Stanford and David Morton located in the southeast part. Donalson and Stanford came from Pennsylvania, and Morton from Massachusetts. To the little settlement this same year was added Eli and Bijah Bagley and Rufus Newell with their families.

MOSES CLEAVELAND'S BIRTHPLACE Better known to us as John Shea's old house.

SCENE ON CHIPPEWA CREEK, BRECKSVILLE

THE CITY OF CLEVELAND

These located west of the Center. In 1812, Edward Johnston and wife, with a family of four sons, settled in the east part in the valley of the Chippewa near the Cuyahoga. These boys were great hunters. William or "Bill" was once asked to relate some of his experiences at a pioneer meeting, which was largely devoted to reminiscences of the early days. The chairman said, "You have had lots of tussels with bears and Indians, and we want you to relate some of them." "No," said Bill, "I never had any tussels, I always shot to kill." David McCrary and a Mr. Thompson came this year and located in the eastern part of the township near the Cuyahoga River, and Hosea Bradford, who settled on the farm known as the Rinear farm near the Center. These hardy first comers were not un- mindful of the dangers that might be encountered. The Indians were a menace, and a garrison was maintained at the house of Seth Paine of such strength as the sparsely settled country could maintain. The pioneers could distinctly hear the cannonading at the Battle of Lake Erie, and hur- ried to Paine's. Lemuel Bourne for some reason stayed at home, and soon a man came to his house on horseback and said that Perry was whipped and that the settlers must flee for their lives to Hudson. Mr. Bourne carried the startling news to the gathering at Paine's. The news caused a panic, and preparations were quickly made to leave. Paine had a horse and a yoke of oxen and a cart which was commandeered. Articles were hidden in the bushes. Mrs. Paine had some choice china, brought from the East. This she put in a kettle and buried. They traveled as far as Boston, Summit County, where there was quite a settlement and a block house, built of white oak logs. Here a counsel was held and it was decided to send to Cleveland and ascertain the truth or falsity of the report about Perry. John Waite volunteered to go. In the morning, as related by Uncle Ned Wilcox, they brought out the old horse, fed him some corn, and Mr. Waite mounted with his rifle in front and a flask in his pocket, containing a little something to drive off dull care, and started on his journey. Arriving at Newburgh, he met a man who said it was all a lie, that Perry was victorious. That would not do, he must not go back with- out accumulative evidence. He rode on to Cleveland, where the good news was confirmed, returned, and arrived in Boston about sunset of the same day. There was general rejoicing. All returned home at once, but Mrs. Paine never found her dishes. The romance of gossip has it that the place of concealment may have been mislocated and that they are still buried on the old Paine farm.

From this time on new arrivals were numerous. Lemuel Hoadley built a gristmill at the Center on Chippewa Creek. This was a great boon as up to this time the nearest gristmills had been at Newburg and Hud- son, and many of the settlers crushed their grain for the family use in hollowed stones or stumps. Hosea Bradford opened a shoe shop at the Center, boot shop would be a better term. Bolter Colson, one of the early arrivals, was famous with the ax. It has been claimed for him that he felled more trees than any other man. He would start on a tree before the previous one reached the ground. He had five sons, Orrin, Chandler, Lyman, Thomas, and Newton. Some of the sons inherited their father's liking for work in the woods. Newton and Thomas engaged in the timber business along with farming the most of their lives. They were also clever hunters and were particularly good at hunting the wild turkey, achieving a reputation for their successes. Hard work did not keep Bolter Colson from preserving his strength. Until his death in 1878 at the age of ninety- three, his ax was his constant companion.

As in the settlement of Bedford we note the large families. Aaron Rice and wife, who came in 1813, had seven sons and three daughters,

CUYAHOGA COUNTY AND

Aaron Barnes, who came in 1826, had six. There were two sons, Jesse and Giles. Jesse, who was prominent in later years in Brecksville as a merchant and public spirited citizen, once said that he never had a suit of clothes, until after he grew to manhood, that was not spun, woven and made for him by his mother. This faithful soul, Aunt Roxey Barnes, was nurse to the neighborhood. She created faith in her herb tea and watched by the sick as a neighborly kindness.

We must mention among the early arrivals, Josiah Wilcox, wife and three sons, Moses Hunt, who came in 1833, married in 1834 Miss Eme- line Dewey, and located on the extreme southeastern farm of the town- ship; Russ Snow and Henry Snow with their families; Carey Oakes and family, whose first house was built of poles and bark, who was one of the captains of the Hinckley Hunt; Mrs. Mary Timmons and her son Tommy, who located on the river; Capt. John Dunbar, a soldier of 1812, with a large family; Andrew Dillow and family; Hugh Stevenson, who came in 1831 and who married Elizabeth Holland, a cousin of Martin Van Buren, President of the United States; Ezra Wyatt, who built another gristmill and a sawmill; Ambrose and Ebba Wilcox, and Chauncey L. Young, who built mills; Isaac Packard, who kept the first tavern in a log house, where the Congregational Church now stands; and Thomas Allen and wife, Marana, with five sons and four daughters, William, Charles, Thomas, Frank, Sarah, Joe, Lottie and Mary, and May, who was the first postmas- ter of the town. Isaac Packard sold his tavern site to the trustees of the Congregational Church. There was controversy over the purchase, some of the members holding that it was unhallowed ground. Thomas Allen, while postmaster, received one mail a week. Of his eight children two are living, the twins, Mary and May. Mary is the wife of William Baxter Peck of Denver, Colorado, and May is Mrs. John Stewart of North Evans- ton, Chicago.

Industrial Brecksville has been left behind by the march of events. At one time before 1840 there were several gristmills, four or five saw- mills, three distilleries and a tannery and barkmill on the Chippewa. Peter Goodell had a chair factory and cabinet shop, using the power of a small stream, and Jason Janes a woolen mill nearby that was known as the "spring mill." Later at the Center "Al" Billings operated a harness shop, Robert Crossman and William McWade were rivals in the manufacture of boots and shoes, and James Wyatt conducted a cheese factory. These small industries went out of business, being unable to compete with the larger manufacturing establishments in industrial centers, and the town- ship is, today, almost exclusively an agricultural community.

Following the opening of the Ohio canal in 1826 the bilious fever raged fearfully and there were many deaths. Chester Waite was the first doctor in town. He built the first frame house on the public square. Dr. Isaac Morgan was the second. He came in 1818 and practiced until his death. Then followed Doctors Gibbs and Cleveland and then Dr. Wil- liam Knowlton, whose two sons, Augustus and William A. Knowlton, later adopted the same profession and practiced in the town, both becoming popular not only as physicians but as orators of unusual ability. Dr. Wil- liam Knowlton is still living in Cleveland. He married as his second wife Fannie Snow, who has achieved a, reputation as a musical composer. Dr. Edward Breck, also one of the sons of John Breck, after whom the town was named, practiced his profession in the town until his death in 1865. The present physicians are Dr. E. L. Bourne, grandson of Lemuel, and Dr. Theodore Breck, great-grandson of John Breck.

An incident of local historical interest occurred in 1856, the Great Sleighride. This occurred in the month of March. It originated in

THE CITY OF CLEVELAND

Solon Township, which called on a neighboring town with seven four- horse teams and a banner flying, "Beat this if you can." The story is aptly told in the following lines written by Mrs. Allen, then an old lady and a participant in the events narrated :

THE GREAT SLEIGHRIDES

Come listen, young and old, to the story that is told Of our mammoth sleighride that came off so handy, O. I will tell you how it begun, likewise how the story run Old Medina boys for conquering are the dandy, O.

The Solon boys, it seems, got up seven four-horse teams And had a sleighride that came off so handy, O, With a banner in the van, that said, "take me if you can," But Medina boys will conquer-they're the dandy, O.

Next Twinsburg boys are seen, driving fourteen four-horse teams, They're going for the banner now so handy, O. And they bear the flag away, but alas it cannot stay, Old Medina boys will conquer-they're the dandy, O.

Old Bedford in the field, and the banner now must yield, For their teams are counted thirty-four, so handy, O, But the Bedford boys can't brag, they cannot keep the flag. Old Medina boys will conquer-they're the dandy, O.

Now Northfield comes in sight, but their numbers are not right, And they cannot take the banner quite so handy, O, So they had to give up beat, and homeward did retreat But Medina boys will conquer-they're the dandy, O.

Now Brecksville boys are there, and they take the banner fair, Their four-horse teams are fifty-four so handy, O, But 'tis only for a day, there are others in the play. Old Medina boys will conquer-they're the dandy, O.

Old Royalton doth freight, four-horse teams just sixty-eight, With merry lads and lassies, all so handy, O, Oh, it is a glorious day, and the flag they bear away, But Medina boys will conquer-they're the dandy, O.

Now Boston rallies round, their "canalers" beat the ground, A motley crew, that they've got up so handy, O, They go home without the flag, to get a new recruit of nags, But Medina boys will conquer- they're the dandy, O.

My friends, oh do not grieve, you can hear their horses heave, As they come again to take the flag so handy, O. Some are blind and some are lame, the poor horses aren't to blame, But Medina boys will conquer-they're the dandy, O.

Old Boston turned out fine, four-horse teams they'd eighty-nine, And they bear the banner home, so neat and handy, O,

CUYAHOGA COUNTY AND

Old Boston got her will but the banner can't be still.

Old Medina boys will conquer-they're the dandy, O.

One hundred fifty four-horse teams the banner bore, From Boston up to Richfield, all so handy, O. We will now reverse the case, for the county's joined the race, Old Medina boys will conquer-they're the dandy, O.

How the counties rally 'round, oh how sweet the music sounds, Cuyahoga and Medina are so handy, O,

Summit County played the swine. Said: "The banner shall be mine." But Medina boys will conquer-they're the dandy, O.

Four-horse teams oh what a string! and the merry bells do ring, The snow is deep, the roads are smooth and handy, O. All the teams if counted true, were four hundred sixty-two, But Medina boys will conquer-they're the dandy, O.

It was March the eighteenth day, the Medina boys did say ; "Come let us take the banner, 'tis so handy, O."

Nine hundred the amount, likewise twelve they didn't count Old Medina boys will conquer-they're the dandy, O.

Into Akron now they pour, and the cannon loud doth roar, With bands of music playing neat and handy, O,

And the banner we have won, that says, "take me if you can," Hark! Medina boys have conquered-they're the dandy, O.

Mrs. Allen was a resident of Hinckley, Medina County, and in the concluding stanzas of this poem written to commemorate the Great Sleigh- rides she states that the banner is at the county seat of Medina County and dares any county, "when winter comes again," to come and take it.

Brecksville furnished eighty-eight soldiers in the Civil war, a number equal to halt the voting population. In no part of the country did the shots against Fort Sumpter awaken a more active remonstrance than in this little town, and soon men and boys were drilling and the town was like a camp. A little later the women gathered, almost without exception and they met daily and shipped dainties for the hospitals and picked lint to dress the wounds of the injured. The war song, "God bless the fingers picking lint," called down a benediction upon many hands in Brecksville. Logan Post of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized January 25, 1885, with fifteen charter members. L. D. Morse was the first com- mander. Among those who have served since are Harmon Rinear, Charles Stressing, J. R. Chaffee, O. P. Latimer, T. J. Rudgers, Calvin C. Hardin and J. F. Reinhardt. As in other places the Post has been the dominant and leading spirit in the Decoration Day exercises and in 1890 a very elaborate series of exercises were brought about by their efforts. Only two of the commanders of Logan Post are now living.

The first school in the township was taught by Oriana Paine at the Center and was attended by children from the families of Hoadley, Adams, Bradford and Waite. In 1826 there were three school districts. In District No. 1 Mrs. Aaron Rice was the first teacher and was to re- ceive as compensation the sum of $1 per week. She was then unmarried. The district being without funds and discovering that the lady contem- plated matrimony she was tendered as payment in full for her services.

THE CITY OF CLEVELAND

which she accepted, three chairs, a bake kettle and a barrel of whiskey. As an evidence of the thrift of the settlers it is related that in the Snow district at one time the schoolhouse burned down. A new one was erected with such expedition that fire from the burning embers of the old build- ing were taken to start the first fire in the new schoolhouse.

From the three original school districts the number was increased, with the population, to nine, including the fractional districts. These were formed for the convenience of pupils and included factions of sev- eral townships. In one school in the southeast part of the township, pupils, at one time, attended from four townships and three counties. Some of these fractional district schools are still in operation but most of the schools in the sub-districts are abandoned and the pupils brought in busses to the one central graded and high school at the Center. This system, first advocated at county teachers' institutes, has now become quite gen-

THE INDIAN MOUND

End of Chippewa Gorge, Glen Valley Club. Mound in Brecks- ville Township in the valley of the Chippewa Creek. This shows evidence of being man-made but has never been explored.

eral, replacing the "little red schoolhouse." Among the very early teach- ers, who taught in the district schools of Brecksville, were Calvin Oakes, Johnson Patrick, Bene Butler, William Warren (father of Warren of the Ohio Criminal Code), Amy Jenkins, Anson Leonard, Eleanor Coates, Abigail Cushman, and Maria Storrs.

The religious sentiment of Brecksville from its earliest history has found expression through two churches, the Congregational and the Meth- odist Episcopal. The Congregational Church has been, however, Presby- terian during a portion of its history. On the 13th of July, 1816, Rev. William Hanford, a missionary from Hudson, Ohio, formed an organization at the home of Esquire Bradford. A church was organized with thirteen members, John Adams, Lemuel Hoadley, Chloe, his wife, John Waite, Bolter Colson, Harriet, his wife, Hannah Payne, Lyman J. Frost, Oriana Payne, Zilpha Waite, Lucy Wilcox, James Dixon, and Mary, his wife. "The church was formed under that peculiar ecclesiastical

CUYAHOGA COUNTY AND

system known on the Reserve as the Plan of Union. This was a measure originated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church and adopted by the General Association of Connecticut, for the purpose of promoting unity and harmony among the churches in new settlements." January 4, 1817, the church placed itself under the care of the Grand River Presbytery. In 1854 it voted to become an independent Congre- gational Church. In 1874, under the pastorate of Rev. I. McK. Pittenger and the urgent solicitation of Rev. H. H. Wells, evangelist, it became Presbyterian, joining the Cleveland Presbytery. Reverend Pittenger was shortly after chosen presiding elder of said organization. In 1889, the church again decided to become Congregational and joined the Cleveland Congregational Conference. Since this time it has been identified with that organization as a Congregational Church. In 1841 it installed its first regular pastor, Rev. Newton Barrett. During his ministry the pres- ent church edifice was built. The money was raised by the sale of pews, the bell being given by the Brecks in compliance with a promise made when the town was named. Among the early ministers have been Rev. Joseph Breck, Rev. Chester Chapin, Rev. Newton Barrett, Rev. Thomas Towler and Rev. G. C. Reed.

The first meeting, that finally developed into the organization of the Brecksville Methodist Episcopal Church, was held at the residence of Lemuel Bourne prior to 1823. In 1832 the present church structure was built on the north side of the public square, facing the Congregational Church building on the south side of the square. Until 1853 the church was lighted by tallow candles in tin reflectors on the walls. Then an agitation began for lamps, and one man, an outsider, sent word that he would sell a cow to defray the expense if necessary. This spurred up the project, and the new lighting was installed without the sale of the cow. Those who sit today on velvet under electric lights will hardly realize the sacrifices of those, who built the first fires and tried to imitate the life of the first teachers. In 1824 Rev. Solomon Minwaer and Rev. John Pardo were circuit pastors. Each received $100 per year, salary. Among those who have served the church, either as circuit or regular pastors are Rev. Moses B. Mead, Rev. I. W. Dwyer, Rev. A. R. Palmer, Rev. T. D. Stevie, Rev. E. H. Bush, Rev. C. F. Irish, Rev. J. R. Car- penter and Reverend Pollock, afterwards presiding elder.

We have said Brecksville is an agricultural community. In April, 1876, Union Grange was organized. The first officers were: Hollis Barr, mas- ter ; C. T. Canfield, overseer ; O. O. Spafford, lecturer ; H. C. Wilcox, secretary ; David Bratton, treasurer, and C. C. Hannum, chorister. The Grange bought groceries, hardware and farming tools at a saving to the farmers. A. A. Butler was purchasing agent. This organization was allowed to lapse and in the year 1891 it was reorganized and again dis- banded. In March, 1903, Brecksville Grange was organized as a new lodge, with H. T. Bratton as master ; C. H. Miller, overseer ; L. H. Rust, secretary, and J. E. McCreery, treasurer.

The annual fairs in the '40s and later were interesting occasions. In this new community, united as it was by such close ties of neighborly fra- ternity, these annual events became occasions of great interest. Everybody exhibited and everybody rejoiced in the premiums awarded, wherever be- stowed. It was a gala day for young and old. These fairs became of practical advantage aside from the question of recreation. Methods of plant culture were discussed as well as the breeding of domestic animals. They were agricultural institutes. The young people made more of the day than the rest, for with them it must close with a dance at the Town Hall, and the young men utilized the occasion in securing their respective

THE CITY OF CLEVELAND

girls for that occasion. The writer has in his possession a premium cer- tificate of the Brecksville Fair, held in 1848, awarding a premium to John Coates for the best specimen of pumpkins. This was signed by Edmund Bartlette as president and Theodore Breck, secretary of the Brecksville Agricultural Society. These fairs were abandoned about the time of the Civil war.

An Odd Fellows lodge has existed in Brecksville since 1878. It was organized on July 10th of that year with the following charter members : Capt. M. I. Morgan, Dr. W. A. Knowlton, E. L. Hannum, A. A. Butler, A. K. Skeels, M. D. McNaughton, Clifford Edgerton, G. E. Ploss, A. C. Rice, John Rooks, James King, Homer Barnes, W. F. Dillow, S. D. Sher- wood, C. T. Canfield, R. E. Garrity, O. O. Spafford, and A. J. Snow. Thirty-six additional members were taken in as members during the year. In 1879 the lodge built a hall on the south side of the square, which was dedicated December 31st of that year.

We have referred to the distilleries as among the early industries of the township. From their establishment one street leading east from the State Road to the Cuyahoga River was named Whiskey Lane. In later years an effort has been made to change the name but it remains, and is more permanent than the sentiment in regard to the commodity. In 1850 a wave of temperance agitation struck the town. A meeting was held "upstairs in the Breck Building" to form a temperance society. From this meeting was organized Chippewa Lodge of Good Templars. This lodge became a popular organization, grew in numbers and held regular meetings quite largely attended. It continued in existence for many years and until the town became free from the liquor traffic, under the local option law. Among those active in the lodge were J. J. Barnes, C. O. Bart- lett, Karl Snow, Ed Phelps, Lucian Payne, Julia McWade, Newton Oakes, Elwin Carter, Mrs. James Coates and Mrs. Harriet Dunbar.

We have stated that Brecksville was organized in 1814. The election resulted as follows : Trustees, Lemuel Hoadley, John Adams and Eli Bagley ; township clerk, John Wait; justices of the peace, John Wait and Eli Bagley. These were the first officers. At the second election held at the home of Eli Bagley April 3, 1815, the following officers were elected : Trustees, Aaron Rice, Lemuel Hoadley and Edward Johnson ; clerk, John Wait; treasurer, John Adams; constable and lister (assessor), Ebenezer Rice ; poormasters, Hoses Bradford and Aaron Rice ; fence viewers, Eben- ezer Rice, Walter Wait and Hubert Baker; road supervisors, Lemuel Bourne, Hosea Bradford, Hubert Baker and Ebenezer Rice. Charles Wol- cott, previously elected constable and who refused to serve, was fined $2, which money was applied towards a township book. The original records show that Seth Paine's heirs sold a stray ox for $25.75, and that the charge for keeping was $12.00; that a settlement had been made with Lemuel Hoadley (probably for road work) for $3.75, leaving a balance in the treasury of $12. This was added to the record: "a very fine show- ing indeed." The trustees at the March meeting in 1816 chose Aaron Rice, Eli Bagley and John Wait, grand jurors, and Silas Rice and Charles Wolcott, petit jurors. At a meeting in November, 1917, the overseers of the poor directed the constable to order Hubert Baker to depart from the township without delay. The writ was served and a fee of 3712 cents charged by the constable. In this year fifteen persons were thus ordered to leave the township to prevent them from becoming a public charge.

The present trustees of the township are Joseph Vyrostek, George Ellsworth and Milton Snow; clerk, Carl Burtscher; treasurer, E. E. Wiese; road superintendent, Norris Starr. Among those who have served the township for long periods of time are Trustees Julius White, Hol-

CUYAHOGA COUNTY AND

land Snow, John Fitzwater, Ira Fitzwater, and Burr Van Noate. James H. Coates as treasurer, and Charles S. Burt as clerk, served in their re- spective offices continuously for over thirty years. Charles B. Rich, John Coates, Lewis Rust, Moses Hunt and A. K. Skeels each held the office of justice of the peace for long periods.

The ultimate passing of the township is foreshadowed in that Decem- ber 20, 1921, the Village of Brecksville was formed. It embraces in its confines a large portion of the original township. Its officers are : Mayor, Burt Harris; clerk, Hugh Ellsworth; treasurer, E. E. Wiese; marshal, J. T. Taul ; council, H. T. Bratton, Frank McCreery, Ben Metzger, Earl Rinear, E. W. Rudgers and H. W. Snow. Among the first acts of the village officers was to set in motion the necessary proceedure for securing electric lights in the village, by authorizing a bond issue of $50,000, which was voted upon at a special election held February 28, 1922, and carried by a vote of 214 in favor and 33 against, the lighting to be under con- tract with the Cleveland Illuminating Company. An application was made to the county commissioners in 1922 to incorporate the remaining territory of the township in the village, thus dispensing with the township organ- ization, but it has not been accomplished.

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A history of Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland, (Vol. 1), Part 10

Author: Coates, William R., 1851-1935 Publication date: 1924 Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society Number of Pages: 600

Author: Coates, William R., 1851-1935
Publication date: 1924
Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 600