USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland, (Vol. 1) > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
44
CUYAHOGA COUNTY AND
in 1920, 350 pupils, and employed ten teachers, and the total school expense was $46,670. The schools have now enrolled 700 pupils, and there are twenty-two teachers employed. The budget for school expenses has reached the sum of $111,575. Harry L. Peets, Mabel Lawrence, Wil- liam Harbkersman, Mary Thornfield and L. O. Snyder constitute the Board of Education.
At the organization of the village in 1915, the following officers were elected : Mayor, W. E. Lambert; clerk, C. G. Holtz. The present officers are: Mayor, C. G. Holtz; clerk, F. J. Vasek; treasurer, F. Holtz; mar- shal, L. Seeley ; police judge, F. H. Levy ; street commissioner, Joe Miller ; building inspector, C. H. Fortenbaugh; justice of the peace of Maple Heights Township, F. H. Levy. The Village Council, which meets the first and third Wednesday of each month, consists of G. W. Caldwell, W. A. Koring, P. Raimer, A. G. Beitt, C. W. Buettner, and E. F. Borges.
In 1921, a race track with the necessary buildings was constructed here by the Ohio State Jockey Club, and the Maple Heights races are an annual event, attended by large numbers. This has done much to advertise the village and contribute to its activities. As an evidence that the new village is functioning as an up to date municipality, we give the report of a session of the Police Court as printed in the Bedford Herald of November 2, 1922: "The usual number of violators of the law and ordinances were gathered in by the police force (Marshal Seeley) and were given an oppor- tunity to explain to his honor. D. M. Sherman, of Cleveland, was arraigned and plead guilty to having violated the speed ordinance. Five dollars and costs! C. J. Shelly, of Cleveland, owned to having fractured the speed ordinance, passed to regulate the speed of motor driven vehicles, but, upon extenuating circumstances being shown, was permitted to depart upon payment of costs. Mrs. C. Eames, of East Cleveland, blushingly admitted that she was guilty of violating the speed ordinance of Maple Heights. The Court was moved by the beauty and grace of the prisoner and her evident distress, because of her fault, and assessed her the very light fine of-five dollars and costs. Thomas Rini, of Cleveland, also entered a plea of guilty to the charge of speeding and was requested to donate to the Village of Maple Heights the sum of-five dollars and costs. W. J. Fritz, of Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, was glad to plead guilty to the same charge and escape with a fine of-five dollars and costs. J. Dyn- wozynski of Foreman Avenue, Cleveland, plead guilty to the same charge, whereabouts His Honor, in pity, cut his fine to-five dollars and costs. Another speedster, J. R. Gammeter, of Akron, explained fluently and at great length, that motorists in Akron think nothing of driving at the rate of fifty or sixty miles an hour. His Honor was equally confidential and carefully explained to Mr. G., that, after leaving Akron, the speed limit is gradually reduced until, at Maple Heights, twenty miles is the limit. To impress this fact more firmly upon the mind of Mr. G., His Honor inflicted a fine of-five dollars and costs."
We have referred to the "Underground Railway" in the period pre- ceding the Civil war, with Bedford as a station. It was peculiar in this, that the law violators were people of prominence and, except in this par- ticular, law abiding. The institution of slavery seemed so obnoxious that a resort to the "higher law" was adopted without disturbing the conscience. Now comes in this day a violation of law by people otherwise law abiding and of the highest character. Rapid transit by means of motor cars becomes so fascinating that innumerable citizens of good repute are daily arrested, tried and sentenced. Oftentimes workhouse and jail sentences are inflicted. This is a historic fact and the day in the Police Court of Maple Heights Village is given merely to reflect that fact without sug-
45
THE CITY OF CLEVELAND
gesting what the future historian may find in connection with the wonder- ful progress from the days of the log cabin and the ox team.
Maple Heights, its territory, formed from the original number 6, range 11 of townships as surveyed by the surveyors headed by Moses Cleveland, is but seven years old, but it has attractive dwellings, fine schools and an enterprising people.
Bedford Township, a farming territory, remains in lessened area and with its organization intact. The present officers are: Trustees, George A. Laing, C. W. J. Alexander and George Forbes; clerk, E. J. Caskey ; township road superintendent, Robert Cowan. It has furnished public men of prominence in public affairs. Vincent A. Taylor served as a member of Congress in 1891 and 1892. Alfred W. Lamson, an able jurist, was common pleas judge for many years. Clark Alexander and Pierce D. Metzger served each as county commissioner, Mr. Metzger having served previously as a member of the General Assembly of Ohio. Dr. R. S. Hubbard was county treasurer for two terms, this being the limit under the law. R. C. Smith, Samuel Patrick and C. D. Hubbell served for many years as county school examiners. Other of Bedford citizens are as deserving of mention, but this will show in what different lines the cit- izens of Bedford have served the county, the state and the nation. In the Civil war, in the Spanish-American war, and in the World war against central Europe, her citizens were not found wanting. Dunham Post, of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the American Legion Post, survivors of the War of 1860 and of the War of 1914, reflect her service to the nation.
o . How Charstand Esp of the bounty out incham Mal Stonetout Once the Directors of the connecticut can't formbang In the Board ofDirectors & sail consistent. Land formsany having appointed you lege on Je suis tegust as besoin Faintendant cia the agents and . then sent on le survey, I makes. Locations au said , and he makes and enter ente friendly negociales ons see if the e fatores who are on said Land of contiguous theredes and may have any pretended claim to the same and servicesues fremuth storesin's amongst them as well establish hears wiet Y faites to the Survey "Settlement of said Lands carefully worden, any Dis cu man's on Lands not ceded by the taleves under the Clubis whatis finetest States ... You are hereby for the foregoing Huvuse juthe futureist and Empananed. Le act Uttransact. all the above business in as full and ample a manner as the wwwstres sende de de mais Contracts in the foregoing matters in sur fe iall starand make such drafts on our housery as may to move sure to accomplish the foregoing object of your appointment and all liges brande t'en bu us employed's sont on te survey and Sitt saves want to be ctedients de vers ceders and directions, and monto li accountable for all monies by you received cont fo ....... .... condue to such orders& directions as we may pom have to bean give you and te de lact in all matters accor sind to your list shift" Judgement which may tend to the Ist Itrust bres inity I success of said formertient Land forms. any having my particularly for nous guides the articles of Affectation interesante and signed by the Individualor dercompany. (Dated at hautfor the 12th day of thay
ยท roger Natury Prowad Matheralan
MOSES CLEAVELAND'S COMMISSION
CHAPTER VI
BRECKSVILLE
The part of God's green earth which includes the hills and streams and valleys of Brecksville is included in the Western Reserve, that shrewd acquirement by Governor Winthrop and the Connecticut Colony from the British king, Charles II, in 1662. The famous charter that was hidden in the oak of historic fame included in its description of boundaries this region. Up to the year 1800 and several years there- after Brecksville was a dense unbroken forest of oak, maple, and other deciduous trees, with some fringes of pine and hemlock along the Chip- pewa and its branches. The most considerable of this growth was the Pine Woods on the Chippewa, the land on which they stood, now in- cluded in the preserves of the "Glen Valley Club."
These magnificent pines met the fate of others of the universal forest, in time, but for years after the township was settled, they afforded a popular picnic ground and their trunks reechoed to innumerable 4th of July orations. As demonstrated by their rings of growth, these giant trees had stood before the caravels of Columbus sailed westward to make his name famous as the discoverer of a new world.
By right of possession this land belonged to the Indians and was theirs to have and to hold. By the divine right of kings transmitted in the Connecticut Charter it belonged to the "Nutmeg State," the suc- cessor of the Connecticut Colony, and, through the Connecticut Land Company, was placed upon the market subject to such incumbrance as the Red Man might prove to be. The State of Connecticut appointed a commission, and this commission sold to the Connecticut Land Com- pany, and from this company the original pioneers bought their land. The price per acre varied with the size of the tract purchased, and was at first from 50 cents to a $1.00.
As we have said, the portion of the Western Reserve west of the Cuyahoga River was designated as Indian country long after that east of the river had been ceded to the white man. The Cuyahoga marks the eastern boundary of the Township of Brecksville. The territory west of the Cuyahoga River, which includes this township, was occupied by the Chippewas until finally ceded to the Connecticut Land Company. It is a matter of history, if not of pride, that trinkets and whiskey cut a large figure in the negotiations by which this tract was finally ceded to the white man. Brecksville was organized in 1814, three years after the organization of the county. It was one of the first townships west of the river to form a local government. Bands of Indians lurked about Brecksville until after the War of 1812, when, as many of their tribe had joined with the Indians of Canada as allies of the British, they were given to understand that their presence was no longer desired.
John Breck, a soldier of the War of 1812 and a native of Northampton, Massachusetts, inherited land purchased by his father from the Con- necticut Company. On the division, as arranged by the company, he was given title to parts of townships in several counties. In this township
47
48
CUYAHOGA COUNTY AND
named after him he once held title deeds to half its territory. Like Moses Cleaveland, who gave his name to Cleaveland on the lake, he was never a resident here, but his three sons were residents for many years, Theodore Breck, John Adams Breck and Dr. Edward Breck. Shortly after the death of John Breck, in 1830, the three sons settled in Brecksville.
The original John Breck, who gave his name to the town, was a colonel in the American army, and, at one time, commanded the forces at Fort Independence, Boston Harbor. His wife, Clarissa Allen, was the daughter of Rev. Thomas Allen, the first settled minister of Pitts- field, Massachusetts. It is related of him, that when General Burgoyne in the Revolutionary war began his campaign of invasion, Mr. Allen heard of it during Sunday service. He promptly dismissed his congrega- tion and left the pulpit to form a company of minute men, who hastened to the relief of the Continental forces.
Dr. Theodore Breck, a great-grandson of John Breck, now a resident of Brecksville, gives this interesting genealogy: "In the year 1630, two brothers by the name of Breck landed at the Town of Dorchester, Massachusetts. They came from England, but nothing is known of the family prior to their crossing the ocean; probably, like many others of that time, they had heard stories of the marvels of the new world and were anxious to better their fortunes. They did their part in the build- ing up of the new country, raised families, and prospered more or less like others of the newcomers. Gradually, as the families grew larger, some of the children started out to see the world and settled in other towns so that in a few generations they were represented in Boston and in other points in Massachusetts. Finally, one bolder than the rest followed the old Bay Path to the western part of the state and settled down in Northampton. The family grew and prospered until revolution- ary times, when we find Robert Breck a merchant in that busy little town. After the war he was postmaster of Northampton, appointed by Washington, his being the first appointment under the Federal Govern- ment. He had several sons who looked after his business while he served for many years as county clerk. Having some money to invest, he bought several tracts of land in the Western Reserve, among them being a tract covering about half of the present Township of Brecksville.
In 1802 Robert Breck died and his property passed to his sons, all of whom, save John, died shortly after, leaving John sole heir to the business and landed property. John had been married, but his wife had died, leaving him a daughter. It was necessary to perpetuate the family name. His brother Robert at the time of his death was engaged to marry and in his will provided a legacy for the lady. John, in trans- acting the business connected with the legacy left by his brother, fell in love with the girl himself and was accepted. This is the romance connected with his marriage to Clarissa Allen, daughter of Rev. Thomas Allen, the militant minister of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
John desired to know more about the western land left him by his father, and employed Alfred Wolcott, of Boston, to go west and survey the lands. Wolcott came in 1811, and, assisted by Seth Paine, made a survey of the land now comprised in the Township of Brecksville. The notes he made give a description of every lot in the township, boundaries and measurements, soil and timber. These surveyors returned and made their report. Wolcott remained but Paine returned, with his family, and became the first settler in the township. John Breck then began to look up likely settlers for his tract of land, and these he found among his acquaintances in his own town, Northampton. This answers the query
49
THE CITY OF CLEVELAND
so often propounded as to why so many of the early settlers of Brecks- ville came from Northampton and its vicinity.
At the time of the death of John Breck his children were minors and the property in the West was given in charge of John Randall. There were six children, three of whom came to Brecksville, already mentioned. Theodore and Doctor Edward remained until their death, John returned to New England and spent the few remaining years of his life there. Another family of Brecks are identified with the early history of Brecks- ville. Rev. Joseph Hunt Breck, a cousin of the original John Breck, came to the Western Reserve as a missionary in 1823. As a missionary or itinerant preacher he traveled through Summit, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, preaching. Following his marriage in 1830, and which occurred in the East, he came to Brecksville. Two years later he moved to Newburgh and located on a farm to regain his failing health. His son, Joseph H. Breck, was identified with the history of that township more particularly, and we will speak of him in the chapter on Newburgh.
In June, 1811, Seth Paine, his wife, two sons and two daughters, Oliver N., Spencer White, Almira and Lorina, and with them a young unmarried man, Melzer Clark, all from Williamsburg, Massachusetts, settled in the southwest corner of the township. They were the first settlers of Brecksville. Soon after their arrival Squire Carpenter of Richfield was called upon to officiate at the wedding of young Clark and Almira Paine. This was the first wedding in Brecksville. The couple soon began keeping house near the Paine home, at a point later known as Carter's Corners. Seth Paine, who assisted in the township survey, was land agent for Mr. Breck, and held a power of attorney to give title to land sold. Clark, whose housekeeping with his new bride began across the road but in Royalton Township, was agent of the land company for that township. Seth Paine's commission as agent was from a Massachusetts company, consisting of Col. John Breck, Ebenezer Hunt and others. As compensation for his services he was to choose 200 acres anywhere in the township, with the exception that it should not be bottom land and should not include a mill site. His choice was in the southwest part, as we have indicated. He left his family at a settle- ment in Newburgh, near what is now the corner of Walker and Broad- way in Cleveland, during the winter of 1810 and 1811, while he proceeded to Brecksville to build a log house.
As the first settler, something of his family is of historical interest. He was of the sixth generation from Stephen Paine, who came from Great Ellington, Norfolk County, England, to America in 1638, on the ship "Diligent," and first settled at Hingham, Plymouth County, Massa- chusetts. In 1661 he and his two sons, with others, purchased a large tract of land near Rehoboth, Massachusetts, from Wamsitta, a son of Massasoit. Other large purchases show in the records of other parts of Massachusetts and of Rhode Island in the name of these Paines. We give this in regard to the ancestor of the first settler of Brecksville be- cause of the general application to all who came to Cuyahoga County in the early days in the face of privations and dangers. They were land hungry by inheritance. Seth Paine and Melzer Clark, both died in 1815 and their unfinished work was turned over to other agents of the land company. Their families, left without their care, remained in the almost unbroken forest. The oldest son of Paine, Spencer, had to take his father's place in supporting the family when he was only fourteen years of age.
Four especial dangers threatened the very early settlers, rattlesnakes, Indians, wild beasts and disease. Rattlesnakes were numerous, particu-
50
CUYAHOGA COUNTY AND
larly near the Cuyahoga River. As many as thirteen had been killed in one place. They would protrude their heads through the puncheon floors of the log cabin. Cattle and horses occasionally died from their bite.
While no deaths from rattlesnake bites occurred to Brecksville settlers, of which we have record, they were a constant source of fear. Miss Rebecca Newell was bitten but recovered. Perhaps her lack of care may have been the cause of the bite. It is related of her that when a small child she was in the habit of taking her bowl of bread and milk out of doors to eat it. No attention was paid at first to this, but it was later noticed that she seemed to be growing thin for lack of nourishment, and looked pale. She was urged to stay inside, but was so unhappy at the restraint that she was again permitted to go out of doors with her porringer of food. She was followed and found sitting by a stump in the clearing with a large rattlesnake eating from the same dish of milk. When the snake put his head in on her side of the dish she would tap him with her spoon and say: "Eat on your own side, Old Gray." It is said the snake was killed later and that it had thirteen rattles.
Bands of Indians lurked about Brecksville, until after the War of 1812, but were for the most part friendly. The Indians being, in a sense, allies of the British the outcome of that war was watched for its effect on them and their attitude toward the white man under the Stars and Stripes. At one time Seth Paine's men folks were all away from home for the night, leaving Mrs. Paine and two daughters alone. At nightfall two Indians came to the cabin and asked to stay all night. What to do they knew not, they expected the worst, to refuse they thought sure death, to flee they could not, for they had nowhere to go. They held a counsel and came to the conclusion to let them stay and abide the consequences. The Indians camped on the hearth before the fire, they did not want a bed. At a late hour the women retired to bed behind a blanket. In the night they were thrown into great excitement. The fire had burned down and it was dark. At that time the back log rolled over and a blaze sprang up, giving a bright light, and, peering from behind their blanket, they saw one of the Indians go to the side of the door, where he had left a kind of bark basket, stoop down, take out a large knife, then a long stone and carefully sharpen the knife. The women supposed their time had come and lay in breathless silence and suspense. Soon the Indian stooped again and took out a ham of venison, shaved off two or three slices and ate them, and then went back to the hearth and laid himself down. The women breathed easier. In the morning, before it was fairly light, the Indians left for parts unknown.
. Some incidents showing the danger from wild beasts will illustrate their menacing presence. In 1818, Miss Anna Green, while on her way on horseback from her home in Independence to that of Elisha Rice in Brecksville, had a thrilling escape. When she reached the top of Smith Hill, near the Chippewa Creek, a wild place even in later years, a panther's scream woke the echoes near her and her horse broke into a wild run. As she neared the Rice home the family heard her coming and opened their door. Miss Green jumped to the ground and rushed in and the horse followed. The door was closed and barred just as the panther landed on the step. Mr. Rice ran upstairs, took an armful of straw and lighted it and this thrown at the beast frightened it away. "Aunt Tamar" Oakes, with two young children, went through the woods to a neighbor's, Mrs. Edgerton's, about a mile away, to warp a piece of cloth. She was so late in returning home that a pack of wolves, with ever increasing numbers,
51
THE CITY OF CLEVELAND
followed her, coming so near that she could hear their panting at every step. She hurried along, trying to determine which child to drop-Mary, the older, or Francis, the baby. Before the decision had been reached, rescue came in the form of the hired man, Alvin Cooley, with a gun, he having been sent out by Mr. Oakes. One time, when Alvin Waite went to mill, his wife was left alone over night with her sister-in-law, Mrs. John Waite, for company. They were aroused in the night by the squeal- ing of the pigs and immediately divined the cause. Mrs. Waite determined the bear should not carry off the pigs. She got the gun but found it empty. She had been told that three fingers of powder was a load, and loaded the gun accordingly. She discovered a bear, coming out of the pen with a pig, and fired. For some time after she knew no more, as the gun "kicked" so vigorously that she was left unconscious, but the pig was saved. The bear was wounded, as a trail of blood gave evidence, and we will assume as in the story for little boys, that he refrained from pigs ever afterwards. The guns of the settlers soon thinned the woods of dangerous wild animals, that were so numerous when they arrived. Mrs. William McWade told about the snow being tramped solid about their house by the wolves, and of seeing as many as 500 at one time. Various hunts were organized as residents came in sufficient numbers. One known as the Great Hinckley Hunt was organized at the home of Mrs. Seth Paine in December, 1818. The roundup was in Hinckley Township, Medina County. At the meeting to organize the hunt, Carey Oakes was appointed captain for Brecksville, John Ferris for Royalton, Judge John Newton for Richfield, and 'Squire Freyer for Brunswick. This day has become his- torical, the day of the great hunt. The posse of men under strict discipline, surrounded the township of Hinckley and gradually drew in the line until every animal either was killed or escaped through the firing line. The net result of the hunt amounted to the following in animals killed: Deer, 365 ; bear, 17; wolves, 5.
In 1811 Lemuel Bourne came to Brecksville. He walked all the way from Savoy, Massachusetts, in about four weeks, a distance of some 600 miles. He selected a site for his future home in the southern part of the township on what is now known as the Noble farm on the State Road, now daily passed by much traffic along the brick road to Akron, Ohio. The next year he returned to Massachusetts, walking back, and married Miss Delia Waite. He bought a horse, loaded his bride and such belong- ings as he could bring upon it, and walking by the side, started on their honeymoon journey to Brecksville, arriving in 1812. In the meantime Walter Waite had built a log house on property later known as the Steven- son farm. This was the second log house built in Brecksville, Seth Paine's being the first. To this cabin Lemuel Bourne brought his bride. Miss Hattie Bourne, historian of the Brecksville Centennial, relates that the next morning after their arrival Mrs. Bourne "sat in the doorway getting a little acquainted with her new surroundings when she saw a rattlesnake basking in the sunshine a short distance away. Did she scream? Not she. She calmly got a weapon and killed it." On the next New Year's day Walter Waite helped Lemuel Bourne build his house. It was built without doors, and greased paper served for windows, and wooden pegs were used for nails.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.