USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of the city of Cleveland: its settlement, rise and progress, 1796-1896 > Part 26
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81 The census of 1840 gives the population of Cuyahoga County as 25,542, divided as follows: Cleveland, 7,037; Mayfield, 852; Orange, 1, 114; Solon, 774: Euclid, 1,774; Warrensville, 1,085; Bedford, 2,021 ; Newburg, 1,342; Independence, 754; Brecksville, 1,124; Brooklyn, 1,409; Parma, 965; Royalton, 1,051; Rockport, 1,151; Middleburgh, 339; Strongsville, 1,151; Dover, 960; Olmstead, 659.
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we learn the following, quoted from a newspaper article of that year: " Business is slowly but gradually improving in this section. We begin to feel somewhat the influence of the cross-cut canal from Beaver to Akron, by the arrival of many kinds of goods in the hardware line, that we used to be supplied with from New York and Boston, but which can now be procured from Pittsburgh at a saving of more than half in time, and twenty-five per cent. in cost."
Passing reference has been made, from time to time, to the business men who constituted the early mercantile force of Cleveland, and it seems a fitting place in the time of business revival, of which we are speaking, to give some details of these pioneer merchants. To trace the commercial growth of the city along its most natural lines, is to follow the career of these early mer- chants, and in so doing, that natural truth, the "survival of the fittest," is forced upon the attention. It took, not only capital and a commercial aptitude to make headway against the drawbacks and difficulties of the early days, but courage, strength of mind and body, and a quiet patience that could wait for its reward. There were many men in whom such qualities could be found. There was John Blair, whose early venture here has been already described. Philo Scovill, who afterwards made a fortune in other lines, came to Cleveland MAYOR ABNER C. BROWNELL. as a merchant, bringing with him a stock of drugs and groceries. This line of trade did not suit him, and he soon worked out of it. Melancthon Barnett, father of General James Barnett, came to Cleveland in 1825, as a clerk for Mr. May, and soon found himself a partner in the firm of May & Bar- nett. In 1843, they wound up their affairs as merchants,
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and took a hand in the wonderful land speculations of those days. The leather and dry-goods store of Joel Scranton, on the corner of Superior and Water streets, was for a long time one of the old landmarks. Orlando Cutter was for years one of the hard-working merchants of Cleveland. Peter M. Weddell, who had already shown great aptitude for business, came to Cleveland in 1820, and established himself here, taking a stand at once among the leading business men of the place. In 1825, he formed a partnership with Edmund Clade, from Buf- falo, and retired from an active participation in trade. Three years later this connection was dissolved, and in 1831, he formed a new one with G. C. Woods and Dudley Baldwin, under the firm name of P. M. Weddell & Co. Four years later, Mr. Woods left the city, and Messrs. Weddell and Baldwin continued together until 1845. Mr. Baldwin had been a clerk for Mr. Weddell before the partnership was formed, and after its dissolution he gave some time to the closing up of the firm's affairs, and then went into other lines of activity. Norman C. Baldwin's first mercantile venture in Cleveland was as a member of the firm of Merwin & Baldwin, his partner being Noble H. Merwin, and their line produce. It was succeeded, in 1830, by Giddings, Baldwin & Co., which became one of the most important forwarding and commission houses on the lake. Richard Winslow was a strong addition to the mercantile strength of Cleveland, when he de- cided on making this point his home, in 1830. He not only brought energy, but capital as well, and immediately opened a large grocery store on Superior street, opposite Union lane. He soon invested in the lake vessel busi- ness, and the boats he set afloat were seen on all the great lakes. S. H. Sheldon, in after years better known as a lumber man, opened his business life in this neighborhood by keeping a drug store on Detroit street, in what was then Ohio City. He sold out in 1842, but was afterward for a short time in the grocery line. Alexander Sackett, who had received a fine mercantile training in New York
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City, in 1835, opened a wholesale and retail dry-goods store in Mr. Weddell's block on Superior street. He re- mained in that line until 1854, when he went into com- mercial business on the river. Charles Bradburn com- menced his long and honorable career in Cleveland in 1836, when he opened a wholesale and retail grocery store on Superior street, next to the old city buildings. The next year he enlarged his establishment, and in 1840, moved to his new warehouse at the foot of St. Clair street, abandoning the retail branch. In 1854, he again moved, to numbers 58 and 60 River street, where he re- mained for a number of years. He was one of the most useful citizens Cleveland ever possessed, and a fore- most spirit in all educational matters. About 1835, Samuel Raymond and Henry W. and Marvin Clark opened a dry-goods store on the corner of Superior street and the Public Square, where the Rouse Block now stands. They occupied a little wooden building, and the location was about as far east as business then dare venture.
Richard T. Lyon arrived here in 1823, and in 1838 be- came a clerk in the forwarding house of Griffith, Standart & Co., continuing there until 1841, when he formed a partnership with J. L. Hewitt, and carried on a forward- ing and commission business on River street, under the firm name of Hewitt & Lyon. Thomas A. Walton was one of the well-known commission merchants, opening a business on the river. George Worthington's hardware store was opened in Cleveland in 1834, on the corner of Superior street and Union lane; three years later it was removed to the corner of Water and Superior streets, on the site of the National Bank Building of to-day, and there it remained for nearly thirty years. N. E. Crittenden came here, in 1826, and opened the first jewelry store Cleveland possessed. E. P. Morgan's first venture was made here in 1841. Robert Hanna's wholesale grocery and forward- ing establishment was opened here, in 1852. In 1845, S. F. Lester became a member of the old and well-known firm of Hubby, Hughes & Co., and when that partnership was
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dissolved in 1858, it was succeeded by the firm of Hughes & Lester, which continued until 1862. The connection of Hiram Garretson with the business circles of Cleve- land commenced in 1852. A. G. Colwell came in the same year; William Edwards in the same year; E. I. Baldwin in 1853, and Grove N. Abbey in 1858.
The chief topic of general interest in Cleveland, during 1840, was of a political nature, the little city, like its neigh- bors everywhere, entering with enthusiasm into the famous " Log-Cabin " and " Hard-Cider " presidential campaign of that year. General Harrison was warmly supported upon the Reserve, which was a Whig stronghold, and his followers entered into the fight with an enthusiasm that showed itself in many ways, and when the election re- sulted in his favor, no city received the news with greater joy than Cleveland.
When the campaign was well under way, it was decided that a typical "cabin" should be erected upon each side of the river. " The one on the west side, then Ohio City," writes one82 who has made of these mid-century days an interested study, "was built first, and on the 18th of March was dedicated. The evening of the dedication the Whigs of the east side met at the American House, and headed by the Cleveland Grays, marched across to the cabin, which was built on the corner of Detroit and Pearl streets. It was constructed entirely of logs, and had an oak roof. Within, on the walls, hung strips of dried pumpkin and strings of dried peppers; a rifle rested on hooks, while a pouch and powder horn hung near by. A split broom stood in one corner, and in another was seen a barrel of cider. At the meeting, about five hundred people were present. A num- ber of speeches were made by local orators, after which a glee club sang a campaign song, one verse of which was:
" Old Tip's the boy to swing the flail, Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!
And make the Locos all turn pale, Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!"
82 O. J. Hodge, who has kindly prepared it for this purpose on request of the author.
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" The bee for raising the log-cabin on the east side of the river-Cleveland-took place on March 30th, and the work was commenced at nine o'clock in the morning. The day was rainy, but a barrel of hard cider which had been contributed for the occasion kept up the spirits of the men, and the work went on with a will. The cabin was erected on a vacant lot on Superior street, just east of the American House, about where the 'Leader' building now stands. The towns around Cleveland each con- tributed a quantity of logs for the building. Newburg brought in a tree very straight, and one hundred and five feet long. A pole fastened to it had a flag at the top, on which was inscribed: 'Liberty.' On one of the logs brought in might have been seen this inscription :
" With Tip and Tyler We'll bust Van's biler !"
"On another was a keg marked ' Hard Cider.' The cabin was 35 by 50 feet in dimensions, and, it was claimed, would hold seven hundred people. On each side of the entrance was a flagstaff. Opposite the door, on the inside, was a large stump, upon which the speak- ers addressing the meeting were expected to stand. A small black bear had been secured, and fastened with a chain to a large cross-beam overhead. There was a rough drawing, representing an eagle holding in his talons a writhing fox-supposed to be Van Buren. Tin cups, spades, shovels, and the inevitable barrel of hard cider were in the cabin.
" The dedication occurred on April 3d, and the crowd present was very large, and the enthusiasm great. There were a number of speeches, and several campaign songs enlivened the occasion. The following is a verse of the song sung at the close:
" Come, Buckeye farmers, one and all, Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! Come Hoosiers and Corncrackers tall, Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! Come Wolverines and Suckers too, And fight for him who fought for you ! Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!"
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General Harrison paid a visit to Cleveland, on June 13th of this campaign year, 1840. He came by way of the lake, on the steamer "Sandusky," and was escorted by the Grays to the American House, where he received the citizens, and made an extended speech from the hotel bal- cony. He left the city by canal packet, for Akron, ac- companied by a number of friends. Two years later, the city also was honored by a visit from General Harrison's opponent in this historic campaign, Ex-President Martin Van Buren, who reached here on July 12th, 1842, and was received with many marks of honor. He likewise addressed the people from that famous old balcony of the American House.
AMERICAN
RUA JURDAT
THE AMERICAN HOUSE.
In the days we now have under consideration, there occurred an incident of direct local interest, and one that illustrated somewhat the attitude of the people of northern Ohio, at that period, toward the important ques- tion of slavery.
As Cleveland was the principal port upon the lake shore in Ohio, and offered unusual facilities for the trans- portation of runaway slaves from Kentucky and Virginia across to Canada, it became a natural resort for many who were fleeing from their masters. Under the laws of the country, and somewhat in obedience to public opinion, the escaping slaves when arrested here would be turned
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over to those who claimed them, with hardly a question, and returned to bondage.
In 1841, this careless and heartless indifference to the rights of such as might be unjustly apprehended, received a severe shock that changed the order of things. Three slaves, who were supposed to have escaped from New Orleans, were found in Buffalo, kidnaped by those who claimed them, brought to Cleveland, and placed in jail, where they were held under the laws of the United States. An application to see them was made by John A. Foot and Edward Wade, two of Cleveland's leading Abolitionists, which was refused. An application of the same tenor was made by Thomas Bolton, who was not an Abolitionist, and was immediately granted. Mr. Bolton held an interview with the negroes, and decided that he would defend them. He did so, in the face of violent public opinion and even threats, and with great ability and courage, showed up the infamous course of kidnaping that had been pursued, and as a result procured the pris- oners their discharge. The kidnapers, thereafter, made Cleveland the scene of their operations less frequently than before.
A Masonic organization was among the new ventures of 1841. The charter of Cleveland City Lodge, No. 15, F. and A. M., was granted on September 2Ist of that year. Its first meeting was held on the 28th of the same month, when the following officers were elected: Clifford Bel- den, WV. M .; Andrew White, S. W .; Willard Crawford, J. IT .; Edmund Clark, treasurer; Erastus Smith, secre- tary. Among those who held the office of Worshipful Master in the early days of the lodge may be mentioned Timothy Ingraham, W. T. Goodwin, H. H. Dodge, A. D. Bigelow, S. E. Adams, E. R. Benton, Peter Caul, etc. The other Masonic organizations that came into being at a little later date, may be briefly mentioned: Iris Lodge, No. 229, was organized on October 22nd, 1852. The first officers were A. D. Bigelow, W. M .; W. H. Beaumont, S. W .; Robert Reiley, J. W. Bigelow Lodge, No. 243,
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was organized on October 20th, 1853, but was not grant- ed a charter until October 17th, 1854. The first officers were: Gaston G. Allen, W. M .; Samuel W. Odell, S. W .; Alonzo Eldridge, J.II .; C. C. Stevens, S. D. ; Stephen Buhrer, J. D .; H. L. Whitman, treasurer; A. H. Dubrey, secretary ; L. W. Woolenneber, tyler. Among the organizations of Odd Fellows in Cleveland, in the earlier days, were Cleveland Lodge, organized in 1842; Erie Lodge, in 1844; Phoenix Lodge, 1854; Cataract Lodge, 1855.
One of the chief events in Cleveland in 1842, was the first real attempt at paving. This was on Superior street, between the Public Square and the river, and also on River street. The plan pursued was somewhat primitive in character; the " paving" consisted of the laying down of heavy planking crosswise of the street. These planks were of use when new and while held firmly in place, but when worn out or loosened, the condition of those who travelled over them was not one to envy. Down on River street, the floods would sometimes rise, and float the paving off into the Cuyahoga.
The year 1843 saw the beginning, in Cleveland, of an institution that has had a long and useful career, and is still counted one of the great educational features of the middle west. This was the Cleveland Medical College. Its origin is exceedingly interesting, as illustrating through what minor causes even great institutions some- times come into existence. The township of Chagrin (now Willoughby), some twenty miles east of Cleveland, was one of the first towns, on the Western Reserve, to possess a circulating library. The books were well selected, and out of the study and literary interest they aroused, there grew a flourishing lyceum and. debating society. Lect- ures on historical and scientific questions were given, and the current questions of the day discussed. Out of this, a somewhat ambitious project, " The Willoughby University of Lake Erie," was born. Dr. George W. Card, Judge N. Allen, J. Lapham, Samuel Wilson, and
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others, were among its founders. It possessed a regular faculty, a board of trustees, president, secretary and treasurer. The medical faculty was constituted as fol- lows: H. A. Ackley, M.D., professor of anatomy; Amasa Trowbridge, professor of surgery; Daniel L. M. Piexotto, M.D., professor of theory and practice of medicine; J. Lang Cassells, M.D., professor of chemistry ; William M. Smith, M.D., professor of Materia Medica and botany. Some of these instructors were known favorably already, and have left since a deep impress upon the medical history of the west.
In 1835-6, this University possessed twenty-three stu- dents; five were graduated with the title of M.D., in the year last named. A three-story brick building was erected for the use of the institution. It was the hope of the founders to build up a great medical college in Wil- loughby, but after a year or so of struggle it was seen necessary to move it to a larger place, and Cleveland was naturally the choice of the majority.
It was in the fall of 1843 that this decision was made. Drs. John Delamater, Jared P. Kirtland, John L. Cassells, and Noah Worcester, who were then members of the DR. JARED P. KIRTLAND. faculty, favored Cleveland, while Dr. Starling's choice was Columbus, and as he owned a controlling interest, he carried the day, went to the city named, and founded the Starling Medical College. The other physicians went to Cleveland, and as they did not wish to wait for a charter, the only legal process of incorporation, they applied to the Western Reserve College (afterwards Western Reserve University), at Hudson, for organiza- tion as the medical department thereof. The privilege
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was granted, and in that way the Cleveland Medical College came into being as a department of the older organization.
A building was erected on the corner of St. Clair and Erie streets.83 The first faculty consisted of John Dela- mater, Jared P. Kirtland, Horace A. Ackley, J. L. Cas- sells, Noah Worcester, Samuel St. John, and Jacob J. Delamater, all physicians. The institution started im- mediately upon its long, honorable, and prosperous career.
Two of the older church societies of Cleveland were also organized in 1843. The United Pres- byterian Church began with eleven members, on No- vember 5th, in the Hancock Block, on the corner of Su- perior and Seneca streets. The first ruling elders chos- en were I. Camp- bell, J. Dodds, and D. Pollock. In two or three years a church building was erected, on the southwest corner of Michigan and Sen- eca streets; while, THE PRESENT SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. in 1853, a larger and more commodious house of worship was erected on Erie street, near Huron street.
83 This building, which had become one of the best known of the land- marks of early Cleveland, has given place to a handsome, modern struc- ture erected by the generosity of John L. Woods, one of Cleveland's most successful lumber merchants. Its cost was near $175,000. The dedica- tion services occurred on March 8th, 1887.
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The Euclid Avenue Congregational Church was organ- ized on November 30th, 1843, by Rev. Dr. S. C. Aiken and Rev. S. C. Cady, with a membership of nineteen. The name first chosen was that of "The First Presbyterian Church of East Cleveland," but changed to Congrega- tional, in 1852, because of the attitude of the Presbyterian Church toward slavery. The first services were held in a building, known as the "old stone schoolhouse," be- tween Republic and Doan streets, near Euclid avenue. Various other places of gathering were used until 1849, when a new building on the corner of Euclid avenue and Doan street was dedicated, and in that the soci- ety found a permanent home.
On June 12th, 1844, the Sec- ond Presbyterian Church of Cleveland was organized. The membership roll contained fifty-eight names, fifty-three of which were of former mem- bers of the First Presbyterian Church. The first meetings were held in a building on Rockwell street, which was used until a church edifice was erected on Superior street, east of the Public Square, and the basement first occupied in 185 1. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Sherman B. Canfield, who officiated from 1844 to 1854, and the first officers were as follows: Elders, David Long, Henry Sexton, Jeremiah Holt, Eli P. Morgan, Jesse F. Taintor and Samuel H. Mather; Deacons, William A. Otis, T. P. Handy, and S. H. Fox. In 1876, the church building was consumed by fire; and an elegant new structure, on the corner of Prospect street and Sterling avenue, was completed and dedicated in 1878.
ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1856.
Indeed, this period seems to have been quite prolific in the way of churches and church-building. Trinity
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Church had grown to such proportions that relief of some character was demanded, and on July 9th, 1845, the parish of Grace Church was organized as an answer to this de- mand. A lot was purchased at the corner of Erie and Huron streets, on which a substantial brick structure was erected. The first rector was Rev. Alexander Varian, who officiated from 1846 to 1849. St. Paul's Episcopal Church also was organized on October 26th, 1846, with a membership of forty-five.
The development of these days, however, was not al- together upon the religious side of the life of Cleveland. Literary and material things were receiving their due share of attention. The Young Men's Literary Associa- tion was one of the events of 1845. The germ of this idea had been one of rather slow growth. As far back as 18II some seventeen Clevelanders had associated them- selves together for the establishment of a library, but the war of 1812 and the subsequent hard times intervened, and nothing was accomplished. In 1824, the Cleveland Forum, devoted principally to public debates, came into being, but after a few years of uncertain life it went into the limbo of discarded things. In 1833, a lyceum was formed with something of the same purpose, and in 1835 a reading-room was established through the generous con- tributions of citizens. In 1836, the Young Men's Literary Association was organized, which also set out to form a library, but it was dissolved in 1843.
The organization that was formed in 1845 under the same name achieved a more permanent success. In 1848, it was incorporated under the name of the Cleveland Li- brary Association, with two hundred shares of stock at ten dollars each. A course of lectures was maintained for a number of years, but the main purpose in view was the accumulation of a library. A small room on Superior street was occupied for several years, then one in the " Herald" building ; subsequently one at No. 221 Superior street, in 1856; and finally, in 1862, the Case Building. Here it received a perpetual lease of the rooms from the
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heirs of William Case, who had been a devoted friend of the Association. In 1870, the charter was so changed that the control was placed in the hands of five directors, elected for life. The first board consisted of Samuel Will- iamson, James Barnett, H. M. Chapin, William Bingham, and B. A. Stanard. The revenues were greatly enlarged by the gift of twenty-five thousand dollars from Leonard Case [Sr. ], who, in 1876, followed this by the munificent donation of Case Block, which lifted the Association not only beyond any question of want, but placed the Case Library among the great libraries and literary institutions of the west.
Several enterprises, of a direct material benefit, also were noted as evidences of the returning prosperity that
FORME
THE WEDDELL HOUSE.
set in about 1845-6. The erection of the Weddell House, on the corner of Superior and Bank streets, was one of these. It immediately took rank as one of the leading hotels of the west. On February 6th, 1846, the Cleve- land Gas Light & Coke Company was organized, which indicated that the city had begun to figure upon metropol- itan ways in real earnest. Nothing was done under this authority, however, until 1848, when the control of mat- ters passed into the hands of Moses G. Younglove, through whose efforts works were constructed, the laying of pipes commenced, and the citizens permitted to enjoy the luxury of gas.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE RAILROAD ERA.
The history of the railroad lines that first connected Cleveland with the outside world is one of struggle and labor; of disappointment, loss, and final triumph; of pa- tient endeavor on the part of patriotic citizens; and of a faith that held its own until the day of results that was a justification of all that had gone before. This city owes a debt of gratitude, that can never be repaid, to the little band through whose energy and capital her first railroads, and therefore her subsequent prosperity, were made pos- sible.
The modest local line, that for a time connected New- burg and Cleveland, has been described. Other lines of similar character were proposed from time to time, but they came to nothing.
The first of any moment that proposed to make Cleve- land one of its stopping places, of which we can find rec- ord, was an ambitious project suggested by DeWitt Clin- ton (not the governor), in 1829. He published a plan of a line to be called the Great Western Railway, that was to find its starting place in New York City, thence to the Tioga and following that, intersecting the head waters of the Genesee and Allegheny rivers, thence to Lake Erie, following its southern shore line, crossing the Cuy- ahoga, Sandusky, Maumee and Wabash rivers, and on to where Rock River enters the Mississippi. The route cov- ered a distance of 1,050 miles, and the estimated cost was fifteen million dollars. It is perhaps needless to say that it was never built.
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