USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Centennial history of Cleveland > Part 3
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
The work of establishing homes in the new West was now fairly begun. People who came from the East came prepared to remain. The first comers, and in fact, during the entire period of settling the Reserve, the heads of families
44
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
seemed to be often in doubt as to where they had better finally settle. Land was plenty, and they no sooner had their cabin up and a small clearing made than another site offered greater prom- ise, and they would move on, frequently leaving clearings unharvested.
Now, the work of establishing homes was fairly begun. The frame house gradually took the place of the log-cabin, and the plat of ground for the garden and forage necessary to every house- hold was enlarged to the magnitude of a farm.
We little realize the strength and patience it took to convert the wooded, leek-covered acres of soil into well-cultivated fields such as have existed within the memory of most of us. It was necessary that the cattle should be provided with better food than browsing on the young undergrowth and frequently indulging in a mouthful or more of scrub oak leaves, which oc- casioned the death of many a precious cow during the earlier years, and there could be no good milk, butter or cheese while the ground continued to yield leeks abundantly.
The families of this second quarter of the cen- tury were striving to establish comfortable homes in the midst of good, fertile fields, and as their children were fast reaching men and maidenhood they realized the necessity of establishing churches and schools also. "Old Trinity," senior, on the corner of St. Clair and Seneca
45
ESTABLISHING-1821-1846.
Streets, was consecrated on the 12th of August, 1829. Five years later St. John's was erected on the West Side. Both were objects of great admiration to the public centered around the Public Square and on the West Side of the Cuy- ahoga River.
The Episcopalians well established, the Pres- byterians took heart, and after worshiping in private houses, in the log court house, in the schoolhouse, in the second story of the Academy. and in Dr. Long's building on the site of the pres- ent American House, during 13 years, they were finally able to erect a stone building on the site of the present Old Stone Church edifice, which was dedicated February 26, 1834.
This society had among its founders and earli- est members Rebeccah Carter, the widow of Lorenzo Carter, the pioneer, and Mrs. Juliana Long, and had started a Sunday School as early as 1819.
The Methodists followed in the line of church- raising. They organized a society in 1824 and erected a church on the corner of St. Clair and Wood Streets in 1841.
The Baptists found a home in the old Academy from the date of their organization February 16, 1833, until the completion of their church on the corner of Seneca and Champlain Streets in 1836. Theirs was considered the finest church edifice in the city, and cost $30,000.
46
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
The Congregationalists organized a society December 27, 1834, occupying a temporary church building, until that on the corner of Detroit and State Streets was completed in 1856.
The building of the Ohio, or Grand Canal, brought to Cleveland in 1826 a number of Roman Catholic families among its large body of labor- ers. Roman Catholic missionaries had visited various stations in Ohio during the Indian times, but after the white settlers arrived in 1797, until 1817 there was no priest stationed in the territory now known as Ohio, which the Wyandot Indians called "O-he-zah," meaning the fair and beauti- ful.
The Rev. John Dillon was the first resident priest in Cleveland, coming in 1835, and saying mass in private houses or elsewhere, and attend- ing to several stations, until he left the following year, when Rev. Patrick O'Dwyer succeeded him, and began building the first Roman Catholic Church in 1838. His successor, the Rev. Peter McLaughlin, came in 1840, finishing the church in 1838. His successor, the Rev. Peter Mc- Laughlin, came in 1840, finishing the church, so it was consecrated on the 7th of June of that year. It was a frame building, 81x53 feet, cost- ing $3,000, most of which sum was raised among Protestants at the East. It stood on the corner of Columbus and Girard Streets, and was known at first as the Church of "Our Lady of the Lake,"
47
ESTABLISHING-1821-1846.
but after the year 1849 it became known as "St. Mary's" on the Flats.
The Roman Church seems to have been par- ticularly fortunate in its early pastors. They are always referred to by Protestants and Romanists alike as being earnest, hard-working and exceed- ingly eloquent men.
The first Hebrew congregation was established in 1839 by a few Jewish families that arrived on the 12th of July, 1839, among whom were the Thormans, Loewentritts, Rosenbaums, Hoff- mans and others. The society held its prayer meetings in a hall on the corner of South Water Street and Vineyard Lane, Mr. Isaac Hoffman serving as their first minister. In 1840 they pur- chased an acre of land on the corner of Monroe and Willet Streets for a cemetery, and in 1842 started the first of their many charitable societies, that of Chebrah Kadisha.
In 1846 a second congregation was formed under the name of the Anshe Hesed, and two years later (1848) the Tiffereth Israel congrega- tion was formed. These three societies have car- ried on the very extensive charity work among the large community of Jews that have settled in Cleveland, estimated to be over 10,000 in all, who have become good, law-abiding citizens.
Most of the present population of the city be- long to one of the three religious divisions we have mentioned as now established in Cleveland,
48
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
the Protestant, the Roman Catholic, or the He- brew; and we may consider that one of the im- portant features of this period was the establishing of the great religious interests of the city.
Schools were keeping pace with the churches. In 1821 a two-story brick building was com- pleted on St. Clair Street, nearly opposite the little wooden, one-story structure that was built by subscription in 1817. The new school build- ing possessed a tower and a bell, and was known as "The Academy." The lower floor was ar- ranged and used for two schools. The upper one was used for church purposes by several de- nominations, as has already been stated.
The Academy was the only school building the city possessed for several years. The few primary and other grades, or rather schools, for they were not generally graded in those days, contented themselves with such accommodations as were offered in buildings which had served as grocery stores, paintshops, or for others purposes.
On the 7th of July, 1837, an ordinance was passed to provide for the establishing of common schools, and "two schools for sexes respectively were opened in each district, with an average at- tendance at each of not less than 40 pupils."
During the winter of 1838 eight schools were sustained, employing 3 male and 5 female teach- ers, at an expense of $868.62, the male teachers receiving from $30 to $40 per month, and male
49
ESTABLISHING-1821-1846.
and female teachers were "boarded round" among the families. Their seems to have been no reg- ular system of teaching, but each taught accord- ing to his or her own device, and it is highly en- tertaining to read of the early teachers' meetings, where one teacher objected to having drawing of maps taught, and another thought that it was useless teaching pupils to bound the counties in Ohio, and to name the shire-towns. While an- other thought that the three "r's," "reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic," were quite sufficient for the pupils to study.
Many of the teachers employed in these public schools were from the Eastern States, and brought reports of doings there that were quite startling.
One gentleman teacher, upon returning from a visit to Massachusetts, said that "Boston pupils were polite, and he believed it would not hurt the boys of Cleveland to have their manners mended a little." (Please remember that this was long ago, and has no reference to boys of today.) The idea of teaching manners to boys was preposter- ous, but not so bad as the proposition made by an- other teacher, of introducing instruction in music, as it was then taught in the Boston schools.
The latter was too ridiculous for human en- durance, and was at once declared to be illegal. However, Mr. Lowell Mason, of Boston, came to Cleveland and explained his theories of music as
50
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
taught in the schools, and in 1846 a trial was made, which proved a failure.
The first teacher employed in the public schools was Mr. R. L. Gazlay, who received a salary of $131.12 for the term ending September 20, 1836.
There were no long summer vacations then, no general exodus from city to seashore, moun- tains, lakeside or elsewhere. The summer term began on the first Monday in May, and finished on the last Saturday in September. The winter term began on the first Monday in November, continuing until the last Saturday in March, leav- ing only two months, April and October, for vacations.
In 1846 Cleveland had 13 public schools, with an enrollment of 1,500 children, and 10 private schools, having 500 pupils. On the 22d of April, 1846, Mr. J. A. Harris, chairman of the Commit- tee on Schools, reported a resolution "that a high school for boys be established." This was a proposition that startled the community and aroused the people, who rebelled at being taxed to support a high school. Common schools were well enough, but there was no sense in having a free high school-as well ask for a free college, they said. The legality of such a proceeding was questioned, but when it was decided that "it was legal to establish a free high school at the charge of the common school fund" the excitement
51
ESTABLISHING-1821-1846.
abated, and tax-payers were obliged to submit to the inevitable consequences of advancing civ- ilization.
The first high school in Cleveland was opened July 13, 1846, in the basement of the Prospect Street Church, with Mr. Andrew Freese as the principal. There were many high schools al- ready established in the Eastern States, probably that at Boston being the first, that having been formed in 1820. 83 pupils struggled to obtain the knowledge Mr. Freese was so able and willing to dispense, but for which he lacked appliances to give practical illustrations.
Sensible, earnest pupils that they were, those boys earned with their own heads and hands money with which to purchase appliances to the value of several hundred dollars, such as tax- payers now furnish without a murmur.
People in general looked with disfavor on the common schools, preferring the private ones, and from what is related concerning the instruction given in them half a century or more ago, it is probable that they had good and sufficient reason for preferring to patronize the private schools.
As early as the year 1826 the establishing of the commercial interests of Cleveland were materially assisted by the government appropriating the sum of $5,000 toward the improving of the har- bor.
In 1827 a new channel was cut and piers began,
1
52
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
which extended out into the lake for landings; and in 1830 the U. S. Government built a light- house at the northern extremity of Water Street, costing $8,000.
There were some 143 steamboats plying the "Western Water" at that time, many of which touched at this port, and then, as now, greater harbor facilities were needed.
The opening of the Ohio Canal in 1832, with its 309 miles of winding waterway, costing in all some $5,000,000, was an important event in the busi- ness interests of town and state, as very soon afterwards the Columbus, Dresden and Miami canals, navigable feeders of the Grand Canal be- tween Cleveland and Portsmouth, increased the length of the canal navigation to that of 400 miles, having 152 locks. The canals are 26 feet wide at the bottom, 40 feet at the surface, with a depth of 4 feet, the banks sloping outward 7 feet in the rise. The locks are of hewn stone, 90 feet long by 15 feet wide in the clear. All the dimensions are the same as the New York canals, and the summit level is 305 feet above Lake Erie. The building of the canal brought to its borders workmen of various grades, from the grubber and clearer, the mucker and ditcher, to the skilled mechanic, the scholarly engineer, and the monied director and officer. They required homes, food and clothing, bringing into market the farm pro- duce and home handiwork, as well as establishing many homes along the entire route.
53
ESTABLISHING-1821-1846.
The first shipments were mostly of lumber and salt. In 1836 there were cleared 294,652 feet of lumber, and 22,214 barrels of salt, and the sum of $68,757.36.5 was received for toll and water rents.
Travelers found the canal boats, primitive as they were, far preferable to stage coaches for comfort and speed, and in the collector's report for the year 1839, 19,962 canal passengers are recorded. The canal was opened to Akron in 1827, and brought to Cleveland the first coal seen by its citizens, who scoffed at the dirty fuel. Some even questioned the possibility of such "black stones being made to burn." One pro- gressive man, Philo Scoville, ventured to invest in a few loads, for which he paid $2 per ton, and putting grates into the Franklin House, of which he was then owner and proprietor, he gave the much-scorned article a fair trial, and then fol- lowed the establishing of that branch of Cleve- land's industries.
The Cleveland Gazetteer of 1833 states that "Cleveland village is situated exactly midway from east to west of the Reserve, it being just 60 miles in a direct line from each extremity ;" and that "the public buildings are a new Episcopal church, three other houses frequently, though not exclusively, occupied as houses of public worship, an elegant court house, a jail and an academy
54
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
of brick, containing spacious rooms for three schools."
It goes on to inform the reader that "Here are two printing offices from which are issued two weekly papers upon imperial sheets. This being the place of commencement of the Ohio Grand Canal on Lake Erie it bids fair to become one of the most important towns in the State."
Across the river the warehouses and residences were being rapidly erected on land purchased in 1831 by the Buffalo Land Company, and that part of the town was becoming so prosperous that the citizens deemed it best to apply for a city char- ter. Cleveland Village had already applied for a charter. Both were granted; that of Ohio City under date of March 3, 1836, and that of Cleve- land under the date of March 5, thus giving the former city the seniority of two days. Brooklyn Village was set apart and incorporated the day Ohio City received her charter. The new cities, separated by the Cuyahoga, became rivals, and for years exhibited feelings of intense hatred toward one another.
In 1836 James S. Clark and John W. Willey purchased what is now known as the flats. The previous year they had built the Columbus Street bridge, a covered, wooden structure, leading from Cleveland to Brooklyn, and both the new- made cities claimed jurisdiction over it. This was the most serious occurrence caused by the
55
ESTABLISHING-1821-1846.
rivalry, as it necessitated the ordering out of the military, the firing of cannon, and a general dis- turbance. The right was legally given to Cleve- land, and Ohio City was forced to yield.
The exchange and shipping business already amounted to about one quarter the entire products of the State, and as a necessary pro- tection agaist losses by fire the city passed the following ordinance in the year 1836: "Every dwelling-house or other building containing one fireplace or stove shall have one good painted leathern fire-bucket with the initials of the own- er's name painted thereon. Every dwelling with two or more fireplaces or stoves shall have two such buckets, and an additional bucket for every two additional fireplaces or stoves. Every owner of such building not provided with buckets as aforesaid shall forfeit two dollars for each deficient bucket, and the further sum of one dollar for each month after notice being given by a fire warden." (May 7, 1836.)
(Section 10.) "The sextons of the several churches which are now or may hereafter be fur- nished with bells shall, immediately on the alarm of fire, repair to the several churches with which they are connected and diligently ring the bells of said churches during twenty minutes, and in such manner as directed by chief engineer, unless the fire be sooner extinguished, with penalty of $2 for every omission."
56
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
The first fire engine was purchased in 1829, and the first fire company, "Live Oak No. 1.," was formed in 1833, but was never regularly or- ganized. Many of its members joined the reg- ularly-organized company of Eagle No. 1., which was formed in the year following, Capt. Mc- Curdy, of the Live Oak, becoming the foreman of the new company.
The chief engineer of the fire department re- ceived $150 for services rendered, and each fire- man received $1 per day for every day he at- tended to working or "exercising the engine."
In a directory for 1837-8 may be found the fol- lowing advertisements, showing that stage coaches were well established at that time:
"Pioneer Fast Stage Line from Cleveland to Pittsburg. To Wellsville, where passengers will take the steamboats to Pittsburg. Through in 30 hours from Cleveland. Being the shortest route between the two cities."
"STAGES,
Buffalo via Erie. A stage leaves the office of Otis & Curtis, 23 Superior Street, every day at 2 o'clock P. M."
The Mail Stage to Pittsburg.
The Phoenix Line Stages.
The Stage for Detroit, and the Columbus and Cincinnati Stage each started from that same office.
57
ESTABLISHING-1821-1846.
The financial crisis of 1837 was severely felt throughout Ohio. In Cleveland it is said that nearly every business man failed, and for a while the place seemed destined to be crippled; but it . soon recovered, and in 1840 held the position of one of the leading cities in the Union. The cen- ter of population had changed its base from a lit- tle east of Baltimore to the east boundary of Ohio.
We learn from a Gazetteer for 1841 that there were then in Cleveland 50 extensive mercantile establishments, beside book, shoe and leather, hatters, grocery and provision stores. There were 10 heavy forwarding houses connected with lake and canal transportation. There were also 2 steam engine shops, 1 iron foundry, 1 sash fac- tory, 1 brewery, "1 steam-flouring mill capable of making 120 barrels of flour daily," 1 chair fac- tory, 3 cabinet shops, a court house, jail, Pres- byterian meeting-house (of stone), Baptist meet- ing-house (of brick), an Episcopal church (of wood), and two Methodist meeting-houses now building. There is also a neat wood chapel for sailors and boatmen. There are two banks, viz., Commercial Bank of Lake Erie, capital $500,000, and the Bank of Cleveland, capital $300,000. There is also an insurance company with a capital of $500,000. Three daily papers are published, viz., The Daily Gazette, Daily Herald, and the Daily Advertiser. Five weekly papers, the Whig, Herald, Advertiser, Messenger, and Lib-
58
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
eralist. There is a reading room supplied with newspapers from every state and territory in the United States, and most of the periodicals of the day.
In such a busy place as Cleveland was fast be- coming, it was very natural that many of its most prosperous citizens should build for themselves country residences, where free from the turmoil of city life they could enjoy the woods and fields, . the birds and flowers, and the pure, fresh air and cool water.
One of the first to build a palatial residence far removed from business life was Mr. Truman P. Handy, who in about the year 1837 moved out to near Erie Street on Euclid road, which was noted for its mud through the greater part of the year. Although Mr. Handy selected rather a lonely situation, where the Union Club House nowe stands, others soon followed him, Irad Kelley and Peter M. Weddell going even farther out on Euclid road. Mr. Weddell found it quite too isolated, and prevailed upon his friend, Mr. John Blair, to purchase a lot of land of him and erect a residence for his family, as he desired to have a neighbor out there in the woods. So Mr. Blair bought a tract of land extending from Euclid to Scovill, building his house a long way back from the road, so that the house now faces on Prospect Street, which was opened years later. Euclid was an old road, formerly the In-
59
ESTABLISHING-1821-1846.
dian trail through to Erie and Buffalo. The land along the western part of the way arose from the lake in a range along the north side of the road, then fell and arose again on the opposite side, the road itself being so low as to receive all the sur- face water from both ranges, and hence the set- tlers built their houses on the high land often back on what has since became a street.
In 1835-6 Dr. Long, the famous city physician, moved out of the town on to a farm on Kinsman road, where he built an elegant home, still stand- ing, although on that part of Kinsman Street that is now known as Woodland Avenue. It is occupied by his descendants, the Severances. Even as late as 1855, a period subsequent to this we are considering, Mr. Nathan Perry's house on Euclid road was situated directly on the east- ern boundary line of the city, so he was able to live within city or county limits without going from beneath his own roof. Gradually the fash- ionable residents of Water, Michigan, and other down-town streets began moving out of town, where they could have larger estates, and Euclid road from the Square eastward became the fash- ionable center. The earlier residents bought up large tracts of land, extending south to Scovill or north to Superior, so that in time they were glad to dispose of houselots in the rear of their lots, where less pretentious homes were estab- lished among the stumps left on the clearings.
60
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
Frame houses were the prevailing style out- side of the business portions of Cleveland. As early as 1836 an ordinance was passed prohibit- ing the erection of wooden buildings within 150 feet of Superior Street west of the Square, so brick or stone gradually took the place of wood in the construction of buildings in the city proper. Bank Street was bordered with pretty homes until a late date.
In 1837 Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Harris had a cottage where the Harris Block now stands. Mr. Harris was for a long while connected with the man- agement of the Herald, which became the means of fostering much native talent in newspaper lit- erature. Some of the earliest efforts in poetry ap- peared in the marriage notices. The following are two interesting examples. The first is to be found among the marriage notices of 1830:
"Two bright beings I saw in unsorrowing youth,
Pledge their holiest vows in the language of truth, And declared that while life's crimson'd current should roll,
Thus lasting should soul be united to soul."
The other was a tribute paid to the marriage of a Miss Mayden and Mr. Mudd:
"Lot's wife, 'tis said, in days of old, For one rebellious halt,
Was turned, as we are plainly told, Into a lump of salt.
The same propensity of change Still runs in female blood,
For here we find a case as strange- A Mayden turn'd to Mudd."
61
ESTABLISHING-1821-1846.
Writers were paid in barter, and at very low rates. Among the first of our newspaper writers was a woman who washed for her neighbors in order to support herself and family. She wrote for several of the Cleveland papers, the Herald among the number. Finally she came to the city, stopping at the old Commercial House, a tavern frequented by farmers. Mr. Harris heard of her arrival and called on her, taking her to his own pretty cottage, where she received a hearty welcome from his good wife, who is now living. Mr. Harris asked his wife to find out what their guest needed from the stores that he might procure the same wherewith to pay for her articles she had contributed to his paper. When asked the question, the poor woman ex- claimed "Want! I want everything." She had come to town in a farmer's wagon. Her host and hostess sent her home by stage, carrying with her large bags made of cotton cloth into which they had packed clothing, groceries, and various much-needed articles, instead of handing her the little slip of paper known as a cheque, such as writers of today receive.
A lady who is well known and greatly hon- ored as one of the earliest writers of Cleveland has furnished me with some very interesting reminiscences of early times in the line of lit- erature, from which I will quote her own words. She writes: "I became a resident of Cleveland
62
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
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.