USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Cleveland, past and present; its representative men > Part 2
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
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CLEVELAND, PAST AND PRESENT.
The mayors of Ohio City, up to the time of the consolidation, were as follows ; 1836, Josiah Barber ; 1837, Francis A. Burrows; 1838-9, Norman C. Baldwin : 1840-41, Needham M. Standart; 1842, Francis A. Burrows; 1843, Richard Lord ; 1844-5-6, D. H. Lamb ; 1847, David Griffith ; 1848, John Beverlin ; 1849, Thomas Burnham ; 1850-51-52, Benjamin Sheldon; 1853, Wm. B. Castle.
The first mayor of the city of Cleveland was John W. Willey, who held the office for two terms, namely, for the years 1836 and 1837, the term under the old constitution being but for one year. In 1853, the term was extended to two years, Abner C. Brownell being re-elected for the first two-year term. 3 Under that mayoralty the consolidation of the two cities was effected, and the next mayor, according to the understanding, was taken from the late municipality of Ohio City, William B. Castle being elected for the term of 1855-6.
When Cleveland was raised to the dignity of a city, in 1836, it was divided into three wards, each ward represented by three councilmen and one alderman. In 1851, a fourth ward was added, the increased population rendering the re-arrangement necessary. In 1853, under the operation of the new constitution, the aldermen were dispensed with; the wards had previously been restricted to two trustees, or councilmen, each. In 1854, the two cities of Cleveland and Ohio City been having united, the consolidated city was divided into eleven wards. This number remained until 1868, when, by the annexation of additional territory, a re- division was necessitated, and the city districted into fifteen wards.
As an interesting and valuable contribution to the municipal history of the city we give the following complete record of the executive and legislative gov- ernment of Cleveland since its organization as a city :
1836. Mayor-John W. Willey. President of the Council-Sherlock J. Andrews. Aldermen-Richard Hilliard, Joshua Mills, Nicholas Dockstader. Councilmen-1st Ward-Morris Hepburn, John R. St. John, William V. Craw. 2d Ward-Sherlock J. Andrews, Henry L. Noble, Edward Baldwin. 3d Ward-Aaron T. Strickland, Horace Canfield, Archibald M. C. Smith.
1837. Mayor-John W. Willey. President of the Council-Joshna Mills. Alderinen-Joshua Mills, Nicholas Dockstader, Jonathan Williams. Councilmen- 1st Ward-George B. Merwin, Horace Canfield, Alfred Hall. 2d Ward-Edward Baldwin, Samuel Cook, Henry L. Noble. 3d Ward-Samuel Starkweather, Joseph K. Miller, Thomas Colaban.
1838. Mayor-Joshua Mills. President of the Council-Nicholas Dockstader. Aldermen-Nicholas Dockstader, Alfred Hall, Benjamin Harrington. Councilmen- 1st Ward -- George C. Dodge, Moses A. Eldridge, Herrick Childs. 2d Ward-
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CLEVELAND, PAST AND PRESENT.
Benjamin Andrews, Leonard Case, Henry Blair .. 3d Ward-Melancthon Barnett, 'Thomas Colahan, Tom Lemen.
1839. Mayor-Joshua Mills. President of the Council-John A. Foot. Alder- men-Harvey Rice, Edward Baldwin, Richard Hilliard. Councilmen-1st Ward- George Mendenhall, Timothy P. Spencer, Moses Ross. 2d Ward-John A. Foot, Charles M. Giddings, Jefferson Thomas. 3d Ward-Thomas Bolton, Tom Lemen, John A. Vincent.
1840. Mayor-Nicholas Dockstader. President of the Council-William Milford. Aldermen-William Milford, William Lemen, Josiah A. Harris. Councilmen-1st Ward-Ashbel W. Walworth, David Hersch, John Barr. 2d Ward-David Allen, John A. Foot, Thomas M. Kelley. 3d Ward-Stephen Clary, Charles Bardburr, John A. Vincent.
1841. Mayor-Jolin W. Allen. President of the Council-Thomas Bolton. Aldermen-William Milford, Thomas Bolton, Newton E. Crittenden. Councilmen -1st Ward-Nelson Hayward, Herrick Childs, George B. Tibbets. 2d Ward -- Moses Kelly, W. J. Warner, M. C. Younglove. 3d Ward-Philo Scovill, Benj. Harrington, Miller M. Spangler.
1842. Mayor-Joshua Mills. President of the Council-Benjamin Harrington. Aldermen-Nelson Hayward, William Smyth, Benjamin Harrington. Councilmen- 1st Ward-William D. Nott, Robert Bailey, Henry Morgan. 2d Ward-George Mendenhall, George Witherell, Jefferson Thomas. 3d Ward-William T. Goodwin, George Kirk, Levi Johnson.
1843. Mayor-Nelson Hayward. President of the Council-George A. Benedict. Aldermen-William D. Nott, Samuel Cook, Samuel Starkweather. Councilmen- 1st Ward-Robert Bailey, John B. Wigman, James Church, Jr. 2d Ward-Stephen Clary, Alanson H. Lacy, George A. Benedict. 3d Ward-William T. Goodwin, John Wills, Alexander S. Cramer.
1844. Mayor-Samuel Stark weather. President of the Council-Melancthon
Barnett. Aldermen-Leander M. Hubby, Stephen Clary, William T. Goodwin. Councilmen-1st Ward-Thomas Mell, George F. Marshall, E. St. John Bemis. 2d Ward-Charles Stetson, Jacob Lowman, John Outhwaite. 3d Ward-William F. Allen, Melancthon Barnett, John F. Warner.
1845. Mayor-Samuel Starkweather. President of the Council-Flavel W. Bingham. Aldermen-Charles W. Heard, George Witherell, L. O. Mathews. Councilmen-1st Ward-Flavel W. Bingham, Peter Caul, Samuel C. Ives. 2d Ward-James Gardner, Ellery G. Williams, David L. Wood. 3d Ward-Arthur Hughes, John A. Wheeler, Orville Gurley.
1846. Mayor-George Hoadley. President of the Council-Leander M. Hubby.
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CLEVELAND, PAST AND PRESENT.
Aldermen-Leander M. Hubby, John H. Gorham, Josiah A. Harris. Councilmen -1st Ward-E. St. John Bemis, John F. Chamberlain, John Gill. 2d Ward- William Case, William Bingham, John A. Wheeler. 3d Ward-William K. Adams Marshall Carson, Liakim L. Lyon.
1847. Mayor-Josiah A. Harris. President of the Council-Flavel W. Bingham. Aldermen-Flavel W. Bingham, William Case, Pierre A. Matlivet. Councilmen- 1st Ward-David Clark Doan, Henry Everett, John Gill. 2d Ward-John Erwin, Charles Hickox, Henry B. Payne. 3d Ward-Alexander Seymour, Alexander S. Cramer, Orville Gurley.
1848. Mayor-Lorenzo A. Kelsey. President of the Council-Flavel W. Bing- ham. Aldermen-Flavel W. Bingham, William Case, Alexander Seymour. Coun- cilmen-1st Ward-Richard Norton, John Gill, Charles M. Read. 2d Ward- Henry B. Payne, Leander M. Hubby, Thomas C. Floyd. 3d Ward-Samuel Starkweather, Robert Parks, William J. Gordon.
1849. Mayor-Flavel W. Bingham. President of the Council-William Case. Aldermen -William Case, Alexander Seymour, John Gill. Councilmen-1st Ward -David W. Cross, Richard Norton, Henry Everett. 2d Ward-Alexander McIn- tosh, John G. Mack, James Calyer. 3d Ward-Arthur Hughes, Abner C. Brownell Christopher Mollen.
1850. Mayor-William Case. President of the Council-Alexander Seymour. Aldermen-Alexander Seymour, John Gill, Leander M. Hubby. Councilmen-1st Ward-William Given, George Whitelaw, Buckley Stedman. 2d Ward-Alex- ander McIntosh, William Bingham, Samuel Williamson. 3d Ward-Arthur Hughes, Abner C. Brownell, Levi Johnson.
1851. Mayor-William Case. President of the Council-John Gill. Aldermen -John Gill, Leander M. Hubby, Abner C. Brownell, Buckley Stedman. Council- men-1st Ward-Jabez W. Fitch, George Whitelaw. 2d Ward-Alexander McIn- tosh, Thomas C. Floyd. 3d Ward-Stoughton Bliss, Miller M. Spangler. 4th Ward-Marshall S. Castle, James B. Wilbur.
1852. Mayor-Abner C. Brownell. President of the Council-Leander M. Hubby. Aldermen-John B. Wigman, Leander M. Hubby, Basil L. Spangler, Buckley Stedman. Councilmen-1st Ward-Henry Morgan, Aaron Merchant. 2d Ward-William H. Sholl, Robert B. Bailey. 3d Ward-Stoughton Bliss, John B. Smith. 4th Ward-Admiral N. Gray, Henry Howe.
1853. Mayor-Abner C. Brownell. President of the Council-William H. Sholl. Trustees-1st Ward-John B. Wigman, George F. Marshall. 2d Ward-William H. Sholl, James Gardner. 3d Ward-William J. Gordon, Robert Reilley. 4th Ward-Henry Everett, Richard C. Parsons.
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CLEVELAND, PAST AND PRESENT.
1854. Abner C. Brownell. President of the Council-Richard C. Parsons. Trustees-1st Ward-John B. Wigman, Charles Bradburn. 2d Ward-William H. Sholl, James Gardner. 3d Ward-Christopher Mollen, Robert Reilley. 4th Ward -Henry Everett, Richard C. Parsons. 5th Ward-Chauncey Tice, Mathew S. Cotterell. 6th Ward-Bolivar Butts, John A. Bishop. 7th Ward-W. C. B. Richardson, George W. Morrill. 8th Ward-A. C. Messenger, Charles W. Palmer. 9th Ward-Wells Porter, Albert Powell. 10th Ward-Plimmon C. Bennett, I. U. Masters. 11th Ward-Edward Russell, Frederick Sillbers.
1855. Mayor-William B. Castle. President of the Council-Charles Bradburn. Trustees-1st Ward-Charles Bradburn, E. A. Brock. 2d Ward-William H. Sholl, William T. Smith. 3d Ward-Christopher Mollen, Thomas S. Paddock. 4th Ward-William H. Stanley, Rensselaer R. Horrick. 5th Ward-Chauncey Tice, Irad L. Beardsley. 6th Ward-Bolivar Butts, Jolin A. Bishop. 7th Ward-W. C. B. Richardson, George W. Morrill. 8th Ward-Charles W. Palmer, S W.
Johnson. 9th Ward-Albert Powell, William A. Wood. 10th Ward-I. U. Mas- ters, Charles A. Crum. 11th Ward Edward Russell, S. Buhrer.
1856. Mayor-William B. Castle. President of the Council-Charles W. Pal-
mer. Trustees-1st Ward-E. A. Brock, A. P. Winslow. 2d Ward-Wm. T. Smith, O. M. Oviatt. 3d Ward-T. S. Paddock, C. Mollen. 4th Ward-R. R. Herrick, C. S. Ransom. 5th Ward-C. Tice, F. T. Wallace. 6th Ward-J. A.
Bishop, Harvey Rice. 7th Ward-G. W. Morrill, E. S. Willard. 8th Ward- S. W. Johnson, R. G. Hunt. 9th Ward-Sanford J. Lewis, Charles W. Palmer. 10th Ward-Charles A. Crum, I. U. Masters. 11th Ward-S. Buhrer, John Kirkpatrick.
1857. Mayor-Samuel Starkweather. President of the Council-Reuben G. Hunt. Trustees-1st Ward-A. P. Winslow, L. J. Rider. 2d Ward -- O. M. Oviatt, Charles D. Williams. 3d Ward-C. Mollen, Charles Patrick 4th Ward - C. S. Ransom, R. R. Herrick. 5th Ward-F. T. Wallace, W. B. Rezner. 6th Ward-Harvey Rice, Jacob Mueller. 7th Ward-E. S. Willard, John A. Weber. 8th Ward-R. G. Hunt, B. G. Sweet. 9th Ward-C. W. Palmer, J M. Coffin- berry. 10th Ward-I. U. Masters, Charles A. Crum. 11th Ward-John Kirk. patrick, Daniel Stephan.
1858. Mayor-Samuel Starkweather. President of the Council- James M. Coffinberry. Trustees-1st Ward-L. J. Rider, George B. Senter. 2d Ward- Chas. D. Williams, O. M. Oviatt. 3d Ward-Levi Johnson, Randall Crawford. 4th Ward-R. R. Herrick,; C. S. Ransom. 3th Ward-Wm. B. Rezner, G. H. Detmer. 6th Ward-Jacob Mueller, L. D. Thayer. 7th Ward-J. A. Weler, Thos. Thompson. 8th Ward-B. G. Sweet, Charles Winslow. 9th Ward-J. M.
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CLEVELAND, PAST AND PRESENT.
Coffinberry, John N. Ford. 10th Ward-A. G. Hopkinson, I. U. Masters. Ward -- Daniel Stephan, Alexander McLane.
11th
1859. Mayor-George B. Senter. President of the Council-I. U. Masters. Trustees-1st Ward-L. J. Rider, James Christian. 2d Ward-O. M. Oviatt, Wm. H. Hayward. 3d Ward-Randall Crawford, Louis Heckman. 4th Ward-C. S. Ransom, Isaac H. Marshall. 5th Ward-G. H. Detmer, Jacob Hovey. 6th Ward -L. C. Thayer, Jared H. Clark. 7th Ward-Thos. Thompson, James R. Wors- wick. 8th Ward-Charles Winslow, C. L. Russell. 9th Ward-John H. Sargeant, E. H. Lewis. 10th Ward-I. U. Masters, A. G. Hopkinson. 11th Ward-A. McLane, Thomas Dixon.
1860. Mayor-George B. Senter. President of the Council-I. U. Masters Trustees-1st Ward-James Christian, Thomas Quayle. 2d Ward-W. H. Hayward, O. M. Oviatt. 3d Ward-Louis Heckman, H. S. Stevens. 4th Ward-I. H. Mar- shall, E. Thomas. 5th Ward-Jacob Hovey, W. B. Rezner. 6th Ward-Jared H. Clark, C. J. Ballard. 7th Ward-Jas. R. Worswick, E. S. Willard. 8th Ward -C. L. Russell, J. Dwight Palmer. 9th Ward-E. H. Lewis, Wm. Sabin. 10th Ward-A. G. Hopkinson, I. U. Masters. 11th Ward-Thos, Dixon, Daniel Stephan.
1861. Mayor-Edward S. Flint. President of the Council-Henry S. Stevens. Trustees -- 1st Ward-Thomas Quayle, J. J. Benton. 2d Ward-O. M. Oviatt, T. N. Bond. 3d Ward-Henry S. Stevens, A. C. Keating. 4th Ward-E. Thomas, Henry Blair. 5th Ward-W. B. Rezner, Joseph Sturges. 6th Ward-C. J. Bal- lard, William Meyer. 7th Ward-E. S. Willard, P. M. Freese. Sth Ward-J. Dwight Palmer, Solon Corning. 9th Ward-Wm. Sabin, A. Anthony. 10th Ward-I. U. Masters, Wm. Wellhouse. 11th Ward-J. Coonrad, Thos. Dixon.
1862. Mayor-Edward S. Flint. President of the Council-I. U. Masters. Trustees-1st Ward-J. J. Benton, C. C. Rogers. 2d Ward-T. N. Bond. A. Roberts. 3d Ward-A. C. Keating, H. S. Stevens. 4th Ward-Henry Blair, E. Thomas. 5th Ward-Joseph Struges, N. P. Payne. 6th Ward-Wm. Meyer, Jno. Huntington. 7th Ward-P. M. Freese, E. S. Willard. Sth Ward-Solon Corning, J. Dwight Palmer. 9th Ward-A. Anthony, A. T. Van Tassel. Ward-Wm. Wellhouse, I. U. Masters. 11th Ward-Thos. Dixon, J. Coonrad.
10th 1863. Mayor-Irvine U. Masters. President of the Council-H. S. Stevens.
Trustees-1st Ward-C. C. Rogers, Thos. Jones, Jr. 2d Ward-A. Roberts, T. N. Bond. 3d Ward-H. S. Stevens, A. C. Keating. 4th Ward-E. Thomas, Henry Blair. 5th Ward-N. P. Payne, Joseph Sturges. 6th Ward-John Huntington, Geo. W. Gardner. 7th Ward-E. S. Willard, Peter Goldrick. 8th Ward-J. D. Palmer, Jos. Ransom. 9th Ward-A. T. Van Tassel, Percival Upton. 10th Ward -H. N. Bissett, George Presley. 11th Ward-J. Coonrad, Stephen Buhrer.
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CLEVELAND, PAST AND PRESENT.
1864. Mayor-Irvine U. Masters. Mayor-George B. Senter. President of the Council-Thomas Jones, Jr. Trustees-1st Ward-Thomas Jones, Jr., Chas. C. Rogers. 2d Ward-T. N. Bond, Ansel Roberts. 3d Ward-A. C. Keating, Amos Townsend. 4th Ward-Henry Blair, David A. Dangler. 5th Ward-Joseph Sturges, B. P. Bowers. 6th Ward-George W. Gardner, John Huntington. 7th Ward-Peter Goldrick, E. S. Willard. 8th Ward-Joseph Randerson, Wm. H. Truscott. 9th Ward-Percival Upton, John Martin. 10th Ward-George Presley, Michael Crapser. 11th Ward-Stephen Buhrer, Edward Russell.
1865. Mayor-Herman M. Chapin. President of the Council-Thomas Jones, Jr. Trustees-1st Ward-Charles C. Rogers, Thomas Jones, Jr. 2d Ward-Ansel Roberts, Henry K. Raynolds. 3d Ward-Amos Townsend, Randall Crawford. 4th Ward-David A Dangler, Simson Thorman. 5th Ward-B. P. Bower, Joseph Sturges. 6th Ward-John Huntington, George W. Calkins. 7th Ward-E. S. Willard, Charles Pettingill. 8th Ward-William H. Truscott, Joseph Randerson. 9th Ward-John Martin, Fredrick W. Pelton. 10th Ward-John J. Weideman, George Presley. 11th Ward-Edward Russell, Stephen Buhrer.
1866. Mayor-Herman M. Chapin. President of the Council-F. W. Pelton. Trustees-1st Ward-Thos. Jones, Jr., Charles C. Rogers. 2d Ward-H. K. Ray- nolds, Ansel Roberts. 3d Ward-Randall Crawford, Amos Townsend. 4th Ward -Simson Thorman, Maurice H. Clark. 5th Ward-Joseph Sturges, Wm. Heisley. 6th Ward-George W. Calkins, John Huntington. 7th Ward-Charles B. Pettin- gill, Christopher Weigel. 8th Ward-Joseph Randerson, William H. Truscott. 9th Ward-Frederick W. Pelton, John Martin. 10th Ward-George Presley, Reuben H. Becker. 11th Ward-Stephen Buhrer, Robert Larnder.
1867. Mayor-Stephen Buhrer. President of the Council-Amos Townsend. Trustees-1st Ward-Charles C. Rogers, Silas Merchant. 2d Ward-Ansel Roberts, Peter Diemer. 3d Ward-Amos Townsend, J. C. Shields. 4th Ward-Maurice B. Clark, Proctor Thayer. 5th Ward-William Heisley, Thomas Purcell. 6th Ward-John Huntington, Edward Hart. 7th Ward-Christopher Weigel, Charles B. Pettingill. 8th Ward-William H. Truscott, Joseph Houstain. 9th Ward- John Martin, F. W. Pelton. 10th Ward-Reuben H. Becker, William Wellhouse. 11th Ward-Robert Larnder, Charles E. Gehring.
1868. Mayor-Stephen Buhrer. President of the Council-Amos Townsend. Trustees-1st Ward-Silas Merchant, C. C. Rogers. 2d Ward-Peter Diemer, H. G. Cleveland. 3d Ward-J. C. Shields, Amos Townsend. 4th Ward-Proctor Thayer, Maurice B. Clark. 5th Ward-Thos. Parcell, Nathan P. Payne. 6th Ward-Edwin Hart, John Huntington. 7th Ward-Charles B. Pettingill, George Angell. 8th Ward-Joseph Houstain, Patrick Carr. 9th Ward-F. W. Pelton,
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CLEVELAND, PAST AND PRESENT-
John Martin. 10th Ward-William Wellhouse, John J. Weideman 11th Ward -Charles E. Gehring, George L. Hartnell. 12th Ward-E. C. Gaeckley, Benj. R. Beavis. 13th Ward-George Rettberg, Major Collins. 14th Ward-John Jokus, A. E Massey. 15th Ward-B. Lied, John A. Ensign.
1869. Mayor-Stephen Buhrer. President of the Council-Amos Townsend. Trustee-1st Ward-C. C. Rogers, Silas Merchant. 2d Ward-H. G. Cleveland,
Peter Deimer. 3d Ward-Amos Townsend, Charles Coates. 4th Ward-R. R. Herrick, Proctor Thayer. 5th Ward-Nathan P. Payne, Thomas Purcell. 6th Ward-John Huntington, W. P. Horton
7th Ward-George Angell, Horace
Fuller. 8th Ward-Patrick Carr, Patrick Smith, 9th Ward-John Martin, L. M. Coe. 10th Ward-John J. Weideman, Wm. Wellhouse. 11th Ward-George L. Hartnell, John G. Vetter. 12th Ward-Benj. R. Beavis, Eugene C. Gaeckley. 13th Ward-Major Collins, J. H. Slosson. 14th Ward-A. E. Massey, A. A. Jewett. 15th Ward-John A. Ensign, C. W. Coates.
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with Respect
Trade and Commerce.
HE commercial history of the early years of Cleveland does not differ from that of most western settlements. When the white population numbered from a few dozen to a few hundred, it is difficult to define what was commerce and what mere barter for individual accommodation. Every man did a little trading on his own account. The carpenter, the tailor, the judge and the preacher were alike ready to vary their customary occupations by a dicker whenever an opportunity offered. The craftsman purchased what necessaries or comforts he needed, and paid .in the work of his hands. The possessor of one article of daily use traded his superfluity for another article, and for all articles furs and skins were legal tender, as they could be sent east and converted into money or merchandise.
The first strictly commercial transactions were with the Indians. They needed powder and lead for hunting, blankets for their comfort, beads for the adornment of the squaws, and the two great luxuries-or necessities- of frontier life, salt and whisky. In payment for these they brought game, to supply the settlers with fresh provisions, and skins, the currency of the West. In course of time the opening up of the country beyond made a new market for the salt, whisky, and salt provisions collected at Cleveland, and with these staples went occasionally a few articles of eastern made goods for the use of the frontiermen's wives. As the country became more settled the commercial importance of Cleveland increased, until it divided with Detroit and Buffalo the honors and profits of the commerce of the lakes.
Cleveland was settled in 1796. Five years later the first commercial movement" was made by the erection of a distillery for the purpose of providing an adequate supply of the basis of early western commerce - whisky. The trade operations were of a promiscuous and desultory character until about the year 1810, when a log warehouse was built by Major Carter, on the bank of the lake, between Meadow and Spring streets, and this was speedily followed by another, built by Elias and Harvey Murray, which became the centre of business and gossip for
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CLEVELAND, PAST AND PRESENT:
the village and the country round about. Of course a full supply of the great staple - whisky - was kept.
In 1813 Cleveland became a lively and prosperous place, it having been chosen as a depot of supplies and rendezvous for troops engaged in the war. A good business was done in selling to the army, in exchanging with the quarter- masters, and in transporting troops and supplies. This was a flourishing time for Cleveland, and its inhabitants in many cases made small fortunes, realizing several hundred dollars in hard cash.
The close of the war brought the usual reaction, and the commerce of the embryo city lagged, but gradually improved under the stimulus of increasing . emigration to the West. In 1816 it had reached such a point that a bank was deemed necessary to the proper transaction of trade, and the Commercial Bank of Lake Erie was opened, with Leonard Case as president. It had the misfortune of being born too soon, and its life consequently was not long. At the same time, the projectors of the bank were not wholly without warrant for their anticipations of success, for Cleveland was doing a good business and owned an extensive lake marine of seven- craft, measuring in the aggregate four hundred and thirty tons.
The harbor facilities of Cleveland at this time were very few. The river mouth, to the westward of the present entrance, was frequently choked with sand, and sometimes to such an extent that persons could cross dry shod. Vessels of any considerable size -and a size then called "considerable" would now be held in very slight estimation -made no attempt to enter the river, but came to anchor outside, and were unloaded by lighters. In 1807 a scheme was set on foot for opening a line of communication for trading purposes between Lake . Erie and the Ohio river, by cleaning out the channels of the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas rivers for the passage of boats and batteaux ; a wagon road, seven miles long, from Old Portage to New Portage, making the connection between the two rivers. It was supposed that twelve thousand dollars would suffice for the purpose, and the Legislature authorized a lottery by which the funds were to be raised. There were to be twelve thousand eight hundred tickets at five dollars each, with prizes aggregating sixty-four thousand dollars, from which a deduction of twelve and a half per cent. was to be made. The drawing never came off, and the money paid for the tickets was refunded some years afterwards, without interest. In 1816 an attempt was made to improve the entrance to the harbor by means of a pier into the lake. A company was organized for the purpose, a charter obtained from the Legislature. and something done towards building the pier, but the storms soon washed the slight construction away.
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IT'S REPRESENTATIVE MEN.
Ten years later, the work of improving the harbor under the direction of the National Government was begun, the first appropriation being of five thousand dollars. A new channel was cut, piers commenced, and the work entered upon which has been carried on with varying energy to the present time. The opening of the river gave considerable impetus to the commerce of the place, which was then carried on wholly by lake.
The opening of the Ohio canal was the first grand starting point in the commercial history of Cleveland. It brought into connection with the lake highway to market a rich country rapidly filling up with industrious settlers, and the products of dairies, grain farms, and grazing lands were brought in great quantity to Cleveland, where they were exchanged for New York State salt, lake fish. and eastern merchandise. Two years after the opening of the canal, which was completed in 1832, the receipts amounted to over half a million bushels of wheat, a hundred thousand barrels of flour, a million pounds of butter and nearly seventy thousand pounds of cheese, with other articles in proportion. Business went on increasing with great rapidity ; every one was getting rich, in pocket or on paper, and Cleveland was racing with its then rival, but now a part of itself. Ohio City, for the distinction of being the great commercial centre of the West. At that moment, in the year 1837, the great crash came and business of all kinds was paralyzed. '
Cleveland was one of the first places in the West to recover. Its basis was good, and as the interior of Ohio became more peopled the trade of the canal increased and, of course, Cleveland was so much the more benefited. The opening of the Pennsylvania and Ohio canal, in 1841, opened communication with Pittsburgh and added a trade in iron, nails, and glass to the other branches of business. In 1844 the commerce of Cleveland by lake had reached an aggregate of twenty millions for the year.
The opening of the railroad to Columbus in 1851 marked the second step in the business history of the city. The canals brought business from the south-east, and by & slow and uncertain route from Cincinnati. The completion of the railroad gave direct and speedy connection with Cincinnati, with the rich valleys of the Miami, and with lands hitherto undeveloped or seeking other markets for their produce. Other railroads were rapidly built, and developed new avenues of commerce and new sources of wealth. The population increased rapidly. The streets were extended and lined with new buildings. . Additional stores were opened and all departments felt the rush of new life. The lake commerce of the port, in spite of the business drawn off by competing railroads, increased in 1853 to a total of eiglity-seven million dollars, more than four times the amount reached nine
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CLEVELAND, PAST AND PRESENT:
years before, after the canal system had been completed and was in full operation. The grain trade which once was the foundation of the commerce of the city, had fallen away owing the gradual removal of the wheat producing territory westward. It was asserted, and generally believed, that the canals had done all they could for the prosperity of the city, and that unless something new turned up for its benefit, Cleveland would remain at a stand-still, or increase only by very slow degrees. Business was extremely dull, the prospect looked dubious, many business men moved to other cities and more were preparing to follow. Just `then two things occurred. The war broke out, and the Atlantic and Great Western railway was extended to Cleveland. The latter event opened a new market for trade in north-western Pennsylvania, and soon after, by sending a large proportion of the product of the oil regions to this point for refining or shipment, built up an immense and lucrative department of manufacture and commerce, whose effect was felt in all classes of business. The war stimulated manufactures, and by a sudden bound Cleveland set out on the path of permanent prosperity long pointed out by some far-seeing men, but until the time referred to strangely neglected. In a very few years the population more than doubled the existing facilities for business were found totally inadequate for the suddenly increased demands, and the most strenuous exertions of the builders failed to meet the call for new stores. Manufactory after manufactory came into existence, and with each there was an influx of population and a consequent increase in all departments of trade. And the work still goes on, every manufactory started creating some need hitherto unfelt, and thus rendering other manufactories necessary to supply the need.
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