USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > History of Ashtabula County, Ohio > Part 84
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passed the remainder of their days. After the birth of Laura followed three boys, Benedict, Benjamin, Walter, and a daughter, Lovena. Subsequently, in the autumn, Danicl Knapp and John Dibble, Jr., arrived from the same place whenec Peter Knapp had come, and made settlement on adjoining lands. The children of Daniel Knapp were Elihu, Roswell, Rachel, Polly, and Sally, who married Daniel Palmer, of New Hampshire, an ex-soldier of the War of 1812. From his son, D. K. Palmer, who still resides on the old farm, we learn many particulars of the carly history of the township. Of the history of John Dibble, Jr., we ean learn nothing. In the year 1810, John Dibble, Sr., and John Boom- hower eame from Austinburg and made settlement near the others. Shortly af- terwards, Philip Goff, Ezra Dibble, and Ebenezer Platt put in an appearance at the settlement. In 1812, Alanson Williams, of Connecticut, settled on section 20, and the same year William Crooker commenecd improvements on the south- east corner seetion, and in duc time ereeted the first tavern. Without doubt, many of the advantages enjoyed by the early settlers are due to his industry and spirit of go-aheadativeness. It was he who built the first saw- and grist-mill,-the date of which event, however, we are unable to obtain, there being none of his descendants living in the township, as is also the case with the families of John Dibble and John and Solomon Griggs. The mills were built on Ashtabula creek. The second saw-mill was ereeted on Mills ereek, by Philip Goff, in 1828. The first sehool-house in the township was built on the bank of Peter ereek, on lands owned by John Dibble, Sr. It was located a short distance east of the centre line, was of logs, uncouth in appearance, but no doubt the "young idea" learned as effectually " how to shoot" within its rough-hewn walls, and the birchen rod eut just as deeply, as happen in the more pretentious school buildings of the present day. The first winter school was taught by Obed Dibble, in 1812 and 1813. He was a son of the gentleman upon whose land the school-house was located. There were twenty scholars in attendance; the term was of three months' dura- tion, the teacher receiving for his services the sum of twenty-one dollars, or seven dollars per month. Tradition does not state, but undoubtedly he boarded himself, -he could certainly afford to with the wages he received. The first summer school was taught in 1813, by Miss Patience Baldwin, who now resides in Kings- ville, married and happy, we trust.
As there seems to be a difference of opinion in relation to who were the happy parties participating in the first marriage, we give both sides a hearing. In the year 1812, about the time of the infamous surrender of the traitor Hull, at Detroit, William Morrison was united to Miss Chloe Gaff, Doctor Elijah Coleman, justice of the peace of Jefferson, performing the ceremony, which took place at the resi- dence of the bride's father, Philip Gaff. A large number of friends were in attend- ance, and were served to generous quantities of milk-puneh and egg-nog, until, as our informant states, everything was lovely and everybody happy. The other marriage occurred about the same time, the contracting parties being Elihu Knapp and Nancy IIuntley, by whom united we are unable to ascertain. Of their de- scendants we learn that their oldest son Harvey was a missionary to India. His health failing him, he embarked for home. Growing rapidly worse, he died before reaching port, and his remains were consigned to the sca.
The first physician was one Dr. Willis, who settled in the township near Crooker's mills, about 1830, remaining only four or five years.
The first ecmetery was located on the farm of Daniel Knapp, near the present residence of II. E. Williams, and the first person interred thercin was Rachel, the youngest daughter of Daniel Knapp, whose death oceurred in April, 1811.
The first sermon delivered within the limits of the township was by Elder Joshua Woodworth, of Jefferson, at the funeral of the above-mentioned Miss Knapp.
The first meeting-house was crected upon the land of Peter Knapp, in about 1832. It was a frame strueturc, and served not only the saercd purpose for which it was crected, but also that of a school-house and town hall. This building stood on the corner where now stands the store and office of W. H. Scagur, Esq.
The first church organization was that of the Baptists, in 1812. They had no regular preaching, ministers of all denominations occasionally preaching in private houses until the building of the church above referred to, since which time services have been held on the Sabbath generally.
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HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.
The first orchard was undoubtedly planted by Daniel Knapp, on the farm now occupied by D. K. Palmer,-just when, we cannot ascertain.
The position of postmaster was first held by John Dibble, whose office was located, at an early day, on the east bank of Mills creek. The mails were at that time carried on foot. Elihu Knapp was the second postmaster. After him, Charles Willis, who was succeeded by E. Crooker, and he by Ebenezer Williams, who held the office many years. In 1863 he was succeeded by Horace Knapp; the latter by W. H. Williams, in 1867. Giles Ives was appointed in 1869, and D. K. Palmer, the present incumbent, in 1871.
From the following extracts from the records it will be seen that Ezra Dibble was the first justice of the peace. We would add, by way of explanation, that Denmark, at the time of organization, included the territory now comprising the three townships, viz., Dorset, Richmond, and Pierpont, in addition to that now called Denmark.
COPY OF RECORD.
" At a meeting of the township of Denmark, August 3, 1813, at David Ran- dall's, to elect township officers for the ensuing year, the following were duly elected : Asa Benjamin, Ezra Dibble, and Harvey Rockwell, trustees ; David Ran- dall and Ewins Wright, overscers of poor; John Ralph and Samuel Kincaid, fence-viewers; John Dibble and Jepthah Turner, appraisers; Ewins Wright, John Ralph, and Peter Knapp, supervisors; Smith Platt, constable ; and Joseph Dewey, treasurer. Andrew Harvey, supervisor, was sworn in by T. R. Hawley, clerk of the court of common pleas of Ashtabula County. The foregoing officers qualified before Ezra Dibble, Esq., except Dibble himself, who was sworn in by Jepthah Turner, town clerk."
Farther along in the same volume we find that on the Sth day of October, 1816, was held the first State and county election in which the township participated, at which time eight votes were cast for Levi Gaylord, commissioner, and six for Peter Hitchcock for member of congress. Another entry shows that on the " 1st day of November, A.D. 1816, an election was held for President and Vice-President of the United States, Aaron Wheeler receiving five votes for the former, and Alford Kelly an equal number for the last-named office." The ballot was a unanimous one in favor of these gentlemen.
In the fall of 1811 a large quantity of wheat was sown, Peter Knapp alone putting in thirteen acres, and the other settlers sowing more or less. The next season-in June-there came a terrific hail-storm which lasted only one hour, yet in that brief period destroying entirely the fields of waving graiu almost ripe for the sickle, and to which these early pioneers looked for sustenance through the coming winter. Kinsman, Trumbull county, the Egypt of the set- tlers the preceding winter, was again appealed to, and the call was not in vain. To Judge Kinsman, who let the suffering settlers have of his store to supply their needs, grateful thanks were ever accorded. The only report we are able to pro- cure from the Griggs corner of the township is from a son of David Gary, who removed from Genesee county, New York, in 1834, and settled on the lot orig-
inally occupied by John Griggs (No. 5). Of the five children who came with their father, only one remains in the township. This one (Oliver H.) still occu- pies the old homestead. He informs us that when they moved into the town- ship their nearest neighbors were four miles away, the houses were all of logs, and poor improvements everywhere. Deer would often browse within a few rods of the house.
As " the boys" will not think our sketch complete without a bear story, we give below one told us by the " oldest inhabitant."
Late in the fall following their arrival in Denmark, Peter Knapp and his son Nicholas were out in the woods prospecting for coon. The elder Knapp carried an axe, while the juvenile was entirely unarmed. They had become somewhat separated, when Nick espied a young bear and immediately gave chase. Bruin, seeing his chances of escape growing wofully uncertain, attempted to climb a tree, and had succeeded in getting up nearly out of reach, when the boy seized him by the hair on the hips, and that bear came down. Once on terra firma, his desire to turn around and masticate the youthful Nicholas seemed unbounded. At each effort in that direction, however, the boy pulled the other way, at the same time shouting lustily for his father, who, hearing the disturbance, soon appeared and closed the scene by a well-directed blow with the axe.
To give something of an idea of the vast number of wolves inhabiting our forests at that time we will state that, soon after settling in this township, Eben- ezer Williams had occasion to make a journey to Jefferson, and, as there was no road except a " bridle-path," he made the trip on horseback ; was delayed until after dark before starting homeward, and was followed the entire distance by a drove of wolves, who accompanied him on either side, and showed their affection for him by continually snapping at his feet. They did not leave him until he arrived at his very door.
Of the present condition of Denmark we find, from documents on file in the office of Auditor Crowell, that there are now eight school-houses in the township, the estimated value of which, including grounds, amounts to four thousand dol- lars, with a total enumeration of three hundred and ninety-eight scholars.
The census returns for 1876 show the total populatiou 544; and at the presi- dential election in 1876 the vote stood: R. B. Hayes, 92; S. J. Tilden, 42. Also that in the year 1876 there were:
Wheat ....
113 acres.
950 bushels.
Oats.
296
6.459
44
Corn
239
7,772
Potatoes
38
44
3.488
=
Orcharding ...
57
1.734 44
Meadow (hay).
S27
44 1,009 tons.
Butter
13,415 pounds.
Cheese
5,250 =
Maple-sugar
1,860
Of those who went out to battle for a common cause let us say, may their brave deeds be ever kept in grateful remembrance, and may the starry flag which led them wave forever, the proud ensign of a free people !
PROPERTY IN ANDOVER VILLAGE.
MRS. C . STILLMAN
C STILLMAN
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7
RES. OF C . STILLMAN, ANDOVER TP .. ASHTABULA CO., OHIO .
ANDOVER TOWNSHIP.
ANDOVER is designated on the county records as the ninth township of the first range of the original Connecticut Western Reserve. The original owner of the sixteen thousand seven hundred and thirty-three acres of land constituting the present towuship of Andover was Henry Champion. His deed from the Con- necticut land company bears date September 10, 1798. Subsequently, Champion sold ten thousand acres, extending from the east line westwardly, to parties named Norton, of Hartford, and Stocking, of Middletown, Connecticut.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The western portion of Andover is of a high, rolling nature, while the eastern part is more level and in some places quite low. In the western part of the township, and just east of the State road, is quite an elevation of land,-the highest perhaps in Ashtabula County, some even applying the dignified name of mountain to it. The soil is a mixture of clay and gravel, averaging in produe- tiveness with the adjoining townships.
The streams of water are mostly slight spring runs, flowing into the Chenango ereek on the east. This is the only considerable stream in the township, and only flows through a small part on the east line. The western portion of the township is abundantly watered by springs, the small streams from which find outlet into the Pymatuning.
Andover was surveyed into sections by T. R. Hawley, in 1805, in size one mile east and west by oue-half mile north and south, and beginning at the north- west corner.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
The first settlements were begun in the portion of the township now denomi- nated West Andover, and for years the business of the township was conducted at this point. Epephras Lyman, originally from New Hartford, Litchfield county, Connecticut, was the first white person who attempted a settlement; this was on lot No. 6, in the year 1805 or 1806. B. F. Perry, who married a daughter of Mr. Lyman, now owns a portion of this farm. Mr. Lyman was at this time a single man, and a small cabin, which he erected for his own convenience, stood on or near the west line of the township. To Zadoc Steele, however, belongs the honor of being the first permanent settler who brought a family into the wilder- ness. His native place was near Hartford, Litchfield county, Connecticut. In 1806, Mr. Steele made his first visit to Ohio, coming on foot to Albany, thence up the Mohawk river, finally reaching Austinburg, at which point there was a small settlement. From that point he found his way to No. 9 of the first range by the aid of a pocket-compass, there being no road. His selection of land was on lot No. 6. Returning to Connecticut, he completed his arrangements, and in June, 1808, with his wife and sou Walcott, loaded his household goods into a sleigh, to which was harnessed a stout team of horses, and, in company with three neighbors, began the journey which was to terminate in the then far western wilderness. After many mishaps by " field and flood," Mr. Steele and family finally arrived at their destination. They occupied the cabin formerly built by Lyman, until he had erected the first log house in the township. This was in size some twenty by twenty-six feet, and was considered a model establishment of its kind. Its location was a few feet south of the spot where now stands the Steele mansion. The children of this pioneer were Walcott, before mentioned, who was the eldest child (married Lovina Johnson, and now resides at Shirland, Wiunebago county, Illinois) ; William, who married Caroline Woodruff, and now lives at Homestead, Michigan ; Francis, who married Rosetta Andrews, deceased at Shirland, Illinois, January 31, 1850 ; Almon, who married Anna Adams, died in Iowa, September, 1865 ; Harriet, who married Eldad W. Merrell, died May, 1866, in the old homestead,-the children of Harriet still residing there with Aunt Abbie, who was the next child; Olive, the next child, married Grove E. Steele, died in Cherry Valley, May, 1861 ; Orange, a twin brother, died in in- fancy ; Cordelia and Sarah Ann,-both died when quite young.
Epephras Lyman, having married a daughter of Stephen Brown, of Austin- burg, settled in Andover (on lot 6) some time during the month of April, 1810. The children of Mr. Lyman were Horatio, Betsey, James, George, Lois, Willard, and Edmond. These were by his first wife, who died September 14, 1822 ; age, twenty-nine years. Mr. Lyman's second wife was Mary Hutchinson, of Salis- bury, Connecticut. The children by this marriage were Mary, Eliza, Albert, and
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Laura, now the wife of B. F. Perry. In June, 1812, Francis Lyman, wife, and three children began settlement on lot No. 5, taking up some one hundred and seventy acres. A short time prior to this, however, Isaac H. Phelps removed, tem- porarily, from Harpersfield, this county, into this town, and began the erection of a building designed for a grist-mill. This was on lot No. 3; the building was of logs, two stories in height, and stood on the stream now occupied by the Fritz woolen-factory. Phelps had completed the building and some of thic machinery, when the news of Hull's surrender threw the whole country into a perfect fever of excitement. Mr. Phelps abandoned his building, and returned to Harpersfield. On November 5, 1813, Reuben Bates, Deacon Benjamin Carpenter, and Alba Coleman, with their families, emigrated from Chester, Massachusetts, locating at short distances from each other, and near the other improvements,-Bates, on the place now occupied by Hannah Houghton. Carpenter's place is owned at present by his son Sidney, who was a child of perhaps two years of age when his father came into the wilderness. The Coleman heirs are yet residing on the original property taken up in 1813.
On the 1st day of March, 1814, Rufus Houghton, having paid Phelps for his improvements, moved into Andover from Harpersfield, this county. His family, at this time, consisted of a wife and six children, Rufus, the eldest of whom, resides in Jefferson, and to whom our thanks are due for facts of early history. Setting to work, Mr. Houghton completed, and set to running, some time in the November following, the first grist-will in Andover, or, in fact, within many miles of that point. Norman Merrell, another settler, came about this time, and located on the farm now owned by his son Newton.
OTHER EARLY EVENTS.
It has always been understood that the first child born in the township was a son to Zadoc and Laura Steele, in 1809. The facts are that this child first saw the light of this bright, beautiful world of ours at the house of their nearest neighbor, Samuel Tuttle, of Williamsfield, whither the pareuts had repaired, a few days prior to the accouchement, that the necessary assistance might be obtained, returning to their home in Andover when circumstances would admit. In this connection, we will relate an incident in which a favorite dog of Mr. Steele's was made very useful. The circumstances were that the dog (Jewell), having become acquainted with neighbor Tuttle (six miles away), whenever subjected to discipline at home would vacate his master's premises for those of the neighbor, and vice versa. An arrangement was effected between Messrs. Steele and Tuttle that the dog should be used as a private mail-carrier whenever occasion required. Soon after return- ing to their home, Mrs. Stcele was taken violently sick, under circumstances which rendered it impossible for the husbaud to go for assistance. Accordiugly a note was written, placed around the dog's neck, and a few admonitory words spoken, the effect of which was to start the canine brute upon his errand of mercy. In due time he arrived at Mr. Tuttle's, who read the note, and was soon on his way with the desired assistance. The first female child born in Andover was Miriam, daughter of Rufus Houghton, in June, 1804. In this year also occurred the first marriage, the parties to which were Miss Polly Carpenter and Artemas Smith. Ezra Leonard, justice of the peace, was the gentleman who joined these two loving hearts in bonds, which were not, to their credit be it said, as easily broken as in the year of our Lord 1878. We use the word "loving" upon the supposition that in those early days true affection constituted the basis of a mat- rimonial alliance, the quantity of love necessary to consummate marriage not being governed, as is too frequently the case at present, by the contents of the pocket-book.
The first death was that of Mrs. Dorothy, wife of Rufus Houghton, December 4, 1816. The remains were interred on lot number 5, being the piece of land deeded to the township in 1814 by Aristarchus Champion for a cemetery, and still occupied as such. The religious services on the occasion of this funeral were conducted by the Rev. Harvey Coe, then residing in Vernon, Trumbull county.
The first school was taught in Andover by Miss Dorothy Houghton, in the summer of 1814. There was no school-house at this time in the township. This school was taught in the log barn of Francis Lyman. The first post-office was established the same year, and was kept at the house of the postmaster, Epephras
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HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.
Lyman, for a number of years. The mails were carried on horseback or on foot as the condition of the roads would permit, the route being from Warren, Trum- bull county, to the lake through the fourth range, and returning through the first range, making the round-trip once each week. The present postmaster at this point is S. L. Green.
The first orchard was planted by Zadoc Steelc, in about 1808, and consisted of some one hundred trees. Epephras Lyman's orchard was the second in Andover.
The first churchi organized was the Presbyterian, in 1818. This was effected at the house of Mr. Steele, where religious services were held, as also at the houses of the other settlers, until the building of a church edifice.
The present church edifice was erected in 1840. The first physician who settled in the township was Perry Pratt, in the year 1818. Dr. Pratt remaincd some years, and is now spoken of as having been a very useful member of the community and highly esteemed as a physician. He afterwards studied for the ministry. The present physician is A. Leslie, who resides on a portion of the Lyman tract, at the centre. The first resident minister was Joseph Bride, who located in Andover in 1828.
ANDOVER ROADS.
The first road of which we have any record was the Salt road. This was a crooked affair, following the dry ridges or wherever a route could be established with the least trouble. In 1822 or thercabouts a turnpike was built from a point near the northwest corner of this township (now Lenox) to Conneaut. It is said considerable stock was taken in this road by West Andover residents, and that the dividends paid were about the same as are at present realized on most railroad stocks. In June, 1819, a road was established from the State line to meet the north and south road in New Lyme.
OTHER ROADS.
The following roads were laid out in 1819: 1st, From the centre of the south line of No. 9, first range, to the south line of No 10 (Richmond) ; 2d, From No. 8, second range (Wayne), to a line agreeable to the north, east, and west lines of No. 2 township, No. 9 in the first range. March, 1820, a road was formed running from the Pennsylvania State line, between lots Nos. 43 and 44 in No. 9, first range, to the State road. December, 1820, another, from the north line of No. 9. first range, between lots Nos. 31 and 41, to the south line thereof, at the corner of lots Nos. 40 and 50. Same date, another from the State line, between the lots Nos. 41 and 42, to the State road. Same date, another from the State line, be- tween lot lines of 47 and 48, to the State road. December, 1828, from the State road in lot No. 3 west of the house of the late Reuben Bates in Andover; thence westwardly, across land occupied, in part, by Case & Slater's mill, till it intersects the town line west ; also to continue the road that is now laid from the Pennsyl- vania line to the State road, between the lots 1 and 2, to the west line of said town.
LATER SETTLEMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
Of the more recent settlers at West Andover, we find that Sela Merrell, of New Hartford, Connecticut, arrived in the township on the 22d of November, 1822, locating about one mile south of the corners, on the State road, on lot No. 7. Two children came with him, the youngest of whom, Sela Cowles, still resides on the old homestead. The first frame house in this section was erected by Mr. Merrell the year he settled, and is now standing a short distance south of the present resi- dence of Sela C. Merrell. This building was used for hotel purposes from 1832 to 1837. Calvin Mason and family, from Washington county, New York, located on the southwest corner lot, west side of thic State road, in 1836. His fourth son still resides on the old place. E. F. Mason, the present popular county recorder, is the eldest son of this gentleman.
The first settler east of the State road was Roger Cadwell, who located on what is now known as the Cadwell farm in July 10, 1817. Mr. Cadwell's former home was in Farmington, Hartford county, Connecticut. The children were Emily C., Melinda, Mary, Roger, Starr, Julia, Rhoda, and an infant named Candace ; the children born in Andover were Jonathan, Darius, and James. Contemporary with the pioneer commencement of Mr. Cadwell, the following located in the central and eastern portions of the township : Lebbeus Marvin, Col. Adams, Syl- vanus Marvin, Sr., Almond Manley, Joel Rice, David Strickland, Seth Hillyer, John Pickett, Luther Jones, Samuel Phillips, Timothy Case, father of O. B. Case (to whom our thanks are due for assistance in compiling this history ), and doubtless others whose names are not obtainable. In 1819, Daniel Strickland crected a saw- mill on the site now occupied by Leet's tannery. Messrs. Adams & Marvin erected a saw- and grist-mill in 1821 near the spot upon which was afterwards located the Conrson mill. The first frame building erected at Andover Centre, and without doubt the second in the township, was a school-house on the public square, in
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