USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > History of Ashtabula County, Ohio > Part 89
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
In the spring of, probably, 1805, Peter Yateman, Benjamin Neweomb, Samuel and William Tead, with their respective families, and a Mr. Morehouse, and it is possible others whose names are forgotten, began settlement on lot No. 46. A number of log dwellings were ereeted, among which was one of the style known as double log house. This was built by Mr. Newcomb, and stood near the present residence of Lowell Morse. William Tead's dwelling stood a few rods to the south, and his brother Samuel's a short distance north, while the eabins of the other settlers were erected near by for protection. At about the same time Paul Riee and a party named Drigs located at a point perhaps a half- mile north, the former erecting his habitation on lot No. 35, and the latter on No. 36.
The first frame house in the township was ereeted by Charles Jordon, in about 1828. This stood upon the site now oeeupied by the residence of John Dasher, and was destroyed by fire.
In about the year 1811, Miss Laura Ford taught the first school in this town- ship. This was held at the eentre, probably in one of the vaeant log cabins, though we are unable to obtain anything by way of particulars.
In the fall of 1826 a log school-house was erected in distriet No. 2 (now Padanaram), and the same year witnessed the completion of a frame sehool-house. This was in district No. 1, now known as the " Old Roekville distriet." This house was burned, but the grounds upon which it stood, and which were donated for the purpose by John Kinsman, are still occupied for school purposes.
1
The first church organization was effected in the year 1811; was of the denomination known as Methodist, and Ewins Wright, of Pierpont, was the elass-leader. The second religious organization was that of Baptist. Prior to this, however, meetings were held in the township by ministers of different denominations. The first church edifice was erected by the Methodists, in 1849, and another was built soon after by the Wesleyan Methodists. Both these churches stood at Padanaram,-the latter of which has long since been abandoned for church purposes, and is now occupied as a dwelling by John Ross. The present churches at this point are a Methodist,-the pulpit of which is supplied by the Rev. O. G. St. John, at the eentre,-and a Disciple church, the pastor of which is Rev. James Crouch. At the centre there are two churches,-Methodist and elose-communion Baptist. Rev. St. John is the pastor of the former, and Elder Richmond, of Geneva, supplies the pulpit of the latter. At Leon station there is a church of the denomination known as United Brethren, Rev. Whitney pastor, and also a Methodist church at Steamburg, Rev. St. John pastor.
The first post-office established in the township was at Leon, in about 1836. M. Barber was commissioned postmaster,-the office being located at his residence. ยท The present post-offices are as follows: At the eentre, William H. Heath, post- master ; at Leon, C. D. Ainger, postmaster ; another at North Richmond, with William Pearson postmaster; and the fourth at Steamburg, Abel Mead post- master.
57
The first hotel was opened in the double log house of Mr. Newcomb, pre- viously referred to, and among the distinguished guests at this rude hostelry we find that Mr. Giddings (father of the honorable J. R.) and family remained there one night, while en route for the Wayne settlement. J. R. was at this time ten years of age. This pioneer house of entertainment was a great convenienee to those who passed to and fro over the " old Salt road." There is at present but oue hotel in the township. This is located at Leon station, is owned by A. N. Slater, and at present conducted by a Mr. Thompson.
In 1845, Samuel Dart ereeted on lot No. 2 a saw-mill. This was propelled by water-power. About this time a steam-mill was put in operation by Messrs. Doty & Sheldon, on lot No. 10. The mill of Abel Mead now occupies this site. At Leon station there is a steam saw-mill, owned by Messrs. Baker & Ainger, and north of that point another mill is owned by Thomas Ripley. At Padanaram Messrs. Cadwell & Jordan have in operation another mill.
The first and only grist-mill in the township was built by O. Brower, on lot No. 6, in about 1852. This was burned some four years later. Of other manu- factures, we have a cheese-box factory, planing-mill, and shingle-machine on lot No. 51, owned by O. F. Beman.
The first blacksmith-shop was established by Samuel Tead at a very early day ; this was located at the eentre, on lot No. 46.
The first apple-trees were planted by Paul Riee as early as 1810. They were on lot No. 35, and some of them are still standing.
The first store was opened at Leon in about 1830, under the firmi-name of Hoges & Carpenter. At this point Mr. Barber afterwards operated one of the most extensive mereantile establishments in the county. The present business houses of Richmond township are William H. Heath and John Beaumont, gen- eral merchandise, at the centre. Trade and eommeree are represented at Padana- rau by William G. Hopper, M. B. Chapman, and S. M. Jones. At Leon Messrs. Moore & Son are selling goods at the old " Barber stand." At the Station Nor- man Dolph has a grocery, and at Steamburg John Hamilton earries on the business of undertaking.
The first marriage which oeeurred in the township was that of Nicholas Knapp and Elvira Roekwell; this was in March, 1824.
The first physician to locate in the township was E. B. Linn,-this was in 1853,-located at the eentre, where he yet resides. At Padanaram E. Hurd is the present physician.
The first adult death was that of Roswell Moody. This occurred in March, 1827. The funeral services were conducted at the house of the deceased by the Rev. Mr. Drake, of Andover, and the body was interred iu the cemetery, on lot No. 63, which was the first land devoted or occupied for cemetery purposes in the township.
ORGANIZATION.
The lands now comprised within the limits of the township of Richmond were first organized under the name of Jefferson, then of Denmark, afterwards (June 18, 1818) the lands at present contained in this and Pierpont township were organized under the name of Pierpont, and on March 4, 1828, it was " Resolved that so much of the present township of Pierpont as is included in surveyed township number ten, in the first range, be set off and erected a separate township, to be hereafter known and designated by the name of Richmond, and that an election for town- ship officers be held at the house of John H. Montgomery, near the eentre of said township, on Monday, the 7th day of April next." From the elerk's book of records for Richmond township we find that the first election was held April 8, 1828, at which time John H. Montgomery, Levi Brown, and David Prindle were elected trustees ; Salmon Ashley, elerk ; Artemas Ward, treasurer; Nicholas Knapp and Horace Cadwell, fenee-viewers; Thomas Bright and Paul Rice, overseers of the poor ; Charles Jordon, constable; and Charles Jordon and Ros- well Parmer, supervisors of roads and highways. Levi Brown was elected a justice of the peace for Richmond township on July 17, 1828, and commissioned August 24, 1828. The gentlemen who have filled the office of justice of the peace from that date until the present are as follows : Harvey Roekwell, Moody Pike, Nicholas Knapp, Salmon Ashley, Justus Peek, James M. Stone, Loren Houghton, M. Barber, Joseph Prossor, C. T. Sunbury, S. D. Ashley, E. S. Sun- bury, and E. O. Peek. The present ineumbents to that office are C. T. Sunbury
227
228
HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.
and J. F. Bright; and the present township officers (1877) are John Rockwell, Cornelius S. Hall, and J. H. Prindle, trustees ; E. II. Butler, clerk ; C. T. Sunbury, treasurer ; II. F. Leonard, assessor ; D. B. Peck and J. B. Rockwell, constables. There are also fourteen supervisors of roads. The first presidential election for Richmond township occurred October 21, 1828.
The first cheese-factory established in the township was in the spring of 1873. This was organized, and is still conducted, on the stock plan. The milk of four hundred cows is annually manufactured, and the factory is one of the paying industrics of the township.
ROADS.
The first route cut through this township was the " old Salt road," to which reference is made above, and for a description of which see Andover township. But the first record we are able to procure reads as follows: June, 1831, " Begin- ning at the southeast corner of lot No. 20, and running north to township line road." The next entry we find is March, 1842. " From the centre road east to the State line, about two hundred rods north of the south line of the township." Same date, " From the south linc of the township about one mile west of the State line. North, two and a half miles." June, 1843, " From the State line at southcast corner of lot No. 20, and running west to turnpike." June, 1848, " Padanaram road, from Andover line north, two and a half miles." June, 1849, " From State line at northeast corner of lot No. 60 west to turnpike." June, 1850, " From the Padanaram road, between lots 22 and 39, east to State line."
Our thanks are due E. O. Peck and Silas P. Warren, Jr., for valuable aid in the collection of facts for this brief sketch of early history.
STATISTICS FOR 1877.
Wheat.
178 acres.
1,847 bushels.
Oats.
510
13,443
Corn
384
16
24,149
Potatoes,
SI
5,436
Oreharding.
199 =
13,590
Meadow
2076
2,571 tons.
Butter.
Cheese
14,500
School-houses, 10; valuation, $3000; amount paid teachers, $1250.93; num- ber of scholars, 306.
Vote for President, 1876: Hayes, 165 ; Tilden, 58.
Population for 1870, 883.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
EDWIN ORLANDO PECK.
The gentleman whose name heads this article was born in Colebrook, Connec- ticut, on the 30th day of January, 1815. He is the second child of Justus and Sally Peck. The family removed to Ohio in the month of August, 1824, and located in Williamsfield township, this county. Mr. Pock's education was ob- tained at the primitive common schools of that day, his youthful days being divided between attending school and working on his father's farm. His occupa- tion has been, and is still, that of a farmer. He has secured an ample compe- tency to sustain himself and family. On the 13th day of April, 1837, Mr. Peck was married to Laura E., daughter of Laman and Ann Bartholomew, who resided in the adjoining township of Wayne. He and his young wife began housekeeping on the farm now occupied by Monroe Rose, in Williamsfield township, where he remained until April 1, 1849, when he removed to the township of Richmond, his present home. The children of this couple are Sarah A., who was married to Andrew Wilson, ex-lieutenant Company B, of the gallant old Twenty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; Edwin O., Jr., married Adelaide Landon ; Lemuel A. (died in infancy) ; Justis L., married Ophelia Turner ; Milo C. is yet single, and remains at home ; Luclla R., married J. T. Parker ; Charlie E., single; Archie (died young) ; Dudley, the youngest of the family, was boru in 1864. Of this large and interesting family, all, with one exception, reside in Richmond, Ashtabula County. Edwin O., Jr., the " exception," resides in Oceana county, Michigan. Mr. Peck was clected as one of the county commis- sioners in the fall of 1873, and was re-elected in 1875, along with other county officers, by one of Ashtabula County's rousing majorities. He has been an effi- cient public officer, and performs the duties of his office honestly, intelligently, and promptly. He has also held several offices in connection with Richmond township, among which is that of justice of the peace, in which capacity he served fifteen years. The long period for which he held the office is a well-de- served compliment from the people. Politically, Mr. Peck is a member of the Republican party. His father, who is still living, resides with him, and has reached the ripe old age of eighty-five years. The mother died in the year 1873. Esquire Peck is a member of the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of Relief lodge, No. 284, of Pierpont township. He was represented in the war of the great Rebellion by his two sons, D. B. and E. O., Jr., and two sons-in-law.
TRUMBULL TOWNSHIP.
THIS township, which is geographically known as No. 10 of the fifth range of the Connecticut Western Reserve, was originally divided east and west into three sections, the two south of which were two miles in width, while the third or north section was but one mile wide. Each division had a separate ownership, viz. : the first or south division was owned by Samuel Parkman, of Boston, Mas- sachusetts (said to be the father of the unfortunate Dr. Parkmau, who, it will be remembered, was murdered by Dr. Webster) ; the centre division by William Tuckerman, also of Boston ; and the north division by Christopher Starr. This tract was, however, disposed of prior to a settlement in the township, and Messrs. Fitch and May became the proprietors. The agent for these gentlemen was Simon Perkins, then residing at Warren, Trumubull county, Ohio.
TOPOGRAPHY AND STREAMS.
The township of Trumbull is of a high rolling uature, descending easterly to- wards Grand river, into which the waters of its numerous streams are discharged. The soil is well adapted to agriculture, and the streams furnish ample living water. The principal of these streams are Trumbull, Crooked, and Mill creeks. Trumbull, the largest of these, rises from springs in Thompson and Montville, Geauga county, enters this township near the southwest corner, and, passing east- erly, discharges its waters into Grand river, in Morgan. Crooked creek also heads in Montville, and, after devious twisting and turning, reaches the river aforesaid in Rome township. Mill creek is the only one which has its rise in the town- ship. This flows from the northwest quarter and empties into the same river in Madison, Lake county. There are also many smaller streams tributary to those above referred to.
SETTLEMENT.
The first attempt at settlement was made in the year 1799, by Holly Tanner, the proprietors having proposed to deed him two hundred acres of land, provided he move on to the same, improve at least tweuty acres, and remain in constant occupancy for the period of two years. This was agreed to, and the land selected on the north line, immediately east of the centre road, and on the 15th day of May, 1799, Mr. Tanner, his wife Hannah, and two children (David and Joseph) took their departure from Scipio, New York, for "New Connecticut ;" embarked in a small boat on Cayuga lake ; thence through Lake Ontario to the falls of Ni- agara, around which they hauled their boat ; and thence along Lake Erie to what is now known as Madison dock (then, we believe, called " Harper's Landing"), at which point they arrived on the 16th day of Juue. Disembarking, they took the woods' trail for Harpersfield, where the family remained until Mr. Tanner had. by the assistauce of the early pioneers of that township, erected a log cabin on his possessions in Trumbull, into which the family removed, without doubt, the same season, though we have no positive knowledge of the fact. Mr. Tanner chopped, in due time, the required number of acres, cleared a portion of it, raised one crop of wheat, and remained for nearly two years without neighbors, and was becoming very much discouraged, when news reached him of the death of the proprietors. This was the "last straw," and, giving up all hopes of ever acquiring a title, he abandoned his claim and removed from the State. Subsequent events proved that, had he remained but a month or two longer, he would have received his deed, the proprietors having made such an arrangement with their agent.
From the date of his departure there was no setttlement in the township until about 1818, when Daniel Woodruff, originally from Colebrook, Litchfield county,
Maple-sugar.
11,110 pounds.
33,205
JOHN BROWN.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN BROWN, EAST TRUMBULL, ASHTABULA COUNTY, O.
229
HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.
Connectieut, but more recently from Williamsfield, this county, removed to Trum- bull and located in the southeast part of the township, on lands now occupied by Mrs. O. S. Wilson. Immediately following him was Isaac H. Phelps, who located on lot No. 32. Obadiah Brown, originally from Tyringham, Berkshire county, Mas- sachusetts, was the third permanent settler, and located on lot No. 50; this place is now occupied by William Mead. Leonard Blackmar was the next accession to our little pioneer settlement. He was originally from Ontario county, New York, and located in Trumbull, on the spot where now stands the residence of John Brown. This was in 1819. Ezra Griffin located on lot No. 49. May 24, 1827, Nathaniel Brown, from Genesee county, New York, arrived in the township, and located on the Griffin lot (No. 49). From John, the oldest son of this gen- tleman, we learn many facts connected with the early history of Trumbull town- ship, and to whom our thanks are duc. Ebenezer H. Andrews, from Penfield, Ontario county, New York, settled in this township in the year 1837. His loca- . tion was on the lot first occupied by Isaac H. Phelps, who had removed to near the centre of the township in 1836. The first settler at this point, however, was Osborn M. Baker. This was in about 1834. His location was near the spot afterwards occupied by Messrs. Andrews & Worthing with their mercantilc establishment. This is the corner upon which stood the store and residence of Stephen J. Massingham, which, it will be remembered, was burned February 22, 1876. In December, 1835, two brothers, Jonathan and Thomas Rich, from the State of New York, settled on lot No. 53. The first settlement at what is now known as Footville was made by Orson Grant, in the fall of 1841. In June, 1842, he was joined by Lauren B. Foot, from Morgan township, and the subse- quent autumn his brother joined them. The exact spot upou which this settle- ment was made we cannot definitely ascertain, but the name of this little hamlet is doubtless derived from these two familics.
FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSE.
This was creeted in about 1829. It was of logs, a mere cabin, and stood per- haps four rods southeast of the present residence of MIrs. O. S. Wilson. We are unable to learn who taught the first school ; but among the first was Miss Mehet- abel Madison, who taught a term in this house in the summer of 1830. There were in attendance some eight scholars. The first school taught in Footville was in the winter of 1842. Miss Cornelia Ballard was the teacher, and there were six scholars in attendance.
THE FIRST SERMON
delivered in Trumbull township was by the Rev. Giles H. Cowles, at the house of Daniel Woodruff, in the year 1819. The first church organization was that of the Methodists, at an early day ; their meetings were held in school-houses until about 1855, when a church edifice was erected by this denomination on the corner of lands owned by Theodore Frisbie, Sr. This church was subsequently removed to a short distance north of the eentre. We learn this church has never had a resident minister, the pulpit having been supplied by the clergyman of the Grand river charge, to which this church is attached. The present pastor is the Rev. S. S. Collier, of Mechanicsville. The Disciple church at the centre was formed June 6, 1859, under the preaching of Elders Orrin Gates and James Ensall. The original members were fifteen, of whom eleven were females. William Nelson was elected overscer and Harvey Curtis deacon. The first pastor was J. A. Thayer, who located in Trumbull in 1870. Their church edifice was erected in the summer of 1874, and dedicated December 25, 1874, by Presideut Pendleton, of Bethany college. Present membership, one hundred and five. Present pastor, J. C. Cushman. The church of this denomination at East Trumbull was erected in 1874. The project of building a church at this point originated with H. R. Kendall. It was finished, however, by John Brown. S. S. Bartlett is the present pastor.
THE FIRST POST-OFFICE
was established in the year 1823, at the house of the postmaster, Isaac H. Phelps ; he was succeeded by Josiah Gregory in 1828, who held the position for twenty years, at the expiration of which time George Rich was appointed, and the office removed to the centre, where it still remains. J. M. Fairbanks is the present postmaster. A second office was established at East Trumbull in 1848 .. O. H. Price was the first postmaster, and after him were J. H. Wheeler, J. Palmer, Wm. Davis, and Lewis C. Horton, who is the present incumbent, the office being kept at his storc. The mails were formerly carried over the State road, on horse- back, once each week (if the weather would admit), and when the office was re- moved to the centre the route was changed. Now they have a daily mail via Geneva and Rock Creek.
ROADS.
Prior to a settlement in this township a road was laid out from Harpersfield to Warren, and made passable as far as Windsor. This road passed through Trumbull about one hundred rods east of the centre. The thoroughfare now commonly known
as the " East road" was established or at least cut through from Mechanicsville as early as 1820. The State road was opened (as a county road ) in 1816, and be- came a State road in 1820. In 1835 a road was authorized, " Beginning at the north line and running south through the township, one mile west of the centre." In 1837 another, " Beginning at the east and west road on the south side of Grand river in Harpersfield, between lots Nos. 108 and 109, and running south until it intersects a new road laid out in Trumbull."
The first crops of wheat harvested in Trumbull township by permanent settlers were in 1819, by Isaac H. Phelps and Daniel Woodruff, and as there was no such article as a " fanning-mill" to be had, a large " wooden bowl" was substituted, and several subsequent crops were winnowed by the aid of the same rude contrivance.
The first fruit-trees were also planted by the same gentlemen in the fall of 1818. The trees were procured in Harpersfield, and the first plum-trees in the township were grown from seeds which Mrs. Josiah Gregory brought in her pocket from Saratoga, New York, in 1818.
FIRST STORES.
The first mercautile establishment was opened at the centre; stock consisted of groceries and notions. George Rich was the proprietor, and his goods were kept in a small red building, which is now occupied as a wood-house by V. N. Stone, and stands near its original site. This was in 1847, and the first stock of goods from Cleveland to this point was transported by teams. Horatio Rich afterwards operated for a number of years a store on this corner, and V. N. Stone at present occupies the premises with a Grange store. The business houses at this point are J. M. Fairbanks, general stock ; E. P. Saunders, groceries and hard- ware; Edward Curtis, boots and shoes ; and Mrs. A. H. Dodge, millinery. At East Trumbull Lewis C. Horton has a store, general line; O. C. Parker, groce- ries and notions ; and Mrs. Ingall, millinery. R. P. Walcott has an undertaking establishment one mile north of the centre.
THE FIRST MARRIAGE
in Trumbull township was solemnized by Isaac H. Phelps, justice of the peace, in about 1821. The happy pair were Jehoiakim Burget and Sarissa Patterson, of Harpersfield ; but the first marriage of residents of this township was that of Ezra and Laura Griffin, in about 1824, and of which William Nelson, Esq., gives the following deseription :
" Ezra and Laura having made up their minds that it was ' not good for man to be alone,' started one evening, at perhaps eight o'clock, in the month of, we will say, November, for Jefferson, he taking with him his entire earthly possessions, consisting of three coon-skins, with which to pay for the license, an axe, and gun. Arriving at Grand river, at a point where now stands the residence of John Craig, they found the waters of this now peaceful stream so turbulent that the expect- ant bride refused to cross, though the sturdy groom (that was to be) had fellcd a tree and prepared a raft for the purpose. There being nothing better for it thau to
' Learn to labor and to wait,'
they ' tarricd by the roadside' until evening, when they crossed, and, repairing to Jefferson, exchanged the eoon-skins for the necessary documents, and were made one by, it is thought, Esquire Jones. The justice's fees were only partially paid, as the coon-skins did not bring 'quantum sufficit' for all expenses." This couple settled on the farm now occupied by James Froward, reared a numerous family, but eventually sold out and ' went west.'"
PHYSICIANS.
The first who settled in the township was Nelson Eastman, who located in East Trumbull in about 1842; remained some six years. The present M.D. is W. G. Leland, who resides just west of the centre.
The first child born in the township was a son of Daniel Woodruff. This in- teresting event occurred on the 17th day of September, 1819, and the young pio- neer was christened Alanson Trumbull. Of his subsequent history we have no knowledge.
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