USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > History of Ashtabula County, Ohio > Part 92
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Millinery .- Mrs. S. Leach and Miss S. Carver.
Harness-Shop .- John Cleary.
Shoe-Shops .- L. J. Tubbs and James Jacobs. Blacksmiths .- B. D. Robinson and John Lafferty & Son. Carriage-maker .- A. L. Aldrich. Attorney-at- Law .- M. A. Leonard.
Dentist .- A. R. Winter.
CHEESE-FACTORY.
The first of this class began operations in the spring of 1873. This was under the management of a stock company, consisting of Messrs. T. S. Winship, N. Follett, Alvin Schramling, and Aaron Smith. The factory began with six hun- dred cows contributing. Was operated by these persons some three years, when it was purchased by the present proprietor, Philip Watson.
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
Relief Lodge, No. 284, was organized under dispensation July 15, 1856, and began work under its charter October 22, A.L. 5856. The charter members were Otis Burgess, Elihu B. Ford, David Foster, Elias Centrice, Amos Centriee, Solomon Ashley, Ambrose Ford, Ebenezer Williams, Freeman O. Bushnell, Archibald Gould, M. A. Leonard, and Dr. William Fobes. The officers on char- ter were Otis Burgess, W. M .; Elihu B. Ford, S. W. ; and David Foster, J. W. Present officers : Andrew Wilson, W. M. ; John Lafferty, S. W .; A. L. Aldrich,
J. W .; F. H. Follett, See .; and L. C. Williams, Treas. Membership, sixty. Nights of meeting, first and third Wednesdays of each month. Their two-story Masonic hall was ereeted in 1857, and is valued, with regalia, furniture, etc., at two thousand dollars.
INCIDENTS.
Some time about the year 1818, Lydia Roek and her daughter, Susan, took their departure from Boston, Massachusetts, and came to Ohio on foot. This journey was accomplished that they might visit a brother and sister, then resident, the brother in Richmond and the sister in Pierpont. The mother after finishing her visit returned home in the same manner she eame, and it is said she made three trips of this nature.
STATISTICS FOR 1877.
Wheat
175 acres.
1,330 bushels.
Oats ....
681
16,306
Corn ...
406
22,408
46
Potatoes
77
5,981
Orcharding
186
13,901
Meadow
1833
2,330 tons.
Butter
56,700
Cheese
70,614
The number of school-houses is 6; valuation, $2400; amount paid teachers, $1196.85 ; number of scholars, 205.
Vote for President in 1876 : R. B. Hayes, 238; S. J. Tilden, 43.
Population in 1870, 990.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
NATHANIEL FOLLETT, INFIRMARY DIRECTOR,
was born in Auburn, Cayuga county, New York, on January 14, 1823, and is the third child of Grettis and Mary Follett, of the former point, but who re- moved to Ohio in the year 1839, and located in Pierpont township, on the farm now occupied by the subject of the present sketeh. The father still resides in this township, at the age of eighty. five years. The mother died May 19, 1872. The education of Mr. Nathaniel Follett was acquired by the aid of the common or district sehool, and from the completion of which until the present time has followed the occupation of farming. On January 7, 1849, he was united in marriage to Emily M., daughter of Linus and Harriet Burhuell, originally from Hartland, Connecticut, but who were residing in the township of Monroe at the time of this marriage. From this union three children have been born. These are Della A., February 17, 1853 ; Hattie L., November 20, 1856 ; and Frank W., whose birth occurred on the 8th day of September, 1859. These children are still inmates of the parental home. Politically a warm Republican, Mr. Follett has been elected to many of the offices within the gift of his fellow- townsmen. In the fall of 1874 he was chosen to the office of infirmary director, and was re-elected in the fall of 1876. He is spoken of as being an efficient officer, and faithful in the discharge of his duties. Has ever been an ardent supporter of the edneational interests of his township.
A. SCHRAMLING.
Mr. Schramling, a view of whose fine farm residence may be seen on the opposite page, is a native of New York State, being born in Cattaraugus county, New York, in May, 1828. At about the time of his birth his father removed to Otsego county, and when Mr. Sehramling was eight years of age to Columbus, Warren county, Pennsylvania, which was then a new country, with extensive forests. Here the subject of our sketch spent his boyhood days engaged in lumbering, rafting, chop- ping and clearing land. Being the oldest child of a family of seven boys and three girls, he was compelled to undergo severe labor, and received but little education. When nineteen years old he acquired under competent instruction a knowledge of the carpenter trade. January 1, 1850, he was united in marriage with Miss Deliah Robbins, who has been to him a faithful companion, and to whom he is largely indebted for his prosperity in life. In March, 1854, he settled in Pierpont township, this county, purchased fifty acres of land, and which now constitutes a portion of the homestead farm. In four days after his arrival he and his wife were living and keeping house in a dwelling of their own erection. The same year he built a shop and began the manufacture of the revolving horse- rake, which he introduced throughout western Pennsylvania and a portion of Ashtabula County. Three years later he built the first steam saw-mill, at the centre of the township. This he sold to try his hand in the oil business in
59
Maple-sugar
8,639 pounds.
236
HISTORY OF ASHTABULAA COUNTY, OHIO.
Pennsylvania, but in 1861 returned to Pierpont. and. bnying more land. went to farming.
In 1863 he was made first lieutenant, and afterwards captain, of the Ohio militia. In 1864. after expending a great deal of time and money to prevent a draft in his township, he offered his services in defense of his country, received a recruiting commission, and during the last year of the war served as second lieutenant in Company K of the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Regiment,
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Schramling are the parents of three children, one son and two daughters. A great bercavement came to them in May, 1875, by the death of their only son. But Mr. Schramling does not complain of his lot. He has been greatly blessed with prosperity, has a beautiful home, and enjoys the esteem of his neighbors : and his only desire is that the remnant of his days may be spent in being useful to himself, his family, his neighbors, his conutry, and his God.
CHERRY VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
THE lands included within the present limits of this township (No. 9, second range) were purchased of the Connecticut land company by Samuel Mather, Jr., on the 8th day of November, 1798. This township was originally surveyed into three equal divisions or sections. running east and west. The numbers of these sections began with the southern division.
STREAMS.
The largest of these, the Pymatuning, rises in the northeast part of this town- ship, and is the southern outlet of an extensive marsh, the greater portion of which, however, lies in the township of Dorset. The course of this stream is southerly, through the eastern part of the township.
Giddings creek, another considerable stream, has its rise in the southwest quarter of the township, and flowing easterly, its waters are discharged into the Pyma- tuning. Patch creek flows from the western part, and also empties into the Pyma- tuning. in the northeastern part of the township.
TOPOGRAPHY.
That portion of the township lying east of the Pymatuning creek is gently undulating, with a rich, gravelly soil. For a strip of perhaps one mile in width west of this stream are alternately ridge and swamp. The balance of the township is clay soil. The extreme western portion is of a flat nature and poorly supplied with permanent water.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
In about the year 1817, Henry Patch began operations in the northeastern quarter of the north section. He was accompanied by Zebulon Congdon, soon cleared a small piece of ground, and upon it erected the first log house in the township; worked during the summer, and in December abandoned the claim and removed to New Lyme. This improvement was on the stream which is now known as Patch creek, between the Hare and Creek roads. and a saw-mill was erected on this site in 1830. by William and Wooster Benjamin. of whom see further mention. In the month of December, 1818. Nathaniel Hubbard, from the State of New York, arrived in the township. and, with his family, moved into the cabin vacated by Patch. The following year two families settled on lands in the middle section, and near the east line. These were Nathaniel Johnson and John Fenn. The lots upon which these three families originally settled are now occupied as follows: the Hubbard place by E. Beals, the Johnson property by Silas Searl, and the Fenn homestead by Horace Lindsley. Josiah Creery, from Richfield, Otsego county, New York, purchased the property now owned by his eldest son, Track Creery, Jr. This was in 1823. His first stop was in a log house which stood opposite the present residence of Sidney Carpenter, in Andover ; building, as soon as practicable, a log house on his property. into which he removed with his family in the spring of 1825. The name Cherry Valley was suggested by Josiah Creery. The next settlers were two brothers. Wooster and William Benjamin, the former of whom purchased. on the 28th day of November, 1829, fifty acres in the south part of lot No. 2, in the centre section. William, on De- cember 17. 1828, purchased the same number of acres in lots Nos. 7 and 8, in same section. Wooster Benjamin was killed on the 21st of December, 1835. while engaged in making some repairs upon the mill. previously referred to. and William's death occurred while he was going from the mill to the house. Was fonnd with his head partially under water, in which position it is thought he had fallen while in a fit. The Benjamin heirs still occupy the old homestead. Johu Woodworth, another pioneer, located on the farm now occupied by A. T. Wood- worth. Jesse Steele and family emigrated from New Hartford. Litchfield county, Connecticut, in the year 1816. He first settled in the township of Andover ;
remained there until 1827, when he removed to Cherry Valley. Located on the northwest corner of the crossing of the Hayes and the east and west centre roads. This farm is still occupied by the Steele heirs. A. W. Steele, son of the original owner, prosecutes the business of watch-maker and jeweler at the "old home- stead." In relation to the high price charged for the necessary article of salt, it is stated that Mr. Steele transported from his place to the lake three bushels of wheat, six bushels of rye, and one bushel of corn, which was exchanged for one barrel of salt, the " voyage" consuming five days' time of himself and team.
The first families who settled on the Hayes road, in the south section, were Benoni, William. and Eli Andrews. On the centre road we find that Francis Webster located on lot No. 28. In the north section Noah Swect purchased one thousand four hundred and twenty-three acres in 1830. At the same time James Cornwell purchased three hundred and eighty-three acres, and Noah Row- ley one hundred acres, in same section. February 1, 1842, Marvin Giddings purchased fifty acres also in same section. Henry Krum settled about three- fourths of a mile from the south line of the township, on the Hayes road, in the spring of 1826, and Abel Krum, his brother, three years later. Also, in 1826, Lockwood Lobdell located near Jesse Steele's. In 1831, John Williams and El- kanah Crosby, from Orleans county. New York, settled in the south part of the township, central. And in 1832, Conrad Petrie, from Herkimer county, New York, located near them. Henry Tuttle, originally from Litchfield county, Con- necticut, settled in the township in January, 1834. His location was about one- half mile from the south line of the township, on the Creek road. His son still occupies the old homestead. Mr. Tuttle was commissioner of Ashtabula County from 1829 to 1832.
ROADS.
The first road established in the township was in June, 1812. This was named the Hayes road, as a compliment to Richard Hayes, of Wayne township, the es- tablishment of this road having been accomplished mainly by his efforts. The remainder of the roads in Cherry Valley were " laid out" in the following order : December, 1828, " Frour near the southeast corner, on the east line of the town- ship, on the southwest corner of Merrick Bates' lot in Andover, and running west and westward to the main Cherry Valley north and south road at the north end of Giddings' mill-dam." Same date, "From a line between Creery's and S. Meeker's to east side of New Lyme, west." Same date, " From near Case and Slater's southwest corner, running nearly west to the west line of said township." And also, on same date, " From the Hayes road, near the centre of great lot No. 4, eastwardly to the towu linc," etc.
The first frame barn in the township was erected by John Fenn, in 1818, and the first frame house by the same, in 1825, both being on the farm now occupied by Horace Lindsley.
The first marriage which occurred in the township was that of Wooster Benja- min to Loretta Johnson. June 20, 1824. Rufus Houghton, justice of the peace for Andover township, solemnized the contract, which was consummated at the house of the bride's father.
The first death was that of Nathaniel Johnson, which occurred on the 28th day of June, 1825. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Harvey Coe, and the body received interment in the cemetery at West Andover, there being no place of burial yet established iu Cherry Valley.
ORGANIZATION.
On the record of the commissioners of Ashtabula County, under date of June 8, 1827, we find the following :
WESLEY CLARK.
MISS ALCHA E. CLARK.
MRS.WESLEY CLARK.
RES. OF WESLEY CLARK, CHERRY VALLEY TP, ASHTABULA Co., O.
H. LINDSLEY.
MRS. H. LINDSLEY.
aVÝ
RES. OF HORACE LINDSLEY, CHERRY VALLEY, ASHTABULA CO., O.
237
HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.
" Resolved (upon the petition of Anson J. Giddings, Benoni Andrews, and others), That so much of the present township of Andover as is included in sur- veyed township No. 9, in the second range, be set off and erected a separate town- ship, to be known and designated by the name of Cherry Valley; and that an election for township officers be held at the house of Josiah Creery, on the 4th of July next."
Pursuant to this action, the qualified electors assembled, appointed William Andrews, Wooster Benjamin, and John Fenn judges, and Josiah Crcery and A. J. Giddings clerks. The following were the officers elected : William Andrews, W. Benjamin, and Henry Krum, trustees ; Henry Krum, township clerk ; Josiah Creery, treasurer ; John Burget and W. Benjamin, fence-viewers; John Wood- worth and William Andrews, overseers of the poor; A. J. Giddings, constable ; and H. Krum and H. Lyman, supervisors. The first justice of the peace for Cherry Valley township was John Woodworth, whose election occurred the spring following the organization of the township. He was succeeded by Henry Krum. The present incumbents to that office are A. W. Stecle and Monroe Cornwell. The township officers for 1877 are William C. Benjamin, J. S. Sweet, and Philo Andrews, trustees ; A. W. Steele, township clerk ; O. M. Phelps, treasurer ; J. WV. Congdon, assessor; E. W. Adams and William D. Sutherland, constables ; and sixteen supervisors.
FIRST STORE.
The first store was opened by William A. Clark, in 1829. This was located on lot No. 14, section 2, being the southeast corner, at the crossing of the Hayes and centre roads. The next store began operations in 1832, Joel Rice, pro- prietor. The building stood just across the road, opposite the site of Clark's mercantile establishment. The present stores are, one at the centre, by Squire Randolph ; and a short distance south another, which is connected with the cheese-factory, by Charles E. Petrie. A millinery establishment is also in opera- tion at Steele's Corners.
THE FIRST POST-OFFICE
established in Cherry Valley was on the 28th day of April, 1829. William A. Clark was first postmaster, whose commission bears the date above given. Mr. Clark held the office for a number of ycars, and was succeeded by Lockwood Lob- dell. The present postmaster is R. Skeels, and the office is located at the centre.
THE FIRST SCHOOL
was taught by Mrs. Hannah, wife of William A. Clark, in the winter of 1828-29. The house occupied on this occasion was of logs, and stood near the store of Mr. Clark. The entire youth of the township attended this school. It is related that the teacher economized the time fully, occupying that portion not devoted to read -. ing and spelling in the, to her, perhaps, more congenial avocation of sewing (she was a tailoress). Numerous quilts were created during the season of this school. Many articles of gentlemen's wearing apparel were made ready for use. A. W. Steele, one of the pupils at this school, states that the scholar who misbehaved while the teacher was at work was admonished that his case would be duly con- sidered " when her needle was out"; and no doubt the aid of all the saints in the calendar was invoked by the unlucky urchin that the thread might be extended ad infinitum.
The first physician was Dr. William A. Clark. The second was Harvey Spellman. The present physician is F. G. Spencer, whose office and residence is a short distance west of the centre. Dr. Spencer is a young man of more than average ability, and is building up a fine practice.
THE FIRST SAW-MILL
was erected by Elisha Giddings, in 1826. The mill was situated on Giddings ereek, on the south line of the township, on the Hayes road. There are at present no water-mills in the township, and but one steam-mill. This is owned by D. L. Pellett, and is located in the southwest corner of the township. The first hotel in the township was built by - Scovill. We are unable to ascertain the date. The present hotel at the centre was built by the same person, and is now occupied by P. Wood.
The first cheese manufactured in Cherry Valley was in 1820, by Mrs. John Fenn. This was from the milk of one cow. The machinery for pressing the cheese was primitive indeed, it being simply a pole, one end of which was placed under a log of the house; at the other extremity was placed a weight, and beneath this lever, near the house, the cheese was duly pressed. At present a factory does the cheese-making. This first began operations in 1870. Its location is north of the centre, and opposite the residence of the proprietor, Charles E. Pctrie. The first year Mr. Petrie manufactured the milk of something over seven hundred cows, averaging twenty-five checses per day, weighing fifty pounds each. During the past two years the proprictor has made butter in connection with the factory.
The first religious services were in about the year 1825, by Elder Davis, of the Methodist connection. This was at the house of one of the pioncers. The congregation, which numbered some twenty-five, comprised all the settlers within reach, they coming in from Andover and Millsford (now Dorset) with their rifles on their shoulders. The early services were held in school-houses usually. The first regular ministers were Elder C. R. Richmond, of the Baptist, and Rev. Sturges, of the Methodist, denomination. The former church was organized about 1840. There are now two churches located at the centre, one for each denomination above referred to. There is also a town hall at this point.
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
Golden Rule Lodge, No. 331, was organized U. D. July 26, A.L. 5860. The first officers were Moses Dickinson, W. M .; William H. Mclaughlin, S. W .; Loekwood Lobdell, J. W .; R. W. Jones, Sec .; S. F. Hollester, Treas .; A. W. Steele, S. D .; Philip Hanson, J. D .; and J. B. Wood, Tyler. Date of charter, October 20, A.L. 5860 ; organized under charter November 7, A.L. 5860, Brother T. J. Carlin, Past Master of Evergreen lodge, No. 222, proxy of Grand Master, officiating. The officers for 1878 are Alpheus W. Steelc, W. M .; Daniel B. Debow, S. W .; Sylvanus W. Stone, J. W .; James B. Wood, Treas .; Franklin O. Sisson, Sec. ; Parley Serine, S. D. ; J. Albert Steele, J. D. ; Allen J. Blan- chard and George M. Stell, Stewards; and William D. Sutherland, Tyler. Present membership, forty-two. Stated communications, first and third Thurs- days.
STATISTICS FOR 1877.
Wheat.
110 acres.
1,194 bushels.
Oats.
590
16,391
Coru.
574
13,392
Potatoes.
57
3,887
Orchardiug
166
12,580
Meadow
2317
2,562 tons.
Maple-sugar.
25,602 pounds.
Butter.
107,738
Cheese ..
125,000
School-houses, 6 ; valuation and ground, $5000 ; number of scholars of requisite sehool age, 191 ; amount paid teachers, $1064.
Population in 1870, 726.
Vote for President in 1876 : R. B. Hayes, 147; S. J. Tilden, 44.
As will be seen by reference to the soldier record, this township was well represented in the regiments which Ohio sent to the support of the grand old stars and stripes during the dark days of the Rebellion.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HORACE LINDSLEY.
The parents of the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch were Abraham and Molly Bidwell Lindsley, of Litchfield, Connecticut. Their ancestors were of English origin. Removed to Paris, Oneida county, N. Y., where Horace was born on the 7th day of July, 1811. His father died at this point, and in 1818 his mother was married again, to John Fenn, and soon after removed to Ohio, coming via the lakes, and after a long and tedious voyage, not devoid of danger, arrived at the mouth of Ashtabula ereek. At this time there was at this place one log cabin and a partially-constructed building intended for a warehouse. They first went to Madison, Lake county ; only remained a short time, however, and then removed to No. 9 of the second range (now known as Cherry Valley) ; here they effected a permanent settlement in the wilderness. There was but one other family at this time in the township, their neighbors being principally the wild beasts of the forest. At night they were Inlled to sleep by the soothing howl of wolves and the hootings of the owls. Mrs. Lindsley Fenn died September 27, 1842. The education of the gentleman under consideration was acquired at common school, and his first occupation was the felling of the huge forest-trees sur- rounding his home. In his youth he taught school in winter scasons for a time, but his life-work has been that of farming. On December 26, 1842, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth A. J., daughter of Joseph and Esther Giddings Warren, of Williamsfield. Eight children were born of this marriage. These are John Quincy Adams ; Joseph Warren, married Elma C. Sweesy ; Mary E., married George H. Burnell; Lucretia Weston, married E. H. Greene; Lucretia M. (died) ; Matthew Hale (died) ; Frank Hildreth, and Wendell Phillips. Their political position is shown by the names of their children. They were ever warın friends of the colored man, and many a slave had reason to thank them for food, clothing, and shelter while en route for that freedom in a foreign country which was then denied him here. John Brown and his sons were intimate friends, and
238
HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.
the last home of the unfortunate Aaron D. Stevens, who was one of the victims of the Harper's Ferry affair, and was exccuted at Charlestown, Virginia, was at one time with Mr. and Mrs. Lindsley.
ABILENO E. BEALS.
In the year 1818. Edson Beals, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who was a Universalist minister, and Jane Beals, his wife, removed from Burlington, Orange county, New York, to Ohio, and made settlement in the township of Pierpont (this county). Remained there until 1828, when they removed to Cherry Valley. The place of their location was in the east part of the township, on the Creck road, purchasing what was known as the Hubbard farm. Here the Rev. Mr. B. lived until his decease, in 1851. The mother is still living at the advanced age of ninety-two years, the last twenty of which she has been confined almost constantly to her bed. Ethener Beals, father of Abileno E., was born in Burlington, New York, February 13, 1816. His wife, Lucretia Low, was born December 28, 1815 ; lived in Pennsylvania during her youth. They were mar- ried in 1838, and lived pleasantly together until his death, July, 1872. This worthy couple were among the hard-working settlers of the township, always striv- ing to do that which was right.
A. E. Beals was born in Cherry Valley, September 15, 1848 ; lived at home until February 24, 1870, when he married Miss Elrena J., daughter of Charles and Sally Skeels Spellman, of Wayne township (this county), and immediately began housekeeping on a farm purchased for him by his father, some two miles
south of tlic old homestead, where he yet resides. They have one child, Frank, born December 1, 1876. The other children of Ethener and Lucretia Bcals are Josiah, born 1839, died at Grand River institute, Austinburg, 1861, and En- sign, born February 8, 1842, married Maggie Sell; resides on the old farm. This family are Republican in politics.
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