History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 100

Author: Johnson, Crisfield
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co.
Number of Pages: 716

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The meeting-house was erected in 1838. It has since been much enlarged and improved, being at present a very handsome edifice the value of which is estimated at six thousand dollars. The present trustees are Alonzo Drake, V. A. Taylor, Johnson MeFar- land, John Way, Milo Hathaway, F. R. Hamlin and S. J. Clark: E. A. Ennis is clerk of the board.

Many years ago Dr. J. P. Robinson was the super- intendent of a flourishing Sunday-school, which has been continued with unabated interest until the present time. It has one hundred and twenty-five members. R. JJ. Hathaway being the superintendent.

For nearly twenty years the board of managers of the Ohio Missionary Society were located at Bedford; Dr. J. P. Robinson being the chairman, and James Egbert, the treasurer. In later years the meetings have been held at Cleveland.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN BEDFORD.

This religious body was organized November 18, 1834, with the following members: Stephen Rusco. William Wing, Salome Rusco, Phebe Hotchkiss. Isabella Thomas, Silvan P. Lock wood, Ambrose K. Lockwood. Fanny Willis. Mary Robinson, Marinda Holcomb, Clarissa Dunham, Hannah Wing, Lucretia Hammond and John Hammond, by the Rev. S. R. Willard, who also became the first pastor. Stephen Rusco was elected the first clerk, and Silvan P. Lock-

Now serving.

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THE TOWNSHIPS OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY.

wood and John Hammond, the first deacons. In September, 1835, the church became connected with the Portage Association, sending as delegates the pastor, Rev. Mr. Willard, Deacon Hammond and Stephen Rusco.

In 1836 John Hammond resigned his deaconship. and John Brainard was chosen in his place. The latter resigned in 1843, and George Morse, John Ham- mond and Newman Robinson were elected. Augustus Pease also served in this capacity. The present dea- cons are Newman Robinson and Daniel Cook.

The second pastor of the church was the Rev. E. Il. Holley, who assumed that relation in February, 1842. The succeeding pastors, with the year in which each began his service, have been as follows: 1844, Rev. W. Levisse; 1846, Rev. W. G. Johnson; 1850, Rev. Mr. Simonds: 1851, A. Freeman; 1855, Rev. Alonzo Wadhams; 1852, Rev. E. A. Turner; 1859. Rev. Mr. Page: 1860, Rev. Mr. Heath; 1861, Rev. J. L. Phillips; 1864, Rev. Mr. Haven; 1866, Rev. J. B. IIutton; 1867, Rev. G. W. Scott; 1869, Rev. F. Tolhurst: 1875, Rev. Mr. Stephenson; 1876, Rev. S. Early, who yet continues as a supply, and is also su- perintendent of a Sunday school which has two hun- dred members. The church reports ninety-tive mem- bers.

In 1839 the present church edifiee was erected, and on the 19th of February, 1840, it was consecrated by the Rev. Levi Tucker. It has since been repaired, and is still a comfortable place of worship. The present trustees are Geo. Cowan, Newman Robinson and Frederick Harter.

THE BEDFORD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

About 1833 a class of Methodists was formed at Bedford, having among its members N. C. Haines, his wife, Rachel, and daughter, Polly: Benjamin Fitch and wife, Daniel Benediet and wife, and others who had formerly belonged to the Reformed Metho- dists. Revs. N. C. Haines and - Baldwin, acting in the capacity of local preachers, were the first min- isters of the class, which did not increase very rapidly in membership. After ministers were sent here by the conference, the services were held in the Willis meeting house, which afterwards became the property of the Methodists, and was moved by them to its present location. In a remodeled condition it forms a pleasant place of worship, valued at $2,500, The present trustees are S. M. Hammond, Edward Cork- ill, A. M. Whitaker, G. C. Tinker, J. W. Hickman and W. T. Wheelock.

The church has at present about one hundred mem- bers, and the following stewards: G. C. Tinker, J. R. Tudor, W. W. Corkill and A. J. Loockwood. The pastor since September, 1878, has been the Rev. A. T. Copeland. Among other Methodist clergy here were the Revs. Alfred Bronson, S. Warrallo, Ira

Eddy, L. D. Prosser, J. K. Hallock, W. F. Wilson, M. H. Bettis, W. French, A. Hall, J. H. Tagg, D. M. Stevens, W. F. Day, L. Clark, A. Fontz, Cyril Wilson, Michael Williams, C. F. Kingsbury, S. Gregg, B. J. Kennedy, B. C. Warner, A. M. Brown, B. F. Wade, J. Beetham and J. H. Merchant.

A flourishing Sunday school is maintained by the church, with S. M. Hammond as superintendent.

THE BEDFORD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The house of worship of this body was erected in 1861, by a congregation which had been formed pre- vious to that date by the Revs. F. I. Brown and John Andrews, of the Wooster presbytery. There were sixteen members, and Milton A. Purdy and B. J. Wheeloek were the first ruling elders. Before the meeting house was built, Rev. William Campbell be- eame the first pastor, the services being held in IIntehinson hall and other places. He served the church in connection with that of Northfield, and the subsequent pastors were also in the employ of both churches. These were the Rev. William B. Marsh and the Rev. William Hamilton, D. D. After the latter confined his labors solely to the Northfield church. many of the members in the southern part of the township withdrew from the Bedford church and connected themselves with the former body. Others removed, and the church was left so weak that for the past six years the meeting house has been unoc- enpied.

Other religions societies have had a brief existence at Bedford village and in the western part of the township, where a meeting house was erected on Dun- ham street, but all have now become extinct.

BEDFORD LODGE NO. 375, F. AND'A. M.

This lodge received a dispensation October 1 ;. 1866, and a year later was duly chartered with the following members: J. B. Hains, C. N. Hamlin, R. (. Smith, A. A. Benedict, W. II. Sawyer, Levi Case, Enoeh Allen, A. J. Wells, J. J. Brittan S. S. Peck, L. C. Ilains, Sanmel Patrick, E. Cowles and II. Il. Pahner. The officers were J. B. IJains, W. M .; L. (. Hlains, J. W .: S. S. Peck, secretary; B. F. Lillie, treasurer; E. J. Parke, J. D .; M. T. Canfield, S. D., and F. Mighton, tyler. The lodge has had one hun- dred and eleven members, and at present reports fifty-five. In 1844 the upper story of the town hall was fitted up for lodge purposes, at a cost of $1,500. The size of the main hall is thirty by thirty-six feet; the size of that and the banquet hall is thirty-six by seventy feet. The present officers are S. S. Peck, W. M .; S. IT. Gleeson, S. W .; William Golling, J. W .; E. H. Hammond, secretary; C. B. Marble, treasurer; J. C. Nelson, S. D .; William Klaner, J. D., and II. Conant, tyler.

HON. THEODORE BRECK is a descendant of the old Puri- tan families of New England, and boasts ancestors who were prominently identified with the early history of the State of Massachusetts. His father, John Breck, was a native of Northampton, Mass., and was, in company with his brothers, engaged at Boston in the importation of iron. He served in the army during the war of 1812, and was commander of the forces stationed at Fort Independence, Boston harbor. Ile was one of the original purchasers of the Western Reserve lands from the State of Connecticut, and upon its division among the different proprietors was allotted parts of townships in the various counties. In the town named after him in Cuyahoga County he originally held the title-deeds for one-half of its territory. Ile died in 1827. Theodore Breck's mother, Clarissa ( who died in 1831), was the daughter of Rev. Thomas Allen, the first settled minister of Pittsfield, Mass .; a man of strong and deep religions principles and very patriotie during the Revo- lutionary war. When Gen. Burgoyne was marching to invade Vermont, Mr. Allen heard of the approach of the British during the Sabbath service, and thereupon leaving his pulpit he hastily formed a company of Minute-Men, and hastened to the support of the Americans. His son, Wil- liam R. Allen, was president of Bowdoin and Dartmouth Colleges in the early part of the present century. Rev. Thomas Allen's wife, Elizabeth, was a daughter of Rev. Jonathan Lee, the first settled pastor at Salisbury, Mass. His wife, Elizabeth, was the child of Rev. Joseph Metcalf, who was united in 1707 to Alice, daughter of Rev. William Adams. The latter married, in 1680, Alice, daughter of Maj. William Bradford, who was the son of Governor Wil- liam and Alice (Southworth ) Bradford. This shows that Theodore Breck is a lineal descendant of one of Massachu- setts' early colonial governors. John and Clarissa (Allen)

Breck had a family of six children, of whom Theodore was the third son and child.

He was born at Northampton, Mass., Nov. 30, 1808. Receiving an academical course of study, he spent his youth at educational institutions in Hadley and Amherst, Mass. After the death of his father, in company with his two sur- viving brothers, Edward and John, he moved West to look after the large landed interest left by their parent. He located at Brecksville in 1830, and became engaged in agricultural pursuits and in the mercantile trade, and later on became a notary public. His brothers finally settled in Brecksville, the elder engaging in the practice of medi- cine, the younger in farming.

Mr. Breck was formerly a member of the old Whig party, but joined the Republican party upon its organization, and has since been an active and prominent worker in its ranks. Ile has been called to serve as county commissioner, 1843 to 1846; was appointed to fill the vacancy in the same board in 1875 ; was a member of the State Legisla- ture of 1846-48; member of the Senate of 1860-61, and represented his constituents in the 63d General Assembly of 1876-77. In all of his political positions he has given universal satisfaction and gained the respect of the people at large irrespective of party. Mr. Breck is a man of medium height, and though over seventy years of age en- joys the best of health. Although never married, he is rightly called the father of the town of his adoption. His hand has always been ready to help, and his purse to al- leviate, the wants of the destitute orphan or the desolate widow, and though he has no posterity to transmit his name to future generations, it will remain green and live in the memory of the people of this county for many years to come. By his many acts of benevolence and kindness he has erected a monument that will long endure.

411

BRECKSVILLE.

CHAPTER LXX. BRECKSVILLE.

Boundaries-First Proprietor-Soil-First Pioneers -- A Garrisoned House -Rattlesnakes Hinckley Hunt-Settlements on the River-At the Center-Up Chippewa Creek-In the North-Horse Stealing and Coun- terfeiting-Pioneers before 1826-Prominent Men between 1826 and 1835-First Officers-Items from the Town Book-List of Officers- Town Hall-Tax of 1478-A Log Grist-Mill-Other Mills at the Center -Saw-Mills on the Chippewa-The old Fulling Mill-Tanneries and Distilleries-Village of Brecksville-Its Post Office-Stores and Hotels -Schools-First Congregational Church- Methodist Church.

BRECKSVILLE is in the southernmost tier of town- ships in the county. The Cuyahoga river forms its eastern boundary, and beyond it lies the township of Northfield, in Summit county. On the south is the township of Richfield, also in Summit county; while on the west and north lie the townships of Royalton and Independence in Cuyahoga county. It received its name from Robert and John Breck, two of the proprietors, who owned it in common with Reuben Dresser, Lemuel and Asahel Pomeroy, Ebenezer Hunt, Asa White and Welch & Hinckley. The township contains seventeen thousand one hundred and fifty- six acres of land, the surface of which is broken by high hills and deep hollows in the eastern and cen- tral parts; but in the south and the west forms an elevated plain. It was originally covered with a heavy growth of timber, and in some localities a lib- eral supply of the common forest trees may yet be found.

The soil varies from a stiff clay to a sandy loam and is most adapted to the raising of the various grains and grasses, the latter being the principal product. Dairying largely engages the attention of the people. although much mixed husbandry prevails. The principal stream, aside from the Cuyahoga, is Chip- pewa creek, with its tributary brooks. That creek flows east through the township, a little north of its center. It has a small but fertile valley and in some localities its banks form high and almost perpendicu- lar walls of shale, while in others the channel is an unbroken mass of sandstone, its banks being fringed with evergreens and tangle wood, which gives them a wild and picturesque appearance. It affords a lim- ited water power.

PIONEER SETTLERS.

Brecksville was surveyed in 1811 by Alfred Wolcott, Esq., and in June of that year the first settlement in the township was made, by Seth Paine and Mel- zar Clark, who came from Western Massachusetts. The former located on lot sixty-four, in the extreme southwestern part of the township, and died there before 1818, Hle had a family of two sons-Oliver N. and S. White-and two daughters. One of them, Almira, married Melzar Clark, who soon after re- moved to Royalton. After his death the widow mar- lied Henry Bangs of that township.

At the breaking out of the war of 1812 the few in- habitants, for a time, kept up a little garrison at the house of Seth Paine, but as the rumors of Indian hostilities became more alarming most of the people

fled to Hudson, where they remained until the danger was over. After the war only a few straggling In- dians were seen, and these soon abandoned the country, leaving the settlers in undisturbed posses- sion of their homes.

These were of logs, often without a nail or board, and contained but the simplest furniture and house- hold utensils. A single article was often made to do service for cooking, baking and washing, and it is said that, in the absence of any other vessel, one of the pioneer mothers was obliged to milk her cow into a jug. Rattlesnakes were unusually abundant in the township, and would sometimes intrude themselves through the puncheon floors of the cabins of those living near the Chippewa-as many as thirteen of those unpleasant reptiles having been killed in one place.

Game, also, was very abundant. We have described the great Hinckley hunt on page sixty-six of the gen- eral history, but we add a few facts not known when that description was written. It originated at the house of Seth Paine, in this township, in December, 1818. A meeting was held and officers appointed; Cary Oakes being captain for Brecksville, John Ferris captain for Royalton, Judge JJohn Newton for Rich- field, and Squire Freyer for Brunswick. As romem- bered in Brecksville, the number of deer killed was three hundred and sixty-five: of bears, seventeen; of wolves, five. These figures differ a little from those previously given, but either set shows a very good day's work.

In 1811 another settlement was made in the north- eastern part of the township, by Benoni Brown and Samuel, Almon and Charles Wolcott: most of whom moved away at an early date, the former going to Bedford township. The following year Edward John- son, a native of Pennsylvania, located on the river, above the settlement just mentioned, rearing there six sons, named Andrew. Joseph, George, William, John and Thomas, some of whom yet live in the township. About the same time William Moody, Thomas Timmins and John Breen located in the same neighborhood. The latter lived at the mouth of the Chippewa and had four sons, named John, Joseph, David and Cyrus. Andrew Dillon was also an early settler on the river. His sons growing to mature years were George, Peter and James. About. the time the canal was built many deaths were caused in this locality by billious diseases.

On the 1st day of January, 1812, Walter Wait and his brother-in-law expectant, Lemmel Bourne, built the third house in the township, near the present center, raising the walls that day and completing it soon after, without using any boards or nails. Al- though in midwinter, the weather was very pleasant, and they did not suffer in consequence of having to live several days without doors or windows to their cabin. Wait soon after moved away, but Bourne set- tled south of the center, where he resided until his death, in 1874, at the age of eighty-three years. IIe

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THE TOWNSHIPS OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY.

had three sons, named William, Isaac and Rawson; and two daughters, named Harriet and Mary. The same season John Wait, Chester Wait and Benjamin Wait also settled in that part of the township. The last named was the first adult that died in the town- ship, and in 1813 the wife of John Wait became the mother of the first child-a son, who on reaching manhood moved to Michigan.

About the same time Bolter Colson settled in the south part of the township, where he resided until 18:8. Ile had five sons, Orrin, Chandler, Lyman, Thomas and Newton, the last two being still residents of the township.

To the center of Brecksville came, in 1812, Lemuel Hoadley and Hosea Bradford, the former building there the first mill in the township, the following year. Bradford, who was a shoemaker, lived on the publie square. Both removed to Olmstead in the course of eight or ten years. Up the Chippewa Eli and Abijah Bagley located the same year. The latter had two sons, named Russia and Nathamel. John Adams, Ru- fus Newell and Aruna Phelps were also settlers of the township, about this period, in the Chippewa Valley.

In 1813 Aaron Rice, with a large family, moved from Franklin county, Massachusetts, to the south- western part of the township. He had seven sons, named Silas, Aaron, Seth, William, Moses, Myron and Peter, and three daughters. His son-in-law, Ebenezer Rice, came soon after. The latter had three sons, named Dexter, Ebenezer and Aiken. JJoseph and Oliver Edgarton came a year or two later. The former had a numerous family, the sons being Joseph, Elias, Erastus, Oliver, and Oniek and Austin (twins).

Calvin, Cary and William Oakes came with their families by ox-teams from Massachusetts in 1816, the journey consuming forty-two days. Cary Oaks had five sons, named Caleb, Henry, Francis, Isaae and Cary. The sons of William Oakes were George and William. The same year eame Josiah Wilcox and his sons Ebba, Ambrose and Orrin, also from Massachu- setts. Ebba Wilcox had a son named Freeborn. Ambrose died in 1834, leaving four sons, named Ed- win, Whitney, Miller and Charles. Orrin had one son named Josiah.

Asa Fenn lived in the same neighborhood, and also died in 1834. Ile had three sons. Arnon, Plympton and Learno. The same year died Aaron Barnes, an- other early settler in that neighborhood, who had two sons named Giles and Jesse. In the southern part of the township Lyman J. Frost was one of the earliest settlers, and a short time later John Pomeroy and Eli Osborn were added to the list of pioneers.

In 1817 Jedediah Meach settled in the northern part of the township, and about the same time came Dan- iel O'Brian. Both moved away, but the following year Dr. Isaac M. Morgan came to that locality and resided there until his death. He had three sons, Charles, Harris and Consider. A son of the latter, Moses I .. now ocenpies the homestead. Jacob Fuller and his sons Abel, Mathew, Calvin, Quartus, Willis and Sam-

nel, Warren Cole, George W. Marsh, and William, Samuel, Isaac and Abel Varney, were all early settlers in the northern and western part of the township.

On the Warren Cole place, which is at present oc- enpied by Emmet Boyd, afterward lived G. B. Sper- ring, whose connection with a gang of horse thieves and counterfeiters made his place a resort of vicious characters, and a receptacle of stolen property at hours of the night when his more honest neighbors were asleep. At home Sperring maintained an eminent respectability, but he was at last suspected and ar- rested. While being taken to Cleveland he effected his escape to Canada. On his farm was discovered an underground stable for seereting stolen horses, and in the house were many evidences of the manu- facture of counterfeit money.

West of this place Daniel Green settled about 1818, and lived there until his removal to Sandusky. He had three sons, named William G., John L. and Charles. A few years later Joseph Hollis, from St. Lawrence county, New York, settled in this neigh- borhood, but removed to Seneca county. He had two sons named Giles and George W., the latter be- ing at present a resident at the center. At this place in 1811 settled Joseph, Allen and Alexander Darrow; the latter being the father of Nathan, John and Alvah Darrow, all of whom moved away, though some are now living in adjoining townships. At a little later period Ezra Wyatt settled at the eenter, and purchased the interest of Lemuel Hoadly in the mill property. Ile had five sons, named Nathaniel, Eliphalet, Darins, James and Lorenzo, some of whom yet live in the county.

Besides the foregoing there were among the pio- neers of Brecksville, before 1826, David McCreary, Orrin Abbott, Joseph Burnham, Thomas Patrick, Andrew Benton, John Johnson, Chester Narmore, Jolm Jenkins, Lewis Adams, Joab Rockwell, Thom- as Scott, Gersham Bostwick, Joseph McCreary, John G. Joslin, T. C. Stone, Isaac Packard, Elisha Tubbs, John Pomeroy, Darius Robinson, Johnson Patrick, John Guilford, Reuben Durfee, Alonzo Castle, Chauncey L. Young, William Breckenridge, John Randall, Robert Donaldson and Jonas Haynes. Among the prominent settlers who were in the town- ship before 1835, and who have not already been named, were David Ring, Edward Rust, Augustus Adams, Joseph H. Breck, Theodore Breck, Moses Hunt, Verarms, Lester and Charles Dewey, John Day, Hugh Stephenson, John Dunbar, William Good- ell, James Foster. Thomas Sanderson Belah Norton, Martin Chittenden, Charles B. Bostwick, Edmund M. Bartlett, besides others whose names appear in the church history.

CIVIL ORGANIZATION.

The qualified voters of Brecksville met at the house of Eli Bagley, April 3, 1815, to choose township officers as follows:

Trustees, Aaron Rice, Lemuel Hoadley, Edward

MOSES HUNT.

Moses Hunt was born in Stratford, Orange Co., Vt., Aug. 5, 1809, and was the youngest son of Moses and Judith (Roberts) Hunt, both of whom were natives of Vermont, the former being born in Hopkinton, Jan. 19, 1774, the latter at Stratford, July 31, 1773. In the winter of 1812 his father moved to Northampton, Mass., but being eompelled to gain his livelihood by day labor, he was not able to give his children any educational advantages. During his childhood Moses was obliged to live out in various families of Hampshire County; but on arriving at the age of manhood, seeing no prospects of bettering his condition of life in the Eastern States, he made up his mind to emigrate to the West, and in 1833 settled in Breeksville, on a farm of one hundred acres. With no other capital except health, strength, and ambition he commenced the battle of life. The country at that time was a wilderness, and the pioneers had many obstaeles to overeome, but Mr. Hunt, by energy, economy, and industry, prospered. He resides at present on his original purebase, which he has inereased to one hundred and fifty aeres, and has made farming his sole oeeupation in life.

lle was married, May 27, 1834, to Emeline, daughter of Charles B. and Cynthia Dewey, who were early eomers to Brecksville, having removed from Chesterfield, Hampshire Co., Mass., to that town in 1834. Their daughter was born in Spring- field, Mass., Oct. 8, 1811.

Mr. Hunt's parents settled in Breeksville in 1837. llis father died Dee. 24, 1839, and is buried in the town ; his mother returned to Massachusetts, where she died in September, 1866, in her ninety-fourth year.

The result of Moses Hunt's marriage was three children, one of whom died in childhood. Chauncey P. was born March 31, 1835, and has been twice married, the last time (Nov. 7, 1866) to Harriet S., daughter of Lemuel Bourn.

Mr. Bourn was one of the early settlers of Breeks- ville, coming in 1810, prior to which date but one family had located there. Chauncey at present re- sides at home with his parents. Sarah Emeline was born Nov. 26, 1837; is the wife of Louis T. Rust, a farmer of Brecksville, and has a family of three children.

In politics Mr. Hunt is a Republican, and although often solieited by his fellow-citizens to occupy posi- tions in their gift, he has always declined political honors. Has been a member of the First Presby- terian Church of Brecksville for almost fifty years, and has held the office of deacon for about thirty years.

Deacon Hunt is loved and respected by all. Though now advaneed in years he enjoys the best of health, and it is the daily wish of friends and neighbors that he may be permitted to be among them for many years to come.

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BRECKSVILLE.

Johnson; clerk, John Wait; treasurer, John Adams: constable and lister, Ebenezer Rice; poormasters. Hosea Bradford, Aaron Rice; fence viewers, Eben- ezer Rice, Walter Wait, Hubert Baker; road super- visors, Lemuel Bourne, Hosea Bradford, Inbert Baker, Ebenezer Rice. Charles Wolcott had been elected constable but he refused to serve and was fined two dollars, which was applied toward paying for a township book, which had been purchased by Lemuel Hoadley for three dollars and seventy-five cents. We transcribe some further notes from the old township books, which may be interesting.

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History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 100

Author: Johnson, Crisfield Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co. Number of Pages: 716

Author: Johnson, Crisfield
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co.
Number of Pages: 716