USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio > Part 115
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Mr. Samuel Dean, who still resides at Gates' Mills, came thither in 1829. Nearly all the lots had been purchased on credit from the original owners. The clearings were generally small and the houses of log, though there were a few frames. Some claims had been held on " articles " (or agreements to convey on payment) twenty-five to thirty years; the articles being renewed every few years. If the owner could get the interest he thought he was doing well, and sometimes he was unable to get enough to pay the taxes. But after this period, and especially after the Mormons left, a much more enterprising class came in, bought up the old improvements, paid for their lands in a reasonable time, and speedily changed the appearance of the township.
For five years after 1830 emigration was quite rapid. In that year a Frederick Wilson came into the township and settled at what is now known as Willson's Mills. Eltean Wait and Daniel McDowell built the first store in the township (near Willson's Mills) in 1830. In 1831 it passed into the hands of Willson and MeDowell, who kept it five or six years.
In 1831 Colonel Ezra Eddy settled in Mayfield and put in operation a tanning and currying establish- ment near Gates' Mills, which he carried on for many years, becoming one of the most prominent citizens of the township.
The first framed school-house in the township was built at Mayfield Center in 1830. It took the place of the old log one before mentioned as school-house, church and town-hall; elections being held in it down to 1848.
In 1831 Jeniah Jones settled near the center. He describes the hill part of Mayfield as being still almost a wilderness. There was not a building on the State road, and Mr. Jones, soon after this arrival, helped
COL. EZRA EDDY.
Col. Ezra Eddy was born in Randolph, Orange Co., Vt., Aug. 17, 1805. He was the youngest in the family of seven children of James and Sarah (Newton) Eddy, none of whom are now living. His father having died when Ezra was about ten years of age, he was apprenticed to a Mr. Blodgett to learn the tanner's trade.
He remained with him till 1826, when he went to Lodi, Seneca Co., N. Y., where he followed his trade for one year. .
Oct. 18, 1827, he was married to Sally Ann, daughter of Gideon Keyt, of Lodi, N. Y. She was born Sept. 10, 1810. By this union he had seven children, viz. : Edwin W., born June 9, 1832; died Feb. 5, 1835. Sarah Jane, born May 23, 1836; died May 28, 1836. William A., born in July, 1837. Albert C., born Aug. 28, 1840 ; died Jan. 29, 1841. Constantine, born July 11, 1842. Harriet M., born Nov. 11, 1845. Sanford, born Oct. 12, 1848.
After his marriage he removed to Mayfield, Cuya- hoga Co., where he engaged in the tannery business, in which he continued till 1861, after which time he engaged in farming till his death, which occurred Aug. 3, 1870.
Col. Eddy was a well-known resident of the county,
and was conspicuous as one of the pioneers of May- field township, where he raised a respectable family, and by severe industry and strict economy left a handsome competence.
Mr. Eddy was perhaps better known throughout the county than almost any mau outside of the city of Cleveland as an independent farmer and intelligent citizen.
In the olden time, when militia musters were an- nual holidays, he was colonel of the regiment east of the Cuyahoga River, which position he filled with ability as long as the old military organizations lasted. For six years he was a commissioner of the county, and as such was respected for his ability, integrity, and faithfulness.
As an honest and zealous politician he was always present at the conventions of the old Whig party, and later of the Republican party, in the county, and was one of the men who gave character to those organizations.
As a neighbor, a husband, and a father, his char- acter and that of his family are sufficient testimony of his value in all such relations of life. Long may his beloved widow enjoy the esteem of her friends and the affection of her children.
469
MAYFIELD.
to open that road from the center westward. Of those who were on the hill before 1830, few if any remain besides Rufus Mapes. Joseph Lenty came in 1830. Elijah Sorter, with his sons, Charles, Isaac and Harry, came in December, 1831. S. Wheeling, Lucas Lindsley and others also came in 1831, and set- tled a mile and a half south of the center.
In 1832 Erwin Doolittle put in operation a carding machine and cloth-dressing establishment a short dis- tance north of Willson's Mills, on the same stream on which Abner Johnson's mill was located.
The first physician in the township was Dr. A. L. Dille, who came thither from Euclid in 1834, settled at Willson's Mills, and has ever since resided there. Down to 1834 the inhabitants had to go to Wil- Joughby for their mail-matter. In that year a mail route was established from Chardon, Geanga county. to Cleveland, through Gates' Mills, and a post office was located at the latter place.
Willson & MeDowell built a hotel at Willson's Mills in 1833, which they kept for several years, and about the same time, perhaps a little earlier, Hiram Falk opened one at Gates' Mills. In 1834 Halsey Gates put up a fine framed hotel at Gates' Mills with a ball-room in it, which was the center of many a joyous gathering. About 1833 or '34 Willson & Me- Dowell built a tlouring-mill and sawmill near the site of their store and tavern. The mills were burned in 1839, but were soon rebuilt. General Willson remain- ing a part or entire owner until they passed into the hands of his son, who now owns them. Hence the name of Willson's Mills has always been a strictly eor- rect appellation.
By this time all the land in the township had been purchased, and a large part of it cleared off. The deer had given way before the axes and ritles of the pioneers, though a few were still to be seen bounding through the remaining belts of forest. Only once after Dr. Dille came, in 1834. did he hear the howling of a wolf. Mayfield was rapidly changing from a wilderness to a civilized township.
About 1849 Dr. T. M. Moon began practice at Gates' Mills and Dr. Alexander Charles at Mayfield C'enter. The latter remained at the center until the outbreak of the Mexican war, when he received a commission as a surgeon of volunteers, went to Mex- ico and died while on duty there.
The first church edifice in the township was built by the Methodists in 1842, at Mayfield Center.
By 1850 the work of clearing up the township was substantially accomplished, the deer had all fallen before the rifles of their foes, or had followed the wolves into banishment, framed honses had generally taken the place of log ones, and Mayfield had as- sumed very near the appaarance which it now pre- sents.
In March, 1856, a few enterprising individuals pro- enred a charter as the Mayfield Academy association, and proceeded to erect an academy on the State road in the southwest portion of the township. The insti-
tution was maintained for many years in a flourishing condition.
Mayfield took her full share in the war for the Union, and the names of her gallant sons who fought in that contest will be found with the stories of their respective regiments.
In 18;2 a plank road was built from a point in East Cleveland near the line of the city of Cleveland, through Euclid and Mayfield to the top of the hill half a mile east of Gates' Mills; about three and a half miles of it being in Mayfield.
There are now three post offices in the township at the three villages before mentioned, Gates' Mills, Will- son's Mills and Mayfield Center: the first of which has about twenty houses and the others a smaller number. Besides these there are at Gates' Mills a gristmill, a sawmill, a rake factory, a store and two churches; at Willson's Mills, a gristmill, a sawmill, a church; at Mayfield Center, a church, a store, a town hall and a steam sawmill. There are also two cheese factories in the township; one on the State road, a mile east of Gates' Mills, and one half way between Gates' and Willson's Mills.
THE METHODIST CHURCHES.
The Mayfield circuit contains three churches, one at Mayfiekl Center, one at Gates' Mills, and one on the east line of the township. As has been said a Methodist class was organized as early as 1809. Oc- casional preaching was held in the township, but owing to the sparsity of the inhabitants no great pro- gress was made for many years. In 1835 there was a very earnest revival and a church was fully organized.
Rev. Mr. Graham was one of the first preachers: also Rev. Messrs. Excell and Mix. In 1842 the Meth- odists built, as before stated, the first church edifice in the township, at Mayfield Center. They have since replaced this by a larger one, and in 1853 erected one at Gates' Mills. There are now about a hundred mem- bers of the church at the Center, twenty-four of the one at Gates' Mills, and thirty-five of the one on East HIill. The following pastors have preached on this circuit since 1861: B. J. Kennedy, 1862, '63 and '64; E. C. Latimer, 1865 and '66: A. M. Brown, 1867; G. J. Bliss, 1868; E. C. Latimer, Hiram Kellogg, 1820; D. Rowland, 1871; J. B. Goodrich, 1872 and 23; D. Meizener, 1874; J. K. Shaffer, 1875; James Shields, 1844 and 78.
CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN.
This church was organized at Willson's Mills in 1820, and a neat framed edifice was erected the same year. There are now about thirty members.
THE DISCIPLE CHURCH.
In 1811 the Disciples at and around Gates' Mills purchased the school-house at that point and con- verted it into a church-edifice, and have since used it for that purpose. Their numbers are about the same as those of the United Brethren.
420
THE TOWNSHIPS OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
PRINCIPAL TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
| Unfortunately the township books previons to 1849 cannot be found- We give a list of the principal ones from that time to the present, ex- cept justices of the peace, which cannot be obtained from the township records.]
1849. Trustees, Truman Gates, L. P. Shnart, Luther Battles; clerk, Jeniah Jones: treasurer, D. Wakeman: assessor, Welman Brainard.
1850. Trustees, Lyndon JJenks, T. Gates, Rufus Mapes; clerk, Jeniah Jones; treasurer. Chas. N. Sorter; assessor, W. Brainard.
1851. Trustees, E. A. Jobnson, H. S. Mapes, Osbert Arnold; clerk, J. Jones; treasurer, C. N. Sorter: assessor. W. Brainard.
1852. Trustees, Harmon Jacobs, Daniel Shepherd : clerk, W. ' rainard: treasurer, C. N Sorter: assessor, E. D. Battles.
1853. Trustees, N. C. Sebins, Harry Sorter, David Hoege; clerk, W. Brainard; treasurer, C. N. Sorter; asse-sor, L. M. Gates.
1854. Trustees, J. A. Dodd. H. Jacobs, J. Bennett: clerk, J. Jones; treasurer, HI C. Eggleston.
1855. Trustees, Leonard Straight, Luther Battles, H. S. Mapes: clerk, Jeniah Jones; treasurer, Diamond Wakeman; assessor, L. M. Gates.
1856. Trustees, C. N. Sorter, H. S. Mapes, Harmon Jacobs; clerk, L. Straight: treasurer, D. Wakeinau; assessor, L. M. Gates.
1837. Trustees. C. Russell, Wm. Apthorp, J. B. Sorter; clerk. Leonard Straight: treasurer, C. N. Sorter; assessor, L. M. Gates.
1858. Trustees, Alva Ilanscom, Luther Battles, J. Sherman; clerk L. Straight: treasurer, C. N. Sorter; assessor, L. M. Gates.
18:9. Trustees, Alva Hanscom, L. Battles, J. Sherman; clerk, L. Straight; treasurer, (. N. Sorter; assessor, L. M. Gates.
1860. Trustees, A. H nseom, L. Battles, II. Sorter; clerk, L. Straight; treasurer, C. N. Sorter.
1861. Trustees, H. S. Mapes, H. Webster. C. B. Russell: clerk, L. Straight ; treasurer, D. Wakeman; assessor, H. C. Eggleston.
1862. Trustees, Gordon Abbey, Nelson Wilson, A. Granger: clerk, L. Straight; treasurer. D. Wakeman: assessor, H. ( Eggleston.
1863. Trustees, N. Wilson, L. Jenks, N. D. Seldon; clerk, L Straight; treasurer, D. Wakeman: assessor, A. Walworth.
1864. Trustees, E. D. Battles, II. Jacobs, Cornelius Hoege; clerk, L. Straight: treasurer, D. Wakeman; assessor, L M. Gates.
1865. Trustees, E. D. Battles, N. Wilson John Aikens; clerk, J. A. Cutler; treasurer. L. Straight : assessor, L M. Gates.
1866. Trustees, E. D. Battles, N. Wilson, T. Gates; clerk, I. A Cutler; treasurer, D. Wakeman: assessor, L. M. Gates.
1867. Trustees, N. Wilson, (. N. Sorter, T. Gates; clerk, Win. Miner: treasurer, Ilarry Sorter; assessor, L. M. Gates.
1868. Trustees, Ezra Eddy, Jobn Aikens, Leonard Straight; clerk, Tracy E Smith; treasurer. Harry Sorter; assessor, L. M. Gates.
1869. Trustees, L Straight, J. Aikens. E. D. Battles; clerk, T. E. Smith; treasurer, C. N. Sorter; assessor, L. M. Gates.
1870. Trustees, N. Wilson, Milo Rudd, George Covert; clerk, W. A. Miner; treasurer. H. Forter; assessor, John Aikens.
1871. Trustees, H. Jacobs, John Law. W. Apthorp: clerk, Wilbur F. Sorte ; treasurer. H. Sorter: assessor, W. Brainard.
1812. Trustees, L. Straight, Wm. Neville, Wm. A. Southwick; clerk, W' F. Sorter; treasurer, H. Sorter; assessor, W. Brainard.
1813. Trustees, Wm. A. Somhwick, L. M. Gates, H. Sorter; clerk, W. F. Sorter; treasurer. J. T. Battles; assessor, W. Brainard.
1874. Trustees, W. A Southwick, L. M. Gatea, Wm. Neville: clerk, W. F. Sorter; treasurer. J. T. Battles; assessor, W. Brainard.
1875. Trustees, L. M. Gates, L. Straight Ira. Hoffman; clerk, W. F. Sorter; treasurer, H. Sorter; assessor, W. Brainard.
1876. Trustees, L. M. Gates, A. F. Williams, Ira Hoffman; elerk. W. F Sorter: treasurer, A Straight: assessor. W. Brainard.
18GT. Trustees, Ira Hoffman, A. F. Williams, A. A. Jerome; clerk, H W. Russell: treasurer, J. T. Battles: assessor. W. Brainard.
1878. Trustees. Harmon Jacobs, Ira Hoffman, A. A. Jerome; clerk, II. W. Russell; treasurer, L. M. Gates, Jr. : assessor. W. Brainard.
1879. Trustees, A. P. Aikens, A. A. Jerome, Henry Covert; clerk, H. W. Russell; treasurer, A. Granger: assessor, W. Brainard.
FREDERICK WILLSON.
This well-known citizen of Mayfield was born in the town of Phelps, Ontario county, New York, on the 4th day of January, 1807. He was the son of George and Esther Willson, the latter of whom is still living with the subject of this sketch, at the age of ninety-two years. He resided in Phelps (most of the time after childhood being spent in attending school or working on his father's farm) until the year 1830. In July of that year he came to Mayfield, where he has ever since made his home.
The young pioneer located himself at the point now
known as Willson's Mills, and soon formed a partner- ship with David McDowell in the mercantile and farming business. Meeting with success in these oc- enpations, the firm in 1833 built a gristmill and a sawmill at the point just named.
Meanwhile the subject of our sketch had taken an active part in military affairs. Having served as pri- vate, non-commisioned officer, lieutenant and captain, in a regiment of light artillery. New York militia, before leaving that State, he was, on the organization of Mayfield as a separate company-district in 1833, elected the first captain of the first company in that township. On the outbreak of the celebrated "Toledo war," when it was expected that active, and perhaps dangerous, service would be necessary in maintaining the rights of Ohio to that city and the surrounding territory, Captain Willson with his lientenant and twelve men volunteered to take part in the contest. In 1834 he was elected major of the first regiment of infantry, second brigade, ninth division, Ohio militia; in 1835 was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and in 1836 was chosen colonel. In 1838 Colonel Willson was elected brigadier-general, which position he re- signed about four years afterwards.
On the 6th day of September, 1836, Gen. Willson was married to Miss Eliza Handerson, of the adjoin- ing town of Orange, a lady who has shared with him the joys and sorrows of life down to the present time.
In 1837 Gen. Willson dissolved partnership with Mr. McDowell, taking the mill and farm as his share. Milling and farming have been his occupations sinee that time, and in both he has been extremely success- ful: being now the owner of about nine hundred aeres of land. In April, 1840, his mills were de- stroyed by fire, but were rebuilt with characteristic energy, being set running on the 7th of January, 1841. In 1825 they were transferred to the general's oldest son, Myron HI. Willson, who still owns and operates them.
Gen. Willson became a member of the Masonic order fifty-one years since, before leaving the State of New York. He has passed through all the degrees, from that of entered apprentice to the Scottish rites, and maintains a high standing among the brethren of the order.
Though never a politician, yet in 1846 his neigh- bors elected him to the office of justice of the peace of Mayfield township, and re-elected him in 1849; the whole length of his service being six years.
General and Mrs. Willson have raised a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters. Two of his sons enlisted early in the war for the Union, and both gave their lives in its defense. George A. Will- son enlisted in the First Infantry in the summer of 1861, at the age of nineteen, and was killed at the battle of Resaca, Georgia, May 14, 1864. James P. Willson also enlisted in Battery B, First Light Ar- tillery, the same summer, at the age of seventeen, and died in service in June, 1862, having been brought home from Nashville three weeks before his decease.
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471
MIDDLEBURG.
CHAPTER LXXVIII.
MIDDLEBURG
Its Proprietor-Jared Hickox the First Settler-His Death-The Vaughns-Abram Fowls The First Marriage-The War-A Fortress in Columbia-Physical Characteristics of the Township-Religious Matters-Solomon Lovejoy Township Organization-The First Rec- ord-Road Districts-First Full List of Officers-John Baldwin Heads of Families in 1827-Circumstances Concerning Them Counterfeiters in the Swamp-Beginning of the Grindstone Business-Invention of Machiae to Make Grindstones-The First Tavern-First Temperance Society-H. O. Sheldon and Jaines Gilruth-The Community-The Twelve Apostles They Fail at Farming Break-up of the Community -- Origin of "Berea"-First Post Office Berea Lyceum-Lyceum Village-The Globe Factory Wolves in 1538-The last Killed in 1843- Deer-Turkeys and Wild Cats-Baldwin Institute-The Railroad -- Rapid Increase of Berea-An Ox-Railroad-Progress-The Onion Business-The Stone Quarries in Operation A Grindstone Factory- Berea Stone Company-Baldwin Quarry Company- Russell & Forche -Empire Stone Company-J MeDermott & Co. Principal Township Officers-Methodist Church-German Methodist Church-First Con- gregational Church St. Mary's Church-St Thomas' Church-St. Paul's Church-St. Adelbert's Church Berra Lodge F. and A. M .- Berea Chapter F. and A. M. Other Societies Berea Village Corpora tion-Towa Hall-Business Plae 's, ete -Physicians-Street Railway -Union School- Board of Education First National Bank-Savings and Loan Association.
Ox the division of the western part of the Western Reserve in 1807, township number six in the fourteenth range, now known as Middleburg. fell to the share of Ilon. Gideon Granger. then postmaster-general un- der President Jefferson.
The first permanent white settler in the township was Jared Hickox, grandfather of Mrs. Roxana Fowls, who located in 1809 on what is now known as the Hepburn place, on the Bagley road, about half way between Berea village and the old turnpike. We say the first permanent settler, for it is believed by some that Abram Hickox, long a well-known resident of Cleveland, moved into Middleburg in response to an offer of fifty acres of land to the first settler, made by Mr. Granger, and giving his name to the pond known as Lake Abram. According to the best information we can obtain from old settlers, however, Mr. Jared Iliekox was the one who received the fifty acres, and Mr. Abram Hickox never lived in Middleburg. Ile was a relative of Jared Hickox, however, and the lat- ter may have named " Lake Abram " after him.
The next year after making his settlement, Mr. Jared Hickox, who had already passed middle age. was returning from Cleveland to his home, when he died suddenly and alone upon the road-probably of heart disease. He left a large family, among whom were his sons Nathaniel, JJared, Eri and Azel. and his daughter, Rachel Ann, the mother of Mrs. Fowls, before mentioned.
The next settlers were probably the Vaughns, who located themselves about 1810 on the banks of Rocky river, near where the village of Berea now stands. There was an old gentleman and three adult sons, Ephraim, Richard and Jonathan Vaughn. The lat- ter located where Berea depot now is.
In the spring of 1811, Abram Fowls (father of Lewis A. Fowls and Mrs. Roxana Fowls) came through the woods on foot, with his younger brother John, and selected him a home near where the Hickox family was located. " Near," at this time, meant anywhere within two or three miles. At all events
young Abram was near enough so that he soon made the intimate acquaintance and gained the favor of Miss Rachel Ann Hickox. Although he had arrived in Middleburg with only two dollars and a half in his pocket, he was ready to take the responsibilities of a family on his shoulders, and the two were accordingly married in 1812. this being the first wedding in the township. The young couple were quite justified in their self-confidence, too, for before the death of Abram Fowls, which occurred in 1850, the two dol- lars and a half with which he had arrived in Middle- burg had grown into a handsome fortune, including five hundred acres of land and other property in pro- portion, besides which Mr. and Mrs. Fowls had reared a family of ten children.
Meanwhile Jonathan Vaughn put up a sawmill on Rocky river, near the site of the depot, and Ephraim Vaughn erected a log gristmill farther up the stream and near the village. Silas Becket and his son Elias also settled in that vicinity. Those who have been named, with their families, were nearly or quite all the residents which township number six had before the war of 1812.
That war came with most depressing effect upon the few residents of Middleburg, for down to the time of Perry's victory on Lake Erie and Harrison's tri- umph in Canada, the people were in almost daily apprehension of an attack by Indians upon the almost helpless settlers. Soon after Ilull's surrender a block- honse was erected in Columbia (now in Lorain eoun- ty, but then in Cuyahoga), where there was a rather larger population than in Middleburg, and whenever there seemed to be especial danger, all the able-bodied men were called out by Captain Hoadley, of Colum- bia, to defend the little fortress, while the women and children were offered a refuge in the same narrow quarters. Mr. Fowls took his family there for a week, but when he was called out a second time his wife re- mained at home with only his young brother to pro- tect her. All the other inhabitants in the township went to Columbia. The young wife was sadly fright- ened at times, but fortunately no Indians appeared.
It was during such times as these that the first white child was born in the township of Middleburg -Lucy, oldest daughter of Abram and Rachel Ann Fowls, whose birth took place on the 22d day of May, 1813. Lney Fowls married Nathan Gardner, and died in 1822.
After Perry's victory there was little more fear of Indians, and in the forepart of 1815 the close of the war left the path way again open to emigration. Before, however, we undertake to trace the subsequent course of events, we will glance at the natural characteristics of township number six.
Like the other townships of the Reserve it was five miles square. Entering it near the center of its southern boundary was the east branch of Rocky river, which followed a meandering course north ward, receiving the west branch, and passing out intotown- ship number seven (now Rockport). The river banks
472
THE TOWNSHIPS OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
plainly showed good reasons for the name which had been given to it; reasons which cropped out on either side along its whole course through the township. Near the river the ground was generally broken, the soil being formed of mingled clay and gravel, and covered with the usual Ohio forest growth of beech, maple, elm, oak, etc. But to the eastward the sur- face soil was nearly level, somewhat wet, and com- posed of a clayey loam; while northeast of the center was a large swamp, densely occupied by hemlock, birches, etc., into which the wolves and panthers re- treated from the constantly increasing improvements of man. Of the pond which very early received the name of Lake Abram, we have spoken before. Its waters found their way, though very slowly, into Rocky river.
Though the strong, clay soil of Middleburg, when drained and subdued, has proved as valuable as any in the county, yet at an early day its general dampness and stubbornness, the presence of swamps, and the consequent fear of agne, caused many emigrants to press on to the more healthful hills of Strongsville or the more manageable lands of Columbia, So that, even after the close of the war in 1815, emigration to Middleburg was still slow. One of the first families to come, after the war, was that of Ephraim Mecker, who settled at the ontlet of Lake Abram. Another was that of Thaddeus Lathrop, who came in 1816. Ilis daughter, now Mrs. Susan Tuttle, of Albion, who was then nine years old, can recollcet only the Vaughns, the Fowles, the Hickoxes and the Meekers, as being in the township when she went there, though probably there were the Beckets and a few more. The only road from Cleveland was a path designated by marked trees.
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