History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 122

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

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1844. Trustees, J. Cole, E. Wait, Zadock Bowell; clerk, C. Alvord : treasurer, T. King: overseer of poor. Geo Fankell, B. Hardy.

1845. Trustees, Elestus Arnold, E. Burnet, B. Hardy : clerk, Thomp- son Willett: treasurer, John Whitlaw: assessor, James Handerson. 1846. Trustees, E. Burnet, J. D. Mapes, Benj. Sheldon; clerk, P. C. Gordon; treasurer, John Whitlaw: assessor, E Smith.

1847. Trustees, J. D. Mapes, Abram Tibbits, B. Sheldon: clerk, P. C. Gordon: treasurer, H. S. Allen: assessor. John Whitlaw.

1848. Trustees, A. Tibbits, H. Doloff, E. Burnet; clerk, P. C. Gordon; treasurer, H. S. Allen: assessor, A. Smith.

1849. Trustees, A. Ti. bits, H. Doloff, Wm. Smith ; clerk, P. C. Gordon ; treasurer, Wm. Lander: assessor, J. Handerson.

1850. Trustees, H. Abel, J. Cole, S. Burnet; clerk, P. C. Gordon ; treas- urer, Wm. Lander: assessor, J. Handerson.

1851. Trustees, Henry Abel, Zenas Smith, S. Burnet; clerk, P. C. Gordon: treasurer, Wm. Lander: assessor, Thomas ('olby,

1852. Trustees, E. Arnold, C. Gates, C. Cole: clerk, P. C. Gordon ; treasurer. John Whitlaw: assessor, Thomas Colby.

1853. Trustees, John McLane, Jason H. Luce, Amos Boynton: elerk. Wm. Stoneman; treasurer, Richmond Barber; assessor, Silas T. Dean. 1854. Trustees, S. Burnet, H. Abel, T. Willett; clerk, P. C. Gordon; treasurer, Wm. Lander: assessor, S. J. Smith.

1855. Trustees, A. Mcveigh, J. McLane, J. D. Mapes: clerk, P. C. Gordon; treasurer, Wm. Lander; assessor, Wm, Stoneman.

1856. Trustees, John D. Mapes, C. Cole, A. MeVeigh ; clerk, P. C. Gordon: treasurer, Wm. Lander; assessor, Christopher Jackson.

495

ORANGE.

1857. Trustees. J D. Mapes, Win Luce, Chas. Gates: (lerk, P. C, Gordon: treasurer, J. H. Luce: assessor, Christopher Jackson,

1-58. Trustees. A. Jerome, R. Lewis, H. Baster: clerk, P. C, Gordon ; treasurer, J. H. Luce: assessor, Christopher Jackson.

1×59. Trustees. John Whitlock. J. Bray. P. Farr; clerk. T. Mcveigh; treasurer,. Wm Lander: assessor, Christopher Jackson.

1860. Trustees, Henry Price, Horace Rudd, F. Judd: clerk. W. P. Luce: treasurer. H B. Boynton ; assessor, Chris opher Jackson.

1×61. Trustees, H. Price. E. B. Pike. R. Lowis; clerk. W. P. Luce: treasurer, J. H Luce: assessor. Christopher Jackson.

IN2. Trustees, E. B. Pike, Win. Lander. H. Abell; clerk, W. P. Luce: treasurer. H. Price: assessor, Francis Rowe.

:Ni3. Trustees, Wm. Lander, L Sawyer, H. Rudd: clerk, (' Jackson; treasurer, H. Price: assessor, F. Rowe.

1×64. Trustees, H. Rudd. L. Sawyer, Alonzo Cathan: clerk, H. B. Boynton: treasurer. J. H. Luce: assessor F. Rowe.

IN5. Trustees, J. Burtou, E. B. Pike, H B. Boynton: clerk, H. W Gordon: treasurer. J. H. Luer: assessor, E Murfet.

196. Trustees, Edwin Mapes, T. MI Veigh, F. Rowe; clerk, H. W Gordon: assessor. E. Murfet.

1467. Trusters, D. C Kimball. Wm. Stoneman, L Underwood: clerk, Charles Jackson: treasurer. J. H. Luce: assessor, Edward Murfet.

1/ 8 Trustees. J. M. Burgess, Edwin Mapes, Jedediah Burton; clerk. ('has. Jackson; treasurer, J. H Luce; assessor, F. Rowe.

1869. Trustees, J. M. Burgess, A. Tihbits, E. Mapes; clerk, Charles Ja kson: treasurer, Wm. Stoneman: assessor, E. Murfet.

1×70. Trustees, John Whitlaw. J Baster, Elestus Arnold; clerk, C'has Jackson: treasurer, Win. Stoneman: assessor, E. Murfet.

1-71. Trustees, John Whitlaw, E. Arnold, Win. Lander: clerk, Chas Jackson: treasurer, Wm Stoneman: assessor, M. A Lander.

1×73. Trustees, S. J. Burnett. H. Rudd, Edwin Mapes: clerk, T. Wil- lett : treasurer, Win. Stoneman: assessor, ('has. Stone.

1>74. Treasurer H. W Gordon. J Q. Lander, E B. Pike: clerk. T. Willett: treasurer, Wi. Stoneman: assessor, Chas. Stone.

175. Trustees, H. W. Gordon, I. Q Lander, E. B, Pike: clerk, M. J. Roberts; treasurer, Wm Stoneman: assessor, J. H Gates.

1-76. Trustees, H W. Gordon, E. Mapes, J. Burnet : elerk. P. H. Baker; treasurer. Wm. Stoneman: assessor, E. Murfet, Jr.

1527. Trustees, J. M Burgess. J J. Burton, A. Stevens; clerk, Edwin Mapes: treasurer, Win. Stoneman: assessor. MI. A. Lander.

1 78 Trustees, C. L. Jackson, A. O. Stevens. J. M. Burgess: clerk, E. Mapes: treasurer Win St meman: assessor, MI. A. Lander.

1×79. Trustees. Henry Abell, Win, Whitlaw, Charles Thomas: clerk, E Mapes: treasurer, Win. Stoneman; assessor, M. A. Lander.

AMOS BOYNTON .*

Caleb Boynton, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Massachusetts. We know but little of his genealogy or early history, but we find him in Worcester. Otsego county, New York, early in this century. There he married Asenath Garfield, the widow of Thomas Garfield, and the mother, by her two husbands. of thirteen children. Four of those were Garfields: Polly, Betsey, Abram and Thomas; Abram being the father of Hon. James A. Garfield. Her children by Mr. Boynton were Anna. Amos, Martin. Nathan, Alpha, Calista, Jerry, Wil- liam and John. In 1808 he removed with his family to Madrid, St. Lawrence county. New York. In 1818, in company with his son Amos, he made a win- ter journey in a sleigh to Ohio, whither he was fol- lowed by the remainder of his family the next spring. He made his home in Independence, Cuyahoga county, where he died in 1821. He was a soldier in the war of 1812.

Amos Boynton, the second child of Caleb and Ase- nath Boynton, was born in Worcester, Otsego county, New York, on the 9th day of September, 1805. He lived with his father in Independence, until the death of the latter, when at the age of seventeen, he com- menced life for himself. Ile was employed for some

time on the construction of the Erie canal, and as- sisted his half-brother, Abram Garfield. several years in carrying out a large contract on the Ohio canal.

On the 12th of October, 1826, he married Alpha Ballou. a younger sister of the wife of Abram Garfield. These two women belonged to the well-known Ballou family of New England: their father being James Ballon, of Cumberland, Rhode Island, and their mother Mehitable Ingalls, of Richmond, New Hamp- shire. Mrs. Boynton was the youngest of six children, and was born in the same town as her mother, May 19, 1806.

In 1829 Abram Garfield and Amos Boynton pur- chased each a small farm in Orange, Cuyahoga county, and on these farms they established 'their families. Their new homes were three miles from the present town of Chagrin Falls, and four miles from the vil- lage of Solon, but neither of those places then existed, and all around them was the almost unbroken wilder- ness, abounding in the wild animals so often men- tioned in this history. Their nearest neighbors were the Mapes family, a mile distant; the next nearest were in the north part of the township, nearly three miles distant.

The two sturdy men, earnestly seconded by their devoted wives, fell to work to clear up their farms, and to build up their homes. Mr. Garfield lived but four years; he died in 1833, leaving his four small children to the care of their mother. Mr. Boynton lived to clear up his farm, to rear a family, and to see the wilderness of 1829 transformed into a culti- vated land, covered by the homes of a numerous, thrifty, and happy population. But his struggle with nature was too much for his powers: his health broke down by degrees, and he was compelled to relinquish his business little by little until, in the spring of 1866, he left the farm and removed to Cleveland, in search of that rest which he so much needed. The quest was van: his native force was too much abated: he was taken with a lingering and painful illness, and died December 3, 1866, in the sixty-second year of his age.

Mr. Boynton was the father of seven children: Wil- liam A. Boynton, who died at the age of twenty-nine; Henry B., a farmer, now residing on the old home- stead: Harriet A., now Mrs. Clark, of Bedford: Phebe M., now Mrs. Clapp, of Hiram: Silas A., a distin- gnished physician of Cleveland; Mary C., now Mrs. Arnold, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Bentley. who died at the age of fourteen months. Mrs. Boyn- ton, the companion of his forty years of married life. survived him, and still lives, honored and beloved, in the home of her husband's planting.

The outline which has been thus sketched is the framework of a life and character well worthy of care- ful study.

Amos Boynton was of medium size, of vigorous and enduring physical powers, and of clear, strong, and well-poised mind. His opportunities for obtaining the education of schools were quite limited; being

By B. A. Hinsdale, A.M., President of Hiram College.

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THE TOWNSHIPS OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY.

those of his time and State. He closely read the few books within his reach. but the one book that he knew was the Bible. His farm and family were the center of his life. lle was a tireless worker, a close economist and a painstaking father. Ile was meth- odical in all things, to minuteness. His farm was the best kept in the neighborhood, his products went to market in the best order and commanded the best prices.

In his business dealings he was honest to a farthing, and required men to be equally honest with him. He had an invincible abhorence of everything like sham or false appearance: he had no idea of making money by trade or speculation, and the competence that he gathered was the slow result of hard labor and small savings. When he began life for himself the modern instruments for making property did not exist. Boundless nature lay about him; he had himself, and that was all. He must work ceaslessly and save care- fully, or live in poverty. Still, his heart always strongly responded to the calls of the poor, the suffer- ing and the oppressed. In the community. he stood a standard of truth, honesty and justice. He also watched carefully over his children. Aided by his wife, who had herself been a teacher. he instilled into them a desire for education, and all but the one who died in infancy were at some time teachers. Ile gave them habits of industry, and implanted in their minds the great law of morals and the sentiments of religion.

In the early pioneer times the use of intoxicating beverages was almost universal. The social cup was considered an indispensable part of hospitality. For one man alone to break through a universal custom and to practice and advocate temperance required much courage and strength of character. This Mr. Boynton did, in spite of the ridicule of nearly all his acquaintances, and he lived to see the good fruits of his worthy example. Intemperance and profanity were unknown in bis family circle.

Soon after removing to Orange. Mr. Boynton became interested in the subject of religion. Elder Adamson Bentley, a minister of the Disciple church, moved to a locality within two or three miles of Mr. Boynton, and the latter was strongly drawn toward the gospel as held by that church. He was baptized by Elder Bentley on profession of faith in the year 1832, and continued a consistent and active Christian until his death. He was successively a member of three con- gregations-at Orange, at Solon and Cleveland, and wasan officer in two of them.

His knowledge of the bible was large and accurate. For years he carried a new testament in his pocket. and many a time he sat on his plow reading it while his team was resting. He was in no sense a polemic, but he did not hesitate, on occasions, to defend his cherished views against attacks, whether by unbeliev- ers or by those whom he regarded as errorists. Nor was he an antagonist to be despised. Numerous anec- dotes showing his powers in conversational contro-

versy are still told. In the little neighborhood church, over which he presided as overseer, he was a public teacher of religion-plain, practical and scriptural. His clear insight, sense of justice, weight of charac- ter and religious spirit, made him a valued counselor, and he was often called on to aid neighboring churches in composing their difficulties; his good offices being sometimes needed to mediate between prominent min- isters who had become estranged. He was, as might be expected, a devout believer in Divine Providence, and from the beginning of the great rebellion, he adhered constantly to the belief that the Nation would triumph and that slavery would cease to exist.

No better gange of a life can be found than its in- fluence upon men, collectively and individually. It 's not too much to say that Amos Boynton's spirit, in good degree. passed into the neighborhood where he resided. Ilis industry, thrift, integrity and devotion to the true and genuine, constantly challenged imita- tion.

After the death of Abram Garfield in 1833. Mr. Boynton stood in a peculiarly close and interesting relationship to the family of the deceased. General Garfield gratefully recognizes these obligations, and speaks in strong terms of appreciation of the extent and kind of his uncles' influence upon himself. Los- ing his father when but a year and a half old, living for the most part with his motherand sisters, deprived at home of that contact with a man which an enter- prising boy so much needs, young Garfield naturally received strong and wholesome impressions from his uncle. This came, partly in the way of wise counsel and direction, but more, probably, in the form of that unconscious influence which works so silently, yet so powerfully.

This hard-worked farmer found time to aid the young men of the neighborhood in organizing and maintaining a debating society and he frequently took part as a critic and guide in the efforts of his children and their young associates to " think on their feet" and defend their opinions. He was frequently made the judge of their debates, and his approval was a re- ward worthy of their best efforts.

A eritie would have no difficulty in pointing out defects in Mr. Boynton's character, but it would be an unprofitable and ungrateful service. The more pro- nounced of these defects were due to two causes-his native type of character, and his environment. His type was that created in the school of John Calvin: strong, deep, narrow, just, true, severe. He was one of the last of the Puritans. Then, either circum- stances or inclination made him a pioneer. In some respects his surroundings strongly marked his mind: in others he rose superior to them. Hlad he lived a half century later, he would have had larger views, more cultivation, and a mellower spirit; but his great traits would have been the same. His type-the Pio- neer engrafted on the Puritan-is passing away, in- deed is almost gone; but before it vanishes it should be faithfully painted in all its lights and shadows, for the

497

PARMA.

benefit of posterity. This sketch has been prepared in the hope that it will have some value not only as the story of a worthy man, but as a study of life and character.

CHAPTER LXXXII. PARMA.

Boundaries Population and Physical Characteristics Early Settle- ment-Benajah Fay-Conrad Countryman-Peletiah Bliss Walking to Connecticut for a Bride-A Large Accesson-Emerson, Hodgman, Nicholas, Small and Steele-Asher and Benjamin Norton- Rufus Scovil -Samuel Freeman-Early Hardships-Numerous Hunts Scarcity of Grass-First Birth, Death and Marriage-Roads-The Harrison Proces- sion-An Irate Democrat-Formation of Parma-First Officers -List of Officers-Religious Matters Free Will Baptist Church First Presby- terian Church -- St. Paul's Church-St. John's Church-Church of the Holy Trinity.

PARMA, one of the youngest townships in Cuya- hoga. covers an area of five miles square, being the territory of survey-township six, in range thirteen. Brooklyn township lies on the north, Royalton on the south, Independence on the east, and Middleburg on the west. Of the population of fifteen hundred, re- ported by the last census, full two-thirds are estimated to be Germans and other foreigners-the former largely predominating, and manifesting their usual energy as thrifty, industrious husbandmen. They concentrate in settlements, have churches of their own, and, although somewhat elannish, are liberally represented in the administration of public affairs.

The surface of the township on the north and west is generally level, but on the east is elevated and un- dulating. The soil is of a clayey character, and is handsomely productive. Fruit is grown with success, but general farm products are the principal reliance of the inhabitants. Building and flag stones are ob- tained in considerable quantities, and of an excellent quality: Cogswell's quarry being the most productive. Several mineral springs are also found in the town- ship, and from these considerable water, of alleged medicinal virtue, is annually forwarded to Cleveland and other points.

Parma has no streams of any consequence, nor has it any railway communication within its own limits, although that convenience is near at hand. It con- tains a strictly agricultural community, and has no village within its borders. Nevertheless, its schools are excellent, its churches are plentiful, and the peo- ple generally appear to be in a prosperous condition.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

In the division of the Western Reserve, or by sub- sequent sale, township six fell to various proprietors -Tuckerman, Cheny, Ely, Blake, Plympton and others, who early endeavored to promote settlement on their lands. In consequence, however, of the general impression that it was a swampy and unde- sirable region the owners found the task a difficult one.

Benajah Fay, a native of Massachusetts, who came ont from Lewis county, New York, was the first set-

tler in Greenbrier, as Parma was called before it was organized. In 1816 he located upon the Plympton tract. Ilis family, consisting of himself, wife and twelve children, journeyed with an ox-team and one horse. Upon his arrival he had to cut a road through the woods to his farm. He opened a tavern in 1819 on the old stage road, in a double log house, opposite the present residence of J. W. Fay, which, as " B. Fay's Inn," was a famous landmark for many years. Mr. Fay was a man of mark in the new community, served in various local offices, and was always in high esteem as a useful and honored citizen. Ile built a framed tavern in 1826, and in 1832 replaced it with a brick one, which was the first brick house in the township. Ile died in April, 1860, aged eighty-five.

In 1817 one Conrad Countryman, a " Mohawk Dutchman," took up a farm on the Ely tract, in the present township of Parma. Countryman lived in the western part, on the line on which afterwards ran the stage road between Cleveland and Columbus. In time he put up a blacksmith shop and a sawmill, in both of which enterprises he was the first in the town- ship. Mr. Countryman's eldest son built a house on his father's farm, and kept " bachelor's hall " in the immediate neighborhood of his father and the rest of the family. Besides being a miller, blacksmith and farmer, Mr. Countryman also kept a tavern, and with all his avocations he managed to keep himself quite busy. He resided in Parma, or Greenbrier as it was then called, until 1826, when, with his family and entire possessions he moved farther west.

Peletiah Bliss, a Connecticut Yankee, traveled afoot in 1818 from New England to Ohio, carrying a pack on his back, and seeking for a location in the boundless west. On reaching "Greenbrier " he was favorably impressed with it, and accordingly pur- chased fifty acres of land on the Ely tract, where he built a shanty and soon made a clearing.

Previous to making his western journey Bliss had determined to marry a certain fair young damsel of Connecticut as soon as he got matters well shaped in a new home. So, after laboring upon his clearing a few years, until he thought he had prepared a fitting home for his bride, he set out for Connectient on foot, living, it is said, upon salt pork during the entire trip. He reached his destination in due time (that is, in due time by that kind of conveyance), married the girl of his heart, and with her returned to Greenbrier; the wedding tour being made in a lumber wagon drawn by an ox-team, owned by Edwin Foot, of Connecticut, who was himself on the way to Brooklyn, Ohio. Bliss resided in Parma until his death. IFe had but one child-a daughter-who moved to Michigan.

The settlement of the township was very slow until late in 1821 when there was an important accession in the families of Asa Emerson, Amos Hodgman, Jesse Nicholas, Joseph Small and William Steele. These families had been neighbors in Maine and in 1817 had removed together to the West; having all settled, though separately, in southern Ohio. They kept up

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THE TOWNSHIPS OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY.

communication with each other and, becoming dis- satisfied with their location in that region, they agreed to move north to "Greenbrier." In 1821 they accordingly entered the township in company.

Emerson, who had a family of nine children, bought seventy-five acres on the Tuckerman tract, having lived for a brief time with Conrad Country- man before effecting his purchase. Emerson was a carpenter as well as a farmer, and resided in Parma until his death, in 1855. Of his children, Oliver, Asa and Lucina (Mrs. Whitney) are still living in Parma.

Amos IIodgman also settled upon the Tuckerman tract, where he resided until he died. Jesse Nicholas located upon the Ely tract, becoming a tavern-keeper and a farmer on the Columbus road. Joseph Small bought land on the Tuckerman tract and after a res- idence there of twenty-tive years removed to Miehi- gan. William Steele located on the Ely tract and died two years afterward, whereupon his widow re- turned to Maine; making the journey, it is said, on foot and alone. Of the members of the families above named, who came in 1821, the only ones now living in Parma are John Ilodgman and Asa and Ol- iver S. Emerson, and they three are the carliest sur- viving residents of the township.

Asher Norton and family came from Vermont in 1823, and settled in the southeast corner of the town- ship. Mr. Norton lived there until 1863 when he removed to Brighton (in Brooklyn township) where he died. His brother Benjamin took up a farm ad- joining Asher's about the same time (1823) on which he remained until 1859, when he changed his resi- dence to Brecksville. Rufus Scovill, a brother-in-law of the Nortons, settled near them in 1823, and re- mained a resident of Parma until his death. Nehe- miah Toms, who also married a sister of the Norton's, located near the latter in 1823, and there died. Ab- ner T. Beals, an early settler in Royalton, removed from that township to Parma in 1825, and, after re- maining a short time in the northern part, eventually settled on the Ely tract, on the line of the stage road. Mr. Beals resided in Parma until 1876 when he moved to Michigan, where he died.

In 1825 Samuel Freeman, with his wife, teu chil- dren and a hired man, made the journey from Massa- chusetts to Ohio, via the Erie Canal and Lake Erie, and reached Benajah Fay's inn, in Greenbrier, on the night of Saturday, May 26, 1825-twenty days after leaving New England. Mr. Freeman bought a piece of land on the Plympton tract, and, while he was building a residence of his own he and his family lived for forty days in the newly-built barn of Bena- jah Fay. Mr. Freeman became a man of considerable local consequence in Parma. He was the first justice of the peace, the first school-teacher and the first post- master. lle took an active part in forwarding the religions interests of the little settlement, and was withal a citizen whose influence was always felt for good and whom his fellow citizens held in high regard.

The early settlers in Parma experienced naturally the same difficulties, privations and trials usually en- countered by Western pioneers, and bore them with like fortitude. Indians did not trouble them, but savage beasts caused much annoyance, and grand hunts for bears and wolves, in which all the towns- men joined, were frequently resorted to, to get rid of the marauders. Even as late as 1842 the ravages by wolves and bears were very serious, and in that year the people of Parma united in a general hunting party, and spent several days in waging a war of ex- termination against them.

Good grass appears not to have been very plenti- ful in Parma for a considerable time after its settle- ment, as hay for the cattle had to be brought from Middleburg, little except browse being obtainable in Parma. Baking bread on a board before a wood fire and roasting meat by suspending it upon strings hung over the fire, were two of the customs of those prim- itive days. For some time the nearest gristmill was in Middleburg. It was not always easy to obtain wheat bread, but "johnny cake," made from corn ground in a home " stump mortar," did good service in its place. When Moses Towl built a gristmill on Big creek, in Parma, it was considered a great im- provement, and Mr. Towl was looked upon as a pub- lie benefactor.

The first person born in Parma was Lucina, daugh- ter of Asa Emerson. Her birth occurred in March, 1823. In mature life she served with distinction for three years as hospital nurse in the Union army dur- ing the rebellion of 1861-65.

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History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 122

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