USA > Ohio > Lake County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 93
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 93
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There are many other names worthy of mention as early settlers, among which are Captain John Graham, John A. Harper, Daniel Turney, William Graham, John Butler, Squire Sweet, General Hugh Graham (who settled where Joseph McBilty now resides), Captain John Graham (in the south part of the township), and David Robbins.
In the year 1822, Silas Haskell became a settler of Perry. He was a native
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Mrs B. M. Thompson
6. Mr Thompson
LITH. BY L. H.EVERTS, PHILA. PA.
RESIDENCE OF C. M. THOMPSON, PERRY, LAKE CO, OHIO.
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E.S.COLGROVE.
MRS.E.S.COLGROVE.
RESIDENCE OF E. S. COLGROVE, PERRY T; LAKE CO.,O.
RESIDENCE of A. T. BROWN, CONCORD TE, LAKE CO., O : UIN BY L.B. TVINS, POILA PA. ]
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RESIDENCE OF JAHIAL HURLBURT, PERRY TE LAKE CO OHIO.
LITH. BY L. H. EVERTS, PHILA, PA.
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HISTORY. OF GEAUGA AND LAKE COUNTIES, OHIO.
of Massachusetts, his birthplace North Brookfield. He located on the south ridge, on the farm now occupied by his son Ferdinand Haskell.
CHURCHES.
In the winter of the year 1815 prayer-meetings were held in a small log school- house, then standing on the farm now occupied by David Vesey. Salmon Cone, a layman of the Methodist Episcopal church, was the originator of these meetings, and a class was undoubtedly formed at this time, though of this there is no posi- tive knowledge. It is a fact, however, that religious worship has been kept up by this denomination from that long-ago period until the present year of our Lord, 1878. Mrs. Ezra Beebe and Lemuel Ellis were among these early Christians. There are now three churches of this denomination in Perry, the two first of which were erected in 1844, and are the North Perry church, on the northeast corner of lot seventy-three, and the South Perry church, located on lot twenty- nine. These were dedicated the following fall by Rev. David Preston. There is also a church at the centre. These three charges are now under the pastorship of the Rev. E. J. Smith. Prior to the erection of a church in Perry, these three societies met at the town house, at the brick school-house, and at the railroad furnace.
THE PERRY BAPTIST CHURCH.
In tracing the history of the Perry Baptist church, we have to turn back into the obscure region of the long ago. Soon after the woodman's axe commenced to prostrate the aged timber that covered Lake County, along the shore of Lake Erie, an unknown number of Baptists came from New England and settled here. After remaining a certain length of time in their new and western homes, and after getting acquainted with each other, the new-comers found that there were many Baptists scattered over East Perry and West Madison who could occasionally meet together to worship their God. After talking the matter over, they finally organized themselves into a church, and thus formed the First Baptist church of Madison and Perry. But this church, however, never built a house of worship, and its history is unknown; for all we have been able to know about it is that it had a Mr. Derthic for a pastor, and that it finally disbanded because of contention.
The most harmonious elements of the disbanded church again reorganized, and thereby formed the Second Baptist church of Perry, which otherwise was called the Lockwood church. Elder Philip Lockwood was called to its pastorate. He accepted the call, and divided his time between the ministry and his farm. This church, having more enterprise than the first, soon built a house of worship, and for a while both strength and prosperity marked its course. It furnished material to organize the Madison church. But since this Second church of Perry was of the anti-mission persuasion, the working and the non-working membership devel- oped into opposing elements that were by no means favorable to a long life. In the year 1827, Elder Jesse Hartwell moved into the neighborhood from New Marlboro', Massachusetts, and joined this church. The more practical and aggres- sive members found their strength increased by his coming, for together they held a Sabbath-school in the south ridge school-house (district number four), and thus formed a nucleus that gathered around itself an enthusiastic band. Here Elder Hartwell would often preach ; and other ministers, who occasionally would visit the neighborhood, never failed to have an invitation from him to preach at the school-house.
This Sabbath-school band of workers " met in conference, January 11, 1836, to adopt measures respecting the formation of a new church in South Perry." A committee, constituted of the brethren Elder J. Hartwell, Lovel D. Hartwell, and M. Baker, was appointed " to lay the proceedings of this conference before the (Lockwood) church." This is the first item on the records of our present church at Perry.
On the 1st of June the conference, after much deliberation, voted to invite Elder Rider and the following churches, namely, Jefferson, Madison, Perry, Richmond, Chardon, and Geneva, to form a council to advise concerning the organization of a new church. On the 25th day of June a regular dismission was granted by the Lockwood church to this small but courageous band.
The notified churches responded to the call of the conference, and on the 29th day of the same month, 1836, their delegates met in council to consider the pro- priety of the intended proceedings. The council was held at Elder Hartwell's house, in a room up-stairs, which was his study-room. This very same house is now owned and occupied by Brother W. A. Wheeler.
The council was called to order by appointing Elder Jacob Bailey moderator, and Elder J. L. Richmond clerk. The delegates were as follows : from Jefferson, Elder J. L. Richmond and two others; from Madison, Elder J. Bailey and four others; from Richmond, Elder J. Bailey and three others ; from Chardon, two; from Geneva, two. Thus five churches were represented by fifteen delegates, and a church of eighteen members was constituted. " Elder M. C. Cook preached the
sermon, and J. Bailey extended the hand of fellowship to and addressed the church."
The constituent members were Elder Jesse Hartwell, Anna Hartwell, Eunice Pleasants, Sally Thorp, Elizabeth Smith, Eli B. Haskell, Elvira Haskell, Lavina Wakely, David Young, Elizabeth Young, Lovel D. Hartwell, Hannah Hartwell, Anna Graham, Eliza Stratton, Hannah Burridge, John Young, Moses Baker, and Philena Baker.
The young church, though small, was energetic; for when it was constituted it had a house of worship nearly completed, and was soon occupied. The Lock- wood, or the mother church, not long afterwards disbanded.
The new church could not support a pastor at this time ; therefore we find this item on the records : " Voted to invite Elder Hartwell to preach for us whenever it shall be his choice." In the first winter of its existence it enjoyed a revival- meeting, conducted by Elder P. S. Richards, which resulted in the conversion of a large number of people. After this revival was carried on a certain length of time, and when the church was about to have the converted baptized into its membership before the departure of Elder Richards, the Methodist brethren came forward and begged the Baptist to defer the baptism, and come with their new converts to help them in starting a revival; and of course the Baptist breth- ren, always wishing to do good and thinking of no treachery, complied with the request. Thus the Baptist revival ended in a Methodist meeting; but at the close of this protracted meeting our church was bitterly disappointed on finding out that not a single one of its large number of converts would join the Baptist church ! By means of Episcopalian tactics all became Methodists; and so elated were the Methodists at this marshaling that they said, " The Baptists shook the bush and we got the birds." This work, however, showed more management than religion, and more trickery than honesty. During the first six years of its history only one was received by baptism.
Without anything remarkable occurring, the church lived, toiled, and grew, until, in the year 1846, a meeting was conducted by Elder Jesse Hartwell and Elder Rider conjointly, which resulted in adding nine to the church by baptism.
(From 1849 to 1852 was a time of peculiar trials, and the church made a bad matter worse by voting letters to any who might cull for them. As the result, twenty-one took letters in 1850, four in 1851, and two in 1852, leaving a mem- bership of but twenty-nine as reported to the association which convened in Perry that year.)
A meeting, conducted by the pastor, Enoch Hunting, assisted by Elder J. T. Inman, in 1852, was also the means of adding twenty to the church.
In the year 1858 the church entered into the spirit of working with great earn- estness. Prayer-meetings were held in private houses, thus preparing the field for the good seed sown by Elder L. Andress, who gathered into the church about thirty-two, twenty-seven of whom were baptized. Many more came forward, but the Methodists got them, and they were lost to the Baptists.
The year 1869 also proved itself a good one to the Baptists of Perry ; for then, under the pastoral care of Elder C. R. Richmond, seventeen were added to the fold. This was the result of a meeting in which the pastor was assisted by Elder L. Andress. It seems that in proportion as competition was increasing, Baptist principles were taking a firmer hold on the community ; more were added to the church by baptism than in former years. The first fifteen years of history indi- cates that our growth was more by letter than by conversions.
Very substantial and numerous additions were made during the ministry of Elder S. B. Webster, the last pastor. In the winter of 1876, after the church had decided to observe the Week of Prayer, the Methodists desired a " union meeting." The Baptists, as usual, gratified their well-meaning neighbors by uniting with them, and thus giving them another "lifting," for at the close of this " brotherly" effort, nearly forty converts joined the Methodists; and nearly four, or, at least, three did actually join the Baptists! What is very remarkable in these union meetings at Perry is, that the revivals commence in the Baptist church most always.
During the forty-one years of existence, twelve pastors, whose names are the following, have ministered unto the church :
Elders J. A. Keys, J. Parker, J. S. Stoughton, S. B. Webster, E. Hunting, C. Randall, C. R. Richmond, L. R. Jayne, Jacob Bailey, L. Andress, George Spratt, M. Roberts.
In 1871 a new church edifice was completed and dedicated. It, with the lot, finish, and fixtures, cost seven thousand five hundred dollars. It is a brick struc- ture, built in a beautiful and convenient locality. Also, a parsonage worth two thousand dollars has been built this summer. Thus the whole property of the church, worth nine thousand five hundred dollars, is all new and clear of any incumbrances. The church is about as strong as it ever has been in member- ship, and much stronger in wealth. Its prospects of living long, of becoming influential, and of doing much good, are very favorable.
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HISTORY OF GEAUGA AND LAKE COUNTIES, OHIO.
(This history would be incomplete without further notice of Elder J. Hart- well, who gave the site and two hundred and fifty dollars towards their house of worship, also a parsonage, and left a legacy of three hundred dollars to aid preach- ing in Perry. Though never formally chosen pastor, he stood as a " gap man," as he said, to fill vacancies, which amounted to no less than eight years of pas- toral labor. And all the better for being unbought, and prompted by love alone. Said a long-time neighbor, " I will not hear him preach, I do not believe his doctrine, but he is the most benevolent man in Perry.")
DISCIPLES CHURCH.
The " Church of Christ," of Perry township, was organized by Elder Sidney Rigdon, August 7, 1829, with a membership numbering twenty-seven. The following is a partial list of original members : Ebenezer Joy and wife, David and Eliza Parmly, Samuel W. and Lovina Parmly, Ansel and Desire Ryder, John Brooks, Ezra Isham, Orvis and Rufus Call, Clinton and Sottle Butler, Leonard Bradley and Sallie Sinclair, Lydia Wood and Deborah Bacon. They met for worship in what was known as the " Parmly school-house," located on the lake shore. Among early ministers of this church we find the names of Veach, Vial, Storm, Clapp, Webb, Wand, A. S. Hayden, Miller. Bartholomew, and Saunders. April 8, 1838, a Disciples church was formed in Madison township, which, how- ever, eventually united with the Perry church. In 1850 a new organization was effected, when Lewis Wood was elected clerk. The following gentlemen elders : David Parmly, Asa Turney, and Lewis B. Wood; Deacons, Jahial Parmly and Otis M. Wood. Some years prior to this David, Levi, Eleazar, Jahial, and Sam- uel W. Parmly had erected a meeting-house on the lake shore; this was afterwards moved to its present site, and formally opened for worship. This was August 22, 1841. There was at this date a membership of fifty. In the year 1868, Jahial Parmly gave a ten-acre lot for a parsonage, and a neat house was erected thereon the same year. Samuel W. Parmly has since donated an equal number of acres of land adjoining it." We learn that the church owes much of its present pros- perous condition to the different members of the family of Parmly. Rev. Walter S. Hayden is pastor of this church at present. There is a membership of one hundred and twenty, and in connection a flourishing Sunday-school of fifty scholars.
In about the year 1820, James Noyes organized the first Sabbath-school in Perry township. He is spoken of as an "old bach," who wore the regulation " leather breeches," and came to the school barefoot. This was held in the little log school-house near Vesey's already referred to. It was held each Sab- bath, and there were perhaps one dozen children in attendance. Each learned one or more verses from the Bible, which were repeated to the teacher. There were of course no books, singing, or special inducement as at the presnt day, yet the children were promptly on hand each Sabbath.
SCHOOLS.
It is believed that the first term of school in Perry township was taught in a little log cabin which stood on nearly the same site now occupied by the dwelling of Alonzo Wheeler, by Adolphus Mason, in the summer of 1815. There was an attendance of perhaps one dozen scholars.
The first hotel was kept by David Allen, in the first frame building erected in the township. Its location was on the south ridge,-date of erection not known. Thomas Wright afterwards opened a hotel, also on south ridge.
The first house constructed of bricks was erected in the year 1826, by Elder Jesse Hartwell, now on the farm of Alonzo Wheeler.
Undoubtedly the pioneer baby in Perry was Charles R., a son of Thomas L. Wright. This interesting event transpired in the fall of 1811. Charles grew to manhood in Perry, finally removing to Wisconsin, where he has since died.
The first marriage in Perry occurred in about 1815. Solomon Wright, now residing in Harpersfield, Ashtabula county, was the happy man ; the partner who was thus given authority to share his joys and sorrows was from Harpersfield.
The first adult death in the township was that of Ezra Beebe, in the spring of 1813. The body was interred in what afterwards became the cemetery, on the farm of Leonidas Axtell, now abandoned.
THE LANE CORNET BAND, OF PERRY,
numbering fourteen members, was organized in May, 1877. It is composed of young men, mostly farmers, residing in the vicinity of Lane station, three miles east of Painesville. They have expended eight hundred dollars for instruments, uniforms, etc., three-fourths of the amount being raised by a pro rata tax on the members, the balance by entertainments given since their organization. The names of the members are as follows : W. J. Shattuck, president and leader ; D. R. Holcomb, vice-president and deputy leader; C. R. Marshall, secretary and treasurer; J. L. Shepard, A. J. Lyon, W. A. Breed, J. T. Spaulding, H. J.
Wright, C. E. Mason, D. A. Holcomb, J. B. Vrooman, J. W Griffin, M. E. Wright, S. N. Ford.
The first mercantile establishment in the township of Perry was by Samuel Burridge. In the year 1828 he completed the two-story brick building still standing on the south ridge, and in this began the business of merchandising. His stock consisted of a general assortment. The present stores are at the depot of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railway. In fact, the business of the township is transacted at or near this point. George M. Salkeld and H. A. Munch have each an assortment of general merchandise. There is also at this point a millinery establishment by Mrs. B. Sinclair ; meat-market by W. W. Sin- clair ; blacksmith, Hulbert & Sweet ; shoe-shop, harness-shop, etc. On the north ridge, near the east line of the township, is located the carriage-making and blacksmithing establishment of Messrs. Fairchild & Son.
The pioneer physician was Doctor Philo Tilden, who located on the south ridge, on the farm now occupied by the Gibbs heirs. Dr. Tilden remained some four years, and removed to Cleveland. He was a gentleman of excellent professional attainments. After him were Doctors Adams and Gibbs. At present, J. E. Hewitt, M.D., comprises the entire medical staff of the township. Doctor Hewitt is building up a fine practice.
ORGANIZATION.
By order of the commissioners of Geauga County, the territory now embraced within the present limits of Perry was organized a separate township, and an election ordered for July 1, 1815. Pursuant to this action, a meeting of the qualified electors of the township convened, and the following persons were elected : Caleb Bates, John A. Harper, and Elijah Hanks, Jr., trustees ; Leonard Wheeler, clerk and treasurer; Thomas L. Wright and Caleb Bates, overseers of the poor; Samuel Graham and Luther Richards, fence-viewers ; Thomas Moshier, John Graham, David Allen, and Joshua Park, supervisors. On the 12th day of the subsequent August an election for justice of the peace took place, when William McMillan was elected the first justice of the peace in the township.
The following are the present officers : Thomas Thompson, J. E. Perry, and D. C. Hamblin, trustees; E. S. Belknap, clerk ; C. M. Thompson, treasurer ; Lloyd Wyman and C. Stanhope, constables; H. N. Carter and L. L. Morris, justices of the peace; and twenty-four supervisors.
MANUFACTURES.
The most important of these, and indeed, the most extensive of its class in northern Ohio, is the cider and vinegar works owned by Nelson House, located on lot No. 76. Mr. House began business in the spring of 1868, and was very suc- cessful in the prosecution of it until August, 1873, when the entire manufactory was destroyed by fire. Mr. House began rebuilding at once, and completed the following summer the commodious building occupied by the cider-making appa- ratus. This has at present two "Jersey grinders" and six presses. In 1876 the vinegar-factory was put in operation, and the fall of that year four thousand bar- rels of cider were manufactured, nearly all of which was converted into vinegar. This is accomplished by the " German method," or quick process, making an ex- cellent quality of vinegar from the apples in ten days. The amount of capital invested at present is twelve thousand dollars. The machinery is propelled by two engines of four and eight horse-power. The storing capacity consists of twelve wooden tanks, holding an aggregate of three thousand barrels. The product of this manufactory finds a market in New York, Boston, Washington, Baltimore, Phil- adelphia, Pittsburg, and other eastern cities. Mr. House will put into his works, for the season of 1878, a power-press, by the use of which two men work off one hundred barrels of cider in ten hours.
The Perry cheese-factory was established in April, 1865, by the present pro- prietors, S. E. & H. N. Carter. The building occupied by them was formerly the Episcopal church of Painesville. The entire amount of capital invested is six thousand dollars. The first year the milk of four hundred cows was used. The average sales for the first eight years were twenty-eight thousand dollars, since when there has been a gradual decrease in the business. In 1877 the milk from three hundred cows was manufactured. Receipts on sales, eight thousand dollars. This is the pioneer cheese-factory in the township.
Immediately east of the cheese-factory is located the steam saw-mill of A. J. Whiting. In connection with this is the cheese-box manufactory, operated by the former owner of the mill, Samuel Wire.
WESTERN RESERVE NURSERY.
The establishment of this now extensive nursery dates from the spring of the year 1861. John L. Green, the present energetic proprietor, set ten acres to trees. He continued the business alone until 1869. L. C. Sinclair became a partner the spring of this year, and the business was conducted by them some five years.
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RES. OF L.GREEN, PERRY, LAKE Co., O.
LITH. BY L. H. EVERTS, PHILA, PA.
"WESTERN RESERVE NURSERY,"L. GREEN, PROPRIETOR. PERRY TO LAKE CO., OHIO.
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LITH. BY L.H EVERTS , PHILA. PA.
RESIDENCE AND NURSERY or B. F. MERRIMAN , PERRY TR. LAKE CO.,O.
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MRS.OLIVE CALL .
RESIDENCE of S. W. CALL , LATE RESIDENCE OF AMHERST CALL, (DECEASED.] PERRY TP, LAKE CO. O.
LITH. BY L. H. EVENTS, PHILA.PA.
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Rachel S. Thompson
Moses Thompson
LITH. BY L. H. EVERTO, PHILA. PA.
RESIDENCES OF M. & J.D. THOMPSON, PERRY TP, LAKE CO., OHIO.
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HISTORY OF GEAUGA AND LAKE COUNTIES, OHIO.
Mr. Sinclair disposed of his interest, and Mr. Green again became sole owner. He has now seventy-five acres of land under cultivation, with an aggregate capital invested of thirty thousand dollars. The location of this nursery is on lots sixty-five and sixty-six. See view in another portion of this work.
Another growing industry of Perry township is the " seedling nursery" of Mr. B. F. Merriman, located on lot No. 60. This was established in the year 1868, and there are now twelve acres under cultivation. Mr. Merriman grows everything from the seed. During the year 1877 he grew of pear seedlings alone one hundred thousand. His specialties are the Chinese magnolia-than which nature produces no more ornamental tree-and the Killmenarck weeping-willow. Amount of capital invested, ten thousand dollars. A view of these grounds also appears in this volume.
Perry Grange, No. 266, P. of H., was organized in the early part of the year 1874, with the following charter members : A. P. Axtell and wife, Wm. A. Davis and wife, Nelson Norton and wife, Thos. Thompson and wife, J. W. and J. H. Cook and wives, Carlos Mason and wife, R. E. Allison and wife, D. M. Holcomb and wife, A. and W. H. Bowen and wives, C. M. Thompson and wife, J. H. Tyler and wife, E. S. Belknap and wife, L. D. Gaylord and wife, W. A. Wheeler and wife, J. W. Barber and wife, and H. Sinclair. The first officers were A. P. Axtell, Master; E. S. Belknap, Sec. ; and R. E. Allison, Overseer. Officers for 1878: J. H. Cook, M .; H. N. Carter, O .; A. P. Axtell, L .; H. H. Smith, Steward; E. J. Norton, Asst. Steward; A. D. Orcutt, Chap .; C. M. Thomp- son, Treas. ; H. Armstrong, Sec. ; H. L. Gibbs, G. K .; S. Ford, Ceres ; Agnes Axtell, Flora ; H. Haskell, Pomona ; und O. Norton, L. A. Steward. Present mem- bership, eighty-seven. Meetings second and fourth Friday evenings of each month, at the cheese-factory building of Carter Bros.
STATISTICS FOR 1878.
Wheat
678 acres.
12,961 bushels.
Oats.
839
34,238
Corn
873
39,930 =
Potatoes
797
71,340
Orchard
426
13,340
Meadow
1359
1,810 tons.
Butter manufactured.
51,540 pounds.
Maple-sugar manufactured.
3,740
The population in 1870 was 1208. The vote for President in 1876, as shown by the report of the secretary of state, was R. B. Hayes, 275; S. J. Tilden, 76.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
AMHERST AND OLIVE CALL.
Amherst Call was born February 24, 1804, in Newport, Orleans county, Ver- mont, where he resided till September, 1815, when his parents, Rufus and Lydia Call, with their family of eight children,-seven boys and one girl,-removed to this State, and settled in the town of Perry, then Geauga County, Ohio.
Coming as they did to this county, which was then a wild wilderness, they could hardly expect to see harder times or endure greater privations than they had already passed through in Vermont during the famine of 1810. We copy the following from the diary of Rufus Call :
" June 13, 1810 .- This is a melancholy day. Yesterday we began for the first time to try our new fare, which is the only alternative to save life, viz., leeks. We have not a mouthful of bread or sauce of any kind, and not more than one pound of meat in the world. This morning all of my family are sick to their stomachs, and there is a gloom on every countenance."
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