History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio, Part 95

Author: Williams Brothers
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 443

USA > Ohio > Lake County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 95
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 95

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

John Moore, from the State of New York, removed to Kirtland the summer of 1811, locating on the lot now occupied by the Baptist church and town hall, erecting his log house just north of the last-named building. Isaac Moore is the only one of this family now living in this county, his habitation being at present in the village of Willoughby.

The same summer, Isaac Morley, from Massachusetts, came to Kirtland, and made a commencement on the farm now occupied by Hercules Carroll. He went to his native place in the fall and was married, and, returning with his bride, began in the wilderness the arduous life of a pioneer. July 6, 1815, Thomas Morley, father of Isaac, arrived in the township, and began settlement on the farm now owned by his youngest son, Alfred. Mr. Morley died in 1844, and Mrs. Morley perhaps one year previous. Mr. Morley was a Revolutionary soldier, and died in Kirtland, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. Prior to 1815, we find there were settlements made in this township by the following : Peter French, Barzilla Wil- lard, Thomas Fuller, William Griffeth, Elijah and Avery Button, J. Maynard, and John Parvis. Some of these settled on what is now known as the Kirtland Flats.

From 1815 forward the township settled rapidly. In 1818 there were but few unoccupied lots. Many of these settlers were, however, transient, and the failure of Marshall Bronson to pay for his lands caused many to leave,-in fact, all those who bought of him were compelled either to pay again for their farms or vacate. The failure of the corn crop, the cold season of 1816, and the crash and general stagnation of business in 1816 and 1817 checked the growth of Kirtland almost entirely. Property depreciated to an almost unheard-of figure, and it was many years before the township fully recovered and regained its pros- perous condition.

SCHOOLS.

In the spring of the year 1814 a small log cabin was erected for a school-house. The location was a short distance south of the present dwelling of Mr. Beekman, on lot No. 8. Miss Estella Crary taught the first term in this house the summer following, receiving twenty-five cents per day for her services. There were some twelve scholars in attendance. This school-house did duty for some years. The year 1819 saw the erection of the first frame school-house in Kirtland. It stood on the " Flats," near the house of Benjamin Curtis. It is thought Josiah Jones taught the first school in this building, probably in the winter of 1819 and 1820.

CHURCHES.

We are unable to learn by whom the pioneer sermon was delivered. It is quite probable, however, that it was by that devout missionary, Rev. Joseph Badger. In the year 1818 occurred the organization of the first religious society in Kirtland. This was consummated at the dwelling of Thomas Morley, lot No. 6, tract No. 1. Revs. Joseph Treat and Luther Humphrey, of the Presbyterian faith, were in charge at this time. The class consisted of twelve members, who were as follows: David and Mrs. Holbrook, Levi and Mrs. Smith, Russell and Mrs. Hawkins, Thomas and Mrs. Morley, Mrs. C. Crary, Mrs. Morse, Mrs. A. C. Russell, and Mrs. I. N. Skinner. Meetings were held at the dwellings of the settlers first, and afterwards in school-houses. In the year 1824 the society erected a church edifice, the first in the township. It was constructed of logs,

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and stood on the site still occupied by the church of this society. This building was, some four years subsequently, destroyed by fire. The next house which occupied this site was a frame one. This was replaced by the present showy church, erected in 1859 and 1860, and dedicated in May of the latter year. The entire cost of this building was three thousand six hundred dollars. The present membership of the church is forty-five. Average attendance at Sabbath-school, fifty. Present pastor, Rev. R. P. Reidinger.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

This was organized in about the year 1820. Father Ward, of Willoughby, effected the organization of this class, which was quite small. They met for worship in school-houses or private dwellings, as opportunities offered. In about the year 1832 this society erected a small church. This was burned, and their present church edifice erected soon after. They have no regular preaching. There are also Baptist and Congregationalist church organizations, neither having settled pastors.

The first couple united in marriage in Kirtland was on January 19, 1814. The happy pair were Miss Lucy Crary and Henry L. Badger, a son of the pioneer missionary, Rev. Joseph Badger. The ceremony took place at the residence of the bride's father, Rev. Jonathan Leslie, of Geneva, Ashtabula county, officiating. This couple settled in Perrysburg, Wood county, Ohio, and are both deceased at this writing.

The first birth was that of Erastus Crary, in 1815.

In February, 1812, occurred the first death, that of Rebecca, a little three- year-old daughter of Erastus Crary. The place of interment was on lot No. 91, in what is now the township cemetery, the lands for which were donated the township by Christopher Crary.

PHYSICIANS.

The pioneer disciple of AEsculapius was Dr. Lasey, who settled in Kirtland in 1824, remaining less than one year. Since then there have been the following practitioners : Drs. Conant, Fuller, Walsh, and L. H. Luse. Dr. Luse removed to Mentor, and Kirtland is without a physician.

MILLS.

The first erected in the township was a saw-mill in about 1819. The proprie- tors were Messrs. Holmes & Card, and the building was located a short distance above the present mill. The following year a grist-mill was put in operation adown the stream and near the iron bridge on the Willoughby road, by the same individuals, Chagrin river furnishing the water-power. Long ago a carding-ma- chine was erected. This stood a short distance from the saw-mill. It ceased to do service many years ago. The present flouring-mill was built by Messrs. Ly- man & Loud in the year 1832. This is now the property of Messrs. Storm & Carroll, who have refitted and refurnished it throughout with all the modern ma- chinery. There are three run of stone, and the mill does both custom and mer- chant milling.

MANUFACTURES.

Spoke-Factory .- In the year 1867 the Morse Brothers erected and put in operation a cheese-box manufactory on lot No. 91, investing a capital of some three thousand dollars. This was in 1870 refitted with new machinery, and the making of spokes, shafts, etc., begun. A planing-machine has recently been added. They turn out a very superior article of spokes.

Curriage and Bent Shaft Works .- For some eight years past Moses Cooley has operated a carriage-manufactory on lot No. 92. The spring of 1878 he put in steam, and the necessary machinery for the bending of shafts, felloes, and poles, and now turns his attention principally to that line of manufacture. The entire capital invested is twenty-five hundred dollars.

Cheese-Factory .- Messrs. Bartlett & McKee in the year 1867 erected a fine building, and established a cheese-factory, investing six thousand dollars in the enterprise. For the first six years the factory utilized the milk of some four hun- dred and fifty cows, since when the business has gradually dropped off, until the season of 1878 the milk of but one hundred and fifty cows is used. Samuel Met- calf became the owner of this property in 1876. The cheese-maker is O. Shattuck.

SOCIETIES.

Kirtland Grange, No. 1245, P. of II., was organized in the month of Febru- ary, 1876, with thirty-nine charter members. The first election of officers was as follows : Alexander Williams, Master ; M. E. Sweet, Overseer ; A. K. Smith, Lec- turer; E. H. Cleveland, Secretary ; and E. D. Rich, Treasurer. This society meets each alternate Thursday evening, in the hall of the former Kirtland Hotel. Present membership, sixty. The officers for 1878 are E. D. Rich, Master; S. M. Whitney, Overseer ; Alexander Williams, Lecturer ; B. S. Upham, Secretary ; and M. E. Sweet, Treasurer. 62

MERCHANDISING.

The first store in Kirtland was established by N. K. Whitney in 1823, though we learn that O. A. Crary brought a few goods to Kirtland prior to this date. Mr. Whitney opened his stock in a small log house then standing across the road, and a short distance north of the present dwelling of Joseph Frank. After perhaps one year Mr. Whitney erected a small building across the river, in the village, removed the goods thereto, and continued in trade until the breaking up of the Mormon settlement. The business of Kirtland is as follows : A. Damon, general merchandise; W. H. Yaxley, dry goods, millinery, and tin ware; J. F. Wells, groceries ; E. D. Rich, furniture and groceries; Mrs. Mary Bond, Mrs. P. M. Green, and Miss Alice, Markell, millinery ; E. M. Sanborn, boots and shoes ; Messrs. Cooley & Call, carriage-painters; M. S. McFarland, carriage-manufac- tory and blacksmithing; Charles Curtis, E. T. Sanborn, and William Atkinson, blacksmiths.

POST-OFFICE.

Not far from the year 1825, N. K. Whitney was commissioned postmaster, and an office established at his store. Mails were received once each week. Mr. Whitney held the office for a term of years. J. F. Wells is the present post- master, the mails being distributed at his store.

The first hotel in Kirtland was established by Peter French, in 1826 or 1827. This was in the first brick house erected in the township. It is now owned and occupied by Samuel Brown. There is no hotel at present in Kirtland.

The first frame house was erected by Messrs. Holmes and Card in 1816, lo- cated on the hill south of the iron bridge, on the Willoughby road.

The first importation of Bakewell cattle was by Deacon Holbrook in about 1820. These were a superior grade of cattle, although not thoroughbred. He also brought the first merino sheep to Kirtland.

ORGANIZATION.

Prior to the year 1817, Kirtland was attached to Mentor for township pur- poses. November 7, of this year, the commissioners of Geauga County met and issued notice that the qualified electors of Kirtland township would meet at the house of Stephen Ames, on the 5th day of January, 1818, for the purpose of electing township officers. The officers elected on this occasion were Christopher Crary, Lory Holmes, and Isaac Morley, trustees; Josiah Jones, clerk ; Stephen Ames, treasurer ; and Jeremiah Ames, constable. It appears that at this election many of the minor officers were elected by " hand-vote."

The following are the officers for 1878: John Thompson, E. B. Metcalf, and E. D. Billings, trustees ; J. B. Wells, clerk ; E. D. Rich, treasurer ; B. H. Curtis and A. Call, constables.

MORMONISM.

In the preparation of the following sketch, we have drawn largely from a series of articles from the pen of Mr. A. D. Coe, of Kirtland, to whom we express our thanks. For several years prior to the organization of the first Disciple church at Mentor, there was a large and influential Baptist church in the township. This church had, in all, five different pastors, the last of whom was Elder Warren Goodell, whose death occurred in June, 1826, and with it ultimately that of the society mentioned. The then famous Sidney Rigdon, a man of peculiar genius and powers, and an ardent expounder of the doctrine set forth by Alexander Campbell, was called to preach the funeral sermon. The membership were much pleased with Rigdon, and he was employed as their regular pastor, beginning in the fall of 1826. He gradually brought nearly the entire church over to Camp- bellism. In connection with the charge at Mentor, Rigdon sometimes preached at Kirtland. Measuring his ground carefully, he occasionally branched off on common stock. The idea was met with coldness at Mentor, but at Kirtland it soon kindled to a blaze, Isaac Morley being the first converted. He then lived on the farm now owned by H. Carroll. Morley was enthusiastic, and threw open his doors in welcome to all who chose to enter and make his their common home. A large number of ignorant and profligate people, together with other more in- telligent, but equally fanatical, at once assembled there. Within a short time the " family" numbered one hundred members. While this fanaticism was ripening at Kirtland a still deeper plot was being brought to consummation at Palmyra, New York. An angel from heaven-so the story goes-had appeared to Joseph Smith, a young man of that place, and revealed the locality of a cer- tain chest, whose contents were made known to him in the same supernatural manner. The chest he had frequently seen, being led to it by a singular " mineral rod," but as he approached it sank deeper into the earth. It was, however, finally " captured," and contained, as per revelation, the so-called " Mormon plates," from which, it is claimed, the Book of Mormon was translated.

During his engagement at Mentor, Rigdon was frequently absent, and upon one occasion is said to have remained away several months. In the early part of

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November, 1830, four strange men, of far stranger mission, appeared in Mentor. The names of these men are Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Zaibad Peterson, and Parley P. Pratt. The entire night of their arrival was devoted to consulta- tion. Soon after, Rigdon, accompanied by the ominous four, made a visit to the house of Morley. Here they gained an easy victory, and made a beginning. Seventeen of the principals at once accepted the delusion, and were baptized the same evening. Other meetings were held, and within one week's time Mormonism had obtained a firm foothold upon the Western Reserve. The spring following, other Mormons from Palmyra began to come on, and continued to do so, until one almost wondered if the whole world were centering at Kirtland. They came, men, women, and children, in every conceivable manner, some with horses, oxen, and vehicles rough and rude, while others had walked all or part of the distance. The future " City of the Saints" appeared like one besieged. Every available house, shop, hut, or barn was filled to its utmost capacity. Even boxes were roughly extemporized and used for shelter until something more permanent could be secured. Among those who came later were Joseph Smith, Jr., the prophet, and Brigham Young; the former of whom founded Mormonism, and the latter, after adding polygamy to it, perpetuated it until his death in the far-away city of Salt Lake. Of the Smith family it is said they seemed possessed of a good deal of native wit, but none of them were educated ; in fact, it is a matter of some doubt whether any of them could actually read or write at this time. They were super- stitious to an extreme degree, and firm believers in witchcraft. The plates of the Book of Mormon were said to be of gold, thirteen inches long by twelve wide ; there were twenty-four of them, and were covered with hieroglyphic characters. As these plates were only seen by the " eye of faith," it is safe to presume that the certificates given in the " Book of Mormon," by the individuals who saw them, could hardly bear scrutiny in a legal point of view. There is another side to this story, which is, we believe, generally accepted as the true version. It is to the effect that Solomon Spalding, a native of Connecticut, and a graduate of Dart- mouth College, wrote the book. He moved to Conneaut, Ohio, and engaged in the iron trade; while there wrote a book entitled the " Manuscript Found," designing it to be a historical romance of the first settlers of America, and endeavored to show that the Indians were descendants of the lost tribes of Israel.

In 1812, Spalding, having failed in business in Conneaut, removed to Pitts- burg, where he died in 1816. Prior to his demise he had hoped to realize something from his MSS., and had placed it in the hands of a printer. After that all trace is lost until the appearance of the Mormon Bible, which was at once recognized as the original work of Spalding, scripturally revised and printed as divine revelations. Sidney Rigdon is the person who is said to have originated the whole scheme. Certain it is that soon after his return to Mentor from his longest trip this book was announced. As soon as the Mormons were settled at Kirtland they began to lay permanent plans for the future, the first and most im- portant step being the erection of the Mormon temple. This is of stone, eighty feet long, sixty wide, and fifty feet to the eaves, with a spire, the extreme summit of which is one hundred and twenty feet from the ground. It is of a plain order of architecture, and was considered a magnificent structure in its day. The esti- mated cost was forty thousand dollars. On the front, in gilt letters, is the inscrip- tion "House of the Lord, built by the Church of Christ, A.D. 1834." The design and location of the building, it is claimed, were given to Joe Smith, Jr., in a revelation from the Lord. It was ordered to be built of brick, but, as mis- fortune attended the burning of the first kiln, it was perhaps thought that the

Lord would not be particular; hence stone was substituted. The first stone was laid July 24, 1833, by Jacob Benup, who superintended the mason-work to its completion. Prosperity attended the Mormons for a time. A bank was estab- lished ou the hill near the temple; this was presided over by the prophets, and all converts were expected to " lend their money to the Lord" by depositing it in this bank, or suffer the "curse of God." It is perhaps needless to add that the " bread" thus "cast upon the waters" did not "return after many days." A Mormon scrip was issued, which was in reality entirely valueless, although it passed among themselves at par.

Mr. D. B. Hart, of Mentor, informs us that he received the first Mormon bill that was placed in circulation by this bank. He happened to be in Kirtland the Saturday evening preceding the Monday morning on which the bank was first opened for business, and, having a debt against some of the chief Mormon wor- thies, was, upon requesting payment, proffered one of the new Mormon ten-dollar bank-bills. He received it, but the next Monday morning, finding it impossible to use it for any legitimate commercial ends, he presented it to the officers of the bank, demanding its redemption in something which should pass for a legal tender among his neighbors. They were very reluctant to oblige him, and, in fact, refused so to do until he threatened them with the law, when some one, not an officer of the bank, stepped up to him and proffered him a genuine ten-dollar bill in exchange for his spurious one.

After the bank had succeeded in placing a large amount of its notes in circula- tion it suspended payment, and refused to redeem a dollar of its currency.

Gradually desertions sprung up, jealousies ensued, and at last a separation took place; one faction withdrew and denominated themselves the Church of Christ, holding their meetings in school-houses. The other party held the temple, and retained the name of Latter-Day Saints. At this juncture, when the members of the church failed to harmonize, the finances at a low ebb, and demoralization imminent, Grandison Newell-who, by the way, was ever a " thorn in the side" of the fanatics-again appeared on the scene, and by divers legal prosecutions at last obtained a judgment against the church, and, in default of payment, the tem- ple, the pride and hope of so many faithful hearts, was put up at auction, and sold to Newell for the inconsiderable sum of one hundred and fifty dollars. Their printing-office was burned. The members went from ill to worse, until the leaders were warned from the township. Eventually, many of them took their depart- ure to that far-distant land of promise, Missouri. Now there are but few of the Mormon belief remaining in Kirtland ; and the temple, deserted and crumbling to decay, is all that is left to mark the locality where once existed a powerful sect defying alike heaven's laws and those of man.

STATISTICS FOR 1878.

Wheat.

538 acres.

8,147 bushels.

Oats.

605

19,809

Corn ..

582 "

21,760

Potatoes ..

223

18,308

Orchards.

504 «

2,274 "

Meadow

1563 1,744 tons.

Butter.

42,920 pounds.

Cheese.

20,400

Maple-sugar

7,376

Population in 1870, 1029.

Vote for President in 1876, as given by the report of the secretary of state, R. B. Hayes, 191 ; S. J. Tilden, 71.

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ISAAC SAWYER.

MRS.ISAAC SAWYER.

LITH. BY L. H. EVERTS, PHILADELPHIA.

RESIDENCE OF ISAAC SAWYER, MENTOR 15, LAKE CO., OHIO.

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MENTOR TOWNSHIP.

TOWNSHIP ten, in the north range, was surveyed by John Milton Holley, in the year 1796, and divided into sixteen tracts, which were each drawn by different individuals, the lands being used for equalizing purposes.

SURFACE.

In that portion known as the Gore or Headland the soil is a black loam of extreme fertility. For a distance of perhaps two miles south of this, sand pre- dominates. The remainder of the township is gravelly, and is not excelled for productiveness by any township in Lake County.

The surface is generally level, slightly descending from the ridge to the lake, and is generally well watered. The streams all rise in the southern portion of the township, and flow a general northwest course. These are named respectively Hodges, Durand, Marsh, and Mathews creeks. The first empties into the Chagrin, and the others into the lake.

SETTLEMENT.

In the spring of the year 1800 there were in the township of Mentor the fol- lowing families : Jared Ward, Moses Parks, and Hosmer and Ebenezer Merry. From the Fire Lands Pioneer we learn that Ebenezer Merry was born in Hart- ford, Connecticut, July 21, 1773. On May 5, 1800, he was married to Miss Charlotte Adams, then of Avon, New York, and in a few days started on horse- back for Ohio, accompanied by the new wife and Hosmer, his brother. On reach- ing Buffalo they were joined by Judge Austin and Mr. Wright. This romantic wedding-tour was completed in twelve days, arriving in Mentor May 26. The lands upon which a settlement was made are still designated as the Merry tract. Six children were born here, viz., Sarah, Mary, Julia, Martin, Samuel, and Lucy. In the fall of 1814, Mr. Merry disposed of his lands here to Benjamin Sawyer (now occupied by his son Isaac), and removed to Milan, where he died, January 2, 1846.

Hosmer Merry remained in Mentor four years, returned to New York for one year, then to Mentor again. February 28, 1807, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah Frank, who was born in Watertown, Connecticut, October 28, 1787. In December, 1810, he sold his farm in Mentor to Joseph Sawyer, and located at Milan, Ohio. Mrs. Merry died August, 1825, leaving six children,-E. O., Henry F., Fanny, George A., William W., and Betsey P. Mr. Merry died in Oxford, Erie county, Ohio, August 23, 1835.

Jonathan B. Russel, from Chesterfield, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, settled in Mentor in the fall of 1802. He eventually removed to Lorain county.

Charles Parker, a surveyor, came from Vermont in the year 1798, making a location at the mouth of the Chagrin river (now Willoughby), in the latter part of the month of August of that year, with the intention of surveying certain portions of the Reserve. This was, however, soon discontinued, and it is highly probable that Mr. Parker returned home. At least, in 1804, he located in Men- tor township, Clark, his brother, accompanying him. They made settlement at what was then known as Hopkins' Point. Charles Parker married a daughter of Ralph Bacon. In 1814 he removed to Norwalk, Huron county, and there died, in 1853.

Clark Parker married, in 1806, Margaret Jordan, of Concord township. He raised a family of thirteen children, seven of whom are now living. But two of these reside in Mentor, and they on the old homestead. These are Green, the fifth son, and Franklin, the seventh. Clark Parker was a soldier of the war of 1812, having recruited a company of men, of whom he was captain. He was a participant in the battle of Fort Meigs.

John Miller was among the very early settlers at the point, but we are unable to secure data of his family.

Doubtless there were very early settlements made in the township other than those given above, but it is beyond our power to ascertain names or dates until 1810. In June of this year Joseph Sawyer, of Massachusetts, purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land of Osmer Merry, and made a permanent location. Mr. Sawyer became an extensive land-owner in Mentor, owning at one time eleven hundred and fifty acres. He died in 1849. The heirs of his son Almon now occupy the original homestead.

In November, 1810, Warren Corning, from Cheshire county, Massachusetts,

located in Mentor, purchasing the farm owned by Jared Ward, who removed from the township. The family of Mr. Corning consisted of wife and seven children. These were Warren, Nathaniel, Ariel, Nathan, Solon, Mindwell, and Lima. Two children were born here, vis., Rachel and Harriet. Of this numerous family but three are now living. These are Nathan (see biography) and Harriet, who married James Dickey; these reside in Mentor. Mindwell married Elias Randall, and now resides at Peoria, Illinois.

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History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio, Part 95

Author: Williams Brothers Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages: 443

Author: Williams Brothers
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 443