History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 83

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1014

USA > Ohio > Medina County > History of Medina county and Ohio > Part 83

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village, for a burying-ground, and the village began to grow. Six or eight houses went up, and the villagers were clamorous for a store and a post office. The name " Marysville " was be- stowed upon the village, in honor of Mary, the wife of H. H. Coit. Some time afterward, be- cause of the herculean efforts made by some, to attain an extra amount of property and popu- ularity, and because of the great rush and scrabble thus made, the enphonious title "Hard- scrabble," a peculiarly appropriate name at that time, was bestowed upon the village. So well suited was the name to the condition, or occa- sion, that it was immediately adopted by every one, to almost the total exclusion of the other and correct one. If you were to speak of Ma- rysville to some of the citizens to-day, you would be regarded with surprise, and would probably be asked what you meant. The vil- lage is almost universally known as "Scrabble." A year or two after it was laid out, Mr. Coit erected a building designed for a storeroom, into which Edwin Powell placed $1,000 worth of a general assortment of goods. This was, so far as now known, the first stock offered for sale in the township. Through the energy and influence of H. H. Coit, Justus Warner and others, the establishment of a post office at the village was secured, and Mr. Powell received the appointment of first Postmaster. For a number of years prior to this, the township mail was obtained at Abbeyville. Prior to 1825, the citizens were obliged to go to Cleveland, and a portion of the time they were required to pay 25 cents postage on each letter. Twenty- five cents then was equivalent to a dollar now, and the letters were read repeatedly, possibly to get the money's worth. Mr. Powell con- ducted the business with fair profits for about five years, when he died, and his stock was closed out at auction. He was succeeded by Francis Smallman, who began with some $600 worth of goods, including liquors. Mr. Small- man was intemperate, and, it is said, drank him-

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self to death ; at least, he died three or four years after opening his store, and his goods were elosed out like those of Powell, who, ac- eording to the reports, also died from extreme intemperanee in drinking the liquor he kept in his store. A short time after Mr. Smallman's death, Archibald Miles appeared at the village and announeed his intention of engaging in the mereantile pursuit, if a suitable partner eould be found. Alpheus Warner at length eoneluded to sell his farm and enter into partnership with Mr. Miles. The farm was aeeordiugly sold and mueh of the money realized was invested in a large stoek of goods, probably worth $6,000. Everything went off smoothly for a time, aud the ledger indicated that handsome profits were being realized. Mr. Warner did not seru- tinize the aeeounts, nor the management of the business very elosely ; but, by degrees, he dis- covered that his partner had eheated him out of several thousand dollars, whereupou the part- nership was dissolved, and the goods disposed of. This was the extent of the mereantile pur- suit of "Serabble." Dr. Palmer located in the village at an early day, and for many years, preseribed for the ills of the neighborhood. He was an intelligent man, and a good physician. After a number of years, he was sueeeeded by Dr. Parker, who, in time, became one of the most skillful practitioners ever in the township. In early years, a malady known among the settlers as "Cuyahoga fever," but which was probably typhoid fever, swept off many of the pioneers, and defied the skill and experience of physi- eians. Dr. Parker was among the few who eould, in a measure, control the disease. He ae- quired an extensive praetiee, and received the confidence and patronage of his own and adjoin- ing neighborhoods. He is yet practicing in the township. Blaeksmiths, earpenters and other mechanics have flourished in the village at dif- ferent times. Business slowly declined, mechan- ics, one by one took their departure, and many of the lots were thrown out into the adjacent

farms. The village is now almost wholly de- serted.

The village of Liverpool Center has had a different experienee. It was laid out and plat- ted in 1845 by Abraham Freese, surveyor, and Ashael, Edmund and William H. Parmelee were the proprietors. Twenty-five lots were origi- nally laid out, to which an inerease, to the extent of fifty-seven lots, was made in 1852 and 1854. The first building in the village was ereeted on the west bank of the river, a short distance above the bridge, by Thomas Warden, in 1820. The structure was a small frame, established amidst the marshes and bogs of the river bot- tom. Soon after the family eame there to live, the deadly " Cuyahoga fever " visited them, and shortly afterward both husband and wife were consigned to the grave.

The second building was a saw-mill, ereeted near the site of the present mill, by Seth War- den, in 1821. Shortly after this, Edward Heath, Enoeh Carter, Homer Edson and one or two others, ereeted log dwellings in different por- tions of the village. In 1824, Mr. Edson sold ous to Titus Sutliff. Garry, the son of Mr, Sutliff, also ereeted a dwelling soon afterward. Justus Warden, a brother of Seth, built a large dwelling, but, in about 1830, sold out to Dr. Parker, the first physician to loeate iu the vil- lage. In 1832, Charles Sabin built the house now oceupied by the family of Mr. Maley. Six or eight years later, Merritt Sabin eame, and oeeupied a dwelling, built by himself, in the western part. In 1838, Eri Warner built the house at present owned by Eliada Waruer. The structure was a frame and quite large, and three years later Mr. Warner fitted it up and began entertaining the public. By this time, the people beeame impressed with the thought that their village should be properly laid out and recorded. This was aeeordiugly done, as above stated, and gave a new impetus to its growth. Eight or ten houses went up within the next three or four years, and mechanics and

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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

artisans appeared and began plying their pe- culiar trades. A Mr. Tillotson, a blacksmith, located in the village as early as 1839. In 1837, there were some eight buildings in town, and within the next five years, there were almost twenty. Francis Smallman brought about $1,- 500 worth of goods, including liquor, and, in 1840, placed them in a storeroom that had been built by Samuel Arnold, on the site of the pres- ent Lutheran Church. Soon afterward, Mr. Smallman erected the combined store and dwell- ing now owned and occupied by Mr. Carr, and removed his stock of goods therein, but, after conducting the business with varying success for some six years, he transferred his stock to Marys- ville, where he afterward died. A Mr. Merry- man succeeded him, but he, likewise, left at the expiration of a few years. In 1843, Wilmot & Brush fitted up the old saw-mill, and placed therein a stock of goods valued at $2,000, and began with quite an extensive and flattering patronage. They erected an ashery near the store, and began manufacturing black and white salts and pearl-ash, at the rate of nearly twelve tons per annumn. These men were shrewd financiers, and. at the end of four years, having " feathered their nest " well, at the expense of their fellow-citizens, they departed for "other pastures." Miles & Lawrence came in 1845 with $4,000 worth of goods, which they offered for sale in the Warner building. Becoming dissatisfied in about four years with the profits realized, they removed their stock of goods.

Brush Brothers eame soon afterward with quite a large stock. They built an ashery and made considerable money at the combined pur- suits. From 3 to 6 cents per bushel was paid for ashes, depending on their quality and eon- dition. Fresh ashes from oak wood were con- sidered the most valuable, except those fromn hickory ; but the supply of the latter was small, there being but little hickory timber in the township. After continuing in the village a few years, the brothers removed to some

neighboring village, where the outlook was more promising. Teachout & Tousley engaged in the mercantile pursuit soon afterward. They likewise conducted an ashery in connec- tion with their store, and manufactured as high as fifteen tons of potash per year. They fol- lowed the common practice in early years of giving goods from their store in exchange for ashes. Those who burned large log heaps were careful to preserve the ashes, as several dollars could be realized in the sale. This firm did a good business, and continued several years. They were followed by Ruprecht, Langerbaeker, Steeple, Greenlech, Rosenfelter, Carr and Gun- kleman, the most of whom were prosperous, having a fair trade with reasonable profits.

Liquor has been sold in the village since it was laid out, Smallman being the first at the business. A man named Pfeifer opened the first real saloon, in 1855, in what is known as the Zacharias building, a brick structure erected a few years before.

One of the most important industries ever in the town was a foundry, established the year the village was platted. The building was a two- story frame structure, and was erected by Charles Pritehard, who manufactured various articles and implements, such as plows, road- serapers, andirons, flat-irons, engines, etc., for a period of fifteen years. Employment was given to eight or ten workmen, and the utensils manufactured were sold throughout Northern Ohio. The enterprise was a decided success. though the owner was at first discouraged by doubts of ever securing a lucrative patronage. A short time before the beginning of the last war, Mr. Pritehard sold out to Noble & John- son, who enlarged the scope of the business somewhat, and altered it in a few respects. They conducted the enterprise for a number of years, but Johnson finally sold out to Noble. The foundry is yet in operation, under the own- ership and management of G. W. Noble.

The saw-mill erected by Seth Warden was

LB. Parker

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purchased by Sabin, who opcrated it until 1838, when A. S. Parmelee, having located in the vil- lage, bought the mill and a tract of land adjoin- ing the village. Under Mr. Sabin's manage- ment, the building was enlarged, and, in onc apartment, a set of "nigger-head " buhrs were placed for grinding grain. Mr. Parmelee has owned and operated the grist-mill since 1838. In 1849, both were burned to the ground, but were immediately rebuilt, and greatly increased in size and capacity. Two sets of excellent buhrs were added, making three in all, and the mill became generally patronized. The saw-mill became a double one, with two saws, and was, perhaps, the most complete mill ever in Liver- pool Township. The mills were located at a point where a natural race from Rocky River furnished excellent water-power. But the mo- tor thus obtained was inadequate to supply sat- isfactory power, and an engine was placed so as to operate both mills. When there was abun- dance of water, the engine was not used ; but, in times of drought the engine was set in opera- tion, thus making possible the running of the mills during the entire year. After a few years, the saw-mill was sold to Samucl C. Arnold, who operated it until about 1866, when David Good- rich became the owner. It is yet in operation, and has been under the management of other owners.

Immediately after coming to the village, Mr. Parmelee, who was a professional clothier, placed in a small building erected for the pur- pose a complete set of wool-carding and cloth- dressing apparatus. Soon afterward, spinners and weavers were employed, and the capacity greatly increased by the addition of improved machinery and the use of steam as a motor. All three mills were operated by the same ma- chinery, to which belts connected the special machinery of each. The lights used in the mills and the oil employed in running the machinery were from the crude petroleum obtained at a well near the mills. Mr. Parmelee began manu-

facturing cassimcres, satinets, flannels, etc., on quite an extensive scale. The machinery was destroyed by fire in 1849 ; but, when the grist- mill was re-built, several important improve- ments were made, and the carding and weaving apparatus was placed in the second story, where it yet remains. As high as 10,000 yards of cloth have been woven in one year, but the average is far below that number. Of late years, the looms have been idle, owing to the inability of Mr. Parmelcc to compete with larger establishments, where a poorer grade of cloth has been manufactured. The cloth has been mostly sold at home, and as high as 500 yards have been retailed in one day.

In about 1867, Aaron Carr established a planing-mill in the village, and began to manu- facture washing-machines, pumps, spring bot- toms for beds, etc. The industry was an im- portant onc, and constant employment was given to several assistants. Large numbers of pumps and washing-machines were manufactured and sold throughout the neighborhood. After fol- lowing the combined pursuits for a number of years, Mr. Carr sold out and commenced manu- facturing cheese. It is estimated that he used the milk of 400 cows, for, during the short period while engaged in the business, he made from ten to twenty cheeses per day. Mr. Carr is at pres- ent in the mercantile business in the village. Mr. Sabin also owned a factory and made wash- ing-machines, beginning a year or two before Mr. Carr. Odell & Pritchard also engaged in the same occupation, and had an extensive pat- ronage for a number of years. Many years be- fore, perhaps soon after the village was platted, Luther Welton erected a small shop and com- menced making "Windsor " chairs. Large numbers were prepared and sold in the neigh- borhood. In many a dwelling may be found to-day chairs manufactured by Mr. Welton. Pierce & Curtis are at present engaged in the manufacture of pumps. Mr. Parmclee con- ducted a wagon-shop for a short time, and was

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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

also engaged in mercantile pursuits ; but a few months at the latter occupation were abun- dantly sufficient to satisfy him of the wisdom of retiring while his capital was yet under his own control. A tannery with six or eight vats was started a number of years ago, and is yet doing a thriving business. Hammer and ax handles are manufactured in the village. A jewelry store and a photograph gallery have honored the town with their presence. Tin-shops and gun-shops have also appeared, there being manufactured at the latter fire-arms of various designs, including excellent shot-guns. Brick and pottery have been prepared at kilns near the village. Some three or four men have been engaged at different times in the important oc- cupation of manufacturing cheese, a considera- ble quantity of which has been shipped to dis- tant points. Other important industries have been conducted in times past. Is was pre- viously stated, Dr. Parker was the first physi- cian to locate in the village. He was followed at different times by Drs. Smith, Stock and Chamberlin, and later by Jones, Hobson and Gamble. Of these, Parker, Gamble, Hobson and Jones were skillful practitioners, and re- ceived the confidence and support of the citi- zens. The village has a present population of 200. It is said that at one time in its history more manufacturing was done there than at Medina, the county seat. This is probably true, as the large buildings seem to imply. No other village in the county of its size has done equal business, proving that the township is populated with an intelligent and enterprising people.

Schools were organized in the township as early as 1816. In an old log building intended for a dwelling, which had been occupied as such two or three years, and which was located at Marysville, a term of school was taught in about 1816, but the first teacher's name is un- recorded and long since forgotten. The school was a three-months term, and the teacher was

paid by subscription at the rate of $1 a scholar for the term, the teacher boarding around, and the boys by turns building the fires in a large fire-place, with which was asso- ciated a large chimney, built of flat stones gathered along the river. It is likely that the building was used some eight years, or until the erection of a schoolhouse proper near the present site of the village, as no other school building is remembercd to have been used during the interval. The one built in 1824 was of round logs, and was about twenty feet square, and had the indispensable fire-place and chimney, without which the pretensions of the pioneer schoolhouses to gracefulness and dig- nity were regarded with amusement. This building served the purposes of education at " Hardscrabble " for a period of eighteen or twenty years, when a frame structure of mod- erate size took its place. Some fifteen years ago, the present one was constructed. About the time of the first school at Marysville, a log schoolhouse was built on the east bank of the river, near the Center, the ground where it stood being afterward washed away. The name of the first teacher is not remembered. It is quite likely, however, that one of the Warners taught the school. A few years later, a new house was built, and Justus Warner pur- chased the old one, which was afterward used as a church. The new house was used some twelve years, when a frame took its place, the latter being supplanted after many years by the present one, a large building with sufficient capacity to accommodate all children likely to attend. In 1820, school was taught by a Miss Nisbett in a cabin owned by Mr. Rouse, and located in the eastern part. The school was taught during the summer months, the teacher boarding around, and receiving her pay by subscription. Heli Warner, then a small boy, attended the school. That is, he had started ; but, becoming dissatisfied in a boyish way with what he regarded as the assumed author-

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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

ity of the teacher, he started for home, possibly intending to call a council of the family to review the situation, and perhaps secure the diseharge of the teacher. He was plodding along the road, ruminating iu his mind some infantile problem, when, upou reaching a log bridge over a small stream, a large bear ran out from under the bridge and shambled off through the woods. The boy did not know it was Mr. Bruin, and the latter, not waiting for an introduetiou, left Heli unaware of its being a bear until told so upon his arrival at home. The school continued in session, notwithstand- ing the absence of the boy, and was regarded with so mueh approbation by the patrons that the second term was held the following winter in the same building. Afterward, a sehool- house was built across the line, in Brunswick. A school building in the southeastern part was built in 1821 or 1822. Like the other early ones, it was construeted of logs, and was used until the demands of the neighborhood re- quired a larger and better one. Three others near the site of the old one have been ereeted and used. A log schoolhouse was built in about 1828, at " Beebetown," near the north- east corner of the township, Willis Beebe be- ing the first teacher. He was paid $12 or $13 per month. He taught a uumber of terms there, as did also Warren Beebe. In 1837, another house was constructed of hewed logs, and located baek from the line some distance in Liverpool, but the third and the fourth houses were built at the corner, in Loraiu County. The district comprises portions of Liverpool and Brunswick Townships and Lo- rain County. The other schoolhouses in the township were probably not built until after the creation of school districts. The one in the uorthwestern corner was not built until about 1830. The schools are generally well attended.

Some time before the year 1816, several con- gregations of Episcopalians in Connectieut

sent a prominent minister, one of uncommon foree of character and intelligence, to the West- ern Reserve, for the purpose of organizing so- eieties of their denomination. This gentleman, the Rev. Roger Searles, appeared in Liverpool Township during the above year, and began a series of meetings having in view the extension of the membership of the church to which lie belonged. Meetings were held in the old log schoolhouse at Liverpool Center, and all the settlers turned out to hear the eloquent dis- courses of the minister from Connectieut. A society was immediately established, and almost all the settlers beeame members. Services were held in private cabins, and several of the old settlers recollect sitting on rude stools, or on the side of pioneer beds, while listening to the word of God. The labors of Mr. Searles in other fields ealled him away for months at a time, and the members were compelled to do as best they could without his presence and ad- viee. Some member was called upon to read a sermon, wherein the doetrines of the Episco- palian Church were expounded ; others to lead in singing and in prayer. After a time, Mr. Searles eeased to preach for them, being ealled upon to labor in other places, and the society was then visited by Rev. Jacob Ward, an elo- quent minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, then residing in Liverpool Township. This gentleman preached often for the settlers, and, by the force of his genius, finally sue- ceeded in changing their faith and belief from Episcopaey to Methodism. Among the dusty records of the church in Connecticut, to which Mr. Searles belonged, is found his report on the work done in Liverpool Township, and eon- tained therein are the following words relative to the society he had established : "The floek has gone to feed in strange pastures." The members-Metliodists-held meetings in the old log schoolhouse, which, after being pur- chased by Justus Warner, was used exclusively as a church. In 1827, a small frame church

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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

was built near town. This building, provided with rude furniture and altar, was used until about 1841, when the present church was con- structed. Rev. Lorenzo Warner was among the first ministers, as was also Hugh Parish. A short time after the organization of the Meth- odist society at the Center, another of the same denomination was instituted near the eastern boundary of the township, and, a few years later, a small church was erected. The society was small, and, after about twenty years of labor, quietly disbanded, and the members joined other societies near them. A society of Close Communion Baptists was organized at Beebetown in 1828, and, for four or five years, continued to assemble in the old log school- house. In about 1832, a small hewed-log church was built, and, when dedicated, con- tained no floor other than the ground, and but few rude clapboard seats. The Rev. Mr. Hudson was the first minister. The present church took the place of the old one, in about 1845. The society slowly grew in strength, but, finally, under the light of religious ad- vancement, the church ritual was discarded, and the members effected a re-organization as Free-Will Baptists. The church at present is in a thriving condition. Two Lutheran churches have been built in the township, and the socie- ties were organized in comparatively late years. The advent of large numbers of German immi- grants, beginning about 1830, soon prepared

the way for these societies, which have become strong and prosperous since. The Lutheran so- ciety, in the southeastern part, is second in the township in point of membership. It was first organized about 1835, and, four years later, their present church, a large frame structure, was erected. The one in Liverpool Center was created about the same time, and their present church, a large, fine brick building, was erected in 1868. About this time, the Rev. Mr. Grunert was the officiating minister. About the time of the last war, the Catholics had become so strong as to make it advisable to build a church, which was accordingly done a short distance west of the Center. An imperfect Catholic or- ganization had been effected many years before, and had finally taken shape a number of years prior to the erection of the church. The build- ing is a large structure, with costly furnishings and beautiful stained-glass windows. Though among the youngest religious organizations in Liverpool, the society has, by many odds, the largest membership, and is yet growing. A German Methodist society was instituted many years ago, a short distance east of Marysville. It grew slowly, and, finally, a small frame church was erected. The members are few, yet they are earnest in their labors, and their influence on the morals of the neighborhood is felt. The township is well supplied with re- ligious privileges.

A G. Willey M.D.

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

CHAPTER XVI .*

SPENCER TOWNSHIP-PHYSICAL FEATURES-ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT-EARLY CUSTOMS-PIONEER INDUSTRIES-CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.

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History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 83

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1014

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1014