History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 84

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 84

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TT is natural for a civilized people to inquire into the adventures and exploits of their ancestors ; to note those causes which shape the ends and destinies of great nations, as well as the smallest systems of civilized govern- ment; to mark the varied scenes in the life of the pioneer, his customs, the mode of his operations, and the numerous incidents which brighten the lonely life of the hardy few who sought and broke the solitude of the mighty forests with ax and rifle.

The history of a township embraces those minor details and events incident to the settle- ment of a new country, rendered charming by the peculiar character and customs of those men who, by sturdy industry, lifted like a vail the great forests from the face of our country, substituting grain-fields, blooming gardens and bright firesides, for a primeval and howling wilderness.

Spencer is bounded on the north by Penfield, on the west by Huntington, on the south by Homer, and on the east by Chatham.

The East Branch of Black River and its num- erous branches afford sufficient drainage and irrigation. This East Branch enters the east side of the township, and follows a very tortuous course north and west across the corner of the township. Near the present course of the river is to be seen the remains of a large beaver dam, on the farm of Henry Snyder. Along the course of this winding river were beautiful springs of water which came from so deep un- der the hills, as to be cold as ice in summer and warm in winter. The principal branch of Black River was situated in the south part of * Contributed by C. J. Aldrich.

the township, and became known as the South Creek. This stream was situated in a narrow defile and when swollen by freshets rushed down the stony ravine with great velocity, at every sharp curve, throwing logs, ice, or whatever debris it bore, high on land. The bottoms of the river were covered with large groves of papaw, and butternut trees, shaded by huge sycamore and black walnut, and, to add to these wild beauties, festoons of wild grapes hung from their twining vines in luxuriant abundance. And these bottom-forests, extend- ing up the hills, blended into dense forests of beech, hickory, graceful elms and gigantic oaks. These forests were cut by many a wind- ing path, trod alone by wild beasts and the soft moccasin of the wily Indian.

Salt springs were numerous in the west half of the township, and, silent as the shades of darkness, the cautious red man with a coal of fire, stole down and hid himself near these "licks," waiting the approach of the graceful deer.

Amid this wild grandeur and savage beauty, the white man came. Little thought the red man that this solitary one was the forerunner of a mighty host that would level their forests, drive the game from their hunting-grounds, and tear the sod from the graves of their fore- fathers.

This first white man and family came in 1823, and settled on the banks of Black River, near where John Stroup now lives. His name was John P. Marsh. He bought the land of Sam- uel Parkman, of Vermont, who was the origi- nal proprietor of the township, for $3 per acre. His nearest neighbor was in Harrisville Town-

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slip, five miles distant. Mr. Marsh was born in Vermont. His wife, Clarissa, rode from Harrisville on horseback, carrying one child in her arms, while another rode behind hier on the same horse. Mrs. Marsh, nce Clarissa Rodgers, was born in Connecticut. The house which they occupied was about eighteen feet square, made of notched logs, shake roof, puncheon floors, and stone and stick chimney. The door, which was the only way of egress and ingress, was very heavy, and at times was fastened by a long pole rcaching from the door to the oppo- site side of the house. Very few were the com- forts and luxuries of such a liome. The table was a large hewn plank with four legs. Their chairs were rude slabs, and their beds were made as follows : Two holes were bored in the floor, and on a line parallel with the wall, far apart enough for the length of the bed, and far enough from the wall for the width, which was frequently wide enough for three or four per- sons. Two upright posts were fitted into these holes. These posts were arranged so as to put pieces of timber from them into holes bored the proper height in the wall. Then a piece of timber was fitted into holes in the posts, so as to form the front rail, and the bedstead was com- plete. Now all that remained was to weave a bark or splint bottom, place a few skins or a mattress of leaves, grass, or, perhaps, feathers, on the frame, and there was the bed on whichi our forefathers slept the sleep of the just.

The log cabins generally had a loft or eham- ber above. This loft was used as a storeroom and sleeping quarters, and was generally reaelied by a ladder. Although Mr. Marsh was the first settler in the township, a man by the name of Rising, from Huutington, built the first cabin. This cabin was on the river road near where Jacob Mantze's house is now situ- ated. Rising made no purchase of land, and, though building the cabin, did not come to live in it. In the fall of 1823, Phineas Davis and family eame, and occupied thie unused house of

Rising. Soon after this eame other families, among which were the Bizzard, Bissett, Space and Falconer families.

The settlers naturally congregated at one point, which was on the river road where the north-and-south road, which is one mile east of the parallel center road, crosses. This is now known as the River Corners, or Spencer's Mills.

Township No. 2, Range 17, belonged origi- nally to Medina County, and was then attached to Penfield Township, which was also a part of Medina County, along with Huntington and Sullivan. It was afterward, with the forenamed townships, set over into Lorain County.

It was generally supposed that this transfer was made to build or help to build the court house at Elyria. In 1839, the towuship of Spencer was re-instated in the county of Me- dina, but the other townships were left to eon- stitute a part of Lorain. The first record found on the duplicate of Medina County, after the first transfer, is in 1840.

The township of Spencer was named and organized in 1832, the 18th day of February, when twenty-one votes were cast. The eircum- stance of naming, as given by the early set- tlers, is somewhat contradictory. The most authentic history of the event is as follows : The settlers wishing to have their township known by a name, proposed to call it Marsh- field or Marshtown, in honor of the first settler, John P. Marsh. But Mr. Marsh told them, though he appreciated the honor done him, he knew as well as they that the uame of Marsh- field or Marshtown was not suitable for a town- ship so rolling, and far from what the name implied. So matters stood until Calvin Spen- cer, who owned the Spencer Mills, proposed to give $50 in lumber to build schoolhouses if they would give his uame to the township. To this. the people agreed, and met, as before stated, to organize and name the township and elect officers, whose term should ruu uutil the

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following 2d of April. The officers were as follows : Abel Wood, Clerk; Henry W. Wood, Treasurer ; Gershum Bissett, Fence Viewers : Philip Bizzard, John P. Marsh, Ezckiel Bis- sett, Trustces ; Linzey Bennett, Overseer of the Poor; Henry Wood, Supervisor ; Samuel Falconer, Constablc.

No Justice was elected. These officers were all qualified, and served uutil the 2d day of April, 1832, when the voters of Spencer Town- ship and Homer met in the former place and eleeted the following officers to act as the reg- ular township officials for the two townships: Abel Wood, Clerk; H. W. Wood, Treasurer ; Samuel Faleoner, Constable; Philip Bizzard, John Marsh and John Park, Trustees; Ger- shum Bissett and Linzey Bennett, Fenee Viewers; Linzey Bennctt and Philip Bizzard, Overseers of the Poor; Henry Wood, Batehe- lor Wing and Riehard West, Supervisors. This was the first regular township eleetiou held in the township. John Park, one of the Trustees, lived in Homer, as did Batehelor Wing, one of the Supervisors. The first eleetion in Spencer was an organizing eleetion, and Homer had no part in it, consequently, the officers served only a short time, when the two townships held the joint eleetion before mentioned. These elections were held in the old log sehoolhouse at Speneer Mills.

For nearly four years after the first settlers came to Spencer, there were no meetings, relig- ious or otherwise. So, in order to pass the Sabbath more pleasantly, the young people would congregate, generally at Mr. Marsh's place. Here they would read the Bible for a time, then some of the boys would get an ax and all would go down on the river for a romp and good time. Some would take the ax and cut a grapevine and make a swiug. Some would gather wild flowers and wcave garlands and nosegays, or gather bright pebbles and shells, while others searched for birds' nests, chatted of the occurrences of the weck, or some

of the rosy maids slyly flirted with their gal- lants.

Chopping-bccs were gencrally held through the afternoou. The ehoppers were plentifully supplied with whisky. In fact, it was a breach of manners not to offer whisky to the guests. Then, late in the afternoon, the dance would commenee, and the merry revelers forget the flight of time as their light feet kept time to the musie. Even when the ladies had a quilt- ing, the sweetcncd whisky was passed around, and the ministers of the Gospel thought a lit- tle "rye" made the tongue glib, and showed more manifestation of the spirit.

In the early days, the mischievous youths were ever eontriving some new sensation. " The Chriskingle," a monster improvised from a sheet with red patches sewn on it to represent mouth, nostrils and eyes, and well calculated to inspire the timid with terror, was gotten-up for Christ- mas Eve. The " Chriskingle " was put upon the head of one of the boys, who went from house to house opening the doors, and seariug the inmates with the monster. The New En- glaud people did not understand the custom of the jouruey of the Chriskingle ; but, when they went among the Dutch, the Chriskingle was eaught, and marched back iu triumph, to be treated to cakes, cider and apples. W. E. Sooy onee put on the Chriskingle, and went to the window of a wagon-maker at the center of Spencer, who happened to be sitting facing the window, where the terrible head appeared. Sooy scratched on the side of the house to attract the attention of Hayes, the wagon-maker, who, on looking up, saw the red mouth, the glaring eyes, the distended nostrils, and twisting and twirling horns. The sight was too much for the poor man, who, with a long-drawn " Oh-God, and must I go ?" fainted dead in his ehair ! Sooy took to his heels as badly scared as the wagon- maker himself, thinkiug he had scared the poor fellow to death, and, until he heard that the wagon-maker was alive, he was rather uncasy.

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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

It was generally conceded by the young folks that a newly married couple could not do well unless they weut through the ordeal of a " horn- ing " or " belling." The full paraphernalia of a belling expedition was about ten long tin dinner horns ; eight or ten " horse fiddles ;" any num- ber of cow and dinner bells ; from twenty- five to forty strong male voices, and two gal- lons of whisky. If the preceding receipt is well filled, we have a crowd that will make considerable noise. The demands of such a crowd was generally a sight of the bride and groom ; an invitation to the house, and a treat to the wedding goodies. One autumn, a young swain from Chatham Township came to the river mills for his bride. After they were married, fearing a belling, they left the home of the bride, thinking to elude their tormentors, and fled to the house of Orson Marsh. Eight o'clock eame and went, and all was still, save the occasional blare of a tin-bugle in the dis- tance. Nine came, and they began to congratu- late themselves on their seeming successful strategy. But where, all this time, was the regiment from Chatham and Spencer, which was expected ? Forming, silent as shadows in line to march around the house-as they, with help of rye and wind, conferred the hymeneal blessing. The signal blast was blown, and nearly forty men made night hideous with their howls, as they swept in solid phalanx about the house which domiciled the startled bride and groom.

One of the participants in this affair said that it sounded as if the hounds of hell were let loose. This horrible din was kept up for a long time, but no bride or groom appeared. At last, one of the boldest ran up to a window, and, dashing his long tin-horn through one of the lights, blew a terrific blast, and was awarded by a dipper-full of buttermilk thrown into his face by the plucky bride. Near the house was a large pile of great yellow pumpkins, to which the crowd resorted. Pumpkin after pumpkin

was handed up to waiting hands on the roof, which deposited them into the top of the great chimney, where they never stopped until they struck the broad hearth below, and rolled to the feet of the startled inmates. It is needless to state that the door was opened, and the ' bellers " bidden to enter. At another time, a large party of young fellows had been at a " kraut cutting ;" but, not having their spree out, they determined to have some fun with a young fellow who had recently been married. Coming near his cabin, they sent a delegation to call him up and nab him, if possible, but he suspected something, and they could not arouse him. But they laid their heads together, and decided to get him by strategy. Accordingly, two went around near the cabin and talked, loud enough for him to hear, about stealing his chick- ens. Then two more were stationed near the door to catch him should he appear. The crowd then went around to the hen-roost, and made a great fuss with the poultry. Soon, the fellow cautiously opened the door, and peered out into the night, just as the two on guard caught him, and carried him out into the frosty night with loud yells of delight. The poor wretch was nearly frightened out of his seuses, and piteously begged his tormentors to let him go. But they howled with delight to hear him beg, and see him run up and down the road between two stout fellows, his only dress, a shirt, fluttering in the cool air. After keeping him out in the cold till he was nearly frozen, they allowed him to return to his waiting spouse. There was a custom in early days, which only exists now in memory. The young people would collect on Christmas Eve, and go from house to house firing guns and bidding the inmates " Merry Christmas ;" they were then asked in, and treated to cakes, apples and sometimes to cider. Christ- mas Day was spent in feasting, or, at the border shooting-match, where all the difficult tests were used to find who was the best " shot." Through the long winter evenings, the good-natured jest

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was passed around, as they cracked nuts by the side of the blazing fire-place ; and the hum of the spinning-wheel, or the bang of the loom, was heard in the cabins, as the busy housewives prepared wearing apparel for their families. One industrious young woman prepared her wedding outfit by the light of the fire, to which was frequently added a pork-rind to make it burn brighter. Her people required her serv- ices during the day, and were too poor to afford her candles. But she was too plucky to de- spair.

The stock of the settlers roamed at will over the woods. Each man had his particular mark, which was recorded thus : May 4, 1832, Phineas Davis made returns of his ear-mark for cattle, hogs and sheep (viz.), a crop on the left ear and a slit in the right. All stock re- quired to be marked before they were six months old, as all stock found running at large, without marks, which was past that age, could be confiscated by the finder, or he could place his mark on it and eall it his own. In winter, when feed was scarce, the men went out and felled trees for the stock to browse the small twigs. Though cattle got thin on this kind of feed, the settlers managed to keep them through the winter. In the spring, the ground was cov- ered with leeks, which the cattle ate, causing the milk and butter to smell so strong as to compel people to eat onions before attempting to use either. Mosquitoes were so thick, that, before milking, a large smudge must be built to keep them off the cows. Each man had a bell on his stock ; the tones he knew so well as to pick it out from the multitude of bells sounding on every side. So accustomed to the tones of the bell were some as to tell nearly the spot where the stock were feeding. When a settler wished to raise a crop of wheat, he would cut down the small trees, pile the brush around the large ones, and burn it. The wheat was sown among the trees and stumps, and dragged in with oxen.

Many of the people believed in witches, and relate incidents which are laughable in the ex- treme. One family was visited every day by a rabbit, which would play around the yard, and, when shot at with lead bullets, would merely scamper away. All the bad luck in the family was laid to the presence of the witch in the guise of a rabbit. So a piece of silver was " chawed " into a bullet and shot at the witch. Though the witch was proof against a leaden bullet, the silver one found a vulnerable part, and the rabbit limped off with a broken leg. And, as the story goes, a certain woman near by had a broken arm. The persecuted or be- witched family were freed from their persecutor. Some kept a horseshoe to heat and burn the witch out of the cream when the butter would not come.

The first white child born in the township was Samuel, a son of John P. Marsh, March 25, 1826. Samuel Marsh is now a resident of California.

The 2d of March, 1824, while crossing Black River on a log, Katy Davis fell into the river and was drowned. Miss Davis was a beautiful girl of sixteen summers, and loved by all. This was the first death in the township. She was buried in Harrisville. Stephen Harrington was the first person buried in the township. He was buried on a piece of land belonging to Linzey Bennett. This piece of land became a regular burial-ground, and was the first in the township. This first burial was in 1826. The coffin was made of some boards which John P. Marsh brought to the township in 1823. The first couple married in the township was Sam- uel Falconer to Margaret Bissett, by Ben Mer- win, Justice of the Peace of Penfield in 1830.

Spencer seemed to be the common hunting- ground of the Wyandot and Sandusky tribes. Each fall, ten or more families pitched their wigwams along the streams of the township, and hunted until cold weather came, and then, like Arabs, "folded their tents and silently

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stole away." These Indians were always hon- est and peaceable, often exchanging skins or furs for salt and flour. The settlers, in early days, procured their salt in Wooster or Elyria.

Having no fences, the cattle of the settlers used to wander off, at times, ten or twelve miles, and often several days elapsed before they could be found. At one time, the cattle of Mr. Marsh wandered off. He sent his son Orson, who, after three days' search, found them in the township of York. While gone, it stormed, and the river rose to full banks, and Orson be- gan to think how he would cross. But, when he eame to the place where the eattle generally forded the stream, they did not hesitate, but dashed into the water and swam across, except a large black ox which was behind. Orson, not knowing how else to eross, seized the black ox by the tail as he took to water, and was landed on the other bank in safety.

In the spring of 1833, great floeks of pigeons began to settle in the township and build their nests. Soon the south half of the township was completely filled with them. In the morning, until nearly 9 o'clock, the sun was obscured by them as they rose and flew in a northern direc- tion. They came back at night, as they went, obscuring the sun, and bearing small white roots, which they fed to their young. When the young beeame old enough to fly, people eame in wagons from all over the country, and carried the squabs away in bagfuls. It is supposed they flew over into Canada to feed in the morning, and flew back at night, bearing feed for the hens and young.

In this section of the country the wolves were very numerous, and sometimes attacked people in the woods. One afternoon, Mr. Marsh took his gun and started for Harrisville. When he had got part way, the sky became darkened with clouds, and the dense forests were dark as night. But he journeyed on uutil he saw he was lost ; then he began to search for the path from which he had strayed. With the startling conscious-

ness of being lost in the woods, and the howls of the wolves echoing in his ears, he became more and more confused, and wandered through the woods for some time, when, through the gath- ering gloom, he beheld a leaning tree, which he scrambled up to avoid the wolves, which were gathering around him thick and fast. Discharg- ing his gun at the row of shining eyes, he had the satisfaction of hearing one yelp with pain. He began to shout for help. After being in the tree over an hour, some people heard his shouts and eame to his rescue. The wolves stayed about the tree until the light of the torehes was shed upon them. On another occasion, Phineas Davis and his daughter were coming through the forests on horseback ; he shot a deer, and hung it up, taking considerable time, which belated him. It grew very dark, and they became lost. Giving the horse the rein, and trusting to his sagaeity, they listened to the howl of the gath- ering wolves. Soon they could hear their light footfalls, and hear them snarl and snap their teeth all around them, but too small in number and cowardly in disposition to attack the horse and his burden. " Hold on tight, Roxy," said the father, "I kuow where we are," and, giving the horse a cut with a switch, they were soon out in the clearing, thankful for their escape.

In the early history, we find an interesting ineident, detailing the particulars of the falling of pioneer justice upon a man for beating his wife. A large party, dressed in women's gar- ments, with blackened faces, called on the wife- beater and took him from bed and applied a coat of tar and feathers. Then the miserable wretch was put astride of a rail and ridden in solemn procession to a place in the woods, where, by the pale light of the moon, he saw preparations made to hang him. He promised and faithfully swore, never to beat his wife if they would let him go. Seeing how badly scared the poor wretch was, and believing he would do as he said, these black angels of justice let their vic- tim depart for home, wearing the insignia of his

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rank. He held to his promise. Among the ones who helped do the deed, was a very large, portly man. And the wife-beater, being asked if he knew any of them, said, "No, but there was one of the biggest nigger wenches I ever saw."

Although there are many salt springs and wells in the township, there have been no at- tempts at making salt. There seem to be some other minerals besides salt in some of these wells. There are several gas-wells in the north half of the township, but it has never been utilized. On the farm of Addison Luce is a well 109 feet deep, where the gas eame up so plentifully as to burn several days at an impro- vised burner. Two or three wells on the farm of Solomou Dimoek threw up considerable gas.

Phineas Davis kept an accommodation for travelers, not exactly a tavern, at the River Corners, at an early date. Shubael Smith built and kept the first regular public house in the township. This stood on the square at the eenter. The first saw-mill was built at the River Corners, on Black River, by Calvin Spen- eer, in 1833. It was a water-power. The dam was built about six months before the mill, and Mr. Speneer began to get out lumber to build a grist-mill soon after.

Phineas Davis built the first grist-mill in Spencer in 1825. It was a log mill, run by water-power, and the bolter was run by hand. The mill-stones were made from hard bowlders, the building being logs, and two stories high, and, when grinding, it shook as though it had the palsy. The water-power of this mill was destroyed when Speneer built his dam, which was a few hundred rods below. The people came a long way to this mill to get their grind- ing done. Sometimes they could not get it done the day they came, so they would stay and go home the next. The next grist-mill was built by Calvin Spencer. Although begun in 1831, and not entirely finished until 1836,

Speneer concluded to set up a saw-mill and saw out his own lumber. The grist-mill was raised in 1834. One of the men stood up on the ridge-pole and swung the bottle of whisky over his head, and proposed the following toast :

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History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 84

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