USA > Ohio > Portage County > History of Portage County, Ohio > Part 51
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The Center Flouring Mill Company was incorporated February 13, 1850, with Edward Parsons, Robert Clark, Jr., Alvin Olin, James Woodard and Thomas Earl, Directors, and 141 stock-holders. The capital subscribed was $10,000, increased to $20,000 in 1852. Thomas Earl was General Manager, and under this management the industry was transferred to Dr. Earl's son, who rented it to various parties. The buildings were used for milling pur- poses until their destruction in the winter of 1884.
The Peerless Roller Mills were established by C. A. and S. T. Williams in
24
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HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.
1879. In this year a brick building was erected and machinery placed therein at a cost of about $40,000. In 1882 an addition was made to the mills at a cost of $5,000. There are sixteen sets of rollers used in this mill, with a capacity of 200 barrels per day. The number employed in all departments of this industry averages twenty-five. Their shipping business is confined to the Eastern States.
The Kent Mills, now operated by George Barnett, give employment to three men. Machinery for grinding new corn, chopping and flour manufact- ure has been introduced.
T. G. Parson's planing-mill was established in 1866 by Porter Hall and Ed. A. Parsons, in what was known as the Old Mill. About seven years ago the old building was moved to the present site, and a new building erected. This industry gives employment to eight men.
Franklin Steam Saw-mill is now operated by J. S. Sweet and M. M. Smith, and was built in 1884. This firm deals largely in all kinds of hardwood lum- ber, sash, doors and blinds, etc.
Kent Carriage Works are operated by H. George & Bros.
Kent National Bank, successor to the Franklin Bank, of Portage County (founded by Zenas Kent), was chartered in 1864. This charter was renewed August 31, 1884, to continue until 1904. Marvin Kent is President, W. S. Kent, Vice-President; Charles K. Clapp, Cashier, and W. H. C. Parkhill, Clerk. The capital is $100,000, and surplus, $20,000.
Kent Savings and Loan Association was organized July 23, 1873, with Charles H. Kent, H. Y. Bradley, Theo. C. Bradley, Byron B. DePeyster, John Thompson, Henry Magan and David L. Rockwell, members. This com- pany ceased business.
City Bank. This Banking Company was organized with D. L. Rockwell, President, and M. G. Garrison, Cashier. The capital is $50,000.
The Continental Hotel, in the City Bank Block, is the leading hostelry of the village. It is well conducted by Capt. Crane and Mr. Lewis.
The new Collins House, opposite the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Rail- road depot, is managed by Capt. Ezra Fowler.
The New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio restaurant is one of the leading houses of that class in Ohio.
In early days the pioneers devoted themselves to the task of building up a town on the Cuyahoga, with remarkable energy. Not, however, until the various enterprises were taken hold of by Marvin Kent, did the theories of progress put forward by the old settlers assume practical shape. In 1848-49 many of those great industries which make the town their home were con- ceived, and shortly after those busy hives of manufacturing industry were constructed. The master-hand, in those pretentious beginnings of a manufact- uring town, was Marvin Kent. A decade later we see him leading in railroad building, and succeeding not only in constructing the great road now known as the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad, but also in securing the car and machine shops of the road for his town on the Cuyahoga. The great sum of money which he dedicated to public enterprise, has been repaid by the fact that everything he sees around him- a thousand sons of industry earn- ing fair pay, and numerous trains exchanging people and products between the East and West-may be considered the result of his enterprise. In ten- dering this reasonable tribute to Mr. Kent, the historian takes great pleasure, also, in being able to make the statement that the actual operators of great manufacturing industries of the village are just employers and enterprising citizens.
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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
The township, in addition to the Cuyahoga River and some smaller streams, contains several beautiful lakes. The two largest are known as the East Twin Lake and West Twin Lake, and are places of considerable local resort during the warm season, as they afford fine fishing and comfortable camping grounds. Pippin Lake is in the northeast, Stewart's Pond to the west of Twin Lakes, and several smaller ponds or lakes dot the township, but the most noted is Brady's Lake, about one mile and a half east of the village.
Abont 1790, according to what is deemed the best anthority upon the mat- ter, Capt. Samuel Brady, a noted Pennsylvania Indian fighter, who followed that profession through all this section of country, performed the feat within the bounds of what is now Kent, which for daring. determination and muscu- larity, stands unparalleled in the annals of the early times. It appears he and a few companions had pursued a marauding party of Indians westward across the Cuyahoga, but the red skins being re-enforced by their friends, turned upon Brady, who, seeing their superior numbers, advised his companions to disperse singly, and every man take care of himself. But the Indians know- ing the desperate character of Brady, and anxious to glut a long-standing revenge upon him for the many severe punishments he had inflicted upon them, pursned him only. Brady knew every point of importance in this section as well as the Indians, and so made for the narrowest part of the Cuyahoga, which was and is not far from the upper bridge in Kent. To this spot the Captain ran with the speed almost of a deer, for he was a man of herculean frame, and as active as a cat. The Indians could have shot him easily. but they wished to capture him alive for the purpose of having one of their devil- ish orgies around the torturing body of their great enemy. but their inhuman-
ity over-reached itself. They had no idea of the latent powers of Brady, and thought that as he neared the rushing stream at the Narrows he would be com- pelled to surrender. They "reckoned without their host," however, for when the desperate man came in sight of the river he quickly made up his mind what to do. He knew that to be captured was to die a cruel and lingering death, and the dark rolling stream that rushed through the narrow gorge, twenty-five feet below the banks, was more welcome to him than the knife and faggot of the savage; besides, there was a chance for life and escape. By the time he had arrived within fifty feet of the river he knew what to do, and with a mighty effort and the speed of despair he fairly flew through the air, and with a tremendous spring cleared the chasm as clean as an English tho- roughbred leaps a ditch. So wonder-stricken and dumbfounded were the sav- ages at the boldness and agility of their supposed victim, and so unprepared were they for his eluding them, that they stood speechless and actless for a moment, but soon realizing that he would escape, sent a volley of rifle-shots after him, one of which took effect in his thigh, but did not disable him. Not a wretch among the lot had the hardihood to duplicate the feat of the gallant Brady, and they had to make their way to the crossing on the regular trail, nearly a mile away, by which time the Captain had gained the little lake now so appropriately known by his name. The Indians saw him go in that direction and still hoped to capture him, but when Brady came to the lake he swam under water some distance to the trunk of a tree that had fallen in, and clinging to the submerged branches, held his mouth in such position as to obtain air. The Indians seeing bim enter the water and not reappear. sup- posed he was drowned. Two of them walked out upon the very tree to which he was clinging, even coming close enough for Brady to ascertain what they would say, he understanding the Indian dialect. The joy he experienced when he heard them say that he was drowned none will ever know, and when
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HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.
he found them gone, climbed out of the tree and made his way safely home- ward. From the evidence of a man who was at this famous spot in 1804, it is ascertained that the distance from rock to rock was about twenty-one feet, the side upon which ho alighted being about three feet lower than the other.
The statistics of crops and produce for 1884 deal only with the township outside the town of Kent. Such statistics have been carefully compiled from most authentic sources. While they show the condition of the township in a fair light, they must not be considered a complete review of township values or [productions. Acres under wheat, 1,323, bushels, 15,319; rye, 30 bushels from 1 acre; oats, 733 acres, 29,295 bushels; barley, 15 acres, 400 bushels; corn, 729 acres, 15,337 bushels; 8 bushels of broom corn; 1,277 acres of meadow; 1,964 tons of hay; 259 acres of clover; 348 tons of hay and 51 bushels of seed; 127 acres of potatoes yielded 15,529 bushels; milk, 45,810 gallons sold for family use; 73,708 pounds home-made butter; 400 pounds factory butter; 70,426 pounds of cheese; 8 pounds of maple sugar and 403 gallons of syrup from 1,286 tappings; 473 pounds honey from 41 hives; 20,703 dozens of eggs; 1 acre of vines; 7,115 bushels of apples; 30 of peaches; 51 of pears; 7,639 pounds of wool; 524 milch cows; 233 dogs; killed 38 sheep and injured 8; animals which died of disease, 58 hogs, 83 sheep, 22 cattle and 8 horses; acres cultivated, 6,788; pasture, 2,180; woodland, 1,211; waste, 598; total, 10,777 acres. A reference to the history of manufacturing industries will convey a good idea of their value. Total population in 1850 was 1,750, including 753 youth; in 1870, 3,037; in 1880, 4,141, including Kent Village, 3,309. Present population estimated, 4,350.
CHAPTER XXI.
FREEDOM TOWNSHIP.
BEFORE THE ORGANIZATION-CHARLES H. PAINE, THE FIRST SETTLER-A LONE PIONEER-MORE ARRIVALS-FIRST ELECTION-A THOUGHTFUL VETERAN- PAUL LARKCOM-A NUMBER OF FIRST THINGS-CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS- HORACE GREELEY'S UNCLE-THE ARMY HUNT -- SAD DEATII -- SAGACITY OF A DOG-BUSINESS AND STATISTICS.
T REEDOM was the last of the townships to be organized, with the excep-
tion of one, leaving Garrettsville out of the question, which event occurred April 4, 1825, it having been a portion of Hiram Township up to that time, and known as Town 4, Range 7, of the Western Reserve. The land for some reason had been thought, by those who came at an early day, to be very poor -not worth settling on. This bad reputation arose, evidently, from the fact that a large swamp existed about the center of the township, and from the almost unbroken extent of beech woods. It is now, however, one of the finest pieces of land in the county, as drainage has been applied to all the low sec- tions. It had been called North Rootstown in honor of the principal propri- etor, Ephraim Root.
In the spring of 1818 Charles H. Paine, commonly called Harry Paine, came into the township and settled on Lots 31 and 41. He came from Hiram, but originally lived at Painesville, his father being Gen. Paine, for whom that town was named. Charles had married the daughter of Elijah Mason, and
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FREEDOM TOWNSHIP.
remained with his father-in-law in Hiram until he could put up a cabin and make a clearing on his land in Freedom. From the time he moved to his place till 1822, himself and family were the only dwellers within what is now this highly cultivated, prosperous and fertile township, and he used to say that during those three or four years, when there was not a white person other than his own family for miles around, that it took considerable nerve to com- bat the sense of loneliness that would irresistibly steal over him. In 1822, however, he was rejoiced at the arrival of thirteen persons, all in one body, in fact all in one family, for Thomas Johnston and wife had eleven children at that time. Johnston was an Irishman, who in coming to this country had settled in Pennsylvania, afterward removing to the Reserve. He was a genial soul, and could tell a joke with the true Irish flavor.
He settled on Lot 32.
The year 1823 brought in three settlers, Newell Day, Enos Wadsworth and Asa Wadsworth. They were from Tyringham, Mass. Enos was a widower, with two sons and one daughter. Asa was his oldest son, who was married and had two children; he settled on Lot 46, and his father on Lot 47. John was the younger son of Enos, and Electa was the daughter.
In 1824 came in, Rufus Ranney, father of Judge R. P. Ranney of the Supreme Court, and J. L. Ranney, and settled on Lot 44; Elijah W. Ranney on Lot 44; Myron Barber on Lot 61; Phineas Spalding on Lot 51; Brigham Harmon on Lot 68;Daniel Brown on Lot 60; Alexander Johnston on Lot 32; Widow Clarissa Wheelock, Amariah Wheelock, and John Wheelock on Lot 48, and Ira Chamberlain on Lot 9.
During the next year came Paul Larkcom, father of A. C. Larkcom, from Berkshire County, Mass. Paul Larkcom was one of the old Revolutionary soldiers, and had been a member of the Legislature of Massachusetts, Justice of the Peace, etc. His name figures in the history of his native State, being descended from one of the Larkcoms who fled to this country from the perse- cutions of the seventeenth century. His wife was a cousin of Noah Webster, the great lexicographer. The wife of his son, A. C., was a second cousin of the gallant Commodore Perry. The somewhat famous writer, Lucy Larcom, was a member of this same stock of Larkcoms, but that lady dropped the k from the original spelling of the name. In this year also came Joshua Finch, Jeremiah Colton, Nathaniel Brown, Arvin Brown, John Baldwin, Horace Hop- kins, Pardon Sherman, Sylvester Hurlburt, and possibly one or two others, now forgotten. The numbers had now so increased that a petition was pre- sented to the County Commissioners to grant the erection into a "separate township, of Town 4, Range 7, with the name of Freedom." The name "Freedom" is supposed to have been suggested by Mrs. Paine, to whom the matter was referred in honor of that lady having been the first female to enter the township. It is said that she first suggested "Liberty," but as that name was too common, it was changed. The usual version is that she was a great lover of liberty, and the name naturally came up, but an old settler says that she suggested the title in consequence of quite a number of the inhabi- tants having left sundry little debts when they came out.
The result of the first election after the act of creation in the township was as follows: Trustees, Charles H. Paine, Alexander Johnston and Asa Wadsworth; Clerk, Amariah Wheelock; Treasurer, Phineas Spalding; Appraiser, Alexander Johnston; Lister, Benjamin Fenton; Overseers of the Poor, Newell Day and Thomas Johnston; Fence Viewers, Asa Wadsworth and Charles H. Paine; Constable, Charles B. Miller; Supervisors, Phineas Spald- ing, Thomas Johnston and Amariah Wheelock. C. H. Paine, Alexander John- ston and Asa Wadsworth were the Judges of Election; Amariah Wheelock and
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HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.
Asa Wadsworth were the Clerks of the same. At a subsequent election Ama- riah Wheelock was elected Justice of the Peace.
In November, 1830, Paul Larkcom began keeping a record of the entry and settlement of every one from the time that Paine came in, also putting down in writing in an old book, that he had used as far back as 1809, all first events, and it is from that source we obtain the information herein contained. In that book we find, in addition to those already given, the names of those who came in 1327, among whom were Thomas Headlock and W. L. Marcey, A. C. and Samuel Larkcom, and others. In 1828 Elihu Paine, Samuel Johnston, Garry Clark, Amos Hawley, Ozias Hawley, Isaac Stedman and others. In 1829 came another Larkcom, Orsamus L. Drake, Chauncey Hitchcock, G. G. Red- ding, Myron and Willis Foote and several others. In 1830 came Enoch Drake, the Porters, Libeus Manly, two more Hawleys and a number of others. In June of this year the population was 342, and so rapidly were they coming in that in the following November the number had increased to 364. In 1831 there were eighty-seven families, and a population of 417. In 1835 the num- ber of inhabitants had increased to 767, with 148 families. The number of births from first settlement to that date was; 130, and the number of deaths forty-two. In 1836 population was 841; number of families 164.
The first habitation was built by Charles H. Paine, during the summer of 1818. The first death was that of Emeline Paine (at the age of two and a half years), daughter of Charles H. Paine, and who was scalded so badly in October, 1820, that she died. The first birth in the township was in June, 1823, that of Amanda, a daughter to Charles H. Paine; the first male child was born February 19, 1826, a son of Daniel Brown, named Charles R. The first marriage was that of Wakeman Sherwood and Harriet Ranney, in 1825. The bride was a daughter of Rufus Ranney. Another wedding occurred about this time, the parties being Lester Hall and Celestia Finch, and not far from this date occurred the wedding of two of the residents of this township in Shalersville. Henry Humphrey and Electa Wadsworth wanted to get married, but as they had never witnessed that interesting ceremony, they did not know how to go about it, and were fearful lest they should appear awkward in the presence of their friends, so they posted off to Shalersville and were made one. The first Justice of the Peace was Amariah Wheelock, who became so in 1825. The first militia officers were Captain, John Wheelock; Lieutenant, Daniel Brown; Ensign, Alexander Johnston. In 1826 Elijah W. Ranney became the first Postmaster. ' The first frame barn was built by Thomas Johnston on Lot 32, and the first frame house was put up by Paul Larkcom in 1826, for Daniel W. Strickland, on Lot 46. In 1828 Elihu Paine erected the first saw-mill and had plenty of work to do, as the township always has been supplied with an abundance of timber. The first cider-mill was put up by John Hitchcock, as apples were plentiful from almost the first settlement, Paine having set out
an orchard in 1819. As early as 1830 Hitchcock made sixty-three barrels of cider and sold 500 bushels of apples. In 1830 Orsamus L. Drake erected a building on the northeast corner; the same year Loring Hamilton started the carpenter and cabinet business. In 1831 Erastus Carter, Jr., and Cyrus Pren- tiss opened the first stock of goods in the barn of Enoch Drake, and in 1832 built a store-room on the northwest corner, put in a stock of goods, but sold out afterward to D. W. Strickland. In this year, 1832, Enoch Drake built a house on the south corner; Jabez Smith, a blacksmith, set up in business, and G. G. Redding built a saw-mill. In 1833 Enoch Drake built house, barn, sheds, etc. In this year came Dr. Simeon Birge, who remained till 1838, when he removed to Franklin, where he died in 1854. The township remained
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FREEDOM TOWNSHIP.
without a physician till 1840, when Dr. James Webb located, and here lived till he died of a cancer, in 1852. In 1835 there were eight tons of cheese manufactured, and 400 tons of hay cut in one locality on the north road, which gave evidence at that early day of what could be done in Freedom with proper cultivation and management. "In 1836 Orsamus L. Drake erected a large and well appointed house at what is now Drakesburg, for the accom- modation of the public, and called it the Freedom House. In 1837 the first steam saw-mill was erected at Drakesburg by D. W. Strickland, but it was burned to the ground the following year. Several steam-mills were afterward erected. In this year James Atwood, from Vermont, commenced the blacksmith and wagon repairing business, which grew into a carriage manufactory, doing quite an extensive business for the time.
The first church society in the township was organized February 9, 1828, at the house of A. C. Larkcom, by Revs. Joseph Treat and David L. Coe, mem- bers of the Presbytery of Portage County, and was composed of the following persons: Origen Harmon and wife, Alvin Brown and wife, Headlock Marcey and wife, Miss Laura Marcey. Horace Hopkins and wife, Reuben Daniels, Mrs. Elizabeth M. Marcey, wife of Thomas Marcey, D. W. Strickland and wife, Joshua Finch and wife, Samuel Larkcom and wife, Harvey Hawley and wife, and Mrs. Clarissa Wheelock. Sermon was preached by Rev. D. L. Coe. D. W. Strickland was elected Clerk, and Origen Harmon, Headlock Marcey and Reuben Daniels formed the Standing Committee. Until the erection, in 1835, of their first building, a small log-house at the Center, meetings were held at the houses of A. C. Larkcom, Rufus Ranney, E. W. Ranney, and in the log-school- house at Drakesburg. They afterward erected the present commodious build- ing, which is a credit to the township. Rev. Caleb Pitkin was the first settled pastor of the church. The present pastor of the church is Rev. P. G. Powell.
The first Methodist Church was organized by B. O. Plympton and Thomas Carr, in 1831, and consisted of nine members: Orsamus L. Drake and wife, A. Hawley and wife, Ira Chamberlain and wife, Sarah Sherman, Charles Cran- mer and Mary Hawley. The first meetings were held in the barn of Enoch Drake, and at the houses of the members, but in 1838 a fine large house of worship was erected at Drakesburg. Nearly all the early Methodist ministers preached at various times to the little flock. The present pastor is Rev. Collier. There is a small chapel of the Disciples of Christ, but there is no regular pastor. The first sermon delivered in the township was preached by Rev. Alva Day, a Congregational minister.
The first school was taught in a small frame building at Drakesburg, by E. W. Ranney, who died March 3, 1835. Another and earlier school is said to have been taught in the northwest part of the township, but the exact time and name of teachers are not now known.
In the following review the present condition of the Freedom Schools is given: Revenue in 1884, $3,366.52; expenditures, $2.299; eight school build- ings, valued at $7,000; average salaries of teachers, $33 and $25 per month; enrollment, 91 boys and 97 girls.
In the year 1841 there came to the township a somewhat elderly and seedy man named Leonard Greeley, who had no visible means or employment, and when the fact came to the knowledge of the Overseers of the Poor, Messrs. Simon Landfear and Lucius Wood, those two officials ordered the Constable, James Francis, Esq., to notify said Greeley that his absence would be more highly appreciated than his presence, and to either run him out of the township or "run him in" for vagrancy. The Constable chose the former, and Leonard Greeley left.
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HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.
In 1818 occurred the big hunt, which was participated in by the citizens of several townships. This was the Army Hunt, referred to in other chapters.
Thomas Lloyd, of Hartford, Conn., donated five acres of land at the Cen- ter, to be used as a public square and for the erection of public buildings.
One of the finest mineral springs, with the most delightful water, in the State of Ohio is on the road half way between the Center and Drakesburg. It is slightly impregnated with iron, sulphur and magnesia, an excellent com- bination, and is, doubtless, extremely healthful and beneficial.
In the southwestern quarter of the township there is an extensive lime- stone ridge, from which an excellent quality of lime has been made. Timber from the earliest time has been very plentiful, affording good material for the manufacture of wooden-ware, rakes, etc. The country is well adapted for grazing, and the attention of the farmers is turning considerably in that direc- tion. Much fruit is raised, particularly apples. There is very little water- power in the township, but at one time there were five saw-mills in operation. The New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad passes through the southeastern corner of the township, touching at Freedom Station, which affords an excellent shipping point for the various products.
During the winter of 1824 an event occurred that threw a gloom over the little settlement, consisting at that time of about a dozen families. Enos Wadsworth, whose name appears as the fourth person to settle in the town- ship, and who was a widower with two sons and a daughter, was a success- ful hunter of small game, but had never killed a deer, although he had fre- quently hunted for them, upon which fact some of his friends twitted him, whereupon he declared he would go out and bring home a deer if he died in the attempt. He went out on Saturday, and not returning that evening nor the next day, the whole settlement turned out to hunt for him, a large party from Nelson also going out during the week, which party, on the ninth day after Wadsworth had disappeared, found him lying on his face in the swamp with his gun in his hand and some provisions in his pocket, the, latter fact showing that he had not been lost and starved, as was supposed, but that he had either been stricken with apoplexy or died from heart disease.
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