USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Strongsville > History of Strongsville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio ; with illustrations > Part 12
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FREDERICK HOWE
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JEHIEL DUNHAM
J. J. BARTLETT
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Curtis Stone; treasurer, Ebenezer Stone; lister, Philo Millard, appraiser, Zara D. Howe; justices of the peace, Elijah Lyman, Timothy Clark.
1828 Clerk, Timothy Clark; trustees, Asa Drake, Wm. Fuller, Abraham Conyne: treasurer, Ebenezer Stone; lister, Philo : Millard, ap- praiser, Zara D. Howe; justice of the peace, Jno. S. Strong.
1829 Clerk, M. E. Stone; trustees, Ebenezer Stone, Guilford Whitney, E. Lyon; treasurer, Curtis Stone.
1830 Clerk, M. E. Stone; trustees, Ebenezer Stone, Guilford Whit- ney, E. Lyon; treasurer, Curtis Stone; justice of the peace, Timothy Clark.
1831 Clerk, M. E. Stone; trustees, David Harvey, Jno. Fuller, A. J. Pope; treasurer, Lyman Strong.
1832 Clerk, M. E. Stone; trustees, E. Wilkinson, Harmon Stone, Herman Coltrin; treasurer, Ebenezer G. Woodward.
1833 Clerk, M. E. Stone; trustees, Jno. Fuller, Richard Wether- bee, Jno. Pope; treasurer, Eliakim Lyon; justices of the peace, Harmon Stone, J. Fuller.
1834 Clerk, Ebenezer Prindle; trustees, David Harvey, David Fish, Jno: Hilliard; treasurer, Lymar. Strong.
1835 Clerk, M. E. Stone; trustees, Timothy Clark, Ebenezer Pom- eroy, Thos. Copper; treasurer. Lyman Strong; justice of the peace, Har- man Stone.
1836 Clerk, M. E, Stone; trustees, Norton Briggs,. Asa Drake, ,
Avery Sprague; treasurer, Lyman Strong; justice of the peace,. James Fuller.
1837 Clerk, M. E. Stone; trustees, Norton Briggs, Asa. Drake, Avery Sprague; treasurer, Lyman Strong.
1838 Clerk, David Harvey: trustees, Flavel Whitney, Marcus Moe, ·
A. Conyne; treasurer, Lyman Strong, justice of the peace, Norton Briggs.
1839 Clerk, David Harvey; trustees, A. Conyne, Flavel Whitney, . Asa Drake; treasurer, Lyman Strong; justice of the peace, Harman Stone.
1840 Clerk, David Harvey; trustees, A. Conyne, Flavel Whitney, .
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Philander Pope; treasurer, Lyman Strong.
1841 Clerk, David Harvey; trustees, Philander Pope, Alanson Pom- eroy, Reuten Haynes; treasurer, Lyman Strong; assessor, Ebenezer Mer- rill; justice of the peace, Warner Strong.
1842 Clerk, Ansel J. Fore; trustees, Alanson Pomeroy, Asa Drake, Roswell Trask; treasurer, M. E. Stone; assessor, Ebenezer Merrill; jus- tice of the peace, Myron A. Whitney.
1843 Clerk, Montraville Stone; trustees, Roswell Trask, Asa Drake, Eliakim Lyon; treasurer, M. E. Stone; assessor, Harmon Stone.
1844 Clerk, Montraville Stone; trustees, Roswell Trask, Asa Drake, H G. Spencer; treasurer, M. E. Stone; assessor, Roswell Trask; justice of the peace, Dr. H. L. W. Leonard.
1845 Clerk, Banford Gilbert; trustees, Eliakim Lyor, Chas. Tupper, M. Stone; treasurer, M. E. Stone; assessor, Roswell Trask.
1846 Clerk, David Harvey; trustees, Roswell Trask, Abial Haynes, Flavel Whitney; treasurer, Warner Strong; assessor, Jno. Watson.
1847 Clerk, David Harvey; trustees, Abial Haynes, Flavel Whit- ney, Philander Pope; treasurer, Warner Strong; assessor, Roswell Trask; justice of the peace, Alanson Pomeroy.
1848 Clerk, David Harvey; trustees, Abial Haynes, Flavel Whit- ney, Philander Pope; treasurer, Warner Strong; assessor, Augustus P. Howe; justice of the peace, Harmon Stone.
1849 Clerk, Montraville Stone; trustees, Cyrus Parmenter, David Heazlit, P. Pope; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, E. Merrill.
1850 Clerk, M. Stone; trustees, Philander Pope, Alanson Pomer- oy, Francis Bryant; treasurer, M. E. Gallup ; assessor, O. H. Hoyt; jus- tice of the peace, Alanson Po.neroy.
1851 Clerk, M. Stone; trustees, P. Pope, A. Pomeroy, Francis Bry- ant: treasurer, M. E Gallup; assessor, O. H. Hoyt; justice of the peace, Dr. J. J. St, Clair.
1852 Clerk, M. Stone; trustees, A. Pomeroy, Ahijah Haynes, Chas. Ashley; treasurer, Jubal Whitney; assessor, O. H. Hoyt.
1853 Clerk, M. Stone; trustees, A. Pomeroy, Ahijah Haynes, Chas. Ashley; treasurer, Jubal Whitney; assessor, O. H. Hoyt; justice of
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the peace, John Miller.
1854 Clerk, M. Stone; trustees, A. Pomeroy, Ahijah Haynes, Chas. Ashley; treasurer. Jubal Whitney; assessor, O. H. Hoyt.
1855 Clerk, M. E. Stone; trustees, Caleb Carpenter, D. S. Lyon, Benj. Tuttle: treasurer, Warner Strong; assessor, A. P. Howe.
1856 Clerk, M. Stone; trustees, A. Pomeroy, W. H. Ashley, A. T. Sanderson; treasurer, Abial Haynes; assessor, O. H. Hoyt.
1857. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, M. E. Stone, Wm. Heazlit, E. H. Reed; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, C. T. Rogers.
1858. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, E. H. Reed, M. Stone, Wm. Heazlit; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, C. T. Rogers; justice of the peace, M. Stone.
1859. Clerk, Alson H. Pomeroy; trustees M. E. Gallup, M. Stone, Jehiel Dunham; treasurer, Milton Gallup; assessor, O. H. Hoyt.
1860. Clerk, Milo S. Haynes; trustees, Abial Haynes, J. Dunham, Wm. Heaxlit; treasurer, Milton Gallup; assessor, O. H. Hoyt; justice of the peace, Lester Miles.
1861. Clerk, A. H. Pomeroy; trustees, E. H. Reed, H. S. Dewey, Abi- jah Haynes; treasurer, M. E Gallup; assessor, Lester Miles.
1862. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, H. S Dewey. D. S. Lyon, R. A. Carpenter; treasurer, E. H Reed; assessor, Edward Haynes.
1863. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, H. S. Dewey, D. S. Lyon, R. A. Carpenter; treasurer, E. H. Reed; assessor, Edward Haynes; justice of the peace, Lester Miles.
1864. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, W. H. Ashley, A. T. Sanderson, G. W. Dunn; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, Milton Gallup; justice of the peace, M. Stone. .
1865. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, R. A. Carpenter, W. H. Ashley, W. H. Strong; treasurer, E. H. Reed; assessor, M. S. Haynes.
1866. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, W. H. Ashley, G. B. Strong, . Jubal Whitney; treasurer, E. H. Reed; assessor, E. H. Wing; justice of the peace, Lester Miles.
1867. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, D. K. Drake, Wm. Heazlit, R. A. Carpenter; treasurer, E. H. Reed; assessor, M. S. Haynes; justice of
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the peace, M. Stone.
1868., Clerk, O, H. Hoyt; trustees, Hazen Lathrop, Wm, Heazlit, R. A. Carpenter; treasurer, E. H. Reed; assessor, Henry P. Miles.
1869. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, Hazen Lathrop, Wm. Heazlit, S. T. Gibson; assessor, M. S. Haynes; treasurer, E. H. Reed; justices of the peace, Lester Miles, R. A. Carpenter.
1870. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, Edward Clement, Wm. Heazlit, 'S. T. Gibson; treasurer, E. H. Reed; assessor, D. K. Drake.
1871. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, D. M. Strong, M. Gallup, E. Clement; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, D. K. Drake.
1872. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, D. M. Strong, O. D. Pomeroy,. E. Clement; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, D. K. Drake; justice of the peace, Lester Miles.
1873 Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, D. M. Strong, O. D. Pomeroy, E. Clement; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, D. K. Drake; justice of the peace, D. K. Drake. .
1874. 'Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, D. M. Strong, O. D. Pomeroy, E. Clement; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, D. K. Drake.
1875. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, D. M. Strong, O. D. Pomeroy, James Preston; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, D. K. Drake; justices. of the peace, F. J. Bartlett, D. K. Drake.
1876. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, D. M. Strong, O. D. Pomeroy, James Preston; treasurer, M. E. Gullup; assessor, D. K. Drake; justice. of the peace, David E. Hier.
1877. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, O D. Pomeroy, Lorenzo Strong. Henry M. Whitney; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, O. H. Hoyt. ..
1878. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, O. D. Pomeroy, H. M. Whit- ney, E. H. Reed; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, O. H. Hoyt; justices ... of the peace, F. J. Bartlett, Henry W. Merrick.
1879. Clerk, M. S. Haynes, trustees, O. D. Pomeroy, E. H. Reed, William Richards; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, . B. B. Heazlit.
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SUMMER RESIDENCE OF DR. H. POMEROY
DR. J. B. McCONNELL
REV. J. W. TURNER
RESIDENCE OF DR. J. B. McCONNELL
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
M E. CHURCH
THE TOWN HALL
THE STONE HOUSE -- PRESENT RESIDENCE OF L. STRONG
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1880. Clerk, M C. Porter; trustees, Edward Clement, H. W. Mer- rick, D. M. Strong; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, B. B. Heazlit
1881. Clerk, M. C. Porter; trustees, Edward Clement, H. B. Bos- worth, F. G. Howe; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; justice of the peace, F. J. Bartlett; assessor, B. B. Heazlit.
1882. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, O. D. Pomeroy, F. G. Howe, H. B. Bosworth; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, B. B. Heazlit.
1883. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, T. H. Pope, J. M. Fuller, L. C. Finley; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, R. Gibbons.
1884. Clerk, O. H. Hoyt; trustees, F. G. Howe, P. H. Webster, J. J. Bartlett; treasurer, M. E Gallup; justice of the peace, F. J. Bart- lett; assessor, R. Gibbons.
1885. Clerk, M. S. Haynes; trustees, P. H. Webster, J. J. Bart- lett, F. G. Howe; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, R. Gib bons.
1886. Clerk, M. S. Haynes; trustees, J. P. Richards, F. G. Howe, J. J. Bartlett; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; assessor, R. Gibbons.
1887. Clerk, M. S. Haynes; trustee, F. G. Howe; treasurer, M. E. Gallup; justices of the peace, H. Merrick, B. B. Heazlit; assessor, R. Gibbons.
1888. Clerk, M. S. Haynes; trustee, J. J. Bartlett; treasurer, D. B. Freese; assessor, R. Gibbons.
1889. Clerk, M. S. Haynes; trustee, W. J. Poots; treasurer, J. H. Shurmer; assessor, E. N. Drake.
1890. Clerk, M. S. Haynes; trustee, F. G. Howe; justices of the peace, H. Merrick, B. B. Heazlit; assessor, E N. Drake.
1891. Clerk, R. Gibbons; trustee, J. J. Bartlett; treasurer, J. H. Shurmer; assessor, Liff Heazlit.
1892. Clerk, R. Gibbons, trustee, W. J. Poots; assessor, Liff Heazlit.
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1893. Clerk, R. Gibbons; trustee, Thomas R. Clement; treasurer, D. B. Freese; justices of the peace, H. W. Merrick, B. B. Heazlit; asses- sor, Liff Heazlit.
1894. Clerk, R. Gibbons; trustee, J. J. Bartlett; assessor, Liff Heazlit.
1895. Clerk, R. Gibbons; trustee, W. J. Poots; treasurer, M. S. Haynes; assessor, R. Pierce.
1896. Clerk, R. Gibbons; trustee, Thomas R, Clement; justices of the peace, H. W. Merrick, W. S. Ashley; assessor, R. Pierce.
1897. Clerk, R. Gibbons; trustee, William Humiston; treasurer, M. S. Haynes; assessor, R. Pierce.
1898. Clerk, R. Gibbons; trustee, W. J. Poots; assessor, R. Pierce.
1899. Clerk, R. Gibbons; trustee, G. W. Lyman; treasurer, M. S. Haynes; justices of the peace, H. W. Merrick, W. S. Ashley; assessor, R. Pierce.
1900. Clerk, R. Gibbons; trustee, William Humiston; assessor, W. W. Lahl.
1901. Clerk, R. Gibbons; trustee, Z. A. Clement; treasurer, L. A. Glessman; assessor, W. W. Lahl.
1902. Clerk, R. Gibbons; trustee, L E. Bedford; justices [of the peace, H. W. Merrick, W. S. Ashley ; assessor, J. E. Clement.
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THE STRONGSVILLE SCHOOLS.
Closely allied with the growth of Strongsville, has been the devel- opment of the present school system. Nine well attended district schools and a flourishing High School attest to the interest of the com- munity in the important matter of education. The schools are thor- oughly graded and the standard of scholarship is high, so that the schools compare favorably with those of any other locality. The old method of having a new grade for nearly every scholar has been aban- doned and now a pupil passing from one school to another will find that he may continue his former course with new classmates. There is a printed course of study in which the work of each grade is definitely planned for every two months of the school year; so, although there are nine different schools, yet they work as a unit in advancing the in- terests of education.
Four times a year uniform printed examination slips are sent to each school, one set for each scholar Thus, the same grade in every school takes the same examination. On the second Monday of each month the teachers meet with the superintendent to consider the needs of the schools. Through papers, Reading Circle work and discussion at these meetings, teachers are better prepared to carry on their work.
No less important than the school work itself, is the Commence- ment. Not only does this furnish a goal for the pupil to work toward, but by it we recognize the results of a scholar's progress. At the first Eighth Grade Commencement, in 1901, twenty-seven pupils were given diplomas entitling them to admission into the High School. Of these, twenty-two returned to commence the High School course. Truly, it
may be said that Strongsville intends to send her sons and daughters forth into the world with the foundations of a good education well laid.
Five years ago the High School was organized, but to-day it can no longer be considered as an experiment. With a four years' course and comfortable classes in each year, the pressing need of the present is not broader courses and more scholars, but larger equipment, better school rooms, more teachers and better appliances for the scholars to work with.
During the year 1901, an Alumni Association was formed and through this nucleus of a greater organization it is hoped that a broad- er sympathy and interest in the schools may be aroused.
Indeed, we do well to heed the injunction of Garfield: "The best education is that which draws its chief support from the voluntary ef- fort of the community;" and again, "Next in importance to freedom and justice, is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained."
H. E. GILES, Superintendent of Schoo's.
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PROFESSIONAL MEN.
Following is a list professional and official men who have gone out from Strongsville:
Governor-Lewis P. Harvey, of Wisconsin.
Representatives-L. L. Bowen, David Harvey, M. E. Gallup, G. A. Hubbard, M. S. Haynes.
Judges-Walter F. Stone, Benjamin Northrop, Perry Bosworth, Carlos M. Stone.
Physicians-Henry Parker, Jonathan Pope, C. E. Tupper, Albert Southworth, Calvin Pomeroy, R. S. Hubbard, Harlan Pomeroy. F. M. Clark, W. White, W. A. Knowlton, Jr.
Ministers-Thomas W. Pope, David Warwick, George M. Stone, D.D., William C. Rogers, G. Stanley Pope, Calvin O. Freeman, Hiram Brooks, Cyrus Coltrin, Lyman Freeman, Flavel Brittan, Levi Sabin, A. B. Strong, E. B. Hubbell.
Lawyers-Leavitt L. Bowen, Erastus F. Miles, Sidney Strong, G. A. Hubbard, George H. Foster, Henry E. Foster, Edwin J. Foster, My- ron Sabin, F. C. Gallup.
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REMINISCENCES.
Rev. D. C. Blood called upon Mr. J. S. Strong one morning just as the latter was ready to start upon an expedition after sheep, and after a cheery "Good morning!" asked the old gentleman to go with him to. the house for a brief season of prayer. Mr. Strong replied: I have no time to pray today; you can go in and pray with mother if you want to."
Mrs. Burgess, in writing of the dedication of the White Church, says: "The importance of the occasion, the solemnity of the exercises. the number of people and the size and grandeur of the building made a lasting impression on my mind."
While working for Mr. T. Clark for five years, from 1828 to 1833, Mr. S. Lyon helped to make the bricks and get the stone, lumber and sand together for the brick house occupied for years by Mr. Clark and which still stands on the west side of the road north of the Center.
Dr. Bela Clark, quite a noted physician, came from Massachusetts in 1831, and bought a farm on Stone Hill. He kept a store in his granary, and manufactured "Dr. Bela Clark's Pills," keeping several wagons on the road selling his medicine.
J. S. Hudson writes of a grand rally of the Whigs in 1840, held in front of David Harvey's yard in Albion. A four horse team attached to a wagon containing singers from Cleveland drove into the yard, sing- ing campaign songs of Tippecanoe and Tyler, too, etc. The log cabin, barrel of cider and coon skins were not forgotten, and all combined to make the occasion a long remembered event.
Abial Haynes, at the age of twenty years, threw every man "square hold", who was brought to face him, and at the age of eighty years cut down, unassisted, an oak tree five feet across the stump, because, as he said, he wanted the exercise.
ROY'S MILL
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One day when George Strong and his grandfather were driving a large flock of sheep they met another flock at the bend of the road and the two flocks became inseparable. Mr. J. S. Strong, being of an excit- able nature, exclaimed, "Ten thousand men cannot separate them; buy or sell, which will you do? The stranger driving the second flock re- plied that he would take fifty cents a head, and the deal was completed.
Building a Log House in One Day .- Chas. Aldrich, now living in Be- rea at the age of 93 years, says that with the assistance of six of his neighbors he built, in 1828, a log house on the Franklin Strong farm, completing it, with the exception of the chimney, in one day. The fol- lowing description of the building, furnished by Mr. Aldrich will be of interest to many: The logs having been split were hauled from the woods to the building spot, and four experienced men were stationed to notch and fit the logs. The floor also was made of split logs laid with the split side up. In the split whitewood logs used for the roof, were grooves made so that the water would run off, and over this roofing was a layer of split logs with the split side down. There lived in this "shan- ty", as it was called, at different times, Chas. Aldrich, Erastus Beckwith and family, Oliver Bartlett and wife, Mary Church Bartlett, Franklin Strong and wife, and a blacksmith, Mr. Woodford.
The circumstances under which John Watson started his store in 1834 were these: David Watson, principal of the Academy, was troub- led about the whisky which, according to custom, was sold at the store. David Harvey offered a building to any one, who would carry on a tem- perance store, whereupon David Watson notified his brother John in Scipio, New York. John Heazlit and William Watson, father of John Watson, came soon after. It is said that while the families were build- ing their houses, twenty-nine persons lived in one small house,
Mrs. Renda Lyon Burgess, who lives at 510 Euclid avenue, Cleve- land, Ohio, sends the following: "About the year 1836, I went to school in the Avery district in the log school house with its large fireplace, in which great logs of wood were burned. Among the teachers I remem- ber Mary Church, (Mrs. Oliver Bartlett), Tamar Lyman, Mr. Hanchett
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and Mr. Kingsbury. Among the pupils were Harriet and Hannah Cole, the Moe's, and Sabins', Thatcher Morgan, George avery, Hannah, Sarah, Seth and Waldo Bartlett, and'Li kim L Lyon, Jr." A sad incident is con- nected with the red school house, afterward built in the district: A lit- tle girl who wished to get a book after school hours attempted to enter by means of the window. The sash fell and she was found hanging in the window dead.
One Sabbath, when Mrs. Caroline Woodruff Bushnell was six years old, she was left alone at home, her parents having gone to the servic- es in the Congregational Church close by. Mrs. Woodruff seated by a window, noticed smoke issuing from the house and ran home to find the fire board blazing. She inquired of her daughter Caroline, who was quietly rocking herself, why she had not thrown water on the fire. Car- oline replied, that she had thrown on one cup-full, and, fully trusting the Lord to answer her prayer, had prayed for the safety of the house.
When living in Strongsville from 1820 to 1822, Mrs. Joseph Wells frequently saw Indians. Being engaged about her housework one day, on looking around she was frightened at seeing an Indian sitting in the doorway, her only way of escape. In her frantic endeavor to save her- self and child from what seemed certain death, she snatched the baby from its cradle and, with a bound through the doorway, cleared the Ind- ian in her flight. After running some distance, she ventured to look back, expecting to see the Indian in close pursuit; he was still sitting in the doorway evidently surprised at what had occurred. He proved to be a friendly Indian and had likely intended no harm.
Mrs Nancy Reed Watson relates that one Sunday, while she was staying with the family of her husband's parents, on the farm one mile east of Albion, a fine wild turkey alighted upon the barn. Newton Wat- son very much wished to kill the turkey, but hesitated because of the day. Mrs. Watson told him that he might go up stairs and shoot out of the window, which he did, and killed the turkey. The Watsons, with Walter Ogilvy and wife as invited guests, enjoyed a wild turkey dinner a day or two later, eaten, without doubt, with clear consciences.
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In the year 1818, Retire Grove Strong, then a young man of twen- ty, was sent by his uncle, J. S. Strong, to assist in the raising of a log house on the farm now owned by John Brennenstuhl. After drawing logs until dark he started for the Center. He traveled for a long time through the trackless woods, driving his oxen, and at last was surprised to find himself at his starting-place again. The second attempt brought the same result. Then unyoking his oxen, and placing the yoke on his shoulder, he started to follow them, hoping that instinct would direct them home, but with the same result as before. Amid the howling of wolves, he stood between the oxen until the rising moon toward morn- ing enabled him to reach his destination, where during the night his friends had been anxiously watching for his return.
Among pleasant memories of the past are the days of the Lyceum held every winter for many years in the town hall. Here, those inter- ested gathered, and with recitations, essays and debates, interspersed with song, passed one evening a week profitably. Challenge debates were held with neighboring towns. Foremost among the debaters were: Rev. A. W. Knowlton, an earnest advocate of right; J. Southworth, who eloquently considered the question in all its bearings, both pro and con; M. S Haynes, who excelled in logic; James Preston with his ready rep- artee; and H. R. Fennimore, who was always ready to defend from the Democratic standpoint. Later, N. N. Spafford, M. E. Gallup, Dr. Mc- Connell, W. W. and G. H. Smith and others won fresh laurels for the'socie- ty. Amid the audience, Rev. J. W. Turner, nev-r failed to applaud the maiden attempts of F. C. Gallup or Earl B. Hubbell, and to add from his store of information a thought for reflection.
Interesting stories used to be told by Mrs. Sussn Lathrop Tuttle of her rides through fore its to attend singing schools, and of incidents connected with her work as teacher in the log school house. One day while teaching in Middleburgh, she was horrified to observe a rattle- snake stretched at full length across the door way. She soon saw a way of escape. A number of small pupils were helped through the ap- erture in the logs, which served as a window, to notify some men near, who came to the rescue.
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It was said that by climbing a certain chestnut tree on Stone Hill, a fine view of Lake Erie could be had. Mr. J. S. Strong, with the help of his hired man, climbed the tree, but was unable to see the lake. In reaching the ground, he tore his clothes. This, and the disappointment of not viewing the scenery tried the old gentleman's temper and he said, "I'm a natural old fool. What did I climb that tree for? I cannot see four rods when I'm on the ground."
Sometimes, when Mr. Strong was driving herds of cattle to the eastern markets, he encountered trying experiences. Once when jour-
1 neying over the mountains in Pennsylvania, the icy roads necessitated his having the whole herd shod in front before he was able to proceed. At another time he was driving cattle over a bridge. Failing to notice the sign of $5.00 fine for riding over it faster than a walk, he ran. his horse back and forth in his endeavors to urge his herd along. The mar- shal arrested him and took him before a justice of the peace who fined him. Mr. Strong paid the fine, remarked "I always knew that you people were a lazy set of rascals," then rode his horse on a run over the bridge and soon overtook his cattle. The marshal appreciated the joke, and let him go, unmolested.
From an interesting letter sent by Mr. S. Lyon, who is the oldest living settler of the township, we copy the following: "My father bought his farm for $5 per acre and worked with his team in the Ohio Canal, for $12 a month to pay for the same. In the spring of 1828 I went to Cleveland with a yoke of oxen to assist a man from Wooster. For the three days' labor, father charged him the enormous sum of 75 cents. The families between our house and the Square, which at that time was surrounded by woods, were the Sabins, at whose house a private school was kept by Mrs. Sabin, and the Britt ans, who kept the postoffice and a tract repository. We frequently saw Indians encamped on the knoll south of the center of the township. Miss Bennett, who afterward mar- ried Hollis Whitney, and Miss Miranda Goodwin were among the early · teachers."
H. LANT & SON'S WEST SIDE FEED MILL
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At one time Mr. Benjamin Tuttle owned a few acres of land in Be- rea; he sold it to Mr. Goodenough for $4 per acre and moved to Albion to educate his children.
On Christmas day, 1820, Mr. Joseph Wells being absent from
home, in the north part of the town, Mrs. Wells took her baby boy in her arms, and walking through the woods where there were wolves, and where the snow was a foot deep, went to the home of a neighbor, Mrs Hilliard, to a social gathering, to par- ticipate in the pleasures and good cheer of Christmas-tide, with its cherished memories of other years Festivity and merry-making had nearly worn out the day, and nightfall was setting in, when it was found that Mrs. Wells' log house was on fire. The men ran to the scene only to find that the flames had gained control, and all efforts to put out the fire or to save anything were unavailing. This was the first fire in Strongsville. With the assistance of the neighbors, a new house was built very soon. The interest and good-will of the neighbors did not end here, for they bought for the family a barrel of pork, a barrel of flour, and what was considered in those days the staff of life, a bar- rel of whisky.
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ERRATA.
Page 29 -- In the list of Welch Guards the name of Fred Poye should be Fred Pope.
Page 50-Mrs. Elizabeth Bedford's death occurred in 1881. See church history for correct dates of Rev. D. C. Blood's pastorate.
Page 71-In sketch of Hon. M. S. Haynes, first term of school was taught at the age of 17.
Page 72-John Heazlit and family moved to Strongsville in 1834.
Page 73-In the sketch of the Howe family mention should have been made of the children of Carl G. Howe as representing the fifth generation.
Page 79-We learn that the original name of Eliakim Lyon was later shortened by the family to Liakim. Rev. Hervey Lyon should be Rev. Harvey Lyon.
Page 80-In the sketch of Mr. Lyon, the names of two daughters, Lydia and Nancy A., were omitted. Samuel S. Lyon was born at Staff- ord, Ct. Mrs. Lyon's name was Cecelia.
Page 86-Mr. John Gardner's death occurred in 1855.
Page 94-In the sketch of the Sanderson Family, the name of John Wesley, the youngest son of Mr. Eri Sanderson, was omitted.
Page 95-Mr. Jared Sartwell lived southwest of the Center.
Page 109-Frederick Strong lived at Mitchellvii'e, Iowa, instead of Mitchell.
Page 124-Mr. and Mrs. Benoni Bartlett celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1886. Mrs. Tarry died in 1900.
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