History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 103

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Ohio > Summit County > History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 103

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family, to encampments containing several hundreds of the semi-civilized race. A small camp of three wigwams was on Mr. Bacon's farm, and these families continued to camp there at stated seasons for many years, or until they took their final departure for the West. One day when Mrs. Bacon was alone in the cabin, a party of six or seven Indians went to the house, and, after entering without ceremony or invitation, called for whisky. Mrs. Bacon, knowing her helpless condition, and foreseeing difficulty and very likely extreme danger should her visitors become intoxicated, informed them that she had none, and that they had better be going on, as her husband would soon appear. After talking among themselves a few minutes, and carefully and suspiciously eying Mrs. Bacon and the various articles in the room, the Indians finally insisted that she did have whisky, and immediately proceeded to search for it, notwithstanding the energetic and earnest pro- tests of the defenseless woman. A large bottle containing about a gallon of the liquor was soon found, and was quickly passed from hand to hand until all was gone, when the Indians, with many grimaces and threatening looks and gestures, quitted the premises, to the great relief of the apprehensive woman. She had attempted to interfere when the bottle was first discovered, but several of the Indians drew their knives. and circling them in the air as if in the act of scalping, sternly motioned her back. They de- parted and were seen no more. The Indians were not the only human beings to be feared. Many desperate men, numbers of whom were undoubtedly outlaws, passed through the front- ier settlements on the look-out for any game, no matter how dark, that would meet their de- sires of avarice or selfishness. One day, about noon, a dark-visaged man made his appearance at the cabin when Mr. Bacon was away, and, after learning of the absence of the husband, and asking all sorts of impudent questions, sat down with his fierce eyes fixed on the woman, and on a large dog that lay near the hearth watching, with suspicious glances, every motion of the strange visitor. That the stranger did not relish the presence of the dog was soon ev- ident from his uneasiness. That Mrs. Bacon did not relish the presence of the strange man was also clearly evident. As night approached, the man was informed that he could not be ae- commodated until morning, and, as several

am illiam Sabretzer

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NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP.

miles intervened until the nearest house was reached, that he would better be going on. He did not seem inclined to go, and to add to the alarm of Mrs. Bacon he asked one of the little boys to turn the grindstone, while he sharpened his knife. He took his place in the cabin, and the woman, with the dog before her, sat down to watch and wait. As midnight ap- proached, the stranger asked why she did not turn out the dog and go to bed. She replied, that the dog was allowed to sleep in the house. He then opened the door and told the animal to go ; but the faithful creature, with a fierce growl, refused to move. The man seemed dis- appointed and sat down, and thus matters stood until morning, when the unwelcome guest de- parted and was seen no more. The family have ever since thought, that the presence of the dog alone saved Mrs. Bacon from insult or death, or perhaps both.

Wild animals, both fierce and dangerous, were often seen in the vicinity of the cabin. Wolves would approach in the night, attracted by the scent of meat, and howl dismally until the break of dawn. Deer were seen by the hundreds, and often came quite close to the cabin. On one occasion, in broad daylight, a bear came quickly from the woods near the cabin, and, seizing a half-grown hog, carried it, bodily off into the woods, where it was partly devoured and left. Mr. Bacon obtained a few sheep at quite an early day, but they were found to be more bother than they were worth. One day a pack of wolves got after them, when they ran into the cabin, and were saved for that time. Mr. Bacon was the only inhab- itant until June, 1810, when Jeremiah Cranmer, Mr. Bacon's brother-in-law, arrived, and built a cabin on Lot 72, within half a mile of the cabin of the former. During the excitement occasioned by the war of 1812, Bacon and Cranmer made preparations to take their fam- ilies and seek the protection of the more pop- ulous settlement at Hudson. While the prep- arations were in progress, an Indian was seen skulking in the woods near, and was told that if he valued his scalp he had better depart without delay. He departed. After they had started, a report reached them that there was no danger, whereupon they returned, though they kept up an anxious watch for several weeks afterward. Mr. Bacon was drafted and ordered to Cleveland, but was soon afterward

discharged and sent home. Here, in Novem- ber, 1812, he was taken sick and died, and was buried on Tinker's Creek. Prior to this sad event, the Bacon family had, in 1808, lost an infant daughter, her death being the first in the township.

In 1813, Abraham Cranmer appeared and bought the north half of Lot 72. His cabin was built with the assistance of Bacon and Jeremiah Cranmer, and his family made as comfortable as possible. In June of the same year, a young man named Henry Wood, one who was destined to play an important part in the affairs of Northfield, came to the township. While here, he won the affections of Estber, daughter of Jeremiah Cranmer, who accepted his proposal, and they were married September 22, 1813, at the residence of the bride's father. This was the first wedding in Northfield. Henry Wood was in the war of 1812, and in his company were Henry Post, who acted as Orderly Sergeant ; Abner Robinson, the poet of Boston, and Jonathan Williams, the latter serving in the capacity of scout. The com- pany went west as far as Sandusky, but did not see any active service. It was Henry Wood who, in passing a small creek in the township, and seeing several small parties of Indians encamped thereon, called it Indian Creek, a name it yet retains in honor of this man, who is yet living at the unusual age of ninety-one years. Mr. Wood often had hogs killed by the bears. It is related by him that on one occasion, he owned one shoat in a lot of sixteen, which ran wild in the forest. Hear- ing loud squealing one night, he took his rifle and hurried out to ascertain the cause, where- upon he found that his pig had been selected out of the herd, and carried off by a large bear. The squealings at a distance in the dark forest disclosed its fate.

In 1814, George Wallace came to Brandy- wine, and built a saw-mill. A relative of his named John Menough took charge of the mill, and Mr. Wallace returned to Cleveland, and did not bring his family out until 1818. In 1815, Robert Wallace came on with his family, and built a small log cabin at Brandywine. It is said that this village and the creek of the same name were named by John Menough, after the historical stream in the East, where Gen. Washington fought a severe battle during the Revolution. In March, 1817, Henry Wood,

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

John Duncan, Maurice Cranmer and a few other families moved into the township. There also came in, prior to 1819, William Cranney, Will- iam Mather, Abel Havens, Abner Hunt, Daniel Robertson, Edward Coyne, John Britt and Shubael Austin. The following is taken from the township records :

" At a meeting of the qualified electors of the township of Northfield on the 24th of May, 1819, the following officers were elected for the occasion : John Britt, Moderator ; Jeremiah Cranmer and John Duncan, Judges ; Orrin Wilcox, Clerk. After the officers had been duly sworn, the following township elections were made : Henry Wood, Clerk ; George Wallace, Jeremiah Cranmer and John Duncan, Trustees ; William Cranney and William Mather, Overseers of the Poor; Robert Wallace and Maurice Cranmer, Fence Viewers ; Watrous Mather, Treasurer ; John Duncan, Abel Havens, Daniel Robertson and Abner Hunt, Supervisors of Highways ; Edward Coyne and Abraham Cranmer, Constables." Mr. Wood, who is yet living, says that this first election was held at the cabin of William Cranney. He also says that just before the township received its name, the settlers. who had assembled to erect a log house near the cemetery, began to sug- gest names. Mr. Wood wanted it called " York." Other names were suggested by several parties, among which was "Northfield," by Jeremiah Cranmer. A vote was taken on the various names suggested, and "Northfield" was se- lected. The following is quoted from the records : " Poll Book of Northfield, Portage County, Ohio, October 12, 1819-Jeremiah Cranmer, George Wallace and John Duncan, Judges of Election, and Henry Wood and John Britt, Clerks. Number and names of electors on this day : Abraham Cranmer. Abel Havens, Jeremiah Cranmer, John Duncan. Shubael Aus- tin, George Wallace, John Britt, Henry Wood, Robert Wallace and Edward Coyne-in all ten. Names of persons voted for and for what offices. containing the number of votes cast for each candidate : For Convention, 1 ; against Con- vention, 8. For Senator, Almon Ruggles, 7 ; William Whitmore, 1. For Representative, Samuel King, 10. For County Commissioner, Stephen Woodward, 8; Rial McArthur, 2." The ten electors just mentioned were not all there were in the township, and yet there were but few others. The following officers were

elected April 3, 1820, as shown by the records : Henry Wood, Clerk ; John Duncan, Maurice Cranmer and A. Cranmer, Trustees ; Amos Richardson and Nathaniel Parsons, Overseers of the Poor ; Edward Coyne and Abner Hunt, Fence Viewers ; Dorsey Viers, Isaac Lake, A. S. Honey and Robert Richardson, Supervisors of Highways ; William Cranney and Robert Men- dal, Constables ; William Mather. Treasurer. Three weeks later, another election was held for the purpose of electing two Justices of the Peace, resulting as follows : George Wallace and Wm. D. Mather. At this election, there were twenty- six votes polled. The following items, which are deemed worthy of preservation, are taken from the records, which are fast falling into pieces : "State of Ohio, Portage County, North - field Township : To the Constable of said Town- ship, Greeting : Abraham Cranmer, Constable : You are commanded to warn Huldah Seeley out of said township forthwith, by the order of the Trustees and of the Poor Masters for said town- ship, and to carry her to the Constable of Inde- pendence Township, or Newburg, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Of this writ make legal service and due return. Given under our hands and seals, this 2d day of June, 1819. George Wal- lace and J. Cranmer, Trustees ; W. D. Mather and William Cranney, Jr., Poor Masters. Per- sonally served by me, Abraham Cranmer, Con- stable." It is told by way of joke in North- field, that Mr. Cranmer, the Constable, not knowing how to dispose of his charge, Huldah Seeley, finally took her on horseback to New- burg, where he left her, his idea being that the law would be best subserved by removing her as far as possible from the township.

In 1826, there were thirty-nine householders in Northfield, and the following year there were forty-seven, as follows : George Phipps, Abner Hunt, Electa Dewey, Casper Noel, David Bow- ersmith, William Barkhamer, Widow Lesley, Daniel Croninger, Paul H. Beard, George Hills, Jonathan Pike, Jeremiah Cranmer, William Clifford, A. B. Cranmer, Levi Leach, D. C. Ba- con, Henry Hopkins. William Cranney, H. Bump, Dorsey W. Viers, Sally Pritchard, Henry Croninger, Thomas Hills, Shubael Austin, John Wilson, Daniel Stanley, Thomas Appleton, Eliza- beth Richardson, John Jones, Maurice Cran- mer, A. D. Havens, Abraham Cranmer, Chester Northrup, John Duncan, Thomas McKee, Rob- ert Guy, William Guy, Allen Burroughs, George

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NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP.

McClelland, Erastus Burdick, Robert Wallace, George Wallace, David Dilley, Joshua Post, Nathaniel Holmes, Mr. Townsend and Mary Post.

By this time, the township was almost as well settled and improved as it is at present. But we must go back and trace the growth of industries, etc. As was before stated, George Wallace erected a saw-mill on Brandywine Creek ; and this mill, until Lots 19 and 40, of Boston, were attached to Northfield, was in the former township. It was a frame mill, and was located on the creek where an abrupt fall of about ten feet gave an excellent and enduring water-power. It was built in 1814, and, in the following year, a grist-mill was built on the opposite side of the fall. This mill was a three- storied, frame structure, and is yet standing, being in a fair state of preservation. About the same time that the grist-mill was erected, a distillery was built back some distance on the farm, and given in charge of Allen Burris, a practical distiller. It disposed of some twelve bushels of grain daily, and turned out in the same time between thirty and forty gallons of excellent whisky. The old account-books of Mr. Wallace are yet in existence, and reveal that, not only was whisky used by every one, including ministers (and perhaps abstainers), but was used extensively as an article of ex- change, serving the purpose almost as well as bank notes. Almost every entry involves the word " whisky." John Menough. who owned a third or a half interest in the grist-mill, was the miller, and operated it for many years. Robert Wallace owned an interest in the saw-mill, and was the sawyer until the mills were given into other hands. The distillery was conducted un- til about 1830, when it was abandoned. The saw-mill was operated, with several change of owners, until about the year 1851. The grist- mill is yet running. Mr. Wallace built a woolen- factory near the mills in 1821. During the first year of its operation, nothing was attempted, except wool-carding and cloth-dressing ; but the following year, and for many years there- after, the whole process of carding and spinning and weaving and dressing was conducted on an extensive scale, and a fine income realized. This was, perhaps, the most important industry ever in Northampton. At one time, the fac- tory, the grist-mill, the store, the saw-mill and the distillery were all in operation. and, as

these various industries required the assist- ance of from twelve to twenty employes, the extent and importance of these efforts in the backwoods can be plainly seen. It is stated that, in about 1816, the village of Brandy wine rivaled the village of Cleveland. But all has not yet been told. In 1816, Mr. Wallace sent some $1,600 worth of goods to the village, and placed them in an apartment that had been set off for that purpose in the second story of the grist-mill. James, the son of George Wal- lace, was placed in the store to dispose of the goods. He had come from Cleveland with the teamster who brought the goods. The wagon moved very slowly through the muddy roads, and. as night was fast coming on when they reached the northern part of the township, the boy James concluded he would hurry ahead, and reach home before the teamster. He was walking on quite rapidly, guided by the ob- scure markings of the winding road, when suddenly he was startled by a large deer which bounded across the path but a few yards in front of him. Almost at the same instant, he heard a loud crashing in the bushes close by, and a moment later a large, dark animal came swiftly into the path before him. The terrified boy saw that the animal was a large bear, and, though his blood froze in his veins, he determined not to run. But the bear, with scarcely a moment's hesitation, and without paying the slightest attention to the cowering boy. continued its headlong pursuit after the deer. The boy was so terrified that he ran on for several miles, when, reaching the cabin of a settler near Brandywine. he prevailed upon some of the boys to accompany him until he reached the village. It is scarcely necessary to add that the various pursuits thus begun at Brandywine were the means of bringing to the neighborhood numerous families of settlers, and soon the place had all the appearance of a thriving village. In 1825, all that portion of the property owned by George Wallace fell to the ownership of James Wallace. his son, who is yet living, at a hale old age, near Macedonia. A year later. Robert Wallace also secured an interest in the various pursuits, and then the business firm was Wallace Brothers. In 1843, a remarkable flood occurred. which swept the factory away, scattering the debris for miles along the banks, and badly injuring the grist- mill. This, however, was immediately repaired,

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

but the factory was not rebuilt. After this, the property gradually fell into other hands, and its former usefulness was greatly impaired. The firm of Wallace & Wallace opened a store at the village in about 1844, and carried a stock of some $2,000 worth of goods for ten or twelve years. This storehouse is now used as a dwelling. In about 1822, George Wallace succeeded in getting a post office established at Brandywine. Mr. Wallace was appointed Postmaster. The village at its best contained some ten or twelve families.

The village of Little York has had a less eventful history. In about 1825, Henry Post built a saw-mill on the site of the village. He did not own the land, but "squatted " there for the purpose of sawing lumber. His mill was operated by water-power, partly by natural facilities and partly by artificial. There was at that point a heavy forest of whitewood, which at that time was greatly in demand for boats on the canal, and for vessels on Lake Erie. The mill was enabled to run some eight months of the year, and, for six years, Mr. Post did an extensive and profitable business. George Leach then got possession of the mill, and, as the dam was a cheap affair and liable to be washed away by the first freshet, a larger and stronger one was built in the same place. This man continued many years, and, at times, did an enormous amount of work, operating two saws, and shipping by canal large quantities of oak, maple and whitewood lumber to Cleveland. In the early history of the village, a blacksmith, a shoemaker, a tan- ner and a few other tradesmen and mechanics located there. This has been about the extent of the rise and fall of Little York.

The first building at the Center was very likely a schoolhouse, built as early as 1825 .* Hezekiah H. Palmer erected the first dwelling. This was a round-log cabin, about thirty feet square, built in 1832, and divided by partitions into bedrooms and sitting-rooms. A year later, George Lillie built the second dwelling, and, soon afterward, Lucien Bliss, the third. All these were rough log cabins, hastily constructed, and, from their external appearance, it was evi- dent that the architect was inferior in point of genius to Michael Angelo, or, perhaps, he thought that the more beautiful products of his skill could and would not be appreciated in the forest. At all

events, the buildings were neither models of architectural beauty and precision, nor equal in point of sumptuousness to Aladdin's palace. However, the families seemed to enjoy life just as well as they whose habitations were supe- rior and more elegant. During the same year, 1833, or perhaps the following spring, Col. Milton Arthur built a storeroom which is now a part of an outhouse belonging to Mr. McCon- nell. Arthur placed in this storeroom some $500 worth of goods, consisting of a general assortment that had been purchased at Cleve- land. The store did not amount to much, but was an accommodation to those living in the vicinity and was well patronized. A few years later, B. F. Cannon placed a small stock of goods in another building, but, after a short time, sold out to Hosea and Lucien Bliss, who increased the stock somewhat. Soon after the Bliss brothers opened their store, Frank Allen built another building near by, and placed therein a small general assortment. After this, frequent changes were made in the merchants, none of whom remained any great length of time. The village was not a very lively trad- ing-point. Many country stores were located in adjoining townships, and even in Northfield, and storekeepers, with a few fortunate excep- tions, were compelled to continue, if at all, upon meager remuneration. However, there have been some good stores in the village. Af- ter Frank Allen and the Bliss Brothers, the fol- lowing merchants have held forth at various times in about the order given : Warner Wal- lace, Mr. Putnam, Woodman & Howe, James McElroy, Nelson Decker, M. O'Neil, S. K. Alex- ander, Lyon & Logue and J. G. Alexander, the present merchant. The most of these men kept ordinary country stores, including limited deal- ings in all the various kinds of country produce. It was usual to accumulate a considerable quan- tity of the latter, which was then conveyed to some shipping-point and sent off for foreign consumption. Other industries have existed for short periods in the village. Bliss & Taub- man (the latter being an experienced tailor), opened a clothing store soon after. Ready-made clothing was kept, and suits of every descrip- tion were made to order on short notice.

In 1841, O. A. Bishop built a tavern which was thrown open for the entertainment of the public the same year. The building is now used as a combined grocery and post office.

* Narrated to the writer by Ambrose Bliss.

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NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP.

The tavern, which was located on the State road, did a good business until the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad was projected through the township, when it was closed for lack of cus- tom. The first blacksmith in the village was a man named Phillips. Ambrose Bliss was the first carpenter. Dr. Hosea Bliss was the first resident physician. He became well known, and continued to practice his profession until five or six years ago. Dr. Hazleton ap- peared a number of years later, and soon se- cured a Incrative practice. George Lillie was the first Postmaster, receiving his commission in about 1836, the office having been removed from Brandywine to the Center. In about the year 1840, George Lillie, Hezekiah Palmer, Lucien Bliss and Col. Arthur, each of whom owned a corner at the cross-roads, threw out half an acre of land each for a public square. This square is yet sacred to the use of the public, and is likely to remain so. The village has not been regularly surveyed and platted, the lots being laid off and sold as calls are made for them. Perhaps the greatest popula- tion the village has had at any one time has been about seventy-five.

It is proper at this point to narrate an occur- rence which took place in the township at an early day, and which. from its peculiarity, de- serves preservation. We quote as follows from Gen. L. V. Bierce : “ An Englishman named Rupert Charlesworth, who was boarding with Dorsey Viers in 1826, suddenly and mysteri- ously disappeared. He was traced to the cabin of Viers on the night of the 23d of July, but on the following morning when a : Constable went there to arrest him. he was gone, and no trace of him could be found. On the arrival of the Constable Mrs. Viers was found mopping up the floor. Questions were asked, but Mr. Viers told contradictory stories as to the disappearance of the man. alleging in one instance that he jumped ont of the win- dow and ran off and could not be caught, and in another, that he left when Viers was asleep, and the latter knew nothing of his where- abouts. A few days later, some one announced having heard the report of a rifle at Vier's cabin the night of the man's disappearance, and of having seen blood on a pair of bars which led from the cabin to the woods. Years rolled on, and the excitement grew stronger with age, until, on the 8th of January. 1831.

complaint was entered before George Y. Wal- lace, Justice of the Peace, that Viers had mur- dered Charlesworth. Viers was arrested, and a trial of eight days followed. Not only were the circumstances above narrated proved, but a hired girl who was working for Viers at the time of the man's disappearance swore that a bed blanket used by Charlesworth was missing from the cabin on the day of his departure, and that it was afterward found concealed un- der a haystack, with large black spots on it, resembling dried and clotted blood. It was also proved that Charlesworth had a large amount of money, and that Viers was, previ- ous to the disappearance of the man. compar- atively poor, but immediately afterward was flush of money. To complete the chain of circumstantial evidence, a human skeleton had been found concealed under a log in the woods, beyond the bars already mentioned. Matters were in this shape when two men from San- dusky unexpectedly appeared and swore that they had seen Charlesworth alive and well after the time of the supposed murder, though when seen he was passing under an assumed name. On this testimony Viers was acquitted, but his acquittal did not change public sentiment as to his guilt. It was generally believed that the witnesses had been induced to perjure themselves. Viers, however, did not let the matter rest at this stage. He began a vigor- ous and protracted search for the missing man, and continued it with unwavering perseverance. He visited all parts of the Union, and, after a search of years, he one day went into a tavern at Detroit, and in the presence of a large as- semblage of men, inquired if any one knew of a man named Charlesworth. All replied no. Just as he was about to leave, a man stepped up to him, and, taking him to one side, inquired if his name was Viers, from Northfield. Viers

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 103

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104