History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 106

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 106

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585

NORTON TOWNSHIP.

Probably the first tavern or public house kept in the township was situated on Lot 20, a little east of the Wolf Creek. It was kept by John Cahow, who settled here as early as 1810, and kept travelers at his cabin during the war of 1812, and after, Joseph Holmes who has already been mentioned as settling on Lot 57, also kept a hotel for the accommodation of travelers after 1820. Thomas Van Hyning, who settled on the farm now occupied by Mer- vin Shaw, was also an early tavern-keeper. Others will be mentioned in the history of the villages of the township. The first saw-mill in the township was built by Thomas Johnson, near Johnson's Corners, several rods south of the present grist-mill. It was built about the year 1823. Thomas Van Hyning built one a little farther up the creek. Hezekiah Ward built a saw-mill on Hudson Run, up near the Wadsworth line, about 1825. These were what was called sash-frame saws and worked very slow. About 1837, Nathan Seiberling, who had settled on his present farm in 1831, built a saw-mill introducing what was called a geared muley saw, which cut much faster than theold style. Some years after, another mill was built still farther down the creek than Seiberlings, and which is still in use, although steam has been substituted for water-power. The five saw-mills just mentioned were all on Hudson Run ; one was built on Van Hyning Creek, at an early date, by Henry Van Hyning, Jr. The first grist-mill built in Norton was at Johnson's Cor- ners, and is still in operation. It was built by Thomas Johnson about 1830; he soon after built another farther down the creek. which, however, did not long continne. At the raising of this mill, Dennis Bates fell from it and was killed, having struck his head on a rock and crushed in his skull. Clark's Mill was built by Carlos Clark about 1836-37. A great deal of litigation has been had about this mill and its water-power. The mill was finally burned to the ground in 1879 ; how the fire originated was never ascertained. The mill had been repaired but a short time before, and was just getting under way and doing good work. There has been but one distillery in the township, and it was a short-lived affair. It was at New Portage, and was carried on by Uriah M. Chapel, probably as early as 1825. The proprietor was a powerful man, noted for his strength and agility as a wrestler, but he

eventually found his match in the person of Henry Van Hyning, Jr., who threw him twice in succession, at one of the numerous " bees " so common in those early days. The first tan- nery in the township was at Western Star. It was built prior to 1830, and was at that date operated by Lebbens Hoskinson, late of John- son's Corners. In 1835, another was started at Bates' Corners, but by whom we are not able to say; both of these are still in operation. A third was started at Johnson's Corners, con- siderably later, but has long since ceased to ex- ist. Samuel Baker was the first blacksmith in the township, and, prior to his moving to Nor- ton, he plied his trade in Stow, where some Norton people went to get their blacksmithing done. Baker's brother-in-law, Abe Van Hyn- ing, of Johnson's Corners, was in need of some blacksmithing, and concluded to go to Stow to get his friend Sam to do his work. He had a

natural dislike for bear's meat, which formed a very important part of Baker's provisions, and, indeed, was the only kind of meat they had at the time. Baker's wife knew of this aversion, but thought she would fix him up a steak that he would relish. Accordingly, as Van Hyning had to stay all night, she brought him a piece of meat nicely served, calling it beef for his supper, saying that she knew he did not like bear meat, so she had cooked him some beef they had got of a neighbor. Van Hyning ate heartily of the beef, and at last said, "Just cut me a small slice of the bear meat to taste." He was helped to a small piece from the other dish, but pronounced it " strong, couldn't eat it no how." The Bakers managed to keep from smiling until the meal was over, but after this, whenever Van Hyning said he didn't like bear meat, some one was ready to remind him of the time he ate it and liked it, but supposed it to be beef. When Baker came to Norton, he put up his shop at Clark's Mills, near where George Turner now lives.

The great Scioto Trail, from the Cuyahoga Portage to the Scioto River, lay through this township. This trail struck the township near the northeast corner of Lot 20, crossed Wolf Creek where Van Hyning's Bridge now is, passed down the west side of Wolf Creek Bot- toms, where Stauffer and Irish now live, taking nearly the same course of the present road, till near where A. D. Betz lives. It then made a straight cut to Johnson's Corners. From there

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

586

it took a southwesterly course nearly identical with the Wooster road. This was the only important Indian trail in the township, and was the course the first settlers traveled to find their homes. It was marked by a well-beaten path, in some places almost a foot deep, but was only passable for foot passengers. Trees had to be cut and underbrush cleared away, before a team could get through. The first road was cut out upon this trail prior to 1816 as far as Johnson's Corners. Philemon Kirkham had settled on Lot 11, and Seth Lucas on Lot 12. They petitioned for a road from Bigelow Chapel to Wolf Creek. This was called the Black Snake Road, on account of its crookedness. Next a road was cut through from the east line of Lots 57 and 67, and passed through the cen- ter of the township, and on through to Harris- ville, Medina County, where a settlement had been formed by Judge Harris, some time between 1818 and 1822. Peter Waltz, having bought Lot 81, came in to clear up his place. He got as far as Johnson's Corners without anything more serious happening than getting stuck in the mud at Hudson Run ; but west from Johnson's Corners, however, the fun came in. The neighbors turned in and out, a day's time, cut a road through the woods to his place, which enabled him to proceed. Soon after this, a road was cut through from New Portage to Johnson's Corners ; next from New Portage to the east end of the center road, on Lot 67. In the meantime, the settlers had cut cross roads, to facilitate travel in all directions, so that, in the course of twelve or fifteen years, the township was pretty well supplied with roads, such as they were. The one across Wolf Creek Bottom, east of the center, was a corduroy road, that is, made of logs thrown in crosswise. and notches cut in for the wheels to run in, causing a great deal of jolting to those who were obliged to use it. A stage route, from Cleveland to Massillon, passed through Norton. This was the only public conveyance known before the canal was opened. A mail route was established from Johnson's Corners to Cleveland. The first post office of the town- ship was probably at New Portage, but whether it was in Norton Township or Coventry, is a matter of some dispute. The Ohio Canal was opened for traffic in 1827, and caused quite a revolution in the business of the township. Farm productions advanced in price, and pros-

perity began to smile on the inhabitants. But the unstable quality of the money of this early day was a matter of great annoyance, as a man might go to bed at night with a snug little fort- une under his pillow, and wake up the next morning and find himself a beggar by the breaking up of a " wild-cat" bank. Henry Van Hyning, Jr., who was Justice of the Peace in those early days, and who did a great deal of collecting for other parties, would notify the parties in this manner : " Your money is col- lected, and is all good to-day, but I will not warrant it to-morrow." In 1856, the Cleve- land, Mount Vernon & Dayton Railroad was built along the canal, through Norton Town- ship. The first train passed over the track late in the fall, and. as a free ride had been ad- vertised, crowds gathered along the track, thinking the train would stop at any place where there were people to be seen. Hundreds were left standing and gaping at the iron horse on this, his first trip through this section. Some tried to catch the train, but it outran them. In 1863, the Atlantic & Great Western Railway was built. Considerable money was raised by subscription on this road, and but little was ever realized from the in- vestment. Many citizens worked on the grad- ing with teams and by hand, and, as wages were high at that time, money was plenty all over the township.

The first bridge built in Norton was the one across Wolf Creek, near Sylvester Van Hyning's place. The abutments of this bridge were made of logs laid up " cob-house " style, and four logs flattened on their upper sides were laid across for "stringers." These were cov- ered with split puncheons laid as tight as pos- sible. The approaches were filled up with logs and dirt until they were passable. More of the same sort were built at other points as they were needed. Stone was, however, soon put in instead of logs for abutments, and plank were substituted for split puncheons. Now we have several substantial iron structures ; one across Wolf Creek, near Wolf Creek Lock, and two more on the road leading from Johnson's Cor- ners to New Portage. An immense wooden viaduct was built over Hudson Run by the railroad company, about one-half a mile west of the north-and-south center road. This was probably seventy feet high at its highest point, and at least four hundred feet long. A splendid

587

NORTON TOWNSHIP.

arched culvert was afterward thrown over the run and the gully filled up with earth, leaving the timbers in their places. Just west of this fill the railroad enters a rock eut about three hundred feet long and from ten to twenty-five feet deep. Between this cut and the fill a new branch was built in 1880, running south about two miles to Williams Bros'. coal mine. New Portage was probably the first village laid out either wholly or in part in the township. It was laid out in 1818 by Ambrose Palmer, or at least the part was which belonged to Norton. Buildings both log and frame sprang up, and soon a thriving town stood where, a few years before, there were nothing but woods to be seen. A glass factory was started by Palmer, soon after, in a large barn-like structure, with the stack or furnace in the center. His pots and molds were brought from Zanesville, Ohio. Sand was procured by pounding sandstone in a huge trough, the pounding or crushing being done by means of a spring pole and pestle. Black salt was used as a flux. This was abundant, as black salt was made at many places through this new country where ashes were plenty from the log heaps that were burned by thousands in all directions. Wood was used for fuel for smelting the sand, and the consequence was that much of the glass was smoky and could not be used for window glass, when it was made into hollow ware, such as tumblers, goblets, drinking glasses, bottles, and many other articles nseful and ornamental. At first six blowers were employed, but, afterward, the shop was enlarged and eight blowers were employed. Sand of good quality was found in the marshes of Coventry about the time of the enlargement, and it was used from this time on. But the business proved a failure, and Palmer joined the Mormons and "went West." The glass factory was situated on the hill north of where the church and burying-ground are at present located. The glass business failed in 1823, and soon after New Portage fell a prey to typhus fever, as already noted, which nearly annihilated the settlement. Thomas Johnson kept a tavern at New Portage in 1817 for some time, when he moved on to a farm just across the south line of Norton Township. A family named Nesmith came in 1821. One of the descendants of this family, Thomas Nesmith. is still living in Norton. A great part of the business of New Portage, for the period of per-

haps twenty-five years, was carried on in Coventry Township. About 1850, however, the Norton part of the town again began to revive, but this time farther down the canal, as at present. During the decade following 1850, a pottery was built by Jacob Welsh just west of the present store. This was operated for about twelve years, at first with one kiln, afterward with two. This pottery was twice burned to the ground-rebuilt the first time and enlarged. Welsh also had a store and did a large business. Thirteen wheels were in use in the pottery. One kiln of ware was burned each week, turning out six to eight thousand gallons of ware per week, which at first was shipped by canal, but soon after the railroad was finished it was shipped by rail. Welsh had the post office in his store during the time that he was in business, and the mail, it was thought, was robbed several times while he kept the office. He, it seems, suspected that some one was in the habit of breaking open the store during the night, rob- bing the mail of valuable letters. Upon a cer- tain occasion in November, 1869, his son Cor- win and himself concluded to watch the office awhile to see if any one should make an attempt upon it. The first night they watched. both Corwin and his father stayed in the store until midnight, when Corwin went home. leaving the father alone on watch. Soon after the son left, Welsh heard a noise at the basement window, next to the canal; the window shutter was pried open, the window raised, and some one was heard coming up the steps from the base- ment, who entered the storeroom just before the west end of the counter. Welsh was stand- ing back of this counter with a loaded shot-gun in his hand, and as the burglar arrived at the head of the stairs and stooped to strike a match on the floor, Welsh fired. The man was not over six feet from the muzzle of the gun. As the man fell he exclaimed, " My God. Welsh, you've killed me," and expired. The neigh- bors were aroused by the noise of the gun. and soon came to see what was the matter. The supposed burglar was found to be a citizen of the place. These are the facts as nearly as can be obtained from those present at the inquest. A chip was found broken out of the wall out- side of the window where the bar had been rested while prying open the window. Welsh was acquitted from all blame by the inquest held over the body.

588

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

L. B. Schneider, now of Akron, had a store at New Portage in 1863, and was in business several years. After him came first Weary & Bro., then Weary & Witner, and still later Weary & Downer, each continuing about a year. Next, Joe Ellis & Co., then Corwin Welsh, dur- ing whose stay the shooting above related took place. Next, Harry Diesern took the store, and, last, Mr. John McNamara, who is still doing business in the old original room. His stock in trade is probably worth $1,200. New Portage is a station on the Cleveland, Mount Vernon & Columbus Railroad, and New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad. The former road does a cash business of about $100 per month at this office in freight and passenger traffic- the latter about $75 or $80. Mr. David L. Cart- mill has had charge of the office of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad for fifteen years or more. The coal shipped from Norton Township over this road is all billed from New Portage. This road has a frame depot build- ing, pumping-house of brick and a water tank, and a side track for trains to pass, of nearly a mile in length.

New Portage has one of the finest springs of fresh water that can be found in the county. It runs a stream just so strong, and is never more or less so, whether in wet or dry weather. The post office at this place was established at an early day, but the exact date is not known, but is probably the earliest in the township. At present, Mr. W. C. Jaquith is the Postmaster. The office pays a salary of about $140 per year. Two canal boats are owned at this place- " Lily," Wellman Witner, Captain, owned by Witner Brothers, and "Wheeling." Willson Witner, Captain and owner.

Next in the order of villages, we find Bates' Corners (Loyal Oak P. O.) This place was set- tled by and named after two brothers-Nathan and Lyman Bates-who settled here about 1817 or 1818, one building on the northeast corner, the other on the southwest corner, as it now stands. The first tavern was kept by James Moore, but it could hardly be called a public house. Moore was also the first blacksmith in the place. Thomas Brown was the first mer- chant of the place, and had a small store on the southeast corner, as it now stands, but did not remain long, others taking his place in the same business. Bates' Corners has seen so many changes in its early days, that the half

of them cannot be noticed here. A tannery was started in 1835, and is still in operation, although it has been rebuilt since that time. Mr. John J. Baner is the present owner, having bought it in 1864, remodeled it, and introduced steam power. His son, Byron B. Bauer, is at present connected with him in the business. Bates' Corners owes a great deal of its pros- perity to Mr. Peter Lerch, who alone has had nearly as many buildings erected as all the rest of its inhabitants together. He at present occu- pies the new hotel at that place. Mr. Edward Laubach built a steam saw-mill in 1867, at a cost of $3,200. Business was good, and he in- trodneed a pair of chopping buhrs for grinding feed, with which he did a large amount of work. In 1874, the mill burned to the ground, but he immediately rebuilt it, at a cost of about $1,000. It is at present owned by J. J. Knecht & Brother, who are doing considerable work. Mr. Jacob Flickinger is the blacksmith at pres- ent. He builds some wagons, and occupies a substantial frame building just east of the Loyal Oaks House. Bates' Corners has one church edifice. It is built of stone, as a union church, by the Lutheran and German Reformed societies, in 1851. Mr. A. Schneider is the present merchant and Postmaster. The post office at this place was not established until re- cently. Western Star, or, as it was originally called, Griswold's Corners, was first settled by a family named Richards, consisting of the father and five or more sons, of whom the father and three sons, named Mills, Cullen and Ezekiel, lived in Norton, the others in Wads- worth. They came here as early as 1819, per- haps earlier ; the father lived where the old Himmelwright homestead now is. Nathan Starr, of Connecticut, was the original owner of a large tract of land lying adjacent to and east of Western Star. About 1825, Hezekiah Ward built a saw-mill about a mile north of this place, and, four years later, in 1829, the Gris- wold brothers came and settled here. Prior to

this, however, several other families had settled in and around the place, so that quite a settle- ment was formed. Dr. Austin, the first phy- sician of the place, lived in a house on what is now known as the Reimer lot. The place was named Griswold's Corners from the brothers of that name, just mentioned, who came here in 1829. William Henstis came the same year, and worked for the Griswolds, who had a store

589

NORTON TOWNSHIP.

and two asheries, or black salt factories, in oper- ation soon after their advent in the town-one at this place and one near where Dennison now is, on the farm lately owned by Alpheus Myers. The second year the Griswolds were here, they cleared up 300 acres of land and sowed it in wheat. A post office was established about this time, but who the first Postmaster was we were unable to ascertain. The Sutton House is the first tavern of which we have any trace, al- though there probably was one carlier. Julius Richards had a wagon-shop in operation at a very carly day. In 1831, Nathan Seiberling bought out one of the Richards brothers and settled where he still lives. The first store building was erected on the northeast corner. The first schoolhouse was a little farther north, opposite Shaffer's harness-shop. The first church was organized about 1835-36. The present school building was erected as a semi- nary in 1844. The site, containing one acre of land, was deeded by Nathan and Grace T. Starr, of Middletown, Conn., to certain persons named therein as trustees, with the proviso that " they shall erect a suitable building for a sem- inary building, and shall keep in good repair at all times, otherwise the land to revert to the original owners." This deed is dated November 7, 1844. The seminary was started the follow- ing spring, with Revs. Lorenzo D. Williams and Merritt Matteson as teachers. At present, Western Star contains two school buildings, one church (United Brethren), two stores (Dague Brothers & Co. and Levi Shaffer), a carriage shop, by Warren Hanshue, who is at present refitting an old building as a repository and varnish room. one tannery, and, on the Wadsworth side, a hotel, by William Stevens, shoc-shop and harness-shop. It was incor- porated in 1842, with Mayor, Marshal and Council. Has a graded school, and is generally prosperous. G. C. Dague is present Postmas- ter, Aaron Eicheberger Mayor, and Warren Hanshue, Marshal.

Dennison (Sherman Post Office), on the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad, has sprung into existence since the railroad was built. At one time, it contained a store, kept by the Koplin Brothers ; but at present is with- out a merchant. The post office was established about 1864, with Joel C. Koplin as Postmaster, who has held the office ever since, with the exception of a few months. The principal busi-

ness of the place is that caused by the Norton Coal Company's mines, which are located here, with coal chutes and a telegraph office. Hame- town, one and a half miles south of Dennison, has also been brought into existence by the coal business. It contains a store, kept by J. W. James, and two saloons and a shoemaker's shop-F. Schneider, proprietor.

Johnson's Corners was the second settlement in the township. The first person to settle here was Abraham Van Hyning, in 1814. John O'Brien came soon after, Jacob Miller and others followed soon. Charles Miller came in 1816, with others ; but all settled around where Johnson's Corners now stands. About 1822-23, Thomas Johnson moved from his place just across the line, south of Norton, to this place, and began to build up the town. His saw-mill was built soon after he came, and, about 1826-27. he erected the hotel which is still occupied as such. This was, however, not finished for several years. In 1830, Johnson commenced the first grist-mill ever crected in Norton Township, which is still in use for the same purpose. The saw-mill that he had built stood a few rods farther south. Two or three years after, John- son erected another mill, nearly a mile farther down the stream, and nearly opposite where Jacob Hoch now lives. At the raising of this mill, Dennis Bates, who had volunteered to help to put on the rafters, fell from the plate, struck on a rock, and shattered his skull, causing almost instant death. Johnson had, in the meantime, started a store, and held the office of Postmaster. He was probably the first Post- master in the place. In the year 1835-36, a Methodist Church society was organized, with Johnson as the first class leader. Rev. Mr. Bigelow was probably the first minister. He was soon afterward ordained as Presiding Elder, and Rev. Messrs. Jaynes and Hazzard took the circuit. A church building was erected about 1841, which served as a place of worship thirty years, when a new and imposing building was erected by the Methodist society. It is one of the best church buildings in the county, outside of the incorporated towns, surmounted by a tower and belfry, and is lighted by elegant stained glass windows. The walls and ceiling are frescoed in fine style.

The first school taught in the township was kept at Johnson's Corners, in a log schoolhouse, about 1818-19. It was taught by Sarah Wyatt.

590

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

This village has been blessed with perhaps more different schoolhouses than any other in the township. At present, it has a commodious school building, well filled with scholars when school is in session. One or more stores have been in existence ever since Johnson's time, Mr. Amos Miller being present merchant and Postmaster. Besides this, the village contains a hotel, by John T. Price ; two blacksmiths, one wheelwright, one harness-shop, two shoe-shops and a steam saw-mill, built in 1867, by Peter Hunsicker, at a cost of $3,600. It was burned to the ground in 1875 ; but was again rebuilt, and is doing considerable business. The cost of rebuilding was about $800.

Wolf Creek Lock, a small hamlet on the Ohio Canal, near the mouth of Wolf Creek, contains a small grocery, kept many years ago by Will- iam Pierce, and, in later times, by James Owry, who has lately sold to William Hublinger ; one boat is owned at this place, the "Fisher ;" John Reichard, Captain. Norton claims another boat, the " Crawford ;" Henry Manderbach, Cap- tain and owner.

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 106

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