History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 112

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 112

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THE greater share of Bath Township is ex- tremely rough and precipitous. Its central and northern portions, though far from being level, are not as rough and irregular as the bal- ance of the township. The castern third, and all the land along the valley of Yellow Creek are cut, divided and subdivided into innumerable bluffs and hills of all shapes, sizes and altitudes. Deep gorges wind around the bases of the bluffs, and in some cases are fully 300 feet below the summits of the conical knobs, which appear almost mountainous, when viewed from below. On account of the extreme roughness of Bath, the land was not considered desirable ; so that, in early years, settlers passed on, and it was only after the lapse of time, that large additions were made to the original pioneers. The prin- cipal and only stream of note is Yellow Creek. In many respects, it probably has no equal in the county. It is reported that, either from actual measurement or careful estimation, this stream, in flowing across the township (five miles), has a fall of 400 feet. While the stream does not afford any noticeable natural falls, almost its entire course is characterized by a succession of rapids, rendering the creation of first-class water-power an undertaking at once easy and permanent. Since the earliest settle- ment, these facts have been well known, and this will account for the large number of saw and grist mills that have been located along the stream. During the warmer months of dry seasons, the water becomes almost or quite in- sufficient for milling purposes ; but, in ordinary years, and especially during the rainy months, the creek is a rushing torrent, which sweeps noisily down the valley over its bed of rocks. One of the finest natural views in the county is in this valley, in the eastern part of the town- ship. At a place where the creek takes a sud- den turn toward the north, a basin of two or three acres is formed on the western side of the

creek bottom. Looking southward from the northern part of this basin, the beholder sees an attractive picture. The bluffs, which extend upward at an angle of forty-five degrees, form a graceful curve, and are covered with a fine forest of pine trees. These trees are found no- where else along the creek, and form a beauti- ful contrast with the neighboring oaks and maples, which greets the eye of the spectator with pleasure. They are the white pine (Pinus strobus), and extend along the creek, mostly on the south side, for a distance of about eighty rods. The larger ones have been cut down and sawed into lumber, several of which measured almost four feet in diameter, though at present they are largely of a smaller growth. Numer- ous springs of pure water are found in various parts of the township. A small stream, in the northeast part, drains that portion of the town- ship, and flows directly into the Cuyahoga. Another interesting creek rises near the north- west corner, and takes a southeasterly course, flowing into Yellow Creek at Ghent. On the northwest corner of Lot 37 is quite a large pond, drained by the last-named creek, which, so far as the writer knows, is nameless.

Yellow Creek flows across Lots 80, 79, 78, 83, 77, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 and 70. Its bed is stony, and the stream, through an unknown period of years, has cut its way deeply into the soil. This is rendered apparent by the steep, high bluffs, bordering the creek and the rapid flow of the water. The surface soil is largely clay, mingled in many places with pebbles, ren- dering tillage unpleasant and difficult. In ba- sin-like portions of the township, the soil con- tains considerable decaying vegetation, and these portions are valued highly by the agri- culturist. An abundance of excellent sand- stone is easily obtained. The eastern half of the township is rich in mineral and fossiliferous remains. There is, unquestionably, a large per- centage of iron oxides, or perhaps bog iron ore,

* Contributed by W. A. Goodspeed.

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

in the soil, as is proved by the character of the water and the peculiar coloring of earth when newly turned up. The most of the water is strongly ferriferous, and even the streams de- posit along the banks a reddish precipitate, or, perhaps, this peculiar coloring is produced by the action of the iron held in solution in the water, upon the clay along the banks. At any rate, the soil along the banks is discolored, and iron is the agent. Col. Riall McArthur, who originally surveyed the township, made the fol- lowing entry in his note-book : "The attraction of the needle on these lines (in the eastern part of Bath), is on account of the vast quantity of iron ore that lies in the earth, under where the lines pass or near them. There is all the ap- pearance of ore in the rivulets. Small pieces lifted and held toward the needle had particular influence on it, and by passing through the deep hollows has had particular influence on the lines." Upon examination the stones, even on the surface, are found to contain a large per- centage of iron, and the swampy portions of the township are usually underlain with a thick bed of bog-iron ore. Swampy tracts of land that have been drained are found to contain this ore. It is utterly improbable, however, that smelting works and iron manu- factories will ever be erected in Bath. The iron ore is much too seanty and impure to ever be profitably mined. although it is possible that future years may reach some vein of the requisite richness. In portions of the eastern part, there are also found large quantities of fossiliferous limestone. So far as the writer knows, this has not been classed, by those who have examined it, with any known group of rocks. On the contrary, the formation seems to have been placed there by local causes, the nature of which is difficult to determine. The rock seems to be made up almost wholly of the casts of animals that must have existed under the surface of water. A more detailed descrip- tion of this rock will be found in the chapter on geology. The rock is covered with many feet of earth. It has been used for making lime, and is excellent for that purpose. It would pay the owners of the land where it is found to burn it and ship the lime by rail to distant points. Large quantities of coral of the honeycomb and sponge varieties are also found, not only on the surface but far under the soil.

Bath Township was not owned by the Gov- ernment until after the treaty of Fort In- dustry in 1805. If any persons other than the Indians, and, perhaps, French, lived upon the soil, they were squatters, and only held a "squatter sovereignty " in the land. The township is No. 3 in Range 12, and was originally called Wheatfield, and is so named in the field-book of Rial McArthur and R. Warden, who surveyed the township into lots in 1808. The name is said to have been given by these men from the fact that the soil looked as though it would raise excellent wheat. How long the name was used is not definitely known, but it went out of use in two or three years. and then the township became popu- larly known as Hammondsburg, named thus for one of the earliest and most prominent settlers. Letters from Connecticut with this address were received. They also came direct- ed to Township 3, Range 12, Western Reserve, Ohio. In fact, this was the ordinary way of addressing letters that were sent to this section of country.

Bath was not settled as early as some of the neighboring townships, at least by those who owned the soil. When the squatters first entered cannot be known with any degree of certainty. It may be that wandering hunters built their rude cabins immediately after the treaty at Fort Industry. At least, it is well known that when the first permanent settlers, who were owners of the land, appeared in 1810, there were then living in the township some six or eight squatters, several of whom had made no little improvement. It was not customary, however, for squatters to bother themselves much about the clearing of the land or other improvements. All they wanted was a small garden, wherein their half-clothed, half-starved wives and children could raise a few potatoes and other vegetables. Many of these squatters lived in the rudest and most primitive fashion. They apparently copied the customs of the Indians, and many of them existed in about the same miserable plight. The Indians got so they built small bark shan- ties, but little better than deer-skin wigwams, and many of the squatters erected and inhab- ited the same kind of dwellings. The meat was largely venison, but this was extremely dry, so that the earliest settlers, when they could procure a piece of fat pork, thought they

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had secured a luxury indeed. Wild turkeys by several proprietors in Connecticut, among whom were Ezekiel Williams and Thomas Bull, of Hartford. In the Bull tract, JJason Ham- mond had first choice, and Jonathan Hale sec- ond. Moses Latta had squatted near Ellis Corners, and Aaron Miller had performed the same act on Lot 11. Mr. Hammond's lots were 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30. Jonathan Hale's were 11, 12, 13 and part of 14. The other squatters named above located mostly in the southeast- ern part. Abel Vallen also located in that por- tion, though whether as a squatter or an owner is not stated. A few years later. this man was living on the Cuyahoga. in Northampton. where he opened a distillery. These and a few others were the first settlers, and for a number of years they were alone in the township. West of them was an unsettled wilderness of indefi- nite extent, while east of them various settle- ments had been made, some of them ten years previous. William Cogswell. one of the most expert hunters ever in this part of the county, lived in the township for a number of years, 1 and there is searcely a hill or vale that has not echoed with the sharp report of his rifle. He became celebrated as a bear hunter. and subse- quent generations have listened with interest to his recital of daring acts, that. beyond doubt, actually transpired. On one occasion. he started, late in the evening, from Granger to go were abundant, and were so fat, it is said, that sometimes when they fell to the earth after being shot from the top of high trees, the skin upon their backs burst open like a ripe pod. Wolves were very troublesome, and gave the settlers any amount of annoyance if sheep and other domestic animals were to be protected. Sheep brought into the backwoods had a sorry time of it, and usually died either under the sharp fangs of wolves or bears, or on account of the peculiarities of the food upon which they were necessarily compelled to subsist. Even cattle and horses suffered greatly on the latter account. The poor oxen were annoyed by swarms of flies and gnats that thirsted for their blood. It is even asserted that oxen were killed by these flies, so great was the annoy- ance. Bears seemed to relish pork better than any other kind of meat, and woe unto the porker that fell into their hands (or rather claws). A bear would attack a hog in the woods, would mount upon its back, burying the sharp teeth in the neck, and tearing the sides of the fated swine with its powerful claws. Piercing squeals would re-echo through the forest, sometimes reaching the ears of the owner, who would seize his rifle and rush to the rescue, and then it often fared hard with Mr. Bruin. Sometimes the owner would be glad to give up the swine and call the account : to the cabin of Aaron Miller. in northeastern square ; but, in a case of this kind, they always changed their minds soon afterward. and vowed future vengeance upon all members of the genus Ursus. The bears were usually so well satisfied with the terms of settlement that they afterward undertook to obtain a re- newał of the account. that a similar settlement might be enjoyed. Sometimes they succeeded ; sometimes they died.

Prior to 1810, there lived in the township the following squatters : Aaron Miller, Gib- son Gates. Hezekiah Burdit, Aaron and Moses Deeker and Moses Latta. When these men | first entered the township has not been aseer- tained, and probably never will be. Two or more of them, at least, came in during the spring of 1810, but the date of the arrival of the others is missing. These men had erected rude shanties in different parts of the township. and were busily engaged in hunting and. possi- bly, trapping, and some of them had begun to make improvements. The township was owned

Bath. Night came on, and Cogswell. not wish- ing to proceed any farther at that time. pre- : pared a couch of branches, and, stripping the bark from a large tree. covered himself with it and lay down to sleep. At daylight he awoke. and, throwing off his coverlet, arose to his feet. when he found that, during the night, about three inches of snow had fallen, covering him completely, and rendering his situation warm and comfortable. He started on toward the cabin of Miller, where he soon arrived with an excellent appetite for breakfast. Mrs. Miller furnished him with a quantity of cold boiled hominy, which he devoured with relish and sat- isfaction, apparently thinking his breakfast tit for a king. Indeed. it was no uncommon oc- currence for settlers to live for weeks upon a single article of food. Sometimes venison was all the cabin could furnish ; at other times, especially in the dwellings of those settlers who were inferior hunters, meat would be lacking for many days. Ilunters fared better as re-

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gards meat. while those who devoted more at- tention to gardening enjoyed eating the greater number of vegetables.

The settlement and improvement of Bath were at first slow. The war of 1812 no doubt had something to do with this state of things. A few came in during the war. but no extensive improvements were made until a short time prior to 1820. As near as can be remembered. the following arrivals, at about the dates men- tioned, took place : Old man Jourdan and his sons James, Moses. Joseph and John, 1813 ; old man Dunbar and his sons Lewis, Thomas and two or three others, 1814; Isaac Hopkins, 1813 ; Salmon Skinner and Eleazur Rice. 1816 ; Hopkin Nash, 1817; Theodore and Calvin Hammond. 1814; Phineas Nash, 1819 ; and besides these, there came in during the same years. or perhaps later. the following well- known men : George W. Story, the first black- smith in the township. William Jones, Junins Darrow, Lemuel Hoadley, James Root, Nathan Green, David Willey, Elijah Jacox, Joseph and Samuel Hawkins, Benjamin Bishop, James P. Baldwin, Mr. Heater. Mr. Boughton, Mr. Brad- ford, Mr. Seakons, Mr. Frost, John McFarland, William Williamson, Orville and William Mc- Farland, Deacon Crosby, Simeon Crosby, John Kent. Manville Thorp, E. W. Simmons, Noble Simmons, Asa Jackson, Mr. Collins, Mr. Hatel, George Phillips, a large family of Shaws, the father's name being Constant, and some of his sons, Sylvester, Samuel and Phillip, Mr. Doolittle, Levi Bissell, Asa Hurd. Adam Vance, Seymour Ganyard, Benjamin Damon. Dr. Henry Hutson, two or three Whiterafts. some of whom be- came prominent in the township, Henry Van- sickle, Mr. Fowler, Lyman Nash, John Duryea, William Davis ; after 1830, Deacon Smith. Abin Sage, Mr. Lloyd, and many others whose names have passed out of recollection. It may be said that the greater number of these men were Connectient Yankees, and almost all came di- rectly from that State to the Western Reserve. Several came from the settlements a few miles east, and undoubtedly a great many came in who afterward became dissatisfied and removed farther west, or went back to the East. The The settlers were nsually industrions, and it was not long before cabins could be seen in great numbers over the township, and the busy hum of human life took the place of the wolf's dismal howl and the Indian's wild whoop. In

every direction forests could be seen going down, that were afterward burned in great con- flagrations, that rivaled the sweeping prairie fires of the West. Small fields of corn and wheat waved their green plumage in the sum- mer air ; deer bounded past within easy rifle shot ; the peculiar howl of wolves could be heard ; the ring and echo of ax and rifle awoke the sleeping voices of the hills ; snakes, innum- erable and venomous, wound their slow length along, and a multitude of circumstances, un- known to the present generation, presented themselves. And yet the early settlers were happy, or thought themselves so, which is much the same. They made enjoyment from their surroundings. But the cultivation of the high- er qualities of mind and heart were omitted from the forest curriculum, and it may be wisely doubted whether the early settlers en- joyed themselves so well after all.

The township was organized in 1818, and, when that is said, about all the tale is unfolded. Where the first election was held, who were the first officers, what action was taken on that in- teresting occasion, and many other important things, have been locked forever in the jeweled casket of the Muse of history. Some other historian will be allowed the privilege of prowl- ing through the township to quicken into life the dying embers of the fires of recollection. Until then, many events will remain in the gloom of forgetfulness. Success to the patient worker ! As was before remarked, the town- ship was first called Wheatfield, and then Ham- mondsburg. At the time of the organization of the township, the settlers were called upon to select a name by which said township should be known in the future. Various names were suggested, but none seemed to give satisfaction. A few insisted on its being called Hammonds- burg, whereupon Jonathan Hall called out, " Oh, call it Jerusalem, or Jericho, or Bath- anything but Hammondsburg." Bath was im- mnediately selected and bestowed upon the town- ship. Dr. Henry Hutson (or Hudson) was the first Justice of the Peace, if the writer is correctly informed, while Eleazer Rice was the first Constable. Rice was a small man, and was not very well liked. One Sunday, Lewis Hammond and Isaiah Fowler, in sport. tipped over Rice's sled, and lo ! it was broken. Rice entered complaint before Squire Hutson. for a violation of the Sabbath, and as he was the

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BATH TOWNSHIP.

only Constable, the warrant was placed in his hands for service. The two men went willingly before the Squire to answer to the charge ; but, just as they got there, instigated by a little of the spirit that Jesus once cast out of a Syro- Phenician woman's daughter, they both started and ran in opposite directions. The Constable was in a dilemma. He finally started in pur- suit, unfortunately, of the larger man. How the " trial" terminated, the writer has not been informed. This was the first "case" in the township. Abner Robinson, the poet, men- tioned elsewhere in this work, lived in Bath for a time. He had a peculiar manner of speaking, which Gen. Bierce characterizes as " crawfish." Robinson one day said of Jacob Morter : "Jake

says, ' Abner, come and look at my pigs.' I went, and they were fine ones. Jake says, ' The youngest is the oldest-no-I mean the biggest is the littlest-no-o-I talk like a d-d fool ! Any how, they. look so much apart you can't tell 'em alike.'" A petition for a road leading from Boston to Old Portage, was presented in 1811, to the Commissioners at Ravenna. This was the first authorized road that tonched Bath. Perhaps the next was the one on the southern line of the township, called the Smith road. This was well traveled in early years, and numerous taverns for the accommodation of travelers were erected, one or two of them in Bath. Moses Latta opened his house for a public tavern as early as 1818. He took in a great many shil- lings from travelers, and made considerable money.

By 1820, the township was quite well popu- lated. Improvements were pushed rapidly, and industries began to arise as the demand for various articles nearer home was created. In 1818, Maj. Hoadley built a saw-mill at Ghent. Excellent water-power was obtained. and the enterprise promised success. The fol- lowing year the mill was purchased by James Root, but was sold again in two or three years to James Myers. The mill was located so far from the dam, that, on account of the great fall of the stream, the lower part of the race was a wooden trough, resting on posts. The wheel was overshot. A few years later, Mr. Root built a new saw-mill about a quarter of of a mile west of Ghent. This. in after years, proved a valuable mill. David Parker built one about the same time, locating it down Yel- low Creek. not far from the eastern boundary

of the township. An enormous dam, built on the " beaver principle," was constructed ; but some time afterward this was washed away by a sudden freshet. James Root built a distillery at an early day. It was at the height of its prosperity when the great temperance revival swept over the county. Some of the citizens asked him to stop his distillery, whereupon he turned suddenly upon them with the pointed question, "Stop ! what am I to live on? cow- slips ? I can't stop the distillery." And he did not stop, but whisky flowed from it at the rate of about two barrels per day. Much of this was shipped off, and sold at the rate of from 12 to 18 cents per gallon. James P. Baldwin did more in early years to improve the township than any other man. He built many mills, both for sawing lumber and grinding grain, and filled every enterprise that he touched with life. James Root built several mills. and was quite a wealthy man, but he did not put the energy into his undertakings that was necessary to make them highly successful and useful. He is said to have remarked in later years, " I have ruined the township;" meaning thereby that most of his enterprises had been of no use to the township. Yet this is not doing Mr. Root credit. It is certain that his improve- ments drew intelligent and enterprising citizens to the township. Many mills were built in early years, and very likely errors will occur in attempting their description. In about 1826, J. P. Baldwin built the Miller grist-mill. It was a frame building. three stories in height. about thirty-five by seventy feet. and in it were placed four sets of stone. It was one of the best mills ever in the township. In addition to custom grinding, it did a large amount of merchant work, sending, during its best years. about three hundred and fifty barrels of flour each day to Cleveland, by canal. After a num- ber of years, the mill was purchased by Henry Harris ; but a few years later it was destroyed by fire. The present one was built on the same site in abont 1846. It is a large frame build- ing, and has done good work. It is at present owned by W. C. R. Miller. Baldwin also built a saw-mill the same time his grist-mill was built. It was connected by shafting, or other- wise, with the machinery of the grist-mill. This was also destroyed by fire. In 1859, Henry Harris, Jr., built a saw-mill on the same site. This is yet in operation. Baldwin built

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

another saw-mill a short distance down the creek from this mill. It did good work for a few years. Jason Hammond and his sons built a saw-mill. as early as 1820, on a branch of Yellow Creek, west of the center. The dam was so situated that thirty or forty acres of woodland was flooded with water. The trees many of them, fell down and began to decay. and soon this dam was regarded as a breeder of malaria and pestilence. Atlast proceedings were begun in law to abate the whole thing as a nuisance. The proceedings were successful, and the water was let off, much to the relief of families living in the neighborhood. A Mr. Beach built a saw-mill near where William Barker lives. in about the year 1838. It was operated some eight or ten years. and then was aban- doned. William Barker built one near the same place, in 1859. This mill has furnished considerable material. which has been shipped away, among which are railroad ties, three-inch plank and fitch. A year or two ago. the dam was washed away, and the mill is not running at present. Just after the last war, Hlemming- way. Hopkins & Burris and William Barker erected a hub, spoke and felloe factory within a few rods of Mr. Barker's dwelling. The com- pany and Mr. Barker each owned a half inter- est in the business. A planing-mill was con- nected with the factory, and for a number of years a good business was done, but the destruction of the dam caused it to stop. Will- iam Jones conducted a distillery for a number of years. It was located back on his farm some distance from the road. It is said that the bears, on several successive nights, had carried off his hogs, and he determined to watch. He summoned a few convivial spirits, and with those already at the distillery, had a loud time of it during the night. No bears were seen. The Ghent Champion Mill was built by James Root at an early day. It was operated by him until 1853, when Alanson Barker assumed control, but a year later Will- iam Barker became owner. and remained so until 1871, when the mill went to Edward Heller, who now owns it. The mill has done a great deal of good work; not only custom, but merchant. Mr. Root also built and operated a saw-mill. near the grist-mill, at an early day. Peter and John Marshall erected a woolen factory about a quarter of a mile east of the Harris grist-mill. It was probably built in

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 112

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