History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 116

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 116

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"The groves were God's first temples."

Meetings were conducted in this old house by local preachers, and by some of the more prom- inent of the early settlers. It is not certain which denomination, if any, predominated at these gatherings. It is likely that all pro- fessors of religion, without regard to creeds or sects met here and worshiped in unison and harmony. An early minister in the township was Rev. J. W. Hamm, an Old-School Presby- terian, who was a German, and who could preach either in his native tongue or in broken English. If the German element predominated in his congregation, the word of God was

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preached in that language ; but if many were present who could understand German imper- fectly or not at all, the sermon was preached in English. The Presbyterians built a church at Manchester a few years after the canal was opened, and this society, at times, has been quite strong, and has done much good in the neighborhood. It is impossible to estimate the great good done by a lively religious so- ciety. The nobler instincts of life are strength- ened, many species of vice are shunned, and the result is an abundant harvest of pure lives and morals. May religious societies continue their noble work until-

" All crimes shall cease, and ancient frauds shall fail. Returning Justice lift aloft her scale ; Peace, o'er the world, her olive wand extend, And white-robed Innocence from heav'n descend."

Some eight or ten years after the Presby- terian Church was built, an Evangelical Church was erected at Manchester. This society is

said to be doing well. About the same time, the Methodists constructed a church at Clinton. At the head of this denomination were Alex- ander Russell, Washington Heffleman, James Hile and others. The United Brethren also built a church at Clinton, during the late war. About four years ago, the English Lutherans started up, and built a church at Clinton. The most of these churches are doing well. When the Germans make up their minds to join a church, like a flock of sheep they go with a rush, and go to stay. The German Lutherans have a small church in the northern part. The congregation is considerably reduced. Franklin is well supplied with good churches and schools, and no family of children need be raised to their majority without a good common-school education, sufficient for the transactions of life. and the acquirement of that early religious and moral training, which furnishes sober, intelli- gent and upright citizens.

CHAPTER XXX .*

COPLEY TOWNSHIP - EARLY PHYSICAL CONDITION - NAMES OF EARLY SETTLERS - PIONEER IMPROVEMENTS-RISE AND PROGRESS OF INDUSTRIES-COPLEY CENTER-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

THE generations of to-day can scarcely realize the hardships passed through by their parents and grandparents more than half a century ago. The country was covered with an unbroken forest, through which wild ani- mals and wild men roamed at will, and nothing but continued toil and privation could be ex- pected if pleasant homes were to be created. The roads were mere paths through the woods, and these were in a state bordering on chaotic. Indeed, it is averred by the early settlers that during the spring of the year they could be traveled in but one direction-toward China- and during the remainder caused many a sober and moral man to violate his church vows. What caused the greatest anxiety, however, was the extreme difficulty in getting supplies of every kind. Men who came to the back woods with but little money or property and a large family of almost helpless children, were, indeed, to be pitied, as, in nine cases out of ten, a mis- *Contributed by W. A. Goodspeed.

erable existence was before them, without any satisfactory promise of improvement for a score or more of years. Store supplies of all kinds were almost fabulous in price ; wages were reduced to a starving minimum ; crops raised under trying and adverse circumstances brought scarcely any return ; schools did not exist, even in name ; neighbors were far apart, each struggling to make a living, and the homes were cheerless, uninviting, and too often uncomfortable. This is the darker side of the picture. Some families came to the backwoods with abundant means. These succeeded in ren- dering their situation comfortable, and very often attractive, and, after a comparatively short pe- riod were independent and happy. Many times families were compelled to relinquish their farms and return to their former homes in the East.

The long slopes of land in Copley Township render it one of the most beautiful tracts of land in the county. The vision is not bounded

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by short distances, but extends across exten- sive valleys or basins, through which the prin- cipal streams flow. These valleys are not bounded by bluffs, but have a gradual ascent, in some cases, for several miles, and the higher lands, even after that distance, do not reach an altitude but little exceeding eighty feet. How- ever, there is some rough land in the township, perhaps mostly in the eastern and southern portions. Wolf Creek enters from the west, crossing Lots 31, 32, 39, 42, 43, 48 and 47. Pigeon Creek rises in the northwest corner, and flows across Lots 11, 20, 19, 22, 23, 17, 24, 25 and 26. Shocolog Creek (an Indian name, probably) rises in the northern part, and crosses Lots 3, 8, 7, 14, 17, 16 and 25. The land bordering these streams, with some exceptions, is swampy even at the present day, and in early years must have been great bodies of muck and water. Wolf Creek, throughout the most of its course, is not so swampy. Shocolog Pond is an enlargement of the creek of the same name. White Pond is located on Lot 35, and Black Pond on Lot 36. In several places along the swampy valleys of these streams, there are what might be called islands. These are small, irregular-shaped bodies of land, rising in some cases fifteen or twenty feet above the level of the swamp, and presenting the appear- ance of having been surrounded with water at no very remote period. One of these, called " Fort Island," near the residence of Delos Bos- worth, is the site of what is unquestionably the remains of an ancient earth fortification. A description of this interesting "fort" will be found elsewhere in this volume. An island near this is called " Beech Island," and is sup- posed to have been used in ancient times as a cemetery, and small mounds, resembling graves, are pointed out. Another body of land farther down the same stream (Shocolog Creek) is called "Sugar Island." Pigeon Creek, after leaving the township from Lot 26, takes a cir- enit in Portage Township, and returns, crossing Lots 36, 45 and 46. These three lots are cov- ered with an extensive swamp, which, in early days, was the resort of countless millions of pigeons that came there to roost. In fact, all along the valleys of these streams, the pigeons were accustomed to assemble in spring and autumn. Large numbers were killed and eaten by our parents. It was dangerous to enter the swamps at night, as very often large limbs

were broken from the trees when the birds set- tled upon them. An unusual noise would cause millions to rise,' and after they had circled around a short time in the darkness, all the time following a leader, they would suddenly descend, and, very likely, all would try to alight on the same tree, which would be broken down. In the northeast part is a small creek, called Sand Run. An abundance of excellent sandstone is to be found in the township. The traveler over Copley notices that the township is crossed by several prominent ridges, which have a general direction east and west. These ridges are a mile or two apart, and seemingly belong to that series of terraces or ridges, which extends across Ohio, south of Lake Erie and north of the water-shed, which geologists main- tain was formed during the Glacial period. On the farm of William Wagner is a large mound, supposed by some to have been built by the Mound-Builders, and by others to have been formed by natural means during the Glacial epoch.

The whereabouts of the early records of the township is unknown or forgotten, and thus much interesting material is placed beyond the reach of the historian. "What is everybody's business is nobody's business," is verified in the case of the early records. The proceedings on the occasion of the organization of the town- ship are always interesting, and will continue to become more so as time advances. A few items are recollected and these will be recorded in their proper connection. The first settler in the township is said to have been Jonah Turner, who came from Pennsylvania and located on the Stony Ridge east of Miller's Tavern. He came in 1814, and built a small log cabin. A year or two before, Turner had marched along what is now well known as the Smith road with the battalion under Maj. Crogan, of which he was a member. The army had camped near where Turner afterward selected his farm, and on this occasion (as is related) he concluded that, if his life was spared through the dangers of war, he would locate in that vicinity. He lived here until his death. William Green also came to Copley in 1814. It is not known to the writer whether this man was a relative of Gardner Green, one of the purchasers of the township, from Connecticut, or not. The latter owned perhaps more than any other of the original proprietors, and in his honor the town-

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ship had been informally styled "Greenfield ;" but afterward, for some reason unknown, the name was changed to Copley in honor of Green's wife, whose maiden name was Copley. These two were probably the only settlers in the township until the fall of 1815, when Sam- uel Hawkins came from the Green Mountain State, and located in the northwest corner. His son, George Washington, was the first white child born in Copley, his birth occurring December 29, 1815. The following list is only approximately correct : Lawrence Moore, a Scotchman who had come to America in 1797, settled on Lot 1, in 1816. He was a sailor, and soon after coming to this country was im- pressed on board the British frigate, Tartar, where he served for six years, but finally pur- chased his release by paying $1,225. Moore built a small log cabin, and lived until a few years ago. In 1817, Allen Bosworth came from Rhode Island, and settled near the center. His son Delos was the second child born in the township, his birth occurring in January of the following year. Delos Bosworth is yet living, and it is due to his unusually retentive mem- ory that many of the events narrated here are rescued from falling into forgetfulness. In 1818, Jacob Spafford, Nathaniel Davis, Jona- than Starr and Gat Yale arrived. In 1819. Chester Orcutt came. In 1820, Parker and Benjamin Taylor, and within the next ten years the first settlers came about as follows : David, Samuel and James Griffin, H. C. Aikens, Na- thaniel Norville, Erastus, Flavil and Harvey Beckworth, David Taylor, Chauncey and Will- iam Davis, Smith and Austin Hull, Noah, Al- bert and Thomas Spafford, Rudd Hopkins, Levitt and Peter Wicks, Benjamin Sandford, Noah Robinson and others. There also came in soon afterward Henry Francisco, Jackson Chapman, Ashabel Chapman, H. D. Patch, Will- iam and Hiram Randall, James Smith, Frank Wilcox, Darwin and Cullen Clark, Lorenzo Russell, Joseph Younglove, William Hanson, Dr. Alpheus Babcock, S. P. Starr, Thomas Cole, Dow Hanson. Lawrence Brewer, Alonzo Coon, George Traver, William, Jacob and Thomas Weager, M. D. Pratt, John Mann and several others. Dr. Elijah Canfield and his brother William came in about 1824. Prior to 1835, there also came in Lyman Green, William Hux- ley, Chauncey Lease, Robert Stimpson, Henry Begun, Daniel, Joseph and Richard Riley, Dan-

iel Sandford, John Pratt, Salmon Haysington and several others.

In 1825, evidences of civilization were every- where apparent. Log houses sprang up from all directions, and various industries began to arise. The settlers slowly began to surround themselves with something more than the bare necessities of life. Schools, churches, mills, etc., began to appear, and something like pleas- ure was felt in living in the fast disappearing forests.

The homely ways and rude garb be- gan to give way before the advance of the autocrat Fashion. Calico could be obtained for less than 75 cents a yard; axes were no longer $5 or $6 ; all supplies steadily decreased in cost, as the roads and means of transporta- tion became better ; wages for the poor man were soon higher, and the township, and in- deed many other townships in Ohio, entered an era of prosperity unknown to it before. In 1281, a ball was given in the township, at which all attended. The girls came out with their calico dresses with flowing skirts, and the boys appeared in the rustic garb of fashiona- ble pioneers. The entertainment was a finan- cial enterprise, created in the brain of Smith Hull, who agreed to furnish everything neces- sary except whisky and music, provided each gentleman would chop wood for him two days. Roswell Barnett played the fiddle, for which each couple paid him a bushel of corn (not the juice). All was gayety and enjoyment. Cupid, the little wretch, was abroad, armed with bow and arrows, whose barbed points had been dipped in the green poison of jealousy. His skill at archery was better than usual on that occasion, and even he, hard-hearted though he be, must have enjoyed the music and dance, as during the evening he shot several arrows into warm hearts-arrows that had not been pois- oned with jealousy-hearts that were after- ward united. The ball was a domestic event, as well as a financial success. "Scheming mammas" were present to select husbands for their daughters-at least they were present. There was snow on the ground, and what a merry time they had going home. How "eyes looked love to eyes," and each throbbing heart beat a responsive echo to the one near it ! How short seemed the walk through the woods, and how the parting was protracted, as the first warm kiss of love was given and returned !

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There comes to the mind the sweet music of Burns-

" How sweetly bloomed the gay green birk! How rich the hawthorn's blossom! As underneath their fragrant shade. I clasped her to my bosom. The golden hours on angel wings Flew o'er me and my dearie; For dear to me as life and light, Was my sweet Highland Mary."

"Wi' mony a vow and locked embrace, Our parting was fu' tender; And pledging aft to meet again We tore oursel's assunder."

But the walk, so short and enjoyed so much, was ended-the sweet dream, like a vision of heaven passed away, and the sober realities of pioneer life swept over the bright scene with their gloom and shadow. How many hearts that on that happy evening beat with love for the first time, could afterward cry out in sorrow as Burns did-

"()! pale, pale now, those rosy lips. I aft hae kissed sae fondly ; And clos'd for aye that sparkling glance, That dwelt on me sae kindly. And moldering now in silent dust. The heart that loved me dearly: Yet still within my bosom's core, Shall live my Highland Mary."

Is there anything more precious than the sweet recollection of a sainted face that was once so bright in youth and health, but which now lies pale and cold in the embrace of death ? Ah ! how many hearts, in the morning of life, with every prospect delightful and every impulse of heart and mind ennobled by the vision of divine ideals, have been stricken down in fren- zied sorrow as their earthly idols were laid low in the dust-have gone weeping away, clothed in the mourning raiment of sackcloth and ashes. Then how kind is Solace to enter the sorrowing heart with sweet promises of the renewal of love in the shadowy world revealed to us in dreams.

Copley belonged to Medina County before Summit County was created. It was Town- ship 2, Range 12, of the Western Reserve, and was one of six which composed Wolf Creek Township, the others being Norton, Wads- worth, Sharon, Guilford and Montville. It was organized into a distinct township, with its present boundaries and territory, in July, 1819. The first township election was held in

the barn of Allen Bosworth, as is shown by the following, which is quoted from the rec- ords : "On motion, Thomas Beckwith was elected Chairman, and then the meeting was adjourned to the barn of Allen Bosworth for the purpose of doing business." A year or two before, Lawrence Moore had been com- missioned one of the Justices of Wolf Creek Township, of which Copley was a part, and after the creation of the latter he served out his time. At this first election, Joseph Bos- worth and Jonathan Starr were rival candi- dates for the position of Justice of the Peace (not much rivalry, however, as neither was anxious to officiate in that capacity). Thirteen votes were polled, of which Bosworth received seven and Starr six. Owing to some imperfec- tion, either in the election or in the qualifica- tion, these proceedings were annulled, and a new election was ordered to be held June 10, 1820, at which time Starr was elected. From the fact that the official duties in early years were light or altogether wanting, it was cus- tomary to honor one man with the responsibil- ity and dignity of several offices. It thus occurred that Starr was the first Township Clerk. Thomas Beckwith was elected Super- visor in April, 1820, and Jacob Spafford and Lawrence Moore were elected Overseers of the Poor. The names of the other early officers are forgotten. The first lawsuit begun in Cop- ley was before Justice Lawrence Moore. Suit was instituted at the suggestion of David Point, whose wife had loaned a spinning-wheel to Mrs. William Green, the latter, as was alleged, refusing to return certain portions of the machine. The matter was compromised before trial through the influence of Moore, who advised Mrs. Point in this wise : "You keep the grass too well trod between your houses ; let it grow thicker, and you will agree better." Some years afterward, Gat Yale arose one Sunday morning, and going out, discovered a bear endeavoring to escort a member of the genus Sus, against its wishes and vociferous protests, into the forest ; whereupon Yale, re- gardless of the day, pursued the bear and shot it. He was prosecuted before Squire Moore for violating the Sabbath, and, upon conviction, was fined $1. Whether this had anything to do with Gat's subsequent conduct is not known ; but he soon afterward joined the Mormon ranks, and was living, not many years

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ago, at Salt Lake City. From the fact that most of the earlier settlers of Copley have passed away like the twilight, and also that the township was settled later than others in its vicinity, it has been impossible to get posses- sion of personal incidents of adventure, with- out which a township record lacks an attractive feature. That many exciting and interesting hunts took place in early years is well known to the citizens. A circular hunt was instituted in about the year 1823, and a large portion or the whole of the township was inclosed. The center was one of the large swamps. But lit- tle could be learned by the writer concerning this hunt, except that quite a large number of deer, bears, wolves, etc., was killed. It is related, that, in the disposal of the game after the hunt had ended, two men, each of whom enter- tained a bitter grudge against the other, be- came angry, and a savage and protracted fight occurred, in which both men were badly used up. William Cogswell, who settled in Granger Township, Medina County, was one of the most noted of the early hunters in this section of country. He often penetrated the swamps in Copley. and, if the facts could be known, many an exciting and dangerous hunt, in which he played the role of a star actor, could be told. Almost all of the earliest settlers who had arrived at man's estate when they first came in could boast of having killed bears during the few earliest years. At that time, it was no trouble to kill deer, as even the most inexperienced could fire a rifle (if they had a rest), and often that was the only effort neces- sary to bring down the quarry.

It was not long ere Copley was well popu- lated, with numerous industries and institutions, which arose to improve the domestic, intellectual and moral status of the citizens. The steady and extensive demand for alcoholic drinks gave rise (as it always will) to numerous distilleries, which began to furnish an abundance of whisky, which numbers its victims by the millions. So prevalent had become the practice of drinking, and so many men had become confirmed drunk- ards, despite reiterated statements to the con- trary, that efforts, made in a few localities to end the manufacture and consumption, attracted general attention, and were imitated throughout not only Copley and vicinity, but over the State and country. These efforts received a splendid impetus in about 1830, at which time almost

every township in what is now Summit County organized well-attended temperance societies, and soon the various organizations could num- ber its members in the aggregate by thousands. In 1828, the church societies throughout the country recommended a day to be observed in humiliation, fasting and prayer, on account of the prevailing sin of intemperance. In accord- ance with this recommendation, a meeting was announced to be held for the purpose stated at the old log schoolhouse, on the northwest corner of Copley. The house was filled with enthusi- astic people, and prayers for the speedy termi- nation of the prevailing evil were freely offered. Remarks were made by several of those present, during which the pointed question was asked, " Is it consistent for Christians to pray for the abrogation of any particular sin, or evil, when their actions and influence favor its continu- ance ?" This question unmasked the whole situation, and led to a spirited discussion as to what should be done in the case by consistent and earnest Christian people. A committee was appointed to draft a constitution, which was to be submitted for adoption or rejection at a subsequent meeting. On the 29th of Janu- ary, 1829, the committee reported the following preamble and constitution, which is given in full, as it is said, on good authority, to have been the first one drafted and adopted in Ohio :

Viewing, with feelings of deep regret, the fatal consequences resulting from the intemperate use of ardent spirits, and believing that so far from con- tributing to health, happiness or prosperity, the immoderate use of ardent spirits has a direct ten- dency to destroy health, debase the understanding and corrupt the morals ; and that it introduces vice and misery into families, and has a demoralizing influence on the community at large.

We, therefore, the subscribers, professing to be friends to morality and good order, and desiring to lend our influence to check the progress of an evil so fatal in its consequences, do hereby form our- selves into a Temperance Society, by adopting and adhering to the following constitution :

ARTICLE 1. This society shall be called "The First Temperance Society of Medina County."

ART. 2. The object of the compact shall be the suppression of intemperance, by doing away with the unnecessary use of ardent spirits.

ART. 3. The members of this society pledge themselves not to use ardent spirits, unless neces- sary for the promotion of health or its restoration, and also to discourage their use by others.

ART. 4. (Refers to the duties and appointment of officers).

ART. 5. The members of the compact shall make use of the means in their power to prevent the in-

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temperate use of ardent spirits, and shall use their endeavors to disseminate a knowledge of the direful and fatal effects of intemperance upon individuals and upon society generally.

ART. 6. (Refers to the time of holding meetings). ART. 7. Each meeting shall be opened and closed by prayer.

ART. 8. Any person may be a member of this society, by signing the foregoing articles and ad- hering to the same.

ART. 9. This constitution may be altered by a majority vote of the society, notice being given to that effect at a previous meeting.

John Codding, of Coddingville, is believed to have been the writer of this constitution. It was the first declaration of temperate independ- ence in Ohio, and the first four persons who appended their "John Hancock's" to this in- teresting document are, in order, as follows : Lawrence Moore, John Codding, Burt Codding and Charles Goodwin. This organization did good work, and yet, apparently, it did not de- crease, in the least, the use of alcoholic drinks ; for, while some few signed and kept the pledge, many-through spite or otherwise-resisted the movement, and encouraged the manufacture and consumption of whisky. The organization of the society was largely brought about by the evil effects of several distilleries which had early been erected in the township, and which were doing a large business. The first one had been erected by Chancey and William Davis, about half a mile north of the Center, in the year 1820. Their grain was ground at neigh- boring mills, and finally at Akron, and, despite the establishment of temperance societies and the attack made on intemperance, this distil- lery was conducted for more than thirty years, turning out during its continuance large quan- tities of whisky, brandy, gin, and wine for sacramental and other purposes. It is said to have averaged as high as fifty gallons a day, and large quantities were shipped to distant points, and a fine revenue was returned to the owners. In about 1826, Allen Bosworth erected a distillery one-half mile west of the Center. He did a large, paying business for a number of years, and then rented the distillery to Alonzo Coon, who also conducted the business almost as extensively. It is said that the dis- tillery averaged about forty-five gallons a day while it was conducted. The building and ap- paratus were purchased in 1842, by Heman Oviatt, who almost immediately closed out the business. About this time, Alonzo Coon built

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 116

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