History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 117

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

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another on the opposite side of the road. He also manufactured extensively for some four years, when he severed his connection with the business. Daniel Arnold erected a distillery in about the year 1840, and for some ten or twelve years averaged about twenty-five gallons of liquor a day, at the end of which time he like- wise changed his occupation. William Wel- house built an institution of the same kind about the same time, and averaged some forty gallons a day during the greater part of ten years. This sums up the record of these dis- tilleries, and yet it is impossible to write their complete history. Who shall tell of the evil done by them, of the homes and lives made desolate, of the misery created in families that before were bright with the sunshine of happi- ness. The business was so common, that those engaged in it thought no evil of what they were doing ; and, in earlier days, the manufacture was considered respectable and even laudable, as the distilleries furnished a market for grain, and supplied whisky, which, on account of cus- tom, was indispensable to farm management. It thus occurred, that many of the most re- spected and prominent citizens were engaged in the manufacture and sale of liquor.

It is thought that Chancey and William Davis built the first saw-mill in the township. It was located a short distance north of the village. They put in the same building a turn- ing-lathe and one run of stone for grinding grain. A dam was built across Pigeon Creek, and a fair water-power was obtained by means of a race. After operating the mill about ten years, it was sold to Reuben Lord. It after- ward was owned and operated for short peri- ods by Col. John Stearns, Charles Fuller, Hen- ry Clark, George Welhouse, Charles Crum, Henry Stimpson, Ransom Arnold, and several others. It is yet standing, and is owned by Mr. Arnold. While in the possession of Mr. Lord, the turning-lathe and set of stones were removed, and were not afterward replaced. The mill has always been a good one, and, in its time, has furnished large quantities of lum- ber, much of which may yet be found in dwell- ings and other buildings over a large tract of country.

Lawrence Moore built a saw-mill in about the year 1830, locating it on Yellow Creek, in the northwest part of the township. It was abandoned at the end of some ten or

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twelve years. A saw-mill was built on Wolf Creek, in about the year 1832, by Col. John Stearns, but was sold a year or two later to Benjamin Stimpson, who, after operating it six or eight years, sold out to John Hetrick, upon whose hands it ran down, and was not subse- quently rebuilt or re-operated. Parker & Tyler built one on the same stream a year or two after the erection of the last mentioned, and after operating it quite extensively fifteen or twenty years, it was purchased by Allen Par- dee, who improved it and built a grist-mill on the same dam. The saw-mill was soon afterward discontinued. Peter and Levitt Wicks also built a saw-mill on Wolf Creek prior to 1835. At the expiration of about five years, the mill was purchased by George Welhouse, under whose management it was conducted success- fully for about fifteen years, when it went into the possession of Mr. Austin, who removed the machinery to another locality. Chancey Davis and Col. Stearns built a saw-mill in the swamps in the eastern part, in about the year 1844. It ran for a number of years, and was burned down, but was rebuilt. It was aban- doned long ago. Two or three others have been built in the swamps in later years, the most of which have been operated by steam. David Grill built one within the corporate lim- its of the village some seven years ago. It is operated by steam. A carding-mill was erected at an early day on Wolf Creek, but af- ter two or three years, the enterprise was aban- doned.

The grist-mill, conducted by the Davis Broth- ers north of town, was the first in Copley. Allen Pardee conducted his grist-mill, men- tioned above, until some sixteen years ago. Charles Zeigler owns and operates the mill at present. It is said that Allen Pardee was the only one among the early owners of grist-mills who derived a paying income from the busi- ness. The mill under his management is said to have been excellent, and a large amount of merchant work was done in addition to the reg- ular custom work. Mr. Welhouse, at the time he got possession of the saw-mill on Wolf Creek, built a grist-mill on the same dam, which was burned down some ten years later. It was a good mill, and did good work. Col. Stearns and Darwin Clark built a grist-mill at the Center in about 1858, in which were placed three run of stone. The mill started finely, but,

two years later, was burned to the ground, and was not afterward rebuilt.

In 1837, a stock company was formed for the purpose of furnishing teams and a stage, to be run from Cleveland to Massillon, by the way of Brecksville, Copley and Clinton. Some $2,500 worth of stock was subscribed and paid in, and sixteen horses were purchased to be used on the route. The round trip from Cleveland was made in two days by a change of horses at the different stations. The Shepard Brothers, at Brecksville, had been largely instrumental in securing the subscription, and some twenty or twenty-five men along the route had taken stock in the company, several of whom lived in Cop- ley. About a year after the stage began run- ning, for some cause which the writer was un- able to learn, all the horses were taken to Cleveland, where they were detained, and the stage ceased its regular trips. The company was not incorporated, the members being simply bound together by a naked contract. The de- tention of the horses at Cleveland was probably a scheme to defraud the greater number of the members out of their stock. But this was not to be permitted, and several citizens along the route went to Cleveland and got at least a num- ber of the horses, and the matter was finally adjusted.

The first building at the center was a log schoolhouse, located opposite Mr. Cole's Hotel, and was built in the year 1819. In referring to the village, the present corporate limits are not included, but simply the clusters of houses at the geographical center. According to the reports, the next building was the Thomas store, built by Peter and Levitt Wicks in about the year 1826. These men, as stated by several, placed in the building about $500 worth of goods, which they continued to sell until they were bought ont by Oviatt & Baldwin. Other reports are to the effect that the Wicks Brothers did not keep a stock of goods at all. but that the storeroom was unoccupied until it was pur- chased by Oviatt & Baldwin. At least, it is known that the latter firm placed goods valued at about $2,000 in the room, in about the year 1832, and continued selling some five years, when the partnership was dissolved, and the junior member entered the Cole Hotel, which had been erected by him two years before, and formally opened the building for the entertain. ment of the public. After the dissolution of

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

the partnership, Mr. Oviatt almost immediately retired, and engaged in other pursuits. Patch & Robinson succeeded him, probably buying his stock of goods, which was increased ; but these men retired after about one year and a half. They were followed by Robert Codding, who likewise engaged in other pursuits after two or three years. The room remained unoc- cupied for a short time ; but, in 1845, Augus- tus Warner entered it with a small stock, which was steadily increased, until, at the ex- piration of six years, it was worth at least $3,000. He kept a good store, and is said to have made considerable money, which he knew how to save. Nash & Stebbins followed War- ner, but two years later they were succeeded by John Starr, who continued until the spring of 1865, making in the meantime no little money. He then sold to Mr. Lamey, who, at the end of eighteen months, transferred the stock to William P. Craig, the latter remaining in the business some six years. Nathan Furst was Craig's partner, at least, a portion of the time. He continued the pursuit after the re- tirement of Craig, but six months later failed, and his goods were sold at auction and other- wise throughout the surrounding country. The building was then vacant a year or so, after which Mr. Gardner placed in it a small stock of goods ; but in abont 1875, O. T. Lane be- gan with a new stock, and two years later sold to Callow & Leonard. The building is at pres- ent occupied by Mr. Thomas.

The town hall building was erected by Joseph and Henry White in about the year 1837. It was designed for a storeroom, but for some reason unexplained was not entered until about 1841, when Wicks & Parmele placed a stock of goods in the building, and conducted the mercantile pursuit some three years, when Par- melee purchased his partner's share, and soon afterward removed his stock to the Welhouse settlement, at which place he sold goods for a number of years. Two or three other parties were in the White building for a short time. i George Babcock was in with a small stock some twelve years before the last war, but with- drew at the expiration of about two years, and the building has not been used since as a store- room. This has been the extent of the mer- cantile pursuit in Copley Center, though there have been one or two country stores in the western part of the township. The tavern

building has been used as such the greater por- tion of the time since it was built and opened by Andrew Baldwin. Since then, the follow- ing and others have kept public house in the village : Noah Robinson, Hiram Randall, Mr. Van Evera, Lewis Norton and Daniel Taylor. The building was used a number of years by Oviatt & Stearns as a cheese dry-house. It is now occupied by Dennis Cole, an experienced landlord, whose personal appearance in every way resembles that of his fellow-countryman, the patron saint of boys (not girls), Santa Claus, or Knecht Clobes. It is also true that-

"The stump of a pipe he holds tight in his teeth. And the smoke it encircles his head like a wreath, HIe has a broad face and a little round body

That shakes when he laughs like a bowl full of toddy."

Various industries have flourished in the village. Isaac Moneysmith, as early as 1833. erected a suitable building, and began doing cabinet work. He employed three or four workmen, and made bedsteads, tables, bureaus, chairs, etc., and continued until about 1837, when Douglass Storr became proprietor. This man continued the business perhaps ten years, or possibly longer, manufacturing coffins and running a hearse a portion of the time. The building was finally burned down. Dow Ben- nett was engaged in cabinet business for a short time. Soon after the last war, Coon & Son started a cheese factory, one-half mile west of the Center, and have continued doing a good business since. The White Brothers opened a wagon-shop in about the year 1832. They employed some four workmen, and continued the occupation ten years, when they sold to W. P. Craig, who, at the end of three or four years, transferred the property to William Whitehill, in whose ownership it burned down. It was rebuilt by Henry Leiby about eight years ago. Edward Voluntine now owns the shop, and is doing a fair business. The public green or square at the Center was the joint gift of four men, whose land in early years cornered at the cross-roads. These four men were Heman Oviatt, Levitt Wicks, Simon P. Starr and Jon- athan Starr, who gave the land in about the year 1832. It is said that Mr. Oviatt. about the same time, laid ont a number of lots on the northwest corner, which were platted and prop- erly recorded at the county seat. Additions have since been made to the original lots, and

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possibly some of these additions have been recorded. A Grange lodge was organized in the village a few years ago. Dr. Alpheus Bab- cock, who was among the earliest settlers, began practicing his profession soon after his arrival, and continued some ten years. Dr. Elijah Canfield practiced in the township for thirty years, over a large section of country. Dr. Samuel Austin was in for a few years. Dr. Jackson Chapman began about 1835, and con- tinned twelve or fifteen years. Dr. Byron Chapman was the township physician about thirty-five years ago. The township, since its creation, has had a resident physician the greater portion of the time, several of whom secured a wide practice and the confidence of their fellow-citizens.

Opinion is divided in the township as to where the first school was taught, and where and when the first house was built. The old log schoolhouse at the Center, as before men- tioned, was erected in 1819, and the first term therein was taught the following winter by Jonathan Starr. Other reports are to the ef- fect that while Starr might have taught the first school in the township, he was not the first teacher in the old house at the Center, this honor being accorded to John Codding, Esq. They were both very early teachers, and it may be that the first school was taught in the old log schoolhouse in the northwest corner of the township, instead of in the schoolhouse at the Center, as it is known that the Hawkins Schoolhouse was built very early, some ac- counts fixing the date before that when the log house was built at the Center. The subse- quent township historian will be allowed the honor and pleasure of unraveling the mystery. The old house at the Center was used for school and many other purposes some ten or twelve years, when a frame building was erected on the square to take its place, after which it was abandoned. The frame building was used as a schoolhouse until the erection of the brick building in about 1858, and possibly several terms were taught there after the erection of the brick. It is said that two or three years before the last war was begun, two or three schools were in session in the village at the same time. The frame building is now used as a shop, and the brick was disused in 1872, when the present house was devoted to school purposes. This building is located in the

southern part of the village, and since it has been used the village has had an excellent school. In truth, no other village in the county of the same size, except, perhaps, Peninsula, in Boston Township, has had so much to do with school ventures and enterprises as Copley Center. A short time before the last war, the villagers became dissatisfied with the appli- ances made of the township school fund. They saw that, while the village had no better schools than those in surrounding districts, the Center District was paying a much greater amount of school tax than any of the others. New schoolhouses in neighboring districts were erected, and the villagers were burdened with a tax which seemed out of proportion, and which they paid only under remonstrance. The subject was freely discussed, and it was at last resolved to secure the incorporation of the Center School District, which was accordingly done. This procedure freed them from any school tax, save that necessary for the main- tenance of their own school. The interest in school affairs had arisen to high-water mark, and while at the flood the tide was turned in the proper direction, and it may be said that, since the incorporation of the district for school purposes, the interest in educational progress has been strong and steady. In about 1858, the building now used as a town hall, which had been built at an early day for a storehouse, was purchased for $1,000, by ten men, each of whom furnished $100. These men were M. D. Pratt, Cyrus Wicks, J. H. Lyon, John C. Stearns, Peter Wicks, James Hammond, Aaron Oviatt, Lorenzo Chamberlain. Delos Bosworth and Alanson Foster. They fitted up the build- ing for a schoolhouse, and employed Rev. John Ensell, a capable instructor and a scholarly gentleman, to take charge of the school, which was then opened. A goodly number of schol- ars was enrolled, and a moderate tuition paid, and it seemed as if the school was destined to exert a wide and beneficial influence. But the war came on with its damaging influence. other discouraging events arose, and the school ended some five years after it began. The school in the northwest corner has always been a good one. It is a union district. comprising parts of Copley, Bath, Granger and Sharon. It was an early settled neighborhood. and on account of the interest which centered there. became well known and largely attended. One

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or more new houses have taken the place of the old log one. In other neighborhoods than the northwest corner and the Center, schools were not taught until about 1828, and in some districts even later than that. It was about that period, also, that the township was first laid out into school districts.

Two religious societies were organized in the township, but the date when this occurred can not be given, at least with certainty. The Methodists and Congregationalists started up about the same time, and the date is not far from 1830. Among the leading Methodists were Joseph and Henry White, Parker Tyler, Alphens Northrup and others. In the winter of 1836-37, this society had the greatest re- vival probably ever in the township. The sweeping statement is made, "Why, everybody joined church." Two ministers of State reputa- tion-Dr. Cone and Elder Poe-had charge of the meetings, and under their experienced and able guidance and management, scores were converted and the churches strength- ened by large additions to the membership. Alpheus Northrup was a local minister, about whom a curious incident is related by M. D. Pratt. Pratt was converted-at least, he joined the Methodist Church-and one day Northrup came to him and wanted to borrow one of his horses, of which he owned several, some of them being idle. The request was readily granted, and the local man of God rode the animal away. After two or three weeks had elapsed, several of the neighbors' boys, at dif- ferent times, spoke to Mr. Pratt, saying that the horse which had been borrowed was getting poor and did not appear to be well taken care of, upon which the owner conferred with the minister about the matter, the latter confessing that the animal was getting thin, and saying that he would get some grain and see that bet- ter care was taken in the future. A few weeks later, the minister called on Mr. Pratt, saying that the horse was dead, and expressing his de- sire to pay for the damage done. He also in- sisted that, under existing circumstances, the price should be cut down at least half. Mr. Pratt, glad to get anything for the animal from the minister, who was in extremely indigent circumstances, agreed to the proposal, and the

price was fixed at $25. Northrup gave his note for the amount, and took his departure. A few days later, Pratt was astonished to see the minister riding the animal which was re- ported to have died, and he perceived that he had been outflanked. He kept still, however, hoping to realize on the note ; but time passed away, the day of maturity came around, but nothing was paid, and thus the matter rests to- day. It is said that Mr. Northrup's mind was injured in some way, and that he often did pe- culiar things-things which otherwise would reflect seriously on his honest intentions. Mr. Pratt tells the tale with some bitterness, which, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, may be permitted. The Congregational society grew in strength and grace, and among its early members were the following : Law- rence Moore, Heman Oviatt, Joseph and Sam- uel Hawkins and Andrew Baldwin. In the year 1844, the two societies united means and erected the church at the Center. Here they have continued to assemble alternately until the present. Each society has had its years of adversity and prosperity, sometimes rejoicing in the strength of a large membership and an abundance of funds, at other times reduced in numbers, funds depleted, and a noticeable lack of religious zeal. That the societies have done a great deal to improve the morals of the com- munity and control the wayward tendency of youth, is apparent to all who will soberly think of the subject. However skeptical a man may be, though his opinions may be those of Diab- olus himself, he cannot successfully deny the beneficent effect of good morals on society. He may denounce the church and traduce its servants, yet he cannot truthfully deny that it creates a world-wide benefit to the human race. A Methodist Church was built at quite an early day on the northern line of the township, the members living both in Copley and Bath. The The building is now used as a dwelling in the village of Ellis' Corners, if the historian has been correctly informed. Citizens in the west- ern part of Copley attend church in Medina County, while many of those on the opposite side attend the Akron churches when the weather is fair.

Clevelandy

han alling

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TWINSBURG TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER

XXXI .*

TWINSBURG TOWNSHIP-PHYSICAL AND CLIMATIC FEATURES-EARLY SETTLEMENT AND IM- PROVEMENT-PROGRESS OF INDUSTRIES-INCIDENTS OF PERSONAL NATURE -TWINSBURG INSTITUTE - SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

L OCAL history possesses a peculiarity which Jevades a cursory view, remaining concealed until persons of greater penetration peer be- neath the covering of average superficial human thought. People must be content with an ac- curate, though sifted, partial narration of events. Innumerable transactions and events occur in life that should and must forever remain unre- corded, that should die out in memory with the age in which they transpired. History, at best, is but a partial narration of particulars, depend- ing largely upon the mental and moral caliber and culture of the writer. Perhaps no two writers, in describing the same historical event, will present the same features, the same shades of thought or sentiment, the same degree of power and importance which each composing clement bears to its fellows or to the whole. Historians cannot, especially if they were absent when the event transpired, which is usually the case, they cannot write all the cir- cumstances, all the motives, all the intricate blendings and relations of which an occurrence is composed. They must give an outline, must give the salient points with their proper degree of importance, must overleap the dark chasms of non-essentials which yawn beneath them, and touch only on the heights where the sun- shine of human experience, human nature and human frailties reveals not only the object for which history is written, but the long vistas of prominent events which are to be recorded for future usefulness and improvement.

The peculiarity spoken of, which is connected with the narration of local history, consists in the writer's being required by an inexperienced and short-sighted people to give an account of occurrences which are better unrecorded, which have no special significance nor value in com- ing years, which are a clog to the mind of the reader while endeavoring to decipher the more important events from the general obscurity, *Contributed by W. A. Goodspced.

and which are only required that they may answer individual ends. On the other hand, the historian must be careful, must be broad of heart and mind, that he may grasp the local situation, and paint events in their true colors ; must be argus-eyed, that nothing may escape his scrutiny ; and must be honest and consei- entious, that his discoveries may be truthfully recorded. He should also be a good judge of human nature, that the suggestions of selfish and bigoted people may be impartially scanned, and accepted or rejected. Events are often omitted, which, apparently, should have been given ; and again, events are often given which should have been omitted. Human judgment is prone to err " as the sparks to fly upward ;" and even historians are not exceptions to this rule. It is the object in these pages to give only that portion of the past that is worthy of preservation. Trifling personal incidents, ad- ventures and ambitions are omitted, except such as show the surroundings under which the settlers labored ; and the great mass of histor- ical rubbish, though perhaps of present interest, is thrown aside as useless and burdensome. Only those events which will be valuable twenty generations hence are designed to be given.

Twinsburg is situated in the northeast corner of the county. It was originally attached to Portage County, from which it was severed when Summit County was formed. Lying as it does at the side of Northfield, its soil par- takes largely of the valuable character of the latter. There are several valuable stone quar- ries lying so near the surface that a heavy blast of powder would, apparently, throw out hun- dreds of perches of the gritty sandstone. As it is, large quantities are taken out, and are used not merely in the county, but in adjacent counties. The township is well watered, and also well drained. In times of drought, the wells are not so liable to fail as those located on the bluffs which bound the Cuyahoga

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 117

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