History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 86

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 86

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The Summit County Branch of the State Bank of Ohio, was organized at Cuyahoga Falls in 1845, by Joseph Hale, Horace H. Miller, William Rattle, H. B. Tuttle, and others, with a capital of $100,000, and Joseph Hale, as President, and H. B. Tuttle, Cashier.

In January, 1851, its stock was transferred to E. N. Sill, S. W. McClure, E. S. Comstock,

Charles Cantess and others-with E. N. Sill, President, and E. S. Comstock, Cashier-with which organization, with an occasional partial change in the Board of Directors, it operated till January, 1862, when J. H. Stanley was appointed Cashier, and without other change till the expiration of its charter in 1866, at which time the First National Bank of Cuyaho- ga Falls was organized with a capital of $50,- 000, by E. N. Sill, T. W. Connell, Henry New- berry, C. S. Sill and others, with E. N. Sill, President, and J. N. Stanley, Cashier. The First National continued business till April, 1869, when it sold its franchises to the First National Bank of Akron. Its stockholders then formed a banking partnership, under the firm name of the International Bank of Cuya- hoga Falls, with the same officers-which last organization is still continued. These three banks had no legal connection, but were prae- tically successors, their business never having been publicly interrupted during the thirty-six years now past.

After the completion of the Ohio & Erie Canal, it was thought indispensable to the pros- perity of this section of country that there should be a water communication between Cleveland and Pittsburgh, through the Western Reserve and Pennsylvania. After much exer- tion the Pennsylvania & Ohio Canal, extend- ing from Akron, Ohio, to Beaver, Penn., was completed. It passed through Cuyahoga Falls and entered the Cuyahoga River at Frank- lin Mills. A writer in 1837, says : "The Penn- sylvania & Ohio Canal, now in the course of rapid completion, forms a junction with the western section of the Pennsylvania Canal at New Castle, and unites with the Ohio Canal at Akron. It strikes the bank of the Cuyahoga River just below the village of Cuyahoga Falls, and passing through that village on the bank of the river adjoining, a water-power of about 150 feet fall in that stream, it passes through the villages of Monroe Falls and Franklin, affording to this part of the State a ready com- munication with the Ohio, with the interior of the State, Lake Erie, the Atlantic seaports, and furnishing the means of a ready exchange of the manufactures, the coal, and the various other productions of the one ; for the iron, the wool, the merchandise, and the agricultural productions of the other." But necessity for the canal had been greatly over-estimated, and

475

CUYAHOGA FALLS TOWNSHIP.

its tolls were never sufficient to pay expenses and keep it in repair. It was found, also, that as the country was already up, the volume of water in the Cuyahoga River was greatly re- duced, so that in the summer it was necessary to suspend some of the works at Cuyahoga Falls for want of power, on account of its be- ing diverted from the river by the canal at Franklin. At a later period, the railroads laid through this region being more direct and ex- peditious, rendered the canal unnecessary, and measures were taken to return the stream to its ancient bed. After much contention with the mill-owners at Akron, who alone were in- terested in keeping it open, the canal was final- ly vacated, and the water allowed to resume its old channel.

The growth and prosperity of Cuyahoga Falls have suffered for many years from a plan which was undertaken in early times to divert the water-power and use it elsewhere. Persons came to the village and bought separate por- tions of it. under profession of desiring to util- ize it on the spot, but when they had possessed themselves of the whole in the lower part of the town, they organized a company called the Portage Canal and Manufacturing Com- pany, popularly known as the "Chuckery Company." In 1843, they built a dam at the upper end of their purchase with a race be- ginning opposite what is now Hinde's Mill ; this race they carried at great expense to what is known as "Chuckery Plains," where they planned for a city of magnificent proportions, which they called "Summit City." They suc- ceeded in getting this through, but they got into quarrels among themselves and the work was stopped. Law-suits followed, and after years of litigation the company broke up and the scheme was abandoned. Their dam and race went to decay, and the ruins of the latter and the gloomy remembrances of surviving members of the " Chuckery Company," are all that remain of the magnificent scheme. "Sum- mit City," which was to have been one of the largest manufacturing places in the United States, has dissolved "into thin air."

In 1852, the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Rail- road was completed, thereupon steps were taken to build a railroad which should leave the first-mentioned road at Hudson and go south through Cuyahoga Falls. It resulted in what is now the Cleveland, Mount Vernon &

Columbus Railroad. It was opened to Akron before the close of the year, and, in two years, was completed as far as Millersburg. This gave to Cuyahoga Falls a new means of transit, and has done much to increase the prosperity and comfort of the people. The track runs near the bank of the river through the entire village, from north to south ; and, from its con- spicuous position, gives passengers an excel- lent view of the scenery, and of the natural advantages of the place as a business center. The road is convenient to all the shops, giv- ing them access to its cars without expense for side tracks, and offers superior inducements to manufacturers to invest their money where they have so many advantages at so little ex- pense for cartage or individual outlay, to ac- commodate their business.

In 1853, the school district library was com- menced, and for several years was kept in the school building. In 1873. the library, contain- ing 800 volumes, was removed to the business street, and, by the efforts of the G. A. R., was added to a free reading-room under the charge of J. H. Brainard, Librarian. In 1878, by the ef- forts of the Temperance Union. a building was constructed for the library and reading-room free to all. Under Mr. Brainard's charge, the reading-room has been supplied with the Cleve- land and Akron papers, and with scientific, ag- ricultural and literary periodicals, and the libra- ry has been increased by the addition of scien- tific statistical works.

JOSHUA L'HOMMEDIEU, Plaintiff, against In damages.

GEORGE A. WAIT and

ELIZABETHI W. WAIT, Defendants. J

Plaintiff complains of the said defendants for that the said plaintiff was on the 6th day of March, A. D. 1858, the owner and then in possession of a certain barrel or cask of brandy, then being and sit- nate in the Township of Cuyahoga Falls, County of Summit and State of Ohio.

Plaintiff further complains of the defendants for that on said 6th day of March. A. D. 1858, the said defendants did with force and arms, at the said township of Cuyahoga Falls, break open said barrel of brandy, whereby the contents of said barrel, to wit : twenty-five gallons of brandy, were wholly lost and destroyed, to the damage of the plaintiff. in the sum of $100. Whereupon the said plaintiff asks judgment against the said defendants for the sum of $100.

Such was the commencement of a suit for damages brought May 9, 1859, by Joshua L'Hommedien against the defendants above-

476

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

named, before C. W. Wetmore, a Justice of the Peace, in Cuyahoga Falls. The result of the suit was a judgment for $60. One of the de- fendants, Mrs. E. W. Wait, was said to have been one of the company of ladies engaged in what is known as the " Whisky Riots," on March 6. 1858, when divers barrels of whisky, brandy, beer and other " beverages " were taken vie et armis and emptied into the gutters of the vil- lage ; hence, the bringing of the above-men- tioned suit.

Cuyahoga Falls, during the war of the re- bellion, was not behind her sister towns in her readiness to assist the country in her sorest need. A large number of men were enlisted in several regiments and batteries. Of these, the following fill soldiers' graves : Capt. D. N. Low- ry, Thomas Evans, J. D. Cooke, J. I. Patterson, William Lyons, George 1 .. Holden, David Mc- Arthur, First Lieut. John Eadie, Jr., Second Lieut. J. C. Ely, J. W. Eddy, Robert Gaylord, I. J. Wood, C. Neeley, A. K. Goodrich, F. B. Pu- rine, Robert Green, Edward Green, John Patter- son, J. B. Lyon, Seneca Blood, John Congden, John Shellhorn, Charles E. Moon, G. G. Crane, J. Murphy, John C. Schneible, H. F. Eddy, H. J. Ingalls, J. Hogle. These names should be cherished as a precious treasure, to be handed down to posterity, that they may give them the honor they so justly deserve. To them and their many associates is due the preservation of the country in its integrity.

The people of Cuyahoga Falls were long noted for their social qualities. They came to the town from different places, having been reared under different influences. In the early settlement of the place, they were all, of course, brought into contact, and there was, of neces- sity, a toning down of many of the asperities peculiar to New England manners and habits. The consequence was, that there was a friend- ship which continues, though in a modified form, to the present day. Later years and the coming in of new residents have changed the aspect of affairs somewhat ; not, however, to the gain of happiness or the pleasures of social life. The recollections of the older inhabitants are always pleasant, as they go back over those early days, and the regret which they often ex- press because of the change shows how superior was the enjoyment then to what is now the rule. This, however, is not wholly the fault of the present. In those days, the inhabitants

were largely dependent on each other; their cares were confined to narrow bounds, and they were driven to find amusement in each other's company for the want of other resources. It was before the days of railroads or daily pa- pers, concerts or lyceum lectures.

The first resident preacher in Cuyahoga Falls was J. T. Holloway, recently deceased. He was a licensed local Methodist preacher. The first store opened was by Stow & Wetmore in 1825 ; another was brought in by Mr. Stanley in 1829, and opened on the corner of Water and Broad streets, north of the present covered bridge. The first birth in the village was Ed- ward, son of William Wetmore, Jr. This was in 1827. The first death was a son in the same family in 1826. The first adult who died in in the place, was the first wife of E. N. Sill, a daughter of Henry Newberry. The first mar- riage is believed to have been the daughter of Deacon Hamlin to Washington Butler. The first Postmaster was Henry Newberry, who held the office till he was led to resign it because of the pressure of his other business. The first bank in the county was the Summit County Bank, organized under the State banking law in Cuyahoga Falls.

Cuyahoga Falls has been visited by several destructive fires. In 1833, a warehouse be- longing to Stow & Wetmore, filled with paper stock was burned. In 1851, a flouring-mill, the property of these gentlemen, was likewise destroyed by fire. In 1866, a stone building, known at the time as the bank building, which stood upon the site of James' Block, and occu- pied by H. C. Lockwood, with several adjoin- ing structures, were consumed. At this fire, John Marsh Hinde lost his life. The woolen- mill on the west side of the river, as previously mentioned, was burned ; also the paper mill on the same side, twice. Messrs. Bill's machine shop and foundry, and the Empire Paper Mill, belonging to Hanford Brothers were burned in 1872. Several residences have gone down in devouring flames, but, generally, they were not of great value. From the earliest times, the village has been exceedingly fortunate as to its dwellings, in regard to fires. Since the forego- ing was written, the works of the Falls Wire Manufacturing Company were largely burned. This occurred on the evening of March 31, 1881. They will be immediately rebuilt.

Cuyahoga Falls has become noted as a sum-

477

CUYAHOGA FALLS TOWNSHIP.

mer resort. High Bridge, Glens and Caves, Big Falls, Silver Lake and tiny steamboats upon the river, are the chief attractions. The Lake and Big Falls are outside of, but near to, the corporate limits. The High Bridge is elsewhere described. At this structure, the entrance to the Glens and Caves, a rude stair- way has been constructed, which leads down to a plateau, where has been erected a building with spacious dining-room and kitchen at- tached, where dinner and other parties are served refreshments, and under the same roof is a restaurant, where everything in the line of refreshments can be had. On this level is also a fine eroquet ground and numerous rustic seats, shadowed by overhanging, high perpen- dicular rocks.

A few feet below is Lovers' Retreat, a broad ledge of rocks, shadowed by large forest trees, and down still another flight of stairs, close by the river-side, hedged in by rustic work, is a broad, level surface, which forms the entrance to Fern Cave, a subterranean cavity in the solid rock, 35x54 feet in dimensions. This retreat is supplied with numerous rude seats of iron and wood, where those weary from climbing can rest. Leaving the Cave, we pass down the strongly-braced stairway, running diagonally with the face of the wall, and reach Observa- tion Roek, a huge stone of over one hundred tons' weight. From this point, a magnificent view is presented to the eye. Looking back and up the stream, one gets a fine view of the waterfalls above, of from fifteen to twenty feet in height ; also High Bridge, some eighty feet above. Still farther below, and immedi- ately under Fern Cave, is Doves' Retreat, a huge cavern, with an overhanging roof of roek twenty-five feet above. To the right and down the stream is Suspension Bridge. which erosses the stream above high-water mark. It is made of strong rods of iron, erossing the chasm, se- curely fastened to huge bowlders upon either side, with strong hand-rails, and affords a se- cure passage over the foaming. surging waters

below. Crossing the bridge, we are upon the east side of the river, near Cascade Point, which is a lovely retreat, reached by a path made of rocks and bowlders, under Weeping Cliffs, a solid wall of overhanging rock, one hundred feet in height, and fringed at the top with hemlock and birch trees. Here a beauti- ful spring of cold mineral water gushes forth from the face of the rock, climbing over and under a high point. A broad avenue is pre- sented, which borders the rugged bed of the stream for a mile. This is ealled the Grand Promenade, and is hedged in on one side by lofty, overhanging rocks, and on the other by innumerable shade trees and the winding river. Here sunlight has to struggle for an entrance, and it is always a cool and romantie retreat. Swings and croquet here abound. Ferns and mosses literally cover the grounds and rocks upon every side.

Boys & Clarkson had a steamer built in Akron by William Paine, in 1878, and has run on the river two seasons. It is called the Sil- ver Wave. It cost $1,200. The boat is now owned by J. N. Clarkson. This was the first one on this stream. Another boat was built in Cuyahoga Falls in 1880. She ran one season only. She was built by Dailey & Barker. The boating distances on the river run by these boats is from the upper dam to Snakes' Den and Goose Egg Island. The round trip is three miles ; fare 10 cents, during the boating season.

There is but one public hall in Cuyahoga Falls. It is now called Apollo Hall, formerly James' Hall. It is located in the third story of James' Block, and was completed in 1869. It was opened April 12 of that year, with a coll- eert given by Miss Fannie A. Sill and her pu- pils. The seating capacity of the hall is 500, with standing room for 200. It was refitted and newly decorated in 1879, having new and elaborate scenery. The proprietors are George Sackett, O. B. Beebe and W. O. Beebe.

478

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

CHAPTER XVII .*

CUYAHOGA FALLS-EDUCATIONAL-CUYAHOGA FALLS INSTITUTE-CHURCHES-SKETCHES OF THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS-BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES-THE MANU-

FACTURING INTERESTS -GENERAL BUSINESS.

THE subject of education has always held a high place in the estimation of the people of Cuyahoga Falls, as evinced by the interest manifested by them in their common schools. Previous to the erection of a new township out of the corners of Stow. Tallmadge, Northamp- ton and Portage, the village schools were those belonging to these several townships. How- ever, soon after the organization of the town- ship of Cuyahoga Falls and the creation of a Township Board of Education, the whole terri- tory was erected into one school district, as will hereafter be shown. Previous to this time, the history of the schools is that only of ordinary district schools of the country ; but with the new order of things began an increased interest in these " nation's colleges."

The school building located north of St. John's Church edifice was built by the Wesley- ans for church purposes. The structure was afterward sold to the School Directors for a high school. In 1872, the new high school building was ready for use and that school was transferred to it, since which time the other house has been used for schools of a lower grade. The two accommodate all the schools of the village. The smaller structures-the district schoolhouses-have all been sold.

In pursuance of an act passed by the Legis- lature of Ohio, entitled " An act to provide for the re-organization, supervision and mainte- nance of common schools." the following-named persons-L. L. Holden, Clerk of the Directors of Cuyahoga Falls School District No. 1 ; P. J. Lee, Clerk of Union District No. 8; and Charles Clark, Township Clerk-met at the office of MeClure & Mckinney and organized a Board of Education for Cuyahoga Falls, by appointing L. L. Holden Chairman, the Town- ship Clerk being by law the Clerk of the Board of Education. This was on the 18th of April, 1853. That portion of School District No. 8 "Contributed by C. W. Butterfield.

lying in the township of Cuyahoga Falls, and the Cuyahoga Falls School District No 1, were united and formed into one district on the 24th of April, 1854, to be known as the " Cuyahoga Falls School District." On the 26th of June, L. L. Holden was appointed Acting Manager of Schools for the township. On the 15th day of May, 1855, " Mr. Taylor " was "appointed Prin- cipal of the Central School," and "Mrs. Tay- lor" his assistant. Together they were to be paid the sum of $700 "for the year of forty weeks." On that day the Board " Resolved, That we attach great importance to the good government of a school and the moral instruc- tions which the children receive, and the thor- oughness with which they are drilled in the pri- mary branches and first principles of educa- tion."

On the 25th day of May, 1855, the record of the board says : "This day sold to John Love the schoolhouse near the Widow Gaylord's for the sum of $100." For the school year ending August 31, 1857, the whole number of pupils enrolled was 482; number of teachers em- ployed, 7-one male and six females. Union District No. 10 in Tallmadge and Cuyahoga Falls Townships was discontinued June 18, 1858. H. K. Taylor, Principal, on the 1st day of July, 1861, " made a summary report from the high school, showing general improvement in scholarship and deportment for the last month." Seventeen days thereafter, Mr. L. H. Delano was "employed to teach the Central school ; whereupon, on the 1st day of August following, " a petition numerously signed by citizens of Cuyahoga Falls was presented " to the board, asking them "to reconsider their action changing the Principal of the high school or resign ; " but they did neither.

The Board of Education resolved July 2, 1863, " that William I. Chamberlain, of Hud- son, be employed to teach as Principal in the high school at a salary of $600 per annum."

479

CUYAHOGA FALLS TOWNSHIP.

The total number of youth enrolled in the schools at this date was 452. The number of schoolhouses was five ; the number of schools, five-four common schools and one high school. The school library was valued at $300, having on its shelves 755 volumes. June 24, 1864, Mr. Chamberlain's salary was raised to $75 a month.

On the 26th of June, 1865, George Mc- Laughlin was employed to teach the Central school as Principal at a salary of $650 per annum. At this time, besides the central school, there were the southwest primary, southeast primary, northeast primary and northwest primary. The next year, the salary of the Principal was raised to $750. July 18, 1866, W. C. Rogers was employed as Principal of the central or high school at a salary of $75 per month. The successor of Mr. Rogers as Principal was B. B. Tremlin, who was em- ployed in December, 1866.

On the 16th of January, 1867, at a meeting of the electors of the township, it was resolved to move all the schools into one building. On the 16th of February, 1867, at a meeting of the qualified voters of Cuyahoga Falls School District, it was moved and carried that a tax not exceeding three-fourths of one per cent be levied annually for a period not exceeding five years, for the purpose of building a central or union schoolhouse in the village. On the 17th of May, 1867, the qualified electors voted " that the School Directors be authorized to purchase of H. A. Miller for a schoolhouse site, the nine lots north of the hotel lots, be- tween Front and Second streets, and south of Stow street.

Virgil P. Kline was, on July 1, 1867, em- ployed as Principal. At this time, there were five common schools in the district and the high school. The number of pupils enrolled was 456. The total value of schoolhouses and grounds was $2,400. It was voted by the board, on the 5th of November of that year, that, "Whereas, it is ascertained that at the last school 'exhibition a young lady's dress was accidentally damaged seriously, and that there remains unexpended some of the avails of said exhibition, the sum of $3 be paid out of said avails to the owner of said dress." At a meeting of the qualified voters of the district, held January 3, 1868, it was voted that the site of the new central schoolhouse should be

the "Cooke Lot." This lot was deeded by James H. Cooke to the district in consideration of $1. The deed conveyed two acres of land on the south side of the old township line road and forty-eight rods east of Newberry street, conditioned that the building should be commenced within five years. On the 8th of May, 1868, the salary of Mr. Kline was raised to $1,000.

On the 12th of May, 1869, the board deter- mined that the school building to be erected should be three stories high. At the same time A. Koehler, architect, of Cleveland, was employed to prepare necessary plans and specifications for the house. In July, 1869, Miss Booth "agreed to remain in the high school as teacher another year, upon a salary of $1,000," Mr. Kline having declined to labor any longer as Principal. The pupils of the intermediate school were taken into the high school.

On the 4th day of August, 1869, the board contracted with George Allison, of Tallmadge, for the erection of the basement story of the new Union Schoolhouse, for the sum of $5,200. On the 7th of September following, Ed- ward Sill was engaged as Principal of the high school at a salary of $900. The number of schoolhouses was four frame and one brick ; total, five. On the 29th of November an ad- ditional tax was voted by the qualified voters of the district to erect the school building, of three-fourths of one per cent. An agreement was entered into by the board with George Allison, on the 1st day of March, 1870, to do the mason work for the school building, except the plastering, for $11,701.51. They agreed with Dunn & Witt, of Cincinnati, for $2,630, to have the roofing and galvanized iron work done. The Board engaged George Thomas & Son, of Akron, for the residue of the work, in- cluding joiner work, painting, plastering, etc., for the sum of $12,400. The original contract price, therefore, for the building amounted to $31,931.51. This, of course, was exclusive of heating the building. This cost an additional $3,000. There was also paid Mr. Allison for extra work $617.37. The contract for seating the building was made on the 21st of June, 1871. There was allowed Thomas & Son $1,698 for extra work.

Miss A. A. Booth was engaged as Superin- tendent of the public schools at a salary of

480

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

$1,200, on the 12th of July, 1871. It was voted at an election held April 8, 1872, by the qualified voters of the district, to sell the Cen- tral schoolhouse and the four primary school- houses and their lots. The northwest primary school building was sold for $800. The ex- pense of seating the new high school building was $1,773.50. The northeast primary school- house and lot was sold for $400.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 86

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