History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 92

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 92

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The first school was taught in this township by Justus Remington in 1809, and the school- house was built on the north side of a road, from McArthur's Corners to Elisha Prior's, and run diagonally across Lots 17 and 18. The house stood on the lot line between lands now

owned by H. P. Smith and Martin Shellhorn. Since that time, and within the radius of a half mile. there have been erected six different buildings in which schools were taught. But, owing to geographical diversities and configura- tion of land, schools for the whole youth of the township have been maintained at great incon- venience. The river divides the township into two sections, almost inaccessible to each other, and the deep gullies running down into the river valley form almost impassable barriers, making opportunities for schooling a portion of the children exceedingly difficult. Under the general school laws of Ohio, seven subdistricts and three union school districts were formed where most thorough and efficient schools have been maintained, and the pupils are in no way inferior to those of surrounding townships. Many of the youth have been educated abroad. Emory A. Prior entered Buchtel College at Akron in 1871, and graduated with the degree of B. S. in 1873. Thence he entered the Law Department of Harvard University at Cam- bridge, Mass., from which he graduated in 1877, and was the same year admitted to the bar before the District Court of Cleveland. Miss Viola Smithi also commenced a course of study at Buchtel College in 1872. which she pursued for two years, then changed to Western Reserve College, from which she (the first of her sex) graduated in 1876. She has since then pursned certain courses of study in Cor- nell University, New York, and at Harvard, in Cambridge. John A. Johnston, Rial Smith. S. Hart, J. Botzum, George and Frank Billman, T. W. Motz and several others are now, or have been, students in either Western Reserve or Buchtel College.

Methodism was the pioneer religious denom- ination of Northampton. Most of the early families were members of this church. Before the organization of a society, the believers of both sexes would walk or ride on horseback to Darrow Street, or Hudson. on a Thursday even- ing, to attend prayer-meeting, which could not be doubted as a sufficient test of their sincerity and devotion. Protracted and quarterly meet- ings were held in the private residences, barns or groves, and were attended by those from miles around. Among the early preachers were Revs. Crawford, Jones. McLean, Ford, Stearns, Holloway and one Gavit, a " four foot" dwarf. and notoriously smart. Compared with the

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IIISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

larger ministers, he was said to be as a silver sixpence among the coarser copper coins- smaller but worth them all. He could interest and hold spellbound by his eloquence, and practical hits, the large audiences he addressed. A missionary purse was raised, and he was thought to be a suitable person to send West to convert the heathen. The last heard of him he was said to be comfortably located, and in possession of a fine farm in Michigan, bought with church missionary funds. No early record of this denomination can now be found, but among the papers of the late Job Harrington, who was an active member, there are found evi- dences of a most prosperous Sabbath school as far back as 1831.

The Methodists in 1855, by the help of other denominations and contributions from the citi- zens generally, without regard to theological opinions, erected a large and commodious church edifice at the center of the township. The prime movers in this undertaking were O. F. Rice, Isaac Scott, S. W. Harrington, S. R. Perkins, Elisha Prior, Samuel McLoney and others. The building when completed cost about $2,000, and reflected much credit on the building committee, the citizens generally, and specially to the architect and builder, J. C. Johnston.

The Baptists for many years kept up a flour- ishing organization, and numbered among its members some of the best citizens of the town- ship.

The Congregationalists were also, at one time, quite numerous, and they also built a church edifice at Steel's Corners, and occupied it for years, but by reason of removal, loss by death and other causes, the members became reduced, and the building was taken down and removed to the sewer pipe and tile works of H. B. Camp & Company, Cuyahoga Falls. Un- der the ministrations of Rev T. B. Tait, this Congregational society fused with the Method- ists, when they became one organization at the building of the center church edifice.

One John Smith and family of this place be- came early converts to the Mormon faith. They were frequently visited by Prophet Joseph Smith and his associate Rigdon, while the Mor- mons were at Kirtland, and upon their removal to Nauvoo, Smith with his family, which had been baptized in Northampton, went with them. and thence to Salt Lake City. In the early

days, a few of the citizens of this township joined the Masonic Order, but the opposition and prejudice caused by the supposed Morgan murder, prevented its being very generally en- dorsed, and those who became members joined lodges in other localities. Since that time, some have associated themselves with Odd Fellows, Sons of Temperance, etc. In March of the centennial year, there was a Grange or- ganized or Order of Patrons of Husbandry, which is an unobjectionable association of farmers, with their wives and families, united for social and educational purposes. This so- ciety numbers among its members some of the most progressive and intelligent farmers in the community. Since its organization, George W. Bailey has been its presiding officer. It was in an exceedingly prosperous condition, numbering over one hundred members, until driven into litigation to defend itself against the collection of an illegal claim, in a suit brought up against it by the officers and Ex- ecutive Committee of Ohio State Grange. This suit, after creating considerable disturbance and ill-feeling, was finally decided in favor of Northampton Union Grange. Although this township was early the location of distilleries, they were soon discontinued and the inhabit- ants have usually been sober and temperate. Whenever necessary temperance societies have been organized and sustained with good effect. The " Murphy's Society," of 1879, with Mrs. Lodica Jones as President, and Miss Hattie Harrington as Secretary, has proved a most ef- ficient power in the work of reformation. The Literary and Dramatic Club, of 1881, has de- veloped sufficient talent so gain some notoriety.

In the war of the Revolution, Northampton, being peopled only by savage Indians, fur- nished no troops, but its first settler, Simeon Prior, was a Revolutionary soldier. In the war of 1812, the able-bodied men belonging to an independent rifle company, under the com- mand of Capt. McArthur, went into service, first at Old Portage, then at Sandusky, protect- ing the frontier settlements from invasion and Indian hostilities. In the Mexican war no troops from this place were called for, and none furnished. But in the war of the great rebell- ion, Northampton was not found wanting. Sixty-three recruits were sent into the field, all of whom proved brave and heroic soldiers in that bloody struggle, many of them giving their

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NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP.

lives for their country's cause. We would glad- ly inscribe the name of each individual soldier with his brave deeds, but space will not per- mit. In another chapter of this work will be found a complete sketch of the late war, and the part taken in it by the county at large. A list of the dead heroes of this township only will be attempted in this chapter :

Lewis Clements, son of L. D. Clements, en- listed at sixteen. But a mere lad of slender build and constitution, he could shoot as far and straight as those of greater strength and endurance. He was fearless of danger, and went undaunted where duty called. At the battle of Rich Mountain, mistaking the bugle- call for retreat, he charged through the rebel ranks, where, failing to find his comrades, he turned and charged back again, rejoining his company unharmed. Newton Harrington, after nearly three years of active service at the front, sickened from the exposure and hard- ships of camp life, and died at Cumberland Gap. His remains were brought home and in- terred in the cemetery on his father's farm. George W. Prior, Orderly Sergeant Company D, Sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, after nearly serving out his term of enlistment, and taking part in many fiercely contested fields, was killed in the battle of the Wilder- ness May 9, 1864. His remains by enemies were buried in an unknown grave. The soil of Virginia will be to us forever sacred, for it holds the last remains of our dearest friends. George Bonesteel was captured by the rebels and starved to death in the prison pen of An- dersonville. David Bonesteel was also taken prisoner, and so reduced by starvation that he died en route for exchange. Robert Ilogue sickened and lived to reach home, where he died a short time after his arrival. John Shellhorn and Phillip Smathers sleep the sleep of death in unknown graves. Riley Dickinson, Charles Stout, William Waterman, William and Charles Stephens, the two Chase brothers and George Payne were drowned at the wreck of the Sultana.

Owing to absence of manufactures, farming implements were mostly of home construction, and very rude. The " bull plow " had a point made of wrought iron or steel, with a landside and mold-board of wood. Common black- smiths of that day could make the share, and an ingenious farmer, with an ax and an auger,

could make all the rest, requiring about a day's time. Mowing was done by hand with a scythe, and harvesting by a sickle, cutting and laying the grain by handfuls. This method was su- perseded by a grain-cradle, and finally the scythe and cradle gave way to the mowing machine. The first one in the township was purchased by Job Hayte, and operated by his son, Seth S. Grain was either tramped out by horses on a floor, or thrashed by hand with a flail (which consisted of a short club tied to the light end of a handle with buckskin thongs) and winnowed from a broad, flat basket. In about 1834, the first horse-power cylinder ma- chine was introduced, which only thrashed the grain, without separating it from the chatf. Charles Kellogg and John Harrington were the first to bring in and operate a power-machine that thrashed and cleaned the grain ready for market. The Prior brothers-Styles .A., Ben- jamin H. and Fred S .- introduced steam-en- gine power and improved machinery, by which from 1,000 to 1,500 bushels of oats could be thrashed per day, and 1,000 bushels of wheat. They also brought in and operated portable steam saw-mills, going where wanted on to a man's farm and sawing a job of lumber for building or fencing, without the inconvenience of hauling logs away to streams for saw-mills.

In 1831, Lots 8, 9 and the " gore," 10, com- prising about 335 acres, were taken from Northampton and set to the newly-erected township of Cuyahoga Falls, forming, there- after, part of its territory. In the year 1873. a new and commodious town hall was built to better accommodate elections and other public business of the township, and the old hall basement at the center schoolhouse was aban- doned.

Many traces of oxydized or dead iron ore are found upon the surface in the southern part of this township. and, from a bed in Lot 27, a good quality of ore was taken to the Middlebury furnace while it was in blast. 1 bed of lime rock underlies the surface of some portions of the D. G. Myers farm, Lot 33, and plenty of this stone used to be found upon the surface east of the center, and burned into a splendid quality of white lime. A quarry of first-class building sandstone was. in 1874. pur- chased by L. H. Cox near the iron bridge on the north bank of the creek, from which he has built so many substantial stone culverts in the

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roads of this and adjoining townships. E. C. llovey also has, near the old Ayers Grindstone Works, a quarry of very fine building stone.

The following statistics pertaining to this township may be of some interest to our read- ers : Number of horses 348 ; value, $184.15. Cattle, 1,344 ; value, $21,876. Sheep, 983; value, $2,665. Hogs, 454 ; value, $1,370. To- tal value of personal property, $86,264 ; esti- mated full value, $107,835. Total value of real property, $333,711 ; estimate full value, $416,- 166. Aggregate value of real and personal property assessed, $419,971 ; aggregate value of real and personal property, estimated full value. $524,001. Total receipts from taxation, $5,709.84.

Expenditures -Expended for schools, $2,- 015.86 ; paid for roads and bridges. $1,007.83 ; for poor, $167.99 ; all other purposes, $2,- 518.16. Total expenditures, $5,709.84.

The first place set apart for the burial of the dead was on the Vanhyning farm, and now known as the Harrington burying-ground, and is opposite the Grange Hall. The next regn- larly laid out cemetery was one-half mile west of the Center, on the hills above Bell Hollow. But, in early days, several private burial-places were made for separate families. Just on the west line of Lot 29, where crossed by the Port- age road at the hilltop, are buried old Mr. Daniel Turner and wife. On the east side of the State road and nearly opposite the resi- dence of Mrs. Candace Thorndyke, there have been several buried. On the north bank of Woodward Rnn, near the river road crossing on the William Hardy farm, was started a private burial-place. In the center of Lot 19, on the William Prior farm, was also a private family cemetery, where eight or nine were buried, some of them long years ago. But a portion of them have been taken up and removed to public cemeteries.

John Smith, who settled on and cleared up what is now known as the Keck Farm, Lot 34, and, who afterward went to Nauvoo, was a man of some inventive genius. To supply the de- mand for chairs, spinning-wheels, etc., he con- structed a turning-lathe, which consisted of a mandrel attached to a table, and was made to revolve by a string, one end of which was fastened to a spring-pole over head, then down, and took a few turns round the mandrel, and then to a treadle plied by the foot. This ma-

chine, revolving both ways, allowed the turning to be done only half the time, or when the mo- tion was direct. A rocking-chair, now owned by Thomas Turner, and another by John Hovey, made in 1831, are specimens of J. Smith's handiwork. A Mr. Collar, who was partially blind, moved into the northeast part of the town, and, being also very ingenious, built a model propeller screw, and, for trial, attached it to a canal boat, where it worked to satisfac- tion. This was claimed to be an original inven- tion of the propeller screw. Simeon Prior also contrived a device for making wire by hand, and he probably made the first wire west of the Alleghanies. Richard Tew, a blacksmith, was skilled in the art of forging wrought iron, or steel points and shares used on the wooden or bull plows of that day. His house and shop stood east side the road, on the north bank of Mud Brook, where the lane now turns in to the cheese factory. After he died, his family moved away, and the residence was used for a school- house.

The fourth balloon ascension ever made in Summit County was by John C. Johnston, of Northampton. He procured an aerostat, and, on the 28th September, 1875, made his first ascent from the fair grounds at Akron, in the presence of a vast concourse of anxious specta- tors. The balloon arose majestically, drifting in a northeasterly direction, and, when nearly over the village of Cuyahoga Falls, and at the height of over 7,000 feet, it exploded, and the perilous fall of abont one mile took place. The fabric of this airship, being confined by the cordage, formed a parachute, while the aeronaut, suspended in his basket below, vibrated like a pendulum, by the swaying motion of the balloon in its fearfully rapid descent, after the gas had escaped. Afmost miraculously, he landed on terra firma without bodily harm. Not satisfied with this exciting adventure, he constructed a new balloon, with 25,000 cubic feet capacity, and the next year, after its inflation at the gas works, it was taken to Fountain Park Fair Grounds, where, in starting, some of the ropes were held too long by the attendants, and this balloon was thrown against the top limbs of a tree, and so torn that he did not deem it safe to proceed, and only reached the altitude of 1,000 feet, when the gas was let out, and he landed safely within one-half mile of starting place. His third attempt was made a few days

STOW TOWNSHIP.

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later ; but, as it was boisterous and stormy, the balloon was torn to pieces in conveying it from the gas works to Fountain Park, since which time, he has made no further public attempts at ascension. He is still sanguine of final suc- cess, and continues to give the subject such

attention as his time will permit, believing that hydrogen in such vast quantities, being one- eighth part of all the water, is ultimately con- nected with the solution of the great problem of aerial navigation.

CHAPTER XIX .*

STOW TOWNSHIP-EARLY PHYSICAL CONDITION-FIRST SETTLEMENT AND SUBSEQUENT GROWTH -PROGRESS OF INDUSTRIES AND IMPROVEMENTS-VILLAGES, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.

STOW, in many respects, is superior to any other township in the county. Its fertile soil, valuable timber, winding streams and beautiful lakes, surround it with attractions which coming generations will not fail to ap- preciate and enjoy. There is found through- out the township that diversity of natural features-that fine blending of the beautiful and picturesque, which delights the eye of the landscape gardener. The Cuyahoga River, which winds across the southern part, that fine body of water-Silver Lake-and the various gorges or chasms which are cut deeply into the soil, disclosing perpendicular embankments of fine stone, furnish abundant material upon which the hand of art, in future years, may labor. When we look back through the years to that bright page in the history of mankind- Grecian glory-when we see how the develop- ing mind of man caught the beautiful of that sunny clime, and grouping together the various charms, gave to each some name which lingers with it like the sweet memory of joys that are past, we are led to believe that our own beauti- ful land, adorned as it is with Nature's lavish gifts, will share a similar happy lot. Each lake, each stream, each hill and vale will be associated with some event, around which the fairy fingers of hallowed recollection will en- twine the sweet flowers of other years. Even at this early day, local names spring up from surrounding events-names that will live, when those persons associated with them have long since passed into oblivion. Other names will come as time sweeps onward; and for the pleasure of those who live in the future, these and the circumstances which gave them birth, must be carefully recorded.

The greater part of Stow is rolling, though quite a large traet near the center is compara- tively level. The soil, though largely clay, contains sufficient alluvium to insure abundant crops of all kinds. In the vicinity of the lakes and the depressed portions, of which there are several, the earth is thoroughly mingled with decaying vegetable material, a large portion of which has been washed in by past inundations. Large quantities of sandstone can be had for the trouble of quarrying in exposed places. The streams give ample drainage, even in the region of the lakes, though some portions are so low and flat that they were, in former years, very wet, and even yet are not suitable for cul- tivation. In the course of time these will be ditched, thoroughly drained, and finally culti- vated. Cuyahoga River enters the township on Lot 10, thence flowing across Lots 9, 8. 7, 6. 5, 15, 14, 4, 3, and leaving from 13. This well- known stream has considerable fall, and excel- lent water-power can be secured through the medium of dams. Kelsey Creek enters the river from the south, and Fish Creek from the north, in the extreme southeastern part. Silver Lake is located almost wholly on Lots 24, 23 and 33, and its outlet is a small branch of the Cuyahoga. A small stream which should be named Wetmore Creek, rises a short distance northeast of Stow Corners, and flows south- westwardly into the river. It has cut by ero- sion a deep gorge in the sandstone rocks, which is known as the "Gulf." Cochran Pond is located a few rods northwest of Silver Lake, but has no connection with the latter, its outlet being a small irregular stream, which flows north and then west into Mud Brook. Powers' Brook and Mud Brook, from their tortuous course, flow half around the township. Powers'

*Contributed by W. A. Goodspeed.

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

Brook first flows across the northeast corner, thence into Hudson, thence into the northern part of Stow, thence again into Hudson, where it unites with Mud Brook. The latter stream flows across the northwest corner of Stow, entering Turtle Lake on the northeast side. It flows from this lake first into Northampton, thence takes a turn in the western side of Stow, and finally leaves the latter a short dis- tance north of Cuyahoga Falls. Turtle Lake, the largest body of water in the northern part of the county, is intersected by the boundary line, dividing Stow from Northampton. On several sides the land is so low and marshy that artificial approaches to the lake are neces- sary, if mud and stagnant water are to be avoided. In short, the lake has but two or three really good beaches. Cochran Pond, named for the first settler on its banks, com- prises some four or five acres, and has a low and muddy beach, except, perhaps, on the eastern side. It is too small and shallow to be of any great economic value. Silver Lake is, in many respects, a fine sheet of water. Its length is nearly a mile, and its width nearly half that distance, while its greatest depth approximates twelve fathoms. Some of its approaches are fine, consisting of coarse sand or gravel. Many portions of the bottom are of the same nature, rendering the lake very attractive to bathers, a very essential feature among a people who teach, and evidently prac- tice to a reasonable degree, that "cleanliness is next to godliness." Many years ago, when the question of supplying the city of Akron with water was on the tapis, Silver Lake was carefully examined ; but its water was found to contain impurities, which rendered it unsuita- ble for that purpose. The lake was once the property of Joshua Stow, who purchased the township of the State of Connecticut. The township was named in his honor, and remained in his possession until his death, when it fell into the hands of his son-in-law, Horace Miller, who sold it to its present owner, Ralph Lodge. Purchasers of land in its vicinity did not want the lake, so that the shore is owned by others. In about the year 1850, Zina Buel constructed a small steamboat, and launched it upon the lake. A wharf was built out from the shore, and buildings were erected for excursionists. A small fare was charged for a ride around the lake ; but there was not realized a sufficient

revenue to pay for the investment, and the boat was removed. Several persons at different times have been drowned. There are at present several bathing-houses for the benefit of the nncleanly and others.

Joshua Stow, the proprietor of the township, was one of the first exploring party sent out to the Western Reserve in 1796. He officiated in the important capacity of Commissary, and the first storehouse built at Conneaut was named "Stow Castle," in his honor. The first cabin in the township was built by a Virginian named William Walker, who had come to Hudson the year before. He was a squatter and built his small, round-log cabin in the northeast corner, on Lot 89 .* Here he remained alone until 1804, when Joshua Stow arrived at Hudson to make arrangements for the survey of his town- ship. He employed Joseph Darrow, a resident of Hudson, who began and completed the sur- vey in 1804, and immediately thereafter there came in William Wetmore, Gregory Powers, Josiah Starr, John Campbell, Thomas Rice and Titus Wetmore. The most of these men built further south in the neighborhood of what is now called Stow Corners. Prior to the war of 1812, there also came in John Gaylord, John Arbuckle, George Darrow, Adam Steele, John Saddler, Joseph Harman, William Lappin, William Leach, Samuel Burnett, Samuel Baker, Jacob Cochran, Caleb Wetmore, Isaac Wilcox, Frederick Victor, Francis Kelsey, Mr. Kelso, Samuel Cheney, Constance Rogers, Jonathan Gaylord, Stephen Butler, Erastus Southmayd, David Ruggles, William McClellan, Bemus Hamilton, Mr. Dailey, Isaac and' Thomas Steele and very likely several of the following, who, at least, came in prior to 1825 : Joshua Pendle- ton, Timothy Brainard, David Strong, Ira Barnes, Ethe Wetmore, James Smith, George Hartle, John Kemp, Jesse Pratt, David San- ger, Mr. McAvoy, Chancey Lowery, Mr. Beck- ley, Martin and Arthur Saddler, William Hib- bard, William Galloway, V. M. Thompson, John Graham, Ezra Wyatt, Jacob Richmond, Andrew Rich, Dr. Spaulding, Henry Kenyon, John Blackman, John Sawyer, Thomas Gaylord and many others. This is not intended as a perfect list, and neither are the dates free from error ; yet it is thought that there are but few mis- takes. By 1810, there were fifteen or twen-

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 92

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