History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 93

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 93

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*Elizabeth (Walker) Lappin, of Boston Township, aged ninety- three years.

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ty families living in Stow, in rude log cabins scattered at intervals throughout the township. The forests began to go down rapidly, and improvements multiplied. Land steadily in- creased in value, and settlers poured in to pur- chase before it over-reached their means.

It was not until 1808 that Stow was organ- ized and its first officers elected. At the time Hudson was organized, in 1802, Stow was included in that township, and remained thus until 1808. William Wetmore was the first Justice of the Peace ; but, during the month of August, 1804, the county of Portage, of which Stow was a part, having been created, Wetmore was appointed Clerk of the Court, and removed to Ravenna ; but, not being satis- fied with the empty honor of his official posi- tion, he soon resigned, moving back to Stow, and locating just east of Silver Lake. The early records of Stow were not preserved, and the names of the other first officers cannot be given. The first election was held at the resi- dence of Mr. Wetmore. Capt. Gregory Powers built on Lot 85. He was a genius in his way, and had had a great deal of experience with the world. He was an Italian, and, for many years, had followed the wild and extremely dangerous profession of privateering on the ocean. His daughter Harriet was united in marriage with John C. Singletary in 1806, the wedding being the first in the township. A few months later. on the 29th of January, 1807, William Lappin and Elizabeth Walker were married at Stow Corners by Squire Wet- more. In 1806, George Darrow built a frame barn, the first frame structure in Stow. In the fall of 1803, " Betsey " Walker was born, her birth being the first in the township. Samuel Walker was born in 1805. Mary Campbell was born in 1804, and Clarissa ( Rice) South- mayd February 6, 1805. In February. 1807, Mrs. Powers died, her death being the first. Elizabeth Gaylord died in 1809.

As early as 1805, the township had put on many of the characteristics of civilization. The ring and report of ax and rifle awoke the echoes of the forests. Numerous small, unpre- tentious cabins rested in the center of insig- nificant clearings, upon which could be seen the green plumage of growing grain. Wild animals roamed through the forests. Deer could be seen at almost any hour of the day. Many of the settlers had. for several years. no

meat except venison and smaller game. Wolves were troublesome, especially in the night, when they seemed to enjoy surrounding some log cabin when the inmates were lost in slumber and making the night hideous with their howls. Bears were frequently seen, and there was scarcely an early settler who was not accustomed to roam the woods on hunting ex- cursions that did not encounter them, often under thrilling and extremely dangerous cir- cumstances. The Indians, whose headquarters were at Boston and Northampton Townships, were accustomed to spend the summers in the neighborhood of Silver and Turtle Lakes. In 1810, the earriage road at Silver Lake was a continuous line of Indian huts. These were made of round poles about six inches in diam- eter, the chinks being filled with moss and sod. About one hundred rods from the huts, on the lake shore, on a neighboring hill. were a great many more. About five hundred Indians- men, women and children-established them- selves here for several summers prior to the war of 1812. They were in constant inter- course with the white settlers, and usually all dealings were of a friendly nature. It was well known to the settlers, however, that the Indians might " dig up the hatehet " at any moment, and begin the dreadful work of slaughter. These thoughts filled the mind, more especially when it first became known that war with England had commenced. When news of the battle of Tippecanoe reached the Indians, they all withdrew and went toward the western part of the State, much to the re- lief of the apprehensive settlers.

It seems proper in this connection to notice a few of the many interesting anecdotes that are told concerning adventures had with wild ani- mals or with the Indians. One day. when John Campbell was away from home, his wife placed her little child on the floor, with a cup of milk and a spoon, and closing the door, went a short distance to one of the neighbor's, on an errand. She soon returned, and, stepping up to the little window, looked in to see what her baby was doing. There sat the child upon the floor, while close at its side was coiled up a large, yellow, repulsive rattlesnake. It had crawled up through the cracks of the floor, and, when first seen by Mrs. Campbell, was lapping or drinking the milk, which had been spilled by the child. Just as the mother was taking her

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first lightning survey of the fearful sight, the child reached out its spoon, either to give the reptile some milk or to touch its shining body with the spoon. The mother gave a piercing scream, and the snake slid down a crack and disappeared. Mr. Campbell came in soon after- ward, and, raising a plank of the floor, killed the snake. The "gulf" at Stow Corners was filled with these reptiles, and it was many years before they were killed off. So numerous were they, and so dangerous, that the settlers took turns in watching the rocks, to kill all that came forth. This was done on sunny days in carly spring, when the snakes first came from their holes to bask in the sun. It fell upon Mr. Baker to watch the gulf one Sunday, when Deacon Butler was holding a class-meeting in a log cabin close by. While looking down into the gulf, Mr. Baker saw a large number of rat- tlesnakes crawl from a crevice in the rocks and coil themselves in the sun. When it seemed that all had come forth, Mr. Baker dropped his coat near the crevice, and, with a long pole pre- pared for the purpose, pushed the garment into the opening. He then descended to the rock, and killed sicty-five of the venemous reptiles. The first intimation that the worshipers had of what had taken place, was made known by a son of Mr. Baker, who ran to the log meeting house at the top of his speed, crying out with a loud voice, "Oh, dad's killed a pile of snakes ! dad's killed a pile of snakes !" This adjourned the meeting, and the members re- paired to the gulf, to continue their thanks for the victory over ihe ancient enemy of man. The rock whence the snakes had crawled was blasted open the next day, though but one was found-a large female, that was thought to be the mother of the numerous progeny that had been killed. Several persons were bitten, and many had narrow escapes from death. A young man-a relative of William Walker- was struck twice on the heel by a large rattle- snake, and did not recover. The Indians had a peculiar plant, which was used as a remedy in case of snake-bite. It is said that when the Indians left the plant also disappeared, and could not be found growing in the woods as usual. This seems somewhat im- probable, though the statement comes from some of the oldest and most respected citizens. One day, as Henry Wetmore was gathering nuts near his father's cabin, he heard a sudden com-

motion in the bushes near him, and immediately saw a drove of hogs break cover and run across the clearing to his father's stable. Following close at their heels was an enormous black bear, that halted barely long enough to see the boy and continued the pursuit to the pen where the swine took refuge. Mrs. Wetmore, hearing the confusion outside, came to the door, and, seeing the bear and at the same time her boy, motioned for the latter to take a circuit so as to avoid the animal, that seemed in doubt whether it was best to attack the swine in their pen or not. When the boy was safe in the cabin, Mrs. Wetmore went out, and, by shouting, frightened the bear into the woods. On another occasion Jacob Cochran, while in his cabin, heard one of his hogs squealing terribly, and, surmising the cause, he seized his rifle and ran ont, in time to see a large bear disappearing in the bushes, in whose company was an unwill- ing, remonstrating hog. The bear finally dropped the hog, which fell in between two sap- lings so that it could not be extricated. The detention enabled Mr. Cochran to overtake the bear, which was immediately shot. It was nec- essary to kill the hog also, as it was terribly torn and mangled. It is probable that William Walker was the most successful and intrepid bear hunter ever a resident of the township. He killed sixteen bears, sometimes under cir- cumstances which would appall the stoutest heart. More is said of him in the Twinsburg history.

In 1803, Mr. Walker's dogs treed a large bear in a chestnut tree a few rods from the cabin. It was shot, and was found to weigh 400 pounds, and was so extremely fat that oil accumulated within the cavity of the body within a few minutes after the animal had been killed. Mr. Walker was a chair-maker, and had a small log shop near his cabin. One day George Wilson, an Indian, came to the cabin and asked for whisky, which was given to him. He drank the liquor and sat down, and a few minutes later was asked to take a seat at the table and eat with the family. He accepted the invitation with due dignity, seated himself, and was handed a plate well loaded with meat and vegetables. But by this time the liquor had worked into his blood and brain, and, actuated by a devilish spirit, he suddenly, without any provocation, dashed the plate and its steaming contents in Mr. Walker's face. The latter leaped

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to his feet in a passion at the inhospitable act, and started for his rifle to make short work of the savage. But the latter, perceiving the dan- ger he was in, ran into a small bedroom and under the bed. Mr. Walker, rifle in hand, en- deavored to follow him, but was hindered by his wife and daughter, who had no desire to see the Indian shot. The latter noticed the delay and made his escape through the bedroom win- dow, taking refuge in the chair-shop already mentioned. By this time the other members of the family had succeeded in pacifying Mr. Wal- ker, and the refractory redskin was permitted to depart-without his dinner. One day Will- iam Lappin and William Leach were at the cabin of John Arbuckle, when six or seven Indians, among whom were John High, a tall, ugly-looking savage, six feet three or four inches in height, and Wabmung, an under- chief of the Ottawas, passing along, stopped to talk with the settlers and get some tobacco. Mr. Leach traded his his hat with one of the Indians for some article belonging to the latter ; but, immediately perceiving that he had been cheated, he snatched the hat from the head of the redskin and placed it on his own. This was an insult which the savage would not brook, so, raising his fist, he knocked Leach flat on the ground. The act was no sooner lone than Lappin sprang forward and with one blow sent the Indian sprawling by the side of Leach. Lappin was immediately assailed by John High and several others, though he suc- ceeded in keeping them at bay, and the fight became general.

Blood began to flow from sundry noses, and knives gleamed in the air. One of the Savages snatched up a rifle, and pointed it at Lappin, intending to shoot him ; but the Chief Wabmung, who had remained an impassive spectator of the fight thus far, sprang forward and struck the muzzle up just as the gun was discharged. No harm was done, and the Indian, thinking, doubtless, he might get into trouble, took to his heels and was soon out of sight. The fight was over and the In- dians took their departure. Jonathan Will- iams, the Indian-hunter, lived for a number of years in a little log cabin, in the northwest part of the township, on Mud Brook. He gained great notoriety for his antipathy for the Indi- ans, many of whom he shot on the slightest provocation. He had been one of those pro- fessional Indian slayers who, during the latter

part of the last century, were in the liabit of invading the Indian country to carry on their work of extermination. Williams was a dead shot, and was feared by the Indians. One day a member of the tribe came to his cabin and told him that a snake was on his track and would bite him. Without any further explana- tion the Indian went away. Mr. Williams con- strued this statement to mean that one of the tribe was lurking around to get a favorable op- portunity to shoot him. He, therefore, began to watch closely for his foe. The following morning, before leaving the cabin, he took a careful look from the little window, and, while scrutinizing the woods on the border of the clearing, saw an Indian suddenly peer from be- hind a tree about twenty rods distant, and then as suddenly conceal himself. Williams told his wife what he had seen, and, taking his rifle down, looked carefully to the flint and priming. He said to his wife, " It's now death for one of us ; I'll trick him. Tie up the dog, and don't be scared." So saying, he suddenly opened the door, and before the Indian had time for a hostile movement, the former took refuge be- hind a bank of earth near the house. He hur- ried a short distance and got behind a large tree, and, with his rifle ready, began to watch cautiously for the approach of his foe. He saw the Indian's dog coming toward him, and thought it must soon discover his hiding-place. Suddenly, the Savage glided through a small glade in the edge of the woods. This was suf- ficient, and, like a flash, Williams raised his rifle and fired, just as his enemy was disappear- ing behind the bank already alluded to. The bullet went straight to its mark, and the Sav- age fell upon the earth and expired. Williams hurried forward, and, securing the gun, shot the dog that had come so near revealing his hiding-place. He was at a loss at first what to do with the body. The death of the Indian would be avenged, if known to his friends. Finally, it was taken and sunk in Mud Brook. Williams went back to the cabin, and his wife, who had heard the report of both rifles, and was greatly distressed, not knowing what shape affairs had taken, was overjoyed to know that he was safe. The death of this savage, George Wilson, was not discovered until after the In- dians had left the county, so that all danger from them was averted.

The Indians seemed to take especial pleas-

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ure in frightening the wives of the settlers when the latter were absent. They would enter the cabins and flourish their weapons in an omi- nous manner, and a plentiful supply of whisky and victuals would be their reward. They would often brandish their scalping knives over the heads of children until the mother was half-distracted, when they would get almost anything they demanded, and go off grunting with satisfaction at the success of their artifice. It way be said, however, that generally the Indians were orderly, unless they had been abused or were under the influence of whisky.

Mud Brook Swamp in the northwest corner, was the resort during the spring of the year of countless thousands of pigeons. They would come to this place to roost after having feasted all day on beech and other nuts growing on the higher grounds. When they all took wing, the noise was like the rushing of a mighty wind. They often filled the air so that the sun could not be seen ; and when they settled in the forest, large trees were broken down by them. It was dangerous to go into the swamps that were filled with pigeons, and the voice had to be elevated to be heard.

The early settlers in Stow suffered the usual hardships incident to pioneer life. They were obliged often to live as best they could. Flour and meal were difficult to get, and when pro- cured were judiciously used and made to go as far as possible. It was a universal rule in pioneer mathematics, that the means of supply were inversely as the appetite to be gratified. The taste could not be petted with a variety of articles, but the meal very often consisted of but one, and that in such limited quantities that the cravings were unsatisfied. Roads were bad, conveyances were bad, supplies of all kinds were exorbitant, labor of the hardest kind received scarcely any reward, and all efforts were exhausted in the one object-to live. It is singular how the plastic nature of mankind can be molded for almost any condition of cir- cumstances. Actual enjoyment can be had in the midst of imminent peril or distressing sur- roundings. The settlers saw the bright side of their situation, and made the most of it. They were contented, because their customs were homogeneous, and their trials identical. If some settler had come in very wealthy and aristocratic ; if he had dressed his family in silks, satins and broadcloths cut according to

the latest and prevailing fashion ; if he had scorned to associate with his neighbors, him- self and family would have been practically ostracised-they would have been shunned like the plagues of Egypt. It was a fortunate thing that they remained in the East with their money bags-fortunate for them and for the rapid settlement and improvement of the West. But, after all, hard times were experienced- times when it seemed as if the utmost effort could scarcely keep body and soul together. A large family of small children to feed and clothe, and nothing but strong hands and honest hearts to meet the demand ! This was the problem that many solved, and upon which many others failed.

It was not long after the settlers had become quite numerous, before industries began to spring up in various parts of the township, to furnish for the steady demand supplies nearer home. While some settlers erected frame houses, the majority did not for many years, but lived contented in their rude, though comfortable log cabins. It thus occurred that there was not as strong a demand for sawed lumber as might have been expected. So far as can be learned, the first saw-mill in the township was built on the river at Monroe Falls, in about the year 1817, by Griswell & Wolcott. At the same time, a man named Francis Kelsey erected a grist-mill at the same place. These three men united means and built a log-dam where the present one is located. The grist-mill was located on the north side of the river, and the saw-mill on the south. The land on the north side was owned by John Graham, but he en- tered into an agreement with Kelsey, to deed the latter two acres for a mill site, provided a grist-mill was erected and operated. Both mills were supplied with water by means of short flumes or races, and a sufficient mill-head was obtained to operate both mills at a rapid rate. It was not long before both were on a firm financial basis, and a fair profit was realized by the investment. They were conducted by these men (or perhaps they had a change of owners) until 1836, with a few insignificant interrup- tions, at which time they were purchased by the Monroe brothers, of Boston Township. For a number of years prior to this change in owners, the mills had been neglected, especially the saw-mill, which had become somewhat rickety, and sadly in need of repairs. The Monroes, at

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the time they purchased the mills, also secured about two hundred and fifty acres of land, all, or at least a portion, upon which the village of Monroe Falls is situated. They had a grand project in view, which was to found a village that should become the public mart of all the surrounding country, and a metropolis of opu- lence and importance. At this period there were some eight or ten residences in the village ; but, so far as can be learned, no lots had been regularly surveyed and platted. It is thought that William Stow built the first dwelling in the village ; at least, he built there at a very early day. His father had been the proprietor of the township, but had sold a large por- tion of it to settlers and speculators. His residence was located on the south side of the river, and is yet standing. John

Graham lived on the north side, but had sold out and left a few years before, or, perhaps, sold to the Monroes. There also lived at the village, in 1836, Samuel Cheney, Zebulon Stow, Mr. Griffiths and several others. The Monroes evidently expected to make their fortunes. They were quite wealthy when they purchased the village and mill-sites, and they ventured all they had in the enterprise, confi- dently anticipating, as many did in early years, that a city would spring up around them, like mushrooms from a hot-bed. They immediately laid out about a hundred lots, and in a few years succeeded in securing the incorporation* of the village, which, in their honor, had been named Monroe Falls. At the time they pur- chased all the land for sale in the village or surrounding it, they built a small storeroom, and placed therein about $1,200 worth of goods. A number of years before, perhaps as early as 1830, John S. Harvey had come to the Falls, had built a residence and a small store, and had placed in the latter $600 worth of a general assortment of goods, consisting mostly of groceries and notions. He had obtained a fair country trade, and, according to the re- ports, had refused to sell to the Monroes, who desired to purchase his property. The Mon- roes wished no competition in the early history of their village, and had tried to purchase all property or enterprises that would in any way interfere with their intentions or obstruct their rapid march to opulence and fame. Several lots were sold, and tradesmen and mechanics

appeared, and it seemed at first as though the bright expectations of the Monroes were to be realized. They founded a " bank," and began issuing " wild-cat," " red-dog " bills of credit in limited quantities .* Harvey soon found that the Monroc store was materially injuring his trade, so, about two years after the appear- ance of the brothers, he either sold out or closed out, and went to Akron, according to the reports. The Monroes purchased his store- room and filled it with goods, and thus monop- olized the trade in the village. Their stock was increased until they probably owned about $5,000 worth of goods. About the year 1828, or perhaps earlier, James Griffiths erected a wooden factory a few rods below the saw-mill, on the same (south) side of the river. He se- cured a paying custom trade. Wool-growers in the vicinity brought their wool to him to be carded, after which it was taken by them and spun, and then returned to the factory to be manufactured into flannel and various other varieties of cloth. It must be remembered that there were no ready-made clothing stores in those days. Suits for men and women were cut and made in the houses by the wives of the settlers, many of whom became expert tailors, especially if they had large families and large quantities of cloth to be disposed of. At cer- tain seasons of the year, the entire family would be provided with new suits. Journey- men tailors traveled from house to house, and took contracts at reduced rates to make suits for the whole family, often furnishing the cloth. Griffiths conducted his factory until 1836, when the entire property was bought by the Monroes. Converse & Barnes began man- ufacturing chairs in about 1833, and soon had quite a brisk trade. They peddled their wares in a wagon, which traversed the country for a circuit of many miles. Converse was a local preacher, and conducted many of the early meetings at the village. Some three or four men were employed to assist in the manufact- ure of the chairs. The owners continued the business until 1836, when the property, like almost all the balance, fell into the hands of the Monroe Brothers. Many years before this, Mr. Graham, who had lived on the north side of the river, built a small distillery, and began manufacturing a limited quantity of whisky. Considerable liquor was made, which found a

* Gen. Bierce.

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ready sale in the neighborhood. Mr. Wet- more, also, at an early day, erected a distillery on what was then called Stow Pond. He also made quite a quantity of the drink which in- ebriates. These enterprises (which, by the way, brought to the owners a profitable rev- enue), were quite popular in early years, and continued so throughout what is now Summit County, until about the year 1830, when a large number of temperance societies was or- ganized, whose objects were to depict the enor- mity of the evil tendency of the liquor traffic, and to suppress the supply and demand among the settlers. The two distilleries above men- tioned were closed, however, before this cru- sade. The temperance movement became so strong and universal, that William Stow was induced to offer 160 acres of land just north of Silver Lake (this land is yet known as “tem- perance lot"), to be divided equally among those who would take the pledge and become abstainers. Many were thus induced to re- nounce their intemperate habits ; but a deed to the land was not made out, was neglected, and, at Mr. Stow's death, his heirs refused to com- ply with his promises, and retained the owner- ship of the " temperance lot."

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 93

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