History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 98

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 98

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Four or five cheese-factories have been in operation since comparatively early times. One is now owned by Mr. Straight, of Hudson, and, during the summer season, twenty-five or thirty cheeses, of about twenty pounds' weight each, are manufactured daily and shipped to Cleveland and other points.

The building now occupied by Alanson Swan at "Johnnycake," or Everett, was built by Henry Iddings before 1820, and was the first in the village. Mr. Swan bought the Iddings property soon after the opening of the Ohio Canal. Mr. Swan's farm was increased until he owned 500 acres, including the land upon which the village now stands. The second building in the village was a store, erected by Swan & Smith in about 1835, into which about $500 worth of groceries, dry goods and notions were placed. The stock was selected with a view to the demand on the canal at that point. Smith sold out to Swan in about a year later, and the latter conducted the business alone for a few years, and then sold to other parties.

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

David Baxter & Son owned this store for a number of years, as did also Ansel Hardy, L. J. Mix, Mr. Richardson, Henry Monroe and oth- ers. Swan also repurchased the property and sold it again two or three times. The stock was increased until it was worth probably $2,000. Elihu Chilson opened a small store on land belonging to the State, near the canal lock, as early as 1838, but this never amounted to much. In 1842, Mr. Swan erected a warehouse on the canal in the village, and be- gan buying corn, oats, hay, etc., to be fed to the horses and mules used in drawing the canal-boats and packets. A large stable, or barn, was erected, where the canal horses were fed and groomed. The packet company failed, and, in consequence, Mr. Swan lost several hundred dollars. The creditors of the com- pany at the village attached the packet horses, but Mr. Swan refused to do this, and, in conse- quence, lost what was due him. When it is remembered that nearly three hundred horses were fed by Mr. Swan, it will be seen that the business undertaken was on an extensive plan. Alexander Stewart bought the greater share of the Swan property about ten years ago, though the latter yet retains the old homestead, and lives there at an advanced age. Before com- ing to the State, Mr. Swan was licensed to preach by the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, ever since living in the township, he has been identified with religions and moral im- provement and growth. He deeded all his property except the homestead to his children, and can now sorrowfully say with King Lear :

"You heavens, give me that patience I need ! You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age ; wretched in both ! If it be you that stir these children's hearts Against their father, fool me not so much To bear it tamely ; touch me with noble anger ! * * * * * You think I'll weep ; No, I'll not weep ;-

I have full cause of weeping ; but this heart Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws, Or ere I'll weep -- O fool, I shall go mad,

* *

How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is To have a thankless child-away, away !"

The village has been called "Johnnycake " since 1828. In the spring of that year, a flood in Furnace Run swept into the canal and stopped navigation, and the crews and passen- gers were compelled to live, water-bound, as

best they could. They were at last reduced to johnnycake, which constituted their diet for a number of days. It has even been asserted that one baking of johnnycake early in the morning furnished the ravenous passengers with their only warm daily meal. The cake was warmed up for dinner and served cold for supper. However, there are probably some mistakes in these early traditions.

Since the advent of the railroad, the village has somewhat revived. Its present name was bestowed upon it in honor of an officer of the road. It was also at one time called Union- ville. Evidences of oil appearing near the vil- lage in 1865, several members of Cleveland and New York oil companies appeared, leased the land where the oil was discovered, and began boring for oil. The land was leased upon the conditions that the owner was to have from one-fourth to three-fourths of the oil produced. The terms of the contract were much more sat- isfactory and promising than the quantity of oil obtained. Oil was found in very small quantities. On a small creek near the sand- stone ledges, Norton & Taylor began manu- facturing salt at an early day. The brine was taken and evaporated in several large kettles, and the salt found a ready sale at an advanced price. On one occasion, a barrel of salt was exchanged for a good cow. Abial Hovey was also connected with the salt works, as were several others ; but the quantity of salt capa- ble of being produced was limited, and, as the works proved unprofitable, the manufacture was discontinued.

Probably the first building in Peninsula village was a log structure built on the east side of the river, near where Abel Thompson re- sides, by Alonzo Dee, in about 1818. Not far from the same time, John Robinson, James Brannan and one or two others built at or near Peninsula. Brannan was located a half- mile west of the village proper ; though, owing to the fact that the corporation includes some 2,000 acres, the building was really within its limits. Other houses were added ; and very likely during the building of the Ohio Canal, a tavern and one or more stores were located, at least temporarily, in the village. However, Peninsula had its real beginning when Hermon Bronson came to the township in 1824. In about the year 1833, J. M. Adams was conducting a general store, on the west

541

BOSTON TOWNSHIP.

side of the river. James Fielding was also there about the same time, with $1,000 worth of goods. Charles Curtis began about 1838 or 1840. He owned a good store, and made money. It was discovered that the way he got rich was by selling " O-P" goods (those costing 45 cents) for $1. He evidently was not resid- ing in the village merely for his health. He began with some $2,000 worth of goods, and very soon succeeded in doubling his capital. William Haskell opened a store with a stock valued at $2,000, not far from 1843. Fielding sold out and left in 1836. Curtis continued until 1849, when he sold to Wood, Cole & Co.

These men are yet in business in the village, though the partnership was dissolved many years since. Mr. Cole died, but his sons succeeded him in the business. In 1838 or 1840, Adams died, and his goods were closed out. Merrill Boody began with a general store in abont 1858, and continued until about three or four years ago. Others have sold goods in

Peninsula at different times, though those men- tioned are the principal ones. There are at

present three groceries, two hardware stores, two dry goods stores, two tin-shops, a barber-

shop, a meat market, a harness-shop, and

several shops the nature of which is difficult to ascertain. Hermon Bronson, two years after reaching Peninsula, built a warehouse about

thirty-five feet square and two stories in height,

and began buying pork, cheese, lard, butter

and grain, which were shipped by boat to Cleve-

land. This was continued until 1835, when

Mr. Bronson sold out to Janes & Thompson, who, at the expiration of five years, retired, leaving the warehouse business in the hands of

in coal, timber, stone, etc. In the year 1826, village has had for many years a brisk traffic Charles Curtis and Wood, Cole & Co. The

Herman Bronson built a saw-mill on Slippery Rock Run, a small stream which empties into the river at the village. The mill was a rough

water from a dam a few rods above the mill. frame structure, located on a short race fed by

The capacity of the mill was about two thou- sand feet per day. It was operated some four

years, and then the machinery was removed to a building erected on the river in the village.

across the river, which is yet standing, though it At this point Bronson and Dee built a log dam

has been rebuilt and re-adjusted several times since. The mill was built over the edge of the

dam. It was operated by Mr. Bronson until 1835, when it was purchased by Janes & Thompson, who, in 1843, sold to Mr. Holcomb, and he, a few years later, to William Wetmore. This mill was located on the west side of the river. But at the time of its erection Alonzo Dee, who had an interest in the dam, also built a saw-mill on the east side, and continued operating it some four years, when it was claimed by Mr. Haskell, who had purchased

the land upon which the mill stood. Dee had built his mill on land owned by Mr. Ely, one of the origina' proprietors of that portion of the township east of the river, and when the land was purchased by Has- kell, all the fixtures and appurtenances thereof came into the ownership of the latter. Dee, however, received his pay for the mill,

which remained in the possession of the Has- kell family until about ten years ago. It is now owned by Otis Fitts. The river makes a wide detour at the village, and comes back to within fifty feet from where it started. A fall of about eight feet is thus created at the neck of the peninsula, which was taken advantage of by Mr. Bronson, who, in 1832, tunneled through about fifty-two feet, and built a grist-mill which is yet in operation. A first class natural water- power is thus secured, which is very valuable, in view of the fact that the dams along the river require constant watching and a vast amount of labor to prevent being washed away. In 1849, the mill came into the ownership of H. V. Bronson, a son of the Bronson already mentioned, who operated it until 1863, when the mill and dam site were sold to Pomeroy & Fisher. This firm sold out at the expiration of three years, and the property has been owned

by several parties since. The mill saw its best days under the control and ownership of Her- man Bronson. Not only was a large custom work done, but considerable flour was shipped by canal to Cleveland. The merchant work was most extensive about 1840. In 1837, Her- man Bronson secured the services of a sur- veyor, and laid off seventy-one lots on the west side of the river, and named the village thus started " Peninsula," after the natural bend in the river already referred to. A plat of the village was recorded at the county scat. In 1866, Mr. Bronson made an addition of many lots, which was also recorded. Mr. Haskell also laid off a number of lots on the east side,

542

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

but this addition was not properly recorded. No other man has done so much to build up Peninsula, and people it with intelligent, moral and enterprising citizens, as Herman Bronson. He was its founder, and was the first to introduce moral and religious tactics among the vicious and unlawful practices of the canal- boat men. He gave freely of his land and means to religious and educational purposes. More will be said of him in the proper con- nection.

Alonzo Dee built a small distillery at Penin- sula in about 1833, in which was placed a small still, where a limited quantity of whisky was manufactured. The liquor was consumed about as fast as it was made. This would imply that it was a superior article. The still was re- moved at the end of some two years. The village was incorporated some twenty years ago for school purposes, and now has an area of about 2,000 acres, with a population of some 600. Peninsula is the most important village on the Valley Railroad, in Summit County, north of Akron. It has been the leading place for canal-boat building, there having been from one to thirty boats built per annum, since the canal was first navigated. James A. Garfield, the President-elect, often stopped at Peninsula while working on the canal. It is said that he was so apt and bright, that the Captain of the boat upon which the boy worked remarked that he was too smart to be working upon the canal, and should seek some other employment. Within the limits of Peninsula are inexhausti- ble beds of the finest sandstone. The stone belongs to the same stratum as the Berea grit, and is superior to the latter in point of dura- bility. Stone, at the rate of about a canal-boat load per day, is being taken out of these quar- ries, which are situated on the summit of steep bluffs, which border the river and canal. A large amount of labor is thus avoided in load- ing the stone on the boats. Another valuable property of the stone is, its capability of be- ing divided into slabs, varying in thickness from a few inches to many feet.

The first building in the village of Boston was erected in 1820, and was a frame dwelling house. The following year, a saw-mill and grist-mill were erected on a dam that was built across the river, on the site of the village. Watrous Mather built the dwelling and the saw-mill, while Talmon Bronson built the grist-

mill. Mather put up a two-story frame dwell- ing in 1824, and, two years later, Mr. Bronson also built one. Abram Holmes came to the village in 1826. Mather built a large ware- house in 1828, as did also Mr. Holmes two or three years later. In 1826, Brown & Taylor built a storeroom, and placed therein about $1,500 worth of goods, which were sold to Mather in 1828. Brown then moved the store across both the river and the canal to the east side, where it was fitted up for a tavern, of which he was landlord for many years. While standing in the door of his tavern one day, he was struck by lightning and knocked about a rod into the yard. His clothing was torn into shreds ; his boots were literally torn into a hun- dred pieces and carried several rods away, and the man was rendered insensible by the shock. He had a remarkable physical development, and was a noted wrestler for miles around. Few men could throw him down. He is said to have irreverently remarked, after he recoy- ered from the lightning stroke, "No man ever threw me so quick as God Almighty did." William T. Mather sold goods from a stock valued at $1,000, beginning in 1830. In 1835, he sold out to the Boston Land & Manufactur- ing Company. This company purchased the mills and warehouse, but, failing in 1838, the property fell into other hands-that which was not closed permanently. Benjamin Morse brought in a few goods at an early day. Wat- rous Mather, after operating his saw-mill a number of years, tore it down and built a bet- ter one across the river, on the east side. It fell into the hands of the company, in 1836. When the company failed, William Smith be- came owner of the grist-mill. J. D. Edson bought it in 1848. It was considered a good mill. The village of Boston, in early years, gave great promise, but its subsequent history is unattractive. William McBride operated a saw-mill for three years, beginning in 1834, about a mile down the river from Boston Vil- lage. The canal destroyed his water privilege, and he was obliged to stop. Dr. Eleazer Mather was the first physician in the village, coming as early as 1822. A Mr. Fursons built a distillery at Boston at an early day. It was furnished with one large still, and during its most rapid workings could turn out about three barrels of whisky per day. It was conducted some twelve or fifteen years. Alonzo Dee,

543

BOSTON TOWNSHIP.

also, was connected in early years with the manufacture of liquor at Boston Village.

So far as can be learned, the first school in the township was taught during the summer of 1811, by Miss Lois Ann Gear, a young lady whose parents, a number of years before, had been murdered by the Indians at Upper Sandusky. She was alone in the world and almost friend- less, and her proposition to teach a term of school in an old log building, erected by James Stanford within five rods of the present resi dence of his son George, was accepted, and the house rudely fitted up for the accommodation of teacher and pupils. She received as com- pensation for her labors seventy-five cents per week, and " boarded 'round." Where is the teacher who would teach at the present day for less than seventy-five cents per day? And yet, it is highly probable, that Miss Gear saved almost, or quite, all she earned. Her board was evidently the principal consideration ; and what a feast of it she must have had ! Was she to be envied even in this respect ? She taught six months during the warm months, and after that no term is remembered to have been taught again until 1816, when a log schoolhouse was erected by the neighborhood about thirty rods north of the residence of Mr. Stanford, and a term of three months was taught therein by Alfred Wolcott, the first settler in Boston. Wolcott, the surveyor of the township, was well educated, and no doubt taught an inter- esting and instructive term of school. This was the first genuine schoolhouse in the town- ship, and was used every winter until about 1820, when a schoolhouse was built at Boston village, and the old house was deserted. In 1826, the house at Boston was too much to one side of the settlement to afford satisfaction, and the greater number of the children were sent to Brandywine, which left the old house at the the village so nearly deserted that no teacher was employed there for a number of years, and

the building was left vacant. In about the year 1836, a frame schoolhouse was built at Boston Village, which was used continuously until the erection of the present brick building, a short time before the late war. In the north- eastern part of Boston, in the Wolcott neigh-

borhood, a school was taught as early as 1813,

and perhaps 1812. Mr. Wolcott is said to have been the teacher, and in the absence of any data to the contrary, he will be accorded the

honor. The school was taught in a building that had been used a few years as a dwelling ; but which, becoming no longer comfortable or attractive, was thought ample and suitably adapted for school purposes, and was accord- ingly devoted to that use. A few years later, a log schoolhouse was built, and this has been succeeded by two or three other school build- ings, each of which has been a better building than the one before it. School was first taught in the southeast part in about 1820, but noth- ing of importance can be learned regarding this school. It is probable that school was taught at Everett as early as 1825. No facts to sup- port this, however, can be given. School was taught in about 1830, in a small log building near the residence of Mr. Swan. The first teacher is unknown, but among the first were Miss Gillett and Hector Osborn. A few years later, an acre of land was deeded by Mr. Swan to the school district for school purposes, and upon this a small frame school-building was erected in about the year 1838. The building was replaced by the present one a few years ago. A schoolhouse, located across the river from Everett and about half a mile further down the stream, was built in 1818. Squire Greenman was the first teacher, who received his pay by subscription. The house was built of logs by the neighborhood, and was used about seven years, when the children were either sent to Everett or to the "Holcomb School," in northwest Northampton, probably the latter. In 1829, school was held at Penin- sula, in a log house that had been used for a dwelling. Probably this was not the first. The teacher, in 1829, was Miss Rhoda Payne, who was paid by private subscription, and whose weekly (or perhaps weakly) recompense was $1. Her school comprised some dozen backwoods children. For a number of years, the east and the west sides had a common school, but after many years it was found best to divide the dis- triet, the river being the line, and since that period the village has had two schools, both of which are well attended and prosperous. A

young man named Homer Warner was the first teacher on the west side. He received $13 per month and boarded round. The east side schoolhouse, which is built of stone, was erect- ed in about 1857. It is a two-storied building, the upper story being used as a town hall. The west side house is a frame building. A few

544

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

years before the last war, the citizens of Penin- sula became dissatisfied with the character of their village school, as compared with the amount of school tax they were called upon to pay. There were six or seven school districts in the township, and the one at the village was called upon to pay from a fourth to a half of the school fund raised per annum. Other con- siderations growing out of this state of things vexed the citizens for a number of years, until at last they concluded to incorporate the entire school district in the village of Peninsula, which was accordingly done. This altered state of affairs gave greater satisfaction, as the surplus of school tax raised could be applied to the vil- lage schools, and not to those in distant parts of the township. Since the village has been called upon, however, to support two schools, it is difficult to see what has been gained by the incorporation of the whole school district. The township was divided into six school districts in 1826, and three years later these were materi- ally altered. Numerous alterations have been made since.

It is extremely difficult to tell with accuracy where the different church societies of Boston were first organized, or under what condition of circumstances. Many of the settlers were religious, having belonged to some church in the East, and did not abandon Christian wor- ship, at least in their families, after their ar- rival in the township. It is also quite proba- ble that in the earliest days of the settlement, various Christian families assembled at some selected cabin, and even went so far as to semi-organize a religious society, perhaps in different parts of the township. These con- jectures are rendered plausible by the fact that sincere Christian people are disposed to worship God, not only within the pale of civilization, but in the uninhabited and deserted depths of the forest. Religious services were held in the vicinity of Everett soon after the erection of the old log schoolhonse, on the Butler farm, in 1818. But little is known except that occa- sional services were held here, very likely, by traveling preachers. When Alanson Swan, who had been licensed to preach by a Method- ist Episcopal society, in Connecticut, came to the township in 1834, he immediately united with others in his neighborhood, including por- tions of Bath and Northampton, and organ- ized a religious society, which continued to

meet quite regularly in dwellings and school- houses, until it was at length divided by an alteration in the views of a portion of the members. Perhaps a majority of the mem- bers of this society lived in the two townships already mentioned. After flourishing for a number of years, and attaining a membership of about fifty, a detachment of about half, headed by Mr. Swan, separated from the re- mainder and re-organized at Everett under the name Protestant Methodists. No church was built by this society. Some ten years ago, it was so broken up by various causes, that the United Brethren came in and organized a so- ciety out of the fragments and out of new ma- terial. This is the ruling society at present. As early as 1824, Herman Bronson, who was an Episcopalian, began holding religious serv- ices at his cabin in Peninsula. His few neigh- bors were invited to lend their encouragement and support in assisting to build up a strong, permanent religious society in the neighbor- hood. It is probable, however, that no so- ciety of this denomination was organized un- til about 1837. Some four years later, a small church was built, almost wholly at the cost of Mr. Bronson. This church is yet used. Mr. Bronson was clearly its founder and patron, and did more to sustain it than any other man. He deeded the lot upon which it stands to the society, and also gave a fine lot for a cemetery and one for a public school- house. The church cost something like $1,000. At the death of Mr. Bronson, he willed to the church he had founded a sufficient fund to af- ford about $325 per annum, to be used in de- fraying the expense of employing a minister. This permanent fund has undoubtedly sus- tained the society from falling into decay at numerous periods of its existence. Some of the members of this church have been Herman Bronson, Daniel F. Bachelor, Hezekiah Bell, James Morrell John Fairweather, Thomas Mc- Carday, Jacob Barnhart, Nisbett Wood, W. H. Payne, Asa Kimball, Harry Janes, and most of their families. Abraham Bronson was the first minister in charge of the society ; and was paid a few hundred dollars for his services. A Con- gregational Society was organized at the vil- lage about the same time that the Episcopalians began. Their meetings were held in school- houses and dwellings at first; and sometimes the use of the Episcopal Church was tendered

Hilliam Emmett

545

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.

them ; but their services were mostly held in the upper story of Mr. Haskell's store building, on the east side. After continuing a number of years, the society was so reduced by death and removals that it was disbanded. Among its members were Roger and George Haskell, L. M. Janes, Charles Curtis, Mrs. Thomp- son and children, Mrs. McGrouty and oth- ers. A Methodist society was organized in the village as early as 1834, or perhaps as early as 1830. It is thought that a circuit preacher Rev. Mr. Conant, organized it ; though others think that Rev. Thomas W. Pope de- serves the honor. The society grew slowly in membership and wealth until some twelve years ago, when a frame church, costing about $2,000, was built on the east side. A por- tion of the members have been Rev. Thomas W. Pope, a local preacher ; Billings Chaffee and wife ; John H. Curtis and wife, the husband also being a local preacher ; Mr. Ford and wife, Mr. Davis and wife, Dr. Lunt and others. This society has passed through periods when it was extremely difficult to tell whether it lived or

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 98

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