History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers, Part 120

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company
Number of Pages: 726

USA > Ohio > Erie County > History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 120
USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 120

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).

In consequence of the location being considered unhealthy; Mr. Ellis had, in the fall of 1832, vacated his own house, moving into the same house with Goodwin, and Napier, upon his arrival in the spring of 1833, had taken possession of the Ellis house, which he occupied until October of the same year, when he was ejected therefrom by legal process by D. and I. Kelley, who had previously acquired, by purchase, whatever of interest Ellis might have held in the property. The land they had purchased of Eldred, and Ellis held only a claim for improvements, or perhaps that of occupation by contract. This pur- chase and transfer of Ellis' right was for the purpose of acquiring possession, in order to enable them to take legal measures for the ejectment of Napier. But we have anticipated somewhat in this matter of the ejectment of Napier, and it becomes necessary for the preservation of chronological order to retrace our steps.

In June of 1833, Burr Higgins and Captain Judah W. Ransom, of Sandusky, held an interview at Nor- walk with the agents of some of the principal owners of Cunningham's island, with a view to its purchase, if satisfactory terms, title, etc., could be obtained. This interview, after some negotiation, was unpro- ductive of results, and no purchase was effected. Among the agents of the owners present at the inter- view at Norwalk was Mr. Allen, son-in-law of General Perkins, of Warren, the latter of whom was one of the largest owners of lands of the island.

THE ADVENT OF THE KELLEYS.

Upon Mr. Allen's return home, he introduced the subject of the sale of the island to. Mr. Irad Kelley, of Cleveland, recommending the purchase as a good investment. The latter, it appears, had for some time been favorably impressed with the future value of the property, and had called the attention of his brother, Mr. Datus Kelley, of Rockport, to the mat- ter, and upon this application of Mr. Allen they con- cluded to, and did, visit the island with reference to its purchase.

The difficulties that followed the advent of Napier upon the island, that beset the inhabitants consequent upon his claim of ownership, the seizure of their stock, etc., without legal process, and, as they claimed, without the shadow of equitable right, ren- dered it imperative that something should be done to put a stop to this forcible appropriation of their prop- erty. They were naturally, therefore, very anxious that some one should purchase the island, in order by this means to have the matter of title definitely set- tled. They claimed none themselves, not even that of squatters on unoccupied lands, but they did claim ownership in the stock which they had raised and were pasturing at "free commons" upon the island. Upon the arrival, therefore, of the Messrs. Kelley upon their visit for examination, it may be readily assumed that the interested parties were not backward in pointing out the desirability of the purchase. It is probable that they did not require it to be thus im- pressed upon them. However that may be, the result of the visit of Messrs. Datus and Irad Kelley was that they concluded to purchase, provided satisfactory terms and titles could be obtained.

As a result of their investigations, the first purchase of lands on the islands were effected, as appears by date of contract, on the twentieth day of August, 1833, of John A. and Mary Rockwell, and Alfred E. Perkins, through Simon Perkins, their attorney, and consisted, as detailed in said contracts, of lots num- bered " two, three, four, five, six and seven, and the west part of lot eight, and containing fourteen hundred and forty-four and ninety-two-hundredths acres," or almost one half the total area of the island, for which they paid two thousand one hundred and sixty- seven and thirty-five hundredths dollars, or one dollar and fifty cents per acre.

Other purchases then followed, until the fee of the entire remainder of the islands was obtained (through the principals or their attorneys) of the different owners, these subsequent purchases having been effected as fast as the names of the different owners, or their agents, could be ascertained, within a short time following the date of the original purchase. Upon obtaining possession of the island, the Messrs. Kelley proceeded to effect the expulsion therefrom of Benjamin A. Napier, by ejectment, from the lands, upon which he had no legal or equitable claim, the possession of which he attempted forcibly to retain.

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

These proceedings led to a protracted litigation, in which the question of title was thoroughly investi- gated by the courts, and eventuated in a more full and satisfactory confirmation of the same to the purchasers. Perhaps these would have been obtained had no such controversy arisen. Still the claimant persisted in his illegal acts until a conviction on a crim- inal charge, and narrow escape from the consequences thereof, induced his final absence from the neighbor- hood.

During the fall of the year 1833, was erected a double log house, for a boarding house, which stood upon the bank immediately in front of the site of the "Island House." Mr. Luther Dodge, with his fam- ily, occupied the boarding house upon its completion, he having been appointed superintendent of the interests of the Messrs. Kelley, and having moved to the island a short time previously. During the winter of this year, the present wood dock was commenced, and enough completed to afiord a landing for steamboats, which, in the following spring, com- menced " wooding " therefrom. . During the year following, Mr. Julins Kelley, son of Mr. Datus Kelley, was in charge, and was succeeded by his brother, Mr. Addison Kelley, who, from that date until the removal to the island of Mr. Datus Kelley, in 1836, remained in charge of the business of the firm.

A short time after the building of the south side wood dock, was built the stone dock at the north side, and, a few years subsequently, by Horace Kelley, the dock now owned by Mr. Charles Carpenter.

ORGANIZATION.

At this date, and up to the winter of 1837-8, the island constituted a portion of the township of Dan- bury, and was included within the limits of Huron county. During the winter of 1834-8, was created the county of Erie, and the island, as a part of Dan- bury township, was set off into that county.

On the 21st of January, 1840, in accordance with the prayer of a petition to the legislature to that effect, it was enacted that "all that tract and terri- tory of land known as Cunningham's Island, situated on the south side of Lake Erie, within the county of Erie, be and the same is, hereby constituted a town- ship to be known and distinguished as the township of Kelley's Island."

By section second of the same act, the islands, known as the Bass Islands, were constituted a town- ship called Van Rensalaer, in the said county of Erie.

On the 6th of March, 1840, was passed the act creating the county of Ottawa, which county in- cluded within its boundaries the new island town- ships of Kelley's Island and Van Rensalaer.

The first election for organization as the township of Kelley's Island, was held on "the first Monday in April," 1840. The total number of votes polled was fifteen. Chester Stocking, Walter Beardsley and Ephraim T. Smith were appointed judges, and George

C. Huntington and Addison Kelley. clerks. Addison Kelley, Oliver Emory and Walter Beardsley were elected trustees; Horace Kelley, treasurer; Datus Kelley, clerk; John Titus and Hezekiah Bickford, overseers of the poor; Chester Stocking. George Wires and Henry Provost, fence viewers; Joseph Willett, constable; Henry Harris, supervisor of highways. George C. Huntington was elected justice of the peace, his bonds being filed and accepted on the Stli of June following.

In May, 1840, "An election was also held for county officers for the new county of Ottawa, and the re- turns duly made to the temporary seat of justice at Port Clinton."

As the population of the island increased, and as its business connections, from its geographical position, were entirely with Sandusky (nothing but legal, township, and jury matters calling the inhabitants to Port Clinton), its political connection with Ottawa county became very irksome, and determination was formed to effect a separation therefrom, and its rein- statement as a township of Erie county. A petition was, therefore, presented to the legislature to that e :- ffect, and in February. 1845, was passed by that body, an act which "set off that tract and territory of land known as the township of Kelley's Island into the county of Erie." Thus, within the space of some seven years, or from the winter of 1837 and 1838 to that of 1844 and 1845, the island formed a component part of two townships and four counties, counting Erie, first and second time as two, and it is remarked, "that of four children of Mr. Addison Kelley, born in the same house, no two were natives of the same township and county." But, as in detailing the lis- tory of the organization of the township, the natural order has been anticipated. return will be made to a few events that occurred prior to that date.

THE IMPROVEMENT AND GROWTH OF THE ISLAND.

The Messrs. Kelley, after perfecting their title to the fee of the entire island, and obtaining possession of the same, commenced a system of improvements, in the building of wharves, etc., to facilitate the sale of the products of the island, such as wood, cedar, stone, etc.

Aware that the encouragement of emigration would the more rapidly develop the resources and enhance the value of their purchase, they at once proceeded to place their lands in market, at fair prices, and upon liberal terms of payment, at the same time endeavor- ing to make judicious discrimination as to charae- ter for thrift, industry, etc., of such of the settlers as might wish to become purchasers. The result of this care has ever been apparent.

The earliest purchasers of lands directly from Dr. I. Kelley, were Addison Kelley, John Titus, James Hamilton, Julius Kelley, Horace Kelley, J. E. Woodford, G. C. Huntington, Patrick Martin, Ber- nard MeGettigan, S. S. Duelle and James Estes, most of whom, or their descendants. are still occupy-

letrail Competitive Caroline K Carpenter

CHARLES CARPENTER.

Charles Carpenter, a prominent citizen of Kelley's Isl- and, where he has resided for over thirty-five years, was born at Norwich, Conn., Oct. 19, 1810. His ancestor, on his father's side, came to America in the ship Bevis, about 1655.

His father, Gardner Carpenter, a resident of Nor- wich, Conn., was for a short time paymaster under General Washington ; was postmaster of Norwich for fifteen years; was an extensive merchant and ship-owner in the West India and European trade ; but, by disasters at sea during 1812-15, lost nearly all his property. He died April 26, 1815.

He married Mary Huntington, Oct. 29, 1791. This lady, mother of Charles Carpenter, was descended from the first white male child born in Southeastern Connecticut.

The Carpenter family were heirs to the great Carpenter estate in England, and the family coat-of-arms is cut upon some of the tombstones in Massachu- setts.

Mr. Carpenter was a prominent hor- ticulturist, and was appointed by the Grape-growers' Association to represent to the Ohio Legislature the necessity of obtaining and publishing the grape sta-

tistics of the State, to which was also added agricultural statistics as now taken. He assisted F. R. Elliott in organ- izing the fruit and floral department of the first Ohio State Fair at Cincinnati, and has since been identified more or less with it,-frequently solicited to superintend it. He is an honorary member of the Cincinnati and other horticultural societies.

From an early day he took a deep interest in the artificial propagation of fish ; was active and prominent in in- ducing the State to experiment in the propagation of white-fish, and at pres- ent has charge of the branch of the State Fish Hatchery, on Kelley's Isl- and. He was an enthusiastic advocate of grape-culture, and the pioneer in this portion of Ohio, having planted the first acre of grapes on the island ; and, perhaps, no person has had a greater variety under cultivation at one time.

Charles Carpenter married Caroline Kelley, second daughter of Datus and Sarah Kelley, at Kelley's Island, Nov. 7, 1844. Mr. Carpenter resides on the farm purchased by him nearly thirty- five years ago. Much of the success in fruit-culture, to which Kelley's Island is largely devoted, is due to him.

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

ing portions of the land purchased at that early day. That the possibilities of the future of the islands, high as was the estimate put upon them at that time, were not fully appreciated, was, in after years, fully developed. The sales of wood, cedar and stone, repaid many times the amount of the entire purchase, and the tillable land, a strong limestone soil, proved to be of superior quality. And though the wood and cedar, as articles of commerce, have long since disappeared, the stone trade, from the small beginning of D. and I. Kelley, with one wharf, has developed into proportions of which some idea may be formed when it is stated, that the par value of the capital stock of the stone companies was, at their organiza- tion, about two hundred thousand dollars, the business furnishing employment to over one hundred men.

GRAPE CULTURE.

But another element, not at that time appreciated, because unknown, was destined to enter into the ques- tion of future values, and effect an entire revolution in the agricultural prospects, business and pursuits of the people. It had been observed that at many places on the island, wild grape vines were abundant, of unusual size and thrifty growth. Acting upon this observation, Mr. Datus Kelley, about the year 1842, procured a number of vines of the Isabella and Catawba variety, from Rockport, his former residence, and setting them in his garden, developed in due time the adaptability of the islands, both as to soil and climate, to the culture of the grape.

Mr. - Charles Carpenter, who had purchased the farm of Horace Kelley, and who was a practical fruit culturist, becoming impressed with the importance of the grape culture, and sanguine of its success on the island, set ont the first acre of grapes planted as a field crop, and enthusiastically urged his neighbors to do likewise. The first wine from the product of his vineyard was made in 1850, in the old log house, his former residence, with such primitive appliances in the shape of press, etc., as were at his command.

The effect of the demonstration that the grape culture would be successful were soon apparent. Small vineyards, the nucleus of larger ones, dotted the island. Large profits for a time resulted from the sale of the fruit, packed in boxes for table nse. Farmis divided in five and ten acre lots, were parcelled out to different owners, the price of land, under the impetus thus given it, advanced three to four hun- dred per cent., and within a few years there were nearly one thousand acres set to vines. The excess · of supply over demands, for table use, as also in the quality of the crop for that purpose, directed attention to the manufacture of wine, and there were, in course of time, erected on the island, cellars, which, includ- ing those of the Kelley's Island Wine Company, are capable of storing half a million gallons of wine.

The present average crop of grapes is about seven hundred tons, nearly all of which is manufactured into wine. In 1866, was organized, the Kelley's Island

Wine Company, having a capital of one hundred thou- sand dollars, and possessing, by the terms of its char- ter, the privilege of increasing its capital stock to two hundred thousand dollars. The cellar built and owned by Mr. Charles Carpenter was rented by the company, and the manufacture of wine commenced therein in the fall of the above named year. The officers of the company were: Addison Kelley, presi- dent: George C. Huntington, secretary; A. S. Kelley, treasurer; and C. W. Farciot, superintendent. The business proving very successful, it was deemed ad- visable by a majority of the stockholders to increase the capital stock to the full amount allowed by the charter. Accordingly, in 1871, books were opened for subscriptions to the new stock. Very nearly the full amount was soon taken, and a new and larger cellar, in addition, was built, with all the improve- ments and appurtenances necessary to the prosecution of the business on a large scale, -the cellars, when fin- ished, having a storage capacity of some four hun- dred thousand gallons, and being, in point of capacity and completeness of machinery and outfit, the finest establishment devoted to the manufacture of wine in the State. The officers of the company at the time of the increase of capital stock, were: Addison Kelley, president; Norman Kelley, vice president; A. S. Kelley, secretary; Erastus Huntington, treasurer, and C. W. Farciot, superintendent.

On the 30th of August, 1876, the upper stories of the two cellars, which were adjoining, were destroyed by fire, entailing a heavy loss (with no insurance) on the company. New roofs were immediately placed upon the two buildings, the machinery placed in the first one, where the business of pressing was resumed and where it has since remained. The lower rooms of each cellar being arched, were not injured by the fire, and are now used, as before, for the storage of wine.

ABORIGONAL ANTIQUITIES.

That the island was a favorite place of residence and resort of the aborigonal inhabitants of the coun- try is well established, not only by the legends that have descended to us from successive generations of the past, but in very marked degree by the remains of mounds, burial-places, fortifications, implements, which are found at different points upon the island. The residence grounds and garden of Mr. Addison Kelley were evidently once the site of a populous village, as the remains of broken pottery, pipes, stones indented upon the edges-probably for use as sinkers, for fishing lines or nets, of some kind, and other articles of rude manufacture for household and other purposes, found there, sufficiently attest.

On the premises of Mr. Andrew Cameron at the west bay, are found similar evidences of occupancy by this prehistorie race.

On the Huntington farm are still plainly visible the remains of a circular earth work, which, before suffering from the encroachments of the waters of the

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

lake, enclosed some seven acres of land. The family residence of the late G. C. Huntington stands very nearly in the center of this enclosure.

But the most interesting, because enduring and intelligent, evidences of occupation of the island, by the predecessors of civilization, are the numerous rocks,-"inscription" and others,-bearing upon the surfaces, marks of the rude handiwork, of these peo- ple of a past age.

Of many of these rocks the surfaces, are covered with saucer-like depressions, evidently worn there in the process of manufacturing, or grinding down with the aid of sand, the stone hatchets or "fleshing knives" used by the natives, of which numbers have been found, as the surface of the earth in the vicinity has been disturbed by the plow in the course of years of cultivation.

If these mute evidences of the patient toil of the race, who preceded the whites, as denizens of this this region, in the preparation of the implements necessary in the social economy of its existence, are a matter of interest to the students of the past, much more of interest is the study of the records of this people, as graven upon the "Inscription Rocks," when considered in the light of intelligent transla- tion. Of these rocks, two have been discovered. One, upon the shore of the "North Bay," has cut upon its surface, merely one or two figures, smoking pipes, andis supposed to have no particular historic significance.

The other, on the south side, standing in the water, near the shore, on land formerly owned by Mr. Addi- son Kelley (and who, in his transfer of the lands, conditioned that "Inscription Rock" should be pre- served from all needless injury, and free to all vis- itors), is an object of interest sceond to none in the field of antiquarian research.

The following, condensed from a "pen portrait," by Mr. Kelley, is given as conveying an intelligent description in a few words. This "Inscription Rock', lies on the south shore of Kelley's Island, in Lake Erie, about sixty rods east of steamboat landing. The rock is thirty-two feet in greatest length, twenty-one feet in greatest breadth, and its surface eleven feet avove the water in which it sets. It is part of the same stratification as the island, from which it has been separated by lake action. The top presents a smooth and polished surface, like all the limestone of this section, when the soil is removed, suggesting the idea of glacial action; upon this surface the in- scriptions are cut, the figures and devices are deeply graven in the rock. Schoolcraft's "Indian Antiqui- ties" says of it: "It is, by far, the most extensive, and well sculptured, and best preserved inscription of the antiquarian period ever found in America." It is in the pictographic character of the natives; its leading symbols are readily interpreted. The human figures, the pipe-smoking groups, and other figures, denote tribes, negotiations, crimes and turmoils, which tell a story of thrilling interest connected with the occu-

pation of this section by the Eries, the coming of the Wyandots, of the final triumph of the Iroquois, and flight of the people who have left their name on the lake. In the year 1851, drawings of the inscriptions were made by Colonel Eastman, United States army, who was detailed by government, to examine them on the representation of General M. C. Meigs. Copies of the inscriptions were made, and submitted to Shingvank, an Indian learned in native pictography, by whom they were deciphered and a full translation was given, which was published in Colonel Eastman's work, but which is too long for insertion here. These inscriptions were first discovered about the year 1834, by Charles Omsted, of Connecticut, who ob- served them while trailing and studying the glacial groves. Since then, the rock has been visited by thousands of persons, and has become much worn, and some portions of it so nearly obliterated that a photograph, taken at this time, would give but an imperfect repesentation of it. Still, it is yet, and for many years must remain, an object of interest to the antiquarian.

STEAMBOATS.

The increase of population and business demanding better facilities for intercourse with Sandusky than that afforded by the sail boat, the passage by which was uncertain, uncomfortable, and often dangerous, the substitution of steam power became not only de- sirable but necessary. Accordingly, on the 1st of May, 1846, under the supervision of Captain Dibble, of Sandusky, was commenced the building of a steamer, appropriately named at the launching the " Islander." The "Islander" was built and owned on the island. Her topsides, deck beams, and decks were of red cedar; her measurement was seventy-two tons, with an upright high-pressure engine built by Camp and Johnson, Sandusky. Her total cost was something over six thousand dollars. She made her first trip October 16, 1846, under command of Captain George W. Orr, who commanded her with the excep- tion of one season, until, becoming too small for the business, she was sold in 1854. Upon the sale of the "Islander," the construction of another boat was soon after commenced. This steamer, like the "Islander," was also built on the island by Captain Dibble, her model being made by Captain Bates, of Milan. She was named the "Island Queen;" cost eighteen thou- sand dollars, measured one hundred and seventy-two tons, and made her first trip in June, 1855. Her en- gine, similar in plan and construction to that of the "Islander," was built by N. G. Olds. The " Island Queen" was also commanded by Captain Orr (with the exception of one season), until sold in 1866. She was thought by some at the time of her building to be too large for the route, but it was demonstrated that the contrary was the case. An episode in the history of the " Queen" was her capture and sinking by the rebels in September of 1864, and her recovery in a comparatively uninjured condition a few days

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

after her attempted destruction. This boat, like her predecessor the " Islander," was in commission as a steamboat and barge for over twenty years of contin- uous service, thus attesting the good quality of the material and care used in their construction.

In September, 1866, a company composed of stock- holders in the "Queen," and others, was formed, who purchased the steamer "Evening Star," and placed her on the Island route. The "Star" was a new boat of three hundred and forty-one tons measurement, with a beautiful model, a low pressure beam engine, and cost forty-five thousand dollars, with an addi- tional one thousand dollars expended in fitting her for the route. Her speed was fine, and her carrying capacity unequaled, carrying out of Sandusky on occasion of excursions, as many as twelve hundred passengers at a time. She was commanded, succes- sively by Captains Magle, Kirby and Brown, and was, with the "Reindeer," belonging to the same company, sold in 1822, since which time the islanders have held no interest in the steamboat route.

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History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers, Part 120

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.) Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company Number of Pages: 726

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company
Number of Pages: 726