USA > Ohio > Portage County > Portage heritage; a history of Portage County, Ohio; its towns and townships and the men and women who have developed them; its life, institutions and biographies, facts and lore > Part 42
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The principal proprietors of the township were residents of the vil- lage of Lebanon, Connecticut, and were Free and Accepted Masons. Among these was Col. Daniel Tilden. He had been an officer in the Revolu- tion and was prominent in politics and in Masonry, being at that time High Priest of the Chapter. Also he had made the largest investment in the township. It was customary in those days to hold a social meeting after labor in the Lodge. On one such occasion back in Connecticut, the sub- ject of their western possessions came up and one of the number proposed that the brother who would supply the punch might name the township. The principal ingredient of this punch was Jamaica rum, to which sugar and milk were added. Col. Tilden ordered the punch and when it was ready to be served, arose and said: "Brethren, let us drink to the Widow's Son. May peace, prosperity and brotherly love prevail for all time throughout our possessions to such an extent as to add lustre to our patron saint, Hiram, whose name we now give."
The Hiram mentioned above was, by legend, a great artificer in brass, a Mason, and as such a worker on Solomon's temple.
The Connecticut Land Company deeded this township to the following persons and the amounts contributed to the purchase are given below:
Ebenezer Devotion $1,630.00
Daniel Tilden 3,600.00
William Perkins 640.00
John McClellan 1,452.00
Jonathan Devotion 1,650.00
Ichabod Ward-Daniel Terrance 1,426.00
Samuel Terrance
815.00
Ichabod Ward 80.23
Phineas Pierce
1,650.00
$12,903.23
ONLY ONE COMES HERE
Each township purchaser or group of purchasers was required to pay not less than $12,903.23 and it is probable that Ichabod Ward contributed his $80.23 in order to bring the total in- vestment up to this required amount.
Some confusion rises from the fact that the 1885 Portage County History gives the names of the original pro- prietors as Daniel Tilden, Daniel Green, Joseph Metcalf, Levi Case, John Fitch, Joseph Burnham and Jos. Perkins. Except Daniel Tilden, these were not the men who purchased from the Connecticut Land Co. But most of those who did buy from the land company, made the investment for profit and quickly sold their property.
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Records of deeds show some trans- fers from purchasers from the land company to persons named. The name of Daniel Tilden is the only one found in both lists. He is the only one of the original proprietors to come to the Reserve and probably the only one who visited his western property. An old atlas reports that Joseph Metcalf, one of the original proprietors, died in New York on his way here, and that another, Levi Case, set out from Connecticut but got no further than the Lake Erie shore in New York where he was found leaning against a tree, frozen to death.
The earliest owners invested in this land with the expectation of selling it at a profit. Connecticut sold this Re- serve land for $1,200,000, or approxi- mately 40 cents per acre. Each town- ship was supposed to contain 16,000 acres. Hiram contains only 15,630 acres but two lots lated added from other townships brought the acreage up to 17,780. With this additional acreage, the land cost proprietors a little over 72 cents per acre. As settlers came, the price increased. On Dec. 14, 1813, Elijah Mason sold 71 acres of land on Lot 23 to Parley Hughes for $338.00. Hughes deeded this land to Thomas F. Young for $535.00, or $7.53 per acre.
Thomas Young built a house at the northeast corner of the intersec- tion of the north-south and east-west center roads. Most of this property has been sold, part to the college and part for building lots but what is left remains in the family.
We have no way of learning defi- nitely who was the first to come into the township with the idea of remain- ing. John Harmon, an early Mantua settler, thought that Wm. Williams came in the spring of 1799, built a
cabin, but soon left, but we do not know definitely whether he spent any time in Hiram. It has been said that Abraham Honey, Mantua's first Set- tler, stayed in Hiram a short time after leaving Mantua.
FIFTY LOTS SET OUT
Hiram was laid out in 50 large lots. No. 1 was located in the extreme northwest corner. The numbers then ran to the east, 1-2-3-4-5, then drop- ped to the next row and continued in reverse, back and forth until 50 was reached. Hiram Center was located on Nos. 23 and 28.
In 1802 Elijah Mason, Elisha Hutch- inson and Mason Tilden came and lo- cated lands. Mason and Tilden were from Connecticut and Hutchinson from New York state. Tilden was a son of Daniel Tilden, one of the orig- inal proprietors. It is probable that Mason was a brother-in-law of Daniel Tilden and nearly his age for both had served in the Revolutionary War. Mason took the west half of Lot 23; Tilden took Lot 22; and Hutchinson a part of Lot 23. They returned "home" after selecting their lands. However, John Flemings, who came the same year, did begin the work of a settler on Lot 33. He built a cabin and his was the first crop raised in the township. He stayed a year-per- haps less.
Mason, Hutchinson and Tilden re- turned in the spring of 1803 and built cabins. They left their families at home, though Mason brought two sons, Peleg and Roswell M. Mason. Mason cleared about 22 acres of land, Hutchinson 20 and Tilden an un- known area. Mason planted wheat but we do not know about the others. Soon after these three came they dis- covered and named Silver Creek.
Mason, Tilden and Hutchinson re-
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turned east, intending to come back permanently. But Mason's sons re- fused to come and he changed his plans and purchased a farm in Ver- mont. But Mason did return in 1804 to harvest his wheat.
Harry Abbott, who has always lived on a farm not far from the location, says that John Spencer harvested the first wheat crop on a high point known as The Pinnacle on the west side of the river. Spencer came to Mantua early, soon moving over into Hiram. Abbott says he once found the foundation of Spencer's house and that if it is in Mantua, it is just over the line.
Three men had come into Hiram from Pennsylvania as hired men. They were Richard Redden, Jacob Wirt and Samuel Wirt. They liked the coun- try and decided to stay. Redden bought the property of Flemings, men- tioned earlier, while the Wirts settled on Lot 38. Redden sent for his father and family and this was the first white family to spend a winter in Hiram. The Redden place was one mile south of the center, at a hill long known as Redden's Hill. At one time Redden had a still on the slope of Big Hollow.
For a few years few people from New England came in, but some did come in from Pennsylvania, mostly squatters.
BLACKSMITH ARRIVES
In the fall of 1804 William Fenton began work in Lot 38, with Cornelius Baker occupying another part of it. It is said that the first death in the township was that of Mrs. Fenton who died at the birth of a child. Burial was on the north Big Hollow Hill.
In the fall of 1804, Col. John Gar- rett, whose name is preserved as that of the name of Garrettsville, came to this country. With him was Abraham
James A. Garfield, Hiram's most distinguished son.
Dyson who soon came to Hiram and opened a shop for blacksmithing and gun repairing. The shop was at the foot of North Hill.
In 1806 Roswell Mason changed his mind about life in the Reserve and came from Vermont to Lot 22, pre- sented by his father. The father, Eli- jah, still owned considerable land here and made Roswell his agent. Roswell studied law.
In 1810 Parley Hughes came from Vermont and settled where Elijah Mason had done some work in 1803, and now as purchaser. That fall Hughes' son-in-law, Ephriam Hackett, brought his family to Lot 22. The township population was then about 30.
In June, 1911, Orrin Pitkin settled on Lot 32, where Honey had worked, it is thought. In August, James Young, George Young and Seth Cole and
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families came from Sterling, Connecti- cut. James, a tailor, was on Lot 18; George on the same lot and Lot 25; and Cole bought in Lot 38. Cole was a cooper. Elisha Hutchinson also changed his mind and brought his family to the spot he had first worked in 1803. In the fall of 1811 there were 11 families in the township and the population was 58.
In 1812 Thomas F. Young came from Windham, Conn., and settled on land at the corner bought from Par- ley Hughes. Here he built a log house, followed by a frame house about 1820, which still remains. For some years Young's Exchange was a tavern on the stage coach route, Warren to Cleveland. His wife, Lydia, was a daughter of Daniel Tilden. As far as known Thomas Young was not re- lated to the family previously men- tioned.
In September, 1813, Daniel Hinck- ley came with his family from Con- necticut, taking part of Lot 38, and buying considerable other land. Later, a Moore married a Hinckley and this place is now known as the Moore place. Hinckley taught the first school, a log structure on the north brow of Big Hollow.
SYMONDS RYDER COMES
In 1816, Elijah Mason fulfilled his original intention and came West. The family settled on the west half of Lot 43. With him he brought Sy- monds Ryder, whom he had raised. The next year Symonds went East and returned with his parents, brother Ja- son and sisters, settling south of the center, on what has long been known as Ryder road. The Ryders were long ardent supporters of the church. Sy- monds preached until he was old and Jason was a deacon until he became feeble. That year, too, Arunah Tilden
and family, with brother-in-law, John Jennings settled the west half of Lot 37.
In 1817 Gersham Judson came to Lot 31 from Mantua, later selling to Paul Pitkin and moving away. Jud- son, a widower, married Sarah Redden in 1817-Hiram's first wedding. The next was ten years later when Chas. R. Paine married Perthenia Mason, daughter of Elijah. Others coming at this time were Stephen B. Pulsifer and family; Ira Herrick and parents; and Daniel (not owner) John, Benjamin and Polly Tilden. Ebenezer Pinney went to lot 51, later selling to Samuel Udall. By 1817 the population was 120.
Early in 1818 Daniel Harrington came from Trumbull county. The families of Samuel Udall, John John- son, Martin Miller, Charles Loomis and Thomas Cowen reached Hiram after a trip of six-weeks through deep snow. Udall settled on parts of Lots 32 and 39. Johnson later built a frame house.
In the following summer others came in; Gideon Chapin, Lemuel Herrick, Miles T. Norton, Joel But- ton, Elisha Taylor, Horance A. Loom- is, Curtis Eggleston, Truman Brace, William Harris and Chas. H. Paine, who later became Freedom's first set- tler.
In March, 1819, John M. Tilden and family arrived, settling on Lot 25. Paul Pitkin came in June that year.
About 1820, John M. Tilden, one of the original proprietors, came with his family, settling on Lot 25. He had been a man of considerable property and influence in Connecticut and came here to live in seclusion in order to forget disappointments of his life in the East. His first dwelling was lo- cated on the hill west of the cemetery.
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About this time Deacon John Ru- dolph came to a farm north of Gar- rettsville, coming from Virginia. He and family were active supporters of the church. His son Zeb married a daughter of Elijah Mason. Their daughter Lucretia became the wife of James A. Garfield. The first birth was that of Edwin S. Babcock March 3, 1811, son of Simeon Babcock and a daughter of Elijah Tilden.
OLD NAMES DISAPPEAR
A history student soon notices the disappearance of most of the early names, which were nearly all of Eng- lish orgin. An early comer was Elisha Taylor, a tanner, leather worker and shoemaker who came in 1818. The wheel used in grinding tanner's bark has been preserved at the center as a relic. There are still Taylors on the first Elisha Taylor place. There is one family of Udalls left on the original place. There is one Mason but not a family. There are Spencers at the Rap- ids and center. There is one Norton left, and one Ryder on part of the original farm. There is one Young family on the original place, not con- nected with the Youngs once so num- erous, but with Thomas Fitch Young. Apparently only the Spencers, the Taylors and the Youngs will leave their names for future generations.
Among those who came to Hiram a hundred years or more ago, not pre- viously mentioned, whose descendants reside here, are: the Abbotts, Allyns, Bennetts, Coopers, Crafts, Davises, Everetts, Kings Loomises, Marcys, Munns, Nicholses, Patches, Pritch- ards, Sanfords, Stockbergers, Turners and Vaughns.
The first mill was built at the Rap- ids in 1807 by Lemuel Punderson for Squire Law of Connecticut. It was de- stroyed by flood but re-built in 1808
and a sawmill added.
A postoffice was established at the Center in 1816. Thomas F. Young was the first postmaster, holding office until his death in 1852, a period of 36 years. With the exception of about one year the office remained in the Young family until 1861.
The following persons have been Hiram postmasters, with dates of ap- pointment: Thos. F. Young 1816; Clinton Young 1854; Alva Udall 1854; Clinton Young 1856; Eber Mott 1861; Daniel Humeston 1870; Jason Streator 1873; D. H. Beaman 1882; Harry Leach 1892; Clinton Young 1896; George Vincent 1900; Helen Vincent 1907; A. G. Woodward 1910; Henry Dyson 1914; George Vincent 1918; Owen E. Reed 1918; Mrs. Joe Gettys 1925; John Hersey 1925; George Vincent 1925; Gilbert Wilson 1934; Arthur Fisher 1943; Wayne F. Grosse, 1954.
"STONE JUG" SCHOOL
When the office was established the mail came once a week by stage, Warren to Hudson. Later it came by mail to Jeddo (Hiram Station), then a station. Still later it went by rail to Garrettsville, then to Hiram. Now all mail is handled by trucks.
When Benjamin Hinckley taught the first school this lasted for ten weeks. There were 20 pupils, seven Youngs, three Johnsons, two Hutch- insons, two Dysons, two Hughes, two Hinckleys, a Hampton and a Judson. From that time on schools have been maintained with regularity. In 1816 two districts were formed. At a later time there were five-one at the Cen- ter, one a mile south, one in the east part, one at the Rapids and one at "Pigwacket," one and a half miles north of the Center. At one time the Center school was a fine stone build-
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ing, affectionately known as the "Stone Jug." For some years Hiram did not have a high school as the college operated a preparatory depart- ment. When this was abolished, a town high school was established. Eventually, district schools were aban- doned and pupils brought by bus to the central school.
The first store was opened by Dea- con John D. Hazen in 1820. It is said that Eber Mott had a store at the Cen- ter, the building later used as a store by the Fergusons. House and Vincent also operated there. Streator's store at the Center was long a landmark-a brick building on the east side of the north-south road where Gray Hall now stands. This was a general store and meeting place occupied by Mantle after Streator retired. At one time Clarence Young had a grocery and at a later time Syria (pronounced Syra)) had a grocery.
Like most other towns Hiram had a band. One of the early leaders was Clarence C. Young, grandson of Thomas F. He had tuberculosis and knowing that the end would come, he asked that his body be buried by moonlight and that the band should play.
Another musical organization was the Dayton orchestra, composed of Noah Dayton and members of his family. Dayton also operated a coblers shop and repaired violins.
As the land was cleared and cattle increased there grew up a large busi- ness in butter and cheese, especially the latter. A cheese factory would be established wherever there was a good supply of milk. These factories are all gone and the milk is hauled to the cities.
HAD THREE INNS Thomas Johnson and Elisha Hutch-
inson had built frame barns but it was not until 1819 that a frame house was erected. This was the home of Jesse Bruce.
In the ealiest days the only road in the northern part of the county was that between Warren and Cleveland, passing through Hiram center. In Hi- ram, three inns catered to stage coach traffic. One was a few houses east of the Center; Youngs Exchange at the Center; and Aunt Polly's Inn. These houses are still standing. Another old establishment was at the Rapids and is still standing.
There was once a road from the west part of the township to Garretts- ville, south of the present Route 82. It ran near the north line of the farm long occupied by the Stockbergers for over a century. It is also probable that there was a road to Ravenna in the early days. There was a guide board at the Center in the early times saying "Troy - Five Miles - Not Open." There was a ford across the Cuyahoga on the Warren-Cleveland road, near the present bridge.
INTEREST IN RELIGION
There is only one railroad in the township. Originally the Cleveland & Mahoning Valley, it is now part of the Erie after several ownerships.
One of the plans for railroads which flourished with Hudson as a center was the Clinton Air line which crossed Hiram. It is described elsewhere. Parts of the original road bed can be seen today.
The Methodists were most success- ful in early church missionary work and the former, at least, had a church at the Center. There was also one at the Rapids. In 1835 the Disciples or- ganized a church at the south school house and this denomination proved
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to be so popular that it supplanted the others.
On the whole, however, this was a period of great interest in religion. One of the sects which arose at this time was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, often called Mor- mons. Joseph Smith, the prophet of that faith, and Sidney Rigdon, a preacher, brought their message into Hiram and made important converts. Some people were suspicious of the motives of these men, thinking they would try to get all property into the hands of the church, and there also were charges of the advocation of polygamy. A group went to the John- son house, where Smith was staying, and near where Rigdon lodged in another house, and tarred and feather- ed them. We cannot judge either the Mormons or their assailants now; cer- tainly the Latter Day Saints have grown in strength and in 1956 the church organization bought the John- son house containing the "Revelation Room" where Joseph Smith received some sixteen revelations. It is to be a church shrine. In later years the Mor- mon stay assumed historical signifi- cance.
Another movement which attracted many followers was Spiritualism. Many seances were held and many people had complete faith but interest in the belief gradually died out here.
EARLY PHYSICIANS
There has been a doctor at the Cen- ter from early times but no dentists as doctors did dental work. First was a Dr. Blackmar who arrived in 1832. He built a house containing kitchen, pan- try, bedroom and office in a building 12 x 14 feet. Other physicians, rough- ly in order were Drs. Trask, Squire, Stanhope, Dyson, Page, F. H. Hurd and H. C. Hurd. Dr. Wilcox of Man-
tua Corners practiced at the Rapids.
For some years there were no cem- eteries. There were at first few burials and these were made in a convenient place. Not always were graves perm- anently marked. At a later time, when the township was well organized, a town cemetery was established about a half mile west of the Center and is now well kept up.
The Center cemetery holds the graves of two soldiers of the Revolu- tion-Elijah Mason and Daniel Tild- en. Allyn Turner, another Revolution- ary Soldier is buried at the Rapids.
After the formation of Portage County Hiram township included the territory of Mantua, Shalersville, Nel- son, Windham and Freedom, as set out by the county commissioners for government purposes.
The first election appears to have been held in 1816, with 16 votes cast. Officers chosen included a justice of the peace, trustees, clerk, fence view- ers, overseers of the poor, and a lister. Officers chosen included Thomas F. Young, clerk; James Young, John Redden and Benjamin Hinckley, trus- tees; and Richard Redden, treasurer.
The first election of which there is any definite record was in 1826 when these officers were chosen:
Thomas F. Young, clerk; James Young, Aruna Tilden and George Redden, trustees; Seth Cole and Sam- uel Udall, overseers; Elijah Mason and George Young, viewers; John Red- den, lister; John Dyson, appraiser; George Udall, Enoch Judson, Anson Booth, Thomas Johnson and Horace A. Lomice (Loomis), path markers; Samuel Udall, Milton Arthur and Gideon Chapin, path markers; Curtis Eggleston and Benjamin Hinckley, constables and John Redden, treasur- er.
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Bailey S. Dean, former pro- fessor, pastor and acting president at Hiram.
In the earliest years the trustees, on instruction of Common Pleas court, selected grand and petit jurors, but this method lasted only a short time.
COLLEGE DOMINATES
After the establishment of Hiram College (first as the Eclectic Institute in 1850) the history of Hiram town- ship has been much the same as the history of the college as the college has dominated virtually all activities within its borders. History of the col- lege has been set out in another sec- tion. But a few outstanding facts should be noted.
The reason for the selection of Hi- ram as a site was primarily the desire of the Disciple Church people, numer- ous in the area, for a school. Other reasons were the beauty, healthfulness and quiet of the place.
The start of the Institute brought a flood of students-more than could be accommodated-but gradually order was brought out of chaos. The first principal had the school work farmed out to him-he ran the school, collect-
ed the receipts and if there was any- thing left over, he got it. The only building, "Old Main," was a veritable beehive of activity. Every inch of space was needed. The principal and janitor had living quarters in the basement. When the principal moved out a boarding house was started there and this was helped by others outside. But many of the students, coming from the farms, boarded themselves. A spec- ial boarding house was built for self- boarders. But regular board could be obtained for $1.25 per week.
A number of Hiram citizens were great help in getting "Old Main" erected and in doing other practical work required. Among these were Sy- monds Ryder, Alvah Udall, Carnot Mason and Pelatiah Allyn, Jr. A. Sut- ton Hayden was the first principal.
Hayden was followed as principal by James A. Garfield, Hiram's great- est son. During the Civil War years H. W. Everest, J. M. Atwater, C. W. Heywood and A. J. Thompson acted as principal. The Institute became a College in 1867 with Silas E. Shepard as president. He was followed by J. M. Atwater and the well remembered B. A. Hinsdale. After Hinsdale left there came G. H. Laughlin, E. V. Zol- lars, J. A. Beattie, C. C. Rowlinson, Miner Lee Bates, Kenneth Brown and Paul H. Fall, current chief.
One building served until 1879 when Ladies Hall (later Bowler) was built and in 1883 Old Main was re- modeled. Miller Hall came in 1889 and a Y.M.C.A. building in 1896 (lat- er burned). Buildings today include the Library, Observatory, Play House, Colton Hall, Administrative Building, Zollars Dorm, Infirmary and various others.
Being a church school with a min- isterial course, Hiram College over
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several decades furnished supply min- isters for churches all over Northeast- ern Ohio.
Hiram's faculties have included many brilliant and dedicated men and of the study body, many have gone out to win fame elsewhere.
DEVELOP WATER POWER
There has not been much manufact- uring in Hiram, though it existed. Evan Jones once manufactured hats in a log house west of the Center. He accumulated some money, went to Cleveland and was robbed and mur- dered.
At one time there were several mills scattered along Eagle Creek, which is about two miles south of the Center. At various places fall of water was sufficient to justify the building of dams to produce power. Silver Creek, east of the Center, also produced some power. About a mile south of the east- west center road was a mill, whether grist or saw, is not recorded. As late as 1900 its old timbers could still be seen. North of the road there was a grist mill, built about 1818 and oper- ated by Mr. Secole. It was the first in that vicinity but not very satisfactory.
One and a half miles north, on the little brook that crosses the road there, Elisha Taylor had a tannery, the first in the neighborhood. He ground his bark in a circular vat by means of a large stone wheel with sharp notches on the rim. This was attached to a horizontal axle with one end fastened at the center of the vat, while the other end was drawn around the circle by a pair of oxen. The stone wheel outer end rolled around on the bark until this was ground fine enough for use. This stone is now preserved on ground across the street from the post- office.
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