USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > The pioneer families of Cleveland 1796-1840 Vol. I > Part 12
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
Lovica Taylor, b. 1807; m. Morris Hartwell.
Egbert Taylor, b. 1809.
Charles Taylor, b. 1811; m. Elisa- beth Shepard.
Harvey Taylor, b. 1813; m. Martha
Julia Ann Taylor, b. 1816 ; m. James Hartwell.
1809
HICKOX
June 15, 1809, was an eventful day for the Hickox family of old Waterbury, Conn., for Eri and Abram, two sons of Capt. Abraham and Jemima Foote Hickox, started early that morning with their families for Ohio.
Everything in the way of livestock and household furniture that could
- not be taken on the long journey was sold or given away. Each family had a wagon packed, and filled to over-flowing with bedding, wearing- apparel, cooking-utensils, dishes, and enough provisions to last through the first few weeks of travel, and the wagon was drawn by a yoke of oxen.
Abram and his wife Tamar Tuttle Hickox were both middle-aged when they abandoned their New England home, and started on this distant venture. They had five daughters, Ruth, Oriana, Lucy, Lucinda, and Dorcas. Ruth, the oldest, was 24 years old, and the youngest girl was about 15.
The father walked all the way to Cleveland, while the mother and daughters took turns, two at a time, in riding precariously on the wagon. It was well into August before their destination was reached, and, doubt- less, the road between Buffalo and Cleveland seemed the longest part of the journey.
Abram Hickox was a blacksmith, and upon his arrival found awaiting him all the work he could do, as Nathaniel Doan, the first blacksmith, had been driven out of the hamlet by malaria, and was then living on the corner of Euclid Avenue and Fairmount Street. 1
Eri Hickox was a farmer, and when the party reached Cleveland, he was far from satisfied with the looks of its sandy soil, and decided to continue the journey for a few days longer, and search for a farm better suited to his purposes.
This he found ten miles away in Middleburg Township, Berea. The families were thus separated for the first time, but the cousins inter- changed visits frequently, and two of Abram's daughters spent their last days with their Middleburg relatives and were buried there.
The first shop and dwelling of Abram Hickox was near the corner of Superior and Bank streets, the present site of the Rockefeller Building.
106
1809
HICKOX
Either it was moved across the street near Seneca Street, or he built there a few years later; and before his death the smithy stood on Euclid Avenue, and his residence directly back of it, No. 27 Prospect Street. A narrow lane connecting the two streets at this point bore his name until recently.
Mr. Hickox was a character, and his quaint sayings and unconven- tional doings furnished amusement for Cleveland as a hamlet, a village, and a city. He was familiarly known as "Uncle Abram."
The sign over his smithy read:
"UNCLE ABRAM WORKS HERE."
While celebrating the day, one Fourth of July, he met with a serious accident, which laid him up for many weeks. Upon his recovery he changed his sign to read:
"UNCLE ABRAM STILL WORKS HERE."
He was a cousin of Hon. John A. Foote, the noted Cleveland lawyer, his mother and the latter's grandfather being sister and brother. Mr. Hickox was a member of Trinity Church and its sexton from its organi- zation until his death. In that office he seemed "The Head and Front of Episcopacy."
There was a time when the Stone Church and Trinity, both homeless, used the only schoolhouse together. The former had services morning and afternoon; Trinity in the evening.
One Christmas, falling on the Sabbath, Uncle Abram planned to dec- orate the edifice with evergreens, candles, etc., for the evening service. It could be done only in the short interval that succeeded the close of the second meeting of the Presbyterians. It is said that in his eagerness to begin the work, he begged Parson Bradstreet not to preach one of his "damned, long-winded sermons, this time."
He was tall, thin, and, within the memory of all, wore large bowed spectacles over a rather sharp-pointed nose. His portrait is preserved in the Western Reserve Historical Building. He was the village sexton, and laid away in the first cemetery nearly all who were interred there.
He was 80 years old at the time of his own death, having lived here 36 years, and his grave is in Erie Street Cemetery, near the front en- trance.
Of Tamar Tuttle Hickox, his wife, naught can be learned save that she was a good woman, and the mother of his five daughters. As these daughters were exceptionally fine women, and universally respected, it will be inferred that not all of their good traits were inherited from their father.
Mrs. Hickox lived but six years after her arrival in Cleveland. A year after her death, 1816, Uncle Abram married Phebe Stone, widow of Elisha Dibble. She died in 1839, aged 70 years, and was buried in Erie Street Cemetery by the side of her first husband. Abram Hickox then went to live with his daughter, Lucinda Caldwell, and died six years later.
107
1809
RUPLE
The children of Abram and Tamar Tuttle Hickox:
Ruth Hickox, b. 1785; m. Chrysto- pher Gun, in 1810. See Gun
sketch.
Oriana Hickox, b. 1788, m. Luther Scott; 2nd, Solomon Woodford.
Lucinda Hickox, m. Nathan Cum- mings; 2nd, Asel Caldwell.
Dorcas Hickox, m. Eliezar Water- man. See Waterman sketch.
Lucy Hickox, died at an advanced age unmarried.
Oriana Hickox, or "Aunt Ora," as she was best known, had two sons by her first marriage, Harvey and Abram Scott.
Lucinda Hickox was twice a widow while yet a young woman. She had a son, Samuel Cummings, who died in his teens, and by her second husband, Mr. Caldwell, a lovely daughter and two sons. She kept a pri- vate school for many years on Superior Street, and helped much in form- ing the character of the young people in those early days. She was re- membered by gray-haired women of a past generation as one whom every one loved and admired. She was a consistent Christian, and a sweet singer, who used her gift in the services of her church, or for the pleasure of friends and social events. Her daughter, Mary Caldwell, was very like her mother. She married John Bailey, brother of Robert Bailey, and removed to Sandusky, where she died, leaving two young sons and a daughter, Mary Bailey Henderson, now residing with her relative, Mrs. W. A. Price, in this city.
1809
RUPLE
The following is incomplete data regarding an old and well-known family of East Cleveland.
Samuel Ruple of Pennsylvania, married Rebecca Croft. Came to East Cleveland about 1809.
MARRIAGES
Emma Ruple, m. Sargeant Currier, Jr.
Katherine Ruple, m. Austin Badger. John Ruple, m. Pamelia Thomas.
Polly Ruple, m. Benjamin Hough- ton.
Louise Ruple, m. Richard McIlrath.
Tryphena Ruple, m. Charles Hum- phrey.
In 1819 Cyrus Ruple m. Tryphena Beers.
In 1818 Seth Ruple m. Jane Beers.
Died, Abigail Ruple, 1840.
108
1809
JOHNSON
John Johnson of Warren, Herkimer Co., N. Y., furnished to the ham- let of Cleveland five of his six children, all of the five arriving immedi- ately following the War of 1812. His family consisted of
John Johnson, who settled in Buf- falo, N. Y., and had several sons, all railroad engineers.
Levi Johnson, b. 1788; m. Margaret Montier.
Jonathan Johnson, b. 1788; m. Mi- nerva Allen.
Benjamin Johnson, unmarried. Polly Johnson, m. Thomas Rum- mage.
Phebe Johnson, m. Wm. White ; 2nd, John Post.
Three children of another family of the same name, but not related to the above except through marriage, came to Cleveland about the same time. They were :
Capt. William Johnson, m. Grace O'Kane.
Capt. Harpin Johnson, m. Lucretia Allen.
Mary Johnson, m. Philip B. An- drews. She died young.
1809
JOHNSON
Levi Johnson, so far as can be ascertained, was the first of the family on the ground, in 1809, and doubtless he was responsible for the arrival, within a few years, of his brothers and sisters. He had learned the car- penter's trade of an uncle, with whom he had worked for a time, and one account of his first journey west states that he made it with this relative, and that they came in the winter season, driving all the way with a horse and sleigh. Another version of the same story names his companion, Mr. Remington, who may have been the uncle in question.
An early family of Remingtons are buried in Erie Street Cemetery, who may have been relatives or possibly descendants of the above.
Levi Johnson found employment at his trade almost immediately through Judge John Walworth, who set him at work building a business office on Superior Street, where the American House now stands, and opposite the Rockefeller Building. It was the second frame-structure erected in the hamlet. The first one, the Carter house, built by Joel Thorpe, was burned to the ground after completion. As was the custom of the day, Levi boarded with the family of the Walworths while at work on the building, about 40 days. It was used for several years as a United States revenue office, and a post-office. Young Johnson's business success seems to have been commensurate with his energy. His services were in demand for miles around Cleveland. We find him as early as 1810, in Huron County, erecting a saw and grist-mill. During the War
109
JOHNSON
1809
of 1812, in company with his brother-in-law, Thomas Rummage, he fitted up a frail craft, loaded it with supplies, and, keeping close to the shore, worked his way to Detroit, Mich., where the northern division of the United States Army was then stationed, and sold his cargo at a large profit. This success led to other like ventures, and the sum of profits accrued furnished capital for future investments, which took the form of vessel-building. His first effort in this line must have caused long- sustained interest and curiosity in the town, for he built it a mile or more from the lake or river, and on the property of his brother-in-law, Thomas Rummage. The spot is now covered by the Euclid Avenue Opera House, corner of Sheriff, now East 4th Street.
Although a very small craft, judged by modern standards, it must have loomed up to big proportions when viewed by the onlookers of that day. Doubtless no one but Levi Johnson was at all optimistic as to the result of this venture. One can imagine how the idle stood about and even the busy passers-by paused to exchange opinions and voice the ques- tion in every mind, How was it going to be possible to get the vessel to the river and down the steep bank into the water? But on the morning of the day of the launch, every farmer for miles around came driving his team of horses or yoke of oxen, the latter predominating, hitched them to the boat, and, lo! she moved down and into the river "as slick as grease." He continued vessel-building, though in more convenient locations, and then, with his customary shrewdness, exchanged his interests in them for real estate, and thus founded a fortune.
Levi Johnson's marriage was, in a degree, romantic, for he found his future wife, Miss Margaret Montier, in Huron County, where he was temporarily working on a grist-mill. She was living with a Canadian- French family, whether related to them or not has never been stated. But, as she was of French parentage herself, probably they were rela- tions or former neighbors. She was born in Lancaster, Pa. Upon his return to Cleveland, the Walworths became interested in his love affair, and they sent for her and took her into their own home, and she was married there some months later, in 1811. Mr. Johnson was then 25 years old, the bride 19 years.
The first home of the Johnsons was a small, unpretentious frame- house, now covered by the west end of the Rockefeller Bulding. Here they lived many years, then removed to a fine stone residence that Mr. Johnson had erected, south-east corner of Water, now West 9th Street, and Lake Avenue.
Water Street was then lined with attractive homes, mostly built by men who became residents of the city after 1840. The Gordon mansion, the Walton home, Uncle Sam's solid residence for his Cleveland light- house keeper, and other pretentious structures gave the west side of the street much solidity and dignity. Water Street had at least two village taverns, standing on its east side, from the earliest days; but business, until along in the '60s, was confined within a short block north of Superior Street. In after years, a second grading of Water and Bank streets left many residences propped on stilts, until an additional half-story or more could be built under them, and this led to the removal of many old fami- lies out to Prospect or Woodland Avenue localities.
110
1809
JOHNSON
No more widely known man than Levi Johnson ever lived in Cleve- land's infancy, but his wife took no part in public or social life. She was extremely domestic and confined all her interests to her own household.
The children of Levi and Margaret Montier Johnson :
Harriet Johnson, m. Alexander Sarah M. Clark, daughter of Mi- Sackett. chail and Sarah Clark. She was riet Butterfield.
Capt. Periander Johnson, m. Har- born in Ireland, but lived in Lon- don, Eng. Her sister --- mar-
Philander L. Johnson, b. 1823; m. ried Montpelier.
Children of Philander L. and Sarah Johnson :
Margaret Johnson, )m. Larimer Por- Clara Johnson. Mary Johnson, Stwins. [ter. Levi A. Johnson.
Harriet Johnson.
1809
JOHNSON
The Cleveland Herald of February 24, 1821, contained the following announcement :
"Married in this village, on Saturday evening last, by Josiah Barber, Esq., Capt. Jonathan Johnson to Miss Minerva Allen."
The bride was one of three pretty sisters, daughters of Holden Allen, living in Black Rock, now a suburb of Buffalo, N. Y. He settled there before the War of 1812. The sisters were Lucretia, Minerva, and Sybel, all of whom married Cleveland men. Lucretia, the wife of Capt. Harpin Johnson of the other family of lake captains, had lived in Cleveland some time when her younger unmarried sister made her a visit, and two young and eligible Clevelanders saw that Black Rock should know them no more.
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Johnson first lived on Euclid Avenue, near the present Opera House. He commanded a small vessel called "The Merca- tor," and late in the fall of 1822 he arrived at Cleveland and anchored outside near the mouth of the river, while a storm was raging, the wind blowing fiercely and the waves rolling high.
Two other vessels were also anchored near by, the "Prudence" and the "Good Intent." There was no harbor in those days, as the river was too shallow to allow of the entrance of laden boats. They had to be loaded and unloaded by flat-bottomed lighters. The storm grew worse, and the "Prudence," true to her name, fled to seek shelter at the Islands, and soon the "Good Intent" followed her example. But Capt. Johnson, either through his faith in his staunch little craft, or trust in her anchor,
111
1809
JOHNSON
remained. His young wife, having learned his perilous situation, could neither rest nor sleep, and about midnight went all alone from her home on Euclid Avenue to the shore of the lake, and stood for hours watching the lights on the boat rise and sink out of sight in the water. Sometimes they would disappear for such a length of time that her agony of sus- pense would culminate in a certainty that the vessel had swamped and her husband had gone down with it. Her pretty fur cap was torn from her head by the wind, and went sailing away, but in her anxiety she failed to notice the beating of the rain upon her head.
But as morning broke, the "Mercator" was still riding her anchor, and Mrs. Johnson returned home, hoping for the best. It was not the only time for her and other sailors' wives, of whom the village had many, to pace the lake bank, praying for the safety of loved ones tossing upon the waves outside.
The first child born to the couple was named Alexander M. Johnson.
It would have added immeasurably to the interest and value of this work had the writer been enabled to secure data and detail of other fami- lies from some surviving member of it, so intelligent and so willing to promote this undertaking as this first-born child of Jonathan and Minerva Johnson. Not only has he furnished material concerning his own father and family connections, but given clues concerning several other very early pioneers, that led to successful research.
The second time that the Johnsons became parents, twins arrived in the household. The proud father, upon his next return-trip from Buffalo, brought with him, on his vessel, a willow baby-carriage, the first one, it is claimed, seen upon the streets of Cleveland. It was designed for two children, with a canopy at each end. Mrs. Johnson trimmed it with yel- low cloth, and the pretty baby-carriage with its twin occupants created much curiosity and interest.
The young couple were quite musical. He played the snare-drum, and, it is claimed, was the first drum-major elected by the local militia. She could play four instruments, the flute, fife, flageolet, and accordion. The last one, while a ridiculous squawking affair in the hands of an amateur, is capable of most musical notes if handled correctly, and in those days, when pianos, parlor-organs, and even the melodion, with its absurd limitations, were unknown, the accordion was much prized, and often was a successful accompaniment for the voice.
Mrs. Johnson was a beautiful singer, and for many years was a mem- ber of the Old Stone Church choir, and Mrs. T. P. Handy, who also pos- sessed a fine voice, and herself were ever in demand for all social affairs, adding much to the simple pleasures of the day. Mrs. Johnson with her accordion, and Mrs. Handy were once the chief entertainers at a large tea-party given by Mrs. Peter Weddell in her home on the corner of Superior and Bank streets.
Alexander Johnson, then a very small boy, recalls playing with Horace Weddell on the floor of an adjoining room, and listening to the music in the parlor. His mother was also a fine dancer, and daintily holding up her skirts, taught her son, by example, the popular jigs of the day.
One other accomplishment proved most valuable to her in a financial
112
1809
JOHNSON
way. She was an expert with the needle, and when the famous old steam- boat "Columbus" was launched, she made its flag and received for the work $5, an amount equal to $15 of the present day.
The children of Jonathan and Minerva Johnson :
Alexander M. Johnson, b. 1822; m. Sarah E. Child of Barry, N. Y.
*Henry James Johnson, m. Anna Campbell of Scotland.
*Helen Jane Johnson, m. J. Bazena of France.
Henrietta Johnson, m. Charles Holsey ; lived in Indiana.
JOHNSON
Benjamin Johnson, or "Benhu," as he was called, the younger brother of Levi and Jonathan Johnson, served in the navy during the War of 1812, thereby losing a leg. He never married, and he lived with his widowed sister, Mrs. Phebe White, in her humble little home on Euclid Avenue, near Bond Street.
His misfortune and consequent poverty had no depressing effect on his jovial nature. His only capital was an old white horse and a wagon, and with these he picked up such odd jobs as the town people were able to offer.
Especially was he in demand on or before "washday." For several years there were but few, if any, private wells, and the only supply of rain-water was caught in shallow, wooden troughs. Therefore water had to be hauled from the river or from nearby springs. There were three of the latter that were most available. One under the bank near the foot of Superior Street, another upon the site of the present Opera House, and a third, and abundant, just north of the Public Square, and opposite the present post-office.
To this spot housewives would resort, bringing their soiled clothes, and, using a big iron kettle for heating purposes, do their washing and spread it out to dry on the grass of the vacant field upon which the spring stood, meanwhile keeping watchful eyes on their little ones playing about.
Mrs. George Merwin gives a pretty picture of such a scene in "recol- lections," furnished by her in a meeting of the Early Settlers' Associa- tion; herself and her little companions playing with dolls and broken dishes in her childhood days.
But often it was inconvenient or impossible to wash at the spring, and then Benhu and his white horse would be kept busy indeed. He used to sing rollicking sailor songs, as he drove slowly along, which announced from afar his comings and his goings.
Phebe White, his sister, had two children, Julian and Loretta White. She married a second time, Mr. John Post of Cleveland.
*Twins.
113
1809
WALLACE
In 1809 Amos Spafford sold his tavern at the foot of Superior Street to George Wallace. The latter is said to have previously lived in or near Boston, Mass., and to have been a Cleveland correspondent of a Boston newspaper for many years, or while he lived here, 1809-1820. At the end of seven years, he sold out to Noble H. Merwin. Meanwhile, he had built another tavern on the other side of the street, about halfway between Seneca and Bank streets, now West 3rd and West 6th, which he named the "Commercial House," and occupied it for four years. It was a two- story frame-building, with a porch its whole width, and with wide steps leading up to it. This second tavern Mr. Wallace sold to Michael Span- gler, and then, with his family, removed to Northfield, Summit Co., Ohio.
The little hamlet of Brandywine in that township rivalled the village of Cleveland, at that time, and Mr. Wallace and his brother, Robert Wal- lace, established a store, grist and saw-mill, also a woolen factory, all in operation at once.
Mrs. Wallace, Harriet Menough, was born in Pennsylvania. It is said that her marriage was the first one celebrated in Ohio. She was of a delicate organization, but was a woman of much executive ability, and a faithful wife and mother. She was living in town at the time of Hull's Surrender. Her mother, Mrs. Isabella Waugh Menough, was living with her. They were hourly expecting an attack by the British and Indians, and while many were fleeing to a place of safety, she courageously re- mained with her horse saddled in the stable, saying that she might be needed. True enough! The house was soon filled with sick and wounded soldiers of our own army who had been exchanged. Many of them, long years afterward, acknowledged her kindness to them, and thanked her warmly.
Mr. Wallace seems to have been a public-spirited man. He took part in the organization of the village in 1814, and was one of its first assess- ors. With others he attempted to improve the mouth of the river, so that lake-craft could enter it, and he was a trustee of Cleveland's first bank.
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace had two sons, and a daughter, Emmeline, who married Thomas Wilson, Portage County's first sheriff.
In 1840, newspapers published Mrs. Wilson's death at the age of 26 years, showing that she was born in Cleveland in 1814.
1810
Population, 57.
The first session of court in Cleveland held June 5, in the store erected by Elisha and Harvey Murray. Benjamin Ruggles presiding judge.
Cuyahoga County organized. Nathan Sperry, Sr., Augustus Gilbert and Timothy Doan associate judges.
COUNTY OFFICES
Recorder, John Walworth. Treasurer, Asa Dille. Sheriff, Samuel Smith Baldwin. Surveyor, Samuel Smith Baldwin.
Town Postmaster, John Walworth. Town Collector of Customs, John Walworth.
114
1810
WOODWORTH
The Luther Woodworth family came to East Cleveland from New Jersey. Mrs. Woodworth's maiden name was Clarissa Murray. As nearly correct as can be ascertained the children were as follows:
Theron Woodworth, m. 1st, Cordelia Joclyn of Kirtland, O., who died in Kirtland ; m. 2nd, Rebecca Gra- ham of Perry, O.
Julia Woodworth, m. William Henry Converse.
Eveline Woodworth, m. 1st, Levi Richmond; d. in Randolph, O. Clarissa Woodworth, m. David Ter- rill; removed to Michigan.
Caroline Woodworth, m. Jackson Perkins; removed to Wisconsin.
1810 WILLIAMSON
Samuel Williamson, 28 years old, living in Cumberland County, Pa., went to Crawford County, that state, in 1800, the first year of the last century. There he met Miss Isabella McQueen, 18 years of age, and not long afterward they joined their mutual fortunes in matrimony.
Ten years later found them with their children, and accompanied by Mathew Williamson, a bachelor brother, traveling slowly in a north- westerly route in the wilderness to the hamlet of Cleveland, which they reached in May. Their arrival brought the population of the same up to 57, men, women and children.
They made their home on Water, now West 9th Street. It was on the west side of it, original lot 201, adjoining a narrow, crooked lane that led to the river. This lane eventually became the western end of St. Clair Street. The brothers built a tannery near the foot of this, and soon had all the business they could attend to. For, in addition to the pelts of domestic animals brought to them to convert into leather, there were quantities of skins of wild animals brought in by Indians and trappers to be cured for the market.
When the family settled on Water Street, that thoroughfare was as yet but partially defined. An ox-team bringing a supply of wood to the house would have to turn first to one side of the narrow road and then to the other, to avoid the big stumps yet standing there, and even this pretense of a passage was blocked just beyond the Williamsons by trees and underbrush.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.