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NUMliER I.
Published by order of the Executive Committee.
ANNALS
OF
THE EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION
OF
Cuyahoga County.
NUMBER I.
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE EXECUTIVE COM.
CLEVELAND:
Mount & Carroll, Printers and Stationers.
1880.
- -^ -
THe:.-i:v/ yr. ■ -^
' I ■ - 7
LENOX AND
~QUND*T ,
OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION, 1880.
HON. HARVEY RICE. President.
HON. JOHN W. ALLEN,)
\ Vice Presidents.
HON. JESSE P. BISHOP, )
THOMAS JONES, Jr., Secretary.
GEO. C. DODGE, Esq., Treasurer.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
GEO. F. MARSHALL,
R. T. LYON, DARIUS ADAMS,
M. M. SPANGLER, JOHN H. SARGENT.
THE EARLY SETTLERS IN CONVENTION.
The convention met on the day appointed, May 20th, 1880
in the afternoon, at 1 :30, at the Presbyterian Church, Euclid
Avenue, and corner of Brownell street. The public were in-
vited. The assemblage was large, and was mostly composed
of persons not only venerable for age, but noteworthy for in-
telligence. The platform was occupied by President Rice,
Vice President Allen, Rev. Thomas Corlett, and orators
S. E. Adams and F. J. Dickman. The exercises took place in
their order, as follows :
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
1.— Voluntary on the Organ.
2. — Prayer by Rev. Thomas Corlett.
Lord, the giver of all good things, we render thee our
unfailing thanks and praise for all thy mercies, and especially
for thy good providence in conducting us thus far through
the perils and dangers of the present life, and for raising our
thoughts and hopes to a holier and happier life above. We
desire this day to praise thy holy name for all the great things
which thou hast done for us as a people and as a nation, for the
4 ANNALS OF THE
goodly heritage which thou hast given us, for the civil and
religious privileges which we enjoy, and for the multiplied
manifestations of thy favor and goodness towards us. Grant
us grace to show forth our thankfulness to thee for these thy
mercies, and to live in hoh' obedience to thy righteous laws.
We implore thy blessing on our C'hief Magistrate and all
others in authorit}', that they may so discharge their several
duties as most eftectually to promote thy glory, the interests
of true religion and virtue, and the peace and honor and
welfare of the State and Nation ; and to us who are assembled
to revive the memories of the past, and to renew old acquaint-
ance, grant thy special blessing and grace, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord. Amen.
3. — Song--"Auld Lang Syne." Arion Quartette.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot.
And never brought to min'?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of o' lang syne?
Chokus — ¥ov auld lang syne, mj^ dear.
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet.
For auld lang sxthq.
« « « • I
« • « «
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATON.
We twa hae ran about the braes,
And pu't the gowaus fine;
But we've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin auld lang syne.
Cho. — For auld, &c.
We twa hae paidl't i' the burn,
Frae mornin sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roared.
Sin auld lang syne.
C"ho. — For auld, &c.
And here's a hand, my trusty fier,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught.
For auld lang syne.
Cho. — For auld, &c.
And surel}^ ye' 11 be your pint-stowp.
And surely I'll be mine:
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet.
For auld lang syne.
Cho. — For auld, &c.
6 aNnals of THt:
4. — Inaugural Address, by Harvey Rice, President of
the Association.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Association: The occasion
which convenes us is one of unusual interest, especialh' as it
is the first annual convention devoted to public exercises,
which we, as an organized fraternity, have attempted to hold.
While we who are early settlers have been busy in our
time, time has been busy with us, and has crowned the heads
of most of us with the silvery frostwork of age. The crown
is one of honor, which honorably connects us with that heroic
phalanx of early pioneers who were active in subduing a wil-
derness and in transforming it into a civilized land of happy
homes — the rich inheritance of the living present and the
destined patrimony of the unborn future.
It is the leading object of this association, as expressed in
its constitution, "to meet in convention annuall}^ with a view
of l)rinffiua: its members into more intimate social relations,
and collecting all such interesting facts, incidents, relics and
personal reminiscences relatiA^e to the early history and
settlement of Cuyahoga county as may be regarded of per-
manent value, and transferring the same to the 'Western
Reserve Historical Society' for preservation."
It is in this way, and only in this way, as it seems to us,
that the lessons of pioneer life, with its jo^'s and its sorrows,
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 7
its trials and its hardships, can be rescued from oblivion and
inscribed, as they should be, on the heart tablet of every child
in the land. These are the grand aims of the association. It
will be readily inferred, therefore, that the association does
not convene for the purpose of celebrating an annual "festival"
in the ordinary sense of that word, but rather for the purpose
of enjoing "a feast of reason and a flow of soul," with simpli-
city of preparation and with a desire to create and leave a
record of its work as a bequest to posterity. This it proposes
to do by appropriating its funds arising from membership
fees to the publication of an annual pamphlet containing its
proceedings, with notices of its deceased members, and dis-
tributing the pamphlet gratuitously to the members of the
association, so that we shall have, in time, a valuable history
of the original pioneers and early settlers of our city and
county, to which we, and they who follow in our footsteps,
can refer, and derive both profit and pleasure. In fact, every
generation has its early settlers, in whose life experiences all
succeeding generations become interested. Thus time con-
secrates character, and embalms it. Hence our Association
has the elements of perpetuity, and will, we trust, perpetuate
itself.
If we look back into the records of early times, we shall
encounter the surprising fact that a little less than a century
ago this beautiful region which we now occupy was a part of
e
8 ANNALS OP THE
that vast unexplored territoiy whose western boundar}- was
supposed to be lost in the golden twilight of the setting sun,
and whose wild domain seemed destined to remain forever
hushed in the silence of its own solitude, save when awakened
here and there b_y the dismal howl of the wolf, and still more
dismal warwhoop of the savage.
From time immemorial, a powerful Indian tribe, known as
the Eries, occupied the south-eastern shore of Lake Erie, from
whom the lake derives its name. They were a warlike race,
and as evidence of this, have bequeathed to our times a series
of earth mounds, some of which are still visible at different
points along the lake coast. The origin and object of these
mounds furnish a mystic problem, which our modern anti-
quarians have not, as yet, satisfactorily solved. It is quite
probable, however, that these mounds were designed to mark
not only the battle fields, but the sepulchres of the brave
Eries, who lived, flourished, and became extinct at a date
which belongs to the pre-historic ages. After their extinction
they were succeeded by fragments of various migrating tribes,
who continued to occupj' the ancient domain of the Eries,
especially the Valley of the Cuyahoga, for a long period of
years, and in fact became "monarchs of all they surveyed."
Yet this wild region had a much higher destiny — a destiny
which its dusky occupants did not comprehend. Their
prophets, however, frequently predicted that a superior race
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 9
would at no remote period invade their wild domains and
appropriate them. In fact there were at that time, though
unbeknown to the Indian prophets, great moral forces at work
in the civilized world, which ultimately verified their prophetic
utterances. Adventurers from the Old World soon began to
colonize, at various points, the wilds of the New World. Our
Pilgrim Fathers landed at Plymouth Rock. A series of small
colonies soon dotted the New England coast. Among: these
was the colony of New Haven, a colony that grew in strength
and in greed, loved land and liberty, and resolved to have
more of both. In order to effect this, she sent her favorite
Governor, Winthrop, in 1662, to England, with a prepared
charter such as she desired, to solicit from Charles II. a grant
of additional land and liberty. Though Winthrop accepted
the mission he felt doubtful of its success, for the reason that
his constituents had S3^mpathized with Cromwell, who had
beheaded Charles I., the royal father of the reigning King, and
especially as the latter had recently expressed his indignation
by ordering the dead body of Cromwell to be disinterred,
publicly hanged and buried at the foot of the gallows.
In view of this expression of contempt on the part of the
King for the memory of Cromwell and his adherents, Win-
throp, when admitted to an audience, became sadly embar-
rassed in hitting upon a favorable method of introducing the
subject of his mission, but, as luck would have it, he be-
10 ANNALS OF THE
thought himself of the sparkling, massive finger-riug which
he wore, and which had been bestowed by Charles I. on his
father in recognition of valuable public services, and, disen-
gaging the ring, related its history, and placed it in the hand
of His Majesty, who, at sight of it, was moved even to tears,
since it instantly recalled from the past many endeared
memories of his royal sire. Availing himself of this golden
opportunity, Winthrop delicately alluded to the subject of his
mission, and in a reverential manner presented the prepared
draft of a charter which he had brought with him, and re-
quested His Majesty's seal and signature, which were readily
accorded. The Colonial Governor then returned to New
Haven, bearing the "glad tidings" of his success, and was re-
ceived by his expectant constituents with wild enthusiasm.
The charter thus obtained granted to the New Haven
Colony all the territory lying west of her limits and between
the same parallels, from "sea to sea." Neither the King nor
the colonists at that time had any definite knowledge of the
extent of the grant. Soon after this Charles II. died and
was succeeded by James II., who did not sympathize with the
New Haven colonists or approve the extravagant grant which
they had received from his royal predecessor. He therefore
demanded a surrender of the charter and directed a military
force to march on Hartford, where the Colonial Assembly
were in session, to enforce the demand. The Assembly,
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 11
thougli surrounded by royal troops, instead of being intimi-
dated, proceeded coolly to discuss the question of surrender,
until nightfall overtook them, when candles were sent for; but
before lights could be brought some sly colonial patriot seized
the charter, which lay on the table, escaped with it through
an open window, and hid the prize in the heart of a neighbor-
ing oak. When the lights appeared, the charter was nowhere
to be found. The commander of the besieging troops appre-
ciated the "logic of events" and retired with his troops in
disgust, frankly acknowledging that he had been completely
outgeneraled. In due time, however, the charter was repro-
duced. The old charter oak, while it stood, was revered as
the "tree of liberty." The great and glorious principles of
that charter still remain embodied in the Constitution of the
plucky little State of Connecticut — a State that has produced
more eminent men, in proportion to her population, perhaps,
than an}'^ other State in the Union.
It was in the month of August, 1679, that the first ship
that ever sailed on the waters of Lake Erie was seen in the
distance approaching the coast of the "Western Reserve. This
ship was the "Griffin," commanded by La Salle, built by
Frenchmen near Buffalo, and sent out to explore the lake
regions and secure trade with the aborigines. The Indians
of the Reserve beheld the vision with alarm, and believed it
to be a white-winged messenger, half walking and half flying
12 ANNALS OF THE
on the water, sent by the Great Spirit to chastise them for
their neglect of divine observances, and hence they fled, panic-
stricken, into the forest and hid themselves in its dark reces-
ses until the vision had passed out of sight. This eftbrt to
secure the native trade was soon followed by the establish-
ment of French and English trading posts and military forts
at different points along the great chain of our northwestern
lakes. Then came missionary efforts to christianize the
natives, followed by the introduction of a more refined race,
whose object was to secure wealth and western homes.
Soon after the American Revolution the vast western
territory granted by Charles II. to the colony of New Haven
became the subject of contention between sundry claimants,
which Congress adjusted by awarding to the State of Connec-
ticut what is now known as the Western Reserve, because the
tract was "reserved" in the adjustment as her share; but, as
compared with her original claim, Connecticut thought it an
insignificant patch of woodland, though it contained three
and a half million of acres. She accepted it, however, as a
choice between evils, and soon afterwards sold the entire tract
to a land company composed of her own citizens.
This company in 1796 sent out, in charge of General Moses
Cleaveland, a party of surveyors to survey this tract into
townships and hundred-acre lots, preparatory to placing the
land in market. The General with his survey' party, accom-
)
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION 13
panied with a few emigrants, some fifty souls in all, after
reaching Buffalo, proceeded by way of the lake in open boats,
and landed at Conneaut, on the Fourth of July, and at once
resolved to celebrate the day. The party made hasty prepar-
ations, flung the "banner of freedom" to the breeze, and pro-
vided a sumptuous dinner, consisting of baked pork and beans,
rye and corn bread, and other similar luxuries. The General
extemporized an oration, and when the party had concluded
the dinner, patriotic sentiments were offered, and responses
given, crowned with the firing of guns and oft repeated drinks
from cups brimming with a beverage dipped from the crystal
bowl of Lake Erie, and infused, doubtless, with a liberal share
of the "ardent" for the "stomach's sake." This was the first
celebration of the Fourth of July that occurred in the Western
Eeserve.
The next day after the celebration the party proceeded to
fell timber and erect a log store house, which they called
"Stowe's Castle," in honor of Joshua Stowe, who was their
commissary. This strange and uncouth structure attracted
the attention of the Indians, who gazed at it with wonder and
retired in silence. In a few days the chiefs sent a messenger,
demanding to know what were the intentions of the white
intruders. This demand resulted in an agreement for holding
a council. On the oppointed day the principal chief, Piqua,
and his son, Cato, appeared with their attendant warriors,
14: ANNALS OF THE
painted and plumed, and seated themselves in a circle upon
the ground in the shadow of "Stowe's Castle," and invited
General Cleavcland to a seat in the center of the group. Cato
made the opening speech, to which General (Ueaveland replied
in a manner so conciliatory and pleasing to the Indians that
the chiefs presented him at once the "pipe of peace" with some
silver trinkets of value. He accepted the gifts, and after
smoking the "i^ipe of peace" with the Indian counselors, he
returned the compliment by presenting the chiefs with a keg
of whisky and a liberal quantity of glass beads for their
squaws. This settled at once all objections on the part of the
Indians to the further progress of the survey.
General Cleaveland was familiarly called "Moses" by the
surveyors, because he led them into the wilderness, and was
expected to lead them through it. He remained about two
weeks at Conneaut, and then proceeded with a small detach-
ment of surveyors on his wa}^ up the lake in an open boat,
with a view to commence surveys at the confluence of the
(Juyahoga river. On the voyage he discovered a river, not
traced on his map, which he supposed to be the Cuyahoga.
He entered its channel, and after much toil and delay discov-
ered that it was a "Mistake of Moses," and retraced his steps
so chagrined that he instantly named this unknown river the
"Chagrin," a significnnt designation by which it has ever since
been known.
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 15
After correcting this Mosaic mistake, he reached the verit-
able Cuyahoga river on the 22nd of July, and in attempting
to land on its eastern bank near the foot of Union Lane, ran
his boat aground. Here "Moses" found himself cradled, like
his ancient namesake, among the bulrushes. He and his
party, however, succeeded in extricating themselves without
serious difficulty, ascended the steep bluff, and were greatly
delighted in beholding a beautiful plain of woodland, stretch-
ing away to the south, east, and west of them as far as the eye
could reach, and seeming like a shoreless sea of waving foliage.
While standing on this angular nook of land, formed by the
junction of the river with the lake. General Cleaveland pre-
dicted that here was the spot where a great commercial city
would arise at no distant day, and give tone and character
not only to western commerce, but to Western civilization.
So impressed was he with this belief that he directed a survey
of this angular nook of land into city lots, and while hesitat-
ing in the selection of an appropriate name for his predicted
city, his associates in the survey came to his relief and named
it "Cleaveland," in honor of their respected chief of staft'. The
General blushed«, bowed, and accepted the compliment.
From her baptismal day the infant city of Cleveland grew
in strength and in beauty, and with her growth grew the
"region round about;" and yet the city, though now possess-
ing a population of 170,000, is still in her infancy, or rather
16 ANNALS OF THE
girlhood, sitting enthroned like a queen on the emerald bank
of Lake Erie, looking into the crystal wave, as into a mirror,
and admiring her own charms, while she 'is still more admired
by the dazzled e3'e of' every stranger who comes within the
charmed circle of her acquaintance.
5. — Song — "Hail Columbia." Arion Quartette.
Hail, Columbia, happy land!
Hail, ye heroes, heaven born band !
Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause,
Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause;
And when the storm of war was gone,
Enjoy'd the peace your valor won.
Let independence be our boast.
Ever mindful what it cost;
Ever grateful for the prize.
Let its altar reach the skies.
Chorus — Firm-united let us be,
Rall3ing 'round our Liberty,
As a band of brothers joined.
Peace and safety we shall find.
Immortal patriots ! rise once more ;
Defend your rights, defend your shore;
Let no rude foe with impious hand,
Let no rude foe with impious hand,
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 17
Invade the shrine where sacred lies
Of toil and blood the well-earned prize.
While offering peace sincere and just,
In Heaven we place a manly trust,
That truth and justice will prevail ;
And every scheme of bondage fail.
Cho. — Firm-united, &c.
6. — Historical Address, By S. E. Adams, Esq.
An historical address can be little more than a brief recapit-
ulation of human transactions and social events gleaned from
historical records and unwritten tradition. Originality in such
an address is hardly possible. For my present purpose I have
therefore gathered a posy of other men's flowers, and little
else than the thread that binds them is mine. An irresistible
fascination attaches to the early history of every people. We
long to penetrate that mysterious veil which the flight of ages
has flung around the cradle of our race. How earnestly we
scrutinize the oldest records which may possibly shed a ray
of light upon the long-forgotten past. History furnishes but
little aid or encouragement to the archaeologist in the study of
anthropology, and not until recent years could the archaeologist
trace the memorials of man further back than about the be-
ginning of written history. But now he can confidently point
us to mementoes of man in this and other lands which date so
18 ANNALS OF THE
far back in the long series of eventful years, and so infinitely
beyond the first dim glimmerings of history and tradition,
that they know nothing about them, nor do they even mention
them — of a time far anterior to the formation and gradual ap-
proach of that vast body of ice which scooped and hollowed
out the rocky basin in which rests our beaxitiful Lake Erie ; of
a time long before the wonderful grottoes and caves of Ken-
tucky were formed by the slow percolation of acidulated water
through the solid rock. To the archseologist the massive
structures of the Mound Builders, and the races who immedi-
ately preceded them, however venerable their antiquity, are but
the work of yesterday. He has arranged the memorials of
pre-historic man under three groups, and adopted a classifica-
tion predicated upon ditterential features presented by pre-
historic weapons, implements and personal ornaments, of stone
bronze and iron. But a detailed statement of the evidence
which geology and archaeology furnish of the great antiquity
of man would take me beyond the limits I have prescribed for
this address.
Assuming that what has transpired within the last quarter
of the century just closed, to enhance the growth and commer-
cial prosperity of our city, is familiar to all members of this
association, I shall attempt nothing more than a partial and
imperfect digest of earlier events in the history of Cleveland.
As far back as 1749, the mouth of the Cuyahoga was
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION, 19
favorably regarded by explorers and geographers as a point
which would ultimately become vastly important in its rela-
tions to the commerce of the great West.
As early as 1765, Benjamin Franklin, with his usual
sagacity, foresaw* its availability and recommended its occu-
pancy as a military post. Washington, while various projects
for water communication between the great northern lakes and
Chesapeake Bay were being considered, suggested the practic-
ability of a route from Lake Erie by way of the Cuyahoga,
Tuscarawas and Muskingum into the Ohio, as an outlet to the
future inland commerce of the lakes. This route necessitated
a portage near Akron of less than seven miles, whereby ship-
ments were to be transferred from the lakes to the River Ohio ;
thence to ascend its upper tributaries into the mountains, from
whence by another portage, would be reached the navigable
rivers falling into the Atlantic. The commercial importance,
of the mouth of the Cuyahoga was thus early perceived by
distinguished men ; nevertheless history gives no reliable in-
formation of its permanent occupancy for trade or commerce
anterior to the year 1786; nor is there any evidence that any
active measures were taken to carry forward this scheme for
opening communication between the lakes and the Atlantic,
and nothing more is heard of it until 1793-4, when the State
of New York proposed to provide an outlet for lake com-
merce, by clearing out and improving the Oswego and
20 ANNALS OF THE
Mohawk Rivers, when the discussion of the route by the
Cuyahoga, and Tuscarawas iuto the Ohio wan revived. We
are destitute of further historical facts concerning eitlier of
these projects, from the year 1794 until 1807 — five years after
Ohio was admitted into the Union as a State. In that year
the Legislature passed an act authorizing a lottery for the
purpose of raising $12,000 for improving navigation between
Lake Erie and the river Ohio. The Commissioners appointed
by the act met and organized, published the scheme and sold
a few tickets for five dollars each; but no drawing ever
occurred, and finally, in after A-ears, the money but without
interest was graciously refunded to such of the ticket holders
as had retained their tickets ; and that was all. May it not
be that the failure of this brilliant scheme culminated in the
enactment by the Legislature of our earliest statutes against
all lotteries and schemes of chance? These several plans of
improvements having failed, the great Northern Lakes, whose
shores now teem with millions of industrious and intelligent
people, remained without water communication with the
Atlantic Ocean and the outside world until the final comple-
tion of the Erie Canal in the year 1825. Within the memory
of many present, how vast the change; how wonderful and
almost magical the transition ! Some of you doubtless remem-
ber the boding yell of the Indian, and the hoarse growl of
wild animals as they reverberated along the lonely shore, or
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 21
broke the stillness of the miduig-ht air, startling you from
sweet dreams of far oft' friends, and instinctively causing you
to grasp the ever-present weapon of defense. But you have
lived to see this beautiful city, with its vast industries, its
commercial and mercantile structures, its magnificent private
residences, its public school houses, and splendid temples of
worship rise and expand over a territory which was but a
wilderness when yon first beheld it. And you have remained
that you might hear the musical monotone of the approaching
steamer, and the shrill whistle of the locomotive succeed the
gloomy silence of the woods, and the roar of the breakers.
The frail skiff, once youi- only means of crossing the Cuya-
hoga, has given place to a bridge of monumental arches which
will endure until that river shall cease to flow. And now, in-
stead of waiting, as in earlier days, the uncertain and long
delayed, though ever welcome arrival of some adventurous
neighbor from the east, with news from friends and the old
home, you may instantly communicate bj- telegraph.
Concerning the early occupation of the site on which our
city stands, and the scene presented to General Moses Cleave-
land and his associates on his arrival here on the morning of
the 22d day of July, 1796, I cannot do l)etter than to repro-
duce substantially the eloquent and graphic words of our
distinguished fellow-citizen. Colonel Charles Whittlese}^: "All
the party must have felt unusually interested as they
22 ANNALS OF THE
approached the spot. As they coasted close along the shore,
overhung by a dense green forest, mirrored in the waters over
which they were passing, the mouth of the river disclosed it-
self, as a small opening between low banks of sand. The man
who controls the party is seated in the stern, steering his own
craft, which is gracefully headed into the stream. His com-
plexion was so swarth}^ his figure so square and stout, and
his dress so rude, that the Indians supposed some of the
blood of their race had crept into his veins. As they passed
into the channel, and the broad river unfolded itself to their
view, bordered by marshes, reeds and coarse grass, their anti-
cipations must have been somewhat moderated. The flats on
the west side and the densely wooded bluffs on the east pre-
sented anything but a cheerful prospect. It was necessary
to proceed some distance along this shore before there was
solid ground enough to effect a landing."
"As the Indians had from generation to generation kept
open a trail along the margin of the lake, it is probable that
Cleaveland's party, scanning with sharp eyes every object as
they moved along the river, saw where the aboriginal highway
descended the hill, along what is now Union Lane. Here they
came to the bank, and scrambling out, trod for the first time
the soil of the future city. While the boat was being un-
loaded Cleaveland had an opportunity to ascend the bluff and
scan the surrounding scenery. This view must have revived
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATON. 23
his enthusiasm more than the swamps along the river had
depressed it. A young growth of oaks with low bushy tops
covered the ground. Beneath them were thrifty bushes,
rooted in a lean but dry and pleasant soil favorable to the
object in view. A smooth and even field sloped gently toward
the lake, whose blue waters could be seen extending to the
horizon. His imagination doubtless indulged in a pardonable
flight into the future, when a great commercial city should
take the place of the stinted forest growth which the northern
tempests had nearly destroyed. But whatever may have been
his anticipations, the reality has outstripped them all. Such
a combination of natural beauty, with natural advantages of
business, is rarely witnessed." As he gazed Avith rapture
upon the far-off lake and the tortuous river at his feet, well
might he have imagined that tlie time was not extremely
distant when all the natural facilities within range of his
vision would be utilized by the inhabitants of an enterprising
city to be built upon the ground where he stood, and which
should perpetuate his name forever. Pardon me for suggest-
ing that this association would do a noble and commendable
act were it to inaugurate a project for the erection in Lake
View Park of a monument crowned with a statue of General
Cleaveland, commemorative of his having founded our beauti-
ful city. I cannot doubt that our citizens, ever proverbial for
liberality, would aid us in the work. I would also most
24 ANNALS OF THE
respectfully suggest that hereafter our aunual meeting be held
on the 22d day of July — the anniversary of General Cleave
land's arrival at the mouth of the Cuyahoga.
7. — Song — "The Good Old Days." Arion Quartette.
Give me the good old days again,
When hearts were true and manners plain ;
When boys were boys till fully grown,
And baby belles were never known ;
When doctor's bills were light and few,
And lawyers had not much to do;
When honest toil was well repaid,
And theft had not become a trade.
Give me the good old days again.
When cider was not called champagne;
When round the fire, in wintry weather.
Dry jokes and nuts were cracked together;
When girls their lovers battled for.
With seeds from juicy apple's core;
While mam and dad looked on with glee.
Well pleased their merriment to see.
Give me the good old days again,
When onty health}' meat was slain ;
When flour was pure, and milk was sweet.
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 25
And sausages were fit to eat;
When children early went to bed,
And ate no sugar on their bread,
When lard was not turned into butter.
And tradesmen only truth could uttex\
Give us the good old days again.
When women were not proud and vain ;
When fashon did not sense outrun.
And tailors had no need to dun ;
When wealthy parents were not fools.
And common sense was taught in schools ;
When hearts were warm, and friends were true.
And Satan had not much to do!
8. — Life and Character of deceased Pioneers, by
F. J. Diekman, Esq.
Mr. President:
It was announced a short time ago through
our local press that there would be addresses on this occasion
by several of our oldest citizens. While I do not claim to
have come down to you from a former generation, I am old
enough to cherish the memory of our early settlers, and am,
perhaps, coeval with many who have seen and talked with
some of the pioneers of our county. Some of them died full
of years, and we can almost catch the tones of their voice as
26 ANNALS OF tse:
they recounted the trials and the raptures of their struggles
with the rude forces of nature. To some of them the veil
was uplifted before their eyes were closed in death, and they
could behold, in a not far distant future, on the banks of our
lake, a beautiful and flourishing city, the pride of our Western
civilization, teeming with population, adorned with temples of
religious worship, endowed with a noble system of schools,
alive with the activities of a large and growing commerce, and
of manufactures to which all the strong and manly arts pay
tribute.
It is not our office, in the light of historic truth, to exalt
to the statue of heroes all who carried the compass and chain,
or plied the settler's ax in the forests of New Connecticut.
But, during the first sixteen or seventeen years following the
22d of July, 1796, when the surveying part^' entered the
mouth of the Cuyahoga from the lake, there came to the
Western Reserve, and settled within the present limits of our
county, a class of men whose characteristics we may well
admire and commemorate. Thej' did not leave their homes
because they were there the victims of intolerance, and could
not there follow the dictates of a tender and enlightened con-
science. They came here to improve their material condition
— to better their worldly fortunes. Like the rest of us, they
had an eye to the main chance in life; but they richlj-
earned and paid a hundred fold for all thej' received.
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 27
The land, the river and the lake acknowledged their authority,
and surrendered to them their treasures only after the
greatest patience, perseverance and hardship. He who
makes the blade of grass to spring up where it would
not o;row before, becomes a benefactor of the race. While
the earth yields her increase, the city and the town
spring up, and with the accumulation of capital come the com
forts and luxuries of life, and many of those appliances and
institutions which minister to the general happiness and pros-
perity. And so it is, as we see the city arise where once was
the primeval forest, our thoughts revert to the pioneers, who
fell the trees; and till the soil, and seeking to exchange the
products of their industry, start into being the village and the
town, as the natural outgrowth of their own necessities. The
backwoodsmen thus become the founders of our civilization,
and, filled with the pride of ancestry, their names and achieve-
ments become our most cherished traditions.
It was not until the year 1800 that the right o' jurisdiction
over the Reserve was relinquished to the Union by the State
of Connecticut. Prior to such relinquishment, there had been
no civil government existing or likely to exist in the district.
It required, therefore, no ordinary resolution to give up the
advantages of State and Federal protection, and incur the risk
of unrestrained lawlessness in a wild Western settlement. But
we have no record of violated rights of person or of property
28 ANNALS OF THE
among the settlers. The same instinctive reverence for law,
the same self reliance, patient endurance, industry and thrift,
which made him a good citizen at home, characterized the
settler when he became a sovereign and law unto himself in
the wilderness of the Western Reserve. He was, however,
only a type of those who followed his trail, to live under a
State organization, and help build up the thriving and well
ordered communities on the shores of the lake. As we look
around us, and behold on all sides the evidences of unex-
ampled progress, we see but the embodiment of the same ideas,
habits and principles which governed the dail}- life of those for
whose labors and virtues we would to-day express our grati-
tude and admiration.
In contemplating the life and character of our early settlers,
their principles and motives of action, it will occur to you that
the firmest guaranty of private honor and good faith in all our
business transactions may be traced to the ordinance of 1787
for the government of the pioneers of the Northwest territor^^
and to the wisdom, sagacity and justice of its New England
author, Nathan Dane of Massachusetts. In the multiform
engagements of business you feel that you will be secure
against any and all legislative action by which the obligation
of your private contracts might be impaired. This safeguard
pecidiar to our American Constitutional law found its way
into our Federal Constitution from the clause in that memor-
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 29
able ordinance which provided that no law ought ever to be
made or have force in the Northwest territory that would in
any manner, whatever, interfere with or affect private contracts
or engagements. It would be difficult to measure the vast in-
fluence which has been exercised on the security of property
by the operation of this wise and effective provision. Its in-
corporation with our organic law is a monument to the wisdom,
honesty and probity of New England. It gives us assurance
that in the midst of party strife, and with the most hostile
faction in the ascendant, a stern regard to private rights will
characterize our State legislation. I have especially referred
to this provision in that famous ordinance as illustrating the
noble ideas and principles which lay at the foundation of the
government of our Northwest territory, and which emanated
among the progenitors of those whose memory we celebrate
to-day.
One of the tests of the character of a people lies in the
extent to which they utilize the gifts of nature around them.
At an earl}' day there were among the settlers of our county
men of large forecast and comprehensive views of internal
improvement, who clearly discerned the commercial import-
ance of the mouth of the Cuyahega. The great natural routes
known to the eai'ly geographers and statesmen did not escape
their penetrating glance. A scheme was formed for improving
the navigation between the lake and the river Ohio through
30 ANNALS OF THE
the Cuyahoga and the Muskingum. The project failed, but it
was the foreshadowing of a grander enterprise which will
always be connected with the enterprise and sagacity of a
master mind that illustrated the early history of Cleveland.
It was the concurrent testimony of skillful engineers that, in
connecting the lake with the river Ohio, the navigation of the
beds of small rivers was inferior to the canal as a mode of
commercial intercourse. The great public work, therefore,
which now traverses our State and opens a direct water com-
munication with the Gulf of Mexico, could not long be
delayed. The canal has succumbed to the railroad, and is no
longer perhaps the necessity it once was; but, as a potent
agent for the development of the resources of our State, it
will ever be regarded as one of the noblest achievements, and
its originators and builders will have a lasting claim upon
the gratitude of our people. When the Erie Canal was com-
pleted and the inland seas of the West were conducted in
proud triumph, to the bosom of the Atlantic, it was proclaimed
that the name of DeWitt Clinton would be transmitted to suc-
ceeding generations and cherished as a possession forever.
Let us not then, on this occasion, forget the name of Alfred
Kelley. In the prime of his manhood he cast his lot with the
people of our city, and was in the forefront of every enterprise
for the public good. During the construction and until the
completion of the Ohio canal, he was the acting commissioner
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 31
and resided in our midst. He was a man of capacious mind,
of unconquerable will, of untiring energy, and of unfailing
power of endurance. He seemed eminently fitted for the Her-
culaan task which he undertook ; and in the selection of him
for the arduous work, it proved in the end that fortune had
smiled upon the State. In the city of Columbus, to which he
removed from Cleveland, he exerted his great powers in other
fields of public labor ; and, as State Fund Commissioner, saved
our State from the dishonor of repudiation ; and as a profound
master of finance originated a banking system which remained
in successful operation for twenty years. In alluding to his
life and labors, we would not be unmindful of the signal merits
of others who were engaged with him, and wrought faithfully
and at the same time, and in the same public service; but his
name belongs to the history of Cuyahoga county, and we would
recall the lineaments of his character as we would revive in
memory the cherished images of those who once belonged to
our own household.
The men who brought their household goods to the Western
Reserve eighty years ago found an environment far different
from what they would find to-day in one of our newly-orga-
nized territories. Railroads are now penetrating the continent
to the farthest settlement. Labor saving machinery and almost
every article of comfort may be placed now, on the shortest
notice, at the door of the settler's cabin. The products of his
32 ANNALS OF THE
labor now tind a profitable market, and he is not unfamiliar with
the sight of money. • The savage, too, once so formidable, will
soon cease to be an object of terror to him. So far as physical
causes can operate, his character can be subjected in only a com-
paratively slight degree to novel influences. But our own
pioneers were subject to other conditions, and to many trans-
forming agencies. Taking no account of ancestral traits or na-
tural tendencies, they could not, from the necessities of their
situation, fail to wax independent in spirit, fearless in danger,
tenacious in their opinions, persistent in their undertakings,
and thrifty in their habits. If they had not been affected by
their surroundings, the}^ would have been an exception to the
general law which governs the rest of mankind. It is well
said by Buckle that physical agents powerful^ influence the
human race; that they have originated the most important
consequences in regard to the general organization of society,
and from them there have followed many of those large and
conspicuous differences between nations which are often
ascribed to some fundamental difference in the various races
into which mankind is divided. In studying the character,
then, of. our early settlers it becomes of interest to know the
manner in which they lived, what their occupations were, to
what perils they were exposed, what was the drift of their
thoughts, what, if any, opportunities they had for education,
what were their pastimes and social enjoyments, what, in fine,
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 33
was the difference between their new condition and that which
the}' had left behind them. Our pioneer records thus become
attractive and fraught with instruction, and are no longer
musty and repulsive chronicles, and you gather up the leaves
that would otherwise perhaps be scattered. You learn of the
dreadful sufferings of James Kingsbury and his family,
during the first winter after their arrival at Conneaut. Major
Lorenzo Carter is the might}^ hunter, and the terror of
the bear. He it was who dwelt in the log house, on
the slope from Superior street to the harljor. The sight
of weakness and oppression can draw "iron tears" down
his cheek, and the fugitive from slavery, on his way to
the land of promise beyond the lake, feels his helping hand.
His maxim was, not to give an insult, but when he received
one, the giver usually bowed beneath his sturdj- stroke. His
influence with the Indian was unbounded, for he was known
alwa^'s to do justice to him. Judge Huntington, on his way
from Painesville on horseback, while floundering after dark
through a swamp at what is now the corner of Wilson avenue
and Euclid street, is attacked by a gang of hungry wolves
and barely escapes. For two or three mouths the only way
in which the Doane family were supplied with food was for
young Seth Doane, who had two attacks of fever and ague
daily, to walk to Kingsbur3^'s, five miles distant, with a peck
of corn, grind it in a hand mill and bring it home upon his
34 ANNALS OF THE
shoulders. In the morning after his first attacli of ague was
over, he Avould start on his journe\^, and having obtained his
meal, he would wait until the second attack on that day was
over and then set out on his return. In the year 1802 the
Rev. Joseph Badger, a soldier of the revolution, writes that he
had preached on the Sabbath inNewburg, that there Avere live
families there but no apparent piety, and that they all seemed
to glory in their infidelity. These few brands, however, we
are assured, were afterwards snatched from the burning.
During the same year the first village school was held in
Major Carter's house, and Anna Spatibrd was the teacher.
Economy in those days was counted among the Christian vir-
tues. Three Western Reserve boys left home for Connecticut
to get their education, with fifteen dolku's among them, and
reached New Haven with twelve still in their pockets. One
frugal young man, wishing to visit the ancestral home in New
England, bought him a cow, and trudging at her heels with
his book, lived on her milk and what he got in exchange for
it, and sold her at an advance when he reached his point of
destination. In 1809, Stanley Griswold informs his friend in
Vermont that Cleveland would be an excellent place for an
enterprising and skillful young physician; that the country
around bid fair to increase rapidly in population ; that a 3'oung
physician, well qualified, would be certain to succeed; but,
for a short time, if without means, he must keep school in
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. OO
winter, till a piece of ground, bring a few goods for sale, or
do something else in connection with his practice. The next
year the physician came, and the attorney also entered his
appearance. The fur trade grows into a lucrative branch of
business, and Nathan Perr}^, tilled with the mercantile spirit,
masters the Indian dialect and lays the foundation of an
ample fortune. The river holds out its inducements for
honest gain, and Noble H. Merwin, crossing the mountains,
becomes the founder of our city's commerce, and builds the
good schooner "Minerva" — the tirst vessel registered at
Washington from the district of Cuyahoga. But let me not
detain you any longer with these fragmentary incidents and
details of our early history.
I would that at this gathering I could point in fitting terms
to the lessons which the pioneers of the Western Reserve and
their descendants have read to the world within the past
seventy years. In all the stirring events of peace and of
war, that have risen to National importance, they have borne
a conspicuous part. With but little outward enthusiasm, the
current of their feelings and convictions has run deep and
strong, and their latent ardor of soul has known no diminu-
tion. They have occasionally been called impracticable, and
have been slow to compensate, reconcile and balance; but it
is because they have regarded it a low and groveling policy
to prefer expediency to right, and have feared the maxim that
36 ANNALS OF THE
in public affairs we should "join compliance with reason and
sacrifice to the graces." Whenever any great measure has
appealed to the moral sense, even though in feeble terms, it
has been easy to determine where they would take their stand.
Though they may at times have seemed to be a peculiar
people, they have always been zealous of good works. Such
an element in the mass of our national interests is not incap-
able of imparting a healthy tone to public sentiment and of
extending its salutary influence to the farthest extremities.
With such dejith of conviction and earnestness of purpose in
the line of duty, those who have gone forth from our Western
Reserve to try their fortunes in other regions, have carried the
talisman of success, and have reflected the lustre of their
triumphs upon the place of their origin. They are found in
the halls of legislation ; among the officers of the armj- and
the navy; among the ornaments of tlie bench and the leaders
of the bar; among eminent divines: among the votaries of
science; in the walks of literature; and, wherever there is an
appreciation of intellectual and moral worth and of the high-
est traits of manly character, there you will tind them in the
foremost ranks of their fellow men. And as often as the day
shall come around for the annual convention of this Associa-
tion, a proof of your own elevated standard of excellence will
be aftbrded in the high estimate which you shall place upon
their many ennobling charac-teristics.
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 37
9. — Hymn written for the occasion by Harvey Rice.
(Time: Old Hundred.) Avion Quartette and Andience,
Still pilgrims in a favored laud,
Who long- have liuoered on the way,
How hlest to meet and grasp the hand,
And crown with joy onr festive day! —
And tell of years whose scenes return.
Like shadows on oui- pathway cast;
And catch from living lips that bui-n
The fleeting memories of the past.
And while we trace from whence we sprung.
And early friendships fain renew,
Still let us dream that we are young,
And, though a dream, helieve it true!
Nor days forget when first we heard
Life's battle-cry, and sought the field ;
When lofty aims our bosoms stirred,
And faith had armed us with her shield.
'Twas courage, then, with youthful zeal.
That led us onward, flushed with pride;
•
'Tis years, now ripe, that make us feel
How swiftly glides life's ebbing tide!
38 ANNALS OF THE
Yet while we here prolong our stay,
We'll keep our pledge of love and truth;
And when we pass the darkened way,
Ascend and share immortal youth!
10. — Announcement of Members who have died within
the past year. By Rev. Thomas Corlett.
DECEASED MEMBERS.
Within the past year the following members of our asso-
ciation have died: First, our ver^' estimable Vice President,
the Hon. Sherlock J. Andrews. Judge Andrews was born in
Waterbury, New Haven count}^, Conn., November 17, 1801,
and moved to Cleveland in 1825. He died at his I'esidence in
this city on the 11th of February, 1880, full of 3'ears and
honors, and Avith but little abatement of the natural force of
his vigorous character.
The next member who has died is Judge Seth A. Abbey.
He was born in Watertown, New York, in 1798, came to Cleve
land in 1830, and moved his family in 1831. He, too, died in
this city March 15, in a good old age, respected and honored
of all wlio knew him.
The third member of the Association who has died during
the past 3-ear — and 3'ou will understand this society is only
about six months old as yet — was Mrs. Elizabeth Spangler,
who was born in the State of Mai'vland. 1790. She moved to
EARLY SKTTT.ERf=i ASSOCIATION. 39
Stark county, in this State, in 1802, and was married to
Michael Spaugler in 1807. In 1810 she reerossed the
Allegheny Mountains to her native State on horseback. She
moved to Cleveland in 1820 with a family of five children,
four of whom are still alive. Her husband kept the hotel
known as the Commercial House on Superior street, where
the Miller's block now stands. She was of German parentage,
and her's was the first family speaking the German language
in the city of Cleveland. She drew a pension to the time of
her death for services rendered by her husband to his country
during the war of 1812. Her husband died August 29, 1836,
at the age of fifty-two. She died in this city March 5, 1880,
in the ninety-first year of her age.
Thus, Avithin the brief period of the existence of this
association, about a half year, three of our most venerable
and esteemed ones have passed from this stage of action,
where they have performed their work well, to that better one,
we trust, where they shall realize the full fruition of their
labor, and of their hopes and eftbrts.
11. — Call for volunteer speeches.
The President said: "The next exercise in order is a call
for volunteer speeches. I notice there are quite a number of
gentlemen here from whom we would all feel greatly interested
in hearing a few remarks. We shall have for the want of
40 ANNALS OF THE
time, however, to ask them to limit themselves to from tive to
ten minutes, that we may hear as many as we can. I would
here remark the fact that in this association we regard women
as possessed of their equal rights: and if there are any of
the ladies of our association who would be willing to mal^e
some remarks or addresses, we shall be happy to hear them,
and they will be at liberty to speak as long as they please,
for we know they always are interesting. [A})plause.] I will
call upon Hon. E. P. Spalding to open the way, and I trust,
he will favor us with a few remarks."
Judge Spalding arose in his seat and spoke as follows:
"Mr. President:
Although I have not the honor to be enrolled
among the members of this association, the term of my actual
residence in the city, falling short of that prescribed by the
constitution, ver^' few can boast of a more familiar acquain-
tance Avith Cleveland and its earl}^ history, than myself
General Moses Cleaveland lived in the town of Canter-
bury, in Windham County, Connecticut. His mansion house
was but a quarter of a mile distant from that of my maternal
grand father, David Paine, who lived in the same- town. The
two families were nearly related and lived on terms of the
closest intimacy.
Among the earliest recollections of mv childliood is the
following anecdote, told me by my mother:
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 41
She said that late, in the autumn of the year 1796, General
Cleaveland spent an evening at her father's house, and in the
course of conversation said to her mother:
"Mrs. Paine: — While I was in New Connecticut, T laid out
" a town, on the bank of Lake J^rie, which was called by n^y
'■'■ name, and I believe, the child is now born that may live to
" see that place as large as 'old Windham.' " /
Old Windham was then the seat of Justice of Windham
County and its population, I think, never exceeded fifteen
hundred. I was born about eighteen months after' the General
uttered this prediction, and may be supposed to know some-
thing of the comparative growth of "Old Windham" and the
"new town on the bank of Lake Erie," as I studied my pro-
fession in the former place and have practiced it for nearly
thirty years in the latter, which is now said to contain a
population of 170,000.
"The town was called by my name," said the General, and
so it was, C-1-e-a-v-e-l-a-n-d ; and that was the way in
which the name was spelled, written and printed, until an
"act of piracy" was committed on the word by the publisher
of a newspaper, something over forty years ago, who, in pro-
curing a new "head-piece" for his paper, found it convenient
to increase the capacity of his iron frame by reducing the
number of letters in the name of the city : Hence the Cleve-
42 ANNATES OF THE
LAND Advektisek, and not "Moses Cleaveland," settled the
Orthograph}' of the Forest City's name for all time to come.
At a term of the Supreme Court, held in Trumbull Countj-
in October 1821, I was admitted to the practice of the law.
The examination, I well recollect, was held in a large hall in
Town's Hotel. The two justices of the court, Calvin Pease
and John McLean, and all the lawyers, including with others
whose names are not recollected, Elisha Whittlesey, Thos. D.
Webb, Homer Hine, Jonathan Sloane, James D. Wheeler,
Ralph Granger and Joshua R. Giddings, were present. The
side-board, at one end of the room was according to the
custom of that day, plentifully supplied for the benefit of
those who might choose to partake, after the examination
should be closed.
In the course of the questioning I was asked by 3'Ir.
Granger, who was not very much of a "total abstinence" man,
"What is proof?"
"Tell him," said Chief Justice Pease, who sat a short
distance from me, and who could not always control his fond-
ness for witticism, "tell him it is that which "bears a bead.'' —
In the month of March, 1823, 1 first saw Cleveland. I came
from Warren, in Trumbull County, where I then lived, in the
company of Hon, George Tod, who was then President Judge
of the 3d Judicial Circuit, which embraced, if I mistake
not, the whole Western Reserve. We made the journey on
EARLY SKTTLERS ASSOCIATON, 43
Iiorse-back, and were nearly two da^'s in accomplishing it. I
recollect the judge, instead of an overcoat, wore an Indian
blanket drawn over his head by means of a hole cut in the
center. We came to attend court, and put up at the honse of
Mr. Merwin, where we met quite a number of lawyers from
adjacent counties. At this time the village of Warren, where
I lived, was considered as altogether ahead of Cleveland in
importance; indeed, there was very little of Cleveland at that
day, east and south east of the Public Square, or, as it is now
called, Monumental Park. The population was estimated at
Four Hundred souls. The earliest burying-ground was at
the present intersection of Prospect and Ontario streets, the
north-east corner covered by the Herrick Block. Some years
afterwards, in riding away from Cleveland, in the stage coach.
I passed the Erie Street Cemetery, just then laifl out. I re-
collect it excited my surprise that a site for a burying ground
should be selected so far out of town.
The court that I attended on my first visit, was held in
the old court house that stood on the north-west quarter of
the Public Square, nearly- opposite the Wick Block.
The presiding judge was the Hon. George Tod, a well read
lawj^er and a most courteous gentleman, the father of our late
patriotic governor, David Tod. His kindness of heart was
proverbial, and sometimes the lawyers would presume upon it-
I recollect being present at his court in Portage Couiitj';
44 ANNALS OF THE
on one occasion, when he was subjected to some little embar-
rassment l>y the wit of his friend John W. Willey, of Cleve-
land. Mr. Willey was charged with the defence of a person
who stood indicted for some i)etty misdemeanor, and though
a ver}^ astute law3-er, he found it difficult to clear his client
without a single witness in his favor. There had been, the
night before the case was called, a fire in Ravenna, and a
small house had been burned to the ground, which excited
much commotion in the village.
When the case was reached for tj'ial, on the call of the
docket, Mr. Willey rose, and with great gravity asked the
court to continue that cause until the next term.
"For what reason, Mr. Willey?" said the benignant judge.
"May it please your Honor," said our facetious friend, "one
"of our principal witnesses was burned up in that tire last
"night, and we want time to supply the loss."
"Judge Tod was almost convulsed in endeavoring to
restrain his laughter, but finally was enabled to sa^-, "your
"motion must be granted, Mr. Willey. The cause stands con-
"tinued."
The Associate Judges of the Common Pleas were, at the
time of which I speak, Hon. Thos. Card and Hon. Samuel
Williamson. Horace Perry was clerk, and Jas. S. Clarke,
sheriff. The lawyers attending court were Alfred Kelley,
then acting Prosecuting Attorney for the county, Leonard
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 45
Case, Sam'l Cowles, Reuben Wood and John W. Willey, of
Cleveland, Saml. W. Phelps aAd Sara'l Wheeler of Geauga,
Jonathan Sloane of Portage, Elisha Whittlesey, Thos. W.
Webl) and R. P. Spalding of Trumbull Counfy. John Blair
Avas Foreman of the Grand Jury.
No one of them all, except myself, is alive to-day. I very
much doubt if a solitary individual who attended that court
in 1823, whether judge, juror, attorne}' or witness, is left to
greet you here to-da}-, other than myself.
And so with almost the whole of my Companions at the
commencement of life's journe}': They are gone.
"I feel like one
"Who treads alone
"vSome banquet-hall deserted,
"Whose lights are fled,
"Whose garlands dead,
"And all but he departed."
(Applause.)
The Rev. A. S. Hayden, of Collamer, formerly President of
Hiram College, was called upon to address the meeting, and
responded as follows:
REMARKS OF MR. HAVDEN.
My remarks, as I am called at the instant, will be very
brief, and chiefly for two reasons: The approaching lateness
of the hour, which some may feel, and the other fact that,
46 ANXAL.s OF THE
though not amongst the youngest men, I am j)erhaps the
youngest born member of the association, and it does not
become 3'oung children to talk long in the presence of age.
But I take pleasure, for a reason or two that I will try to
mention, in standing before j^ou and with you in this relation,
and as a member of this association. I Avas in this community
long enough ago to know quite a number of its earliest mem-
bers — far enough back to have had a very intimate acquaint-
ance with Judge Samuel Starkweather, whom ^our whole city
delighted to honor: in like manner, an acquaintance with the
lamented and recently departed Judge Andrews, whose name
amongst ^-ou will be cherished green as long as 3'our memory
continues. I do not forget, either, in a farther back period,
mj' acquaintance with one of the flrst and most efficient
sheritfs of your count}'. I mean David L. Wightman,
who for quite a period carried the key of authority for the
whole county ; and still farther, I was here long enough ago
to be acquainted with that distinguished ph3^sician, Dr. David
Long, who passed a.way in early days, and was not known
perhaps, even to a large number of the older persons be-
fore me.
I merely say, in addition to these reasons for gr;itification
for standing amongst you, and being reckoned amongst the
early settlers, this : To congratulate the communitj- on the
formation of such a society as this. It cannot but be that
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 47
the memories and the experiences of the older men of the
community carry within them treasures of too vast importance
to be forgotten; and the formation of this society will form a
storehouse, a reservoir, where these early experiences and
memories will be gathered together, and where they will be
sifted and used, unquestionably, for profitable ends in years
that are yet to come.
I merely take your time a little further to say that, whilst
feeling very greatly the advautages likely to arise from this
society in the way just now alluded to, there is another con-
sideration which with equal hope inspires my heart. I venture
it as a prophecy, if prophecy you may regard it, that many an
instance of grand virtue, hid away behind the curtains,
secluded, not wrought out upon the historic page, will in this
society find mention and a memorial. Wh}- is it that the
sturdier virtues and the stronger powers of man are celebrated
and the graudei- and finer elements of womanly character have
been so long left in the shade? Why is it that our discerning
and intelligent press of this city, whilst doing all it may to
honor a citizen whom the whole. town and the country are de-
lighting to honor — I refer to him who has made so magnificent
a bequest to the city, Leonard Case, Esq., — why, in bringing
out all his history, and the history of the toil and ability of
his honored father, has his mother found no mention what-
ever? So far as my own observation has gone that quiet
48
ANNALS OF THE
excellent woman has not been referred to. I have eaten bread
more than once at her table, and her bread was not the bread
of idleness, nor was it ever salted with the salt of hypocrisy.
Of noble virtues, but quiet, serene, contemplative, she filled
well her measure and has passed away honorably. And how
comes it that no mention of her has been made? In that group
which we shall form in honor of the family, I would assign to
her a conspicuous and honored place. And in like manner
would I those excellent pioneer women who accompanied their
husbands, and who became the founders by their virtue of the
strong good sense and virtue which rules and pervades society
here.
Hon. John W. Allen : Mr. President, I want to call upon the
most popular man in Cleveland, a man who knows about
three-quarters of all the men in Cleveland, and about all the
women — ^Judge Tilden.
judge tilden speaks.
Mr. President and Friends:
It was the last business that I expected to attend to, to be
called in here to-day to make a speech. I came here for the
purpose of witnessing the proceedings, at the earnest request
of a particular friend of mine, and I am very much disinclined
to talk. There is nothing that embarrasses me so much as to
get up before an intelligent audience like this, and after I
have said one word, don't know what to say next. (Laughter.)
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 49
That is precisely my couditiou to-day. I do not know that I
am able to utter a single sentence here that will be worth your
listening to. There is one thing, however, I "wish to state dis-
tinctl}', that I am a pioneer in the veriest sense of that word.
And yet I am told that I have no right to associate with the
j)ioneers that are assembled here to-da}'. I have been told
that I was a kind ot an outside barbarian.
I have been here, however, fifty years. I was in the country
as early as 1830, and can say a few things in relation to life
as it existed here at that time. It was the most interesting
})cri()d of my life. I had nothing, and was not looking for any-
thing in this world, and have not been very much disappointed
in that respect (laughter), but there was a life there that was
interesting to me. I was in Portage county, and it seems to
me tiuit I have rarely in my later experience seen a better
order of men than those that inhabited the then wilderness of
that country. There was no money. I recollect when wheat
sold for three shillings a bushel. There Avere certain articles
that the}^ could buy by paying barter. Muskrat skins! skunk
skins! yes, probably skunk skins were currency at that time
(laughter), but when it came to tea and leather, I recollect
that we had to scrape around and get the money for those
things. (Laughter.)
There never was a more accomodating, kind-hearted set of
men and women in the world than inhabited the country at
4
50 ANNALS Oi- THE
that time, and I am rejoiced that we are liaviiig this kind of
associations as a kind of souvenir and a remembrancer of that
class of men and women to whom this Western Reserve is so
largely indebted for that retined and cultivated civilization it
enjoys to-da}'. There were very few privileges. Everything
was plain. If a neighbor was in trouble, wanted a barn raised,
they would come live and ten miles to help him. If there was
to be a logging, to gather together the logs, why, all the neigh-
boi'hood would turn out and cheerfully assist a neighbor in
l)erforming his work. It cultivated a spirit of kindness, prob-
ably springing from the fact that every man felt that he was
dependent upon his neighbor for a living. All was simple. I
recollect how they used to kindle lires. They had no loco-foco
matches in those days. I recollect I went to see an uncle of
mine, and he started a hre in the morning — I guess that is a
little ahead, maybe, of you pioneers who had a village here to
start with. We hitched the old mare on the log; there were
two doors in the log cabin, and the tire-place extended across
the cabin; the old mare drew on the back log; then the fore-
stick was drawn and put on the lire, and a fire was built that
lasted for three or four days.
Well, we had religion then. I think I was more }>ious in
those days than I have been since. (Laughter.) I know that
those old Methodist preachers, who came round with their
EAKLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATON. 51
leggings all covered with miul. used to meet at the sehool-
house, and there was a kind of earnestness about them, a force
and incisiveness in their talk that made a very deep and power
ful imi)ression upon my young mind at that time, moi'e so than
since. (Laughter). There was no ostentation, no display;
everything plain and straightforward. I recollect that there
was a i)eriod during that early history when religion was the
main topic of conversation. Every old farmer who was in-
terested in religious matters, had a rusty old book in his
l)ocket, and there was a controversy between my Brother
llayden's sect, called Campbellites at that time, and the Ortho-
dox, and many a long, tedious struggle have I heard between
them. Every man was gifted upon that subject. They would
quote the text of scripture, lire and fire back, and it was en-
tertaining and instructive, and cultivated a very high moral
feeling in all classes of the conimunit}'. Well, that was one
time. We had no particular excitements. There were plenty
of deer and plenty of l)ears and plent}' of wolves. I think I
never shall forget while I live when I came in from Connecti-
cut, and from the civilized portion of the world, to stay with
my grandfather. I recollect one night of hearing the wolves
howl, and I would have given the whole United States if I
could have gotten out of Ohio. (Laughter.) It was the most
heart-sinking sound that I ever heard in my life. Now you
will see, my friends, that I am a pioneer, and T don't under-
02 AKXALS OF THE
Stand, my tVieud Rice, why I should be shut out from tliis
society of yours.
I recollect that lirst time I came to Cleveland. It looked
about as large to me, coining out of the woods, as it does to-
da,y. Judge Spaulding was with me, and I will tell the stoiy
lor the purpose mainly of illustrating how hard it was to have
a little money in one's pocket, in those days. The Judge came
along to me and said he, "I wish you would come to Cleveland
with me." I sprang at once at the otfer to see Cleveland.
We journeyed along all day and finally reached Cleveland late
in the evening. I think we stayed one night. Said the Judge
to me: "Don't you want some oysters?" "Why, yes." I had
not seen an oyster since I was a small boy. (Laughter.) Said
I, "Yes, I will be glad of it." I took it that he had plenty of
means. So we went over, I think, to a man by the name of
Cozzens who kept a sort of saloon, and asked him if he had
oysters. He said he had. He gave each of us a dish of oysters,
and we ate them, and by that time I began to feel very well,
(Laughter.) He came around and said he, "Won't you have
some more?" Said I: "Yes, I will have some more."
(Laughter.) I looked across the table to the Judge, and I
saw that his head fell, and I took the hint in a moment that
the funds were out. (Laughter.) Said I: " No, I think I have
had enough. I won't take any more." (Laughter.) After-
wards I inquired of the Judge what it was that made his
EAKLT SETTLEKS ASSOCIATION. 58
couutenance fall as it did. "Why," said he, "I had made my
calculations and had paid the l:)ill, and had got just exactly
euouoh to o;et those two dishes of oysters and get home, and
I hadn't a cent left, and when you called for another dish of
oysters I was broke." (Laughter.)
I recollect the hardships which the farmers had to endure.
There were no carriages — in fact, no roads. I have seen in
those days a man load his family on a stone-hoat, and when
it came Sunday start oft' to the school-house. They would
hitch tlie horses on to the stone-boat. You know wliat tliat
is; the}' used to call them drags in Connecticut. The whole
family, on account of the mud, would get on to that stone-boat
and ride to church. Tlint is one of the h.ardships they liad to
endure at that time.
Well, noAv, gentlemen, I am not going to talk here any
longer. I can see and feel myself that I am not getting ahead
mucli. (Laughter.) But I can assure you of one thing: Tliat
there is no organization that has interested me more than this
one that you are here to-day for the purpose of strenghtening
and perpetuating. These old pioneers should be remembered.
We are as mucli indel)ted to them as to any class of men
that have lived upon the face of the earth, and I rejoice with
you that there is a spirit at last awakening by whicli their
memory is to be preserved and perpetuated. Thanking y(»u
for your patience, I leave you.
54 ANNALS OF THE
MK. Williamson's keminisoences.
Mr. S. Williamsou was called ou next. He said :
Mr. President:
I sii])pose yon will not expect an address at tliis time from
me, and all that I shall attempt tf) do in the ilve minutes al-
lowed to me will be to refresh some of your recollections ahout
the early condition of C^leveland. Probably most of you. like
myself, cannot very well remember Cleveland in connection
with your childhood so that you can tix upon a thing as hav-
ino- occurred at this or that or the other time. But I will give
you some of my recollections of Cleveland, and will occupy
but a lirief time. I will saj' that at my earliest recollection
Water street had been opened; that is, the timber luul ))ccn
cut out and a wagon road was run down through the center
of the street from Superior street to Bank street, so called. It
had grf)wn up, however, with ekler bushes, thick all the Avay
along. There were occasional trees and some houses upon it.
The house nearest the lake was that of Alfred Kelley, who
has been referred to here, and was the first brick house built
in this city. It stood upon the corner of Water and Bank
streets, so-called. Mr. Kelley, as you well know, was also the
fii'st lawyer here. I ma}- also mention that the first l)auk,
knowMi as the Old Commercial Bank of Lake P^rie, was or
ganized by him. The next house was a small one story
wooden house occupied by Dr. Long, the first physician here,
KARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 55
standing upon Water street where the lighthouse now stands.
Two or til ree houses, amongst them one occupied by my father,
at that time, according to my earliest recollections, were all
there were upon Water street. There was a clearing on each
side of Water street from Superior street to the lake; on the
west side of Water street to the river, and on the east side to
about where Bank street is, and the lower part of it from St.
Clair street — there being no St. Clair street there tlien — to the
lake was occupied by Mr. Carter as a farm. One year, I
remember, he had it covered with rye from Water street u)) to
about Bank street. There was one log house standing upon
Lake street, a little east of Water street. Tlie oidy house
there was upon those premises. Under the hill there were
several log houses, warehouses, etc., and one or two dwelling
houses. Commencing at Superior street and going down
toward the lake, when you got down lielow wliat was Mandrake
street there were woods, and from that down under the hill it
was mostly swamp or wet land.
Perhaps I might say here, the first brewery built in tliis
city was built under the hill on the Lighthouse street lot, and
I remember after I came here the first fire in tliis city was at
that brewery, which was destroyed.
On Superior street it was cleared of timber, so far as 1
remember, up to the Public Square, and the Public Square
partly. The old court house stood on the northwest corner of
56 ANNALS OF THE
the square. The street was full of large stumps, but otherwise
than that it was clear. There were upon that quite a number
of houses. Amongst the rest was one kept l)y M]\ Wallace,
and afterwards by Mr. Merwin, and there were some others
on the other side. Mr. Newberry kept the store on the corner
of Water and Superior streets and occupied the land from
Water street up to about Bank street. When I saj^ he occu-
pied it, I mean there was a fence around it, and he had planted
some fruit trees, peaches mostl}', and it was a suitable })lace
I'or pasturing cows, and it was a good place for picking straw-
l)erries. As you came up this way the onl}- clearing was a
field right opposite where we are now, but there was a Magon
track from the square. Going south of Ontario street there
was a wagon track until you reached where Mr. Walworth
owned. There was an opening there extending down the hill,
and that was the only clearing there was there for some dis-
tance in that direction.
The first vessel, I may say, built here, the vessel that has
been referred to, was built ])y Major Carter on top of the hill
between Water and Union streets. It was l)uilt at an early
date, and was afterwards destroyed by the British in the war
of 1812. At the same time Levi Jolinson l)uilt a smaller
vessel just east of tlie Pul>lic Square. He was a common
earpenter Jiud had no expei'ience in building vessels: but he
watched the building of Mr. Carter's an<l succeeded in build-
EAKLV SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 57
iug- that. Of course, they had to haul it dowu to the river to
he Launched. It was a small vessel. He ran it toi' a few
years until he was ahle to build a better one, and did build a
better one in 1817.
One word in reference to schools. The first school of which
I have any recollection was taught in a barn which stood back
of the American House, between that and the brow of the
hill; and I should not remember that, perhaps, but for one or
two cii'cumstances. I know a severe, heavy storm of wind,
rain and hail came from the west, and blew through the cracks
and knotholes of the barn, and the school was broken up lor
that day. Of course, it was not a finished building ut all, it
was merely luiilt of planks, logs, sticks, etc. That was tlie
first school of which I have any recollection. Afterwards
there was a shed, so-called, that stood where the Commercial
buildings now stand. There was a school also taught by the
late Benjamin Carter, in a little old building that stood on
Water street. It was kept there, I think, two winters. Aftei"-
wards we went to the old Court House, and occupied, in the
fii'st place, the family room. Afterwards we went up stairs
and occupied the room when the court was not in session. It
was kept there until the small building was erected on
St. Clair street, west of Bank street, which remained there
until a very few years ago. From that the school was trans-
ferred to the Academy, a brick building erected on the oppo-
58 ANNALS OF THE
site side of tlie street. At the time that little building was
erected on St. Clair street, the opposite side of the street was
wood. When I sa^' "wood,"! mean Im'iisIi, with occasional
trees. Of course, schools in those days were taught hut a
short time by one person. The first teacher we had was Miss
Hickox. There were two Misses Hickox, one at one time and
another at another. They were the first teachers in this city
of whom I have any recollection. [Applause.]
HON. .JOHN A. FOOTERS REMARKS.
Somewhere about 183fi a weather-beaten man, with sonve
marks of dissipation came to our oltice to have us commence
a suit for slander against his brother. It seemed that the
wife of this man- — Captain Reuben Turner — had lieen called
as a witness in a suit where his brother — William Turner —
was a party, and that she had testified against William. That
William at once arose and denounced her to the audience as a
bad woman. Upon this the old Captain, probably then under
the influence of liquor, advanced to her, and, throwing his
arms about lier neck, exclaimed: "Now mind, Mima, old
Uncle Reuben loves j'ou yet!" We brought suit and recovered
a judgment. The old captain soon came in and reported to
us that his brother William had called on him and complained
that he, the captain, would ruin him by collecting that judg-
ment. He told us that he replied to his brother that he did
not wish to injure him. That he did not want a cent of his
EAKTA' SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 59
money, but that he must sign u writing "that he lied about
the old woman,''' and that then he would give up the judgment.
But he told him that if he should refuse to do this that he
would collect the judgment. I think William would not sign
the papers, and that the old captain collected the judgment.
This love for his wife and his odd sailor ways and expressions
interested me in him, though he continued his intemperate
habits. But at length I met him, and perceiving a great
change for the better — with all marks of intemperance gone —
I exclaimed: "What has produced this great improvement V"
He replied that he had liecome a temperance man — that "the
old woman had loved him out of the ditch."
Shortly after this the news reached us here of the
announcement of the Washingtonian temperance movement
among the drunkards at Baltimore, as well as of the wonder-
ful success of Father Matthew in Ireland. Hoping to aid the
cause here, we called on the old captain to give us his experi-
ence. He responded, and astonished us all. He had drained
the cup to its bitter dregs, and like the modern Murphy, he
electrified the community, and induced thousands to follow
his example. Aristarchus Champion, a wealthy and benevo-
lent gent from Rochester, happening here at tliis period,
offered the old captain $500 if he would devote himself to the
work for three months. The offer was accepted, but instea<l
of three months he labored in this cause for two years, and
60 ANNALS OF THE
he told me that he obtained tifty thousand names to the pledge
of total abstinence. Among these was Judge Smith, of
Medina, who had become a drunkard and had fallen so low-
that his wife had obtained a divorce from him. His reforma-
tion was, however, so thorough that they were remarried,
and some years since I read the notice of the Judge's death
in Wisconsin at an extreme age and with a flattering obituary.
Captain Turner was remarkable for his great good sense.
This Avas specially seen in one of our county temperance con-
ventions. It was in the ver}- white heat of the Washiugtonian
movement. A. W. Kellogo- had denounced the clergv for not
taking greater interest in the movement. Dr. Aiken, the then
pasto]' of the First Presbyterian Church of this city, in reply
to him said the Washingtonians reminded him of what he had
frequently seen in the city of New York in his boyhood. It
was the launching of vessels. It was in this fashion: After
the vessel had been built by long and persistent labor, a crowd
of gentlemen and ladies would come aboard and a single block
would be knocked away, and the vessel, with her load, would
glide into the water, while the gentlemen and ladies would
shout and swing their hats and handkerchiefs, and act just as
if they had lioth biiilt and launched the vessel.
Now, said the Doctor, we built this good temperance ship
by careful and strenuous labors, and now you Washingtonians
claim all the credit, ifec.
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 61
Old Captain Turner sprung to his feet and said : "Father
Aiken seems to feel a good deal wamble-eropped at what
Brother Kellogg has said, and I ain not surprised at it. For
it is true that the blackcoats did build this good ship and
lloated us Washingtonians oft' as he has said." And then
turning to Dr. Aiken, he continued: "Now, Doctor, the ship
is built, all things are ready, why not come aboard and 'liorah?'
There is one of the old settlers, whose remains now sleei)
in one of our city cemeteries, whose name and deeds are
worth}' of remembrance by this societ}', and we certainly
should l»e grateful for his example, even if it is not proper to
lie proud of having had in our ranks so great a reformer.
FROM ANOTHER OLD SETTLER.
Mr, John W. Allen said: We are telling stories to-night,
and I may as well tell one to show how difterent things are
from what they were once. In the old village corporation
there was a president, recorder, and three trustees. The legis-
lation was in the hands of the trustees and president. I
happened in the year 1828 to be one of them. Dr. Long was
another. We thought it expedient to buy a tire engine, and
we negotiated Avith Mr. Seel^^e for the purpose of purchasing
a small engine. It was before the days of steam lire engines.
We were about to make a contract with him for the engine,
and were to pa}^ him $400, $50 down and $350 in a note of
the corporation. There was a set of men here who were
62 ANNALS OF THE
hostile to the measure. They got up a meeting and talked
pretty strongly, intimating that we had joined hands with
Seelye to swindle the people here, and that we undoubtedly
participated in the plunder. But we bought the engine and
paid the $50 like honest men, and gave the note of the cor-
poration lor the balance. An election intervened the next
spring, and we were all turned out, and a new set of men put
in who repudiated the note. The note came here for coUec-
into, judgment was rendered, and those men had to walk u[)
to the captain's office and settle the bill.
Nothing aftects me more forcibly than the contrast be-
tween that little machine and the arraj' of sometimes a dozen
of our great steam fire engines, of immense power and Ijcau-
tiful too in their appearance, and that never tire while the
coal and water last.
That was in the early days when the population was small
and the means and views were small, ten or fifteen 3'ears
before the application of steam for such purposes was
dreamed of
But the advance in this particular matter of protection
against lire only corresponds with that of population and
wealth, and the application of inventive genius in a hundred
ways to the wants and convenience of mankind, which has
marked the progress of the last half century.
Our successors of that day may look back upon us of this
EARLY SETTLKI.'S ASS0CIATI03S- ' 63
day as a simple niiiulod pcopk', tloing- llie Ijfst we knew how
with the little knowledge and means we had, but as not
amounting to any partieuhir sum according to their theme
standard.
kemakks of h. m, addison.
Mk. President: —
At this late iiour I desire to state only a lew tiu'ts in
a few words, by way of making a close connection between
the past and the present.
On my right sits Mr. Wm. H. Warren, the oldest man now
living, who was born in Warrensville, in the lirst log house in
that township; and 3Ir. Elias Cozad, a member of our asso-
ciation, helped to build that house.
My father taught the first school in the lirst log school
house in that township. The first singing school was taught
in that school house, and I hold in my hand one of the books
used in that school. Simple facts like these call vividly to
^ mind earl^- scenes in my career of life, and the wonderful
progress in the condition of our county in a comparatively
short period of time; and I hope the early settlers of the
various townships will come to our next convention, prepared
to give man}' of the kind, either orally or in writing. They
are "Foot-prints in the sands of time,'' that are very desirable
to preserve, and the sooner they are collected and reduced to
writing, the more we Avill have of them, and the more accurate
64 ANNAI.S OF THE
they will Ijo, and consequently more interesting to iulure
generations.
The Rev. J. T. Avery was called for, but declined to make
any remarks, owing to the lateness of the hour.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Mr. R. T. Lyon ottered the following resolutions wliicli
were unanimously adopted:
Resolved. That the thanks of this association he cxteiidi'd
to the otticers of this church for the free use of their line and
comfortable building to hold this, our tirst convention; also,
to the speakers, organist, and the Aritm Quartett Club fof
their ettbrts, which have added so much to our enjoyment.
Resolved. That we favor the proposition of Mr. S. E. Adams
that a monument be erected in this city to the memory of
Moses C'leaveland, and that this association take measures to
favor that object.
And thereupon the convention united in singing the dox-
ology, and then adjourned to meet next year at the call of tlie
Executive Committee.
Written Statement received from Geo. B. Merwin, Esq.
]N[r. President:
My father came to Cleveland in 181.'), the
family in February 1816. There were six houses on Superior
street, George Wallace's tavern, Dr. Long's office, (he lived in
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION, 65
a double log Louse in his garden back of the office on the lot
where the American House now stands,) Ashbel W. Wal-
worth's house and otlice on same lot, Irad Kelley's store and
house opposite Bank street. Uncle Abrain Heacox's black-
smith shop where E. I. Baldwin's store now stands, on one
side of his sign were the words " Uncle Abram works here,"
on the other a gentleman on horseback saying " Can you shoe
my horse?" "Yes, sir." And a two story framed building
where the Forest City House now stands, called Mowrey's
tavern, were on the south side. Nathan Perry's store and house,
corner of Water and vSuperior street, and the Weddell House lot,
extending to St. Clair, were fenced in with rails, having a
peach orchard in the north half of the lot. Here one morning
I picked up sixteen pigeons whicli my father killed at one shot.
An old red building in which the Commercial Bank of Lake
Erie was established by Alfred Kelley in 1817, stood on the
corner of Bank street; the hay-scales stood where Ogden Crit
tenden's jewelry store now stands, and in the back part of this
old red building the Cleveland Herald was established in
1819.
The letter "a" in the name as spelled by General Moses
Cleaveland, was omitted by the printers, who having ordered
a new set of type for a new heading, it was found that the
size of the type extended the name too far across the paper to
make a good job, the letter "a" was therefore omitted. The
6(5 ANNALS OF THE
paper upon which it was printed came from Pittsburg, once
not arriving in time, an edition was issued on foolscap.
David Burroughs blacksmith shop was on the opposite corner
of Seneca; his large flock of geese occupied a part of Superior
street, opposite his shop every time it rained.
The old red court house and log jail stood on the square
in front of the late Dr. Aiken's church; the court room was
used for religious services — a masonic lodge and general
elections; the stumps of the gallows upon which the Indian
Omic was hung for the murder of two trappers at Sandusky,
were visible in front of it. Omic was anatomized b}' Dr. Long.
I have seen his bones many times.
When the bank was established, a suitable person for
cashier was required. Judge Kingsbury, happening to be in
town one day, was asked if he knew any one among his
acquaintances who could fill the position. He said he knew
a young man by the name of Leonard Case, who wrote a good
hand and was said to be a good accountant; and he thought
he would answer. He was engaged and was the first cashier
and Alfred Kelley the first president.
In 1817 — IS small change was very scarce and the trustees
of the village to relieve the wants of the people, after con-
sulting with the business men, concluded best to issue cor-
poration scrip, called by the people "Corporation Shinplasters,"
to the amount of one hundred dollars, in denominations from
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 67
six and a quarter cents to fifty cents. I have two of these
bills signed by Daniel Kelley, president, Horace Periy, clerk.
There were financiers in those days as well as in modern
times; a silver dollar was divided into nine pieces, each pass-
ing for a shilling, and a pistareen worth eighteen and three-
quarter cents, went for a shilling also.
Judge Samuel Williamson lived on the corner of St. Clair
and Water streets. Alfred Kelley in a brick-house near tlie
bank of the lake, north of his house he had a field of two
acres in wheat, north of this was a road leading to the mouth
of the river.
Water street was fenced in, the corners of the fence full of
elders and stumps. Levi Johnson lived on the corner of Lake
and Water. St. Clair street was fenced in on the south side
as far as Seneca. Bank street was fenced in on each side
with two or three houses upon it. At the foot of Bank street
was a stockade fort, erected during the war of 1812, which
would hold 250 men, it was constructed of chestnut slabs,
pointed with port holes for musquetry, part of the slabs were
standing and were cut down for fire wood as occasion required.
This work was called Fort " Hungerford" by the boys, from
the fact that a widow of that name lived in the bushes near
by and was frequently visited by the commanding officer; the
boys to show their appreciation of his devotion to the lone-
some widow, one night placed a tub of soft soap at the rear
68 ANNALS OF THE
door, then knocking at the front door, the escaping officer
landed in the tub of soap up to his knees. In those days in
the spring of the year the bank of the lake used to crack oil'
and fall down several feet below the plain. I remember going
along there one spring, the bank had cracked and fallen,
exposing about half of a coffin made of Chestnut slabs,
pinned together with wooden pins; looking down I discovered
the skull and other bones of some poor fellow who had been
laid there to take his rest, not with his "martial cloak around
him," but in his red flannel shirt and an army blanket.
The lirst school house, a small frame, was built in the
spring of 1817 on a lot adjoining the Kennard House; twenty-
four scholars attended the fiirst school; several of the young-
men in the village contributed to help pa}' the teacher; in this
house religious services were held every sabbath. Judge
Daniel Kelley otferiug prayer, some young man reading a
sermon, and my niothei" leading the singing. The first winter
a man by the name of Parsons was the teacher. I have a
feeling recollection how very particular he was to warm the
chestnut sprouts in the ashes, and how nicely they fitted to
the hollow of my back.
On the river, at the foot of Lighthouse street, Levi John-
son had a small frame store house; Matthew Williamson a
tannery at the foot of Union Lane; }uy father a log store-
house at the foot of Superior street. Christopher Gun kept
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATON. 69
the ferry across the riA^er, using a scow for teams and skiff
for footmeu, one shilling for teams and six pence for footmen
was the charge for ferryage.
My father built the schooner "Minerva" at the foot of
Superior street. She was launched in March 1823, and was
the first vessel registered in the District of Cuj^ahoga, under
'the United States revenue laws; she was named after my
mother; when she was launched I stood upon the heel of the
bowsprit, as the stern touched the water and called out the
name and smashed a gallon jug of whisky, as was the
custom at launching in those days. She was the first vessel
west of Buffalo that had a cliain cable. My father got suit-
able iron rods from Pittsburg, and an excellent blacksmith.
Washington Jones, who made forty-five fathoms of chain
during the winter; to test its strength was of the first im-
portance.
At that time there were several butternut trees along the
east side of Water street; my father sent out to Judge Kings-
bury and Esquire Samuel Dodge at Euclid, to furnish him
fifteen yoke of oxen ; they were brought in, the chain fastened
to one of the trees, the cattle were hitched on, all being ready
word was given to surge awav, which ))eing done three times
without parting it, Capt. Clifford Belden, her master and
two or three other masters present, pronounced the trial satis-
factory, the chain would hold the vessel in any gale.
70 > ANNALS OF THE
Office holders in those times were not as numerous as now.
Ashbel W. Walworth was custom house collector, postmaster
and the pioneer letter carrier, as he usually carried the letters
in his hat and deliA'ered them to the persons addressed when
he met them.
The famous itinerant preacher, Lorenzo Dow, held forth
under one of these trees one Sunda^^ afternoon in Jul}' 1827. ■
His first words were, " well, here you all are, rag, shag and
bob tail." He sat flat on the ground during his discourse.
The arrival of Gov. DeWitt Clinton, of New York, to break
ground for the commencement of the Ohio Canal on the Lick-
ing County summit in 1825, the celebration of the opening of
the canal from Cleveland to Akron in June 1827, and many
other items relating to early Pioneer times, I will defer to
some future meeting of the Association.
Very respectfully,
GEO. B. MERWIN.
Lake Side. Rockport, May 20, 1880.
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 71
Written Remarks received from Mrs. Geo. B. Merwin.
Mr. President.
I was brought to Cleveland when a baby, in the first
steamer that ever ploughed the waters of Lake Erie, the
" Walk-iu-the-water ". — A fierce gale blowing, there being no
wharves, as docks, the steamer rode out the storm of three
days and nights at anchor, in great danger of going on the
beach, watched most anxiously by the few inhabitants from
the shore, there being no possible means of communicating
with her. At that time all freight and passengers were landed
by means of lighters and yawl l)oats. The greatest speed of
the Walk-in-the-water was ten miles an hour; her route from
Detroit to Black Rock, three miles below Buffalo, and in com-
ing up the Niagara, there not being force enough in her engines,
she was towed to Buffalo by six yoke of oxen. The price of
passage was ten dollars from Detroit to Cleveland, and twenty
from Cleveland to Buffalo. The first teacher I remember was
Miss Eliza Beard, to whom I went when five years old. Her
parents were cultivated Irish people. At the age of nine I was
sent to Harvey Rice, a young law student from the East, who
taught in a brick building on St. Clair St., an Academy, and
used on Sundays for holding church services, An adjoining-
lot, covered with old stumps, deposited there from various parts
of the town, weather-beaten and bleached b}' stoinns, was our
72 ANNALS OF THE
play ground, the stumps our horses and play houses, where
we arranged our liits of broken crockery, not a set of dishes
intended for children having yet })ecn brought to the ^■illage.
On the south side of Superior street, nearly opposite the City
Hall I should think, there was a spring of soft water, and near
it a shelter was built of boughs of trees in summer, and here
many of the women used to congregate for washing, hanging
there clothes on the surrounding bushes. The wells, what few
tliere were containing only hard water. The only water car
rier for a long time, was Benhu Johnson, who with his sister
a Mrs. White, lived on P^uclid street, about whci-e tlie Vienna
Cottee House is now. Benhu, with his wooden leg, little wagon
and old horse, was in great demand on Mondaj's, when he
dreAv two barrels of water at a time, covered with l)lankets,
up the long, steep hill from the river, now known as Vineyard
street, to parties Tequiring the element. In fancy I see him
now, with his unpainted vehicle, old white horse, himself
stumping along keeping time to the tune "Roving Sailor'' Avhich
he was fond of singing, occasionally starting "Old Whitey'"'
with a kick from the always ready leg, especially if he had l)een
imbibing freely. At the corner of Bank and Superior streets
Avas the store and dwelling of Peter M. Weddell, al)rick build-
ing witli a piazza in front. Our friend, the present Mrs.
Weddell, being then note<l, as since, for her love of flowers,
and the choice assortment she then jjossesssed. Judge Kings-
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION 73
bury's was a favorite place to visit, for health, pleasure and
cherries; the latter being the sour French fruit, brought from
Detroit, as delicious to our uncultivated tastes, as the choicest
of the present day. A sulphur spring on his farm was sought
as a cure for cutaneous diseases.
The completion of the Ohio canal was celebrated by a great
ball at the Mansion House kept by James Belden. I attended
with my parents and sat awhile in the lap of Gov. Allen
Triml)le who had honored the occasion by his presence. It
took all the men, women and children in the village who
danced, to make enough for a set of contra dances, or quad-
rilles. A violin player by the name of Hendershot, who lived
in Euclid, was the musician for many years. When a ball
was held, the managers went for the ladies in a carriage, com-
mencing at five in the afternoon, that all might be there in
time for business at six o'clock, and I well remember the late
Mr. Orlando Cutter, escorting mother and myself to one when
I was nine or ten years old. Cows pastured in and around
the town at their own sweet will, coming home at night to be
milked, mother insuring the return of hers by feeding her now
and then slices of bread and sugar. These are a few of my
early recollections. The change from the hamlet to the village,
from the log house to the frame building, is better remembered,
than from the village to the city. After a few good residences
are built, the eye becomes accustomed to them, and the
74 ANNALS OF THE
gradual increase in numbers is not so much noticed. I walk
the streets of Cleveland to day unmindful of the changes time
and wealth have wrought. Oul}^ occasionally I look hack and
see the scattering houses — the vacant lots — the second growth
of oaks on the square as we then called the Park.
MRS. GEO. B. MERW IN.
Lake Side, Rockport, May 30th, 1880.
Written Recollections and Experiences received from
J. H. Sargent, Esq.
Mk. President:
For forty years all the members of this association, and
some of us for a much longer period, have contributed their
share towards making history for Cu3'ahoga County-. But
where shall we all be forty years hence? Eveiy youuger
recruit of to-day will then be an octogenarian, at least, or on
the other side of Jordan. The venerable men of that day
will be telling of the great bridge victory of peace consumated
in the Viaduct, as I may refer to-day to the bridge victory of
war. They will be telling of fierce contests between gas-
lights and petroleum, and electricity, as we now refer to the
tallow dips and grease cups, with overhanging lighted rags,
of our youthful days.
While some of the most sensitive among us may now be
looking back witli longing to the quiet days of sandy streets
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 75
ahfl grassy walks, and an atmospliere innocent of coal dnst
and vile smells of crude oils, slaughter houses, acid works and
untrapped sewers, the veteran of that day will describe them
as the dark days of "applied science.", For by that time the
active minds of our "Case Institute" and of progress the
world over, will have lighted our streets and dwellings with
the lightnings from heaven, and warmed our homes with the
vapor of water, while smoke and filth and vile smells will
have become too precious to be wasted upon the desert air.
Per chance electricity genei-ated in the coal mines and brought
to us on threads of metal, may furnish our busy half million
with power and light and heat. At least this picture is good
to look upon. The possiliilities of this progressive age are
almost boundless, and after all this would scarcely be more
wonderful than the advancement to-day from the condition of
things when I first set foot upon the shores of the sand
blocked Cuyahoga. This is what I now propose to describe
to you. *
I hope my fellow members will not consider me egotistical if
my narative takes somewhat the form of an auto-biography —
what is history but the recital of the acts and experiences of
men? — When a boy of four years, in 1818, we came to Cleve-
land from the River Raisin, New Monroe, Michigan. The
little schooner, in whose hold we were all huddled together,
was forced to anchor oft' the nu)uth of "the creek." A lighter
76 ANNALS OF THE
came out and took us over the bar, aud lauded us at the foot
of Superior street, or rather Superior Lane, as it was then
called. At the corner of South Water and Superior street
stood the first-class Hotel of the village, kept by Noble H.
Merwin.
Here we recovered from the sickness incident to rolling
seas and bilge water. My father, a blacksmith, went into
partnership with that well-known character " Uncle Abram
Heacox," and worked and lived on the now celebrated Boule-
vard, Euclid Avenue. "Uncle Abram" was a historical
character, and relics of him and his trade are now on exliil»i
tion in the Historical rooms. From Euclid street we dropped
down into the little '-red house" on Water street, near
Frankfort.
The accumulated dust of these sixtv vears through which
memory has to peer with all the intervening experiences,
leaves upon the mind of the careless l)oy but a shadow of
here and there a fact, important and trivial, strangely mixed.
Farther down on Water street, near the lake, about that time,
Wm. G. Taylor established himself, who afterwards in com-
pany with " Jim Brown " became notorious sharpers, and
fitted out a ship at New Orleans to send to China with
counterfeit United States liank bills to exchange for tea. They
were, however, detected and escaped punishment, I believe
through some tricks of the law. Taylor, I believe, was sharp
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 77
enough to ever after keep clear of prison bars; but Brown
after various vicisitudes and escapes througli a couragous
daughter, was finally caged for good.
Near this point lived Dr. Macintosh, a rougli eccentric
character, who made such free use of that early manufacture
of the west side which gave its name to Whisky Island, that
at last he fell from his horse and broke his neck some years
hiter. Of his two wild sous — chips of the old block — Grove
and Dan, some of you can doubtless tell some anecdotes.
In those days the correct people also had their physician,
Doctor Long, an exemplary man and skilful M. D. ; lived
on Superior street, near where now stands E. I. Baldwin's
store. His only daughter, Mrs. Mary L. Severance and
her desceudauts, and his adopted daughter Catharine
Phelps, now Mrs. James Sears of Chestnut Ridge, Brooklyn,
and their descendants are still among us.
Noble H. Merwin, "mine host," I remember as a promi-
nent villager among us. His two sons and a daughter I
remember well. The daughter Minerva broke to me the bottle
upon the stern of the first water craft launched in Cleveland,
and imparted to the schooner "Minerva" her name. Through
her husband came the Atwater estate, now fronting upon
South Water street and the Viaduct. I remember Gus, as a
rather gay clerk, now gone to the "happy hunting" grounds,"
78 ANNALS OF THE
while George B. is still among us and well-known to most
of us.
In these days Orlando Cutter, the later well-known auctio-
neer, dispensed provisions, sugar and groceries, just where the
Viaduct touches Superior street.
Nathan Perry's store on the corner, Merwin's tavern across
the way, Walworth the hatter, and tailor White, are other
dim recollections of those earlj^ days. Dovetailing into these
I see Philo Scovill, and his wife Jemima, still of us, and
her sisters Meriam and Rose; Ann Bixby looming up soon
after in the Franklin House. Then follows "Ed" and "01,"
afterwards "Crocket" and Caroline. These shadows are
bounded by Young and ScovilFs saw mill out in "the thick
woods," on Big Creek, Brookl3n, on the one hand and the
Franklin House on the other. Mrs. Scovill and the children
we have still with us ; the others have gone where the good
pioneers go.
These are the dim shadows that bound m}- vision east of
tlie Cuyahoga, down to the end of the second decade in this
momentous century.
Since then m}- lot has been cast on the much advertised
"West Side," and with your indulgence I will continue
my recollections there down to the real marriage of the two
sides — the completion of the viaduct.
By no Viaduct, by no street cars, by no iron rails, b}^ no
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 79
pavements of solid stone or rotten wood, b}' only the Ferry
boat could the great east communicate along the shore of
Lake Erie, with the almost unbroken west.
Charon's duties were here performed by old father Gun
and his bo}^, nick-named Pistol. We settled down on an acre
of ground on Pearl street, near Franklin, for which we gave
seventy-live dollars, a large sum in those days. Judge Josiah
Barber, the patron of Brooklyn Township, then lived on the
corner of Pearl and Franklin streets, in an unpretensious log
house, and Alonzo Carter down by the ferry in a frame house,
the only one then on the west side; but a half dozen more
si)rang up quite suddenly. Alonzo Carter was a character of
the olden time, but long gone from among us. I imagine I
see now the particular kink to his eye and jirk to his head as
he starts out with his rifle on his shoulder, and his pack of
hounds at his heels for a deer hunt. The flat about the old
river bed was then a dense swampy thicket, bounded on the
lake side by a narrow saudv beach. The hounds would drive
the deer on to this beach, when thinking to escape their tor-
menters they would take to the lake. But there was no escape,
for the old hunter was there with his unerring rifle to brain
them. His children, and I believe his widow, are still among
us to connect the old with the new.
In those days there were too few children to support a
school west of the River and the mysteries of Webster's spell-
so ANNALS OF THE
ing l)ook wt'i'e taught iiic in a two roomed I'laiiic ))uil(Ung on
St. Clair street, perhaps where the central station of the fire
department now is. This single school was suflicient for the
united vilages of some four hundred inhabitants.
Well I remember seeing the forest slowly driven back
towards the setting sun. The first great want of the settlers
a Distiller}^ was soon supplied.
The Walworth run was then really a spring creek as it was
called of i)ure clear water very difl[erent from the sluggish i)ool
of blood and filth it now is. Its waters drove a i)aper mill
near Mill street, and a i>laning mill near Willey Street and
another near its mouth. The native forest trees were cut
away on the top of Detroit street hill for the blacksmithshop,
while shoemaker Smith Avent about " whipping the cat " and
guzzling Josiah's low wines, and at this early day a store was
started on the corner of Franklin and Pearl — Trinity Church
was there instituted about this time and Bishop Chase and
Parson Searl lent an occasional helping hand to Judge Barber
and others in conducting services and Sunday schools in
l)rivate houses.
This progress had been made down to the close of the year
1822. The next ten years I spent in New Hampshire, iml)il)-
ing Democracy from Isaac Hill and Levi Woodberry, and my
liberal religious views from Hosea Ballou — and tliey, the views,
stick to this day.
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 81
I left the west side with the genus "Homo," disputing its
possession with the bears, deers, blaelc snakes and clouds
of wild pigeons, and Pearl and Detroit streets in undis-
puted })ossession of jimson weeds and sand hills.
Fellow P^ailies — I must tell you tliat my trip to New Hamp-
shire was made in a two horse sleigh carrying most of our
provisions with us. This was before the days of canned food,
but Jack Frost came to our assistance and preserved our meats.
My ten years sojourn in the land of steady habits wrouglit
some change in the means of locomotion. Steamboats had
established themselves upon domestic waters ; and even a rail-
way fifteen miles in length had been })uilt between Albany
and Schenectady. A young locomotive drew the carriages
over the level part of the Road, but the grades were operated
by animals and gravit}-. Thence to Buffalo the " Line Road"
dragged its slow length along, and from there the " Henry
Clay" rushed us through in twenty-four hours. This was a
decided improvement over the two horse sleigh, but how
small! Compared with the accomplishments of the half
century intervening since.
These ten years had wrought great changes in Cleveland.
The o;overnment Piers had been constructed and the "Ohio
Canal" with its produce laden boats and gay Packets, made
things lively. Still that great cause of future contention be-
tween the east and west, and between land and Water com-
82 ANNALS OF THE
merce — bejyinniim with the Columbus street Biida;e and e'lidiuii
with the Viaduct, liad not ^-et arisen. A single raft ol' logs —
a " float bridge " spanned the river at Center street and this
was succeeded by a pontoon bridge, these when the freshets
came it made sundry excursions to the lake. Our present great
interest, the Iron industi'v had already made a beginning.
The "Cuyahoga Steam Furnace " was standing on its present
site, and Blast Furnaces w'ere making pig iron at UoAcr and
Middleburgh, from charcoal and Ijog ore.
About this time arose that sectional strife known as " the
Iiridgewar'" — a chasm but just bridged by the completion
of the Viaduct.
A Buttalo company uniting with local spirits bought u[)
the Carter and Charles Taylor farms, and these with tiie
Patroons of Brooklyn, sought to overshadow the pretensions of
their eastern neighbors. Then arose those enterprising spirits,
James 8. and Edmund Chii-k. who buying up Cleveland Center
and Wille^^ville opened up Columbus street straight south from
iSuperior street, and erected the Columbus street draw-bridge.
This they donated to the then city of (Cleveland which uniting
with certain marine interests sought to prevent the construc-
tion of an}- bridge below Columbus street; while Brooklyn,
jiew incorporated under the specious name of '• The City of
Ohio " determined that there should be more bridges or none.
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION, 83
This war continued to rage until tlie bridge interests liave
seen tlie travail of their souls and are satisfied.
About that time another of Cleveland's great interests
leccived its first "Boom". Elijah F. Willey, a Baptist clergy-
man put in operation on the Walworth run near Willey street
a Brewery, so the introduction among us of this wicked
beverage cannot be laid at the dof)r of the immigrant Tueton.
These events, thus rapidly sketched, occurred, to use
round numbers, between 1820 and 1840.
In the year 1840 the first movements in the direction of
Railways were made in what is new Cleveland. But they
were made by men with more brains and enterprise than
money, and it was ten years before the locomotive whistle was
sounded in Cleveland.
Since then, Ladies and Gentlemen, you have all Ijcen
citizens of Cuyahoga county, and I will not tire your patience
longer. When all the members of this Association shall have
as minutely related their experiences as I have, they will be in
l»ossession of the history of Cuyahoga County.
J. H. SARGENT.
•
84 ANNALS OF THE
A sketch of Early Times in Cleveland, received from
Geo. F. Marshall.
Mr. President:
The conipanitively receut elate in which Cuyahoga county
was peopled, makes this ert'oit of the early settlers to keep
alive its history, one of interest to yourselves and may become
ol" greater importance to those who follow. Most of you ha\e
lived here fully one half the time since the lirst settler made
his home in this part of the Reserve, and if you are disposed
to l)righten up your memory respecting the past and the
traditions of a generation or two that preceeded you, we may
gather a tolerably correct histor}- of the region round about
and make a safer record to rely upon than those of which we
read respecting cities and countries away back ever so far in
the past.
This association appears to have taken a broader and more
liberal ground than any with which | was ever connected. It
requires no standard of morals or education, it has no article
of faith in religion or politics, no restriction in hight or
breadth, weight, health, wealth, color, j)hysical forces, or pre-
vious condition of the purse, has no abstemious clause or
other restrictive policy, and the tenure of membership is that
we have been hanging about Cu3'ahoga Co. two score years or
more all told. The object of the organization, although not
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 85
fully detined in the constitution, I take it is that we shall get
together now and then and look eacli other in the face to see
how the Lake winds have atfected us, and tell pitiful and
pleasing stories adout how things appeared to us when we
were born into this new western world. Some of you older
settlers may propose for entertainment passtimes of athletic
contests, such as running, jumping, climbing greased poles,
chopping, plowing, turning summersets, building log cabins,
chasing foxes or other early passtimes, just to siiow the
younger settlers how well you can do it in your old days.
The true standard by which an "Old Settler" is regarded
in a community, is not so well defined as that of an old
sinner, (although the two qualifications may be embraced in
the same person.) Whether it be that he has managed to live
here forty years and more and means to stick it out, or that
he left his early home for its good, or that he was unable to
o-ain a living where he was, or that his father told him to go
somewhere and do something for himself, or that he came here
out of choice and was determined to make it pay; it matters
but little as long as we are here and have gained a residence
and claim the title. The chances or mischances which fell in
our path to make this our home do not enter into the condi-
tions by which we gain the title, neither need these things be
recorded by the secretary with our l)irth place and the time
we landed for good in this Lake shore region.
86
ANNALS OF THE
If there he any settlei' who came here single handed in
eai'ly nianliood tliat can pnt his hand npon his heart and say
that he never longed to see his former home in less than six
months, — in other words if his heart was so tough that he did
not (eel the ix'culiar sensation of homesickness now and tlien
— that he did not go down on the l)ank of the Lake in the
winter time and long for spring to come, and the ice to melt.
and the boats to run — if that sort of an old settler still lives.
Rider wants his photograph. He has mine, l)ut it hangs on
the o])posite side of his gallery.
At the l)attle of Cherubusco a guai'd of our soldiei's Jieai'd
a moan coming out of a near wood and upon following up liu'
sound, they discovered a big, stout, healthy soldiei- on n c:u'tus
stump, swaying too and fi-o. all alone, moaning pitifully, they
came to a lialt and waited, undiscovered, to see wh:it would
develop.
"O my God," shouted the lone soldiei-, "I do want to go
home and see ouk Folks." He appeared to l)e in the agony
ofpi'ayerand homesickness.
You see a l)i-ave hearted s<»ldier, even on the (con)tento^d
field, thinks of his home and his mother, ami i)erhaps the
pumpkin pies she used to make, but nevertheless there may
have been a young lady in the case: there is no certain method
to account for human sympathies and mental sutfering.
]t is possible that there are three oi' more soils of early
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 87
settlers aiuong us; one who came in oarl.y luanliood to work
his way single handed, another who came in early youth, led
by the hand of his parents, and anotlior who liy good luck
was born here. It is easy to guess that the former had more
yearning to go and see "our folks" than either of the latter,
but wliat one class gains the otlier loses.
A man's start out in life to earn his own bi'cad and butter
is the next most important event to his liirth. You will
remember that Shakespeare said something about man's
coming and his going, and about the parts he plays, but he
said not a word about the play in Cuyahoga county. The
worlds we thought, was pretty large when we started out in it.
and we thought we liad i-eached about as far west as it was
safe to go. Do you remember how men and things, houses
and lands, the moon and the stars dwindled in comparison to
those you left behind '? You made new discoveries every time
you went back home and returned; after a time your eye
teeth were well cut and you began to see things in their true
light and became a "settler" in stubborn facts and in the
uneritable.
A neighbor of mine who came, from Great Britain and
settled in this county some fifty odd years ago, made a visit
to his native heath aftei' forty odd years of absence, and
although he found the identical fields, the orchards, the
houses, the barns and hedges, he declares that if he had
S8 ANNAl.S OK THE
waited another ten years befoi'e making his first visit, he fears
all England wonld l)e dwindled to such small proportions
that it wonld not be worth while to take a look at it. He
further contends that one of two things has taken place, either
his ideas he brought with him have changed, or the country
he left has terribly shrunk up. It can scarcely be said lliat
forty years ago any uian came hei'c to be a bona tide "•settler'"
and make no sign — there wei'c no retired men of wealth, living
on a laid up foi-tune— about every one had his fortune to make
and his bread to earn ; if we should exact an accurate account
of Ihc moneys and valuables you were in possession ol' when
you became "settled," I flunk the column would not be a ii;ii-d
one to fool. If a man was known to have as much as two or
three hundred dollars in good current money, or as much as
would sell foi- that in "wild cat" or "red dog," he was looked
upon with suspicion, and most people could not help Itnt
lhiid< tlittf he came by it in some uiysterious and im})roper
way. Money l)eing rather scarce in those early days, there
were now and then some public spirited people who were
anxious to supply the needs and necessities of comuiunity
by establishing private mints and l)anks of issue, and dni)li-
cnting those bits ol" jjapcr that })asscd current for all the
necessaries of life. And these were l)auks of early piolits
some after fare, and the proverbial maxim that "man hatii
sought out many inventions," w^as manifest wherever you
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. !^9
chanced to investigate. Currency, or the want of it, was a
source of happiness or misery as well in those days as in
these.
I have not enumerated in mj- list the most emphatic and
noteworthy " old settler" that is entitled to the widest field
and the highest honor; I mean the one who, in early man-
hood, living not far from the 74th meridian, packed his wife
and children in a covered wagon, yoked his faithful oxen to
the front, bidding good-by to New P^ngland, or New York, and
in spite of all opi)Osing elements, came through the Cattar-
augus woods and planted himself here, root and branch, to
live or die, survive or perish, in spite of whate^'er may prevail
to discourage so bold an enterin-ise.
He who brought his perpendicular, honesty and unflinch-
ing determination to win, together with his bible, his religion,
his rifle, his axe, his plow, his politics and a good sized chunk
of Foley White's sticking salve, was the man for this country.
You who were born here, or came here in your mothers arms,
or ran away from home out of shire cussedness, or di-opped in
by chance and could get no further, are all worthy of an
honorable place among " Old Settlers," nevertheless it would
be a mark of respect you owe to that stalwart sort of which I
speak, if you woidd but raise your hat when one of tliem
passes you on the street. He is entitled to the double meiit
of Pioneer as well as "'Old Settler."
90 ■ AKNAT.S OP THK
It was easy enough for a young man, forty-iive years ago,
with only a little grain of enterprise, to start out for the west,
I'iding by stage coach or canal boat, steam boat, or even foot
it away from New England clear to Ohio. He had no cares
on his mind to trouble him, except to eat and slee]) and move
on when the day was pleasant enough, even after he gets here
some trilling matter may cross his path, or lie hears that
times are booming some ftther where, and off he goes like any
rolling stone. Don't you see that such a fickle settler lias
nothing substantial to tie to like the man of family of the
ox team and the covered wagon, and tlie children growing up
Not a few of that former sort of boys haA'c found their way
back to Watei'town or Taunton, or Groton, in order to get
under the old familiar roof ti-ee once more: failing to bring-
out any faculty oi' perserverance or ))luck he feels assured
that his mother wdll receive him with open arms, wliatever
the old uian may say or think aliout it. The poor fellow can
easier withstand the taunts of the boys in his neighliorhood
rather than suffer tliat intolei-able nostalgia that made him
feel so ]iad under his jacket.
After passing through all you have and rejoicing in your
preserverance, while you may be reveling in the luxury of all
the modern appliances of the aeshetics, you should bear
no ill will towards your unfortunate neighliors who neither
had the })luck nor the disposition t(t })ull out and stay out,
\
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATON. 91
abandoning the hills and the valleys of their youtii for an
uncertain tenure in this unbroken wilderness, when we were
told tliat every newly turned ferrow brouglit a streak of chill
along the spine and an ague in every bone that would bring
our red hair with jaundice to the grave. New^ England people
have been known to fumigate and disinfect the letters received
from here, before reading them, in order to be secure against
contagion and infection. We had a reputation among the
people in the east for a considerable ague, and i)erhaps were
worthy of it.
A little beyond Bedford on the old Pittsl)urg roail is a
heavy strip of swale and in muddy seasons was well nigh
impassable for wagons: the mail and stage coaches would
manage to work their way 1)}' making detours through the
woods and fields. In the spring of ISoT, Philetus Francis, a
man who is yet among us, wrestling with men and horses;
while driving an open mud wagon in place of the covered
coach through this swale, had a full load of passengers, includ-
ing a man from Boston. The Boston man was disgusted
with Ohio and expressed himself to that elfect in unmistak-
able terms; he had never seen a log cabin until that day in
all his life. When the}' came to the bad bit of road, "Fleet"
politely told his passengers of the state of things asking them
to walk across the dangerous path as a matter of safety for
themselves and tlie horse. The Boston ti'aveler declared he
92 ANNALS OF THE
would "do no siieli tliiiiG,," pioclaiining that he had paid his
fare and the stage eompan}' was under an ohlioation to eariy
him to Pittsburgh; he Avould not budge, altliough all the
others, including two ladies, took the chances on foot. Com-
ing to an unfortunate pitch-hole in the road, the wagon gave
a heavy lurch and the Boston man was thrown completely out
and landed on his ruffled shirt front in the soft mud, becom-
ing one of the "first settlers" of Bedford; he went back to
Boston and his mother Avilh clearer ideas of the west, but
dirtier linen, than if he had not unexpectedly settled in Bed-
ford. They sometimes i)rint books in Boston and it may be
this man has published his experiences in Ohio, if so, it would
be well that this society place his volume ou file among its
archives for future reference as part of our history.
Some of you, no doubt, came here under the most favor
able auspices — had a friend to live on, had good luck, health
and hai)piness all through, and no serious impediment to 3'our
ultimate success, for all this you have reason to kick up your
heels, thank God and rejoice. There were those who were
perplexed with all the hindi-ances a human being could well
be surrounded with. In either case you can sit by the tire-
side and tell OA'er your experiences to your grand-children, l)ut
't is well that you l)e careful not to magnify the incidents too
much.
Perhaps the man is alive who declares with a wonderful
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION 93
positivenc'ss that when his lather settled here he could have
l)ought all that tract of land north ot" Superior street, and west
ol' Baidv street, extending,' to the lake and river for two plugs
of tobacco, a pint of whisky and a Jew's harp. Such wonderful
tales, when told in solcniii earnest, only tend to dami)en a man's
ambition and make him provoked with himself to think that
he was not born sooner, and been possessed of those valua)»le
articles of commerce. Yet if he had the offer made him at
the time with the goods on hand, he may have taken a look
all round and imprudently 'wait until land went up or whisky
went down.
As 3'our cities grew up it was wonderful how (juick you
))ut on metropolitan airs. From au overgrown village Cleve-
land sprung out of her bounds in a single day to a lirst class
cit}", from a line of municipal officers ranging in salaries in
the aggregate to about three thousand dollars, she leaped into
a liability of some thirty thousand at one bound, and it is
yearly on the increase.
It has somewhere been said that God made Ihe country
and man the city. We are also told that cities are an un-
natural fungus growth or wart on the body politic. Whether
these propositions are correct or not, I have no pi'eseut inten-
tion to controvert them, yet we are all willing to concede that
the city has vastly more art and cunning, more elegance and
style, more applied art to beautify the human form and habi-
04 ANNALS OF THE
tation, more aj^plicd sciences in tiie art of life than the
eountrv, but for honest purpose and sound common sense, for
robust liealth and the true art of living to a Godly pur[)o«e in
earning bread by the natural perspiration of the Imow, and
doing something as well for those who are figuring on the
blackboard of imagination in cities to win a livelihood In'
the insensible perspirations of the pui'se, commend me to
God's tields in the broad and open country.
You inhabitants of the city, pent up in limited bounds,
who can tell what sauce your neighbors have for supper, are
liable to boast of a numerous population and glory in the
fact that you have outnumbered some other town which was
once much greater than your own in the census roll. A cit}^
is great onl}' when her people are virtuous, intelligent, healthy
and happy, and have made marked progress in the substantial
and elegant arts, made her schools of the best grade and her
manufactories of a standard equal to any, and her jails and
poor houses mere temporary expeciients, and of little use.
Men will hazard a vast deal for wordly gain, they will
locate at times, where the chances of life are greatly against
them, and sometimes put their money where the chance to
win is as one to many thousand; they will gather in cities or
gulches, where one man in ten thousand has become a Crtjesus
and the rest paupers, simply from the impulse thereof, per-
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 95
htips tlu'v loo may bocomc tlie next lueky iudividiitil in point
of dolhifs und cents.
Where two or three, or more houses, are gathered in close
proximity in the name of civilization, the people around and
about them begin to dream of city airs, whistling around the
gables, and as soon as a few more buildings are added and a
blacksmith shoj), a grocery and shoe shop, perhaps a whisky
shop, hang out their signs, an alley or lane becomes a "'street"
and a street is named an "avenue,"' and an avenue a "boule-
vard,'" and a boulevard becomes "a park,"' and so on; every
thing else moves along in the same ratio. We are now living
in an age of- [jrogress — there was not (juite so much of that
sort of thing in our eai'lier days, and the word ";esthetic" was
not invented until Webster came along with his unabridged.
The method in olden time, of building up cities and popu-
lating the country, was somewhat ditferent from that of our
time. A mandate from a king oi' an empeior was enough to
set the j)eoi)le adrift and at once gather arounil a given point,
building up a permanent city as earnestly and faithfully as if
it had been their choice. This American people have their
own way in such matters and were likely to gather around a
mill site, wliere there happened to be a water power for a
grist mill or a saw mill, or a distillery, or an oil well, or some
sort of a mine, and we can hunt up but few other reasons
that make much of a village in the interior, while on the
96 ANNALS OF THE
water cour.scvs a good harbor lor vessels is enough to form
quite a gatliering of people in view of the eommeree most
likely to follow in the wake of labor to be })erfornietl. Forcing-
trade out of its natural channel is an up-hill business, and if
it should run for a time in unnatural grooves, it will be most
certain to tind its easiest course and follow it until a better
one is opened. Mill dams and water power do not enter so
much into the inducements to make a village as formerly.
New and cheap power has been found in steam that can be
carried to any convenient })oint, so that if water power was
once the attraction, Ave can now set up a village in any desir-
al»le spot; about all that is needed is a climate, soil and a
people willing to dig with a prospect of something to come
of it.
When you came to Cleveland you had the self-imi)osed
assurance, that it was to be a successful grain market, and so
it was for a time: the wheat and corn and oats that came
here by canal and transhipped both east and west, appeared
to be simply unequalled in quantity; when that trade left us,
some of our best men fled to other lields, and we thought that
the rise and fall of Cleveland could then be written for all
time. New animation came, and the iron, the copper, the
coal, the petroleum, the lumber, the stone, the mechanic arts
and railroads have brought lier to a proud eminence among
the cities of the great west, and yet her history is unwritten.
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION, 97
For 1113' own part, seeing so many who were here long before
me, although my lot has been cast nearly a half century in
this county, I do not claim to be a very earl}^ settler. If we
form a line and place the older ones in the advance, my place
would be well nigh the rear, unless there be some among you
who are afraid to be called old. I can only look upon those
venerable men and pioneers with a degree of reverence and
respect, about every one of whom I have had more or less
acquaintance during my time among you and the greater
source for rejoicing when we get together is that there are so
many who have survived so many perils and come looking so
well. Some in other states and some in other nations, where-
ever they may be it cannot change the fact that we have stuck
tight to Cuyahoga (bounty and are here yet.
lu the year 1836 there was what would be called in the
present day " a boom " in the West, it was emphatically a
speculative boom, people went wild to some extent ; lines of
emigrant wagons were seen along the roads ranging east and
west, anywhere from the southern borders of Pennsylvania to
the northern point of Mane long before the northeastern l)oun-
dary question was settled. The line of march extended as far
as Ohio and " the Michigan," now and then you would hear
(»f a family that had ventured as far west as the 90th meridian.
There were some chums of mine and some other boys who slid
out from our neighborhood on foot between two da3's. Not so
98 ANNALS OF THE
much perhaps to seek a fortune, however, aud loUowing the
Star of Empire, Init oljeying the spirit of liberty tliat broke out
about that time, tlie boys thought that an indented apprentice
was one of the twin relics of barbarism and did not care to
hold allegieuce against their will to a boss until they were
twenty-one aud get nothing but their board and clothes. Some
of those boys I am 'sorry and glad to say lied their country
for its oood, went west and forsook some of their sins, grew
up with the country, became respected, made good citizens or
went further west and joined the Mormons.
It may have been that I saved my credit, and what little
desirable reputation I had, in consequence of my boss pulling
up stakes in the east and emigrating, bag and baggage, to
Ohio, when I followed suit, coming up the lake on the steamer
"North America," which steamer had more pulmonaries, more
cronies and more asthmatic beings than any craft afloat, it
took twenty-six hours to make the voyage from Buffalo to
Cleveland, and I have rejoiced about every day since that she
came safe tlirougli. A very fine spoken gentleman met nie as
I landed on the dock with a beautiful town plat in his hand,
which had many corner lots and water lots, with a church, a
court house, a school house, and factories adorning the borders,
nicely pictured out. He wanted to make me rich by selling
me one — that is one of the maps — he said there was money in
selling the lots for any one could buy a lot and pay a quarter
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 99
down, 111' wantod a (luarter for thu chart and I only had left
half enough to buy one, or I might have gone in and made a
fortune by this time. The great idea in those days was to
found a city, the spirit of Romulus was abroad in the the land.
It was a big thing to have a franchise in an imaginary city
with corner lots and water lots a plenty. Many people in a
speculative way followed the course of streams in their chase
for fortune, and looked for a sight for a dam or a good chance
for a saw mill or a grist mill; the idea was to pitch in and
make a fortune as quick as possible and let other people do
the work; speculating on paper was one of the open gateways
to wealth in that day.
The boom struck Cleveland between wind and water, she
had it tolerabl}^ bad, but weathered it through rather better
than most towns that were struck. In Cuyahoga County
beside our own city that was sure to win in the end we had
the city of Gilnett at the mouth of Rocky River, and St. Johns-
ville at Chagrin, while plats and survey's were made for the
mouth of P^uclid Creek and Doan's Brook. As for the interior
of the county cities in embryo were a plentj^, and Tinker's
Creek was said to have the linest water power anywhere
between Niagara and St. Antony.
Railroads that had just been tested for utility in the east
were lieiug projected for us in the booming west. William B.
Lloyd and John R. St, John, two of our most enthusastic
100 ANNALS OF THE
citizens were the firmest advocates of tliis new means of
transit, but they had more mind than money.
We had Pittsburgh connected with us by links and cluiins
by grades and curves on paper, but we had to use the okl mud
roads long before the cars and rails were ready for use. Those
enterprising gentlemen were only a score or more of years in
advance of our necessities.
Speaking of railroads we had an unmistakable one in our
midst which is worthy of more than a passing mention. The
Cleveland and Newburgh Railway was au accomplished fact,
had its day, carried its loads of human freight and Ijlue stone
combined, yielded up its dividends and the ghost simulta-
neously, and where is it? Ahaz Merchant was one of the
public spirited men of those days that not only projected
improvements, Ijut his enterprise brought many to a practical
test; it was his head and hands that brought this Newburg
road to completion, and if it was not financially a success it
became no excuse to call Mr. Merchant a visionary man. ■ He
was bound to test the practicability of bringing the blue stone
of the Shaker quarries to a profitable purpose. The western
terminus of that road was in the southwest corner of the
Public Square and its eastern was in the midst of the blue
stone of the Shaker brook at Doan's Corners, near where the
famous spring of blue rock water has burst through its seams.
The line of route was directly through Euclid street (now an
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION 101
"aveuiie,") and a single passenger coach carried all the human
freight that sought transit; one horse was quite enough for
any car load and we prided ourselves that we had a street
railroad in real good earnest, and two trips a day was quite
enough for all the travel, hut the rails were of the stately
forest oak and there was no fear of snake heads or of Ashta-
bula holocosts nor yet of such mysterious and terrible water
casts as that of the river Tay in Scotlnnd.
You all know that the Cuyahoga is a crooked stream and
that its present outlet is through a channel cut out l)y the
hand of man ; its waters once meandered westerly through the
delta till it sluggishly reached the Lake about a mile west of
where it ought to be, if nature is mistrusted to have made any
mistake about the matter. That old I'jver ]ied was rich in
allusions, in flags and rushes, in muskrats and snipe, in bull
frogs and water snakes, in wild ducks and sunfish, and it was
one of the safest winter quarters for Lake craft anywhere to be
found on the shore. The experienced eye of men of means
saw what could be done with that "old river bed," and a com-
pany set to work and dredged the channel and opened the
mouth with a determined intent to make a roadstead that
would eclipse the new channel in every essential manner. The
work was completed to a degree, and the first steamer was to
pass through the channel to the open sea on a given Fourth
of July loaded with the beauty and chivalry of those who
1U2 ANNALS OF THE
leut their favor towards the new enterprise. It was indeed a
gay scene when that load of gay citizens steamed down the
channel with Hags above and flags below and shouts of triuni|)h
all around. The steamer moved like a thing of a good deal of
life for a while, but whether in consequence of too much delta
or too much ])oat or too many happy people on board, she got
stuck in the mud and never got out to sea with its gay load
after all. Whatever you may say about that old river l)ed it
is rapidly coming into use in spite of its earlj- history, we may
yet see immense fleets riding through it in safety and no
sectional jealousies to cpiestion the practicability of the enter-
prise in view of the coming breakwater.
You well remember what an eftbrt was made to get a I'ail-
way from Cleveland to Colnmbus. Sandusky had ali'eady
formed a connection ])y rail with Cincinnati. It touched the
pride and poverty of our Cleveland people to sucli a degree
that they got just a little bit on their ear. Everyone wanted
everyone else to go down into tlieir pockets and l)ring up
enough to secure the progress of the road. How tliey did beg
and plead, pull and haul, tear, and perhaps swear, for a rail-
road, but those tilings won't come without a prc^tty loud call
upon the purse.
In order to save the charter, which had lain doi-mant for a
time, it was thought best to make a shoAV of work on the line
ali'eady surveyed. One bright autumn foivnoon a)>out a
EAKLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 103
dozen men got themselves together near the ground now occu-
pied b}' the A & G. W. Railway depot with the noble purpose
of inaugurating the work of building the Cleveland, Colum
bus and Cincinnati Railroad. Among the number was Alfred
Kelley, the President, T. P. Handy, the Treasurer, J. H.
Sargent, the Engineer, James A. Briggs, the Attorney, and H.
B. Payne, Oliver Perry, John A Foote and others besides j^our
humble servant. On that memorable spot one could look upon
those vast fields of bottom land and nothing could be seen
but unbroken wide }neadows, the brick residence of Joel
Scranton on the north, and the ruins of an old mill in the
ravine of Walwortli Run on the south, were the only show of
buildings in all that region round about. These gentlemen
had assembled to inaugurate the work on the railway, yet
there was a sadness about them that could be felt, there was
something that told them that it would be difficult to make
much of a railroad without monc}' and labor. Yet they came
on purpose to make a show of a beginning. Alfred took a
shovel and with his foot pressed it well into the soft and wil-
ling earth, placing a good chunk in the tranquil wheelbarrow
close at hand, repeating the operation until a load was at-
tained and dumping it a rod or so to the south. We all
shouted a good -sized shout that the road was really inaugura-
ted. Then Mr. Handy did a little of the same work as well
as Sargent and Briggs, while I sat on tlie nearest log rejoicing
104 ^ ANNALS OF THE
to see the work going on so lively and in such able liands.
The fact was demonstrated that the earth was willing if man
would only keep the shovel, the pick and the wheelliairow
moving lively according to this l»eginning.
All tliat fall and winter one man was kept at work on the
great enterprise, simply to hold the charter with a ho\)o that
something would turn u^) to enable the directors to push
things witli a greater show for ultimate success. During the
winter that followed any one passing up Pittsburgh street
near the blutf could see day bv day the progress this one man
powei' was making in his work. Foot ])y foot eacli day tlio
brown eai'th could be seen gaining on tlie white snow (tn the
line towards ('olumbus, and ho[)0 i-emained lively in the hi-east
of everyone that saw the })rogress, tluit if the physical powers
of that solitary laborer held out long enough, he would some
day l»e al)le to go to state's prison b^' rail.
There was a serious hindrance in the progress of the work,
wliich came in this wise. The laborer who had so great a job
(tn his hands took a look and a thought at wliat he had to do
— it was one hundred and forty miles to Columbus and it was
best to hurry up or the road would not he ready for use for
(piite a spell to come, he set to work witli renewed energy foi-
a while, then threw himself quite out of breath on tlie ground
for a brief rest when the rheumatism took liold of liini and
sciatica troul»led liis limits so much that tlie ureat work was
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. . 105
brought to a stand still; he struck for his altars and his fires
at home, while tlie next fall of snow oliliterated the line of his
progress towards the south, and the directors got together to
devise ways and n\eans to keep tlie work moving onAvard. It
was said that the hest thing they could do under this stress
of circumstances was to devise a method for drying and
warming the ground so that a like calamity would not occur
to tlieir workman, wishing to encourage every freak he had to
work a little faster, provided he would do so at tlie same
wages.
Soon after this calamity befel the laliorer and the road, a
meeting was called at P^mpire Hall and it was a jam. Alfred
Kelley discoursed on the sul)ject of the railway and telling us
that if Ave did not take hold of tliis opportunity to make an
iron way to the center of the state Cleveland would only be
known in the Gazeteers as a small town on Lake Erie about,
six miles from Newburgh where steamers sometimes stop to
wood and water. By a sudden stroke of generalship tlie exit
doors of the hall were locked and the audience were held
until all were converted to the faith and pooled in enough to
secure the road and add a few more men to the work, Avhen,
after a reasonable time, the solons of our legislature came up
here cm the 22d of February and celebrated the completion of
the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati Eailroad, and the
birthda\' of Washington all at once.
106 ANNALS OF THE
Previous to the memorable period of Cleveland's first
advance step towards popular favor we liave endeavored to
cai'r}' our memory back, to note what manufacturins: interests
she was engaged in, and the only establishment that could
trul}' be called a "factor^-" was a one story building Avhere fine
teeth combs were made by machinerj^ the old coml» factory
opposite the head of Bank street. Messrs. Bartram and Dean
and Lowman made wagons and carriages, and it is furtlier
true that Lowman continues to make them to this day and to
all appearances lie will continue to do so till the crack of
doom, anil it is further true that Duty made coflins then to
sliip away and he is at it now. D. A. Shepherd made furni-
ture and lie is bus}- to-day in a better appointed factory. O.
A. Brooks sold crockery then and he is at the same business
today. Dr. McKenzie sold pills and squills and febrifuge then
and he is at it yet. C. C. Carlton was an active business man
in our city forty-five years ago and he is now about as active
and attentive to his calling as ever. W. T. Smith, the genial
and always courteous and happy dealer in boots and shoes
has been dispensing those pedal integuments to the third and
fourth generation of them that loved him and he has kept at
it it every day since, 8unda5's excepted. George Williams
was then and is noAV in active life in the same line that found
him engaged nearly fift}' years ago. George Whitelaw forty-
eight years ago thought there was notliing like leathcf to be
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 107
engaged in and he thinks so yet. John A. Vincent sold chairs,
cradles and such like to the great grand parents of those he
is dealing with to-day in the same line. T. P. Handy is as
regular in his banking office to-day as fort^'-eight years ago.
S. S. Lyon made tackling for horses and mules nearly a half
century ago and he would not refuse to keep right on as lie is
doing now for another like term of years.
When the old comb factory had lived out its day and
aliout everybody was in doubt whether C'lcAeland would 1)oom
to any considerable extent in the future, many of our nervous
and eager citizens sought other fields for their genius and a
sort of stillness set in and about our waters, an<l at one time
it was proposed to fence the pond in for fear some one would
fall in and get drowned. Something whispered in the ears of
the inhabitants that they had better stay and weather it out,
all that they heard of other places was but wild rumor and
many who had bitten at the shining bait came wangling back
to our own waters for more sul)stantial food. Something also
told us to stick to it, get up another comb factory or some
sort of a manufacturing shop and Cleveland would some day
come to be quite a town. About this time a new set of inhab-
itants came among us, there appeared to lie a spontaneous
putting of shoulders to the wagon wheel, things moved more
lively, and when our railway" was opened up and people could
108 ANNALS OP THE
get here in winter as well as summer it was the opening- period
of Clevelands prosperity.
The new comers joined hands with the old settlers, our
railroads were built, manufactories were planted in tlie valleys
and on the hills. And when the Heecy vapors came up from
the thousand steaming boilers and the l)lack smoke from
vastly more seething furnaces it swept every vestige of ague
from the atmosphere and the chill from every bone of an
animate body, it gave new life to the people and it became a
well settled fact that the boom of 1S;3G was a well shaped
boomerang in 1856, and so on to the present day. The enter-
prise of those who have been coming here since the days of
"Tippecanoe and Tyler too" have done wonders towards build-
ing up a city of no mean proportions. Yet 3'ou old settlers
have not been materially eclipsed Ity those new comers except
in their overpowering numbei's, whom all were glad to receive
with open arms.
The power of steam was just being applied to machinery
in our midst. Tliere was a steam flouring mill on River street
entirely destroyed }»y lire in 1837. Younglove and Hoyt subse-
quently erected a paper mill on the canal near Pittsburgh
street. About the year 1846 M. C. Younglove set up the lirst
power press (Adams') in Cleveland which press was placed iii
the Merchants Exchange Building, directly over where Luetke-
me3'er's hardware store now is. It did all the work for the
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATON. 109
Herald as well as the Plain Dealer and other rival daily papers
at the time, and as they tried to work their^ editions off at the
same hour they never appeared to he any great amount of ill
feeling among the proprietors whether the}^ got their forms
on the i)ress for the matter of a halt of three quarters of an
liour was all either would be compelled to wait on the other ;
the press did not throw off the sheets at lightning speed,
perhaps two or three hundred, all told, would comprise the
largest editions. One or two stout men were employed at
first to manipulate the press but steam soon took their place.
The Cuyahoga Steam Furnace Compan}- which was not in the
present corporate limits of Cleveland in liSiU was the lirst
substantial enterprise in that line in our county, and up to
that time there was not probably a half dozen establishments
that had machiner}- propelled by steam within the corporation.
There was a manifest struggle among the cities of the Lakes
in our day for commercial precedence, and when the doctrine
of internal improvements was an article of faith that we held
to out of local interest or universal principle, we could not
help l>ut look with a degree of jealousy if Congress gave
Ashtabula, Erie, Conneaut, Fairport, Vermillion, Black River
or Huron any kind of a show in her appropriation bill and
omitted Cleveland, but when Rocky River or Chagrin or even
Euclid Creek was spoken of as asking for a pier we were all
likely to go into spasms and give up all hope for the future
S
110 ANNALS OF THE
success of the Cuyahoga as a })ort of eiitry. Congress scat-
tered her favors so iiiuuificently and carelessly that it became
hard to tell where the work would do the most good.
Your progress toward improvement was a proverlj. When
you old settlers of forty-live years standing located in Cleve-
land you could boast of the most miserable thoroughfares in
the spring and autumn time that the wide west ever beheld.
Tht ladies were necessarily restricted in appearing on the
avenues arrayed in the latest style of dress for obvious reasons,
dress was forced to conform to circumstances.
Among the people of my native state tliere a^)})eared to be
an indistinct idea of the condition of things in this far west
portion of the unsettled territory, and when it got abroad that
I was about to emigrate to these wilds I was regarded as wild
myself. What! are you going to that unbroken wilderness
where tliere are no schools nor churches and hardly any
houses l)ut log huts, and the ague so thick you can cut it?
My first visit to the home of my youth was In'uited about
the town among the boys, and they came to see me and hear
me tell the. wonderful tales of the perils among the wild
animals that everyone is said to encounter "out west." One
notable citizen had Ijcen to see me ever so many times Ijut
failed to lind me for a while, after })atience and perseverence
had crowned his ettorts with success he appeared to be happy.
He said a friend of his had gone out "to the Ohio" some 3^ears
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. Ill
ago and he had licard nothing from him since lie lei't and he
was anxious to learn something of his wlierea))outs.
I asked liini wliat part of the state he located in, 1)ut that
he did not know, and upon careful inquiry, with a full deter-
mination to give the gentleman all the information he sought
il la my power, I learned that his friend had settled some-
where in "the Ohio state," the count}^, town or village he did
not know and moreover his name was Smith, the given name
he could not remeni1)er. If any of you know a man by that
name in Ohio please report.
If one of theCherubims or Seraphims had fallen in Sui)erior
street about thirty-live years ago, it would not have created
much more wonder than the lirst liveried coachman, who
drove down the avenue in regulation costume. It took us by
suri)rise, we were not fully |)repared for so much all at once
and few of our jjeople had a knowledge of what they were
gazing upon, only through the medium of books, of fiction, or
memories of European times. We had all the elements of
style — in fact there was a good deal of it put up in the human
breast, and all it wanted was a little burst of lesthetic inde-
pendence to bring it out. We had plenty of people who
longed to do this thing, but it was dangerous to set sail in so
open a sea without a guide.
We never knew the comforts and elegances of life until we
had them. When we waded through the mud of an evening
112 ANNALS OF THE
with our [)ants rolled up, and a 3'ourig lady on our arm headed
towards a party or a prayer meeting, we knew nothing of the
convenience of gas light and paved streets, or street ears, and
were just as happy in our ignorance as to-day, provided the
young lady was good looking b}- day light or candle light.
Transportation was no difticult if the company was attractive
while we never contemplated whether the old man was
possessed of numerous shekels or none.
When James 8. Clark imported a grand and elegant car-
riage to our young city, and had it propelled ahout our streets
by a span of lively mules, it became an epoch in our hisLoiy
worth recording for we were not familiar with such turnouts.
It was a master stroke of Republican independence to send
out the ladies of his household in an elegant landaulet,
drawn by a pair of mules, driven by a man as black as
Erebus. We had to stop and look as the establishment passed
us in the mudd^' streets. To say that we had no cultivated
style in those early da^'s. would not be true. About all of us
had studied u[) what was elegant and how Ijad avc wanted
such just as much as any other young and thriving city
There were men who sent their measures for coats to New
York, while they would consent to let Shelley make tlieir
pants and vests, and so it was in other things, a growing dis-
position to outdo some one else; that was the era when
aesthetics began to boom. One man squandered ten shilling,
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 113
six pence, two pence half penny, to get his coat of arms from
England and had a crest painted on the pannel of his wagon.
We all hankered to appear well in society, at church or on
the streets.
Men who had heretofore done their own chores about their
home, as soon as trade would warrant, hired a man and many
a hired man as he lay down on his pillow at night repeated
to himself the hard days work he had to perform all for
twelve dollars a month and board. There is so much to do
that a fellow has no time to say his own prayers in comfort.
In the morning there are three tires to make, cow to milk and
in summer to take to pasture, two horses to take care of, the
walks to swee}), the wood to saw, the coal to carry in, ei-rands
to do, the garden to weed, to lie blowed u}) ten times a day by
the old woman, black- the old man's boots and clean the cliil-
dren's shoes, and of a Sunday there is more hard work to do
than any day in the week. Have to take the family to church
and hang round outside for the last amen of the minister,
when we })oor hostlers chant in chorus the "Gloria in Excel-
sis," bring the team around to the curbstone and when we
get' home as hungry as a hyena after a three days fast are
compelled to wait to see if there is anything left from the
dining room that is sutfered to come to the kitchen for Bridget
and me to make a dinner from. Then hitch up again to take
the children to Sunday School, and in the evening, storm or
8
114 ANNALS OF THE
not, the team must come out for the tinal service, aud I stand
about or drive the team around to keep them in warm blood
until the linal benediction, when I get to the barn once more
and work till ten o'clock to make the horses dry and fix their
feed and bedding for the night.
Somewhere along in the forties I well remember my own
"aesthetic" outburst in the way of an establishmeiit. It is said
of Thackeray when he essayed to keep a carriage and horses
that he was not able to do so with the income the sale of his
books attbrded, the same may liave been said of me in
respect to my one horse harness shop, but I got an old steady
animal and a second hand rockaway and paid for them in my
line, picked up someone's old harness that had been left at my
shop for repairs aud so I got out as fine a rig as was suited to
my grade and means as is usually seen on the streets, an
animal entirely safe for my wife or anyone else to drive; then
u}) and down these streets she wandered with those babies of
ours, the envy of lots of old settlers who had no horse or
wauon or babies to boast of I call to mind one of the
incidents connected with one of their airings. It was a liabit
of my wife to drive in the outskirts and note the new streets
that were in those days being opened up. reporting progress
to me at night : one day after she was well out on her rounds
a friend came in my shop and said that he saw my wife in a
rockaway full of babies driving a black horse with a counter-
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 115
brush tail going through where they are opening Oregon street.
"Well, said I, that's all right, let her go, there is no law
against it yet."
Now I have never talcen time to think whether that friend
meant to throw any slur at either horse, rockaway, harness
wife or babies, for any lack of aesthetics on our part.
I took a look at this friend's rig the other day, it was all tip
top, he has a tine pair of roadsters with copious tails, yet he
seldom indulges in a ride himself, the ladies of his family
adorn the establishment better than if he were present. Yet
it pains me to say that his coachman has the cockade in his
hat on the wrong side, and that narrow banded affair of a hat
too looks like the same old plug Paddock sold the head of the
household in 1840, ironed over and made to tit the coachman
by taking out a lot of cotton batting from under the lining.
Such is the progress of the "aithetics" out in that part of the
avenue of the world, and I don't blame my friend for his inde-
l)endence even if he fails to carry out the nicer points in the
progress of lesthetics. He knows well enough that that word
was not brought here by any of the old settlers, and we all
like to be independent and do as we please in spite of what
Mrs. Grundy dare say.
The wild and unbroken forests and plains that spread
themselves to the north and west of us a half century ago
have become the animated centers of the republic while the
116 ANNALS OF THE
unpeopled shores of the Pacific are now alive with the best
blood of the Anglo Saxon race, and the almond eyed Mongo-
lians are coming in faster than many white people really
desire.
When we came here the entire domain north and west of
Ohio could barely boast of a million })eople; to-day one-third
of our entire population has found permanent homes away oil'
there where we had not the liejirt to face the untutored
savages or contend against the wild beasts so vividly decribed
in our geographies. The greater part of that teeming west
was an unpeopled wilderness and an unexplored waste on our
maps.
Since you older settlers made your homes in this county
many important events have been added to the history of our
country, and it is a wonderful page to contemplate when the
more notable ones are placed u})on it. Some of you took part
in or were contemporaneous with the last war with Great
Britain. We have had a contest with Mexico and agreed to
quit by taking a slice of her valuable domain. We have had
wars innumerable with the aborigines and been continually
compelling them to go west and give our people room to swing
a cat and lu'eathe. We have settled two important l)oundary
questions with Great Britain that threatened badl}- for a time.
We have acquired territory of other nations quite enough to
make a dozen empires. We have added state upon state until
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 117
the iiumber is so great that it troubles our people to keep tall}-
of the increase. We have put down the greatest rebellion
since the da_ys of the Peloponnesian war. We have wiped out
slavery as with a sponge. We have struck oil in the hill sides
and gold and silver and iron in the mountains. We have
thrown a network of railways all over the land, and the meshes
of wires above our heads are so interwoven that they form a sort
of lace curtain against the rays of the sun. Steamships cross
the Atlantic Ocean in a fraction over a week. The earth and
sea are many times girded with stretched wires. So much
has transpired which is worthy of mention since you settled
here that the ennumeration ])ecomes tiresome and the items
widen so infinitely that it appears useless to attempt an ap-
proximation towards a fair schedule of all that has come to
pass since j'our early days in Cuyahoga Countv. At the rate
things have been moving for the past fifty j'ears, it bewilders
the mind to attempt to comprehend what may take place in
another fifty years. The city has l>een made over anew since
we first set our feet emphatically down in Cleveland; our great
avenue, Superior street, can scarcely show us a monument in
the shape of a building that stood there when we came. The
venerable town pump that graced the head of Bank street and
supplied near half the town with water has been swept away;
it is not the same town we saw any more than we are the same
persons, for the}' tell us that we renew ourselves eveiy seven
118 ANNALS OF THE
years. We have worn out two jails and are developing consid-
erable friction on the third and fourth. The three louety
churches that were the only places for public worship have
increased to hundreds, and yet we have a great share of wicked
people among us.
The public schools as well as the public school houses of
Cleveland have been a marked feature in oui- civilization.
From the old and unambitious Academ}^ on St. Clair street,
which was the onl}'^ school building in our earlier days, we
have erected four or five high school buildings, tlie last of
which is the wonder of modern times; it is claimed to ]>e quite
high enough for practical use, from base to pinnacle it will
measure fully one hundred and forty feet, Columbus College
standard, where three barley corns make one inch, and it has
innumerable gables as well. "Is not that pretty high?"
Every tax payer says "umph." It is not every youth that can
boast of so much outside show in order to gain the inner
adornments of the head, and you who had knowledge ingrafted
at the old Academy or the schools which preceded it may be
proud that " i^sthetics " were invented so that 3'our grauil
children could revel in the halls of our high schools; shall we
wait to see what onr high school house will l)e 40 years hence?
After that " old Academj' " our public schools multiplied
to a wonderful degree until every quarter of the citv was
adorned l\v one or more of those educators of the coming
people.
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 119
During the winter of 1836-37 Mr. Upson, of Tallmtidge,
sent to the city for trial a wagon load of bituminous coal, a
seam of which had cropped out of a hillside on his farm and
he was anxious to see if it could he made of use as a fuel. A
gentleman then living where the Weddell House now stands —
it may have been Mr. T. M. Weddell himself — ventured to
make a trial of the coal ; his neighlpors got an idea of what
was going on and they looked in apparent dread at the house
when the black smoke curled out of the chimney, and when
the sulphurous fumes came down to the ground they held
their nostrils and made up tlieir minds at once that such stuff
would breed a pestilence and they would liave none of it in
theirs. This people had not been educated up to a coal stand-
ard in those daj^s; it is quite different now.
There is a sturdy member of your association who has
been liere over three score years, but is not the man he was in
opinion forty years ago. When coal l)egan to be used as fuel
that man declared he never would consent to abandon the use
of wood and resort to filthy coal as long as he was al)le to pur-
chase a supply of wood. To-day that '• old settler" is able to
purchase the native forests on either side of him, but every
grate, range, stove and furnace in his stately mansion is sup-
plied with coal.
We could not consent that the advances made in our time
should be ol)literated and we too be placed back to the condi-
120 ANNAI.S OF THE
tioii of tbrty-tlA^e years ago, when we had uo street lights, no
water works, no sewers, no paved streets, no police, no steam
fire department, no public library, no fountains, no city hall,
no telegraph nor telephones, no railroads, no steam tugs, no
anthracite coal, no jiropellers, no bridge across the river, no
breakwater, no manufactories, no refineries, no viaduct, and
no taxes to speak of. .
Many people have wished to renew their lives by wander-
ing among the scenes of their early youth: we are certain to
get quite enough in a few days. How would you like to see
our nuiin avenue again atloat with its proverbial unfathomable .
mud of olden times? How would you like to see those scanty
iwood wagons that used to adorn the lower end of the avenue
again in i)laec, then those stately " Wooster schooners " that
plied on the pike ])etweeu Wayne and Cuyahoga counties bring-
ing fiour and whisky and returning with ballast of nails, cod
fish an<l cotton cloth, and finally as you passed down of a morn-
ing and see three stage coaches waiting for Captain Sartwell's
orders at the old Franklin House to go and gather passen-
gers with the inevitable chunky " Heniy " perched high atop
of one with four in hand. All this would do you as a passing
dream, but you would say give us the advance and not the
retrograde.
Our city stands upon a plane ranging from sevent3^-five to
one hundred feet above the Lake; this gives us an eminence
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 121
above our noighhoring cities of the Lakes that tliey would be
glad to attain. You will remember that at one time in your
early residence there was a steady, rapid encroachment of the
Lake upon the heart of the city by the sliding away of the
l)lutf bank above the lieach. Tlie quick sands Avhicli underlie
the city were fast carrying away the surface, and at the rate the
land was leaving us it was easy to calculate when the little
city we found as we settled liere would be entirely swept away.
I have seen the time when many acres had taken their dci)ar
ture in one night, Imt the railroads saved our city in more
ways than one, they put a stop to the further incroachments
of the Lake.
The elegant in architecture had not developed itself to any
extent up to 1840. Men who built had so little i-egard for
comeliness that it appears as if they told the builders the
height, length and breadth they wanted their liouse or block'
or shop and the number of windows and doors needed, then
allowed them to be placed at random as was most convenient to
the mechanics. Men of taste who have visited us have made
a note of these things to our disadvantage. We took courage
and thanked God that after a time a lietter order of things
was instituted, and after the second and third series of build-
ings went up we had something more comely to look upon,
and to-day old settler or not, a citizen need not be ashamed to
wander about these streets with the best meu of the proudest
122 ANNALS OF THE
city in our land and point to Jiuudreds of blocks and churches,
hospitals, asylums, schools, manufactories and dwellings that
Avill rank with any in the wide world.
There may be a wide diversity in the hopes and realiza-
tions of all you " old settlers." Some may have accomplished
all they aimed for, and some may have come far short even if
their aim had been ever so unpretending. Whatever that fate
chances to be, it is rather too late to try and mend it now.
We had better philosophically accept the situation and con-
tinue striving to the end.
You who have hung on so long through thick and thin
never Hinched in the hour of panic or epidemic, never grunted
too much over the cold Lake winds, nor stuck up your nose
when the black smokes and crude oil smells hung roun<l your
nostrils. You who have brought up a family in knowledge
and virtue and have maintained among your fellows as upright
a character as the times would warrant, can rest assured that
you have done far more for the honor, glory and majesty of
Cleveland than Cleveland could possibly do for you.
There are two important domestic pictures. I would have
you carefully contemplate and view in every light you can see
the best. One is Cleveland as you saw her forty years ago,
and Cleveland as you can'see her to-day.
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION
123
There are artists enough anioiiy yon to paint these scenes
to the life, and the sooner 3^on practice with your brush, your
canvas and your pigments on those of tlie past, your friends
will think the more of you, while you will be likely to renew
your life in the operation.
A SUMMARY
OF THE
Records of the Association.
ORIGIN OF THE ASSOCIATION.
I HE lirst step which led to the organization of the
"Early Settlers Association of Cuyahoga
County," was taken by H. M. Addison, wlio was
"father of the thought," and who j)uljlished in
the fall of 1879 several articles in the Cleveland newspapers
relative to the project. These articles having created a favor-
able impression, so encouraged him that he circulated a
written call for a public meeting of the pioneers and early
settlers of Cleveland, for the purpose of consultation and
effecting a permanent organization of such an association.
The call was signed by a goodly number of Cleveland's
prominent citizens, among whom were the following:
John Crowell, 8. L. Blake,
Ahimaz Sherwin, George Mygatt,
Wm. H, Stanley, M. Barnett,
Erastus Smith, Elijah Smith,
John W. Allen, Daniel R. Tilden,
J. P. Bishop, William Fuller,
128
ANNALS OF THE
H. B. Payne,
L. Dow ( Jottiell,
John A. Foot,
Homer Strong.
Milo Bosworth,
John Wicken,
Harvey Rice.
James A. Bolles,
W. S. Rulison,
A. R. Chapman,
Jahez Hall.
J. E. Twitehell.
R. R. Herrick,
N. B. Sherwin,
S. Williamson.
John C. Granuis,
H. P. Weddell
James Barnett,
K. B. Hale k Co.,
P. R. Everett,
Edmund P. Morgan,
R. R. Root,
R. C. Parsons,
C). F. Welch,
George 0' Conner,
John Welch.
Henry H. Dodge,
Elijah Bingham,
Moses White,
Geo. C. Dodge,
J. A. Vincent,
J. C. Saxton,
J. J. Elwell.
Elias Cozad.
W. H. Doan,
W. H. Hayward,
T. P. Handy,
Jolin C. Covert.
O. H. Mather.
Jas. D. CleA'eland.
S. J. Andrews,
W. Bingham,
J. H. Wade,
A. Everett.
K. S. Root.
Wm. Perry Fogg,
Moses Warren,
T. J. Clapp,
J- C. Brewer,
E. S. Flint,
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 129
Geo. B. Merwin, Henry Wick,
W. S. Streator, Charles Whittlesey,
M. S. Castle. Daniel W. Duty.
In response to this call a large number of pioneers and
early settlers convened at the Probate Court Room, on the
evening of Nov. 19th, 1879, organized the meeting by appoint-
ing Hon. John W. Allen chairman, and H. M. Addison
secretary, and after a free discussion and interchange of
views relative to the object of the meeting, adopted the follow-
ing constitution:
ARTICLE I.
This association shall be known as the " Early Settlers
Association of Cuyahoga County," and its members shall
consist of such pei'sons as have resided forty years in the
same, and who shall subscribe to this constitution and pay a
membership fee of one dollar, but shall not be subject to
further liabilit3^
ARTICLE IL
The officers of the association shall consist of a president,
two vice presidents, secretary and treasurer, with the addition
of an executive committee of not less than five persons, all
of which officers shall be members- of the association and
hold their offices during its jjleasure, and until their succes-
sors are duly appointed and they accept their appointments.
9
130 ANNALS OF THE
ARTICLE III.
The object of the association shall be to meet in conven-
tion annually, with the view of briugiug its members into
more intimate social relations and collecting all such interest-
ing facts, incidents, relics and personal reminiscences relative
to the early history and settlement of the city and county, as
ma}^ be regarded of permanent value, and transferring the
same to the "Western Reserve Historical Society" for preserva-
tion, and for the benefit of the present and future generations.
ARTICLE IV.
It shall be the duty of the president to preside at public
meetings of the association, and in his absence the like duty
shall devolve upon one of the vice presidents. The secretary
shall record in a book for the purpose the proceedings of the
association, the names of the members in alphabetical order
with the ages and time of residence at the date of becoming-
members, and conduct the necessary correspondence of the
association. He shall also be regarded as an additional
member, ex-oflicio, of the executive committee, and may con-
sult with them but have no vote. The treasurer shall receive
and pay out all the moneys belonging to the association, but
no moneys shall be paid out except on the joint order of the
chairman of the executive committee and secretar}^ of the
association. No debt shall be incurred against the association
by any ofticer or member beyond its ready means of payment.
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATON. 131
ARTICLE V.
The executive committee shall have the general super-
vision and direction of the attairs of the association, designate
the time and place of holding its meetings, and publish due
notice thereof with a programme of exercises. The committee
shall also have power to fill vacancies that may occur in their
own body or in any other office of the association, until the
association at a regular meeting shall fill the same, and ma}'
appoint such number of subordinate committees as they may
deem expedient. It shall also be their duty to report to the
association at its regular annual meeting the condition of its
affairs, its success and prospects, with such other matter as
they may deem important, the same to be published in
pamphlet and distributed to members of the association, if
approved and so ordered by the association.
ARTICLE VI.
The annual meeting of this association for the election of
officers shall be held on the second Monday of January of
each year.
ARTICLE VII.
The constitution may be altered or amended at any regular
meetina^ of the association on a two-thirds vote of the
members present, and it shall take effect from the date of its
adoption.
132" ANNALS OF THE
And thereupon the meeting proceeded to the election of
officers to serve until the annual meeting to be held on the
second Monda}' of January, 1880, as provided in the consti-
tution, to wit:
Hon. Harvey Rice, President.
Hon. Sherlock J. Andrews,)
>- Vice Presidents.
Hon. John W. Allen, j
Geo"rge C. Dodge, Secretary and Treasurer.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
R. T. Lyon, Thomas Jones, S. S. Coe, W. J. Warner, and
David L. Wightman.
Whereupon the meeting adjourned to the first regular
meeting, January 12th, 1880, at the same place.
At a regular meeting of the association held January 12th,
1880, at the Probate Court Rooms pursuant to adjournment,
nearly one hundred members being present, Hon. Harvey
Rice, President, called the meeting to order, and after a few
preliminary remarks from him and Vice President Andrews,
the meeting proceeded to business.
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 133
Oil motion of George C. Dodge, Esq., Secretary, the Con-
stitution was slightly amended in its phraseology so as to
read as herein recorded.
On further motion the following officers were appointed to
serve foi- tlie ensuing year. Judge Andrews declining a re-elec-
tion, to wit:
Hon. Hakvey Rice, President.
Hon. John W. Allen,)
- Vice Presidents.
Hon. Jesse P. Bishop, \
Thomas Jones, Jr., Secretary.
GeorGe C. DodcxE, Treasurer.
EXECUTIVE C0M3IITTEE.
George F. Marshall, R. T. Lyon, M. M. Spangler, Darius
Adams and John H. Sargent.
Report of George G. Dodge, Treasurer.
Receipts from 155 membership fees - - - $155 00
Expenditures to date for sundries - - - - 27 20
Balance on hand January 12th, 1880 - - $127 80
134 ANNALS OF THE
On motion of S. E. Adams, Esq., the following resolution
was adopted:
Resolved, That the Executive Committee be authorized
to employ at their discretion H. M, Addison, or other suitable
person to visit the several wards of the city and townships of
the county for the purpose of diffusing information and col-
lecting facts pertaining to the objects of the association and
increasing the numl)er of memberships.
On motion the meeting then adjourned subject to the call
of the executive committee.
Geo. C. Dodge, Harvey Rice,
Secretary. President.
The officers of the association and executive committee,
on receiving the sad intelligence of the death of Hon. S. J.
Andrews, one of the vice presidents of the association, con-
vened at the office of Geo. C. Dodge, Esq., on the 13th of
February, 1880. Present — Hon. Harvey Rice, president
Hon. John W. Allen, vice president: Geo. C. Dodge, treasurer;
Thomas Jones, jr., secretary-, and Geo. F. Marshall, Darius
Adams and John H. Sargent of the executive committee, and
adopted the following resolutions:
Resolved, that we offer our most heartfelt sympathy to
the family and friends of our deceased brother Sherlock J.
Andrews; that in his decease we have lost one of our most
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION.
135
worthy members; the legal profession one of its most brilliant
lights; and the city of Cleveland one of its most trusted and
trustworthy citizens.
Resolved, that the members of the association are re-
quested to attend his funeral, and that these proceedings be
communicated to his family.
THOMAS JONES, Jr.,
Secretary.
Names of Members,
NATIVITY. AGE AND RESIDENCE.
LIST OF NAMES.
Name.
Where, horn.
Whe.ji born.
Came tu
County.
Andrews, Sherlock J.
Con.
1801
1825
AUen, John W,
Con.
1825
Adams, Samuel Ji.
N. Y.
1818
1837
Adams, Darius
Ohio,
1810
1810
Aekley, J. M.
Ohio,
1835
1835
Abbey, Seth A.
N. Y.
1798
1831
Addison, H. M.
Ohio,
1818
1818
Adams, Mrs. Mary A.
Ohio,
1811
1811
Andrews, Mrs. Julia A.
Ohio,
18J6
181t>
Bingham, Elijah
^^ H.
1800
1835
Burnham, Mrs. M. W.
Mass.
1808
1838
Baldwin, Dudley
N. Y.
1809
1827
Baile}', Robert
1834
Burgess, Solon
Vt.
1817
1819
Burton, Vj. D.
Ohio,
1825
1825
Burgess, Leonard F.
Ohio,
1823
1823
liull, L. S.
Con.
1813
1820
Beers, D. A.
N. Y.
1.816
1818
140
AUNALS OF THE
Bliss, Stoughton
.. Ohio,
1823
1823
Benedict, L. D.
Vt
1827
1830
Borges, J. F.
Germany,
1810
1835
Bury, Theodore
N. Y.
1839
Beverlin, John
Pa.
1813
1834
Brett, J. W.
England,
1816
1838
Bowler, N. P.
N.Y.
1820
1839
Buhrer, Mrs. Stephen
Germany,
1828
1840
Bishop, Jesse P.
Yt.
1815
1836
i^ishop, Mrs. E. W.
Ohio,
1821
1821
Beai'dsle}', I. L.
N. Y.
1819
1838
liurnham, Thomas
N. Y.
ISOS
1833
Bingham, William
Con.
1816
1836
Brooks, 0. A.
Vt.
1814
1834
Barber, Mrs. J. T.
N. H.
1804
1818
liurwell, George P.
Con.
1817
1830
Burwell, Mrs. Louisa (J.
Pa.
1820
1824
liranch, D. G.
Vt.
I80r,
1833
i5abcock, Charl ;'s PI.
Con.
IS 23
18.34
l^arber, Josiali
Ohif).
1825
1825
Braytou, H. F. Wilna,
Jeff. Co., N. Y.
1812
1836
Cahoon, Joel P>.
N. Y.
17-.)3
1810
Cox, John
p]n gland.
1802
1832
Coe, S. S.
1837
Corlett, Williaui K.
1837
EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION.
U
Cross, David W.
N. Y.
1836
f.'owles, Edwin
1832
Cottrell, L. Dow
N.Y.
1811
1835
( lorlett, John
Isle of Man.
1810
1836
Cook, Wellington P.
N. Y.
1825
1838
Cleveland, James D.
N.Y.
1822
1835
Clark, James F,
N.Y.
1809
1833
Clarke, Aaron
Con.
1811
1832
(Jarlton, C. C.
Con.
1812
1831
( 'ozad, P^lias
N. .Jersey,
1790
1808
( 'utter, 0. P.
Ohio,
1824
1824
( 'orlett, 'I'homas
Isle of Man,
1820
1827
Crittenden, Mrs. M. A.
N. Y.
1802
1827
Chapman, 11. M.
Ohio,
1830
1830
Christian, James
Isle of Man,
1810
1838
Carson, Marshal
N. Y.
1810
1834
Craw, William V.
N. Y.
1810
1832
( 'rawford, Lueian
Oh if.,
1828
1828
Detmer, C. H. .
Germany,
1801
183.")
Dodge, George C.
Ohio,
1813
18J3
Dodge, Wilson S.
Ohio,
1839
1839
Doan, W. H.
Ohio,
1828
1828
Doan, yivs. C. L,
Con.
1816
1834
Dibble, Lewis
N. Y. .
1807
1812
Dodge, Heuxy U.
Ohio,
1810
1810
14'i ANNALS OF THE
Dut}', Daniel W.
N. H.
1804
1825
Doan, John
N.Y.
1798
1801
Dockstader,' Chas. J.
Ohio,
1888
Doan, J. W.
Ohio,
1833
1833
Dunham, David B,
N.Y.
1831
Dentzer, Daniel
Germany,
1815
1832
Dodge, Mrs. George C.
Vt.
1817
1820
Edward^. Kudolphus
Ohio,
1818
1818
Erwiu, .loliu
N. Y.
18U8
183;-)
Flint, E. S
Ohio,
1818
1818
Fitch, J. W.
K. Y.
1823
182(;
Foot. John A.
Con.
1803
1833
Fuller, William
Con.
1814
183C
Foot, ]M IS. Mar}- S.
Pa.
1810
1832
Gill, Mrs. M. A. Ish
' of Man,
1812
1827
Gay lord, Erastus F.
Con.
179r)
1834
Gardnei', George W,
Mass.
1834
1837
Gordon, William J.
N. Jerso}',
1818
183-)
Greenhalgh, ('apt. R.
I-Cn gland.
1828
1840
Gorhara, John H.
Con.
1807
1838
Gayton, Mrs. Mary A.
ICngland,
1808
1832
Gaylord, Mrs. L. Cleveland,
N. Y.
1801
18:}4
Goodwin, William
Ohio,
1838
1838
Giddinos :Mrs C M
IMich.
Herdck, R. R,
N. Y.
1826
1836
EABiLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 113
Hessenmueller, E.
1836
Hills, N. C.
1831
Hills, N. ( '. Mrs.
N. Y.
1811
1831
Handy, Freeman P.
K. Y.
1807
1832
Hudson, W. P.
Ohio,
1820
1820
Hell, Henry
Germany,
1810
1832
Hubbell, H. S.
Ohio,
1832
1832
Hubby, L. M.
N. Y.
1812
1N3!I
Hickox, ( harles,
Con.
1810
1837
Howard, A. D.
Con.
1803
1834
Honeywell. Ezra
N. Y.
1802
1831
Harris, B. C.
Ohio
1832
1832
Hudson, D. D.
Pa.
1824
1831
Heisel N.
Germany,
1816
1834
Hayden, A. S.
Ohio,
1813
1835
Harris, J. A. Mrs.
Mass.
1810
1837
Harris B. E.
Ohio,
1838
1838
Hurlbut, H. B.
N. Y.
1818
183C
Hurlbut, H. B. Mrs.
N. Y
1818
1836
Ingham, W. A.
1832
Johnson, L, D. Mrs.
Ohio,
1825
18:!4
•Jones, Thomas, Jr.
England,
1821
1831
•lewett, A. A.
1821
Johnson, P. L.
Ohio,
1823
1823
Jaynes, Harris
Ohio,
1835
1835
144
ANNALS OF THE
Jackson, Charles'
Jones, W. S.
Johnson, W. ( .
Keller, Henry
Kellogg, A.
Kelley, Horace
Kelley. .lolm
Lewis. San fold J.
Lewis. (luUenden
Lathrojje. C. L.
Lowniaii. Jaeoli
Lyon, K. T.
Lamb, I). ^^^ .Mrs.
Leonaitl, -larvis
Lyou, S. S.
Layman. S. H.
Lewis, G. F.
Morgan, Y. L.
Morgan, E. P.
Myer, Nicholas,
Miller, M. 31 rs.
Marshall, George F.
Morgan. J. A.
Miller, William L.
Merchant, Silas
England.
1820
1835
Ohio,
1837
1837
Cou.
1813
1835
Gerinau3-,
1810
1832
1820
Ohio,
1810
1810
Pa.
1800
1832
N. Y.
1823
1837
X. Y.
1S(»()
1837
Con.
18(M
1831
1832
Ills.
1810
1824
Mass.
1 837
Vermont,
1810
1834
Con.
1817
1818
Ohio.
1810
1831
N. Y.
1822
1837
Con.
1707
1811
1840
Germany,
1809
1834
Ohio,
1800
1020
N. Y.
1817
1836
Con.
1809
1811
Ohio,
1829
1829
Ohio,
1826
1826
EARLY SETTLEKS ASSOCIATION.
145
IMathor, Samuel H.
N. H.
1813
1835
Marble, Levi
1820
1830
Merwin, George B.
Cou.
1809
1816
Nott, C. C.
1 835
Newmark, S.
Germau3%
1816
18.39
Norton, ('. H.
N. Y.
l.SO.";
1838
Neff, Melchor
Germany,
182fi
18.34
O'Connor, R.
Ohio,
1824
1824
Penty, Thomas
England,
1808
1829
Pannell, James
N. Y.
1812
1832
Palmer, J. D.
Con.
1831
1835
Payne, N. P.
Ohio,
1837
1837
Porter, L. G.
Mass.
1807
1826
Pease, Samuel
Mass.
1805
1828
Pease, Charles
Ohio,
1811
1835
Pelton, F. W.
Con.
1827
1835
Proud foot, David
Scot.
1809
1832
Piper, A. J.
Vt.
1814
18.39
Pier, Mrs. L. J.
Ohio,
1823
1823
Quayle, Thos.
I
1827
Quinn, Arthur
Ireland,
1810
1832
Rouse, Mrs. Rebecca E.
Mass.
1799
1830
Rice Harvey,
Mass.
1800
1824
Russell, George H.
N. Y.
1817
18.34
Rogers, C. C.
Ireland,
1813
1839
14()
ANNALS OF THE
Rupel. S. D.
Rice, Harvey Mrs.
RobisoH, I. P.
Rouse, K. F.
Spangler, Elizabeth Mrs.
Sherwin, Ahimaas,
Scovill, J. Bixby Mrs.
Silberg, F.
Sherwin, S. JNI. INIrs.
Sabiii. Wm.
Shedd. W. V.
Shepard. L). A.
Sargeut, John. H.
Skinner. (). B.
Southwortli. W. P.
Slawson, J. L.
Scovill, E. A.
Shelly, John
Sacket, Alex.
Sacket, Harriet Mrs.
Sterling. E. Dr.
Schiely, Anna Mrs.
Shelden. S. H.
Stanlej-, G. A.
Si)angler, M. M.
Ohio,
1808
Vt.
1812
Mass.
1824
N. Y.
1790
Vt.
1792
Ohio,
1800
German}^,
1804
N. Y.
1809
Con.
1810
N. Y.
1814
0.
1831
Con.
1819
Mich.
1806
0.
1819
England
1815
Pa.
1814
0.
1815
Cou.
1825
Germany
N. Y.
1813
Con.
0.
1813
1808
1833
1830
1820
1818
1816
1834
1827
1839
1833
1833
1818
1831
1836
1812
1819
1835
1835
,5
1827
1832
1835
1837
181b
1820
EARLY SETTLERS A3S0CIAT0N.
147
Sla<Ie, Horatio
Sortfir, Harry
Smith, W. T.
Strickland, B.
Strickland, H. W. Mrs.
Saxton, J. C.
Smith. Betsey E. Mrs.
Strong, Charles H.
Sanford, Alfred S.
Smith, Erastns
Steward, J. S.
Severance, M. H. Mrs.
Strong, Homer
Seldon, N. D.
Stillman, W. H.
Simmons. Thos.
Taylor, Harvey
Thompson, Thomas
Tnrner, S. W.
Thompson, H. V.
Thompson, F. M. Mrs.
Townsend, H. G.
Whltelaw, George
Walters, John R.
Weidenkopf, Fred
England
1834
N. Y.
1820 ■
1831
N. Y.
1811
1836
Vt.
1810
1835
0.
1834
vt.
1812
1818
I8y
1836
Ohi.).
1831
1831
Con.
1805
1829
Con.
1790
1832
Ohio,
1818
1818
Ohio,
Con.
1811
1836
Con.
1815
1831
Con.
1808
1833
Ohio.
1832
1832
Ohio,
1814
1814
England,
1814
1836
Con.
1813
1832
N.Y.
1816
1839
Vt.
1823
1837
N.Y.
1812
1834
Scotland,
1808
1832
N.Y.
1811
1834
Germauv,
1819
1837
148
ANNALS OF THE
Weidenkopf, Jacob
Germany,
1828
Wightmau, S. H.
Ohio,
1819
Watkins, George
Con.
1812
Weston, George B.
Mass,
180.5
Wari-en, Moses
Con.
1803
Wager, J. I).
Ohio,
1820
Williams, Geoi;ge
Con.
1799
Welch, John
N.Y.
1800
Welch, 0. F.
Wheller, B S
P2n gland,
Wheller, Jane Mrs.
England,
Warner, W. J.
Wightman, D. L.
Williamson, Samuel
Pa.
1808
Whittlesey, H. S.
Ohio,
1836
Winslow, E. N.
N. C.
1824
Welsh, Jas. S.
Ohio,
1821
Wilson, H. V. Mrs.
Mich.
Wemple, Wjmdret
N.Y.
1796
Wellstead, Joseph
England,
1817
W atermau, W illiam
Ohio,
1818
1837
1819
1818
1826
1815
1820
1833
1825
1017
1836
1831
1831
1817
1810
18.36
1830
1821
1818
1837
1818
ANNALS
OF THE
mu
mm
ERS'ASSOGIATION
OF
CUYAHOGA COUNTY,
NUMBER II.
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
CLEVELAND, O. :
J. '■'' SAVAGE, PRINTER, FRANKFORT ST.
1881.
xv6
SfHtiJi$ of i\$ yinmnlm, 1881*
HON. HARVEY RICE, President
HON. JOHN W. ALLEN,
HON. JESSE P. BISHOP,
THOMAS JONES, JR., Secretary,
GEO. C. DODGE, Treasurer.
> Vice-Presidents.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
GEO. F. MARSHALL,
R. T. LYON,
DARIUS ADAMS,
JOHN H. SARGENT,
M. M, SPANGLER.
CHAPLAIN.
REV. THOMAS CORLETT.
? Q^ /?^0
m
4 EiHL!
.J
ILEUS' AlREHSiM.
1881
The Association celebrated the day at the Tabernacle, On-
tario street, Cleveland, July 22, 1881. In accordance Avith
the programme, it was understood that the forenoon session
would be devoted chiefly to the transaction of the annual
business of the Association, such as reading the journal,
hearing official reports, receiving new memberships, and elect-
ing officers for the ensuing year, followed with a free lunch or
collation, and that the afternoon session would be open to the
public, generally, and its exercises consist of written addresses,
songs, and volunteer speeches.
At the hour appointed (11 o'clock a. m.) the early set-
tlers, in large numbers, convened at the Tabernacle with evi-
dent pleasure beaming in their faces, and with frequent in-
terchanges of salutations with each other on the score of
''old acquaintance." The venerable assemblage was called
to order by Hon. Harvey Rice, President of the Association,
who opened the session with the following preliminary and
congratulatory remarks:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Association: Allow
me to congratulate you on this happy occasion — the second
anniversary of our Association'. It is, indeed, an occasion that
calls not only for. mutual congratulations, but for expressions
6 ANNALS OF THE
of gratitude to Him who has granted " length of days " to so
many of us, and given us once more an opportunity to greet
the "old familiar faces" of our earlier years, and grasp the
hands of old friends, long-tried and true.
The day which "we celebrate" as the anniversary of our
Association, has been permanently adopted on account of its
historical interest in reference to the pioneer life of the West-
ern Reserve. It was on the 23d day of July, 1796, that Gen-
eral Moses Cleaveland, with his staff of assistant surveyors,
landed at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, ascended its east-
ern bluff, and gazing Avitli delight on the beauty of the scene,
predicted that here was the spot where, at no distant day, a
great commercial city would spring into existence. He at
once ordered this elevated plateau to be surveyed into city
lots. His staff baptized the infant city and gave it the name
of "Cleveland," in honor of their chief. This occurred just
eighty-five years ago, and now that predicted city has grown
to the dimensions of a great commercial emporium, contain-
ing a population of 170,000 souls. Verily, this "Moses" of
1796 was a true prophet. Though he has not been honored
in his own country as such, the time has now come, as it
seems to me, when a suitable statue of bronze or granite
should be erected to his memory in our public park, as pro-
posed in the action already taken by our Association. The
project is worthy of commendation, and it is to be hoped that
the citizens of Cleveland will generally approve the enterprise
and aid in contributing to its success.
The age in which we live is inquisitive. It aspires to know
"all things." It sees in the future what it desires to achieve,
and exacts from the past a surrender of its relics and golden
memories. Our Association partakes somewhat of the spirit
of the age, especially so far as regards the relics and golden
memories of pioneer life in the Western Reserve. These we
desire to gather while we can, and before they are forever lost.
It is therefore requested that every member of our Associa-
EARLY SETTLERS- ASSOCIATION. 7
tion should contribute what he can to this end. If he has in-
teresting relics of the early times, and is willing to bestow
them, he can deposit them at any time with our secretary.
If he has recollections of incidents, anecdotes, or other matter
of historical value pertaining to pioneer life, he can jot them
down in writing, and send or deliver his manuscript to the
secretary as material for use or reference. It is only from
living lips that this kind of information can be obtained. Let
us then be up and doing while the "day lasts," and thus
leave behind us, as Longfellow has beautifully said:
" Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again."
There will always exist a class of early settlers in every
generation who will leave behind them peculiar characteristics
and reminiscences, which every successive generation will take
pleasure in gathering and preserving. Hence it may be in-
ferred that our Association has the vital elements of perpetu-
ating itself. Its character is such that while it achieves a
noble work, it renews early friendship, and shares a social
enjoyment which is truly delightful as well as morally elevat-
ing. In addition to this, it publishes, in pamphlet, its annual
proceedings for the use of its members, and thus secures a
lasting record. Both ladies and gentlemen who have resided
forty years in the Western Keserve, and are citizens of Cuya-
hoga county, are alike eligible as members of our Association,
on payment of one dollar to the treasurer. New members
are cordially invited, with the assurance that all who choose
to unite with us will be received with the " right hand of fel-
lowship." In a word, our fraternity is organized for a gener-
'ous purpose, and especially for the social enjoyment its oppor-
tunities afford.
In the venerable assemblage I see before me I recognize
many who are crowned with the silvery honors of age, stand-
8 ANNALS OF THE
ing, as it were, on the borders of life's battlefield, like a rem-
nant of veterans who have heroically fought their way in the
world thus far, and are now pausing to recall to mind the hun-
dreds of their early companions who stood side by side with
them, but have long since fallen in their armor on the field —
companions who were companions in the strife, and who have
left behind them a noble, though unwritten, record. It is a
just and reliable account of the brave, enduring and persever-
ing men and women of the early times that we wish to pro-
cure and preserve as a legacy to the generations who will fol-
low us. In thus honoring the memories of our departed
pioneers and early settlers, we not only honor ourselves, but
confer a public benefit which will be, in after years if not
now, gratefully appreciated.
Though the frost of age has silvered our heads, still let us
resolve to live on, acting well our part, still keeping on the
sunny side of life, enjoying its blessings and its pleasures, and
cheering each other with the rehearsal of its drama and its
musical interludes, until the approaching sunset shall throw
its deepening shadows about us, and we shall pass to a
brighter and holier s]Dhere.
THE JOURNAL.
The journal of the last meeting was next read and ap-
proved. Official reports for the last year were then called for
as next in order.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER.
George C. Dodge, the treasurer, reported that financially
we are not wealthy, and the amount of money in the treasury
need cause no apprehension of a defalcation. This Associa-
sion is iron-clad. It provides in its constitution that no
officer or member can contract any debt; and, secondly, that
EARL Y SETTLERS' ASS CIA TION. 9
no assessments can be levied against the members. Some man
said, when I was a boy, that the Democratic party was like a
young robin — biggest when first hatched; but that can't ap-
ply to this Association, as we are adding new members every
day.
To the newspapers of the city we are indebted for many
favors, and I trust we, as members of the Association, will
liberally take and promptly pay for them. Cash on hand,
159.80, with this entertainment to be provided for.
Geo. C. Dodge, Treas.
July 22, 1881.
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
BY GEORGE F. MARSHALL, CHAIRMAN.
Mr. President: In compliance with a duty imposed by
the fifth article of your constitution, wherein we are required
to report the "condition, success and prospects of this Asso-
ciation, with such other matters as may be deemed import-
ant," we herewith respectfully submit the following:
Respecting the details of membership, nativity, age, term
of residence and the financial condition of the Association,
you are referred to the ample records and reports of the
efficient Secretary and Treasurer.
If we have but little money in the treasury, we know
that we have many men of age and experience — men of perse-
verance and business tact; men who don't look back of the
plow, when they take hold; men who have worried through
forty, fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty years of the normal malaria
of the Cuyahoga valley, and are as robust as in their earlier
youth. Then we have many women of mature Judgment, of
wonderful energy, of happy dispositions, of gentle manners and
determined wills. Can any one doubt the fact that the condi-
10 ANNALS OF THE
tion of this Association is peculiarly superb? Whether you
emblazon it in enduring brass, or marble, or pure Berea grit,
this Association is a success. Another feature of its perma-
nence, usefulness and stability was developed at the time a
proposition was made to admit the women to full membership
without paying the constitutional fee, when they spurned the
idea with apparent indignity, exhibiting a determination to
do their share in sustaining the Association as Avell as the men.
Another assurance of the successful condition of this or-
ganization is that ever}' person entitled to membership in-
tends to join the Association some time, while others are
now, perhaps, counting the years and months when they
will reach the constitutional limit, and be eligible to have
their names registered among those
" Who outlived that day, and came safe back
From those sharp conflicts. "
Still another assurance of its sound condition is in the
fact of the interest taken by the members themselves in their
prompt attendance at every meeting thus far held by the
Association.
Now that this Association has become a signal success, and
capable, under its well-established rules, of accomplishing all
the objects for which it was organized, let us cast about to
make it as efficient as possible. How shall this be done?
The peculiarities of men — a record of their good deeds and
their bad — may be preserved in our books as samples to adopt
or shun; whatever they may be will help to bring back to our
memory " the days of auld lang syne." We should multiply
our biographers, insomuch that every early settler of note
should have his proper place in our archives.
Wlio will volunteer to give us life-size sketches of old Dr.
Mcintosh and his sons, and also of Tom Colahan, Plato
Brewster, James S. Clark, Judge Josiah Barber, Deacon Fol-
som, Bostwick O'Connor, Capt. Dolphus Hone, D, Long, Reu-
ben Champion, Anson Hayden, Judge AVilley, John E. St.
EARL Y SETTLERS' A SS CIA TION. 1 1
John, Aaron T. Stickland, Tom Lemen, Chas. M. Giddings,
T. P. May, John Wills, George Witherell, Judge Wood, J, 0.
Fairchild, Lansing Lake, Kichard Hilliard, Peter M, Wed-
dell, "Nathan Perry, Geo. Kirk, Capt. Levi Sartwell, Milo
Hickox, John Barr, Isaac Taylor, Lyman Kendall, Judge
Hay ward, E. Burke Fisher^, Kufus Dunham, Capt. Levi John-
son, John M. Woolsey, George Hoadley, Rev. Wm. Day, Ig-
natius Dieholt, Myron Douw, Uncle Abram Hickox, Gur-
don Fitch, Zalmon Fitch, David Griffith, John G. Stockley,
S. C. Ives, Dr. Robert Johnstone, Judge Asher M. Coe,
Judge Warren, Joseph S. Lake, Ahaz Merchant, Wm. Mc-
Coy (the pettifogger), Joc-o-sot (the Indian), Capt. Reuben
Turner (the sea-dog), Pliilo Scovill, Alex. Seymour, Buckley
Stedman, Jacob Weidenkopf, Stephen Whittaker, Frederick
Whittlesey, Edward Wade, Richard Winslow, C. J. Woolson,
Charles Bradburn, Dr. C. D. Brayton, Dr. J. Delamater, Dr.
Mathivet, S. L. Petrie, F. A. Keppler, N, Dockstader, Jarvis
F. Hanks, Daniel Worley, Aaron Barker, Clifford Belden,
Joel Coy, J. B. Finney, Jonathan Gillette, J. H. Guptyl,
James Kellogg, Irad Kelley, Alfred Kelley, Wm. Lemen,
Wm. Milford, N. M. Standart, Michael Spangler, J. L.
Weatherly, J. G. McCurdy, Col. Jonathan Williams, John
Stoddard (judge ?), David Hersch, Edward Whittemorc, Wm.
Hewitt, Wm. Smyth, James Church, John Brown (the bar-
ber), John Malvin, Andrew Lytic, J. M. Hughes, Jim
Hughes, Jim Hopkins, Noble H. Merwin, Geo. Wallace,
Judge Samuel Williamson, Judge Kingsbury, Horace Perry,
Samuel Dodge, D. H. Beardsley, E. Waterman, Leonard
Case, Judge Samuel Starkweather, Benj. Rouse and his phil-
anthropic wife, S. Wolverton, Richard Hussey, Mark White-
law, Ansel Young, Almon Burgess, J. P. Kirtland, Dr. Samuel
Underbill, Dr. Ackley, Alonzo Carter, G. Boughton, S. Rem-
ington, Alphonso Holly, Morris Jackson, Benj. P. Beers, Dio-
date Clark, Gains Burke, Samuel Dille, Paul P. Condit (of
1819), Benj. Mastick, Richard Lord, and Thos. Jones, Sr.?
12 ANNALS OF THE
Another and quite as important and interesting a subject
for a special historographer might be made available if some
of your older members who have been identified with the ear-
lier church organizations would give us, in brief, their ori-
gin, their original members, and other matters of interest
connected therewith.
There were but three church edifices in Cleveland forty-five
years ago; one of wood (Trinity), one of stone (First Presby-
terian), one of brick (First Baptist). There are jiersons living
wdio could give us many points of interest relating to each
society. Let some one give us the early record of temperance
organizations, and also of friendly associations for the moral
and social improvement of their members. Give us the early
history of banks, commerce, and ship-building.
The thought which Mr. Adams, a year ago last May, ex-
pressed to these " early settlers " respecting some enduring
monument to the memory of '* Moses Cleaveland," appeared to
win every one to his opinion. An artistic structure of metal
upon an entablature of our own native rock, formed by our
own skillful artizans, and looking out from our beautiful lake
park upon the blue sea, would be an eloquent though silent
historian and speaker to every citizeii and stranger for all
coming time. The contribution of a few dimes by every citi-
zen of Cleveland would be ample to accomplish all that is to
be desired; it would then become, emphatically, a monument
in Cleveland for Cleveland. Fifteen years from to-day will
be the centennial of Cleveland. This w^oukl be a fitting
day, indeed, to unveil such a statue; but it is too long a time
for us to wait for a proper recognition of the memory of the
man who spied out the land and laid out a city to which we
now refer with as much pride, perhaps, as the ancient Eo-
raans did to their " Eternal City."
July 22, 1881.
EABLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 13
AN INTERESTING LETTER.
The following letter, from Charles Crosby, of Chicago, 111 ,
addressed to the President of the Association, was then read
by Hon. John A. Foot:
Dear Sir: A copy of the annals of your Association (No.
1) having been sent to me with the request that I would con-
tribute from the tablets of my memory some reminiscences of
the "early times" in the history of Cuyahoga county, I have
somewhat hesitatingly consented to do so.
I beg to say, in the first place, that I find myself very much
in the situation of the clergyman who said: "I would like to
say a few words before I begin," or like the man who said: " I
will take a short nap before I go to sleep."
I premise, therefore, that my narrative will consist of a
plain and unvarnished statement of events, incidents and an-
ecdotes of "men and things," correlative to, and characteris-
tic of, "the times that tried men's souls" during the period
of your early history.
Some writer has truthfully said: "Acts make habits, hab-
its make principles, and principles make destiny." With
these principles in view, I desire to show that they were rightly
understood and adopted, in permanently establishing the
moral and religious habits of your "early settlers."
The result has proved the advantages of correct "early
training," in the formation of the highly moral and cultured
condition of society, which has always distinguished this
region; in contradistinction to the vicious and criminal hab-
its of reckless adventurers, always to be found in the first set-
tlement of all new countries. In referring to individuals, I
shall use their familiar and well-known cognomens, and aim
to avoid giving occasion of offence which may cause hyper-
criticism from any quarter. With these preliminaries, and
invoking your kind indulgence, I begin my narrative.
I was born in Lee, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, De-
14 AyyALs OF the
cember 11, 1801. My father's family consisted of himself, my
mother and their four boys, ranging in ages from six to fif-
teen years (only my brother, three years ray junior, and myself
no\y living). Having exchanged his landed property with
Xehemiah Hubbard and Joshua Stow, large land-owners in
the Connecticut Western Reserve, my father with his family,
and a colony of five or six other families, left their "old
home" on the 30th of May, 1811.
Their destination was " the far-off West," then regarded
as almost beyond the bounds of civilization. The parting
with relatives and friends (which to many was a final one),
caused many a painful struggle. I must not omit to mention
the parting benediction and prophetic words of my venerable
and saintly grandmother, with whom I was a special favorite.
Her eyes streaming with tears, she pressed me to her bosom,
and in the affection and anguish of her loving heart, she com-
mended me to the care of her covenant-keeping God, and
with her hand stroking my head, she said, " The Indians will
have your scalp." The j)rotecting care thus invoked, I trust,
saved me from the loss of my "scalp," but a thousand times
has my grandmother's prediction occurred to me when I have
been in imminent danger that it might be fulfilled.
The outfit of the colony consisted of ox teams and large
covered wagons, horses and lighter wagons, some cows and
such household chattels as could be well conveved bv the means
of transportation possessed.
Thus equipped, and farewells exchanged, the long and
wearisome Journey was commenced, which occupied forty
days in reaching their destination. The greater part of the
company settled in Dover, which was "the promised land"
to them.
My father's lands were also there: but after visiting the
township he found it quite too much of a wilderness to suit his
notions of civilized enjoyment, and having the privilege of pur-
chasing any other land owned by the parties he had traded
EASZr SETTLEnS' ASSOCIATION. 15
with, lie located in Euclid where the condition of society was
more advanced. He purchased 278 acres of unimproved land,
built a log house in the woods, commenced the laborious work
of clearing off the heavy timber, and in due time received
the reward of his labors in abundant harvests and a cultivated
farm. I may here say that when he started on his journey he
had only $50 in money and at its close it was reduced to less
than $5. The winters were then very mild and the spring
seasons opened early. Fruit trees were in bloom in March
that year, and crops most abundant. In winter the ground
was not often much frozen, with but little snow, and what
little snow there was usually fell in the mud. Mud-boats
were once common on these streets, and if anybody dared to
risk anything that had the semblance of a sleigh, they would
extemporize a rude one-horse structure dubbed a "jumper."
The contrast with the climate of the Eastern States, which
was more than renowned for intense cold and deep snows in
winter, was very remarkable.
But as the country became more cultivated and cleared of
its dense forests, the winters entirely changed; and the East
and West seemed almost to have interchanged in climate, the
former becoming milder and the latter more severe,, with
abundance of cold and snow.
Tornadoes were of frequent occurrence and of terrific re-
sults, prostrating the forests and causing great destruction of
property, and sometimes of life. One occurred the year after
our arrival, by which a fine ox of my father's was killed by
the falling of a tree, and it made an extensive "wind-fall" of
huge trees.
In 1816 the Presbyterian society of Euclid erected a
church building which was enclosed, and remained for a long
time unfinished, but was temporarily fitted up for public wor-
ship, which was held mornings and afternoons. I well re-
member being jiresent on a Sabbath afternoon, when suddenly,
16 ANNALS OF THE
in the midst of the service, a tempest of unparalleled violence
burst upon us.
The darkness was like an eclipse of the sun; the wind
blew persistently; the lightning flashed with constant viv-
idness; the thunder rolled incessantly, and many of the
trees which surrounded the church were shivered by the
electric fluid; but, and strange to say, the steeple of the church,
which was not protected by lightning rods, escaped. The tor-
rents of rain drove through the openings for the windows,
which were without glass, and drenched the congregation
through and through, while the prayers and shrieks of the
people could occasionally be heard above the deafening tumult
of the raging storm. Escape was impossible, and all appar-
ently thought that the " day of judgment" (at least to them)
had surely come, and that every thunderbolt would demolish
the church and send us all to swift destruction.
Eev. Thomas Barr, the excellent pastor of the church,
turned his face to the wall and remained silent until the
storm abated, which probably lasted half an hour. He then
turned and addressed the congregation in words of vehement
earnestness and eloquence, which seemed like an inspiration
from .the very throne of the Majesty on High. He spoke as if
all the graphic language of the Bible, which described Jeho-
vah as "thundering marvelously," was at his command, and
specially furnished for this most extraordinary occasion. He
was listened to with breathless attention and solemnity,
and the effect was as profoundly impressive as the storm
had been terrific and awful. I doubt if anyone who was
present ever forgot this most thrilling event in their lives.
In all my experience of four-score years I have never wit-
nessed any scene so solemn and so awfully grand and impres-
sive, saving, always, the terrific conflagration of Chicago in
1871.
But I hasten to speak of the peculiar characteristics of
the " early settlers; " and by way of contrast and comparison,
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 17
the principles which have predominated as the basis, which
have made Cuyahoga county so prominent and influential in
importance, and the beautiful " Forest City" of Cleveland, so
conspicuous among the growing cities of our country. Here
I am reminded of an anecdote of a rather facetious gentleman
of New Haven, Ct , who for the first time visited Cleveland
many years ago. New Haven is justly well known as one of
the most beautiful cities of New England, After surveying
aud admiring its attractiveness, the gentleman exclaimed:
"New Haven is the handsomest city in the world, but Cleve-
land is handsomer than New Haven." A well-deserved com-
pliment, truly.
The pioneers of all new countries are made up of a diver-
sity of character, and mainly consists of two elements. The
moral and religious element, who carry their principles with
them, and infuse them into all the ramifications of society;
and on the contrary, the reckless adventurers and dishonest
seekers after gain, utterly regardless of the immunities and
morals of others, and who neither ''feared God nor regarded
man." I could with great pleasure give a numerous list of
names of the first class, the impress of whose character is ap-
parent among their descendants, (many of which appear in
your annals) but as it might appear invidious to some, I omit
them, and will relate only a few incidents and anecdotes of
both classes, as will be germane to my purposes.
Noble H, Merwin was conspicuous among the ''early set-
tlers" for sterling integrity and enterprise, and no man did
more to shape the commercial prosperity and interests of
Cleveland than himself. He was a man of stalwart size — con-
siderably above six feet m height, well proportioned, and of
remarkable strength. It is related of him that he could take
a barrel of salt (280 pounds) by the chimes and toss it into a
wagon easily, and if he laid his hand upon a man's shoulder,
he would be transfixed until he chose to release him. He pur-
chased the old "Wallace Tavern" (a frame building and after-
B
18 ANNALS OF THE
wards rebuilt it of brick), which was then considered a
first-class hotel and affording as good accommodations as the
times and customs would afford, but quite inferior to hostel-
ries of the present day. Harmon Kingsbury, a wealthy and
benevolent Christian gentleman, then well known throughout
the country, related to me soon after the time, the following
anecdote: He was staying at the hotel when a man and his
wife by the name of Boughton, from West Stockbridge,
Mass., arrived. Being quite fatigued, they retired early to
their room. Messrs. Merwin, Kingsbury and others were
quietly sitting in the bar-room, when they were suddenly star-
tled by hearing Boughton, in a voice of apparent distress, call-
ing out faintly, " Mr. Merwin, Mr. Merwin, do come here,
quick!" Mr. Merwin seized a candle, and followed by the
other gentlemen, quickly ascended the stairs, and opening the
door, inquired, "What is the matter, Mr. Boughton?" He
replied, with the most waggish drollery, " Do bring a pint of
yeast and put it under my head to raise it!"
Mr. Merwin at first was at a loss to know whether to take
umbrage at the unexpected wit of his guest or to let it pass
as a joke; but wisely concluded that " discretion was the bet-
ter part of valor," and he and his friends hastily retreated
down stairs to laugh over the amusing episode, and feeling
that his pilloius and beds were quite equal to his custom and as
good as the market afforded.
I well remember the log tavern of Alonzo Carter and his
father, which stood on the bank near Superior street, which
was clap-boarded over and had the appearance of a frame
building.
Dr. David Long was one of the earliest and most highly-
esteemed citizens, and had a good medical practice; also Drs.
Mcintosh, and Graves of East Cleveland, who were regarded
as skillful physicians, but less cultured, and of rough and in-
temperate habits. Dr. Mcintosh was called upon in most ex-
treme cases, but not generally so often as others by reason of
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 19
li's intemperate habits and profane language. It is stated of
him that he was once sent for to visit Squire Hudson (the
founder of the town named after him,) as a last resort, who was
extremely prostrated, and had been given over by other physi-
cians. He found the good man very low, indeed, but entirely
resigned to the will of his Maker, and wishing to die, and
unwilling to have anything done with a view to his convales-
cence. Dr. M. labored ineffectually to arouse and excite him,
but to no purpose. At last he burst out with the most pro-
fane oaths as follows: " You may die and be d — d, and go to
h — 11!" This aroused the excellent man from his apparent
apathy and excited him to show anger and caused him to re-
buke the doctor with all the indignation and vehemence he
could command. " Oh," said the doctor, " I can cure you;
you've got spunk enough left to save you." The good man
did recover and lived for many years thereafter an honored
and useful life. Such was said to be Dr. Mcintosh's resort in
extreme cases; but the remedy is not to be recommended.
I am informed that the doctor came to his death at a
horse-race where each man was to ride his own horse, and be-
ing intoxicated, he was thrown and broke his neck.
Doctor Graves was a skillful physician, but intemperate
and profane. On one occasion when only women were present,
one of them greatly offended him, when he broke out with a
volley of oaths, for which my mother, who was present, re-
buked him. He said, "■ Mrs. C, I have great respect for you,
and beg your pardon, but when a woman insults me so, I swear
I will swear."
There was quite a coterie of sporting characters who were
accustomed to peregrinate along the lake region, with no fixed
residence anywhere, for any considerable length of time;
whose principal occupation and enjoyment were gambling, and
what they termed "fun and frolic," and who everywhere
made themselves notorious. Some of them would manage to
control influence enough to get elected to office and would
20 ANNALS OF TBE
carry their propensity for reckless drollery into their official
seats.
A story is told of one Elisha Norton who had been elected
a Justice of the peace, who was applied to by a " citizen of
African descent " to marry him to his betrothed. Bent upon
having some fine sport on the occasion, he notified his cronies
to be present at the ceremony, and told them that for the com-
icality of the thing he would request the groom, at the con-
clusion of the marriage ceremony, to salute his bride. His
comrades, only too eager for a rare frolic, promised to be
present, but immediately informed the expectant groom that
the justice would instruct him to salute his bride, but he must
tell him, " After you, is manners for me." After the official
act was performed, the justice, with much gravity, said, " Sa-
lute your bride," when the happy darkey, stepping aside, and
making a graceful bow, replied, "Manners! after you, sir!"
The official joker discovered most unexpectedly that he was
" sold," and hastily seized his hat and vanished. But enough
in delineation of the peculiar characteristics of the "early
settlers," etc.
During the war of 1812 the inhabitants were in a continual
state of alarm and agitation, I well remember Perry's vic-
tory, and his capture of the British fleet on Lake Erie; and
Hull's surrender of Detroit; and of hearing distinctly the
booming of cannon across the lake at each event. After the
surrender of Detroit, the first information received was that
the British were landing their forces at Sandusky, and with
their Indian allies would be likely to overrun and devastate
the lake country. The greatest consternation prevailed, and
the inhabitants prepared to flee; and some did leave their
homes, when news was received that the British were only
landing the prisoners taken at Detroit, and the alarm was tem-
porarily relieved.
In 1812 the Indian, John Omic, was hung at Cleveland for
murder committed near Sandusky. This was a novel event.
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 21
inasmuch as it was an Indian, and the first capital execution
that had occurred there. The Indian expected to be rescued
and was uncontrollable until made nearly helpless by a free
use of whisky.
In 1819 I was at Detroit and took passage on the " Walk-
in-the- Water," the first steamboat that was built for lake nav-
igation. Her commander was the gentlemanly Captain Eodg-
ers, who was brought from New York, and only thought to be
capable and qualified for so responsible a service. We left
Detroit on Saturday and arrived at Cleveland on Monday, the
voyage occupying about two days.
The Eev. Mr. Monteith, a Presbyterian clergyman, (well
remembered for his elevated character), was a passenger, who,
by request of the captain, performed religious services, and
preached an excellent and appropriate sermon to a very atten-
tive audience.
In those "early times" Cleveland had no harbor, the
mouth of the river being oftentimes "barred up" by severe
storms, which caused the river to flow back and become stag-
nant, and a thick scum would form on the surface, and the
malaria arising from it caused much sickness, and led almost
to an interdict with the surrounding country.
iVccording to a census taken in 1810 the population was
only fifty-seven in what was popularly known as "the
city," and for the succeeding two or three years the increase
was very slow; and during the war of 1812 to 1816 it was al-
most at a "stand-still." But its rapid increase since then to
170,000 is almost marvelous, with its corresponding increase
and improvement in the manufacturing interests, its magnifi-
cent public buildings and splendid temples of worship, its
gorgeous private residences, the beautiful parks and broad av-
enues, of which Euclid avenue has the fame of being the finest
for extent and adornment on this continent, if not in the
world, all combine to make it one of the most enterprising as
well as beautiful cities of our country; and betoken for it a
22 ANNALS OF THE
"glorious future," and amply verify the New Haven man's
opinion of it long time ago.
I have, in a somewhat erratic way, made a conglomeration
of events, incidents and anecdotes of " men and things,"
gathered entirely from the memory of my boyhood to my ma-
jority, whilst living in your county; and in the significant lan-
guage of Abraham Lincoln, " with malice toward none and
charity for all," have endeavored to perform what I set out to
accomplish. My memory overflows with early impressions of
things of minor importance which I have necessarily omitted.
I take the liberty to second the suggestion made at your
first celebration, that a suitable monument, worthy of the
memory of General Cleaveland, the founder of your beautiful
city, be early erected in your central park, which shall be a
fitting accompaniment to that of the gallant Commodore
Perry, and make the location deserving the cognomen, " Mon-
umental Park."
With the most profound interest in the prosperity and suc-
cess of the "Early Settlers' Association," and desiring to be
regarded as an honorary member, I have the honor to be
Your humble servant,
Charles Crosby.
Chicago, 111., July 6, 1881.
On motion, said Charles Crosby, of Chicago, was elected
an honorary member of the Association.
The President then stated that a number of other letters
had been received from early settlers which, for want of time
could not be read, but were referred to the Secretary, and
placed on file for future use.
On motion of H. M. Addison, James A. Garfield, a native
of Cuyahoga county, and now President of the United States,
and Mrs. Eliza B. Garfield, his venerable mother, were unani-
mously elected honorary members of the Association, and
their election ordered to be certified to them by the Secretary.
EARLY SETTZEIiS' ASSOCIATIoy. 23
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
On motion of Hon. John A. Foot, the following officers
were unanimously reelected for the ensuing year:
Hon. Harvet Rice, President.
Hojsr. John W. Allen, Hon. Jesse P. Bishop, Vice
Presidents.
Thomas Jones, Jr., Secretary.
George C. Dodge, Esq., Treasurer.
George F. Marshall, R. T. Lyon, Darius Adams, M.
M. Spangler, J. H. Sargent, Executive Committee.
Hon. Harvey Rice thanked the Association for the honor
conferred and adjourned the meeting for the annual collation.
The collation was then served at the Tabernacle, free of
charge to members of the Association. The guests were
grouped at small tables laden with the substantials of life,
and all with genial hearts and "flow of soul" seemed to enjoy
the repast. This was a delightful feature of- the anniversary.
AFTERNOON EXERCISES.
At the appointed hour (2 o'clock p. m.), the Associa-
tion was called to order by the President, and the public ex-
ercises conducted as arranged in the programme.
PRAYER.
BY THE REV. THOMAS CORLETT.
Lord, the strength and hope of all those who put their
' trust in Thee, mercifully accept our thanks for continued life
and health to meet together again as on this day. We im-
plore Thy blessing upon our beloved country, and all in au-
thority, that they may have grace, wisdom, and understand-
ing so to discharge their several duties as most effectually to
promote Thy glory, the interests of true religion and virtue,
and the peace, honor, and welfare of the state and nation;
and for Thy great mercy and goodness to us, and to Thy
servant, our Chief Magistrate, for rescuing him from the jaws
of a painful and cruel death, and our nation from untold evils,
bless and praise Thy great and glorious name; may it be Thy
pleasure, Lord, to restore him to perfect health, and ever-
more to save our nation from such calamity. To the
families of those of our Society who have been removed
from us by death, grant Thy grace and consolation; and to
us who still survive, grant grace and wisdom so to live and
do, as to be dispensers of good to others, and so approve
ourselves worthy in Thy sight of the rich heritage here be-
EARL Y SETTLERS' ASSOCIA TION. 25
stowed, and at the close of our pilgrimage on earth, to be
raised to that higher and better citizenship with Thy saints
in glory everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SONG: "AULD LANG SYNE."
BY THE ARION QUARTETTE.
SETTLEMENT OF THE WESTERN RESERVE.
BY J. H. RHODES, ESQ.
Not quite 400 years ago all Europe believed the world to
be flat, and the sun, after sinking at night, to be in some
mysterious manner ferried back to its rising place, beneath
the horizon's edge, and along the watery outskirts of the
world. Columbus was one of a half dozen in all Europe who
believed it to be round, and that by sailing westward across
the trackless Atlantic, a new route to the Indies of Asia might
be discovered.
Hopeless and heartless he had become, suing in vain for
the favor of Henry the Vlllth of England, and had at length,
in his advanced years, besieged the King of Spain, and was in
despair of success. At last the decisive hour had come. In
the palace of Ferdinand an anxious throng, the haughty
knights and nobles of Castile and Aragon, had gathered. A
game of chess was in progress in the palace between King
Ferdinand and a high official of those, the palmiest days of
the Spanish court. Queen Isabella, the warm friend of Col-
umbus, who had plead vainly for the royal aid, was leaning
over the shoulders of the king, watching, with fast beating
heart and kindling eye, the progress of the mimic contest of
the heroes of the chess-board. The fate of Columbus had
been staked on the results of the game. If Ferdinand, the
king, should win, he had promised assistance to Columbus.
26 ANNALS OF THE
If he lost, Columbus' dreams and hopes would go down in
ruin. No wonder that all eyes were spell-bound on the ivory
warriors of the chess-board. Columbus was present, and hope
and fear chased each other in flush and pallor across his anx-
ious face, like sunlight and shadow across a summer lake.
Never before in the history of mankind was so much at stake
in the results of a game of chess. Never did the discovery of
a new world hang on so slender a thread. Never before were
the interests of the ignorant and oppressed millions of Europe,
and the vast and countless possibilities of the discovery of a
new world thrown into such a precarious balance.
The game had from the first been against the king, and
for a time alarm and terror were painted on the faces of
Columbus' friends, as the combinations of Ferdinand's op-
ponent threatened him with defeat. The critical moment
had come, and the fair Queen Isabella hung in breathless
watchfulness of the game. Her quick eye, her flashing intu-
itions had penetrated the darkness that brooded over the re-
sult. She saw, as in a vision, that the king could now check
in five moves. The king's ear eagerly caught the whispered
admonitions of the queen, and in a moment the fatal check
was announced, which gave to Columbus the Nina, the Pinta,
and the San Jacinto, three vessels, with which, on the even-
ing of August 3, 1492, he set forth from the port of Palos, on
the south coast of Spain, in quest of new worlds.
The story of the voyage is perhaps the most fascinating of
all stories of voyages in the history of man. I cannot dwell
upon it, but westward he sailed, and sailed, and sailed, until,
on the 13th of October, the palm tree of the New World be-
came the enraptured vision that brought wild delight to him
and his sailors. On his return to Spain the news spread like
prairie-fire throughout Europe, and soon thereafter the work
of conquest and settlement of the New World began.
Nearly 400 years have passed since then. Twelve gener-
ations only of mankind, but in that period the proudest
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 27
achievements of the race have been won. Men and women
have passed away, generation after generation, but the race
remains and continues in apparently immortal youth and
vigor. Thus did America rise from the obscurity of the great
unknown sea that rolled its untraveled waters between the two
continents.
The history of the settlement of the Western Reserve is
not so romantic, not so wonderful, but it too has its story of
trial, adventure, suffering, and discovery, and deserves to be
chronicled for future generations.
I accepted the invitation of your president to address you
on this occasion, not because I have lived forty years in the
county, and could thus be a member of the Early Settlers'
Association of Cuyahoga County, but because I was requested
to speak on a subject that has always possessed a charm to my
mind that has made its study a pleasure.
Voyaging into this life from unknown seas, I was landed
on the Western Reserve. Here I have always lived, and here,
in all probability, I shall again take passage over other un-
known seas to voyage to other worlds, yet to be discovered by
us all.
Ohio has been conspicuous, of late years, in the history of
the country, and the Western Reserve has been conspicuous in
Ohio. Ohio is peculiarly situated. Its northern boundary is
mostly in Lake Erie. Its southern boundary is the great
river, 900 miles in length, flowing from the mountains of
Pennsylvania to the great central valley of the Mississippi.
After the war of the revolution, when this great Northwest
was an unbroken, and almost unexplored, wilderness, this great
river was the natural highway from the Atlantic States to the
West and South. Railroads were then undreamed. Steam,
that great giant and slave of modern civilization, was like the
sleeping beauty in the fairy tales, awaiting the advent of some
knight who should penetrate the thickets of ignorance and
wake it into life. Boats moving with the current or propelled
28 ANNALS OF THE
by oarSj were the easiest means of travel and transportation.
The only other methods of penetrating into the country were
the ax to cut a road, and a team of horses or oxen to pull and
push the way. Hence this mighty river, sweeping onward be-
tween full banks, overhung with dense foliage, was the nat-
ural highway for traffic and travel, and to the survivors of
the revolution it had all the mystery and romance of the river
Nile. The Ohio, the beautiful river, laid the wand of en-
chantment on the imaginations of the men who had survived
the long war for liberty and independence, and when, at
length, by the terms of peace, all this vast continent of the
Northwest, this seat and nursery of great States yet to be,
was thrown open for settlement and occupation, the soldiers
who had suffered for eight years, who came out of the war
for independence with nothing but wounds on their bodies
and fiat dollars in their pockets, turned toward the great
West with an inexpressible longing and hope that we to-day
can scarcely imagine.
They, therefore, came through the wilderness — the Puri-
tans of New England and the cavaliers of Virginia, and
blended in years into that community of people now consti-
tuting the Commonwealth of Ohio. To each Ohio offered ad-
vantages of climate, fertility of soil, and mineral resources
that were boundless, and that have resulted in that immense
and varied industry which characterizes the State. The pio-
neer to Ohio did not come on a railroad, to be landed on a
farm already cleared and outlined by a furrow, with all the
luxuries of civilization at the nearest station. You could
track his way through the forests only by the blaze of the ax
on the trees, by the struggle with panther or bear, or by the
treacherous Indian ambush. No canned fruits and meats
beguiled him on the way to his new home. No prairie, with
its stumpless, undulating sea of verdure, greeted him on his
arrival. No new town or village sprang, as if by magic, into
existence, at the nearest railway station, to offer ready oppor-
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 29
tunity to exchange his corn and wheat and dairy products for
calicoes and groceries, for silks and gewgaws, or for any of the
luxuries of modern civilization. No great railroad corpora-
tion searched him out in Europe and carried him at a cheap
rate across an ocean and a continent, to be landed among his
friends, fully equipped to break the soil.
The modern pioneer to Kansas and Nebraska, to Dakota
and Texas, has his tribulations and sorrows, no doubt; his
sickness, poverty, drouth, famine and fever, but still his lot is
one of ease and comfort compared with that of the pioneer to
Ohio, who traveled for weeks and months with an ox team, to
be landed at last in an unbroken forest, to fell and clear
which was the sturdy task of ten or twenty years to come.
Want, anxiety, fear of the treacherous savage, the sorest of
toil and privation, were the daily companions and experiences
of the men and women who left the Atlantic slope to build
them new homes and altars in this great State.
I shall not attempt to-day to tell the story of Ohio and its
settlement. It requires volumes; but I will briefly recall to
you men and women who compose this Old Settlers' Associa-
tion of Cuyahoga County, the story of the settlement of this
little "'neck in the woods." I cannot feast you on personal
recollections and memories of Cleveland and Cuyahoga coun-
ty, as did those venerable pioneers, Rice, Spalding, Til-
den, Williamson, Foot, Allen, Addison, Merwin, and Mjir-
shal at your last year's feast of reason and flow of soul. I
may possibly live to be so ancient a pioneer that another gen-
eration may be interested in my personal experiences and
recollections of Cleveland, but now I can only hope to repro-
duce something for the annals of your Society which may
have a slight historical value. I must beg your patience
while I rehearse so much of the history as will give my sketch
any value as a historical contribution to your Society, and in
doing so must go back with you into the eighteenth century.
England and France for centuries contested for the owner-
30 ANNALS OF THE
ship of the entire region west of the Alleghanies. The Eng-
hsh, under Cabot, had explored the Atlantic coast from New-
foundland southward, claimed and settled the Atlantic coast,
never doubting but that the South Sea or Pacific Ocean lay
but a few hundred miles west of the Chesapeake and Dela-
ware. On the other hand, the French, having discovered the
mouths of the St. Lawrence and Mississippi, laid claim to all
the unknown country drained by these mighty rivers and their
tributaries. And so their traders and missionaries, by way of
Canada and the great lakes on the north, and by way of the
Mississippi and Ohio on the south, had pushed their way for
centuries into this great Northwest, until, by 1750, they had
girdled the colonies of the Atlantic slope with a belt of mili-
tary forts and auxiliary outposts that actually threatened to
hem in the English to the region east of the Alleghanies.
The French held all of Canada and had their forts at Buffalo,
at Erie, Sandusky, Pittsburgh, and other points in the West.
The English trader and colonist had pushed west of the
Alleghanies to the Ohio and its tributaries. Thus the two
leading powers of Europe, England and France, were brought
face to face in Ohio. The desire to trade with the savage
brought the Englishman to the West. The desire to trade
with the Indian and save his soul within the embrace of the
mother Church, brought the Frenchman.
This condition of things could not continue long without
a conflict between the two great civilizations represented by
the colonists who had come from England, and the traders
and missionaries sent from France. The French claimed all
the territory west of the Alleghanies, and had erected their
forts at Buffalo, Erie, and on the Alleghany, with a view of
hemming in the English to the Atlantic slope. And it is a
remarkable fact in the history of Ohio and the great North-
west, that the English, as a compromise, offered to surrender
to the French all the territory west of Pennsylvania and north
of the Ohio, they retaining the territory east of that line.
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 31
But the French were confident of their right to push the
English beyond the mountains, and of their ability to main-
tain their hold on the great West. The Indians were their
friends, their forts were numerous, and they alone hud be-
come intimately acquainted with the vast wilderness that lay
west of the mountains, clear to the Mississippi and beyond,
and so they refused. The imagination alone can attempt to
determine what would have been the result on the future of
the race, had this great Northwestern and Southern Empire
passed under the control, permanently, of the French. Here
in Cleveland the nasal twang of the French might have been
heard, instead of its being resonant with Yankees from New
Hampshire and Connecticut. Anglo-Saxon civilization might
have struck root only in the stubborn soil of New England,
and a vast French Empire been erected in the valley of the
Ohio and Mississippi. But this was not possible. France is
not a colonizing nation. From her loins spring no such
mighty nations as from the Anglo-Saxon race. And had she
then assented to the terms of compromise, it would not have
been many years before the colonies, having achieved their
own independence, would have pushed the Frenchman west-
ward to the South Sea, if room were needed for the expansion
of the new nation. The great event of the eighteenth cen-
tury, a bloody war, short, sharp and decisive, followed. The
French were attacked in all their strongholds, and in a couple
of years that vast, undeveloped empire, which they had been
quietly creating in Canada and in the north and west parts of
the United States, fell to pieces. In 1760 the war was ended.
The English had captured the country between the Allegha-
nies and the Mississippi, and had driven the French out of
Canada. And so the great country east of the Mississippi
came under English control, and of course, after the Ameri-
can revolution, fell into the possession of the United States.
So soon as peace was declared, in 1783, between England and
her rebellious colonies, the United States took immediate
32 ANNALS OF THE
measures to obtain perfect title to the Northwestern terri-
tory, by getting concessions of land from the Indians. In
1785-6 treaties were concluded with the Six Nations and
many western tribes, and in 1787 Congress passed the cele-
brated ordinance which established a territorial government
over Ohio and the other territory west to the Mississippi, and
ordained that this vast country should forever be dedicated
to freedom and free schools.
And now the old dispute between the colonies and the
crown arose again. For a century Virginia and Connecticut
had disputed as to their territorial limits. After the defeat of
the French, and their expulsion from the territory west of
Pennsylvania, the colonies began their contentions over this
great empire of land. This disjjute continued down to the
revolution, and was only silenced by the guns at Lexington
and Bunker Hill. After the revolution, the dispute was not
with the crown, but with the new power that had emerged
from the flames of Avar; the young republic that had just been
born through the terrible throes and agonies of war; a nation
among the nations. Subdued and chastened by the sacrifices
of the revolution, the colonies renewed the struggle for the
possession of the mighty West, whose possibilities had just
begun to dawn on the imaginations of the people.
And now let me direct your attention to the history and
settlement of the Western Reserve. The claim of Connecticut
was in conflict with that of Virgmia. Virginia claimed, un-
der a contract granted May 29th, 1609, by King James of
Engknd. This is the territory ceded by King James: "All
those lands, countries and territories situated, lying and being
in that part of America called Virginia, from the point of the
eastern land called Cape or Point Comfort, all along to the sea
west, to the northward 200 miles (and now notice carefully
the description), all that space and circuit of land lying from
the sea coast of the precinct aforesaid, up into the land,
throughout, from sea to sea, west and northwest; and also all
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 33
the islands lying within 100 miles along the coast of the both
seas of the precinct aforesaid."
It will be seen from this description, the writer supposed
that the Pacific Ocean or South Sea was not far west of the
Atlantic, and that by extending the northern boundary north-
west from the sea coast limits, 200 miles north of Point Com-
fort, that it included almost all of Pennsylvania, the whole of
Ohio, and in fact about one-half of the continent of North
America.
Connecticut claimed under a charter by King Charles II.,
on the 23d day of April, 1662, and which swallowed up and
submerged all previous grants to persons of the present ter-
ritory of Connecticut. The charter of King Charles reads as
follows: ''And know ye further, that we, of our abundant
grace, certain knowledge and mere mention, have given,
granted, and confirmed, and by these presents, for us, our
heirs and successors, do grant and confirm unto the said gov-
ernor, and company, and their successors, and that part of
our dominion in New England, in America, bounded on the
east by Naragansett River, commonly called Naragansett Bay,
where the said river falleth into the sea, and on the north by the
line of the Massachusetts plantation, and on the south by the
sea, and in longitude, as the line of the Massachusetts colony,
running from east to west; that is to say, from the said Nar-
agansett Bay on the east, to the South Sea on the west part,,
with the islands thereto adjoining."
This description, like those of the Virginia charter, is-
magnificently indefinite and all-embracing; yet it is by virtue
of this description that Connecticut claimed and finally ob-
tained that part of Ohio known. as the Western Reserve. ThC'
charter granted by King Charles II. to the Duke of York,,
was in the Connecticut patent, and is now a part of New York
and New Jersey. King James the II. granted to William
Penn what is now Pennsylvania. These charters both con-
flicted with the one to Connecticut, but New York and Con-
34 ANNALS OF THE
necticut settled their dispute by an agreement in 1683, which
was finally ratified in 1733. But with the colonies of Penn-
sylvania and Virginia there was serious dispute. Connecticut
claimed all that part of Pennsylvania in the same latitude as
Connecticut, and actually sold seventeen townships on the
Susquehanna River to certain individuals, and attached it to
the county of Litchfield, and representatives from this part
of Pennsylvania sat in the Connecticut Legislature before the
revolution. Pennsylvania protested, and both colonies sent
agents to England. Soon after the war, Pennsylvania sent
an armed force and drove these Connecticut settlers on the
Susquehanna out of the State. The controversy was finally
submitted to a court held at Trenton, New Jersey, in 1787,
and this court declared that the claim of Connecticut, under
her charter of Charles IL was not good against the terri-
tory covered by the patent of the King of England to Wil-
liam Penn. But Connecticut still insisted that her charter
covered all the territory west of Pennsylvania, and in the
same latitude as Connecticut.
By some it was contended that the vast territory west of
the Alleghanies should be appropriated by the new govern-
ment for the benefit of all the States. The controversy for a
time threw a dark shadow on the prosperity of the Union.
Congress appealed to the States to remove the danger by ces-
sion for common benefit. New York led the way and agreed
to surrender all claims to western territory for the benefit
of all the States. Virginia finally followed New York, and
then Massachusetts followed Virginia, under a pledge from
the General Government that all the territory so ceded should
be held for the joint benefit of the original States, and new
States should be carved out of it from time to time; and finally,
in 1786, Connecticut made a deed of cession to the United
States of all right, title and interest to the territory west of
Pennsylvania, reserving, however, what is now the Western
Reserve; but in 1780 all claim of political jurisdiction was re-
EABiy SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 35,
leased to the United States, and the absolute right of Connec-
ticut to the soil of the Western Reserve was fully established
iind confirmed.
The precise limits of the land reserved by Connecticut are
described in a deed of cession to the United States, made Sep-
tember 13, 1786, whereby she released all her right, title, inter-
est, jurisdiction and claim, which she had to certain western
lands, except a section which she had in northeastern Ohio,
beginning at the west line of Pennsylvania, and at the 41st
degree of latitude, thence west on the 41st degree of latitude
120 miles from the west line of Pennsylvania; thence north
until it comes to a point 42 degrees 2 minutes north latitude;
thence east to the western line of Pennsylvania; thence south
on the western line of Pennsylvania to the 41st degree of
north latitude to the place of beginning. This included all
of the counties of Ashtabula, Lake, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Trum-
bull, Portage, Summit (except two townships,) Medina, Lo-
rain, Huron and Erie, the ten northern townships of Mahoning
county and three northern townships of Ashland; or some-
what more than the area of Connecticut itself. Connecticut
has 4,750 square miles, or 3,040,000 acres of land, while the
Western Reserve, according to a computation by the late
Leonard Case, had 3,333,699 acres of land. Before this time
the other States had relinquished all right to the territory
northwest of the Ohio, and so the Western Reserve became
indisputably the property of the State of Connecticut. The
next year — 17S7 — the United States passed the famous ordi-
nance of 1787, and appointed Gen. St. Clair governor of all
the territory northwest of the Ohio. He proceeded to divide
the country into counties. He organized all the territory in
Ohio east of the Cuyahoga, the Tuscarawas, and Muskingum
into Washington county, with Marietta for the county seat.
The counties of the Reserve, west of the Cuyahoga river,
were in Wayne county, with Detroit for the county seat. The
establishment of these two counties, so as to include the West-
36 ANNALS OF THE
ern Keserve, was regarded by Connecticut as an interference
with territory over which she claimed undisputed jurisdic-
tion.
Let me now consider briefly the manner in which Connec-
ticut disposed of the Western Keserve. During the Revolu-
tionary War the British had invaded Connecticut, and a large
number of people lost property, mostly by fire, in consequence
of this invasion. The sufferers, after the war, appealed to
the Legislature for relief, and after several years discussion,
examination and delay, in May, 1792, the Legislature decided
to compensate them by giving to the sufferers by fire and their
heirs 500,000 acres of land off the west end of the Reserve.
This included Erie and Huron counties, which were known as
Fire Lands, but did not include the islands in the lake; and
these lands were divided among them according and in pro-
portion to their several losses.
Prior to that time the State had sold to Samuel Parsons
24,000 acres of land on the Mahoning River. So there re-
mained all but the Fire Lands and the land sold to Parsons.
The land which Parsons purchased in 1786 of the State of
Connecticut, is now included by parts of the townships of
Lordstown and Weathersfield in Trumbull county, and Jack-
son and Austintown in Mahoning county. General Parsons
had ascertained that there were salt springs in that section,
and expected to make his fortune out of them as much as some
more modern speculators expected to find big bonanzas of oil
and salt in Mecca and other places. But his expectations
were never realized, and he himself was drowned in 1789 in
the Beaver. As Parsons never paid for the land, after his
death it reverted to the State of Connecticut, but the Con-
necticut Land Company never had anything to do with it, al-
though in the heart of their possessions.
The purchasers of the Western Reserve supposed it to con-
tain about 3,000,000 acres. At a session of the Legislature
held in October, 1786, the State of Connecticut resolved to
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 37
put into market all that part of the Reserve east of the Cuya-
hoga and the Portage path, leading from the Cuyahoga to the
Tuscarawas; that the land should be sold for the public se-
curities of that day, and it was determined to have the lands
surveyed into townships six miles square and numbered from
the lake south. The land was to be sold at 50 cents an acre.
In 1787 the Legislature modified the plan of selling and sur-
veying, and that townships should be numbered northward
from the 41st parallel. No sales except that of Parsons, I be-
lieve, were made under these resolutions. In May, 1795, the
Legislature passed another resolution to sell the lands of the
Reserve. They resolved to appoint a committee to obtain
propositions for the sale of all the lands in the Reserve. This
committee was authorized to make such contract as it could
and give deeds to the purchasers. The purchasers were to
give their personal notes for the price, payable to the Treas-
urer of the State, bearing interest at six per cent., at not more
than five years from the date. These notes were to be secured
by good and sufficient sureties residing in Connecticut, or by
a deposit of State or United States stocks. The committee
was authorized to sell the whole of the Reserve except the
500,000 acres of Fire I^ands in Huron and Erie counties al-
ready given to the sufferers in the Revolutionary War, and the
25,000 acres sold to Parsons, for not less than $1,000,000 in
specie, or, if time was given, not for a sum of less value than
$1,000,000 in specie with interest at six per cent. You see
how your thrifty ancestors had no faith in fiat money or any
other kind than coin. Eight men were appointed on the com-
mittee, one from each county in the State. Propositions were
received from various parties and by September, 1795, this
committee succeeded in selling the entire remaining land of
the Reserve for $1,200,000. As the lands remaining were sup-
posed to be about 3,000,000 acres, this was at the rate of 25
cents an acre. The sale was made to a combination of thirty-
five persons, who put down their names and the amounts taken.
38 ANNALS OF THE
and the whole footed up $1,200,000. This sum became the
basis of the Connecticut school fund and now amounts to over
$3,000,000. The largest interest was taken by one Oliver
Phelps. He took $168,185 worth, and was the leading man in
effecting the purchase. These parties and some others they
represented in making the purchase, constituted the Connec-
ticut Land Company. This committee of eight made a deed
to each of these buyers of so many 1,200-thousandths of the
Reserve according to the amount of money invested by each.
As there were thirty-five buyers, thirty-five deeds were made.
These thirty-five buyers, for convenience in handling the
property, united in a deed to three trustees, John Cadwell,
Jonathan Brace and John Morgan. These trustees all sur-
vived, I believe, until 1836, long after the Connecticut Land
Company had dissolved.
On the same day, September 5th, 1795, the Connecticut
Land Company was formed, and adopted fourteen Articles of
Association and Agreement. This document is drawn with
much skill and great care, and showed that the management
of the Company was well considered. Article third provided
for the immediate election of seven diretors who were author-
ized, in addition to other powers, first, to procure an extinc-
tion of all Indian titles to the Western Reserve: second, to
survey the whole of the reserve and lay it out into townships
containing not less than 16,000 acres each; third, to fix on a
township in which the first settlement should be made, to sur-
vey it into small lots, and dispose of it to actual settlers only,
and to erect in it a saw and grist mill. (Cleveland township
was selected for this purpose); fourth, to sell five other town-
ships to actual settlers only. The five townships selected for
this purpose were Euclid, Willoughby, Mentor, Madison, and
one on the Mahoning. The work of surveying was begun in
1796. The surveying party consisted of about forty-six men,
of whom General Moses Cleaveland was the superintendent.
They landed at Conneaut Creek, on or near the Pennsylvania
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 39
line, with thirteen horses and some cattle, on the 4th day of
July, 1796, and celebrated the day in gooa style, and two days
later began to measure the east line of New Connecticut, as
they called it, and on the first day found plenty of gnats and
mosquitoes, and encamped near a swamp. This surveying
party was about sixteen days in working southward along the
western line of Pennsylvania, which had been surveyed about
two years previously. They made their way through woods
and swamps, over streams, up and down the hills, keeping a
full account of what they saw each day, describing the soil,
the timber, the water, etc., until they reached the 41st degree
of latitude, which was the base or south line of the Western
Reserve. The plan of survey agreed upon at the time re-
quired them to run west on this parallel 120 miles, from the
west boundary of Pennsylvania, making in all twenty-four
ranges of townships, five miles square. The townships were
numbered northward to the lake, from one upward; Cleveland
was in the twelfth range, and No. 7 in order, from the south.
As all that part of the Western Eeserve west of the Cuyahoga
River was at that time claimed by the Indians, the original
survey was made only to the river Cuyahoga, coming from the
East.
I need not dwell on the manner in which the proprietors
of the Connecticut Land Company surveyed and divided up
the immense territory which thus came into their possession.
The system of division adopted was too complicated to admit
of a satisfactory explanation at this time. The entire interest
which the company owned was divided up into 400 shares,
each subscription of $3,000 representing one four-hundredth
part of the price of the Western Reserve. The first division
made was of four townships, which were selected by a com-
mittee of three, as being of the greatest value, next to the six
already selected for sale, on account of their situation and nat-
ural advantages. These four townships were Northfield, in
Summit county, Bedford and Warrensville in this county, and
40 ANNALS OF THE
Perry in Lake county. These were surveyed into 412 lots, the
intention being that each lot should contain about 160 acres,
and each share was intended to be good for an average lot in a
township. In this, as well as in other drafts, many of the
owners of an interest in the Connecticut Land Company
united their interests in common, and drew together.
In addition to this draft of these four townships there
were four others. The first was in 1798, and was for all the
remaining lands east of the Cuyahoga, and was arranged to
be drawn in ninety-three parts, each part being about one
township, and representing $13,903.23 of interest in the orig-
inal $1,200,000 purchase price. The second draft was in
1802, for the balance of the six townships then unsold, and
the land in Weathersfield township, Trumbull county, where
Niles is located, and which was not divided in 1798 because
of uncertainty about the limits of the 25,000 acres bought
by General Parsons. The third draft was in 1807, and was
for the townships west of the Cuyahoga. Draft number four
was for the surplus land, so-called, lying between the Fire
Lands on the west and the Connecticut Land Company's on
the east; also at this draft were divided up what notes and
claims there were on hand growing out of the sale of the six
townships and all unadjusted claims.
The actual quantity of land in the Western Eeserve, by
survey, as estimated by the late General Simon Perkins, is as
follows:
Connecticut Land Company — Acres.
Land east of Cuyahoga River, etc 2,002,970
Land west of Cuyahoga, exclusive of surplus and islands
in Lake Erie 827,921
Surplus land, so-called 5,286
Islands in Lake Erie 5,924
Amount of Connecticut Land Company, in acres 2,841,471
Parsons or Salt Spring tract 25,450
Sufferers' or Fire Lands (Huron and Erie counties) 500,000
Total of acres in the Connecticut Western Reserve 3,366,921
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 41
According to the computation by the late Leonard Case,
there were but 3,333,690 acres, but he does not include the
Parsons tract. He also estimated that the directors sold, be-
fore the division of the six townships, 2,852 acres in Mentor;
2,355 in Euclid, and 6,754 in Cleveland.
As I have already said, in 1788, Governor St. Clair estab-
lished all of Ohio east of the Cuyahoga, the old Portage Path,
and the Tuscarawas into Washington county; in 1796, Wayne
county was organized, including with other counties, all of
the Reserve west of the Cuyahoga, the Portage Path, and the
Tuscarawas. In 1797 that part of the Reserve that had been
in Washington county was put into Jefferson county, with
Steubenville for the county seat. In 1780 the Western Re-
serve was organized under the territorial government of Trum-
bull county, with Warren as the county seat, and the first
court held August 25th, 1800. In 180] there were but thirty-
five families in Warren, but it was by far the most important
point on the Reserve. In 1801 they began to get a mail once
in two weeks from Pittsburgh by way of Canfield and Youngs-
town, and that was the terminus of the mail route for a couple
of years before it came on to Cleveland. The route from War-
ren was by way of Deerfield, Ravenna, Hudson, etc., and from
Cleveland to Detroit, along the old Indian trail to Sandusky,
Toledo, and so on to Detroit. From Cleveland to Warren,
the mail went via Painesville and Jefferson. Geauga county
was organized March 1st, 1806, and included a large part
of Cuyahoga; and Portage county, June 7th, 1808, whilst
Cuyahoga was organized May 7th, 1810. As that part of the
Reserve lying in the Mahoning Valley was more accessible for
many years than the northern part, for a number of years it
thrived most.
The county of Cuyahoga has remained in its present
state since 1843, having, from time to time, been reduced
in size by the formation of Huron, Medina, Lorain, and Lake
counties.
42 ANNALS OF THE
The first mill erected in Cuyahoga county was at the falls
in Newburgh. Its completion was celebrated by the pioneers
with great rejoicing, and it was only at the beginning of this
century that our forefathers of the Reserve enjoyed the luxury
of bolted flour. Another evidence of advancing civilization
was the building of a still-house, in 1800, at Cleveland. They
couldn't sell their corn for money, so they made it into
whisky; they couldn't sell the whisky for money, so they
were compelled to drink it.
The lands in the six reserved townships and of the city lots
in Cleveland, were very slow of sale. City lots had fallen one-
half in value, or from $50 to $25, and it is a remarkable fact
that the most fortunate of the men who went into the Con-
necticut Land Company realized a very meager profit, and
many of them were losers rather than gainers in the enter-
prise. The Reserve settled very slowly compared with more
recent settlements in the western States, as Kansas, Iowa,
Minnesota, or Wisconsin. As showing the slow growth of
the country for the first twenty years of this century, take
Cleveland. In 1796 its population was 4; in 1797, 15; in
1800, three years later, only 7; in 1810, 57; only 50 in ten
years; and in 1820, Cleveland had 150 inhabitants. In those
early days money was scarce, the facilities for transportation
were very poor, and the country was yet in the woods. To
pioneers, as to most of mankind, the golden age is always in
the past, but he who compares the Western Reserve with what
it was when the pioneers first invaded its forests, cannot fail
to see the wonderful change.
Within its borders are the thrifty cities and towns of San-
dusky, Norwalk, Elyria, Wellington, Medina, Cleveland, Ak-
ron, Ravenna, Warren, Youngstown, Painesville, Ashtabula,
Jefferson, and numerous others. It is abundantly supplied
with railroads, and I have the authority of the Secretary of
the Ohio State Board of Agriculture for saying that every 100
acres of land on the Reserve, besides yielding a variety of
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 43
tillage crops, yields also an average of 263 pounds of butter
and 924 pounds of cheese, " far exceeding the world-wide
famous Scioto Valley." Again, the Reserve averages 9^
cattle to every 100 acres, while neither the Scioto nor Miami
Valleys, both famous for their cattle, exceed 6^ head to 100
acres. Also, that the product per acre of wheat, corn, oats,
flaxseed, potatoes, tobacco, sorghum, and clover hay, exceed
those of the Miami Valley. The explanation is not in the su-
periority of the soil, but, as Mr. Klippart says, there is a better
system of culture on the Reserve than is to be found any-
where else in the State. What but fifty years ago was little
better than a wilderness, is now a rich and populous portion
of Ohio, increasing yearly in wealth, people and general pros-
perity.
I have thus outlined the history of Ohio for two hundred
years, and of the Western Reserve for three-quarters of a
century. What there is to-day to be proud of and rejoice in
our midst, we largely owe to the brave pioneers — to the noble
men and women who subdued the wilderness, and laid the
foundations of this Commonwealth of the Western Reserve,
whose people are as intelligent, thrifty, prosperous, and patri-
otic as are to be found on any equal area in the world— a^eo-
ple who read and think for themselves. Many of the old
pioneers have passed away. Their memories should be hal-
lowed, the story of their early trials and struggles should be
often told. The younger generation should not be allowed to
forget that there is a past full of intense interest, the study
of which will enrich and ennoble the descendants of the pio-
neers, by its memorable struggles, trials and conquests, through
which our pioneer fathers passed in the subjugation of a wil-
derness, and its reduction under the hand of civilization and
industry. It was the proud boast of a Roman Emperor that
he found Rome brick and left it 'marble. The pioneers did
more. They left blooming gardens, affluence, thriving cities,
44 ANNALS OF THE
and a grand civilization, where they found a wilderness, pov-
erty, wigwams, and barbarism. Coming as they did from
the American Eevolution, many of them were old soldiers
who had lost everything but life, and who came to the new
West poor, adventurous and hopeful. They knew that by the
solemn compact of 1787, that spread its protecting aegis over
400,000 square miles of untrodden wilderness, the fair heri-
tage of the Reserve, and the entire country north of the Ohio
and east of the Mississippi, would forever be dedicated to free
schools and freedom; that no slave should breathe its air; that
religious liberty was forever guaranteed. They had and
needed no stock in trade but the musket and the ax, and to
many an old revolutionary veteran that had slept in camps,
his log cabin was a palace. Those who came from New Eng-
land came also with a deep love of knowledge, and in many
a log house young men were reared who have since become
famous and are among the great of the earth.
[The foregoing address, evincing as it does profound historical re-
search, was listened to with deep interest by the association, and is
justly regarded as a valuable production.]
SONG: "THE GOOD OLD DAYS.
BY THE ARION QUARTETTE.
LIFE AND CHARACTER of DAVID H. BEARDSLEY.
BY HON. J. P. BISHOP.
A few days since I received a communication from our
honored President, saying that the committee were unani-
mous in requesting me to deliver an address on the " Life and
Character of David H. Beardsley," at this meeting of "the
early settlers."
In compliance with this request, I appear before you to-
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 45
day. If only the customary tribute was paid to the subject
of this address, it would be substantially as follows:
" IN MEMORIAM
David H. Beardsley — Born June 6th, 1789, at New Preston, Litchfield
County, Conn. ; died at Cleveland, O., August 31st, 1870."
I doubt not many here are ready to ask "What more than
this can be said of David H. Beardsley, whose life was so un-
obtrusive and unassuming among us, and who came and went
in the daily walks of life almost unnoticed by the world around
him?"
To this I reply, very much may be said. Much more than
I have time here to say or you to listen to.
I wish to preface, before I proceed, that being acquainted
with Mr. Beardsley in his public, private and social life, soon
after his decease, with the approval of his nearest family rela-
tives, I prepared a sketch of him, which was published in the
Cleveland Leader. Much of the matter contained in this arti- .
cle I reproduce here.
From what I have already said, it appears that on August
31st, 1870, an aged citizen of Cleveland went to his rest. He
went as he had lived, peacefully and quietly, and thus ended
his earthly being in the very manner he had desired; and as
many plants leave behind them an attractive and lovely fra-
grance, so may it be truly said that in the many varied mem-
ories which are now cherished of the deceased there is an
aroma of character left by him, which every one who may be
old and experienced in intercourse among men in the best and
most intelligent circles of society, may. not meet with in a life-
time. There was nothing in his early life calculated to
produce this result, except his native genius and original char-
acteristics of mind.
There were no influences of the home-circle that could
produce this result, for of these he was very early deprived.
He was, however, in the early part of his life, thrown among
40 AJSTNALS OF THE
that class of religious people called ''Friends," whose simple
ways, austere, but unostentatious virtues he admired and
loved, and was greatly influenced by them to his latest days.
Thrown upon his own resources in his youth, he pursued
that course to which his inclinations of mind most impelled
him, which was gaining and treasuring up knowledge.
Those who have been privileged to enjoy an intimate ac-
quaintance with him can now attest how thoroughly he per-
sisted in his favorite habit all his life and even in his old age,
of keeping apace with the times in the general sciences and
modern improvements and progress.
His native place was New Preston, Litchfield county,
Conn. In early life he qualified himself for a first-class
teacher, and pursued that profession successfully in Baltimore,
Md., and othei- places. After his marriage he removed to
Ohio and settled in what was then called Lower Sandusky,
now Fremont. Early in 1826 he removed to Cleveland, but
previously, and soon after removing to Ohio, his character for
intelligence and integrity were appreciated, as he was elected
to the Legislature of Ohio, and also was appointed a judge of
the Court of Common Pleas. His residence and public posi-
tion in Cleveland after he came here, have become historical.
The history of the city could not well be written without giv-
ing him a prominent place. Appointed, as he was in 1827,
as collector at this point of the Ohio Canal, and continuing
in that office for a score of years, when most of the commerce
of Cleveland passed through the canal and thence connected
itself with a great part of the State, he could not help being
widely known.
It is well kuown his experience was such that his aid and
counsel were sought in framing and adopting the rules and
regulations governing the canals of Ohio. Under his intelli-
gent counsels the canal rules and regulations and laws of Ohio
became almost a perfect code.
So highly was he esteemed that no matter how political
EABLV SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 47
parties changed, Mr. Beardsley remained unmolested in his
office so long as he chose to retain it, however much it might
have been coveted by others. At one time, at the accession of
the Democratic party to power, an effort was made to change
the Collector of Cleveland, but a high official connected with
the public works of the State declared to those in power that
if Mr. Beardsley were removed he would himself resign, as he
considered him indispensable, not merely as Collector of
Cleveland, but as an adviser on the management of the public
works of the State.
In transacting the business of the State, he was precise
and exact. But while he required this from others, he prac-
ticed the same rule towards them — always according to them
every right and insisting that they should accept it.
His long continuance in office and his manner of conduct-
ing the public business caused him to be very widely known.
His integrity was the great feature of his character. Dur-
ing all those years that he transacted the business of the
State, and ia the numerous accounts rendered by him, which
amounted to thousands, and in the amount of money collected
to about $1,400,000, not an error, either large or small, was
ever detected in his accounts. Having remained many years
in his office, and feeling finally that some other business would
be more congenial to him, he voluntarily retired.
Not long after this, however, he was called to still more
important positions in connection with the Water Works and
Sinking Fund Commissioners of the City of Cleveland. In
the latter of these positions he remained till a short time be-
fore his death.
In these as well as in every other position, the most strict
integrity was his rule, and not only this but all his transac-
tions were free from the ordinary mistakes that most persons
are liable to make.
It has already been said that integrity was a great feature
of his character and the rule of his life.
•48 ANSALS OF THE
When he is spoken of as the ''honest man," the man of
"great integrity," it should not be understood in the limited
sense in which it is ordinarily used. It was no assumed fea-
ture of his character that he might possess a good name before
the world. It was a feature woven into his very nature. He
loved these characteristics for their own sake; they were hidden
down deep in his most secret heart. He loved them as he
loved to think of their great and pure Author. Loving them,
he endeavored to impress them upon the minds of others who
might come under his influence, not so much in 'words as by
the example of his life — thus well exemplifying the sentiment
contained in the following lines from Longfellow:
" In the elder days of art,
Builders wrought with greatest care,
Each minute and unseen part,
For the gods see everywhere. .
" Let us do our work as well.
Both the unseen and the seen;
Make the house where gods may dwell, •
Beautiful, entire and clean."
That his life, as one symmetrical whole, was illustrative
of the sentiment in these lines, those who were at all inti-
mate with him will readily verify, and the more intimate and
confidential the relation was with him the more clearly was
this apparent.
The poet says:
" 'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view;"
But whatever may be the ordinary experience, it was not so
with David H. Beardsley, either in public, private, social or
domestic life — for he, as builder, "wrought with greatest care
each minute and unseen part."
His integrity of character was illustrated in his religious
convictions.
He could coincide with no religious creed fully, and there-
fore, was not willing to subscribe to one that did not in all of
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 49
its leading features command his assent; and yet no man in
the community was more ready to commend religion than he.
His attendance was, in the main, on the Presbyterian Church
service, and he encouraged his family in a religious life, and
in making a public profession.
His views of the Christian Sabbath corresponded to those
of some of the early reformers — that the Jewish Sabbath
passes away with the Jewish law, and that the first day of the
week was to be observed only in grateful remembrance of
Christ's resurrection. With all this he was a conscientious
observer of the Lord's day.
He was an uncompromising enemy of intemperance and a
friend of the temperance reform, and evinced this friendship
by both precept and example.
In theology he was no mere surface reader and thinker.
He went back to the fundamental principles.
He was especially versed in the evidences of Christianity —
not content with reading one author on the subject, lie not
only read but studied various authorities and could start que-
ries which the ordinary student could not answer or solve, but
to him they were clear and answerable, not only from reasons
found in his reading and studies, but from the logic of his
own mind.
He was a student in geology and especially as bearing on
the first of Genesis, and could, in a private interview of one
hour, give you the theories and solutions of them, far beyond
what you could get in the ordinary circles of learned professors.
What has been said of him with reference to his theological
knowledge may be said of him in the departments of history,
philosophy and politics.
He was a logician and metaphysician, also. He was a
keen discriminator as to the merits of discourse and argument
and had not patience with declamation when it was claimed to
be argument, and mere sophistry would be met by him some-
times with the most telling sarcasm.
D
50 AN]:fALS OF THE
In metaphysics he was learned far beyond many who claim
to be learned in the mysteries of that science — and the able
metaphysicians of the age would have been astonished in an
encounter with Mr, Beardsley when he would freely enter into
discussion on metaphysical subjects.
It may be said that it is surprising he should have accom-
plished so much and have become so learned. Not so. For a
score of years as canal collector he had four or five months of
leisure every year, and his leisure days and evenings were not
allowed to pass without adding to his storehouse of knowl-
edge. Also, after he had retired from that office, he had equal
facilities for reading and study which he sedulously improved.
It is not our province to enter into the sanctuary of home
and speak of him in his relations of husband and father — there
are those living who feel how sacred these relations were, espe-
cially the relation of father — and now that he has gone from
them, long years of busy life will not suffice to efface these
precious memories. One trait of character may be spoken of
here which was common both in the family as well as in other
relations — that is his kindness of heart.
It has been supposed by many who had merely business
relations with him as a public functionary, that he was cold
and austere and unapproachable. This was not so; on the
contrary, he was on all proper occasions as warm-hearted and
approachable and kind as even a fond and tender mother. He
had kind words for those in his employ, while he was in of-
fice as collector, that will ever be remembered, particularly by
one who now attributes his success and position in life to kind
and encouraging words of Mr. Beardsley. In the work as col-
lector's clerk at one time there occurred a succession of er-
rors, and the young man made up his mind to leave because
of these errors, but Mr. Beardsley remarked in the kindest
of manner, "we must all live and learn; we are none of us
perfect." From that moment more courage was inspired, and
the young man went on anew during the whole year with
EARL Y SETTLERS' ASSO CIA TION. 5 1
scarcely a recurring error. A friendship began at that time
between the employer and that clerk that continued till death
terminated the earthly relation. The one who now addresses
you was that clerk. Notwithstanding this, he was austere in
the performance of his public duty and carried his principles
into practice. In one respect this was particularly marked.
All who were masters of boats navigating the canal were
obliged to make oath to the amount of cargo they had on
board. This oath was for the most part administered by him.
The oath being required by law and the name of God be-
ing used, he would not administer the oath as a mere form or
ceremony as is generally done, but would always proceed to
do it in the most solemn and impressive manner and with un-
covered head, and always requiring the one taking the oath to
uncover also. This was but being consistent Avith himself —
believing in God and in revelation, he could not do otherwise
than he did (as he believed) without '"'taking the name of the
Lord in vain."
Another firm and unyielding feature in his character was
the conviction that the laws, while they remained such, must
be implicitly obeyed ; that no infraction of them was to be
winked at, nor was their effect to be nullified by a weak senti-
mentalism under the guise of mercy and good- will.
His reply to all who inveighed against the rigors of the law
was that he did not make the laws — that while they existed
upon the statute book they must be obeyed, and the repeal of
them must be by the law-making power. It will naturally bo
asked " is there no member of the family of this distinguished
citizen still living?" I answer: Yes. Mrs. Bingham, the
accomplished wife of Hon. William Bingham, formerly our
State Senator, is his daughter and only surviving child.
Much more might be said of the deceased; even an inter-
esting volume might be written on the subject, but it has not
been the object of this sketch to present more than an outline
of our deceased fellow citizen's life and character.
52 . ANNALS OF THE
In conclusion. In a review of the whole life and the
death of David H. Beardsley, I can only look upon him as a
faithful soldier in his sphere, who had fought a good fight
and quietly gone to his rest, almost literally exemplifying the
words of the old Spanish poem:
" As thus the dying warrior prayed,
Without one gathering mist or shade
Upon his mind,
Encircled by his family.
Watched by affection's gentle eye,
So soft and kind.
His soul to Him who gave it rose,
God led it to its long repose.
Its glorious rest.
And though the warrior's sun has set,
Its light shall linger round us yet.
Bright, radiant, blessed."
[The life and character of Mr. Beardsley, as estimated by Judge
Eishop, was received with evident satisfaction, and regarded as not
only truthful, but eminently worthy of imitation.]
SONG: "AMERICA."
ARION QUARTETTE.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF MEMBERS DECEASED
DURING THE PAST YEAR.
BY REV. THOMAS CORLETT.
The following are the names of members of the Association
who have departed this life during the past year, including a
statement of place and year of birth, when residence com-
menced in the Western Reserve, and date of decease, viz:
Daniel Beers, born in N". J., 1816. Eeserve in 1818;
died Dec. 4, 1880. Dr. D. G. Branch, born in Vt., 1805.
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 53
Eeserve in 1833; died Dec. 23, 1880. Elias Cozad, born in
IS". J., 1790. Eeserve in 1808; died Sept., 1880. Rev. A. S.
Hayden, born in Ohio, 1813. Reserve in 1835; died Sept. 10,
1880. Harvey Taylor, born in Ohio, 1814. Reserve m
1814; died Nov., 1880. Ahimiaz Sherwin, born in Vt.,
1792. Reserve in 1818; died Jan. 24, 1881. Elijah Bing-
ham, born in N. H., 1800. Reserve in 1831; died July 10,
1881. Aaron Clark, born in Conn., 1811. Reserve in 1832;
died Jan. 6, 1881. Capt. C. H. Norton, born in N. Y.,
1805. Reserve in 1838; died Feb. 23, 1881.
The entire number of members who have been removed by-
death since the organization of the Association, is twelve. Of
these, not a few were individuals we all delight to honor. The
hardships and perils which the early settlers of this country
encountered and overcame, gave them qualities of head and
heart which, to us, their descendants, are of inestimable
value, and which we shall do well to imitate and cherish, and
so hand down to posterity, as our fathers have to us, a goodly
heritage, worthy of a free and enlightened people.
Though more or less might be said relative to the lives of
deceased members which would, perhaps, be of public inter-
est, yet in the announcement of their deaths it is not expected
that a biographical sketch of each will be appended, or can be
furnished within the brief period that has elapsed since their
decease. In a few instances, however, where deceased mem-
bers were well known to the public, a brief notice of their life-
work seems desirable in connection with their final departure.
Rev. a. S. Hayden was, for nearly fifty years, an active
and efficient minister in the ministry of the Disciple Church.
He was also a composer of music, and was one of the com-
mittee which compiled the Christian Hymn-book, now used
by that denomination; and to him, perhaps, more than to any
other, is that body of Christians indebted, not only for its
church music, but also for his latest work, the " History of
the Disciples of the Western Reserve."
54 ANNALS OF THE
In 1850 he was chosen Principal of the Western Reserve
Eclectic Institute (now Hiram College), and this position he
filled honorably for seven years; since which time he has
filled honorable offices in that church, and left an impress up-
on those among whom he labored that will not soon be for-
gotten.
Mr. Ahimiaz Sherwin, for sixty-three years a resident
of Clevehind, leaves us a record honorable to himself, and
worthy of our imitation. He was one of Cleveland's earliest
builders and land purchasers, and may be justly ranked
among the most active promoters of Cleveland's growth and
prosperity; nor did his interest in this direction cease until
he was called to his heavenly state. Long will his kind and
genial spirit be cherished by those who knew him.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEER SPEECHES.
On call. for volunteer speeches, the following gentlemen
responded in an interesting manner: Dr. E. D. Burton, T.
D. Crocker, Esq., Hon. E,. C. Parsons and Mr. H. M. Addi-
son. The exercises of the day were then closed by singing
" The Early Settlers' Hymn" (tune Old Hundred), by the
quartette and audience:
THE EARLY SETTLERS' HYMN.
Still pilgrims in a favored land,
Who long have lingered on the way,
How blest to meet and grasp the hand,
And crown with joy our festive day ! —
And tell of years whose scenes return,
Like shadows on our pathway cast;
And catch from living lips that burn
The fleeting memories of the past.
And while we trace from whence we sprung,
And early friendships fain renew.
Still let us dream that we are young.
And though a dream, believe it true !
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 55
Nor days forget when first we heard
Life's battle-cry, and sought the field ;
When lofty aims our bosoms stirred,
And faith had armed us with her shield.
'Twas courage, then, with youthful zeal,
That led us onward, flushed with pride;
'Tis years, now ripe, that make us feel
How swiftly glides life's ebbing tide !
Yet while we here prolong our stay.
We'll keep our pledge of love and truth ;
And when we pass the darkened way.
Ascend and share immortal youth !
APPENDIX,
WHAT I RECOLLECT.
[COMMUNICATED.]
The writer of this article first saw Cleveland in 1811,
when a small boy. Then, what now is a grand and growing
city, could hardly be called a village. A few houses of the
primitive order located along Superior street between the
river and the Public Square, with here and there a temporary
dwelling in the bushy vicinity, gave but a slight indication that
it was the beginning of a future large city; or that there were
then some who would live to see Cleveland what she now is,
a great city, was not anticipated by any at that time.
My father settled between the two villages, Cleveland and
Newburgh, in April, 1812, which brought us into a position
to observe the various changes occurring in the two aspiring
villages from year to year.
I remember when there was no court house in Cleveland,
nor a church building in Cuyahoga county, nor a bridge across
the river from the outlet to Cuyahoga Falls. The outlet of
the river at that time was some 120 yards west of where it is
now, and was sometimes completely barred across with sand
by storms, so that men, having on low shoes, have walked
across without wetting their feet. A ferry at the foot of Su-
perior street, consisting of one flat boat and a skiff answered
the purpose to convey over the river all who desired for quite
a number of years.
When a boy I frequently visited the family of Dr. David
Long, living in a log house on the top of the hill in the rear
of where the American House now stands. The doctor's
premises extended from Superior street to the river. Who
would have dreamed in those days that the side-hill where the
60 ANNALS OF THE
doctor pastured his cows, would, in after years, be rendered so
entirely useless for the purpose it was then used for, by laying-
out streets (Champlain and Canal), and by digging a canal
across it, extending to the Ohio Kiver, and the ruin brought
on the doctor's garden-spot, by running Long street through it?
I recollect seeing, on the Public Square, the gallows of
John Omic, the Indian who was hung in 1812 for killing two
white men. That same year the first court house was built
by the late Captain Levi Johnson. It was located on the
Square about where the northwest fountain now is; the west
end of the lower story served for a jail, and the east end as a
residence for the jailor's family. The upper or second story
was the court-room.
In this building ex-Treasurer William Waterman's father
lived as jailor during several of the last years that the build-
ing remained on the ground.
In that-court room the Episcopalians held their meetings
before Trinity Church was built on the east corner of Seneca
and St. Clair, the Eev. Mr. Freeman being their pastor. At
the same time the Presbyterians occupied the old academy,
where engine house No. 1 now is; but before the academy was
built they met in a little frame school house on St. Clair
street, a little east of the Kennard. Revs. McLain and
Bradstreet were their first regular ministers. The father of
the late John Barr preached occasionally. The Baptists or-
ganized and occupied the academy after the Presbyterians had
moved to the third story of a house which your correspond-
ent helped to build for Dr. Long, where the American House
is. On the ground floor were two stores; one was occupied
by the firm of John McCurdy and Prentis Dow. McCurdy
had recently arrived from Connecticut, and Dow had been a
clerk for Irad Kelley. At that time there was but one public
cemetery in Cleveland. Its location was where Prospect
street and several lots south of Prospect intersect Ontario;
there had been quite a number of soldiers buried on the bank
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATIOy. 61
of the lake, not far from Ontario street, during the war of
1812-14, but subsequently the land slides carried them into
the Lake.
About the year 1836, the ambitious men of Cleveland
concluded that a better court house was a necessity; accord-
ingly, through their county commissioner, David Long, it
was resolved to have a house that would be a lasting ornament
to the place. Henry L. Noble was called to draw the plan.
The plan being satisfactory, the job was let to H. L. Noble
and George C. Hills, and the work commenced in the spring
of 1837. Esquire Stanley, of Tvvinsburg, was superintendent
of the mason work, and the second court house was erected on
the Square about where the southwest fount is. In 1837 came
the noted sickly season; the season that the water was let
into the northern division of the Ohio Canal; your corres-
pondent being one of the number who worked on the Court-
house, and remained Avell while most of the men and boys were
iinable to work, put in more days during that season than
any other hand.
About 1833, the village of Cleveland began to put on airs
and to enact and enforce municipal laws. John W. Allen
was elected mayor, and Marshall was elected marshal,
otc. This was the summer -that the cholera first made its ap-
pearance in Cleveland. A quarantine was established by
having a man stationed on the jiier day and night with a
loaded musket to intercept any vessel that should dare to
outer the harbor without a proper quarantine permit. Doctor
Cowles, brother to Samuel Cowles, attorney-at-laAV, and Doctor
Mcllvane, both having recently come to Cleveland, and board-
ing at C. L. Lathrop's, on Water street, were appointed a
board of health and visiting committee.
One afternoon the steamboat Henry Clay was seen head-
ing for the port of Cleveland, and on its being ascertained
that the cholera was on board, and not well men enough to
man the boat, she was permitted to tie up at the mouth of the
62 • ANNALS OF THE
river. Doctors Cowlos and Mcllvane went on board every
day for a few days and prescribed for the sick, and then the
boat was taken to Bhick Rock and tied up till the cholera
season was over.
On Christmas day, in 1825, there was a shooting match to
see who could win the most geese and chickens. Turkeys were
not much domesticated about Cleveland at that time, but
there were plenty of wild ones to be found within the present
corporation limits. The shooting was done from a rail fence
on the line of Superior street, where the front of McGillin's
store now is. From the fence southerly to the river the space
was clear of obstructions, except patches of bushes and scat-
tering stumps. A little west of the shooting position was the
blacksmith shop with the significant sign-board, '' Uncle
Abram Works Here," and the rack for shoeing oxen, that
stood by the side of the shop, indicated that " Uncle Abram's '^
(Hickox) sign told the truth. On the opposite side of the
street was the competing blacksmith. In the only newspaper
in Cleveland, a weekly, might be found this advertisement;
" David Burroughs may be found by the sign of the anchor
and the sound of the hammer."
That winter I went to school at the newly-built academy,
then standing where engine house No. 1 now stands, on St.
Clair street. The male pupils of that school, under the in-
struction of Harvey Rice, now President of the Early Settlers'
Association, were Jesse Pease, Albert Kingsbury, Louis Dib-
ble, Henry H. Dodge, Samuel Williamson, Henry Blair, Wol-
cott Bliss, Don Mcintosh, myself, and several whose names I
cannot recall. Of the females who attended that school fifty-
five years ago there were quite a number. One is still living
in the city, one in Rockport, this county, and one in Cincin-
nati. Seven of that school beside their teacher, are still living
that I know of. Whether any others survive I am unable to
say.
About the beginning of the summer of 1826 the Franklin
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 63
House was completed for a hotel, and about that time N. E.
Crittenden came to Cleveland and set up a watch and jewelry
establishment next door east of the Franklin, in a little one-
story brick, built by the Terhoeven Bros., to carry on brandy
making by a process kept secret by them. Crittenden's was
the first watch and jewelry store established in Cleveland, and,
though not very extensive, or rich in materials, its contents
attracted the attention of sight-seers, and many of the glitter-
ing gems were eagerly sought for, especially by some of the
lads and lasses, who liked to make a little display of fine
things. It is a good while since that store gave place to a larger
and better one through the energy and business capacity of
the late N. E. Crittenden.
Previous to building the Franklin House the site was occu-
pied by'a small one-and-a-half-story frame house, owned and
occupied by Philo Scovill. To make room for the Franklin,
which was to be a three-story frame building, the small house
was moved to H. L. Noble's lot, on the north side of the
Public Square, about half way between the Savings institu-
tion and Ontario street. That was the first and only home on
that side of the Square for over a year. In that house, which
consisted of one room on the first floor, which answered the
purpose of a kitchen, dining-room and parlor, with a bed-
room and pantry attached to it, and two small chambers up-
stairs, Henry L. and his wife Hopey Johnson Noble, first set
up housekeeping; and they also found room to board from one
to four men in Noble's employ. Subsequently they attained
to greater aflluence, but now they lie in Woodland Cemetery,
while year by year some of the few left who remember them
in 1826, follow after.
When I pass along the north side of the Square I some-
times try to locate the spot near the sidewalk where Noble's
well was. It was there I once had a little anxiety to know
how a certain occurrence might terminate. Preparatory to
occupying the new quarters, I was requested to go with a man
64 ANNALS OF THE
by the name of Jones, a well digger and cleaner, and assist in
cleaning the well. When we arrived at the well Jones drew
the water out, and then took from his pocket a pint bottle
full of whisky, uncorked it, put it to his lips, drank about
two-thirds, then set the bottle down and commenced descend-
ing the well, which was from twenty to twenty-five feet deep.
I had seen some big dram drinking in my boyhood excursions,
but that was the biggest swig I ever saw taken at one pull.
Then came trouble in my meditations. What to do was diffi-
cult to decide, I supposed that Jones, who was a heavy man,
would be helplessly intoxicated at the bottom of the well
before he could clean it and come out, and the water might
run in and drown him while I was after help to extricate him
from his impending fate. On mature deliberation I concluded
to stick by and watch the progress of affairs, and if any per-
sons came in sight, to notify them of the predicament of my
companion in the well. But as good luck would have it, Jones
was proof against two-thirds of a pint of the pure article to
start on. Be finished his job, came out and drank the re-
mainder of the pint, and then went away in a business-like
manner, in pursuit of another job.
It has been said that the first court house was built of
logs. This is a mistake. It was a frame, except the jail room
on the lower floor, which was constructed with logs notched
together and sided up like the other parts of the building. I
helped build the second court house, which was a brick
structure, and for that reason it was supposed it would outlast
a century. It occupied the ground where the south corner
fountain is, as many who saw it before it was taken down re-
member. All the doors and sash for it were made by hand,
and the flooring dressed by hand. There was no labor-saving
machinery to do a part of the work of carpenters when the
second court house was being constructed. We worked in
summer from sunrise to sunset, but were favored in June and
July with an hour nooning. Truly, times have changed, since
EARL Y SETTLERS' ASSO CIA TIOX. 65
a man can now do a legal day's work in from four to five
hours less time than was required when some of us were young
men. Of those employed on that building I am not certain
that I am not the last one living. If there are any to respond
who worked on the old brick court house, or on the old Trin-
ity Church in 1828, I would like to hear from them.
I. A. Morgan".
Cleveland, February 4, 1881.
THE OLDEST RESIDENT.
[Copied from the Sunday Voice].
•
John Doane, of Collamer, the oldest living pioneer of
Cuyahoga county, came to Cleveland in April, 1801. He was
born June 28, 1798, and consequently is now almost eighty-
three years of age, although he looks to be much younger. The
distinction of being the oldest male inhabitant of the county
invests Mr. Doane with public interest, and the facts regard-
ino- both his ancestors and his life while here will be read with
pleasure. Mr. Doane is descended from one of the oldest fam-
ilies in the country, and his family for generations has sup-
plied substantial and worthy members of the community.
While heredity does not possess the significance in this coun-
try that it does abroad, it is always a matter to be gratified at
that our ancestors have been useful men and good citizens.
The original John Doane, the founder of the Doane family
in this county, crossed the Atlantic in one of the first three
ships that sailed to Plymouth, landing at that famous spot in
the year 1630. A brother came after and settled in Canada,
and founded a family that now has numerous branches in the
Dominion. Another brother settled in Virginia, and also
founded an extensive connection.
E
66 AySALS OF THE
John Doaue, the ancestor, took a prominent and useful
part in the affairs of Plymouth colony, and in 1633 was chosen
assistant to Governor Winslow. Subsequently in 1639 he was
chosen one of the Commissioners to revise the laws. In 1642
he was again made assistant to the Governor, and in 1647 and
for several years succeeding he was elected Deputy to the Col-
ony Court. In addition to the civil offices which he held he
was made a deacon in the church at Plymouth and at East-
ham. He died in 1 685 at the advanced age of ninety-five
years. His wife's name was Abigail, and by her he had five
children — Lydia, Abigail, John, Ephraim and Daniel. All of
these were the progenitors of large families, whose descend-
ants are numerous in that section.
Daniel Doane had four, children by his first wife, among
Avhom was Joseph Doane, who was born June 27th, 1669, three
years after the fire and plague of London.
Joseph had twelve children by two wives. He was a dea-
con of the church at Eastham for forty years, and was a pious
and God-fearing man. His first child was named Mary, after
her mother, and the second Joseph, after the father.
Joseph Jr., was born November 15th, 1693, and married
Deborah Haddock, September 30th, 1725. He moved to Mid-
dle Haddam, near Middletown, on the Connecticut river, and
there engaged in ship building. His children were Joseph,
Nathaniel, Seth, Eunice and Phineas. Seth was born June
9th, 1733, and married Mercy Parker, February 23d, 1758.
"Both died in 1803. They had nine children, Seth, Timothy,
Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Job (died early), Mercy, Job, John M.
and Deborah. The two Seth Doanes, father and son, were
taken prisoners by the British from a merchant vessel in 1776,
during the Eevolutionary war, the father, at the time, being
mate of the vessel on which he was captured. They were re-
leased in 1777, and soon after the younger Seth died from
sickness contracted while a prisoner and due to his captivity.
Nearlv all of these children came west and settled in and
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 67
around Cleveland. Nathaniel was the iirst Doane to reach
this vicinity. He came here in 1796 with a surveying party,
and in 1798 moved with his family. The route of emigration
was down the Connecticut river, along the coast by vessel to
New York, up the Hudson river, across by land to Lake On-
tario, and thence by boat to the mouth of Cuyahoga river.
The family lived in the then little village of Cleveland, until
the next fall, when they removed to what is now East Cleve-
land, settling at the " Corners," just this side of Wade Park.
The children of Nathaniel Doane were Sarah, Job (died
young). Job, Delia, Nathaniel and Mercy. W. H. Doane, of
Cleveland, is a son of Job Doane.
Timothy Doane moved from Connecticut to Herkimer
county, New York, about the year 1794. In 1801 he followed
his brother Nathaniel to Cleveland, arriving here in April.
On the way he stopped at Fairport, where the boat on which
he had journeyed from Buffalo stopped. From Fairport he
and his family performed the journey on horseback to Cleve-
land. Timothy's family consisted of himself and wife, and
six children — Nancy, Seth, Timothy, Mary, Deborah and
John. Of these only one besides John is living — Deborah,
'the mother of T. D. Crocker, who was born January
14, 1796. Nancy Doane married Samuel Dodge, the father
of General H. H. and George C. Dodge. Seth married
Lucy Clark, and was the father of David Clark Doane, Mar-
garet A., wife of A. S. Gardner, and Seth Cary Doane. Chil-
dren of each of them reside in Cleveland. Timothy had eleven
children, whose descendants reside mostly in East Cleveland.
John, the subject of the present sketch, was born in 1798,
and having been brought to Cleveland in 1801, has been a res-
ident here for 78 years. There were only a few log huts
here at the time, and the country was very wild. It is a
somewhat noteworthy circumstance that he has lived within
one hundred yards of the same spot where he now resides since
1801.
G8 AyXAL.S OF THE
111 January, 1829, John married Olivia Baldwin, who lived
but a short time. In September, 1832, he married Sophia
Taylor, and by her had six children — Mary S., Abigail Corde-
lia, Edward B., Anna 0., Harriet S. , and John Willis, all of
whom are living and reside in or near Cleveland.
He has been a -^vitness of all the principal events of local
interest from the building of the first frame house in the
county to the present time. He saw the Indian Oniic hung
in 1812, and has a distinct recollection of the event, as it oc-
curred on the Square, nearly in front of where J. M. Eichards
& Co.'s establishment is now. A storm came on during the
hanging of Omic, and he was cut down and the body put into
a box, which, it was afterward ascertained, the doctors got
hold of at night.
Mr. Doane has been a Republican in politics ever since the
organization of the party. He has never taken an active in-
terest in politics, to which is probably due much of his good
health and peace of mind. He is to-day one of the most ac-
tive old men in the county. He gets around in a lively man-
ner, and is generally on the go. He has never used tobacco
in any form, nor has he ever indulged in ardent spirits. He
attributes his longevity and health to daily exercise and regu-
lar habits.
Mr. Doane's present home is just east of the Euclid Ave-
nue House, while the old Doane farm, where he lived so many
years, is directly opposite.
The majority of Doanes in this section spell their names
without the final letter of the original name; a custom that
was introduced some fifty or more years since, and has been
kept up by all the families here excej^t by the descendants
of John Doane.
EABLY SETTLEES- ASSOCIATIoy. 69
LETTER FROM MR. T. D. CROCKER.
Cleveland, 0., August 9, 1881.
Hon. Harvey Rice,
Dear Sir: Yours of the 27th ult., asking me to furnish
the '' Early Settlers' Association " with the substance of my
remarks at the meeting on the 22d of July, Avas received on
my return from Chicago. After narrating some of my early
recollections of Cleveland and its vicinity, I gave, in substance,
the experience of my grandfather on the maternal side.
Judge Timothy Doane, in migrating to this part of the then
Northwestern Territory. Mr. Doane was ,born in Middle
Haddam, in the State of Connecticut, in about the year 1757.
His father, Seth Doane, owned and sailed, as the captain, a
merchant vessel to foreign ports. He carried his son, Tim-
othy Doane, when about the age of fifteen years, to sea, and
taught him the science of navigation; and, at the age of twen-
ty-two, he (Timothy Doane) was well qualified to sail a vessel
as master, and he took the place of his father, who left the
ocean. When about thirty years of age, he was the owner of
the vessel he sailed, and continued in that business, trading
in France, Spain, and the West Indies. He not only became
the owner of the vessel but of the cargo also, and had de-
cided to leave the ocean when he was at the age of forty.
On his home-bound voyage he encountered a severe storm,
and the only means of saving the ship was to throw over its
cargo, consisting mostly of sugar, molasses and coffee, and
then, as a last resort, to cut away the masts. The hull then
floated until they almost despaired of life — the hull being in a
leaky condition. Their signal of distress was at last seen by a
vessel, Avhich took them off. When he reached home he said
to his wife that he had lost all. His wife replied that she
was willing it should all go if he would leave the sea, and not
take his sons. Soon after that he left for Herkimer county,
New York. My mother, Mrs. Deborah Crocker, a daughter
70 AXXALS OF THE
of Judge Timothy Doane, was born in Herkimer county, on
the 11th day of January, 1796, and John Doane, Esq., of
East Cleveland, the youngest of the family, was born on the
21st day of June, 1798, and both are present to-day.
The hardships endured by Timothy Doane prior to this
time well fitted him for a pioneer settler of the Northwestern
Territory, and on the 11th day of January, 1801, he started
with his family, for Cleveland. They were taken in a two-
horse sleigh to Buffalo; his household goods Avere cdnvej^ed in
a large sled, drawn by two yoke of oxen, ' One yoke of oxen
and the sled were owned by the man whom he hired to assist
him, and who returned home after he had landed them in
Buffalo. The sleigh in which the familv came was taken to
pieces at Buffalo, and brought here on the boat, and was sup-
posed to be the first one brought to this country.
On reaching Buffalo they found the lake open, the winter
having been very mild. It being the general opinion in Buf-
falo that the lake would be frozen over in February, Mr.
Doane decided to leave his family at Buffalo and proceed
to Cleveland with his horses, oxen and young cattle. Before
leaving he made arrangements for his family to leave for
Cleveland when the weather and condition of the lake would
permit. There was no wagon road between Buffalo and
Cleveland at that time, only an Indian trail. He took with
him corn to feed his stock on the way, and clothing for him-
self and son Timothy, Jr., who accompanied him. The
eldest of the family, Seth, with Nathaniel, his uncle, had pre-
ceded the family some two years. In crossing the streams,
they placed their portmanteaus, containing their clothing,
etc., on the horns of the cattle, to prevent them being wet.
They swim, as it is known, with a high head. When the
lake would permit them they traveled on the beach, and
when it would not, they would drive the stock on the
bank, keeping the lake in sight as their guide. In crossing
one stream which was very wide, and much swollen, Mr.
EABZr SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. . 71
Doaiie had to swim his horse, and lead each animal into the
water, which was so cold that they utterly refused to be driven
into it. He crossed and recrossed the stream thirteen times.
When across, they built a fire by means of an old, tinder box
and flint, by which they dried their clothing.
In March the rest of the family left Buffalo, with their
goods and provisions, in an open boat, rowed by two Indians
and two white men, pursuing their Journey westerly, land-
ing every night, pulling up the boat on the beach, pitching
their tent on the bank, and building their camp fire, making
their beds, and cooking their meals. About the time tliey
reached Erie, then called Presque Isle, Mr. Doane and his
brother met them. When off the mouth of Grand Kiver,
near what is now the town of Painesville, Judge Walworth
and General Paine, early settlers of that country, who daily
went to the bank of the lake to see if there were any immi-
grants in distress, or in need of assistance, saw this boat, and
that there was a storm approaching. They signalled them to
come ashore, and about the time the signal was hoisted, the
Indians discovered the approach of the storm, and they headed
towards shore. The beach would not admit of landing until
they were near the current of the river, which, coming in
contact with the waves, swamped the boat. Mr. Doane car-
ried his wife ashore; his brother, the white men and Indians
carried the children. In a short time the tent washed ashore,
which they immediately pitched for their accommodation;
then came the beds and bedding, which had been closely
rolled and corded; then their year's supply of flour, and all
the light articles. In the morning, after the storm had sub-
sided, the Indians went out into the lake, righted the boat,
bailed it out, rolled out the barrels of pork and hams, and got
them ashore and gathered up the cooking utensils, then reload-
ed the boat, preparatory to resuming their journey. General
Paine and Judge AA'alworth came down in the morning to see
how they were situated. Mrs. Doane declined going in the
72 AyyALs of the
boat again, if horses could be obtained to come by land, which
were tendered to them by the said gentlemen. Mrs. Doane
and the younger children were placed in the care of his
brother Nathaniel, to come by land. Nancy Doane, the eld-
est child, and mother of General H. H. Dodge and George C.
Dodge, the treasurer of this Association, said, " I will go
with father," and she accompanied her father in the boat.
Mr. Doane proceeded on his journey with the boat. When
Mrs. Doane, and the younger members of the family,
reached Chagrin Eiver, they found it swollen, and full to the
banks. Mrs. Doane asked her brother \\o^v they could cross,
he said to her, there is a man on the other side of the river,
named Abbott, who has a canoe; he will ferry us across.
When they reached the east bank, and were discovered by Mr.
Abbott, he pushed out his little frail bark into the angry
stream; the current carried him down, and he landed on the
other side a quarter of a mile below the place from which he
had started, and then rowed up stream to Mr. Doane, and in-
formed him that he could take but one at a time. Mrs.
Doane' s heart almost sank Avithin her when she saw the
rapid current and the frail canoe that was to take them
over, saying that she might as well have risked her life, and
that of the family, in the boat on the lake. She decided to
venture first, and stepped into the little canoe, and seated
herself in the bottom, taking hold of each side of the boat
with her hands. Thus he continued to cross, and recross,
until all Avere over. The horses Avere driven into the riA'er
and swam across; it taking more than half a day to convey
them over. They were three days in going from Painesville
to Cleveland. The boat in which Mr, Doane came reached
Cleveland at the same time. They were three weeks in per-
forming the journey from Buffalo to Cleveland. At that
time there Avere only four log cabins in Cleveland, occupied
by Major Carter, Mr. Spafford, Mr. David Clark, and Mr.
Stiles. All Avest of Cuyahoga RiA'er Avas Indian Territory.
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 73
Mr. Timothy Doane settled in Euclid, now East Cleve-
land. The Indians camped on Mr. Doane' s premises, occu-
pying during winter a portion east of the Cuyahoga River, as
hunting ground. Mr. Doane never turned them away hun-
gry; never refused them lodging, Indian fashion, around liis
kitchen fire; and they, on the other hand, never committed
any depredations, but brought to Mr. Doane the first fish
caught in the spring, and the first fruit and game in its sea-
son. Mr. Doane regarded them as good neighbors.
My grandfather, Jedediah Crocker, emigrated from Lee,
Massachusetts, some nine years later; his family came in a
covered carriage, similar in style to a rockaway, and said to
have been the first one in this part of the country. His house-
hold goods were brought in a large covered wagon, drawn by
two yoke of oxen and one horse. The wagon was covered
with sole-leather, for use when here, and then a canvas over
that. He purchased a large tract of land in the vicinity of
what is now Collinwood, in this county, and also in the town-
ship of Dover.
"Among the articles brought into this country by Mr. Tim-
othy Doane, was a box of glass, seven inches by nine in size,
for the windows of his log house; but finding no one Avho
could make the sash, they used oiled paper tacked on striiDs of
board instead.
How changed the present mode of traveling, and what im-
provements those now living who came here in 1801 have
seen.
Respectfully,
T. D. Crockee.
74 ANNALS OF THE
CLEVELAND WHEN A VILLAGE.
[CONTRIBUTED BY ARA SPRAGUE.]
Mr. President:
Tliougli not a member of your Society, I was, in my earlier
days, a resident of Cleveland. I emigrated from St. Lawrence
county, N. Y., in 1818, with a full determination to earn my
own living, and make my home in Ohio. I stopped at Ash-
tabula, but was not satisfied with that location, and strapped
my knapsack on my back, and started for Cleveland. There
were only two buildings (and those log) between Doan's cor-
ners and the Public Square. I arrived in Cleveland, April 9,
1818, a few weeks after the first census had been taken. Its
population was at that time but one hundred and seventy-two
souls; all poor, and struggling hard to keep soul and body
together. Small change was very scarce. They used what
were called corporation shinplasters, as a substitute. The in-
habitants were mostly New England people, aud seemed to be
living in a wilderness of scrub oaks. Only thirty or forty
acres had been cleared. Most of the occupied town lots were
fenced with rails. I put up at Howe's tavern, on the corner
of Water and Superior streets. In one room of that building
the first newspaper was printed. It was a small paper, some-
thing larger than a sheet of foolscap, but it answered the
j)urpose for the times and business of the village. At that
time the clearing extended from the foot of Superior lane (so-
called) east a few rods beyond the square. About where the
Gushing block now stands were four or five small dwellings,
inhabited by a difEerent class from the rest. This locality
was called ''Podunk," and directly back of these buildings
was the first burying ground. At that time there were two
.taverns, one kept by Mr. Howe, and the other by Mr, Wallace.
Noble H.Merwin was buildino- what was then called a lars^e
hotel, on the corner of South Water and Superior streets,
which opened in 1819. There were three stores, Elisha Tay-
lor's, Irad Kelley's, and Nathan Perry's, and also one small
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 75
grocery; two physicians, Drs. Long and Mcintosh; two lawyers,
Leonard Case and Alfred Kelley. Aslihel W. Walworth was
justice of the peace. Ben Tuell was constable, and worked
at the jewelry business. Mr. Walworth was a hatter; Dea-
con Hamlin and Philo Scovill were carpenters; Moses White
was a tailor; George Kirke was a shoemaker; Matliew Wil-
liamson owned a tannery at the foot of Union lane, (so I
did); two blacksmiths, David Burroughs and Abram Hickox;
and Christopher Gunn kept the ferry. These comprised the
professions and tradesmen at that time. As yet no minister
of the gospel had arrived, nor had a church edifice been built.
One small school-house and a brick academy,, however, had
been erected; in the latter, religious services were sometimes
held on the Sabbath. In 1819 courts were held in the cham-
ber of the log jail, as no court house was yet built. There
were three warehouses on the river, N. H. Merwin's, Levi
Johnson's, and Mr. Gaylord's; but very little commercial
business was done, however, as there was no harbor at that
time. All freight and passengers were landed on the beach
by lighters and small boats. To get freight to the ware-
houses, which Avere a quarter of a mile from the beach, we
had to roll it over the sand ten or fifteen rods, and load it
into canal boats. The price of freight from Buffalo to Cleve-
land was $L00 per barrel; the price of passage on vessels,
$10.00, and on steamboats $20.00. In 1822, Mr. Merwin
built a small schooner called the Minerva; it was the first
one launched into the Cuyahoga Eiver. It was sailed by
Capt. Clifford Belden. I took passage on her to Buffalo, on
her first trip; soon afterward, Mr. William Jones built a small
schooner, called the Ann. In 1825, Mr. Whittlesey, a member
of Congress, got an api:)ropriation of $5,000 for the improve-
ment of the harbor, and Mr. Ackley, as contractor, superin-
tended the commencement of the pier, and sank twelve cribs
during that year. In 1826, I superintended Avork on the
harbor, under Capt. Morrice, and sank thirty-one cribs, and
76 AyjVALS OF THE
drove piles across the old river-bed, and filled them in with
brnsh and stone, which increased the water in the new
channel. In the fall of 1826, I piloted the Henry Clay into
the harbor, she being the first steamboat that entered the
Cnyahoga River. In the spring of 1827, I helped set out the
first shade trees on the north side of the park. In July of
the same year, the opening of the Ohio canal, between Cleve-
land and Akron, was celebrated; all rejoiced, and nobody
dreamed of the terrible reaction that was soon to take place by
sickness and death. In July and August an epidemic of ty-
phoid fever prevailed, caused by malaria arising from the
digging of the canal basin; there were hardly well ones enough
to take care of the sick. There were seventeen deaths in less
than two months. A terrible depression of spirits and stagna-
tion of business ensued. The whole corporation could have
been bought for what one lot would now cost on Superior
street. For two months I gave up all business. I went from
house to house to look after the sick and their uncared for
business. For one month, every day, I carried Mrs. Wal-
worth's little babe to Mrs. Hamlin's to nurse; Mrs. Walworth
was not expected to live, and her husband was also sick. At
the same time. Dr. Long, his wife and daughter Mary, were
sick. At the Franklin, where I boarded, were two young men
sick, by the name of Hall and Opdyke; they had the contract
for excavating the canal basin, and owned a clothing store.
Dr. Mcintosh said nothing but the best of care would save
them. I took care of them nights, and looked after their
store, and others that were sick, through the day. For over
a month I did not take off my clothes to go to bed. I took
my sleep in a chair, or on the floor, ready for the first call.
People were generally discouraged and anxious to leave. I will
give the history of one, as I had it from both her and her hus-
band. She said she left a good home and kind friends, much
against her own wishes, to folloAV her husband to Cleveland.
He landed in 1821, at the foot of Superior street, with his
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 77
small effects, wife and baby, with fifty cents in his pocket.
She, worn out by the fatigue of a long tedious journey, and
sea-sickness on the lake, sat down on a trunk to await the
depositing of their goods in the warehouse. Tears were her
only relief, and she said death would have been a welcome
messenger. Her husband did not realize his expectations,
and wanted to return. She said, no. She had been fool
enough to follow him to Cleveland, and she did not propose to
bear the chagrin of returning; he could go back, if he wished,
but she should stay, live or die, telling him that " a rolling
stone gathers no moss." They lived it through, and died
worth their "thousands."
There are three other women of whom I wish to make
special mention, that I found at Cleveland in 1818. They
were all church members, and lived consistent Christian
lives. In goodness they were the salt of the earth: Mrs.
Leonard Case, Mrs. Dr. Long, and Mrs. Ashbel Walworth.
Well may their children be proud of them, and cherish in
memory their kind acts and benevolent deeds, many of which
I might mention. I have no doubt there were others equally
good among the 178 souls. Peter M. Weddell and I have
killed deer, foxes and squirrels, wild geese, ducks and turkeys,
not one mile from where the Weddell House now stands. I
have seen the population of Cleveland increase from 172 souls,
to its present estimation, about 172,000, and still its grow^tli
seems as rapid as at any former period. I have visited Cleve-
land every year since my removal from there many years ago.
I now reside at Mentor, Lake county, the far-famed home of
President Garfield. I do not expect I shall ever visit Cleve-
land again. I am now nearly eighty-eight, and very feeble,
and must soon pass the portals through which my old associ-
ates have passed — to a " home Jiot made Avith hands."
Mentor, July 4, 1881.
CONSTITUTION.
ADOPTED, AS AMENDED, JANUARY lO, 18SO.
ARTICLE I.
This Association shall be known as the ''Early Settlers'
Association of Cuyahoga County," and its members shall
consist of snch persons as have resided in the Western Reserve
at least forty years, and are citizens of Cuyahoga county, and
who shall subscribe to this Constitution and pay a member-
ship fee of one dollar, but shall not be subject to further lia-
bility.
ARTICLE 11.
The officers of this Association shall consist of a President,
two Vice Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer, with the addi-
tion of an Executive Committee of not less than five persons,
all of which officers shall be members of the Association and
hold their offices for one year, and until their successors are
duly appointed and they accept their appointments.
ARTICLE IIL
The object of the Association shall be to meet in conven-
tion on the 22d day of July, or the following day if the 22d
fall on Sunday, each and every year, for the purpose of com-
memorating the day with appropriate public exercises, and
bringing the members into more intimate social relations, and
80 AX\ALS OF THE
collecting all such facts, incidents, relics, and personal rem-
iniscences respecting the early history and settlement of the
county and other parts of the Western Eeserve, as may be re-
garded of permanent vahie, and transferring the same to the
Western Eeserve Historical Society for preservation; and also
for the further purpose of electing oflBcers and transacting
such other business of the Association as may be required.
ARTICLE IV.
It shall be the duty of the President to preside at public
meetings of the Association, and in his absence the like duty
shall devolve upon one of the Vice Presidents. The Secretary
shall record in a book for the purpose the pi-oceedings of the
Association, the names of the members in alphabetical order,
with the ages and time of residence at the date of becoming
members, and conduct the necessary correspondence of the
Association. He shall also be regarded as an additional mem-
ber, ex-officio, of the Executive Committee, and may consult
■with them but have no vote. The Treasurer shall receive and
pay out all the moneys belonging to the Association, but no
moneys shall be paid out except on the joint order of the
Chairman of the Executive Committee and Secretary of the
Association. No debt shall be incurred against the Associa-
tion by any officer or member beyond its ready means of pay-
ment.
ARTICLE V.
The Executive Committee shall have the general supervi-
sion and direction of the affairs of the Association, designate
the hour and place of holding its annual meetings, and pub-
lish due notice thereof, with a programme of exercises. The
committee shall also have power to fill vacancies that may occur
in their own body or in any other office of the Association,
until the Association at a regular meeting shall fill the same,
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 81
and shall appoint such number of subordinate committees as
they may deem expedient. It shall also be their duty to re-
port to the Association at its regular annual meetings the con-
dition of its affairs, its success and prospects, witli such other
matter as they may deem important. They shall also see that
the annual proceedings of the Association, including such
other valuable information as they may have received, are
properly prepared and published in pamphlet form, and gra-
tuitously distributed to the members of the Association, as
soon as practicable after each annual meeting.
ARTICLE VI.
At any annual or special meeting of the Association the
presence of twenty members shall constitute a quorum. No
special meetings shall be held, except for business purposes
and on call of the Executive Committee. This Constitution
may be attested or amended at any regular annual meeting of
the Association on a three-fourths vote of all the members
present, and shall take effect, as amended, from the date of its
adoption. The former Constitution of Nov. 19, 1879, is hereby
abolished.
A Complete List
Of the Members of the Association since its Organi-
zation, November 19, 1879, to October 1, 1881
—Total 390— With the Addition of Three
Honorary Members, Received by
Unanimous Consent,
NAME,
WHEKE BORN,
WHEN,
CAME TO
THE RESERVE,
DIED.
Andrews, S. J.
Connecticut,
1801
1835
1880
Allen, J. W.
Connecticut,
1803
1835
• • ■ •
Adams, S. E.
New York,
1818
1837
Adams, Darius
Ohio,
1810
1810
• • • •
Ackley, J. M.
Ohio,
1835
1835
• • • •
Abbey, Seth A.
New York,
1798
1831
1880
Addison, H. M.
Ohio,
1818
1818
• . . .
Adams, Mrs. Mary A.
Ohio,
1811
1811
. . * .
Andrews, Mrs. J. A.
Ohio,
1816
1816
. • ■ .
Adams, W. K.
New York,
1813
1831
• ■ • •
Anthony, Ambrose
Massachusetts,
1810
1834
• ■ > •
Adams, Mrs. E. E.
Ohio,
1836
1836
• > > .
Atwell C. K.
New York,
1813
1817
. • • •
Adams, G. H.
England,
1831
1840
....
Avery, J. T., Rev,
New York,
1810
1839
....
Angell, George,
Germany,
1830
1838
. . . .
Bingham, Elijah
New Hampshire,
1800
1835
1881
Burnham, Mrs. M. W.
Massachusetts,
1808
1838
, , • ,
Baldwin, Dudley
New York,
1809
1819
. . , ,
Bailey, Eobert
. . , .
1834
, . . .
Burgess, Solon
Vermont,
1817
1819
, . , .
Burton, Dr, E. D.
Ohio,
1835
1835
....
Burgess, L. F.
Ohio,
1833
1833
, , , .
Bull, L. S.
Connecticut,
1813
1830
. . , .
Beers, D. A.
New Jersey,
1816
1818
1880
84
AKXALS OF THE
NAME.
Bliss, Stoughton
Benedict, L. D.
Borges, J. F.
Bury, Tlieodore
Beverlin, John
Brett, J. W.
Bowler, N. P.
Buhrer, Mrs. Stephen
Bishop, J. P
Bishop, Mrs. E. W.
Beardsley, I. L.
Burnham, Thos.
Bingham, William
Brooks, O. A.
Barber, Mrs. J. T.
Burwell, G. P.
Burwell, Mrs. L. C.
Branch, Dr. D. G.
Bartlett, Nicholas
Babcock, Chas. H.
Barber, Josiah
Brayton, H. F.
Bander, Levi
Bowler, William
Beavis, B. R.
Blossom, H. C.
Beers, L. F.
Bander, L. F.
Bingham, E. Beardsley
Butts, Bolivar
Benham, F. M.
Burns, Mrs. F. M .
Butts, S. C.
Brooks, S. C.
Baldwin, N. C .
Blair, Elizabeth,
Blair, Mary Jane,
Burke, O. M.
Burton, Mrs. Abby P.
Gaboon, Joel B.
WHERE BOEN.
WUEX.
CAME TO
THE RESERVE
Ohio,
1833
1823
Vermont,
1837
1830
Germany,
New York,
1810
• • • •
1835
1839
Pennsylvania,
England,
1813'
1816
1834
1838
New York,
1830
1839
Germany,
Vermont,
1838
1815
1840
1836
Ohio,
1831
1821
New York,
1819
1838
New York,
1808
1833
Connecticut,
1816
1836
Vermont,
1814
1834
New Hampshire,
Connecticut,
1804
1817
1818
1830
Pennsylvania,
Vermont,
1830
1805
1824
1833
Massachusetts,
1823
1833
Connecticut,
1833
1834 .
Ohio,
1835
1825
New York,
1812
1836
New York,
1813
1834
New York,
1822
1833
England,
1826
1834
Ohio,
1822
1822
Ohio,
1823
1823
Ohio,
1840
1840
Ohio,
1826
1826
New York,
1826
1840
Connecticut,
1801
1811
Ohio,
1833
1832
New York,
1794
1840
Ohio,
1830
1820
Connecticut,
1802
1816
Ohio,
1818
1818
Ohio,
1820
1820
Ohio,
1823
1833
Vermont,
1805
1834
New York,
1793
1810
1880
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION,
85
NAME.
WHERE BOEN.
WHEN.
CAME TO
THE KESEKVE, DIED,
Cox, John
England,
. • • •
1887
Corlett, Wm. K.
• • • •
1837
Coe, S. S.
....
1837
Cross, David W.
New York,
■ . . •
1836
Cowles, Edwin
Ohio,
. . • •
1832
Cottrell, L. Dow
New York,
1811
1835
Corlett, John
Isle of Man,
1816
1836
Cook, W. P.
New York,
1825
1838
Cleveland, J. D.
New York,
1832
1835
Clark, James F.
New York,
1809
1833
Clark, Aaron
Connecticut,
1811
1832 1881
Carlton, C. C.
Connecticut,
1812
1831
Cozad, Elias
New Jersey,
1790
1808 1880
Cutter, 0. P,
Ohio,
1824
1824
Corlett, Thomas
Isle of Man,
1820
1827
Crittenden, Mrs. M. A,
New York,
1802
1827
Chapman, H. M .
Ohio,
1830
1830
Christian, James
Isle of Man,
1810
1838
Carson, Marshal
New York,
1810
1834
Craw, William V.
New York,
1810
1832
Crawford, Lucian
Ohio,
1828
1828
Crosby, Thomas D .
Massachusetts,
1804
1811
Colahan, Samuel
Canada,
1808
1814
Curtiss, L. W.
New York,
1817
1834
Crocker, Mrs. D .
New York,
1796
1801
Cushman, Mrs . H.
Ohio,
1830
1820
Chapman, G. L.
Connecticut,
1795
1819
Chapman, Mrs. G. L.
New Hampshire,
1805
1837
Corlett. Mrs. M. H.
New York,
1839
1833
Cottrell, Mrs. L. D.
New York,
1811
1833
Dodge, George C.
Ohio,
1818
1813
Dodge, H. H.
Ohio,
1810
1810
Dodge, Wilson S.
Ohio,
1839
1839
Detmer, G. H.
Germany,
1801
1835
Doan, W. H.
Ohio,
1838
1828
Doan, Mrs. C. L.
Connecticut,
1816
1834
Dibble, Lewis
New York,
1807
1812
Duty, D. W.
New Hampshire,
1804
1825
Doan, John
New York,
1798
1801
Dockstader, C. J.
Ohio,
1838
1838
86
AA^SALS OF TEE
NAME,
WHEKE BORN,
WHEN.
CAME TO
THE EESEEVE. DIED.
Doan, J. W.
Ohio,
1833
1833
Dunham, D. B.
New York,
....
1831
Dentzer, Daniel
Germany,
1815
1833
Dodge, Mrs. G. C.
Vermont,
1817
1830
Doan, George
Ohio,
1838
1838
Davidson, C. A.
Ohio,
1837
1837
Diemer, Peter
Germany,
1837
1840
Dutton, Dr. C. F.
New York,
1831
1837
Day, L. A.
Ohio,
1813
■ ■ ■ • ....
Dunn, Mrs. E. Ann
England,
1806
1834
Dunn, Mrs. Elizabeth
New York,
1838
1834
Diebold, Fred
Ohio,
1840
1840
Doan, Seth C.
Ohio,
1819
1819
Davis, L. L.
Connecticut,
1793
1839
Davis, Mrs. Cynthia
Pennsylvania,
1818
1839
Edwards, R.
Ohio,
1818
1818
Erwin, John
New York,
1808
1835
Emerson, Oliver
Maine,
1804
1831
Flint, E. S.
Ohio,
1819
1838
Fitch, J. W.
New York,
1833
1836
Foot John A.
Connecticut,
1803
1833
Foot, Mrs. John A.
Pennsylvania,
1816
1833
Fuller, William
Connecticut,
1814
1836
Fitch, James
New York,
1821
1837
Foot, A. E.
Connecticut,
1810
1830
Flint, Mrs. E. S.
New York
1834
1830
Ford, L. W.
Massachusetts,
1830
1841
Foljambe, Samuel
England,
1804
1834
Ferris, William
Pennsylvania,
1808
1815
Fish, Electa
New York,
1808
1811
Gill, Mrs. M. A.
Isle of Man,
1813
1837
Gaylord, E. F.
Connecticut,
1795
1834
Gardner, George W.
Massacliusetts,
1834
1837
Gordon, Wm. J.
New Jersey,
1818
1835
Greenhalgh, R.
England,
1838
1840
Gorham, J. H.
Connecticut,
1807
1838
Gayton, Mrs. M. A.
England,
1808
1833
Gaylord, Mrs. E. F.
New York,
1801
1834
Goodwin, William
Ohio,
1838
1838
Giddings, Mrs. C. M.
Michigan,
....
EAELY SETTLERS- ASSOCIATION.
87
NAMB,
WHERE BORN,
WHEN.
CAME TO
THE RESERVE, DIED,
Gibbons, James,
Ohio,
1840
1840
Gibbons, Mrs. M. B.
Ireland,
1839
1838
Gaylord, H. C.
Connecticut,
1826
1834
Gardner, A. S.
Vermont,
1809
1818
Gardner, Mrs. A S.
Ohio,
1814
1814
Graham, Robert
Pennsylvania,
1814
1834
Greene, S. C.
Ohio,
1822
1841
Herrick, R, R.
New York,
1826
1836
Hessenmueller, E.
Germany,
• ■ •
1836
Hills, N. C.
Vermont,
1805
1831 ....
Hills, Mrs. N. C.
New York,
1811
1831
Handy, T. P.
New York,
1807
1832
Hudson, W. P.
Ohio,
1820
1820
Heil, Henry,
Germany,
1810
1832
Hubbell, H. S.
Ohio,
1832
1832
Hubby, L. M.
New York,
1812
1839
Hickox, Chas.
Connecticut,
1810
1837
Howard, A. D.
Connecticut,
1803
1834
Honeywell, Ezra
New York,
1802
1831
Harris, B. C.
Ohio,
1832
1832
Hudson, D. D.
Pennsylvania,
1824
1837
Heisel, N.
Germany,
1816
1834
Hayden, A. S.
Ohio,
1813
1835 1880
Harris, Mrs. J. A.
Massachusetts,
1810
1837
Harris, B. E.
Ohio,
1838
1838
Hurlbut, H. B.
New York,
1818
1836
Hurlbut, Mrs. H. B.
New York,
1818
1836
Hughes, Arthur
Vermont,
1807
1840
Hudson, Mrs. C. Ingersol
I Ohio,
1819
1819
Hawkins, H. C.
Ohio,
1823
1822
House, Martin
Ohio,
1835
1835
Haltnorth, Mrs. G.
Prussia,
1819
1836
Hird, Thomas
England,
1808
1830
Hastings, S. L.
Massachusetts,
1813
1836
Harper, E. R.
Ohio,
1813
1816
Henry, R. W.
New York,
1809
1818
Ingham, W. A.
....
1832
Johnson, Mrs. L. D.
Ohio,
1835
1834
Jones, Thos., Jr.
England,
1821
1831
Jewett, A. A.
....
1831
88
ANNALS OF THE
Johnson, P. L.
Jaynes, Harris
Jackson, Chas.
Jones, W. S.
Johnson, W. C.
Johnson A. M.
Jayred, Wm. H.
Keller, Henry ^
Kellogg, A.
Kelley, Horace
Kelly, John
Kingsburj^ Jas. W.
Keyser, James
Keyser, Mrs. James
Kannell, William
Kennell. John S.
Lewis, Sanford J.
Lewis, Chittenden
Lathrop, C. L.
Lowman, Jacob
Lyon, R. T.
Lamb, Mrs. D. W.
Leonard, Jarvis
Lyon, S. S.
Layman, S. H.
Lewis, G. F.
Lee, Mrs. R.
Lemen, Catherine
Lathrop, W. A.
Lyon, Mrs. S. S.
Minor, Marion
Morgan, A. W.
Morgan, Y. L.
Morgan, E. P.
Myer, Nicholas
Mackenzie, C. S.
Mygatt, George
Mcintosh, Mrs. A.
Mcintosh, A.
Mcllrath, M. S.
WHBBB BOBN, WHKK.
Ohio, 1823
Ohio, 1835
England, 1839
Ohio, 1837
Connecticut, 1813
Ohio, 1823
New Jersey, 1831
Germany, 1810
Ohio,
1819
Pennsylvania,
1809
Ohio,
1813
New York,
1818
Ohio,
1821
Isle of Man,
1811
Isle of Man,
1801
New York,
1823
New York,
1800
Connecticut,
1804
Illinois,
1819
Massachusetts,
• • B •
Vermont,
1810
Connecticut,
1817
Ohio,
1819
New York,
1823
Ohio,
1837
Ohio,
1811
New Hampshire,
1813
Ohio,
1833
New York,
1825
Ohio,
1815
Connecticut,
1797
....
Germany,
Maryland,
Connecticut,
Scotland,
Scotland,
New Jersey,
1809
1809
1797
1809
1808
CAME TO
THE BKSKBVK,
1823
1835
1835
1837
1835
1823
1833
1832
1820
1819
1832
1813
1832
1831
1837
1838
1837
1837
1831
1832
1824
1837
1834
1818
1831
1837
1837
1820
1816
1823
1831
1815
1811
1840
1834
, 1836
1807
1836
1836
EARLY SETTLEES' ASSOCIATIOy,
89
NAME.
WHEKE BOBN,
WHEN.
OAME TO
THE KESEBVE. DIED.
Miller, Mrs. M.
Ohio,
1809
1820
Marshall , George F.
New York,
1817
1836
Morgan, I, A.
Connecticut,
1809
1811
Miller, William L.
Ohio,
1829
1829
Merchant, Silas
Ohio,
1826
1826
Mather, Samuel H.
New Hampshire,
1813
1835
Marble, Levi
1820
1830
Merwin, George B.
Connecticut,
1809
1816
Marshall, Daniel
New York,
1824
1841
Marshall, Mrs. Daniel
Vermont,
1830
1841
Merkel, M.
Germany,
1818
1840
Merkel, Mrs. M.
Germany,
1823
1834
McReynolds, Mrs. M. D.
Ohio,
• . . •
. • > • . . • .
Morgan, Caleb
Connecticut,
1799
1811
Meeker, S. C.
Ohio,
1820
1820
Morgan, H. L.
Ohio,
1832
1832
Morgan, Sarah H.
Ohio,
1838
1838
Morgan, Mrs. N. G.
Ohio,
1815
1818
Marshall, I. H.
Ohio,
1822
'. . • . • . • *
Mallory, Daniel
New York,
1801
1833
Morgan, Mrs. A. W.
Ohio,
1821
1821
Nott, 0. C.
• • • •
1835
Newmark, S.
Bavaria,
1816
1839
Norton, C. H,
New York,
1805
1838 1881
Neff, Melchor
Germany,
1826
1834
Ogram, J. W.
England,
1820
.... . . ■ ■
Ogram, Mrs. J. W.
Ohio,
1825 •
1825
O'Brien, 0. D.
Ohio,
1819
1819
O'Brien, Delia R.
Vermont,
1813
1817
O'Connor, R.
Ohio,
1824
1824
Pannell, James
New York,
1812
1832
Penty, Thomas
England,
1808
1829
Palmer, J. D.
Connecticut,
1831
1835
Payne, N. P.
Ohio,
1837
1837
Porter, L. G.
Massachusetts,
1806
1826
Pease, Samuel
Massachusetts,
1805
1828
Pease, Charles
Ohio,
1811
1835
Pelton, F. W.
Connecticut,
1827
1835
Proudfoot, D.
Scotland,
1809
1833
Piper, A. J.
Vermont,
1814
1889
^0
ANNALS OF THE
CAME TO
NASrE.
WHERE BOF.N.
WEES,
THE BESERVE. DIED.
Pier, Mrs. L. J.
Ohio,
1823
1823
Pease, Mary E .
Connecticut,
1816
1835
Pankhurst, Mrs. Sarah.
England,
1812
1835
Paddock, T. S
New York,
1814
1836
Phillips, B. F.
Ohio,
1833
1833
Palmer, Sophia
Ohio,
1818
1818
Payne, H. B.
New York,
1810
1833
Payne, Mrs. H. B.
Ohio,
1818
1818
Phillips, Mrs. Emily
Ohio,
1809
1809
Prescolt, James
Massachusetts,
1826
1826
Quinn, Arthur
Ireland,
1810
1832
Quayle, Thos.
• • • •
1827
Kice, Harvey
Massachusetts,
1800
1824
Eice, Mrs. Harvey
Vermont,
1812
1833
Kouse, Rebecca E.
Massachusetts,
1799
1830
Russell, George H.
New York,
1817
1834
Rogers, C. C.
Ireland,
1813
1839
Eupel, S. D.
Ohio,
1808
1808
Robison, J. P.
New York,
1811
1832
Rouse, B. F.
Massachusetts,
1824
1830
Ranney, W. S.
Ohio,
1835
1835
Rowley, Lucy A.
Connecticut,
1805
1827
Radcliflf, Mary A.
Isle of Man,
1822
1826
Rice, P. W.
Ohio,
1829
1829
Redington, Mrs. C.
New Y'ork,
1821
1839
Redington, J. A.
New Y'ork.
1818
1839
Ranney, Rufus P.
Massachusetts,
1813
1824
Spalding, R. P.
Massachusetts,
1798
1820
Stickney, Mrs. C. B.
Canada,
1836
1836
Stickney, Hamilton
New Y^'ork,
1824
1830
Spangler, Mrs. Elizabeth
Maryland,
1790
1820 1880
Sherwin, Ahimas
Vermont,
1792
1818 1881
Scovill, Mrs. J. Bixby
Ohio,
1800
1816
Silberg,F.
Germany,
1804
1834
Sherwin, Mrs. S. M.
New York,
1809
1827
Sabin, "William
....
1839
Skedd, W.V.
....
1833
Shepard, D. A.
Connecticut,
1810
1833
Sargent, John H.
New York,
1814
1818
Skinner, 0. B.
Ohio,
1831
1831
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
91
NAMK.
WHERE BOEN.
WHEN.
CAME TO
THE EESERVE. DIED.
Southworth, W. P.
Connecticut,
1819
1836
Slawson, J. L.
Michigan,
1806
1812
. . .
Scovill, E. A.
Ohio,
1819
1819
. . .
Saxton, Mrs. E, A.
Maine,
1821
1833
. . .
Stephenson, Wm.
Pennsylvania,
1804
1833
...
Smith, Mrs. F. L.
Connecticut,
* . - •
1836
. . .
Shelley, John
England,
1815
1835
. . .
Sacket, Alex.
Pennsylvania,
1814
1835
. . .
Sacket, Mrs. Alex.
Ohio,
1815
1815
. . .
Sterling, Dr. E.
Connecticut,
1825
1827
. . .
Schiely, Mrs. Anna
Germany,
. . ■ •
1832
Shelden, S. H.
New York,
1813
1835
. . .
Stanley, G. A.
Connecticut,
. • ■ •
1837
. . .
Spangler, M. M.
Ohio,
1813
1820
. . .
Slade, Horatio
England,
• • • •
1834
. . .
Sorter, Harry
New York,
1820
1831
. • .
Smith, W. T.
New York,
1811
1886
. . >
Strickland, B.
Vermont,
1810
1835
. . .
Strickland, Mrs. H. W.
Ohio,
. • • •
1834
. . .
Saxton, J. C.
Vermont,
1813
1818
. . .
Smith, Mrs. B. E.
1811
1836
. . .
Strong, Charles H.
Ohio,
1831
1831
. . .
Sanford, A. S.
Connecticut,
1805
1829
. . .
Smith, Erastus
Connecticut,
1790
1832 ]
L881
Steward, J. S.
Ohio,
1818
1818
• . .
Severance, Mrs. M. H.
Ohio,
• • ■ •
• • >
• > .
Strong, Homer
Connecticut,
1811
1836
. > .
Selden, N. D.
Connecticut,
1815
1831
. . .
Stillman, W. H.
Connecticut,
1808
1833
> • •
Simmons, Thomas
Ohio,
1832
1832
. * .
Shunk, Mrs. A. H.
Ohio,
1824
1834
. • ■ ■
Stevens, C. C.
Maine,
1819
1833
• • • •
Simmons, Isaac B.
1806
1836
• • - •
Selden, Mrs. Elizabeth
Ohio,
1819
1819
• • •
Sorter, C. N.
New York,
1812
1831
• . * >
Sharp, Clayton
Ohio,
1811
1833
• . • .
Severance, S. L.
Ohio,
1834
18.34
Slade, Samantha Doan
Ohio,
1817
1817
• • • •
Spring, V.
Massachusetts,
1799
1817
■ • ■ ■
Short, David
Connecticut,
1818
1827
, , . .
92
AyyALS OF TEE
CAME TO
>fA31E. WHEKK BOBN. WHEN. THE EESERVE.
Tilden, D. R. Connecticut, 1806 1828
Taylor, Harvey Ohio, 1814 1814
Thompson, Thos. England, 1814 1836
Turner, S. W. Connecticut, 1813 1832
Thompson, H. V. New York, 1816 1839
Thompson, Mrs. H. V. Vermont, 1823 1837
Townsend, H. G. New York, 1812 1834
Truscott, Samuel Canada, 1829 1838
Vincent, J. A. Pennsylvania, 1807 1830
Williams, A. J. New York, 1829 1840
Wick, C. C. Ohio, 1813 1835
Whitelaw, George Scotland, 1808 1832
Walters, John E. New York, 1811 1834
Weidenkopf, F. Germany, 1819 1837
Weidenkopf, Jacob Germany, 1S38 1837
Wightman, S. H. Ohio, 1819 1819
Watkins, George Connecticut, 1813 1818
Weston, George B. Massachusetts, 1805 1826
Warren, Moses Connecticut, 1803 1815
Wager, I, D. Ohio, 1820 1820
Williams, George Connecticut, 1799 1833
Welch, John New York, 1800 1825
Welch, O.F. 1817
Wheller, B. S. England, 1836
Wheller, Jane England, 1831
Warner, W. J. 1831
Wightman, D. L. 1817
Williamson, Samuel Pennsylvania, 1808 1810
Whittlesey, H. S. Ohio, 1836 1836
Winslow, E. N. North Carolina, 1824 1830
Wilson, William Ohio, 1819 1819
Welch, Jas. S. Ohio, 1821 1821
Willson, Mrs. H. V. Michigan, ....
Wemple, Myndret New York, 1796 1818
Wellstead, Joseph England, 1817 1837
Waterman, Wm. Ohio, 1818 1818
Williams, William Connecticut, 1803 1836
Whitaker, Charles New York, 1817 1831
Walters, B. C. New York, 1807 1837
Weidenkopf. Mrs. O. Alsace, 1819 1830
1880
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
CAME TO
KAME.
■WHERE FROM.
WHEK,
THE RESEl
White, Moses
Massachusetts,
1791
1816
Wilson, Fred.
New York,
1807
1833
Warren, Mrs. J. Y.
New York,
1816
1816
Walworth, John
Ohio,
1831
1831
Younglove, M. C.
New York,
• • • •
1836
93
1881
HONORARY MEMBERS.
Crosby, Charles Massachusetts, 1801 1811
Garfield, James A.,
President United States, Ohio, 1831 1831
Garfield, Mrs. Eliza B.,
his mother. New Hampshire, 1801 1830
1881
'I'HlilS' ^gW ^OHK
PUBLIC LI
ANNALS
^-
ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATtONS.
1897.
OF THE
Early
7TT
j1 1 JJJJ
m
lATlON
OF
CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
NUMBER III
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
'^
^N^%^,
■=*5>-=^
CLEVELAND, O.
CLEVELAND, O.:
J. B. SAVAGE, PRINTER, FRANKFORT ST.
1882.
ANNALS
OF THE
Early Settlers
J
lATION
OF
CUYAHOGA CO.UNTY.
NUMBER III
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
CLEVELAND, O.:
J. B. SAVAGE, PRINTER, FRANKFORT ST.
1882.
s
D
OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION,
1882.
HON. HARVEY KICE, President.
HON. JOHN W. ALLEN, )
ATTIC T A Tx.T.T,To r Vice-Presidents.
MRS. J. A. HARRIS, )
THOMAS JONES, JR.. Secretary.
GEO. ('. DODGE, Treasurer.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
GEO. F. MARSHALL.
R. T. LYON,
DARIUS ADAMS,
JOHN H. SARGENT,
M. M. SPANGLER.
CHAPLAIN.
REV. THOMAS CORLETT.
rr
I EiELf SETTLERS' AilfEHSiKl
illU Li
1882.
FORENOON SESSION.
The Earh 8ettlers' Assueiatiou of Cuyahoga County com-
memorated the day, July 22, at the Tabernacle, Ontario Street,
Oleveland. They promptly convened at the appointed hour, 11
o'clock A. M. There was a large attendance. From sixty to
seventy new memberships were received. All seemed to be in a
liuppy mood, and s})ent the first half hour in social intercourse,
not less interesting than enjoyable, when Hon. Harvey Rice,
President of the Association, called the venerable assemblage to
order. The session was opened with prayer by the Chaplain,
Rev. Thomas Corlett. The following introductory address was
then delivered bv tlie President:
ADDRESS.
Ladies and Gentlemex: This is the third anniversary of
our Association — a day we have chosen as Avorthy of commemo-
ration, because it was on tlie 22d of July, 179G, that our beauti-
ful city of Cleveland, the pride of the Western Reserve, acquired
a local habitation and a name.
It is therefore a day that brmgs with it many pleasant mem-
ories of historic interest, both as regards the city and the entire
G AXNALS OF THE
Western Reserve — a day tliat affords iis. a^ early settlers, an oyt-
portunity to exchange congratulations and renew old acqnaint-
ances which should never be forgotten and wliicli Ave never can
forffet.
The pioneer life of the Western Reserve has a liistory that
approaches the marvelous, and is of sucli value that no part of
it should be lost. The principal ol)ject of our Association is to
collect, while it can be done, the relics and unrecorded incidents
of her past history, and transfer them to the custody of the
Western Reserve Historical Society of Cleveland, for preserva-
tion and the benefit of the piiblic. This liistorical society was
incorporated many years ago. and has now become of great value
as a source of antiquarian information. It is ke])t open to vis-
itors free of charge, and is the only prominent institution of the
kind in Northern Ohio. It is a credit to the State, and reflects
honor on its originators and efficient officers.
The AVestern Reserve, as you all know, was originally and for
the most part settled by emigrants from New England, the land
of the Puritans. The Reserve has, therefore, good ancestral
blood in her veins, and still maintains her Puritanic character,
except so far as it has been modified and liberalized by Western
influences.
We may rest assured, however, that her ])ioneer life will
never repeat itself. Say what we will, it was an exemplary life,
as full of lessons of wisdom as it was of noble ainis and heroic
struggles — a life that laid its foundations, not in sand, but on a
rock — the rock of common schools and churches — a life that has
produced many accomplished men, and still more accomplished
women.
The Western Reserve, as a civilized land, was l)orn and liap-
tized at Conneaut Creek, on the 4th of July, 1790, and is there-
fore a child of freedom. There were fifty persons present at her
birth, who proceeded at once to commemorate the ha})py event.
They prepared a sumptuous feast of baked pork and beans and
corn bread, made patriotic speeches, fired salutes, and drank
EARL Y SETTL ERS' AS, SO CIA TIOK. 7
three buckets of grog by way of crowning tlie ceremonies of the
day.
Our Association has great reason to be gratified with its suc-
cess. When organized, Noveml)er 19th, 1879, it consisted of
but nineteen members, and now it has an aggregate of over four
liundred, and still they come and are received with a cordial
welcome. Its published "Annals "' are sought and read with
much interest and profit, and, if continued, will soon furnish a
storehouse of valual)le information nowhere else to be found and
which coming generations will appreciate. Every member of
the Association is expected to contribute what he can in the way
of interesting relics and reminiscences to promote its ol)ject. It
is hoped that other similar associations of the Reserve will aid us
in the same way, and thus concentrate the efforts of all for the
common benefit of all. Honorary memberships should be con-
ferred on individuals residing in other counties of the Reserve,
who may make desirable contributions to our Association.
It must be conceded that the Western Reserve has become a
power in the State and in the Nation. Her population in 1800
was Init 1,300; it is now at least 550,000. In the meantime the
Reserve has ])roduced her thousands of talented men and supe-
rior women. They are her jewels. She points to them, with
pride, and still persists in lavishly increasing her assortment of
jewelry. To say nothing of minor officials, she has already fur-
nished the State with five Governors and eleven Supreme Judges,
and the United States with three Senators, two District Judges,
two Foreign Ministers, and one President, and still has enough
aood material on hand to furnish as manv more officials as may
be needed.
But why is it that the names of our great men are emblaz-
oned in history, while the names of so many meritorious women
are overlooked ? This seeming neglect is a liioral wrong which
should be corrected. The women are the mothers and educators
of mankind. They give to infancy its traits of character for life,
and to manhood its grace and dignity. In all that pertains to
8 ANNALS OF THE
social refiuement and moral elevation of cliaracter, the women
excel the men. Excellence can and Avill take care of itself. If
we would have what we Avish, we must achieve it. The world
has no room for idlers. All should live, while they do live, with
a view to useful results. Let us then still pursue the even tenor
of our ways as best we can. and Avhile the day lasts —
"Act — act in the living present,
Heart within, and God o'erhead."
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
Another year finds the affairs of this Association in most ex-
cellent condition, and its objects, end, and aim on the high road
to success.
If the Treasurer should report that the funds are reduced to
an insignificant sum. or should intimate that there is a claim
for a few paltry dollars hanging over the Association, all this
would imply a healthy condition of the body corporate: 1st, be-
cause it is better that no large sum be collected in the hands of
(mr financial officers to tempt them to do a wrong: 3d, if a debt
shoiild appear, even the thought of such an event has created a
friendly rivalry to see who should ))e the first to retire it, and
sliould it be ever so small, it is thought best that no individual
be allowed the special ])leasure of wi])ing it out, ))ut let each
have a portion of the pleasure of doing so honorable a deed.
Some member may say that the initiation fee was too small to
accomplish any object worthy so interesting an organization. If
our annual doings become so cheap and uninteresting that one
dollar for the remainder of a life will not so much as supply each
member at our annual gathering with a hollow sandwich and a
cup of cold comfort, it would be as well that we add an annual
fee to each membership, that none go away hungry.
Many hours have been consumed ])y tlie Board of Managers
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 9
in laudable endeavors to make the annual meeting as interesting
and profitable as conld well be out of the means at hand; there
is no lack of interest anywhere.
The first public gathering, two years ago, was one of great
interest and quite a success; the second, held in this Tabernacle,
was more abundantly so, and established the permanency of the
Association.
The effort has been, among the members of the Board, to de-
termine upon a proper method of holding and conducting these
annual meetings. There has been no marked variation in opin-
ion that we should have something said of interest respecting the
early days of our Ohio residence; and in those early days, at tlie
hour of twelve, noon, a horn was blown, or a bell rung, or a red
rag hung at the window — we never could pass by the hour of
noon and not think of dinner.
In getting men to consent to say a few words or to make us
a set address, it was difficult to limit their time on the platform;
if they had anything to say, they wanted to say it. If the Board
consent to extremely long set speeches, it would involve, for the
comfort of the members, the necessity of upholstering the seats.
To avoid this, a general opinion prevailed that we procure one
early settler, of ability, to entertain the Association, limiting his
own time, after which, a sprinkling of from five to ten minutes'
speeches, a sort of free-to-all affair, and if any overspoke his
time, it would become the society's duty to start in on "Hail
Columbia,'' and choke him off'; but no limit should be imposed
upon the women.
The prospects of this Association are bright, and becoming
more lu-illiant as each year comes around. One enthusiastic
member expresses himself in the emphatic langiiage of Aiulrew
Jackson, that this Association must not fail; (who ever thought
it could?) why he should entertain a thought of the possibility
of it not being able to succeed, is a mystery. As the older mem-
bers pass away, new ones fall in to take their places, so. that the
incoming members will be likely to far outnumber tlie outgoing
ones.
10 AyN^ALS OF THE
We need more interest to be taken for our annual pamphlet;
we Avant more sketches of persons,' places and events. While we
hare so many who can link the history of their time with the
past of the Western Eeserve, we cannot afford to lose their as-
sistance in putting on record what everyone would be pleased to
peruse, and the more so as time passes away. The year may
come, in the future, when the early settlers of the Fire Lands
will be held as a remarkable people, if they are not already, and
their grandchildren may be lictter pleased with the record than
to trace their descent through doubtful books of heraldry, or the
possibility that they were descended from one of the early Irish
kings.
Geo. F. Marshall, Chairman.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER.
Mk. Phrsidext: Since our organization in the Fall of 1879,
we have expended 1560.12; our receipts from members to date,
*4:06.00; leaving a debt against us of $154.13; this will be re-
duced by new members to-day.
At a glance we can see that a life-membership of one dollar
will not pay running expenses. We cannot assess you; we can-
not run you into debt. What shall we do?
Geo. C. Dodge, Treasurer.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
On motion, the follow^ing officers were elected for the ensuing
year:
Hox. Harvey Rice, President.
Hox. John W. Allen and Mrs. J. A. Harris, Vice Pres-
idents.
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCTATION. 11
TiroMAs Jones, Jr., Secretiirv.
(tEORge C. Dodge, Treasurer.
George F. Marshall, R, T. Lyox, Darius Adams, John
H. Sargent, M. M. Spangler, Execntive Conimittee,
Key. Thomas Corlett, Chaplain.
On motion of H. M. Addison, Mrs. Lueretia Garfield was
elected an honorary member of the Association. He also offered
the following resolution, which was adopted without a dissent-
ing vote:
Resolved, That we as an Association invite other similar Associations of
the Western Reserve to unite with us in contributing desirable relics and re-
miniscences, to be deposited in the rooms of the Western Reserve Historical
Society, of Cleveland, for the common benefit of the public, and that with a
view to harmonious action all such Associations be invited to send delegates to
meet with us at our regular annual meetings, held on the 22d of July each and
every year.
LETTER FROM HON. THOMAS J. McLAIN.
Warren, ()., July 20, 1882.
G. F. Marshall. Esq., C]uiirina)t E.recufive Committee:
Dear 8ir: I find it is inij»ossil)le for me to be at your an-
nual meeting on the 22d inst. ; a fact I very much regret, for I
iiad foiuUy anticipated a large amount of real pleasure in meet-
ing so many of my old friends and ac(iuaintances.
In reviewing the events and hai)})enings which I have wit-
nessed m Ohio since I came within her borders, more than fifty-
four years since, much of interest, much worthy of consideration
and of value, is called to mind, and should l)e held u]) before the
young and enterprising men and women of the hour for their
cheer and encouragement.
The wonderful changes that have been Avrought in your own
beautiful city furnish apt illustrations of the go-aheaditiveness of
our people: the dwellers upon the borders of our grand Lake
Erie, u])on whose bhie waters my delighted eyes rested, for the
12 ANNALS OF THE
first time, in May, 18"28. Then, Cleveliind was a small rustic
village, sparsely ])()j)ulate(l. of 1)nt limited business and enter-
prise; now, one of the most Ijeantiful cities in all the land I A
wonderful change indeed I Then, a miserable, shabbv court-house
and other public buildiiigs of kindred character; now, we see
what is pleasant to view; then. Hickox's old wooden blacksmith
shop stood near the corner of Superior and 8eneca streets; now.
behold the change; then, Crittenden's little jewelry store stood
near the Weddell House; now, a splendid structure meets the
eye; then, my old friend Fitch presided over the old frame hotel
corner of Water and St. Clair streets; now, what a change! At
that early day Cleveland i)resented not miich inducement to him
in search of a life stopping jdace; now it is one of the most de-
lightful cities to settle in which can be found in all the land.
Its progress is simply wonderful to contemplate.
So it is all over our broad land, wherever the eye rests. Great
changes are apparent in our advanced civilization as well as in
the face of the country. Kote for a moment the style and fash-
ion of the ])resent age, embracing not only that of the ladies but
of the gentlemen as well, and compare it with that of an earlier
day in the then village of Youngstown in this county, when the
Eev. Charles E. Boardman, when on duty, was arrayed in buck-
skin breeches, painted blue, and a u()))le Christian man he was.
In conclusion permit me to wish you a pleasant season, full
of })leasLire and enjoyment, and your noble Society a long and
prospenms career in the fulfillment of its great purposes.
Most truly yours,
Tkomas J. McLaix.
REMARKS BY CHARLES CROSBY, OF CHICAGO.
Me. President : I am most happy to have the pleasure of
being with you on this third anniversary of the Early Settlers'
Association. I had the h()nt)r of being represented before you a
PJA RL Y SETTLERS' A SS CIA TION. 1 3
year ago Ijy a conimuuication read by my friend. Hon. John A.
Foot, and ]nil)lislied in yonr '"Annals," and also of being con-
stituted an honorary member. My childhood and youth, from
ten years of age to my majority, were spent in this region, and
a frequent revisitation has kept afresli my recollections from
1811 to the present time. It is three years since I have visited
this region, and although myself an octogenarian, I meet a great
many older persons than I am.
When I was a 1)oy, those who had reached the age of forty-
live or fifty years were regarded as '* old jieople," but now they
are not considered old until tliey attain to seventy or seventy-
live years; so that when I meet with many from eighty to over
ninety (and vet fresh and vigorous), I almost feel that I am
voung again, and youthful scenes and incidents recur to me
with vivid freshness, like "a thing of beauty, a joy forever."
I would not. however, indulge in mere sentimentalism, hut re-
call several incidents of historical interest which may serve to
amuse, if nothing more. When f was young, " church privi-
leges"' and Sabbath enjoyments were not quite so adorned (but
j)robably more highly appreciated) than now. It often happened
that a congregation would for a time be destitute of a "stated
supi)ly" of the ministry, but the habit was observed of keeping-
up the regular public services on the Sabl^ath, and having a ser-
mon read from the published works of some eminent divine. I
A\'ell rememljer that, during such a vacancy in the Presbyterian
Church of Euclid, one Sabbath morning, before the time for
services to begin, a stranger on horseback rode up to the door
and announced himself as a Methodist minister. He was very
cordially invited by the Elders to officiate, to which he readily
assented, and was accordingly coiulucted to the pulpit. On en-
tering it, lie found on the desk a large Bible which contained
the Apochrypha (a portion of Scripture history not regarded as
inspired), and opening the book he took for his text the first
verse he cast his eye upon, and an]iounced it as Ecclesiastes vii
(diapter. 1st verse, as follows: ''Do no evil; so shall no harm come
14 AXNALS OF THE
to theo."" He delivered an illitentte. haphazard liarangne of
three-quarters of an hour, ami tlie congregation, hecoming rest-
less, were quite ready and anxious to have the henedieti<m. The
text being new to the ])eo])le. on going home they searched Ec-
clesiastes through and through. l)utall in vain, until they learned
from Mrs. Rev. Dr. Cowles, of Austinburgh, Avho hajjpened to
be present, and who being the most thoroughly versed in Bible
history (canonical and uncanonical), informed them that they
would find the text in the l)ook of Ecclesiasticus in the Apocry-
pha. The mystery being solved, this amusing episode was the
town talk, and afforded no little entertainment for a long time.
It was afterwards reported that the affair coming to the knowl-
edge of the Church Conference, this ignoramus was summarily
silenced and dismissed therefrom.
In those days conformity to church requirements were more
strictly enforced than in these later times. There was occasion-
ally an individual whose infraction of the " Articles of Faith"
caused him to be arraigned ])efore the sessions of the church for
trial. On one occasion a rather festive member, who was })rone
to overstep the bounds of proi>riety, Avas under examination for
some irregularity, and on l)eing pressed rather closely, made the
quotation of an old maxim, with a slight alteration to suit his
purposes. He said, ''circumstances alter principles"" instead of
cases. Elder Ruple, a well-poised and godly man, of remarkable
consistency of character, l)ut rather slow of si)eech, who had ])een
patient and indulgent in listening to the delinquent, and who had
his equanimity quite dist^^rbed. could bear it no longer, and
broke out as follows: '"'Mr, B. I really wish you would either
keep inside of the line or step over it; you keep right along on
the line and we can neither get you out iior keep you in." This
twisting of the familiar proverb has occurred to me a thousand
times, when I have seen men, ]mrticularly politicians, act upon
the principles of this church delinquent. "- circumstances alter
principles,'" which, after all, does not seem to be much out of
the way, as a])plicable to our own times.
EABLY SETTLEBS' ASSOCIATIO^\ 15
Another noticeable and somewhat remarkable and amnsing
event occurred in the township of Twinsbnrg, Summit county.
I tell the story as it was related to me in that vicinity very many
vears ago, and which Avas fully confirmed ]\v my old friend.
Buckley Hiibbard. Esq., of Ashtabula, a few weeks ago. Among
the first settlers who came into the place were two twin brothers
by the name of Wilcox, from Connecticut, who, according to
Shakespeare, were real "Dromios," their resemblance was so
perfect; inasmuch as in size, features, voice, dress and actions,'
they were so nearly alike that they could rarely Ix' distinguished
apart, and their identity Avas often mistaken, the one for the
other. The name of TAvinsburg Avas giA'en to the township in
their honor. In progress of time, one of these brothers fell
under the susceptible influence of the sly god Cupid, and be-
came blindly enamored of a fair damsel of the land. His at-
tachment became so ardent, and his devotion so strong, that he
made it a rule never to disappoint his lady love in his promised
visits. It so happened that indispensable business called him
unexpectedly aAvay at one of these golden periods. As he could
not endure the thought of disapjiointing his inamorata, he ap-
plied to his brother, in whom he could entirely confide, to take
his place, and act the part of the devoted lover. To this end he
posted him thoroughly in the progress of the courtshiiJ, and in-
structed him in the sentimental part he Avas to perform, and left
him to his ready resources, having the most undoubting faith
that he Avould accomplish his part successfully. Tlie eclat which
folloAved can easily be imagined, as the successful ruse AA^as not
diA'ulged nor discovered until long after the happy marriage Avas
consummated. These brothers had the reputation of being gen-
tlemanly and intelligent, and so devotedh' attached to eacli other
in affection and interest that in their deaths neither long sur-
A'iA'ed the other, as I have been informed.
With many thanks for your kind indulgence, and for the
honor you have done me, I beg to express the hope t'hat your
beautiful and groAving city, Avhich bears the name of its honored
16 ANNALIS OF THE
founder, will, ere long, in its pride and jirosperity, erect a suit-
able monument to his memory, and continue to grow in wealth
and influence; and the Early Settlers' Association he perpetu-
ated long after the snowy heads here present to-day shall have
gone to ''that bourne from whence no traveler returns."
ADJOURNED.
The Association now adjourned until 2 o'clock p. m., and
during the interim the members partook of a free lunch, served
in the Tabernacle, from Weisgerber's refectory. This was a
brilliant feature of the day, and highly enjoyed.
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 17
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The public were cordially invited to attend the exercises of
the afternoon, commencing at two o'clock. The Tabernacle, spa-
cious as it is, was filled by an intelligent and highly interested
audience. The exorcises consisted of an opening prayer, followed
by the annual written address, a life-sketch, report of members
deceased within the past year, and sundry volunteer speeches of
prominent citizens, interspersed with songs adapted to the occa-
sion, and rendered in charming style by the Arion Quartette
Club.
At the appointed hour the assembly was called to order by
the President of the Association, and the session opened with
prayer by the Chaplain, Eev. Thomas Corlett.
PRAYER.
Almighty and everlasting God, from whom all good things
do come: we render Thee thanks and praise for Thy mercy and
goodness to us and to all mankind; but more especially do we
praise Thee for prolonging our life and health to meet together
again as on this day.
Grant, Lord, that all our doings this day may redound to
Thy glory, our own mutual good, and the welfare of this com-
munity.
We implore Thy divine blessing on all legislative, Judicial,
and executive authority; that they may have grace and wisdom
so to discharge their respective duties as most effectually to pro-
mote Thy glory, the interests of true religion and virtue, and the
highest good of the State and Nation. Preserve, we beseech
Thee, to our country the blessings of peace, and prosper our in-
2
18 ANNALS OF THE
stitiTtious for the i)r(niiotion of sound learning and the diffusion
of virtuous education.
To the families of those of our Association who have been re-
moved from us by death, grant Thy grace and consolation; and
to us who still survive, wisdom so to live and do, as to be dis-
pensers of good to others, and thus to approve ourselves worthy
in Thy sight of the rich heritage here bestowed, and at the close
of our pilgrimage here, to be raised to that higher and better
citizenship with the saints in light — through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
The President here introduced to the audience Mrs. J. A.
Harris, ^\\\o sat on his right, as one of the Vice-Presidents of the
Association, elected to fill the vacancv made bv the death of the
late Judge Bishop. The audience applauded. Mrs. Harris arose
and gracefully acknowledged the compliment.
George C. Dodge, Esq., Treasurer of the Association, now
arose and said: ''Mr. President: I desire to congratulate our
Association upon having settled one question. We have vindi-
cated (alluding to a scene in Dickens,) the character of Sarey
Oamp, and squelched Betsey Prig. There is a Mrs. Harris."
This adroit and complimentary witticism convulsed the au-
dience, and when the laughter had subsided, the regular exer-
cises were resumed.
ANNUAL ADDRESS— Success of the Early Settlers.
BY HON. JOHN HUTCHINS.
Ladies axd Gextlemex: In 1824 Daniel Webster visited
Jefferson and Madison at their homes in Virginia. One morn-
ing it became necessary for Mr. Webster and his party to cross in
a rude ferry-boat a river which was much swollen by recent rains.
The ferry-boat was propelled by hand, and the ferryman and his
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 19
assistant became much exhausted. While crossing, Mr. Web-
ster, in his frank and clieerfnl manner, began a conversation with
the boatman, and remarked: "You find it hard work enough
this morning, I think." ''Yes, sir;" said the boatman, "it
puts a man \\\) to all he knows, I assure you.'' " An apt phrase,"
says his biographer, ''which amused Mr. Webster very much
at the time, which he was constantly using on all occasions
through the rest of the joilrney, and which he often introduced
in speaking and writing in after years. In this way it has be-
come a common phrase in our part of the country, where few
])ersons know its origin." This plain language of this hard-
working and unlettered boatman explains the successes of the
early settlers of Cleveland and Ohio.
Their circumstances stimulated the best efforts of mind and
body, and hence their history, habits and traits of character,
their virtues and their vices, for example as well as warning, are
now and will be interesting matters of study, not only to their
immediate descendants, but to all the people Avho shall hereafter
inhabit the country they settled and cleared, and converted its
wilderness into productive farms and populous cities and towns.
The State of Connecticut sold in 1795 the land it claimed in
the then Northwestern Territory, except the "Fire Lands," to
the Connecticut Land Company, and the original deed transfer-
ring the title to the company is recorded in the Eecorder's office
in Trumbull county. In 1795-6 the proprietors of this company
began an organized effort to survey these lands, with a view to
sale and settlement, and some of the earliest settlers of the
Western Eeserve were connected with those surveys. Moses
Cleaveland, a lawyer in Connecticut, was the first general agent
of the Connecticut Land Company. He did not become a set-
tler, but returned to Connecticut. General Cleaveland, in the
performance of his duties as agent, became familiar with the
south shore of Lake Erie, and he located this city, and named it
Cleaveland. His prophetic eye, in a measure, saw the future
growth of Cleaveland, by reason of its location.
20 ANNALS OF THE
A large proportion of the early settlers purchased farms and
cleared them, devoting their lives to the business of agriculture,
the most ancient and useful of all human industries. We do
not find the names of those engaged in it in history as frequently
as of those employed in positions of a more public character.
My father, Samuel Hutchins, came from Connecticut to Vienna,
Trumbull county, in 1798, and cleared a farm which he pur-
chased of Uriel Holmes, Jr., one of the persons named in the
deed from the State of Connecticut to the Company, with whom
lie had lived in his boyhood, and I am proud to say that his vo-
cation was that of a farmer, and that my first lessons of industry
were learned on that farm.
Trumbull county is the mother of all the other counties
comprising the Western Reserve, and when organized, July 10,
1800, embraced all of the Reserve, including the " Fire Lands,"
all the neighboring islands in Lake Erie, and i)arts of Jefferson
and Wayne, and the county seat was Warren. The first election
held in the county was at Warren, on the second Tuesday of
October, 1800, for the election of a representative to the Terri-
torial Legislature. There were cast at this election forty-two
votes, thirty-eight of which were given for Edward Paine, and
he was declared duly elected. It is not stated in any of the his-
tories of that day what Mr. Paine's campaign expenses were, but
they probably did not exeed a sum that would be regarded le-
gitimate at the present time in Cleveland, under a more enlight-
ened civilization.
The settlement of Trumbull county is so intimately con-
nected with the early settlement of Cleveland, that I may be
pardoned for referring briefly to a few of the early settlers of
that county. Some of them afterwards became citizens of
Cleveland, and many of their descendants are now residing
in Cleveland and extensively associated with its manifold busi-
ness enterprises, its religious, educational, moral, political and
social agencies. In the year 1800, when Trumbull county was
organized, a majority of the settlers were located m the south-
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 21
eastern corner of the Reserve. Among the early settlers of
Trumbull county were Turhand Kirtland, James Hillman, Si-
mon Perkins, Samuel Everett, Meshach Case, Ephraim Quinhy.
John Kinsman, Francis Freeman, John Young, Leicester King,
Henry Wick, Asahel Adams, George Parsons, John EatclifPe,
Ephraim Brown, John Young, Calvin Pease, George Tod,
William Rayen, Elisha Whittlesey, Thomas D. Webb, and Eben
Newton. Leonard Case, Sr. , before he came to Cleveland, grad-
uated on his father's farm, a little south of Warren. He was
emi)loyed in the Recorder's office in Trumbull county, and in
1816 he became a citizen of Cleveland, Those early settlers
were fair types of the character of the early settlers of the W^est-
ern Reserve. Their lives are shining examples of what can be
accomplished by men with high and noble purposes when cir-
cumstances and motives stimulate and develop their best facul-
ties of mind and brain. Some of these men were connected with
public duties of far-reaching importance, and with public and
private trusts of immense value. The manner in which these
duties were performed and these trusts administered are among
the brightest chapters of the early settlers of the Western Re-
serve. In illustration I will quote a few words from a letter
written by Gideon Granger in December, 1807, then Postmaster
General, to General Simon Perkins, of Warren: "You cannot
be ignorant of the unpleasant aspect of public affairs between
this nation and Great Britain, nor of the vigorous preparation
making for war in Upper Canada. In this state of aifairs it has
become necessary to establish a line of express through your
country to Detroit. * * * * rp^ ^^^j^jl ourselves
of the energy of your talents at this crisis, I have to solicit you
(and even more, to express my opinion that it is your duty) to
depart immediately for Detroit. * * * j j^j^Q-^y
of no person whose experience would, at this time, be as satis-
factory to the Government, and however inconvenient the dis-
charge of this duty may be to yourself, it is what you owe to
your country, and to the south shore of Lake Erie in particu-
22 ANNALS OF THE
lar." This difficult and laborious duty was immediately per-
formed to the satisfaction of the Government.
About 1835 the good people in Vienna, Trumbull county, built
a meeting-house, now more properly, perhaps, called a church,
on a joint stock plan, whereby each subscriber was to own such
proportion of the church as his subscription bore to the entire
cost of the building. Churches in those days were so inexpens-
ive, and the attire of the people who worsliipi)ed in them so
plain, that no one was deterred from attending them. I had
then just commenced reading law in the office of David Tod. in
Warren, and our minister wanted me to see Greneral Perkins or
Leicester King, as the people in Warren had built a chiirch upon
a similar })lan, to get the form of })aper which the several owners
of the church ought to hold as evidence of their title, and
suggested that they would furnish me with one. I called ui)on
General Perkins, who cordially received me. He said in sub-
stance that he believed that no formal ])aper of the kind had
been drawn up for the owners of the church in Warren, but sug-
gested that any paper stating the facts would be sufficient, and
that his practice in such matters was to "tell the story and then
stop."' This was good advice to one who was expecting to
become a lawyer. In 1815 the State land tax paid by General
Perkins, as agent and owner, amounted to one-seventh of the
entire amount collected in the State.
Calvin Pease, in April, 1803, was appointed President Judge
of the third circuit, then comprising the counties of Trumbull.
Washington, Belmont, Jefferson and Columbiana. He was then
about twenty-seven years old and he held the office until March
10, 1810. The first court held in Warren was between two corn-
cribs, with a rough covering over them, owned by Ephraim
Quinby. While upon the bench a case came before Judge Pease,
involving the constitutionality of certain portions of an act of
the Legislature of 1805, defining the duties of justices of the
peace, and he decided certain sections unconstitutional and void.
Public opinion then had not become settled upon the powers of the
EABLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 23
co-ordinate departments of the Government — the executiye, leg-
islative, and Judicial. The separation of these dei)artments by
clearly detined boundaries was attempted by American constitu-
tions, National and State, but at this time these constitutions,
upon this subject, had not been authoritatively construed, and
Judge Pease had no precedents to guide him save his own con-
victions of duty and his study of the theory of our then new
form of government. It was insisted strenuously by many pub-
lic men, and especially by members of the Legislature, that the
Judgment of a majority of its members as to the constitution-
ality of the law was evidenced by its passage, andthat that Judg-
ment was final and not subject to revision by the courts, and
that Judges who should decide otherwise were guilty of crime and
liable to impeachment, the penalties of which were removal from
office and disqualification to hold any office of honor, profit, or
trust in the State. The question involved in this decision of
Judge Pease was a grave one, requiring, in the then state of i)ub-
lic opinion, great nerve and decision of character to make it.
His reflections convinced him of his duty, and he faithfully per-
formed it. His Judgment was afterwards affirmed by two of the
Judges of the Sui)renie Court, Samuel Huntington and George
Tod, but this did not satisfy public clamor, and articles of im-
peachment were preferred by the House of Eepresentatives in
December, 1808. against Judges Pease and Tod. Samuel Hunt-
ington had been elected Governor, and the House of Represent-
atives, no doubt, concluded it would be unwise to put him on
trial. The charges against Judge Pease were three:
1. That on an appeal from the Judgment of a Justice of the
peace, for a sum exceeding twenty dollars, he had, as President
Judge of the third circuit, reversed that Judgment on the
ground that the Justice had no constitutional Jurisdiction of the
case.
2. That in an action for a sum lietween twenty and fifty
dollars, commenced by an original writ from the Court of Com-
mon Pleas, he had allowed the plaintiff his costs of suit upon
24 ANA'ALS OF THE
recovering judgments, contrary to the twenty-ninth section of
the justices" act and the fifth section of the act organizing the
judicial courts.
3. That sitting as presiding judge of the Third Circuit, he
had decided on various occasions that the court had full power
to set aside, suspend and declare null and void the fifth section
of the act defining the duties of justices of the peace.
I have copied these charges from an article written by Gen.
Crowell, of this city, and published in the Western Law Journal,
and he informed me that he copied them from the State records
at Columbus.
The charges against Judge Tod were, substantially, that as a
member of the Supreme Court he had affirmed the judgment of
Judge Pease. On the first charge against Judge Pease the vote
was unanimous for acquittal; on the second, for conviction, 15,
for acquittal, 9: on the third, for conviction, 8, for acquittal,
16. The Constitution requiring a concurrence of two-thirds of
the Senators to convict, both Judges were acquitted. The pub-
lic recejition of the recent decision of our Supreme Court decid-
ing the Pond law unconstitutional, marks the change on that
subject in public opinion since 1808.
These impeachment proceedings did not shake the confidence
of the public in the ability or integrity of Calvin Pease and
George Tod, for both afterwards occupied prominent public po-
sitions. Judge Pease, in 1815, was a])pointed Judge of the Su-
preme Court of the State, and held the office two terms. Judge
Tod was appointed the same year President Judge of the third
circuit, and held the office two terms. Judge Pease was a man
of few words, ])ut expressed himself with great force and clear-
ness. His wit was overflowing and sparkling. About 1836 the
AVhigs in the State of New York achieved quite a victory over
the Democrats, an unusual event in those days, and a great jolli-
fication meeting was held at the old court house in Warren, and
eloquent speeches were made by leading public men ; and among
them, if I am not mistaken, was Judge Daniel E. Tilden. Judge
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 35
Pease was sitting at the bar table quietly enjoying the hilarity of
the occasion. The audience began to call for him and were
clamorous for a speech from him. He arose and said: " I feel
like adopting the language of Simeon of old, ' Lord, now lettest
Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for
mine eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared bcr
fore the face of all people. A light to lighten the Gentiles and
the glory of Thy people Israel,' " and sat down amid tumultu-
ous applause.
Judge Tod was a learned lawyer and a cultured gentleman.
His speeches on public affairs were able and elo(juent. He made
Si profound written argument on his impeachment trial, which
has been preserved by his descendants, in which he has asserted
in a scholarly manner the right and duty of the judiciary in a
proper case made to decide on the validity of the law. He was
a friend of common schools and a patron of agriculture. The
first agricultural society in Trumbull county was organized in
1817, and he was elected its first president, and was connected
with it many years.
Thomas D. Webb was a lawyer, and in many respects a man
of mark. He was the best posted lawyer in the history of the
Western Reserve land titles I have been acquainted with.
He had the energy of investigation into the minutest details,
and a retentive memory that enabled him to profit by them.
He was editor of the Trump of Fame, the first pai)er published
on the Western Reserve. At the time of his death he had in his
possession all the volumes of the published laws of Ohio from
the organization of the State. His frankness was unusual. He
was not a great advocate, but he was entrusted with important
legal business, when such lawyers as Peter Hitchcock, J. R. Gid-
dings, Elisha Whittlesey, Seabury Ford, Benjamin F. Wade,
and Eben Newton were practicing lawyers at Warren and
throughout the circuit. Mr. Webb was offered and refused the
office of president judge of the third circuit made vacant in 1810
by the resignation of Calvin Pease.
26 ANNALS OF THE
The early settlers of the A¥estern Keserve, for the noble pur-
pose of bettering their condition, left old settlements where com-
forts were abundant to found new ones where they were
comparatively few. Not having a surplus of means they pro-
posed to earn them, by setting up for themselves and executing
their own plans instead of being the mere executers of the plans
of others. This developed in them true manhood. Clerks and
employes they might have been among the kinsfolk and friends
they left liehind them, but this did not suit their plans of life.
The command that '' in the sweat of thy face slialt thou eat
bread," they did not regard "' a mistake of Moses." If intended
as a curse, they turned it into a blessing. Hence all useful labor
of hand or brain was regarded as equally respectable, and the
farmer, the mechanic, the merchant, the artizan, and the pro-
fessional man were on terms of social equality. Occupation was
not the ground of social ostracism among the early settlers.
Their habits and circumstances developed in them an independ-
ent personality which dependence tends to destroy. The facil-
ities of trade and commerce were quite limited, with little
circulating medium as an agency of exchange. They used due
l)ills and notes payable in commodities, raised or manufactured.
I found a few years ago among my father's papers one of their
mediums of exchange, which is worth more than its face as evi-
dence of the manner in which the early settlers transacted
business. I will read it: '•' Four months after date I promise to
pay to Samuel Hutchins one dollar and fifty cents; for value re-
ceived, in twelve pounds of good pork. Vienna, September 10,
1812. Jacob Humason." Just seventeen days before the date
of this paper I made application to my father's house for board
and lodging. Whether this fact had any connection with my
father's desire to add to his supply of pork, I do not know. The
maker of this note was a good scholar for those days, as the notfr
indicates. He had been educated in the schools of Connecticut^
and the style of writing is the old style — the George Washington
and John Hancock style.
EARL Y SETTLEBS' ASSOCTA TIOK. 2T
Tlie early settlers were subject to many privations, and at
times to multifarious inconveniences to which we are strangers.
They encountered evils with which they had to struggle. They
wrestled with intemperance, and some of them were thrown by
it. The times are now largely changed, for better- or for' worse;
for better in many respects, and in some for the worse, I fear;
but that may depend upon the manner we heed the lessons the
early settlers have given us. Cleveland, as well as the whole
country, has made rapid advancement in wealth and pojralation.
When your,honored President came to Cleveland in 1824, to make
it his home, it had only a population of about four hundred,
and its mechanical, manufacturing and mercantile capital was
then quite limited, but probably adequate to the wants of the
country. It now contains a population of over two .hundred
thousand, and its wealth and the means of producing it have
prodigiously increased. The increase of wealth and population
of a country and city is generally regarded as evidence of their
prosperity. That depends largely upon the character of the
population and the manner in which wealth is employed. An
idle population is likely to be vicious, learned or ignorant, rich
or poor, and adds little, if any, to the prosperity of either city
or country, and wealth which is employed exclusively or mostly
for the seltish aggrandizement of those who possess it, is not a
blessing without alloy.
" 111 fares the land, to hastening ills a prey,
Where wealth accumulates and men decay;
Princes and lords may flourish or may fade,
A breath can make them as a breath has made ;
But a bold peasantry, their country's pride,
When once destroyed can never be supplied."
Greneral Garfield, in >September, 1880, when he was candidate
for President of the United States, on the Northern Ohio Fair
Clrounds made a few remarks from which I make brief quota-
■ tions:
" All who have though tfiilly considered the reports of the
28 ANNALS OF THE
National census during the last thirty years have observed the
great growth of our cities and the comparatively small growth
of population in our agricultural districts. * * *
Let me ask you to reflect whether this is a good indication. I
have time to notice but one feature of this problem. A careful
study of the men who have won distinction in every field of ac-
tivity, public and private, professional and commercial, will show
that a large majority of them were born and bred in the country.
* * * * Gentlemen, would you willingly see
the present tendency continue until the majority of our people
are the inhabitants of great cities? * * * *
I see at this table lawyers and merchants whose eyes brighten at
the remembrance of their country homes. One of the promi-
nent lawyers and jurists of this State — an honored citizen of
your city — does not regret his pioneer life in the woods of Portage
county. I am sure that Judge Eanney does not regret the hard-
ships and inspirations which country life gave to his boyhood."
More than twenty years ago, Benjamin F. Wade, then a Senator
in Congress, in a conversation I had with him, ex})ressed
thoughts similar to those I have ((uoted from General Garfield's
remarks.
In connection with this subject it may be well to notice that
none of the men who have been elected President of the United
States were born and bred in our large cities. Only one of the
]3resent judges of our Court of Common Pleas was born and bred
in the city of Cleveland, and he was born of i)arents who were
among the prominent early settlers of Cleveland, and who be-
lieved with Solomon. " in training up a child in the way he
should go.''
In our cities the "Pagans," the " Bill and Nancy Sykes"
have their hiding places, and intemperance, followed by its
ghastly train of evils, and seeking to ])erpetuate itself by the
inherent tendencies of its own demoralization, has its strongest
support in our populous cities. Our large cities are the centers
of wealth and capital, and in them combinations are liable to be
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 39
formed which tend to interfere with the natural course of trade
and commerce, and which seek to regulate, for selfish purposes,
the business of the country. Capital, clothed by law with the
attril)iites of succession and perpetuity, may be. and frequently
is, em})loyed oppressively and unjustly. N^o one need be sur-
prised at the present day to learn respectable gentlemen had filed
with the proper authority an application fdr a charter to trade in
and control the air we breathe.
With the increase of wealth and population the habits and
customs of pioneer life will naturally be changed, and in some
respects it may be well, but the benefits of a change which dis-
penses with the industry and economy of pioneer life, and which
stamps with disrespect any useful labor connected with it, may
well be questioned. There is a tendency now-a-days among young
people to seek occupations and positions which are lighter and
esteemed liy many as more respectable than the drudgery of
work in any of the avocations of life. Clerkships in private
establishments and in government offices are much sought after
by young men starting m life. These employments may be
well enough as means to an end, and as stej^ping-stones to a
higher plane of activity, but for a young man to make those
avocations his business and to seek nothing above and beyond
them is to dwarf his manhood and to make him dependent
upon lirains not his own. Among the least desirable of these
lighter occupations (I call them lighter because they seldom
produce heavy results) is employment in the numerous depart-
ments of the government. The labor is responsible and hard,
but the chances of promotion to independent positions are small.
They tramp and tramp on the same track year after year in
the government treadmill. They have some privileges, to be sure,
not enjoyed by the convicts in our penitentiaries. They are
permitted to go home once a year and vote, Init the convicts
have privileges not enjoyed by government employes. They
are not obliged by " voluntary contributions" to pay a certain
percentage of their earnings to keep their places.
30 ANNALS OF TEE
There is a tendency among parents who have the means to
do it, to give their children the best opportunities and all the
advantages that our scliools and colleges afford, without regard,
always, to the tastes or capacity of the children; hence many
young men and women are forced or dragged through a course
of study which they may never use to much advantage to them-
selves or others, and which may be the means of spoiling them
for the rugged duties of honorable and productive labor, on the
farm, in the workshop, or in the coimting-room. A farmer in
the oil regions of Pennsylvania sold his farm for a sum which
made him a millionaire, and he had a dear daughter who
had been educated up to the standard of the circle in which
she moved, but her kind father was not satisfied with this, as
he wanted her to be a bright and shining light in the higher
branches of education, and especially in music, but his daughter
had little inclination or taste in that direction. The father
was not to be l^affled in his laudable desire to elevate and re-
fine his daughter, so he sent her to a ])rofessional teacher of
music for instruction. In about three months he visited his
daughter to see how she was getting along in her studies. The
teacher told him she was not progressing as well as he could
wish — she did not seem to have a capacity for music. " Ca-
pacity," replied the father, "go and buy her one; I have plenty
of money."
A young man or woman who has the will to obtain a thor-
ough education, and an ability to use it, will, at this day, find
a way to acquire it. Leonard Case, Sr., is said to have ac-
quired a good knowledge of arithmetic when making baskets
on his father's farm. John Bright, of England, in a speech
recently made at Birmingham, referred to a Scotch peasant
authoress, Janet Hamilton, who never had any education ex-
cept that derived from the reading of the plays of Shakespeare,
which she had committed to memory. She was untaught in
■ the rules of grammar, yet she wrote English according to the
best standards. No writer has been able to tell us, when, where,
EABLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 31
or how, Shakespeare obtained his education. EliJiu Burritt,
the learned blacksmith, acquired the rudiments of liis educa-
tion while working at the anvil.
We are indebted to the discipline and statesmanship of the
early settlers of Ohio, and especially of the Western Eeserve,
for our system of common schools, which ])laces within the reach
of all children within the State, rich or poor, the means of a
good education. The support of common schools in Ohio, by
taxation, did not become fully crystallized into a system till
after the adoption of the Constitution in 1851. The attention
of the people had been repeatedly called to the subject by most
of the governors of Ohio, and the Legislature had sparingly
made provision for the support of schools by taxation, but their
support by taxation met with strenuous opposition. Acts were
passed in 1821 and in 1825 by the Legislature providing means
for the support of schools, and may be said to be initiatory
steps to the present system, but the amount raised by them
and amendatory laws had not been uniformly assessed and had
not been systematically administered. In 1830 and 1831 John
W. Willey, one of the early and distinguished settlers of
Cleveland, and Harvey Eice, now your President, were elected
members of the Legislature — Mr. Willey to the Senate and Mr.
Rice to the House — and through their exertions and influence a
law was passed authorizing the sale of the lands which had been
granted by Congress to the inhabitants of the Western Reserve
for school purposes. Mr. Willey drew up the bill, and Mr. Rice
was appointed agent to sell the lands. The amount realized
from their sale was about $150,000, which was loaned to the
State as an irreducible fund, the interest of which is to be an-
nually paid to the counties of the Western Reserve according to
the enumeration of children of school age in each county. The
Constitution of 1851 made it the duty of the General Assembly
to " make such provision by taxation or otherwise, as with the
income arising from the school trust fund will secure a thorough •
and efficient system of common schools throughout the State."
33 ANNALS OF THE
Many, very maiiy of the early settlers were members of the con-
vention which framed this constitution. Peter Hitchcock, Ja-
cob Perkins, and R. P. Ranney, were members from the counties
of Trumbull and G-eauga, and Sherlock J. Andrews and Reuben
Hitchcock from the county of Cuyahoo-a. It devolved upon the
General Assembly of 1852-3 to make provision hy law for the
establishment of a system of common schools in obedience to
this provision of the constitution I have quoted. Harvey Rice,
your President, Avas elected a Senator from this county in that
Legislature, and was appointed chairman of the Senate Commit-
tee to which the subject of " common schools and school lands"
was committed. On the 39th day of March, 1852, he intro-
duced a bill "to provide for the reorganization and maintenance
of common schools" and it became a law March 1, 1853. This
law has been amended and changed, but the system which it
organized has not been changed. Perhaps the modesty of your
President may lead him to object to the introduction of his name
in referring to our school laws, Init he must consider, and I am
sure you will agree that the omission of the name of Harvey
Rice, when referring to the law of 1853, entitled " an act to pro-
vide for the reorganization and maintenance of common schools,"
would be "■ the play of Hamlet with the part of Hamlet
omitted."
I have referred to some of the tendencies of the times as
suggestions for consideration. Evils, to be avoided, must be
understood and their location marked, as the dangers of navi-
gation are indicated by buoys in our rivers and lakes. When
American slavery raised its rebellious arm against the Govern-
ment which protected it, its true character was seen, and it
was swept away by the angry waves of public opinion; and all
the Mrs. Partingtons with their mops and brooms were power-
less to prevent it. I am not one of those who believe that
our civilization is receding, or that our government is threat-
ened with overthrow. If the fountains of the executive, legis-
lative, and judicial branches of the government are kept pure,
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 33
we are safe. It is the duty of the people to keep them pure,
and I have confidence they will faithfully perform it, and that
the government which the industry and wisdom of the early
settlers have established will be preserved in the vigor of its
youth, and in the strength of its manhood.
A LIFE SKETCH OF THE LATE GOV. WOOD.
BY NOBLE H. MERWIN, ESQ.
Mr. Peesident: Descended from English parentage, Keuben
Wood, the twenty-second Governor of Ohio, was born in the
village of Middletown, Rutland County, Vt., in the year 1792.
He was the eldest son of Nathaniel Wood, a minister, and
during the war a chaplain in the revolutionary army. The fam-
ily were distinguished for their devotion to the patriot cause.
Three of his father's brothers were participants in the battle of
Bennington. Maybe from their patriotic example in those stir-
ring times were derived the principles, and devotion to demo-
cratic, as distinguished from monarchial, institutions, that char-
acterized the man during his long life.
Arriving at a suitable age for study, he was sent by his father
to a cousin named Fairfield, in Ernestown, Upper Canada, where
he studied law with the Hon. Barnabas Bidwell, and at the same
time began his classical and other studies with an English cler-
gyman, with all the ardor of youth, thus laying the foundation
of the education and culture that were to be of benefit to him in
his future aspirations. To his dying day his constant compan-
ions were well-thumbed editions of the Greek Testament and
Caesar's Commentaries, which he read in the original with
facility.
Kt the commencement of the war in 1812, Eeuben Wood,,
still a student, and while residing in Canada, was drafted into
'the Royalist militia, then mustering under General Brock for
3
34 ANNALS OF THE
the defence of the coast against the American fleet. He was
tall, of powerful frame, and Avas detailed to a company of gren-
adiers; hut being determined not to hear arms against his na-
tive land, he took advantage of a stormy night and the excite-
ment incident to a village hall, and in company with Bill John-
son, afterwards so notorious as an American spy and the "Hero
of the Thousand Isles," made his way to a birch-bark canoe,
concealed for the purpose under a barn, and started for the
American shore.
The wind blew a gale, the rain fell in torrents, the lake be-
came momentarily rougher; finally the adventurous spirits Avere
obliged to seek shelter on an island, where for three days they
lay secreted, suffering for food and drink: a bottle, supposed to
contain brandy, which they had brought with them in their hur-
ried flight, proving to be full of liquid blacking I At last, nearly
famished, they reached Sacketts Harbor, then occupied by the
fleet under Com. Chauncey, where they were arrested by the pa-
trol boats and imprisoned four days as spies. At the expiration
of that time an uncle from the neighboring town of "Woodville,
hearing of the capture, gave satisfactory assurances of their loy-
alty, when they were released, Wood going to his mothers at
Woodville, New York, for a time, afterwards to Middletown,
and Johnson entering the American service as a spy.
At the time of the movement of the English forces by water
and by land for the invasion of the Eastern States by way of
Lake Champlaiu, young Wood raised a company of which he was
chosen captain, and marched to assist in the defense of his coun-
try, but before they reached the American army the battle of
Lake Champlain had taken place, resulting in the defeat of the
English; the company returned home and disbanded.
' Wood, then at Middletown, entered the office of Gen. Jonas
Clark, a distinguished practitioner, where he continued the study
of law. In 1816 he married Miss Mary Rice, of the neighboring
town of Ira, the next year removed with her to his mother's
house in Woodville, and in September, 1818, came to Cleveland,
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 35
in those days farther away than Oregon or Alaska are now, lit-
erally to seek his fortune.
It is not for us to tell his asi)irations for position, wealth and
lionors, nor how high his hopes rose or fell as he stepped ashore
in the scattering, straggling hamlet of that day. A few houses
standing here and there on the river's bank, the clearings
scarcely encroaching on the virgin forest that came to the
water's edge; only a few years back the aborigines had hunted in
those woods, and fished in the waters soon to bear the fleets of
an empire.
Although he had been admitted to practice in the Vermont
courts, he was compelled for lack of means to go on foot to Ra-
venna, where the Supreme Court was in session, to secure the
diploma that enabled him to practice in the courts of the State.
He afterwards brought his wife and infant daughter to Cleve-
land, coming from Buffalo on the Walk-in-the- Water, the first
steamer ever on Lake Erie. In the absence of piers, and owing
to the sand-bars then across the river's mouth, the passengers
were landed in small boats. When he thus finally made his res-
idence in Ohio, his wife walked at his side; he carried his infant
daughter in his arms; he had a silver quarter of a dollar in his
pocket ; that was all.
In 1825 he was elected to the State Senate, filling the posi-
tion three consecutive terms of two years each. He was after-
ward elected President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of
the district of which Cuyahoga was one of the counties. This
position he occupied six years, and was then chosen to the bench
of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and twice re-appointed — the last
three years as Chief Justice. His entire term of judicial service
was about twenty years.
The data are not at hand from which to give an analysis of
his judicial decisions, it must suffice to say that his influence
had a marked effect in shaping the judiciary of the State, some
of his opinions being given on important questions of the day
and receiving great attention; and that as a judge he was inflex-
36 ANNALS OF TSE
ible in the administration of justice, of grave and dignified de-
meanor when npon the bench, highly esteemed by his fellow
jvidges, and held in high regard by the bar and by honest liti-
gants. For a number of years he was a prominent lawyer in
Cleveland. He had two or three partners at different times,
among others, the Hon. Harvey Rice. As a lawyer, he was keen
and sharp in getting at the truth, being particularly skillful in
criminal cases. He was a man of sound sense, who despised
quibbles, seized the strong points, and endeavored to reach jus-
tice in a case by the most direct path.
Reuben Wood was a man of deep kindness of heart, of great
geniality of disposition, and of tender symijathies. He had a
keen wit, and admired wit in others. Possessing an inexhaustible
fund of anecdote connected with the early days of Northern Ohio,
he was one of the most agreeable of companions, retaining his
freshness and vivacity to a good old age. When the country was
new, and ''traveling the circuit" was part of a lawyer's duty, he
was the center of a circle of talented legal gentlemen whose leis-
ure hours were devoted to social intercourse, the pleasures of
which were greatly enhanced by his overflowing humor and
kindness of manner. Many are the stories of the unbending of
the Solons, their mad pranks and practical jokes, that linger in
the traditions of the early bar of Ohio.
In the various official positions filled by him the breath of
suspicion was never lisped against him. In his long career of
public life he maintained a character above reproach. Even the
heat and injustice of party conflict never left its mark upon his
character, and his warm, personal, private friendships never
were chilled by the bitterest political excitement. As a candidate
for the suffrages of his fellow citizens he was very popular with
his party, and his tall, erect form and commanding mien as a
leader, had won for him the familiar and expressive title of the
"Old Cuyahoga Chief." Thus, when in October, 1850, he was
made the candidate for Governor by the Democratic party, al-
though the dominant party had been Whig for a number of
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 37
years, he was elected by a majority of 11,000 over Judge John-
son, of Hamilton County, his opponent. Although the canvass
was a spirited one, not a line of abuse or a blemish on his private
character was ever hinted at by a single paper in the State. In-
deed, such was his personal popularity throughout the State, ev-
ery county of which he had visited either as an advocate or as
judge, that many Whigs, personal friends, were found either
electioneering or voting for him.
He took his seat as Governor in 1851.
In national politics it was a time when, after the passage of
the odious Fugitive Slave law, the country was full of dissension
and discussion. Governor Wood was always opposed to the ex-
tension of the slave power, and was an anti-slavery man, although
he deprecated unlawful or unconstitutional means for the aboli-
tion of slavery. In his inaugural address he expressed his natu-
ral aversion to the institution, and asserted that "the Demo-
cratic party has opposed, and ever will oppose, either the diffu-
sion or the extension of slavery into any territory of the United
States by every legal and constitutional means, and would re-
joice if any mode not doing violence to others coiild be devised
to overthrow and eradicate the evil."
During his administration the State enjoyed unusual peace
and prosperity, and the gubernatorial chair was never filled more
worthily. Always tempering justice with mercy, of great kind-
ness of heart, one of the trials of the position was the constant
appeals of convicts for pardon. The New Constitution, so called,
went into effect in March, 1851, thus vacating the office. Gov-
ernor Wood was re-nominated by the Democracy, and re-elected
in October, 1851, by a majority of 26,000 over Samuel F. Vin-
ton, the Whig candidate, a majority at that time unheard of in
the political annals of Ohio. His second term of office began in
January, 1852.
At the assembling of the Democratic convention at Baltimore
in June, 1852, that party was so strongly in the ascendant
throughout the Union that a nomination was considered equiva-
38 ANNALS OF THE
lent to an election, and Governor AVood was spoken of as a
prominent candidate. The strife between Lewis Cass and Ste-
phen A. Douglass, the leading candidates, was a bitter one, last-
ing for several days; finally, after forty or fifty ballots had been
taken, the Virginia delegation sent a committee to the Ohio del-
egation, offering to give the entire vote of Virginia in the con-
vention to Governor Wood if Ohio would bring liim oiTt. Owing
to the chairman of the Ohio delegation having personal feeling
against the Governor, this proposition was declined. Then they
made the offer to the New Hampshire delegation, who accepted
it; Franklin Pierce was nominated and elected. Thus, personal
jealousy and ingratitude prevented a nomination that would un-
doubtedly have resulted in the election of Eeuben Wood to the
Presidency, a position his experience in legislation, in the- judi-
ciary, and in the State government would have qualified him to
fill with credit to himself and satisfaction to his countrymen.
Positions of public trust, such as Governor AVood had held
during his long official life, while they are full of honor when
occupied as he filled them, rarely are remunerative, especially
when they take up tlie time that should be devoted to a profes-
sion. Therefore, when in the spring of 1853 he was offered the
consulate at Valparaiso, Soutli America, then said to be one of
the most valuable offices in the gift of the President, he accepted
it, resigning the Governorship into the hands of the Lieutenant
Governor, William Medill, and left Cleveland for that far dis-
tant land on the 12th of July, 1853, accompanied by his family.
He issued an address to the people of Ohio, expressing his
regret at leaving them, gratitude for their confidence in him du-
ring all the years of his public life, and hoi^es for their contiinied
happiness and prosperity.
His departure was accompanied by the regrets of thousands
of friends. The press throughout the State expressed the live-
liest interest in his welfare.
In the absence of the Envoy to Chili, he filled for a time, in
addition to the consulate, the position of Plenipotentiary and
Envoy Extraordinary to the Government of that Republic.
EAEL Y SETTLESS' ASSO CIA TIOH. 39
The consulate not proving as remunerative as had. been rep-
resented, he tendered his resignation and returned to the United
States in July, 1854.
This was the last position he ever held, either by election or
appointment.
For a time he practiced law in Cleveland, but at last with-
drew entirely from the profession, and devoted himself during
his remaining years to the cultivation of his farm, Evergreen
Place, eight miles west of the city, where he had resided since
1833, and where he was wont to retire at intervals during his
public life for relaxation. He had spent many years in beauti-
fying and adorning this home, where he always dispensed a gen-
erous hospitality, enlivened with reminiscence and anecdote, for
which his conversational powers of the highest order well quali-
fied him, and where he now lived like another Cincinnatus,
sharing with his men the labors of his farm and field.
^to
" The remnant of his days he safely passed,
Nor found they flew too slow, nor flew too fast;
He made his wish with his estate comply,
Joyful to Hve, yet not afraid to die."
We have seen his devotion to the principles of liberty, and to
the Union. He continued until the last to take great interest
in public affairs; he foresaw the inevitable struggle with slavery
and was strong in his support of the Government in the suppres-
sion of the rebellion.
He had lived more than the allotted three score and ten.
His hair had become silvered, and his vigorous frame bent and
enfeebled, although his mind was still active and his wit keen
as in youth. He visited the city on Thursday, and return-
ed at night apparently in his usual health, but toward morn-
ing was seized with an acute disease of which he died on the fol-
lowing Saturday, October 1, 1864, at the age of 72. His remains
rest in Woodland Cemetery, at Cleveland. A plain marble shaft
inscribed with his name marks the spot.
40 ANNALS OF THE
ANNOUNCEMENT OF MEMBERS DECEASED
WITHIN THE PAST YEAR.
BY REV. THOMAS CORLETT.
The following are the names of members of the Association
who have died since our last annual meeting:
Age. Name. Born. Came to the Western Reserve. Died.
70 Levi Bauder,
80 Mrs. Maria A. Critteadeu, N. Y.
72 Marshall Carson,
74 Thomas Hird,
80 Mrs. Deborah Crocker,
66 Judge Jesse P. Bishop,
71 Jacob Lowman,
76 John Lloyd Slosson,
74 John H. Gorham,
76 Charles H. Norton,
69 James W. Kingsbury,
58 Ransom O'Connor,
50 James A. Garfield,
Of each of these deceased members of our Association I would
briefly say:
Mr, Levi Bauder was a business man, pursuing the trade of
cabinet maker, and maintained through all the fluctuations of
business the reputation of an honest and good man.
Mrs. Maria A. Crittenden, wife of the late N. E. Crittenden,
showed her business ability in conducting successfully the large
jewelry store which has been for many years such an ornament
to our city.
Marshall Carson was a paper merchant, and kept the first
paper store in Cleveland, and carried on painting.
Thomas Hird commenced life as a day laborer, and by thrift
and economy became one of our most thriving farmers.
John Lloyd Slosson kept a boarding house.
John H. Gorham was an active business man, and with a
heart and hand ready for every good work.
N.Y.,
1812,
1834,
Jan. 30,
1882
N. Y.,
1802,
1837,
Jan. 9,
1882
N. Y.,
, 1810,
1834,
Jan.
1882
Eng.,
1808,
1830,
Mar. 31,
1882
N. Y.,
1796,
1801,
Nov. 18,
1881
Vt.,
1815,
1836,
Oct. 28,
1881
Md.
1810,
1832,
Oct. 26,
1881
Mich.
, 1806,
1812,
Oct. 23,
1881
Conn.
, 1807,
1838,
Dec. 18,
1881
N.Y.,
1805,
1888,
Feb. 23,
1881
Ohio,
1813,
1813,
Sept. 30,
1881
Ohio,
1824,
1824,
May 7,
1882
Ohio,
1831,
1831,
Sept. 19,
1881
EAELY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 41
Charles H. Norton was a dealer in cattle, and kept a meat
market for some years, with better impulses of heart than his
rough manner might indicate.
Ransom O'Connor was a thriving farmer, and for many years
an active member of the Disciple Church in Collamer.
James W. Kingsbury, the last member of Judge Kingsbury's
family, lived on the old homestead, formerly in the township of
Newburgh, but now the city of Cleveland. He was an interest-
ing and well disposed citizen, leaving to his orphan children the
legacy of a good name and a Christian character.
Mrs. Deborah Crocker was at the time of her death one of
the oldest residents of this county; trained from early childhood
in the school of pioneer life, and deeply impressed with the
truths of religion, she developed into full grown Christian wom-
anhood, and for many years her influence for good, strong and
sustaining, did much good, and will long linger in the hearts
and memory of those who knew her.
Jacob Lowman commenced working in this city at the age
of twenty-two; after working a year for Mr. Elisha Peet, at the
smithing department of carriage building, he bought out his
employer and employed one wagon maker and one carriage
builder, he himself doing the smithing. From this small be-
ginning he steadily prospered until he became one of the most
extensive and best known carriage manufacturers of the State.
The sterling qualities of head and heart which marked his ear-
lier years, were prominent throiighout his whole life, and coupled
as were those with the fear of God, he could be none other than
what he was: a good citizen, a wise counselor, a, strong pillar in
the Church of God, and a loving and judicious father.
Judge Jesse P. Bishop was at the time of his death on,© of
the vice-presidents of our Association, and a resident of Cleve-
land forty-four years; and here I take the liberty of quoting from
the notice in one of our city papers at the time of his death, of
this good man: ''As an incorruptible judge, an honest and
laborious lawyer, a public spirited citizen, a zealous Christian,
42 ANNALS OF THE
an exemplary husband and father, and a friend to the poor and
needy, he was a man among men, and the people of Cleveland of
all professions, sects and parties among whom he lived and
wrought for nearly half a century, feel a personal and irrepara-
ble loss in his death, which is the strongest and most eloquent
tribute that can be paid to the worth and memory of any one."
To the memory and worth of our deceased honorary mem-
ber, James A. GarfieM, who was at the time of his death Presi-
dent of the United States, it would be presumption, with all
that has been said and written about him, to add anything. A
nation's grief and sorrow at his cruel and untimely death, and
the warm sympathy of the whole civilized world, must be ac-
cepted as a better tribute to his memory than any thing that can
be said here.
CALL BY THE PRESIDENT FOR VOLUNTEER
SPEECHES.
The next on the programme was a call from the president for
volunteer speeches. A number of responses were made, and
they were without exception witty and extertaining, and were
heartily appreciated and applauded.
Judge Daniel E. Tilden was the first member called upon.
He led off with a Joke at his own expense, and then informed
the assembly that last year at their meeting he was discouraged
on seeing so many black heads, but this year the case had altered
a little. The white head was the badge of pioneerism, he said.
He concluded by showing how our advanced civilization was
worked out by the strokes of these hardy men and women.
EA RL Y SETTLERS' ASSO CIA TION. 43
RESPONSE BY A. J. WILLIAMS, ESQ.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen :
I am admonished that time is of the essence of these off-hand
speeches, and that each must fall within the limitation of ten
minutes. I am further advised by a kind whisper from our hon-
ored treasurer that the early history of Chagrin Falls should be
my theme. If I am to be restricted to matters of interest in the
early history of that enterprising little village, then the time al-
lowed me is more than ample to compass its entire history.
I moved from Ontario county, N. Y., to Chagrin Falls, in
1840; aboiit seven years after the woodman's axe was first sound-
ed in the forest where the village now stands. The little village
was then in three townships and two counties. The townships
were Orange and Solon in Cuyahoga county, and Eussell in
Geauga. The township of Chagrin Falls was not organized
until about 1845. The principal street running through the
village was on the line dividing Cuyahoga and Geauga counties.
In 1841, by an act of the Legislature, Cuyahoga county was en-
larged by adding thereto that portion of the present township of
Chagrin Falls that theretofore had been in Geauga. Prior to
the organization of Chagrin Falls township, the few voters of
the village cast their ballots in the original three townships
named.
That year, 1840, was distinguished for the peculiar argu-
ments and methods adopted by the Whigs in the Harrison- Van
Buren campaign. These arguments and methods consisted of a
free use of hard cider: making the air resonant with doggerel
songs:
" Tippecanoe and Tyler too,
And with them we'll beat little Van," etc.,
and in the display in processions of coon-skins and miniature log
44 ANNALS OF THE
cabins. What could the poor locofocos say in answer to such
logic? Simply, nothing.
The Whigs had an oracle at Chagrin, Dr. J. H. A'incenfc,
then a candidate for the Legislature. He played the fife, was a
good singer, and could make a speech. The Democrats had no
oracle. They were characteristically meek and forbearing. They
partook of the hard cider, enjoyed the songs, and admired the
emblematic displays of their enemies with Christian fortitude;
but when the Whigs improvised a cannon with which to disturb
their early morning slumbers, it proved too much, and they de-
termined that that thing should be suppressed. Sure enough,
one bright morning the Whigs awoke to find their gun non est.
The Democrats had borrowed that gun and buried it in a swamp
near by, where it remained until 1844, when it was resurrected
to celebrate the election of James K. Polk. To the discomfiture
of the jubilant Democracy, however, that year the Whigs, in
turn, quietly horroived the gun and threw it over the falls, where
it has since been buried in the waters of Chagrin Eiver.
The hard-cider argument was a little more difficult for the
Democrats to handle. There were so few of them that they
found their caimcity inadequate to dispose of it by the rules of
Democratic logic, in siich case made and provided. I remem-
ber well, when, on a Saturday evening, oiir hilarious opponents
laid in a barrel of hard cider preparatory to a cami)aign trip the
next Monday. The barrel was rolled into the Whig store of
Hillis & James. There was a double door to the store, only one
of which was used. Through this door the barrel was taken,
rolled around and left with one head about two feet from the
other door. The Democrats were around, with their hands in
their pockets, watching and whistling. One of their number,
Ben Hull, who had an engineer's eye, took in the situation, and
carefully measured the distance from the door to the barrel;
keeping his own counsels, he at once procured an auger, took it
to a forge, lengthened it as the necessities of the case required,
and in the dead of that night, when all AVhigs were slumbering.
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 45
bored through the store-door and into the barrel. On the next,
Sunday, morning, the Whigs, one by one, came around to con-
sult about the programme of the morrow, and to draw cheer and
courage from tho bung-hole of that barrel. Their consternation
was beyond utterance, when, upon examination, they found that
their logical beverage had gone l^eyond the reach of their straws,
and the barrel was empty! The news of this Democratic out-
rage was soon communicated to all the faithful. It was Sun-
day, but during that campaign Sunday was like any other day.
Business and religion were alike suspended, and the '*' Smith
Sunday Law " had not then been heard of. Another barrel of
hard cider was readily procured and on hand for Monday's
revelry.
In 1843, C. T, Blakeslee and Jehu Brainerd inaugurated a
monthly journal at Chagrin Falls, entitled Farmers and Me-
chanics' JoiLrnal. It was a pamphlet publication, copiously il-
lustrated. Mr. Brainerd did all the engraving, and he and
Blakeslee made the wooden press upon which the Journal was
printed. I am informed that it was the first agricultural paper
published in Ohio. In a short time Blakeslee sold out his in-
terest to one H. 0. Calkins, who, with Prof. Brainerd, contin-
ued the publication of the Journal until 1844, when they sold
the establishment to one H. G. Whipple. Whipple conceived
that Chagrin Falls was a good field for missionary work. Mor-
monism had flourished there; the Millerites had taken the place
by storm in 1843; every phase of religious fanaticism had taken
ready root there; and above all, Whiggery prevailed; and why
was it not a good field for the missionary? Whipple thought so,
and when he bought out Brainerd & Calkins he issued in Cha-
grin Falls a red-hot Democratic newspaper. Think of it, — a
Democratic newspaper printed in Chagrin Falls! I would as
soon think of re-publishing the Standard of the Cross in the
jungles of Central Africa, as to print a Democratic paper in
Chagrin Falls. His missionary work went on thoroughly for
about a month; perhaps a week or two longer. Whipple was
46 ANNAL.S OF THE
called awiiy on important business. He entrusted his foreman,
M. S. Barnes, with writing the editorial, and making up the
inside of that week's edition. The outside had already been
printed and was chuck full of Democracy. Barnes took the
inside in hand, but he was a Whig. He could not write a Dem-
ocratic editorial to save his life. The result was that the outside
of that issue was furious for the annexation of the " Lone Star,"
'for " Fifty-f our-Forty or Fight," and all other Democratic
measures of that campaign, while the inside antagonized all
these measures; was purely Whig, and intensely hostile to every-
thing that even looked Democratic. The only explanation given
by Barnes was in a little editorial saying that Whi})ple was " rev-
elling among the Tombes." What he meant by this I have
never been able to find out. In a few days Whipple returned,
discharged his foreman, issued two or three more numbers of his
paper, and from that day to this, neither patriot nor hero has
been found who cared to publish a Democratic newspaper in Cha-
grin Falls.
In 1852 the good old Whig party expired. Strange and
startling as it may seem, it received its death blow at Chagrin
Falls, and at the hand of my distinguished friend Judge Tilden.
It may be a sad reminiscence, but its importance entitles it to a
place in recorded history.
The Western Eeserve had been the stronghold of the Whig
party in Ohio, but its anti-slavery convictions were stronger than
its party ties. The National Convention of the party that year
nominated General Scott for the Presidency, but in its platform
it resolved against the further agitation of the slavery question.
This was too much for the Whigs of the Reserve, and without
them the State was sure to cast its electoral vote for the Demo-
cratic candidate, Franklin Pierce — a result sure to follow if the
Whigs of the Reserve supported the Free Soil candidate, John.
P. Hale.
Ben. Wade, then in Washington, took in the situation, inter-
viewed General vScott, and received assurances from him that
EA RL Y SETTLERS' ASSO CIA TION. 47
rather than see slavery extended, he would sacrifice his right
arm. Wade knew that that old hero meant Just what he said,
and that the result of this important interview should at once be
made known to the anti-slavery Whigs of the Western Reserve.
Knowing that on the Reserve there was no Whig more influen-
tial, and no abolitionist more earnest than Judge Tilden, Wade
at once wrote to him what General Scott had said. Tilden was
satisfied, and then determined that he could best place the good
news upon the breeze at Chagrin Falls. He went* there, and in
a vigorous Whig sjieech stated the substance of Wade's letter,
and returned to his home in Cleveland.
In a few days a good friend in Chagrin Falls wrote him that
his statement in regard to the Wade letter was doubted; there-
upon he sent the original letter to the Chagrin friend. But
there it met the omnipresent and irrepressible Plain Dealer re-
porter, who took a copy of the letter and published it in the
next issue of that paper. That was a good thing if the Plain
Dealer had not circulated beyond the Western Reserve. But
unfortunately it went into the Southern States, and the letter
was largely copied in the Democratic papers in that section, and
threatened the ruin of the Whig party throughout the entire
South. The Southern Whigs in Washington called on Wade
and asked, "Is this so?" As good fortune would have it, the
Plain Dealer had misprinted one word; entirely immaterial, but
nevertheless a misprint, enough to justify Wade in denying the
authorship of the letter. He did so with characteristic vehemence,
and wrote to Tilden that the letter was raising hell with Scott
in the South, and as the published copy was inaccurate, he had
denied writing such a letter, and that he (Tilden) must destroy
the original. I don't know whether Judge Tilden made another
Whig speech on the Reserve or not; but faithful to his old friend
Wade, and true to his party, he determined to consign the fatal
letter to oblivion. With his true and tried friend S. I. Noble,
and other Whigs, >lie took a steamer at Cleveland and sailed for
the great Lundy's Lane Scott jollification. That letter weighed
48 ANNALS OF THE
heavily upon his mind. Consulting with Mr. Xoble they con-
cluded that there was no better time to dispose of the letter than
when they were beyond the sight of land. Tying a weight to
the dread paper, and calling Noble as a witness, with judicial
gravity Judge Tilden consigned it to the depths of Lake Erie.
Oh, what relief was then given to a troubled breast!
But it was too late; the die was cast; that letter had done
its fatal work in the South, where Scott received the electoral
vote of but two States, Kentucky and Tennessee, and Wade's
denial had neutralized Scott's assurance on the Western Reserve,
and Ohio cast her electoral vote for Pierce. The Whig party
was dead. Who says Chagrin Falls has no place in history?
RESPONSE BY HON. R. P. RANNEY.
Judge R. P. Ranney was the next speaker, sup2:)lementing
Judge Spalding's remarks with another version of the way in
which the Western Reserve obtained its name, relating several
facts and anecdotes of an amusing character. It is much to be
regretted that a full report of his excellent speech has not been
procured for publication in these pages.
RESPONSE BY HON. R. P. SPALDING.
Mr. President, and Ladies and Gentlemen: If my
honored friend, Judge Tilden, had propounded his question to
me: " Did you ever know a man attempt to speak when he had
nothing to say?" he knows well what the reply would have
been.
Somewhere about fifty years ago that gentleman made his
first effort to address a jury, as my associate in a cause on trial
in the Common Pleas of Portage county. He arose with a good
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 49
deal of dignity and said, with emphasis: " (Tentlemeii of tlie
Jury! ! I "' But beyond this it seemed impossible for him to get,
until finally, after many repetitions, he said: "Gentlemen of
the jury, if you do not decide this ease in favor of my client,
you will — you will — " ("dampen my aspirations," I whispered
in his ear) " You will dampen my aspirations, gentlemen!"
When he said this in a commanding tone of voice, I caught up
my hat and left the Court House. He soon followed, and I was
obliged to sue for peace. But badinage aside.
We have heard much about the " Western Eeserve," its set-
tlement and progress. It is about as good a country as the sun
shines upon, but then what of its name? It is, properly speak-
ing, the " Connecticut Western Reserve," and the name orig-
inated in this wis6:
In 1662 the charter of Charles II granted to the colony of
Connecticut '•all lands between the parallels of 41 and 42 de-
grees North latitude, from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. "
After American independence was established, a com[)romise was
effected whereby Congress secured to the State of Connecticut
3,800,000 acres of land in the northeastern part of what is now
the State of Ohio, and Connecticut relinquished all further
claim to the Western territory.
500,000 acres of this land, in the western part, was donated
by Connecticut, in 1792, to certain sufferers by fire, in the war
of the Eevolution. The residue was sold to an association of
gentlemen known as the " Connecticut Land Company," who
sent out Gen. Moses Cleaveland, in 1796, with a number of prac-
tical surveyors to divide it into townships of five miles square.
It was this body of men who, in the autumn of 1796, laid out
the town of Cleveland and called it by the name of their leader.
In February, 1823, when I first attended court in this county,
Cleveland had a population of 400 souls. ' At this time the enu-
meration in the city runs up to 200,000, and it may not be ex-
travagant to say that the child is already born that may see it
teeming with a population of more than half a million.
4
50 ANNALS OF THE
In the spring of 1819 I was descending the Ohio Eiver from
Pittsburgh to Cincinnati, in a skiff, with someyonng traveling
companions who, like myself, had become tired of the stage
coach. It took us some ten days to reach the end of our route,
as we could not proceed in the niglit season, Imt we became
highly interested in the scenery upon the river bank in the day
time.
I well recollect our visit to Backus' Island, a little below
Marietta, Avhere, in 1800, Harmon Blennerhassett and his accom-
plished wife had made for themselves a palatial residence which
continued to be the abode of peace and hapi)iness until in an
evil hour it was entered by Aaron Burr, who, like Satan in the
Eden of old, visited this earthly paradise only to deceive and
destroy. The place and tlie parties are made historical by the
eloquence of AVilliam Wirt at the trial of Burr in Richmond.
At the time of my visit the i)lace was in ruins, but enough
remained to enable me to judge of its past splendor and magnifi-
cence. The learned Dr. Hildreth, in his " Lives of Early Set-
tlers of Ohio," has given a faithful picture of this " classical
retreat," as it stood before the torch of the incendiary was
applied, ;ind it is well worthy of examination.
In 1793 John Armstrong lived on the Virginia side of the
Ohio river, opposite the upper end of this island of Blennerhas-
sett. A party of Indians crossed the Ohio from the mouth of
the Little Hocking, and in the night season approached Arm-
strong's house, killed Mrs. Armstrong and her three youngest
cliildren, and carried into captivity three older children, the
youngest of whom was Jeremiah, a lad then about eight years
old. They were adopted into the Indian nation as their chil-
dren, and lived for some years at Lower Sandusky, near Fre-
mont. Jerry was afterwards recovered, by an older brother,
from the hands of Billy Wyandot, an Indian chief, with whom
he lived. When I was first a member of the Ohio Legislature,
in the winter of 1839-40, I boarded at the house of this same
identical Jeremiah Armstrong, who was, for many years, a well
known and highly respected citizen of Columbus.
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 51
We have many of us, in our school-boy days, admired the
eloquent strains of the youthful declaimer, as he recited the
l)laintive speech of Logan, the Indian Chief, made before Lord
Dunmore, in the war of 1794:
"I apjieal to any white man to say if he ever entered Logan's
caliin hungry and he gave him no meat; if he came naked and
cold and I clothed him not. * * * q^j^ Cressup,
last spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, murdered all the re-
lations of Logan, not sparing even my women and children.
There runs not one drop of my blood in the veins of any living
creature." Etc., etc.
It is not generally known that the famous speech was read to
Governor Dunmore under an oak tree, ui^on the soil of Ohio,
some seven miles from Circleville. In the winter of 1818 I vis-
ited Caleb Atwater, at Circleville, and he asserts this fact in his
History of Ohio, page IKi.
In 1799 the settlement of Deerfield, in Portage county, com-
menced; Lewis Ely and family moved in in July of that year.
On the 7th of November, 1800, the first marriage in the county
took place between John Campbell and Sarah Ely. They were
joined in wedlock by Capt. Austin, Esq., a Justice of the Peace,
of Warren, in Trumbull county. He came through the woods,
on foot, a distance of twenty-seven miles, accomj^anied by a
young lawyer of the name of Calvin Pease, who instructed the
Justice in regard to the formulary, while on the road.
In February, 1819, this same John Campbell, then a State Sen-
ator, accompanied me in my journey on horseback, from Columbus
to the Western Reserve, on my first visit to this section of the
State, and I have ever felt indebted to him for many courtesies.
In October, 1821, Calvin Pease, then Chief Justice of Ohio,
admitted me to the practice of the law.
But I am transcending [my limits, and must make my bow.
52 ANJ^ALS OF THE
RESPONSE BY GEORGE H. ELY, ESQ.
Mr. Pkesidext: The story of the Western Reserve has
been often told. Again have its gi-eat events and its thrilling-
scenes been rehearsed by surviving actors, who can say concern-
ing them, ••' All of whicli I saw and part of which I was."
This is a theme which will never grow old. To you, at least,
venerable fathers and mothers, whose eyes have followed the sun,
almost to its setting, and to whom, looking now into the West,
the glow of evening brings peace; it contains the fruitage of
character and eartlily life. The significance of these events and
your relations to them will only dee]ien with the passage of
your remaining years.
The settlement and the advancement of the Reserve consti-
tute one of the finest passages of recent American history.
Here is a conspicuous instance of the successful transi:)lanting-
of ideas, principles and habits of a people, and the making of
them a positive force in the subjugation of the wilderness, and
the rearing of a new community.
This was not done to any large extent l)y organization and
combined effort for the movement of population. There was
no exodus from New England for the planting of its counter-
part west of the Alleghanies. Individual emigrants with wife
and children, joined, perhaps, by a neigldior. took the path
through the wilderness to the '"' Far West," and they gathered
here upon the principle of natural selection. It is true that
the Reserve attracted settlers also from other sections of the
country, biit the majority came from New England, and to reach
their future home they passed the falls of the Genesee and
crossed the garden of the Emj^ire State. It followed that New
England ideas and principles had a controlling influence in
molding social and political conditions here.
The party sent out by the Connecticut Land Comjiany to sur-
vey its newly acquired domain, arrived at Conneaut Creek July
EA RL Y SE TTLERS' A SS O CIA TION. 5 3
4tli. niHJ. From that i)()int the work was immediately begun,
one ])arty running the line of its eastern boundary southward
and another going northw^ard. The mouth of the Chn'ahoga was
laid out. and honored with the name of the leader of I he expe-
dition — (reneral Moses Oleaveland.
But the arrival at Conneaut Creek is worthy of mention.
General Cleaveland made of this the following record: " On this
creek (Conneaut), in New Connecticut land, July 4. IT'.HJ, under
(reneral Moses Cleaveland, the surveyors and men sent out by
the ( '(uinecticut Land Com])any to survey and settle the Con-
necticut Reserve, were the first English people who took posses-
sion of it.*"
He further says: ''We gave three cheers and christened the
place Fort Independence, and after many ditiiculties, i)erplex-
ities. and hardships were surmounted, and we were cm tlie good
and })romised land, felt tluit a just tribute of respect to the day
ought to l)e ])aid. There were in all. including women and
children, fifty in mnnl)er. The men under Captain Tinker
ranged tliemselves on the beach aiid tired a federal salute of fif-
teen rounds, and then the sixteenth, in honor of N^ew Connecti-
cut; drank several toasts, closed with three cheers, drank several
})ails of grog, supped and retired in good order."
Notice in this record the claim to first English occupation,
and the loyalty that would not let them forget in the wilderness
the birthday of tlie Republic, and that quaint but honest declar-
ation, that " after several pails of grog, they supped and retired
in good order.'"
The arrival of this i)arty on the shore of Lake Erie, and con-
tem})oraneous events, mark an important epoch in the history of
the new nation.
During the two and a half centuries i)reyious to this time
the continent had been penetrated by Spanish and French ex-
l)l(n-ers from different points on the Atlantic coast. In the south
Ponce de Leon and De Soto had sought gold and the "Fountain
of Perpetual Youth,"* and in the north French missionaries and
54 ANNALS OF THE
exjilorers liad ascended through the St. Lawrence and the Great
Lakes to the far northwest. But the object was discovery, with
a view to military occupation and religious projiagandism. One
hundred and seventeen years before the event at Conneaut
Creek (in 16T9), a solitary sail had passed that spot, but it bore
no intending settler. It carried cannon. It was La Salle seek-
ing the pathway to China across the continent, and to plant the
arms and the faith of France in the valley and at the mouth of
the Mississippi. This he accomplished in the following year.
There had been a long and doubtful struggle between the
French and the English for supremacy in the new Avorld. Init
long before this it had ended in favor of the English. This and
the final subjection of the Indian tribes prepared the way for
the new nation of the new world. The issue of the Eevolution-
ary war afterwards settled the further cpiestion of infinite im-
portance, that the control of this continent by the English-
speaking race was to be administered under the highest conditions
for success — free institutions.
With the close of the Revolutionary war came rapidly on the
settlement of many qttestions preliminary to the growth and ex-
pansion of the national life westward.
Several of the seaboard States had claims, througli royal
grants, to extensive territory west of the existing State bound-
aries. The extinguishment or adjustment of these claims, often
conflicting, was among the first duties of the new Federal Gov-
ernmeni. A few years saw this mainly accomplished.
The claims of Connecticut to land in the new northwest ter-
ritory, however, were measureably defined, at least on three sides.
Tlie royal charter in 1G62 gave to her a strip of land, bounded
on the east by Xaragansett river, on tlie north by Massachusetts,
and on the south by Long Island Sound, and extending west-
ward between the parallels 41° and 42° 2" north latitude to
the mythical "South Sea."
That portion of the charter lying immediately west she could
not obtain, it having been previously granted to New York and
EABLT SETTLESS' ASSOCIATION. 55
in possession. The •" South Sea" she could never find, and that
portion of her charter lying between it and the Keserve, we sup-
pose, she rather reluctantly abandoned. In 1786 Connecticut
relinquished to the United States all claims to territory outside
of a line one hundred and twenty miles west of the boundary
line of Pennsylvania and parallel with it. In 1792 she granted
five hundred thousand acres (the Fire Lands) from the western
side of this Eeserve to citizens whose property had been burned
in tlie war. The remainder of her lands she sold in 1795 to the
Connecticut Land Company for twelve hundred thousand dol-
lars.
This, I believe, was the final transaction which brought the
entire domain of the new northwest territory under the jurisdic-
tion of the United States. But I must not detain you with
even these brief allusions to the events and influences which
prepared the way for the Western Keserve of to-day. Here she
is in her aiorv and strength, a I)eautiful creation. Your life-
work, my friends, has been done upon it, and I knoAv tliat
now. at last, with the whitened hair and the trembling step,
there has also come into your hearts the joy and the pride
of successful achievement. Tlie Reserve that we see might well
have been predicted from the happy confluence of so many favor-
ing elements in its origin and progress.
The location central, and at the foot of the Great Lakes, was
a guarantee of future commercial influence. The climate was
good, the soil was fertile and the country well watered, while
the heavy forest with which it wa^ covered, evoked and chal-
lenged, as no prairie land bright with flowers could ever do,
those sturdy qualities of manhood that are essential to the
building of a state. These liigh material advantages have been
pushed to their highest utility, it is needless to say, in the
hands of a sober, industrious, intelligent and God-fearing peo-
l)le, and so they have been made tributary to the highest ob-
jects of social and political organization. Xaturally, the first
endeavor was to utilize to tlie fullest extent the water commu-
56 ANNALS OF THE
iiications by the lakes. Then came the construction of canals,
connecting the Ohio river and the Pennsylvania canal system
with Cleveland harbor. Cleveland was now asserting herself
as the metropolis of Northern Oliio. But about 1850 com-
menced that marvelous advance whicb followed the construc-
tion of railroads upon the Keserve. The track of commerce
between the East and the West and the Southwest lay across
the Reserve, and within ten years several roads reached out
to tlie interior from this harl)()r. But railroad construction, with
ship building, assumed vastly increased importance when the
iron ores of Lake Superior were brought to the coal de])osits of
the Reserve.
This lighted the tires around our harbors and throughout our
valleys, and the Reserve has rapidly become the seat of immense
and varied manufacturing industries.
But, my friends, what shall we say of the social, political
and religious characteristics of the Reserve, underlying all
this material progress? '^Die} are, thank God, what might
have been expected from the early seed.
The school-house at the cross-roads, and in the city the acad-
emy and college, and the church and the home where faith in
God and the qualities of a true manhood are nourished and vi-
talized, these are the grand insignia of the inheritance we have
received, venerable and bcldved friends, from you.
r
The exercises of the day were now closed by singing to tlu'
tune of " Old Hundred" the " Early Settlers' Hymn,-' in which
the audience joined with the Quartette Club, followed with the
Doxology.
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 57
COMMUNICATIONS.
EARLY CIVIL AND COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS,
SOUTH SHORE OF LAKE ERIE.
Hon. Harvey Rice, Pres. Early Settlers" Association:
It has occurred to nie tliat the members of yo\ir Association
would be interested in a review of the successive civil jurisdic-
tions which have attached to the soil of this county.
While the French occupied the south shore of Lake Erie
there was not the semblance of courts or ma-sristrates for the trial
of civil or criminal issues. This occupation ended in 17(!(), Init it
is an 02)en historical question when it l)egan. La Salle was in
the Ohio country from 1669 to 1671 or 1672, though he estab-
lished no ])osts, and the records of his occupation arc lost.
There are, on the Western Reserve, quite a number of ancient ax
marks upon trees, over which the growth of woody layers corres-
ponds to those dates, and which a]qiear to me to have been made
by ])arties of his expedition. The French had posts at Erie,
Pa., on the Cuyahoga, on Sandusky liay. on the Maumee and
■Great Miami rivers as early as 1749 and 1752; and ])rol)ably car-
ier at sonu' points in Ohio and Pennsylvania. In 1748 the
English colonists from Pennsylvania had a trading i)ost at San-
dusky bay, from which they were driven by the French.
Pennsylvania had, however, no civil authority west of her
boundary, which is described as being five degrees of longitude
west from the Delaware river. The C!olony of Vii'ginia had
claims, under various charters and descriptions, to a jiart of
Pennsylvania, and all the territory to the west and northwest as
far as a su])posed ocean called the South Sea. Immediately
58 ANNALS OF THE
after the peace of 1763 with the French, the Proyince of Canada,
was extended by act of Parliament, southerly to the Alleghany
and Ohio rivers, (jreat Britain promised the Indian tribes that
the whites should not settle north of the Ohio river.
So far as I am now aware, the first civil organization under
the authority of Virginia covering the Western Eeserve. was that
of the County of Botetourt, erected in 1769, with the county
seat at Fincastle, on the head w^aters of the James river, between
the Blue Ridge and the Alleghanies. But before this, there
must have been a Virginia county covering the Forks of the
Ohio, and extending, probably, to Lake Erie; for the troops
captured at the Forks, now Pittsburgh, by the French in 1749,
Avere Virginia militia, under Ensign "Ward. It is probable that
he was, or supposed himself to be, within the county of Au-
gusta. Settlers from that colonv located on the Monongahela
and the Youghiogheny. In 1776 three counties were erected on
those waters, some parts of which possibly included a part or all
of the Eeserve. These covered a part of Westmoreland county,
Pa., which was settled from that State. This conflict of author-
ity brought a miniature civil war, which was soon overshadowed
by the war of the Revolution, in which both Virginians and
Pennsylvanians heartily joined.
In 1778, soon after the conquest of the British forts on the
Mississippi and the Wabash, by Gen. George Rogers Clark, A^ir-
ginia erected the county of Illinois, with the county seat at Kas-
kaskia. It embraced the south shore of Lake Erie, Detroit,
Mackinaw, Green Bay, and Prairie Duchien; but for practical
purposes, only Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and St. Vincent or A^'in-
cennes. The British held possession of the Ohio country and all
the lakes. For the English forts on both shores of the lakes
there was no county or civil organization during the Revolu-
tionary war. The government of this almost unlimited region
was exclusively military, of which Detroit was the central jiost.
British soldiers and officers were at all the trading forts in Ohio,
exercising arbitrary authority over the Indians and the white
EARLY SETTLEBS' ASSOCIATION. 59'
traders, including the Moravian settlements on the Tuscarawas
and the Cuyahoga.
After the treaty of peace in 1783, the same state of affairs
continued, until, by successive campaigns against the Indians,
the United States drove them off by military force. All the
lives lost, the forts built, and the expeditions made in the North-
west, from 1785 to 1794, were a continuation of the war of the
Eevolution against England. Even after the second treaty, in
1792, she built fort Miami, on the Maumee, within the State of
Ohio. The result of the battle of the Rapids of the Maumee, m
August, ] 794, put a stop to her overt acts against us for a timej
Init it was not until after the war of 1812 that she abandoned
the project of recovering the American Colonies. While in her
possession, until 1796, there were at the i^osts on the lakes, jus-
tices of the peace or stipendiary magistrates, exercising some
civil authority, but none of them resided on the south shore of
this lake.
This subject of early civil jurisdiction is a very obscure one,
owing to indefinite geographical boundaries. I have received
the assistance of Judge Campbell, of Detroit, of Silas Farmer,
the historian of Detroit City, and of Mr. H. C. Gilman,
of the Detroit Library, in the effort to trace out the extent
of the Canadian districts and counties, with their courts, from
1760 to 1796. Their replies agree, that it is difficult to follow
the progress of civil law on the peninsula of Upper Canada west-
ward to the Detroit river and around the lakes. In 1778, Lord
Dorchester, Governor General of Canada, divided Upper Canada
into four districts for civil purposes, one of wdiich included De-
troit and the posts on the upjier lakes. Early in 1792 the Upper
Canadian Parliament authorized Governor Simcoe to lay off
nineteen counties, to embrace that lu-ovince. It is presumed
that the county of Essex, on the east bank of Detroit river, in-
cluded the country on the west and south around the head of
Lake Erie, but of this the information is not conclusive. Some
form of British civil authority existed at their forts and settle-
■60 ANNALS OF THE
ments until ])etroit Avas given u]), and all its dependencies, in
17!t<;. When Gov. St. Clair erected the countv of Washington,
in Ohio, in 1788, it embraced the Western Reserve east of the
Cnyahoga. West of this river and the Tnscarawas was held hy
the Indians and the British.
The State of Connecticut claimed jurisdiction ovei- the Re-
serve, but made no movement toward the erection of counties.
W^hen she sold to the Land Company, in 1795. Ix^th j)arties im-
agined that the deed of Connecticut conveyed i)owers of civil
government to tlie com])auy, and that the grantees might organ-
ize a new State. As the United States objected to this mode of
setting up States, this region was. in ]iractice, Avithout any mag-
isti'ates, courts or other organized civil authority until that ques-
tion was settled, in 1800. Immediately after the British had re-
tired, in 1796, Governor St. Clair erected the county of Wayne,
with Detroit as the county seat. It included that part of the
Reserve west of the Cuyahoga, extending south to Wayne's
treaty line, Avest to the Avaters of Lake Michigan and its tributa-
ries, and north to the territorial line. Its l)oundaries are not
very precise, but it clearly embraced about one-third of the pres-
ent State of Ohio. The question of jurisdiction when Wayne
county Avas erected, in 1796, remained o]»en, as it had under the
county of Washington. In 1797 the county of Jefferson Avas es-
tablished, em])racing all of the Reserve east of the Cuyahoga.
When Trumbull county Avas erected, in 1800. it embraced the
entire Western Reserve, Avith magistrates and courts having full
legal authoi'ity under the territorial government. Before this,
although no deeds could be executed here, those executed else-
Avhere Avere, in some cases, recorded at Marietta, the county seat
of Washington county. Some divines had ventured to solemnize
marriages before 1800, by virtue of their ministerial office. Du-
ring the first four years of the settlement of the Reserve there
was no law the force of .Avhich Avas acknowledged here, l)ut the
law abiding sjiirit of New England among the early settlers was
such that peace and order generally prevailed. By the organi-
EARLY SETTLEBS' ASSOCIATION. 61
zation of (leauga couuty, Marcli 1, 180G, what is now Cuyahoga
county, east of the river, belonged to Geauga, until 1809, when
this county was organized.
Very respectfully, yours,
Cha8. Whittlesey.
MEMORIAL OF AHIMAAZ SHERWIN.
BY HIS DAUGHTER, MRS. E. G. ROSE.
During the past year many of those whose names appear in
the "'Annals of Early Settlers' Association," have passed from
among us, and with them is laid away volumes of unwritten his-
tory of rare interest, relating to the early days of Cleveland and
surroundings.
One of these. Ahimaaz Sherwin, than Avhom ncme took
greater interest in all that concerned the times, past or present,
departed this life on the 24th of January, 1881, after a few
hours' illness, at the ripe old age of 80 years. He retained, up
to his last day, the perfect enjoyment of a most active and ver-
satile mind, that was a complete storehouse of interesting and
amusing reminiscences of Cleveland pioneer life.
Mr. Sherwin was born on the oth of February, 1792, in the
town of Baltimore, in the southeastern part of Vermont; after-
wards living in Hartland and Middleliury till his marriage and
subsecpient removal. He left Middlebury for Cleveland, Febru-
ary 10th, 1818, making the entire journey in a two-horse sleigh,
accompanied by his wife and little daughter (now Mrs. J. D.
Carlton, of Elkhart, Ind.), and bringing some household goods.
The sleighing was excellent all the way, and the weather very
severe, the thermometer standing .for ten days below zero, mod-
erating, however, as they reached Buffalo.
An incident of the journey which illustrates the hardships of
traveling in those days, occurred between Buffalo and Dunkirk.
•62 annal:^ of the
As they crossed the lake on \\\v ice between those points, they
came, early in the evening-, nnexpectedly ujjon a sink-hole, into
which the horses plung-ed. thoroughly wetting the occujiants of
the sleigh; hut soon righting- themselves, they rode on with fro-
zQn clothes, but with ardor undampened, to find a stopping
place for the night. They arrived in Cleveland the 1st day of
March, making an eighteen days" journey; a little snoAv covered
the ground, but soon disappeared. Could find no place m the
city to stop, was therefore obliged to go out to East Cleveland,
then known as Doan's Corners, consisting at that time of the
Doan Hotel, kept by Job Doan, a log house opposite, and a one
story house on the corner of Doan street and Euclid avenue, oc-
cupied by Judge John H, Strong. Eichard Blinn owned a farm
on the Newburgh road; there Mr. Sherwin made his first home,
and his first employment was to finish the inside carpenter work
of Mr. Blinn's house, Avhich enabled him to return to Vermont
on the 26th of August, 1818, with a two-horse team, to bring to
Cleveland his parents and two sisters.
On the return trip, upon reaching Buffalo, he left his parents
to continue the journey with the team, while he and his sisters
took passage on the sloop Huntington, commanded l)y Capt.
Day, of Black Kiver. Left Buffalo on a clear, pleasant evening,
but when near Erie, a most perilous storm arose, and they were
driven back to Point Abino, where they remained until the
storm abated, reaching Cleveland on the morning of the seventh
day out of Buffalo. A flat-boat came out to the sloop and took
off the baggage and passengers, landing them on the side-hill
near the foot of Superior street. "Foot & Walker's Line" was
the only accommodation in those days, so they were obliged to
continue their journey to Doan's Corners on foot, the interme-
diate distance being then an almost unbroken wilderness, with
hut two or three openings l:»etween. The i)athway through the
the Avoods and brush was delightful at that season; the trees in
beautiful foliage and laden with nuts, many bushels being gath-
ered that fall. Peaches were also abundant that season. They
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 63
arrived at the "Corners" just in time to meet the other mem-
bers of the family driving in. The journey consumed six weeks
from time of leaving Cleveland.
Mr. Sherwin's first i)urcliase of property was a piece of tim-
ber land, fifteen acres, of Jno. H. Strong, where the Euclid Av-
enue Congregational Church now stands. There his parents
lived several years, till his father's death. The first large
piece of work undertaken in this city was the finishing of the
inside of the Johnson House, kej^t by Levi Johnson. The next
was building a large two-story house for Horace Perry, now
standing, corner of alley and the Square, occupied at present as
a market; considered in those days a fine building. About this
time he also built a steam flouring mill at the foot of St. Clair
street, for Wm. G-. Taylor, the first in the city. Finished the
home of Nathan Perry, on Euclid avenue, now occupied by N.
P. Payne; then did the wood Avork of the Weddell stone dwell-
ing, for Peter M. Weddell, now owned and occupied by Horace
P. Weddell. These houses were the only ones on the avenue at
that time, except Orlando Cutter's. The residence where Henry
H. Dodge lives being built soon after.
He assisted in surveying and laying out Prospect, Ontario and
St. Clair streets, and many others. The year 1827 was attended
by much sickness — fever and chills — which proved fatal to great
numbers. Among those who fell victims to the fever was his
wife. The canal was put through in that year, which probably
caused the unusual sickness. In 1828 he contracted a second
marriage with Miss Sarah M. King, who survives him after a
union of over fifty years. Six children remain, a son and daugh-
ter by his first wife, and four daughters by his present wife.
Although nearly blind the last few years of his life, he never
murmured, but was ever cheerful and j^atient, entertaining ev-
eryone who visited him, and seeming to impart to them a meas-
ure of his own happy nature.
The first piece of property purchased by Mr. Sherwin in the
city, was on the corner of Ontario and Prospect streets, eight
64 ANNALS OF THE
rods S([iiare. Tie afterward sold it to Clark & Willey, and is
where the "Farmers' Block" stood. It afterwards reverted to
his possession again and was held by him a number of years,
In-inging when sold what was then considered a fair price, bnt
which would now be a mere nothing. In 183"^he]mrchaseda small
farm, part of the Richard Blinn farm, on the Newburgh road,
and in March. 1832, moved out there, developing it into one of
tbc finest farms in the vicinity of Cleveland — gratifying every
sense Ijy its natural beauty and varied resources. There may be
some yet who remember with pleasure riding out there to the
sugar camp in the early spring to feast on maple syrup, warm
sugar and wax.
In 1853 N. C. Baldwin ])urchased the 2)lace, and Mr. Sherwin
built a brick house on Fairmount street, near the village, being
the only house then on that street between the Newburgh road
and the Corners, except the old Stark house. During his latter
years he built, occupied and sold several homes, residing a ])or-
tion of the time with some of his daughters, s^tending the last
two years of his life, however, at 51 Si])ley street, the last home
he built. The enterprise of his youth which enabled him to
make those two long, tedious Journeys from the east to the west,
there to establish a home and help build up a city, seemed never
to Hag. He took the greatest interest in everything progressive
— in politics, religion and science. All recollections of early
times given by others to the papers, were lived over in his mem-
ory. He was greatly interested in the Early Settlers' Associa-
tion, though not permitted to attend their meeting, owing to
feebleness and advanced years. Of all the old friends of whom
he often spoke, who have witnessed the growth of our beautiful
city from its small beginnings, John W. Allen and Moses White
alone remained at the tinie of his decease.
With reverent hearts, scan the list of the noljle dead who have
left behind so rich a legacy of worthy deeds and noble thoughts.
For them,
"Life's labors done,
Life's battles won,
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 65
No need of granite stone
Their virtues to record.
In loving hearts enshrined,
The good shall ever find
Virtue its own reward."
Cleveland, July 2, 188-^.
WHEN I CAME.
Mr. President: 1 came to the Reserve in 1824 in a vessel;
landed in Cleveland the third day of May, about five in the even-
ing; Captain Williamson commanded the vessel; was obliged to
cast anchor three miles out; no wharves or docks; came ashore
in a small boat. The captain hesitated about trying to come on
shore until morning, but finally he says: '"If you dare venture,
I will take two sailors and your trunk." We had no such mam-
moth trunks as there are in this age. There were a hundred and
sixty passengers, and most of them sea-sick. I said I would as
soon be at the bottom of Lake Erie as to be here; we made the
attempt, and got on shore all right. The ca})tain took me up
to Doctor Mcintosh, who then kept public house. There we
found Doctor Burton and Rodney Strong, the doctor on horse-
l)ack, and Mr. Strong in a buggy, who very kindly gave me a
i-ide to Euclid, now Collamer. The road was very full of stumps,
the trees were cut, but the stumps were still standing. After
going about two miles there came up a heavy thunder-shower;
we were in total darkness, only when it lightened. The doctor
was directly behind us, urging us on, but we arrived safe at Mr.
.Strong's door at eight in the evening; he was then keeping pub-
lic house in the Lyndley House, now torn down; this was Sat-
urday evening. Sunday, at noon, Mr. Adams came there, and
after an introduction, he invited me to go to church with liim
— a nice old gentleman, Mr. Darius Adams' father — he said he
5
66 ANNALS OF THE
would give me the best seat iu the churcli. I went. He seated
me with General Dille and wife on a bnggy seat that they had
brought in for their own convenience. The minister was the
Rev. Mr. Bradstreet; he boarded in our family, Doctor Burton's.
The next week I attended a dancing party at the house of
Mr. David Bonnell, quite a small log house. It stood where Mr.
Harbeck's house now stands. The musician was Mr. James
Hendershot — splendid music. I enjoyed it much; all plain,
happy people — no strife for dr.ess or fashion. The same week
the school directors came for me to teach the school in Frogville,
now Collinwood; went down in an ox team; the roads were
just logs thrown together, very rough. I taught three months;
boarded in Mr. Hale's family, now all dead. Among the schol-
ars was a large, hardy young chap. I was often amused, stand-
ing at the window to see him crack chestnut burs with his heel.
He is now an honorable member of your Association.
Very few of the old settlers are left. I could mention many
interesting circumstances of the early settlers. When the Doc-
tor arrived at Euclid he had but two shillings left. He and an-
other young man flipped a copper to see which should have
the district school; it fell to the Doctor's lot to teach the school,
and by that means he got into practice and was very successful.
I will take no more time.
Mks. a. p. Burton.
Oollamer, Aug. 20, 1882.
Note. — It may not be improper to state that the writer of the foregoing is
the widow of Dr. Elijah Burton, deceased, who for many years was a resident
physician of Euclid township. He came to Euclid in 1820, taught the school
for awhile, and studied medicine with Dr. Farnsworth, a physician of that vi-
cinity. Dr. Burton soon acquired an enviable reputation as a medical practi-
tioner, and especially in diseases peculiar to a new country. He was a noble-
hearted man, kind and liberal, and highly respected by all who knew him. He
died in 1854.
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 67
NAMES OF EARLY SETTLERS WHOM I KNEW.
Cleveland, 0., July 20, 1882.
The following, to the best of my recollection, are the names
of men who lived in what was then Cleveland, in the fall of 1811
and spring of 1812. Possibly a few names may be missing. I
will begin north of the Kingsbury creek, on Broadway:
The first was Maj. Samuel Jones, on the hill near the turn
of the road; farther down came Judge John Walworth, then
postmas:er, and his oldest son A. W. Walworth, and son-in-law.
Dr. David Long. Then on the corner, where the Forest City
House now stands, was a Mr. Morey. The next was near the
now American House, where the little post office then stood, and
Mr. Hanchet, who had just started a little store. Close by was
a tavern, kept by Mr. George Wallace. Then on top of the hill,
north of Main street, Lorenzo Carter and son, Lorenzo, Jr., who
ke})t tavern also. The only house below on Water street was
owned by Judge Samuel Williamson with his family, and his
brother Matthew, who had a tannery on the side hill below. On
the corner of Water and Superior streets, was Nathan Perry's
store, and his brother, Horace Perry, lived near by. Levi
Johnson began in Cleveland about that time, likewise two broth-
ers of his, who came on soon after; Benjamin, a one-legged man;
and I think the other name was John. The first and last were
Like captains for a time. Abraham Hickox, the old blacksmith;
Alfred Kelly, Esq., who boarded with 'Squire Walworth at that
time; then a Mr. Bailey, also Elias and Harvey Murray, and
perhaps a very few others in town not named.
Then on what is now Euclid avenue, from Monumental
Square through the woods to East Cleveland, was but one man,
Nathan Chapman, who lived in a small shanty, with a small
clearing around him, and near the now Euclid Station. He
died soon after. Then at what was called Doan's Corners lived
two families only, Nathaniel, the older, and Maj. Setli Doan.
68 ANNALU OF THE
Then on the south, now Woodland Hills tivenue, first came
Richard Blinn, Rodolphus Edwards, and Mr. .Stephens, a school
teacher; Mr. Honey, James Kingshury, David Burras, Eben
Hosmer, John Wightman, William W. Williams, and tliree
sons, Frederick, William W., Jr., and Joseph. Next, on now
the Carter pUice, Philomen Baldwin, and four sons, Philomen,
Jr., Amos, Caleb, and Runa. Next, James Hamilton; then
Samuel Hamilton (who was drowned on the lake), his widow,
;ind three sons, Chester, Justice, and Samuel. Jr., in what was
since called Newburgh, and now Cleveland. Six by the name
of Miles- — Erastus, Theodore. Charles, Samuel, Thompson, and
Daniel. Widow White, with five sons, John, William, Solo-
mon, Samuel, and Lyman. A Mr. Barnes. Henry Edwards,
Allen (iaylord, and father and mother. In the spring of 1812,
came Noble Bates, Ephraim and Jedediah Hubbell, with their
aged fatliei- and mother, (the latter socm after died;) in each
family were several sons; Ste})hen Gilbert, Sylvester Burk, with
six sons, II B. Burk, (laius, Erectus, &c. ; Abner Cochran, on
what is now called ^tna street. Samuel S. Baldwin, Esq.,
was sheriff and county surveyor, and hung the noted Indian,
John Omic, in 1813, Next, V. L. Morgan, with three sons.
Y. L., Ji. . Caleb, and Isham A. The next, on now Broadway.
Dyer Sherman, Christopher Gunn, Elijah, Charles, and Elijah
Gunii, Jr. ; Robert Fulton, Robert Carr, Samuel Dille, Ira En-
sign, Ezekiel Holly, and two sons, Lorin and Aljihonso; Wid-
ow Clark, and four sons. Mason, Martin, Jarvis, and Rufus.
Newburgh was set off from Cleveland and named, I think, in
1814 or 1815. I have never seen it on record, but well recollect
the circumstance.
Y. L. Morgan.
A Complete List
OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATIO>f SINCE ITS ORGANIZATION, NOVEMBER 19,
1879, TO OCTOBER 1, 1881— TOTAL 394.
CAME TO
NAME.
WHERE BORN.
WHEN.
THE RESERVE.
DIED.
Andrews, S. J.
Connecticut,
1801
1825
1880
Allen, J. W.
Connecticut,
1802
1825
....
Adixms, S. E.
New York,
1818
1837
....
Adams, Darius
Ohio,
1810
1810
....
Ackley, J. M.
Ohio.
1835
1835
....
Abbey, Seth A.
New York,
1798
1831
1880
Addison, H. M.
Ohio,
1818
1818
....
Adams, Mrs. Mary A.
Ohio,
1811
1811
Andrews, Mrs. J. A.
Ohio,
1816
1816
Adams, W.K.
New York,
1812
1831
....
Anthony, Ambrose
Massachusetts,
1810
1834
....
Adams, Mrs. E. E.
Ohio,
1836
1836
. . .
Atwell, C. R.
New York,
1813
1817
....
Adams, G. H.
England,
1831
1840
....
Avery, .J. T., Rev.
New York,
1810
1839
....
Angell, George,
Germany,
1830
1838
. . . .
Bingham, Elijah
New Hampshire,
1800
1835
1881
Buruham, Mrs. M. W.
Massachusetts,
1808
1838
. . . .
Baldwin, Dudley
New York,
1809
1819
. . . .
Bailey, Robert
....
1834
. . . .
Burgess, Solon
Vermont,
1817
1819
. . . .
Burton, Dr. E. D.
Ohio,
1825
1825
. . . .
Burgess, L. F.
Ohio,
1823
1823
Bull, L. S.
Connecticut,
1813
1820'
. . . .
Beers, D. A.
New Jersey,
1816
1818
1880
Bliss, Stoughton
Ohio,
1823
1823
. . . .
Benedict, L. I).
Vermont,
1827
1830
. . . .
70
ANNALS OF THE
NAME.
WHERE BORN.
WHEN.
CAME TO
THE RESERVE.
DIED.
Borges, J. F.
Germany,
1810
1835
Bury, Theodore
New York,
• • > >
1839
Beverlin Job a
Pennsylvania,
1813
1834
Brett, J. W.
England,
1816
1888
Bowler, N. P.
New York,
1820
1839
Bulirer, Mrs. Stephen
Germany,
1828
1840
Bishop, J. P.
Vermont,
1815
1836
1881
Bishop, Mrs. E. W.
Ohio,
1821
1821
Beardsley, I. L.
New York,
1819
1838
Burnham, Thos.
New York,
1808
1833
Bingham, William
Connecticut,
1816
1836
Brooks, 0. A.
Vermont,
1814
1834
Barber, Mrs. J. T.
New Hampshire,
1804
1818
Burwell, G. P.
Connecticut,
1817
1830
Burwell, Mrs. L. C.
Pennsylvania,
1820
1824
Branch, Dr. D. G.
Vermont,
1805
1833 1880
Bartlett, Nicholas
Massachusetts,
1822
1833
Babcock, Chas. H.
Connecticut,
1823
1834
Barber, Josiah
Ohio,
1825
1825
Brayton, H. F.
New York,
1812
1836
. • t
Bauder, Levi
New Y''ork,
1812
1834
1882
Bowler, William
New York,
1822
1833
. > .
Beavis, B. R.
England,
1826
1834
• • >
Blossom, H. C.
Ohio,
1822
1822
• > >
Beers, L. F.
Ohio,
1823
1823
• • •
Bauder, L. F.
Ohio,
1840
1840
. . .
BiHgham, E. Beardslej'
Ohio,
1826
1826
. . .
Butts, Bolivar
New York,
1826
1840
Benham, F. M.
Connecticut,
1801
1811
. > .
Burns, Mrs. F. M.
Ohio,
1832
1832
Butts, S. C.
New York,
1794
1840
• • •
Brooks, S. C.
Ohio,
1820
1820
• ■ •
Baldwin, N. C.
Connecticut,
1802
1816
■ ■ .
Blair, Elizabeth
Ohio,
1820
1820
• • •
Blair, Mary Jane
Ohio,
1818
181ts
* . .
Buike, 0. M.
Ohio,
1823
1823
Burton, Mrs. Abby P.
Vermont,
1805
1824
'. > •.
Gaboon, Joel B.
New York,
1793
1810
, . .
Cannell, William
Isle of Man,
1811
1837
Cannell, John S.
Isle of Man,
1801
1828
. • .
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
71
Cox, John
Coilett, Wm. K.
Coe, P. S.
Cross, David W.
Cowles, Edwin
Cottrell, L. Dow
Corlett, John
Cook, W. P.
Coaliley, Mrs. Harriet,
Cleveland, J. D.
Clark, James F.
Clark, Aaron,
Carlton, C. C.
Cozad, Elias
Cutter, O. P.
Corlett, Thomas
Crittenden, Mrs. M. A.
Chapman, H. M.
Christian, James
Carson, Marshall
Craw, William V.
Crawford, Lucian
Crosby, Thomas D.
Colahan, Samuel
Curtiss, L. W.
Crocker, Mrs. D.
Cushman, Mrs. H.
Chapman, G. L.
Chapman, Mrs, G. L.
Corlett, Mrs. M. H.
Cottrell, Mrs. L. D.
Dodge, George C
Dodge, H. H.
Dodge, Wilson S.
Detraer, G. H.
Doan, W. H.
Doan, Mrs. C. L.
Dibble, Lewis
Duty, D. W.
Doan, John
WHERE BORN.
WHEN.
CAME TO
THE RESERVE. DIED.
England,
....
1837
Isle of Man,
1820
1837
1
1
1837^ . ..
New York,
• • • ■
1836
Ohio,
. • • <
1832
New York,
1811
1835
Isle of Man,
1816
1836
New York,
1825
1838
New Jersey,
1797
1814
New York,
1822
1835
New York,
1809
1833
Connecticut,
1811
1832 1881
Connecticut,
1812
1831
New Jersey,
1790
1808 1880
Ohio,
1824
1824
Isle of Man,
1820
1827
New York,
1802
1827 1882
Ohio,
1830
1830
Isle of Man,
1810
1838
New York,
1810
1834 1882
New York,
1810
1832
Ohio,
1828
1828 . ..
Massachusetts,
1804
1811
Canada,
1808
1814
New York,
• 1817
1834
New York,
1796
1801 1881
Ohio,
18S0
1820
Connecticut,
1795
1819
New Hampshire,
1805
1827
New York,
1829
1833
New York,
1811
1833
Ohio,
1813
1813
Ohio,
1810
1810
Ohio,
1839
1839
Germany,
1801
1835
Ohio,
1828
1828
Connecticut,
1816
1834
New York,
1807
1812
New Hampshire,
1804
1825
New York,
1798
1801
ANNALS OF THE
NAME.
Dockstader, C. J.
Doan, J. W.
Dunham, D. B.
Dentzer. Daniel
Dodge, Mrs. G. C.
Doan, George
Davidson, C. A.
Diemer, Peter
Dutton, Dr. C. F.
Day, L. A.
Dunn, Mrs. E. Ann
Dunn, Mrs. Elizabeth
Diebold, Fred
Doan, Seth C.
Davis, L. L.
Davis, Mrs. Cynthia
Edwards, R.
Erwin, John
Emerson, Oliver
Flint. E. S. ■
Fitch, J. W.
Foot, John A.
Foot, Mrs. John A.
Fuller, William,
Fitch, James
Foot, A. E.
Flint, Mrs. E. S.
Ford, L. W.
Foljambe, Samuel
Ferris William
Fish, Electa
Gill, Mrs. M. A.
Gaylord, E. F.
Gardner, George W.
Gordon, Wm. J.
Greenhalgh, K
Goi-ham, J. H.
Gayton, Mrs. M. A.
• Gaylord, Mrs. E. F.
Goodwin, William
CAME TO
WHEKE BORN. WHEN. THE RESERVE.
Ohio, 1838 1838
Ohio. 1833 1833
New York, 1831
Germany, 1815 1832
Vermont, 1817 1820
Ohio, 1828 1828
Ohio, 1837 1837
Germany, 1827 1840
New York, 1831 1837
Ohio, 1812
England, 1806 1834
New York, 1828 1834
Ohio, 1840 1840
Ohio, 1819 1819
Connecticut, 1793 1839
Pennsylvania, 1818 1839
Ohio, 1818 1818
New York, 1808 1835
Maine, 1804 1821
Ohio, 1819 1838
New York, 1823 1826
Connecticut, 1803 1833
Pennsylvania, 1816 1832
Connecticut, 1814 1836
New York. 1821 1827
Connecticut, 1810 1830
New York, 1824 1830
Massachusetts, 1830 1841
England, 1804 1824
Pennsylvania, 1808 1815
New York, 1808 1811
Isle of Man, 1812 1827
Connecticut, 1795 1834
Massachusetts, 1834 1837
New Jersey, 1818 1835
England, 1828 1840
Connecticut, 1807 1838
England, 1808 1832
New York, 1801 1834
Ohio. 1838 1838
1881
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
NAME.
WHERE BORN.
WHEN.
CAME TO
THE RESERVE
Giddings, Mrs. C. M.
Michigan,
1805
1827
Gibbons, James
Ohio,
1840
1840
Gibbons, Mrs. M. B.
Ireland,
1829
1838
Gaylord, H. C.
Connecticut, .
1826
1834
Gardner, A. S.
Vermont,
1809
1818
Gardner, Mrs A. S.
Ohio,
1814
1814
Graham, Robert,
Pennsylvania,
1814
1834
Greene, S. C.
Ohio,
1822
1841
Herrick, R. R.
New York.
1820
1836
Hessenmueller, E.
Germany,
1836
Hills, N. C.
Vermont,
180.^)
1831
Hills, Mrs. N. C.
New York,
1811
1831
Handy, T. P.
New York,
1807
1832
Hudson, W. P.
Ohio,
1820
1820
Heil, Henry
Germany,
1810
1832
Hubbell, H. S.
Ohio,
1832
1832
Hubby, L. M.
New York,
1812
1839
Hickox, Charles
Connecticut,
1810
1837
Howard, A. D.
Connecticut,
1803
1834
Honeywell, Ezra
New York,
1802
1831
Harris, B. C.
Ohio,
1832
1832
Hudson, D. I).
Pennsylvania,
1824
1837
Heisel, N.
Germany,
1816
1834
Hayden, A. S.
Ohio,
1813
1835
Harris, Mrs. J. A.
Massachusetts,
1810
1837
Harris, B. E.
Ohio,
1838
1838
Hurlbut, H. B.
New York,
1818
1836
Hurlbut, Mrs. H. B.
New York,
1818
1836
Hughes, Arthur
Vermont,
1807
1840
Hudson, Mrs. C. Ingersoll
Ohio,
1819
1819
Hawkins, H. C.
Ohio,
1822
1822
House, Martin
Ohio,
1835
1835
Haltnorth, Mrs. G.
Prussia,
1819
1836
Hird, Thomas
England,
1808
1830
Hastings, S. L.
Massachusetts
1813
1836
Harper, E. R.
Ohio,
1812
1816
Henry, R. W.
New York, '
1809
1818
Ingham, W. A.
• ■ ■ •
1832
Johnson, Mrs. L. D.
Ohio,
1825
1834
Jones, Thos., Jr.
England,
1821
1831
1880
74
ANNALS OF TEE
WHERE BORN.
WHEN.
Jewett, A. A.
Johnson, P. L.
Jaynes, Harris
Jaclcson, Chas.
Jones, W. S.
Johnson, W. C.
Jolinson, A. M.
Jayred, Wm. H.
Keller, Henry
Kellogg, A.
Kelley, Horace
Kelly, John
Kingsbury, Jas. W.
Keyser, James
Keyser, Mrs. James
Lewis, Sanford J.
Lewis, Chittenden
Lathrop, C. L.
Lowman, Jacob,
Lyon, R. T.
Lamb, Mrs. D. W.
Leonard, Jarvis
Lyon, S.S.
Layman, S. H.
Lewis, G. F.
Lee, Mrs. R.
Lemen, Catherine
Lathrop, W. A.
Lyon, Mrs. S. S.
Minor, Marion
Morgan, A. W.
Morgan, Y. L,
Morgan, E. P.
Myer, Nicholas
Mackenzie, C. S.
Mygatt, George
Mcintosh, Mrs. A.
Mcintosh, A.
Mcllrath, M. S.
Miller, Mrs. M.
Ohio,
1833
Ohio,
1835
England,
1829
Ohio,
1837
Connecticut,
1813
Ohio,
1823
New Jersey,
1831
Germany.
1810
Ohio,
1820
Ohio,
1819
Pennsylvania,
1809
Ohio,
1813
New York,
1818
Ohio,
1831
New York,
1823
New York,
1800
Connecticut,
1804
Illinois, 1819
Massachusetts, ....
Vermont, 1810
Connecticut, 1817
Ohio, 1819
New York, 1822
Ohio, 1837
Ohio, 1811
New Hampshire, 1813
Ohio, 1823
New York, 1835
Ohio, 1815
Connecticut, 1797
Connecticut, 1807
Germany, 1809
Maryland, 1809
Connecticut, 1797
Scotland, 1809
Scotland, 1808
New Jersey, ....
Ohio, 1809
CAME TO
THE RESERVE.
1831
1823
1835
1835
1837
1835
1823
1833
1832
1820
1819
1832
1813
1833
1831
1837
1837
1831
1832
1824
1837
1834
1818
1831
1837
1837
1820
1816
1822
1831
1815
1811
1840
1834
1836
1807
1836
1836
1820
DIED.
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
75-
NAME.
WHERE BORN.
WHEN.
CAME TO
THE RESERVE.
DIED.
Marshall, George F,
New York,
1817
1836
Morgan, I. A.
Connecticut,
1809
1811
Miller, William L..
Ohio,
1829
1829
Merchant, Silas
Ohio,
1826
1826
Mather, Samuel H.
New Hampshire,
1813
1835
Marble, Levi
New York,
1820
1830
Merwin, George B.
Connecticut,
1809
1816
Marshall, Daniel
New York,
1824
1841
Marshall, Mrs. Daniel
Vermont,
1830
1841
Merkel, M.
Germany,
1818
1840
Merkel, Mrs. M.
Germany,
1823
1834
McKeynolds, Mrs. M. D.
Ohio,
....
....
Morgan, Caleb
Connecticut,
1799
1811
Meeker, S. C.
Ohio,
1820
1820
Morgan, H. L.
Ohio,
1832
1832
Morgan, ^Sarah H.
Ohio,
1838
1838
Morgan, Mrs. N. G.
Ohio,
1815
1818
Marshall, I. H.
Ohio,
1822
....
Mallory, Daniel
New York,
1801
1833
Morgan, Mrs. A. W.
Ohio,
1821
1821
Nott, C. C.
Connecticut,
1826
1835
Newmark S.
Bavaria,
1816
1839
Norton. C. H.
New York,
1805
1838
1881
Neflf, Melchor
Germany,
1826
1834
Ogram, J. W.
England,
1820
Ogram, Mrs. J. W.
Ohio,
1825
1825
O'Brien, 0. D.
Ohio,
1819
1819
O'Brien, Delia R.
Vermont,
1813
1817
O'Connor, R.
Ohio,
1824
1824
Pannell, James
New York,
1812
1832
Penty, Thomas
England,
1808
1829
Palmer, J. D.
Connecticut,
1831
1835
Payne, N. P.
Ohio,
1837
1837
Porter, L. G.
Massachusetts,
1806
1826
Pease, Samuel
Massachusetts,
1805
1828
Pease, Charles
Ohio,
1811
1835
Pelton, F. W.
Connecticut,
1827
1835
Proudfoot, D.
Scotland,
1809
1832
Piper. A. J.
Vermont,
1814
1839
Pier, Mrs. L. J.
Ohio,
1823
1838
76
ANNALS OF TBE
NAME.
WHERE BORN.
WHEN.
CAMK TO
THE RESERVE. DIED.
Pease, Mary E.
Connecticut.
1816
1835
Panldiurst, Mrs. Sarah
England,
1832
1835
Paddock, T. S.
New York,
1814
1836
Phillips, B. F.
Ohio,
1833
1833
Palmer, Sophia
Ohio,
1818
1818
Payne, H. B.
New York,
1810
1833
Payne, Mrs. H . B.
Ohio,
1818
1818
Phillips, Mrs. Einily
Ohio,
1809
1809
Prescott, James
Massachusetts,
1826
1826
Quinn, Arthur
Ireland,
1810
1832
Quayle, Thos.
Isle of Man,
1827
Kice, Harvey.
Massachusetts ,
1800
1824
Rice, Mrs- Harvej'
Vermont,
1812
1833
Rouse, Rebecca E.
Massachusetts,
1799
1830
Russell, George H.
New York,
1817
1834
Rogers, C. C.
Ireland,
1813
1839
Kupel, S. D.
Ohio,
1808
1808
Robison. J. P.
New Y^ork,
1811
1832
Rouse, B. F.
Massachusetts,
1824
1830
Rannej^ W. S.
Ohio,
1835
1835
Rowley, Lucy A.
Connecticut,
. 1805
1827
Radcliflf, Mary A.
Isle of Man,
1822
1826
Rice, P. W.
Ohio,
1829
1829
Redingtou, Mrs. C
New York,
1821
1839
Rediugton, J. A.
New York,
1818
1839
Ranney, Hufus P.
Massachusetts,
1813
1824
Spalding, R. P.
Massachusetts.
1798
1820
Stickney, Mrs. C. B.
Canada,
1836
1836
Stickuey, Hamilton
New York,
1824
18.30
Spangler, Mrs. Elizabeth
Maryland,
1790
1820 1880
Sherwin, Ahimaaz
Vermont.
1792
1818 1881
Scovill, Mrs. J. Bixby
Ohio,
1800
1816
Silberg, F.
Germany,
1804
1834
Sherwin, Mrs. S. M.
New Y'ork,
1809
1827
Sabin, William
New York,
1817
1839
Skedd, W. Y.
England,
1816
1833
Shepard, D. A.
Connecticut,
1810
1833
Sargent, John H.
New York,
1814
1818
Skinner, 0. B.
Ohio,
1831
1831
Southworth, W. P.
Connecticut,
1819
1836
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
77
CAME TO
NAMK.
WHERE BORN.
WHEN .
THE RESERVE.
DIED.
Slawson, J. L.
• Michigan,
1806
1813
Scovill, E. A.
Ohio.
1819
1819
Saxton, Mrs. E. A.
Maine,
1821
1833
Stepheason, Wm.
Pennsylvania,
1804
1833
Smith, Mrs. F. L.
Connecticut,
* ■ • •
1836
Shelley, .Tohn
England,
1815
1835
Sacket, Alex.
Pennsylvania,
1814
1835
Sacket, Mrs. Alex.
Ohio,
1815
1815
Sterling, Dr. E.
Connecticut,
1825
1837
Schiely, Mrs. Anna
Germany,
1832
Sheldon, S. H.
New York,
1813
1835
Stanley, G. A.
Connecticut,
1837
Spangler, M. M.
Ohio,
1813
1820
Slade, Horatio
England,
....
1834
Sorter, Harry
New York,
1820
1831
Smith, W. T.
New York,
1811
1836
Strickland, B.
Vermont,
1810
1835
Strickland, Mrs. H. W.
Ohio,
....
1834
Saxton, J. C.
Vermont,
1812
1818
Smith, Mrs. Wm.
1811
1836
Strong. Charles H.
Ohio,
1831
1831
Sanford, A. S.
Connecticut,
1805
1829
Smith, Erastus
Connecticut,
1790
1832
Ib81
Steward, J. S.
Ohio,
1818
1818
Severance, Mrs. M. H.
Ohio,
....
....
Strong, Homer
Connecticut.
1811
1836
Selden, N. D.
Connecticut,
1815
1831
Stillman, W. H.
Connecticut,
1808
1833
Simmons, Thomas
Ohio,
1832
1832
Shunk, Mrs. A. H.
Ohio,
1824
1824
Stevens, C. C.
Maine,
1819
1833
Simmons, Isaac B.
1806
1836
Selden, Mrs. Elizabeth
Ohio,
1819
1819
Sorter, C. N.
New York,
1812
1831
Sharp, Clayton
Ohio,
1811
1833
Severance, S. L.
Ohio.
1834
1834
Slade, Samantha Doan
Ohio.
1817
1817
Spring, V.
Massachusetts,
1799
1817
Short, David
Connecticut,
1818
1827
Tilden, D. R.
Connecticut,
1806
1828
78
ANNALS OF THE
NAME.
Taylor, Harvey
Thompson, Thos.
Turner, S. W.
Thompson, H. V.
Thompson, Mrs. H. V,
Townsend, H. G.
Truscott, Samuel
Vincent, J. A.
Williams, A. J.
Wick, C. C.
Whitelaw, George
Walters, John R.
Weidenkopf, F,
Weidenkopf, Jacob
Wightman, S. H.
Watkins, George
Weston, George B.
Warren, Moses
Wager, I. D.
Williams, George
Welch, John
Welch, <). F.
Wheller, B. S.
Wheller, Jane
Warner, W. J.
Wiglitman, D. L.
Williamson, Samuel
Whittlesey, H. S.
Winslow, E. N.
Wilson, William
Welch, Jas. S.
Willson, Mrs. H. V.
Wemple, Myndret
Wellstead, Joseph
Waterman, Wm.
Williams, William
Whitaker, Charles
Walters, B. C.
Weidenkopf. Mrs. 0.
White, Moses
WHERE BORN.
WHEN.
CAME TO
THE RESERVE. DIED.
Ohio,
1814
1814 1880
England,
1814
1836
Connecticut,
1813
1832
New York,
1816
1839
Vermont,
1823
1837
New York,
1812
1834
Canada,
1829
1838
Pennsylvania,
1807
1830
New York,
1829
1840
Ohio,
1813
1835
Scotland,
1808
1832
New York,
1811
1834
Germany,
1819
1837
German}^
1828
1837
Ohio,
1819
1819
Connecticut,
1812
1818
Massachusetts,
1805
1826
Connecticut,
1803
1815
Ohio,
1820
18^0
Connecticut,
1799
1833
New York,
1800
1825
> ■ • •
1817
England,
. • • •
1836
England,
■ • > •
1831
Vermont,
1808
1831
Ohio,
1817
1817
Pennsylvania,
1808
1810
Ohio,
1836
1836
North Carolina,
1824
1830
Ohio,
1819
1819
Ohio,
1821
1821
Michigan,
1802
1835
New York,
1796
1818
England,
1817
1837
Ohio,
1818
1818
Connecticut,
1803
1836
New York,
1817
1831
New York,
1807
1837
Alsace,
1819
1830
. .
Massachusetts,
1791
1816 18
81
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. ' 79
CAME TO
NAME.
WHERE BORN.
WHEN.
THE RESERVE
AVilson, Fred.
New York,
1807
1832
Warren, Mrs. J. Y-
New York,
1816
1816
Walworth, John
Ohio,
1821
1821
Younglove, M. C.
New York,
....
1836
HONORARY MEMBERS.
NAME, WHERE BORN.
Crosby, Charles Massachusetts,
Garfield, James A.,
President United Slates, Ohio, 1831 1831 1881
Garfield, Mrs. Eliza B.,
his mother, New Hampshire, 1801
WHEN.
CAJIIE TO
THE RKSERVE.
1801
1811
1831
1831
1801
1830
CI'. '■ a.
NEW MEMBERS RECEIVED DURING THE
PAST Y£AR TO SEPT. i, 4882.
CAME TO
NAME.
WHERE BORN.
WHEN.
FHE RESERVE.
DIED.
Adams, Mrs. S. E.
Vermont,
1819
1839
Adams, E. E.
Ohio,
1830
1830
Barnett, James
New York, .
1821
1826
Brown, Mrs. Hiram
England,
1822
1832
Barr, Mrs. Judge
Connecticut,
1820
1837
Burgess, (Catharine
New Jersey,
1800
1830
Burke, Thos.
New York,
1832
1839
Berg, John
Germany,
1817
1842
I^uell, Anna M.
Ohio,
1837
1837
Beardsley, Mrs. I. L.
New York,
1821
1836
Bolton, Mrs. Judge
Bingham, Mrs. Elijah
1822
1833
New Hampshire,
1805
183.')
Charles, .J. S.
New York,
1818
1832
Case, Zophas
Ohioy
1804
1818
Crawford, Mary E.
Ohio,
1834
1834
Callester, Mrs. M.
Isle of Man,
1824
1828
Callester, J. J.
Isle of Man,
1818
1642
Curtis, Mrs. Samuel
England,
1824
1830
Crosby, Mary A.
Ohio,
1813
1813
Chapman, Mrs. E. C.
Ohio.
1840
1840
Carver Stickney
New York,
1840
Cannell, Thomas
Isle of Man,
1805
1834
Douw, Mrs. Melissa
New York,
1809
1831
Davis. Tliomas
England,
1799
1819
Degnon, Mrs. M. A.
New York,
1814
1837
Doan, Norton
Ohio,
1831
1881
Eckermann, M.
Germany,
1808
1842
Eckermann, Caroline
Germany,
1807
1842
Edwards, Mrs. S.
New York,
1819
18.30
Farr, E. S.
Pennsylvania,
1805
1819
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
81
NAME.
WHERE BORN.
WHEN.
CAME TO
THE RESERVE. DIED.
Fey, Frederick
Ferris, Amanda
Germany,
Vermont,
1810
1808
1832
1820
Gleason, I. L.
Ohio,
1835
1825
Gleason, Mrs. I. L.
Ohio,
1832
1832
Glidon, Joseph
Vermont,
1810
1841
Given, William
Ireland,
1819
1841
Given, Mrs. M. E.
Ohio,
1825
1825
Gage, D. W.
Ohio,
1825
1825
Gardner, 0. S.
Ohio,
1840
1840
Hough, Mary P.
Ohio,
1816
1816
Hadlow, H. R.
Harbeck, John S.
England,
New York,
1808
1807
1835
1840
Hamilton, A. J.
Ohio,
1833
1833
Hutchins, John
Ohio,
1812
1812
Hodge, 0. J.
New York,
1828
1837
Hurlbut, Mrs. H . A.
Vermont,
1809
1834 1882
Ingersoll, John
Kerr, Levi
Ohio,
Ohio,
1824
1822
1824
1822
Keller, Elizabeth
Germany,
1817
1836
Kerruish, W. S.
Ohio,
1831
1831
Kellogg, Louisa
Ohio,
1821
1821
Long, John
England,
1810
1842
McCrosky, S. L. B.
Ohio,
1833
1833
Martin, Eleanor L.
England,
1826
1832 , . . .
Marshall, Mrs. G. F.
New York,
1818
1842
Murphey, Wm.
Ireland,
1810
1830
McLeod, H. N.
Canada,
1831
1837
Palmer, E. W.
New Yi.rk,
1820
1841
Pannell, Mrs. James
Massachusetts,
1813
1885
Paine, R. F.
New York,
1810
1815
Parker, Henry
Russell, C. L.
Ohio,
New York,
1824
1810
1829
1835
Remington, S. G.
New York,
1828
1834
Ranney, Mrs. Anne
New York,
1811
1834
Sanford, Mrs. A. S.
Rhode Island,
1803
1825
Stewart, C. C.
Connecticut,
1817
1836
Spayth, A.
Smith, Erastus
Germany ,
Connecticut,
1800
1802
1832
1833
Smith, Elijah
Connecticut,
1821
1832
Sabin, Mrs. Wm.
6
New York,
1821
1838
83
^]NNAL.S OF THE
NAME.
WHERE BORN.
WHEN.
CAJIE TO
THE RESERVE. 1
>IED.
Southworth, Mrs. E.
Connecticut,
1801
1819
Spencer, T. P.
Connecticut.
1811
1882
Spangler, Mrs. M. M.
Canada,
1820
188.-)
Short, Lewis
Connecticut,
1811
1827
Short, Helen
New Hampshire,
1811
1828
Wilson, Jas. T.
Ohio,
1828
184U
Winch, Thomas
New Yorli,
1806
1832
Wiglitman, Mrs. D. L.
Ohio,
1822
1822
Wood, Mrs. M. S.
Michigan,
1821
1840
. . .
HONOKARY MEMBER.
.VAllE. WHERE BORN.
Garfield, Mrs. Lucretia R. Ohio,
CAME TO
WHEN. THE RESERVE.
Total members to Oct. 1, 1881 894
New members received during the year 79
Honorary members 4
Total membership 477
%
Constitution.
ADOPTED, AS AMENDED, JAN UARY lO, 1880.
AETICLE I.
This Association shall be know]i as the "Eakly Settleks"
AsHOciATiox OF CuYAHOGA CouNTY," and its members shall
consist of such persons as have resided in the Western Reserve
at least forty years, and are citizens of Cuyahoga county, and
who shall subscribe to this Constitution and pay a meml)er-
ship fee of one dollar, but'sbidl not 1)e sul)ject to furthei' lia-
bility.
ARTICLE J I.
TJie officers of this Association shall consist of a President,
two Vice Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer, with the addi-
tion of an Executive Committee of not less than five persons,
all of wliicli officers shall be members of the Association and
hold their offices for one year, and until their successors are
duly a])|)ointed and they accept their a])pointnients.
ARTICLE III.
The object of the Association shall be to meet in conven-
tion on the 22d day of July, or the following day if the 32d
fall on Sunday, each and every year, for the purpose of com-
memorating the day with appropriate public exercises, and
l)ringing the members into more intimate social relations, and
collecting all such facts, incidents, relics, and pei'sonal rem-
f!,f> ANNALS OF THE
iniscences respecting the early history and settlement of the
connty and other parts of the Western Reserve, as may l)e re-
garded of permanent value, and transferring tlie same to the
Western Eeserve Historical Society for preservation; and also
for the further purpose of electing otficers and transacting such
other hnsiness of the Association as may l)e re(|nired.
ARTICLE IV.
It shall he the duty of the President to pi'csidc at j)ul)lie
meetings of the Association, and in his ahsmce the like duty
shall devolve ui)on one of tlu' Vice Presidents. The Secretary
shall record in a l)ook fortlic |)iir|)os(' rhe ))roeeedings of the
Association, the names of tlu' nieinl)ers in alpliahctical order,
with the ages and time of residence at the date of heeoming
meml)ers. and conduct the necessary coiTcspondence of the
Association. He shall also he regarded as an additional niem-
her, ex-offieio. of the Kxeentive Conimiltee. and may consult
with them hut ha\e no vote. The Treasurer shall receive and
])av out all the moneys helonging to the Association, luit no
monevs shall l)e paid out exce])t on the joint ordei- of the
Chairman of the Executive Committee and Secretary of the
Association. No deht shall he incurred against the Associa-
tion hv anv ofHcei" or mendjcr heyond its ready means of pay-
jueut.
AliTICLK v.
The Executive Committee shall have the general sui)ervi-
sion and direction of the affairs of the Association, designate
the hour and place of holding its annual nu'ctings. and piih-
lish due notice thereof, with a ])rogramme of exercises. The
C(mimittee shall also have power to fill \acaiicies that nniy occur
in their own !)<»dy oi' in any nther ofHct' of the .\ssoeiation.
until the Association at a I'cgular meeting shall lill thesanu\
and shall appoint such nnmher of suhord iuate committees as
they may deem expedient. It shall also he their duty to re-
EARLY SETTLERS- ASSOCIATION. 87
port to the Association at its regular animal nieetmgs the eoii-
(lition of its affairs, its success jtnd ])rosi)ects, with such other
matter as they \\va\ d^eni iniixirtant. Thev shall also see that
tlie annual proceedings of the Associati(»ii. inchuling such
other valuahlc informal ion as llicy nuiy have received, are
jjroperly 2)rci)are(l and |)uhlisli(Ml in ]>am})hlet form, and gva-
tuitcnislv distrihuted to the members of the Association, as
soon as practical)lc after t'ach annual meeting.
AKxrcLK vr.
At any annual or special nu'cting of the Associaticm the
])resence of twenty mend)ers shall constitute a ((uorum. No
special meetings shall he held, except for hnsiness puri)oses
and on call of the Executive Committee. This Constitution
may be attested or amended at any regular annual meeting of
the Association on a three-fourths vote of all the memhers
present, and shall take effect, as amended, from the date of its
ado])tion. The former Constituticm of Xov. 19. 1870. is hereby
abolished.
ANNALS
POBLiCLioKAR
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ASTOR, LENpj^AN.
OF THE
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OF
CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
NUMBER IV.
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
CLEVELAND, O.
PRINTED AT THE PUliLISHlNG HOUSE OF THE EV, ASSOCIATION.
1883.
*sr«R.^^'^
TICOEK +30
TJO**""*"
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OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION,
1883.
HON. HARVEY RICE, President.
HON. JOHN ^Y. ALLEN, ^ ^^ ^
y Vice-Presidents.
MRS. J. A. HARRIS, f
THOMAS JONES, JR., Secretary.
SOLON BURGESS, Treasurer.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
GEO. F. MARSHALL,
R. T. LYON,
DARIUS ADAMS,
JOHN H. SARGENT,
M. M. SPANGLER.
CHAPLAIN.
REV. THOMAS CORLETT.
Q ANNALS OF THE
enterprise, but for its intelligence and refined civilization — a land
that has produced, since its first settlement in 1796, more eminent
men and accomplished women in proportion to its population, it is
believed, than an}^ other part of 
