PART III.
HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY
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CHAPTER I.—INTRODUCTORY — ORGANIZATION —AREA AND
POPULATION
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187-189
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Primitive Appearance of the Country— The Craims of Virginia and Connecticut— The Connecticut Western
Reserve—Donation of Fire Lands, and Sale of the Balance to the Connecticut Land Company—Indian Tilles
Extinguished—Ordinance of 1787— Arrival of the First Surveying Corps at Conneaut — The Reserve Surveyed
into Townships—Trials and Sufferings of the Surveyors—Erection of Jefferson and Trumbull
Counties—Organization of Franklin Township—Portage County Erected, and Selection of its Seat of
Justice—First Election, and Organization of the County— Minutes of the First Meeting of the Commissioners —
Original Townships — Tax Levies and Collectors of 1808—First Year's Receipts and Expenditures—Changes in
the Western Boundary Line—Present Boundaries—Origin of the Name of the County— The Portage
Path—Areas and Townships— Population Statistics.
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CHAPTER II—PORTAGE COUNTY NINETY YEARS AGO—GEOLOGY
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198-217
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Portage County Ninety Years Ago—Timher and Fruit-Bearing Trees and Vines— Roots and Herbage—Wild
Animals, Birds and Reptiles—Big Hunts—General Topography, Streams and Lakes — Geology of Portage
County—Surface Features and Deposits—Geological Structure—Coal Measures Coal No. 1—Coals Nos. :3 and
4—Fire Clay —Altitudes in Portage County above Lake Erie.
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CHAPTER III.—ARCHAEOLOGY—INDIAN HISTORY
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217-228
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The Pre-Historic Races—Mound-Builders —Their Great Antiquity—Occupation of the Country — The
Wonderful Monuments Which They Left Behind Them—Some Evidences of Their Existence in Portage County
--The North American Indians—Their Supposed Origin—Brief Sketch of Them—Indians of Portage
County—The Great Trail--The Indian Chiefs Bigson, Stignish and Big Cayuga—Extracts front the Reminiscences
of Christian Cackler of the Indians of this Section.
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CHAPTER IV.—PlONEERS—FIRST SETTLEMENTS
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228-240
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The Pioneers of Portage County—Their heroic Perseverance and Privations—New England Transplanted on the
Connecticut Western Reserve—The First Settlement Made Within the Limits of Portage County —First Settlers
of Mantua, Ravenna, Aurora and Atwater Townships—Atwater Hall, the First White Child Born in the County—
First Settlers of Palmyra, Deerfield, Nelson, Rootstown, Randolph, Suffield, Charlestown, Hiram, Franklin,
Shalersville, Edinburg, Windham, Paris, Brimfield, Freedom, Streetsboro and Garrellsville Townships— The
Portage-Summit Pioneer Association.
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CHAPTER V.—PIONEER DAYS—HABITS, CUSTOMS, ETC.
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241-260
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Pioneer Days and Trials—Habitations of the First Settlers—Furniture, Food and Medicine—Habits, Labor and
Dress--Early Manners and Customs-Bees and Weddings —The Hominy Block and Pioneer Mills— Prices of
Store Goods and Produce--Items From an Old Cash Book—Mode of Living— Churches and Schools—Period of
the War of 1812—Prices After the War—First Crops Raised in the County-Agricultural 1mplements of the
Pioneers, and Subsequent Improvements Made in Them—Pioneer Farming—Cheese and Butter Statistics —First
Stock Brought into the County—Stock Statistics Since 1840—Statistics of Wheat, Corn, Oats and Hay—Total
Valuation of Property by Decades-Portage County Agricultural Societies—Portage County Horticultural Society.
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CHAPTER VI-MILITIA-WAR OF 1812
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260-282
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First Military Organization on the Western Reserve—War of 1812 and First Call for Volunteers—John Harmon's Recollections of the
War—Second Regiment Ohio Militia—Capt. John Campbell's Company of Volunteers—Camp on Barrel Run—March to Cleveland, and
Embarkation for Lower Sandusky—Description of the Trip and Arrival—Incidents at the Fort, and Sickness Among the Soldiers-Departure
for the River Raisin-Hull's Surrender—Start for Malden, and Arrival at That Point—Paroled Prisoners—Return Home of the Sick and
Paroled Men—Deaths in the Command -Alarm Caused by the Surrender—Regimental Record of the Second Regiment— Response to a Call
for Troops in 1813.—Mr. Harmon's Concluding Remarks—The Inhabitants of Portage County Fear an Indian Invasion—Distressing Incident
of the War —Re-organization of the Militia—Muster Days and Sham Fights.
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CHAPTER VII-INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS
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282-297
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Internal 1mprovements-The Great Indian Trail—Pioneer Roads of Portage County—Mail Facilities and Letter
Postage— Stage Routes and Drivers—Canals—Early Canal Legislation—The Ohio Canal Commenced and
Completed—Pennsylvania & Ohio Canal — The Efforts Made to Have it Built-ins Construction and
Completion—First Boats Arrive at Ravenna-Subsequent Success of the Enterprise— Causes Which Led to its
AbandonmentRailroads—Cleveland & Pittsburgh-Cleveland Sc Mahoning Valley—Atlantic & Great
Western--Cleveland, Youngstown & Pittsburgh - Connotton Valley — Pittsburgh, Cleveland & Toledo—The
Proposed Clinton Air Line, and the General Railroad Facilities of the County.
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CHAPTER VIII.—EDUCATIONAL
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297-309
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Education in Ohio—Lands Granted for Educational Purposes—Commissioners of Schools and School Lands in
1822—The School Lands Sold and a School Fund Established — Pioneer Schools, Schoolhouses, Teachers and
Books in Portage County— How Teachers were Employed and Paid— An Amusing Agreement—Growth of
Education—Government and Progress of Schools Prior to 1851—Schools for Colored Youth Established —
Re-organization of Schools Under the Laws of 1853—Present Government of Schools.
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CHAPTER IX.—OFFICIAL, POLITICAL, ETC.,
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309-327
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Public Officers—Members of Congress— State Senators-Territorial and State Representatives — County
Commissioners — Treasurers-Clerks — Recorders—Audi tors — Sheriffs- Coroners — Surveyors — Probate
Judges—Seat of Justice and Public Buildings-Prison Bounds-County Infirmary— Political Statistics of Portage
County-First Election Held, with the Names of the Candidates and Voters — Gubernatorial and Presidential Vote.
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CHAPTER X.—JUDICIARY—MEDICAL.
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328-344
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The Judiciary—Organization of the Court of Common Pleas in Ohio, and its Subsequent Changes—Pioneer
Courts of Portage County-Sessions of 1808-09, and the Juries and Trials of Those Two Years—Anecdotes of
Pioneer Justice in This County—Common Pleas Judges—Associate Judges—Prosecuting Attorneys—Riding the
Circuit—Pioneer Resident and Visiting Lawyers-Brief Sketches of Leading Members of the Bench and
Bar—Present Bar of Portage County— The Portage County Medical Association.
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CHAPTER XI.-NOTED CRIMINAL EVENTS
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347-361
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The Most Noted Criminal Events in the History of Portage County—Trials and Sentences of the Culprits—The
Alleged Crime of John McManus—The Murder of Mathews by Aunghst—The Murder of Cummings by
Barris—The Murder of Catherine McKisson by Her Brother-in-Law, David McKisson-The Heathman
Manslaughter Case—Alanson Baldwin Stabbed to Death by His Nephew, Lemuel W. Price—Attempted Killing
of Prentiss by Flower—The Shorts-Wilson Shooting—The Murder of John Rhodenbaugh by Jack Cooper and
Joel Beery— Harriet Musson Murdered by Wilson S. Roof—Shooting of Alfred L. Harris by His Father- The
Kelso-Montague Case—The Newell-Roberts Affair.
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CHAPTER XII—THE PRESS
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362-372
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The Newspapers of the Past and Present —Ravenna Papers—Western Courier and the Western Public
Advertiser—Ohio Star-Watchmen—Buckeye Democrat—Western Reserve Cabinet and Amity Visitor—Plain
Dealer— Portage Sentinel—Portage County Whig, and Home Companion and Whig-Portage County Democrat,
Republican-Democrat, and Ravenna Republican—Independent Press and Reformer —Hickory Flail and Fusion
Thresher—Argus —Democratic Press—Portage County Republican—Kent Newspapers—Proposed Franklin
Gazette—The Cranium Gatherum and its Successors: The Family Visitor, Literary Casket, Cuyahoga Reporter,
Saturday Review. Commercial Bulletin, Saturday Bulletin, and Kent Saturday Bulletin—Kent News of 1867—
Present Kent News—Garrettsville Newspapers—Garrettsville Monthly Review—Garrettsville Journal-Home
Bazar — Atwater Newspapers—Sharp Sickle—Atwater News.
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CHAPTER XIII.—WAR OF THE REBELLION
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373-391
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Portage County in the Rebellion —The Patriotic Feeling of Her People at the Beginning of the Great Struggle for
National Life—Meetings Held to Denounce Treason and to Support the Government-Enrollment of Volunteers
Under the President's First Call, and Their Departure for Camp Taylor—Good Work of the Relief Committees,
and Generosity of the Citizens—The Number of Men Sent into the War by Each Township, and the Commands in
Which They Served—Official Roster of Commissioned Officers from this County—Amount of Money Annually
Expended for War Purposes by Portage County from 1861 to 1868 —Closing Scenes of the War—Public
Demonstrations of Great Joy Over its Glorious Termination—The Rejoicings of the People Suddenly Turned to
Grief by the Assassination of President Lincoln
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CHAPTER XIV.-ATWATER TOWNSHIP
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392-398
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Arrival of Atwater and Others—Early Privations—Birth of First Child—Another Lone Settler—Organization—
Marriages and Deaths—Some Old and New Things—An Ancient Musket — Early Churches and Preachers —
Schools - Newspapers-Industries, etc.—Officers and Statistics.
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CHAPTER XV.—AURORA TOWNSHIP
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400-405
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Ebenezer Sheldon—First Legal Business —A Lonely Couple—A Model Pioneer Wife —Other Settlers—Early
Hardships—Organization—The Methodist Circuit Rider—First Church and Schools—First Birth and Death and
Other First Things—Hunters and Hunt- ing.Stories—Early Facts—A Small Meeting with Large Results—
Churches and Schools —Business, etc.—Statistics.
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CHAPTER XVI.—BRIMFIELD TOWNSHIP
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405-411
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A Many-named Township—Equalizing Lands—Explorers and Settlers—Location of the Earry Pioneers—
Organization and Polities—Three Classes of First Events—Education and Religion—Business Beginnings—
Large Shippers—Resources—Statistics.
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CHAPTER XVII, — CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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412-415
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A Hunter Squatter—First Permanent Settler—The Blandford & Granville Co.—Post Belium Settlers—Fifty-six in
Four Families —Leading First Events—First Birth and Marriage—First Mills—Schools and Churches —Rev.
Caleb Pitkin—Organization—Officers, Business, etc.
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CHAPTER XVIII.—DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP
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416-423
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Breaking First Ground—Settlers of 1800 —The Erys, Days and Divers—A Trip on the Ma-um-ing — Hardships
and Privations— Great Increase—First Military Company— After the Organization—A Remarkable Family—
Some Early Facts—Grant's Tannery—Shooting of Diver—Hunters and Hunting—Early Preachers and
Churches— Schools, Business and Statistics.
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CHAPTER XIX.—EDINBURG TOWNSHIP
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424-431
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Early Settlement—Abbott and Chapman —Other Pioneers—Rial McArthur and R. M. Hart—Some Noted
Names—Organization and Officers—The Champion Hunt—Old Time Adventures, Facts and Social Events—
Churches and Schools—Edinburg Center— Business, Resources and Statistics.
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CHAPTER XX.—FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP AND KENT
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431-452
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First Settlement—The Haymakers — A Primitive Mill—Early Facts and Settlers— Contest for the County
Seat—Low Price of Produce—First Burying Ground—Reedsbury — Organization — First Law SuitCackler's
Geese—Important Primitive Industries—Fine Water-Power—The Manufacture of Glass—The Twin Villages in
1827— The Rival Taverns—Early Merchants, etc., etc. —Progress of Improvement —Lewis Kent—Franklin
Land Company—The Canal Outrage—Franklin & Warren Railroad —Incorporation — 1ncrease of Business—
Standing Rock Cemetery — Names, Ages and Deaths of Some Early Settlers—John Brown—Brady's
Leap—Primitive Schools and Religion—Sketches of the Churches— Free and Accepted Masons—Odd
Fellowship —Other Orders and Societies.
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CHAPTER XXI.—FREEDOM TOWNSHIP
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452-459
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Before the Organization—Charles H. Paine, the First Settler—A Lone Pioneer—More Arrivals— First
Election— A Thought- fill Veteran—Paul Larkcom—A Number of First Things—Churches and Schools—Hor-
ace Greeley's Uncle—The Army Hunt—Sad Death—Sagacity of a Dog—Business and Statistics.
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CHAPTER XXII.—GARRETTSVILLE TOWNSHIP
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459-566
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Arrival of Col. John Garrett—The First Mill—Slow Growth—The Dual Government —Business, Manufacturing,
etc.—The Fair —Churches—Union Schools—Masonic Bodies—Odd Fellowship—Young Men's Temperance
Council—Good Templars—Statistics.
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CHAPTER XXIII.—HIRAM TOWNSHIP
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466-475
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Who was the First Settler?—Honey and Williams—Mason and Tilden—Other Permanent Settlers—The Youngs,
Benjamin Hinckley and Samuel Udall—Many First Events— Churches and Schools—Hiram College— President
James A. Garfield—Organization and Origin of Name—The Mormons—Tarring and Feathering Smith and
Rigdon -Rich Land, Beautiful Location and Business.
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CHAPTER XXIV.—MANTUA TOWNSHIP
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475-485
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First Settler of Portage County—First Wheat—Amzi Atwater—Elias Harmon—Other Settlers—Organization—
First Birth, Marriage and Death—Primitive 1ndustries —A Peculiar Character—Another Queer One— Judge
Atwater’s Bear Fight -Churches and Schools—Business, Soil, etc.—Mantua Station—Mantua Corners—
Masonry—Statistics.
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CHAPTER XXV.—NELSON TOWNSHIP
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486-494
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Coming of the Pioneers—The Mills Brothers—Two Lonesome Families—Important Arrivals—Heads of Families
in 1815—First Buildings—First Arrivals and Departures— Churches and Schools—Taverns, Mills and Roads—
Fiat Justitia, Rued Coelum —Exploits of Capt. Mills—Summary—Township Officers—The Ledges—Statistics.
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CHAPTER XXVI.—PALMYRA TOWNSHIP
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495-505
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The Vanguard—Pioneer Daniels—Capt. Baldwin, Truman Gilbert, Arteruus Rug- gles—The Great Trail—A
Noted Character —Pioneer Dentistry—A Famous Trapper— An 1rate F. F. V.—" Moses Jabe " Gilbert, the
Contractor—Numerous First Events— Preacher and Churches—Schools and Teachers—Organization—Palmyra
Center—Diamond—Coal Banks—Business, Societies and Statistics
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CHAPTER XXVII—PARIS TOWNSHIP
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505-508
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Good Land with a Bad Name—Slow Settlement—Organization—Churches and Schools—Some First
Events—Notable Happenings—McClintocksburg and Newport— Officers, Business, Resources and Statistics.
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CHAPTER XXVIII.—RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP.
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511-516
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First Two Settlers—Bela Hubbard and Salmon Ward—The Tide Flows On—Ward's Four Trips—Oliver
Dickinson—First Deaths, Births and Marriages—Initial Industries— A Few Early Facts—Organization and
Officers—Churches and Schools—Old and Nevi Incidents—The Hubbard Squash—Randolph Fair—
Underground Railroad—Soil, Streams and Statistics.
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CHAPTER XXIX.—RAVENNA TOWNSHIP AND CITY
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518-544
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Original Proprietors—The Pioneers—First Cabin—Benjamin Tappan—First Birth and Death—Primitive
Mills—The Village Site in 1805—A Threshing Machine—Laying Out of the Village—First Building—Old
Burying Ground Schools and Scholars—First Court House and Jail—Recipe for Clearing off Stumps—Two Old
Structures—An Incident of 1812—Pen Picture of Primitive Ravenna —John Brown's Father—Jesse Grant's
Tannery—Some Noted Settlers—Some Early Facts—Two Notable Raisings—First Sunday-School—Sundry
1tems—Early Merchants--A School Needed—First School Meeting—Growth of the City—Incorporation
Industries—Banks and Bankers—Pioneer Preachers on Religion—First Congregational Church, and Rev. C. B.
Storrs—Methodist Episcopal Church—Disciples Church—Universalist Church—Church of the Immaculate
Conception—Episcopal Church—Secret and other Societies—Statistics.
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CHAPTER XXX.—ROOTSTOWN TOWNSHIP
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544-552
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The First Cabin—David Root—A Sad Death—First Wheat Crop—Nathan Muzzy— A Distillery—An Alien
Justice—First Birth —The Chapmans—First Frame Structure— Mother Ward—The First Criminal—Primitive
Schools—The Old Grave-yard—Early Churches—Organization and Officers—Noted Events—Soil, Products and
Statistics.
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CHAPTER XXXI - SHALERSVILLE TOWNSHIP
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552-557
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A Pioneer Family—Early Privations— Some Other Settlers—Three Self-made Men —Silas Crocker, Sylvester
Beecher, David McIntosh—Organization—Births, Deaths and Marriages—Muzzy and His Mill—First
Industries—Schools and Churches-War Record—Incidents and Facts—An Aged Land Mark—Business—
Resources—Statistics.
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CHAPTER XXXII. — STREETSBORO TOWNSHIP
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558-663
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Rapid Settlement — Some Well-known Names—Cleveland & Wellsville TurnpikeOrganization—No Paupers
Wanted—Early Liberality and Enterprise—A Few First Events—Churches and Schools—Business, Officers,
etc.—Statistics.
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CHAPTER XXXIII.--SUFFIELD TOWNSHIP.
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563-567
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A Fine Township—One Lonely Settler— Benjamin Baldwin, and the " Baldwin " Apple—Other Settlers—Honest
John Flitch —A Noted Hunter—Two Organizations—A " Flustrated " Justice—First Mills, Stores, etc. —
Coming of the Germans — First Churches and Schools—First Birth and Death—Mogadore—Suffield Center—A
Duplex Town, etc.—Statistics, etc.—Business, Resources and Officers.
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CHAPTER XXXIV.—WINDHAM TOWNSHIP.
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567-574
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The Becket Land Company—The March Westward—Some Early Settlers—Organization and Officers—
Churches and Preachers— Initial Events of Interest—Primitive Educators—Building and Enterprise—Business
—Grand Army—Township Officers—Statistics.
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PART IV.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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Atwater Township - 577
Aurora Township - 593
Brimfield Township - 601
Charlestown Township.- 617
Deerfield Township - 621
Edinburg Township - 637
Franklin Township. - 658
Freedom Township - 716
Garrettsville Township - 723
Hiram Township - 741
Mantua Township - 752
Nelson Township - 771
Palmyra Township - 777
Paris Township - 782
Randolph Township - 783
Ravenna Township - 809
Rootstown Township - 862
Shalersville Township - 878
Streetsboro Township - 885
Suffield Township - 899
Windham Township - 911
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PORTRAITS
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Adams, Horace, Suffield Township - 407
Atwood, Horace, Suffield Township - 407
Bloomfield, Lewis M,, Randolph Township - 418
Boszor, Henry, Brimfield Township - 498
Boszor, Sarah N., Brimfield Township - 499
Brainerd, E. P., Ravenna Township - 529
Carlton, Peter, Mantua Township - 376
Carlton, Clarissa, Mantua Township - 377
Clapp, Selah S., Franklin Township - 640
Clapp, Mrs. Mary, Franklin Township - 641
Crocker, Silas, Shalersville Township - 334
Crocker, Mrs. Cynthia, Shalersville Township - 335
Davidson, James F., Brimfield Township - 600
Day, Luther, Ravenna Township - 81
Dewey, George, Franklin Township - 438
Dunn, James, Garrettsville - 233
Earl, Ebenezer W., Windham Township - 682
Eggleston, Gen. Nelson, Aurora Township - 509
Foster, Jonathan, Mantua Township - 254
Fowler, Benjamin, Nelson Township - 540
Fuller, C. C., Nelson Township - 203
Garfield, James A - 47
Garfield, Mrs. Lueretia - 213
Gibbs, Mason, Deerfield Township - 609
Gorby, Thomas, Randolph Township - 314
Hart, Reuben, Brimfield Township - 569
Hartzell, John, Deerfield Township - 662
Hawley, E., Paris Township - 651
Haymaker, J. D., Franklin Township - 323
Wm. S. Hill., Hiram Township - 466
P. U. Jennings - 387
Kent, Zenas, Franklin Township - 115
Kent, Marvin - 182
King, Joseph D., Ravenna Township - 520
Larkcom, A. C., Freedom Township - 731
Lyman, Judge Darius, Ravenna Township - 149
Norton, James, Garrettsville - 263
Ober, R. H. Garrettsville - 427
Parmelee, Luther H., Franklin Township - 303
Parsons, Edward, Brimfield Township - 589
Paulus, Wrlliam, Suffield Township - 398
Plum, Frederick, Streetsboro Township - 487
Powers, Dr. A. M., Rootstown Township - 620
Price, Dr. Joseph, Randolph Township - 345
Ray, Col. C. H., Mantua Township - 691
Reed, C. A., Ravenna Township - 243
Russel, Luther, Streetsboro Township - 478
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Sawyer, Oliver, Brimfield Township - 722
Sherman, Dr. A. M.. Franklin Township. - 223
Smith, E. C., Garrettsville - 283
Spencer, Oliver, Aurora Township. - 711
Stilwell, Barnet, Brimfield Township - 580
Stratton, J. B., Franklin Township - 629
Strickland, Willis, Ravenna Township - 365
Thompson, R. J, Ravenna Township - 671
Tidball, Dr. A. H. Garrettsville - 356
Waggoner, Dr. Joseph, Ravenna Township - 294
Webb, James, Freedom Township - 560
Wilson, Samuel, Suffield Township - 702
Woodard, James, Franklin Township - 458
Woodbridge, Mrs. Mary A., Ravenna Township - 273
Woodworth, E. S., Windham Township - 447
Woodworth, Thomas 3.., Windham Township - 194
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MISCELLANEOUS
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Map of Portage County - 13
Population of the United States - 69
Area of the United States - 69
Area of the Principal Countries in the World - 69
Population of Principal Countries in the World - 69
Population of Ohio by Counties - 70
List of Ohio’s Governors - 72
Population of Portage County by Township - 197
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