250 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY of the survivors of John Brown's disastrous expedition journeyed, after their escape. Subsequent events growing out of the Harper's Ferry incident included a movement started in Ashtabula County that became country-wide. The further story is covered very ably in a contribution made by an old resident of Andover to the Williams history and is here reproduced with due credit. The name of the contributor was not mentioned in that history. "A few of these escaped, Owen Brown being one of the number. Merriam, a young man from Boston, one of the fugitives, made his way to West Andover and was received and cared for by the writer. A few more were in the vicinity, and Owen Brown, after resting for a short time in Crawford County, Pa., came to West Andover and went to his brother's, John Brown, Jr.'s, in Dorset, with whom he remained for some time. The narration of these events, after 18 years have elapsed (this was related in 1877) seems tame and spiritless. The young can have no conception of the terrible excitement that was produced all over the country. But a large portion of the readers of this will well remember and, remembering, will know that no words of mine can depict the reality. "The United States Senate ordered John Brown, Jr., to appear before a committee of their body and give evidence. He refused to obey and their sergeant-at-arms was instructed to take him to Washington. Grave apprehensions were felt by the citizens that an armed force was to be sent,. not only to arrest John Brown, Jr., but to take Merriam, Owen Brown and other fugitives who were in the vicinity. If taken it was believed their speedy trial, conviction and execution would follow as a matter of course. Under these circumstances a number of the citizens of West Andover met for consultation and resolved that they would attempt to defend these men with their lives, if need be. Signals, signs, passwords and a badge were agreed upon by means of which members of the association could know each other. A place of rendezvous was agreed upon and arms procured, and all solemnly pledged themselves to be in readiness at the slightest warning. Persons from surrounding townships came forward to join this association and as the knowledge of its existence extended new associations or lodges were organized, and as this went on, to insure uniformity of work and harmony of action, an affiliated secret society was formed. A state lodge was organized and finally a United States lodge. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 251 "This order increased with great rapidity. Its object was the overthrow of slavery and designed to act politically and in a revolutionary manner if necessary for the attainment of that object. In the initiatory ceremonies of our lodge at West Andover a pistol was used that was presented by the Marquis de Lafayette to Washington. This pistol was brought by one of Brown's men who escaped from Harper's Ferry. It will be remembered that Brown sent a squad of men to arrest Colonel Washington and took his arms the night of the assault on Harper's Ferry. This pistol was afterward sent to the owner." In the disastrous attack on Harper's Ferry Capt. Brown received a sword cut on the forehead, a bayonet wound in the kidneys and seven other wounds, but was not seriously injured. His son, Oliver, was killed. The attack on Harper's Ferry was not precipitated without careful forethought and planning. A full year before it was made John Brown and his sons, Owen and Oliver, went to that town and, under the name of Smith, made pretense that they were prospecting for ore that they believed might be found in that vicinity. They remained for some time, boarding at Sandy Point, a mile out of town, then they went away. After a few months they returned and rented a farm on the Maryland side of the river, purchased picks, spades, etc., and succeeded in giving the people the impression that they were really prospectors. "Capt. Smith" was not recognized as the famous "Ossowattomie" John Brown until after his capture. Soon after he was brought in, he revived sufficiently from the shock of his wounds and strenuous action, talked earnestly with those about him, defending his course and avowing that he had only done what was right and in the interest of humanity. He acknowledged his identity and answered all questions unreservedly. In his possession was found the "Provisional Constitution and Ordinances for the People of the United States," which he had drawn up in anticipation of being able to organize a provisional government that would not recognize slavery in any form and of whose army he was the self-appointed commander-in-chief. In a letter which was written by John Brown. after his conviction and sentence to be hanged, to his half-brother Jeremiah Brown, he wrote: "I am gaining in health slowly, and am quite cheerful, in view of my approaching end, being fully persuaded that I am worth inconceivably more to hang than for any other purpose. I feel a thousand times more on account of my sorrowing friends than on my own account. So far as I am concerned, I 252 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY count it all joy. Say to my poor boys never to grieve for one moment on my account". On the day of his execution, just before he was started for the gallows, Brown wrote the following prophetic lines on a piece of paper which he handed to a friend : "I am now convinced that the great iniquity which hangs over this country cannot be purged without immense bloodshed. When I first came to this state I thought otherwise, but am now convinced that I was mistaken". From the Ashtabula Sentinel of Dec. 28, 1859, we take the following: "The bell of the Presbyterian meeting house in Ashtabula was tolled on the occasion of the execution of John Brown. Some persons of conservative tendencies in that church have been exercised about it somewhat and are not sure whether they ought to have allowed it to be tolled. A correspondent, however, writes us that the responsibility is wholly removed from them; that the bell was sold under an execution against the church a few years ago and bought by a citizen who sold half his interest to another citizen. One of these owners of the bell now says he is willing that his half of it shall be tolled on this or any proper occasion, and the other says he thanks God that his half was tolled for John Brown. This, it would seem, ought to settle the question." CHAPTER XVI. CHERRY VALLEY TOWNSHIP. ORGANIZATION- TOWNSHIP OFFICERS- EARLY SETTLERS- HARDSHIPS-HIGH - WAYS-PIONEER RELIGIOUS SERVICES-POPULATION. A child of numerous parentage was Cherry Valley, located between New Lyme and Andover. It belonged first to the township of Vernon, in Trumbull County, then to Wayne, later to Andover, and, finally, in 1827, started out alone to shape its own destinies. Its individual history began with the action of the commissioners of Ashtabula County, taken on June 8, 1827, when they passed the following resolution: "Resolved: (Upon the petition of Anson J. Giddings, Benoni Andrews and others) that so much of the present town of Andover as is included in the surveyed township No. 9, in the second range, be set off and erected a separate township to be known and designated by the name of Cherry Valley, and that an election for township officers be held at the house of Josiah Creery on the Fourth of July next." The result of the election thus called was the naming of the following township officers: Trustees, William Andrews, W. Benjamin and Henry Krum; clerk, Henry Krum ; treasurer, Josiah Creery ; fence-viewers, John Burgett and W. Benjamin ; overseers of the poor, John Woodworth and William Andrews ; constable, A. J. Giddings ; supervisors, H. Krum and H. Lyman. In the following spring John Woodworth was elected justice of the peace, thus completing the roster of original township officers. Henry Patch and Zebulon Congdon made a clearing and built the first log house in Cherry Valley in 1817. They occupied it but a short time, however, before they deserted it and moved on into New Lyme Township. A year later Nathaniel Hubbard arrived from the East and took possession of the Patch structure, installing his family therein and settling for a - 253 - 254 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY permanent residence. The following year brought the families of John Fenn and Nathaniel Johnson, who settled within a short distance of Hubbard's home. Josiah Creery, who is given credit for having suggested the name "Cherry Valley" for this township, became a member of the colony in 1823 ; then came Wooster and William Benjamin, in 1828, each having purchased fifty acres with a view to clearing and tilling it. Two years after their arrival, the Benjamin brothers built a saw-mill on the bank of Patch Creek, which stream had been given the name of the man who built the first log cabin on its bank. This mill was responsible for the death of Wooster Benjamin, who was killed while at work therein. William's death was also tragic in that he was found dead between the mill and his home, with his head immersed in a pond of water. It was supposed that he fell in a fit and was drowned. Jesse Steele and family, who located first in Andover Township, after their arrival from Connecticut in 1816, crossed over into Cherry Valley in 1827. John Woodworth was another pioneer whose descendants occupied the old homestead for many generations. The Steeles located in one corner of the intersection of the Hayes and Center roads, and his son, A. W. Steele, established a jewelry and watch repairing store on their home. Other early settlers in the township included Benoni, William and Eli Andrews, Francis Webster, Noah Sweet, James Cornwell, Noah Rowley, Marvin Giddings, Henry Krum, his brother Abel, Lockwood Lobdell, John Williams, Elkanah Crosby, Conrad Petrie, Henry Tuttle. Some of these people purchased large tracts of land. Noah Sweet bought 1,423 acres, which was probably the largest individual purchase. There were nearly four hundred acres in the piece owned by James Cornwell, and several held hundred-acre and fifty-acre tracts. Of course, anything that could not be grown on their farms, must have been a luxury and everything that had to be bought brought a high price, because of the difficulties of transportation to that section from the eastern source of supply. An illustration of the cost and difficulties of acquiring necessities that had to be bought is found in the story of Jesse Steele's purchase of a barrel of salt. The salt was brought from eastern harbors to the mouths of the various large streams emptying into the lake on its south shore. There it was traded to the settlers for such of their produce as could be disposed HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 255 of in the eastern markets. They came from all directions, and the assemblages of men from the various inland settlements proved occasions of much interest and information regarding what was transpiring in the various settled points. To one of these meeting points Mr. Steele on this occasion hauled three bushels of wheat, six bushels of rye and a bushel of corn, which he exchanged for one barrel of salt. The journey to the lake shore and return consumed five days' time, though the distance one way was only about twenty-five miles. The unbroken roads, the laborious traveling, the slow means of getting over the ground that was but occasionally traversed, was in sharp contrast with the conditions of today, when he might get into an auto-truck with his load, drive over paved roads to the lake, transact his business and be back home in three hours. The Hayes road, named for Richard Hayes, of Wayne, who was instrumental in its inception and construction, was the first regularly laid out highway extending through Cherry Valley. It was established in 1812, and that served generally the needs of neighboring communities until 1828, when a general road building program was inaugurated and highways were laid out in all directions where there was a need for facilities for traveling. Opening of these ways of transportation and communication soon led to the establishment of business places and following the opening of the first real store in 1829, by W. A. Clark. Others appeared in various sections from year to year. In the spring of the year 1829 a postoffice was established in this store and Mr. Clark was appointed postmaster. Mr. Clark's wife, Hannah, was the first school teacher in Cherry Valley. She began the dissemination of knowledge to the youth of the neighborhood in the winter of 1828-29, in a log house near her husband's store. While the pupils were studying, Mrs. Clark put in her time working at her trade of seamstress. Cheese making, which became one of the chief industries of the town, in after years, was first begun by Mrs. John Fenn in the year 1820. Her method of pressing the cheese into form was very crude, but served all requirements of her industry, as one cow constituted the source of her original supply of material. Her press consisted of a long piece of wood. 256 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY After placing the cheese to be pressed on a block close to the house, she would place the board on top of the cheese, one end being beneath the house, and a heavy weight being placed on the other end, the leverage thus obtained serving very satisfactorily as a means of pressure. In 1870 Charles Petrie constructed a cheese factory which had a capacity of turning out 25 cheeses a day. Religious services were regularly instituted in (about) 1825, Elder Davis, of the Methodist faith, being in charge. At first the meetings were held in various homes, but the interest became so widespread that the attendance became too large for the small houses to accommodate, so the gatherings were taken to the schoolhouse. Elder C. R. Richmond, of the Baptist Church, came to town in 1840 and organized a church of that faith. A Methodist Church was also organized at about that time by the Rev. Sturgis. Cherry Valley developed in later years into a splendid farming and dairy community, but it was never destined to become a manufacturing town, doubtless because it was not its good fortune to have a railroad pass through its territory. At one time the population of the township numbered as high as 800, but the census of 1920 gives it but 256. CHAPTER XVII. COLEBROOK TOWNSHIP. SURVEYING PARTY-AREA OF TOWNSHIP-FIRST OFFICERS-EARLY RESIDENTS -JOEL BLAKESLEE -SUCCEEDING FAMILIES - FIRST SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. Colebrook, situated between Orwell and Wayne townships, originally in Green, Trumbull County, was one of the bottom row of townships that was merged into Ashtabula County in the early organization of the last named. The township embraces 16,000 acres, which were platted in 1808 into lots one-half mile square, until an allotted 100 lots were surveyed. One of the members of the surveying party, Samuel Phillips, was so favorably impressed with the surroundings that he later became a resident of the township. In 1811 the territory organized into Wayne Township included Colebrook, but two years later Colebrook and New Lyme territory were set apart as Lebanon, which name was changed to New Lyme in 1825. In 1834 the subject of this chapter was given the name of Phelps, probably to commemorate Oliver Phelps, the man who owned and surveyed the territory in 1808. That lasted, however, but a couple of years, and then the name Colebrook was restored. An old record book contains the following account of the organization of the township: "Organization of the township of Colebrook at the first township election held in the township of Colebrook, county of Ashtabula, and state of Ohio, the first Monday of April,—being the second day of said month, —in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and twenty-seven, the following named persons were elected to their respective offices, viz.: Joel Blakeslee, township clerk ; Halsey Phillips, Theodorus Miller and Levi Rice, trustees ; Charles Hall and Francis Drake, fence viewers ; Ira Kee, (15) - 257 - 258 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY supervisor; Benjamin F. Phillips, constable ; Samuel Phillips and Levi Rice, overseers of the poor." A correspondent who signed himself "Uncle Tim", writing regarding the above entry, had the following to say under date of South New Lyme, April 3, 1876: "The above named voters constituted the entire voting population of Colebrook at that time, from which it appears that every voter had an office and one man had two. The records further show that on April 11, 1827, by order of the trustees, the said township was declared to constitute but one school district, containing thirteen householders, viz.: All those above mentioned as officers and in addition Samuel Emmitt and Jesse Drake. On March 3, 1828, the township was divided into two school districts, one to contain eight householders, and the other four. The first treasurer's bond was that of Samuel Phillips, with Halsey Phillips as his security, binding them in the sum of $10 for the faithful fulfillment of the office. "Up to this time, April 5, 1830, there is nothing to show that there was ever a red cent in the hands of our treasurer, but in 1831 in anticipation that there might be, at some future time, the trustees ordered the treasurer's bond raised to $50." A family named West is stated to have been the original white settlers of Colebrook, they arriving in 1812. They chose for their future home a site bordering on Mosquito Creek. Evidently they were not favorably impressed with their new home, for, after staying long enough to clear a few acres, they departed and nothing is known further regarding them. In 1819 came Joel Blakeslee, his wife and two children, from New York State, transported by a team of oxen. They had been on the road twenty-nine days and were weatherworn and weary when they arrived at the "Land of Promise". During the trip they had been obliged to abandon the sleigh, in which they had started from their eastern home, in the winter, and complete the journey with a wagon. Residents from nearby settlements came to greet the new arrivals and volunteer their services toward erection of a cabin for the Blakeslee family. The month of May found the family comfortably housed and ready to face the hard .work ahead. Mr. and Mrs. Blakeslee laid a good foundation for future citizenship, as they raised a family of seven children, all of whom married and remained in the township excepting one. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 259 Mr. Blakeslee was more of a scholar than a farmer and he spent many hours at his desk. He at once evidenced an interest in the general life of the county and soon gained a wide acquaintance and the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. He was one of the early and most active members of the Ashtabula County Historical Society and contributed largely to the written records of that organization. Following the Blakeslee family, the next settlers were Halsey Phillips and family. This family started from Colebrook, Conn., in the summer of 1820, induced by the glowing accounts of the new country written "back home" by Mrs. Joseph B. Cowles, a sister of Mrs. Phillips, who was among the early corners to Austinburg. The Phillips party was composed of himself, his wife, their four children, and his two brothers. Austinburg was their objective and they arrived there in the early fall of the year named. They had not, however, decided to make that place their abode, at least until after they had looked around. Casting about for a place in which to establish a permanent home, Mr. Phillips decided upon, Colebrook. Leaving his family with the Cowles household, he and his brothers went to Colebrook and proceeded to build a log house for their occupancy. They moved into their new domicile in a few weeks. Succeeding families who came into the neighborhood included the names of Rosswell Stillman, who stayed but a short time and moved on to Andover; Z. Cutler, Francis Drake, Medad Canfield, Theodorus Miller, Frederick Jones, Levi Rice and others and within a few years there was a very respectable colony in quality and size. In 1822 a school house was erected, from logs, near the Watson Corners. Miss Cleora Phillips was the original schoolmaam of the town. Her charge included a class of six pupils. She was paid one dollar a week and boarded herself. In lieu of cash, which was a scarce article with those sturdy pioneers, she received two bushels of wheat, worth 50 cents a bushel. The Rev. Ephraim. T. Woodruff, employed as minister sof the churches in Williamsfield and Wayne, preached the first sermon ever delivered in Colebrook. The congregation assembled at the home of Joel Blakeslee. That was in 1820. The first church organization was effected in 1831, under direction of the Rev. Giles H. Cowles, of Austinburg. It was of the Congregational denomination and the original number of members was 18. Not long thereafter a Methodist Church was organized with a membership of about the same size. In 1836 a Baptist Society was formed 260 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY by 20 of the residents thereabouts, and in 1849, 14 persons signed the charter list for a Free Baptist denomination. New Lyme and Orwell residents contributed to the congregations and supported the early churches. Halsey Phillips was the first postmaster in Colebrook. The postoffice was established in that town in 1826 and located in Mr. Phillips' residence. The institution continued for many years, but ultimately was discontinued and the town folk have for some years been served daily by rural free delivery, as have many other small communities of the counties that once boasted their own postoffices. To David Chase, who journeyed from New York, is given credit for opening the first store in Colebrook. He transported the stock from the east in 1836 and put it on sale in a log house at the Center. In 1830 Isaac L. Jayne opened a hotel at the Center and it continued as a hostelry for many years. CHAPTER XVIII. CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP. PREHISTORIC RACE-"SOUTH RIDGE"-AMBOY-CONNEAUT EARLY CHURCHES CONNEAUT HARBOR - GREAT BRIDGE - ADVENTURE OF A PIONEER-CHANGED THEIR PLANS-FIRST FAMILY TO WINTER HERE-CAR FERRY DISASTERS - PULLMAN'S CONTRACT - FIRST WHITE SETTLER - STAGE COACH TRAGEDY-PLANS OF STEEL COMPANY-PUBLIC LIBRARY-COUNTRY CLUB-EAST CONNEAUT AS "LITTLE HOPE". It was near the mouth of Conneaut Creek, a stream not then navigable, but now one of the deepest and most important harbors on the south shore of Lake Erie, that Moses Cleaveland and his party of surveyors first touched Ohio, in their journey to this section for purpose of making a survey of the Western Reserve, the new possession of the Connecticut Land Company, of Connecticut. While this party was given credit for being the first company of white persons to establish themselves in the county, developments of later years disclosed indisputable evidence that at some time in the far-gone centuries this section had been inhabited by a race of people of gigantic stature who were not Indians. Delving into great mounds of earth that were not of natural formation brought forth bones of this prehistoric people, as well as pottery, crude weapons and other belongings that had been buried with the dead. Yet, with all this evidence, there has never yet been found a manuscript or writing of any nature that would give the slightest hint as to the personality of those early residents. Where they came from, how long they were here, or where they eventually departed for is a mystery that will probably never be solved. The first intimation of these people was uncovered in and about where is now the city of Conneaut, and as the settlements became more - 261 - 262 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY numerous and extensive many other sections of the county reported similar finds, indicating that this vicinity was well populated. Conneaut, however, seemed to have been the metropolis of these people, as indicated by a large burying ground on the bank of the river west of the originally settled town, and another in the sugar-loaf like prominence across the river to the south. A writer says "When first discovered the spot was covered with trees not distinguishable from the surrounding forest, except an opening near the center containing a single butternut. The graves were distinguished by slight depressions in the surface of the earth, disposed in straight rows, which, with intervening spaces, or valleys, covered the entire area. The number of these graves has been estimated to be between two and three thousand. The ancient burying-grounds occupy an area of about four acres and appear to have been accurately surveyed into lots running from north to south and when first seen presented the appearance of neat and orderly arrangement." Aaron Wright, Esq., in 1800, made a careful examination of these depressions and found them invariably to contain human bones blackened with time, which, upon exposure to the air, soon crumbled to dust. Some of these bones were of unusual size and evidently belonged to a race allied with giants. Skulls were taken from these mounds, the cavities of which were of sufficient capacity to admit the head of an ordinary man, and jaw-bones that might be fitted over the face with equal facility. The bones of the upper and lower extremities were of corresponding size. The first tragedy involving a white man that occurred after the arrival of the Cleaveland party was the murder, in the following year, of a man named Williams, who was passing through en route from Detroit to Erie (then Presque Isle). While sojourning temporarily here, Williams sold a gun to an Indian of the settlement that still remained near where the whites were located. It was agreed that the Indian was to pay in pelts, which Williams calculated to take on to Erie and sell, and with proceeds buy a new gun. The chief of this tribe was one "Bear's Oil", a wily old Redskin, who, however, had shown no great antipathy because of the invasion of the whites. Old Bear's Oil told Williams that the brave to whom he had sold the rifle was no good and would not pay him, whereupon Williams compelled the Indian to give back the shooting-iron. A short time later Williams resumed his journey, with but a few HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 263 miles farther to go. But he never reached his destination. The Indian with whom he had had the gun transaction had held his peace and apparently nursed no grudge against the white man, but it developed that he watched the stranger with untiring vigil, and when Williams had gone the buck took his trail, overtook him on the beach of the lake a few miles east of Conneaut and murdered him in cold blood, recovering the gun, which he took back to the village with him. When the commander of the military post at Presque Isle learned of the tragedy, he sent messengers to the Indian village, who demanded that the chief give the murderer into their custody. Bear's Oil, apparently, was submissive, but exacted conditions. He agreed that if an officer and a suitable number as guard were sent forward to take charge of the prisoner, he would give him up. Pursuant to this arrangement the guard and officer were sent and when they arrived Bear's Oil invited them to remain over night. This they did, and when morning came they were informed by Bear's Oil that he had changed his mind and would not turn his man over. To back his position nearly 50 Indians in paint and well armed stood about conveniently. The officer and his men, realizing that it would be folly to attempt to force their issue in the face of such a demonstration, withdrew to their boat and returned to the barracks without their prisoner. The return of the men, empty handed, was a signal for action and immediately the entire garrison, strengthened by such settlers as cared to indulge in what might be a strenuous adventure, started by boat for Conneaut, under instructions to bring back the murderer and to impose such chastisement on old Bear's Oil and his braves as seemed expedient. The old chief had anticipated just such action, and speedily assembled his people and decamped for parts unknown. When the soldiers arrived at the village site it was bare. It was learned that this band of Indians. continued their flight toward the west, by canoes, till they reached Toledo,. and thence cut across country and was last heard from as having located on the banks of the Wabash River. Thus departed from the settlement the last of the resident Indians, and the white settlers were not sorry to see them go, notwithstanding their relations with the aborigines had never been other than friendly. However, it was very much of a relief to feel that the town was now their own. Probably the first white men that ever gazed upon the waters of Lake 264 - HISTORY OF. ASHTABULA COUNTY Erie from the Ohio shore were two men who had been captured and were held by Indians. In 1790 and 1791 General Harmon and Governor St. Clair conducted a campaign by white settlers of Ohio against certain tribes of Indians who had been troublesome. The Indians proved the victors and among the spoils of the war the two white men figured. Their captors brought them to the shore of the lake in the vicinity of Conneaut. The bringing of these white prisoners to the village was a cause for great rejoicing and they were subjected to many tortures and hardships before the question of their final disposition came up for settlement. It was finally decided to let one of them live and witness the death of the other through burning at the stake. The program was carried out almost to the point of realization when an unexpected interruption occurred. A fair young squaw of the tribe, like Pocahontas interceded for Capt. John Smith, rushed to the rescue and begged that the young white man's life be saved. There was a lot of pow-wowing, pro and con, but the young woman was evidently a favorite with the band, and her prayer was granted and the man was released. He soon became a great favorite with all the tribe and his influence grew until he became the recognized representative of the Indians in their dealings with the white men. The other prisoner also remained with the Indians for a long time, but, eventually, both men were allowed to withdraw to their own people and they became settlers and spent the rest of their lives in this vicinity. "South Ridge."—The gradual moving back from the lake of some of the settlers had the result of establishing small settlements within the territory constituting townships that had been laid out and named. Conneaut had, for instance, a four-corned sub-village called South Ridge, situated in the road of that name in the southern part of the township. This was a flourishing little settlement for many years, boasting the usual essentials of such a colony, general store, blacksmith shop, church, school and sometimes some thriving little commercial industry. South Ridge had, for some years, a postoffice all its own and a flourishing cheese factory. The church-going people of that immediate vicinity formed themselves into a general church society, in which capacity they worshiped until 1837, when the Free-Will Baptist element, which had organized in 1826 but continued to join in the union services, withdrew and built a church edifice of its own, under the ministry of the Rev. Samuel Wise. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 265 Amboy.—Another settlement within the township of Conneaut was, and still is, Amboy. That colony started about four miles west of the river on the North Ridge, and also had its palmy days, and was larger than South Ridge village. In addition to the advantages named for the neighbor on the south, Amboy had a tavern, one more church, a flouring mill, a cabinet shop, a cobbler's shop, several cigar factories and a platform station on the line of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern. Railroad. There are plenty still living who well remember when "Pumpkin Hook" meant the same as Amboy. Our grandfathers used to tell a story to effect that some weary travelers once came to Amboy as daylight waned and, thinking the tavern there was a good place for a rest, they engaged quarters for the night. Their wagon and its load were put in a barn, for safe shelter, but when they were ready to hitch up for another start they discovered that someone had "hooked" several pumpkins that had been in the wagon. From that incident the town became possessed of the strange nickname "Pumpkin Hook". Conneaut.—The following is taken from the News-Herald : "The name Conneaut was given to the stream bordering our city by a tribe of Seneca Indians and signifies "River of Many Fish." "Arriving at the mouth of Conneaut River, July 4, 1796, a group of 50 surveyors under Moses Cleaveland named the point of land on which they touched "Fort Independence". "In the fall of the same year came the first settlers, James Kingsbury and family. He had one child, the first to be born on Western Reserve territory, which included what is now Ohio. "The year 1789 saw the first permanent settlement. These pioneers consisted of Thomas Montgomery and wife and Aaron Wright. "The following year found several other settlements started along the creek and in the closely succeeding years many other families arrived. "Conneaut Township was organized in 1804 and bore the name of "Salem" until 1832, when the name was changed to "Conneaut". "The year 1832 saw the publication of the first journal in Conneaut, called the "Ashtabula County Gazette". "The first real estate boom started in 1833 and continued until 1836. The cause of the boom was a railroad to be built from Conneaut to Beaver Falls, Pa. Much land was purchased on account of this and was platted into streets and building lots. The proposed railroad plans, however, failed 266 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY to materialize. The principal streets at the time were : Liberty, Main, State, Broad, Washington and Harbor ; these were laid out by blazing trees, this explaining why our streets today do not run parallel or straight. "The nineteenth century marked the beginning of activities at Conneaut Harbor. Ship building, shipping of grain, lumber, etc., became one of the most important industries. The first appropriation received from the government was $7,500, used in construction work at the harbor. "The year 1834 witnessed the incorporation of Conneaut village. The mayor and council plan of government was adopted, and Dr. Samuel L. Fenton was made its first mayor. A census in 1835 showed Conneaut to have had 450 males over 21 years of age. "During the next few years a tannery was opened and the weekly journal was sold to new managers, who named it the "Conneaut Reporter". A company was formed to lay a plank road from Conneaut to Youngstown. A plank road was also laid at this time between the village and the harbor, with a toll gate at the harbor. "In 1852 Milo Osborn laid a plank road from the foot of Main street to Amboy. A Mr. Blakeslee was first toll gate keeper, the gate being near the A. B. Crittenden home west of the city, the spot now being marked by a bronze tablet. "At this time stage coaches ran regularly from Painesville to Erie. Taverns lined the route, among them being the Tremont House at Conneaut, which gained much fame. This hotel was located where the Dorman block now stands. "The year 1852 marked the completion of the Cleveland-PainesvilleAshtabula Railroad to Conneaut, later being continued to Erie, and the name changed to Lake Shore & Michigan Southern. "The old fair grounds just west of the old city limits were opened in 1853. One of the exhibit buildings still stands. "At this time considerable trade was carried on through the harbor. Exports were farm products and imports consisted of manufactured goods. "Conneaut began to grow at this time, gas was discovered, two flour mills and a paper mill were put in operation and David Cummins started (1863) canning "Lake Shore" tomatoes. On Main street there was but one big structure, the Cleveland block. Stage coaches made regular trips between Conneaut and Pierpont and the Lake Shore Railroad brought the mail from the east and west. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 267 "On the south side of Liberty street and east of Washington street all was tillage land in 1866, as were the lands west of Sandusky street. "A new town hall was built in 1876, new lumber mills were erected and many people offered to make Conneaut their home on account of the advantages, and in 1878 the population was put at 1,300 ; the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad (Nickel Plate) was constructed through Conneaut between the years of 1881 and 1882, which saw the first real boom. After much active work by leading citizens, Conneaut won over Ashtabula in efforts to secure the Nickel Plate shops. The coming of these shops to Conneaut brought the arrival of mechanics, new business concerns and new residences until in 1886 the census total amounted to over 2,200. "The next year, Conneaut subscribed enough money to bring the Pittsburgh, Shenango & Lake Erie Railroad, now known as the Bessemer. At the harbor new docks were built and the old ones reconstructed. The channel was deepened and widened in readiness for the coming of the great ore and coal trade. "The first ore was received in 1892. "It was discovered that it took too long to unload the big boats by the wheelbarrow method, so Brown hoists were purchased. The number of tons of ore gradually increased from year to year, thus necessitating the purchase of the powerful machines known as Huletts and electrics. "July 4 of the year 1896 marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of Conneaut, which was widely celebrated. "The Pittsburgh Steamship Company, organized in 1897, purchased a fleet of 16 steamships and 20 barges ; two new docks were constructed. "The Bessemer ran its first passenger train in 1897 and in this year handed about a million tons of ore. In 1916 the largest amount of ore was received in Conneaut harbor, it being about nine and one-half million tons. Conneaut Harbor has made several world records for unloading ore, and has among its large structures the largest four-track swing bridge in the world. "The last 25 or 30 years of Conneaut's history have seen the development of many important industries, among which are : The Conneaut Brick Plant (1898) ; The Conneaut Can Company (1901) ; The Conneaut Leather Company (1903) ; The Cummins Canning Factory moved into their new buildings (1909) ; The Burke Machine Tool Company (1910) ; and the Conneaut Shovel Company (1905)." 268 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY As the Western Reserve developed the stream of emigrants toward the west flowed steadily and Conneaut, being on the direct line of travel, became quite an important stopping place. The need of accommodations for the floating prospectors soon became apparent and this was supplied at first by the construction of a log hotel where is now the corner of Main and Broad streets. The landlord's name was Dunn. This was succeeded soon afterward by erection of a frame hostelry, of which Pierpont & Davenport were the first proprietors. The first schoolhouse was erected near the corner of Main and Washington streets. In 1835 Conneaut Academy was incorporated, the incorporators being A. Dart, Henry Keys, Lewis Thayer, Josiah Brown, James Brooks and Aaron Wright. This institution of learning opened in an old building that was moved onto the property now the corner of Main and Mill streets. The Rev. Judah L. Richmond was the first teacher, he being assisted by Miss Sara Bonney, who was appointed principal of the institution a couple of years after she began teaching. In 1844-5 a brick structure was built for the academy. L. W. Savage and a Miss Booth conducted the school the first year in the new building. In August, 1868, the village board of education took over the Academy, on a ten-year lease of the building and grounds, and the institution eventually merged into the regular public school of the city. From the time of this transfer, the schools followed the trend of public school progress, always keeping up with the times and today the educational facilities of Conneaut are among the best. The latest addition to the requirements was a large new building erected within the past year in the western section of the city. Early Churches.—The early settlers of Conneaut Township had a distinct sense of obligation to the Author of their being for His guidance and protection over them during their journey westward and their efforts to establish for themselves homes for the future in the new land. The first public demonstration of this spirit was in 1800, when a meeting was called to be held at the home of Aaron Wright. This was but the forerunner of a succession of like gatherings which were attended faithfully, but it was not until 1818 that a regular organization was effected. The Conneaut Christian Church Society was organized at a meeting held in the school house on the ridge road between Conneaut and Amboy on May 23, 1818. The original roster contained the names of fifteen HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 269 members and on that occasion Elder Cheney preached the initial sermon. Subsequently, meetings were held in the school house generally until 1834, when the congregation had reached numerical proportions that warranted their having an independent place of worship and they builded for themselves and such non-members as desired to identify themselves with the society a church home on the site where is now the home of the Cummings families, the location then being known as the "Center". After seven years, the building was moved closer to the business section and located on Buffalo street. The next church organization effected was that of the Congregational-Presbyterian faiths, at the home of Robert Montgomery, in 1819 ; the itinerant preacher, Joseph Badger, was the organizing officer and as there were not enough Congregationalists or Presbyterians in the immediate vicinity to support separate churches, it was decided to make this a union organization of both, to which all agreed. In 1828 the congregation were able to occupy their own church home which had been under construction for a couple of years. A Methodist class was formed in the east part of town in the early '20s, one in what is now Amboy in 1823 and one in the village in 1828. On Oct. 18, 1831, a meeting was held in the Ridge school house at which was effected an organization of the Baptist Church, 23 members signing the charter roll. Twelve of these had letters from other churches and the others had recently been baptized. The first pastor was the Rev. Asa Jacobs, who served in that capacity for six years. Shortly after he was succeeded, in 1837, by the Rev. J. L. Richmond, the church meetings, which had up to that time been held in the school house, were changed to Conneaut village. In the passing of later years other denominations organized and built their houses for worship and the church representation in Conneaut is today that of the average modern city. The most elaborate structure of this nature in the city is the First Congregational, which was rebuilt in the years from 1907 to 1916 by personal expense of George J. Record, and dedicated as a memorial to his deceased daughter, Mrs. May Record Findley. Conneaut Harbor.—At all points along the south shore of Lake Erie where rivers that were navigable, or could be made so, emptied into the 270 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY lake, the harbors thus afforded were of great importance to the adjacent towns. Conneaut was particularly blessed in this respect, the mouth of its river being broad and deep, and it was said to have been the finest natural harbor between the Cuyahoga and Buffalo, with the possible exception of Erie. The location of this harbor at the entrance to the new Western Reserve of Connecticut brought it into prominence at once, as the influx of settlers from, the East came mostly by water, and Conneaut River was easily accessible to the boats that brought their personal belongings. When the original surveying party came to this point they were attracted by the evident advantages the spot afforded, and that was what largely influenced them to establish their headquarters there during the time that they were engaged in the eastern section of the Reserve. They erected storehouses in close proximity to the river's mouth, thus greatly lessening the handling of shipments that came in by boat. The evolution of Conneaut River from a shallow stream into one of the greatest ports-of-entry on the Great Lakes reads like a fairy tale. This work is indebted to C. S. Putnam, one of Conneaut's most enthusiastic boosters, for the greater part of the following story of the progress and development of the harbor. Not until in the nineteenth century did the marine business on Lake Erie begin to assume even minor importance. In 1805 Buffalo was made a port of entry, but it was in 1817 before her fleet, then the largest on the lake, numbered seven vessels, with a total of 459 tons. During those early years Conneaut Harbor had a very small commerce, conveyed in sailing scows and light draft schooners. The first steamer on Lake Erie —"Walk-in-the-Water"—was launched in Buffalo in 1818. It was a small, crudely constructed passenger and cargo boat of less than two hundred tons, equipped with inferior engine and surmounted by smokestacks made of ordinary stovepipe-iron sheets. Her maiden trip to Detroit, with some forty passengers, consumed thirteen days. Verily, the trip was made in a slow "walk", but the boat's arrival here was an event which attracted a crowd of people to the harbor, as it did at every other port along the lake. This new marine wonder continued the only steamboat on the lake during the four years of her service, until in October, 1822, she was wrecked by being driven ashore one night in a gale of wind. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 271 In 1825 two other steamboats of better design and greater tonnage were making regular trips between Buffalo and Detroit, stopping at principal ports along the south shore of the lake. In 1827 the opening of the fertile states farther west resulted in a great tide of emigration in that direction and the demand for transportation caused a rapidly growing fleet of both sailing and steam craft to be constructed at ports all along Lake Erie, and as they increased in numbers, so, also, they increased in tonnage capacity, until boats of six or eight hundred tons were common. To accommodate the passenger traffic and facilitate the handling of the cargoes of the larger boats it became necessary to build long piers out into the lake at some of the ports. At a point about a mile west of Conneaut harbor such a pier was constructed where steamers stopped regularly, as did also many of the larger sailing craft, because unable to enter the shallow harbor mouth. In 1829 the first Government improvement at Conneaut Harbor was completed, on an appropriation of $7,500.00, in the building of two piers, or jetties, each two hundred feet long, which made a harbor entrance one hundred feet wide, with twelve feet of water. From then on the up-lake pier went into disuse and the harbor came back into a rapidly increasing marine growth and glory. To recount the commercial activity and growth of the shipping business at this harbor during the '30s, '40s and early '50s in detail would not add to the interest of this history particularly. During that period of a quarter of a century Conneaut Harbor kept its place with other ports, becoming an important point for the shipment of lumber, staves, grain, spirits and other products of the contributing territory as far south as Youngstown, 65 miles, and long caravans of six and eight horse or ox-teams could be seen trailing along the toll-road between the two places. Tall-masted vessels and steamboats frequently filled the river for a mile back from the lake, up to Dimmick's and Wood's Landings. The receipts at the harbor and constituting back-hauls of the teamsters consisted principally of machinery, tools, agricultural implements, furniture, salt, lime, general merchandise, and a great variety of necessities and luxuries of the people of that period. It was a regular port-of-call for the fleet of passenger packet steamers plying between Buffalo and Detroit. These steamers always traversed the lake, well within sight of land, calling at all the principal ports, and occupied about four days in making the trip in either direction. This was fairly expeditious, considering the number of stops and the time consumed in 272 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY handling large shipments of package freight and taking on many cords of four-foot wood for fuel between ports. From about 1830, following the completion of the Government improvement work, which made this port one of the best deep-water harbors on the lake, the period of its greatest marine activity set in. It soon became necessary to line the docks with warehouses to take care of the freight in transit until it could be forwarded, or came under the demands of local needs. The rapid increase in commerce outgrew the ability of vessels available to handle it and progressive men, who could see ahead and had confidence in the permanence and ultimate growth of the new West, set about to meet the demand by building more boats. Thus the ship-building industry soon became an important feature of Conneaut's growing commercial importance. Ship carpentry was a trade followed by many men here for years, and a number of owners, captains and sailors on both sailing and steam craft hailed this as their home port. The first vessel constructed at this harbor was named in honor of the town, the "Salem Packet". Elias Keyes and Capt. Sam Ward were the builders. The boat was constructed on the flats above the Main Street bridge and at a point nearly under where now spans the new viaduct. It remained on the ways for some time after its completion, waiting for a sufficient depth of water in the river and, in the end, did not have to be formally launched, as an unheralded spring freshet carried it off the ways, but, fortunately, did it no damage. The Salem Packet was a "fore-an'-after" with a capacity for carrying 27 tons. That was a good-sized boat. Capt. Ward sailed her that season. As compared with the great ships of today the boats of that early period might be classed as a "mosquito fleet". The next boat constructed was the Farmer, built by Christopher Ford and sailed by Capt. Charles Brown. This vessel was wrecked on Long Point in the season of 1827 and later floated and taken to Cleveland, where she was rebuilt. James Tubbs built the Independence, a 30-ton schooner, on the beach a mile west of Conneaut Harbor. John Brooks constructed and sailed the small vessel Humming Bird, from which he was lost off Sandusky, being washed overboard. Other craft built in and about Conneaut in those early days included the following: The Conneaut Packett, by Applebee and Tubbs ; the sloop Dart, built in Kingsville and taken overland to Conneaut to be launched and fitted HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 273 out ; The Oregon and the Commercial, built at Harmon's Landing, west of Conneaut ; the Reindeer, North America, Wisconsin, Constitution, Troy, J. B. Skinner, Henry M. Kinney, J. W. Brown, the Belle, Lucy Walbridge, Lucy A. Blossom, Banner, Dan Marble, Traveler, Telegraph, Grayhound, Stambaugh, Seabird, Fairy Queen, Nightingale, Ogarita, Indianola, Thomas Swain, Loren Gould, L. May Guthrie, Times, Monitor, Ann Maria, Valentine, T. B. Rice, J. G. Palmer, Conneaut and M. Capron. The North America was a steamer, the first steamboat built in Conneaut. She was launched in 1834, was of 300 tons burden. This ship was the property of a stock company. Capt. Gilmore Applebee brought her out. In 1836 the 400-ton steamer Wisconsin was constructed at Harper's Landing. She was also the product of a stock company and, after being launched, was towed to Buffalo for her final fitting out. The next steamer built was still larger than its predecessors, having a cargo capacity of 450 tons. The Banner, a trim schooner, was the boat to claim the next increase in size. She was launched in 1847, had a capacity of 500 tons and was at that time the largest sailing vessel on the Great Lakes. Capt. Marshall Capron was her proud skipper. In 1862-3 a ship of 450 tons burden was built at Conneaut, for service on salt water. She was constructed on contract for Buffalo owners. Then came a still larger ship, the Ogarita, having a carrying capacity of 600 tons. This ship quite overshadowed any other afloat on the lakes. She also was built for Buffalo parties. Capt. Andrew Lent was her master. The early marine business of Conneaut Harbor reached its height between 1845 and 1852 and the village of Conneaut grew and prospered until the advent of the railroad in the latter year, then it received a decided setback as the overland means of transportation took the lion's share of the east and west freightage as well as a goodly part of the matter to be transferred to the southern points and the general passenger traffic. For some years after the railroad killed the passenger and light freight business on the lakes, sailing vessels continued to do a considerable business at Conneaut Harbor in lumber and some other commodities, but as the valuable timber in the territory tributary to the lake trade became depleted, the cargoes became fewer and farther between, until during th '60s they had almost entirely vanished and many of the vessels had been sold and withdrawn to the upper lakes. (16) 274 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY Conneaut Harbor became very soon little more than a fishing port and so remained for many years, till one fine day great steel interests decided upon acquiring possession of adjoining property and constructing a real harbor, to serve as a transfer point for the great quantities of iron ore that were being required at the mill sites in the Pittsburgh districts. That was a happy day for Conneaut, and the outcome was that it was not long till the residents of that village began to boast of their wonderful harbor and the vast amount of tonnage going over their docks. The period since the beginning of the new order of dispensation at Conneaut Harbor may be fittingly designated its "Iron Age", for, while millions of tons of coal and various manufactured products have in the meantime been received and despatched, iron ore in vast quantities has constituted the greatly preponderating constituent and asset of all its activities. Early in the year 1887 the first faint symptoms of an approaching restoration of this long dormant harbor became apparent. A survey of the Erie, Shenango & Pittsburgh Railroad was begun, and several local citizens' meetings were held in furtherance of securing the proposed railroad's terminal here. In February, 1888, a company reorganization was effected and the name changed to Pittsburgh, Shenango & Lake Erie Railroad. Grading for the railroad began that month near Greenville, Pa. Conneaut citizens subscribed a bonus of $25,000 on condition that a terminal of the road be built to this harbor, and a provisional purchase of 20 acres of land along the west side of the harbor was made by trustees of the fund. In March surveyors ran a line between Conneaut Harbor and Albion, Pa., and the work of driving piles to repair the breaks in the piers was begun and slowly prosecuted during the ensuing summer. Throughout the year 1889 the entire project was in a state of doldrums. Harbor improvement work was entirely suspended, and railroad building was prosecuted in a desultory manner. There was internal indecision and public uncertainty as to whether Erie or Conneaut would become the road's harbor terminal, until finally the company went under a receivership and all construction work was suspended. Refinancing and reorganization were accomplished by September, 1890, and thenceforth construction work was prosecuted with a vigor. The years 1891-2 were historically eventful in determining the question and actually accomplished the reopening of Conneaut Harbor to navi-