536 - HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY

CHAPTER XV.

LIVERPOOL TOWNSHIP—PHYSICAL FEATURES. GEOLOGY. ETC.— FIRST SETTLERS—SALT MANU-
FACTURE—OIL WELLS—SAW-MILLS, GRIST-MILL$ AND DISTILLERIES
—VILLAGES. CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.

AFTER a long and eventful life has furnished abundant experience and wisdom, it is pleasant to look back in memory over the silent years, and trace the visions that have animated the hopes of the human race. Every life is filled with mistakes, and the wisdom of age is shown by the frank avowal of former error, and an earnest desire to shield youth from hopeless waywardness and the bitter pangs of remorse. Old people love to recall events which transpired when savages and wild animals roamed the forest, because they were participants, and young people discover a delightful fascination and romance in the story of pioneer life. Tales and traditions of early years are eagerly sought by the historian and the novelist, and are woven into beautiful fabrics of fiction by the latter, and into stern fact, which is stranger than fiction, by the former. The familiar faces of old associates and friends rise up from bygone years,and . pass in review in the visions of the mind. Utensils and ornaments, soiled and worn with age and use, are preserved through many generations as precious mementoes of the dear old grandparents, who long ago were laid to rest in the grassy churchyard. The story of pioneer life will live in future songs of prose and poetry, after the nation in its strides of advancement attains a Grecian glory or a Roman grandeur.

The second permanent settlement in the county was made in Liverpool Township, and at that time the county was a wilderness filled with wild beasts. The physical features of the township are striking. The land is rolling, and, in some places, abrupt and precipitous, affording streams an excellent opportunity in times of freshets to wear away the hills into steep prominences, and carry the debris into the valleys. The township is bounded north and west by Lorain County, east by Brunswick, and south

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by York, and comprises twenty-five sections. It was first formed some time before the war of 1812, but for many years was known only by number and range, and was afterward surveyed into sections by Edward Heath, a native of Connecticut, who came to the township in 1817. All the streams in the township have worn deep valleys, many of them being in some places a hundred feet below the hills along their banks. The soil is largely clay, with occasional beds of sand. The surface outcroppings reveal the Waverly group of rocks. Rocky River, the principal stream and the only one of any prominence, enters the township on Section 25, thence flowing a little west of north across Sections 24, 8, 3, and entering Lorain County. The river is extremely winding, and has long since worn through the surface and blue clays, down into the stratum of thin sandstone that underlies the township. The water is clear, and, in early years, when the streams were choked with fallen timber and brush. the river. often arose above its banks covering the valley, which in some places is half a mile wide. and reaching a depth of thirty or forty feet. Since the rapid flow of water in it and its tributaries has become obstructed, but little fear of destructive floods is felt. Cossett Creek, named for the first settler on its banks. rises in the eastern part and flows southwest. entering the river in the northern part of Section 18. Mallet Creek, another stream named for the first settler on its banks, flows from York Township, passing across Sections 23 and 24, and emptying into the river. The northeast quarter is drained by several small streams, which flow west into the river. Much of the western portion is drained by Plum Creek, a small stream which enters from the west, flowing across Sections 20. 19. 12. 9, 10, 1, 2. and entering Rocky River in Lorain County. The southwest corner is comparatively level, though even here the land is rolling. Granite bowlders are scattered at intervals over the township. Numerous casts of preglacial marine animals are found in the rocks and quarries and exposures on the river, among which are trilobites and brachiopods. No quarries have been opened and worked in the township, for the reason that an abundance of rock such as it is, is found exposed in numerous places, but is of little value from its brittle, shaly' nature. Solid banks of rock rise perpendicularly from the bed of the river, in some places forty or fifty feet.

A number of years before the war of 1812, Liverpool Township became the property of Daniel Colt, a native of Connecticut, who advertised the land for sale. Inducements were held temptingly before poor men in the East by the owners of large tracts of land in the West, and many. yielding to the force of necessity. sold out and left the land of their birth to seek homes in the wilderness of Ohio. In the winter of 1810-11. Justus Warner and a Mr. Warden. having seen the advertisements of Daniel Colt came out to look at the land in Township 4. Range 15, of the Western Reserve, or, as it was then called by many, New Connecticut. Mr. Warner was pleased with the country. and soon afterward purchased about 'a section of the land in what is now Liverpool Township, Then. early in the year 1811. Mr. Warner. accompanied by his son Alpheus and wife, and three young men in quest of adventure. started for the land he had purchased. The township was reached after many hardships, a large, rude log cabin was erected, and, while Alpheus Warner and wife remained its occupants. Justus Warner returned to Connecticut for his family. Moses Demming had come out with them, and. after securing a tract of land adjoining that of Mr. Warner, he returned to the Nutmeg State for his family. After making all necessary arrangements, he started with his family late in April, 1811. for Ohio, driving an ox team. with a horse on the lead. Mr. Demming owned eleven head of young cattle, and he determined to take them with him. This was done with

538 - HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

an infinite amount of toil and trouble. They traveled through the woods at the rate of six-teen miles a day, selling to the people along the route a sufficient number of wheel-heads which had been brought with them, to pay their expenses. To the great relief of the weary travelers, Liverpool Township was reached on the 18th of May, 1811, after a tiresome journey of twenty days. Justus Warner and his son Alpheus had come out with two two-horse teams, carrying with them fifty long-corded, wooden Waterbury clocks to sell or trade along the route. or after their arrival. With them came the three young men, Ely L. Seeley. David Scoville, and an Irishman named Clark' All went to work to clear = a piece of land for grain, and the next fall Justus and the three young men returned to Connecticut On the 28th of February, 1812, Justus accompanied by his family, came to Liverpool Township, when they were soon made as comfortable as the situation permitted. During the summer of 1811, a large clearing had been made on the Warner farm. Indians were encamped .near the little settlement, and one day they informed Mr. Warner that they knew of a large, very salty spring on his farm, and offered to reveal its location for a few pieces of coin. The amount was paid, the whereabouts of the spring was disclosed, and the water, to the; great satisfaction of Mr. Warner. was found so extremely salty as to make it apparent that salt could be easily manufactured from it, thus opening a splendid source of revenue to the owner, since the scarcity of salt in the wilderness, and the expense of transportation to Cleveland had raised its value from $5 to $15, depending on the location. Mr. Warner immediately dug a broad well of considerable depth at the spring, and erected a long shanty of clapboards, in which were placed about a dozen iron kettles obtained at Canton. The kettles were hung on poles in suitable positions, and the boiling was begun on an extensive scale. The water was evaporated until the brine had reached the consistency of sirup, when the liquid was allowed to cool, and from this the salt formed in large crystals. After the crystallization was completed, the dirty liquor was turned o revealing quite a quantity of coarse salt at the bottom and on the sides of each kettle. The number of kettles was afterward increased to more than fifty, 'and the salt works became known for scores of miles around, and received a splendid patronage. The salt was wet and coarse, yet it sold readily sometimes as high as $20 a barrel, and was looked upon .as a Godsend, as it saved long journeys through bottomless roads to Cleveland and other distant places. The salt works were visited by settlers living south forty or fifty miles, who often came on foot with a bag on their backs, in which to carry home a half-bushel of the wet salt One day .a man from 'Wooster, Ohio, arrived, having traveled the distance on foot His food, which was tied up in a dressed fawn skin, consisted of a coon that had been stuffed and baked. and a loaf of corncake that had been baked in the ashes. After resting and refreshing himself with what is now vulgarly called a " square meal," he shouldered his half-bushel of salt and started through the wilderness toward home. Mr. Warner soon discovered that more money could be made in the manufacture and sale of salt than on the farm ; so he devoted his time and attention to that occupation. and hired men to clear and improve his farm. He succeeded in making more than a barrel of salt a day, and found a ready sale for all he made. the salt often being sold entirely out After the settlers had arrived in considerable numbers, other salt springs along the river were discovered and worked. but not so extensively as that of Mr. Warner. The latter continued the manufacture until the opening of the Erie Canal, when the cost of the transportation to Cleveland from New York having been greatly lowered, so re-

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duced the cost of salt that Mr. Warner found the business no longer profitable, and discontinued it. The industry at that early day was one of the most useful and important ever in the county. The spring was located on the west bank. of Rocky River, a short distance above Marysville, where it may yet be seen.

During the summer of 1811, while the young men were clearing in the woods, about half a mile from the cabin, Oliver Terrill, by a miss stroke, cut a terrible gash in his foot. The blood was stanched, and, although Terrill weighed 192 pounds, he was carried to the cabin on the back of Ely Seeley. On the 1st day of June, 1812, a daughter was born to Alpheus and Minerva Warner. The child was named Sally Urania, and was the first white child born in Liverpool Township. and, so far as known, the first in the county. On the 26th of July, 1812, Ruth. (Warner) Demming, daughter of Justus Warner, and wife of Moses Demming, died, her death being the first in the township. The first frame building was a barn erected by Mr. Demming in 1812.

In. June. 1812, war with Great Britain was declared, and a short time afterward, Justus Warner, who had been to Columbia, brought news one dark. night that Detroit had surrendered, that the British were landing at Huron, and that the people at Columbia were making hasty preparations to start for the older settlements. The settlers of Liverpool hastily packed their handiest and most valuable goods on wagons and started for Columbia, and, about 1 o'clock the next night, they were met by Levi Bronson, who informed them that there was no immediate danger, whereupon the settlers resolved to return to Columbia and build a block house; which was accordingly done. Capt. Headley was made Commander, and, while one-half' of the men were detained at the fort on duty, the other half were allowed to' go home and take care of their stock and homes. Several of the settlers came to Liverpool every morning to feed the hogs, milk the cows, and see that none of the animals went astray. In the spring of 1813, all the settlers returned to Liverpool, and several new ones came with them. Salt Spring Town, as it was then called, became well known, and the presence there of salt was an inducement to settlers seeking homes. All were apprehensive, during the war, of attacks from the Indians, , and a constant watch was kept, that, in case of a visit, the settlers might not be wholly surprised. The men at the salt works labored all night, keeping watch in the meantime, while the wives, with more or less anxiety, guarded their little broods at the cabins. As long as the songs and voices of the men at the works could be heard, all was known to be. well. The Indian scare soon passed away, and new settlers began to appear. H. H. Coit, the son and agent of Daniel Coit, the proprietor of Liverpool Township, came out and built a cabin on the land now owned by Mr. Purdy. He entered into some sort of' partnership with Justus Warner at the salt works, and the capacity of the works was greatly enlarged. Advertisements were printed in the East as to the advantages of locating at Salt Spring Town, and soon the settlers began to appear, with their heavy wagons covered with thick waterproof cloth and drawn by oxen, or horses, or oftener still, by both combined in an oddly consorted team. John Cossett came in 1814, and located on what afterward was called Cossett Creek. William, Noah, Erastus and Eliada Warner, 1 relatives of Justus and Alpheus, appeared in 1815, and, in 1817, Seth and Zary Warden and Edward Heath came. The latter was a man of fine education, was called Capt. Heath, and was the one employed to survey the township into sections, the work being carefully and accurately done. After 1817, and until 1822, the settlers poured in rapidly, but, for a few years after the latter date, the influx of settlers was almost at a standstill. Among those who came, prior to 1822, were Henry Mallet and his

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sons, Daniel, John and Henry, Jr., who settled in the southern part, on Mallet Creek ; Barney Spooner. Timothy Woodbridge, Daniel Buffam, John B. Tyler ; Cornelius Thomas, who settled on the State road ; Elisha Rouse, Asa Robinson, Paul Ford, Robert Carr, Ebenezer Wilmot, Julius Knowlton, and many others, who settled along Rocky River, mostly on the east side. The heavy forests went down rapidly, and soon the shouts of harvesters were heard, where erst the war whoop resounded. Industries began to arise, schools and churches were organized, and Liverpool assumed the appearance of a thriving settlement. Almost all the settlers were located on the east bank of the river. Temporary camps of Indians were established along the river during the hunting season, and the savages were looked upon by the settlers as intruders, as they killed large numbers of deer and other animals of value to the settlers.

In 1822, a camp of about eight families .was located on Mallet Creek during the " bleating season," and they began to destroy the fawns in such numbers that the settlers resolved to stop the slaughter. Daniel Ford and six or seven other men started from the Center to warn them off. Two of the men, concluding it was safer to return, did so. but the others went on. When they arrived at the encampment, the wigwams were deserted ; but, from the condition of things, the settlers knew the Indians were concealed in some neighboring thicket A large tree was stripped of its bark on one side, the figure of an Indian was drawn with charcoal on the white wood, and then the settlers. retiring a short distance, shot their rifles into the image, and then returned to the Center. The Indians understood the hint and immediately started for some other locality. A few sheep were brought to Liverpool prior to 1820, but the wolves were so fierce and bold that they were soon destroyed. Cattle were attacked and devoured, and so great became the fear of these marauders that a grand circular hunt wasresolved upon, to take in portions of Liverpool and Brunswick, and a portion of Lorain County, the center to be near the northeast corner of Liverpool, in Lorain County. The hunt took place in the summer of 1819, and began early in the morning. About three hundred men surrounded a large section of country, the center being as above stated. The .center was a portion of land about a quarter of a mile square, and was indicated by blazed trees. When this square was reached, the firing was to cease, and the men were to stop marching. The words, "all ready, ' were passed around the ring, ,and then the march toward the center began. with horns and shouts and frequent reports .of the rifle. On the march toward the central square, the men were instructed to shoot every animal that appeared. As they were nearing the center, when every man was excited, as large numbers of deer and other animals could be seen bounding from side to side of the circle, a man named Warner. following a running deer with his rifle, fired, and shot another man named Pritchard, through the heart, killing him instantly. The report swept around the circle that a man was shot; and scores left the .ring to see if their father or brother was the one killed. This caused the circle to break, 'and the excited animals broke through and bounded off through the woods. It was estimated that between two hundred and three hundred deer escaped, besides several bears, foxes and wolves. The unfortunate death of Mr. Pritchard cast a gloom on the occasion, and the men returned to their homes. It was looked upon as an accident that might have been avoided, with proper care. Warner and Pritchard were cousins and good friends, and no implication of intentional shooting was ever added to the distress of Mr. Warner.

Liverpool Township was created, organized and named in 1816, and at that time comprised the following boundaries : All the territory west of the 12th Range to the firelands, and

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all south of Township 5 to the south line of the Reserve. How the township came to be called Liverpool is unknown. unless it was named for a city of the same name in England, where there were extensive salt works. This is said to have been the origin of the name. Among the first officers elected were Moses Demming and H. H. Colt. Justices of the Peace. It was the custom of Mr. Demming, so far as possible, to adjust the cases that came before him by a compromise—a procedure well worthy of imitation, though but little followed at the present day. One day, a man with a battered face came to him and asked for law on the subject of assault and battery. Mr. Demming saw " fire in the man's eye," so he handed a wellworn. copy of the Bible to the stranger, who, after turning it around for some time, finally announced that he could not read. The Justice took the book and read, " He that smiteth thee on the one cheek, turn to him the other also." The stranger first looked at the book, then at the reader. slowly put his hat on his head, and, as he walked out of the door, said. That law is too devilish poor to do me any good." Justus Warner was one of the first Justices, and was noted for his eccentric though satisfactory ways of settling disputes. One day, Asa Marsh was boiling at the salt works. Mrs. Townsend called to him to get his gum and shoot an otter which she saw in the river. This was done, and Marsh carried the animal to the salt works, intending to preserve the skin, which was quite valuable. Mr. Townsend, who thought he was entitled to the animal, came and conveyed. it to his cabin, whereupon Marsh followed him and brought it back. Townsend again appeared, and,. after cutting the animal into two equal portions, carried one-half to his house: He was summoned to appear before Justice Warner to answer for his conduct. After the evidence was all in, and the defendant had made his statement, the " Court," who had grown considerably excited, and whose eyessparkled, passed judgment in this wise : " Mrs. Townsend found it, she did, and Marsh shot it, he did, and each man has what belongs to him, and the case is dismissed, it is." Tradition says that the costs were taxed to the Constable, but that is undoubtedly a slander on the " Court. " Justus Warner lived to the remarkable age of one hundred years and twenty-two days. A short time before his death, he was asked to lie down, but he answered : " If I do, I shall never get up again." He began lying down, and, in a few days, his kind old heart ceased to beat. His wonderful will, energy and vitality were all that kept him alive so long. He was very eccentric in his manner, and afforded constant amusement to those about him by the singular freaks of his character. One day, in a canoe, he attempted to cross the Rocky River, which had risen far above its banks and had a very swift current. After struggling with the waters for some time, and' making no headway, he suddenly ceased rowing, ejaculated " Ah ! " threw his oars into the water, and, seizing a rope tied to the bow, he began tugging at it with all his power; as. if he expected to pull himself ashore by that means. He floated down the river about a quarter of a mile, and landed, finally, on the same side from which he started. On another occasion, he dug a well, and, while working around it one day, Minerva, his daughter-in-law, told him to be careful and not fall in. He made no reply, and, soon afterward, disappeared. Minerva, thinking that perhaps he might have fallen in the well, ran and looked down, and there he was, sure enough, up to his armpits in water, shivering with cold. He was drawn up, and, after he had changed his clothing and become warm, Minerva enjoyed the satisfaction of telling him, I told. you so:" But the old man was not cornered,. for he tartly replied : " Ah! I didn't fall into the well, I didn't ; I slipped in, I did ; and I suppose, now, you'll never forget getting your say, you won't." He did a great deal,

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during his long and eventful life, to build up the township, and people it with industrious and intelligent citizens. When Minerva, the wife of Alpheus Warner, left Connecticut, she tied up a small package of apple seeds, designing to plant them in their new home in Ohio. After about ten acres had been cleared, she went out one day in 181.2, and, with a case-knife, made small trenches and sowed therein the appleseed. Many of the trees thus obtained are standing on the old farm, and the grandchildren are enjoying the fruit today. This was undoubtedly the first orchard in Medina County.

When the first settlers came into the township, and for many years thereafter, the woods were filled with deer and other wild animals. So plentiful were they that, at any season of the year, a hunter could go into the woods and return in a short time having killed. one Daniel Ford in one year killed a hundred. and, ere they had entirely disappeared, he killed over a thousand. Often the skin and the most valuable portions of the flesh were all that were taken, the remainder being left to the wolves and buzzards. One day Mr. Ford was out hunting deer in the northern part of York Township, when he heard his dog barking furiously some distance in advance. He hurried forward and discovered that his dog had treed a large bear, which quietly sat on a large limb above, surveying the angry movements of the dog below. A shot from the unerring rifle brought the huge animal to the ground, dead. When deer could be driven into the windfall in the southern part of the township. they were easily secured, but the animals instinctively avoided those places, and sought the more open portions of the forest. A tornado must have swept across the township a few years before ' the settlers appeared. as a strip of timber in the southern part was almost wholly leveled with the ground. The windfall and the deep woods ' adjoining it became a great resort for count less thousands of pigeons that alighted there h the spring of the year. Thousands of' dozen were taken and shipped to Cleveland and other cities. . Gentlemen of sporting proclivities from Cleveland visited the grounds on hunting expeditions, and slaughtered a great many. was extremely dangerous to carry a torch a lantern among the pigeons, as they would in stantly dart for the light and dash it to the ground, and endanger the eyes And face of the reckless hunter. After many years. when that portion of the township was cleared up guano was found upon the ground to the depth of six inches. Albert Heath shot the largest deer ever killed in the county. The animal was known to all the hunters as the ".big buck,' and many a tiresome chase after him had resalted in failure. One day, when on' his track following him, Albert, then but A boy, beard the distant report of a rifle, and. stopping short, he soon saw the big buck running like the wind directly toward him. When close enough, the young hunter fired, and the animal fell dead upon the ground. When dressed, it was found to weigh .254 pounds. Portions of its .antlers were worked into knife handles, and may yet be seen; at the residence of' Mr. Heath. About a mile southeast of Liverpool Center, there were in early years. several acres of' crabapple trees. which every year hung full of' the mow fruit Justus Warner devised a rude ciderpress. and began manufacturing cider of sufficient sourness to satisfy the taste of the most inveterate toper in the neighborhood. The apples were made into sauce. also. and afforded a desirable addition to the homely fare of the cabin. Large quantities of wild plums were found near the crabapple marsh, and were used in the culinary department by the backwoods-women. One day. Eri and Hell, two small sons of Alpheus Warner, were out in the woods with an ax. when they heard their dog barking off at some distance. and ran to discover the cause. The dog had driven some

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animal into a large, hollow log, and the boys immediately resolved to dislodge and kill it if possible. Hell crept in several feet at the open end of the log to prevent the egress of the animal, while Eri began chopping vigorously at the other extremity, designing to make an opening where the animal could be driven out. The first blows of the as brought the beast to within a few feet of Hell, who, lying at full length in the end of the log, saw its eyes glowing like two balls of fire. " Here he is, here he is ; I see him," shouted Hell, and the animal drew back. An opening was soon made at the other end, and, suddenly, the head of a large fox appeared, but the ax was brought down upon it with great force, stretching the animal lifeless on the ground. The courageous boys proudly conveyed the dead fox to their home, and their exploit soon became the talk of the neighborhood. and the boys were lionized by the neighbors.

As soon as the settlers had arrived in sufficient numbers to render the outlook auspicious, various industries arose to supply articles that could be obtained otherwise only by long journeys to neighboring mills or villages. The roads were not then as they are at present, when. fifty or sixty miles can be made in a day. Twenty miles was a long, hard day's journey, and usually fifteen miles of travel through the muddy roads completely exhausted the best teams. This led to a demand for lumber, flour and household supplies, at some point nearer home. A man named Darling erected a combined saw and grist mill on the river; in the southern part as early as 1818. The building was a long, low one, with two apartments, in one of which was placed the apparatus for sawing logs, and in the other, a small set of " nigger-head " bull's for grinding grain. Good water-power was obtained by means of a race and a. dam, and the. mills were enabled to run eight or ten months of the year. Almost all the early houses and barns were built of lumber obtained at this mill. Sawing was done either on shares, half being taken by the sawyer, or at the rate of about $3.50 per thousand. Rinaldo Cossett, a boy of about fourteen, was one day fishing at the mill-pond, when, by some means unknown, he was drowned. It was whispered that foul play had been done him, and many entertain that view of the matter at present ; the truth will probably never be known. The grist-mill furnished a fair article of flour, and was well patronized. After being in operation about ten years, the mill was abandoned. After this, for a number of years, the settlers were compelled to go to Middlebury for their flour and meal, or, if they were satisfied with an inferior article, as many of them were, it could be obtained at a small grist-mill . operated by a Mr. Jackson, who had erected it about the year 1826. Combined with the grist-mill (if such it can be properly denominated) was a saw-mill that did splendid work, and commanded an extensive patronage. Fine lumber was prepared here at prices within the reach of all. The grist-mill furnished excellent meal, but the flour was coarse, and but little better than " cracked wheat" The bolters were small and defective, and much of the bran was left with the flour. It was wholesome, but considerable difficulty was experienced in getting it to rise properly when bread. was being made. The mills were operated by water-power, and were continued for about fifteen years, when the machinery was removed to some more favored locality.

In 1823, Daniel Ford began manufacturing wooden bowls from cucumber-wood and white wood. A small shanty-shop was erected, and the machinery consisted of a handlathe. The business was continued a few years, but, not proving profitable, was discontinued. In 1820, Abner Martin built a small distillery a short distance south of the center. The building was a frame structure, built of lumber obtained at the Darling saw-mill A copper still, having a capacity of about twenty-five gallons, was used,

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and the grain was ground, or rather chopped, by a small set of stones, operated by horse-power. It is said that an ,excellent article of whisky was manufactured at this distillery. Old settlers in the township who remember drinking it, speak regretfully of the difference between the whisky famished by the Martin distillery and the adulterated article found in commerce at the present time. The whisky was so superior, or so small in quantity, or both, that it was drank as fast as it was made. It is even asserted that thirsty settlers were often seen with cups in their hands standing around the warm-tub waiting anxiously for the liquor to cool. Stories are also told of bacchanalian revelry at the old distillery, carried on late at night. or, rather, early the next morning. At any :rate, the liquor disappeared so rapidly that none was left to be carried to other localities and sold. After some fifteen years. the distillery was abandoned. On the east bank of Rocky River, opposite Liverpool Center. William Wilson erected a small distillery. and began the manufacture of whisky as early as 1825. His liquor was pronounced a fair article by the topers of Liverpool. and he received a sufficient patronage to render the business profitable for about eight years. at which date the still was removed and the building devoted to other uses.

In 1830, John Groll built a distillery one mile and a half southwest of Liverpool. The building was frame and was constructed .of homemade lumber. much of it being white wood and walnut. His still had a capacity of some fifteen gallons. Attached to the machinery was a set of chopping stones. where grain was prepared for fermentation. the milling apparatus being operated by horsepower. The building is yet standing. a monument to the early enterprise of Mr. Groll. He ran the distillery six years, and manufactured considerable whisky. It is said that he had a small receipt book giving the composing elements of almost a hundred kinds of mixed drinks, manyof which he manufactured for his customers. Salt was added to give pungency. strychnine to give flavor and a staggering sensation. and other drags and poisons to produce the sensations so well known to the dram drinkers of the present day. In 1840, a man named Gow engaged in the same pursuit, in a small frame building a short distance northwest of Marysville. He made a limited quantity of good whisky, and continued the occupation nearly six years. The early distilleries were of great value to the settlers, in that they furnished as market for rye and corn at home. and furnished what was then known as one of the necessities of life liquor. The laws of supply and demand lowered the price of grain. and increased that of household and farm implements. utensils and supplies. The price of corn, and. in fact, all the cereals, was renderedso low by the cost of transportation to the consumer, that but little profit could be made in their cultivation. besides the unavoidable loss of time and expense incident to their conveyance to market. But. when several distilleries were in comparatively extensive operation. a steady market, somewhat limited in extent, was provided. Corn and rye were given in exchange for whisky or mixed drinks, which never left the mantelpiece of the cabin of the backwoodsman. Whisky was looked upon by many as a panacea for all ills to which mankind are subject. It was used both as a cooling beverage and a warming one. It was prescribed by pioneer physicians for both digestion and indigestion. It was taken in sickness and in health with a prodigality that seems startling in this day of temperance activities. Traditions are afloat which point to dark deeds at some of the early distilleries in Liverpool. A band of counterfeiters had a rendezvous on Mallet Creek. and some of the settlers were detected while passing spurious dollar and half-dollar coins. Pewter coins minted in Liverpool; at an early day. may be seen at the residence of Mr. Ford. where they

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY - 545

are, preserved as curiosities. One of the settlers was tried and convicted of having an interest in the unlawful business, and was sentenced to the penitentiary, where, according to reports, he afterward died. Another was tried, but was acquitted for lack of evidence of guilt. It is probable that the distillerymen were in no way connected with the band, otherwise than as furnishing them with liquor of various kinds.

Messrs. Warner and Colt were not the only ones engaged at an early day in the manufacturing of salt. Demming, Cogswell, Wilmot and others dug wells, procured suitable kettles, over which were erected rough shanties to protect them from the weather, and began a more or less extensive manufacture. All the salt manufactured prior to the opening of the Erie canal, sold readily for an advanced price. Some of the men while prospecting. for salt at an. early day, made the discovery of the presence of oil in the township. Attempts were made to utilize the oil for lighting and lubricating purposes, and prosecuted in a quiet way. After wells had been dug and water had settled therein. a dark, pungent oil was found to issue from the water and form upon the surface at the rate. in some instances. of about a barrel a week. A small quantity was taken to Connecticut by Alpheus Warner. where it was analyzed and tested by experienced chemists, who pronounced it valuable in cases of throat disease, and as a lubricant. Attempts were made to use it as a remedy for sore throat, but its disagreeable taste and smell, coupled with the fact that its properties as a. remedy were largely unknown or undetermined, were sufficient reasons for avoiding its use. Some of the oil was bottled and circulated in commerce and used in the Western States. It was found that an agitation of the water in the wells, increased the yield of oil to half a dozen times its former quantity. In about 1850, when the oil excitement in Pennsylvania aroused the people of the country to the fact that they were destined to have better lights in their houses, the citizens of Liverpool and capitalists from abroad began prospecting along Rocky River, a short distance above Liverpool Center. The strength of the well was thoroughly tested, and the quantity of oil obtained gave flattering promises to capital seeking investment. Land along the stream upon which oil was discovered, arose considerably in value, and the owners began selling stock in their wells. A large percentage of the citizens, with the hope of securing fortunes like those read about in Pennsylvania, invested what they could spare in purchasing stock, and, fora time, the outlook was flattering. At different times, eleven wells were dug, and arrangements were made for skimming the black-looking oil from the surface of the water. The wells were dug down to the rock, the distance varying from twenty to seventy feet, after which, drills were used to increase the depth, in one case to 1.450 feet. But, although the flow of oil did not wholly cease, it was found to be so small in quantity as to render the working profitless. Every effort was made to increase the flow. but without avail. Mr. Parmelee, at the center, owned $500 worth of stock, and at one time, was offered $2,500 for it, but he refused, and soon afterward the stock was worthless. Many others experienced a similar fortune, or misfortune. Several wisely sold their land, securing the increase in value, while others, who possibly had a colossal fortune like that of Astor or Stewart in view, waited a little longer, and failed to realize any gain from the excitement. The proprietors of the wells, and those who sold out, were the only ones benefited. The former were not benefited, however, by the sale of oil. but by the sale of stock. The oil, when first obtained, is black, with a reddish cast, and is found to be of unusual excellence as a lubricant, as it never gums up the machinery. It has never been rectified, except in

546 - HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

small quantities. One hundred and fifty barrels of the oil were obtained at one well, and several of the others yielded a score or more. It is yet obtained in small quantities, and is used to the exclusion of other oil on all kinds of machinery, and is also used to some extent for lighting purposes.

The first settler who came into the northeastern corner, was Abram Beebe, who arrived in 1824. He came in a covered wagon, drawn by two yoke of oxen, and drove with him ten head of sheep and one cow.. His land—fifty acres— was purchased of Daniel Colt. The following year, Hollis Newton settled near him, and soon afterward Salathiel Bennett, Roderick and Benjamin Beebe arrived in 1828, and immediately afterward several came, among whom was Obadiah Newton. The Beebes were intelligent and energetic people, and did much to advance the cause of education and religion. The neighborhood became known as Beebetown, a name it yet retains. The northwestern and southwestern portions of the township were not settled as early as other portions. The land was not so open, and there were not those inducements to locate there as there were along the turbid Rocky River, where the country was comparatively open. In addition to this, there were more marshy tracts on those portions. However, in about 1830, several large emigrations of Germans established themselves there, and these portions of the township are almost wholly German at present

In 1837, the village of Marysville, or Hard-scrabble, as it is more popularly known, was surveyed and platted by Nathan Bell. The land was owned by the heirs of Daniel Coit, one . of whom was his son, H. H. Colt, who acted as agent for the others. Thirty-three lots were laid off and offered for sale. H. H. Coit (or perhaps Justus Warner), gave sufficient land for a public square, or park, and around this were grouped the lots. Mr. Warner gave two or three acres on a commanding prominence near the village, for a burying-ground, and the village began to grow. Six or eight houses went up, and the villagers were clamorous fora store and a post office. The name Marysville " was bestowed upon the village, in honor of Mary, the wife of H. K Colt Some time afterward, because of the herculean efforts made by some, to attain an extra amount of property and popularity, and because of the great rush and scrabble thus made, the euphonious title "Hard-scrabble," a peculiarly appropriate name at that time, was bestowed upon the village. So well suited was the name to the condition. or occasion, that it was immediately adopted by every one, to almost the total exclusion of the other and correct one. If you were to speak of Marysville to some of the citizens today, you would be regarded with surprise. and could probably be asked what you meant The village is almost universally known as "Scrabble:'' A year or two after it was laid out Mr. Coit erected a building designed for a storeroom. into which Edwin Powell placed $1.000 worth of a general assortment of goods. This was. so far as now known. the first stock offered for sale in the township. Through the energy and influence of H. H. Coit. Justus Warner and others, the establishment of a post office at the village was secured, and Mr. Powell received the appointment of first Postmaster. For a number of years prior to this, the township mail was obtained at Abbevrille. Prior to 1825. the citizens were obliged to go to Cleveland. and a portion of the time they were required to par 25 cents postage on each letter. Twenty-five cents then was equivalent to a dollar now. and the letters were read repeatedly, possibly to get the money's worth. Mr. Powell conducted the business with fair profits for about five years, when he died, and his stock was closed out at auction. He was succeeded by Francis Smallman, who began with some $600 worth of goods. including liquors. Mr. Smallman was intemperate, and, it is said, drank him-

PAGE 551 - PICTURE OF L. B. PARKER

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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. - 551

purchased by Sabin, who operated it until 1838, when A. S. Parmelee, having located in the village, bought the mill and a tract of land adjoining the village. Under Mr. Sabin's management, the building was enlarged, and, in one apartment, a set of " nigger-head " buhrs were placed for grinding grain. Mr. Parmelee has owned and operated the grist-mill since 1838. In 1849, both were burned to the ground, but were immediately rebuilt, and greatly increased in size and capacity. Two sets of excellent buhrs were added, making three in all, and the mill became generally patronized. The saw-mill became a double one, with two saws, and was, perhaps; the most complete mill ever in Liverpool Township. The mills were located at a point where a natural race from Rocky River furnished excellent waterpower. But the motor thus obtained was inadequate to supply satisfactory power, and an engine was placed so as to operate both mills. When there was abundance of water, the engine was not used ; but, in times of drought the engine was set in operation, thus making possible the running of the mills during the entire year. After a few years, the saw-mill was sold to Samuel C. Arnold, who operated it until about 1866, when David Goodrich became the owner. It is yet in operation, and has been under the management of other owners.

Immediately after coming to the village, Mr. Parmelee, who was a. professional clothier, placed in a small building erected for the purpose a complete set of wool-carding.and cloth dressing apparatus. Soon afterward, spinners and weavers were employed, and the capacity greatly increased by the addition of improved machinery and the use of steam as a motor. All three mills were operated by the same machinery, to which belts connected the special machinery of each. The lights used in the mills and the oil employed in running the machinery were from the crude petroleum obtained at a well near the mills. Mr. Parmelee began mannfacturing cassimeres, satinets, flannels, etc., on quite an extensive scale. The machinery was destroyed by fire in 1849 ; but, when the grist-mill was rebuilt, several important improvements were made, and the carding and weaving apparatus was placed in the second story, where it yet remains. As high as 10,000 yards of cloth have been woven in one year, but the average is far below that number. Of late years, the looms have been idle, owing to the inability of Mr. Parmelee to compete with larger establishments, where a poorer grade of cloth has been manufactured. The cloth has been mostly sold at home, and as high as 500 yards have been retailed in one day.

In about 1867, Aaron. Carr established a planing-mill in the village, and began to manufacture washing-machines, pumps, spring bottoms for beds, etc. The industry was an important one, and constant employment was given to. several. assistants. Large numbers of pumps and washing machines were manufactured and sold throughout the neighborhood. After following the combined pursuits for a number of years, Mr. Carr sold out and commenced manufacturing cheese. It is estimated that he used the milk of 400 cows, for, during the short period while engaged in the business, he made from ten to twenty cheeses per day. Mr. Carr is at present in the mercantile business in the village. Mr. Sabin also owned a factory and made washing-machines, beginning ' a year or two before Mr. Can. Odell & Pritchard also engaged in the same occupation, and had an extensive patronage for a number of years. Many years before, perhaps soon after the village was platted, Luther Welton erected a small shop and commenced making " Windsor " chairs. Large numbers were prepared and sold in the neighborhood. In many a dwelling may be found today chairs manufactured by Mr. Welton. Pierce & Curtis are at present engaged in the manufacture of pumps. Mr. Parmelee conducted a wagon-shop for a short time, and was

552 -HISTORY 'OF MEDINA COUNTY.'

also engaged in mercantile pursuits ; but a few months at the latter occupation • were abundantly sufficient to satisfy him of the wisdom of retiring while his capital was yet under his own control. A tannery with six or eight vats was started a number of years ago, and is yet doing a thriving business. Hammer and ax handles are manufactured in the village. A jewelry store and a photograph gallery have honored the town 'with their presence. 'Tin-shops and gunshops have also appeared, there being manufactured at the latter Irearms of various designs. including excellent shotguns. Brick and pottery have been prepared at kilns near the village. Some three or four men have been engaged at different times in the important occupation of manufacturing cheese, a considerable quantity of which has been shipped to distant points. Other important industries have been conducted in times past. As was previously stated, Dr. Parker was 'the first physician to locate in the village. He was followed at different times by Drs. Smith, Stock and Chamberlin. and later by Jones, Hobson and Gamble. Of these, Parker, Gamble. Hobson and Jones were skillful .practitioners. and received the confidence and support of the citizens. The village has a present population of 200. It is said that at one time in its history more manufacturing was done there than at Medina, the county seat This is probably true, as the large buildings seem to imply. No other village in the county of its size has done equal business, proving that the township is populated with an intelligent and enterprising people.

Schools were organized in the township as early as 1816. In an old log building intended for a dwelling, 'which had been occupied as such two or three years, and which was located at Marysville, a term of school :was taught in about 1816, but the first teacher's name is unrecorded and long since forgotten. The school was a three-months term, and the teacher was paid by subscription at the rate of $1 a scholar for the term, the teacher boarding around, and the boys by tarns building the fires in a large fireplace, with which was associated a large chimney, built of fiat .stones gathered along the river. It is likely that the building was used some eight years, or until the erection of a schoolhouse proper near the present site of the village, as no other school building is remembered to have been used during the interval. The one built in 1824 was of round logs, and was about twenty feet square, and had the indispensable fireplace and chimney, without which the pretensions of the pioneer schoolhouses to gracefulness and dignity were regarded with amusement. This building served the purposes of education at

Hardscrabble"' for a period of eighteen or twenty years, when 'a 'frame structure of moderate size took its place. Some fifteen years ago, the present one was constructed. About the time of the first school at Marysville. a log schoolhouse was built on the east bank of the river, near the Center. the ground 'where it stood being afterward washed away. The name of the first teacher is not 'remembered. It is quite likely, however, that one of the Warners taught the school. A few years' later, anew house was built, and Justus Warner purchased the old one, which was afterward 'used as a church. The new house was used some twelve years, when a frame took its place. the latter being supplanted after many years by the present one, a large building with sufficient rapacity to accommodate all children likely to attend. In 1820, school was taught by a 'Miss Nisbett in a cabin owned by Mr. Rouse, and located in the eastern part. The school was taught during the summer months, the teacher boarding around, and receiving her pay by subscription. Hell 'Warner, then a small boy, attended the school. That is, he had started ; but, becoming dissatisfied in a boyish way with what he regarded as the assumed author-

HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY - 553

ity of the teacher, he started for home, possibly intending to call a council of' the family to review the situation, and perhaps secure the discharge of the teacher. He was plodding along the road, ruminating in his mind some infantile problem, when, upon reaching a log bridge over a small stream, a large bear ran out from under the bridge and shambled off through the woods. The boy did not know it was Mr. Bruin, and the latter, not waiting for an introduction, left Hell unaware of its being a bear until told so upon his arrival at home. The school continued in session, notwithstanding the absence of the boy, and was regarded with so much approbation by the patrons that the second term was held the following winter in the same building Afterward, a schoolhouse was built across, the line, in Brunswick A school building in the southeastern part was built. in, 1821. or 1822. Like the other early ones it was constructed of logs, and was used. until the demands of the neighborhood required a larger and better one. Three others near the site of the old one have been erected and used. A log schoolhouse was built in about 1828. at " Beebetown," near the northeast corner of the township, Willis Beebe being the first teacher. He was paid 81.2 or $13 per month. He taught a number of terms there. as did also Warren Beebe. In 1837, another house was constructed of hewed logs, and located; back from the line some distance in Liverpool, but the third and the fourth houses were built at the corner, in Lorain County. The district comprises portions of Liverpool and Brunswick Townships and Lorain. County. The other schoolhouses in the township were probably not built until after the creation of school districts. The one in the northwestern corner was not built until about 1830. The schools are generally well attended.

Some time before the year 1816, several congregations of Episcopalians in Connecticut

sent a prominent minister, one of uncommon force of character and intelligence, to the

Western Reserve, for the purpose of organizing societies of their denomination. This gentleman. the Rev. Roger Searles, appeared in Liverpool Township during the above year, and began a series of meetings having in view the extension of the membership of the church to which he belonged. Meetings were held in the old log schoolhouse at Liverpool Center, and all the settlers turned out to hear the eloquent discourses of' the minister from Connecticut. A society was immediately established, and almost all the settlers became members. Services were held in private cabins, and several of the old settlers recollect sitting on rude stools, or on the side of pioneer beds, while listening to the word of God. The labors of Mr. Searles in other fields called him away for months at a time, and the members were compelled to do as best they could without his presence and ad-vice. Some member was called upon to read a sermon. wherein the doctrines of the Episcopalian Church were expounded ; others to lead in singing and in prayer. After a time, Mr. Searles ceased to preach for them, being called upon to labor in other places, and the society was then visited by Rev. Jacob Ward, an eloquent minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, then residing in Liverpool Township. This gentleman preached often for the settlers, and, by the force of his genius, finally succeeded in. changing their faith and belief from Episcopacy to Methodism. Among the dusty records of the church in Connecticut, to which Mr. Searles belonged, is found his report on the work done in Liverpool Township, and contained therein are the following words relative to the society he had established : "The flock has gone to feed in strange pastures." The members—Methodists—held meetings in the old log schoolhouse, which, after being purchased by Justus Warner, was used exclusively as a church. In 1827, a small frame church

PICTURE OF A. G. WILLEY, m.d.

554 - HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

was built near town. This building, provided with rude furniture and altar, was used until about 1841, when the present church was constructed. Rev. Lorenzo Warner was among the first ministers, as was also Hugh Parish. .A short time after the organization of the Methodist society at the Center, another of the same denomination was instituted near the eastern boundary of the township, and, a few years later,.a small church was erected. The society was small, and, after about twenty years of labor, quietly disbanded, and the members joined other societies near them. A society of Close Communion Baptists was organized at Beebetown in 1828, and, for four or five years, continued to assemble in the old log school-house. In about 1832, a small hewed-log church was built, and, when dedicated, contained no floor other than the ground, and but few rude clapboard seats. The Rev. Mr. Hudson was the first minister. The present church took the place of the old one, in about 1845. The society slowly grew in strength, but, finally, under the light of religious advancement, the church ritual was discarded, and the members effected a reorganization as Free-Will Baptists. The church at present is in a thriving condition. Two Lutheran churches have been built in the township, and the societies were organized in comparatively late years. The advent of large numbers of German immigrants, beginning about 1830, soon prepared the way for these societies, which have become strong and prosperous since. Thelutheransociety, in the southeastern part, is second in the township in point of membership. It was first organized about 1835, and, four years :later, their present church, a large frame structure, was erected. The one in Liverpool Center was created about the same time, and their present church, a large, fine brick building, was erected in 1868. About this time, the Rev: Mr. Grunert was the officiating minister. About the time of the last war, the Catholics had become so strong as to make it advisable to build a church, which was accordingly done a short distance west of the Center. An imperfect' Catholic organization had been effected many years before, and had finally taken shape a number of years prior to the erection of the church. The building is a large structure, with costly furnishings and beautiful stained-glass windows. Though among the youngest religious organizations in Liverpool, the society has, by :many odds, the largest membership, and is yet growing. A German Methodist society was instituted many years ago, a short distance east of Marysville. It grew slowly, and, finally, a small frame church was erected. The members are few, yet they are earnest in their labors, and their influence on the morals of the neighborhood is felt. The township is well supplied with religious privileges