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CHAPTER XIX.*

STOW TOWNSHIP—EARLY PHYSICAL CONDITION—FIRST SETTLEMENT AND SUBSEQUENT GROWTH
—PROGRESS OF INDUSTRIES AND IMPROVEMENTS—VILLAGES, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.

STOW, in many respects, is superior to any other township in the county. Its fertile soil, valuable timber. winding streams and beautiful lakes, surround it with attractions which coming generations will not fail to appreciate and enjoy. There is found throughout the township that diversity of natural features—that tine blending of the beautiful and picturesque. which delights the eye of the landscape gardener. The Cuyahoga River, which winds across the southern part, that fine body of water—Silver Lake—and the various gorges or chasms which 'are cut deeply into the soil, disclosing perpendicular embankments of tine stone, furnish abundant material upon which the hand of art, in future years, may labor. When we look back through the years to that bright page in the history of mankind—Grecian glory—when we see how the developing mind of man caught the beautiful of that sunny clime, and grouping together the various charms. gave to each some name which lingers with it like the sweet memory of joys that are past. we are led to believe that our own beautiful land, adorned as it is with Nature's lavish gifts, will share a similar happy lot. Each lake, each stream. each hill and vale will be associated with some event, around which the fairy fingers of hallowed recollection will entwine the sweet flowers of other years. Even at this early day, local names spring up from surrounding events—names that will live, when those persons associated with them have long since passed into oblivion. Other names will come as time sweeps onward ; and for the pleasure of those who live in the future, these and the circumstances which gave them birth, must be carefully recorded.

* Contributed by W. A. Goodspeed.

The greater part of Stow is rolling, though quite a large tract near the center is comparatively level. The soil, though largely clay, contains sufficient alluvium to insure abundant crops of all kinds. In the vicinity of the lakes and the depressed portions, of which there are several, the earth is thoroughly mingled with decaying vegetable material, a large portion of which has been washed in by past inundations. Large quantities of sandstone can be had for the trouble of quarrying in exposed places. The streams give ample drainage, even in the region of the lakes, though some portions are so low and flat that they were, in former years, very wet; and even yet are not suitable for cultivation. In the course of time these will be ditched, thoroughly drained, and finally cultivated. Cuyahoga River enters the township on Lot 10, thence flowing across Lots 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 15, 14, 4. 3. and leaving from 13. This well-known stream has considerable fall, and excellent water-power can be secured through the medium of dams. Kelsey Creek enters the river from the south, and Fish Creek from the north, in the extreme southeastern part. Silver Lake is located almost wholly on Lots 24, 23 and 33, and its outlet is a small branch of the Cuyahoga. A small stream which should be named Wetmore Creek, rises a short distance northeast of Stow Corners. and flows south-westwardly into the river. It has cut by erosion a deep gorge in the sandstone rocks, which is known as the "Gulf." Cochran Pond is located a few rods northwest of Silver Lake, but has no connection with the latter, its outlet being a small irregular stream, which flows north and then west into Mud Brook. Powers' Brook and Mud Brook, from their tortuous course, flow half around the township. Powers'

512 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

Brook first flows across the northeast corner, thence into Hudson. thence into the northern part of Stow, thence again into Hudson, where it unites with Mud Brook. The latter stream flows across the northwest corner of Stow, entering Turtle Lake on the northeast side. It flows from this lake first into Northampton. thence takes a turn in the western side of Stow, and finally leaves the latter a short distance north of Cuyahoga Falls. Turtle Lake. the largest body of water in the northern part of the county. is intersected by the boundary line, dividing Stow from Northampton. On several sides the land is so low and marshy that artificial approaches to the lake are necessary. if mud and stagnant water are to be avoided. In short, the lake has but two or three really good beaches. Cochran Pond, named for the first settler on its banks, comprises some four or five acres, and has a low and muddy beach. except, perhaps. on the eastern side. It is too small and shallow to be of any great economic value. Silver Lake is. in many respects. a fine sheet of water. Its length is nearly a mile, and its width nearly half that distance. while its greatest depth approximates twelve fathoms. Some of its approaches are fine, consisting of coarse sand or gravel. Many portions of the bottom are of the same nature. rendering the lake very attractive to bathers, a very essential feature among a people who teach. and evidently practice to a reasonable degree, that " cleanliness is next to godliness." Many years ago. when the question of supplying the city of Akron with water was on the tapis, Silver Lake was carefully examined ; but its water was found to contain impurities, which rendered it unsuitable for that purpose. The lake was once the property of Joshua Stow. who purchased the township of the State of Connecticut. The township was named in his honor, and remained in his possession until his death, when it fell into the bands of his son-in-law, Horace Miller, who sold it to its present owner, Ralph Lodge. Purchasers of land in its vicinity did not want the lake, so that the shore is owned by others. In about the year 1850, Zina Buel constructed a small steamboat, and launched it upon the lake. A wharf was built out from the shore, and buildings were erected for excursionists. A small fare was charged for a ride around the lake ; but there was not realized a sufficient revenue to pay for the investment, and the boat was removed. Several persons at different times have been drowned. There are at present several bathing-houses for the benefit of' the uncleanly and others.

Joshua Stow, the proprietor of the township, was one of the first exploring party sent out to the Western Reserve in 1796. He officiated in the important capacity of Commissary. and the first storehouse built at Conneaut was named Stow Castle." in his honor. The first cabin in the township was built by a Virginian named William Walker. who had come to Hudson the year before. He was a squatter and built his small, round-log cabin in the northeast corner, on Lot 89.* Here he remained alone until 1804. when Joshua Stow arrived at Hudson to make arrangements for the survey of his township. He employed Joseph Darrow. a resident of Hudson. who began and completed the survey in 1804. and immediately thereafter there came in William Wetmore. Gregory Powers. Josiah Starr. John Campbell. Thomas Rice and Titus Wetmore. The most of these men built further south in the neighborhood of what is now called Stow Corners. Prior to the war of 1812, there also came in John Gaylord. John Arbuckle. George Darrow. Adam Steele. John Saddler. Joseph Harman. William Lappin, William Leach. Samuel Burnett. Samuel Baker, Jacob Cochran. Caleb Wetmore. Isaac Wilcox, Frederick Victor, Francis Kelsey. Mr. Kelso, Samuel Cheney, Constance Rogers. Jonathan Gaylord. Stephen Butler. Erastus Southmayd. David Ruggles, William McClellan, Bemus Hamilton. Mr. Dailey. Isaac and Thomas Steele and very likely several of the following. who, at least, came in prior to 1825: Joshua Pendleton. Timothy Brainard, David Strong, Ira Barnes, Ethe Wetmore, James Smith. George Hartle. John Kemp. Jesse Pratt. David Sanger, Mr. McAvoy, Chancey Lowery, Mr. Beckley, Martin and Arthur Saddler, William Hibbard. William Galloway, V. M. Thompson, John Graham, Ezra Wyatt, Jacob Richmond. Andrew Rich, Dr. Spaulding, Henry Kenyon, John Blackman, John lawyer, Thomas Gaylord and many others. This is not intended as a perfect list, and neither are the dates free from error ; yet it is thought that there are but few mistakes. By 1810, there were fifteen or twen-

* Elizabeth (Walker) Lappin, of Boston Township, aged ninety-three years.

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ty families living in Stow, in rude log cabins scattered at intervals throughout the township. The forests began to go down rapidly, and improvements multiplied. Land steadily increased in value, and settlers poured in to purchase before it over-reached their means.

It was not until 1808 that Stow was organized and its first officers elected. At the time Hudson was organized, in 1802, Stow was included in that township, and remained thus until 1808. William Wetmore was the first Justice of the Peace ; but, during the month of August. 1804. the county of Portage, of which Stow was a part, having been created, Wetmore was appointed Clerk of the Court. and removed to Ravenna ; but, not being satisfied with the empty honor of his official position, he soon resigned, moving hack to Stow, and locating just east of Silver Lake. The early records of Stow were not preserved. and the names of the other first officers cannot be given. The first election was held at the residence of Mr. Wetmore. Capt. Gregory Powers built on Lot 85. He was a genius in his way. and had had a great deal of experience with the world. He was an Italian, and. for many years. had followed the wild and extremely dangerous profession of privateering on the ocean. His daughter Harriet was united in marriage with John C. Singletary in 1806. the wedding being the first in the township. A few months later. on the 29th of January. 1807, William Lappin and Elizabeth Walker were married at Stow Corners by Squire Wetmore. In 1806. George Darrow built a frame barn, the first frame structure in Stow. In the fall of 1803. " Betsey " Walker was born. her birth being the first in the township. Samuel Walker was born in 1805. Mary Campbell was born in 1804. and Clarissa ( Rice) Southmayd February 6. 1805. In February. 1807, Mrs. Powers died. her death being the first. Elizabeth Gaylord died in 1809.

As early as 1805. the township had put on many of the characteristics of civilization. The ring and report of ax and rifle awoke the echoes of the forests. Numerous small, unpretentious cabins rested in the center of insignificant clearings, upon which could be seen the green plumage of growing grain. Wild animals roamed through the forests. Deer could be seen at almost any hour of the day. Many of the settlers had. for several years. nomeat except venison and smaller game. Wolves were troublesome, especially in the night, when they seemed to enjoy surrounding some log cabin when the inmates were lost in slumber and making the night hideous with their howls. Bears were frequently seen, and there was scarcely an early settler who was not accustomed to roam the woods on hunting excursions that did not encounter them, often under thrilling and extremely dangerous circumstances. The Indians, whose headquarters were at Boston and Northampton Townships, were accustomed to spend the summers in the neighborhood of Silver and Turtle Lakes. In 1810, the carriage road at Silver Lake was a continuous line of Indian huts. These were made of round poles about six inches in diameter. the chinks being filled with moss and sod. About one hundred rods from the huts, on the lake shore, on a neighboring hill, were a great many more. About five hundred Indians—men, women and children—established themselves here for several summers prior to the war of 1812. They were in constant intercourse with the white settlers, and usually all dealings were of a friendly nature. It was well known to the settlers, however, that the Indians might " dig up the hatchet " at any moment, and begin the dreadful work of slaughter. These thoughts filled the mind, more especially when it first became known that war with England had commenced. When news of the battle of Tippecanoe reached the Indians. they all withdrew and went toward the western part of the State, much to the relief of the apprehensive settlers.

It seems proper in this connection to notice a few of the many interesting anecdotes that are told concerning adventures had with wild animals or with the Indians. One day, when John Campbell was away from home, his wife placed her little child on the floor, with a cup of milk and a spoon. and closing the door, went a short distance to one of the neighbor's, on an errand. She soon returned, and, stepping up to the little window, looked in to see what her baby was doing. There sat the child upon the floor, while close at its side was coiled up a large. yellow, repulsive rattlesnake. It had crawled up through the cracks of the floor, and, when first seen by Mrs. Campbell, was lapping or drinking the milk, which had been spilled by the child. Just as the mother was taking her

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first lightning survey of the fearful sight, the child reached out its spoon, either to give the reptile some milk or to touch its shining body with the spoon. The mother gave a piercing scream, and the snake slid down a crack and disappeared. Mr. Campbell came in soon afterward, and, raising a plank of the floor, killed the snake. The gulf" at Stow Corners was filled with these reptiles. and it was many years before they were killed off. So numerous were they. and so dangerous, that the settlers took turns in watching the rocks, to kill all that came forth. This was done on sunny days in early spring, when the snakes first came from their holes to bask in the sun. It fell upon Mr. Baker to watch the gulf one Sunday, when Deacon Butler was holding a class-meeting in a log cabin close by. While looking down into the gulf: Mr. Baker saw a large number of rattlesnakes crawl from a crevice in the rocks and coil themselves in the sun. When it seemed that all had come forth, Mr. Baker dropped his coat near the crevice, and, with a long pole prepared for the purpose, pushed the garment into the opening. He then descended to the rock, and killed sixty-five of the venemous reptiles. The first intimation that the worshipers had of what had taken place, was made known by a son of Mr. Baker. who ran to the log meeting house at the top of his speed. crying out with a loud voice, Oh, dad's killed a pile of snakes ! dad's killed a pile of snakes ! " This adjourned the meeting, and the members repaired to the gulf. to continue their thanks for the victory over the ancient enemy of man. The rock whence the snakes had crawled was blasted open the next day, though but one was found—a large female, that was thought to be the mother of the numerous progeny that had been killed. Several persons were bitten, and many had narrow escapes from death. A young man—a relative of William Walker—was struck twice on the heel by a large rattlesnake, and did not recover. The Indians had a peculiar plant, which was used as a remedy in case of snakebite. It is said that when the Indians left the plant also disappeared, and could not be found growing in the woods as usual. This seems somewhat improbable, though the statement comes from some of the oldest and most respected citizens. One day, as Henry Wetmore was gathering nuts near his father's cabin, he heard a sudden commotion in the bushes near him, and immediately saw a drove of hogs break cover and run across the clearing to his father's stable. Following close at their heels was an enormous black bear, that halted barely long enough to see the boy and continued the pursuit to the pen where the swine took refuge. Mrs. Wetmore, hearing the confusion outside, came to the door, and, seeing the bear and at the same time her boy, motioned for the latter to take a circuit so as to avoid the animal, that seemed in doubt whether it was best to attack the swine in their pen or not. When the boy was safe in the cabin, Mrs. Wetmore went out, and, by shouting, frightened the bear into the woods. On another occasion Jacob Cochran. while in his cabin, heard one of his hogs squealing terribly. and, surmising the cause, the seized his ride and ran out. in time to see a large bear disappearing in the hushes. in whose company was an unwilling. remonstrating hog. The bear finally dropped the hog, which fell in between two saplings so that it could not be extricated. The detention enabled Mr. Cochran to overtake the bear. which was immediately shot. It was necessary to kill the hog also, as it was terribly torn and mangled. It is probable that William Walker was the most successful and intrepid bear hunter ever a resident of the township. He killed sixteen bears. sometimes under circumstances which would appall the stoutest heart. More is said of him in the Twinsburg history.

In 1803. Mr. Walker's dogs treed a large bear in a chestnut tree a few rods from the cabin. It was shot, and was found to weigh 400 pounds, and was so extremely fat that oil accumulated within the cavity of the body within a few minutes after the animal had been killed. Mr. Walker was a chair-maker, and had a small log shop near his cabin. One day George Wilson, an Indian, came to the cabin and asked for whisky, which was given to him. He drank the liquor and sat down, and a few minutes later was asked to take a seat at the table and eat with the family. He accepted the invitation with due dignity, seated himself, and was handed a plate well loaded with meat and vegetables. But by this time the liquor had worked into his blood and brain, and, actuated by a devilish spirit, he suddenly, without any provocation, dashed the plate and its steaming contents in Mr. Walker's face. The latter leaped

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to his feet in a passion at the inhospitable act, and started for his rifle to make short work of the savage. But the latter, perceiving the danger he was in, ran into a small bedroom and under the bed. Mr. Walker, rifle in hand, endeavored to follow him, but was hindered by his wife and daughter, who had no desire to see the Indian shot. The latter noticed the delay and made his escape through the bedroom window, taking refuge in the chair-shop already mentioned. By this time the other members of the family had succeeded in pacifying Mr. Walker, and the refractory redskin was permitted to depart—without his dinner. One day William Lappin and William Leach were at the cabin of John Arbuckle, when six or seven Indians, among whom were John High, a tall, ugly-looking savage, six feet three or four inches in height, and Wabmung, an under-chief of the Ottawas, passing along, stopped to talk with the settlers and get some tobacco. Mr. Leach traded his his hat with one of the Indians for some article belonging to the latter ; but. immediately perceiving that he had been cheated. he snatched the hat from the head of the redskin and placed it on his own. This was an insult which the savage would not brook. so. raising his fist, he knocked Leach fiat on the ground. The act was no sooner lone than Lappin sprang forward and with one blow sent the Indian sprawling by the side of Leach. Lappin was immediately assailed by John High and several others. though he succeeded in keeping them at bay, and the tight became general. Blood began to flow from sundry noses, and knives gleamed in the air. One of the Savages snatched up a rifle, and pointed it at Lappin, intending to shoot him ; but the Chief Wabmung, who had remained an impassive spectator of the fight thus fire sprang forward and struck the muzzle up just as the gun was discharged. No harm was done, and the Indian. thinking, doubtless, he might get into trouble, took to his heels and was soon out of sight. The fight was over and the Indians took their departure. Jonathan Williams, the Indian-hunter. lived for a number of , years in a little log cabin. in the northwest part of the township, on Mud Brook. He gained great notoriety for his antipathy for the Indians, many of whom he shot on the slightest provocation. He had been one of those professional Indian slayers who, (luring the latter

part of the last century, were in the habit of invading the Indian country to carry on their work of extermination. Williams was a dead shot. and was feared by the Indians. One day a member of the tribe came to his cabin and told him that a snake was on his track and would bite him. Without any further explanation the Indian went away. Mr. Williams construed this statement to mean that one of the tribe was lurking around to get a favorable opportunity to shoot him. He, therefore, began to watch closely for his foe. The following morning, before leaving the cabin, he took a careful look from the little window, and, while scrutinizing the woods on the border of the clearing, saw an Indian suddenly peer from behind a tree about twenty rods distant, and then as suddenly conceal himself Williams told his wife what he had seen, and, taking his rifle down, looked carefully to the flint and priming. He said to his wife, " It's now death for one of us ; I'll trick him. Tie up the dog, and don't be seared." So saying, he suddenly opened the door, and before the Indian had time for a hostile movement, the former took refuge behind a bank of earth near the house. He hurried a short distance and got behind a large tree, and, with his rifle ready, began to watch cautiously for the approach of his the. He saw the Indians dog coming toward him, and thought it must soon discover his hiding-place. Suddenly, the Savage glided through a small glade in the edge of the woods. This was sufficient, and. like a flash, Williams raised his rifle and fired, just as his enemy was disappearing behind the bank already alluded to. The bullet went straight to its mark, and the Savage fell upon the earth and expired. Williams hurried forward, and, securing the gun, shot the dog that had come so near revealing his hiding-place. He was at a loss at first what to do with the body. The death of the Indian would be avenged, if known to his friends. Finally. it was taken and sunk in Mud Brook. Williams went back to the cabin, and his wife, who had heard the report of both rifles, and was greatly distressed, not knowing what shape affairs had taken, was overjoyed to know that he was safe. The death of this savage, George Wilson, was not discovered until after the Indians had left the county, so that all danger from them was averted.

The Indians seemed to take especial pleas-

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ure in frightening the wives of the settlers when the latter were absent. They would enter the cabins and flourish their weapons in an ominous manner, and a plentiful supply of whisky and victuals would be their reward. They would often brandish their scalping knives over the heads of children until the mother was half-distracted, when they would get almost anything they demanded. and go off grunting with satisfaction at the success of their artifice. It way be said, however, that generally the Indians were orderly, unless they had been abused or were under the influence of whisky.

Mud Brook Swamp in the northwest corner. was the resort during the spring of the year of countless thousands of pigeons. They would come to this place to roost after having feasted all day on beech and other nuts growing on the higher grounds. When they all took wing. the noise was like the rushing of a mighty wind. They often filled the air so that the sun could not be seen ; and when they settled in the forest, large trees were broken clown by them. It was dangerous to go into the swamps that were filled with pigeons, and the voice had to be elevated to be heard.

The early settlers in Stow suffered the usual hardships incident to pioneer life. They were obliged often to live as best they could. Flour and meal were difficult to get, and when procured were judiciously used and made to go as far as possible. It was a universal rule in pioneer mathematics. that the means of supply were inversely as the appetite to be gratified. The taste could not be petted with a variety of articles, but the meal very often consisted of but one, and that in such limited quantities that the cravings were unsatisfied. Roads were bad, conveyances were bad. supplies of all kinds were exorbitant. labor of the hardest kind received scarcely any reward, and all efforts were exhausted in the one object—to live. It is singular how the plastic nature of mankind can be molded for almost any condition of circumstances. Actual enjoyment can be had in the midst of imminent peril or distressing surroundings. The settlers saw the bright side of their situation, and made the most of it. They were contented, because their customs were homogeneous, and their trials identical. If some settler had come in very wealthy and aristocratic ; if he had dressed his family in silks, satins and broadcloths cut according tothe latest and prevailing fashion ; if he had scorned to associate with his neighbors, himself and family would have been practically ostracised—they would have been shunned like the plagues of Egypt. It was a fortunate thing that they remained in the East with their money bags—fortunate for them and for the rapid settlement and improvement of the West. But, after all, hard times were experienced—times when it seemed as if the utmost effort could scarcely keep body and soul together. A large family of small children to feed and clothe, and nothing but strong hands and honest hearts to meet the demand ! This was the problem that many solved, and upon which many others failed.

It was not long after the settlers had become quite numerous, before industries began to spring up in various parts of the township. to furnish for the steady demand supplies nearer home. While some settlers erected frame houses, the majority did not for many years. but lived contented in their rude, though comfortable log cabins. It thus occurred that there was not as strong a demand for sawed lumber as might have been expected. So far as can be learned, the first saw-mill in the township was built on the river at Monroe Falls. in about the year 1817. by Griswell & Wolcott. At the same time. a man named Francis Kelsey erected a grist-mill at the same place. These three men united means and built a log-dam where the present one is located. The grist-mill was located on the north side of the river, and the sawmill on the south. The land on the north side was owned by John Graham. but he entered into an agreement with Kelsey, to deed the latter two acres for a mill site. provided a grist-mill was erected and operated. Both mills were supplied with water by means of short flumes or races, and a sufficient mill-head was obtained to operate both mills at a rapid rate. It was not long before both were on a firm financial basis, and a fair profit was realized by the investment. They were conducted by these men (or perhaps they had a change of owners) until 1836, with a few insignificant interruptions, at which time they were purchased by the Monroe brothers. of Boston Township. For a number of years prior to this change in owners, the mills had been neglected, especially the sawmill, which had become somewhat rickety, and sadly in need of repairs. The Monroes, at

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the time they purchased the mills, also secured about two hundred and fifty acres of land, all, or at least a portion, upon which the village of Monroe Falls is situated. They had a grand project in view, which was to found a village that should become the public mart of all the surrounding country, and a metropolis of opulence and importance. At this period there were some eight or ten residences in the village ; but, so far as can be learned, no lots had been regularly surveyed and platted. It is thought that William Stow built the first dwelling in the village ; at least, he built there at a very early clay. His father had been the proprietor of the township, but had sold a large portion of it to settlers- and speculators. His residence was located on the south side of the river, and is yet standing. John Graham lived on the north side, but had sold out and left a few years before, or, perhaps, sold to the Monroes. There also lived at the village, in 1836. Samuel Cheney, Zebulon Stow, Mr. Griffiths and several others. The Monroes evidently expected to make their fortunes. They were quite wealthy when they purchased the village and mill-sites, and they ventured all they had in the enterprise, confidently anticipating, as many did in early years, that a city would spring up around them, like mushrooms from a hot-bed. They immediately laid out about a hundred lots. and in a few years succeeded in securing the incorporation* of the village. which, in their honor, had been named Monroe Falls. At the time they purchased all the land for sale in the village or surrounding it. they built a small storeroom, and placed therein about $1,200 worth of goods. A number of years before, perhaps as early as 1830, John S. Harvey had come to the Falls. had built a residence and a small store, and had placed in the latter $600 worth of a general assortment of goods, consisting mostly of groceries and notions. He had obtained a fair country trade, and, according to the reports, had refused to sell to the Monroes, who desired to purchase his property. The Monroes wished no competition in the early history of their village. and had tried to purchase all property or enterprises that would in any way interfere with their intentions or obstruct their rapid march to opulence and fame. Several lots were sold. and tradesmen and mechanics

* Gen. Bierce.appeared, and it seemed at first as though the bright expectations of the Monroes were to be realized. They founded a " bank," and began issuing " wildcat," " red-dog " bills of credit in limited quantities.* Harvey soon found that the Monroe store was materially injuring his trade, so, about two years after the appearance of the brothers, he either sold out or closed out, and went to Akron, according to the reports. The Monroes purchased his store-room and filled it with goods, and thus monopolized the trade in the village. Their stock was increased until they probably owned about $5,000 worth of goods. About the year 1828, or perhaps earlier, James Griffiths erected a wooden factory a few rods below the saw-mill, on the same (south) side of the river. He secured a paying custom trade. Woolgrowers in the vicinity brought their wool to him to be carded, after which it was taken by them and spun, and then returned to the factory to be manufactured into flannel and various other varieties of cloth. It must be remembered that there were no ready made clothing stores in those days. Suits •for men and women were cut and made in the houses by the wives of the settlers, many of whom became expert tailors, especially if they had large families and large quantities of cloth to be disposed of. At certain seasons of the year, the entire family would be provided with new suits. Journeymen tailors traveled from house to house, and took contracts at reduced rates to make suits for the whole family, often furnishing the cloth. Griffiths conducted his factory until 1836. when the entire property was bought by the Monroes. Converse & Barnes began manufacturing chairs in about 1833, and soon had quite a brisk trade. They peddled their wares in a wagon, which traversed the country for a circuit of many miles. Converse was a local preacher, and conducted many of the early meetings at the village. Some three or four men were employed to assist in the manufacture of the chairs. The owners continued the business until 1836, when the property, like almost all the balance, fell into the hands of the Monroe Brothers. Many years before this, .Mr. Graham, who had lived on the north side of the river, built a small distillery, and began manufacturing a limited quantity of whisky. Considerable liquor was made, which found a

* Gen. Bierce.

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ready sale in the neighborhood. Mr. Wetmore, also, at an early day, erected a distillery on what was then called Stow Pond. He also made quite a quantity of the drink which inebriates. These enterprises (which, by the way, brought to the owners a profitable revenue); were quite popular in early years. and continued so throughout what is now Summit County, until about the year 1830, when a large number of temperance societies was organized, whose objects were to depict the enormity of the evil tendency of the liquor traffic, and to suppress the supply and demand among the settlers. The two distilleries above mentioned were closed, however. before this crusade. The temperance movement became so strong and universal. that William Stow was induced to offer 160 acres of land just north of Silver Lake (this land is yet known as " temperance lot "), to be divided equally among those who would take the pledge and become abstainers. Many were thus induced to renounce their intemperate habits ; but a deed to the land was not made out. was neglected. and. at Mr. Stow's death, his heirs refused to comply with his promises. and retained the ownership of the " temperance lot."

It will be seen that the Monroes became the owners of about all the business enterprises in the village in 1836. These men threw a vast deal of energy and capital into their gigantic undertaking, and deserved a better financial fate than they were compelled to suffer. They soon found that they had miscalculated. But few artisans and no capitalists came to their relief. Instead of rising in value. the property depreciated from the price fixed by the Monroe purchase. The proprietors had encountered large expense. They tore down the grist-mill and the saw-mill, and erected larger and better ones. The sawmill was located on the north side of the river, and the grist-mill on the south side, the reverse of what had formerly been. The latter mill was established further down the river, and a long race, coming from the dam, supplied it with water-power. After struggling some ten years with their undertaking, the Monroe Brothers. seeing that they had failed and had lost large sums of money, gradually went out of business. Their " promises to pay " were not fulfilled, and many others besides themselves lost quite heavily. The property, or the most of it, fellinto the hands of Oliver Brown, or, as some say, into the hands of William Cartright. At least, both men at different times owned the mills, and it may be that others also. at times. owned an interest in them previous to their being purchased by the Cleveland Paper Company. The sawmill was owned by various parties, as was also the grist-mill, E. P. Willis sold goods in the village about the time of the Monroe purchase. Others have followed the mercantile pursuit at different times. A small hotel was built on the canal in early years. Phillip North, in about the year 1842. was engaged in manufacturing hoes—cutting the metallic portions from plates of iron or steel. and furnishing them with handles. Luther Loomis conducted an excellent store for many years. Charles Reed has a small store at present. In 1866. the grist-mill was purchased by the Cleveland Paper Company. It was fitted up with the apparatus necessary for the manufacture of paper : but after a year or two was burned to the ground. whereupon the present commodious building was erected on the same site. Under the superintendency of r. Hall, there has been manufactured an average of three tons of paper each (lay. About thirty employes are kept constantly at work. and the village. at present. is populated almost wholly by the families of these workmen. All the coarser varieties of paper are manufactured. Many other things might he said about Monroe Falls, but enough has been given to exhibit its general growth and decay.

It must be noted that other industries arose than those in the two villages in the township. Henry Wilcox owned and operated a sawmill on Mud Brook as early as 1820. Josiah Starr having built it a year or two before. The Bryan Mill " was started quite early. and continued many years. There was also an excellent sawmill on Fish Creek at an early day. Many others have been conducted at different times. In about the year 1819, Mr. Thorndyke. son of a wealthy merchant of Boston. Mass., opened a general store on Lot 14. After a short time, the store was moved to Lot 12 ; but, at the expiration of two or three years, the enterprise was abandoned, and the building was used by the Methodists as a house of worship. After the first settlers had opened up the township. and greatly modified the hardships to be undergone, improvements went on rapidly. Capital

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sought investment, and, erelong, Stow could boast of a population as large and as enlightened in general knowledge as it can at present. A much larger portion of the land was covered with forest than now, and the roads and streams were in a very unsatisfactory. condition. In the year 1837, there occurred one of those circling tornadoes, which occasionally strike the earth, spreading death and destruction in their course. It visited the township on the 20th of October. about 3 o'clock in the morning, striking the earth first, in the western part, near the center road, and thence passing a trifle north of east, until it reached about the center of the township. when it either spent itself, or arose above the tops of the trees. The force of the wind must have been terrific, as large trees were snapped off like pipestems, and carried bodily several yards from the stump. Those who heard its approach, knew from the awful roar that was mingled with the crash of falling trees, that something unusual and dreadful was in the air. Its pathway had an average width of about forty rods. and. though its course lay through the heaviest timber. not a tree was left standing ; but all were heaped in tangled and promiscuous confusion. It was accompanied with almost incessant flashes of vivid lightning and volleys of the deepest thunder. and the rain came down in angry torrents. It struck Cochran Pond. and very likely carried up large quantities of water. The residence of Frederick Sandford was torn into a thousand fragments, and the frightened inmates carried aloft in the air. The two sons, Charles and Norman, aged ' respectively twenty-five and eighteen years. were both killed and terribly bruised. Mr. Sandford's jaw was broken, as was also his thigh, in two places. He was alive when found. but died in a few hours. without recovering the use of his mind. Mrs. Collins. the mother of Mrs. Sandford, was also killed, while the latter. with the exception of a few bruises, was uninjured. Mary, the daughter, aged about sixteen. was found lying insensible on a gate that had been wrenched from its hinges, and carried ten or twelve rods from the house. When found. she held in her hand a dress. which she was probably endeavoring to put on in the few terrible moments before the cloud struck the house. She was comparatively uninjured. and. after a spell of sickness, caused by the drenching rain. and the nervous shock accompanying so dire a calamity, she fully recovered, and is yet living within a few rods of where the old house stood. The cloud passed on ; wrenched asunder Mr. Graham's new house ; carried off the roof of the one occupied by Dr. Wells ; crushed in the gable of the Barnes residence, pinning several members of the family fast until they were released, and finally ended its mad freaks by unroofing the Butler residence. The east and west road was filled with fallen timber. It must be understood that the last-mentioned houses were only on the edge of the course taken by the gyrating cloud. Had it been otherwise, the historian would have more deaths to record. A plow, that had been left in a field in an upright position, though not in the ground, was plunged in to the depth of eighteen inches, and a furrow in the form of a semicircle, whose diameter was about six feet, was thrown up, and the earth scattered six or eight feet around, after which the plow was thrown out of the ground with landside, mold-board, share and other portions of the plow twisted and broken. Fowls and birds were plucked entirely destitute of feathers, and killed. The bed upon which Mary Sandford had been sleeping, was found lodged in the top of a tree, thirty feet from the ground. An oxcart was blown thirty rods. Articles belonging to the house were picked up several miles away ; among these was a small purse of money. Quite a number of domestic animals were killed or mangled.

The first house in Stow Corners was built as early as 1806, by Ezra Wyatt, and was a small log building, located on the southwest corner of Lot 36. Within the next two years, three or four others were erected. Stephen Perkins built on the northwest corner of Lot 26, on a small tract of five acres which he owned there. Caleb Wetmore built soon afterward, as did also Titus Wetmore a few months later. The last named built a double log house for the purpose (as stated by one of his descendants) of furnishing a dancing-hall for the neighborhood. Samuel Baker lived near by, and was a blacksmith by trade, the first in the township. Several other residences were erected in the village, but no store was opened until about the year 1820, when a man named Johnson placed a small stock of goods in the Wyatt log house, which, a number of years before, had been fitted up by Erastus Southmayd for a tavern. Lyman Beckley soon got possession

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of the building, using it for a tavern. He was succeeded by Allen Nickerson, who, in about 1843, transferred the property to Gen. Gross The latter kept the most disreputable place ever in the township. It was a resort for the lewd and vicious, and was a disgrace to the neighborhood. The old building was discarded many years ago, and a new one erected. Dr. Sweeney owned and conducted the tavern for a number of years. It has since changed hands several times, and is at present owned by C. E. Kidney, who has a small stock of liquors, which he vends to convivial spirits. It is styled the Cliff House. Mr. Gross kept a few goods for sale, as did also a man named Edmunds. Enoch Brainard conducted a tannery for some four years, beginning in 1842. A few other industries have arisen in the village at different times.

Knowledge obtained of the early schools is exceedingly limited. Recollection, upon which the historian largely depends, is erratic and treacherous. Traditions are vague, improbable and unsatisfactory. No one in the past has taken the trouble to gather crumbs of information for the intellectual appetite of coming generations. It has been a matter of no pecuniary interest or advantage, and has been studiously omitted from the curriculum of pursuits. The plodding details of agriculture have been far more attractive, for therein was seen the glitter of gold. The historian casts his hook in the Stream of Time; it is swept backward ; a strange sensation is felt along the line ; a sudden effort is made, and a few quivering minnows of information are thrown upon the shores of the Present. Mrs. (Walker) Lappin, of Boston, says that the first school in Stow was taught in the northeast corner, in the cabin of William Walker, as early as the winter of 1806-07. A young Virginian, named Dennis Ryan, who had just come into the township, and who was decidedly averse to chopping all day in the woods for a pittance, made the effort, and succeeded in getting a sufficient number of scholars subscribed to insure him something more than a living. The term was three months in length. and the subscription per scholar was $1.50. The teacher boarded around, and probably cleared the greater share of his wages. About fifteen scholars were enrolled, quite a number of whom came from the southern part of Hudson Township. Samuel Burnett had built a log cabin in the northern part in about the year 1805, but had vacated it some two years later, going no one knew whither. This building was appropriated for school purposes, and terms were taught there for several years, beginning in 1808. A man named Lowell taught here quite early. As near as can be learned, a schoolhouse was built in the vicinity of Stow Corners in about the year 1810. at which time the Burnett house mentioned above was abandoned, and the children in the northern part sent to the former. It is possible that this building — the Wetmore Schoolhouse — was erected two or three years before 1810. It was located a short distance west of the present village site, and used until about 1816. when a frame building was erected. and located nearly south of where Josiah Wetmore's residence now stands. This house was used some twenty or twenty-five years, when the present one was constructed. The latter has been enlarged and remodeled until it resembles a newly-built schoolhouse. The first school building was erected at Monroe Falls in about the year 1316. Two other houses have succeeded it, each an improvement on its predecessor. School was taught in the cabin of Mr. Rice. near the Center, by Emma Cannon. as early as 1S10. In 1825. there were more schoolhouses in the township than the present number—eight. There were then at least nine, and very probably ten or eleven. The greater number were built of logs, and were rude. inconvenient. unattractive. cheerless affairs. Notwithstanding their gloom dismal surroundings. they were well attended, and were the basis of the splendid public school system of today. One important feature of the early schools should be noticed. Knowledge was not turned into scholars by a sort of pouring process. The teacher refused to afford any assistance save where the scholar, after patient and protracted study. could not succeed. The schoolhouse was not a playhouse ; it was a workhouse—a place where many a self-made man received his first insight of the hard labor that was before him. Erastus Sonthmayd was one of the early teachers at the Center. He taught many terms, and his reputation as a competent instructor became widespread.

It is universally the case in the earlier history of a township. that different religious de-

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nominations arose and prospered—some of them for short periods, and others until the present time. Owing to the fact that fine churches have been erected in Cuyahoga Falls and Hudson, and are within a few miles of all parts (the farthest) of the township, a large portion of the citizens of Stow attend these, thus affording but little material upon which the historian of that township may work. For the first few years, the settlers went to Hudson to attend religious service. When Deacon Butler came to the township in about the year 1806, he began forming a small class, which met regularly at his cabin. The meetings were conducted in pioneer fashion, and were full of enthusiasm. Local preachers from Hudson addressed the congregation occasionally, as did also itinerant preachers. Butler was a Presbyterian, and an entertaining speaker. The society used the schoolhouse. Among the early members were Stephen Butler, William Stow, John Gaylord, Thomas Gaylord and their families, and others. They built a small frame church in about 1833, in which they continued to worship with increasing numbers, until near 1843, when the Disciples got possession of the church, and the Presbyterians went to Cuyahoga Falls. This building was used until a few years ago, when the present structure was erected. The above is given on the authority of Josiah Wetmore. It is stated that a St. John's Church society was organized at Stow Corners in about the year 1818 ; that it grew and flourished, and was finally removed to Cuyahoga Falls, where it yet lives, well advanced in years, but with the vigor of youth in its limbs, if the figure may be indulged in. The church at the Corners is the only one in the township ; but from this it should not be inferred that the citizens lack religious interest and zeal. They belong to churches in other townships.