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CHAPTER XXIV.*

NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP—OUTLINE OF PHYSICAL FEATURES—RISE, PROGRESS AND DECAY OF
INDUSTRIES—IMPORTANT STATISTICS FROM OLD RECORDS—INSTITUTIONS FOR
MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL IMPROVEMENT—VILLAGES.

NORTHFIELD was one of the equalizing township. It was originally called Town 5, Range 11 ; and the reason of its being classed as one of the equalizing townships will be found elsewhere in this volume. It was included among the few townships which were superior to the average, and each proprietor was anxious to have a portion of it ; consequently, it was divided into shares of 160 acres each, and parceled out among the New England proprietors, who, not having seen the land, and believing that, from its stated superiority, it should be retained until time had assured the settlers of its value, refused to sell for a number of years, thus accounting for the tartly appearance of this portion of the county in market. It may also be stated that some of the original proprietors died, leaving their possessions in this township to minor children, thus preventing the disposal of the land until after these children had arrived at their majority. The fact of its being one of the best townships in the Reserve served to prevent its early appearance in market. It will be noted in this connection that, while average townships were not altered or cut up into segments and distributed to others, on the other hand, townships both poorer and better than the average were parceled out as has been described. Northfield was accounted one of the best sections of country in the Reserve, and the various reasons for this view will now be carefully noticed.

Its location was thought at that time to be excellent. Along its entire western border was a river that could be navigated by boats of the largest size, thus favoring the township with easy and constant communication with Lake Erie and all the towns upon its shore. At that time, twice the present volume of water swept down the river, and it was not dreamed in the philosophy of the early settlers, that the quan-

*Contributed by W. A. Goodspeed.

tity would ever be materially decreased, at least to such an extent as to prevent extensive navigation. The valley of the river on the Northfield side was sloping and well drained, giving abundant promise that future years would disclose a soil of unusual fertility and strength. The bluffs bordering the valley, though too abrupt and precipitous to be turned up by the plow in the future, were sufficiently sloping to afford fine pasture land. Back of the hills was as fine a land for the agriculturist as lay beneath the sun. Though sufficiently flat to be too damp for the farmer in early years, it was also sufficiently rolling to promise that, when the heavy woods were removed, and the cheerful light and heat of the sun were permitted to drink up the superficial waters, a soil would be found of excellent adaptability to agricultural purposes. The soil is largely alluvial, and contains an unusual percentage of partially decayed vegetable material, though years have elapsed since it was first brought under cultivation. It contains less clay and more organic remains than almost any other portion of the county ; and for this reason, as well as for the fact that there is but little waste land, the township was classed by the examining committee as one of the finest in the entire Reserve.

The river on the west affords the principal source of drainage. It has various small branches, which traverse the township with sufficient fall, in many places, to furnish fine water-power. Of these branches, Brandywine Creek is the main one. This stream flows from near the southeast corner toward the northwest, until the village of Little York is reached, when it is joined by Indian Run, and takes a course toward the southwest, dipping across what was once the township line into Boston, but returning toward the northwest, and finally uniting with the river on Lot 70. Indian Run rises near the northeast corner, and flowing a

568 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

trifle west of south, unites with Brandywine Creek at Little York. Much of the northern part is drained by Sangamore Creek, while the western part sends its waters to the river by means of numerous small unnamed streams. There are several valuable stone quarries in Northfield, though from their remoteness from the river, they will not prove as profitable as those from which the stone can be loaded without much expense on the canal boats. A few, however, are found bordering the river ; these in time will secure merchant work, though at present, the stone is mostly used at home.

The first settler was Isaac Bacon, a native of Boston, Mass., who, in 1806, purchased 160 acres (Lot 63) in Northfield, and the following year, in April. came with his family to their forest home. No settler lived within six or eight miles ; and, as Mr. Bacon was a total stranger, and was uncertain where to go to secure help in rearing his log cabin, he at last concluded to undertake it alone. This was no light undertaking, as the logs were much too heavy to be raised by one man to their elevated positions on the wall. Mr. Bacon was therefore compelled to resort to some skillful process, whereby the needed assistance might be avoided. Large skids were braced against the wall, and then, by means of a long rope, which passed over the half-finished building, a yoke of oxen pulled the heavy logs to the required position. At the end of five days the cabin was raised, and covered with a roof made of bark ; the family living, in the meantime, in the wagon, which stood near. With no neighbor nearer than Tinker's Creek for three years, with the privilege of seeing white faces only by traveling many miles, the family of Mr. Bacon lived here isolated and alone. Mrs. Bacon was afterward often heard to remark, that for six months after their arrival she saw the face of no white woman, save the one reflected to her eye when she looked in some clear pool of water. Many incidents of the dangers and privations endured by this family ere the township received other settlers have been gathered ; and a few of these, which illustrate the lonely, deserted and dangerous surroundings of the forest will be narrated. At this period, almost every stream of any note which flowed into Cuyahoga River was the site of numerous Indian encampments, which varied in size from one wigwam, which sheltered one family, to encampments containing several hundreds of the semicivilized race. A small camp of three wigwams was on Mr. Bacon's farm, and these families continued to camp ' there at stated seasons for many years, or until they took their final departure for the West. One day when Mrs. Bacon was alone in the cabin, a party of six or seven Indians went to the house, and, after entering without ceremony or invitation, called for whisky. Mrs. Bacon, knowing her helpless condition, and foreseeing difficulty and very likely extreme danger should her visitors become intoxicated, informed them that she had none, and that they had better be going on, as her husband would soon appear. After talking among themselves a few minutes, and carefully and suspiciously eying Mrs. Bacon and the various articles in the room, the Indians finally insisted that she did have whisky, and immediately proceeded to search for it, notwithstanding the energetic and earnest protests of the defenseless woman. A large bottle containing about a gallon of the liquor was soon found, and was quickly passed from hand to hand until all was gone, when the Indians, with many grimaces and threatening looks and gestures, quitted the premises, to the great relief of the apprehensive woman. She had attempted to interfere when the bottle was first discovered. but several of the Indians drew their knives. and circling them in the air as if in the act of scalping, sternly motioned her back. They departed and were seen no more. The Indians were not the only human beings to be feared. Many desperate men, numbers of whom were undoubtedly outlaws, passed through the frontier settlements on the lookout for any game, no matter how dark, that would meet their desires of avarice or selfishness. One day. about noon, a dark-visaged man made his appearance at the cabin when Mr. Bacon was away. and. after learning of the absence of the husband, and asking all sorts of impudent questions, sat down with his fierce eyes fixed on the woman, and on a large dog that lay near the hearth watching, with suspicious glances, every motion of the strange visitor. That the stranger did not relish the presence of the dog was soon evident from his uneasiness. That Mrs. Bacon did not relish the presence of the strange man was also clearly evident. As night approached, the man was informed that he could not be accommodated until morning, and, as several

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miles intervened until the nearest house was reached, that he would better be going on. He did not seem inclined to go, and to add to the alarm of Mrs. Bacon he asked one of the little boys to turn the grindstone, while he sharpened his knife. He took his place in the cabin, and the woman, with the dog before her, sat down to watch and wait. As midnight approached, the stranger asked why she did not turn out the dog and go to bed. She replied, that the dog was allowed to sleep in the house. He then opened the door and told the animal to go ; but the faithful creature, with a fierce growl, refused to move. The man seemed disappointed and sat down, and thus matters stood until morning, when the unwelcome guest departed and was seen no more. The family have ever since thought, that the presence of the dog alone saved Mrs. Bacon from insult or death, or perhaps both.

Wild animals, both fierce and dangerous, were often seen in the vicinity of the cabin. Wolves would approach in the night, attracted by the scent of meat, and howl dismally until the break of dawn. Deer were seen by the hundreds, and often came quite close to the cabin. On one occasion, in broad daylight, a bear came quickly from the woods near the cabin, and. seizing a half-grown hog, carried it bodily off into the woods, where it was partly devoured and left. Mr. Bacon obtained a few sheep at quite an early day, but they were found to be more bother than they were worth. One day a pack of wolves got after them, when they ran into the cabin, and were saved for that time. Mr. Bacon was the only inhabitant until June, 1810, when Jeremiah Cranmer, Mr. Bacon's brother-in-law, arrived, and built a cabin on Lot 72, within half a mile of the cabin of the former. During the excitement occasioned by the war of 1812, Bacon and Cranmer made preparations to take their families and seek the protection of the more populous settlement at Hudson. While the preparations were in progress, an Indian was seen skulking in the woods near, and was told that if he valued his scalp he had better depart without delay. He departed. After they had started, a report reached them that there was no danger, whereupon they returned, though they kept up an anxious watch for several weeks afterward. Mr. Bacon was drafted and ordered to Cleveland, but was soon afterwarddischarged and sent home. Here, in November, 1812, he was taken sick and died, and was buried on Tinker's Creek. Prior to this sad event, the Bacon family had, in 1808, lost an infant daughter, her death being the first in the township.

In 1813, Abraham Cranmer appeared and bought the north half of Lot 72. His cabin was built with the assistance of Bacon and Jeremiah Cranmer, and his family made as comfortable as possible. In June of the same year, a young man named Henry Wood, one who was destined to play an important part in the affairs of Northfield, came to the township. While here, he won the affections of Esther, daughter of Jeremiah Cranmer, who accepted his proposal, and they were married September 22, 1813, at the residence of the bride's father. This was the first wedding in Northfield. Henry Wood was in the war of 1812, and in his company were Henry Post, who acted as Orderly Sergeant ; Abner Robinson, the poet of Boston, and Jonathan Williams, the latter serving in the capacity of scout. The company went west as far as Sandusky, but did not see any active service. It was Henry Wood who, in passing a small creek in the township, and seeing several small parties of Indians encamped thereon, called it Indian Creek, a name it yet retains in honor of this man, who is yet living at the unusual age of ninety-one years. Mr. Wood often had hogs killed by the bears. It is related by him that on one occasion, he owned one shoat in a lot of sixteen, which ran wild in the forest. Hearing loud squealing one night, he took his rifle and hurried out to ascertain the cause, whereupon he found that his pig had been selected out of the herd, and carried off by a large bear. The squealings at a distance in the dark forest disclosed its fate.

In 1814, George Wallace came to Brandywine, and built a sawmill. A relative of his named John Menough took charge of the mill, and Mr. Wallace returned to Cleveland, and did not bring his family out until 1818. In 1815, Robert Wallace came on with his family, and built a small log cabin at Brandywine. It is said that this village and the creek of the same name were named by John Menough, after the historical stream in the East, where Gen. Washington fought a severe battle during the Revolution. In March, 1817, Henry Wood,

570 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

John Duncan, Maurice Cranmer and a few other families moved into the township. There also came in, prior to 1819, William Cranney, William Mather, Abel Havens, Abner Hunt, Daniel Robertson, Edward Coyne, John Britt and Shubael Austin. The following is taken from the township records :

" At a meeting of the qualified electors of the township of Northfield on the 24th of May, 1819, the following officers were elected for the occasion : John Britt, Moderator ; Jeremiah Cranmer and John Duncan, Judges ; Orrin Wilcox, Clerk. After the officers had been duly sworn, the following township elections were made : Henry Wood, Clerk ; George Wallace, Jeremiah Cranmer and John Duncan, Trustees ; William Cranney and William Mather, Overseers of the Poor ; Robert Wallace and Maurice Cranmer, Fence Viewers ; Watrous Mather, Treasurer ; John Duncan. Abel Havens. Daniel Robertson and Abner Hunt, Supervisors of Highways ; Edward Coyne and Abraham Cranmer, Constables." Mr. Wood, who is yet living, says that this first election was held at the cabin of William Cranney. He also says that just before the township received its name, the settlers, who had assembled to erect a log house near the cemetery, began to suggest names. Mr. Wood wanted it called " York." Other names were suggested by several parties, among which was "Northfield." by Jeremiah Cranmer. A vote was taken on the various names suggested, and " Northfield" was selected. The following is quoted from the records : " Poll Book of Northfield, Portage County, Ohio. October 12, 1819—Jeremiah Cranmer, George Wallace and John Duncan, Judges of Election, and Henry Wood and John Britt, Clerks. Number and names of electors on this day : Abraham Cranmer, Abel Havens, Jeremiah Cranmer, John Duncan, Shubael Austin, George Wallace, John Britt, Henry Wood, Robert Wallace and Edward Coyne— in all ten. Names of persons voted for and for what offices, containing the number of votes cast for each candidate : For Convention, 1 ; against Convention, 8. For Senator, Almon Ruggles, 7 ; William Whitmore, 1. For Representative, Samuel King, 10. For County Commissioner, Stephen Woodward, 8 ; Rial McArthur, 2." The ten electors just mentioned were not all there were in the township, and yet there were but few others. The following officers wereelected April 3, 1820, as shown by the records : Henry Wood, Clerk ; John Duncan, Maurice Cranmer and A. Cranmer, Trustees ; Amos Richardson and Nathaniel Parsons, Overseers of the Poor ; Edward Coyne and Abner Hunt, Fence Viewers ; Dorsey Viers, Isaac Lake, A.S. Honey and Robert Richardson, Supervisors of Highways ; William Cranney and Robert Mendal, Constables ; William' Mather. Treasurer. Three weeks later, another election was held for the purpose of electing two Justices of the Peace, resulting as follows : George Wallace and Wm. D. Mather. At this election, there were twenty-six votes polled. The following items, which are deemed worthy of preservation, are taken from the records, which are fast falling into pieces : " State of Ohio, Portage County. North field Township : To the Constable of said Township, Greeting : Abraham Cranmer, Constable : You are commanded to warn Huldah Seeley out of said township forthwith, by the order of the Trustees and of the Poor Masters for said township, and to carry her to the Constable of Independence Township. or Newburg, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Of this writ make legal service and due return. Given under our hands and seals, this 2d day of June, 1819. George Wallace and J. Cranmer, Trustees ; VV. D. Mather and William Cranney, Jr.. Poor Masters. Personally served by me, Abraham Cranmer, Constable." It is told by way of joke in Northfield. that Mr. Cranmer, the Constable, not knowing how to dispose of his charge, Huldah Seeley, finally took her on horseback to Newburg, where he left her, his idea being that the law would be best subseryed by removing her as far as possible from the township.

In 1826, there were thirty-nine householders in Northfield, and the following year there were forty-seven, as follows : George Phipps, Abner Hunt, Electa Dewey, Casper Noel, David Bowersmith, William Barkhamer, Widow Lesley, Daniel Croninger, Paul H. Beard, George Hills. Jonathan Pike, Jeremiah Cranmer, William Clifford, A. B. Cranmer, Levi Leach. D. C. Bacon, Henry Hopkins, William Cranney, H. Bump, Dorsey W. Viers, Sally Pritchard, Henry Croninger, Thomas Hills, Shubael Austin, John Wilson, Daniel Stanley, Thomas Appleton. Elizabeth Richardson, John Jones. Maurice Cranmer, A. D. Havens, Abraham Cranmer, Chester Northrup, John Duncan, Thomas McKee, Robert Guy, William Guy, Allen Burroughs, George

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McClelland, Erastus Burdick, Robert Wallace, George Wallace, David Dilley, Joshua Post, Nathaniel Holmes, Mr. Townsend and Mary Post.

By this time, the township was almost as well settled and improved as it is at present. But we must go back and trace the growth of industries, etc. As was before stated, George Wallace erected a saw-mill on Brandywine Creek ; and this mill, until Lots 19 and 40, of Boston, were attached to Northfield, was in the former township. It was a frame mill, and was located on the creek where an abrupt fall of about ten feet gave an excellent and enduring water-power. It was built in 1814, and, in the following year, a grist-mill was built on the opposite side of the fall. This mill was a three-storied, frame structure, and is yet standing, being in a fair state of preservation. About the same time that the grist-mill was erected, a distillery was built back some distance on the farm. and given in charge of Allen Burris, a practical distiller. It disposed of some twelve bushels of grain daily, and turned out in the same time between thirty and forty gallons of excellent whisky. The old account-books of Mr. Wallace are yet in existence. and reveal that, not only was whisky used by every one, including ministers (and perhaps abstainers), but was used extensively as an article of exchange, serving the purpose almost as well as bank notes. Almost every entry involves the word whisky." John Menough. who owned a third or a half interest in the grist-mill, was the miller, and operated it for many years. Robert Wallace owned an interest in the saw-mill, and was the sawyer until the mills were given into other hands. The distillery was conducted until about 1830, when it was abandoned. The saw-mill was operated, with several change of owners, until about the year 1851. The grist-mill is yet running. Mr. Wallace built a woolen-factory near the mills in 1821. During the first year of its operation. nothing was attempted, except wool-carding and cloth-dressing ; but the following year, and for many years thereafter, the whole process of carding and spinning and weaving and dressing was conducted on an extensive scale, and a fine income realized. This was, perhaps, the most important industry ever in Northampton. At one time, the factory, the grist-mill, the store, the saw-mill and the distillery were all in operation. and, asthese various industries required the assistance of from twelve to twenty employes, the extent and importance of these efforts in the backwoods can be plainly seen. It is stated that, in about 1816, the village of Brandywine rivaled the village of Cleveland. But all has not yet been told. In 1816, Mr. Wallace sent some $1,600 worth of goods to the village, and placed them in an apartment that had been set off for that purpose in the second story of the grist-mill. James, the son of George Wallace, was placed in the store to dispose of the goods. He had come from Cleveland with the teamster who brought the goods. The wagon moved very slowly through the muddy roads, and. as night was fast coming on when they reached the northern part of the township, the boy James concluded he would hurry ahead, and reach home before the teamster. He was walking on quite rapidly, guided by the obscure markings of the winding road, when suddenly he was startled by a large deer which bounded. across the path but a few yards in front of him. Almost at the same instant, he heard a loud crashing in the bushes close by, and a moment later a large. dark animal came swiftly into the path before him. The terrified boy saw that the animal was a large bear, and, though his blood froze in his veins, he determined not to run. But the bear, with scarcely a moment's hesitation, and without paying the slightest attention to the cowering boy, continued its headlong pursuit after the deer. The boy was so terrified that he ran on for several miles, when, reaching the cabin of a settler near Brandywine. he prevailed upon some of the boys to accompany him until he reached the village. It is scarcely necessary to add that the various pursuits thus begun at Brandywine were the means of bringing to the neighborhood numerous families of settlers, and soon the place had all the appearance of a thriving village. In 1825, all that portion of the property owned by George Wallace fell to the ownership of James Wallace, his son. who is yet living, at a hale old age. near Macedonia. A year later, Robert Wallace also secured an interest in the various pursuits, and then the business firm was Wallace Brothers. In 1843, a remarkable flood occurred. which swept the factory away. scattering the debris for miles along the banks, and badly injuring the grist-mill. This, however, was immediately repaired,

572 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

but the factory was not rebuilt. After this, the property gradually fell into other hands, and its former usefulness was greatly impaired. The firm of Wallace & Wallace opened a store at the village in about 1844, and carried a stock of some $2,000 worth of goods for ten or twelve years. This storehouse is now used as a dwelling. In about 1822, George Wallace succeeded in getting a post office established at Brandywine. Mr. Wallace was appointed Postmaster. The village at its best contained some ten or twelve families.

The village of Little York has had a less eventful history. In about 1825, Henry Post built a saw-mill on the site of the village. He did not own the land, but . squatted " there for the purpose of sawing lumber. His mill was operated by water-power, partly by natural facilities and partly by artificial. There was at that point a heavy forest of whitewood, which at that time was greatly in demand for boats on the canal, and for vessels on Lake Erie. The mill was enabled to run some eight months of the year, and, for six years, Mr. Post did an extensive and profitable business. George Leach then got possession of the mill, and, as the dam was a cheap affair and liable to be washed away by the first freshet, a larger and stronger one was built in the same place. This man continued many years, and, at times, did an enormous amount of work, operating two saws, and shipping by canal large quantities of oak, maple and whitewood lumber to Cleveland. In the early history of the village, a blacksmith, a shoemaker, a tanner and a few other tradesmen and mechanics located there. This has been about the extent of the rise and fall of Little York.

The first building at the Center was very likely a schoolhouse, built as early as 1825.* Hezekiah H. Palmer erected the first dwelling. This was a round-log cabin, about thirty feet square, built in 1832, and divided by partitions into bedrooms and sitting-rooms. A year later, George Lillie built the second dwelling, and, soon afterward, Lucien Bliss, the third. All these were rough log cabins, hastily constructed, and, from their external appearance, it was evident that the architect was inferior in point of genius to Michael Angelo, or, perhaps, he thought that the more beautiful products of his skill could and would not be appreciated in the forest. At all

* Narrated to the writer by Ambrose Bliss.

events, the buildings were neither models of architectural beauty and precision, nor equal in point of sumptuousness to Aladdin's palace. However, the families seemed to enjoy life just as well as they whose habitations were superior and more elegant. During the same year, 1833, or perhaps the following spring, Col. Milton Arthur built a storeroom which is now a part of an outhouse belonging to Mr. McConnell. Arthur placed in this storeroom some $500 worth of goods, consisting of a general assortment that had been purchased at Cleveland. The store did not amount to much, but was an accommodation to those living in the vicinity and was well patronized. A few years later, B. F. Cannon placed a small stock of goods in another building, but. after a short time, sold out to Hosea and Lucien Bliss. who increased the stock somewhat. Soon after the Bliss brothers opened their store, Frank Allen built another building near by. and placed therein a small general assortment. After this, frequent changes were made in the merchants, none of whom remained any great length of time. The village was not a very lively trading-point. Many country stores were located in adjoining townships, and even in Northfield, and storekeepers, with a few fortunate exceptions, were compelled to continue, if at all, upon meager remuneration. However, there have been some good stores in the village. After Frank Allen and the Bliss Brothers, the following merchants have held forth at various times in about the order given : Warner Wallace, Mr. Putnam, Woodman & Howe. James McElroy, Nelson Decker, M. O'Neil, S. K. Alexander, Lyon & Logue and J. G. Alexander, the present merchant. The most of these men kept ordinary country stores, including limited dealings in all the various kinds of country produce. It was usual to accumulate a considerable quantity of the latter, which was then conveyed to some shipping-point and sent off for foreign consumption. Other industries have existed for short periods in the village. Bliss& Taubman (the latter being an experienced tailor), opened a clothing store soon after. Ready-made clothing was kept, and suits of every description were made to order, on short notice.

In 1841. O. A. Bishop built a tavern which was thrown open for the entertainment of the public the same year. The building is now used as a combined grocery and post office.

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The tavern, which was located on the State road, did a good business until the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad was projected through the township, when it was closed for lack of custom. The first blacksmith in the village was a man named Phillips. Ambrose Bliss was the first carpenter. Dr. Hosea Bliss was the first resident physician. He became well known, and continued to practice his profession until five or six years ago. Dr. Hazleton appeared a number of years later, and soon secured a lucrative practice. George Lillie was the first Postmaster, receiving his commission in about 1836, the office having been removed from Brandywine to the Center. In about the year 1840, George Lillie, Hezekiah Palmer, Lucien Bliss and Col. Arthur, each of whom owned a corner at the crossroads, threw out half an acre of land each for a public square. This square is yet sacred to the use of the public, and is likely to remain so. The village has not been regularly surveyed and platted, the lots being laid off and sold as calls are made for them. Perhaps the greatest population the village has had at any one time has been about seventy-five.

It is proper at this point to narrate an occurrence which took place in the township at an early day, and which. from its peculiarity, deserves preservation. We quote as follows from Gen. L. V. Bierce : " An Englishman named Rupert Charlesworth. who was boarding with Dorsey Viers in 1826, suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. He was traced to the cabin of Viers on the night of the 23d of July, but on the following morning when a Constable went there to arrest him. he was gone, and no trace of him could be found. On the arrival of the Constable Mrs. Viers was found mopping up the tloor. Questions were asked, but Mr. Viers told contradictory stories as to the disappearance of the man, alleging in one instance that he jumped out of the window and ran off and could not be caught, and in another, that he left when Viers was asleep, and the latter knew nothing of his whereabouts. A few days later, some one announced having heard the report of a rifle at Vier's cabin the night of the man's disappearance, and of having seen blood on a pair of bars which led from the cabin to the woods. Years rolled on, and the excitement grew stronger with age, until, on the 8th of January, 1831, complaint was entered before George V. Wallace, Justice of the Peace, that Viers had murdered Charlesworth. Viers was arrested, and a trial of eight days followed. Not only were the circumstances above narrated proved, but a hired girl who was working for Viers at the time of the man's disappearance swore that a bed blanket used by Charlesworth was missing from the cabin on the day of his departure, and that it was afterward found concealed under a haystack, with large black spots on it, resembling dried and clotted blood. It was also proved that Charlesworth had a large amount of money, and that Viers was, previous to the disappearance of the man, comparatively poor, but immediately afterward was flush of money. To complete the chain of circumstantial evidence, a human skeleton had been found concealed under a log in the woods, beyond the bars already mentioned. Matters were in this shape when two men from Sandusky unexpectedly appeared and swore that they had seen Charlesworth alive and well after the time of the supposed murder, though when seen he was passing under an assumed name. ; On this testimony Viers was acquitted, but his acquittal did not change public sentiment as to his guilt. It was generally believed that the witnesses had been induced to perjure themselves. Viers, however, did not let the matter rest at this stage. He began a vigorous and protracted search for the missing man, and continued it with unwavering perseverance. He visited all parts of the Union, and, after a search of years, he one day went into a tavern at Detroit, and in the presence of a large assemblage of men, inquired if any one knew of a man named Charlesworth. All replied no. Just as he was about to leave. a man stepped up to him, and. taking him to one side, inquired if his name was Viers, from Northfield. Viers replied that it was. The stranger then said, I am Rupert Charlesworth. but I pass here under an assumed name.' Charlesworth was informed of all that had taken place, and he immediately volunteered to go to Northfield and have the matter cleared up. On their arrival, a meeting of the township was called, and after a thorough investigation it was the unanimous vote, with one exception, that the man alleged to have been murdered now stood alive before them. It appears that he had passed a counterfeit $10 bill on Deacon Hud-

574 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

son, and fearing an arrest he left the cabin of Viers suddenly, and soon afterward went to England, where he remained two years, at the end of which time he returned to the United States under an assumed name, and went into the backwoods of Michigan, where his real name, former residence and history were unknown. The name of the family was thus, almost by accident, cleared of infamy and shame. This remarkable case is rivalled only by the celebrated case of' the Bournes in Vermont."

The following is also quoted from Bierce's history :

A. more tragic affair occurred in Northfield, on the 24th of July, 1837. Oa the night of that date, some person or persons entered the house of Robert McKisson, a respected citizen of the township, and with an as struck Mrs. McKisson as she lay on the bed, splitting, or rather hewing, the right side of her head nearly away, and leaving the brain exposed or scattered upon. the bedding. Lucinda Croninger, Mrs. McKisson's daughter by a former husband, lying on an adjoining bed, hearing the confusion, raised up and screamed, but was instantly knocked down, senseless, with the as. An alarm was given by some other member of the family, and the murderer made off. The neighbors collected and obtained from Mrs. McKisson, who, a few hours later, died, the statement that the murder had been committed by her father-in-law, Samuel McKisson. This was the dying declaration of the murdered woman, and the testimony of the daughter at the trial. Samuel McKisson was arrested that night at his own house. Suspicion immediately attached to David McKisson, a brother-in-law of the murdered woman, who had been paying his addresses to the daughter, but who had been refused admission to the house by the mother. He had been lurking around for several days, during which time he had obtained several interviews with Miss Croninger, in one of which they exchanged rings. A few minutes after the murder, a person was heard running past a house toward the canal from the direction of the McKisson cabin. The next morning, at daylight, he was seen on the canal, about three miles from the place, getting a passage to Cleveland. A few days later, he was arrested on the Government works at the mouth of Maumee Bay, with the blood still on his shirt-sleeves. The father and son were indieted for murder by the grand jury in September, 1837, and soon afterward tried. The father was acquitted, but the son was convicted of murder in the first degree, and, on the 9th of February, 1838, was executed at Ravenna."

Abraham Cranmer. in 1824, built the first house in Macedonia. It was a hewed-log building, with the usual inconveniences and lack of attractions, and was located in the northeastern part of the village. This house stood until 1854, when it was taken down. Edwin Hutchinson built the second, just above the church, in about 1831. About this time, or soon afterward, George Shattuck and Erastus Beldin also built dwellings at the village. All these buildings were of logs, and some persons have insisted that the three buildings last referred to were probably erected some four years sooner than as stated above. The above, however, is given on the authority of Mrs. (Cranmer) Munn, who was living in the village with her father, Abraham Cranmer. at the time, and who is probably not mistaken. Several other dwellings were erected soon afterward, and the citizens then began to suspect that a village was springing up around them. A few mechanics and tradesmen appeared, but no stock of goods was brought to the village until 1852, when Odell, Price & Co. placed about $4,000 worth in a storeroom that had been built by John Odell the year before. This partnership began a brisk business, selling or exchanging their goods to the surrounding country, and shipping farm produce, including eggs, butter and cheese, to Cleveland. The quantity of cheese handled by this firm was remarkable. They began slowly, like cautious and experienced merchants, feeling their way, until at last all hesitancy was thrown aside, from the steady condition of the market, and enormous quantities of cheese were purchased and shipped to Cincinnati and other points. The cheese and butter products of sixty dairies were handled by the partnership. Each dairy averaged one cheese of twenty pounds' weight daily, making, in all, 1,200 pounds that were shipped away each day, from the 1st of May until the middle of September. When the number of days are considered, it will be seen that about 175,000 pounds of cheese were shipped from Macedonia each season. During the same period, fifty pounds of butter were received daily from these dairies, and shipped off

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with the cheese, making a total of about 7,000 pounds handled per annum. In 1854, this firm was succeeded by Odell & Co., who conducted the same business even more extensively than the former firm. Either goods or money were given for butter and cheese. Two years later, Odell & O'Neil took charge of the business, but, at the end of about eight months, the senior partner bought the junior's interest, and conducted the business alone until July, 1857, when he failed and closed out his stock. Archibald Nesbitt took up the broken threads of this trade in 1858, and conducted a fair business until about the time the last war commenced. After this, for a few years, the store-room was vacant. Michael O'Neil was in for a few months, during the latter part of the war. In 1866, Sage & Hine opened with a small stock, and, a year later, Hine sold his interest to Chamberlain, and, in 1869, Sage also sold to Chamberlain ; but, soon afterward, Darling & Drennan took charge of the store, increasing the stock until it was valued at $5,200, and handling, at the same time, the cheese of two factories. Lewis Lemoin became owner in the spring of 1875, but sold out at the end of a year to J. C. Johnson, who continued until the spring of 1879, when S. M. Ranney & Co. took possession and have continued since. It would seem by the constant change of owners, that the merchants were either novices at their calling, or that the mercantile pursuit in the village was as uncertain as it was unprofitable and unsatisfactory. Probably both of these reasons have contributed to the failures. O'Neil & Wilcox opened a store, with $800 worth of goods, in 1854, but, soon afterward, O'Neil sold his interest to his partner, who, a year or two later, failed with maledictions on his lips. Marvin Ford sold groceries for a short time about 1865. Lewis Lemoin bought him out, and after continuing eight months, with Palmer as his partner part of the time, sold his share to Mr. Stone, the latter selling to Alton Griswold a year later. In 1870, Palmer sold to Griswold, and, four years later, the latter sold an interest to L. L. Palmer, who, at the end of a year, bought his partner's share, and continued alone until 1878, when the present firm of Munn Brothers assumed ownership. Merchants of Macedonia have surely experienced a checkered career. They spring up from all quarters, like mushrooms from a hot-bed.

L. G. Odell was the first Postmaster, receiving his commission in 1852. Zedick Everest built an ashery in 1844, and continued the manufacture of potash until 1858, turning out a ton a week the year round, the most of the time he conducted the business. When the woolen factory at Brandywine was swept away in 1843, David Armstead and Carl Storrs bought a portion of the machinery, and immediately thereafter erected a fine saw-mill at Macedonia. They owned and operated the mill until 1852, when Alexander Nesbitt bought them out, and four years later a man named Griffith became owner. Stone & Buswell owned and operated it during the war, and did an enormous business. They sawed vast quantities of car and wagon lumber from oak, ash, maple and black walnut, which was shipped by rail to Cleveland. They made their fortunes and sold out when the war ended. Since then Woodbury, Lemoin, Barnum and others have owned the mill. Shields & Chapin have owned it since 1872, and are at present doing a large business for the car manufacture at Cleveland. David Armstead built a hotel in 1840. The " Riley House" was built seven years ago.*

It is probable, though not certain, that the first term of school was taught at Brandywine. A log schoolhouse was built there as early as 1817, and a Mr. Stiles was employed to teach the few children then in the village. He kept irregular hours and was paid at the rate of about $1 per scholar for the term. He taught several terms, prior to 1820, in the same house, which was occupied until about 1830, when a frame schoolhouse was built across the road opposite the old one. This building was used many years, and, though silent and deserted at present, is yet standing, a relic of pioneer times. The old log schoolhouse at Brandywine was well attended from 1820 to 1830. The children within a radius of several miles were sent to it without regard to township lines ; for it made little difference whence they came, provided they paid promptly their allotted subscription. Children from up nearly to the center were given their first schooling in this house, while, also, many of those who had attended the Stanford School while the old log schoolhouse was standing there, were sent to Brandywine when it was taken down. Everybody at that time looked upon Brandywine as an unusually prom-

*Wren on the authority of Mr. Odell, of Macedonia,.

576 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

ising village, and for many years it was the center of education, religion and industry. The place was deemed so important, that its being situated partly in Boston and partly in Northfield was regarded as a drawback to its improvement and growth, and the result was that through the influence of the Wallaces and others, two lots were severed from Boston and attached to Northfield. The following action was also taken by the Trustees of the two townships at a joint meeting : The second school district in the Township of Northfield is this day annexed to the second fractional school district in the Township of Boston. by the Trustees of the said townships. December 1. 1827."

It is thought by several, that the first school in the township was taught in the Bacon neighborhood. It will be remembered that, in 1815. there were several families living there, each of which comprised several children. Henry Wood, whose memory is now slowly failing him on account of age, but who is probably correct, says that school was taught prior to 1817 in a vacated log dwelling known as the Rowley house. If this be true, it was the first in Northfield. A man named King was the first. or one of the first three or four who taught there. In about 1818 or 1819, a log schoolhouse was built within a quarter of a mile of the cemetery which lies half a mile north of the Center. Henry Wood was one of the first teachers in this house. This was used until not far from 1825, when a schoolhouse was built at the Center, and another about two miles northwest of the Center. The following action taken from the records was probably the first relating to the division of the township into school districts : At a meeting of the Trustees of Northfield on April 12, 1826, for the purpose of dividing the township into school districts, the following division was made : Commencing at the northwest corner of said township, thence south to the center line of said township, thence east along said center line to the road running north and south through the center of said township, thence south along said road to the south line of Lot 7, thence east along said line to the east line of said township, thence north to the northeast corner of said township, thence west to the place of beginning —said district containing twenty-four householders, and to be known as No. 1. Also, commencing on the east line of said township and running east along the center line to the center road running north. and south through said township, thence south along said road to the south line of Lot 47, thence east along said line to the east line of said township, thence south along said line to the north line of Boston, thence west along said line to the Cuyahoga River, thence north to the place of beginning—said district containing fifteen householders, and to be known as No. 2." The following is also quoted from the records :" We, the Directors, Maurice Cranmer and Levi Leach. do agree to have two schools in District No. 1, to the best advantage of the inhabitants, and the public money to be divided to the number of scholars each school affords as one school. April 5, 1828." This division was formally made on the 3d of the following May. the two districts thus formed being designated 1 and 3. Prior to the division of 1826. the township schools had been supported wholly by subscription. The houses had been built by everybody with' out regard to public or individual expense. The one built at the Center, as previously stated. was used until 1835, when a frame structure was erected to take its place, and was used until two years ago. Robert Smith, afterward School Examiner, taught a select school in the Putnam storeroom after the latter sold out. He taught several terms of excellent school. He also taught in the town hall, which was built in 1848. Rev. Andrews also taught a select school in the Presbyterian Church. Esther Cranmer taught the first school in Macedonia. She went to Hudson for her certificate, and was examined in geography, reading writing, spelling and arithmetic by Lawyers Humphrey and Kirkham. She taught a summer school of four months, and received ten shillings per week, and boarded around. This school was taught in about the year 1833. The old house was soon disused and a new one built, and another has taken the place of the place of the last. There are now seven school districts in Northfield.

There are four churches in the township. For many years prior to 1831, Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists and Seceders held meetings in dwellings and schoolhouses, yet, so far as known, no society was regularly organized until the year mentioned. From Mrs. Bacon

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we learn that the Methodists organized a society on the 21st of July, 1831, with the following members : Abner Hurt. Charles Leader, Caleb Brown (the first minister), Betsey Hurt, Jeremiah Cranmer and wife, David C. Bacon and wife, Daniel S. Stanley and wife, Abram Cranmer and daughter Esther, William Guy and his mother, Mrs. Duncan, Morris Cranmer and wife, Lyman Richardson, and one other whose name is forgotten, making eighteen members. The minister, Rev. Mr. Brown, preached his first sermon from the text, " Why halt ye between two opinions ?" etc. The society worshiped in a log schoolhouse at Northfield Center for some time, and in Mr. Stanley's house also. Mr. Brown, after organizing the church, preached but twice before going to Conference. He was succeeded by Revs: Alfred Bronson and John J. Steedman. The circuit at that time included Cuyahoga Falls, Ravenna. etc. The surviving members of the first organization are Mrs. Jane C. Bacon and Esther Cranmer, now Mrs. Munn. Mrs. Bacon remembers a camp-meeting held in August, 1832, the next year after the formation of the church in Northfield, over in Hudson Township, at which Mr. Steedman preached one night from the text, " And at midnight there was a cry made. Behold, the bridegroom cometh ; go ye out to meet him." During the sermon a most terrific thunder-storm came up. and as the people sought shelter in their tents. the minister took the opportunity to make the storm an application of his argument—that if they did not have refuge in Christ. etc.. etc.. and following the application, he commenced singing in a tremendous voice the hymn beginning

" He comes, He comes, the Judge severe,

The seventh trumpet speaks him near.

The lightnings flash. the thunders roll." etc.

The whole scene made a lasting impression upon the congregation, and was the means of starting a great revival, which continued throughout the meeting.

About the year 1836, the society built' a church edifice. There were several members who lived at Macedonia, which led to the organization of a separate society there, and the use of the church at that place. or perhaps its undivided ownership was thus secured. This church was built in about 1835 by people who held a variety of religious opinions, among whom perhaps the Free-Will Baptists predominated. One of the greatest revivals ever in Northfield was conducted at Macedonia, in the old log schoolhouse, by Rev. Mr. Worrellow. It lasted five weeks, and sixty-five were converted, a portion of whom joined the Free-Will Baptists, others the Methodists, and still others the Presbyterians. The first services held by the Presbyterians in Northfield were by Rev. Mr. Hanford, who came over from Hudson and preached occasionally. A church was built by this denomination in 1834, which was used until about thirty years ago, when the present one was built. Among the early members of this church were A. Chapin, John and Matthew Wilson, Levi Taylor, Mrs. Ozmun, Mr. Hall ' and others. A Congregational society was early organized, mainly through the influence of the Taylors. A small church was built by them about the year 1844. Most of this society, however, eventually united with the Presbyterians, and their church, which was thus left vacant, was used a few times in which to hold select schools, and was then fitted up for a dwelling, and is still used as such. The following has been handed us by Rev. J. W. Logue, of Northfield : The earliest members of the First United Presbyterian Church of this township came from Ligonier Valley, Penn., in 1831. These and a few others that came in a short time afterward, numbering in all fourteen souls, formed themselves into a church society in 1833 by the election of William Lemmon, Ruling Elder. A short time afterward John Nesbitt, Jacob Leslie and John Phillips were elected to serve in the same capacity. Their first communion was held in a schoolhouse in the vicinity, the above number of communicants uniting with them. Their first settled minister was Rev. Joseph Banks, who commenced his ministry among them in 1834, remaining some five years. Their first church building was a comfortable frame house, about 35x45 feet, and was erected in 1837 at a cost of about $1,000, and located near the center of Northfield. Their second settled minister was Rev. James W. Logue,. who began his labors among them in 1843, and has continued until the present time. Their second church is a commodious frame building, about 40x60 feet, tastefully constructed and furnished at a cost of some $8,000. It was erected in 1871 on the site of the former one. This church, the strongest in the township, is strongly Calvinistic

578 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

in its principles. It took an early and leading part in the anti-slavery reformation in this community, and has always been active in all moral reforms."

In 1864, a cornet band was organized in the township, composed of the following members : Thomas W. Richey, William F. Drennen, Milton A. Van Horn, Joseph Wilson, L. Bliss, J. G. Alexander, George Richey and Charles Peck. These members, with their own means, purchased a set of second-hand brass instruments, and their subsequent efforts were crowned with moderate success. The band continued thus, with some changes, until 1872, when, through the efforts of A. W. Bliss and the liberality of many citizens of the township, a set of fine new silver instruments was purchased at a cost of $341. This was sufficient to arouse the members of the band to their greatest efforts, and the surrounding hills and dales echoed with music as sweet as that of Orpheus. Perhaps, also, the birds of the air, the fish in the streams, the wild beasts of the forest, and even the trees, rocks and hills, gathered around to hear the divine strains. The members of the band shared a fate almost as sorrowful as that of Orpheus. Three years after their new instruments were purchased, they disbanded, and their delicious music died out in plaintive echoes. In 1877, a new band was organized, composed in part of members of the former band. This is yet in existence. The members have furnished themselves with new brass instruments, and have recently made their appearance in a bright new uniform. The present members are George Bliss, Isaac Buskirk, Charles Peck, Frank Brower, John N. McConnell, Cass Proctor, J.

Ranney, Henry Nesbitt, L. E. Stanley, W. L. Palmer, Frank Ruggles and Will Howe. The band is a credit to the township, and should be encouraged in a hearty and substantial manner.

A Lecture Association was organized in Northfield in the winter of 1878, of which the following were the six original members : M. A. Van Horn, Dr. R. S. Hubbard, Lorin Bliss, G. M. Seidell, J. G. Alexander, Jo Harter, and afterward B. A. Bobinette was added. The first officers were

A. Van Horn, President ; J. G. Alexander, Secretary ; Dr. R. S. Hubbard, Corresponding Secretary, and G. M. Seidell, Treasurer. It began as a matter of experiment, and they hired their own lecturers, for which they paid out of their individual pockets. It proved a success. Lectures were held on Thursday evenings of each week, alternating in the different churches. The association has become self-sustaining by the sale of family tickets, memberships, etc., and is apparently on a firm basis. The present officers are Jo Harter. President ; B. A. Bobinette, Vice President ; Dr. R. S. Hubbard, Corresponding Secretary ; Lorin Bliss, Assistant Corresponding Secretary ; J. G. Alexander, Secretary and Treasurer.