Geauga County, Ohio - Chapter 3: Change of Name to Troy, 1880

It having become settled that the fifty acres of land, promised by Jacob Welsh to the township, had not been provided for in his arrangement of affairs, Esquire John Nash was displeased, and circulated a petition, praying that the name of the township be changed to Troy. He succeeded in his endeavor, and, since 1834, this domain has been no longer "Welshfield," but is known as "Troy" instead ; although the post-office was given the former name. In the spring of the same year, Mervin James bought a lot from off the south end of Jason Burnell's purchase, which he occupied till his death, in 1864, varying but little from thirty years.

During this year, also, the road known as the "West," or "River road," leading from Cuyahoga Rapids to Troy Center, was located. This was done at the instigation of James Hoxter, who had settled on land now owned by Samuel Davis. For several years Mr. Hoxter, Spencer Wadsworth - now living in Auburn - and Bartholomew St. John, were the only settlers on this road.

* Deacon Turner then was, and always has been, an uncompromising teetotaler, yet this did not shield him from being a victim of more than one practical joke, not strictly temperance in character, of which the following was one : At one time (perhaps more than one), while the militia laws were in force, the Troy company failed to elect a captain, whereupon the regimental commander, as was his duty, made a detail to supply that need. When "company training day" arrived, a stranger reported for duty, to teach "Trojans" the art of war. The drill-ground was encumbered with numerous obstacles, and the deacon, being somewhat short in stature, and also somewhat clumsy from overwork, brought the toe of his shoe in contact with so many of these obstacles as to seriously interfere with correct soldierly bearing. At length the patience of this imported captain became exhausted, and, calling to a subaltern, ordered him to "put that man under guard," adding as a reason tor so doing, that "he had been drunk all dav." Deacon Turner has enough of the wag in his composition to enjoy this joke with a hearty relish.

Up to this date, the only means adopted to separate the grain from the straw, was either the scriptural one of trampling - where a suitable floor could be provided - or by the scarcely less ancient flail. In many instances, no floor - other than earth - could be had. In such cases, a chosen piece of ground was beaten hard, the bundles spread, and the "thumping" administered. The straw, having been cleared away, the grain was separated from the chaff, by means of the "hand-fan" - a broad, utiwieldy implement, which required considerable skill in its use. This year, or possibly the year previous, Haney Fowler, * who then lived where Seth Burton now . lives, introduced an innovation, in the form of an unique threshing machine. To use this machine, an ox sled was placed in proper position, the cylinder mounted thereon and fastened. The "power" was connected with this "pepper-mill" by the rude means then employed. It was a good day's work to thresh as much as two men could clean up in an evening, with the poorly developed fanning-mill, which was about the same time invented. After using this machine one season, Mr. Fowler sold it to Horace Ford (Long Horace), when he built another, which was operated by Galen Lamb, and others. Years later, Deacon Turner and Parker Howland operated a somewhat similar implement, using oxen for the motive power, which, for a time, was quite a favorite.

In 1835, Dr. Herrick sold his claim to Reuben Clark, while Parker Howland settled on lot adjoining E. B. Turner, on the west, and Benjamin Goff bought the claim previously occupied by Rufus Lamb and Julius Hatch, where he died in 1859. Mr. Goff was the first wheelright who pursued that branch of business in Troy. Dennis Downing also settled on land now owned by Phidelus Pool.

In March, of the same year, one Solomon' Wells, with that sagacious foresight wdiich has marked most of his financial operations, located on the heavily timbered "Pigeon Roost" ; land that had been shunned by nearly all previous settlers, and, which proved, when brought under cultivation, to be the garden of the township. Harvey Harris located on section six, next to the county line, and, to close the list of immigrants for the year, were several familes by the name of Pool, nearly all of whom were shoemakers, and their coming was the death signal to the time-honored "cat-wdiipping." One of their number was a clergyman, and another had acquired the skill of mending shattered tinware, so that the soubriquet of "Tinker Pool " was applied to him.

Parson Barrett having gone away, the arrival of Rev. Jephthah Pool was doubly welcome by the church goers, and his ministerial services were at once secured. The records say his first duty in that line was solemnizing the marriage of Alden J. Nash and Miss Olive Pool.

Among the arrivals in 1836 were Samuel and Thomas Satterlee, and George and Jacob Conrad, from Lysander, New York, who all, or nearly all, settled in Deacon Turner's neighborhood ; Elisha Coates, who settled immediately south from Solomon Wells, and Benedict Alford, wrho bought the claim taken by Ephraim Burnell, occupying the same till his death in 1864.

The correctness of this date (1836) is disclaimed by a daughter of Mr. Alford, now the wife of Chester Houghton. She asserts that her father's family, and that her husband (Mr. Houghton) settled across the river, on land now owned by George H. Fairbanks. Mr. Alford had, in addition to his own family, his father and mother to look after, who accompanied him to Troy. For them a small log house was built, near where the river road intersects with the center

*Note - Mr. Fowler came to Troy in 1832, He purchased his land of Thomas Sawder. [® 1834, he made and operated the first horse hay rake used in the township, He moved fronytfre 1 1838.

road, one mile south of the center. The parents were aged, and past labor, and died soon after their arrival. The elder Alford was a Revolutionary soldier. The following is a fac simile of a "statement" issued in his favor, in order to enable him to obtain a pension :

Mr. Houghton stayed but a short time on his first purchase, when he settled on a portion of the tract taken by his father-in-law, and where he has since resided, with but a short interregnum, till his sudden death, which occurred August 24, 1878. Ever since the arrival of Mr. Houghton, his name, and also that of Mrs. Houghton, has always been closely connected with the interests of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was an ardent and devoted member. The writer well recollects the prayer of a zealous sister, nearly forty yean ago, in which she "thanked the Lord that Brother Houghton had come to Troy and *rared' up a house for the Methodists to worship in," one hearty evidence of the regard in which his effort were held.

Lewis S. Pope came from Auburn and settled on his well-known lot, south from the then Fox's corners. Pope was a man of untiring energy, a quality which has been faithfully transmitted to his two surviving sons, David L and Irvin W. Lewis S. Pope had a way of doing things, which was peculiar to himself. Up to, and including, the Presidential election of 1836, when Van Buren and Harrison were, for the first time, opposing candidates, Mr. Pope voted the Democratic ticket, and, of course, for the successful candidate. In 1840 the same gentlemen were arrayed against each other for the second time in the Presidential contest. Mr. Pope was not satisfied with Van Buren's administration, and decided to cast his ballot for "Old Tip," but kept his own counsels as to his decision. Election day arrived, and Mr. Pope, with several of his neighbors, took their way to the voting place. While crossing the Cuyahoga river bridge, Mr. Pope deliberately pulled off his coat, and, after turning it inside out, as deliberately put it on again. The enquiry of his astonished companions, failed to elicit from him the reason for such a maneuver, but their curiosity was satisfied when (with coat still turned) he presented himself at the polls, and openly deposited a ballot for Harrison and Tyler. Mr. Pope supported Henry Clay in 1844, and was identified with the Free-soil, and afterward with the Republican, party.

Daniel Corliss, formerly from Orford, New Hampshire, but, later, from just across the line, in Parkman township, came this year also, and bought the tract taken by Benjamin Thrasher, and which is now owned and occupied by his son Elihu G. Mr. Corliss was for a long time standard authority in anything pertaining to the mason's trade, although an inveterate "anti," so far as the organized "craft," or fraternity, was concerned. Among the industrious men of that time, "Uncle Daniel" stood a peer.

This year, too, Benjamin Hosmer changed his location, selling his first claim to William Dunn, and buying two hundred acres of Horace Lamson, from off the northern end of the Welsh purchase, where he yet resides.

The Congregational church, having had additions from time to time from new arrivals, concluded the society was sufficiently strong to warrant it in building a house of worship. A contract was, accordingly, entered into with Samuel Pool to do the work - a site having been obtained of Horace Lamson. Mr. Pool pushed the work with such vigor, that the building was raised in June, and completed before the close of the year, a feat which was, at that date, considered almost marvellous.

Mr. Samuel Pool had three apprentices at that time, all of whom afterwards became prominent men in the township, as will be hereafter seen. The three, in later years, removed from here. One of them, Alden J. Nash, went to Kent county, Michigan, in 1852, and is now dead. Almon Hodges removed to Geneva, Ashtabula county, in 1861, and W. F. Pratt, to Newburg, near Cleveland, in 1864.

Trojans, up to this date, were dependent on the surrounding townships for their mail facilities. Previous to this time a mail route had been established between Parkman and Chagrin Falls. The mail was carried on horseback by Henry B. Davis, who had formerly occupied land just south of, and adjoining the "Sugar-loaf." While carrying the mail he lived in Parkman. The establishment of an office here simply gave him one more point at which to stop.

Mr. Davis was always ready to take the initiative in any public enterprise. In the spring of 1836, a petition, asking that a post-office be established here, was granted by the department. An office was promptly opened, with Alden J. Nash, as postmaster. Its first location was in the old Barrett house, where Mr. Nash was then living. He held the office with little, or no interruption, eight years, taking it with him whenever he changed his abode, as did the ancients their household gods.

This year, a family by the name of Latham bought land, which was first located by one Straw, on section ten. The father was a Presbyterian clergyman. The family, and their descendants, have ever since been intimately identified with the growth of the township. The second son, Orange L., besides sundry township offices, held the position of chorister for a term of years, and, losing his hearing, was finally succeeded by W. F. Pratt, who retained it until 1864, when he removed to Newburg.

It may be stated here, that at the organization of the church, W. W. Beals was chosen deacon, with Alba Tinkham as assistant Deacon Tinkham removed to Garrettsville, and Ziba Pool was ordained, and, afterwards, Abijah Pool, Deacon Beals declining to serve. After Abijah Pool left town, Beals again acted in that capacity till his death. He was succeeded for a short time by Mervin James, and he by John W. Beals, who, with Ziba Pool, are the present incumbents.

Benjamin Hosmer having made extensive inroads into his forest, by contract and otherwise, conceived the idea of utilizing the ashes of the consumed logheaps, as well as house ashes, by the manufacture of "potash" or "black salts," and to this end, he built an ashery, the first in Troy. Years after, quite an extensive business was carried on in the purchase of ashes, and manufacture of the above named merchandise.

The raising of silk worms, and manufacture of silk, was another industry introduced in 1837. The trees (mot us multicaulis) necessary for business, were brought here by David Nash, who had no difficulty in disposing of his stock. Some were so confident of success, as to predict that " Logging Frocks " would soon - on the score of economy, - be made of silk. It is asserted that a little silk was actually produced, but, after five years* trial, the bubble burst, leaving its victims with collapsed pocket-books. One, who had invested the proceeds of fifteen acres of land, in the enterprise, realized just a sum sufficient to pay for half-soling his boots.

During the winter of 1838, a Baptist elder named Smith, held a protracted meeting here, and several additions were made to the "church militant." In May following, he held a service at the house of Amos James, at which time Freeman and Lucy Reed, Minerva Burnell and Mrs. Wyram Williams were baptized.

A Methodist class, with Samuel Reed as leader, procured a deed - dated May 1 1, 1838 - for land on which to build a church. With that go-ahead spirit, for which that denomination has always been noted, this class was organized into a church, on the 27'th of November following. The next move was for a preacher, and the next, for a hoyse in which to hold services. The conference sent John Crum as preacher in charge, the first preacher of that denomination who had a settled charge in Troy. A contract was entered into, December 29th of the same year, for building a house of worship, with one Pike, the house to be completed the following season, and which was done. A "roster" of all the

The year following (1839), another revival meeting was held by Rev. Mr. Day, of the Congregational denomination, assisted by Rev. Thomas Jones, then pastor of the church. A specially noteworthy result, was the death of Mr. Benjamin Kingsbury, he dying a victim to over-intense excitement. The meeting was very successful, and the church greatly strengthened in numbers.

All these years Troy had depended on other townships for medical aid, as neither Dr. Weston, Herrick or Thrasher had set up a practtce. In September, 1839, Dr. C. B. Chapman, a native of Middlebury, Vermont, came here, and set up a regular practice, remaining three years. He was succeeded by Drs. William Crane, Keros Sheldon, L. D. Hudson and G. W. Foster in the order named. Drs. Allen, Bascom, Brown, Crafts, Partridge, and perhaps, others have from time to time located here, but did not remain long enough to become identified with township history.

A few words concerning the subsequent history of the five first named physicians may not, perhaps, be considered entirely amiss. The first, Dr. Chapman, removed to Bristol, Trumbull county, in 1842, where he remained about five years, when he emigrated to Madison, Wisconsin, - then a comparatively new country, - where he continued to reside until his death, 'which occurred May 8, 1877. Dr. Crane, after practicing his profession here a short time, also removed to Bristol, and entered into partnership with Dr. Chapman. He also practiced for a season in Bazetta, same county, and also in New Lisbon, Columbiana county, and finally removed to Cottage Grove, about eight miles east from Madison, Wisconsin, where he now resides. Dr. Sheldon set up practice here in 1843 or '4, which he he continued not far from a quarter of a century, - with a short interruption of removal to Chagrin Falls in 1850-51, - when he returned to Hambden, his former place of residence, in 1868-9. Ip I^73 he was stricken with paralysis so severely as to be entirely helpless, in which condition he now (1878) is. His wife is dead, and he is cared for by an aged sister, whose devotion to him is truly praiseworthy. Dr. Hudson practiced his profession successfully a few' years, when he abandoned it, and engaged as clerk of a Lake Erie steamer. Afterward he engaged largely in insurance matters, having his office in Cleveland, and was also secretary of the board of education for that city. His only child - a cherished daughter - having, from excessive study, become demented, he became seriously depressed in spirits, and is now lost to view as a public man. Dr. Foster practiced successfully for a term of years, and also engaged in other pursuits, among which was that of hotel-keeping. He purchased the old hotel to which he added the present front of twenty-five by sixty feet. He removed to Geneva, Ashtabula county, where he now is enjoying a lucrative practice, in addition to the income of a drug-store.

It is reported that Captain Fox brought, when he came, a limited assortment of needed goods, which he retailed from one corner of his log cabin. His "assortment" was largely made up of boots(?), shoes, and axes. It is also reported that the first mercantile firm in Troy was that of Williams, Gardner & Doolittle, but when it existed, or where it transacted business, is not stated.

In 1839, John Way opened the first knmon place of business in Troy, in the shape of a grocery store, which stood on the site where the house owned by Mrs. Cannon is now located. He kept a few groceries, and an occasional piece of calico. The enterprise, on account of the credit system is said to have been a failure.

The original portion of this house was built by one Noyes Williams, a shoemaker, and the upper story was used by him for a shoe shop. He died in 1839. The additions were all, or nearly all, made by Rev. Josiah Hopkins, who purchased the property of one Elial W. Heaton. A young lady named Mary Ann Kendall, sister to Mrs. Barrett, is said to have taught a select school several years previous to Mr. Abell. She taught in a room in the house built by Major Pratt, on section two.

About this time, the feminine portion of the community became suddenly impressed with the idea that measures for mutual protection must needs be adopted, whereby to shield themselves from the wiles of the sterner sex. Societies, called Moral Reform, were inaugurated, and Troy had one. Among its rules were said to be the following: "If a member was, while on the street, about to meet a man, and he showed no inclnation to cross to the other side thereof, she must at once do so, in the meantime keeping the eyes, if not closely veiled, fixed on the ground. If a man was seen approaching the house, and member was without adequate protection, she must promptly barricade the door, draw the curtains, and place a quantity of woolen rags in readiness to start a 'smudge' provided she heard a suspicious noise on the roof; and the young lady who did not summarily dismiss her Sunday evening company of the opposite sex, punctually at sixty minutes past eight, was herself summarily ejected from the society as a no longer worthy member." Whether the college rule, said to have been once in force, that parties of the sterner and gentler sex, going in the same direction, must each carry one end of a ten-foot pole, was adopted by this society, never became public. Seriously: this was, and still is, an excellent organization, but, like many other undertakings, it overdid the thing.

In#i84i, the firm of Tilden & Weston, with Joseph Doolittle added thereto, built a store on the site where the store of Kellogg & Son now stands, removed their goods into it as soon as completed, and set about building a slaughter house on adjoining ground. In this way they sold goods on credit, and took fat cattle for pay, receiving thereby a double profit. They also arranged with Benjamin Hosmer for permission to build a more commodious ashery on his premises, running it on their own account. In this way a man who was clearing land, could take a load of ashes to Uncle Rufus Lamb, who then presided over that department, and receive a ticket for the same, which would be honored at the counter - not in cash, but in goods. After Uncle "Rufe" resigned, Addison M. Buck, a man noted for literary attainments, took his place, and retained it as long as the enterprise was kept in operation.

Either in this, or the year previous, the first buggy of which Troy could boast, was introduced by "Uncle" Moses James, who had moved from Charlestown, Portage county. This buggy was at the service of any one who felt disposed to pay six cents per mile for its use, and for a time was quite a source of revenue to the owner. A few years later, Orrin Lamson and Nelson Pratt came in possession, each, of a new buggy, when a competition at once sprang up. They let their carriages at five cents per mile. Soon after, Solomon Wells became the owner of a fourth one, which he sometimes let without any remuneration whatever. This move on his part spoiled that speculation, so much so that fifty cents per day became, for a long time, an established tariff for buggy rent.

In 1841, another "ism" was introduced here. This was called Perfectionism, and had its origin at the Oberlin college, then under the guidance of President Asa Mahan. It became so strong as to publish a periodical called the "Oberlin Evangelist," but like all other "isms," had its day, and was not.

the house now owned by the widow of Elijah Weston, the second story of which was devoted entirely to school purposes, and his popularity became such, that this room was sometimes filled with students to its utmost capacity.

In 1842, the first hotel was opened in the house where J. E. Sperry now resides, with A. J. Nash for its landlord. Soon after this, the house was built and the hotel removed to where it has since, with but little interruption, been kept

The same year Thomas Jones resigned his pastorate over the Congregational church, leaving it without a pulpit occupant, only as Mr. Latham from time to time supplied it, till late the next year, when Rev. James Preston was engaged.

Yet another "ism" was, at this date, introduced. This was Millerism or Second Adventism, its chief supporter in these parts being a preacher named Booth, then living in Mantua. So plausible were his arguments that many were seriously alarmed, but B. F. Abell came to the rescue in a Saturday lecture before his students, which was also largely attended by excited citizens. In this lecture he exploded the whole affair to the satisfaction of his listeners, and Troy was once more serene.

Previously to this time, some of our citizens had allowed the firm of Williams & Tilden, of Parkman, or perhaps Williams & Williams, to place their names quite too frequently upon their account books, and when the day of reckoning came, found, to their dismay, that their indebtedness was more than they were able to meet, without sacrificing the homestead. This, in at least two instances, Russell Williams did not hesitate to take, one of the self-made victims being Reuben Clark and the other Jason Burnell. The latter closed his affairs, and migrated to Iowa, which was then the "far west." The Sabbath previous to his departure, Rev. Mr. Latham preached a good-bye discourse for his benefit, from the text, "For we seek a better country."

From the earliest settlement of the town to the opening of the hotel, in 1842, whiskey, and its daily use, had been looked upon by the majority of the inhabitants with more or less favor. A few had always been radical teetotalers. Among them wras Deacon Alba Tinkham. Soon after Mr. Nash started the hotel (which contatned a bar and its outfit), Mr. Tinkham put out an opposition sign, with "Temperance House" inscribed thereon. This w-as met with a storm of ridicule, and one dark night the sign disappeared, but another was soon installed in its place. A strong temperance movement had just been organized at Chagrin Falls. A temperance convention was called, to meet at the old church here, and the Falls sent a strong delegation, most of them excellent singers. The house was jammed full. Mr. Nash, who thought he would put on a bold front, was one of the assembly, but the portrayal of the effects of rum-drinking, together with the soul-stirring singing, proved too much, and he left the house in tears. This inaugurated the temperance movement here. Years later, secret societies in the interest of this cause were instituted here, one of which is now, or lately has been, in operation. Now whiskey is a stranger in Troy, except as an article in the druggist's pharmacopoeia.

In 1843, a two-story shop was built of which James Wale's shop is a part. The lower story was occupied by Chester Houghton and James Johnson as a wagon-shop, the upper story was used for a cabinet shop, first by one Chamberlin, afterward by Llewrellyn and Manly Colson. Many a "setting out" for new married couples of the time were manufactured at his shop, and, in many instances, bid fair to do duty for years to come.

The first exhibition, as they were then called, - now dramatic entertainments - worthy of mention, occurred on the Fourth of July, 1843, under the auspices of the select school, although outsiders contributed much to its success, conspicuous among whom was Mr. Orange Lathham. The exercises, which were under the management of the principal, were held in the Congregational church, which was packed to its utmost capacity. Among the prominent actors, then citizens of Troy, were A. H. Thrasher, esq., now deceased; L. E. Durfee, now a prominent attorney, in Chardon; Richard Dayton, now deceased; Daniel Pool, now deceased ; Laban Patch, since an enterprising and successful dentist, now living in our midst; Orange Latham, now deceased, and others. The fair sex were represented by Miss Louisa Nash, now deceased; Alice Durfee, Sophia Tinkham, Polly Pool, now deceased; Belinda Foster, and others, whose names are not now in mind.

In 1844, Rev. Mr. Preston was relieved by Lewis S. Ely, whose proceedure was so unsatisfactory that he was deposed from the ministry, when he left Troy, went to Parkham, and opened a store. -

In October, the firm of J. S. & A. P. Tilden succeeded the firm of Tilden, Weston & Co., which had dissolved. This firm continued in business here until the spring of 1846, when its interests were removed to Parkman.

Nothing more, worthy of note, occurred until December, when the first, and thus far, only serious crime - of which the perpetrator was duly convicted - was committed. The crime was burglary, or grand larceny; the property taken, cash ; amount, over three hundred dollars; the victim, Joseph Doolittle, then a magistrate; the criminal, Nathaniel Reddout. During the trial, which was before Lewis S. Pope, esq., the greatest interest prevailed, and the Methodist church, in which the trial was held, was filled with anxious spectators, the galleries being occupied by ladies. Notwithstanding the crime was fully proven, by some legal hocus-pocus, punishment was averted.

The same year, John Dayton, while building his house, made frequent trips to Cleveland, to obtain needed material, and while so doing, conceived the idea of making periodical trips to that city a permanent occupation for himself, having sufficient help at home to carry on the farming. With him, to plan was to execute, and he at once commenced operations, making a trip to Cleveland, and to thq grist-mill every week, paying but little regard to the condition of the roads, or the weather. Indeed, it was said of him, that if he happened to be at home while a tirrible storm was in progress, he would mourn because he was not on the road to market. This business he followed fifteen years, wearing out many horses, harnesses, and wagons. He was charged with doing one serious mischief during this time. That mischief was the importation of Norway rats.

The year 1845 wiM t>e remembered as the cold, dry year. But very little was raised with which to subsist either man or beast, and when winter came, many sent their stock to northern Indiana, while others took theirs to the region around Columbus. A large proportion of the cattle sent to Indiana died, while nearly all of the others came back.

Rev. Josiah Hopkins, D. D., was, this year, called by the Congregational society to supply the desk, which he did, very acceptably, the four following years.

This was also a somewhat eventful year, both in a military and a pQlitical point of view. Ever since the organization, in 182^, of the first military company, interest in military affairs had not died out. After a few years, Captain Burroughs* resigned, when Thomas R. Mumford was elected as his successor, holding the office until the company disbanded. A rifle company was then organized, with Harvey Pratt as captain, who, at the organization of the first regiment, was appointed adjutant, when Alden J. Nash succeeded to the command of the company, holding the position until his promotion to the command of the regiment. Who succedded Nash, as captain is not stated, t Harvey Pratt was afterwards promoted to the office of Major, by which title he has since been familiarly known. Wm. F. Pratt and Leonard Lamson also served on the regimental staff; as adjutants, and Dr. C. B. Chapman, as surgeon. The last captain, under the former military dispensation, was Levi Tinkham.

In 1839 and '40 dissatisfaction arose, from sundry causes, and from that time military duty became more and more unpopular, until, finally, the killing of Truman Allen, at a regimental parade in Burton, in 1845, wiped it out entirely; nor was it resuscitated till 1861, when the war of the Rebellion revived it with redoubled interest - of which, hereafter.

The political "bone of contention" was the post-office. James K. Polk, who had, March 4, 1845, assumed the "chair of State," was, in matters political, diametrically opposed to the party which had elected his predecessor, and adopted the policy of removing such postmasters as were opposed to his own election. Alden J. Nash was one of the doomed many. An order was issued by Postmaster-Geperal Cave Johnson for his official decapitation, and off went his head into the political sawdust.

In choosing his successor, no more fitting man could have been found than the one who received the appointment This was Joseph Durfee, a man who had been firm and true to his political principles all his days. He at once entered upon the duties of his office by appointing as deputy, Phidelus Pool, who lived at the center. The office he held till the election of Zachary Taylor, four years later, when matters ran again in the former channel.

The musical element of this township has, nearly always, been under respectable discipline. From the first, Esquire Nash and Harvey Pratt were tutors. A change in teachers seeming to be desirable, Mr. Francis M. Leonard, now of Thompson, trained a class in the winter of 1835. In 1843, Newton Bliss, of Chagrin Falls, instructed a large class. In 1845, Nathan F. Cone, an itinerant, taught a very large class, and was engaged to teach the following year, but becoming involved in difficulty, he forsook his class, when another teacher, named Sizor, finished the term, and succeeded in putting the singers in excellent training. Orange Latham, Alonzo Hubbard, William F. Pratt, A. J. and Eugene Nash, have also been successful local teachers of music.

A camp meeting was held in August of this year, on land now belonging to John Welsh, then a forest. Parties from an adjoining township were present, who made real or imaginary disturbance, and were ejected from the grounds. This led to the arrest of a preacher, Rev. G. W. Maltbie, and perhaps others, for "assault and battery." A trial was held, which resulted in conviction. This trial was had before Cyrus McLouth, then a magistrate. The above plaintiffs were in turn arrested on a warrant issued by Joseph Doolittle, also a justice of the peace. The parties were charged with committing a riot, and were convicted.

In 1846* occurred that memorable famine in Ireland, known far and wide as the "Irish potato rot." That starving country called on "Uncle Sam" for relief, which he was not slow in granting* Counties formed relief societies, and townships reported to the parent society. Corn was the staple called for. A day was designated, when those who could and would, delivered their donation at a pre-concerted rendezvous. Troy, as usual, did nobly. Uncle John Dayton and others took the corn to Chardon and delivered it over to L. J. Rider, general agent for Geauga county. Whether the "Sons of Erin" received any of it has always been a matter of doubt.

furnished at least two representatives in the United States army at that time, in the persons of William Palmer, who then lived where Daniel M. Crafts now lives, and Joshua Newell, who lived at the Grove.

Evidences of the existence of coal were discovered in 1848-9 on land located in section sixteen, then belonging to Rensselaer Smith, now to Peter Davis. Jehu Brainard, a noted geologist then living in Cleveland, examined the premises, and decided that coal did not exist there in paying quantities. Mr. Smith was not satisfied with this decision, but went to Pennsylvania and procured a practical miner, to come and develop whatever might be found. A few bushels of coal were taken out, which was used by our blacksmiths, but after prospecting less than one hundred feet, the "mine" came to an abrupt termination. The cavity is now abundantly supplied with excellent water of a very low temperature.

Tradition declares that the Indians had knowledge of a salt spring, also on section sixteen, on land now owned by Samuel Davis, but if such was the fact, the "red skins" effectually concealed its whereabouts.

In 1849, Rev. Josiah Hopkins resigned his pastorate,* much to the regret of his hearers, who had learned to appreciate - his worth. Mr. Latham was again called to supply the vacancy, but death suddenly ended his ministrations on the 7th of May, same year.

The "California Gold Fever" was an important feature of the history of this country, the discovery of which metal was made by Captain Sutter - or rather James Marshall - in 1849. The fever reached Troy, and several of our prominent capitalists combined to send a party of adventurers to the land of "Ophir." If the result of the enterprise was satisfactory, the parties have managed, thus far, to keep the fact locked in their own bosoms.

In 1849, a "Plank Road" epidemic passed over this region, and Troy caught the infection. The chief mischief-maker in causing the malaria to spread, was Hon. John P. Converse, of Parkman. His scheme was to build a road from Parkman to Chagrin Falls, passing, of course, through Troy, and which was carried so far as to have the route surveyed and the gradient stakes set. The project met with more or less favor along the proposed line of location. The judge had appointed days on which to solicit stock subscriptions, one of the first being set for this township. Dr. Thrasher, who had heretofore kept aloof while the wind work was in progress, made it in his way to be present, and, in his blunt, sarcastic manner, set at naught John P.'s fine drawn theory, and ended by saying that "but one man lived in Troy who had any business to fool away his money in such an undertaking, and if he did, he (the Doctor), would disown him as a son-in-law." Men who had before thought to take stock, reconsidered, and, the result* was, none was taken. This severed the chain, and the judge retired to recuperate his energies against the coming of the "Clinton Line R. R." scheme, when he once more took the field as the champion of that ultimate failure, this time drawing Troy somewhat into the net, although protested against in this case by his former antagonist, Dr. Thrasher.

In ordinary matters, no one enjoyed the confidence of the citizens of Troy more than. did Judge Converse, but in the enterprises above named he allowed his enthusiam to over-balance his better judgment, the more especially in the former.

In 1850 the Rev. Mr. Godden was called to supply the pulpit of the Congregational church, which he did during the current year. Alter he left, meetings, -called "Deacons meetings," were held, at which Orange Latham, or W. F. Pratt generally read a sermon. Some time in 1851, probably at the beginning

* During Mr. Hopkins' pastorate, a theological student, named Hunter, who was under his tutel age, made occasional attempts at preaching, sometimes quite successfully.

of the year, Rev. John Fraser came to assume the pastorate. He occupied the pulpit three years, and was succeeded by Anson Tuttle, who staid but a short time.

Up to this date mercantile business had been carried on as private enterprise by different individuals, prominent among whom was John Mayhew.

Previous to Mr. Mayhew, the Pool brothers - Daniel and Levi - had for a time been engaged as grocers, their place of business being a building which then stood between the hotel and Methodist church; and Solomon Wells had, for a year or two, kept a stock of goods in the store, employing N. E. Scott as salesman. Mr. Wells used to assert that the net profits of that investment, were just sufficient to purchase a new broadcloth coat.

In 1852 a stock company was organized, known as the "Farmer's Company." The capital stock was $3,000, in shares of $100 each. Richard Dayton was employed as agent, and N. E. Scott as assistant. Besides the usual business pertaining to a store, the company dealt extensively in cheese. While in New York city on business in the interest of this company, Mr. Dayton sickened and died, when M. E. Francis was engaged to supply the vacancy. For real, or imagninary cause, some of the members became dissatisfied, which finally ended in the dismemberment of the conclave, and the store passed again into private hands, the succeeded firm being Francis & Wells.

In 1853 was introduced the first mowing machine. This was one of the heavy, lumbering, unwieldy pieces of mechanism, known as the " Ketchum," but it was, to a good extent, a labor-saver, and that was the point sought for. The men who had sufficient pluck to invest in this innovation, were Wilkins and Dudley Fox. A description of this machine, and its work, would occupy too much time and space. Suffice it to say, that it would suffer terribly in comparison with the almost perfect ones of to-day.

Up to 1853, the remains of persons who had died were taken, to the grave, either in a sled, or lumber wagon, or on a bier. In the year above named, William F. Pratt, esq., a man always in the advance in public enterprise, purchased a plain, unpretending hearse - a carriage well in harmony with the people for whose use it was intended. As well as keeping and furnishing this hearse, he was wont to make coffins (after the Colson Brothers abandoned cabinet-making), and also take charge of funerals, whenever hi3 services were required. In 1864 he removed to Newburgh, when the township trustees bought the hearse, made some needed repairs, and which yet (1876) serves in its peculiar capacity.

The first sewing machine, or probably the first, was bought in 1854, by Mr. Chester Nash, for his daughters, Kate and Cynthia. It was then told, as a marvel, that those young ladies purchased of Webster & Whitney, at the Rapids, prints for each a dress, both of which were made and worn, and all, including the purchase, done in one day. That machine, like the mower above referred to, was very rude in its appointments, as compared with first class machines of the present time. *

To return to church matters - after Mr. Tattle left, a young man by the name of Delamater, from Cleveland, finished out the year, when a long vacancy of the desk occurred, only as it was supplied temporarily.

For the haying of 1856, Solomon Wells put a "Ball" machine into his meadows. This was a two-wheeled machine, yet it was a horse killer, compared to later productions. In 1858, Chester Lamb came to the front with a "Buckeye" mower. This, for the time, was a favorite, and from this date mowing machines were no longer a novelty. In 1859, L. T. Bradley purchased a "Buckeye" mower and reaper combined - the first in Troy - and so numerous were the demands for its good offices in neighboring fields of grain, that Mr. Bradley was obliged to deny by far the greater part of them.

On the night of June 4, 1859, this region was devastated by a frost, or rather a freeze, for it could truthfully assume that dignity. Newly turned furrows of turf were frozen through, and small quantities of water were solidly congealed. Wheat and rye, then just heading, were killed, corn and potatoes were cut to the ground, and grass was almost a total failure. Great consternation for a time prevailed, but at length it was found that but a small territory, comparatively, had suffered, when the excitement subsided.

In the autumn of 1857, Rev. A. A. Whitmore took up his abode here, as pastor of the Congregational church, and remained in that capacity three years.

Some time previous to this date, a faction known as "radical abolitionists," came into existence under the leadership of William Lloyd Garrison, and Abby Kelly, afterward Abby Kelly Foster, and who were ably supported by Wendell Phillips and other philanthropists. Among the ardent disciples of this faction was one John Brown, known as "Ossawattamie" Brown. This man's ardor reached the point of fanaticism, and his raid on Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and its results, are matters of history. Soon after his execution, indignation meetings were called in various parts of the radical north. Troy had several warm supporters of this then new movement, among whom were W. W. Beals and B. F. Abell, at whose instance a meeting was called. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Abell, who, in stating the object of the meeting, said : "There are times w'hen the exigencies of the case are such, that it is clearly the duty of people to rise above all human law, and, taking the matter into their own hands, assert the prerogative of the 'higher law' that in the execution of John Brown, the State of Virginia had violated the mandate of the 'higher law,' and was no longer entitled to recognition as a sister State, and that the north should rise in its might, and finish the work which this martyr had so nobly began." Mr. Beals followed, reading from a well prepared manuscript, and taking the same ground as did his predecessor. Expressions were called for, from various persons present, and among those called upon to give their views of the subject, was L. P. Barrowrs, then a law student. Instead of indorsing the sentiment of those who had preceded him, Mr. Barrows took the ground that John Brown and his adherents had violated the laws of Virginia, and in consequence thereof, should suffer the penalty; that if people should lay human law aside when it was not consonant with their views, and should adopt the so-called "higher law," it was not easy to predict what the ultimate result might be. Better by far "endure the ills we have, than fly to those we know not of." This had the effect of producing a reaction in the thus far expressed ^sentiment of the audience, and, so far as Troy was concerned, the commonwealth of Virginia was allowed to exist a year or two longer, when she cut her own throat, by enacting an ordinance of secession, which, like John Brown's raid, is a matter of history.

The first fire of public importance occurred on the night of March 17, i860, destroying the store and contents, then belonging to Levere Dalrymple. The citizens took the matter in hand, and by united effort, another store (the present one) was soon standing on the site of the former one, and Mr. Dalrymple again established in trade.