Richmond Township

Richmond Township

This township, which is described on the records of the county as No. 10 in the first range of the Connecticut Western Reserve, was originally owned as follows : the two tiers of lots across the north part of the township, being one-fourth of the entire township, were deeded to John Kinsman. Justus and Horace Stocking owned another considerable tract joining on the south the Kinsman land. Samuel Woodruff's land, comprising one thousand acres, catue next, while the remainder of the land now embraced within the limits of this township were owned by the Atwater heirs.

Soil, Water-Courses, Etc

The soil of this township is generally that of a clay-loam, and rather above the average in productiveness, though some portions are too swampy as yet to be available as farming land. The surface is rolling, especially along the watercourses, which consist of the two principal branches of the Ashtabula creek. The first of which, and this is properly the head of Ashtabula creek, rises on lot No. 44, and, flowing a northwesterly course, enters Pierpont near the southwest corner; the other stream heads on lot No. 21, and the direction is the same as the former stream, crossing into Pierpont about one mile from the east line.

First Settlement

In the spring of, probably, 1805, Peter Yateman, Benjamin Newcomb, Samuel and William Tead, with their respective families, and a Mr. Morehouse, and it is possible others whose names are forgotten, began settlement on lot No. 46. A number of log dwellings were erected, among which was one of the style known as double log house. This was built by Mr. Newcomb, and stood near the present residence of Lowell Morse. William Tead's dwelling stood a few rods to the south, and his brother Samuel's a short distance north, while the cabins of the other settlers were erected near by for protection. At about the same time Paul Rice and a party named Drigs located at a point perhaps a halfmile north, the former erecting his habitation on lot No. 35, and the latter on No. 36.

The first frame house in the township was erected by Charles Jordon, in about 1828. This stood upon the site now occupied by the residence of John Dasher, and was destroyed by fire.

In about the year 1811, Miss Laura Ford taught the first school in this township. This was held at the centre, probably in one of the vacant log cabins, though we are unable to obtain anything by way of particulars.

In the fall of 1826 a log school-house was erected in district No. 2 (now Padanaram), and the same year witnessed the completion of a frame school-house. This was in district No. 1, now known as the "Old Rockville district." This house was burned, but the grounds upon which it stood, and which were donated for the purpose by John Kinsman, are still occupied for school purposes.

The first church organization was effected in the year 1811 ; was of the denomination known as Methodist, and Ewins Wright, of Pierpont, was the class-leader. The second religious organization was that of Baptist. Prior to this, however, meetings were held in the township by ministers of different denominations. The first church edifice was erected by the Methodists, in 1849, and another was built soon after by the Wesleyan Methodists. Both these churches stood at Padanaram, - the latter of which has long since been abandoned for church purposes, and is now occupied as a dwelling by John Ross. The present churches at this point are a Methodist, - the pulpit of which is supplied by the Rev. 0. G. St. John, at the centre, - and a Disciple church, the pastor of which is Rev. James Crouch. At the centre there are two churches, - Methodist and close-communion Baptist. Rev. St. John is the pastor of the former, and Elder Richmond, of Geneva, supplies the pulpit of the latter. At Leon station there is a church of the denomination known as United Brethren, Rev. Whitney pastor, and also a Methodist church at Steamburg, Rev. St. John pastor.

The first post-office established in the township was at Leon, in about 1836. M. Barber was commissioned postmaster, - the office being located at his residence.

* The present post-offices are as follows: At the centre, William H. Heath, postmaster ; at Leon, C. D. Ainger, postmaster ; another at North Richmond, with William Pearson postmaster ; and the fourth at Steamburg, Abel Mead postmaster.

The first hotel was opened in the double log house of Mr. Newcomb, previously referred to, and among the distinguished guests at this rude hostelry we find that Mr. Giddings (father of the honorable J. R.) and family remained there one night, while en route for the Wayne settlement. J. R. was at this time ten years of age. This pioneer house of entertainment was a great convenience to those who passed to and fro over the " old Salt road." There is at present but one hotel in the township. This is located at Leon station, is owned by A. N. Slater, and at present conducted by a Mr. Thompson.

In 1845, Samuel Dart erected on lot No. 2 a saw-mill. This was propelled by water-power. About this time a steam-mill was put in operation by Messrs. Doty & Sheldon, on lot No. 10. The mill of Abel Mead now occupies this site. At Leon station there is a steam saw-mill, owned by Messrs. Baker & Ainger, and north of that point another mill is owned by Thomas Ripley. At Padanaram Messrs. Cadwell & Jordan have iu operation another mill.

The first and only grist-mill in the township was built by 0. Brower, on lot No. 6, in about 1852. This was burned some four years later. Of other manufactures, we have a cheese-box factory, planing-mill, and shingle-machine on lot No. 51, owned by 0. F. Beman.

The first store was opened at Leon in about 1830, under the firm-name of Hoges & Carpenter. At this point Mr. Barber afterwards operated one of the most extensive mercantile establishments in the county. The present business houses of Richmond township are William H. Heath and John Beaumont, general merchandise, at the centre. Trade and commerce are represented at Padanaram by William G. Hopper, M. B. Chapman, and S. M. Jones. At Leon Messrs. Moore & Son are selling goods at the old " Barber stand." At the Station Norman Dolph has a grocery, and at Steamburg John Hamilton carries on the business of undertaking.

The first physician to locate in the township was E. B. Linn, - this was in 1853, - located at the centre, where he yet resides. At Padanaram E. Hurd is the present physician.

The first adult death was that of Roswell Moody. This occurred in March, 1827. The funeral services were conducted at the house of the deceased by the Rev. Mr. Drake, of Andover, and the body was interred in the cemetery, on lot No. 63, which was the first land devoted or occupied for cemetery purposes in the township.

Organization

The lands now comprised within the limits of the township of Richmond were first organized under the name of Jefferson, then of Denmark, afterwards (June 18, 1818) the lands at present contained in this and Pierpont township were organized under the name of Pierpont, and on March 4, 1828, it was " Resolved that so much of the present township of Pierpont as is included in surveyed township number ten, in the first range, be set off and erected a separate township, to be hereafter known and designated by the name of Richmond, and that an election for township officers be held at the house of John H. Montgomery, near the centre of said township, on Monday, the 7th day of April next." From the clerk's book of records for Richmond township we find that the first election was held April 8, 1828, at which time John H. Montgomery, Levi Brown, and David Prindle were elected trustees; Salmon Ashley, clerk ; Artemas Ward, treasurer ; Nicholas Knapp and Horace Cadwell, fence-viewers; Thomas Bright and Paul Rice, overseers of the poor; Charles Jordon, constable; and Charles Jordon and Roswell Parmer, supervisors of roads and highways. Levi Brown was elected a justice of the peace for Richmond township on July 17, 1828, and commissioned August 24, 1828. The gentlemen who have filled the office of justice of the peace from that date until the present are as follows : Harvey Rockwell, Moody Pike, Nicholas Knapp, Salmon Ashley, Justus Peck, James M. Stone, Loren Houghton, M. Barber, Joseph Prossor, C. T. Sunbury, S. D. Ashley, E. S. Sunbury, and E. 0. Peck. The present incumbents to that office are C. T. Sunbury

The first cheese-factory established in the township was in the spring of 1873. This was organized, and is still conducted, on the stock plan. The milk of four hundred cows is annually manufactured, aud the factory is one of the paying industries of the township.

The first route cut through this township was the " old Salt road," to which reference is made above, and for a description of which see Andover township. But the first record we are able to procure reads as follows: June, 1831, " Beginning at the southeast corner of lot Xo. 20, and running north to township line road." The next entry we find is March, 1842. " From the centre road east to the State line, about two hundred rods north of the south line of the township." Same date, " From the south line of the township about one mile west of the State line. North, two and a half miles." June, 1843, " From the State line at southeast corner of lot No. 20, and running west to turnpike." June, 1848, " Padanaram road, from Andover line north, two and a half miles." June, 1849, " From State line at northeast corner of lot No. 60 west to turnpike." June, 1850, " From the Padanaram road, between lots 22 and 39, east to State line."

Edwin Orlando Peck

The gentleman whose name heads this article was born in Colebrook, Connecticut, on the 30th day of January, 1815. He is the second child of Justus and Sally Peck. The family removed to Ohio in the month of August, 1824, and located in Wiiliamsfield township, this county. Mr. Peck's education was obtained at the primitive common schools of that day, his youthful days being divided between attending school and working on his father's farm. His occupation has been, and is still, that of a farmer. He has secured an ample competency to sustain himself and family. On the 13th day of April, 1837, Mr. Peck was married to Laura E., daughter of Laman and Ann Bartholomew, who resided in the adjoining township of Wayne. He and his young wife began housekeeping on the farm now occupied by Monroe Rose, in Wiiliamsfield township, where he remained until April 1, 1849, when he removed to the township of Richmond, his present home. The children of this couple are Sarah A., who was married to Andrew Wilson, ex-lieutenant Company B, of the gallant old Twenty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; Edwin O., Jr., married Adelaide Landon ; Lemuel A. (died in infancy) ; Justis L., married Ophelia Turner; Milo C. is yet single, and remains at home ; Luella R., married J. T. Parker ; Charlie E., single ; Archie (died young) ; Dudley, the youngest of the family, was born in 1864. Of this large and interesting family, all, with one exception, reside in Richmond, Ashtabula County. Edwin O., Jr., the " exception," resides in Oceana county, 3Iichigan. Mr. Peck was elected as one of the county commissioners in the fall of 1873, and was re-elected in 1875, along with other county officers, by one of Ashtabula County's rousing majorities. He has been an efficient public officer, and performs the duties of his office honestly, intelligently, and promptly. He has also held several offices in connection with Richmond township, among which is that of justice of the peace, in which capacity he served fifteen years. The long period for which he held the office is a well-deserved compliment from the people. Politically, Mr. Peck is a member of the Republican party. His father, who is still living, resides with him, and has reached the ripe old age of eighty-five years. The mother died in the year 1873. Esquire Peck is a member of the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of Relief lodge, No. 284, of Pierpont township. He was represented in the war of the great Rebellion by his two sons, D. B. and E. O., Jr., and two sons-in-law.