The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1866-08-22
supplement to the
SENTINEL. @
From the Ashtabula Sentinel.
~ASHTABUlA

In political circles Ashtabula is well known for
its decided position, land its unquestioned deyo-I
ton to the Union. The office-seekers always
take this county into their estimates as q materiai
part of their calculations and he who counts N
for him feels some assurance of success. Run
the political character OF this county is not all
about it that is worthy of remark. Its physical
and social peculiarities are not to be oyerlooLed1
and perhaps a short notice of the county in this
light may not be amlss at this time.
Ashtabula as to territory, is the largest county,
in the State, covering nearly eight hundred
square miles. 1t is the Northeast county VIII
its North side washed by Lake Erie, and bound
ed on the east by the Pennsylvania line. The
dividing ridge between the waters of the 81
Lawrence and the Ohio passes through il, drain
ing the Southeast townships into the Ohio.-
Consequently the situation is as high as in anvI
part of the State, which ensures q mild and ssIn.
brious. climate 1t is remarkable for the amount
of snow and rain which fall upon it being greater
in proportion than any other of our counties.-I
This is attributed to its proximity to the Lake
and relative elevation andin agriculture. its Ell
feet and advantages are found in the remarkabIpI
rich pastures and crops Of grass it secures, The
SOL, IN us native state is everywhere heavily
cleared yields grass spoutaneously in great abun1
dance. 1t is eminently fitted for lGrog;nn ondl
Dairy purposes; and at this time it takesths Lad
of all the other localities in Ohio, in the produce
ton of Cheese. The settlement of the CONT
was commenced in 1798, under the very %unfayor-
able means of approach at that time, and has
grown steadily ever since. The manner of TAX
ing up the land in small tracts, while it has not
opened so large a portion ofthe county, has filed
it with q very thrifty population, now numbers
about $4,000. This leaves a very considerable
portion OF the land in forest and for some wears
past, numbering has been an important business
and a source Of much wealth to the people. In
deed lumber is very abundant, and of excellent
quality. The forest growth is mainly, Maple,
Whitewood, (Lireodendron Tullpiphera) Ash
Cucumber Hickory, Elm, Chestnut, Oak, Hem
lock and Pine, which are used for lumboring
purposes; while several smaller growths are
abundant. From the situation, the streams are
necessarily small; but the country is well water
ed by the Ashtabula, Conneaut, MOSQUITO, Py1
matoning, Grand River tributaries, Inth6 pro.
ductlon OF fruit of almost every kind. lis not
e%Xcclled, especially alongthe Lake shore; where
the grape and apple crops are annually certain.
Small fruits are Il sure crop atall times and free
from many Of the drawbacks that attend the Gull
ture in other places. Il
The climate is more temperate than in most
parts OF the State; and in summer it is no where
more delightful. The elevated situation, togeth-
er with the lake influence, ensures q clear anal
never overheated atmosphere. To 20 from JEFF
ierson 70 nane oupe1ic- Cor Il COO summer re-
treat is simply nonsense, This county has had
the business advantage for many. years, of the
Cleveland 81 Erie Railway, passing the whole
length of its northern border; on which are sit
uated the thriving towns of Geneva, Ashtabuiaj
Kingsville and Conneaut. A branch Of this
road is now in course OF construction to be inl
running order by July next, which is to connect
Ashtabula and Jamestown, Penn, passing /
through Jefferson, the County Seat, the south
eastern townships, opening a transit for great
quantities of lumber and coal. /
But the great advantages this county enjoys
above all others are in its social improvements
and peculiarities, The early settlers were most
ly from New England; and they have modelled
society after the true Yankee habits Of i%ntelli1
gent industry and social equality. The policy
of small farms, well worked, and small means
we'll improved was instituted with the settlement
and social equality has been the constant habit
of the people. The true Democratic idea of val
uing each man according to what he is worth
rather than according to what he possess, is the
principle of association. Education of youth 4 is
the first care of the community; and every dis
trict has its we'll managed school; while a Meet
ing House adorns every corner. For a man of
small means, who wants to bring up a family
comfortably, with the best social advantages,
this is eminently the right place; while the man
ofmore enlarged means and views will not feel
himself cut off from society, or the means of im4
brewing himself and his fortune. We did not
set out to boast of this county; and would there
fore recommend people who are looking about
for q place to settle, u sit Ashtabula County,