Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-09-04

child who survived, and her brothe
: Storrs, was the first white boy borl
, in the township
+, June, of 1904, brought Obadiah Gil
. der, of Canton, Connecticut, and Cal
vim Cone, of Hartland. At this time
the nearest neighbors on the NORTH
were Is miles away, and on the west
I5 miles; two or three families having
settled in Mesopotamia.
Here was a paradise for hunting,
If there was fault the animals were
too tame. Now, and for years after,
the wolves howled at night about the
sheep-folds, coming within few yards
of the house and attacking not only
sheep but calves and hogs. Some
times their glittering eyes might be
seen peering between the house-logs
where a lump of chinking was gone.
Wild turkeys came often to eat corn
with the pigs, and so were readily
caught. Raceoons dined on the corn
in the cabin loft. The deer too, not
having learned that man was their
enemy, were easily taken. At little
stream few yards north of the CEN
ter, one came 10 drink while Jesse
Pelton was chopping close at hand
Springing suddenly from behind a
stump lie caught it around the neck
and after a brief struggle brought it
to the ground. His wife hearing him
shout. "a knife" "bring a knife !"
came running with the weapon ana
the deer was quickly Dispatched
East of the center a half mile were
some springs of saltish water, especi-
ally relished by them, (as well too by
cattle) and hence called deer ticks
Over one of these springs two young
sons of Obed Glider, built bark seat
in a tree, and watching here, shot
many a deer as it came, by moonlight,
to drink.
A few Indians still remained, and
John Omick, with his father, would
often step in without invitation or
even permission, and having helped
themselves to whatever eatables they
could see, would leave again as un-
tremendously as they came. They
seemed like outlaws whe feel that
their country still owes them living,
and tits theirs to obtain it as best they
can. Still they were never quarrel
some, though in looks they were
frightfully savage.
The nearest grist mill at this time
was 80 miles away, at Beaver, Penn
sylvania. In few years flour could
be obtained by going Is miles, to
jamestown, Pennsylvania. But even
then kettle full of boiled I0hedt fur
nished many enjoyable meals, "espe-
cialIy," said one, "when we could add
some OF our own maple sugar" Most
of the salt was brought with OK teams
from Ashtabula, distant forty miles.
For buying dry goods the nearest
point was Fowler's store, in Poland.
But before many years the store in
Kinsman became a great convenience.
When six yards of calico for a dress
could be had at fifty cents per yard
by going only five miles after 1t, for
tune seemed to smile. Much of the
trading was done by barter, for mon
ey was not so easily obtained. A good
load of cheese, at three cents per ib
was paid for large iron kettle. Very
many men were glad to receive the
pay for their labor in provisions for
their families. a mans wages by the !
day was 4Oc. with yoke of cattle, 75c.
A woman worked for 75c. to 81 90 per |
week. Wheat was worth Sic. per
bushel: corn Is; oats s to 10 cents
Butter was cents per 10. A yoke of
good cattle brought S35; a good horse
S65. Canals were not yet built, so the
cost of transportation was very great;
and the commonest brown sugar cost
123 cents per pound; cod fish IS; tea
81, ,25, and other things in proportion.
After 1905 settlers kept steadily
coming, nearly all from Connecticut.
Jehiel Meacham, better knows as
"Oid Squire Meacham," came from
at the request OF Calvin
Cone, Esq, who felt that there was
pressing need of a blacksmith in the
and who offered to give
him fifty acres of land as an induce
msnt to come. This was very fine
offer, as Squire Meacham was not slow
to perceive, for land was then worth
$500 an acre at the very least. AS
there was no public conveyance, peo
pie moved chiefly with their own
OK teams and huge covered wagons.
Six weeks, and often more, were re-
quired for the journey. Bridges had
to be built or roads repaired; frequent
ly, after storms, and again delays
would occur from Iameness of the cat
tie or sudden illness of the family
Privations and hardships were the
of all.
The first wedding was between
Perkins and Zilpah, daugh-
ter of Josiah Pelton, on the 9Th of
April, 1904. They waited, it is said,
a whole year for the missionary to
come about and solemnize their mar
riage contract.
1t was not until four years after
ward that an election was held, and
Justice of the Peace chosen this was
Calvin Cone.
The first sermon was preached by
ReY. Thomas Robens, in the house Of
Jesse Pelton. He was sent by the
Cong. Miss. Soc. of Conn. He, with
Jos. Badger, Mr.. Osgood, and others,
preached at intervals, until 1909, when
Henry Cowles, a Congregationalist
from Austinburg, preached through
all the summer in the house of Josiah
Pelton, who paid him chiefly him
self. Through the labors fthese men.
brave for toll and bold for the truth,
and revivals prevailed,
and reformation in the fear of God