The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-11-04

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tain could not obtain any for any price,
so his wife and daughter would go to
Squire Sheldon's pasture and pick clo-
yer heads, which were dried and after
wards rubbed out by hand, obtaining
in this way nearly quart of good seed,
which enabled Mr.. Perkins to seed his
first clearing. Apropos of the Captain
who was among the first justices, the
following is related: In the first case
brought before him. young man
whose only knowledge Of law was that
recorded by Moses, was retained as
counsel by the plaintiff. In stating
his case to the court the young man
quoted, to use his own language, "cer-
tain passages" which sounded to the
Court like Bible quotations, and was
therefore called to order by that func-
tionary with, "Set down, you id fool
there 'haint no passages in law, pass
ages is Scripter!"
On the fourth of July of this veal, the
first "ball" was held in town. The
"trippers Of the light fantastic'' met at
the 12x16 cabin of George Holcomb.
"Joe" Skinner drew the bow, and q
fine time resulted. Most of the young
| people of Aurora, Hudson and North
ampton were there, and the room was
not very badly crowded at that. OF
that party of "merry makers" only
three survive, Mrs. Hollenbeck, Of
Bundysburg, Mrs. Polly Little, and
"Aunt" Laura Cannon, of Aurora.
On Christmas day, Rhoda Cochran,
mentioned in the preceding chapter,
died, aged twenty-one. For years she
| had been q great sufferer, but never
complained, patiently waiting to go to
that "better country" No clergyman
could be procured, 80 aneighbor offered
up tender prayer. and four young
men carried the coffin to the Center,
where lot for burial ground had
been selected just west of the present
Congregational church. This lot was
used as q cemetery for several years,
when the present cemetery was decid-
ed upon. Judge Forward was the first
person inferred in the present ground.
Besides the Egglestons referred to,
John G. Singletary, young man, put
up log house where Mrs. Louisa
Hurd now lives. He did not long live
life of single blessedness, for the next
year Harriet Powers consented to
change her name to his. Mr.. Single
tary continued to reside in town some
twenty years, was promoted to the Of
fine of Colonel of militia, and when
settlers began to pour into Streetsboro,
he purchased q large farm and soon
after moved his family upon it.
Samuel Baldwin, with his wife, five
boys and one daughter, came this year
and built log house where the "Bald-
win brick" now is. Caleb, his son, To-
Gated his house q short distance east of
his fathers.
In December, 1907, sufficient voters
having arrived to warrant such pro-
ceeding, the. township was organized
by electing Samuel Forward, Ebenezer
Sheldon and Phineas Perkins, Trus- |
tees, Oliver Forward, Clerk, Moses |
Eggleston, Constable, Samuel Forward
Appraiser, Ebenezer Sheldon, Jr., and !
Samuel Forward, Overseers of the
Poor, Robert Bissell, Treasuser. The
following April, at the annual election
Samuel Forward and James Henry |
were elected Justices. Still further
additions were made to the population.
in 1908 by the arrival of Horace and
Justus Bissen who came with their
families, and settled on lots IL
and l2, part of which is now owned by
Calvin Bissell. They were the first
carpenters and joiners, and immediate
ly commenced the erection of frame
houses and barns, Squire Sheldon lead
ing off with frame dwelling in 1909.
In the next few years they erected
scores of barns in this section of
country, many of which are still
standing,
Major Elijah Blackman, a soldier of
the Revolution, who served his country
faithfully and well, with his son Elijah
Jr., and Samuel, brother, came to
town. Each of these had families, but
only one descendant, n. G. Blackman,
now resides in town. Abner Pease
brought his family and located then
upon lot q.
This year the town was enabled to
chronicle two unusual events the ole
being its first fourth of July celebra-
ton, the other Of the greatest import
ance, the erection of grist mill. The
celebration was held at the house of
Judge Forward. Oliver Forward de-
livered the grafton, an effort that was,
of course, warmly applauded. A free
dinner was provided and the whole
town partook of the bountiful repast,
which, regarded as an effort of culinary
skill, was never surpassed in the town.
Toasts followed, among which the fol-
lowing, by Samuel Baldwin, is worthy
Of record: |,
"To the nymphs of the western ar j
cadia. May the wild rose blush of :
their cheeks be as uufading as their
virtue is untaruished."
: In the evening grand ball was CIV
On at Samuel Taylor's, which the en-
tire town attended, even to one couple,
the man going on crutohes and his
wife following, carrying baby.
During the summer of this year,
Ananijah Bradley built grist mill for
Dea Septemus Witter upon the Cha
grin river where G. r. Howard's saw
mill now stands. This proved of the :
greatest convenience to the settlers. I
who, since the burning of Wyatt's |
mill were obliged to go to Garrettsville 1
Or Northampton te get their grain g
ground. The roads were generally in ,
= horrible condition, eight bushels be- t
ing a large load. The chances to cross :
The Cnyahoga river had to be watched,
and many man has had to cut poles
and lay acsoss his wagon box upon