Spring Township History 1885

SPRING TOWNSHIP.

SPRING TOWNSHIP— NAME— PHYSICAL FEATURES— POPULATION— LAND TITLES— EARLY SETTLERS— ADVENTURES OF PIONEERS— EARLY MILLS— LUMBERING— EARLY SCHOOLS— TEACHERS— RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS— RUNDEL’S POSTOFFICE.

WHEN the second general sub-division of the county occurred, in 1829, one of the new northern ones was christened Snowhill. This dreary title was displeasing to its citizens, inasmuch as a neighboring township possessed the genial name of Summerhill, so they petitioned the Judge of the Court to grant them a new name. He listened kindly to their prayer, and vested the township with the genial title Spring. The cabin of Hiram Woodward was fixed upon by the Assembly as the first election place. The township is regular in outline, seven miles east and west, and almost as great north and south. Its three western tiers of tracts were received from Beaver Township, the four eastern from Cussewago. The western part is drained by Conneaut Creek, which flows northward and reaches Lake Erie; the eastern part by the headwaters of Cussewago Creek, a tributary of French Creek. The soil is of good quality and well adapted either for grain-raising or grazing. The Erie & Pittsburgh Railroad crosses north and south through the western tier of tracts, and the old Beaver and Erie Canal followed the course of Conneaut Creek through the township. The population of Spring in 1850 was 1,836; in 1860 it was 1,862; in 1870, 1,522, and in 1880, 1,524. The village of Spring was included in the first two enumerations mentioned.

The two northern tiers of tracts and the fractions above them were patented by individuals, as were also twelve tracts extending in two rows from Conneautville northward, and one tract east of the village. The balance of the township was owned by the Pennsylvania Population Company except six sections in the southeast part, which were the property of the Holland Land Company. Contracts for settlement were made by the former company with the persons and at the dates below given. The amount of land negotiated for in each tract and the result are also given: James Luce, Tract 637, November 20, 1797, 200 acres; deed delivered to Philip Mott February 27, 1805. Elijah Luce, 638, November 27, 1797, 200 acres; deed delivered to Philip Mott in 1805. Michael Sloops, 645, November 27, 1797, 200 acres; settled under contract. 646, unsold. George Nelson, 647, September 21, 1797, 301 acres; settled under contract. Gravner Bailey, 648, October 14, 1797, 200 acres; small improvement made by Bailey and abandoned; intruded on in 1801, and again abandoned after three or four years settlement. 649, 650 and 651, intruded on a few years and since abandoned. 652, Samuel Powers, April 24, 1805, 100 acres; Powers was first an intruder, then a purchaser, and has since left the land and country. John Burna, 653, November 10, 1797, 200 acres; settled two or three years under the contract, then intruded on and since abandoned. 654, unsold. 655, James Gardner, November 1, 1797, 100 acres; settled under contract. 656, unsold. 657, James Patterson, November 1, 1797, 100 acres; settled under contract. 658, Samuel Patterson, November 1, 1797, 200 acres; settled under contract. 659, James McKee, November 28, 1809, 100 acres; settled under contract. 660, Hugh Montgomery, September 24, 1797, 200 acres; settled under contract. 665, Hugh Montgomery, September 24, 1797, 100 acres; settlement completed. 666, unsold. 671, Gardner Rhodes, August 20, 1798, 200 acres; deed delivered to Rhodes, who conveyed to Daniel Compton. 672, Samuel Rhodes, November 20, 1798, 200 acres; deed delivered to Rhodes. 677, small improvement under contract and given up to company. 678, John Lock, November 20, 1797, 200 acres; small improvement, then abandoned. Both 677 and 678 were intruded upon in 1801, 1802 and 1803, but since abandoned.

As indicated by the above, dissensions were rife between the company and the occupants of the land. A number who settled under contract were afterward led to believe that the company had no good title, and in consequence abandoned the contract and often sought to hold the entire tract by virtue of their rights as resident settlers. In this attempt, however, they were ultimately worsted. Others settled on the tracts without a contract, expecting under the land laws to acquire a title by virtue of residence and improvements made. In this they were disappointed, as the land company maintained its claim after lengthy litigation in the courts.

The first contracts for settlement on the Holland Land Company’s tracts in the eastern part of this township were as follows: Tract 1, Samuel Patterson, 100 acres gratuity, 50 acres sold, 150 acres, contract dated August 13, 1798, deed delivered June 11, 1812; Tract 3, Joseph Stanford, 100 acres gratuity, 50 acres sold, contract dated May 22, 1797, deed executed September 23, 1804; Tract 6, John Summers, 100 acres gratuity, 50 acres sold, May 23, 1798, deed delivered June 2, 1803; Tract 9, Andrew Parker, 100 acres gratuity, 50 acres sold, September 13, 1799, repurchased; Tract 12, Joseph Stanford, 100 acres gratuity, 50 acres sold, September 13, 1799, deed executed June 2, 1803; Tract 15, Joseph Baker, 100 acres gratuity, 50 acres sold, May 17, 1797.

Alexander and William Power in 1794 and 1795 located several tracts near Conneautville and about 1804 the former removed to the site of that village and became its founder. In 1797 Samuel Fisher, with his wife, four sons and three daughters, emigrated from Cumberland County and settled at Guntown, a mile north of Conneautville. He remained here till his death at the age of seventy-five years. His son Thomas was the first Justice of the Peace in what is now Spring Township, was a Major of militia and served three months at Erie, and in old age removed to Wisconsin, where he died. Christopher Ford settled on the tract north of Spring Borough prior to 1798. He had a large family and about 1816 sold his farm and removed to Conneaut, Ohio. James Orr was another of the foremost pioneers and was the proprietor of the two tracts upon parts of which Spring Borough is located. After a few years’ residence Mr. Orr removed from the vicinity.

Other pioneers prior to 1800, says Judge Crozier, were James McNamara, John Foster, Samuel Thompson, Rebecca Simpson, Samuel McKee, George Nelson, Henry Mott, James Smiley, William and John Gardner, Andrew Parker and Martin Montgomery. Of these, he continues, Smiley, Montgomery, William Fisher, Parker and "Kentucky Sam" Fisher settled on the Land Company’s tracts and afterward left. George Nelson hailed from Ireland. His children were James, John, Robert and Margaret (McDowell). Other early settlers were John Fleming, Samuel Simpson and David and James Thompson. Henry Cook came in 1799 from Westmoreland County, and settled two miles north of Spring Borough, where he remained till death.

From 1804 to 1816 little improvement was made except the clearing of land and the gradual substitution of hewed-log for round-log cabins. The increase in population was scarcely perceptible, but about 1816 an immigration commenced from the East, and ten or twelve years later nearly every tract was occupied by two or more families. Among these first settlers from the East were the Bowmans, Powells, Halls, Wells, Sturtevants, Woodards, Woods, Sheldons, Temples, Hurds, Ponds, Hotchkisses, Baldwins, Mylers, Wetmores, Greens, Jenks, Bolards and Thomases. In the east part of the township were Platt Rogers, Robert Temple, Justice Ross, Judd Hotchkiss, the Sperrys, Rundels and others. Bowman bought the Ford farm; Powell, the McKee farm; the Halls, the Orr farm; Myler the McNamara farm; W.P. Thomas the Scott farm; Bolard the John Thompson farm. The others purchased unimproved farms and underwent all the toils and privations of pioneer life.

Mrs. Thomas Fisher and Mrs. David Thompson, were once picking berries, when they heard the vigorous squealing of a hog in the woods just over the brow of a hill. Hastening in that direction the unfortunate pig was discovered in the clutches of a large bear, which was devouring it alive. Mrs. Thompson went for assistance and soon reappeared with Thomas Fisher, who with his rifle speedily killed offending Bruin.

Henry Christy while hunting discovered in a dense thicket at the foot of a poplar tree an old bear and three half grown cubs. The recognition was mutual, and before he could get a shot the old bear was upon him, while the cubs ascended a tree. By a precipitous retreat he eluded his pursuer after quite a race. Twice again he advanced, but could not see the bear until within twenty or thirty feet of it. Each time he was discovered before he could draw a bead on the bear and only saved his life by fleeing in hot haste. At the fourth advance he secured a shot and the bear fell dead. In reloading he found he had lost all his bullets in his pell-mell races. He at once went to a house a half mile away, moulded some bullets and returning added the three young bears to the products of the chase that day.

About 1805 John Foster was at work upon a new house about a mile from his cabin. About noon his wife sent their little boy about four years old to call his father to dinner. The boy not arriving, Mr. Foster worked away for some time, and at lasts started home alone. When he reached his cabin he was surprised to learn that his son had been sent to summon him to his noon-day meal. An anxious search for the missing boy was at once commenced; the neighbors far and near scoured the woods in all directions, but no trace of the lost child was ever discovered. Conjectures of his probable fate were various; by many it was supposed he was picked up and carried off by straggling Indians.

In 1830 Robert Foster, another son of John Foster, went deer hunting. The snow was six inches deep and a bitter cold evening approached, but the young hunter did not return. The suspense at length became unbearable and a search was instituted. On the third day, when from 200 to 300 men were threading the forest in a tireless quest, he was found dead within eighty rods of the house. It was believed that bewilderment and fatigue had overcome him while wandering circuitously through the blinding drift storm.

Hunting was often indulged in by the pioneers, and usually resulted successfully. Among the most successful deer slayers were Robert Foster, Andrew Christy, Thomas Fisher and George G. Foster. The last named once killed eight in one day, and Mr. Fisher shot a total of fifteen in three successive days.

The earliest settlers brought flour, meal, salt, etc., from Pittsburgh. These were conveyed in boats propelled by from six to twelve men with poles as far as Meadville, and thence were carried on horseback, or quite frequently by the settler along paths and across streams until the destination was reached. In 1799 Alexander Power erected a grist-mill on Conneaut Creek, nearly opposite the Conneautville Catholic Church. Jacob Hildebrand and W. Wilverton were the millwrights and received for the work £84. The irons cost £34. Matthew McClure and John Sloan made the mill-stones from the native rock, receiving £12. The blacksmith work was done by Mr. Chamberlain, of Meadville. The mill proved a great convenience to the settlers, and it was replaced in 1805 by a second mill erected about one-fourth of a mile below. This was a double-geared mill with breast-wheel and one run of stone and bolts. The building was made of hewed-logs, and the roof was built of shingles. George Dickson was the millwright. In 1829 and 1830 Mr. Power built a third grist-mill where the Power mill now stands. In 1801 Samuel Fisher erected a saw and grist-mill on Conneaut Creek about a mile north of Conneautville. William Crozier was the millwright. The grist-mill was constructed with a hewed-log-house, lap-shingle roof, undershot wheel, one run of stone, bolt and screen, and was when built one of the best mills in Crawford County, doing most of the grinding of northwestern Crawford and southwestern Erie. Ark Jenks erected a saw and grist-mill on Conneaut Creek near the Erie County line in 1820, and Robert Foster built a grist-mill a mile south of Spring Corners.

The saw-mill built by Mr. Fisher was the first in the township. Previous to its operation, in most cabins the floors consisted of slabs or puncheons split from logs. Doors, benches, tables, stools and bridges were fashioned in a like manner. Clapboards, split in the same way, and bark served for roofing. Mr. Holmes built a saw-mill at Spring Corners. Platt Rogers, in 1820, constructed the first saw-mill in the eastern part of the township at Rundel’s. Frederick Bolard, who came from Erie in 1816, in connection with farming did an extensive business in manufacturing bells. Every farmer then used bells for his oxen, cows and sheep, and sometimes they were put on horses when the latter pastured in the woods. Christopher Ford built the first distillery, prior to 1800. John Foster erected a second, Luther Rundel in 1820 built one at Rundeltown. Others were erected, but all have long since disappeared.

Gurdon and R.B. Wood in 1817 and 1818 built the first wool-carding and cloth-dressing establishment on Conneaut Creek, two miles north of Conneautville. The second was erected by Collins Hall at Spring Corners, and after doing business there for a few years was removed by the owner to Guntown. These mills did a good business in their day. Their owners have moved to the West. Before the mills were set in operation the wool was carded by hand by the women of the household, and then spun into yarn.

The opening of the canal gave an impetus to the lumber trade, and water and steam saw-mills were erected wherever the timber would warrant. White-wood, ash, lumber and staves found a ready sale in the Eastern markets; oak timber for building canal-boats, railroad cars and vessels at Erie was in good demand. Hemlock timber was sold for building and fencing in the Southern market. Farmers went into the lumbering business to the neglect of their farms. The country was rapidly cleared, and the lumber now remaining is all required for home use.

Saw-milling is still followed in various parts of the township, and among the mills may be mentioned Sheldon’s saw and shingle-mill about two miles northeast from Springboro; Dunn’s steam saw and shingle and corn-grinding mill about four miles east, and Hickernall’s steam saw-mill.

Miss Jane Garner taught the first school in 1811 or 1812 in a log schoolhouse erected on the old Cook farm two miles north of Springboro. The children who attended it were: Christopher Ford’s two miles south; James McKee’s, three-fourths of a mile southwest; John Garner’s two and a half miles southeast; John Fleming’s one mile northeast, and Thomas Ford’s two miles north. Mrs. Mitty Beals taught a term in her own cabin within the present limits of Springboro about 1817. An early schoolhouse was built on the Powell farm, a mile north of the borough. Mr. Phillips, John Nichols and many others taught there.

The first public religious instruction in the township was dispensed about 1817 by George Stuntz, a local Methodist preacher, at the cabin of Henry Cook. In that year he formed a band of religious people, including Watkin and Sarah Powell, David Hurd and wife and Henry Nickerson and wife, all of whom were Presbyterians, and Elihu Rathbun and wife, Mary Cook and John Peats, who were Methodists. In 1821 Rev. T.C. Truscott, of Erie Circuit, preached to the class once every four weeks, and the following year Rev. W.H. Collins, of the same circuit, disastrously attempted to make the class exclusively Methodist in its cast. The Presbyterians then organized a congregation, erected a small house of worship about a mile north from Springboro, and for a number of years maintained the organization. Rev. John Boyd was the pastor. Many of its members afterward united with the Christian Church.

Spring and Cussewago Baptist Church was constituted in the spring of 1837 by Elder Albert Keith, with twenty-seven members, including William Case the first Deacon, John Turneur, Stutley Carr, Sr., Stutley Carr, Jr., and others. J.S. Bacon, James Patterson, Gamaliel Head and others united until the membership swelled to eighty. It then declined, and in 1852 united as a body with the Springboro congregation. A church edifice had been built in 1838 near the east line of Spring Township, and is still standing, though it has been unoccupied for many years.

A class of the ancient Wesleyan persuasion was organized in 1839 at Hickernell’s Corners. The original class included Benjamin Haak, Abraham Hickernell, Sr., Abraham Hickernell, Jr., John Michael and others. Rev. William Howard was the first pastor. Meetings were held in the schoolhouse until 1842, when a frame meeting-house was erected on the site of the present United Brethren Church. The society attained a membership of sixty, then languished.

From the remnants of this society Rev. Willis Lampson in 1850 organized a United Brethren class, its original membership including the Hickernells, Haaks, Michaels, Maynards and others. The old Wesleyan Church was occupied until destroyed by fire about 1857. A year or two later a frame church, 28x36, was erected on the same lot at a cost of $800. It is still used. Early ministers were: Revs. Michael Oswald, G.W. Franklin, William Cadman and Robert Watson. The class forms a part of Cussewago Circuit, and now numbers sixty members. It is the only church in Spring Township.

Rundel’s is a postoffice and hamlet in the southeast part. It contains a store, steam saw-mill, cheese factory, blacksmith-shop, wagon-shop and hand rake factory. The only other postoffice in the township is Hickernell’s, recently established at Hickernell’s Corners, where a store may also be found.

The township is made famous by "Shadeland," the great stock farm of Powell Bros., which has acquired national repute. The estate comprises more than 1,000 acres of choice land, located a mile north from Spring Borough. It is improved by a handsome residence and half a hundred capacious and substantial barns, stables and outbuildings, admirably adapted to the breeding of pure-bred imported live-stock of various classes. A large corps of employes is required, and an immense business is transacted.

Spring Grange, No. 263, was organized May 18, 1874, with twenty-six charter members. Its first Master was W.F. Head; first Secretary, I.S. Bail. It now has thirty-seven members. Present Master, S.B. Lawrence; present Secretary, I.S. Bail. Meets regularly at the residence of the Secretary, I.S. Bail, on the first and third Saturday evenings of each month.

History of Crawford County 1885