"Memorial to the Pioneer Women 
of the Western Reserve"

published under the auspices of the Woman's Department of the Cleveland
Centennial Commission in 1896, edited by Mrs. Gertrude Van Rensselaer
Wickham.  

GARRETTSVILLE, PORTAGE COUNTY OHIO - HISTORY: 1800 - 1850

Garrettsville, on the line of the Erie Railroad, is thirty-six miles southeast of Cleveland. It is supposed to be one of the two instances in Ohio where the corporation and township limits are coextensive. It has ever maintained a prominent place in political and social affairs in Portage county, and has furnished several eminent jurists.

The first settlement was made by Colonel John GARRETT and family, who came from Wilmington, Del., in July 1804. In company with them came Abraham DYSON and wife, a Quakeress, with two sons. For several weeks the party lived in the wagons, which brought them on land now covered by the pavement of Main street. This was their home until the completion of a cabin for Colonel GARRETT, which occupied a site near the present residence of William McCLINTOCK, and that of Mr. DYSON, near the home of Hiram PIERCE.

Colonel GARRETT’s death occurring two years after their settlement here, his widow assumed the cares and responsibilities devolving upon an enterprising colonist. With a family of small children, the charge of the mill, and, as settlers came, the disposal of lots for the embryo city, these duties were discharged in a manner to indicate her a woman of marked administrative ability and decision of character.

Mary (DUNN) GAGE, oldest daughter of James and Mary DUNN, was married in 1830. Upon coming to Ohio they bought the Phineas HATCH place, now owned by Frank WELLS. There was no road to the farm and but three acres cleared, with a log house in the center. It was no uncommon thing for him to get lost on his way home after dark, and often he was guided only by the sound of his wife’s voice.

Chloe FERRY was born in Brookfield, Vermont, in 1799,and came with her parents to Ohio in 1815. They were six weeks in reaching Bloomfield, Trumbull county, her father’s family being the first to locate in that township. She was married September, 1817, to William McCLINTOCK, and together they began life in Bloomfield.

In 1832 they removed to Garrettsville, occupying a log house which stood on the bank of Silver Creek, near the present site of CRANE Brothers’ store. Three years later they moved into the house now occupied by Miss Sallie McCLINTOCK where they reared a family of seven children, only three of whom are still living.

Here they spent their declining years. Mr. McCLINTLOCK’s death took place in 1873, at the age of
eighty years, and that of his wife in the year 1878, also aged eighty years. Both were for many years
active, earnest members of the Baptist Church. They were by nature very cordial and hospitable, and their home became a favorite stopping place for all preachers of that denomination.

Mrs. GARRETT, always spoken of as "Mother GARRETT, "learning of their arrival, insisted that they make her house their home until the completion of the building which John TABER was constructing for Deacon FRANCIS now owned by F.D. SNOW. Each of the party, on being presented to Mother GARRETT, was saluted with "I welcome you to my country."

Among the early settlers of Garrettsville few were more widely known than Polly McCLINTOCK. Up to the time of her death in 1895 she had lived here sixty-four years. Being the oldest of a large family she became, when quite young, the mother’s main dependence in the care of the younger children and in assisting with household duties. Amid all difficulties she managed to acquire a good education, so that when eighteen years of age, began teaching school, and continued in the work until she had taught about forty years.

Polly was the embodiment of all that was good and noble, and her life was literally spent for those she loved. Sally McCLINTOCK also was possessed of a good education, and when young began the then laborious work of teaching school and boarding around, often being obliged to walk long distances through deep snow or mud, and not receiving more than $1.50 a week for her work.

Later in life she learned the millinery business and became the village milliner with a record that probably no other milliner, in the county at least, can reach - of occupying the same room for her store for over forty years. She has, after an active, busy life, retired from business, and now occupies the old home on South street.

The children of our pioneer mothers were early imbued with strong, patriotic feelings and not backward in the defense of their favorite candidates. Mrs. Jane TILDEN HULL, a respected resident of this place, tells of a spirited encounter which took place at school when Harison and Van Buren were candidates for the Presidency. A favorite song of the time was:

"Oh, where, tell me where, was your Buckeye cabin made
Twas built among the merry boys who wield the plow
and spade."

There was a Democratic parody which ran thus:

"Twas built among the merry boys who were by bankers
paid."

On the occasion spokes of Jane TILDEN and others began singing this melody, which at once resented by Emily HAZEN, who championed the Whig cause. Trouble ensued, fists were shaken, tongues flew, and pandemonium reigned for a time. When quiet was restored all saw the ridiculousness of the affair, but it was evident that each faction stood true to their colors.

Mrs. Maria BEECHER
Chairman and Historian
Garrettsville committee - Mrs. O.S. FERRIS, Mrs. W.W.
McCLINTOCK, Mrs. Anna E. NORTON, Mrs. Marion M. SMITH,
Mrs. Mary W. TREMOLIN