Part 2

The village of Cleveland was incorporated in 1814, and the first president of the village, elected in 1815, was Alfred Kelley. Twelve votes were cast at the election. In the following year he resigned his position, and his father, Daniel Kelley, was elected by the same number of votes, retaining his position until 1820, when Horace Perry was made president. In the following year he was succeeded by Reuben Wood. From the year 1821 to 1825, Leonard Case was regularly elected president of the corporation, but neglecting to qualify in the latter year, the recorder, E. Waterman, became president, ex-officio. Here the records are defective until the year 1828, when it appears Mr. Waterman received the double office of president and recorder. On account of ill-health he resigned, and on the 30th of May the trustees appointed Oirson Cathan as president. At the annual election in June, 1829, Dr. David Long was elected president, and during his presidency a fire-engine was purchased. Forty-eight votes were cast at this election. For the years 1830 and 1831, Richard Hilliard was president, and for the following year John W. Allen was chosen, and retained the position until 1835, one hundred and six votes being cast at the last named election.

The mayors of Ohio City, up to the time of the consolidation, were as follows; 1836, Josiah Barber; 1837, Francis A. Burrows; 1838-9, Norman C. Baldwin; 1840-41, Needham M. Standart; 1842, Francis A. Burrows; 1843, Richard Lord; 1844-5-6, D. H. Lamb; 1847, David Griffith; 1848, John Beverlin; 1849, Thomas Burnham; 1850-51-52, Benjamin Sheldon; 1853, Wm. B. Castle.

The first mayor of the city of Cleveland was John W. Willey, who held the office for two terms, namely, for the years 1836 and 1837, the term under the old constitution being but for one year. In 1858, the term was extended to two years, Abner C. Brownell being re-elected for the first two-year term. Under that mayoralty the consolidation of the two cities was effected, and the next mayor, according to the understanding, was taken from the late municipality of Ohio City, William B. Castle being elected for the term of 1855-6.

When Cleveland was raised to the dignity of a city, in 1836, it was divided into three wards, each ward represented by three councilmen and one alderman. In 1851, a fourth ward was added, the increased population rendering the re-arrangement necessary. In 1853, under the operation of the new constitution, the aldermen were dispensed with; the wards had previously been restricted to two trustees, or councilmen, each. In 1854, the two cities of Cleveland and Ohio City having been united, the consolidated city was divided into eleven wards. This number remained until 1868, when, by the annexation of additional territory, a re-division was necessitated, and the city districted into fifteen wards.

As an interesting and valuable contribution to the municipal history of the city we give the following complete record of the executive and legislative government of Cleveland since its organization as a city:

1836. Mayor--John W. Willey. President of the Council--Sherlock J. Andrews. Aldermen--Richard Hilliard, Joshua Mills, Nicholas Dockstader. Councilmen--1st Ward--Morris Hepburn, John R. St. John, William V. Craw. 2d Ward--Sherlock J. Andrews, Henry L. Noble, Edward Baldwin. 3d Ward--Aaron T. Strickland, Horace Canfield, Archibald M. C. Smith.

1837. Mayor--John W. Willey. President of the Council--Joshua Mills. Aldermen--Joshua Mills, Nicholas Dockstader, Jonathan Williams. Councilmen--1st Ward--George B. Merwin, Horace Canfield, Alfred Hall. 2d Ward--Edward Baldwin, Samuel Cook, Henry L. Noble. 3d Ward--Samuel Starkweather, Joseph K. Miller, Thomas Colahan.

1838. Mayor--Joshua Mills. President of the Council--Nicholas Dockstader. Aldermen--Nicholas Dockstader, Alfred Hall, Benjamin Harrington. Councilmen--1st Ward--George C. Dodge, Moses A. Eldridge, Herrick Childs. 2d Ward--Benjamin Andrews, Leonard Case, Henry Blair. 3d Ward--Melancthon Barnett, Thomas Colahan, Tom Lemen.

1839. Mayor--Joshua Mills. President of the Council--John A. Foot. Aldermen--Harvey Rice, Edward Baldwin, Richard Hilliard. Councilmen--1st Ward--George Mendenhall, Timothy P. Spencer, Moses Ross. 2d Ward--John A. Foot, Charles M. Giddings, Jefferson Thomas. 3d Ward--Thomas Bolton, Tom Lemen, John A. Vincent.

1840. Mayor--Nicholas Dockstader. President of the Council--William Milford. Aldermen--William Milford, William Lemen, Josiah A. Harris. Councilmen--1st Ward--Ashbel W. Walworth, David Hersch, John Barr. 2d Ward--David Allen, John A. Foot, Thomas M. Kelley. 3d Ward--Stephen Clary, Charles Bardburn, John A. Vincent.

1841. Mayor--John W. Allen. President of the Council--Thomas Bolton. Aldermen--William Milford, Thomas Bolton, Newton E. Crittenden. Councilmen--1st Ward--Nelson Hayward, Herrick Childs, George B. Tibbets. 2d Ward--Moses Kelly, W. J. Warner, M. C. Younglove. 3d Ward--Philo Scovill, Benj. Harrington, Miller M. Spangler.

1842. Mayor--Joshua Mills. President of the Council--Benjamin Harrington. Aldermen--Nelson Hayward, William Smyth, Benjamin Harrington. Councilmen--1st Ward--William D. Nott, Robert Bailey, Henry Morgan. 2d Ward--George Mendenhall, George Witherell, Jefferson Thomas. 3d Ward--William T. Goodwin, George Kirk, Levi Johnson.

1843. Mayor--Nelson Hayward. President of the Council--George A. Benedict. Aldermen--William D. Nott, Samuel Cook, Samuel Starkweather. Councilmen--1st Ward--Robert Bailey, John B. Wigman, James Church, Jr. 2d Ward--Stephen Clary, Alanson H. Lacy, George A. Benedict. 3d Ward--William T. Goodwin, John Wills, Alexander S. Cramer.

1844. Mayor--Samuel Starkweather. President of the Council--Melancthon Barnett. Aldermen--Leander M. Hubby, Stephen Clary, William T. Goodwin. Councilmen--1st Ward--Thomas Mell, George F. Marshall, E. St. John Bemis. 2d Ward--Charles Stetson, Jacob Lowman, John Outhwaite. 3d Ward--William F. Allen, Melancthon Barnett, John F. Warner.

1845. Mayor--Samuel Starkweather. President of the Council--Flavel W. Bingham. Aldermen--Charles W. Heard, George Witherell, L. O. Mathews. Councilmen--1st Ward--Flavel W. Bingham, Peter Caul, Samuel C. Ives. 2d Ward--James Gardner, Ellery G. Williams, David L. Wood. 3d Ward--Arthur Hughes, John A. Wheeler, Orville Gurley.

1846. Mayor--George Hoadley. President of the Council--Leander M. Hubby. Aldermen--Leander M. Hubby, John H. Gorham, Josiah A. Harris. Councilmen--1st Ward--E. St. John Bemis. John F. Chamberlain, John Gill. 2d Ward--William Case, William Bingham, John A. Wheeler. 3d Ward--William K. Adams Marshall Carson, Liakim L. Lyon.

1847. Mayor--Josiah A. Harris. President of the Council--Flavel W. Bingham. Aldermen--Flavel W. Bingham, William Case, Pierre A. Mathivet. Councilmen--1st Ward--David Clark Doan, Henry Everett, John Gill. 2d Ward--John Erwin, Charles Hickox, Henry B. Payne. 3d Ward--Alexander Seymour, Alexander S. Cramer, Orville Gurley.

1848. Mayor--Lorenzo A. Kelsey. President of the Council--Flavel W. Bingham. Aldermen--Flavel W. Bingham, William Case, Alexander Seymour. Councilmen--1st Ward--Richard Norton, John Gill, Charles M. Read. 2d Ward--Henry B. Payne, Leander M. Hubby, Thomas C. Floyd. 3d Ward--Samuel Starkweather, Robert Parks, William J. Gordon.

1849. Mayor--Flavel W. Bingham. President of the Council--William Case. Aldermen--William Case, Alexander Seymour, John Gill. Councilmen--1st Ward--David W. Cross, Richard Norton, Henry Everett. 2d Ward--Alexander McIntosh, John G. Mack, James Calyer. 3d Ward--Arthur Hughes, Abner C. Brownell Christopher Mollen.

1850. Mayor--William Case. President of the Council--Alexander Seymour. Aldermen--Alexander Seymour, John Gill, Leander M. Hubby. Councilmen--1st Ward--William Given, George Whitelaw, Buckley Stedman. 2d Ward--Alexander McIntosh, William Bingham, Samuel Williamson. 3d Ward--Arthur Hughes, Abner C. Brownell, Levi Johnson.

1851. Mayor--William Case. President of the Council--John Gill, Aldermen--John Gill, Leander M. Hubby, Abner C. Brownell, Buckley Stedman. Council-men--1st Ward--Jabez W. Fitch, George Whitelaw. 2d Ward--Alexander McIntosh, Thomas C. Floyd. 3d Ward--Stoughton Bliss, Miller M. Spangler. 4th Ward--Marshall S. Castle, James B. Wilbur.

1853. Mayor--Abner C. Brownell. President of the Council--Leander M, Hubby. Aldermen--John B. Wigman, Leander M. Hubby, Basil L. Spangler, Buckley Stedman. Councilmen--1st Ward--Henry Morgan, Aaron Merchant. 2d Ward--William H. Shell, Robert B. Bailey. 3d Ward--Stoughton Bliss, John B. Smith. 4th Ward--Admiral N. Gray, Henry Howe.

1853. Mayor--Abner C. Brownell. President of the Council--William H. Shell. Trustees--1st Ward--John B, Wigman, George F. Marshall. 2d Ward--William H. Shell, James Gardner. 3d Ward--William J. Gordon, Robert Reilley. 4th Ward--Henry Everett, Richard C. Parsons.

1854. Abner C. Brownell. President of the Council--Richard C. Parsons. Trustees--1st Ward--John B. Wigman, Charles Bradburn. 2d Ward--William H. Sholl, James Gardner. 3d Ward--Christopher Mollen, Robert Reilley. 4th Ward--Henry Everett, Richard C. Parsons. 5th Ward--Chauncey Tice, Mathew S. Cotterell. 6th Ward--Bolivar Butts, John A. Bishop. 7th Ward--W. C. B. Richardson, George W. Morrill. 8th Ward--A. C. Messenger, Charles W. Palmer. 9th Ward--Wells Porter, Albert Powell. 10th Ward--Plimmon C. Bennett, I. U. Masters. 11th Ward--Edward Russell, Frederick Sillbers.

1855. Mayor--William B. Castle. President of the Council--Charles Bradburn. Trustees--1st Ward--Charles Bradburn, E. A. Brock. 2d Ward--William H. Sholl, William T. Smith. 3d Ward--Christopher Mollen, Thomas S. Paddock. 4th Ward--William H. Stanley, Rensselaer R. Horrick. 5th Ward--Chauncey Tice, Irad L. Beardsley. 6th Ward--Bolivar Butts, John A. Bishop. 7th Ward--W. C. B. Richardson, George W. Morrill. 8th Ward--Charles W. Palmer, S. W. Johnson. 9th Ward--Albert Powell, William A. Wood. 10th Ward--I. U. Masters, Charles A. Crum. 11th Ward Edward Russell, S. Buhrer.

1856. Mayor--William B. Castle. President of the Council--Charles W. Palmer. Trustees--1st Ward--E. A. Brock, A. P. Winslow. 2d Ward--Wm. T. Smith, O. M. Oviatt. 8d Ward--T. S. Paddock, C. Mollen. 4th Ward--R. R. Herrick, C. S. Ransom. 5th Ward--C. Tice, F. T. Wallace. 6th Ward--J. A. Bishop, Harvey Rice. 7th Ward--G. W. Morrill, E. S. Willard. 8th Ward--S. W. Johnson, R. G. Hunt. 9th Ward--Sanford J. Lewis, Charles W. Palmer. 10th Ward--Charles A. Crum, I. U. Masters. 11th Ward--S. Buhrer, John Kirkpatrick.

1857. Mayor--Samuel Starkweather. President of the Council--Reuben G. Hunt. Trustees--1st Ward--A. P. Winslow, L. J. Rider. 2d Ward--O. M. Oviatt, Charles D. Williams. 3d Ward--C. Mollen, Charles Patrick 4th Ward--C. S. Ransom, R. R. Herrick. 5th Ward--F. T. Wallace, W. B. Rezner. 6th Ward--Harvey Rice, Jacob Mueller. 7th Ward--E. S. Willard, John A. Weber. 8th Ward--R. G. Hunt, B. G. Sweet. 9th Ward--C. W. Palmer, J. M. Coffinberry. 10th Ward--I. U. Masters, Charles A. Crum. 11th Ward--John Kirkpatrick, Daniel Stephan.

1858. Mayor--Samuel Starkweather. President of the Council--James M. Coffinberry. Trustees--1st Ward--L. J. Rider, George B. Senter. 2d Ward--Chas. D. Williams, O. M. Oviatt. 3d Ward--Levi Johnson, Randall Crawford. 4th Ward--R. R. Herrick, C. S. Ransom. 5th Ward--Wm. B. Rezner, G. H. Detmer. 6th Ward--Jacob Mueller, L. D. Thayer. 7th Ward--J. A. Weber, Thos. Thompson. 8th Ward--B. G. Sweet, Charles Winslow. 9th Ward--J. M. Coffinberry, John N. Ford. 10th Ward--A. G. Hopkinson, I. U. Masters. 11th Ward--Daniel Stephan, Alexander McLane.

1859. Mayor--George B. Senter. President of the Council--I. U. Masters. Trustees--1st Ward--L. J. Rider, James Christian. 2d Ward--O. M. Oviatt, Wm. H. Hayward. 3d Ward--Randall Crawford, Louis Heckman. 4th Ward--C. S. Ransom, Isaac H. Marshall. 5th Ward--G. H. Detmer, Jacob Hovey. 6th Ward--L. C. Thayer, Jared H. Clark. 7th Ward--Thos. Thompson, James R. Worswick. 8th Ward--Charles Winslow, C. L. Russell. 9th Ward--John H. Sargeant, E. H. Lewis. 10th Ward--I. U. Masters, A. G. Hopkinson. 11th Ward--A. McLane, Thomas Dixon.

1860. Mayor--George B. Senter. President of the Council--I. U. Masters Trustees--1st Ward--James Christian, Thomas Quayle. 2d Ward--W. H. Hayward, M. Oviatt. 3d Ward--Louis Heckman, H. S. Stevens. 4th Ward--I. H. Marshall, E. Thomas. 5th Ward--Jacob Hovey, W. B. Rezner. 6th Ward--Jared H. Clark, C. J. Ballard. 7th. Ward--Jas. R. Worswick, E. S. Willard. 8th Ward--C. L. Russell, J. Dwight Palmer. 9th Ward--E. H. Lewis, Wm. Sabin. 10th Ward--A. G. Hopkinson, I. U. Masters. 11th Ward--Thos. Dixon, Daniel Stephan.

1861. Mayor--Edward S. Flint. President of the Council--Henry S. Stevens. Trustees--1st Ward--Thomas Quayle, J. J. Benton. 2d Ward--O. M. Oviatt, T. N. Bond. 3d Ward--Henry S. Stevens, A. C. Keating. 4th Ward--E. Thomas, Henry Blair. 5th Ward--W. B. Rezner, Joseph Sturges. 6th Ward--C. J. Ballard, William Meyer. 7th Ward--E. S. Willard, P. M. Freese. 8th Ward--J. Dwight Palmer, Solon Corning. 9th Ward--Wm. Sabin, A. Anthony. 10th Ward--I. U. Masters, Wm. Wellhouse. 11th Ward--J. Coonrad, Thos. Dixon.

1862. Mayor--Edward S. Flint. President of the Council--I. U. Masters. Trustees--1st Ward--J. J. Benton, C. C. Rogers. 2d Ward--T. N. Bond. A. Roberts. 3d Ward--A. C. Keating, H. S. Stevens. 4th Ward--Henry Blair, E. Thomas. 5th Ward--Joseph Sturges, N. P. Payne. 6th Ward--Wm. Meyer, Jno. Huntington. 7th Ward--P. M. Freese, E. S. Willard. 8th Ward--Solon Corning, J. Dwight Palmer. 9th Ward--A. Anthony, A. T. Van Tassel. 10th Ward--Wm. Wellhouse, I. U. Masters. 11th Ward--Thos. Dixon, J. Coonrad.

1863. Mayor--Irvine U. Masters. President of the Council--H. S. Stevens. Trustees--1st Ward--C. C. Rogers, Thos. Jones, Jr. 2d Ward--A. Roberts, T. N. Bond. 3d Ward--H. S. Stevens, A. C. Keating. 4th Ward--E. Thomas, Henry Blair. 5th Ward--N. P. Payne, Joseph Sturges. 6th Ward--John Huntington, Geo. W. Gardner. 7th Ward--E. S. Willard, Peter Goldrick. 8th Ward--J. D. Palmer, Jos. Ransom. 9th Ward--A. T. Van Tassel, Percival Upton. 10th Ward--H. N. Bissett, George Presley. 11th Ward--J. Coonrad, Stephen Buhrer.

1864. Mayor--Irvine U. Masters. Mayor--George B. Senter, President of the Council--Thomas Jones, Jr. Trustees--1st Ward--Thomas Jones, Jr., Chas. C. Rogers. 2d Ward--T. N. Bond, Ansel Roberts. 3d Ward--A. C. Keating, Amos Townsend. 4th Ward--Henry Blair, David A. Dangler. 5th Ward--Joseph Sturges, B. P. Bowers. 6th Ward--George W. Gardner, John Huntington. 7th Ward--Peter Goldrick, E. S. Willard. 8th Ward--Joseph Randerson, Wm. H. Truscott. 9th Ward--Percival Upton, John Martin. 10th Ward--George Presley, Michael Crapser. 11th Ward--Stephen Buhrer, Edward Russell.

1865. Mayor--Herman M. Chapin. President of the Council--Thomas Jones, Jr. Trustees--1st Ward--Charles C. Rogers, Thomas Jones, Jr. 2d Ward--Ansel Roberts, Henry K. Raynolds. 3d Ward--Amos Townsend, Randall Crawford. 4th Ward--David A Dangler, Simson Thorman. 5th Ward--B. P. Bower, Joseph Sturges. 6th Ward--John Huntington, George W. Calkins. 7th Ward--E. S. Willard, Charles Pettingill. 8th Ward--William H. Truscott, Joseph Randerson. 9th Ward--John Martin, Fredrick W. Pelton. 10th Ward--John J. Weideman, George Presley. 11th Ward--Edward Russell, Stephen Buhrer.

1866. Mayor--Herman M. Chapin. President of the Council--P. W. Pelton. Trustees--1st Ward--Thos. Jones, Jr., Charles C. Rogers. 2d Ward--H. K. Raynolds, Ansel Roberts. 3d Ward--Randall Crawford, Amos Townsend. 4th Ward--Simson Thorman, Maurice H. Clark. 5th Ward--Joseph Sturges, Wm. Heisley. 6th Ward--George W. Calkins, John Huntington. 7th Ward--Charles B. Pettingill, Christopher Weigel. 8th Ward--Joseph Randerson, William H. Trascott. 9th Ward--Frederick W. Pelton, John Martin. 10th Ward--George Presley, Reuben H. Becker. 11th Ward--Stephen Buhrer, Robert Larnder.

1867. Mayor--Stephen Buhrer. President of the Council--Amos Townsend. Trustees--1st Ward--Charles C. Rogers, Silas Merchant. 2d Ward--Ansel Roberts, Peter Diemer. 3d Ward--Amos Townsend, J. C. Shields. 4th Ward--Maurice B. Clark, Proctor Thayer. 5th Ward--William Heisley, Thomas Purcell. 6th Ward--John Huntington, Edward Hart. 7th Ward--Christopher Weigel, Charles B. Pettingill. 8th Ward--William H. Truscott, Joseph Houstain. 9th Ward--John Martin, F. W. Pelton. 10th Ward--Reuben H. Becker, William Wellhouse. 11th Ward--Robert Larnder, Charles E. Gehring.

1868. Mayor--Stephen Buhrer. President of the Council--Amos Townsend. Trustees--1st Ward--Silas Merchant, C. C. Rogers. 2d Ward--Peter Diemer, H. G. Cleveland. 3d Ward--J. C. Shields, Amos Townsend. 4th Ward--Proctor Thayer, Maurice B. Clark. 5th Ward--Thos. Purcell, Nathan P. Payne. 6th Ward--Edwin Hart, John Huntington. 7th Ward--Charles B. Pettingill, George Angell. 8th Ward--Joseph Houstain, Patrick Carr. 9th Ward--F. W. Pelton, John Martin. 10th Ward--William Wellhouse, John J. Weideman 11th Ward--Charles E. Gehring, George L. Hurtnell. 13th Ward--E. C. Gaeckley, Benj. R. Beavis. 13th Ward--George Rettberg, Major Collins. 14th Ward--John Jokus, A. E. Massey. 15th Ward--B. Lied, John A. Ensign.

1869. Mayor--Stephen Buhrer. President of the Council--Amos Townsend. Trustee--1st Ward--C. C. Rogers, Silas Merchant. 2d Ward--H. G. Cleveland, Peter Diemer. 3d Ward--Amos Townsend, Charles Coates. 4th Ward--R. R. Herrick, Proctor Thayer. 5th Ward--Nathan P. Payne, Thomas Purcell. 6th Ward--John Huntington, W. P. Horton. 7th Ward--George Angell, Horace Fuller. 8th Ward--Patrick Carr, Patrick Smith. 9th Ward--John Martin, L. L. M. Coe. 10th Ward--John J. Weideman, Wm. Wellhouse. 11th Ward--George L. Hartnell, John G. Vetter. 12th Ward--Benj. R. Beavis, Eugene C. Gaeckley. 13th Ward--Major Collins, J. H. Slosson. 14th Ward--A. E. Massey, A. A. Jewett, 15th Ward--John A. Ensign, C. W. Coates.

Trade and Commerce.

The commercial history of the early years of Cleveland does not differ from that of most western settlements. When the white population numbered from a few dozen to a few hundred, it is difficult to define what was commerce and what mere barter for individual accommodation. Every man did a little trading on his own account. The carpenter, the tailor, the judge and the preacher were alike ready to vary their customary occupations by a dicker whenever an opportunity offered. The craftsman purchased what necessities or comforts he needed, and paid in the work of his hands. The possessor of one article of daily use traded his superfluity for another article, and for all articles furs and skins were legal tender, as they could be sent east and converted into money or merchandise.

The first strictly commercial transactions were with the Indians. They needed powder and lead for hunting, blankets for their comfort, beads for the adornment of the squaws, and the two great luxuries--or necessities--of frontier life, salt and whisky. In payment for these they brought game, to supply the settlers with fresh provisions, and skins, the currency of the West. In course of time the opening up of the country beyond made a new market for the salt, whisky, and salt provisions collected at Cleveland, and with these staples went occasionally a few articles of eastern made goods for the use of the frontiermen's wives. As the country became more settled the commercial importance of Cleveland increased, until it divided with Detroit and Buffalo the honors and profits of the commerce of the lakes.

Cleveland was settled in 1796. PFiveyears later the first commercial movement was made by the erection of a distillery for the purpose of providing an adequate supply of the basis of early western commerce--whisky. The trade operations were of a promiscuous and desultory character until about the year 1810, when a log warehouse was built by Major Carter, on the bank of the lake, between Meadow and Spring streets, and this was speedily followed by another, built by Elias and Harvey Murray, which became the centre of business and gossip for the village and the country round about. Of course a full supply of the great staple--whisky--was kept.

In 1813 Cleveland became a lively and prosperous place, it having been chosen as a depot of supplies and rendezvous for troops engaged in the war. A good business was done in selling to the army, in exchanging with the quartermasters, and in transporting troops and supplies. This was a flourishing time for Cleveland, and its inhabitants in many cases made small fortunes, realizing several hundred dollars in hard cash.

The close of the war brought the usual reaction, and the commerce of the embryo city lagged, but gradually improved under the stimulus of increasing emigration to the West. In 1816 it had reached such a point that a bank was deemed necessary to the proper transaction of trade, and the Commercial Bank of Lake Erie was opened, with Leonard Case as president. It had the misfortune of being born too soon, and its life consequently was not long. At the same time, the projectors of the bank were not wholly without warrant for their anticipations of success, for Cleveland was doing a good business and owned an extensive lake marine of seven craft, measuring in the aggregate four hundred and thirty tons.

The harbor facilities of Cleveland at this time were very few. The river mouth, to the westward of the present entrance, was frequently choked with sand, and sometimes to such an extent that persons could cross dry shod. Vessels of any considerable size--and a size then called "considerable" would now be held in very slight estimation--made no attempt to enter the river, but came to anchor outside, and were unloaded by lighters. In 1807 a scheme was set on foot for opening a line of communication for trading purposes between Lake Erie and the Ohio river, by cleaning out the channels of the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas riverspretentiousssage of boats and batteaux; a wagon road, seven miles long, from Old Portage to New Portage, making the connection between the two rivers. It was supposed that twelve thousand dollars would suffice for the purpose, and the Legislature authorized a lottery by which the funds were to be raised. There were to be twelve thousand eight hundred tickets at five dollars each, with prizes aggregating sixty-four thousand dollars, from which a deduction of twelve and a half per cent, was to be made. The drawing never came off, and the money paid for the tickets was refunded some years afterwards, without interest. In 1816 an attempt was made to improve the entrance to the harbor by means of a pier into the lake. A company was organized for the purpose, a charter obtained from the Legislature, and something done towards building the pier, but the storms soon washed the slight construction away.

Ten years later, the work of improving the harbor under the direction of the National Government was begun, the first appropriation being of five thousand dollars. A new channel was cut, piers commenced, and the work entered upon which has been carried on with varying energy to the present time. The opening of the river gave considerable impetus to the commerce of the place, which was then carried on wholly by lake.