2009-2010 Officers

John D. Cimperman – President
John A. Winter - 1st Vice President
Mary Artino – 2nd Vice President
Betty Franklin - Secretary
Ben Stefanski II - Treasurer
Paul G. Glenn - Chaplain
Gilbert M. True - Historian
Faye D’Amore - Patriotic Coordinator
Vincent Francioli - Finance Chair
Gayle Perch - Publicity
Paul G. Glenn - Membership Chair


Early Settlers Of The Western Reserve
P.O. Box 39291
Solon, Ohio 44139
p. 440-235-4441



Welcome to the Official Homepage of the Early Settlers Association (ESA) of the Western Reserve - Cleveland, Ohio

The Early Settlers Association (ESA) of the Western Reserve is one of the oldest civic organizations in the area once known as the Connecticut Lands of the Western Reserve (Northeast Ohio). Formed more than a century ago (November 19, 1879) original members had some connection to the earliest settlers of the region. They adopted a constitution and a purpose or mission, which has not changed much to this day.

"Inspire greater understanding and interest in the history of Cleveland and the Western Reserve; to preserve the traditions of the Western Reserve; to organize, observe and celebrate the anniversaries of important historical events; to mark places with enduring signs; to further the best interest of Cleveland and the Western Reserve by cooperation with other organizations for the achievement of worthy historical, civic, educational and cultural goals".

The only change has been to open the membership to any person who shares in the goals stated above regardless of his or her ancestry or place of residence.


The Connecticut Western Reserve

In 1662, King Charles II granted a charter to the new colony of Connecticut extending its boundary westward across Connecticut "from sea-to-sea". Other royal charters were granted to New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. When the American Revolution ended, the new states ceded their western land claims, except Connecticut which was permitted to sell off roughly three million acres of the land called the Western Reserve. Bounded by Lake Erie on the north, Pennsylvania on the east, it extended 120 miles westward. On the South, The Reserve's line was set at 41 degrees north latitude. Some 500,000 acres of land at the western end were set aside and called the Firelands for those whose home, business or farm had been burned out or destroyed by the British during the Revolution as compensation for their loss. The remainder of the land was sold to the Connecticut Land Company - set up by a group of investors. The first surveying party to plot the new capital city of the Reserve arrived on July 22, 1796 near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River. Its leader was Moses Cleaveland— Revolutionary War General, lawyer, and investor in the Company. The new capital city would be located on the bluff overlooking the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie and named in honor of him. Years later the spelling was changed to Cleveland. Each year thereafter, new surveying parties came to plot the many cities and townships that would spring up as settlers gradually purchased land and moved westward. Settlement was slow until the opening of the Ohio & Erie Canal in the 1830's. The name Western Reserve is still frequently used today to describe this area, its institutions and businesses. In the 1960's the ESA commissioned the placement of stone markers at the four corners of the Western Reserve.