Distillation in Cleveland began with our first settler, Lorenzo Carter. 

Lorenzo Carter arrived in Cleveland in 1797 and settled on the banks of the Cuyahoga River on what is now know as Whiskey Island.

In Cleveland's earliest years, Major Carter made his house available for travelers coming through and coming to stay in the area.  He was in keeper, tavern keeper. negotiator and translator with the local indians, and at times jailer.  At times, he also defined hat would then be considered the law.

And, yes, he was a distiller too.  But Lorenzo was busy with a great many things in those early years and distillation was just one of the many things a pioneer needed to know how to do for himself.  At least for three years, until 1800 when the Bryant brothers came to Cleveland and established Cleveland's first business.  One the banks of the Cuyahoga River. 

A distillery.  Cleveland's first business.