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ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY
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Digitized by the Internet Archive
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http://archive.org/details/portageheritagehOOholm
*Pontaye 'Zfenifaye
A history of Portage County, Ohio; its towns and
townships and the men and women who have
developed them; its life, institutions and
biographies, facts and lore.
Published by The Portage County Historical Society
James B. Holm, Editor
Lucille Dudley, Assistant Editor
ILLUSTRATED
SESQUI-CENTENNIAL EDITION, 1957
/ like to see a man proud of the place in which he
lives. And I like to see a man live in it so that his
place will be proud of him.
— Lincoln
Tell me the tales that you once told to me,
hong, long ago; long, long ago.
Sing me the songs that you once sang to me,
Long, long ago, long ago.
— Old Song
Let not the dead forgotten lie,
Lest living men forget to die.
— Anon
977..
H
Chapter
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
XI
X
XI
XII
XIII
XIV
XV
XVI
XVII
XVIII
XIX
XX
XXI
XXII
XXIII
XXIV
XXV
XXVI
XXVII
XXVIII
XXIX
XXX
XXXI
XXXII
XXXIII
XXXIV
XXXV
XXXVI
XXXVII
XXXVIII
XXXIX
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Our First Citizens 17
Land For Stout Hearted Men 27
Organizing For Civilization 45
By Trial and Error 63
They Learn Their Strength 77
County's Greatest Travail . 89
Horse and Buggy, But Strong 99
The Horseless Carriage Appears 113
The Mechanical Age Arrives 135
Transportation 151
Religion and Churches 167
Agriculture in Portage County 183
Education in Portage County 195
Industry 209
Portage In The Wars 221
Newspapers and Editors .. 233
Hospitals and Physicians 241
Judiciary and Bar 244
TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS
Atwater 261
Aurora 271
Brimfield 283
Charlestown 293
Deerfield 301
Edinburg 311
Franklin and Kent 323
Freedom 347
Garrettsville 361
Hiram 371
Mantua 381
Nelson 393
Palmyra ] 401
Paris ". 409
Randolph 417
Ravenna 427
Rootstown 451
Shalersville 463
Streetsboro 473
Suffield 483
Windham 491
3
Yesterday's Courthouses
One hundred years ago the seat of justice for Portage County was located
within the court house shown here, completed in 1830. With it is shown the jail
built in 1836. A part of this court house is still in use in the present court house,
which was erected by act of legislature in 1881.
Shown below is the home of Robert Eaton, used as the county's first court
house in 1809-1810. It was located on the Campbellsport road, two and one half
miles southeast of Ravenna. It was followed by a frame structure and log jail in
the center of town.
The court house, completed in 1830, was built by Zenas Kent as contractor
and cost $7,000.
-Photo by John Fowler
THE COURT HOUSE — Seat of justice and nerve center of the entire county of Portage.
The figure atop the graceful tower has symbolized rule of law here for 76 years. This
building, erected in 1881, was the fourth of its kind. Due to the county's growth and new
governmental requirements, it is now outgrown because of lack of room.
'pwieevwict
Our county is a fair land. We are a fortunate people. Portage lies in the best
state in the best country in the world. Physically, it is a compact area of good
elevation with rolling hills, added to a more level expanse of fertile farm land.
Quiet rivers ripple through and many little lakes dot its territory. As this is writ-
ten it is a region of factories and farms with a well balanced economy. Great rail-
roads traverse its length and width. Most "modern" highways cross it. Its farms
and industries give gainful employment to thousands. Its educational facilities
are comprehensive. It is an area of pleasant homes. Not far away are great cities.
It lies in the midst of a great industrial section. Of all the state's 88 counties,
Portage is high in the list of those most favorably situated.
Our history is an interesting one. It has not been so long since we emerged
from a wilderness having great potential wealth. The story of a pioneer people
wresting a livelihood from the forest will always be a gripping one. The changes
that have been wrought, with those that came along otherwise, make a grand
epic.
Though we owe much to the hardy souls who risked their all in the wilder-
ness, we also owe much to those who came later on to develop the country where
a start had been made.
A history is needed because people want to know their past. It is natural for
them to be interested in what has gone on before in their communities, as well as
in families. Here, no single book for Portage County has been put out since 1885,
and much has transpired since then that should be recorded as accurately as pos-
sible for present and later generations. It is also appropriate, and a near necessity,
because the 150th anniversary of the county's establishment is right at hand.
We also feel that a fresher history should be made available for school use.
County history must embrace only matters that have concerned the people of the
county. It tells of the activities of those who have lived here and the reasons for
certain developments. The public likes a clear, concise presentation of facts, but
some interpretation and explanation is in order as space permits.
After all, history for most of us is an account of man's activities — what men
and women have done and how they have fared — their struggles and their ac-
complishments. In a work of this kind it is almost impossible to tell a full and
complete story in the limits imposed. Readers must look at this outline as a
traveler sees the landscape from the air. Numerous interesting subjects could not
be included because of space limitations. Yet, these subjects are worthy of print
and, as historians, we feel that perhaps later they may be put in form for public
use.
We have tried to show from what points we have come, what we now are,
and further, to consider where we are going.
The study of pre-historic Ohio is an interesting subject and knowledge of the
peoples who have preceded us here, certainly is worth while, but it is the history
of this area as an organized county with which we are most concerned. Ohio had
hardly been organized as a state and gotten a government into operation, when
the county of Portage was organized. As Ohio was carved from the Northwest
Territory, so Portage County was carved from Ohio in that section known as the
Western Reserve.
We have tried to organize the research and writing as much as possible by
having local writers in each community, with others handling special subjects so
that nothing of importance should escape attention. We believe these writers
have done a good job. Not that the work is perfect, but acceptable. It is a joint
undertaking, not so much a work of literary perfection as a plain statement of
facts. If errors have crept in it is not because of lack of trying for the best.
Likewise, the names of many worthwhile men and their accomplishments —
really important — have not been included because of space restrictions. It is dif-
ficult to say who have been most important, but each one has been important in
his or her way. Anyone who has lived in the county is part of its history. We wish
we could include the names of all who have lived here.
In viewing past individuals and events, we must remember that we of this
age may not be the "ne plus ultra" of mankind after all. We happen to live in a
later, separate chapter of history. Those who have lived and gone before were just
as smart as we are, and maybe smarter. We merely have advantages which they
lacked, just as the future residents may have advantages unheard of by us.
We wish this might be considered a memorial for those of Portage County
who have come and gone. It would be as much for the "mute inglorious Miltons"
as for those whom fame has touched with its magic wand. Man is always striving
and hoping. In the 150 years that have come and gone literally thousands of shops,
stores and small businesses were started, ran for a time, and ceased. Men and
families came and went. To make even a small note of each would be impossible
even if one had all the facts.
No similar period has contributed so much to the good living of mankind as
has the past seventy-five years. Science has wrought miracles considered hitherto
almost unbelievable. Life is now easier and, we hope, happier. Our county has
had its share.
Some think that pure history has no morality. That it is just a non-thinking
sound and photo recording of events of the past, or as we think they were record-
ed. But such a recording of events, great and small, would provide a mountain of
matter that would be meaningless to most. To get history within a book there
MUST be a selection and cutting down, and some explanation. And it must be
readable. Few histories are ever complete.
Trying to re-create the past is often a problem. And so are historians them-
selves. We have simply tried to present an understandable picture of Portage
County's past. Some one has said, sarcastically, that a historian is a person who
digs up bones in one graveyard and transfers them to another. There may be
some truth in that but we believe we have found some bones that never have
been interred.
We are well aware that an editor's selection of subjects will always be open
to criticism but we have acted for what seems best in compiling the history. A
local historian (history editor) must be a sort of tyrant exercising arbitrary author-
ity, but we have tried to be a benevolent autocrat when necessary to act like one
at all.
T A ft K
C O I) N T V f M A H Q H
Road Map of Portage County
This map, made in 1955 by the County Engineer's office, shows not only
the highways of the county but the towns, streams, lakes and reservoirs, rail-
roads and other features.
8
President From Portage
More than 75 years have elapsed since President James A. Garfield passed on.
Hiram, and thereby Portage County, was his home for a longer period than any
other place. Portage County delighted to honor him and was first to guide his
faltering steps in the field of politics, on the path that led to the presidency.
The entire region has long abounded with tales of his great personality, high
mind and accomplishments. Not a single town or township in the county but at
one time heard him speak — as a preacher, a politician or a lecturer. He left his
impress on the college than stands in Hiram today.
A brief sketch of his career begins in Orange township, Cuyahoga County,
Ohio, where he was born Nov. 19, 1831 in a log cabin. As a boy he worked at
farming, carpentering, and wood cutting to help support his widowed mother and
family. After a few weeks service on a canal boat he started teaching school, at-
tending the Geauga Academy in Chester. In 1850 he showed up at the Hiram
Eclectic Institute as a student, working part time as a janitor. Graduating there
he went on to ^Williams College and was then called back to Hiram to be princi-
pal. There he was a part time preacher and nearly every locality for miles heard
him at one time or another.
His intellectual powers and speaking ability attracted attention and in 1859
he was elected state senator. Here he married Lucretia Rudolph and raised a
family.
When the Civil War broke out Garfield became a Union officer and quickly
rose to be a major general and chief of staff. His grasp of military principles was
said to be marvelous. But while still in the army he was nominated and elected to
the U. S. Congress. He was repeatedly elected, serving in Congress until 1879. In
that year he was elected U. S. senator from Ohio but before he could be seated
he was nominated and elected president in 1880.
The manner of his death is well known. While president he was struck down
by an assassin in June, 1880, and died in September of that year.
Of the Garfield children, James R. was Secretary of the Interior under
Theodore Roosevelt, Harry A. became president of Williams College and Abram
became a prominent architect in Cleveland. A fourth son, Irwin, became a New
York business man. There was a daughter Mollie (Mary).
Garfield was a man without guile or rancor, intellectually honest and
straight-forward. He has been called the most scholarly of all U. S. presidents. He
loved debating and discussion and probably engaged in more public speaking
than any other president. He was a friendly man and knew hundreds of people by
their first names. Portage County knew him in this way better than any other
place.
The Historical Society
On April 17, 1951, upon invitation of John B. Nicholson Jr., Kent State University
Librarian, twenty interested Portage County citizens met at the University library and or-
ganized the Portage County Historical Society.
Temporary officers elected were: Judge Albert L. Caris, president; Ray Gooch, vice
president; Harriet Reed, secretary.
A committee formulated a constitution and by-laws which were adopted at a later
meeting. The constitution states that the objective of the society is "to collect, preserve and
display things of historical value, such as papers, maps, documents, books, household utensils,
implements, models of inventions, historical pictures, sculptures, Indian relics, posters of
various wars, lists of early settlers of the various townships of the county, the names of
inventors and persons who should be honored because of their work in the arts, sciences and
professions, together with all other matters of historical interest, to the end that they may
be preserved for future generations, and also to promote historical interest and disseminate
historical information."
In June, 1951, the following slate of permanent officers were elected: Cyrus T. Plough,
president; Fred B. Bloomhardt, vice president; Mrs. J. R. Turner, executive secretary; Mrs.
Iva B. Seymour, recording secretary; A. J. Lauderbaugh, treasurer; J. B. Holm, historian; J. T.
Johnson, curator. Mr. Johnson died in 1956.
Trustees: Judge A. L. Caris, Hugo H. Bietz, A. Sellew Roberts, Edith Miller, E. J.
Kline, A. R. Horton, Ora P. Taylor, Merrible Myers Irmiter and Ernest N. Jones.
A charter was obtained for the Society through the work of attorney E. J. Redmond in
August, 1951, with a society enrollment of 394 members.
Through the energetic work of the membership committee headed by Merrible Myers
Irmiter, the county was canvassed and by the end of the year nearly 800 members were en-
rolled.
A highlight in the history of the Society was presentation to the society of a residence
building at the corner of East Main and Clinton streets in Ravenna, to be used as a central
Historical
Society
Home,
Ravenna
10
A. L. Caris,
First Society President
Cyrus Plough,
Second President
M. Herbert Heighton,
Third President
meeting place, by Mr. and Mrs. John A. Lowrie of Ravenna. It is to be known as the John
A. and Alta Lowrie Museum.
Conditions attending the gift were soon met and the deed recorded in the fall of 1951.
In order to make extensive alterations and necessary changes required for use of the
building, appropriations have been made by the county commissioners over the following
years. Society meetings have been held here at times and when the various relics and articles
of interest are placed therein, the place will be open to the public at regular times.
An arch, using fluted columns from the historic Tappan Female Seminary, has been
placed at the entrance to the premises, bearing the inscription, "Portage County, named
after the Portage Trail between Tuscarawas and Cuyahoga Rivers, where Indians carried
their canoes from one river to another."
A buckeye tree was planted on the grounds in 1953 by Mr. Lowrie and a number of
relics placed on the grounds. He also planted oak trees. An artillery caisson is set on the
grounds.
While meetings are held at this Home, it has been
the policy of the Society to hold as many of its monthly
meetings as possible in the various towns and townships
of the county as weather permits.
In 1953 the Society participated in the celebration
of the state's Sesqui-Centennial. A committee was head-
ed by Judge Albert Caris, assisted by James A. Jones. A
feature of this observance was a gigantic historic parade
held in both Ravenna and Kent on Flag Day, June 14,
1953. Many interesting relics and recreations were
shown and a number of descendents of first settlers
took part.
In Octboer, 1954, Society trustees authorized a com-
mittee to compile a new county history. This commit-
tee was composed of A. R. Horton, F. W. Barber, Judge
Clay Dietrich, Miss Lucille Dudley, E. J. Kline, Cyrus
II
Mrs. Iva Seymour,
Secretary
Plough, Dr. A. Sellew Roberts and Mrs. Robert Watt, with J. B. Holm, chairman; Mrs.
Helen Fairchild, secretary; and John H. Miles, treasurer. Meetings were held and work on
compiling the history started with J. B. Holm, editor and Miss Lucille Dudley, assistant.
Writers were also assigned for each town and township as well as for special subjects. The
finance committee, headed by E. J. Kline, undertook the arduous task of securing funds to
support the enterprise.
In 1952, Mr. Plough retired as president, being succeeded by M. Herbert Heighton of
Kent, and Miss Margaret Getz became treasurer. Then E. J. Willford was treasurer for two
years. Paul Krueger became vice president in 1953. Mr. Heighton served as president four
years. Present officers are J. Philip Jones, president; Miss Lucille Dudley, vice president;
Frank W. Barber, treasurer; J. B. Holm, historian and Cyrus Plough, curator. Trustees in-
clude Ernest N. Jones, Dudley Weaver, Mrs. Merrible Irmiter, Judge A. L. Caris, Dr. A.
Sellew Roberts, Frank W. Barber, E. J. Kline, Mrs. J. R. Turner and Thomas W. James.
Numerous historical relices have been presented to the Society and many of these are
on display at the Society Home, which is open to the public. Plans are under way to pro-
vide more room for showing relics and to safeguard these possessions. All persons having
relics of early Portage County days are asked to keep the Society in mind. Simply notify the
curator, Mr. Plough, or any member of the Society and a way will be found to get them. It
is hoped that in time a Museum of real value will be in operation. Mr. Weaver is particularly
anxious to see old pictures of historical interest, for reproduction for his historical collection.
Relices desired may be anything of a wide variety. They include such things as im-
plements, tools, household adornments, papers, toys, pictures (personal or otherwise),
novelties, books, records (personal and otherwise), scrap books, clothing, furniture and any-
thing that may be of interest as historical articles later on. They need not all be from early
days; middle and recent days are fruitful also.
History Committee which had overall charge of book publication.
Sitting, left to right — J. B. Holm, chairman, Mrs. Robert Watt, Miss
Lucille Dudley and Mrs. Helen Fairchild, secretary. Standing, A. R.
Horton, (deceased), E. J. Kline, John H. Miles (deceased), Cyrus Plough,
F. W. Barber and Judge Clay Dietrich. Absent, Dr. A. Sellew Roberts.
Gun, *?6#m64.
Thanks are due to a host of friends and interested people
who have helped in making the history a success. These are so
numerous that it is impossible to mention each by name.
Various county and local officials have been generous with
their help and in making records available. Publicity departments
of Kent State University and Hiram college have been very help-
ful. So have officials of various organizations. There has been
a flood of information supplied by individuals in the shape of old
records, clippings, books, lore, letters, pictures and personal recol-
lections. Writers of various local and special chapters have done a
tremendous lot of work, both individually and severally. Out-
right contributions of money and payment for special services
are appreciated. With rare exceptions our efforts have been re-
ceived with uniform kindness because of genuine interest in
Portage County history.
Use has been made of such books as Howe's Historical Col-
lections of Ohio, The Brown History of the County of 1885, Har-
lan Hatcher's Western Reserve, Harriet Upton Taylor's History
of the Western Reserve, Treudley's History of Hiram College and
local histories, of which Grismer's History of Kent has been
especially valuable. The KSU library and the Record-Courier
made available micro-films and old newspapers that provided an
abundance of facts and reports. Newspapers have been more than
generous especially the Courier-Record.
Thanks are especially due to Emmet J. Kline who has given
a vast amount of time, work and money to the history project
because it has been dear to him. His work insured the financial
success of our book. To Dudley S. Weaver we are indebted for
time and energy in securing and printing pictures, as well as his
advice and good judgment. Likewise to James E. Fosdick of Kent
State University.
To all these and many more we are indeed grateful.
13
The Lowries
Presented here are the likenesses of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Lowrie, of Raven-
na, to whom the Portage County Historical Society is indebted for the gift of its
present building, the home of the Historical Society on East Main St., Ravenna.
This generous gift was made in 1953, and well indicates the interest of both these
venerable people in perpetuating the history of the county.
Mr. Lowrie, in particular, has a remarkable love for local history (and all
kinds of history for that matter). He constantly has focused attention on events
and people of the past, and in this way has helped arouse the interest of the
public. He has an extraordinary memory for names, dates and events of the past
and is able to cite dates and details of many events, and about persons, of many
years ago. It is always a pleasure for him to talk about the past in Portage County.
Through this knowledge he has become known as "Ravenna's unofficial his-
torian." Local history has been with him, especially in late years, both a vocation
and a hobby. Mrs. Lowrie likewise is interested in events of other days. Because of
this interest, Mr. and Mrs. Lowrie gave the residence to the Historical Society. It
is located on East Main St., at the corner of Clinton and has been converted for
the special purposes of the society.
John A. Lowrie, carpenter, was born Sept. 22, 1866. He was a son of George
Lowrie, who as a young shepherd, tended sheep on the hills of Scotland and came
to the United States in 1837. Here the elder Lowrie worked on the P. & O. canal
and the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad construction. He thus labored on two
historic projects whereby Portage County saw its first two outlets, by water and
by railroad. In coming to America, a birth occurred in the family, as well as a
death. A son, Alexander, died on Lake Erie, but his body was stolen by a class
called body snatchers, who watched for such cases to supply the medical institu-
tions for experimentation purposes.
The mother of John A. Lowrie was born in Germany, and during the Prus-
sian War there, her family sometimes had to seek safety in cellars. Because of the
dangers they were forced to leave Germany and come to this country to seek new
homes in the environment of freedom. The place where John Lowrie was born
was on Freedom St., Ravenna, directly across the street from the entrance of the
old fair grounds. At that time the fair grounds was a vast woods, with a driveway
through the center to the farm home of Jeff Thompson, one of Ravenna's first
milk dispensers. It was in 1879 that this land became the fair grounds and was
used as such for 66 years.
Although his schooling was limited, John Lowrie became an voracious reader
and student of affairs and in this way was able to amass much of his vast fund of
information in addition to his personal contacts.
Alta M. Trowbridge was born in Edinburg township, Oct. 28, 1871, daughter
of Royal D. and Louisa Gilbert Trowbridge. Both the Gilbert and Trowbridge
families took part in early Palmyra and Edinburg public affairs and held public
office there in 1810 and 1819. The Gilbert family came from Litchfield, Conn., in
1806.
14
The place of Alta M. Trowbridge's birth was on a farm adjoining Highland
Home farm on the south. She taught school in Edinburg, Rootstown and Palmyra
and in December, 1891, was married to John A. Lowrie, then of Edinburg. Since
their marriage, the Lowries have lived in Ravenna. In their possession they have
the records of an early doctor, showing names of patients and charges. Doctors'
fees for birth deliveries were $10.00 and $8.00.
Being desirous of learning how other people live, Mr. and Mrs. Lowrie took
a trip around the world in 1932-33, which was of great educational value and re-
mains one of their treasured memories. They were particularly interested in relics
of ancient times, and their preservation. King Tut's tomb, with over 1,300 well
preserved specimens, was only one of the sights of ancient days they saw.
The Lowries united with the Ravenna Christian church in 1893, and Mr.
Lowrie helped raise the building fund for the present church building.
In his work as carpenter and mover, Mr. Lowrie, with his brother, helped
move many buildings, particularly in making way for the so-called Brice Line
railroad just before this century began.
The Lowrie's celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 1951.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Lowrie are life members of the County Historical Society
and are also members of the Summit County Historical Society, to which Mr.
Lowrie has donated numerous relics.
Mr. and Mrs. Lowrie have been of great help in preparing this history. A
great deal of their historical knowledge is included in its pages.
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Lowrie
15
RHYMES BY OUR PEOPLE
MY GARDEN
CHAWIN' SWEET CORN OFF THE COB
My garden, 'tis a thing of beauty,
Made for all to see;
But my garden holds a wealth of thoughts
For you, and yes, for me.
This wonder spot of God and man,
Besides its flowers and trees,
A sanctuary of repose has made
For the soul of all of these.
For in my garden, day by day
A miracle of man takes place,
I find a partnership with God
As life unfolds with grace.
Kind thoughts are cultivated here.
The world's at peace with all;
For here, life's greatest things are grown,
Hope, love, and the Master's call.
Raymond H. Cheetham
Kent, Ohio
A POET OF TALENT
In the early part of the present century, Ralph B.
Heighton, of Pippin Lake showed considerable prom-
ise as a poet. His poems appeared in a number of
publications. One of them is given below:
When the summer shine is shinin'
And good friends you'd like to meet,
Why not just come up to our house
And I'll set you out a treat.
When the corn is nice and milky
And we've butter by the gob,
Say, you just come up to our house,
And chaw sweet corn off the cob.
Even if you have store teeth,
You can do a fair, good job,
Let the butter run and drizzle
While you chaw corn off the cob.
You go up by fours achawin',
Slitherin' back by threes, nabob.
Let the juice and butter drizzle,
Chawin' sweet corn off the cob.
If you're perlite, slick and dainty
And a fraid you'll be a slob,
Wal — don't come up to our house
To chaw sweet corn off the cob.
You must hold it by two gadgets?
I can hold mine in my paws,
You must nip so still and dainty,
I like mine in juicy chaws.
Then I'll go zippin' up by four rows,
And the butter on I'll daub,
There's nothin' I like better than
Chawin' sweet corn off the cob.
A.M.C.
August 28, 1949.
BEYOND
Over the hill lies the Great Beyond,
Where the sky and the dim woods meet.
And thither away, with a longing fond
My heart is yearning to turn my feet.
Somewhere afar in the future dim,
O'er the horizon of Time's wide sea,
Where sails appear o'er the distant rim
Lies the undiscovered, the Great To Be.
Beyond the end of the rainbow's span
Where that alone on swift wing's flown
Shut off from the vision of mortal man
Like the goal of the journey —
the Great Unknown.
NO WELCOME THERE
The rhymes below are taken from verse written
by Miss Lina C. Hall, of Garrettsville, entitled
"Orchard Hill." She is a native of Charlestown. The
verses refer to the coming of the arsenal.
The dear old home is torn away!
In thought I enter in
And see again the quaint, big rooms
Where life and love have been.
That dear old home, so brave and strong,
Upon the hilltop fair,
To "igloos" strange have given place,
And now — no welcome there.
16
CHAPTER
Our First Citizens
By Phillip R. Shriver
Where should one begin the story of
Portage county? Some might argue
that the only proper place to start is at
that point, little more than a century
and a half ago, when the first white
settlers arrived to break the soil, clear
the forests, and build their cabins. Yet
to do so would be to ignore a rich and
romantic chapter of human habitation
of this area, one extending back over
more than perhaps four thousand
years, an era which pales in compari-
son the relatively brief period of white
settlement. To ignore the Indian in-
habitants of this area would be to omit
a very vital part of our knowledge
and appreciation of the progress that
man has made here over the centuries.
Even the name of our county — Portage
— connoting the use by "red men" of
the trail between the rivers — bears
testimony to the impact of the Indian.
What rivers? Why, primarily the Cuy-
ahoga and Tuscarawas, of course,
though a trail also connected the form-
er with the Mahoning. Named by
whom? By Indians.
A Wild Country
As we live in our thriving villages
and crowded cities, work in our fac-
tories, shops, or schools, or on our
well-tilled farms, and travel along our
busy highways, it is difficult for us to
appreciate that a comparatively short
expanse of time ago all this was vastly
different. The Portage area then was
blanketed with a dense stand of oak,
maple, chestnut, and hickory. Deer,
elk, the wildcat, the panther, the wolf,
bear, the wild turkey, and a myriad
other forms of animal and bird life
abounded in these forests, while the
streams and lakes teemed with fish of
a hundred species.
Because it had food and water in
abundance, the Portage area was to
be inhabited over the centuries by a
succession of groups representing a
number of cultures, even though it
was too far north to ever be densely
populated by primitive peoples. These
groups can be divided into two princi-
pal sub-divisions— prehistoric and his-
toric — the dividing line representing
contact with the first white explorers
and settlers. Among the prehistoric
peoples living within this county, rep-
resentative cultures were the Archaic,
Adena, Hopewell, and Whittlesey Foc-
us, these being names given them by
archaeologists of the twentieth cen-
tury.
How They Lived
We can only conjecture as to the
possibility of the presence in Portage
county some four thousand or more
years ago of "Archaic Man," a river-
valley-dweller largely subsisting on
shellfish, small game, and nuts. A de-
scendant of Asiatic migrants, Archaic
Man has left only the faintest traces in
Ohio. From what little has been found
we can conclude that he was short in
stature, round-headed, fashioned his
17
18
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Relics taken from Indian mound on George Towner property
at Pippin Lake, 1932.
tools and ornaments from flint, bone,
and shell, and was not too clean in his
personal habits. The latter is a con-
clusion drawn from his predilection
for living on top of his own refuse
heaps or "shell middens."
Some time later, from approximate-
ly 800 B.C. to 700 A.D., Ohio was peo-
pled by a much more advanced group,
since named "Adena." Highly artistic
in carving stone and bone and shaping
copper and mica into ornaments, the
Adena people were the first of the so-
called "Mound-builders" to inhabit
this area. Larger than Archaic Man
and flat-headed from childhood on
through purposeful deformation of
the skull, the Adena were the first to
make pottery, practised simple agri-
culture (cultivating pumpkins and
probably squash), and lived in circu-
lar, bark-covered houses often thirty
or more feet in diameter. They are,
perhaps, best identified by their large,
cone-shaped mounds heaped over the
dead, the Miamisburg Mound near
Dayton being the outstanding ex-
ample. Here in Portage county an
Adena site was excavated in July,
1955, on the south shore of Lake Rock-
well, near the old bed of the Cuyahoga
River. Beautiful, leaf -shaped "Adena"
knives of blue-tan Flint Ridge chalce-
dony were unearthed as was a perfect-
ly-shaped black hematite cone.
Had Many Activities
Most advanced of all the prehistoric
peoples in this area (and in many re-
1. The dates cited here are the result of the most
recent radiocarbon tests, according to Dr. Raymond
S. Baby, Ohio State Archaeologist, in a letter to
the author, October 3, 1955.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
19
spects in the entire area north of Mex-
ico) were the "Hopewell," inhabiting
Ohio from approximately 300 A.D. to
1200 A.D. They are noted for their
geometric earthworks, such as circles,
rectangles, and crescents, outstanding
examples of which can be found at
Newark. They are also noted for their
groups of mounds, such as at Mound
City near Chillicothe, and for their
elaborate-walled hill-top enclosures or
"forts" such as Fort Ancient near Le-
banon. The Hopewell, sometimes
called the "Greeks of Ohio's ancient
world," were excellent craftsmen in
stone, copper, mica^, bone, wood, and
shell, and were skilled in the manu-
facture of highly decorated and finely
made pottery. Heavy users of tobacco,
they smoked pipes of stone often
handsomely carved in the effigies of
the birds and animals with which they
had contact. We recognize them as an
agricultural people, cultivating maize,
squash, beans, and tobacco in large
fields about their villages. We admire
them for their skill in weaving gar-
ments and baskets from the fibers of
grasses and trees. And we are particu-
larly impressed with their extensive
trade relations with tribes far removed
from this region. From the Lake Su-
perior region they procured their cop-
per and silver. They obtained their
obsidian (or volcanic glass) from the
Rocky Mountains, mica from the Car-
olinas, lead from Illinois, and sea
shells from the Gulf of Mexico.
Burials Along Lakes
Though Portage county is not rich-
ly endowed with Hopewell sites, a
Indian mound opened at Lake Rockwell in 1955. Here Dr. Phillip R.
Sbriver and George B. Towner display "Adena" knives unearthed there.
20
PORTAGE HERITAGE
significant one was excavated in the
summer of 1932 on the George Town-
er property on the south shore of Pip-
pin Lake. There eleven burials were
uncovered on the summit of a lofty
hill overlooking the lake. Copper
beads, slate ornaments, large sheets of
worked mica, graphite, projectile
points, and a quantity of beautiful
flake knives of Flint Ridge material
were unearthed, testifying as to the
extensive trade relations of this primi-
tive people living in this county.
What happened to the Hopewell
can only be conjectured. War, disease,
assimilation by inferiors — the answer
as to their disappearance may never
be known. What followed constituted
a repudiation of the Darwinian theory
in this area — devolution, not evolu-
tion. For the last of the prehistoric
groups in the Portage region, that
known as the "Whittlesey Focus," dat-
ing from approximately 1300 A.D. to
1650 A.D., was not advanced much
beyond the condition of the savages
found by the first white arrivals. In-
deed, there is considerable archaeo-
logical evidence to support the theory
that these Indians and the historic
Eries or Cat Nation were one and the
same. If so, this would account for
their disappearance from this area in
mid-seventeenth century, for the
French Jesuit missionaries recorded
the virtual extermination of the Eries
by the Iroquois warriors from the
New York area in the 1650's. Agricul-
tural and sedentary, makers of pottery
and tools vastly inferior to that of
the Hopewell, the Whittlesey Focus
people were concentrated primarily
along the south shore of Lake Erie
and along the rivers flowing into it,
including the Cuyahoga. Their vil-
lages were usually situated on bluffs
and were fortified by earthen-support-
ed wooden stockades surrounded by a
ditch. Their houses were dome-shaped
huts with walls made of saplings cov-
ered with bark or skins. Unlike the
Mound-builders, they buried their
dead in shallow, circular or rectangu-
lar graves.
Burial Mounds Numerous
Though Portage county is not as
richly endowed with prehistoric earth-
works as the counties one hundred to
one hundred fifty miles to the south
and west, nonetheless, more than thir-
ty such sites have been found within
its borders. At least eighteen mounds
have been located in Mantua, Hiram,
Nelson, Streetsboro, Franklin, Charles-
town, Edinburg, and Palmyra town-
ships. Village sites have been discover-
ed in Nelson, Streetsboro, Franklin,
and Palmyra, while burials and ceme-
teries have been found in Hiram, Nel-
son, Streetsboro, Shalersville, Wind-
ham, Paris, Palmyra, and Edinburg.
Thus, one cannot travel far in this
county without being near at least one
of these visible reminders of prehis-
toric civilizations.
The pattern of settlement in Portage County was not from the center outward.
First land owners bought in large lots and later re-sold it in scattered places so that
other settlers might be attracted. The idea was to keep sales widely scattered. Not until
the settlers "took root" did the "centers" or towns emerge.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
21
How Trails Were Made
Following the extermination of the
Eries in the l650's, this area was un-
inhabited for many years. Then, by
the mid-eighteenth century, groups of
"historic" Indians — those having con-
tact with white men — began to move
in from north, east, south, and west to
fill in the vacuum. Of these, the most
numerous in Ohio were the Miamis,
Shawnees, Wyandots, and Delawares,
hunting and war parties of which
must certainly have made frequent
camps along the several heavily-travel-
ed trails criss-crossing through the
Portage region. Though never very
populous, several other tribes had vil-
lages in this area. Included among
these were the Senecas, whose village
was situated near the Cuyahoga River
in southeastern Streetsboro Township;
the Ottawas, who had a village near
the mouth of the Little Cuyahoga; the
Chippewas, whose main camp was lo-
cated at Chippewa Lake in Medina
County but who occupied portions of
this county during the summer when
they hunted; the Onondagas and Onei-
das, who had a village a mile to the
west of Palmyra Center and another
in Aurora; and the Cayugas, who fre-
quently made camp in the area about
Hiram and Nelson Ledges. Living in
wigwams, hunting and fishing for
food, their wants were few. Possessing
none of the talents of art and sculp-
ture, of metalworking and weaving of
the Mound-builders, these "historic"
Indians represented a marked retro-
gression from the level of culture of
their predecessors. Yet they were a
happy, contented lot. Christian Cack-
ler in his "Recollections of an Old Set-
"Standing Rock" sits in the Cuyahoga
River above Kent today as it has for
hundreds of years. It was a spot known to
the Indians who held their councils there.
tier" describes the headquarters of Big
Son, the Seneca chief at Streetsboro,
in the following words:
Indians Happy Life
"I have been there a great many times
when they lived there, and if they had
anything they could bestow upon you in
the way of eatables, it was as free as the
water. They thought it was a privilege to
give, for they thought it was a token of
friendship, and if they gave one, they
gave all that were present. Their wig-
wam was about twenty-five feet long
or more, and they had their fire through
the middle, and had it so constructed as
to leave room for a tier of them to lie
down on each side of the fire, so as to
have their feet to the fire, for they lay
on their skins and furs, and covered over
with their blankets. They had a space
left open on the ridge of their camp to
let the smoke pass out. They had their
wigwam thatched with bark, so that it
was tight and warm, and had a door in
each end, so that they could haul in
their wood without much chopping.
They lay there as warm and comfortable
as a man in his palace. The Seneca Chief
used to gather in all his family connec-
tions and lay there through the winter.
22
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
Divers Tavern in Deerfield was the
scene of the shooting of Daniel Diver in
1806, following trouble over a horse
trade. This incident was the only serious
incident between whites and Indians in
early Portage County.
And they would kill their meat before
the hardest weather commenced, so they
would not be compelled to go out in
bad weather to get their living. In the
Spring they would scatter over their
hunting grounds, each family by them-
selves, and build their wigwams for the
summer. There were all sorts of game all
around them . . . they were as careful of
their game as we are of our cattle; they
would kill nothing unless wanted for
present use . . . They had nothing to vex
or perplex, or to disturb the mind. They
gave no thought for the morrow, but let
every day provide for itself. They had no
government expenses, no taxes to pay,
no jails to build, no locks to buy to
secure their property, which was always
secure, if they put it out of reach of the
dogs and wolves. They meant to make
honor and honesty their rule of life, and
when they left their camps, they set up
sticks as a signal that there was nobody
at home, and everything was secure . . .
In the summer they greased them-
selves where their clothing does not cover
their skin, so as to prevent gnats and
mosquitos from biting them, and often
paint their faces in streaks. That denotes
peace and friendship. They love whiskey,
and get drunk often."
While the Indians were friendly
and hospitable to the whites when
Cackler came into the area in 1804, it
had not always been that way. Indeed,
not many years before, in 1780, Port-
age county was the scene of as thrill-
ing and hair-raising an episode as you
can find in the histories of few other
places. That was the well-known story
of the Indian scout, Captain Samuel
Brady, his escape from and pursuit by
a howling band of Ottawas and Wyan-
dots, and his famed leap across the
Cuyahoga River, at a location in what
is now down-town Kent.
Sign Off Rights
The incident, which has been im-
mortalized by a host of place-names
throughout the county, was but part
of the much broader story of the Rev-
olutionary War in the West, between
the British and their Indian allies
on the one hand and the American
frontiersmen on the other. Though the
British concluded the Treaty of Paris
with the Americans in 1783, thus ac-
knowledging this nation's independ-
ence, peace did not finally come be-
tween red men and white in this area
until the signing of the Treaty of Fort
Mcintosh in January, 1785, by which
the Indians agreed to permit white
settlement east of the Cuyahoga. Yet
continued depradations on both sides
made this treaty a worthless scrap of
paper, real peace not being effected
until 1795 at the Treaty of Greene
Ville, following General Mad An-
thony Wayne's smashing victory over
the tribesmen in the Battle of Fallen
Timbers. By this latter treaty the area
PORTAGE HERITAGE
23
This map was made in 1834 by Delia Hanchett by tracing outlines over an official
map made in 1829. Portage County then included most of Summit and other counties were
yet unformed. This map is an oddity as names of counties were printed in after outlines
were sketched. When this was done an error was made by transposing the names of
Cuyahoga and Lorain counties.
east of the Cuyahoga was again guar-
anteed to the whites, but this time the
guarantee was observed. White settlers
began to come into this county in the
months that followed, knowing that
their lives were safe. One by one com-
munities began to spring up.
Yet old enmities could not be en-
tirely forgotten. Isolated incidents in-
volving clashes between the races con-
tinued for a decade, until the last of
the red men had vanished. One such
was the quarrel between Captain De-
laun Mills, one of the first settlers of
Nelson Township, and Big Cayuga,
the chief of a band of Cayugas that
frequently camped in or near the
Ledges. The quarrel ended with the
slaying of Big Cayuga in 1803, an
event which threatened for a time to
precipitate a scalping raid on local
residents. Another incident was the
shooting of Daniel Diver in 1806 by
Mohawk, one of the sons of the Seneca
chief Big Son, in revenge for a bad
trade made by Diver with another
Seneca brave, Nickshaw, brother-in-
law of Mohawk. This story is related
Rattlesnakes, once so numerous in Portage County, are still occasionally found. As
late as 1925, more than 25 were killed in an Atwater swamp. In 1914 colonies of
beavers were discovered in Freedom and Franklin townships.
24
PORTAGE HERITAGE
by Christian Cackler in another chap-
ter.
Today, nearly a century and a half
later, we find a number of vestiges of
the Indian's presence about us. The
mounds and village sites afore-men-
tioned; the great Standing Rock in the
Cuyahoga north of Kent (where the
Indian chiefs used to hold their coun-
cils in complete secrecy); the trails
worn deep in the soil by moccasined
feet over the centuries (such as the
Mahoning Trail, the Chagrin Trail,
the Watershed Trail, and the Grand
River Trail) which criss-crossed this
county and form today the course for
many of our roadways; the arrow-
heads, spear and knife points, toma-
hawk heads, and war clubs that have
been found here on nearly every farm
and are still occasionally being found
to give a thrill to the discoverer — all
these constitute a tangible bridge con-
necting this generation with those of
bygone civilizations over the stream of
four thousand years of human history
in the Portage area.
The Daniel Boone of Portage
Though Capt. Sam. Brady had quite
a reputation as an Indian fighter, he
did not belong in Portage County. But
the county did have one bona fide In-
dian fighter who has been pretty
much forgotten. He was Capt. Delaun
Mills of Nelson, of whose prowess
many tales were once heard — some
true and some doubtful. It was always
said of him that when killing Indians,
or intent on doing so, his face wore a
most beautiful smile. Probably he
never killed as many Indians as credit-
ed with, but he did have some thrill-
ing encounters. In a letter written in
1879 by his son Urial, who then lived
in Illinois, some of his exploits are
outlined. The letter says; "About 1803
an Indian got mad at my father and
said he would kill him. Father was in
the habit of hunting through the fall.
One day, in crossing a trail made in
the snow the day before, he found the
track of an Indian following him; this
put him on his guard. He soon saw the
Indian. They both sheltered them-
selves behind trees. Father put his hat
on his gun stock and stuck it out so
that the Indian could see it. The In-
dian shot a hole through the hat, and
when it fell he ran forward toward
father with his tomahawk in his hand.
Father then stepped from behind the
tree, shot him and buried him. He
told my mother and she told me.
About the same time the Indians were
in camp near the cranberry marsh,
afterward owned by Benjamin Stow,
Asahel Mills was hunting cattle and
came past their camp. An Indian snap-
ped a gun at him but the Indian's
squaw took the gun away from him.
Asahel came home badly scared and
told his story. We soon saw the In-
dians coming, painted for war; they
came into the house. They all shook
hands with father but the last, who
uttered an oath and seized him by the
Of the Portage County Indians, still remembered in Aurora are chiefs Sangoman
and Tasham, who had tepees along Aurora Pond.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
25
The Lamentations of Bigson
The Diver shooting by the Indians in Deerfield in 1807 is now considered an isolated
affair but it had its bitter repercussions and the behavior of the whites brought no
credit to them. After the shooting, whites were roused and converged on the Indian
camp in the dead of winter, to capture the alleged assailant or anyone connected with
him. Chief Bigson and two of his sons, from the Streetsboro camp, were arrested and
charged with participation. It was in the dead of winter and the white captors treated
them with severity. The Indians were forced to walk through the snow barefoot. Big-
son's feet were frozen and cut. His captors refused to let him bind his feet. At Warren,
where a trial was later held, Bigson and others were exonerated by white man's law,
but for some reason remained there and often sat in the sun along the Mahoning river
and poured out their pitiful story, of the wrongs done them.
Cornelius Feather, writing in the Papers of the Ashtabula County Historical Society,
says he saw these Indians there, remarking;
"It was heart rending to visit this group of human misery and hear their lamentations.
The poor Indians were not confined, for they could not run away. This narrator has
seen this old, frost crippled chief, Bigson, who had almost been frozen to death, sitting
with the others on tjhe banks of the Mahoning, and heard him, in the Indian tongue,
with deep touching emotions, in the highest strain of his native oratory, addressing his
companions in misery — speaking the language of his heart, pointing to the rising, then
the setting sun, to the North, to the South, until sobs choked his utterance and tears fol-
lowed tears down his sorrow worn cheeks."
throat. Father caught him by the
shoulders, jerked him off the floor
and swung him around. The calves of
his legs hit the sharp leg of a heavy
table. He then dragged the Indian out-
doors, took him by the hair and
pounded his head on a big rock and
left him. The Indians scarified the
bruised parts by cutting the skin into
strips about an inch wide. They then
tied a blanket around him, put a pole
through the blanket, put the pole on
their shoulders and carried him to
their camp. They said that if he died
they would kill father. While he was
confined, they shot Diver in Deerfield.
This created quite an excitement and
the Indians all left for Sandusky, leav-
ing the crippled one in camp. Some
time later, when father was away, he
came to the house in the dusk of the
evening and asked if he could stay.
Mother told him he could. She did not
sleep that night, believing he had
come to kill us. In the morning he got
up, built a fire and cooked his break-
fast of bear's meat. He then went out
and soon returned with the hindquar-
ters of a fine bear, which he gave to
mother, then left. She was glad to see
him go as any visitor she ever had."
Capt. Mills is said to have killed
Big Cayuga and Snip Nose Cayuga.
Delaun was one of three Mills
brothers who were born in Massachu-
setts and came to Ohio in 1800. De-
laun had been married when he was
only 16. The three brothers and their
families arrived in Youngstown with
less than 25 cents in money. Fortunate-
ly, surveyors helpers were needed to
lay out Nelson and they settled there.
Delaun was big and strong and abso-
lutely fearless. For many years he
operated what was known as Mills
Tavern in Nelson, a popular stopping
place for travelers of the period.
26
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
Early Pack Trains
In 1786 Col. James Hillman worked
for Duncan & Wilson of Pittsburgh,
transporting goods from Pittsburgh to
the mouth of the Cuyahoga River on
Lake Erie, for shipment to Detroit.
His party made six trips a year. Says a
writer;
"His party consisted of 10 men and
90 horses. They usually crossed the
Big Beaver four miles below the
mouth of the Shenango; thence up the
left bank of the Mahoning, crossing
it about three miles above the village
of Youngstown; thence by way of the
Salt Springs in the township of Weath-
ersfield, through Milton, to Ravenna,
crossing the Cuyahoga at the mouth
of the Breakneck, and again at the
and thence down the river to its
mouth of Tinkers Creek near Bedford;
mouth, where they erected a log cabin
for the safe keeping of their goods and
this was the first house built in Cleve-
land. At the mouth of Tinkers Creek
there were a few houses built by Mora-
vian missionaries. They were then va-
cant, the Indians having occupied
them one year only previous to their
removal to the Tuscarawas River.
These, and three or four cabins at the
Salt Springs, were the only buildings
erected by the whites between the
Ohio River and Lake Erie/'
The Savage Woolynig
Portage County's earliest historian, Christian Cackler, Jr., in describing the wild animals
to be found when settlers first came, tells of the "woolynig" as follows; "The woolynig
is an animal about a size still larger than the wildcat, not so long in the legs, but heavier
and stockier built. They are of a darker color. They have large whiskers on each side of
the head. They look savage and are as savage as they look. They are the hardest customers
that roam the forest, according to their size. The wildcat is smaller than the woolynig. He
is about as large as a small sized dog, but of longer legs in proportion to his body. He is
fond of feathered flocks, such as chickens, geese, ducks, as well as pigs and lambs, and
sometimes kills smallish deer, etc." It is believed that the "woolynig," described by Cack-
ler, was the lynx or wolverine, both of which had reputations for fighting ferocity.
Why Breakneck?
A writer in the Ravenna Republican of
April, 1907, tells how Breakneck Creek got
its name. He says that in 1786 a pack train
was carrying a cargo of flour from Pitts-
burgh to the mouth of the Cuyahoga, fol-
lowing the creek for a distance. Near the
junction with the Cuyahoga, a horse stum-
bled and threw his rider backwards to the
ground, breaking his neck. The man's name
was Hugh Blair. Afterward, the creek was
referred to as Breakneck. This incident has
been carried down in the traditions of the
Glen Plum family, who now live near the
scene.
What's For Dinner?
In their first winter in Nelson in 1800-
1801, the Mills families had turnips three
times a day, together with what meat sup-
plies they were able to obtain from game
animals, which, of course, were plentiful.
Garden crops the following year gave them
more variety.
Isaac Mills, one of Nelson's first settlers,
made the trip to and from Massachusetts,
his earlier home, thirty-three times, either
on foot or with a team of horses and loaded
wagon.
CHAPTER II
Land for Stout Hearted Men
By J. B. Holm
For those seriously interested in the
beginnings of civilization here, several
questions arise in their minds.
What was the country like when the
whites came?
How many human beings were here
and who were they?
Though an occasional clearing had
been made by th^ end of the eigh-
teenth century, a bird flying over our
county then would see nothing but
boundless forests and swamps with an
occasional natural open spot, or glade.
But in this forest other small open
spots were beginning to appear, where
first settlers were already setting up
homes, usually isolated or alone. These
places were in scattered or hit-and-
miss localities. It was a peaceful, quiet
land but one wherein there were wild
animals of all sizes and dispositions,
far more numerous than human be-
ings. There were no roads — only trails.
An ox-cart driver would find it hard
to get through anywhere. Trails were
for horseback riders or voyageurs go-
ing from one stream to another.
Before these white men arrived a
closer inspection would have revealed
the presence of other human beings —
the Indians mentioned in the previous
chapter. Though the Indians roamed
the forest they had homes in rough
wigwams, or hogans. They consider-
ed the land their own, together with
the animal life within which the Great
Spirit had provided for their pleasure
and profit.
Indians Not Numerous
How many Indians were still living
in Portage County when the white
man moved in to stay is not known.
Roswell Grant, great grandfather of
U. S. Grant, wrote a history in which
he said there were about 400 redskins
here at that time. Others placed the
number at less, but there could not
have been many or there would have
been more trouble and fighting.
Nor was there any sudden change in
racial dominance, except in the sense
that scholars use in setting up dividing
lines of "periods", or eras. In an inter-
val of perhaps 25 years the change of
mastery was complete.
The tribal organizations, the cus-
toms and beliefs of the Indians have
been so well described by others and
are so well known that there is no
point in re-telling in detail, matters of
this kind.
The coming of statehood for Ohio
in 1803, was a bright promise but by
1807 there had been but little change,
either in population or manner of
living. Civil law was slowly put into
effect and an attempt made at enforce-
ment. Those who had come into the
state came slowly, as stragglers. Most
of the newcomers were adventurers or
transients. Some were hunting free
land, of which there was none. There
27
28
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
were fur dealers and traders. There
was nothing to keep out the squatter.
The shape of civilized society here
emerged slowly.
History of Northeastern Ohio,
which came to be known as the Con-
necticut Western Reserve, is indistinct
for the years preceding the formation
of the state, but a few important facts
stand out.
For centuries untold this had been
Indian country, as related in the prev-
ious chapter. While in general the
Indians were always changing homes
and moving about, they were practical
as well. Contrary to popular belief, the
red man was not given over to hunt-
ing and fighting entirely. He was
America's first farmer. He loved his
corn, pumpkins, squash, berries and
other produce. That is why the fertile
river lands of the southern part of the
state were more favored by Indians
for homes. The Indian let his women
do the garden work, but he knew
enough to select the most fertile spots
for it. Sections most favored by nature
thus became the sites of good sized
Indian towns.
Redskins Travel Through
The nature of the soil here, and its
elevation furnished less attraction to
the Indian as a farmer. Some of the
red men did live here all the year
round, while others came here to hunt
and trap, but this was not predom-
inately Indian home country. And be-
cause of its elevation, the section was
not traversed by Indian migrants as
much as others. The Indian as an in-
dividual was a water traveler, when he
could be, and few streams traversed
the entire county. Yet, many Indians
did travel about through the district
as the well known Great Trail shows
and traces of it remain today.
Like most parts of Ohio this com-
munity must have been a hunter's and
fisherman's paradise for the Indians.
It was "good hunting" country. The
buffalo and the elk that had once
roamed the country had disappeared
by the time the white man arrived in
any number. The Indian loved the
country for it furnished him a com-
fortable living in most respects and its
weather was not too severe. The In-
dian meant to have hunting limits for
Roadside Shade Trees
Whence came the rows of trees that formerly lined the highways of the county?
There were miles upon miles of them, often on both sides of the road. Not only were they
pleasing in appearance, but they were welcomed by travelers for their shade on hot days.
Undoubtedly some of these trees were here originally and allowed to remain by the
land owners. Others, probably most of them, were set out by the settlers themselves who
appreciated them as much as later arrivals. In the summer of 1820 Judge Amzi Atwater of
Mantua, and others plowed and made the road bed south of the town, lining it with
trees as a protection for travelers when the river was high. These became tall stately land-
marks that lasted for several generations. The increased amount of traffic from horseless
carriages called for wider roads. Lightning and wind destroyed many of them. Old age
made others dangerous. The rest were removed by the State Highway Department in 1935
when a cut-back of the road was made to take out some of the curves.
The "progress" in road construction is responsible for the loss of thousands of the
roadside trees.
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
29
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k MAATO
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K
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V
Elf on
wr mjkmt |win
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TOW
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o£m*imm £mmumm?M*mBJ
ATM
itmBwmCI
m
Above is shown Portage County as originally laid out. Its two western tiers
of townships were taken away in 1840 to help make up Summit County. Note
that Brimfield is still called Thorndyke.
each tribe but did not always hold to
his rules.
The story of the relations between
the whites and Indians in Ohio is a
sadly interesting one. It is a story of
greed, of misunderstanding, of cruelty
and plain meanness. While among
themselves, before the coming of the
whites, the Indian tribes did some-
times war among themselves, yet they
did live peaceably for long periods and
enjoyed life in their own way. Christ-
ian Cackler, Jr., the early historian
who lived in actual contact with the
Indians in early Portage County, knew
them well. Quoting again from his
"Recollections", we hear him say:
Indians Learn Evil Ways
"The Indian was placed in the hap-
piest condition of any race of people I
ever saw. The God of Nature had pro-
vided him with everything that the heart
could wish for. He could get up, kill and
slay the fattest of the land, and then lay
down and take his ease, and no one to
molest and make him afraid. I have often
inquired why it is that the man of the
forest is much more honest than the
civilized or Christianized world. I never
knew that they had any language of
their own to swear or blaspheme in, at
least not until the whites taught them,
and when they got so they could repeat
the oaths, they would tickle and laugh
and thought it was very nice, or cun-
ning."
30
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Readers of early histories are given
the impression that everywhere on the
Ohio frontier there was "Injun fight-
ing" with the dread of losing his scalp
always hanging over the white man.
This was true enough in other parts
of the state, but Portage County had
little trouble with the Indians. When
the first whites came to stay in 1798,
the long journey toward the setting
sun had already started for the red
man. There were a few Indians left in
Streetsboro, some in Palmyra and
Deerfield, with others in Nelson and
Windham, but they were peaceably
inclined, though they were feared by
some because of the past reputation of
Indians in general.
The Indians fell for the white man's
firewater, and that added nothing to
their behavior or reputation. In Deer-
field one Indian thought he had been
swindled in a horse trade with a white
man and a shooting occurred, but the
whites quickly organized and inflicted
swift retribution upon the reds,
though the actual culprit escaped for
a time. This incident is described else-
where.
Up in Nelson the redoubtable Cap-
tain DeLaun Mills occasionally had
trouble with the Indians and an In-
dian usually lost his life as a result.
But for a decade or so the white new-
comer got along in rough amity with
his red brother. No pitched battles
took place and no protracted warfare
ensued. The Indians were soon out-
numbered and they knew the fates
were against them.
Indian Loses Out
As noted elsewhere, the border war-
fare in Ohio was mostly in localities
farther west and south. Northeastern
Ohio had nothing to show like the
obscene brutalities of Gnaddenhutten,
the massacre at Coshocton, the butch-
eries of Cresap's War or the burning
at stake of Col. Crawford and others,
such as the Indian Logan complained
of. Sparks from the melees flew this
way. In 1780 a maurading party of In-
dians went into western Pennsylvania
but had been chased out by the whites.
A small party of whites overtook the
Indians near Cuyahoga Falls. Capt.
Samuel Brady was ambushed and ran
for his life to escape by jumping a-
cross the Cuyahoga river at Kent to set
up Ohio's first athletic record and
acquire fame that lasted. Men still re-
late the story with interest. He gave
his name to Brady Lake.
But long before the whites came to
stay in the Western Reserve, the In-
dian had learned a great deal about
the character of the white man. First
came the French explorers, then the
Indians. In their child-like simplicity
the Indians listened to the whites, but
when they found themselves pushed
around, they resented it and fought
back. Ohio is known as the state where
the crueliest and bloodiest Indian
fighting ever known was done. The
savagery of the Indian was equalled
by the savagery of the white man. The
Indian could not cope with the
weapons and numbers of the white
and lost out but the white man should
Early white traders sometimes married Indian squaws. Indians themselves were
friendly to "squaw men", as they felt they could trust them more fully than other whites.
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
31
In years gone by Portage County was one of the leaders in maple products.
This is a "sugar camp", of the type once numerous before forests were destroyed.
hang his head with shame over some
of his actions. Portage County escaped
this bloodshed for the most part.
Treaties Not Clear
The treaties over territory made be-
tween whites and Indians were not
always very clear, particularly to the
Indians. They usually signed after be-
ing plied with food and drink, as was
the custom, so that they were in a
mellow mood. The Fort Mcintosh
treaty was repudiated by the Indians
almost as soon as it was signed. They
said they had no intention of giving
up their land, as the paper provided.
But when the Connecticut Land Co.
sent Gen. Moses Cleaveland to survey
the Reserve Lands, he first stopped at
Buffalo to pow-wow with the Six Na-
tions chiefs. He took whiskey by the
barrel and the talk lasted four days,
after which he had a signed agreement
with the Indians to yield all their
claims in the Reserve for $500 in New
York money, two beeves and 100 gal-
lon of whiskey, which may have been
a practical way of procedure.
Hechwelder, the missionary, liked
the Cuyahoga River area and wrote
about it in his annals. The name is
variously pronounced Cayahaga. Coyo
hoga, Kayahoge, Cajahagas and Gua-
hoga. Its origin was in the Iriquois
word Ka-ih-ogh-ha, meaning "crook-
ed."
Missionaries Were Here
Also, because of its elevation it is
probable that not many of the early
white explorers passed this way, be-
cause they, too, followed the larger
32
PORTAGE HERITAGE
rivers, or tributaries. But after the
white outposts became established, the
overland trails from one post to an-
other usually followed a generally di-
rect route, or trail. French travelers
were followed by the English. The
Moravian missionaries, Hechwelder
and Post, sometimes came this way
with their Indian converts. As far as
is known, there was no serious effort
made to Christianize Indians here.
After the English and French had
ended their fighting over territory,
and the Revolutionary War had end-
ed, the government of the new United
States of America became owner, in
a way, of the Ohio country. The main
trouble was that several of the east-
ern states also had claims of ownership
of land in Ohio, because of the author-
ity granted them by various kings of
England. Nobody then knew much
about the geography of America and
kings sometimes gave away the same
land to different colonies. King
Charles II had given a charter to the
Connecticut colony for land between
certain parallels and westward to the
Pacific ocean. These lines crossed
other states until they came to Ohio,
where they took in territory below
Lake Erie and away to the west of
Pennsylvania state line, a strip from
40 to 75 miles deep.
Virginia, Pennsylvania and Massa-
chussetts ceded their claims to Con-
gress, and Connecticut finally did like-
wise in 1795, but retained ownership
of the land itself which was to be sold
and the proceeds given to help out
the Connecticut school system. The
territory embraced in the Connecticut
claim took the name of the Connecti-
cut Western Reserve because that state
had reserved its right to this land.
Thereafter this tract was known as
the Western Reserve and is still
known by that name today. This Re-
serve tract extended westward 120
miles from Pennsylvania. Because of
conditions under which it was ceded,
Connecticut was a dominating influ-
ence in shaping life here.
Land Sold Wholesale
In dealing with the national gov-
ernment over this territory, Connecti-
cut had retained actual ownership of
the land but turned over to Congress
the civil and military authority. After
dedicating a tract further west for
"fire lands sufferers", the land remain-
ing was sold to an organization known
as the Connecticut Land Co. for the
lump sum of $1,200,000.
What A Man — Pod Moore
Some of the boat captains of the old P.&O. Canal were what in later days would be
called "colorful" characters. One such was Capt. Roland Lorenzo Oren Moore, known as
"Pod Moore." Six feet, ten and a half inches tall, big in girth and strong as a bull, he
could bend silver dollars with his fingers. He was a prodigious eater and drinker and his
drinking bouts lasted all night. It is told that once when his boat was waiting its turn at
the lower Franklin lock, some one from another waiting boat derisively yelled "Fat Belly"
in his direction, he went into action and personally and single handed cleaned up on the
crews of three other boats waiting lockage. It is also related that "Old Pod" was converted
to religion, joined the church and became a great worker for Prohibition, especially along
the canal. He was the father of 21 children.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
33
The land company divided this
amount into 400 shares which sold at
$300 each, and virtually all the in-
dividual purchasers were residents of
Connecticut. Since there were about 3,-
800,000 acres of land involved, it can
easily be figured out that the original
purchase price was a little over 40
cents per acre. Shareholders expected
to re-sell their land at a good profit,
which they did. Many of the original
buyers also sub-divided their holdings
for sale in smaller job lots before the
owner-dweller finally got it.
All this land was sold to the Con-
necticut Land Co. unsurveyed and
sight unseen, at the price mentioned,
to the following list of buyers and
cost:
Joseph Howland and Daniel Coit $30,461
Elias Morgan 51,492
Caleb Atwater 22,846
Daniel Holbrook 8,750
Joseph Williams 14,231
William Love 10,231
William Judd 16,256
Elisha Hyde and Uriah Tracy 57,400
James Johnston 30,000
Samuel Mather, Jr 18,461
Ephriam Kirby, Elijah Boardman,
U. Holmes, Jr 60,000
Samuel Griswold 10,000
Oliver Phelps and Gideon
Granger 80,000
William Hart 30,462
Henry Champion II 85,675
Asher Miller 34,000
Robert C. Johnson 60,000
Ephriam Root 42,000
Nehemiah Hubbard, Jr 19,039
Solomon Cowles 10,000
Oliver Phelps 168,185
Asahel Hathaway 12,000
John Caldwell 15,000
Timothy Burr 15,231
Luther Loomis and Ebenezer
King 44,318
Wm. Lyman, John Stoddard
and David King 24,730
Moses Cleaveland 32,600
Samuel P. Lord 14,092
Roger Newberry, Enoch Perkins,
Jonathan Brace 38,000
Ephriam Starr 17,415
Sylvanus Griswold 1,683
Joseb Stocking, Joshua Stow 11,423
Titus Street 22,846
Jas. Bull, Aaron Olmsted,
John Wyles 30,000
Pierpont Edwards 60,000
This log cabin, once
standing in Shalersville,
was of the kind most
common for residence:;
during the first decades
of the 19th century.
34
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Retailed At Profit
The land was sold mainly on easy
time payments, well protected by
mortgages. In the list of names one
can readily recognize names of men
who later became prominent in Re-
serve affairs, as well as names of towns
and townships.
Actually, though, it can be said that
settlement here was actually the result
of a great real estate development. De-
sire to help people was absent for the
most part. Some think the State of
Connecticut was not wise in turning
over this land to the speculators, who
manipulated affairs for their own
benefit. Land purchased was soon sold
and re-sold in both wholesale and re-
tail lots.
Land in each township was reserved
for school purposes or for support of
a "gospel minister" — nominally, at
least. A great deal of the land went on
sale to the public at once, but some of
the job lot buyers held back their
property in order to make a better
profit later on. Thus Titus Street, who
bought all of Streetsboro township,
did not put his acres up for sale until
1822. Street never lived here but a
selling price of $6.00 per acre was set
and Street's agent, Lemuel Punderson,
took charge. Cheaper land was to be
had elsewhere and Street's land did
not find ready buyers until the price
was reduced to $2.00 or $3.00 per acre.
Treaties Are Made
While a settlement was negotiated
between Connecticut and the national
government, the Indian title also had
to be considered at all times. For the
lands east of the Cuyahoga River, a
treaty with the Six Nations at Fort
Stanwix, N. Y. in 1784, cleared up
that claim here. Other treaties with
the Indians at Fort Mcintosh, 1785,
(which the Indians repudiated); Fort
Finney, 1786; Fort Harmar, 1789; and
Fort Greenville, 1795; resulted in full
title to the land for the national gov-
ernment. A final treaty at Fort San-
dusky in 1805 gave the white man full
possession of the land "west of the
Cuyahoga River."
The United States government had
gone slowly in dealing with the In-
dians for their land. It tried to avoid
infringements on Indian rights, al-
though in the final analysis it was the
military conquests of Gen. Anthony
Wayne that rendered the Indian into
an amenable state.
The famous Ordinance of 1787, af-
fecting the territory north and west of
the Ohio, laid the groundwork for
successive forms of territorial govern-
ment and settlement. Conflicting
claims had been reconciled and the
way was thereby cleared for the estab-
lishment of a civilized state.
At first, government of the North-
west Territory was in the hands of
Congress. Laws were set up and a ter-
ritorial governor appointed, who,
with a legislature, set up other laws.
But law enforcement in a wilderness
was pretty much a weak gesture and
actual operations of the territorial
government left much to be desired.
Marks found on trees indicated that white men were in Portage County as early
as 1650.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
35
This old inn in Mantua was once a popular stopping place for
travelers in stage coach and horseback riding days. This historic build-
ing still stands.
Ohioans did not get along well with
Gov. St. Clair, who was inclined to be
on the despotic side and settlers long-
ed for the time when they could elect
a man more to their liking. When the
region had a population of 5,000, as
provided by the Ordinance, the ter-
ritorial assembly petitioned for state-
hood. After investigation, this was
granted in 1803, and things hoped for
began to take definite shape.
Meantime, the Connecticut Land Co.
had sent a surveying party into the
Reserve to divide it into townships, or
to set out the lines for such townships.
This party was in charge of Moses
Cleaveland, for whom the city of
Cleveland takes its name. This was in
1796, a period of two years being
spent in the work which was accom-
plished under many difficulties and
hardships.
In Various Counties
But before government was set up
in Portage County as such, this region
had been a part of Wayne County
(1796); of Jefferson County (1797);
and Washington County (1798). The
law setting up Jefferson County des-
cribed its boundaries in 1789 as "Be-
ginning upon the bank of the Ohio
River where the western boundary of
Pennsylvania crosses it, and down said
river to the southern boundary of the
fourth township of the third range (of
those seven ranges of townships which
were surveyed in conformity with the
ordinance of Congress of May 20,
1785), and with the said southern
boundary, west, to the southwest corn-
er of the sixth township of the fifth
range, thence north along the western
boundary of the said fifth range to
the termination thereof; thence due
36
PORTAGE HERITAGE
west to the Muskingum river and up
the Muskingum and Tuscarawas river,
to and with the Portage, between the
latter and the Cuyahoga river; thence
down the Cuyahoga to Lake Erie;
thence easterly along the shore of the
Lake to the western boundary of the
state of Pennsylvania and south with
the same to the place of beginning."
This, of course, included our present
county.
But in 1800, the county of Trum-
bull was set up by the Territory and
this county embraced all the land in
the Western Reserve, which of course
included present Portage. All of pres-
ent Portage, together with land bord-
ering on the East and West, went un-
der the name of Franklin Township of
Trumbull county. But other counties
were also soon cut from Trumbull so
that government was a pretty change-
able matter.
New County Made
Franklin township remained a part
of Trumbull county until Feb. 10,
1807, when the state legislature set up
the new county of Portage under the
following law;
1 — "Be it enacted, etc. — That all that
part of the county of Trumbull, which
lies west of the fifth range of townships,
be erected into a separate county by the
name of Portage, and shall be vested with
all the powers, privileges and immunities
of a separate and distinct county. Pro-
vided, that it shall be lawful for the
Coroners, Sheriffs, Constables and Col-
lectors for the County of Trumbull to do
and perform all the duties which they are
or may be required to do, within the
bounds of the said county of Portage be-
fore the said division shall take place;
and all suits and actions whether of a
civil or criminal nature, which shall be
pending, and all crimes which shall have
been committed therein at the time of
the said division, shall be prosecuted to
final judgment and execution in the
county of Trumbull, as though no divis-
ion had taken place.
2 — That the courts of the said County
of Portage shall be holden at the house
of Benjamin Tappan, until a permanent
seat of justice shall be e tablished.
3 — All that part of the Connecticut
Western Reserve that lies west of the
Cuyahoga River and south of the town-
ship numbered five, shall be annexed
and become a part of the County of
Portage. Provided, that the money aris-
ing to the county from a tax on land,
within the said district, shall be approp-
riated by the commissioners of Portage
County, and expended in laying out and
making roads and erecting bridges, with-
in the boundaries of the said district,
west of the Cuyahoga."
The act also authorized the appoint-
ment of commissioners, under the law
establishing seats of justice, to fix up-
on the place for the county seat of the
county. Robert Simison, Samuel Hunt-
er and Rezin Beall were appointed for
that purpose, and in August, 1808,
they reported to the Common Pleas
court that they had selected Ravenna.
First Cuyahoga Bridge
A bridge was constructed over the Cuya-
hoga River at Kent in 1803. In his "Recol-
lections," Christian Cacker, Jr. writes, "The
Hudson and Ravenna people had got to-
gether and threw a bridge across at that
place (Brady's Leap) in the fall of 1803-
This was the first bridge ever thrown
across the Cuyahoga River. They ran a road
from Ravenna to Hudson that fall, crossing
on that bridge and that was the first east-
and-west road ever traveled in this section
of the country."
Others said that this bridge was built by
Frederick Olmsted's surveyors but it is pos-
sible that it was a joint arrangement by
both settlers and surveyors for convenience
of all.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
37
Change Comes Slowly
Ravenna had been laid out as a
town by Benjamin Tappan about this
time, which no doubt influenced the
decision.
The territory of Portage county re-
mained as then laid out until, 1840,
when a new county was set up to the
West — Summit. Two tiers of town-
ships, ten in all, were taken from Port-
age to help make up the new county.
Portage lost Twinsburg, Hudson,
Stow, Tallmadge, Springfield, North-
field, Northampton, Boston, Portage
and Coventry. The territory remaining
still stands as Portage County.
In the long years before this, this
part of Ohio had been claimed by the
French, the English and even by the
Spanish, without having any particu-
lar control. It belonged to the Indians
by natural right but it was to be the
operation of fate that took their lands
from them.
But though Portage County was leg-
ally erected in 1807 more than a year
passed before there was any percept-
able change in public affairs there.
When Portage County was estab-
lished by the Ohio State legislature in
1807, white inhabitants actually could
be numbered by the hundreds instead
of the thousands. These were well
scattered throughout the district, but
many of the present townships still
had no permanent settlers. In fact,
there were but four townships lying
within the county as now outlined —
Franklin, Deerfield, Aurora and Hi-
ram. The county also included Hud-
son and Springfield townships, now
in Summit county.
At that time a designated township
could be and usually was a pretty large
territory of indefinite size, which later
was cut up into other districts five or
six miles square. In 1807 Brimfield,
Edinburg, Freedom, Paris, Streetsboro
and Windham still had no permanent
residents. The new county's western
limits were just beyond the present
city of Akron.
Adventurers Here First
State laws had replaced the old ter-
ritorial laws, but not much attention
was paid to law at all. People got a-
long with each other through good
will and mutual respect and helpful-
ness for the most part though there
were many lawless characters to con-
tend with. Only the beginning of first
mills and manufacturing plants were
in evidence — such as saw mills, grist
mills, whiskey stills and asheries. But
mainly people did their own work in
the primitive, back breaking way.
Though the Connecticut Land Co.
opened up the land for sale and re-
sale in 1795, there was at first no great
rush to acquire land here. Quite a few
came to look at the land first, com-
pare one location with another, then
go back East and report. Others
bought land, then came out to find
what they had bought and learn whet-
Real estate taxes in Portage County were first levied according to the quality of
the land. In 1810 the state tax was $1.25 on each 100 acres of first class land; $1.00 on
a similar amount of second class land; and 65 cents on third class land. Local taxes, of
course, raised the total.
n
PORTAGE HERITAGE
her to be pleased or feel dissatisfied.
Men, with their women and children,
came as single families or in groups
gradually. Sometimes men came to ar-
range homes and went back later to
bring their families.
In 1807 a caravan of emigrants
numbering 72 reached Aurora from
New England. Benjamin Tappan, Jr.,
who laid out Ravenna, thought he was
getting land in Randolph where the
soil was more fertile, but through
some mixup found that it was in Ra-
venna. But it was located in South Ra-
venna, so that he was somewhat bet-
ter satisfied. Emigration from the East
to New Connecticut did not begin to
assume proportions until after the
War of 1812 and there had been a
couple of bad crop years in the East
because of cold weather. They wanted
a place where the climate was not
quite so severe.
But on the whole, in all this time
there wasn't much law except by un-
observance.
Carry-Over County
How did Portage County get it's
name? It is a singular fact that the
name originally chosen was because of
a location no longer within the coun-
ty. It was so named because of the
portage, or carry, between the waters
of the Cuyahoga and the Tuscarawas
rivers. This lay within the present
limits of the city of Akron and was
two to eight miles in length, depend-
ing on the depth of water in the
creeks, through which canoes could
travel. It was the Portage Path used
by the Indians, and later by whites.
Old writers liked to say it was the
route used by the Indians in traveling
from Lake Erie locations to the Ohio
river. While this could be true, it is
also a route that could be used in
traveling scores of other places.
And while Portage County lost the
specific reason for its name, the title
could still be applicable. Because of its
elevation it has the headwaters for a
number of sizeable streams, such as the
Cuyahoga, the Mahoning, the Cha-
grin, the Grand and even water
courses that lead to the Tuscarawas.
These headwater streams are often
quite close together and offered ex-
cellent carries, or portage for light
canoes.
Within the limits of the county lie
twenty townships. Garrettsville was
once set up as a township but later
lost that status. The county has an area
of 490 square miles with an acreage of
313,600, less lake and stream areas.
The townships today are Atwater, Au-
rora, Brimfield, Charlestown, Deer-
field, Edinburg, Franklin, Freedom,
Hiram, Mantua, Nelson, Palmyra, Par-
Slavery In Portage County?
In 1804 John Garrett brought his family from Maryland to Portage County. The
village of Garrettsville was named for him. In his household were two slave children —
a 10-year old Negress and a 6-year old mulatto boy. When they became 18 years old they
were given their freedom.
In 1806, the Noah Smith family came to Palmyra from Connecticut, bringing with
them a Negro girl. For holding this girl Smith was prosecuted but won out in the courts.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
39
The home was built by Ed-
ward Hinman in 1817 and the
property has remained in pos-
session of the Hinman family
from the first. It stands north
of Ravenna and is owned by
Ralph Hinman. At one time it
was used as a tavern.
fc h
i? ■&- «g?*
:%x. i
"* 'i
is, Randolph, Ravenna, Rootstown,
Shalersville, Streetsboro, Suffield and
Windham. When the first census was
taken in 1810, its population was 2,-
995. The 1950 census showed that 63,-
954 people lived in the county. So
rapid has been growth since 1950 that
it is believed over 75,000 people live
in Portage County today.
In disposing of its western lands,
Connecticut set apart 500 acres of land
in each township for the support of
schools as well as 500 acres for church-
es plus 240 acres for the minister. It
worked out that way to some extent
but probably not in the way it first
promised to help. Settlers and pur-
chasers of land had assumed that this
meant a start in public education
would be made in the Reserve.
School Aid Is Small
But nobody seemed interested in
taking over this "school" land. Dis-
satisfaction arose in Connecticut over
the set-up and finally Connecticut sold
this school land and added the pro-
ceeds to the original $1,200,000.00 it
had obtained. This then all went to
support schools, but those schools
were in Connecticut, not Ohio. West-
ern Reserve schools got nothing.
The Western Reserve would have
been better off in the first place with-
out Connecticut's gesture of help for
education for while Congress was pro-
viding help for schools elsewhere in
Ohio, it passed up the Reserve because
it already had "help." But Congress
finally did help later. In 1807 it set
aside 87.5 square miles in Holmes and
Tuscarawas counties for school sup-
port in the Reserve, the Virginia Mili-
tary District and the U. S. Military
Bounty District.
This was followed by other grants
from Congress later on, so that event-
ually the Western Reserve had 93,760
acres of land for her school support.
But this land failed to lease well and
in 1852 the state legislature ordered
it sold. The Reserve's share was a
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
quarter million dollars. The profits
from this fund are still divided each
year among the Reserve schools and is
known as the "Irreducible School
Fund." Here it is known as the West-
ern Reserve School fund. However the
"help" thus received is very small
compared with the sums raised other-
wise for the schools. Last year it
amounted to a little more than $300.00
to be divided among all the county
districts.
Undoubtedly Connecticut meant to
foster education for its children in
Ohio, and let it be known that schools
were provided for. But many of the
early comers were bitterly disappoint-
ed to find that schooling was not to be
had. These settlers wanted schools and
learning for their children but for the
most part they had to set up their own
schools. It was many years before any
sort of school "system" was in opera-
tion.
Dreary Outlook
Intelligent observers who came to
this country before it was a state pret-
ty well agreed that it was a rough,
dreary country, primitive and depress-
ing to them.
In 1800, Rev. Joseph Badger, men-
tioned elsewhere, came here as a mis-
sionary to make inquiry about condi-
tions and church needs in the Reserve.
He visited settlements, including those
in Portage. He was disturbed by the
people's attitude toward churches.
"They seem to glory in their infidel-
ity," he wrote back. "Infidelity and
profaning Sabbath are general in this
place. The people bid fair to grow in-
to a hardened, corrupt society."
After the county was set up, Samuel
Melish came here in 1811 to inspect
the country for prospective land buy-
ers. His report was not good. He found
much sickness, fever and ague. "It is
a country of dull people, who look
pale and sickly," he reported. The
Cuyahoga River stank, he said, and he
saw many large pumpkins and that
the people "lived much on pumpkin
pies." Dr. Zerah Hawley, who came
here to practice, reported that most
families lived, cooked, ate, slept, dress-
ed and undressed in one room. One
family had a knife and fork for vis-
itors, but otherwise all ate from one
big dish. People had no manners and
preachers were either fanatical or ig-
norant. Althogether, there was plenty
of room for improvement, even with
the standards of those days. But things
began to stir.
Even while the Reserve was still in
the woods, commerce began to show
its head, as trade often paves the way
to civilization. In 1786, Col. James
Hillman, who later established
Youngstown, worked for the mer-
cantile firm of Duncan & Wilson, in
Pittsburgh. His job was transporting
goods from Pittsburgh to "the mouth
of the Cuyahoga River, for shipment
The Gunboat, Portage
In the War of 1812, a boat was constructed at Old Portage, now Akron, to be used as
a gunboat and was given the name of The Portage. At that time Akron was inside Poratge
County, hence the name. Other boats named were The Porcupine, The Hornet, The Trippe
and The Tigress. None of the vessels saw combat service.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
41
This drawing repre-
sents the rocky gorge of
the Cuyahoga river
where Capt. Brady made
his famous leap. Rocks
were later removed for
canal and railroad con-
struction.
to Detroit." Cleveland, as a settlement,
wasn't yet in existence.
Horseback Freighters
Hillman's memoirs states that his
party made five or six trips a year. His
caravan consisted of ten men and 90
horses (pack horses carrying merch-
andise). They usually cross the Big
Beaver four miles below the mouth of
the Shenango; thence up the left bank
of the Mahoning, crossing it about
three miles above the village of
Youngstown; thence by way of Salt
Springs (near Niles) in the township
of Weathersfield, through Milton, to
Ravenna, crossing the Cuyahoga at
the mouth of the Breakneck, and a-
gain at the mouth of Tinker's creek,
near Bedford, and thence down the
river to its mouth, where they erected
a log cabin for the safe keeping of
goods." Near Tinkers Creek were a
few houses erected by Moravians (then
vacant). These, and the few cabins at
Salt Springs, were the only buildings
erected by whites between Ohio River
and Lake Erie. Their route was not a
road, but a trail.
But better things and an easier way
of living were in store for those who
came.
A widely known character of early Rootstown was "Mother" Ward. She was a large
and muscular woman of great energy and endurance, well able to do a man's work at
chopping, logging and taking long journeys afoot. She is said to have come from Pennsyl-
vania, having left a husband there, and lived alone near present Crystal Lake which was
long known as Mother Ward's Pond on her account. Her maiden name was said to have
been Dunfield and her first husband was killed by Indians. She had a son, John, who built
a frame house for Benjamin Tappan. But he got into trouble and was tried for wife
murder. "Mother Ward" is said to have made annual trips back home to Pennsylvania,
going barefoot. She was supposed to have been a native of Ireland.
42
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Shooting of Daniel Diver
The only serious trouble with the
Indians in Portage County occurred in
1806 and is referred to as "the shoot-
ing of Daniel Diver" in Deerfield, by
an Indian named Mohawk, as the re-
sult of bad feeling over a horse trade.
Nickshaw, a son-in-law of Chief Big-
son, had traded a pony for a horse be-
longing to John Diver.
In his "Recollections of An Old Set-
tler," Chris Cackler, Jr., gives his ver-
sion of the affair. Writing in 1874,
Cackler says:
"I have seen in a book of Mr. Bierce's,
in Summit County, where the difficulty
between Daniel Diver and the Indians
is set forth, as regards the abuse offered
to the Indians, is not true. I was acquaint-
ed with the whole transaction and with
Mohawk, who shot Diver. He was a son
of the Chief Seneca. The chief was a
large, muscular man, a little short of six
feet, straight, with a stern look and keen,
black eyes. His word was law in his
tribe; what he said, must be done. He
did not allow his tribe to promise any-
thing and not make it good. Honor was
their law and you might be sure of their
promises, if they lived, for they hated
lying. If you told them a lie, they never
forgot it.
"The Seneca chief (Bigson) had seven
children — four sons and three daughters.
There were three in the family — John
Bigson, John Amur and John Mohawk.
His sons-in-law were George Wilson,
Nickshaw and Wobmung. Wobmung
was as smart a fellow as you would see
in a thousand. You would think his big
eyes would look through a man and see
all his faults. If he had been educated,
he would have been equal to any white
man.
Nickshaw traded off his pony with
John Diver for an old horse. Diver had
given them whiskey and made them
'cockusa', as they say when they get too
much. Nickshaw went off with his horse
and in about three days brought him
back, saying that he was no good for In-
dian because he could not eat sticks; but,
he was good for white man. They said
Diver had cheated them. Nickshaw left
the old horse, went away, and agreed
with Mohawk to shoot Diver. Three or
four of the Indians came there and asked
for whiskey but Mohawk did not come in
to drink the whiskey with them. When
they went out, they gave a whoop, jump-
ed on their ponies and went away. Diver
thought this a little strange and put his
head out the door, when Mohawk fired
at him, mounted his pony and rode
away. The shot took out both his eyes.
He was not killed but lived at Deerfield
at least 30 years after this.
"The Indian camp was about three
miles away. The Seneca chief and his
family had moved there in the fall, and
the greatest friendship existed with the
whites until the horse trade. Mohawk
thought he had killed Diver and escap-
ed. The neighbors rallied under Capt.
Rogers and took after the Indians. They
went to their camp and none were there
but they followed their trail along the
great Indian road from the Ohio River
to Sandusky. It crossed the Cuyahoga
River at 'Standing Stone', near Franklin
Mills, now Kent, and the Center road,
south of Hudson about a mile, thence
across the Cuyahoga River in Boston. My
father lived in the southeast part of Hud-
son. The trail was about sixty rods from
our house and we had a path to the
Probably the first installment buying transaction in Portage occurred in Mantua in
1815. Settlers there needed a blacksmith. Daniel Bidlake came along. He was a blacksmith
but had no tools or equipment. Settlers banded together and bought him an outfit, and
he paid back the money on the installment plan.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
43
trail. Rogers and his men followed the
Indians in the night.
"It was about the last of December,
1806, and the snow was about four inch-
es deep. The night was very cold and
the moon was near the full and shining.
They came to our house about one
o'clock in the morning, some of them
nearly frozen, and about half of them
stayed there. Rogers got my father, - my
eldest brother and my brother-in-law,
Williams, to go with them. They went
to Hudson, got a new recruit, and fol-
lowed on to near the west part of Rich-
field. Here the Indians had stopped, built
a fire, stacked their arms, tied their
ponies and lain down, with their feet to
the fire. Most of them had pulled off
their moccasins. When Rogers and his
men saw the fire, they scattered and sur-
rounded the Indians, some of whom were
in a doze and some asleep.
"As they were closing up, Nickshaw
and Mohawk sprang up and ran off bare-
footed. They closed in on the rest and,
it beginning to be light, Rogers wanted
somebody to go after Nickshaw. George
Darrow, of Hudson, and Jonathan Wil-
liams, my brother-in-law, volunteered
to go. They said the Indians' feet began
to bleed before they got a mile, when
they sat down on a log, tied pieces of
their blanket around their feet, and then
separated. Darrow and Williams follow-
ed one of them who proved to be Nick-
shaw, who they overtook at about three
miles. He looked back, and seeing them,
gave a whoop and increased his speed
and they took after him like hounds after
a fox. In about a mile they overtook him
and asked him to come back, but he
would not. Darrow said he thought he
could clinch him, but when he made the
attempt, Nickshaw would put his hand
under his blanket as though he had a
knife. Darrow thought he would get a
club and knock him down, but Mr. In-
dian could get a club and use it, too.
They got out of patience and Williams
fired his gun over Nickshaw's head to
let him know what was coming if he
did not yield. This did not make any
impression and Williams loaded up and
This old mill at Garrettsville long
stood on the site of the original mill of
John Garrett, built in 1805.
popped him over. He fell on his face
and gave up the ghost. They threw him
under a log, covered him with brush and
old chunks and came back to Hudson.
Heman Oviatt, David Hudson and Owen
Brown mounted their horses, took the
trail and found the Indian dead. They
got out a state warrant against Darrow
and Williams for murder.
"All the Reserve was then in Trumbull
county, the county seat at Warren. When
they got there to be tried for their necks,
they refused to go into the little log jail
'til the court could be organized, and
they had some fuss about it. Finally,
some person said they would be on hand
for the trial. When the court was ready
they came forward and the witnesses
were called. Oviatt, Hudson and Brown
swore that they followed the tracks of
Darrow and Williams and found where
they had shot the Indian. I think J. D.
Webb of Warren was counsel for them.
He muddled the witnesses 'til they could
not tell how the Indian came to his death.
Darrow was cleared and brought as a
witness against Williams. He swore that
there was a controversy with the Indian
in order to make a prisoner of him; he
heard the crack of a gun and saw the
Indian fall but could not tell where it
came from. Finally the matter was quash-
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
This mill was built
in Deerfield in 1803
and served the people
of that area for many
years.
ed. There was plenty of whiskey and a
hoe-down that night. A collection was
made for Williams of five dollars for his
killing the Indian."
The Chief and his family were
brought to Hudson and discharged.
They were not abused but went to
their old camp in Streetsboro, which
was his headquarters. It was on Sam-
uel Olin's place, near the river. He
lived there until the summer of 1812.
He was a man of great intellect and
fairness, and had always been a friend
of our government.
What Cackler neglects to say that
the Diver who was shot by Mohawk,
According to scientific surveys made in
the past, millions of tons of coal lie be-
neath the surface in Portage County. Most
of it cannot be taken out in paying quanti-
ties. There are four recognized seams, lying
at varying depths, which in places show
outcroppings. There is hardly a community
in the county wherein coal has not been
found. The seams vary in depth from a few
inches to five feet and only in a few sec-
tions does it pay to mine it. Palmyra long
was a noted coal producing center. So was
Deerfield. Atwater has its mines today. But
in all likelihood most of Portage coal po-
tential will forever remain unmined.
was not the man who traded horses,
but his brother, Daniel. The wrong
man was shot.
Also, other historians say that Chief
Bigson and his family were taken be-
fore Squire Lewis Ely, of Deerfield,
for a hearing. The squire bound them
over to the Common Pleas Court at
Warren, where the Indians were held
as prisoners until a trial was held, at
which time they were found not guil-
ty and released. The Indians claimed
that when taken to Deerfield and
Warren, they were forced to walk
through snow without protection for
their feet.
When Mr. and Mrs. Edward Babcock
came from Masschussetts in 1820, they
were first six weeks on the way to Buffa-
lo by wagon. There they boarded a scow,
heading for Cleveland. Five times they
were driven back by storms. Reaching
Cleveland, they couldn't get their craft
to a landing. Babcock then swam ashore
and got a row boat and help to get their
effects on shore. Their destination was
Ravenna.
In 1804 roads were two rods wide. Later
they were made 50 feet wide.
CHAPTER III
Organizing for Civilization
Though the general public mood
just previous to statehood and erection
of the county had been one of disap-
pointment, inertia and despair, things
soon began to look up. The establish-
ment of a formal government, was
one thing. Though adventurers pay
little attention to that, to those who
intended to bring their families and
make their homes, it meant more. At
least it pointed the way to better and
safer living. Despite the presence of
some intelligent and capable men al-
ready on the scene, there was still con-
fusion and skepticism. Civilization as
they knew it back east, had not yet be-
gun to "jell."
But the natural resources were
there. Cheap land was for sale. Grad-
ually the advantages of the region be-
came known elsewhere. The flow of
immigration, which had been a slow
trickle, soon became a steady stream
and, in time, a flood. There had been
a few years of extremely cold weather,
with loss of crops, in the East, which
impelled many families there to seek
a "warmer climate." They headed
hopefully to New Connecticut, al-
though Ohio had also suffered much
from cold weather in the same period.
Begining about 1810, and continuing
for two or three decades thereafter
was the county's heyday for new set-
tlers. They came mostly from New
England at first, particularly Connecti-
cut; from Massachussetts, "York
State," Pennsylvania and Virginia, all
filled with the same ambition — to ac-
quire land and make a living.
Portage Towns Isolated
Original purchasers of the land in
lots, also set up a quiet but indirect
boosting campaign in order to hasten
sales. Later on, this took on greater
proportions. David Hudson, founder
of Hudson village, came here in 1799.
At first he couldn't even locate the
land he had bought sight unseen. He
wrote that he was heartily sick of his
venture and longed to go back home
to stay. He did go back home the next
year but when there he vigorously
boosted the land he had for sale and
in the following year came back to
Hudson with several others, plenty of
provisions and money, this time to
stay.
In his "History of the Western Re-
serve", Historian Harlan Hatcher says;
"The Portage County towns were
more isolated and developed slowly.
The county was too far west for easy
travel from the Mahoning, and too far
south from the lake. Portage towns
remained scattered and small for half
a century."
To get here immigrants at first of-
ten found no roads at all. The Great
Trail which led across the county, was
at first improved in sections through
Ravenna and Kent about 1803 in or-
der to move goods through. About the
45
46
PORTAGE HERITAGE
same time the Atwater-Georgetown
road, 40 miles in length, was cut. The
Mills brothers then ran a road across
Nelson, probably to help their busi-
ness of hotel keeping. In 1799 Ebe-
nezer Sheldon had laid out a road
toward Cleveland from Aurora and
in 1802 the Ravenna-Burton road was
cut. Rootstown got a road in 1805
and in the same year Col. Garrett laid
out a road to his mill at Garrettsville.
But not until the county was formed
in 1807 did road building get under
way in earnest. Those first roads were
generally pretty poor affairs, more
like trails than highways. They seldom
could be used for wagons but did ac-
commodate horse and sled travel.
County Seat Wanted
After the county had been set up,
one of the first requirements was the
selection of a county seat. Naturally,
a central location was preferred. Ra-
venna township had been settled early
and showed promise. Its first citizen
and leading land owner was Benjamin
Tappan who had settled the town. He
was desirous of having the county seat
located at Ravenna and with good rea-
son. Town lots were being laid out
there. Aaron Olmsted was a large land
owner in Franklin township and want-
ed the county seat put at Franklin
Mills. As the county at that time was
much larger than at present, extending
beyond Akron, Franklin Mills was
still more centrally located. It became
a contest and this dragged on. Olm-
sted never lived here, being an "ab-
sentee landlord," though he was here
briefly, but he had an able lieutenant
in Capt. John Campbell, founder of
Campbellsport, who apparently did
not see eye to eye with Tappan in var-
ious ways. Olmsted agreed, that if the
court house was erected in Franklin,
he would donate all the land needed
for county use. There was a mild
"court house war." According to the
story handed down, the committee in
charge of selection had virtually
agreed on the Franklin location and
Campbell personally selected the court
house site, which was between the
present Standing Rock cemetery and
the township school. But fate took a
hand. Before the recommendation
could be made Olmsted died in the
East, leaving no authorized agent here
to carry out his wishes and the prize
Township Lots
Townships of the county were laid out in lots for purposes of locating property, but
the lots varied in number. Writer C. M. Young of Hiram calls attention to the fact that
Hiram was laid out in 50 symmetrical lots. The lots were numbered by beginning with No.
1 in the upper left or northwest corner of the map and numbered to the right, then
numbering back from east to west on the next horizontal line and so on until No. 50 was
reached in the southwest corner. A somewhat similar system was used in Franklin town-
ship except that the beginning was made in the lower right, or southeast corner. In other
townships different systems were used and some seem to have had no system at all, or
even a starting point. The number of lots in the townships are: Aurora 42, Mantua 42,
Hiram 50, Nelson 52, Streetsboro 100, Shalersville 110, Franklin 81, Ravenna 66, Charles-
town 81, Paris 42, Brimfield 64, Rootstown 48, Edinburg 27, Palmyra 32, Suffield 50,
Randolph 100, Atwater 132, Deerfield 100. Lots were of varying size and shape.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
47
finally went to Tappan's town of Ra-
venna. This was in 1808.
It was still a county much in name
only. Actual government machinery
still had to be set up. Taxes were still
being collected from Warren. In 1808
the land tax receipts were: Franklin,
$46.82; Deerfield, $48.78; Aurora,
$38.17; Hiram, $36.31; Springfield,
$34.97; Hudson, $81.71. In personal
taxes Franklin paid $35.00; Deerfield,
$48.96; Aurora, $12.30; Hiram, $23.-
40; Springfield, $26.60; Hudson, $55.-
60.
Entire taxes levied in the year 1808-
1809 were $3,247.71 over a large ter-
ritory including Portage County.
First Court Held
Before Portage County was set up,
all judicial business had been transact-
ed at Warren, except the small amount
done by local justices of the peace.
The committee in charge of determin-
ing the county seat reported its find-
ings to the Common Pleas court at
Warren and proper entries made. A
new court was set up and the first
session was to be held at Tappan's
home. One story, long repeated, was
that on the day set it was found that
Tappan's home had been burned the
night before so that adjournment was
made to the Robert Eaton home. But
this story is disputed.
The record of the first session of
the Portage County Court of Common
Pleas reads as follows:
"State of Ohio, County of Portage,
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 1808. This day being
the appointed day for the sitting of the
Common Pleas Court for said county,
the court opened, present Calvin Pease,
Esq., president, and William Wetmore,
Aaron Norton and Amzi Atwater, Esq.,
II
Portage County Court House, finished
in 1830.
Associate Judges.
"The report of Robert Simison, Sam-
uel Hunter and Rezin Beall, Commis-
sioners appointed to fix the seat of jus-
tice for the County of Portage, was made
to the Court, which, being read, was
ordered to be recorded.
"Ordered that the court adjourn til 2
o'clock in the afternoon to meet at the
home of Robert Eaton.
"Tuesday, 2 o'clock, afternoon, court
opened pursuant to adjournment. Pres-
ent, the same judges as in the morning.
"The Grand Jury, being called, came,
to wit: Ebenezer Pease, Samuel Bishop,
David Hudson, Robert Bissell, Moses
Thompson, Stephen Baldwin, Samuel
Andrus, Jacob Reed, John Campbell,
Wiley Hamilton, Ethelbert Baker, Alfred
Wolcott, John Hutton, Jeremiah Root
and David Abbott. The court appointed
David Hudson, Esq., foreman of the
48
PORTAGE HERITAGE
grand jury, and the jury being sworn
and affirmed were charged by the court
and sent out."
Omission Explained
The tradition about the court's first
meeting place was long a subject for
argument but A. B. Griffin, a Raven-
na historian, once mayor, had this to
say on the subject in a public letter
in 1869:
"The Journal (of the commissioners)
giving an account of the first court held
in Portage County, Aug. 23, 1808, says
it met and organized; but it does not say
where it met, or at what time of day. It
does say it adjourned to meet the same
day at the house of Robert Eaton. Of
course the first meeting was held in the
forenoon — somewhere.
"Three questions arise here:
"First — Why was not the court held
at the Tappan house as directed by the
Legislature?
"Second, why was the second session
held at the Eaton house?
"I think I can give a reasonable an-
swer to each of these questions;
"First, Mr. Tappan was at that time
for some reason, held in bad repute
by some of his neighbors; so much so
that his life was in constant jeopardy;
indeed, he was obliged to devise means
to protect himself from bullets, which
made their way into his house at night-
fall.
"With such a state of feeling existing,
it is very probable that the commissioners
deemed it unwise to hold the meeting at
his home.
Open Air Court House
"Second, the court must be held some-
where and as there was no place secured
for it when the time arrived, it was de-
cided to build a room for it at once —
at least to organize in. This was ac-
complished as follows: a small square
was marked out on a plot of ground lo-
cated on the road leading to Campbell-
sport (then called Campbell's Corners.)
near where the P. & W. railroad crosses
it now. At each of the four corners of
this square a crotched post was planted.
Poles were laid from crotch to crotch
around this square. Boards were laid
across these poles and brush laid on the
boards. This answered for a covering
overhead. As it was warm weather, sides
were not needed. A rude bench and table
were provided for the judge.
"It was very probable that while the
court was in session the commissioners
secured a room in the Eaton house, which
was located a short distance from where
the court was then sitting. Indeed, it was
their only chance, for there was but one
house at that time on the plat of Raven-
na village and that was a small house.
It was located near where Waterman's
Drug store now stands. One house was
as central then as either of the others.
"On receiving the report of the com-
missioners, the court adjourned to meet
Primitive Hauling Device
Bela Hubbard came to Randolph in 1802 with a yoke of oxen pulling a "dray" on
which was a supply of flour, hams and tools. A dray was a contrivance made of the
crotched wood of a tree, hewed smooth underneath and strengthened with cross pieces.
Upon this the load was placed and dragged by oxen or horses. Sometimes it was called a
"sled" from which the term, "sled road", originated. This contrivance was used by many
of the early settlers, both in traveling here and afterwards. It is doubtful if many first
migrants came into the Western Reserve by covered wagon. If they did so they found the
Reserve woods impassable for wagons and continued the rest of the way by horseback,
foot or otherwise. Those coming through Pennsylvania by the "southern route" found
rough roads as far as Youngstown. Farther on, nothing but paths. Land travel west of
Erie, Pa., was nearly impossible until later.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
49
at the Eaton house that same afternoon.
From that time, until the new court
house was finished in 1810 the court
continued its sessions there. The house
was located about two and one half miles
Southeast from Ravenna Village. It is
still standing, now occupied by a family
by the name of Rhodes. This house
stands on, or near, the "Great Trail"
which passed through Ravenna Town-
ship running near the South line of Ra-
venna village. The trail was known all
through this region as the great Indian
thoroughfare through Northern Ohio,
reaching from the Ohio River to Lake
Erie. The Indians had passed and re-
passed through this beaten path from
time immemorial. Traces of this trail
were to be seen as late as 1838.
"I do not know how to account for
the tradition concerning the first court
unless the sparseness of the settlers at
that time was responsible for it. When
we remember that the second house built
in Portage County was built in 1800,
and that this mushroom house was built
in 1808, we must conclude that the set-
tlers in the county were few and far be-
tween. On this account, news would be
slow in reaching the settlers, especially
in the outer townships. Probably it was
known that on a certain day, the court
was to be held and at the Tappan house.
It is also probable that the settlers, being
so far away, and having no business with
the court and crowded with business
at home, did not care to attend. And,
it is possible, if not probable, that some
person who was not in Ravenna at the
time the court was held, learning that it
was not held in the Tappan House and,
not knowing of the mushroom house,
might have said in the presence of some
neighbor, that the Tappan house must
have burned, possibly said in jest, or pos-
sibly too in earnest, knowing the feeling
existing against Mr. Tappan. Be that as
it may, the bare suggestion that it was
burned might easily, as it passed from
one to another, be accepted as a fact and
in course of time become traditional his-
tory; special credence might have been
Benjamin Tappan, Jr., first settler of
Ravenna and later U. S. Senator.
given to the report from the fact that the
Tappan house was located some distance
from the road and but little travel on
the road at that time. The particulars
concerning the mushroom courtroom
were learned from a worthy citizen of
Ravenna, who is still living, whose
father was contemporary of Mr. Tappan
and was his nearest neighbor. He says
that when a boy, he often heard his
father talk about it. He well remembers
hearing his father give to his neighbors,
who were not posted in the matter (those
neighbors lived miles apart) the particu-
lars concerning the construction of that
court room. This account of the court
room being satisfactorily established as I
regard it, we can readily see why the
clerk in making up his minutes, failed to
name the place of the first session. It
was not easy for him to fill the blank,
therefore he cut it short by saying," The
court met and organized, then adjourned
to meet the same afternon at the house
of Robert Eaton."
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Had the Tappan house burned, as
tradition has it, it would have been
perfectly natural for him to have said
in his Journal, "the Tappan house
having burned, the court was held at
the house of Robert Eaton."
August, 1869. A. B. Griffin
Actually, when the county seat was
designated, the town of Ravenna did
not yet exist. A single permanent
building stood within the later limits
of the town. Tappan's home was in
the township. To speak of neighbors
was in a relative sense. A number of
scattered homes out Campbellsport
way were the only evidences of civili-
zation.
Mantua Settled
In pre-settlement days perhaps
hundreds of white men had passed
through the territory. These included
trappers, traders, prospectors, soldiers
and surveyors. Some tarried weeks or
months before moving on. It is the
permanent settlers with whom we are
most concerned.
Although at this date it seems to us
that numerous immigrants came in
about the same time, it is shown by
books and records that to Mantua
township goes the honor of having
the first permanent settler in Portage
County. The man was Abraham Hon-
ey. He came in 1798 and in the fall of
the year, cleared off a tract there. It
appears that in the same year Peter
French also came to Mantua, built a
cabin and planted some wheat, then
changed his mind about his location
and moved away to Mentor. In a
couple of years Honey moved to Hi-
ram and though having the distinction
of being Mantua's first settler, he was-
n't permanent after all. William
Crooks arrived soon after Honey, and
Rufus Edwards, who came in 1799,
was there to stay.
In the following year, several set-
tlers came in to stay. Ebenezer Shel-
don found a home in Aurora, and
Benjamin Tappan, Jr. reached Raven-
na to develop land. In Deerfield Lewis
Day, Horatio Day and Lewis Ely ar-
rived with the intention of staying.
Atwater puts in a claim that her first
settlement was second only to that of
Mantua. Mr. and Mrs. Asa Hall came
there to stay in 1799, early in the year.
David Daniels arrived in Palmyra the
same year. By this time others were
on their way or planning to come.
The various early arrivals are describ-
ed separately in the chapters for town-
ships or towns.
Brady's Mission Backfired
What was Capt. Samuel Brady doing in this country when he had his trouble with
the Indians and made his celebrated "Leap" across the Cuyahoga? His home was in
Pennsylvania. First New England settlers here had no particular feeling against the
Indians and got along with them fairly well. But they were amazed by the attitude of
Pennsylvania people who also came in. The Pennsylvanians and Virginians had an undy-
ing hatred against redskins. To them, it was a duty to kill Indians in any manner, whether
in battle or by shooting them in the back. The redskins were as vermin. The slaughter at
Gnaddenhutten was such an expression. Capt. Brady was here on an Indian killing mission
when he almost lost his own life. So was Col. Crawford, the much publicized man who
was burned at the stake.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
51
One of earliest bridges spanning river at Franklin Mills.
The newcomers did not always
know where to locate their property
and often had to do some hunting to
get settled on it. Benjamin Tappan,
Jr., supposed the land he had bought
was in Randolph township, as he de-
sired, but found it was miles further
north.
New Court House Built
When the county seat itself became
a reality, the next thing necessary was
a court house. The County Commis-
sioners Journal of Dec. 5, 1809, con-
tains the following entry:
"Mr. William Tappan (brother of
Benjamin) entered into an agreement
on behalf of himself and John Tap-
pan, to erect at the seat of justice in
Ravenna, at their own expense, a court
house forty feet long, thirty feet wide
and twenty feet high, the lower story
to be finished for the accommodation
of the court, etc.; to build a log jail
two stories high, twenty-five feet long
and twenty feet wide; the lower story
to contain three rooms and a chimney
to contain two fire-places, one on each
story; and the said William and John
Tappan, on completion of said court
house and jail, are to receive those lots
given by Benjamin Tappan for use of
the county."
An earlier historian says that he was
unable to find anything on record
showing that Tappan had actually
given the lots mentioned, to the coun-
ty. How the other Tappans actually
got their pay for the erection of the
buildings is not clear, but Benjamin
Tappan did donate some lots to the
town of Ravenna and these may be
the ones involved.
But the court house and jail went
up in 1810.
First Actual Settlers
With the new county government
in working order, new townships were
laid out and by 1822, all townships
were fully organized, except one. At
this point it might be worth while to
set down the names and dates of first
permanent local settlers. They are:
Atwater — Mr. and Mrs. Asa Hall, 1799.
Aurora — Ebenezer and Lovey Sheldon
1799.
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PO RTAGE HERITAGE
Brimfield — John Boosinger, 1816.
Charlestown — John and Sarah Camp-
bell, 1805.
Deerfield — Lewis and Horatio Day, 1799-
Edinburg — Eber Abbott, 1811.
Franklin — John and Sally Haymaker,
1805.
Freedom — Charles H. Paine, 1818.
Garrettsville — Col. John Garrett, 1804.
Hiram — Elijah Mason, Elisha Hutchin-
son, Mason Tilden, 1802.
Mantua — Abraham Honey, 1798.
Nelson— The Mills brothers, 1800.
Palmyra — David Daniels, 1799.
Paris — Richard Hudson, 1811.
Randolph — Bela Hubbard and Salmon
Ward, 1802.
Ravenna — Benj. Tappan, Jr., 1799.
Rootstown — Ephriam Root, 1800.
Shalersville, Joel Baker, 1806.
Streetsboro — Stephen Myers, Jr., 1822.
Suf field — Royal Pease, 1802.
Windham — Elijah and Oliver Alford,
Ebenezer and Nathan Messenger, 1811.
In considering the earlier life of
the new county it should be kept in
mind that several townships to the
west still belonged to it. For thirty
years one township, Hudson, with the
largest population and wealth, exert-
ed much influence on early Portage
affairs. Others were Stow, Tallmadge,
Springfield, Coventry, Portage, North-
hampton, Boston, Twinsburg, and
Northfield, now in Summit County.
Life Is Rough
Those who came here did so ex-
pecting to encounter forests and other
features of a wild land and they were
not disappointed. Immigrants, in
traveling here, had to come through
an inhospitable wilderness. After
lands were located, the first thing to
do was to build a cabin or shelter.
Sometimes this was merely a tempor-
ary affair to last only until better ma-
terial could be obtained for the first
permanent house. First homes were in-
variably houses of round logs, chink-
ed with mud. Owners put up a fire-
place and the chimney was usually of
timber and clay. Stone fireplaces came
later. Much depended on what tools a
pioneer had to work with. With only
an axe and knife to use, he could not
be too particular. But if he had an
auger, an adz, a frow and a draw
shave, the settler could even off logs
for a puncheon floor, square them and
do other things. Few cabins had more
than one room and furniture was
primitive, indeed. Families slept on
the floor, using a rough pallet. Later,
they put up poles and made a rough
loft for sleeping purposes. A table of
some sort, of course, was a necessity,
but this was easily constructed. Chairs
and seats could be made from sticks.
Benches were common. If the immi-
grant had been forethoughted enough
to bring some dishes and utensils, that
was fine, but some families had no-
thing but a knife and fork and spoon
at first but sometimes forks and
spoons were fashioned from wood, as
were platters. Eating with the fingers
was a common procedure. Gourds
were highly prized as material for
Charcoal burning was a recognized calling in- early days. A pile of selected wood was
set on fire, then covered with earth and the burning went on until charcoal was produced.
This was prized for iron and steel working. But the pit had to be watched day and night
until the operation was complete, lest the fire be uncovered and the batch burn up com-
pletely. Horace Hollister of Palmyra township had a wide reputation as an expert char-
coal burner.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
53
water vessels. Luckily, older settlers
helped the newer ones to set up homes
and advise them otherwise.
Vegetable Gardens Wanted
But the settler usually intended to
make his living from the soil. To do
this, a clearing must be made. A glade,
or open space in the woods, was a
godsend. Otherwise the great trees
must be felled and burned. The smoke
of burning timber hung over the
country for years. Much drainage had
to be done. Removal of stumps was
another hard job. After a clearing was
made a crop of some kind was planted-
wheat corn or barley, depending on
the season. Seeds were precious. It was
a rough sort of existence but each one
figured that an easier life would come
to them soon. The little grain they
had to be ground or mashed with a
home made pestle made of heavy
stone. It was a case of necessity being
the mother of invention.
The question of food was an im-
portant one. Later writers seemed to
think that the game and fish supplies
at their doors of settlers were suffic-
ient. But early residents longed for
bread and vegetables as well as meat.
They could get salt from the salt
springs and sugar from the maple
trees, or from wild honey, but a var-
iety was needed. Vegetable gardens
appeared as soon as homes went up
and the weather cleared.
Previous to 1810, virtually all hous-
es and buildings were of the log varie-
ty. Sawmills then came and aspirations
developed for frame houses. Very few
frame buildings existed at first but
there was occasionally a rough brick
Calvin Pease, first Common
judge of Portage County.
Pleas
or stone habitation. Some of the Tap-
pan family had frame homes as early
as 1808 but Franklin Mills had no
frame house until 1814. Moses Smith
put up a frame barn in Ravenna in
1810. Randolph had a frame barn in
1806.
Settlers knew that civilization and
prosperity could not be built without
tools. They brought in rough ma-
chinery and water power sites. Rufus
Edwards had a sort of grist mill in
Mantua in 1799. In Garrettsville Col.
John Garrett made use of water power
there and had a grist and saw mill
running before Ohio reached state-
hood. In Franklin township, the Hay-
maker family constructed mills of var-
ious kinds and the name of Franklin
Mills was one result. Randolph early
had small manufacturing plants. Ra-
54
PORTAGE HERITAGE
venna had its Boosinger and McWhor-
ter mills.
Industry Comes Slowly
So much has been written about the
difficulties of the rough pioneer life
that its nature seems pretty well
known. Still, the newcomers knew
what they wanted and were willing to
work. More roads had to be cut out
and graded, though real grading was
a long time coming. This alone was a
job big enough to appal, but of course
actual road grading was done gradual-
ly over a period of years, and even
when finally finished, these highways
left much to be desired. At first only
the steepest grades were cut down and
the easiest routes were likely to be fol-
lowed. One wonders how the miles
and miles of shade trees growing
symmetrically along these roads, ever
got there, but at least some of them
were set out by the settlers who were
anxious to have the shade, or enjoy
the beauty of the trees. Bridges had
to be built and the old-style covered
wooden structures were the accepted
type of the day. With a road that was
good enough, and bridges that were
strong enough, the big, rough, four-
horse freight wagons began to bring
in goods and heavy machinery like
that in operation in the East. Indus-
trial and commercial life developed
slowly but surely, along with domestic
life.
Almost forgotten today is the fact
that for more than three decades Port-
age County included what is now both
Summit and Medina counties. On Feb.
12, 1812, Medina County was erected
Came As Agreed
Elias Harmon was an important man in early Aurora and Mantua history. Why he
came here in the first place is explained by an agreement made in Suffield, Hartford
County, Conn., dated Jan. 28, 1799. It was between Ebenezer Sheldon, Ebenezer King, Jr.,
Fidelio King and John Leavitt, parties of the first part; and Elias Harmon and wife, parties
of the second part. It reads:
"Witnesseth, that we, the said Ebenezer Sheldon, etc., all of the first part, have made
the following agreement or contract with the said Elias and his wife for the season en-
suing, to go on labor on the Western Reserve land, and to furnish them with $10.00 be-
fore they start, to be considered as expense money — and to pay him $10.00 per month
and his wife $1.00 per week, during the season, for their labour, and to allow them 25
days to get on to the said Reserve — and they are to have wages allowed the same as when
in actual service — and at the expiration of the season they are to have their wages in cash
unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties — excepting such provisions as shall be judged
necessary to last them 'til the next spring, which provision is to be considered part of their
wages — and for a further consideration we do agree to give the said Elias and his wife 50
acres of land in the town where we will make our settlement on the said Reserve — and
the said Elias etc., on their part agree to go to the said Reserve, into the town where they
will be directed by the first part, and to be there by the 15th of May next to labour as
above mentioned, during the spring season and become actual settlers in the town where
we labour, or to pay all damages that may arise on failure thereof.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands the day above mentioned.
Ebenezer Sheldon, Ebenezer King, Jr., John Leavitt,
Fidelio King, Elias Harmon"
The Harmons did not arrive until June 1, 1799.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
55
by the state legislature, though still
attached to Portage County for ju-
dicial purposes, Ravenna being the
seat of law for this vast district. No
doubt the machinery of law was un-
able to operate to advantage over all
the district.
But just when everything seemed
to be going well and growth was un-
der way, a chilling wind blew down.
The war with England broke sudden-
ly. Immigration here stopped and men
patriotically joined the national army.
The United States was exposed to dan-
ger at Detroit and along Lake Erie.
Portage County was near at hand and
sent all the men she could, to help.
The War of 1812 did not last too
long insofar as it affected Portage
County. The county suffered very lit-
tle direct loss, but the war did exercise
a depressing effect on business in
general. At the close of this war,
things began to move again in earnest.
There was a veritable flood of immi-
grants and population grew. Portage
county learned how to produce crops
and goods but there was no good way
to get them to market.
Soldiers Arm Themselves
A war, of course, is a calamity from
any standpoint. The interruption of
"business", such as it was, was one
thing. Immigration was at a stand-
still. Here people were thrown into a
state of anxiety and uncertainty.
But the war did bring out some
unusual facts. Under the new law all
men had been members of the militia
and subject to monthly and annual
muster days when men were supposed
to drill, with or without arms and
uniforms. Ohio was on the border so
that the enemy was near and it was
necessary to get into a state of defense
at once. After war was declared, and a
call made for troops, plenty of men
offered their services, but they were
mostly untrained, without arms. When
an already organized company report-
ed, the men brought their own arms
and equipment. This property was ap-
praised so that if lost, the owners
could claim pay.
Apparently the organizations con-
sisted of both mounted and foot.
When the call came for troops the
redoubtable Capt. John Campbell
was the titular head of the county
militia and he organized a volunteer
company to report at once at a point
near Sandusky. Temporary training
grounds for the first company was a-
long Barrell Run, near Capt. Camp-
bell's home. Others later went to San-
dusky under Major Mason. Among the
men was Capt. DeLaun Mills, the Nel-
son Indian fighter. Later, Major Ma-
son was ordered to make a hurry-up
drive to Sandusky with 50 mounted
men. There were then no newspapers
or telegraph so that the state was filled
with rumors and reports about the
presence of the enemy in various
places, usually untrue. Others went
later. The first were intended to help
defend Detroit but when the men
neared the city they learned that it
had been surrendered to the British by
Gen. Hull.
War Provides A Lift
Few of these soldiers were engaged
in formal battle with the enemy, al-
though there were some skirmishes,
mostly with the Indians who were al-
56
PORTAGE HERITAGE
lied with the British. But many died
from illness and a good sized squad
of sick and injured who were captured
by the British near the River Raisin
in Michigan, were taken to Canada
and later paroled but eventually they
reached home. Better trained troops
from the older settlements of Ohio and
Kentucky got into the larger actions,
which were not numerous. After Per-
ry's Lake Erie victory and the Ameri-
can successes at Maiden, Ontario, the
tension eased and no more soldiers
were needed.
The end of the war naturally
brought a feeling of relief, but it also
gave Ohio people a sort of lift to know
that it was a successful war in which
Ohio had played an important part. It
might be expressed in the words of a
campaign jingle attributed to Col.
Richard Johnson, the Kentuckian who
personally killed Tecumseh. Popular-
ized, it was heard for many years. It
ran:
Ripsy, rantsy, humpsy dumpsy,
I, Dick Johnson, killed Tecumseh.
Timber Is Burned
Today we reflect how unfortunate
it was that untold riches went to waste
in the destruction of the forests. Mil-
lions of dollars worth of fine timber
was burned up merely to get it out of
the way. Such action was necessary,
because there was no market for it,
even if there were a way to get it to
market, and until the trees could be
gotten out of the way could there be
any crops raised. One of the first mar-
ketable products of the region was
ashes. Few today ever heard of an
"ashery", which was a place where
selected timber was reduced to ashes.
They produced pearl ash and pot ash,
from which the word potash. Com-
mercially, these ashes were shipped
East where they were further treated
to make lye, potash, soda, soap and
other products. In a simpler way,
wood ashes were used at home. They
were put in a barrel and leached to
make lye, which was further used to
produce soft or hard soaps. Soft soap
making was an early art that lasted
until the beginning of the present
century. In some section it still exists.
At the local ashery the lye solution
was treated and run off into wooden
vats. It was allowed to cool and harden
and cut or broken off in chunks for
shipment. Aurora had an ashery in
1810, and also was location of a
"pearl" ashery, for a higher grade
product. Mantua Center had an ashery
in 1818 and Franklin Mills had one in
1820.
Drovers Are Necessary
After land was cleared it was found
that cattle could be raised easily, but
there was no market for them at home,
or near it. But there was a market for
them in the East. The only way to get
For many years, there were no fences in early Portage County. Cattle and other
stock ranged the woods unrestrained. In order that each owner could identify his own
property, they made use of the "ear mark" on each beast, much as western cattle owners
later used the brand. The first township clerk's book of Palmyra, beginning in 1810,
had four pages of names of owners and their distinctive ear marks. Many of the animals
also wore bells so that they could be located easily.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
57
cattle to market was by driving them
over the mountains. This gave rise to
the calling of cattle drover. Acting
either for himself or some one else, a
a drover assembled a lot of 50 to 100
marketable cattle. With a necessary
helper or two he rode herd on the
cattle along roads by this time well
marked, and the cattle grazed along
the road as they went along. It was
tedious going over the mountains.
They made 10 or 15 miles a day and
at night bedded down in an open spot
along the road, or perhaps in a field
rented cheaply from a landowner.
Trouble sometimes arose from "rust-
lers" or testy landowners but as a rule
the drover got his property through
without too much delay. On their ar-
rival near some big Eastern city, like
Philadelphia, the cattle were thin and
to put them in good flesh they found
"fattening fields" where they spent a
few more days before being marketed.
Less frequently, pigs were driven to
market on the hoof, but porkers could
not stand too long a journey, though
they were of the rangy, half-wild
type.
Much Whiskey Made
But the rich virgin soil could and
did produce crops, one of which was
corn. This was the basis of another
manufactured product. Whiskey was
pretty generally used, easy to manu-
facture and provided a method of
making use of a crop. Whiskey was
not only an article of commerce, but
in many cases a means of barter, or
legal tender. Money was then scarce.
Workmen were sometimes paid in
part or whole in whiskey. School
teachers sometimes contracted to take
part pay in whiskey and some of the
ministers were forced to accept such
pay. With whiskey in general demand,
many people took up its manufacture
in a small way, with a still on their
premises, such as are seen in the moon-
shine districts of today, although whis-
key making was still legal. Every lo-
cality had its whiskey still or two. Col.
John Campbell, founder of Campbell-
sport, operated a still for a time. Whis-
key making was without restriction
and the advantages of sanitation had
not yet been heard of.
There was little or no sale for lum-
ber until the towns began to grow.
Then it had value. The big mansions
of wealthier residents for 75 years or
more were easily afforded because
lumber was cheap and labor was, too.
But in buildings these homes they did
find what a wealth of beautiful ma-
terial was at their door.
Probably the county's first mill was
the Cohand grist mill of Rufus Ed-
wards in Mantua in 1799.
Other manufacturies that started in
a small way had to do with personal
equipment for immediate use. If a
settler was early forced to wear buck-
skin, he soon turned to more comfort-
able woolen and cotton goods for
clothing. Spinning wheels soon turned
out rough cloth for suits for men and
dresses for women. Tailors then ap-
peared to sew for those who could af-
ford them. Others did their own sew-
ing. The shoemaker appeared. He
needed leather and this required tan-
neries. Clay was found and brick mak-
ing developed. The hat and cap maker
came as did the cooper, and the car-
riage and wagon maker.
58
PORTAG E HERITAGE
But cattle produced milk as well as
meat and hides. At first there wasn't
much call for milk, as pioneers were
not particularly milk drinking folks
but milk could be turned into cheese
and early in the nineteenth century
Portage Countians found a good mar-
ket for their cheese in the South, as
described elsewhere.
Pigeons Are Numerous
In this time probably every little
community had visions of some day
developing into a manufacturing cent-
er and thereby a big town, especially
those with water power. Hiram Rap-
ids was a busy place at one time, nice-
ly laid out, but when steam power
came, suffered a relapse. Randolph
township also gave promise to being
a city. In 1840, its population was
largest of any township in the county.
By way of crops first farmers fared
quite well when weather permitted.
Portage County was one of the main
habitats, or roosting places, for the
passenger pigeon, whose numbers
were so numerous that their flocks
often darkened the sun during pas-
sage. In their migrations these birds,
which were particularly numerous in
the midwest, swooped down into low-
land woods to roost for the night, by
the hundreds of thousands. Weight of
the birds broke branches of trees and
these roosting places covered many
acres. The droppings of the birds year
after year created a rich soil so that
great sections received the name, "pig-
eon roost places," and were in high
favor among farmers, and brought
higher prices. There were roosts in
Hiram, Mantua, Freedom, Streetsboro,
Windham and other townships. The
time came when these birds were
sought by hunters with guns and nets,
and even clubs, to be salted down in
barrels and shipped to eastern mark-
ets. This and other causes, led to the
destruction of the birds and in time
they disappeared, just as the buffalo
had before them.
Snakes and Squirrels
Numerous, also, were squirrels to
the extent that they were considered a
pest. Crops had to be protected a-
gainst them, as well as crows. Crows,
too, gathered together in the fall of
the year in vast assemblies, or "con-
ventions", spending several days in
"cawing" and apparent argument be-
fore taking off for winter quarters. As
late as 1925, a section of the woods
The Useful Squatter
Local historians like to set down the dates of "first" settlements, meaning permanent
settlements. Actually, the first white dwellers in each community were usually unrecorded.
Although they were merely squatters or birds of passage, they served the purpose of blaz-
ing a trail for those who came to stay. As an example, Abel Forcha came to Charlestown
Township in 1803 and lived there several years. He made his living by furnishing game
for some of the so-called "permanent" settlers near by. But, although he lived in Charles-
town for a considerable time, he could not qualify for the title of first settler because he
owned no land. The same situation could be found in most of the other townships. Forcha
served as a soldier in the war of 1812.
Sometimes squatters sold their "improvements" to later actual land buyers.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
59
along the Cuyahoga in Streetsboro had
these crow assemblies of thousands of
black creatures. Organized crow hunts
and squirrel hunts were sports fea-
tures of an early day.
Another pest unknown here today,
was the rattlesnake. When the land
was cleared this reptile was found by
the thousands. Big ones and mean and
dangerous. So numerous they were
that "rattlesnake hunts" were organiz-
ed for their extermination. Fatal snake
bites were common. At Franklin Mills
one Sunday, church services had to be
delayed until the grounds were cleared
of rattlers. But a continuous war on
them finally resulted in their exter-
mination. Today one is found only
occasionally.
Wild animal life was abundant and
pretty important to all, not only for
supplies of meat and fowl, but skins
and pelts had value not only for im-
mediate use but for sale. This included
everything from squirrels to bear, deer
and other large quadrupeds. For quite
a few years efforts of settlers to raise
hogs, cattle and other domestic an-
imals for their own use, meant a con-
tinual warfare with wolves and bears.
Only by means of mass hunts, describ-
ed elsewhere, were flocks and herds
finally made safe, after which many
people were sorry for the destruction
of game that had been wrought. A
curious fact is that deer, which disap-
pear early, again appeared in the coun-
ty about one hundred years later and
at this present date, are quite num-
erous. This is partly due to anmial
migration and partly a result of game
protection laws.
Laws Help Schools
First settlers had been looking for-
ward to having education provided
for their children. Means of educa-
tion came in time, but first schools
were not public schools at all. Actual-
ly, there was no public school system
in Ohio, until about the middle of the
nineteenth century. At first, the splen-
did educational facilities we enjoy in
Portage county today, including high
high schools, Hiram College and Kent
State University, was not even a
dream. As so well described in another
chapter, the system of schools here
just grew and from a very weak be-
ginning. The first schools were really
private schools, available for children
whose parents could pay a little tui-
tion. Their organizers usually intend-
ed them to be open to all, but few
could attend. There was no provision
for levying taxes for school purposes
at first and not until 1821 did Ohio
authorize such a thing as school dis-
tricts and school taxes on a local scale.
It was an enabling law and few com-
munities paid much attention to it, so
that in 1825 the legislature made
school taxes compulsory. In 1838 the
state set up a common school fund of
$200,000.00 to be divided among var-
ious school districts. This didn't a-
mount to much and in 1853 the state
set up a much larger fund which gave
David Daniels, a Palmyra settler, made his own tombstone, then leaned it up against
the side of his house until needed later. From this, his children not only learned his history
but learned to read as well.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
local schools an impetus. Before 1837
there were very few tax-supported
public schools in the state. The idea
of public high schools was considered
revolutionary, but the need for them
was filled by the numerous "academ-
ies" established over the state. The
very first Ohio academy is said to have
been in Burton, in neighboring Geau-
ga County. Portage County had one at
Windham, in Ravenna, in Brimfield
in Streetsboro and other places. After
high schools were general, the acad-
emies gradually went out of existence
though colleges had preparatory
courses as late as 1900.
Log Cabin Instructors
Thus schools were first set up early
in Portage county, through private
effort. Miss Sarah Wright taught a
school in Tappan's settlement in 1803.
Aurora had a school in 1803 with Sam-
uel Forward as teacher, and Robert
Campbell presided over a school in
Deerfield the same year. Nelson had
an early school, with Hannah Baldwin
as teacher in 1804. All these were log
cabin schools. They had to be so. In-
struction was in only a few branches
but these schools served the purpose
of paving the way for something
much better.
In their desire for schooling for
children, sometimes parents erected
their own private school building. In
1809, David Jennings, Sr., Moses
Smith and Erastus Carter of Ravenna
put up a small log house as a school
for children of the three families and
brought Miss Acsah Eggleston of Au-
rora to be their teacher.
Apparently, the National Congress
was not greatly interested in educa-
tion for its own sake, despite the
solemn statement in the famous Or-
dinance of 1787 which states that
"schools and means of Education shall
forever be encouraged." According to
some observers of the period, bounties,
donations of land and promises of help
were intended chiefly as an induce-
ment for emigration into the new ter-
ritories. The state did a little better,
slowly, but it was the people of the
local districts that finally set up
schooling.
Factories Arise
In Portage County, the personal
equation entered into beginnings of
business and commerce as often as did
chance. Likes and dislikes and person-
al feelings were as strong then as now.
In 1811 Joshua Woodard (later Gen-
eral Woodard came to Ravenna and
erected a dam on Breakneck Creek,
about two miles from town. This
backed up water for quite a distance,
and the dam furnished power for a
saw-mill, a grist mill and culling mill.
But much malaria and other sickness
Capt. Josiah Long, one of the 16 Nantucket sea captains who came to Portage County
in 1850 and later, had a remarkable marine history. He shipped on whaling vessels and
was at sea for long periods. On one occasion his ship was gone 44 months, arriving home
with 2100 barrels of sperm oil. His last voyage was from 1848 to 1852, lasting a little
over four years, ranging over the Atlantic to the Pacific around The Horn. Althogether,
Capt. Long spent 30 years upon the ocean. As a resident of Ravenna, he wrote a book
about his adventures on the deep.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
61
developed in Ravenna and people de-
cided that for this sickness the mill
pond was responsible. They protested
to Woodard who refused to change.
Trouble followed. One night a mob
formed and demolished the dam. The
embittered Woodard then came to
Kent in 1818 and in partnership with
Frederick Haymaker established a
large group of mills, including woolen
factory, dye house, cabinet shop, turn-
ing lathes, together with several
dwelling houses and a hotel. The firm
of Woodard & Haymaker flourished
until 1822 and was dissolved in 1826.
In 1822 when their properties were
split up Woodard formed a partner-
ship with Benjamin Hopkins and Da-
vid Ladd. It operated a woolen mill,
a saw mill, an ashery, an anvil mill
and a store, but the partnership lasted
only until 1831. The woollen mills
mentioned as Woodard's projects,
were the fore-runners of the later Tur-
ner Woollen Mills, which later on left
Kent because of a disagreement with
the Kent family. The Turner Mill
then moved to Ravenna and later be-
came The Cleveland Worsted Mills,
long Ravenna's largest present indus-
try.
Physical life on the frontier was
rough enough but first law-abiding
citizens had other things with which
to contend. Not all the newcomers
were good people. The whole new
frontier state abounded with swind-
lers, thieves and outlaws. Many mi-
grants were just never-do-wells who
never had shown any ability to suc-
ceed. They scoffed at moral and spir-
itual life. It is to the credit of the
better element that they were able to
subdue not only the forest but the
evil characters that infested it.
Weather Discourages
First settlers found the soil fertile
enough so that good crops could be
raised once the land was cleared. Stor-
ies about good farm yields spread to
the East and this brought more set-
tlers. But the current of migration re-
ceived a check in 1816 because of a
freak of weather. This year was
known as "the year without a sum-
mer." There was snow and freezing
weather as late as May and frosts
came in every month so that farm
crops were a complete loss. Many were
discouraged but normal weather came
in the following years and the cold
year was gradually forgotten as far as
production was concerned, but tales
of the calamity were heard among far-
mers for many years.
Previous to 1810, virtually all hous-
es and buildings were of the log vari-
ety. Saw-mills then came and aspira-
tions developed for frame houses. For
a while few frame houses could be
found, but there was an occasional
brick or stone habitation. In Ravenna
some of the Tappan famliies had
frame houses as early as 1808. Franklin
Mills had none until 1814. Moses
Smith of Ravenna had a frame barn
in 1818. There was a frame barn in
Randolph in 1806.
When tallow candles were not avail-
able in pioneer days, they made a light
by filling a saucer or shallow dish with
melted lard. In this was placed a cloth
strip doubled over, with one end sticking
up through a button. This upright end
was lighted, burning with a dull glow. It
was dimmer than a candle, but young
folks used it to "spark" by.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Pippin Lake's Name
Whence came the name "Pippin" for
Pippin Lake? In 1835, the P. & O. canal
commission published a report in the Ohio
Star, referring to the various lakes along
the canal route. It speaks of "Lake Pepin,
lying north of Brady Lake." Was this the
original name of the lake, which may have
been corrupted later?
Prof. H. F. Raup, of KSU geography and
geology department, in making a study of
place names, has found the name spelled
"Pippen" as early as 1857 and thereafter
spelled "Pepin," "Pipin," "Pippen" and
"Pippin." Local spelling for more than 100
years, in papers and local maps, has been
"Pippin." Prof. Raup reccommends this
spelling. How the lake got the name in the
first place is not yet clear. Some think it
is a variation of an old Indian name, or of
an individual.
Song With Difficulty
In the early church services throughout
the county they followed the custom of
"lining" the hymn to be sung. As they
were without hymn books, church goers
did not know the words to be sung. The
minister first read the words of the en-
tire hymn. He then went back and read
the first two lines of the hymn and asked
some one to "raise a tune," whereupon
these two lines were sung. Two more
lines were read and sung and the process
repeated until the hymn was finished.
Sometimes the choir lost the key, break-
ing down entirely. They then sounded a
new "tune" and finished the hymn. Later
there might be a leader called "tune find-
er and time beater", now director.
In the 1830s the Ravenna Presbyterians
started to erect a church on the Ravenna
public square. A frame was erected. That
evening it was taken down by mauraud-
ers and hauled away. On the following
day a new frame went up. Again it dis-
appeared at night. Builders got notice
that the Public Square was no place for a
church. The building was then erected
in another location.
No Road — No Church
It was not always easy for pioneers to
get to church, particularly those living
at a distance. They walked, rode in ox-
carts or stone-boats, rode horses or just
walked. Mrs. Charles Dudley of Freedom
once rode an ox through the forets to her
church. But the brambles tore her skirts
to shreds and she issued an ultimatum
that unless a road was cut to her home
she would attend church no more. There-
upon the building of a road was authoriz-
ed — now Limeridge Road.
Campbell's Faithful Wife
In the War of 1812, Col. John Camp-
bell, founder of Campbellsport, and
Charlestown's first permanent settler led
a company of Portage County volunteers.
In camp at Sandusky, Col. Campbell be-
came dangerously ill. His wife Sarah
heard about it and rode horseback to
Sandusky to be at his side. As he would
be incapacitated for some time, she
brought him home, leading the horse on
which her husband rode all the way from
Sandusky to Ravenna.
Flip and Bit Beginning
In Deerfield, about 1810, H. W. Muer-
man asked young Jesse Grant why he
did not start a tannery, as his father had
done. "I have no money," answered Jes-
se. "We can soon remedy that," said Mr.
Muerman. "Look over my land and pick
yourself a suitable location and let me
know." In a short time Jesse reported to
Muerman, saying, "And how much will
this location cost me?" Muerman consid-
ered, then answered, "A flip and a bit
and a glass of whiskey and it's yours."
So that for the fantastic sum of six and
one quarter cents young Grant had a
deed for one acre of land and a place to
start a business. After working at it a
few years, he went to Ravenna and oper-
ated a tannery there, later going to south-
ern Ohio where his son, Ulysses, was
born and later became president.
CHAPTER IV
By Trial and Error
The various decades, eras or periods
of a county's history or a town's his-
tory, differ a great deal in popular
mood and aspiration as well as activity
and accomplishment. Up to 1820 the
general feeling and hope had been to
get things organized like they were
"back home." That done, people
would be on a better footing and in a
better position to do a little planning
of their own. By that time land was
being pretty well taken up and a
stable government had been set up —
stable but not especially forward look-
ing. Log cabins were beginning to dis-
appear and frame buildings replaced
them. Occasionally, a "mansion" ap-
peared, which was likely to be a frame
house, a little larger and more ornate
than others. At first there was no paint
for any buildings, though whitewash
might be used. Then paint appeared.
Historian Henry Howe, who traveled
over Ohio in 1840, later recalled that
what he remembered best in the West-
ern Reserve were the many "red hous-
es and barns" and numerous bar
rooms. By 1840 a few brick buildings
had been eretced. A fine example
stands at Campbellsport today. Porch-
es and stoops were beginning to ap-
pear on ordinary houses.
Travel Is Difficult
After the depression of 1818-19 was
over, more stores were established. It
became easier to buy goods, especially
those from the East. More shops and
factories went up but these were al-
ways small. The age of industrializa-
tion was far away. But schools were
established in great number, which
pleased settlers greatly. Yet there was
no public school "system." Though ac-
complishments were not great there
was more planning for the future on
the part of leaders. They were begin-
ning to think of business and bigger
things. By this time a system of local
roads had been laid out. People could
get about better by horseback and
wagons and buggies became popular.
The roads, which started haphazard-
ly when the county was formed, did
not improve rapidly. Even the main
highways were often impassable and
the by-roads were only such as were
actually required as settlers saw it.
The main thing was to cut down a few
steep grades or build bridges where
actually needed. It was a continual
struggle to get roads that were useful.
In 1837, Alexander Campbell, the
famous Disciple preacher, made a
night trip by stage coach from Ra-
venna to Hudson. He said the road was
in horrible condition and they were
on the way all night. Numerous times
the passengers had to get out of the
coach in order to avoid upsets. Alto-
gether, the passengers walked
through the mud a total of four or
five miles.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Canal Is Hailed
In a land bursting with energy and
resources, something had to be done
about trade and thereby communica-
tions. The canal was the thing. The
new Ohio canal of the 1820s meant a
great deal to Portage County. Actual-
ly, the canal passed through the then
Portage County but the "cross-out"
canal from Akron to New Castle, later
on, promised still better days for it
traversed the length of the county.
Hardly had these canals been complet-
ed and put in service, when something
else appeared — the railroad. As early
as 1837 there was sentiment here for
something like the Sandusky affair. It
caught the imagination of the people.
Along the lake more shipping and the
steamboat appeared. The building and
operation of the P. & O. canal are dis-
cussed in the chapter on Transporta-
tion and in local chapters, as are the
railroads. It was these transportation
systems that "made" Portage County.
Villages began to take shape,
though no particular one took a com-
manding lead. In 1840 Portage Coun-
ty township populations ranged from
756 in Atwater to 1649 in Randolph.
More Germans Arrive
As stated elsewhere, settlers kept
coming in, a few families at a time,
and most of them were still Yankees
from the East. Possibly the largest
single body of migrants came about
1835 when 35 families of newly ar-
rived Germans settled in southern At-
water and Deerfield townships and in
northern Stark County. Little known
is the fact that these settlers were sent
Counting The Cost
An interesting account of their trip here from Massachussetts is written in the
"Journal and Day Book" by Charles A. Dudley when he and his wife first came to Free-
dom in 1835. The first entry in the Journal bears the date of April 22, 1835, and is as
follows:
"Arrived in Troy, N. Y., in the evening and put up with friends for the night. April
23 — Shipped aboard the 'Isreal Putnam* at Troy for Buffalo down the Erie Canal. May 1 —
Arrived in Buffalo but the lake was full of ice, were delayed several days. We walked 12
miles and found a steamboat called the 'Buffalo' and put aboard for Ashtabula. Arrived in
Ashtabula May 7. Stayed with friends until May 10, then took a stage coach from Ash-
tabula to Painesville and on May 1 1 took another stage coach from Painesville to Chardon,
arriving in the morning. From there we walked to Freedom, 25 miles, carrying a small
trunk between us."
The last caption in the Journal reads: "We arrived on our piece of land just as the
sun sank in the west."
Expenditures of the trip are listed in the Journal:
Cash paid, passage Troy to Buffalo $16.15
Meals on board schooner 4.60 (mostly codfish)
From Buffalo to Ashtabula 4.25
Meals on steamship 2.11
Stagecoach fare 2.50
Total $29.61
As Mr. and Mrs. Dudley had borrowed $30.00 to make the trip out, on arrival they
had a balance of 39 cents on which to start housekeeping.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
65
This is the house where Joseph Smith and Sidney Ridgon had their head-
quarters in Hiram. The building still stands today.
here by the Friends Society (Quakers)
of Pennsylvania. The Quakers were
very active in helping oppressed
groups to find new homes in America.
In Ohio there were also many Quaker
communities, one being in the vicinity
of Salem and extending to Deerfield
in this county. The old German
church on the county line road in At-
water was long a landmark and re-
minder of this German colony, and
the names of many citizens of German
descent are still numerous in the sec-
tion. Leon W. Kettring's "Transac-
tions of the Evangelical Protestant
Trinity Church*', recently put out, is
a rich history of the locality.
Music and Mail Service
In the cabins of the Reserve settle-
ments children were being born who
later would become intellectual and
political leaders of the state. The
Wades, the Garfields, the McKinleys,
the Whittleseys, the Atwaters, the
Days, the Fords, the Kents, the Han-
nas and others born then were to be
heard from later.
Music was cultivated. Instruments
were obtained in one way or another.
Bands, orchestras and choral groups
were organized and music was as
much appreciated then as later. There
were even "popular songs." The set-
tlers were long to remember the song,
"Lorena" with its
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
"A hundred months have passed
Lorena,
Since last I held your hand in mine,
And felt thy pulse beat fast, Lorena,
Though mine beat faster, far, than
thine."
This song was written by Rev. H. D.
L. Webster of Ravenna.
But perhaps the most commonly
used songs were the old ballads and
lays brought over from Europe by way
of the East. Among these were "Bar-
bara Allen," "Sweet William," "A
Frog Went A Courting," "Billy
Boy," "Lord Lovell," "Butcher Boy,"
"When I Was Single," "Soldier, Sold-
ier," "The Jolly Boatman" and others.
These are still being sung in the re-
mote mountain regions of the East to-
day. American popular music was only
starting then.
A postal service had been getting
under way but at first was not largely
patronized. Postage was collected at
the end of the route and people did
not always have money enough to pay.
When the use of prepaid stamps was
adopted, mail was popularized. But
through mail service, citizens were at
least in touch with the rest of the
world. There had been no newspapers.
They began to spring up, poor as they
were at first. Shipments from the East
usually included kegs of nails for
building, because "modern" buildings
needed nails. The Indians were virt-
ually gone by 1820 and soon the Irish
and Germans began to arrive when
canal building started. There were al-
so many English and Welsh newcom-
ers.
Hangings In Public
This was a period, too, when public
charities and special benevolent treat-
ment for the poor, sick and unfortun-
ate were unknown. It was a time when
criminals and wrong doers were treat-
ed with severity. Punishment for mur-
der was hanging and the hangings
Tragic Nathan Muzzy
Early Portage County had its tragedies and tragic figures. Among the latter was
Nathan Muzzy. Several townships claim him but apparently he first came to Deerfield
early in the Nineteenth Century and at once began to move about the county. A soldier
of the Revolution and a Worcester, Mass., man, he had graduated from Dartmouth in
1786 and two years later was licensed as a Congregational minister. But something went
wrong. He was deeply affected when disappointed in love and before long went to
Marietta, Ohio, leaving the ministry for carpentering. Not long after that he came to
Deerfield.
At Randolph he erected a log house and soon after that built the first clapboard home
in the settlement. To expedite his work he simply burned the first cabin to the ground
and used the puncheons for the new structure. In front of the new house he erected a gate
with high posts and an arch overhead. On this he carved the name, "Emma Hale", the girl
who had rejected him. Though there were no fences along the gate, he went through the
gate every time he left the house. He also carved or wrote the word "Emma" on trees
and buildings.
Nathan worked in Rootstown, Ravenna, Shalersville and Palmyra. In his advanced
years he became a pauper, but Palmyra people took him and cared for him until his
death. He was buried in Palmyra. Muzzy Lake in Rootstown township was named after
him. But, apparently, he was never able to forget his beloved Emma Hale.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
67
were conducted in public by local
sheriffs. Such an affair was a holiday
— an important event, and something
not to be missed. For that reason old
historians made much of the various
criminal events and executions.
The first hanging in Portage Coun-
ty came in 1814, the victim being
Henry Aungst, a wandering German
who had been convicted of peddler
Epapthras Matthews near Campbells-
port. The gallows had been erected
on South Sycamore St., Ravenna, not
far from the present court house. The
militia had been called out and there
was a crowd of 1800 present which
represented most of Ravenna's popula-
tion, plus many others from outside.
At these public hangings there was
an air of enforced gayety. Women and
children were present. There was a
sort of irresistible curiosity to see a
man die. But it was a grewsome job
not relished by the sheriff and his
deputies. More than one of them was
overcome by the work. At the hang-
ing of David McKisson of Hudson in
1838, a band was present and played
"Bonaparte's March Over The Rhine."
McKisson had been convicted of the
murder of his sister-in-law. For this
execution a gallows had been erected
on South Prospect St., Ravenna. It was
a bitterly cold winter day and for
many years thereafter there was an
expression around Ravenna," cold as
the day when McKisson was hung."
The last public hanging in Portage
County did not come until 1865 when
Jack Cooper was executed for the mur-
der of John Rhodenbaugh. Later, all
executions were taken care of at Co-
lumbus by the state. The last man
hanged for a Portage County crime
was Charles (Blinky) Morgan at Co-
lumbus in 1888.
Alexander Campbell At Work
By 1820 virtually all present Port-
age townships had churches organized.
Usually, services were first held in
homes or any convenient building.
Services were sometimes in the Ra-
venna jail or court house, in order to
have a meeting place at all. Various
denominations were represented,
though Congregationalists predomin-
ated. Erection of church buildings us-
ually did not come rapidly and in
summer time, meetings were some-
times held in the open air. A great
wave of religious interest was begin-
ning to sweep over Ohio and the
camp meeting was a manifestation of
it. Paris township historians tell of
"bush meetings" as early as 1817. It is
probable, though, that Portage Coun-
ty was not quite so much affected by
the revival spirit as some other parts
of the state, although the Disciples be-
came very active through the initiative
of Alexander Campbell. More about
Portage County churches is related in
a separate chapter.
It was a period, too, when peddlers
began to appear, carrying their goods
on their backs from house to house.
Or they might bear stocks of tinware
and household needs in one-horse wa-
gons. But money was still scarce and
often a deal had to be a "swap" with
produce being traded for goods. There
were also wandering clock repair
men, or tinners, shoe makers, letter
writers, singing instructors and others.
Dressed up men wore wide beaver
hats, with tight pants and frock coats.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Dr. Isaac Swift, early Ravenna merch-
ant and physician.
Women's skirts were pretty full and
long and madam's outfit usually in-
cluded a parasol. Women began to pay
attention to hair styles.
Newspapers came in 1825.
Fines Paid In Liquor
Justices of the peace had been func-
tioning from the first but now there
was one in every township. They had,
or thought they had, extensive powers.
In Aurora, Harriet Perkins was sued
for saying something derogatory about
Thankful Bissell. Squire Forward
found her guilty and rendered judg-
ment against her for one gallon of
whiskey.
In this period there also came into
existence a type of enterprise that had
much to do with Portage County pros-
perity for the next seventy-five years
— the cheese industry. Settlers brought
with them from the East the type of
implements used there for cheese mak-
ing. This is an age-old business, fol-
lowed in various fashions. But the
Portage County maker first used a tub
placed on the floor. There the curd
was stirred, then placed in various
shaped receptacles. Later a square vat
was set up on timbers for easier hand-
ling, and still later, tin-lined larger
vats were installed with an attachment
for heating. Cheese made here was of
a kind later known as "York State."
Cheese Goes South
In Aurora, cheese makers discovered
that there was a market in the South
for northern cheese, and for several
decades dealers went South with
cheese regularly at a profit and of
course Portage cheese was also shipped
elsewhere, anywhere it could be sold.
Cheese making was first an individual
enterprise — later a co-operative affair.
Still later, dealers had their own fac-
tories scattered over the county and
the farmers sold their milk outright
directly to the dealers. It was well in-
to the 20th century when the demand
for fluid milk from the nearby cities
was strong enough to cause the tide of
milk to go that way. The cheese press
then became a thing of the past.
The height of Portage cheese mak-
ing was in the '60s and '70s. In 1870,
the production amounted to 3,822,988
pounds, after which there was a slow
decline. In several years Portage led
cheese production among Ohio coun-
ties, and hundreds of thousands of
pounds of butter was turned out at the
same time.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
69
In 1880 there were 40 cheese fac-
tories in the county.
Mormons Arrive
Coming into the new country were
men and women of various beliefs and
ideas, some of which were new and
unorthodox. Sometimes there were
clashes and hard feelings. About 1830
there came to Hiram Joseph Smith,
the later noted founder of the Church
of Christ of Latter Day Saints, popular-
ly known as Mormon. With him was
Sidney Rigdon, pastor of a Mantua
Disciple Church who had embraced
Mormonism. Some called him the
brains of the movement. These men
secured many converts for their faith
and there seems to have been little
doubt that Hiram was marked as the
church's center. The Mormons taught
a form of communism and opposition
arose. Some of the new converts with-
drew from the church. Smith and Rid-
don lived in homes on what is now
Pioneer Road. On a winter's night in
1832 a band of men broke into their
homes, seized Smith and Rigdon, and
tarred and feathered them. The inci-
dent was of historical importance.
Smith and Rigdon soon left for Kirt-
land where a colony was established,
and from which the sect was driven
away, with Smith later killed by an
Illinois mob. While here the Mormons
had not yet openly advocated polyg-
amy as was done later by Brigham
Young, a later leader.
In 1956, the Reorganized Church of
Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints
bought the house on Pioneer Road,
still standing, in which Joseph Smith
lived, with the expectation of making
it a church shrine, or monument.
John F. Haymaker, first white child
born in Franklin Township.
Swamps Are Drained
After the land was taken up the
farm minded population was faced by
another natural condition which stood
in the way of full crop raising, and
good farm organization. It was the
presence of numerous swampy sec-
tions, especially in the more level
parts, but extending more or less over
the entire county. Portage is well ele-
vated but conditions made swamps.
Thousands of century-old trees, with
heavy undergrowth of bushes and
grasses, kept grounds wet and held
water throughout the year, a sort of
impenetrable swamp, where wild life
abounded. For years Brimfield town-
ship was known as Swamptown. Free-
dom, Windham, Paris and other town-
ships had the same situation. It was
not quite so bad as the famous great
"Black Swamp" of Northwestern
Ohio, but it presented the same diffi-
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
culties. Drainage was necessary and
trees and brush had to be removed as
well. Ditches were gradually con-
structed but it was many years before
all fertile land could be made ready
for use. The so-called "muck land"
found throughout the county repre-
sents the remnants of the once exten-
sive swamp lands. But after drainage
was effective, fertile soil was sure to
be found. Ditching started out to be
individual enterprise, but often ditch-
ing would do no good unless a neigh-
bor was like minded. Wise state laws
set up ditch districts to enable owners
to improve their holdings. They are
still in operation today, though not of-
ten used, yet ditch operation is neces-
sary in many places. Considerable
ditching was done through the W.P.A.
during the early 1930s. Perhaps the
fact that early ditching was done en-
tirely by hand labor explains why it
was not more rapidly pushed at first.
But such conditions might be all right
for the construction of canals, contrary
to those in the sister state of Pennsy-
lvania, where they insisted on bring-
ing their canals right over the moun-
tains.
County Fair Begins
Outside the few small mills and fac-
tories, Portage was long a purely agri-
cultural country and good land was
always wanted. Farming was a job
done mainly by human muscle and
horse and ox assistance. The yoke of
oxen was a common sight, perhaps
the usual thing. The grub hoe was
followed by the wooden plow, then
the iron pointed affair. Grain was
reaped with sickles and scythes; later
the cradle and reaper. Binding of
sheaves was a hand affair. Threshing
with the flail was hand work. The
cross-cut steel saw was at first a rarity.
Crude utensils made painfully by
hand, became the early promise of
a thousand better tools later on.
But with all the drudgery of farm
work, farmers were thinking of some-
thing better. In 1825 the first agricul-
tural fair was organized. Joshua
Woodard was first president; Elias
Harmon and William Coolman vice
presidents. The first fair was held in
October of 1825 and for a hundred
years afterward was an important in-
stitution in county life.
Life was still hard and rough, par-
ticularly for the women. Home mak-
ing for great grandmother was one of
never ending hard work and this re-
quired much time and energy. She
kept stoves going, baked all the bread
and pastries, prepared and canned
fruits and vegetables, preserved jellies
and jams, smoked meats. She cleaned
her house with a rough broom and
mops (after she had floors). She made
and mended clothes for the entire
family and this included the rough
clothing of the men, doing it without
the aid of a sewing machine or labor
saving devices. Sometimes this meant
making clothes for a dozen people.
The old explanation for the heavy use of whiskey in early days was, "Corn is the
only successful crop here. There is no market for corn, so we make it into whiskey. There
is no market for whiskey so we drink it." But about 1830 the use of too much whiskey
resulted in the first temperance organization.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
71
She rose early in the morning and
cooked three big meals a day. Ap-
petites were strong, food was usually
abundant but physical activity of all
hands demanded heavy feeding. For
breakfast she served hot biscuits, fried
potatoes, salt pork, ham, eggs, fried
mush with molasses. Noon and eve-
ning meals required two kinds of
meat, three or four vegetables includ-
ing potatoes, gravy, two kinds of
bread, cheese, jellies, relishes, apple-
sauce, pie and cake, with milk, coffee
or tea.
Woman's Lot Is Hard
Many steps were required to prepare
a meal. She went to the cellar for
canned fruits and other supplies. To
the smokehouse for cured meats, and
she baked her own pies and pastries.
Probably she had to go to the well for
water often, using a sweep or wind-
lass. Soft water was obtained from the
rain barrel at an outside corner of the
house, or in later days, a cistern. The
country woman's hard lot did not ease
greatly until the end of the century.
Whether in town or country, in
summer the housewife fought swarm
after swarm of flies. They moved in
after the mosquitoes had lessened.
They were all through the house and
one member of the family often had
to shoo them from the table with a
switch while the others ate. Screen
doors and windows were not yet
known. Unkown to all, these pests
bred in the ever present swill or gar-
bage barrel just outside the house, or
the manure piles that adjoined the
barns. Some of the older people today
can remember the extent of this in-
sect pest, but then no one realiz-
ed that flies were carriers of disease.
The necessity of sanitation and clean-
liness was not yet understood.
Household comforts and aids came
slowly. Usually the first improvement
was when crude stoves replaced fire-
places for warmth and cooking. Win-
dow glass was then welcomed and
homes were better lighted. Ready
made cloth removed the drudgery of
spinning. Cutlery and crockery were
eagerly sought. Oil lamps replaced the
tallow candles and best of all, came
the sewing machine. Added to these
was the use of air tight, sealed cans
for preserving fruits and vegetables.
After 1825 log buildings were sel-
dom erected. Public buildings and
churches were wanted and these were
also of frame construction. In the
homes the built-in woodshed was as
popular as the built-in garage more
than one hundred years later.
Spinning Wheels Busy
The earliest settlers at first copied
the clothes and styles of the Indians
to a certain extent. The fringed long-
tailed shirts and breeches were made
of dressed skins and could stand the
hard wear of briar and bush; also, cold
winds and snake bite would not pene-
trate. Boots and shoes were made from
hides, in a rough way. Sometimes
people made their own, but sometimes
the job was turned over to a traveling
cobbler who often was called on to
make up a year's supply.
The women brought their spinning
wheels and hand looms with them
when they could, and as soon as land
was cleared, planted flax. There were
usually sheep and from the wool and
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
flax they made their own cloth. This
was linsey woolsey, so often mention-
ed in early histories. In this, the looser
homespun woollen yarns were woven
as a weft, or filler, on a linen warp.
But they wore this rough clothing
because they had to do so and when
silk and broad cloth became available,
and they could afford it, they bought
them as people do the world over.
There were no classes then — with rare
exceptions. All were poor together
and completely dependent on each
other. All were part of a friendly fam-
ily community. The needs of each
were considered by all. When sickness
or death came, the neighbors were
there to help. When there was a death,
neighbors "sat up" with the corpse.
The women had their quilting bees
and Bible societies, and the men had
their log rollings and shooting match-
es. The families gathered for the cabin
raisings or the barn raisings, the corn
huskings and square dances where
such was allowed, and the camps for
making maple syrup where "boiling"
went on through the night. But the
preacher usually arrived at the frontier
before the teacher.
Forests Come Down
The wedding was the greatest frolic
of all. There was a lot of food, drink
and merriment at the bride's home
during the wedding, with dancing at
night, and probably a "belling" later.
All this time men kept up their at-
tack on the forest. "Get the trees out
of the way", was the word. To save
work they sometimes used their axes
to cut only half way through a giant
tree trunk, as much in a row as they
could. Then, when the wind was
right, they felled the trees on the
windward side, crashing them against
the slashed trunks to tumble them
down to the ground like a row of
giant dominoes.
Ordinarily, the early farmers thresh-
ed their grain with a flail. If a wooden
floor wasn't available the threshing
was done on a hard clay spot. Best
time for the threshing was a clear dry
and windy day. The flail was a long
stick, loosely tied to a shorter stick.
The operator beat the grain with the
small end of the flail until the grain
lay exposed, but among the chaff. The
grain then was winnowed by placing
it in a linen sheet. Two men then
seized the ends and tossed the stuff
into the air and the wind blew the
chaff away, leaving the grain. After
this, it was sifted through a coarse
sieve. It was slow, laborious work and
it is no wonder first mechanical fan-
ning mills soon appeared, crude as
they were.
"Bog Iron" Found
Hay forks were likely to be merely
sharpened forked sticks. Iron was at
first hard to get and unless tools were
brought in, there was no way to get
iron utensils until iron was manufac-
tured around home. Many of the sur-
rounding counties had "bog iron" ore,
a sort of law grade material with
which rough iron foundries were
started. But since Portage county was
located on higher ground, not enough
of such ore could be found here to use
advantageously. Yet, occasionally
small deposits were found here. Edin-
burg was one township with such de-
posits.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
73
In this era the population of the
county increased steadily, but there
was no great concentration. It was
scattered pretty evenly over the dis-
trict.
In 1799, Lewis Day and three others
came to Deerfield with a one-horse
wagon, which Historian Harlan Hat-
cher says was the first wagon coming
over the mountains to reach the coun-
ty. How they accomplished this is a
mystery although Deerfield was then
about the end of a rough road from
Youngstown and Canfield. Possibly
the men had to push the wagon as
much as anything. But from that time
on, other settlers, too, wanted wagons,
though it was a long time before wa-
gons could be made at home.
It was a period, too, when disease
was rampant. Probably the most com-
mon ailment was malaria, or ague,
then called the "shakes." The pre-
valence of stagnant water with many
mosquitos today explains why this was
the case. While many persons died,
many others came through all right.
At that time they began to use quin-
ine as ague medicine. It was the chil-
dren who suffered most from other
diseases. Lack of sanitation and know-
ledge of proper food left a wake of
sickness and death. A family that rais-
ed six or eight children, expected to
lose two or three others. The early
graveyards contained numerous graves
of children under three years of age.
It was tragic. An early Mantua writer
says that in a 25 year period there, 45
deaths out of the 67 were those of
children under three.
Coffins Made To Order
Cemeteries were laid out early
enough, but for various reasons many
people then chose to bury their dead
on their own premises, which of
course would not be permitted today.
Funerals could be formal, or other-
wise. After churches were erected, the
funeral from the church was the es-
tablished thing. Professional under-
takers came later and the more expert
carpenters were called upon to make
coffins according to individual needs.
There were at first no hearses and the
"bier" — a low platform made to carry
the coffin — was used.
State law still permitted whipping
as punishment for crimes and im-
prisonment for debt. Both these pun-
ishments were soon abolished. Hard
characters were numerous enough but
the amount of loot was necessarily on
a small scale. Murder was probably as
prevalent then as it is now and means
of apprehending men were not very
effective.
But the period that ended in 1840,
without bringing any marked changes
in the way of living, did see new
springs of action in place and a strong
belief that something different was on
the way. That wonderful invention,
the steam engine, was something of
great importance, and the American
genius was at work to bring on a great
variety of labor saving machinery.
Conservation Rules
Because of the manner in which
land was apportioned and sold here,
first settlers, of course were invariably
Yankees. At first it seemed that the
rougher element was in the ascen-
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
dancy. But with the migrants, also,
there was a surprising number of edu-
cated men — graduates of Yale and
other eastern schools. These soon im-
pressed themselves on the country. In
this list were the surveyor, the lawyer,
the judge, the legislator and the gover-
nor. They insisted on early establish-
ment of law and order. They were also
strong for education. But almost im-
mediately there also came in many
from Pennsylvania, from Virginia and
other states, many of Scotch-Irish des-
cent. Historian Harriet Upton Taylor,
herself a descendant of New Engend-
ers, deplored the penuriousness and
coldness of the Yankees. Said she "It
was the Scotch-Irish who made the
mirth for the pioneer gatherings par-
ticularly for frolic times, log rollings
and house raisings. They cared less for
money than did the Yankees and the
Germans, and did not leave fortunes
for their descendants. They, and not
the men from the state of the Blue
Laws, were first in establishing and
maintaining churches."
As more and more Germans and
Scotch-Irish came in there was a grad-
ual change in life and thought but al-
together very little friction developed
among these bloods. Those who came
later were generally satisfied with the
established order of government and
business though changes were often
made by general consent. Migration
from New England was heavy during
the first three or four decades after
1800 after which it tapered off.
Aunt Polly's Pear Tree
In stage coach days "Aunt Polly's Inn"
was a well known hostelry in Hiram,
located near the present cemetery. Aunt
Polly was a daughter of Daniel Tilden
and when she came about 1817, she
brought a cutting of a pear tree. This
tree flourished, bearing fruit for 150
years and wa- still standing, though de-
crepit, in 1956. It is known as "Aunt
Polly's Pear Tree."
A public township office now forgot-
ton was that of the Path Marker. Duties
were similar to those of a road super-
visor. Laying out or maintaining some
sort of local roads, but probably the
roads actually were more like paths than
roads of later periods. In Hiram in 1820,
six Path Markers were elected. No other
township appears to have designated
such office. In the follwoing year 1821,
supervisors were elected, presumably re-
placing the Marker.
Flirtation In Rhyme
Old time boy and girl relations were
not much different from what they now
are — except in form. There were many
occasions for social pleasure, with some-
times a little flirtation. One such event
in early Hiram was the occasion of send-
ing out this bit of rhyme:
"Laban Hoskins, will you say
Whether you will go or stay
To the singing school tonight?
If you will, there I'll be
And you'll go home with me
To our house."
What happened is now unknown but
apparently the invitation was not a last-
ing success. Though the writer was mar-
ried later, it was not to Laban.
The Western Courier of 1835 carried
advertisements for sale of tickets in the
Dismal Swamp Canal lottery in Virginia.
Tickets "$10.00 — or in fractions." It was
an $100,000.00 proposition.
CHAPTER V
They Learn Their Strength
About the beginning of the 1840
decade, a new spirit seemed to take
hold of the people of Ohio. Hereto-
fore, the more settled East had regard-
ed Ohio as more or less of an uncouth,
rough frontier state, which it prob-
ably was. But the population had in-
creased, commerce and industry were
well under way and the Buckeyes be-
gan to feel their strength. They want-
ed to show the world that their state
was something to be considered,
thereby themselves. As it was, the
state was less highly regarded and less
influential than several of the older
and smaller states. It was time to set
the world right.
Something happened that helped
this thinking. Political thought and
action had been undergoing a change.
The Whig party had come into exis-
tence and was attracting followers
steadily. In 1840, William Henry Har-
rison became the Whig candidate for
president for the second time. This
gave the Ohio boosters a rallying
point and a warmth of feeling lacking
before. Harrison's rabid followers
sprang into action. Vast meetings
were organized, even in the small
towns. The Log Cabin candidate be-
came the talk of the day and the Hard
Cider campaign was something to be
remembered. Campaign songs were
heard and marching bands were com-
mon. It was many a day before the
words of the log cabin campaign song
were forgotten. It began:
Oh where, tell me where
Was your Buckeye cabin made?
A real log cabin was erected on the
Ravenna public square and political
meetings were held all over the coun-
ty, usually with good crowds. A con-
temporary writer stated that most
adults seemed to spend their time at
political rallies. Jason Streator of
Shalersville composed a number of
Harrison campaign songs which were
used not only at home but in other
counties.
Proud of Harrison
Van Buren, who had beaten Harri-
son the first time, was an unpopular
candidate now and Harrison was elect-
ed. With an Ohio man in the White
House, Ohio was indeed on the map.
Portage county was deep in the cam-
paign. Never had its people been so
greatly stirred politically. Harrison's
election seemed to inspire people to
seek new triumphs. At first, there had
been no mail facilities. In 1801, the
nearest postoffice was located at
Meadville, Pa. Warren got a postof-
fice late that year and about 1805 a
mail route was inaugurated from
Warren to Ravenna and on to Cleve-
land. A postoffice was then soon es-
tablished at Ravenna. This service
was gradually enlarged to include all
parts of the county. At first, mail
75
76
PORTAGE HERITAGE
came through every two weeks, then
once a week and still later, twice a
week and then daily.
At that time, letters were sent col-
lect, there being no pre-paid stamp
service. If the addressee could not pay,
he got no letter. Money was scarce
and often an important letter could
not be received because of poverty.
It is recorded that John Diver, of
Deerfield, about 1825, got a mail
carrying contract between New Lis-
bon and Mansfield, through Canton,
that lasted 40 years.
In 1826 the editor of the Courier at
Ravenna called attention to Ravenna's
excellent mail facilities, boasting that
in one year there had been 727 ar-
rivals and departures of mails at and
from the town.
In 1840, too, another event took
place, but this one had a more de-
pressing effect on Portage County
people. Up to this time the county
had been a sub-division approximate-
ly thirty miles broad and twenty-five
miles deep. Now the people living in
the western section wanted a county
of their own. These townships were
Twinsburg, Hudson, Stow, Tall-
madge, Springfield, Northfield, Bos-
ton, Northampton, Portage and Cov-
entry, which, together with certain
Medina and Stark townships, formed
the new county. Apparently this move
was a surprise to Portage county
people.
County Is Divided
Clever maneuvering had brought
the matter to a legislative vote before
many were aware of the plan, but the
bill went through by a very close
vote. It may be that more of a discus-
sion would have prevented the split-
up of the county, though no one can
be sure. The action was taken Feb.
25, 1840, effective in March, and three
days later, when the news reached Ak-
ron there was a celebration with pa-
rades, barbecue, picnics and speeches.
Some things were said not very sooth-
ing to wounded Portage feelings. One
man said, "Portage, Stark, Medina—
among them they have hatched a
great eagle, full fledged and on the
wing. She will soar above them all."
Akron was then a village smaller
than Hudson or Ravenna. It became
the county seat, though Cuyahoga
Falls almost got the prize.
This was the period, too, when the
so-called Millerites gained many con-
verts in this part of Ohio. People were
swept off their feet by the promises
made. Some of their teachings became
unpopular, particularly their theory
of "spiritual affinity" between men
and women. The end of the world,
with Ascension Day on April 23,
1844, was predicted and great prepar-
ations made for it. But when the
world failed to come to an end, the
sect suffered loss of prestige and
eventually faded out, despite protests
Artemus Ruggles, who came to Palmyra in 1803, was a man of many accomplish-
ments. By training he was a blacksmith, said to have been able to make anything from a
needle to a bear trap. He was a farmer and trapper as well, and in addition to that
practiced dentistry. He had a home-made "turnikey" for extracting teeth, and according
to stories left, when the tooth came out he held it up and laughed at the sufferings of the
patient.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
77
that only an "error" in calculation
had been made but discovered too
late.
Mormons Depart
By this time the Mormons had been
forced from Portage county despite
their efforts to establish a stronghold
at Hiram. Many then believed, as do
many at present, that the place had
been marked to be the Mormon cap-
ital instead of Kirtland. Only a few
adherents of the faith remained after
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon
were so roughly treated that they left
for good. But after the P. & O. canal
had been in operation a few years
there was an unusual reminder of
Mormons here. Accordingly to older
historians, a party of 150 Mormons
were proceeding westerly on the ca-
nal, and when it reached Campbells-
port, the voyageurs discovered they
had taken the wrong route toward
their destination at Nauvoo, Illinois,
then the center of church operations.
The travelers were held up one week
at Campbellsport, and then retraced
their route, proceeding down the
Ohio River to Illinois. It is pointed
out that one of the canal boat pas-
sengers through the county was Jen-
nie Lind, the famous Swedish singer
of earlier days.
The '40s and '50s were the heyday
of the P. & O. canal, and all others
as well. The expanding commerce
needed transportation and the canal
furnished it then. The boats were al-
ways loaded with goods and pas-
sengers. Nobody then suspected that
a young canal hand named Jim Gar-
field, employed on the "Evening
Star", would later be heard from in a
Stephen Myers, Jr., first settler in
Streetsboro.
big way. Nor could they know that a
few years later he would appear at
Hiram as janitor, student and instruc-
tor in the Eclectic Institute there, still
later to be its head. His labors were
indeed prodigious. History has a way
of hiding its giants until they are
fully developed.
By this time that strange John
Brown had left Franklin Mills but his
various activities were watched with
interest by old friends and acquain-
tances and when he was hanged for
treason at Harper's Ferry, they were
shocked and unbelieving. Bells were
tolled everywhere and there was a
surge of sentiment against slavery.
John Brown lived and worked in
Franklin Mills in 1835 and a few
years thereafter. Newspapers of the
time tell of the great meeting held
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PORTAG E HERITAGE
in Ravenna on the day after Brown's
execution. This was on Dec. 3, 1859.
There was an enormous crowd pres-
ent, with several addresses and con-
siderable emotion was displayed. In
Franklin Mills where Brown had
lived, there was another immense
meeting and bells were tolled. Meet-
ings of this kind undoubtedly did
much to get Northerners in a state of
mind for a show-down over slavery.
Underground Travel
In these decades that surprising in-
stitution called the Underground Rail-
road came into operation in Portage
County, though no chugging locomo-
tives advertised its presence. It was
part of a much larger "railroad" sy-
stem. Its operation usually was in the
silence of the night. Portage County
was strongly anti-slavery and several
towns were "stations" on the line that
carried runaway black men to free-
dom. Probably there were not as many
"passengers" carried as stories indi-
cate, but the traffic was continuous.
People like to tell of regular routes,
but it is also probable that many tem-
porary routes were followed in order
to throw pursuers off the track. Ran-
dolph, Ravenna and Hiram were re-
ported to be on the most favored
route though the necessary secrecy of
the work makes detailed description
difficult in later years. But virtually
every town and township had houses
that were pointed out as Underground
stations.
Hail The Canal
The opening of the Pennsylvania &
Ohio canal in 1840, meant a great deal
to Portage County people. It had been
eagerly sought and great expectations
were held out for it. The county had
been looking forward to its operation
for fourteen years.
The Ohio Star, April 3, 1840 pub-
lished an account of the "Harrison
Convention" held in Ravenna in 1840,
at the time the canal was completed.
The Star said, "From Trumbull Coun-
ty first came two crowded canal
boats, each with a band of music —
the Mohawk of Beaver; and the Tip-
pecanoe, of Warren — the first that
ever passed through the Pennsylvania
and Ohio Canal, now just completed."
The formal celebration did not
come until later. The first freight
boat came through on April 10, 1840,
when the Ohio City passed through
Eastward en route to Pittsburgh with
a cargo of ashes, fish, etc. On the fol-
lowing day the Huron, with merchan-
dise, arrived from Pittsburgh and af-
ter that traffic was steady, both
freight and passenger.
The formal celebration was held
August 4, 1840, or rather celebrations
were held all along the line. Gov.
David Porter of Pennsylvania, and
other important men made the trip on
a packet boat. As told elsewhere, Port-
age County was the high point of the
canal, and a regular supply of water
was maintained in the canal bed from
Township officers in old days were more numerous than at present. The list in-
cluded the Lister, the Fence Viewer, the Appraiser, the Road Marker, the Road Supervisor
and the Overseers of the Poor. The latter was dropped when the care of the poor fell
upon the county, under later laws.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
79
Here is a picture of East Main St., Ravenna, in 1853, where street grading is
being done with ox power.
the Feeder in Shalersville, and from
Brady and Muddy lakes.
Before this, not much freight could
be brought to Portage County by
water. Previous to the coming of the
canal, great freight wagons were
used, drawn by four, six, eight and
even ten horse teams, coming from
either Pittsburgh or Cleveland.
The Mexican War of 1846-47 did
not create much interest in Portage
County. Few Portage citizens hasten-
ed to join the army. Sentiment here
was against this war. Probably the
"gold rush" westward in 1849-50 drew
more attention. Men were interested
and joined the rush as they did else-
where. At least this war helped to
point out the immense size of the na-
tion.
Year of Drouth
The new residents of the county
had a great deal to learn about the
vagaries of the Ohio climate but they
were not quite prepared for what
came in 1845. In that year there was
no rain from April until late July ex-
cept a slight sprinkle in June. Crops
and pastures were burned to nothing.
Livestock suffered for food and water
and it was a period of hardship for
many residents that lasted until the
following year. The entire northeast-
ern part of the state was affected. If
was known as the Year of the Great
Drouth. Some animals were destroy-
ed or butchered and others were driv-
en to Pennslyvania or other localities
where the drouth was less severe.
Water for domestic or farm use fre-
so
PORTAGE HERITAGE
quently had to be hauled some dis-
tance when wells or springs went dry.
It was also a time when grasshoppers
were numerous which made matters
worse. The year 1845 was long re-
membered by farm people.
Iron Horse Arrives
Portage county people were no dif-
ferent from others. They, too, were
stricken by a disease that spread
everywhere. It struck both poor and
rich, in town or country, for condi-
tions were ripe for the spread of this
malady. The disease was "Railroad
Fever." Every community in the civil-
ized part of the country, whether on
a mountain top or in a swamp, dream-
ed of having a railroad. A few lines
were already operating through the
East, and Ohio had one or two by this
time as well. But men dreamed of
wealth by building railroads. Those
without money thought they could
make it by means of the railroad. The
money making possibilities were ex-
citing but probably few saw the slow-
er, surer, economic development that
would follow railroad building. The
canals had started to get the state out
of the mud but the expanding giants
of industry and agriculture needed
still better transportation. Railroads
seemed to be the answer and the
fever was the keen desire to have
them. Men dreamed of new railroad
routes. They organized companies, or
tried to finance them. Some never got
started but others did. One of these
was the so-called Clinton Air line run-
ning through the county from Hud-
son Northeast through Streetsboro,
Mantua and Hiram on its way to New
York — a new trans-continental line.
Grading was completed through the
entire county. Then it stopped, fi-
nancially and physically halted.
Welsh People Here
In 1840 the population of Portage
County was 23,419, so that it was
"pretty big boy". But in the next
twenty years it grew very little,
though new blood kept coming in. At
the same time many Ohioans were
attracted by cheaper lands further
west, which kept the population level
nearly stationary. The first Welshman
reached Paris township in 1831 and
from that time on there came other
Welsh, particularly to Paris and Pal-
myra, where coal mines interested the
skilled miners from over the sea.
Many, however, came to farm. A
Welsh Baptist church was established
in Paris in 1835. Into Ravenna, Kent
and other places also came Belgians,
expert glass workers who were needed
in the new industries. The Irish im-
migrants laborers had helped to con-
struct the canal and the first railroad
and many of these decided to remain.
Their descendants are among leading
citizens today. In this era the first
important wave of German immi-
grants came, fleeing their native land
because of political oppression. A
When a new court house was needed in 1828, the building contract was awarded to
Zenas Kent, Ravenna merchant. The cost was to be $7,000. Zenas lived up to the terms
of the contract but later said that he lost money on the job.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
81
good number of these men fought in
the Union army later on.
The serious depression of 1837 had
left the entire county in low spirits.
There was no system of government
aid then to help put either business
or individuals on their feet again and
the only thing to do was to wait out
the storm. Franklin Mills, now Kent,
was in a particularly bad situation. It
had become over-enthusiastic on silk
making, being caught in the silk man-
ufacture craze of the times. There the
Franklin Land Co. sold many lots and
the Franklin Silk Co. and subsidiaries
sold stock, silkworms and mulberry
trees needed in the business. But as
was the case everywhere else, the pro-
ject was a failure and the day of rosy
expectation of silk making prosperity
was followed by a painful night of
loss and financial suffering.
Make Glass and Carriages
New industries were alawys being
brought into Franklin Mills, either
by the Kent family or others. The
Franklin Glass Works was established
in 1849-50, but apparently did not do
so well, and fifteen years another
glass works by that name appeared.
The Kent Cotton Mill Co. with a cap-
ital stock issue of $150,000.00 was or-
ganized in 1851, but no cotton was
ever manufactured. Business languish-
ed there and only the building of the
A & G W Railroad eventually put life
into the town. The Center Flour Mills
came in 1850 and did a good business.
At Ravenna, things were going a
little better. W. D. Clarke had es-
tablished a carriage factory in 1831.
Other small industries followed and
Covered Bridge, Windham. One of last
survivors of its kind.
Ravenna was incorporated as a village
in 1853. The Ravenna Carriage Co.
came in 1855 and this was later Merts
& Riddle and later still, the Riddle
Coach & Hearse Co.
The Franklin Bank of Kent was
established in 1849 by the Kent fam-
ily, now Kent National.
All over the state the banking busi-
ness had followed no particular pat-
tern. There were private and state
banks and federal banks. The Portage
County Branch of the State Bank of
Ohio was organized in Ravenna in
1847. R. D. Campbell was first presi-
dent and H. D. Williams, first cashier.
It became the First National Bank in
1863. Robinson, King & Co., private
bankers, began business in Ravenna
in 1857.
But Ravenna wasn't the metropolis.
In 1840 and later, it was Randloph
with a greater population.
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PORTAG E HERITAGE
Public schools of a sort were get-
ting a slow start, but there were still
no high schools as we know them.
Education of this variety was taken
care of by "academies", started by pri-
vate persons. Academies were started
in Ravenna, Windham, Nelson, Brim-
field, Aurora, Shalersville.
But the populace still wasn't social
minded. Where in former days set-
tlers were ready to help the poor and
unfortunate, a new spirit arose, at
least as to the public attitude. In 1841,
Leonard Greely, said to be a relative
of the great Horace Greely was order-
ed to leave Freedom because he had
"no visible means of support." Else-
where newcomers without means,
were viewed with suspicion and ord-
ered to move on. In Streetsboro, a
destitute old woman was put on the
block and her services sold for 2
months for $12.00.
Masonic Lodge Opposed
It was a time when orphanned boys
and girls were "bound out" until they
became of age. Children's homes did
not come until later. Bound-out boys,
in particular, were likely to run away,
especially if not well treated. But par-
ents also bound out their own
children, often the case when money
earned was needed at home. The small
earnings were additional income. It is
said that sometimes farmers with a
number of grown daughters, would
seek to have a boy bound out to him,
in the hope that nature would take
its course with a marriage in time.
This did happen more than once.
An astonishing development of ear-
ly Ohio was the development of the
Anti-Masonic party. Ravenna was the
headquarters of this party. The Ohio
Star, which was founded in 1830, was
an Anti-Masonic and Anti-Catholic
paper, and its editor was Darius Ly-
man. In 1832 Lyman, ran for governor
on the Anti-Masonic ticket, and al-
most made it, too, being beaten by
Robert Lucas. So much feeling had
been stirred up by the Anti-Masons
that Unity Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M.
of Ravenna, was forced to suspend op-
erations and go "underground". Gen.
L. V. Bierce was then secretary of the
lodge and he took charge of the char-
ter and other property and these were
not restored until 1852, under a new
dispensation.
Up to the middle of the century
schools had been on the hit or miss
basis. If enough citizens of a com-
munity wanted schools, they had them
but there was no uniformity of opera-
tion and little, if any, system. When
the legislature in 1849 passed a law
Woe To The Weakling Cradler
A "cradling bee' of a hundred years ago must have been a sight to see. In this a
force of neighbor folks assembled with "cradles" to harvest the ripe wheat. A leader
would start along the side of a field, with other reapers following him at safe distances.
Sometimes they swung their cradles to music and there usually was much song and
joking. When a round was made, there was whiskey, water and perhaps a bite to eat,
with a period of rest. But if one reaper could not stand the pace and had to give up, he
was an object of scorn and rough joking, for his "hide had been hung on the fence."
PORTAGE HERITAGE
83
setting up a "system" of schools,
things began to look up. After that
the towns and townships were re-
quired to have schools. People were
taxed for them and compulsory at-
tendance came. In Garrettsville a pub-
lic meeting was held and the new law
"ratified." Other towns had no pub-
lic demonstration but were openly
pleased. Later laws helped to streng-
then the system but it was really the
beginning of a uniform public school
system in the county.
St. Josephs Established
In all of this time newcomers were
still coming in as individuals or in
groups. In the south part of the coun-
ty men and women of German descent
kept arriving from other counties and
states. In 1829 St. Josephs Catholic
church congregation had been form-
ed near the Randolph-Suffield line.
It was the first Catholic church in the
county and in time the community
became known as St. Josephs, as it re-
mains today. The church was not reg-
ularly organized until 1865.
In these decades, things which in-
fluenced life in Portage County, other
than the canals and railroads, were
the mechanical aids for farming. Fore-
most and most helpful, was the horse
drawn reaper for cutting grain, which
later developed into the self binder.
Threshing outfits appeared. Better
plows were made and used. New
cheese making processes were de-
veloped and buggies were in general
use. Kerosene lamps replaced the tal-
low candle and villages began to make
use of street lights in a rough way.
A portable lantern was considered a
necessity whether in town or country.
Life was gradually being made easier.
Instead of dirt paths, people in towns
started to use saw dust, or gravel and
finally turned to plank or board
walks even in the business district.
Brick or stone walks came later.
Diseases Rampant
Trained physicians began to make
their appearance. New methods and
medicines were taken up and old ones
discarded. Many people still clung to
their superstitions about illness and
its cause, yet these died hard. Many
still insisted on wearing a stocking
around their necks for sore throat, or
wearing a bag of asafedita around the
throat to ward off various ailments.
It was a common belief that many dis-
eases were unavoidable, including dip-
theria, scarlet fever, measles and
smallpox. Most important, however,
in this era was that people did dis-
cover that the terrible amount of in-
fant mortality could be reduced and
that children's lives might be prec-
ious, after all. Strangely enough, old
observers say there was less cancer
then than now, partly explained by
the shorter life span. Because of poor
roads, doctors rode horseback to see
their patients, with medicine and
equipment in the saddlebag. Major
operations, of course, were rare, and
even minor ones were dreaded. Doc-
tor's fees for country calls were first
25 cents, then 50 cents and finally one
dollar. The use of whiskey continued
among people in general, though with
lessening amount. The use of whiskey
and hard cider at barn raisings is cred-
ited with numerous deaths through-
84
PORTAGE HERITAGE
out the county as accidents took place,
so old writers insisted. Ravenna was
also visited by Thompson ian ism sy-
stem of "sweat doctors" but when
several deaths were attributed to it,
the system faded out of sight. There
was violent agitation over it.
Wages for common labor com-
menced to move upward. Where em-
ployers once had paid 50 to 75 cents
per day, they now had to pay $1.00
and more skilled laborers received
more, but working hours were still
twelve hours a day, six days a week.
At that time, they considered the
owner of a farm, with a number of
boys able to work, in the best position
of all. Town people and owners of
stores, were considered fortunate be-
cause they handled more money than
others.
Counterfeiters Busy
Mail service, which had started in
1807 with bi-weekly mails to Ra-
venna, Deerfield, Mantua, Franklin
Mills and other places, had improved
so that now there was a postoffice in
every township in the county, and
some had more than one. Where the
recipient of a letter once had to pay a
stiff rate of postage when he got his
letter, the postage was now paid in
advance, and stamps used. But "cash
money" was still scarce and more
than one man was tempted to try
"home made money." Counterfeiters
were able to get away with many
things they could not today when an
efficient secret service is maintained.
Early Portage County had a noted
pair of expert counterfeiters in the
Brown brothers of Peninsula, then in
the county.
Covered bridges were still the stan-
dard models, but in Franklin Mills a
pontoon bridge had been used and a
number of swinging, or suspension
bridges had been thrown over the
river for use as shortcuts to and from
work.
Manufacturing had slowly increas-
ed but because only a few men were
employed in a shop there was not
much competition for labor.
New countries, where land is cheap,
are always good hunting grounds for
those who found new colonies of
ideal communities, or for some par-
ticular belief. Robert Owen, the
Scotch idealist, in early county history
came here with the intention of
founding one of his colonies near Ra-
venna. He collected quite a following
for his proposed "Auxiliary Owen
Community", but when he asked the
state legislature for a charter, the
body refused to grant it. Thereupon
Owen went to Indiana and founded
his colony at New Harmony. For
many years it attracted attention
there and was pointed out as a really
ideal community, but finally it also
faded away. But one of the communis-
tic societies did set up a community
just outside this county at Phalanx,
East of Windham in Trumbull county
in 1844, but it flourished only a few
years before dissolution.
In 1828 a man named Pomeroy came to Garrettsville and started a combination mill
of unusual nature. It carded wool, sawed wood, ground wheat, with a whiskey still on
the side. In this way the diversified wants of the customers were well served.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
85
In this period native American
songs commenced to replace the old
ones brought from over the seas.
Young Stephen Foster developed into
quite a writer, with his, "Camptown
Races," "Old Kentucky Home", "Oh,
Susanna", "Old Zip Coon" and others.
Newly printed music advertised in
1855 included "Good News From
Home", "Wilt Thou Be Mine," "Poor
Old Slave," "Mischievous Alice," "I'm
a Poor Old Bachelor," "Murmuring
Sea," "Nelly Gordon," and "Midnight
Moon."
County's Growth Slow
In general it could be said that the
era of 1840 to I860 represented a
period of passage into maturity. The
people of the county found their own
strength. They began to feel conscious
that they were capable of doing better
things. There was a groping to find
the way. Better school facilities were
acquired at last and Portage County
was quick to make use of their new
powers in improving the educational
system. There was a growing activity
in business. People were building new
homes and "modernizing" them. They
were trying to make up their collec-
tive minds on various political and
economic issues that were always a-
rising, but they were probably of no
more unanimity then than in any oth-
er period. The only sure thing was
that they were strongly anti-slavery.
The population of the county in I860
was 24,208 — less than a thousand
more than it had been in 1840.
Uncle Tom's Cabin shows started to
appear. There was one in Kent in
1856.
Spelling bees began to be popular,
but girls still drove oxen when neces-
sary and at picnics they ran foot races.
A boy and a girl going to a country
dance likely as not rode horseback —
the boy in the saddle and the girl be-
hind him sitting sidewise with her
arms around her beau.
Wild fruit of all kinds was plenti-
ful, including plums and grapes.
Fruits were at first dried, not canned,
for future use.
The love of books was strong but
books were few. Windham had the
county's first library, organized in
1824 with 100 volumes but other li-
braries came steadily.
Coal Mining Develops
An overall glance at Portage Coun-
ty conditions would show that in this
era a new source of revenue had been
found in the coal deposits discovered
in Palmyra, Deerfield and Atwater.
At this time the coal had already been
mined in a small way though not un-
til later were they developed into big
business. Then, too, dairying and
cheese making had been taken up on
the farms because of the reputation
for Portage products built up in the
South and in the cities. Maple syrup
and sugar was found to have a ready
sale and came to be a profitable
source of income. Lumber was being
taken from the still abundant forests.
In the south part of the county the
production of staple crops of wheat
and other grains was the main farm
interest, with cattle raising an auxili-
ary source. In other words the coun-
ty's agricultural output was pretty
well diversified. This, together with
86
PORTAGE HERITAGE
the income from small shops and fac-
tories, and road and railroad building,
combined to bring to Portage county
at least a comfortbale living.
Social ideas and practices were un-
dergoing a change, too. Previous to
1840 the poor and the unfortunate
were "farmed out" to the highest bid-
der. This system led to abuses in the
care of the unfortunates. The county
commissioners decided to put the mat-
ter up to the people and at an election
these people voted in favor of a coun-
ty farm where the poor could be
handled collectively. A site was ob-
tained in Shalersville township on
the Gen. Mcintosh farm of 162 acres,
where the county infirmary has re-
mained ever since.
Leaders Are Numerous
By 1840, manufacturing, though
still on a small scale, was well estab-
lished. Among the activities were a
few glass factories, which were to be
important in the county for a good
many years. Machine shops were com-
ing in and flour was being made by
new and better processes. Knowledge
that the canal would soon be in oper-
ation was a stimulant — too much so in
Franklin Mills which underwent an
unrestricted boom because of a prom-
ised silk industry which never mater-
ialized. The Panic of 1837 hit and oc-
casioned much distress. But Ravenna
got its first bank in 1847 and Franklin
Mills had one soon afterward which
helped to steady all activities.
In a purely raw state of civilization,
one man's influence was not much
greater than another's. So it was in
Portage County. But as population in-
creased, towns organized and busi-
ness and industry starting, there soon
emerged leaders and men of influence
in shaping affairs of the county. A-
mong the first of course, were Benja-
min Tappan, Heman Oviatt, Zenas
Kent, Seth Day and Isaac Swift in Ra-
venna; the Haymakers, Joshua Wood-
ard, the Cacklers, the Rockwells,
Ladds, George DePeyster and William
Price in Kent; Amzi Atwater in Man-
tua; the Sheldons, Hurds and Gen.
Eggleston in Aurora; Capt. John
Campbell, Edinburg; the Days and
Divers in Deerfield; Ephriam Root in
Rootsown; Col. John Garrett, Nelson;
Tildens, Youngs and Masons in Hi-
ram; John Whittlesey in Atwater;
Bela Hubbard in Randolph; Samuel
Hale in Suf field; and of course others
here and there. But these were soon
to be replaced by new men.
In 1836, the Western Courier (news-
paper) advertised that "butter, cheese
pork, lard, tallow, sugar, wheat, corn,
leather, full cloth, cotton shirting, sheet-
ing, firewood and various other articles
for family use will be received for sub-
scription debts for this paper if deliver-
ed soon." Also, "Cash Wanted."
A nostrum called Napoleon Fomenta-
tion was advertised in the Western
Courier Feb. 26, 1835. It was said to be
good for "hydrophobia, snake bites,
cancers, scrofulous humors, piles, King's
Evil, inflamed breast and fleur albus."
There was a testimonial by a man who
said it had healed his injured "ancle."
In 1840, Western Reserve College at
Hudson (later Western Reserve Univer-
sity) advertised its scale for table board
at 75 cents, $1.00, $1.25 and $1.57-1/2
per week.
CHAPTER VI
County's Greatest Travail
The Civil War period could well
comprise a chapter in itself for any
county history in Ohio, or any other
American state for that matter. People
of later generations, especially of to-
day, do not fully understand the ter-
rific impact of this war on the popu-
lace. Later wars meant great loss and
grief, but lacked the emotional sweep
and impact of the Civil War.
In this war more than 2,000 Port-
age men and boys went into the arm-
ed forces out of a population of 24,-
208 in 1860. Over 300 of these gave
their lives for the Union. Ohio fur-
nished more men for the Union army
than any other state, of which were
some larger. Portage furnished its
share. Historians point out that one
able bodied Ohio man in every three,
went to the army and this was no
doubt true for Portage. The late Rev.
M. J. Slutz of Kent, himself a veteran
of Gettysburg, used to say that the
Civil War was fought by boys — lads
of 16, 17, and 18, who rushed to the
colors in patriotic ardor with little
knowledge of what lay ahead. Many
of those boys ran away from home to
join the colors. But boys were not
enough. Men of family had to go, too.
In Windham Township, 117 men and
boys enlisted out of a population of
813.
Deep Feeling Aroused
For this condition they could hard-
ly be blamed, because for many years
previous to the war's start, they lived
in an emotional period, when appeals
were being made to "stand firm" to
destroy slavery, uphold the right and
support the constitution. The '50's
had been a period of discussion and
growing resentment, but most of it
was on the emotional scale, though
perhaps it had to be that way. On
July 4, 1855, a great mass meeting was
held in Ravenna by "people opposed
to the Kansas-Nebraska iniquity" and
there were 15,000 people present —
more than half of the county popula-
tion. Prizes were offered for the larg-
est township delegation. Bands and
uniformed men marched. There was
tremendous enthusiasm. Speakers
were Ben Wade, Salmon P. Chase,
and J. A. Briggs. The brilliant Chase,
then aiming at the presidency, but
after serving as governor, became sec-
retary of the treasury and later Su-
preme Court justice. Wade, an anti-
slavery firebrand, stirred the meeting
with his oratory. Later, as president of
the U. S. Senate, he came within one
vote of being president when Johnson
was impeached. Though these orators
tore at their heart strings, people
loved it and were keyed up for action.
Though leaders and orators continu-
ally roused them still more, the fierce
anti-slavery sentiment was of spon-
taneous origin, or inherited from the
New England forebears.
87
88
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Pointing Out Blame
This meeting, large as it was, was
only one of a continuing series. Peo-
ple avidly followed the career of
John Brown and were for him despite
his bloody history. In the '50's, there
was political turmoil and new politi-
cal line-ups were sought. The Whigs
had faded away. The secret American,
or Know Nothing Party, had been
quite active in Portage County, and
still was making its weight felt. Out
of the turmoil, the Republican party
emerged. Republicans sought to pin
upon the Democrats the responsibility
of keeping slavery alive. The Portage
Democrat of April 11, 1855, reports
outcome of spring elections as fol-
lows:
Atwater — Slave Democrats have
carried Palmyra by a light vote. No
test.
Brimfield — The Slave Democracy
succeeded by a very light vote,
greatly reduced. The People's Ticket
won in Franklin, Nelson, Edinburg,
Freedom, and Windham.
Actually it was not as simple as
that. A circular put out the same year
called for:
Citizens Anti-Tax, Anti-Know
Nothing Meeting
"The citizens of Ravenna opposed to
local township and corporation taxes
and secret, midnight caucuses, are re-
quested to meet in the court house, on
Friday evening next at 7 o'clock for the
purpose of nominating candidates for
township and corporation offices." This
referred, of course, to the Know No-
things, or "Sag Nichts."
Stories of the operations of the Un-
derground Railroad, were told and
even printed in the papers. The Port-
age Democrat of April 18, 1855, prints
the following from the Ashtabula
Sentinel, with the strong implication
that it had a Portage County angle:
Passengers of the U.G.R.R.
"The agent of the U.G.R.R. in Ash-
tabula informs us that three very likely
passengers left that depot Friday last
with a very fair prospect of getting
through in a few hours. They had left
the Southwest part of Kentucky some
two months ago and had spent all their
time working their way to that point.
They proceeded by their own efforts,
through Kentucky and Indiana and did
Art In Tree Slashing
In clearing their land of trees, pioneers soon discovered by experience the best
methods of doing this job. The work gave rise to a class of skilled workmen called "tree
slashers." The slasher with a job to do first noted the wind, surveyed the trees, then
mentally laid off a small tract of forest for his operations. He then started on the far
lee side of the tract, by cutting or notching the tree trunks with his axe. Usually the
trees were cut half through or more. The slasher then progressed backwards, toward the
windward side, chopping or notching all trees until he came to the last one on the other
side. All trees were slanted to fall a little toward the center. The last tree was then cut
through so that it fell against the next one and all trees went down, like a row of
dominos, with a thunderous roar. A good slasher cut fell an acre of big trees in a day.
The fallen trees were allowed to lie where they fell for two or three years, then set fire
and burned, which was also an art by itself.
Another method was to "ring" trees so that they died. Later their dead, dried trunks
were set on fire.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
89
Collection of early Ravenna-made glassware, property of H. M. Lyon
not fall in with agents of the U.G. until
they reached Ohio, after which they
were regularly forwarded. At Ashtabula,
they were helped with provisions, clothes
and money as they needed. They say
they had made a previous attempt to
escape but were retaken and put in jail,
to be sold to a drover, when the daugh-
ter of one of them managed to get them
out and furnished them with $10.00
with which to make their escape."
Republicans Take Over
Sad and pathetic stories of slavery
and escapes were printed regularly
and never failed to stir the feelings of
readers. The great majority of Portage
people, of course, were anti-slavery.
They were dead set against the in-
stitution. Historians point out that in
1834, there was a riot in Aurora over
slavery, but even there, sentiment had
gradually changed. Yet there was
plenty of opposition, or rather dis-in-
terest. Democrats kept up a good or-
ganization. In the presidential elec-
tion of 1860, Democrats of Portage
County polled about two thirds as
many votes as did Republicans for
Lincoln and maintained that ratio on
national issues pretty well throughout
the war. In state elections, the county
was strongly Republican.
The story of Portage County's mili-
tary activities in the Civil War is told
in another chapter. These started ear-
ly. Hardly had Fort Sumpter been
fired upon when a great Union meet-
ing was called at Ravenna. There was
much enthusaiasm and it was found
that many Democrats were also pres-
ent. For one week, Union meetings
were held daily and of course, raising
of troops was the first and most im-
portant thing. Lincoln had called for
100,000 volunteers with a three
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
months enlistment. How foolish a
three months army was, was soon
demonstrated, but Portage County
men rushed to the colors. As usual,
when war comes, there was much con-
fusion. There was no overall plan and
each man had something to offer. An
artillery company was raised, then a
rifle company and soon a home guard
company was in the plans. A message
from Jas. A. Garfield, then in the
state senate, helped to direct their ef-
forts and he was present in person at
a great county wide war effort mass
meeting April 22, 1861, at Ravenna.
Again there were delegations, bands,
parades, etc. by volunteer groups. Al-
so present were Generals King and
Tyler. Garfield himself was soon in
the army. On April 30, 1861, the artil-
lery company volunteers left for Camp
Dennison and later to Camp Taylor,
to be known later as Cotter's Battery.
"We are coming. Father Abraham",
ran the song of the day. After this
were "The Girl I Left Behind Me",
"Old Dan Tucker", "John Brown's
Body", and "Tenting Tonight." Al-
most at once relief committees were
organized. Supplies were sent to the
home boys in camp and their families
provided for where necessary. Frank-
lin Mills people raised $5,000 for fam-
ilies of the boys in the Franklin Mills
Rifle Company.
First Draft Starts
The Portage County War Fund
was raised and reached $10,225.
The Civil War saw the beginnings
in this country of the draft system of
recruiting men for military service.
For those who lived through later
wars, the operations of that draft
system were strange in many respects.
After continued calls for volunteers
had failed to raise men, the draft was
adopted, and in many places aroused
violent opposition. Men between 18
and 45 were subject to the draft.
What seems strange today was the
fact that a drafted man could hire a
substitute to take his place. Many
drafted family men took advantage of
this. A price of $300.00 was set for
substitutes, but on top of this many
men paid bounties, or bonuses. Up to
$200.00 for bounties in individual
cases were paid. All this led to a-
buses. Men sometimes hired them-
selves as substitutes, went to camp,
and there quickly deserted, to hire
out as substitute somewhere else and
repeat the process.
But perhaps, Portage County's high
volunteer rate cut down the number
of drafted men here. No odium was
attached to hiring a substitute.
Friends and neighbors of a man with
a family sometimes raised the money
Early settlers charred the top of a stump and used the hollow as a mortar to grind
corn. The pestle was a heavy, smooth stone suspended on the end of a line from a pole,
like a well sweep. The operator pushed the balanced draw pole up and down to make
the stone fall on the grain. Native stone was considered too soft to make millstones, so
that buhr stone of flint like hardness was brought from France for this purpose. Some-
times granite boulders were used. Early grist mills and saw mills usually had towns built
around them.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
91
necessary to keep the man out of the
army.
In the printed biography of a well
known Mantua citizen, the statement
was simply made, "He was drafted in
the late war and hired a substitute",
meaning that he had done his duty.
Looking For Bounties
As was the case in later wars, Port-
age County raised a great deal of
money for war support and relief pur-
poses. She raised a total "War Fund",
through the years of $10,225.70. The
"Relief Fund for Families of Volun-
teers" paid out a total of $68,045.61.
The "Soldiers Bounty Tax" totaled
$88,157.41. The latter was to provide
substitutes for men of family who
merited exemption, and it was based
on a bond issue voted for that pur-
pose.
Advertisements like these began to
appear in the newspapers:
Substitute Wanted — A liberal price
will be paid for a good and acceptable
substitute by, John Smith, 111 St.
Who Wants A Substitute — A liberal
bounty expected. Address, with price,
A.B.C St.
Support of the Union in the Civil
War was a County effort and it unit-
ed the people of the county probably
more than at any other time.
Erie R.R. Comes In
But, despite turmoil and suffering
of war, other things were going on.
The Cleveland and Mahoning Valley
Railroad had been completed in 1856,
giving the county its second road. At
the same time, despite shortage of
money and later shortage of labor, the
Franklin and Warren Railroad, later
the Atlantic & Great Western, was
being built. This road was opened in
March 1863, and almost immediately
it took over the C & MV on lease. The
railroad shops, planned for Kent in
1854, were not put in operation until
1861. The first A & GW freight car-
ried from Ravenna was a carload of
flour, and its first incoming freight
was ten barrels of sugar. The story of
the railroads is set forth in another
chapter, but with these lines, Portage
County people felt that they were well
provided.
Counterfeiting and horse stealing
were the most relatively important
crimes. Women wore hoop skirts and
little girls wore pantalettes, men's
hats were usually black felt, and Step-
hen Foster melodies were best known,
while the "Battle Hymn of the Re-
public" was being written. White
picket fences were around every re-
spectable home. There were water
troughs for horses along the main
roads as local authorities directed, or
water could be found, but the stage
coach was gone.
In earlier days church goers from distant farms, drove to church in wagons and
buggies, each bearing a batch of hay for the horses as they rested during services, and
usually easily accesible to the animals. Rev. William Foljambe, pastor of one of the
Franklin Mills churches, owned a cow which had discovered this fact. She followed her
owner to church on Sundays and while services were going on, helped herself to the hay
in the wagons of the church goers. Her church going habit became strongly established.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
From rare photo of James A. Garfield
at age of 16. He looked like this while
working in Aurora hayfields and on the
old canal.
For women's wear, bonnets, hoods
and muffs were the accepted thing, to
say nothing of shawls and robes.
There was a ready sale for buffalo
robes for cold weather driving and
felt boots for men began to make
their appearance, being particularly
used by farmers and other outdoor
workers.
Business was going on pretty much
as usual. Because of good railroads
and abundance of nearby material,
more factories were being started. For
some reason, glass manufacturing was
a favorite industry. In 1867, the Ra-
venna Glass Co. was established, the
first of several glass works in Ra-
venna. In 1821, David Ladd had start-
ed the Mantua Glass Co., but two
years later moved it to Franklin Mills,
where apparently, it did not last long.
But it was first of Kent's several glass
works. The Day & Williams well
known glass factory there was set up
in 1864. For these Kent and Ravenna
glass works skilled foreign workers
were frequently brought in. The Rail-
way Speed Recorder Co. founded in
1875, was for a long time one of
Kent's busiest plants.
Union Schools Popular
In 1859, an event of considerable
importance, not only in Ravenna, but
the entire region was the construction
of the Union school building. This
school was considered a most modern
one at that time, a great step toward
educational efficiency. Its construc-
tion stimulated Kent people toward
similar effort and in 1868, the well
known Union School building was
erected.
The end of the war brought new
problems, new political alignments
and new customs and organizations.
First was the organization for veter-
ans, local group which later develop-
ed into the Grand Army of the Re-
public. Posts sprang into existence
in every sizeable town, though Port-
age County posts were slow in getting
started. A new custom was inaugurat-
ed — that of Memorial Day, particular-
ly for the war dead, but which came
in to include all later. Portage Coun-
ty's first Memorial Day observance
came in 1867, when GAR posts were
in existence. From that time on the
"comrades" of the GAR posts were
conspicuous in Memorial Day obser-
vance for many years to come.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
93
In the Memorial Day observance or
Decoration Day as it came to be
known, the GAR always took the
most important part in its public
observance. The veterans were always
in the parade until age prevented.
Numbers of the "comrades" began to
diminish, with the line shorter and
shorter, until the remaining ones were
put in the parade in carriages or
motor cars. Portage County's last Civil
War veteran, John Grate of Atwater,
died in 1954.
GAR Gains Strength
Politically, the veterans exercised
great influence. Their vote was sought
by all candidates. If the veterans were
"for" someone or some issue, it usual-
ly meant success. Grant, Hayes, Gar-
field, Harrison, and McKinley were
elected to the presidency largely
First Election Day
The first election within Portage County other than a local basis, was held at Ra-
venna June 8, 1808. It was to be at the home of Benjamin Tappan, Ravenna and 88 votes
were cast.
Of these voters the following were from Ravenna: — Benj. Tappan, John Caris, Wm.
Chard, Samuel Simcox, Robert Walker, David Jennings, John Boosinger, Daniel Haynes,
Thos. Wright, John Creighton, John Wright, Sr., Jacob Eatinger, Jacob Stough, Arthur
Anderson, Michael Simcox, John Wright, Jr., Abraham Toms, Abel Forsha, John Ward,
Jotham Blakesly, Enoch Harrymon, John McWhorter, Wm. Price, Conrad Boosinger,
Henry Sapp, Robert Campbell and David Moore.
From Mantua, there were Silas Tinker, Jotham Atwater, Samuel Moore, Amzi At-
water, Elias Harmon and Daniel Windsor, Jr.
Rootstown — Frederick Caris, Sr., Frederick Caris, Jr., John Caris, Philip Willyard,
Nathan Chapman, Samuel McCoy, Beman Chapman, Ephriam Chapman, Samuel Andrews,
David Root, Gersham Bostwick and Henry O'Neil.
Deerfield — John Chapman, Horatio Day, Seth Day, James Laughlin, Henry Rogers,
Nathan Muzzy, Stephen Mason, Joseph Murrill, Asa Betts and Alva Day.
Randolph — Alvin Ward, Ebenezer Goss, Joseph Harris, David Goss, Bela Hubbard
and Aaron Weston.
Suffield; — Reuben Tupper, Stephen Upson and Jonathan Foster.
Aurora; — Samuel Baldwin, Oliver Forward, and Samuel H. Ferguson.
Hiram; — Oliver Mills.
Nelson; — Delaun Mills and Isaac Mills.
Shalersville; — Joel Baker and Asa D. Keyes.
Atwater; — George Wilber.
Others were from townships now in Summit County.
Hudson; — David Hudson, Joel Gaylord, Samuel Busby, Moses Thompson, Heman
Oviatt and Benjamin Whedon.
Stow; — William Wetmore.
Tallmadge — Aaron Norton.
Northampton; — James Robinson.
Present but not voting were John Campbell and Abel Sabin.
County officers were elected as follows:
Commissioners; — Abel Sabin, Joel Gaylord and Alva Day. Treasurer, Elias Harmon.
Clerk, Benj. Whedon. Recorder, Titus Wetmore. Sheriff, Alva Day. Coroner, Lewis Day.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
through the strength of veterans or-
ganizations.
About this time, too, various fra-
ternal organizations became active in
establishing lodges throughout the
county, and most of these are active
today, together with many new ones.
Though cheese making had long
been an important activity among
farmers, this now took on a new as-
pect. Previously, it had been pretty
much a farm job, with cheese made
on the premises, like butter, but an
Aurora man saw the possibilties of co-
operative manufacture, with the work
done in a central place. Most of the
factories were in the northern part of
the county. Factories were numerous.
Later factories were owned by indi-
viduals and the farmer's milk bought
outright. It became an industry, and
it flourished. The county was a leader
in Ohio. At one time there were 30
or 40 factories in the county. At the
beginning of the present century, the
demand for the fluid milk from the
nearby cities wrought the decline of
the cheese making industry. The
southern part of the county had its
cheese industry too, but on a smaller
scale. It was in the manufacture of
Swiss cheese, a process brought in the
by the German descent farmers.
Another Railroad Built
In this period, coal mining became
important in the county. Palmyra had
four producing mines, Atwater three
or four, with others in scattered
places. The Deerfield mines were de-
veloped later. The opening of the Al-
liance & Northern (now the NYC) in
1879, stimulated coal supply there.
Following the boom in Pennsylvan-
ia oil production, the National Tran-
sit Co. ran a pipe line through the
county to Cleveland where the Rocke-
fellers were founding an oil empire,
with a pumping station in Mantua.
Afterward, a large number of storage
tanks were constructed there, and
these have been a land mark ever
since. Mantua then was becoming an
important shipping center for pota-
toes, which were being grown in
quantity in that section.
Repercussions of the Pennsylvania
oil boom were felt in this county. In
Deerfield, the Portage Oil Co. was
formed in 1865 with a half million
dollar capital, to drill for oil. Many
wells were drilled, but though some
oil was found, it was never in paying
quantity and the craze died away.
Smaller companies and individuals
had the same experience. In later
years, from time to time, wells were
drilled, but so far there has been no
success in this field.
There were enough grist mills and
saw mills to take care of local busi-
ness and now tanneries had disap-
peared. The portable engine brought
a change in the system of lumbering.
The mill now went to the log, in-
stead of the other way. Men with
In 1814, Major Stephen Mason was sheriff. He used his spare time to teach a school
in the court rooms. When he was absent on official business, the school was closed. He
also trained the militia.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
95
money to invest were looking to new
fields. In Aurora, in 1866, the Aurora
Iron Co. was formed to manufacture
wrought iron, but its operations were
brief.
County Fair Booms
County and local fairs now began
to be popular again. When the state
legislature in 1846 passed a law auth-
orizing the state to contribute money
for the support of fairs, it had meant
a great deal here. Up to the time of
the Civil War, fairs there did well.
During the war, fairs were not pros-
perous, but when peace came, there
was a revival of interest. For many
farmers and others, the county fair
became the high spot of the year. As
an observer said, "Some people mere-
ly lived from one fair until the next."
The institution was in the nature of a
John Brown To Zenas Kent
Though John Brown was erratic and stubborn and was not successful as a business
man, he was intelligent and talked and wrote quite well. Brown, whose family had previ-
ously lived in Hudson and in Franklin Mills, was ending a term as postmaster in the
little town of Randolph, Pa., when he wrote a letter to Zenas Kent, with whom he had
dealings. The letter left by the Kent family is blurred and faded and almost indecipher-
able but close study reveals the following:
Randolph, Pa., April 29, 1835
Mr. Zenas Kent,
Dear Sir; — Yours of the 14th was received by last mail. I was disappointed in the
extreme not to obtain the money I expected, and I know of no possible way to get along
without it. I had borrowed it for a few days to settle up a number of honorable debts
which I could not leave unpaid and come away. It is utterly impossible to sell anything
for ready cash or to collect debts. I expect father to come out for cattle about the first of
May and I ask you without fail to send it by him. It is now too late to think of sending
it by mail I was intending to turn everything I could into shingles as one way
to realize cash in Ohio, before you wrote me about them. 25 dollars of the money I want
is to enable me to carry that object into effect. I shall buy all I can and think you can
have what you want for $ per thousand at Boston or Akron, and perhaps Ra-
venna. Had I been able to pay any cash I might have given you a definite answer as to
the price now. I will try to write you about shingles before I leave here. As to having a
carding machine in the , I should feel disposed to have you accommodated in
every way that you can but not materially interfere with other business, but I would in
no means advise to depend putting one in until we can see what room or place
will be absolutely (?) needed for the purpose. I am inclined to think that some
way to manage with our for a little. I do not wish to make any more about a
store before and can see how I am to pay for it The time has now so
near expired that I expect to leave here, that I must do all I can about shingles
from you again.
Do not send money nor bills of small kind.
(Blank spaces indecipherable) John Brown.
It is not known what the immediate reaction of Mr. Kent to this letter was, but a
short time after that Brown was taken on as manager of a new tannery set up by the
Kents in Franklin Mills.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Keller Brothers Machine Shop in Southeast Randolph
great reunion as well as entertain-
ment and general excitement. Portage
was still an agricultural county and
the fair was the epitome thereof.
The years following the Civil War,
were a boom time for all in repairing
the effects of the conflict, but in 1872-
73, a severe depression had its effect
on Portage County, like others,
though probably less in degree in ag-
ricultural sections. Recovery came in
due time with talk of more factories
and railroads. Men wanted more of
the comforts and graces of better liv-
ing. The Portage County Horicultural
Society encouraged home and proper-
ty beautification and growing of
fruits and flowers that had been lack-
ing previously. Pioneer picnics were
popular and regularly held and in
this way, they remembered the past.
Not only large scale general picnics,
but the family reunion flourished in
this era. School and other group re-
ceivers were also liked.
About this time, too, a new kind of
people were found among the immi-
grants that is, new to settled residents.
Chinese had been on the Pacific coast
since the days of the gold rush. Now
they appeared in the East, usually in
the big cities. Also, there came new
nationalities of white people. A few
Italians came in and following the old
pattern, were first found working as
laborers for railroads and other con-
struction. Smaller numbers of Scandi-
navians arrived, including the hardy
Finns, who went from door to door
through the rural sections, with saws
and axes on their shoulders, looking
for jobs of wood cutting at "fifty
cents a cord." There was to be no
marked Negro migration to the coun-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
97
ty until a later date, although Ra-
venna had quite a colony at an early
year.
Many Go West
To the native Americans all immi-
grants were "foreigners" and queer
folks they could not understand at
first until better acquaintance chang-
ed their minds. In describing a rail-
road accident, in which an engine
blew up, the Portage Democrat of
1855 gave the names of all natives
who were killed or injured, then add-
ed, "An Irishman standing near by
had two broken ribs."
But during the Seventies and Eigh-
ties, there was a constant pull from
older states for emigration to the
west. Free land could be had in Kan
sas, Nebraska, Iowa, and other states
and the railroads offered land, too
right near their lines at a low rate. To
stir up interest in this land, the rail
roads ran "Homeseekers Excursions'
with very low fares, and in some
cases, without charge, to stimulate
land sales. They ran advertisements in
local papers and many county resi-
dents had the privilege of "travel" for
little or nothing, and of course, many
bought land and "went West to stay."
The homeseekers excursions contin-
ued until well into this century. It
has the old story of finding or hoping
to find good land for little or no-
thing.
It was still a period when folks
drank sassafras tea in the spring to
purify their blood, school pupils play-
ed "Andy Over", "Gaol" (pronounced
"gool"), "Duck on the Rock", "Fox
and Geese", "Crack the Whip", and
men working in the maple sugar
camps carried the pails from wooden
"shoulder yokes."
The long pole "well sweep", and
wooden buckets were still being used,
to be succeeded by the wooden pump,
"hacks" waited for passengers at the
railroad stations and election ballots
were still gotten out by the candidates
or parties.
Operating a livery stable was a solid
business, a barn raising was a frequent
and important event and young sports
rode high wheel bicycles.
New Bridges Appear
People were wondering
what
The Creeks of Portage
Portage County has a normal number of creeks in addition to the rivers, which are
better known. There are two Silver Creeks — one in Hiram and one in Edinburg. Camp
Creek is in Hiram and Nelson. A stream sometimes known as the Mahoning, or Eagle
Creek, is in Nelson and Windham. There's a Tinker's Creek in Nelson and one in Streets-
boro. Black Brook is in Mantua. The Breakneck runs through Rootstown, Randolph,
Ravenna and Franklin townships. Hinkley Creek is in Charlestown. Barrel Run is in
Edinburg, as is Dixon Creek. Kale Creek is found in Palmyra and Plum Creek in Brim-
field. Willow Creek is in Deerfield and Deer Creek is in Atwater. Potters Creek will be
found in Randolph and Suffield, while Congress Lake outlet comes up through Randolph.
Hale's Creek is in Suffield and Sand Creek in Windham. Yellow Creek is also in Deer-
field and the Little Cuyahoga touches Suffield. There are many small creeks throughout
the county that are either nameless or have borne changing names in the past.
98
PORTAGE HERITAGE
would become of the canals, then very
little used. The system was kept alive
because many thought "the railroads
were agin em." As late as 1908, the
state made an effort to revive interest
in canals, but without success.
The covered bridges which were to
be seen everywhere, now began to dis-
appear. New style timber, stone, and
iron bridges were being erected.
In 1874, a number of Ravenna peo-
ple applied for a charter to establish
the American Health College and Re-
ligion Medical Society in that town,
the object being to teach the Vita-
pathic System of Health. The school
offered degree of V.D. to its students,
but it never got started into full ac-
tivity since a great deal of opposition
to the school developed in the town.
In Ravenna, also, an activity there
was giving the town a wide reputa-
tion. That was the coach and hearse
manufacturing business of Merts &
Riddle at first N. D. Clark & Co. Be-
cause of changes in social customs,
hearses were in increasing demand.
The plant later became The Riddle
Coach & Hearse Co.
Quaker Oats Co. Flourishes
The services of professional under-
takers became more in demand. In
rural sections particularly, where cof-
fins were made for the individual,
and funeral services arranged by the
families, undertakers were able to use
a "new embalming fluid" for preser-
vation of bodies, to be used instead of
ice.
Another Ravenna business that be-
came widely known was the Quaker
Oats Co., established in 1877, with a
change of ownership in 1881. Years
later the plant was taken by the
Schumacher interests of Akron, but
the trade name of the product, Quak-
er Oats, was retained to become a
household word. At that time there
were no packaged cereals, but the Ra-
venna plant employed 40 men and put
out 200 barrels of oat meal daily.
These were the years in which the
tariff was becoming more and more of
a political issue. Home men wanted to
operate factories. They wanted to pay
good wages but many soon found they
could not compete with "cheap" for-
eign labor, and were being undersold
by goods from abroad. Glass manu-
facturing, especially, faced this bar.
News With Sleigh Bells
Newspaper rivalries were as keen a hundred years ago, and editors were often as
alert and resourceful as now. W. R. Witter of Ravenna relates that in the spring of 1845
rival Cleveland papers were each ambitious to be first in printing the inaugural address
of James K. Polk. To do this, they depended on Eastern papers which would be reprinted.
Fairchild of the Herald came to Ravenna to meet the stage coach carrying the papers and
got one, speeding away to Cleveland in a sleigh. Friends of the Plain Dealer raised a
purse and hired a man to beat Fairchild, also using a sleigh. Nobody ever learned which
messenger reached Cleveland first.
CHAPTER VII
Horse and Buggy, But Strong
There never is any hard and fast
line of demarcation between activities
of various periods and eras, but be-
ginning about 1880, the day of wider
mechanization for Portage County ac-
tivities really set in. It was still a
horse and buggy age, of course, but
such now simple things as bicycles,
buggies and gasoline engines had
come on and set men thinking about
something else. They were thinking,
in particular, about buggies and wag-
ons powered by steam or gasoline.
They were experimenting and hop-
ing, but without decisive results for
another 20 years. The balloon ascens-
ions at county fairs also aroused
thoughts of controlled travel through
the air. But of more immediate im-
portance was the continual improve-
ments of machinery used in daily
work.
Two More Railroads Here
Here in Portage County, residents
were then looking toward another
railroad then working its way along.
It proceeded up through Paris,
Charlestown, Ravenna, and Franklin
townships, slowly and with many dif-
ficulties. The years 1882-83-84 and
1885 passed before the county was
traversed. This line later was the P &
W, and in 1893, it became the present
Baltimore & Ohio.
Up from the south came the Con-
noton Valley Line, Canton to Cleve-
land, opened in 1881. Later it was
known as the Wheeling & Lake Erie,
and the Nickle Plate. The county was
now well provided with railroads.
Portage County entered this period
swelling with pride. James A. Gar-
field, former head of the Hiram "In-
stitute", then a state senator, and later
its congressman, who had served as a
general in the war, was nominated for
the presidency and elected. Though
he had moved his home from the
county, he was always regarded as a
local man and still is so held. When
his career was brought to a close by
assassination, grief was nowhere
greater than here in Portage County
where most of his earlier friends and
associates still lived. Portage County
was his home for a longer period than
any other place. This man with a
great heart and brilliant mind, who
rose from poverty to a high estate, is
still regarded as the county's brightest
jewel.
Install Waterworks
The county was growing again af-
ter a period when population had
stood still. In 1880, over 27,500 peo-
ple called Portage County their home.
More "foreigners" were coming in,
including Poles, Hungarians, and oth-
ers who later were given the derisive
names of "hunkies" or "bohunks",
now happily forgotten. There were
also a few Jews, usually peddlers or
owners of small stores. Streets of
towns and villages were still lighted
99
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
by oil or gas lamps, but in Cleveland,
they were experimenting with the
new electric "arc" lights. In Ravenna,
citizens voted in 1885, to tax them-
selves for $75,000 to construct a water-
works system. The water supply was
to come from "Mother Ward's Wash-
tub", now Crystal Lake. This meant
a water supply available for fire fight-
ing. A new "steamer" and more mod-
ern equipment was added. Ravenna
had the "Phoenix Fire Co." and the
"Alert Hose Co." both volunteer out-
fits. Each rendered annual reports.
County Civil War veterans finally
got themselves organized in the
G.A.R. system, a post being establish-
ed in Kent in 1882, and one in Ra-
venna in 1883. Mantua post also or-
ganized in 1883.
Ravenna was still much interested
in glass making, The Ravenna Flint
Glass Co. being organized in 1882
and the Crown Flint Glass Co. in
1883, but about that time the Enter-
prise Glass Co., already there closed
down. Several small machine shops
there also got under way.
An event of lasting importance in
1885 was the publication of the His-
tory of Portage County, under the
direction of R. C. Brown.
Electric Lights Twinkle
Though Garfield had died in 1881,
the papers in 1882 were still giving a
great amount of space to the trial of
his assassin, Guiteau, who clearly was
insane. Guiteau was executed in the
latter year.
Newspapers were advertising wool-
en shawls (and Paisleys), carriage
robes, horse blankets, red underwear,
and crochet materials.
An "Uncle Tom's Cabin" show was
advertised in Ravenna as a "Great
Combination Show", one feature of
which was an "Electric Light Exhi-
bit", produced right on the stage. An-
other feature was a group of Jubilee
Singers. And in 1881, the Fisk Jubilee
Singers gave a show, in which Fred
J. Loudin took a part.
In this era, people talked as much
about the high cost of living as they
do now, though living was consider-
ably cheaper. Eggs were ten or twelve
cents a dozen and other things in
proportion. Even in towns, house-
wives usually made their own bread
and did their own washings, the hard
way. "Bakers bread" was coming on,
but many distrusted it because "it
Length Of Brady's Leap
Early county historians made much of the feat of Captain Samuel Brady, the Penn-
sylvania Indian fighter, in jumping across the Cuyahoga River to escape pursuing redskins.
Some pretty fanciful and inaccurate writing has described this event, but most authorities
say it occurred about 1780. Christian Cackler, Jr., earliest Portage writer, says that Brady
had helped pursue Indians through this county to Wetmore's Pond, near Cuyahoga Falls.
There the Indians surprised and chased the whites. Brady was cornered along the Cuya-
hoga but escaped by leaping across the river at the gorge in Kent. Cackler says the jump
was not over 21 feet and was made from a high bank to one three feet lower on the op-
posite side. Though shot in the leg Brady made his way to a lake where he hid under a
tree. The lake is now called Brady Lake. But the amazing leap for life caught public
fancy and the story has lived long in the lore of the frontier.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
101
First Hiram College building as it appeared over tree tops in I860.
didn't taste right" and some thought
it caused indigestion. Canned veget-
ables were brought on, with the same
distrust. They said canned food was
"doctored up", and probably some-
times was. In town, families were like-
ly to buy a quarter of beef in the fall
to cut up and preserve, or to hang up
and cut from it, when put up in a
cool place, like the garrett.
Sunday Comics Start
The egg woman, and the butter
woman, were regular callers at homes
with their wares. Some families had
buckwheat cakes virtually every mor-
ning during the cold months, with a
"sponge" kept in the cold pantry for
quick starts.
Tobacco chewing among men was
common and grocers kept several
brands of "plug" tobacco ready to cut
up as required by the purchaser. The
buyer usually carried his "plug" in his
hip pocket.
City newspaper brought out Sun-
day editions and colored "comics"
made their appearance. Older people
will remember the "Limekiln Club"
feature, the "Katzenjammer Kid" and
others. Parents sometimes forbade
their children to read these comics as
being too worldly. The Palmer Cox
Brownies and the Buster Brown fea-
tures became famous.
Many families had bread and milk
suppers after the usual heavy Sunday
dinner.
The standard way of livening up
public celebrations was with a bon-
fire and they had good ones — some-
times impromptu.
The modern funeral home was still
unknown. Funerals were conducted
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
from churches or homes. Embalming,
as known today, was just coming into
practice. Widowed women wore black
hats, veils and dresses and were ex-
pected to continue mourning for six
months or a year. Bereaved husbands
also wore evidence of mourning and
black arm bands for mourning came
on.
Special Teachers Employed
Superintendents were being hired
for smaller schools, but high school
courses had already been set up at Ra-
venna and Kent Union schools. "Elo-
cution" teachers were also being
placed in schools, together with sing-
ing teachers and sometimes special
penmanship instructors.
Milk was being routed by farmers
away from cheese factories and sent
to cities. In 1881, the C & P "milk
train", Ravenna to Cleveland, carried
1800 gallons of milk daily, or 200
cans of the white fluid.
In 1882, B. A. Hinsdale, the learned
and able president of Hiram College,
became superintendent of the Cleve-
land schools, remaining in that capac-
ity for fifteen years, and later becom-
ing a professor at the University of
Michigan.
Portage County continued to vote
Republican, including the support of
James G. Blaine against Grover Cleve-
land, but when Cleveland was elected,
Republican male quartets sang "Four
more years of Grover, Then we'll be
in the clover."
School teachers and other literary
minded people formed The Chautau-
qua Reading Circles, though the local
tent chautauqua entertainment cours-
es did not come until 25 or 30 years
later. There were lyceums and literary
societies, including Shakesperian
clubs.
"East Lynne" was a favorite drama
for presentation by dramatic societies.
Spring Elections Held
In 1882, Wahoo Bitters for stomach
trouble was advertised and a new
creamery, the Spring Hill, was being
erected two miles north of Ravenna.
Local elections were held in April
and notices of party nominating cau-
cuses were printed before hand. Coun-
ty conventions nominated candidates
for county offices.
College By-Passes Kent
In 1869-70, the Universalist church, then strong in this section, was looking for a
location for a college to be established. Kent was a candidate. Negotiations were handled
by Marvin Kent. One day he announced that he had signed up an agreement whereby
Kent would be the location of the college. A few days later he announced that the college
deal was off. He said that Hon. John R. Buchtel had offered the college $100,000.00 if the
institution were located in Akron. It was to be called Buchtel College. Later it became
Akron University.
Had the college been located at Kent, this situation would have barred Kent State
University from Kent, such were the rules under which the institution was to be es-
tablished.
Another version was that John R. Buchtel drove to Kent where his buggy became
stuck in the mud which angered him so that he influenced the selection of Akron.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
103
"Watch out for lightning rod
sharpers," ran a notice in the Republi-
can-Democrat.
A Kent writer was very angry be-
cause the Franklin Township trustees,
all Republicans at that, had appointed
a Democrat as township clerk to fill
the vacancy casued by resignation of
Republican clerk, James Wark.
The superintendent of the county
infirmary reported that sixty-eight
persons were in his care.
As an aftermath of the Civil War,
pensions for veterans began to assume
considerable proportions. These ran
from $100.00 per month for total dis-
ability, down to a few dollars a
month. Actual need was the test, but
a great many of the veterans drew a
pension of $12.00 per month. Such a
veteran who lived in the rural sec-
tions and kept a garden, a cow, pigs,
and chickens, could get along with
his pension for cash money, and many
of them did so.
An activity then important, was
rag carpet making by women. In
1884, Sarah Wells of Randolph pro-
duced 685 yards of rag carpet on her
loom.
Talking By Wire
The years 1884-85 was a "hard
time" period, but in 1885 the Raven-
na Polo team played the Kent Polo
team and won, 3 to 2.
A card was displayed in the shop
of the Crown Flint Glass Co. at Ra-
venna as required by law, and in
other shops as well, notifying all that
no person was required to work more
than 60 hours a week, nor could any-
one work there under 12 years of age.
In this era the telephone reached
Portage County to stay. Ravenna got
telephones in 1881, and in 1882, the
Midland Company started an ex-
change in Kent, and in the same year
a "long distance" line was strung to
Stow to connect up with the outer
world.
Manufacturing had been done
mainly in small shops, employing a
few hands. Some continued to grow,
and there was a variety of products.
It is of interest now to read figures
put out by the state labor department
in 1888, on employment in Ravenna
and Kent in that year. In Ravenna,
the Diamond Glass Co. employed 58
hands; Ravenna Woollen Mills, 55;
Quaker Mills, 83; Ravenna Glass Co.,
83; Johnson Box Co., 5; Merts & Rid-
dle, 50; with a scattering of others.
In Kent, Turner & Sons employed
175; The Erie Shops, 320; Parsons
Lumber, 10; Williams Mill, 30; Rail-
way Speed Recorder, 88; and a num-
ber of small plants.
In addition to these, there were
about 40 cheese factories scattered
Canal boats proceeded in a leisurely manner. So did their business. W. K. Witter,
who was a clerk in the Prentiss store in Ravenna in the early forties, says the canal
company ,which did considerable freight business, had no local office. When a canal
boat captain with goods for Prentiss, arrived at midnight, he tied up the boat, walked to
Witter's house and got him out of bed. They then went to the canal and checked the
freight, after which Witter paid the bill and the boat went on.
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P6 RTAGE HERITAGE
throughout the county, each employ-
ing two or three persons. The cheese
manufacturing business in Portage
County, though, had then about
reached its apex.
Enticement For Industry
In this time, towns were trying to
attract factories and offered induce-
ments which ended disastrously. In
1890, Kent citizens voted to bond the
town for $100,000 for a fund to foster
industry under a law which permitted
bond issuance for park "and other
improvement." The following ten
years saw a dismal record of negotia-
tion and repudiation, small factories
which soon petered out, default on
bond interest in the end. Before all
was settled the program had cost
$223,000 with little to show for it,
although upon the ruins of various
enterprises some businesses were built
which later were of permanent value.
In 1885, a Portage County Humane
Society was formed to deal with cruel-
ty to animals and cruelty to children.
In 1884, a Ravenna newspaper
thought it worth while to mention
the fact that "two Italian children
are attending grade school."
These were the days of the roller
skating rinks which achieved great
popularity and their doings were re-
ported in the papers regularly. Dorcas
Societies were in existence and ap-
parently were quite active in their
field. Newspapers carried a puzzle
corner. Boys and girls read the
Youth's Companion, or Golden Days
and later the American Boy.
Jail In Poor Shape
The Byers Machine Co., organized
in Ravenna in 1873 were doing a
large business in general repair work.
There were more sheep raised in the
county and wool merchants did a
good business. Steam heat for build-
ings was new and dealers were push-
ing its use. Two Deerfield merchants
one year bought a total of 275,000
pounds of wool.
In 1885, the county grand jury, in
its report, condemned the condition
of the county jail. It has done so reg-
ularly since then.
The county's first telephone ex-
change was put in operation in Ra-
venna in 1882-83 and was reported as
"making steady progress."
New songs which became "popu-
lar" were being put out right along.
Among these were: "Little Annie
Rooney", "Wait Til The Sun Shines
Nellie", "After The Ball", "The Bow-
ery", "I Don't Want To Play In Your
Yard", "Sweet Marie", "Where Did
You Get That Hat", "Take Back Your
Gold", "Just As The Sun Went
Down", "Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay" and
"On The Banks of The Wabash."
In the '90's, something else that
was new by way of entertainment,
In 1890, President E. V. Zollars instituted a "ministerial course" at Hiram College.
Many students were enrolled in the course and most of these did supply preaching for
various Disciple churches each Sunday. Some had regular charges. Each Saturday after-
noon, so many students left the campus carrying suit cases or over-night bags, that it was
almost an exodus in proportion.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
105
appeared. It was the phonograph ma-
chine. Agents had their machines at
the county fair, where by paying a
nickle, you could insert some tubes
into your ears and listen to the music
made by the phonograph.
Charity Work Scattered
Probably hearts beat in sympathy
for the poor and unfortunate at that
time as in any other, but organized
charity was not conspicious. Help for
the poor was mostly on the individual
basis, and a family of means would
have its own people to help. People
then knew more of the joys of person-
al charity. On the other hand, there
were church and other women's soc-
ieties which worked ardently to help
the unfortunate. There was little of
the fund raising drives that were to
be seen later. At that time charitable
groups known as Dorcas Societies
were active and did much good local-
In the rural sections, there still ex-
isted the institution known as the
"bee", where all worked together for
a common objective in help. It might
be a "wood bee" to provide fuel for a
needy family, or a "sewing bee" with
a similar purpose. The old custom of
having "barn raisings" still held, al-
ways accompanied by prodigious din-
ners with plenty to eat and drink.
With poor organization and much ex-
citement, it is a wonder that more
men were not hurt, than there were.
In the towns there had been fire
fighting organizations of a sort. With
the coming of water supply systems
with underground pipes, now there
was better protection. But in the
country, there was little protection
whatever. When a house or barn
caught fire, it usually burned down.
Continued incidents of this kind made
owners think of insurance, but all in-
surance, both fire and life, was still in
elementary stages and was not yet
fully accepted by the public.
They Roll Their Hoops
Country preachers, who struggled
An Early Operation
Df. Joseph DeWolfe of Ravenna gained fame for performing an operation on a case
or strangulated hernia in 1825 — one of the first if not the first anywhere. But another
interesting operation took place in Franklin Township, about the same time. James Hay-
maker was taken ill with a swelling in his neck. Local doctors could not help him. He
was virtually given up as lost. It happened that at that time a Dr. Stocking, a noted
surgeon from the East, was visiting relatives in Brimfield. He was called in and declared
that the only help would be through an operation. He would do it. Others, including Dr.
DeWolfe, were extremely skeptical. As the patient suffered so greatly, the family told
Stocking to go ahead. Chloroform was then unheard of. Four doctors held the patient as
Dr. Stocking pierced the swelling with a double-bladed lancet. Out spurted blood, pus and
a small feather which in some way had entered the throat. James Haymaker recovered
and lived for many years after that. He was the son of James Haymaker, once postmaster
at Meadville, Pa., and reputedly private secretary of Aaron Burr.
(This incident was told to Mrs. Charlotte Weaver by Judge DePeyster who was
present at the operation.)
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
along with very low salaries, were
forced to welcome the "donation par-
ties" for them, in order to get along.
By way of entertainment, there was
the stereoscope, the magic lantern
and crokinole. Boys rolled their
hoops. Parlors were kept darkened
and closed, to be opened only when
company came.
Casters with salt, pepper, vinegar,
etc., were on every table, and the kit-
chen stove had a "reservoir" for hot
water. People drank tea and coffee
from a saucer and cups had no
handles.
Men took up pointed shoes, often
of patent leather. They wore stiff
bosomed white shirts with detachable
cuffs. Ladies carried parasols and fans,
and their hats were works of art with
ostrich feathers, flowers, and ribbons.
It became a fad for young fellows
to play the mandolin, as they later
did the ukelele. They wore high chok-
er stiff white collars, and blazers with
vertical stripes. Strawberry festivals
were popular, and plenty of firecrack-
ers and other fireworks were the rule
for the Fourth, which were in no way
restricted.
Medicine Man Here
Now gone and nearly forgotten is
the medicine man, who during warm-
er weather worked on the street corn-
ers. Sometimes it was from a wagon
in a vacant lot usually with music as
an attraction, his "spiel" was the lure
that brought money for his nostrums,
under the gas light. Sometimes entire
companies were used.
On the farms, the owners often cut
a second crop of clover, from which
they threshed out clover seed for their
own use.
Only sports or depraved persons
smoked cigarettes. Merchants adver-
tised three grades of sugar — brown,
coffee (light brown) and crushed.
A man could buy a two-pants suit
of clothes for $12.50. Wooden Indians
stood before cigar stores and little
boys spent their pennies for shoe
string licorice and peppermint candy,
or barber pole sticks of candy.
Bryan Stirs 'Em Up
Of all the political campaigns since
the Hard Cider Campaign of 1840,
none were quite so heated and excit-
ing as the McKinley-Bryan president-
ial campaign of 1896. The fact that
McKinley lived in nearby Canton,
added zest to the contest here. Bryan
made the silver question his main is-
sue and voters split up on this ques-
tion. Here, as elsewhere, party lines
were broken. They argued learnedly
about it though it is doubtful if many
really understood it. Friendships were
broken and sometimes churches and
lodges were divided on the new issue.
The county was flooded with cam-
paign speakers of various degrees of
ability. McKinley remained at Can-
ton and special trains from Portage
Dr. George Sadler of Ravenna directed that his favorite riding horse, Rocket, should
lead his funeral cortege. His wishes were carried out. Nearing the cemetery Rocket be-
came excited, reared and fell backward on the carriage bearing the officiating clergyman,
and crushing it.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
107
County carried his followers there to
hear him talk in his famous front
porch speeches. But Bryan visited this
county and spoke briefly at Ravenna.
Both parties had mammoth all coun-
ty parades. The Democratic party pa-
rade included horsemen on sixteen
white horses with one yellow one, to
emphasize the "sixteen to one" silver
slogan. Probably what actually in-
fluenced voters more than the silver
issue, was McKinley's advocacy of
high tariff and thereby a "full din-
ner pail."
In the 70's and Ws the W.C.T.U.
and others were active in combatting
the open saloon and advocating tem-
perance. Sometimes the W.C.T.U. wo-
men knelt in prayer in the dusty
street before a saloon, asking God's
help in subduing the evils of the liq-
uor traffic. In 1881, an old church
building in Garrettsville was blown
to pieces by an explosion of gun-
powder. This act was attributed to
"whiskey apologists" by members of
the church, as an act of retaliation,
against temperance organizations.
Gay Travel Outfits
One of the tragedies of this era was
a wreck on the Erie Railroad, near
the Ravenna station in July, 1891,
wherein 19 persons were killed and
23 hurt. One passenger train was "tel-
escoped" by another freight train.
Many of those killed were glass blow-
ers from the city of Corning, New
York, on excursion and on their way
home.
This period might be considered
the height of the horse-and-buggy
life. Nearly everyone owned a horse,
whether in town or country. For the
well-to-do, it meant a two horse team.
To own a phaeton or surrey was some-
thing special. Occasionally, sports
with four-in-hands could be seen. A
rubber tired buggy was a novelty.
Accessories to horse-and-buggy
travel were many. These included lap
robes of many kinds and styles (or-
nate or a horse blanket or buffalo
robe); fancy buggy whips and whip
sockets; mud guards; hampers and
trunks; and what not.
By 1885, the use of the high- wheel
bicycle was at its peak. About that
time the "safety" bicycle was brought
out with two wheels of equal size.
They had rubber tires — hard ones at
first, then cushion or pneumatic tires.
From that time on, bicycling was a
veritable craze. Bicycles racers were
people of importance. Wheel clubs
were formed and Sunday outings
were popular and numerous. It was
a favorite ride from Ravenna to Kent,
or yice versa. The situation remained
until the gasoline buggy appeared.
Nineties Not So Gay
After the year 1900, someone or-
iginated the expression "The Gay
Nineties", which is still used quite
generally, as if it were a period of
Zeb Rudolph of Hiram was the father-in-law of James A. Garfield. When word
reached him that Garfield had been nominated for the presidency, he took the news calmly
and remarked, "I hope no harm will come of it."
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
happiness and unusual good times.
But to those who lived in that period
and later never saw anything particu-
larly gay about it, at least it was no
different. Certainly those who went
through the "hard times" of 1892 and
1893, and another in 1896-97, saw
nothing gay about the '90's. But, life
was beginning to be a little easier and
the age of mechanization was coming
on. Music and ways of entertainment
were increasing and coming on in
lighter vein.
The brief Spanish American War
was another event that stirred people
of the county. As a war, it was the
shortest of all American conflicts,
lasting less than six months, although
the Philippine war dragged on long-
er. There was yet no draft but num-
bers of Portage County lads volun-
teered for service in both army and
navy. Some lost their lives, but the
war as a whole was merely a stir of
excitement. William R. Day, a native
of Ravenna, was President McKinley's
secretary of state when a peace treaty
with Spain was finally signed. The
war came quickly, and was quickly
forgotten.
Those were the days when Hood's
Sarsparilla and Ayers Sarsparilla were
popular and well advertised remedies,
for coughs and colds and buliding up
strength. Warners Safe Cure And
Radways Ready Relief were also good
sellers that were found on the shelves
on the drug stores. In fact, all kinds
of patent medicines sold readily.
About this time, too, ice cream and
soda were finding their way as articl-
es of merchandise, first in the drug
store, then in confectioneries.
The ordinary man still took his
Saturday bath in the kitchen out of a
wash tub, filled with hot water from
the stove reservoir, but a few tin lined
tubs were appearing, and occasional-
ly an enameled one. "Base burners"
using hard coal were still considered
elite, but soon furnaces were being in-
stalled in homes, particularly the new
ones.
At this time many prosperous farm-
ers liked to have their names painted
on the roofs of their barns. Some of
these can be seen today. Another sign
of affluence was a gilded weather
vane in the form of a rooster or spread
eagle, on top of the barn.
By this time kerosene oil was be-
coming an important commodity, not
only for use in lamps, but for cooking
and heating stoves and even furnaces.
Sales were sufficient to warrant the
erection of an oil storage tank in Kent
in 1897 to supply the retail direct by
"means of a wagon built especially
for that purpose." At that time, too,
the Standard Oil Co. was being rough
on all competitors by meeting and
cutting prices of competitors.
Health Conditions
There was still a great deal of other
contagious disease. Diptheria struck
On July 4, 8 and 9, 1881, the Palmyra Dramatic Club put on the play, "Saratoga",
under a tent pitched at Palmyra Center. The railroad ran excursion trains for the event
and large crowds came from nearby areas.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
109
Locomotive of the type first used on the A. & G. W. (Erie) at Kent.
often, as did typhoid fever, the cause
of which was not understood. At Hi-
ram, several bright students died of
typhoid epidemic, the cause of which
was traced to water drunk at a ban-
quet. When anti-toxin was put into
use, people were at first slow to make
use of its help. They were suspicious
and often unbelieving. Sanitation in
homes and schools left much to be
desired by present standards. Health
agencies were still unknown.
During the '90's the entire country
was swept with a new disease. Since
it was imported from Europe where
a French physician named it "La
Grippe", people here simply called it
"grip." The malady was much the
same as the one later called "influen-
za", but at first assumed serious pro-
portions and was wide spread. This
region had its share.
Water supplies for the home came
from dug or drilled wells, and for
washing, "soft" rainwater was kept in
a barrel or cistern.
In the '80's, vagrants (tramps) were
fined and put to work on Ravenna
streets, wearing ball and chain. They
did little work, but were allowed 75
cents per day on fines.
They advertised marriages like bus-
iness cards.
In 1886, the Ravenna Republican
reported that Recilus Hartle was ar-
rested in Ravenna for speeding with
horse and buggy. He hit a cow and
the shafts disemboweled it on West
Main Street.
Milk for home consumption was
carried around town in a large can
and a dipper was used to dole it out.
When the horn tooted or bell rang,
the housewife came out with her
bowl or pail and got her milk. It was
five or six cents a quart.
Trolley Cars Come In
In this period something new came
10
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
to the county by way of quick and
cheaper transportation. It was the
electric trolley line, which reached
Kent from Akron in 1895, then went
on to Ravenna in 1901 as the N.O.T.
For nearly 40 years the hum of the
trolley was heard. The line was ex-
tended to Warren, over the old B. &
O. right of way, in 1912 and also to
Alliance about the same time. The
electric lines did a steady business
until the automobile began to be so
numerous, and freight carrying motor
trucks were developed. The last elec-
tric car went over the line in 1932,
and the tracks were abandoned. They
were owned by the Northern Ohio
Traction Light Co., centering in Ak-
ron. The electric cars were succeeded
by bus lines— first the P. & O. Coach
Line, later the Greyhound.
In all the larger towns of the coun-
ty, there still stands today, many of
the large dwelling houses considered
so magnificent in former days. Ra-
venna, Kent, and Garrettsville have
many beautiful homes of this type
and even on the farms, homes of great
size and magnificence could be seen.
It was an era of important families
and many of these like to show their
importance and prosperity by build-
ing fine homes. The modern homes,
of the ''efficiency" type, look small
compared with them, though the lat-
ter lacked comforts and conveniences
of a later day.
On the farms, also, rail fences no
longer were constructed. If not of
boards, then the new wire and barbed
wire fences were put in. Electric
fences came later.
Street Paving Begins
Politically, it was a time for great
mass meeting in presidential years,
with noted orators as a special at-
traction. It probably was the heyday of
Hilarious Muster Day
Under old Ohio law all able bodied men were considered members of the state
militia and were required to report for drill on "muster days" held once a year. Most
men refused to take these affairs seriously. Often the officers did not. Marvin Kent related
that in reporting for duty at Ravenna, he had a captain named Festus Hill who was a sort
of buffoon who made a mockery of his job. Captain Festus insisted on calling his men
"cattle" and when drilling them yelled "whoa", "haw", "gee", and "get up", instead of
formal commands. Some of the boys had no uniforms and some were barefoot, with a
stick instead of a gun. Many wore ridiculous costumes. As Festus had a heavy beard, some
of his men wore fake beards of hair to imitate and ridicule the captain.
Another captain, Elhannan Cutler, was usually well liquored up. On one occasion,
after drill, he took a short cut to the Square and thereby fell into a tannery vat. He was
completely immersed and his blue uniform turned to black.
During the horseplay, the boys threw things about, including eggs and fruit. Kent
had been "arrested" as a joke. He stood before Gen. Lucius Bierce, a dignified man, who
was on hand in full formal uniform. At that moment a thrown tomato hit the general
on the chest. He took one look at his coat, then roared "Damn them. Take them dead or
alive and bring them in."
Militia training and muster day were discontinued about 1843,
PORTAGE HERITAGE
II
the political orators, and there were
some good ones. Crowds loved the
rounded appeals to patriotism and
the flag waving that was displayed.
An important change in street ap-
pearance started in this period. Gar-
rettsville boasts the first piece of
street paving in the county, it being
installed about 1885. Ravenna got its
Main Street partly paved in 1898, and
Kent's Water Street was paved in
1900. Other streets in the towns then
followed and the looks of towns
changed.
But sleigh riding was the most pop-
ular winter diversion and mass sled-
ding parties were often organized.
In the latter part of the 20th cen-
tury, a man came to Portage County
from England by way of Warren, and
developed a science and a business
that has become nation wide in scope
and fame. He was John Davey, some-
times known as the "Father of Tree
Surgery." This man, who had been a
trained horticulturist and landscape
Reading, 'Righting and 'Rithmetic
Miss Lydia Ernest taught an early school in a log building in Palmyra. This had
a mud-and-stick chimney over the fireplace. When school was in session one day, a large
milk snake which had been basking in the night warmth of the chimney, came thumping
down to the floor to escape the increasing heat. The teacher grabbed a stick and killed
the reptile while the pupils looked on.
When the old Nelson Academy was in operation, the school board had a rule that
if buildings were damaged, then teachers had to pay for it, unless they could repair the
damage themselves. Teachers in district schools were always their own janitors.
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall operated a select school in Ravenna in 1847-48. They an-
nounced that "the course of instruction will be thorough, and the government of the
school parental in character — , mild, yet firm."
Miss Amy Heriff, long a Kent teacher, wrote in 1939; "It surely is a fact that most
high school students spend more in a month (for pleasure), than college students of the
'90s spent in an entire year. They walked more in those days."
In Mrs. E. C. Root's History of Streetsboro, she writes: "Mrs. Elisa (Hannum) Killie
relates that a "Select School" was held for a time in the Congregational church. A wide
board was hung by hinges to the back of each pew; these when propped up, served as
desks for pupils during the school week, after which they were dropped to be ready for
Sunday services."
Mrs. Mary Wyatt taught school in a log cabin in Streetsboro in 1835. She received
Si. 00 per week salary and boarded around. When the term closed her patrons were so
well pleased that they gave her an extra 12-1/2 cents per week to show their appreciation.
Up until fifty years ago the pay of district school teachers was rarely over $25.00
per month.
First celery grown on a commercial scale in Portage County, is said to have been
raised by Henry Kreinberg of Randolph, who made his first sales in Ravenna in 1873.
12
PO RtAGE HERITAGE
man, found new methods of caring
for trees, in trimming and nourishing
them. The result was a new and prac-
tical science. He wrote for periodicals
and compiled a book, "The Tree Doc-
tor" which taught methods of caring
for trees as individuals comparable to
those for human beings. He thought
trees needed attention as individuals
and sought the answers. Tree lovers
were interested. Eventually, the Davey
Tree Expert Co. was formed and serv-
ices given to the public. Its workers
became known as "tree doctors." Mr.
Davey's sons were taken into the or-
ganization and after his death a great
period of expansion took place. The
young "tree doctors" were given both
theoretical and practical training.
Workers were brought in for periods
of instruction in such things as bot-
any, entomology, plant diseases, and
other subjects dealing with trees.
Trained instructors guided them. A
new science and profession was de-
veloped. As a business, Kent became
the center of a nation-wide system.
The Davey tree doctors operate all
over America and the success of the
work here stimulated others elsewhere
to teach and work scientifically.
Hospital A Luxury
This was the time when the "hired
girl" was in demand. It was about
the only calling in which a girl could
find a job, outside of teaching and
stenography. Many girls "worked
out" for $2.00 or more a week and
found, with long hours and little di-
version. Child birth at a hospital was
then a luxury which only the rich
could afford. The stork was welcomed
at homes, with or without a doctor
in attendance. The calling of midwife
was recognized and many of the?^
workers still practiced their profes-
sion. Quite frequently, too, births oc-
curred without benefit of trained
help.
When the typewritting machines
were perfected, along with shorthand,
there was a demand for stenographers,
but these did not become "secretaries"
until a much later date.
By the end of the century Portage
County was a far different place than
it was when Abraham Honey came
to Mantua, both from local and na-
tional standpoint. It was not only
"civilized", but it was modernized in
relation to other places. No longer
was it a purely agricultural county.
Its natural advantages in a world of
developing world of commerce and
manufacturing were becoming appa-
rent, since transportation was playing
a greater and greater role. Cities were
growing all around. Portage was in-
deed in the midst of things. Hiram
College had become an institution of
importance.
Organizations of all kinds were
coming into existence — seeking to
benefit members, but often for the
benefit of others, for social, business
or humanitarian reasons.
Owen Brown, father of John Brown the abolitionist, was a Portage County Com-
missioner in 1816 and after.
CHAPTER VI I I
Horseless Carriage Appears
When the world entered the present
century, the people of the United
States had gotten a new and different
view-point. A successful war with an
European nation had been quickly
won and American power was being
felt in distant parts of the world, such
as China and the Philippines. The
world looked at America with a new
interest, though few yet realized the
latent powers of the nation.
Here in America the nation began
to feel its oats, though it meant to
mind its own business. Theodore
Roosevelt succeeded McKinley as pres-
ident and his policy was to "walk soft-
ly but carry a big stick."
Portage County began the new cen-
tury with a population of 29,426. The
nation was prosperous. New machines
were being perfected, among which
was the horseless carriage. It leaped
into popularity and the time soon ar-
rived when everyone wanted one of
his own. This meant work and em-
ployment. The use of electric power
increased and telephone lines were be-
ing installed everywhere.
Trolley Car Comes
Into Portage County then, came an
extension of the electric trolley lines,
too, the transportation system that
came and went within a period of
forty years, but far exceeded the canal
in amount of traffic. That new toy,
the automobile, was to put them out
of business, just as the steam railroad
had put the canal out of business. The
railroads themselves, at this time,
were improving tracks and rolling
stock because heavier and heavier
loads were being carried.
In the rural schools something was
going on that meant a great deal. Lo-
cal districts were being combined and
consolidated so that each township
had its own high school. This meant
that pupils must be transported from
home to school and the horse drawn
bus came into use — later the motor
bus. Portage County was among the
first in Ohio to use the school bus and
fifty years later the first to make use
of the multi- township district where
a single high school takes care of the
entire district.
Schools Consolidated
Coming about the same time as
school consolidations, was the advent
of the county school superintendent
and the county board of education,
with responsibility for general direc-
tion of county schools outside city
districts. The first county superinten-
dent was H. B. Turner, later super-
intendent of Warren city schools, who
took office in 1914. In no other activ-
ity were there more important
changes.
In Portage County, school consoli-
dations and the use of buses were
made possible by a special enabling
law passed by the legislature in 1896,
after which changes came slowly.
Portage was one of the three counties
affected by the law, the others being
1)3
14
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Lake and Stark. But the measure was
considered a novelty in the education-
al world, though it actually was an
important step in rural school man-
agement everywhere.
The county's first improved modern
road was one and three quarters miles
on the Dawley, or Infirmary road,
leading northwest of Ravenna. This
was in 1907.
Before this time nobody had paid
much attention to better highways.
Only occasionally a small voice was
raised. Teams plodded along through
mud in winter and dust in the sum-
mer. Now the horseless carriage made
folks think of better means of travel.
In 1904 a "good roads convention"
was held in Ravenna and by 1907
the county was planning its first strip
of "pavement."
Road Building Starts
This "good roads convention" was
one of the first signs of stirring in-
terest in better travel — not only in
the county but in the state. Here in
Portage County there was action — of
a halting and uncertain kind. There
was the question of how to pay for
roads and there were few "experts"
among either planners of contractors.
A beginning was made when it was
decided to go ahead with 1-3/4 miles
on the "Infirmary Road" out of Ra-
venna. Under supervision of state
road commissioner "Sam" Houston,
bids were asked for a macadam road.
Bids ranged from $15,000 to $18,000.
"All too high" said the commissioner.
They tried again. This time they got
a bid of $12,781 from E. E. Morgan, a
Ravenna man. This was in 1907 and
the start was made.
The plans for the first construction
of the "Infirmary Road" called for an
improved eight foot lane, but this
lane was to be in the middle of the
road. Before the contractor had done
much work, patrons of the route peti-
tioned for placing of the travel lane
along one side, with dirt or gravel
strip alongside for passing. The con-
tractor agreed to make the change
at no cost. This set the pattern for
not only later roads of the county but
of the entire state as well.
The Ravenna Republican writer in
1907 says that the Infirmary Road
construction was "to be a sample sec-
tion of good roads" as formulated by
Commissioner Houston.
Get State Aid
This start at the present time seems
like a comparatively recent thing to
the older residents, but it was then
progress by trial and error. There was
Boone Leaped, Too
Apparently, Capt. Samuel Brady had
a rival in his river- jumping activity, in
the person of Daniel Boone. According
to some of the old Ohio county histories
Boone leaped across the Little Miami
river at Clifton Falls to escape his In-
dian captors. It was said to have been a
2 2 -foot leap.
Kent was named in honor of the Kent
family, Zenas and Marvin. But it is said
that Marvin Kent wanted to have the
town named Rockton. Others felt that
Kent would be more appropriate. Rock-
ton Masonic lodge at Kent, does carry
the name proposed by Mr. Kent. The
name "Rockton" arises from the presence
of Standing Rock.
PORTAGE HERITAGE M5
a new attitude. Back in 1892, Gover- cern, and it maintained an attitude of
nor William McKinley had appointed masterly inactivity. Now the need of
a commission to study the need for state and local co-operation was easily
better roads. This commission report- understood, but so far the state corn-
ed that public highways could never missioner's work was thought to be
be more than a matter of local con- mainly in showing local authorities
Hanging of McKisson
The occasion that always drew the largest crowds one hundred and twenty-five years
ago, was that of a public hanging. Portage County had several of these events and they
never failed to attract the morbidly curious by the thousands. Hangings were regarded
as a necessity and execution in public was considered proper.
An old letter by a county man gives interesting light on the public sentiment of the
times. Francis Strong of Hiram wrote the letter in 1883, describing the hanging of David
McKisson at Ravenna in 1838. He related that the sheriff, George Wallace, had heard
rumors that an attempt to rescue McKisson was planned.
"The sheriff, to make things sure, requested Gen. Bierce, who commanded the First
Brigade, Ohio Division, militia, to call out troops. Gen. Bierce had just returned from
the Patriot War in Canada, where he came near losing his head. He ordered out all field
and staff officers to appear at Ravenna at 9 a.m., equipped for guard duty and to be
mounted on horse back.
"Feb. 9 was a cold day. Arriving at Ravenna we found the court house well warmed,
a rendezvous for the militia. About 9 the general's aid rode through town with fife and
drum, called the militia together and paraded them on vacant land near where the Phoe-
nix Block stands. Soon the general appeared. He formed the militia into a hollow square
and promptly at 1 o'clock, all started on parade. Officers and staff were in brilliant
uniform. They rode onto the grounds, forming on right field. Staff officers, mounted
with drawn swords, placed two wagons within the hollow square, one for sheriff and the
prisoner, and the other for the Garrettsville band which was to play for us to march later.
"We marched west to where the Etna Block now stands, then turned south and
marched to the old jail. We found the road blocked with men. The road was cleared by
Col. Drake of Freedom. Drake rode up to the crowd and, changing ends with his horse,
drove the spurs into its sides. The horse began to show signs of fight with his hind legs
and the crowd soon cleared the track.
"The sheriff came out arm in arm with the prisoner and they took their places in
the wagon assigned to them. Then all marched nearly half a mile to the gallows. On
arriving there we found it guarded by Capt. Andrews' company from Garrettsville. They
were soon relieved by a mounted guard. The sheriff and prisoner marched arm in arm
up the stairs to the gallows. Placing the prisoner on the drop, the sheriff said,
"Have you anything to say?
"Yes, I have," said the prisoner and spoke for half an hour. At any rate, we poor
fellows on horseback thought so.
"When he was through the sheriff turned around and, taking his deputy by the arm,
walked down stairs. When they stepped on the last step the trap was sprung and the
prisoner was hanging in the air."
Strong adds that on the previous day he had asked Smith Manley, an acquaintance,
if he were going to the hanging. "Yes," replied Smith, "Sabrina, my wife, never saw but
three men hung and we must see this man, sartin." Sabrina and Smith rode to Ravenna
in a lumber wagon for the hanging.
It is said there were about 20,000 spectators in Ravenna for the occasion.
116
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Three generations of the Kent family
— Zenas, Marvin and William.
how it was to be done. Yet, during
the first half of the old century, peo-
ple had held to the principle of state
aid for roads. Now it was being re-
vived. In 1905, the state had allocated
money to counties. Each county re-
ceived $113.00 that year and the sum
was increased annually until 1911,
when each county received $5,000.
This, of course, even then, was only a
"drop in the bucket."
Use Concrete Materials
At first, macadam roads were in
mind, but soon rural counties wanted
hard-surfaced highways. Then brick
surfaced roads were constructed, us-
ually one-lane affairs, with gravel
lanes alongside for passing purposes.
When one driver met another, some
one had to get off the brick. Concrete
as a road material was not generally
used until about 1916-17, and "black-
top" or asphalt considerably later.
But about the same time the "In-
firmary Road" was being improved,
Dan R. Hanna offered to pay half the
cost of improving the road from Ra-
venna to his Cottage Hill home. After
full consideration, his offer was ac-
cepted.
Cost of the Hanna Road was to be
met by Hanna, the county and Ra-
venna Township trustees. The trustees
had at first demurred, arguing that
the county should pay half. The Ra-
venna Board of Trade entered the ne-
gotiations and got the backing of
township taxpayers by way of peti-
tions and finally the trustees accepted
the plan on the basis of 50% payment
by Hanna; 40% by the county; and
10% by the township. This, too, was
to be a macadam road.
Work and Play
The first decade of the new cen-
tury really deserved the designation
PORTAGE HERITAGE
117
of "gay" more than the preceding
one. People were earning more and
better wages, and though working
hours were still long, more leisure
time was spent in recreation. Baseball
had already attained popularity but
now it was still greater. Kent, in par-
ticular, had some teams of near pro-
fessional caliber. A new game called
golf was appearing in the cities and
attracting attention every where,
though Portage County had no golf
course until about 1922, when the
first opened at Twin Lakes.
Football had been played by only
one or two high school teams, now
other teams and township high
schools were also played by numerous
amateur town teams.
Brady Lake, which had started as a
Spiritualist camp ground, now grew
into a sizeable amusement park. It
became an amusement park in 1891.
In its growth, it was aided by the new
trolley car line, which brought in
regular patrons from Ravenna, Kent,
Cuyahoga Falls and other places. A
good deal of money was spent in fix-
ing up the park and "bathing and
fishing" was of the best, so the public
was assured. It was known as Electric
Park in 1904. A large number of peo-
ple from Ravenna and Kent owned
summer cottages around the land,
which they either occupied them-
selves or rented out. In addition to
entertaining people nearby, the park
also attracted many people further
away who came by excursion trains.
Long lines of passenger cars were of-
ten seen parked along the tracks,
waiting the return trip.
Amusement Resorts
The attractions at Brady Lake in-
cluded a theater where stock com-
panies played every summer, usually
to good crowds. Handsome, yellow
haired Chester Bishop, was the "mat-
inee idol" on his day. He later went
into moving pictures. Al Lawrence,
the Ravenna monologist, was a favo-
rite.
It was much the same at Geauga
Lake, with its large amusement park.
This, too, had long been a pleasure
resort, and new proprietors, with
more money, proceeded to develop it.
A little more remote, and without
railroads, Nelson Ledges had long
been a picnic and sight-seeing place,
but since it was accessible only by
horse and buggy, was not so well
known. With the coming of better
transportation it soon became more
popular.
Nearby Silver Lake resort also drew
many patrons from this county.
Trap shooting had its devotees and
a grounds at Brady Lake had regular
"shoots."
Daily Milk Trains
Sandy Lake (now Stafford) was a
popular summer place, with a hotel,
Richard J. Thompson of Ravenna
bought and used the first mowing ma-
chine used in the Western Reserve. This
was about 1855. Its operation attracted
large crowds of spectators.
Brimfield once had two wool buyers
and shippers. Reuben Brobst in some
seasons handled over 100,000 pounds,
while J. T. Williams handled 75,000
pounds.
118
PORTAGE HERITAGE
and had its regular patrons. A Pitts-
burgh military company camped there
every summer. But all the county
lakes were useful for recreation pur-
poses and summer homes along them
were numerous.
At this time no one had thought
much of "country living" for city
business men, but there was a great
deal of "commuting" to and from
cities by city workers. The Erie Ma-
honing branch, passing through Gar-
rettsville, Mantua, and Aurora, car-
ried many commuters to Cleveland,
as did the Pennsylvania road. The
"Ravenna Accommodation" was long
a popular train for such commuters
as was the "Alliance Accommoda-
tion." Milk trains also ran regularly.
Those who rode the "Accommoda-
tion" included not only job holders,
but merchants, lawyers, and business
men. Dan R. Hanna, the Cleveland
industrialist who developed the fam-
ous Cottage Hill estate and lived
there, was long a regular rider. "Milk
Trains" were also run on the W. &
L. E. and the Mahoning branch of the
Erie through the County.
Normal School Located
At this time something happened
in Kent which was to have great im-
portance in education, not only here
but through Northeastern Ohio. Hi-
ram College then had attained a place
of influence with Miner Lee Bates as
president with an enrollment of over
300 students, and with an excellent
standing. The state decided to put in
operation two normal schools, one in
Northeast Ohio, and one in North-
west Ohio. If they followed the pat-
tern of teacher colleges in other states,
this would mean schools of 200 or
300 students annually. Yet they were
The Busy Badger
In the church history of the Western Reserve, the name of Rev. Joseph Badger ap-
pears often. A native of Massachusetts, from which place he entered the Revolutionary
Army at the age of 18 and fought in the battle of Bunker Hill. He wanted to go to college
and he earned the money necessary for this by teaching school and giving singing les-
sons. In 1786, he was licensed to preach and then occupied pulpits in various towns. The
Connecticut Congregational church organization was impressed by the needs for new
churches on the Ohio frontier and sent Badger here as a missionary in 1800. He arrived
by the way of Pittsburgh in December of that year. The historian, Harvey Rice, says that
in 1801, Badger visited nearly every settlement and most of the families of the Reserve.
As stated elsewhere and as set out in his letters, he was greatly discouraged by the ungodly
attitude or indifferences of settlers. But he was a zealous man and kept on under dis-
couraging circumstances with hardly enough income to live on. When the Connecticut
Missionary Society reduced his pay to $6.00 a week, he resigned. Later he became a worker
for the Massachussetts Missionary Society, which sent him to Sandusky to work among the
Indians. In a short time he came back to Ashtabula county and preached in several towns.
When he quit his pastoral work in 1835, it is said that he was probably the best known
man in the entire Reserve, since he had visited or worked in so many places. He died in
Perry sburg, Ohio, in 1846. In all his church experience he never made more than a bare
living and died almost helpless physically, and without resources. He was in Portage
County frequently and did much to encourage establishment of churches.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
119
valuable acquisitions for any com-
munity and there was much rivalry
among towns to secure them. Kent
was then finally selected as the North-
eastern location in 1911. The new
school buildings were built on land
donated by W. S. Kent and the Kent
Normal School was under way. First
classes were held under a tent. By an-
other year or two, the "normal" was
in full operation, with Dr. John Mc-
Gilvrey as its first president. It proved
to be a popular school in teacher
training, but the summer terms at-
tracted many who came in for re-
fresher courses, or to work for de-
grees. Still, few then suspected that
the institution would ever be more
than a "normal school." The effects of
the school though, were felt at once,
and the general character of the town
began to change as well.
Forty years previous to the coming
of the normal school, Kent almost
had a college of a different type. In
1870 the Universalist church wanted
to establish a college and Kent had
been virtually decided upon as the
location, but at the last moment a
better financial offer was made from
Akron people and the institution lo-
cated there as Buchtel College — now
Akron University.
County Votes "Dry"
One of the matters which was then
occupying the public mind, was temp-
erance and regulation of the liquor
traffic. A series of new state laws were
passed which strengthened the hand
of the anti-liquor people, providing
for better liquor law enforcement and
also for countywide local option elec-
tions. Success was achieved in other
counties and in 1909 a county-wide
election was called for Portage Coun-
ty. Both sides were well organized.
Henry Spelman of Kent was campaign
manager for the "drys" and Attorney
Chas. Newton was manager for the
"wets." The campaign was bitter.
Public meetings were held and able
speakers argued for or against local
option.
The fight was not conducted along
old party-wide lines. A new party had
to be formed and for the drys the
Anti-Saloon League, then becoming
powerful, led the campaign. Both
sides managed to raise considerable
money — from gifts and contributions
and an advertising campaign was put
on. When the votes were counted that
fall, the drys had won in a vote of
4305 to 3121 wet. Saloons all over the
county were then obliged to close in
Portage County, but the man who
felt that liquor was needed could step
over into Summit County to have his
need filled, or any near county for
the same reason. Many from Ravenna
and Kent went to Cuyahoga Falls for
this purpose and the expression "go-
ing to the Falls", had double meaning.
The last trolley car coming from the
Falls on Saturday nights usually car-
ried a number of men who had im-
The Portage County Horticultural So-
ciety disbanded in 1931 after 52 years of
activity.
Diamond village once had an Opera
House which was run by the Harris
brothers.
120
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Currency issued in the '50s by the Portage County branch of the State Bank
of Ohio.
bibed unwisely, or were in belligerent
mood and some lively times resulted.
Often the motorman had to come to
the conductor's assistance with a con-
troller handle in his hand.
Later in 1915, under a new law,
Ravenna again voted dry, the vote
being 727 to 655. Kent then voted
dry, 654 to 554. Portage County also
voted dry in a state-wide contest in
1918.
Dresses Grow Shorter
In women's wear the bustle and bal-
loon sleeves had disappeared. Girls
and women wore skirt waists, likely
as not with a choker collar. Hair was
done up in a beautiful pompadour,
usually with the aid of a "rat." Wo-
men used hat pins to- keep their mil-
linery creations in place and full
skirts swept the ground until about
1910 when the bottom was lifted a
few inches. "Bloomers" were adopted.
School girls wore long black cotton
stockings, and in the winter, leggings,
with fascinators to keep the head
warm.
For the young males, skin tight
pants were soon replaced by the peg
top style. Those who had been part-
ing their hair in the middle now
turned to other styles. Some consider-
ed themselves dressed up if they wore
white rubber or celluloid collars.
Stiff, black derby hats were quite the
rule. College boys and "sports" wore
sweaters.
Ravenna observed its Homecoming
in 1909, with a celebration there.
Savings banks were paying 5% in-
terest on savings deposits.
Writers and composers of popular
music really started work in earnest
at the beginning of the new century.
Happily, many were in a gayer mood
than those of former years, though
the love motif remained. Quite early
came "The Good Old Summer Time";
"Coon, Coon, Coon"; "Sweet Bunch
of Daisies"; "Down Went McGinty";
"Goo Goo Eyes"; "Everybody Works
But Father"; "Has Anybody Here
Seen Kelly?"; "Alexanders Rag Time
Band"; "He's A Cousin of Mine";
PORTAGE HERITAGE
12
"Everybody Little Movement Has A
Meaning of It's Own"; "Margie"; and
a host of others.
The Big Snow
The year 1901, for years was long
known by older people as the "year
of the big snow." Strange to say, this
snow came in the latter part of April
after a period of quite warm weather.
Snow was over two feet deep on the
level and drifts much deeper. Some
communities reported a 60 inch fall.
Old fashioned hitching posts were
buried out of sight. Business every-
where was paralyzed as all travel,
even by train, was stopped. Fortunate-
ly, the snow was immediately follow-
ed by a few days of warm weather
and it quickly disappeared.
In November of 1913, another very
heavy snow spread over the county.
Again trains and road travel were
halted. Early spring of the same year
is remembered all over Ohio as the
time of the floods. Portage has good
elevation, so that heavy rains do not
do much damage, but the Cuyahoga
River was very high and its waters
overran much land. The dam at Kent
broke and was not rebuilt until the
following year. May 1, 1923 saw the
ground covered with snow, but for-
tunately frost damage was light.
Ice Business Important
Because of the many little lakes in
Portage County, an important bus-
iness in winter months, was the cut-
ting and storage of natural ice, to be
Beloved Pastor Storrs
Rev. Charles B. Storrs was a gifted and well beloved pastor of the first Congregational
church of Ravenna. He was Massachussetts born and well educated. In 1823 he became a
professor at the new Western Reserve College at Hudson and in 1830 he became its
president. But his health was poor and in 1833 he died. Storrs was a strong slavery
opponent and a friend of the poet, John G. Whittier. After Storr's death, Whittier wrote
a long poem in Storr's honor, two verses of which follow:
Joy to thy spirit, brother.
A thousand hearts are .warm,
A thousand kindred bosoms
Are baring to the storm.
What, though red handed violence
With secret fraud combine.
The wall of fire is 'round us,
Our present help was Thine.
Lo, the waking up of nations
From slavery's fatal sleep,
The murmur of a universe,
Deep calling unto deep.
Joy to thy spirit, brother!
On every wind of Heaven,
The onward cheer and summons
Of Freedom's voice is given.
C. B. Storrs was the father of Dr. Henry M. Storrs, also a famous Congregational
divine.
22
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
used later. H. L. Spelman and son,
Burt Spelman, had ice houses at Brady
Lake, Silver Lake, and Congress Lake
and did a large wholesale business.
The Forest City Ice Company about
1880 leased East Twin Lake and erect-
ed a storage and shipping building at
Earlville Station. When ice had form-
ed of sufficient thickness, it was neces-
sary to act rapidly in cutting because
of sudden weather changes. Large
numbers of men were hired and hors-
es pulled cutting machines and hauled
ice cakes across the ice to the ice
houses. The Spelman Brady Lake ice
house burned in 1924 in a spectacular
fire. But artifical ice was being man-
ufactured and the house, a landmark,
was not re-built. At Ravenna ice was
harvested from Crystal Lake, while
Fritch's Lake at Suffield and Geauga
Lake also furnished a great deal.
Sewer Lines Laid
Most of the county municipalities
had water and light systems by the
beginning of the century. Garrettsvil-
le claims the honor of having the first
street paving in 1880. Ravenna's first
pavement came in 1898 and in 1903,
Kent paved its North Water Street,
with a section of Main Street soon
after. Soon after this numerous streets
were paved in both towns. But in
summer, sprinkling carts still made
their regular rounds in order to keep
down the dust.
Other improvements were in the
wind. Ravenna started its sewer pro-
gram as early as 1907, but Kent had
none until 1916, after considerable
battling and threats from the state
health inspectors.
Ravenna's telephone system had
kept going from the start (1880) but
in Kent an exchange was installed,
only to quit business in a couple of
years. In 1895, the American Electric
Telephone Co. installed a system and
this has been in operation ever since,
with various changes of ownership
and names.
Kent Hunts Gas
In Kent, many people had been
enamored by the idea that a vein of
natural gas could be found under the
town. So interested did they become
that they made a public matter of it
and induced citizens to vote to spend
money to drill for gas. They did so in
1887, going to a depth of 2,255 feet,
where they did find a fair amount of
gas but not enough to be commercial-
ly saleable. The $3,000.00 authorized
for the work was exhausted and the
hunt for gas was discontinued. But
for many years after that there were
men who insisted that if they had on-
ly drilled deeper, there would have
been pleny of gas. In 1908, natural gas
was brought to both Ravenna and
Kent by the East Ohio Co.
In this period, there was a gradual
change in the physical appearance of
towns. The old wooden awnings over
American relief for unfortunate peo-
ple in Europe began early. In the April
21, 1847, issue of the Portage Sentinel,
Cyrus Prentiss, old time Ravenna mer-
chant prince, published a notice to local
people desiring to contribute for the
starving people of Ireland, Scotland and
Germany. He said that if flour, wheat
and corn was left at his warehouse, he
would forward it, at his own expense,
to its destination.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
23
store fronts were disappearing. The
wooden sidewalks with cross boards
had gone, replaced by stone flagging
for the most part. Now concrete was
being used, particularly in the busi-
ness section. Larger glass went into
the display windows of stores, which
were kept brilliantly lighted. Most
stores were open evenings until 9
o'clock. Hitching racks and posts still
stood along the streets but these grad-
ually disappeared after 1910. Parking
spaces replaced them, but meters did
not come into use until the 30's.
About that time, too, motorists who
drove from town to town, began to
complain about the rough roads and
demand smoother, all-weather high-
ways. By 1915, there were 16 motor
car dealers in the county.
Carnegie Sends Cash
The 1880 and 1890 decades might
be called the picket fence period.
Nearly every respectable home was
surrounded by a fence, usually of
white painted pickets, or of boards
also painted white or whitewashed.
Wealthy people might have an iron
picket place, with maybe the iron
figure of a dog, a deer, or some other
creature standing on the lawn. Oc-
casionally, there was a brick or stone
wall. Lawns were hard to keep but
In the heyday of the canal trade, J.
Bradshaw and H. B. Camp operated
what they called the White Warehouse
at Campbell's Port. They announced
that they did "all kinds of storage, for-
warding and commission business". This
meant they handled farm products and
did a merchandise business on anything
that was shipped on the canal.
the invention of the lawn mower
helped matters. After the turn of the
century, fences were no longer popu-
lar and people wanted their fine
lawns exposed to view.
At the beginning of this era, An-
drew Carnegie, the retired steel mil-
lionaire, was interested in bestowing
his money for libraries. Many towns,
great or small, were recipients of his
bounty. In 1903, a committee of Kent
citizens made application for money
for a library. Mr. Carnegie offered to
give $10,000.00, the town to furnish
a site with other conditions. The lot
was donated by Marvin Kent and Mr.
Carnegie later gave $1500.00 more,
and the Barnett family also gave $1,-
000.00. The library was built the fol-
lowing year. This was the only "Car-
negie Library" in the county. Over-
tures were made to Carnegie from
Ravenna. He was agreeable, but for
some reason the deal was never made.
Vaudeville and traveling dramatic
and musical shows, with summer
stock companies, were the accepted
means of thespian entertainment a-
bout this time, but something hap-
pened to change all this. It was the
coming of the moving picture pro-
jector. At first they went into vacant
store rooms and rented halls, as thea-
ter owners were disdainful of the
movie.
Moving Pictures Come
A moving picture theater was open-
ed in Ravenna by Laurens Bundy in
1905 and operated for a time. He sold
it to N. C. Fox. John Porter and A. F.
Lee started another about this time.
Kent had movies in 1906. These were
the first in the county. Music was
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
furnished by a pianist and sometimes
a vocalist, male or female, sang popu-
lar songs. Admission at first was only
five cents, hence the name "nickelod-
eon." The movies rose high in popu-
larity. In Garrettsville "Snow's
Shows" drew crowds. Movies were
"silent" until about 1929, when sound
was added. In this year the New Kent
theater was built and opened with
Rollin Lusk as manager. A year or
two later the New Ravenna Theater
was built by the same owners.
In the communications field, things
were stirring. The Kent Telephone
Co., was operating in that town and
in 1903 it combined with the Ra-
venna Telephone Co. and the Gar-
rettsville and Mantua companies to
form the Portage County Telephone
Co., with a capital of $100,000.00. The
Bell system had a franchise in Raven-
na but operated as a poor second be-
cause of the prejudice against monop-
olies. When Bell sought a franchise
in Kent in 1905, the town council re-
fused because so much money was
invested in the home system. In March
1918, the Ohio State Telephone Co.
took over the Portage County Co., but
in 1921 this company merged with
the Bell system, which has operated
the lines ever since. By 1920 the use
of the crank to ring "central" was
discontinued and in 1937, automatic
or dial phone, came into use.
Rural Delivery-Parcel Post
The parcel post service of the post-
office department was in operation
in 1901 and in 1902, Rural Free mail
delivery was started in both Ravenna
and Kent, with mail delivery in the
towns soon after that.
Up to this time, the so-called "poll
tax" system was in use. The tax was
$3.00 annually and was presumed to
be for keeping up roads. But in the
rural districts, at least, the tax could
be "worked out" by work on the
roads. The road supervisor was a
township officer and he supervised
the labor of those who desired to dis-
charge the tax.
Municipal and township elections
were then being held in April and
nominations for these offices usually
were made at a "caucus" of party
members. For nominations for county
office, county conventions were held.
The primary system of nominating
candidates did not come until 1913.
The Australian ballot system of secret
marking of votes had been in use since
1892, previous to which candidates or
parties furnished their own ballots.
Man In Flight
For many years the airplane was
only a name to most people here but
it came to life for sure in 1911. In
this year C. P. Rogers decided to try a
cross country flight, New York to
San Francisco, which many did not
believe possible. It was a series of
hops from one town to another. Port-
age County was in the line of flight
and many waited to see the plane. An
additional thrill was given Kent peo-
ple. When the plane passed over the
town, spectators were surprised to see
it turn and come back and finally
In 1921 Stanley Honeywell of Ran-
dolph raised 364 bushels of potatoes
from one acre of land, a record up to
that time, and considered remarkable.
This record has been surpassed since that
time.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
125
make a landing on a farm, necessary
because of engine trouble. It remain-
ed there for a day and thousands got
a close-up view of an airplane. Rogers
then went on and in time reached the
Pacific. G. W. Austin, then a 103 year
old Ravenna man saw the plane and
said "No, I think I'd rather have my
old horses and wagons."
Trouble In School
An incident that took the attention
of the entire county came to a head
in 1907. A. B. Stutzman had been
superintendent of the Kent schools
for 28 years and for one reason or an-
other, opposition to him had develop-
ed. He refused to resign and a school
board was elected that seemed deter-
mined to get him out. But friends
came to his rescue and in the fall of
1907, a spirited campaign was made
which resulted in election of avowed-
ly "pro-Stutzman" board members.
Stutzman's contract had some time to
run. Before the new board could be
seated, charges were brought against
Stutzman that he had paid money to
men for their votes. At a board meet-
ing called with only a few minutes
notice, Stutzman's contract was ter-
minated. The case was carried to the
The Welsh Eisteddfodd
An institution once important in the
southeast part of the county was the
"eisteddfodd". It was a gathering for
competition in reading, speaking and
singing, particularly the latter. It was
brought to Palmyra and Deerfield by
the Welsh people in keeping with their
great ability in singing and love for it.
Contestants in solos, duets, choruses and
the like were judged with meticulous
care and the awards were greatly prized.
courts, where the dismissal was sus-
tained, but the town was divided over
the issue for years afterward. Many
felt that Stutzman had been badly
treated.
By this time the automobile was
accepted as having come to stay and
Kent citizens were trying to raise a
fund to bring an automobile factory
to the town, through a sale of lots.
Many lots were sold and a fund raised
but nothing came of it. Kent's first
dip into the motor manufacturing
trade did not actually come until 1920,
when the Thomart truck manufacture
was started in the old "chain works"
plant. Later, of course, the Fageols
had a bus plant there and still later
the Twin Coach Co. and Fageol Mo-
tors Products were running there.
Marrying Parson
In 1908 the Twin Lakes Outing
club was being promoted by Akron
and local people. In 1913, another
group was at work for the same pur-
pose. Andrew Carnegie made his sec-
ond contribution to Portage County
progress when he gave $1,000 to the
Kent Methodist church for the pur-
pose of a new pipe organ.
A well known and beloved charac-
ter known not only over Portage
County, but beyond its borders, was
Rev. Andrew Willson, pastor of the
Kent Universalist church. He was a
leader in the affairs of the Portage
County Horticulture Society and oth-
er organizations. In his capacity as
minister, he conducted hundreds of
funerals and became known as "the
marrying parson." In 1908 he an-
nounced that he had then performed
1,000 marriages, but continued to un-
126
PORTAGE HERITAGE
ite couples until his death in 1911.
At this time railroad express service
was more widely used than previously
and later too. Parcel post was not yet
popular. Four companies maintained
service — Wells Fargo, the United
States Express Co., Adams Express Co.,
and the Pacific Express Co. Many ex-
press trains passed through the coun-
ty daily. Later the express companies
were consolidated and the Railway
Express Co. is now the sole operating
organization.
Hospital Grows
The county took an important step
forward in the field of healing and
care of the sick and injured in 1904,
when the modern White Hospital, re-
placing the original one which was
started in 1894, was established in
Ravenna. It served the entire county
well until its work was merged with
that of the Robinson Memorial Hos-
pital. More in detail is given about
this in another chapter.
In the educational field teachers'
qualifications were ascertained and
certified by means of teacher examin-
ations held periodically at convenient
places. Teachers' Institutes were also
held regularly and were considered
part of the training. The system was
changed later when teacher training
was given in colleges and "normals."
The Chautauqua
In the first decade after 1900, a new
institution appeared in this part of
the world. It was the "Chautauqua",
an outdoor lecture and entertainment
course. Agents of lyceum bureaus
came into towns and with local help
organized groups to sponsor the chau-
tauquas, which usually lasted about
one week, or less. A tent was erected
on a convenient spot and each after-
noon and night a program was put
on, a separate one for each day. Some-
times parades were staged by local
people to stir up interest. The attrac-
tions were varied. Usually, there was
one or two nationally known figures
to discuss big issues; musical groups;
and a variety of entertainment shows.
In general the programs were very
good, but there was something of a
circus atmosphere about the gather-
ings. But the chautauquas did give
communities a chance to see and hear
talent that otherwise would have pass-,
ed by. By 1920, the chautauquas were
dying out, probably due to some ex-
tent to the motor car then absorbing
public attention. Ravenna, Kent, Gar-
rettsville, Mantua, and other places
all had their chautauquas.
Peddlers Fade Away
It was the era when the "huckster"
began to disappear. Farmers had a
custom of putting their produce,
freshly butchered meats, etc., in wa-
gons and peddling them from house
to house in the towns, whereby they
were able to get better prices, though
sanitary methods of handling were
not always in evidence. Many farmers
raised more than they could easily
dispose of and competition was keen.
Often town men bought produce from
the farmers and assumed the role of
farmer-hucksters. In seasons, fruits
were peddled from wagons around
In 1810 Polly Crow married Isaac
Hawk in Palmyra. There were four lit-
tle Hawks.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
127
town and the cry of "watermelons,
ripe watermelons" or "pineapples"
can still be remembered by older peo-
ple. Peddlers of fresh fish made their
appearance every spring and were us-
ually welcomed by the fish-hungry
folks. Butchers operated their wagons
both in and out of town, some having
regular routes through the country.
Become Cities
In the new century population of
the county began to increase in earn-
est. Industry was more stabilized and
general industrial activity throughout
the state helped to bring the change.
The increase was more noticeable in
the towns. Ravenna reached the city
status in 1910, with a population of
5310. Kent became a city in 1920, aft-
er its population had jumped from
4488 in 1910 to 7070 in 1920. Rural
population was increasing, especially
in the western part of the county.
Almost imperceptibly, the new
method of transportation, the motor
car, was making its influence felt in
altering the lives and homes of peo-
ple, rich and poor.
The First World War was a new
kind of war in the experience of
Portage County as well as the rest of
the world. It was apparent early that
it was to be a kind of a "total war"
requiring fully as much sacrifice and
effort as the well remembered Civil
War. Volunteers entered the service
Catherine Jones of Palmyra was a
determined church goer. She lived a
mile and a half from the church. One
winter Sunday the road was so slippery
that walking was almost impossible, but
she crawled on her hands and knees a
large part of the way and arrived safely.
but they were not enough. The "uni-
versal draft" was necessary, the first
of its kind, and in the county 2766
men of 18-45 age were registered for
the draft. Of these, around 1,000 were
called to service before the war was
over, though only part of them actu-
ally saw action. C. G. Bentley of Ra-
venna was Liberty Bond sales head,
and W. S. Kent, Red Cross chairman
with Elizabeth Haymaker, secretary.
Selective Service
But aside from the purely military
angle, was the effort and sacrifice
needed to arm and supply the men in
service. Money was needed and the
county responded to the various bond
drives, Red Cross drives and other
efforts in noble style. To "do your
bit" became the popular thing and if
one didn't do it, he was apt to be
called a "slacker".
When the registration lists for the
draft were completed in 1917, the
names of all were printed in the
newspapers, as well as the names of
all those who made claims for exemp-
tion, and the reasons for them. These
names filled several newspaper pages,
and of course the names of those actu-
ally drafted and sent to camp were
given attention. The Portage County
Military registration board was com-
posed of W. J. Beckley of Ravenna,
and Ira R. Marsh of Kent, with Dr.
Geo. J. Waggoner as surgeon.
An abundant food supply was kept
in mind and War Gardens organiza-
tion was an important war time activ-
ity. A great deal of idle land was put
to work.
Melting Pot At Work
Immigrants had been pouring into
128
PORTAGE HERITAGE
this country by the thousand to work
as laborers and at menial tasks. Some
were slow to become assimilated,
which led to the nicknames of
"Wops" and "Hunkies". But when
the war came on these people turned
out to be loyal to their new home
country. Their boys went into the
army and were as good soldiers as
any. There they learned American
ways and ideas. At home the older
ones supported the government. Here
in Portage County the war had the
effect of making the "melting pot"
operate at a faster pace, so that nation-
al and racial differences began to dis-
appear. Ravenna had long had a num-
ber of respected Negro families. Dur-
ing World War I, common labor be-
came scarce and many negroes were
brought up from the South to fill the
void, especially for Kent factories and
railroad laborers. Some of these, at
first unable to adapt themselves to
new conditions, gave authorities some
trouble but later became more settled
in their behavior.
The farmers were starting to make
their weight felt, politically and oth-
erwise. The so-called Smith-Hughes
state law of this period set up courses
for instruction in agriculture in
schools where such was desired. Like-
wise, instruction in domestic science
and in manual training for boys, was
set up.
Newspapers Prosper
Probably as a result of increasing
business and population as well as a
new attitude, local newspapers were
growing in both size and influence.
Where the standard size was formerly
four pages, eight pages were now
needed regularly for the weeklies,
with ten or twelve on occasion.
Where city dailies only had been us-
ing type-setting machines, local edi-
tors now found they could be used to
advantage here. Larger and faster
presses were needed and electric pow-
er was put to work in the newspaper
back rooms. And where display ad-
vertising had been confined to one or
two column widths, quarter pages,
half pages and even full pages were
employed. About 1910, automobile
advertising began to appear and real
estate was being sold by page display
advertisements as well as other things.
Editorially, more and more display
headlines were used and editorials
were more restrained in their lan-
guage. News photographs were now in
use in a limited way. But in this era,
many handbills were printed and dis-
tributed to advertise special events
and sales. This practice has now al-
most died out, though direct mailing
is often used.
In the Memorial Day parades, the
number of G. A. R. comrades were
growing smaller and smaller, but be-
fore they faded away entirely, a new
organization appeared — the American
Legion posts — about 1921. Boy Scout
troops were organized in Ravenna
and Kent in 1915.
The establishment of the White
Hospital at Ravenna in 1904, made
Portage people more health conscious.
Church records show that on Nov. 22,
1853, James A. Garfield received one
dollar for speaking at the Kent Disciple
Church. The church also paid 12 cents
for feeding Garfield's horse.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
129
They found they had skilled surgeons
available as well as the best knowl-
edge in fighting disease among her
own physicians.
Golf was beginning to take hold.
Band concerts were held regularly in
nearly every town during the summer
months. New words appeared, such as
garage, taxi and jitney bus, tonneau,
and mileage.
A small activity of unusual nature
was seen here for a time in the culti-
vated ginseng raising business. The
dried root of the wild American plant
was much prized by Chinese as a med-
icine. Men found it could be grown
successfully by cultivation. A number
of ginseng gardens were started in
and near Ravenna, Kent, Garrettsville,
and Mantua. They were successfully
operated until a plant disease hit the
gardens. This, together with a dwind-
ling market in China, brought a fin-
ish to the enterprise.
Chestnut Disappears
In this era wild chestnuts still were
eagerly sought. The county was once
liberally covered with chestnut trees.
Gathering their sweet nuts in the fall
was both a pleasure for boys of the
age, and a source of profit, for they
found a ready sale. They were sought
by country merchants and re-sold in
the cities. It is an activity fondly re-
membered by the older residents. The
disappearance of the chestnut tree be-
cause of a disease was a calamity. The
settlers prized chestnut wood as ma-
terial for fences. The old "snake"
"Black Salts" were wanted by Prentiss
& Hough in Ravenna in 1835. The store
paid $2.50 per hundred.
fences that once were seen everywhere
were built from split chestnut wood,
and only a few of these now remain.
Every fall the tasty nuts were gath-
ered by the hundreds of bushels, for
private consumption or for sale.
County merchants bought and re-sold
them by bushel or barrel. They
brought spending money for thou-
sands of boys. They were much used
as refreshments at parties and meet-
ings. A blight was brought in from
abroad. It reached Ohio about 1920.
Today only bare, dead skeltons of old
trees are to be seen.
County Y.M.C.A.
In 1919, some of the lay religious
leaders of the county sponsored the
organization of a county-wide Young
Men's Christian Association. Promin-
ent in this were J. J. Jackson of Gar-
rettsville and M. B. Spelman of Kent.
Ben H. Darrow was the first secre-
tary and organized Hi-Y clubs in
many of the high schools. In 1924,
Mr. Darrow resigned to go to Colum-
bus, being succeeded by J. Craig
Smith. Mr. Smith continued until
1928, when he went to Dover, Ohio.
Albert Roose succeeded Smith and re-
mained until about 1930, when the
Y.M.C.A. was dissolved here. By that
time the Boy Scouts and other organ-
izations had become so numerous and
active that much work was being dup-
licated. For its outdoor activities, the
Y.M.C.A. fostered a boys camp in
connection with Boy Scout work. This
was known as Camp Hudson.
The school consolidations and bus
service had the effect of giving rural
people schools advantages resulting
in schools nearly equal to those of
130
PORTAGE HERITAGE
cities. The old one-room schools were
limited in both equipment and cur-
ricula. With bigger districts and more
money, rural high schools now have
courses of study as good as any. They
have laboratories, work rooms, do-
mestic science and manual training
courses and equipment that is good as
those of the cities. Many people today
do not realize that all these advant-
ages have been made possible by the
system that had its beginning in Ohio
and this county was among the lead-
ers in establishing them.
Guard Milk Supply
About this time dairy farmers of
this county and others began to be
alarmed by the discovery that many
cattle were afflicted with tuberculosis,
a fact newly emphasized. A state law
was enacted providing for the testing
of cattle and forbidding sale of milk
from sick cows. Ailing cattle were to
be slaughtered as a health measure.
This meant loss to owners, for some
herds were found to be affected in
toto. Some dairymen objected to this
slaughter. There was trouble but the
state finally provided partial payment
for losses. Herds were finally cleared
up and cattle testing is now accepted
routine and healthy cattle are the re-
sult. Milk production for human use
was regulated by new state laws.
At the beginning of the century,
electric light and power were un-
known on most farms. Cost of instal-
lation was high where only a few in a
neighborhood wanted electricity. At
first electricity was wanted only for
lighting but with the continued use
of machines on the farm, it became
popular for power purposes. Today,
milking machines alone would be
nearly impracticable without electric-
ity. Now virtually all Portage farms
have electricity.
Improvement Assn. Formed
In early days settlers lost many of
their sheep through depredation of
wolves, but even after wolves disap-
peared, sheep had enemies. Sheep
killing dogs have been found in every
community and even today the coun-
ty re-imburses owners of sheep killed
by dogs.
Among the really important devel-
opments of the early 1900's was the
formation of the Portage County Im-
provement Association, which not on-
ly had a great deal of influence local-
ly but attracted much attention else-
where. It seems to have been mainly
the idea of Dan R. Hanna, wealthy
Cleveland business man, who owned
the beautiful Cottage Hill estate, east
of Ravenna. He was much interested
in better roads, better live stock, bet-
ter farming methods and other things.
Memberships in the Association were
sold to farmers and business men and
Mr. Hanna himself aided liberally. He
made his own place into an example
of scientific farming. When the As-
sociation started in 1912, he was the
first president; H. Warner Riddle was
vice president; W. H. Getz, second
vice president; C. G. Bentley and F.
H. Carnahan, treasurer and assistant
treasurer; and C. R. Sharp, secretary.
Call In Expert
Under some new laws, H. P. Miller
was obtained as the first county agri-
In 1901 there were still 43 postoffices
in Portage County.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
13
cultural agent. Objects of the Associa-
tion included such matters as im-
provement of live stock, soil improve-
ment, better agricultural methods and
practices, and largely to improve
roads for use of the farmer. To im-
prove live stock, blooded sires were
placed in each township for horse and
cattle breeding. There were few com-
petent road experts at that time and
Mr. Hanna got a recognized road
building engineer, Frank M. Wil-
liams, here from New York state, al-
though first experiments in road
building had been made several years
previously. Working with the "coun-
ty surveyor" and W. H. Linton, a plan
was drawn up for road construction.
Resulting largely from this plan, a
bill was later introduced into the
state legislature which eventually be-
came the so-called Green Law.
While there was then a state high-
way department, its work was ex-
tremely limited. In 1909, a new law
had provided some revenue from mo-
tor vehicle license fees, though not
until 1921 was the department or-
ganized to plan and build state routes.
Before this time, road building was
considered more or less a local matter.
Gasoline tax came in 1925 and it pro-
vided funds not only for state work
but for its sub-divisions.
Association Flourishes
Hanna was a man with ideas of his
own and he wanted to be liberal. In
1913, he proposed to donate the sum
of fifty thousand dollars for good
roads, on condition that the county
raise thirty thousand dollars a year
for a period of five years. A further
condition was that Ravenna, includ-
ing city and township, and Franklin
township, including Kent, raise $35,-
000 of the five year total — Ravenna
$20,000 and Franklin and Kent $15,-
000. The proposition was boosted and
debated, but this particular plan was
not acceptable to many, and was a-
bandoned. In that year the Improve-
ment Association had about 1300
members.
Another part of the Association ac-
tivities was in co-operative sales and
buying, though not directly by the
Association. For a number of years,
a store was housed in a building on
South Sycamore Street, Ravenna,
which was later the Oak Rubber Co.
plant. The Association was active un-
til 1920 when it was succeeded by the
Portage County Farm Bureau.
Names which appeared in the first
directorate and committees included
Hanna, Riddle, Sharp, Bentley, R. M.
Wheeler, N. H. Mervin, J. A. Parish-
es W. J. Beckley, Carl B. Ford, A. D.
Kump, F. H. Boosinger, C. H. Curtiss,
W. T. Jones, J. F. Dudley, J. J. Jack-
son, Miner Lee Bates, F. A. Merrill,
Carl Nichols, H. W. Hahn, J. M.
Hurd, H. F. Hutson, John D. Kline,
M. C. Price, H. M. Ellsworth, and W.
H. Etter. After Mr. Hanna withdrew
in 1915, Miner Lee Bates, then presi-
dent of Hiram College, became presi-
dent, with H. W. Riddle, vice presi-
dent. Of those mentioned only Rid-
dle, Ellsworth and Carl Nichols are
still alive today. Miller, the county
agent, retired in 1915 and was suc-
ceeded by C. R. Shumway, who served
as county agent until 1944.
Association Disbands
By this time, many of the stock-
32
PORTAGE HERITAGE
holders had became dissatisfied, there
was bickering and the Association
went out of existence. Its existence
had been justified by road building
achievements alone.
Hanna's Cottage Hill estate was at
one time owned by Daniel Rhodes,
his grandfather, and once a Kent man-
ufacturer. For sentimental reasons
Hanna selected the place to establish
a country home, and with more land
bought later on, he built it up to an
estate of 2400 acres. The place was
later owned by William H. Pew and
later still by Congressman Chester
Bolton. At present it is owned by
Frank R. Fageol.
The Improvement Association fost-
ered and promoted new roads. Under
new laws the county commissioners
could contract with such associations
for the engineering and supervision
of local road projects. This was
known as the Portage Plan, and in
this way the county stepped out as a
leader of road building.
In the report on the activities of the
Portage County Improvement Associ-
ation for 1914, is the following state-
ment:
Results Are Good
"Through the efforts of the Port-
age County Improvement Association,
more miles of road have been desig-
nated by the state as inter-county
highways than any other county of its
size in the state. It was due almost
entirely to the efforts of this associa-
tion that County Highways Nos. 460
and 474 were added to the state sy-
stem already designated, thus adding
a mileage of 38 miles to the mileage
originally regarded as the share Port-
age County. Through the efforts of
the association also, the route of Main
Market Road No. 11 was laid through
Portage County, passing east and west
through the townships of Franklin,
Ravenna, Charlestown, and Paris."
In this year $85,836.20 was spent in
Portage County for road building
purposes during the year.
Blimps Afloat
The purchase of Fritch's Lake in
Suf field in 1916, by the Goodyear
Tire & Rubber Co., marked the be-
ginning of one of Portage county's
most unusual and important activities.
The name of the lake was changed to
Wingfoot and a large hangar was put
up with machine shops, etc. for train-
ing in aerial flight. At first free bal-
looning was more important, but
when the lighter-than-air craft called
dirigibles or blimps were developed,
attention turned to that. During
World War I, the company supplied
more than 1,000 balloons for use and
assembled and built about 100 dirigi-
bles. Several hundred men were train-
ed at the Wingfoot barracks. When
World War II came on, there was a
repetition of activity in dirigible
building and training which has con-
tinued after the war ended. The sight
of a dirigible sailing serenely through
the aerial heights is a common one,
particularly in the southwest part of
the county.
An interesting feature of the politi-
cal scene, here as elsewhere, was the
township or county convention of
caucus, as the case might be.
The Ohio primary nominating sys-
tem came into being soon after 1908,
when a law was passed definitely pro-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
133
viding for them, and requiring them
for city and county elections. The
smaller towns were not affected.
There had been laws previously which
provided for primaries on a voluntary
basis.
Spring Elections Go
Up until 1904, Portage County had
its spring elections. Here township
and municipal officials were chosen,
after nomination by the caucus or
convention system. These elections
were held in April. Because it was
felt that one election day was enough
for one year, the system was changed.
A series of school and theater dis-
asters elsewhere had its effects here.
Greater safety in schools and public
buildings was urged. Fire escapes were
emphasized and fire drills in schools
were inaugurated. The state worked
to get movies out of narrow, fire-trap
halls into specially safeguarded build-
ings.
It was still considered ethical for
lawyers and physicians to run their
professional cards in the newspapers.
Interest in county and local fairs
kept up fairly well. The automobile
was a vehicle to get patrons to and
from fairs with ease, though later it
was blamed for keeping them away
from fairs. Patrons were still interest-
ed in the unusual and oddities. The
Ravenna Republican reported in 1916,
that at the Randolph Fair, John York
had taken three prizes for apples, and
six second prizes, on fruit all taken
from the same tree, made possible by
the practice of grafting.
Merchandizing Changes
Politics blew hot and cold, with
various side issues. The Democratic
party gained strength. In 1916, Mar-
tin L. Davey issued a sharp attack on
Probate Judge E. F. Robison (of his
own party and then candidate for re-
election) accusing him of "playing
politics" However, Robison was
elected.
Due to tremendous advertising, a
patent medicine known as "Peruna"
achieved wide popularity and made
a fortune for its proprietor.
Packaged and bottled grocery prod-
ucts were beginning to appear. Bread
came wrapped and sliced from distant
bakeries. Oatmeal was sold by the
package instead of the pound. Tropi-
cal fruits were now all-year commod-
ities instead of seasonal luxuries.
Because most roads were still bad,
many believed the old high wagon
wheel style of auto was most practical.
Gas or Electric?
"Automobile parties" were popu-
lar. In these someone lucky enough
to own a car, took his friends to the
theater or some place of diversion or
recreation. People argued over the
merits of the gasoline and electric
type of motor vehicles.
In Ravenna, Davis & Case advertis-
ed the Maxwell car for $695 with $55
extra for electric starter. In 1916, it
was announced in Ravenna that
Long's Auto Livery would have cars
at the stations to "meet all trains."
Klein, a Ravenna junk dealer, ad-
vertised that he would buy all kinds
of wrecked automobiles and cars.
The world was indeed speeding up
in Portage so that Portage County
had changed to a marked degree by
1920. Some say this was due to the
coming of the automobile age, or the
134 PORTAG E HERITAGE
machine age. But it was probably and new activities and horizons. Any-
more than that. Men had a new out- how, there was a little more money
look; there was new activity all a- in circulation, a little more leisure
round; a new social consciousness was time and ways to use it, and a little
building up, there were important faster pace — possibly a much faster
changes politically; new standards one.
What Canals Carried
After canal traffic was in full swing on the P & O, one product shipped most regular-
ly appeared to be cheese made in the county. According to the lockmaster's book, in the
year April 20, 1849, to April 20, 1850, about 18,000 boxes of cheese were shipped from
Kent. After that cheese shipments appeared to decline and the last shipment of 53 boxes
was made May 1, 1851. As that was about the time railroad services reached the county,
it is presumed the reason for canal shipping decline is clear. The largest cheese shippers
from Kent included Dow & Pease, Richardson & Taylor, Thomas Earl, E. Parmalee, S.
Odell, the Harmons, the Hurds, A. Baldwin and others. Cheese, of course, was also
shipped on the canal from Ravenna, Campbellsport, Newport and other places. Most
cheese shipped went to southern points — Cincinnati or below.
Of the outgoing freight from Franklin Mills port cheese was most often mentioned,
but other items were butter by the keg, cask and barrel, wool, calf skins and similar
products. There seems to have been few shipments of grain or beef and pork. One ship-
ment was marked "One Box Public Documents for Western Reserve College at Hudson."
Of the incoming freight, merchandise of all sorts prevailed. This included such things
as nails and light hardware, paint, glass, candles, lake fish by keg or barrel, tools, "4
pounds marbles", sarsaparilla, sun dials, wicking, shawls, lamp black, "mineral coal,"
molasses, kegs of shot and lead, brimstone, buggies, "one box logwood", shipment of
Franklin stoves, buffalo robes, liquors and saleratus.
In later years considerable "stone coal" was received for local consumption.
The above are entries in a ledger marked "K. G. & Co., 1849" on back. This probably
refers to Kent, Grinnell and Co. which firm acted as canal agent, or lockmaster.
Drovers Of Other Days
In early Ohio there was little sale for produce and farm animals because of lack of
transportation. Accordingly, cattle raisers often drove animals along trails and roads
across, or around, the Allegheny mountains, to markets in the East. Riders on horseback
attended the herds en route, which bedded down at night, or were pastured and rested.
There were feeding grounds at the end of the trails where cattle could be fattened up
especially in Chester and Lancaster counties near Philadelphia. Robert Murray of Burton,
reported that in 1832 he got $25.00 to $50.00 per pair for yokes of oxen, and $10.00 to
$15.00 each for steers. Some owners drove their own cattle, hogs or sheep, while dealers
often bought up animals for re-sale in the East. Further North, drovers took their cattle
to Buffalo along the shores of Lake Erie, using the sands for roads. The custom lasted
until railroads came. Canal boats were considered too slow and costly for livestock
transportation. Huron Morse and Bill Hatcher were noted Randolph drovers. Isaac
Phelps, a Ravenna dealer, is said to have made a total of 40 trips to eastern markets,
driving cattle overland. The famous Senator Ben Wade as a boy made six trips to the
East as a cattle drover.
CHAPTER IX
Mechanical Age Arrives
After the excitement of World War
I had worn off, Portage settled down
to a period of work and prosperity
which, of course, only reflected con-
ditions elsewhere. In this, the grow-
ing influence of the motor vehicle
was increasingly important. Henry
Ford's startling dictum of a five dol-
lars a day wage for laborers had its
repercussions here. Men were needed
for the Akron tire shops, whose busi-
ness was booming. The motor car's
needs made work for many and the
same motor car gave workers a wider
field in which to live. Commuting
by car to and from work became pop-
ular and the Western part of the coun-
ty, in particular, housed many work-
ers with "one foot on the soil", just
as Ford had envisioned. Commuting
ten, fifteen, twenty-five miles and
even farther was common. The county
was being changed from an agricul-
tural community to something of a
residential area. Yet, the county was
busy in its own right. Its own shops
responded to the call for goods, both
for the motor car and for wants in
general. Thomart in Kent and Mo-
hawk in Ravenna tried to get into the
motor field, though the latter had
made the first effort. The Mason Tire
Co. provided much merchandise.
Power Lines Reach Out
Changes were taking place on the
farms, which felt the influence of the
scientific age. For the first time, the
motor truck and motorized farm ma-
chinery began to replace the horse in
numbers, a trend which went on
steadily for years. Power lines were
being carried to the townships so that
every village and "center" had elec-
tricity, where heretofore only those
sections near towns had it. The period
of pioneering in road building,
wherein Portage County had gained a
reputation, went on with increased
tempo. Through roads of importance
got state numbers or federal numbers
for both governments now interested
themselves in speeding up traffic as
well as paying for the work.
This brought its own problems.
Regulation of traffic became a neces-
sity and efforts of local officers met
with resistance as well as unmerited
criticism. When the toll of fatal high-
way accidents mounted, Governor Vic
Donahey had white crosses set up at
the scene to remind drivers to exer-
cise more care. Portage had its share.
These crosses remained along high-
ways for many years, but apparently
too many drivers did not choose to
exercise care for the slaughter went
on and still does today.
Servce Clubs Arrive
Something new in the way of hu-
man relations came along. In 1920,
a Rotary Club was formed in Kent
and in 1921 a Kiwanis Club was set
up in Ravenna. Similar clubs were
soon established elsewhere and men
who were business or professional riv-
als learned that there was something
135
136
PORTAGE HERITAGE
fine in sitting down together as
friends.
Welfare and charity work took on a
new look. They were organized and
put on a more secure and enlarged
basis. Out of this emerged such things
as the Portage County Preventorium,
set up by the Kiwanis clubs. Welfare
and Community Chest organizations
replaced the former scattered drives
for funds. Kent had its first Commun-
ity Chest drive in 1922 and Ravenna
had one in 1924.
When the county of Portage came
into existence, ideas of organized char-
ity and welfare did not exist. New-
comers who came into a community
without means were not welcome as
far as the governing bodies were con-
cerned. They were often "run out" of
a township by officials, or were fined
and even imprisoned. They could be
bound out to bidders for their serv-
ices. Orphans of the poor were "bound
out." Streetsboro people in particular
were rough on indigent newcomers.
Charity or help was on the individual
basis. Settlers were kind and helpful
to those of their own kind, who had
suffered misfortune and the churches
gradually got the idea of going out to
help unfortunates. But everything was
on the voluntary basis. Misfortune
and health were not a government
concern, nor was charity a necessity.
Many New Agencies
Nothing illustrates the difference
in sentiment and procedure as does
the 1939 report of the Portage Coun-
ty Council of Health and Social Agen-
cies. This Council was set up in 1938,
largely through the efforts of George
G. McClelland, then probate judge,
and it is still functioning in the coun-
ty today. In the report, the following
agencies were listed, all with legal or
private status:
Aid For Aged Portage County
. . „ , Juvenile Court
American Red "L _
P Portage County
Health League
Bureau of Public Portage County
Assistance Relief
Child Welfare Portage County
League Home
Civilian Conserva- Preventorium
tion Corps Ravenna City Relief
Farm Security e ^ '
Administration Ravenna Public
Schools
Kent Community _ ... ..
Chest and Welfare Ravenna Vmt.ng.
Nurse Assn.
Social Service
Index
Soldiers & Sailors
Relief
Township Trustees
Unemployment
Compensation
Comm.
Kent Public
Schools
Kent Red Cross
Visiting Nurse
Portage County
Commissioner
Portage County
Health Dist.
To these could be added the annual
"drives" for money to combat such
diseases as polio, heart, cancer, etc.
Literally, hundreds work on philan-
thropic work of some nature.
Up in Hiram, Dr. Kenneth Brown
had assumed presidency of the college
and was attracting attention with his
new "Hiram Plan", whereby students
Benjamin Tappan, founder of Raven-
na., offered a prize to the first child to
be born at that place. This was in 1809.
The prize was a building lot. It was
claimed the following year by David
Thompson on behalf of his new born
son. Tappan made good but the Thomp-
son boy did not receive title to the lot
until he was twenty-one.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
137
followed one subject until they mas-
tered it, instead of studying a variety
of subjects simultaneously.
Labor Unions Organize
In the labor world, previously only
a small part of the railroad workers
had been organized. County employ-
ers had been pretty well opposed to
the union movement. In 1903 a car-
penter's union was organized at Ra-
venna, followed later by organizations
of painters, masons and others. When
W. J. McAdoo had charge of the rail-
roads, during and after World War I,
he encouraged formation of unions.
The Erie shops at Kent then became
organized, but this enterprise was lost
to Kent in 1929. The C.I.O. was un-
known here until 1932, when Lamb
Electric workers were organized. The
A.U.W. soon went into the Twin
Coach and the U.R.W. went into the
various rubber manufacturing plants
in Ravenna and elsewhere. Ravenna's
largest employer, The Cleveland
Worsted Mills Co. was later organiz-
Marvin Kent and H.
W. Riddle, dominat-
ing business figures in
Kent and Ravenna a-
round 1900.
ed. During World War II and before,
most of the workers at the Ravenna
Arsenal were organized and so re-
main, and the majority of Portage
shops of any size are fully organized.
Retail clerks were organized in 1952.
There have been occasional strikes,
but usually without violence, a strike
at Lamb Electric Co. in Kent in 1933
being an exception.
Today the labor unions of the coun-
ty have for their own use The Portage
County Labor Temple located on
Temple Street, Kent.
Employment in the county was ser-
iously curtailed by the closing of the
Mason Tire and Rubber Co. plant in
1929 and the removal of the Erie
shops from Kent at the same time.
These things together with the great
depression that set in about the same
time, brought much suffering, which
was not entirely alleviated until the
Ravenna Arsenal came in 1940.
Extent of W.P.A.
The huge, much discussed, often
138
PORTAGE HERITAGE
criticized and sometimes derided gov-
ernment operation known as the
WPA, affected the lives of many peo-
ple in Portage County from 1935 to
1941. It started during the time of the
great depression which began in 1930
and it was intended to give relief for
the numerous unemployed and those
without means of subsistence. The
theory was that the unemployed man
would prefer to work for money rath-
er than be an object of direct char-
ity. In this work, the Works Progress
Administration was the benificent di-
rector.
While the operations in Portage
County were only part of a nation-
wide program, the activity here was
a enormous one. Over-all direction of
the work laid out was under the na-
tional WPA organization, with dis-
trict headquarters in Akron. In the
county, the work was in charge of R.
Lindsay Kent, who, throughout the
period directed the work of about
11,000 people in all including both
men and women. All work was some-
thing for public use. All but about
200 supervisors and technical men
were certified for relief in order to be
eligible for work. These were then
assigned according to their skills and
abilities.
Those working under the WPA
plan received pay directly from the
government. This pay was first at the
rate of $44.20 per month, but was
later raised to $52.80 per month, on
the basis of an 120 hour month.
Work projects were selected and
initiated on request of local author-
ities or sub-divisions, such as cities
and villages, school districts and coun-
ty authorities. Such sub-divisions also
furnished a proportion of the neces-
sary funds, usually by paying for the
cost of materials needed. Fred L.
Roose of Akron was supervisor of
work in 19 counties, including Port-
age.
Variety of Projects
One of the problems faced was the
transportation of the men from their
homes to the location of their work.
Effort was made to obtain materials
cheaply and to use local material
when possible. For example, using na-
tive Portage County sandstone as a
base for roads over which blacktop
surface would be laid.
Among projects of value in the
county undertaken by the WPA dur-
ing these years were the following:
1. Black Brook ditch in the north edge
of the county, which helped to keep
water from the muck land. In this
project, 600 transient men from Cleve-
land were brought in to help and
some of these remained in the county
permanently.
2. Field house and athletic field of Ra-
venna High School.
3. Remodelling of town hall in Kent.
4. Laying of water lines in Kent and
Ravenna.
5. Building of bridge on county route
120 over Eagle Creek in Charlestown.
6. Work on city disposal plant in Kent.
7. Grading of athletic field at Kent
State University, some painting at
university training school, and library
Benjamin Tappan was afflicted with strabismus, an eye weakness. He was in demand
as a skilled lawyer outside the county. Once while arguing a case with great effect in
court at Warren, a tipsy spectator called out, "Give it to him, Old Gimlet Eye."
PORTAGE HERITAGE
139
buildings, and building of some dry
stone walls, with stone taken from
the river bed.
8. The first big project was a salvage
drive undertaken in 1940 and 1941,
which raised many tons of scrap ma-
terial for war industries.
9. Paving and surfacing of many roads
at the rate of about $2.50 per foot.
10. Sewing projects, including a comfort
factory in Kent and one in Ravenna,
in which women were employed.
Another project of importance was
the recreation project under the gen-
eral direction of a woman's overseer.
This was the incentive for numerous
local recreation projects that came
later on. There was also a history
writing project, the results of which
are now in Columbus. This was under
direction of F. E. Schmiedel.
New Reservoir
The Akron supplementary water
supply reservoir in Brimfield and
Suffield was installed largely by WPA
labor from Summit County. Here
about 500 acres of land were cleared
and dams built. One thousand acres
are now under water.
Separate from the Works Progress
Authority activities were those of the
Public Works Authority (PWA).
Here contracts were let direct by the
government for improvements need-
Barney Dyer, an Erie railroad crossing
watchman at Ravenna, who witnessed
the "glass blowers wreck" at Ravenna
that took 19 lives, in 1891, was author of
a remark that became an American class-
is later. At the investigation he was asked
to describe what he saw when a freight
train ran into the end of the standing
passenger train. "I saw it coming," he
said, "and I says to myself, 'that's a hell
of a way to run a railroad.' "
ed. Building of postoff ices at Ravenna
and Kent were some of the work done
and which gave employment for
many local people.
WPA workers were sometimes call-
ed "leaf rakers" or "shovel leaners",
but regardless of what one thinks of
the general plan, it did give employ-
ment and thereby financial aid to
many people here, in a time when
help was surely needed. Some of the
work undertaken seemed trivial and
unworthy to some, from whence we
have the words "boondoggling."
People Demand More
Population grew and with it came
the demand for more and bigger pub-
lic services. Taxes increased and with
this came discontent and apprehens-
ion. In 1922, County Auditor J. M.
Parham offered his resignation be-
cause of arguments over pressure for
more services on the same tax income.
He saw nothing but ruin ahead. But
the public expenditure for welfare
and care of unfortunate and needy
went on. There was a new conception
of public duty.
Women were now voting and they
commenced to have a word in party
councils. Names of women appeared
on regular party ballots where hereto-
fore they had been confined to school
board ballots. In 1925, Mrs. Maud
Marsh was elected county treasurer to
succeed her husband and in 1927, Miss
Elizabeth Haymaker was elected to
the same post. The day of the woman
office holder had arrived in Portage
County. In the townships and towns
other women found places in legisla-
tive and executive offices. This was in
face of the fact that when women's
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
suffrage in the state was up for public
approval, Portage County men had
voted against it 3357 to 3186, though
the measure carried throughout the
state. Women soon entered political
party councils and formed party or-
ganizations of their own, as well.
In the field of recreation, some-
thing new also appeared. Previously
recreation had meant athletics for the
young, the high school students and
the few adult men. Horse racing and
cock fighting were recognized diver-
sions. In 1922, that strange game, golf,
was introduced when the Twin Lakes
Golf Course was laid out, which was
followed in short time by public golf
courses where anyone could play, in-
cluding women. More public bathing
beaches were installed and the public
was indeed recreation conscious. Dog
racing tracks appeared in several parts
of the county, but were not supported
by public opinion.
Though the motor car was a kind
of recreation, it now carried people
to places where new and more forms
of play were carried. Hiram College
had been the county's only entry in
college sports and in the first decade
or so had pioneered in basketball,
winning national recognition. Now
Kent Normal college and later Kent
State University were playing all
sorts of college games and after slow
starts took its place with other state
teams.
Akron City Buys Land
Any community of people will have
its affairs and values influenced by
neighboring communities and cities
in many ways. So with Portage Coun-
ty and the City of Akron, which is
now one of the largest landowners in
the county. This is due to the hold-
ings of land along the Cuyahoga
River, which form a watershed for
water supplies for the Akron water
works.
In 1911, the city of Akron began
to buy land along the river for the
purpose of creating a water supply,
where later it constructed a dam, im-
pounding river water, east of Twin
Lakes. This dam is 280 feet long, and
the water impounded is known as
Lake Rockwell. A total of 2,174 acres
of land was bought for about $319,-
000.00 at an average price of about
$150.00 per acre. W. S. Kent put in a
claim for his water rights through
town which he felt were being harm-
ed. Akron offered him $75,000.00 for
these rights, but he refused, asking a
much higher price. The matter went
to the courts, going to the state su-
preme court, where Akron City won.
Akron City also paid Kent $25,000.00
for land at Pippin Lake.
A water treatment plant and pump-
ing station were constructed near the
dam, but it was not until August,
1915 that water was turned into the
mains. Lake Rockwell has a surface of
The village of Grover is unheard of today but in the 70s and '80s was a community
of several hundred people in southeast Palmyra near the Deerfield line. It was purely a
coal mining center. After the mines "played out" the town dwindled and many of its
buildings were moved away. The location later became Lloyd Station on the present New
York Central line.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
41
769 acres today. To protect the area
many trees were set out along the
river. Orchards and farms were set
out, there being one vineyard of 30
acres.
Later, Akron planned another dam,
with a reservoir above it, at Hiram
Rapids. Much land was bought in
Geauga County for the reservoir,
which many WPA workers helped
clear.
More Reservoirs Planned
Because of the presence of the dam
and water plant, the flow of water of
the river through Kent is much cur-
tailed through much of the year.
For the supplementary water sup-
ply mentioned above, the city of Ak-
ron bought 2,500 acres of land in Suf-
field and Brimfield at a cost of $360,-
000 and dammed the little Cuyahoga
River. Here a reservoir was construct-
ed at a cost of $265,000.00.
As this history is being written, the
Akron Waterworks is planning to de-
velop the the Mogadore Reservoir, as
it is known, as a large recreation area.
In the early part of the present cen-
tury not only Akron, but other nearby
sections were becoming concerned a-
Beautiful Isle
Jessie Brown Pounds, author of the
song, "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," was
a native of Hiram, being born there in
1861. She was also a writer of poems and
was on the editorial staff of the church
publication, The Christian Standard and
later The Christian Century. Her child-
hood was spent in Cleveland but when
she married J. E. Pounds, a Disciple
minister, they lived in Hiram, where he
was pastor of the Hiram church. She
died in 1921.
bout future supplies for both human
consumption and industry. Often res-
ervoirs were low. More water would
soon be needed. During the Second
World War, the so-called Berlin Res-
ervoir in Southeast Portage took hun-
dreds of acres of farm land out of cir-
culation, as did the Mogadore Reser-
voir in Suffield and Brimfield. Water
tables were being lowered. There is
at present, talk of another reservoir
along the Little Mahoning in Eastern
Portage to supply the Mahoning Val-
ley's increasing needs. Where there
was once too much there is now too
little. Currently, plans are being de-
veloped to pipe water from Lake Erie
to supplement supplies from the Cuy-
ahoga, Chagrin and Mahoning Rivers.
If the proposed plan is put through
eventually, it may serve as a model for
other distressed communities, within
reach of Great Lakes water stores.
Portage is one of the counties touched
by this project, made possible by state
legislation.
New Subjects in Schools
Agriculture was being encouraged
and helped by state and federal legis-
lation. The so-called Smith-Hughes
Act authorized the teaching of agri-
cultural subjects in local schools and
many took advantage of it. This was
soon followed by teaching of manual
training for boys and domestic science
for girls, in high schools. They want-
ed their education to be more practi-
cal. Still later, agriculture was to be
helped and regulated still more
through quotas and crop programs.
Dairymen were subjected to necessary
regulation and even the appearance of
farms themselves was changed
142
PORTAGE HERITAGE
through contour plowing and strip
crops. Types of farm buildings chang-
ed.
New homes sprang up in both
town and country of types previous-
ly unknown. The ranch type home,
with all its variations, became the
popular form. Every home, in town
or country, now had one or more
garage buildings. Following World
War II there was a veritable inunda-
tion of new homes.
Woman's suffrage was followed by
sweeping changes in female dresses.
Where the skirt once went to the
ankles, it now went only to the knees,
and in time came slacks and shorts
for madam, rich or poor. Bobbed hair
was the rule for women, young or old.
Cigarette smoking by women became
the accepted thing, as often was the
use of liquor in public by them. As
people became more prosperous, the
custom of dining out became popular
and "good eating places" were some-
thing to talk about.
Health Departments
In matters of health and sanitation,
new methods and new ideas were be-
ing put into practical use. People
were becoming health conscious. The
Portage County Health Department
was set up in 1925, under a new law,
and it was started largely by the enter-
prise of Dr. E. L. Knowlton of Man-
tua. Dr. R. L. Worden of Ravenna
was the first county health officer,
operating on a part time basis. He
served until 1938, when Dr. P. L.
Harris became a full time officer,
with a larger force of nurses and tech-
nicians, remaining until 1941. He re-
signed in 1941 to take a job with the
state and Dr. M. L. Sternleib succeed-
ed him and is still serving. In addi-
tion to enforcement of health laws,
inspection by its officers the depart-
ment conducts educational programs
in the schools and acts as health ad-
visors and workers for the county
schools, checks for diseases and over-
sees inoculations for the pupils. Its
jurisdiction is all Portage County out-
side the cities of Ravenna and Kent,
which have separate health boards
and officers. Five members comprise
the county health board. Present
county board is: President, Geo. C.
Watters, Deer field; vice president, A.
D. Land, Garrettsville; and Paul Schu-
ster.
The natural desire to own a motor
car was encouraged by the rivalry and
price cutting tactics of manufacturers.
Right after World War I, Ford was
selling a touring car for under $500.00
and you could buy a Ford engine and
chassis for $398.00 and fix them up
to suit yourself. "Financing" plans
gave further impetus and clerk and
working man soon were riidng to
work with dispatch. Motor sales and
repair shops began to move from the
alleys to good street locations, though
The railroad excursion business was a
large activity before the advent of the
motor car. Low rate excursions were
run to seaside and other resorts, and
other special occasions, even for family
reunions. Trains brought their thousands
to Brady Lake and Geauga Lake. During
the Chicago Worlds Fair of 1893 so
many excursionists were carried to and
from Chicago that trains sometimes ran
in six or seven sections. Sunday was a
favorite excursion day. The Erie carried
162 excursionists from Ravenna to Chi-
cago on one Sunday.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
43
"used car lots" did not come on until
the '40s.
Mail By Truck
Motor transportation has affected
the postoffice service here to a start-
ling extent compared with former
years. In the early days, of course,
mail service was slow and uncertain,
following horseback trails with week-
ly or bi-weekly deliveries to frontier
postoffices. Sometimes the canal was
used for "speedy" work. When rail-
ways were extended across the county
in both directions, with daily mails
and many offices, residents thought
they were well provided. They could
use the telegraph or telephone for
anything more important. But as late
as forty or fifty years ago, there were
postoffices not only in and named for
each township, but in such locations
as Cobbs Corners, Silo (or Parker),
Campbellsport, Rapids, Industry, Ca-
ton (Hiram Station), Mahoning, Mor-
an, Earlville, Mishler, Thorndyke, St.
Josephs, Drakesburg, Lloyds, North
Benton, and others. Gradually, rail-
way service lessened or was discon-
tinued altogether on some lines and
the postoffice department turned to
the motor truck for mail transporta-
tion. Today, most county postoffices
are served by truck routes of one na-
ture and another. A large number of
township postoffices have been dis-
continued altogether and their pa-
trons serviced by rural deliveries out
of larger nearby postoffices.
By means of truck service, Portage
County residents also have the ad-
vantage of using airmail service when
trucks make pickups for delivery to
Akron or Cleveland air ports, or re-
Franklin Township Hall, Kent. Gar-
field got his first political nomination
here.
ceive matter in the reverse direction.
The Twin Coach Co. of Kent in
recent years also developed and sold
to the government many mail trucks
for the augmented service of mail
delivery.
Children Are Victims
One of the most distressing acci-
dents in the history of Portage Coun-
ty occurred on the morning of Octob-
er 11, 1923, when a Pennsylvania pas-
senger train struck a school bus on a
crossing in Rootstown Township.
Eight school children were killed and
many others injured as was the driver,
Mr. Benshoff. Three children were
from one family Mildred Shaw, 11;
Harold Shaw, 9; and Verna Shaw, 3.
Others were Julia Wanchick, 14; Ella
Stianchia, 14; Thelma Benshoff, 9;
Charles Silvasi, 8; and Margaret
Kunst, 12. Whose was the fault of the
144
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
accident was never determined, but
the railroad paid many thousands of
dollars in damages in settlement to the
families of the victims.
Previous to World War I, there had
not been much interest in military af-
fairs in the county. The war stimu-
lated military interest and in 1924,
Ravenna got an armory, located on
Freedom Street, where military or-
ganizations were formed and trained.
Kent got one soon afterwards. This
is still located on Lake Street.
In 1924, also, the American Legion
posts put on campaigns in towns of
the county for installation of flag
standards in front of business places,
for better observance of flag displays
on holidays and other important
events.
With towns and villages growing
rapidly, civic progress was manifest-
ed in many ways — paving, building,
new government agencies and private
organizations. People kept an eye on
governments and considered new
ideas. In 1921, Kent voters were asked
to pass on a city commission plan,
with a city manager feature. They
voted it down, just as they did 33
years later, when the same proposal
came up. In each case voters felt the
old way was the better.
Hiram Community Institute
People became more interested in
ownership of stocks and bonds. Mon-
ey was growing plentiful. In 1924,
an organization made a drive to sell
$200,000.00 of bonds to enlarge the
Brady Lake grounds as a pleasure re-
sort, but apparently did not succeed.
Of more than ordinary interest is
the Community Institute, started at
Hiram College in 1945, and held there
annually since. It is a discussion con-
ference intended to be of use in living
and making a living in rural and
small communities, the "rurban" com-
munities as distinguished from the
"urban." Due largely to the efforts of
President Paul H. Fall of Hiram Col-
lege, it was meant to foster better liv-
ing in these sections, and to help
solve the community problems there-
in. Talks were given by community
leaders, by authorities in various
fields and by many distinguished pub-
lic men. It has attracted considerable
attention.
A building boom followed the first
World War, but this did not reach
the massive proportions that it at-
tained after the Second World War.
The natural growth of the commun-
ity accounted for most of it, but the
federal expenditures at the Ravenna
Arsenal, the construction of highways
and the institution of the Benton-
Deerfield reservoir and other impor-
tant projects stimulated business so
that home building went to new
heights. In the past few years, mass
construction was seen all over the
county and at present building firms
plan and have under way homes that
sometimes number four or five hun-
Rural mail Route 29, now Route 1, out of Mantua, is said to have been the first rural
mail route in Ohio. Oscar Witherell was its first carrier, followed by George Harper.
Fred Gallagher drives it today.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
145
dred in one place. One enterprise that
reached tremendous total proportions
was the furnishing of sand and gravel
from pits and banks that lie within
the county, found particularly abun-
dant in northern and western town-
ships. Thousands upon thousands of
tons of gravel were transported over
the highways for construction work
at the arsenal, the new Turnpike and
other installations.
Take To The Air
In the national prohibition era in
the twenties, Portage County had its
share of trouble with boot-legging
operators. Many arrests and prosecu-
tions were made and in some cases
murders resulted from trouble be-
tween rival leggers. Stills and liquor
were seized, where found. However,
law enforcement officers are still con-
fronted with the same problem today,
though on a lessened scale.
When air travel developed, there
was talk of local town airfields and
in some cases, work was done to de-
velop these. A number of private
fields were constructed for plane
owners, or for "pay" operators. But
airports for small cities were found
impractical and Portage residents de-
pend largely on nearby large fields.
Kent State University, though, does
now own nearby Stow field, where
the principles of aviation are taught.
In Governor's Chair
In the early part of the present
century, a young Portage County man
began to attract attention in the polit-
ical field. He was Martin L. Davey,
of Kent, who was elected mayor of
the town in 1913. In the fall of 1918,
he successfully ran for representative
from the then Fourteenth Ohio dis-
trict to fill an unexpired term as well
as the full term following. Altogether,
he served three successive terms. In
1928, he became Democratic candi-
date for governor, and though defeat-
ed, ran ahead of his ticket. By that
time he had established himself as an
astute politician and in 1934, again
ran for governor, this time being
elected. This was during the great
depression and he faced difficult
problems. The state sales tax had been
set up, but to his administration was
the duty of first putting it in effect.
Food was then dropped as an article
of taxation. The state school founda-
tion law was set up as a means of aid-
ing public education. Additional
problems arose in the administration
of public relief and with labor
troubles. Mr. Davey served two terms
as governor and retired from active
politics in 1940. In the Davey ad-
ministration, D. L. Rockwell of Ra-
venna served as state fire marshal,
and W. A. Walls of Kent was welfare
director for a time.
David Ladd Rockwell, from a lead-
ing Kent family, also made a name
for himself in politics. After being
"boy mayor" of Kent two terms after
1900, he was elected as probate judge,
serving two terms. In 1908 he ran for
Ebenezer W. Earl, who came to Windham in 1814, was a champion rail splitter and
tree slasher. He could split from 400 to 600 rails per day. For this he was paid 12-1/2
cents per hundred.
146
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
lieutenant governor on the Demo-
cratic ticket. Though he was not elect-
ed, he began to attract attention as an
organizer and manager in state and
national party councils. In 1924, he
was the manager for W. G. McAdoo
in his famous bid for the Democra-
tic presidential nomination. Davey
and Rockwell were long political and
personal friends.
Damage By Storm
On the night of May 14, 1956, a
tornado-like storm struck through
Portage County and did hundreds of
thousands of dollars worth of dam-
age. It swept southeasterly through
Streetsboro and Ravenna. The steeple
was blown from the Streetsboro Meth-
odist church, many buildings and in-
stallations were wrecked and Raven-
na lost many of the stately shade trees
for which the town was noted.
In 1956 an installation of unusual
nature was made in Portage County.
The Pittsburgh Consolidated Coal
Co. workmen laid a pipe line through
Atwater, Edinburg, Ravenna, Shalers-
ville, Mantua, and Aurora townships
for conveyance of coal from Cadiz,
Ohio to Lake Erie points. In this pul-
verized coal is "pumped" through
the pipe by hydraulic force. It is said
this was the first of its kind in the
country.
The new Portage County Infirm-
ary, or Home, building was erected
in 1952 on the old location in Shalers-
ville township, north of Ravenna. It
was done at a cost of $450,000.00 and
was authorized by popular vote on a
bond issue.
The land on which the farm is
located was once the home of General
David Mcintosh, probably Shalers-
ville's best known citizen, who sold
the land to the county in 1839, for
$5,000.00. The buildings thereon were
then used for Infirmary purposes un-
til 1858, when they became inade-
quate. A bond issue was then voted
for new buildings which were then
erected at a cost of little more than
$15,000.
Devoted To Flag
General Mcintosh was an interest-
ing character, interested in early mil-
itary organization, in which he gained
the title of major general of the mili-
tia. He was an ardent supporter of
Union War efforts in the Civil War.
He was devoted to his flag and in
1883, gave an endowment of $1,-
000.00, the proceeds of which were to
furnish flags for the court house at
Ravenna and for such townships that
needed them, with management of
the fund in the hands of the county
commissioners. The bequest is still in
operation. General Mcintosh also once
represented his county in the state
legislature.
Homes and property all over Port-
age County now have modern fire
protection. Every township in the
county either has its own fire com-
pany or has a contract with an adja-
Cyrus Prentiss, Ravenna business man, established a tannery there in 1836 and in
1838 installed a steam engine in the plant. This is said to have been the first steam
engine used in Portage County.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
147
cent township or town. All this has
been made possible through use of
motorized vehicles and good roads,
and the system of carrying water to
fires in a tank truck to supplement
supplies on the spot. Use of chemicals
in fire fighting has also increased ef-
ficiency. A fire company at the Ra-
venna Arsenal is sometimes available
and nearly every town is generous in
furnishing aid to help other places,
though some towns have found it
necessary to limit their services in
some respects.
It is easy now for older people
whose lives have spanned sixty or
seventy years, to realize the difference
between living sixty years ago and
now. The world here in Portage
County has been truly motorized and
mechanized, with the result of more
rapid living and in most ways, more
comfortable.
Life Much Easier
To one reared, perhaps on a farm
home where long hard hours of work
were the rule, life today is unbeliev-
able soft. Particularly true was this
for women. Where once she spent
her long days in cooking, mending,
washing over a tub, and ironing, even
helping with men's work, she has a
dozen appliances to ease her labor.
Electrical sweepers, refrigerators and
other devices have softened her days.
For men, too, life is easier. Power
devices, from saws to bull dozers, have
taken away the heavier work. Where
Paddy or Ignatz worked on the rail-
road with shovel and wheelbarrow,
the same work is done many times
faster and easier by machinery. The
result of course, that many more pro-
fessions and skills are now needed.
Yesterday, so to speak, people knew
little of the need of sanitation, or
even understood what sanitation was
as we know it today. As a conse-
quence, there were sicknesses of un-
known causes. As pointed out in an-
other chapter, with the presence of
modern hospitals and modern scien-
tific treatment of disease, people here
are far ahead in the prevention of
disease or treatment of it.
More Go To College
In 1900, college education was for
the few, often something to be at-
tained by hard work and sacrifice.
Today, college is the accepted thing
and technical education has likewise
increased. In the public schools, too,
pupils receive training in subjects un-
thought of years ago. It is a time of
mass education.
In old days, marriages were likely
to be the result of propinquity, es-
pecially in rural sections. Today, the
youthful swain roams far afield in
search of his ideal and the motor car
is his means of getting around.
Amusements and diversions have a
wider variety today. Where once base-
ball, football, horse racing, and cock
fighting appealed to some, we now
have these and golf, boating, flying,
Hopson Hurd, early Aurora merchant, kept a barrel of whiskey in the basement of
his store. When a customer paid his bill he was given a tin dipper and told to go below
and help himself to the liquor.
148
PORTAGE HERITAGE
The 7-story mill in Aurora, at Center-
ville, near the Geauga line, was famous
in its day.
camping, and a dozen other divers-
ions. We have college and high
school bands with majorettes and ba-
ton twirling. We get around much
more rapidly and easier, finance com-
panies almost force loans upon you,
and we live in air conditioned homes.
School houses have become palaces.
Everyone appears to have money, few
need to worry about poverty, because
of retirement systems and old age
pensions. We indeed live in an age of
luxury in comparison with days of
1807.
If the changes that have come in
style of living in the past century are
unbelievable to many, no less is this
so is the change in the overall picture.
No longer is Portage a county of
farms, with a few country towns. It
is not even a country area. We have
suddenly become part of a metropoli-
tan area— or suburban area — and per-
haps even two of them. We are a dis-
tinct part of the new system of dis-
tribution of population.
Farm Fades Away
As this is being written, many
thoughtful men are urging new polit-
ical sub-divisions. Many would make
the county, instead of the town, vil-
lage, or township, an entity. The
trend is that way. In future days one
may say that he lives in Portage as
though speaking of his home town.
Those who plan would lay out the
county much as the town has been in
the past. There is a distinct trend to
such end. The farm, as such, may be
passing entirely out of the picture for
Portage County.
One of the great developments af-
fecting Portage was the construction
of the Ohio Turnpike in 1954-1955.
This great highway runs from Penn-
sylvania on the east to the Indiana
line, passing through four Portage
townships. These are Windham, Free-
dom, Shalersville, and Streetsboro.
It's construction was of great econom-
ic stimulus to the county, not only by
way of employment but in providing
materials. The Turnpike was built at
a cost of $326,000,000.00 and literally
thousands of motor vehicles pass over
it at high speed every day. Its opera-
tion gives employment to many peo-
ple in the county. The influence here
of this great work is large and probab-
ly cannot be fully foreseen at this
time. Observers call attention to the
fact that this highway carries more
traffic in a single day than the total
of Ohio roads in one year of a cen-
tury ago.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
149
St. Peters Of The Fields Church, Roots-
town — A rural church in a picturesque
setting.
Plan For Future
By 1955, it had become apparent
that Portage County was destined for
further changes. The population was
increasing in a marked degree. In-
dustry was seeking new location and
there was a marked trend towards
decentralization. Since Portage Coun-
ty not only had sizeable towns of its
own and was situated near larger cit-
ies which were extending their oper-
ations and influence, it seemed likely
that the whole section would grow
not only industrially, but in popula-
tion. There was growing sentiment
for zoning and planning so that a
better organization of work and liv-
ing could be maintained.
There was growing opposition to
new reservoirs as these took many
hundreds of acres of farm land from
tax duplicates and the county was a
loser financially.
Of all the great changes in Portage
County, none is more striking than
the physical appearance alone. Lakes
have appeared where none existed be-
fore and others have disappeared or
shrunk. Damming the Cuyahoga Riv-
er has created an eight mile long Ak-
ron reservoir in Franklin and Streets-
boro Townships. In Brimfield and
Suffield, the Mogadore reservoir
spreads over hundreds of acres. In
the south-east corner of the county
the Deerfield-Berlin reservoir along
the Mahoning can be seen.
County Criss-Crossed
Long lines of wide, well graded
highways traverse the county like a
giant grid pattern. Across the north-
ern part, the great Ohio Turnpike
has cut a mighty swath. Railroads,
too, leave their definite marks. Most
of the forests have disappeared.
Swamp lands have been drained.
Groups of buildings and installations
are like towns themselves, such as the
Ravenna Arsenal and Kent State Uni-
versity. Factories and smoke stacks
can be seen far away. On the farms
themselves, new methods have
brought about great changes. Old set-
tlers could now hardly recognize the
localities they once called home.
Giant transmission lines cut over
the terrain like blazed trails, while
unseen, but underground pipes carry
cargoes of oil, gas, and even pulver-
ized coal.
Hundreds of tall silos can be seen
on farms and in Shalersville the great
tower for co-axial cable for television
can be seen for many miles.
In the animal world, bear and deer
were the first to disappear before the
150
PORTAGE HERITAGE
advancing ranks of settlers. Deer dis-
appeared by 1830, but a hundred
years later began to straggle back.
While not numerous today, they are
frequently seen.
The scourge of early days was the
deadly rattlesnake. They existed by
the thousands. Deaths from snake
bites were frequent. But mass attacks
were made on their dens and some-
times several hundred were extermin-
ated at a time. While not extinct, to-
day they are seldom encountered.
Comes The Starling
In 1876 a Ravenna paper noted the
appearance in the county of the Eng-
lish sparrow. The starling, also an
imported bird, first came about 1926
or 1927. Both these birds now exist
here in great numbers.
In the summer of 1956 the entire
county was stirred by organized hunts
by officers for Alfred Wilson, a craz-
ed killer who had slain three persons
in Trumbull and Portage Counties.
For nearly a week many residents
were in a state of terror until officers
located and killed Wilson while he
was resisting arrest.
An innovation brought on by the
motor age was beginning, about 1940,
of the annual "soap-box derby" races.
In these, boys raced each other in the
home made vehicles powered by grav-
ity. The race is promoted by a large
motor manufacturing company in co-
operation with local newspapers. Lo-
cal winners race in the nation-wide
competition. Apparently, these races
are a permanent affair. The object is
the stimulation of mechanical ability
in boys.
To many older people, an astonish-
ing development of recent years is
the large number of organizations.
They have sprung up for every pur-
pose — political, religious, fraternal,
business, labor, cultural, civic, social,
and many others. It has been estimat-
ed that there is in Portage County
nearly 1,000 active organizations, each
with many committees at work.
The editors started out by saying
that people of Portage County are
fortunate as they live in a favored sec-
tion. The county is a good one in
which to make a living and to live in,
materially and otherwise. A study of
the conditions of the past and present
serves to confirm the statement.
Big Day In Politics
In the fiery McKinley-Bryan campaign of 1896, feeling was intense. In October the
Bryan advocates organized an enormous meeting and parade at Ravenna. The parade
was approximately two miles in length and around 700 massed horsemen were a feature.
So large and enthusiastic was the meeting that the Republicans became alarmed over its
effects and hastily organized a parade of their own that evening, calling in groups from
all over the county and some from Akron. This parade was not so large or well conducted
as the rival group but it was a very good one and the McKinley supporters said the
"edge had been taken off" the Bryan affair.
The first naturalized woman citizen of Portage County is believed to have been
Helen Francusik, of Ravenna. She filed her application in the county clerk's office in Ra-
venna, on March 3, 1919.
CHAPTER X
Transportation
By Dudley S. Weaver
Somewhere deep in the woods was
a salt spring, and a salt lick. The deer
found it and after the deer the In-
dians, and a trail was formed. In time,
the trail became a hunting path and
when the white man came, it was a
thoroughfare for all.
The trail then became a Road but
no longer a thing of the wild. New
steps were heard hammering over it —
hooves of horses, mules and oxen, but
always with the tread of men. The
Road reached out and gradually it
reached other roads.
Everything was changing. Men
worked with tools instead of guns.
They sought to make the Road
smooth and easier for passage for all,
and keep it out of the mud. New
routes and cutoffs were fashioned and
fills were made. They used "corduroy"
with logs, then macadam, then hard
surfaces.
Today in Portage County, the Road
runs wide and smooth across it under
a score of different names and num-
bers, such as "Ohio Turnpike"; U. S.
Highways Nos. 224 and 422; State
Routes Nos. 5, 14, 18, 43, 44, 80, 88,
225, 261, 282, 303, 305, 306, 526, 532,
627, and 700. County highways, now
very good, are identified by names
and numbers such as CH 72, Johnny-
cake Hollow; CH 98, Fox-Powder-
mill; CH 163, Lovers Lane, and others.
But beneath all these the old Road
still sleeps only to stir occasionally
when concrete buckles or grass and
weeds spring up.
County Roads 1700-1840
Transportation, in its evolution
from the ox-drawn or horse drawn
vehicles of yesteryear to the fast
moving jets of today, has been an
important part in transforming Port-
age County from a wilderness into a
prosperous, modern community.
The area now known as Portage
County offered a short cut to the rug-
ged pioneers moving westward from
Warren and the East and by way of
New York State. Proof of this today
are traces of the Mahoning or Great
Indian Trail running nearly east and
west through Palmyra, Edinburg, Ra-
venna, and Franklin. It was the old
direct Indian route from Detroit to
the Ohio River. East of our county it
passed the famous Salt Springs, long
found useful not only by animals but
by Indians and whites. The Indian
Trail Survey listed this route as Trail
No. 4, but some of the Indian tribes
called it the "Trail of Falling Tears",
because so many of their people had
been murdered by enemies while
traveling upon it.
Less well known was the trail run-
ning due south from a junction of the
Great Trail near Standing Rock and
crossing the elevation where Kent
State University now stands. Another
trail of note connected the principal
camping grounds of the Indians at
Hiram Rapids, with their winter resi-
dence in Windham, passing near Gar-
rettsville. These trails usually follow-
ed high ground to avoid snow and
151
152
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Old Cuyahoga House hotel, N. Mantua St., Franklin
Mills. A popular stopping place in stage coach and canal
days.
marshy ground and gave a clear view
of the country.
Road Making Starts
Within the limits of the county's
521 square miles, at least 23 Indian
trails were known as of 1803. We
must consider them our first county
highway system.
One of the first real improvements
was the construction of a bridge over
the Cuyahoga River in Franklin
township in 1803. Then a widening
and bypassing project along the Trail
between Hudson and Ravenna. The
same year saw a state road for military
use cut through from Youngstown to
Stow. Today it is known as the Camp-
bellsport-Kent Road. Further north
the road known today as "Pioneer
Trail" was pushed through from War-
ren to Aurora, and another tied At-
water with Deer fie Id.
About 1809 the government insti-
tuted two mail routes. Mail was car-
ried horseback between Warren and
Cleveland and later between Pitts-
burgh and Cleveland. Mail agents re-
ported condition of roads to head-
quarters. After 1810 the opening of
roads began to follow a pattern later
used to connect centers of townships.
But highway travel remained hazard-
ous for many years. Freight wagons
were in use but traffic was limited.
Horseback travel was safest and surest
of all for passengers.
After Ravenna became the county
seat, freight wagon owners established
Ravenna as a station on their route.
About 1823 passenger coach lines
were being run through the county
in all directions. These routes includ-
ed Warren to Cleveland runs via
Franklin Mills; Wellsville to Cleve-
land via Deerfield, Ravenna and
Streetsboro. Other routes went north
or south from Ravenna and in the
northern section routes passed
through Nelson, Hiram, Mantua and
Aurora.
But all roads were poor. About
1838 macadam roads were introduced
but received little attention because
PORTAGE HERITAGE
153
people were too much interested in
the new canal.
Paths Are "Brushed"
In his notes concerning his first
trip here, Benjamin Tappan speaks of
"brushing" a way from Boston town-
ship toward Ravenna, for "sled
roads." This consisted of merely cut-
ting down such brush as would im-
pede the progress of a sledge. There
was no surveying, laying out or grad-
ing. This preliminary work ceased as
he hit the old Indian Trail, outside of
present Portage county. Actually, the
Indian Trail had been the scene of
much pack train travel around 1786
and later. James Hillman, Youngs-
town pioneer, described his part of it
in his notes. Elias Harmon of Man-
tua, told in his diary that in June,
1799, he spent several days "cutting a
road to Aurora", which probably
meant a sled road. Older histories also
tell of the construction of a rough
road from Aurora towards Cleveland
in 1799 and 1800. There were also
roads set up from Nelson township
west in 1802. One of the earliest was
brought up to Atwater from George-
town, Pa., and for years Deerfield
was considered the end of the road
from the East.
Probably there were no formal, or
legal roads in the first twenty years of
Local cemeteries today are universally
kept in fine condition and some in Port-
age County have gained renown for
their beauty. One such is Ravenna's
Maple Grove cemetery. From 1878 to
1898 P. L. King was superintendent there
and he did much to beautify and mod-
ernize. Previously, graves were mound
shaped but he leveled all to the ground
as they remain today. The step was
taken in the face of bitter opposition
from those who thought graves were
being "desecrated."
the county's history and even when
formally dedicated and laid out, roads
were usually next to impossible to
traverse with vehicles. They were fill-
ed with stumps and roots, or stones,
and washed out or swampy. Though
coach passengers paid their way to
ride the stages, they frequently had
to walk or even push the coach in
rough spots.
Plank roads were also tried, par-
ticularly in Streetsboro, but they were
not popular.
Highways— 1840-1955
Some so-called turnpikes were
built, supported in the beginning by
outright gifts of land. Legislation at
first permitted both state and local
aid. Then when laws were changed,
people lost enthusiasm. They looked
to railroads.
As near as can be determined the
first road tax levied in Portage Coun-
ty came into being in 1848. It amount-
ed to one mill on each dollar valua-
tion of property abutting the road.
In April of 1848, a meeting was
held in Shalersville to discuss a new
material for road covering. It was
charcoal. Someone thought the abun-
dant timber could be converted to
charcoal for road surface at low cost.
The idea was rejected.
After the Civil War, there came a
span of years now called the "Horse
and Buggy Days." Roads were slowly
being improved but farm and village
life expressed contentment. No one
seemed then to be in a hurry. Into
this set-up came buggies with bright-
ly trimmed bodies and wheels, speed-
ing along, stirring up clouds of yel-
low dust, to the discomfort of pe-
destrians. There were buckboards,
sulkeys, carts, surreys, expresses,
hacks and even a few stage coaches.
In the '80s, a new type of locomo-
154
PORTAGE HERITAGE
tion appeared — the bicycle. Nearly
every village had a bicycle club.
When roads were unsuitable, bicycle
paths were set up along roads paid for
by subscription. One paralleled pres-
ent State Route 43.
But the wretched condition of roads
reached into villages themselves.
Garrettsville Paving First
The first really hard surfaced road
built in the county was a short section
of pavement on Garrettsville's main
business street, laid in the middle
'80s. The town can well be proud of
this record. The improvement was
paid for by the business men. Raven-
na was next with its Main St. paved
in part in 1898. Kent held out until
1903, when Water St. was paved from
Erie St. to Crain Ave.
First record of a fine imposed for
"overload" was that on George Haney
of Mantua who was assessed $5.00 for
hauling too heavy a load of logs on
the Hiram Pike. This was in June,
1894.
With the passing of the nineteenth
century and the coming of the auto-
mobile, life changed. Strange and
fantastic to Portage was the first prac-
tical "horseless carriage" in 1892. Aft-
er that the carriages were shown at
fairs, including Portage, billed as
"New Wonders of the World." At
first regarded as playthings for the
wealthy, they also had their critics,
particularly in Ravenna where coach-
es and buggies were made. Farmers
hated them because they scared
horses. Sometimes tacks were strewn
on country roads to slow them down.
Speed limits were at first fixed at ten
miles an hour. But the on-coming
"automobile age" created the great
and ever increasing need for more
and better roads. Even in 1905 over
80% of all county roads were still in
the mud and dirt category.
It was this great demand for a sys-
tem for improved roads that made it
obvious that an all-county organiza-
tion was necessary. The state legisla-
ture created a highway department in
1905 but it was mainly advisory and
lacked funds. About 1909, revenue for
road building was authorized from
motor vehicle license fees, which was
distributed to the counties.
Highway Department Set Up
The records of the Portage County
Commissioners show that the first
hard surface road of the county, out-
side a town, was the "Dawley Road",
as it was then called. On April 16,
1907, a contract was let to pave with
brick for a distance of 9290 feet, at a
cost of $12,784.00, the contract going
to E. E. Morgan. Today this is called
Infirmary Road, or county highway
No. 164.
On July 13, same year, a contract
was let for paving the "Dan Hanna"
Road from Ravenna's village limits to
the Cottage Hill farm to the Charles-
town line, a distance of two and a
half miles at a cost of $14,328.00. Han-
na paid half of this, his own proposi-
tion. The material was macadam. Lat-
er it became State Route 5, and still
later reverted to county status.
The year 1910 saw the paving with
brick of the historic "Chillicothe
Road" between Kent and Brimfield
(now Route 43). Shortly after this the
Ravenna-Freedom Road was paved in
part. In 1911 the Infirmary Road
Herbert F. Hudson was a large opera-
tor in the cheese, butter and milk bus-
iness about 1900 and after. He had a
farm in Rootstown and operated fac-
tories and creameries in various sections
of the county. His business headquarters
were in Ravenna.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
155
paving was extended and the present
Route 5 between Kent and Ravenna
paved with brick. During 1912, 2.27
miles of brick highway was laid in
Palmyra (Route 18). Other improved
roads came rapidly.
Improvement Association
Steps In
In 1911 the State Highway Depart-
ment asked each county to make
maps of its principal roads. From
these "Main Market Roads" were es-
tablished, to be built with state aid.
For these the state paid half, the coun-
ty 25%, the townships 15% and abut-
ting property owners 10%.
In October, 1912, the Portage Coun-
ty Improvement Association came in-
to being, led by Dan R. Hanna, the
motto being "Better Roads, Better
Live Stock, Better Farming." The As-
sociation was a mighty force for bet-
ter roads and in 1913 it was granted a
charter to make contracts for roads
with a road commission appointed by
the common pleas court. It aimed to
build roads at actual cost. F. M. Wil-
liams, a skilled road engineer was
brought in. Methods and ideals were
the first of their kind in the country,
and were watched far and wide. When
Williams resigned in 1915, the job
was taken over by B. F. Batchelder,
formerly of Ravenna. One of the in-
novations brought by Batchelder was
construction of a complete narrow
gauge railroad, with equipment, used
for the first time in construction of a
brick road between Whittlesey's
Corners, Atwater, to Randolph Center.
It solved the high cost of transporting
materials. In December, 1914, the Ra-
William McKinley spoke at Reed's
Opera House, Ravenna, on Sept. 18,
1889. He was then a candidate for gover-
nor of Ohio.
venna Republican said "22 miles of
improved roads have been built in
the county in 1914 by the Portage
County Improvement Association."
The Cass law of 1916 required erec-
tion of road signs at all centers, and
other places where necessary. The
numbering system for state highways
came in 1922, Portage having its first
number in 1923.
The Cleveland Automobile Club
started branch offices in Ravenna and
Kent in 1924 to provide information
and road service for travelers.
In 1925 the present County High-
way Department was organized under
the County Engineer and funds for
this work were received from the
state through the levying of a two
cent a gallon gasoline tax, later in-
creased.
Many remember the white wooden
crosses erected along roads at the
scene of fatal accidents. This was done
by direction of Gov. Vic Donahey in
1925. Later, they were removed.
Depression Slows Building
The road problems during the great
depression period of the '30s were
mainly maintenance and repair. Little
new construction was done. However,
Route 5, 18, and 224 were widened
and resurfaced.
August 1937, saw Route 5, between
Ravenna and Kent, widened and re-
surfaced with an underpass at the B
& O crossing. It was given the name
of Memorial Highway.
Motor vehicle records for the coun-
ty show a startling increase in the
number of vehicles per 100 people. In
1910 it was less than one-half car per
hundred persons. In 1920 it was 9.1
per 100 people, rising to 40.2 cars per
hundred people in 1950. Now it is
nearly one car for each two people.
Truck and bus service across the coun-
156
PORTAGE HERITAGE
ty since 1940 has increased twice as
rapidly as passenger service. The in-
flux in population and use of cars for
personal transportation has put an
ever increasing load on the 1025.69
miles of highway in the area. Portage
is 11th county in the state in amount
of vehicular traffic.
Forty years ago the objective was a
hard surfaced road for every farm
with good connections to centers. To-
day's objective of the state highway
department is to build new roads and
avoid running through municipalities.
New routes for Routes 5, 18, 224, and
43 indicate this. All of which is amaz-
ing as is the toll turnpike.
The old turnpikes, built by private
capital over a century ago, served a
useful purpose and their resurgence
today will no doubt do the same.
The success of the Pennsylvania
Turnpike was a moving factor in in-
itiating the present Ohio Turnpike,
which passes through Portage County
today. This comes into the county
from the east through Windham and
traverses Freedom, Shalersville, and
Streetsboro. After two years of con-
struction it was opened for traffic on
October 1, 1955.
To us in Portage County its bene-
fits should come in reducing the
amount of through motor traffic, par-
ticularly of trucks, and it may be the
answer to many problems of high
maintenance and construction costs of
the public routes.
The P & O Canal
The colorful era of the old canal
days came to Portage county during
the third and fourth decades of the
ninteenth century. Importance of this
type of transportation then can scarce-
ly be over-emphasized. It meant an
outlet for products and it brought in
necessary merchandise.
From early times men here wished
to connect Lake Erie with the Ohio
River for water transportation. The
Ohio Canal was authorized in 1817
and in 1827 the "north end" between
Cleveland and Akron was officially
opened.
Promotion and Surveys
The plan to provide a "crosscut"
water way, east to west, through
northeastern Ohio was first suggested
by Alfred Kelley, of Cleveland, head
of the state canal commission and
known as the "Father of the Ohio
Canals." Portage County people were
strongly for this canal. Surveys were
made as early as 1828. Dissension a-
rose in Akron over the route through
that section and not until 1835 was
the route approved and finally adopt-
ed. As the proposed route lay in two
states, joint action was necessary. In
January 1827, the Ohio legislature
authorized the Pennsylvania and Ohio
Canal, to take effect whenever Penn-
sylvania granted a similar charter.
This was accomplished in the follow-
ing April. In the Ohio Senate, Jona-
than Sloane, representing the Portage
district, was the author of many bills
and resolutions to aid the movement
to build the canal.
Building the canal was a private
enterprise but because of various un-
certainties, the board of directors of
the new company voted to postpone
opening books for stock subscriptions.
For five years the enterprise lay dorm-
ant, except for occasional surveys be-
ing made.
A revival of interest came in 1833,
but it was 1835 before friends of the
project went to work vigorously and
In 1905 the Erie Railroad Company
workmen burned 500 obsolete box cars
in the Kent yards.
PORTAG E HERITAGE
57
had the Ohio charter of 1827 amended
and renewed. In the same year the
Pennsylvania legislature also renewed
the old charter. Subscription books
for stock sales opened in Philadelphia
in April 1835, under the direction of
Abner Lacock, a giant in Pennsyl-
vania canal history. Through his in-
fluence there was a quick sale of
$800,000.00 in stock. In the following
May, an organization meeting was
held at New Castle electing Lacock,
William Boyd, William Robinson,
Joseph Boyd, William Rayen, Leicest-
er King and Jonathan Sloane as direc-
tors. Lacock was president and Sloane
secretary. The curtain was ready to go
up.
Final Contract Let
Col. Sebriel Dodge was Ohio's en-
gineer in chief while Pennsylvania
was represented by James Dunlap
Harris, an emminent engineer. Direc-
tors and commissioners often held
meetings in the Globe Tavern at Ra-
venna, now site of Hotel Ravenna. On
August 20, 1835, contracts were let
for constructing the P & O canal from
Akron, to the mouth of the Mahoning
River, near New Castle, Pennsylvania.
It was to be 82 miles in length. Work
started in September. The "Summit"
was a mile and a quarter west of Ra-
venna. The ditch was 40 feet wide at
the water line and 26 feet at the bot-
tom.
The biggest single job was supply-
ing the uppermost levels with water.
To do this, the famous "Feeder Dam"
was constructed in Shalersville, and
another reservoir from Pippin and
Brady Lakes. There were 37 locks on
the eastern division. Portage Summit
at Ravenna was 305 feet above the
eastern terminus in Pennsylvania.
Bids called for $510,000, but when
completed, the eastern division had
cost $648,000, the increase being
largely due to swampy ground en-
countered. Portage Summit was 112
feet above the basin at Akron and the
western division from Ravenna had
16 locks. The cost of this division was
$1,300,000.
Some of the costs were interesting.
Locks cost $850 per foot of lift. Public
bridges came at $600.00 each and lock
houses at $500.00 each. Cleaning the
right-of-way, or "grubbing" was $8.00
per chain of 66 feet. Excavation, be-
low the surface, cost 15 to 20 cents
per cubic yard. Embankments, 10 to
16 cents per yard. Culverts and dams
were made of stone.
Many Locks Needed
In Kent, contractors' blasting powd-
er forever destroyed the "Cuyahoga
Rapids", where Capt. Brady made his
leap. There were numerous contrac-
tors, the largest of which was Cyrus
Prentiss of Ravenna. His jobs included
five and a half miles of canal right-of-
way, complete with tow-path, seven
locks, three turning basins, ten
Hot And Cold
Some of the more modern, but unofficial, weather records show these thing about
Portage county weather: Feb. 10, 1899, 31 below zero; April 20, 1901, 5 feet of snow;
Jan. 21, 1906, 79 degrees, lasting three days; May 1, 1909, three inches of snow; May 3,
1911, snow several inches deep; Jan. 13, 1912, 33 below; Nov. 9, 1913, three feet of snow;
May 28, 1915, killing frost; Feb. 4, 1917, 25 below in Ravenna and 39 below in Garretts-
ville. Older records show still greater extremes in temperature or weather. The drouth of
1845 was long remembered.
158
PORTAGE HERITAGE
bridges, five arched culverts, five weir
dams, four lock houses two small
reservoirs and one aqueduct.
Hydraulics and machinery were
used but the prime earth movers were
Irish laborers. Nearly 500 of them
were used in the work crews. Using
pick, shovel, and wheel-barrow, they
virtually dug the canal by hand. Num-
erous Germans were also used as stone
masons and their walls of stone can
still be seen along the route today.
Work went on speedily until the
summer of 1837, when it came to a
halt because of a cholera epidemic
and the panic of that year and later.
In the epidemic, 29 workers died in
Ravenna, Franklin and Shalersville
townships. Completion of the work
was not assured until the state of Ohio
subscribed $450,000 and Pennsylvania
$50,000.
Completion and Celebration
The canal was completed in parts.
On May 9, 1839, the boat Joseph
Vance passed from the lower basin in
So. Akron to Middlebury (E. Akron).
Three weeks later the Ontario, the
Huron and the Hudson started regu-
lar runs between Warren and Beaver,
Penna. The traffic over the "Summit"
was not effective until August be-
cause of water shortage. The "inaug-
ural" voyage (through) did not come
until April 1840, when four decorated
packets carried Gov. Porter of Penn-
sylvania and dignitaries from both
states from New Castle to Akron.
Everywhere along the route they were
welcomed enthusiatically. Cannon
boomed, bands played and there were
banquets.
Canal freight boats were much the
same size, 75 to 80 feet long, 14 feet
six inches wide with capacity of 60
to 100 tons. Passenger boats, or "Pack-
ets", were 75 feet long and 10 to 14
feet wide, equipped to handle 60 pas-
sengers and 20 tons of freight.
Cost of canal boats ranged from
$1200.00 to $2,000.00 each, including
mules or horses. Extra animals were
carried on cargo boats, but packets
were serviced by relay stations along
the route.
Freight rates were on the ton-mile
basis. It is said it cost $50.00 to carry
a ton of wheat from Franklin Mills to
Pittsburgh by wagon, but a canal boat
could do the job for $5.00.
The canal business expanded rapid-
ly. In 1843 there were 149 boats listed
on the "register" with more coming
in. In 1844 reservoirs and feeders were
constructed at Muddy and Sandy
Lakes, to insure steady water supply.
Prentiss & Whittlesey received this
contract.
Many "ports" sprang into life along
the canal and around them, towns.
Newport (now Way land) and Mc-
Clintocksburg were important ship-
ping points. Campbellsport boomed
and considered itself a rival of Ra-
venna. Charlestown had its "Bread-
port", so named because of heavy
An Early Telephone
Dudley H. Beaman published a newspaper in Hiram in the '80s and had a mail
order music business. He also invented a telephone which used no electricity, connecting
his home and office. At each end was a box in which was fixed a parchment, with copper
wire connecting the two, and suspended in soft fabric. The virations of the voice were
transmitted along the wire to the parchment at the opposite end and were reproduced
there, operating very well. Some of these telephones of this nature were sold.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
159
Sledding Party assembled in Ravenna Square, about
1880. Sledding parties were very popular.
wheat shipments. At Franklin Mills
so much was expected of the canal
that a land boom developed which
collapsed when the 1837 panic came
along. Yet, the Mills did enjoy great
canal prosperity.
Comes The Railroad
The whistle of the "iron horse",
heard in Ravenna for the first time
in 1851, announced the slow death of
the P & O Canal, though none realiz-
ed it then. Within a year all passenger
traffic had ceased, but freight traffic
continued for a few more years.
When the C & M V Railroad reach-
ed Warren and Youngstown from
Cleveland, the event was almost the
death blow for the canal. Through
Civil War years, the canal carried
little traffic. The Ohio Board of Pub-
lic Works then sold the canal to the
C. & M. V. Railroad, which in turn
leased water rights. But the canal was
neglected and finally abandoned al-
together by 1869. The locks and feed-
ers went to pieces and boats and
equipment were allowed to rot away.
By court order the P. & O. was dis-
enfranchised and its few assets sold.
From 1884 to 1905 its tow path was
used in part by the P. & W. Railroad
and its successor, the B. & O. still does
so in sections.
So passed into history the Penn-
sylvania and Ohio Canal with a record
of usefulness.
The Pioneer Rail Line
Portage County has good reason to
be proud of its first railroad, the
Cleveland & Pittsburgh line. In 1845
the county was essentially a land of
farmers, shop keepers, merchants, and
artisans.
Passenger travel was slow, either by
60
PORTAGE HERITAGE
canal or stage coach. Judge Darius
Lyman of Ravenna brought back from
the east glowing accounts of railroad
progress. People were interested. Men
like Capt. Isaac Br ay ton, Cyrus Prent-
iss, Samuel Foljambe, William Cool-
man, Zenas and Marvin Kent became
interested. This group asked for a re-
vival of the original act of incorpora-
tion dated March 1836. At a meeting
of subscribers in Ravenna a re-organ-
ization of the company was effected.
James Stewart of Wellsville was nam-
ed president; A. C. Catlett, secretary;
and Cyrus Prentiss, treasurer. The
Kents, of Franklin Mills, wanted tfoe
line near their town and were disap-
pointed when it came only as close as
Earlville. Marvin Kent never forgave
this failure.
On March 9, 1848, contracts were
let, but the work went slowly for lack
of funds. Subscribers failed to pay up.
But in 1849 Cyrus Prentiss went into
a key position and soon showed lead-
ership under which the work went
ahead vigorously and early in 1851
the line was completed to Ravenna
from Cleveland. The first round trip,
Cleveland to Ravenna, came on March
13, 1851, when the locomotive "Ra-
venna" pulled a car of road officials
into town. Regular trains were run-
ning by another week. By June 1,
1851, trains were running as far as
Alliance and by Feb. 14, 1852, the
first train came through from Wells-
ville, covering 100 miles in seven
hours. The road brought telegraph
service, railroad mail service and the
^railroad Irish" to form the Ravenna
Catholic church organization. The
line was leased to the Pennsylvania
R. R. Co. in 1871 for 999 years. Today
it is listed as the Lake Division of the
Penna. R. R. with excellent service.
Much of its revenue arises from carry-
ing iron ore. The line was double
tracked soon after 1900. For many
years Cyrus Prentiss was president of
this line.
Atlantic & Great Western R. R.
More than five score years have
Fancy Canal Boat Names
Names of canal boats, like names of boats elsewhere and always, make an interesting
study. Some of them today seem incongruous but many of them reflect the times. In
1849 and for several years thereafter these boats navigated the P. & O. canal through
Portage County, as shown by old records:
Sea Bird, Mary Ellen, Falcon, Ravenna, Pearl, Peru, Bennington, Boston, New
Fashion, Algomah, Beaver, Manchester, Old Zach, Bugle, Amboy, Independence, Bril-
lient, Hibernia, Ciburnia, Harkaway, Grand Trunk, Selim.
Trader, Lake Erie, Prince, Petrel, Empire State, Mayflower, Birmingham, Apollo,
Blue Bell, Rochester, Eclipse, Genessee, Pearl, Express, Hornet, Illinois, Clipper, Winding
Way, Detroit, Perdido Bay, Globe, Ocean Queen, Leroy, Kentucky, Jennie Lind, Champion,
American Eagle, Michigan, Bell Ringer, Paris.
Wasp, Napoleon, Spy, Germany, Grit, Uncle Sam, City Mills, Arabella, Norway,
Oriental, War Dance, Amazon, Oregon, Willow Dale, Planet, Rapids, Saratoga, Poco-
hontas, American Flag, Katie Darling, Grandpa, Rough and Ready.
Elephant, Oaxaca, Orizba, Pilot, Maryland, Rover, Prairie State, Housatonic, S. A.
Douglas, Belle, Liberty, Orinoco, Wisconsin, Golden Rule, Brady, Challenger, Royal Arch,
Uncle Tom, Alliance, Hurricane, Conneautville, Mt. Carbon, Winona May, Daniel P.
Rhodes, Burton, Sylph, Arequippa, Utica, Lily, and of course many family names and
names of presidents and generals.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
161
passed since Marvin Kent removed the
first shovel full of earth at Franklin
Mills (Kent) on the present road bed
of the Erie Railroad system. This was
about 20 feet south of the Kent West
Main St. crossing.
Disappointed by his failure to have
the C. & P. touch his town, Marvin
Kent (and his father, Zenas) con-
centrated their energies on bringing
a railroad to their own village. They
knew the C. & P. group wanted no
competition in Portage County, but
they did apply to the state legislature
for a plank railroad charter. The re-
quest was turned down. Later, Mar-
vin Kent, backed by Simon Perkins,
Lucius V. Bierce, Harvey B. Spelman,
and Daniel Upson of Akron, did se-
cure a charter in 1851. To cover their
plans the bill was drafted under the
name of the Coal Hill railroad. Upon
the last reading the name was changed
to the Franklin & Warren, under the
pretense that it was to be a branch
line from the C. & P. to the coal fields
at Tallmadge.
Financing the new line was not
easy. Under the charter the Kents
were required to subscribe the first
$20,000, of the capital stock. At the
first meeting of the board of direc-
tors, Marvin Kent was elected presi-
dent, an office which he held until
1864, with the exception of three
years.
From the first the Kents held the
idea of connecting their dream rail-
road with the then newly constructed
Erie Railroad in the East, and the
embryo Ohio & Mississippi railroad
on the west, forming a great trunk
line, New York to the Mississippi
River. Authority to cross Pennsylvania
Garfield's Canal Career
In the diary of James A. Garfield, he refers to his work on the canal as follows:
Aug. 16, 1948 — Went to Cleveland. Hired on the canal boat, Evening Star, to my
cousin, A. Lechter. Started up the canal.
Aug. 17 — Passed through Akron.
Sept. 2 — From Akron we turned east on the cross out which passes through Cuy-
ahoga Falls, Franklin, Ravenna, Warren, Youngstown, and a short distance from the
latter place it forms a junction with the Erie extension, and from there went to Beaver
on the Ohio River. Hired a steamboat to tow us up the river to Pittsburgh, where we
arrived on the 26th.
Sunday, Sept. 27 — Took a stroll. Listened to two sermons on the street by men hired
by the authorities of the place.
Oct. 2 — Staid over Sunday. Unloaded Monday. My business is "bowing", which is to
make the locks ready, get the boat through, trim the lamps and I get $14.00 per month.
I followed the business about two months, in which time we transported 240 tons of
stone coal and 40 tons of iron to Cleveland and 52 tons copper ore; 150 barrels of salt,
10,000 lath and 1000 feet of lumber from Cleveland to different places along the canal.
After the fourth trip I was taken sick with fever and on Oct. 3 came home with Charles
Garfield. Was confined to my bed about 10 days and then broke the ague. It came again.
I employed Dr. Butler. Medicine no effect. Took Dr. Vincent and Harmon of Chagrin
Falls.
(He did not recover full health until March, 1849. In October of that year he took a
school to teach in Orange, at $12.00 per month of 24 days each. He wrote that he "ex-
pects trouble" there.)
Nov. 13, 1849 — Punished S. Herrington severely for disobeying and being saucy.
He endeavored to fight me but finally gave up and is now a good boy.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Ohio Turnpike Scene, 1956, in Freedom.
and New York was finally obtained
and the sale of $1,500,000 in stock
started in 1852.
Financial Woes
Construction work was finally
taken over by Henry Doolittle, of
Dayton, an experienced railroad man.
The proposed road was 353 miles
long, with 28 miles in New York, 78
miles in Pennsylvania and 247 miles
in Ohio. The amount of money need-
ed was set at $7,000,000. But money
was hard to find. Construction work
slowed up. In 1855, the Ohio com-
pany's name was changed to the At-
lantic and Great Western. Shortly
after that Mr. Kent decided to resign
as president. He was succeeded by a
Mr. Ward of Towanda, Pa., a close
friend of Doolittle. Ward was success-
ful in raising money in England and
James McHenry of England contract-
ed to finish the entire line.
On July 12, 1859, Marvin Kent was
again elected president and energetic-
ally worked for the road's completion.
Almost immediately the country was
engaged in a great civil war which
meant more delay. But despite scarce
labor and other difficulties, the road
was opened as far as Ravenna in De-
cember, 1862, and reached Kent
March 7, 1863.
Extensive machine shops for the
Ohio division were started in Frank-
lin Mills in 1864, mainly through the
influence of Marvin Kent, who gave
land for the purpose. By 1868, the
shops employed over 800 men.
From 1861 to 1865, A. & G. W. of-
fices were maintained in Kent. Then
the Ohio division was merged with
the A. & G. W. chain and Marvin
Kent ended his official connection
with the road. Another important
man in Erie affairs was Enos P. Brain-
erd, Ravenna and Kent banker who
was treasurer of the A. & G. W. many
years.
Steam To Diesel
Since then many changes in man-
agement and operations have been
made. In 1874, the A. & G. W. was
leased to the parent Erie Railroad Co.
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
163
It went into a receivership. First a
broad gauge line, in 1880 the track
was changed to standard gauge and
reorganized as the New York, Penn-
sylvania and Ohio (Nypano). As of
1883, it was again leased to the Erie,
which in 1896, acquired the capital
stock. Today the modern Erie has
changed from steam to diesel power,
operates 2,245 miles of railroad in six
states in the country's most populous
sections. Like the C. & P., the Erie
was peculiarly of our people.
Baltimore & Ohio R. R.
The railroad we know today first
followed to a marked degree, the
abandoned bed of the old P. & O.
Canal. Very early in 1881, the Pitts-
burgh, Youngstown and Chicago R.
R. came into being. By lease the com-
pany secured the right of way along
the canal and almost immediately
work of building the line started.
Slow progress was made in the con-
struction of the road. Legal difficul-
ties were encountered at Kent and a
new right of way was necessary along
a small portion of property belonging
to the owners of the old Day, Wil-
liams and Co. glass works. The heirs
obtained an injunction and the case
was not settled until 1882.
In January 1883, the name of the
P. Y. & C. was changed to the Pitts-
burgh, Toledo & Cleveland Railroad.
Shortly after this the Pittsburgh and
Western, by lease, acquired control of
this line and the work was vigorously
pushed. Trains started running across
the county regularly in March, 1884.
Such villages as McClintocksburg,
Wayland, and Campbellsport were re-
established as stations on the line, giv-
ing back their old importance.
The P. & W. had poor connections
east and west and it was not too pros-
perous until 1891 when the Baltimore
& Ohio, looking for a shorter route to
Chicago, gained control of the P. &
W. stock, when the future brightened.
In 1898, all outstanding stock of the
P. & W. was bought by the B. & O.
At once track improvement, shorten-
ing of lines and a general overhauling
began. Some twenty-five miles of new
line was to be constructed within this
county and $5,000,000 was to be spent
for right-of-way, labor and material.
The old canal route was then disre-
garded. That part of the new route
between Ravenna and Niles was con-
structed jointly by the B. & O. and
the Pennsylvania R. R. and has been
used by both since that time. These
changes were made from 1900 to 1905.
This great double track system has
played an important part in the his-
tory of Portage County.
The C. & M. V. Railroad
The Cleveland & Mahoning Valley
road (now the Erie) received its char-
ter February 2, 1848. Financing was
difficult and in June 1852, the first
stockholders meeting was held in
Warren, with $300,000 subscribed.
Jacob Perkins of Warren was first
president and he pledged $100,000 of
his personal fortune to the venture.
Other directors also pledged heavily.
This road entered the county at
Aurora, passing through Mantua, Hi-
ram, Garrettsville, Nelson, and Wind-
ham townships and has been through
the years a great value to these towns.
By 1857, the road reached Youngs-
town via Warren, opening the Ma-
honing Valley coal fields to the lake
ports, but doing harm to the canal. In
1863, the road was leased to the C. &
G. W. for a 99 year term. To work
better with the A. & G. W. it was
made broad gauge, remaining so until
1880. It was single track until 1887,
when a second track was laid on the
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
entire route, but not entirely complet-
ed until 1896. On May 7, 1942, the
Cleveland & Mahoning Valley was
absorbed entirely by the Erie system.
Today, iron ore and coal are the
main items of freight, with passenger
income way down the list as revenue
collectors. It is the shortest route be-
tween Cleveland, Youngstown, and
Pittsburgh.
W. & L. E. - Nickle Plate
In the 70s came the news that an-
other railroad was to enter Portage
County to areas not yet touched by
the "iron horse." A narrow gauge
line was to pass through Suffield and
Brimfield to the north. The railroad
was originaly incorporated in the
name of the Youngstown & Conotton
Valley R. R. This was in 1877. In
1879 it was renamed the Conotton
Valley Railway. Still later it became
the Cleveland & Canton, and after
that (1890), the Cleveland, Canton &:
Southern.
When construction got under way
in 1880, difficulties were encountered
in building the road bed through the
swamp lands of Brimfield, but the
tracks reached Kent in May, 1881, and
Cleveland later in the year. This line
ran from Cleveland to Zanesville with
branches to Carrollton and Chagrin
Falls. Sometimes it was called the
"Tip Top Route." It became part of
the Wheeling & Lake Erie in 1900. On
November 22, 1888, the tracks were
changed from narrow to standard
gauge in a single day. The last pas-
senger train passed over the line here
July 17, 1938. On December 1, the
Nickle Plate Co. took over operations
of the line on lease.
Cleveland, Youngstown &
Pittsburgh
The only railroad passing up the
eastern side of the county, through
Deerfield, Palmyra, and Paris, was
first known as the "Alliance & North-
ern", built in 1879. Later it was
known variously as the Lake Erie, Al-
liance & Wheeling and Ohio River &
Lake Erie. It was long a coal carrying
road.
It was narrow gauge, originally
planned to run from Fairport on Lake
Erie to Wheeling and the line now ex-
tends from Phalanx on the north to
Dillonville on the south.
In 1882 the road went to standard
gauge under the name of the Cleve-
land, Youngstown & Pittsburgh.
Much coal was moved from the Pal-
myra and Deerfield mines and pas-
senger service continued for half a
century. In 1933, a gasoline single
unit train was put in use for pas-
senger service, running until 1940.
The road is now a part of the New
York Central system, being used as a
freight feeder. It starts from Phalanx
in Trumbull County. At one time it
was planned to extend the line north-
west to Fairport.
Lake Erie & Pittsburgh
The last railroad built in the coun-
ty was for a time known as "The
Mystery Road", so named by the pub-
lic because of inability to learn owner-
ship and objective. But in 1905 it was
announced that the Lake Erie & Pitts-
burgh Co. was building the line. The
line was to run from a point near
Lorain to Youngstown. Various re-
ports were heard but in 1906 actual
work on grading was started and it
was disclosed that the line was a joint
enterprise of the Pennsylvania, Lake
Shore and B. & O. After starts and
stops a new line was finally construct-
ed, passing into the county east of
Darrowville and connecting with the
Cleveland & Pittsburgh at Brady
Lake. From this point traffic went
PORTAGE HERITAGE
165
east over the Pennsylvania and B. &
O. Movements of trains started in
1911. It was intended to be a freight
line, considered as being under New
York Central control.
Clinton Air Line - Brice Line
Portage County had two railroads
that "died a borning." The so-called
Clinton Air Line was proposed as the
Great American railroad, Atlantic to
the Pacific. It was to follow the gener-
al line surveyed, years before, for the
Clinton Canal. The "air line" meant
a straight line, since it was to come
from Kinsman on the Pennsylvania
border, straight through Portage
County to Hudson, traversing Hiram,
Mantua and Aurora, a distance of 55
miles. Stock subscriptions were taken
to $200,000 and work started in 1852.
D. C. Coolman of Ravenna was chief
engineer. But in 1856 construction
work was suspended. Money was hard
to get but grading had been complet-
ed through the county. At various
times later attempts were made to re-
vive the work, but nothing was ever
done. The old grades can still be seen
in many places as can the mason work
and other traces.
Southwest of Kent traces can also
be seen of the so-called Brice Line.
This was promoted by Calvin S. Brice,
wealthy Ohio senator. The line was
planned to be another east-west trunk
railroad. Right of way was bought
through Franklin, Ravenna, Charles-
town and Paris at a cost of a quarter
million dollars. Grading work was
begun in 1897 and completed pretty
much from Cuyahoga Falls to Kent,
but in October 1898, all work was
stopped. Brice died in December, and
the whole scheme collapsed.
It is now said that the road was fi-
nanced by other interests, with Brice
the leader. The popular idea was that
the intention of Brice was to force the
B. & O. to purchase the P. & W. in
which he was heavily interested.
Interurban Lines
The phenomenon of the 1890's and
the 1900's was the electric inter-urban
car. It provided low priced transporta-
tion for relatively short distances and
went into sections heretofore isolated.
It helped retail trade as well. Rides
were pleasant. In November 1895, the
first inter-urban line entered the
county. It's official name was, "The
Akron, Cuyahoga Falls Rapid Co."
Tracks followed the Kent-Stow road
to Kent's west corporation line. After
litigation and delay cars reached West
Main and Mantua St., Kent in Febu-
ary 1896, and River St. in May. It was
May, 1901, before the Kent council
granted a full franchise and the line
was pushed to Ravenna. On Nov. 15,
1901, "Car 100", loaded with officials,
made the round trip Kent to Ravenna.
A branch loop was constructed at
Brady Lake. In 1929, courts held that
power and traction lines must be
separate and the company got permis-
sion to abandon the line March 31,
1932.
During 1912 an electric line was
built northward from Alliance to At-
water and Ravenna. About 1915, the
Ravenna- Warren division was built
and the system known as the C. A. &
M. V. was leased to the N. O. T. & L.
Co. It operated "in the red" until the
suspension of all electric lines in 1932.
The second trolley line to enter
Portage County was an extension of
the Chagrin Falls and Eastern, known
as the Eastern Ohio, which reached
Hiram in 1901 and continued to Gar-
rettsville, its terminal. They had am-
bitions of extension. The line gave
service to a sparsely populated sec-
tion, and the company was always in
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
trouble and made no profit. It went
into receivership and by 1916 the line
was abandoned and tracks taken up.
Various other electric lines in or
through the county were proposed
but did not materialize into full life.
Another trolley line, Cleveland to
Warren, was surveyed across the
northern part of the county, but it
never materialized. An Akron-
Youngstown line was also projected
across the county. No work was ever
done on it.
Bus Transportation
At the height of their prosperity —
1905 to 1920 — the electric lines were
not much concerned by automobile
and motor bus. In 1920 a bus line, Ak-
ron to Ravenna, started operation but
soon quit. In 1922, the Akron-Youngs-
town Bus Co. operated through Port-
age County over two routes. The
Cleveland, Warren & Youngstown
line used present Route 82. Changes
in bus construction came on. Some of
the new types were made by the Fag-
eol Motor Co., predecessor of the
Twin Coach Co. Numerous other bus
lines came into existence. When the
inter-urban lines went out of exist-
ence, the motor bus lines took care of
the business, using the same routes
that the "trolleys" had used.
During World War II both Kent
and Ravenna men tried unsuccessfully
the operation of bus service within
their respective city limits but with-
out success. Bus service here became
part of the Greyhound system Janu-
ary 1, 1946.
Portage County people use air
transportation as others do. At one
time every town and city wanted an
airport. Today Kent State University
uses the Stow field Airport for train-
ing purposes, but this is located just
outside the county. There are, how-
ever, numerous private flying fields
in the county for the use of small
planes.
Tappan's Notable Career
Benjamin Tappan, Jr., who settled Ravenna, was a man of undoubted influence. He
was a scholar and linguist, educated at Yale and a keen lawyer. In the War of 1812, he
was an aide to Gen. Wadsworth. As a member of the Ohio Canal Commission he rendered
great service to the state.
However, Tappan lived in Ravenna only about ten years, going to Steubenville,
which no doubt was a better field for a trained lawyer. There he became a leader of the
bar, a United States judge and U. S. senator. He ranked in Steubenville with Edwin M.
Stanton and other legal greats. "Tappan's Reports" was a well known legal work.
The land bought in Ravenna was with his father's money, Benj. Tappan, Sr., a Con-
gregational minister in Connecticut. He was strict in his dealings and he was a leader in
organizing town and county. But despite his ability, apparently he never was a popular
figure. Historian Elisha Whittlesey and Missionary Joseph Badger criticized him and old
local writers speak of feeling against him. When Tappan ran for governor in 1826, he re-
ceived but seven votes in Portage County, which he had helped organize.
According to Historian Henry Howe, the family name originally was Topham, which
later became Tappan. In Tappan's biography, printed in Steubenville, no mention is made
of his having lived in Ravenna. He died in 1857. A son, Eli T. Tappan, was president of
Kenyon College from 1868 to 1875. In politics Tappan was originally a Democrat, but
later a Free Soil man.
CHAPTER XI
Religion And Churches
By Sherman B. Barnes
No story of an American county
can be complete which overlooks the
Christian churches. Their influence
in the minds of men shaping their
ideals of life reaches farther than the
historian can chronicle. This obtain-
able record of churches, however,
gives a glimpse into some of the in-
stitutions through which men have
channeled their religious aspirations.
The Congregationalist Missionary
Society of Connecticut, formed 1798,
sent the first missionary into the Port-
age County country in 1801. This mis-
sionary, Joseph Badger, a Yale grad-
uate and Revolutionary war veteran,
preached one or more times from 1801
to 1804 at Deerfield, Nelson, Mantua,
Aurora, Palmyra, Ravenna, and Ran-
dolph. Hungry animals, dense woods
and cold rivers were perhaps less a
trial to him than preaching to unfeel-
ing hearts. At Ravenna he concluded
that of twenty families who heard
him there was "probably not a pray-
ing family among them." Of fifteen
souls who heard him at Aurora,
March 1804 Badger commented, "alas,
stupid as the woods in which they
live." He was cheered a few weeks
later by four families at Randolph
"hungry for preaching."
Finds No Enthusiasm
Another traveling missionary
preacher appointed by the Connecti-
cut Missionary Society was Abraham
Scott who in 1807 preached in Deer-
field, Palmyra, Mantua, Hiram and
Nelson. Although regretting the lack
of education, Sabbath observance and
faith, Scott nevertheless found that
"... even . . . the worst . . . appear
willing to hear what may be said a-
gainst them. . ." and reported that"
... I have been almost universally re-
ceived and treated by all sorts since I
came into this country with the great-
est civility and friendship."
The growth of churches was slow,
partly because of scarcity of preachers,
partly because of the harsh physical
struggle for survival, the scattered
population, and the temptation to
take advantage of the absence of re-
straints usual in more established so-
cieties. The Congregational Church
at Randolph in its early years from
1811 to 1824 received only 32 mem-
bers. At Edinburg in 1835 the Con-
gregational Church had thirty-six
members after thirteen years of exist-
ence. Ten years elapsed between the
founding of Aurora and the first
formal organization of a church in
1809.
In the thirty years from 1809 to
1839 churches practicing either the
Congregational or Presbyterian form
of church government were formed
at Aurora, 1809, Rootstown, 1810,
Windham and Charlestown, 1811,
Randolph, 1811, Mantua, 1812, Nel-
son, 1813, Atwater and Shalersville,
1818, Franklin, 1819, Ravenna, 1822,
Edinburg, 1823, Freedom, 1828, Gar-
rettsville, 1835, Streetsboro, 1836.
These churches all adopted very sim-
ilar Calvinistic confessions of faith
stressing the doctrines of predestina-
tion, man's depravity and the inspira-
tion of Holy Scripture. Before admis-
167
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Atwater's Congregational Church is known far and
wide for the beauty of its architecture.
sion to membership it was necessary
publicly before the church or the rep-
resentatives of the church to be ex-
amined on one's religious conversion
experience and Christian character.
Members were expected to practice
family prayer, grace before meals, the
Christian education of their children,
refrain from work or travel on the
Sabbath, and to submit to discipline
by the church for doctrinal error or
moral lapse.
John Brown Admonished
The clerks' minutes of Portage
County churches to about 1870 con-
tain a sprinkling of discipline cases.
At Freedom in 1844 Ambrose Chapin
and wife were excommunicated for
"whipping, bruising, and even burn-
ing" an orphan girl in their charge.
At Franklin, Barber Clark was repri-
manded for "not making just measure
in the sale of dryed fruit" to Sister
Adams, fortunately of the same
PORTAGE HERITAGE
169
church. Also at Franklin, John
Brown, of later fame, was admonished
by the discipline committee of the
Congregational Church for taking
Negroes to his pew with him in de-
fiance of the custom of Negroes sit-
ting in the rear of the church build-
ing. At Aurora in 1847 a church
member was excommunicated for
renting the ballroom in his tavern for
"parties of pleasure, which consisted
chiefly in the promiscuous dancing of
the sexes to the tune of a violin, to a
very late hour of the night." A church
member at Edinburg was excommun-
icated for bringing civil suit in the
court at Ravenna against a fellow
church member and for neglecting to
appeal "to the government of the
church according to the rule of Christ
and our covenant promises." In Wind-
ham in 1819 (then Sharon) Benjamin
Higley was suspended for six months
because his views on the Trinity were
judged to be erroneous. The Con-
gregationalists at Nelson from 1824 to
1830 had discipline problems over
members going over to the Disciples
of Christ, money affairs, and the liq-
uor question.
Oppose Strong Drink
In 1830 there were sixteen distill-
eries in the county. When Joseph
Meriam, Congregationalist pastor at
Randolph, began efforts in 1827 to
stop the use of strong drink, many
bitter struggles took place in churches
over whether to make abstinence from
intoxicating liquor a requirement for
church membership. At Nelson the
organization of a temperance society
in 1828 called forth a torrent of op-
position. Of the 71 Congregationalists
only 16 were prepared to pledge them-
selves to total abstinence. Some ex-
pressed disapproval that ministers
should leave their proper tasks to
agitate, divide and excite.
Standards Strict
Through at least the first fifty years
of the life of the Congregational
churches in Portage County it was
difficult to be a church member. The
diary of Marcus F. Spelman reflects
this. Becoming a member of the
church at Edinburg in 1831, Spelman
confided to his diary in 1838 that "I
find the Christian life to be a life of
struggle and self-denial too intoler-
able for human depraved nature to
compete with without the assistance
of Divine Agency." He felt he was
"naturally of a mule disposition" and
had to fight hard against sin and the
hardening of his heart against what
"the Word of God declared to be
right." The standards were high; dis-
cipline was demanding. Though this
Spartan severity certainly won ardent
supporters for the churches, it also
kept others from joining and helps
explain why for so long church mem-
bers were a minority group in most
communities. Also, enforcement of ex-
Counterfeiters
When the Union Bank of Warren was
being re-modeled in 1913, workmen dis-
covered two barrels of counterfeit coin
behind a wall of the basement. Investi-
gation revealed that the coins had been
made in a cave at Nelson Ledges, seized
by U. S. officers at the close of the Civil
War, and stored in the bank at Warren,
and presumably forgotten. When found
the coins were turned over to the govern-
ment and destroyed. This was only one
of the known incidents involving count-
erfeiting of money in Portage County.
(Above facts given by James Wilson,
Sr., who was working on the bank re-
modeling, and who still has one of the
coins. Story printed in Warren Chron-
icle some time in Spring of 1913.)
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
communication decrees at times led
to disputes, splits, and secessions with-
in churches, to the detriment of good
reputation of church members. In one
case, after fifteen years of acrimony,
there was held at Edinburg in 1858 "a
day of mutual confession of delin-
quency and request for prayer. . .Some
of the brethren who had been alienat-
ed were reconciled and determined to
bury in oblivion all past offenses, and
mutually to co-operate in seeking the
peace and prosperity of the church."
The Bethesda Church
The first Baptist Church in Portage
County was formed by six persons at
Nelson in 1808. This church, called
Bethesda, met in homes or school-
houses in Nelson, Mantua, and Au-
rora, and had no fixed church build-
ing for many years. This church prac-
ticed closed communion, strict disci-
pline for drunkenness, swearing, false-
hood, or views contrary to its Calvin-
ist theology. By 1836 there were Bap-
tist churches at Garrettsville, Mantua,
Streetsboro, Franklin, Brimfield, and
Aurora. In 1840 a Baptist church
building was erected at Hiram Rapids
called the Hiram Baptist Church.
Portage County Baptists called them-
selves Regular Baptists. One of the
leading Baptist ministers in the 1833-
55 period was Amasa Clark, who
cared for the Hiram and Mantua
churches. A man of learning, as evi-
denced by his library and notebooks
from his days at Hamilton College,
Reverend Clark had become discour-
aged shortly before his death in De-
cember, 1855. His diary entry for No-
vember 6, 1855 stated that never since
he came to Ohio had the state of re-
ligion appeared so low. "The people
do not wish for preaching. Last Sab-
bath two ministers were present at
Mantua and had only a prayer meet-
ing. To a human eye there is no pros-
pect that the work of God will soon
be revived. O Lord, keep active and
revive thy work."
Missionaries Active
One factor which limited the ex-
pansion of the Baptists was that Dis-
ciples of Christ missionaries made
many inroads upon Baptists, particu-
larly after 1827. Disciples did not de-
mand, as a condition of membership,
a strong conversion experience. Com-
munion was open, creeds were at a
minimum, predestination and hellfire
were put on the shelf. Voluntary ac-
ceptance of the New Testament and
immersion were sufficient. Disciples
of Christ churches were founded at
Mantua Center (1827), Franklin (18-
27?), Randolph (1828), Windham
(1828), Shalersville (1828), Ravenna
(1830), and Aurora (1831), Garretts-
ville and Hiram (1835). By 1849 Free-
dom, Deerfield, Mantua, Streetsboro
and Palmyra had Disciples churches
and in June of that year 3,000 persons
attended at Deerfield the annual coun-
ty meeting of Disciples.
At Hiram in 1828 the Disciples con-
Eggleston - R. R. Promoter
General Nelson Eggleston, a wealthy land owner in early Aurora, was largely re-
sponsible for the building of the Cleveland & Mahoning Valley Railroad (now Erie)
through northern Portage County. In 1848 he called a meeting in his own home, results
of which were published. This resulted in another meeting of interested people from all
along the proposed route, held in an Aurora hall. With this encouragement promoters
soon were able to get financial support and construction of the railroad followed.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
171
verted a prominent member of the
community, Symonds Ryder. In 1831
Ryder was next converted to Mor-
monism by Sidney Rigdon and Joseph
Smith. But when Smith advocated
communism of goods and in one of
his revelations misspelled Ryder's first
name Si-m-o-n instead of Symonds,
Ryder lost faith in him, feeling that
if the Lord really did speak to Smith,
he would spell his name correctly.
Ryder led a mob to the house where
Rigdon and Smith were staying in
Hiram on the night of March 24, 18-
32. The crowd took Rigdon from his
bed and tore Smith from the bedside
of a sick child, tarred and feathered
them and rode them on a rail out of
Hiram. They were thrown unconsc-
ious in a field. When Smith crawled
back to the doorway of his house, his
wife Emma fainted upon seeing his
bloody face. The former home of
Joseph Smith in Hiram is still a shrine
to which Latter Day Saints make pil-
grimages. But Kirtland replaced Hi-
ram as the Ohio capital of Mormon-
ism. Ryder became a Disciples preach-
er and Hiram an important center of
Disciples influence.
Finds Few Present
Many of the more struggling Dis-
ciples groups in the county were as-
sisted by speakers from Hiram Dis-
ciple Church and from the Western
Reserve Eclectic Institute at Hiram,
organized 1850 as a result of the Dis-
ciples' respect for rational learning as
an aid to faith. James A. Garfield told
of his mission to Freedom, March 27,
1852:
Attended the meeting of the breth-
ren in Freedom. But few (14) at the
meeting ... I spoke three quarters
of an hour in the afternoon on Di-
vine Providence. This is my first
attempt to speak away from my
own congregation anything more
than a mere exhortation.
At least from 1873 to 1877, possibly
longer, the Hiram Disciple Church
maintained a union Sunday school at
Freedom of which Hartwell Ryder
was superintendent. Mr. Watson Al-
lyn of the Hiram Disciple Church
(died March 1, 1903) for many years
when the Hiram church service was
ended would walk to Hiram Rapids
where he kept this former Baptist
Church going as a union organization
of Baptists, Disciples, and some Meth-
odists. After 1903 student preachers
from Hiram continued his charitable
work.
Methodists Organize
The founder of Methodism in Port-
age County was Rev. Henry Shewell,
who formed a Methodist class at Deer-
field in 1802. Shewell and his physic-
ian-preacher associate, Dr. Shadrack
Bostwick, carried the Methodist mes-
sage 1803-1823 to Mantua, Aurora,
Love Conquers All
In 1808 a marriage occurred in Aurora which united two families that apparently did
not get along well together in ancestral England. During the reign of Charles I there, one
George Sheldon was beheaded and the rest of the Sheldons immediately left for America.
The king's son, Walter Stuart, married Elizabeth Cromwell, sister of Oliver, and the
children of this marriage took the name of Cochran. Cochran descendants moved to
Aurora in 1805 and associated with descendants of the Sheldons, Aurora's first family. In
1808 Ebenezer Sheldon married Patty Cochran and all feuding ceased.
72
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
Nelson, Rootstown, Edinburg, Frank-
lin, and Brimfield. Methodists were
disliked by believers in predestina-
tion and in a more learned clergy than
the Methodists had. The Methodists
appealed to others by their teaching
of free grace, the need for personal
Christian experience, and their en-
thusiasm and singing. The feeling a-
gainst Methodism is illustrated by the
fact that the Ravenna Methodists from
their formal organization in a log
schoolhouse in 1831 until 1848 held
secret love feasts for which tickets of
admission were required of members.
This was to keep disturbers out of
their devotional love feasts in which
they prayed, sang, and shouted. Dis-
continuance of the tickets in 1848 at
Ravenna shows the Methodists were
coming to be accepted by that date.
Methodist classes were also started at
Freedom, 1831, Windham, 1843, Gar-
rettsville, 1868.
The first Universalist preacher in
the county, Timothy Bigelow, settled
at Palmyra in 1814, coming from New
Hampshire. He preached a short ser-
mon at the scaffold on the occasion of
the first execution in the county at
Ravenna in 1814. Towns in which
Universalist preaching was most fre-
quently heard in the early days of the
county included Palmyra, Aurora,
Nelson, Mantua, Ravenna, Kent, and
Brimfield. Universalists were handi-
capped by the feeling of many that
Universalism was outside the pale of
Christian churches. The Congrega-
tionalist clerk at Nelson in 1820 spoke
of Universalists as "the forces of
Satan."
Universalists, however, resembled
other churches in having discipline of
members. The Brimfield Universalist
Society (formed 1839) required "un-
blemished moral character and a be-
lief in the Christian religion." When,
like Calvinistic congregations, Brim-
field Universalists in 1843 expelled an
erring brother (their pastor, Freeman
Loring), the reason given for expul-
sion was "unchristlike conduct." Only
immorality of conduct, not creedal er-
ror, could be a reason for expulsion,
but Christ was the accepted exemplar
of the "morality and practical re-
ligion" which was the principal ob-
ject of the Universalists at Brimfield.
Faithful To Last
Kent has had a Universalist Church
since 1866. The Ravenna Universa-
lists, organized 1837, disbanded in
1912. Their well-known and loved
minister, Reverend Andrew Willson,
after retiring from the pulpit of the
Ravenna Church in 1898, continued as
pastor in Brimfield "as long as he was
able to ride to its doors." He died in
1911. The Brimfield Universalist
Church, which Reverend Willson had
Arvillus C. Larkcom of Freedom, who died in 1883, was a farmer and coffin maker.
It is said that during his life time he made and sold 3,000 coffins. In an itemized account
book of Chas. A. Dudley an itemized record of a funeral dated March 24, 1878, is the
following:
Pd. Arvillus C. Larkcom for casket $ 30.00
Pd. Jas. Kellogg for use of hearse 3.00
Pd. J. B. Wilcox for digging grave 4.00
Pd. Rev. J. C. Burwell for sermon 5.00
Pd. Dr. Seth Sloan for last sickness 10.50
Pd. R. W. Stocker for monument 132.50
PORTAGE HERITAGE
173
helped organize as a church in 1865,
held its last recorded meeting in May,
1922. Existing members united with
the Kent church.
The more liturgical churches, Ro-
man Catholic and Episcopalian, for
many years operated in the county
more on a mission than a parish basis.
Catholic missionary priests began en-
tering the county about 1820. St. Jo-
seph Church (1829) in Randolph
Township was the first and for many
years the only Catholic church and
parish in the county. Its parochial
school (1832) may be the oldest Eng-
lish parochial school west of the Al-
leghenies. Ravenna and Kent Catho-
lics had a mission status, with the
sacraments given in homes, until par-
ishes for each town were created in
1863-64 by Father Patrick Brown,
largely as a response to the influx of
railroad workers. Priests from nearby
St. Joseph maintained the mission of
St. Peter of the Fields at Rootstown,
1869-98. The mission at Mantua after
1864 did not become the parish of St.
Joseph until 1923. St. Ambrose Parish
at Garrettsville dates from 1945 and
St. Michael Parish at Windham from
1942.
Organize At Ravenna
At Ravenna Episcopal laymen were
conducting services by 1816. In 1817
the missionary priest Rev. Roger
Searle undertook the organization of
twelve families into the parish of St.
Luke. When Bishop Mcllwaine came
to Ravenna in 1833, he found the
parish had died out. Grace Church,
Ravenna, was founded 1865 by the
missionary priest Rev. L. L. Holden.
In the meantime the Rev. Alvah San-
ford, a missionary of the General
Board, had organized in 1835 a parish
at Franklin Mills. By 1859 it had 23
communicants. Until 1914 this parish
had no resident rector, the services be-
ing in charge of ministers from Cuy-
ahoga Falls or Ravenna. The opening
of Kent State Normal College in 1913
influenced the sending to Kent in
1914 of the first resident Episcopalian
rector, Rev. William O. Leslie.
By the 1870s and 1880s Protestant
church discipline of erring members
was quietly being dropped. To be-
come a member seldom required
proof of regeneration. More sumptu-
ous church buildings often had such
luxuries as organs, upholstered seats,
carpeted floors, central heating, gas
lighting, and heated water for baptis-
tries. The sexes mingled more and
stopped sitting apart on opposite sides
of the church. Church picnics, sup-
pers and various social activities for
both adults and children became part
Military Aspect
Gen. Wm. B. Hazen was one of the most important Union military men of the Civil
War. Born in Vermont, he came to Portage county at an early age living in Nelson. He
was trained at West Point and served in the Mexican and Indian wars. At Missionary
Ridge Gen. Sheridan asked him for a written report on a certain aspect of the battle,
which Hazen thought everyone knew. He made his report so flippant that Sheridan order-
ed Hazen's arrest as a matter of discipline. Hazen was a friend of Garfield. He loved
military life and had his home in Eastern Hiram township modeled like a military camp.
Trees stood like sentries around the place. Remains of the arrangement can be seen today.
There was a headquarters group of trees and other groups for guards, etc. Hazen's widow
married Admiral George Dewey.
14
MORTAGE HERITAGE
Church in Aurora today.
A lovely building in a typical old-time setting.
of the new church routine. Older
members of the Ravenna Congrega-
tional Church distrusted the innova-
tion in 1904 of tearing down the horse
sheds behind the church and substitut-
ing a tennis court. Sunday school
libraries, often well stocked and much
used, became less important as public
libraries were founded. There were
fewer revivals, fewer midweek prayer
meetings, and fewer and shorter Sun-
day services. Discussion of doctrine
gave way to social activities within
the church and a social service at-
titude toward the comunity. As early
as 1855 Hiram H. Stillson had left the
Congregational Church at Edinburg
because of its Calvinist doctrines of
human depravity and because he could
not accept Christ as the Supreme Be-
ing. Stillson felt that Christ's death
was not "the only condition by which
God could save any of the race of
man; because . . . when the soul un-
derstands and obeys God's laws, then
has commenced the kingdom of heav-
en in that soul . . ." Stillson's religious
liberalism had by 1900 permeated
many Protestant churches and ac-
counts for the lessening emphasis on
doctrines dear to the pioneers. Of
course, the change was a slow process,
PORTAGE HERITAGE
75
and even down to 1920 there probably
still were instances of children grow-
ing up and rebelling against predest-
ination and hellfire doctrines.
Free Thinkers Present
Father Thein, a Catholic priest at
St. Joseph in Randolph, believed in
1902 that only a third of the people of
Randolph Township attended any
church on Sunday and claimed that
the people "are drifting backward
more and more into infidelity." As
causes he mentioned lack of religion
in home and school, and also the or-
ganized promulgation of agnostic or
atheistic teachings by the Werner
Company in Akron, which sold the
works of Voltaire in the county. It is
difficult to say how much the writ-
ings of Voltaire, Paine, and Ingersoll,
or the free-thinking magazine The
Ohio Watchman edited at Ravenna
during some of the 1870s by Lucius
V. Bierce, were influential in the
county. There were several very ard-
ent followers of free-thought. In some
instances, recalled by M. Herbert
Heighton, the motive for embracing
Ingersollism was evil done to them by
church members.
Another problem with which the
churches had to contend was that of
denominationalism. Competition a-
mong denominations had been a
prominent part of church life for
many years. When the Baptists built
their beautiful Greek-revival style
church at Streetsboro in 1851, the
deciding factor in choosing the site
was their desire to face the Presby-
terians. There was an old jingle that
reflects the rivalries among denomina-
tions
Td rather be a Baptist, and wear a
shining face,
Than be a dirty Methodist, and fall
away from grace
To which the Methodist replied
I'd rather be a Methodist, and be-
lieve in God's free grace
Than be a hard-shell Baptist, and
damn one-half the race.
Churches Drop Out
In the struggle of denominations
some churches went out of existence.
Baptists who had had considerable
strength before 1870 in the county
nearly disappeared by 1900. Baptists
gave their beautiful church building
in Streetsboro to the Methodists in
1899. It had been deserted for eight
years before this. Perhaps population
decline in Streetsboro was one factor
as well as too many churches. The
German language Evangelical Protes-
tant Trinity Church at Atwater since
1850 no longer held services after
Organized Mass Hunts
Township or community hunts were popular affairs in early days. Organized men
formed a great circle and drove game toward a central spot where it was slaughtered.
Some of the results in Portage County were:
Freedom Township, 1818 — 23 bears, 7 wolves, 36 deer and many small animals.
Windham Township, 1818 — 21 bears, 68 deer, 1 wolf, 1 wild cat, turkeys, etc.
Edinburg Township, 1818 — 7 bears, 5 wolves, 100 deer, 400 turkeys.
Atwater (and part of Edinburg) 1819 — 21 bears, 18 wolves, 103 deer, 300 turkeys.
Streetsboro, 1819 — 5 bears, 4 wolves, 60 deer and much small game.
Sometimes they were called "ring hunts," or "army hunts."
76
PORTAGE HERITAGE
1915. Descendents of these Bavarian
Protestants in 1951 placed a granite
memorial on the church site in At-
water to honor their God-Fearing
forefathers. Other communities which
have had deaths of churches were
Randolph, Brimfield, Palmyra, Edin-
burg, Mantua Center, Shalersville, and
Deerfield. In some cases church build-
ings were converted to other uses.
The idea of merging or federating
churches of different denominations
as a means of solving the problem of
denominational relationship and sur-
vival began to be a power in the coun-
ty about 1912, although even before
that there were evidences of this
spirit. At Mantua Center as early as
the 1870's the Disciples and Free Will
Baptists were sharing the use of the
same building. In the 1890's at Hiram
Rapids the Baptist Church became
virtually a community church under
the Disciples layman Mr. Watson Al-
lyn who would walk to Hiram Rapids
from the Disciples church in Hiram
after services there. After 1895 for a
number of years a Campbellsport
Christian Association to which "a
member in good standing in some
Evangelical Church" could be admitt-
ed was closely affiliated with the Ra-
venna Disciples Church.
Federations Come
In 1912 the Congregational min-
ister at Aurora, Rev. R. B. Whitehead,
initiated negotiations which led in
May 1913 to the founding of the
Aurora Federated Church, composed
of Congregationalists and Disciples.
In 1916 the United Church of Gar-
rettsville came out of the union of
Baptist, Disciple, and Congregational
churches in that village. The Garretts-
ville Methodist Episcopal Church re-
tained its separate identity because of
opposition to merger by the Metho-
dist District Superintendent, although
some Methodists went over to the
United Church. Members of the Unit-
ed Church were allowed to retain
their separate denominational affilia-
tions and each church within the
United Church could support its own
denominational missions. Those in
the United Church felt relief from
the "burdensome struggle" of main-
taining three churches, three budgets
and three ministers.
More Freedom of Belief
At Streetsboro from 1899 to 1919
Presbyterians and Methodists kept
their Sunday schools apart, but com-
bined church services. In 1919 they
combined completely at the sugges-
tion of the Presbyterians. Since 1919
there has been no Presbyterian
Church in the county. In the 1920's
community churches resulting from
the merger of various denominations
were set up at Charlestown, Wayland,
and Edinburg. The United Church of
Edinburg came from a union of Meth-
odists and Disciples, who then invited
the Congregationalists to enter. The
first minister of the Edinburg United
Church was a Methodist. Here, as at
Garrettsville, members entering the
Names Is Names
In the official list of taxpayers in Aurora in 1813 appear the names of Eliakim Bald-
win, Bohan Blair, Zardis Kent, Zeno Kent, Epaphroditus Loveland, Libbeus Norton, Able
Parker, Appay Riley, Gershow Sheldon, Septimeus Witter, Ebenezur Sheldon, Widow
E. Bissell, Widow Rhoda Cochran and Widow Sally Taylor.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
177
church were allowed their choice as
to mode of baptism.
About 1835, German immigrants
began to settle in Atwater along the
Portage-Stark county line. As their
members increased they held church
services in their homes and in 1848,
a purchase of land was made for the
German Reformed church at Virginia
Corners, Atwater. The deed was to
"The German Presbyterian & Luth-
eran United Society of Atwater," but
the church was not organized under
Ohio law until 1850. Services were
held in the German language. When
English was generally used in the
neighborhood, interest in the church
died out. It became popularly known
as the "Holy Teinne", Dutch Reform-
ed. This may have been the only Ger-
man language church in Portage
County.
The most recently founded com-
munity churches in the county are
those at Brady Lake (1926), New Mil-
ford, and Palmyra. In the case of the
Brady Lake Church there was no
merger of deno mmat i° ns > it arose
more out of the desire of people of
diverse denominational backgrounds
to have church services in the com-
munity, but without formal denom-
inational affiliation. At Aurora in
1933 the Aurora Federated Church
was turned into The Church in Au-
rora, with a merger of properties and
memberships as older denominational
feelings had faded away since 1913.
The founding of the Portage County
Ministerial Association in the 1920s
by the Reverend Isaac J. Swanson,
Congregationalist minister at Raven-
na, 1909-1929, was another sign of
friendly interdenominational rela-
tions.
Enumeration of Faiths
The federation movement has
made, however, only a small dent in
the fragmented or denominational
character of church life in the county.
Neither has improved transportation
Portrait of Joseph Smith
One of the novels written by A. G. Riddle, the Mantua writer, was ''The Portrait."
The scene of the story is mainly Mantua, but virtually all towns in Portage County enter
into it. The characters, many of them, are actual Portage County people of the period.
Of these are Prophet Joseph Smith, the Mormon leader, Sidney Rigdon, and others.
Writer Riddle gives the following character sketch of Smith: "The Prophet was then
about twenty-five years of age, and nearly six feet in height; rather loosely but power-
fully built, with a perceptible stoop of his shoulders. The face was longish, not badly
featured, marked with blue eyes, fair blond complexion and very light yellowish flaxen
hair. His head was not ignoble, and carried with some dignity; and on the whole his
person, air and manner would have been noticeable in a gathering of average men.
He was attired in neat fitting suit of blue, ; over which he wore the ample cloak of blue
broadcloth, which he threw back, exposing his neck and bosom — all with a simple and
natural manner."
In another chapter, writer Riddle says: "Joseph Smith, undoubtedly had a fair share
of the lower elements of wisdom and sagacity which we call cunning. Was fertile in
expedients and possessed much intuitive knowledge of the lower springs and motions of
human conduct. He was naturally courageous, always cool, and his impudence reached
the sublime; and the gambler's faith in luck, with him, was a chronic fanaticism. T will
become the Mohamet of America', was his oft-repeated declaration to his confidants."
178
PORTAGE HERITAGE
in recent years made much difference.
Yet four churches have consistently
shown by far the largest numerical
strength in the county:
Roman
1906
1916
1926
1936
Catholic
2,470
4,490
4,699
4,645
Methodist
Episcopal
2,207
3,470
3,971
2,878
Congreg'tional
1,951
1,454
1,766
1,939
Disciples
1,942
1,608
1,962
* 1,590
Among the numerically smaller
churches there are many which have
developed in the county only since
1900. The Trinity Lutheran Church
in Kent, United Lutheran, (present
building dedicated 1909), has roots
as far back as 1877. It has been sup-
plemented in Kent since 1933 by Faith
Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.
The Ravenna American Lutheran
Church (St. Paul's) organized in 1927
as a mission of the Newton Falls
Church has had resident pastors in
charge since 1930. Spiritualists had
important centers in Mantua and
Brady Lake. Free Methodists started
services in Kent in 1902. Amish Trin-
itarian Mennonites in Streetsboro
since 1906 have had a strong Sunday
School attended by non-Mennonites
and a saintly and influential pastor,
the Rev. Eli B. Stoltzfus, bishop after
1916. He served at Streetsboro from
1909 to 1942. Christian Science Socie-
ties were formed in Ravenna, 1908,
and Kent, 1911. The Kent Society be-
came First Church of Christ, Scientist,
1917, and the Ravenna Society was
reorganized as First Church of Christ,
Scientist, in 1928.
Separate Negro Baptist and Metho-
dist churches first appeared in the
1920s. Eighty- four African Methodists
were listed in the 1926 census. Negro
Baptists (72) also appeared by the
time of the 1936 census. The Negro
churches were at Kent and Ravenna.
New Churchs Formed
A number of small sects may be
treated together as "fundamentalists."
Baptists at Silica in 1888 changed
their status to United Brethren. In
1920 a new church building was dedi-
cated; 1946 the Evangelicals united
with the United Brethren, since then
the church has been the Silica Evan-
gelical United Brethren Church.
There is also an Evangelical United
Brethren Church at Brimfield, or-
ganized in 1937, with a considerable
number of members recruited from
*U. S. Census of Religions, 1906, 1916, 1926,
1936.
Building The Temple
When Freedom Congregationalists decided to build a new church in 1843 they hired
Ralph W. Shepard as architect and overseer and he thus incurred the jealousy of older
carpenters of the area. People said he used a ten foot pole which he measured every morn-
ing to make sure it had not shrunk. His pay was eleven shillings a day and board and
under carpenters got a dollar a day. Shepard's total remuneration was $414.75, but he
turned much of this back into the building fund, and considerable of his pay was in farm
products. Church members also helped in the work. The church, finished in 1845, cost a
little over $3,000. When the building was completed there were no funds to buy furnish-
ings. Thereupon twenty members agreed to share alike in the cost of the furnishings and
take unsold pews in payment.
In this church women removed their hats at services and when hymns were sung,
the audience arose and faced the choir — except one family who refused to turn. Charles
Dudley, with his flute, and Mr. Atwood with his bass viol, were choir accompanists.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
79
former Methodists. Several Churches
of God have arisen in the county since
the Great War period. In Ravenna
the West Spruce Street Church of God
in non-pentecostal and non-millen-
nialist, in contrast to the Church of
God on East Main Street. The West
Spruce Street Church of God arose in
1913 and in 1917 an earlier Edinburg
group of the same church merged
with it under the Rev. J. A. Overholt.
The Kent Church of God is pentecost-
al, as is also the Assembly of God in
Ravenna, and also the Church of the
Nazarene at Kent, Atwater, and Ra-
venna. Grace Gospel Chapel arose in
Ravenna since 1942 under the Rev.
C. S. Hallberg, of the Christian Mis-
sionary Alliance. He originally re-
ceived his training with the Salvation
Army. These churches, and others un-
mentioned, have something in com-
mon; they are characterized by dislike
of creeds, by literal interpretation of
certain favorite passages of Scripture,
avoidance of social activities, frequent
and long church services, and in some
cases practice foot washing. The mil-
lennialist forces in the county have
recently been strengthened by the
coming of Jehovah's Witnesses, who
in 1954 completed a building in Kent.
Baptists from Akron Baptist Temple
have made headway in the county
since 1945, — for example, at New
Milford, Ravenna, Streetsboro, Kent.
The rise of these "fundamentalist"
sects in recent years may be a sign of
dissatisfaction with older, larger, and
more "respectable" churches. Many
may also enjoy smaller groups for the
independence enjoyed. Their emotion-
alism and literalism may be a relief to
some who would find formal liturgy
and reasoned creeds and doctrines un-
suitable to their needs. A letter to the
editor in 1953 may in part voice the
feeling which sustains the fundament-
alist sects and which makes some dis-
satisfied in the better known church-
es. The writer of the letter described
himself as a lifelong Methodist, age
85:
Modernism has sidetracked true evangel-
ism as practiced by John the Baptist and
the disciples and is substituting moral
character and good works . . . When our
clergy return to the text 'Repentance'
(that was so popular with the disciples)
and recognize the fact that the success
of the entire program hinges on a change
of heart the glow of real spiritual life
will again manifest itself in our
churches.*
*Letters to the Editor, Kent-Ravenna Courier
Tribune, March 6, 1953, (J. W. Grider, Ravenna).
Salary Was Grain Fed
The first minister of the Aurora Congregational Church was Rev. John Seward.
He was a brilliant young graduate of Williams College and a member of the "Haystack"
group there which fostered the first foreign missionary movement in America. His pay for
his first year in Aurora was a living for himself and his horse and two hundred dollars
per year" to be paid annually on the first day of January in grain at cash price." He was
a strict church disciplinarian and for some reason gained the nickname of "Priest" Seward.
He was severe in his denunciation of dancing but met his match in Huldah Harmon, who
loved dancing, and had her father's silent approval. He was also instrumental in the
excommunication of members for various violations of church regulations. Seward served
the church for 32 years beginning in 1814. He was also one of the founders of Western
Reserve College at Hudson. He organized the Randolph Congregational Church in 1812,
previous to his Aurora ministry.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
This church in Southwest Portage is
on the site of the first Catholic church
in the county at St. Joseph's.
Change To Liberalism
There is space here for only one ex-
ample of that moderate type of theo-
logical liberalism which has played
such an important role in Methodist,
Congregational, and Disciples church-
es in the past half century. The Rev.
M. B. Derthick was pastor of the Hill-
top Christian Church in Mantua from
1919 to 1937. From 1943 through
1950 he similarly served the historic
Mantua Center Disciples Church. Al-
though Rev. Derthick would disclaim
credit for it, both churches were
greatly strengthened by his combina-
tion of liberalism in matters of ritual
and membership with conservatism in
respect to the Gospel. These churches
opened their membership to members
of other denominations, without mak-
ing mode of baptism a test of mem-
bership. At Hilltop Church since 1919
(though not at Mantua Center) com-
munion has been monthly instead of
weekly. These practices have helped
to make both churches community
churches. People of many denomina-
tions have affiliated with them. Bap-
tism by immersion was continued for
those entering by confession of faith.
Rev. Derthick's social liberalism ap-
pears from his refusing in the early
1920's the use of Hilltop Church to
KKK members in masks and regalia.
The Hilltop Disciples Church was
a pioneer in the county in its liberal
rules of membership. It was not until
1944 that the Ravenna Christian
Church adopted a similar ruling. Un-
dergirding Rev. Derthick's view was
his conviction that
the Church is a divine institution. Man
cannot admit or exclude. He can preach
the Gospel and administer the ordinance
of baptism, but the Lord adds men to the
church . . . the Lord will add all to His
church who have lived up to their light
in the Gospel.
Stand on Issues
In various controversial social is-
sues the churches were often forums
for discussion and became opinion-
forming agencies. Anti-slavery, anti-
liquor, anti-war and pro-war agita-
tions have drawn strength from
church support in the county. Bap-
tists believed their church at Garretts-
ville was blown up in 1881 by the
saloon interests in retaliation for their
anti-drink campaign. There was
strong anti-Masonic feeling among
the churches in the 1830's and 1840's.
Over one hundred persons attended an
anti-Masonic convention at Ravenna,
April 23, 1830, and Baptists at Brim-
field resolved in 1844 that church
membership should be denied to Ma-
sons. It was in line with this tendency
to take sides in social issues for a
Mantua pastor in 1952 to criticize
lack of discipline in the present school
status quo by supporting a Mantua
teacher under fire for trying to up-
hold discipline.
The legacy from the Christian
churches to the county is beyond cal-
culation. They have exerted artistic
PORTAGE HERITAGE
81
and educational influences along with
the religious and ethical. Many pas-
tors once conducted schools, as did
"Father" John Seward during his
more than thirty years pastoriate in
Aurora. Sunday schools, first frowned
upon, developed libraries and orches-
tras. There were flourishing church
choirs, as early as the 1870s Frank
Plum's choir from the Mantua Center
church was known throughout the
county. Beautiful Greek-revival style
church structures, which still grace
their communities, were built by the
Congregationalists in Freedom (1832)
and Atwater (1842), and by the Bap-
tists in Streetsboro (1851.) The brick
Gothic St. Patrick's church in Kent
(1867) and the Methodist brick Goth-
ic in Deerfield (1873) were long a
source of pride. Impressive Roman-
esque structures were St. Joseph's in
Randolph, dedicated in 1905, and
Christ Episcopal church in Kent, as
remodelled in 1928. Many new archi-
tectural plans for churches have re-
cently been realized, as, for example,
in the case of the new St. Patrick's
church in Kent, dedicated in 1953.
As far as known here there have
been so far no Jewish churches, or
synagogues, in the county, members
of that faith worshipping in nearby
localities where organization has been
effected.
Other than the German church
mentioned previously, one other
church held services in a foreign
language, this being the Welsh Bap-
tist church in Wayland by Rev. David
Davis.
The Friends, or Quakers were once
quite numerous in the southeastern
part of the county and today they still
have a church in Deerfield.
In late years a number of churches
for Negroes have been established in
Ravenna and Kent.
A Spiritualist church has existed at
Brady Lake for many years and Spirit-
ualist camp meetings were also held
there for a long time. There was a
Spiritualist camp in Mantua follow-
ing 1881, known as Maple Dell Park.
In late years there has been activity
here and services held by members of
the Re-Organized Church of Latter
Day Saints.
In Windham's early days, a young man on his way to escort a young lady, would
stop at a hickory tree and peel off enough bark for a torch. With this, he would light her
way. Without this, when afoot, progress was nearly impossible and the torch also kept
wild animals away.
To change the name of Franklin Mills to that of Kent required a little maneuvering.
What is now called Freedom Station bore the name of Kent from 1863 but in the follow-
ing year people wanted Franklin Mills to be changed to "Kent" so that the Freedom
location was also re-named. The postoffice at Freedom was also called Kent.
Before 1900 owners of cows were allowed to pasture them along roadsides during
the day, as plenty of grass grew there. Little boys received 2-1/2 cents to take cows to and
from pastures.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Paying For The Road
First state laws governing the construction of improved roads, provided that the
cost of new roads be divided among the state, county, township and abutting property
owners. When the section of present Route 88 from Freedom Center southwest to the
Ravenna line was built in 1915, Clinton Cowen, state highway commissioner, rendered a
statement of its cost as follows:
The following is a statement as required by law, of the cost and expense of the
construction of Portage County Highway G, Petition No. 753, Contract No. 32, known
as the Ravenna-Parkman road in Freedom township, and a statement showing the foot
frontage of the property owners whose lands abut on said section of land and the dis-
tribution of cost and expense.
Cost of Construction $46,000.00
Expense 1,436.02
Total $47,436.02
Share of State $20,000
Share of Portage Co 15,767.82
Share, Freedom Twp 7,001.04
Share, Abutting Property 4,667.36
Total $47,436.02
WEST SIDE
Name Ft. Frontage
J. H. Glick 1278
J. A. Derthick 739
Will James 1141
C. J. Moore 425
Jane Thomas 484
T. Slope 291
M. E. Church 345
F. M. Joiner 147
Ernest Moore 1566
P. C. Hawley 2079
J. C. Chance 2524
J. C. Poe 1607
F. C. Slagle 1452
Township School 287
L. G. Hewins 1804
George Klooz 1671
Nettie M. Stanley 2948
EAST SIDE
Name Ft. Frontage
Rev. Strawman 1278
Cyril Maur 1780
C. B. Mason 284
Cyril Maur 348
Ward Diehl 194
Cyril Maur 203
T. Slope 166
O. F. Hunt 345
Ernest Moore 735
David Norris 924
Ernest Moore 1099
Eli Tuttle 1159
Fred Slagle 938
J. C. Chance 1522
Ralph Slagle 64
J. O. Poe 1607
E. P. Pardee 1739
L. G. Hewins 1804
George Klooz 1311
Nettie M. Stanley 3308
With a total road frontage of about 41,000 feet, the cost to property owners figures
out about 11 cents a foot. A man with a half mile frontage had a pretty good sized bill
to pay, though costs were distributed over a term of years.
After gasoline and license tax money became available, the county-township-property
owners system was abandoned and state or county took over the work.
CHAPTER XII
Agriculture In Portage County
By Benjamin M. Derthick
The first crop raised by white men
in Portage County was wheat, sown
by Abraham Honey in 1798 on his
small clearing in Mantua. The wheat
was harvested by his brother-in-law,
Rufus Edwards, who built the coun-
ty's first grist mill in 1799. It was op-
erated by hand.
Other settlers followed Abraham
Honey. In June, 1799, Elias Harmon
planted potatoes and peas on the Hon-
ey clearing. In the fall of 1799 wheat
was sown by Lewis Ely and Lewis and
Horatio Day in Deerfield Township
and by David Daniels in Palmyra. Al-
so in 1799, Ebenezer Sheldon sent
Eben Blair from Connecticut to settle
on his land in Aurora Township.
Blair bought a peck of grass seed in
Pittsburgh and carried it to Aurora
on his back. There his employer join-
ed him and they made a clearing
which was sown with wheat and the
grass seed.
Water powered grist mills began to
appear. One was built on the Mahon-
ing River in Deerfield in 1801 by
James Laughlin, one on Breakneck
Creek in Ravenna in 1802 by Alex
McWhorter, and one in Garretts-
ville in 1803 by John Garrett.*
After building a temporary shelter,
a settler's first need was to clear a
little plot to raise food, usually corn
or wheat. The initial step was to
girdle the trees. Then underbrush was
burned. Five to fifteen acres might be
prepared and planted the first season.
*History of the Western Reserve by Harriet
Taylor Upton. History of Portage County by R.
C. Brown. Portage County Atlas by H. L. Everts.
Crops matured early in the fertile soil.
Roasting ears ripened by August 1.
Meal was made by pounding corn
with a pestle in a hollowed out block
or stump called a "hominy block."
Sheep Brought In
The settlers soon brought in cows,
hogs and a few horses. Oxen, how-
ever, were the chief beasts of burden.
Sheep provided wool for homespun
clothing, but a handicap in keeping
sheep was the wolves.
In 1806 H. W. Whittlesey and Jere-
miah Jones of Atwater Township
purchased twelve sheep in George-
town, Pa. Reaching home with them
at night and having no other place to
keep them safe from the wolves,
Whittlesey shut the sheep in his kit-
chen. In 1813 Erastus Carter bought
six sheep. They were watched through
the day by his son John and shut in a
log stable at night. One night the
Carters let the sheep roam and wolves
killed every one. The Carters gather-
ed enough remnants of fleece to make
John his first homespun wool pants.
Grain was harvested with sickle and
cradle. The cradle was similar to a
scythe but had spindles attached to
the handle. They caught the stalks in
each sweep and laid them in a swath.
A man with a hand rake gathered the
stalks into bundles and bound them
with a twist of straw. Grain was beat-
en out of the straw with a flail, a club
swung from a long handle to which it
was attached by a thong. The chaff
was blown away as the grain was
tossed in the wind. The plows of the
183
184
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Engine used by Thomas Roosa to supply power for his Shalersville
threshing outfit.
early settlers were of wood, except
for the iron share and clevis. The har-
row was a fork of a tree with the
branches left about a foot long to
serve as teeth.
The hog of pioneer days was the
"razor back", long-legged and able to
defend itself as it foraged in the
forest. After two or more years of
roughing it, such hogs were ready for
the home smoke house or to drive to
market in Pittsburgh.
Production, Then and Now
Milch cows were brought into the
county for miik, butter and cheese.
Butter was churned with a dasher in a
crock or in a small barrel turned
with a crank. The first cheese making
was.; laborious. The curd was stirred in
a tub on the floor.
Eventually the commercial cheese
factory was established. To it the
farmer took his milk and from it he
had whey, a byproduct of cheese mak-
ing, to feed his hogs. Some factories
were run much as co-operatives are
today, with a number of farmers par-
ticipating. Each factory had a cheese
maker and a manager who sold the
product.
In 1885 the county had about 30
factories, some of which also made
butter. From I860 to 1864, Portage
ranked third and fourth respectively
among Ohio counties in production
of cheese and butter. The average an-
nual Portage production in this
period was 2,933,471 pounds of cheese
and 872,234 of butter. Skimmed milk,
half-cream and full-cream cheeses
were made.
The writer remembers that in the
1880s the evening's milk was set in
pans. In the morning the cream was
skimmed. The milk that remained
was mixed with new milk and de-
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
185
livered to the cheese factory on the
farm of the the writer's father, F. A.
Derthick of Mantua. Here it was
made into half-cream cheese.
Cities Demand Milk
As the 19th century ended, the
cheese factories began to close. Farm-
ers were delivering their milk to
trains that took it to city dairy com-
panies for processing and distribution.
Early in the present century, operators
of motor trucks began to pick up milk
at the farmer's gate and the milk
trains were discontinued.
The 1920s saw the beginning of
regulation of the production and
processing of milk to protect the con-
sumer's health. Milk that was to be
shipped was required to be cooled
outside the stable. Inspection of barns
for light and cleanliness and insistence
on cement floors followed. Milk was
tested to determine the butter fat
content and the bacteria count. To-
day cows must be tuberculin tested if
their milk is sold to the public.
The predominately summer dairy
of early days when farmers depended
largely on pasture for feeding cows
being milked has all but disappeared.
Today a uniform flow of milk
through the year is desired. In cold
weather the dairy is kept in a stable
with a drinking fountain in reach of
each cow. Corn or alfalfa ensilage pro-
vides succulent feed, supplemented by
ground grain mixtures and protein
concentrates. Scientific care, feeding
and breeding have greatly increased
both quality and quantity of milk per
cow. At the same time labor has been
saved through the introduction of
milking machines.
Poultry raising has become impor-
tant in Portage County. Broilers, fat
hens, roosters and heavy capons are
grown. Some farms produce eggs on
a large scale. A branch of the North-
east Ohio Poultry Association at Gar-
rettsville grades eggs for producers.
Also, about 25,000 turkeys were raised
in 1954.
Hogs are produced but not exten-
sively. A 1953 census listed this source
as 7% of farm income.
Syrup Production Declines
Fruits and berries do well in Port-
age. The 1950 census reported 71,166
apple trees with a crop valued at
$208,952. Peach trees totaled 18,357
with fruit valued at $13,579.
The county produces maple syrup
of a quality that ranks with the best.
However, syrup production is declin-
ing. As maple trees die the new grow-
th that would replace them is being
destroyed by cattle pastured in wood-
lands. Also, due to high cost of opera-
tion, some bushes are closed. The
1950 census gave production in 1940
as 13,500 gallons.
Sweet corn has been raised exten-
sively in recent years, some farmers
specializing in it on a large scale. The
proximity of cities affords a quick
market by truck. Numerous roadside
stands also sell corn as well as syrup,
fruits, vegetables, flowers and eggs.
Potatoes have been raised in the
county since its early days. Average
yield per acre in I860 was 69 bushels.
One of the first nurserymen of the county was George W. Dean, who had his place
of business on the Kent-Ravenna road in Franklin township, starting in 1864. He was
also a student of the natural sciences and had a collection of 1350 marine and fresh water
shells. Mr. Dean's daughter, Lillian, was long chief operator of the telephone company
at Ravenna and both were active in the Horticultural Society.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
In 1870 it was 79, and in 1919 it was
85.2. From 1930 to 1939 the yield in-
creased to 114.7. The figures are from
the County Agricultural Extension
Service.
The small yields in early years were
due to insects, blight, drouth and lack
of fertility and humus. Humus has
been increased by plowing under soy
beans, rye or clover. Commercial fer-
tilizers are used heavily. Drouth is
partly offset by level cultivation.
Some of the larger growers irrigate.
Blight and insects are controlled by
power spraying. As a result, yields of
500 bushels per acre are quite com-
mon. No official average for today's
yield per acre is available, but well in-
formed growers estimate it at 275
bushels. The 1950 census gave the
total yield for the county in 1949 as
394,347 bushels. While potatoes are
planted, sprayed and dug by machin-
ery, they still must be picked by hand.
Corn, oats and wheat have been
raised from the days of the first set-
tlers. Scientific farming has increased
yields and reduced crop failures. The
1950 census reported the 1949 wheat
crop as 469,823 bushels, corn as grain,
947,738 bushels, and corn ensilage as
47,731 tons. Oats yielded 559,620
bushels, barley 13,094 and buckwheat
8,812. Five hundred acres of soy beans
yielded an average of 19 bushels per
acre. Figures are from the County
Agricultural Extension Service, Roger
M. Thomas, agent.
The largest muck land crop area is
480 acres north of Mantua Center on
Center Road. About 45 families en-
gaged in gardening live there the year
round. Chief crops are carrots, endive,
lettuce, green onions and radishes.
Celery, once a major crop, has been
discontinued. Smaller areas of muck
are in Shalersville, Kent, Ravenna,
Franklin and Randolph Townships.
Power and Machinery
In the early days, plodding oxen
hauled wagons, carts and sleds. As
farmers could afford them, the faster
moving horses took over. There were
draft horses weighing up to 1,900
pounds for the heaviest work and
horses weighing around 1,000 for
general purposes including travel by
carriage or in saddle.
But as the horse took the place of
the ox, so the gasoline tractor took
the place of the horse. Manufacturing
of tractors on a large scale nationally
is considered to have begun in 1906.
While records of their first use in the
county are not available, it was not
uncommon to see them around 1920.
The 1950 census listed 1,098 farm
trucks and 2,648 tractors in Portage.
There are many more as of this writ-
ing, when a work horse is seldom
seen and when farms that used to
have one or two teams now have one
to three tractors.
The first threshing machine appear-
ed in the county in 1830. It was oper-
ated by horse power. A tread mill or
sweep was the means of powering
early machines with horses. To work
a tread mill a horse was hitched in a
stall, the floor of which was an end-
less inclined belt that slid under the
horse as he kept moving his feet and
thus turned a power take-off pulley.
In the spring of 1824, the Isaac Streators built a cabin in Streetsboro, cleared four
acres and planted a crop. They then returned to Aurora leaving their 1 6-year old daughter
Susan alone to care for the crop and drive away wild animals. Wolves howled around her
door at nights. The family returned to Streetsboro for good in the fall.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
187
A sweep was a long lever, one end of
which was fastened to a stand. On the
stand were gears that transmitted
power as it was turned by a horse
hitched to the free end of the sweep
and driven round the stand in a circle.
The writer remembers such an outfit
operating a corn sheller in his father's
yard in the 1880s. In the early 1900s,
on this same farm as on others in the
county, stationary gasoline engines
were shelling and grinding corn,
pumping water, sawing wood and do-
ing other work. And now these en-
gines are giving way to electric
motors.
Combines Arrive
By 1850, steam engines, drawn by
oxen or horses, were turning the
threshing machines, or separators as
they came to be called. Soon these en-
gines were self propelled but required
a team harnessed to a tongue on the
front axle to guide them. Next the
engine had its own steering wheel
and was hauling the separator. With
the coming of gasoline power in the
1900s, the steam engine gradually
gave way to the tractor and went the
way of the draft horse.
The first crude reapers were re-
placing the grain cradle about the
time the first threshers replaced the
flail. Early reapers formed bundles
and dumped them to be tied by hand.
In 1878 a self binder that used twine
appeared. The next great step in local
harvesting was the development of
the one-man light combine, suitable
for Portage County farms. Such a ma-
chine, which cuts, threshes and feeds
the grain into sacks, appeared in 1935.
It was hauled by a tractor. In 1938
self-propelled models were available.
No records show the date the first
combine came into the county, but
the 1950 census found 302 in use.
There are many more as of this writ-
ing.
The harvesting of corn has also
been mechanized. Years ago on all
farms the stalks were slashed down
with a hand-swung hooked knife and
stacked in the orderly rows of teepee-
like shocks occasionally seen today.
Ears were ripped out of the husks
with a hardwood husking pin held in
the band. Now a corn picker, hauled
along a row of corn by a tractor, rips
the ear off the stalk, husks it and
drops it into a wagon. For silage, a
harvester cuts the standing corn,
chops it ready for the silo and feeds
it into a wagon. When the wagon is
full it is hauled to the silo by a tractor
that has brought an empty wagon to
the harvester. The chopped fodder is
blown into the silo. All this elimi-
nates need for a score of men to hoist
heavy bundles of stalks onto wagons
by hand and haul them to the silo,
there to unload them for chopping.
Hand Labor Eliminated
Equally great changes speed the
harvesting of hay. In the earliest days
farmers mowed their meadows with
scythes, raked the hay by hand and
loaded it on and off wagons with
pitch forks. Mechanization progress-
ed through various mowing machines,
rakes and loaders but considerable
hand labor was required.
Walter J. Dickinson, the early Randolph historian, is said to have read the Bible
through when he was seven years old. As his father was postmaster, he amassed much
general information by reading newspapers and magazines awaiting claim by their owners
in the post office.
88
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
Now alfalfa can be handled by a
harvester. Starting in the morning, it
follows the mowing machine, picks
up the alfalfa and crushes the stems
between rollers, then drops "it back
on the ground. There the stems dry
soon enough to permit raking before
the leaves shell. In the afternoon, if it
is a good drying day, the harvester
again gathers up the alfalfa, cuts it
fine, drops it into a wagon and hauls
it to the barn. Here it is blown into
the mow. To further dry the hay and
prevent spoilage, a powerful fan
forces air through the mow. This ma-
chinery is expensive, but eliminating
costly hand labor is not its only value.
It also produces feed so high in pro-
tein that less grain need be used.
Moreover, the hay is so relished by
cattle that none is wasted.
The invention and improvement of
tillage tools has kept pace with those
for harvesting. These developments
range from the wooden plow of the
early settlers through the cast iron
plow of 1824 to modern tractor plows
turning several furrows. Starting with
a forked tree for a harrow, the farmer
had one with cast iron teeth in 1825.
Now he has any number of specializ-
ed and tractor-drawn implements for
pulverizing, smoothing, packing,
weeding and cultivating.
Farm Service and Supply
The processor and handler of farm
products has been a partner in the
development of agriculture. It will be
recalled that the first grist mill in the
county was in operation a year after
the first wheat was sown and that the
cheese factory came into being with
the dairy. As agriculture has progress-
ed from the sowing and reaping of
grain by hand, so has the related bus-
iness of farm service and supply gone
beyond the simple grinding of grain
between stones turned by hand or by
water wheel. The business whose
Come To The Fair
In addition to the county fair at Ravenna there were a number of local fairs in the
county. The Deerfield Fair was started in 1858, with racing and other attractions. It ran
a number of years and by 1878 had prospered to the extent that it attracted 10,000
people. This fair was discontinued in the '90s.
Garrettsville had a fair known as the "Highland Union Agricultural Association."
Organized in 1859, it originally was intended to take over as county fair when Ravenna
was in trouble. It prospered to the extent that in 1872 Horace Greeley, then candidate
for president, visited the meeting and deliverd a campaign speech. The meeting drew
large crowds from Portage, Geauga and Trumbull counties. This fair was forced to close
after the 1890 meeting.
Another independent fair, at Randolph, is still in existence and remains the only
county agricultural fair. It was organized in 1858 so that it will soon observe its cen-
tennial. Usually held in late September or early October, it has retained its agricultural
flavor and has had careful management.
In the 1870s Roostown had a fair which continued for several years. A fair was also
held at Mantua during the 1890s.
A fair of slightly different nature is the Welsh Fair, or Horse Fair, held on the first
Monday of May at Palmyra. Originally intended for exhibiting horses, it has been in
continuous existence for 125 years. Today it is more in the nature of a home coming or
reunion of old residents. Palmyra also once had an agricultural fair held for two days
each fall but it did not last long in competition with other fairs.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
189
Harness racing was always a feature of county fairs. This picture
was taken at one of the last Ravenna fairs.
forerunner was the primitive mill may
now not only be grinding grain but
shipping Portage County wheat by
the car load, and not only selling the
farmer implements but spreading fer-
tilizer and lime for him.
Of historic interest is the Williams
Brothers' Company in Kent, which
was built in 1879 and '80 by the three
Williams brothers, Scott T., Charles
A. and Lewis. The concern has an
elevator of 300,000 bushels capacity
and grinds about 5,000 bushels of
wheat per day, making a market for
Portage farmers. Jim Green entered
the company 1901, Dudley Williams
1919, and are its present managers.
The Mantua Grain & Supply Co.,
founded in 1909 by R. G. Mayhew,
then and now its president and gener-
al manager, is typical of the diversity
of the business of service and supply
for agriculture. With two branches in
addition to its home plant, the com-
pany handles grain, flour, feeds, seeds,
fertilizer, tile, cement, fencing and
implements; ships grain in car load
lots and does grist work in its plant
as well as with portable mills. It also
operates lime spreaders.
Illustrative of a specialized service
is that offered by the Quality Feed
Store of Kent, Roy Pierce, owner,
which operates equipment that injects
anhydrous ammonia, a liquid fertiliz-
er containing 82% nitrogen, six to
eight inches into the soil.
The following list of other Portage
County concerns that among them
offer a wide range of supplies and
services is indicative of the spread and
growth of this farm related business:
Mayhew Elevator Co., Frank and
R. G. Mayhew owners; J. F. Babcock
Milling Co., G. C. Shafer, manager;
Ravenna Feed Store, Ivan Rickert,
owner; Sabin & Corbett, Inc.; Fall &
Hawkins and Paul G. Mills, Inc., all
of Ravenna; Randolph Feed & Supply
Co., C. H. Chance, owner, Randolph;
Thomas Feed Mill, Edinburg; Thomas
Brothers, New Milford; Paul Feed &
190
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Supply Co. and Hopkins' Old Water
Mill, Bruce Ginther, manager, Gar-
rettsville. The Hopkins Mill is on Sil-
ver Creek, near the site on which John
Garrett built his mill in 1803.
Agricultural Organizations
The first Portage County Agricul-
tural Society was formed in Ravenna
in the court house in 1825 with Josh-
ua Woodard as president. It held a
farm products and cattle show on Oct.
18 of that year. By 1830 the society
had ceased to meet.
On June 20, 1839, under an act of
the Legislature, a second Portage
County Agricultural Society was or-
ganized in Ravenna with William
Wetmore as president. The first fair
was at the court house Oct. 20 and 21
in 1841. Several times in the follow-
ing years the society was rescused
from debt by public spirited citizens.
In 1879 grounds northeast of Raven-
na were leased and permanent build-
ings were erected for the county fair.
In 1909 these buildings burned.
With Dan R. Hanna of Cleveland
subscribing $10,000 and the county
raising the balance needed for new
buildings, fairs were resumed. (From
Harriet Taylor Upton). On Aug. 1,
1932, fire again destroyed the build-
ings. They were not rebuilt and the
agricultural fair was discontinued.
Grange Shows Growth
The Ohio State Grange was organ-
ized in 1872 and during 1873 and 74
twelve subordinate Granges were es-
tablished in Portage County by Dep-
uty Organizfer W. Williamson. In
1955 there were ten in the county as
follows: Atwater, 138 members, Ken-
neth Brock, master; Brimfield, 276,
R. E. Wertenberger; Hiram, 97, Hugh
Hutchinson; Kent, 220, Oliver Wy-
mer; Mantua, 127, Roger Winchell;
Nelson, 145, Willard Hahn; Paris,
137, Julius Rose; Ravenna, 427, Clar-
ence Nething; Shalersville, 56, David
Crane; Streetsboro, 163, Herman Tu-
dor. C. W. Franks was master of the
Portage County Pomona Grange. The
deputy for Juvenile Granges in 1955
was Mrs. George B. Towner. The
Juvenile Grange in Paris had 14 mem-
bers with Lena Henceroth as matron.
In Ravenna there were 19 members
with Mrs. Dorothy Franks as matron.
A Portage County farmer, F. A. Der-
thick of Mantua, was master of the
State Grange from 1900 to 1908.
The Grange supports legislation in
the interest of agriculture and seeks
to uplift the moral, spiritual, educa-
tional and social life of its member-
ship, which is open to all in the fam-
ily over 14 years. The Grange has
worked for many reforms, such as
women's suffrage and centralized
schools, and for such benefits as rural
free delivery of mail and improved
roads. It offers insurance, including
fire, lightning, life, hospitalization
and general liability. Information on
the Grange was provided by George
B. Towner, deputy master of the Ohio
State Grange of Brady Lake, Portage
County.
The Portage County Improvement
Association was organized by prom-
inent farmers who met in Ravenna in
October of 1912. Recognizing the
need for a trained agricultural ad-
visor, the Association, in co-operation
with the Ohio State Experiment Sta-
Ravenna was once an important potato shipping point. In 1909 M. E. Thorpe, dealer,
shipped out 140 car loads.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
191
tion and the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture, installed H. P.
Miller as the first county agricultural
agent on Jan. 20, 1913. The Associa-
tion began an active program to in-
crease production, improve the qual-
ity of livestock and lift the standard
of farm living. Following Mr. Miller
as agents were Chester R. Shumway,
James Pendry, Joseph N. Maxwell
and Roger M. Thomas, the present
agent. The work of the agents is now
sponsored by the Agricultural Exten-
sion Service in which the College of
Agriculture of Ohio State University,
the United States Department of Ag-
riculture and Portage County co-op-
erate.
Farm Bureau Starts
To cope with various problems, a
basic one being considered the mer-
chandizing of farm supplies, repre-
sentatives of improvement associa-
tions from Ohio counties, Portage in-
cluded, met in Columbus in 1918. The
Ohio Farm Bureau was formed with
county organizations already in being
taking the uniform name of Farm
Bureau. The Bureau adopted as its
purposes the improvements of farm
income and rural standards of living.
The Portage County Farm Bureau
Co-operative was formed to achieve
Bureau purposes pertaining to mer-
chandizing. The Co-operative is a dis-
tinct organization incorporated un-
der Ohio law as a non-profit business
"to purchase and sell farm commod-
ities." Many Bureau members are also
members of the Co-operative. It sells
In 1865 milk was being sold in Gar-
rettsville at the rate of 16 quarts for
$1.00 by the use of tickets. This figured
at between 6 and 7 cents per quart. In
Kent about 1893 some dealers sold 16
tickets for $1.00.
feeds, seeds, lime, fertilizer, machin-
ery and supplies. Offices of both or-
ganizations and the store of the Co-
operative are in Ravenna. Stanley C.
Bingham is president of the Bureau
and Clayton Groves is organization
manager. Earl Rufner is president of
the Co-operative. Perry L. Green,
formerly of Hiram and now of Man-
tua, was Ohio Farm Bureau state pres-
ident from 1933 to 1948.
The 4-H clubs in Portage were or-
ganized by the County Improvement
Association, according to the records,
when H. P. Miller, county agent, pro-
posed on Nov. 13, 1913, that the As-
sociation appropriate $100 as prizes
for boys and girls in club work. This
youth activity grew and by 1954 proj-
ects were completed by 1,033 members
of 86 clubs having 139 advisors. The
4-H members select projects such as
sewing, dairying, steer raising or
vegetable growing, self ownership be-
ing urged. Club activities also empha-
size development of leadership and
appreciation of recreation. Members
pledge their heads, hearts, hands and
health for club, community and coun-
try. The foregoing information was
from William B. Phillips, associate
county agent.
Soils and Conservation
Present soils and land forms of
Portage County can be related to bed
rock, plant and animal life, climate,
flowing waters and a great ice layer of
the distant past. Fifteen to twenty
thousand years ago, perhaps much
longer, the great ice layer crunched
its mighty force across this area. The
finest particles that were ground from
rocks and deposited in still water
make up our clay textured land. The
somewhat coarser particles are found
in the gently rolling to somewhat ir-
regular slopes left when the ice cap
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Frank A. Derthick, prominent Grange
leader of earlier days, and state dairy and
food commissioner.
receded. The coarsest sands and grav-
els were left in the steeper sections
which were mounds of rock frag-
ments ground up and shoved ahead or
crowded to one side by the forward
movement of the ice mass. Thus we
have in Portage County soils ranging
from sand and gravel, to the silt and
silty clay loams and on to the heaviest
clay. This history of soils is from Hor-
ton Alger, assistant state conservation-
ist in the Columbus office of the
United States Soil Conservation Serv-
ice.
The early settlers found a soil made
made fertile by deposit of forest leaves
and vegetation through the centuries.
Early in the 1900s it was realized that
fertility was being dangerously de-
pleted by improper rotation of crops,
loss of topsoil by erosion of wind and
rain on ground left bare and by un-
sound cultivation practises in general.
Forward looking farmers became
increasingly aware of the need to re-
deem the soil. They kept land covered
with soil holding crops or with mulch
whenever possible, plowed under
crops to add humus and laid tile
drains to reduce washing by surface
water. The Ohio Experiment Station
gave guidance. In 1947 an organized
program of scientific soil care was
formally launched in Portage County
with the opening in Ravenna of an
office of the United States Soil Con-
servation Service. Fred Aten, a trained
conservationist, is now in charge of
that office. Conservation counsel is
available to any farmer who applies
for it. The types of soil are charted on
a map, together with crops, fertilizer
and drainage best suited to his land.
Strip planting and contour cultivation
are planned.
In contour cultivation the field is
plowed across or around the slope so
that furrows form dams rather than
channels down which rainfall would
sluice away the topsoil. Fields plowed
in contour are planted in alternating
strips of soil-holding and cultivated
crops. First may be a strip of grass,
next corn or potatoes, then grass again
or some other cover crop. Thus fre-
quent "traps" of sod catch soil that
tends to wash or blow away from
strips necessarily made loose by tilling
crops in rows.
The Farm Home
Increasing productivity of soil is
not an end in itself. Improvement in
the standard of living has been an
objective of farm organizations and* a
theme of farm forums. One room log
cabins, dimly lit with tallow candles,
have become ample residences with
fluorescent lights. The spring house
where butter cooled and the loaded
PORTAGE HERITAGE
193
cellar shelves have yielded their stores
to electric refrigerator and freezer.
The spinning wheel and loom are rel-
ics in the museum of village or city
where the family parks the car to
shop for household needs. The fire-
place and the sheet iron stove are cold,
but an automatic furnace warms the
once chilly parlor. The T-V set fits
the corner where the walnut whatnot
stood. In the farmyard where small
boys yoked calves to sleds and did
small chores with their unruly "ox-
en", great grandsons stretch their legs
to reach the tractor clutch. All this
and more has marked the progress of
farm family life from the struggle to
subsist in early days to a level of com-
fort and convenience undreamed of by
pioneers.
Farm Statistics*
Livestock
1880s 1890s 1910-20 1930s
Horses 8,650 8,740 10,200 5,900
Cattle 26,200 19,800 22,400 27,900
Sheep 44,000 36,400 11,500 4,600
Hogs 7,270 7,230 7,400 15,800
Beginning in the 1940s the count of
horses and sheep was discontinued and
the method of listing cattle was revised to
give the number of milch cows and the
total of all cattle.
1940s 1945 1952
Milch Cows 16,900 19,900 15,100
All Cattle 27,900 31,700 26,900
Hogs 15,800 13,500 9,400
Acres in Crops
1860s 1900s 1930s
Corn 12,400 18,100 26,200
Oats 10,200 22,200 22,700
Wheat 10,200 20,100 12,300
Hay 44,000 34,800 29,500
Potatoes 1,800 8,100 5,300
(* Figures from Roger M. Thomas,
Agricultural Extension Service)
1940s
27,200
18,000
14,000
34,600
3,400
agent,
1950 Agricultural Census Figures
Number of Farms 2,930
Average Size of Farms 77 acres
Total Crop Land 123,798
Grain Combines 302
Pickup Bailers 141
Total Acres in Farms 225,602
Average Value of Farms $11,870
Total Wood Land 48,073
Corn Pickers 115
Farm Trucks 1,098
Farm Tractors 2,648
Sources of Farm Income, 1953
Dairy 41% Poultry 17%
Truck Crops 11% Hogs 7%
Wheat 5% Cattle 5%
Others 14%
Total Farm Income ..*. $12,007,000
Which Baldwin?
Older Portage County historians and
writers have related that the Baldwin
apple, a hardy winter variety, was or-
iginated by Benjamin Baldwin, an early
Suffield resident. The story is that he
planted seeds brought by him from Con-
necticut with the apple as a result, to
which his name was given.
But in January, 1907, Mortimer Ewart
of Mogadore published a letter in the
Ravenna Republican in which he stated
that he had in his possession an old
pamphlet called the "Apples of New
York." In this it is stated that the apple
was named in 1740 for a Col. Baldwin
of Woburn, Mass., who originated the
apple. In early days it was called the
Woodpecker apple, because this bird
frequented the trees in hunt of worms
which infested them. Readers must judge
for themselves the correct answer.
In 1880, Italian section hands on the
Erie at Kent rioted because their pay was
late. They rushed Paymaster McGuire,
who fired, killing one man. The sheriff
was called. On the following day the
man's pay arrived.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
The Goss General Store
There is a certain nostalgia connected with memories of the old general store, a few
of which have been reproduced in various parts of the country. None was more typical
than the Goss Brothers store in Edinburg. Let us look at it.
We drive up in our top buggy and find at the hitching rail in front another horse
and buggy and a team hitched to a wagon. We tie our horse, take our basket of eggs and
crock of butter, and probably our oil can, and climb the steps, cross the porch and enter
the front door. We come into a large room. There are three rows of counters with aisles
between them.
We turn into the right aisle to dispose of our eggs and butter. On the first counter
is a glass case containing candy and cigars. Behind this, on the shelves, are more boxes
of cigars, and candy jars or peppermint and wintergreen drops, hoarhound and licorice,
and other jars of stick candy of various kinds. A little farther down are bottles of medi-
cines. There are numerous "patent" medicines as well as jars from which prescriptions are
filled, for one of the brothers is a pharmacist.
As we go on to the next counter where a clerk, or perhaps Mr. Goss himself, will re-
lieve us of our produce, we find a large roll of wrapping paper, a ball of string hanging
from the ceiling, a set of scales, farther on a coffee grinder and a bunch of bananas, also
hanging from a hook in, the ceiling. Behind this counter are shelves of groceries, many of
them also in glass jars from which they are weighed out for the customer. Underneath
these shelves are large bins or dumps containing white and brown sugar, beans, coffee,
etc., and here, too, a barrel of crackers.
After our eggs and butter have been counted and weighed and our can filled with
kerosene for our lamps, we buy the rest of our groceries. Then we may proceed to the
other parts of the store. There, in the back, are many kinds of hardware. Do we need a
new saw, a few nails, a horse collar, or a plow point? They are all available in this
store. Then we walk around to the other side, and there, near the back, are the shoes and
boots. On the counter, farther front, are some bolts of calico, and behind, on the shelves,
arc other materials; muslin, woollen cloth, outing flannel, crinoline and perhaps a piece
or two of velvet. There are drawers with buttons, thread, lace and embroidery.
As we pass the center counter, we are tempted by the pretty dishes and glassware,
but we have already spent our butter and egg money, so we will have to wait until an-
other time. Such a store was the Goss Brothers store. It was open from seven o'clock in
the morning (sometimes earlier in summer) until 9 o'clock at night. On bad days and in
the evenings, there was always a group of "cracker barrel philosophers" sitting around
the stove and discussing the affairs of the state and of the nation.
—Written by Mrs. C. J. Walvoord.
Eagles have seldom been seen in Port-
age County at any time. But after the
construction of the Akron waterworks
reservoir north of Kent in 1915, a pair
started to nest there along a secluded
shore. Eagles were seen at the Reservoir
as late as 1933.
In 1915 the Ravenna Republican re-
ported that "Portage County is a minia-
ture England as far as good roads are
concerned."
Rev. James Price of Palmyra was an
eloquent and popular preacher. He stud-
ied while working as a miner and
preached in the mines, and it is said he
had preached in nearly all states of the
union. When preaching in Palmyra more
people often came to hear him than the
church would hold and some had to
stand outside. In summer weather, he
preached near an open window, first
talking to those inside, then turning to
those outside and talking through the
window.
CHAPTER XIII
Education In Portage County
The successive steps in the develop-
ment of a public school system in
Portage County constitute a moving
drama. In the first place, settlers
wanted education for their children.
This first was made possible in scat-
tered and primitive schools which
taught only most elementary branches
— Reading and Writing and Arithme-
tic — but it was a long time before the
schools were either "public" or a "sys-
tem." First schools were privately or-
ganized.
Nevertheless the pressure of the
people was always present, which
moved legislators to set up laws, au-
thority and taxes for school support,
schools that were open to all children,
and in the end, compulsory atten-
dance.
Naturally, the first effective public
schools were established in the towns,
each of which was a district. In the
townships, local districts were grad-
ually established so that by the end of
the 19th century each township had
from four to ten local districts. Few
townships had high schools, and these
were weak.
At this point something new came
along. This was the idea of consoli-
dating the local township districts in-
to a stronger, single school with a
high school. Its usefulness was made
possible by the plan of transporting
children to the central school by
means of buses. Portage County had
some of the earliest of these consoli-
dations in Ohio, and in time all town-
ships used the plan. By still later laws,
several townships could unite and
form one single, strong district. The
transition from the little one-room
frame school building with the plain-
est of conveniences, to the million-
dollar building of greatest comfort
and finest equipment really has been
an extraordinary thing. And where
the one-room teacher taught only a
few subjects, the high schools offer a
whole curriculum, and some subjects
were not even dreamed of a few
decades ago.
No Early Support
Despite the early zeal for education
in the Western Reserve, schools here
actually had less public financial sup-
port than in other sections because
the Connecticut Land Co. supposedly
had provided for education here, but
which turned out otherwise. But grad-
ually both Congress and the state leg-
islature passed successive laws that
righted matters. Even in the legisla-
ture there was chicanery and crooked-
ness in providing help by sale of
"school lands." Among the early resi-
dents who worked mightily for better
school laws was Caleb Atwater who
in 1822 was one of seven so-called
new school commissioners, but who is
said to have done most of the board's
work.
In 1824, more local help, financial-
ly, was obtained through sale of
"school lands", but not much. Under
a new law school tax money was di-
vided evenly among all counties in
the state — a procedure through which
Portage County paid out more than it
received. An 1825 law authorized or-
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
ganization of local districts and set up
boards to examine qualification of
teachers. Laws in 1829, 1830 and 1831
barred negroes from schools but au-
thorized hiring of woman teachers
for spelling, reading and writing if
women were acceptable to patrons.
The most important law of all came
in 1853 which actually set up the
framework of the modern schools.
Local boards were required to estab-
lish schools and attendance was com-
pulsory. Superintendents were pro-
vided for, various grades classified, a
five-day school week provided, as
were teachers' institutes and school
enumeration.
First schools usually were one room
log buildings with oiled paper win-
dows and open fire places. There were
puncheon seats and pupils faced the
wall from their seats. There were
benches, not desks. The Bible was a
text book. An English reader and
Webster's Speller were used. Text
books in arithmetic spoke of pounds,
shillings and pence, instead of dollars
and cents. Strong disciplinarians were
wanted as teachers. Pay for teachers
was a few dollars a month, often paid
in produce and even whiskey. Many
teachers "boarded around."
Promptly Qualify
But if the courses of study were
weak, so were the qualifications for
Fifty Years In Rural Schools
P. B. Tomson
Colorful and unusual was Phineas Butler
Tomson, a native of Shalersville who taught dis-
trict schools in and near Portage County for more
than fifty years. He taught variously in nine Port-
age townships and in Mahoning and Stark Coun-
ties as well as in Michigan. He kept a list of all
the boys and girls who had been his pupils and
had a total of over 1,300 names, many of whom
he kept in touch with regularly. It is said that
Tomson, in going into a new district, would re-
port a few days ahead of time and personally,
without charge, tidy up the school house and
grounds, even to papering and carpenter work.
He had few rules, governing mainly by his per-
sonality. For years Tomson school reunions were
held in various places. In 1898-99 he was principal
of the DePeyster school, Kent, but he liked district
work better. He commenced teaching in 1878
and continued without missing a year, up to 1928.
His own education had been gained in the Shalers-
ville Academy "select school", and at Mt. Union
college. In addition to his regular school work
he sometimes held an evening writing school once
a week. About 1930 he wrote and issued a small
book called "Fifty Years in The School Room."
In his early years Tomson "boarded around" with
patron families. He never married.
On his tombstone in Shalersville are inscribed
the words, "School's Out. Teacher's Gone Home."
PORTAGE HERITAGE
197
teaching. In 1836 a Randolph young
man presented himself to the Atwater
examining board to apply for a
teacher's certificate. The board was
composed of a minister and two un-
lettered farmers. Questions asked the
applicant were:
"Can you repeat the Ten Command-
ments?"
"What do you think of the tem-
perance question?"
"What do you think of profane
swearing?"
The applicant answered these ques-
tions satisfactorily and was then told
that he was qualified to teach school
and the certificate was issued.
Portage County's schools date back
to a time before Ohio's admittance to
statehood in 1803. The first school
was said to have been located in Deer-
field with another in Ravenna and
one in Aurora in 1803. All were in
the nature of small select schools.
Other localities had schools after that
until the whole county had them. But
they were irregular both in time,
method and location. Classes were
held only during winter months, at
times that suited individual patrons.
In early days many educated Irish
people came to this country. Some
settled in Portage County and served
as pedagogs. In some areas the New
Testament was at first the only text
book. It is worth while to take a brief
look at local school history.
Districts Important
ATWATER — The first school is
supposed to have been taught by Mrs.
Almon Chittenden in 1806-07, in a
little log school house at the Center.
Another is said to have been taught
about 1809 in the southwestern part
of the township. In time, Atwater
township had ten sub-districts. These
were Douthitt, Station, Science Hill,
Thompson Corners, Kump, Yale, Vir-
ginia Corners, Mowen, Center, Stroup,
In 1905 four of the districts were
centralized at the Center and in 1917
all districts joined in the consolida-
tion.
In the year 1955-56 the enrollment
at Atwater was 451 elementary and
high school pupils, with 19 teachers.
R. C. Parsons was principal.
AURORA — The school was an in-
stitution here as early as the winter of
1803-04. Samuel Forward, Jr., opened
one in a little building on the Square
at the Center, having as pupils Julia
Forward, Ebenezer Sheldon, Jr., Gers-
hom Sheldon, George Sheldon, Festus
Sheldon, Chauncey Forward, Rens-
selaer Forward and Dryden Forward.
The next school was taught by Oliver
Forward and the third by Polly Cam-
eron, in 1807. In 1826-27, Samuel Bis-
sell was considered one of the most
outstanding educators in the Western
Reserve. He established an academy
where Aurora's fire station now
stands. Later the Academy was moved
to Twinsburg.
Aurora's eight districts, centralized
in 1897, were: Route 82 and Bissell
Rd.; Route 306 near Crackel Rd.;
Hudson Rd. and Old Mill Rd. Route
43 and Eldridge Rd.; Old Harmon
Rd., south of Mennonite Rd.; Town
Line Rd. near old Kent farm; Route
43 and 306; Pioneer Trail and Crooks
Rd.
As of 1955 the enrollment in both
elementary and high schools was 750
with 29 teachers. James Hales was
superintendent.
First Junior High
BRIMFIELD — On Dec. 22, 1818,
the first school in the township was
opened by Jeremiah Moulton in his
own house and continued during the
winter. Four families monopolized
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
this school. The teacher had ten of his
own children, Alpheus Andrews had
seven and the two Thompson houses
were full of them. He continued his
school the following year. The first
district, or public school was taught
by Henry Hall. Abner Lamphare also
taught in various districts.
Brimfield also had an excellent
academy for several years in the 1840s
and 50s. The Brimfield districts were
centralized in 1921. Brimfield claims
the honor of having the first Junior
High School in the county, starting
in September, 1930. Today, senior
high school pupils are transported to
the Kent State University Training
School.
As of 1955-56 the elementary en-
rollment was 533, with a faculty of 19.
CHARLESTOWN— The first
school in the township was taught in
a log school house at the Center in
the summer of 1811 and winter of
1812-13, by Miss Sophia Coe. The
pupils at this school were Chauncey
B., Joel, Melissa, Charles L., Dennis,
Harris, Prudence, Harriet and Lucre-
tia Curtiss; Adnah and Phoebe Coe,
Robert Lathrop and Rachael King,
Samuel and Lydia Sutliff and Mina
Forcha, daughter of Abel Forcha, the
hunter-settler.
The six school districts in Charles-
town township were centralized in
1915. These were: Augerburg, Center
Dist. No. 2, Kirtland, Jimtown,
Curtiss and Greenleaf.
In 1955 the elementary enrollment
was 199 with a faculty of nine. All
high school pupils were transported
to the new Southeast School.
DEERFIELD — The first school
taught in the town was presided over
by Robert Campbell somewhere a-
round 1803. This was near the Center.
There was also a later school at the
Center and various districts were laid
out. There was also a select school at
the Center. A public supported high
school was set up in 1895. Centraliza-
tion of all the districts came in 1916.
The old districts were: Deerfield
Center, Hillside, Few Town, Helsel
Town, Mott Town, Hickory Grove
and Wilcox.
In 1955 the elementary enrollment
was 216, with eight teachers. All high
school pupils were then transported
to the Southeast School, of which new
district Deerfield became a part, along
with Palmyra, Charlestown, Edinburg
and Paris.
Salary In Drink
EDINBURG — The first school
here was taught in a log house on the
land of Amasa Canfield in 1818. The
teacher was Miss Clarissa Loomis of
Charlestown and her pupils were Jul-
iette A., Edwain A. and Harriet Eddy,
children of Mr. Canfield. The second
school was taught by Miss Electa Bost-
wick during the summer of 1819 and
in the following winter Jesse Buell
had a school near Campbellsport. By
1823 patrons desired more extensive
courses and employed Austin Loomis.
The contract with Loomis would be
considered a curiosity today. It read:
"Dec. 3 — Agreed with Austin Loomis
of Atwater to teach school in Edin-
burg three months for twelve bushels
of wheat per month, one half to be
paid at the end of three months in
grain, and the remainder in some
other trade, such as cattle, sheep and
whisky."
Edinburg schools were centralized
about 1905 and a very good high
school maintained until 1953, when
the township district consolidated
with others in the Southeast school. In
1955 the elementary enrollment was
220, with eight teachers. High School
PORTAGE HERITAGE
199
First school buses were horse drawn. This one was
used in Edinburg about 1915.
pupils went to Southeast.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP — The
first school in the township is said to
have been taught in the winter of
1815-16 by Abner H. Lamphare of
Brimfield in a small cabin that had
been erected by Mr. Rue in 1811. In
1817 residents erected a joint school
and church building. It stood on the
east side of the river near Grain Ave.
Up to 1830, there was but one school
house. In addition to Lamphare an-
other teacher was Amasa Hamlin who
taught for accommodation, though he
did receive some pay.
There were five rural districts in
Franklin township as follows;: Twin
Lakes near gravel pits; Breakneck, off
Horning Rd.; Brady Lake, present
site; Maple Grove on Hudson Rd.,
Northeast of Pippin Lake. They were
centralized about 1920, and a building
erected north of Kent. The 1955 en-
rollment was 170 elementary pupils.
John Cropp was principal. High
school pupils attend Kent State Train-
ing School.
Land for what is now known as
Brady Lake school was bought from
Lewis Williard in 1883 and the school
opened in 1884. For a time it was
known as the Emma Williard school,
one of the township districts. It grew
steadily with the population and by
1955 had an enrollment of 375 with
13 teachers. Pupils in grades 9 to 12
are transported to Kent Roosevelt
High School. Orville Hissom is cur-
rent principal.
Union School Set Up
KENT — After the first township
school, a new school-meeting house
was built on North Mantua St. near
Crain, open three months a year. In
1825 all Franklin Township was in
one district.
Between 1825 and 1867 there were
three small schools. One was on Lake
St. east of North Water; one on Stow
St. opposite the cemetery; one on
Hudson Rd. near Fairchild, unusual
because it was two stories high.
About 1851 there was a select school
200
PORTAGE HERITAGE
in the Earl Block, Franklin and Main,
taught by Frank Pounds, later Ohio
attorney general. In 1856 a select
school opened in the Township Hall,
where present board of education of-
fices are located. J. H. Pickett was
principal. H. S. Freeborn and William
King followed Pickett.
The Union School System was es-
tablished about 1860 with U. L. Mar-
vin, later a judge, as superintendent.
Schools were then graded for the first
time. Later superintendents included
H. S. Freeborn, a Mr. Phillips, W. W.
Patton and Chester Haywood. The
Union School, now called Central,
was started in 1867 and March 14,
1869 was opened with T. E. Suliot in
charge. The building cost $69,500.
The high school was organized in
1868 with temporary quarters in the
Township Hall. Later it occupied a
room on the second floor of the new
building, with grades in other rooms.
First high school graduate was Anna
Nutting, who later served as princi-
pal.
In the summer of 1869 the school
board erected a small frame building
on Franklin Ave., which served the
"flats" as a school until 1880 when
the first South School was built. One
of the first teachers was Mattie J.
Rogers, still remembered by many to-
day.
Kent City schools today include
Roosevelt High School, built in 1922;
Central elementary and Junior High,
built in 1953; DePeyster grade school,
built in 1887 and enlarged in 1920;
South grade school, built in 1880, en-
larged 1901. The new Longcoy grade
school for the Longmere section is
now in the operating stage. In 1956
the Kent Board of Education bought
a tract between Crain and Lake as the
site of a future school. A new high
school was also declared necessary and
land was bought for a site.
Superintendents who have served
the Kent schools since 1868 have been:
J. F. Lukens, W. W. Patton, A. B.
Stutzman, R. P. Clark, F. B. Bryant,
W. A. Walls, J. W. Spangler, Dr.
Howard P. Smith and Lewis L. Burk-
hart.
Kent St. Patrick's School was es-
tablished in 1886 with Father Gon-
zaga as principal. Because of lack of
funds it was closed in 1891 but re-
sumed in 1905 with Sister Germaine
as principal. It has been operating
since that time. The present building
was erected in 1923 by Father Mahon.
Districts Combine
FREEDOM — The first known
school was taught in a small frame
building at Drakesburg by E. W. Ran-
ney who died March 3, 1835. Another
earlier school is said to have been
taught in the northwest part of the
township, but the exact date or teach-
er is not known. Freedom had an
academy for a short time.
Township schools were centralized
in 1914. In 1917 a fine new modern
school was built at the Center, which
in 1955 had an enrollment of 230
grade pupils with nine teachers. The
high school pupils were transported
to the new James A. Garfield school
at Garrettsville, of which district the
Freedom schools had become a part.
GARRETTSVILLE — Various
schools were taught in early Garretts-
ville but the exact date of the first is
not clear. There was one at North and
Maple Sts. and one opposite Park
cemetery. First schools were of the
"select" or "private" nature. Older
residents today speak of what was
long known as the "Red Schoolhouse"
on the present site of the modern
school. It was built in 1841. In 1880 a
PORTAGE HERITAGE
20
brick building was erected on the
same lot as the first school. Changes
were made but the building has not
been in use since then.
In 1948, Nelson high school was
consolidated with Garrettsville high.
In 1951 voters decided to consolidate
all high school work of Freedom, Nel-
son and Garrettsville in a new district
known as the James A. Garfield Dis-
trict. In 1954 a bond issue for a new
high school building was authorized
and the building was completed in
1956. Present enrollment of this fine
new high school is over 1,000. Orson
E. Ott is principal.
HIRAM - In the year 1813 Benja-
min Hinckley arrived and in Decem-
ber of that year commenced teaching
school in a log building erected that
fall. He had twenty pupils which he
taught for a ten weeks period ending
Feb. 24, 1814. There were seven
Youngs, three Johnsons, two Hutchin-
sons, two Dysons, two Hugheses, two
Hinckleys, a Hampton and a Judson.
In 1816 two school districts were
formed, each housed in a log build-
ing. They were known as Center and
South districts. At one time the Cen-
ter building was more or less affec-
tionately called the "Stone Jug." The
South District got a frame building
about 1920. At a later time a frame
building was commenced for a school
house at the Center, with a Masonic
hall above, but it was never finished.
The various township districts were
consoliated about 1903 with a build-
ing at the Center. In 1955 the enroll-
Came The Academies
In the middle of the nineteenth century many "academies", or "institutes" were
scattered through the state. Portage County had many, notably in Ravenna, Windham,
Kent, Aurora, Nelson, Palmyra, Brimfield and Randolph. Since there were then no
public schools the academies supplied the need for education beyond the common school
grades.
The announcement to the public for the Brimfield Institute for 1854, gives an idea
of its work. This runs:
BRIMFIELD INSTITUTE
A. F. Butts, Principal
J. Blake, Superintendent geography department.
The second term of the Brimfield Institute will commence on Monday, Dec. 4, 1854,
under the control of A. F. Butts, Principal, and Mr. J. Blake, Supt. Geo. Dept.
Tuition for term of eleven weeks — English branches, $3-50; Mathematics, $4.00;
Foreign Languages, $4.50.
As a sufficient assurance to those persons who may not be acquainted with the
character of the school, we would say to the friends of education and to the public
generally, that we have full confidence in the ability of Mr. Butts, and believe the
cause of instruction to be sufficient, thorough and progressive.
Wm. R. Kelso
Edward Parsons
Henry Sawyer
Hiram Ewell
COMMITTEE
Brimfield, Ohio, Nov. 6, 1854.
202
PORTAGE HERITAGE
ment in both elementary and high
school classes was 364 pupils with 17
teachers.
New Buildings Arise
MANTUA -CREST WOOD —
Schooling started in Mantua in 1806
with Judge Amzi Atwater conducting
classes in his home. Log school houses
soon appeared and the first frame
school house is said to have been on
present Mennonite Rd. At Mantua vil-
lage the first school stood on the
present site of the Weber Hardware.
The next stood on the present site of
the Canfield service station. Land, ma-
terials and much work was donated so
that the total cost was $317.17. This
old building now serves as a dwelling.
The present Town Hall was built
for a school in 1867. Almeda Booth,
later a well known professor at Hiram
College, taught here. In 1893 a new
building was erected where the pres-
ent school is located and was replaced
by another in 1929.
Later, a new building was erected
on Route 44, north of the older build-
ing.
The year 1948 was important in
Mantua schools. Mantua Center and
township joined the village schools,
as did Shalersville high school two
years later in a new district known as
the Mantua-Shalersville Local District,
or Crestwood. First commencement
exercises were held in June, 1956,
with 48 graduates.
NELSON — The first school here
was taught by Hannah Baldwin. The
bell she used is today in the James A.
Garfield High School trophy case.
Second teacher was Oliver Mills of
the noted Mills family. The first
frame school building came in 1816.
In 1853 the township had 12 sub-
districts but the number was reduced
to eight after a re-organization. These
were Center, West, Northeast, North,
Kennedy Ledges, Swamp, Newell
Ledges, Pierce's Corners.
Buildings $500 Each
Lack of money plagued early boards
of education but new buildings were
erected, the usual cost being about
$500.00 each. Teacher salaries grad-
ually increased until $30.00 per month
was reached. Time and length of
school terms depended on the judg-
ment of boards. Summer terms were
common.
Nelson districts were centralized in
1901, one of the county's first.
The present Nelson Community
House is the original Nelson Academy
building. The Academy was begun in
1851 and built for $1630.00 by public
subscription. It ran several years. A
high school was projected in 1867 but
not built until several years later. Its
first class graduated in 1889. In 1948
Nelson schools became a part of the
newly created James A. Garfield dis-
trict.
PALMYRA — The first school here
is said to have been taught by Betsy
Diver, daughter of Daniel Diver of
early Deerfield. It was in south Pal-
myra. Other early teachers were So-
phia Hubbard, John Barr, Nathan
Boice (or Boys) Mattie Ruggles and
Lewis Ely. For many years Palmyra
had eight sub-districts including one
at the Center where the high school
was located.
The several school districts in Pal-
myra township were: Grover, or
Lloyd; High Williams-Bacon; Wales,
Whippoorwill, Diamond, Center,
Noel.
These districts were centralized in
1917.
Some of the principals in the Pal-
myra schools were William McQuis-
ton, J. W. White, Mr. Parker, Mr.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
203
Southeast High School, one of the recent results of districts formed by several townships.
Turpin, W. H. Kohr, Thomas Grif-
fiths, Roger C. Richmond, Max Men-
schel, V. Donley, Vernon Campbell,
A. J. Garrett, C. P. Rausch, Boyd My-
ers, Elizabeth Barclay, Glen Powell,
E. E. Braid, John Vett, Sam Cipriano,
Leroy Reeves, Gene Dutter and John
Mendiola. Palmyra became part of the
Southeast District in 1954.
New Southeast School
The fine new Southeast building is
actually located within Palmyra
Township along State Route 18. It
was dedicated in 1955.
To this school all high schools pup-
ils from Charlestown, Edinburg, Par-
is, Palmyra and Deerfield are trans-
ported and receive instruction. At
the first commencement in 1956, there
were 69 graduates. Paul Pfeiffer is
current principal.
PARIS — The first school in the
township was in the house of Richard
Hudson in the summer of 1819 and
taught by Betsey North. It was a
private school for the benefit of the
children of "Uncle" Richard though
boys of Chauncey Hawley were also
admitted. The first public school came
in the fall of 1819 with Daniel Lea-
vitt of Trumbull County as a teacher.
This was in a log school house on the
northwest corner of Lot 34.
Because of the presence of the ar-
senal in the township the number of
pupils in the township has been re-
duced in recent years.
In 1954 Paris became part of the
Southeast School District and all high
school pupils transported to South-
east. Paris elementary enrollment in
1955 was 177 with nine teachers.
RANDOLPH — In 1805, the Bach-
elor's Club, comprised of six or seven
young men, built a school-house, a
small log building with puncheon
204
PORTAGE HERITAGE
floor, slab seats and greased paper
windows and engaged Laura Ely as
teacher. The house was west of the
creek bridge on the north side of the
road. For part of her pay they made
Miss Ely a large rocking chair. This
was Randolph's first school.
In 1807-08 a school was taught by
Abel Sabin of Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
and in 1810 Dr. Belding and Samuel
Redfield had a winter school. In 1812-
13 a small frame school building was
erected at the Center.
All districts were centralized about
1905. In 1955 Randolph schools of
twelve grades had an enrollment of
487 with 21 teachers.
St. Joseph's parochial school got its
start in 1832 with Joseph Schroeder
as its first teacher. During the years
instruction has been given by resident
pastors, by the sisters or by lay teach-
ers. A Catholic school known as
Beechland was located in southeast
Randolph.
School In Country
RAVENNA TOWNSHIP — The
township's first school was in a log
house near what is now known as
Ryedale farm. It was built by Conrad
Boosinger in 1803 and taught by Miss
Sarah Wright, sister-in-law of Ben
Tappan. The next school was near
Bean's Corners. Acsah Eggleston of
Aurora was teacher. The building was
erected in 1809, before Ravenna vil-
lage had schools, from which it drew
pupils.
The several township district
schools were: Bean, Babcock, Beech-
wood, Hinman, Price, Blackhorse,
Red Brush and Campbellsport.
Schools were centralized and moved
into a new building in 1915. Town-
ship school enrollment in 1955 was
669 in the elementary grades and 406
in the high school with 34 teachers.
Principals have been: B. F. Stratton,
Joseph Hannan, Arthur Horton, Jean-
ette Risdon, H. Larry Brown, T. M.
Frazier, Calvin Rausch, Chester En-
low.
RAVENNA CITY — At one time
Sheriff Stephen Mason taught a school
in the court house in his odd hours.
When he was busy elsewhere, school
closed.
Thaddeus Bradley kept a school in
the unfinished court house in 1810
or 1811. At one of the early patrons
meetings it was decided by vote that
grammar and geography were un-
necessary studies.
In 1825 the Ravenna Academy was
established at the corner of Cedar and
Prospect Sts. It was a private school,
tuition ranging from $2.50 to $4.00
per quarter. By 1834 the Academy had
69 male and 82 female students. Non-
residents could get board at $1.50 per
week.
The Tappan Female Seminary was
opened in 1847 on North Clinton St.
with Mary Curtiss as head. Atten-
dance was limited to 20. Tuition was
$5.00 per semester.
Darius Lyman, Jr. founded a school
for young men in 1849 teaching many
higher subjects and foreign languages.
It was on South Chestnut St.
Still More Room
The South Chestnut St. school was
built in 1859, and the West Main St.
school came in 1875. By 1884 Ra-
venna had built three schools valued
at $50,000 and had about 700 pupils.
For a number of years the Highland
Ave. building was used for the high
school. A larger building was neces-
sary, planned in 1917 but not finished
until 1923, it became the present high
school. In 1955 it cared for 725 pupils.
The school stands high scholastically
PORTAGE HERITAGE
205
as well as in athletics and other ac-
tivities.
Ravenna City's three elementary
buildings erected and occupied as late
as 1955 cost approximately $1,300,000.
Total enrollment in 1955 was 1185
elementary pupils and 445 in the high
school. Ravenna city superintendents
over the years have been B. F. Newell
H. M. Ford, Mr. Collier, J. A. Drake
D. D. Pickett, W. P. Hussey, G. G
Barnard, Sylvester Puckett, F. A. Mer
rill, E. O. Trescott, O. E. Pore, C. R
Dustin and H. Larry Brown.
The first Catholic school building
was west of their church, built about
1864. Their second school was on
South Sycamore St. The third, com-
pleted about 1952, is at Sycamore and
Spruce.
ROOTSTOWN — Samuel Andrews
taught the first Rootstown school in
the winter of 1807. It was in a log
building and Polly Harmon was the
second teacher. A school house was
built by community effort in 1815,
used jointly as school and church and
as a town hall. It was used by the
entire township, but another school
soon was set up at New Milford, a
brick building. After a fire, a second
brick building was erected.
Geography and grammar were re-
garded as high subjects when added
in 1831. Teachers made the quill pens
for writing. Teachers boarded around
until 1860 when they were paid at the
rate of about $18.00 a month.
After districts were set up, Roots-
town had ten. Mrs. Marcus Spelman,
the first woman teacher, received one
dollar per week.
Various school buildings at the
Center followed the original one and
in 1884 the two story building which
stood south of the town hall was built
for all grades. In 1908 two districts
combined and a building went up at
New Milford. Further centralization
followed and by 1916 all pupils were
accomodated at the Center. The pres-
ent building was constructed in 1950.
Last year there were 20 teachers, two
custodians and five buses to care for
566 pupils. The class of 1956 had 30
graduates.
Greased Paper Windows
SHALERSVILLE — By 1810 there
was demand for a school at Shalers-
ville and Miss Witter of Aurora open-
ed one at the Center, in a log build-
ing, with puncheon floors, slab seats
and greased paper windows. Though
primitive, it gave instruction to such
families as the Bakers, Cranes, Bur-
roughs and Coolmans. Among later
teachers was Miss Sophia Coe.
There were nine Shalersville dis-
tricts as follows: Center, Coe, Streator,
Peck, Feeder Dam, Codey, Babcock,
County Infirmary and No. 9.
An Academy was built at the Center
in 1851 and used more or less until
about 1904 when schools were central-
ized.
The elementary enrollment in 1955
was 311. All high school students were
transported to the new Crestwood dis-
trict school at Mantua, of which
Shalersville had become a part.
STREETSBORO — The first school
was opened in 1826 by Clarinda Case
in the northwest corner of the town-
ship. The school house was erected by
David Johnson of Johnson's Corners,
owner of a sawmill. The pupils were
five Johnsons and three Cases. About
1830 a school was opened by Almira
Taylor in the log house originally
built by Singletary.
In 1900 Streetsboro had six districts
as follows: Center, Cackler, Moran,
Doolittle, Wise and Kennedy Road.
Schools were centralized in 1905 and
206
PORTAGE HERITAGE
horse drawn buses first used. A build-
ing went up at the Center, replaced
in 1950 by another. High school pup-
ils attend Aurora High School, being
transported there. The 1955 enroll-
ment was 510.
SUFFIELD — In 1807 Harvey Hul-
bert presided over a school of nine
pupils. In the summer of 1809, Laura
Moore (Mrs. Thomas Hale) had a
school of six pupils in the same house
where Hulbert taught in 1807.
Later there were eight local districts
as follows: Logtown, Smokey Row,
Mishlers, Central, Porter, Five Cor-
ners, Cramers and Swartz. These dis-
tricts were consolidated in 1923, with
a new school house at the Center.
In 1955 Suf field's enrollment was
658 with 24 teachers. A building pro-
gram was under way in 1956 which
would make available a school plant
of 32 rooms. Some of Suffield's pupils
attend school in Mogadore which lies
partly within Portage County.
WINDHAM — The first Windham
school was taught gratuitously in the
Alpheus Streator home by his daugh-
ter Eliza and Rebecca Conant, daugh-
ter of Thatcher Conant in 1811-12.
A log school house was built in 1812
followed later by a "stove" school.
Dr. Chaffee was a teacher with 20
pupils. Helping in education was a
Library Association in 1824 and about
1834 an Educational Association was
formed and an academy building was
put up. The academy was opened in
1835 by John F. Hopkins. It ran for
several years.
In 1900 Windham Township had
eight districts as follows: Center
Special, Aston Road, Adrian Sherman,
Al Ebert, Stanley Parker, Stanley
Road, Mahoning Corners, Tom
Shank. These districts were gradually
consolidated with the Center and by
1904 only Nos. 2 and 7 remained.
In addition to having some of the
earliest township school consolidations,
Portage County pioneered in the federa-
tion of rural churches. In 1920 it was
reported that there were federations of
churches in Edinburg, Garrettsville,
Streetsboro, Aurora and Wayland.
In 1915, Davis & Case of Ravenna ad-
vertised Maxwell touring cars at $695.00
each, with an electric starter at $55.00
extra.
The first Ohio territorial road act re-
quired ten days work annually from
every able-bodied male, 16 years of age
or over, to construct new roads.
Almeda A. Booth
"The smartest woman that ever came from this county, or the Western Reserve," was
the tribute paid to Almeda Booth, a native of Nelson. This may or may not have been the
truth, as enthusiastic friends maintained, but certainly she was among the smartest. Born
in Nelson in 1823, she was a sort of child prodigy in her ability to grasp the essentials of
education. She easily mastered mathematics, Greek and other subjects considered difficult.
In 1835, her family moved to Mantua. She became a teacher of James A. Garfield and
later an associate teacher at Hiram, and is credited with having a strong influence on his
life. Her powerful mind and high character made her an interesting and influential
person. She had the ability of drawing out the best in her students. After teaching at
Hiram for about fourteen years she went to Cuyahoga Falls to teach in the schools there
for another fifteen years. There she was also admired for her ability and influence. She
is still remembered at Hiram as one of the college's most forceful teachers.
PORTAG E HERITAGE
207
These went in later. A brick building
was erected in 1927.
In recent years fine new school
buildings have been erected, befitting
the great growth of the village, gov-
ernment aid was received. By 1956
there were over 1200 pupils in the
grades and 500 in the high school. R.
Brown Jenkins was superintendent
several years.
Under new Ohio school laws of the
time, the Portage County school dis-
trict was organized in 1914. J. H. Roy-
er was first president of the county
board; M. E. Thorpe, secretary. J. J.
Jackson became permanent president.
H. B. Turner was the first county sup-
erintendent. Calvin P. Rausch has
been county superintendent since
1935. An annual booklet called the
"Speedometer" has been published
since 1918, succeeding the previous
"Sextet."
In higher education, Kent State
University and Hiram College are
treated separately.
In compiling a summary of Educa-
tion and its development in Portage
County, one finds difficulty in most
townships of finding records of im-
portance since 1885. The trend in the
county as observed by most contribu-
tors, is towards continued consolida-
tion of rural schools. The outstanding
examples of such a trend are Crest-
wood Schools, James A. Garfield
Schools, and Southeast Schools.
Acknowledgments are due the fol-
lowing:
Mrs. Glen Stahl, George Hettinger,
Iva Hatfield, Edith Merrell, A. H.
Hartzell, Paul Pfeiffer, John Cropp,
Merle E. Doud, Mrs. Harvey Stutz,
Mrs. Earl Goodsell, Mrs. T. O. Grif-
fiths, Harry Dundon, Edith Cook
Roosa, Howard Wise, Mrs. Ruth
Cook, Mrs. Eloise Bower, L. L. Burk-
hart, Sherman B. Barnes, Mrs. Ken-
neth Swigart, Mrs. Joe Knight, Mary
Cipriano, Mrs. Walter Marik, John
Lowrie and Thos. O. Griffiths, the
later being especially active in this
research.
Real Public Assistance
The following unique document is from the Township Records of Freedom of
1841:
"The State of Ohio, Portage County, Freedom Township, L.S." To Justice Francis,
Constable of said township, Greeting: "Whereas we, the undersigned, overseers of the
poor of Freedom Township, have received information that there is lately come into said
township, a certain poor and indolent man, named Leonard Greeley, who is not a legal
resident thereof, and will be likely to become a Township charge, you are hereby com-
manded forthwith to warn said Leonard Greeley to depart out of said township, and of
this warrant make service as the law directs. Given under our hands this 25th day of
March, 1841."
Simon Landfear
Lucius Wood
Overseers of the poor of Freedom Township.
(Returned)
"I certify that I served this warrant by leaving a copy at the residence of the said Leonard
Greeley on the 25th day of March, 1841.
James Francis, Constable."
This Leonard Greeley was an uncle of Horace Greeley, the famous editor.
208
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Ray Clark's home in Windham, built in 1817. First Windham post-
office was located here in 1818.
Captain Henry Of Geauga
Charles E. Henry of Geauga Lake was widely known in Portage County where many
of his activities centered, although he lived on the Geauga County side of the line. He
owned a large farm in Bainbridge township. His career was a remarkable one. A grad-
uate of Hiram Electic Institute he fought in the Civil War in the same regiment with
Garfield, with whom he had a strong friendship. At one time he was provost judge in
New Orleans. After the war Capt. Henry spent some time in Texas as a master for the
Texas & Pacific railroad. Later he was a U. S. marshal in Cleveland and District of
Columbia and he was active in the prosecution of Guiteau, slayer of Garfield. On two
occasions he was sent to South America in pursuit of criminals. He got his men but be-
cause of lack of extradition laws, could not bring them back. He then talked the men
into coming back voluntarily. His wife was Sophia Williams, a Shalersville and Ravenna
woman. Capt. Henry was long a trustee of Hiram College, where his daughter, Marcia,
was an instructor many years. A son, Frederick A., was a judge in Cleveland and wrote
an interesting book about his father's life, entitled "Captain Henry of Geauga." A grand-
son, Charles A. Henry, is currently assistant to the president at Hiram College.
Portage County's oldest citizen of rec-
ord was Mrs. Elizabeth Byers, of Edin-
burg, who reached the age of 107.
George W. Austin died in Ravenna at
the age of 106, in 1915. Comrade John
Grate died in Atwater at the age of 104
in 1949.
In Randolph Josiah Ward owned the
first plow. His neighbors had none and
all borrowed it when possible. Some
had to do their plowing at night.
Under the state law tax assessors of
1907 got $2.00 per day for their work.
CHAPTER XIV
Industry
By J. B. Holm
It is difficult to give an exact ac-
count of the development of manu-
facturing and industry in Portage
County. Beginnings are obscure. First
settlers probably were the original
"do-it-yourself" people. They had to
be, for here necessity truly was the
mother of invention. A householder
might contrive a rude tool, or appli-
ance, for himself and if a neighbor
liked it and wanted one, another was
made, and this could be called the
start of industry. They were just as
much business men then as now, with
an eye open to make a little some-
thing whenever they could do so.
They also remembered how mills and
industry were set up and run "back
East."
Shelter and rough furniture were
first needed. These were put together
with the use of the commonest of
tools — axe, draw shave, and sometimes
a saw and hammer. Even fire was put
to use, as when a section of log was
burned out to make a storage bin, or
to make boats as the Indians did.
As Mantua was the first township
settled, so was it also the first town-
ship to have what could be called a
mill. Rufus Edwards set up a primi-
tive hand grist and saw mill there in
1799. The place soon had a tannery
(1802) and distillery in 1809, with
another in 1819- The Ladd glass fac-
tory ran there for a time. An ashery
was established in 1818, and at various
times later, pail and basket factories.
The well known Centennial Flour
Mills came in 1876, with the oil
pumping station in the '80s. Today
the Samuel Moore Co. and Tom
Moore Tractors operate there.
Mills Were Small
Everywhere grist and saw mills
were usually established first, or sim-
ultaneously, usually followed by dis-
tilleries, tanneries and others. An old-
er history lists the "firsts" of saw and
grist mills as follows: Deerfield, 1801,
James Laughlin; Aurora, about 1802,
Ebenezer Sheldon; Ravenna, 1802,
Alexander McWhorter; Atwater, 1805,
Capt. Hart; Nelson and Garrettsville,
1805, John Garrett; Randolph, 1808,
Josiah Ward; Rootstown, 1808, Ephri-
am Root; Suffield, 1805, John Fritch;
Hiram, 1807, Lemuel Punderson for
John Law; Franklin, 1807, Haymaker
family; Edinburg, 1816, Campbell &
Eddy; Freedom, 1828, Elihu Paine;
Shalersville, 1812-14, Stephen Mason;
Charlestown, about 1810, by a com-
pany; Streetsboro, 1825, David John-
son; Windham, 1813, Earl & Yale.
First saw mills were crude and slow
affairs. They used straight rip saws
operated up and down by walking
beams, making little better progress
than a hand power saw, but could
run straight through logs lengthwise.
The buzz saw did not come until
later.
Aurora had a brick works in 1809.
Its first grist mill came in 1813, and
later had so many saw mills that it be-
came known as "Slab City." Other
209
210
PORTAGE HERITAGE
early shops there were a woolen mill,
chair factory, violin factory and in
1852, an early cheese factory. In At-
water, David Glass had a saw mill
with cattle power operation. The At-
water Coal Co. had quite a respectable
business later.
Brimfield's first industry appears
to have been a combined saw mill
and nail factory in 1818. Charlestown
had, in addition to its first saw mill,
an auger factory at what is now Aug-
erburg hamlet.
Tanneries Important
Rootstown had a
1808, owned by
pottery as early
as 18US, owned by E. Bostwick. In
Deerfield, there was a grist mill as
early as 1801. Noah Grant started a
tannery in Deerfield in 1805 and few
years later his son Jesse had a tannery
of his own there. The Portage Oil
Co. was organized in Deerfield in the
'70s to locate and exploit oil wells.
Coal mining was not started in Deer-
field until the '80s, although Palmyra
had mines before this.
Garrettsville's first grist and saw
mills of 1805 had little competition
for a while. The Garrettsville grist
mill was established in 1832, and in
1865, Udall & Haskins put up a pail
factory. Considerable wood working
was done in various small shops and
the Success Evaporator Works came
to Garrettsville in 1872. The Garretts-
ville Foundry was put in operation by
Curtiss, King & Co. in 1836, and ran
many years. The Poison Rubber Co.
today is the town's largest plant and
the Nylon Manufacturing Co. is also
located there. A flourishing basket
factory has also been in operation as
well.
Palmyra had a saw and grist mill in
1828 and by 1885 four good sized
coal mines were in operation. Wind-
ham had a saw mill in 1813 and a
cabinet shop in 1829 by Henry Can-
field. A flour mill was put up in I860
Inter-Urban Amity Shaken
Rivalry between Ravenna and Kent was quite strong up until the early part of this
century. It often cropped out, not only in sports but in politics, business and even between
individuals.
In 1910, a committee chosen by the state legislature was visiting towns which were
candidates for the proposed normal school. This committee visited each town. Kent and
Ravenna were in line, and the committee planned to visit both on the same day — Kent
about 9 a.m. and Ravenna about 11 a.m., where the committee would be met by local
reception groups. The Kent group showed the committee the proposed site, taking their
time to it. The committee was then invited to a "fish fry" at Twin Lakes. The invitation
was so cordial, they couldn't resist. The fish fry proved to be a long drawn out affair, just
as intended.
Meantime the Ravenna welcoming committee had assembled by the Etna House and
waited patiently. Eleven o'clock passed, then twelve. The greeters were pretty angry, but
about one o'clock a couple of cars chugged up bearing the state committee with a few
Kentites, who were apologetic but were unable to conceal their mirth over the discom-
fiture of the Ravenna people. The state committee chairman then explained they wouldn't
have much time for Ravenna as the committee was due in Warren at three o'clock. Ra-
venna people felt that it was a "put up job", in which their town lost out, though it is
likely that Kent would have gotten the prize anyhow, in view of other factors. But ill
feeling remained for a long time.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
211
Birthplace of a famous breakfast food, Ravenna
by Robert Higley. Today, the Indus-
trial Silica and the Harbison- Walker
Refractories are in operation there.
Nelson has several plants devoted
to sand and gravel production, de-
veloped in recent years.
Randolph had quite a few early
shops, including grist and saw mills
and a distillery. The Randolph Flour
Mill was established in 1870. Keller
Bros. Machine Shop & Foundry was
busy for 40 years after 1845. In 1810,
Shalersville had a tannery run by
Moses Carpenter. In Suffield, in ad-
dition to the grist and saw mills, car-
riage shops were running and there
was a Swiss cheese operator. Today,
most industrial activity there is in the
shops of the Goodyear Aircraft Co.
at Wingfoot Lake.
The various cheese factories of the
county must also be considered manu-
facturing plants. The number varied,
but at one time there is said to have
been about 50 in the county. Their
total business represented many thou-
sands of dollars.
A basket factory has been busy at
Wayland for many years.
Hiram had few factories, even on a
small scale, but there was considerable
activity at the Rapids.
Activities In Kent
After factories increased, many
communities saw the advantage of
having industries in their midst.
Towns made overtures to industries
seeking locations and sometimes in-
dustries made overtures to towns, ask-
ing help. Often good and substantial
industries were located that way, but
sometimes results were not so good.
Factories come and go for various
legitimate reasons but the experience
of Kent in boosting industry in times
has not been always good.
In 1836-37 a group of promoters
organized the Franklin Land Co. and
the Franklin Silk Co. there. Because
of the water power and other ad-
vantages they envisioned a city burst-
ing into life. They sold the idea to
the public. It was a wild boom period.
212
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Lots were laid out and sold at good
prices. It was fantastic. The proposed
silk mill was projected on the ability
of imported silk worms to thrive on
imported mulberry trees. But unfore-
seen was the behavior of the silk
worms. They did not produce. The
panic of 1837 came on. The whole
scheme collapsed and investors and
speculators lost much money. Some
of the shock was absorbed by the
building of the P. & O. Canal at that
time.
Try Again
But local pride is always hopeful.
In 1891, Kent municipality was in-
duced to bond itself for $100,000 for
locating new industries there. The re-
sult was nothing but trouble. A few
short lived industries came, litigation
resulted and before it was over, more
than $200,000 in public money had
been spent, with the whole town
smarting from "burnt fingers", so to
speak.
In 1915, O. M. and D. M. Mason,
salesmen and promoters, arrived to pro-
mote a rubber tire factory. It was the
period of expansion in that industry.
The sum of $100,000 was subscribed
by the public. A factory was built and
for about ten years did a steady busi-
ness, employing several hundred men.
But competition was keen. Internal
trouble developed and in 1928 the
company went into the hands of a
receiver, closing down for good. Or-
iginal investors got little or nothing.
In 1927, money was raised to buy a
lot on which the L. N. Gross Co.,
garment makers, could build a fac-
tory. A factory was built on North
River St. but after operating a few
years, closed and operations were
taken elsewhere.
Other industries that were given as-
sistance in locating here, turned out
better and developed into substantial
businesses.
Kent had a great variety of early
shops. The first, of course, was the
Haymaker grist mill, set up in 1807,
using native "nigger head" stones for
grinding. Elisha Stevens then put in a
saw mill in 1814. A real boom came
in 1818 when Joshua Woodard came
from Ravenna and united with Frede-
rick Haymaker to establish a woolen
factory, a cabinet shop and lathes for
turning. All were small affairs. In
1823, Woodard, Hopkins & Ladd
brought the Ladd Glass factory here
from Mantua, where it first set up in
1821. They also established a tannery,
a woolen factory, an ashery and a saw
mill, and later an anvil mill — alto-
gether quite an addition to the town.
The firm dissolved in 1831. Early
Kent industry is more fully described
in the Kent chapter.
To Make Cotton Goods
The Kents of Ravenna entered in-
dustrial life in Franklin Mills in the
'40s. In 1848, the Kent Cotton Co., set
up by the Kents, was organized. They
also established a glass factory at that
time. But the cotton mill never start-
ed, nor did a later one of that name
in 1851. The Kents also established a
tannery in which John Brown, the
abolitionist, had a stake. The Frank-
lin Mfg. Co. was another Kent enter-
prise, planned to manufacture wool,
cotton, and flax products.
In 1867 the Kent Woolen Co. was
formed, but lasted briefly. Of more
interest was the fact that in 1879,
Joseph Turner took over and ran the
"Alpaca" mill. Latter it became Turn-
er & Sons and ran until 1889 when
the business was moved to Cleveland
to become the Cleveland Worsted
Mills, with later plants in Ravenna.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
213
Crown Flint Glass Works, Important in Ravenna in the 1880s.
The Franklin Glass Co. was formed
in 1851 and in 1867, another glass
company with the same name came
on. The Day, Williams & Co., glass
manufacturers, came in 1864 and for
many years was quite important.
For many years the most important
industry in Kent was the Erie R. R.
repair shops. These shops were es-
tablished in 1864, for repairing and
building cars. Around 400 men were
employed. In 1927 these shops were
partially closed and in 1930 the equip-
ment was moved away.
The Franklin Lathe Co. operated
for a short time after 1859.
The Railway Speed Recorder Co.
was formed in 1875 and was busy un-
til 1904, when it was bought and
moved away.
Flour Mills Popular
Kent had a number of flouring
mills. The Center Flour Mill, well
known, established itself along the
river uptown. The Peerless Roller
Mills were set up in 1879 and this
concern later became the Williams
Brothers, still operating today.
In 1866 the Parsons Planing Mill
commenced business and in 1884 the
Franklin Steam Saw Mill was estab-
lished. The J. B. Miller Keyless Lock
Co. started in 1888, operating until
1944, when the C. L. Gougler Co. took
it over. In 1889 the Standing Rock
Co. made umbrellas.
In 1879 the Kearney & Foot File
Works was set up and ran for a few
years and in 1891 the Royal Machine
Co., making ice machines, was started.
The United Milk Products Co. arrived
in 1900 and ran quite a while.
The Seneca Chain Co. flourished at
the beginning of the century. This
company's plant was the site of the
later Twin Coach Co. Established in
1901, its products were widely sold
and many skilled workmen were
used. But in 1909 the factory burned
down.
In 1920, Thomart Motors took over
the old Seneca Chain plant, but the
Fageol Coach Co. took over the build-
ings in 1924, and the Twin Coach Co.
succeeded it in 1927.
Lamb Electric Co.
Of Kent's industries today, probab-
ly the largest, at least in point of em-
ployment, is the Lamb Electric Co.,
makers of small motors. This business
214
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
started here in 1929, when the old
Mason fabric plant was taken over by
the Black & Decker Electric Co. and
operated as the Domestic Electric Co.
It has operated steadily since that
time, although later it became the
Lamb Electric Co. R. J. Lamb was the
first president, with M. H. Spielman
and W. H. Poesse as vice presidents in
charge of operations. There are three
plants in the city.
In 1924, F. R. and W. B. Fageol,
brothers, came here and established
the Fageol Motors, manufacturers of
motor coaches. They did well but in
1925, sold out to the American Car &
Foundry who moved operations to
Detroit. The Fageols went with them
but meantime developed a new type
of public bus which they called the
Twin Coach. In 1927 they returned to
Kent and in the same location as be-
fore, started the manufacture of this
vehicle as the Twin Coach Co. Other
types of motor vehicles were develop-
ed and in World War II much govern-
ment work was done here in airplane
parts work. The company has an air-
plane parts section in Buffalo today.
The home plant was occupied recent-
ly in putting out a new type of mail
delivery truck known as the "pony
express". A subsidiary, Fageol Pro-
ducts, operates near the main plant.
In 1956, Twin Coach leased a large
part of its plant to the Purolator Co.
Lamson & Sessions Co.
In 1906 the Falls Rivet & Machine
Co., of Cuyahoga Falls, bought the
plant of the defunct Nicholson File
Co. and started manufacturing there.
Financial difficulties were encounter-
ed and in 1914 the plant was sold at
sheriff's sale to T. King of Boston,
chief creditor, who reorganized the
company and resumed business as the
Falls Rivet Co., with Roy H. Smith
general manager. In 1921 the Falls
Rivet merged with the Lamson-Ses-
sions Co. of Cleveland, and is today
one of the principal plants of this con-
cern. The shop is located on Moga-
dore Rd. and nuts, bolts, and cotter
pins are put out. The company oper-
ates plants in other cities. Manage-
ment today is A. M. Smith and R. L.
Salter.
Though not an industry in the us-
ual sense, the Davey Tree Expert Co.
has been an important force in Kent.
It was incorporated in 1910 to better
handle the growing tree expert busi-
ness, which is carried on over the
entire country from headquarters.
Several hundred men are employed in
all and the amount of business is
large. John Davey was first president
with Martin L. Davey general man-
ager. Expansion of the business was
largely due to the energy of the lat-
ter. Heading the company today is
Martin L. Davey, Jr.
One of Kent's steadiest and oldest
continuous industries is the present
Williams Bros. Co., millers. First start-
ed in 1879 as the Peerless Roller Mills,
it first operated with water power. It
did general milling but after remodel-
ing became necessary, main attention
has been given to flour. At present its
product is sold mainly to large baking
concerns. The original proprietors
were Chas. A. and S. T. Williams.
Heading the firm at present is Dudley
A. Williams, the secretary being J. S.
Green.
The Davey Compressor Co. was
formed in 1929 to develop and manu-
facture inventions of Paul H. Davey
Sr., in the field of air compression
machinery. The plant is now located
in the old Erie shop buildings. The
company has enjoyed remarkable suc-
cess in its field, the products being
PORTAGE HERITAGE
215
available for a wide variety of work.
During the late war much was done
for the government. P. H. Davey is
president and J. T. Meyers is general
manager.
C. L. GOUGLER CO.
Loeblein of Kent, Inc.'s plant oc-
cupied the historic "Alpaca mill." It
came to Kent in 1928 for the purpose
of making high-grade, custom built
living room furniture and has been
in operation since then. Its products
were sold over a wide territory. True
T. Loeblein was president and Dar-
rell D. Loeblein secretary- treasurer.
The factory was discontinued here in
1957.
The C. L. Gougler Machine Co. is
one of the largest general machine
work shops in this section of the
state and is located in the old Mason
Tire building on Lake St., with over
500 regular employees. Established
in 1921 in a small way by Mr. Goug-
ler, work increased rapidly. By 1941
it had expanded to the point whereby
it was able to take on a large amount
of war work and was obliged to en-
large its facilities to its present size.
Charles W. Enyart is president and
Webb C. Morris general manager.
Another general machine shop en-
joying steady growth is the Ferry
Machine Co., West Main St. This too,
started in a modest way, in a corner
of the "Alpaca mill" in 1927, with
Ernest S. Ferry the guiding spirit. In
1928 the shop started to expand and
in 1930 there was a reorganization
with a later transfer of operations to
a fine new location on West Main
St. It does special contract work. W.
B. Fageol is president and Paul Stiegel
is manager.
New Shops Numerous
Other Kent industries are in wide
variety. The Franklin Machine Co.,
Summit St., are makers of special ma-
chinery. C. C. Ensinger is president
and C. H. Sorrick secretary-treasurer.
Dwight Austin & Associates manu-
facture railroad stainless steel furni-
ture. Dwight Austin is in charge.
The Colonial Machine Co., Moga-
dore Rd. does general and special ma-
chine work. It was established in
1948. Geo. R. Beckwith is president.
The D. & G. Plastics turn out var-
ious plastic products. D. L. Davenport
Glass Blowing A Fine Art
The reason for the number of glass factories in Portage County in earlier times was
the abundance of deposits of fine sand, or silica, in the vicinity. This material was the
base for glass making. The process of glass making was a complicated one and called for
highly skilled workmen called glass blowers. For making window glass a mixture of
silex, lime, soda and other material was melted into a clear mass. The glass blower dipped
the end of a long hollow rod into the mass, removed it and started to blow which dis-
tend the glass material into hollow globes. These were manipulated into cylinders and
finally cut and the material laid flat. There were several complicated steps in the opera-
tion and the art of blowing could be learned only by experience. For the making of
bottles and other glass articles a somewhat different procedure was necessary, understood
only by the blower. As he worked, the glass blower stood on a platform alongside the
furnace and over a pit and swung his long blow pipe around and over his head to pro-
duce the desired effect. It was hot work. Machines later replaced human blowers.
Descendants of the old time glass blowers still live in Ravenna, Kent and other
towns.
216
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
and Vic Gontero are proprietors. The
plant is on Tallmadge Rd.
The Buckeye Metal Litho Co. pro-
duces metal lithography. It is located
in the original L. N. Gross building,
Gougler Ave. Harold Ballanoff is
president and S. E. Beller is in charge.
The Kent Mold & Machine Co.,
West Main St. extension was formed
about 1944 to help meet the great
demand for machine work. It does
general mold work. Mike Perkoski
is president and Mike Ferder, Sec-
Treas.
The Hamilton-Kent Co. produces
rubber products for industrial use. It
is located in the former artificial ice
plant on North Mantua St. T. S. Rowe
is president and general manager.
Kent Packing Co., established in
1919 by H. C. Lomgcoy, now under
management of C. A. Hameister.
Kent industries also include:
B. & Z. Machine Products, machine
work, N. E. Biro, manager; Consoli-
dated Mold & Die Co., mechanical
molds, Arthur Kamanski, Pres.; Cope-
land Machine Co., Kenneth Copeland,
proprietor; Euclid Mfg. Co. overalls,
Chas. Rosenblatt, manager; Fish Fly
Kit Co., fishing tackle, Wm. Schu-
man, proprietor; Huber & Wise, elec-
trical motor work, John R. Huber,
manager; Kent Upholstery Co., Ed.
Lane, proprietor; Ohio Ventilated
Awning Co., awnings, Glen White,
manager; Portage Plating Co., Frank
Culver, manager; Scott Molders, plas-
tic products, James Hamlin, manager;
Smithers Mfg. Co., plastic products,
Robert Smithers, proprietor; Tri-
Tuff Co., pipe coverings, Gerald Boet-
tler, manager; Philgas Co., D. B.
Schefer, manager; Hugo Sand Co.,
Rudy Munz, manager; Plastic Indus-
tries, J. B. Campbell, manager.
Among the recently established in-
dustries are the Flexlock Corp., Grant
St.; Tru-Car Co., Marvin Ave.; Uni-
versal Process Co., Lock St.; Wise-
Wagoner Co., Mogadore Rd.; Lake
Erie Flexicore Co. established a plant
on the Tallmadge Road in 1956. The
R. D. Fageol Co., marine engine
builders; has a fine new plant on
Cherry St. Extension.
Industrial Ravenna
The towering brick smokestacks of
the Cleveland Worsted Mills Annevar
Mills have not only been a county
seat landmark for nearly a half cen-
tury, but are emblematic in a sense,
of the stability of Ravenna industry.
This concern was the largest of her
factories, and while others have not
been great, they have been well di-
versified. Because of this Ravenna has
never suffered serious industrial set
backs, but has gone along on a more
"even keel" through the years.
Ravenna woolen manufacture was
started in 1848 by Jos. Gledhill who
opened a factory near Campbellsport,
but moved it to Ravenna in the '60s,
with a location on Cleveland Ave. As
the Woolen Mills, it ran until about
1890.
There were small yarn and wool
clothing mills in Ravenna in the 70s
and '80s. The Turner Bros. Co. of
Cleveland became interested and be-
gan operating, but soon was under
the name of the Cleveland Worsted
Mills Co. It was a yarn, cloth and
finishing mill, originally known as
the Redfern Mill. About the end of
the last century, they built a dye
house, known as the Annevar Mill
and between the two mills four or
five hundred workers have been em-
ployed. Late in 1955, it was an-
nounced by the company that stock-
holders had voted to dissolve the cor-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
217
Kent Carriage Works of the '80s. In this picture, left to right,
are: Blanche Smith Longcoy, Fred B. Smith, A. C. Smith, "Cy" Wonset-
ler, John Casey, John Cann, Jas. McGregor, Chas. E. Nease, Ina A.
Smith and Henry Grohner.
poration and cease operations. The
reason was given as labor trouble and
other business conditions. But as this
is written the mills at Ravenna have
been closed. Louis O. Poss, whose
home is in Aurora has been president
of the Cleveland Worsted Mills Co.
and R. C. Anderson has been local
manager. C. G. Bentley, John Rich-
ardson and W. E. Stutts were long
identified in management.
Because of the company's extensive
use of water, it bought Sandy and
Muddy lakes for its private supply.
These were then known as Stafford
and Hodgson lakes.
Grist Mills First
Usually the type of mill first needed
in a community was a grist mill, but
Ravenna's first manufacturing estab-
lishment appears to have been a tan-
nery, built one and a half miles south-
east of the town, by Conrad Boosing-
er. This was in 1801 or 1802 and it
operated there until 1816, when the
tannery was moved to Brimfield. But
in 1802, Alex McWhorter did set up a
218
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
grist mill along Breakneck Creek and
in 1805, Eaton & Jennings established
a second one, also southeast of Ra-
venna. All these were crude affairs,
judged by present standards, and op-
erated with but little help, yet must
be considered a s manufacturing
plants.
In 1811, Joshua Woodard, coming
from New York, built a dam along
Breakneck Creek below the Coosard
(McWhorter) mill, where he put up
three mills; a saw mill, a grist mill,
and a fulling establishment. Residents
thought the mill pond caused sickness
and Woodard pulled up stakes and
moved to Franklin Mills.
Another tannery of more than or-
dinary interest, was that of Wells &
Grant, set up near the present Raven-
na court house about 1810 by Jared
Mason. The Grant of this firm was
Jessee Grant, later father of Ulysses
S. Grant. Jesse Grant bought out his
partner and operated alone for a time,
then went to southern Ohio.
Ravenna's earlier manufacturing ap-
pears to have centered around car-
riage making and glass ware produc-
tion. Of the glass making plants are
the following dates of establishment:
Diamond Glass Co., 1867; Diamond
Flint Glass Co., 1882; Crown Flint
Glass Co., and the United Glass Co.,
about the same year. There were also
the Eagle Glass Co. and the Ballinger
Glass Works.
Other manufacturing firms were
the Star Agricultural Works, set up
in 1874 for the purpose of making
O'Neil's Universal Fodder Cutter. In
1877, it became the Star Mfg. Co.
Stock well, Bragg & Co. was formed in
1873 to manufacture bolts, nuts and
screws.
Oatmeal Manufacture Starts
In 1877, the Quaker Mills Co. was
established to make oatmeal or rolled
oats. It was later taken over by the
American Cereal Co. but the name of
its product became famous as Quaker
Oats, which is still popular today.
Other millers were the Atlantic
Mills and the Ravenna Mills. In the
lumber field were the Baldwin Plan-
ing Mill, Grohe's Planing Mill,
Kingsbury & Sons planing mill, the
Work & Yeend saw mill and the
Griffin Hub & Spoke factory. There
was also the Knapp Pump factory.
Of considerable importance was the
Ravenna Gas Light & Coke Co. es-
tablished in 1873, which served the
town for many years.
Other shops to be noted were the
Zeller Valve Co., 1881; Stockwell,
Griffin & Co., hardware makers; The
Haley Foundry, 1881; The J. F. Byers
Machine Shop, 1873; and Doig's
Foundry, 1873. The Byers plant be-
came one of Ravenna's mainstays and
is still active today.
In carriage manufacture, the first
plant was set up in 1832 under the
name of N. D. Clark & Co. In 1860,
it was taken over by Merts & Riddle
and in 1890, it became the Riddle
Coach & Hearse Co. It became known
far and wide for its products and was
busy until about 1920, when it closed.
Another carriage works was started
in the '60s under the name of J. A.
Clarke & Co. but it did not operate
long.
Of considerable importance was the
advent of the A. C. Williams Co. in
1893. It has operated continuously
since that time.
Money For Industries
In the '80s the Jordan-Goodrich
Shoe Co. was a going concern and it
was followed by the Ravenna Shoe
Co. The Loudin Shoe factory also ran
for a short time in that decade.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
219
Picturesque old "Sand Mill", Kent, which supplied material for glass making.
Like its sister city of Kent, Raven-
na too, issued bonds to raise money
to locate new industries. This was
about 1890 and results were somewhat
more satisfactory. A number of small
industries were brought in, one of
which was the Solar Carbon Works
which was destroyed by fire in 1895.
Later Ravenna plants of more than
average importance were the Raven-
na Lamp Co., the Colonial Lamp Co.,
The Ravenna Paper Box Co., the
Johnson Paper Box Co., and the Stan-
dard Knitting Co. The Globe Carbon
Co. was running in 1897.
The Mohawk Motor Truck Co.
started in 1916, as did the Ravenna
Rubber Co. In the same year the
Western Reserve Steel Co. was es-
tablished. Life was brief for each.
The Buckeye Chair Co. originally
came here from Bedford in 1893 un-
der another name. It produced fine
furniture for over three decades. F.
D. Marble was its guiding spirit.
In 1905 the Ravenna Furnace &
Heating Co. was organized to manu-
facture a new type furnace for homes.
Its product had a fine reputation and
the plant ran steadily until about
1940. Albert Dietrich was its general
manager.
The Ravenna Basket Co. had a busy
factory around 1890. Others included
the Albright & Lightcap Co., later
Ravenna Ceramics. The J. F. Babcock
Milling Co. was long a place of im-
portance.
Arsenal Established
One of the most important develop-
ments in the county from the in-
dustrial standpoint came in 1940. This
was and still is the Ravenna Arsenal,
which, though located outside the
city, has had great impact upon the
community.
The Ravenna Arsenal, conceived in
1939, is a vast establishment of over
22,000 acres of land upon which is in-
220
PORTAGE HERITAGE
stalled U. S. government operations
for loading and storing amunition for
army use.
Coming of the arsenal meant not
only an increase of commercial activi-
ty, but a building boom in Ravenna,
as well as in all the territory near this
vast establishment. It provided em-
ployment for those who desired it as
well. Spur tracks were run into the
arsenal by both B. & O. and Erie Rail-
roads.
The arsenal and its work is more
fully described in a separate chapter.
Today the glass and carriage mak-
ing industries are gone. They were
great in their time. Of the present
day manufacturing plants, the Byers
Machine Co. and the A. C. Williams
Co. also standout in their connection
with the past. The Williams shop,
which came to Ravenna in 1893,
has been an unusually steady indus-
try through good times and bad. To-
day its products are largely metal cast-
ings of various kinds. Much the same
can be said of the Byers Co. which
has put out much machinery of spec-
ialized nature. It has operated steadily
over many years.
Many Rubber Industries
Ravenna has come to be a center of
another kind of industrial work — that
of making rubber appliances and ac-
cessories. There are today six plants
of this kind: the Oak Rubber Co.,
the Pyramid Rubber Co., C. R. Port-
house, Pres., the White Rubber Co.,
the Enduro Co. and the Paeco Co.
Their products have world wide ac-
ceptance. Enduro Rubber Co., H. A.
Lower, pres.; Robert Lower, sec. The
Duracote Co. is located on N. Dia-
mond St.
The Jones Bros. Structural Steel Co.
has been of great service in the struc-
tural steel for building purposes not
only here but outside the county. Jas.
A. Jones is president.
The Sta-Warm Co., formerly Mon-
arch Alloys is doing a flourishing
business in the manufacture of indus-
trial heating units.
Another concern that has long
served the community in an im-
portant way is the P. L. Frank Lumber
Co. which has milled lumber into var-
ious shapes for building use.
Of the more recent and still small
industries that have sprung up, should
be included the Enarco Co., Diamond
St.; Harcourt Mfg. Co., Lake St.; In-
dustrial Metal Products Co., Com-
merce St.; Portage Mold & Die, Lynn
Lane; John X. Shields; Trexler Bal-
loon Wheel Co., Riddle Ave. The
Romito-Donnelly Corp. on Mill Road,
originally Donnelly Mfg. Co. manu-
factures steel furniture.
Although Portage County today
cannot be said to be completely in-
dustrialized, yet it is manufacturing
that brings its greatest income. The
total value of the goods it makes runs
into millions of dollars and other mil-
lions are paid out in the form of
wages to thousands of local residents.
Agriculture has declined but the tran-
sition has been gradual. Present in-
dications are that more and more in-
dustries will be located within our
borders.
As the record shows, many indus-
tries were started, ran for a time, then
ceased for one reason or another,
sometimes with heavy loss to promot-
ers. Many of these industries are now
forgotten entirely in the passage of
years, though they may deserve a
salute for having made the effort. But
in our system of free enterprise, com-
petition and struggle have a place in
it and it is only by trial and error that
progress could be made.
CHAPTER XV
Portage In The Wars
By Frank C. Watrous
The first military organization in
the Western Reserve was effected aft-
er the general militia law of Ohio was
enacted in 1804. The state was divided
into four divisions. The First Brigade,
Ohio Militia, comprised the male in-
habitants of military age inside the
limits of Trumbull County, which
then embraced present Portage Coun-
ty. The names of the officers of the
four companies of the First Brigade
will be recognized as those of leading
pioneers of Portage County.
Elected May 7, 1804: First Company
— Henry Rogers, Capt.; John Diver,
Lieut,; John Campbell, Ensign.
Second Company — Thos. Wright,
Capt.; Wm. Chard, Lieut.; Davis
Mosse, Ensign. Third Company —
Ezra Wyatt, Capt.; Gorham Judson,
Lieut.; Thos. Kennedy, Ensign. Fourth
Company — John Oviatt, Capt.; Aaron
Norton, Lieut.; James Walker, Ensign.
With the rapid growth of popula-
tion and formation of new counties,
among which was Portage, changes
occurred in county boundaries and
the assignment of militia. When war
was declared in 1812, the citizen sold-
iers of the newly created Portage
County were among the first to re-
spond to the country's call. In re-
sponse to a call from Gov. Meigs for
soldiers to defend the frontier, Capt.
John Campbell's company of riflemen
was organized. They had no uniforms
but the men were "armed to the
teeth", each with a rifle, tomahawk
and a large knife. On July 1, 1812,
they pitched their tents of homespun
linen sheets on the banks of Barrel
Run, near the home of Capt. Campbell
in Edinburg. Shortly afterward they
departed for the frontier, which was
the territory along Lake Erie shores.
At this time the officers were: John
Campbell, Capt.; Alva Day, Lieut.;
John Car is, Second Lieut.; Aaron Wes-
ton, Ensign; Lewis Day, Jr. First Serg-
eant; John Wright, Second Sergeant;
Ralph Buckland, Third Sergeant;
Lewis Ely, Third Sergeant; Charles
Crittenden, First Corporal; John Har-
mon, Second Corporal; Daniel Bur-
roughs, Third Corporal; John Turner,
Fourth Corporal; David Jones, Drum-
mer; and Jas. Magill, Fifer. The pri-
vates were Wm. Tappan, Samuel Red-
field, David Moore, Samuel C.
Thompson, Benjamin Bradley, Wm.
Thornton, John McManus, Wm.
Ward, Harry O. Pettibone, Enos Har-
mon, Chauncey Newberry, Robert
Campbell, John Sabin, Samuel Bart-
lett, Samuel Tuthill, John Shaler,
Ebenezer Tibbals, John Smith, Peter
Tyrell, Philip Willyard, Zacheus Har-
mon, Ebenezer Buckley, Abram Ami-
don, James Ray, Jr., Mark Moore,
George G. Redden, Job Thompson,
William Coolman, Henry Root, Sam-
uel Hartle, Oliver Newberry, Joseph
Fisher, Charles Carter, Enoch Judson,
Nathan Chapman, Joel Underwood,
Charles Reed and Seth Day. Several
of the privates furnished substitutes
and did not accompany the riflemen
on their march to the frontier. These
221
222
PORTAGE HERITAGE
men were actually the first soldiers in
service from the new county of Port-
age.
To Guard Detroit
From Camp Taylor (Cleveland), the
company was assigned to duty in the
territory adjacent to Lake Erie. Part
of its duty was to guard Detroit and
the post and stores at Maumee. This
detachment was relieved in Septem-
ber, 1812, and the men returned to
their homes.
One well known Portage County
man who saw service in the War of
1812, Christian Cackler, II, was born
in Washington County, Penna., in
1791. With his parents he moved to
Hudson, then in Portage County. He
enlisted in 1812 for the duration of
the war and took part in Commodore
Perry's victorious engagement on
Lake Erie in September, 1913.
Of special mention here is David
Mcintosh. He was born in New
Hampshire in 1794 and migrated to
Ohio when still a child, settling in
Shalersville township. Young David
obtained work with Judge Amzi At-
water who became interested in him
and sent the boy to school. In his
youth he joined the Twentieth Divis-
ion, Ohio Militia, and remained with
it many years, attaining the rank of
major general. He died in April, 1883.
The terms of his will provide a fund
of $1,000 for Portage County with
the stipulation that the interest on the
fund be used to buy a United States
flag for each township in the county
and other new flags when needed.
Shalersville was to receive the first
flag and Ravenna township the sec-
ond. Says a writer, "His patriotism
was such that it amounted almost to a
devotion to the 'starry banner'." G. A.
R. Post No. 327 at Ravenna was nam-
ed in his honor. The interest on Mc-
intosh's bequest is still being used as
stipulated in his will.
The war between United States and
Mexico affected Portage County very
little. Undoubtedly, men from the
county were engaged in it. But the
Mexican War was unpopular and
there was no call for volunteers as in
other wars. All action was through
the regular army. Of the several his-
tories of Portage County none more
than mention this war and some do
not mention it at all. But headstones
in various cemeteries today do tell of
men who had a part in this war.
The committee compiling this
chapter regrets its inability to furnish
a complete roster of all men from
Portage County who saw action in
the Civil War. Cotter's Battery (Ra-
venna Light Artillery) was first to
leave for service. From the history of
Battery A, First Ohio Light Artillery,
edited by H. M. Davidson of Freedom,
dated Oct. 9, 1865, we learn that Cap-
tain C. S. Cotter, previous to the Re-
bellion, had command of a gun squad,
whose members were all from the vil-
lage of Ravenna. It is related there
that upon the occasion of all Fourth of
July celebrations, Cotter's gun squad,
with its polished brass piece, was on
hand to let the gun speak and arouse
the patriotic feelings of '76. After the
firing on Fort Sumter, and a call for
75,000 men by the president, a war
meeting was held in Ravenna for the
purpose of securing volunteers for the
field at once. Seven of Cotter's old gun
squad and 18 additional men from
Portage County enlisted with him.
These men went to Camp Chase,
Ohio, uniting with other recruits
from adjacent counties and were
mustered into service Aug 13, 1861.
This organization was Battery A, First
Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
223
Artillery Organized
The names of the first enlistees fol-
low: C. S. Cotter, Capt.; John F. Brun-
er, Edward Cain, Verus A. Clark, John
C. Cline, Budman K. Davis, George
David, George Dutter, Charles Gillis,
Philip D. Green, Levi Griswold,
George Harrington, George Hartle-
rode, John Haven, James H. Hazen,
George Holden, Dan R. King, Har-
mon W. Lake, Benjamin Pittman,
Theodore Phowlok, John G. Shread-
er, George Sanford, Selden Sanford,
Chas. W. Scovill, Willard Vaughn,
William Watson and William Will-
yard.
Capt. Cotter returned to Ravenna
on two different occasions to secure
additional recruits for his battery and
on these occasions the following were
enlisted: DeWitt Allen, Levi Beans,
Edmond Belding, Hiram Bentley,
Philo Bierce, Alora Boosinger, Thom-
as Carr, Cleman Chamberlain, Seeley
Chapman, Albert Clarke, Lucius Coe,
Marvin Collins, Robert Crockett,
Newton A. Curtiss, Sherlock E. Cuth-
bert, Henry M. Davidson, Jr., Burt E.
Dennison, Matthew M. Dole, Elias
Drayer, John Edwards, Erastus B. Ed-
son, Frederick G. Fairchild, John F.
Foley, Nelson Fuller, Marion Fuller,
Wallace W. Furry, Julius C. Gridley,
Russell L. Groves, George Harring-
ton, Edward L. Haymaker, James Hil-
tabiddle, Albert Holcomb, Henry D.
Isbell. David Jamison, Benjamin F.
Keller, Thomas N. Hendrick, Nichols
Knapp, Frederick G. Knapp, Chas. I.
Lanphare, Geo. W. Leonard, Michael
Loesch, Conrad Loesch, Adam Loesch,
Andrew Mahan, Willard Mahan, Wm.
Mahan, Wm. McGrew, Chas. G. Ma-
son, Lewis B. Maxwell, Quincy Mon-
roe, Henry A. Moore, Wm. J. Nelson,
Wilbur Peck, Sidney G. Post, Henry
C. Post, Geo. Reed, Geo. D. Rees,
George Robinson, Justin Rogers,
Richard H. Rodgers, Alexander Roe,
Darius Roe, George Ruggles, Robt.
W. Sapp, Lewis F. Sears, Henry W.
Sears, Horace S. Sheldon, Wilbur D.
Sheldon, John C. Shreader, Wm. H.
Spafford, Horace Stage, William
Steadman and Orin P. Stofer.
Battery A., First Ohio Volunteer
Light Artillery, participated in the
battles of Stone River, Chickamaugua,
Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree
Creek, Spring Hill and others and
was discharged at Camp Cleveland,
Ohio, July 31, 1865.
The first man in Portage County
to lose his life in battle in this war
was John Haven. He was hit in the
hips by a six-pound solid shot and
died a week later. His body was re-
turned to Shalersville for burial. At
the funeral the Home Guards of the
townships were present; the people
collected at the grave west of the
Center and these were appropriately
addressed by Judge Luther Day and
Alphonso Hart of Ravenna. After the
exercises, a procession was formed,
marching to the grove and with mil-
itary honors Haven was put in his
last resting place — first sacrifice of
the war for Portage County.
Many of the veterans of Battery A.
returned to Portage County after their
discharge from service, where they
lived as honored and respected citi-
zens until taken by death. Of these,
many are buried in the various ceme-
teries of the county.
Grismer's History of Kent says;
"During the lull between the hanging
of John Brown and firing on Fort
Sumter, feeling ran high in Franklin
Mills. When a meeting for the pur-
pose of raising volunteers was held in
Ravenna April 22, 1861, Franklin
Township was represented by a long
224
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
procession of about 100 teams, with
flags and banners. Leading the proces-
sion were the Franklin Volunteers,
forty in number with E. W. Craine,
himself a volunteer, in charge."
Many Volunteer
As a result of this meeting the
Franklin Mills Rifle Company was
organized on Tuesday, April 23, by
the election of John Morris, Captain;
John Rouse, First Lieut.; Isaac Wil-
cox, Windham, Second Lieut. The
company left for Camp Taylor, Cleve-
land, April 24, being the first organ-
ized company from Portage County
to enter the service. A few days later
this company was placed in the Sev-
enth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Co. F.
A total of 2070 men from Portage
County saw service in the Civil War
and of these 312 were killed in action
or died as the result of wounds, sick-
ness or disease.
In the preceding paragraph refer-
ence was made to a meeting held in
Ravenna to secure recruits. Older his-
tories tell much of this meeting. A
Windham delegation appeared bear-
ing the Stars and Stripes, the Brim-
field Volunteers had their band and
the bands from Franklin Mills,
Charlestown and Edinburg were on
hand and althogether it was the larg-
est concourse ever seen in Ravenna.
The assembly was addressed in a
patriotic manner by Alphonso Hart,
Luther Day, Rev. J. C. Hart, Senator
Jas. A. Garfield and many others. A
fine list of volunteers went forward
and enrolled their names on recruit-
ing papers held by Capt. H. H. Will-
iard. Gen. John B. King was president
of the day and Gen. David Mcintosh,
vice president. The quota of volun-
teers was soon filled and left for
Camp Taylor at once. H. Y. Beebe of
the Ravenna Relief Committee, had
procured a sufficient number of
blankets to give one to each man in
the Tyler Guards and Ravenna Light
Artillery and took them to Camp Tay-
lor for the boys of those commands.
Three trunks of flannel shirts, lint
and bandages made by the women of
Ravenna at the Town Hall on the Sat-
urday and Sunday following the de-
parture of the Volunteers were also
forwarded to Camp Taylor.
Through the efforts of Mrs. John
L. Ranney and a Mrs. Beckwith, the
women raised a fund, purchased a
flag for the Tyler Guards and sent it
to the company. The citizens of
Franklin Mills, headed by Marvin
Kent, pledged $5,000, to be paid when
needed for the benefit of members
and families of the Franklin Mills
Rifle Co., and each man was also pro-
vided with a blanket and necessaries
by their friends at home.
From this time forward, volunteer-
ing and recruiting progressed and
every township was soon represented
in the Union army by a greater or
less number of volunteers, most of
whom received one or more useful
articles presented by the good and
generous people of the county.
Help "Squirrel Hunters"
In addition to the men in the reg-
ular forces, Portage County also furn-
ished men for the famous "Squirrel
Hunters" army, composed of untrain-
ed citizens who had been hurriedly
organized to oppose forces of the Con-
federate general Morgan in his famous
raid into the state of Ohio. The Port-
age County contingent was under the
command of Gen. John B. King. It
advanced toward Cincinnati, the as-
sembling point, but before arrival
there, was sent home as being no long-
er needed. Gen. King died soon after
that but the home company was kept
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
225
intact under command of his son,
Capt. J. D. King, until the end of the
war.
According to the military record
book in the office of the County Aud-
itor at Ravenna, the following num-
ber of soldiers were furnished by the
several townships for the Civil War:
Atwater, 107; Aurora, 82; Brimfield,
88; Charlestown, 59; Deerfield, 113;
Edinburg, 46; Franklin, 159; Free-
dom, 55; Hiram, 120; Mantua, 85;
Nelson, 118; Palmyra, 38; Paris, 79;
Randolph, 210; Ravenna, 235; Roots-
town, 61; Shalersville, 72; Streetsboro,
96; Suffield, 132; Windham, 115. Tot-
al, 2070.
As far as we are able to learn, only
a few townships of the county have a
complete roster of men who saw serv-
ice in the Civil War.
Spanish War Short
Portage County responded gener-
ously to the call for men in the Span-
ish-American War. A complete roster
of soldiers and sailors is not available
but the following list is believed to
be nearly correct; M. O. Austin, Ed-
ward P. Barber, Royal Bigelow, Ed.
Billner, Henry Bosgra, Cliff S. Brown,
Birtley K. Canfield, John B. Cary,
Chas. H. Caris, Eugene Clements,
George Coleman, E. J. Coles, Thad A.
Collins, A. Cook, Edward D. Cook,
Charles R. Cope, Thomas Cull, James
Dykes, Joe Eisele, Elmer M. French,
Howard Gardner, Harry S. Goodrich,
Clare Goodsell, Frank S. Gressard, Ed-
ward Henderson, Harry Hodge, Grant
Hall, Walter Knapp, Martin Knapp,
Fred Laubert, Geo. B. Lawrence, F.
Lind, James McDermott, V. A. Mel-
lin, Nicodemus Warren, Percy Phil-
pott, Geo. G. Pinney, Joseph A. Poots,
Frank Price, Walter Price, F. J. Rey-
nolds, Thomas J. Rooney, Seldon San-
ford, Walter Sawyer, Herbert Snyder,
Col. Albert Hall
Civil War Charlestown man
William Sperry, Geo. W. Starks, Dan-
iel F. Stocker, Charles E. Stadler,
Park Streator, Chas. P. Streator, Har-
ry C. Thompson, Lewis C. Weckerly
and Clarence Welty.
Two of the veterans listed above al-
so saw service in World War I. They
were Charles R. Cope and Frank A.
Gressard. Sergeant Gressard was in
continuous military service until
1922, when he retired from with the
rank of Master Sergeant. The war
with Spain was declared February 16,
1898, and terminated August 12,
1898.
World War I commenced April
6, 1917, and ended with the signing
of the Armistice on Nov. 11, 1918. A
total of nearly four million men and
women entered the military and naval
services during this conflict. Portage
County furnished about 2400 of these
in all branches of service. The young-
226
PORTAGE HERITAGE
est man to volunteer was said to have
been Christopher S. Spade of Freedom
Township. He was sixteen. The first
Portage County man to be wounded
in action was Clinton Allen, of Kent,
June 4, 1918. The first county man to
die from wounds received in action
was Private Fred G. Young of the
47th Co., Fifth Regiment, U. S. Mar-
ines, who was wounded June 25, 1918.
The first man to die of other than
battle injuries was George Mace of
Kent at Camp Sherman, April 8, 1918.
Selective Service
After the outbreak of World War
I, selective service draft boards were
created throughout the nation to clas-
sify, examine and select men for mil-
itary service from those who were
obliged to register. On the Portage
County draft board were Ira R.
Marsh, Kent; W. J. Beckley, Ravenna;
and Dr. Geo. J. Waggoner, Ravenna.
Still remembered is how the young
men scanned the draft lists issued
from Washington at frequent inter-
vals. When a name appeared, it meant
an early visit to the draft board and
unless disqualified or deferred, these
boys would soon be in Uncle Sam's
service. Still well remembered, too, as
the war progressed, fathers, mothers,
wives, sisters and sweethearts watched
the casualty lists of the newspapers,
hoping that their soldiers' or sailors'
names would not be on the list. Re-
membered, also, is the way the won-
derful people of the county sent let-
ters, newspapers, candy, cigarettes and
many other articles not only to their
own boys, but also to the man from
across the street.
Shortly after the outbreak of the
war a great number of young men en-
listed in Co. M., Tenth Ohio National
Guard. The officers of the company
were: Kingdon C. Siddall, Captain;
Charles R. Cope, Aaron L. Taylor,
Harold L. Hubbell, Clyde J. Reese,
first lieutenants; Frank C. Leroy,
James L. Pease and Cyril H. Sother-
land, second lieutenants.
After receiving preliminary train-
ing in this area, the outfit embarked
for Camp Sheridan, Alabama on Sept.
16, 1917. The men were soon trans-
ferred to Co. C, 136th Machine Gun
Battalion, 37th Division. On May 25,
1918, this group went to Camp Lee in
Virginia and on June 23 that year,
embarked for France.
This outfit served with honor and
distinction throughout the war. It saw
hard service in the Baccarat Sector in
August and September, and in the
Meuse-Argonne offensive, the Pannes
sector, St. Mihiel and in the Ypres
Lye offensive in October, and other
points. The batallion arrived home
March 23, 1919, landing at New York
City.
Many other young men either en-
listed voluntarily in army or navy or
air service, or after being drafted,
were assigned to various army uits
where needed. Many were in the
332nd and 333rd Regiments and Ed-
gar Maurer was a lieutenant in this
division.
Fifty-seven men who entered serv-
ice from Portage County in World
War I who were killed in action or
who died from wounds and disease,
are as follows: Fred Arighi, James
Baker, Howard R. Bartholomew, Wil-
liam C. Brandt, Albert Brooks, Hugh
M. Brown, James W. Carlin, Ralph J.
Carpenter, Sebastiano Conticalleno,
Alfred W. Cones, Carl Coy, Austin B.
Crane, Frank Curtiss, Paul W. Damon,
Claude Davis, Frank G. Davis, Roland
H. Dean, Clarence Douglass, Clair G.
Dunning, Clare K. Eggleston, Donald
W. Elwell, Park W. Etter, David B.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
227
Evans, Clyde W. Faylor, Frederick F.
Fisher, Joseph Gannon, Albert H. Gir-
ard, Joseph Grano, George H. Haw-
ley, Robert I. Heighton, Raymond E.
Hill, Emmett W. Hughes, George E.
Hall, Herbert A. Kieffer, Peter King,
George P. Knight, Joseph Koler, Ot-
to M. Kunert, Hugh A. Ladow, Roy
S. Lewis, George Mall, William H.
Mann, Leo W. Miller, Leon S. Mosier,
David N. Murphy, Forrest C. Pember-
ton, Harry S. Puffer, Clayton H.
Rhodes, Edgar N. Salisbury, Pasquale
Santoro, Ivan W. Shanafelt, Albert H.
Smith, Colonel Smith, Norman D.
Tuller, Christ Vlacules, Glen A.
Whaley, Fred C. Young.
In World War II
A total of 5565 men and women
from Portage County entered military
or naval or other service in World
War II. The first casualty for Portage
County, and also one of the first for
the nation, was that of James H. Der-
thick of Ravenna, who was in service
at the war's outbreak and lost his life
in the surprise bombing of Pearl Har-
bor, Dec. 7, 1941.
A total of 137 young men and wo-
men from Portage County paid the
supreme sacrifice by giving their lives
in this conflict. This total includes
battle casualties or died from wounds
or disease, as well as those reported
missing in action, or prisoners of war,
and of whom no further information
has been received.
The roster follows: Wm. L. Ab-
shire, Romie Alexoff, Wm. K. Ander-
son, Lewis L. Austin, Francis Bacon,
Melvin F. Bancroft, Geo. S. Barr, Joe
Baumgartner, Guy L. Bebb, Wm. Bel-
knap, Wm. H. Bettes, Jas. S. Bionlo,
Wm. B. Bradford, Jas. S. Breedlove,
Carl L. Buckley, Robt. S. Buckley,
Donald E. Burkholder, Wm. U. Burt,
Thos. J. Busher, Robt. G. Case, Jack
B. Corley, Arthur Chechak, Ann
Clarke, Junior Neal Clause, Bernard
M. Coburn, Harold Collins, Ray H.
Conrad, Paul T. Cooper, Frank J.
Corey, Claude H. Crafts, Geo. S.
Crock, Carl R. Curtiss, Paul A. De-
Gregio, Raymond E. DeLong, Jas. H.
Derthick, Donald A. Dibble, Alex-
ander Donaldson, Geo. L. Dover,
Donald W. Ebersole, Chas. W. Ebie,
Robt. E. Eichler, Willis J. Eldridge,
Stanley E. Fields, Floyd F. Forte, Robt.
E. Francisco, Thos. E. Geho, Bill A.
Gembar, Clifford N. Gilham, Robt.
G. Goebelbecker, Frank B. Goettge,
Robt. L. Hahn, Thos. D. Hardesty,
Donald E. Harper, Joseph P. Helt-
man, Edwin P. Henderson, Robt. H.
Hillard, Frederick G. Henderschied,
Earl E. Hodgman, Vestal C. Hoover,
Philip G. Howard, Edward J. Hoy,
Ralph E. Hurd, Jr., Carl Jones, Ed-
ward L. Jones, Anthony Kainard, La-
Verne Keevert, Herbert L. King, Al-
bert Kline, Peter Kolesal, Albert R.
Koracky, Wm. Kubinic, Czeslaus G.
Kurke, Frederick K. Kuss, Ellsworth
N. Lacy, Robt. E. Lane, Robt. L. Lem-
ons, Jack M. Leyland, Harry C. Long-
coy, Jr., Martin G. Lovell, Norman Y.
Mack, Edgar R. Manes, Ellis L. Marsh,
Clyde Matthews, John Mikulin, Robt.
S. Miller, Jesse Mittiga, Roger G.
Monroe, Edward R. Moore, Ellis W.
Moore, Ronald E. Morgan, Paul Mor-
rison, Chas. H. Norton, Jr., Paul E.
Parks, Paul A. Patton, Douglass W.
Pennell, Steve Potisuk, Walter G.
Prusak, Howard L. Pyle, George Ral-
or, Chas. O. Reynard, Jr., Carmine V.
Roberts, Gerald V. Rogers, Robt. D.
Rossa, Donald U. Ruggles, Ernest C.
Sapp, Paschal A. Sarocco, Robt. G.
Schaff, Chas. W. Schofield, Stanley H.
Shilliday, Ralph C. Shrigley, Donald
J. Shull, Alfred L. Simpson, Vernon
C. Sommers, John R. Specht, Charley
228
PORTAGE HERITAGE
B. Springer, Earl O. Stevens, Robt. E.
Stewart, Frank Tabor, Harold I. Text-
er, Wm. A. Thomas, Jos. F. Triscori,
Eugene H. Veon, Wm. W. Wacker-
man, Jr., Elmer E. Watters, Lowell L.
Wetzel, Gerald E. Wheaton, Stephen
L. White, Brunon J. Wieclaw, Jas. A.
Wilson, Henry B. Wise, Norman E.
Wool, Joseph W. Connor, Neal L.
Curtiss, Robert A. Scott, Harry G.
Shaffer, Frank H. Taylor and Richard
M. Wilson.
Garfield's Army Career
The ability of James A. Garfield as a
military man is often not understood or
realized by citizens of his home county.
When the Civil War broke out he was
president of Hiram College (then the Elec-
tic Institute) and also a state senator. He
decided to enter military life and because
of his attainments was in line for assign-
ment as an officer, though he had no mil-
itary training. However, he mastered the
elements of military life very quickly and
his grasp of tactics is said to have been
marvelous. It is also said that he was candi-
date for election as colonel of a regiment
of volunteers at the Columbus training
camp, but lost out to his rival. He then be-
came a major in the Forty-Second Ohio
Infantry, which regiment included a num-
ber of his old Hiram friends and students.
Garfield took part in the West Virginia
campaign of 1861-1862 and soon showed
great ability, being promoted to colonel
and brigadier general.
The following summer found him on the
staff of Gen. Buell and he commanded a
brigade at the battle of Shiloh. He then be-
came a member of the staff of Gen. Rose-
crans in the Chickamaugua campaign.
There he was highly regarded and was a
confidential advisor to the commander-in-
chief. When Garfield was elected to Con-
gress in 1863, he left the army. In Congress
his previous army experience was inval-
uable in helping formulate policies and
provide for the sinews of the war.
On Oct. 10, 1863, Gen. Rosecrans issued
the following General Order:
"Brigadier Gen. J. A. Garfield has been
chosen by his fellow citizens to represent
them in the councils of the nation. His
high intelligence, spotless integrity, busi-
ness capacity and thorough acquaintance
with the wants of the army will render his
services more valuable, if possible, to the
country in Congress, than with us. Reluc-
tantly yielding to this consideration, the
commanding general relieves him from
duty as chief of staff. In doing so, he re-
turns his thanks to Gen. Garfield for the
invaluable assistance he has rendered him
by wise councils and assiduous labors, as
well as for his gallantry, good judgment
and efficiency at the Battle of Chickama-
ugua."
Army of the Cumberland.
Col. Frank Goettge
Col. Frank B. Goettge
In the person of Col. Frank B. Goettge,
U. S. Marines, this county had not only an
important military figure in two wars, but
an outstanding athlete, possessed of a great
fund of information on international af-
fairs. Killed at Guadalcanal in World War
II, he had earned both the Purple Heart
and Legion of Merit medals. In his honor
today stands the impressive Frank B. Goet-
tge Field House at Camp Lejeune, S. C. A
training field at Quantico also carries his
name. In Marine circles today he is spoken
of with high honor.
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
229
Born at Port Washington, Ohio, in 1895,
he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Goet-
tge who lived on Hudson Rd. out of Kent.
Previously, he had attended Barberton
High School and attended Kent High
School in 1915. He then went to Ohio
University, where he became known as a
fine football player. World War I then
broke out and he enlisted in the Marines
Fifth Regiment, serving in France, Ger-
many and China. He also later served on
missions to Nicaraugua, Hawaii, Santo Do-
mingo, Canal Zone, China and other places.
At the Marine Base at Quantico he played
on the Marine Corps football team in
1921-22-23-24 and became so adept that
many critics rated him the best back the
country ever saw. His exploits attracted
nation wide attention. He was six-foot two
and was described as a real "thunderbolt"
in play. Later he coached at Quantico.
When World War II broke out he was
sent to Australia and the Solomons on
special missions. He participated in the
Tulagi landing in the Guadalcanal cam-
paign. It was here that he met his death
Aug. 12, 1942, while leading a detachment
to relieve Japanese forces treacherously re-
ported desiring to surrender, and was am-
bushed by them.
Col. Goettge was regarded with admira-
tion and affection by Gen. Vandergrift,
Gen. Smedley Butler and other Marine
high officers and this they publicly stated.
In 1930, he became military aide to
President Hoover and in this capacity came
in contact with many of the world's great
statesmen, as well as American leaders. He
remained with President Hoover until the
end of his term. Possessed of a keen mind,
he was a linguist, talking four foreign
languages and being conversant with
others.
Col. Goettge was married but had no
children. A sister, Miss Helen Goettge,
lives in Kent at this time. The V.F.W.
post at Quantico bears his name. He was
this county's highest ranking officer killed
in this war.
There is little doubt that but for his un-
timely death he would have risen higher in
the ranks of military leaders since he was
so highly regarded by his superiors.
Col. William Bower
Co/. William E. Bower
A participant in one of the most famous,
spectacular and dangerous actions of World
War II was William E. Bower, then lieu-
tenant, a native of Ravenna. In 1942 he
flew with Gen. Doolittle in his famous air
raid over Tokio with the 17th Bombing
Group. For this he received the Distin-
guished Flying Cross.
Col. Bower was born in Ravenna, son of
Harold and Kathryn Bower, in 1917. After
graduating from Ravenna High School he
attended Hiram College and Kent State
University, joining the National Guard at
Ravenna in 1936. In 1940, he entered the
Flying Cadets for training.
After the Tokio raid he was with the
310th Bombing Squadron and participated
in numerous other actions, mainly in the
Mediterranean theater of War. At the
close of the war he remained with the Air
Force and participated in the Reserve Pro-
gram and the NEAC training and transport
supply activities in Greenland and other
far north regions. He was in the Far North
three years. Here he was Group Command-
er with the 6614th Transport, NEAC and
was promoted to colonel in 1953. In 1955,
he was sent to Morton Field, San Bernar-
dino, Calif., to assist with the training pro-
gram for special flight safety. He has the
Air Medal and European Theater Ribbon
and battle stars.
230
PORTAGE HERITAGE
He was married to Lorraine Ammon of
Denver, Col., and the couple has three
children.
Another Portage County soldier of note
was Brigadier General Edwin B. Atwood.
He was born in Garrettsville in 1842 and
served through the Civil War, emerging
with the rank of major. Later he served in
the Philippines, becoming a brigadier
general. He then became commanding of-
ficer of the Chicago military district and
died there in 1909. He is buried in Arling-
ton National Cemetery.
Gen. £. B. Tyler
Of the six Portage County men who
were generals in the Civil War, Gen. E. B.
Tyler probably saw as much active service
as any. A native of New York, he came to
Ravenna and was known there as a hat
maker with a shop on Cedar St. He was
also a traveling salesman who toured the
south for the American Fur Co. In this way
he gathered much information that was of
much value to Gen. McClelland later. Ty-
ler was a militia general. When the war
broke out he immediately opened a recruit-
ing station and started training enlistees,
and soon was made colonel of the Seventh
Ohio Inftanry. He was in the West Vir-
ginia campaign and was in action at Win-
chester, Antietam, Chancellorsville, and
Fredericksburg. His force held back the
enemy at Monocacy, not far from Wash-
ington. Of him President Lincoln said;
"The country is more indebted to Gen.
Tyler than any other man for the salva-
tion of Washington.
He served through the war and then be-
came a citizen of Baltimore where he was
appointed postmaster.
Colonel Don Austin
Don Austin was born in Ravenna April
28, 1902. He received his education in Ra-
venna schools and entered Washington &
Jefferson College after graduating from
high school. In 1920, prior to his gradua-
tion, he enlisted in Co. F, 107th Cavalry,
Ohio National Guard.
In 1941 he enlisted in the federal service
at Camp Forrest, Ky. Graduating from of-
ficers training school at Forts Riley and
Leavenworth, Kans. he became a captain in
1942 and by 1945 had been made a full
colonel. During World War II he served
with honor but suffered from a heart con-
dition that later resulted in his death at
Redwood City, Calif., Feb. 15, 1954.
This veteran, of whom the county can
be proud, spent 21 years of his life in the
Ohio National Guard, and the remainder
of his adult life in the military service of
the United States. His name ranks high
among the honored dead.
General Wm. B. Hazen
Major Gen. William B. Hazen was one
of the ablest and highest ranking military
men produced by Portage County. Born
in Vermont in 1830, he came with his
parents to Nelson when he was three years
old. He entered Hiram Eclectic Institute
and was a friend of Garfield.
While at Hiram he was appointed to
West Point Military Academy where he
was graduated in 1855. He was at once
sent to the Pacific Coast to participate in
Indian wars. From there he went to Texas
and New Mexico, where he served several
years in frontier wars with the rank of
lieutenant. An Indian arrow wounded him
so badly that he was not able to rejoin
the army until 1862 when the Civil War
was under way. He became a brigade com-
mander in the Army of West Virginia and
later fought at Corinth, Pittsburgh Land-
ing and Murfreesboro. After the Chick-
amaugua battle he was made a major
general.
After the war ended he elected to re-
main in army service many years until his
retirement. His widow married Admiral
George Dewey.
Commander Harry Brittain of Kent
served through World War II and the
Korean War and today commands a trans-
port ship in navy service. Presently his
headquarters are in Formosa.
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
23
John Grate
John N. Grate
John N. Grate was born in Edinburg,
Portage County, August 1, 1845 and he
lived there until he was 18. On October 4,
1863, he drove to Newton Falls, Ohio, and
enlisted in Troop F, Sixth Ohio Volunteer
Cavalry for a period of three years. He
participated in the battles of Boyton,
Hampton Road, Hatchers Creek and Ap-
pomattox. His discharge was received June
27, 1865, at Petersburg, Va., and he ar-
rived home on July 4 that year.
On May 2, 1872, he was married to
Laura Gilbert, who preceded him in death.
Comrade Grate joined the G.A.R. early
and on August 29, 1946, he was elected
National Commander of the Grand Army
of the Republic. Previously he had been
Ohio State Commander as well as Com-
mander of the Alliance Post.
Mr. Grate died at Atwater, where he
spent the latter years of life, June 9, 1949,
at the ripe age of nearly 104 years. He was
buried in the Atwater cemetery with mili-
tary honors. A memorial at Atwater pays
fitting tribute to this last Ohio survivor of
the war between the states.
An account of the military and naval
activity of Portage County's sons must also
include the names of Admiral Calvin Bol-
ster, who became an authority on aircraft
construction in World War II.
Lieut. Richard Robinson, son of Judge
Geo. F. Robinson, was an expert on the
construction of warships early in the pres-
ent century.
The Korean War is notable that it is the
only war which was not officially declared
by Congress, but by a "declaration" by the
president. The actual date of beginning
was April 26, 1950, with cessation of hos-
tilities July 27, 1953.
Complete records of the total men en-
rolled, killed, wounded or died in service,
have up to this time not been compiled. A
partial list of men from Portage County
who lost their lives in the Korean war,
follows:
Robert C. Amick, Wilford T. Cook, Jr.,
John L. Dreese, Wm. B. Driesbaugh, Robt.
H. Gilbert, Christopher H. Jacobs, Eugene
Ricks, Wm. R. Starkey, Robert Lee Stone,
Paul Kirkbride and James Walker.
A Portage County mother, who signs
herself as a Gold Star Mother, World War
II, has requested that we pay homage to
those who lost their lives in this conflict,
by ending the history of this war with the
inclusion of the following:
"And when, after a life well spent on
earth, they shall enter the Valley of the
Shadow of Death, and cross the silent river
to meet their loved ones gone before, may
they meet there, their comrades, and their
welcome plaudits, 'Well done, thou good
and faithful comrades, enter thou into the
joys of Thy Lord.' "
Assisting Mr. Watrous in compiling this
chapter were Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Seward.
m
PORTAGE H ERITAG £
Jesse Grant
The Wooing of Jesse Grant
Jesse Grant, father of Gen. U. S. Grant,
who lived in Deerfield and in Ravenna,
left behind him a story of love and
business.
In 1819 he lived in Ravenna where he
operated a tannery with a man named
Wells. He decided that when he reached
the age of 25, it was time for him to take
a wife. He considered a list of prospects
and decided that Clarissa Hall of Charles-
town township was the girl for him.
According to the story in the book,
"Captain From Ohio," (a life of U. S.
Grant) young Jesse first wanted Clarissa
Hall, But she was not impressed by him
because he was a little to direct in
approach. In a spirit of mischief she
"played up" her cousin, Prudence Hall.
Jesse fell for the trick, took the girl
home and in time they became engaged.
Soon after that young Grant fell ill with
ague and was long an invalid. He lost his
savings and this impelled him to release
Prudence from her vows.
But the story handed down by the Hall
family is a little different. This relates
that after the engagement young Grant
decided to go to southern Ohio and start
a tannery there. Prudence was to go later.
They would write regularly. But for
some reason Grant never received Pru-
dence's letter, although she said that she
had written. Grant considered that he
had been jilted and later married anoth-
er. Not hearing from Jesse, Prudence
married a man named Coe.
As the mail service of that time was
poor and uncertain, it is quite possible
that failure of the mail in this case was
a prank of fate that was to have impor-
tant results later on.
Grant must have thought well of Pru-
dence because years later he came to
Portage County and made a friendly call
on her when she was a grandmother.
They talked over old times and Pru-
dence told about her family. Then, ac-
cording to the story, Jesse slyly reminded
her "But you must remember, Prudence,
that you are not the mother of a presi-
dent."
All for One — One for All
The Quintinkle Club had an odd name
and an odd origin. It was formed in 1861
by James A. Garfield, Chaplain J. H.
Jones, Rev. Isaac Errett and Dr. and Mrs.
J. H. Robinson, at a farewell party for
Garfield and Jones who might never
return from the war. Members pledged
themselves to go to each others' aid in
times of distress. Other members came
in later.
The "Spirit of 76"
The central figure of the famous paint-
ing "The Spirit of 76," was a Disciple
minister who once served churches in
Mantua, Aurora, Kent and Stow. He was
S. R. Willard, father of A. M. Willard,
who painted the picture and made one
figure to resemble his father. For a short
time A. M. Willard lived in Aurora.
CHAPTER XVI
Newspapers and Editors
By J. B. Holm
When Portage County was organ-
ized no newspapers were yet issued
within its limits. For that matter, very
few were being received from the out-
side. The newspaper as we know it
as the mighty institution of today,
was taking its first infant tottering
steps. Papers printed elsewhere con-
tained little of news of any sort, ex-
cept political, but they were mediums
of expression of a sort.
But the county's early residents
thirsted for news and information and
such newspapers as they could get,
were eagerly received. Naturally, the
first papers were those received from
the East, preferably those from home
states, or towns. Daily papers then
were un thought of. Papers were
monthly, or weekly. But the circula-
tion of any newspaper in Portage
County was small indeed. When a set-
tler did obtain a paper from friends
back home, he not only read it care-
fully, but he passed it along to neigh-
bors and friends, and after that, kept
it for re-reading.
In that early period, newspapers
contained a great deal of literary ma-
terial, poetry and discussion of na-
tional news and politics. Only a presi-
dent or a person in high position rat-
ed mention. Wars, and threats of
wars, here and abroad, were followed
eagerly. But definite information on
national matters usually was hard to
get and weeks and months were like-
ly to elapse before anyone in Ohio
could read about it.
Read Trump of Fame
Previous to 1825, when the first
Portage County newspaper was born,
people read the Ohio Patriot, started
in Lisbon in 1807, and a sheet called
the Trump of Fame which began life
in Warren in 1812, changing to the
Western Reserve Chronicle in 1816.
The Trump was located nearest to
Portage County and thereby gained a
start over contemporaries of a later
day.
The start of Portage County jour-
nalism was made in 1825. In that year
a man named J. B. Butler came from
Pittsburgh, where he had been engag-
ed in the printing business. He
thought he saw a need and an op-
portunity here and proceeded to open
up a printing and newspaper plant
in Ravenna. There he started the
Western Courier and Western Public
Advertiser. He announced that sub-
scriptions could be paid in produce if
delivered at a certain store (Kent's). A
large part of the first news was the
inaugural address of John Quincy
Adams, the new president, though the
paper was printed several weeks after
delivery of the address.
Two years later the publication was
sold to William Coolman and C. B.
Thompson. In the following year
James Walker bought an interest in
it. This newspaper started life as a
non-partisan affair but in 1830, the
Courier became the organ of the Dem-
ocratic party under an editor named
233
234
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Harsha. In 1831 William Coolman be-
came the sole proprietor. One year
later John Harmon bought the paper.
Then Selby & Robbins took it over in
1838 and it soon went out of business.
It had lasted thirteen years with eight
different ownerships.
The advertising patronage upon
which modern newspapers depend
was then unknown, or rather was just
beginning. The advertising was con-
fined mainly to single column brief
announcements calling attention to
the type of business.
Ohio Star Shines
In the meantime, another Ravenna
paper had come into existence and
was making progress. This was the
Ohio Star, started in 1830 by Lewis
Rice, with the backing of Jonathan
Sloane and Cyrus Prentiss, men of
means. It began life as an anti-Ma-
sonic sheet. Sloane was a lawyer and
at one time prosecuting attorney. In
1833 Laurin Dewey appeared on the
scene and took over the Star. Previ-
ously he had been a Ravenna printer
who had gone to Akron, then a small
place still in western Portage County,
and started the Ohio Canal Advocate
for the purpose of influencing the
route of the new canal. That issue
was settled before the new paper first
appeared and the name was changed
to the Portage Journal, which ran un-
til 1828, after which Akron had no
paper until 1846.
When Dewey took over the Star
he made it the organ of the Whig
party, then coming into full life. But
more changes were in the way and in
1838 Lyman Hall became senior part-
ner. In 1839 Dewey got himself elect-
ed sheriff and sold out his interest to
Mr. Hall, who was an important fig-
ure in the county. But the very next
year, for some reason, Hall sold out to
the firm of Root & Elkins, with A. L.
Lewis as editor. In the same year El-
kins bought out Root and one year
later William Wadsworth took over
as sole owner.
Later, Dewey came back in with
Wadsworth and the partnership lasted
until 1844, when Wadsworth bought
out Dewey arid again took Lewis as
editor. In 1845, Lewis bought an in-
terest in the paper but Wadsworth
soon bought him out again. Whether
these swift changes were due to per-
sonal differences, or because of fi-
nancial matters, is not clear.
In 1849 Lyman Hall again bought
The Star and enlarged it, staying with
it several years as editor. Party fol-
lowing was then unsettled. The Whig
party was dying out and the Repub-
licans were gathering strength. Party
support was important to early news-
papers. In 1854, Hall changed the
paper's name to The Portage County
Democrat, though the name did not
mean what it now appears to mean.
Previously, Hall had started the West-
ern Cabinet and Family Visitor
(1843). It ran only for a short time
under this name.
Papers Are Political
The name of Dewey was also an
important one in early Portage Coun-
ty journalism. Laurin Dewey, who
had gone to Akron to start its first
newspaper, was venturesome and ac-
tive. In 1844 he went back to Akron
and became part owner and editor of
the Beacon. He dabbled in politics
and in 1848 he quit Akron and be-
came warden of the Ohio penitent-
iary, later going to Iowa.
The Independent Press was started
in Ravenna in 1855, but it soon be-
came the Reformer. It was religious
and anti-slavery and lasted about two
years. Successive publishers were W.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
235
B. Orvis, A. Pryne, James Gregg and
Willard Burr.
Temporary publications for politi-
cal purposes were put out often. One
such was the Campaign Democrat, is-
sued just before election in 1855, as a
Republican paper. The Hickory
Flail and Fusion Thresher also was
started in Ravenna in 1855 and died
the same year. It was nominally Dem-
ocratic but its objective was to boost a
certain candidate. When he was de-
feated, the paper died.
In the year 1848 John S. Herrick
established the Portage County Whig
at Ravenna. It ran under that name
until 1853, when it became the Home
Companion and Whig and in the fol-
lowing year was merged with the
Ohio Star. Hall, Herrick and Wads-
worth made the Star into the Portage
County Democrat as noted above.
Herrick and Wadsworth then retired
and Hall alone published it for many
years.
As the name "Democrat" seemed
incongruous for a Republican paper,
readers demanded a change. Hall was
willing but he went at it cautiously.
He made a new heading to read
"Democrat & Republican" with the
"Republican" in very small type be-
neath "Democrat". He then proceed-
ed to make the "Republican" type
larger and larger each year when the
two words were equal in size. The
word "Democrat" was then eliminat-
ed by degrees in the reverse way and
the readers were made happy.
A paper called the Portage County
Republican was started in Ravenna in
1878 but was soon absorbed by the
Republican-Democrat Co.
A newspaper called the Signal en-
tered the Ravenna field in the early
70s but operated only a short time.
Republican Reorganized
According to reports, The Repub-
lican of Hall began to "run down" in
the '70s. Hall had met with financial
reverses. In 1878 he made an assign-
ment and the assignees sold the paper
Edward Y. Lacey
Probably no one knew as much about
Portage County history in general in his
time as did Edward Y. Lacey of Ravenna.
He was an active newspaper man in
Ravenna more than half a century, and
his father before him (W. C. Lacey) was
also a journalist. Born in Ravenna in
1859, he read law and was admitted to
the bar but soon drifted into newspaper
work.
Late in life he became a minister and
for a time was rector of Ravenna's Epis-
copal church as well as the church in
Hudson. A kindly and modest man, he
probably had as many friends and
acquaintances over the county as anyone
could have.
At one time he was editor of the
Democratic Press, Ravenna, but later
went to the Ravenna Republican, later
Tbe Record. Mr. Lacey's historical
sketches appearing in his paper, have
been of great help in preparing the
present county history. He had the repu-
tation of being a "flowery" writer, in
which he was unexcelled.
236
PORTAGE HERITAGE
to a group of citizens of which C. A.
Reed and J. D. Horton were leaders.
Worthy of note is the fact that James
A. Garfield was a stockholder in the
new company, holding shares in it at
the time of his death. Halsey Hall was
the editor. Halsey Hall later went to
Minnesota and became a well known
editor there. The paper became the
Ravenna Republican about 1883 and
in 1885 John Meharg became owner
and editor. He was also a lawyer and
was prosecuting attorney. In 1886 he
made the paper daily and weekly and
the daily continued until 1888. Me-
harg was an able man and operated
successfully until 1895 when he sold
out and went to California.
In March, 1885, the first issue of
the Ravenna Daily Courier made its
appearance. It was a revival of the
name of an earlier Courier. It was
printed in Alliance and sold only in
connection with a Cleveland daily.
However, this paper, too, operated
only for a short time.
In 1893 The Sherwood Press had
started The Graphic, a weekly, with
C. W. S. Wilgus as publisher. In 1895
Wilgus bought out the Republican
from Meharg and combined it with
The Graphic, remaining as its pub-
lisher until his death in 1910. His
brother-in-law, A. D. Robinson, suc-
ceeded him. The paper became a semi-
weekly and later a tri-weekly. It was
sold to the Dix organization in 1927
and shortly after that became a daily
under the name of The Record, which
continues today. Thus the newspaper
first called the Ohio Star has survived
through dozens of changes of owner-
ship, names and editors, to exist today
as The Record — a continuous life of
127 years at the present time, which
is quite long as newspapers go.
Democrats Active
In the meantime, there were other
journalistic developments. The Dem-
ocratic party was a vital force. Away
back in 1835 John Harmon began to
issue The Watchman from the Cour-
ier office, and about this time, too,
John B. King, Rufus Spalding, Joseph
Lyman and Ashael Taylor started the
Buckeye Democrat which lasted less
than a year.
The Plain Dealer was started in Ra-
venna in 1841 by a Mr. Canfield but
it, too, had a short life, and S. D. Har-
ris, Jr. and Roswell Batterson estab-
lished the Portage County Sentinel.
Batterson retired in 1851. In 1852
Harris sold out to Alphonso Hart and
R. E. Craig, but Hart soon disposed of
his interest to R. E. Somerville. In
1854 the paper became The Weekly
Portage County Sentinel but it was
discontinued in 1862, probably due in
some way to the war sentiment. It
was succeeded by the Argus, which
soon gave up. But in 1868 the Dem-
ocratic party began to recover
strength and Samuel D. Harris, Jr.
established The Democratic Press. He
had previously been on The Star and
Sentinel and had been active in pol-
itics, being county treasurer at one
time.
Later, his son George went into
business with him as S. D. Harris &
Son. They ran the paper as the Dem-
ocratic organ until 1899 when Col.
David Fisher took it over. He changed
the name to The Portage County
Democrat.
In 1906 Wilhelm and Holm be-
came owners with J. B. Holm as edi-
tor. Following them, in 1912, W. A.
Weygandt came from Akron to take
it over. Weygandt became state sena-
tor and in 1919 sold out to J. B. Sher-
wood, son of Congressman Isaac Sher-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
237
wood. James Morehead later became
associated with him and Sherwood
sold the Democrat to The Record in
1928, to be absorbed by that publica-
tion. Sherwood died in 1937.
L. R. Benjamin started The Stan-
dard in Ravenna in 1909 but in 1911
he went to Kent and bought and op-
erated The Bulletin.
They Come and Go
These dates and figures may not be
very interesting but they do point out
the high mortality rate of the early
newspapers. In the three decades of
1825 to 1855 there was a change of
ownership or name virtually every
year. Many men had gone into the
publishing business without previous
experience and usually without much
capital. Since publishing newspapers
was a new business, it is little wonder
that many of the publishers failed to
make it go.
But we should not conclude that
they were an ignorant, unthinking
lot. They were sailing in unknown
seas. The wonder is that any survived.
Usually, a paper was started on a few
hundred dollars capital. By present
standards, the product was poor, but
the editors made their way. They did
prepare the soil for better and more
profitable papers later on. The rea-
son for the large number of papers in
Ravenna, of course, was that Ravenna
was the county seat and therefore the
logical place for a newspaper.
In Franklin Mills, now Kent, a
publication appeared in 1859, under
the staggering name of Omnium
Gatherum. It was started by Dr. Alon-
zo Dewey from Ravenna. It had hard
going and soon died. Dewey promptly
started another paper, this time under
the name of The Fatnily Visitor.
When that failed he started again
with The Literary Casket and later
with The Saturday Review and Com-
mercial Bulletin, the latter operated
by Marsh Dewey.
After a suspension of several years
the plant was taken over in 1876 by
Napoleon Jeremiah A. Minich. He
revived the Bulletin and called it The
Saturday Bulletin, then just The Kent
Bulletin. Mr. Minich was a careful
manager and did well. At one time
he was mayor of Kent. In 1903 he re-
tired, selling The Bulletin to Capt. A.
D. Braden. In 1907 Braden sold it to
W. L. Boyle, who sold it to L. R.
Benjamin. A few years later the paper
was discontinued but the name, Bul-
letin, was kept alive for a time in a
newspaper published by P. B. Bonsall
in 1935-36.
Changes Continue
The Kent News was established in
1867 by L. D. Durbin. H. E. Gridley
was editor. It soon ceased operation
but was revived by A. C. Davis and
Richard Fields, with Paul Conant as
editor. In 1883 Scott Rockwell, a
lawyer, became editor. The News
ceased operation in 1886. In the same
year The Kent Courier was started by
the Kent family with Charles Scott as
editor.
In the 1840s considerable friction a-
rose between the Yankees living in Ran-
dolph and the Germans living over the
line in Stark County. The Germans said
they had been swindled by Yankee ped-
dlers and used the term, "being Yanke-
ed" after that. The Yankees gave the
Germans the name of "Penna-mites",
probably from the name Pennslyvania
from which state most of the Germans
came. When "Penna-mites" began to
move into Randolph, all got better
acquainted and there was no trouble at
all.
238
PORTA&E HERITAGE
J. G. Paxton
Kent editor over 40 years
In 1891 J. G. Paxton became editor
but the paper was sold in 1915 to
Abner Lawson and a few years later
G. E. Marker and U. G. Arthurs
bought in. In 1923 Lawson returned,
replacing Marker.
When J. G. Paxton left The Courier
in 1915, he established The Kent
Tribune together with Sam Baker. In
a few years Baker retired and in 1923
J. B. Holm became half owner. This
ownership lasted until 1930 when
both The Tribune and Courier were
sold to M. L. Davey and consolidated
by him. In turn, Davey soon sold out
to the Dix interests and a daily paper
later was put out as The Courier-Trib-
une.
In Garrettsville we find today The
Journal which holds the distinction
of being the newspaper published un-
der the same name longest of any in
the county. Garrettsville's first pub-
lication was The Western Pearl, pub-
lished in 1836 by Lyman Trask. It was
" literary" and soon fell by the way-
side.
In the early '60s Warren Pierce
started The Monthly Review but it
did not succeed. But Pierce made an-
other start in 1867 with The Journal
which has come out under that name
for ninety years.
In 1873 The Journal was sold to C.
B. Webb and on his death in 1900 it
was taken over by Myers & Snow. D.
G. Myers became sole owner in 1905
and when he died Mrs. Myers became
publisher. In 1927 Dean Arthur Cul-
ler and L. A. Harrington bought the
paper but Herbert Fickes soon re-
placed Harrington. In 1947 The Jour-
nal was taken over by W. J. Dickey,
who continues as this is written.
In 1800 The Saturday Item appear-
ed in Garrettsville with O. S. Ferris
as publisher. It ran about ten years.
Township Publishers
Mantua got its first newspaper in
1875. It was called The Register. The
name of the publisher is not clear.
Later, it was put out variously as The
Review and The Gazette. In 1888 D.
B. Sherwood was publisher and in
1900 E. M. Dewey was in charge, fol-
lowed by Mr. Russell. In 1913 L. M.
Sherwood took over the paper and it
was then The Herald. Mr. Sherwood
died in 1937, after which Mrs. Sher-
wood published it until 1946 when
Charles Butcher became publisher
with C. D. Yount, editor.
Growth of Windham brought a
newspaper there in 1955, The News.
In the 70s and '80s many of the
smaller towns wanted newspapers.
Papers often were started but were
unable to survive long. In Atwater
The Sharp Sickle operated in 1878-79,
followed by The Atwater News in
1884. Existence was brief for both.
In Hiram The Bugle-Echo was pub-
lished for a time by D. H. Beaman
and about the same time Windham
had its Herald. In the '80s Aurora had
a paper for a short time, John Gould,
editor. In Palmyra The Wide Awake
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
239
was published briefly by Rev. Erastus
Lewis.
In earlier days a man with a desire
to be a publisher could start on a few
hundred dollars. But the old-time
publisher usually had to be editor,
printer, pressman and everything else.
One who ever operated an old Wash-
ington hand press needed a strong
back more than he needed a power-
ful intellect — although the latter was
useful. First newspapers usually had
four pages of five columns each. At
first there was little local news. Na-
tional news, however stale, came first.
Much matter was reprinted from East-
ern papers, especially about matters
political.
Often the printer-editor set up type
for his news "out of his neck," mean-
ing composing it as he set type
Journalism Was Personal
Delivery was by mail and often
papers did not reach subscribers for a
week. Subscriptions were frequently
paid in produce, cordwood or services
of some kind. Until 1900 and later,
most of the big city newspapers had
weekly or semi-weekly editions that
were taken by the rural people every-
where.
The early publishers were pretty
much rugged individualists. It was a
day of personal journalism. Opinions
were forcibly expressed in type. Com-
petitors were either numbskulls, fools
or thieves. Inevitably, this situation
led to personal encounters. In 1886
Editor Scott of the Kent Courier and
Editor Rockwell of the Kent News
developed a strong feud that led to a
fist fight in the street. Publisher
Minich of the Bulletin criticised Scott
and was sued for $10,000 worth of
libel, but Minich won out in court.
In time, newspapers swung from
the personal stuff and became as po-
lite toward rivals as anyone else. But
recent years have seen a complete turn
of the cycle through the growing pop-
ularity of the column. Nearly every
paper, big or little, now has from a
single column up to 15 or 20.
Portage County has had some very
good newspapermen, both as working
individuals and as business men.
There was a time when many news-
papers were published as side issues
by lawyers and politicians. Today
newspaper publishing is more of a
business in its own right.
Albert Dix of Atwater started a
paper and founded a chain of success-
ful publications that now includes
the Ravenna and Kent dailies.
J. L. Waite of Ravenna became edi-
tor of the famous Burlington, Iowa,
Hawkeye.
Charles C. Green, a Kent boy, be-
came an important New York City
advertising executive.
Fannie Ward, a once well known
traveler and feature writer, was a
Ravenna woman. Florus B. Plimpton
of Palmyra, journalist and poet was
editor of the Pittsburgh Dispatch and
Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
Everest P. Derthick of Mantua is
currently managing editor of the
Cleveland Plain Dealer. Robert Sto-
pher is associate editor of the Beacon-
Journal, Akron.
Today, Portage County newspapers
compare well with any elsewhere. The
county is given good daily local and
general news service, and its daily
papers enjoy a reputation for picture
service. Smaller towns are well served
by its weeklies, and journalism, as a
whole, is more settled.
New Publication Types
In addition to the regular news-
papers, there are today many school
publications. Virtually all the larger
240
PORTAGE HERITAGE
high schools have weekly or monthly
papers. Hiram College long has had a
number of excellent publications, and
at Kent State University a course in
journalism provides training for stu-
dents. By reason of clinics, short
courses, etc., budding journalists from
many towns meet here and workshops
in various branches bring experts
from various cities. Newspaper pho-
tography is especially emphasized.
The university publications give prac-
tical training to many.
There are also numerous church and
industrial publications that are ex-
pertly gotten up. Two daily news-
papers are published, the Ravenna
Record and the Kent Courier-Tribune,
both under the same ownership and
general management of Robt. C. Dix.
Local editors are A. R. Sicuro of Ra-
venna and Loris Troyer at Kent. These
newspapers have established a reputa-
tion for liberal use of pictures in small
city journals.
Sand used in the manufacture of glass
in Ravenna came mostly from deposits
on the east shore of Sandy Lake, now
Stafford.
Newspapers today are far more
"local." Old editors usually consider-
ed it their duty to have something to
say on political subjects, and, as in-
dicated before, they often became per-
sonal in their observations. General
local news was absent. Gradually lo-
cal political matters were discussed.
Then items about meetings and or-
ganizations began to appear, particu-
larly about church activities. Up to
the time of the Civil War, few, if
any, items about local people and
social activities were used. Then a
few "personals" started to appear and
grew in number. Editors discovered
that newspaper readers liked to read
about themselves and their activities.
Up to 1900 the picture of a local man
in the newspaper was a rare event.
More and more were then used and to-
day local papers use as many pictures
as they can. Today's local newspapers
are truly local in nature for the most
part.
The state commission on canals in
1907 reported that revival of canal oper-
ation meant $5.23 spent in upkeep for
each $1.00 in revenue.
Nelson's Fifty-Niners
Portage County produced several real Forty-Niners in the gold rush days. But it
also produced some Fifty-Niners, as they called themselves.
In March, 1859, a party of Nelson boys decided to hunt gold in the West. The
party was made up of Wells Colton, George Caldwell, Alfred Mowbray, Wells Clark,
Heman Clark and John S. Beardsley, the latter a lad of sixteen. Wells Colton, the oldest,
had been a real Forty-Niner with experience in gold hunting. They out-fitted themselves
with two one-horse wagons of the prairie schooner type. These they took to Beaver, Pa.,
and loaded them on a steamboat, on which all were carried down the Ohio, up the Mis-
sissippi and Missouri to Kansas City, Mo. Here they struck out overland, using the old
Santa Fe Trail for a large part of the way. Arriving in the mountains of Colorado, they
went to work and were able to locate gold, after buying out another man's claim. In
October they set out for home over the prairies of Nebraska where they had a brush with
hostile Indians but joined up with another party to escape. They reached home in No-
vember. Net profit for each man was $50.00 for the trip, which was probably as much as
the majority of gold seekers made in a similar period. Thereafter the adventurers were
known as the Nelson Fifty-Niners.
CHAPTER XVII
Hospitals and Physicians
By T. C. Hunston
The first hospital in Portage Coun-
ty was established some time before
1900 by Dr. W. W. White. Some in-
formation sources place the date as
early as 1890, but the "Annual Re-
ports for The White Hospital" for
the years 1907, 1909 and 1912, set
forth the date of the beginning as
1900. However, the annual report for
the White Hospital dated April 30,
1912, contains a picture of the origi-
nal hospital captioned "Where the
White Hospital started in 1894."
In any event Dr. White did estab-
lish the first hospital and called it the
"White Hospital." It was located on
East Main St., Ravenna, in a home
once owned by Miletus Clark. This
property later became the S. M. Reim-
old Store and later still, of the present
Wright Store at 126 East Main St.,
Ravenna.
The records available state that Dr.
White came to Ravenna from Strongs-
ville, Medina County about 1885 aft-
er graduation from Western Reserve
Medical College in Cleveland. He saw
the need for a hospital and conse-
quently took over the Clark property
for that purpose. The original hos-
pital was intended chiefly for accident
cases. As the demands increased, ad-
ditional beds were added and an op-
erating room was set up.
The work of the hospital was then
extended to include surgical work and
the care of a few medical cases. About
eighteen beds were the maximum pro-
vided at the original site.
Had Unusual Staff
The amount of work rapidly in-
creased so that it became necessary to
have a more convenient and commod-
ious building. Consequently, a site
was selected on North Chestnut St.,
Ravenna, at the corner of Cedar for
the erection of a hospital. According
to the Annual Report for the White
Hospital for 1907 the building was
begun in the spring of 1903 and com-
pleted for occupancy October 1, 1903.
The new hospital was a two-story,
brick, steam-heated structure, divided
into private rooms and small wards.
There were 25 beds. The kitchen was
located on the first floor and the op-
erating room on the second floor. The
hospital was under the direct super-
vision of Drs. W. W. White and Les-
lie A. Woolf who attended the acci-
dent and minor operative work. All
major surgical work was done by
Drs. George W. Crile and William E.
Lower.
By 1907 the following doctors were
also attending patients in the hospital:
Lawrence Pomeroy, C. J. Hoover, H.
S. Upson, M. D. Stevenson and R. M.
Manley.
According to the 1907 annual re-
port, 145 medical cases were treated,
57 obstetrical cases were hospitalized
and 219 surgical cases cared for. In
the latter there were 20 appendicitis
cases. There were 32 fracture cases
and nine gun shot wounds.
By 1912 additional doctors listed at
the hospital were Drs. Frank E. Bunts,
241
242
PORTAGE HERITAGE
The White Hospital as it looked in 1910.
C. O. Jaster and Bernard H. Nichols,
who later became a roentgenologist
and thereafter served the Ravenna
hospitals and Cleveland Clinic for
many years. He retired from the Clin-
ic in 1945, and from the Robinson
Memorial Hospital in 1952.
Not Public Institution
An undated brochure after that lists
the hospital staff as follows: Consult-
ing and visiting surgeons, Drs. Crile,
Bunts and Lower; Consulting Physic-
ian, Dr. C. F. Hoover; Associate staff,
Drs. H. C. Sloan, J. T. Osmond and T.
P. Shupe; Attending Physicians, Drs.
B. H. Nichols, Woolf and White;
Supt. of Nurses, Misses Cover and
Overholt. At that time the hospital
contained 30 beds.
It was in no wise a public hospital,
but Dr. White always stated that no
urgent case would be turned away.
In June, 1917, the hospital was
closed for a short time for reorganiza-
tion. When opened again it was staff-
ed with a full force of graduate nurs-
es. The latter included Miss Mannery,
surgical nurse; Miss Cooper, night
superintendent; and Miss Damon,
head dietetic department.
In September, 1917, because of ill
health, Dr. White gave an option to
Portage County for purchase of the
hospital property. A board of trustees,
consisting of R. M. Wheeler, J. H.
Bigalow, J. J. Jackson, Mr. Whittle-
sey, H. W. Riddle and E. E. France,
was appointed to present a bond issue
on the ballot to raise money for the
purchase, in the amount of $50,000.00.
The proposal carried and the hospital
was purchased.
The county then operated the hos-
pital in the same location until 1932.
Other citizens serving on the Board of
Trustees included W. S. Kent, Geo.
R. Robinson, Harry L. Webb, J. C.
Yeend, H. R. Loomis and T. C. Men-
denhall. For many years, Miss Kath-
arine McConnell was hospital super-
intendent under county ownership.
The capacity of the hospital from
1920 to 1930 was 48 beds. Amount of
PORTAGE HERITAGE
243
work increased and in 1930 the num-
ber of patients was 677 and the cost of
operation was $30,306.82.
Becomes Robinson Hospital
The first building of the Robinson
Memorial Hospital on South Chestnut
St. was dedicated Sunday, Feb. 21,
1932, on property given in memory of
Judge and Mrs. Geo. F. Robinson.
Judge Robinson, a Civil War veteran
and a common pleas judge for forty
years, died July 14, 1917. When Mrs.
Robinson passed away in 1929, the
sons, Henry M., Richard H. M., and
Thomas L., wished to establish a
memorial for their parents and offer-
ed the county the homestead, plus
$50,000.00 for a new hospital. The
offer was provisional on a like amount
of $75,000.00 being raised by the
county. In 1931 a $75,000.00 bond is-
sue was approved by electors. The
White Hospital location was then sold
in 1941 to the government as a post-
office site and the proceeds used for
supplementing building and operat-
ing costs.
The first unit of the new hospital
was completed in 1932. It had space
for 50 adult beds, eight bassinettes,
two operating suites, delivery room,
labor room, X-Ray, laboratory, emer-
gency room, etc. The Robinson home-
stead became the nurses home. Rich-
ard L. Hendee was business manager
in 1932. Dr. G. J. Waggoner was head
of the hospital medical staff. The
building commission included H.
Warner Riddle, B. G. Kneifel, R. P.
Nichols and W. J. Beckley. County
commissioners then were E. E. Gor-
don, D. O. Norton and Ensign Jones.
The Board of Trustees through the
years numbered many representative
citizens. H. Warner Riddle of Ra-
venna served continually from 1917
to 1944. Others are H. L. Thomas, B.
G. Kneifel, G. A. Adolph, Ray A.
Nichols, V. W. Filiatrault, P. M. Wil-
son, A. V. Dix, W. J. Dodge, Jr., S. P.
Harbourt, H. J. Uhlman, A. E. Wal-
ters, Mrs. F. E. Richardson, W. W.
Morris, Hugh W. Riddle, Chas. A.
Begue and John I. Eldridge.
More Facilities Needed
Craig Smith replaced Mr. Hendee as
business manager in 1933, who, in
turn, was replaced by Elizabeth Hay-
maker in 1936. She served until 1937,
when Miss Ella Owen was named,
first as acting manager, then super-
intendent. Robert Southwick then
held the position from 1943 until
1945, when Frank Hoover served
briefly. Thomas J. Hunston was em-
ployed in April, 1946, and presently
is hospital administrator.
Demands on the hospital were in-
creasing. More facilities were needed.
By 1936, about 1700 patients were
being cared for annually. The matter
of help was again put before voters
and in 1940 a new bond issue of
$100,000.00 was approved.
The new Ravenna Arsenal was be-
ginning existence and the sum of
$171,325 was received from the fed-
eral government as well as $30,000.00
more from county and private funds.
The total amount permitted increas-
ing facilities to 110 adult beds, plus 30
bassinets. When the new addition was
completed in 1943, there were 22 ma-
ternity beds, 76 medical and surgical
beds plus 12 beds for pediatrics.
The building commission at that
time was V. W. Filiatrault, Hale B.
Thompson, Cyril Fulweber and J. L.
Harris. County commissioners were
Mervin Smith, Claude Watters and
Charles Horning.
Still demands for service increased.
By 1954, figures showed an average
daily census of 121 patients, with 7,-
244
PORTAGE HERITAGE
008 adults and children admitted.
Births numbered 1,577 and 8,511 X-
Ray tests were made. There were
2,630 operations and 233,839 meals
served.
In 1951 a laundry and storage build-
ing was put up at a cost of $98,328.61,
the money coming from several funds
and gifts.
New Wing Added
In 1953, a contract was entered into
for the construction of the present
Administration Wing at a cost of
about $66,765.00, part of which came
from the Operating Fund and part
from the county. Addition of this
wing resulted in more room for pure-
ly hospital work.
But the expanded facilities were
still not enough. The Board of Trus-
tees in 1953 requested that another
bond issue be placed on the ballot.
This was done in November, 1954,
and $1,600,000.00 was asked for to add
60 beds and do other work — make
other changes. Again a bond issue
was approved. Further financial as-
sistance came from the federal govern-
ment under the Hill-Burton Act after
a series of disappointments in secur-
ing priority rating and state approval.
At this time plans are going ahead
for construction of new quarters for
nurses on the Halstead property, south
of the hospital. Other properties on
Meridan St. have also been bought for
the expansion program. If Federal
funds are made available, hospital fa-
cilities will be expanded to approx-
imately 200 beds. If not, there will be
fewer beds.
In 1955 voters authorized a $1,-
600,000 bond issue for further ex-
pansion, which plus government
grants, insured the desired re-build-
ing.
Women of Portage County have
been of great help in promoting hos-
pital work. The Women's Associa-
tion of Robinson Memorial Hospital
was organized in 1942. It's activities
are directed by fifteen board members
— five from Ravenna, five from Kent
and five from the county. This group
supplied volunteer workers at the hos-
pital, particularly in war years. With
the opening of the Administration
Wing in 1954, the ''Hospitality Shop,"
which was part of the wing, was turn-
ed over to this Association. With the
exception of one paid worker, the
shop is maintained entirely by vol-
unteers.
Antique Shows Help
In addition to these services, the
Association raises funds for purchase
of equipment for patient comfort.
For several years it has held an An-
tique Show at the Ravenna Armory
each year which has been well sup-
ported. Each show usually shows a
profit of one to two thousand dollars.
A membership drive is carried out
each year, bringing in several hundred
dollars from dues paying members. It
also receives numerous donations for
its work. It has purchased items of
hospital equipment, the total value of
which is over $30,000.00. This includ-
es such things as delivery room table,
beds, oxygen tents, cabinets, chairs,
lamps, inhalators, incubators, ice cube
machines, resuscitators, and other
items. About 1945, past members of
the Executive Board organized the
Mary Robinson Hospital Guild to as-
sist the active Executive Board of the
Association. The Guild sponsored the
Antique Show in 1954.
On Jan. 18, 1926, Mrs. O. L. Gil-
bert invited a group of women to her
home to help observe her birthday
and organize the "Hospital Sewing
PORTAGE HERITAGE
245
*'"M ,W ' %
View of Robinson Memorial Hospital from the West, showing new wing.
Circle," the object of which was to
make and mend articles of clothing at
the then White Hospital. In its nearly
30 years of activity it has made or
mended over 20,000 articles. Sewing
equipment was purchased to carry on
its work.
A Nurses Training School was start-
ed by Dr. White in 1904. It operated
until 1917 and did invaluable service
in training nurses. Hospital staff and
local doctors were instructors. During
the school's life nearly fifty nurses
were graduated.
Officers of the School of Nursing
in early years were Dr. W. E. Lower,
Pres.; Dr. W. W. White, Vice Pres.;
S. F. Hanselman, Sec; Mrs. Geo. Rob-
inson, Treas.; and J. H. Bigalow, S.
F. Hanselman, Marvin Collins, C. G.
Bentley, Dr. W. B. Andrews, I. T.
Siddall, R. L. Hawkins were trustees.
The Hospital Association was or-
ganized in 1909 with the object of
aiding the needy poor with hospital
service. "Tag Days" was one method
of raising funds. This association dis-
banded in 1948 and turned its funds
(over $2,000) in to the hospital.
First officers of the Benefit Associa-
tion were L. J. Goddard, Pres.; Mrs.
W. E. Stutts, Vice Pres.; Miss Ada E.
Poe, Sec; Miss Emma Stuart, Treas.
Older residents still remember when cultivation of corn was done entirely by hand,
mainly by use of the hoe. First hoeing was called the "weeding." The second was the
"half hilling" and the last the "hilling." When ripe, the corn was "topped" and husked.
There was a time when it was the best crop to raise for money for it could be utilized for
whiskey making which could be exchanged for some of the necessities of life, like salt or
sugar.
246
PORTAGE HERITAGE
County Physicians
While health was a vital issue in
early days, there was a lack of sanita-
tion and hygiene and few facilities
existed for prevention and care of
sickness. People at that time were al-
most self dependent. Knowledge of
"roots and herbs," acquired from the
Indians or which had been handed
down, was considered adequate for
the relief of ordinary maladies.
If a community had a doctor at all
he was skilled in reducing fractures or
dislocations and applying splints of
green hickory bark. Mortality was
great from bilious fevers, cholera
morbus and various types of ague
which were seldom fatal paved the
way for more serious ailments.
Home remedies included concoc-
tions of birch, balsam or ash bark,
mullein or sassafras teas, cob-web
pills, calomel, saltpeter, steel dust, or
a freshly killed pullet applied to the
soles of the feet. They then believed
that contagious diseases, such as diph-
theria, scarlet fever, typhoid, mumps,
measles and smallpox, were unavoid-
able. When vaccination was later in-
troduced most physicians adopted it
in the face of strong opposition. Pneu-
monia was prevalent; rheumatism and
attendant troubles, common. Cancer
and heart disease attracted little at-
tention because of the relatively short
life span. Whiskey was a cure-all.
Prescriptions for sore throat, colds,
croup and asthma, headache and itch,
and folk and charm cures read like
the treatment of witch doctors in pag-
an lands. Asafedita, ground bugs or
the leg of a toad worn around the
neck, fended off many evils. There
was always goose grease to be used
inside or out for almost any ill. Child
mortality was great.
Old Country Doctor
Portage County had its share of
those legendary figures, the country
doctors. Tireless, fearless, often gruff
to hide their tender hearts, they held,
like the minister, an intimate, vital,
personal relationship with their peo-
ple. Few living today have seen the
genuine old doctor's shop of the last
century or inhaled the odor arising
from brown paper bundles, bottles
stopped with worm eaten corks, and
open jars of ointments. His equipment
was simple as he rode horseback, day
and night. In his saddlebags, and lat-
er, buggy, he carried a few drugs and
possibly a crude set of instruments,
some homemade splints and bandages,
and even a pair of balances, mortar
and pestles. By the late 1830s, the
better equipped doctors carried steth-
oscopes, tooth forceps, and a few ob-
stetrical instruments. In the absence
of complicated instruments, the doc-
tor relied on his senses. He could feel
temperature and pulse; color of skin,
lips, eyes and nails were symptoms,
as were voice, cough and breathing of
a patient; while he could smell ty-
phoid or measles.
No Prescriptions Then
The early doctor was his own
pharmacist, making his own pills and
tinctures. He used the lancet, leeches
and cups for the common remedy of
bleeding. An iron, heated to grey in
the fireplace, cauterized wounds and
infections. Surgery was crude.
With the rise of the drug trade
paralleling the development of med-
icine, the ailing pioneer was ever
ready to put his trust in the promises
of the wonderful elixirs and curealls
which came in bottles, just as he did
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
247
later. In their earliest days the drug
stores were also the department stores,
as they were a hundred years later.
For some years their business was
confined more strictly to drugs. Such
was the drug store of Dr. Isaac Swift,
one of the earliest Ravenna physicians.
Castor oil, sweet oil, essence of lem-
on, peppermint, cinnamon and win-
tergreen, soda cordials, seidlitz powd-
ers, quinine, calomel, horehound,
salts, borax, copperas, saleratus, alum,
herbs and patent medicines figured
prominently in the drug trade. As
doctors were often paid in promises
or produce, so druggists often took
beeswax, ginseng, hemp and flax seed
in trade.
The name of the first physician to
practice his profession in Portage is
uncertain. It may have been Dr. Jo-
seph DeWolf of Ravenna, Dr. Ezra
Gilbert of Palmyra or Dr. Shadrach
Bostwick of Deerfield. The latter was
a part time preacher.
According to old histories DeWolf
came to Vernon, Trumbull Co. in
1800, where he studied medicine un-
der a physician for a time. He then
came to Rootstown and started prac-
tice but in a short time moved to Ra-
venna. Dr. Gilbert came to Palmyra
in 1806, and in 1805 John Murray, a
millwright, came to Deerfield, but
after studying medicine in New Lis-
bon came back to open an office. Dr.
Bostwick reached Deerfield in 1803-
Dr. Rufus Belding was practicing in
Randolph in 1807 and Dr. Ezra Chaf-
fee was in Palmyra in 1810. In 1810
Dr. Ezekiel Squires arrived in Aurora
but later went to Mantua which he
thought a better location. There he
helped start a distillery. Drs. Whipple
and Pierce reached Mantua in 1820
and Dr. Edwin Cowles in 1825. Dr.
Jason Moore was also in Mantua early.
They "Read Medicine"
In 1812 Dr. DeWolf was the only
physician in Ravenna. It is said that
many of his patients were men who
wanted a medical excuse to keep them
out of the army as the War of 1812
was then starting.
A Ravenna directory of 1841 show-
ed four physicians in Ravenna — Drs.
DeWolf, Job Clark, Lyman Collins
and John D. Ward.
Dr. E. J. Goodsell was an early
physician in Nelson. Dr. Bassett also
located in the same place some time
after Goodsell. There was also a Dr.
Bassett in Rootstown.
From a Ravenna newspaper of 1855
it is learned that the following physi-
cians were practicing in that city —
Drs. Isaac Coles, William Eames, Wil-
liam Caine, Hayes & Smith, James
Peterman, Henry Pratt & Collins, and
Belding & Prentice.
An early physician in Brimfield
was Dr. Lincoln. Dr. Simeon Birge ar-
rived in Freedom in 1835.
Joseph Price was a tailor in Ran-
dolph when he was 22 when he de-
cided to study medicine under his
father-in-law, also a physician. He
was the father of Dr. Emmett Price of
Kent.
It was the practice for young men
to "read medicine" to acquire profic-
iency then just as law candidates
"read law".
Infant mortality was high in early
days. A Mantua item of 1825 says that
in the previous 25 years there had
been 45 deaths there of persons under
three years and only 22 of over three
years. In the same period there were
38 marriages and 369 births.
Dr. Noah Shurtleff was an early
practioner in Franklin Township —
about 1825.
248
PORTAGE HERITAGE
There have been a number of fine
father-son physician combinations in
the county but probably none quite
like that of the Drs. Waggoner whose
practice spanned nearly 100 years. Dr.
Joseph Waggoner started practice in
Deer fie Id in 1947, later removing to
Ravenna, where he was engaged until
his death in 1897 — a half century ser-
vice. His son, Dr. George J. Wag-
goner, started practice in Ravenna in
1891 and continued until his death in
1939, a service of 48 years. Both rank-
ed high in their profession.
Another long-time father-son serv-
ice was that of Dr. E. H. Knowlton
and his son, Edgar, Jr., of Mantua.
The elder Knowlton practiced in
Mantua 48 years, until his death in an
accident in 1952. The son still prac-
tices in Mantua.
Medical Society Formed
The Portage County Medical So-
ciety was organized in June, 1866,
with the following list of members
(locations not clear in many cases):
Drs. P. C. Bennett, A. Belding, J. G.
Lewis, O. Frazier, J. W. Shively, Chas.
L. Poe, G. B. Baldwin, George Sad-
ler, A. M. Sherman, P. H. Sawyer, Jo-
seph Waggoner, B. F. Pittman, Ezra
Rose, E. Warrington, A. W. Alcorn,
C. S. Leonard, and F. F. McCreary.
Later, Drs. Joseph Price, F. C. Apple-
gate, and W. S. Hough. Honorary
members were Drs. Isaac Swift, P.
Barron and Joseph DeWolf.
First officers of the society were
Dr. P. C. Bennet, Pres.; Dr. A. Beld-
ing, Vice Pres.; Dr. F. F. McCreary,
Sec; Dr. C. S. Leonard, Treas.
Physicians who came in later were
Drs. Osman Ferris, J. A. Kirkpatrick,
Wesley Strickland, L. B. Lee and C. S.
Stedman.
The stated objects of the association
were: 1. The association of the pro-
fession for the purpose of mutual
recognition and fellowship; 2. The
maintenance of union harmony and
good government among its members,
thereby promoting the character, in-
terests, honor and usefulness of the
profession; 3. The cultivation and ad-
vancement of medical science, litera-
ture and the elevation of the standards
of medical education.
Officers of the Medical Society in
1955 were Dr. Edgar Knowlton, Pres.;
Dr. Palmstrom, Vice Pres.; and Dr. A.
Knight, Sec.-Treas.
In 1884 the society membership in-
cluded the above and Drs. B. F. Loug-
head, E. W. Price, J. W. Shively, J. D.
Davis, Seth Sloane, G. M. Proctor,
Chas. A. May, W. H. Connell, G. O.
Frazier, C. S. Hiddleson, W. G. Smith,
L. C. Rose, William Jenkins, B. B.
Davis, Chas. A. May, W. H. McCon-
nell and H. H. Spiers. Other county
physicians, not members, were John
Ewing, D. W. Coffin and C. S. Sted-
man.
Portage County physicians who
have since become affiliated with the
medical association include the fol-
lowing:
Ravenna — H. W. Bennet, A. J.
Bietz, E. P. Bugbee, P. H. Harris,
Marion A. McBride, R. A. Olson, S.
U. Sivon, S. L. Sloan, W. A. Smith,
Ruth Ellis Snyder, H. S. Wendorf,
George J. Waggoner, W. W. White,
L. A. Woolf, R. D. Worden, P. H.
Zinkhan, L. J. Zupp, J. S. Dyell, I. M.
Huffman, L. W. Pritchard, W. W.
Hall, R. M. Manley, B. H. Nichols,
W. H. Oviatt, Calvin Rice, G. W.
Shepard, H. H. Primm, Nelson
Klamm, R. C. Neeley, Max Sternleib,
A. I. Tsai, W. B. Webb, E. P. Bugbee,
John F. Hill, C. O. Jaster, M. S. Owen,
J. L. Hondorf, A. C Rideout, W. T.
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
249
Gatchel, E. A. Webb, D. Palmstrom
and A. Knight.
Kent — James Sweeney, W. B. An-
drews, Esther Brenneman, S. A.
Brown, Lena English, B. H. Jacob, N.
F. Jacob, Elizabeth Leggett, J. T. Nor-
ton, W. C. Ramsey, G. E. Rice, F. A.
Russell, Emily J. Widdecombe, A. O.
DeWeese, J. C. Fiala, E. M. Kauffman,
E. T. Meacham, John M. Painter, L.
B. Baumgartner, Myrtle C. Dineen,
Frances Herwig, J. H. Mowry, S. B.
Peters, Robert Dumm, J. R. Turner,
C. C. Voorhis, Florence Gebhardt, Dr.
Tetrault, B. E. Gorham, J. H. Krape,
Chas. W. Hains, W. W. Lang, J. A.
Morris, W. I. Caris.
Garrettsville — James A. Miller,
Wilson C. Pay, Clyde O. Roller, M.
D. Ailes, Geo. R. French, A. M. Lands-
borough, S. L. McManigal, A. H. Tid-
ball, M. W. Thomas, H. B. Elwell.
Mantua — Owen J. Brady, Fred O.
Newcomb, L. E. Drossell, Geo. E.
Hull, R. T. Odell, E. H. Knowlton, O.
T. Manley, Edgar Knowlton, Jr.
Windham — James Burnham, John
R. Gleason, R. Nuthall, J. W. Shank,
E. P. Reese.
Aurora — R. R. Hilborn, Sidney R.
Walker, S. H. Stevens, F. E. Bard.
Hiram— F. H. Hurd, H. C. Hurd,
H. M. Page, Josephine Line.
Randolph — Sanford Barrett, Mar-
ion Squire, J. J. Orton, John O. Per-
ry, H. H. Van Home, Dr. Traver.
Deer field — John E. Longnecker, J.
J. Waite, Frank D. Sovereign.
Atwater — Comfort Cummings,
Charles DeWitt, A. J. Silbiger.
Others are Drs. P. M. Bell, Dia-
mond; Edith R. Hornberger, Palmyra;
Wm. Jenkins, Diamond; A. G. Kirze,
Mogadore; W. F. McCray, Edinburg;
W. H. McConnell, Brimfield; Ivor
Campbell, Mogadore; H. J. Cramer,
New Milford; W. L. DeVaul, Streets-
boro; E. B. Dyson, Rootstown; W. E.
Fulton, Suf field; B. F. Keller, Streets-
boro; A. M. Powers, Rootstown; T.
W. Jones, Palmyra; A. C. Rini, Ar-
senal; A. W. Malinchus, Arsenal; A.
F. Hassam, Charlestown; Chas. With-
erstay, Nelson; W. J. Thomas, Pal-
myra; Frederick Bauer, Suf field; J. C.
Ferguson, Suf field; F. P. Russell, Suf-
field; H. P. Hynes, F. R. Morath, E.
P. Reese and E. J. Feeney, Arsenal;
Drs. Hilker, Martinez, McGregor and
Tropea, locations uncertain.
The Ravenna Arsenal
By A. R. Horton
One of the noteworthy industries
of Portage County, both in number of
employees and in importance of its
product, is the Ravenna Arsenal. It
was constructed by the federal govern-
ment for the primary purpose of load-
ing medium and major caliber artil-
lery ammunition, bombs, mines fuses
and boosters and primers and percus-
sion elements, and the storage of fin-
ished ammunition and ammunition
components.
The Arsenal is located on the east-
ern boundary of Portage County and
is bounded on the west by Highways
No. 172 and 175; on the north by the
right-of-way of the Erie Railroad; on
the east by the Trumbull-Portage
County line and on the south by High-
way No. 5. It is nine miles from the
city of Ravena, and fourteen miles
from the city of Warren, Ohio.
One of the prime factors in the
location of the installation was the
250
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Ravenna Arsenal
advantage of two railroad lines, the
Erie on the north, the Baltimore &
Ohio on the south, with the added
advantage that the Pennsylvania Rail-
road had track rights over the Balti-
more & Ohio right-of-way.
On August 26, 1940 contracts were
approved for the planning, designing
of buildings and equipment, and or-
ganizing what was then called the
Ravenna Ordnance Plant. In October,
1941, the installation was divided in-
to two separate units — one designated
as the Ravenna Ordnance Depot, with
the primary mission of ammunition
storage activities, and the other the
Ravenna Ordnance Plant, with the
primary mission of ammunition load-
ing activities. In August, 1943 the
installation was designated Ravenna
Ordnance, and in November, 1945,
was redesignated Ravenna Arsenal.
During World War II the arsenal
was operated by the Atlas Powder
Company, with their home office in
Wilmington, Delaware. After cessa-
tion of hostilities, the installation was
maintained in a standby status under
Government control until the out-
break of the Korean conflict in June,
1950. Subsequent to that time and un-
til the present, the installation had
been operated by Ravenna Arsenal,
Incorporated, a subsidiary of the Fire-
stone Tire and Rubber Company, Ak-
ron, Ohio. Contract administration is
performed by the Commanding Of-
ficer's Organization, comprising a
staff of approximately 150 inspectors,
auditors and production technicians.
In July, 1954, Plumbrook Ordnance
Works, Sandusky, Ohio, and Keystone
Ordnance Works, Meadville, Pennsyl-
vania, were satellites of this Arsenal.
These installations, which were used
to manufacture explosives during
World War II, are administered by
the Operating Contractor under sup-
plement to contract for Arsenal Oper-
ations.
Headquarters and Headquarters
Battery of the 53rd. Anti- Aircraft
Brigade are also stationed at Raven-
na Arsenal. Under the command of
Brigadier General Louis T. Heath the
Brigade moved to the Arsenal in Sep-
tember, 1954, from Swarthmore, Pen-
nsylvania, to provide a more logical
location with respect to administra-
tion of the anti-aircraft defenses un-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
251
der the 53rd command. Arsenal fa-
cilities utilized by the Brigade include
offices located to dispensary facilities
and two single story buildings used
for quarters.
MISSION. The mission of this ar-
senal is the operation and mainten-
ance of facilities required for the pro-
duction of ammunition and related
ammunition items; i.e. receipt, stor-
age, surveillance, preservation and
salvage; preservation maintenance
and handling of Ordnance Corps Re-
serve Equipment; and providing
necessary administrative, maintenance
and service facilities in connection
with operations. Activities at the
satellited installations of Plumbrook
and Keystone Ordnance Works are
restricted to stand-by maintenance of
the facilities, which are a part of the
National Industrial Reserve Program.
EMPLOYEES. The number of em-
ployees in peace time is about 1800,
but in war time it has reached 10,000,
and there is capacity for using 15,000
men. Most of these are screened for
loyalty. Peace time monthly payroll
averages one and a quarter million
dollars; during wartime activities this
amount is correspondingly increased.
AREA AND FACILITIES. Repre-
senting an investment of approximate-
ly $83,500,000 in construction and
real estate, the Arsenal covers 22,013
acres and has 1553 buildings, with a
combined floor space in excess of 6,-
000,000 square feet. Within the ex-
terior fence there are 20 restricted
areas enclosed by secondary protec-
tive fencing. The satellited installa-
tions represent additions of 7,000 acres
at Plumbrook, and 4,000 acres at Key-
stone, consisting of various powder
and acid lines, storage facilities, and
administrative buildings which are
also enclosed by protective fencing.
Total area, including Keystone and
Plumbrook is 56.6 sq. miles.
WOODED AREA. In the Ravenna
Arsenal reservation there are more
than 6600 acres of woodland. These
form a natural protected habitat for
thousands of game animals, such as
deer, raccoon, foxes, also pheasants
and other game birds. Since the ar-
senal property is owned by the United
States Government, local game laws
do not apply, and no hunting is per-
mitted at any time except by special
permission granted by the arsenal
commandant.
SHOPS. There are numerous large
shops located throughout the area,
such as carpenter shop, plumbing
shop, sheet metal shop, blacksmith
shop, paint shop, and machine shop.
There is also an ammunition work-
shop engaged in the renovation, re-
pair and modification of ammunition.
UTILITIES. Excellent communica-
tions are provided by the post tele-
phone system, teletype center and post
radio system. Two-way radios are in-
stalled in many vehicles, which in-
clude those despatched to Fire, Guard,
Signal, Surveillance, Safety and Of-
ficer of the Day. Two-way radiosets
are installed in the Arsenal diesel
locomotives for communication be-
tween the yardmaster and locomotives
in service throughout the area. Water
is furnished by four water plants
drawing water from deep wells on the
reservation. The Arsenal has six ele-
vated storage tanks, with a capacity
of over 1,000,000 gallons, and an open
reservoir furnishing a large reserve
capacity. Steam for operations and
heating is furnished by eight power
plants. Supplementing the power
plants are 29 low pressure boilers.
There are three sewage disposal
plants, with 128,138 linear feet of
252
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
sanitary sewer. Except for one gener-
ator utilized for emergency standby
lighting purposes, all electrical power
is purchased from the Ohio Edison
Company.
STORAGE. The finished ammuni-
tion is stored in some 900 igloos of
monolithic concrete construction of
varying capacities. These igloos are
constructed on both sides of 10 foot
roadways, and are sodded over not so
much to protect them from observa-
tion by enemy airplanes as to pro-
duce the uniform temperature neces-
sary for the best preservation of the
contents. Some of the roads are furn-
ished with railroad tracks. The igloos
are filled and emptied by trucks and
railroad trains. Many sizes and varie-
ties of shells are manufactured, the
chief being 90, 105 and 155 milli-
meter shells and 8 inch shells for the
navy. The average life of the am-
munition is nine years. The ammuni-
tion is constantly subject to test by a
crew of surveillance men, and that
which has deteriorated is removed. A
large explosion crater is maintained
for the destruction of ammunition
which is no longer servicable. As
might be expected, transportation ex-
penses are enormous, sometimes
amounting to $100,000 per month in
peace times and rising to $1,500,000,
in time of war.
HOUSING FACILITIES. There are
located on the installation 17 staff
quarters, 7 duplex residences, 68
single residences, 3 dormitories, one
nurses' quarters and one bachelor of-
ficer quarters. These housing facilities
are normally utilized by key operating
personnel.
COMMANDING OFFICERS. Dur-
ing the period of this installation's
existence there have been thirteen
Commanding Officers who have di-
rected the Arsenal affairs and have
set its administrative policies. These
have been Colonels of the Regular
Army, and the average term of com-
mand is one and a half years. The
present commander is Lieut-Col.
Thomas M. Scott, Jr., since April,
1955.
SAFETY RECORD. There is na-
turally considerable apprehension felt
by the public as to the dangers of
working in or living near an am-
munition plant. However the safety
record of the Ravenna Arsenal is most
reassuring and is highly complimen-
tary to those directing operations. Ar-
senal employees worked more than
four and a half million man hours in
1954, with only six injuries causing
lost time. This resulted in a 1.3 acci-
dent frequency rate per million man
hours worked, which is 78% better
than the par established by The Na-
tional Safety Council for similar in-
dustries. To date a select group of
only 158 industries have received the
Award of Merit from the National
Safety Council. This award was made
to the Ravenna Arsenal for "Note-
worthy Safety Performance," during
1954.
Much of the above information was
supplied through the generous co-
operation of Mr. C. R. Kennington,
Arsenal Contract Administrator and
Mr. Karl Slusser, Paymaster, to whom
due acknowledgements are given.
In the first few decades in Portage
County history the observance of Christ-
mas, Easter and Memorial Day was un-
known. But the Fourth of July was cele-
brated with great fervor everywhere.
Every township had its big Fourth.
PORTAGE HERITAGE 253
Yale, Ohio — - A Type
By Mabel Parham Richmond
In reading over a diary for the year 1878 one realizes what an unimportant place
money held in the lives of the people of this little village, which was at that time called
"Four Corners" deriving the name from the corners of Edinburg, Palmyra, Deerfield, and
Atwater Townships.
The industries were not many, but very essential to the needs of the community. The
sawmill and wood-working shop operated by Samuel Kimmel supplied the material needed
for the erection of homes and farm buildings — the logs coming from the trees felled by
the owner with the neighbors' assistance. There were several wood-working shops which
supplied the homes with necessary articles of furniture, which are in use today and highly-
prized possessions of the owners.
The work on the farm was done by one farmer assisting another or by hired help
whose wages were paid by produce. The Henry Kibler Grinding Mill was another busy
place where grain was exchanged for work.
The Heiser Blacksmith Shop served also as a temporary post office where mail could
be called for twice a week. The George-Lee Heiser Carriage Factory and the Bending Works
operated by John B. Heiser were busy industrial places.
John Grate, later a noted veteran of the Civil War, and his brothers Eli and Emory
assisted their father, Benjamin Grate, in his carpenter shop and helped build a number of
surrounding houses.
The maple syrup and sugar season was a time of great joy. It heralded the coming of
spring. During the cold winter, the wood had been cut for the fires, the spiles were shaped
from alder with a jack knife, ready for the tapping of the trees; and while many hours of
labor went into the making of a gallon of syrup, it was usually sold for ninety cents per
gallon, but once went as low as fifty cents a gallon.
Farming was the chief occupation, especially the raising of food for their immediate
needs, and each home a little factory where clothing, home-spun linens, and beautiful
coverlets were made by the busy housewife for her family.
A building in the center of the village served as a school on week days, and as a church
on Sundays. Also a small church situated one mile north of the village was founded in
1859 by the Christian Church of Palmyra. It was known by various names, as Mack's Church,
North Church, and later as the United Brethren Church. Alexander Kibler, John Kibler,
John Heiser, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Heiser, and Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Wilson were among its
staunch supporters.
Ten years later, or about 1890, this little village boasted of fifty home owners. Births,
deaths, marriages, and all legal business was recorded in the township in which the home
was located, or at the Court House in Ravenna.
Being situated some distance from a railroad, it was difficult to receive mail. For
several years it was brought twice a week from Deerfield and Atwater by carriers in wagon,
on horseback, or on foot when roads were impassable. In 1883 Hiram K. Parham, a dealer
in Farming Implements, Fertilizers, Etc., applied for the position of postmaster, and sent to
the Government three names proposed for the postoffice for their selection. The name,
"Yale" was chosen, and he became the first postmaster, June 19, 1883.
254
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Ministers of various denominations were
serving the Yale Church. This was rather
unsatisfactory; so the people of the commun-
ity, with Mr. Charles Parham as the leading
promoter, decided to build a Methodist
church. Rev. W. N. Webster of the Deerfield
Circuit was pastor and an able leader of this
building project. The village sawmill did not
have the equipment to cut the heavy beams
for the basement; so these were hewn by a
loyal member, James Barnes. The Ladies Aid
Society was organized in 1891 with 26 charter
members:
Yale M. E. Church
Mrs. Benjamin Grate, Mrs. Charles Parham,
Mrs. Liona Parham, Miss Sabina Parham, Mrs.
Ann Garrison, Mrs. Samuel Kimmel, Mrs. Maggie Hoon, Mrs. Noah Stockberger, Mrs. Ed.
Stockberger, Mrs. Eliza Parham, Mrs. Phoebe Neill, Miss Maude Stockberger, Miss Rose
Stockberger, Mrs. Mary Martin, Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, Mrs. Thomas Folk, Mrs. Emaline
Haines, Mrs. Libbie Monroe, Miss Amy Gilbert, Miss Mary Davis, Mrs. Rose Hoskins, Mrs.
Maggie Parshall, Mrs. Joe Garrison, Mrs. Nellie Kimmel, Mrs. Deane Heiser, Mrs. Jennie
Heiser.
In this list will be noted the names of many families prominent throughout the county.
At this writing only two survive — Amy Gilbert Ewing of Long Beach, Calif., and
Maude Stockberger Byers of Lakeland, Florida.
In 1892 real progress had been made and the village of Yale had a new Methodist
Church, a nice school building, a grocery store and post office. The post office was now
located in the grocery store which was operated by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Kimmel. Those
who attended the new school will recall the names of the following teachers:
Hattie Calvin, Lucy Byers, Plimon E. Norton, Frank Kibler, Alma Ely (Hoskins), Harry
Whitbeck, Leeta Ruggles, Clyde Burkey, and Loma Bean.
Dark days were approaching for this little village of Yale. When Rural Free Delivery
was established the post office became a memory. Then came centralization of schools, and
the village school doors were locked, the new building having served the youth of the com-
munity from 1892 to 1917. People sold their property and moved, for five or more miles
was a long distance for small children to travel in horse-drawn school buses. Then the
church which had been a great spiritual uplift and served the community so well for less
than a half century was forced to close in 1937. The Rev. Wilber C. Knipe was the last
pastor, and Plimon E. Norton the last church school superintendent.
This little village that once echoed to the voices of growing boys and girls now
vibrates with the rumble of automobile and truck on one of the most traveled highways in
the state of Ohio.
Villages and hamlets rise and fall. What happens in the lives of the little places whose
history is long? Perhaps the history of "Yale" will provide an answer.
Wood was fuel for the first Atlantic
& Great Western railroad engines. At
many of the larger stations there were
immense wood sheds filled with
"chunks". Train crews often spent con-
siderable time loading wood into the
engines.
In 1916, the Ravenna clergy asked that
Sunday funerals be discontinued.
In 1921, Randolph, Suffield and
Rootstown got electric service via the
N.O.T. & L. Co.
CHAPTER XVIII
Judiciary and Bar
By Lester L. Campbell
Ever since mankind has attempted
to live together in groups it has been
necessary for them to adopt some
forms of controls to protect the per-
sonal and property rights of the in-
dividuals. This also includes the au-
thority to establish regulations. The
interpretation and enforcement of
these regulations, known as laws in
this country, becomes the duty of the
judiciary, assisted by members of the
bar.
Portage County, being located in
the original Northwest Territory, be-
came a part of the state of Ohio in
1803. With the admission of Ohio to
the Union as a state, the General As-
sembly proceeded to establish courts
to administer the laws.
The state was divided into districts
called circuits. A lawyer in good
standing was elected by the general
assembly as president judge. Three or
more associate judges were chosen by
the assembly to act with and for the
president judge. The associate judges
were usually farmers or business men
living in the county.
From 1803 until 1808, what is now
Portage County was a part of Trum-
bull County and the laws were ad-
ministered by that county's court.
Previously, federal and territorial
laws were in effect but actually there
had been little law enforcement.
Pease First Judge
In 1808 the county of Portage was
established. The General Assembly
elected Calvin Pease president judge
of the Common Pleas court of the
county. Wm. Wetmore, Aaron Nor-
ton and Amzi Atwater were associate
judges.
This court held its first session,
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 1808. According to
tradition the morning session was to
have been held on the premises of
Benjamin Tappan, under a tree as the
house had burned the previous night.
But this is disputed by contemporar-
ies.
After appointing commissioners to
fix the seat of justice for the county
the court adjourned to meet in the
afternoon at the home of Robert Eat-
on, southeast of Ravenna.
The first criminal case to appear on
the records in the clerk's office in
Docket No. 1, Page 1, was that of the
State of Ohio vs. Wm. Simcock. Aug-
ust term, 1808.
Simcock was charged, "To present
that Wm. Simcock of Franklin Town-
ship of said county of Portage on or
about June 15, last past, not having
the fear of God before his eyes, and
disregarding the good laws of this
state, did, on or about the said day
which was the Sabbath, or Lord's Day,
wickedly and maliciously, molest and
disturb the religious society of said
Franklin Township while in meeting
assembled, and returning from Divine
worship, by sporting and hunting
game with guns and hounds.
"William Simcock was taken into
custody. Pleaded guilty. Fine, $1.50,
to stand committed until fine and
255
256
PORTAGE HERITAGE
costs are paid." Costs assessed amount-
ed to $5.00.
The first civil case to appear on the
clerk's records was that of Samuel
Wilkinson vs. Wm. Chard and John
McManus. There was an amicable set-
tlement. The amount of the debt was
stated and settled at $30.00. The court
entry shows that the defendants
should be extended mercy and by con-
sent of the parties it was ordered by
the court that execution be stayed un-
til July 15, 1809.
Hanged For Murder
The first murder case tried in Port-
age County in which the defendant
was found guilty was that of Henry
Aunghst. He was charged with the
murder of Epaphras Mathews on Aug.
20, 1814. The killing occurred east of
Ravenna at the corner of Charlestown
and Edinburg roads. Aunghst was
tried in June, 1816, by Judges Ethan
Allen Brain of Cincinnati, and Jessup
N. Couch of Chillicothe. The jury
found Aunghst guilty of murder in
the first degree and sentenced to be
hanged.
The scaffold was erected in the
center of Sycamore St. at Spruce St.,
Ravenna, and the execution was car-
ried out Nov. 30, 1816, before a crowd
of 1800 people.
The Common Pleas Court con-
tinued to operate under the circuit
court plan jointly with Trumbull and
Mahoning counties until 1852.
In 1851 the Ohio constitution was
substantially changed. The major
change in the courts provided that
the judges be elected by the people.
At least one judge was elected in each
county. The judges elected in the dis-
trict held court in any of the counties
of the district. Portage county judges
spent considerable time in Trumbull
and Mahoning.
Luther Day was the first elected
judge from Portage County. His first
term began Jan. 1, 1852.
In 1912 the constitution was again
changed. As before, this brought
changes in Common Pleas court.
These courts no longer served a dis-
trict of more than one county. Each
county established its own court and
elected its own judge or judges. Port-
age county judges then served in other
counties only on assignment by the
state's Supreme Court chief justice.
George F. Robinson, who had
served the district as judge since
1888, was Portage County's first elect-
ed judge. In addition to his local du-
ties he was regularly assigned to the
Mahoning county as long as he re-
mained judge.
Powers of Courts
The probate courts of Ohio were
established by the 1851 revision of
the state constitution. Luther L.
Brown became the first Probate
Judge of Portage County, beginning
Jan. 1, 1852. The probate court now
has taken over many duties previous-
ly handled by the Common Pleas
courts, some through various consti-
tutional changes and some by action
of the General Assembly. Today the
probate court administers probation
of estates, appoints administrators,
guardians of minors and incompetent
persons, and trustees of estates. It also
has power to construe wills, issue mar-
riage licenses and record births and
deaths, as well as to determine in-
sanity and commit persons to mental
institutions. In Portage county the
probate judge presides over both pro-
bate and juvenile matters.
The office of justice of the peace,
which came to this country from
England in colonial times, was estab-
lished in Ohio by the Ordinance of
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
257
1787, and continued by the first state
constitution. It continued as a consti-
tutional office until the 1913 con-
stitutional revision. However, the of-
fice was established by statute by the
General Assembly the same year, and
so continues throughout Ohio, with
exceptions.
Justices had power to hear com-
plaints of misdemeanors, and conduct
preliminary hearings in felony cases.
In civil cases he had final jurisdiction
in cases of claims up to $100.00, or
concurrent with Common Pleas court,
up to $300.00.
By legislative action, a municipal
court was set up for Portage County
in 1953, with county wide jurisdic-
tion, now known as the Ravenna
Municipal court. This court has as-
sumed most of the duties of the jus-
tices of the peace, so that the latter
office is extinct in the county. The
new court has jurisdiction in claims
up to $2,000 and its first and present
judge was James G. France.
During the years many good and
capable judges and lawyers have con-
tributed to the progress of Portage
citizens. To tell of all would be im-
possible here.
The first resident attorney in the
county was Benjamin Tappan, Jr.,
founder of Ravenna. Born in Mas-
sachussetts in 1773, he was educated
and admitted to the bar there in 1799.
In the same year he came to the West-
ern Reserve and settled in the South-
east part of Ravenna township, near
Campbellsport. His father, Benjamin
Tappan, Sr., had purchased all of the
South Division of Lots and the young
lawyer was here to take care of the
property. In 1800 he married Nancy
Wright of Connecticut and returned
at once to Portage County with his
bride. In 1803 he represented the
Trumbull District in the Ohio Senate.
He was responsible for the laying out
of Ravenna and in 1808 built a second
home about one mile east of Raven-
na. This was the site selected by the
state commissioners for the first seat
of justice for the county. But in 1809
Tappan moved t o Steubenville,
though as prosecuting attorney, he
occasionally returned until 1810. He
later was a U. S. District court judge
and in 1838, was elected to the U. S.
Senate. He died in 1857 at the age of
84.
The second resident attorney was
Asa Keys, a native of Connecticut. He
came here in 1807, settling in Shalers-
ville township. He was appointed
prosecuting attorney for the county in
1808.
Three Lawyers Here
By 1825, there were three resident
attorneys in the county — Darius Ly-
man, Jonathan Sloane and Lucius V.
Bierce, though lawyers from adjacent
counties also practiced here. Both Ly-
man and Bierce came from Connecti-
cut, while Sloane was a Massachus-
setts man. Lyman had quite a political
record, serving in the state legislature,
the state senate and as probate judge
for nine years. He also ran for gover-
nor as a Whig in 1832. Sloane also
served in the state legislature and
later in U. S. Congress. He worked
hard in setting up the legal work for
the P. & O. canal. Bierce was a state
senator from 1862 to 1864.
The activities of many members of
the bar have extended over several
decades. At present two members have
seen over fifty years of service. H. R.
Loomis, a native of Randolph, was
admitted to the bar in 1903, com-
menced practice in Ravenna and has
been successful in law, politics, busi-
ness and banking. From 1912 to 1916
258
PO RTAGE H ERITAGE
Judge George F. Robinson, long
Common Pleas judge. The County Hos-
pital bears the Robinson name.
he served as county prosecutor and
was senior member of the well known
firm of Loomis & Caris. Britton S.
Johnson commenced the practice of
law in 1905 in Kent, his home town.
He was active in politics and was as-
sistant state attorney general in 1911-
1915, and county prosecutor in 1925-
26. Outside of his office holding, he
has always practiced in Kent.
The late C. A. Reed, who served
both as county prosecutor and probate
judge, also practiced law in the coun-
ty over fifty years. He was a man of
considerable property and left money
for the library in Ravenna.
The late C. B. Newton was another
whose practice spanned more than
fifty years. He was common pleas
judge from 1925 to 1932.
Isaac T. Siddall was long consider-
ed a leader of the Portage County bar,
and he, too, sat on the common pleas
bench, serving from 1917 to 1920. He
also served as prosecuting attorney at
an earlier date.
Still spoken of with respect as law-
yers are Asa Keyes, Rufus P. Spalding,
Christopher Wolcott, Ezra B. Taylor,
Rufus P. Ranney and Alponso Hart,
who became lieutenant governor of
Ohio. Spalding sat on the Ohio Su-
preme Court bench.
Vere W. Filiatrault, a native of Ver-
mont, came here in 1916 and began
practice and has been active as a lead-
ing attorney for over forty years. He
served as prosecuting attorney and in
1940 served briefly as common pleas
judge, quiting that post for the more
active work as attorney. He has taken
much interest in politics, for many
years serving as Republican county
chairman.
Howard J. Knapp of Garrettsville
has practiced over 45 years, the first
fifteen of which were spent in Cleve-
land. Since 1925 he has had his office
in his home town where he has been
solicitor and mayor.
The present common pleas judge,
Albert L. Caris, is a native of Raven-
na and served successively as county
clerk and probate judge. After ad-
mission to the bar in 1922, he became
widely known as a trial lawyer. He
became common pleas judge in 1950.
Another early lawyer of importance
was Daniel R. Tilden who came from
Connecticut by way of Warren. He
was a prosecuting attorney in 1839
and later was a member of Congress.
After leaving Ravenna he was pro-
bate judge in Cleveland 30 years.
One of the outstanding lawyers and
judges of the entire state was Luther
Day, who also came from the East. A
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
259
sketch of his life and the famous Day
family appears in another section.
Another early lawyer of strong per-
sonality was Michael Stuart who came
from Connecticut when young. He
was widely known as a corporation
lawyer with a marvelous memory. He
sometimes filed his petitions in
rhyme. He died in 1899.
Willis J. Beckley of Ravenna was
another well known and able attor-
ney. Trained at the University of
Michigan Law School, he became
prosecuting attorney and was active
in the political and civic affairs of
his home community. At his death in
1940, he had practiced 49 years in the
county.
Highly respected for his learning
and integrity was George F. Robin-
son. He was a native of Ravenna, born
in 1844. He saw service in the Civil
War, attaining the rank of captain.
He studied law under Judge Luther
Day, along with Day's more famous
son, W. R. Day, later U. S. Supreme
Court Justice. After service as prose-
cutor, he was appointed to the Com-
mon Pleas bench, later elected and
serving continuously until his death
in 1917. His decisions won him the
reputation of being one of the best
Common Pleas judges in Ohio. The
Portage County Hospital today bears
the names of Judge and Mrs. Robin-
son in recognition of gifts from their
estate by their sons in honor of their
parents.
County Judges
Portage county judges under the
original district plan have been: Cal-
vin Pease, 1808-9; Benj. Ruggles,
1810-15; George Tod, 1815-30; Reu-
ben Wood, 1830-33; Mathew Birch-
ard, 1833-37; Van R. Humphrey,
1937-44; Eden Newton, 1844-47; Ben-
William R. Day, of the famous Day
family. Secretary of State and Associate
Justice, U. S. Supreme Court.
jamin Wade, 1847-51; George Bliss,
1851-52.
Judges elected under the 1851 con-
stitution and after were: Luther Day,
1852-57; Benj. F. Hoffman, 1857-62;
Chas. E. Glidden, 1862-67; Geo. M.
Tuttle, 1867-72; Philo B. Conant,
1868-78; Chas. R Glidden, 1872-77;
Frank G. Servis, 1877; Ezra B. Taylor,
1877-80; Wm. T. Spear, 1878-88; Geo.
F. Arrel, 1880-87; Geo. F. Robinson,
1888-1913; Geo. F. Johnson, 1893-
1903;
Those elected from and for the
county have been: Geo. F. Robinson,
1913-17; I. T. Siddal, 1917-20; A. S.
Cole, 1920-21; E. F. Robinson, 1921-
25; C. B. Newton, 1925-32; C. H.
Curtis, 1932-40; V. W. Filiatrault,
1940; Blake C. Cook, 1940-51; Albert
L. Caris, 1951 to date.
260
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Probate Judges
Portage County probate judges
have been: Luther L. Brown, 1852-
55; Darius Lyman, 1855-64; Oliver P.
Brown, 1864; Joshua T. Catlin, 1864-
67; Jacob V. Mell, 1867-73; Gideon
Seymour, 1873-82; C. A. Reed, 1882-
88; C. D. Ingell, 1888-97; O. P. Sper-
ra, 1897-1903; David L. Rockwell,
1903-09; Edward F. Robinson, 1909-
19; Albert L. Caris, 1919-23; Henry J.
Robison, 1923-36; Geo. G. McClel-
land, 1936-45; Clay Dietrich, 1945 to
present.
James G. France has been the only
municipal judge.
Bar Association
Present members of the Portage
County Bar Association are: H. R.
Loomis, Brittain S. Johnson, V. W.
Filiatrault; H. J. Seymour, Howard
Knapp, Frank Hull, S. P. Harbourt,
Earl J. Willford, Albert L. Caris, Guy
M. Showalter, Seabury Ford, S. L.
Summers, Frank J. Dangler, Jr., Theo-
dore Tilden, E. J. Redmond, Edwin
W. Jones, Geo. G. McClelland, Clay
Dietrich, Ward W. Davis, H. W.
Short, Lester L. Campbell, Wm. J.
Smith, James G. France, Katherine
Fitzgerald, Herbert Kane, Geo. W.
Morrison, Robt. E. Cook, John Wil-
liams, Paul M. Wilson, Roger Di-
Paola, J. Philip Jones, Richard Beck-
with, M. S. Murphy, John Chell and
Robert Hart.
Bar Association officers in 1956
were F. J. Dangler, Jr., Pres.; E. J.
Redmond, V.P.; Lester L. Campbell,
Sec. Treas.
S. L. Summers is librarian of the
Law Library Association.
In early days but little preparation
was required to be a lawyer. Law
schools were few. The candidate us-
ually "read" law under an experienced
lawyer, after which he took an ex-
amination on his knowledge of law.
In lower courts litigants, likely as not,
were represented by "pettifoggers"
who had picked up knowledge of the
law by their own efforts, and to
whom no odium was attached. As
laws became more numerous and com-
plex higher standards were set and
today study at an accredited law
school is a requirement.
Hannah Crouse, born in Palmyra in
1830, was known and exhibited as the
"Ohio Fat Girl." She weighed over 600
pounds and died at the age of 21. She
had a remarkable memory for facts and
figures. In 1896 "Big Marie", one of the
attractions of a carnival company playing
in Ravenna, died there. She, too, weigh-
ed over 600 pounds.
Pamelia Lewis, who married Zenas
Kent in 1811, was a native of Farming-
ton, Conn, and later lived in New York.
Her grandfather was Oliver Lewis, who
was an officer in General Wolfe's army
in the historic capture of Quebec.
In 1921 the general store of Blake &
Wescott in Rootstown was entered and
goods taken at night. Sheriff J. W.
Stevens was called and intercepted a
party of men south of the Center. When
they failed to halt, a gun battle ensued.
Albert Wiles of Youngstown was killed
and two other men, Briminger and Hink-
son were captured and later sent to
prison. Sheriff Stevens was not injured.
In 1810 lawyers charged 50 cents or a
dollar for conducting a case before a jus-
tice of the peace. Many of the so-called
lawyers were merely pettefoggers or un-
licensed lawyers.
CHAPTER XIX
Atwater
By Lucille H. Stahl
For those who live on U. S. High-
way 224 in 1957, it is a big strain on
even a vivid imagination to try to pic-
ture Atwater Township as it must
have looked to Capt. Caleb Atwater,
Sr., Jonathan Merrick, Peter Bunnell,
Asahel Blakestey, and Asa Hall and
his wife when they arrived in June
1799, from Wallingford, Conn.
This area was heavily wooded with
many kinds of trees, and had an abun-
dance of game. It contained a very
large swamp, part of which was tama-
rack and even now contains rattle-
snakes; part of it was cranberry bog;
and part just swamp. There were
large deposits of fine quality clay — a
twelve foot layer in some places.
Much of the eastern part is underlaid
with coal. A salt lick made for fine
hunting. Many huckleberries and a
variety of nuts grew here.
However, this first group had little
time to appreciate all that just then.
First they built a log house a few rods
north of the square, then they started
immediately, opening roads and clear-
ing land. They all returned to Con-
necticut in the autumn, but Asa Hall
and his wife, who were the only white
family until 1801 when David Bald-
win and family came. Their nearest
neighbor was Lewis Ely of Deerfield.
In 1800 the Halls had a son they
named Atwater Hall who was the first
white child born in Portage County.
Come From Connecticut
In 1802 Arad Upson and his wife
Lydia (Baldwin) came, with more set-
tlers coming yearly. In 1804 Theophi-
lus Anthony, David Baldwin, Sr.,
Moses Baldwin and Capt. Hart came.
In 1805 Josiah Mix, Jr., and Joshua
Atwater came all the way from Con-
necticut on horseback. The township,
all "but two lots reserved for the sup-
port of the gospel," had been given to
Joshua by his father Caleb Atwater,
Sr. In 1806 came Capt. Asahel Blakes-
ley, John H. Whittlesey, Caleb Mat-
toon, Ira and Amos Morse and Squire
Jones, "men whose decision of charac-
ter and moral principles gave tone to
the future of the town" said an earlier
writer.
In 1807 Wm. Strong came from
Connecticut and erected the first
frame house in Atwater. The same
year Capt. James Webber, Jared
Scranton and others came. In 1808
Strong's seven year old daughter
Maria died. She was the first one
buried in the cemetery at the south-
west corner of the village green. Da-
vid Baldwin, Sr. was the first adult
buried there that same year.
About this time Enos Davis and
family, William Marshall, John Hut-
ton, John Campbell and others came
from South Carolina and settled in the
Southwest part of the township.
William Marshall brought two picks
he had used in helping build Fort
Sumpter. Samuel Campbell's mother
rode on horseback carrying twin ba-
bies in her arms all the way from
South Carolina. John Hutton, wife
Massey and eleven children came from
261
262
PORTAGE HERITAGE
South Carolina about 1818. Typical
of pioneer resourcefulness is this story
told of Mrs. Hutton. They planted
potatoes, then her husband started for
Georgetown, Penna., for supplies. It
was a hard trip and before his return
they ran out of food. In desperation
she dug up the potatoes to feed her
children but she saved and replanted
the skins for that years' potato crop.
The southeast part of the township
was settled largely by German speak-
ing people led by Jacob Kettering
who had been an officer in the army
that fought Napoleon.
First Officials Chosen
April 3, 1815, Atwater was organ-
ized as a township and these officers
were elected: Clerk — Jeremiah Jones;
Trustees — Gideon Chittenden, Joseph
Marshall, Amos Morse; Overseers of
the Poor — David Baldwin, Caleb Mat-
toon; Fence Viewers — Ira Mansfield,
Charles Chittenden; Supervisors —
JohnWhittlesey, Josiah Mix, David
Baldwin; Constable — Almon Chitten-
den; Township Treasurer — David
Baldwin; Justice of the Peace — Ira
Morse.
The township was named, of course,
for the Atwater family.
This has been predominantly an
agricultural community from the be-
ginning. In 1800 Asa Hall raised the
first corn and wheat crops. In the
southeast part much tobacco was
raised for sale as well as for their own
use until they found out it was deplet-
ing their soil too much. Many raised,
spun and wove their own flax. Some
raised enough flax to sell both seed
and fibers. John H. Whittlesey and
Jeremiah Jones went to Georgetown,
Penn., and brought back the first
sheep. Joseph Talcott and family came
from Southwick, Mass. in 1820 and
led a cow all the way over mountain
trails so steep and rough that many
times they had to hold ropes on their
wagons to keep them from overturn-
ing.
Seed Is Precious
The story of Mrs. Jared Scranton
and her garden peas makes us realize
how very precious seeds could be at
that time. She prepared the ground
and planted a few peas given her by
a neighbor. A short time later she saw
a hen scratching up and eating those
peas. She killed the hen, opened the
craw, took out and replanted those
irreplaceable peas and raised a good
crop. She had more hens but no more
peas.
The Baldwin families who came
from Connecticut brought with them
apple seeds which were the beginning
of the variety so well known as Bald-
win apples.
Many began very early to make
cheese at home in quite primitive
fashion. About 1873, Henry Monroe,
grandfather of the late Jettie Good-
man Cummings, started a cheese fac-
tory across the road from the present
High School building. Close to that
time William Thompson had a cheese
factory on the southwest corner of
what is known as Thompsons' cor-
ners, two and one half miles west of
the center and one and one fourth
miles south. A little later Jacob Matti
began making Sweitzer cheese about
two miles west of the center on the
south side of the road. In fact, the
first shipment from Atwater's railroad
station was cheese. Butter became an
important item very early. There is
a record of one store shipping 20 kegs
of butter to New York on October 31,
1842.
Food, according to Mrs. Arad Up-
son (who came in 1802 from Connec-
ticut), was mainly deer, coon, rabbit,
PORTAGE HERITAGE
263
and squirrel. It took a forty to forty-
five mile trip to get meal. When they
could, they had pies and fried cakes
made with bear grease for shortening
and wild bees honey for sweetening.
Rely On Missionaries
As to clothing, all it took to be a
well dressed girl in the early 1800's
was a home made flannel dress and a
pair of calf-skin shoes. For the most
part the men wore coats, pants, and
shoes of tanned deer skin. Many of the
children went without shoes.
The first sermon we know of was
preached here at the home of Major
Mansfield in 1808 by Rev. Leslie.
Then for a time they were dependent
on the visits of missionaries and on
prayer meetings in various homes. On
March 20, 1818, eleven people organ-
ized the beginning of what is now the
Congregational Church. They first
met in homes, then in a log school
house. In 1822 a small brick church
was built and used until the stately
white church, still on the village
green, was dedicated on Nov. 7, 1841
by Prof. Hickox.
In 1821 the Methodists built a hewn
log meeting house on the northwest
corner of the square; next they used
a school house purchased by them;
then they built and used the building
which they sold in 1869 to the town
and which is still in use as a Commu-
nity Hall. In 1870 they built what is
the main part of their present build-
ing and it was dedicated by Rev.
Moses Hill.
In 1850 a group which had a church
in Stark County since 1836 bought
land on the northwest corner one and
one-fourth miles east and two and
one-half miles south of the center.
Here they built the Evangelical Prot-
estant Trinity Church with its own
cemetery. Services in German were
held there until 1915. On Sept. 23,
1951 a nice Memorial was dedicated
to what was affectionately known as
"The Little Dutch Church" and what
it had stood for in this town.
Later Churches
In June, 1933, a Sunday School was
organized by the Goodyear Heights
Church School Board of the Nazarene
Church. It met in a building just west
of the railroad depot. On July 14,
1937 the Nazarene Church was organ-
ized with forty-one members, by Rev.
Jesse C. Brannon. They now have a
nice building between the center and
the high school.
On June 27, 1954, the Baptist
church was organized in what was the
primary school building with Rev.
Harlan Bower in charge, and 49 mem-
bers.
The first school was a log building
on the southwest corner of the square
not far from the present Congrega-
tional church. Mrs. Almon Chittenden
was given as the first teacher in 1806
or 1807. The second school is thought
to have been in the southwest part of
the township.
A statement from the office of
Caleb Atwater, County Auditor in
1849, shows ten schools or sub-dis-
tricts as they were called, with teach-
ers' salaries ranging from $4.62 to
$43.54 per term. In the account of
1885 "average monthly pay for female
teachers $21; of male teachers $39"
was reported.
School Districts Unite
In the school year of 1905-06 the
building now known as the Baptist
Tabernacle was first used. Attending
there were those from the Station who
had gone to the present K. of P. hall;
those from the center district who had
used a building 1/4 mile east of the
264
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
center on the south side of the road;
those from the Mowen district who
were brought in a school wagon driv-
en by George Mowen and those from
the Douthitt district in a school wag-
on driven by Chester Keys. In the au-
tumn of 1917 the present high school
building was first used and the entire
township was consolidated.
In 1922-23 it was necessary to use
the former high school building to
relieve the crowding and the first
three grades were moved down there.
A Smith-Hughes Department was be-
gun that year with John Black as
teacher. In the autumn of 1952 an
auditorium, cafeteria and six new
classrooms were added and at this
writing another six room addition is
well underway.
In the middle of the preceding cen-
tury Atwater for a time had an acad-
emy. This went under the name of the
Linnean Academy.
In the spring of 1801 Pittsburgh
and Meadville, Penna., were still the
nearest post offices. That autumn mail
began to come to Warren, Ohio. It
often cost more than a bushel of
wheat to send a letter and took weeks
for one to get to Connecticut.
The first post office in Atwater was
established at the center in 1824 with
Caleb Atwater Jr. as postmaster for
twenty-two years. He was succeeded
by Jonathan M. Alden on Nov. 30,
1846. E. S. Goodman and Clarence
Green were also postmasters there.
Postoffice Opens
On Sept. 23, 1853 a post office was
opened at the station in the first
building west of the tracks on the
south side of the street. The post-
master was Homer Hillyer, great,
great uncle of Earl Hillyer who has
been post master since May 23, 1936.
In between were Addison Wolcott,
Thomas C. Purdy, John F. Howley,
William F. Burns, Alexander V. Will-
sey, H. H. Woolf, Zephaniah Cru-
baugh, George W. Heiser, Frank N.
Henry, Fred G. Needham (acting post-
master) and Charles E. Spires in that
order.
The first rural mail carriers were
Everett Ellison, Wesley Strong, (fa-
ther of Chet Strong, a well known At-
water farmer) and Lester Dawes. They
furnished their own horse and wagon
on a salary of $500 a year. Bert Wil-
lard was the carrier for the star route
to Randolph. His son Clifford later
carried mail for years in Atwater. By
that time the post office was in the
first building on the east side of the
tracks on the north side of the street
where it remained until 1938 when it
was moved to its present location a
short ways north. In 1917 the rural
carriers here gave up their horses and
began using cars.
There have been many fraternal
and cultural organizations in Atwater
some of which are: 1889 Atwater Tent
No. 64 Knights of Maccabees; 1893
Atwater Hive No. 5 Ladies of the
Maccabees; 1893 Lodge of the Knights
of Pythias; 1909 Pythian Sisters Tem-
ple No. 370; Atwater Grange and
Farm Bureau.
Newspaper Established
A prospectus of about a years'
copies of the "Sharp Sickle," a news-
paper edited and printed by William
Hick in his print shop on Bank Street,
is still in existence and will soon be
placed in the Portage County Histori-
cal Society Building. The paper was
In earlier days a "still house" referred
to a distillery. The pantry was some-
times called the "buttery," and the parlor
was referred to as the "front room."
PORTAGE HERITAGE
265
Road maintenance in former
days. A scraper was used,
powered by a steam engine.
printed until shortly before his death
in 1879. It is quite unique and most
interesting as you can see by the open-
ing paragraph. Quote, "I purpose issu-
ing a small monthly sheet made up
entirely of original matter and no ad-
vertisements except one or two of my
own. It will contain four pages and
like its title will be sharp — a little
crooked perhaps — like its owner and
being slightly corrugated at the edges
it will find plenty of work cutting at
the rotten ripe fields of straw men and
bad institutions binding up the tares
to be burned but gathering up the
wheat into garner of Christ and a true
church." He used as his heading an
illustration of a sickle and Revelation,
Chapter fourteen and the fifteenth
verse, "Thrust in thy sickle and reap:
for the time has come for thee to reap;
for the harvest of the earth is ripe."
William Hick was the grandfather of
Mattie Hick Stone of Atwater and her
brother, Harry J. Hick, of Alliance
through whose kindness this prospec-
tus was made available.
The first copy of the newspaper
called the Atwater News was dated
Aug. 9, 1884. The editor was W. T.
McConney. He lists the following bus-
iness places to acquaint his readers
with the town at that time:
W. T. McConney, Druggist since
1881; Stanford & Mendenhall — Furni-
ture & Undertakers; Baith & Jackson
— dealers in dry goods & groceries
(successors to Brush, Alden and
Brush); Homer H. Woolf — dealer in
hardware, glass, paints, etc. also rail-
road express agent; Porter & McKan-
ara — dealer in fresh fish & salt meats;
L. B. Sanford — dealer in stoves, tin-
ware, etc.; John Spires & Sons — man-
ufacturers of stoneware-churns, jars &
jugs since 1879 — employing 15 men;
W. A. Loomis — proprietor of Atwat-
er Hotel, also has dental office; Geo.
Stroup — manufacturer of stoneware;
Jones & Thomas — blacksmithing; W.
S. Sheehan — barbershop; E. T. French
— harness maker & saddler for 8 years;
Vernon Bryan — marble dealer for 8
years; G. H. Yonts — manufacturer of
boots & shoes since 1875; A. V. Will-
sey — postmaster, groceries, produce
shipper; A. Hoffman — proprietor of
American House — livery in connec-
tion; M. V. Dunlap — livery & feed
stable; O. A. Lyon — physician & sur-
geon; At Atwater Center: Webber &
Webber — general merchandise; and J.
266
PORTAGE HERITAGE
H. Green & Son — general store & post
office.
Stoneware Manufactured
Due to the generous amounts of
fine grade clay found here Atwater
has had a number of stoneware com-
panies. Others engaged in this busi-
ness were G. B. Purdy in 1850; A. W.
Loomis, Gelhart Bros, and F. A. Wol-
ford, Goodman, J. W. Taylor from
1890 until burned out in 1892; Wm.
Burns, F. C. Green from 1894 until
burned down in 1898. The most re-
cent seems to have been the Atwater
Stoneware Co. which was incorporat-
ed with $15,000 capital. It was located
where Knapps' Lumber Company is
now.
There have been numerous mining
companies too, because of the large
area underlaid with coal. One of the
early ones was called the Atwater Coal
Company. But it closed down when
an explosion killed ten men. Wool-
ford mined coal on the Spires land on
the northwest corner of the crossroads
two and one half miles east of the
center. Charles Murehead was propri-
etor of the Murehead Coal Bank.
There have been a continuous succes-
sion since. Peterson Coal Company,
who started strip mining in Atwater
some years ago, are still working large
areas here.
Mills were very important to those
early settlers. Asa Hall, the original
settler, moved in 1801 from his cabin
just north of the center to what is now
the Deerfield- Atwater townline and a
few rods north to be nearer to his
Deerfield neighbors. In what is gener-
ally referred to as Yellow Creek Hol-
low he built Atwater's first mill. In
1805 the next mill was built. It was a
frame building. About 1854 a "mu-
ley" mill was built by Stacey Dole on
the northwest corner of the crossroads
one and one-fourth miles west and one
and one-fourth miles north of the
Center. This was recently run by
George Stroup.
Grannis and Company built a mill
on the north bank of the stream just
north of the Center on the west side
of the road. It was run by cattle pow-
er. He operated a grist mill there, too.
David Glass ran it later with steam
power. John Spires started a saw mill
about 1859. It was one and one-fourth
miles east and one and one-half miles
north of the Center. It developed into
a veritable manufacturing center for
they had a planing mill; a grist mill;
a pottery which made brick, tile, and
earthenware crocks up to about eight
gallon size. Many of these crocks were
used by farmers in their sugar camps.
They also made cider, apple butter,
and maple syrup. The clay used here
and at the potteries at Atwater Station
was dug on this same property. It was
later run by T. J. Spires.
About one and one-half miles north
of the center John Norton had a shin-
gle mill and cooper shop. A unique
feature of the place was a well six or
eight feet square made of logs — log
cabin fashion. It was still in use in
good condition within the memory of
some of our present residents.
The Heiser Shop
The Heiser shop was two and one-
half miles east of the center then one
and one half miles north on the west
side of the road. John C. Heiser and
son George were blacksmiths. The
oldest son, Lee, was a painter and
upholsterer. The youngest son, Bird,
was the woodworker and felly man.
They made wagons and buggies. They
were very busy as their products were
in great demand but they had the
reputation of never being too busy to
help a farmer with anything he need-
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
267
ed repaired. It seems to have had all
the lure of the blacksmith shop of
poetic fame as a number of our pres-
ent oldsters have told how they always
headed there anytime they had a
chance, to watch the blacksmiths at
their forge; or the hickory being
steamed and clamped half round for
the wheels; or to go roller skating
upstairs as many of the young folks
did.
Then, too, there was the mail. Who-
ever went to town on business
brought back mail for the whole com-
munity and put it in the proper one of
the row of boxes set up in one corner
for that purpose. It was closed shortly
after the death of John C. Heiser, then
Bird Heiser moved his home & busi-
ness to Atwater Station in 1907 and
started the Atwater Bending Works
where Frank Wiley's business place is
now. George Heiser moved to Atwat-
er Station, too, and became a mer-
chant and postmaster.
W. H. Stockberger, blacksmith and
wagon maker, had a shop just east of
the center where he plied his trade
successfully for many years after the
death of his father Frederick who had
come here in 1854 and started the bus-
iness in a smaller building.
About two and one fourth miles
west of the center on the south side of
the road stands an elm tree which is
said to be one hundred twenty five
years old. By this elm was the old,
original Stratton shop owned by Jared
Stratton who came from Connecticut
in 1820. In this immediate neighbor-
hood lived his four sons Almon, Eli,
Jared and Samuel. They were farmers,
carpenters and joiners. The son, Jared,
did cabinet work and finishing. Be-
sides the usual carpenter work they
made coffins. Among very early town-
ship records is an order by the trustees
for the treasurer to pay Eli Stratton
three dollars for making a child's cof-
fin.
Since before 1880 Atwater has had
undertakers here in this order: V.
Bryan, Coe Stanford, Stanford & Men-
denhall, G. P. Shuman, R. Vaughn,
Paul Hamilton and Wood Funeral
Home which is here now.
Was Popular Inn
Col. Daniel Hillyer built the house
on the southeast corner of the square,
now occupied by his great grandson,
Earl Hillyer. It was used as an inn.
Some of the records are still legible
as far back as Nov. 27, 1829. His son
not only ran the inn but a stage coach
line too from Middlebranch (near
Canton, Ohio) to Union Valley, east
of Atwater. On July 4, 1886 a new
wing was opened as a dance hall and
all Civil War Veterans were guests of
honor. A newspaper clipping some
years later says at that time "Atwater
was known as the play spot of the
county." The house across on the
northeast corner was also a stage coach
inn known as The Sheldon House. In
recent years it has been the Congrega-
tional parsonage.
The first hotel at the station was
built by Joel I. Hough and run by Mrs.
Massie White who called it The Col-
onade. Later Abram Huff ran it under
the name of the Atwater House. He
was followed by Geo. Yontz. A news-
paper clipping of Aug. 31, 1914 says
"one hundred meals for transients be-
sides meals for ten regular boarders
were served at the Yonts House."
Now we have Bowker's Flamingo Mo-
tel at the Center and Strong's Tourist
Home at the Station, so Atwater has
always been ready to serve the ever
increasing number of travelers pass-
ing our way.
268
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
Was G. A. R. Commander
Friend Whittlesey (grandfather of
Nola Hewlett, Romona Loomis, and
H. A. Whittlesey) was State Repre-
sentative from 1886 to 1889 and State
Senator from 1894 to 1898. Another
of Atwater's best known citizens was
John Henry Grate, who was born
Aug. 1, 1845 in Edinburg, Ohio. He
learned the buggy trade in Palmyra.
On Oct. 4, 1863 he enlisted at Newton
Falls. He was in General Sheridan's
Corps of the Army of the Potomac.
After the war he married Laura Gil-
bert on May 2, 1872 and they moved
onto a farm just south of Yale. They
had one son Charles A. Grate who
now lives in Elyria and raised Clar-
ence Eno who lives at Yale. He farm-
ed and also worked at the Heiser
Shop. After it closed, he built a large
evaporator on his farm and for many
years marketed dried corn throughout
this area. The evaporator burned
down just a few years before he re-
tired from the farm to spend the rest
of his life at Atwater Station in the
first house west of the Methodist Par-
sonage. He remained active long after
retirement, still driving his own car
after he was ninety years of age. He
kept busy in his workshop.
The writer has a wooden clothes
frame which he made when he was
ninety-eight years old. He was the
National Commander of the Grand
Army of the Republic in 1946-47. He
was one of the last three remaining
Civil War Veterans in Ohio. Open
house was held on July 29, 1945 the
Sunday before his one hundredth
birthday. He died June 7, 1949 less
than two months before his one hun-
dred fourth birthday. 1949 was the on-
ly Memorial day observance he missed,
he having been on the program the
year before to represent the Civil War
Veterans. There is a very fitting me-
morial marker in the Atwater Ceme-
tery for John Grate one of Atwater's
really remarkable citizens.
School Organization
For the 1954-55 school year execu-
tive head of the Atwater High School
was Robert C. Parsons.
High school teachers were Jack
Cordier, Stanley Bowers, Elizabeth
Lalli Carlson, Virgil E. Roman, Will-
ard S. Weekley, Frederick H. Stokes,
Wm. L. Conley, Winifred McClay and
Jack David Orsburn.
Elementary school teachers were
Lucile H. Stahl, Jean Fouser, Harriet
K. Tabler, Dorothy E. Beck, Mary
Ellen Rodenbucher, Gladys Harwell,
Magdalene Koontz and Mildred Bar-
thai.
The Board of Education was com-
prised of K. L. Muster, Pres.; Frank
Wiley, R. M. Kirkbride, Grace Krich-
baum, Donald E. Weber, and Rose
Hartley, Clerk.
Cafeteria manager was Violet Mill-
er, with Louise Lindsay and Marie
Bensinger, assistants.
Custodians were Herschel R. Ford
and John Hrovatic.
School bus drivers were Ralph
Franks, Frank F. Corl and Frank Biltz.
Township officers were: Trustees —
R. E. Whittlesey, Pres.; J. E. Berry
and H. S. Beans. Clerk, Mildred C.
Lamert. Constable, H. A. Whittlesey.
Township sexton, Ralph Hormell.
Business Activities
In 1907 the Atwater Savings Bank
was organized with $25,000 capital.
Powell Whittlesey was president and
R. L. Webber, brother of the late
Howard Webber, was cashier. The
second cashier was L. L. Miller and
the third was Glen Howlett. Mrs.
Jennie Meacham was employed as
PORTAGE HERITAGE
269
bookkeeper in 1907 and later became
assistant cashier until she resigned in
1926. Miss Laura Crosser was also em-
ployed there. It was on the northeast
corner of Main and Bank Streets and
was a very valuable asset not only to
Atwater but to surrounding towns.
In 1909 Ed and Porter Wilson start-
ed a basket factory which made bas-
kets for a while then changed over to
making banana crates, shipping a car-
load per day. It was located on the
west side of the railroad tracks a few
rods north of the depot.
On June 12, 1912 interurban service
between Atwater and Alliance was
begun by the Cleveland, Alliance and
Mahoning Valley line. A little later it
was completed to Ravenna.
In 1918-19 the Atwater Light and
Power Company was formed by local
citizens and power was purchased
from the Cleveland, Alliance and Ma-
honing Valley Railroad for Atwater's
first electric power. This service was
taken over in the summer of 1925 by
the Ohio Electric Power Company.
In 1922 the Atwater Fire Depart-
ment was organized with E. E. Strong
the first fire chief. The fire truck was
kept in N. W. Brockett's Garage on
Main Street until the completion of
the present fire station in 1931.
On July 24, 1947 an impromptu
street dance was held in front of Libis
Garage to celebrate the turning on of
Atwater's first street lights.
The Atwater-Strong Company was
organized in 1949 for the manufacture
of the Mulch-vac which was invented
by B. P. Strong, a member of the
Company, whose products are mar-
keted both at home and abroad.
In the spring of 1955 most of the
first and second grade children re-
ceived vaccine for the prevention of
Polio.
So, we conclude a few scattered
facts from over 150 years of life in
Atwater. Without a doubt it will be
difficult for those who live here 150
years from now to picture how we
really lived but at least they will
know we tried to be helpful — in case
they can find a copy of this in grand-
mother's attic.
Historic A+wa+er Inn
Col. Daniel Hillyer built the house on
the southeast corner of the square at
Atwater Center, now occupied by his
great grandson, Earl Hillyer. It was long
used as an inn. Some of its records still
exist, still legible, as far back as Nov. 27,
1829. The first Hillyer's son not only ran
the inn but operated a stage coach line
from Middlebranch, to Union Valley,
east of Atwater. On July 4, 1886, a new
wing was opened as a dance hall and all
Civil War veterans were guests of honor.
A newspaper of a later date says at that
time Atwater was known as "the play
spot of the county" because of this place.
270 PORTAGEHERITAGE
Anything of Iron
"Anything that can be made of iron we will make," was the slogan of the Keller
brothers, who operated an extraordinary machine shop in Randolph from 1845 to 1895.
They patented and made a horse power drive for sawing machines. They made their own
"chilled" plow which is said to have been the fore-runner of another, more widely known
"chilled" plow. An early "cultipacker" was one of their products. Other products included
wagons, sleighs, iron kettles, skillets, flat irons, sledge hammers, pipes, guns, springs, dies,
screws, bells, grates, gears and other things ranging from watch springs to cannon balls.
They had a pattern and mould department and sometimes worked in wood. Their shop
was in the southeast part of Randolph. Lack of transportation facilities finally forced them
to quit. It is said that when the Kellers set out to make a new machine, they made every
part of it themselves, including such things as screws, springs, bolts and rivets.
Henry Keller, a blacksmith, came to Randolph in 1841, and his sons, Isaac and John,
composed the later firm. A picture of the mill is found on Page 96 .
Lucky Bierce
An unusual and widely known character of old Portage county was "General" Lucius
V. Bierce. He was born in Connecticut but came to Ravenna in 1816. Here he was
prosecuting attorney from 1826 to 1836, after coming here from Warren. He then moved
to Akron where he was also prosecuting attorney and judge. Bierce was much interested
in Freedom for Canada and was a leading member of "The Hunters," an army organized
on American soil for the purpose of helping to free Canada. The first "invasion" was
made from New York state under Gen. Von Schultz, but the Canadians were not
surprised as planned. The invaders were overwhelmed and the leaders hanged. Bierce
escaped. He then secretly assembled and led another army of 400 men at Detroit for a
surprise attack on Windsor, across the river. His "army" was surrounded by loyal
Canadians and nearly all were killed or captured. Again Bierce escaped. He was state
senator from Akron 1862-64 and later went into government service as assistant adjutant
general until the Civil War was over. To help the North, Bierce organized two companies
of Marines at his own expense. He once edited the free thought magazine, Ohio
Watchman.
One hundred years ago or more, immigrants from Europe were not only regarded
with curiosity, but were not held in high regard — a situation which held for many years.
The Portage Democrat of 1857 reports that an engine on a wood train on the C. & P.
railroad blew up between Ravenna and Alliance. Names of several natives killed and
injured were printed and then it added; "An Irishman standing nearby had three ribs
broken."
In 1863, Gen. John B. King, then a Ravenna resident, organized a "Squirrel Hunters"
company of volunteers (men over 45) to help repel the Morgan Raiders, then approach-
ing Cincinnati. The raid was stopped before the Squirrel Hunters could get into action,
and the company was disbanded, each with a "Squirrel Hunters" discharge certificate.
A frequent cause for complaint in the winter days of the '80s and '90s, was the
practice of certain farmers who drove their horses to town, hitched them on the street
to stand there while the owners indulged in drink. Fines were imposed for leaving horses
stand on the street without blankets to protect them.
CHAPTER XX
Aurora
By George B. Hettinger
In the spring of 1797 when a sur-
veying party fixed the limits of Port-
age County, David, Ebenezer, and
Fidelio King purchased and drew in
a land lottery, Town 5 in the 9th
range. This was to become the Aurora
we know today. Ebenezer Sheldon Jr.,
Gideon Granger, and John Leavett
had sub-interests.
Of the men who made up Aurora's
early settlers, Orrin Harmon, recorded
in his own handwriting in 1866 this
early history; "At the first division of
land, Town 5 in the 8th Range (Man-
tua) and Town 5 in the 9th Range
(Aurora) were drawn by an associa-
tion of individuals known as the Big
Beaver Land Company. The members
of this company were residents of Suf-
field, Connecticut, and vicinity. They
were mostly farmers by occupation
and resided on their farms, though
they were, like many New England
men of that time, much given to spec-
ulation."
Principal stockholders were Luther
Loomis, Martin Sheldon, and Fidelio
King, active business men in their
home state of Connecticut.
Comes On Contract
Interest in the Western Reserve by
1798, was running high. In January,
1799, one Elias Harmon and his bride,
adopted daughter of Martin Sheldon,
set forth for the Sheldon holding in
the Western Reserve. Harmon had a
contract to help the land owners set
up their homes in Reserve. Because of
bad weather, the Harmons were
forced to spend the winter at Pittston,
New York.
The date of Ebenezer Sheldon's
leaving for the Western Reserve is not
known; however, it is known that he
arrived in Aurora before the Har-
mons, who left Pittston in May, 1799,
coming part way in company of David
Hudson and Benjamin Tappan.
The Harmons stopped in Mantua at
the pioneer home of the Honey fam-
ily. Harmon left his wife with the
Honeys and went on to Aurora to help
Sheldon. From written evidence there
are two small areas of disagreement at
this point.
(1) The two men built a small cabin on
lot 40 near where the Sheldon home
now stands, and on July 2, 1799, the
Harmon's household goods were
brought to Aurora and Mrs. Har-
mon set up housekeeping for the
two men. While working out the
conditions of his contract, Elias Har-
mon built his own cabin on 50 acres
of land in Mantua, given to him as
part of the bargain. In the fall of
1799, Harmon moved to his own
cabin in Mantua and Ebenezer Shel-
don returned to Connecticut for the
winter.
(2) Elias Harmon kept a diary and copies
of it were made by his son, Orrin
Harmon. Exerpts as follows:
Sunday, June 16, 1799 — Set a bear
trap and planted potatoes and
pease.
June 17, 1799 — Returned to the
Honeys (Mantua).
27
272
PORTAGE HERITAGE
June 24, 1799 — Cutting road to
Aurora.
June 28, 1799 — Removed our
goods to Aurora.
June 29, 1799 — Searching for
water on lot 40.
July 2, 1799 — Began to cut tim-
ber for our home.
July 2, 1799 — Put up and moved
into our house.
July 3, 1799 — Got timber for our
floor.
This diary thus establishes the two
points of disagreement with all pub-
lished records of Aurora:
Named In Advance
(a) The township was called Aurora
before the arrival of Major Spafford,
who is supposed to have named it,
(b) Elias Harmon owned land in Man-
tua at the time he worked for Shel-
don and other early settlers.
Captain Sheldon returned to Aurora
in the spring of 1800. He brought
with him his family which consisted
of his second wife, Love Davis, four
sons and a daughter, Hulda.
The Sheldons then enlarged their
clearing, and planted more crops.
Later in 1800, Major Spafford and
his party of surveyors visited the Shel-
dons. Another arrival in 1800 was
Samuel Huntington of Norwich, Con-
necticut. He took up a tract of land
west of what is now Sunny Lake. He
did not remain long and soon moved
to Warren to practice law and later
became Governor of Ohio.
The first church "service" of the
new community was held in the Shel-
don cabin by a Methodist missionary
by the name of Shadrach Bostwick in
exchange for a night's lodging.
The first regular church meeting
was held in the Sheldon home in 1803
by the Reverend Joseph Badger, from
Connecticut Missionary Society. There
were fifteen present, probably the to-
tal population.
Taxes are Low
By the fall of 1803, more settlers
arriving, included Judge Samuel For-
ward, and his four brothers Chauncey,
Oliver, Dryden, and Rannsellaer.
They took up a tract of land near the
present George Chapman home on
Chillicothe Road.
In 1804, the James Henry (Hendry)
and his family came from Harpers-
ville, New York. Mrs. Henry was a
direct descendent of Oliver Cromwell.
As late as 1813, Ebenezer Sheldon
still held nearly one-half of the entire
township. A receipt for taxes signed
by David Hudson paid by Ebenezer
Sheldon dated November 28, 1805
shows Sheldon paid $2.40 for county
taxes.
Mrs. Oliver Forward gave birth to
a son on April 8, 1804; this was the
first white child born in the new set-
tlement. The boy was named Oliver
Cromwell Forward, an appropriate
name.
1804 also saw several new arrivals,
most of them with their respective
families. Some of these were John
Cochran, Fr., David Kennedy Sr., and
Jr., Samuel Ferguson, George Hol-
comb, and Stephen Cannon. These
families were followed in 1805 by
Solomon Cochran, Horace Granger,
Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, a widow with
6 children. Also arriving were Steph-
en Cannon's mother and other rela-
tives, John, George, Eli, Amy, and
Polly Cannon.
Trees Mark Property
Ebenezer Harmon and his wife,
Mary Sheldon Harmon, a daughter of
Ebenezer Sheldon, with their three
children, came out from Connecticut
in 1806. They settled southwest of
Sunny Lake, and this land is still re-
tained by the Harmon family and its
present resident, C. I. Harmon, a di-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
273
The old Kent House at Geauga Lake. Famous as a resort in other days.
rect descendent of Ebenezer Harmon.
There are still in existence on the
front lawn of the Cal Harmon's home
three or four maple trees that Eben-
ezer Harmon planted to mark the cor-
ners of his cabin.
An interesting fact pertinent at this
point is that Ebenezer Sheldon, the
first settler was the father-in-law of
Ebenezer Harmon and Elias Harmon
who came out originally with Eben-
ezer Sheldon's brother-in-law. The
two Harmon families and the Shel-
dons were therefore all descended
from Martin Sheldon.
Also in 1806, lots 20 and 21 were
settled by Zeno Kent. The Kents a-
bout 1821, built a frame house on lot
20. This is the present home of Leslie
R. Kent, a direct descendent of Zeno
Kent.
As far as can be determined, only
Cal Harmon, and Leslie Kent are the
only descendents of original settlers
who still reside on the original family
lands. However, a descendent of Reu-
ben Avery (came west in the 1820's),
Hazel Haas, still spends week ends on
the family land, part of lot 34.
In 1806, the first of the "modern"
homes was built by Captain Phineas
Perkins, along state route 82.
Also coming in 1806 from Vermont
was the Robert Bissell family. One of
his sons the Reverend Samuel Bissell,
was to become the well known schol-
ar and teacher of the Western Re-
serve.
Set Up Academy
Samuel Bissell, after much priva-
tion, hardship, and years of study, was
admitted to Yale. Much of his learn-
ing was obtained from the Reverend
John Seward, a well-educated man.
Samuel Bissell returned to Aurora
in 1826 and with the help of Moses
Eggleston and others began the opera-
tion of an Academy in Aurora. The
tuition was two dollars for twelve
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weeks. Two of Mr. Bissell's boys were
in the first graduating class of three
from Western Reserve College. The
year 1806 also brought John Single-
tary who settled on the northeast cor-
ner of what is now routes 82 and 306.
He was the first in Aurora to practice
law.
The Eggleston family of Joseph and
Moses, along with Jeremiah Root,
Samuel Taylor, Benjamin Eggleston,
Brainard Spencer, Amos Sweet, and
Chauncey Eggleston also arrived in
1806. Chauncey Eggleston opened a
blacksmith shop soon after his arrival.
The same year Samuel McCoug-
liney, Isaac Blair, and Samuel Bald-
win, also came out. The Baldwin's
built a cabin where the old Baldwin
brick house now stands on Pioneer
Trail. This is now the home of Nelson
Doubrava.
1807 was of great importance, as
this was the year that the township
was organized. An election was held
on December 14, 1807, with the fol-
lowing results: Trustees; Samuel For-
ward, Phineas Perkins, and Ebenezer
Sheldon. Clerk; Oliver Forward. Con-
stable; Moses Eggleston. Treasurer;
Robert Bissell. Assessor: Ebenezer
Sheldon Jr. Overseer of the Poor:
Samuel Forward Jr.
In April, 1808, a soldier of the Rev-
olution, Major Elijah Blackman, with
his married sons and daughters, ar-
rived in Aurora. With them were
Horace and Justice Bissell. These last
two were carpenters, and they built
many of Aurora's early homes.
Many Saw Mills Busy
The first frame house was erected
by Sheldon, and was followed soon by
the home of General Chauncey Eggles-
ton on Eggleston Road, still standing.
It is thought that the home of Captain
Phineas Perkins was built about the
same year. These homes, according to
an old account, were built in about
1809.
Dea Witter arrived in 1809 and
built a saw mill on the river near
what is route 82. Very soon, ten other
mills were in operation in the same
general area, all supplying lumber for
the rapidly expanding community.
This section was dubbed "Slab City."
The first inn was built in 1811 by
Samuel Bissell near General Eggles-
ton's home on Eggleston Road.
Aurora had a full fledged pirate in
its early history, one Gregory Powers.
He came to Aurora at the age of 66
with considerable quantities of valu-
ables which set him up immediately
as a wealthy landowner. One of his
daughters married Hopson Hurd and
a second daughter married Bohan
Blair. Powers served on the Brigantine
Minerva, one of the privateers charged
with the task of intercepting British
ships and hijacking supplies.
Seabury Ford, former county prose-
cutor, is a direct descendent of Hop-
son Hurd. Ford still retains ownership
of the old Singletary home after 150
years. The Bohan Blair home still
stands at the corner of Aurora Pond
Road.
According to one published source,
the first commercial venture was the
saw mill of Dea Witter in 1809. Other
sources indicate Ebenezer Sheldon
built a saw mill in 1808.
Opens a Store
Soon after other mills and factories
were built along the river banks were
Isaac J. Lacey's wood and cabinet shop,
the Elders woolen mill, the Preston
chain factory, a musical instrument
factory run by the Skinners, a tannery,
and an ashery also run by Isaac Lacey.
All these establishments were in what
was later to be called Aurora Station.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
275
In the year 1812, Samuel Baldwin
opened a store in his father's home at
Aurora Center. Once he sold his stock,
he for some reason went out of busi-
ness.
In the late 1840's and the '50's at
the extreme south part of the Center,
was the home of Dr. George Hatch,
and next to him on the north was the
law office of General Nelson Eggles-
ton. Across the street was the tailor
shop of Ephraim Parrish, and north
was the tinshop of Major Ross. Also
along what is now Route 43, south of
the present church was a wagon shop
run by William Butler, the black-
smith shop of Mr. Taylor, later oper-
ated by John L. Thompson. Also in
this area was a furniture factory run
by I. W. Steadman and the office and
home of Dr. L. Lacey (now the home
of A. O. Hall).
About 1852, the Harmons built a
huge cheese curing house, now Calico
Corners, and just north of what was
their store (now Hackbart's grocery).
Isaac Lacey's wagon shop and shoe
shop was directly across from Har-
mon's store and next to the store was
the Woodruff Hotel.
Where the fire house now stands
was the Aurora Academy and then the
old Brick Church on the present site
of the Church in Aurora. Across from
the old Brick Church, was John Brad-
shaw's farmers store and the tailor
shop of John Woods. Just back and a
little to the east of the tailor shop was
the Disciple Church.
New Stores Open
The post office and a harness shop
run by A. V. Jewett was on the front
lawn of what is now the home of Joe
Graf, Sr. George Drake had operated
a shoe shop north of the Drake shoe
shop, Alvin Seward also had a shoe
shop. This house was later moved
across the stree and is now the home
of Aurora's Mayor John I. Eldridge.
Mrs. Samuel Spencer had a millin-
ery and dress making emporium in
the present home of John Kain. Co-
lumbus Jewett had a harness shop on
the corner across from the Baldwin
store. The Aurora House stood nearby,
also conducted by Mr. Woodruff and
on the southwest corner of Routes 82
and 306 was the Converse store later
operated by the Baldwins and still
later was the Hurd's store. Mr. Eld-
ridge used the building for an office
for his cheese business.
These shops and stores were all
located in Aurora Center, different
from Aurora Station — two separate
villages in those days.
Near the northwest corner of Egg-
leston Road and Route 82, a company
erected a cheese factory in 1847. This
company was formed by C. R. Howard
and Harvey Eggleston, but was short
lived.
In 1866, Elisha and Frank Hurd
built an up-to-date cheese factory. The
industry by far the greatest of all the
early Chagrin Valley manufacturing
enterprises, was built on the approx-
imate site of the old factory. This fac-
tory produced cheese for over fifty
years and at one time had a daily out-
put of 4,000 pounds of cheese.
Cheese Trade Starts
The cheese business, according to
one source really started as early as
1819, with some of the early pioneers
shipping south to New Orleans. These
were individual enterprises; however,
they provided much revenue to the
early pioneers. Frank Hurd and W. J.
Eldridge, as late as 1904 had virtually
control of this southern market. Mr.
Eldridge sold his last factory in 1921
and thus ended an era in which Auro-
ra had the distinction of being one of
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
the largest cheese shipping points in
the world. Harmon & Sons were also
large dealers. In the year 1904 alone,
over four million pounds of cheese
were shipped from Aurora. Prominent
dairymen of the late years were J. M.
Treat, A. A. Cannon, E. H. Case, W.
Russel, L. L. Kent, G. A. Treat, G. L.
Riley, Frank Hurd, W. J. Eldridge,
George Eggleston, and Calvin Bissell.
Physically, much of Geauga Lake
lies outside of Aurora Township, but
its history must be here.
Early settlers of Geauga Lake (Pic-
nic Lake — an early name) and its
environs were Sullivan Giles, the Staf-
fords, Mark Patterson, Captain Henry,
Charles Squires, the Brewsters, and
Bohan Blair. Geauga Lake was known
as "Pond Station" with the coming of
the railroad, located west of its pres-
ent site.
The Giles, in the later half of the
19th Century, established a picnic
grounds, dance hall, and other enter-
tainment facilities near their home.
Their home still stands on the east
side of Route 43.
On the east side of the lake in the
1880's was built a famous 75 room
hotel, the Kent House. The ballroom
on the third floor was one of the
finest in the area.
Centerville Mills
In the summer of 1812, John Jack-
son came west looking for a woolen
mill site. He first settled on lot 22,
which is the present site of the Center-
ville Mills YMCA Camp. Jackson im-
mediately built his first mill which
was sold to Freeman Howard. Mr.
Howard sold the mill to a Mr. Carpen-
ter who failed to pay for it as agreed.
When Carpenter found that Howard
was going to repossess the property,
Carpenter removed the machinery and
burned the mill. Howard rebuilt the
structure and this time put up a build-
ing of colossal size for those early
days. The building was seven stories
high with foundations on the bed
rock of the river. This mill was called
Centerville Mill and stood until the
flood of 1913.
The Centerville Mill became the
center of a bustling community. In a
few years the banks of the river were
lined with mills and factories. These
enterprises provided many of the ne-
cessities of life for the early pioneers.
The mill property changed hands
several times and finally in 1898 was
made into a dance hall, well remem-
bered by older people.
In 1853 and 1854, the C. & M. V.
R. R. started construction in Aurora.
General Nelson Eggleston was one of
the promoters. The coming of the rail-
road made many changes in the Au-
rora scene, the nearby cities became
neighbors, many new citizens arrived,
and some old ones drifted away.
The present post office building
was once a hotel, the Russell House,
famed for good food. Traveling men
tried to arrange schedules so that they
included a stay at the Russell House.
In the summer of 1879, a group of
older residents of Aurora, Solon,
Twinsburg, and adjoining towns met
at Giles Grove and had a good social
visit. General Nelson Eggleston of
Aurora was elected president, and L.
S. Bull of Solon the secretary. This
was the first meeting of the Geauga
Lake Pioneer Association which held
annual meetings until 1904. At these
picnics there were good speakers and
large crowds attended. The minute
book records the deaths and comments
on each of all the early pioneers who
died during the years 1879 to 1904.
Serve In 1812
The first telephone line in Aurora
PORTAGE HERITAGE
277
was strung by W. H. McDonald in the
1890's. McDonald was at the time sta-
tion agent at Aurora Station. Soon
other families urged Mr. McDonald to
extend his service to them and an ex-
change was set up in the McDonald
home. Later the Bainbridge Tele-
phone Company moved into Aurora
and absorbed Mr. McDonald's small
enterprise.
The War of 1812, saw a company of
thirty-five men headed by Ebenezer
Sheldon from Aurora serving on Lake
Erie near Sandusky. The Aurora men
didn't stay long as they feared some of
the Indians living in the region might
take the opportunity to raid the town
as there were only two men left in the
area.
The Aurora Cavalry Company, a
militia outfit, was organized in 1824.
Several muster lists of the early organ-
izations still exist.
The men of Aurora responded to
the call to colors during the Civil
War. The draft was never used here.
The Spanish American War, World
War I and II, saw many scores of
Aurora's men called to the colors.
Eleven Revolutionary soldiers are
buried in Aurora, 35 veterans of the
War of 1812, and 21 soldiers of the
Civil War are also buried here.
On a warm day early in the winter
of 1804, a group of seven children
gathered for the first school to be
taught in Aurora. It was taught in the
former home of one of Ohio's earli-
est Governors, Samuel Huntington.
As the years passed more schools
were built. A map of 1870 shows that
Aurora had seven schools scattered
throughout the township.
Schools Consolidate
Aurora was the first township in
Portage County to consolidate its one
room schools. This was done in 1898
with the establishing of a centralized
school in what is now the Town Hall.
The local school head at this time was
Edward Robison.
The present high school building
was built in 1913, and first occupied
in 1914. This was one of the first so
called modern schools in Portage
County.
Some of the principals of this era
were W. R. Davis, Alex Walters, Os-
car Gilbert, M. E. Hawk, and Lloyd
Blauch. Some of the teachers around
the turn of the century were Minnie
Hickox, Luna Parker, Mrs. John
McDonald, Ethel Carrier, Edith
Straight Harmon, Alfred Cochrane,
Jesse Meyers, and John P. Allison.
A Miss Taylor served as principal
for one year, one of the few women
to serve in that capacity in the county.
Serving in the new school as prin-
cipals were Miss Taylor, Frank Carl,
Arthur Lyle, G. V. Donnely, Oliver
Fox, J. W. Bright, J. F. Koeppe (now
superintendent of Berea Schools),
Wade McConnell, John Graham, Ed
Burkhart, Fred Swartz and presently
James Hales.
Some of the school members of this
period were E. A. Niman, C. I. Har-
mon, Mrs. H. H. Harmon, Ethel
Carrier Bissell, Alf Noble, and E. R.
Straight. Mrs. Harmon (Edith
Straight) was long a member of the
County Board of Education.
The athletic teams of Aurora High
School have had a glorious history.
One of the outstanding was the foot-
ball team of 1926, when Aurora scored
433 points to their opponents 18; the
big win was the 100 to defeat of
Suffield.
Schools Today
In 1931 several new teachers joined
the faculty, one of whom remained
until 1955, Veron Gordon Biggar. She
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Cheese factory of type once so numerous in Portage County.
This one was located at Beech Woods.
taught several children of some of her
early pupils.
A new elementary school was first
occupied in 1949 and an addition dou-
bling its size was added and first used
in 1954. There is presently under con-
struction a gymnasium and an addi-
tion to the high school.
The present staff includes James
Hales, superintendent, with the high
school faculty including Gladys Reed,
Helen Greenwood, Helen Shilling,
Daniel Weppner, Barbara Lendrum,
Barbara Logan, Wilfred McCuskey,
Elizabeth Parnall, George Hettinger,
James Hales Jr., James Burns, Loyal
Conelius, and Barbara MacWherter.
The elementary school has James
DiMeolo as Principal, and James
Hoyt, George Colonius, Kathleen
Knight, James Perrin, Jean Gilcrest,
Constance Fogle, Betty Hutcherson,
Pauline Coward, Eleanor Elliott, Carol
Pekrun, Maxine Knight, Mary Kent,
Cecile Trimple, and Ruth Rogan as
teachers.
The Board of Education is com-
posed of Ray Harmon, Jack Cole-
brook, Fred Emery, Dr. Henry S.
Curtis, and Harold Miller, clerk and
member. Harold Miller has served for
many years as a member and clerk of
Aurora's Board of Education. He also
has served for a number of years as
a member of the County Board of
Education and a leader in the State
School Board's Association. His con-
tributions are many and varied; lead-
ership and service have placed him
among the truly dedicated public
servants.
First religious services were men-
tioned previously. In 1808, a Baptist
minister was employed to preach, but
he soon ran into difficulties as he
attempted to carry on some Baptist
activities, which the Congregation-
alists disliked.
Seward Serves Long
A Rev. Nathan Darrow came to
Aurora in 1809, held services in the
Singletary home and helped organize
PORTAGE HERITAGE
279
a Congregational Church. Charter
members were the Cannons, Sheldons,
Hendrys, Witters, Roots, Egglestons,
Spencers, and Bissells.
The first pastor was Rev. John Se-
ward, who came to the Reserve in
1811 from Granby, Massachusetts, and
he was pastor for 32 years. He helped
educate many of the sons of the
pioneers.
The old Brick Church was built in
1823, a landmark until the 1870's.
When it was torn down and the pres-
ent building that houses the Church
in Aurora was built, in 1872. An an-
nex was added in 1909, and a large
addition was built by the members
with their own hands in 1950 and
1951.
In 1849, the church purchased a
parsonage for $900.00. This eight
room house is still the residence for
Aurora's minister as it has been for
the 22 pastors before him.
Another church was started in 1823
by William Hayden, the Aurora Dis-
ciples of Christ Church and by 1830,
had about 16 members. In 1834 to
1838, forty new members were added.
The first Disciples Church was built
in 1838, diagonally across the road
from the Congregational Church, on
ground donated by the Baldwin fami-
ly. This building burned in 1855 and
was replaced by a structure which
stood until the late 1940's and was
known as the Community Hall.
While never a large group, the
Aurora Disciples contributed much to
the religious life of the community.
Are Excommunicated
Baptist teachings first started in
1808 were re-activated in 1834, and a
church was organized. The Elder Frey
was the guiding hand in this move-
ment and had much to do with the
church's establishment. Twelve per-
sons signed the Articles of Faith,
among them were Samuel R. and
Catherine Willard. Their son, Archi-
bald Willard, is best remembered for
having painted the "Spirit of '76." In
1856, fifteen members were excom-
municated by the Elder Watterman,
the pastor. The troubles continued
and in 1871 the church was disbanded.
By 1900, Amish Mennonite families
were moving into Aurora Township
and in 1906, a church was organized.
By 1912, the congregation was nearly
100 persons and a church was erected
that year. The Plainview Mennonite
Church is known all over Ohio. The
much beloved Rev. Eli B. Stoltzfus
was minister from 1909 until his death
in 1942, when his son Rev. Elmer
Stoltzfus took the leadership.
In December, 1942, another church
was organized at Geauga Lake, 15
persons present. Since 1942, this group
has worked in erecting a church
building, and buying a parsonage.
From the day it was organized until
1956, the church was served by Rev.
J. R. Hutcherson, also minister in
Aurora. The Geauga Lake Church in
1956, hired Burton Kunkle of Hiram
College, first minister "on their own."
In 1913, the Disciples and Congre-
gational Churches completed a merger
to become the Aurora Federated
Church. The Rev. Peter T. Martin was
the first minister of the Federated
Church.
By 1930, they were known as "The
Church in Aurora." The Rev. Joseph
R. Hutcherson became minister in
1940 and has served continuously since
that time.
Becomes Residence Town
The youngest church to enter the
Aurora scene is the Roman Catholic
Church established in 1954. It is
known as "Our Lady of Perpetual
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Help." It has land at the corner of
Hudson Road and Route 43 and is
using a temporary church.
Many devoted and dedicated men
have served Aurora as its ministers;
among them John Seward, J.S. Graves,
James McKee, James A. Garfield, D.
B. Pearson, Owen Livengood, Eli
Stoltzfus and the present Joseph R.
Hutcherson.
By the turn of the century, Aurora
became a splendid surburban com-
munity.
In 1899, a centennial celebration
was held on June 15 and 16. The
names of the committee were in gene-
ral the names of the first pioneer
families of Aurora. W. J. Eldridge,
W. H. McDonald, R. N. Avery, A. A.
Cannon, C. E. Harmon, Minnie E.
Russell, Frank Hurd, A. H. Bissell, C.
R. Harmon, and Carrie L. Hurd.
Musical organizations of the early
nineteen hundreds including The
Thursday Glee Club, The Aurora
Brass and Reed Band, were known
throughout the area for their excel-
lence.
The Aurora Masonic lodge was
chartered in 1910, with E. G. Root as
Master. The Order of Eastern Star
received their charter in 1927, with
Edith Harmon as Matron.
The Aurora Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment was organized in 1929 with Fred
Maskey as Chief and 30 firemen. Soon
after A. E. Mowl became chief and
held that position until 1955. E. A.
Hackbart is now Fire Chief and Art
Tidd, president of the association. Mr.
Miller served for many years as presi-
dent of the local association and is
now secretary of the Ohio State Fire-
man's Assn.
With the importance of Aurora as
a dairy center, another name familiar
in this industry, that of John Gould,
a widely known writer of farm arti-
cles, best remebered for his author-
ship of the much discussed "Oleo
Law".
Bank Established
Aurora had a bank known as "The
Aurora Bank" with Josephine Hurd
as president, established in 1905, but
with the waning cheese business, fin-
ally closed its doors in the late teens.
The store now occupied and run by
A. E. Hackbart was owned by the
Harmon's up to the early 1900's. It
was the most successful of the period.
What is now Bradley's Store, was
for many years the A. B. Hurd Store.
Nearby was the William Rudolph
blacksmith shop and the drygoods and
grocery store of F. M. Treat (now
Brown's grocery). The Hurd store
was later owned by E. R. Shilling and
until 1955 by the Kellogg Hardware
Co. Next to Hurd's was the only hotel
still operating in Aurora run by F.
M. Stebbins.
At Aurora Center, Roy Dreese op-
erated a blacksmith shop near where
the E. R. Shilling home is now locat-
ed and S. James continued the stove
and tinware business started many
years before by John Bradshaw. All
these enterprises were in existence in
the early 1900's.
In 1925, a real estate boom hit Au-
rora with the Aurora Land Company
purchasing much property from many
of the older residents. The present al-
lotment was an outgrowth of this
boom. Parts of the Center and Station
were improved by the addition of a
water treatment and pumping station
and a sewage plant in 1928.
Aurora has several service clubs, the
oldest being the Aurora Men's Club.
The Aurora Kiwanis Club was organ-
ized in 1952 and the Aurora Study
Club is dedicated to civic betterment
PORTAGE HERITAGE
281
and intellectual growth. This is a wo-
man's organization.
Aurora Today
Present Township Trustees are
James McCleary, Fred Knopf, Dan
Walsh and Fred Thompson, Clerk-
treasurer.
Aurora Village was incorporated in
1928 with Lee Gould the first mayor.
Sam Miller was the first police mar-
shal and was replaced by A. O. Hall,
who has served in this position for
fifteen years. John I. Eldridge is the
present mayor of the village with the
following as Council members: Jo-
seph Graf, George Morrison, Frank
Olton, Robert Stone, George Wall,
Robert Weh, and George Hettinger,
clerk-treasurer.
Aurora has contributed men to state
and national politics, some of these
were: Chauncey Forward, who became
a Supreme Court Justice in the 1950's;
James Garfield (a minister of the Dis-
ciples Church), became President of
the United States; and in later years,
John Morrison, a state senator and
member of the first State Board of
Education; and Seabury Ford, a prose-
cuting attorney of Portage County.
In 1949, Aurora celebrated its ses-
quicentennial with a three day cele-
bration. Many descendents of the ear-
ly pioneers returned to help make the
affair a great success. The present
mayor of Aurora, John I. Eldridge,
was general chairman. A note of in-
terest is that his father W. J. Eld-
rdige, was a member of the centennial
committee 50 years before. Other
members of the sesquicentennial com-
mittee were: David Baylor, J. M.
Carter, Mrs. E. E. Petot, and Mrs. Roy
Wem.
Sheriff's Job Big Business
The growth of the county offices as business activities is shown to have been tre-
mendous when today's work is compared with that 125 years ago. It is shown particularly
in the office of sheriff. In 1814, Maj. Stephen Mason was sheriff and he found so little
to do that he taught school and trained the militia on the side. His equipment consisted of
a horse to ride, a gun and a pair of handcuffs. His jail was little more than a covered
pen of logs and his salary was a few hundred dollars a year.
In 1955 Sheriff Robert E. Stockdale had the assistance of a dozen deputies, a matron,
chaplain and jail doctor. Salaries amounted to over $50,000.00 a year, individual salaries
ranging to $375.00 per month.
His books showed that during the year, 1338 civil papers were served, with 652 more
coming from outside the county; and 353 criminal papers were served. There were 2431
complaints investigated and 71 major crimes (felonies) were handled. Traffic arrests
numbered 435 and 115 traffic warning tickets issued. He handled 1396 prisoners and 60
automobile accidents were investigated (besides those the state highway patrol handled).
Five automobiles were used, which covered a total of 250,000 miles.
In this term a system of selecting and training deputies was put into operation. Here
applicants were examined and graded. The jail had long been considered inadequate but
plans are being considered for a new building sufficient to meet needs of the day.
Much of the increase in work is necessitated by the increase of highway traffic,
though numerous new laws and the population increase has meant much more work.
The office of county engineer has also shown a similar amount of increase. In the
past the "county surveyor" was considered more or less of a part time job. All road work
was controlled by local sub-divisions, such as towns and townships.
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County Sheriff's Force, 1955 — Reading left to right: Front Row — Corp.
Thos. Kerfoot, Chief Deputy Ross Dustman, Sheriff Robt. E. Stockdale, Sgt.
Harold Miller, Corp. Roy Pemberton. Second Row — Norris Hopson, H. L.
Dieterich, Edward E. Doak, Gerald Edick, Jr. Back Row — C. A. Baxter, V. B.
Summers, Howard Leland.
The Harvey Redmond bridge is in
Fred Fuller Park, Kent. The name hon-
ors a long time president of the Kent
park board. The bridge extends to the
"Island."
In 1903 the Cleveland & Pittsburgh
line straightened its line from Ravenna
to Cleveland, abandoning much of the
right-of-way between Ravenna and Brady
Lake. Most of the abandoned track was
then used as a second line by the Erie
between Kent and Ravenna.
What has become of the "old-fash-
ioned" apples, once so numerous and
well loved? C. M. Young, descendant of
one of Hiram's earliest families, is work-
ing to keep the various species alive here
and has a "museum orchard" for this
purpose.
Portage, Ashtabula and Cuyahoga
counties were set up at the same time
out of the Western Reserve, by law en-
acted in 1807. Of these, Portage was first
organized (1808) with Ashtabula a year
later and Cuyahoga later still.
The vine covered Brick Chapel on the
Windham green, was originally built as
a Disciple Church in 1838, but has been
kept in serviceable condition as a com-
munity center through the efforts of the
Congregational church ladies. The build-
ing was once used as a high school. The
original one room now includes a kitch-
en and dining room.
In 1874, John C. Beatty, Ravenna
clothier, advertised men's suits at $8.50
and $10.00 each, consisting of coats, vests
and pants.
CHAPTER XXI
Brimfield
By Dr. Ionia C. Twitchell
Brimfield was one of the later town-
ships to be settled as it was swampy,
and considered less valuable for farm-
ing. Today the muck swamps have be-
come some of the most productive
truck gardening areas in the county.
The first permanent settler was
John Boosinger, Sr., who located here
in June, 1816, but who was originally
from Maryland, though born in Vir-
ginia.
The site was then known as Town
2, Range 9, and was the property of
John Wyles of Hartford, Conn., and
Israel Thorndike, a Boston merchant.
It first went by the name of Swamp-
town, after which it was called Bear-
town because of the many bears.
Then, for a reason not given, it was
known as Briartown, which gave
place to Wylestown in honor of one of
the proprietors.
At a township organization in 1818,
Thorndike offered to give a plat of
ground for a public square at the
Center, if they would call it "Thorn-
dike", which was agreeable and they
so named it officially, but the old
"Injun Giver" backed out of the con-
tract and would not make a deed for
the ground. Citizens then petitioned
to have the name changed to Brim-
field, in honor of John Wyles, Jr., to
whom his father in the meantime be-
queathed his interest. Wyles, Jr., had
resided in the town of Brimfield,
Mass., hence the name.
Equalize Shares
At the division of the property of
the Connecticut Land Co. townships
were awarded without regard to the
quality of the land or its location, but
in some instances the townships so
drawn were, according to common re-
port, so far below the average that, to
equalize the drawings as near as they
could get at it, lots were added else-
where to the property that fell to the
share of the unfortunate ones. This
township, being considered a "poor
share", a lot on Superior St., Cleve-
land, afterward very valuable, and
several hundred acres in Geauga
County, were thrown into the bargain
by the equalizing committee. Brim-
field is now one of the best sections of
the county and the early swamps are
now valuable land.
In 1816, Thorndike and Wyles came
to the Reserve to view their lands and
make a division of the same. They
found an unbroken wilderness and no
inhabitants and had no difficulty in
making a division. Thorndike chose
the north and Wyles the south half.
They then returned east, but Thorn-
dike sent his nephew, Henry Thorn-
dike, to act as agent. He brought with
him Arba Twitchell, who commenced
a clearing on the old Boszor hill, half
a mile north of the Center.
A man named Simcox, a squatter,
attempted to make a settlement but he
never purchased any land, and remain-
ed briefly. John Boosinger, Sr., was
the first permanent settler, settling on
Lot 39, which is just south of the Sun-
283
284
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Old Brimfield Town Hall in its picturesque setting. Torn
down after many years service.
nybrook Golf Course today. He lived
there for sixty years.
In the following November, Henry
Thorndike and his brother Israel ar-
rived. Israel, a bachelor, soon mar-
ried a daughter of Martin Kent of Suf-
field. Henry settled on Lot 21. Abner
Lanphare, a single man, also came and
lived with the Thorndike family. In
January, 1817, Deacon Alpheus An-
drews came in and settled at the
Center. It is said that Thorndike, anx-
ious to have a speedy settlement, of-
fered to give to the first child born in
the township, eighty acres of land.
The good deacon, hearing of this, and
aware of indications within his house-
hold that he might win the prize,
straightway moved into the township
from Rootstown, and sure enough, on
April 17 ensuing, the expected visitor
arrived. Andrews demanded the land,
but as the child died, a compromise
was made on forty acres of land, upon
which he lived and died.
During this year of 1817, among
others there came in Jeremiah Moul-
ton, Henry Boszor, Erastus Flower,
Captain Euriah Sawyer, Harrison G.
Moulton, Abner Moulton, John V.
Gardner, Jonathan and David Thomp-
son, David Coburn, Reuben and Hen-
ry Hall, Thomas Rice, Benjamin Mal-
lory, Champlain Minard, John Furry,
Nathan Packard, John K. Chapman,
Peter Wolford, John Williard, Na-
thaniel Beasley, John Twitchell, Sam-
uel Thompson, Jacob Hall and Al-
pheus Underwood.
Come In Rapidly
In 1818, came Asa Sawyer, William
Smith, Frederick Jones, Edwin Barber,
Jonathan Law, and E. A. Palmer. In
1819, came Lyman Barber, Amos
Benedict, Selah Hart, Peter Osborn,
Benjamin Hall, and William Hall. In
1820, Jeremiah Pike, Dr. Luke Lin-
coln, and William Davidson. In 1821,
Guy Doolittle, Captain Constant
Chapman, and one or two others and
along about 1825, among other prom-
inent settlers were Deacon Harmon
PORTAGE HERITAGE
285
Bradley, and James and Julius Blake.
The township settled up very rapidly.
From 1831 to 1840 came the follow-
ing persons: Col. H. L. Carter, Wil-
liam Sessions, Hiram Elwell, Alvin
Needham, Erasmus Needham, Wil-
lard Thomas, Algernon Thomas,
James Furry, Old Father Carrier, and
his son Lucius. George Guiestwite,
Conrad Neff, Dr. Samuel Hastings,
William R. Kelso, John Kelso, Char-
les Edson, David L. Rockwell, Joel
Burnett, the Bard family, Leverett
Black, Ebenezer Rawson, Porter King,
William Meloy, the Stow family and
many others.
The township was organized in the
spring of 1818, with the first election
in April. There were 13 votes cast, out
of which 11 officers were elected as
follows: Trustees — Henry Thorndike,
Champlain Minard, Reuben Hall;
Clerk — Alpheus Andrew; Treasurer —
Israel A. Thorndike; Assessor — David
Thompson; Fence Viewers — John
Boosinger, Henry Bozor; Constables
— Arba Twitchell, Thomas Futson;
Justice of the Peace — Jonathan
Thompson.
On Dec. 22, 1818, the first school
was opened by Jeremiah Moulton in
his house, and continued during the
winter. Four families monopolized
this school. Teacher Moulton had ten
children, Alpheus Andrews had seven,
and the two Thompson houses were
full of them. The first district school
was taught by Henry Hall. Abner
Lanphare also taught school in several
of the districts. Later, there were eight
districts in the township. High school
subjects were taught upstairs in the
town hall (dedicated in 1871), with
Lybia Underwood, Henry Boszor and
Elias Heckman as township trustees.
Other teachers were Arthur Carrier,
Hyde Phelps, C. B. Newton, Elmer
Carrier, Frank Bard and Fred Car-
rier.
The first church organization was
the Presbyterian in 1819, with a mem-
bership of seven — Jonathan Law and
wife, Alpheus Andrews and wife,
Reuben Hall and wife, and Benjamin
Mallory. Rev. Simeon Woodruff
preached the first sermon in Henry
Thorndike's log house in 1818. They
built a modest little church in 1834.
A Methodist church was organized in
1823 by Elder Eddy of Hudson, and
consisted of eight members — Benja-
min Mallory and wife, Amos Bene-
dict and wife, John K. Chapman and
wife; Abner H. Lanphare and wife.
The society built a church in 1836.
Rev. Mr. Huston was their pastor at
one time. A Baptist church, organized
in about 1834, consisted of four mem-
bers — Deacon Harmon Bradley, Mar-
tin T. Hackett and John Tabor and
wife. They soon built a small house of
worship. The first Universalist church
was built in 1837. This burned down,
being replaced in 1868. Rev. Andrew
Willson was pastor for many years.
In 1818 Israel and Edward Thorn-
dike started a nail factory a mile and
half west of the Center which was
soon suspended but was followed by a
saw mill there, also soon abandoned.
Postoffice Opens
The first store was opned by Wil-
liam Sessions in 1833; later Tillman
Snyder had a store on the location.
The first postmaster was Capt. Con-
stant Chapman in 1835. He was a
Revolutionary War veteran. Next was
Edward Parsons. A postoffice was al-
so set up in the location now used by
the Boosinger Coal & Supply Co., by
Morris Chapman, great grandson of
Constant, and he was first postmaster
at Thorndike. The two offices existed
until rural delivery came in 1907.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
A hotel was opened by William R.
Kelso in April of 1837. Mr. Kelso's
granddaughter, Mrs. Carolyn Miller,
now owns and occupies this building
at the intersection of highway routes
18 and 43.
The Brimfield band was organ-
ized Oct. 20, 1877, with W. I. Pike as
leader. The Brimfield School Band of
today is under the direction of Roland
Gamble.
Our first paved road was completed
in 1911 from Kent.
The high school was organized in
September 1896, with Prof. Andrew
Douthitt as principal. First graduates
(1899) were: Mary Porter (deceased);
Lucy Sawyer, Vernie Shanafelt, Julia
M. Moulton, Laura Boosinger (de-
ceased), Charles Saxe, and Will Fox.
The present high school students go
to Kent University High School.
The first temperance society was
organized in 1840. The first Woman's
Christian Temperance Union was or-
ganized in 1884, with ten charter
members — all now deceased. The W.
C. T. U. has never disbanded and is at
present active with Mrs. Martin E.
Mickey, president.
The first marriage solemnized in
the township was schoolmaster Abner
Lanphere and Miss Sophia Moulton,
July 4, 1819.
The Soldiers' and Sailors' monu-
ment in Restland Cemetery, records
the names of men who fought in the
Revolutionary War, the Civil War
and War of 1812. The Honor Roll of
the boys in the First World War, and
the Honor Roll in the Town Park of
the World War II veterans, are silent
evidence that Brimfield Township has
been loyal to the colors of our USA.
Old Schools Gone
The eight one-room school houses
were abandoned for school purposes
when the schools were centralized in
1919. Transportation of pupils to the
new centralized school came in 1921.
The old school houses were sold to
private citizens and most of them are
now in use as homes or shops today.
When centralization was adopted C.
Edward Smith was president of the
board of education; O. V. Werten-
berger was clerk; other members be-
ing Walter Somers, Frank Kurtz and
Myron Werstler.
Names of some of the older teachers
would include Abner Lanphare, Lu-
ther Minard, Albert Minard, James
Juss, Samuel Hastings, Abijah Ensign,
William Powers, John York, Henry
Spellman, I. H. Phelps, Julia Benedict,
Martha Moulton, Morris S. Chapman,
James R. LaDu and others.
"Select School" teachers were C. B.
Newton, B. Harshberger, Hiram Sapp,
"Gus" Bogue, Wallace Hall, John
Dussell, A. O. Fox, Andrew Douthitt.
A. W. Carrier, Elmer Carrier, Frank
E. Bard, C. L. McConnell, Fred Car-
rier, Harry Risk and Frank Schmiedel.
Schools were first graded in the fall
term of 1896. A. A. Rothrock was
chosen as teacher in the new high
school, which had a three-year course
for pupils. Andrew Douthitt graduat-
ed the first class -in 1899, with exer-
cises in the Universalist church.
Township supervision was adopted in
1895 and county supervision came in
1912.
The Brimfield township school
board today is composed of Paul
Rhoades, Pres.; Jean Cannon, V.P.;
Ed. Pryce, Clerk; and Edgar McCorm-
ick, Dale Curfman and Ralph Bunker.
Paul Smith is principal.
The Mothers Club, organized by
Mrs. Grace (Harry) Morrow in 1942
became the Parent Teachers Associa-
tion, of which Mrs. J. T. Smith was
PORTAGE HER ITAGE
287
first president. Daytime meetings
were changed to evening meetings
and fathers were taken into member-
ship. Last year there was a member-
ship of 356. Mrs. Howard Fogle is
current president.
The Brimfield Methodist church
has stood on the hill west of the
Center since 1835. The organization
dates back to 1828 when Elder Eddy
of Hudson came and got the society
together. The eight members were
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Mallory; Mr.
and Mrs. Amos Benedict, Mr. and Mrs.
John K. Chapman; Mr. and Mrs. Ab-
ner Lamphare.
The land was deeded to the church
by Samuel E. and Charlotte Carver,
ten rods square in area and in 1835,
valued at $50.00.
In 1954 an addition to the church
was dedicated. This was during the
pastorate of Rev. Kenneth F. Evans.
In September of that year a new elec-
tric organ was dedicated to the church
and a grand piano was added as well.
Rev. Richard P. Jameson is present
pastor of the church.
More Churches Come
The Brimfield Universalist church
and the Kent Universalist church
merged and the last meeting held in
the Brimfield church was on May 18,
1922. The members transferred to the
Kent church and now take an active
part in the activities of that organiza-
tion of which Rev. John Flint is pas-
tor.
The Brimfield Evangelical church
was formed June 6, 1937, following
an independent mission, with Rev.
Merle V. Rentz as pastor. A lot was
purchased from Chas. Helmling in
that year north of Brimfield Center
along State Route 43, across the high-
way from the centralized school build-
ing.
This church merged with the Unit-
ed Brethren church in 1946 and the
name was changed to the Evangelical
United Brethren church. At this time
the Women's Society of World Serv-
ice was organized with Mrs. Carrie
Good, president. In the fall of 1937
the church building was erected. Min-
isters who have served this church are
Revs. Merle B. Rentz, Robert Lautens-
lager, Robert Sutherland, William
Timms, H. G. Crabtree, Kannel L.
Ireland, Martin E. Mickey and Nor-
man L. McLean.
The old Brimfield town hall, on the
park, was erected in 1871, and was in
steady use until 1950 when it was con-
demned by the state fire marshal's in-
spectors. The building was sold at
auction to George A. Cur f man for
$450.00. He tore the building down
and used the lumber to build a house
in which the family now lives.
The Soldiers & Sailors Monument
in Restland Cemetery was dedicated
in 1909 and has been a landmark since
that time. It bears the names of two
Revolutionary War soldiers — Cons-
tant Chapman and Jonas Twitchell;
ten names from the War of 1812; and
93 names of soldiers in the Civil War.
After World War I the names of 36
boys were hung in the Town Hall, re-
maining until the place was razed.
There are 178 names of World War II
veterans on a bulletin board that
stands on the south side of the town
park.
Home Comings here have been im-
portant. The first meeting of the
Brimfield Homecoming Association
was held in the Town Hall Saturday,
July 26, 1924. After organization it
was voted to hold a meeting every
year in July. This was carried out un-
til 1942 when, because of the war,
meetings were discontinued but start-
288
PORTAGE HERITAGE
ed again Sept. 1, 1945. E. L. Russ was
the first president. The 1950 meeting
was the last held at the Town Hall
which was then being condemned for
further use. In 1951 the Home Com-
ing was held in the basement of the
Evangelical United Brethren Church.
In 1955 Mrs. Lucy Sawyer Brumbaugh
was voted Poet-Laureate of the Home
Coming as she had for several years
composed poems for the occasion. Of-
ficers elected were: Albert Boosinger,
Pres.; Dr. Ionia C. Twitchell, Vice
Pres.; Mrs. Albert Boosinger, Sec-
Treas.
Clubs Active
On January 26, 1916, a small group
of neighbors and friends met at the
home of Mildred Williams Waldron
and formed the "Thimble Club." At
the second meeting, Feb. 6, that year
Miss Eliza Ailing, then a high school
teacher, suggested the name of "Blue-
bird" for happiness. The name seem-
ed fitting and was adopted and this
was the beginning of an organization
that has not only attracted attention
but has been a force for good in the
community. It could be called a pub-
lic service club. Its projects have in-
cluded flowers and help for the sick
and shut-ins; showers for expectant
mothers; comfort kits for boys in serv-
ice; financial and other help for the
Red Cross and similar activities; help
for those in distress and by contribut-
ing to many worthy endeavors. For
these purposes, money has been raised
in a variety of ways, such as holding
bazaars, card parties, theatricals,
dances, festivals, spelling bees, cook
books, bingo parties and sales of a
variety of articles.
The club's first donation, in 1916,
was a gift of $5.00 to the Portage
County Detention Home. Other re-
cipients have been the Cemetery As-
sociation, Memorial Fund, Tubercu-
losis, Cancer and other health funds.
The Bluebird club joined the Wo-
men's Federated Clubs in 1930. The
first president of the club was Mrs.
Harry D. Twitchell. The current pres-
ident is Mrs. C. H. Ulrich. Mrs. Grady
Ray and Mrs. F. A. Wetmore are vice
presidents and Mrs. Wm. Hohenstein,
secretary, with Mrs. Raymond Werst-
ler, treasurer.
On May 23, 1919, a group of eight
women from Brimfield and Franklin
townships formed what they called
the Frankfield Farm Women's Club
which is still in vigorous existence
today. The objects of the club were
to have better education of farm wo-
men to present day needs; to encour-
age co-operation in home, school and
community; to work for the good of
the community in general. First mem-
bers were Mesdames Harry Cannon,
Geo. Reidinger, Clayton Fox, Parker
Heighton, Chas. Moore, Edward Steffy
and Misses Erma Steffy and Abbie
Basel. Mrs. Reidinger was the first
president. Officers today are Mrs.
Olive Kirkhart, Pres.; Mrs* Oscar
Burnett, Vice Pres.; Mrs. Everett
Smith, Sec.-Treas.
Boy Scout Troop No. 259 was or-
ganized April 30, 1934, with seven-
teen members. The first Scout Master
was Rev. M. A. Chaffee of the M. E.
Church. With a membership today of
32, William Bush is now scout master.
Cub Scout Troop No. 3259 was or-
ganized March 1, 1946 with eight
Cubs and three Den Mothers. In 1946
there were 64 Cubs and eight Den
Mothers. Robert Mikel is Cub Master
and Albert Cook, assistant. The pack
is the largest in the Kent district.
The Scout Mothers club was organ-
ized in April, 1949 with 18 members
to work with the Scouts. Mrs. Jean
PORTAGE HERITAGE
289
Kelso Hotel, long landmark
in Brimfield, built 1833. Still
standing.
^«>*J.\' ! &C
Cannon is the current president.
Brimfield Camp Fire Girls were
organized in the fall of 1947 by Miss
Mildred Merkle and the first leader
was Miss Mae Carr. At present about
100 girls are active in the Camp Fire,
with leaders for each of the various
grades. Mrs. John T. Smith is repre-
sentative from the Kent Council.
The Brimfield Garden Club was or-
ganized in 1934 in the home of Mrs.
Chas. B. Pike. Mrs. David Fouser was
first president. The club now belongs
to the Garden Forum of Greater Ak-
ron, the Ohio Garden Club and the
Portage County Garden Club. Current
officers are Mrs. Warren Kinton,
Pres.; Mrs. M. B. Duncan, Vice Pres.;
Mrs. Paul Richards, Sec; Mrs. Geo.
Scheck, Treas.; Mrs. F. A. Wetmore,
Lib.
The Green Branch Garden club
came into existence in 1946 with Mrs.
E. G. Petrini, president. There were
ten members. Today Mrs. D. Dwight
Edmunds is president; Mrs. Paul Bry-
an, vice president; Mrs. Robt. Hutsler,
secretary; Mrs. S. A. Keagy, treasurer
and Mrs. Wm. Hohenstein, librarian.
Zoning Considered
In the 1920's 4-H clubs were organ-
ized as follows: The Jolly Cookers, a
a cooking club for young girls; Nim-
ble Thimble Club, sewing club for
girls; (Mrs. A. L. Eversman being ad-
visor now for 15th year); the Boys
Club, which has become the Pioneer
club, Gordon Schafer and Charles
Sprague, advisors. Much of the club
work has been absorbed by the school
Home economics course.
The Brimfield-Franklin Dairy Club
was organized in 1954, with C. M.
Hissom advisor, Wayne Biltz, assis-
tant.
After considerable discussion a
Brimfield zoning ordinance was pass-
ed by vote in the November, 1956,
election. A Zoning Appeals board was
set up with M. B. Duncan chairman.
Other members are A. L. Eversman,
Norbert M. Roth, C. M. Stewart and
C. F. Jacoby who is secretary. The
Zoning Commission consists of Earl
Wertenberger, Pres.; Dale Curfman,
clerk; Robert Lower, Winan Snyder
and Howard Mankamyer, with F. G.
McCormick enforcement officer.
Brimfield today has a very good
township fire department housed in a
building of its own. It was organized
in 1933 with George Cline, president,
and C. C. Jones, chief. Joe Lingel is
president now and Herbert Cookus,
290
PORTAGE HERITAGE
chief. First equipment was a Model T
Ford tank. Today there are three
pumpers valued at $50,000.
The fire department idea was pro-
moted originally by Sam Harrington,
Frank Kurtz and C. C. Jones.
The Brimfield Township board of
trustees today consists of J. T. Ludick,
chairman; Guy W. Morton, township
clerk; Jay Roland and C. I. Boosinger.
The first telephone in Brimfield
was a private enterprise in 1892 and
it connected the J. T. Williams store
at the Center with the Chapman Bro-
thers store at Thorndike. The stock-
holders were J. T. Williams, M. S.
Chapman, E. D. Brobst and Ionia J.
P. Chapman. The Bell Telephone Co.
brought its service to Brimfield in the
same year that it did in the Kent area,
1921.
The first automobile owned in
Brimfield was by Frank Kurtz in 1909
— a Ford. This was in 1909 and two
years later Frank Laudenslager bought
one, also a Ford. It was soon followed
by another Ford, owned by George
Cline but this one had a band of brass
over the radiator.
Brimfield today has three public
golf courses within its limits. The
Green Hills Course west of the Center
was started in 1922 by Ned Miller. In
1925 it was taken over by C. B. Pike
and operated by him until he sold it
to Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hillegas in 1946
which continues today. It is a nine-
hole course.
Over thirty years ago the farm of
the late B. W. Boosinger was con-
verted into a nine-hole course by his
daughter, Bessie Boosinger and Mrs.
Aline Boosinger Truckenbrod. It is
called Sunnybrook. Paul Truckenbrod
is superintendent of greens and is in
charge of maintenance.
Maplecrest is an 18-hole course, pur-
chased in 1948 by the late James
Irving and his father, Thomas Irving,
and daughter Annie Irving, who
bought the land from Dess Krumroy.
Mrs. James Irving and sons James and
Tommy operate the course today
while Thomas Irving and daughter
Annie live in Long Beach, Calif.
Homesites Laid Out
Brimfield today can no longer be
considered a swamp. For over a hun-
dred years it has been considered a
thriving farming community but re-
cent years have wrought vast changes.
There is less farming as residents turn
city-ward and become factory and of-
fice workers, though continuing to
live here. Farms are being cut up into
allotments and homes of a new type
appear. There are recreation places
and activities of new types. Of recent
date are the McTaggar Allotment, the
Mosser Allotment, the Morrow Allot-
ment and the Selnik Allotment. A
lake called "Lake Brimfield" is in the
latter acreage. There is also the Estes
Allotment, 114 lots in all. Ernest At-
wood of Tallmadge bought the Clyde
Eck farm and made it the Oakwood
Allotment. These are toward the west.
A new recreation park has been
established in the northwest part of
town. It is owned and operated by Mr.
and Mrs. M. B. Duncan and called
"Duncanside."
Opportunities for recreation are al-
so offered in the so-called Mogadore
Reservoir owned by the city of Akron.
It is located in both Suffield and
Brimfield of which several hundred
acres lie in Brimfield. It has become
a good fishing spot.
The Portage Beagle Club has
leased an 180-acre farm as a game pre-
serve with a club house upon it known
as Lamm Lodge.
The railroad reached Brimfield in
PORTAGE HERITAGE
291
1882. It was first under the name of
the Connotton Valley, changing to
Cleveland, Canton & Southern and
Wheeling & Lake Erie. It is now the
Nickel Plate. It served the community
well and for years was the only con-
venient outlet for travel. The station
was known as Thorndike or Brimfield
Station.
In the 1930s a dog racing track was
located in west Brimfield along pres-
ent Route 18 but met with opposition
and did not last long.
Brimfield's first paved road was
that to Kent, now Route 43. Present
Route 18 was improved about 1920
and is now a busy route connecting
Akron and Youngstown.
Over the years various residents
have engaged in business or callings
and many have been forgotten. An
unusually successful auctioneer was
George Beal who was located here in
the 1890s before moving to Kent. An-
other, who is still engaged in active
work is Perry Cuthbert and is known
over the county and beyond. A. T.
Porter worked here as a blacksmith
for many years. Another blacksmith
was Norris Briggs who started along
School Days in the 1880s
This is a picture of a one-room school assembly, long typical of rural schools in
Portage County. It is District No. 2, Brimfield, in the 1880s. Not only does it show the
style of clothing of the time but points to other facts. These pupils represent all eight of
the modern "grades," and ages of pupils here run from six to 20. Several of the girls
wear "long dresses," a sure indication of womanhood. Notice the aprons worn by some
of the smaller girls, and the size of some of the boys. In this district one boy attended
school until he was 23. One of the "big boys" in this group later married the teacher
(right).
292
PORTAGE HERITAGE
the railroad tracks, later coming to
the Center. He became a veterinarian
which profession he practiced in addi-
tion to horse shoeing. G. W. Morton
has operated a barber shop at the Cen-
ter since 1926, and another is situated
west of the Center run by John
Melothowski.
Serve the Community
In 1936 J. T. Ludick took over the
Center general store from Howard
and Harry Kurtz, purchasing the
property. A gas station is now includ-
ed. Henry Meloy operates the general
store he purchased in 1947 from How-
ard Baughman.
Clarence L. Boosinger, owner and
manager of the Boosinger Coal & Sup-
ply Co. at the station, succeeded his
father, Seymour Boosinger in 1935.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Carder oper-
ate a poultry farm and market on
Route 43 north of the Center. The
Sprague Poultry Farm is located east
of town. In this Charles Sprague, Jr.,
succeeded his father in 1928.
Two mink farms are located in the
eastern part of the township. One is
run by Michael Haska with approxi-
mately 4,000 mink on this ranch. The
second is the Skill C. Schwartz Ranch
with about 900 animals. Mr. Schwartz
came from Akron in 1945.
In 1881 a history of Brimfield
Township was written by Dr. A. M.
Sherman of Kent who had been a resi-
dent of Brimfield. It was printed in
pamphlet form.
At one time Indians had a permanent
camp on land along the Fairchild Ave.
extension, west of Kent. For many years
after that relics could be found on this
spot. It is said that when a plow turned
up a bushel or so of arrowheads, two
brothers got into a dispute about their
possession and as a result never spoke to
each other later.
Windham's two favorite picnic grounds
were Alford's Rocks and Woodworth's
Rocks, named for farms where located.
The first in on present Rt. 82 near
Mahoning Corners, on the site of Wind-
ham's first building. Woodworth's is to
the west of the Center, south of the Erie
tracks and is now inside the Arsenal.
There were many heart aches when in
1940 the government took over land that
had been in the same families over a
hundred years. In Windham Mr. and
Mrs. C. S. Curtiss had a deed dated 1826
from Benjamin Higley, a first settler.
Arthur D. Waite, a descendant of John
Waite, who came to Windham in 1835,
also sold land to the government.
Hand of Friendship?
On June 29, I860, a Republican Club
was formed in Streetsboro. Its Preamble
and Resolutions, No. 2, read; "As the
friends of Freedom we have fainted not
nor become weary in well doing in the
day of adversity, so in the hour of pros-
perity we will neither give sleep to our
eyes nor slumber to our eyelids while we
can bring those that are scattered as
sheep without a shepherd, into the folds
of Abraham, and entreat them to come,
go with us and we will do them good,
for there is good spoken concerning
Abraham, that he will command his
children after him.
"No. 3. — Resolved, that to the rem-
nants of the lost tribes of the Democratic
party, we say, now is the accepted time
for every Democrat that does work, meet
for repentance. There is room in Abra-
ham's bosom."
Lora Case, Pres. C. R. Doolittle, Sec.
On Feb. 13, 1870, Mark Twain gave a
humorous lecture at Ravenna, his subject
being "American Vandal Abroad."
CHAPTER XXI
Charlestown
By Iva H. Hartman
Charlestown, occupying a near cen-
tral position in Portage County, was
in the original drawing for the
county, organized in 1807, and was
secured by John Morgan who dis-
posed of it to Samuel Hinckley of
Northampton, Mass. It went by the
name of Hinckley until Charlestown
township was organized in 1814. A
stream which flows through the town-
ship is still called Hinckley Creek.
However, the first resident was Abel
Forcha, who came in 1803 and lived
for a number of years on land later
called Farnham Hill, now owned by
the Strausser family.
In 1800 one John Campbell was
appointed agent for the Hinckley land
and went to Granville and Blanford,
Mass., where a company was formed.
Campbell himself came into the town-
ship as a resident in 1805. Original
members of the company were Samuel
Hinckley, David, Linus and Charles
Curtiss, David L. Coe, John Baldwin,
Levi Sutliff, Perry Babcock, John and
William King, Anson Fairchild, Joel
Parsons and Solomon Noble. All sign-
ed an agreement that if they did not
move on the land, clear five acres and
build a cabin within five years, they
would forfeit their rights and pay
$100.00. All complied except four—
Hinckley, Fairchild, Noble and Par-
sons who paid their fines and the
$400.00 received was applied to the
building of a house for town or re-
ligious and educational purposes.
More money being needed, donations
were solicited. One Charles Curtiss,
in consideration that the town be
named for him — Charlestown — do-
nated a barrel of whiskey toward the
new building. The offer was accepted.
The building was a rather large one
and stood north of the present store.
The upper floor was used for the
school, the lower floor as a church.
In 1880, the then old building was
being used by Harrison Hatfield as a
blacksmith shop, shared by Milo Colt-
on and Anson Peck who did carpen-
tering and wood work. The building
was replaced by a blacksmith shop
which has since been converted into a
dwelling. John Campbell and wife
have been called the first actual sett-
lers.
The first white child born in the
township, March 7, 1813, was John
W. Baldwin, son of John Baldwin.
The first marriage was that of Sallie
Coe to Martin Camp in 1816.
At the first township election 13
votes were polled. In 1815, 13 families
lived in Charlestown and soon 13
more came, doubling the population,
with more following.
Among the newcomers were Joel
Hall, Rolzman Loomis, Joel Dorman,
Joseph Steadman, Elisha Wetmore,
and James King. Later came Norman
Rood and the Knapp families for
whom the present Knapp road was
named. Of the pioneers, only a few of
their descendants live in Charlestown
at the present time. Leon Baldwin
lives on the Baldwin homestead, built
293
294
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Baldwin Home, Charlestown. Built 1818.
in 1818, which has been in the family
name since that time. John Willis
Baldwin, of the fifth generation, lives
in this farm home and with his father,
tills the acreage. Mrs. Lula Baldwin
Babb lives nearby. Charles Phile, now
90 years of age, lives in south Charles-
town in the home where he was born,
which replaced a log house. Mrs. Mary
Copeland Loomis lives in the old
Loomis homestead. Mrs. Ina Kirtland
Bellard lives with her son, John Bell-
ard, in the home of her great grand-
father, Amos Austin, built in 1834.
Mrs. Iva Hatfield Hartman lives in
the home built by her great grand-
father. Gladys Phile Wheaton and
Mrs. Merriam Phile Kraft, descend-
ants of Jacob Phile, still live in
Charlestown.
Homes Pass Away
The so-called Ravenna Arsenal took
about 50,000 acres of land in Charles-
town so that farm production was
greatly reduced although there was
more activity in other lines. Many
farm homes passed out of existence
then.
Of the Hall family, long active here,
Lina Hall lives in Garrettsville; Joel
Dana Hall is in Florida; Mabel and
Winifred Hall are in California;
Ralph Hall is in Delaware; and Carl-
ton Hall lives near Warren. Florentine
Hatfield, who reached the age of 98,
was always active in the civic and
religious life of the community. His
daughter, Elizabeth, taught school and
music for many years. Another daugh-
ter, Edith, was a teacher and now lives
with her sister, Helen Hatfield Chap-
man, teacher in Ravenna schools.
Mrs. Addie Hatfield Parker, teacher
in Charlestown and Edinburg district
schools many years, and who resided
at the old Parker home, moved to
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
295
Charlestown School
Copley, where she lived with her son,
Grove Parker, until her death at 87 a
few years ago. Mrs. Emma King Fun-
alman, descendant of pioneers, now
lives in Ravenna. Mrs. Lena Hatfield
Hassler, a devoted church worker,
now lives in Lakeland, Florida.
Before leaving Massachussetts, the
Granville and Blanford Company or-
ganized a Congregational church. The
members were: Charles Curtiss and
wife; John Baldwin and wife; David
L. Coe and Almon Babcock. Their
first preachers here were missionaries
sent out by the Congregational Mis-
sionary Society. The first church
building was erected in 1829, but
burned in 1880 and was replaced by
the present beautiful building. When,
in later years, the Congregational So-
ciety disbanded, the building was used
for a while as a school gymnasium. A
dwelling now occupies the site.
On Oct. 24, 1859, the Methodist
church which still stands atop Charles-
town hill, was dedicated. The two
churches merged in 1924 and recently
the building was re-decorated
throughout and Sunday school rooms
were added under the pastorate of J.
Craig Smith. The Methodist parson-
age was built in 1886.
The first school building was a log
cabin, located at the center and Miss
Sophia Coe was the teacher. In 1883-
84, six school districts were formed in
the township and one room school
houses built. At that time 163 pupils
were enrolled in the entire Township.
Other districts were added and in 1915
there were eight in number. Male
teachers were paid $32.00 per month
and female teachers got $22.00. In
1915 Charlestown Centralized School
was erected a short distance north of
the square. It consisted of eight grades
and a high school. But in 1950 five
townships — Charlestown, Edinburg,
Palmyra, Paris and Deerfield — con-
solidated into the Southeast District,
with a large modern high school now
in operation in Palmyra. Each town-
ship retains its own grade schools.
Factories Once Busy
Charlestown has had various indus-
tries, flour mills in the southern part
of the township, and many saw mills
in early days when timber was plenti-
ful. The first sawmill located one half
mile east of the center, sawed the
lumber used by the early settlers and
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
considerable lumber for the county
seat. There was a basket factory at the
center owned by Eben Newton, and a
coal mine and oil refinery on the John
Holden farm.
Augerburg of today was so called
from an auger factory brought from
Connecticut in 1848 via prairie
schooner, and located on property
now owned by Leo Ullajs. Years after-
ward a cheese factory operated in this
building. There was a shoemaker's
shop, and on nearby Knapp Street
lived Captain Wyer, an old Nantucket
sea farer.
For many years, located on the old
Esworthy homestead east of the center,
there has been an Antique Shop own-
ed and presided over by Orrin W.
Dunbar and his wife, Minnie Eswor-
thy Dunbar. Mr. Dunbar, who died
in 1954 was a master cabinet maker
and his work on treasured heirlooms
is well known, not only in our own
county, but throughout Ohio and ad-
joining states.
Elm Hill Farm in eastern Charles-
town became the first gladiola farm
in this vicinity. National fame was
achieved by the owners, Albert and
Iva Austin, for the beautiful flowers,
many of whom were originated by
Mrs. Austin. The Iva Austin Garden
Club of Ravenna was so named for
this gracious lady. Miss Edith Hatfield
also operated a "glad" farm at the
center and at the present time Mrs.
Elizabeth Strausser and her son Ralph
Strausser raise these beautiful flowers
and both flowers and bulbs are ship-
ped to many states.
Many years ago, in the northern
section of the township was born
Frederick J. Loudin, a negro child,
destined to be one of the great singers
of his time. The family later moved
to Ravenna where he attended school
and church. He then went to Ten-
nessee University, now Fiske Universi-
ty at Nashville, where he organized
the F. J. Loudin Jubilee Singers. This
troupe, twelve in number, sang in
many of the churches in Portage
County, and later made a world tour
which brought fame and fortune.
They sang for crowned heads of Eu-
rope, were permitted to sing in the
Taj Mahal in India, and spent three
and one half years in Australia, where
they thrilled great crowds. The ac-
companist for the Jubilee Singers was
Miss Leota Henson, who studied in
Leipsic, Germany. She later married
Alex Turner, a graduate of Ravenna
High School and the University of
Michigan, who became an attorney in
Detroit. Mrs. Turner, at the death of
her husband, returned to Ravenna and
died in 1955 at the age of 88 years.
Cottage Hill Farms
Our first Judge of Probate Court
was Luther L. Brown, who owned the
farm on the southwest corner of
Charlestown square, later occupied by
his son in law and daughter, Mr. and
Mrs. S. B. Morris.
Another Common Pleas Judge of
later years was Carl Curtiss who was
born and reared in Charlestown.
Anor Eckert Headland, born in the
northwest corner of the township,
was educated at Mt. Union, and went
to China as a missionary, a far away
place in those days. She died and was
laid to rest in that foreign land.
Mention must be made of the fam-
ous Cottage Hill Farm, country re-
treat of the Hannas, steel and coal
magnates of Cleveland. This sits as-
tride the Ravenna-Charlestown line.
It was Dan R. Hanna, son of Senator
Marcus A. Hanna, who in the 1900's
lavished much money on the farm
and also the community. Many fam-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
297
ous people were guests at the estate.
High black coaches drawn by four
spirited horses were often seen on our
country roads. He had many beautiful
saddle horses, often used by his sons,
Mark, Carl and Dan. He also donated
the land and built the road connecting
old Route 5 with new Route 5 and
now called Hanna Road. The Hannas
also bought a large acreage north of
Charlestown center. Sometime after-
ward it was sold to John Pew, 1918,
and was operated by his son Wm.
Pew. At a later date, 1927, the farm
was sold to Congressman Chester Bol-
ton, father of Oliver Bolton, present
member of Congress, who owned it
until the U. S. Government acquired
the land for the Arsenal. The original
Hanna farm, ''Cottage Hill," is pres-
ently owned by Frank R. Fageol,
chairman of the board of Twin Coach.
Mr. and Mrs. Fageol have restored the
lovely home and farm to its former
beauty.
Much credit must be given to John
A. Lowrie, an early Charlestown resi-
dent, for the history of this township.
Charlestown men who have gone
into law include Albert S. Hall, Judge
Carl H. Curtiss; Ansel Curtiss, Cleve-
land; Kenneth Kirtland, Akron;
Judge Chas. Hall, Vancouver, Wash.
Among those who have turned to
medicine are found Capt. Robert
King; Frank and Mabel Spalding Bis-
hop, California; Elmer Coe, Youngs-
town; William Fox, Cleveland; and
Bert Coe, Youngstown.
Charlestown has many successful
peony growers. Included are Mr. and
Mrs. A. H. Austin, R. C. Bellard, Mr.
and Mrs. W. R. Strausser, Wendell
Strausser, Walter Boettner and Edith
and Elizabeth Hatfield. Will Christ-
man became secretary of the National
Peony Association in Illinois.
Of the merchants at the Center,
Warren Coe, Jessie Coe, Vernon Sly,
E. W. Burkey and Wilbur Hall will
be remembered. Blacksmiths would
include Wallenstein Brown, Harrison
Hatfield, Robert Shilliday and Ernest
King.
Was Aviation Expert
Carl Kirtland became secretary-
treasurer of the M. A. Hanna Co. in
Cleveland, and Ralph Percival became
a banker in Vancouver, Wash.
In the field of aviation, John A.
(Jack) Boettner made a name for him-
self as a Goodyear balloon and blimp
pilot. He participated in national and
international races and for some years
was commander in chief of Goodyear
blimps. He was a Ravenna High grad-
uate of 1912.
In educational work, Minnie Mar-
tha Hall, daughter of Billings and
Fanny Hall taught in the old Western
Reserve Academy at W. Farmington;
then for 27 years was head of the Eng-
lish Dept. of Genesee Seminary, Lima,
N. Y. In 1913, she visited Europe, the
gift of the class of ' 14. She was a sister
of Lina Hall, of Garrettsville. A broth-
er, Joel Dana Hall, was in Y.M.C.A.
work in New York, Michigan and
Kentucky, and with the Moody Bible
Institute, Chicago.
Payson L. Curtiss, after graduating
from Oberlin, entered the ministry.
He served Mid- West pastorates and
for 18 years was pastor of the Gar-
rettsville United church. He died in
California.
Burton Curtiss, son of Austin and
Amelia, for many years taught manual
arts and engineering in California
schools. Rose Morris Ritchie was a
well known teacher of speech in col-
leges in the Mid-West.
In 1938, a gymnasium and more
298
PORTAGE HERITAGE
class rooms were added to the school
building at the Center.
The first graduating class was in
1917, and the last in 1950. Many
hundred graduates obtained higher
education elsewhere, and went on to
success.
A "select school" operated in the
basement of the Congregational
church in the winter of 1892-3. There
were evening singing schools and lit-
erary societies. Today, we find 4-H
clubs, Boy Scouts, Grange, Red Cross,
Farm Bureau and others.
Serving with American forces in
Europe was Lieut. Col. Edward Hart-
man, son of Edward and Iva Hartman
Hatfield. He is a veteran of the Air-
borne Division in World War II.
A Charlestown boy who has reached
a high place in engineering and chem-
istry in his country's service was
Ralph E. Hall. His education was ob-
tained in Charlestown, Ravenna High,
Ohio Wesleyan, Ohio State Universi-
ty and University of Chicago. In
1918, he was a captain in the Chemical
Warfare Service. Since then he has
been at Carnegie Tech, The United
States Bureau of Mines and director of
Hall Laboratories, Pittsburgh. He is a
Phi Beta Kappa and has won many
honors in his field. He retired in 1950.
Once Had Canal Post
Older Charlestown residents were
particularly proud of Col. Albert Hall,
who was born about 1831. Educated
in law, he was four years prosecuting
attorney of Ashtabula. He entered the
Union army as a private, but because
of bravery and skill rose rapidly in
rank. He participated in five battles,
but died of fever at Murfreesboro in
1863. His body was sent home and
given a public funeral with an enorm-
ous crowd present.
Mabel Agnes Spiers, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Spiers, has
been in educational and library work
over many years. She graduated from
Wooster college and took other work
at Columbia and Western Reserve.
She taught in Warren and in Eastern
colleges and also did work for the
government. She is now librarian at
Tampa University, Tampa, Fla.
Nowhere else in the county were
changes in transportation methods
better indicated than in Charlestown.
In the days before the whites came,
the Indians followed their great trails
up through Campbellsport. Early set-
tlers cut roads which generally fol-
lowed it. Over these the old stage
coaches went and the ox-carts and
men on horseback. When the P. & O.
canal was constructed there was a
wave of activity. Almost forgotten
now is "Breadport," as it was locally
known. Here farmers brought their
wheat for shipment east on the canal.
Thousands of bushels were sent out.
In season, farmers wagons loaded with
wheat waited their turn to unload in a
line that stretched for miles over the
nearby hills.
Following the canal, of course, came
the railroad. The present B. & O.
generally follows the line of the old
canal and when the road was re-built,
electric trolley lines used the old
right-of-way for a number of years.
Then came the era of improved roads
with their roaring procession of cars,
buses and trucks, going over much of
the same route the Indian had used
150 years previously. It is possible for
a person to stand in one spot and
visualize all this without too much ef-
fort, while overhead he may see and
hear passing aircraft, also a means of
travel.
PORTAGE HERITAGE 299
Charlestown Memories
By Chas. O. Phile
As it has been requested that I contribute something for the new history of Charles-
town Township, Portage County, I will try and fulfill that difficult task.
My father and mother were married and moved on a farm about two miles south of
Charlestown Center, the first of May, 1850. They lived in a log house for some time be-
fore the present house was built. The old canal was in operation at that time. There was a
good warehouse here and the name of this place was called Breadport. There being no
other shipping point near, wheat was hauled from different townships south of the canal,
and teams would stand for half a mile south to unload flax. Sometime later the ware-
house burned. The canal current was so strong that partly burned shingles were carried
to a meadow next to my father's barn and set the hay on fire. I have been told that a
steamboat sailed down the canal blowing its whistle, and a man by the name of Shriver,
who lived about a mile away, thought the railroad train had run off the track. The
canal not only transported grains and other farm produce, but also coal, building ma-
terials, etc. James A. Garfield, later to become President of the United States, once drove
mules along the tow path of the canal. The canal ceased its operation about the year 1865.
There is a place one half mile south of canal on the townline road between Edinburg
and Charlestown (called Cable Line Road now) which is called Bloody Corners, so named
because of a bloody fight which took place at that spot when the ground was covered with
snow. I remember of two water power saw mills. One was southeast of Edinburg, now
Route 14, the other was east of Bloody Corners at Silver Creek. These mills were what
were called up and down saws. People who lived in that section said the saw went up one
day and down the next.
There was a schoolhouse at Bloody Corners, also a church and a dwelling house. The
church was of the United Brethren denomination; the pastor's name was Watson, a
powerful preacher, under whose ministry my father was converted. Later he became
Presiding Elder of this section, sometimes preaching at New Milford and at Four Corners,
now known as Yale. Rev. Watson was visiting in our home one day and he and my
oldest brother, Wallace Phile, were driving through the river with a team and wagon,
when they saw many fish trying to get over a little riffle (a shallow place in the water).
They got a bucket, waded in, and caught a bucketful of fish with their hands.
In 1880 a railroad was built following the canal most of the way from Akron to
Youngstown. It was called Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Toledo Railroad, and did a thriving
business for some time running excursions from Charlestown to the Glens at Cuyahoga
Falls and from Akron to Youngstown, sponsored by the McKelvey Dry Goods and De-
partment Store. There were many wrecks on this railroad due to the many curves.
The first regular passenger train was run over this road March 4th, 1884, my seven-
teenth birthday. It was now owned by the B. & O. R.R. Later they built a double track
line from Ravenna to Warren, south of Charlestown, using the old line for local freight
and some time later we had excellent electric service, over the old right of way when it
was abandoned.
One rainy, cold night in 1901, three men got off a freight train at Charlestown Sta-
tion, and slept in my father's barn which was near the railroad. When I went to the barn
in the morning to feed the sheep, I climbed the ladder into the hay mow and stepped on
these men. They left, going down the track to a small freight house, where they built a
fire outside to keep warm and remained there all day. That night, my wife and I, return-
ing from a visit with friends about 10:30 met two of these men near Ledge Hill. It was a
bright moonlight night with a little snow on the ground. The third man had been seen
at Edinburg in the evening. During the night the Goss store was broken into. After
300 PORTAGE HERITAGE
entering, they opened the main door from the inside, which set off an alarm in the Goss
home. Mr. Goss, with his clerk, Will Baker and John Davis, started toward the store,
shooting a revolver and yelling "Thieves and robbers." The men came to the door and
fired, the bullet hitting the corner of the store. Then one man stepped out, aimed and
fired, killing Mr. Goss.
The sheriff and officers enroute to the scene in a horse and buggy, saw two men run
into a field, as they approached. They returned to Ravenna and started on foot down the
B. &: O. R.R. track. Near Campbellsport they halted a man and questioned him. He told
of sleeping in a barn, but got cold and left and agreed to show them the barn, which he
did, all walking over three miles back down the railroad track. They then went to an
old building some distance away where the other two men had been seen the night before.
The building was searched, the men found and were marched to Ravenna in the middle
of the road. I was in Ravenna nine different times as a witness when the men stood trial.
The men were convicted and sent to the penitentiary. After about five years, they were
released. And that's the story of the Goss murder, which some readers may remember.
When the railroad was being built there was a boarding house on my father's farm,
across the old canal from the sugar house, down in the woods. The camp was on both
sides of the railroad. One day, when the railroad men were not working, they were
playing cards in the boarding house, and a couple of men got into a fight. The boss told
them to get out and go to the barn. I was probably 15 or 16 and I was gathering sap and
I had to cross the site for the railroad. As I crossed the right of way, I saw the men going
to the barn.
They clinched each other. One grabbed the other's upper lip with his teeth, and the
other got hold of the lower lip of the first. One had half of his lip bitten clear out. The
other one didn't do as good a job, and only bit the lip partly off. There were two doctors
at Edinburg, so that both men started for Edinburg for help to get their lips sewed in.
The doctor who attended the man who had his lip bitten partly off said, "A man must be
a brute to bite a person's lip like that." The patient replied, "That's right I bit the other
fellow's lip clear out ."
I did not see the fight close up as it was a little below the crossing where the barn
was located.
Years ago before the coming of the auto and good roads, protracted meetings for
several weeks had a prominent part in the winter program of many churches. They were
one of the few events that drew the whole community together. They were always well
attended. The local church took on renewed life for a time at least. Some lives were
completely changed. Others, who were more demonstrative, had to be converted over
again each winter.
We are living in a fast age today, a great change from ox carts and canal boats to
automobiles and airplanes. People now, when they cannot find a place to park, don't
stop to consider way back,
When Noah sailed the waters blue,
He had his troubles, same as you,
For forty days he drove his ark,
Before he found a place to park.
I stated in the first of this article that my parents lived in a log house until the
present one was built. I was born, reared and still live in this place. I was 90 years old on
the 4th day of March, 1957, and am still feeling fine.
James A. Garfield is said to have been the country's only left-handed president.
Though he was an accomplished man, the story that he would write in English with one
hand, and in Latin with the other, both at the same time, is set down as a bit of
pleasant exaggeration.
CHAPTER XXIII
Deerfield
By Tom James
When Ohio decided to settle and
develop the Western Reserve, it was
necessary that brave, sturdy and cour-
ageous men and women leave homes,
families and friends back in some
New England state and strike West-
ward into the wilderness and terri-
tory heretofore uninhabited by white
men.
Among those willing to make the
necessary sacrifice, suffer the physical
hardship that one would be called
upon to face, were Lewis Ely, Lewis
Day, Moses Tibbals and Daniel Diver,
of Connecticut and Massachusetts. So
ardent were they in their desire to
reach the land beyond the Alleghenies
that they approached the Connecticut
Land Co. in regard to lands available
for purchase and settlement.
This effort on their part revealed
land laid down in surveys at Town I,
Range 6, was obtainable and was good
land, being in close proximity to the
early western settlements in Western
Pennsylvania. This particular land
was owned by Gideon Granger, ap-
pointed Postmaster General in 1800,
and Oliver Phelps, both of Connecti-
cut. Phelps owned two-thirds of the
land. In the early part of 1799, Day,
Ely, Diver and Moses Tibbals pur-
chased one-third from Oliver Phelps.
Lewis Day, accompanied by Horatio
Day, started at once for his new pos-
sessions, in a wagon drawn by horses,
arriving in June. The next month
Lewis Ely came in, having started a
little later than the other two. He was,
however, the first actual permanent
settler in the township, as he brought
his wife and family, built a cabin and
settled down for life there. This was
the start of Deerfield.
In the fall, the two Days and Ely
broke the first ground and put out a
crop, the Days then going back to the
East. Mr. Ely located on Lot 19, a
little East of the graveyard and East
of the village center. Mr. Ely died in
September, 1826.
Go Far for Provisions
On Feb. 10, 1800, John Campbell,
Joel Thrall and Alva Day left their
homes in Connecticut and walked to
their future homes, arriving in Deer-
field March 4. Soon after arrival, Alva
Day and Lewis Ely went to Atwater
and cut down a large tree, with which
to build a canoe to go to Virginia
after provisions. They launched their
log on Yellow Creek, floating to the
Mahoning, a river known to Indians
as "the way to market." On the Ma-
honing they made a canoe. In April
they reached their destination, where
they learned that it was impossible to
return by water with their supplies,
so they returned for ox-teams, finally
bringing in their supplies in May.
In 1800, also, came James Mc-
Laughlin, wife and daughter from
Pennsylvania. Later the family had
five other daughters and six sons. Mr.
McLaughlin erected a grist mill along
the Mahoning, south of the center, in
1801, the first water power mill in
the county. The old mill stood until
1942, when, with other buildings it
301
302
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
Friends Church at Deerfield
was torn down to make way for the
area flooded for the so-called Berlin
Reservoir.
In the same year (1801) Lewis Ely
donated a plat of ground East of the
Center for a burial ground. The first
burial was that of a young Indian boy.
They made him a coffin stained with
the juice of maple bark. The grave
was marked with a large, colored
stone, of the "nigger head" type, and
can still be seen there today, near the
monument to Deerfield's first settler,
Lewis Ely.
In July, Lewis Day, who had re-
turned to Connecticut, returned with
his wife, also Horatio Munn, Seth,
Lewis, Jr., Solomon and Sceba Day.
Along with this group came the wife
of Alva Day. Lewis Day was from
Grandby, Conn. He died in Deerfield
at the age of 93, and had been a Meth-
odist 60 years.
Deerfield township was so named
in honor of Deerfield, Mass., birth-
place of the mother of Lewis Day, Sr.,
who had been a Revolutionary War
soldier. After 1800 the population of
the new township increased at a rapid
rate. Settlers came in from Pennsyl-
vania, Virginia and Maryland. In
1802, Ephriam A. Hubbard, a native
of Stratford, Conn., came to Deerfield
and purchased a tract of land. His
three sons became leading citizens,
one entering the ministry.
Was Minister-Physician
In 1802 also came Daniel Diver and
family. He was a strong Methodist
and finding other Methodists already
here, wanted a church. He offered to
give ground for the church building,
provided that the church authorities
would send his son-in-law, Rev. Shad-
rack Bostwick, here as minister. Bost-
wick was to be a missionary, with
Deerfield his base. The offer was fin-
ally accepted. But previously the
groundwork for the church had been
laid by Rev. Henry Shewell who had
come from Pennsylvania. He preached
the first sermon in the township. But
Rev. Bostwick, who came on, was not
only a minister but a very good physi-
cian. Rev. Mr. Shewell was very prom-
inent in early county church organi-
zation.
Bostwick was so efficient that he
was soon called elsewhere. Rev. David
Best and Rev. J. Shackleford followed
him.
Members of the church were Rev.
Henry Shewell and wife, Ephriam
Hubbard and wife, Lewis Ely and wife,
Simeon Card and wife, Daniel Diver
and wife, Lewis Day. The first church
building was erected in 1818, at the
Southwest corner of the square. A new
one came in 1839 and the present
structure in 1874. This church has had
in 153 years, 137 ministers, but often
two men were needed for the actual
work. Rev. Wayne Walker is present
minister.
In 1806, Mose Tibbals, one of the
original four purchasers came and
settled on Lot 28. He died in 1841,
leaving four sons, Albert M., Aubert
L., Francis W. and Seymour S. Wil-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
303
liam Reed came from Pennsylvania
that year and in 1807 Peter and Steph-
en Mason came from Connecticut. An-
drew Pownell and brother came, also
the Hartzells, the Quiers and Lazarus,
and soon afterward, Luman Westover.
George H. Hartzell was leader and
patriarch of the whole group. He or-
ganized a congregation and though he
was not a preacher, he read from the
Scriptures and instructed his flock
after his conscience.
Township Organized
Deerfield Township was formally
organized in 1806 and these officials
elected: Trustees — Joseph Hart, James
McKelvey and Horatio Day; Over-
seers — Daniel Diver and David Dan-
iels; Fence Viewers — Amos Thurber
and William Bacon; Constable —
James Carter; Treasurer — Daniel Div-
er; Supervisors — Alva Day, E. B. Hub-
bard, Amos Thurber, Asa Hall, John
Venetta and E. Baker; Election Judges
— Lewis Day, James Laughlin, James
Thurber and Shadrack Bostwick;
Clerk — Shadrack Bostwick. Alva Day
was one of the early sheriffs, Lewis
Day a county commissioner and Lewis
Ely, coroner. James Carter was tax
collector for Deerfield. In 1809 Seth
Day was commissioners' clerk, also
clerk of courts. He was also county
recorder in 1818 and Ravenna post-
master.
Deerfield's first white person to die
was Betsy Rogers, daughter of Henry
Rogers. She died of a rattlesnake bite.
The first marriage was that of John
Campbell and Sarah Ely. The groom
was later variously known as captain,
colonel and general. The first birth
was in 1800, a daughter to Mr. and
Mrs. Alva Day. Lewis Day became
postmaster the same year.
In the spring of 1804, John Diver,
who had married Laura Ely, opened
the first tavern. It was long known
and popular as the Diver House, un-
der Diver management until 1844.
The building still stands on the
Northeast corner of the Center. Diver
was also an early mail contractor, car-
rying the mail from New Lisbon to
Mansfield via Canton. It was at this
tavern that the shooting of Daniel
Diver took place in 1806. This was
important in early history and is de-
scribed in another section.
In 1804 or 1805, came a man to
Deerfield from Pennsylvania whose
family was destined to play an import-
ant part in American history. He was
Noah Grant, who had fought at Bunk-
er Hill and in other Revolutionary
War battles. The family had five
children, including Peter, a son by
a first marriage, and of the four oth-
ers, Jesse G. Grant was the eldest.
Noah Grant purchased land from
John Diver about a quarter mile West
of the Center and started a tannery.
It is said that he bought the land for
"a long bit and a short bit," which
was 12-l/2c and 2-l/2c, or 15 cents
for land taken. The Grants worked
hard and in 1805 the mother died.
She was the grandmother of U. S.
Grant and was buried in the cemetery
East of the Center. For years the grave
was unmarked but in recent years a
suitable marker was placed on the
grave of Rachel Kelley Grant by the
Daughters of Union Veterans of Alli-
ance.
John Brown Here
The family was broken up. Jesse
Grant found a home with Judge and
Mrs. Tod, later parents of Ohio's gov-
ernor Tod. Young Grant later left the
Tods, went to Kentucky briefly, then
returned to Deerfield to live a while
with Mr. Brown, father of John
Brown. John Brown was a boy there
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
but young Grant liked him for his
character and courage. Soon Jesse
went to Ravenna to become owner of
his own tannery, which he held until
he moved to Southern Ohio in 1820
for the same business. There he mar-
ried and became the father of the later
President Grant.
The Grant tannery in Deerfield
changed owners frequently but in
1862, Henry Muerman acquired it and
ran it until 1868. He specialized in
shoe and harness leather, coonskin
coats and the tanning of buffalo hides
sent in. Dr. John Muerman, whose life
was spent in the teaching profession,
helped his father in the work and is
still alive at 90. He served many years
with the U. S. Department of Educa-
tion in the Philippines. He also occu-
pied a chair at the Oklahoma A. & M.
College at Stillwater.
Mr. Muerman also owned and op-
erated a general store many years in
Deerfield. He was a good musician
and one of the pillars of the Deer-
field Disciple church.
Until about 1890, farming and
sheep raising were the principal activ-
ities. Deerfield raised more wool than
any other township. The W. & H. H.
Day store shipped great quantities of
maple syrup, as did the Wilson store.
About 1879 Deerfield acquired a
railroad, passing through the eastern
part, coming north from Alliance to
Phalanx. It is now owned by the New
York Central system and has various-
ly been known as the Alliance &
Northern, the L. E. A. & W., and
others. This was to have much influ-
ence when the coal mines were de-
veloped.
Had A Fair
In the period, 1870 to 1890, the
Deerfield Agricultural Fair flour-
ished. Organized by the Spires Bros.,
Mr. Wann, Mr. Taggart, D. O. Car-
son and others, it was located about
three-quarters of a mile west of the
Center between what are known now
as Rts. 224 and 14. This fair had a
good half mile track and numerous
buildings
The Deerfield Agricultural Society
was organized in 1874 with C. O.
Betts, Harmon T. Hutson and Charles
Farham as members and leaders.
About 1915 Farmers Institutes were
started, with County Agent Shumway
to guide them. These were usually
well attended. From these the 4-H
clubs for boys and girls were devel-
oped.
The Maccabees organized a chapter
about 1900 and later the Foresters had
an active chapter until 1923 when
members transferred to Ravenna.
Of considerable importance was the
Portage Oil Co., organized in 1865.
Its object was to drill for and develop
oil. Among the stock holders were
N. N. Wann, Samuel Diver, E. W.
Gray, D. W. Goss, F. Hartzell, Daniel
Hartzell, Joseph Waggoner and Solo-
mon Hartzell. The company was cap-
italized at $500,000.00 but the com-
pany never was able to bring out oil
in paying quantity.
Cheese making was started in Deer-
field in 1885 by an organization
known as the Hudson Creamery Co.
It provided an outlet for farmers milk.
The building stood about one hund-
red yards north of the Center. An ice
house was also erected. Among the
creamery operators were Walter Not-
man, Fred Perry, Russell Maris and
Cornelius Wilcox. Operations ceased
in 1920 when the building burned.
Deerfield took a leading part in
furnishing soldiers for the War of
1812. In the first company John
Campbell was captain; Alva Day, first
PORTAGE HERITAGE
305
Old Hutson Coal Mine at Deerfield, long a busy spot.
lieutenant; and Lewis Day, first ser-
geant. On the way to the front, Capt,
Campbell took sick at Sandusky and
was out of service. Others were cap-
tured in Hull's surrender. As a prison-
er at Maiden, Lewis Day died. Lieut.
Alva Day was later county judge. In
the militia company in 1804, Henry
Rogers was captain; John Diver, lieu-
tenant, and Campbell, ensign.
In the Civil War Deerfield sent 86
soldiers to the front, fifteen of whom
were killed or died in the service. A
fine monument stands at the Center
in their honor.
Previous to the Spanish-American
war, Deerfield had a company of sol-
diers who drilled regularly at the
Park. It was attached to Co. K, Alli-
ance, and these boys served in that
war.
Have Select School
Deerfield's first school was taught
by Robt. Campbell in 1803 in a small
building a few yards east of the Cen-
ter. A later school at the Center was
in a four-room building and various
districts were formed in outlying sec-
tions.
About 1880, a select school was set
up and teachers from Hiram and Mt.
Union came in to help. Among the
pupils was a boy known later as Dr.
John Muerman, who gained distinc-
tion in higher education. Another was
Dr. Winn Day, of Pittsburgh.
In 1895-6, a public supported high
school was set up. Its first class grad-
uated in 1896 and consisted of Joel
Gause, Mabel Gause, Mabel Mowen
and John Wilson. The principal was
J. J. Armstrong. About 1915, central-
ization was discussed and in 1916 it
was a reality with pupils being
brought in by "kid wagons", or buses.
The high school course was extend-
ed to three years. The school also
sponsored a lyceum course of lectures
and entertainment.
On Dec. 17, 1917, the Center school
was destroyed by fire and classes had
to be held in scattered places, and
this continued until 1921, when a
new modern building was finished. In
1926, a P.T.A. was formed with
Clyde Burkey as president and did
valiant work in support of the school.
Mrs. Toth is now P.T.A. chief.
In the late 1940s, after much dis-
sention and controversy, Deerfield
306
PORTAGE HERITAGE
joined with Edinburg, Palmyra, Paris
and Charlestown in a new school dis-
trict, with a single high school. The
fine new building near Palmyra was
opened in 1955. Deerfield High's last
graduating class was in 1950, with
Charles Heish, principal.
A Presbyterian church was organ-
ized in Deerfield by a Rev. Bruce in
1816, with a building in the southeast
part of the township. In the same vi-
cinity, another church was put up by
the Disciples of Christ in 1828. Much
later, the congregation moved to
Deerfield Center, to a larger edifice.
The Hayden family burial plot lies
near the first church. Members of the
first church included the families of
Ephriam Hubbard, Jr., Michael Ead-
ler, Lazarus Hutson and son, Capt.
Hutson, Jesse Slack, Humphrey, Oli-
ver and Tobias Mowen, Henry Muer-
man, John Schaefer, Adam McGow-
ans and Reugle. The church was very
active in local and missionary work.
Their church building was large and
often used for community gatherings.
Pastors included the Revs. Braden,
Taylor, Sheppard, Chester Ruffer, El-
mer Ruffer, Denslow, Knight, Ham-
lin and Mantle. The church was dis-
banded in 1929.
A United Brethren church was also
located at Mottown in the northeast
part of the township to serve people
in Mottown and nearby Grover. Min-
isters of nearby churches sometimes
filled in to keep up activity. Later it
became the Friends church of Mot-
town. Revivals were held in winter
with camp meetings in Green's
Woods nearby in summer. Among
families most interested were those of
Aaron Burkey, Jacob Carrier, John
Griffiths, Thomas Sampson and Chas.
Bonar. A woman pastor, Miss Oakley,
served here a number of years. Later
Mrs. Jacobs, wife of Rev. Jacobs, took
up the work for a time. After 25
years at Mottown, the Friends church
bought the Disciple church at the
Center in 1929. Among those serving
there were the Revs. Powell, Hadley,
Refus and Green. Mrs. Hadley was
also a preacher.
Coal Mines Opened
Up to about 1890, Deerfield had
been a quiet, peaceful farming com-
munity. There was little else to be
done. But coal had been found in Pal-
myra. Many went there to work, par-
ticularly at Grover, and of these many
were of Welsh descent. The mine there
was owned by the Hutson Coal Co.,
comprised of Capt. Harmon Hutson of
Deerfield and H. D. Marble and
Charles Burke of Cleveland. They be-
lieved coal could be found in Deer-
field and after a long search, found
it. A mine was opened on the Shively
farm a quarter mile east of the Cen-
ter. The opening in June, 1895, was
a gala affair, with a program and a
good time. This was the beginning of
an industry that brought prosperity
to Deerfield for 25 years.
The coal vein ran in a northeastern
and southwestern direction, only
about three feet thick, but was of
high grade, being designated as No. 1.
It lay over 200 feet below the surface.
The company used an all-steel tipple
and was one of the first to use elec-
tric cutting machines. Coal was ship-
ped out on a railroad switch, and
served local demand by wagon and
truck.
Music in the Air
The new mine brought in as miners
great groups of Welsh people, also
some Scotch, French and Belgian. The
whole town felt the impact of the
musical and singing ability of the
Welsh. In the churches the thunder-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
307
ing basses and contraltos, with lofty
tenors and sopranos, brought Heaven
just a little bit closer to the congrega-
tions. On moonlight summer nights,
the "Owl Gang" gathered under the
trees of the village park and sang
beautiful renditions of the "barber
shop" songs of that era so effectively
that those of today who go down
memory's lane of that time in Deer-
field pause for a moment in that al-
most forgotten past.
With Ward Craig as a director, a
25 piece band was organized. A band
stand was erected and summer con-
certs were popular. A fine baseball
team was formed and it was able to
hold its own with bigger town teams
all over the district. Interest was keen.
Memorial Day was always observed
with fitting services and from 1905
to 1953, these services were held in
the village park, with a parade to the
cemetery until increasing road traffic
ended the custom.
In 1905 a Ladies Cemetery Associa-
tion was formed to beautify and main-
tain the three cemeteries of the town-
ship — Deerfield, Hartzell and Mot-
town. An annual bazaar is held each
year to raise funds for the work. The
first president of this organization
was Mrs. Julia Diver. Present offi-
cers are: Mrs. Florence Sutcliffe, pres-
ident; Mrs. Elsie Jenkins, secretary;
and Mrs. Esther Kirkbride, treasurer.
The cemeteries are now attractive and
well kept.
This era also brought the first auto-
mobiles to town. Among these, and
well remembered are Lew Hartzell's
White Steamer; Clayton CanfiekTs
White Steamer; Clayton Wilcox's
Reo; Carl Inglado's Brush; and D. D.
Carson's Buick. The story is told that
Lew Hartzell's car got out of control
and carried him through the ceme-
tery fence. Unhurt, he said: "I don't
mind going to the cemetery but not
in this particular time or manner."
Drs. Miller, Waite, Johnson and
Severn all had cars, but at the present
time there is no residential doctor in
Deerfield.
In 1905 another coal mine made its
entrance to Deerfield. This was oper-
ated by the Arthur Mullins Co., of
Salem and lay in the northeast part
of the township. This mine also at-
tracted workers from old Grover and
Palmyra and a good sized settlement
came into being there. The coal was
virtually the same grade and quality
as others. In 1915, this mine was pur-
chased by the Hutson Coal Co. and
operated until it closed down in 1925.
In April, 1927, a widespread strike
affected the mining industry. The
mine at Deerfield remained closed
until the fall of that year, when the
Hutson Coal Co. decided that further
operations were not justified in view
of the diminishing supply. Under the
direction of Supt. William James, the
installations were dismantled, and the
mine sealed for protection. A huge
slate pile remained. This was burned
and the remains used as material for
making township and county roads.
It was of a reddish color and was
known as "red dog". Thus passed
away all evidences of Deerfield's coal
industry.
Find Mineral Spring
Previously, soon after the mine had
started operations, a wonderful spring
of water was discovered in it. It was
found by two workers, David Reese
and Richard Davis, who liked it and
spread the word. All liked it. This
aroused the interest of Mr. Hutson,
Mr. Marble and Mr. Burke. They in-
troduced it to their friends, among
whom was Dr. Stillman, who recom-
308
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Grave of Rachel Grant, grandmother of
Pres. U. S. Grant, at Deerfield.
mended it to his friends for medicinal
purposes.
This was the beginning of the Deer-
field Mineral Springs. Mr. Hutson had
the water piped up and bottled for
the market and there were orders
from far and wide. A large brick
building was erected for bottling and
handling and a railroad extended to
the point. The company was headed
by Mr. Marble, with T. J. Williams,
vice president, and William James,
secretary-treasurer. The company con-
tinued the shipment of mineral water,
in addition to soft drinks of ginger
ale, root beer, mint nectar, sarsaparilla
and cherry. Deerfield Ginger Ale be-
came famous. At that time the soft
drink trade was limited to the sum-
mer months so that the plant worked
only in those months.
In 1914, plans were made to develop
the business to its full potentiality.
Sales had already reached nearly
$100,000.00. Construction of a larger
plant, with a sanatorium and hotel
were in view, with a development like
White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. But
dissension arose within and the busi-
ness sold outright to the Sylla-Good-
man Bottling Works of Cleveland. A
new building, new equipment and
new methods were used, but on the
night of August 6, 1920, the plant
was destroyed by fire and never re-
built.
In 1934, a coal mine shaft was sunk
in the northeast corner of the town-
ship and became known as the Black
Diamond Coal Co. Interested in it
were Ruel Johns, Daniel Lewis, War-
ren Lewis, Perry Williams and Thom-
as Jones, all of Palmyra. The coal was
of good grade. The newly arrived
trucking business provided an outlet
for the entire production. The mine
operated until 1943, when new con-
ditions made costs too high.
Strip Mining Starts
Throughout the years there had
been several small shaft mines, which
served the people of near residence.
The coal was near the surface and in
some places could be reached by mak-
ing entrance to the side of a hill.
These were "drift mines." About that
time it was found that coal could be
uncovered by the use of powerful
earth moving machinery. This meth-
od of mining coal became known as
strip mining and in 1939 this type
of operation came to Deerfield when
the Peterson Coal Co. obtained rights
and began stripping land for coal
about two and a half miles west of
the Center. Through the efforts of
Clyde Peterson, Harry Peterson and
Roy Kays this mining business today
serves a very wide territory. By means
of a tipple and other equipment the
coal is washed and graded for waiting
truckers. The daily tonnage runs from
500 to 800 tons. To date, more than
300 acres of land have been uncovered.
In this era the township attained
PORTAGE HERITAGE
309
its largest population, in the years
from 1890 to 1955. The early years
were a happy and joyous time to live.
People made their own amusements.
In the winter there were sleigh rides,
box socials and plays. In the summer
a tent show would come in for a
week or so, with a movie and accom-
panying music which fascinated large
crowds. E. G. Smith's circus usually
paid the village a visit. The Medicine
Man also entertained the people while
selling knives, shoe strings, pencils,
salves and "Indian Katonka".
The Big Boom
Perhaps Deerfield's biggest "boom"
came on the night of June 11, 1913,
when a warehouse standing on the
southwest corner of the village, in
which was stored a large quantity of
fireworks, let go and wrecked nearly
the entire village. No one was serious-
ly injured but property damage was
heavy as virtually all buildings were
left without windows and their con-
tents tumbled in heaps. The blast was
heard as far away as Salem and Alli-
ance and other points. The explosion
occurred at midnight and not until
morning could the full extent be as-
certained. What caused the explosion
was never known.
When war was declared in April,
1917, and the call raised for soldiers,
Deerfield men answered the call by
sending a total of 53 young men who
donned the khaki and served in vari-
ous branches and places. The follow-
ing Deerfield soldiers died in the ser-
vice of their country: David Evans,
Homer Girard, George Knight and
William Mann. Others suffered by
wounds or illness.
In 1942, Deerfield residents were
again stirred by reports that a dam
across the Mahoning River would be
built in the northeast corner of the
township, to impound water as a feed-
er to the already existing Milton Res-
ervoir. Mahoning Valley steel mills
and industries required an increased
supply of water for war work. Work
in building the dam and clearing the
valley began late in 1942. Many farms
lying within the area to be flooded
were bought by the government. This
resulted in the loss of many fine farms
as well as local taxes derived there-
from.
The work of clearing the valley
reached from the eastern side of Deer-
field to the limits of Alliance ten
miles south. The government pur-
chased 7,990 acres of land, mostly in
Deerfield, and there is a drainage area
of around 250 square miles. The
present reservoir covers 5,470 acres
and when filled, holds 32 billion gal-
lons of water.
It was built at a cost of $6,228,676,
and was dedicated in October, 1943,
with elaborate and fitting ceremonies,
with Federal, State and County dig-
nitaries present. A number of roads
were closed and new bridges had to
be built. It is now known as the Berlin
Reservoir. A resident officer is con-
stantly on hand. At present he is Rob-
ert Gregory.
There were 114 men and women of
Deerfield who served their country
in World War II. Deerfield men could
be found in all branches of service,
and in virtually all the theaters of
war. In this war, the following sol-
diers died in service: William Crow-
der and Arland Van Camp.
Boys in Service
After the close of this war, a me-
morial dedicated to Deerfield Town-
ship soldiers was placed in the park.
An American Legion Post was organ-
310
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
ized and became known as Post No.
713. With a membership of about 65,
this post has been quite active. Vet-
erans from adjacent townships are
members. Its home is located on state
highway Route 14 about two and a
half miles northwest of the Center.
Raymond Carver, a Korean War vet-
eran, is currently serving as command-
er. The post is assisted in its activities
by a Women's Auxiliary, of which
Mrs. Mildred Adams is president.
In the Korean War, 36 Deerfield
boys were in service. In this war Paul
Kirkbride and James Walker made
the supreme sacrifice.
In World War II there was a Civil-
ian Defense organization, which later
was a moving force in the organiza-
tion of the Deerfield Civic club for
the encouragement of worthwhile
projects.
The Volunteer Fire Department was
formed in June, 1947, with Thomas
Lloyd as president; Hazel Ingeldue as
secretary; and Thelma Johns as treas-
urer. There are 22 members signed in
the work. The Deerfield Homecoming
Festival was an effort to obtain money
to purchase fire fighting equipment.
It still continues.
A fire station was erected just east
of the Center. A modern fire truck
was obtained at a cost of $8,000.00,
with a smaller truck available. Ray
Sutcliffe is fire chief with 23 trained
men available.
In recent years a large skating rink
near the Atwater line on Rt. 224, has
attracted large numbers of visitors.
Present township officers are: Trus-
tees — Eric Hall, Albert Strong and
Virgil Weingart; Clerk — A. E. Hart-
zell.
Deerfield population by decades
has been: 1850-1371; 1870-1025; 1890-
914; 1880-985; 1900-1101; 1910-1240;
1920-1103; 1930-1005; 1940-1059;
1950-1172. Property valuation in 1950
was $1,970,485.00.
Currently the Peterson Coal Co. is
increasing strip mining operations
and installing a limestone crushing
plant to utilize large deposits found
there, thus starting a new industry.
In Woman's World
In 1881 Kittie Sherman of Charles-
town made a quilt of 1841 pieces.
In 1878 five widows of the five Judd
brothers were all living in Ravenna, the
brothers being Harrison, Daniel, Charles,
Zenas and Lester.
Plush coats were very popular for wo-
man in the '70s, '80s and '90s.
Mrs. Nellie Thayer of Garrettsville is
said to have been the first woman in the
county to cast a ballot in a general elect-
ion. In 1920 she cast an absentee voter's
ballot, prior to leaving for Florida.
Miss Emma Vaders of Ravenna was a
widely known actress. She played with
the Booth-Barrett combination, and with
Keene. This was about 1900.
Miss Susan Goodrich was an early car-
pet weaver in Freedom, but she was also
the community undertaker for half a
century. It is said that she prepared a
casket without any handles or ornaments
to be used at her own funeral.
In 1831 Orsamus Drake and wife of
Freedom planned a visit to their old
home in Massachusetts. Mrs. Drake
wanted to look well and decided to
replenish her wardrobe. She had her
husband take twelve bushels of wheat to
Garrettsville where they were traded for
twelve yards of calico. From this Mrs.
Drake made two gowns which she wore
on the trip East.
Most of the Portage County women
settlers of New England ancestry made
bread of the kind known as "salt rising."
Many of the families never used any
other kind.
CHAPTER XXIV
Edinburg
By Mrs. C. J. Walvoord
The history of Edinburg began
with the purchase of the land in the
township by General William Hart,
of Saybrook, Connecticut. Perhaps it
would be more accurate to say that
the history of all of the townships on
the Western Reserve began when they
were laid out in five mile squares,
with roads crossing at the center. This
unique plan brought churches, schools
and business places together at the
center of the township, made each
distinct political unit, and has influ-
enced the history of the Western Re-
serve to this day.
This twenty-five square miles of
land, together with holdings which
General Hart is said to have had in
other counties, cost him a total of
$20,000.
General Hart never came here to
live, but later gave the entire north-
east quarter of the township to his
nephew, Richard Hart, who came in
1817 to inspect his holdings, returned
to marry his sweetheart, and came
back to stay in 1818. There were ap-
parently a number of descendents of
the Hart family and Richard seems to
have been a prominent citizen, be-
cause, for a time the township was
called "Hart and Mother."
The first resident was Ebert Abbott,
also from Connecticut, who settled on
the southwest corner of the northwest
quarter of the township in 1811. He
stayed only a short time before he
was crippled by a falling tree. Later
his wife died and Mr. Abbott moved
to Ravenna.
Named for Eddy Family
Soon after Abbott, came Lemuel
Chapman, Jr., who was related to Ab-
bott by marriage. He settled on the
northwest corner of the southwest
quarter of the township. His father
lived just over the line in Rootstown.
Mr. Chapman returned to Connecti-
cut for his wife and six children, but
while he was there, his wife died. He
brought the children back with him
and raised them with the help of rel-
atives and friends. He was married
twice later and altogether had 15
children.
In February, 1815, the families of
Alanson and Justin Eddy came all the
way from Connecticut in sleighs, and
settled in the northwest quarter of the
township, Justin on the farm long
known as Highland Home, and Alan-
son farther south. They must have
been influential citizens, for the town-
ship soon became known as Eddyburg.
This was later contracted into Edin-
burg.
Stage Army Hunt
In the following years, people ar-
rived more rapidly and the names
Clark, Botsford, Canfield, Trow-
bridge, Bostwick, Ruggles, McArthur,
Cowell, Calvin, and Gilbert, are men-
tioned in the early history. Few of
these names are familiar now, but
older residents remember well the
descendents of these families.
An interesting incident concerns an
"Army Hunt", in December, 1819.
The southern part of Edinburg had
311
312
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Ice cutting scene in early 1900s. This one was at Brady Lake.
not been settled as early as the north,
and it became, with the northern part
of Atwater, the stage for the hunt.
Trumpets sounded and the hunters
encircled the territory. When they
finished, they had 103 deer, 21 bears,
18 wolves, and 500 turkeys, which
were divided among the hunters.
Edinburg had its rattlesnakes, too, and
snake hunts were frequent. Seventy-
two were said to have been killed in
one day near the Justin Eddy place.
On April 5, 1819, the first election
was held. There were 16 taxpayers in
the township, and twenty votes were
cast. Edmund Bostwick, Justin Eddy
and Daniel Trowbridge were judges
of the election, where the following
township officers were chosen: Trus-
tees; Alanson Eddy, Daniel Trow-
bridge and Edmund Bostwick. Clerk;
Justin Eddy. Fence Viewers; Emoch
Martin and Benjamin Brown. Over-
seers of the Poor; Amasa Canfield and
Robert Calvin. Supervisors; Lemuel
Chapman, Jr., Justin Eddy, and Rich-
ard Hart. Constables; Daniel Trow-
bridge and Benjamin Brown. Treas-
urer; Richard Hart.
Military Road Built
In addition to the roads which ran
north and south, and east and west,
crossing at Edinburg Center, there
was a military road built about 1802,
which crossed the township from
northwest to southeast, intersecting
the other roads near the center. This
was part of a road from Cleveland to
Pittsburgh, and later became known
as the Cleveland- Wellsville Turnpike.
This road affected the history of the
township from the time it was built
until it became Route 14 in the auto-
mobile era, when it intersected Route
18 between Akron and Youngstown.
In 1840, a canal was constructed just
north of the border of the township.
Much of the stone for building the
canal came from quarries in Edinburg.
It is said that before the canal was in
operation it was difficut to sell wheat
for twenty-five cents a bushel, but,
with the coming of the canal, the
price rose to one dollar.
The Cleveland-Pittsburgh branch of
the Pennsylvania Railroad was com-
pleted across the southwest corner of
the township in 1852. For many years
a train stopped morning and evening
at a little settlement called Industry,
which boasted a store and a postoffice
combined. There have never been any
PORTAGE HER ITAGE
313
other railway accomodations in Edin-
burg Township.
In the early part of the twentieth
century, interurban street cars afford-
ed some more convenient transporta-
tion, but these were still some distance
from most residents of Edinburg. One
track followed parallel to the Cleve-
land and Pittsburgh Railroad between
Ravenna and Alliance, and another
from Ravenna to Warren followed the
old canal bed .
Davis Post House
The earliest public transportation
was by stage coach. There were stage
routes over both the Akron-Youngs-
town and the Cleveland-Pittsburgh
highways. The post house was owned
and operated by William Davis, who
first built a log house on the south
side of what is now route 18, and later
built the big house now known as
Elio's Truck Stop. This home was
something of an Inn for many years,
from the time when the owners got
up at night to meet the stage and sort
the mail, to a much later date. Sales-
men would come to Atwater or Ra-
venna by train, hire a horse and buggy
at the livery stable, and drive through
the country to contact merchants or
farmers.
Teachers and students from a dis-
tance also boarded in the Davis home,
then owned by Dexter, whose wife,
Frances, was mother to all who en-
tered her home. The first telephone
in Edinburg was a pay phone in this
house and the children frequently
earned nickels and dimes for deliver-
ing messages.
Other homes which provided meals
and lodging in the days before auto-
mobiles and bus service included the
spacious home of Jack White, on
Route 18, and later that of Lucy and
Cora Byers, on Route 14.
Since the earliest settlers were from
New England, it is natural that they
should immediately begin to look
after their spiritual interests. The first
sermon is believed to have been de-
livered by a Reverend Damon about
1812. From that time on there were
occasional visits from itinerant min-
isters.
Missionaries Call Meeting
On Jan. 9, 1823, the Congregational
Church was organized. The church
records, which are very complete,
state: "Brethren Pitkin and Storrs,
missionaries, met in Edinburg for the
purpose of organizing a church; and
at a meeting appointed for the pur-
pose, after uniting in prayer for the
direction and blessing of God, the fol-
lowing persons presented themselves
for examination with a view to their
being formed into a church: viz., Ed-
mund Bostwick, with Aurilla, his
wife; Rachel, the wife of Alanson
Eddy; Nancy, the wife of Amasa Can-
field; and Betsy, the wife of Green-
bury Keen; with letters from the
church in Charlestown; Benjamin Car-
ter; from the church in Canfield, and
Sally, his wife; and Ethiel Strong,
from the church in Warren, Conn."
Until 1831, the church held meet-
ings at the school house. On Dec. 19
of that year they decided to purchase
a piece of ground as well as the school
building, which was moved and re-
modeled.
In the early days, discipline was
very strict. The record says that in
1838, a Mr. Edwin Eddy was put out
of the church for "riding on the Sab-
bath Day" and "neglecting public
worship."
In 1826, three years after the Con-
gregational, a Methodist church was
organized. A small building was start-
ed in 1834 and finished in 1837. It
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was remodeled and made into quite
a nice building and rededicated in
1866.
Churches Increase
Pastors were assigned by the con-
ference and often served two or three
other churches. In later years the
churches at Yale and Palmyra were
a part of the parish, but some people
remember when the minister preached
in Atwater, and others when he
preached in Charlestown.
There are no records of the early
days of the Methodist church to be
found. It is thought that they may
have been lost when the parsonage
burned in 1890. Some of the earlier
members include Jacob Phile, Augus-
tus Booth, Dr. Fry, Harry Botsford,
and Alfred Goss.
Among the ministers who served
the church was the father of the noted
singing evangelist and hymn writer,
E. O. Excell.
For a number of years, the little
church of the Disciples of Christ stood
on the Cleveland-Pittsburgh turnpike,
just southeast of its intersection with
the Edinburg-Atwater road. Of its be-
ginning, the "History of the Disciples
on the Western Reserve" has this to
say:
"Edinburg, Portage County — In
1865 a church of thirty members was
planted here by S. S. Chapman, with
William Cowell and Cyrus Turnbull
as elders; Jesse Rogers and George
Stump, deacons. Succeeding helps
(from other churches) E. B. Wake-
field, F. M. Green, B. Q. Baker, D. C.
Hanselman. Present number: seven-
five. (This was in 1875). Linus Rogers,
preacher. Three preachers, brothers,
have arisen here, viz., Edwin Rogers,
Linus Rogers, and W. H. Rogers, son
of Jesse Rogers.
Student Pastors
Judging from the records available,
the church membership never rose
much above that sixty-five. Most of
the pastors were students from Hiram
College who drove the fifteen miles in
a buggy or sleigh, often preached two
sermons on Sunday, called on the sick,
were entertained sometimes in three
different homes, and returned to
Hiram on Monday to resume their
studies. The remuneration seems to
have been from five to eight dollars
a trip, and sometimes the student
came for whatever the offering was.
Shifting population brought chang-
es. This movement almost depleted the
membership of the Disciples' Church.
People came from other places, but
they joined other churches. Finally,
on Oct. 25, 1913, a meeting was held
at which it was decided to sell the
property and divide the proceeds
equally between the Christian Wo-
man's Board of Missions and the
Church Extension Board. Mrs. Ora
Shively was appointed to issue church
letters to those who wished to join
other churches.
Among the early churches not pre-
viously noted were three small United
Brethren Churches in or very near the
border of Edinburg. One was at Yale
and one at Campbellsport and the
third at "Bloody Corners" near the
Charlestown line on the Charlestown-
Edinburg road. Methodists later took
over at Yale and pastors from Edin-
burg preached there until the union
of the Edinburg churches.
Unite Services
Rev. P. J. Henness was called to
serve the Congregational Church,
while at the same time he purchased,
with his brother-in-law, a store in Ra-
venna, which took much of his time.
The Methodist Church was served by
PORTAGE HERITAGE
315
Nathan Goss
Rev. Kennedy, who also had three
other preaching points. Even with
two ministers living in the commun-
ity, its religious needs were not ade-
quately served.
The Congregational Christian En-
deavor and the Methodist Epworth
League united into one really effect-
ive Young People's Society. This
union was so successful that the so-
ciety became the center of both the
social and religious life of the com-
munity.
This youth group there had a vision
of one church in Edinburg, and a plan
emerged.
Under this plan each church re-
tained its own identity. Contributions
were kept separate. Each committee
was composed of an equal number
from each church. New members
joined the church of their choice.
Adult Sunday School met in one
church and children in the other,
while worship was held half of the
year in the Methodist Church and the
other half in the Congregational. Pas-
tors were secured alternately from the
respective conferences. Rev. Jacob
Rankin, the first pastor, came from
the Methodist conference in the fall
of 1921.
Rev. Rankin was followed by the
Rev. Henry H. Hunt, Congregational.
Something needed to be done about
the church buildings. Neither was ade-
quate in itself, and moving part of
the congregation from one to the
other between services was unsatis-
factory.
In 1924 a new constitution was
adopted and the church was incor-
porated as the Edinburg United
Church. In 1926 the Methodist prop-
erty was sold and the proceeds used
to help enlarge the Congregational
Church and construct a basement. We
believe that dating from the summer
of 1921, this was the first union of
two churches formed in the county.
It has flourished and been a strong
force in both the religious and social
life the community. It would be hard
to tell how many denominations are
represented by its present member-
ship. Rev. Wm. Hastings is the pres-
ent pastor.
A Church of God was organized in
1946, by people from the Newton
Falls church. For some time meetings
were held in the Town Hall with Rev.
Raymond Miller as pastor. In 1949 an
attractive church was built almost op-
posite the United Church on the Edin-
burg-Charlestown road. Rev. J. A.
Overholt of Alliance is the pastor.
School Gets Start
The first school was held in a log
house on the property of Amasa Can-
field in 1818. The teacher was Miss
Clarissa Loomis of Charlestown, with
eight pupils. Miss Electa Bostwick
taught the school in 1819, followed by
Jesse Buell.
In 1823, residents entered into a
contract with Austin Loomis of At-
water to teach school in Edinburg
316
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
three months for twelve bushels of
wheat per month; "one-half to be paid
at the end of three months in grain,
and the remainder in some other
trade, such as cattle, sheep, and
whiskey."
By 1850 the township had been di-
vided into seven districts and a special
district at the center. Each district was
a separate unit with its own tax dup-
licate and its own elected Board of
Directors.
In 1877 a two story school building
was erected in the special district,
where the present school building
stands. The teachers on the first floor
taught approximately the first six
grades, while the principal taught
"high school" on the second floor.
Sometimes the high school was quite
large, since pupils came from all over
the township to take advantage of the
higher education.
School Changes Come
A new district must have been cre-
ated, because at the beginning of con-
solidation, there were eight districts
besides Campbellsport and Yale, both
of which served parts of four town-
ships. Teachers of this period include
Andrew Douthitt, Jesse O. Myers, E.
F. Robison and F. J. Roller. Probably
of all teachers of one room schools,
Lucy J. Byers had the longest period
of service, having taught for about
20 years.
About the year 1898, the school at
the center was graded and a year of
standard high school work was of-
fered. E. J. McCall was principal, and
four students graduated in the first
class; namely, Alexander W. Walter,
Roy Schultz, Arthur Jenkins, and
Maggie Watkins.
In 1903, another year of high school
was added. The following year the
school became so large that a portion
of the upper hall was partitioned off
for a class room, and Rev. Howard
Barnes, minister of the Congrega-
tional Church, was hired to teach part
time. A. W. Walter was principal.
Not long after that, it seemed best
to consolidate smaller districts with
the Special District, and the days of
the covered wagon buildings had been
moved in to house the third, fourth,
fifth and sixth grades. The first and
second, seventh and eighth, and high
school were accommodated in the
original building.
Fire Destroys Building
In December, 1914, the main build-
ing caught fire and burned to the
ground. For the remainder of the year
the first and second and the seventh
and eighth grades met in the town
hall, with a curtain to separate the
rooms; and the high school was
housed in the Lodge Hall above the
general store.
In the fall of 1915, school opened in
a fine new fireproof building with
eight rooms, an auditorium, and a
room for home economics and manual
training. Another year was added to
the high school and another teacher
to the staff. Members of the Board
of Education were C. A. Hughes, pres.,
Leroy Allen, C. A. Clark, A. C. Pas-
coe and E. A. Shilliday. F. E. Kibler
was clerk.
Gradually, as roads in the township
were improved, the horse drawn
wagons, or bob-sleds, gave way to
motor busses.
A fourth year was added to the high
school in 1932 and it became a first
grade school with full credit for col-
lege entrance. This made it necessary
to add more space and in 1939 an ad-
dition was built to supply a gymnas-
ium, class rooms and laboratories for
science and home economics. The
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
317
Board of Education were A. P. Sch-
weizer, E. B. Bingham, H. D. Gibson,
Nelson Hughes, and H. J. Turner. A.
G. Hickman was clerk and Gomer
Lewis, Principal.
This made the Edinburg school one
of the finest in the county. However,
by 1950 other schools in the area were
losing their charters because they were
overcrowded, and Edinburg voted to
consolidate again, this time with the
townships of Charlestown, Paris, Pal-
myra, and Deerfield. Because Edin-
burg had the most suitable building,
the Southeast Local School District
transported high school students from
all townships to Edinburg, and grade
school pupils to other schools.
Modern School Arises
In the summer of 1955, a modern
high school building was erected on
forty acres of land on State Route 18,
in Palmyra township. Each township
has its own grade school, a Board of
Education with one representative
elected from each township. Mason
McConnell has been the representa-
tive from Edinburg since the consoli-
dation.
In contrast to the educational facil-
ities provided in 1885, we have these
figures: the latest appraisal value of
the Edinburg school building (1955)
was $315,000. The bond issue to build
the new five-township high school
was $795,000.
The number of pupils attending
school has not changed very much, in
spite of the fact that we now have a
four-year high school. In 1885, the
number of pupils enrolled in all
schools is given as 299. In 1956, there
are 316, including 80 pupils from
Edinburg in Southeast High School.
The average salary of all properly
certified personnel who do any teach-
ing is $3758.
It is a far cry from the days when
Thomas Brigdon planted his corn
with an axe for want of a better tool,
to the present age of self-propelled
combines, milking machines, and for-
age harvesters. Agriculture has al-
ways been the principal industry in
Edinburg. Many and varied are the
products which have come from its
farms and great are the changes in
methods of production.
Fruit has always been an important
product. In the early days nearly
every farm had its apple trees and the
rack over the kitchen stove was kept
full of apples drying for winter use
in sauce and pies. Highland Home
Farm, owned by Theodore Clark, was
noted also for its peaches and cherries.
After World War I, a number of
new apple and peach orchards were
planted, as well as some cherries and
pears. Among those who raised fruit
commercially were Hill & Schweizer,
E. W. Phile, C. B. Gano, E. B. Bing-
ham, and others. For a number of
years, the Hill & Schweizer farm was
noted for its fruits and vegetables,
also.
Set Apple Orchards
H. E. Wilkinson from Detroit
bought what was known as the Swartz
farm on Route 14, about a mile North-
west of Edinburg, and set the entire
farm to apple trees. He built a lovely
home, storage facilities, and a nice
roadside stand. Later he bought the
Cyrus Turnbull farm and set it to
fruit also. For a time he and his wife
spent some time there, but he never
came to live as he had expected.
The farms were later sold to Ed-
ward S. McConnell, who with his
sons, put them in shape, planted more
trees, including cherries and peaches,
and gradually acquired three other
farms in the neighborhood. Many
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
bushels of peaches are sold from these
farms and in a good year thousands of
bushels of apples are sold directly
from the farm or packaged in plastic
bags. Ed McConnell was considered
one of the best judges of livestock in
this part of the country.
The census of 1885 says that 1660
pounds of maple sugar and 6,640 gal-
lons of maple syrup was produced
that year. 25,268 maple trees were
tapped. The demand for lumber and
the price paid for it have induced
most of the farmers in the township
to cut off their woodlots. As a result
tornadoes have become too frequent,
and the soil has suffered for lack of
water conservation. Only a few farm-
ers, notably, Stanley Bingham, Earl
Villers, and Eldis Phile and sons, still
make maple syrup.
The greatest change in this com-
munity has come about as a result of
the desire of people who work in fac-
tories for a home in the country,
where they can be out of doors, and
where they can have a greater amount
of security. Many farms are now oc-
cupied by part time farmers. Some do
a fair job of farming in spite of their
other work. Others have a cow, a few
chickens and a garden; while still
others have given up trying to farm
at all while they have another job.
Those full time farmers who are left
make agriculture a profession and
with the help of the improved ma-
chinery carry on larger operations
than before.
Production Notes
Dairying is a major industry. In
contrast to the last century, when but-
ter was an important product, all
milk is now shipped in refrigerated
trucks to Akron and Cleveland. Fruit,
especially apples, poultry and eggs,
and sheep (wool and lambs) are the
other important products at present.
We have no township census fig-
ures later than 1945. What we have
may make an interesting comparison
with those previously given. 19,817
bushels of wheat; 33,095 bushels of
shelled corn, 6,898 bushels of potatoes,
33,386 bushels of apples, 1,839 bushels
of peaches, 11,718 pounds of cherries.
Number of cows milked, 791; all hogs
and pigs, 703; all sheep and lambs,
373; number of chickens, 11,097;
turkeys, 154.
Since the close of World War II,
many new homes have been built on
small plots of land. The population is
becoming suburban, and the percent-
age of full time farmers is decreasing.
However, with improved methods and
better machinery, a few farmers can
produce about as much as before, and
agriculture is still the principle in-
dustry.
Other occupations grew up as there
was need for them. The first sawmill
was built by Justin Eddy and John
Campbell on "Barrel Run", a stream
which runs from the southeast part
of Edinburg northeast through the
back of Highland Home Farm, and
into the Mahoning River. This stream,
which took its name from a barrel
"factory" somewhere along its course,
is very beautiful as it cuts through the
rocks and is fed by clear springs.
Many a picnic has been held along its
banks.
There have always been one or
more sawmills in the township. Al-
bert Randall owned and operated the
last permanent sawmill which did
work of that kind.
Iron Ore Mined
Among the early industries was a
tannery at Silver Creek, run by the
Schultz brothers. According to some
records, there was also a flourishing
PORTAGE HERITAGE
319
Gen. David Mcintosh, who provided
money to buy flags for all townships in
county.
mill for making cloth. Stone was
quaried in several places in the town-
ship and used for building the canal,
bridges, and foundations of buildings.
It is said that over 1000 tons of iron
ore were mined on the Highland
Home farm in one year; and were
hauled in wagons to Youngstown to
be smelted into iron.
Daniel W. Goss acquired the first
store in 1856. It had belonged to his
father-in-law, a Mr. Dillingham. The
store was first located on the diagonal
road just southeast of its intersection
with the north-south road. About
1877, a new store was built on the
northeast corner of the intersection of
the diagonal road with the east- west
road. This was the store described
above.
At one time or another all four of
the brothers, Daniel, Ambrose, Al-
fred, and Nathan, had an interest in
the store. They were all good citizens
and their passing was a great loss to
the community.
The Goss Murder
It was around this store that a great
tragedy hit Edinburg. It was in Jan-
uary, 1900. Nathan Goss and his son
William were operating the store, the
only one in town. There had been a
series of burglaries in other places and
Nathan had installed a burglar alarm
which led from the store to his home.
Not long afterward, the alarm rang
in the night. Nathan dressed and
went to the house of a neighbor, John
D. R. Davis, for help. John accom-
panied him to the store. As they were
approaching the building, Nathan
shot into the air to frighten the burg-
lars. He had taken no precaution to
protect himself and one of the men
stepped to the door and shot, fatally
wounding Mr. Goss.
The thieves escaped leaving the
"loot" which they had gathered into
bags. However, Sheriff John Gooden-
ough picked up the trail and the men
were captured shortly. They were
tried and convicted of murder in the
first degree. They were sentenced to
the penitentiary for life, but inside of
five years all three had been pardoned.
The store then became the property
of William Goss who operated it for
ten to fifteen years longer. After that
it was sold and passed from one own-
er to another in succession. Jay Thom-
as moved it to the east side of the lot
to make room for the Checkerboard
Restaurant, which he built. Times had
changed. The general store became
mainly a grocery and meat market. It
was finally leased to Elmer J. Smolk,
who added a gasoline filling station.
After the old store was damaged by
fire, Mr. Smolk built a nice store and
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
home on Route 14. The old store was
then torn down and a new one built.
This now houses a hardware and ap-
pliance store owned and operated by
Guy Goldner.
Mercantile Activities
On Feb. 2, 1878, a Grange Hall
Building Society was organized by the
following: Smith Sanford, Isaac Wil-
liams, M. O. Gane, L. B. Higley, E. C.
Myers, and Hezekiah Hawn. The pur-
pose was to build a store and grange
hall. The building was erected on the
south side of the east-west road near
the home of Dexter D. Davis, who
started a store and did a good busi-
ness. He was in partnership with Bert
L. Bostwick. Later the store was sold
to Mr. Dundon. Unfortunately the
building burned about 1890 and was
never rebuilt.
Other grocery stores have come and
gone, notably one on the southwest
side of Route 14, run successively by
C. B. Pinney, Bert Mitchell, and Har-
ry B. Gardner, and one on the east
road started also by Calvin Pinney and
owned in recent years by Robert Hos-
tetler. At present the only grocery and
meat market is that owned by Elmer
Smolk. Other business places consist
of a feed mill, built by Jay Thomas
and since his death operated by his
son Harold; three restaurants at the
center, the Checkerboard, Elio's truck
stop, which is the former lovely old
Davis home, and the Fireside Inn op-
erated by John Davis, grandson of
Dexter, also on part of the former old
homestead.
Farmers had their organizations
comparatively early, a Farmers Assoc-
iation being organized in 1873. This
probably was the sponsor of the
Grange Hall, built in 1878. A formal
Grange body came later but it merged
with the Ravenna Grange after a few
years.
The Farm Bureau was organized
here in 1919. At present there are 34
members and an advisory board hold-
ing monthly meetings.
A lodge of the Junior Order, Amer-
ican Mechanics, met in the hall over
the Goss store for many years, as did
members of the G.A.R. of Civil War
veterans.
A Woman's Christian Temperance
Union was organized in 1927. Five of
the original members are among the
32 who meet each month.
A Parent-Teacher Association was
organized about 1917, though it was
first called Home and School League.
Mrs. Emma Owens and Mrs. Harry
Benshoff were early presidents. Mrs.
Owen was first head of the county
P.T.A.
Since 1919 there has been a Boy
Scout troop sponsored by the United
Church. Clarence Walvoord was
Scout Master of the first troop. Robert
Moser is present Scout Master. There
are also Girl Scout Troops as well as
the popular 4-H clubs.
Lots Laid Out
There are many beautiful spots and
lovely drives in Edinburg but the
"fertile farms and varied landscape"
are fast giving away to what man calls
progress so that even now few have
time to observe the view.
The Edinburg Farmers Mutual In-
surance Co. was active for many years,
writing fire coverage only. Directors
in 1885 were J. R. Giddings, Pres.; T.
H. Clark, Vice Pres.; Geo. P. B. Mer-
win, Sec; D. D. Davis, Treas.; Vespas-
ian Clark, B. W. Gilbert and Calvin
Hutson. The company was merged
with the Farmers Mutual Home In-
surance Co. of Medina in 1936. From
1919 to 1936 Calvin Hughes served
PORTAGE HERITAGE
32
continually as secretary. Other direc-
tors were J. E. Wilson, J. W. Grider,
John Marvin, J. W. Byers, C. J. Wal-
voord, F. E. Kibler, A. T. Stewart,
Geo. Tarr and W. E. Kirkbride.
A co-operative, the Portage Dairy
Products Co. was organized by south-
ern county milk producers in 1933 to
process and sell their products. A
cheese factory was built near the Cent-
er and Swiss cheese was made and
sold. P. N. Kropp was president; C.
L. Burkey vice president; C. J. Wal-
voord, secretary; and C. A. Hughes,
treasurer. Other directors were Chris
Kainrad, B. D. Jenkins, Co. Colean,
Frank Hudson and Geo. Tarr. In 1945
the company sold at a profit and went
out of business.
Pavement In 1914
First mail service, of course, was by
stage coach. After railroads came Ed-
inburg was served via Ravenna and
Palmyra. At one time the postoffice
was in the Davis store and later was in
a building of its own. Postmasters of
the period included B. L. Bostwick, T.
H. Clark and Tillie Rogers. Rural de-
livery came to Edinburg about 1903,
the patrons being served via Atwater,
New Milford, and Ravenna and the
local office was discontinued.
The road from Ravenna to Edin-
burg was paved in 1914 and present
Route 18 paving started in 1918 and
finished the next year. Route 80 was
paved later.
Blacksmiths remembered include
William S. Davis and Watkin Jones.
The latter had started a shop on his
fathers farm. When Mr. Davis was in-
jured, Jones came to work for him,
later buying the shop, making it a
typical "village smithy." Harrison
Day had a wagon shop nearby.
The southeast section of Edinburg
was often called "Little Ireland" be-
cause of the presence of so many Shil-
lidays, who had first come here from
Ireland in 1845. Four brothers, Alex-
ander, John, David, and George came
to Edinburg via Canfield and Atwater
in 1885. Others of Irish descent were
the Clark, Corbitt, and Stewart fam-
ilies.
Quite a few Welsh people lived in
northeast Edinburg, the first of whom
was Thomas Jenkins, who came to
work in Palmyra coal mines. - His
daughter, Anne Owen, and family,
came in 1848 and their descendants
still have the passport admitting them.
They arrived on canal boat.
Early Fair
In 1861 Edinburg held a fair, the
location being the old Asa Bingham
farm adjoining the town hall on the
south. There were 200 entries, mainly
farm stock. Officers of this fair were
Daniel Ewing, Pres.; Frank Eldridge,
Vice Pres.; Smith Sanford, Sec; Sey-
mour Strong, Geo. Brigden, Lester
Olmstead, business committee; John
Ewing, Marshal.
In former days the town hall was al-
ways a center of activity. Not only
were government and public meetings
held there, but there were dances and
parties. Home talent plays were put
on such as "Ten Nights in a Bar-
room", "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and
others. Players included Charles and
Mayme Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Will Bak-
er, Mrs. Willis Hudson and others.
High school students also put on plays
and entertainments there.
After schools were consolidated,
young people's recreation centered a-
round the school. There were basket-
ball games, contests and a lecture
course with speakers, music, bell ring-
ers, magicians and similar attractions.
Previously, singing schools were in
favor. Well remembered is F. W. Jag-
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ger who came from Windham to
teach singing.
Of other musical groups most noted
was the Edinburg over many years.
As early as 1859, Major Fairchild's Ed-
inburg Martial Band made a hit at a
July Fourth celebration at Ravenna
Fair grounds. Major Fairchild, a man-
ufacturer of men's clothing, lived west
of the Center. That evening it played
at a balloon ascension at Edinburg,
the balloon being home-made by A.
R. Goss and J. B. Mitchell. Fifty years
later the same band was still giving
Saturday evening band concerts in Ra-
venna. The band was also an im-
portant part of Memorial Day celebra-
tions. Other leaders of the band in-
cluded Eugene Plummer, Myron Rog-
ers, C. B. Gano, A. W. Walter, and
Howard Jones.
Mayors of Ravenna
This remarkable picture, taken in 1950, shows all the mayors of the city of Ravenna,
up to the time of the picture.
Arranged in order of their service, those standing left to right, are H. Warner Riddle,
H. R. Loomis, C. J. Hubbell, Walter Lyon, Fred Byers and Bert Redmond. Those sitting,
left to right, are W. J. Robison, A. H. Austin, C. C. Dixon, Carl H. Caris, Giles Guthrie
and Seth Sloan.
CHAPTER XXV
Franklin-Kent
By E. J. Kline
The original "Franklin township"
was a vast expanse of territory em-
bracing all of present Portage County
and parts of Trumbull and Summit
counties, all being a part of Trumbull
county soon after 1800. A township
then did not mean the same thing
that it does today. While still part of
Trumbull county, new, but smaller,
townships were being carved out of
this area, notably Deerfield in 1806.
And after Portage county was erected
in 1807, Franklin "township" for sev-
eral years comprised all the land in
present Franklin, Ravenna, Charles-
town, Rootstown and Brimfield town-
ships of the new county. Who desig-
nated this particular area as a town-
ship is not clear but it probably was
the county commissioners.
Aaron Olmsted of Hartford, Conn.,
had bought about 16,000 acres here
in 1798 and had it surveyed. The old
story is that Olmsted insisted that the
name of Franklin be given the town-
ship in honor of his son by that name,
though there was still no Portage
County.
Ohio became a state in 1803, but not
until Portage County came into ex-
istence was there much organized gov-
ernment here, with still more when
Franklin township was formally or-
ganized in 1815, in extent as it is to-
day. By that time all the other town-
ships of the original group, except
Brimfield, had been organized separ-
ately.
Was Standing Stone
The township was covered by the
finest timber and inhabited by Indians
of several tribes. These were the Sene-
cas, Taways and Chippewas. Arrow
heads and other relics found later tell
of their presence here.
The old Indian trail from the Ohio
River to Sandusky crossed the Cuya-
hoga River at Standing Rock, which
the Indians called "Standing Stone."
A small tree grew atop this, to which
Indians often attached markers indi-
cating directions taken and as other
messages to friends.
One of the township's earliest bits
of history concerns Capt. Sam Brady
and his famous "leap." Brady was
chased by Indians. Cornered on the
banks of the river in 1790 he made a
tremendous jump across the chasm to
escape, a distance of nearly 22 feet.
The west bank was about three feet
higher than the east, an advantage.
But after jumping, he was wounded
in the hip by the Indians, who were
unable to make the leap. They were
forced to go to the vicinity of Summit
St. where they could ford the stream.
This gave Brady a start and he made
his way to Brady Lake where he hid
under a fallen tree in the water,
breathing through a reed. The Indians
trailed him but unable to find him,
concluded he had drowned. Brady
then made his way home. The Indians
said, "He no man. He turkey," and
carved a picture of a turkey on a stone
323
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at the scene of the leap. At least this
is the story.
Haymakers Here First
The present territory of Franklin
township, containing 16,000 acres, was
bought by Aaron Olmsted, for 12-1/2
cents per acre, but resold at a good
profit.
Some of the earliest settlers were
the Haymakers, Cacklers, Nighmans,
Stevens and Lillys, a total of about 12
families. The first, John Haymaker
and wife, came here in 1805, soon fol-
lowed by others.
The falls of the Cuyahoga, provid-
ing water power, were an incentive
for settlement. One drop was 17 feet
and another descent was 25 feet.
What is now Kent was originally
composed of two villages — Carthage
and Franklin Mills, called Upper and
Lower Villages. Two dams were con-
structed on the river to furnish water
power. The first grist mill was built
in the Lower Village by the Haymak-
ers in 1807 and served its purpose for
several years.
The first bridge was built in 1803,
suposedly by surveyors and others,
near the scene of Brady's Leap. It was
known as the Buckland bridge. Mark
Buckland was one of Olmsted's sur-
veyors. The first white child born
here was John F. Haymaker, Sept. 11,
1807. The first death was that of Eva
Haymaker in 1810. She was buried in
the old Stow St. cemetery, donated by
the Haymaker family and containing
about two acres. The first wedding
came in 1814 when Christian Cackler
and Theresa Nighman were wed.
In 1814 Elisha Stevens erected a saw
mill which provided lumber by which
the settlers could build frame homes.
In 1818 Joshua Woodard, in partner-
ship with Frederick Haymaker, es-
tablished a number of small factories.
These included a cabinet shop, a dye
house and turning lathes. A number
of dwellings were also built, as well
as a three story hotel, known in stage
coach days as the Woodard Hotel, lo-
cated on the corner of Mantua St. and
Fairchild. It burned in 1881.
Factories Multiply
Samuel Burnett built the first home
put up in Franklin township. This
was in 1806, and in the same year
Jacob Haymaker erected one. The
Haymaker family included Frederick
Haymaker, who is said to have been
private secretary to Aaron Burr at
one time. He owned 600 acres of land
on the site of the present Kent city.
In 1822, Joshua Woodard, Benja-
min Hopkins and David Ladd built
a glass factory along the river near
Grant St. The silica sand they used
was obtained nearby. They also built a
tannery on the east side of the river
near the Crain Ave. bridge; a woolen
factory, saw mill and an ashery, which
was one mile east of Kent near Break-
neck Creek. Also an anvil mill in the
Lower Village. A store was opened in
the basement of the home of Geo. B.
DePeyster. The partnership was dis-
solved in 1831.
During 1824 James Edmunds and
Henry Park built a glass factory
northwest of present Kent on the
Christian Cackler farm. Both operated
briefly.
In December, 1820, George B. De-
Peyster was appointed postmaster for
Franklin Mills by President James
Monroe. It is said that he kept his
mail in a cigar box and 25 cents was
the usual fee for carrying a letter for
a modest distance. All mail came by
stage coach, together with passengers,
who stopped either at Woodard's or
at the Lincoln Tavern at Stow and
South Mantua. There was great rival-
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325
Over the river view in Kent about 1900. Old Congregational
and Disciple churches can be seen.
ry between the two taverns. Stages ran
once a week at first, but more fre-
quently later.
The first Crain Ave. bridge was
built in 1826, replacing the old one
at Brady's Leap. This bridge was used
until 1868, when it collapsed, carry-
ing down a team hauling stone, into
the river. Driver and animals were
rescued.
A. M. Fairchild erected the first
brick house here, this being on the
northwest corner of Mantua and Fair-
child. On South Mantua St. was the
residence of Wm. Seward, whose
daughter, Maria, became the wife of
Marvin Kent.
In 1831 Frederick Haymaker sold
his property of 100 acres, including
water power rights, to Pomeroy &
Rhodes, who built a grist mill, a wool-
en mill, a cabinet shop and set up a
turning lathe. All these projects were
wiped out by a flood in the spring
of 1832, which also washed out the
dam. It was a disaster.
Silk Mill Planned
William H. Price and Geo. B. De-
Peyster for about ten years had in
operation in the lower village, a grist
mill, a saw mill, forge and trip ham-
mer and a hemp mill. In 1832 Zenas
Kent and David Ladd purchased the
Price & DePeyster property, includ-
ing 300 acres of land and water rights.
In 1836 Mr. Kent and Pomeroy &
Rhodes sold their entire interests to
the Franklin Land Co., which were
soon transferred to the Franklin Silk
Co. Extensive improvements were
made and a silk mill projected.
Ground was broken for it on the pres-
ent site of the Loeblein Co. factory.
Many mulberry trees were set out to
feed the silkworms. But it was soon
found that the climate was not suit-
able for silk worms and the whole en-
terprise collapsed. Much money was
lost in the project and town lots that
had been laid out and sold at high
prices were worthless.
In 1836-37 the Silk Co. built a new
stone dam replacing the one washed
away in 1832. It was built in co-oper-
ation with the P. & O. Canal, which
was being built at that time. At that
time the Main St. covered wooden
bridge was built and was in use until
1876 when it was replaced by the
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present stone bridge. West Main street
did not then exist as at present.
The Silk Co. had issued its own cur-
rency. It was widely used. Zenas Kent
had the foresight to require securities
pledged to redeem it, which was done
when the time came. A controversy
also arose later over water rights in
the canal as this water was being di-
verted for sale elsewhere. The Silk
Co. ended in bankruptcy. But some-
thing of a boom was due later when
the P. & O. canal was finished. All
land sold by the Kents to the Silk Co.
reverted to them.
Erect Brick Buildings
In 1836 Zenas Kent erected a large
brick block on the northwest corner
of Main and Water streets, larger than
any in Cleveland or Akron at that
time. It contained a hotel, a store and
office rooms. Bricks used in this
building were made in the David
Longcoy brick yard. Longcoy was the
grandfather of Harry C. Longcoy, now
of Kent. Many early buildings were
made from Longcoy brick.
Another imposing building was
erected the same year — a $15,000
structure at the southwest corner of
Main and Water. The Cuyahoga
House, on North Mantua St. at Cuy-
ahoga St. was also built about this
time. It had an unusually large ball
room. The hotel was a hideout for
escaping slaves in underground rail-
road days. The slaves were moved at
night and sent north in wagons cov-
ered with hay.
During the same year, 1836, Mr.
Kent erected a flour mill along the
river at Stow St., four stories in
height. It operated steadily until 1864,
then ran periodically until 1915. It
was torn down in 1931.
In partnership with John Brown of
Harpers Ferry fame, Mr. Kent built
a tannery south of Kent's mill in 1836.
Brown, who had lived here before,
had been running a tannery in Penn-
sylvania. The partnership here did not
last long. Brown then built a hotel
and store room near Summit St. In
1882, this building was moved by
Marvin Kent to North Water St. and
in 1885 was used as a roller skating
rink for a time. It is now known as
the Johnson Block.
Brown also went into partnership
with a Mr. Thompson and a farm was
purchased which later included Erie
shop ground and much of the south
end of Kent. This was surveyed and
allotted and was known and recorded
as the Brown & Thompson addition.
During this time he lived in a home
on Mogadore road opposite the Erie
shop location. Brown was never suc-
cessful as a business man and soon left
for Akron, where he was employed
by Simon Perkins.
Coming of Canal
West Main St., west of the river,
was opened in March, 1837.
In 1840, the population of Franklin
was 1497. During the late '30s the P.
& O. canal construction provided
work for many. This canal ran from
Akron to a point near New Castle,
Pa., a distance of 82 miles. The first
boat reached Kent in April, 1840.
Near the present underpass on the
Kent-Ravenna road was a large "bas-
in" where boats tied up for the night
and it provided room for turning or
passing.
The frame home on the north side
of the road west of Breakneck Creek
was a stage coach and canal tavern
built about 1825 by Timothy Wales
Shurtliff. His father, Noah Shurtliff,
was one of the earliest physicians.
There was also a basin north of the
Crain Ave. bridge and passengers put
PORTAGE HERITAGE
327
up at either the Cuyahoga House or
Woodard's Tavern. This canal carried
large amounts of freight. Crops could
move to market. Wheat, which had
previously sold at 25 cents a bushel,
went up to one dollar. It also provided
an outlet for flour and much cream
cheese, largely made then. Other
freight included coal, ashes, used for
tanning and soap making, pork and
potatoes. The coal came mostly from
Youngstown.
The canal did a big business for
about 12 years, but when the C. & P.
railroad was built in 1851, the canal
business dropped off. The nearest
C. & P. station was at Earlville. Pas-
sengers, mail or freight came in via
Cleveland or Wellsville. Business of
the canal dwindled steadily and in
1861 only a few boats operated. The
canal company continued to sell water
to Akron but there were complaints
of stagnant water and because of op-
position, sometimes the canal was
opened by irate residents along the
route and the water let out. A group
around Brady Lake (then a feeder)
opened the sluice at the south end of
the lake, letting the water out and
leaving the lake 15 feet lower.
Freeman Stratton, Sam Williard,
Abram Pratt and George Williard
then removed the large screws in the
sluice so that repairs were impossible.
The last repair boat got stuck because
of low water and was abandoned near
the Breakneck bridge, Brady Lake Rd.
Breakneck creek received its name
by a man falling from his horse and
having his neck broken. Old atlases
gave its name as Congress Lake Out-
let.
Township Hall Built
The Franklin Township Hall on
Gougler Ave. has long been a land-
mark in Kent and the scene of num-
erous historic events. Construction
was begun in 1837 and completed in
1839. Builders were Kent & Wads-
worth.
Of unusual design, it was patterned
after a public building in Hartford,
Conn. Originally, it had four fire-
places for heating and its walls are 20
inches thick. Its circular stairway has
attracted much attention. For many
years it was the only place for larger
public meetings.
In 1842 a select school was taught
here by a Mr. Bates, with another in
1856. In this hall a convention nom-
inated James A. Garfield for state sen-
ator, his first public office. This was
in 1859. In 1851 it served as first meet-
ing place for people of the Catholic
faith. The Franklin Academy was also
housed here.
In former days there was a bell in
the tower. It tolled when news came
of the execution of John Brown in
1859. It called people to meetings
when the Civil War broke out. It an-
nounced the death of Abraham Lin-
coln in 1865, and again in 1881 when
Garfield died. For a time the bell was
used as a fire alarm.
The building was the center of
activities for residents in several wars.
It was used as the first high school in
Kent, and for other education as-
semblies. Various WPA and recrea-
tion projects were housed here and
in World War II the Gougler Ma-
chine Co. had offices in it. At present
the executive offices of the Kent
school system are located in the build-
ing.
Two Villages
In 1859 William Merrell came
from Randolph and organized the
Merrell, Roe & Co. to manufacture
special machinery with a capital of
$20,000. It operated successfully until
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1869 when Merrell sold his patents.
In 1829 residents on the west side
of the river and north of Cuyahoga
Street formed a new village and
called it Carthage, with their own
postoffice. But it did not last long
as most of its citizens seemed to pre-
fer to be a part of the larger village
of Franklin Mills just below.
Alpaca Mill Erected
In 1850 a stock company was formed
and $20,000 subscribed to build a
grist mill called the Center Mill.
There were 14 1 stockholders. The mill
stood at the foot of Grant St. and
water power obtained from a sluice
from the canal. The building was five
stories high, with heavy timbers, and
was considered the finest in northern
Ohio. The mill started operations in
1852 and ran steadily until 1869 when
the water power was destroyed when
the water was let from the canal. An
attempt was made to provide steam
power but it failed. It stood idle until
1885 when it was destroyed by fire —
the biggest in Kent's history.
In 1851 the Kents formed a $150,000
stock company to build a cotton mill
on the site of the old silk factory, the
present Loeblein site. This building
was well constructed and Julia Ferry,
an early school teacher, recorded in
her diary that a million bricks were
furnished by the Ferry brickyard on
Franklin Ave. extension. Eastern peo-
ple were to operate the mill but some-
thing went wrong and the building
stood idle for 20 years.
In 1878 it was leased to the Turner
Bros. The sum of $15,000 was raised
by public subscription and a like sum
by Marvin Kent. Alterations were
made. An excavation cut from solid
rock, 42 x 28 x 22 was made to make
room for an enormous water wheel.
Later, two turbines were installed,
creating 120 horse power. The Alpaca
Mill, as it was then called, provided
employment for 100 persons and a
market for local wool as at that time
many sheep were raised nearby and
every township had its ''wool house."
Woolen Mill Quits
The Alpaca Mill operated until
1889 when there was a disagreement
between the Turners and Mr. Kent
and the mill moved to Cleveland,
later becoming the Cleveland Worsted
Mills. In 1885 the mill had 254 looms
and 1800 spindles, with 120 em-
ployees.
About 1850, the Kent interests also
established a glass factory on the east
side of the river to Franklin at Sum-
mit. There was plenty of sand stone
rock available, suitable for glass mak-
ing from a Mogadore road quarry
near by. Later this was the location of
a city dump. The glass works oper-
ated in a limited way until 1864, when
it was taken over by the Day & Wil-
liams Co., employing about 200 men.
The main product was window glass.
Day & Williams ran until the early
nineties.
The company imported Belgian
workmen who were housed in com-
pany homes on "Belgian Hill." This
is the present site of City Hall parking
lot. When the A. & G. W. line came
in 1863 it ran between the factory and
an overhead bridge over the railroad
connected both sides.
The Kent Universalist church was
organized in 1866 and the present
building on Gougler Ave. was dedi-
cated in 1868. The first regular min-
ister was Rev. Andrew Willson, who
served for ten years. Rev. A. I. Span-
ton, later president of Buchtel College,
was a pastor here.
Rockton Lodge No. 316, F. & A. M.
was formally installed Oct. 21, 1859.
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329
The lodge built its own hall in 1870,
and this was used until 1923 when the
old Kent mansion, West Main St. was
bought. This lodge has always had a
large membership.
Olive Chapter, No. 53, Eastern Star,
was instituted in 1895. Meetings have
been held in the Masonic Temple.
Achilles Lodge No. 378, Knights of
Pythias, was chartered in 1890, and
Thetis Temple, Pythian Sisters was
organized in 1899.
Standing Rock Aerie No. 1204, Fra-
ternal Order of Eagles, was chartered
in 1905. This lodge has been quite
active.
Kent Council No. 1411, Knights of
Columbus, was instituted April 18,
1909. In 1918, the club bought the
Shively property, E. Main and De-
Peyster, for its use and later on bought
its present home, 128 N. DePeyster.
Marvin Kent was disappointed
when the C. & P. railroad failed to
reach Kent. The nearest station was
Earlville. Kent secured a grant from
the Ohio legislature for a railroad
from Warren, Ohio. This road was
finished after prolonged difficulties
and the first train came in March 1,
1863. The road was then called the
Atlantic & Great Western. Mr. Kent
was first president and through his
efforts the road repair shops were
located here, long the main stay of
employment. The buildings were built
of stone obtained from a quarry be-
tween Water and Franklin Sts., south
of College Ave. It was at this time
that the name of the town was chang-
ed from Franklin Mills to Kent. While
the shops were going, the coming of
the Erie pay car each month was an
important event not only in labor but
business circles. The pay car was dis-
continued in 1900 and payment made
by check. Kent was incorporated as a
village in 1867. John Thompson was
the first mayor.
A building boom came in 1867.
New buildings included the Kent Na-
tional Bank, where formerly a black-
smith shop had stood; the Union
school (Central); the Catholic Church
on Portage St., and the Universalist
church on River St. Marvin Kent gen-
erously donated ground for the
churches.
Depression Hits
When the water was let out of the
canal in 1869 the Center Mill was
forced to quit and the lower mill was
out of repair. For about two years
Kent was without a flour mill. The
Stow St. mill resumed in 1871, oper-
ating until 1915.
In 1868 a Kent co-operative store
started, the sum of $15,000 being
raised at $10.00 per share. This store
lasted about 20 years.
The depression of 1873 had a seri-
ous effect on Kent business and in-
dustry. Money was raised for those in
want, and in 1875 a big Calico Ball for
charity was held and netted the then
large sum of $150.00 to help the un-
fortunate.
In 1874 sentiment developed for a
new A. & G. W. passenger station.
The company demanded that $4,000
be publicly subscribed for this and
$4,400 was pledged. In June, 1875, the
new station was opened, constructed
mainly in winter months, an opera-
tion then unheard of. Bricks for the
new station were also furnished from
the Ferry brickyard.
The Railway Speed Recorder Co.
was organized in 1876. The company
made a device to record the speed of
trains, perfected by J. B. Miller, who
later brought out the Miller Keyless
lock. The Speed Recorder Co. had a
plant on North Water St. many years
330
PORTAGE HERITAGE
but sold out and moved to Franklin,
Pa., in 1904.
Covered Bridge Goes
i In 1877, the Main St. bridge re-
placed the old covered bridge, built
in 1826. The bridge was 60 feet wide
and 275 feet long and has been in use
since then. About 1930 it was widened
by relocating sidewalks. In 1877 also,
the Crain Ave. bridge was completed
as was a small "swinging bridge" near
the Brady Leap spot, and still another
of this type on Stow St. These swing-
ing bridges were for foot passengers
only.
A hook and ladder fire company
was formed in 1870, the equipment
being purchased for $1,000. In 1873 a
Selby steam fire pump was purchased.
Landings were built along the river at
Main St. and Crain Ave. for pumping
water from the river. Two large stor-
age cisterns were also built — one at
West Main and Mantua; and one at
Elm and Franklin Ave. The "cow
bridge" connected present Fred Fuller
Park with the Island. It was built by
a citizen to permit his cow to pasture
on the Island.
In May, 1880, the Cleveland, Can-
ton & Southern railroad (now Nickel
Plate) arrived in Kent, and in 1881 its
tracks reached Cleveland. It was a nar-
row gauge line which was changed to
standard gauge in a single day, Nov.
25, 1888. To do this 1400 workmen
were spread over the 161 miles of
track.
The Pittsburgh, Youngstown &
Chicago railroad changed its name to
the Pittsburgh & Western in 1881,
then became property of the Balti-
more & Ohio, with a later change of
name. Building this road through
Kent was difficult because so much
rock was encountered along the river.
At one time 600 men were employed.
Cars did not run regularly until 1884.
In 1903 and 1904 the road was
straightened and double tracked. Dur-
ing this time the famous "box car de-
pot" near the Main St. bridge, with
stairway, was used until the new de-
pot at Stow St. could be finished.
In June, 1880, the broad gauge of
the Erie was changed to standard
gauge in a single day. Details of rail-
road building are found in another
chapter.
More Schools Come
One of Kent's early schools was on
Mill St., now College Ave., near De-
Peyster. The building still stands,
though remodeled. There was also a
wooden one room school on Franklin
Ave., which was later moved to E.
School St. and now a church. Central
school was built in 1868 and in 1880 a
new brick school, called South school,
replaced the old one. The DePeyster
school was built in 1887 at a cost of
about $10,000 and much needed re-
pairs were made at Central. The third
floor required repairs and it was made
over into class rooms. The Catholic
school on Portage St. also opened in
Sept., 1881.
Franklin township had five school
districts as follows: 1 — Twin Lakes
near gravel pit; 2 — Breackneck, just
off Horning Rd.; 3 — Brady Lake, site
of present school; 4 — Maple Grove,
Hudson Rd.; 5 — Northeast of Pippin
Lake.
In 1880, Williams Bros. Mill was
built by C. A. and S. T. Williams, be-
ginning operations in 1881. The ca-
pacity was 125 barrels of flour per
day, by a new process as it was then
known. Later, S. T. Williams with-
drew, and the mill has been in contin-
uous operation up to the present time.
It long provided a ready market for
wheat grown locally. In late years,
PORTAGE HERITAGE
33
after discovery of new methods of
making cake flour, most of the sales
have been to large baking firms. For
years, much of the flour was packed
in barrels and a barrel factory, located
on Lake St., provided the barrels.
Lock Co. Starts
A. C. and Fred Smith established
the Kent Carriage Works in 1882.
This operated until about 1910, em-
ploying 12 persons.
The Miller Lock Co., organized in
1888, perfected and improved prod-
ucts of the Douds Lock Co., of Canton
The lock was widely sold and the
Millers had an exhibit at the St. Louis
World's Fair in 1904. The lock busi-
ness later was bought by the Gougler
Machine Co., the locks still being
made today.
An umbrella factory operated for a
time after 1889 and this was succeeded
by the A. L. S hat tuck Chair factory
which later moved to Bedford.
East Twin Lakes ice rights were
leased to the Forest City Ice Co. of
Cleveland in 1882 and a 15,000 ton ice
house erected on the south shore with
a spur to the C. & P. railroad. Great
quantities of ice went out. On West
Twin Yahrling & Arighi had an ice
house which supplied local trade.
The Parsons Lumber Co., which
originated in 1866, built a new plan-
ing mill in 1881. This company is still
in business today, being the oldest in
Kent.
The Kent Independent Band was
formed by A. L. Post in 1883. This
splendid organization was long a fa-
vorite in the community. Its summer
open air concerts were famous, and it
was in demand in other places. In
1921 Mr. Post was succeeded by G. F.
Elgin. The band was discontinued in
1927. Other bands since then have
been the Twin Coach band, and the
Kent State University band. The Kent
American Legion Drum Corps attract-
ed wide attention and won nation-
wide honors in competition with
others.
The first telephone reached Kent in
1882 and 50 subscribers were secured.
First exchange was located on the sec-
ond floor of the Kline building, South
Water St. However, service was soon
discontinued.
Gas Lights Streets
An innovation in street lighting ap-
peared in 1882, when the Belden gas
lamps were installed down town at a
cost of $10.50 each. This system lasted
until 1889, when a contract was made
with the Kent Water & Light for
electric lighting. Here, 39 arc lights
cost $60.00 each per year on the so-
called Philadelphia moonlight sched-
ule. Cost of this to the village was
$2340.00 per year.
In 1887, Kent had a gas "boom." A
fund of $3,000.00 was raised by bond
issue after a vote to drill for gas for
municipal use. A well was sunk on
West Day St. to the depth of 2255
feet. Gas was found but not enough
for use.
The big problem in the '80s was
that of water supply. The village had
been securing its supplies from
springs and wells, one being near the
present University. This water was
piped through wooden pipe following
the drainage route near College Ave.
A town pump was located on Water
St. near the present Donaghy store,
with the usual tin cup service.
More water was needed. One fac-
tion favored getting supplies from
Stratton Pond, north of Kent. Anoth-
er faction favored Plum Creek, which
had its origin in Brimfield. But an
eastern concern submitted a proposi-
tion to construct a water works system
332
PORTAGE HERITAGE
with water piped to all parts of the
village, at a consumer cost of 59 cents
per 100 gallons and $50.00 a year for
60 fire hydrants, plus three watering
troughs for horses thrown in. The
Kent Bulletin was for Plum Creek and
the Kents started the Courier to com-
bat the plan. But the people voted 378
to 81 to accept the offer made by the
easterners. The water was turned on
in 1887, after considerable more con-
tention. The water troughs were at
the Square; North Mantua and Crain;
and Franklin and Oak. In the follow-
ing year a stand pipe was erected on
South Lincoln, with a pressure of 70
pounds. It was torn down in 1941
The Kent Opera House and I.O.O.F.
Hall building was built in 1889 by R.
W. Thomas and I. D. Tuttle for the
Odd Fellows Building Co.
A. H. Day Post, G. A. R. was organ-
ized in 1882 and was important and
influential for many years. It took the
lead in organizing Memorial Day ob-
servance each year.
The Pioneer Society for Franklin
township and vicinity had its first
meeting at a picnic at Christian Cack-
ler's home in 1874. In the following
year provided a place where annual
meetings could be held — east of Pros-
pect, near Park. Pioneer Ave. got its
name in this way. By 1888 new and
larger grounds were found off East
Main St., opposite Kent State Univers-
ity. These were used until the ground
was bought by Fred Fuller in 1902
and allotted.
Here and There
Miscellaneous items of interest of
the '80s include:
Kent City Bank organized in 1881.
John Davey came from Warren to
be cemetery sexton.
John Brown home demolished in
March, 1882.
In 1887, ordinance passed to close
barber shops on Sundays.
Coldest March day on record,
March 21, 1885—13 below zero.
Edison talking machine on display
at the Rink, 1887.
In 1880, three men killed when
powder mill blew up on Powder Mill
Rd. This mill was operated by water
power.
Name of Canal St. changed to
Franklin Ave. in 1881.
In 1890 wells were drilled near city
reservoir, providing better water sup-
ply.
With a population of 3501 in 1890,
complaint was heard about condition
of roads and streets. It resulted in
grading and gravelling of the main
thoroughfares. It helped but did not
solve the problem. Kent also wanted
more industries and an unusual series
of events followed.
Help for Industry
An election was held in 1890 to is-
sue bonds in $100,000 for the purpose
of securing new industries. The issue
carried, 436 to 71. A contract was
made with Webster, Camp & Lane
and land on Mogadore Rd. bought
from Marvin Kent for a shop. But the
deal fell through. A building was then
erected for a glass plant at a cost of
$45,000 to be run by the E. D. Dith-
ridge Co. of New Brighton, Pa., and
also $15,000 was given to the Shellhart
Peters Co. for a furniture factory on
Lake St. Both factories started and
neither lasted long. The sheriff took
over the Dithridge plant and it was
finally sold to Marvin Kent. Bounties,
taxes, court costs and fees finally used
up all the money.
Council then tried to repudiate the
bonds but the courts ruled against it.
The total cost to the village in this
experiment to bring in new industries
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
333
The Day & Williams Glass factory, important for many years.
was about $223,000. In 1897, Marvin
Kent sold the property to Kearney &
Foote, manufacturers of files and
rasps. Working about 200 hands, this
firm operated until 1901, when the
plant was sold to the Nicholson File
Co., which closed it. The Lamson &
Sessions Co. plant is now located on
this site.
In the '90s, electric cars came. Bids
for franchises were made in 1894 by
two companies — one headed by J. F.
Seiberling and the other by Thomas
Walsh, both out of Akron. The Walsh
interests had a franchise to lay tracks
from Silver Lake to the Portage Coun-
ty line. A court fight followed. In-
junctions were granted but finally the
Walsh line reached the Kent town
limits Nov. 25, 1895. By June 18, 1896,
the tracks reached River St., while the
fighting went on. For two years Kent
passengers boarded the cars at the
west end of the Main St. bridge. In
1901 the troubles were ironed out and
traffic passed through Kent to Raven-
na — Nov. 15, 1901. Fare to Akron was
20 cents and to Ravenna, 10 cents. To
Brady Lake was five cents. Much
freight was hauled by the N. O. T. &
L. Co., the final owners, both by its
Electric Package Co., and by full
cars.
Telephone service was resumed in
Kent, in April, 1895, when a 25-year
franchise was granted the American
Electric Telephone Co. The exchange
was in the rear of Mark Davis' cloth-
ing store (now Green's). By 1898, 200
phones were in use. Later, the ex-
change moved to the Allen Block, re-
maining there 40 years. It went to the
present N. DePeyster St. location in
1938.
In December, 1890, the Crain Ave.
bridge was condemned and remained
closed five years when a controversy
with the P. & W. Railroad Co. devel-
oped but a new bridge was completed
in March, 1896.
Olin Wreck Occurs
The so-called "Olin wreck" occur-
red in September, 1891 in the east end
of the Erie yards. Three persons were
killed outright and two died later.
The train was carrying a large num-
ber of the Olin family to a reunion
in Vermont.
Work started on a new steel bell
tower and flag staff in July, 1895.
Bell and flag were in position in De-
334
PORTAGE HERITAGE
cember. The bell was later referred to
as the "bummers bell" and rung by
the town marshall every evening at 10
as a curfew signal. In April, 1924, the
tower was dismantled as it was con-
sidered dangerous. The old bell is now
in the Kent City Hall.
March, 1896, brought a murder that
had Kent excited and mystified like
few other events have, though it oc-
curred outside the county. This was
the triple slaying of Mr. and Mrs.
Stone and a Mr. Stillson in Tallmadge
township. It was big news for a long
time but a weak-minded hired man
named Romulus Cottell was accused
of the crime and convicted, although
the justice of this was disputed for a
long time. Cottell was sent to the pen-
itentiary,
Extensive changes were made at
Brady Lake in 1890 when the park
property was bought by A. G. Kent of
Geauga Lake. He made many changes
and improvements. Among these were
a dance pavilion, bath house, a minia-
ture railroad, a 7 5 -passenger steamer,
40 row boats and a toboggan slide
were installed, bringing heavy patron-
age which lasted long. The traction
company put in a switch and a sum-
mer theater building erected. Chester
Bishop was the star actor and Ray
Pritzinger the artist that painted the
scenery. Shows were mostly of the
melodrama type.
In 1892, the Spritualists purchased
the property from A. G. Kent and
operated it several years. Across the
road they opened a Spiritualist camp,
said to have been the largest in Ohio.
It is still operating at present.
Numerous cottages were built along
the lake and rented by the week to
vacationists. In recent years these were
converted into comfortable permanent
homes. Brady Lake was incorporated
as a village in 1927. Joseph Cox was
mayor there for 20 years. Richard
Lewis is mayor at present.
Bingo games were operated on the
grounds for several years during
World War II and after, but closed
when they met with opposition.
Brice Line Fades
There was a summer time postof f ice
at the park, but a permanent office
was opened there in 1929. Rachael
Beal is now postmistress. A village
fire company was established in 1946,
mainly paid for by bingo game prof-
its.
In August, 1899 grading was started
through Kent for the Cleveland &
New Castle R. R., more commonly
called the Brice Line. This work stop-
ped suddenly in December of that
year and was never resumed. Senator
Brice, the promoter, died soon after
but it is said his company was "bought
out" by competing B. & O. interests.
In the McKinley-Bryan campaign
of 1896, many excursion trains carried
partisans to Canton where McKinley
waged his famous "front porch" cam-
paign. Many of these excursion trains
came through on the Erie and were
transferred to the W. & L. E.
High Lights of the Nineties
M. E. Church cornerstone laid April
29, 1891. Old church was on N. Man-
tua, near Park.
Swinging footbridge, Grant St.,
April, 1894.
Riverside Cycle club organized,
1895. Promoted bicycle races.
In June, 1894, Coxey's "Army," 200
strong passed through Kent.
Eastern Star chapter organized Sept.
30, 1895.
Erie R. R. began work on east end
yard and built new round house, 1905.
William Jennings Bryan's cam-
PORTAG E HERITAGE
335
paign train stopped in Kent, October,
1896.
Summit St. bridge built in 1897, re-
placing old bridge which fell in about
1880.
June, 1898, fourteen Kent men en-
listed for Spanish-American War.
In 1892, efforts to secure a library
were started by G. E. Hinds. Under a
new law, municipalities could levy
taxes for library purposes, and a one
mill levy was imposed here. The li-
brary was first located in the Welling-
ton Block, N. Water St., and later was
moved to the Williams Bros, building.
In 1900 Mr. Hinds and the library
committee interested Andrew Car-
negie, the philanthropist, in provid-
ing a building for Kent. Carnegie was
then giving away money for local li-
braries. He gave Kent $10,000 for a
new library building, plus an extra
$1,000.00 per year for maintenance.
The site for the library was donated
by Marvin Kent and a necessary levy
was voted by the people. Carnegie
later gave $1,500.00 more for furnish-
ings and the Barrett family gave
$1,000.00 to purchase books. The li-
brary opened Sept. 25, 1903.
Kent's population in 1900 was 4541
as compared to 3,501 in 1890.
Chain Plant Prospers
In June, 1900, the Kent Chain Co.
was organized by W. A. Patton with
a small factory on Franklin Ave. In
1901 this factory merged with the
Seneca Chain Co. and moved to the
old Royal Machine Co. site, now loca-
tion of Twin Coach. This company
did a big business, particularly with
the U.S. Navy. But in December, 1909,
fire destryed this factory. Future of
the plant was in doubt but Kent citi-
zens subscribed $100,000 in stock and
the plant was rebuilt. But within two
years the factory closed for good. Lack
of operating capital was given as the
reason.
Another enterprise was the Western
Reserve Condensed Milk Co., with W.
A. Bartshe as manager. It was one of
the first plants of its kind in Ohio. Its
"Flag Brand" was widely known, but
in later years the product was whole-
saled in barrels. The factory provided
a market for milk produced locally.
A pickle processing plant was locat-
ed on Lock St. in 1900 and ran briefly
using 85 acres of pickles and 15 acres
of cabbage. It was succeeded by the
Phillips Canning Co. in 1902. Canned
products were put out as the "Stand-
ing Rock" brand. Work discontinued
when Mr. Phillips died in 1904.
In 1904 the Railway Speed Recorder
Co. was moved to Franklin, Pa. Build-
ings were sold to Fred Merrell and the
Kent Mfg. Co. organized to do a gen-
eral machine business. In 1907 it be-
came the Kent Machine Co. The firm
made concrete mixing machines but
about 1924 the operations were moved
to Cuyahoga Falls.
In 1906 the Falls Rivet & Machine
Co. made its appearance here, taking
over the old Nicholson File Co. plant.
This is notable because it was the fore-
runner of the present Lamson & Ses-
sions Co. Falls Rivet operated until
1913, when it got into difficulties
and the plant was sold at sheriff's sale,
for $55,000 to E. T. King of Boston
who re-organized it as the Falls Rivet
Co. He purchased the Ohio Wire
Goods Co. of Akron, brought opera-
tions here and on June 8, 1921, was
merged with the Lamson & Sessions
Co. of Cleveland, Making nuts, bolts
and cotter pins, this plant has expand-
ed several times and enjoys a com-
manding position in its field.
Rural free delivery of mail came to
Kent, started May 5, 1902, with three
336
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
routes from the village. Salary of car-
riers was $600.00 per year with the
carrier furnishing his horse and cart.
Free delivery of mail within the vil-
lage did not come until June 1, 1908.
There were three carriers and one
substitute.
Tree Culture Starts
The Davey Tree Expert Co. was in-
corporated in 1908 after several years
of preliminary work which demon-
strated the need for efficient trimming
and tree surgery. John Davey, founder
of the system, was the author of sever-
al books on tree culture. From a small
beginning, it is now the largest insti-
tution of its kind in the world, with
branch offices throughout the coun-
try.
In 1908 a move to secure a hospital
for Kent was started by G. E. Hinds.
Meetings were held and a goal of
$15,000 was set. W. S. Kent pledged
$1,000.00 if the full amount could be
raised. But money was scarce and the
project had to be dropped.
Natural gas reached Kent in the
summer of 1908 when the East Ohio
Co. was granted a ten-year franchise.
Rates were 30 cents per thousand cub-
ic feet and a large number of resi-
dences were connected for lighting
and cooking. For a time, many people
used gas for lighting. The first rates
were such that the heating of homes
was discouraged as the more one used,
the higher was the rate.
The first street paving on Kent
streets was on N. Water St. from Lake
to Erie Sts. in 1903. Brick was laid on
a sand base. West Main St. from the
bridge to the curve came next. This
was in 1905. In 1907, Franklin Ave.
and West Erie were paved. A dispute
developed over the width and the mat-
ter was finally settled at 36 feet. S.
Water St. paving from Erie to the cor-
poration limits came in 1909.
April 19 and 20, 1901 brought a
historic snow storm. Snow fell to the
depth of nearly three feet in places.
Business was suspended, grocery sup-
plies were scarce and no trains or
electric cars could run for several days.
Muck Farming Prospers
The first automobile in Kent was
owned by P. W. Eigner — a battery
operated electric — about 1905. Shortly
thereafter I. D. Tuttle purchased a
gasoline car called the Queen, made
in Cleveland. It went into a ditch and
was wrecked at Charlestown — prob-
ably the first auto wreck in the coun-
ty. Mr. Tuttle's next car was a Stanley
Steamer. Ira Scott was also a pioneer
car owner.
During the period, 1900 to 1916,
large quantities of celery and onions
were raised on Franklin township
muck lands, much of it going to Cleve-
land and Pittsburgh markets. Yields
of 1,000 of bushels of onions per acre
were reported. But in 1915 an insect
pest called thripp reduced crops to the
point of no profit. One of the earliest
celery growers was John Davey, whose
garden was near the river south of
Grant St. The first grower of celery in
quantity was Lida Rhodes on Summit
St. Extension on the farm now known
as Battaglia's. The idea spread and
soon many land owners went into cel-
ery raising after draining out swamps.
Many potatoes were also raised and
put into cars loose, for shipment.
At one time L. H. Rhodes advertised
that he could furnish fine celery for
wedding parties and other gatherings.
At that time a milk train left Kent
for Cleveland at 6 a.m. also carrying
passengers. Return trains left Cleve-
land at 4 and 5:30 p.m. Fare $1.00
round trip.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
337
Kent had a smallpox scare in 1900
and there was widespread fear. There
was also a diphtheria scare in 1907 but
nothing serious developed.
The present Kent Chamber of Com-
merce got its start in 1910 with its
objective of restoring the Seneca
Chain Works to life, following its
disatrous fire in 1909. It was first
known as the Kent Board of Trade,
with John A. Wells president and W.
W. Reed, secretary. The name was
changed to the Chamber of Commerce
in 1920, and it has been active since
then. Current president is Loris F.
Troyer with Chas. V. Gilbert acting
secretary.
In 1909 the D. A. R. erected a mark-
er on the west side of Brady Lake. It
reads;
"In memory of Capt. Samuel Brady
who hid from the Indians under a fall-
en tree in the waters of this lake,
1870."
"Erected by Old Northwest Chapter,
Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion, 1909."
Miscellaneous Items, 1900 to 1910
Brown-Campbell handle factory ran
on Franklin Ave. on old Kent Chain
property.
Government surveyors establish
Main St. bridge elevation at 1052 feet.
W. J. Bryan again spoke from train
at station in 1908.
Marvin Kent died Dec. 10, 1908, at
age of 92.
Brady Lake Theater built, 1904.
Christian Endeavor county conven-
tion held, November, 1908.
Poultry show held, E. Main St., Jan.
1909.
1907 — Old Cuyahoga House torn
down.
Kent had a steel post factory on
Mogadore Road.
River St. rink torn down, 1905.
1909 — Fire destroyed Seneca Chain
works.
Kent's 1910 population was 4488.
In 1910, the state legislature author-
ized building of a normal school in
northeastern Ohio. Through efforts of
board of trade and citizens in general,
the school came to Kent. W. S. Kent
generously donated 54 acres of land
for the school, on present campus site.
Additional land to the value of
$15,000.00 was bought by public sub-
scription, part of which was refunded.
Original state appropriation for build-
ings was about $25,000. Since then,
the growth of the school has been ra-
pid. In 1929, Kent Normal School be-
came Kent State College, and in 1938,
Kent State University. The first pres-
ident, Dr. John McGilvrey, served
from 1912 to 1925. Later presidents
were T. Howard Winters (acting);
Dr. David Anderson; Dr. James O.
Engleman; Karl C. Leebrick; Ray-
mond Clark (acting); and Dr. Geo. A.
Bowman, present head.
On April 1, 1912, the city of Akron
acquired the right to use surplus wat-
er of the Cuyahoga River. Much land
was bought along the river and a dam
was built north of Kent, impounding
many acres of water. A pumping sta-
tion was built near by, filter beds
installed and pipe lines were laid to
Akron.
Sewage System Started
On Jan. 12, 1915, an election was
held to pass on a $90,000.00 bond issue
to provide a sewage system. Formerly,
sewage had drained into storm sewers.
The issue carried, 576 to 16. The pro-
ject, including a disposal plant, was
completed in 1916, but because of rap-
idly rising costs, the final total cost
was about $185,000.00.
In March, 1913, the community suf-
fered from heavy floods, the result of
a three day rain. The dam was washed
out, together with the B. & O. tracks,
338
PORTAGE HERITAGE
One of Kent's champion baseball teams — 1900. Several big leaguers
were developed here.
with no trains for one week. In No-
vember of the same year an unusually
heavy snow storm tied up travel and
business for several days. Schools were
closed. Depth of snow in places was
nearly four feet.
The Mason Tire & Rubber Co. was
organized in 1915. After the factory
was built growth was rapid with a
$6,598,000 business in 1920. A cotton
fabric mill was also built.
In June, 1928, a receiver was ap-
pointed and the plant closed. The
buildings were taken over in 1942 by
the C. L. Gougler Machine Co.
A building boom followed World
War I and approximately 150 homes
were built, including 30 by the Mason
Building Co. There was also a heavy
migration of Negroes from the South
at this time. Schools were crowded. A
$75,000.00 bond issue was authorized
by popular vote, followed by others
later. Roosevelt High school was built
in 1921-22 and a large addition to De-
Peyster school completed. Franklin
Hotel was built in 1919 through local
stock subscriptions. It proved unprof-
itable as an investment and changed
management several times.
Kent voted "dry" in April, 1915, by
a vote of 654 to 554, and eight saloons
went out.
Of special note was the death of
George W. Austin in 1915, at the age
of 107.
Herbert C. Eckert was mayor from
1905 to 1909, with a salary of $125.00
per year and he refused a raise.
In July, 1920, the public water
trough was removed from the square
and is now a flower bed in Standing
Rock Cemetery.
Kent became a city after the 1920
census, which put the population at
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
339
7,070, and the form of government
changed.
Have Own Waterworks
Much street paving was done in
1921-22 and there was agitation for
better fire protection. In 1922, a bond
issue of $60,000.00 was voted for the
purpose of building a combined city
hall and fire station. In 1931 an addi-
tion was built at a cost of $22,000.00
with a further addition in 1952, cost-
ing $22,500.00.
In April, 1922, voters favored an
issue of bonds for $200,000.00 to buy
the water works, then in public hands.
The transaction was completed in
1923 and O. H. Young was the first
superintendent. New mains were laid
and improvements made.
After W. S. Kent died in 1923, heirs
wanted property sold. The Masonic
lodge bought the Kent home. The
Lamson-Sessions Co. purchased much
land along the river. The old stone
quarry went to S. C. Bissler & Sons.
The American Legion got the old
Kent home. The old Alpaca Mill was
taken by T. G. Graham and J. L.
Harris while P. B. Hall got Pioneer
Grove. A further period of develop-
ment followed these sales.
In 1928 the sum of $6,300.00 was
raised by public subscription to buy
a lot for a garment factory site for the
L. N. Gross Co. A building was com-
pleted by 1929 and work started giv-
ing employment to many women.
In 1929, the Black & Decker Co.
bought the Mason fabric plant after
$21,500.00 had been raised for assist-
ance. The Domestic Electric, a subsid-
iary, took over in 1933, and later it
became the Lamb Electric Co., as at
present.
Miscellaneous Franklin-Kent,
1920-30
Main St. bridge was widened 20
feet, and White Way system installed
at a cost of $32,500,00, mostly by spec-
ial assessment.
In 1927, the New Kent Theater was
built.
Kent Elks Club formed 1920.
1923 — Eclat Rubber Co. started on
Riverside Court. Ran ten years, mak-
ing inner tubes.
Twin Lakes Allotment developed.
New club house built in 1926.
The river dam, washed out in 1913,
was repaired in 1925, at cost of
$6,000.00 raised by public subscrip-
tion.
Spelman Lake Brady ice houses
burned June 6, 1924.
First Kent Community Chest started
in 1922.
The Kent Kiwanis Club was organ-
ized in 1925 by Dr. T. H. Schmidt and
Freeman Foote. Schmidt was the first
president and Dick Donaghy was sec-
retary.
In 1925, chapel costing $25,000.00
built at Standing Rock cemetery.
Kent Rotary Club No. 777 organ-
ized in 1920 by W. A. Walls, W. B.
Andrews, Geo. H. Dumm, Hale B.
Thompson and J. S. Green. Walls was
first president.
In 1920, new siren at fire station
succeeded old Erie Shop whistle alarm.
This whistle had blown at 6 a. m. for
many years, and could be heard far
away.
In 1920 an explosion at the plant of
the Mason Tire plant resulted in the
deaths of five workmen.
In 1925, both Kent and Ravenna
got armories.
In July, 1922, a strike in the Erie
upper yards lasted five months.
Sheriff Arthur Carlile was murder-
ed April 5, 1922. The crime was never
solved.
Special policeman Clayton E. Apple
was killed while on duty March 22,
340
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
1925. A wounded suspect died and an-
other was tried but not convicted.
In 1928, Mrs. Joseph Madison was
slain. The husband was convicted of
the murder. A similar murder was
that of Mrs. Ray Price in 1931 the
husband also being held responsible.
In 1924 the Catholic school on Port-
age St. was built at a cost of $90,000.00
to accommodate 350 pupils.
Kent's population in 1930 was 8375.
Franklin township's was 10,676.
In May, 1930, the Erie shops, Kent's
industrial mainstay, were moved to
Susquehanna, Pa. Many families left
with them. Others chose to remain.
In 1930 and for several years there-
after many men were out of work.
Business was at low ebb. The W. P. A.
venture provided work for many for
about 30 hours a week at low wages.
Street improvement and other public
works were taken up. Drainage
ditches were dug to help provide jobs.
The welfare problem increased.
Teachers salaries were cut. Supt. Walls
took a 20% cut, with others in pro-
portion. Ohio Edison reduced rates
20%, and East Ohio Gas Co., 16%.
Davey Becomes Governor
In 1938 potatoes were being sold at
100 lbs for 68 cents.
In 1938 a Fall Festival was put on,
backed by 57 merchants.
In 1932, a history of Kent was put
out by Karl Grismer, the first of its
kind. Mr. Grismer previously had
been with the M. L. Davey organiza-
tion.
In the fall of 1929, the Kent Trib-
une and the Kent Courier, weekly
newspapers, were bought by M. L.
Davey and combined as the Courier-
Tribune. The new paper was a semi-
weekly. On April 1, 1930, Mr. Davey
sold the paper to the Dix interests and
in 1941, the publication became a
daily.
In 1928, Martin L. Davey received
the Democratic nomination for gov-
ernor of Ohio. Though defeated that
year, he made such a good showing
that in 1934 he was again nominated
and this time was elected governor.
At the time of his inauguration, Jan.
14, 1935, a special train was run to
Columbus from Kent carrying about
600, together with the Twin Coach
band. Mr. Davey was again elected in
1936.
In 1939 he returned to private life
in Kent, where a reception welcome
was held in the Opera House. He was
re-nominated for governor again in
1940 but was unsuccessful.
On March 31, 1932, the last electric
car passed through Kent, after con-
tinuous operation of the line for 36
years.
The First Federal Loan Bank was
organized in October, 1934, with Glen
Reed, president.
As the result of a court decision, in
1939 the Ohio Bell Telephone Co. re-
funded to Kent patrons the sum of
$33,409, for unauthorized charges over
a six year period. This averaged about
$22.00 each for residence subscribers
or $66.00 for business.
Miscellaneous Events of Thirties
The Lower, or Old Kent, Mill was
torn down in 1931. It was built in
1836.
In 1938 the Ohio Bell Telephone
Co. constructed a new building on
North DePeyster St., costing $37,-
500.00, or $125,000.00 including
equipment.
Junior Chamber of Commerce form-
ed 1938.
In February, 1939 University
Heights allotment opened with 100
lots offered for sale.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
34
View of Kent in 1850, looking northeast from middle of town.
In 1939, Miss Emma Patton gave to
the Kent Coterie, by her will, the Pat-
ton Home on West Main St. She also
left $12,000.00 for a student loan fund.
In February, 1931, John Thomas,
oldest Odd Fellow and Civil War vet-
eran, died at 101.
The Episcopal church was remodel-
ed at a cost of $20,000.00. Original
building was erected in 1836.
Franklin Hotel sold at sheriff's sale
for $19,000.00 in 1934. Cost about
$250,000.00.
Kent population in 1940 was 8581.
Township, 11,242.
Great industrial activity followed
Pearl Harbor. Gougler Machine Co.
took over several idle buildings in-
cluding old Mason Plant, which with
13 acres of land, sold for $125,000.00.
Twin Coach Co. took over former
Gougler plant on Stow St.
In May, 1943, the new Davey Com-
pressor Co. purchased two buildings
of the former Erie shops, and remod-
eled them.
Both Erie and B. & O. railroads
started using Diesel engines about
1940.
At this time Kent home owners be-
gan converting buildings to gas for
heating.
On Oct. 17, 1940 the Kent National
Guard unit left for Camp Shelby,
Miss., for a year's service — 63 strong.
Cost of relief cases which had to-
taled $63,653.00 in 1941, dropped to
$4,107.00 in 1942 since employment
was more general.
In May, 1939, the Ohio Bell Tele-
phone Co. started use of the dial sys-
tem.
In 1940, the Cherry St. underpass
was constructed.
Many "Victory Gardens" were start-
ed in 1943 to aid in food supplies. The
Longcoy farm tract had many of these
gardens. In February, 1943, war ration
342
PORTAGE HERITAGE
books were distributed through the
public schools and food and gasoline
rationing started. In the city, 8056 ra-
tion books were distributed.
The murder of May Wickline in
1942 provided a brief sensation. For
this, Ned Kellogg was sent to the pen-
itentiary.
Cadets at KSU
On March 8, 1943, at 11:26 p.m. an
earthquake shock was felt in Kent and
surrounding territory. There was no
damage, but considerable excitement
resulted.
Many residents called the police sta-
tion. One excited woman caller said,
"I've been trying to get you again and
again. I know there was an earth-
quake but I want to report that my
husband is beating me and I want the
police."
In March, 1943, about 500 air force
cadets arrived for a training course at
Kent State University and were quar-
tered in dormitories. War bond sales
drives were on and Kent exceeded all
quotas. There were also drives for sal-
vage materials.
January and February of 1945 saw
unusually heavy snow falls and there
was a shortage of coal due to a miners
strike. Schools closed for a short time.
In 1940 Harvey Redmond led an
American Legion drive to raise funds
for a city park.
In November, 1934, the Lamson &
Sessions Co. donated a tract of land
along the west side of the river to the
city for park purposes. It included
Island park. This was done through
the efforts of company vice president,
Roy H. Smith. Later, Fred M. Fuller
took an active interest in its develop-
ment. An operating levy was made
and drives were constructed. Picnic
sheds and benches and playground
equipment were installed and city
council officially named it Fred Fuller
Park, Oct. 8, 1946. A bridge was built
to the "Island," used as a ball park
around 1900. In 1954 a shelter house
was built at a cost of $13,000.00 and
given the name of the Roy H. Smith
Shelter House. Civic minded organiza-
tions have planted shrubbery and
flowers on a planned program. The
park officially opened in June, 1943.
A U.S. employment office opened
in Kent April 9, 1943.
Raymond M. Owen died in May,
1943. He was a native of Kent and was
inventor of the Owen magnetic drive,
predecessor of the automatic drive of
today.
A new bridge over Breakneck Creek
and the B. & O. was erected in 1947.
First parking meters were installed
in Kent in May, 1947. First year's in-
come was $25,216.00.
In 1952, the old C. & P. passenger
station at Earlville was torn down.
In 1943, Mrs. Nora Collins, long
proprietor of the Collins House, died
at 98.
In August, 1943, about $3,000.00
was raised for a war service record,
which was placed alongside the Erie
passenger station.
The Kent Men's Garden Club or-
ganized in April, 1947, by Ray Cheet-
ham.
The Kent Lion's Club came into
existence Dec. 6, 1946, with 55 charter
members. Lee Maag was first presi-
dent.
The Lincoln St. stand pipe, erected
in 1889 was torn down in June, 1941.
First night football played in Kent
was on Roosevelt High field, Sept. 30,
1943.
Population of Kent in the 1950 cen-
sus was 12,418. Township, 16,527.
Old Central Changes
Growth of the city required new
PORTAGE HERITAGE
343
schools. In 1953, the old Central school
was torn down and a modern new
building erected. Contracts were let
in 1956 to build a new school on acre-
age in the Longmere section, previous-
ly purchased. In connection with this
a new bond issue of $1,530,000.00 for
school building purposes, was voted
in 1955. In 1956, the school board
bought a site for a new school in the
northeast section of town.
Franklin local township school
building was erected in 1921. By 1952
it was too small and a $250,000.00 ex-
pansion program was approved.
In 1952 a $650,000.00 bond issue
was authorized for sewer and disposal
overhauling.
In 1950, Kent State University pur-
chased about 75 acres of land adjoin-
ing the campus, for expansion pur-
poses. Since that time a million dollar
physical education unit has gone up,
men's and women's dormitories, a Stu-
dent Union building and an immense
training school as well. Other build-
ings are being planned, together with
new roads and walks.
The 100th anniversary of the Kent
National bank marked the start of ma-
jor remodeling and improvements in
its building.
Real estate development in Kent
and Franklin township has been great
in late years, particularly around Twin
Lakes, in the Longmere section and
southeast section, and a drive was
started to take outlying districts into
the city.
Miscellaneous Items Since 1950
Sewer rental system adopted in
1951.
Kent City operating budget for
1951 was $368,708.75.
Twin Coach Co. sold 500 buses to
city of Chicago. Operated by propane
gas.
New Catholic church and parish
house built in 1953-54 at a cost of
nearly $500,000.00.
New Congregational church was
built in 1955 at cost of about
$500,000.00.
Mrs. A. B. Young died, 1953, at age
of 103.
1955 — Lamson & Sessions Co. builds
large addition.
1956 — City Bank starts remodeling
and expansion of quarters.
Portage County Labor Temple erect-
ed on Temple St. Kent in 1951.
August of 1956 saw the celebration
of the sesqui-centennial of Franklin
township and the city of Kent. Old
costumes were worn and a full week
program of merriment, with parades
and music put on. Radio and televi-
sion were used extensively. An import-
ant feature was the historical pageant
exhibited nightly at the university
stadium.
Kent's special contribution to the
armed forces is presently known as
3582nd. Transportation Company,
Ohio National Guard, with Lieut.
Dean Hull commanding. It was organ-
ized in February, 1937, as Company C
of the 112th Quartermaster Regt. It
served through World War II in fed-
eral service. The state armory is on
Lake St. There was also C. Battery,
177 AAA battalion.
In 1954, proposed city charter plan
was voted down as it was in 1921.
Mayors of Kent
John Thompson, 1867-69
E. W. Stuart, 1869
S. P. Wolcott, 1870
Isaac Russell, 1872
Chas. H. Kent, 1874-76
James Woodard, 1878-80
O. S. Rockwell, 1882
Dr. W. I. Caris, Appt. 1883
James Wark, 1886
C. B. Newton, 1888
O. S. Rockwell, 1892
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PO RTAG E HERITAGE
New St. Patrick's Church in Kent, built in 1953.
J. S. Sweeney, 1894
S. W. Burt, 1896
W. W. Patton, 1898
David L. Rockwell, 1900-02
James Armstrong, 1903
E. S. Parsons, 1903
H. C. Eckert, 1905-07
N. J. A. Minnich, 1909-11
M. L. Davey, 1913-15-17
Britton S. Johnson, Appt. 1918
F. E. Schmiedel, 1921
W. O. Hollister, 1922-24
W. I. Harvey, 1926
N. N. Beal, 1928
Roy H. Smith, 1930-32
N. N. Beal, 1932
W. I. Harvey, 1934-36
Alf C. Lovell, 1940 to 1948
Frank C. Dangler, Jr., 1948-52
Robert Garrett, 1952-54
Carl Meeker, 1954
R. E. Manchester, 1956
Present churches in Kent and
Franklin township are Christ Episco-
pal, S. Mantua, Rev. Forrest Bond;
Christian, W. Main St., Rev. Clifford
Thomas; Congregational, E. Main,
Rev. Herbert Van Meter; Baptist Tem-
ple, Cressbrook; Church of God,
Dodge St.; Christian Science, W. Main
St.; Church of the Nazarene, Lake St.,
Rev. Robt. Danielson; Catholic, N.
DePeyster, Rev. George Mulroy, Rev.
Henry Cibulka and Rev. Allen Simp-
son; Catholic Newman, Horning Rd.,
Rev. John Daum; Faith Lutheran, E.
Main, Rev. F. R. Rehmer; First Meth-
odist, W. Main, Rev. Howard Wyant;
Wesley Foundation, E. Main, W. N.
Laurie; Free Methodist, School St.; A.
M. E. Spelman Chapel, Oak St., Rev.
W. L. Hafley; Jehovahs Witnesses,
Lake St.; Spiritualist, Brady Lake;
Trinity Lutheran, S. Water St., Rev.
A. Johnson; Union Baptist, Dodge St.,
Rev. Fred Thomas; Universalist,
Gougler Ave., Rev. John Flint; United
Christian Fellowship, E. Main St.,
Wm. Van Valkenburgh, pastor.
First religious meetings in Kent
appear to have been held about 1817
in a small building at Crain and Lake
PORTAGE HERITAGE
345
Sts., which was used by various sects.
Congregationa lists became regularly
organized in 1819, in association with
the Presbyterians. Methodists met ir-
regularly from 1815 but organized a-
bout 1820. The Disciples had a church
beginning in 1827. The Episcopalians
organized in 1835 and in the same
year the Baptists formed a church.
The year 1867 saw two new churches.
Catholics formed the St. Patrick's
church and the Universalists also or-
ganized. The Lutherans organized in
1877. Free Methodists had a church in
1904 and in the same year the Church
of the Brethren organized. Christian
Scientists organized in 1911 and in
1922 the Union Baptist church was
formed. Other churches were formed
in more recent years.
In addition to Mayor Manchester,
Kent city elected and appointed offic-
ials in 1956 were:
Council — Mrs. Ruth Dessum, Paul
Yacavona, Robt. Byrne, Wm. F. Sulli-
van, Ben Anderson, Leo Felsted, Gil-
bert Lawrence, Chas. F. Paulus, Edith
Kline, clerk.
Civil Service Commission — S. D.
McNeil, x Mrs. Grace Connors, E. C.
Fulmer.
Health Commission — Mrs. Wm.
Zingler, Rev. Forrest Bond, Harlan
Carson, Maxine Lyman, L. G. Bos-
worth, Dr. Evans Davis, Commission-
er.
Recreation Commission — Ray Spain,
Leo Lutz, Vic Chamberlain, Robt.
Young, L. L. Burkhart.
Park Board— Chester Wise, Edith L.
Kline, Al Dessum.
Platting-Planning Commission — R.
E. Manchester, Chairman; L. R. Han-
sen, Ray C. Miller, Robt. Dix, W. R.
Williams, Chas. Kistler, Al Dessum.
Shade Tree Commission — M. W.
Staples, D. Q. Grove, R. H. Meyer.
Civil Defense — Anthony Scarpitti,
Geo. K. Damanic.
Carrying the Mail
In 1809 there was a circular mail route
over which the carrier started from
Cleveland, thence going to Hudson, Ra-
venna, Deerfield, Warren, Mesopotamia,
Windsor, Jefferson, Harpersfield and
Painesville, thence back to Cleveland.
Several days were required for a single
trip.
First mail carriers through Portage
County had very little mail to carry —
usually only a few letters. For a long
time th mail bag never contained more
than five pounds of letters. Carriers were
permitted to carry on a personal traffic
in parcels on the side, acting as agent
and doing errands for pay.
Ravenna had a postoffice in 1805,
being served by stage coach or horse.
First service was once a week, which
soon changed to twice a week. Through
the years mails were carried not only by
stage coach but by canal, steam railroad,
electric railway, airplane and truck. Ro-
bert Campbell was the first postmaster.
Other Postmasters were Frederick Wads-
worth, William Tappan, Seth Day, S. F.
McNair, J. B. King, Lyman Collins, B. S.
Hopkins, R. A. Gillette, Eliza Evans, W.
S. Krake, Isaac Kelly, John C. Beatty,
D. C. Coolman, J. H. Oakley, E. W. Mar-
vin, A. H. Austin, C. R Seymour and C.
H. Caris.
On the morning of the execution of
John Brown of Harpers Ferry, he called
in a lawyer to draw up his will. He got
into a dispute with the lawyer over a
dollar he thought had been enclosed in
a letter. He bid goodbye to his compan-
ions who were to be hanged later, and
gave each one a quarter, saying that he
had no further use for the money. At the
same time he did considerable scolding
of the various prisoners held with him.
A. C. Larkcom, once postmaster at
Freedom, was a cousin of Noah Webster,
the dictionary writer, and his wife was
a cousin of Commodore Hazzard Perry.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Kent Rump Convention
Of political activities in Portage County, few were more unusual and interesting
than the Democratic rump convention at Kent in 1908. On the face of things it was
only a contest over delegates to the presidential nominating convention that year,
from the Nineteenth District. In the background loomed the figures of W. J. Bryan
and Wm. R. Hearst, who were seeking the presidential nomination. Tom L. Johnson,
noted mayor of Cleveland, was on hand looking after the Bryan interests. Opposed
to him was Harvey C. Garber, Ohio Democratic power, who was represented by David
Ladd Rockwell, Portage leader. Johnson and Garber were bitter enemies. The immediate
cause of the trouble here was a party rupture in Summit County. Two delegations were
present, each claiming to be the legal one. One delegation was favorable to Bryan.
Garber people objected. An attempt was made to iron out differences but without
success. Before long it was apparent that there would be two conventions, each dubbed
"rump" by the other. The Garber convention nominated Albert C. Holloway, an Akron
lawyer, and Elmer E. France of Kent, delegate and alternate, and the Johnson con-
vention nominated Templeton of Warren and Corbin of Ashtabula. At the national
Democratic convention in Denver the credentials committee decided in favor of Temple-
ton and Corbin, who supported Bryan. Bryan was nominated.
Fire Horses Wanted
After Ravenna was in existence as a
village, first fire fighting organization
was a "bucket brigade," set up in the
1820s. In case of fire a line of men stood
from the point of the fire to the nearest
well or cistern and buckets of water were
passed along, hand to hand, to be thrown
on the fire, if possible. Often there
would be a line of women standing
alongside the men they passed the empty
buckets back to be refilled.
Following this came the hand pump,
a contrivance with handles wide enough
to permit work by several men on each
side with a teeter action. With no regular
firemen, spectators were pressed into
action as pumpers (which kept many
away). A leather hose, bound with rivets,
was used. About 1870 a "modern steam-
er" was bought. But as no horses were
kept at the fire station and roads were
bad, the steamer often arrived at fires
too late to do any good. For a time
there was a standing prize of $5.00 to
the owner of the team first reaching the
station to haul the steamer out. Not un-
til a water system was installed, together
with steam pumps, was there a really
effective means found to put out fires.
Historic Highland Home
One of the historic homes of the
county is the Highland Home Farms in
Edinburg just below Campbellsport. It
is located on an original acreage of 400
acres sold to Frederick Wadsworth by
Gen. John Campbell. The house was
built in 1824 of brick made in the neigh-
borhood. It stands on basement walls of
solid rock of great thickness. Some of the
basement rooms are sealed so that there
is no entrance which gave rise to stories
that the place may have been used as
an underground hideaway for runaway
slaves. The owner ran into financial dif-
ficulties and the place was sold at sher-
iff's sale in 1846. The house was for a
time used as a tavern on the Cleveland-
Wellsville road. In 1864 the place came
into the possession of Theodore Clark
and was known as Clark's Hill. It is now
owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Quin who
have fitted it up in the style of long ago.
The place has a fine view.
When Benjamin Tappan ran for gov-
ernor in 1826, he received but 57 votes
in Trumbull county and only seven in
Portage which he had helped organize.
CHAPTER XXVI
Freed
om
(Compiled and written by Mrs. Fred Lorenz and Miss Lucille Dudley, with the assistance
of many descendents of Freedom's pioneer families and early settlers).
"Lift the twilight curtains of the past
And turning from familiar sight and sound,
Sadly and full reverence cast
A glance upon tradition's shadowy ground. "
In all probability the history of
Freedom township should begin and
end as of up-to-date with the build-
ing of a road. One year before this
town welcomed its first inhabitant,
David Mcintosh cut a road through
Shalersville to Freedom, the country
at that time being an unbroken for-
est. This was in 1817.
In 1956, one hundred and thirty-
nine years later, a portion of Portage
County's twenty-four miles of super-
highway, the Ohio Turnpike, tra-
versed Freedom township approxi-
mately one-quarter mile north of that
first stretch of roadway cut by Mr.
Mcintosh, known now as State Route
303.
In the Wilderness
An ancient letter, still extant, writ-
ten by Mrs. Sarah (Battle) Heath of
Tyrington, Mass., bears the following
address:
To My Children in the Wilderness
of Portage County, A Place Called
Freedom
Those children's names were Mar-
cus Heath, Pamelia (Mrs. Isaac C.
Davis), Kesia (Mrs. Ransom Collins),
and Harriet (Mrs. Joseph Calvin
Davis).
When Mr. and Mrs. John Winegar
and their family moved to Freedom in
1828, it is said that Mrs. Winegar
(Hannah Crocker Davis) looked a-
round at the mud and its swamp land
and said, "If this is the land of Free-
dom, I would like to know what the
land of bondage will be." But to many
back in New England states, this lit-
tle spot, originally known as Town 4,
Range 7, the 215th township in the
Western Reserve to be organized, was
once referred to as "The Eden of the
World."
With the exception of Streetsboro
and Garrettsville, Freedom was the
last of the townships of the county
to be organized, the reason being that
all the central part was a great swamp.
Hunters in the surrounding towns had
given out the word that Freedom was
all swamp, not suitable for farming
and never would be settled. With the
section known as "an uninhabitable
swamp," settlers nevertheless came
into the township, among them being
Enoch Drake, who bought nearly one
quarter of the township and began
the cross-roads settlement known as
Drakesburg, in preference to a site in
Ravenna. And while the community
failed to live up to his expectations,
and is still a "four corners", it has
347
348
PORTAGE HERITAGE
evolved into a fine productive agri-
cultural township with good homes
and a cluster of businesses and estab-
lishments.
Was North Rootstown
The original proprietors of Free-
dom Township were Ephriam Root
and Thomas Lloyd of Connecticut,
and it was once referred to as North
Rootstown in honor of Mr. Root. He
was a native of Coventry, Conn., and
a lawyer of considerable note and rep-
utation.
Up to 1825, this township was in-
cluded in Hiram. In the spring of
1818, the first settlement in the town-
ship was made by Charles H. Paine
on Lots 31 and 41. He came from
Hiram, but originally lived in Paines-
ville, his father being General Edward
Paine for whom that town was named.
The settlement was approximately
two miles north of Drakesburg be-
tween what was known as the Warner
Durkee-Percy Miller farm, now own-
ed by George Winchell, and the
Charles Nichols Corners.
In Hiram, Charles H. Paine mar-
ried the daughter of Elijah Mason who
had made previous trips to Hiram
township, locating his land in 1802.
Mason was from Lebanon, Conn. In
1817 was recorded the marriage of
Charles H. Paine to Miss Parthenia
Mason, daughter of Elijah, sister of
David Garrett's first wife and half
sister of Mrs. Zeb Rudolph, mother of
Mrs. James A. Garfield. Charles Paine
made his home with his father-in-law
while erecting a cabin and clearing
the Freedom woods. The family were
the only inhabitants of the township
for four years until 1822, when Thom-
as Johnson, wife and eleven children
came.
Woman Names Town
Amanda Paine, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Paine, was born in Free-
dom in June, 1828, the first white
child born there. Another daughter,
Emeline, born in 1818, died in Free-
dom in October, 1820, being fatally
scalded, the first death in the town-
ship.
The Paines lived in Freedom six
years, then sold to Willard Wads-
worth and John Hickock. Much of the
original farm has now been divided
into residential lots.
On organization, it was left to Mrs.
Paine (as history states) to name the
township, having the honor of being
the first woman resident. Being deep-
ly patriotic, a staunch abolitionist and
anti-slavery woman, she named the
town ' 'Liberty", but changed it to
"Freedom" when she found there was
another township in the state called
Liberty.
Mr. Paine planted the first apple
orchard in the township in 1820.
The road from the Hiram town line
south to Drakesburg was once called
"Vermont Street", because so many
from that state settled on it.
In 1818, Freedom was the scene of
a big "Army Hunt" in December. In
this there were killed 23 bears, 7
wolves and 36 deer, besides scores of
turkey and other game.
The Thomas Johnsons who had ar-
rived in 1822, came originally to
Hiram in 1809. Thomas Johnson was
an Irishman who had first settled in
Pennsylvania, but later moved to
Trumbull County and then to Hiram.
He was a genial soul and could tell a
joke with true Irish flavor.
Lost in Woods
The year 1823 brought three ar-
rivals into the township, namely;
Newell Day, Enos Wadsworth, and
Asa Wadsworth. All these came from
Tyringham, Mass. Newell Day settled
PORTAGE HERITAGE
349
The classic lines of the Freedom Congre-
gational Church have long attracted at-
tention. The building is more than a
century old.
two miles east of Freedom Center.
Enos Wadsworth was a widower with
three children— Asa, John, and Electa.
Enos, the father, died from exposure
when he became lost in the woods.
In 1824, came Rufus Ranney, Elijah
Ranney (son), Myron Barber, Phineas
Spaulding, Brigham Harrison, Daniel
Brown, Ira Chamberlain, and Mrs.
Hannah Wheelock.
Rufus Ranney was the father of
Judge Rufus P. Ranney who once oc-
cupied the bench of the Supreme
Court of Ohio, and John L. Ranney,
later a Ravenna lawyer. John Ranney
was born in Massachusetts in 1815 and
his educational advantages were lim-
ited. He read law in Jefferson, Ashta-
bula county, with his brother, Rufus,
and Senator B. F. Wade. After being
admitted to the bar, he settled in Ra-
venna and became a leading lawyer.
He was the Democratic candidate for
Congress in 1855, and was long pres-
ident of the First National Bank of
Ravenna.
Another son, Elijah Ranney, was a
mail carrier from Freedom to Hiram
and it is said that he carried the mail
in his hat, and traveled the road bare-
footed. He was also the first school
teacher at Drakesburg.
Come in Numbers
Myron Barber settled on a farm
once owned by Ira Strickland on the
Nichols-Jones road. Mention is made
that he drove an ox and a cow hitched
to a cart when he and his family were
enroute here and the cow furnished
the milk during the trip.
Daniel Brown, known as Captain
Daniel Brown, located on what was
once known as the Arthur Stamm
farm.
Mrs. Hannah Wheelock's husband,
Amariah, died enroute here, making
it necessary for her and the two
children to come on alone. They set-
tled south of Drakesburg.
Phineas Spaulding built the first
dwelling house at Freedom Center,
and 1825 brought in several ar-
rivals: Paul Larkcom, Joshua Finch,
Jeremiah Colton, Nathaniel Brown,
Orvin Brown, John Baldwin, Horace
Hopkins, Pardon Sherman, and Syl-
vester Hurlburt.
Paul Larkcom was a former mem-
ber of the Massachusetts Legislature.
He was a soldier of the Revolution,
having run away to enter the army
before he was 15. Being too young
for combat duty, he was commissioned
as cook in George Washington's regi-
ment and served many a meal to the
General. His wife was a cousin of
Noah Webster, the great lexicograph-
er. He settled just north of Drakes-
burg and was a farmer and carpenter.
In 1825 probably occurred the first
marriage in the township, uniting
William Sherwood and Harriet Ran-
ney. the daughter of Rufus Ranney.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Henry Humprey and Electa Wads-
worth were married soon after.
When the township was organized
in 1825, the first township officers
were: Amariah Wheelock, clerk;
Charles H. Paine, Alexander Johnson,
and Asa Wads worth, trustees; Phin-
eas Spaulding, treasurer; Alexander
Johnson, appraiser; Newell Day, and
Thomas Johnson, overseers of the
poor; Charles H. Paine, Asa Wads-
worth, fence viewers; Benjamin Fen-
ton, lister; Phineas Spaulding, Thom-
as Johnson, and Amariah Wheelock,
supervisors; Charles B. Miller, con-
stable; Charles H. Paine, Alexander
Johnson, and Asa Wadsworth, judges
of election; Amariah Wheelock and
Asa Wadsworth, clerks of election.
The number of voters in the town at
that time was 10, and each candidate
had 10 votes.
The first state militia officers in
the township were Captain John
Wheelock, Lieutenant Daniel Brown
and Ensign Alexander Johnson. Ama-
riah Wheelock was elected Justice of
the Peace, the first one in the town-
ship.
First Boy Born
1826 brought in: Thomas Marcy,
Arvillus C. Larkcom, Samuel Lark-
com, John Bonney, Daniel W. Strick-
land, and Albert Chamberlain.
On February 19, 1826, the first male
child was born in Freedom, Charles
R., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel
Brown.
The first frame house at Drakes-
burg was built in this year by Daniel
W. Strickland on Lot 46. This build-
ing was framed by Paul Larkcom.
In 1826, the first post office in the
township was established, located
north of Drakesburg. It was a log
house with a blanket hung up at the
door until enough lumber could be
obtained to build a wooden one. Eli-
jah W. Ranney, who married Levana,
daughter of Paul Larkcom, became
its first postmaster. Before this, let-
ters came via Shalersville.
Avarillus C. Larkcom, son of Paul,
became a cabinet maker and com-
bined that business with his farming.
In 1827 came: Reuben Daniels,
Havelock Marcy, Mrs. Lura Marcy,
Hiram Goodrich, William McClin-
tock, Alanson Stanley, and Gary C.
Clark.
Reuben Daniels married Polly Lark-
com, daughter of Paul. Mr. Daniels
built the second frame house. He was
the grandfather of Mrs. Calista Dan-
iels Taylor who wrote the "History
of the Larkcom Family and their De-
scendents."
Saw Mill Set Up
The arrivals in 1828 were: Samuel
Johnson, Beman Richardson, Elihu
Paine, Isaac Steadman, David Kellogg,
Amos Hawley, Chauncey Bulkley,
Harry Humphrey, John Wheelock,
Ozias Hawley, John Winnegar,
George W. Kneeland, Henry Hatch,
Harvey Hawley and Isaac C. Davis.
When Amos Hawley settled in Free-
dom in this year, there was not one
house between Drakesburg and Gar-
retsville. In 1828, Elihu Paine built
the first saw-mill in the north part
of town.
The first Church Society in Free-
dom was organized February 9, 1828,
at the house of Arvillus C. Larkcom,
by Rev. Joseph Treat and David L.
Coe, members of the Presbytery of
Portage county, and was composed of
the following persons: Origen Har-
mon and wife, Alvin Brown and wife,
Havelock Marcy and wife, Mrs. Lura
Marcy, Horace Hopkins and wife,
Reuben Daniels, Mrs, Elizabeth Marcy,
Daniel W. Strickland and wife, Josh-
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
35
ua Finch and wife, Samuel Larkcom
and wife, Harvey Hawley and wife,
and Mrs. Clarissa Wheelock.
The sermon preached that day was
by the Rev. David L. Coe. Daniel
Strickland was elected clerk of the
church group and Origen Harmon,
Havelock Marcy and Reuben Dan-
iels formed the standing committee.
Their meetings were held in the
homes of the various members. A log
meeting house was then erected at
Freedom Center which was used until
1835, when a small frame church was
built, now used as a township garage.
Rev. Caleb Pitkin was the first stated
preacher.
Sermon is Heard
Paul Larkcom in his early "History
of Freedom", states that the first ser-
mon in the township was preached by
Rev. Alva Day, a Congregational min-
ister, but no date is given.
In 1829, there were quite a large
number of arrivals: Linus F. Larkcom,
Alexander Johnson, Elijah Scott, G.
G. Redding, Chauncey Hitchcock,
John Hitchcock, Dennis Day, Orsam-
us L. Drake, Daniel B. Bristol, Wil-
lis Foot, Milo Foot, Hiram Kilborn,
Daniel Millican, Harmon Barber,
Rosewell Sage, Amariah Wheelock,
Abral Haskins, and William Gardner.
Among those who came in 1830
were: John Johnson, David Scott,
Libeus Manley, Enoch Drake, William
Porter, James Porter, Ashal Hawley,
John Hawley, Amos Foot, Charles
Cranmer, Albert Sherman, Lorin Ham-
ilton, Orin D. Nichols, and Ahimes
Doud.
The census of 1830 showed the
number of inhabitants to be 342. Also
this year, Lorin Hamilton opened a
joiner and furniture business at
Drakesburg.
John Hitchcock built the first cider
mill and in 1830, sold 500 bushels of
apples and made 63 barrels of cider
from that first orchard planted by
Charles H. Paine just ten years be-
fore.
In 1930, Enoch Drake located at
what is now Drakesburg. Some of
his 1000 acres he disposed of to oth-
ers. He erected five dwelling houses,
and a large store at Drakesburg. He
was a blacksmith and followed that
occupation until past middle life. He
allowed himself only four hours of
sleep a night while carrying on a
large business of manufacturing farm-
ers' utensils. He amassed considerable
wealth and was, in his later years,
known as a seller of lands and a lend-
er of money.
Methodists Organize
The year 1831 brought: Harris
Webster, Willis Messinger, A. P.
Fanning, Thomas Crocker, William
Dennison, C. S. Canfield, Ira Gard-
ner, Benjamin Wheeler, Isaac DeMaw.
In 1831, the first store was opened
at Drakesburg with a stock of goods
by Erastus Carter, Jr., and Cyrus
Prentiss of Ravenna, in the barn of
Enoch Drake. The number of inhabi-
tants in the township now were 417.
The first Methodist Church Group
in Freedom was organized in Septem-
ber, 1831, by the Rev. Thomas Carr
and B. O. Plympton, and consisted of
nine members: Mr. and Mrs. Orsamus
L. Drake, Mr. and Mrs. A. Hawley,
Mr. and Mrs. Ira Chamberlain, Sarah
Sherman, Chas. Cranner, and Mary
Hawley.
According to Freedom's first his-
torian, Paul Larkcom, the first quar-
terly meeting of the group was held
in the barn of Enoch Drake. Worship
was continued for the next seven years
by holding services from house to
house.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
In 1832 came: William C. Moore,
Abram Streator, Phineas Spaulding,
Jacob Thayer, A. P. Wells, Austin
Hubbard, Eber Judson, Jabez Smith,
and Harley Smith.
By 1832, the number of inhabitants
was 467.
In 1832, Jabez Smith opened a
blacksmith shop at Drakesburg, and
Erastus Carter built a store on the
northwest corner of Freedom Center,
but soon sold to D. W. Strickland. In
1832, Phineas Spaulding built the first
dwelling house at Freedom Center.
G. G. Redding built a saw mill.
Still They Come
In 1833, those who settled were:
Robert Johnson, Brown, Alex
Johnson, Colby Loveland, Reward
Brigby, John Baldwin, Mur-
dock, Enoch Parker, Robert Isbell,
Reuben Taylor, Orvis Foot, Lasell
Birge, Simon Landfear, Joshua Bev-
ington, William Gray, Chamberlain's
son-in-law, Francis James, Lyman
Griswold.
The number of inhabitants in 1833
was 558.
1834 brought in: Deacon Ranney,
Benson Nash, Luther Cole, Chester
Barber, Ambrose Chapin, John Rid-
ing, Barber, P. Howland, Al-
bert Robinson, Isaac Kneeland,
Halcom, Horace Haskins, Enos Chalk-
er, Sadrack Dennison, Joel Sturde-
vant, Henry Smith, Seth Jennings, I.
Jennings, Nathan Odler, George Cur-
tis, Ebbe Durkee, Joel Durkee, John
Taylor, F. Daniels, Robert Johnson,
Wells, G. O. Williams, and
Philip Ballard.
The number of inhabitants, 659.
The year 1835 brought in the fol-
lowing arrivals: H. Allen, Rev. W.
Rockwell, Darius Noble, R. H. Miller,
T. Miller, L. Atwater, Elias Bedford,
W. Durkee, Jebiel Hitchcock, Dr.
Simon Birge, B. Barber, W. Sherwood,
D. Doty, A. Goddard, Widow Synes,
Ransom Collins, Charles A. Dudley,
E. Dennison, Lyman Bryant, Jesse S.
Shepherd, A. Harmon, S. Winnegar,
and J. Runyan.
Says Larkcom in his history, dated
1830:
"As this township of Freedom in
Portage County, state of Ohio, has
made rapid progress in its settlement
and in improvement and as there is
no record kept of the same, and as I
am one of the first settlers, I have
thought of committing some things
to writing for some information to
the rising generation that our child-
ren may know what their fathers have
done for them in purchasing their
land in this wild wilderness and con-
verting into cultivated fields. Another
thing, it has always been lamented
that there has not been more care tak-
en of making records in new settled
places. I have thought it my duty to
commit the following to writing as
I am the oldest man in town at the
age of 67, lacking a few weeks. This
book is to be open for the inspection
of any who desire to view it."
First Orchard Thrives
Many of the subsequent records of
the township have in some manner
been either lost or destroyed by fire
and while this is most lamentable,
every effort has been made to clarify
and confirm whatever information
could be obtained so that the "His-
tory of Freedom" would not appear
too sketchy in its context.
Going back to the year 1835, Colby
Loveland made barrels of cider and
sold 600 bushels of apples from the
first orchard planted by Charles H.
Paine in the year 1820. In 1835 also,
there was cut on the North Road
from Drakesburg to the Hiram line,
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
353
400 tons of hay, and in the entire
township, eight tons of cheese was
made. The number of inhabitants in
this year was 767.
Dr. Simeon Birge, who came into
the township in 1835, remained until
1838 when he moved to Franklin.
This township was without a resident
physician until 1840 when Dr. James
Webb located until his death in 1852.
When Ransom Collins established
his residence on the Center Road,
now in the north part of Freedom, he
built a saw mill on "Black Brook",
so called. A few rods below this he
had a rake factory. The "R. Collins"
brand burned into the rake heads was
very familiar to the farmer boys of
the area. His son Orson, came to Ohio
with his parents at the age of seven.
He continued the same line of work
as his father. The last two or three
years of his life, he engaged in the
electric light business. In August of
1850, he married Amelia Norton, they
had four daughters and one son; Dora,
Orsie, Nellie, Lillie, and Victor O.
V. O. Collins
While Victor O. Collins was born
in Hiram, he spent most of his life
in Freedom. He was a lumberman, but
in the early 1900s he began operating
a threshing machine. He said his am-
bition was to be running it when he
was 80, and was still operating it on
his 84th birthday. He was married to
Carrie Cooper, whose two sons and
two daughters, Richard of Garretts-
ville, also in the lumber business;
Edgar, who resides at the Collins
homestead at Freedom Station; Mrs.
Lillian Goodell of Mantua, who re-
cently retired as Mantua's postmis-
tress; and Mrs. Lulu Vine of Gar-
rettsville.
The first school in Freedom, ac-
cording to Mrs. Calista Daniels Tay-
lor, was in a log school house in the
north part of town, then known as
the Harmon district, later the Stamm.
Laura Maxon was the teacher, and
Lucy Robinson followed her. Mrs.
Taylor also taught here.
E. W. Ranney taught the first
school in Drakesburg in a log build-
ing just south of the old Drake Tav-
ern. At the Center, Thomas Lloyd of
Connecticut deeded five acres of land
for public use. On this was built the
Congregational church, an academy,
and a district school. The academy
was often referred to as the "select
school."
In 1854, Freedom was made into
eight school districts as follows:
Nichols Corners, Drakesburg, Free-
dom, Stamm District, Limeridge,
Summit Hill, and Hewins. These sup-
ported separate schools until central-
ization came in 1914, and at the same
time, it went under county superin-
tendency. In 1917 the high school
was completed at a cost of $22,000,
and a high school course was set up.
Previously, high school education had
to be obtained in neighboring towns.
Freedom High School first held a
three-year charter, which in 1935 was
changed to a first grade status.
High School Grads
The first graduating class (1918)
included Ralph Mason, Audrey Park-
er, Harold Clough, Paul King, Thel-
ma Fuller, Roy Marvin, Linnie Chalk-
er, and Ira Chalker. J. H. Conry was
acting principal in 1915, classes being
held temporarily in the Town Hall.
The new building was dedicated April
14, 1916.
Serving as principals have been:
Owen Walton, Joseph Fixler, Mrs.
Miles Whitney, Carol Dewey, Chas.
A. Weed, Mrs. Martha Gutenschen,
Mrs. Eunice Reudi, H. W. Donaldson,
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Paul Ruckman, G. Emory Tarr, Ver-
non Ward, Richard Kirker, Fred
Cover, John F. Gardner, and Ralph
McMillen.
The building was enlarged in 1939.
Freedom school is now a part of the
new Garfield district, with high
school pupils going to Garrettsville.
In 1932, the P.T.A. provided a new
school library. The Home and School
Association was the predecessor of the
P.T.A.
The Freedom Congregational
church has long attracted attention
by the simple beauty of the structure.
The pillars suggest a dignified Greek
entrance and the effect of the whole
is artistic. Many who have passed the
church have been struck by its simple
dignity and its austere purity. It is
one of the landmarks of the early
Western Reserve which should be pre-
served as their classic features surpass
anything being erected today.
Toll Bell for Lincoln
As stated previously, the church was
organized in 1828 with a log building
being soon put up. Many stories have
been told about the proceedings and
beliefs of the church and some are
printed elsewhere in this volume. The
Presbyterian service was first used
and the first log church was super-
seded in 1835 by a small frame build-
ing. There was a good deal of con-
troversy over retaining the Presby-
terian forms and in 1836, the body
entered the "General Association of
the Western Reserve", but the dis-
sension continued. In 1886, a state
charter was obtained.
The present church was finished in
1845 at a cost of $3,000, and 20 years
later was re-decorated inside, and var-
ious changes made later. In early days,
the church bell was rung three times
each day and tolled when a death oc-
curred. When Lincoln died, the bell
was tolled steadily two hours. The
present bell was obtained in 1872.
The Methodist Episcopal church
was organized in September, 1831, by
Revs. Thos. Carr and B. O. Plympton
with these members: Mr. and Mrs.
Orsamus Drake, Mr. and Mrs. A.
Hawley, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Chamber-
lain, Sarah Sherman, Chas. Cranmer
and Mary Hawley. In 1836, it was
decided that a permanent meeting
house be built and in 1837, with do-
nated labor and timber sawed in
Strickland's mill, near the site, the
building started. It was completed in
1838. Orasmus and Enoch Drake deed-
ed the land and helped the building
fund.
A Sunday school was organized in
1849; the Ep worth League in 1880;
the Junior League in 1893, and the
Ladies Aid Society in 1877.
In September, 1951, the church was
badly damaged by fire. The decision
was to build a new one. The site chos-
en was on Route 700, just south of
the school. The new building was
consecrated September 6, 1953, by
Bishop Werner. The old church, long
a landmark, was dismantled.
Have Two Cemeteries
The Full Gospel Church, located
just east of Drakesburg, was organ-
ized in July, 1937. Worship is held
in the re-modeled Drakesburg district
school building.
Up until 1888, there was a small
Disciples church east of Stamms Cor-
ners. This was organized in 1840.
Freedom has two cemeteries — the
West Cemetery located on the Nich-
ols-Jones road just north of Route
303; and the East Cemetery at Drakes-
burg. There were earlier burials, how-
ever, in the northwest Freedom on
the farm originally known as the Capt.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
355
Daniel Brown place. Other early bur-
ials were made on private ground
throughout the township, where from
one to a half dozen persons sleep to-
day.
Freedom Township Grange No. 147
was organized in 1873, disbanding in
1896. But in 1903, Freedom Grange
No. 1576 came into being, but the
charter was surrendered in 1936. This
organization had its own building
and it is now used as a Town Hall.
First paved roads came in 1914
when pavement was laid from the
Garrettsville town line to Freedom
Center, followed the next year by
paving of the four-mile gap to the
Ravenna Township line. Paving to
Windham came in 1918.
Fidelity Circle No. 10, B.U. (H.F.)
C.A. No. 98, reorganized in 1853, was
one of the earliest associations in the
township.
There was a Literary Society in
1887, and at that time the township
had several dramatic clubs.
In 1890, the Chautauqua Reading
Circle was popular and in 1892, had
12 members. M. G. Freligh and his
sister, Ida May, were well known
artists. The latter was also a talented
musician. Other musicians included
Mrs. Fannie Phelps Martin and John
King. Clifton Moore was an organist
and choir master. Mrs. Miles Whitney
was a concert pianist. Leland Sturde-
vant, a radio man, installed the first
radio station in Alaska.
Plaza Established
Plimmon H. Dudley became an in-
ventor and was one of the most fam-
ous consulting engineers in the coun-
try, specializing in railroad operation.
He wrote several technical books and
was the recipient of many special hon-
ors here and in Europe. The story of
his life is in the biography section.
When the new Ohio Turnpike was
completed in 1955, two elaborate ser-
vice "plazas" were constructed off
Limeridge Road. They have been giv-
en the names of Brady's Leap Plaza
and Portage Plaza.
The township also is the location
of a television tower which was erect-
ed in 1950 and its tall structure is
now a landmark in the western part
of the township.
Drakesburg
Drakesburg, tiny village where
State Routes 88 and 303 intersect,
was once the busy stopping off place
for the stage coaches on the Ravenna-
Warren line. Still standing today is
the old tavern where many a weary
traveler quenched his thirst and
sought a night's lodging. Orsamus
Drake, who came to Freedom in 1829
from Massachusetts, built the tavern
in 1836, and became its proprietor
where the best of spirits were sold
over a rough hewn bar. It is said that
as many as 40 horses were stabled here
at one time. Orsamus Drake was
known as Colonel Drake, being col-
onel of the militia cavalry. He was
also Justice of the Peace for 24 years,
and a County Commissioner.
The old tavern still standing today
is now a family residence. Orasmus
Drake died in 1886 at the age of 80
and with him went the old tavern.
The Inn had long two-story porches
on both the north and east sides and
above each porch was displayed a
large sign on which was painted in
huge letters, "Freedom House".
Another landmark at Drakesburg
was the large two-story store of Frank
E. George, a Ravenna merchant. The
local Grange which had been recently
organized, held its meetings in the
up-stairs hall and also the Freedom
Tent of the Knights of Macabees, an-
356
PORTAGE HERITAGE
other new organization of that time,
had their headquarters there. On May
5, 1904, this building was burned to
the ground. It was then occupied by
A. E. Conrad as a general country
store.
Freedom Center
Freedom Center, in the late 60s, had
a two story academy, the upper floor
being used at one time by the Knight
Templar's Lodge. Two ladies who at-
tended there when it was referred to
as a "Select School" were Mrs. Nora
Quinn Beardsley, mother of Mrs.
Archie Stamm of Shalersville Town-
ship and Mrs. George Hopkins, moth-
er of Mrs. Fred Lorenz.
In the northwest corner was a cab-
inet shop operated by Harvey Bur-
roughs. Across the corner was a small
building used as a store and postof-
fice. Directly across from the Congre-
gational Church was the home of
Joshua Atwood and his carriage shops.
The Mandeville Hotel was located
on the north side of the road between
the Clifton J. Moore residence, now
the Papiska home and the former
Newton Curtis- James Derthick- Julius
Papp store and house.
Many of the old industries are gone,
but the Congregational Church still
carries on in practically it's original
condition and appearance, a monu-
ment to the sturdy pioneer heritage
of the founders of Freedom Township.
Freedom Station
The "Station" originally known as
Kent, was changed to Freedom Sta-
tion on May 26, 1864.
Bion C. Rathbun, now deceased, a
retired Freedom mail carrier and at
one time in charge of the water supply
system for the later called Erie Rail-
road, recalled when the first train ran
through there, when he was a boy
of six.
Two of the station agents were
George Sage and Chas. Brown. George
J. Rinehart was an R.F.D. mail car-
rier on Route 22 from the Freedom
Station postoffice. He began his rural
service March 2, 1903. His route em-
braced the southern portion of Free-
dom and the eastern portion of
Charlestown. The route was 23-5/8
miles long, serving 124 families and
500 patrons.
Freedom Station Postoffice was es-
tablished August 18, 1863, under the
name of Kent. The name was changed
to Freedom Station in 1864. Postmas-
ters were: George Sanford, Emory
Sanford, George A. Hine, Coleman
Young, Frank P. Chapman, Arthur
H. Scovill, William Schick, Arthur
H. Scovill, James C. Adair, Guy W.
Hulburt, Sage Hulbert, Benoni T.
Brown, Oliver F. Gorrell, Hugh M.
Parker, Samuel St. John (acting),
Mrs. Adeline E. St. John, Miss Mild-
red A. Cain, and Mrs. Frances M.
Pesicek.
Besides Drs. Birge and Webb, men-
tioned previously, Dr. C. Bennett prac-
ticed medicine in Drakesburg in the
old Frank George house. Also in
Drakesburg around 1895 was Dr.
S tough.
Other Freedom physicians remem-
bered now included Dr. J. L. Beving-
ton, Dr. Seth Sloan, and S. L. Sloan,
Dr. A. H. Tidball, Dr. Charles Knee-
land, Dr. Alfred F. Hassan.
Dr. Martha (Robinson) Canfield
was born in Freedom and became pro-
fessor in a Cleveland medical college.
Dr. Lincoln Wheelock, later at New-
burg, was a boy in Freedom. Freedom-
born Dr. Geo. W. Shepard became a
Navy surgeon, now retired. Dr. W.
W. Richardson, New Philadelphia,
once lived here. Dr. Ray T. Odell was
born in Freedom .He lives in Mantua,
PORTAGE HERITAGE
357
his practice being limited to eye and
ear. Dr. Sidney Marvin was born here
and entered Army service. He is now
at Walter Reed Hospital, Washing-
ton. Fred J. Dutter of Freedom Sta-
tion was a veterinarian.
Trades and Industries
In the early days, the sawmill was
important. In 1828, Elihu Paine built
one in Freedom, located in the north
part of the township. In 1832, G. G.
Redding operated one at Freedom
Center and Daniel Strickland built
one at Drakesburg around 1835.
Ransom Collins had a saw mill and
rake factory on the Hiram Road. Syl-
vaneous Hart, for many years oper-
ated one and had a rake factory on
Nichols-Jones Road. Frank Yonker
had a water-powered sawmill on
Streeter Road.
Henry Niles had one on the Gar-
rettsville road, and Morris Parker op-
erated one for a number of years both
at Drakesburg and Freedom Center.
Before the days of "store bought"
shoes, the bootmaker plied his craft.
Hiram Robinson was a tanner and
bootmaker. When Lyman Bryant first
came to Freedom in 1835, he built a
log cabin and shoe shop. He held
many township offices also, and was
postmaster at Freedom Center for 26
years. He was elected Treasurer of
Portage County in 1856. Bryant was
a distant relative of the poet, William
Cullen Bryant.
A tannery was located at Drakes-
burg on a plot of ground just east of
Charles Miller's residence. Still can
be seen the reddish brown earth from
the tan bark.
On the road to Garrettsville, the
Drakes and the William C. Moores
owned a mill for the manufacturing
of wooden window shutters.
Freedom being primarily an agri-
cultural community, farming has been
and still is, its chief activity. The usual
crops were raised, including fruits
and grains. Freedom was long a lead-
ing maple syrup and sugar producer.
Butter-making was pretty much left
to the women and practically all of
the early pioneer homes boasted a
cheese house or at least a cheese room
until dairying became more commer-
cialized.
Freedom had several cheese fac-
tories. One was located south of the
cemetery at Drakesburg and owned
by Oliver Burrows.
Sam Olds, S. C. Olds, and Oliver
D. Olds operated a cheese factory east
of Drakesburg.
The one on Limeridge Road south
of Route 303 on the Floyd Thompson
farm was owned by Straights. Byron
Hatch was the "boss" cheesemaker
and at times had women assistants,
Miss Hatch and Miss Hoy.
Another factory was located on the
Durkee farm, now owned by George
Winchell. Elman Caldwell had one
south of Hiram Station, later moving
it to his home on Poulson Road.
There was one at Freedom Station
built by George Harrison, who first
made Dutch cheese then moved south
of the tracks, operating as a creamery.
It was operated by Ward Everett and
Clint Dutter. Caldwell's was the last
creamery to close.
Other Activities
There were several locally owned
blacksmith shops in the township. It
is recorded that Jabez Smith opened
the first one at Drakesburg in 1832.
Others down through the years have
been: Atwell Bryant, Silas Crocker,
Rufe Gray, O. Phelps, Burt Joiner,
Rufe Gray, Ed. Fowler, Harrison Hat-
field, Louis Hingle, William Evans,
Floyd Thompson and Homer Neff.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
There were two barbers at Freedom
Station, one a colored man who lived
at Drakesburg and later went to Free-
dom Station, and Jesse Vine.
Charles Dutter had a carriage and
paint shop at Freedom Station. Free-
dom Center had a carriage shop
owned by Joshua Atwood. At one
time this was the largest carriage shop
in the state of Ohio.
Harvey Burroughs operated a cab-
inet shop at Freedom Center.
Arvillus C. Larkcom was a cabinet
maker and casket maker.
Loren C. Hamilton opened a furni-
ture and joiner shop at Drakesburg in
1830.
Coal was mined on the farm of Wil-
son Davidson and the Henry Brown
property at the foot of Summit Hill
off Route 88 on King Road. It was
about 22 inches thick and known as
coal No. 3. Strip mining was also at-
tempted on the McCandless farm east
of Drakesburg by Abraham Goldman.
A good grade of lime was obtained
from the lime kilns south of Route
303 on Limeridge Road.
Mrs. Enoch Parker who came to
Freedom in 1834, was a straw braider,
sewing it for ladies bonnets. The Gro-
venor sisters, who lived at Drakesburg,
were milliners.
Carpet weavers were Mrs. Silas
Strickland, Miss Susan Goodrich, Mrs.
John Dennison, Dora Stacey Wilson
and Mrs. William Brown.
Seamstresses were: Maria Kellog
and Sarah Gray.
Mrs. William N. Williams, who
came from Massachusetts, was a tail-
oress who worked at her trade many
years. Mrs. Maria Booth was also a
tailoress.
Mrs. John Dennison, commonly re-
ferred to as "Grandma Dennison",
who lived at Drakesburg, adminis-
tered to the aches and pains of the
residents for many years. All had
great faith in her herbal remedies.
Garage and Telephone
Greenhouses in the township were
owned by Mrs. Dan King, Chris and
Maria Gardner and people by the
name of Kendall.
Earl Mack was probably the first
garage operator. He built one at
Drakesburg, and lived upstairs. In
1932, Ray Long, from Bellaire, opened
a garage business there. The building
was burned and in 1933, Mr. Long
located at Freedom Center. In 1946,
Henry Cain built a garage on the
southwest corner of Routes 303 and
700 and combines with his garage
business, a farm implement sales and
service.
The Winchell Engineering Co. was
started in 1943 by George Winchell,
Sr. and his son, George, Jr. They did
machine design and development, also
sub-contract work for Goodyear Air-
craft during the war. In 1946, they
added a motorcycle and out-board mo-
tor business. George Winchell, Sr.,
died in 1946.
Harry Reynolds carries on a restaur-
ant business at Drakesburg.
The feed mill at Freedom Station
was built by Frank E. George, who
had a store at Drakesburg. The first
telephone in Freedom was his pri-
vate line from the store at Drakes-
burg to the feed mill at the Station.
The mill was subsequently owned by
Sage and Guy Hulburt, George Sey-
more, Arthur Scovil, who bought it
from Mr. George. In 1911, it was pur-
chased by Morris Parker, who bought
it from Hitchcock.
There have been during the years
quite a number of ' 'general store"
keepers and merchants.
Erastus Carter Jr. and Cyrus Pren-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
359
J«t:i ;
This new television tower near
Freedom-Shalersville line can be
seen for miles around.
tiss of Ravenna opened the first store
at Drakesburg in 1831. However, an-
other account of early days states that
Elijah Ranney bought a lot at Drakes-
burg about 1828, built a store, put in
goods, moved his family into a room
in the back part of the store, and lived
there until 1835.
In 1832, Erastus Carter started a
store on the northwest corner of
Drakesburg, then sold out to Daniel
W. Strickland in 1833. This store was
later owned by Enoch Drake.
In 1860 or '61, Marquis G. Streator,
originally from Windham, opened a
store at Drakesburg which ran for a
time.
Other merchants at Drakesburg
through the years were: Harry Howe,
Brad Harrison, F. E. George, A. E.
Conrad, Mrs. O. F. Hitchcock, Oscar
Hunt, Morris Parker, Mr. and Mrs.
Wm. H. Brone, Mrs. John Oberg, Mr.
and Mrs. L. H. Chappellear, and John
Murvey.
At Freedom Center: Lyman Bryant,
Addison Norton, and Mr. and Mrs.
Julius Papp. At Freedom Station:
George Sanford, Emory Sanford,
George A. Hine, Coleman Young, A.
H. Scovill, William Schick, James C.
Adaire, Guy Hulburt, Sage Hulburt,
Benoni T. Brown, Frank Gorrell,
Hugh Parker, Samuel St. John, Henry
Cain, James Pesicek, Hugh Wilson,
Oscar Hunt, Frank P. Chapman, New-
ton Thorpe, and George Rinehart.
Oscar F. Hunt, grandson of Colby
Loveland, was proprietor of a store
at Freedom Station for thirty years. He
and his wife also had a store at Drakes-
burg, moving to Freedom Station
around 1917. He operated a horse
drawn grocery wagon selling apples
to farmers throughout the district.
Every major war in which this coun-
try participated has had men from
Freedom enrolled in service. Six sol-
diers of the Revolutionary War later
lived in the township or are buried
there today. Three men of the War of
1812 lived later in Freedom. There
was one man in the Mexican War and
of course, many in the Civil War, 16
of whom lost their lives in service.
Two Freedom men were in the Span-
ish-American War and in World War
I, 26 were under arms. In this war
Joe Kolar died in France. In the Sec-
ond World War, 125 Freedom young
men were called to the colors. Of
these, three gave their lives — Elmer
Watters, James A. Wilson and Wil-
liam Kubinec.
Others were called to service for the
Korean War or for national defense.
The coming of the Turnpike has
meant much to Freedom today, in ad-
360
PORTAGE HERITAGE
dition to the change of the landscape.
The State Highway Patrol maintains
a station along the Pike at the Gar-
rettsville Road, equipped with radio
communication. Here fifteen men are
stationed, who provide protection
throughout the Mahoning-Trumbull-
Portage and Summit county section. It
is known as the Hiram Post.
When the U. S. Arsenal was estab-
lished in 1940 about 900 acres of land
in Freedom was bought from local
owners and made part of the Arsenal
grounds. All this land is in the south
part of the township.
Freedom has fire protection today
through a contract with the Garretts-
ville Fire Department.
The Ghost of Edinburgh
Various localities in the county have had their ghosts and ghost stories. None of
these attained so much notoriety as the one in Edinburg. Home of this ghost was sup-
posed to be in a square frame house south of the Center at the corner of present Route
80 and Giddings Rd. Originally purchased by Edmund Bostwick from Richard Hart, it
was later sold to Hiram Stilson. The story is that on a cold winter night in 1852 a
hunchback peddler sought shelter there for himself and his horse. The horse was put
in the stable, the peddler went to bed and that was the last seen of him. His horse was
still there. Officers and neighbors hunted for the peddler to no avail. Then the horse
disappeared and soon people were telling of a ghostly white horse coming back at
night in search of its master. Strange noises were heard, ghostly in character, also music.
George Folck and William Willsey were later owners and after 1906 the place was
vacant. Newspaper stories were printed about the supernatural events. The stories grew
and people came to look. One reporter stayed in the vacant house all night but failed
to see the ghost. Curiosity seekers came in droves. Finally, in 1923, the house burned
to the ground, the resuit, so people said, of a bonfire started in the yard by some of
the visitors. This ended the ghost story for ghosts cannot endure fire.
License Without Authority
Many years ago in Brimfield, Miss
Electa Brobst was to marry H. A.
Ewell. At that time it was not necessary
for the parties to appear in person in
obtaining marriage licenses. Mr. Ewell
and Miss Brobst gave a dollar to a boy
named Brockett to go to Ravenna for
them to get their marriage license. The
boy was much excited over the dollar.
He got the license but the names on it
were those of Miss Brobst and Mr. Brock-
ett. The original couple used the license
to marry and the mistake was not noticed
by any one at that time. The names
shown on the county record remained
there for many years until the mistake
had to be cleared up in order to provide
authority for a government pension for
Mrs. Ewell about 1920.
Indian Summer Days
Although most of the original forests
are gone, Portage County is one of those
communities were autumn foliage pro-
vides one of Nature's most brilliant pan-
oramas. First settlers here brought the
expression "Indian Summer". To them
this meant the first bright and warm
period following the first freeze, or snow,
and not any pleasant fall day as many
use it. The cold snap had to come first.
The first snow usually followed by
warm days, was called "Squaw Winter".
In 1921 an Akron couple danced so
violently at the Brady Lake dance hall
that the girl's bare legs became visible.
For this the couple was ejected from
the hall. A protest was made, a fight
followed and the man was jailed.
CHAPTER XXVI I
Garrettsville
By Georgia Lee Alford
In 1803, when Ohio became a state,
the entire Western Reserve was Trum-
bull County and few settlements ex-
isted between Warren and Sandusky.
There was still no Portage County
when in September, 1803, John Gar-
rett of Christian Hundred, Delaware,
purchased 300 acres of land in Nelson
township for $1,313.00. It was stipu-
lated in the deed that if the area did
not include the water power of Silver
Creek, such power was to be part of
the territory conveyed. Silver Creek
had been named by Mason Tilden of
Hiram because "of the limpid color of
the water."
The party starting from Delaware
in 1804 was composed of Col. John
Garrett, his wife Eleanor and five
children, David J., John Jr., Elisha,
six, Elizabeth, 4, and Joshua, two. He
also brought with him two slave girls,
a negress of ten, and a mulatto of six.
Slavery was "forever forbidden" in
the Northwest Territory and it was
necessary to make special provision to
bring these girls with him. With the
Garretts also came Abraham Dyson,
his wife, a Quakeress, and two sons,
John and James, and daughter Mar-
tha.
John Garrett came armed with a
permit, written in beautiful long hand
in Delaware by Isaac Stevenson, "No-
tary and Tabellian Public." This treas-
ured document, yellowed with age, is
still intact and is now framed and on
exhibit in the Garrettsville Library. It
reads as follows;
STATE OF DELAWARE
I, Isaac Stevenson, Notary and Tabel-
lian Public of and for the said state, by-
lawful authority commissioned and qual-
ified, residing in Wilmington, do certify
that the bearer hereof, John Garrett,
Esq., now of Christian Hundred and
County of New Castle in the state afore-
said, with whom I have been acquainted
for a number of years past and have
known as a good and orderly citizen, and
who is about to remove himself to the
State of Ohio with his family and two
waggons — and who takes with him a
negro girl aged about ten years, and a
mulatto girl aged about six years, who
are both his slaves — and who by his re-
moving them to said state of Ohio will
by their laws be free at the age of eigh-
teen years, which will accord with his
wishes, he having refused to transfer
them for life in this place and ought not
to be interrupted by any person in his
travelling to the state aforesaid with the
two girls.
QUAD ATTESTOR
May 17, 1804
Isaac Stevenson,
Not'y and Tbn. Public.
One of the negro girls married
Thomas Henes of Mantua, and they
made their home there. Of the other
there seems to be no record, but pre-
sumably she died young.
Garrett Dies Early
For some time the little party lived
in the covered wagons which brought
them on land that is now Main St.
while they erected cabins and cleared
the wilderness. They also built a grist
mill. Garrett's cabin stood on the west
361
362
PORTAGE HERITAGE
bank of Silver Creek near where the
Buick garage now stands. Dyson's cab-
in stood just beyond the Paul mill on
Water St., but he soon erected another
on North Ave. near Maple Ave. Abra-
ham Dyson was a blacksmith and gun
repairer, who was of great use to the
surrounding settlements and is said to
have had considerable patronage from
the Indians in repairing fire arms. His
daughter married Ira Hulet and they
lived many years in Nelson.
John Garrett himself was a man of
courage and energy. He lived less than
two years after reaching here, his
death occurring in January, 1806,
when he was 46. There was no one to
bury him until the two men came
back from Pittsburgh where they had
gone for provisions. He died the very
day the mill was to have started opera-
tions and the men brought two mill
wrights from Pittsburgh for this pur-
pose. The 1874 Atlas of Portage Coun-
ty says of him, "He was a man of
strong sense, culivated mind, an hon-
est man and a devout Christian."
Soon after the arrival of the Gar-
retts a saw mill was in operation and
soon after that, the grist mill. Garretts
mill was known and patronized by the
early settlers living fifteen or twenty
miles about.
Col. Garrett's will left a provision
for a lot on which to build a Baptist
church and a plot of ground for a
"grave yard." The youngest boy, Josh-
ua, died in August, 1805, and Col.
Garrett the next year. These were the
first white burials in Garrettsville,
then Nelson Township. Their graves,
appropriately marked now with prop-
er markers, but still identified by the
pretty old grave stones, may be found
in the old cemetery. On Mrs. Garrett's
stone is the inscription, "A sinner,
saved by Grace alone."
Objects to "Desecration"
Eleanor Garrett was an exceptional
woman. Upon her husband's death,
she assumed responsibility for the set-
tlement and her home was the stop-
ping place for all. She survived her
husband by 45 years, living to be 96.
A cheerful welcome was extended to
all newcomers, and often the hospital-
ity of her home as well. She was a
small woman, possessed of great ener-
gy and by her neighbors was called
"Mother Garrett." Like most pioneer
women she longed for "back home"
and twice made the trip to Delaware
on horseback, with only her young
son for company. She was an ardent
supporter of the Baptist faith and a
prime worker for the erection of a
house of worship. Some time after the
erection of a "meeting house," the
choir leader introduced a bass viol.
Upon the first sound of that instru-
ment, Mrs. Garrett left the meeting
house, expressing great surprise at the
"desecration." She also served as the
town's first postmistress. This was in
1834, when mail came once a week.
Up to the War of 1812 there were
few arrivals of settlers. In fact, at the
time of Perry's victory on Lake Erie,
practically all settlers here were poised
for flight, fearing invasion by the
Indians who were allies of the British.
Before the coming of John Garrett
the only thoroughfare here was an
Indian trail running from a camp
ground near Mahoning Corners in
Windham, to Hiram Rapids where
there was another village, occupied by
Indians of the Wyandotte tribes.
In the summer of 1805, Judge
Atwater of Mantua cut a road from
his home to Garrett's Mill. This loca-
tion was near the north line of Free-
dom and traces of it still remain. The
road from Warren to Cleveland was
PORTAGE HERITAGE
363
surveyed in 1806 and improved some
time after that. It took in what is now
Windham, Main and State streets (Rt.
82). It was a direct route from Pitts-
burgh to Cleveland and old "stage
houses" may still be seen along the
route.
In 1808 there were 42 voters in the
area comprising Mantua, Hiram, Nel-
son, Windham and Shalersville, and
Landing The Job
s /s
j/
The old letter pictured here is notable for two things. It was written to James A.
Garfield by a Garrettsville man regarding a position at the Hiram Eclectic Institute
where Garfield was principal. It also reveals the ornate style of penmanship used then,
even in business correspondence. The hand writing was known as the Spencerian system
and Jas. O. Norton, the writer of the
letter, had been a personal student of
Piatt R. Spencer, who had been a pen-
manship teacher at Hiram. Garfield
himself had taught penmanship and it
may have been that Norton put on a
few extra flourishes in order to im-
press Garfield with his talent. If so,
it worked, for Norton got the job.
The notation on the envelope, "Ans.
Yes" means that Norton was to be
hired, as he later was. The letter in
full, follows:
"Hiram, Aug. 11, 1858.
Friend Garfield;-
Perhaps you would think it too far
in the future to make me any prom-
ise for the next Spring Term of your
school, but had I a promise, I might
so arrange my affairs to be there, for
really it would give me great pleasure
to give a course of instruction in
acctg. in the Eclectic."
Respect'y Yours,
James O. Norton"
On envelope;-
} antes A. Garfield,
Hiram, Ohio
Prin. The
Eclectic Institute
Ans. Yes.
Norton later was well known
throughout the county. At one time
he was county recorder. He was a
teacher, at one time principal of Gar-
rettsville schools. In his early days
when he was unable to find a job, he organized a bank in Garrettsville, a feat easily
possible then, though not now. As cashier, he soon quit because the job worried him too
much, though later he regretted this move.
364
PORTAGE HERITAGE
of these Garrettsville probably had
three. One of these was Deacon John
Rudolph, who arrived from Maryland
in 1806 with a large family. One son,
Zeb, later became the father of Lu-
cretia Rudolph, future wife of Presi-
dent Garfield.
Had Their Fun
By 1835 there seems to have been
real activity in the vicinity. A letter
written by Mrs. E. B. Lee in that year
reads as follows: "On July 16, a large
caravan of animals, drawn by 80 white
horses, exhibited at this place. Twen-
ty-seven hundred tickets sold, besides
several hundred paid admissions at the
door." A great Fourth of July celebra-
tion was also held in that year.
Because of the intolerable condition
of streets and walks in stormy weath-
er, a petition to incorporate the village
was drawn up in 1863 and granted the
next year. Ten years later (1874), it
was set off as a township also, the
village and township having concurr-
ent powers. This was later changed,
village rights only being retained. It
might be of interest to note that there
is no other place in the U.S. by the
name of Garrettsville. A letter ad-
dressed to Garrettsville, U.S.A. will
eventually reach its destination. (This
writer tried it. A letter from Venezue-
la eventually came through.)
The first school in the village was
probably located at the corner of
North and Maple Ave. It was a log
structure, date unknown. Another
school was on Center St. opposite Park
Cemetery and was in Nelson town-
ship. There was one at the intersec-
tion of South and Freedom streets,
which was later replaced by a larger
one on South Ave. near the present
Gepper property. The historic Red
Schoolhouse was built in 1841 on the
present school site. It contained three
rooms and was later moved across the
street and became the property of the
Masonic Lodge.
The History of Portage County,
1885, says;
"In 1880 an elegant brick building
was erected on the same lot as the
other school, its cost being $6,500.
The schools now have five depart-
ments, each department having a sup-
ply of books, pictures, paintings and
other decorations. There is an organ
in every room except one. A set of
philosophical apparatus was added in
1885. J. J. Jackson was then assistant
in the high school, John E. Morris,
principal. Average pay of teachers was
$37.00 and $75.00 per month. Enroll-
ment, 103 boys, 110 girls."
Have Select School
There were several select schools
here at different periods. One in the
Red School House included needle
work in its instruction. One was in
the Disciple church, which was moved
from State St. to Maple Ave. There
was also a select school in a room in
a building, corner North and High.
The school replaced by the present
building was built in 1869, costing
approximately $15,000.00. The old
primary building was entirely demol-
ished.
The school situation has changed
greatly in recent years. In 1948 the
Nelson High School was consolidated
with Garrettsville, the district then
being Garrettsville-Nelson. In 1951
Freedom was also brought into the
district which became the James A.
Garfield District. In 1947, Garretts-
ville Grades 1 to 12 enrolled 279 pu-
pils. In 1948 the Garrettsville-Nelson
enrollment was 435. By 1951, when
Freedom came in, the James A. Gar-
field District totalled 772 pupils, and
PORTAGE HERITAGE
365
by 1955 the number had increased to
1,031.
Due to this rapid growth the village
voted a bond issue in 1954 for a new
high school building which is now
situated on Route 88, on the Ravenna
road. The building was started in
May, 1955, and opened for use in Sep-
tember, 1956. Outstanding features of
the building are the Library, a beauti-
ful room with modern equipment;
Music Room, including three practice
rooms; Home Economics Dept.; Com-
mercial Dept.; Science Dept.; Germin-
ation Room and Dark Room for Pho-
tography. The principal, O. E. Ott,
who came to Garrettsville in 1946, has
guided the system from the 279 enroll-
ment to the present 1,000 and more.
The Opera House, then called the
City Hall, was built in 1889 and the
clock was added about 1910, made
possible by donations. The building
was condemned in 1955.
There have been several newspapers
and periodicals published in Garretts-
ville. The first, in 1856, was the West-
em Pearl, issued semi-monthly by Ly-
man W. Trask. It was an eight page
sheet, chiefly literary. Publication was
soon discontinued. In 1862 Warren
Pierce began publication of a small
semi-monthly paper called the Gar-
rettsville Monthly Review. It lasted
about eighteen months. This was soon
followed by the Garrettsville Journal,
also published by Mr. Pierce. Starting
in 1867 the Journal has been issued
under that name ever since. W. J.
Dickey is publisher.
In 1885, came the Saturday Review.
Editor, O. S. Ferris. It was issued for
five years. The Home Bazaar was
started by the ambitious Mr. Pierce in
1869. It was a small literary magazine.
After two years it was sold to Rev. W.
Clouse who moved it to Cleveland.
Store Operates Long
The first dry goods store was in a
log cabin structure at the corner of
Main and North Ave., started in 1820
by Hazen and Garrett, brothers-in-
law. The Garrett was David J. Gar-
rett. After several changes of owner-
ship, business ceased in 1860 when the
store burned.
The Root Store, at the corner of
Main and High, has been a going con-
cern since 1850, a remarkable record.
It has seen twelve changes of owner-
ship. There was once a dry goods store
where the drug store now stands, and
also another at the corner of Main and
High. The Crane Store, which had
two owners before the Cranes bought
it in 1870, was not sold until well into
the 1900s. The A. & P. store now
occupies the building.
There have been three hotels. The
Center St. hostelry, later known as the
National Hotel, presumably was built
by L. W. Trask, landlord for twelve
years. After eighteen changes in man-
agement it burned in 1883. The Wind-
ham St. Inn (Knapp House) was
built in 1858 as a stage coach inn. It
had six different owners during its
history and operated under various
names, one of which was the Cannon
House. The State Street Hotel is still
in limited operation.
Included in the list of factories and
industries of the past are the Bates
Ashery, about 1830; the Ashald furn-
iture factories of the '50s and later;
the Bedell Foundry, about 1830; the
Collins and Chamberlain rake fac-
tories of the '80s; the Foote Carriage
Shop, 1885; the Garrettsville Nut &
Bolt Co., 1872; the Garrettsville Table
Co., 1886; the Garrettsville Foundry,
1906; the Merrill Scythe Factory and
the Novelty Manufacturing Co. a-
round 1900. Old papers also refer to
366
PORTAGE HERITAGE
the Abner Talcott Cooperage Shop
and the A. Joiner & Bro. Axe and
Knife Works.
Great Syrup Market
As for industries there have been
quite a variety. The first grist mill
was located near the present mill site.
There seems to have been only six
changes of ownership from 1804 to
1956. After John Garrett's death, the
mill was managed by the widow until
a son-in-law, Edwin Atwood, with a
partner, Lyman Ferry, became propri-
etors under the title of Atwood &
Ferry. Later, Mr. Ferry disposed of his
interest to James Pritchard, who in
turn sold to E. L. Davis and L. Ferry,
Jr., the firm being Atwood, Ferry &
Davis.
Later, the firm changed to Atwood
& Irwin, the latter being a relative of
the Garretts. About 1882 or 1883, the
mill became the property of John
Vanderslice, now well remembered by
older residents. The property remain-
ed in the Vanderslice family until the
fire of 1940 and the sale to Mr. Hop-
kins in 1942. The abstract is said to
have been the longest ever recorded in
Portage County. The picture in the
Garrettsville Centennial book show-
ing the residence of Eleanor Garrett is
easily recognized as the site of the
present Catholic church. Present own-
er of the mill is R. B. Ginther. There
was also a grist mill at the lower dam,
opposite the basket factory. This was
destroyed by fire in 1849.
A clipping from the Garrettsville
Journal of 1849 carries this message:
"Garrettsville is said to be the largest
maple syrup market in the world.
From 50,000 to 75,000 gallons are
shipped from there annually." — From
Mahoning Dispatch.
There was a carriage factory, or
rather three of them, in operation at
different times. A distillery existed at
a quite early period, below the Camp
Creek bridge. This later became a
tannery, and there was another tan-
nery on Windham St., built by Elisha
Garrett. He also built a woolen mill
and dam on Camp Creek about 1830.
Windham St. also boasted a chair
and table factory, and there were at
least three foundries in various loca-
tions. An important industry was the
axe factory on the lower dam of Silver
Creek. This was a thriving business.
Flax was an important crop at one
time. Ebenezer Lee erected a linseed
oil mill in 1840-41, where the old
laundry stood. There were sawmills,
of course, from the beginning. John
Garrett's sawmill was near the grist
mill, and Orson Collins, grandfather
of R. R. Collins, built one at the up-
per bridge of Silver Creek. He also
made rakes. There was a pail factory
where the basket factory now oper-
ates. A canning factory stood on Win-
dham St. for a time.
The Poison Rubber Co., established
here in the early 1900s has employed
over 600 workers. There is also the
Nylon Products, Inc., near the Poison
plant. The McWade Tire & Rubber
Co. was an earlier industry. It is also
of interest that Crane Candies and Life
Savers are both outgrowths of the
Crane Maple Syrup industry.
The Elisha Garrett house, owned by
the Templin estate and until recently
occupied by the late Lew Templin and
wife Gertrude, was built in 1827.
Baptists are First
The village park site, across from
the school, was purchased from the
heirs of D. J. Beardsley about 1870.
In 1875, C. W. Goodsell, then treasur-
er, gave his salary for the purpose of
improving the grounds and setting
PORTAGE HERITAGE
367
out shade trees, resulting in a fine
growth there today.
The first church, of course, was the
Baptist, built on the land given by
John Garrett, the organization of the
church coming mainly from the ef-
forts of Eleanor Garrett. The organ-
ization was effected in 1808 by the
Rev. Thos. G. Jones of Sharon, and
named Bethesda. Meetings were held
over a period of several years in school
houses or the homes of various mem-
bers. It was not until 1832 that the
building on Maple Ave. was occupied,
built by Edwin Atwood and John
Garrett, Jr. In 1881 this building was
wrecked by an explosion, the deed
being attributed to "whiskey apolo-
gists." A new building was erected in
1884. It remained a Baptist church up
to the time of the organization of the
United Church. The building was
then converted into a gymnasium. It
is now gone.
The Congregational church, now
the United Church, was built on land
owned by Deacon John D. Hazen in
1836. In 1845 Mr. Hazen made a pro-
posal to give the land to the church
on condition that a spire be erected
and a bell placed therein. He died be-
fore the terms could be met and litiga-
tion followed with a decision favoring
the church. In 1886 the old edifice
was sold and the present fine brick
structure was erected on the site.
The first Disciples Church was or-
ganized in 1835 and a frame structure
was built on State St., which was later
sold. It was once used as a select
school. A larger building at the corner
of Maple and Park Aves., now the
dwelling of Mrs. F. H. Pierce, was
once a Disciple Church. The baptistry
location could be plainly seen before
a new floor was laid. After a period
of recession this building was sold.
However, in 1883, the church was re-
organized and a fine brick building
was erected on South Ave. At the time
of the foundation of the United
Church this building was sold. It is
now known as the Templin Apart-
ment.
The Methodist Church was organ-
ized later, in 1868, and the first meet-
ings were held in the old Red School
house. The present brick church was
built in 1874 on Park Ave. but the
adjacent parsonage was not erected
until 1892.
Catholics Arrive
In more recent years we have the
Catholic church, which for a num-
ber of years used the old Crane house
as a mission. In 1954-55 a fine brick
structure was built at the corner of
Franklin and Windham Sts. It is
known at St. Ambrose.
As for the part played by the boys
of Garrettsville in the service of their
country, the record is long and credit-
able. Even in the War of 1812 there
were seven names — two Ellenwoods,
McClintocks, Pritchards and Coles. In
the Mexican War, James Cook was
a participant.
In World War I several heard their
country's call.
Those who gave their lives in
World War I include: Troy Belknap,
Dwight Knapp, Robert Rossa, Fran-
cis Spencer, Alfred Thomas, Sterling
Trefry and Francis Bacon (who went
down on an oil tanker).
On the Honor Roll are the names
of 200 boys in World War II. Five
gold stars tell the story of the supreme
sacrifice.
The Library is by no means a new
institution. In 1885 a school library
containing nearly 700 volumes, was
in operation, put into existence by
combining two others. This was oc-
complished through the efforts of
368
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Nelson Community House, formerly Nel-
son Academy.
Principal Peck, O. S. Ferris and A. J.
Smith. One of the organizations in-
volved was the Philogician Society,
which seems to have been a sort of
debating and dramatic society. Nu-
merous volumes of historic interest
were in this library.
The present library was organized
in 1924. The Alumni Assn. donated
$500.00, which was matched by J. J.
Jackson. A Mrs. Pardee gave $500.00
and Prof, and Mrs. Colton of Hiram
donated $500.00 worth of books in
memory of their daughter, Mamie Col-
ton Vincent. Later, Mrs. Colton left
$1,000.00 more and there were smaller
gifts. But the largest amount was an
endowment left by the late R. J.
Webb. A plaque in the library honors
his memory. There are now over 5,000
books on the shelves, an important
contribution to the scholarship and
standing of the Jas. A. Garfield school
district. Books for elementary child-
ren will be kept down town.
Historical Highlights
Telephone service came in 1886
when Frank Hopkins started a plant.
In 1903 it was sold to the Portage
County Telephone Co.
For many years Garrettsville had an
agricultural fair. Grounds were lo-
cated on Ravenna Rd. It started in
1859 and lasted until 1890, going un-
der the name of the Highland Agri-
cultural Association. Horace Greely,
as candidate for president, once ad-
dressed the crowd at this fair in 1872.
Business was given a boost in 1855
when the railroad came. It was first
known as the Cleveland & Mahoning
Valley (now the Erie). In 1901 the
Eastern Ohio electric line reached Gar-
retsville by way of Chagrin Falls. It
lasted until about 1920.
Electric light and power service was
furnished in 1887 by Wallace Udall,
who sold out to Payne & Bruce in
1903, with later changes.
Leading fraternal organizations have
their locals here. Among these are
F.&A.M., 1854; R.A.M., 1879; Eastern
Star, 1890; Maccabees, 1900; F.O.E.,
1947; L.O.O.F., 1870; Rebekahs, 1888;
W.B.A., 1918; Royal Arcanum, 1897;
Foresters, 1890.
The Garrettsville Grange was
formed in 1906; the American Legion
Post in 1929; and the Girl Scout
Troop in 1942.
A Rotary Club became active in
1926 and the Kiwanis Club came in
1946. Both are quite active in village
life today.
Women's clubs are in number here
today. These include the Garden Club,
organized 1934 by Mrs. Paul Nichols,
Mrs. Clarinda French and Mrs. For-
rest Ganong; Twentieth Century Wo-
men's Club, 1901; Current Events
Club, 1924 (sponsor of the P.T.A.);
Junior Women's Club, 1947; Ladies
Cemetery Assn., 1897; Garrettsville
Study Club.
The Garrettsville Volunteer Fire
PORTAGE HERITAGE
369
Department dates back to 1864, when
the first bucket brigade was formed
and they depended on the river for
water supply. The first fire engine
was bought in 1884.
Garrettsville physicians of the past
have included Drs. Trask, Jr., Crane,
Ayers, Heath, Burritt, Denison, Nel-
son, Knowlton, Sherman, Lee, O. Man-
ley, Bennett, Davison, Warren, S. G.
Warren, Tidball, Murdock, Jackson,
Johnson, Miller, Higley, Snow, Friend,
and others.
Lawyers have included Messrs.
Spalding, Tilden, Paine, E. B. Taylor,
Ranney, Tyler, McKinney, Ferry, Fris-
by, Norton, Taylor, Ferris, Phelps,
Maxson, Thayer, R. S. Webb, B. M.
Derthick, R. J. Webb, Howard Knapp
and others. Several of these became
county prosecutors and judges. Tilden
and E. B. Taylor went to congress.
First Street Paving
The paving on Main St. was laid
in 1886 and it was the first in Port-
age County. At that time the mer-
chants were required to keep the pave-
ment clean in front of their own
places of business, and this was before
the day of the automobile.
The Garrettsville waterworks sys-
tem was installed in 1906 and the first
tap was made Dec. 7, 1907. The pres-
ent water works engineer is Joe An-
gel. He has been engineer for 17
years but has worked in the system
since its start.
School principals since 1869 have
been William Murdock; R. S. Kuhn,
1870; James Norton, 1872; C. W. Car-
roll, 1874; H. L. Peck, 1876; John E.
Morris, 1882; J. J. Jackson, 1886; C.
T. Northrup, 1891; E. F. Robison,
1902; E. D. Williamson, 1908; A. W.
Walter, 1912; F. D. Hart, 1914; J. V.
McDowell, 1915; R. R. Peck, 1929;
J. O. Fox, 1929; Jas. O. Lemon, 1944;
Orson E. Ott, 1945 to date.
In the James A. Garfield School
District today, Orson E. Ott is super-
vising principal and Robert Rynear-
son is clerk. The school board is com-
posed of R. B. Newcomb, pres.; Glenn
Reynolds, Mary Vine, Wm. Dodge,
Jr., and Edwin Meloy.
The present postmaster is Everett
Vine. Postmasters from 1834 have
been Eleanor Garrett, Nathaniel T.
Frisby, Hiram G. Wilson, 1838; Sam-
uel H. Peffers; William Boyd, 1846;
Robert E. Lee, 1852; William Wright,
1861; Warren Pierce, 1863; Solon J.
Buttles, 1880; Edmund Knapp, 1886;
George D. Smith, Fred L. Tidball,
Casius M. Crane, Edward L. Davis,
George Higbee, L. L. Waller, F. D.
Hart, C. O. Judd, C. M. Ott, C. M.
Meloy, F. A. Loomis and Mr. Vine.
Garrettsville village officers today
are Martin Eisenmann, mayor; Robert
Rinearson, clerk; H. H. Knapp, so-
licitor; Roy Garrett, police chief; An-
dy Wilson, night police. On the vil-
lage council are P. C. Clapp, pres.;
E. W. Cantell, Wayne Bishop, Wayne
Craver, Ed. Benes and Arthur Whit-
ney. Harold Lawless is fire chief.
A crime of interest at the time stir-
red Garrettsville in March, 1902, when
Chauncey Hickox was shot and killed
in his sugar house south of town. Wes-
ley Bancroft, 69, was charged with
the murder which was the result of
trouble between the two. Bancroft
was convicted but later released.
Train Hold-Up
Garrettsville was the scene of an-
other crime of more than ordinary
interest on Nov. 12, 1935. At this
time an east bound Erie train, waiting
at the station, was held up by an or-
ganized, armed gang of robbers and
the sum of $46,000 in cash taken from
the express manager. The robbers had
370
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
waited at the station until the train
came in and forced all spectators to
lie on the ground, at gun point. Shots
were fired but no one was injured.
After the robbery members of the
gang made their getaway in a nearby
parked car.
Federal agents took up the hunt and
later arrested and convicted all four
participants. These belonged to the
so-called Karpis gang of organized
robbers. It included at that time Alvin
Karpis, John Brock, Campbell "Soup"
Groves and Fred Hunter. Karpis was
widely known and was much sought
by law men. Karpis and Campbell
were convicted and sent to the Alca-
They Were Individuals
Among the Welsh, many people bear
identical names, though unrelated. To
distinguish them, their neighbors would
give each man a nickname. In Palmyra,
John Davis, an early settler, was known
as "Lame John." Some names were not
complimentary. There was a "Flat Nose"
Jones. Others were "Butcher" Lewis,
"John the Barber", "Blind John", "John
Lewis West", "Jack the Hostler", "Co-
shocton" Davis, and others. John Wil-
liams was "Shoemaker Williams" and
his son John was "Fiddler Williams".
Often the men would be better known
by their nicknames than their real ones.
Moses Pond brought the first sheep
into Portage county. This was in Man-
tua in 1802. He is also credited by some
with bringing the first apple seeds.
In 1921 four men were convicted in
federal courts of stealing $60,000.00
worth of woolen cloth (a carload) ship-
ped from the Ravenna Cleveland Worst-
ed Mills to New York. The car contain-
ing the cloth was falsely re-routed by
a conductor and the car looted on its
arrival in Jersey City.
traz prison, where Karpis attempted
to escape. Later he was killed. Hunter
was sent to Leavenworth for a long
time and Brock received a lighter sen-
tence because he had turned state's
evidence. An important witness in the
conviction of the man was Mrs. W. L.
Scott of Garrettsville, who had been
waiting at the station and had seen
all of the action.
The Garrettsville area was stirred
by an oil "boom" in 1907. Several
wells were sunk and a good quality of
"Mecca" oil was found. When the
wells failed to deliver in paying quan-
tity the excitement died down and the
wells closed.
Sins and Scums
As a young boy, James A. Garfield
sometimes witnessed baptisms by immer-
sion in outdoor pools, where available.
In warm weather, sometimes these pools
were later covered with a form of vege-
table life resembling scum. Writing later,
Garfield said that for several years he
believed that this "scum" was the sins of
those who were baptized, and washed
away from their bodies.
Lyman Bryant, postmaster at Freedom
for forty years, believed in service. At
the end of the week he took the unde-
livered mail home with him and to
church on Sunday and handed it out to
the church goers who had mail coming
to them. Nearly all families were likely
to be represented at the church services.
He was instigator of the expression,
"postoffice in a hat." It is said he always
carried his prized gold headed cane to
church.
The Mantua Spiritualist Camp Meet-
ing Association was organized in Man-
tua in 1881. The camp meeting was held
every summer in what was known as
Maple Dell Park along the Cuyahoga
River there.
CHAPTER XXVIII
Hiram
By C. M. Young
Town 5, Range 7 received the The Hiram mentioned above was,
name of Hiram almost before its his- by legend, a great artificer in brass,
tory began. The following account a Mason, and as such a worker on
of the naming of the township is tak- Solomon's temple,
en from a paper prepared by Clinton The Connecticut Land Company
Young (1826-1909) for a Hiram deeded this township to the following
Homecoming in 1908. Clinton Young persons and the amounts contributed
was a grandson of the person who to the purchase are given below:
gave the name and he vouched for the Ebenezer Devotion $1,630.00
correctness of the account. Daniel Tilden 3,600.00
The principal proprietors of the William Perkins 640.00
township were residents of the vil- J° hn McClellan 1,452.00
lage of Lebanon, Connecticut, and ]™ a ' h ™ °T^° n ?~ 1 ^ 5 ^ 00
were Free and Accepted Masons. Ichabod Ward-Darnel Terrance 1,426.00
A , /^ i -r\ • i t-'ij ~ Samuel Terrance 815.00
Among these was Col. Daniel Tilden. Ichabod Wafd g023
He had been an officer in the Reyolu- phineas pierce : 650 00
tion and was prominent in politics
and in Masonry, being at that time $12,903.23
High Priest of the Chapter. Also he '
had made the largest investment in ° NLY ° NE CoMES Here
the township. It was customary in Each township purchaser or group
those days to hold a social meeting of purchasers was required to pay not
after labor in the Lodge. On one such less than $12,903.23 and it is probable
occasion back in Connecticut, the sub- that Ichabod Ward contributed his
ject of their western possessions came $80.23 in order to bring the total in-
up and one of the number proposed vestment up to this required amount,
that the brother who would supply Some confusion rises from the fact
the punch might name the township. that the 1885 Portage County History
The principal ingredient of this punch gives the names of the original pro-
was Jamaica rum, to which sugar and prietors as Daniel Tilden, Daniel
milk were added. Col. Tilden ordered Green, Joseph Metcalf, Levi Case,
the punch and when it was ready to John Fitch, Joseph Burnham and Jos.
be served, arose and said: "Brethren, Perkins. Except Daniel Tilden, these
let us drink to the Widow's Son. May were not the men who purchased
peace, prosperity and brotherly love from the Connecticut Land Co. But
prevail for all time throughout our most of those who did buy from the
possessions to such an extent as to add land company, made the investment
lustre to our patron saint, Hiram, for profit and quickly sold their
whose name we now give." property.
37
372
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
Records of deeds show some trans-
fers from purchasers from the land
company to persons named. The name
of Daniel Tilden is the only one found
in both lists. He is the only one of
the original proprietors to come to
the Reserve and probably the only one
who visited his western property. An
old atlas reports that Joseph Metcalf,
one of the original proprietors, died
in New York on his way here, and
that another, Levi Case, set out from
Connecticut but got no further than
the Lake Erie shore in New York
where he was found leaning against
a tree, frozen to death.
The earliest owners invested in this
land with the expectation of selling it
at a profit. Connecticut sold this Re-
serve land for $1,200,000, or approxi-
mately 40 cents per acre. Each town-
ship was supposed to contain 16,000
acres. Hiram contains only 15,630
acres but two lots lated added from
other townships brought the acreage
up to 17,780. With this additional
acreage, the land cost proprietors a
little over 72 cents per acre. As settlers
came, the price increased. On Dec. 14,
1813, Elijah Mason sold 71 acres of
land on Lot 23 to Parley Hughes for
$338.00. Hughes deeded this land to
Thomas F. Young for $535.00, or
$7.53 per acre.
Thomas Young built a house at
the northeast corner of the intersec-
tion of the north-south and east-west
center roads. Most of this property
has been sold, part to the college and
part for building lots but what is left
remains in the family.
We have no way of learning defi-
nitely who was the first to come into
the township with the idea of remain-
ing. John Harmon, an early Mantua
settler, thought that Wm. Williams
came in the spring of 1799, built a
cabin, but soon left, but we do not
know definitely whether he spent any
time in Hiram. It has been said that
Abraham Honey, Mantua's first Set-
tler, stayed in Hiram a short time after
leaving Mantua.
Fifty Lots Set Out
Hiram was laid out in 50 large lots.
No. 1 was located in the extreme
northwest corner. The numbers then
ran to the east, 1-2-3-4-5, then drop-
ped to the next row and continued in
reverse, back and forth until 50 was
reached. Hiram Center was located
on Nos. 23 and 28.
In 1802 Elijah Mason, Elisha Hutch-
inson and Mason Tilden came and lo-
cated lands. Mason and Tilden were
from Connecticut and Hutchinson
from New York state. Tilden was a
son of Daniel Tilden, one of the orig-
inal proprietors. It is probable that
Mason was a brother-in-law of Daniel
Tilden and nearly his age for both
had served in the Revolutionary War.
Mason took the west half of Lot 23;
Tilden took Lot 22; and Hutchinson
a part of Lot 23. They returned
"home" after selecting their lands.
However, John Flemings, who came
the same year, did begin the work of
a settler on Lot 33. He built a cabin
and his was the first crop raised in
the township. He stayed a year — per-
haps less.
Mason, Hutchinson and Tilden re-
turned in the spring of 1803 and
built cabins. They left their families
at home, though Mason brought two
sons, Peleg and Roswell M. Mason.
Mason cleared about 22 acres of land,
Hutchinson 20 and Tilden an un-
known area. Mason planted wheat but
we do not know about the others.
Soon after these three came they dis-
covered and named Silver Creek.
Mason, Tilden and Hutchinson re-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
373
turned east, intending to come back
permanently. But Mason's sons re-
fused to come and he changed his
plans and purchased a farm in Ver-
mont. But Mason did return in 1804
to harvest his wheat.
Harry Abbott, who has always lived
on a farm not far from the location,
says that John Spencer harvested the
first wheat crop on a high point
known as The Pinnacle on the west
side of the river. Spencer came to
Mantua early, soon moving over into
Hiram. Abbott says he once found the
foundation of Spencer's house and
that if it is in Mantua, it is just over
the line.
Three men had come into Hiram
from Pennsylvania as hired men. They
were Richard Redden, Jacob Wirt and
Samuel Wirt. They liked the coun-
try and decided to stay. Redden
bought the property of Flemings, men-
tioned earlier, while the Wirts settled
on Lot 38. Redden sent for his father
and family and this was the first white
family to spend a winter in Hiram.
The Redden place was one mile south
of the center, at a hill long known
as Redden's Hill. At one time Redden
had a still on the slope of Big Hollow.
For a few years few people from
New England came in, but some did
come in from Pennsylvania, mostly
squatters.
Blacksmith Arrives
In the fall of 1804 William Fenton
began work in Lot 38, with Cornelius
Baker occupying another part of it.
It is said that the first death in the
township was that of Mrs. Fenton who
died at the birth of a child. Burial
was on the north Big Hollow Hill.
In the fall of 1804, Col. John Gar-
rett, whose name is preserved as that
of the name of Garrettsville, came to
this country. With him was Abraham
James A. Garfield, Hiram's most
distinguished son.
Dyson who soon came to Hiram and
opened a shop for blacksmithing and
gun repairing. The shop was at the
foot of North Hill.
In 1806 Roswell Mason changed his
mind about life in the Reserve and
came from Vermont to Lot 22, pre-
sented by his father. The father, Eli-
jah, still owned considerable land here
and made Roswell his agent. Roswell
studied law.
In 1810 Parley Hughes came from
Vermont and settled where Elijah
Mason had done some work in 1803,
and now as purchaser. That fall
Hughes' son-in-law, Ephriam Hackett,
brought his family to Lot 22. The
township population was then about
30.
In June, 1911, Orrin Pitkin settled
on Lot 32, where Honey had worked,
it is thought. In August, James Young,
George Young and Seth Cole and
374
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
families came from Sterling, Connecti-
cut. James, a tailor, was on Lot 18;
George on the same lot and Lot 25;
and Cole bought in Lot 38. Cole was
a cooper. Elisha Hutchinson also
changed his mind and brought his
family to the spot he had first worked
in 1803. In the fall of 1811 there were
11 families in the township and the
population was 58.
In 1812 Thomas F. Young came
from Windham, Conn., and settled on
land at the corner bought from Par-
ley Hughes. Here he built a log house,
followed by a frame house about 1820,
which still remains. For some years
Young's Exchange was a tavern on
the stage coach route, Warren to
Cleveland. His wife, Lydia, was a
daughter of Daniel Tilden. As far as
known Thomas Young was not re-
lated to the family previously men-
tioned.
In September, 1813, Daniel Hinck-
ley came with his family from Con-
necticut, taking part of Lot 38, and
buying considerable other land. Later,
a Moore married a Hinckley and this
place is now known as the Moore
place. Hinckley taught the first school,
a log structure on the north brow of
Big Hollow.
Symonds Ryder Comes
In 1816, Elijah Mason fulfilled his
original intention and came West.
The family settled on the west half
of Lot 43. With him he brought Sy-
monds Ryder, whom he had raised.
The next year Symonds went East and
returned with his parents, brother Ja-
son and sisters, settling south of the
center, on what has long been known
as Ryder road. The Ryder s were long
ardent supporters of the church. Sy-
monds preached until he was old and
Jason was a deacon until he became
feeble. That year, too, Arunah Tilden
and family, with brother-in-law, John
Jennings settled the west half of Lot
37.
In 1817 Gersham Judson came to
Lot 31 from Mantua, later selling to
Paul Pitkin and moving away. Jud-
son, a widower, married Sarah Redden
in 1817 — Hiram's first wedding. The
next was ten years later when Chas.
R. Paine married Perthenia Mason,
daughter of Elijah. Others coming at
this time were Stephen B. Pulsifer and
family; Ira Herrick and parents; and
Daniel (not owner) John, Benjamin
and Polly Tilden. Ebenezer Pinney
went to lot 51, later selling to Samuel
Udall. By 1817 the population was
120.
Early in 1818 Daniel Harrington
came from Trumbull county. The
families of Samuel Udall, John John-
son, Martin Miller, Charles Loomis
and Thomas Cowen reached Hiram
after a trip of six-weeks through deep
snow. Udall settled on parts of Lots
32 and 39. Johnson later built a frame
house.
In the following summer others
came in; Gideon Chapin, Lemuel
Herrick, Miles T. Norton, Joel But-
ton, Elisha Taylor, Horance A. Loom-
is, Curtis Eggleston, Truman Brace,
William Harris and Chas. H. Paine,
who later became Freedom's first set-
tler.
In March, 1819, John M. Tilden and
family arrived, settling on Lot 25.
Paul Pitkin came in June that year.
About 1820, John M. Tilden, one
of the original proprietors, came with
his family, settling on Lot 25. He had
been a man of considerable property
and influence in Connecticut and
came here to live in seclusion in order
to forget disappointments of his life
in the East. His first dwelling was lo-
cated on the hill west of the cemetery.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
375
About this time Deacon John Ru-
dolph came to a farm north of Gar-
rettsville, coming from Virginia. He
and family were active supporters of
the church. His son Zeb married a
daughter of Elijah Mason. Their
daughter Lucretia became the wife of
James A. Garfield. The first birth was
that of Edwin S. Babcock March 3,
1811, son of Simeon Babcock and a
daughter of Elijah Tilden.
Old Names Disappear
A history student soon notices the
disappearance of most of the early
names, which were nearly all of Eng-
lish orgin. An early comer was Elisha
Taylor, a tanner, leather worker and
shoemaker who came in 1818. The
wheel used in grinding tanner's bark
has been preserved at the center as a
relic. There are still Taylors on the
first Elisha Taylor place. There is one
family of Udalls left on the original
place. There is one Mason but not a
family. There are Spencers at the Rap-
ids and center. There is one Norton
left, and one Ryder on part of the
original farm. There is one Young
family on the original place, not con-
nected with the Youngs once so num-
erous, but with Thomas Fitch Young.
Apparently only the Spencers, the
Taylors and the Youngs will leave
their names for future generations.
Among those who came to Hiram
a hundred years or more ago, not pre-
viously mentioned, whose descendants
reside here, are: the Abbotts, Allyns,
Bennetts, Coopers, Crafts, Davises,
Everetts, Kings Loomises, Marcys,
Munns, Nicholses, Patches, Pritch-
ards, Sanfords, Stockbergers, Turners
and Vaughns.
The first mill was built at the Rap-
ids in 1807 by Lemuel Punderson for
Squire Law of Connecticut. It was de-
stroyed by flood but re-built in 1808
and a sawmill added.
A postoffice was established at the
Center in 1816. Thomas F. Young was
the first postmaster, holding office
until his death in 1852, a period of
36 years. With the exception of about
one year the office remained in the
Young family until 1861.
The following persons have been
Hiram postmasters, with dates of ap-
pointment: Thos. F. Young 1816;
Clinton Young 1854; Alva Udall
1854; Clinton Young 1856; Eber Mott
1861; Daniel Humeston 1870; Jason
Streator 1873; D. H. Beaman 1882;
Harry Leach 1892; Clinton Young
1896; George Vincent 1900; Helen
Vincent 1907; A. G. Woodward 1910;
Henry Dyson 1914; George Vincent
1918; Owen E. Reed 1918; Mrs. Joe
Gettys 1925; John Hersey 1925;
George Vincent 1925; Gilbert Wilson
1934; Arthur Fisher 1943; Wayne F.
Grosse, 1954.
"Stone Jug" School
When the office was established the
mail came once a week by stage,
Warren to Hudson. Later it came by
mail to Jeddo (Hiram Station), then
a station. Still later it went by rail to
Garrettsville, then to Hiram. Now all
mail is handled by trucks.
When Benjamin Hinckley taught
the first school this lasted for ten
weeks. There were 20 pupils, seven
Youngs, three Johnsons, two Hutch-
insons, two Dysons, two Hughes, two
Hinckleys, a Hampton and a Judson.
From that time on schools have been
maintained with regularity. In 1816
two districts were formed. At a later
time there were five — one at the Cen-
ter, one a mile south, one in the east
part, one at the Rapids and one at
"Pigwacket," one and a half miles
north of the Center. At one time the
Center school was a fine stone build-
376
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
ing, affectionately known as the
"Stone Jug." For some years Hiram
did not have a high school as the
college operated a preparatory depart-
ment. When this was abolished, a
town high school was established.
Eventually, district schools were aban-
doned and pupils brought by bus to
the central school.
The first store was opened by Dea-
con John D. Hazen in 1820. It is said
that Eber Mott had a store at the Cen-
ter, the building later used as a store
by the Fergusons. House and Vincent
also operated there. Streator's store at
the Center was long a landmark — a
brick building on the east side of the
north-south road where Gray Hall
now stands. This was a general store
and meeting place occupied by Mantle
after Streator retired. At one time
Clarence Young had a grocery and at
a later time Syria (pronounced Syra))
had a grocery.
Like most other towns Hiram had a
band. One of the early leaders was
Clarence C. Young, grandson of
Thomas F. He had tuberculosis and
knowing that the end would come, he
asked that his body be buried by
moonlight and that the band should
play.
Another musical organization was
the Dayton orchestra, composed of
Noah Dayton and members of his
family. Dayton also operated a coblers
shop and repaired violins.
As the land was cleared and cattle
increased there grew up a large busi-
ness in butter and cheese, especially
the latter. A cheese factory would be
established wherever there was a good
supply of milk. These factories are all
gone and the milk is hauled to the
cities.
Had Three Inns
Thomas Johnson and Elisha Hutch-
inson had built frame barns but it was
not until 1819 that a frame house was
erected. This was the home of Jesse
Bruce.
In the ealiest days the only road in
the northern part of the county was
that between Warren and Cleveland,
passing through Hiram center. In Hi-
ram, three inns catered to stage coach
traffic. One was a few houses east of
the Center; Youngs Exchange at the
Center; and Aunt Polly's Inn. These
houses are still standing. Another old
establishment was at the Rapids and is
still standing.
There was once a road from the
west part of the township to Garretts-
ville, south of the present Route 82.
It ran near the north line of the farm
long occupied by the Stockbergers for
over a century. It is also probable that
there was a road to Ravenna in the
early days. There was a guide board
at the Center in the early times saying
"Troy — Five Miles — Not Open."
There was a ford across the Cuyahoga
on the Warren-Cleveland road, near
the present bridge.
Interest in Religion
There is only one railroad in the
township. Originally the Cleveland &
Mahoning Valley, it is now part of
the Erie after several ownerships.
One of the plans for railroads which
flourished with Hudson as a center
was the Clinton Air line which crossed
Hiram. It is described elsewhere. Parts
of the original road bed can be seen
today.
The Methodists were most success-
ful in early church missionary work
and the former, at least, had a church
at the Center. There was also one at
the Rapids. In 1835 the Disciples or-
ganized a church at the south school
house and this denomination proved
PORTAGE HERITAGE
377
to be so popular that it supplanted the
others.
On the whole, however, this was a
period of great interest in religion.
One of the sects which arose at this
time was the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints, often called Mor-
mons. Joseph Smith, the prophet of
that faith, and Sidney Rigdon, a
preacher, brought their message into
Hiram and made important converts.
Some people were suspicious of the
motives of these men, thinking they
would try to get all property into the
hands of the church, and there also
were charges of the advocation of
polygamy. A group went to the John-
son house, where Smith was staying,
and near where Rigdon lodged in
another house, and tarred and feather-
ed them. We cannot judge either the
Mormons or their assailants now; cer-
tainly the Latter Day Saints have
grown in strength and in 1956 the
church organization bought the John-
son house containing the "Revelation
Room" where Joseph Smith received
some sixteen revelations. It is to be a
church shrine. In later years the Mor-
mon stay assumed historical signifi-
cance.
Another movement which attracted
many followers was Spiritualism.
Many seances were held and many
people had complete faith but interest
in the belief gradually died out here.
Early Physicians
There has been a doctor at the Cen-
ter from early times but no dentists as
doctors did dental work. First was a
Dr. Blackmar who arrived in 1832. He
built a house containing kitchen, pan-
try, bedroom and office in a building
12 x 14 feet. Other physicians, rough-
ly in order were Drs. Trask, Squire,
Stanhope, Dyson, Page, F. H. Hurd
and H. C. Hurd. Dr. Wilcox of Man-
tua Corners practiced at the Rapids.
For some years there were no cem-
eteries. There were at first few burials
and these were made in a convenient
place. Not always were graves perm-
anently marked. At a later time, when
the township was well organized, a
town cemetery was established about
a half mile west of the Center and is
now well kept up.
The Center cemetery holds the
graves of two soldiers of the Revolu-
tion — Elijah Mason and Daniel Tild-
en. Allyn Turner, another Revolution-
ary Soldier is buried at the Rapids.
After the formation of Portage
County Hiram township included the
territory of Mantua, Shalersville, Nel-
son, Windham and Freedom, as set
out by the county commissioners for
government purposes.
The first election appears to have
been held in 1816, with 16 votes cast.
Officers chosen included a justice of
the peace, trustees, clerk, fence view-
ers, overseers of the poor, and a lister.
Officers chosen included Thomas F.
Young, clerk; James Young, John
Redden and Benjamin Hinckley, trus-
tees; and Richard Redden, treasurer.
The first election of which there is
any definite record was in 1826 when
these officers were chosen:
Thomas F. Young, clerk; James
Young, Aruna Tilden and George
Redden, trustees; Seth Cole and Sam-
uel Udall, overseers; Elijah Mason and
George Young, viewers; John Red-
den, lister; John Dyson, appraiser;
George Udall, Enoch Judson, Anson
Booth, Thomas Johnson and Horace
A. Lomice (Loomis), path markers;
Samuel Udall, Milton Arthur and
Gideon Chapin, path markers; Curtis
Eggleston and Benjamin Hinckley,
constables and John Redden, treasur-
er.
378
PORTAGE HERITAGE
'
Bailey S. Dean, former pro-
fessor, pastor and acting
president at Hiram.
In the earliest years the trustees, on
instruction of Common Pleas court,
selected grand and petit jurors, but
this method lasted only a short time.
College Dominates
After the establishment of Hiram
College (first as the Eclectic Institute
in 1850) the history of Hiram town-
ship has been much the same as the
history of the college as the college
has dominated virtually all activities
within its borders. History of the col-
lege has been set out in another sec-
tion. But a few outstanding facts
should be noted.
The reason for the selection of Hi-
ram as a site was primarily the desire
of the Disciple Church people, numer-
ous in the area, for a school. Other
reasons were the beauty, healthfulness
and quiet of the place.
The start of the Institute brought a
flood of students — more than could be
accommodated — but gradually order
was brought out of chaos. The first
principal had the school work farmed
out to him — he ran the school, collect-
ed the receipts and if there was any-
thing left over, he got it. The only
building, "Old Main," was a veritable
beehive of activity. Every inch of space
was needed. The principal and janitor
had living quarters in the basement.
When the principal moved out a
boarding house was started there and
this was helped by others outside. But
many of the students, coming from
the farms, boarded themselves. A spec-
ial boarding house was built for self-
boarders. But regular board could be
obtained for $1.25 per week.
A number of Hiram citizens were
great help in getting "Old Main"
erected and in doing other practical
work required. Among these were Sy-
monds Ryder, Alvah Udall, Carnot
Mason and Pelatiah Allyn, Jr. A. Sut-
ton Hayden was the first principal.
Hayden was followed as principal
by James A. Garfield, Hiram's great-
est son. During the Civil War years
H. W. Everest, J. M. Atwater, C. W.
Heywood and A. J. Thompson acted
as principal. The Institute became a
College in 1867 with Silas E. Shepard
as president. He was followed by J.
M. Atwater and the well remembered
B. A. Hinsdale. After Hinsdale left
there came G. H. Laughlin, E. V. Zol-
lars, J. A. Beattie, C. C. Rowlinson,
Miner Lee Bates, Kenneth Brown and
Paul H. Fall, current chief.
One building served until 1879
when Ladies Hall (later Bowler) was
built and in 1883 Old Main was re-
modeled. Miller Hall came in 1889
and a Y.M.C.A. building in 1896 (lat-
er burned). Buildings today include
the Library, Observatory, Play House,
Colton Hall, Administrative Building,
Zollars Dorm, Infirmary and various
others.
Being a church school with a min-
isterial course, Hiram College over
PORTAGE HERITAGE
379
several decades furnished supply min-
isters for churches all over Northeast-
ern Ohio.
Hiram's faculties have included
many brilliant and dedicated men and
of the study body, many have gone
out to win fame elsewhere.
Develop Water Power
There has not been much manufact-
uring in Hiram, though it existed.
Evan Jones once manufactured hats in
a log house west of the Center. He
accumulated some money, went to
Cleveland and was robbed and mur-
dered.
At one time there were several mills
scattered along Eagle Creek, which is
about two miles south of the Center.
At various places fall of water was
sufficient to justify the building of
dams to produce power. Silver Creek,
east of the Center, also produced some
power. About a mile south of the east-
west center road was a mill, whether
grist or saw, is not recorded. As late
as 1900 its old timbers could still be
seen. North of the road there was a
grist mill, built about 1818 and oper-
ated by Mr. Secole. It was the first in
that vicinity but not very satisfactory.
One and a half miles north, on the
little brook that crosses the road there,
Elisha Taylor had a tannery, the first
in the neighborhood. He ground his
bark in a circular vat by means of a
large stone wheel with sharp notches
on the rim. This was attached to a
horizontal axle with one end fastened
at the center of the vat, while the
other end was drawn around the circle
by a pair of oxen. The stone wheel
outer end rolled around on the bark
until this was ground fine enough for
use. This stone is now preserved on
ground across the street from the post-
office.
Hiram College was one of the first
to take up basketball. Its teams dom-
inated college competition in the early
part of the present century and in
1905 won what was called the world's
championship in this sport at the St.
Louis Fair.
New Institutions Come
In 1956 announcement was made of
the purchase of approximately 300
acres of land in southwestern Hiram,
by the Methodist church organiza-
tions of northeastern Ohio. The land
was to be developed into a recreation-
al area for the youth of that denomin-
ation, with buildings and equipment
for this purpose. It was to be known
as Camp Asbury.
The same year saw the establish-
ment of a home for old and unfortun-
ate men at Hiram Rapids. This was
done by the Brotherhood of St. John
of the Orthodox Catholic Church in
the purchase of more than 100 acres
southwest of the Rapids, with remod-
eling of buildings and new construc-
tion.
An electric line, the Eastern Ohio
Traction Co., was operated for several
years. It ran from Cleveland via Cha-
grin Falls to Garrettsville, coming in
1901, and lasted about fifteen years,
doing both passenger and freight bus-
iness. Another line called the Dodge
Line was partly graded but never fin-
ished. Some grading work was done
near the Rapids and remains of it can
be seen today.
Outstanding Hiram men came
mainly from connection with the col-
lege, but Perry L. Green, a Hiram
resident 40 years, was prominent in
other ways. He was a state representa-
tive, state director of agriculture and
a Farm Bureau leader and official for
many years.
Hiram was incorporated as a village
in 1894 and almost immediately a
380
PORTAGE HERITAGE
municipal electric power and light
generating plant was installed. The
plant was on North Hill road. It is
still in operation today.
In 1907 the Hiram Telephone Co.
began operations and continued in
that name until 1926 when it was sold
to the Western Reserve Telephone
Co., of Hudson. Dr. H. C. Hurd was
a leader in the organization of the
telephone system.
Hiram's fire department was organ-
ized in 1897. John Hedges and David
Stockman were two of the early chiefs.
Gilbert Wakefield is the present chief.
The Hiram Grange was organized
in 1924 and Arthur Beton was the
first master. A waterworks system was
authorized and installed in 1898, after
a typhoid fever epidemic attributed to
contaminated well water, had devel-
oped.
Present village officers are: Jack
Streeter, Mayor; L. C. Underwood,
Treas.; Mrs. DeWight Berg, Clerk;
Council, Arthur Benedict, George
Breckett, Michael Bennett, Ruth
Whitcomb and L. C. Pettit.
The school board is composed of
Charles Sanborn, Chester Orcutt, Mar-
ian Bennett, Grace Goodale and
Forrest King, with G. E. Bennett,
Clerk.
The Township Trustees are Carl
Nichols, Nelson Hayes and Ralph
Geiger.
Rev. Hunter Beckellymer is pastor
of the Christian Church.
Charles (Blinky) Morgan, a name well
known in Portage county criminal an-
nals, was given his nickname because of
the fact that he was blind in one eye.
The first law set the size of Western
Reserve townships at six miles square.
Before any of the townships were laid
out a new law set the area at five miles
square as they are today. In many other
parts of the state a township is still six
miles square.
In 1920 the McElrath Tire & Rubber
Co. of Ravenna advertised for laborers
at $6.50 daily wages — a new high for
common labor in Ravenna up to that
time.
Passenger traffic on the canals was at
first heavy. In 1843 a band of Mormons,
enroute to Nauvoo, 111., was held up one
week at Campbellsport because of a
mistake in routing. They then went back
to the Ohio river and proceeded via the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
Sidney Rigdon, the intellectual of the
Mormons, was pastor of a Baptist Church
in Mantua in 1826. In the following
year he organized a Campbellite (Dis-
ciple) Church there, taking with him into
it nearly all his former parishioners. In
1830 he left that church to become
Prophet Joseph Smith's main advisor in
the Mormon Church.
James A. Garfield wrote that he owed
much of his political fortunes to Lyman
W. Hall, once a Ravenna publisher. Sen-
ator Ben Wade also said that Lyman W.
Hall, in his opinion, did more than any
other man to bring about the birth of
the Republican party.
In November, 1896, Marvin Kent
wrote a letter to Senator John Sherman
seeking a better job for Dr. J. W.
Shively, former Kent physician, who was
employed in the Pension Department.
Kent hestitated to approach William
McKinley, Whom he knew, because it
was soon after McKinley's election as
president and he knew McKinley would
be pretty busy. It is not known whether
Shively got a better job.
CHAPTER XXIX
Mantua
By Doris L. Odell
Your appointed scribe is honored
to be writing this chapter in the his-
tory of Portage County, since she
represents the fourth generation de-
scending from the pioneers who came
from Connecticut and Massachusetts
— the Cobbs, Wilmots, Taylors, and
Blairs.
In so doing she sits at a desk made
from the Mantua woods of black wal-
nut by Henry Cobb of the second
generation — crude, but full of space
and secret compartments where many
documents were filed during his of-
fice as justice of the peace for many
years. He was also a writer of some
renown.
His father, Samuel; Harriet, his
wife, and sons came from Connecti-
cut in 1833 and established a home
near Silo. Henry later married An-
toinette Hubbell Taylor, who lived
iust a mile to the north. Here Samuel
became the first postmaster, serving
seventeen years. It was known as
Cobb's Corners.
The pigeon-holed, slant topped desk
of black walnut also served for sort-
ing mail. Today it reposes at Woods
Store there. The few communications
of that early day, sealed with wax,
many bearing no stamp, and requir-
ing days of travel by horses, undoubt-
edly told stories of romance, heart-
break and adventure — enough to have
made many an unwritten true story.
Amzi Atwater Here Early
One of Mantua's first citizens,
Judge Amzi Atwater, was land agent,
one of 52 persons sent out to survey
the Western Reserve in June, 1796.
Mantua township, containing 17,-
659 acres, was organized in 1810 and
included Shalersville, which was cut
off in 1812. Preceding this date, log
cabins were crudely fashioned from
the plentiful woodland. In 1806 there
were 27 men here. David Abbott sur-
veyed the township. He was a member
of Ohio's first constitutional conven-
tion.
The Cuyahoga River flows at the
foot of Derthick Hill. Here Abraham
Honey in 1798 made a small clearing,
built a log hut and sowed wheat. It
was the first known settlement with-
in the township. Others soon followed
— Basil Windsor, Rufus Edwards and
others. Edwards was a brother-in-law
of Honey, who probably owned
the land where the wheat was planted
for he harvested it and constructed a
hand mill and distillery east of the
bridge below Derthick Hill. He was
married to Letitia Windsor, Basil's
daughter, for the first marriage cere-
mony, and Judge Atwater was offi-
ciant. The next settler was Elias Har-
mon, who married Sabrina Sheldon,
coming to the new land from Con-
necticut in a two-horse sleigh. She
was the first white woman here. To
this union were born six children.
Eunice, the first, was Mantua's first
born white child. The first death oc-
curred in 1804, when Mrs. Anna Jud-
son took arsenic by mistake. A Davis
381
382
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
Buckeye Pipe Line storage
tanks at Mantua
Crooks is mentioned as the third set-
tler. Pascal Mcintosh came in 1799.
Brings Apple Seeds
More and more pioneers soon ar-
rived; Mcintosh, Burroughs, Moses
Pond (who put out an apple orchard
from seeds carried from his father's
home, and who was probably the first
tanner). Others included Darwin At-
water, Jotham Atwater, the Hines and
Samuel Moore, who arrived with a
wagon, yoke of oxen, two horses, a
cow and seven children.
Given names have been handed
down for several generations to the
present so that we of this last cen-
tury seem almost personally acquaint-
ed with those of the 1800s — years of
Moores, Derthicks, Harmons, Plums,
Roots, Reeds, Bards, Bakers, Ridges,
Blairs, Wilmots, Tinkers, Snows,
Frosts, Algers and others. Still others
were Joseph and William Skinner,
Ray, Wareham Loomis, Capt. William
Messenger, Jonathan Foster, the San-
fords, Ladds, Judsons, Carltons,
Squires and their families.
Tavern is Famous
A log hotel stood east of the pres-
ent "Brick Tavern" where Jotham
Atwater had purchased some land,
and wherein he and his wife, Laura
Kellogg, entertained early visitors. In
1825 he built the "Big Brick", famous
as a hostelry. The log hotel was near
the intersection of the old Pittsburgh
and Cleveland road with the diagonal
road. It was here that the first July
Fourth celebration was held in 1815
and Judge Atwater wrote a poem for
the occasion. Atwater and Elias Har-
mon were instrumental in court es-
tablishment and laying out a road be-
tween Parkman and Ravenna via
Mantua. Judge Atwater surveyed it.
Years later the road was closed and
the present road between the two
"Big Bricks" was set up.
In 1810, Mantua had a population
of 234.
In 1826, a man named Childs had
a store at the Corners and in 1829,
Alonzo Delano ran a store there suc-
ceeding Joseph Skinner. Calvin White
opened the first store at the Center
in 1835.
The first bridge over the Cuyahoga
River came in 1814. It was built by
Rufus Edwards on the Hiram Road
crossing, at a cost of $100.00.
Among the original party of sur-
veyors was a Mr. Leavitt, who selected
the name, Mantua, it is said, in honor
PORTAGE HERITAGE
383
of Napoleon, who in 1796 captured
the city of Mantua in Italy, and so
was one of the heroes of the day.
Mantua had the distinction of being
the parent township of the county,
being settled more than six months
ahead of any other township.
Early Mills
Portage County industry got off
to its first start when Rufus Edwards
constructed his hand mill in 1799. In
1802, Moses Pond constructed a tan-
nery. Dan Ladd took over the tannery
in 1812. Pond is credited with bring-
ing in the first sheep. A distillery was
set up in 1810 by William Russell.
Ezekiel Ladd also later operated this
distillery, followed by Patrick Ray.
In 1819, Hezekiah Mooney and Dr.
Ezekiel Squire jointly operated a dis-
tillery. Thomas G. Washburn had an
ashery at the Center for ten years after
1810. The first saw mill was erected
near the Geauga line by the Dresser
family in 1818. A glass factory was
started by David Ladd in 1821, but
two years later it was moved to Kent.
Noah and Nobel Rogers had a tannery
near Mantua Center in 1825.
Mantua today has almost all town
facilities — municipal officers, electric-
ally lighted streets, homes and power
for factories. It has been known chief-
ly as a fine residential town, with ex-
cellent sewage disposal, good pave-
ments and sidewalks.
The waterworks plant was installed
in 1902 on the Cuyahoga River flats,
and is supplied by three deep artes-
ian wells, with a pump house. The
Reservoir is atop the hill on Reser-
voir Drive. Water is forced up hill by
electric and Diesel pumps, pumping
an average of 40,000 to 50,000 gallons
daily. The pure water is one of the
town's greatest assets.
In 1912, many sidewalks were laid.
For this, one man, Alpheus Russell,
editor and mayor, was largely respon-
sible.
The Erie Railroad has been the
chief transportation outlet. Much pro-
duce has been stored and shipped here.
In past days, potatoes (selling for 80
cents a bushel in 1902, to $5.00 a
bushel in 1955) have been stored, as
many as 50,000 bushels at one time.
Large quantities of hides, wool, and
maple syrup have also been shipped
out. M. R. Coit and I. A. Spencer
were two of the better known deal-
ers. Maple syrup at one time sold for
50 cents a gallon. James and John
King were popular station agents and
telegraphers here for years.
As the Cuyahoga River flows
through the flats, the surrounding
land was called Atwater Grove in hon-
or of the judge whose home was
along the main street. In 1892, this
home was sold to Martin Merryfield
for $200.00. This is the present site
of the Samuel Moore & Co. plant. The
building was erected in 1947. In the
Atwater Grove, many picnics were
held and sports played.
Hotels Thrive
The Lower Hotel, or present Cuya-
hoga House, was the scene of much
merrymaking in the old days, both
as hotel and ball room, with an ever
present bar room. The Taylor House
and Mantua House were thriving ho-
tels. Another hotel was in the Rhodes
block, south of the tracks. There is
no hotel today.
In 1910, N. D. Parker Sons pur-
chased the lumber business of Hine
& Cook. The Parker sons have owned
it up to the present time. Wells Truck
Line offices are located here.
Along the river, near the south
bridge, about 1858, there existed a
cider mill, a saw mill and a foundry.
384
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Sawing machine manufacture was a
chief activity there.
In the 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan
flourished here for a short time and
many a fiery cross lighted the hillside
beyond the river.
The Erie Railroad came through
in 1855 and the depot was built in
1872. One agent, Eugene Pratt, got
$37.50 per month as telegraph opera-
tor. Other agents here since 1909 have
been J. M. Folger, E. E. Eyester, W. D.
Alexander, J. F. Pritchard, Mr. Hyatt,
J. A. Shannon, I. B. Sonnedecker, Ar-
thur Jackson, Ed. Flack, Nelson, Nick-
les, D. H. Davis, C. S. Angelmyer,
and H. E. Miller. Today many local
people commute to work in the city
daily.
Another railroad was projected be-
fore the Erie, but was never finished.
This was the Clinton Air Line. Grad-
ing was started on this in 1853, and
the old right of way can still be seen,
though rails were never laid. It en-
tered northeastern Mantua from Hi-
ram township and proceeded toward
Hudson diagonally with a southwest-
erly course.
Electric Power Comes
The municipal light plant was in-
stalled on the south side of the Erie
tracks opposite a crystal spring which
provided water for its steam power.
Light rates were first three lights for
75 cents a month, with no meters. Ed.
Williams was manager. The plant was
unprofitable and was closed. James
Coit then bought it but the plant
burned in 1917, when council granted
a franchise to the Ravenna Gas &
Electric Co. thence to the Ohio Elec-
tric Power in 1927 and finally to the
Ohio Edison in 1933.
Mud Hill Metropolis
The first collected industries of
Mantua were at Mud Mill, north and
east of the first hotel. Here, in 1819,
William and Joseph Skinner operated
a grist mill and distillery. Joseph was
a master mechanic and inventor. On
the east side was Ladd's blacksmith
shop, a store on the west side was
managed by George Houghton; an
ashery was nearer the river; on the
east bank was Alexander Pomeroy's
grist mill; further east was a carding
house, dye house and distillery; a saw
mill, tannery, and Ladd's brick kiln
and a glass factory on the diagonal
road from the Brick Tavern. A sec-
ond glass factory operated near.
After these industries declined,
Mantua Corners became a trading
center. The first store was built in
1820. A man named Childs had a store
there in 1826. On the northwest cor-
ner stood the Yellow Store, opened by
Joseph Skinner about 1828; on the
northeast corner J. W. Foster had gen-
eral merchandise for sale. Later Co. C.
H. Ray occupied, still later moving it
to Mantua village. Alonzo Delano also
had a store there, as did Milo Wheeler
in 1842. The Corners had started to
assume city airs but its prospects were
nipped by the coming of the railroad
in 1856. A fire in 1857 destroyed
many of the Corners business places.
Calvin White had the first store at
the Center — 1835.
School Building Cheap
In 1842, Judge Amzi Atwater do-
nated land for a frame school house,
corner Main and East High. The
school cost $315.75, plus donated
shingles, some other lumber and la-
bor. In 1868, Darwin Atwater re-
modeled the building into a church
for all denominations.
In 1867, the first brick school house
was erected — now the Town Hall. A
second floor was added for a hall. In
PORTAGE HERITAGE
385
1893 another school was built which
lasted well into this century. The cor-
nerstone of a new and seemingly huge
new building was laid in May, 1929-
The first school in Mantua was
taught in Amzi Atwater's home in
1806-1807. Patty Cochran taught a
school after this as did John Harmon.
At the Center, Elizabeth Kent taught
a school in 1815-16.
The first organized fire department
came in January, 1909, with Thomas
King as chief. About 1918, Mantua
had the only motorized fire truck in
the county.
A war memorial built by Dr. E. H.
Houghton in the lower yard of the
village was put on a more permanent
footing with a plaque for the 1950
Home Coming. One of the distin-
guishing marks of Mantua is the statue
and fountain in this yard donated to
the town by Mrs. C .H. Thompson.
A fair grounds, with a grand stand
facing east, and a race track, were in
existence in the 1890s, across from
the present park.
Famous Maple Dell
To mention Mantua to old resi-
dents, their minds quickly revert to
Maple Dell, or the Spiritualist Camp
Grounds, along the Cuyahoga River in
the northeast lower section of town.
Cottages, a hotel and summer school
were erected. The circular tabernacle
stands today. Maple Dell was a favor-
ite picnic spot of the 1900s and was
visited by many celebrities. One was
a member of the original Floradora
sextette of the Gay Nineties. She pos-
sessed a fine soprano voice so that
her appearance on the sage was mo-
mentous and she always drew admir-
ing crowds. Later she came here and
taught dramatics. A steamboat plied
the river at ten cents a ride. In 1912,
A. J. Griffa bought this land for pri-
vate enterprise and a fish hatchery.
He is still owner but gladioli are now
raised commercially here by Chas.
Hopkins.
East of the river and north of the
oil tanks stood an old log house
wherein the original of "Fred War-
den", hero of Riddle's "Portrait", is
said to have lived. After 1841, this
hillside became known as Farr's Hill
but today is called Wintergreen Hill.
Changes Come
On Main St., the same buildings
have housed the same businesses
through the years. After the 1858 sur-
vey, Edwin Farr built the first house
which later became the O. P. Hayes
place. It is now a business block for
Haylet's Foods, Chalker's store and
the Park Dress Shop. Next door is the
fine new bank building dedicated
March 25, 1953. The old brick bank
building was opened in 1885 by Hine
& Crafts, which was re-organized in
1900 as the First National.
The first house on Prospect is now
the rear of the former Mark Kellam
home. Reagan St., below, was next
settled. The Vaughn & Crafts block,
on the hillside, still bears the owner's
name. Vaughn and his wife had a
millinery store there at one time. To
the west about 1945, the Bell Tele-
phone Co. built a new structure to
accommodate the dial system. The
first Home Telephone Co. was or-
ganized in 1901 and in 1903 was con-
solidated with the Portage County
Telephone Co. with 175 subscribers,
increasing to 310 in 1909. Charles
Marshall and Charles Scott were man-
agers. When Ohio Bell took over in
1942 there were nearly 800 subscrib-
ers.
To the westward, at the top of the
hill, the old palatial homes of Hine,
Crafts and Bowen command the scene.
386
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
W. H. Crafts was a former state rep-
resentative and built his home in
1882. There are 14 rooms. The south
stairway winds to the third floor with
a lavish use of curly maple. Walnut
and maple are used all through the
mansion. The present owners, Mr. and
Mrs. Haylett, have made only a few
changes. The Hine home, a 24-room
house, is now Haylett's "Auction
House". It is said that in building
the house in the '90s, Mr. Hine used
a different wood for each room. It
has three stories and basement, with
ball room on the third floor. The
Bowen house to the west was spacious,
but probably not as elaborate.
Loan Comes High
The Folger block along the Erie
tracks was the first brick building
here. It was five years in building
and it is said the owner rode a pony
all around this section to borrow mon-
ey to complete it, paying as high as
10 percent for loans. It was later
bought by J. B. Coit and called the
St. James Hotel.
"Progressive Mantua", a 1912 pub-
lication, lists these businesses; "C. W.
Brainerd, P. M. Mrs. J. C. Vaughn,
millinery; C. M. Powers, Gen. Mer-
chandise; Mantua Hardware (Stim-
perts); I. J. Hayes, clothing, etc.; C.
J. Welf, Jeweler; A. F. Pash, Res-
taurant; V. A. Proctor, Central Ho-
tel; A. L. Jones, Blacksmith; Buck-
ley's Jewelry; Weber Hardware;
Turner & Rathburn, Livery; Mantua
Grain & Supply; Harris Bros., Res-
taurant; F. L. Warner, Blacksmith;
Fred Weber, Grocer; J. G. Ritter,
Shoes; N. D. Parker & Sons, Lumber;
Wm. Peters, Harness; Dr. Algernon
Payne, Dentist; G. W. Franklin, Har-
ness Dealer; J. W. Sullivan, General
Merchandise; A. E. Frost, Druggist;
Hammel Bros., Meats; Conrad Lor-
enz, Barber; A. B. Zidenberg; Fruit
Store; First Nat. Bank; E. W. Morgan,
Barber and Julius Schallheim, Tailor.
Of these, only four exist today. R. M.
Wheeler succeeded Brainerd as post-
master, followed by Mr. and Mrs.
Crafts and Mrs. Lillian Goodell who
retired in 1955 and now Ray Lucht.
Glenn, the druggist, succeeded Otto
Steinbrueck, while Frank Lange &
Son are plumbers. J. H. Wheeler has
an insurance and undertaking busi-
ness and across from the school house
is the Woolf Memorial Home.
Many Physicians Here
Stranhan's Creamery to the west
was always an interesting place. Jos-
eph Smith and Ed Noble bought milk
to make butter and cheese, first in-
troduction to creamery butter.
Physicians are listed in order of
succession as far as possible: They
were Drs. Ezekiel Squire, Samuel
Whipple, Edwin Coles, Cromwell,
Henry Powell, Jason Moore, S. K.
Wilcox, John Smith, O. Ferris, Tuck-
er, A. S. Crafts, John Crafts, A. M.
Erwin, Geo. Way, F. Morath, May,
S. D. Good, G. R. French, D. Rear-
don, D. S. Detchon, Marion Squire,
E. S. Hannum, F. E. Bard, Geo. Hull,
E. H. Knowlton, F. C. Newcomb, Ray
T. Odell, Lloyd Drossell and E. A.
Knowlton. Odell has limited his prac-
tice to ophthalmology and is physician
for the Cuyahoga Tuberculosis Hos-
pital at Warrensville.
Dentists: Chas. Trask, A. A. Carl-
ton, D. M. Walker, Algernon Payne,
J. P. Schock, Lindsey and D. S. Gray-
son.
Lawyers: H. L. Moore, Edward Fos-
ter, William Holbrock, C. D. Ingell,
Geo. Canfield, E. P. Wilmot, Andrew
Squire, O. S. Ferris, C. S. Bentley,
Chas. Sanborn, and Wm. Silenius.
Mantua has given the military and
PORTAGE HERITAGE
387
naval forces an honor group both at
home and on foreign shores. Individ-
ual records attest their loyalty. To
them Mantua owes an enormous debt.
Peter King of Mantua was one of the
first to die in action in World War
II. Ironically, three of our soldiers
were not killed in actual warfare but
in a motor accident while in service.
They were Clyde Crafts, Donald Wil-
son, and Leon Hopkins.
During the 1860s a box factory op-
erated on Main Street. It burned in
1870, rebuilt in 1871, then used by
Frost & Kimes as a flour mill. Other
changes were made later but it was
long known as the Centennial Mill,
with Gardner & Kitzelman, owners.
The present building on this location
was long the home of the revered
bank cashier, Ira Hine, and his wife.
Churches Start Early
At this writing there are five
churches in Mantua village, the latest
being the Lutheran on Main St. in the
former "Teddy Franklin" home. The
second story was remodeled as a par-
sonage for the first pastor, Rev. Ver-
non Trahms. Mr. Bentrup is pastor at
present. Bethel Church building has
a dual function as church and school
room, the latter because of an over-
flow in public schools. Other churches
are the Hilltop Disciple, the Metho-
dist, and the St. Joseph's Catholic.
Construction of a large new pub-
lic school building went well and it
was ready for classes by the fall of
1956. In 1950 the Mantua and Shalers-
ville school districts were consolidat-
ed as the Crestwood District. Enroll-
ment in 1956 was 1130.
First religious services were held
early. They were scattered, usually di-
rected by missionaries, including Rev.
Joseph Badger and Rev. Shadrach
Bostwick.
The Methodists established a church
organization in 1807 with Rev. H. B.
Roberts, pastor and in 1821, a log
cabin church erected at the Center.
This building burned, but was re-
built. Later a new church was built,
but a period of lagging interest and
inactivity followed. Activity was re-
sumed in the village. There was no
regular organization until 1880 and
about 1885, Rev. Norris directed a
program for a new building in 1887,
which also burned, followed by a
larger structure in 1890. At times it
was a church center for Shalersville,
Streetsboro, and the Center Metho-
dist.
Among Mantua's Methodist pastors
have been the well known Rev. W. T.
S. Culp, Ferris, Windsor, Bump,
Moore, Baker, Rhodes, Walter, Hyatt,
Anderson, Jacob, Morris, Miller, Shaf-
fer, Allen, Fast, Bowland, Lloyd, Or-
rin, Cope, Neeley, Evans, Hunscher,
Beard, Hollinshed, Hughart, Hoag-
land, Scott, Bowers, Bretz, Thomp-
son, Pennell, Birney, Chaffee, Haines,
Norwood, Wannerstrom, and Han-
sen. Present pastor is Rev. Henry
Maier.
The Congregationalists established
a church in 1812, organized by Revs.
Seward and Darrow, but after I860,
this body worshipped in Aurora.
Baptists Active
The Baptists organized a church at
the Center in 1809 through Albert
Jones. This was part of the famous
Bethesda "floating church" congre-
gation with services held in various
localities. It dissolved in the 1830s.
Sidney Rigdom, the Mormon leader,
was first a preacher in both Baptist
and Disciples organizations.
The Universalists, with Rev. Reu-
ben Jones as minister, was active
from 1815 until about 1831.
388
PORTAGE HERITAGE
In 1941 a new edifice was erected
at Prospect and High Streets for an
organization known as the Bethel As-
sembly. Rev. Randolph Jacobs was
the first pastor and Rev. Stephen Bog-
den.
The Mantua Center Christian
Church was formed in 1827, when
nine members withdrew from the
Baptist group. This church is said to
be the oldest Disciple Church in Ohio.
Since then Christians or the Disciples
have been strong and active in Man-
tua. First members included Zeb Ru-
dolph, father-in-law of Garfield, and
Darwin Atwater, father of three fam-
ous sons. In 1840 a building was dedi-
cated on its present site. Members of
this church were active in working
toward the establishment of Hiram
College. One member, John Atwater,
was later a president, and Frederick
Treudley was a noted educator.
In 1895, the congregation was in-
corporated as the Disciples of Christ.
A notable step was taken in 1923
when membership was thrown open
to all regardless of creed.
Two Disciple Churches
After varying fortunes this church
has prospered, with a large Sunday
school and an important part in com-
munity life. In 1951, the church was
remodeled with an addition. Rev. B.
M. Derthick was pastor until 1951,
followed by Rev. Clayton Groves.
During Mr. Derthick's pastorate, a
24 x 34 addition was added to the
church building. Today's membership
is 216.
As Mantua village grew, there was
need of a Disciple church there and
in 1889, Rev. R. M. Russell organ-
ized a group. In its early history, this
church depended largely upon Hiram
professors and students as preachers.
Rev. Amzi Atwater, son of Darwin,
was one. Dr. Newington was pastor
from 1913 to 1919 and after this Rev.
Derthick had the charge for nearly
18 years in which period the church
building was enlarged. Rev. C. B.
Brown was also a pastor here and is
now in charge.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church was
organized in 1850 or 1851 by Father
Kindergraph, first as a mission. Ser-
vices were held in various places. In
1871, Father Murphy built a frame
church and Father Edward Gracey
was the first resident pastor. Other
pastors who served here were Revs.
Manning, Scullen, O'Brien, Weber,
Droyler and Ruffing. Father Gracey
was instrumental in rebuilding a
church in 1924, with more modern
features. Coming later were Revs.
Mazenec Collins, Freeman, Bettes, and
Toole. The present pastor is Father
John Lavelle, who has worked hard
to provide further facilities for the
growing congregation.
Old Mantua
Old Mantua roughly divided into
the Center; The Corners, one mile
east; and The Station, two miles south
of the Corners. The Station came in-
to existence when the railroad ar-
rived in 1856. Many people today
speak of "The Station".
The present hotel building at the
Corners was built by Alvira Messen-
ger. F. E. Herst was there in 1904,
but he sold it to a Mr. Zipperle.
George Brehm bought it in 1922, sell-
ing out to Herman Hitz in 1940. Mrs.
Herman Hitz Whitcomb still owns
the store.
The oldest house at Mantua Center
is one built in 1822 by heirs of Dr.
Ezekiel Squire. It is now owned by
the Earl Monroes. South of the Cen-
ter is the big brick house built by
PORTAGE HERITAGE
389
Samuel Sanford, now owned by Sam-
uel J. Alger.
The present Julius Klimek home
was once a one room school building.
The first high school at the Center
was in the old town hall on the east
side of the square prior to 1900. The
lower six grades were centralized
there in 1903 with Crete Spray Reif-
snider and Anna Wadsworth as teach-
ers. The old M. E. church was then re-
modeled and used by the seventh and
eighth grade and high school. Six bus
routes were set up for pupils, but in
1906, a seventh grade was added to
take care of the Mud Mill district.
First year's enrollment was 115. In
1914, the new high school was built
at the Center but in 1949, Center
schools became part of the new Crest-
wood districts. Today pupils up to
the sixth grade are taught at the Cen-
ter, with an enrollment of about 300.
The old church building mentioned
was made into an auditorium in 1915,
but since 1949 has been partly a gym-
nasium and partly class rooms.
Postmasters
First cemetery in town was the old
South Burial Ground near the Stan-
ford home. The second is located by
the auditorium. West Cemetery was
laid out in 1854 and is now known
as Westlawn. The vaults date from
1880.
Samuel Cobb, previously mentioned,
became postmaster when the Cobbs
Corners office was opened in 1833.
It is now Silo. The office was moved
to Mantua Center in 1850, in which is
now the Patrick Coyle home. In 1848
J. W. Foster was appointed postmaster
with the office in his store at the Cor-
ners, remaining until Rural Free De-
livery was established in 1902. Since
R. F. D. came the only postoffice has
been at the station.
The well known Tamarack Swamp
lay north of the Center, owned by P.
Y. Coyle, who is still living, Frank
Moore, Roy and John Wheeler. These
men ditched and dredged the swamp
in 1912 and it is now known as the
Mantua Muck Lands a thriving com-
munity with lovely homes. Vegetables
grown there are marketed in Cleve-
land and in Warren.
Mantua can well feel proud of her
sons and daughters, particularly those
connected with the schools. Amzi At-
water was a professor at Hiram Ec-
lectic and later Indiana State. Elbridge
White was author of an arithmetic
and other text books and Almeda
Booth was a famous Hiram teacher.
Others are Roxey Snow, writer of
verse; Dr. Holbrook, science writer;
Frederick Treudley, professor of Ohio
University and Youngstown school
head; H. B. Turner, Warren school
head; L. C. Turner, Akron schools;
C. C. Carlton; Kenneth Carpenter,
radio executive; Kenneth Folger, art-
ist; Henry J. Robison, state welfare
head; Mrs. James Davis, classical au-
thority; Alice M. Chalker, Dr. Wilson
Scalon and Mrs. James H. Davis,
classical scholar; Everest Derthick,
Plain Dealer editor; John M. Atwater
was head of Hiram College at one
time.
Writers Numerous
In literary fields, Lorenzo Snow, re-
ligious writer and missionary, became
the first president of the Mormon
church in 1848; A. G. Riddle, author
of "The Portrait" and other romantic
tales, used Mantua as a locale; Gerald
V. Stamm, writer of the 500-page
novel "District Schoolma'am" and
others, as well as short stories; Mrs.
James Crafts, verse writer and col-
umnist; Mrs. Charles Horst, poet;
Florence Halstead Jahn, columnist.
390
PORTAGE HERITAGE
In art, Anthony Anderla received
a fellowship at Charles University and
State Art Academy at Prague, also
one in the University of London. To-
day he is an industrial tool designer.
James Crafts, Jr., was listed in "Who's
Who In Art." He heads the art de-
partment of Teachers College in Con-
necticut and holds many honors.
Few Mantua men were more widely
known in Ohio than Frank A. Der-
thick. He was state Dairy and Food
Commissioner 1888-1891 and member
of the state board of agriculture. From
1900 to 1908, he was master of the
Ohio State Grange. In addition to this
he spoke and lectured over the entire
country on agriculture and economic
subjects. He was a trustee of Ohio
State University and of Hiram Col-
lege. Mr. Derthick died in Mantua
in 1922. He was a pioneer worker
for school centralization.
Perry L. Green, state representative,
state agriculture director and Farm
Bureau leader, who spent most of his
life in Hiram, was a Mantua resident
in his later years.
Science and Industry
In science and industry, some of
note have been David King, early
inventor of potato digging machine;
C. Tinker, expert machinist; Hans
Johnson, Sr., a Norwegian, inventor
of shock absorber and engine (also
a musician); Carl R. Briggs, inventor;
Robert Brumbach, inventor; Richard
Hahn, electronic inventor, and others.
Mantua born Andrew Squire became
a famous Cleveland lawyer.
Many remember the "Opera House".
The structure was built at Mantua
Corners as a store and cheese curing
house. In the early '80s, D. M. King
bought it and moved it to the village,
raising it to three stories and using
Perry L. Green, Farm Bur-
eau leader and State
Representative
it as an implement store. Later it was
christened King's Opera House. The
back part was a shingle factory and
later occupied by Ziba Houpt, first
undertaker. When roller skating be-
came popular it became the first
rink, which was soon supplanted by
another, "The Martha".
Then a basket factory moved in, but
the Opera House continued as an en-
tertainment center, dance hall and
general auditorium. Various business-
es were housed there. In 1900, it was
sold to Prof. O. E. Bartel of Warren
who organized a musical college and
orchestra. Later it became the home
of the Mantua Herald, subsequently
the Mantua Review. Ten years later
the building was damaged by fire. In
1913, A. L. Jones came from Parkman
to start a woodworking and black-
smith shop there and the upper part
was used for moving picture shows
for Mr. Kleinfelt. Later it was sold
to A. W. Walter of Burton. After that
the building was used for a time by
the Pentecostal church, and others,
until its demolition in 1935.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
39
Newspapers Arrive
Mantua had a championship school
band two years under Raymond Ger-
kowski. Later Band Patrons reorgan-
ized it and Anthony Buonopane led
it several years until the present, hav-
ing a band of which Mantua is proud.
It took second place in 1956 county
wide competition. A good glee club
and organization of Mother singers
with Mrs. Fred Zacharias as director.
One B. O'Donnell edited the first
newspaper here, the Times. It was
short lived. Then a Clipper shone for
a time, then faded to the Times. After
it came the Gazette, the Herald, the
Review and finally the Record of to-
day with C. K. Butcher, publisher.
Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood had the paper
here over the longest period. Many
loyal townsfolks have been contribu-
tors. The Record has modern quarters
on First St.
Many lodges and civic bodies have
contributed to the town. Henry Briggs
was the last survivor of the G. A. R.
which flourished long. The Masons,
Eastern Stars, Odd Fellows and Re-
bekahs, Macabees, K. of P., D. of A.,
K. of C, American Legion and their
auxiliaries all have been active. Today
the Masons, Eastern Stars, K. of C.
and Legion remain.
Among earlier groups were the
Spiritualists, the Mantua Phrenologi-
cal Research, The Shakespeare Club,
the Sorosis Club and the Woman's
Study Club. Today are the Literary
and Study Club, the Garden Club and
others. In the 1920s the "Little Thea-
ter Players" group was organized,
Fred Porte, director. Later, Prof. A. A.
Crecelius of Hiram directed the ever
changing body. It finally became the
Dramatic Arts club but it was finally
disbanded. Today, the Players Guild is
in formation.
Service Clubs Start
Both Boy and Girl Scouts have had
organizations here. The Junior Wo-
men's Guild is a late organization,
made up of those interested in home-
crafting. A Rotary Club was organ-
ized in 1846.
About 1910, "The Pelhams", a
theatrical road troupe, had tent pro-
ductions at the end of Franklin St.
and drew good crowds. The Coit
Chautauquas and Lecture courses of
six for $2.00 provided the more in-
tellectual entertainment.
The Ladies Cemetery Association is
a group ever watchful of the condi-
tion of the cemeteries.
On the extreme east side of town
the Buckeye Pipe Line of the Stand-
ard Oil Co. has a pumping station
and storage tanks first constructed
about 1856. Personnel there has
changed greatly. There has been at
least five spectacular and costly fires
there.
Young people need safe play-
grounds. One mayor, George Miller,
realized this. In consequence, a five
acre tract near the water works sta-
tion was purchased in 1948 as a park
and recreation grounds. A community
raised fund was added to village funds
and a system of modern improvements
and equipment put through. The
place is one of the finest in the
county.
The Tom Moore Tractor Co. is lo-
cated nearby.
Mantua has had it tragedies. One
long remembered came in 1902, when
Mrs. Colonel Vaughan and her moth-
er, Mrs. Calhoun, were slain. A step-
son, leading a hermit's life, was
charged and found guilty.
Building Continues
A Chamber of Commerce was start-
ed in the early '30s but dissension and
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
loss of interest brought dissolution
about 1950. A Board of Trade organ-
ization today watches after the village
interests. Paul C. Jacobs is mayor to-
day. There is a full time police offi-
cer. William Cowell, the incumbent,
has held the office 36 years and gained
some fame by foiling a bank robbery
here, capturing a suspect, who re-
vealed others.
The nation-wide trend toward build-
ing and expansion is in evidence here.
Building lots are in demand and near-
by acreage is being taken up. Many
modern homes have been built as well
as a modern rest home by Mr. and
Mrs. Arthur Haas.
First colored people arrived in
1816. They were Mr. and Mrs. Benj.
Sharpe, Lucy and Thomas Hughes.
The latter married Flora, former slave
girl of the Garretts of Nelson, who
had been set free.
NOTE — Many of the facts presented
in this chapter have been supplied by
Mrs. Clyde H. Alger, particularly con-
cerning Mantua Center and Corners.
House With "Christian" Doors
The house shown here is the
home of the Glen T. Plum
family on Kent-Ravenna road
near the Breakneck bridge.
Built in 1838 by Ruel L. Shirt-
liff, a Franklin township pio-
neer, great-grandfather of Mr.
Plum, the property has been
in the same family continuous-
ly. Owners have included Mrs.
Melissa Shirtliff Luce, 1861;
Flora Luce Plum, 1909; and
Glen Plum, 1944. Glen T.
Plum, Jr. of the fifth genera-
tion, also lives in the house at
present.
An interesting feature of
the presence of five "Christian
doors" in it. The paneling in
these doors is shaped in the
form of a cross, hence the
name. It is said that the In-
dians, when they saw such
doors, knew that the occupants
of the houses were friendly to
them.
The property touches the
old canal bed on the east
where a "turning basin" was
once in use for the boats.
CHAPTER XXX
Nelson
By Grace Goodsell and Pearle Lattimore
Nelson, when the first settler ar-
rived, was included with several
townships under the name of Hiram
and was a part of Trumbull County.
The principal owner was Urial
Holmes, who had purchased it from
the Connecticut Land Company. Nel-
son Township was organized in 1817.
In the spring of 1800 three sons of
Deacon Ezekiel Mills, of Beckett,
Mass., started out to seek their for-
tune in the Western Reserve. They
were: Delaun, his wife and three
children; Asahel, his wife and one
child; and Isaac, who was single. They
came in two covered wagons, each
drawn by a yoke of oxen. Several
weeks elapsed before they reached
Youngstown, then a small town of
only a few cabins, which had been
settled only three years previously.
By this time the money of the
brothers had dwindled to eighteen
cents, so that they sought employ-
ment in Youngstown. As luck would
have it, Urial Holmes happened to be
there on his way to his land for the
purpose of having it surveyed. The
brothers were hired as axe-men to
the surveyors.
Make Own Road
Leaving their families in Youngs-
town, where the women earned their
own board and that of their children
by working in a hotel, the brothers
went forward to their work. In Sep-
tember they returned and Delaun im-
mediately removed his family to Nel-
son to a cabin on one-hundred acres
of land given to him by Holmes as a
reward for settling thereon. This
cabin, which had been built and used
by the surveying party, was located
on the northwest side of the creek
just west of the Center.
From Warren it was necessary for
him to cut his own road because there
was only a blazed bridle-path to Nel-
son. This road passed near Phalanx,
crossed the east and west Center road
— east of the Ledge Swamp, around
the Swamp to the north and ascended
the Ledge Hill, just east of the Cen-
ter, following the contour of the hill.
(It was not until about 1885 that the
Ledge Hill was filled in and straight-
ened.) That first winter the Mills'
family had for their food — three times
a day — turnips, which Delaun had
planted during the summer, and wild
meat, which was abundant.
Asahel Mills remained in Youngs-
town until the spring of 1801, then
settled on one-hundred acres of land
a half-mile west of the Center near
Tinker's Creek. He was a Methodist
and preached at the services held in
his home. He brought his elderly par-
ents to live with him in 1806. He later
moved to Deer field where he died.
Isaac Mills returned to the East. He
and Origen Adams, grandson of Ebe-
nezer Adams who was a "Subscriber"
to an organization which founded a
permanent church fund for religious
purposes in Beckett, Mass., acted as
scouts for this organization which
soon was to settle in Windham. These
393
394
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Historic Cascade House, Nelson Ledges
two young men made this trip on foot
several times. In 1805 Isaac married
fifteen-year-old Polly Adams, Origen's
sister, and came to Nelson to estab-
lish their home on land located about
a quarter of a mile north of Asahel's.
Isaac traveled the distance between
New England and Nelson thirty-three
times, either on foot or with a span
of horses and a loaded wagon. A few
of Isaac's descendents live in Nelson
now.
Was Indian Fighter
Delaun Mills had an extremely ad-
venturous life. He was a powerful
man and absolutely fearless. He was
an intrepid Indian fighter and had
many encounters with them. The
Ledges, in the upper part of Nelson,
afforded an excellent shelter for the
red-skins, and a few wigwams could
always be seen under them. Delaun
escaped from one Indian by placing
his hat on his gun-stock so the Indian
could see it. The Indian shot and ran
toward him with his tomahawk in
his hand. Delaun stepped from his
hiding place and shot him. One day
in spring, Sophia, Delaun's wife, was
riding horseback to their sugar-camp,
near the Mill Dam Falls, south of the
Center, when an Indian leaped behind
her, rode for a ways, then disappeared
into the forest.
Of necessity Delaun kept a tavern
where travelers could eat and sleep.
He was located on the path from
Youngstown to Cleveland and many
travelers passed through. (This is now
State Route 305.) A stage-coach road
also passed through Nelson in the
southern part of the township. Much
of Delaun's trouble with the Indians
resulted from the fact that he traded
liquor with them for furs.
The Indians were no longer seen
in Nelson after the War of 1812. Dur-
ing this war Delaun Mills became a
militia captain and fought in the Bat-
tle of Mackinaw under Col. Croghan.
Captain Mills died in 1824, having
never fully recovered from being bit-
ten by a rattlesnake. Nelson was in-
fested with rattlesnakes, as many as
two hundred having been killed in
a single day. He was buried in the
cemetery west of the Center, but his
tombstone does not indicate that he
was the first settler in Nelson.
In addition to the three brothers
already mentioned, other settlers who
came to Nelson were: 1803 — Stephen
Baldwin; Benjamin Stow and his two
sons, Daniel and Caleb; John Ban-
croft with four sons, Rudolphus, John,
Artemus, and David (who later mar-
ried Marilla Mills, Asahel's daugh-
ter); Daniel Owen (who, when he
broke his arm in two places, walked
to Warren for medical care and back
the same day); the two Stiles brothers;
William and Thomas Kennedy; and
Asa Truesdale. In 1804 — Col. John
Garrett, who built the first mill, lo-
cated in Garrettsville; Johann Noah;
and Abraham Dyson. In 1805 — John
Tinker and Nathaniel Bancroft, who
PORTAGE HERITAGE
395
were sons-in-law of Benjamin and
Daniel Stow; Martin Manley; and
Ezekiel Wood. In 1806 — Deacon
Ezekiel Mills, who died two years
later, and wife. In 1809 — their son
Oliver Mills, a school teacher; Charles
May; the Rudolphs; and Rev. William
West, a Baptist minister. In 1810 —
Charles Johnson and three sons, Eras-
tus, Alanson, and Charles, Jr.
Presbyterians Arrive
In 1811 and 1812 a large company,
mostly Presbyterians, came from Con-
necticut: Deacon Joshua B. Sherwood
and Wells Clark, who were unfriendly
because of a dispute concerning the
sale of some cattle in Connecticut;
Birdsey Clark; Theron Colton; David
Beardsley; Titus Bonney; Hezekiah
Bonney; John Hannah; David Good-
sell; and several members of the Hop-
kins family. Emigration then almost
entirely ceased until the end of the
War of 1812. In 1815— Hezekiah
Higley; Benjamin Pritchard; Robert
C. Bennett; Sylvanus Hewlett; Elisha
Taylor, Sr.; and David Stow. From
1815 to 1820— Jeremiah Fuller and
two sons; Charles Whiting; Charles
Hewlett; Marcus and David Morris;
Thomas Barber; Thomas Perry; Ben-
jamin Brown; Harry Spencer; Jacob
and Ashbel Haskins, Jr.; Jared W.
Knowlton; Ira Fuller; the Merwins,
Eatons, Merritts, Pritchards, and Tay-
lors.
There are only a few fourth-gen-
eration descendents of these early set-
tlers living in Nelson in 1955: Nellie
Mills Randall, a great-granddaughter
of Isaac Mills; Elsie Burke Cartwright,
a great-granddaughter of Alanson
Johnson; Alice Fuller Chapman, a
great-granddaughter of Jeremiah
Fuller; George Bancroft, a great-
grandson of John Bancroft; H. C.
Newcomb and Seymour Newcomb,
great-grandsons of Theron Colton.
Nearly a hundred residents belong to
families which have lived in Nelson
more than a hundred years.
Many church denominations held
services in Nelson from 1803 to 1825.
Among these were: Baptist, Bethseda
Baptist (which was organized by John
Rudolph, who had come from Mary-
land in 1809), Pedo-Baptist, Presby-
terian, Congregational, Methodist,
and Universalists. The first Methodist
sermon was given by Asahel Mills in
1801. The first sermon for the Con-
gregationalists was given by the fa-
mous Rev. Joseph Badger in the
spring of 1804. The deacons of this
church were kept busy settling dis-
putes according to the "Tell It To
The Church" discipline, taken from
Matthew 18; 15-17, which states:
"Moreover if thy brother shall tres-
pass against thee, go and tell him his
fault between thee and him alone; if
he shall hear thee, thou hast gained
thy brother. But if he will not hear
thee, then take with thee one or two
more, that in the mouth of two or
three witnesses every word may be
established. But if he shall neglect
to hear them, tell it to the church;
but if he neglect to hear the church,
let him be unto thee as a heathen
man and a publican." The church
meetings were held in the homes or
else in the log school building.
Whiskey Pays Pastor
The Congregational Church was or-
ganized in 1813 and the building was
erected in 1825. The church records of
that period read: "Future generations
will be astonished to learn that a bar-
rel of whiskey was consumed in put-
ting up the frame. About this time
the pastor gave an order to a church
member on a distiller for 29 or 30
gallons of whiskey. This was for grain
396
PORTAGE HERITAGE
furnished by him and which he had
received on his salary."
Musical instruments used by this
church during its existence included
a bass viol, a melodeon, an organ, and
a piano. Hymn singing was intro-
duced in 1831. A parsonage was built
a quarter of a mile north of the Cen-
ter. The church prospered until well
after it celebrated its one-hundredth
anniversary. In 1925 after much de-
liberation the members of this church
merged with the Methodists and in
1930 the church building was deeded
to the Methodist Church. It was re-
paired and made into a gymnasium;
later it was deeded to the school board
with the reservation that it never be
used for a public dance floor.
The Methodist Church was organ-
ized in 1814 and the building was
erected in 1833, at a cost for building
of $250. The property had been given
to the organization by John and Grace
Bancroft. In 1866 the building was re-
modeled and again in 1914 when a
basement was added and, a furnace.
Electricity was installed in 1926. The
church has not had a resident pastor
for over a hundred years, it has shared
pastors with Southington, Windham,
and at present with Garrettsville. The
Methodist Church was undoubtedly
the most prosperous during the years
before and after 1914. The average at-
tendance was 104, the Ep worth League
had an enrollment of 60 members, the
Men's Brotherhood had a membership
of 55 men, the Ladies' Aid Society
met every two weeks, and Prayer
Meetings were held every week.
The E.U.B. Church at Silica in
Southeast Nelson was formerly in
Nelson. The original church was Bap-
tist and located at Newell Ledge, in
the southeast corner of the township.
In 1870 the church was moved to
Silica (called "Hell's Hollow" in days
gone by). It took thirty teams, con-
sisting of oxen, horses, and mules,
to move the building. A new build-
ing was erected across the road in
Windham Township and dedicated
in 1920.
Have Early Academy
The first school opened in the town-
ship was taught by Hannah Baldwin
in 1804 in a log cabin located at the
Center. The bell with which she called
the children is at the present time
kept in the trophy case in the James
A. Garfield High School building. In
1816 a frame school building was
erected at the Center. It was used as a
meeting place for the township trus-
tees; elections were held there (if not
in a private home), and it was in de-
mand for church services of all de-
nominations. The first record book of
the township clerk is extant as well
as many old school records.
A library association was formed
in 1820 with the Rev. Benjamin Fenn
in charge. Expenses were paid by as-
sessment. An academy was mentioned
as being in existence as early as 1833.
In 1835 school districts were laid off
by the township trustees; the people
elected the school board members in
each district; they, in turn, elected
the township board members who
contacted the county and state. Names
of 375 district school teachers are
mentioned in the old records.
The Nelson Academy Association
was permanently organized Jan. 6,
1852. The building was erected on the
site of the old academy building and
paid for by popular subscription, and
directed by a board of trustees. Eleven
teachers were listed in the clerk's
book. Two of these, Oscar C. Fox and
Miss Amelia McCall (who later taught
in Mt. Union College) were beloved
PORTAGE HERITAGE
397
by all. Each teacher was responsible
for damage done to the building and
had to pay for damages he could not
repair. Among the subjects taught
were: literature, arts, science, and the
virtues. A hand-written school paper
"The Students' Weekly Museum"
was published by the students, which
not only gave the news but also gentle
admonitions. There was trouble
among the stockholders of the acad-
emy concerning fraud in the keeping
of the records, and although the rec-
ords were proved to be above re-
proach, no peaceable adjustment was
ever made, and the last minutes of
the association were recorded in 1876.
Code is Rigorous
In 1885 "The Mezzoramia Literary
Society" was organized. The object
of the society was "the propagation
of literature, morality, and friend-
ship." The constitution that these
young people drew up was stern and
rigorous. Topics were debated at each
meeting, some were: Resolved — That
the right of suffrage should be con-
ferred upon women. — That foreign
labor in the U. S. is detrimental to
the laboring class. — That wealth is
more useful than education. A debate
on the spot "What is the greatest
evil?" resulted in a decision that "Idle-
ness is the greatest evil".
In 1887 a public high school was
set up with Edward Truman as super-
intendent. He supervised the district
schools on Monday and held high
school Tuesday through Saturday.
The first class to graduate consisted
of one member — Henry Pritchard, in
1889. In 1890, eight graduated— two
of whom are living in 1955: Col.
Charles Stodter of San Diego, Cali-
fornia, and Blanche Knowlton Robey
of Lincoln, Nebraska. All of the mem-
bers of the 1899 graduating class are
O. N. Hartshorn, Nelson
native who founded Mt.
Union College
living and reside in this area: Elsie
Burke Cartwright, Mabel Nicholson
Bancroft, Nellie Mills Randall, Alice
Fuller Chapman, and Ella Barnum
Parkhurst.
In 1900 the district schools were
discontinued and the township schools
were centralized, again using the
Academy building which housed the
high school. The children were trans-
ported to school in "Kid Hacks"
which were furnished by the drivers.
In 1914 a new brick school building
was erected to meet state requirements
and the Academy building was pur-
chased by the township trustees and
converted into a Community House.
The school system has been further
centralized; in 1948 the state revoked
the school charter and it became a
part of the James A. Garfield school
system with the high school conven-
ing in Garrettsville.
Teachers in the Nelson grade school
in 1955-56 were: Michael Furillo,
principal; Charles Zeiter, Richard
Humphries, Treva Witherstay, Mrs.
Lanna McCullough, Mrs. Sarah Buell,
Mrs. Fern Sebastian and Mrs. Gertrude
Barlow.
398
PORTAGE HERITAGE
R. B. Newcomb is Nelson's repre-
sentative in the James A. Garfield
consolidated district board of educa-
tion.
An incident of some importance in
Nelson was the conviction of Chester
M. Day in 1889, on charge of poison-
ing Verdie Beardsley. A penitentiary
sentence was imposed.
The monument at the Square was
purchased after the Civil War at a
cost of $1,225. The "Square" replaced
the four-corners about 1890 and the
monument was removed from the
northeast section to the center of the
Square. The trees in the park were
planted by families who lived in Nel-
son at that time. Many of the trees
had to be replaced after the devastat-
ing tornado which struck Nelson in
1924. The War Memorial located in
front of the Community House was
dedicated in 1944. Nelson furnished
109 soldiers for the Civil War; 4, for
the Spanish- American War; 39, for
World War I; 127, for World War II;
and 24, for the Korean War.
Ledges are Famous
The Nelson Ledges represent the
west bank of a pre-historic river
which carried the run-off from a melt-
ing glacier sheet which covered this
section of the country. The east bank
of this river was the Kennedy Ledges.
The Ledges consist of 175 feet of
pebbly conglomerate, the debris of
quartz boulders picked up south of
Hudson Bay and carried here by the
glacier.
Many nature lovers come every
spring to see the profusion of wild
flowers and plant life that grow all
over the rocks, and to see and hear
the many kinds of birds that migrate
and nest here. In 1870 there was a
gold rush at Nelson Ledges, but the
gold proved to be iron sulfide, or
'Tool's Gold". One large cave has
been called "Gold Hunter's Cave"
since that time.
The "Cascade Falls" above the "Old
Maid's Kitchen" disappeared in 1955,
possibly because of much blasting in
the vicinity. A collection of Indian
relics made by Cornelius Baldwin,
which he found in the Ledges, was
given to Hiram College. There is an
old hotel building on the east side
of the road. The original building
called the "Grotto" was located on
the opposite side of the road. After
it burned the present hotel building
was erected as a two-story building
during the Civil War. A few years
later a third floor was added for a
ball-room. This old inn, known as the
"Cascade House", did a flourishing
business in the horse and buggy days.
Many prominent names were written
in the old guest book which is still
extant.
In 1920 the State of Ohio purchased
40 acres of land from the Industrial
Silica Co., which at the time owned
the Ledges. In 1940 the state pur-
chased 20 acres behind the hotel, and
in 1948 it purchased 101 acres, known
as the Kennedy Ledges, making a
total of 161 acres which is called "Nel-
son Ledges-Kennedy Ledges State
Park".
The Nelson Township picnics were
held at the Ledges continuously from
1904 to 1921. Picnic dinners were
spread on the ground everywhere,
games and contests were carried on
in the middle of the road, and all
wanted to use the swing which was
so high it gave a bird's-eye view of
the affair as it swung out over the
road. The Parkman Band was usually
asked to gixe a concert, and there was
dancing in the afternoon and evening.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
399
This gave the young people a chance
to learn the current popular tunes.
Was Cattle Dealer
Nelson has always been an agri-
cultural community. A record book
dated 1835 lists the "marks" which
were placed on cattle to signify own-
ership, and men were hired to be
"fence-viewers". Cornelius Baldwin
was perhaps the best-known cattle
dealer in these parts. He made several
trips to Holland to buy Holstein-
Friesian cattle for dairy farmers.
The early days also found a chair
factory, saw mills, blacksmith shops,
a cheese factory, a cheese-box factory,
and two stores, which also served as
post-office between 1830 and 1901
when Rural Free Delivery came to
Nelson.
The following doctors are known to
have lived and practiced in Nelson:
Dr. Hezekiah Palmer Hopkins, Dr.
Sweeny, Dr. Guy Warren (grand-
father of Mont Collins), Dr. Roberts,
and Dr. Charles A. Witherstay (father
of Treva Witherstay and Mrs. Lanna
McCullough). The Garrettsville Wat-
erworks are located in Nelson, a
hatchery and several smaller poultry
farms, and three fire-brick companies
and one sand company which are
making use of the Sharon Conglomer-
ate. Many families live on small farms
and commute to factory or mill work
in the great Mahoning Valley.
One of the active organizations in
Nelson is the Grange. It was organ-
ized in 1896 as the Garrettsville
Grange but was transferred to Nelson
in 1922. The Literary Musical Club
(better known as the L.M.C.) was or-
ganized in 1908 by Olive Howell
Lewis, its purpose being to better the
community. This it has done through-
out its existence: it has been the main
force in remodeling the Community
House, it has helped to repair the five
cemeteries, making them usable again,
and the members have been instru-
mental in keeping a fine community
spirit alive.
The Nelson High School Alumni
Association has continued to function
since it was organized in 1895, adding
the names of the local graduates each
year. The Nelson School Picnic was
organized in 1937, holding the annual
picnic at the Ledges the last Sunday
in July. Other organizations at the
present time are: Boys' and Girls' 4-H
clubs, Boy and Cub Scouts, a pre-
school P.T.A., Methodist Women's So-
ciety of Christian Service, Methodist
Youth Fellowship.
Some of the important people who
have lived in Nelson are: Orville Nel-
son Hartshorn, who founded Mount
Union College in 1846 and served as
its first president. In 1923 Mount
Union erected a monument to him in
Nelson on his hundredth birthday;
Jedediah Cole, County surveyor whose
maps and surveys are still in use;
Amelia McCall Brush, a professor at
Mt. Union College; Almeda Booth, a
professor at Hiram College; George
Colton, a professor at Hiram College;
Harriett Taylor Upton, who wrote
a history of the Western Reserve; Col.
Stodter, a graduate of the U. S. Mili-
tary Academy; Henry J. Robison, a
judge who has held important offices
in both the county and state. Nelson
has been the home of several mission-
aries, ministers, teachers, and other
professional people.
Township officers in 1955 were:
Trustees — Harland Bell, Harry Clapp
and Noble Hopkins; Clerk, Earl
Goodsell.
400 PORTAGE HERITAGE
Fate Opened Presidential Path
Fate played the principal hand in the round of events that sent James A. Garfield to
the presidential chair. In 1859 Garfield was the 28-year old principal of the Hiram In-
stitute. He had no great interest in politics and was devoid of political ambition. But he had
spoken from pulpits and platforms all over the county and people liked him.
In 1859 it was time to nominate a Republican candidate for state senator in the
Portage-Summit district. Summit had no particular candidate. Able, popular and wealthy
Cyrus Prentiss of Ravenna was being pushed forward in Portage County. His nomination
and election seemed assured.
During the summer Garfield had been on an Eastern trip, ignorant of what was going
on. On his return his train stopped at Mantua and he was greeted by an old friend. Said
Garfield, in his journal dated Aug. 22, 1859:
"Dr. Squires came to the cars to tell me that Prentiss had died suddenly and that the
leading citizens of Ravenna had requested me to allow my name to be put in nomination. I
came to Hiram and during the week conversed with the teachers and some of the trustees
and found it compatible with my duties to be absent the required time and so on last Sat-
urday went to Ravenna and on examining into the state of affairs, allowed my name to be
used. Since then, I have made but one visit in reference to it (at Windham). The caucus
was held last Saturday evening and tomorrow the delegates assemble in convention in
Franklin (Kent) to nominate a candidate. I am little skilled in political conventions and
cannot predict with confidence the result, but so far as I am able to see, there is a strong
probability that I shall receive the nomination. Many frinds have been active in my behalf
and prominent among them is Hon. O. P. Brown of Ravenna. In entering upon the work I
told my friends:
1. — I would make no pledges to any man or measure.
2. — I should not work for my own nomination, other than to let my friends know my
name was up.
3. — I ran at their instance, not mine.
Now I feel a desire not to be defeated and shall take all legitimate measures to avoid
it. (James, keep your balance.)
"Aug. 23, 1859 — From Ravenna, went to Franklin to attend the nominating convention.
Found the candidates there, all at work for the nomination. My competitors were Lyman W.
Hall, editor of the Portage County Democrat (who withdrew before the convention); Mr.
Wadsworth, banker, of Ravenna; D. L. Rockwell, Franklin; Dr. Isaac Coles, Palmyra. I
solicited no man of all the delegates. The Portage delegation then held a private caucus.
Garfield led and on the 4th ballot had a majority over all. Hence he was Portage county's
candidate. In the convention he was nominated by acclamation.
"I am aware that I launch out on a fickle current and am about undertaking a work as
precarious as men follow — and one of which a writer has said, 'It is the most seductive and
dangerous which a young man can follow'.
The convention was held in the old township hall, still standing on Gougler Ave., Kent.
Garfield won the election.
Twice after that, fate steered Garfield's political course. In 1863 he was a general in the
army. As the result of an inter-party quarrel among 19th District Republicans Garfield was
nominated for Congress — a move of which he had been in ignorance.
In 1880, after 17 years service in Congress, Garfield went to the Republican national
convention in Chicago as manager for Senator John Sherman, Ohio's favorite son. The
convention was deadlocked and the delegates turned to Garfield and nominated him.
CHAPTER XXXI
Palmyra
Written from Material Compiled by Royal Bigelow and Others
Palmyra was not the first town-
ship in Portage County to be settled,
but it is included in the group of
several "seconds", where migrants ar-
rived in June of 1799. It was in that
month that David Daniels and fam-
ily arrived from Grattan, Conn., with
a deed for 100 acres of land one and
a half miles south of the Center. The
land was a gift from the first pro-
prietors, clearly for promotional pur-
poses.
These first owners, living in Con-
necticut, were Elijah, Homer and
David Boardman, Elijah Wadsworth,
Jonathan Giddings, Zepaniah Briggs,
Stanley Griswold and Roderick Wol-
cott. As far as known, Elijah Board-
man was the largest owner. None of
these men came to Ohio, at least to
Portage County, but the first years
of the Daniels family here were years
of want and hardship.
The forest was subdued and crops
planted. It is told that Daniels car-
ried a bushel of wheat on his back
to a mill in Poland for grinding, and
carried the flour home, a distance of
30 miles. Other mills were nearer.
Apparently Daniels did not know of
them.
Ethelbert Baker was another arrival
in 1799, but he came alone, taking
up land half a mile west of the Cen-
ter. William Bacon reached Palmyra
the following year and in 1802 both
Baker and Bacon brought their fam-
ilies. The southeast corner at the Cen-
ter was cleared off in 1803.
On Great Trail
The township was located along
the well known Great Trail of the
Indians, leading from Fort Mcintosh
to Sandusky. Traces of this trail can
still be seen today. In 1804 came
James McKelvey. Palmyra seems to
have had an unusual number of "char-
acters", one of whom was McKelvey.
He was noted for his hatred of snakes,
particularly of rattlesnakes, then
abundant, and he spent much time
trying to exterminate them. His
mother before him also hated snakes.
Amasa Preston was another who "hat-
ed snakes". In one summer he killed
120 rattlers.
In 1805 there was a large migra-
tion from the East. Among these were
the John Tuttle family, the Baldwins
and others. Clearings were made, cab-
ins went up and fruit trees set out.
In 1807 Capt. Jonathan Baldwin
opened a tavern which he operated
until 1825 when he moved to Toledo.
Capt. Baldwin also engaged in mer-
cantile operations. It is said that he
and David Waller went to Cleveland
and brought back a load of salt which
they sold at $20 per barrel — a good
profit. It was a five-day trip.
Many of those who came to live in
Portage County had been soldiers in
the Revolution. For some reason Pal-
myra had an unusually large propor-
tion of them. In the list were includ-
ed Capt. Jonathan Baldwin, Truman
Gilbert, Elizor Parks, John Tuttle,
Zachary Fisher, Benjamin Garrison,
401
402
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Traces of Indian Great Trail can still be seen in Palmyra today
Elijah Canfield, Amariah Daniels, Na-
than Muzzy, Noah Smith, Capt. Ebe-
nezer Trowbridge and Amos Thur-
ber. Capt. Baldwin was an early Port-
age County commissioner. His son,
John, was a steamboat captain on Lake
Erie many years.
Truman Gilbert arrived in 1806 as
did the Noah Smith family. Smith
figured in an unusual incident. The
family brought with them a young
colored girl who they raised as a mem-
ber of the family. For this Smith was
prosecuted for holding the child in
bondage. A fine was imposed but be-
fore punishment could be inflicted a
higher court decision nullified the
judgment.
Another unusual character was
Artemas Ruggles, noted not only as
a hunter and trapper but as a black-
smith, machinist, handy man and part
time dentist. As a dentist he used a
home made instrument which he
called his "turnikey."
Championed Home State
David Gano, who came from Vir-
ginia in 1807, was also a little out of
ordinary. He gained fame as a bear
trapper and wolf killer. If anyone
aspersed the name of Virginia in his
presence, he was ready to fight and
on one occasion took on a dozen men
in defense of the Old Dominion.
The first white child born in Pal-
myra was Emmeline Cutler, to Mr.
and Mrs. E. Cutler.
The first marriage occurred in 1805
when Benjamin McDaniels and Betsy
Stevens pledged their troth.
The first frame house was erected
in 1807 and in the same year Palmyra
had its first post-office. The first
frame building at the Center was put
up in 1824 by a man named William
Shakespeare. A distillery was estab-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
403
lished in 1808 by John Tuttle and in
1810 a tannery was started by Parrott
Hadley.
The first store at the Center was
started in 1813 by Walker Canfield
and David Waller.
James Briggs came in 1807 and
James Bales in 1808. Dr. Ezra Chaffee
came in 1810 as did Jemson Palmer
and his sons, Jesse and Sam. In 1814
came the unusually strong and muscu-
lar Zuhariac Fisher who was also
strong in character.
Jabez Gilbert, who arrived in 1811,
was noted for his determination and
iron will. Known far and wide, he
was a bridge builder, mail and freight
contractor. He built about all the
early bridges in the locality and
hauled steam boilers from Pittsburgh
to Cleveland, which was a tremen-
dous task considering the condition
of roads and bridges. He carried the
Pittsburgh-Cleveland mail, running a
two-horse coach once a week at first.
Later it was twice a week, then daily.
When roads were impassable he car-
ried the mail through on foot. Be-
cause he usually swore "By Moses", he
became known as Mose Jabe Gilbert,
with fame far beyond the county's
borders.
Founder of Methodism
Another man of importance in Pal-
myra's early days was Rev. Henry
Shewell, who is called the founder of
Methodism in Portage County. Shew-
ell, a learned and saintly man, was a
typical "circuit rider", who was a
"powerful" preacher in the sense that
he was zealous and emphatic in ex-
pounding the Word. He worked all
over Portage County, partly in as-
sociation with Rev. Shadrach Bost-
wick, the minister-physician from
Deerfield. The first church established
in Palmyra was in 1813 by Rev. Nath-
an Darrow, a Presbyterian who had
appeared there previously.
Worth noting, also, is the fact that
another Palmyra man, Thomas Bige-
low, set up the first Universalist
Universalist church in Portage Coun-
ty. He came in 1814.
The first road tax was laid in 1822.
School districts were also started.
The history of Palmyra is incom-
plete without some facts about the
Welsh people. It is not known just
when the first Welshman arrived but
there must have been quite a number
here in 1830 when the Welsh Fair was
organized. A Welsh Regular Baptist
church was organized in 1862. This
probably was when the Welsh began
to arrive in greater numbers for coal
mining required trained men. The
church was know as Soar, or Stone
Chapel.
Until March, 1810, Palmyra had
been a part of Deerfield township.
On that date the county commission-
ers issued an order making the change.
First officers elected were: Trustees —
Amos Thurber, Wm. Bacon and Dav-
id Calvin; Clerk — David Waller;
Treasurer — David Daniels; Appraiser
— Silas Waller; Overseers — Jabez Gil-
bert, John McArthur; Constable —
Charles Gilbert; Lister — James Mc-
Kelvey; Fence Viewers — Truman Gil-
bert, J. T. Baldwin; Justices — David
Daniels, Joseph Fisher; Supervisors —
John Stevens, Artemas Ruggles, Zebu-
Ion Walker, Gibson McDaniels.
The first school taught in Palmyra
was by Betsy Diver, daughter of a
Deerfield man. The school was located
in the south part of the township,
probably about 1805. Later teachers
were Sophia Hubbard, John Barr,
Nathan Boice, Mattie Ruggles and
Lewis Ely. Barr was first to teach a
school at the Center. Adelina Wales
404
PORTAGE HERITAGE
of Windham taught the first select
school. It was in 1842.
While coal seams had been found
early in Palmyra, it was not until after
the Civil War that mining was de-
veloped to any extent. By 1880 there
were four one-shaft mines in opera-
tion. These were the Palmyra Coal
Co., W. B. Wilson, manager; The
Black Diamond Coal Co., Samuel
Kimberly, owner; The Scott Coal Co.;
and the Hutson Coal Co., H. T. Hut-
son, owner. Each shaft produced a
hundred tons or more daily. To help
operate these mines, and those in ad-
jacent Deerfield, many more Welsh
people came from over the sea. It is
said that the first mine was opened by
Wilson. A strip mine was opened in
1948. Several small slope mines are
still worked.
Had Agricultural Fair, Too
About 1880 Palmyra people wanted
an agricultural fair of their own and
started one. It ran as a two day meet-
ing but lasted only a few years.
Of considerable more importance
is the May Fair, or Welsh Fair, estab-
lished about 1830 and run every year
since. It is always held on the first
Monday in May and is now more in
the nature of a home coming, or re-
union, of Welsh people, their de-
scendents and friends.
In the Civil War, 59 soldiers who
were or had been Palmyra men, saw
service, and of this number, eleven
gave their lives.
Palmyra men listed in the Union
army included J. H. Parker, George
Davis, M. G. Grate, Robert Hutson,
John Bacon, John J. Hume, John A.
Phillips, John B. Phillips, Edward
Davis, John F. Evans, Andrew Eng-
lish, Newton Hazzard, John A. Rich-
ards, Jas. Stuart, Stephen S. Thomas,
David Force, Curtis Grate, Dr. Frank
Hawley, Jas. Wilcox, Jas. McCul-
lough, Simeon Pegg, Meredith Evans,
Thos. C. Evans, Israel Fagley, Jona-
thon C. Giddings, John Gilbert, Ed-
win Gilbert, John Jones (Welsh Jack),
Thos. G. Jones, Wallace Edwards,
Isaac D. Spaulding, John C. Thomas,
J. Harvey Tuttle (Chap), F. Rennin-
ger, Wm. Walter Kale, Cyrus Brain-
ard, Morris Bebb (Sailor), Alonzo
Cramer, Orlando Campbell, E. Edgar
Tuttle, Geo. Evans, Joseph Fisher, Ed-
ward Hollister, Andrew Hume, Sam-
uel Hawk, Smith Hazzard, Milton
Hazzard, John Jewell, John D. Jones,
Isaac D. Jones, John B. Morgan,
George Simms, John J. Thomas, Isaac
Williams, David Williams, Horace W.
Willard and George Frank.
Serving in the Spanish-American
War were Royal Bigelow, Floyd
Thomas, Fay North, David Williams
and Cary Gilbert.
In World War I, these Palmyra
men saw service: Frank Davis, David
B. Evans, Roy Lewis, Carl Gilbert,
Floyd Burnett, Tom Lewis, Albert
Lewis, Raymond Merwin, Osborne
Lewis, Merle McGranahan, Tom
Evans, Roy Hutson, Ray Harris, John
Harrison, David E. Jones, Ray Johns,
Reese B. Jones, Dan Jones, Jesse Jenk-
ins, Walter Keeler, Andrew Keeler,
Carl Mckenzie, Howard Jones, Carl
Thomas, Harvey Ruggles, Herbert
Sibson, Winfield Sickel, Frank West-
over, Harvey Williams, Edwin Wil-
son, Bert Fields, Evan Evans, Emmett
Shellanberger, Earle Jones, Reuben
Kale and Anson Smith.
Of the physicians who have served
Palmyra the number includes "Old
Dr." Rose and Dr. Luther C. Rose
(Young Doctor Rose), Dr. W. G.
Smith, Dr. Harry Nealy, Dr. Ben
Davis, Dr. William Jenkins, Dr. P. M.
Bell, and Dr. Alva Baldwin. Dentists
PORTAGE HERITAGE
405
were Dr. Alva Baldwin and Dr. Clate
Baldwin.
Ministers included Rev. W. M.
Evans, (who came in 1900), Rev.
Maurice Jones (1909) who dropped
dead at Owen Jones' funeral; and
Owen Williams, 1912.
Same Family Name
The number of Welsh people liv-
ing in Palmyra is shown by the fact
that at one time there were 19 Jones
families living on a single mail route
and of these, eleven of them were
not related to others. David Enoch
Jones came from Wales in 1859 and
in October of that year Enoch, Ellis,
Elizabeth and Arthur came.
Palmyra township in the past has
had more than the average number of
churches, though today only one sur-
vives. It is probable that the first
church was of Presbyterian faith, or-
ganized in 1813 by Rev. Nathan Dar-
row, the widely known missionary
from Connecticut. Not much is known
today about this church.
The second was a Baptist church
organized in 1817 by Rev. Andrew
Clark. Other ministers were Rev.
Thomas and Rev. Miller.
In 1841 a Campbellite Church (Dis-
ciple) was organized in the Whip-
poorwill section. It continued, with
varying fortunes, until about 1911.
A Congregational (Welsh) church
was organized in 1847. Among its
ministers were Revs. John Lloyd, B.
Harris, James, Jones, Rollins and
Hughes.
There was a Christian church at
Diamond for a time. Its pastors in-
cluded Rev. Mr. Cline and Rev. Mr.
Oliphant.
Date of the organization of the
Methodist church at the Center was
1879. Its pastors included Revs. D. W.
Chandler, Jos. Marvin, T. J. Kurtz,
H. B. Edwards, M. G. McCaslin, Jos
Gledhill, V. Baker, N. B. Stewart, J
W. Wilson, O. H. Pennell, J. V. Has
kell, J. A. Martin, I. M. Life, T. W
Anderson, F. D. Wolf, R. O. McRae
E. L. Lea, John McCleary, A. E. Can
non, Gordon Riegler, W. N. Webster
J. M. Silk, T. A. Keyser, C. C. Davis
and W. C. Knipe, later pastor of the
Community Church.
The regular Welsh Baptist church
was organized in 1862. It was the
Soar Church (Stone).
There was also a Welsh Methodist
church at the Center.
The Palmyra Christian church
stood in the southwest part of the
township and was sometimes known
as the McKown church. It was or-
ganized about 1859 and closed in
1902 after various other denomina-
tions had used the building.
Telephone Arrives
In 1900 the Palmyra Telephone Co.
was established by S. A. Church, Ward
Craig, Perry Robison, Cass Shepard
and Hart Wilson. Florence Lewis and
Mrs. Jenkins were the first opera-
tors. First subscriber rates were $1.00
per month. Miss Lewis later became
a teacher and retired in 1955 after 41
years service.
Principals of the schools with which
she was connected were Wm. Mc-
Quiston, J. W. White, Mr. Parker,
Mr. Turpin, W. H. Kohr, Thos. Grif-
fiths, Roger Richmond, Max Man-
schel, V. Donley, Vernon Campbell,
A. J. Garrett, C. P. Rausch, Boyd
Myers, Elizabeth Barclay, Glen Pow-
ell, E. E. Braid, John Vett, Sam Cip-
riano, Leroy Reeves, Gene Dutter and
John Mendiola.
Some of the blacksmiths that have
served the Palmyra community are
"Old Bill" Davis (who had three
blacksmith sons); John Bebb, Char-
406
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
ley Hartzell, Billy Williams and the
Tuttles of the Tuttle carriage shop;
and German Wick.
Village of Grover
Soon after the first coal mine was
opened in southeast Palmyra, a small
community came into existence,
known as Grover. Nearly all the in-
habitants were miners and their fam-
ilies. Its postoffice was known as
Davis and located on the railroad.
When the first mines died out nearly
all Grover people followed new
mines in Deerfield. Many of the hous-
es were moved away entirely. Little
of Grover remains today.
An important family in Palmyra
and nearby were the Corbitts. Chison
Corbitt came to Palmyra in 1822 and
ran a general store and hotel. A son,
Leonard Corbitt, remained in Palmyra
and drove a freight team on the Cleve-
land-Pittsburgh route. It is said that
when he decided to move his house
to a new location about a mile away,
he invited his neighbors to help and
men with 48 teams responded. The
house was then placed on skids and
16 teams hitched to each skid and
the house pulled slowly away. The
only cost was a barrel of whiskey and
as much food as the men could eat.
The house still stands. The original
Corbitts came from Normandy.
Rural free mail delivery was start-
ed here in 1904. Some of the rural
carriers have been "Preacher" Evans,
Wallace Bigelow and James Evans.
Star route carriers have included John
Breeze, Jim and Jake Glass, Wells
Kelly and George Wilson.
Luman Westover came here from
Connecticut in 1808. His son, Fred,
owned a yoke of oxen, each animal
weighing 3,000 pounds. He was of-
fered large prices for the mammoth
oxen but refused all offers, keeping
them until they died.
Real Horse Fair
On one occasion the Welsh Fair
was a real "Horse Fair." Some out-
standing animals were shown. A black
Percheron stallion, named WXEM,
was purchased by a local group and
attracted much attention. It was
handled by Cass Shepard. A fancy
Hackney was shown by Fred Clark.
On one occasion 12 stallions were on
exhibition. These animals were the
sires of improved local stock. On fair
days there was always a brass band
in attendance and this wound up the
day by serenading the Seedhouse sa-
loon.
At one time Palmyra had 2 1 saloons.
Among owners were Jim Jones, Tom
Bowen and Seedhouse at Palmyra; Joe
Stone, Ben Clifton and Stephen Har-
ris at Diamond; and Tom K. Jones,
John Davis and Bill Stone at Lloyd.
For a long time in older days the
town had a cannon kept for celebra-
tion purposes. It is said to have been
brought in from Braddock Field. John
Hawk had the job of firing it. When
someone took the cannon to the woods
and loaded it to the muzle and fired,
it was blown to pieces.
At one time Palmyra had a news-
paper called the Wide Awake. Rev.
Erastus B. Lewis was the editor. It did
not last long.
In 1913, through the efforts of local
citizens and the Portage County Im-
provement Association, Palmyra got
its first brick pavement — from Dia-
mond to the foot of Kibler Hill, a
distance of two miles. This was fol-
lowed by a concerted drive by prop-
erty owners to improve the side roads
and in getting aid from the county
and state for this purpose. Abutting
farm property was assessed $1.00 per
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
407
Dr. Howard Jones, Pal-
myra native, now presi-
dent of Youngstown
University
acre to a depth of one mile. Burnt
slate from the mine dumps was much
used for road building and frequent-
ly was hauled to the road without
charge. Those who owned no teams
did the loading. Later, other methods
were used. Palmyra today has busy
Route 18 passing through as well as
Route 627.
The "tile plant", Palmyra's prin-
cipal industry today, was started about
1902 with Mike Shibley, Henry Her-
bert, S. A. Church and Frank Mattes
subscribing $1,000.00 each. Mattes
was superintendent. In 1908, Al Hart
bought control, but later sold to Sam
B. McPhall. Today it is known as the
Universal Sewer Pipe Co., with mod-
ern equipment. The U. S. Concrete
Pipe Co. at the same location north
of Diamond is operated in conjunc-
tion with it.
The old hotel still stands on the
northwest corner of the square. It was
built in 1832 by John Lewis, from
brick made across the road. The clay
for these was drawn in by oxen and
burned in crude kilns. In 1888, the
K. of P. lodge built on the third story
and this lodge now owns the whole
building. The hotel was at one time
a relay station on the Pittsburgh-
Cleveland freight and stage route. The
door step to the office and bar is of
sand stone and has been worn down
six inches from the original level.
Varied Activities
John (Shoemaker) Williams had
his shoe shop in his home a half mile
north of the Center. His son John
(Fiddler) Williams married Mary
Baldwin of the Andros Baldwin fam-
ily. They had four children.
Jake (Dutch) Stoltz had a home
and shop south of the Center. Being
the butt of practical jokes, he became
angered to the point of shooting an
annoyer. In making his escape, he fell
from a railroad trestle over Kale Creek
and broke his leg.
Elijah Noel lived southwest of the
Center. With his three sons helping
him, he operated his farm, a saw mill,
a cider mill and apple butter factory.
Andrew Noel was a musician, play-
ing in an orchestra over many years.
Billy Williams was another musi-
cian, a vocalist, noted for a fine tenor
voice. He operated a wagon and car-
riage shop a half mile south of the
Center.
John Hawes had a harness shop, also
a half mile south of the Center.
Solomon Wert came to Diamond
about 1875. Without education, he
conducted a number of businesses, in-
cluding a saw mill, cider mill, and
he bought hay and straw, had a horse-
power bailer and several teams, em-
ploying a number of men. His wife
cared for his accounts and did his
bookkeeping.
Before the establishment of the
high school in 1886, Palmyra had the
Palmyra Central Academy. Some of
408
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
the teachers of the high school were
Geo. R. Wolf, H. Pardee, J. N. Mc
Call, Geo. Douthitt, E. F. Robison
E. R. Turnbull, J. A. Dufford, J. O
Shaffer, W. J. Robison, Perry Robi
son, J. W. Kasserman, J. W. Robem
J. W. White, J. F. Keoppe, M. Kohr
V. D. Campbell and Florence Powell
District schools were consolidated be
ginning in 1911.
Dr. Howard W. Jones is a native
of Palmyra, son of Mr. and Mrs. Evan
L. Jones, born Sept. 27, 1895. He was
educated in Palmyra schools, Alliance
High School and Hiram College. After
navy service he was in educational
work in the Cleveland Y.M.C.A.
school, later becoming assistant to the
president at Hiram. In 1931 he went
to Youngstown to head the new
Youngstown College and is now pres-
ident of the institution, now called
Youngstown University. He married
Mabel L. Hurd of Southington. They
have two children.
In the field of fraternal and cul-
tural organizations, Palmyra has had
a variegated experience. About 1886,
a chapter of the Good Templars, a
temperance society, was organized.
The Knights of the Golden Eagle had
a chapter at one time. The Knights of
the Maccabees and Ladies of the Mac-
cabees flourished for a time. The For-
esters of America were at one time
quite strong.
There were quite a number of
Masons in the township from its be-
ginning but there was no formal or-
ganization until 1883 when Charity
Lodge No. 530, F. & A. M. came into
existence. The order now has its own
hall. An auxiliary chapter, the Eastern
Star, is also found here in Palmy
Chapter No. 114, O. E. S., founded
in 1900. Knights of Pythias have es-
tablished Diamond Lodge No. 136,
started in Diamond in 1882, but later
with headquarters at the Center. The
women's branch of Rathbone Sisters
was organized in 1923.
According to stories handed down,
an Indian Camp was once located at
Rocky Springs, north of the Center.
R. H. Johns had the first electric
lights in the township.
The Bigelow family has long been
active in Palmyra affairs. Timothy,
John and Loren Bigelow came from
Connecticut by wagon in 1814 and
took up 1200 acres of land. Timothy
had a daughter and a son, Loren. The
first John was a doctor and also served
in the state legislature.
Albert Dix I lived in Palmyra for
a time and later became a well known
Ohio newspaper publisher.
Railroad Gates Ajar
When the present New York Central
railroad was run through Palmyra and
Deerfield in 1877, the farmers there
were so much interested that they often
gave free right of way. However, they
continued to maintain their fences, with
gates for passage of trains. When a train
came along the engineer opened the gate,
the train passed through and the brake-
man closed the gate after it. The first
line, a narrow gauge affair, ran from
Phalanx to Palmyra. Later it was ex-
tended to Alliance. It became a broad
gauge road and later on, a standard
gauge. At one time there were three rails
in order to accommodate both broad and
standard gauge cars. First freight cars
carried a fifteen-ton load. The old end-
of-the-line turn table still remains at
Diamond.
CHAPTER XXXI I
Paris
By Elizabeth Thomas
The land now embraced by the
township of Paris originally was own-
ed by shareholders of the Connecticut
Land Co. These men were Samuel G.
Storrs, Henry Champion, Gideon
Granger and Thomas Bull. It was
Township 3, Range 6 of the original
surveys. It did not become a separate
township until 1820, previously
having been a part of Deerfield, and
later of Palmyra.
At first the township was known as
Storrsboro, after one of the propri-
etors. Owing to the nature of the land,
the place gained a poor reputation.
The land was flat and the early home
hunters avoided it because of the
swampy ground. It was commonly re-
ported, and generally believed, that
the entire township was one vast mud-
hole and next to impossible to traverse
with horse and wagon. Because of this
reputation settlement of the township
was delayed until 1814.
Actually, the situation was bad
enough but drainage and subsequent
cultivation demonstrated that the land
was second to none for grazing and
that the soil was fertile enough to
produce excellent crops.
Paris received its first settler in
1811. He was a hardy Pennsylvanian
from Woodbury, Huntington County,
and his name was Richard Hudson.
Had No Neighbors
Mr. Hudson lived on Lot 21, where
he had selected his land, until the
time of his death in June, 1819. The
Hudsons were the only family in the
township until the spring of 1813. At
that time their son-in-law, John
Bridges, and family, arrived and built
a house on the Hudson farm.
In 1813 two more families arrived,
also coming from Huntington County,
Pennsylvania. These were the John
Young and John Cot families, so that
in two years time, four families had
found homes in Paris (or Storrsboro).
But in April of 1815 there was a
further addition when Chauncey Haw-
ley and William Selby and their
families came in from Saundersfield,
Berkshire county, Mass., locating on
Lot 27 and Lot 33, which were long
known as the Hawley farms, and
where the Hawley cemetery was later
located.
In the autumn of 1815 Calvin Hol-
comb and family migrated here from
Granby, Hartford county, Conn, and
settled on Lot 21. There was no fur-
ther arrival until December of 1816,
when Brainard Selby, Sr., Newton Sel-
by and wife, Thomas B. Selby and
Austin Wilson arrived from Saunders-
field, Mass. Brainard Selby lived with
his son, William, who had come the
previous year to investigate conditions
for the others. Newton Selby lived on
Lot 40 while Wilson had selected Lot
39. In the summer of 1817, John
Smith arrived and settled on Lot 27,
and in the fall of the same year, Justus
Wilson and family arrived from
Saundersfield, Mass. The Rufus
Smiths came in from Whitestown, N.
409
410
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Y. The Wilsons lived temporarily
with their son, Austin, who had come
previously. Smith settled on Lot 39.
Migration was steady, if only slow.
In February of 1818 another party
came from Whitestown, N. Y. They
were Stephen Bingham, Sr., Stephen
Bingham, Jr. and John W. Whitely
and families. All located on the
Northwest part of Lot No. 34.
Up to this time the territory was a
part of Palmyra township.
With the population now making a
respectable showing, the residents
wanted their own local government.
A petition was presented to the county
commissioners for separation from
Palmyra and the setting up of a new
township under the name of Storrs-
boro. The first election was held Nov.
10, 1820. At this election there were
25 voters. For some reason they were
dissatisfied with the name of Storrs-
boro and then, by vote, decided to
change it to Paris.
First Welsh Arrive
New settlers came in. In the year of
1831 John Morgan arrived in the
township from Wales and purchased
part of Lot 32, erecting a log cabin
thereon. From this beginning, other
countrymen of Morgan came from
time to time and it is said that by
1885, the population of Paris was two-
thirds Welsh. Today a large number
of these people have descendents in
Paris.
In the township's first election in
1820, Justus Wilson, Stephen Bing-
ham and Wm. Selby were judges.
Rufus Smith and Stephen Bingham,
Jr. were clerks. These officials were
elected: Trustees — Rufus Smith, Jus-
tus Wilson and John Smith; Clerk —
Cheney V. Senter; Overseers — John
W. Whiting, Titus Stanley; Fence
Viewers — Austin Wilson, Calvin Hol-
comb, Jr.; Lister — Bidwell Pinney;
Appraiser — Newton Selby; Treasurer
— Stephen Bingham, Jr.; Constables —
Chauncey Hawley, Luther Wilson;
Road supervisors — Newton Selby,
John Smith; Justices of the peace —
Stephen Bingham, Calvin Holcomb.
The Wayland Welsh Baptist Church
was organized in 1835 by Rev. David
Jenkins. It included the following
members: Richard Morris, Mary Mor-
ris, Edward Morris, Anna Morris,
John Morris, Robert Roberts, Eliza-
beth Roberts, Mary Williams, Wil-
liam Probert, Maria Probert and
Widow Probert. This church met at
the Center.
The Old Stone Church, Congrega-
tionalism was organized in 1844. An-
other church had been located on the
Paris-Palmyra road, just inside Pal-
myra, organized in 1834. Some of the
members from Paris thought it would
be better to have a church of their
own and formed one in 1844, with a
small edifice 25 x 25 in Newport (now
Wayland). The formal organization
was completed in 1850 and recorded at
Ravenna March 2 of that year. In
1861 a new church was built at the
Center, and remodeled in 1904. Rev.
David Davies at first conducted serv-
ices in the Welsh language.
The Bethany Baptist church was or-
ganized in 1882, but its members soon
wanted services held in a language
they better understood (English). Art-
icles of incorporation were drawn up
May 16, 1889, signed by the follow-
ing: J. A. Griffith, David Griffith, J.
B. Williams, Alphonso Patterson,
Richard Morris and James P. Davis.
The lot on which the church stood
was donated by Thomas George. The
first resident pastor was Rev. A. M.
Ely. It was during his pastorate that
the original Bethany Baptist church
building was erected.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
41
Type of early brick architecture. The Moses Tibbals home in Deerfield,
built in 1816.
Other pastors were Revs. Llewel-
lyn, Relyea, Wood, J. W. Stone. The
building was destroyed by fire Dec.
18, 1889. Members then worshipped
in the old Welsh church in Paris
which by this time had become the
town hall. But plans were quickly
made for a new church at Wayland
with J. T. Griffith, T. O. Jones, Wm.
E. Morris, Richard Morris and T. B.
Thomas as building committee. The
building was dedicated May 12, 1901
and in 1912 a parsonage was built ad-
jacent to it. Pastors have included
Revs. J. C. Calvin, James Lister, E. T.
Haddock, W. H. Wilson, Philip Evans
and Robert Foster.
Churches Federated
On April 28, 1918, the Bethany
Baptist and the Congregational
churches became federated through
action of committees from both
churches composed of C. M. Blanken-
horn, J. F. Ickes, E. C. Morris, Daniel
Griffith, J. L. Thomas, T. E. Griffith,
J. M. Hurd, H. J. Woen, R. C. Burr.
Pastors of the Federated Church
have been Revs. J. B. Jones, M. H.
Jones, C. W. Mainwaring, H. A. Eich-
er, Harsh and W. C. Knipe. The latter
was pastor 14 years until his death in
1955. Rev. Gordon Hinkle is present
pastor.
The first school of any kind in
Paris township was at the house of
Richard Hudson in 1819, with Betsy
North as teacher. It was in the sum-
mer of that year. This was a private
school, entirely for the benefit of the
children of Uncle Richard, but two of
the boys of Chauncey Hawley were
also admitted. The first public school
was organized for the winter of 1819-
20. It was in a log cabin located on
the northwest corner of Lot 34, with
Daniel Leavitt of Trumbull County
as teacher and a pupil list of 25 boys
and girls. Districts were set up later,
there being seven in all until 1905,
when the township schools were
centralized.
The present school building was
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
erected in 1912-13 with an addition in
1927, and the first principal was Dud-
ley Douthitt. In 1950 the people of
the township voted in favor of be-
coming a part of the Southeast dis-
trict, so that now only elementary
pupils receive instruction at the Cent-
er, while high school pupils attend
the Southeast high school in Palmyra.
Paris school had been made a first
grade high school in 1927. A cafeteria
was installed in 1926-27.
Courses in home economics and
manual arts were added in 1932, and
a commercial course in 1936, with
Robert Hall and Kathryn Hurd as in-
structors. In 1945 a flag pole was put
up and playground equipment added
and in 1948 a well was drilled.
The bell now used on the building
at the Center has an interesting his-
tory. In the winter of 1872-73, Miss
Anne James, a teacher at the school,
decided that the school needed a bell.
She got up an entertainment and from
its proceeds obtained enough money
to buy a bell. The bell has been used
regularly since that time.
No Indians Here
Old historians of the township say
nothing about the presence of Indians
so that it is quite likely that no red-
skins were around when the first set-
tlers arrived. But there were evidences
of older Indian camps and trails have
been found.
The first white child born in the
township was Elijah Hawley, October
11, 1815. He was the fourth son of
Chauncey Hawley.
The first marriage in Paris was that
of William Bradford and Betsy Hud-
son in 1813. The first death was that
of Susan Cox, wife of John, in 1814.
Settlers early realized the need for
roads. The first highways established
through the township were laid out
in 1817. One came from Charlestown
and passed on to Newton Falls. The
other came from Palmyra. Today Par-
is has a good system of county and
township roads and through it passes
busy State Route 5 which was
straightened and improved just before
World War II. Because of its topog-
raphy, road building is not particular-
ly difficult.
Paris received its first important
business stimulation when the Penn-
sylvania & Ohio canal was opened in
1840. This traversed the township,
east to west. It gave an outlet for its
farm products and provided a means
of travel, crude as it was. Two "ports"
were established — Harrisport, now
McClintocksburg; and Newport, now
Wayland. For many years both were
quite busy and were considered of
enough importance to lay out towns.
The first saw mill in the township
was built by Alexander and Titus
Stanley at McClintocksburg — date
unknown.
The first frame building, a barn,
was built by Calvin Holcomb in 1819,
on Lot 21. But the first frame dwell-
ing house did not come until 1823 and
was built by A. H. Case, at the Paris
Center. In 1827, Case started to keep
a tavern but died in the following
year. After that the business was car-
ried on by his widow, familiarly
known as Aunt Crilla, until 1832. The
house was a landmark in old Paris.
McClintocksburg Active
Paris had no postoffice of its own
until 1828, when one was established
with William Selby as postmaster.
The office was at his home on the
northeast corner of Lot 33 and a week-
ly mail service was received via War-
ren. Previously, Paris depended on
mail by way of Palmyra and Newton
Falls. The old postoffice at the Center
PORTAGE HERITAGE
413
was known as Parisville.
One of the first manufacturing es-
tablishments was a tannery operated in
the southern part of the township by
Patrick Davidson. Date of it is un-
known. Chauncey Hawley also manu-
factured hats at an early time, and
there were also a chair and parts fac-
tory and a small iron foundry for
making flat irons, hand irons and
other small wares.
McClintocksburg is a community
in the eastern part of the township,
along the Mahoning River. It was
started by a man named McClintock
in 1835 and after the P. & O. canal
was put through, it was an important
shipping place, though it then existed
under the name of Harrisport. In
1835, also, Isaac Hopkins arrived from
Pittsburgh and opened a general store
at the Center — Paris' first.
John D. Williams, a native of
Wales, came to Paris in 1836 and es-
tablished a blacksmith shop one mile
south of the Center. After his death in
1884, the work was carried on by his
son, John B. Williams, who later
moved the business to Wayland.
The first grist mill was not put in
until 1839 and this was owned by Wil-
liam Philpot and Philip Price. This
was at Wayland.
The early farming activities of the
township were of a general nature. A
great many sheep were raised but later
residents turned to dairying. In form-
er days much maple syrup and sugar
was produced. Cheese and other dairy
products were much in evidence.
Cyclone Station
With the advent of the P. & O.
canal which began operations in
1840, Newport and Harrisport were
very busy centers for those days. The
canal extended from Akron to Beaver
Falls, Pa., thence on to the east. Pas-
senger fare to and from Pittsburgh
was $3.60 and it required 26 hours to
make the trip, one way.
Business again was stimulated in
1882, when the P. C. & T. railroad be-
gan operations, with the right of way
over the old canal bed. Wayland, es-
pecially, began to be an important
place. The station at Wayland was
called Cyclone. When this railroad be-
came the P. & W. and later the B. &
O., the station was again called Way-
land, with the route about one mile
north.
A convenience for local travelers
came into existence about 1915 and
the C. A. & M. V. electric line came
through. This line for the most part
used the old B. & O. and canal route.
It gave regular service for passengers
and freight between Ravenna and
Warren, with connections to other
localities. This operated until about
1931, when the line was abandoned
because of competition with motor
vehicles.
A second railroad passes through
the extreme southeastern corner of the
township. This was built in 1877 and
was first the Alliance & Northern and
now is a part of the New York Cen-
tral system. The local station was
known as Prichard's.
Paris township did its share in the
Civil War. It had 26 volunteers for
service in the Union service, in ad-
dition to about as many more who
were drafted. Ten men gave up their
lives for their country.
Even Paris was not without its in-
ventors and experimenters. One of
these was Algernon Pinney. When
the canal came in 1840, he decided to
build a boat operated by steam power
to go over the canal waters. He built
one. It worked all right but he forgot
to plan for the width of the canal
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
^api
Old Wayland Baptist Church. Picture
taken about 1890.
locks, and his idea was abandoned.
Makes His Airplane
He was also air minded, though a
little ahead of his time. He made at-
tempts at flying, similar to those of
''Darius Green and his flyin' ma-
chine." He did this by attaching two
wings to his arms and two to his legs
and operated them manually. He at-
tained no great success, though he es-
caped with his life. But he was per-
sistent and next tried an umbrella
parachute which is said to have work-
ed in a fashion.
The latest, and probably the great-
est, impact on Paris was when the
government set up the huge Ravenna
Arsenal plant in 1940. This is located,
in part, in the northern part of Paris.
Between 4,000 and 5,000 acres of farm
land was bought and residents had to
move away. Some of these were
among the oldest families of the town-
ship. At the same time a new State 5
highway was constructed, but some of
the township roads had to be closed.
The arsenal gave employment to many
Paris residents and also was responsi-
ble for much home building through-
out the locality. The growth of nearby
Newton Falls village also stimulated
rural home building in Paris.
In the 1955-56 school year, Richard
Buchanon was principal. Teachers
were Mrs. Marilyn Tawney, Mrs.
Dorothy Wintermuth, Mrs. Elizabeth
Richards, Miss Emma Conaway, Miss
Mar jorie Williams, Mrs. Edna Thomas
and Wm. Engler. Mrs. Laverne Hahn,
music instructor. Mrs. Gillespie and
Mrs. Robinson, cafeteria managers
and S. Dudley, custodian.
In 1955 the township board of trus-
tees was composed of Clayton Roberts,
Jr., Edward I. Corbett and Earl Jones,
with Leon Richards, clerk.
One of the leading occupations
from about 1885 to 1900 was shipping
of sand. This was taken from banks
along the Mahoning river and loaded
on gondola cars for shipment to
Youngstown where it was used in the
steel mills.
Two brothers, Caswell and Wil-
liam Morgan were the early well drill-
ers in Paris township. They also op-
erated in surrounding communities.
The postoffice was moved to Way-
land (then Cyclone) from Paris Cen-
ter, about 1880, with Job Richards as
postmaster. He held this office about
ten years. Present incumbent is Ros-
coe Hunt.
The creamery was built by H. F.
Hudson of Rootstown in 1900 and
continued in operation about 45 years.
Butter and milk were shipped from it
to Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
The Ladies Aid Societies of both the
Baptist and Congregational churches
PORTAGE HERITAGE
415
were organized in 1886 and are still
working, but as one organization
since 1918 when the two churches
were federated.
In World War II many Paris town-
ship boys saw service. Of these, Lieut.
Anthony Wilhelm Kainrad and Rol-
and Cling gave up their lives. The
former was in the Mediterranean
theater of action.
Since Paris is not far from a giant
new industry located at Lordstown,
not far away, it is probable that the
entire section will see many more
homes built with an increase in pop-
ulation.
Redfern Mills of Cleveland Worsted Co. at Ravenna,
an industrial mainstay for many years
Local Robin Hood
In the 1840s all Portage County was interested in the activities of Dan Winchell, a
Mantua man who liked to be known as a local Robin Hood, taking from the rich
to give to the poor. Many stories were told of his operations but his benevolence was
questioned. Winchell led the double life of a farmer by day and a thief by night.
Neighbors were well aware of this but instead of condemning him, they admired his
smart tricks. He was often arrested but it was hard to convict him. It finally happened
and he was sent to the penitentiary for stealing wool, serving out his time. Whenever
a theft occurred in a community people would say, "Well, Old Dan has been around
collecting taxes." Winchell finally moved to the southern part of the state where he
was killed in a drunken fight.
The so-called Sherman Anti-Trust law was really the work of two Ohio men. The
original plan was mainly that of Ezra B. Taylor, native of Nelson, once a Portage
County prosecuting attorney and later a Warren judge. As congressman, Taylor got
his bill put through the House while Senator John Sherman did the same in the
Senate. Sherman got all the credit for it.
416
PORTAGE HERITAGE
John Davey
Martin L. Davey
Tree Care Is Big Business
Of the various institutions of Portage County none occupy quite so unique a position as
the Davey Tree Expert Co. of Kent. This not only includes a science, art and business but is
mainly a family enterprise.
Its operations today are based upon the discoveries and beliefs of the late John Davey
seventy-five years or more ago. John Davey, a native of England, who was a horticulturist,
reasoned that it was important to save trees, and discovered and taught ways to care for
them. His ideas were expressed in a book called "The Tree Doctor", in which he set forth
his ideas. This book and its teachings aroused much interest among tree owners and soon
Mr. Davey had all he could do in the practice of the art of tree surgeon, as he was first
called. He was living in Kent at the time.
About this time his son, Martin L. Davey, sensed that the activities could be turned into
a profitable business. Father and son worked together and the services of their workers were
sold on a wider basis. These workers had operated on personal instruction of the Daveys.
In 1908 the business was incorporated with John Davey as president and Martin L.
Davey as general manager with other members of the family also in responsible positions.
At the same time a school was established for the training of more workers. From that time
expansion was rapid and continuous. Operations are conducted over the entire country. To-
day about 2,000 persons are employed in various parts of the nation, with the headquarters
still in Kent. Total annual business runs well into the millions of dollars.
Many new technical practices have been found and put into use. In addition to the
direct care of trees, a considerable part of its work includes pruning for power and telephone
companies and for towns and cities.
Today the company enjoys a position of prestige in its particular field.
Fittingly enough, at the head of the institution now is a third generation of the family,
Martin Davey, Jr., president.
CHAPTER XXXI I I
Randolph
Compiled from a wealth of material furnished by Mrs. W. E. Bettes and
J. H. Hartman.
As one delves into the history of
Randolph township he soon discovers
that very early it was considered a
desirable place to make a home. Since
first comers were mainly farmers they
found there much fertile farming
land, well timbered, particularly in
the central and western parts. Many
of the first settlers were energetic
people, who at once started to de-
velope not only farming but a manu-
facturing and business community. As
a result Randolph gained an early
reputation as a "live" place.
The original purchasers from the
Connecticut Land Co. were Col. Le-
muel Storrs and Henry Champion.
The township was named after
Storrs' son, Randolph. The well
known Amzi Atwater helped survey
the township in 1797.
It received its first white inhabi-
tants in the spring of 1802 when Bela
Hubbard and Salmon Ward arrived
from the East and established them-
selves a half mile west of the present
Center. After building a cabin Ward
fell dangerously ill. On recovery, he
was discouraged and went back East
to stay, he said. But he changed his
mind and did return with other set-
tlers. Twice later, he returned East
and each time brought back others
with him. On his fourth trip he dis-
appeared and was never heard from.
For several months Hubbard lived a-
lone in the wilderness.
Brings Others
However, not long after Hubbard
and Ward arrived, Arad Upson and
Joseph Harris reached Randolph. Lat-
er in the year Salmon Ward made his
second trip back, he returned with
his brother, Joseph Ward, and family.
Jehial Savage and Timothy Culver
came in from Atwater. Savage
brought his family. Salmon's immi-
gration activities ended later in 1803
when he ended his third round trip
by bringing Aaron Weston, Levi Dav-
is and Carey and Smith.
Arrivals in 1804 included Ebenezer
Goss and family, and Eliakam Merri-
man, the latter coming from Connecti-
cut by way of Atwater. The year 1805
brought Oliver Dickinson, black-
smith; Isaac Merriman, Abisha Chap-
man and Archibald Coon. The latter
did not stay long but left a memento
in the name of Coon Hill. Also in that
year arrived John Goss, Jeremiah
Sabin and son Abel.
Hiram Raymond, a tailor, Thomas
Miller, and William Thornton reach-
ed Randolph in 1806, as did Nathan
Sears and son Elisha, Rev. Henry Ely
and the well known Nathan Muzzy.
The year 1807 brought Caleb Wet-
more, Stephen Butler, Ethelbert Bak-
er, Nehemiah Bacon and Dr. Rufus
Belding and family. The latter was
long Randolph's only physician. Later
came Sylvester Tinker and Deacon
James Coe.
417
418
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Group of Randolph former residents. Taken at Randolph Centennial in 1902.
A member of Atwater's surveying
party, whose name is lost, was the
first white man to die in the town-
ship. Other than him, the first death
of settlers was that of Mrs. Clarissa
Ward, wife of Josiah in 1804.
Bela Hubbard planted the first crop
— wheat — in 1803. It is said that he
borrowed a plow in Atwater for this
purpose, carrying it on his back for a
distance of ten miles. But he got an
excellent crop. Hubbard figured in
the township's first marriage. He
married Clarissa Ward in 1806.
Settlers early became interested in
making things. Ebenezer Goss opened
a blacksmith shop in 1804 and Elia-
kam Merriman opened a cooper shop
as well as the first mill about that
time. The mill for grinding grain was
only a pestle type contrivance to crush
the grain on a hollowed out stump.
Thomas Miller was the first cobbler.
Mills Start Up
Josiah Ward established a little
more "modern" grist and sawmill in
1808 with a cider mill the following
year. Sylvester Tinker had a tannery
west of the Center in 1811, where he
also set up a tavern. By 1817 Samuel
and Hiram Webster were operating a
cloth dressing plant. Ward, Culver
and Hubbard had distilleries. Tinker
and Donnell had asheries.
Nearly forgotten today is the fact
that Randolph once comprised a part
of Springfield township, which as a
part of the then new Trumbull Coun-
ty also took in present Suffield town-
ship, as well as present townships in
Summit County.
When Randolph township was
formed in 1810 it first included Suf-
field. The first election was held in
1811 when these officers were elected:
Trustees — Samuel Hale, Reuben Up-
son and Rufus Belding; Fence View-
ers — Joshua Hollister and Abel Sabin;
Overseers of Poor — Nehemiah Bacon
and Raphael Hurlburt; Appraiser —
Thomas Hale; Lister of Taxable Prop-
erty — Timothy Culver; Constable —
Arad Upson; Supervisors — Martin
Kent, Ezekiel Tupper, Ebenezer Cut-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
419
ler, Merriman and A. Upson. Jonathan
Foster became justice of the peace.
Suffield was set up as a separate
township in 1818 and Randolph has
retained the same territory since then.
An organization of unusual nature
came in 1805. It was called the Bach-
elors Club and was composed of
Messrs. Hubbard, Harris, Weston,
Davis and Calvin Ward. They lived
together, employing a housekeeper.
Being forward looking, the club es-
tablished the first school — a small
log building with puncheon floor and
greased paper windows. They then
engaged Miss Laura Ely of Deerfield
as teacher. As part pay the "bachelors"
made her a rocking chair. Abel Sabin
later taught a school as did Samuel
Redfield and the lately arrived Dr.
Rufus Belding. In 1812-13 a frame
school house was erected at the Center.
In 1826, under new laws, the town-
ship was divided into districts, with a
teacher for each. Most important was,
of course at the Center. E. G. Young-
man ran a select school briefly. A
teacher long remembered was Ammi
Nichols, a Vermont man. He came in
1830 and was so well liked that he
erected a frame building and operat-
ed a select school for several years.
At a later time a larger building was
needed, which he also built. Other
teachers of the era were Truman Case,
E. J. Smalley and H. D. Smalley. At
the Center, changes of location were
frequent. In 1856 voters turned down
a proposal to build a high school.
After St. Joseph's church in 1829
there was teaching on a temporary
basis but in 1832 a school was es-
tablished and it has continued since.
Select School Opens
In 1846, Benjamin Rogers opened
a select school in a church. The school
was successful and later he put up his
own building.
School enumeration in 1844 was
772, with 581 in attendance. By 1884
the enrollment had dropped to 266,
evidence of the township's drop in
population.
Dr. Rufus Belding, previously men-
tioned, had two sons, Alvin and War-
ren, who also became physicians.
Other physicians who practiced here
were Melancthon Hoag, Joseph Rock-
well, Henry Lacey, Coville Lee, God-
dard, Everett, Jos. Price, Wilcox,
Frazier, G. W. Bettes, Wm. Bettes, Or-
ton, Squire, Wise, Barrett, Van Home
and Silbiger.
As was the case with other frontier
localities, there were at first numerous
newcomers with no settled religious
convictions or church connections.
But others who came with church
going habits and a strong faith, soon
showed a desire to have religious or-
ganizations like those "back home."
Churches did not come to Randolph
for several years after settlement. The
ever busy Congregational missionary,
Rev. Joseph Badger, is said to have
visited here early, as did Rev. Shad-
rach Bostwick, Rev. Henry Shewell
and others. They talked with people
in their homes and sometimes there
were meetings in homes. The first
formal sermon preached in Randolph
is said to have been a funeral sermon.
Its occasion was at the burial in 1804
of Mrs. Mary Ward, wife of one of
the first settlers, and the sermon was
by Rev. Henry (Father) Shewell, who
was brought from Deerfield for the
purpose.
Layman Leads Church
In 1808 a Methodist class was form-
ed. It did not last long but a second
Methodist class was formed by Rev.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Ira Eddy, in 1814. A church was built
in 1833.
Meantime, Congregationalists had
started to hold meetings in homes,
first in the house of Oliver Dickinson
in 1806. Rev. Henry Ely arrived soon
after that, but left for Stow in 1807.
One of the really intelligent settlers
was Sylvester Tinker. He was not a
church member but was distressed by
the absence of religious services and
conditions. He called a meeting in a
log school house near the Creek. Tink-
er not only conducted the meeting
but led the singing and read a sermon
and led in prayer. This was about
1811. With the interest thus aroused
a Congregationalist church was or-
ganized in 1812 by Rev. John Seward,
a young missionary who remained for
a time, then went to Aurora. The
church went on, with varying for-
tunes, until 1823, when Rev. Joseph
Meriam was engaged as regular pastor
for the 21 members. Mr. Meriam re-
mained as pastor for 64 years, a truly
remarkable record. His first year's
salary was $200.00, paid in produce.
A church building was erected in
1832. After Mr. Meriam's death in
1887, the church finally went out of
existence.
There were also early Presbyterians
and Baptists and in 1819 the Baptists
organized with a membership of
twelve. At this time meetings of all
churches were irregular but were like-
ly to be attended by all denomina-
tions. There was a joint Sunday school
as early as 1821. In consequence of
widespread religious activity near by,
Disciples organized in Randolph in
1828. Many of the members came
from the Baptist and Methodist
churches. A church building was
erected in 1830, said by some to have
been the first Disciple church in Ohio.
It stood near Breakneck Creek and
was often referred to later as the "old
red meeting house." Later buildings
came in I860 and in 1885.
In 1845 the Disciple church organ-
ization was nearly wrecked by dis-
sension between anti-slavery members
and others. Later large yearly meet-
ings were held and the church flour-
ished. Residents still point out that
Jas. A. Garfield was at one time a
speaker here.
By 1848 the number of German
Protestants had increased to the point
where a German Reformed church
was organized, with the pastor sup-
plied from Hartville. A church build-
ing was erected in 1857.
After the Congregationalists dis-
banded, the Disciples and Methodists
continued to function with varying
fortunes. The Methodist church be-
came part of a circuit and the Dis-
ciples often had supply ministers.
About 1930 sentiment grew for a fed-
eration of these two denominations
but nothing ever developed.
Mission At St. Josephs
Located in West Randolph is St.
Joseph's church, home of a large and
active Catholic congregation. It had
its beginnings in 1831 when six fami-
lies arrived from Alsace. They held
meetings and Fr. Henni visited them
but there was no church building un-
til 1835 when a log church was erect-
ed, together with a school. Services
were irregular. Fr. Neuman resided
briefly, then Fr. Shorb conducted a
mission. The first regular pastor was
Rev. J. Wittner in 1846. A mission
again in 1848, Fr. P. Weber was first
permanent resident pastor. In 1838
the church was burned but quickly
rebuilt. A larger church followed in
1866, with a school and cemetery in
1885. The present church was built in
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
421
1904. Some of the pastors there have
been Frs. Stein, Hackspiel, Haussner,
Herbstritt, Koehn, Kirch, Rebholz,
Golden, Romer, Thein, Vogt, George
Reber, Cheney, McGlcgan, Bruner,
Capades, Kahn and others. Fr. F. J.
Bertram, whose pastorate was long,
died in 1956.
A striking feature of the church
location is the replica of Lourdes
Grotto, which, installed in 1927, at-
tracts many visitors.
First parochial school teacher was
Jos. Schneider. Teachers at various
times have been laymen, sisters, and
pastors. Present pastor is Rev. E. J.
Dierker.
Rev. Leslie Bowers is pastor of the
Christian Church today and the pastor
of the Methodist group is Rev. Fen-
ton C. St. John.
A notable event was the observance
of the 100th anniversary of Ran-
dolph's settlement. This came in 1902
with a centennial reunion and celebra-
tion at the Randolph Fair Grounds on
June 20 of that year. There were
speeches, discussions of pioneer life
and later events, music and visiting.
Seven cemeteries have served for
burials in the township. First used
was Sand Hill, west of the Center on
Lot 67. No. 2 is at the Center. The
Catholic Cemetery is at St. Joseph's.
There is a burial ground in the ex-
treme northwest corner of the town-
ship, on the old Kline farm. In the
southeast there is a cemetery on the
Wise farm, Lot 39. The German Re-
formed church had a cemetery on Lot
58. On the old Mendenhall farm to the
southeast, is situated a cemetery on
Lot 11.
JOHNNYCAKE HOLLOW
Randolph township early developed
a large number of small manufactur-
ing establishments. Some of them
Enose P. Brainerd, Randolph early
resident who became Portage
County business leader 100 years
ago.
grew to considerable importance later
on. They included distilleries, tanner-
ies, cabinet shops, wood working
shops, and leather shops. There were
numerous carpenters, rope makers,
hatters, cobblers, weavers, stone cut-
ters, carders, makers, millwrights,
gunsmiths and the like. These were
grouped at the Center and to the west-
ward. At one time Randolph was the
leading manufacturing township in
the county. This was around 1840 and
later when Johnnycake Hollow was in
its heyday. The Hollow, as old resi-
dents still call it with affection, lay
west and north of the Center. Impetus
for manufacturing was given by the
presence of water power along Break-
neck Creek, or Congress Lake Outlet,
which traverses the area. The shops
there were of great variety. Probably
All
PORTAGE HERITAGE
the largest was the Merrill & Co. ma-
chine shop, which included a variety
of products. It had a foundry, black-
smith shop and pattern department.
Merrill was sometimes called "the
genius of Johnnycake Hollow."
There was also the Mead & Brain-
erd Steam Flouring Mill. As the name
indicates, it worked the local grain
products into flour and other things.
It is said that at the height of its
glory the Hollow had more than
twenty shops and factories. These in-
cluded wool carding works, wagon
making, dyeing and dressing of cloth,
wood working shops, brick kilns,
shirt factory, tailor shop, jewelry
shop, linen and leather shop, wagon
making and others. Wages were low,
being sometimes 25 to 50 cents a day,
but there was a monthly payroll of
$4,000 so that several hundred people
were employed and homes were num-
erous in the vicinity.
At the Hollow the chair and wood
working shop was run by a man nam-
ed Elmore. Parsons & Sabin had the
dyeing and dressing plant; Levi Ran-
som, wool carding; and John Strong,
wagon making.
On August 9, 1854, a fire destroyed
Mead & Brainerd's Flour Mill, the
Merrill & Co. shops and some others.
They were never re-built there and
the others gradually went out of busi-
ness, at least in this spot. Today there
is but little trace of the Hollow's
shops. Merrill re-built west of the
Center and later on, moved to Kent.
It is said that Johnnycake Hollow
got its name because of the large
amount of corn pone served to the
hungry workers who lived in the vi-
cinity.
The Randolph Flour Mill was
known far and wide. It came into ex-
istence in 1868 and operated steadily
until 1917 when changing conditions
forced suspension. This stood south
and west of the Center.
In southeast Randolph the Keller
Bros, machine shop was famous over
many years.
Lumbering was for many years an
important activity in the various hard-
wood forests. At one time there were
fourteen sawmills operating in the
township.
Road Avoids Swamp
The road now known as State
Route 44, north and south, Ravenna
to Canton, was laid out in 1809 after
considerable dissension over the exact
route. Some of the settlers wanted it
further west. Before this, however, the
present U. S. Route 224 was in use (at
least parts of it) as a route from Deer-
field to Medina and the west. This
road follows a line a half mile north
of the geographical center and the
village now known as the "Center" is
likewise above it. The land at the real
center was low and swampy and for
that reason was avoided. Other roads
were laid out at intervals as needed
and in time some were improved by
liberal use of gravel, though mainly
they were of the mud variety.
Randolph's mud-and-dust roads
were not much different from those
of other townships through the years.
There was always talk of the need for
better roads but when the county good
roads program got started in 1907
there was soon a demand for a pave-
ment from Randolph to the county
seat. This improvement eventually
came, partly in 1911 when the nar-
row pavement came within two miles
of Randolph and which was finished
in 1913. In the following years the
east-west road was built. The western
leg came first, running from Ran-
dolph to Logtown on the Summit
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
423
county line. The road construction
was continued to Atwater in 1916.
The only railroad the township ever
had was what was called the "Vinegar
Valley Line" — a narrow gauge temp-
orary track from Whittlesey's Corners
in Atwater, to haul brick to Randolph
and other material for the highway
construction work. Older people re-
member that Vincent Proehl was en-
gineer of the little locomotive.
Before the coming of the canals the
highway presently known as U. S.
224 was a busy "through" road. Mer-
chandise was carried from Pittsburgh
and the East in big Pennsylvania
wagons, bound not only for this coun-
ty but for Akron, Medina and the
west. The wagons carried from three
to five ton loads, usually drawn by
four horses.
Get Electric Service
The first electric power line was
financed by donations from land own-
ers and the movement was sparked by
U. R. Meacham and B. C. Ladd. The
line was built by the Collier Con-
struction Co. in 1923.
Telephone service came to Ran-
dolph about 1898 or 1899.
Randolph has furnished many of
our county officials in the past. These
include Frank W. Jones, treasurer;
Capt. Simon Perkins, commissioner;
W. J. Dodge, auditor; A. L. Krein-
burg, treasurer; H. R. Loomis, prose-
cuting attorney; Earl Ladd, treasurer;
and others. Former recorder, commis-
sioner and now representative, Claude
Watters, was born in Johnnycake Hol-
low. E. O. Trescott, widely known
school man, was a Randolph native.
A "suburb" of Randolph was called
Cooperstown. This was a half mile
north and east of the Fair Grounds.
The Youngman family were chief op-
erators. Other "suburbs" were operat-
ed by Steve Hoover and Dominick
Wise in the Southeast and Schroeder
in the Southwest. A brickyard was
operated in the Northeast corner of
the township in 1877-87 by Russell
Loomis and a tile works north of
town run by C. P. Coe, later by W. S.
Eagan.
The Hubbard Squash
A Randolph man is credited with
originating a popular species of gard-
en squash, the Hubbard squash. In
1831, N. W. Hubbard, son of Bela
Hubbard, one of the township's set-
tlers, and Alvin Belding, a neighbor,
went to southern Ohio and came back
with some seeds obtained from In-
dians there. Bela Hubbard planted the
seeds, obtaining a type unknown be-
fore. It was accordingly named after
the Randolph man.
For 78 years the Randolph Ladies
Benevolent Association was in exis-
tence as a relief and charity agency
for the unfortunate of the township.
Formed in 1874, it went out of exis-
tence in 1952 after years of supplying
money and material to those in need.
Membership was usually around 25
to 30 women.
The first store in Randolph was op-
erated by a man named Alden. Upon
his death it was then run for a num-
ber of years by Jonathan Merrick.
Randolph people have been fortu-
nate in having available a great mass
of historical facts and figures about
the early days of the township, which
were first set forth in the early writ-
ings of Walter J. Dickinson, member
of a prominent family. These recollec-
tions were first published in the form
of letters in newspapers. They gi\e an
intimate and interesting view of the
first settlers, their families, life and
activities and are instructive as well.
With much labor these writings were
424
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
Randolph first settler,
Bela Hubbard. He gave
his name to the Hubbard
squash.
collected by Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Wid-
ener who, as editors, published them
in book form as the Randolph Pioneer
History in 1953. The book gives a
very good picture of Randolph life up
to the 1870s and 80s.
Randolph is one of the two town-
ships of the county that never had
either railroad or electric traction
line. However, when the Cleveland &
Pittsburgh Railroad was projected,
first plans called for a right of way
through eastern Randolph. But an in-
fluential Atwater man, George Stroup,
so the story goes, offered to give the
road free right of way and land to
bring it through Atwater. Thus At-
water got the line.
The first justice of the peace with
jurisdiction in Randolph was Joseph
Harris. The first elected J. P. in and
for Randolph was Jonathan Foster. A
justice of the peace long remembered
was Jonah Hine, who also kept a
tavern at the Center. His docket cover-
ing the years 1840 to 1845, is in pos-
session of the Portage County Histor-
ical Society and is remarkable in that
it contains the signature of Bela Hub-
bard, Randolph's first settler, who was
a bondsman in a suit.
Many Musicians
Almost forgotten today is the fact
that Randolph got into another coun-
ty. This was in 1839 when Akron men
were figuring on a new county and
some wanted both Suffield and Ran-
dolph in the new division.
Musical activities were in evidence
from the first. There were many "fid-
dlers" and singing schools. Old time
singing school teachers included W.
W. Slabaugh, F. B. Jagger (of Wind-
ham), C. C. Case and E. H. Ladd as
well as Mrs. Celestia Lewis. About the
beginning of the present century, be-
fore and after, there were quartets and
glee clubs. The Fenton orchestra had
a reputation and the Randolph band
was in demand.
The Anti-Masonic movement of the
1840s had its repercussions in Ran-
dolph. Perhaps the Antis were in the
majority. Non-members of the order
who were friendly were called Jack
Masons. In the political lineup these
comprised the "Toleration Party." In
the leading parties there were Whig
Tolerationists or Democratic Toler-
ationists.
For many years Randolph had one
and sometimes two distilleries. In
1830 the first temperance society in
Portage County was formed here.
Members were asked to pledge them-
selves to refrain from using liquor
personally, not give it to others or
hire men who did use it. Some of the
members then feared they would be
unable to obtain necessary harvest
hands, though they found they could
be had after all. In 1831 the Portage
County Temperance Society had 1591
members.
School text books used in Ran-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
425
dolph's early schools were few at first
but later they included such books as
Webster's Speller, American Precep-
tor, Columbian Orator, English Read-
er, Daball's Arithmetic, Pike's Arith-
metic, Western Calculator, Morse's
Geography, Woodbridge's Geography,
Lindley Murray's Grammar, Kirk-
man's Grammar, Peter Parley's Geog-
raphy, Olney's Geography, Smith's
Geography and of course, McGuffey's
Readers which came on later.
Fuel to heat the district schools was
wood, often hauled sled length to the
school premises where it was cut up
to proper length by teacher and pupils.
It was provided by parents whose
children were in school.
Twelve School Districts
In the older days Randolph had
twelve district schools, the Center dis-
trict being No. 1, and probably most
important. Here various buildings
were used and are described in old
histories. After the Civil War a build-
ing affectionately spoken of as the
"old brick" was being used. About
1878 a two-story frame building was
erected and this was in use there. It
had three rooms. One room housed
the primary pupils — grades 1 to 4.
The second cared for the "intermed-
iate" grades — 5 to 8. The high school
was upstairs, with three more grades.
There was a teaching staff of four.
Centralization was started in 1916,
when one district (Northeast) joined
the Center and the pupils were
brought in by horse-drawn wagon.
The old frame building was then torn
down and replaced by the present
building in that year. Since then,
several additions have been added and
alterations made. At present still more
room is needed. School principals
have included Mr. Stevens, Dudley
Douthitt, C. R. Oesch, O. B
Schmeidel, Etha Riedinger, Fay Chain,
C. F. Smith, Clara Johnson, Mr. Hill,
Mr. Ritchie, Fred Espenscheid, K. H.
McFall, Mr. Gilmour, Edgar Bloom,
Phil Jones, Lester Sabin, Harry Cut-
ting, F. W. Karres, R. A. Kilbourne
and presently, William Dean.
The first class graduating from
Randolph High School was in 1897.
In the class were Daisy Mary Loomis,
Carrie May Davis, Harris Raymond
Loomis, Abbie Olive Merriman, Bes-
se Oniska Trescott, Ivin Ellsworth
Riedinger, Fannie Birde Ladd and
Mabel Alice York. The high school
was among the first in Portage Coun-
ty's townships.
The current board of education is
composed of C. E. Roliff, Pres.; Con-
stance Meacham, Clerk - Treasurer;
Kenneth Begue, Michael Hercheck,
G. W. Riemenschneider and Marcus
Horning.
In the P.T.A., organized in 1932,
A. B. Hansen is president; Mrs. Rob-
ert Hudson, vice president; Clara Gil-
bert, secretary; Mrs. John Jenior,
treasurer. It belongs to the state and
national organizations.
Some of Randolph's outstanding
natives would include Joseph (Dode)
Meriam, inventor of manometer for
measuring gas pressures; Dr. M. R.
Meacham, superintendent of Standard
Oil refineries in Delaware and Mary-
land; Forrest Dawes, rubber machin-
ery expert in Akron; Bert Sabin, ma-
chinery expert, Cleveland; Robert
Case and Henry Matti, officials of the
Goodyear Co., Akron; Dell Buckman,
auditor Summit county; Jessie Jerome,
mathematics instructor at Hiram and
in New York State; M. E. Buckman,
former county agent and president
National Cherry Growers Assn.; E. H.
Ladd, widely known music teacher;
Ethel Wheelock, missionary to India;
426
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Dr. Mabel Riedinger, University of
Akron; Michael Hercheck, Kent State
training school; Chas. G. Bentley,
banker and woollen mill executive,
Ravenna; Watson Slabaugh and Cletus
Roetzel, lawyers in Akron, the latter
being prosecuting attorney; Judge
Dean May of Akron.
Township trustees today are Lavern
Laubert, O. J. Knapp and Leon May.
Clerk is Glen Hartman.
Noteworthy Fair
The Randolph Fair is the last re-
maining agricultural fair in the coun-
ty, having outlived not only the coun-
ty fair but various local fairs. It was
originated in 1858 so that it will ob-
serve its centennial in 1958, though it
was quiescent during the Civil War
years. The first fair was on an old
school grounds in the Center and for
many years after that, the location
often changed. In 1875 the present
site, northeast of the Center, was set-
tled on permanently. Careful manage-
ment and hard work has brought suc-
cess and each year sees large crowds
in attendance to see the old style
country fair. Nothing has helped ad-
vertise Randolph so much as its fair.
Present officers of the fair organ-
ization are: Steve Bosko, Pres.; Clem
Wise, Jr., Vice Pres.; R. P. Hamil-
ton, Sec; Kenneth Royer, Treas.; D.
L. Snyder, Supt. Parking; Leon May,
Supt. Entertainment; Carl Rufener,
Supt. Police; Waldo Loomis, Marshal;
Steve Bosko, Supt. Grounds.
In 1804 Timothy Culver took out a
license to operate a tavern. Later the
Hine family had a tavern. Later hotels
still remembered were the Austin
Hotel and the Dickinson House.
Historical Notes
In recent years a building has been
constructed on the town hall premises
to house fire fighting equipment.
About 1920 a department was organ-
ized with a chemical tank of the soda
acid type, mounted on a two wheeled
hand cart. About 1919 or 1920 Melvin
Mecham mounted it on a Model T
chassis (without starter.) The present
equipment includes pumps and extra
tank trucks.
The township has maintained good
"brass bands" over many years. Some
of the leaders included Harvey Dibble.
C. C. Sabin, Perry Crooks and others.
There was also a band at St. Joseph's.
Some of the Randolph postmasters
of the present century were Millie
Craig, Bertha Moyer, Stella Walding-
er, Isabel McCormick, Edith Roliff,
Morley North and Margaret Stanford.
While there is still a postoffice at the
Center, a great deal of the territory is
served from Atwater, New Milford,
Hartville and other rural delivery
routes. The first postoffice here was
in 1820. Rural delivery came in 1907.
The population of Randolph has
had its ups and downs but apparently,
is now up to stay. Figures since its
settlement are:
1810— 165
1820— 328
1830— 690
1840—1649
1850—1732
1860—1686
1870—1564
1880—1684
1890—1492
1900—1389
1910—1345
1920—1376
1930—1733
1940—1899
1950—2305
The figures for 1840 and 1850 rep-
resent the so-called ''golden age" of
Randolph, when Johnnycake Hollow
was an important industrial center.
In 1841 Congregationalists in Portage
and Summit counties formed what was
called the "Consociation," indicating that
it was an association of Congregation-
alists.
CHAPTER XXXIV
Ravenna Township and City
By Charlotte Strickland
In his visit to Ravenna in 1846,
Historian Henry Howe wrote that
"Ravenna is a pleasant, thriving vil-
lage." Except for its growth and other
changes wrought by time, this still
holds good for Ravenna later acquired
the reputation of being one of the
most beautiful towns in the Western
Reserve. Its wide, tree shaded resi-
dential streets gave it a distinctive and
pleasing appearance over many dec-
ades. Located on the high ground of
the watershed, the town is admirably
situated and the mildly rolling coun-
tryside gives the place a fine setting.
Ravenna was one of the five town-
ships of Portage County settled in the
summer of 1799. The others were
Aurora, Palmyra, Deerfield and At-
water.
Ravenna township's first permanent
settler was Benjamin Tappan, Jr. He
came from Massachusetts and much
later in life left an account of the
events leading up to this situation. It
is interesting today, and present facts
now quite valuable in history.
In this, he explains how his father
purchased a four-sixth interest in a
township in the Western Reserve.
Through a surveyor's error, he sup-
posed the place was located in what
is now Randolph. By lot, Tappan
drew land in the south part of the
township.
Tappan On The Way
In April, 1799, Benjamin Tappan,
Jr., then a newly made lawyer, set
out as his father's agent to occupy the
land and also act as sales manager in
disposing of it to migrants. He started
out on horseback, taking a yoke of
oxen, a cow, and tools, placed in
charge of a hired man. His uncle,
Benjamin Holmes, also joined him,
but in New York state was sent over-
land with the animals and tools,
while Tappan went up the Mohawk
by boat. After almost incredible hard-
ships and dangers, they reached the
mouth of the Cuyahoga River by way
of Lakes Ontario and Erie. On the
way he picked up the David Kellog
family, hired David Sylvester, fell in
company with David Hudson, found-
er of Hudson, and had a Dr. Miner as
passenger.
Tappan relates that they reached
Boston township, along the Cuyahoga,
June 3, 1799. He left his goods in
charge of the Kelloggs and with Syl-
vester and Miner, started afoot toward
Ravenna, cutting brush for a "sled
road" as they proceeded. It could not
have been much of a road, since they
reached their destination in two days,
more than twenty miles. Arriving at
Ravenna, he found that Holmes, his
uncle, had arrived in advance by
several days. He found them "by the
outlet of Granger Pond about a mile
south of the village of Ravenna." On
the following day they built a sled of
hickory saplings and Sylvester went
back to Boston, with the oxen, for
their goods, left in Kellogg's care.
But, the Kelloggs had gone, though
most of the goods were found.
427
428
PORTAGE HERITAGE
National Centennial Arch on Ravenna Main St., 1876.
Buys Ox On Credit
In the extreme southeast part of the
township they built a "habitation" of
poles and bark, remaining in it un-
til the following January. In making
a second trip to Boston, one of the
oxen sickened and died. His horse
had disappeared and no work could
be done. Tappan then made his way
to Youngstown on foot, where he
bought an ox from Col. James Hill-
man for $20.00 on credit. They then
made wooden farm tools and planted
a crop of corn.
He learned that Asa Hall of At-
water, was his nearest neighbor. The
two proceeded to cut brush for a sled
road leading toward Georgetown,
Penna. Each helped the other in
pioneer style. He speaks of a wagon
road from Atwater to Canfield by
way of Deerfield. Dr. Miner left after
a few weeks, but Holmes and Syl-
vester remained until November when
they went back east never to return.
About this time a Benjamin Bigsby
came along from Youngstown. The
two made a deal. Bigsby was to re-
ceive 100 acres of land and do general
work, while his wife did the cooking
for which she was paid. Until Bigsby
could bring his family in, Tappan
lived alone several weeks. They then
set to work to build a cabin, 18 x 20
feet, of a story and a half height. But
unable to get the heavy timbers
"raised", they had to wait until a pair
of travelers came along and helped
them out.
Liked Name "Ravenna"
Of unusual interest is the fact that
the name — Ravenna — was bestow-
ed upon the township before any
whites lived here. Tappan wrote that
when the three original township
owners met to talk business, present
PORTAGE HERITAGE
429
were Mr. Starn, Major Buel and Tap-
pan. He said that after the location of
the settlement, "It was then proposed
to gi\e the town a name. Buell and
Starn proposed that it be called Tap-
pan, and I suppose now there would
have been no impropriety in so nam-
ing it, but I thought otherwise then
and could not agree to their proposi-
tion. I then proposed the name of
Ravenna. They assented to this; and
so the township was divided and
named." It is said that Mr. Tappan
had never been in Italy (home of the
famous city) but that he liked the
sound of the word or that his fiancee
liked it which influenced him. It is
said the original meaning of the word
was "roots and flowers."
The first few years of Ravenna
township were pretty much the his-
tory of Benjamin Tappan. As settlers
came in looking for homes, he sold
them land. In 1800, he went back
East to report to his father and while
there, he married Miss Nancy Wright,
whom he brought here with him. His
second home was one mile east of
present Ravenna on a location later
known as the Marcus Heath place.
When John Campbell arrived at
Campbellsport he began to make his
influence felt.
Starts Tannery
In the spring of 1800, William
Chard arrived and located on Lot 3
and August of the same year saw the
arrival of Conrad Boosinger and
family. They took a place along the
Mahoning about a mile and a half
southeast of the court house. Boo-
singer put in a crop of wheat that
year. Later he set up a rough tannery
there. His son, John, later became the
first settler in Brimfield.
In the spring of 1801, John Ward
and his step-son, John, McManus, came
from Pennsylvania and in the fall
came Alexander McWhorter and
family from the East, settling on the
west side of Breakneck Creek, where
in the following year he started a
grist mill and later, for several years,
the mill was operated by a man nam-
ed Coosard. In 1802, David Jennings
and family reached Ravenna from
Bradford, Mass., to take a home on
Lot 24. Robert Eaton located in the
southeast section, also. Jennings and
Eaton set up the second grist mill of
the community in 1805. In 1802 there
arrived David Moore, William Sim-
cox, a man named Bozor (or Buz-
zard), and others. The first birth in
the township was a daughter to Mr.
and Mrs. Bozor in 1803.
When Ohio became a state in 1803,
this event seemed to stimulate
migrants and many land sales were
made. In that year, Henry Sapp reach-
ed Ravenna. It is also a matter of in-
terest that in the same year a school
was started in a cabin of Boosingers
and the first wedding occurred —
Chas. Van Home and Phoebe Herri-
mon. Others coming in were William
Lyons, Jack and Moore, Jotham
Blakesley and others.
In 1806, Erastus Carter and family
came in and settled on Lot 16, the
first resident of the north part of the
township. Moses Smith became his
neighbor a year later. In 1807, also,
came Howard Fuller, father-in-law of
Carter, as did Aaron Beeman.
Buildings Few
In all these years Ravenna was
still a part of Trumbull County and
when Portage County was established
in 1807, there still were no buildings
to be seen on the site of present Ra-
venna city. It was still wilderness,
through which travelers on relatively
430
PORTAGE HERITAGE
■:■
"Blinky" Morgan — Central figure
in murder case of 1887.
short trips blazed their way to in-
sure their return.
But before Ravenna was designated
as the county seat, Benjamin Tappan
proceeded to lay off the land. He laid
out 192 lots and set out the streets in
a territory now reaching on the north
to old Bowery (now Highland); east
to Walnut; south to Oak and west to
Sycamore, with the Main-Chestnut in-
tersection the center, as it is today.
Uncertain is the identity of the first
birth inside the present municipality.
Tappan offered a lot as a prize to the
first child born and this was awarded
to the son of David Thompson, but
the biography of James Woodard,
printed years later, makes the claim
that he was Ravenna's first child.
Young Thompson got his lot when
he was 21.
Mr. Tappan also donated a plot of
ground to be used as a cemetery. This
was located in the southwest part of
the new town and was so used until
1813, when residents thought a better
place was desirable. That was the be-
ginning of Maple Grove cemetery.
This land was donated by Howard
Fuller, Erastus Carter, Moses Smith,
and Anson Beeman and the first burial
was that of Sluman Smith, son of
Moses Smith. The grave stood alone
for a long time. Tappan also donated
lots for schools and churches.
Tappan Busy Lawyer
During all these years, Benjamin
Tappan was a busy man, and making
money. When he was not selling land,
he was practicing law and he often
appeared at the court house in War-
ren, then county seat. All agreed that
he was a good lawyer. He won some
renown by securing the acquittal of a
man named McMahon, who had been
charged with murdering two Indians,
at Salt Springs, near Niles, the trial
being held at Youngstown. In 1809,
he became prosecuting attorney for
the county but soon after that decided
to move to Steubenville, a larger town
and better field for a good lawyer.
Later, he became a state judge as well
as U. S. senator.
Ravenna town began to take on the
appearance of a settlement. Most ac-
tivity centered around the erection of
a court house and a jail, as well as
homes and business places. The first
court house was started in 1810.
A court house town is always an
important place and new buildings
were going up within the present
city limits was a log structure on East
Main St. on the south side, and site
of the one-time Mechanics building.
Who actually built it is uncertain,
but one story is that it was built by
Henry Sapp for William Tappan, a
PORTAG E HERITAGE
43
brother of Benjamin. Another story
is that it was put up by Joshua Wood-
ard. This was in 1808. Other build-
ings followed in short order. Others
speak of a frame building put up in
August, 1808, by Robert Mead, on the
northwest corner of Main and Chest-
nut.
Soon after Ravenna became a town,
David Greer opened a tavern on the
southeast corner of Main and Chest-
nut streets. This was not only the first
tavern but it may have been the first
store, as Greer laid in a small stock of
merchandise most in demand, includ-
ing gunpowder.
Starts A Store
About 1812, Gen. John Campbell
of Campbellsport put up a rather
pretentious frame building on West
Main St., where the Etna Hotel, or
Hotel Ravenna, stood. He intended to
open a hotel there, but the building
was rented by a Pennsylvanian named
James Haslip for a store, believed to
have been the first full time store in
town.
In 1814, Col. Wm. Frazer had a
jewlery store and later operated a
tannery. The growth of Ravenna at-
tracted the attention of Heman Oviatt,
a Hudson merchant. He teamed up
with young Zenas Kent and Oviatt
& Kent opened a store on the north-
east corner of Main and Chestnut,
with Kent actively in charge. This
was some time previous to 1815.
In 1816, Seth Day and Dr. Isaac
Swift had a store on the south side of
East Main St., with a drug department
presided over by Dr. Swift. Swift's
biography states that they bought out
the Haslip store, whether then or
later is not clear. Of interest here is
the fact that a drug store has been
continued at this location up to the
present time, today known as Lyon
& Morgan and previous to that, Wat-
erman's.
Oviatt & Kent and Day & Swift
were leaders in the merchantile line
for many years, but in 1825, Perry &
Prentiss opened an unusually fine
store. Cyrus Prentiss became one of
Ravenna's most able buiness men of
all time. H. A. Brewster opened a
store opposite the court house in 1826.
The lay of the land today gives no
hint of the topography when Raven-
na became the county seat. Streets to-
day run with gently sloping grades in
all directions. Then, toward the north
from the court house, there was a
pretty steep descent enough to pro-
vide good coasting in the winter.
Streets were rough and sidewalks did
not appear until later. There were
numerous little gullies that did not
disappear until much later.
Land County Seat
Ravenna did not acquire the status
of county seat without a contest.
Franklin Mills, now Kent, had very
good claim, being located in the geo-
graphical center of the new county.
Some might say it was an act of God
that gave Ravenna the prize. The
story is told in another section of this
book.
Deacon Adam Poe, a cousin of Ed-
gar Allen Poe, and a son of the fam-
ous Indian fighter, Andrew Poe,
came to Ravenna township in 1819
and took up 200 acres of land. The
story of the fight between the two
brothers, Adam and Andrew Poe, on
one hand, with the Indian, Bigfoot,
and his brother, was a classic of Ohio
frontier warfare. This happened along
a stream in Jefferson county in the
latter part of the 18th century. An-
drew Poe and the giant Bigfoot were
locked in bodily combat and during
the struggle, fell into the water where
432
PORTAGE HERITAGE
the fight continued. Poe finally fin-
ished Bigfoot by holding his head un-
der the water. When he was climbing
out of the river, the other Indian
drew a bead on him and was about to
shoot when brother Adam, who had
watched the fight, shot the second
Indian just in time to save Andrew.
Deacon Adam Poe had six sons who
were active in Ravenna business and
community affairs for many years.
They were Andrew, William, Simp-
son, Charles, George, and Alvin. The
first Poe home stands on the main
road two miles west of Ravenna.
"Community" Not Wanted
In 1825, Robert Owen, the Scotch
vagarist, appeared in Ravenna. He
has been called the world's first Com-
munist. He wanted to establish a
communal enterprise in the neighbor-
hood, but met with immediate op-
position. He asked the state legisla-
ture for a charter but was turned
down. It is likely that his religious
attitude has as much as anything to do
with his rejection, for his thinking
was of the agnostic order. After his
rejection here, he went on to New
Harmony, Ind., where he did estab-
lish his colony.
On the present site of Hotel Ra-
venna, long known as the "Etna
House", once stood the Globe Tavern,
with more than local renown. It was
the most famous meeting place in all
Portage County for political conven-
tions, or meetings dealing with public
improvements. The popular proprie-
tor was William Coolman, a former
resident of Shalersville, and previous
to that, a contractor carrying U. S.
mail, Cleveland to Pittsburgh. The
place was easily identified by a large
yellow sign, shaped like a globe, over
the doorway. It was a strong rival of
King's Tavern, run by David Greer,
further to the east. Another proprie-
tor was "Judge" Selby. John B. King,
later general, ran the Exchange Hotel.
King's Tavern later became the Ra-
venna House.
In 1810, Jared Mason came from
Pennsylvania and started a tannery,
located along South Chestnut St. He
died in 1813 and his business was
taken over by John F. Wells, who had
married Mason's widow. Later it be-
came Wells & Grant and later still,
Jesse Grant. This man operated the
tannery for a number of years, then
left for the southern part of the state
and became the father of U. S. Grant,
general and president.
Soon after this tannery got its start,
Joshua Woodard, who had come from
New York state in 1811, constructed
a dam across the Breakneck Creek,
southwest of town. Here he construct-
ed a grist mill, a saw mill and fulling
establishment. Following this an epi-
demic of malaria broke out, which
residents attributed to the stagnant
water of the pool. They asked Wood-
ard to destroy it. He refused. A party
of men then destroyed the dam, ruin-
ing the water power. Thereupon
Woodard moved to Kent where he
became one of the leading manufac-
turers and business men.
Industry Slow
Manufacturing did not develop
very rapidly in Ravenna. The place
had little water power. Industries us-
ually were one or two men affairs. A
directory for the town issued in 1841
lists these shops: Prentiss & Gillis,
leather manufacturers; Prentiss &
Wygle, copper workers; G. Lane, C.
H. Griffin and A. S. Collins, cabinet
makers; J. A. Clark & Co., William
Bond and Jonathan Minard, carriage
builders.
Not until after the Civil War did
PORTAGE HERITAGE
433
Ravenna begin to be of importance as
a manufacturing center. There was
much interest in glass manufacturing.
The first was the Diamond Window
Glass Co., established in 1867. The
Enterprise Glass Co. went into pro-
duction about 1872; the Ravenna
Flint Glass Co. in 1882; and the Crown
Flint Glass Co. in 1883. In addition to
practical types of glass, they also pro-
duced many artistic articles such as
bottles and house needs. Chapman
Root, who worked in a glass concern
here, later went to Terre Haute, Ind.,
where he perfected the type of bottle
now used by cola manufactures.
There were also the Eagle Glass
Co. (about 1880) and the United Glass
Co. about the same time. Others were
the Ballinger Glass Works and a co-
operative company making lamp
chimneys.
Of especial interest today is the
John F. Byers Co., later the Byers
Machine Co., which was founded in
1873 by a man named Beyers, and has
been one of the city's industrial main-
stays up to the present time. It started
out as a repair shop and foundry and
later took up manufacture of ma-
chinery for hoisting, grading, etc.
Quaker Mills Here
Ravenna gained some manufactur-
This building was used
as the Tappan Seminary a
noted preparatory school in
Ravenna before the Civil
War.
A structure of more than ordinary interest today stands in the northern part of
Ravenna. It was built by John Hood more than one hundred years ago. He was a man of
means but when he failed in business, the house was taken over in 1840 by a man named
Curtiss. After he died, the title reverted to the Tappans, who had retained a financial in-
terest. Changes were made and the place used as "Tappan Female Institute," an academy for
girls, operated by a man named Wm. Hegerman, who was brought in for the purpose. The
Institute lasted three years, after which the place was bought by A. M. Pease, a cheese
dealer, who used it as both residence and business place. It was then taken over by A. M.
Hazen, who made changes and added a cupola. In 1869, D. C. Coolman bought the house,
made further changes and called it "Clinton Terrace." Still later it was bought by Wm. H.
Beebe, who lived there many years. The place is now owned by Judge A. L. Caris.
434
PORTAGE HERITAGE
ing fame in another line. In 1877, the
Quaker Mills Co. started business as
manufacturers of flour and oatmeal.
H. B. Crowell was president and E. R.
Crowell, treasurer. When the com-
pany was taken over by the American
Cereal Co. in 1890, it was moved a-
way, but the name of Quaker Oats is
now known all over the world.
The J. A. Clarke & Co. mentioned
above was the start of an industry that
was long one of Ravenna's most im-
portant. Established in 1831, it was
bought in 1861 by Merts & Riddle
and before the end of the century, had
become the Riddle Coach and Hearse
Co. The proprietor, Henry W. Riddle,
had come here from Pittsburgh to
work for Clarke in I860. He was wide-
ly known in this industry. It is said
that Lincoln, Hayes, Garfield, and
McKinley were all carried to their
resting places in Riddle hearses.
From 1855 and thereafter for several
years, The Ravenna Carriage Mfg.
Co. was occupied with buggy making.
Ravenna had hardly got settled as a
staid frontier town when something
new appeared on the horizon that gave
promise of better things. The only
means of communication with other
places was by stage coach or horse
power, including light freight lines.
While ordinary light merchandise
could be transported this way freight
in bulk could not be moved. There
was little market for farm products
and prices paid were extremely low.
Mail facilities were meager.
Canal Makes Business
When the Ohio Canal was built
south from Cleveland to Akron in
1826, it was only a part of the canal
building fever that was sweeping the
country. Men saw an opportunity for
a new canal cutting through Portage
County, that would open the county
to outside markets. This was the P. &
O. canal, running from Akron to con-
nect with Pennsylvania. Its history is
told in another chapter. Ravenna men
were in the thick of the promotion of
the canal and its building. Hon. Jon-
athan Sloane did a vast amount of
work in this respect and money was
subscribed liberally. But it was a
"shot in the arm" not only for Raven-
na, but the entire county. Business
forged ahead and farm prices went
up. Ravenna was on the "summit" of
the waterway.
Ravenna played an important part
in the building of the Cleveland &
Pittsburgh Railroad, the county's first.
It's citizens not only had a hand in
financing and promoting it, but in
its management. This line was promot-
ed as early as 1836, when "railroad
fever" was sweeping the country. Its
first years followed the pattern of
most pioneer railroads with a series of
delays, lack of money, lack of interest
and lack of knowledge. It's charter
was amended in 1845, work was re-
sumed, and in 1851 the first train ar-
rived in Ravenna from Cleveland.
From that time the present C & P has
served Ravenna with very good trans-
portation. Cyrus Prentiss, of Ravenna,
was for years its president.
The second railroad to reach the
county seat was the Atlantic & Great
Western, today the Erie system. This
road, too, was built after a series of
exasperating delays, but the line was
opened from Warren to Ravenna,
Sept. 20, 1862, but was not opened
full length until the following Jan-
uary. The first freight shipment re-
ceived at Ravenna from the East was
ten barrels of sugar. This line has
served Ravenna well, particularly as
a freight conveyor.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
435
B. & O. Arrives
Ravenna's third trunk line railroad
was the last. This is the present Balti-
more & Ohio, one of the nation's
truly great lines. It started from New
Castle, Pa., in 1882, as the Pittsburgh,
Cleveland & Toledo. It was opened
for business in Ravenna in 1884. Later
the name was changed to Pittsburgh,
Toledo & Cleveland, then the Pitts-
burgh & Western. In 1891, the B. &
O., looking for a short line to Chicago,
gained control and about 1898, be-
gan to improve and shorten it.
Another railroad, the Lake Erie &
Pittsburgh, passes through Ravenna
on the tracks of the Pennsylvania and
B & O lines. Its own line, west of
Brady Lake, was finished in 1911. It
is a purely freight carrier.
Of more than ordinary importance
were the electric or "interurban" rail-
roads over a period of 30 years. The
Northern Ohio Traction Co. Line,
from Akron and Kent, reached the
town in November, 1901. In 1912, a
trolley line was built to Alliance and
about 1915, another line went to War-
ren. Though connected with the
Northern Ohio, the system was known
as the C.A. & M.V. All these com-
panies went out of business in 1932,
or before.
By 1885, Ravenna had grown into
a good sized town and people wanted
a modern system of water supply. By
vote of the people, a bond issue of
$75,000 was authorized for this pur-
pose. The source of the supply came
from what later was called Crystal
Lake. After this, the village had water
available for fire protection and the
fire department was also modernized.
Loudin Wins Fame
A group that brought fame not on-
ly to themselves, but honor to its
home town, was the F. J. Loudin
Frank Lowrie, Ravenna chief of
police in the '80s.
Jubilee Singers, who were active in
the 1890's. It was made up entirely of
Negroes under the direction of Frank
J. Loudin, a native of Charlestown
township. Loudin had sung with the
Fisk Jubilee Singers before organizing
his own singers. They achieved re-
markable popularity, not only in this
country, but in Europe and Australia.
In Europe they sang before crowned
heads of many countries and in Aus-
tralia made a record by singing in the
same hall 80 consecutive nights. Lou-
din's booming bass voice was itself a
feature of note. His talent was ob-
tained from all parts of the South.
436
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Loud in owned a fine home on Walnut
St. and is buried in Maple Grove
Cemetery. He died in 1904.
There were various public and
semi-public schools and select schools,
but the first public high school de-
veloped about 1857. At that time
work started on the new "Union
School" on South Chestnut St., which
later was known as the Chestnut St.
School. While the building was being
completed, high school classes were
being held in the old Gretzinger-
Schweitzer building on Chestnut St.,
opposite the court house; in rooms
over the Second National Bank, and
in a West Main St. building. Examina-
tions were required to permit entrance
to the high school. The first high
school commencement was held in the
spring of 1862, with Emily Robinson
and Hattie Lewis receiving diplomas.
A strong force in the establishment of
Ravenna's first high school was Isaac
Brayton, once a Nantucket sea cap-
tain, who later became a teacher and
then migrated to Ravenna. He was a
friend of the educator, Horace Mann,
and was intensely interested in good
school systems. He was called the
"father of the Ravenna School
system."
About 1825, and several years later,
the Ravenna Academy operated at the
corner of Cedar and Prospect Sts. This
was a select school with a wide range
of studies. In 1834, the school had 69
boys and 82 girls as students, a re-
markable number for that early date.
Tuition charges were $2.50 to $4.00
per term.
School In Cabin
Schools got their start early, but in
a small way. In 1803, Miss Sarah
Wright, sister-in-law of Benjamin
Tappan, came from the East to con-
duct a school in a log cabin in the
Tappan settlement. It was for the
Boosinger, Ward, and Eaton families
only. In 1806, David Root conducted
a school. After Ravenna became a
town, Miss Acsah Eggleston was
brought from Aurora to instruct chil-
dren of the Jennings, Carter, and
Smith families. Others came and went,
but there was no really "public"
school for many years. It is related
that about 1814, Major Stephen Ma-
son, who was then sheriff, conducted
a part time school in the court house
when he had time.
As the town grew, schools were
provided in various ways and when
taxation for school purposes was auth-
orized, buildings were erected for all.
The actual start of a "system" came
about 1853.
In Ravenna township, schools were
provided by districts, at one time
nine in number.
An able and well loved superin-
tendent of schools was D. D. Pickett
who served about twenty years and
was succeeded in 1890 by F. A. Mer-
rill. Following Mr. Merill was E. O.
Trescott in 1906 and he served until
1925. O. E. Pore was school head from
1925 to 1933, being succeeded by C.
R. Dustin, who served from 1933 to
1939. Since 1939 H. Larry Brown has
been superintendent, holding longest
tenure of any.
The current school board is com-
posed of E. G. Willyard, Pres.; Dr. C.
L. Naylor, Dr. J. C. Beal, Miles Friend
and Robert H. Mitchell.
W. E. Watters is principal of Ra-
venna High School; James Whittak-
er, principal at Highland Elementary
School; D. E. Stewart, principal at
West Main St. School; and Paul Shive-
ry, principal of Tappan Elementary
School.
The present fine high school on
PORTAGE HERITAGE
437
Dr. W. W. White, founder of
White Hospital.
East Main St. was built in 1923. The
Tappan school was constructed in
1951. The new Highland School and
the West Main St. schools were buiit
1954.
in
Men of Ability
As we go down through the years
of Ravenna's history, we soon dis-
cover that each period had one or
more men of outstanding business,
industrial or professional ability. In
the earlier days probably the merch-
ants and office holders dominated af-
fairs. The Days, the Kents, the Swifts,
and others had much influence. But of
all Portage County's able business
men, Cyrus Prentiss of Ravenna was
one of the most successful and in-
fluential. Born in New Hampshire,
he reached Ravenna by way of
Orangeville, when he was seven years
old. After some service as a clerk in
Cleveland, he organized the Perry &
Prentiss store in Ravenna at the age
of 25. Later he took entire control of
it under the name of Prentiss, Hop-
kins & Co., retaining it until his
death. He helped promote the P. & O.
canal and the Cleveland & Pittsburgh
railroad, later becoming president of
that road. He was also offered the
presidency of other railroads but de-
clined.
Mr. Prentiss was the largest single
contractor in building the P. & O.
canal. To facilitate construction ex-
cavation, he contrived a mammoth
plow weighing 600 pounds, which
cut a furrow 14 inches wide and which
was pulled by 18 oxen. It was largely
due to his energy that the Cleveland
& Pittsburgh Railroad was finally put
through after many delays.
He was also one of the incorporators
of the A. & G.W. Railroad. He died
in 1859.
Another man of more than ordinary
ability was Enos P. Brainerd. First
a Randolph resident, he was elected
county treasurer in 1845 and at the
end of his term, remained in Raven-
na. First he was in the hardware busi-
ness, then became cashier of the
Franklin Bank of Portage County, at
Kent. In 1859, he was made secretary
of the new Atlantic & Great Western
Railroad, and was later a director for
many years. In 1855 he was elected
treasurer of the line. He was also
president of the Portage County
Branch of the State Bank of Ohio at
Ravenna and was an active force in
many other business enterprises as
well.
N. D. Clark, carriage manufacturer,
was also an early business leader.
Ravenna was incorporated as a vil-
lage in 1853. O. P. Brown was its
first mayor.
438
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Factories In Variety
If Ravenna industries were slow in
coming into existence, there was a
diversity in them when they did ar-
rive. The '70's and '80's were particu-
larly fruitful. The Star Agricultural
Works appeared in 1874, their most
important product being a fodder
cutter. To care for the farm trade the
Ravenna (flour) Mill and the Atlantic
Mill were in operation by 1881. The
Knapp Pump factory began business
in 1872. D. L. Baldwin & Sons had a
large planing mill started in 1863.
One of their products was cheese box-
es. Work & Yeend had a flourishing
lumber business and E. B. Griffin
manufactured hubs and spokes. Also
in the wood working line, Kingsbury
& Sons had a planing mill, started in
1867; and Grohe's Planing Mill, start-
ed in 1884.
In the hardware line were the Zel-
ler Valve Mfg. Co., beginning in
1881; and Stockwell, Griffin & Co.,
from 1873. There were also the Haley
Foundry & Machine shop, founded in
1881; and Doig's Foundry, 1876.
A forward step was taken when the.
Ravenna Gas Light & Coke Co. was
set up in business in 1873 as its prod-
uct brought a new type of both home
and street lighting as well as use for
cooking.
About 1848, Joseph Gledhill es-
tablished a woolen mill along the
canal near Campbellsport. The family
operated it there some time in the
'60's, when the factory, buildings and
all, were moved to Ravenna, locating
on Cleveland Ave. Mr. Gledhill died
in 1878 but his son continued the
business until 1890, when operations
stopped. The building still stands on
Cleveland Ave., used by Klein's.
The Gledhill Ravenna Woolen
Mills Co. and Turner Worsted Mills,
established in the early '80's, were
the advance guard for another in-
dustry that gave employment to many
people in the next 75 years. The Ra-
venna Mills eventually became the
Cleveland Worsted Mills Co. with its
Redfern Mill making yarns and cloth;
and the Annevar Mill for dyeing. At
the height of their operations they
employed several hundred workers
and were the city's largest employer.
Because of labor trouble and general
industrial conditions, the stockholders
of the Cleveland Worsted Co. voted
to disolve the business in the winter
of 1955-56. R. C. Anderson was then
manager.
Gift Insures Water Supply
Early in its life here the Worsted
Co. acquired Lake Hodgson (formerly
Muddy) for a private water supply.
During the process of company dis-
solution in 1956, this lake was sought
by the city of Ravenna to be used as a
reserve supply of water for the grow-
ing city. After long negotiation an
agreement was made with the Wor-
sted Co. for the purchase of the lake,
it being made possible by an outright
gift to the city of about $200,000 for
this purpose by H. R. Loomis, lawyer,
banker, and business man who be-
came interested in the project.
In 1893, a going industry was set
up here in the A. C. Williams Co.,
which was moved from Chagrin Falls,
following fires there. It has been in
operation continuously since that
time and has been one of the steadiest
employers of labor. Originally, it
manufactured "sad irons" and toys
but in more recent years has branched
out into other lines of light hardware
and castings.
In the '90's, Stockwell, Bragg & Co.
had a plant for the manufacture of
nuts and bolts.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
439
About 1830, Ravenna began to be
the Ohio center of the strange Anti-
Masonic movement that sprang into
existence. One of the early newspap-
ers, The Ohio Star, was started mainly
in support of the movement. Darius
Lyman, lawyer and politician, was a
leader. As a consequence of the feel-
ing stirred up, Unity Lodge, F. &
A.M., "went underground" in 1832.
The books and other property of the
lodge were removed and stored, and
not until 1852 was its work resumed.
Darius Lyman was Whig candidate
for governor of Ohio in 1832, and
though he carried Portage County,
was defeated in the state. For a time
Ravenna was considered the head-
quarters of the Ohio Anti-Mason
movement.
Hangings Are Public
Because of conditions then exist-
ing, and the public nature of punish-
ment, all murders and executions
were subjects of great excitement.
Condemned murderers were hanged
locally for all to see.
One of the first murder victims in
the county's history was a peddler
named Epaphras Matthews in 1816.
A German transient named Henry
Aungst was charged with the crime
and found guilty on Nov. 30, 1816,
was hanged on a scaffold erected at
Sycamore and Spruce streets. A crowd
of about 1800 saw it, including wo-
men and children. Another case of
notoriety was the hanging of David
McKisson, charged with the murder
of his sister-in-law. The crime occurr-
ed in 1836 and McKisson was hanged
Feb. 9, 1837, before several thousand
spectators.
A third hanging occurred April 26,
1865. The victim was Jack Cooper,
convicted of slaying John Roden-
baugh near Pippin Lake the previous
. Wts«#e:the Whit* Mminml Stmm&M WH
Original White Hospital, East Main St.,
Ravenna
year. This event, too, attracted an
enormous crowd.
Public hangings were made a pub-
lic holiday and sometimes bands play-
ed. Often children were permitted to
watch on the theory that such spec-
tacles were deterrent to transgressions
later.
Blinky Morgan Case
Probably the most important crim-
inal event in Portage County in many
respects was the "Blinky Morgan"
case of 1887-88. It was of interest not
only here, but in several other states
as well. Leading up to the case was a
large fur robbery, the victim being a
Cleveland store, the work of an or-
ganized band of thieves. One mem-
ber of the gang, McMunn, was ar-
rested in Pittsburgh and was being
brought to Cleveland by Detective
Hulligan and Capt. Hoehn of the
Cleveland police, coming on the C &
P night train. When the train stopped
at Ravenna, three members of the
gang, including Morgan, got on and
freed McMunn. Hulligan was beaten
to death with a coupling pin. Capt.
Hoehn was shot, but survived. All the
gang escaped but Morgan and others
were later arrested at Alpena, Mich.,
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and brought here for trial.
The Cleveland Police Department
threw all. its power into the prosecu-
tion and Morgan was represented by
a famous criminal lawyer. The trial
at Ravenna attracted widespread at-
tention but Morgan was finally con-
victed of the murder of Hulligan af-
ter a bitter contest. Portage county
police feared the "gang" would try
to rescue its leader and the jail was
heavily guarded at all times. Morgan
was sentenced to be hanged and was
taken to Columbus for execution. He
was hanged there in 1888.
Other members of the gang were
also tried. Two were convicted, but
got new trials. Another went free.
McMunn was not caught. Morgan was
well educated and was supposed to be
the "black sheep" of a well-to-do
family. Prosecution of the case cost
the county $30,000.00 for a crime in
which it had no direct interest in the
first place. E. W. Maxson was prose-
cuting attorney then, but he was given
special assistance. The murder, the
trial, the execution and the events
connected with the case were subjects
of talk and speculation for many
years after they had passed into his-
tory.
The county first saw a local news-
paper in 1825, when J. B. Butler
came to Ravenna and issued the
Western Courier and Western Public
Advertiser. It later went out of busi-
ness. Before it died, another paper
had starter, The Ohio Star, published
by Lewis Rice. Since that time the
paper has been published regularly,
under different names and owners
and is today the Evening Record.
Hall Important Publisher
Lyman Hall was long an important
man in journalism here. He owned
the Star and in 1843, started the
Western Cabinet & Family Visitor.
Other early papers issued were the
Independent Pres$, the Hickory Flail
and Fusion Thresher and the Portage
County Republican.
There were also the Portage County
Whig (1848) and the Portage County
Democrat, the Signal, and the Port-
age County Sentinel, which later be-
came the Democratic Press. It was
long directed by Samuel D. Harris.
About 1885, the Republican and
Democratic Press occupied the field
together with the exception of the
Courier which was printed for a time
as a daily newspaper. With this ex-
ception all newspapers had been
weekly issues. About 1912, the Re-
publican became a semi-weekly and
later a tri-weekly. It became a daily
in 1927, as the Record. The Portage
County Democrat was absorbed by the
Evening Record in 1928, which re-
mains today the only newspaper in
Ravenna.
The earliest newspaper supporting
the Democratic party was the Watch-
man, first issued in 1835, soon fol-
lowed by the Buckeye Democratic
and Plain Dealer.
A more detailed account of the
newspapers appears in another
chapter.
Religious services were held in Ra-
venna first in what today would be
considered an informal manner. Oc-
casionally people met to worship by
themselves and at other times men
like Shadrach Bostwick, Rev. Henry
Shewell, Rev. Caleb Pitkin, Timothy
Bigalow, or Nathan Darrow would
preach in homes or in the court house.
The noted Rev. Joseph Badger, mis-
sionary, appeared in Ravenna at var-
ious times. In 1816, Dr. Isaac Swift
and Daniel Dawley began conducting
services, using the Episcopalian serv-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
441
ice. They had an organization but no
regular pastor until much later.
Pastor Storrs
The Congregational church was es-
tablished in 1822 by the cultured and
devout Rev. Chas. B. Storrs. A Sunday
school was formed there in 1825. Mr.
Storrs was popular and remained un-
til he joined Western Reserve College
at Hudson, later president there. A
church building was erected in 1837.
The Methodists held their first reg-
ular services in 1824, with Rev. Ira
Eddy in the pulpit. He preached here
as part of his circuit. The church was
regularly organized in 1831 with Rev.
Cornelius Jones as pastor. Services
were held in a log cabin two miles
north of the village. Meetings were
held in taverns and school houses un-
til the first church building was com-
pleted in 1832.
Ravenna Presbyterians organized a
church about 1830 and later erected a
church building on South Chestnut
St. Later the building was used by
Congregationalists.
The Disciples of Christ organiza-
tion was effected in 1830 after con-
siderable opposition from members of
other denominations. William Hay-
den organized the congregation and
Abiel Sturdevant was first elder. Reg-
ular meetings were held afterwards
but the formal church organization
did not come until 1860. Their first
building was erected in 1844. A 1837
newspaper stated that Ravenna then
had three churches and two clergy-
men.
Catholics Establish Church
There were many settlers of the
Universalist church in the vicinity,
but these had no regular place of
worship until 1842 when a building
was dedicated. It became necessary to
remodel it in 1877. This stood on the
corner of Chestnut and Spruce Sts.
Rev. Andrew Willson was long a
popular pastor of this church. He died
in 1911.
After the C & P Railroad was built,
many Irish laborers remained in the
vicinity. To care for their spiritual
needs, a congregation was formed,
later becoming the Immaculate Con-
ception Catholic church. Father Mc-
Gahan of Akron was the first regular
clergyman to say mass. This was in
1854. Without a regular meeting
place, other priests came more or less
regularly for several years. Among
these were Frs. Walsh, O'Connor, and
Brown, the latter of Hudson. Father
O'Connor started a move to build a
church and in 1862, the cornerstone
was laid for the new church. Father
Brown served both Kent and Raven-
na simultaneously and in 1878 Father
Bowles became the first resident pas-
tor.
Grace Church, Episcopal, was or-
ganized in April, 1865, with a mem-
bership that included many of the
business and professional leaders, by
Rev. Levi Holden. The church build-
ing on W. Cedar St. was erected in
1873 and consecrated in 1883. Various
rectors have been in charge and the
church continues today.
The churches named above domin-
ated the scene for a long period but
in more recent years other denomina-
tions have organized and have flour-
ishing congregations.
Ravenna churches today include
Congregational, Immaculate Concep-
tion (Catholic), Disciple, Methodist,
Christian Science, St. Paul Lutheran,
Allen Chapel (A.M.E.), Assembly of
God, Calvary Mission, Church of God,
Church of the Nazarene, Community
Baptist, Grace Episcopal, Grace
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Gospel, Live Wire Baptist, Mt. Cal-
vary Baptist, Pentecostal Church of
Christ, Pilgrim Rest Baptist, Raven-
na Baptist Temple, Saints of Christ,
Seventh Day Adventist, True Vine
Pentecostal, United Church of God.
Oakwood Chapel (A.M.E.) was built
in 1888 and long served as a religious
center for colored people.
Branch State Bank
In common with other early Ohio
communities, banking facilities were
at first quite meager. Much of it was
in the hands of private bankers. After
state banks were established, branch
banks were instituted. In 1847 a
branch of the Ohio State bank was
established at Ravenna with a capital
of $103,000. Stockholders were David
J. Beardsley, Robert C. Campbell,
Sylvester Beacham, Rufus Paine, Seth
Gillette, F. W. Seymour, and Henry
Dwight, the latter of New York. R.
E. Campbell was the first president,
and H. D. Williams, cashier.
In 1863 the First National Bank
was formed, which took over the af-
fairs of the state Branch Bank. F. W.
Seymour was the first president and
Ezra S. Comstock was the first cash-
ier. Directors included Seymour, E.
P. Brainerd, Silas Crocker, Henry
Beecher, Newell D. Clark and J. L.
Ranney.
The Second National Bank of Ra-
venna came into existence in 1864,
with a capital stock of $100,000. First
directors were George Robinson, E.
T. Richardson, D. C. Coolman, E. W.
Coffin, Robert King, Eli King, and
H. L. Day. George Robinson was the
first president and W. H. Beebe the
first cashier. This bank has had a
long and honored career.
Robinson, King & Co. was a private
banking house, formed in 1857 and
it continued in business until 1864,
when it merged with the Second Na-
tional Bank.
The Ravenna Savings & Loan was
formed in 1872 and continued in busi-
ness until 1879. Many years later the
title was revived and this firm is still
active today with F. G. Halstead,
president, and A. W. Walter, secre-
tary-treasurer.
The County Savings & Loan As-
sociation was formed in 1916 and
during its life time has been instru-
mental in promoting a vast amount of
home building. Some of the men con-
nected with its formation and growth
were H. L. Spelman, H. R. Loomis,
W. J. Dodge, R. D. Laughlin, P. L.
Frank, W. W. Stevens, J. F. Babcock
and J. C. Yeend.
Fraternal Notes
In the world of fraternal organiza-
tions, Ravenna has always been well
represented. In Masonry, Unity Lodge
No. 12, F. & A. M. was one of the
first of its kind in the state, being in-
stalled in 1810. Tyrian Chapter, No.
91, R.A.M. was organized in 1864
with nine members. Richardson Coun-
cil, No. 63, R. & S. M. came in 1876.
The Masonic bodies completed a fine
new temple on Walnut St. in 1925.
Ravenna Lodge, No. 65, I.O.O.F.
was chartered in 1865. Ravenna En-
campment, No. 129, I.O.O.F. was
chartered in 1870. Ravenna Council,
No. 376, Royal Arcanum, was organ-
ized in 1879. Foresters of America was
organized in 1891. David Mcintosh
Post G.A.R. was set up in 1883.
Of the older business and profes-
sional leaders of Ravenna especially
well remembered are such men as H.
Y. Beebe, the Coolmans, father and
son, and D. M. Clewell. The Coolmans
were hotel men and railroad builders.
Mention could also be made of John
C. Beatty, who came to Ravenna in
PORTAGE HERITAGE
443
1855 and for a period of nearly sixty
years was a force in the community.
He was a leader of the county Re-
publican party at the height of its
power. He married the daughter of
Judge H. L. Day. In his political con-
tacts he was a personal friend of Gar-
field and McKinley. For many years
a merchant, he served as county treas-
urer and Ravenna postmaster as well
as on various state boards, and was on
the Ravenna School Board 30 years.
Another Ravenna man of business
acumen and energy was Henry W.
Riddle. He came to Ravenna in 1860
as a woodworker but soon with his
brother-in-law took over the business
that employed him. The fame of the
Merts & Riddle factory, later the Rid-
dle Coach & Hearse Co. was wide-
spread. As he prospered he began to
erect business buildings as an invest-
ment and at the time of his death had
a dozen of Ravenna's leading struc-
tures in his name.
Develops Velocipede
In his early days he was a great
salesman, taking long lines of new
buggies out on country roads, far and
near, and selling them. He was ap-
parently tireless and was interested
in anything new. At the time of his
marriage in 1866, he had started the
construction of a high wheeled sulky,
dropping his work only long enough
to marry, then back to work. Among
the things he helped develop was a
two wheeled velocipede, and made the
first in this vicinity. He never could
ride one, but Mr. Merts rode one,
showing it at fairs, where it attracted
great attention.
Mr. Clewell was a merchant in
which business he was quite success-
ful, and was an unusually public
spirited man. He was much interested
in schools and education and present-
ed flags to each building of the city.
He was also president of the Portage
Savings & Loan Co.
H. Y. Beebe was a delegate to the
convention that nominated Lincoln
and he was on the train carrying Lin-
coln to Washington for his inaugura-
tion.
Fair Is Important
Portage was long strictly an agri-
cultural county and for that reason
took a great interest in agricultural
fairs. Ravenna, of course, was the site
of the county fair, with local fairs
elsewhere.
The Portage County Agricultural
Society was organized in 1825 and
held a fair in that year at Ravenna.
Old histories point out that it was
located on Jonathan Sloane's 15-acre
lot on East Main St., and that Seth
Harmon of Mantua received a $3.00
prize for best corn displayed. Officers
were Joshua Woodard, Pres., Elias
Harmon, First Vice Pres.; Owen
Brown, Second Vice Pres.; Frederick
Wadsworth, Corresponding Secretary;
Samuel D. Harris, Recording Secre-
tary; Wm. Coolman, Jr., Treas.; Jon-
athan Sloane, Auditor.
This fair was held annually for five
years, then suspended because of a
drouth.
The fair was re-organized in 1839,
with William Wetmore as president.
By that time the state was beginning
to aid and regulate fairs. In 1841, the
fair was held on the court house
grounds. Then the drouth and crop
failure of 1845 led to another suspen-
sion.
The state gave more aid and en-
couraged fairs and the county Agri-
cultural Society was re-organized a-
gain in 1846 and a fair held. But the
first permanent fair grounds of 20
444
PORTAGE HERITAGE
acres were not leased until 1859, and
a race track added.
For the next ten years there was in-
different interest. The Civil War was
fought and finances were again low.
But Ravenna people, led by H. Y.
Beebe, raised money and kept the
fair going. In 1879 the society leased
new grounds, comprising 22 acres just
north of the old grounds on Freedom
St., and there fairs were held with
regularity for the next fifty years.
New buildings and equipment were
added and horse race meetings were
held at other than fair dates. The fairs
always came in August or September.
One of the largest in attendance was
that of 1890 when 20,000 people were
in attendance.
Hanna Assists Fair
New special attractions appeared
about the turn of the century. Bal-
loon ascensions became popular, with
parachute jumps. Other "dare devil"
exhibitions came on because "people
wanted something new". But in 1909,
many of the buildings were destroyed
by fire. Lafayette Smith, H. W. Camp-
bell and C. R. Sharp and F. M. Knapp
were among the secretaries or execu-
tive officers. For a time no fairs were
held.
About this time Dan R. Hanna,
then a county resident who was in-
terested in the fair though he was a
Cleveland business man, came to the
rescue. He contributed money and
became president. The grounds were
enlarged to take in about 47 acres.
Interest increased and very large
crowds pressed in to witness aeroplane
flights as attractions.
Hanna initiated a bond sale, taking
$10,000 worth himself. He also lent
his bank credit for money to operate
the fair. But he got into personal dif-
ficulties and in a moment of anger
foreclosed on the fair property to re-
deem his bonds. Another group of
county men then bid the property in
and got the fair going again. It is
said the fair venture cost Hanna about
$25,000 personally. In 1916, voters de-
feated a $20,000 bond issue for fair
purposes.
By 1917 the first World War was
on and a "Military Day" was a fea-
ture. Girl's sewing clubs and canning
clubs were beginning to display their
work. In 1918, when the war was at
its height, the fair also took a strong
military complexion, with parades of
veterans, auxiliary organizations, Boy
Scouts and others in line.
The fairs then continued annually,
but about 1925 public interest began
to diminish. Changes were made with
night fairs and automobile races in
1929 as added features. There were
"Beauty Pageants" and folk dancing,
and also a free attendance day. But in
1929 the fair was entirely free. It was
the last of the county fairs for Portage
County.
H. W. Riddle was then president
and F. M. Knapp secretary. It was
also a time when many other county
fairs had to discontinue because of
poor interest.
Comes To End
On August 23, 1932, fire of un-
known origin swept through the
grounds, taking eleven buildings. In
1946 and 1947 an attempt was made
to hold a fair under private manage-
ment, with the use of tents instead of
buildings. The grounds were later
sold and now is known as the Fair-
lawn Allotment, a residential section.
Altogether, 94 or 95 agricultural fairs
were held in Ravenna in a little over
100 years. It now seems unlikely that
the Ravenna fair will ever be revived.
In the '80's and '90's and the fore
PORTAG E HERITAGE
445
part of the present century public
band concerts on summer evenings
were a popular part of Ravenna life.
Concerts were from the old stand in
the court house park, or from special-
ly constructed stands nearer the
street. Well remembered leaders in-
cluded Jay Hatch, E. F. Robison, and
A. W. Walter. Di Loretta's Italian
band sometimes played.
Ravenna has had its share of dis-
tressing accidents and mishaps during
its life time, but none were worse in
extent or nature than the Erie Rail-
road wreck of 1891. On the evening
of July 3 that year east-bound pas-
senger train No. 8 was standing at
the station, waiting for the train crew
to repair the engine whistle. A flag-
man had been sent back, but he was
not in time to stop a freight train
which had come up rapidly and
ploughed into the rear of the pas-
senger train. Of the passengers, 19
were killed and 23 injured in varying
degrees. The dead and injured were
taken to the Etna House which was
made into a temporary hospital and
morgue. Most of the passengers of the
rear car were glass blowers on their
way home to Corning, N. Y. after a
visit to Findlay, Ohio.
For many years Ravenna had an
important seed growing and distri-
buting business, known as the Ford
Seed Co. It was founded about 1880
by Frank Ford, who had been a pho-
tographer. After his death it was op-
erated by his son, J. H. Ford and later
by others. The business was located
on North Chestnut St., south of the
cemetery. It is said that Ravenna be-
came a first class postoff ice because of
the large Ford business.
Telephone service came to Raven-
na in 1882 when a few instruments
were installed in business offices by a
local company. Later, a few lines went
into homes. Service expanded grad-
ually. In 1903, all the independent
lines in the county were consolidated
as the Portage County Telephone Co.,
by H. L. Beatty. The Bell Telephone
Co. also established a system and in
1921 the Portage County system was
taken over entirely by the Bell com-
pany.
Electric light service was started in
Ravenna in 1889, but it was quite a
few years after that before the utility
was in general use. At first, electricity
was used almost entirely for lighting.
Hospital Started
In 1894, Dr. W. W. White, who
had located in Ravenna earlier, es-
tablished a private hospital on East
Main St., and in 1904, put up a
modern hospital on North Chestnut
St. on the site of the present postof-
fice. Dr. White brought in the best
surgeons and gave good service. The
hospital operated until 1932 when it
was bought by the county and made
into the Robinson Memorial Hospital.
More in detail will be found about
hospitals in another chapter.
A street grading and improving
program was started in the '90's
though the first pavement did not
come until 1898. This was East and
West Main St.
The postoffice began rural delivery
in 1902, with three carriers. City mail
delivery came on in 1908. In the
same year the town had natural gas
service.
In 1915 the County Detention
Home was located on West Main St.
In that year the Portage County
Health and Child Welfare League was
formed, Mrs. A. D. Robinson, presi-
dent. Its object was to aid unfortunate
children.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
The Ravenna Civic League was or-
ganized in 1907, its purpose being
beautification and improvement.
The Ravenna township school was
built in 1915 and township school
work centered there.
In 1918-19, many residents were
hit by the influenza epidemic.
Catholics built a new parochial
school in 1910.
New Organizations
In 1916, the Ravenna Visiting
Nurse Association was organized.
First Community Chest came in 1921.
Ravenna American Legion Post was
organized in 1920. First commander
was Perry H. Stevens. The Legion
Drum and Bugle Corp came in 1929.
The Junior Chamber of Commerce
was organized in 1941.
Ravenna Kiwanis Club was organ-
ized in March, 1921. V. W. Filiatrault
was first president and R. D. Worden,
secretary.
The Ravenna Shoe Company had a
factory on North Chestnut St. at the
Erie tracks as early as 1891. This con-
cern did a good business for a few
years, then discontinued operations.
The Colonial Lamp Co. then occupied
the building and continued until op-
erations were moved to Warren. This
building was an unusually large
wooden structure.
Industries listed in Ravenna about
1905 included the Riddle Coach &
Hearse Co., The A. V. Williams Co.,
The Cleveland Worsted Mills Co.,
The John F. Byers Machine Co., John-
son & Co., The Buckeye Chair Co.,
The Manhattan Electrical Supply Co.,
The Ravenna Furnace & Heating Co.,
and Albright & Lightcap, and Mish-
ler Marble Works.
Not long after this came the Brown-
Dan R. Hanna, Portage County
benefactor.
ing Foundry Co., the Jones Bros.
Structural Steel Co. and the Mackey
Truck & Tractor Co. The Jones Bros.
Co. remains in business today. In
1917, The United Foundries plant was
erected along the Erie in northwest
Ravenna.
Monarch Alloys plant was establish-
ed in 1931 by E. P. Carter. Soon after
that the Perfection Piston Ring Co.
was organized, which was succeeded
by the Sta-Warm Co. on North Chest-
nut St. The Erway Memorial Vaults
Co. business also flourished.
Wet and Dry Election
The most important event of 1908
was the contest on whether to close
all saloons within the county. After a
heated campaign, voters cast their bal-
lots to close saloons by a vote of 4305
to 3121 in the county. The saloons
went out of business. In 1915, under
PORTAGE HERITAGE
447
Original Ravenna Congregational Church
building.
a new law, Ravenna voted dry again
by a vote of 727 to 655. The county
voted "dry" on the state-wide prohi-
bition issue in 1918.
Ravenna, though a city interested
in culture and education, was without
formal, centralized library facilities
until 1925. In that year Judge C. A.
Reed, a prominent civic leader and a
descendant of one of the county's
pioneer families, gave $25,000 to
build a public library, to be main-
tained by the public. This building
was erected on East Main St. at Wal-
nut, and served its purpose admirably.
As the town grew, more facilities
were needed and in 1955, Judge
Reed's daughter, Mrs. R. D. Waller,
made a gift of $100,000 to build an
addition to the library. This addition
was finished in 1955. The original
building was 30 x 60 feet and the
addition, 34 x 58. Miss Estrella Daniels
is present librarian.
As mentioned elsewhere, Ravenna
had volunteer fire fighting organiza-
tions, supported mainly by private
enterprise, from and early day. After
the town was incorporated in 1853,
the organization became a public
matter. In 1870 it got a new Silsby
fire engine at a cost of $6,000. There
have been a number of disastrous
fires. One of the worst was in 1871,
when the Merts & Riddle Carriage
Works and a number of adjacent
buildings were burned with a $40,-
000 loss. The Riddle Coach & Hearse
Co. buildings burned in 1903 with a
loss of $250,000. In 1911, the historic
Empire Co. buildings burned. Loss,
$75,000. Fair grounds buildings were
destroyed in August, 1932, with great
loss. Another important fire was that
which destroyed the old Greer-King-
Strough Tavern.
For a time after 1900, traveling
companies sometimes exhibited a new
invention called the moving picture,
using hired halls for the purpose. In
1906, L. G. Bundy started a perman-
ent picture show on North Prospect
and about that time, John Porter
also opened one. Bundy was followed
by A. F. Lee and his brother Van. The
present "movie" theater, The Raven-
na, was erected in 1929.
Reed's Opera House, East Main St.,
provided a place for the early stage
shows which came frequently. Etta
Reed, daughter of G. P. Reed, came to
be an accomplished actress in New
York and married her co-star, Corse
Payton. For years they did a big busi-
ness. At one time she had her own
theater in Brooklyn and is credited
with having started the "Tea Hour"
after matinees.
Ravenna's first golf course was laid
out in 1926 by Mr. and Mrs. G. W.
Strickland adjacent to the Maple
Grove cemetery. They operated it un-
til 1946 when it was taken over by
W. W. Moore.
448
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
Mark Davis "Auto Shop", Ravenna, 1907. Said to have been first
sales and service station garage in countv.
Today there only a few pieces of
real estate in the county which are
still owned by descendents of first
settlers. One of these is owned by
Ralph Hinman in North Ravenna,
which was settled by his great grand-
father, Lathrop Reed.
Eliza Frazer Evans was the only
woman postmaster in Ravenna. This
was at an early date.
Flouring Mills in Ravenna have
been the Ravenna Mills and the At-
lantic Mills. A mill was operated by
Seymour Olin.
In the past two or three decades,
Ravenna has established itself as a
center of the manufacturing of rubber
accessories and sundries, no less than
five plants being in operation now.
Of these, the Oak Rubber Co. has
been in operation since 1916, being
founded by John W. Shira and Paul
Collette. It employs about 200 hands
and is called the "world's largest man-
ufacturer of rubber balloons." The
White Rubber Co. has also been in
business for many years. Its main
product is high voltage rubber gloves
for electricians. Sterling Smith is
president. The Pyramid Rubber Co.
on S. Prospect St. and Freedom Road
is another rubber plant of steady
operation. It is said to be the world's
biggest manufacturer of baby bottle
nipples. Cyril Porthouse is president.
The Paeco Co., headed by S. I. Kaplan
and the Enduro Co., whose president
is H. A. Lower, make small rubber
household and industrial accessories.
The Duracote Co. is located on North
Diamond St.
A Ravenna Rubber Co. was started
about 1916, also. The McGrath Co.
operated from 1918 to 1920. Other
early firms were the Ravenna Rubber
Products Co., and the Rayon Rubber
Products Co., both around 1920. The
Supreme Rubber Products Co. ceased
production in 1922. The Cascade Tire
& Rubber Co. was organized in 1921
PORTAGE HERITAGE
449
and ran for a time. The Arnold Rub-
ber Co. was another.
Civil War veterans organized David
Mcintosh Post No. 327, G.A.R. in
1883, named in honor of the old mi-
litia general who left money for the
county flag fund. Over the years the
post was active in the observance of
Memorial Day and in other patriotic
activities. Its last surviving member
was Gibson R. Braden who died in
1938, after which the post became in-
active.
Ravenna's population had increased
quite steadily over the years at about
the same rate, one decade to another.
Statistics for the past 100 years are:
1850, 2,239; I860, 3,000 (est.); 1870,
3,423; 1880, 4,224; 1890, 4,000 (est.);
1900, 4,003; 1910, 5,310; 1920, 7,218;
1930; 8,019; 1940, 8,538; 1950, 9,857.
Estimate 1956, 11,500.
One of the men who exerted much
influence on Portage County affairs
around 1900 and for fifteen years
thereafter was Dan R. Hanna. He was
in business in Cleveland, but main-
tained a beautiful estate at Cottage
Hill. This estate embraced several
hundred acres in eastern Ravenna and
western Charlestown townships. Han-
na made it into a show place. He
selected this location because it had
once belonged to his uncle, Daniel P.
Rhodes. Mr. Hanna was much inter-
ested in having improved roads built,
in the county fair and in improving
methods of farming. He was instru-
mental in forming the Portage Im-
provement Association and gave liber-
ally to further its objectives. He paid
half the expense of building a road
from Ravenna city to his Cottage
Hill estate. After Hanna's departure
in 1915 the place was taken over by
John Pew, whose son was interested
in cattle raising. Later it was bought
Ford Seed Co. headquarters — Land-
mark on North Chestnut St., Ravenna.
by Congressman Chester Bolton and
is now owned by Frank R. Fageol. It
lies at the geographical center of the
county. It is said that altogether Mr.
Hanna spent over $100,000 for Port-
age county roads, fairs, and other pub-
lic purposes.
Population Changes
In its first century of existence, Ra-
venna's affairs were pretty well dom-
inated by the New England, or "Yan-
kee" element. They were most num-
erous. Pennsylvanians and Virginians
came in, followed by Germans. Build-
ing of the canal and railroads brought
the Irish and more Germans, with
Poles and Hungarians later. For some
reason, possibly because of the town's
name, many Italians began to arrive
in the latter part of the 19th century.
In 1917, an Italian Directory for Ra-
venna, put out by Anthony Searl,
stated that 140 Italian families lived
in Ravenna — about 1,000 people out
of a population of about 7,000. To-
day the population is pretty well in-
tegrated.
Current Ravenna city officials are:
Mayor — David E. Greene.
Council — Robt. B. Fosnight, Pres.; Frank
450
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Rock, C. E. Greenwalds, Thayer M.
Dietrich, Earl Flowers, Paul Wilson,
Ben Clements, Walter N. Miller.
Auditor — Ray E. Hartung.
Treasurer — Ethel I. Kester.
Safety Director — Peter D. Carter.
Service Director — Richard J. Miller.
Solicitor — Geo. G. McClelland.
Secretary Council — Marie P. Bisson.
City Engineer — Karl Dussel; Asst., Don
MacConaugha .
Waterworks Clerk — P. W. Jones; Asst.,
Mary L. O'Hare.
Supt. Streets — Thomas H. Ewell; May-
or's Secretary — Lorane Ewell.
Board of Health — Don Wilson, Jr., Pres.;
Orville Christman, P. F. Cipriano, Dr.
D. S. Palmstrom, Ruth Fairchild. H.
W. Thompson is Health Commissioner.
Civil Service Commission — H. W. Kane,
Sec; Norman Richcreek, Harold
Short.
City Recreation Board — M. J. Tontime-
onia, Angelo Sicuro, E. G. Willyard,
Dr. J. C. Beal, Lee Havre, Jr.
City Park Commission — Harvey Middle-
ton, Hubert J. Knapp, Russell W.
Vair.
Zoning Board — Dr. E. F. Grodecki, Joe
Kerzie, R. M. Curtiss, Lester Camp-
bell, Mayor David Greene, Richard J.
Miller, Harvey Middleton, Genevieve
Rorke, Sec.
Boxing Commission — E. A. Barkes, Hen-
ry Romito, C. A. Baxter, Sr., C. E.
Greenwald, Tom Mariana, Ray Har-
tung.
Shade Tree Commission — Roger Thom-
as, Richard Miller, Mayor David
Greene.
Chief of Police— John W. Brown; Fire
Chief, Andrew Batsch; Supt. Water
Works, Paul Stewart; Supt. Disposal
Plant, Herbert W. Hansen; Building
Inspector, Royal Snively; Electrical In-
spector, James Batsch.
Ravenna Sisterhood, Dames of Mal-
ta No. 233, was instituted Aug. 21,
1922, at Ravenna with 47 charter
members. First Queen was Lady Mary
Hay ward. Present officers are: Queen,
Mrs. Alice Collins; Sister Ruth, Mrs.
Josephine Simon; Sister Naomi, Mrs.
Pearl Moser; Junior Past Protector,
Mrs. Fannie Jones; Keeper of Arch-
ives, Mabel Stem; Bursar, Mildred
McBride; Deputy Herald, Mrs. Patty
Skelley; First Color Bearer, Mrs. Eliz-
abeth O'Neill; Second Color Bearer,
Mrs. Ann Snyder; First Guard, Mrs.
Anah Swauger; Second Guard, Mrs.
Marguerite Selkirk; Pianist, Merrible
Myers Irmiter; First Messenger Mrs.
Bertha Moyer; Second Messenger,
Mrs. Blanche Richardson; Trustee
Mrs. Julia Daugherty.
Long active in Ravenna and Port-
age County affairs has been Old
Northwest Chapter, Daughters of the
American Revolution. It was organ-
ized Feb. 22, 1901, by Mrs. Ellisef
Reeves Beebe with 13 members which
in 1956 had increased to 72.
In carrying out the general objec-
tive of inculcation of patriotism, the
chapter has accomplished much
through local projects. These include
setting up a marker for Captain
Brady at Brady Lake; locating and
marking graves of Revolutionary
soldiers; assisting in naturalization
classes; furnishing a room at the Hos-
pital; presentation of American flags
to various groups and places; conduct-
ing a Good Citizenship contest; con-
tribution of work and funds to various
community drives. Mrs. Merrible My-
ers Irmiter is Current Regent.
Ravenna Woodmen organized a
lodge in 1898.
Loyal Order of Moose had a lodge
first in 1891.
The Ravenna Cavalry Troop of the
Ohioan National Guard was organized
in 1920 with Perry Stevens as captain.
The Ravenna Lions Club was or-
ganized in 1925.
Cressett Lodge, K. of P., Ravenna,
was installed in 1886.
CHAPTER XXXV
Rootstown
By A. R. and Grace L. Horton
Two Connecticut men, Ephriam
Root and John Wyles, were first
owners of the land now comprising
Rootstown township. These men own-
ed considerable more land elsewhere
in the Reserve, and though Root was
only a temporary resident, he gave
the township its name. Wyles was not
particularly interested here. Root was
a native of Coventry, Conn., and was
a graduate of Yale. At one time he
served in the Connecticut legislature.
In the spring of 1800, together with
a young man named Harvey Daven-
port, Root came from Hartford and
began to make improvements. They
brought a surveyor named Nathaniel
Cook to survey the township. It was
subdivided into 48 lots, eight ranges
of six lots each, with Lot No. 1 in the
Southeast corner, then running north,
then south, ending up with Lot 48 in
the Southwest corner. Young Daven-
port died while working here — Roots-
town's first death.
In the spring of 1801, Root return-
ed, bringing his brother David with
him. This year they made substantial
improvements on Lot 6, around
Campbellsport. Root chose this lot
because it lay near the Indian trail
connecting the Ohio and Cuyahoga
rivers. The brothers built a log house,
but apparently it was on Lot 7. Na-
than Muzzy came over from Deerfield
to do the carpenter work. Though of
logs, the house was two stories high.
Helping to erect it were three families
from Deerfield, one from Atwater
and one from Hudson. This house
was both a residence and a tavern and
a hospitable gathering place for early
settlers during their first winter here,
while their own cabins were being
built. A sketch of Nathan Muzzy ap-
pears elsewhere.
Comes To Stay
In the fall of 1801 the Roots put in
their crop of wheat and again re-
turned "home" for the winter. In
April, 1802, David Root came back
and occupied the house built the year
before, to be Rootstown's first
permanent resident. Ephriam Root
never considered himself a permanent
resident. In the same year of 1802,
Henry O'Neill and Samuel McCoy and
families moved in from Pennsylvania
and settled on Lot No. 3. Later the
McCoys moved to Lot No. 28 near the
well known McCoy Springs, building
a cabin there. Ephriam Root had pre-
viously offered a prize of 50 acres of
land for the first white child born in
the township and this was won by
John McCoy, son of Samuel. A child
born to the David Roots came on
second best.
In the fall of 1802, Michael Hartle
and Frederick Caris originally from
Pennsylvania, came to town. Caris
took Lot 43 west of Muddy Pond, and
Hartle Lot 42 on the east side. Their
descendents lived in that vicinity
many years.
January of 1803 brought John Car-
is, son of Frederick, and Arthur An-
derson, both to be employed by Mr.
451
452
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Root clearing land. In April John
Caris, a brother of Frederick, and
wife also settled at Muddy Lake. On
May 2, Lydia Lyman, who lived with
the David Root family, became the
wife of Ashur Ely of Deerfield, Roots-
town's first wedding. Squire David
Hudson of Hudson tied the knot.
Arrivals in 1804 included Frederick
Caris, Sr., father of Frederick, Jr. In
the fall came the families of Thad-
deus Andrews, Nathan Chapman and
son Ephriam and Jacob, Charles and
Abram Reed, brothers, all later prom-
inent in affairs. Andrews selected a
lot on the northwest corner at the
center, which site he selected, but for
a time he operated the Root tavern.
The Chapmans selected Lot No. 4 in
the east part of the township. Abram
Reed selected Lot 15, east of the cen-
ter, but later moved to the Center on
Lot 22.
A barn built by Root in 1804 is
said to have been the first frame
building in Rootstown. The Mc-
Whorter mill sawed the lumber and
David Wright and Nathan Muzzy
worked on it.
Coming in 1805 were Beman Chap-
man and his brother David, and fam-
ilies, and Stephen Colton and family.
Beman Chapman was a manufacturer
of brick. In 1806 came Gershom Bost-
wick and family, and his parents, Ed-
mund Bostwick and wife. When over
80, Edmund Bostwick rode horseback
to Vermont via Philadelphia and back
again, dying at 96. In this year also,
Eliakim Merriman of Randolph mar-
ried Hannah Russell, who had come
with Mr. and Mrs. Thaddeus An-
drews. The Calvin Ellsworth family
arrived in July. In the fall came Al-
pheus Andrews, two brother of Thad-
deus; and Samuel Andrews, with their
families and Mary Whitney; and the
Martin Bissells.
Mother Ward's Pond
Another character of importance
coming this year was "Mother Ward/'
a woman of great physical strength
and endurance. She came alone but
she could do a man's work, settling in
the northern part of the township. A
lake near her home was known as
"Mother Ward's Pond" or "Washtub."
It is now Crystal Lake. In December,
1806, Mary Whitney, who had come
with the Andrews families, married
Nathan Chapman, Jr. The wedding,
performed at the Root home, was a
notable affair for those days. "All
Trumbull county was there," they
said. The bride later became known as
"Aunt Polly", strongly opposed to the
use of whiskey. When their house was
built in 1832, Polly forbade the use of
whiskey at the "raisin". Some said
this couldn't be done, but workers
came just the same, with the affair a
success. She died at 99. Her husband,
well known as a chair maker and in-
ventor, died at 96. They had 12 chil-
dren.
In 1807 there arrived Mr. and Mrs.
Hiram Roundy; their adopted son G.
H. R. Pr indie; and Titus Belding,
who soon married Lucy Bostwick,
daughter of Gershom. Robt. Mc-
Knight, who previously had bought
300 acres, brought his wife and son,
Robert, Jr. They set up an orchard on
their home east of the center. Wm.
and James Alcorn, Irish bachelors,
came with McKnight.
With the township thus populated,
in 1808 two industries were started. A
pottery was started by Ebenezer Bost-
wick, on Lot 17, and a saw-mill was
set up by Ephriam Root north of the
Center. Arriving this year also were
Philip Williard and Valentine Coos-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
453
Sandy Lake, later Stafford, was a popular place for recreation
in other days. This is the hotel.
ard. Coosard lived to reach the age of
105. But George Austin, born that
year, lived to be 106. As a young man,
Austin carried mail on horseback be-
tween Ravenna and Canton. Later he
worked as a carpenter. Many pieces of
furniture made by him are still ex-
tant.
In the summer of this year, Ariel
Case and James Wright cleared a
piece of ground and sowed wheat. An
imposing house was erected by Mr.
Case and is still standing. During its
life the house has been the scene of 17
births.
Carried To Grave
In 1809 the Israel Coes settled in
northwest Rootstown and William
and Chauncey Newbury, brothers, se-
lected homes west of the Center. Na-
than Chapman, Sr., died this year at
the age of 51. Because there was no
road open, his body was carried from
his home to the Old Cemetery, a dis-
tance of a mile.
In 1810 and 1811, arrivals from the
East included Merriam Richardson,
David Parker; Daniel and Reuben
Hall and their families; Samuel Spel-
man; Asa Seymour, Ashem Gurley;
Robert J., Jr., David and Daniel Col-
lins and their families. Spelman and
Gurley settled in the east part of the
township. Samuel Spelman had a son,
Harvey B., who moved to Akron. Har-
vey's daughter, Laura became the wife
of John D. Rockefeller. Other de-
scendents have been prominent in
Portage county business.
Records of these early years are in-
complete but the above include the
names of those coming in the first
ten years of township history. The
clearings were small and homes were
mostly log cabins.
Of those who first came in most
454
PORTAGE HERITAGE
were from Connecticut, Massachussets,
New York and Pennsylvania. A few
were born across the sea. Among
those who arrived later were many of
Rootstown's best citizens. They in-
cluded the Olmsteds, the Hallocks, the
Camps, the Holcombs, the Demings,
the Seymours, the Houghs, the Par-
sons, the Fraziers, the Bosworths, and
the Whitneys. There were Squire
Wright, first postmaster and justice
of the peace many years; Dr. Bassett,
first resident physician; the Bogues,
the Baldwins, the Barlows, the But-
lers, the Clarks, the Austins, the Pit-
kins, the Cases and many others. They
helped to make Rootstown what it is
today.
Beginning about 1832 settlers of
German descent came into the south-
west part of town. Those from Penn-
sylvania included Henry France, Jacob
Brown, Joseph Jones and George
Hipp. Among the Germans were
Adam Kline, John Adam Kline, John
Berlin, John Luli, Nicholas Knapp,
Adam Schweigert, Charles Fisher,
John Gauer, John Heisler, Peter
Knapp, Adam Winkler and numerous
others. They were excellent farmers,
thrifty and hard working and con-
tributed much to local prosperity.
Come From Nantucket
The summer of 1845 was long re-
membered as the year when black
erysipelas struck the community.
Those taking the disease invariably
died. Dr. Bassett himself was the first
to die of it. At least 49 persons died
in this epidemic.
The year of 1850 brought a notable
band of migrants, when some 16 sea
captains from Nantucket decided to
seek homes here and in adjourning
towns. The names include Captains
John Rodgers, Albert Ray, Isaac Bray-
ton, Gardner, William Whippey,
Josiah Whippey, Alexander Coffin,
Barnard, Chase, Russell, Josiah Long,
Geo. W. Greene, Phelps and Wyer.
Later on, W. Victor Folger also came
from Nantucket. Annual "Nantucket
picnics" were held for many years.
In 1850 Rootstown's population was
1308, though it later dwindled. Some
7,000 acres of land were under cultiva-
tion, with still more in pasture and
woodland. Nearly every farm had a
maple sugar "camp", ranging from
200 to 500 trees in size. For a time
Rootstown was a center of apple, pear
and peach orchard activity until a
blight struck about 1900. Large oper-
ators were George Prindle, William
Camp, John Smith and John Chap-
man.
In this time a great deal of butter
and cheese was being made, the butter
mainly in the homes. Cheese was fac-
tory and home-made. In one year 200,-
000 pounds of cheese was produced
with some 87,000 pounds of butter.
Cheese making utensils were primi-
tive but effective. In the 70s the Hor-
ace Camp factory operated north of
the station with H. F. Hudson west of
the Center. It operated many years
and Hudson had factories in other
townships as well. In the present cen-
tury the Reick-Mcjunkin Co. of Pitts-
burgh were large purchasers and pro-
ducers of certified milk. A carload of
certified milk went out daily for Pitts-
burgh. The "Reicks" were large em-
ployers.
Soon after 1850 Noble Bradshaw
ran a cooperage shop west of the
Center and in 1853 Nelson Converse
opened a general store at the Center-
Rootstown's first mercantile establish-
ment. Converse ran the store 40 years.
But Rootstown Station, or New
Milford, as it was later called, had a
general store, a grist and flour mill
PORTAGE HERITAGE
455
and later a saw-mill operated by An-
son Bissell in partnership with Oscar
Shewell. John Bean and helper, Mr.
McLain, were skilled boot-makers
there, and the Kraiss carriage shop did
a good business. It was operated by
Jacob Kraiss and his sons, Jake, An-
drew and George. A large freight
business was done on the C. & P.
here. An electric trolley line paral-
leled the railroad through Rootstown
from about 1912 to 1932.
First Election
The first Rootstown election was
held in 1810. Gershom Bostwick was
chairman and Samuel Andrews and
Jacon Reed were judges. Those elect-
ed were: Alpheus Andrews, clerk;
Gershom Bostwick, Frederick Caris,
Jr., and Thaddeus Andrews, trustees;
Samuel Andrews, justice of the peace.
In 1812 trustees were Stephen Colton,
Thaddeus Andrews and Frederick
Caris, Jr.; Alpheus Andrews, clerk;
with Israel Coe, Ephriam Chapman,
Philip Williard and Stephen Colton,
supervisors.
Current township trustees are Har-
old Williams, Roy Armitage and G.
W. Allen.
Many persons have served as justice
of the peace. Work of this office in
Portage County was taken over in
1954 by a county municipal court.
The last Rootstown justice was A. R.
Horton who was elected in 1920 and
served continuously until Jan. 1,
1956.
A post-office was established at
Rootstown in 1821. Postmasters since
that time have been James Wright,
Roman M. Butler, Otis Reed, Nelson
Converse, Geo. W. Greene, Geo. W.
Bow, Charlie M. Bow, Loren A. Min-
er, Martin L. Stahl, Wallace P. Kim-
mel, John M. Parham, Henry J. Mich-
ael, Wm. D. Avery, Howard S. Blake,
Wm. S. Weldon, Hiram L. Peck and
Gertrude Deming. The first, James
Wright, held the office 20 years, oth-
ers for shorter terms.
Rootstown people held a strong de-
sire for education of their children
from the first. The first step was
taken early. It was in 1804 when Mrs.
Ephriam Chapman taught her own
children and several others during the
summer. That fall David Root taught
classes in a dwelling at Campbellsport,
which a few Rootstown children at-
tended. The first school open to all
was that of Samuel Andrews in a log
cabin at the Center in 1807-8. In 1815
men of the community erected a frame
building just east of the park, to be
used as a town hall, meeting house
and school house. Various school mas-
ters held forth there. It is said chil-
dren reached the school by following
a trail of blazed trees. The second
school house was at the Station —
considered wonderful because it was
brick. Reading and writing and arith-
metic were only subjects taught until
1831 when geography and grammar
were added. Meantime the state legis-
lature had enacted new laws which
authorized the setting up of districts.
Soon Rootstown had ten districts. A
1831 law permitted women to teach
and Mrs. Marcus Spelman taught for
16 weeks for $16.00 and boarded at
home.
Form High School
In 1884 a two-story school building
was erected south of the Center. It
cost about $3,400 and had both high
school and grade classes. Start of cen-
tralization was made in 1909 when
pupils from two districts were
brought in and gradually other dis-
tricts were absorbed so that by 1916
another building was necessary. This
was a brick building just north of the
456
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
Center. This was considered large then
but by 1939 an addition was necessary.
Rootstown people are proud of
their school. Added courses are music,
manual arts, home economics and a
commercial department. The school
now has a 50-piece band which is con-
sidered exceptionally good. In the
manual arts department, a girl is en-
rolled in mechanical drawing. Much
interest is taken in athletics and nu-
merous honors won. Howard Cook is
principal today, with a teaching force
of 27, two custodians, six buses and a
present enrollment of 750. First grad-
uating class (1893) numbered four. In
1955 there were 38 graduates.
Supporting the work of the schools
is a Parent-Teacher Association said
to be the largest in the county. It was
organized in 1930, largely through
the efforts of Ward W. Davis, then
principal. First president was Mrs.
Louise Kreachbaum. One of the proj-
ects fostered was the instalment of
lunch facilities which became a mod-
ern school cafeteria. The Association
has helped to obtain library facilities
for the children; supported immuniza-
tion and vaccination programs; urged
summer kindergarten; helped raise
money for playground equipment and
other projects.
The P.T.A. membership has in-
creased from 43 in 1930 to 568 in
1955. It has helped to create and main-
tain harmonious relationship between
home and school.
At present there are several church-
es in Rootstown. At the Center, there
are two — Congregational and Meth-
odist.
Church In 1810
Early settlers were accustomed to
church attendance back East. Here
they began to assemble in private
homes. In a frame building erected
for all meetings, the first church in
the township was organized in 1810
with 14 members, under direction of
Rev. Giles H. Cowles, a Congregation-
al missionary from Connecticut. But
there was no regular minister at first,
so that members conducted their own
meetings. The key for the singing was
taken from a pitch pipe.
In 1815 the church, with 41 mem-
bers, joined the Grand River Presby-
tery but in 1818 transferred to the
Portage Presbytery. The first regular
pastor was Rev. Joseph Meriam who
was installed in 1824 and by 1832 a
new church had been erected and
dedicated. One notes that in 1834 it
was decided to buy a stove for the
church. The first Sunday School (for
children only) was organized in 1821.
In 1842 the church voted to use un-
fermented wine at communion. It
soon took a strong anti-slavery stand
and as a result joined the Puritan
Conference in 1853.
The church continued to grow and
in 1955 a membership of 277 was re-
ported at the annual meeting. A total
of 27 ministers have served the
church. Among these have been E. E.
Lamb, George Beach, T. G. Colton, H.
W. Robinson, E. C. Partridge, T. L.
Kiernan, Judson Townley and W. Roy
LeGrow. Mr. Robinson served 14
years, the longest pastorate.
From this church four men have
gone out to serve as ministers in other
places. These are Joel M. Seymour, R.
H. Bosworth, C. R. Seymour and
Vernon H. Deming. Mrs. Sarah Sey-
mour DeHahn has gone out as a mis-
sionary.
Through the years changes and al-
terations were being made in the orig-
inal building, including stained glass,
decorations, new floors, dining room
and kitchen, new roof, metal ceiling,
PORTAG E HERITAGE
457
Rootstown Modern School Building.
bell and heating system. Growth of
the church brought about plans for
a large addition, with important al-
terations, which was completed in
1955. Dedication exercises were held
on Oct. 23, 1955. The church now
bears a new memorial steeple. A pipe
organ was a gift to this church by
Mrs. John D. (Spelman) Rockefeller
in 1897. A chapel was built in 1887
with windows donated by Mrs. Har-
vey B. Spelman. Mrs. Julia Reed gave
church pews in 1892.
A little more than ten years after
Rootstown was settled, a blind local
preacher named Henry Shewell or-
ganized the first Methodist class in
his home. Classes continued here more
than a year and other meetings were
held in various parts of the township.
The present church building was be-
gun in 1836, but in 1876 it was re-
modeled. A balcony was removed and
a new vestibule and spire built. A new
bell, new pews and new ground glass
windows were put in. The improve-
ments cost $2,667.00. During the pas-
torate of Rev. F. W. Hart a pipe or-
gan was purchased and memorial win-
dows replaced the old. These win-
dows bear the names of Camp, Chap-
man, Everett, Lumley, Powers, Ladies
Aid, Sunday School, Epworth League.
In the pastorate of Rev. O. L. Wil-
liams an addition was begun, complet-
ed under the leadership of Dr. S. B.
Bartlett in 1942, all made possible by
a $1,000.00 bequest by John W. Lum-
ley. Additional room was soon neces-
sary and an addition was completed
in 1950, giving the church Sunday
School rooms, rest rooms, kitchen and
recreational facilities much needed.
This expansion program was helped
by a bequest of $1,000.00 from the
estate of Mrs. Lena Andrews Cress.
Dedication services were held in Aug-
ust, 1950, Rev. D. L. Springer, pastor.
Early Pastors
Names prominent in the early
church membership included Sylves-
ter Jerome, Wilkes Payne, and Alvin
Bissell. The first pastor was Rev. Ira
Eddy. Others were Rev. A. Reeves
and Rev. F. Carr. Fruitful revivals
came in the pastorates of Rev. Kings-
bury and Rev. W. Whyte. Many new
members were added. From time to
time gifts of $100.00 have been made
or left to the church. One, from Mary
458
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Amick, was used to purchase new
hymnals. Mrs. Catherine McGee and
Mrs. Lena Litsinger also left bequests.
The church has made far-reaching
contributions to the community and
her people have been intensely inter-
ested in sending the gospel to other
places.
Of the Germans who came into
Rootstown in the early 1800s, many
professed the Catholic religion. For
years it was necessary for them to
travel to St. Joseph's in Randolph to
worship. After the Civil War they
wanted to build their own church,
nearer home. Permission was obtained
and in Dec. 1866, an acre of land was
bought from Adam and Catherine
Winkler, between the Breakneck
Creek bridges on Old Forge road.
First parish trustees were Adam Kline,
Francis Gauer, Martin Miller, Mich-
ael Bills and Geo. Gouthier. The cem-
etery now back of the church received
its first burial in 1867, before the
church was built, which event took
place in 1868. With the Gothic style
church was a class room for the pur-
pose of schooling and religious in-
struction.
St. Peter's of Fields
St. Peter's was served as a mission
church of St. Joseph's from 1866 to
1899, at which time a resident pastor,
Father John J. Boyle, came, serving
until 1900. The church has been min-
istered by many fine pastors after this,
namely: Rev. Timothy O'Connell and
Rev. Fr. Kirch. Then came the well
beloved Father John Lindesmith who
resided at St. Peter's. In 1919 Rev.
Louis Le Miller came and was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Anthony Battes, Rev.
Siegfried Heyl, and Rev. Walter J.
Fowler, who is buried at St. Peter's.
Rev. Robert Delmege served 1940-54
and Rev. Joseph Tomach has served
to the present.
Old St. Peter's, off the beaten high-
way, down a side road, still among
the fields, has grown to be a beauty
spot of the Youngstown Diocese, and
is now known as St. Peter's of The
Fields.
The United Brethren denomination
erected a church at the Station about
1879. The congregation was small and
the ministers who served the church
did so at a personal sacrifice. It is now
known as the New Milford Commun-
ity House, but Sunday services are
held under the auspices of the Chris-
tian and Missionary Alliance organ-
ization.
In the summer of 1935 a group
now known as the Christian Assembly
began meeting, and for several years
used the Town Hall. Recently they
bought and remodeled a building east
of the Center, where they now hold
services. Herman W. Reusch was or-
ganizer and leader of this group.
In 1948 a group at New Milford
wanted a place of worship for the
many Baptists of the area. With Rev.
Harlan Bower as pastor and leader
they effected a permanent organiza-
tion and built a church in 1949. Three
years later an addition was necessary,
consisting of six class rooms and a
furnace room. In 1955, further expan-
sion was necessary and a nursery, rest
rooms and additional Sunday School
rooms were added.
Although Rootstown is not yet an
incorporated village, it is fortunate
to possess many city advantages. It
has city water (largely through the
efforts of Ward Davis), electricity,
street lights, good schools and church-
es and fire protection. New industries
PORTAGE HERITAGE
459
have also located throughout the sec-
tion.
Have Fire Department
The fire department was organized
in 1938 after township trustees met
with a citizens committee. An organ-
ization was effected, with Ralph
Long, president; Harold Williams, sec-
retary; and Robt. N. Yeend, treasur-
er. Equipment today consists of fire
truck, air packs, portable light plant,
1000 gallon tank truck with pump
and an emergency truck with resusci-
tator, etc. A new fire station building
is being erected at the Center. Present
fire chief is Leland M. Carson, with
Howard Marshall as assistant. Presi-
dent of the department is Henry Ton-
sing; Bill Moore, secretary; Roger
Dietz, treasurer.
An important industry which lo-
cated here in 1955 is the Jet Rubber
& Plastic Co., located one-half mile
east of the Center. It manufacturers
molded rubber and plastic products
according to customer specifications,
serving large tire and airplane indus-
tries in Akron. Present employees
number 20. V. V. Mobley is president
and John P. Thomas is vice president
and manager. Considerable expansion
is planned.
About one-half mile west of the
Center is the new building of the
Mold & Machine Co., erected by Paul
J. Clark. It was started in 1952 in a
small way but the present building
has 2790 feet of floor space. Molds,
dies and experimental machinery are
manufactured.
The largest enterprise to locate here
is the Nu-Way Cash-Way Lumber
Co., a division of the Wick's Corpor-
ation, Saginaw, Mich. This is located
east of New Milford on Rt. 18 on the
Geib property. A spur runs in from
the Pennsylvania R.R. tracks. The
company handles lumber on both re-
tail and wholesale basis and carries
a $350,000 stock of finished lumber
and building material. Operations be-
gan here Jan. 1, 1956 from the large
storage and warehouse buildings.
Roland Pretzer is manager.
In 1955 there got under way a
$350,000.00 telephone expansion pro-
gram for the Rootstown area, provid-
ing for a new county exchange near
the intersection of Rts. 18 and 44. A
35 x 45 brick building houses the
necessary equipment. The new ex-
change is known as the Fairfax ex-
change and will care for service in
Rootstown, Randolph and Edinburg.
Manager Ray Cheetham pointed out
that between 1942 and 1955 there
were more subscribers than in the
previous 40 years.
Rootstown observed its sesqui-cen-
tennial July 4-6, 1952. At the school
premises there were displays, exhibi-
tions, games, contests, music, speech-
es and a fireworks display. A pageant,
"Our Rootstown Heritage," was put
on, 150 persons taking part, and
special services were held in the
churches. The program committee
was composed of Ward Davis, Harry
Dundon, Bryan F. Jones, A. R. Hor-
ton, Mrs. R. N. Yeend and Howard
Cook.
Men in Service
Several times in the history of the
township the country has been in-
volved in wars; in these our people
have responded with a willingness to
do their part. Four veterans of the
Revolutionary war are buried here.
At least 12 Rootstown men were in
the War of 1812. Records show that
63 men were in the various branches
of service during the Civil War. Of
these, 41 are buried here, as are three
Spanish War veterans. Rev. H. W.
460
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Robinson, an army chaplain, lived
here, being church pastor.
At the outbreak of World Wars I
and II, the show of patriotism was not
the same as in previous wars. How-
ever, when the call came, many volun-
teered and others responded to the
draft.
Enrolled in World War I service
were Chester Armitage, H. Vaughn
Armitage, Carl Benshoff, George Bab-
cock, Fay Beyers, Robert Biltz, Peter
Bosko, Clarence Bower, Wm. Bower,
Grover Brown, Carl Coffman, George
College, Chas. Conaway, Dominic Cer-
any, Chas. Day, Will Doreflinger, Ar-
thur Dundon, Merle Dundon, Andy
Evans, Joe Gauer, Wilbert Gibson,
Harley Gilmore, Louis Gombert,
Gibbs Hallock, Edward Hartung, John
Kazimer, Chas. Kibler, Erwin Kline,
Gust Kline, Clarence Leadbetter, Paul
Leavingood, Robt. Lindsey, Floyd
Luli, Earl McNulty, Clayton Mitchell,
Chas. Mittendorf, Chas. Moinet, John
Parham, Alvin Peairs, John Peairs,
Walter Schinke, Wm. Schinke, Craig
Smith, Silas Smith, Joe Stajancha,
Leon Varney and Yost.
In World War II these men were
in service: Clifford Adair, Harvey
Adams, Edward Anderson, Floyd An-
derson, Wilbur Anderson, Wm. An-
derson, John Angebrandt, Russell
Armitage, Willard Armitage, Rich-
ard Armstrong, Arnold Dorsey, Robt.
Arnold, Loron Barlow, Richard Bauer,
Joe Baumgartner, Carl Bean, Jas.
Beasley, Glenn Beaumont, Richard
Beck, Wm. Beck, Geo. Bendar, Chas.
Bennett, Robt. Benshoff, Ray Benson,
Dorwin Berry, Harold Berry, Chas.
Bildershein, Miles Bildershein, Carl
Biltz, Philip Blair, Clarence Bloom,
Maynard Boling, Ray Boling, Leonard
Bowland, Derwin Bradley, Garland
Britton, Robt. Brown, Francis Buirley,
Robt. Buirley, Ralph Church, Mike
Chudenov, Ray Clark, Leroy Conley.
Also, Walter Davis, Virgil De Hart,
Wm. Devault, Marsh Dibble, Freder-
ick Dunlap, Chas. Dunlop, Albert
Esposito, Robt. Friedoff, Homer Gal-
loway, Fred Geib, Robt. Gerren, Wal-
lace Gerren, Anthony Giordenango,
Chas. Giordenango, Preston Girton,
Wallace Girton, Andrew Grega, Joe
Grega, Paul Grega, Steve Grega, Earl
Grund, Russell Hamilton, Robt. Har-
ris, Harold Hartung, Ray Hartung,
Albert Heritage, Joe Hluch, Sam
Jones, Ernest Kelley, Harold Kirby,
Harold Kline, John Krizo, Andy
Krogi, Forrest Laubert, Wm. Lee, Jas.
Leedom, Ralph Leedom, Jack Leyland,
Richard Loomis, Robt. Loomis, Robt.
Lucas, Calvin Marks, Wesley McEl-
hiney, Max Marshall, Ray Marshall,
Wilbur Marshall, Gordon Meloy,
Chas. Miley, Clifford Miller, Dean
Miller, Floyd Miller, Marjorie Miller,
Robt. Miller, Everett Mitchell, John
Mlasofky, Warren Moser, Claude
Murray, Chas. Ney, Geo. Nichols,
Robt. Nichols, Richard Noel, Joe
Parks, Joe Parsons, Donald Pfile,
Robt. Phillips, Andrew Pollack,
Joseph Polack, Donald Reiss, Art Rey-
nolds, Kermit Reynolds, Angelo Rob-
erto, Ernest Robertson, Dwight Rodo-
cher, Paul Rouse, Alfred Royer, Mar-
lin Russell, Edward Saburon, Edward
Sekulich, Deming Seymour, Jas.
Sharp, Fred Sheffield, Jas. Shrigley,
Ralph Shrigley, Kenneth Slater, Geo.
Slater, John Smith, Marvin Smith,
Ervin Snyder, Willard Staley, Wm.
Stefancik, Nelson Stephens, Paul
Stephenson, Garland Straton, Henry
Straton, Bill Thomas, Bob Troxel,
Harley Twiggs, Burdette Ulm, Steve
Wancik, Gerald Ward, Edward Weav-
er, Chris. Weinkauf, Louis Weinkauf,
Roy White, Norman Williams, Jas.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
461
Wise, Richard Wise, French Wol-
ford, Harold Wolford, Merrill Wol-
ford, Ruhl Wolford and Wilson
Woodring.
Township Activities
After World War II were Ott
Allen, Don Bull, Frank Bildershein,
Anthony Calabria, Edward Capela,
Bob Cheatwood, Duane Craig, Frank
Darsh, Roger Duke, Don Echnat, Joe
Esposito, Don Gauer, Jim Gerren,
Chas. Hall, Jas. Harmon, Laurence
Harrell, Robt. Hylbert, Carl Jacobs,
Chris Jacobs, Jack Jacobs, Helen Jor-
don, Joe Kerr, Mike Korval, John
Kropac, Paul Long, Wm. Luli, Gary
Michael, Don Moulton, Enlow Mur-
ray, Teddy Reusch, Paul Riemen-
schneider, Ray Rodenbucher, Rita
Rodenbucher, Fred Sheffield, Wilbur
Sheffield, Jas. Skeen, Paul Stephen-
son, Robt. Stephenson, Mike Vartan-
ian, Peter Wahn, Roland Ward, How-
ard Whitted, Dick Wilson and Thos.
Wilson.
Rootstown had an agricultural fair
for several years in the early '70s.
Several buildings were put up and
there was much live stock display. It
was a one-day fair.
The Rootstown Protective Associa-
tion, a mutual fire insurance com-
pany, was organized about 1882. In
1885 its officers were: G. W. Bow,
Pres.; H. M. Deming, Vice Pres.; H.
O. Reed, Sec; C. H. Bradshaw. Direc-
tors were David Bogue, Homer Chap-
man and Elam Underwood. The com-
pany went out of business in 1934.
In 1930, Rev. H. W. Robinson or-
ganized the first Boy Scout troop and
he was the first scout master. Present
scout master of Troop No. 556 is John
Petit, with 11 boys active. Harry F.
Howell is cub master of Cub Pack No.
3556.
Girl Scouts are also active. Respon-
sible for the first organization was
Mrs. Dorothy Dundon. There are now
three troops. Sponsoring groups were
church organizations. Membership of
the three troops of Girl Scouts is now
50. There are also three troops of
Brownies which have a membership
of 53.
Rootstown 4-H activities date back
to at least 1921. In 1954, 23 boys and
70 girls were enrolled in the various
classes. Mrs. Ernest L. Foster has been
4-H advisor for the past 18 years.
The Post Band of Kent was a noted musical group for many years.
A. G. Post was organizer and leader.
462
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Patton Memorial Home, Kent, gift of Emma Patton.
Was Campbell's Port
Campbellsport, named after Gen. John
Campbell, who settled there, was once
an important business center. In earliest
days its population exceeded that of Ra-
venna. In addition to the large trade
done on the old canal, it was also the
first location of the Gledhill woollen
factory established in 1848. But in the
'60s, this factory, buildings and all, was
moved to Ravenna, after which Camp-
bellsport declined. The hamlet is located
in the corners of four townships — Ra-
venna, Charlestown, Edinburg and Roots-
town. It once had an important flouring
mill and one of the first brick pavements
in the county led to it. At first the place
was known as Campbell's Port.
William McComb of Shalersville was
working in the south when the Civil
War broke out and was drafted into the
Confederate army. At Fort Scott he de-
serted to the Union army, and was identi-
fied by Ashley Crane, another Shalers-
ville boy who was with the Union forces
there.
Although Benjamin Tappan left Ra-
venna in 1810, other members of the
family stayed on to handle the Tappan
real estate interests. One Tappan had a
small manufacturing plant in Ravenna.
As late as 1852 F. W. Tappan was con-
ducting a "General Land Agency Office".
Henry A. Swift and Samuel J. Hopkins
also operated a real estate agency and
these two are believed to have been the
first in the county.
Mogadore, the village that straddles
the county line in southwest Portage, is
said to have been named for Mogador,
a city in Morocco, Africa, though no
one seems to know why. Nor does any-
one know why the "e" was added to the
name.
The Revolutionary War uniform of
Aaron Olmsted, original proprietor of
Franklin Township, is on display in the
historical museum of the Daughters of
the American Revolution at Washing-
CHAPTER XXXVI
Shalersville
By Mrs. Harry Moore
Shalersville has watched history be-
ing made and has played a small part
in each chapter. What was once a
dense forest is now a flourishing farm-
ing community which is being rapid-
ly altered by industrial growth and
increased population. Many eras of
activity have left their mark of prog-
ress.
Much of the culture and talent of
the people who settled here and those
who still live here, can be traced from
New England and directly across the
Atlantic to England.
At the drawing of the Connecticut
Land Co. in 1795 the township known
as Town 4, Range 8 of the New West-
ern Reserve, fell to the lot of General
Shaler of Middletown, Connecticut.
The township was first called Mid-
dletown after the home town of its
original owner, Nathaniel Shaler, a
violent Federalist, whose daughter lat-
er married Commodore McDonough
of Ravenna. Shaler never lived here.
Nathaniel Shaler gave 160 acres
north and west of the present inter-
section of Routes 44 and 303 to Joel
Baker who came from Tolland Coun-
ty, Conn., with his wife and child in
1806. This was one year before Port-
age County was formed from Trum-
bull County. They cleared a spot in
the wilderness, erected a log cabin,
and were the only settlers there for
two years. Their daughter, Lucinda,
was the first white child born in the
township.
Four years before Joel Baker's com-
ing, the road now known as State
Route 44 was laid out, but it was
several years before it was completed.
It was only a tangled, rough path,
parts of which may have been used as
an Indian trail.
Crane Family Arrives
The 1808 records show names of
two voters, Joel Baker and Asa D.
Keyes. That same year brought the
next settlers or second family, Mr. and
Mrs. Simeon Crane. Crane's brothers,
Belden and Calvin, also came that
year. They were Connecticut people
but had lived since 1801 in Canfield,
Trumbull County. Simeon's son, Ed-
ward Manly Crane, was the first male
child born in Shalersville (June 4,
1810). They have had many descen-
dents, some still living here at the
present time. The first death was
Simeon Crane, age seven, in 1809. The
second death, and first adult, was Mr.
Deming from Vermont in 1812.
In 1810 the first school was built
of unhewn logs with greased paper
for windows. The slab seats were so
high that the feet of small children
dangled above the puncheon floor.
This school was located on lot 36
back of the present town hall. Miss
Winter from Aurora was the teacher.
The first wedding was that of Heze-
kiah Hine and Miss Mary Atwater
and it also occured in 1810.
Hezekiah Hine and Elisha Bur-
roughs came in 1808. Daniel Keyes
and his son, Asa K. Keyes, came the
next year from Connecticut. Asa was
463
464
PORTAGE HERITAGE
a lawyer and agent for General Shaler,
and at the organization of the county
was elected the first prosecuting at-
torney.
In 1810 William Coolman, Jr., and
family came from Middletown, Con-
necticut. He became one of the Trus-
tees at the organization of the town-
ship in 1812, and his son William, Jr.,
was sheriff in 1820-23, representative
in the Legislature, justice of the peace,
and for many years an editor. In the
same year Daniel Burroughs and his
sons, Asa K. and Greenhood, and fam-
ilies came from Vermont.
Joel Walter, Benjamin Bradley,
Moses Carpenter, and others also came
from Connecticut in 1810.
First Mills Start
Ephraim Brown, Daniel Hine and
Vine Welch came from Milford, Con-
necticut, in 1811. In the same year
they opened the first blacksmith shop
south of the center back of the pres-
ent church.
The first tannery was built by
Moses Carpenter in 1810 about one-
half mile west of the center.
The first saw mill was owned by
Stephen Mason in 1812, and in 1814
a grist mill was added. Traces of the
mills can still be seen in the western
section of town on the Cuyahoga
River close to the Feeder Dam. A
small island marks the exact location
of Mason's mill on Price Road near
the Roosa homestead. The noted Na-
than Muzzy was employed here.
The township was organized April
6, 1812. The number of votes cast was
sixteen. Judges of that election were
Belden Crane, Joel Walter, and Sim-
eon Crane. The following name of-
ficers were elected: Clerk, Horace
Burroughs; Trustees, William Cool-
man, Joel Walter, and Simeon Crane;
Treasurer, Belden Crane; Assessor,
Asa K. Burroughs; Constable, Richard
Gray; Overseers of the Poor, Daniel
Burroughs and Daniel Keyes; Fence
Viewers, Stephen Mason and Benja-
min Bradley. Abel Hine came this
year.
In 1814 Silas Crocker came from
Vermont with the families of Job
Thompson, Sr., and Benoni Thomp-
son. It took six weeks to make the
tedious journey. Mr. Crocker worked
hard, was in the banking business in
Ravenna and served several years as
justice of the peace. There were then
16 families living in log houses. Most
of these cabins were built sixteen feet
by twenty feet.
In 1815 settlers began coming in
quite rapidly. Among these were
Isaac Kneeland and family from Con-
necticut, Leelon Marvin and family
from New Hampshire, Jonas Goodell
and family from Massachusetts, and
John Hoskin and family from Col-
chester, Connecticut. S. G. Eldridge
came in 1819.
First Store Opens
The first store was opened by Syl-
vester Beecher in 1816 upon his own
land. He came as a poor boy from
Connecticut but made a name for
himself. He was a stockholder in the
Ravenna bank and fought in the war
of 1812. Along with merchandising
he ran a large ashery.
In 1817 David Mcintosh cut the
center road through from Shalers-
ville Township to Freedom. Mr. Mc-
intosh is perhaps one of Shalersville's
most prominent men. He was a major
general of militia and represented his
county in the Legislature, 1844-45.
The county remembers him because of
his patriotism; he left a sum of one
thousand dollars to supply flags for
the townships. The squaretopped
PORTAGE HERITAGE
465
Two types of motive power — oxen and horses. Streator home
in Shalersville, 1875.
house that he built and lived in still
stands one mile east of the Center.
The first church organized was the
Congregational in 1818 with eight
members. Before this missionaries or
circuit riders came occasionally and
preached.
The Lowrie saw mill located here
supplied much lumber for the P & O
and Ohio Canal's construction.
Noah and Noble Roger established
a tannery near the north line of the
township in 1829 which was used
about 40 years. Saw mills were mak-
ing lumber available for building,
and there was much cheese making at
home. Stock, dairying, sheep, swine,
horses, and fruit showed improve-
ment. The reaper was coming into
use. New settlers were coming also.
Records show Peter Kimes came in
1831, Nathan Severance, 1832; Seth
B. Branch, 1833; Calvin Thompson,
1835; Abraham Roosa, 1837; Samuel
Colby, 1843; James Van Auken, 1854;
and many more.
Insane In Poor House
In 1833 an attempt was made to
erect a county poor house, but it
wasn't until May, 1839 that the county
purchased 100 acres of land for $5,000
with buildings, stock, and farming
implements from General David Mc-
intosh. This became the Poor House
(or County Infirmary), with Mr. Mc-
intosh the first director. It was man-
aged by directors until 1913 when it
was taken over by the county com-
missioners. After 1925 the name,
County Home, was used. It is located
in the southwest part of town on
present Infirmary Road. Papers at
the home show that whole families
once lived at the Infirmary. Records
also show that the insane were kept at
the Poor House. In 1858 a brick build-
ing was erected, and a wing was add-
ed in 1882. In 1952 the new home
was built. Today there are 227 acres
and 105 inmates.
In 1840 the town had a population
of 1,280 and a postoffice was located
here as early as 1830.
Labor was then valued at forty
cents a day, and the cloth for a child's
dress cost twenty-five cents. One buf-
falo robe cost seven dollars. Other
466
PORTAGE HERITAGE
facts are listed below: Cattle, driven
from the drought area by the lake,
passed through here in 1845. The
Shalersville Library Association was
organized in 1847. On September 20,
1850, the Disciple church was organ-
ized under state law. In 1850 Shalers-
ville had a population of 1,190; it
was a flourishing and thriving town
and contained a store which rivaled
any in Ravenna. The town once had
three hotels, two postoffices, and two
doctors. Doctor George M. Proctor
was the town's only resident physi-
cian. He was here over fifty years.
Doctor Allport came from Hudson
two days a week.
Adam V. Horr was postmaster in
1850 and 1852, and in 1853 he built a
store building at the center. The fol-
lowing merchants have been identi-
fied with it: A. V. Horr, Streator,
Daily and Company, G. L. Horr, V.
R. Sage, A. A. Barber, H. F. Moriss,
William Blumenstein, J. W. Hartzell,
and G. J. Heritage.
Eight School Districts
There were eight one-room district
schools built in 1857. The amount
paid the contractors for these build-
ings was $350.00 each. Each district
was allowed $100.00 to pay for wood
and the teacher for a year — three
winter months and four summer
months. Fuel was not to exceed four
dollars a year, and the teacher had
to do the janitor work.
In 1851 the school building, called
the Academy, was built by public
subscription south of the Center on
Lot No. 36. Later it was called the
Shalersville Institute and used until
1887 or 1888. The building was later
converted into a barn and still is in
use today.
Shalersville was one of six towns
that petitioned for Hiram College.
The others were Newton Falls, Hiram,
Aurora, Russel and Bedford.
After the Civil War sheep were a
profitable side line for many farmers.
Many large flocks of sheep produced
wool for home and then for commerc-
ial use. Sheep washing was done on
the Cuyahoga River at the first saw
and grist mill sites.
During this period a pail factory
flourished west of Shalersville center,
with the first buckets having wooden
hoops. In the northwest section square
iron nails were manufactured by the
Haas brothers. Many cheese factories
and saw mills operated on small
streams about town. Barrels were
made from clear white oak. Black-
smiths were kept busy setting tires on
wagons and putting runners on bob
sleds.
The pioneers enjoyed sledding,
dancing, barn and house raising, corn
husking, and quilting parties. All
homes had smoke houses to cure meat.
Hooks in kitchens dried fruits. Bee
hives were a part of most homesteads.
Good Maple Production
Shalersville's rich soils and growing
conditions produced many trees. The
sugar maple tree is valuable for maple
syrup production, a profitable side
line for farmers. At one time almost
every farm had a sugar bush. Today
Shalersville has about 6,500 sugar
trees and makes 2,000 gallons of syrup
yearly. The Goodell Farm, the largest
producer, has about 3,000 of these
trees.
The First Congregational Church
was disbanded in 1857. The popula-
tion in 1870 had decreased to 977. In
1873, Shalersville was the third town-
ship in the county in the production
of cheese, having turned out in that
year, 419,245 pounds. 1876 saw ex-
tensive repairs on the Disciple
PORTAGE HERITAGE
467
Church, and the old hotel property
was deeded for the present school
site. In 1880 the population was 900.
In 1884 there were 124 children en-
rolled in 8 district schools (63 boys
and 61 girls). Teacher's pay averaged
$21.00 per month.
About the same time many thou-
sand bushels of potatoes were raised.
This has always been one of the
township's important cash crops. Po-
tatoes were piled in the fields and it
was necessary to haul them loose in a
wagon and fork them into baskets.
They were planted in check rows,
hooked out with hand hooks, and
cultivated with one-row horse-drawn
cultivators.
In 1890 Phineas Butler Tomson
became the town's first school super-
intendent. He taught five days a week
and on Saturdays visited schools at a
salary of fifty dollars a month. A
sketch of Mr. Tomson and his work
appears elsewhere.
In 1892 the Methodists built a
church at a cost of $200.00. Jacob
Libis was the head carpenter. It still
stands, the only church Shalersville
has today. Extensive repairs were
made in 1939. This church has always
been known for its election day din-
ners. In September, 1956 the G. J.
Heritage store was purchased for a
parsonage and Sunday School rooms.
Name Cemeteries
The Ladies' Cemetery Association
was organized May 24, 1899, with
thirty-three charter members. At the
end of the first year, membership had
increased to sixty-six ladies and one
gentleman, Butler Tomson. Having
the honor of naming the cemetery at
the center "Hillside", Mr. Tomson
purchased an arch gate sign with those
words inscribed. The Association
chose the name "Riverside" for the
The old Shalersville Academy — later
public school, built in 1851.
cemetery at Feeder Dam and had an
arch sign made. The signs were erect-
ed in 1900 over the entrance gates. In
1905 the Association placed a fountain
in Riverside Cemetery.
The Grange was organized March
3, 1900, with 14 charter members and
by 1906 it had gained to a member-
ship of 80. A Grange hall, purchased
from ex-members of the J.O.U.A.M.
in 1903, was later used for a store.
This stands north of the present
school. The Grange has 67 members
at the present time.
Baseball was a very popular sport
in the early 1900's. The level land
along the Cuyahoga River made ex-
cellent ball diamonds. A playing field
southwest of the Center later was
well-used as was one by the Riverside
Cemetery.
Cheese factories were flourishing
about 1906. The farmers were making
two trips a day with milk in 30 and
50 gallon cans. Whey was brought
468
PORTAGE HERITAGE
home for animal feed. The expres-
sion "hitched my team of horses to a
buggy and plugged through the mud"
was often used. The last cheese fac-
tory, west of the Center, closed in
1914.
Assessor Is Caller
Cider mills did a thriving business.
Charlie Rhodes on Infirmary Road,
and Loomis Nelson on Route A. s f° r one Y ear - He enlisted in the U. S. Air Force in February,
'^%'< 1943, serving in the U. S. until discharged in November,
1945. On January 29, 1943, he was married to Kathryn Mc-
I ^— l2iNjF Culley, daughter of James H. and Harriet White McCulley
of Akron, Ohio. One child was born, Steven Nelson Beal,
\ jjT November 28, 1951.
'^/j^ After he was discharged from the Air Corps he was
*rvlk illl^, employed by City Loan in Kent as assistant manager for one
Wk ill year. He then was self employed selling autos for four years.
Wk fl III ^ e tnen was em PWed by Harry Hopp as general manager
||L I for three years. He is presently employed by Bob Wilbur Co.,
wmmmmmm i mmmsm Rea i tors .
He is a member of Rockton Lodge of Kent Number 316, Kent Chapter No. 192 R. A. M.
and Yusef Khan Grotto, Akron.
Mr. and Mrs. Beal are members of Kent Congregational church.
Norman N. Beal
Norman N. Beal was born on a farm in Randolph March 3, 1882, son of George and
Frances (Moatz) Beal and one of a family of 12 children. He attended district schools in
Brimfield and Ravenna townships and at the age of 14 was hired by J. T. Williams of
Brimfield who had a farm and also conducted a general store. For this he received $7.00 per
month and board. During these years he attained a knowledge of farming and running a
store as it was always open in the evenings. After the farm work was done in early spring
and late fall he attended school and was graduated from
Brimfield High School in 1903.
After finishing school he worked for the Kneifel grocery
for a year and a half, then for the Erie R. R. Co. checking
freight cars, and as clerk and for seven months was time
keeper in the Shops. He then purchased a lumber business
and bob sled factory from Edward Lewis, as bob sleds were
then in good demand. The factory was at the South Water St.
and E. School St. corner. He also went into home building
and in the following five years built 25 houses in Kent, some
on order and some for sale. The homes were well constructed,
in good shape today. In 1920 he sold this business and en-
gaged in real estate for several years.
Mr. Beal was interested in politics and in 1925 was
elected to the city council. In 1927 he was elected mayor of
Kent and was again elected in 1931.
On October 20, 1910, he was married to Miss Bessie G.
Henry, daughter of Mrs. George Parkinson of Kent. To them five sons were born. They are
Glenwood, born Jan. 12, 1912; Gerald, Oct. 21, 1915; Earl, Feb. 15, 1919; Nelson, Mar. 22,
1921; and Wilbur, July 15, 1924.
Mr. Beal was a member of the Kent Rotary club and the Congregational Church. He
died April 15, 1949. Mrs. Beal passed away May 31, 1956.
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
541
Fred Bechtle
Fred Bechtle was born August 4, 1872 at 132 S. Water St., Kent, Ohio, on the same
spot where the "Bechtle Block" now stands, the son of John and Rosina F. (Kohl) Bechtle.
He was one of nine children and attended the public schools in Kent. He entered the
employ of F. M. Merrell in 1892, later establishing the business of news dealer. In 1920 he
combined the news dealer business with men's furnishing,
moving his business into the "Bechtle Block" in October
1928. He sold the news dealer business in 1928 but con-
tinued to operate the men's furnishing and tobacco business
at 132 S. Water St. until his death December 30, 1952.
Mr. Bechtle was a member of the famous Kent ball
clubs and played almost any position on the team, and for
several years managed the team. He liked boxing also, and
on many occasions while waiting for the newspapers to ar-
rive would put on the gloves and box with the newsboys who
worked for him.
He has held various public offices, serving seven terms
as village and township clerk, from April, 1898, to January
1, 1906, and from January 1, 1912, to August 15, 1917; also
he served four years on the Kent City board of education.
He served one term as auditor of Portage County, 1917-1919-
He then served as clerk of Franklin Township from January
1, 1928 to December 31, 1951.
He was married to Maude Grinnell of Kent. They had four children, George L.,
Florence, Leola M. (Bechtle) Craig, now living in California and Glenn F. of Cuyahoga
Falls, Ohio.
Paul E. Beck
Paul E. Beck was born in Canton, Ohio in 1914, son of Ellis C. and Minnie L. Beck.
He attended school in Canton, graduating from Canton McKinley High School in 1931.
From 1931-1935 Mr. Beck attended Mt. Union College from which he graduated in Business
Administration in June, 1935. Mr. Beck first launched his banking career in 1935 working
for a Canton bank from 1935-36. In 1936 desiring additional
higher education, he enrolled in Western Reserve University
School of Law, Cleveland, Ohio. A scholastic scholarship was
granted at the end of the first year and during his junior
year he was Editor of the Law Review.
While attending Law School he supplemented his in-
come by working for the City of East Cleveland as a special
investigator for the police department.
Graduating from Law School in 1939 and becoming a
member of the Ohio Bar the same year, Mr. Beck was ap-
pointed administrative assistant to the City Manager, City of
East Cleveland. In 1940 he married Dorothy E. Bryant,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Bryant, Cleveland.
In 1943 Mr. Beck was appointed Director of Finance
of the City of East Cleveland and held that position until
his appointment as Comptroller of Kent State University in
1946. He served as Comptroller for eleven years and on Jan-
uary 1, 1957, was appointed President of the Kent National Bank, the position he now
holds.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
The Becks have two sons, Robert Paul and Thomas George. They reside at Twin Lakes.
Mr. Beck is a past president of the Kent Rotary Club, formerly served on the Board of
Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Board of Directors of the
First Federal Savings and Loan Company, Kent. The Becks attend the Methodist Church.
George R. Beckwith
George Robert Beckwith was born Jan. 25, 1894, being
the son of Samuel and Fannie (Reudy) Beckwith. His birth-
place was the Beckwith farm in Franklin Township, which
is now covered by the waters of Lake Rockwell, of the Akron
City water reservoir.
He graduated from Kent Central High School in 1911,
after which he was employed in the construction division of
the old N.O.T. & L. Co. in building the Gorge power station
at Akron. He also served in double tracking the company's
lines to Cleveland. Later, he was employed in the engineering
and tool department of the Firestone Rim plant at Akron.
He then entered the purchasing department of the Miller
Rubber Co. at Akron and in 1926 started work with the C. L.
Gougler Machine Co., Kent, first in sales, then as manager.
He left this company to take an interest in the Colonial
Machine Co. of Kent, in 1949, in which company he has been
president to date.
He is a member of the Kent Methodist Church and is Past Master of Rockton Lodge,
F.&A.M. Also belongs to Eastern Star.
On May 19, 1917, he was married to Winifred May Merrell. The couple has one son,
Robert W. Beckwith, who is employed by the General Electric Co., at Electronic Park,
Syracuse, N. Y. Grandchildren are Barbara Luise and Thomas Robert Beckwith.
Mr. Beckwith is a Republican in politics and outside his work is specially interested in
photography and golf.
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Beckwith
James Marvin Beckwith was
born Feb. 11, 1877, in Franklin
township in a building on the
site of the present Rockwell Res-
ervoir. He was the son of Frank
and Mary (Criss) Rockwell. His
father was born nearby in 1851,
and his mother in Wellsville, O.,
in 1857.
He received his early education
in the Brady Lake district school
and at the old Central school in
Kent, where he graduated in
1896. After that he was employed
in the Erie R.R. shops with a
starting wage of 12-1/2 cents an
hour. He was paid once a month
from the Erie pay car, the coming
of which was a big event in Kent.
>s y m
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Beckwith
PORTAGE HERITAGE
543
On October 4, 1900, he was married to Miss Hattie May Keener. To them were born
four sons and three daughters. These are Florence E. McCaskey, Helen Marie Greene, Edwin
K., Glenwood J., Wilma Mayetta Bucjolt, Richard E., Robert Earl and June Marie. They
have 32 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Two of the sons saw service in World
War II. Richard was in the navy four years and Robert spent two years in the army. In
college debating competition, Robert was acclaimed champion in a tournament of 50 uni-
versities in North Carolina.
In 1901 Mr. Beckwith was employed in building the Spelman ice houses at Brady Lake
and also worked several winters in filling them. He was then again employed by the Erie
R.R., working as freight agent for four years at $45.00 per month. Since then he has fol-
lowed farming over a span of 40 years. For several years he raised large quantities of celery
and other vegetables and sold them in Akron wholesale markets. Later he raised large
quantities of gladiolas. He is now engaged in general farming, specializing in poultry which
he markets locally.
Joseph W. Begala
Joseph William Begala was born at Struthers, Ohio, March 4, 1907. His elementary
education was obtained in the local schools, after which he attended Ohio University, grad-
uating in 1929 with an A.B. degree. He received his B.S. in Ed. degree in 1933 at Kent
State University and M.A. degree from Ohio State University in 1935.
In 1929 he came to Kent State College as line coach, football and was head football
coach and athletic director in 1933-34 He has been wrestling
coach at Kent State since 1930 and in this has been unusually
successful. He also coached tennis (1930-35); golf (1934-35);
track (1936-54); cross country (1949-53); and athletic trainer
(1929-49). In the past 28 years he has coached six different
varsity sports, the best record being compiled by his wrestling
teams with 195 wins, 34 losses and two ties.
Mr. Begala served as director of the Masonic Boys Camp
(Akron Area) 1937-1942. In World War II he was Lieutenant
Commander, U. S. Navy, 1942-1946. He is the author of
several magazine articles and co-author of the book, "Hand-
to-Hand Combat", a U. S. Naval Institute publication.
He belongs to the following organizations; National
A.A.U. Wrestling Committee; American Wrestling Coaches
and Officials Association legislative committee; National Ath-
letic Trainers Association; Greater Cleveland Coaches and
Officials Association; Phi Epsilon Kappa; Delta Upsilon;
Omricon Delta Kappa and Masonic bodies. He is a registered official, Ohio High School
Athletic Association, and is an honorary life member of the Ohio High School Wrestling
'Coaches Association. He is listed in ''Who's Who In The Mid-West."
Mr. Begala is married to the former Harriet Kilb. They have two sons — Jergen and
John.
Leo A. Bietz
Leo Andreas Bietz was born in Massillon, November 14, 1890, the son of Charles L.
and Lilly Spitler Bietz. He was educated in the Ravenna public schools, and was graduated
from the Ravenna High School in 1910. He would have liked to study journalism had it
not been necessary to help support his family.
He came to Kent in 1910 and established the Imperial Dry Cleaning Company. Using
544
PORTAGE HERITAGE
only hand equipment at first, the business grew to be one of
the best equipped in Portage County. It continued until
January 1, 1955.
In World War I, Mr. Bietz served in France with the
79th. Division Field Hospital Unit.
Returning home, he became active in Veterans' Affairs.
In 1924 he was Commander of Portage Post 496, American
Legion, and in 1929-30, was Dept. Vice-Commander of the
9th. District of Ohio. He was also a member of the Veterans
of Foreign Wars, and helped organize the Portage County
Voiture of the Forty and Eight.
He was a Charter Member of the Elks Club and a mem-
ber of the Kent Rotary Club.
On April 28, 1925, he was married to Susie Margaret
Reeves of Front Royal, Va.
In 1933 he was appointed Postmaster by Franklin D.
Roosevelt, but did not take office until 1935. This office he
held until his unexpected death on April 11, 1955.
Mr. and Mrs. Ira S. Bissler
Ira Samuel Bissler was born in Kent, May 17, 1895, son of Samuel C. and Clara (Keh-
ner) Bissler. He attended Kent grade and high schools. In 1912 his father and he organized
the firm of S. C. Bissler & Son, Inc., to operate as funeral directors and furniture sales
with a location on East Main St., Kent, where the Grant Store now stands. The business
retained this location until 1924 when the firm built the present Bissler Block at the end of
the West Main St. bridge — a modern and complete funeral parlor and furniture store.
Mr. Bissler got his embalmer's
license in 1917 and funeral direc-
tor's license in 1933, the first year
in which licenses were granted.
In 1942 the firm built a modern
funeral home at West Main and
Chestnut streets.
On June 28, 1916, Mr. Bissler
married Mary Agnes Armstrong,
daughter of Richard and Margaret
(Dyer) Armstrong. Three children
were born — Jerry F.; Richard S.;
and Thomas I., the latter ordained
as a Roman Catholic priest Feb.
28, 1953.
Mr. Bissler was a member of
the Kent Rotary Club and served
as city councilman two terms. He
was vice president and a member
of the board of directors of the Kent National Bank; member of Elks and Eagles; Twin
Lakes Country Club and the American Legion. He served in the army in World War I.
The Bissler firm is a member of the National Selected Mortician group.
Mr. Bissler was an active member of St. Patrick's Church and Knights of Columbus,
being also a fourth degree member of the Akron chapter. He died Sept. 19, 1956.
Mr. and Mrs. Ira S. Bissler
PORTAGE H ERITAGE
545
Jerry F. Bissler
Jerry Francis Bissler was born November 28, 1919 in
Kent. He was the son of Ira S. and Mary A. (Armstrong)
Bissler.
His education was received at St. Patrick's parochial
school and Roosevelt High School, graduating from the
latter in June, 1937. During this time he was employed in
vacation and spare time at the Bissler Store. He then at-
tended Kent State University two years, followed by two
years at St. Joseph's College at Collegeville, Ind., from which
he was graduated in 1941.
In World War II Mr. Bissler entered the army in Sep-
tember, 1942, and saw service in the infantry in France,
Germany and Austria. He was discharged from service March
11, 1946.
On May 4, 1946, he married Betty Anne Schneider of
Ashland, Ohio. Following this he attended the Pittsburgh In-
stitute of Mortuary Science from which he graduated in
September, 1947.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bissler — Sara Sue, Mary Ann, Elizabeth
Marie and Fred Ira.
He is now associated with S. C. Bissler & Sons, Inc., Kent, being secretary of the or-
ganization. In 1955 he received further training by attending the School of Management
of Funeral Service at Evanston, 111.
He belongs to the Rotary, American Legion, K. of C. and St. Patrick's church.
Richard S. Bissler
Richard Samuel Bissler was born in Kent, December 14,
1922. He was the son of Ira A. and Mary A. (Armstrong)
Bissler. He was educated in the local schools and after finish-
ing his sophomore year in the high school he attended St.
Joseph Academy at Collegeville, Indiana, graduating in 1941.
He then attended St. Joseph College for one year when he was
called into army service. This was in January, 1943. He
served in the Medical Corps in the European Theater of Ac-
tion. He was in Bastogne, Arden Forest and the Berlin sector
at the close of the war. His discharge came February 16,
1946.
At home again he joined the firm of S. C. Bissler &
Sons, working until September, 1947, when he attended the
Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, from which he grad-
uated in September, 1948. He received both Funeral Director
and Embalming licenses. Since then he has been active in the
Bissler business.
On August 29, 1947, Mr. Bissler married Miss Ruth M. Cowan of Red Brush Road,
Ravenna township. To them four children have been born — Margaret Clara, Aug. 30,
1949; James Ira, Nov. 9, 1951; Richard Thomas, Nov. 23, 1953 and Patricia Ruth, Sept.
18, 1957.
He is a member of the K. of C, charter member of the Lions Club, Junior Chamber of
Commerce and the American Legion.
Mrs. Bissler is a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority and is active in church circles. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Bissler are members of St. Patrick's church.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Robert K. Bissler
Robert K. Bissler, son of the late Samuel C. and Clara
Bissler, was born July 9, 1912, in Kent, Ohio. He attended
the first eight grades at St. Patrick's School and later attended
Roosevelt High School from which he graduated in the Class
of 1930. He then continued with his education at Miami Uni-
versity, Oxford, Ohio, graduating with a degree of B.S. in
Business Administration in the Class of 1934.
He then attended the Cleveland College of Mortuary
Science in Cleveland and passed the state board examination
for licenses as funeral director and embalmer in 1935 and
1936. He became associated with his father, the late Samuel
C. Bissler, and his brother, the late Ira S. Bissler in the oper-
ation of Bisslers, then known as S. C. Bissler & Sons. In
1948 the firm was incorporated and the letters Inc. was
added to the name.
On Nov. 11, 1943 Mr. Bissler married Miss Eve Marie
Tietz, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Tietz of Mans-
field, Ohio. Miss Tietz was a member of the staff of nurses at St. Thomas Hospital, Akron.
Four daughters comprise the family. They are Sharon Marie, now 12; Gertrude M.,
now nine; and Roberta K., now six — all pupils at St. Patrick's parochial school in Kent —
and Juliann, who was five Jan. 1, 1957.
Mr. Bissler has been very active in civic affairs. At present he is a director of the Kent
Chamber of Commerce; recently elected director of the Kent National Bank; member of
Kent Kiwanis Club; member Knights of Columbus and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus,
as well as the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Miami University. At present he is president of the
S. C. Bissler & Sons, Inc. firm.
Samuel C. Bissler
Samuel C. Bissler was born in Stark County, Ohio, November 20, 1871, the son of
Martin and Louisa (Wise) Bissler. The family moved to Suf field township in 1873 where
Martin died two years later. The mother continued the farm with the help of the children
and at the age of twenty, Samuel having attended the district schools, moved to Kent, Ohio.
Here he started working as a teamster and also did some farming.
In October, 1892, he became an employee of the late I. L. Herriff in the furniture and
funeral business. At that time Mr. Herriff was attracted to Mr. Bissler, having seen his fine
horses and the manner in which he handled them. He was identified with the Herriff firm
for twenty-one years, assuming a share of the responsibility in management, more in-
creasingly over the years. Finally he traded his town property for 162 acres south of Kent
in Brimfield township and set to farming again for a period of eighteen months.
Through persuasion of Mr. Herriff he returned in his employ with the idea of a partner-
ship in view of Mr. Herriff's failing health. Within a few months Mr. Herriff died and the
purchase was not possible at that time. Because of this Mr. Bissler seized the opportunity of
purchasing the Burt Eckert livery business and entered into the funeral profession, re-
linquishing the livery the following spring. With the construction of the Akron Water
Works, north of Kent, he realized the opportunity of expansion and opened a furniture
store in conjunction with the funeral firm.
On November 8, 1893, he married Miss Clara Keener, also from Suf field, the daughter
of Godfried Keener. To this union four children were born, Ira S. Bissler, later associated
with his father; Thelma Marie of Kent (Mrs. Rex Sampsell); Louise Christine (Mrs. J. R.
Sebastian) of Park Ridge, 111.; and Robert K., later associated with the firm.
Mrs. Clara Bissler expired in the spring of 1924.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
547
At that time the firm was expanding to new and larger quarters across the river and
out of the regular business district of the city. This move was thought by many and spoken
outwardly by others as the folly of the time. It was inconceivable that people would cross
the bridge from the main business section to patronize this new enterprise. But to S. C. it
gave an opportunity to park freely and even in 1924 this problem was seen by him. The lot
that the building was built on had been designated by the late Marvin Kent as a hotel site.
The new building not only offered beautiful furniture display space, but also included one
of the finest and most modern funeral homes of any city twice the size of Kent in the state.
In 1943 the funeral home was moved from this location
to a still more modern, and in keeping with the times, resi-
dential atmosphere on West Main St. and S. Chestunt St.
This was necessary with the increased volume in the funeral
home. The residential area again gave more parking facility
and residential enviroment. This new funeral home immed-
iately became the talk of the state and surrounding states for
it incorporated several new ideas, as yet not thought of. Be-
cause of these ideas and the publicity received, inquiries were
received from all parts of the country. Today many of these
innovations are in use as a result of these inquiries. Even to-
day many visitors passing through the city stop to admire
the gracious design and beautiful landscaping and the care
which the entire structure portrays.
Mr. Bissler's abilities and attributes were recognized by
the late Governor Martin L. Davey and in 1938 the governor
appointed him to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral
Directors for a term of four years. This appointment was continued by Governor Bricker
and Mr. Bissler's constant interest in this phase of his business won him numerous friends
and his advice and abundance of experience aided greatly the stability and soundness of
this Board.
Following the death of Clara Bissler, S. C. married Miss Blanche E. Snyder, July 7,
1925, the daughter of J. F. and Martha A. (Leyder) Snyder. At the time she was supervisor of
the operating rooms at Crile Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. To this union one daughter was
born, Martha Elizabeth (Mrs. Russell Gillis) of College Park, Md. Despite failing health,
starting in 1950, Mr. Bissler continued active in the business as chairman of the board and
president and succumbed on January 1, 1953 at his residence, 100 S. Chestnut St. across
the corner from his greatest interest, the funeral home.
Ray C. Bliss
Ray C. Bliss was born Nov. 14, 1911 in Cleveland, Ohio,
the son of Paul S. and Elizabeth Bliss.
He was graduated from Lincoln High School in Cleve-
land and attended Dayton University in Dayton, and Cleve-
land College in Cleveland.
Since May 1, 1954, Mr. Bliss has been loan manager
of The City Bank of Kent. He previously was associated with
the National City Bank of Cleveland as collection manager.
He is married to the former Dorothy Houts of Cleveland.
They have two sons, Kenneth Ray, 17, and Paul James, 10.
The Bliss familv resides at 734 Cuyahoga St., Kent.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Harold M. Bluestone
Harold M. Bluestone was born July 21, 1895, in Can-
aseraga, N. Y. He was the son of Adolph and Alice (Pennock)
Bluestone, and graduated from Hornell, N. Y. high school
in 1916.
He came to Kent in 1916 and was employed by the Erie
Railroad Co. and in 1918 became associated with the Getz
Bros., Inc., hardware, of which he is now president. On June
10, 1918, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy at New York and
was sent to Gulfport, Miss, for training. Later he went to the
San Diego, Calif., Naval Station, receiving his discharge in
January, 1919.
On Dec. 17, 1917, he was married to Mary Getz, daugh-
ter of William and Julia Getz.
Mr. Bluestone has been active in politics and has served
as Republican County Chairman for several years. In 1940 he
was chosen Presidential Elector and attended Electoral Col-
lege. At present he is a member of the Portage County Board
of Elections. He is a past commander of American Legion Post 496 and belongs to the
Masonic Lodge. He has been active in sports both as participant and promoter.
Mr. Bluestone is president of the Home Savings & Loan Co., succeeding B. G. Kneifel in
1940. He is a life member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity.
Mr. and Mrs. Bluestone have one son, William Robert; and two grandchildren,
Donna Marie and Robert William.
Charles Daniel Boettler
Charles Daniel Boettler was born on a farm one mile
north of Kent, Ohio, on July 15, 1902. He was the son of
Peter T. and Madge (Tuttle) Boettler and a brother of
Frances (Boettler) Ellsworth. Peter Boettler was owner and
operator of a fine farm north of Kent and active as a dairy-
man.
Charles received his education in the district school at
Earlville, after which he attended Kent high school, from
which he graduated. After that he attended Kent State
Normal School for a time.
In 1921 Mr. Boettler began to operate the farm which
had been in possession of his family since 1871. He specialized
in dairying and dealt in livestock as well. He still lives on
this location.
He has been interested in public affairs and became
a member of the Franklin Township Board of Education,
serving for a number of years. In 1923 he joined Rockton
Lodge, F.&.A.M. of Kent. When the Franklin township zoning board was formed he served
as a member.
In 1944 he married Elinor Grier. He has a daughter by a previous marriage, who is
now Mrs. Barbara Wunderlich.
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
549
Peter T. Boettler
Peter T. Boettler was born September 28, 1867 in
Greensburg, Ohio, the son of Daniel Boettler and Rebecca
(Pontius) Boettler. He was the second of four sons, the
others being Thomas, Daniel and Lorin. The father was a
son of Frederick Boettler who came from Waldmohr,
Rhenish Bavaria, Germany in 1832 and settled in Greens-
burg. The mother was a descendent of Simon Essig who
settled in Stark County.
In 1871 the family moved to Franklin township, the
father having purchased from Joseph Beeman Stratton a 250
acre farm on Twin Lakes Road. The house had been built
by Mr. Stratton in 1851. Mr. Boettler lived on this farm for
65 years.
He was an outstanding farmer and dairyman, maintain-
ing a fine herd and a beautiful farm home.
He served as a member of the Franklin Township Board
of Education from about 1917 to 1936, serving at the time
when the district schools centralized. He was a member of the Portage County Farm
Bureau and the Kent Grange.
Mr. Boettler was married June 8, 1897 to Madge Phoebe Tuttle, daughter of Isaac D.
Tuttle and his first wife, Phoebe Olmstead of Palmyra. To them were born three children,
Peter Andrew, who died at the age of three, Charles D. Boettler and Frances M., wife of
Coe Ellsworth. His grandchildren are Barbara (Boettler) Wunderlich and James Ellsworth.
Mr. Boettler died suddenly of a heart attack on December 2, 1936.
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh W. Boosinger
Hugh Wilson Bossinger was born in Brimfield township August 19, 1891, son of Hoyt
Finley and Gertrude (Myers) Boosinger. His great-great grandfather was John Boosinger,
one of the first settlers of Portage County, who came in 1812 and located in Brimfield. He
was educated in the local schools and early in life began to work for his father who oper-
ated saw mills and threshing machines throughout a wide
farming territory.
In 1911 he was employed as motorman and conductor
on trolley lines out of Akron, to Kent, Ravenna, Warren,
Alliance and Salem. At that time interurban lines covered
most of the state. In 1917 he was chief dispatcher of the
Stark Electric line in Alliance.
On June 21, 1916, he was married to Mary Mills of
Dexter City, Ohio, daughter of Jacob and Rosa (Stephens)
Mills. Mrs. Boosinger today is a real estate broker, and
notary public, and together with her husband, maintains an
office in their home on South Water St. extension, Kent.
One daughter was born to their marriage — Evelyn Lee,
now Mrs. Ray Hartman. There are three grandchildren —
Ray, Jr., with the U. S. Air Force; Deanna Lee and Mary
Margaret.
Mr. Boosinger worked for the Prudential Insurance Co.
in 1925-26 and for three years after that operated a grocery at Stow and Pearl Sts. in Kent.
In 1930 the family moved to Aurora where Mr. Boosinger was in business until 1949 when
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
he returned to Kent. In Aurora he was a member of the fire department, serving as captain.
In 1950 he entered the real estate business and was employed in the maintenance department
of Kent State University.
He belongs to Ricksecker Lodge, F.&A.M., being past master there. Both he and Mrs.
Boosinger are past patron and matron of Jas. A. Garfield chapter, Eastern Star at Aurora.
They are members of the Kent Methodist church.
Paul Harvey Bottorff
Paul Harvey Bottorff was born December 1, 1889 on a farm in Bowen, Illinois. He
was the son of John Franklin and Minnie D. (Cubbage) Bottorff. When he was nine years
old the family moved to Monroe City, Mo. to operate a farm. He secured his education in
the local schools there, graduating in 1909. He then attended business college for a year at
Hannibal, Mo. During this time and until 1916 he worked
with his father on the farm, being also dealers in livestock,
shipping mainly to St. Louis.
In 1916 he entered the employe of the C.B.&Q. Railroad
as brakeman, later becoming a conductor and remaining
with the road until 1921 when he came to Kent. He first
worked for the Webb & Henderson restaurant on North
Water St. and later on Lake St., when he purchased the
interest of Mr. Henderson, continuing there until 1926. He
then acted as steward at the Elks Club until 1930, when he
went to the Eagle Club for four years. In 1935 he was ap-
pointed state Sales Tax Examiner in the administration of
Gov. M. L. Davey, but in 1937 he went to work for the C. L.
Gougler Machine Co. where he remained until 1945. In
that year he contracted with the city of Kent for the disposal
of garbage, the contract still being in effect.
On June 6, 1936, Mr. Bottorff married Iva V. Johnson
of Kent. There were two sons by a previous marriage — Floyd Southern, deceased in April,
1937 at the age of 25; and Harry Frank.
Mr. Bottorff belongs to the Masonic order, being in Rockton Lodge, No. 316, Kent;
thirty-second Degree Mason with Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Canton; Shriner in
Tadmor Temple, Akron. He also belongs to B.P.O.E. Elks, No. 1377, Kent and is Past
Worthy Pres. F.O.E. No. 1204, Kent. Mrs. Bottorff is a member of the Emblem Club No.
57, Auxiliary of the B.P.O.E.
Percy H. Boucher
Percy H. Boucher was born January 21, 1890, in Jersey City, N. J., the son of Daniel
and Jennie (Davis) Boucher. He was one of five children.
Percy received his education in the public schools of Jersey City.
He began his business career with the Borden Company of New York City as a sales
representative in that area. In 1910 the company transferred him to Ohio where he repre-
sented the firm for fourteen years. In 1924 he bcame associated with the Summit Wholesale
Grocery Company of Akron.
In 1935 he joined Governor Davey's administrative staff in Columbus where he served
four years as Supervisor of Foods for the State Institutions.
During Robert L. Fitzgerald's administration as sheriff of Portage County, he was a
deputy sheriff, supervising the school safety patrol program.
He was employed by the C. L. Gougler Company during World War II.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
551
In April, 1949, he joined Division 4 of the State High-
eway Department, Ravenna, in the capacity of personnel of-
ficer, which position he held at the time of his death, July
7, 1955.
He was three times elected to Councilman-at-large. In
1947 he resigned that position when Mayor Frank F. Dangler,
Jr., appointed him Safety Director. He had an avid interest in
city, state, and national affairs with a keen sense of duty and
%%*> responsibility to the citizens he represented.
M *»~* He was a member of the Methodist Church, Rockton
mt A- Lodge No. 316 F. and A. M. in Kent, the Portage Grotto
Mk *W^mt<£? club. Portage County Historical Society, and Kent Grange.
Wk On December 22, 1912, Mr. Boucher was married to
fi k JHL | Josephine L. McCormick, daughter of Mrs. Carrie McCormick
U * of Jersey City, N. J.
Two children were born, Arthur Franklin, born May 8,
1915, a graduate of the Ohio State University, now residing
at Birmingham, Michigan; Robert Alan, born January 16, 1919, a graduate of the University
of Rochester, now residing in New York City. Both sons served in World War II. There
are five grandchildren.
His leisure hours were spent in the study of financial and political enterprise. His
creative ability and love for the fine arts of painting and drawing afforded him much en-
joyment as a hobby.
He lived his philosophy of life — to be a good citizen and a friend to all.
Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Frank Bowen
Cyrus Frank Bowen was born
in Van Wert County, Ohio, near
Ohio City, on June 27, 1893. He
was the son of Oscar and Dora
(Cox) Bowen. He attended the
schools at Ohio City, completing
the eighth grade. After that he
worked with his father in cement
work until he was eighteen.
In February, 1910, he married
Miss Grace Agler of Glenmont,
Ohio. To them one son was born,
Hugh, Feb. 28, 1911. Mrs. Bowen
died in October, 1912.
Mr. Bowen then "followed the
harvest", working in Iowa, Min-
nesota and the Dakotas. In 1912
he came to Kent and secured em-
ployment in the Erie shops, work-
ing in various capacities — with the wrecking crew and the Erie yards. In 1916 he was em-
ployed as engineer at the William Bros, mill, remaining for a year. Then he became an
engineer for the Firestone Tire Co. in Akron, coming back to Kent as a boiler maker for
the Erie.
In 1919 Mr. Bowen formed a partnership with James and William Caldwell and started
the Quick Service Welding and Machine Co. in the basement of the old Shattuck Chair
Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Frank Bowen
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
factory on North River St. From there they moved to West College Ave. and August Dussell
bought the Caldwell interests. In 1928 they built their present building on East Summit St.
and in 1950 Mr. Dussell sold his interest to Hugh and Frank, Jr. This is the largest and
oldest repair shop in the county, doing welding and repair work of all kinds as well as
sharpening and repairing lawn mowers.
On June 20, 1916, Mr. Bowen was married to Inez F. Stull of Lexington, Ohio, daughter
of Rudolph and Caroline (Rinehart) Stull. To them four children were born — David J.,
Lois E. (now Mrs. Fred Gombert); Grace E. (now Mrs. William Hindershied); and Frank S. Jr.
Dr. George A. Bowman
Dr. George A. Bowman, Kent State University's presi-
dent, is a man of wide educational experience and training.
As a skilled administrator, Dr. Bowman is president of a
university with over 6,000-plus full-time students, a faculty
of 350, and a physical plant worth $25 million.
A native of Galion, Ohio, Dr. Bowman received his
bachelor's degree from Adelbert College at Western Reserve
University. During World War I he was with the U. S.
Navy Engineers.
He has a master's degree from Columbia University and
has studied at Ohio University, Ohio State University, Harvard
University, and the University of Chicago. Bowling Green
State University awarded him doctor of laws degree in 1945.
President Bowman's teaching experience began in a tiny
one-room school-house in South Bloomfield township, Mor-
row County, Ohio. He later was teacher, principal and super-
intendent of schools in the village of Edison, Ohio.
Following the war, President Bowman went to Zanesville where he served as principal.
It was here he met and married Edith Duncan, also a teacher.
From Zanesville, he went on to succeedingly higher positions as superintendent of
schools in Chillicothe, Marion, Lakewood and Youngstown.
He came to the University as president in July 1944, when enrollment was down to a
low of 891.
He holds membership in a large number of professional organizations. He is a member
of the Rotary Club of Kent, Akron City Club, and the Ohio Society of New York. His
hobbies include gardening and golf.
Evelyn L. Bradshaw
Evelyn Lily Bradshaw was born August 9, 1900, in Kent,
being the daughter of John C. Bradshaw and Lily (English)
Bradshaw. She was one of two children. The mother was a de-
scendent of the Rymals of Hamilton, Canada, of which Joseph
Rymal was a member of Parliment for twenty-five years.
Evelyn received her education in the Kent Public School,
Kent Normal Training School and graduated from Kent
Public High School in 1918. She entered and graduated from
Actual Business College of Akron.
Miss Bradshaw entered the employe of The City Bank on
November 11, 1923, doing secretarial work. She later became
a teller and then transferred to the loan department as a tell-
er. In January, 1955, she was made Assistant Sec.-Treas.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
553
Miss Bradshaw is a member of Kent Congregational Church, Olive Chapter No. 53,
Order of Eastern Star of which she is a Past Matron, White Shrine of Akron, Womans Club
of Kent and Kent Sorosis.
Forrest Baker Bryant
Forrest Baker Bryant was born in Brookville, Ohio, March 6, 1876, the son of Luther
M. and Minerva (Baker) Bryant. He was reared on a farm and attended schools in Brook-
ville, graduating from the Brookville High School in 1894. Later he attended the Academy
at Westerville, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1895. He then attended Otterbein
College from which he was graduated in 1899 with an A. B. degree.
After receiving his degree he was appointed principal of the Shiloh, Ohio, high school
and served during the school year of 1899-1900. He then was appointed superintendent of the
Shiloh schools, which position he held for the next two years. In 1902, he was appointed
superintendent of schools in Richwood, Ohio, which position
he held until 1907 when he resigned to become superin-
tendent of the schools in Eaton, Ohio, where he remained
three years. From 1910 to 1914 he was superintendent of the
schools of Wellsburg, W. Va., but resigned this position to
enter business in Brookville, Ohio, necessitated by a death in
the family.
Educational work, however, again called, and in 1915 he
was appointed superintendent of schools in Kent. He held
this position until 1920 when he resigned to become presi-
dent and manager of the Kent Lumber Company.
In 1922, he entered the real estate and insurance business,
in which he continued until 1947 when he sold his insurance
business to the Atkinson Agency, and since that time he has
given his time exclusively to real estate sales, management and
appraisals.
He promoted and organized the Post Apartment Com-
pany and in conjunction with Alva Post and A. L. Coffeen erected the Post Apartments on
Woodard Avenue in 1925. Later he formed an association with A. L. Coffeen and erected
about fifty homes in Kent.
While serving as an educator, Mr. Bryant taught in summer schools at Wooster and
Kent State. He also did post-graduate work in Wooster College and Columbia University.
He was at one time school examiner in Union County, Ohio, and also was teacher
institute lecturer in West Virginia, while in school work in that state.
Since coming to Kent, Mr. Bryant has taken an active interest in all civic activities. He
helped to promote the bond issue and the building of the new Roosevelt High School and
was chairman of the finance committee in the first Kent Welfare drive. He is a member of
the Masonic Blue Lodge, Akron Council, Chapter, Eastern Star, the Wranglers' Club, the
National, State and Portage County Real Estate Boards, the society of Residential Ap-
praisers, the Kent Chamber of Commerce, Men's Garden Club, and the Kent Methodist
Church. He was a charter member of the Kent Rotary Club.
Nature and the out-of-doors are Mr. Bryant's hobbies and he spends much of his spare
time working in his lawn and garden.
In 1899, Mr. Bryant married Dorothy Grueing, who passed away December 1, 1951.
They have one daughter, K. Helen Bryant, who taught for a number of years in Cleveland
and Shaker Heights schools and is now Mrs. Hadley A. Hill of Syracuse, New York.
554
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Earl R. Burgner
Earl Raymond Burgner was born in Cleveland, August
18, 1905. He was the son of Clyde S. and A. Blanche (Harter)
Burgner. He was educated in the schools of Cleveland and
Loyal Oak, Norton township, Summit County, Ohio, where
the family went.
He came into Portage County in 1922 to work for his
uncle, Earl Harter, in Atwater. He also worked at Alliance
for a year, selling automobiles.
On August 16, 1924, he was married to Edith A. Hartung
of New Milford, daughter of Levi and Sarah L. Hartung of
Mars, Penna. To them one son was born, Richard Wayne,
May 10, 1925.
In 1924 Mr. and Mrs. Burgner operated a restaurant,
grocery store, waiting room and took care of passengers and
freight for the Northern Ohio Traction Co. at Atwater, on
the line running to Alliance. They sold this in 1927 and came
to Kent where in March, 1928, he purchased a restaurant on
Lake St. Later he took over an automobile agency, selling
Dodge and Plymouth cars with quarters located on Columbus St. In 1936 he bought the first
"wrecker" in town and since then the place has maintained the largest one in the county.
On December 7, 1943, he enlisted in the navy, serving in the Seabees in the Pacific and
Okinawa areas. He received his discharge Dec. 17, 1945, with the rank of Boatswain's Mate,
First Class. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Mr. Burgner died Jan. 18, 1956, being accidentally electrocuted while removing a
wrecked car.
Lewis L. Burkhart
Lewis L. Burkhart was born in the village of Stryker, Williams County, Northwestern
Ohio.
Received grade and high school education in the Stryker Public Schools. Received a
B.A. from Defiance College, a B. S. in Education from Defiance College and an M. A. in
School Administration from Western Reserve University.
Now studying for the doctorate at Ohio State University.
Started teaching career in Malvern, Carroll County, Ohio.
Later taught in Willoughby, Lake County, Ohio. Started ad-
ministrative career as local executive in Russell, Geauga
County. Later was local executive in Solon, Cuyahoga County,
Ohio for several years. Superintendent of Schools in Kent
since August 1952.
Married to Mary Louise Logan, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Charles O. Logan, Malvern, Ohio. Have six children,
five boys, David, Timothy, Paul, Daniel, Mark, and one girl,
Mary Lyssa.
Member of The Kent First Methodist Church and The
Kent Rotary Club. Active in many civic and church groups.
Member of Kent Welfare Association and Kent Recreation
Commission. Member of the State Board of Managers of the
Ohio Congress of Parents and Teachers, in charge of Special
Education. Done considerable speaking and writing for the
Ohio Congress of Parents and Teachers all over Ohio.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
555
Dr. and Mrs. Herman D. Byrne
Herman DeWitt Byrne, known as "the Senator", has dedicated his life to education.
Now a professor of Political Science at K.S.U., he has served as a public school teacher, a
high school principal, a superintendent of county schools (Portage County), and as Ohio
state inspector and supervisor of high schools. Dr. Byrne has a diploma from Indiana State
Teachers College, an A.B. degree
from Indiana State University, and
his M.A. degree from the Uni-
versity of Chicago where he held
a graduate fellowship and was
elected to Phi Delta Kappa. After
a year of post-graduate work at
Columbia University Dr. Byrne
entered Akron Law School where
he received his L.L.B. degree and is
presently a member of the board
of trustees. He has also earned a
Doctor of Jurisprudence degree
from the Cleveland Law School.
Born in Georgetown, Indiana,
November 11, 1887, Dr. Byrne
came to Kent in 1920 to teach at
Kent State Normal School and
was married the following year to
Effie Edith Schreckengost of Sebring. They have five children, Hope Byrne Kubiak, Robert
DeWitt Byrne, William Dodge Byrne, James Temple Byrne and Beverly Byrne Carson, and
fifteen grandchildren, all living in the Kent community.
Dr. Byrne served in the Ohio State Senate two terms where he introduced legislation
which helped K.S.U. materially to attain its present status. The Senator has belonged to the
Methodist Church, Kiwanis, Elks, Eagles, American Legion, Kent and Portage County
Chambers of Commerce, National Educational Association, and Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He
is listed in the Directory of American Scholars, Who's Who in Government, and the Inter-
national Who's Who.
Dr. and Mrs. Herman D. Byrne
Pascal A. Carlozzi
Pascal A. (Pat) Carlozzi was born July 10, 1904, in
Cleveland, Ohio. He was educated in the Cleveland schools
and attended Kent State University in 1922-24. He then re-
ceived his B.S. and M.A. in Education from Western Reserve
University in Cleveland. He then attended Cleveland Law
School, graduating with the Class of 1934, and was admitted
to the practice of law the same year.
From 1924 to 1926 Mr. Carlozzi was associated with his
brother in the automobile business. He has worked as a sales-
man, tool designer and school teacher up to 1945. In that
year he moved to Kent where he established the Pat Carlozzi,
Inc., Oldsmobile-Cadillac agency.
Mr. Carlozzi has taken an active part in community af-
fairs, having served as president and director of the Kent
Kiwanis Club, the Kent Chamber of Commerce and the
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Portage County Auto Dealers Association. He was chairman of the Kent Red Cross drive
and charter member of Kappa Mu Kappa, first fraternity on the Kent State University
campus.
At this time Mr. Carlozzi is serving as director of the Twin Lakes Country Club and
the K.M.K. House Corporation. He is a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity and many
other social and business organizations.
Mr. and Mrs. Carlozzi are the parents of Carl Carlozzi and have two grandchildren.
Raymond H. Cheetham
Raymond H. Cheetham, son of John and Isabella (Brown-
lee) Cheetham, was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1894, where
he received all his schooling. He and Gwendolyn Evans, also
of Cleveland, were married in 1921 at North Presbyterian
Church, Cleveland, where both were active in church work.
Mr. Cheetham started to work for the Ohio Bell Tele-
phone Co. in 1921 at Cleveland and has been its Commercial
Manager in Portage County from 1942, to date being in
charge of the Kent and Ravenna business offices.
Just prior to coming to Kent he had been living for
fifteen years in Cuyahoga Falls, where he had served as presi-
dent of the Welfare Board for several years, and was vice-
president of the Rotary Club. In 1948-1949 Ray became presi-
dent of the Kent Rotary Club and during his year as presi-
dent the Kent Rotary Club received its first Governors Award
for outstanding service.
Ray Cheetham is perhaps best known for his hobby
which is gradening. He organized the Men's Garden Club of Akron in 1937 and was its first
president and in 1947 organized the Men's Garden Club of Kent. He received national
prominence when elected as a National Director of the Men's Garden Club of America
and also during the time, he was president of the Ohio State Gladiolus Society. He has
written many articles on gardening published in national magazines and has judged in
several state and national flower shows. Both he and Mrs. Cheetham are members of the
Congregational Church in Kent where he holds the office of Deacon.
Mr. Cheetham is Poet Laureate of the Men's Gardens Clubs of America, Central Region.
Ernst Victor Christenson
Ernst Victor Christenson was born in Sweden, December
13, 1886, and received his education in his native country.
He served three years in the Swedish Army Combat En-
gineer Corps, coming to the United States in 1909 and going
first to Joliet, Illinois.
In 1917 Mr. Christenson came to Akron, Ohio, and start-
ed in the general contracting business for himself. World
War I again saw him in the armed forces, this time in the
37th Division under the U. S. flag. In 1918 he returned and
resumed his contracting business in Akron.
From 1942 to 1945 during World War II, he was vice
president and general manager of the Carter-Christenson
Mfg. Co. of Dover, Ohio, fabricators of landing barges for the
United States Army. Following the cessation of hostilities he
re-located his construction business in Kent, Ohio, continuing
PORTAGE HERITAGE
557
to the time of his death.
Mr. Christenson was married in 1909 to Miss Julia W. Anderson. To them were born
three children; Henry Victor of Silver Lake; Alice Viola, deceased; and Harry William
of Kent.
He was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church, Vasa Lodge North Star Society,
and the Swithord Order.
Mr. Christenson passed away March 23, 1956.
Henry Victor Christenson
Henry Victor Christenson was born August 24, 1910, in
Joliet, Illinois, being the son of Ernst V. and Julia W.
(Anderson) Christenson.
His parents came to Akron and he attended schools in
the Akron district, graduating from the Springfield High
School. Later he attended the Hammel Business School and
Akron University. He also attended Auburn Polytechnic
Institute.
In 1942-1943 he was Procurement Manager for the
Carter-Christenson Mfg. of Dover. In World War II he joined
the United States Navy Construction Battalion but was later
assigned to regular duty as navigator. He saw service in both
the Atlantic and Pacific areas, being discharged in November,
1945. Following his discharge he joined his father as partner
in the Christenson Construction Co.
Mr. Christenson was married to Miss Francis W. Timber-
lake, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tolbert Timberlake of Dan-
ville, Kentucky.
He is a member of the Church of Silver Lake, Wendell Willkie Post 19 American
Legion and the Fairlawn Country Club.
His hobbies are photography and the collection of Royal Dalton Toby mugs and
figurines.
Louis A. Ciccone
Louis Arthur Ciccone was born June 20, 1892 in St.
Detemtrio, province of Aquilla, Italy. He was the son of
Angelo and Marie (Visca) Ciccone.
He attended local schools until he was fourteen, when
he went to Germany where he was employed in steel mills.
In 1909 he came to the United States, arriving at the
port of New York, from which he came directly to Kent.
Here he was employed as a tinner and roofer for about four
years. In 1913 he entered into a partnership with his brother
Steve and they started a grocery store on Franklin Ave.
Later, he purchased a grocery and filling station on Cherry
St., which he operated for three years.
On Dec. 27, 1920, Mr. Ciccone married Anna Katherine
Ubri. To them four children were born. These are Louise
Theresa (now Mrs. Raymond Spain); Albert Angelo; Gene-
vieve Mary (now Mrs. Clarence Doty); and Rudolph Robert.
In 1924 he bought a grocery store at the corner of Har-
ris and Pine streets, Kent, which he operated until his death Sept. 29, 1949.
Mr. Ciccone was naturalized Nov. 13, 1928, at Ravenna, and Mrs. Ciccone was natural-
558
PORTAGE HERITAGE
fzed Nov. 7, 1935, at the same place.
Mr. Ciccone was a member of St. Patrick's Church,
Society, and the Eagles.
Kent, the Christopher Columbus
Charles Francis Clark
Charles F. (Frank) Clark was born in Kent, July 13,
1892, son of Charles Milton and Mary Agnes (Conlan) Clark.
Mr. Clark's ancestors were natives of Wales and Mrs. Clark's
ancestors came from County Mayo, Ireland.
His early education was received in St. Patrick's Parochial
and DePeyster schools in Kent. At the age of 14 he started to
work for the Seneca Chain Co. as heater boy over a period of
two years. Following this was two years as call boy for the
Erie Railroad Co. His next job was as car inspector for two
more years when he received injuries which incapacitated
him for two more years.
Mr. Clark then moved to Cleveland where he was em-
ployed by the Adams Express Co. until 1918.
On Feb. 3, 1913 he married Margaret Ruth Allardt of
Clevleand, and in 1918 returned to Kent, where he was em-
ployed at Kline's grocery for three years. Following this was
a connection with the Western & Southern Insurance Co. for
two years.
In September, 1918, he was appointed to the Kent Volunteer Fire Department and held
that post until a full time fire department was organized and he became the senior driver,
full time, holding it until he retired June 1, 1942, on account of poor eyesight. During this
time he organized a finger printing system for the police department, leaving 1200 records
on file. He was the first qualified finger print expert in the county.
He was elected justice of the peace, assuming the position Jan. 1, 1948, and serving
until the office was abolished Jan. 1, 1954. Mrs. Clark died Dec. 27, 1953.
Mr. Clark now spends his winters in Tucson, Arizona.
Mr. and Mrs. R. Varney Clay
Mr. and Mrs. R. Varney Clay
Mr. Clay was born in Cleveland
Nov. 14, 1889. He was the son of
Oliver Perry and Ina Pitkin Clay,
both of Middlebury, Vermont. He
received his early education at
University School in Cleveland,
later in a preparatory school at
Asheville, N. C. He then went to
Taft School then to Yale Univer-
sity, majoring in business admin-
istration. After that he entered the
employe of the M. A. Hanna Co.
in Cleveland with which his fath-
er was associated. He remained
there until he entered the army as
a private in World War I, Nov.
27, 1917. His regiment went over-
seas, taking part in actions in the
Meuse, Argonne, Montfaucon and
PORTAGE HERITAGE
559
Verdun sectors. He served as regimental supply sergeant. His discharge was received May
10, 1919.
After that he resumed his work as vice president with the M. A. Hanna Co., later
moving to Twin Lakes in 1932.
In 1931 he married Virginia Herd Colton of Pittsburgh, Penna., who had two children
by a previous marriage — Virginia Ann, now Mrs. Larry McClain; and Joseph Colton II. A
daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Clay — Terry Pitkin Clay.
Mrs. Clay was volunteer receptionist for the Kent Ration Board during the World
War II shortages, a member of the Civilian Defense and lieutenant in the Driving Corps.
She was also county chairman for the Junior Red Cross and a director of the Portage County
chapter of the Red Cross for several years. Mrs. Clay worked in the Hospitality Shop at
Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. She is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary,
belongs to Christ Church Episcopal, and has held offices in St. Mary's Guild and the Altar
Guild.
Mr. Clay died June 6, 1945.
Judge Blake C. Cook
Judge Blake C. Cook was born at Perry, Ohio, October 11, 1885, the eldest child of
Charles B. and Minnie (Secor) Cook. His early life was spent in Ashtabula, Ohio, where
he graduated from High School in 1904. He received his Law Degree from the University
of Michigan in 1908 and was admitted to the Bar six months later.
He practiced law for ten years in Youngstown, Ohio,
first with the firm of "Anderson, Anderson and Barnum",
and the last five years with his father in the firm of "Cook
and Cook." In 1918, he moved to Kent and practiced in
Portage county until he became Judge of the Court of Com-
mon Pleas in 1941.
He terminated his judicial service, December 31, 1950,
to fulfil his fondest dream — to again form a firm of "Cook
and Cook", with his son, Robert E. as junior partner. After
the short period of eight months, this partnership was term-
inated by his death, August 31, 1951.
Judge Cook was married to Bessie Ann Adams February
14, 1911, and had four children, Donald, Robert, Marguerite
and Jeanne Marie.
He was well known through the State for his eminence
as a trial lawyer and Common Pleas Judge, and throughout
the county for his civic and patriotic works. During World
War II, he formed the Social Federation of Portage county, an organization comprised of
many divisions which did much to solve the adjustment problems incident to the location of
the Ravenna Arsenal in Portage county.
He was a member of the Portage county, Ohio State and American Bar Associations; a
charter member of Kent Kiwanis Club and was considered the "father" of the Portage
county Preventorium; had served as Grand Knight of Kent Knights of Columbus; as
Exalted Ruler of Kent Elks, District Deputy and State President of the Ohio Elks' Associa-
tion; was a member of the Wranglers' Club and Mens' University Club of Kent; had taught
classes in pre-law at Hiram College and Kent State University. As Judge, he instituted many
practices which speeded up the work of the Court and saved tax-payers' money.
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Robert E. Cook
Robert Eugene Cook was born in Kent, Ohio, May 19,
1920, the son of Judge and Mrs. Blake C. Cook. He was a
resident of Brimfield township from 1920 to 1942, and of
Kent from 1942 to the present date.
He attended Brimfield Township grade schools and
Kent State University High School, from which he graduated
in 1938. Later, he attended Kent State University, graduating
in 1947 with an A. B. degree.
In World War II he was a member of the USAF from
1942 to 1946, holding the rank of Warrant Officer, J. G.
After the war he attended the William & Mary College Law
School of Virginia, from which he received the B.C.L. degree
in 1950. In the same year he was admitted to the practice of
law in Ohio and became associated with his father, Judge
Cook, from 1950 to 1952.
In 1952 Mr. Cook was elected Prosecuting Attorney of
Portage County and was re-elected in 1956.
He is a member of the Ravenna Kiwanis Club, member Board of Directors Portage
County Red Cross; Secretary Portage County Cancer Society; one of the founders of the
Ravenna Boys Club; member Portage County Bar Association and the Ohio State and
American Bar Associations.
Judge Carl H. Curtiss
Carl Henry Curtiss was born July 25, 1872, in Charlestown, Portage County, the son
of Alfred B. and Ellen (Knowlton) Curtiss. His ancestors moved to this county in the
early days from Connecticut. The first of the family that settled here was Charles Curtiss,
after whom Charlestown was named.
Mr. Curtiss was educated in the district of Charlestown,
in the Ravenna High School, and in the Law School of Ohio
State University at Columbus. He came to Kent April 6,
1898. Soon after moving here, he was elected village at-
torney and served in that capacity for many years until the
village became a city, and then he was elected city solicitor
for three terms. He served as prosecuting attorney of Portage
County for two terms from 1915 to 1918, inclusive. He was
chairman of the County Executive Committee when saloons
were voted out of the county in 1908.
Mr. Curtiss was engaged in the general practice of law
in Portage County from June 7, 1895 to December 31, 1932.
In November, 1932 he was elected judge of the Court of
Common Pleas, and served as judge of that court from Jan-
uary 1, 1933 until his death, September 11, 1940.
He was a member of all Masonic bodies up to and in-
cluding the Commandery, and was active in the Masonic
lodge and Eastern Star. He was a member of the Kent Chamber of Commerce and the
Board of Trade which preceded it. He was a member of the Kent Rotary Club and Twin
Lakes Country Club. He was a life long member of the Congregational Church.
Mr. Curtiss was married to Bessie A. Copeland at Charlestown on February 1, 1896.
They had three children: Carl Harold, James Alfred, and Marjorie Ellen Atkinson.
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
561
After Mr. Curtiss' death their home on East Main Street was sold to the state of Ohio to
become part of the campus of Kent State University. The home is now known as "The
Curtiss House" and is occupied by the president of the university.
John Davey
Shortly after the turn of the present century Elbert Hubbard, one of the leading
American authors and philos6phers of his time, writing of John Davey in his essay entitled
"A Brother to the Trees", had this to say:
"John Davey' s heart is in his art; and his art
is the art preservative."
Thus was described one of the most unusual and outstanding men in the history of our
community, and the one man who has done more than any other to bring to the attention of
America the basic importance of tree life to its climate, the conservation of its basic wealth
of soil and rainfall, and to the urgent need of active measures of conservation in this country.
John Davey was born at Stawley, Somersetshire, Eng-
land, June 6, 1846. His father was the manager of a large
farm, and typical of the hardy, rural stock and simple living
of his time. His mother was a devout member of the Church
of England, who gave to her large family the inspiration of
her love of nature and the finer philosophy of living.
Education in rural England at the time John Davey was
growing to manhood was largely confined to the thorough
training of young men by apprenticeship to true craftsman-
ship in certain vocations, rather than in the literary and
classic arts. And so, after mastering the skills of farming, at
the age of twenty-one he entered upon a six years apprentice-
ship in horticulture, floriculture and landscape architecture.
Having completed his training John Davey was drawn
in 1873 to America, to its freedoms and its opportunities. He
settled first in Warren, Ohio where he worked at his profes-
sion of landscape gardening. Here in 1879 he met and mar-
ried Bertha Reeves, the daughter of a pioneer minister of the Church of Christ. And here
was born their daughter, Belle, now Mrs. H. L. Carson and one of the heads of a much
respected Kent family group.
In 1881 John Davey moved with his family to Kent, where he designed, planted, and
cared for what is now our beautiful Standing Rock Cemetery. He also established and
operated a greenhouse; and during the next twenty years planted many of our street trees
and landscaped many of our finer residential properties. Here during this period were born
his five sons, and another daughter who died in infancy.
In the course of his work in landscape design John Davey early came to the opinion
that trees represent the central points of interest in a landscape, and the one element which
cannot be readily or quickly replaced. Therefore, he began to study the conditions of soil and
moisture which bring about healthy growth of trees. He also discovered many principles of
correct pruning, structural support, and fertilization and he found that, if decayed areas
were properly excavated, sterilized, carved to conform with normal sap flow, and filled with
concrete in sections, the tree would respond by covering the filling with a developing callus,
and many years could be added to its life.
These carefully proven theories of tree care were compiled and published in John
Davey's first book, "The Tree Doctor" in 1901. In 1905 he produced "A New Era in Tree
Growing," and in 1906 published a revised edition of "The Tree Doctor", which was fol-
lowed in 1907 by "Davey's Primer of Trees and Birds." But his greatest service to the cause
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
of conservation in America resulted from his illustrated lecture entitled "The Salvation of
Our Trees and Birds," which he presented to hundreds of communities over the country.
It also developed a demand upon the part of the owners of nice homes for the services
of men properly trained and schooled in the life processes and the care of their trees. From
this small beginning was developed the Davey Tree Expert Company, which now employs
some two thousand people throughout the country.
John Davey passed away suddenly on November 8, 1923, at the age of seventy-seven.
But he had lived long enough to see his new science and the profession for its practice
demonstrated successes, and to have profoundly affected the whole future of conservation
in America.
Martin L. Davey
Martin L. Davey was born in Kent, Ohio, July 25, 1884, the son of John and Bertha
(Reeves) Davey. He was graduated from Kent High School in 1900 and attended Oberlin
Academy and Oberlin College from 1904 to 1907 when he entered the tree care business
with his father on a partnership basis. Following the incorporation of The Davey Tree
Expert Company in 1909, he served as General Manager until the death of his father in
1923 when he became President. Under his direction the company survived two World Wars
and a severe depression to become nationally known as the oldest and largest concern of
its kind in the world.
In 1910 Mr. Davey organized the Kent Board of Trade becoming its President in 1913.
The same year he was elected Mayor of Kent — and re-elected in 1915 and 1917. In Novem-
ber 1918, he was elected to Congress and re-elected in 1922, 1924 and 1926. As a candidate
for Governor, he was defeated in 1928 in the Hoover land-
slide. In 1932 he was elected as Delegate-at-Large to the
Democratic National Convention and in 1934 and again in
1936 he was elected Governor of Ohio. One of the many high
spots of his two terms was his proclamation in connection
with the "Little Steel" strike in 1937 when he declared "The
right to strike is sacred. But the right to work is equally
sacred." The strike was soon successfully settled. Frank
Lausche who later served five terms as Ohio's Governor
praised Mr. Davey's administration: "Martin L. Davey was
Governor of Ohio at a time when the finances of the state
were at their lowest ebb and the demands of distressed people
at their very height. How he managed to operate the govern-
ment with the finances that were available is a mystery to
me, as I have studied the relative revenues available to the
different administrations of the last sixteen years. He did a
remarkable job with the finances he had."
Following a severe heart attack in 1941 Mr. Davey devoted his whole time to the able
management that was needed to bring the Davey Tree Expert Company through the difficult
war years. Even so, and with health failing, he found time to successfully head six local war
bond drives. Death came March 31, 1946.
Mr. Davey was married August 31, 1907 to Berenice M. Chrisman, daughter of Doctor
and Mrs. Charles Chrisman of Kent. Three children were born: Evangeline C, May 30, 1911,
now Mrs. Alexander M. Smith of Kent; Mary Berenice, June 15, 1916, who died at the age
of three; and Martin L. Davey, Jr., February 7, 1918, now President of The Davey Tree
Expert Company.
In addition to being President and General Manager of The Davey Tree Expert Com-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
563
pany, Mr. Davey was President and Treasurer of The Davey Investment Company and a
Director of The City Bank of Kent. He was also a Chief Consultant of the Associated
Garden Clubs of Ohio.
Martin L. Davey, Jr.
Martin L. Davey, Jr., was born February 7, 1918, the son of Martin L. Davey and
Berenice (Chrisman) Davey. He attended the Kent Public Schools until his junior year at
Kent Roosevelt High School when he was transferred to Columbus Academy at the time his
father first assumed office as Governor of Ohio. Upon being graduated in 1936 he attended
Yale University where he received his degree in 1940. The summer of 1938 was spent as a
fieldman in Davey crews. Prior to being accepted for army
service in February 1943, Mr. Davey worked in the Employ-
ment and Personnel Departments of the Davey Tree Expert
Company in Kent.
Military service of thirty-three months included twenty-
seven months overseas in the Transportation Corps, earning
battle stars for the Battle of Normandy, the Battle of North-
ern France and the Battle of the Rhineland. He was honor-
ably discharged as a Staff Sergeant on December 7, 1945.
Mr. Davey returned to the Davey Tree Expert Company
and upon the death of his father in March 1946, was elected
President and General Manager. By continuing and expanding
the successful policies developed by his father, the business of
the Davey Tree Expert Company jumped ahead from a
volume of $4,000,000.00 in 1946 to more than $10,000,-
000.00 in 1955. Chemical brush and weed control service, a
rapidly expanding department, was added to the long list of
services provided to private tree owners and to utility companies. A program of profit-
sharing planned by his father was put into effect along with a retirement program, a com-
prehensive health and life insurance plan and other programs designed for employee wel-
fare and improved organization. Under Mr. Davey's planning and management, the Davey
Tree Expert Company has enjoyed its greatest growth in volume, scope and operating
efficiency.
Mr. Davey was married July 18, 1942 to Elizabeth Breading Speer. Three children were
born — John Martin, February 23, 1944; Hugh Speer, December 1, 1946; and Cecil, December
13, 1947.
Other offices held by Mr. Davey include: Director of the Davey Compressor Company;
President and Treasurer of the Davey Investment Company; Trustee of the Twin Lakes
Association. He is an organizer and charter member of the Young Presidents Organization
and has served as a Director and Area Vice President. He is Chairman of the Education
Committee of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and a member of the National Chamber of
Commerce. In 1955 Mr. Davey served on the President's White House Conference Commit-
tee on Education. He is a charter member of the Martin L. Davey Chapter of the Izaak
Walton League in Kent, a member of the Twin Lakes Country Club, the Rockwell Trout
Club and the Catawba Cliffs Country Club.
Paul H. Davey, Sr,
Paul H. Davey, Sr. was born August 19, 1894, in Kent, Ohio, the son of John and
Bertha (Reeves) Davey. He was educated in Kent public schools, and was graduated from
Kent High School in 1912. Later he attended Oberlin College for two years, and then went
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to Yale University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1918. In May, 1918, he en-
listed in the 116th Engineers, United States Army, and shortly afterward was sent overseas.
He served six months in France, and was discharged February 26, 1919.
Mr. Davey has been associated since 1911 with the Davey Tree Expert Company. In
1917 he was made vice-president, and was in charge of its field forces and its research pro-
gram from 1917 to 1929, during which time many of the basic developments of the business
were undertaken. He has retained his interest in that business as vice-president and director.
In 1922, he began a long series of experiments which re-
sulted in the development of the Davey air-cooled air com-
pressor and in 1929 in the incorporation of the Davey Com-
pressor Company. Mr. Davey has been the active head of this
important Kent industry in all the intervening years, and still
functions as its president. He is the holder of 31 United States
patents, 25 Canadian patents, and various patents in other
foreign nations, most of which represent basic improvements
in the field of compressed air equipment and in the care of
trees.
Mr. Davey is a director and a member of the executive
committee of the C. L. Gougler Machine Company, which
flourishing industry he helped to incorporate in 1924.
In 1927, Mr. Davey served as chairman of a special com-
mittee of the Kent Chamber of Commerce which succeeded
in persuading the Twin Coach Company to locate its plant
in Kent, and which through public subsricption provided the
necessary stock investment to demonstrate the interest and
substantial support of our citizens in this important Kent enterprise. This committee also
aided in obtaining the Loeblein Company, and the L. N. Gross Company, and assisted them
in becoming established in Kent.
Mr. Davey is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery, and Con-
sistory of the Masonic Lodge. He is a Past Master of the Blue Lodge. He is also a member of
the American Legion, the Rotary Club, the Twin Lakes Country Club, the Society of Automo-
tive Engineers, and the American Manufacturers Association. He is a member of the Church
of Christ.
On June 21, 1917, Mr. Davey was married to Maxine Beckwith of Oberlin, Ohio. They
have two children, Mrs. Marilyn Myers, born February 10, 1922, and Paul H. Davey, Jr.,
born March 23, 1924, both of whom now reside in Kent, together with three grandchildren.
Paul H. Davey, Jr.
Paul H. Davey, Jr. was born March 23, 1924, in Kent,
Ohio, the son of Paul H., Sr. and Maxine (Beckwith) Davey.
He attended Kent public schools through his sophomore year
at Kent Roosevelt High School, and was graduated from
Western Reserve Academy at Hudson, Ohio in 1942. He
completed freshman year at Yale University and enlisted in
the United States Air Force in 1943. He was commissioned a
lieutenant of communications, and after three years service
was discharged in 1946. Returning to Yale, he was graduated
in 1948 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
Mr. Davey has associated himself with the Davey Com-
pressor Company and is now functioning as secretary, direc-
tor, and vice-president in charge of production. He has been
active for several years in youth work, serving as Kent District
Chairman of the Boy Scouts as well as on the Camp Develop-
PORTAGE HERITAGE
565
ment Committee of the Girl Scouts. He is a member of the Kent Rotary Club, Masonic
Lodge, Twin Lakes Country Club, Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, American Society of Mechan-
ical Engineers, and Kent Congregational Church.
On February 27, 1954, Mr. Davey was married to Elizabeth Ripley of Shaker Heights,
Ohio. They now reside at 1 Joyanne Court in Kent.
Mr. and Mrs. Ward A. Denig
Ward Allen Denig was born in Convoy, Ohio, June 3, 1916, and was an only child.
He was the son of William G. and Lela (Leslie) Denig. He graduated from the Convoy high
school in 1934 and went on to Ohio State University from which he graduated in 1938
in the School of Pharmacy.
Immediately upon graduation he was employed by the Gallagher Drug Company of
Dayton, Ohio. Soon they trans-
ferred him to a store in Marietta,
Ohio, as an assistant manager.
In 1940 he took a position with
the Shurtz Pharmacy of Zanes-
ville, Ohio, an independent store,
at which store he worked for
three years.
In 1943 he assumed a part-
owner managership with the W.
H. Donaghy Drug Company of
Kent, Ohio. During the month of
May, 1956, he bought the store
from the Donaghys and continues
to operate under the original
name.
Mr. Denig met and married
Virginia Lockhart while employ-
ed in Marietta. She was the
daughter of Earl H. and Iva (Gibson) Lockhart. They have two children, Judith Lela and
William Allen, and live at 420 Rockwell Street. They attend the Kent Methodist church. Mr.
Denig is a Mason, Past President of the Kent Kiwanis Club, member of the Welfare As-
sociation Board. He acted as Chairman of the Community Chest Drive one year, headed two
Heart Association Drives, and is active in the Retail Division of the Chamber of Commerce.
The family are members of the Twin Lakes Country Club and enjoy golfing, fishing,
swimming, and photography. Mrs. Denig is vice president and bookkeeper for the present
firm.
Mr. and Mrs. Ward A. Denig
Dr. Arville Ottis DeWeese
Arville Ottis DeWeese, B. S. Ed., M.D., listed in Who's Who in America as Physician-
Educator, was born in New Salisbury, Ind., twenty miles below Louisville, Kentucky,
August 25, 1888. His paternal and maternal great grandparents had followed Daniel Boone
across the Blue Ridge Mountains from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia into the Blue-
Grass Country.
He attended the Ohio Valley Normal College and graduated from the Central Normal
College at Dansville, Indiana. At the age of 17 he was teaching a one room rural school on
the banks of the Ohio just below Louisville. From this time on, he never missed a year
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of teaching in some capacity.
After graduating from the Indiana State Teachers Col-
lege and attending Indiana University, he served as ward
principal, high school principal and was elected county
school superintendent of Harrison County, Ind. in 1911, the
youngest county superintendent ever to be elected in Indiana.
He was a charter member of the Indiana School Men's
Club, a pioneer in introducing vocational agriculture, home
economics, boys and girls clubs, and health education in the
schools of Indiana. During this period he was a contributor
to the professional magazines, the Teachers Journal, and the
Indiana Educator, and lectured at teachers' institutes, also
serving as extension instructor for the Indiana State Teacher's
College and Indiana University.
He graduated from the University of Louisville in 1919.
While completing his medical training and services, he was a
member of the faculty of the university medical school. Dur-
ing the six years he went through all the chairs, instructor, assistant professor, associate
professor and then head of the department of physiology and pharmacology. Then he as-
sisted in the training of several hundred physicians.
In the summer of 1924, he assisted Dr. Haven Emerson in making a health survey for
the City of Louisville. This convinced him that what medical science had to offer in the
training and preparation of our young men and women for citizenship and leadership
should be an integral part of our public schools.
When Dr. John McGilvery, the first president of Kent State University invited him to
come to Kent to organize and administer a health and physical education department in
teaming up medical science with the schools, he accepted.
He organized these departments in 1924, remaining as director of the combined depart-
ments 22 years. This work was greater than that of Ohio State, Michigan, Cornell or Pitts-
burgh universities and drew many out-of-state students interested in health work. Here
pre-medical and pre-dental training were offered. It drew into the University the first
influx of young men.
For a number of years he served the state in organizing a program for health and
physical education, being consultant and on the advisory council. He was also identified with
the national movement for health work in the schools and when the American College
Health Association was formed the annual proceedings showed his contributions and the
influence of K.S.U. in the movement.
He was active in the work of the first National Conference on College Health as well
as others from 1927 to 1955, as well as the first Conference of Physicians in Schools.
In 1927, he was one of the organizers of the American School Health Assn., composed
of physicians, educators and health workers, and which publishes the Journal of School
Health. He was fourth president of this Association for over 30 years one of its national
officers, including being executive secretary.
Through his various health activities he was known to most of the school physicians,
dentists, nurses and health educators of the country. Though he never relinquished the
practice of medicine, he believed that the most important link of the national health pro-
gram was the school health program and the teacher.
He was a Fellow of the American Medical Assn., the American Public Health Assn.,
the American School Health Assn., and in these held various offices. He was recipient of the
Howe Award; Univ. of Louisville Med. School Award; Ohio Public Health Assn. Award;
and inclusion in "Who Is Important in Medicine."
In his home community he was a charter member of the Kent Kiwanis and served as
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
567
president. He originated the idea of the Preventorium Health Camp and has received the
International Kiwanis Award for Community Service. He has been president of the Portage
County Medical Assn., and of the Portage County Health and Tuberculosis Assn.
For over 30 years he has taught a Sunday school class in the Methodist Church known
as the "DeWeese Class." As a member of the Kent Chamber of Commerce he served several
years on the planning committee and he has worked actively in the Democratic party
organization.
On July 18, 1911, he married Vergie Carol Jenkins, a teacher and childhood neighbor.
They reared and educated three sons and one daughter. These are Byrne, Marion Spencer,
James Arville and Harriette Elizabeth. The sons are all physicians and the daughter mar-
ried a physician.
Director of the KSU health activities for nearly a third of a century, he served under
the university's first five presidents. He also has been on the visiting staff of the Robinson
Memorial Hospital.
Roger T. DiPaolo
Roger Tulvio DiPaolo was born Jan. 1, 1925 in Barisciano Province of Aquila, Italy.
He was the son of Carl and Maria Aquilla D'Alessandro, being one of three children.
When he was six the family came to America and located at Bellaire, Ohio. Here
Roger attended the public schools and graduated from the high school. Later he spent a
year in California.
In March, 1943, Mr. DiPaolo went into military service, serving two years in the South
Pacific, New Guinea and the Philippines. He was discharged
from service Feb. 12, 1946. He came to Kent in September
of that year and enrolled at Kent State University in the pre
law course. On August 9, 1947, he married Pauline Mata
Siciliano of Kent. To them was born a son, Roger Joseph,
June 3, 1955; and a daughter, Linda Marie, July 29, 1956.
In September of 1948, Mr. DiPaolo entered Akron Law
School, where he attended evenings. From this school he
graduated in 1952 with a L.L.B. degree. Meantime he worked
days as a deputy sheriff and as probation officer. For one
year he was a right of way agent for the State Highway De-
partment.
He passed the state bar examination in June, 1952 and
commenced the practice of law in the following August. On
Nov. 1, 1953, he became the law partner of Attorney W. J.
Smith, the partnership being known as Smith and DiPaolo.
John W. Dirkson
John William Dirkson was born in Forreston, 111., June 1, 1885, son of Richard Wirt
and Margaret (Price) Dirkson. When he was one year old his parents moved to Hastings,
Neb. After one year there they moved to Omaha, Neb., where John attended school, grad-
uating from high school there in 1902.
He then was granted an apprenticeship with the Union Pacific railroad shops, in the
forge division in Omaha, continuing there four years. He then moved to Avon, South
Dakota, where he opened a contracting shop, operating it for two years.
On June 27, 1906, Mr. Dirkson married Elizabeth Miles of Omaha, Neb. To them two
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children were born. They are Dorothy Margaret, now Mrs.
Frank C. Miller of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Jean Elizabeth,
now Mrs. Carl Gilcrest, Kent, Ohio. There are seven grand-
children.
In 1908 the Dirksons came east to Cleveland where he was
employed in various steel mills, in the meantime continuing
his education in night schools, mainly in Fenn College. In
1914 he came to Kent to teach industrial arts, also continuing
his studies, graduating also from Kent State Normal in 1918.
During several leaves of absence he helped organize Portage
County centralized schools, and doing similar work at New-
ark, Ohio. During this time he introduced several innovations
or "firsts" in educational practice; diversified courses in
secondary school shops; specialized supervision in secondary
schools; having many successful people in many walks of life
give informative lectures to all senior students; and the like.
All these innovations have become standard practice today.
Later he was connected with the Mason Tire & Rubber Co. of Kent, where he designed a
semi-automatic tire building machine, working two years, which cost over $36,000 — a fore-
runner of automatic machines in use today. Eleven patents were granted on this machine.
This was the first instance of Kent State University lending aid to industries.
He continued to work for Kent State University until 1947, ending a service period of
32 years. The Dirksons live on Bryce Rd., Kent's West side, in a house of their own design.
Mr. Dirkson is a member of the Congregational church and Rockton Masonic Lodge. His
hobbies are cabinet making and gardening.
Robert C. Dix
Robert C. Dix, publisher of the Record-Courier, was born
at Wooster, O. Aug. 5, 1908, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Emmett
C Dix.
Educated in the Wooster public schools, he went to Ohio
Wesleyan and Wisconsin Universities, receiving his B.A. de-
gree from the latter in 1931. He then came directly to Port-
age county where he has been ever since.
He edited the Evening Record in Ravenna and then
moved to Kent in 1934 to take charge of the Courier Tribune,
his brother Albert being in charge of the Ravenna news-
paper. Together they built them and gradually put them
together into a potent county journalistic unit.
He took complete charge of both of them after his
brother Albert and a brother Gordon, who entered the
Portage county picture briefly in 1939, went to Martins Ferry
and Bellaire to put those two units together.
In 1938, he married Helen Westcott of Delancey, N. Y.,
who graduated that year in journalism from Kent State University. They have a family of
five children: Robert Jr., David, Timothy, Darcy and Kristina. They make their home at
517 Edgewood drive in Kent.
Mr. Dix is a member of the Methodist church, the Kent State University Board of
Trustees, the Rotary club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Elks club and various journalistic
societies of state and national scope.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
569
Dick Donaghy
Dick Donaghy was born in Kent on July fifth, 1900, the son of William H. Donaghy
and Bertha Fesenden Donaghy. He received his schooling in Kent schools and attended
Ohio State University. In 1925 he married Esther Getz, the daughter of John and Martha
Furry Getz. They have two children — Dan Getz Donaghy and Martha Merritt Donaghy.
Mr. Donaghy was associated for many years with his brother, R. L. Donaghy, in the man-
agement of the W. H. Donaghy Drug Co.
He is at present the president of Campus Supply Inc., chairman of the board of the
Kent National Bank, and vice president of the Home Savings and Loan Association. He
served as president of the Kent City Council and as president of the Kent Rotary Club.
Mrs. Donaghy is a member of the Congregational Church and is affiliated with the D.A.R.
and the Junior Coterie.
Mr. and Mrs. Donaghy are a part of a tradition of commercial and civic interest in the
city of Kent of which their parents are outstanding examples. John Getz, born in Wines-
burg, Ohio in 1863, was associated with his brother William in the Getz Brothers Hardware
Store and was a vice president of the Kent National Bank. With his brother he founded the
Home Savings and Loan Co. He served the city as a councilman. He died in 1941. Mrs.
John G. Getz
Will Donaghy
Dick Donaghy
Getz, a member of one of Kent's oldest families, was born in Kent in 1876. She was
identified with the establishment of P.T.A. in Kent and the Kent Community Chest. She
was an active member of the Congregational Church, and belonged to the D.A.R. and
Coterie. Mrs. Getz died in 1934.
John and Martha Getz had two other children; Martha Louise, now Mrs. Frank Kelly
in Weston, Conn.; and John Jr. now in the investment business in Chicago.
William H. Donaghy was born in Colborne, Ontario, in 1861 and came to Kent in
1881. He married Bertha Fessenden in 1886, and in 1900 founded the W. H. Donaghy Drug
Co. He also served as a city councilman. He died in 1915. His wife, Bertha, was born in
Kent in 1886 and died in 1952. She was a founding member and a staunch supporter of
the First Church of Christ Scientist in Kent. The Donaghys had one other son, Roy, who
died in 1950.
Roy L. Donaghy
Roy Leland Donaghy was born September 23, 1892, the son of William H. Donaghy
and Bertha Fessenden Donaghy. He was graduated from Kent Central High School in 1910
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
and was president of his class. He later attended Wooster College.
For several years he was employed with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, leaving
his position there to head the Donaghy Drug Company upon the death of his father.
An active business man, he was associated with his
brother, Dick, in several business holdings. His chief interest
was the drug company and the Campus Supply Store.
He was a past director of the United Wholesale Drug
Co. and the Ohio Rexall Association. He was also vice presi-
dent of the Home Building and Loan Company. Active in the
Chamber of Commerce, he served that organization twice in
capacity of president. He was also active in the Kent Rotary
Club. His Fraternal organizations also include the Kent Elks
Club of which he was a charter member; charter member of
Zeta Gamma chapter of Sigma Nu fraternity at Kent State
University, a member of Twin Lakes Country Club, the
Akron City Club and a Kentucky Colonel.
During World War II he freely gave of his time and
effort to promote the sale of war bonds. He was active in all
campaigns and during one of them served as county chairman.
Mr. Donaghy was married to Sara Dustin Jones of Lake-
wood, Ohio. They had one daughter, Elizabeth Anne Donaghy Moore of Loudonville, New
York, and one granddaughter, Judith Donaghy Moore.
Mr. Donaghy died on February 7, 1950.
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence S. Doolittle
Clarence Samuel Doolittle, son of Charles Rollin and Adaline (Olin) Doolittle, was
born on May 19, 1865, in Streetsboro Township, in the present home of Merrill Wise on
Route 303- He attended Streetsboro School and also two terms at Buchtel College, Akron, O.
He was married on August 17,
1892, to Letta E. Stuart, daughter
of Charles W. and Mary Gal-
lagher Stuart, of Streetsboro.
They had three daughters, Mary
Esther, now Mrs. Robert T.
Brown, of Akron, Ohio; Grace
Adelle, now Mrs. Robert F.
Brandt, of Cleveland Heights, O.,
and Hazel Dayle, Kent, Ohio.
On September 23, 1919, Mr.
and Mrs. Doolittle and daughter
Dayle, left for California driving
a 1915 Buick, completing the trip
in thirty days. This was something
of a pioneering venture, consider-
ing the lack of good roads and
bridges.
Clarence Doolittle farmed the
greater share of his life, at what is known as Doolittle's Corners, raising thoroughbred live-
stock, but was also a paving and lumber contractor.
He retired from farming in 1924 and moved to 314 South Lincoln Street, Kent, Ohio,
where he lived until his death on November 10, 1940.
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence S. Doolittle
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57
Dr. Philip A. Eichenlaub
Philip A. Eichenlaub was born May 5, 1893 in Akron,
Ohio, son of H. C. Eichenlaub and Elizabeth E. Eichenlaub.
He received his education in the Akron High and Western
Reserve College and after completion he entered the news-
paper business. Prior to World War I he was serving as
sports editor of the Akron Beacon Journal.
When war broke out he was inducted into the army,
April 30, 1918 and after completion of his training, served
in the A.E.F. in Europe, participating in the important bat-
tles of St. Mihiel, Blanc Mont and the Argonne.
After he was mustered out of service, May 15, 1919, he
matriculated in the Palmer School of Chiropractic at Daven-
port, Iowa, graduating there in 1922. In the same year he
established himself in practice in Kent. He has practiced in
the same place since that time, meeting with more than
ordinary success.
In 1934, he married Dorothea C. Bawden of Akron,
Ohio. Mrs. Eichenlaub is known as an accomplished vocalist. The couple has two daughters
— Mrs. Gordon Tingley of Los Angeles, Calif., and Carolyn, at home.
Peter W. Eigner
Peter William Eigner was born Feb. 21, 1868, on a farm near Elyria, Ohio, the son of
Peter and Krezenz (Dorfmeister) Eigner, both natives of Bavaria, Germany. The father was
a naturalized citizen. Peter was educated in the public schools of Elyria and later learned
watch making in the Dresden Horological Institute in Germany.
Mr. Eigner came to Kent in 1887, entering the jewelry
business. In 1898, he went to Buffalo to operate a bicycle-
automobile-motorcycle concern, but later returned to Kent.
In 1892 he became a stockholder in the Kent National Bank
and a director in 1897. Upon the death of W. S. Kent in
1923, he became president of that organization, serving until
his death.
In his business life here he was president of the Kent
Building Co., which erected many homes early in this century.
He was also a member of the Planning and Plotting Com-
mission of Kent. As a jeweler, he took pride in the fact that
twice he had won prizes in national essay contests on subjects
of his profession.
He was an accomplished musician and was a member of
Dr. Price's orchestra, a well known Kent organization. He
belonged to the Catholic church and was a member of the
Rotary and University clubs.
On Aug. 15, 1889, Mr. Eigner was married to Mary Elizabeth Parke of Mt. Rose, Pa.
They had two children: Parke W., now deceased and Krescence, now Mrs. John B. Gillespie
of Columbus. Of two grandchildren, Capt. Jack Gillespie, USMC, was killed in action in
World War II. The other is Mary Gillespie, of Columbus.
Mr. Eigner's hobbies were gardening and construction of "grandfather" clocks. He
died Dec. 30, 1935.
572
PORTAGE HERITAGE
G. Frank Elgin
G. Frank Elgin was born July 12, 1877, in West Salem, Ohio, the son of Thomas and
Rachel (Holmes) Elgin. The family moved to Kent when Frank was twelve years old.
At the age of seventeen, he became a jeweler's apprentice. After learning the trade he
entered the Northern Illinois College of Opthalmology, graduating in 1903. He again
entered the Davis & Ewing jewelry firm but in 1907 he took over the business under his
own name.
Mr. Elgin was married in 1904 to Mary Foote, daughter of Fred and Alice (Under-
wood) Foote. The latter was a daughter of Freeman Under-
wood, one of the early settlers of Brimfield.
Mr. Elgin was a charter member and past president of
the Kent Rotary Club, and a member of various Masonic
organizations. He died in 1952.
While he had a long and distinguished career as a
jeweler and optrometist, G. Frank Elgin will be remembered
chiefly for the way he made people want to sing. They sang
because he made it fun. They sang in response to his energetic
directing, accompanied by his own booming voice.
His love for music led to many community achievements,
including the directorship of the Post Band, Kent church
choirs and the well-known Elgin Trio.
Music played an important role in his family life, im-
parting his musical knowledge to his three daughters — Mrs.
Cecil (Mildred) Bumphrey; Mrs. Todd (Alice) Fenn; and
Mrs. Raymond (Mary Elizabeth) Anderson.
He lived a long rich, useful life — a life dedicated to his family, his friends, his
community and his chosen work.
Joseph T. Escott
Joseph T. Escott was born September 29, 1896, at Big Rapids f Michigan, son of Bert G.
and Marie (Lallardeau) Escott, being an only child.
His education was received in the Big Rapids schools and at the Ferris Institute. Be-
cause of the early death of his parents he lived with relatives
and his first job was with the Whithead-Hoag Co. of Cleve-
land. Later he was factory clerk at the Williard Storage
Battery Co. in the same city.
When World War I came on Mr. Escott enlisted in the
U. S. Navy and from 1917 to 1920 he was electrician first
class. After the war he worked for the Burroughs Adding
Machine Co. in Detroit and in Canton.
On August 4, 1923, he married Miss Blanch Coleman,
daughter of William H. and Rachel (Loutz) Coleman of
Pittsburgh. She was a registered nurse. They came to Kent
in October, 1926, to work for the Mason Tire & Rubber Co.,
just before the plant was permanently closed.
He then was employed as secretary of the Perfection Co.
and also worked for the Flynn Redmond Co. and Flynn
Motors.
Realizing the need of records because of the Social
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
573
Security Act he started his own business as a public accountant in 1936. In 1937 he had an
office in the Donaghy Block and later in the Getz Building.
Mr. Escott belongs to BPOE No. 1377 and Rockton Lodge of Masons. He was Com-
mander of the American Legion Post in 1940 and adjutant since 1941. He was chairman of
the Disaster Unit, 9th District. He is a member and treasurer of the Lions Club and the
Trinity Lutheran Church. In community affairs has been secretary of Civil Service board.
He served as commander of the Civilian Defense local as well as county director. He be-
longs to the Legion Band and Drum and Bugle Corps, and holds membership in the Ohio
Accountant's Association and the National Association.
Griffith Evans
John Griffith Evans, Jr. was born in Kent, Ohio, January 1, 1881, the son of John G.
Evans, a native of Wales and Anna (Mortimer) Evans who was born in northern Ireland.
He was graduated from Kent High School with the Class of 1897 and on September
1 of that year he entered the tailoring business with his father, a concern which he still
operates.
For about 60 years, he has been a member of The First Congregational Church of Kent
and has served as deacon. In civic life he was a charter member of the old Board of Trade,
now the Chamber of Commerce, and has been a Director and
Vice-President of it. After Kent was zoned, Mayor Roy H.
Smith appointed him a member of the Platting and Planning
Commission, a position he held for 20 years.
In politics, Mr. Evans was a precinct committeeman for
30 years and was the Republican member of the Portage
County Board of Elections for 20 years. He was elected as the
Representative from Portage County to the General As-
sembly of Ohio in November, 1938 and served for ten years.
Two years later, he was re-elected and served for six years
more. He declined to be a candidate in 1956, having been a
member of the General Assembly of Ohio for 16 years.
Mr. Evans is a charter member of the Kent Rotary Club,
and a charter member of the Kent Elks. In the Masonic
order, he is a Knight of the York Cross of Honour; Past
Master of Rockton Lodge, No. 316, F. & A. M.; a Past High
Priest of Tyrian Chapter, No. 91, R. A. M. of Ravenna;
charter member and first High Priest of Kent Chapter, No. 192, R. A. M. of Kent; Past
Illustrious Master of Akron Council, No. 80, R. & S. M.; and a Past Eminent Commander of
Akron Commandery, No. 25, Knights Templar.
At the present time, he is serving his 48th year as secretary of Rockton Lodge and his
43rd as secretary of the Chapter. He has been Worthy Patron of Olive Chapter, No. 53,
Order of Eastern Star. Since 1927, he has been Grand Representative of the Grand Council
of Scotland near the Grand Council of Ohio. He is a life member of the 32nd degree, A.A.S.R.
On June 27, 1906, he married Kathrine Kent Huggins, whose ancestors came to Portage
County in 1818. Three daughters were born to this union, Elizabeth (deceased); Kathrine
(Mrs. Morris Woolf); and Eleanor (Mrs. Everett Sink). In June, 1956, they celebrated their
golden wedding, with all his living brothers, sisters and seven grandchildren present.
Bert Fageol
William B. (Bert) Fageol, Jr., was born in Oakland, Calif., Sept. 12, 1908, the son of
William B. and Ida (Williams) Fageol, of Welsh, German and French ancestry. He was
educated in the public school system there and received his B.S. degree in Mechanical
574
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Engineering at the University of California in 1930. He also
received a degree in Business Administration there in 1931.
At the age of 23 Mr. Fageol came to Kent as apprentice
draftsman at the Twin Coach Co. plant. He served there in
various capacities — design engineer, chief dratfsman, exper-
imental engineer and chief engineer. He was vice president
in charge of production until 1947. At that time he established
an export sales department for Twin Coach, expanding sales
activtities throughout the world and became vice president in
charge of sales.
In 1949 Mr. Fageol took advantage of an opportunity to
join the Ferry Machine Co., which was incorporating at the
time, becoming Treasurer and Director of the company. In
1955 he was elected president of the company, which position
he now holds.
He is married to Suzanne Bower, formerly of Ravenna.
They have five children — Joan Lee (Fageol) Huff; William B.
Ill; John DeWitt; Suzanne A. and Geoffrey.
Mr. Fageol's interest in public affairs includes the presidencies of the Kent Chamber of
Commerce and Kent Rotary Club; and Vice Pres. Akron Area Boy Scouts of America. He
has served on various citizens committees in the Portage County area. He is a member of
the Lamba Chi Alpha social fraternity and his hobbies include flying as a private pilot;
amateur radio, electronics and tennis.
F. R. Fageol
F. R. Fageol was born September 14, 1882 on a farm in Polk County, Iowa. He left
high school in Des Moines, Iowa, at the age of fifteen to go to work at the Kratzer Car-
riage Company in Des Moines, Iowa, where he learned the trimmer trade.
At the age of sixteen he started his sales and business career by becoming a door-to-door
salesman, selling the "Life and Achievements of Admiral Dewey", and won outstanding
recognition by the book publishers.
In 1903, at the age of 20, Mr. Fageol married Jessie May Tate at Des Moines, Iowa,
and the result of this union was three sons, namely, Oren R.
Fageol, now deceased, Louis J. Fageol, now President of Twin
Coach Company, Kent, Ohio, and Robley D. Fageol, now
deceased.
Mr. Fageol is a real pioneer in bus transportation, his
first experience dating back 58 years, when in 1899 he oper-
ated an eight passenger mobile steam bus between downtown
Des Moines and the State Fair grounds, and his interest in
this type of transportation has never lagged since.
In late 1921, with his brother, W. B. Fageol, designed
and produced the first especially built motor bus, known as
k^ the Fageol Safety Coach, the principles of which revolution-
ized motor coach design.
Jm In view of the nation-wide demand for the new Fageol
{ JM Safety Coaches, Mr. Fageol in 1923 again returned to Ohio
JH and reorganized his Fageol Motors Company of Ohio and
^^^^^™^^ B began the assembly and sale of Fageol Safety Coaches by
purchasing the present Fageol Products Company plant at Kent, Ohio.
During late 1927, Mr. Fageol, in association with his brother, W. B. Fageol, designed
PORTAGE HERITAGE
575
and built two pilot models of the dual motored Twin Coach, this being the first urban
transit or streetcar type motor coach designed and built by anyone. The advantages of this
model, wherein all of the street space used by the vehicle was available for passenger use,
were so outstanding that it has since become the standard for the world.
Since its inception, Twin Coach Company, under Mr. Fageol's direction, has been an
outstanding success, and for some 20 years ranked second in urban motor bus manufacturing
in the United States.
Mr. Fageol is now Chairman of the Board of the Twin Coach Company and acts in an
advisory capacity. The major duties and responsibilities of the company are carried by his
son, Mr. L. J. Fageol, who is now President of the company.
In 1938 Mr. Fageol and his associates bought control of and reorganized the Divco
Company of Detroit, Michigan, the largest manufacturer in the world of door-to-door
delivery units, school buses, ambulances and hearses. Mr. Fageol became a Director, and
Chairman of the Board, which position he stilt occupies.
William B. Fageol
William B. (W.B.) Fageol was born near Des Moines, Iowa on July 29, 1880, the son
of John J. and Mary M. (Jones) Fageol, of Welsh, German and French ancestory.
He received his early schooling at his birth place, but left high school to help on his
father's farm and later in his butchershop. He progressed through a variety of jobs as
laborer, section worker, engineer's helper and jeweler's ap-
prentice. His mechanical ability showed up early, when with
his brother, R. B., they built a gasoline automobile in 1898,
one of the first.
In 1901 he migrated to Seattle, then to California where
he got a job with the Rambler Car agency. His brother, F. R.
joined him a year or so later and in 1907 took over this
agency. In 1916 they sold it and started Fageol Motors Co.
in Oakland, Calif., predecessor of the Twin Coach Co.
In 1922 he conceived the idea of the low slung wide
safety coach, which became the accepted design for busses of
that era. Due to the sales market being concentrated in the
East, he and his brother organized Fageol Motors of Ohio
in Kent, which made and assembled busses here for the first
time in 1924.
In 1927, he conceived and built the first Twin Coach in
California, which was then relocated in Kent and was the
nucleus of the present factory, which is still in the transportation business. He retired as
executive vice president in July, 1955, on his 75th birthday and died on October 25, 1955.
At the time of his retirement he was a director of Divco-Twin Corp. and of the Twin
Coach Co.
He was married to Ida M. (Williams) Fageol in San Francisco and has two children —
William B. (Bert) Fageol Jr., and Margaret M. Gressard.
Todd W. Fenn
Todd W. Fenn was born May 3, 1905, at Tallmadge, Ohio. He was the ninth child of
Wilbur W. and Eliza M. Fenn, descendents of early American settlers of English and Dutch
origin. The first Fenn to come to America was Benjamin Fenn, born in 1612 in Tolland,
England, who arrived in Connecticut at the age of 19. His descendents helped to establish
Waterbury, Conn. Later descendents came to the Western Reserve territory as it was
opened up and lived in Tallmadge and Hudson 150 years ago.
576
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Todd Fenn moved to Kent from Tallmadge in 1915, where he attended school, graduat-
ing from Kent State High School in 1923. Thereafter he attended the Chicago Art In-
stitute, Kent State University and Fenn College in Cleveland.
Following the family of older brothers in the dairy business in Kent, in 1952 he bought
out his brother Howard Fenn, doing business as the Fenn Dairy. At this time dairy plant
operation was discontinued and a distributorship was established with the Sealtest Ohio
Division of the National Dairy Products Corp. Sales now cover three counties.
Mr. Fenn married Alice Elgin of Kent, September 15, 1937. They have two sons — John
Elgin, born July 3, 1938; and David Willis, born June 15, 1941.
Mr. Fenn has been a member of the Rotary Club since 1940; is a charter member of the
Kent Junior Chamber of Commerce; charter member Kent Men's Garden Club and its
second president. He is active in Chamber of Commerce work with four years service on
the board and one year as vice president.
Mrs. Todd W. Fenn
Alice Louise Elgin was born June 27, 1907 at Kent. She was the daughter of G. Frank
and Mary (Foote) Elgin, one of three daughters. The others are Mildred, (Mrs. Cecil
Bumphrey); and Mary Elizabeth (Mrs. Raymond Anderson).
She attended Kent schools and graduated from Kent State High School in 1925. She
continued at Kent State University graduating in 1929 with majors in Physical Education
and English. She was the first person to graduate from the University who had started in the
first grade of the Training School. After graduation she taught physical education in the
Barberton Hazelwood School, Ravenna City High School and Kent Roosevelt High School
with supervision of the three Kent grade schools.
Miss Elgin married Todd W. Fenn September 15, 1937. Their two sons are John Elgin
Fenn and David Willis Fenn.
Mrs. Fenn is a member of the Kent Coterie III, Thenus Society, Kent Congregational
Church Adult Choir, Delta Gamma Sorority, charter member Kent State Chapter Alpha
Psi Omega National Dramatic Honorary Fraternity and Akron Tuesday Musical Club, (now
inactive.) She studied voice with Miss Julia Sawyer of Kent and Madam Rita Elandi of
Cleveland and did solo work in various churches of Kent, Ravenna, Hudson and Akron.
In 1950 she returned to teaching as Supervising Teacher of Physical Education at Kent
State University High School, and started teaching Physical Education at Kent State Uni-
versity where she is now employed.
Joseph Ferder
Joseph Ferder was born July 1, 1910, in Szatmar, Homo-
rod County, Hungary. He was the son of Michael and Veron-
ica (Majer) Ferder. The family came to the United States in
1921, going first to Cleveland, but later came to Kent.
Joe obtained his education in the public schools in Cleve-
land and Kent. He arrived in -the latter place in 1924. He
was employed in various places but for a considerable time
at the C. L. Gougler Machine Co. With his brothers and
others he helped organize the Kent Mold & Mfg. Co. in
1944, and is connected with this organization today.
Mr. Ferder was naturalized at Ravenna in 1936.
On August 3, 1935, he married Miss Theresa Mayer,
daughter of Charles and Mary Mayer. The Ferders have four
children — Patricia, now 21; Carol, 17; Joyce, 13; and Mar-
guerite, 7.
Mr. Ferder belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the
Elks Club and the Eagles Club.
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
577
Michael Ferder
Michael Ferder was born April 1, 1908, in Szatmar,
Homorod County, Hungary, son of Michael and Veronica
(Majer) Ferder. The family emigrated to America, arriving
at New York in January, 1921. They went on to Cleveland
where Mike continued school work in the public schools.
Mr. Ferder came to Kent in 1924, working successively
on farms, at the Lamson & Sessions Co., for the Erie Railroad
Co. and the C. L. Gougler Machine Co.
On November 9, 1939, he received his naturalization
papers at Ravenna.
In May, 1944, he became one of the organizers of the
Kent Mold & Manufacturing Co. with which he continues
today.
Mr. Ferder was married on April 20, 1949, to Louise
Kirkland, daughter of Murray J. and Ruby E. (Putt) Kirkland.
Mr. Ferder is a member of Kent St. Patrick's Church
and the Knights of Columbus.
Paul Ferder
Paul Ferder was born in Szatmar, Homorod County,
Hungary, June 26, 1906. He was the son of Michael and
Veronica (Majer) Ferder. The Ferder family came to America
in 1921, arriving at New York in January of that year. They
then moved to Cleveland where Paul resumed his schooling,
which had been started in Hungary. They came to Kent in
1924, and he attended school here for a time.
Mr. Ferder worked for several years at the Lamson &
Sessions Co. plant, and later was employed at the C. L.
Gougler Machine Co. In May, 1944, he helped organize the
Kent Mold & Mfg. Co. and has continued with this com-
pany until the present time.
He was married October 18, 1930, to Elizabeth Mayer,
daughter of Charles and Mary (Linzenbold) Mayer. They
have two children — Paul J. and Paulette A. Mayer.
Mr. Ferder was naturalized at Ravenna in May, 1939.
He is a member of Kent St. Patrick's Church and the
Moose and Eagles fraternal bodies.
Mr. and Mrs. Ovidio D. Ferrara
Ovidio Dante Ferrara was born September 13, 1905, in Rivisondili province of Aquila,
Italy. He was one of seven children of Emilio and Carmela Ferrara. His father came to this
country in 1889, securing employment in the Kent Erie shops. He made several trips back
home and was married in Italy in 1900. In 1907 his mother and son Ovidio, then two, came
to Kent and joined Mr. Ferrara here.
Ovidio obtained his education in St. Patrick's grade school and Central High School.
As a boy he worked on the muck farms during summer vacations until he was twenty-one.
In July, 1919, his father started a store in the living room of his home on the corner of
Summit and DePeyster Sts., Kent, and the son helped his father in the business. In July,
578
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Mr. and Mrs. Ovidio D. Ferrara
1931, they moved into a new
grocery store, which was con-
tinued until his father died in
1944. Then Ovidio (Obie) with
his brother, George, and sisters,
Jenny and Genevieve, formed a
partnership and continued the
business. In July, 1955, a much
larger and more modern super
market was built nearby on South
DePeyster St., which is now
known as Ferrara's Sparkle
Market.
On June 29, 1935, Mr. Ferrara
was married to Philomena Gesue,
daughter of Paul and Diomera
(Iaurrusi) Gesue, who was born
in New Castle, Pa., but later
moved to Cleveland. To them five
children were born. They are Carmela, Emilio, Diana, Paul and Joseph.
Mr. Ferrara is a member of the K. of C, being a former grand knight. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Ferrara belong to St. Patricks church and are active in various church and city
organizations.
Mr. and Mrs. Silvio F. Ferrara
Silvio Francis Ferrara was born in Akron, March 28, 1917, the
Patricia (Naturale) Ferrara. The elder Ferrara was born in Rivesondoli,
Italy, while the mother came from Vieste, Province of Loagio.
The family located in Warren, O., where Silvio attended school
when he came to Ravenna. There he attended parochial school and
School, graduating in 1936. He
was a member of the undefeated
champion Ravenna football team
of 1935.
During school and in vacations
he worked for Tom Mariana and
for other dry cleaning establish-
ments, and was employed by the
Romito-Donelly Corporation for
six years. In 1942 he went to work
for the C. L. Gougler Co., Kent,
remaining there until 1945. He
then joined the Fageol Products
for two years and in 1947 opened
the Ferrara Bros. Dry Cleaning
plant in Kent. This was sold out
in 1956 and since then he has
been employed by the Angle Tool
& Dye Co.
On September 7, 1940, Mr. Ferrara was married to Betty Claire Fink,
and Margaret (Hettinger) Fink of Kent. To them three children were
son of Joseph and
Province of Aquila,
until the age of 12
the Ravenna High
Mr. and Mrs. Silvio F. Ferrara
daughter of Samuel
born. They are Kay
PORTAGE HERITAGE
579
Lynn, Sylvia Lee and Martricia Claire. Mr. Ferrara and C. A. Purcell are owners of the
Varsity Shop on Lincoln St., Kent. In September, 1957, Mr. Ferrara opened Siv's Martinizing
Dry Cleaning Co., using a new process.
He is a member of the Lion's Club, Men's Garden Club and is active in civic affairs.
Mrs. Ferrara is a member of Ste. Joan of Arc Patron's Club of St. Patrick's Church and the
Roosevelt P.T.A. Both belong to St. Patrick's Church.
Ernest S. Ferry
Ernest S. Ferry was born May 3, 1902 at Krebs, Indian Territory, (now Oklahoma), son
of Ross and Filomena Ferry. His parents came from the province of Campo Basso, Italy,
town of Caroville. He came to Kent with his family in 1903, and received his education in
the local public schools.
At age 16, Mr. Ferry began serving a machinist apprenticeship at the Falls Rivet Com-
pany. Three years later he went to Seattle, Washington, to work as toolmaker for various
concerns, leaving Seattle for Los Angeles in 1921, returning
to Kent six months later because of illness of his mother.
After several months employment at Lamson & Sessions
Company, he went to the C. L. Gougler Machine Company,
as the only employee in the shop at that time. Serving in
various capacities, including becoming foreman of the
Gougler Company, he left after 4-1/2 years service to start
the Ferry Machine Shop in June, 1927.
Two years after starting in one corner of the old Alpaca
Mill, a new building was erected and moved into on Sum-
mit Street. The firm name was changed to Ferry Machine
Company. Expanding business necessitated larger quarters,
and in 1937 the company again erected and moved into a
new building in its present location. In 1949 the plant was
doubled and the firm incorporated.
Mr. Ferry served as President of Ferry Machine Com-
pany for 28 years, becoming Board Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer in 1955. He is a Past President of Kent Rotary Club, and Kent Chamber
of Commerce; Past President and Past National Director of the Purchasing Agents Associa-
tion of Akron. He is a member of the Eagles Lodge, Akron City Club and Congress Lake
Country Club.
On October 3, 1929, he was married to Virginia Dawson Carroll, (daughter of Frank
and Irene Dawson Carroll) of Cuyahoga Falls. One daughter, Carolyn Patricia, was born
July 13, 1930, who attended local public schools, Kent State High School, University of
Michigan, graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware.
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ferry
John Henry Ferry was born April 9, I860, in then Franklin Mills, now Kent. He was
the son of Aaron of Judith (Nutting) Ferry.
He attended local schools and graduated from old Central School in Kent. While still
a boy he worked in the brick yards on Hudson Road and South DePeyster St. About 1875
John and his father started a brick yard of their own on Franklin Avenue Extension. They
furnished brick for many Kent buildings, including the Continental Hotel, Donaghy Block,
Alpaca Mill, the Kent residence and other well known buildings. Work continued there
until 1905. They employed 15 hands. The latter part of Mr. Ferry's life was spent in farming.
580
PORTAGE HERITAGE
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ferry
now Mrs. Winan Snyder; Gail, now Mrs. E. M. Guise;
He married Emma Reynolds,
daughter of John and Susan
(Gott) Reynolds June 24, 1885.
The father, John Reynolds, came
from Ireland when he was nine
years old and later was employed
on the Cleveland & Pittsburgh
R.R. line. The mother was a
school teacher from Hudson. Em-
ma Reynolds Ferry attended Brim-
field schools, after which she
went to Hudson Academy. She
then taught several terms in dif-
ferent Brimfield districts and at
Black Horse.
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ferry
had six children. They were Mar-
ian Edith Fenn, now deceased;
Jay Reynolds; Lee, deceased; Ruth,
and Glen, deceased.
John Ferry died November 9, 1912. Mrs. Ferry died November 9, 1933.
Sino A. Fiocca
Gino A. Fiocca was born in Carovilli, Italy, June 17, 1895. He was the son of Giovanni
and Nunziata (Abbondante) Fiocca. He attended school in his home locality until he reached
the age of twelve, when he started to learn his trade. He entered a stone quarry establish-
ment, learning first the stone mason trade as well as the monumental artist cutting work.
He remained there until he was eighteen.
In 1913 he came to America, landing at New York August 29, coming direct to Akron,
Ohio. There he secured employment with the B. F. Goodrich Co. working ten hours a day
at 14 cents an hour. He worked there two years, after which he secured employment at his
old trade with a monument works in Akron and Providence, R.I.
In June, 1919, Mr. Fiocca came to Kent, buying an interest in the Marshall Keith
Monument Works. Afterwards this became known as the Portage Marble and Granite Co.,
handling high grades of monuments of all kinds.
Mr. Fiocca was naturalized in Akron Nov. 9, 1923. On Dec. 29, 1924 he was married
to Miss Lucia C. Fiocca, daughter of Aurelio and Caroline Fiocca of Akron, who had
formerly lived in Denver where Mrs. Fiocca was born May 12, 1904. Two children were
born to them — JoAnn, now Mrs. Roland Patzer; and Nancy C, now Mrs. Neil Davis.
Mr. Fiocca is a member of the Christopher Columbus Society of Kent, also of the
Carovilli Lodge of Akron, composed of people from his home town in Italy. He made a
visit to Italy in 1921 and both Mr. and Mrs. Fiocca returned to Italy on their wedding trip.
Both are members of St. Patrick's Church in Kent and Mr. Fiocca belongs to the state and
national monument builders associations.
John D. Fowler
John Donald Fowler was born October 20, 1925, the first son of Harry Dewey and
Dorothy (Mercer) Fowler, in Barnesville, Belmont County, Ohio.
He received his primary and secondary education in Barnesville Public Schools.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
581
Following graduation from high school in 1943, Fowler was inducted into the U. S.
Navy Dec. 13, 1943. He served in World War II until May 6, 1946. While in the Navy he
served as a radioman aboard the USS Propus, the USS Ellyson and the USS Bearss in both
the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean Areas.
After
strip coal
being honorably discharged Fowler became associated with his father in the
trucking business. He followed this line until 1948.
He was married to the former Betty Abies (daughter of
John and Geneva Sheppard Abies) of Barnesville Sept. 12,
1948. It was also in the Fall of 1948 Fowler entered Kent
State University to seek training in radio announcing.
Between his freshman and sophomore years at Kent
State he received his first taste of newspaper work at the
Barnesville Enterprise, a weekly newspaper.
The following Fall he changed from the radio to news
reporting sequence at KSU, receiving a bachelor of arts de-
gree in journalism in June, 1952.
In March, 1950, while a junior at KSU, he was Kent
correspondent for the Akron Beacon Journal in Kent. He
held this part-time position until he completed his under-
graduate work at KSU in January, 1952.
It was at this time he was employed as a reporter-photog-
rapher by the Ravenna and Kent Record-Courier, a position
he still holds.
John and Betty Fowler have one son, John Randall. They live at 600 Woodside Dr.,
Kent.
Fowler is a member of the Board of Directors of the Portage County Tuberculosis and
Health Association, president of the Portage County Unit of the Kent State University
Alumni Association and is director of the essay contest for National Employ the Physically
Handicapped Week.
He's treasurer of Akron Chapter, Sigma Delta Chi, national professional journalistic
fraternity, and a member of Kappa Alpha Mu, national photographic society.
He and his wife are members of the First Methodist Church of Barnesville.
^
James France
James France was born in England, June 20, 1820, grew to manhood, married and
raised part of his family there before emigrating to the United States about the year 1856.
After brief residences in upper New York State and West Virginia, he settled in Kent
(then Franklin Mills) in 1858. At first a farmer, he became a real estate broker, and about
1880 opened a dry goods store. The store grew under its founder, his son and grandson
into Kent's first and only large department store, which at its peak of expansion occupied
three floors of the old Continental Hotel Building and all of the upper floors of the build-
ings on the north side of Main Street from Water Street to the Erie Railroad.
In 1881 Mr. France was one of the organizers of the City Bank of which he con-
tinued to be a director until his death, January 8, 1894.
Mr. France was married December 25, 1848 to Martha Littlewood who died April 15,
1893. They were survived by three children: Rhoda, born December 5, 1850 and married
May 20, 1893 to W. B. McKeon; Emily, born March 12, 1855 and married September 25,
1884 to Frank C. Kendrick; Elmer E. France, for whose biography see below.
582
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Elmer E. France
Elmer E. France, son of James and Martha (Littlewood) France was born in Kent,
April 22, 1863. He attended public schools there and Eastman Business College, New York
City. Upon his graduation he returned to Kent to assist his father in the operation of the
family store. He continued in the operation of the store, expanding it after his father's death
into a modern department store, and was active in the business, except during two terms as
postmaster of Kent, until 1922, when the store was sold to Gensemer Brothers.
Mr. France was active in Democratic politics throughout
his adult life. He served as postmaster of Kent from 1896 to
1900, and again from 1913 to 1921.
During the first World War he was chairman of the
government bond sales in Kent, and county chairman of the
Victory Bond campaign, and active in the Red Cross and
other war aid committees.
In 1910 Mr. France was chairman of the local committee
which secured the location of Kent State University (then
Kent State Normal School) in Kent, as well as manager of
the campaign to raise funds for the purchase of land for the
campus. In 1933 he was called from retirement to serve as
local manager for the Reconstruction Finance Corporation
in refinancing home loans.
Mr. France took a keen interest in sports, particularly
baseball and for 20 years from the age of fifteen was an
active player on the Kent Islanders, the community team, and
managed the team until 1902.
He was married on August 4, 1886 to Cora M. Haymaker, daughter of Oscar Hay-
maker, Franklin Township farmer and schoolmaster and descendent of Jacob Haymaker, a
first settler of Kent. They had two children: Carl H. for whose biography see below, and
Marjorie B., born January 12, 1891, and married October 15, 1915 to Byron W. Fessenden.
Elmer E. France died December 12, 1935, a widower, his wife having died May 12, 1931.
Carl H. France
Carl Haymaker France, son of Elmer E. and Cora (Hay-
maker) France was born in Kent, June 8, 1887. He was edu-
cated in the public schools, and upon graduation from high
school attended New Bedford Textile School for training as
a color chemist. After graduation there he was associated
with Cleveland Worsted Mills in Cleveland until his health
broke down in 1915. Thereafter he became a salesman for B.
F. Goodrich Company until his retirement in June 1952.
Mr. France was also active in the management of the
family department store until its sale in 1922. In 1927, with
his brother in law Byron W. Fessenden, he opened and
operated Twin Lakes public bathing beach, continuing its
operation until 1943-
On May 9, 1910, he was married to Olive A. Gray of
Norwalk, Connecticut. They had two children: Phyllis G.
born July 14, 1911, and married October 29, 1932 to Burton
Waldorf, and thereafter to D. Austin Grubb; James G. France,
for whose biography see below.
PORTAGE HERITAGE 583
Carl H. France, died December 18, 1952, shortly after his retirement. Mrs. France, who
survives him has been active in civic affairs in her own right, serving as member of the
Kent Board of Education for three terms and as president of that body. She also served in
1953-54 as member of the City Charter commission.
James G. France
James Goodwin France was born March 13, 1915, in Norwalk, Connecticut, the son of
Carl H. and Olive Gray France. Returning with his parents to Kent in his infancy, he was
educated in the Kent Public Schools and attended Brown University where he was editor of
the University daily newspaper and member of Phi Beta Kappa Society, graduating in 1936
with honors in economics and history.
For two years following graduation from college, Mr. France was employed as
traveling secretary for his college fraternity, Alpha Delta Phi. He then attended Yale Uni-
versity Law School, graduating in 1941 and being admitted to
the Ohio bar in that year. Until he entered military service
in 1942 he was associated with the New York law firm of
White and Case.
In May 1942 he entered military service as a private,
Army Air Forces, was commissioned a second lieutenant in
March 1943 and served overseas with 457th Bombardment
Groups stationed in England. While on active duty he was
married, March 19, 1945 in Conington, England to Ethelnore
R. Secord of Milwaukee, Wis.
Mr. France was released from active duty in September,
1945 as captain, Air Corps, and immediately became as-
sociated with S. P. Harbourt, of Kent, in practice of law. He
opened his own offices in January 1947, continuing his prac-
tice, alone, and in association with Robert E. Cook, until the
latter's election as prosecutor in 1952, and his own election
as Judge in 1953.
During the period of his practice, Judge France was active in civic affairs, serving as
member and president of the Kent City Board of Education, as director and president of the
Kent Chamber of Commerce and Trustee and Secretary of the Kent Community Chest, a
position which he still holds. He is a member of the Kent Rotary Club and the American
Legion and the First Congregational Church, Kent, of which he is trustee.
Upon creation of the Ravenna Municipal Court in 1953, although a resident of Kent,
he was the sole candidate to be endorsed by the Portage County Bar Association for the
position of judge and was elected unopposed for the six year term commencing January
1954. He organized and staffed the court which has jurisdiction over all of Portage County
and has disposed of more than 12,000 cases in its first two and one-half years of operation.
Judge and Mrs. France have two children: Peter St. John, born November 7, 1946 and
Martha Mary, born December 15, 1949.
Charles W. Frankhouser
Charles W. Frankhouser was born Feb. 11, 1906, in Uniontown, Penna., the son of
Robert and Selina Frankhouser. He was the eldest of six children.
Charles received his education in the Uniontown public schools, graduating from South
Union High School in 1925. He then went to Akron, Ohio, graduating from Goodyear
584
PORTAGE HERITAGE
University in October, 1925. After that he started as a counter man with the Craig Motor
Service Co. in Uniontown, working there until the firm opened a branch in Brownsville, Pa.
He served as manager there until 1932 when he took a similar position with the S. & R.
Grinding Co. of Pittsburgh. A year later he went to the Superior Auto Accessories Co.
of Pittsburgh and in 1935 took a counter man job with the
McKeesport Auto Parts of McKeesport.
With this training Mr. Frankhouser decided to venture
into business for himself and came to Kent in 1937 to start
the Penn Auto Stores on North Water St. A year later he
changed the name to the Penn Auto Parts. He operated in
this way until December, 1945, when a fire took him out of
business until Feb. 6, 1946, when he opened under the name
of the Portage Auto Parts. In October, 1950, he moved the
establishment to a new building at 501 Gougler Ave., the
present location, doing a wholesale auto parts business af-
filiated with the National Automotive Parts Assn.
Mr. Frankhouser was married in 1929 to Miss R. Gladys
Wilson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. A. Wilson of Union-
town, Penna. To them were born two sons, Charles Jerome
and John Richard who today attend Roosevelt High School.
He is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and has
held all positions in it that a layman can hold. He is a member of the York Rite and Scot-
tish Rite Masons and of the Kiwanis club, in which he has served as various committee
chairmanships. He has worked on the Red Cross and cancer drives, has been Boy Scout
committeeman and a member of the park board. He is a charter member of the Junior
Chamber of Commerce and is past president of the Men's Garden Club.
Mr. and Mrs. Hyman H. Friedland
Hyman H. Friedland was born October 2, 1905, at Altoona, Pa. He was the son of
Isaac and Lena Friedland, both natives of Leitva.
When he was still a child the family moved to Cleveland, later to Akron. There he
graduated from West High School in 1923. Following this he attended Akron University
two years.
In 1927 Mr. Friedland came to
Kent and entered the clothing
business, moving in 1931 to his
present location on South Water
St. In 1940 he also established a
business at Ravenna.
He was married June 24, 1928
in Altoona, Pa. to Ida Sarah Sil-
verstein, daughter of Lena and
Julius Silverstein, also natives of
Leitva. She was born in Rassania,
Leitva, and came to this country
at the age of five. She was edu-
cated in Altoona grade and high
school, graduating in 1925. Their
children are Arthur Mayer, Sher-
man Hillel and Bernice Udelle.
The Friedlands belong to the
Beth-El congregation in Akron
Mr. and Mrs. Hyman H. Friedland
PORTAGE HERITAGE
585
where they now make their home.
Mrs. Friedland is owner of the Style Center, established in September, 1947. Mr. Fried-
land is also a partner in the Portage Furniture Sales at Ravenna, being associated with
Joseph Nadel.
Fred M. Fuller
Fred M. Fuller was born on his grandfather's farm at Cackler's Corners, north of Kent,
June 9, 1872, son of S. S. and Mary (Cackler) Fuller. He was a great, great grandson of
Christian Cackler, who settled here in 1804. Fred received his education in Kent's public
schools. His first job was in the printing trade with the Kent Bulletin. Following this he
served as Kent's assistant postmaster for four years.
He then entered the tin plate and steel business, his life
work. He was first associated with the Falcon Tin Plate Co.
at Niles. Succeeding steps took him to Chicago and New York
with the American Tin Plate Co. Upon consolidation with
the Carnegie-Illinois Steel Co., he became general manager
of sales, with headquarters in Pittsburgh, which position he
held until retirement. While still in Pittsburgh he bought
and alloted the old Pioneer Grounds on E. Main St., Kent.
He returned to private life July 1, 1937. He was a 32 nd
degree Mason, a member of the Duquesne Club, Athletic As-
sociation and Field Club, all of Pittsburgh.
Upon his retirement he returned to Kent and actively
engaged in civic affairs. He acted as president of the Rotary
Club, Library Board, chairman of the City Park Commission
and vestryman of the Episcopal church. He gave generously
of his time and was best known, perhaps, for his part in the
development of the city park along the Cuyahoga River. In his honor, this was named the
Fred M. Fuller Park by the Kent City Council in December, 1946. Realizing his contribution
to community betterment, the Kent Chamber of Commerce awarded him its annual Public
Service Medal in recognition of his work.
He was married to Carrie Yahrling Oct. 30, 1895. She passed away in 1936. His mar-
riage to Maroe Hathaway took place in 1938, at which time they came to Kent to make
their home. He died Jan. 3, 1955. Mrs. Fuller resides at 201 Linden Rd., Kent.
Wilma Leslie Garnett
Born in Moline, Illinois, Wilma Leslie Garnett moved with her parents, Robert Lewis
and Martha (Kane) Garnett, to Iowa, the state in which she was to receive her education.
The grade school, high school, and college years were spent in Cedar Falls, Iowa; the uni-
versity years were spent in Iowa City, Iowa. From Iowa State Teachers College, she was
graduated in 1918 with the B. A. degree; from the State University of Iowa, she was grad-
uated with the M. A. degree in 1925 and the Ph. D. in 1939.
Teaching has been her profession since 1914, when she began by teaching in grade
schools and later in high schools in Iowa. Since that time, she has been in teaching, super-
visory, administrative work in private schools, colleges, universities in seven states. In
1937, Miss Garnett accepted an invitation to teach in the Department of English, Kent
586
PORTAGE HERITAGE
State University, in which department she holds the rank of
professor. Twice on leave of absence, she has worked for the
United States Government, first in the United States
Office of Education in 1953 and next for the International
Cooperation Administration in 1955-1956. The second as-
signment was to educational work in Cambodia.
Miss Garnett is a member of Trinity Cathedral, Cleve-
land; she holds memberships in the American Association of
University Women, Pi Lambda Theta, Delta Zeta, American
Association of University Professors, D.A.R. and Akron
Women's City Club. She is listed in AMERICAN SCHOLARS,
WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA, INTERNATIONAL WHO'S
WHO, and LEADING AMERICAN WOMEN, as well as in
WHO'S WHO IN EDUCATION. As teacher, writer, lecturer,
she has lived in Kent, Ohio.
Robert L. Garrett
Robert L. Garrett was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Jan. 17, 1907, son of Lincoln and
Mary (O'Beirn) Garrett. With his parents he came to Kent in boyhood and secured his
education in the Kent schools, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1925. When not
engaged in school duties, he worked with his father who was in the contracting business, a
total of 15 years. After that he spent 12 years with the Twin
Coach Co. in their service sales and delivery department. In
this time he covered every state in the Union and a part of
Canada.
In September, 1942, he purchased the hardware store of
J. C. Gigger, operating it until 1952, when he sold it to the
Keller Electric Co.
In 1950 he bought a 300 acre farm in Ravenna and
Shalersville townships and with his son, Lawrence, did
general farming but specializing in beef cattle. In 1954 he
sold this farm and the next year built and now operates an
18-unit motel on State Route 5, between Kent and Ravenna,
with his son as partner. This motel is the first built in this
locality.
On Jan. 19, 1929, he married Miss Florence Renouf,
daughter of Dr. J. N. Renouf. To them one son was born,
Charles Lawrence, Dec. 1929.
In November, 1950, Mr. Garrett was elected mayor of Kent, serving in the years 1951
and 1952.
He belongs to the Kent Congregational church and to the Masonic lodge.
Lincoln Garrett
Lincoln Garrett was born at Hawks Station, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1862, being the son of
William and Eliza (Doles) Garrett. He attended home schools until he reached the age of
12 when he started work with a bridge construction company in West Virginia. He learned
the business and had his own bridge contract at the age of 21. His work carried him to
various places, being located for a time in Cleveland, after which he came to Kent in 1907.
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
587
Here he spent the remainder of his life in the contracting
business. This included three years with the Everett-Moore
Syndicate, in which time be built the Gorge Power House
in 1913 and 1914. He also did much construction work on
the old A.B.C. Traction line, Akron to Cleveland. In 1920 he
built the first addition of ten filters at the Akron Water
Works plant north of Kent. He also paved several streets in
Kent and in other towns. He constructed the sewer and
water systems in Sunbury, Ohio; also sewer systems at Silver
Lake and Hudson, Ohio. At Cuyahoga Falls he constructed
sewers that were difficult because of extensive rock forma-
tions.
On Feb. 16, 1895, he married Mary A. O'Beirn. They
had one son, Robert L. Garrett of Kent. Mrs. Garrett died
Nov. 7, 1917.
On Feb. 4, 1919, Mr. Garrett married Sara McGrath
who died in August, 1949.
In 1928 he was first to develop Longmere Ave., building 12 houses over a period of a
few years.
He was a member of the Congregational church and of the Masonic order.
Emmett F. Garrison
Emmett Franklin Garrison was born May 26, 1879 at
Suffield, Ohio. He was the son of Doctor Edward F. Garrison
and Addie (Moody) Garrison. He was one of two children.
Emmett received his education in the Kent Public School
and graduated from High School in 1896. He later entered
Western Reserve Academy at Hudson where he graduated in
1903.
Mr. Garrison entered the employe of The City Banking
Co. (now The City Bank) in 1903 as a Teller and became
Secretary and Treasurer in 1918. After 51 years of service he
retired from active service with the bank in May, 1954.
Mr. Garrison was married in 1905 to Miss Bertha Felger.
To them was born one son, Edward E. Garrison.
Mr. Garrison is a member of Rockton Lodge of which he
is Past Master, Chapter, Akron Council R. & S. M., B. P. O.
Elks, and Rotary Club.
Maxwell L. Garrison
Maxwell Graham Garrison was born April 12, 1851, on a farm near Kent, the son of
James and Hannah (Walker) Garrison. His father, a Pennsylvanian, came here when four
years of age. The mother was a Stow resident.
Mr. Garrison was one of a family of four brothers and two sisters, William J., Dr.
Charles A.; Dr. Edward F. Garrison; Alice Garrison Grubb; and Frances Garrison Minnick.
Mr. Garrison was educated in the country schools and attended Mt. Union College,
later transferring to Hiram. Leaving college he studied law with D. L. Rockwell, Sr., being
admitted to the bar in 1876. He then became a resident of Kent. When the City Bank was
organized in 1881 Mr. Garrison became its cashier, remaining with the bank for many years.
588
PORTAGE HERITAGE
In 1918 he became president of the institution holding that
position until the bank holiday in 1935.
He took a leading part in civic affairs, being city
treasurer four terms and Portage County treasurer for four
years. He was also a member of the county board of exam-
iners, and was on the Kent Sinking Fund commission. He be-
longed to the Masons, Eastern Stars and Christ Church
Episcopal, where he was vestryman and a warden.
Mr. Garrison was married July 10, 1873 to Sarah L.
Peck, daughter of Rufus and Sarah (Lappan) Peck. To them
were born five children. These were: Ruth Garrison Callahan,
now deceased; Charles E. Garrison, now deceased; Iliff W.
Garrison, Carnegie, Penna.; Bessie Garrison Reed, now de-
ceased; Guy J. Garrison, deceased.
Mrs. Garrison died May 16, 1928, and Max Garrison
passed away Oct. 23, 1936. Surviving him were seven grand-
children and a number of great-grandchildren. The grand-
children were Margaret, Dwight, Max and Clarence Garrison of Flint, Mich., Robert
Callahan of Detroit; and Sara Reed Strayer and James Reed of Kent.
William Getz
William Getz was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, December 19, I860, son of Jacob
and Catherine (Sheetenhelm) Getz. His parents were born in Germany, but after coming
to America settled on a farm in Tuscarawas County. Jacob Getz was a stone mason by trade,
and engaged in contracting as well as farming. He died in Tuscarawas County in 1874,
and his widow survived until 1897.
At an early age William Getz moved with his family to a farm on the present Horning
Road. He attended the district schools, the high school at Kent and graduated from Buchtel
College at Akron in 1887. He was a charter member of the
"Lone Star" Fraternity. By practical experience he learned
the hardware business, and on October 17, 1887, with his
brother John G. he established the firm of Getz Brothers at
Kent, dealers in general hardware, paints and oils. He was
the senior partner in the business until his death. Since then
the firm has become Getz Brothers, Inc., with stockholders
Harold M. Bluestone, President; G. L. Smith, Vice President;
Wm. H. Getz, Secretary and Treasurer, and Wm. R. Blue-
stone.
On September 2, 1890, William Getz married Miss Julia
Stewart, who was born in Franklin Township, Portage
County, January 19, 1865, daughter of Thomas C. and Ade-
line (Hart) Stewart. Her father was a native of Ravenna
Township, Portage County, Ohio, and her mother, of Ver-
mont. Her paternal grandparents, William and Elizabeth
(Clemens) Stewart, were of Scotch ancestry. Her maternal
grandparents, Homer and Mary (Knowlton) Hart, were natives of Vermont, and early
settlers of Portage County. Mr. and Mrs. William Getz had the following children: Elnora,
a trained nurse, now retired; Margaret, a stenographer; Mary, wife of Harold Bluestone,
and the mother of a son, William Robert; and Kathryn, who died when fourteen years old.
Mrs. William Getz was educated in grammar and high schools, and is a member of the
PORTAGE HERITAGE
589
Congregational Church. William Getz was a trustee of the Congregational Church, member
of the school board and an officer of the Home Building and Loan Co., now the Home
Savings & Loan Co. He identified himself in every possible way with movements for the
improvement and general welfare of his home community. He took part in the prohibition
movement and was vice president of the Better Roads Committee. He was a member of the
Masonic Lodge of Kent. Mr. Getz died August 5, 1913.
Joseph C. and Carrie Gigger
Joseph C. Gigger was born in a log cabin near Uniontown, Stark County, Ohio, Sept.
28, 1874, son of Henry and Clara (Tritt) Gigger. At an early age he moved to a farm in
Franklin Township, near Kent. His education was received at Kent's South and Central
schools, after which he spent one year in Hiram College. Later, he graduated from Hammel
Business College in Akron. Meantime he had worked on the farm and in the Erie Shops and
had taught school one year in the
No. 7 District, Brimfield town-
ship. On completion of his edu-
cation he went into the hardware
business in Kent, March 4, 1901,
which he conducted with success
for more than 40 years. He re-
tired from this in 1942.
Mr. Gigger was married in July,
1905, to Carrie M. Myers. Mrs.
Gigger passed away in June, 1938.
In September, 1939, Mr. Gigger
was married to Elizabeth Hay-
maker of Ravenna, a descendent
of Franklin Township early set-
tlers. She died Feb. 10, 1944.
Mr. Gigger was interested in
various other business activities
and was a director of the Kent
City Bank over 21 years. He is a member of the Congregational Church.
Carrie Myers Gigger was born at Meadville, Pa., Oct. 21, 1872, daughter of Henry and
Rebecca Jane (McCoy) Myers. The family came to Kent in 1903, where she married Joseph
C. Gigger July 26, 1905.
She graduated from Allegheny College, Meadville, and the Meadville School of Music.
She was a teacher in both the public schools and the Pennsylvania School of Art and
Music, also giving private lessons.
Mrs. Gigger was a woman of untiring energy, interested in her home and family and a
wide variety of civic activities. One of these was the organization of the predecessor of the
Kent Welfare Association, being first general chairman and doing much of the pioneer
work. During World War I she was active in the Grey Ladies organization and other bodies.
As a member of the Congregational church she taught Sunday school classes and worked in
the church circles. Her memberships also included the Kent Coterie, the D.A.R. group and
the West End Recital Club.
One of the joys of living after her family had grown was the regular winter trip with
her husband to Cocoa, Florida.
Surviving the Giggers are two daughters — Mrs. F. A. Rohaley of Kent; and Mrs. Fred
Althouse of Salem.
Joseph C. and Carrie Gigger
590
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
Burtlcmd J. Gilcrest
Born September 14, 1879 in Springfield Township, Summit County, Ohio, he was the
son of Thomas Jefferson and Hannah Jane (Brittain) Gilcrest, both members of pioneer
Summit County families.
Descended of a family of millers and millwrights, Mr. Gilcrest spent his childhood in a
home adjoining the Western Reserve Mill operated by his father and grandfather. Located
on the Little Cuyahoga River on Mogadore Road, the mill site is now occupied by the A. C.
and Y. Railroad.
Mr. Gilcrest received his early schooling at the White Grocery school at Brittain. He
attended Akron Central High School for one year.
As a boy Mr. Gilcrest worked in the potteries of East
Akron. Except for a year spent on a sheep ranch in Montana,
his whole life has been spent in celery farming in this area.
He began farming in Hartville in 1902. In 1908 he moved to
a farm at Lawndale, west of Akron. In 1914 he bought his
present farm on the western edge of Kent. The family home
was located at 1001 W. Main Street.
Always interested in farming activities, Mr. Gilcrest was
a member of the Kent Grange, the Farm Bureau and the
Summit Growers Market in Akron. He was active in or-
ganizing the Summit Growers Market, a cooperative market-
ing association which was the principal outlet for his product.
He remains one of its original stockholders.
In 1952 Mr. Gilcrest concluded fifty years of celery
farming. Although farming methods have changed during
his lifetime, throughout the years Mr. Gilcrest has given
employment to hundreds of schoolboys during the summer months. For many Kent boys,
"working on the muck" has been their introduction to the world of work. Although no
longer actively engaged in farming, Mr. Gilcrest maintains an interest in the farm which is
now operated by his son, Carl.
On February 12, 1908 Burt Gilcrest was married to Lettie Ringer of Hartville. Four
children were born to them: Helen, the wife of Paul R. Roller, a radio officer in the U. S.
Navy; Harry, an industrial arts teacher in the Orange Township High School, Cuyahoga
County, Ohio; Carl, a science teacher at Kent Roosevelt High School and a farmer; and
Jean, a fifth grade teacher in the Aurora, Ohio schools. Mrs. Gilcrest died February 23,
1950. There are ten grandchildren: Anne, Judith and Burt Roller; Roger, Sarah and Lettie
Gilcrest; and Hannah, Thomas, Terry and Jack Gilcrest.
Charles L. Gougler
Charles L. Gougler was born June 6, 1890 in Akron, the son of William H. and
Pauline (Drexel) Gougler. The family moved to Kent when he was eight years old. He
left South school at the age of 14 and started working at the Erie car shops as a machinist
apprentice. He enlisted in the navy and was honorably discharged in 1915. After working
in various machine shops he started his own shop in the rear of his residence on Rockwell
street.
From this point his outstanding ability and aggressiveness drove him rapidly forward.
In 1923 he acquired his first plant on North River street. By the time the second world war
was well advanced he owned and operated so many plants on North River street that the
city government changed the name to "Gougler Avenue" in his honor.
The C. L. Gougler Machine Company was the first company in Portage County to win
PORTAGE HERITAGE
591
the much-coveted Army-Navy "E" for excellence.
His zeal and industry made The C. L. Gougler Machine
Company the largest "job" shop in Ohio, a position which
is currently maintained by the officers that Charley Gougler
trained to succeed him.
He belonged to many organizations including the Elks,
Rotary Club, Portage Country Club and The City Club and
contributed both time and money to charitable and com-
munity projects.
He died on October 18, 1952 at Pasadena, California.
He was married on June 20, 1916 to Mary Agnes Sawyer
of Kent who died in 1954.
Charles L. Gougler is survived by one daughter, Mrs.
Jayne Morris of Twin Lakes.
Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Graha
m
Thornton Gillmer Graham was born Jan. 30, 1889, in Lee, Mass., the son of Robert
Frazier and Elizabeth (Gillmer) Graham. He was educated in the Lee public schools, at
Mount Hermon school, Mt. Hermon, Mass., and at Princeton University, from which he
was graduated in civil engineering in 1914.
In August, 1914, he entered the employ of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Akron. In
February, 1917, he transferred to the Falls Rubber Co., at Cuyahoga Falls, and in 1918 be-
came factory manager of the Inland Rubber Co., Chicago. In 1921 he was appointed factory
manager of the Mason Tire &
Rubber Co. in Kent. g i 4 i i
In November, 1925, he joined
the B. F. Goodrich Co., Akron, as
production superintendent of the
tire division. In 1926 he was pro-
moted to assistant works manager
and in 1927 was made works man-
ager. In the following year he
was elected a vice president of the
company and continued in that
capacity until he retired at the age
of 64, on Jan. 30, 1953.
He has been closely associated
with many civic and welfare ac-
tivities. In the early '30s he was
chairman of the Summit County
Relief Committee and later Chair-
man of the Ohio Relief Commis-
sion.
Mr. Graham was married to Jessie Milne Currie, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth
(Kerr) Currie, on Oct. 25, 1916. They have three children. These are Robert Currie; Janet
Kerr (Mrs. Wm. Bullock); and Charles Thornton. There are ten grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Graham have lived at 412 West Main St., Kent, since 1921. He is president
and director of the City Bank; vice president and director of the Williams Bros. Co.; and
director of the Ferry Machine Co., all of Kent. He is also director of Navaco, Inc., of
Dallas, Texas, and president of the board of trustees of the Akron City Hospital.
%
3
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Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Graham
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PORTAG E HERITAGE
After retirement the Grahams continued active in the affairs of the community. He
owns a 300 acre farm, Ebony Meadows, located five miles north of Kent, where he has a
fine herd of registered Aberdeen-Angus cattle.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitch E. Granc
Mitch E. Granc was born in Kent, July 30, 1911. He was the son of Edmond and
Barbara (Hyczewska) Granc. The father was a native of Ciecanow, Poland, and his mother
came from Pechcin, also in Poland.
He first attended St. Patrick's School in Kent, after which he attended Roosevelt High
School. At an early age he was a paper delivery boy for the late Fred Bechtle over a period
of six years. He was then employed by H. C. Longcoy at his packing house, for three and one
half years. In 1932 he went into the employe of
Peter Stembor where he remained for 15 years.
During World War II he was employed by the C.
L. Gougler Machine Co. and also worked for the
Herman Machine Co., Tallmadge for two years as
superintendent of the second shift. Later, he was
steward at the Elks Club for three years.
On Nov. 30, 1946, he was married to Ann
Peterson of Brimfield, daughter of Theodore and
Victoria (Ambrose) Peterson. Her father was a
native of Leda, Lithuania and the mother came from
Radiun, Lithuania. To the Grancs three children
were born. They are Beverly Ann, now Mrs. Paul
Vesselinovich; David Mitchell and Dennis Michael.
In 1947 Mr. Granc purchased the 64-acre farm
called Green Oaks near the Akron Waterworks
Reservoir and Pippin Lake. He raised beef and
broilers, then became engaged in digging and processing peat moss from his farm. He sup-
plies this not only to individuals and institutions locally but throughout the Lake Erie area
and parts of Pennsylvania. The acreage of 24 acres containing peat is registered with the
Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines, on which yearly reports of operations are made.
Mr. and Mrs. Granc are members of Immaculate Conception Church, Ravenna, and of
the Ravenna Grange. Mr. Granc is a member of the B.P.O.E. and Men's Garden Club
of Kent.
Buell Graven
Buell Graven was born July 26, 1914, the son of Don
and Fannie Graven. His mother's maiden name was Fannie
Parsons. The parents were the third generation of both
families in Ohio.
Buell graduated from Kent State University in 1938.
He was active in campus activities and athletics. In wrestling
he was undefeated in collegiate competition and won the
interstate collegiate title in 1936, 1937 and 1938, the A.A.U.
title in 1936, 1937 and 1938, and the outstanding wrestler's
award in the 1936 A.A.U. Tournament. He was an Olympic
finalist in 1936. He was awarded the Manchester Cup in
1936 at Kent State University. He is a member of Delta
Upsilon Fraternity, Blue Key, National Honorary Society,
Varsity "K", and The Kent State University Alumni Associa-
tion.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
593
Mr. Graven was married in 1939 to Florence Shader of Kent. They have four children,
Patricia and Susie, daughters, and Robert and Richard, twin sons.
Mr. Graven was a charter member of the Kent Junior Chamber of Commerce. He is a
member of the Kent Chamber of Commerce, and the Kent Congregational Church.
Mr. Graven was Kent chairman of the Polio Fund Drive in 1946, and Kent chairman of
the Red Cross Fund Drive in 1956. He was chairman of the Portage County Red Cross
Fund Drive in 1957.
Mr. Graven is a member of the Portage County Real Estate Board, The Ohio Associa-
tion of Real Estate Boards, The National Association of Real Estate Boards, and The Na-
tional Institute of Real Estate Brokers. He is serving his fourth term as President of the
Portage County Real Estate Board.
David H. Green
David H. Green, son of Thomas and Rose (Jones) Green,
was born in Kent, Sept. 19, 1873, and was educated in the
Kent public schools.
As a young man he was a clerk in the clothing store of
Freid & Co. in Akron, for three years. He then went to Niles,
Ohio, and was in the clothing store in the J. C. Levitt Co.
for six years.
In 1898 Mr. Green became manager of the old Mark
Davis store on North Water St., Kent, then owned by David
Ladd Rockwell. In 1903 he became a partner of Mr. Rock-
well and in 1917 he purchased Mr. Rockwell's interest.
During the period, 1915 to 1920, Mr. Green also traveled
as a salesman for the B. F. Goodrich Rubber Co. but in 1921
he gave up this work to devote his entire time to his own
business.
Mr. Green was one of the organizers of the Kent Board
of Trade and served as a member of the first Board of Direc-
tors. While he was on this board the Kent State Normal School was secured for Kent.
He was a member of St. Patrick's Church and had been a member of the Elks Lodge
since 1896. He belonged to the Twin Lakes Golf Club and was a member of the Kent Rotary.
He was instrumental in the reorganization of the City Bank of Kent and served as its
president from 1933 until his death May 17, 1940.
James S. Green
James S. Green was born on a farm two miles north of Kent, May 5, 1880. He was the
son of George B. and Clara (Haymaker) Green, both of whom were born and reared in
Franklin Township. His education was received in Kent local schools, graduating from
high school in 1897. He then went to Buchtel College, now Akron University, and the
Berkey & Dykes School of Business in Cleveland, where he completed a course in 1900.
After leaving school Mr. Green accepted a position with The Williams Bros. Co. of
Kent. He has been associated with this company for 56 years, serving as the secretary-
treasurer, which position he holds at present.
Mr. Green has taken an active part in civic affairs and community services. He was one
of the early members of the Twin Lakes Golf Club and took a leading part in its reorgan-
ization in 1932. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the
Masonic Lodge and the Universalist Church.
On October 1, 1908, he married Miss Louise Reed, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Reed of Kent. To them three children were born:
James Robert Green, born Dec. 26, 1911, now associated
with his father in The Williams Bros. Co. He married
Frances Pease, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank B. Pease of
Berwyn, Illinois. Their children are: Janet Louise Green,
born Dec. 18, 1938; James Seneca Green II, born Sept. 25,
1943; and Patricia Appleton Green, born Oct. 29, 1946.
Eleanor Louise Green, born Feb. 24, 1915. She married
William H. Getz, son of Mr. and Mrs. George S. Getz of
Kent. Their children are: William H. Getz, Jr., born Jan. 16,
1947; Robert George Getz, born Aug. 6, 1948; and Gail
Louise Getz, born Jan. 3, 1952.
Mildred Reed Green, born Feb. 1, 1917. She married
Howard W. Boggs, son of Mr. and Mrs. Nolan Boggs of
Toledo, Ohio. Their children are: James Nolan Boggs, born
Nov. 23, 1942; John Howard Boggs, born Aug. 13, 1946; and
Richard Green Boggs, born Dec. 24, 1947.
John C. Green
John C. Green was the oldest of seven children born to Thomas and Rose (Jones) Green
and he was born in New York City on July 14, 1861, shortly after the couple arrived
from Ireland.
The family moved to Ravenna and then to Kent where he attended the Kent public
schools, graduating as valedictorian of his class in 1879-
He then took a course at the Spencerian Business School,
Cleveland, from which he graduated.
After working in Columbus and Springfield, Ohio, he
returned to Kent to manage the family grocery store. He then
became express agent for the Pacific and Atlantic companies
for a number of years. When the Seneca Chain Co. was
established in Kent, he became shipping clerk. Later, he was
a time-keeper in the Erie Railroad shops and finally book-
keeper in the store of his brother, D. H. Green.
On June 30, 1902, he married Elizabeth Frances Mc-
Mahon. They were the parents of three children—Marie, now
Mrs. A. M. Swanson; Rev. Father Lawrence J. Green S.J.; and
Francis A. Green.
Mr Green was a bicycle lover and was organizer of the
famous Riverside Cycle Club. He served on the Kent City
Board of Education as clerk and as president.
Mr. Green was an active member of St. Patrick's church and a charter member of the
Kent Knights of Columbus.
After his retirement from business he enjoyed his coin and stamp collection until his
death, which occurred April 4, 1945.
Rose E. Green
Rose E. Green was born in Ravenna, Ohio, on Sept. 25, 1867, daughter of Thomas and
Rose (Jones) Green.
The family came to Kent and she attended the grade schools and graduated from high
school in 1883. Later she attended Buchtel Academy in Akron, and after the establishment
PORTAGE HERITAGE
595
of Kent State Normal, attended several summer sessions
there.
She taught in the old Red Brush school in Shalersville,
in Brimfield and in 1888 started her long career of teaching
in the Kent schools, with which she spent forty years. She
first taught at the Central school, after which she was princi-
pal of South School. Later she was principal at Depeyster
school and at the time of her death, May 4, 1928, was prin-
cipal of the Junior High.
Miss Green was an active member of St. Patrick's
church and the Central Parent-Teacher Association. She was
a charter member of both the Kent Coterie and the Wo-
man's Club of Kent.
At the time of her death the Kent City Board of Ed-
ucation adopted resolutions of appreciation for her long
services as a teacher.
Redmond Greer
Redmond Greer was born April 21, 1903, in Clarksville, Tennessee, son of Michael L.
and Minnie (Worthington) Greer.
Mr. Greer came to Portage County in 1919 and for a time he was employed in Akron
rubber industries. There he was charter secretary of the Akron C.I.O. council, serving two
terms — 1936 and 1937. In 1939 he started his own business
of heating and air conditioning and operating in the Kent-
Ravenna area.
In his younger days Mr. Greer played semi-pro baseball
in the South and West and later was active in local baseball
teams, both as player and manager.
On July 27, 1927, he was married to Ruth Gibson of
Kent, daughter of John Taylor and Bertha (Dobyne) Gibson.
The couple have two daughters — Margaret Jean, now Mrs.
Robert L. Sisson; and Nancy Ruth, now Mrs. Bruce Hans-
ford, both of Kent. There are two grandchildren, Susan Jean
Hansford and David Bruce Hansford.
Mr. Greer has been active in Masonic circles. He was
charter president of the Portage Shrine Club, serving in 1952
and 1953. He has been Worthy Patron of Olive Chapter No.
53, Eastern Star, serving in 1947. Other Masonic memberships
include Rockton Lodge, F.&A.M.; Kent Chapter, Akron
Commandery, Akron Shrine, Akron Jesters, Cleveland Scottish Rite, thirty second degree.
He belongs to the Kent Rotary Club and Congregational church.
Firmin Roy Srubb
Firmin Roy Grubb was born in Hartville, Stark County, Ohio, November 17, 1896. He
was the son of George W. and Lydia E. (Ebie) Grubb.
Mr. Grubb received his education in the school in Hartville, Ohio.
At an early age he ran the threshing machine engine for the various farmers of the
community.
Mr. Grubb came to Kent in 1913, working in the Erie Yards and car shops. For a
number of years he worked for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., curing tires. Later he
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PORTAG E HERITAGE
worked at the Mason Tire and Rubber Co., in Kent, Ohio.
He was married June 30, 1921 to Rose L. White of Kent,
daughter of Oren R. and Almeda May White.
He joined the Kent Police Department May 14, 1928.
On October 15, 1940, he was appointed Chief of the Dept.
The department has maintained a steady growth in person-
nel from a chief and two men in 1928 to the present writing,
the department consists of the Chief, three Sergeants, seven
regular and two special patrolmen.
Mr. Grubb is a member of Rockton Lodge 316, F. &
A. M., 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason, Charter member of
Tadmor Temple Shrine, Olive Chapter No. 53, O. E. S., and
various other Masonic bodies. He is a member and Past
President of the Akron Crime Clinic. Member and Past
President of the Portage County Law Enforcement Group.
Trustee of the Portage Shrine Club. Member of the Chamber
of Commerce. Member of the Ohio Association of Chiefs of
Police and Executive Committee member. Member of the Fraternal Order of Police of
Portage County and Member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
His hobbies consist of fishing and boating at his beautiful cottage on the west shore of
Brady Lake. He also enjoys an annual vacation to Florida in the wintertime.
One son, Harold R., who graduated from Roosevelt High School, now resides in Los
Angeles, California.
Roscoe J. Hahn
Roscoe John Hahn was born in Palmyra, Ohio, May 11, 1897, the son of Lewis and
Lydia (Bean) Hahn.
He attended the public schools in Ravenna, Ohio. When he was fourteen years old, he
began learning the baking trade as an apprentice at Paul Borne's Bakery in Ravenna.
On July 3, 1916, Mr. Hahn enlisted in the United States Army and served at Fort Bliss
and on the Mexican Border. He served overseas as sergeant in
Battery C, 134th U. S. Field Artillery and was engaged in the
Meuse, Argonne and St. Mihiel Battles.
After his honorable discharge from Camp Sherman on
April 19, 1919, he returned to Ravenna, Ohio and became
employed at the City Bakery in Akron. Two years later, he
attended and graduated from the Siebel Institute of Technol-
ogy at Chicago, Illinois, as Master Cake Decorator.
On April 1, 1924, Mr. Hahn purchased Black's Bakery
at 116 South Water St., Kent and has continued to operate
at this location ever since. In 1933, the bakery was remodeled
and enlarged to carry Isaly's dairy and ice cream products. It
was again extensively remodeled and enlarged in 1936 and
has become well known throughout the county for its beauti-
fully decorated cakes.
Mr. Hahn's hobbies consist of movie making, fishing in
Canada and Florida and landscaping his summer home at
Bob's Lake Canada, and his home at Woodhill Drive, Kent.
Mr. Hahn was married on Sept. 10, 1922 to Ella Luikart of Ravenna, Ohio. They have
three children, Kathryn (Mrs. Keith Burgess) born Oct. 5, 1923; Fred E., born Jan. 31, 1926
PORTAGE HERITAGE
597
and Kenneth E., born March 9, 1932. They are associated today with their father in his
business.
Mr. Hahn is a member of the Blue Lodge and the Chapter of the Masonic Lodge, the
Elks Club, the Akron Liedertafel, American Legion Post No. 496, The Kent Chamber of
Commerce, Associated Retail Bakers of America, The Akron Retail Bakers Association and
the Ohio Bakers Association.
Howard G. Hall
(Twin Lakes)
Howard G. Hall was born in Colerain, Belmont County,
Ohio, January 18, 1906. He was the son of Albert E. and
Clara (Giffen) Hall.
In 1911 the family moved to Alliance and there Howard
attended the public schools, graduating from Alliance High
School in 1925. He was then employed by the Ohio Public
Service Co. and the Natural Gas Company of West Virginia
until November, 1941.
Mr. Hall was married to Miss Ardath Mann October 5,
1929. She passed away Nov. 16, 1936. In September of 1938
he married Elizabeth Miller. They have a son, Robert Alan,
born March 9, 1944.
From January 1, 1942, to January 1, 1946, he was em-
ployed as chief clerk at the Ravenna Arsenal. He then be-
came a partner in The Fountain Service Co. in Ravenna,
staying until January of 1948, when he became an insurance
solicitor. On October 1, 1948 he purchased the Sollberger
Insurance Agency in Kent, changing the name to the Hall Insurance and handling all
types of insurance.
Mr. Hall is a member of the Kent First Christian Church, the Elks Club, McFadden
Lodge No. 697 F. & A. M. and is past president of the Kent Lions Club.
Howard G. Hall
Howard G. Hall was born in Billings, Montana Oct. 20,
1896, son of Porter B. and Dora J. Hall. At the age of six
months his family returned to Kent, Ohio. He received his
education in the Kent Public Schools and Buchtel University.
He entered the Kent National Bank as teller, became assistant
cashier, and entered the U. S. Naval Reserve in the First
World War.
He returned to the banking business, leaving that to enter
the business of investment banking. He presently is a partner
of Lawrence Cook & Co. of Cleveland.
In 1921 he married Celeste Crittenden of Burton, Ohio.
They have one son, Porter B. Hall and a grandson Thomas
Howard Hall, Earl Ave., Kent.
He is vice president and director of the Kent National
Bank, and a member of Rotary Club, American Legion,
Chamber of Commerce, and Twin Lakes Country Club. The
Halls are members of the Kent Universalist Church. They live
at 336 Pleasant Ave., Kent.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Porter B. Hall
Porter B. Hall was born in Kent, Aug. 3, 1871, the son of Samuel and Jane (Barton)
Hall. He received his education in the Kent Public Schools.
In 1888 he went to Montana with his brother Harry; his parents, and another brother,
Herbert, followed later. Mrs. Cora Reed of Kent was a half-sister. In Montana they located
at Billings, and it was there that his father died, While in the West the family operated
a large ranch, shipping cattle by the carload to the Chicago
market.
In 1892 he married Dora Sawyer of Brimfield, Ohio. To
them were born two children, a daughter Marie, now Mrs.
Robert W. Redmond of Kent, and a son, Howard G. Hall,
Pleasant Ave., Kent. There are four grandchildren — Richard
Redmond, Edward Redmond, Jane Ann (Redmond) Flower,
and Porter B. Hall.
The Hails returned to Kent in 1899, and Mr. Hall went
into the feed business with a location on North Water Street.
Later he sold the feed business and went into the real estate
and insurance business with Carl H. Curtiss.
Mr. Hall took a great interest in local affairs, and was
fire chief of the village from 1906 until 1913. He early at-
tended the Congregational Church where his father had been
Sunday School superintendent for seventeen years. After his
marriage he attended the Universalist Church with which his
wife was affiliated.
Mrs. Hall died in 1926. In 1928 he married Mrs. Ollie Wells of Kent. Mr. Hall was a
director of the Kent National Bank, a member of the Twin Lakes Country Club, Rotary
Club, and Chamber of Commerce. He passed away January 27, 1941.
Herbert H. Hameister
Herbert H. Hameister was born in Bumhe Province of
Hanover, Germany, Feb. 23, 1911, son of Henry and Marie
(Ryphe) Hameister. He was educated in the public schools
of his town and spent two years in college. He then worked
as a clerk in a clothing store and emigrated to the United
States in 1929, going to Toledo, Ohio, where he learned the
meat packing business. In 1936 he was superintendent of a
meat packing business in Bay City, Michigan, remaining there
until 1940. In that year he came into the incorporation of the
Kent Provision Co., which deals in the slaughter and process-
ing of beef, pork and veal.
On June 22, 1934, Mr. Hameister was married to Bernita
Brinkerhoff of Toledo. Five children were born to them.
These are Clayton Ray, Herbert Homer, Mary Lou, Robert
Henry and David Allen.
In 1947 an extensive enlargement of the packing plant
was made and in 1948 half of the company stock was sold to
Isadore Kastin, Mr. Hameister retaining the other half. Business is now confined to beef
cattle, marketing mainly in Cleveland and Akron.
Mr. Hameister was naturalized in Toledo in 1934.
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599
Stephen P. Harbourt
Stephen P. Harbourt was born on October 10, 1900 at
Toronto, (Jefferson County) Ohio, the son of Stephen and
Lulu (Pinaire) Harbourt.
He attended Ohio State University and Toledo Uni-
versity and after graduating from Akron Law School was
admitted to the bar of Ohio in 1925. He has practiced law in
Kent continuously since that time.
He has been a Director and Vice-President of The City
Bank of Kent since 1940 and served as Kent City Solicitor
from 1927 to 1933.
He was a member of The Robinson Memorial Hospital
Board of Trustees for 10 years and currently is Vice-President
of The Board of Trustees of Kent Free Library.
He is a veteran of the first World War and a member of
The Portage County, Ohio State and American Bar Associa-
tions.
He was united in marriage on June 25, 1927 to Eunice
Grubb of Akron. Mr. and Mrs. Harbourt are the parents of two children: Mrs.
Raup of Urbana, Illinois, and Stephen, Jr. at home.
Ann
M. Herbert Heighton
Marius Herbert Heighton was born in Franklin township, Portage County, Ohio, on
April 9, 1892, being the son of Marius and Ida (Hubbard) Heighton, of Scotch-Irish
ancestry. The father, Marius Hubert Heighton, was born at Industry, Edinburg township,
son of Joseph and Olive (Case) Heighton. Marius established the Pippin Lake Fruit
Farm, a show place in the community.
M. Herbert Heighton and his brother, Robert, operated the fruit farm (where they
were born) after their father's passing. In World War I,
Robert entered the army and died in service.
Herbert bought out his sister Helen's interest in the fruit
farm. On July 23, 1919, he married Mary (Fox) Cope. Four
sons were born to this union — Robert, Harold, Oliver and
David. (Mrs. Cope had one son, Clarence Cope, at the time
of the above marriage). Mr. and Mrs. Heighton sold the re-
maining part of the fruit farm to the city of Akron, which had
previously purchased the part of the farm that was used for
the city's reservoir, now named Lake Rockwell. Mrs. Heighton
passed away August 2, 1927.
On August 7, 1928, Herbert married Janie (Cook)
Frewry, and the family moved from Wayland, Paris town-
ship, to Kent where he, now a pattern maker by trade, had
established the Cabinet Shop in May. He is now operating
this shop.
Mr. Heighton is much interested in local history and
served as president of the Portage County Historical Society three years, 1953 to 1955.
Mr. and Mrs. Heighton have their church home in the Church of God, Ravenna.
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PORTAG E HERITAGE
George E. Hinds
A sterling example of the self-made man who achieved success and became a force in
the community was George E. Hinds, of Kent.
Mr. Hinds was born in Kent, then Franklin Mills, July 13, 1850, the elder of two
children born to Erastus and Emily (Rouse) Hinds. The father came from Massachussetts
in 1828 and was engaged in the cooperage business and also
was employed by the Erie Railroad.
George Hinds was educated in the Kent schools. Though
he did not graduate, he was a member of Kent High school's
first class. At the age of 16 became a messenger boy in the
N.Y.P. & O. (Erie) shops in Kent. Later he was promoted to
store keeper and at the age of 26 was made Kent agent of the
Erie and of the W. Fargo Express Co., remaining in these
capacities over 37 years. In his railroad life he became secre-
tary-treasurer of the A. & G.W. Life Insurance Co., for rail-
road employes. He then became vice president and finally
president. During his time the group grew from 300 to 2400
members.
In 1904 Mr. Hinds left the Erie and became cashier of
the Kent National Bank, remaining there until his death in
July, 1922.
Mr. Hinds was a man of public spirit. He helped start a
library for railroad men using books discovered unused in a railroad store house. Later, he
helped to start a town library. As president of the library board he was the man who con-
tacted Andrew Carnegie and as a result money was received for building the present library
home.
He was a faithful member of Rockton Lodge, F. & A.M., Commandery, Knights Templar
and the Eastern Star.
Mr. Hinds was married to Miss Ann S. Jerome, daughter of William and Selina Jerome,
To the couple were born five children. These were Jessie Mary (Mrs. M. B. Spelman); Wil-
liam J., of West Hartford, Conn.; George W. and Carrie, now of Cleveland; and Albert J.
who died in 1897 at the age of 19.
James B. Holm
James B. Holm was born Nov. 8, 1879, near Navarre,
Ohio, being the second son of Asbury and Emma (Wilhelm)
Holm. When he was three the family removed to Geauga
County. Before graduation from high school he began teach-
ing at the age of 16. After graduating from the Troy town-
ship high school he attended Hiram and later Mount Union
College, from which he graduated in 1903. He then took up
newspaper work, being employed by Akron and Cleveland
papers. From 1906-1911 he was publisher of the Portage
County Democrat at Ravenna. Later he worked for the
Youngstown Vindicator. He was publisher of the Exponent
at Chagrin Falls and co-publisher of the Kent Tribune, being
engaged there until 1930. After merger of the Kent papers
he became a justice of the peace, serving over twenty years
and was also health commissioner for Kent city over nine
years. He became historian of the Portage County Historical
Society in 1950, and still holds the office. As editor of the
PORTAGE HERITAGE
601
present Portage County history, he has worked with others to bring out the book.
Mr. Holm was married in June, 1908, to Maria A. Catlin of Ravenna, descendent of an
early Portage family. The couple has one son, Dr. James N. Holm, of Kent State University,
and three grandchildren.
He is a member of the Sigma Nu social fraternity and is a Mason.
Dr. James N. Holm
James Noble Holm was born in Ravenna, Ohio, August 25, 1909. He was the son of
James B. and Maria Ann (Catlin) Holm. The father was then the editor of The Portage
County Democrat, in Ravenna. The mother was a descendent on her paternal and maternal
sides of early American families that had migrated to Ohio from Connecticut. Her maternal
grandfather, Seth Deming Norton, was an attorney in Ravenna for more than a quarter of
a century and mayor of that city at one time.
James N. Holm was educated in the Chagrin Falls and
Kent public schools, being valedictorian of the class of 1927
of Roosevelt High School in Kent. He received a Bachelor of
Science degree from Kent State University in 1931, a Master
of Philosophy degree from the University of Wisconsin in
1937, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Western Re-
serve University in Cleveland in 1957.
He was married June 18, 1935, to Sara Elizabeth Hum, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Knox Hum of East Pales-
tine, Ohio. Mrs. Holm is a graduate of The University of
Montana, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors,
in 1938, and has completed graduate studies in Speech at
Kent State University and the University of Wisconsin.
Mr. Holm was a teacher and debate coach at East Pales-
tine, Ohio, High School from 1931-1934, McKinley High
School, Canton, Ohio, 1934-37; and instructor in speech at
Montana State University, 1937-39. He has been Professor of
Speech, Director of Forensics, and Director of the Division of Public Speaking at Kent State
University, from 1939 until the present. He is an industrial consultant in speech communica-
tion, and has been lay minister in area churches.
Dr. Holm is a member of the Speech Association of America, American Forensic
Association, the Ohio Association of College Teachers of Speech, Pi Kappa Delta, Alpha Psi
Omega, Sigma Nu, and Tau Kappa Alpha. He is the author of How to Judge Speech Con-
tests, 1938, and Successful Discussion and Debate, 1947, revised annually. He was listed in
the 1956 edition of ''Who's Who in the Midwest".
Professor and Mrs. Holm are the parents of three children: James Noble Holm, Jr., a
student at Western Reserve Academy, Hudson: Susan Fleming Holm and Alexandra Holm.
Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. Hoose
Kenneth Arthur Hoose was born June 23, 1908, in Nottingham, Ohio. He was the son
of Arthur Hanson and Flora (Reed) Hoose. After completion of his elementary education
he attended Ohio State University (B.S.A.O.) 1931; Western Reserve University; and
Philadelphia College of Optometry (O.D.) 1947.
As optometrist he was associated with Dr. S. A. Freeman, Akron, 1931-32; and Dr. B.
Gainsburg, Cleveland, 1932-36. In the latter year he began the private practice of his pro-
fession in Kent, continuing to the present.
On May 18, 1934, Dr. Hoose was married to Idabelle Karin Peterson, daughter of Klaus
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
and Karin (Anderson) Peterson of
Akron. To them two sons were
born — Kenneth Arthur, Jr., April
23, 1940; and Frederick Reed,
April 25, 1944.
Dr. Hoose served on board of
directors, Zone 3, Ohio State Op-
tometric Assn., and was also vice
president of this body in 1940. He
has been active in civic affairs be-
ing chairman of Franklin Twp.
War Bond Drive, 1943; captain
Heart Fund Drive twice; served on
various committees of Kent Cham-
ber of Commerce; and several
years on Portage County Preven-
torium board. He is a member of
Sigma Nu social fraternity, Epsi-
lon Psi Epsilon Professional; Fel-
low American Academy of Optometry; Fellow N. E. Ohio Academy of Optometry; American
Optometric Assn.; American Assn. for Advancement of Science, Kent Kiwanis Club, County
Historical Soc; Deacon, Congregational Church; Mental Health Assn.; Kent Forensic Club;
President OSU County Alumni Assn. and the Masonic lodge.
Mrs. Hoose was born in Akron and was educated at Akron University and Kent State
University, (B.A. and M.A.) She taught in the Northfield, O., public schools and is now
Asst. Professor of Psychology at K.S.U. She belongs to Psi Chi (Psychological), Delta Kappa
Gamma, Kappa Delta Pi; American Assn. Univ. Professors; Hospital Assn. and is president of
County Mental Health Assn. Also of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Witan, Thenus and Eastern Star.
The Hoose family residence is at Twin Lakes.
Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. Hoose
Harry W. Hopp
Harry William Hopp, oldest son of Harry William
Hopp, Sr. and Mabel Curtis Hopp, was born March 13, 1909
at Titusville, Pa. but early moved to North Ridgeville, Ohio.
Graduating from the high school there in 1927, he attended
Baldwin Wallace College in Berea.
Early interested in aviation, he enlisted in the 112th
Observation Squadron of the Ohio National Guard, Novem-
ber 25, 1932, then based at Cleveland Airport. For five years
he operated gasoline stations for Standard Oil in Berea.
March 26, 1937 he married Miss Roberta Churchward
of Columbia Station, Ohio. Two years later he became a
United Airlines pilot, based at Chicago.
He was called into active duty in World War II early in
March, 1942. He was sent immediately to the China-Burma
area, and flew the "hump" route for a year, then transferred
to the Middle East campaign in North Africa. As plans for the
invasion of Europe developed, he was sent to England as chief
of air transportation for the Ninth Air Force. In 1944 he commanded the first air transport
group of the Ninth Air Force, seeing service in France, Belgium, and Nuremburg, Germany.
After 39 months of overseas duty, Colonel Hopp returned to civilian life.
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603
He became chief pilot for General Motors in Detroit, and personal pilot for C. E.
Wilson, then president of General Motors, later Secretary of Defense.
In 1949 he came to Kent, buying out City Pontiac and establishing Hopp Pontiac, Inc.
on West Main Street.
Two years later he was again called into active duty when the Korean War broke out.
He left Kent in October, 1950 and headed the 433rd Troop Carrier Wing that went into
training at Donaldson Air Base in S.C. He again went overseas in July 1951 to Rhine Mair
Air Base in Germany. Mrs. Hopp and three-year old Susan Kathryn accompanied him on
this tour of duty.
The Hopps returned to Kent in July, 1952, and shortly after the arrival of their second
child, Elizabeth Ann, moved into their Beech Drive home.
He is a member of the Elks, Masonic Order Tadmore Shrine of Akron, and a member
of the Methodist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Horning
Charles Andrew Horning was born February 15, 1890, being the son of John and Eva
(Bauer) Horning.
After attending Breakneck district school he followed farming until 1912.
On August 14, 1912, he married Gladys Ellen Caldwell. To them four children were
born. These are Robert Charles; Rita, now Mrs. Wm. Mc-
Kibben; Esther Jean; and Nancy Joann, now Mrs. L. G.
Sonnenberg.
In February of 1914, Mr. Horning purchased the Eckert
Livery Stable, which was then located where the First Federal
bank now stands. He was then engaged in livery and auto
work until 1917. In that year he went into the moving and
general trucking business and in 1926 added coal sales and
ready mixed concrete. This business still takes his attention
in association with his son, Robert.
In 1922 Mr. Horning was elected to the Kent City
Council and served one term. In 1937 he was appointed by
Mayor W. I. Harvey to be city service director and served
three years in that office. In 1940 he was elected County Com-
missioner and served three terms successively. In 1954 he was
again elected for a four year term.
Mr. Horning belongs to the Elks Club, the Eagles and
St. Patrick's Church, Kent.
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford J. Horning
Clifford Joseph Horning was born on a farm in Franklin Township, Dec. 8, 1886. He
was the son of John and Eva (Bauer) Horning. He attended the local schools until the age
of fifteen when he went to work for the old Seneca Chain Co., working as a chain maker
for six years. He was then employed by the Davey Tree Expert Co. for a period of eight
years, his work covering several states from Maine to Texas.
In 1916 he moved to Marietta, Ohio, where he was employed as a chain maker by the
Marietta Chain Co. He remained there until 1919 when he returned to Kent and purchased
the coal and building supply business of L. A. Wilt. This he conducted until 1946, over a
period of 27 years, when he sold to his son, Richard.
On Nov. 21, 1910, he was married to Hazel Marie Wonsetler, daughter of Cyrus B. and
Mahola Nogal Wonsetler. Mr. Wonsetler was a wood worker for the Kent Carriage Works,
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Mr. and Mrs. Clifford J. Horning
later operating a blacksmith shop
for several years.
Three children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Horning — John
Leroy, Clifford Joseph and Rich-
ard Charles. In 1937 Mr. Horning
purchased acreage and planted a
citrus grove in Florida, which has
since grown to one of considerable
size. Mr. and Mrs. Horning now
spend a large portion of their
time at Zephyrhills, Florida, re-
turning to Kent in summers.
Mr. Horning is a member of the
Knights of Columbus, B.P.O.E.
Mrs. Horning belongs to the Em-
blem Club and C. D. of A. Both
are members of Kent St. Patrick's
church.
Richard C. Horning
Richard Charles Horning was born in Marietta, Ohio, April 24, 1918. He was the son
of Clifford J. and Hazel Marie (Wonsetler) Horning.
In his childhood the family came to Kent and he obtained his education in St.
Patrick's parochial school, Central and Roosevelt High, graduating in 1936.
After that he worked for his father in the coal and
builders supply business until 1945, when he took over his
father's interests entirely.
Mr. Horning was married to Audrey Laura Bramlett of
Akron in December, 1952. She was the daughter of Walter
and Bertie Bramlett of Akron. To them three children were
born — Janet Ruth, Laura Ann and Richard, Jr.
In 1955 the coal business was discontinued entirely after
a period of forty years in the same location. Entire attention
was then given to the building supplies trade. Building sup-
plies of all kinds were handled, including ready mixed con-
crete. The firm is also contractor for driveways, basement
walls, swimming pools and the like.
Mr. Horning is a member of the Lions Club, Eagles, Elks
and Twin Lakes Country Club. His special hobby is boating
and he belongs to the Sandusky Yacht Club and the U. S.
power squadrons.
Robert J. Horning
Robert John Horning was born October 10, 1900, in a house located on what is now
known as Horning Road. He was the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Horning. He
attended the Breakneck district school, St. Patrick's school and Kent State Normal high
school.
Mr. Horning worked on his father's farm until April, 1922, when he went to the
Michigan State Auto School. He then went to the Packard automobile factory and Oakland
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
605
wmmm.:
and Packard service stations for a total of three years.
On June 27, 1922, he was married to Dessie Irene Mc-
Grath in Wyandotte, Mich. In August, 1924, they moved to
Wyandotte where Mr. Horning went into the contracting
business with his father-in-law. In the following year they
moved to their present location on Horning Road, where
he now resides.
A daughter was born to the couple Dec. 11, 1923 —
Kathryn Ann, now Mrs. John Perkowski of Kent. There are
two grandchildren, Linda Ann and Robert John. Since 1925
he has done general farming with special attention to
dairying.
In March, 1941, Mr. Horning was appointed to fill the
unexpired term of his father as township trustee. He was
elected to the same office in 1945 and still retains it.
He was also chairman of the Franklin Township soil
conservation committee in November, 1941, now the Agricul-
tural Stabilization Committee. He is now serving as chairman of the county committee.
He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and St. Patrick's church.
Frank C. Hull
Frank Carlton Hull was born October 21, 1897, in Waterford, Erie County, Penna.,
son of Thomas D. and Harriet (Phillips) Hull. He was one of four children, one brother
and two sisters. His father had been a school teacher but was now the co-proprietor of
Hull Brother's General Store.
Frank received his education in Waterford Academy, but voluntary enlistment in the
U. S. Army for World War I interrupted his senior year. He
served overseas with Co. A., the 112th Infantry, 28th Division,
participating in the action at Chateau Thierry, Meuse-Argon-
ne, Feimes-Fi St. Mihiel. After his discharge from service
with the rank of sergeant, he completed his secondary edu-
cation, studied for the Bar in Cleveland and received his law
degree from Baldwin-Wallace College.
He then accepted a position as personal injury claim
adjustor with the Erie Railroad at Youngstown, O. In 1926
he was promoted to division claim agent at Kent. When the
Erie shops were moved from Kent, he decided to stay in Kent
and start the practice of law. The Second World War inter-
rupted this practice. In 1937, he helped organize the first
unit of the Ohio National Guard to be located in Kent. The
unit was activated in October of 1940 to Federal service
and sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, where he served as
battalion commander.
Returning to Kent, he resumed the practice of law where he is presently the senior
partner of the firm of Hull and Williams.
He is the father of two sons, Stewart and Dean, both of Kent. Stewart is a salesman
for W. W. Reed and Son, Realtors; Dean being the present commander of the same
national guard unit that his father headed.
Mr. Hull is now married to the former Eleanor Tobin of Garrettsville. They live at
Twin Lakes.
He is a member of Christ Episcopal Church; the American Bar Association, state and
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county; Past President of the Portage County Bar Association; Past Commander of the
American Legion Post 496; Past Chef De Gare of LaSociete Des 40 Hommes Et 8 Chevaux,
Veterans of Foreign Wars; Past Exalted Ruler of the Kent Lodge of Elks 1377; the Masons,
Tadmor Temple of Akron; Tadmor Temple Oriental Band; Past President of Portage
Shrine Club; the Kent State University Downtown Boosters Club; the University Club in
Akron; and Twin Lakes Country Club.
Andrew R. Hynton
Andrew Robert Hynton, was born July 13, 1893, in
Northfield, Ohio, one of twelve children of John and
Anna Cassidy Hynton, who moved to Kent in 1899. He was
educated in Kent schools.
He was first employed in the old Kent Chain Works
and the Lamson & Session Co.
A World War I veteran, he enlisted on May 26, 1918,
trained at Camp Gordon, serving with Co. F, 47th Infantry,
Fourth Division. He left for overseas July 22, 1918, taking
part in the Argonne offensive, later serving with the Army
of Occupation, being discharged August 4th, 1919. He was a
member of Portage Post 496, American Legion, and Captain
Brady Post 3079, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Standing Rock
Aerie 1204, and F.O.E.
After returning from service he was employed with the
Erie Railroad until he entered the employe of the Twin
Coach Co., May 24, 1921, where he worked in the trim
department and later in the sub-assembly department.
Active in Local 40, United Auto Workers, CIO at Twin Coach, Mr. Hynton held many
offices, President, Grievance Chairman; serving on the Executive Board for many years,
and acting as National Delegate at Atlantic City.
Mr. Hynton was married March 23, 1927, to Mary Frances Austin, daughter of Garfield
and Anna Antill Austin. They have two children, Mrs. Robert P. (Mary Frances) Hogan
and Andrew Robert, Jr.
Mr. Hynton died January 27th, 1948, at his home at 619 W. Main St., Kent.
James Imperial
James Imperial was born in Parti Nico Province, near
Palmero, Sicily, March 9, 1898. His parents were Leonard
and Frances Imperial. He attended local schools there and
worked for his father in the care of an olive grove, the bulk
of which product was pressed into olive oil.
In 1912 Mr. Imperial came to Marion, Ohio, and started
selling fruit, selling bananas and other fruit from house to
house. At the age of 18 he was employed by the Erie Rail-
road as section hand at Marion, later attaining a foremanship.
He came to Kent in 1917, continuing his work as foreman
for the railroad.
In 1926 he started in the produce business with his wife
working with him, until 1928 when he began to devote his
entire time to this business and adding groceries and meats.
On April 25, 1925, he was married to Vera Elizabeth
Arganti, daughter of Marco and Mary Arganti of Kent. Four
children were born to them. These are Frances Marie, now
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607
Mrs. Edmund J. Leslie; Mary Jean, now Mrs. Robert Weiss; Katherine May, now Mrs.
Ronald Lee Gardner; and JoAnn Lucille.
Mr. Imperial obtained his citizenship at Ravenna in 1943.
He was a member of St. Patrick's Church in Kent and passed away, Sept. 5, 1945.
Byron Henry Jacob, M.D,
Byron Henry Jacob was born Dec. 18, 1865 on a farm
near Norwich, Ont. Canada. He was the son of William
Francis and Olivia (Coote) Jacob, of Scotch-Irish ancestry.
Byron H. Jacob assisted his father on the farm until he
was 26 years old. He wanted to be a doctor and when his
father gave him a farm he promptly sold it and used the
money for his education. Lacking a high school education it
was necessary for him to enter school with boys and girls
half his age. He made rapid progress and was admitted to
Trinity Medical College, (now University of Toronto) where
he graduated with a degree of M.D.C.M.
After graduation he came to the United States, and
soon became a naturalized U. S. citizen. He located in Birm-
ingham, Ohio. In 1902 he moved to Kent where he practiced
his profession of physican and surgeon until he retired in
1919.
Dr. Jacob married Rebecca Wilson of Toronto, Canada.
To them were born two children, B. Harold Jacob of Ravenna, O.; and Lila Jacob Martsch
of Burbank, Calif.
Dr. Jacob was a member of the Methodist Church. And he served as a director of The
City Bank for about 20 years.
After retiring he moved to Florida, but returned to Kent to visit each summer until
his death in 1949.
Mr. and Mrs. Carl M. Jacobs
Mr. and Mrs. Carl M. Jacobs
Carl M. Jacobs was born in
Kent, August 22, 1899. He was the
son of Fred and Margaret
(Knapp) Jacobs.
He attended the' Kent public
schools and later Kent Normal
school as it was then known.
On October 21, 1925, he was
married to Genevieve Irene Bahl.
Three children were born to them.
These are Mary Lou, now Mrs.
Louis Horning; Frederick C. and
Robert M. Jacobs.
After reaching maturity Mr.
Jacobs learned the machinist trade
and followed this for a period of
25 years, working in various es-
tablishments, until 1940, when he
was employed by his father in his
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paint, wall paper and picture framing business. In 1942, he succeded his father in the
operation of the business, which had been established in 1895. He conducts this business
today.
Mr. Jacobs lives at 657 Longmere, Kent, and he attends St. Patrick's church.
Eben S. Johnson
Eben S. Johnson was born in Shalersville, Portage County, March 23, 1847, the young-
est son of Ebenezer and Annis Stoddard Johnson. His paternal grandfather, Sylvester
Johnson, was a farmer at Rutland, Vt. and his maternal grandfather Stoddard was a native
of New Hampshire who settled in Freedom township in 1834 and afterward moved to Iowa.
Eben Johnson's family came to Kent when he was ten years old. At the age of seventeen
he entered business life as a clerk in the meat and grocery store of his brother Alonzo.
Later, he formed a partnership with his nephew, Will John-
son. Altogether, he was in the grocery and meat business in
Kent 48 years. After his death this business was continued by
his son Frank, who later moved with his family to Glendale,
Cal. Will Johnson later became Dr. William A. Johnson, who
practiced dentistry in Kent until his death Oct. 24, 1942.
Eben Johnson first married Minnie Brewster and to them
two sons were born, Frank W. and W. A. Johnson. The
mother subsequently died.
On August 21, 1887, Mr. Johnson married Anna Christ-
ian. To them were born three children. These were Howard
C. Johnson, now in the celery and produce business; Anna
Beckley, who lives in Akron; and Annis Stevens, who lives in
Cleveland. Ann Christian Johnson passed away Aug. 23, 1892.
In 1901, Eben Johnson married Mary J. Price. They had
one child, a daughter, now Rhea Johnson Merrell.
Eben Johnson has four grandchildren — Florence Johnson,
William A. Stevens, Jeanette Beckley and Edwin Neal Merrell.
Isadore I. Kastin
Isadore I. Kastin was born April 20, 1899, in Pinczow,
Poland, son of Joshua and Pearl Kolatacy Kastin. Since there
were no public schools there at that time, his education was
received mainly from private tutors. In 1912, he emigrated
to America, alone.
After some time in the East he came to Cleveland in
1916. There he attended high school. Later he attended
Oberlin College and Cleveland College of Western Reserve
University. About 1921 he entered the lumber business under
the name of the Kastin Sash and Door Co., continuing until
1932.
In 1933 he went into the wholesale meat business under
the name of Great Lakes Packing Co. In 1948 he came to
Kent, Ohio, as half owner of the Kent Provision Co., which
conducts an extensive business in meats throughout the
entire area including Akron, Cleveland and nearby places.
On Feb. 27, 1933, Mr. Kastin married Ruth Ardang, who
bore him two sons, Abba and Paul. Mrs. Kastin passed away in 1944.
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609
In Cleveland Mr. Kastin was vice-president of the "Better School Association of Cleve-
land Heights", and was co-chairman of the Jewish Welfare Drive, food division, of Greater
Cleveland. He is a member of the Kent Rotary Club and was chairman of the Golden
Anniversary of International Rotary and was also a member of the executive board and
chairman of various committees of the organization.
In Cleveland he was the 1946-47 president of the J.Y.F., which embraces all Jewish
organizations of Greater Cleveland.
Mr. Kastin received his citizenship papers in Cleveland.
Robert G. Katzenmeyer
Robert G. Katzenmeyer was born July 2, 1915 in Kent, Ohio, being the only child
of Phillip and Jessie (Shuman) Katzenmeyer.
Robert received his education in the Kent Public Schools
and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1932. He
then entered Kent State University and graduated with a
Bachelor of Science degree in 1937.
In 1954 he received his Master of Business Adminis-
tration degree from Kent State University and was awarded
a Certified Public Accountant certificate by the State Board
of Accountancy in the same year.
In 1947 Mr. Katzenmeyer established a public ac-
counting practice in Kent. In 1954 he was named Clerk-
Treasurer of the Kent City Board of Education and held
this position as a part-time adjunct to his public accounting
practice. In the same year he became a part-time instructor
of federal taxation and auditing at the University of Akron
Evening College.
Mr. Katzenmeyer was married in 1948 to Betty Cole,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Cole of Akron, Ohio. To
them was born one child, Jerry Lee Katzenmeyer in 1949.
Robert is an active member of the Kent Methodist Church and serves on its Official
Board and Commission on Finance. He is affiliated with Rockton Lodge F. and A. M.,
Ancient and Accepted Order of Scottish Rite and the Shrine. He is a long time member
of Kiwanis and the Chamber of Commerce. Professional affiliations include: The Amer-
ican Institute of Accountants, Ohio Society of CPA's., National Association of Cost Ac-
countants and American Association of School Business Officials.
The Zenas Kent Family
Of the early business men of the county, none arrived at greater stature than Zenas
Kent. Best remembered for his business operations in Kent, he was long active in Ravenna
and actually lived there longer than in any other place.
He was born in Middletown, Conn., in 1786, where he married Pamela Lewis. First
a carpenter he came to Ravenna in 1815 by way of Mantua and Hudson, becoming partner
in the Oviatt & Kent store. The venture was successful but Mr. Kent engaged in other
activities as well, such as building a new court house and jail. The store became Kent
& Brewster, running until 1850 when Mr. Kent came to Franklin Mills. He bought
many acres of land and water rights, established Kent's flouring mill, a tannery, a cotton
mill and other businesses. He became president of the Kent National Bank and treasurer
of the A. & G. W. railroad, promoted by his son. He died in 1865 and is buried in
Cleveland. He was the father of thirteen children.
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Born in Ravenna Sept. 21, 1816, Marvin Kent was educated in Ravenna and in
academies at Tallmadge and Claridon. He then became associated with his father, Zenas
Kent, in his store, showing great aptitude for business. He then looked after his father's
business interests in Frankling Mills, including the flouring mill, tannery and other
shops, and in building. He married Maria Stewart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William
Stewart of Franklin Mills. His greatest achievement was the promotion of the railroad
which later became the A. & G. W., now the Erie. Of this he was president many years.
He brought the railroad repair shops to Kent, a source of prosperity for many years.
Honoring the Kent family, the name Of the town was changed to Kent in 1867. In 1865
Marvin Kent succeeded his father as president of the Kent National Bank and in 1867
he was elected to the Ohio State Senate. He had one son, William Stewart. Mr. Kent
died in 1908.
William S. Kent was born in 1847. He was a merchant and for many years was
publisher of the Kent Courier. When his father, Marvin, died in 1908, he succeeded him
as head of the Kent National Bank. Mr. Kent's first wife was Kittie North, who died
in an accident in 1875. He then married Mary Logan Pearson. Mr. Kent was largely
instrumental in securing Kent State Normal School for the town. He died in 1923.
Francis J. Kerwin
Francis Joseph Kerwin was born February 4, 1901, at
Cleveland, Ohio, being the only son of William F. and
Elizabeth (Quinn) Kerwin, and the eldest of four children.
His maternal grand-father, William Quinn, helped build
the old Erie Shops in Kent.
When he was six years of age, the family moved to
Kent, where Francis has lived since. He received his edu-
cation in the local parochial school, then graduated from
Kent State High School, and from Actual Business College.
He then engaged in business as a rubber manufacturing
cost accountant, and later as estimator and manager in the
retail lumber business.
In 1934, he was appointed as Kent Safety Director, and
later, in April, 1936, he was appointed to the position as
City Auditor, which he now holds.
Mr. Kerwin was married in 1927 to Margaret Jane Reed,
of Lowellville, Ohio, a graduate of Kent State Normal
School, and presently first grade teacher at Brimfield Township School. To them was born
a daughter, Mary Jane, a graduate of KSU. Mary Jane is now married to Robert J. Koch,
who with their three children reside in Cuyahoga Falls.
Mr. Kerwin is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Third and Fourth Degrees
of Knights of Columbus, Eagles and Moose Clubs, Wranglers' Club, Chamber of Commerce,
Ohio Municipal Finance Officers Assn., and is Treasurer of Kent Camp Fire Girls. His
chief interest, outside of his family, is in athletic sports of every nature.
Emmet J. Kline
Emmet J. Kline was born in Franklin Township February 7, 1885. He was the son
of Jacob and Amanda (Brown) Kline.
At an early age his parents moved to Brimfield where he secured his education in
the district schools and Brimfield High School, from which he graduated in 1903.
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611
:«-
He then helped his father on the farm. At the age of 15
he operated a milk route in Kent for his father and later ran
it himself.
In March, 1910, he moved to Kent and started a grocery,
which business he is still operating with his sons, Francis
and Maurice, associated with him.
On October 19, 1915, Mr. Kline was married to Julia
F. McMahon, whose parents were natives of County Clare,
Ireland. To them three children were born — Francis J.,
Ralph C. and Maurice H.
Mr. Kline served six years on the Kent City council and
during this period the Kent Sanitary Sewer system and Dis-
posal Plant were installed.
He is a member of the K. of C. and St. Patrick's Church
and has been active in community affairs. He is a trustee of
the Portage County Historical Society and is biography man-
ager of the present Portage County History.
Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Kline
Francis J. Kline was born in Kent, October 12, 1917, son of Emmet J. and Julia
McMahon Kline.
His early education was received in St. Patrick's Parochial School and he later entered
Kent State University School, graduating in 1936. During this period he worked in his
father's grocery store and later was associated with his father and brother in the same
business.
Mr. Kline married Edith Louise Brown August 18, 1941. She was the daughter of
Howard O. and Gladys (Keirns) Brown, born Nov. 11, 1917, in Athens County, Ohio,
and coming to Kent in 1937. She
graduated from Kent State Uni-
versity in 1941. They have two
daughters — Mary Grace and Mar-
cella Joanne.
Mr. Kline is a member of the
Knights of Columbus and Retail
Grocers Association. Mrs. Kline
belongs to the Kent Business and
Professional Women's Club, Wo-
man's Club of Kent, Travelers
Club and Federated Democratic
Women of Portage County and
has served as Clerk of Council,
City of Kent. She is active in
church and community affairs.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Kline are
members of St. Patrick's Church
of Kent.
Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Kline
Mr. and Mrs. Maurice H. Kline
Maurice Harold Kline was born December 27, 1920, in Kent. He was the son of
Emmet J. and Julia F. (McMahon) Kline. He secured his education at St. Patrick's Parochial
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School and Kent State High School, graduating in 1938. Later he took a business course
over a period of two years and was then employed by the Davey Tree Expert Co. until
1942, when he enlisted in the
U. S. Marines. He saw service
in the Central Pacific, partici-
pating in the battles of Saipan,
Tinian, Marshall Islands and Iwo
Jima. He was discharged in No-
vember, 1945.
After the war he entered the
grocery business, being associated
with his father and brother,
Francis.
On October 9, 1946, Mr. Kline
was married to Veronica Annette
Fitzpatrick, daughter of Clint and
Mercedes (Shanley) Fitzpatrick.
Eight children were born to them.
They are Margaret Marie, Emmet
John, Regina Rose, Celeste Ann,
Maureen Louise, Julia Clare, Paul
Joseph and Mary Therese.
Mr. Kline is a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and V.F.W.
Mrs. Kline is active in church circles and both are members of St. Patrick's Parish.
Mr. and Mrs. Maurice H. Kline
Burt G. Kneifel
Burt G. Kneifel was born Jan. 6, 1874, on a farm near Uniontown, Ohio, the son of
William B. and Sarah (Hausehalter) Kneifel. His father was born in Germany and landed
in America on Christmas Day, 1855, when he was nineteen. His mother was born near
Uniontown, the daughter of German parents.
Mr. Kneifel was educated in the Brimfield local and
high schools. At the age of 12 he started working after
school hours and on Saturdays in the Brimfield general
store. When 16, he entered the grocery store of Sawyer &
Kneifel at Kent, Kneifel being his brother. In 1905 Burt
Kneifel bought out Mr. Sawyer, the store being known as
Kneifel Bros. After Milton Kneifel's death in 1913 the firm
name was the Kneifel Grocery Co., located on North Water St.
On Jan. 28, 1905, Mr. Kneifel was married to Lulu
Sage Phelps, daughter of I. H. Phelps, former county
prosecutor, and Rose Wolcott Phelps.
For many years Mr. Kneifel was a member of the
Kent Episcopal church, serving as vestryman over 20 years.
He was a charter member of the Kent Chamber of Commerce,
being a director several terms. He was also a member of the
Kent Board of Education for eight years and a trustee of the
Portage County Hospital. On Jan. 9, 1931, he was appointed by Gov. Cooper as a Demo-
cratic member of the Robinson Memorial Hospital at Ravenna. In that capacity he helped
secure passage of a $75,000 bond issue for the hospital and also helped supervise con-
struction of the new hospital, serving as trustee. In this work he took great interest and
spent much time.
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613
Mr. Kneifel was a charter member of the Kent Rotary Club and belonged to the
Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges.
He died June 17, 1942.
Ora A. Knisely
Ora A. Knisely, who represented his county in the Ohio
legislature, was born in Kent, March 6, 1894. He was the
son of John L. and Jennie M. (Sheets) Knisely.
He was educated in the Kent public schools and later
took a correspondence course with the International School
of Scranton, Penna.
In 1913 he was appointed as a page boy in the Ohio
House of Representatives, in which body he was to later sit
as a member.
He was married to Lauriena Gless July 20, 1913. She
died in May, 1934. Later, he married Mabel Hardy, daugh-
ter of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Hardy, of Kent.
Most of his life Mr. Knisely has followed the engineer-
ing and surveying profession. At one time he was assistant
city engineer of Kent and of the city of Cuyahoga Falls. For
nine years he was maintenance superintendent for Portage
County. For the past six years he has been employed as an
engineering assistant in the State Highway Department, working in the right of way de-
partment.
In 1949, he was elected as a Democrat to the Ohio Legislature from Portage County.
The Kniselys make their home on West Main St., Kent. Mr. Knisely died Aug. 31, 1957.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Kordinak
Edward F. Kordinak was born in Kent March 20, 1920. He was the son of Martin
and Theresa (Haas) Kordinak. He received his education at St. Patrick's Parochial school
and was graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1938. He then attended Kent
State University until 1940 which
was followed by a year and a half
employment at the Lamson &
Sessions Co.
In October, 1943, he enlisted
in the U. S. Naval Air Corps and
after training, served in the
Pacific area, flying four-motor
bombers in the Okinawa engage-
ments. He was discharged in 1945,
then worked at the Twin Coach
plant for a time. He again at-
tended Kent State University,
graduating with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Business in
1947. For a time he worked for
the City Loan Co. in Kent and in
December of that year became
affiliated with the Metropolitan
Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Kordinak
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Life Insurance Co. In this Mr. Kordinak has been quite successful, attaining the distinction
of being a "Metropolitan Millionaire" by selling a million dollars or more worth of in-
surance in a year.
On Aug. 30, 1944, Mr. Kordinak was married to Miss Betty Wise, daughter of
Bernard and Nellie (Fitzpatrick) Wise of Kent. They have five children: John Edward,
Therese Helen, Louise Ann, Mary Jo and Patricia Carroll.
He is a member of the K. of C. and the Metro Millionaires Club. Mrs. Kordinak is
active in church circles. Both are members of St. Patrick's Church.
Walter D. and Eleanor Hope Kubiak
Walter Kubiak was born in 1923 in Trenton, New
Jersey, son of Valentine and Victoria Kubiak, who were
in the grocery business and are now retired. He graduated
from Trenton High School and received his Bachelor of
Science degree from Temple University, Philadelphia, where
he majored in Management and Business. He also attended
Kent State University while a member of the Air Force
in World War II, later serving in the Pacific Theater.
Mr. Kubiak married Eleanor Hope Byrne, who Was
born in Sebring, Ohio, in 1923. She is the daughter of
former Senator H. D. Byrne, who now serves on the Kent
State University faculty. Mrs. Kubiak graduated from Kent
State High School and later secured her Bachelor of Arts
degree from Kent State University.
The Kubiaks have three children — David, 12; Katherine,
7; and Faith, 5. They make their home at Hopewell farm
near Ravenna.
Mr. Kubiak is a member of the Kent Kiwanis Club, Kent Moose Lodge and the Kent
Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Kubiak is a member of the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority and the
Daughters of the American Revolution. Their church affiliation is St. Patrick's Catholic
Church in Kent.
Mr. Kubiak was formerly vice president of Music Mart, Inc., Kent and Ravenna;
president of John X. Shields Co. of Ravenna; and is now president of Tra-Mart, Inc. of Kent.
Alvin J. Kunsman
Alvin J. Kunsman was a native of Rochester, Penna.,
where he was born June 4, 1885, being the son of George
and Anna (Simmons) Kunsman. He had four brothers and
two sisters.
Mr. Kunsman followed railroading and in 1909 came
to Kent to be yard master for the Erie Railroad. In 1912 he
became yardmaster for the Nickel Plate in Bellevue, Ohio, re-
turning to Kent in 1915.
On leaving railroad work he became parts manager for
the late Fred Haymaker who then operated Ford Motors.
Later on he became proprietor of the Cottage Restaurant
and Confectionery store at 136 East Main St., Kent. During
the second World War he served as yardmaster at the Ra-
venna Arsenal.
He was a member of the Congregational Church and
Rockton Lodge, F.&A.M. He helped organize the Kent lodge of the B.P
was its first Exalted Ruler. Mr. Kunsman passed away August 29, 1950.
O.E. in 1919 and
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615
Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Lange
Frank John Lange was born
in Hiram township March 9, 1898,
son of William C. and Bertha
(Galene) Lange. Frank was one
of nine children.
His early education was se-
cured in the Shalersville district
schools and at the age of fifteen
he went to work on farms in the
Shalersville vicinity, continuing
until he was 21.
In March, 1919, he entered the
employment of E. S. Huffman of
Ravenna, pioneer in bottling of
soft drinks. For ten years he
worked as distributor, covering all
of Portage county. In June, 1929,
he started working for Frank
Becker of Stow, as salesman in
the wholesale distribution of food supplies. He remained there 21 years. On May 1, 1950,
he started in business for himself, handling a general food line and specializing in London
candies. In this he has built up a large business, covering ten counties in northeastern
Ohio, handling London candies, Kluski noodles and Geo. Howe peanuts.
On June 18, 1929, Mr. Lange married Violet Josephine Theiss of Cuyahoga Falls.
Mrs. Lange had graduated from Cuyahoga Falls high school in 1923, and from Kent
State University in 1925. In 1942 she secured her degree of B.S. in Education. She has
taught in the Franklin Township schools for 31 years and is a member of the Eastern
Star, Business and Professional Women's Club, M. E. church and Ohio and national
teachers organizations.
Mr. Lange is a member of the Kent Masonic Lodge and Chapter, Akron Council,
Akron Commandery, Knights Templars, Yousef Khan Grotto, Tadmore Shrine, Tadmore
Foot Patrol, Portage Shrine Club and Portage Grotto Club. He is Past Patron of Olive
Chapter, Eastern Star and belongs to the Shriners' bowling team and 54 Club. He is a
member of the M. E. Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Lange
Mr. and Mrs. Harley S. Lappin
Harley Garfield Lappin was born in Trumbull township, Ashtabula county, on
May 14, 1883, having a twin sister, Hallie, now Mrs. Ferdinand Purtschy. He was one
of four children of Marvin and Olive (Hull) Lappin.
His great grandfather, Joshua Stewart, came to Portage county about 1800 from
Jamestown, Va., being one of the earliest settlers of the county. His son, Robert Stewart,
was the first white child born in the then Portage County, the location being Stow, now
in Summit County.
Harley Lappin gained his early education in the district schools and at Kent High
School. Later he attended preparatory school at Hiram College, graduating in 1904. He
then attended Hiram College until 1906 when he left to work on a farm with his
brother, Ralph, as partner. At first they followed dairying but later specialized in vege-
tables, raising onions, celery, sweet corn and cabbage.
In recent years he has been raising hot house tomatoes quite successfully.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
For the past 34 years Mr. Lap-
pin's operations have also includ-
ed an extensive poultry plant
and for the past seven years he
has raised approximately 400
turkeys annually, all marketed in
this area.
On Jan. 27, 1914, Mr. Lappin
was married to Miss Edith Myers,
daughter of George Willis and
Ellen (Miner) Myers, also old
Franklin Township residents. To
them three children were born —
Mary Elizabeth, now Mrs. S. E.
Fackler; Edith Louise, now Mrs.
D. W. Bradley; and Harley, Jr.
The latter is associated with his
father, now 74. There are five
grandchildren.
Mrs. Lappin died Nov. 17, 1950.
As a life-long farmer, he has been a member of the Farm Bureau.
Mr. and Mrs. Harley G. Lappin
Albert J. Lauderbaugh
Albert Joslin Lauderbaugh was born December 19, 1885, in Meadville, Pennsylvania,
being the son of Attorney Lewis H. and Frances Harriet Lauderbaugh.
Al, as he is generally known, after leaving high school, entered the drug business.
After two-and-a-half years he passed the State Board of Pharmacy examination, qualifying
him as a prescription druggist. He continued in this field for
another year, leaving to take a course in business adminis-
tration. After graduation from Meadville College of Commerce
he joined the force of the First National Bank, where he
remained seven years. Because of an eye condition, he gave
up his position as head teller to work for the Davey Tree
Expert Company as field man and foreman.
Mr. Lauderbaugh was married in 1916 to Lucille Hazel,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hazel of Kent. They have
two daughters, Mrs. Harold Gear of Dover, Massachusetts,
and Mrs. Harry Robbins of Huntington Woods, Michigan, and
four grandchildren.
After his marriage he re-entered the banking business
as assistant cashier in charge of the bookkeeping department
of the Peoples Bank of Erie, Pennsylvania, then returned to
Kent as cashier of the Mason Tire and Rubber Company. In
1920 he was elected to officer status, acting as general office
manager and personnel director for ten years.
He was elected City Auditor for three successive terms, starting in 1932, but resigned
in 1936 to became cashier of Kent National Bank, a position he held for twenty years.
He is now serving as vice president.
Mr. Lauderbaugh has been treasurer of Kent Welfare Association for fourteen years.
He was the first treasurer of Portage County Historical Society, belongs to Kent Chamber
of Commerce, is a charter member of Kiwanis Club, member of Kent Free Library
PO RTASE HERITAGE 617
Board, Director of First Federal Savings and Loan, and has given his time to many other
community activities.
His hobbies have been his work, his family, his liking and interest in people, his
life-long interest in classical literature, and a love of gardening and rose culture.
George Gilbert Lawrance
George Gilbert Lawrance was born in Chicago, Nov.
2, 1910. He was the son of George O. and Maude Edith
(Gettig) Lawrance. The father was born in Bristol, England,
while the mother was a native of Lock Haven, Penna.
He attended schools at Indiana Harbor, Ind., and at
an early age came with his parents to Cleveland. In 1919
the family moved to Garrettsville where he continued in the
public schools through the first year of high school. In 1925
the Lawrances came to Kent where the father purchased
the laundry and dry cleaning business which is continued
today. Gilbert entered Roosevelt, graduating in the class of
1928. In the years 1929-1930 he attended Kent State Uni-
versity, after which he started work with his father in the
laundry. He entered the U. S. Navy in March, 1944, and
received his discharge in December, 1945, after seeing service
in the South Pacific and the Philippines. He then worked
for his father until 1949 when he bought the business.
On July 26, 1939, Mr. Lawrance married Miss Gladys Louise Turk of Streetsboro.
To them two children were born — Edythe Marie and John Leonard.
Mr. Lawrance is interested in civic affairs and in 1951 was elected to the Kent city
council, which office he still holds. He is a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity,
Masonic order, York and Scottish Rites and Grotto. He belongs to the American Legion.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrance are members of the Kent Congregational Church.
Coe Livingston
Coe DeWitt Livingston was born on a farm in Mercer County, Penna., Jan. 27, 1868,
the son of Charles and Mary (Miles) Livingston. His father was born in England but
came to Mercer as a youth.
After completing his education in the local schools,
he worked on farms and in coal mines as well as his father's
hotel at Mercer.
While working in the clothing store of Thomas R.
Sheriff of Mercer, he received an offer of a job as clerk
in the Mark W. Davis clothing store in Kent, coming to
Kent on Feb. 28, 1889. He worked for Mr. Davis until
1894, and for three more years for the new owner, Mr.
Rockwell.
After a brief service with the Hirshberg clothing store,
Mr. Livingston then started his own business in partnership
with Fred Williams. This was in the old Sherman block
on South Water St. Feb. 18, 1899. In 1900 he bought Mr.
Williams' interest and in February of that year moved to
North Water St., continuing an extensive business there
until his death in August, 1934.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
He invested heavily in business property in Kent and was the originator of the White
Way lighting system, having the first ornamental light.
On March 10, 1889, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Smith of Sharpesville, Penna.
Two children were born to them: Charles, now deceased; and Dorothy Elizabeth, now
Mrs. Lloyd Caner of Kent. Mrs. Livingston passed away in 1938.
He was a consistent advertiser, giving away numerous Standing Rock mirrors and
St. Patrick four-leaf clovers, which went out in large numbers.
Mr. Livingston was a member of the Elks and Masonic lodges. He was also very
active in early Boy Scout movement in cooperation with the late Rev. J. H. Hull.
Darrel D. Loeblein
Darrel David Loeblein was born Jan. 11, 1904, in Cleveland, the fifth son of
William P. and Elizabeth Loeblein. After graduation from Lakewood High School, he
continued at the University of Michigan and Ohio State
University where he belonged to the Phi Gamma Delta
social fraternity and Tau Beta Pi engineering fraternity.
Later he received a Masters Degree in Business Administra-
tion from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Ad-
ministration.
Meantime he had been with Darwal, Inc. at Ravenna
in the manufacture of furniture frames. In 1932 he be-
came associated with his brother, True T. Loeblein, at Kent,
in the manufacture of custom upholstered furniture.
Mr. Loeblein was married Aug. 5, 1933, to Donna
Chapman in Cleveland. She had studied at Rollins College,
graduated from O.S.U. and taken post graduate work at
W.R.U. A descendant of a Rootstown pioneer family, she
was a teacher of English History and French in Mahoning
and Trumbull counties.
In World War II Mr. Loeblein served three and one
half years in the Air Force, entering as a lieutenant in August, 1942. After completion
of training he served at Amarillo, Tex. with several units in the basic and technical
training of crewmen; and indoctrination training at Wright Air Field. He was then sent
to New York as inspector for various factories producing materiel and attended another
Air Force school at Orlando, Fla. He returned to civilian life with the rank of major.
Returning to Kent he again became associated with his brother, True, in a firm
known as Loeblein of Kent, later incorporated, of which he was secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Loeblein had been on the District Council, Boy Scouts (1940-41) and was chair-
man of the Industrial Division, Kent Chamber of Commerce in 1955. He was a member
of the Twin Lakes Country Club since 1935.
He is a member of quarter-century standing in the Masonic Order, Lakewood Lodge
Cunningham Chapter, Forest City Commandery, Lake Erie Consistory and Al Koran Shrine.
Mr. Loeblein's hobbies include fine construction work in home and factory; travel,
including numerous trips outside the country; stamp collecting and hunting and fishing
as time permits.
True T. Loeblein
True T. Loeblein was born February 10, 1897, in Cleveland, Ohio, son of William P.
and Elizabeth (Merkel) Loeblein. He secured his education in the Cleveland grammar
schools after which he graduated from Lakewood High School. He then attended Western
PORTAGE HERITAGE
619
Reserve University and Dartmouth College.
His college career was interrupted by World War I.
He joined the navy and was commissioned an ensign in
June of 1919. After leaving service he joined his father
in the furniture manufacturing business in Cleveland. In
1928 he organized Loeblein, Inc., and moved into the
historic Alpaca Mill in Kent, Ohio. In World War II the
business was liquidated and Mr. Loeblein again entered the
navy for the duration of the war. At the war's close he
left the navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. With
his brother, Barrel, he then organized a new company
known as Loeblein of Kent, going back into the old building
Jan. 1, 1946.
Mr. Loeblein was married in 1920 to Miss Elizabeth
Gorton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. S. Gorton, of Lake-
wood and a graduate of Smith College. They have three
children. They are Mrs. C. F. Gressard of Twin Lakes;
William S. of Kent; and Robert, at home. There are three grandchildren — Elizabeth and
Charles F. Gressard; and Christopher True Loeblein.
Mr. Loeblein is a thirty second degree Mason and is a member of the Shrine. His
college fraternity is Alpha Delta Phi.
One of his main interests is his affiliation with the Cleveland Automobile Club, of
which he is a trustee; and the Ohio State Automobile Association.
Harry C. Longcoy
Harry Centennial Longcoy was born Jan. 20, 1876, the son of Frank D. and Ada
(Wetmore) Longcoy. His grandparents, David and Abby Longcoy, were Franklin Town-
ship pioneers.
In 1877 the Longcoy family removed to Iowa, living there until 1889, when they
returned to Kent. Mr. Longcoy was educated in the local schools and graduated from
the high school in 1894. He then assisted his father and uncle in the retail meat business,
also farming in what is now Longcoy Acres. In 1894-95 he
attended Hiram College and in 1895-96 he taught school at
Stow Corners. After that he entered the employ of Longcoy
Bros. Market and helped to add a grocery department. He
worked there until 1902 when Longcoy & Sparrow took over
the business. In 1917 Sparrow left and the business became
Longcoy's.
On Feb. 8, 1900, Mr. Longcoy married Blanche May
Smith, to whom were born four children. These are Lois
Elno, now Mrs. Mark Dreese; Jessie Marie, now Mrs. Mason
Gooch; Mabel Ada, now Mrs. Mabel Apley; and Harry Smith,
killed in action in Italy Nov. 1, 1944.
In 1919 Mr. Longcoy started the Kent Packing Co., which
has done an extensive business since then. He sold his retail
business in 1946.
Mr. Longcoy was a charter member of the Kent Rotary
Club and has been a member of the Kent Chamber of Com-
merce since its beginning. He was a member of the city board of education for 16 years,
and is a member of the Congregational church.
In 1946 he purchased the old Longcoy farm and developed Longcoy Acres, a fine
residential area providing homes for 125 people. In 1956 the new school in Longmere
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
I IKk
was given the name of the "Harry C. Longcoy Elementary School" in recognition of his
interest and services in education. In 1947 Mr. Longcoy received the "Distinguished
Service Award" of the Kent Chamber of Commerce.
Alf C. Lovell
Alf C. Lovell was born in Hudson, Ohio, Jan. 2, 1892, being the seventh child of
Ralph and May Lovell. The family came to Kent in 1898 and Alf attended the public
schools, graduating from old Central High School in 1911, as president of his class.
Later, he attended Mount Union College, from which
he graduated in 1916. While there he built up an unusual
athletic record, playing in baseball, basketball and football
and winning ten varsity letters. He was honored by being
generally selected a member of mythical all-state football
teams in 1912-13-14. In college he was a member of the
glee club and was affiliated with the Sigma Nu fraternity.
Prior to entering the army in 1918, he was married
to Blanche A. George, daughter of Martin and Ada George.
To them were born four sons: Lieut. Martin George, who
was killed in Normandy in World War II; Alf C, Jr.; Robert
E. and William A.
Mr. Lovell gave generously of his time to community
affairs. He was mayor of Kent three terms, first being
elected in 1940 and again in 1942 and 1946. He also served
as director of public safety from 1952 to 1956. A member of
the Kent Community Chest and Welfare organizations for
25 years, he served as president, beginning in 1956. Mr. Lovell served as city councilman,
1932-33.
He was a member of the Methodist church, a charter member of Portage Post 496,
American Legion; Kent Kiwanis club and Forensic club. In Masonic organizations he was
a Past Master of Rockton Lodge No. 316 and Past High Priest of Kent Chapter No. 32,
and is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner.
He was employed by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., the Falls Rivet Co. and from
1927 was with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. He is now retired.
Duane H. and Rosemary Lukens
Duane H. Lukens was born in
Wabash, Ind., Nov. 7, 1914, the
son of Otis S. and Lulu Har-
rington Lukens. At the age of
three he came with his parents
to Merrill Farm near Brady Lake,
later moving with his parents to
Sunny Dell Farm where he at-
tended Stow district and high
schools.
He helped his father on the
farm and in 1935 he was over-
seer on Weimer Farms at Bono,
Ohio for one year.
On March 28, 1936, he was
married to Rosemary Elizabeth
Streid, daughter of Stephen and
Duane H. and Rosemary Lukens
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62
Rosa Streid of Akron. Mrs. Lukens was born Dec. 5, 1915 at Akron and was educated
at Lane school and South High. She then took nurses training at People's Hospital, Akron,
graduating as nurse of surgery in 1930. One son was born, Otis Duane, Jan. 31, 1940.
In 1936 Mr. Lukens returned to Portage county, helping his father on the farm,
forming a partnership. Later he took over the operation of Sunny Dell farm, raising all
kinds of vegetables and specializing in celery. Mr. Lukens is a member of Farm Bureau
and belongs to Sons of Herman of Akron, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Otis Seymour Lukens
Otis Seymour Lukens was born
in Marietta, Ohio, Dec. 12, 1887.
He was the son of Oliver Nathan-
iel and Hulda Blazer Lukens.
He secured his education in
Marietta and at age 13 he came
to Portage county, working on
a dairy farm near Brady Lake.
In 1911 he went to Iowa, work-
ing on a farm for three years.
He then moved to Wabash, Ind.,
following farming for three years.
In 1917 he came back to Portage
county, living on Merrill farm
and ran a dairy, selling milk at
Lake Brady.
In 1921 he purchased Sunny
Dell farm, raising vegetables of
all kinds and specializing in celery.
On April 28, 1909, he was married to Lulu H. Harrington, daughter of Henry H.
and Cora Brittain Harrington of Kent.
Five children were born: Otis Clive, who now owns and operates Frederick's Market
at Hartville, Ohio; Betty, now Mrs. Fern Hill of Port Orange, Florida; Duane H., now
operating Sunny Dell farm; Beatrice, now Mrs. Herbert Hayden of Kinsman, Ohio; and
Dene, who is Dr. of Osteopathy on the staff of Green Cross hospital at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Mr. Lukens was a member of Farm Bureau and past president and also member of
various farm organizations.
From 1947, Mr. and Mrs. Lukens spent their winters in Bradenton, Florida, where he
died June 25, 1954. Mrs. Lukens now spends the winters in Florida and during the summer
visits her sons and daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. Otis Seymour Lukens
Lucius B. Lyman, Sr.
Lucius B. Lyman Sr. was born in Fayette, Iowa, June 15, 1878, being the son of
Alfred and Alice (Bierce) Lyman, of English-Scotch-Irish ancestry. Richard Lyman came
to the United States from his native country in Essex County, England, landing in Boston,
Mass., in 1631 and was one of the early settlers and founders of the city of Hartford, Conn.
Lucius B. Lyman, Sr., came to Ohio in 1889 when his parents moved to Akron, was
educated in the Akron public schools and the University School of Cleveland. An employee
and officer of the Lyman Hawkins Lumber Co., Mr. Lyman was associated with his father
in the lumber business in Akron for fourteen years, when in 1912 he joined forces with
the B. F. Goodrich Co., where he was a member of the sales organization for a number
of years.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
In 1923 Mr. Lyman engaged in the retail automobile
business in Akron, which he continued until 1933 when he
established the Lyman Chevrolet Co. in Kent, at its early
location on N. River St. and later moving the dealership
into a new building at 1099 W. Main St., in Kent where it has
been in operation since 1947.
In 1903 Mr. Lyman married Emma Laverne Bishop (now
deceased) of Medina and to them were born three sons,
Richard Bishop Lyman, Alfred Lucius Lyman, and Lucius
Bierce Lyman, Jr.
In 1928 Mr. Lyman married Sarah Jane Jones of Glasgow,
Kentucky, and he and Mrs. Lyman live in Tallmadge, Ohio.
Mr. Lyman is a member of the First Congregational Church
of Akron, Adoniram Lodge No. 517, Tadmore Temple, and
Twin Lakes Country Club. Mr. Lyman is an avid fisherman,
an enthusiastic golfer and a life long philatelist.
Lucius B. Lyman, Jr.
Lucius B. Lyman, Jr., the son of L. B. Lyman and La Verne (Bishop) Lyman, was
born in Akron, Ohio on November 15, 191 L He was educated at the Tallmadge Public
Schools; Western Reserve Academy, at Hudson, Ohio; Phillips Exeter Academy, at Exeter,
New Hampshire, and Harvard College at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
He worked for the Retail Credit Company of Atlanta, Georgia; the Capitol Chevrolet
Company of Austin, Texas, and starting in 1936 he became identified with his father in
the automobile business at Kent.
He served in the U. S. Army from May 1942 to April, 1946, his highest rank being
that of captain. He was two and one-half years overseas in
the African and European campaigns, and was decorated
with the Bronze Star.
After World War II. he returned to Kent at which
time he and his father re-established Lyman Chevrolet Com-
pany, in which business he presently serves as president and
general manager.
Lyman is a former district chairman of the Kent District
Boy Scouts of America; past president of the Portage County
American Red Cross; a former chairman of the Kent Con-
gregational Church board of trustees, and is currently chair-
man of the central committee of the County Republican or-
ganization.
Miss Maxine Skinner, of Bloomington, Indiana, and
Mr. Lyman were married in 1936. They have two children:
Karen Joy, born Jan. 20, 1942; and Anne Bishop, born
Feb. 17, 1948.
He is a member of the Kent Rotary Club, the Congregational Church, and the Kent
Forensic Club. He is an ardent fisherman.
Charles V. Maglione
Charles V. (Chick) Maglione received his middle name of Victor because of the
date of his arrival, Nov. 11, 1918, in Akron. He was the son of Charles H. and Beatrice
(Nye) Maglione, both of Akron.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
623
In 1924-25-26 the family lived on a 54-acre farm in
Rootstown. His education was received in Akron parochial
schools, graduating from St. Vincent High School there in
1935. He then attended Kent State University.
Before graduation at Kent State he served briefly as
editor of the Loudonville, O., Times. He received an A.B.
degree in 1940 and immediately after that edited the Medina,
O., Sentinel for a year during the publisher's illness. He
then joined the Akron Beacon-Journal and was moved to
Ravenna in 1941 as manager of its news bureau.
In that year he became a member of the Goodyear
Public Relations department, but went into the armed
forces soon after, seeing service in five European countries
in four years. He was a hospital X-Ray technician in the
Air Force three years, then joined the 65th Division as
rifleman but later was a writer in the Public Relations
office.
Mr. Maglione and the former Dorothy Morris of Dayton were married Jan. 21, 1945.
They have three children — Michael, now 10; Timothy, 8; and Teresa, 6.
He left Goodyear for the Beacon-Journal again in 1951 and was manager of the
Kent bureau, transferring to the Ravenna Record-Courier in early 1956. There he is
reporter, columnist and assistant editor.
He is president of the Kent alumni chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity; member of
Kent Council 1411, Knights of Columbus; Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalism
fraternity, and officer in the Kent Democratic club.
He also writes for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, United Press and Associated Press
wire services.
Raymond E. Manchester
Raymond E. Manchester, born March 6, 1884, is a native of Battle Creek, Michigan.
He received his education in the public schools and at the University of Michigan, where
he received his A.B. degree in 1909, and his A.M. degree
: in 1911.
On November 25, 1909, he and Mary Josephine Ken-
nedy of Ann Arbor, were married. To them were born
two daughters. They are: Mary Jane Lagler, mother of
three children, Karl Arthur, Susan and Mary Lou, and Eliza-
beth Ellen Weir, mother of Rae, Mary Josephine, Donald
William and Douglas Bruce.
Mr. Manchester early decided on teaching as his pro-
fession. His first post was as mathematics teacher at Esca-
naba, Michigan, 1909. From 1910 to 1919, he was head of
the mathematics department of State College at Oshkosh,
Wisconsin, and from 1919 held a similar post at State
College, Potsdam, New York. In 1920 he became head of
the mathematics department, Dean of Men and Student Ad-
visor at Kent State University, then Kent Normal. He served
in this capacity until 1949, when he was Dean of Men at
Kent State, retiring in 1954. He is now Dean of Men, emeritus.
Memberships held include National Association of Student Personnel Administrators,
American Mathematics Society, Mathematical Association of America, Association of Uni-
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versity Professors, Ohio Academy of Science, Delta Upsilon Fraternity, the Kiwanis Club
of Kent, the Elks Lodge and the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus.
He has been honored with a Congressional Selective Service Citation and medal for
contributions in World War II; Man of the year, Delta Upsilon Fraternity, 1952; subject
for broadcast, Ohio Story, 1953; Kent Chamber of Commerce Medal for Public Service,
1954; and Honor Citation from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
In 1955 he was elected Mayor of Kent and was re-elected in 1957. In 1956 he was
appointed as a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee.
He has written many books and magazine articles and for twenty-five years has
written a weekly Saturday Letter, having nation-wide circulation.
Ira R. Marsh
Ira R. Marsh was born on a farm in northern Portage
County in 1858, the son of Ransom and Leah (Capron)
Marsh. His family was of English stock who came to this
country by way of Massachusetts in the early part of the
17th century, about 1633. Mr. Marsh had four sisters and
two brothers, one of whom was the late William Marsh of
Ravenna, once County Treasurer of the county.
He attended the public schools and also the Academy
at Lodi, Ohio, coming to Kent in 1877, at which time he
went into business as a harness maker which he followed
for fifty years, retiring in 1927. In 1884 he married Emma
Wells, daughter of Edward and Mary Wells. To this mar-
riage three children were born. The eldest, Roy, died at
the age of seven months. There were two daughters — Mrs.
Metta Marsh Kunsman, and Mrs. Leah Marsh Peters.
Mr. Marsh was a member of the Knights of Pythias
lodge and was a charter member of the Kent Rotary club.
He took a keen interest in public affairs, serving on the city council twelve years and
on the Kent City Board of Education seventeen years, during which time Roosevelt high
school was built.
In 1926, he erected the present Marsh Block on East Main St., which he managed
until his death Nov. 3, 1940.
Charles V. May
Charles V. May was born in Randolph, Portage County,
Ohio, February 23, 1886. He was the son of Valentine and
Catherine (Bissler) May.
His education was received in the parochial school at
St. Joseph's and in the Suf field public schools. After this
he worked on his father's farm until Oct. 28, 1913, when
he was married to Corlena E. Miller.
To this union were born two children — Raymond H.
and Marjorie R., now Mrs. Vincent Eichler.
Mr. May then engaged in farming in Randolph until
1920, when he entered into a partnership with his brother,
Edward, under the name of May Brothers, doing a trucking
and storage business. They prospered and in 1928 a large
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625
fireproof storage building was erected at 108 West College Ave., Kent, the first in the
county. They also operated the first covered moving van in the county.
The partnership was continued for 35 years until Jan. 1, 1955, when it was sold to
Clark T. McVay. Since that time Mr. May has been in retirement.
Mr. May is a member of St. Patrick's parish in Kent.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. May
Edward F. May was born
in Randolph township, Portage
County, June 4, 1877, and was
the son of Valentine and Cath-
erine (Bissler) May.
His early education was re-
ceived in the parish school of
St. Joseph's church. He then was
engaged in farm work.
On Oct. 23, 1901 he was mar-
ried to Rose M. Weideman. To
them were born two children.
These were Bernard V. and
Charles E. who died March 30,
1931.
In early life he came to Kent
where he worked for I. L. Herriff
in the furniture store for a period
of ten years. After that he farmed for himself for seven years, and for three years worked
for S. C. Bissler.
In 1920, he formed a partnership with his brother, Charles, and as May Brothers
engaged in the moving and storage business. In 1928 they built a large fire proof storage
plant at 108 West College St., Kent, the first of its kind in Portage County. They also
had the first covered moving van in the county. The business was continued until Jan. 1,
1955, when the brothers sold it and retired.
Mr. May was a member of St. Patrick's church, Kent, and died March 8, 1955, being
buried in the Catholic cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. May
Dr. John E. McGilvrey
John Edward McGilvrey was born January 8, 1867, in
Hollandsburg, Park County, Indiana. He was educated in
an ungraded public country school. But his teacher at the
country school urged him to take the entrance examination
to Indiana State Normal School. He scored high on the test
and enrolled in 1883 at the age of sixteen. He graduated in
1890, and was assistant teacher of literature there for one
term.
He then went to Paris, Illinois, where he was principal
of the high school until 1894. He then enrolled at Indiana
University where he married Miss Mary Kelly on June 6,
1894. She was the daughter of James Challen and Charlotte
Kelly of Casey, Illinois. There are two children — Robert
626 PORTAGE HERITAGE
G., and Charlotte Louise, now Mrs. Fred Tone.
In 1895 Mr. McGilvrey graduated at Indiana University and went to University
of Illinois, where he was an assistant professor and also state high school inspector from
1896 to 1899. In the fall of 1899 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, to become principal of
Cleveland Normal School, remaining until 1908 when he went to Hudson Boys School.
There he was principal until 1909. In that year he went to McComb, 111., as president of
Illinois State Teachers College. He gave up this post to come to Kent State Normal School
in 1911, where he was president until 1926.
During his presidency the Normal became a college, of which he was first president,
many new buildings were erected and he played an important part in obtaining funds
for the million-dollar science building which was named for him in 1938. He also devised
the extension system which he introduced at Kent in 1912. He returned to Kent State
University as President Emeritus in 1934. When he died at the age of 78 on Oct. 3, 1945,
the campus flag was lowered to half-mast as students and graduates mourned the death
of the man who had done so much to promote the rapid growth of the university.
Dr. Edward T. Meacham
Edward Troxel Meacham was born July 4, 1906, at Mecca, Trumbull County, Ohio.
He was the son of Charles Francis and Susie Belle (Troxel) Meacham.
His elementary education was obtained at the West Mecca
school and later he graduated from the Cortland High
School. He entered Kent State University from which he
received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1932. Thereafter he
attended the Rush Medical School at the University of Chi-
cago, from which he graduated in 1937 and received his M.D.
degree.
Dr. Meacham commenced the practice of medicine in
Kent in 1938 in which he has been successful and has con-
tinued to the present.
He was married in 1936 to Miss Madeline Schmelzer
of Grove City, Penna. Six children were born to them. Mrs.
Meacham died in 1954.
In January, 1956, Dr. Meacham married Doris Mc-
Naughton of Kent.
Dr. Meacham belongs to the Portage County Medical
Society, the Ohio State Medical Society, the American Medical
Association, and the American Academy of General Practice.
He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Isaac Walton League
and is affiliated with the Methodist Church.
Carl E. Meeker
Carl E. Meeker was born January 30, 1913, in Clarington, Ohio, son of Oscar E. and
Lulu (Frinkley) Meeker. He was one of six children — three boys and three girls. The
family came to Kent in 1916 and Carl entered the Kent public schools, graduating from
Roosevelt High School in 1930. He then attended Kent State University, later transferring
to Ohio State University, where he received his B.S. in Education degree in 1935. He then
taught in the Brady Lake Junior High School and in Roosevelt High School, Kent.
In 1937, he was married to Miss Janice Ballanger. The couple has one son, Richard
Geoffrey, born Nov. 25, 1946.
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627
In World War II Mr. Meeker entered naval service
Nov. 29, 1943, as ensign, serving in the West Coast and
Pacific areas. He left service March 18, 1946, with the rank
of lieutenant (J.G.).
After the war he worked as salesman for the Interna-
tional Business Machines Corp., as educational representative
for the Encyclopedia Brittanica Corp., and as a real estate
broker associated with W. W. Reed & Son. In September,
1956, he was elected executive vice-president of the Kent
City Bank.
In November, 1953, Mr. Meeker was elected mayor
of Kent and served one term in that capacity. He is a
charter member of the Kent Junior Chamber of Commerce;
served on the Kent Recreation Commission; and Kent
Board of Education. He belongs to the Kent Methodist
church, Rotary Club, Masons, Elks and Kent Chamber of
Commerce.
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V
Oscar E. Meeker
Oscar E. Meeker was born at Clarington, Ohio, June 8, 1883. He was the son of
Samuel and Elizabeth (Lapp) Meeker. He worked on the farm and attended local schools,
graduating from high school there.
He then attended Elliot Business School in Wheeling, West Va., graduating as
stenographer and bookkeeper. He was then employed by the Wabash-Pittsburgh Terminal
Railway near Carnegie, Pa., as stenographer and chief clerk.
In 1907 Mr. Meeker was married to Miss Lulu Frinkley, daughter of Gregor and
Leota Frinkley of Clarington. To them six children were born. They were Paul (now
deceased); Esther, now Mrs. D wight Bentley; Carl Eugene; Mary Leota, now Mrs. Robert
Sweet; Doris Mae, now Mrs. Robert Kreinberg; and Robert Ray.
In 1908 the Meekers moved to Clarington where he
was employed in the widely known general store of Dietrich
Bros. In a few years the store was bought out by Meeker
Bros. & Gardthart, operating under that name seven years.
In 1917 the Meekers came to Kent where Mr. Meeker
was employed by the Mason Tire & Rubber Co. where he
remained for 12 years. He then became a manager of A & P
stores for the next 12 years.
In 1939 Mr. Meeker was elected city treasurer, which
office he held until he resigned in 1953. During this time
he was manager of real estate for W. W. Reed & Son, retiring
on account of ill health in 1950.
Mr. Meeker belongs to the Masonic order, being a
member of the Grotto. Mrs. Meeker belongs to the Eastern
Star and Pythian Sisters. Both Mr. and Mrs. Meeker are
members of the Methodist church.
Charles W. Merrell
Charles Wright Merrell was born Jan. 9, 1859, in a house that stands on the south-
east corner of N. Mantua and Grant streets, Kent. He was the son of Noah and Marie
Antoinette (Wright) Merrell. Noah MerrelFs people came from Connecticut, stopping for
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a time in New York State before coming on to Franklin
Mills (Kent). Mrs. Merrell's people also came from Con-
necticut, settling in Rootstown some time before 1804. They
had three children, Dera Pryor, Ada L. and Charles.
Charles received his education in Kent schools. When
he was quite young the family moved to the "Oak Hill
Farm", Brady Lake Rd. This farm embraced the original
Brady Lake Park, which was then a cow pasture and at
that time partly under water. To reach Kent one then had
to go north to the Earlville road, then back south via Brady
Lake school. Mr. Merrell's life was spent on this farm.
He was married Dec. 25, 1887, to May Shefelton,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Shefelton of Augerburg,
Charlestown township. Mrs. Merrell taught school in Charles-
town and Newton Falls at the time of their marriage. To
them three children were born — Julia A., Aurel L. and
Edwin N. The latter resided at the old homestead. There
are two grandchildren: Edwin N. Merrell and Betty May Wilson; and three great grand-
children, Billy, Kay and Jerry Wilson.
Mr. Merrell passed away March 1, 1908.
Frank A. Merrill
Frank A. Merrill was born November 25, 1859, at Twin Lakes, in Portage County. He
was the son of Samuel P. and Martha (Barnard) Merrill.
He attended local schools and Kent High School, and received his college education at
Western Reserve University, then located at Hudson, where he was a member of Delta
Upsilon Fraternity. His classmates included the late Charles
A. Williams of Kent, and Dr. John Sawyer, a well known
specialist, of Cleveland, O.
Mr. Merrill was married to Miss Ida Haymaker, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar F. Haymaker, also of Twin Lakes, in
1882. They spent two years on the Haymaker farm.
Mr. Merrill then took up teaching. He became principal
at Aurora and later at Garrettsville and in 1889 went to
Ravenna to become high school principal there under Supt.
D. D. Pickett. When Mr. Pickett resigned the following year,
Mr. Merrill was appointed to succeed him as superintendent.
He continued in that position until 1906. During his ad-
ministration the West Main St. school was built under his
supervision. He served eighteen years on the County Exam-
iners Board.
In 1906 he retired to his 400 acre farm at Twin Lakes,
but he retained his interest in education. He was treasurer of
the first Board of Trustees of Kent State Normal School. As resident member of the board
he had much to do with the details of the first buildings erected at the school. Merrill Hall,
named in his honor was the first building to be completed.
He was an active member of the Portage County Improvement Association, interested
in road improvement, and gave his influence in putting over bond issues.
He was a member of the Ravenna Congregational Church and Masonic bodies, includ-
ing the Knight Templars.
Mr. Merrill was survived by four daughters. These are: Grace (Mrs. C. F. Foote);
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62*
Gladys (Mrs. C. E. Greene); Mary (Mrs. G. H. Dumm); and Margaret (now Mrs. Fred
Gressard).
Grandchildren are: William, Frederick and John Gressard; Richard and Caroline Foote
(Mrs. Edward Morris); Dr. Robert M. Dumm; George M., David, and Eleanor Greene (Mrs.
Donald White).
Roy D. Metcalf
Roy Derwood Metcalf — American college instrumental music educator and professor,
violinist, oboist, French hornist and bass violist. Presently director of bands at Kent State
University.
Mr. Metcalf was born Mar. 27, 1903, at New Carlisle, O., son of Wm. Arthur and
Emma (Smith) Metcalf. He is of Scotch-Irish and German-French ancestry.
Roy attended Elizabeth high school, Troy, O., and was a scholarship student at Wit-
tenberg College, Springfield, where he received his A.B. de-
gree in 1925, and A.M. in 1929. He also did graduate work
at Western Reserve University from 1932 to 1951. He studied
violin and viola with Willard Osborne, oboe with Arthur
Santosrafano, bass viol with Gerald Fiore and French horn
with Martin Morris. Mr. Metcalf taught violin at Springfield
while attending college. From 1925 until 1929 he was music
supervisor at Warsaw, 111., high school, joing the K.S.U.
music faculty in 1929. He has been director of the K.S.U.
Twin Marching bands and Symphonic Concert band, as well
as director of Summer band and Baton School since 1940. He
organized the first all Ohio girl marching university band in
1936, then combining it with the men's band for precision
marching twin bands.
On June 11, 1930, Mr. Metcalf married Adele McAdams
of Warsaw, 111., herself an accomplished vocalist and music
supervisor. Their five children were all born in Kent. They
are Adelaine, 1931, flutist, K.S.U. graduate, now Mrs. Myron Koyle, Canton; Ann Lee,
1933, French hornist, K.S.U. graduate, now Mrs. Roland Gamble, Hudson; Patricia, 1935,
clarinetist, Home Ec. major 1957, K.S.U. graduate; Elinor, 1942, French hornist University
High School; Roy Derwood, Jr., 1944, trumpeter Jr. High University school.
The Metcalfs are all members of Faith Lutheran church (Missouri Synod) in Kent. He
is a member of the A.A.U.P., Kappa Phi Kappa, Ohio Inter-Collegiate Band Assn.; founder
and first president Ohio Inter-Collegiate Orchestra Assn.; chairman Northeast Ohio Audi-
tions; treasurer Ohio Music Educators Assn.; Psi Chi and National Band Honoraries, Kappa
Kappa Psi (Men's) and Tau Beta Sigma (Women's) which he established on K.S.U. campus
in 1950.
Since the above was written Mr. Metcalf died — July 3, 1957.
Ernest B. Miller
Ernest Best Miller was born in Cedar Springs, Penna., February 1, 1902. He was the
son of Charles M. and Jennie S. Best. He attended Cedar Spring schools until the age of
eighteen when he started work on his father's farm. At the age of 21 he came to Kent
where he was employed by the Davey Tree Expert Co. for three years. In two of these
years he attended the company school of tree surgery. In 1926 he was employed as a tire
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builder by the Mason Tire & Rubber Co. at Kent. At this
time he also attended night sessions of the Bohecker Business
School. From 1928 to 1936 he was employed by the East
Ohio Gas Co. and from 1936 to 1940, was again employed by
the Davey Tree Expert Co. as shipping clerk. During this
period he started a nursery business as a spare time activity
but since 1940 he has devoted his full time to it with head-
quarters on the Kent-Ravenna road. He does a general
nursery and landscaping business but specializes in Ornament-
als, Azaleas and Rhododendrons.
On March 31, 1928, he was married to Miss Gladys Red-
fern Eckert, daughter of Arthur and Edna (Fultz) Eckert of
Kent. Five children were born to them — Earl Richard, Car-
roll Allen, Ronald Gene, Nancy Yvonne and Larry Lee. Mrs.
Miller died Oct. 10, 1944.
On Nov. 28, 1946, Mr. Miller married Grace E. Eisen-
man of Stow, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Eisenman.
He is a member of the Ohio Chapter of Nurserymen, the National Association of
Nurserymen, National Society of Landscapers, and National Society of Propagators, as well
as the Men's Garden Club of Kent.
James B. Miller
James B. Miller was born October 15, 1842, in Akron. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs.
Lewis Miller. In his childhood the family moved to Adrian, Michigan, where he spent his
boyhood and obtained his education.
At the completion of the A.&G.W. Railroad, now the Erie, Mr. Miller came to Kent
and secured employment in the railroad shops. His first job
was making hand cars. He rose rapidly and became Superin-
tendent of Shops, first in Kent and later in Galion. After this
he became superintendent of the Porter Bell Locomotive
Works in Pittsburgh. Still in his early thirties, he then quit
railroading and started the manufacture of a device for re-
cording the speed and stops of a train. The plant was
known as the Railway Speed Recorder and was located on
North Water St., Kent, the building now being used by the
Davey Co. The business thrived for many years but was finally
made obsolete by the block system for railway operation.
His next move was the Keyless Lock Co. in 1888 which
he developed. In this connection he became widely known.
After varying fortunes it became a going concern. After Mr.
Miller's retirement the business was taken over by his sons
and in 1945 it was purchased by the C. L. Gougler Co.
Fraternally, he was a Mason. As a city councilman he
was responsible for the Kent Comfort Station and he gave the land for the Mason Tire &
Rubber location. He was also instrumental in getting the street car line here. He was the
first Kent Ford agent and a pioneer Florida winter resident.
Mr. Miller was married to Miss Effie S. Parsons, to whom three sons were born. The
eldest died in infancy while J. P. (Jamie) and E. M. (Ned) live here today. Mr. Miller died
in 1927.
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63
Maxwell M. Miller
Maxwell M. Miller (Max) was born in Meadville, Penna.,
December 21, 1895. He was the son of George E. and Fannie
Miller. The father was a conductor on the Erie Railroad and
the family came to Kent when Max was six years old.
He attended the schools of Kent. When World War I
started he enlisted in Co. M., Tenth Ohio Infantry April 17,
1917, and saw service in Europe. When he received his dis-
charge in 1919 he was Personnel Sergeant in the 136th Ma-
chine Gun Battalion.
In the early '20s he went into the electrical business, in
service and retail sales, in which he has been quite successful
and the business continues to the present time.
Mr. Miller married Florence Frazier in July, 1917.
He is active in the American Legion post work, being
past Commander, and is affiliated with Ohio State veterans
activities. In civic affairs he is a member of and past President
of the Kent Chamber of Commerce and past President of the
Kent Kiwanis Club.
The Millers live at 124 North Lincoln St., Kent.
Mr. and Mrs. Ray C. Miller
Ray C. Miller is a native of Port-
age County, born June 14, 1903
in Brimfield township. He was
one of twin boys born to Charles
Ellsworth and Louise (Moore)
Miller. He attended schools of
the community and graduated
from Central High School, Kent.
He then went into the employe
of the Acme Grocery store and
eventually was manager of the
Kent store for twenty years.
When he retired from this posi-
tion, with his brother he develop-
ed the Miller Allotment in the
south part of Kent, in the area
now known as Rellim Drive. He
also became a member of the
Kent City Planning and Plat Com-
mission. He is a member of the First Methodist Church of Kent.
Mr. Miller married Lillie May Bishop, daughter of Metts and Lillie (Inness) Bishop of
South Carolina. She attended schools in her home community and graduated from the
Greenville Hospital School of Nursing at Greenville, S. C. She served as an army nurse in
World War II.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one child, Janie Ellen.
Mr. and Mrs. Ray C. Miller
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Mr. and Mrs. Roy E. Miller
Roy E. Miller was born June
14, 1903 in Brimfield. He was the
son of Charles E. and Louise
(Moore) Miller, and the twin
brother of Ray C. Miller. He at-
tended Brimfield grade and later
graduated from Central High
School in Kent.
Still later he entered the em-
ploye of the Ohio Edison Co. and
has now been with this concern
35 years.
He and his brother, Ray, de-
veloped the Miller Alottment, the
area of Rellim Drive (Miller
spelled backward), Ivan Drive
and South Lincoln St. Extension,
building homes and selling lots.
On November 2, 1937, Mr.
Miller was married to Hulda Schreckengost, daughter of William E.
Schreckengost of Sebring, Ohio, and who was born October 13, 1905, in Sebring. She at-
tended Sebring grade schools and after coming to Kent graduated from Kent State High
School and Kent State University. She was a teacher in the schools at Randolph and Brim-
field. They have two daughters — Gloria Jeannine, who was born Feb. 15, 1942; and Cherie
Diane, who was born Nov. 24, 1945.
Mr. Miller belongs to the Kent Methodist church, Kent Chamber of Commerce, Frank-
lin Township Zoning Board and the Council of Happy Day school.
Mrs. Miller belongs to the Kent Methodist church and is active in various groups with-
in the church. She is a member of the Kent Mothersingers and the Happy Day School group.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy E. Miller
and Minnie (Karn)
Russell L. Miller
Russell L. Miller was born February 9, 1892, in Suf field,
Portage County, Ohio. He was the son of George C. and
Sarah Jane (Memmer) Miller. The family moved to Kent
April 1, 1898, and Russell started school life, attending at
Kent South, DePeyster and Central schools in succession.
At the age of sixteen he started work for D. H. Green
and David Ladd Rockwell, in the clothing store jointly
owned by them. He worked for them and later for D. H.
Green personally when he became sole owner. As an em-
ploye he remained there until the death of Mr. Green in
1940. A corporation was then formed, known as D. H.
Green, Inc., with Mr. Miller as president and treasurer,
which positions he still holds. This store has been in con-
tinuous operation for about 65 years, being founded by Mark
Davis.
When World War I started Mr. Miller entered U. S.
service, joining the navy June 4, 1917. He served at the Great
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633
Lakes Training School until his discharge in March, 1918.
On August 5, 1942, Mr. Miller married the former Estelle Young, daughter of Samuel
and Elsie Young, old Kent residents.
He is a member of the Kent Eagles, Kent Elks, American Legion, Forty and Eight,
and the Kent Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. and Mrs. Marian Mon+oni
Marian Montoni was born August 9, 1880, in Songiogo province of Pasaro, Italy, son
of Lorenzo and Leonilda (Branchini) Montoni. He attended local schools there and at the
age of fourteen went to Stuttgart, Germany, where he was employed for four years. From
there he went to Luxemburg, France, for one year, then back to Italy. He then started for
America, landing in Boston, April 1, 1899, and
finding employment in suburban Milford which
lasted four years.
On June 27, 1903, he was married in Milford to
Miss Lindi DeBarnardi. In January, 1904, he came
to Kent, securing employment as foreman in
straightening and double-tracking the B.&O. rail-
road through Kent. This was a big project, 500
men being employed over a period of two years,
the work calling for the removal of much rock.
Later he worked for the Erie Railroad as black-
smith over a period of twelve years; the Seneca
Chain Co. for five years; the W.&L.E. R.R. Co. for
five years; and the Twin Coach Co. for 21 years,
when he retired.
In 1907 he started selling accident insurance
as a side line. He has kept this work up and has
sold insurance of all kinds including auto, fire, tornado and others, which has developed
into a steady business.
Mr. and Mrs. Montoni are the parents of fifteen children, all living. These are Lena,
now Mrs. Ercole Ubri; John; Frank; Rose, now Mrs. Sam Montemaggiorie; Lawrence; Irene,
now Mrs. Louis Givanogli; Mary, now Mrs. Clifford Sullivan; Edith, now Mrs. Edwin
Miller; Armenia, now Mrs. Louis Glod; William J.; Helen, now Mrs. John Swiderski;
Joseph; Theressa, now Mrs. Norman Goodhart; Anna Margaret; Thelma, now Mrs. Paul
Smith.
Mr. Montoni is a member of St. Patrick's church, Eagles and the Christopher Columbus
Society.
Mr. and Mrs. Montoni were both naturalized in Ravenna in September, 1915.
George H. Moon
George H. Moon was born August 10, 1895 at Kent. His education was received in
Kent schools where he graduated from high school, after which he took a correspondence
course in Business Administration. He also took classes at Kent State University.
From July, 1914, to January, 1917, he was clerk for the Erie Railroad at Kent, when
he became cost and payroll clerk for the Hunkin-Conkey Construction Co. at Akron. In the
latter year he enlisted in Co. C, 136th Machine Gun Battn., 37th Ohio Division, which saw
much service in Europe.
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Returning from the army in 1919, he became purchasing
agent for the Kent Machine Co., but in January, 1923, as-
sumed the office of chief clerk, Erie R.R. at Kent.
From January, 1925, to March, 1939, he operated his
own insurance office in Kent but in the latter year was ap-
pointed Dist. Supervisor, Stores Div., of the Ohio State
Liquor Control, Akron District. In 1943 he became Assistant
Supervisor of Stores and Agencies of this state department.
In 1945 Mr. Moon entered the automotive field and
was president of the Moon Motors, Inc., at Ravenna, re-
maining there over eight years. In the state campaign of
1954 he was Director, Speakers Bureau, Ohio Republican
Headquarters at Columbus.
In February, 1955, he became state examiner, Liquor
Audits, under Jas. A. Rhodes, state auditor. In the 1956
campaign he was again Republican Speakers Bureau chief by
leave of absence, but returning to the State examiner position
until March, 1957, when he was appointed Supervisor over all agencies and stores in the
state.
Mr. Moon was first president of the Kent Republican Men's Club, which he organised
in 1938. He also served as Kent city councilman, Commander American Legion Post and
Exalted Ruler, Kent B.P.O.E.
On May 5, 1927, Mr. Moon married Miss Nellie Musson of Kent. The Moons live at
1524 Vine St., Kent. Mr. Moon is interested in hunting, fishing and boating.
Joseph F. Morbito
Joseph F. Morbito was born in Leetonia, Ohio, Jan. 11,
1907, being the sen of Albert and Camela Morbito.
Mr. Morbito received his education in the Leetonia public
schools; California Normal School; Carnegie Institute of
Technology; University of Pittsburgh; and Western Reserve
University. He graduated from Carnegie Tech with a Bachelor
of Architecture degree, and with a Masters degree from the
University of Pittsburgh.
Mr. Morbito was married May 1, 1928, to Theresa Rita
Holland, also a resident of Leetonia.
He took an interest in teaching and was a drawing
teacher and head coach at East Liverpool high school, 1935-
42. From 1942 to 1946 he was on the Youngstown Rayon
high school faculty as teacher and for two years served as
assistant basketball coach at Youngstown College. He came to
Kent in 1947 as associate professor of industrial arts. At
present he is head of the department of architecture at Kent
State University and is also a practicing architect.
Mr. Morbito is a member of the American Institute of Architects; Preservation Officer
of historical buildings; member of the American Association of University Professors; and
member of the Kent Chamber of Commerce. He was architect for St. Patrick's Church.
Kent; St. Ambrose Church, Garrettsville; St. Paul's church, Ravenna; and the rectory for
Immaculate Conception church, Ravenna.
Mr. and Mrs. Morbito have one son, Joel Morbito.
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635
James E. Morris
James Ewing Morris was born November 18, 1903, on a farm near Monmouth, Illinois,
the son of Joseph Bertron and Faye Almeda (Loso) Morris. He was the second of three
children.
In 1912 the family moved to a 240-acre farm near Lime Spring, Iowa, where they lived
until the fall of 1918 when the farm was sold and the family moved to town. The mother
passed away in May, 1919, the father in 1941.
Mr. Morris graduated from Lime Spring high school in
1922 and became an apprentice printer. He has followed the
printing trade with few interruptions for the last 35 years,
having had a varied experience in almost every department
of newspapers and commercial printing plants in Iowa, Wis-
consin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, West Virginia and Ohio
before coming to Kent.
He served as editor of the Lime Spring, Iowa, Sun-
Herald in 1927 and edited newspapers in Lockport and
Lemont, Illinois. He also worked in midwestern and eastern
states for two years as a service engineer on typesetting
machines.
Mr. Morris and the former Altadena Carpenter, daugh-
ter of James H. and Caroline (Brock) Carpenter of Hobart,
Indiana, were married December 29, 1928. They have one
daughter, Suzanne Faye, born March 24, 1945. The family
lives at Twin Lakes.
In 1936 the family moved to Kent where Mr. Morris was associated with the late
George Marker in the operation of Commercial Press, Inc., a small printing plant organized
the year before. Mr. Morris acquired the majority interest in the plant from Mr. Marker in
1940 and has served since as president and general manager, enlarging the plant and im-
proving its services until it became the largest commercial printing plant in Portage county.
Mr. Morris has served as teacher and superintendent in the Sunday school of First
Congregational church in Kent, director and officer of Kent Kiwanis club, director and
president of Kent Chamber of Commerce, director and president of Twin Lakes Country
club. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have both been active in civic organizations and activities in
the community.
Wilburn W. Morris
Wilburn W. (Webb) Morris was born on November 8,
1912 at Carterville, Missouri, the son of Arthur and Mabel
Morris.
He attended the schools of his home town, took his
collegiate work at Southwest Missouri State College and
post-graduate work at the University of Southern California.
He taught school at Webb City, Missouri, but abandoned
the teaching profession to become affiliated with The Atlas
Powder Company and at the conclusion of the war was a
Supervisor of Production at the Ravenna Arsenal.
In 1945 he joined the management of The C. L. Gougler
Machine Company in Kent and he is now the Executive Vice-
President and Treasurer of the company. He was one of the
Testamentary Trustees named by the late Mr. Gougler in
his Will.
636
PO RTAG E HERITAGE
Mr. Morris is a member of The Kent Rotary Club and The Twin Lakes Country Club,
a Past President of The Kent Chamber of Commerce and Secretary and a member of The
Board of Trustees of Robinson Memorial Hospital at Ravenna. He belongs to the City
Club of Akron.
In 1943 he was united in marriage to Jayne Gougler and lives at Twin Lakes. Mr. and
Mrs. Morris have three children, JoAnn, Judy and Charles.
Mr. and Mrs. Karl P. Mosher
mm
Karl Paul Mosher was born in Kent, Ohio, March 25, 1893- He was the son of Fred
E. and Mary (McMahon) Mosher. The father was a native of Elmira, New York, and the
mother was born in Ravenna, daughter of Patrick McMahon, a native of County Clare,
Ireland. Karl received his education in the local schools and in boyhood was a paper
delivery boy for Fred Bechtle for three years. While still in his early teens, he was employed
for several years in the machine
shop of the Erie Railroad Co.
From 1909 until 1913 he served
an apprenticeship in plumbing
and heating under the Kraiise-
Kern Co. of Akron. He was then
employed by the Kern-Shuman
Co. of Akron as plumber and fit-
ter for four years. He then re-
turned to the Erie Railroad Co.
in the upper Kent yards and was
in charge of steam and water
maintenance on engines and other
equipment. In 1920, in partner-
ship with Ben Linnen, he pur-
chased the plumbing business of
D. S. Grau. This continued for a
period of four years.
In 1924 he was employed by
the Thatcher Heating Co. of Akron as superintendent and in estimating various large
contracts, working there for three years. He then went with the U. S. Radiator Co. in Detroit
as sales engineer, remaining until 1931, when he removed to Atlanta, Ga., being employed by
the Sears Roebuck Co. as their heating supervisor. After three years there he was transferred
to the Cleveland stores having charge of all territory as far east as Buffalo, N. Y. He worked
there until 1941. When war started when he took a leave of absence and was employed at
the Ravenna Arsenal in charge of engineering and designing in power piping, working out
a system that greatly improved production. He worked there until 1946 when he was
employed by the American Heating Co., of Chicago as sales engineer until 1949, when he
started his own business known as the Karl Mosher Plumbing & Heating, specializing in
commercial work, schools and various heavy power house piping and heating. His con-
tracts included considerable work for Kent State University, Kent City schools and all of
Ravenna's new schools and a number of others in the immediate vicinity.
On February 14, 1917, he married Louise A. Wurster, daughter of Frederick and
Louisa Wurster, early residents of Kent. One child was born to them, Robert Frederick,
July 11, 1920, who now lives in Atlanta. There are also two grandchildren and a brother,
Charles R. Mosher of Kent.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Mosher are members of St. Patrick's church and Mr. Mosher belongs
to the B.P.O.E.
Mr. and Mrs.
Karl P. Mosher
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637
Joseph T. Myers
Joseph Thomas Myers was born Dec. 26, 1922, in Paris,
Tenneessee, son of Robert R. and Willie (Beaman) Myers.
The family came to Kent in 1930. Here he attended the
Kent elementary schools and graduated from Roosevelt High
School in 1940. He then attended Duke University Engineer-
ing School, from which he was graduated in 1944 with the
degrees of BS and ME in 1944.
Immediately after this he was commissioned ensign in
the U. S. Navy, serving until March, 1946. He was in the
American Frontier and the European theatres of war.
On June 17, 1945, he was married to Marilyn Davey of
Kent. They have three children — Mary Ellen, Carol Lynne
and Joseph Thomas II.
In business life Mr. Myers is president of the Joseph T.
Myers Co., Vice Pres., Treas. and Director of the Davey
Compressor Co.; Vice Pres., Treas. and Director of Davey
International; Director, Twin Coach Co.; Director, Paint Corp.
of America.
Mr. Myers is a member of the Congregational Church, Masonic Lodge, Shrine, Ameri-
can Society of Mechanical Engineers; and the Kent Rotary Club.
Charles Babcock Newton
1849-1935
A Portage countian for all but ten of his 86 years, Judge
Charles Babcock Newton was born in Tallmadge township,
Summit county, April 14, 1849. Death came at his home in
Kent on July 13, 1935.
A lawyer for 61 years and a lifetime Democrat of the
Jeffersonian school, he taught in the district schools of the
county prior to his admittance to the bar in April, 1874. His
legal education was gained in the offices of the late Senator
S. P. Wolcott, the late Judge George F. Robinson and the
late W. B. Thomas, attorney.
His first ten years as a lawyer was spent in Newton Falls,
Trumbull county, after which he became a permanent resi-
dent of Portage county.
Judge Newton served on the Kent Board of Education,
was twice elected mayor of Kent first in 1888 and again in
1890, and in 1914 was appointed city solicitor for Kent by the
late Martin L. Davey, then mayor of the village.
Upon the sudden and tragic death of Judge E. F. Robinson, Mr. Newton was appointed
on August 25, 1925 for a short term as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He was then
elected to a full term and retired January 1, 1933.
Married to Mrs. Emily Schreiber Gilbert, July 26, 1914, while she was serving as the
first matron of Lowry Hall, Kent State Normal, they took up residence at 409 E. Summit
St., Kent, where they made their home until his death. His widow (1956) still resides at the
Summit street address at the age of 87 years.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. O'Bierne
Edward Francis O'Bierne was born in Kent November 24, 1877. He was the youngest
of the nine children of Thomas Henry and Bridget (Tangher) O'Bierne.
He was educated at South School and at St. Patrick's Parochial School. At the age
of eleven, during vacations, he
peddled papers with a horse and
cart, getting his papers at the
Earlville Station as that was then
the recognized mail, freight and
passenger route to Cleveland. He
sold the "Penny Press" and the
News and Herald at two cents
per copy. At the age of fifteen he
left school and secured employ-
ment in the Erie Railroad Car
Shops in Kent, working there
until 1930, a total of 35 years.
From 1933 to 1937 he worked for
the A.C. & Y. Railroad Co. and
from 1937 to 1939 for the State
Highway Dept. In 1942 he was
employed at Kent State University,
remaining there until 1952, when
he retired.
On Sept. 27, 1898, Mr. O'Bierne was married to Miss Rose Estella Wehl of Kent,
formerly of Hartville, Stark County. Three children were born to them — Thomas Burdette;
Rose Marie, now Mrs. Benedict Gurtner; and Helen, now Mrs. Jack Cherry.
Both Mr. and Mrs. O'Bierne are members of St. Patrick's Church, Kent.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. O'Bierne
Charles A. Parsons
Charles A. Parsons was born in Kent, February 14, 1918, son of Dwight and Edna
(Kittelberger) Parsons. He attended Kent State University Training School up to his junior
year when he transferred to Western Reserve Academy where he graduated in 1936. He
then attended Kenyon College at Gambier, Ohio, where he was a member of the Alpha
Delta Phi fraternity and where he graduated in 1940. Following this, he attended the
University of Pennsylvania where he obtained his Masters degree in 1942. On Sept. 24,
1942, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy and received his commission as Ensign in June, 1943.
In active service he spent most of his time in the Pacific area and is now still in the Naval
Reserve with the rank of Lieutenant.
Mr. Parsons was married Nov. 20, 1945 to Marcella Jayne Hopkins, daughter of John
James and Marcella (Lavell) Hopkins of Duluth, Minn. They have two children — Charles
Timothy and Richard Lowell.
From May, 1946 to September, 1947, Mr. Parsons was located at Burton, Ohio, being
employed by the Johnson Rubber Co. of Middlefield, Ohio. In the latter year he moved
to Menlo Park, Calif., where he worked for the Tidewater Oil Co., San Francisco, four
and one-half years, followed by a similar period with the Magna Power Tool Corp. of
Menlo Park.
Mr. Parsons returned to Kent in 1946 to take over the management of the Parsons
Lumber Co.
He is a member of the Rotary Club and the Twin Lakes Country Club.
PORTAGE HERITAGE
639
Dorothy R. Parsons
Dorothy R. Parsons, oldest daughter of Edward S. and Jennie (Wolcott) Parsons, was
born in Kent and there spent most of her life.
A graduate of Central High School, she received her
B.A. degree from Lake Erie College, and several years later
her M.A. from Western Reserve University. Meanwhile she
took courses at Kent State University and at the Sorbonne,
the arts college of the University of Paris.
She taught at Roosevelt High School in Kent for many
years and in various capacities. Of recent years she has taught
French and Senior English.
Miss Parsons is a member of the Kent Congregational
Church where she is actively interested in the work carried
on by the church. She has served on the Board of Trustees
and as deaconess. She is a member of the Daughters of the
American Revolution, the American Association of Uni-
versity Women, the Junior Coterie, Delta Kappa Gamma
and Delta Gamma. She is an officer of the T. G. Parsons
Lumber Co.
Among her hobbies perhaps music stands first. She is
a talented pianist and is also an accomplished genealogist. Traveling has also been one
of her favorite hobbies. She is familiar with many parts of Europe and America she
knows well.
Dwight L Parsons
Dwight Lowell Parsons (D.L.) was born in Kent on August 25, 1880, the youngest
son of T. G. and Eleanor (Sawyer) Parsons.
After Kent public schools he attended Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, where
he graduated in the class of 1898. He then attended Kenyon College for two years. There
he was a member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity.
Returning to Kent, he associated with his father and his brother in the lumber
business, becoming treasurer of the company. Later he joined
his brother, Ed, in the management of the business and after
his brother's death in 1937 he was sole manager.
Mr. Parsons married Miss Edna Kittelberger of Cuya-
hoga Falls in 1905. She died in 1940. In 1944 he married
Mrs. Emma Rowlen, who died in 1956. He has two sons,
Dwight, an Akron lawyer, and Charles, who became man-
ager of the lumber company in 1956.
Mr. Parsons was for two terms a city councilman. He
is an officer and a director of the First Federal Savings and
Loan Company. He is a charter member of Kiwanis, a mem-
ber of the Elks Club, and a member of Twin Lakes Coun-
try Club.
The people of Kent hold Mr. Parsons' wide memory
and knowledge of business and finance in deep respect. His
advice is often sought in financial matters. He is a thor-
oughly worthy and estimable citizen.
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PORTAGE H ERITAGE
Edward S. Parsons
Edward Sawyer Parsons (E.S.) was born in Kent on September 25, 1867, the eldest
son of Timothy G. and Eleanor (Sawyer) Parsons.
After graduation from Central High School in 1884 he
attended Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, graduating
in the class of 1886. This was the famous class which held
its 50th reunion in 1936, with every member of the class
living and actively engaged in work.
On February 12, 1891, he married Miss Jennie Wolcott
of Kent, daughter of S. P. and Mary (Brewster) Wolcott.
They had three children, Dorothy, Helen, and Edward.
Dorothy has taught French and English at Roosevelt High
School for many years; Helen is the wife of Dr. L. L. Frick
of Canton; and Edward is a physician who has practiced
medicine in Cleveland for many years.
Mr. Parsons associated with his father in the T. G.
Parsons Lumber Company, holding the office of secretary,
and, first in company with his father and later with his
brother Dwight, serving as manager.
He was much interested in the welfare of the com-
munity, held several local offices, and served as mayor in the years 1903 and 1904. He
was a devoted member of the Rotary Club from the time he joined the club in 1921 to
the day of his death. He was a Royal Arch Mason, and served as master of Rockton Lodge
for two years. By ties of deep interest he was bound to the Congregational Church.
Mr. Parsons died on November 26, 1936, after a short illness.
His associates will long remember his love of fun and jokes and the twinkle of his
blue eyes. And it was the simplicity and sterling worth of his character, the depth of his
understanding, his quiet generosity, his friendliness, his loyal devotion to his home, his
business, his friends, and his community that marked the real Ed Parsons.
T. G. Parsons
Timothy Graves Parsons (T.G.) was born in Brimfield, Ohio, on September 17,
1832, the second son of Edward and Clementina (Janes) Parsons, who had come from
Brimfield, Mass., in 1830.
After district school he attended academies in Twins-
burg and in Kent. At nineteen he set out for the gold
fields in California, going to the Isthmus at Panama, cross-
ing by foot, and embarking again on the other side. He
stayed seven years at Columbia, California, and then re-
turned home by way of New Orleans. Upon the outbreak
of the Civil War he signed up in the 42 nd Ohio Volunteers,
Army of the Cumberland. His war years took him to Ken-
tucky, Tennessee and Mississippi where he participated in
the Battle of Vicksburg. In 1864 he was discharged for
physical disability and returned home. Soon after, in 1866,
he and his brother Edward founded a lumber business.
This business has become the T. G. Parsons Lumber Com-
pany and is the oldest business in Kent under the owner-
ship and management of the original family owners.
In 1865 Mr. Parsons married Miss Eleanor Sawyer of
PORTAGE HERITAGE
641
Brimfield, Ohio. They were parents of Edward, John, Susie, who died in childhood, and
Dwight.
Mr. Parsons took a deep interest in his home and family, his business and his com-
munity. He was a member of the Board of Education. He was active in the affairs of the
Grand Army of the Republic. A quiet man, he enjoyed the respect of his business and
social acquaintances, all of whom felt a deep admiration for his integrity and solid worth.
Mr. Parsons died at nearly ninety-one in 1923.
Emma B. Patton
Emma B. Patton was a native of Portage County, born
near Kent in 1859. She came to Kent with her parents, the
late W. W. and Harriet Beecher Patton, when she was a
child. The family lived for a time at the corner of S.
Mantua and West Main Sts., moving from there to N.
Mantua St., where they lived until they went to a new
home on West Main, corner of Prospect.
Miss Patton graduated from the Kent schools, of which
Mr. Patton was one time superintendent. She then attended
Lake Erie College at Painesville and Oberlin Conservatory
of Music. Later she studied at Boston Conservancy of Music
and also with Sherwood at Chautauqua. Back in Kent she
directed musical productions and gave piano lessons, being
active in music, even in advancing years. She was a member
of the Kent Coterie, the Kent Women's Club, Traveler's
Club, Kent Recital Club and Olive Chapter of the Eastern
Star. She was also a member of the Congregational Church.
Being much interested in the work of the D.A.R., she first belonged to Old Northwest
Chapter in Ravenna, but later transferred to Aaron Olmsted Chapter, Kent.
Miss Patton will best be remembered and honored for her gift of the Patton Home
on West Main St., Kent, to the Kent Coterie, to use as a club house for that organization
and as a meeting place for various women's literary clubs of the city, especially those
to which she belonged. The house is now known as the Patton Memorial Home.
Miss Patton loved to travel and her death came suddenly on Feb. 5, 1939, while she
was in Los Angeles, Calif.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Paulus
Charles Eugene Paulus was born March 17, 1908, the son of William Floyd and
Mary Alice Russell Paulus. He attended the Kent Schools and was graduated from
Roosevelt High School in 1925. After graduation from high school he attended Witten-
berg College and Kent State University from which he received his B.S. in Education
and M.A. degrees. From 1929 to 1943 Mr. Paulus taught school in East Palestine, Ohio;
since 1943 in Kent where he is Director of Guidance at his Alma Mater. His experience
in teaching covers 28 years.
On September 12, 1932 Mr. Paulus was married to Ruth Virginia Stuller, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Stuller of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Three children were born to this
union: Gail Kathleen, Linda Ann and Charles William.
Mr. Paulus is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter, the Valley of Canton
32nd degree Scottish Rite and Akron Tadmore Temple of the Shrine. He is also a charter
member of the Kent Lions Club, B.P.O. Elks 1377, Exalted Ruler 1954-1955.
He is associated with the Cub Scout Pack as a council member. In professional
642
PORTAGE HERITAGE
associations he holds a life mem-
bership in the National Education
Association, member of the Amer-
ican Personnel and Guidance As-
sociations. Mr. Paulus was the
first president of the Kent City
Teachers Association after organi-
zation.
In 1955 Mr. Paulus was elected
to a two year term as President
of the Kent City Council and re-
elected to the same position in
1957.
As to hobbies, Mr. Paulus is
interested in Amateur Productions
and singing. He appeared in local
Minstrel Shows for 14 years and
was a member of the Elks Quar-
tette as Ohio State Champions in
1948 in which year they also won third place in national competition at Cleveland. Mr.
Paulus is known for his participation in many other shows in Portage County. In 1956
he was chosen president of the Sesquicentennial Corporation.
Mrs. Paulus was graduated from Mt. Vernon High School. She is a member of the
Order of Eastern Star and the Kent Emblem Club. For the past five years Mrs. Paulus
has been associated with the Northeastern Ohio Agency, Inc. as the manager of the
Portage County Credit Bureau.
Mr. and Mrs. Paulus and family are members of the Trinity Lutheran Church where
Mr. Paulus is a member of the church choir.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Paulus
Mr. and Mrs. William F. Paulus
to Kent
Wh
Mr. and Mrs. William F. Paulus
and worked as steel car foreman until
en the Erie shops were closed he opened
William Floyd Paulus was born
in Suffield township, Portage
County, Oct. 10, 1885. He was
the son of Thomas J. and Celestia
(Pew) Paulus. He attended Suf-
field schools until the age of
eleven, when the family came to
Kent and he attended South
school.
At the age of fourteen he went
to work in the Kent Erie R. R.
shops, remaining there until 1903,
when he went to the B. & O. R.
R., working there three years. He
then returned to the Erie shops,
remaining there until 1914, when
he removed to Urbana, Ohio, to
work for the Illinois Car Co. as
car foreman. In 1918 he returned
1930.
a service station at Water and Williams
PORTAGE HERITAGE
643
streets, selling Mobile products and tires, as well as a grocery, which he still operates.
On March 25, 1907, he was married to Miss Alice Mary Russell of Robertsville, Ohio.
She was born May 21, 1886.
The couple have two children — Charles Eugene, born March 17, 1908; and Gordon
P., born Jan. 29, 1910.
Mr. and Mrs. Paulus are members of Trinity Lutheran church of Kent.
John G. Paxton
John G. Paxton was born at Houston, Penna., January 27, 1872. His mother died
when he was three weeks old but relatives cared for him in the Paxton home. When
his father remarried, an aunt raised him in her own home. When he was six years old
his aunt moved to Guernsey County, Ohio, and when he was twelve she re-married and
they moved to New Concord. Here he attended school and soon began to do odd jobs
in the weekly newspaper office, the Enterprise. He learned the printer's trade and did
writing and at the age of fourteen once got out the paper alone.
In 1891, when he was 19, he came to Kent as a re-
porter on the Courier, then owned by W. S. Kent. He was
soon made editor and remained with the Courier for over
24 years.
When the Courier was sold in 1915, he started the
weekly Kent Tribune in company with S. W. Baker. The
new paper was a success and after Baker retired, a half
interest was taken by J. B. Holm in 1923. When the two
Kent papers were merged by M. L. Davey in 1929, Mr.
Paxton again started a newspaper of his own. This was
soon taken over by the Courier-Tribune and he worked for
a time for the combined papers. But shortly after that he
became editor of the Medina Sentinel, returning to Kent in
two years to again be connected with the Courier-Tribune.
Mr. Paxton was married in 1896 to Miss Amy Geissinger
of Kent. Her death occurred on May 31, 1932. Both were
members of the Kent Congregational Church. Mr. Paxton
was a Rotarian and served as Franklin Township clerk for 22 years.
In 1935 he married Miss Eva Phillips. His death occurred in 1937.
Though without much formal education, Mr. Paxton was essentially a self-made
man. He had what newspaper men called instinct for news and his friendly nature was
long remembered.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Perkowski
Michael Perkowski was born in Kent, Ohio, August 23, 1910. He was the son of
Peter and Amelia (Kaliszewski) Perkowski, who came from Warsaw, Poland, and were
married here.
Mike attended South, Depeyster and Central schools in Kent and worked in muck
lands until he was sixteen years old. He was then employed at the A. & P. grocery store
one year and at D. H. Green, Inc. for another year. He then went to work for the
C. L. Gougler Machine Co. in 1927.
He remained with Gougler's until 1944 when he started his own business, known as
the Kent Mold & Manufacturing Co., and prospered from the start. This was during
644
PORTAGE HERITAGE
World War II years.
In 1932 Mr. Perkowski was
married to Miss Millie May Pfabe,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. T.
Pfabe of Atwater. They have
three children — Thomas Eugene,
born Sept. 25, 1934; Rosemarie,
now Mrs. Donald Burke, born in
February, 1936; and Brenda May,
born in July, 1949. Rosemarie
won a queenship at the military
dance, Kent State University. She
was also Greater Akron Sports
Festival Queen, making four per-
sonal appearances on television.
Thomas Eugene is a jet air flight
instructor, now located at Green-
ville, Miss.
He is a member of St. Patrick's
Church, Kent, of which he is a councilman; Elks Club and Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Perkowski particularly enjoys hunting and fishing. In 1954 he built his own cabin
on Middle Bass Island, Lake Erie, and delights in spending week ends and vacations there.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Perkowski
Royal R. Pierce
Royal R. Pierce was born in Shalersville, Ohio, April 30, 1909. He was the son of
Nelson Ray and Corda (Coit) Pierce. Mr. Pierce received his education in the Portage
County public schools and Ohio State University.
He was married June 4, 1933, to Mary Lucille Corbett.
At that time he was employed at Williams Bros, flour mill
in Kent. In 1934 he entered the employ of Raymond H.
Swartz, owner of Quality Feed Store. Ten years later he
bought the business from Mr. Swartz.
In 1951 Mr. Pierce pioneered the use of anhydrous
ammonia as a source of nitrogen fertilizer in northeastern
Ohio.
At the present time, along with the feed business, he
is a partner of the Sellman & Pierce Oil Company.
Mr. Pierce is a member of the Kent Kiwanis Club, the
Streetsboro Methodist Church, the Franklin Board of Edu-
cation and is a member and past president of the Portage
Farmers Club.
Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are the parents of three children:
Edwin Lee, a graduate of Eastman School of Music; Gladys
Jane, graduate of Kent State High School and Glen, who
is in the sixth grade at Franklin Township School.
A - ' -■-■i!
Ross M. Plum
Ross M. Plum was born in Aurora township, April 26, 1891, being the son of
Eugene and Flora (Mantle) Plum. His education was received in the Aurora elementary
PO RTAGE HERITAGE
645
school and the Streetsboro high school.
Mr. Plum was married September 1, 1915, to Miss Ruth
Elliman, daughter of Edward H. and Carrie (Judd) Elliman
of Aurora.
To them were born two children. They are Arden E.,
born Sept. 29, 1916, now of Canton, Ohio; and Norma L.,
August 26, 1918, now Mrs. Triggs, living in Akron.
For many years Mr. Plum followed farming in Streets-
boro township, but retired from this calling in 1930. On
May 5 of that year he started work in the Standing Rock
Cemetery, Kent, under Edward Sapp, then the superin-
tendent. He continued in this capacity until January 1, 1945,
when he was appointed superintendent of the cemetery,
which position he still holds.
Mr. Plum is a member of the Kent Methodist church,
the Knights of Malta lodge and belongs to the Mahoning
Valley Superintendents and Cemetery Officials Association.
Worthy of note is the fact that his father, Eugene Plum, died in Streetsboro in November
1957, at that time thought to be the oldest resident of the county.
Chester A. Purcell
Chester Arthur Purcell was born in Shippensville, Clarion County, Penna., May 12,
1908. He was the son of Elery Thomas and Kittie Blanch (Kiser) Purcell. He attended
local schools but moved with his parents to Cleveland where he graduated from John
Adams High School in 1925.
He was then employed by the Union Trust Co. for a period of three years, leaving
there to go to the William Taylor Co. until 1933. He then
was employed by Sears, Roebuck & Co. where he remained
until 1944 when he came to Kent. Here he established a
men's and boys' wear store on South Water St., operating
successfully until November, 1953, when he moved to larger
quarters, 113 West Main St. In 1953 he also opened a
children's store in the old South Water St. location. In June,
1957, this store was moved to 119 W. Main St., the two
stores being operated together.
On Oct. 26, 1931 Mr. Purcell married Martha Helen
ML'* Louis, daughter of Joseph Henry and Adelaide (Browne)
'*•*— «^ Louis of Cleveland. Two children were born to them. They
40ym Wki '%', r^B H '~' : '~ are J eanne » now Mrs. Richard Hastings Collette; and James
Ilk. ^8 Bl Arthur.
*- Bl\ 1H * . Mr. Purcell is a member and past president of the
wj^'% % .. v v -,^HL ^H - ! Kiwanis Club of Kent; the Boosters Club and past president;
^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ Rockton Lodge F. & A. M.; Tadmore and Temple Shrines;
and Twin Lakes Country Club. Mrs. Purcell belongs to the Kent Sorosis and both Mr.
and Mrs. Purcell are members of the Kent Methodist Church.
Glen H. Reed
Glen H. Reed was born in Kent, Dec. 27, 1893, son of William W. and Minnie
(Musser) Reed. He was educated in the Kent public schools, graduating from Central
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High in 1911. He then attended Ohio Wesleyan University for one year.
In 1912 he was appointed as postal clerk at the Kent postoffice and after a year's
service took a position as bookkeeper for the Kent Water & Light Co.
On June 24, 1916, he enlisted in the army for Mexican
border service. Two days later he married Miss Harriet R.
Tuttle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I. D. Tuttle of Kent. He
served in the army until March 22, 1917, when he received
an honorable discharge. He then entered the insurance busi-
ness with his father, under the name of W. W. Reed
& Son.
Mr. Reed organized the First Federal Savings & Loan
Association of Kent in October, 1934. He started actual
operation of the loan company Jan. 1, 1935, with less than
$10,000 capital.
Once an undeveloped farm land area and now one of
the most beautiful and best improved residential districts in
Portage County, the University Heights Allotment stands
as a monument to his foresight.
He was a member of the Twin Lakes Country Club,
Kent Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Elks Club, the
Congregational Church and the Masonic lodge.
Besides his wife, Mr. Reed is survived by a daughter, now Mrs. Frances R. Wiland;
and two grandchildren, Ann and Dexter Wiland.
William W. Reed
William Wilson Reed was born in Kent Nov. 21, 1867, the son of Levi and Clara
C. (Stratton) Reed. His ancestors came here from Vermont with the use of ox teams in
1815, settling on land near the present Akron Water Works plant.
Mr. Reed received his education in the local schools, graduating from old Central
High School. Deciding on dentistry as his profession, he
entered the Cincinnati College of Dental Surgery, receiving
his diploma March 2, 1887, after which he opened an office
in Kent March 7 of that year. He continued his dental office
over a period of 20 years. On Jan. 20, 1905, he sold his
practice and was appointed postmaster of Kent. He con-
tinued in this position until October 1, 1913. He then
entered the general insurance business and his son, Glen,
later joined him. This agency has developed into a large
and well known insurance business.
On July 18, 1922, Mr. Reed was again appointed post-
master of Kent, a position which he held until 1934.
On October 24, 1888, he married Minnie A. Musser of
West Salem, Ohio. Three children were born to them. They
are Hattie, now Mrs. Elson C. Yarger; Glen H., now deceased;
and Helen L., now Mrs. Ross Strimple.
He was interested in politics and public affairs and in
1917 he was appointed city clerk and elected without opposition in 1919 and 1921, con-
tinuing until he became postmaster.
Other civic duties included service as secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, of which
he was later president seven years. He was very active in the work of locating the State
Normal School here.
Mr. Reed was a member of the Masonic order and the Akron Commandery, Knights
PORTAGE HERITAGE
647
Templar. He was a charter member and past president of the Kent Rotary Club and was
a member of the city board of education and clerk for several years.
He died April 30, 1939.
Joseph N. Renouf
Joseph Norval Renouf was born in Beaver Falls, Penna.,
August 8, 1883, being the son of Charles D. and Nancy J.
(Beamer) Renouf.
His early education was received in the Beaver Falls
public schools and in Geneva College in the same city. He
came to Kent Sept. 1, 1901, and entered Western Reserve
Dental College, Cleveland. During this time he commuted
back and forth daily, leaving at 6 a.m. on the W.&L.E. rail-
road, now the Nickel Plate, and returning in the evening. He
graduated in dentistry June 16, 1904, being the youngest
graduate of his school. He then started the practice of his
profession in Kent, August 8, 1904, and has continued with it
until the present time, a total of 52 years. Dr. Renouf in-
stalled and used the first electric engine and first fountain
cuspidor in Kent, in his office.
In September, 1905, he married Lois H. Newton and to
that union there were born two children — Florence, now Mrs.
Robert Garrett; and Charles, deceased Oct. 17, 1937. Mrs. Renouf died in April, 1921.
On Sept. 2, 1925, he married Frances E. Allen.
Dr. Renouf's hobbies have been tennis and skeet shooting. In the latter he was tied for
first place in the state contests. He has also traveled extensively, his travels including such
places as Alaska, South and Central America, Hawaii, Europe and Africa, as well as every
state in the Union and the provinces of Canada and Mexico.
He is a member of the Christian Church, the Elks Club and Men's Garden Club. Ad-
ditional interests are flowers and extensive hunting and fishing trips.
Richard M. Richards
Richard Mann (Dick) Richards was born in Newly n,
Cornwall, England on July 9th, 1888, to James and Phyllis
Cattran Richards. He had three brothers and two sisters. A
brother and sister reside in Akron, Ohio, and two brothers
and one sister in London, England.
He came to America in 1910 at the age of 21 and resided
in Akron, Ohio, working on the private estate of Mr. and
Mrs. C. B. Raymond. He met and married Anna M. Tschantz
in August, 1913. In 1918 they moved to Brimfield where he
grew flowers for the wholesale market. In 1921 he purchased
the greenhouse property of Mr. and Mrs. George Braybon.
There he operated a Floral business until his death Oct.
27, 1943. He got his naturalization papers in Ravenna, Ohio
in 1941.
They have a daughter, Gladys Durlin, residing in
Petoskey, Michigan, and two sons, James A. and Richard H.
who are continuing the Floral business.
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Mr. Richards was president of the Kent Rotary Club in 1928, also a member of the
Knights of Pythias and Eagles Lodge. His greatest pleasures were singing and fishing.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert R. Rick
Herbert R. (Herb) Rick was born in Caledonia, Marion County, Ohio, July 29, 1900.
He was the son of Henry L. and Clara R. (Myers) Rick.
He attended school in Galion and graduated from Galion High School in June 1918.
After that he was employed by the Erie Railroad Company
in the stores department at Galion but was transferred to
Kent as Chief Clerk to Storekeeper Harry Ackworth, re-
maining there until 1925. In July of that year he left the
railroad and established his own wholesale business jobbing
caskets and funeral supplies.
In 1931 Mr. Rick invented and patented a flexible metal
guard rail for use along the highways now used extensively
in all of the 48 states.
On October 18, 1924 Mr. Rick was married to Miss
Marilla Charlotte McSherry of Kent. To them three children
were born. They are Helen Roberta, now Mrs. Donald E.
Vann of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Phyllis Joan, now Mrs.
Luis M. Gonzalez of San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Herbert
Ralph, 2nd., of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mrs. Rick passed
away January 19, 1956 in Fort Lauderdale and is buried
there. Mr. Rick is now semi-retired and a large portion of
his time is spent in Florida, returning to Kent from time to time to look after his interests.
Mr. Rick is a member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a thirty
second degree Mason and a member of the Shrine, Grotto and B. P. O. Elks.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. J. Rogers
William J. Rogers was born in Streetsboro, Portage County, Ohio, October 22, 1875.
He was the son of Robert C. and Agnes (Porter) Rogers, who came to the United States
from Ireland.
He was educated in the Streets-
boro schools after which he turn-
ed to farming. Mr. Rogers was
married to Minnie Clark, March
6, 1901. She was the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Clark of
Brimfield and was educated in
the Brimfield schools. Mr. Clark
was born in England and came
to America when still a small
child. The family first lived in
Michigan, later coming to Ohio.
Mr. Rogers followed farming
most of his life, being located in
Streetsboro, where both took part
in civic activities. They were mem-
bers of the Streetsboro Church
and of the Grange. When they
later moved to Kent they became
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. J. Rogers
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649
affiliated with the Kent Methodist Church and the Kent Grange. In Kent Mr. Rogers did
considerable carpenter work and was responsible for the building of several houses. He
died July 5, 1951.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rogers. They were Ralph Clark Rogers,
Lorain, Ohio; Lois Delight, now Mrs. Leo Gless of Shalersville, Ohio; and Raymond Glen
Rogers, Stow, Ohio. An adopted daughter, now Mrs. Lola Mary Brenneman, lives in Las
Vegas, Nevada.
Theodore S. Rowe
Theodore Spurling Rowe was born in Brewer, Maine, February 22, 1902, the son of
Herbert and Blanche (Spurling) Rowe, of English ancestry. He was educated in the Brewer
Public Schools and graduated from the University of Maine in 1926 with a B. S. Degree in
Physics. In both high school and college he participated in extra curricular activities such
as management of the athletic teams, editorial work and business management of school
year books, newspapers, etc.
Upon leaving college he was employed by the Atlantic
Precision Instrument Company of Boston, became a Sales
Engineer for them and within a year was promoted to the
position of Akron District Manager where he was responsible
for the sale and servicing of the electronic measuring in-
struments made by this company.
In 1927 he joined the B. F. Goodrich Company as As-
sistant Sales Manager of the Truck Tire Division, later was
made Director of Purchases for the Retail Store Division and
in 1930 became Product Sales Manager of the Industrial
Products Division.
In 1931 he was married to Carolin Wilhelmina Boehm
of Sandusky, Ohio, and in 1935 built a home on the east
shore of East Twin Lake.
In 1938 Mr. Rowe acquired a stock interest in Samuel
Moore & Company of Cleveland with whom he remained for
five years as Vice President and General Manager, then re-
linquished this activity.
In October 1943 he founded the Hamilton Kent Manufacturing Company as a sole
proprietorship and in February of 1945 incorporated the business and formed an affiliation
with U. S. Stoneware Company of Tallmadge, Ohio. Like most small businesses this one had
its early struggles and setbacks. It was started in Mr. Rowe's basement and in 1944 rented
a small building across from the Kent Fire Station. Losses were heavy as were borrowings
during the first year of incorporation but the struggling company broke even during its
second year and made enough money the third year to pay off its indebtedness. In the fourth
year after its incorporation it began to earn a profit which at this writing has continued
to increase from year to year. In 1946 the Hamilton Kent Manufacturing Company leased
the old Town Hall on Gougler Avenue for office space and in 1948 rented a small plant
across the street for manufacturing space. In 1953 the company purchased the former Kent
Ice Company property, rebuilt the plant and moved offices and production to this location.
Hamilton Kent Manufacturing Company manufactures extruded and molded products
of rubber and soft plastic for civilian customers and the Armed Services, also a line of
vibration absorbing mounts for heavy machinery. It is known the world over as the largest
manufacturer of rubber sewer pipe couplings which are sold under the tradename of Tylox
and Rexon.
Mr. Rowe's personal activities as of January 1, 1957 are as follows: member, University
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PORTAGE HERITAGE
Club of Akron for thirty years; member, Twin Lakes Country Club for twenty years; di-
rector, 1947; past president — 1950 — Franklin Local Board of Education; past president,
Kent Rotary Club — 1952-1953; chairman, Franklin Township Zoning Board — 1953-1954;
district chairman, Boy Scouts, 1955-1956; director, Kent Chamber of Commerce, 1956-1958.
Mr. and Mrs. Rowe are the parents of one daughter, Julie Ann, born January 10, 1940.
At this writing Mr. Rowe is president and treasurer of Hamilton Kent and a director
of several other corporations.
Arden S. Ruttan
Arden S. Ruttan was born May 7, 1912, at Atwood,
Ontario, Canada. He was the son of George Samuel and Ida
(Rozell) Ruttan. He attended home schools and graduated
from Listowel High School, at Listowel, Ontario.
After finishing high school he went to Detroit and be-
came an automobile salesman in that city and during World
War II was a project engineer with the Continental Motors.
At the close of the war he became an automobile dealer and
in 1949 came to Kent where he took over the Ford agency.
Mr. Ruttan was married December 26, 1936, in Detroit
to Marjorie Healey, daughter of George and Henrietta (Hill)
Healey. They have four children — Barbara, Karen, Arden
and Karl.
He is a member of the Masonic order, being a 32nd de-
gree Mason, member of the Shrine, Tadmor Temple as well as
the Kent B.P.O.E.
He is affiliated with Christ Church, Episcopal, Kent.
The Ruttan home is at Twin Lakes.
John J. Sali+ore
John J. Salitore was born in Kent, Feb. 2, 1915, the son
of Pasquale and Carmella Salitore, one of eight children.
The parents came to America from Italy in 1903. The
father, then 23, had served in the army and wished to seek
his fortune in a new world. He first worked in the Erie
shops but, although his earnings were meager, he soon bought
a home on Elm St., where all the eight children were born.
John received his education in the public schools of
Kent, and on Oct. 27, 1942, entered the armed service of
Uncle Sam. He served as steward of the Officers Club at Fort
Benning, Georgia, and was discharged Oct. 12, 1944. He was
then employed in various capacities and at present operates
the Buckeye Cigaret Co., selling wholesale and operating
vending machines in this area.
On Sept. 16, 1953, he was married to Elsie Long, of
Akron, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Rex L. Sampsel
Rexford Lee Sampsell is a native of Portage County, having been born there June 8,
1898. He was the son of Harry L. and Myrtle May (Thompson) Sampsell. He attended the
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65
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