(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 127 Stotler, who has been in the office for many and has rendered its difficult duties to entire satisfaction of the citizens. THE CHILDREN'S HOME. In August, 1882, the Summit County commissioners purchased of George Allison, of Tallmadge, a farm near Bette,s Corners, consisting of 140 acres of land, for $15,000. Upon this tract it was their purpose to establish a home for orphan children, and such others under sixteen years of age as should be in need of county care. A strong sentiment began to set in against this action of the commissioners, it being felt that so large a tract was not needed and that the location should be nearer to Akron. The commissioners accordingly suspended improvement operations, and in November, 1885, leased the brick boarding-houses on Broadway, nearly opposite the court-house, which was demolished in 1906, when George Crisp & Son built their large storage building upon the site. Finally, in 1889, the commissioners, having sold parcels from the Allison farm and secured legislative permission, bought the old Jewett homestead, on South Arlington Street, in the extreme southeast corner of the city. The property now embraces nearly seven acres of land, and the old building has been entirely remodeled and thoroughly adapted to its new uses. The growth of the city and county, however, have left the original plat far in the rear, and steps should be taken at once for the erection of a modern, brick and steel, fireproof structure for a children’s borne. The county has provided a stone palace for the county criminals (the new jail is all that) ; why should it not do as much for its little children? It has been pointed out many times that the present building is a perfect firetrap. If any taxpayer begrudges the amount. necessary to care for these innocent children in a proper way, he is not a worthy member of this Western Reserve community. THE MARY DAY NURSERY. One of the splendid charitable works accomplished in Akron was the founding and maintenance of a nursery where children might be kept during the day, thus enabling mothers to undertake work outside the home. To the "King,s Daughters" belongs the credit of perceiving and adequately meeting this need. In 1890, these young ladies organized the Akron Day Nursery, and first occupied rooms in the Union Charity Association Building, on South High Street, where the Y. W. C. A. Building now is. A year later Colonel George T. Perkins presented the young ladies with a house and lot on South High Street near Buchtel Avenue, and the association became incorporated. The name was then changed to "Mary Day Nursery," in honor of Mary Raymond, Colonel Perkins' first grandchild. A few years later the munificence of Colonel Perkins was again experienced and the association had the extreme pleasure of accepting from his hands the splendid building on the northeast corner of Broadway and Buchtel Avenue. It is splendidly equipped for nursery and kindergarten purposes and will meet the needs of the city in these respects for many years to come. THE UNION CHARITY ASSOCIATION. This society was incorporated in 1889 for the purpose of relieving destitution and preventing indiscriminate alms-giving. It is the clearing-house for Akron's charities. It was founded by the union of the Akron Board of Charities and the Women's Benevolent Association. It purchased a frame dwelling-house on High Street near the corner of Market, the site of the present Young Women's Christian Asosciation Building. In 1903, it erected the fine brick building called "Grace House," the money for which was contributed almost entirely by Colonel George T. Perkins. As the work of the association has fallen more and more to the lot of the Young Women's and Young Men's Christian Associations, it was found advisable, in 1906, 128 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY to give up Grace House, and, accordingly, it was turned over to the Young Women,s Christian Association. The latter remodeled and enlarged the building at an expense of $15,000, and today it enjoys one of the finest association buildings in the State. The association has moved three times, originally occupying the basement rooms in an apartment house on the east side of South High Street, between Mill and Quarry Streets; thence moving into the entire third story of the Wilcox Building on South Main Street, where for two years, 1905-1907, it successfully conducted its splendid work among the young women of Akron. In April, 1907, it moved into the new building on South High Street. The present secretary of the Young Men,s Christian Association has announced that that organization is in no sense a charitable one. However, in giving their money to establish it, the citizens of Akron understood that it was to be devoted to charitable ends. At the present time the color line is strictly drawn, and only white men of a certain social grade and upwards, are welcomed at the clubhouse. The Young Men's Christian Association is the result of a movement on behalf of boys and young men, started by the mayor of Akron in 1902. Actively assisted by Samuel P. Orth, he interested a number of influential citizens in behalf of a Boy's Club. Mr. Orth was at that time a professor in Buchtel College. The idea was to get boys without regard to color, race, habits or social standing, in from the streets. After the movement had progressed considerably it seemed best to a majority of those interested in it to turn the whole project over to the Ohio Young Men's Christian Association and make use of their organization. No one doubted that the original objects of the promoters would be carried out by the latter association. In this they were mistaken. In 1903, work was commenced on a fine building on South Main Street at the southeast corner of Main and State Streets, the site having been purchased by the association. Early in 1906 it was ready for occupancy. It is a• splendid structure for the purpose, and consists of nasium, dining-rooms, baths, dormitories, ditorium and reception and social r Since the building has been opened and restricted character announced, no little r has been expressed that the purpose of early promoters was not persisted in, Young Men,s Christian Association has been a success in Akron, two former ciations having gone to the wall after or less checkered careers. AKRON PUBLIC LIBRARY. The Akron Public Library is the outgro of an earlier organization, The Akron brary Association, this in turn having rootage in the Akron Lecture Association Through a series of lectures which contin for many years, through membership and generous donations, the Akron Lib Association grew vigorously. In 1873, library had assumed such proportions t required more care than the association inclined to give, and it was offered to city, with the stipulation that it receive p support. The proposition was duly co ered and accepted in January, 1874. library began its career as a public one March of the same year. The city bought three rooms on the second floor of the sonic Block, and the library occupied until October, 1898. The growth du some twenty odd years made another move necessary, and, in 1898, the second floor ot the Everett Building, then in process of struction, was reserved for the library. these bright comfortable rooms it moved on April 23, 1904, into its permanent home, the building given by Mr. Carnegie. The library opened to the public August 1, 1904. The library now numbers 16,046 volumes for circulation, and 7,580 volumes of reference and government reports-23,626 volumes in all. Aside from the main library, it reaches the public through eight stations for book exchange. The reading room has a large and attractive list of magazines and papers, and is always well patronized. From AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 129 the beginning the library has been an active and vigorous force in the community. Librarians of Akron Public Library—T. A. Noble to 1875; Horton Wright, 18751882; J. A. Beebe, 1882-1889; Miss M. P. Edgerton, 1889 to present year (1907). Assistants—Miss Mary Vosburg and Miss Anna M. Krummer to 1875; Miss Bessie Willis, 1875-1885; Miss M. P. Edgerton, 18851889; Mrs. J. M. Proehl, 1889 to present; Miss Clara B. Rose, 1895-1901; Miss Maud Herndon, 1901 to present; Miss Grace M. Mitchell, 1903-1907; Miss Euphemia MacRitchie (cataloguer), 1903-1905; Miss Rena B. Findley, 1907; Miss Ella C. Tobin, 1907. Directors of Library Association to 1874— D. L. King, J. S. Lane, J. H. Pitkin, I. P. Hole, C. P. Ashmun, G. T. Perkins, N. D. Tibbals, E. P. Green, Ferdinand Schumacher, J. H. Peterson, Thomas Rhodes, R. L. Collett, J. A. Long, B. S. Chase, Sidney Edgerton, John Wolf, J. H. Hower, W. C. Jacobs, J. R. Buchtel. Directors of Library Since Its Organization as a Public Library—J. R. Buchtel, J. P. Alexander, M. W. Henry, E. P. Green, G. T. Ford, W. L. King, C. A. Collins, Adams Emerson, Mason Chapman, N. A. Carter, L. Miller, T. E. Monroe, F. M. Atterholt, C. W. Bonstedt, C. P. Humphrey, O. L. Sadler, R P. Burnett C. R. Grant, Elias Fraunfelter, A. H. Noah, Louis Seybold, G. D. Seward, C. S. Hart, P. E. Werner, W. T. Allen, H. K. Sander, A. H. Noah, M. J. Hoynes, John Memmer, W. B. Cannon, H. C. Corson, F. W. Rockwell, W. T. Tobin, F. C. Bryan, C. P. Humphrey, W. T. Vaughan, J. C. Frank, G. W. Rogers, J. W. Kelley, A. J. Tidyman, T. J. Mumford, W. J. Doran, H. A. Kraft. Board of Directors (1907)—President, W. T. Vaughan ; secretary, G. D. Seward; John C. Frank, Rev. G. P. Atwater, Dr. M. V. Halter, Henry A. Kraft. Library Staff (1907)—Miss M. P. Edgerton, Librarian ; Mrs. J. M. Proehl, Miss Maud Herndon, Miss Rena B. Findley and Miss Ella Tobin, assistants; James C. Gillen, custodian. CHAPTER VII AGRICULTURE By far the oldest of the agricultural organizations of various kinds in Summit County is the Summit County Agricultural Society, under the auspices of which the annual autumn fair is held. This society has had an uninterrupted existence since about 1841. There is now no way of determining the exact date of its organization, as the early records have all been destroyed. The rather uncertain recollection of persons who came to Akron in 1840 is to the effect that a show of agricultural produce was held annually commencing within a year or two after that date. The first mention made of any such society in the local papers of the time which have survived to us occurs in 1844. In May of that year a notice was published, calling a meeting of the executive committee for the purpose of adopting rules, under which the annual fair was to be conducted. Subsequently, the State of Ohio had passed certain acts for the encouragement of agricultural societies. By the terms of one of them, any such society organized in Summit County and holding an annual fair might draw $137.50 from the public treasury, each year, to be applied toward defraying the expenses of the society. This was not a large sum and would not go far in meeting the expenses of a very modest fair; but the results of the offer in many of the counties of Ohio demonstrated the wisdom of the legislature. The thrift of the Summit County farmer is proverbial. As might be expected, the offer of the State was soon accepted. It is probable that the affairs of the early society had not moved forward without interruption ; it may even have ceased to exist. At any rate, in October, 1849, the auditor of the county issued a call for a public meet. ing of all those who would be interested in the formation of a society of agriculture. In pursuance of this call, a public meeting was held in the new court house on the eleventh day of November, 1849. The meeting organized by electing officers and appointing a committee of five farmers, representing different portions of the county, to prepare a suit, able constitution and code of by-laws for the governing of the organization. Before the meeting adjourned, the society had secured seventy members from among those who had attended. The name of the old society, The Summit County Agricultural Society, was adopted as the name of the organization. Perhaps it is error to speak of the "old society," for it may not have ceased to exist However, the real history of the society, as we know it, begins with this meeting held in the autumn of 1849. If the old society MS maintaining an uncertain existence, it was put firmly on its feet by this public meeting. That call to action aroused a strong public sentiment which has been a potent factor ever since. The ultimate result has been to make the Summit County society the strongest one in the State, and the Summit County Fair one of the most important held anywhere in the Middle West. On November 18, 1849, the association held another meeting at the court house, at which time a constitution and by-laws were adopted and permanent officers elected. This was the first board of officials of which we have any record. Colonel Simon Perkins was elected president; William H. Dewey, HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY - 131 treasurer; William A. Hanford, of Tallmadge, secretary, and John thy, of Franklin; Sylvester H. Thompson, of Hudson, Avery Spicer, of Coventry; James W. Weld, of Richfield, and Philo C. Stone were elected as a board of directors or managers. At the present time the practice is to take one director from each township in the county. These directors arranged and published a premium list and made all preparations for holding a fair during the fall of 1850. This, the first large and well-organized fair in the county, was held October 2nd and 3rd, 1850. At that time two days were deemed enough. The officers probably followed the custom in New England, of confining the fair to two days, the first of which was given over to the "Horse Show" and the second to the "Cattle Show." For the last twenty-five or thirty years, at least, it has been the custom to devote four days, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, of fair week to the purposes of the exhibition. It is now held on the same week in the year as the earliest fair, in 1850. It is probably the most satisfactory time which could be selected. At first the society had no grounds of its own and was obliged to request the county commissioners for permission to hold it on the grounds surrounding the (then) new county court-house. The permission was willingly granted, and the fair was held in the grove which then covered the block of land between High. Church, Broadway and State Streets. The court-house building was used for the display of flowers, fruits and domestic articles, while the stock was exhibited in the surrounding grove. There was no race-track and, of course, no races. If the interest it aroused in things agricultural may be taken as a criterion, the fair of 1850 was a big success. On account of the fact that no admission was charged, the total receipts for the first year were only $327.53, of which $100 were spent in awarding premiums. The society secured the court-house grounds for its fair of 1851, and also held its third fair there in 1852. The increasing number of exhibits made it necessary to erect temporary booths and sheds to accommodate them. This being a source of expense which might be avoided by securing permanent grounds, and the interest of the public throughout the whole county increasing, it was determined by the society to lease suitable grounds and erect more substantial and worthy buildings.. The president of the society, Simon Perkins, then offered it, without charge or rent, the use of a tract of land on South Main Street nearly opposite the plant of The B. F. Goodrich Company, and consisting of about six acres of land. An exhibition hall, stock-sheds and a high fence around the grounds were built. The fourth fair was held on these grounds on October 12th and 13th, 1853. In five years the annual attendance had grown so large that the grounds had become entirely inadequate. The receipts had increased to $1,400 in 1858. When the society decided to secure new quarters, the fine public spirit which Cuyahoga Falls had always shown, was once more demonstrated. That village made an offer of $6,000 if the new grounds should be located there. Nevertheless, the society leased for a period of five years a beautiful tract of about thirty acres of land in the western part of the city. It was owned by David L. King and consisted of the high land immediately west of the canal between Glendale Avenue and Ash Street. This site is now occupied by the Miller and Conger mansions and the fine grounds surrounding them. The society fitted up these grounds with the necessary buildings, a race-track, etc., at a cost. of several thousand dollars. The first fair held on these grounds was that of 1859. In 1864, the lease from Mr. King expired. Although he offered to sell the whole tract to the society, for fair purposes only, for the extremely low price of $5,000, and although the site was perfectly adapted to such purposes, yet the society, in pursuance of a short-sighted policy, determined to move again. This time they went still further west and located on the grounds of P. D. Hall, just east of Balch Street. Mr. Hall leased thirty acres, most of it covered 132 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY with a fine grove of trees, to the society for a term of ten years. This tract has been known, popularly, ever since as the old "Hall Fair Grounds." The first fair held here was in the autumn of 1864. Successful fairs were held on these grounds during the whole of the ten years. The expiration of the lease found the society with several thousand dollars in its treasury which it could devote to the purchase of grounds of its own. A spirited contest then began between the advocates of different sites. Nine or ten different tracts adjoining the city on the west and south were offered to the society at prices ranging from $200 to $500 per acre. Every one of these tracts has since increased in value to as many thousands. At first the society determined to purchase the property of Dr. S. H. Coburn and Samuel Thornton west of South Main Street. Then the committee of purchase concluded to accept the offer of James McAllister for his thirty acres on the highest point of West Hill, just west of Portage Path. The deed was made and the society became the owner of it. This action aroused a storm of protest. The people of Akron objected to the long distance from the business center of the city and the inhabitants of every township in the county, except those in the western part, were loud in their objection that, for them the location was practically inaccessible. As a result, the society, in 1875, decided to sell the new grounds and buy others located on North Hill. Mr. A. T. Burrows had offered them forty-five acres there at a price of $400 per acre. At a meeting held six months later this determination was reconsidered and a final choice was made of a tract of forty-five acres lying in the valley of the Little Cuyahoga, near the old Forge, and known as the "Austin Powder Patch." This tract of land had belonged to the Austin Powder Company, and had been the site of their powder mills until about 1860, when they were moved to Cleveland. Explosions and fires had long before destroyed all the buildings upon the tract. The writer first saw it in 1874, and it certainly looked far from invit- ing. Although it was not decided until June 26, 1875, to purchase this tract, yet by din of much hard labor the next fair, that o October, 1875, was held there. It was the first fair held on the society's own ground& Contrary to the expectations of many citi zens of the county, it was a big success. Th attendance and the exhibits were larger than ever before. In the next few years, the society spent much money in grading, improving and beautifying the grounds. It became a real exposition, on a small scale. Mercan tile Hall, Agricultural Hall, Floral Hall, the Grand Stand and many dining halls, exhibition booths and stands were built; the grounds were laid out in an attractive man• ner with artificial lakes, fountains, etc., and the name "Fountain Park" was given to the new fair grounds. Since 1875, the successive fairs of the society have been held here, including the 1907 fair just held. Since 1906 there has been a strong sentiment setting in toward selling Fountain Park and securing more accessible grounds. The society IL been successful on these grounds, but the ii creasing crowds make it impossible for the transportation companies to properly handy visitors. The present grounds would mak. very desirable railway yards, and it is now understood that one railway company, least, would like to add them to its posses sions. The many dangers attending the approach to the present grounds certainly though to lead the present members of the society to consider the purchase of other grounds more favorably situated. The officers of the Summit County Agricultural Society for 1907 are: President, L. M. Kauffman ; vice president, B. H. Prior. secretary, 0. J. Swinehart; treasurer, G. W. Brewster; superintendent of races, E. M. Ganyard. When the Summit County Agricultural Society reached the determination to move the site of its annual fair from Hall's Fair Grounds to the New Fountain Park, much dissatisfaction was expressed by those opposed to the new site. The discontent prevailed mostly among the farmers in the southern AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 133 and western parts of the county. It was said that the new site was difficult and dangerous to approach, and doubts were held as to the healthfulness of it. These feelings and expressions of dissent finally culminated in the formation of a rival association called the "Summit County Fair Association." The society was incorporated with a capital of $5,000, and the following officers were elected: President, James Hammond, of Copley; vice president, Frank A. Foster, of Copley; secretary, Wellington Miller, of Norton; treasurer, Philander D. Hall, Jr., of Akron. Mr. Hall made a new lease of his large tract on favorable terms to the new society, and the capital paid was expended in providing buildings, sheds, fences, etc. The fair was held in the last week of September, 1875, and was an entire success, both from the point of attendance and interest, and from the point of exhibits. The new society was much encouraged, and made more extensive plans for the fair of 1876. While the letter was successful from all points of view. yet the rival fair in Fountain Park had continued to grow in popularity and the old objections to its site had been found by the experience of two years to be largely unfounded. The younger association did not feel encouraged to continue their exhibition, in face of the strong sentiment setting in toward the "old fair" on the new site. It was accordingly decided to wind up the affairs of the new association and disband. Since 1876, the Summit County Agricultural Society has conducted the only agricultural exhibition held in the county. It has been uniformly successful and is today an exceedingly strong and prosperous organization. When the difficulty over the selection of new grounds arose in 1859, the fine public spirit of Cuyahoga Falls was again manifested. That village made an offer of $6,000 in cash to the Summit County Agricultural Society, provided the new fair grounds should be located there. Upon the refusal of this splendid offer, the citizens of the village determined to have an agricultural exhibition of their own. They formed an organization called the "Union Fair Association," and provided extensive grounds in the northern. part of the village as a site for an annual autumn festival. The advantages of the site were all that could reasonably be asked. In fact, it was superior in nearly all respects to any of the site, previously or since selected for this purpose. The grounds were first opened for exhibition on September 1, 1859. The fair was well attended and netted the association a profit of several hundred dollars. The attendance was mainly from the northern part of the county, The profits of this first fair were all wiped out, however, by a race meet, which was held in the latter part of October of the same year. In 1860, the date of the fair was changed to the first week of October. The attendance was not as large as had been hoped for, although the exhibition itself was well worthy of patronage. The last fair held on these grounds was that of 1861. The display of stock and products of the farm- was excellent, and an attraction in the form of competitive military drills between the different military companies of the county was added, but the attendance was fax below the line of profit. With the inevitable staring the association in the face, it was decided to disband, and the Summit County Association from that time on had no competition from the "Union Fair Association." Two other townships which tried to conduct rival fairs without lasting success were Richfield and Twinsburg. The citizens of Richfield organized the "Richfield Agricultural Club" in 1851, and in the fall of that year conducted a fair which was reasonably successful. It was supported by a well-populated and wealthy community, and being economically conducted, it continued to grow in popularity and influence. At length, in 1858, the "Union Agricultural and Mechanic Arts Society" was incorporated, comprising citizens of parts of Medina and Cuyahoga counties as well as Summit. This tn-county fair continued to prosper and held successful exhibitions each autumn on well-appointed fair grounds, situated between the two villages 134 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY of East and West Richfield. Finally, the interest in the central exhibition at Akron became so strong that it was decided that the agricultural interests of the county would be best subserved by limiting the exhibitions to the big one held at the county seat. The last fair on the Richfield grounds was held in 1875. The next year the society sold its grounds and wound up its affairs. About the time the Richfield Fair was started, the people of Twinsburg commenced an annual township exhibition of agricultural products. In 1855, this was expanded into the "Union Fair Association," composed of Twinsburg, Hudson and Northfield townships in Summit County; Solon and Bedford townships, in Cuyahoga County, and Aurora township, in Portage County. Fine fairgrounds were established near Twinsburg Center, and the society prospered for many years. After the war the interest began to wane, and after the fair of 1871, it was decided to discontinue them. In 1872, the grounds were sold and the "Union Fair Association" of Twinsburg was, from that time on, merely a matter of history. SUMMIT COUNTY GRANGES. Among the organizations which the agriculturists of the county have provided for their betterment, physically, mentally and spiritually, the Grange occupies an important place. That the movement has been well thought of in this general vicinity is evidenced by the following imposing list of Summit County Granges. The names of their respective officers is for the year 19061907. Granges and officers are as follows: Pomona Grange—Eugene F. Cranz, of Ira, master; S. J. Baldwin, of Tallmadge, lecturer, and Mrs. 0. S. Scott, secretary. Darrow Street Grange W. M. Darrow, master; Mrs. F. R. Howe, lecturer; Mabel E. Shively, secretary. Osborn's Corners' Grange—W. E. Ruple, master; Monnie Woodruff, lecturer; A. L. Aikman, secretary. Northampton Grange—George W. Treap, master; 0. McArthur, lecturer; Howard G. Treap, secre tary. Richfield Grange—Henry S. Gargett, master; Mrs. Mary Baughman, lecturer Frank M. Hughes, secretary. Copley Gran —Arthur Chrisman, master; R. J. Dallin lecturer; Herbert Hammond, secretary. B Center Grange—I. L. Underwood, master Mrs. William Waltz, lecturer; E. C. Rob' son, secretary. Tallmadge Grange—S. Barnes, master; Mrs. Lottie Clark, lecturer H. J. Walters, secretary. Highland Gran —E. Blender, master; George Lauby, turer; J. W. Foltz, secretary. SUMMIT COUNTY’S HORTICULTURAL INTERES By Aaron Teeple, Esq. In the early settlement of Summit County our pioneer fathers were beset with the stern realities of life—a house to shelter, the procurement of raiment and the wherewithal to be fed. The forests had to be cleared away habitations, though rude, erected, and unbroken soil subdued. Without markets which to dispose of any surplus products to procure necessary supplies, only at rem distances through roadless forests, their conditions, as we view them now with our m ern improvements, were that of unwon hardship and deprivation. The writer well remember the old time "log-rolling,” when the neighbors came together for m around to pile the timbers previously into huge heaps for burning. Then it the custom for each farmer to grow a part of ground to flax, that was in time pull broken, beaten, heckled, and finally spun woven into cloth for clothing or bedding. Almost every log cabin was then provided with an upper chamber reached by ascen a ladder, where the children were put to with only a puncheon roof above to profrom the storm without. Usually in cabin near the ladder stairway, a hole bored in one of the logs, and a strong wooden pin driven, where any wild game, brought in to add to the food supply, was hung. At night, when the meat supply became low the sturdy woodman would take down the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 137 rifle, fasten a lighted candle on his hat and visit the chopping. Deer were plentiful then and the newly cut timber afforded excellent browsing. The approach of the light would give alarm, and the reflected light from the eyeballs of the deer give the hunter the point to aim at, while the light of the candle enabled deliberate precision for deadly work. The pre-eminent factor then was the sociability everywhere manifest. Did a neighbor want, he had only to make it known. Be it labor, food, or other supply, all were ready to sacrifice, if need be, to meet the want. In those days but little attention was devoted to the esthetic culture of home or the ornamentation of its surroundings. Doubtless our ancestors had as ardent taste or desire to cultivate and enjoy the beautiful, as we, their progeny, but the sterner demands had first to be met and overcome ere these could be gratified, or luxuries be considered. The wild flowers, in many instances, were transplanted and in a measure domesticated by culture, as were several species of grapes and berries found growing on low lands in the forest. Among the early settlers in our county were Austin M. Hale, of Mogadore, Dr. Mendell Jewett, of Middlebury; Daniel Hine, of Tallmadge; Andrew Hale, of Bath; Edwin Wetmore, of Northampton, and a Mr. Robinett, who lived just over the line of Northfield in Cuyahoga County, father of B. A. Robinett, of Northfield. With them the love and culture of fruit was supreme and uppermost. To provide a supply in their new home, to be, various kinds of seeds, vines and small trees and shrubbery were brought from their New England homes, and planted in their gardens, becoming the basis from which most of the orchards and gardens of Summit County sprung. Daniel Hine was the pioneer in grape and pear culture, Andrew Hale and Austin Hale of apples, and Edwin Wetmore of peaches. By careful cross fertilization, the wild with improved varieties, many new types were secured. Of the tree fruits, especially the apple has undergone but few changes. The old Rambo, the Rhode Island Greening, the Belmont, and many of the older varieties, remain as distinct as when first introduced and propagated. The pioneer nursery business was instituted by Austin M. Hale of Mogadore, Denis A. Hine and M. Jewett of Middlebury, and Jobe Green, just over the Bath line in Granger, Medina County. In order to increase their stock, seed of fruit was planted and the seedling stock set in nursery rows, producing in most instances fruit of very inferior quality. To improve the fruit, long journeys were made to South Eastern Ohio near Marietta, where Israel Putnam, jr., had established a nursery of forty or fifty varieties of choice fruit brought from his old home in Connecticut prior to the year 1817. Scions were secured and young trees grafted. About the year 1824, the Kirtlands established a nursery in Trumbull County with stock brought from New England, including peaches, pears, apples and many of the smaller fruits. Our home nursery men, alert to increase their product in quantity as well as quality, were not slow to avail themselves of anything new in their line and became customers to some extent of the Trumbull County nursery. from these sources most of the orchards and small fruits were originally disseminated. Among the older orchards of Summit County were that of Maxwell Graham in Stow, John Ewart of Springfield, W. B. Storer of Portage, and Andrew Hale of Bath—orchards that by careful treatment have and are now yielding large crops of choice fruit annually. For many years Summit County was noted as being a dairy and farming community. The milling interests at the county seat created a demand for cereals and the southern part of the county being adapted in soil to their growth, it became largely a grain-growing section. While the northern part of the county was a heavier soil better adapted to grass, and the dairy interest thrived. But with the building of railroads increasing facilities of transportation, the close proximity to coal fields cheapening fuel, Akron became a manufacturing center. With each new in- 138 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY dustry came a corresponding increase in population, creating an increased demand for fruits, vegetables and garden products. Market gardening became a fixed industry. Perhaps the earliest to engage in gardening to any extent was Charles C. Miller and Foster A. Tarbell of Copley, W. B. Storer and Samuel Bacon of Portage, and Charles H. Welch of Springfield. The business became so profitable that soon others followed. At present the business has grown to such an extent that frequently in the summer months from eighty to 100 wagons loaded with fruit and garden products are on the Akron market on a morning. This demand for food supplies, with the diversity of the soil of the county, has been the means to enable the culture of many hitherto neglected products. The swamp lands near Greentown were drained and brought under culture, and Joseph A. Borst became the pioneer in celery growing. Soon after the Atwood Brothers of Akron commenced in a large way the raising of celery on the muck land of Copley swamp just west of Akron. Many acres of once-thought waste land have become drained and are now producing celery, onions, cabbage and other hardy garden products in different portions of the county. Matthew Crawford for more than forty years has been growing plants of small fruits and developing new varieties. Many of our choicest varieties of strawberries are the result of his labors. Recently his attention has been given mostly to growing bulbs. With Rev. M. W. Dallas, a few years ago he grew about nine acres of gladiolas. The market responded, the demand became so great that the supply has not been sufficient. This season one dealer, we learn, has placed his order for 2,000,000 gladiola bulbs, requiring at least 10 acres of land to produce them. Hyacinth and daffodil bulbs are now grown successfully, and the time will likely soon come when further importations from abroad will become unnecessary. The first effort at organization of the Agricultural and Horticultural interests, aside' from the Summit County Agricultural So ciety, was made in the year 1878 by a call from Dr. M. Jewett, M. C. Read, L. V. Bierce and others to form a Farmers, Club. The meetings were held monthly in the Empire Hall in Akron, and continued for several years. The meetings were at first well attended and were usually of much interest and profit. Subjects relating to the home produce of the farm, fruit growing, as well a those more intricate and scientific relating to how plants grow, how to originate new varieties, were presented in well written paper= and, in some instances, pointedly discussed The club became so heavily freighted, however, with professional men, who spun out their paperse so fine and to such length that the interest began to lag. As an instance, one, a Dr. Smith, was asked to prepare a paper. He chose for his theme "Sexuality in Nature." He argued that in the mineral a well as in the animal and vegetable king- doms, distinct traces of sexuality exist. The article was highly scientific, and of sufficient length to fill a whole page in the Summit County Beacon, and required over an hour in reading. At the close of the reading but a small audience remained to discuss its merits. It became evident to the officers of the organization that to impart. new life a radical change must take place. Hence a call was made to meet at the Friendly Inn, I at the corner of Howard and Mill Streets in Akron, for consultation. The meeting was held on the 18th of January, 1882. There were 19 persons present. Dr. Jewett was chosen president, and Matthew Crawford sec-, rotary. The object of the meeting was stated by the chair, and enlarged upon by several others. At the suggestion of Mr. Crawford the matter of reorganization along the lines of horticulture was considered with much favor. An adjournment was made to meet with Mrs. E. 0. Knox (on her invitation), then editoress of the Cuyahoga Falls Reporter, on February 8, 1882. At this meeting it was detided to organize the Summit County Horticultural Society. DT. Mendall Jewett chosen president and Matthew Crawford retary. A committee was appointed to AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 139 pare a constitution and by-laws for the government of the society, which were presented all a subsequent meeting and adopted. The meetings of the society are held monthly, on invitation, at the residences of its members, who reard it a privilege as well as a duty to entertain its membership. Reports are received on orchards, vineyards, small fruits, ornamental planting, ornithology, entomology, botany and forestry at each meeting from a standing committee in each department appointed for that purpose. Some competent person is selected in addition to present a paper or address, which forms part of the program for each meeting. The discussions following the reports of the standing committee and the points presented in the essay or address serve to make the meetings of much interest. The program for the year's work is prepared in advance by the executive committee of the society, giving place of meeting for each month, essayist, and list of officers and standing committees for the year. Since the organization of the society a quarter of a century ago it has continued to grow and prosper. The influence exerted and the good work done by the organization is shown in its social greetings, the exhibits of choice flowers, and fine vegetables and fruits at its monthly gatherings. The incentive to its members is to make their homes more social, pleasant and attractive, that when in turn it is theirs to entertain, their guests may be delighted in the surroundings. Neighbors are influenced, and fine homes with choice lawns become, in a measure, contagious. The county fair in its exhibit in the horticultural department, is another example of its work. The monthly meetings are reported for the local press of the county, and in many instances are wholly or in part, copied in many of the leading agricultural and horticultural journals of the country. A number of the membership are solicited to aid in Farmers' Institute work, either through - the State Board of Agriculture or directly by county societies. The present board of officers is Charles N. Gaylord, of Stow, president; Capt. P. H. Young, of Tallmadge, vice, president, and Miss Nellie Teeple, of Akron, secretary and treasurer. CHAPTER VIII TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES Steam and Electric Railroads—The Ohio Canal—The Ohio and Pennsylvania Canal. At the present time the steam railroads of Summit County are subsidiary lines of the four great railroad systems of Eastern United States, viz: The Baltimore & Ohio, represented by the Cleveland, Terminal & Valley, the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling, the Akron & Chicago Junction, and the Pittsburgh & Western. Allied to the Baltimore & Ohio, is the Pennsylvania Company, represented by the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus, and the Cleveland & Pittsburgh. The Erie is now the successor to the historic New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio, while the great Lake Shore system finds expression in the solitary Northern Ohio and the latest line, the Lake Erie & Pittsburgh. In addition to these is the Akron & Barberton Belt Line, now generally understood to be a Pennsylvania property, and sold in the open market only a few years ago for the sum of $1,000,000. To write of the sale of a road for a million tells why the history of any railroad in this day ceases to have any strictly personal side, for such a story is no longer the culmination of struggles and sacrifice on the part of hardy pioneers but is rather the result of a correct reading of the broker,s tape. The many millions involved in railroads represent as many varied peoples and interests as the number of dollars. Their owners live far from the line of their property, so that in Summit County to-day it is literally true that the profits from the above linos return to owners in every state of the country, and in countries as far distant as Holland and Belgium. First in point of time in this county is the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad, running from Pittsburgh to Cleveland and entering Summit on the east at Hudson. Projected and started in 1836, retarded by the panic of 1837, and finally completed in 1851, this road is one of the wonders of the financial world, in that it has never defaulted a payment on the interest of its bonds and since 1854 has paid a steady and unfailing income of 6 per cent on the investment to all stockholders. It has been lately double tracked from Alliance to Hudson and over that stretch of territory is a model line in physical equipment. The road now known as the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus, also Pennsylvania property, possesses local interest, in that it started with "The Akron Branch Railroad," which in 1851 was planned as a feeder to the Cleveland & Pittsburgh. At that time, through the enterprise of Simon Perkins, an amend was made to the charter of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh, extending that line from Hudson to Akron and by popular vote this county subscribed for stock in the Company to the amount of $100,000.00. By the middle of 1852, the road was completed to Orrville. Like all railroads it had its ups and downs, and after various litigation, in which the name was changed from the "Akron Branch" to Cleveland, Zanesville and Cincinnati, later to Cleveland, Mount Vernon & Delaware, and finally to the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus, the road prospered till it was de- HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY - 141 cleared by McCrea of the Pennsylvania Company in 1893, this road was the bright spot in that system. The casual reader will do well to observe that this road arose through the aid of the people of the communities through which it passed, and took its life and nurture from the legislature creating it, and the county which burdened itself with taxes to maintain it. Not a dollar was paid this county in dividends, but the county took its reward in the increased wealth incident to roved transportation facilities. The Akron and Barberton Belt Railroad, opened in 1892, extends in and around the city of Barberton and is thirteen miles in length. This line represents one of the most modern phases in railroads in that of itself it carries northing to any distance, but is simply a feeder to the railroads centering in Akron and drawing its revenue from the factories which it touches, but carrying no passengers. The Baltimore and Ohio system, we speak of it as such, for it does not exist as a railroad, comprises the roads of its system already named. There is no Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in Summit County, for that railroad does not own a mile of road in the state of Ohio, and does not operate a mile. That system, incorporated under the laws of West Virginia and Maryland, owns the stock by majority holding of the various roads set forth and by such arrangement maintains uniformity in the general officers of the various constituent companies. To be specific, a passenger going from Cleveland to Wheeling, arrives in Akron at Akron Junction over the Cleveland Terminal & Valley. from there he passes over the P. C. & T., also called the Pittsburgh and Western, to the Union Station, whence he passes over the Akron & Chicago Junction to Warwick, from which point be completes his journey to Wheeling over the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling. All these roads are part of the Baltimore & Ohio system. The Cleveland Terminal & Valley is the successor to the Valley Railroad Company, a railroad which will ever hold a pleasant place in the memory of this county, because of the many local people whose life and hopes were bound up in its completion. Starting in 1869 as the Akron and Canton Railroad, under Mr. D. L. King, it became the "Valley" in 1871. To raise the money, a public meeting was held at the Academy of Music in Akron, in January. 1872. Committeemen from every township were appointed to rouse sentiment on the road. Sufficient money was raiser to start construction in March, 1873, and much work was done. But the panic of 1873 tightened the money supply, and in 1875 Mr. King sailed for England to interest the English capitalists. In this he failed, and returning to America the bonds of the company were finally disposed of, and the first train was run over the line from Cleveland to Canton, January 28, 1880. The Cleveland, Terminal and Valley corporation was organized in 1895 and secured the Valley property at foreclosure sale. The majority of the stock of this corporation is owned by the Baltimore & Ohio. The Pittsburgh & Western was projected in 1881, and in 1891 became part of the Baltimore & Ohio system by lease. The story of this road is bound up with that of the Akron & Chicago Junction. In 1890 two construction companies were building in Akron McCracken & Semple were building the P. A. & W., while Ryan & McDonald were at work on the A. & C. J. Both claimed to be the builders of a Western and Eastern outlet to Chicago and Pittsburgh, but finally it developed that the Akron & Chicago Junction was a Baltimore & Ohio proposition. The acquisition of the Pittsburgh & Western with the Akron & Chicago Junction gave the Baltimore & Ohio a direct line from Chicago to Pittsburgh. The Akron & Chicago Junction is merely a right of way from Chicago Junction to Warwick. Thence it proceeds to Akron over the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus, and from Akron it terminates at Akron Junction. The method of transfer to the Baltimore & Ohio is of some interest. In 1890 it was leased to The Baltimore and Ohio and Chicago Railroad, one of the Baltimore 8t Ohio stool pigeons, for 999 years renewable 142 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY forever. Subsequently this lease was assigned to the Baltimore & Ohio. As to the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling—this is the latest acquisition of the Baltimore & Ohio. The main line passes through the southern corner of the county and in 1902 the Baltimore & Ohio secured a majority of its stock. On the books of the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling this dock appears in the name of a resident of Baltimore, Md., but it is voted as B. & 0. stock. The history of the Erie now a continental road and a so-called "trunk line," starts with the secret plans of Hon. Marvin Kent of Kent, Ohio, to form a continental line from east to west. In the words of another, "he conceived the idea of forming a direct line from New York to St. Louis, nearly 1,200 miles, by connecting with the Erie road at Salamanca, on the east, and by the Dayton & Hamilton with the Ohio and Mississippi at Cincinnatiy, on the west." A liberal charter was secured and he started in. Opposition developed in Pennsylvania, and instead of constructing a new road through Pennsylvania, he and his associates bought the Pittsburgh and Erie road. This charter authorized unlimited extension and subsequently the State of Pennsylvania and New York permitted the chartering of separate roads in each State, and finally there was developed the historic Atlantic and Great Western Railway Company. The road was completed in 1864, after eleven years of labor on the part of Mr. Kent. The road ran from Akron to Dayton, and after various litigation became known as the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad Company. It was finally leased to the Erie Railroad under which it now operates. Probably no one road ever passed through the litigation of this road, for, from December, 1874, down to 1879, its lawsuits were continuous and apparently unending. Even at the present writing, litigation is pending as to the ownership of bonds of the road deposited in the county treasury to the credit of unknown English and Dutch owners. The Lake Shore Railroad, or more properly the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, is represented in Summit County by the ill-starred Northern Ohio and the promising Lake Erie & Pittsburg. These two roads represent the extremes of railroad construction; one is poverty-stricken and wretchedly equipped; the other with no trains running as yet, has abundant means sand every facility for rapid growth. Originally the Northern Ohio was called the Pittsburgh, Akron and Western, and was designed by the late Senator Brice to be a connecting link in his world-wide road from China to New York. The death of that eminent Democrat stopped its growth, and it is now a mere line running from Akron to Delphos, a distance of 165 miles. It was incorporated in 1883 and trains began in 1891. It passed into the hands of the Lake Erie & Western, and that small system passed into those of the Lake Shore. The Lake Erie & Pittsburgh, now under construction, is designed as an important feeder to its parent system. Originally it started at Lorain, and for a long time the exact owners of the road were unknown. Finally the Belt Line of Cleveland was made a part of the scheme, and it passed from the hands of the contractors who projected it into the possession of the present owners. Various other roads have been planned in and through Summit County, where the immense shipping done by the various factories has inspired the avarice or the ambition of promoters. To recount them all in detail would only be calling the roll of failure, at no time an elevating task. Among them are the Clinton Line, the Clinton Line Extension, the Hudson & Painesville, and the New York and Ohio. The last unsuccessful project was advanced by the versatile Charley French, who planned great things for the railroad maps of the country, and in his organization included the Ashland & Wooster, and finally the Lake & River Route. This scheme failed and at the present time no further changes are proposed in Summit County railroads. So far as concerns railroad stations, all the steam roads now center at the Union Passenger Station, and this is becoming inadequate AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 143 on handle the steadily increasing traffic. This Union Station was originally the site of the Bates homestead and was opened for use in 1891. Before the Valley became part of the Baltimore & Ohio system, it had a station on West Market Street, now replaced by the packing-house at the corner of Canal and West Market. For a long time the Erie maintained a separate station on the ground of the old Union Depot, but finally made peace with the Pennsylvania and occupied with it the present Union Station. The conclusion to be drawn from the railroad situation in Summit County is the same conclusion to be drawn from the railroad situation throughout the Nation. We have no pressing need of further transportation facilities from steam roads. We have reached the intensive stage in their development, and that means that original grantors of the rights to these roads, the people of this county, look to the road for repayment. This repayment must take place in fair passenger and freight rates, in decent payment of taxes, and in equipment insuring safety both to passenger and highway traveler. The people of this county owe the railroads nothing; the railroads owe them the above moderate and honest returns. It is fair to say that any such organization as is now maintained by the Baltimore & Ohio in this County, as above detailed, is a 'menace to the fulfillment of any of the above conditions. For example, the Baltimore & Ohio as such, does not pay a dollar of taxes into the treasury of this county, and any attempt at competition in freight rates is impossible under the present arrangement. The solution of these matters is no part of an historical article, but it is fair to say that the final determination of them will occur when honest County auditors and prosecutors who are sufficiently intelligent to grasp the situation occupy the offices. That means intelligence and effiency on the part of the electorate, and so at least individuals may meet the situation. CANALS. At the present writing, the canals of Summit County are in a transition state and the average resident looks on them as a doubtful luxury. This is due partly to the great outlay of mom- required to maintain them, with so little result locally, and partly to the feeling that the day of the canal is past. Certainly the present physical features of the canal are not inspiring, for in Summit they consist of a race running through Middlebury, and along the southern border of the Fair Groundsy, and terminating at Main Street, where the canal goes underground along Main Street, and finally flows into the main canal. The sole purpose of this muddy and dirty stream is to supply power to the mills of the Quaker Oats Company, and the stream itself is owned by the Akron Hydraulic Company, a private corporation. The main canal, officially known as the Ohio and Erie Canal, passes through the townships of Northampton, Boston, Northfield, Portage, Coventry and Franklin. This canal is at present valuable to the owners of the various rubber factories in Akron, and aside from furnishing transportation for various canoe parties, has no other worth. What the future holds for this canal, and every canal in Ohio, is to be tested in the light of the results to be seen from the plans now on foot. These plans embrace large expenditures of money and seem a part of a consistent effort to demonstrate the feasibility of canals as water transportation. This chapter will discuss the story of the canals of Summit in the light of that plan. The history of Akron begins with the story of the Canal projected by Dr. Crosby, and as this canal brought business and manufacturing enterprises to the community, it would seem that the canal must always stand forth as a blessing. Previous to that, however, it may be profitable to look at the history of these canals in the whole state. The desire for extensive internal improvements found expression in New York in the construction of the Erie Canal, and in the divi- 144 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY sion of political parties on the need of further internal improvements. In 1825, Ohio asked of the Federal government aid in the construction of the canals. The Government responded by a grant aggregating 1,230y,521 acres. From the sale of these lands has been realized about two and one quarter million dollars, and there remains at this time of this imperial grant only land to the amount of $100,000.00. We have still many miles of canal in Ohio, and as bearing on their futurey, it may be instructive to bear in mind the decision of the United States Supreme Court, construing the terms of the above named federal grant. In -Walsh, vs. Railroad, etc., U. S. Supreme Court reportsy, Vol. 176, P. 469, the conclusion was reached that the State of Ohio has the right to abandon its canals and to permit their use for a purpose analogous to the canals; but the right to abandon the canals entirely and to permit the use of them other than that as common carriers is doubted. The Ohio and Erie canal, as above referred to, was begun July 4, 1825, and completed in 1833, and cost the sum of $7,904,971.89. The net results of this construction were beneficial, for it was said that the facilities of transportation from the interior of Ohio to the markets of New York were such "that wheat commanded a higher price at Massillon, one hundred miles west of Pittsburg, than at points sixty miles east of it." The building of this canal, with a summit near the present site of Akron, naturally brought many workers to this vicinity, and it became clear to Messrs. Perkins and King that it would be profitable to anticipate the founding of a city. Buf Mr.. King was not content with an outlet to the Ohio; he desired one east and, accordingly, set on foot the Ohio and Pennsylvania canal. To aid him in his project he first secured a charter from the legislature, and to secure this there were raised funds to pay "expenses." A paper to raise such funds read as follows: "We, the subscribers, citizens of Middlebury and Akron, and their vicinity, confident that inestimable advantages would result to our villages, and this section of our country generally, from a connecting the Ohio canal, at the Po Summit, with the Pennsylvania canal Pittsburg, and anxious that an act sh pass the legislature of Ohio, at their p session authorizing the construction of canal, will pay the sums annexed to our spective names, to John McMilleny, Jr., Peter Bowen, for the purpose of defra the expenses of delegates from the afo villages to the legislature to assist in pr ing the passage of such act. Payment to made at the time of subscribing." It would seem from the foregoing that "Third House" had an early history among the untutored forefathers. The was got under way, and it was originally signed that the course should be through then rival village of Middlebury. How wires were pulled and, instead, it p through Akron. Dr. Crosby, in the m time had started a cross-cut below and to North of Middlebury, and with this in of water, additional power was secured the mills at Akron, and the first step toward Akron's ascendancy over Middleburg The completion of the Ohio and Pen vania Canal was the call for a grand bration all along the line from Pittsburg Akron. The accounts of that carnival, taken from contemporary records, furnish interesting sidelight on life in the '40,s. each town and village preparations made to receive the distinguished party board the first boat. Both the Governor Ohio and of Pennsylvania were invited, at each landing place new visitors were on board till the terminus, Akron, where preceding festivities wound up with a quet on the site where now stands the Clay don Hotel. As a financial proposition, the state invested in the canal $420,000.00 in store and there had been raised by other su tions from private sources $840,000.00. dends were declared for a time and the creased freight and passenger service f Cleveland to Pittsburg, via Akron, added the prestige of the City of Akron. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 145 1852 till 1856, the tolls collected at the port of Akron ran from six thousand to eight thousand dollars. But then, as now, the menace of the railroad was at hand, and this lime it was not Mr. Harriman or Mr. Hill, but the forgotten Cleveland & Mahoning Railroad. By precisely the same means as ha been pointed out in the case of the Baltimore & Ohio in the chapter on Railroadsy, this creature of the legislature proceeded to settle the career of the canal. The stock was bought in open market by this concern and a policy of jockeying began to depreciate the rest of the stock owned by the state. The whole block, amounting to $420,000.00, was sold to Charles L. Rhodes, of Clevelandy, in 1862, for $35,000.00, and the ruin and debasement of the canal was complete. The canal, a queenly maiden among the commercial highways of the world, .became a wanton and a by-word among the people, for Mr. Rhodes was vice-president of the railroad, and the dock was used to enrich the treasury of his railroad. Improvements stopped, and finally a petition was sent to the legislature demanding that it be abandoned. Several times the canal bed was cut and the water permitted to wipe. This local feeling arose largely because of the stagnant condition of time water and the consequent endangering of the health of the community. Any article on the canals of Summit County would be incomplete without. mentioning the ambitious attempt to found Summit City along what is now the "Gorge." Dr. Eliakim Crosby conceived the idea that a great mill-race could be constructed along the site of the Gorge, and to that end designed the canal at that point.. So great a man as Horace Greeley became deeply interested and wrote a glowing account of the proposed metropolis of the West. Interest was roused over the entire country, and great quantities of money flowed in from the East. A nominal capital stock of $5,000,000.00 was proposed, and work was begun. So confident. were those interested that one of the Rochester shareholders offered to pledge his entire fortune on the supposition that the lots surrounding the city would shortly be as valuable as the highest priced lot in Rochester. Below and around what is now the Gorge an immense (4y was laid out, and part of the labor was paid in scrip redeemable in these lots when the City should be complete. This scrip was sold all through the East and supplies of raw material were taken in exchange. At one time the promises were so great and the prospects so alluring that it was proposed to make this the County seat. The engineering difficulties that beset the projectors were simply enormous. Great blocks of stone were to be hewn through, and fills and cuts that would daunt the best equipped engineer of to-day were to ho met. Dr. Crosby rose to every occasion. On May 27, 1844, the first water was sent through the race, and the day of realization seemed at hand. But dissensions arose among the stockholders; money was hard to secure, and at last protracted litigation settled this project. Finally in Juney, 1850, time entire property which had cost in time neighborhood of $300,000.00 was sold for some $35,000.00, and the dream of the "Lowell of the West" was over. At the present writing, the one tangible asset of value remaining of all the canals of Summit County, is the property of the Akron Hydraulic Company. This flows along the southern line of the Fair Grounds and furnishes the water-power indicated before. It would be unprofitable to leave a discussion of these water-ways without commenting on the cause of the failure and indicating a safe line of future action. In his report to Governor Nash in 1903y, Engineer Perkins discusses time causes of past. failures and lays out the future. From this report it. appears that from 1827 to 1860 inclusively, the latter date being just prior to leasing to a private corporation, gross receipts amounted to some $14,000,000.00. From that time on a steady decrense set, in and, the war coming on, the interest of the State was diverted to other channels. Bearing in mind that the Legislature of the State had leased the canals to private corporations, it is difficult to see how they came to the conclusion that to retain 146 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY them would be bad business. Space will not allow a further discussion of that report. It is now proposed to rehabilitate the canal systemy, and to build new locks and widen the channel and increase the supply of water. To this end the reservoir in Summit County is being greatly enlarged and it is proposed to increase it so that there will be flooded 166 acres of land, and that will contain in reserve about eighty million gallons of water. New conditions of transportation have arisen and among these is the celebrated electric mule, this being a kind of trolley car run along the tow path to draw the canal boat. It is expected that the canal will form a con- venient means of carrying raw material an other merchandise, in which time is not factor in the delivery. The sane conclusion of the matter is a confident reliance in plans mapped outy, and an ever constant minding of the career of the Ohio and Pennsylvania canal, now abandoned beyond redemption. The Federal government shown interest in the project of a ship can from lake to river, and it is possible, if present administration shows wisdom in action, that once more the boats of Sum County may go from the town of Coven to New Orleans. HARRY S. QUINE. CHAPTER IX MANUFACTURES The County's Chief Manufacturing Establishments of the Past and of the Present—Clay Products—Cereal Mills—Agricultural Implements—The Rubber Industry — Printing and Publishing, Etc. As premised in the introduction of this history, Akron’s great distinction lies in its pre-eminence as a city of manufactures. Long before the traveler reaches the city he finds its position marked on the horizon by a cloud of smoke by day and a blaze of light by night. The smoke which hovers about the city is inseparable from any place doing manufacturing on a large scale, and, therefore, this is one of the discomforts which is borne by Akron’s citizens with equanimity. The smoke means turning wheels, prosperity, and an inflow of golden wealth to enrich capitalist and workingman alike. This golden shower makes possible also the extensive mercantile life of the city. Great department stores, some of them as large as any in the State of Ohio, have been attracted here by the great demand for commodities, which they supply in all the various lines of retail trade. Akron has stores which would be a credit to any city in the land. They are founded on a substantial basis and their success has been uniform. The year 1907 has marked the highest point in the commercial life of the city as well as in the manufactories. The importance of Akron as a center of manufacturing makes it necessary to devote an entire chapter to a statement of its resources in that respect, and to present an historical outline of its industrial development. The earliest manufacturing in Akron, was conducted in Middlebury, and was of a kind which was common to all pioneer settlements. The first requisite of such a settlement was a saw-mill and grist-mill and some sort of a smithy. In Middlebury these were operated by the extensive water-power which the Cuyahoga River affords at that place. The first industry of this kind was a grist-mill built in 1808 by Aaron Norton. This occupied the ground on Case Avenuey, where the Akron Sewer Pipe Company now stands. Ten years after, Bagley,s Woolen Mills was built in the same vicinity on the river bank. In 1817 the Cuyahoga Blast Furnace was erected by Aaron Norton and William Laird on the present site of the Great Western Cereal Company's mills. This furnace was established for the purpose of smelting the iron ore which was found in this vicinity. This ore consisted principally of bog iron, and the industry became unprofitable upon the introduction of the rich ore from the Lake Superior region, and for that reason was discontinued. About 1825 the furnace property was purchased of Ralph Plum, the then owner, by Dr. Eliakim Crosby, who commenced the manufacturing of plows, hoes and other agricultural implements. In 1827 the furnace property was sold to Arnold, Daniel and Isaac Stewart. Dr. Crosby then built a large grist-mill farther east on the Cuyahoga River, which he operated for a year or two, and then sold to Increase Sumner. 148 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY CLAY PRODUCTS. The clay deposits in the neighborhood soon attracted the attention of early settlers. The potter,s clay found in this vicinity is unsurpassed in quality and has made Akron’s stoneware famous throughout the length and breadth of the land. Before long Akron’s sewer-pipe was the standard for the world. Both the stoneware and the sewer-pipe industry were established about the same time. The pioneer worker in both of these fields was Edwin H. Merrill, .assisted by his brother, Calvin J. Merrill. He commenced, in 1847, the manufacture of stone bottles, jugs, smoking pipes and various other articles of stoneware on Bank Street, in the village of Middlebury. Enoch Rowley was a contemporary of these men and conducted a successful enterprise in clay working for many years in the same vicinity. In 1849 Hilly, Foster & Co. commenced making sewer-pipe. The firm consisted of David E. Hill, Robert Foster and Reuben McMillen. In 1851 the Merrill Brothers and Hezekiah Camp purchased the interest of Robert Foster, and the company changed its name to Hill, Merrill and Company. Both Messrs. Hill and Merrill devoted themselves to perfecting the process of manufacture and invented many new methods. In 1855 this company became Merrill, Powers & Company, composed of Edwin H. Merrill, Calvin J. Merrill, Frank Adams and Henry G. Powers. In 1858 the Merrills withdrew. Mr. Hill re-entered the business and the firm name was changed to Hill, Powers & Company. In 1859 Hill and Adams bought out the other parties and continued the business until 1868, when the Hill and Adams Sewer Pipe Company was formed. This company consisted of David E. Hill, David L. King, Ozias Barber, Lorenzo Austin and Frank Adams. At this time there was only one other factory of this kind in the United States. In 1871 the company was reorganized as the Akron Sewer Pipe Company, with a capital of $175,000. Mr. Frank Adams was president and David L. King secretary and treasurer of the company. In 1873 David E. Hill founded the Hill Sewer Pipe Company, with a capital of $80,000. In 1872 the Buckeye Sewer Pipe Company, with a capital of $100,000, was organized by Joseph A. Baldwin. In 1879 Robinson Brothers Company, with a capital of $300,000, was organized for the purpose of operating a sewer pipe factory at the Old Forge. This company was formed by Henry Robinson and Thomas Robinson. It was a nucleus for the great Robinson Clay Product Company of the present time. In 1889 the Summit Sewer Pipe Company was incorporated, with a capital of $100,000. It commenced the manufacture of sewer-pipe on Miller Avenue in South Akron, Joseph A. Baldwin was its president and George T. Whitmore was its general manager. In 1850 Enoch Rowley, Edward Baker and Herbert Baker commenced the manufacture of yellow-ware in Middlebury. About 1852 Thomas Johnson associated himself with these men. In 1857 Johnson Whitmore and Company was organized, Mr. Richard Whitmore and the Robinson Brothers having succeeded Mr. Rowley. In 1862 the firm changed to Whitmore, Robinsons and Company, which continued until September, 1887, when The Whitmore, Robinson and Company was incorporated, with a capital stock of $200,000. The business was continued under this name until 1902, when the Robinson Clay Product Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maine, with a capital of $2,000,000. In 1861 Edwin H. Merrill and his son, H. E. Merrill, established the Akron pottery on the corner of South Main and State Streets. In 1880 Fred W. Butler became interested with them. In 1887 these three men formed the corporation known as the E. H. Merrill Company, with a capital stock of $50,000. The company continued until they merged with The Robinson Clay Product Company in 1902. Other stoneware companies which have done a successful business in Akron are the Ohio Stoneware Company (G. A. Parker, president; F. S. Stelker, secretary; E. H. Gibbs, treasurer, 227-250 Front Street), The United States Stoneware Company, F. W. Rockwell and Company, The Akron Stone-