150 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY THE ROOT FAMILY The Root family lived eighteen years on the farm near the Catholic Church and then moved to the lake shore—William H. Root to the farm now owned by his son, Orville, and Aaron Root to the farm next east. Hiram Burrell lived all his life on the farm to which lie came as a boy, and Robbins Burrell was only absent from Sheffield a few years in Oberlin and Elyria. THE DAYS John and Cornelia Day lived nearly all their married life on the farm across the river from the James Burrell place. Norman and Julia Day settled on a lake shore farm soon after they were married, and this was their lifelong home with the exception of a few years in Elyria. Kellogg Day went as a teacher in 1840 to the Dwight Mission among the Cherokee Indians in Indian Territory. In 1841 he came back and was married in the State of New York. He brought his bride to Sheffield for a visit and then they continued their wedding journey from Cleveland to Cincinnati by canal, then down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and up the Arkansas to Fort Smith ; thence, the last sixty miles to Dwight, on horseback, joining the mission family, four months after their marriage. In 1850 they left the mission for Denmark, Iowa, making the journey in a "prairie schooner" so that they need not travel on Sunday. The journey of four weeks was delightful, in the beautiful October weather. Denmark became their permanent home. The James Austin (Senior) family moved from Sennet, New York, in 1834, and settled on the farm across the river where the tube mills were built a few years ago. This farm and the farms where the Hecock brothers first settled are now of great value. The Hiram Burrell farm is covered with railroad tracks and three high-level bridges connect it with the City of Lorain. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Burrell lived in Sheffield when they first came, but removed to Elyria Township. They always attended the Sheffield Church. Mr. Burrell was a nephew of the Burrell brothers. When the church moved into their new building in 1852 all the families were assigned seats which they retained, with a few changes, for many years. At this time there was, in addition to the families already mentioned, many others, among them the Randall, Chapman, Reeves, L. T. Parks, Woodruff, Carter, Austin, Belden, Swan and Mallory families. The church was well filled. HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 151 ITEMS ABOUT PIONEERS GENERALLY Luther Bedortha was in Sheffield as early as 1823 and lived on what was afterward the Capp farm. and is now the Troxler place. His brother, Hiram Bedortha, lived on the Eiden farm. He was in Sheffield as late as 1845, but both families had probably moved away before the church was built. Mr. and Mrs. John Carter came from England as young people, were married and lived on the Robbins Burrell farm for five years, and then bought the farm where they lived for many years, now owned by Frank Caley. George Crehore, Sr., and his brother, Asahel, came from Survey Township, near Keane, New Hampshire, to Sheffield. Asahel Crehore died with fever, but the George Crehore family became permanent residents. The Moore, Faragher, Irish, Case, Podley, Miller and Hill families have long been residents of the lake shore. The Caley, Taft, Kane and Kinney families settled near the center. Daniel Caley and his wife with six children, three sons and three daughters, came from the Isle of Man in 1830 in a small sailing vessel, making the passage in five weeks and three days. They bought a farm in Sheffield, west of the river, paying $7 an acre. This property continued in the possession of the Caley descendants nearly sixty years, when it went to the Sheffield Land Company. TWO UNSUCCESSFUL INSTITUTIONS Oberlin College in 1836 established a branch school in Sheffield at the home of Robbins Burrell. The experiment only lasted one year. In 1854 or 1855 a farmer's club was organized in Sheffield, with Richmond Baker, president ; L. T. Parks, treasurer, and Lewis Woodruff, secretary. This club held several unsuccessful fairs on William Day's Farm. SHIP BUILDERS AND LAKE CAPTAINS The Lorain ship plant has been only the continuation of an old industry. There were several boats built at the Curtiss Mill by Mr. Curtiss and his son-in-law, Captain Duff, one The Alice Duff and one that went down the St. Lawrence to the ocean. They were taken down the river during a flood. Augustus Jones built a number of. boats at Globeville ; one, The 152 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY Globe, gave the place its name. Five boats were built in Sheffield on the lake shore ; The Juno, at the Wolcott place ; The Gladiator and Forest Maid, at Lewis Woodruff's. Sheffield furnished a number of lake captains in early times. Captain Root sailed the lakes and also crossed the ocean to Liverpool. Frederic 0. Day was one of his crew. Richard crossed the ocean in 1858 with Captain Smith Moore on the first lake schooner to go through the canals to the ocean. In 1859 he crossed the ocean from Savannah to Liverpool as captain, the boat being sold in Liverpool. Captain Winthrop Randall was a trusted lake captain until his death. He was taken sick on board his boat and only lived a few days after reaching home. Solen Burrell, oldest son of Robbins Burrell, went on a whaling voyage to the Pacific Ocean in the early '50s. He was gone several years. Soon after his return, while walking along the street in Milwaukee, a brick fell on his head from a building in the course of construction, and caused his death. He was brought back to Sheffield and his funeral held from the church in October, 1854, the same day that the funeral of Mrs. John Day was held in the church. GOLD HUNTERS OF 1849-50 Several "Forty-Niners" went from Sheffield to California during the gold rush—William Mallory from the Shore, who never came back except for visits; Henry Garfield, who came back to the old home on the Ridge, and Wilbur Cahoon, Who never came back to Ohio. John L. Day went to Pike's Peak in search of gold in the latter part of the '50s. He returned for a visit and then in 1864 went across the plains to Helena, Montana, accompanied by Henry Fitch, Orville Root, Daniel Mallory, James Faragher and Charles Maddock. They all returned in a few years except Henry Fitch. He died in Sheridan, Montana. JUDGE WILLIAM DAY, ACTING LAND AGENT After John Day died with fever in 1827, his oldest son, William Day, who had just returned from New Orleans where he had spent seven years, went to Connecticut on horseback to see Mr. Hart and get him to take back the unsold land in the township, which he did, appointing William Day as his land agent. For thirty years after this Mr. Day was active in selling this land, the Germans buying land together in the HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 153 east part of the township. Judge Hart died soon after he took back the land and his two daughters, Miss Hetty B. Hart and Mrs. Jarvis, were his heirs. William Day kept a stock of goods in the Hecock mill at one time and later had a store on the hill near the east end of the bridge at Thirty-first Street. In 1849 he was associate judge with Hon. Philemon Bliss. THE PARKS FAMILIES Alonzo Parks, a brother of L. T. Parks, kept a country store at the Center, near Hiram Burrell's, for a short time. He married a daughter of John Garfield. They soon moved away. The L. T. Parks family came from Dalton, Massachusetts, where he was a merchant. They were related to the Chapman and Randall families. SHEFFIELD IN THE CIVIL WAR Sheffield furnished her full quota of men for the War of the Rebellion. Among these were Lewis Burrell, Horace Fitch, Simeon Kane, Alfred Day, Edgar, Stephen, Jackson and Giles Irish, John and Antone Youngbluth, Frank Deiderick, Isaac and Joseph Taft, the Hyland brothers from the west part of the town, and John Bacon. Joseph died with measles. John Bacon was killed on the battle field at Resaca, Georgia. Edgar Irish was among the missing. Six Of the Hyland brothers were killed or died of disease during the war. Edward Root and Frederic 0. Day served through the war in Illinois regiments. Dwight R. Burrell was a member of the Ohio National Guards and saw service at Washington, D. C. MILTON GARFIELD For several years before Milton Garfield was married, he and his brother Elijah kept bachelors' hall in a log house across the road from the later home. One night the two brothers heard a knock, and when the door was opened two Indians stood there. They asked to come in and dry their clothes. They staid all night, sleeping on the floor before the fireplace. They said they had killed a bear on the knoll of the flats and had left it hanging there. This knoll on the old Taylor place is still called the "Bear's Knoll." The next day the two Indians hunted in the North woods, killing two deer and coming back to Mr. Garfield's to stay the second night. The two brothers helped them shoulder the 154 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY deer next morning, but they wondered how they were to carry the bear, as they said they were going for it. The Indian camp was at Indian Hollow. Mr. Garfield brought from Massachusetts in a small box slips of Bell pear, Canfield and Bow apples. He grafted the Bell pear on a thorn bush. All of the slips lived and there are two trees of Bell pear and a number of the Bow apples on the Ridge now. Mrs. Garfield used the small tin box for her tea. Elijah Garfield went back to Massachusetts, married and died there. SHEFFIELD'S HISTORY, 1865-1915 The following is a synopsis of the paper presenting the history of Sheffield for the past fifty years, written by Mrs. G. L. Cuddeback : For the first part of our last fifty years Sheffield seems to have dwelt peacefully and serenely, each one treading the path of hard work and duty, paying off mortgages or adding more acres to the few just paid for. The large and growing families were to he cared for and their education and careers planned. Schools were just about the same, except for now and then a teacher with a new vision and once in a great while a school director broad-minded enough to let them try it out. Our easy access to Oberlin has brought many teachers and preachers of greater ability than is probably allotted to most townships, although the dear old saints tired often of being Oberlin's "calf pasture." At the close of the war, Maria Root and Delia Day left their homes to give themselves as teachers to the work of the Freedmen's Bureau, working at Macon, Milledgeville and Andersonville. veritable pioneers in the great home missionary work of the South, which has grown all these years into a factor of untold influence. FIRST RAILROAD In 1872 came the C. L. & W. Railroad, cutting off only a small portion of the township, but giving to Sheffield residents, as well as Black River, the vision of a large city, where little Black River then stood. DEATH OF ROBBINS BURRELL In 1878 was recorded the death of Robbins Burrell. In the winter of 1823-24 he taught the only public school then existing in the city of Cleveland. HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 155 SECOND RAILROAD In 1882 another railroad came to Sheffield, the Nickel Plate, with two stations, one at Sheffield siding, and one on the Maddock road, called Lake Breeze. Cleveland and return was made in one day and with a great degree of comfort, even if the trains did only run twice a day. In 1884 the Lakeside Sunday school celebrated its silver anniversary. The Center School was invited. Rev. E. C. Barnard gave the address, Mrs. J. Austin a history of the school. The superintendents had been Wm. Day, Sr., Mr. Felch, Mr. Root, Mr. Chapman and Mr. Austin. This Sunday school was supported until in 1895 the corporation of Lorain took in the land upon which the schoolhouse stood and the building was torn down. FATALITY OF EDWARD BURRELL In 1891 Edward Burrell of the third generation in possession of this spot, *met with a fatal accident. I quote from an article by his brother, Howard Burrell, who said, "He had lived on this farm thirty years. He was a 'doer of the Word,' just, humane arid charitable. The Sunday morning before the funeral was touching. With the death of the elders of the community, and the emigration of the children, the Congregational church had dwindled down to six families. Only twenty-three were out that morning. They could not afford a pastor and for two years Edward had read a printed sermon there to keep up a service and bind up the remainder." WOODS LEVELED FOR STEEL PLANT January 2, 1894, Mrs. Henry Studley entertained the North Ridge and Center Sunday schools at a Christmas tree festival at her summer home on the Globeville road, and little did they realize then that never again would it be a pleasant place for picnics and outings, but rather a hive of industry and manufacture. In June of that year hundreds of men went into these woods and in nine months, by April 1, 1895, had transformed them into a steel plant of immense proportions. In 1895 Sheffield Township schools held graduating exercises in the church. Eight schools were represented and Mrs. William Day presided. She is the veteran teacher of Sheffield, having served eighteen years. 158 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY Day Root, 1878 ; Norman Day, 1880 ; Kellogg Day, 1887 ; William Day, Sr., 1889 ; William Root, Sr., 1889 ; Lydia Day Kinney, 1891; James Day, 1896 ; Eunice Burrell Hecock, 1899. Grandma Randall probably lived to be the oldest of any resident of Sheffield, being ninety-seven years, six months old when she died in 1906. Four of the original lots are occupied by descendants of these first settlers, they being two of the Garfields, Burrell and Day. GOLDEN WEDDINGS The golden weddings celebrated by Sheffield couples were William Day and wife, Asel Taft and wife, Mr. Jacob Meyers and wife of the Ridge, Mr. Jacob Meyers and wife of the German settlement. Lewis Woodruff and wife, James Austin and wife, and Frank Diedrich and wife, the last occurring July 25, 1915. OLD FAMILY RELICS Of the articles brought from Massachusetts in 1815 by these pioneers some things of value and interest remain. A blue silk dress is at the home of Arthur Austin, a white dress at the home of Professor Wright, a mug at the home of Everett Day, the old Day Bible, published in 1813, at Sumner Day's, and the old red paeony at the home of William Day, Jr., and a part of that also at the Arthur Austin home in Lorain, a writing desk of Mrs. Merton's, an account book of John Day's and a telescope at Dow Day's home, while many choice relics are at Shirley Burrell's home, brought by Abraham Burrell. FAMOUS NATIVES Of the boys and girls born and brought up in Sheffield, Katherine Schnitzler has become an actress ; Peter Bungart has become an expert in the collection of fossils and has a position with a Canadian company which is in search of geological and museum specimens. Mr. Bungart collected and sold many valuable specimens from our own Black River banks. This work was started first in Sheffield by Jay Tyrrell, who built and lived at the Lake Breeze hotel, now known as the Lake Breeze dairy farm. The following clipping from S. H. Burrell's scrap book, about another Sheffield boy, Mr. Howard Burrell, concerns the most unique and versatile of editors. He was city editor of the Cleveland Leader during HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 159 the latter days of the war, but resigned because his health was shattered. He was a great reader and read hundreds of books each year. Of Sheffield's descendents, Burrell Hecock, son of Anna Bell Burrell and Harry Hecock, of Cleveland, is recognized by the world as one of its greatest heroes, sacrificing his life trying to save a man and wife from drowning at Niagara Falls in February, 1912. Prof. G. Frederick Wright has done much writing of books and is an authority on scientific geological research. Helen Cogswell has been an actress of note ; E. Dana Durand, census enumerator of the United States, while many others of Sheffield's sons and daughters have given time and talent to social service, philanthropy, literary club work and different lines of church activities. Mrs. Cuddeback closed her interesting historical outline with a charge to the younger generation present. She advised them to take up the problems of this and the next generation in the same spirit of self-sacrifice as did those men and women of a hundred years ago. THE GERMAN RESIDENTS The history of the German residents of Sheffield was prepared by Miss Mary C. Diederich and in its essential outlines was as follows: "About 1840 the Germans began to emigrate to the Western Reserve. They were young and ambitious people, but not largely blessed with earthly goods. Their coming into a strange country, the language of which they knew not, and being handicapped with attacks of fever and ague, made the prospect anything but alluring. In all their hardships they were kindly helped by their English neighbors, who were ever ready to help the newcomers. There were people from all parts of Germany, speaking various dialects, but nevertheless trained to one language at school. Now, most of these people have become Anglicized and speak the English language. ST. THERESA 'S CATHOLIC CHURCH "St. Theresa's Catholic church of Sheffield was organized in 1845 by Rev. Peter Greisch, its first pastor, with a membership of thirty-three. At the time of organization every member paid one dollar, with which total amount an acre of land was purchased. Upon this was built a log church, 24x30 feet, which was occupied until the frame one was built in 1847 at a cost of $1,500. The land was bought from Capt. Aaron Root, with the understanding that if he sold the farm he would give the purchasers another acre, which he did. The first trustees of St. Theresa's church were John Miller, Christian Marck, Peter Lour and 160 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY Peter Schneider. Since 1879 a substantial brick parish house has been erected at a cost of $3,000. "Early in March, 1908, the frame church was destroyed by fire just as plans were being made for a new edifice. On the following Christmas the first services were held in the substantial brick church, which had been completed at a cost of $15,000. The present membership comprises forty-five families. The people have thrived, and while the number of residents is much smaller, the farms are larger. The good people who came first and laid the foundations for our present homes are gone. They braved the ocean's storms and the wilds of the forest that we might enjoy the fruits of their labor. May God bless those who helped to prosper our German people and make Sheffield one grand home for the present generation." DETAILS OF THE SHEFFIELD CELEBRATION The celebration of the Sheffield Centennial occurred on August 11 and 12, 1915, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Burrell. The program began on the former day with a launch ride from Lorain, up the Black River to the landing near the Hyer Farm, some seventy-five or a hundred people enjoying the trip. At the top of the hill, jitney buses met the people, taking them to French Creek Hollow, where the program was to have been carried out. The rain in the afternoon prevented the carrying out of part of it, and all were taken to the old church. The basket picnic was the first thing on the program, 100 or more enjoying this feature. Mr. Orville Root called the assembly to order. By the light of one lamp the following exercises were carried out : THE ABSENT ONES Letters were read by Mrs. Arthur Austin from Frank Day, Weeping Water, Nebraska ; Mrs. Laura Day Bullen, Moline, Iowa ; Mrs. Carrie Walker, Doylestown, Pennsylvania ; Edith Day Allen, Providence, Rhode Island ; Mrs. Bertha Austin, Cleveland; Mr. Sherod Soule, Hartford, Connecticut ; Mrs. Lydia Fitch, Montana ; Mrs. Armin Tyrrell, Alhambra, California; Mrs. Fannie Austin Evans, Fort Wayne, Indiana ; Mrs. Carolyn Cogswell Gardner, Wakefield, Massachusetts; Mrs. Carrie Park Ames, Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Angie Paul, Des Moines, Iowa ; Mr. and Mrs. Albert Caley, Livingston, Alabama ; Mrs. Ella Durand Williams, York, Nebraska ; Miss Alice Carter, Claremont, California ; Mrs. Sarah Nash, Hopkinton, Iowa ; Mrs. Mary Everard McKinstry, Chicopee, Massachusetts ; Mrs. Julia Merton, Portland, Oregon ; and one HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 161 from Howard Burrell of Iowa, read by Mrs. Tempa Burrell. Short addresses were made by many of the old time friends, telling of many things of interest which happened in those pioneer days. Mrs. Celia Durand read a paper, The Pioneer Women of the Western Reserve." Mr. Asaph Jones sang, "One Hundred Years from Now," thus closing the first day's exercises. HISTORIC PROGRAM Thursday, August 12th, the friends assembled on the spacious lawn of the old Robbins Burrell home, where the time was spent in visiting and recalling old time experiences. Six long tables seating fifty each had been arranged on the lawn and were soon filled by the many people in attendance. Three hundred were seated at the first tables, while many others waited their turn. The chicken pie dinner, with all the other fixings was very much enjoyed by all present. After dinner the company again assembled at the old church, where the afternoon's program was carried out, Mr. Root acting as chairman. Ray Cogswell gave the first fifty years of the history of Sheffield, which had been prepared by Norman Day. He spoke of the coming of the first settlers, Capt. Jabez Burrell and Capt. John Day, from Connecticut in 1815, and the purchasing by them of the township from Gen. Wm. Hart of Saybrook, Connecticut, and later the coining of Captain Smith and his son Douglas from Massachusetts by ox cart. The families of Freeman Richmond, Henry Root, Oliver Moon, Milton and John Garfield, A. R. Dimmick, Henry Austin and others arrived, some coming by boat as far as Niagara Falls and then by stage, others by ox carts and many walking. At the end of the first year in Sheffield the population of the first settlement was fifty persons. The first white woman to settle was Mrs. Freeman Richmond, who came in February, 1816. Nathan Stevens was the first magistrate after the town was organized and Captain Smith was the first settler to die, his death being caused by ague and fever in 1817. Mrs. Isaac Burrell, one of the last of the settlers, died in 1860. The history of the second fifty years was given by Mrs. G. L. Cuddeback. Other articles from histories were read by Messrs. Chas. Crehore and Louis Bacon. Short addresses were made by Mr. Jesse Lang of Oberlin, who is now eighty-nine years old, and who taught the first school in Sheffield; Everett Day, Walter Austin and others. Mr. Shirley Burrell of Lorain read an excellent paper telling of the first newspaper, printed July 24, 1829, which was known as the Lorain Gazette, and its subscription price was $2.00 a year. This closed the program for the afternoon. Adjournment to the Burrell Farm again took place, where Vol. I-11 162 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY Mr. Leiter of Lorain took a picture of the large gathering, and which may be bought at his studio at any time. An interesting place was the curio room, arranged in the front part of the Burrell Homestead. Among the relics were a shawl owned by Mrs. H. C. Burrell, which was worn by Capt. John Day's wife, when she came to Sheffield, 100 years ago; John Day's silk hat and Judge Day's silk hat, a bundle of flax, which grew on the Day Farm seventy-five years ago; a map of Connecticut, dated 1790; a scarf worn by Leonora Burrell seventy-five years ago; a dress made in 1790 by Mrs. John Day ; a dress worked by Rhoda Maria Day in 1811, and a yarn weaver made by the Shakers and sold to Halsey Garfield fifty years ago, and many other curios. The pageant which was to have taken place Wednesday evening was carried out Thursday evening, and began by a dozen little fairies appearing from a distance, dancing to the music of a graphophone. Then the music died away and the Indians appeared on horseback. Halting they started a fire and began getting their evening meal. Soon afterward a covered wagon drawn by two horses was seen coming down the road. It represented the coming of the first family to Sheffield. The campfire was started, lighting the whole Hollow. Dancing by many of the younger and some of the older ones followed, with music by Mr. Clark Cox and Mr. Boyd, two of the old fiddlers. This was one of the happy features of the evening's entertainment. Mr. Jones sang "The Perfect Day," which closed one of the most successful and interesting gatherings that Sheffield has ever witnessed. HUNTINGTON'S HOME-COMING On Tuesday, August 10, 1915, Huntington held a home-coming celebration that was attended by nearly 1,000 people. Those who had moved away, members of families who were among the first settlers, mingled again with those who had elected to remain in the community. It was a happy reunion time, old acquaintances being renewed and other days lived over again. The weather was ideal and the hospitality of Huntington's citizens unbounded. For the time-being, those who had wandered afar, wondered why fate had taken them away from old-time associates and associations. The celebration was held on the grounds of the Central School Building and at noon a basket dinner was served. There was, however, ample and generous provision for all home-comers and visitors. Housewives vied with each other in adding substantials and delicacies to the family HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 163 basket, with the result that there was such an abundance that supper was served on the grounds. MYRON T. HERRICK, NATIVE SON Following dinner there was a program of addresses, the first being by Hon. Myron T. Herrick, former ambassador to France. Huntington is proud to claim Mr. Herrick as one of its own. He was born there and his boyhood days spent in a community that promised much in the early days. Mr. Herrick's address was largely of the character of personal reminiscences. He recalled the men who were prominent in the place when he was a school boy, speaking in an appreciative way of what it meant to Huntington or any other community to have such men set the standards. His boyish feeling of them being great men had not been outgrown. Among them were cultured men from the East, such as Rev. Ansel Clark, that time pastor of Huntington's Congregational Church. Others were referred to as shaping the community by the influence of their unswerving character. Mr. Herrick, in speaking of modern conditions, said that "modern modes of travel had made of the world a neighborhood and that it was up to us to make it a brotherhood." Hon. J. T. Haskell, of Wellington, was unable to be present, but Rev. Mr. Willard, of the same place, was secured in his stead. Rev. Mr. Willard was for three periods pastor of the Baptist Church of Huntington but is now living in retirement in the nearby town. He, too, recalled many pleasant instances of his earlier life in the community, saying that he liked it so much that he came hack of his own free will the second time, and that the community liked him so well that it insisted upon him coming back the third time. PROF. F. D. WARD Prof. F. D. Ward, of the faculty of Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, and a former resident, spoke with love for and pride in the early institutions of Huntington. He especially referred to the simple directness of educational methods employed by some of the teachers after the Civil war. He also spoke of some of the old families. Professor Ward has quite recently fitted up the old home in Huntington, with the idea of ultimately returning to it. THE HISTORIC KELSEY BAND A feature of the day was the music furnished by Kelsey's Band and the Spencer Band. The former is a historical institution and has 164 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY belonged to Huntington as long as there have been any Kelseys in the town. The Kelsey Band? Why there has been a Kelsey Band as long as the oldest settler can remember. The Kelsey family has always been noted for its musical leanings, and there are at present six members in the band. On this occasion the band played martial and patriotic music almost entirely. The contributions of the Spencer Band were also appreciated. In the morning there was a spirited baseball game between the Huntington Giants and the Nova team. PLANS FOR A CENTENNIAL Before the close of the afternoon, plans for organization for the celebration of Huntington's Centennial were discussed. The centennial will occur in 1918. Not all of the home-coming as enjoyed by Huntington residents had to do with the past. Old residents, old times, the good old days were enjoyed in reminiscences and story, but there is another side to the affair. Like many rural communities, Huntington has seen larger places profit because of the city-ward trend. Perhaps like many other rural communities, Huntington has been napping, a little, satisfied that certain things were inevitable. But when a few years ago a very substantial centralized school building was erected at a cost of more than $12,000. there was an unmistakable sign that Huntington was stirring herself. Of course there were those who could not see the necessity of abandoning schools already built, and the subject is still a tender one with some tax payers. The other side to the story as developed at the home-coming is that Huntington is slated for progress, and when 1918 arrives, there is going to be a proud recounting of what of the vision has come to pass. The program of the home-coming enumerates the following desirable things of the past and the future : Huntington is making progress. We have centralized schools. We have some stone roads. We will get more stone roads. The value of property is increasing. We are harvesting bumper crops. We want an up to date high school. We will have a modern country church. We want a grange. We are having visions of an ideal community. Our aim is to realize these visions. Our motto is "Everybody Boost." Watch Huntington make progress. At the evening meeting held at 8 o'clock, there were talks by old settlers, music by a mixed quartet, and a short address by Rev. A. II. Rapking of the M. E. Church on "The Future of Huntington." his talk embodied the principal items as enumerated under Huntington's progressive program, and tended to unite the whole community in a plan for better things. He spoke of "Wellington as having rested upon HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 165 the shoulders of Huntington." Time was when Huntington was the more promising center of population of the two. But the promised railroad went to the neighboring community and numerous inhabitants of Huntington followed it. If Huntington lives up to her future plans, there need be no recurrence of former experiences.—Elyria Democrat. THE PERRY CENTENNIAL The centennial commemorative of the Battle of Lake Erie, September 10, 1813, generally known as the Perry Centennial, embraced ten states of the Union and especially appealed to the patriotism and enthusiasm of the lake ports. Lorain Perry Home Week, from July 13th to the 20th, inclusive, will long be remembered as one of the most successful public celebrations which has been interwoven with the history of the county. As early as 1911 the General Assembly of Ohio took the initiative toward a Perry Centennial, and was followed in the movement by the legislatures of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Rhode Island (the native state of Oliver H. Perry), Kentucky, Minnesota and Louisiana. Commissioners were appointed by the states, and by President Taft, for the United States, and together they were organized as the Interstate Board of Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, with headquarters in Cleveland and George H. Worthington, of. that city, as president-general. LOCAL PARTICIPATION Lorain's entry into the centennial movement came when W. N. Little, president of the Lorain Board of Commerce, accepted an invitation to appear before the Interstate Commission to determine what cities would participate in the celebration. It was through Mr. Little's efforts before that Lorain was given recognition and accorded a place on the intercity program. Returning to Lorain, Mr. Little referred to the citizenship the question of whether or not Lorain should undertake to participate. At a meeting of citizens held on June 5th the question was answered in the affirmative, and Mr. Little, Dr. Chas. V. Garver and H. E. Ford were named to constitute an executive committee for organization purposes. A few days later the executive committee of three drew up the following organization : Honorary presidents : M. M. Suppes, W. B. Thompson and Richard Thew. Honorary vice presidents: Mayor T. W. Pape, N. C. Alten and Thomas Rath. President, W. N. Little. Vice 166 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY president, Dr. C. V. Garver. Secretary, H. E. Ford. Treasurer, George A. Clark. Assistant secretary, R. B. Patin. Executive committee : W. B. Thompson, chairman ; Dr. C. V. Garver, vice chairman ; Mayor Pape, George A. Clark, T. C. Metzger, W. J. Wright, August Baldwin, E. P. Reidy, F. C. LaMarche and R. J. Aspin. Later, by action of the complete organization, the names of Mr. Little and Mr. Ford were added to the executive committee membership. It was formally decided to call the city's demonstration of July 13-20, the Lorain Perry Home Week, action having been taken to combine a home-week celebration with the Perry Centennial. THE NIAGARA RAISED FROM THE LAKE BOTTOM In the meantime at a cost of over $70,000, Perry's second flag-ship in the Battle of Lake Erie, was raised from the bottom of Misery Bay near Erie, where it had lain for a century and restored to a replica of what the ship was as she went into the memorable battle 100 years ago. Only the keel, about half the ribs, and three or four "courses" of the original planking remained as a starting point for the reconstruction work. Naval experts, assigned to the task of superintending the restoration, conned histories and the navy department records for data upon which to work. Old "tars," veterans of the days of the square-rigger were questioned. When the work had been completed, the Niagara, down to every pulley block, almost to every spike and nail, was just as she had been when she turned defeat into victory 100 years ago. GRAND WELCOME TO THE RESTORED FLAGSHIP July 15th was the great day of the week, as it marked the demonstration of welcome to the restored Niagara, and strikingly typified the heroism of the younger days of the Republic and, by contrast, the "bigger things" of the present. The Lorain Times-Herald issued an elaborate "Perry edition" on the 16th, from which the following interesting paragraphs are extracted: "Welcomed by the din of whistles and by the cheers of the thousands that lined the wharves of the river and lake, the Niagara, second flagship of Commodore Perry in the battle of Lake Erie, entered Lorain harbor at shortly after 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. "Consorted by her official escort, the U. S. ships, Wolverine and Essex, the Niagara moved up the river channel to her mooring, presenting as she passed under the shadows of the shipping of modern times. a striking contrast. One hundred years before she had been the flag- HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 167 ship of a fleet of battleships. Yesterday the tips of her spars scarcely topped the decks of the ships she passed in her entry. "A white-clad marine hand on the deck of the famous ship played patriotic airs as she warped to her mooring at the city dock. The landing dock could not hold all of the throng that had assembled to see and welcome the floating relic of the national triumphs of another day. Erie avenue drawbridge along its northern rail was a living mass of humanity. Along the docks on the opposite side from the landing place, spectators formed a solid line. Broadway at its lower end and water works park each held portions of the overflow of crowd. As the band struck up its stirring lilt, the thousands that watched burst into cheers. Hats and handkerchiefs waved a great welcoming salute. "On board the Niagara as she entered the port and docked, was an official reception committee, representing the city and the Lorain Perry Home Week Association. As an adjunct to the reception committee, and adding a touch of historic color, there was on board, also, a band of Lorain Red Men, arrayed in full war regalia. Immediately after mounting the Niagara's rail as she entered the piers, the Red Men were taken `prisoners' by the reception committee, and were still in humorous bondage when the dock was reached. "The reception committee included W. N. Little, president of the celebration association ; Mayor T. W. Pape ; Capt. Richard Thew, chairman of the reception committee ; Major C. F. Cramer, Dr. A. T. Grills, Holden Wood, J. E. Mooney, R. B. Patin, Chas. A. Hoyt,. C. E. Krantz, L. A. Dawes, Custer Snyder, Waldo Purcell and C. L. Corts. "Mayor Pape, Major Cramer and Messrs. Purcell and Corts had constituted a committee that went to Cleveland early yesterday morning and joined the flotilla when it passed that port enroute from Fairport to Lorain. The remaining members of the reception committee boarded the Niagara outside the harbor mouth here before her entry into the port. " Towed by the Wolverine, the Niagara arrived outside the mouth at about 1 p. m. Both vessels anchored, awaiting the coming of the Essex, which had stopped in Cleveland. Members of the reception committee who had remained in Lorain were placed on board the Niagara by the tug E. M. Pierce. The Essex, upon her arrival, also went to anchor. The Lorain City Band aboard the Essex gave a concert as the boat was being docked. "At 4 p. m. the flotilla got under way. As the entry was made, the Niagara, towed by the tugs E. M. Pierce and Superior, came first, and was followed by the Wolverine and the Essex in the order named. The 168 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY vessels were docked in the order in which they entered. After the landing had been effected, gang-planks were put out from the Niagara and the eager spectators allowed to go aboard for a tour of inspection. President Little, accompanied by the members of the reception committee and the war-painted Red Men, boarded in turn the Wolverine and Essex and formally extended the city's welcome to the respective commanders, Capt. W. L. Morrison and Capt. A. F. Nicklett. "The Niagara, throughout her cruise of lake ports, is in the command of Ensign G. M. Lowry, U. S. N., who has been specially commissioned to the assignment. Captain Lowry is in charge of the historic relics the Niagara has on board. PERRY RELICS EXHIBITED "The relics mentioned were the battle flag carried by Perry in the battle near Put-in-Bay and bearing the motto 'Don't Give up the Ship' the sword which he wore ; his duelling pistols; his commission as captain in the United States navy, and the sword of Midshipman A. Perry, the fourteen-year-old brother of the commander, who accompanied the commodore when the colors were transferred to the Niagara. The famous battle flag is about nine feet square, with a background of closely-woven, dark blue muslin. The flag was made in the home of Thomas Stuart at Erie, Pa., by Margaret Forster, wife of Thomas Stuart, who was an officer of the Pennsylvania troops, with the assistance of Dorcas Bell, wife of Capt. Wm. Bell, Elizabeth Rachel, Mary Theodosia and Catherine Arn, wives of officers of Perry's fleet. While the vessels of the fleet were being built at Erie, the officers used to visit the Stuart home and on one of these visits asked Mrs. Stuart to make a flag for them. The words `Don't give up the ship,' were uttered by Capt. James Lawrence as he fell, mortally wounded en the deck of the frigate Chesapeake in the engagement with the British ship Shannon, on June 1, 1813. The flag flew at the masthead throughout the Battle of Lake Erie. "Perry's duelling pistols are now owned by the family of the late Gen. James Alexander Perry, U. S. A. They were loaned by the family for exhibit purposes. "The commodore's sword is the property of Hon. Perry Belmont, of Washington, D. C. Perry's commission as captain, signed by President James Madison, is owned by August Belmont. Midshipman Perry 's sword is the property of the family of the late Gen. Jas. A. Perry." The other days of the week than that which marked the reception of the Niagara were interesting, including, as they did, civic parades, HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 169 industrial pageants, aviation feats, powerboat races, military exhibitions, swimming contests, boat launches from the American Shipbuilding Company's yards, and speaking by Governor James B. Cox and other distinguished visitors. It is said that on several occasions the City of Lorain entertained fully 25,000 visitors; that is, the centennial about doubled her normal population. CHAPTER X GENERAL COUNTY MATTERS AT FIRST, NO EDUCATIONAL FUND-LEGAL COMPENSATION IN 1803—ACTUAL LAND GRANT IN 1834-THE WESTERN RESERVE SCHOOL FUND -PROGRESS OF SCHOOL LAWS TO 1834-FOUNDATION OF PRESENT SYSTEM-THE AKRON LAW AND FREE GRADED SCHOOLS-TEACHERS INSTITUTES-PIONEER SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS-MRS. AND MR. BRONSON-SCHOOLS FOUNDED IN 1810-20—THE STRUT STREET SCHOOL, BROWN HELM-PIONEER SCHOOLS IN ELYRIA AND WELLINGTON- RUSSIA TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS-HUNTINGTON AND AMHERST—FIRST SCHOOL DI PENFIELD TOWNSHIP-PRESENT STATUS OF COUNTY EDUCATION-THE COUNTY INFIRMARY-THE COUNTY HOME FOR CHILDREN-SUPERINTENDENTS AND MATRONS-AIM : TO PROVIDE PERMANENT HOMES-BUILDINGS- INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL TRAINING-PAST AND PRESENT MANAGEMENT-THE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-FIRST AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-TOWN FAIR AT OBERLIN ORIGIN OF GOOD ROADS MOVEMENT-COUNTY SOCIETY FOUNDED IN 1846—FIRST FAIR-LECTURERS APPOINTED-LADIES' HORSE M ANSI] IP INTRODUCED-PURE-BRED CATTLE-STAR FARMERS-FIRST ELECTION -IMPROVEMENTS OF GROUNDS-EARLY PREMIUMS DROPPED-LATER HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY-POPULATION OF THE COUNTY, 1830-1910—TOWNSHIPS AND CORPORATIONS, 1910, 1900, 1890—ELECTRIC UNIFICATION IN LORAIN COUNTY. The history of public education in the Western Reserve is distinct from that of other portions of the Northwest Territory covered by the provisions of the Ordinance of 1787 ; that is, for nearly half a century it did not enjoy the benefits of the educational fund created by that instrument, for the reason that for more than a dozen years after it went into force those who controlled it refused allegiance to the General Government which held jurisdiction through the ordinance named. AT FIRST, NO EDUCATIONAL FUND The explanation and outcome of this complication—this first serious conflict between localized and centralized government—is thus de- - 170 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 171 scribed by Judge Boynton: "By the ordinance of Congress of 1785, it was declared that Section 16 of every township should be reserved for the maintenance of public schools in the township. The Ordinance of 1787 reaffirmed the policy thus declared. The provisions of these ordinances, in this respect, were not applicable to, nor operative over, the region of the Reserve, because of the fact that the United States did not own its soil; and although the entire amount paid to Connecticut by the Land Company for the territory of the Reserve was set apart for, and devoted to the maintenance of public schools in that State, no part of that fund was appropriated to purposes of education here. Here was an inequality of advantages between the people of the Reserve and of the remainder of the State, in that respect. LEGAL COMPENSATION IN 1803 "This inequality was, however, in a measure, removed in 1803 by an act of Congress, which set apart and appropriated to the Western Reserve, as an equivalent for section 16, a sufficient quantity of land in the United States Military District, to compensate for the loss of that section to school purposes in the lands lying east of Cuyahoga. This amount was equal to one thirty-sixth of the land of the Reserve, to which the Indian title had, before that time, been extinguished. ACTUAL LAND GRANT IN 1834 "The Indian title to the lands of the Reserve west of Cuyahoga not then having been extinguished, the matter seemed to drop from public notice, and remained so until 1829. At this date the legislature, in a Memorial to Congress, directed its attention to the fact that by the Treaty of Fort Industry, concluded in 1805, the Indian title to the land west of Cuyahoga had been relinquished to the United States, and prayed in recognition of the fact that an additional amount of land lying within the United States Military District should be set apart for the use of the public schools of the Reserve, and equal in quantity to one thirty-sixth of the territory ceded to the United States by that Treaty. "The Memorial produced the desired result. In 1834, Congress, in compliance with the request of the Legislature, granted such additional amount of land to the Reserve for school purposes as to equalize its distribution of lands for such purpose, and in furtherance of its object to carry into effect its determination, to donate one thirty-sixth part of the public domain to the purposes of education. 172 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY THE WESTERN RESERVE SCHOOL FUND "The lands first allotted to the Reserve for such purpose were situated in the counties of Holmes and Tuscarawas, and in 1834 were surveyed and sold, and the proceeds arising from their sale, as well as the funds arising from the sale of those subsequently appropriated, were placed and invested with other school funds of the State, and constitute one of the sources from which the people of the Reserve derive the means of supporting and maintaining their common schools. This fund is called the Western Reserve School Fund." PROGRESS OF SCHOOL LAWS TO 1834 In the meantime, great progress had been made in the establishment of a real system of public education, not depending on the uncertainties of private subscription and voluntary support. That the schools were maintained as well as they were in the struggling days of pioneer settlement was highly creditable to the intelligence, and often generosity, of those who brought their families into the western wilderness, or reared them amid such surroundings. The State Constitution of 1802 repeated the educational clause of the Ordinance of 1787 and made it the duty of the Legislature to carry out its intent. At first the school lands were only leased, and many abuses and scandals arose thereby. In 1821 the first law was passed levying a tax for the support of the public schools; authority was given, but the levying was not made obligatory until 1825, which measure also provided for the appointment of school examiners. The law of 1821 also authorized the division of townships into school districts and the election of district school committees who might erect schoolhouses. In 1827 the state abandoned the policy of leasing the school lands and made provision for selling them and investing the proceeds. As fast as the lands were sold, the proceeds were paid into the state treasury and the state pledged itself to pay 6 per cent interest perpetually, such interest being annually distributed among the various townships and districts for school purposes; as a matter of fact, the fund is borrowed by the state and the annual interest is raised by taxation under the law of 1825. FOUNDATION OF PRESENT SYSTEM Thus the proper machinery for the founding of a system of public education was being provided, but, as a whole, the Western Reserve was not placed on a par as to participation in the public school fund until HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 173 1834. By 1838 the state common school fund had reached $200,000 ; was reduced to $150,000 in 1842 ; raised to $300,000 in 1851, and abolished in 1853, when the entire system of general taxation for school purposes was revised and the foundation of the present plan adopted. THE AKRON LAW AND FREE GRADED SCHOOLS In Lorain County, as in other progressive sections of Ohio, the system of free graded schools developed from the famous measure known as the Akron law of 1847. Through its provisions that town was organized into a single school district controlled by a board of six directors, who were authorized to establish primary schools and a central grammar school and take all the practical steps to employ teachers, erect buildings and purchase apparatus. In 1848 the provisions of that comprehensive law were extended to other incorporated towns and cities. A general law was passed in 1849 enabling any town of 200 inhabitants to organize as under the Akron law. It further provided for the establishment of an adequate number of primary schools, conveniently located ; a school, or schools, of higher grade or grades; for the free admission of all white children, and that the schools must be kept open not less than thirty-six weeks in each year. The general law of 1849, growing from the Akron measure of 1847, founded the system of free graded schools for every county in Ohio. TEACHERS' INSTITUTES In 1845 the first Teachers' Institute was held and in 1848 a state law was passed providing for the appropriation of money in each county for the purpose of having such institutes conducted. In December, 1847, was organized the State Teachers' Association, which has held annual meetings in Lorain County as follows: PIONEER SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS As a rule, the people who first settled in Lorain County were men and women with children, or, at least, potential parents, and the primitive log schoolhouse, or the little class of scholars gathered in the cabin home, followed closely the coming of the pioneers. Church and school and home were the solid triangle of the New England civilization which they brought with them. We cannot more than mention, at this point, a few of the faithful teachers of the subscription schools which were taught in the pioneer 174 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY period of the county as the predecessors of those supported by the public school fund or general taxation. MRS. AND MR. BRONSON The first school in the county was taught in the summer of 1808 by Mrs. Bela Bronson, wife of one of the original proprietors of Columbia Township, who, with her husband and child, and three others of the Waterbury (Connecticut) Colony, journeyed from Cleveland during the previous year and had just commenced family life in a brand new log house. Two other families had arrived with several children of school age and the young teacher had every reason to believe that more would follow. This first school in the Bronson shack was conducted with comparative comfort in summer, but in the winter of 1809-10 Mr. Bronson decided to take a hand himself as an educator, and taught a class in a blacksmith shop, with all the heat the word implies. SCHOOLS FOUNDED IN 1810-20 In the fall of 1810 a colony of about twenty people migrated from Waterbury into Ridgeville and not long afterward a log schoolhouse was built near the center of the town. There the children of the settlement were taught until the building was burned, in 1814. Sheffield and Grafton filled up quite rapidly during the early years of their settlement, and schools were taught as early as 1818. Miss Mary Sibley, the pioneer teacher in Grafton Township, gathered a class during that year in a log cabin built for The purpose near the residence of Capt. William Turner, who had. come into the township in 1817 among its pioneer settlers. A schoolhouse was also built near the center of Avon Township, in 1818, and Larkin A. Williams, the township clerk, was the teacher. It was then Troy Township. To this period, or a little later, belongs the labors of Mrs. William Alverson, wife of one of the men who accompanied Col. Henry Brown from Massachusetts to Brownhelm Township, in 1816. About three years afterward Mr. and Mrs. Alverson were living in a house of their own, and a number of families, comprising the usual large quota of children, had located near them. So the housewife gathered the children of the neighborhood and opened the first school of the township in her own house. THE STRUT STREET SCHOOL, BROWNHELM In the fall of 1819 quite a sizable log schoolhouse was built on the brow of the hill in the Brownhelm settlement ; the structure was 18 by HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 175 22 feet. But it was so pretentious that the thoroughfare on which it stood was dubbed Strut Street and retained the name for many years. Grandison Fairchild taught the school the first two winters, receiving his tuition in chopping. Money was very scarce in those days, labor and produce being usually employed in the exchange of values. Mr. Fairchild could teach better than he could chop ; as he needed some chopping done, and could not get money with which to hire choppers, he acted accordingly. PIONEER SCHOOLS IN ELYRIA AND WELLINGTON The first school in Elyria was organized in 1819 in a log house on the hill, on the east side, and in 1827 the well known Yellow Schoolhouse was built on the site of the present opera house. In the spring of 1820, Caroline Wilcox, daughter of one of the original colonists who came from Berkshire County, Massachusetts, to settle on the site of the future Village of Wellington, opened the first school in the township in the house of John Clifford, a fellow pioneer. She continued to teach until a log schoolhouse was erected on the site afterward occupied by the American House. The school was closed with a grand exhibition, said to have been the first entertainment of the kind given west of the Cuyahoga. Miss Julia Johnson, daughter of Phineas Johnson, one of the first settlers of Carlisle, was a pioneer teacher in that township, as well as in Eaton and Elyria. She subsequently became the wife of Edmund West and resided at Elyria. She taught several years during the early '20s. RUSSIA TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS The early settlers of Russia Township, from 1817 to 1822, located in its northern, especially its northwestern, sections and not long after they colonized, schoolhouses were built near the houses of Eber Newton and Alonzo Wright. Settlement in the southern part of the township and the founding of Oberlin College came a number of years later. HUNTINGTON AND AMHERST Huntington, in the far southern part of the county, was early entered in the list of school communities. In 1822, during the year of the township's formation, a schoolhouse was built and during that season Miss Lovinia Loveland taught fourteen scholars, some coming a distance of two miles through the woods. But that was nothing unusual ; the boys 176 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY and girls of those days had to work hard for their education, as did their elder§ for everything of value which they came to possess. Schooling was a foretaste of those hardening times during which nothing came easy. Schoolhouses were built at an early date in both the north and south parts of Amherst Township. Sophronia Blair taught a pioneer class on the south ridge, and there was another early school just beyond the corporation line of the present village, but then known as the Corners. Miss Fannie Barnes, later Mrs. David Smith, taught at the latter school in the summer of 1823, and afterward Miss Philania Barney, who became Mrs. S. N. Moore, was a teacher in the same log building. FIRST SCHOOL 'IN PENFIELD TOWNSHIP About the time that these first Amherst schools were coming to life, Penfield Township families were subscribing for the services of Miss Clarissa Rising as a teacher of their tender offspring. Calvin Spencer, one of the first land purchasers, who first came with Peter Penfield on a prospecting tour in 1818 had erected a house in 1821, and donated it to the community and to Teacher Rising. Therein the first school in the township was opened, and in 1828 a special log house was erected for educational purposes. The winter term in the new building was taught by George R. Starr. PRESENT STATUS OF COUNTY EDUCATION Many years ago the schools of the county outgrew the primitive schoolhouses, apparatus and methods of teaching which were prevalent in the days when such faithful men and women as those mentioned labored in the field of pedagogy. Village, township, city and state have all combined to give Lorain County all that is modern and progressive in educational forces, from the elementary schools to the high schools and colleges. Among the higher institutions of learning and moral uplift, Oberlin and Mount Union colleges will compare favorably with any similar institutions in the state; so that no student need go outside the limits of the county to acquire a thorough, safe and liberal education. The present County Board of Education is as follows: Robert G. Ingleson, Avon Lake, president ; Charles T. Jamieson, Wellington, vice president ; M. C. Kendeigh, Amherst ; F. H. Bronson, Kipton ; I. N. Haven, Elyria. W. A. Hiscox is county superintendent, with headquarters at Elyria, and from him we obtain the following statistics showing the general condition of the schools under the control of the HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 177 county board, of which he is the chief executive : Enrolment in the county system, 5,145 ; number of school buildings, 122 ; value of school property, $500,000 ; number of teachers, 200 ; number of district superintendents, 8. The Lorain County Teachers' Institute is conducted under the auspices of the County Board of Education. The instructors of that held in the fall of 1915 were Dr. S. C. Schmucker, of the State Normal School, West Chester, Pennsylvania; Miss Edna Joseph, East Liverpool ; Griffith J. Jones, Lorain, musical director ; Laura Krautter, Lorain, pianist. The teachers of Lorain County have been holding an annual Teachers' Institute for many years past. The 1915 session was held August 28-September 3, 1915, in the auditorium of the new technical high school building, Elyria, Ohio. This was the first session of the institute held since the new high school building was completed. The institute enrolled 73 men and 367 women, making a total of 440. This was the largest enrollment in the history of the county. This was pronounced one of the best institutes which the teachers of Lorain County ever enjoyed. The institute for 1916 will be held in Elyria, August 28th-September 1st. THE COUNTY INFIRMARY The Lorain County Infirmary is a large modern building erected and developed for the care of the poor, its founding and expansion covering a period of fifty years. The institution, with its grounds of over a quarter section, is located in Carlisle Township, two miles west of Elyria. The infirmary was founded under the following circumstances : On March 17, 1866, Tabor Wood, George Clifton and Reuben Eddy, county commissioners, purchased of Joseph Swift, Jr., 170 acres of land in Carlisle Township for an infirmary farm, for which they paid $10,500. On January 8, 1867, the contract for the erection of a suitable building was awarded to John Childs, of Elyria, and Samuel C. Brooks, of Cleveland, for the sum of $37,500. The structure was accepted by the commissioners September 10, 1868, and the builders, on account of extra work, were paid $1,000 above the contract price. As completed, the main building was 123 by 46 feet, three stories high, and in its center and rear was a wing, 32 by 75 feet, two stories high—the entire structure containing 120 rooms. Although the first inmate was received on December 1, 1868, the original buildings were not entirely completed and furnished until three years had passed. The growth of the county's population and the increase in the number of the poverty-stricken seeking admission, forced an extension of accom- Vol. I-12 178 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY modations, and finally, in 1905, bonds were voted for the erection of a modern addition. It was completed, in the following year, at a cost of about $8,500. The county infirmary, as it stands today, is represented by a substantial, modern and well-built plant, located on a high and dry site. The farm is all tilled, and, with buildings, stock and machinery-, is valued at over $97,000. The water supply and means of fire protection are furnished by a water tower eighty feet high, with a capacity of 15,000 barrels. Fire plugs are distributed throughout the grounds. Electricity supplies the lights and power for laundry machinery cream separator, etc. There are about 100 inmates at the infirmary, three-fourths of whom are men. The first superintendent of the Lorain County Infirmary was Tabor Vincent, who served until his death in March, 1876, when he was succeeded by Hiram Patterson. He was followed by Levi Morse and Addison Blanchard, each of whom served three or four years. The definite records commence with C. E. Cooley as superintendent, who had active charge of the infirmary from June 1, 1889, to November 1, 1893. His successors were Dell Johnson, who served from November 1, 1893, to March 1, 1908, when the present superintendent, Judson G. Starr, took office. His wife, Sadie B. Starr, is matron, and Dr. G. E. French is physician. The first directors of the infirmary, appointed by the board of commissioners in 1868, were Isaac S. Metcalf, Samuel Plumb and Lucius HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 179 Herrick. Those now serving (January, 1916) are W. J. Hillier, Elyria; A. E. Hale, Oberlin, and Oscar G. Dunn, also of Elyria. THE COUNTY HOME FOR CHILDREN The Lorain County Children's Home, in the eastern edge of Oberlin, which cares on an average for sixty dependent children under eighteen years of age, is an institution which is an honor to the founders and the management. Prior to the beginning and organization of an institution for the care of dependent children in Lorain County, philanthropic residents of the county had conferred together frequently respecting such an undertaking, and finally through the earnest efforts of Rev. F. C. Eldred, of Elyria, the question came before the voters for their opinion, and the movement was endorsed at a special election held in April, 1898, by a majority vote of 143, thus giving the county commissioners power to proceed with locating and building a county children's home. Col. J. W. Steele, of Oberlin, took up the matter of location for the home, and brought it before the people of Oberlin through the board of commerce, who secured from the Village of Oberlin certain concessions should the home be located there. The board of commissioners, consisting of A. B. Hayes, F. E. Griffin and H. A. Durkee, had several pieces of property offered, and after due consideration selected the present site, one mile from the center of Oberlin Village, consisting of fifteen acres on the extreme eastern village line of the town, and bounded by College, Crosby and Lorain streets, with a street to be opened on the western side of the grounds, giving ample room for buildings, play grounds, lawns and garden. The original cost of the land was $3,675. The architects selected were Lehman and Schmitt of Cleveland, and their plans were adopted and the contract for the building of four separate brick houses was given to a Columbus contractor, who failed before completing the buildings. His bondsman, Robert McClure, continued and finished the work in 1899. The entire cost including grading of grounds and drilling for gas, amounted to $32,500. SUPERINTENDENTS AND MATRONS Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Kennedy received their appointments as superintendent and matron, respectively, before the buildings were completed or furnished ; they began their service July 1, 1900, and continued it for five years and four months, when they were succeeded by the present incumbents, Mr. and Mrs. George A. Mosher. The first endeavor of the HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 181 management was to get the rooms prepared for the reception of children, which was done, temporarily, permanent accommodations being afterward perfected. The first inmates were three children committed by the infirmary directors, who came on August 3, 1900. The first year fifty-one children were received, and during the period of Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy 's incumbency, 201 children were cared for. Most of these had both parents living, a few were half orphans, and eight only had lost both parents. Generally speaking, the division of labor between the superintendent and the matron is that the former regulates the conduct of the inmates and instructs them in out-of-door work, while the matron keeps them clean, looks after their food and health, teaches them the domestic virtues ; in fact, mothers them, which carries to all a world of meaning. AIM : TO PROVIDE PERMANENT HOMES From the first it has been the aim of the management to provide the children with permanent homes as soon as those can be found adapted to individual temperaments and wants. In the meantime they are fed, clothed, educated and trained to be a credit to any households which may adopt them. Where there are persons who have a legal right to the possession of a child, they are required to sign a paper giving the trustees of the home entire control until the child reaches the age of eighteen. The children are placed on trial for two or three months. If, after such a test, the child gives satisfaction and if the home proves to be such as the child needs, the stay is made permanent, by adoption or otherwise ; but if all is not satisfactory, the home recalls the child. The conditions under which children are placed in families are as follows : 1. That the applicant be of good moral character, and furnish satisfactory references and recommendations. 2. That the children be given a fair trial, and if not suited, to be returned within sixty days. 3. That they be kindly treated, comfortably clothed, given medical attendance when necessary, and be protected from evil examples and immoral influences. 4. That they be given not less than five months' schooling each year and that they be required to attend church and Sabbath school when possible. 5. That they be free at eighteen years of age, and receive a good outfit of clothing and a bounty of from $50 to $200. No child can be returned after the expiration of the time for trial 182 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY without giving due notice, stating reasons in writing, and obtaining the consent of the majority of the board of trustees. Children may be visited once a year or oftener by some one authorized, and the right of recalling a child at any time when its welfare demands it, is reserved. The majority of the inmates of the Lorain County Children's Home are of foreign nationality, principally Poles, Hungarians, Slays, with a few Irish, English, German and Americans, including colored. They are sent largely because of the drunkenness or infidelity of parents; some because of the death of father or mother, or both, and others on account of sickness, poverty and want of employment. They come largely from Lorain and Elyria, a few from Oberlin and Wellington and fewer still from the surrounding country. No child is accepted who has not resided in Lorain County for at least a year. BUILDINGS In the carrying out of this most commendable work adequate and tasteful buildings and beautiful grounds have been provided. The main building is a two-story, pressed brick structure, the front of which is used for trustees' office, and the superintendent's home ; in the rear are the dining rooms for children and family, as well as the kitchen and pantry. The nursery dormitory and sleeping apartments are on the second floor, with a large attic over entire building. The two side buildings, connected with the main building by arches are used for dormitories; the one on the west of main building for girls and on the east for boys. There is sleeping room for about sixty-five children in the three dormitories. Both buildings are conveniently arranged with toilet and bath rooms. A room for school purposes is located in the boys' building and a similar room for kindergarten work in the girls' building. Large attics over both are used for play rooms in stormy weather. A brick structure for laundry purposes is located in the rear of main building. With two gas wells the place is furnished with light and gas enough for cooking and laundry work, and also for partial heating. The main heating is by furnace and steam. Oberlin Village furnishes water and sewer privileges without charge. The grounds are attractively adorned with handsome shade trees, shrubbery and flower beds with fine lawns, a lily pond, a fountain, stone walks and drives. Outbuildings consist of barn, carriage and tool house and poultry houses. The garden furnishes vegetables in season including most of the potatoes used. An acre or two of ground has been planted with fruit trees consisting of apples, pears, plums, peaches and cherries, with small HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 183 fruits, such as currants, berries and grapes, which in time will amply supply the home with abundant fruit. The Cleveland & Southwestern trolley line passes the home, affording easy communication with the outside world. INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL TRAINING A school was started and a teacher employed in 1901. This continued until the fall of 1908, when it was deemed best to send the children to the Oberlin schools, where they have advantages which cannot be given them in an ungraded school. It also gives them the opportunity to mingle with other children in study and play as equals, thus breaking up their institutional life. School work for the youngest children is provided through the Kindergarten Association, who send their normal students during the college year to ,instruct and amuse them. A Sunday school at the home is maintained and cared for by the Y. M. C. A. of the college and has been of much benefit. The children are taken to the Oberlin churches frequently. Through Mrs. O. F. Carter, the Non-Partisan W. C. T. U. has organized a junior temperance society amongst the children and has given them instruction along temperance lines. PAST AND PRESENT MANAGEMENT The following are the names of the commissioners who have served during the life of the home: A. B. Hayes, F. E. Griffin, H. A. Durkee, C. E. Wilson, J. M. Jaycox, H. C. Wangerein, E. M. Kemp, R. C. Hageman, Z. R. Parsons and H. F. Arndt. The trustees appointed by the commissioners have been : J. W. Steele, of Oberlin ; S. B. Day, Elyria ; W. J. Krebs, Penfield ; A. H. Babcock, Lorain ; 0. F. Carter, Oberlin ; Frank Young, Lorain, and J. F. Randolph, Oberlin. Of the trustees mentioned, Messrs. Steele, Carter, Babcock and Day have died during the life of the home. The board of trustees now in service consists of Dr. Frank Young, Lorain ; J. F. Randolph, Oberlin ; W. J. Krebs, Penfield, and George E. Hill, of Elyria. THE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY Both Elyria and Oberlin claim the credit of starting the original movement which culminated in the Lorain County Agricultural Society. 184 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY The Oberlin champions do not deny that the first fair, largely a stock show, was held early in 1833 on the common just east of the Beebe House, on the present site of Ely Park. They also admit that $60 was awarded as premiums upon cattle, horses and articles of various kinds upon that occasion, and that several fairs might have been held at the county seat before any were organized at Oberlin. FIRST AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY On the other hand, the first formal organization of those interested in things agricultural in Lorain County was the society formed in 1839 by the faculty, students and colonists of the Collegiate Institute and the Village of Oberlin ; the time, about five years after the founding of both. The society held weekly meetings at which essays were read and discussions arranged on various subjects pertaining to agriculture for not only residents of the village, but the management of the college had a practical interest in the subject, as the very existence of both, in the earlier years, depended largely on the successful tillage of the soil. TOWN FAIR AT OBERLIN For many years town fairs were also held at Oberlin. In a small sheet called the People's Press, issued from the college town in October, 1845, is published an account of the fair held that year. There was an address by Professor Kirtland, of Cleveland, and in the evening Dr. N. S. Townshend, President Mahan- and Professors Cowles and Fairchild, of the college, delivered speeches. The opening address by the president of the society is given entire in the paper. At this meeting a plowing match was held, and cattle and other stock competed for premiums. Professor Cowles was chairman of the committee on plowing. ORIGIN OF GOOD ROADS MOVEMENT Largely through the efforts of the Oberlin Agricultural Society and the regular county organization perfected in 1846, the roads between the college town and the county seat were made passable at quite an early day. The movement for good roads originated in the $300 subscribed by the Oberlin colonists and the $400 raised by the faculty and students to improve them. On a certain day, recitations being suspended, all turned out and worked on the road leading to Elyria. The young ladies provided the men with a bountiful dinner. So that, in HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 185 more ways than one, did Oberlin College strive to inculcate the healthful and democratic benefits of well-directed labor. COUNTY SOCIETY FOUNDED IN 1846 The final movement which resulted in a county agricultural society, however, centered in Elyria, and to Dr. N. S. Townshend, of that place, is given the largest share of credit for its establishment. On April 29, 1846, nearly sixty residents of the county interested in the enterprise met in Elyria to organize a. county society, under the act for the encouragement of agriculture passed by the State Legislature on February 27th of that year. 'Judge Josiah Harris, of Amherst, was called to the chair and Doctor Townshend was appointed secretary. As eighty-eight names were enrolled as applicants for membership and $80 subscribed for current expenses, an Organization was legally effected by the election of the following board of directors : Joseph Swift, president ; Daniel B. Kinney, vice president ; Artemas Beebe, treasurer; A. H. Redington, secretary ; Henry Tracy, George Sibley, Edwin Byington, D. T. Baldwin and T. W. Osborn, managers. Two members from each township were appointed to solicit subscriptions and to generally promote the society, and as they were the representative farmers of that early period their names are given : H. Brownell and J. C. Bryant, Amherst ; Uriah Thompson and Elah Park, Avon ; C. Read and Samuel Stocking, Black River; Hosea Dunbar and P. S. Goss, Brighton ; C. L. Perry and John Curtiss, Brownhelm; Hiram Allen and Gideon Waugh, Camden; R. Gibbs and C. Prindle, Carlisle ; S. Reed and B. B. Adams, Columbia ; James Firlas and G. Sperry, Eaton ; D. Nesbitt and Festus Cooley, Jr., Elyria ; A. S. Root and Thomas Ingersoll, Grafton ; Hervey Leonard and Levi Vincent, Henrietta ; Henry Tracey and H. P. Sage, Huntington; N. P. Johnson and H. Hubbard, Lagrange; William Andrews and Lewis Starr, Penfield ; P. McRoberts and E. Matchem, Pittsfield ; Otis Beggs and L. Beebe, Ridgeville ; John Conant and M. L. Blair, Rochester ; H. C. Taylor and Doctor Dascom, Russia ; William Day and William H. Root, Sheffield ; Harvey Grant and J. Wadsworth, Wellington. FIRST FAIR The meeting adjourned to reassemble at the courthouse May 13th to fix premiums and transact any other business. When the society did meet at that date and place it was resolved that a fair be held at Elyria on Wednesday, September 30, 1846; that George Sibley, P. McRoberts, 186 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY Harry Terrell and E. Sanderson be appointed to examine farms and crops; that the ladies of the county be invited to manufacture useful articles to be donated to the society ;,that they hold a fair on the afternoon and evening of the day of exhibition, and that all citizens be requested to bring choice specimens of fruit and flowers and manufactured articles, to be offered for sale at the ladies' fair, for the benefit of the society. The next meeting was held at Oberlin August 20, 1846, and it was resolved to offer premiums amounting to $117 for the fair of September 30th following. They were for herds of cattle, not less than fifteen head, owned by one farmer, and for flocks of sheep, not less than twenty-five head each. At the election for officers of the society, held November 20th, no changes were made in the presidency, vice presidency, or secretaryship, but John H. Faxon succeeded Artemas Beebe as treasurer, and the following were elected managers: Edwin Byington, II. C. Safford, W. N. Race, A. W. Whitney and Benjamin C. Perkins. At a meeting of the hoard January 28, 1847, Mr. Holtslander was elected manager to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of William N. Race. LECTURERS APPOINTED At that meting, also, the society appointed lecturers for the different townships, who were delegated to instruct the farmers on the advantages of organization and advanced methods of agriculture, thus forestalling an important branch of the national department of agriculture. The lecturers appointed by the Lorain County Agricultural Society for 1847 were as follows: Dr. N. S. Townshend for Elyria, Carlisle, Eaton, Columbia, Ridgeville. Avon and Sheffield; Prof. J. Dascomb, for Grafton. Lagrange, Penfield, Huntington, Wellington and Pittsfield; Prof. J. H. Fairchild, for Black River, Amherst, Brownhelm, Henrietta, Camden, Brighton and Rochester. The first four fairs were held at Elyria, the fifth at Oberlin and the sixth, at Wellington. There was quite a contest for the 1852 fair between Elyria and Wellington, the Oberlin people usually supporting the county seat location, as the roads were in better condition north of their town than south. Elyria finally outbid Wellington, $100 to $52, and the sixth fair was held at the county seat October 6 and 7, 1852. A small sum was also spent on buildings and grounds during that year. LADIES' HORSEMANSHIP INTRODUCED The premiums became more and more liberal, and new features were introduced into the programmes from year to year. At the ninth fair, HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 187 in 1854, for instance, three premiums were offered for ladies' horsemanship : First, silver cake basket; second, ladies' riding hat ; third, gold pencil. The successful competitors were Miss Arys Terrell, Miss Sophia Perry and Mrs. L. S. Jenkins. PURE-BRED CATTLE Previous to the tenth fair very few, if any, pure-bred cattle had been exhibited, with the exception of Aston and Humphrey's Herefords. The report, as to that feature of the exhibition, was as follows: "During this year (1854) Heman Ely purchased several Herd-Book short-hornsthe bull, Sir Humphrey, 974, and a fine cow and heifer bred by Reber and Kutz, Fairfield county, Ohio. These animals made a good showing and were admired by the visitors. Also, the lamented Charles Arthur Ely had purchased a fine herd of pure Devon cattle. These, too, were on exhibition, and were of great excellence. Probably Ohio has not exhibited finer specimens of the Devon up to this day.. The fine old Bull, the Duke of Devon, was in every point a first-class animal. E. Matchem exhibited Devons and owned some thoroughbreds." STAR FARMERS At the early meetings of the society much interest was taken by the members in the premiums awarded for the best cultivated farms in the county. In 1847 Joseph Swift, of Henrietta Township, took first premium in that class, and Alonzo Gaston, of Russia, second ; in the following year Mr. Gaston was first and N. Jackson, second, and at the fifth fair, held in 1850, E. Clark took first premium and Mr. Gaston, second. In 1856 Mr. Gaston again took first on best cultivated farms, Pitt W. Hall, second, and D. B. Kinney, third. Altogether, Alonzo Gaston seems to have been the star farmer in the early years of the society's contests. Joseph Swift, of Henrietta, mentioned as carrying off the first premium in 1847, was president of the society during the first three years of its life. D. B. Kinney succeeded him in 1849, continued for two terms, and was followed in 1852 by B. C. Perkins. N. B. Gates served from 1853 to 1857; Edwin Byington during the succeeding two years; Dr. N. S. Townshend in 1859-60. FIRST ELECTION The election of officers did not take place on the last day of the fair in 1860 owing to a regulation issued by the Ohio State Board of Agri- 188 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY culture that all county agricultural societies should hold their annual elections in January ; consequently the old board of the Lorain County Society of 1860 held over, and on January 7, 1861, N. B. Gates was chosen president ; J. Swift, Jr., vice president, and P. A. Bishop, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Bishop refused to serve and E. C. Griswold was appointed in his stead. Mr. Gates served for four terms, or nearly through the Civil war period, was followed by D. A. Stocking for two terms; then by William A. Braman, for four, from 1867 to 1870, inclusive ; Charles S. Mills, 1871-72 ; R. Baker, 1873-74 ; William A. Braman, 1875-76 ; C. S. Mills, 1877-79. The secretaries of the society have been as follows : Dr. N. S. Townshend, 1846 ; Edwin Byington, 1846-47 ; A. H. Redington, 1846-51 (secretary and treasurer since 1850) ; Edward Matchem, 1851-54; H. C. Safford, 1854-55 ; A. H. Redington, 1855-57 ; William H. Root, 1857-59 ; H. M. Redington, 1859-60; E. C. Griswold, 1861; R. G. Horr, 1862-63 ; Moritz Gallup, 1864-65 ; T. S. Metcalf, 1866-68 ; C. W. Johnson, 1869-71; George P. Metcalf, 1872 (treasurer appointed separately until 1876) ; T. S. Metcalf, 1873; E. G. Johnson, 1874-79 (secretary and treasurer after 1877). IMPROVEMENT OF GROUNDS For several years after 1852 the old fair grounds at Elyria, were improved in a small way, as they were leased and not the property of the society. In 1866 active steps were taken to raise a fund for the purchase of grounds and their proper improvement, which included a request to the county commissioners for an appropriation. In 1867 land was finally purchased of Heman Ely, being lots 112 and 113 west of the river and comprising over eighteen acres. The old buildings on the opposite side of Black River were taken down by an organized Bee" and transferred to the new grounds. The new era was also signalized by a vote aggreeing to pay the secretary and treasurer for his official services. During the year 1867 the work of improvement progressed briskly, the grounds were fenced, new buildings erected, a trotting course constructed and everything made ship-shape for the fall fair. The building of the new bridge over the river added to the conveniences of the fair management and the attendants. A large dining hall was erected in the following year and the Floral Hall was added to the substantial improvements in 1871. The latter was used for the display of domestic, ornamental, floral and artistic articles. The third annual picnic and excursion of the society in 1872 was a HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 189 part of the celebration held in honor of the opening of the Tuscarawas, Connorton Valley Railroad. One of the three steamers chartered to take the excursionists to Black River proved unseaworthy and a drawback to the programme, but the financial returns to the society were quite encouraging. The fairs continued to be held at Elyria, that of the Centennial year being arranged for July 4th. The board decided to erect a "log cabin" on the grounds, and members of the society were requested to contribute a log each for building material, and to be on hand early to throw up the structure. The logs were promptly on hand and the building commenced, but a deluge early in the day drove away the laborers. But a large procession was formed and paraded in the rain. The clouds lifted in the afternoon and enabled Judge W. W. Boynton to deliver that historic address on the "Early History of Lorain County," which has become such a local classic. Afterward the log cabin was finished in a substantial way arid used by the keeper of the grounds and his family. EARLY PREMIUMS DROPPED One of the early presidents of the society, R. Baker, in an extended historical review, has the following : "In the opinion of the most thoughtful, it would have been better had the society conformed to the requirements of the act passed in 1846 for the encouragement of agriculture. For years the society offered inducements for improved plowing. The last contest for best plowing was in 1860. Here Vas the first great mistake. Also, encouragement was given for the best cultivated farm. This was dropped in 1863. The offering made for the best crops of grain have been discontinued since 1873. All these, I think, should have been continued, and should have formed a prominent part in the premiums offered by the society." POPULATION OF THE COUNTY, 1830-1910 The first Federal census of Lorain County was for the year 1830, and indicates a population of 5,696. For the initial years of successive decades, the showing is as follows: 1840, 18,467; 1850, 26.086 ; 1860, 29,744; 1870, 30,308; 1880, 35,526; 1890, 40,295 ; 1900, 54,857; 1910, 76,037. A comparison by townships and incorporated cities and villages is also presented, the Government census figures for 1890, 1900 and 1910 being presented for that purpose. It should be understood that as the cities and villages, although they are given separately in the tables, are 190 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY included in the township figures, and that in casting up the county totals, the latter should only he added.