350 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY reduced to six columns. On the 8th of January, 1874, it was restored to an eight-column folio, with patent outside pages, and on the ninth of the following May, about a month after the first village election, its size was increased to nine columns. The editor and proprietor was evidently "feeling out" the community to see how much of a Commercial it would sustain, but discontinued its venture at Charleston on the 12th of September, 1874, "for want of adequate support." Mr. Fisher then moved his plant to Elyria and commenced the publication of the Elyria Republican. THE LORAIN MONITOR No other venture in the local field was made until 1879, when the Lorain Monitor was issued by Lawler & Brady. It was a small five-column folio, with patent "outsides." From its modest start was evolved the Times-Herald of today. THE LORAIN TIMES-HERALD The Lorain Times-Herald, which represents the second local newspaper venture, has been tireless in pushing along the business, industrial and higher interests of the diverse communities which make the place so noteworthy ; and right here the editor of this work wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to that publication for many of the facts which are woven into the chapters devoted to the history of Lorain. Its various anniversary editions have been found of great help—in fact, almost invaluable. On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Lorain Times-Herald by the establishment of the Lorain Daily Times in November, 1879, Frederick A. Rowley, then its editor and proprietor, issued a special "silver edition," packed with interesting matter, both current and historical. These are the graphic paragraphs which relate to the founding of the Times : "Looking back now to that day, November 6, 1879, when two boys left their studies at Oberlin and, coming down to Lorain, found Irving Lawler and his brother, Eddie, at work in the Monitor office, it seems almost impossible that so much could have happened in twenty-five years. The office of the Monitor was in a wooden building at the corner of Erie avenue and Broadway. Upstairs in the Vernam Block it was, and Irving was bustling about getting the paper ready to print. He and Eddie were both setting type out of the same case, or, at least, they often did that. The Oberlin boys scrutinized the Monitor office HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 351 very critically, and were not long in making it known that they were trying to break into the newspaper business. Irving sent Eddie out for Pa Lawler, and in an hour or so a deal was closed for the purchase of the Monitor at. the price of three hundred dollars for the whole outfit. " The Oberlin boys went home, gave up their hooks and transplanted themselves from the classic influences of Oberlin to the more sturdy and strenuous life in Lorain. The office was soon moved to two rooms over A. H. Babcock's grocery store, two doors north on Broadway. There, in a poorly-lighted upstairs room, with an Army press, a small lot of much-worn type and a little 5x7 Golding job press, the business of the Times was conducted during the winter of 1879-80. The Oberlin boys slept in the office, occupying a room barely large enough for the bed and so cold they had to lay up very close together at night to keep from freezing. So the winter passed. Hardly enough money was taken in to pay Aunt Eunice, at Uncle William Jones', the board for two hungry young editors. It was a. severe lesson in the practical responsibilities of life, but it. was worth all it cost. The many difficulties overcome at that time showed that obstacles can be surmounted. That has been the history of the paper. It has had the spirit of a winner from the start and somehow it has conquered, often when it seemed that there was nothing but defeat to be expected." The Weekly Herald was established in 1892, and the first number of the Evening Herald was issued May 22, 1894. In 1901 a consolidation was effected under the present title of the Lorain Times-Herald. The present editor and manager is C. A. Rowley, son of Frederick A. Rowley, and the paper is published by the F. A. Rowley Estate. THE LORAIN DAILY NEWS The Lorain Daily News was founded in 1888, and has always been a democratic paper. In September, 1900, the Daily Democrat was issued under the ownership of the Democrat Publishing Company. F. H. King and Jacob Meyer were prominently interested in the enterprise. There were a number of changes in the proprietorship and editorship of both publications, the business becoming much involved. The News-Democrat, as the consolidation was called, has been for some time the Lorain Daily News. It is published by the Lorain Democrat Company and J. W. Spaulding is editor. THE POST The Post is an independent German newspaper, established in 1894, the year that Lorain was incorporated as a city. It is edited by Louis Maurer and published by the Lorain Democrat Company. 352 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY UPLIFTING SOCIETIES A review of the charitable, benevolent, social and literary fields in Lorain is a hazardous and complex task, as, with the best of intentions, the writer cannot do full justice to the subject. Neither time, strength or space at command can be applied to bring out all the details fully illustrative of the broad work being accomplished by strong and high-minded men and women in a rapidly growing community composed of so many distinctive elements. Connected with the numerous churches are hundreds of societies, working as their auxiliaries, and ceaselessly active in labors of charity, benevolence and general uplift. In addition, there are such undenominational forces in action as the Young Men's Christian Association, the Associated Charities, the Sisterhood and the Lorain Federation of Women's Societies and scores of secret and benevolent organizations. The Federation itself covers the activities of nearly fifty societies, each standing for some special form of charitable, reformatory or intellectual work. LORAIN 'S YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION One of the oldest of these general forces operating for good is the Young Men's Christian Association, organized in the fall of 1897, soon after the starting of the steel plant at South Lorain. Although it is conducted under the world-familiar plan of that body it was primarly founded for the benefit of the steel workers. Soon after the establishment of the steel plant at South Lorain by the Johnson Company, the question of a club house for its men was agitated. After careful consideration, M. M. Suppes, the general manager, became convinced that the Young Men's Christian Association was the most desirable form of organization for the purpose. The matter was laid before the state association, but the officers hesitated to organize such a work in an entirely untried field. So persistent was Mr. Suppes, however, that the task of securing subscriptions was finally undertaken. This was in the fall of 1897, and notwithstanding the fact that it was a time of great financial depression, there was a liberal response from the business corporations and citizens of Lorain and Elyria. The sum of $15,000 was secured. The largest individual contributors were A. J. Moxham and Hon. Tom L. Johnson, who each gave $1,000. Two lots on Tenth Avenue, near the general office, were given by the Sheffield Land Company. The initial movement which resulted in the founding of the Y. M. C. A. originated in the desire of the National Tube officials to establish HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 353 night classes for mill employes. The idea was given impetus from various directions, and within a short time O. C. Colton, now of Fort Collins, Colorado, was chosen as first secretary, with an able assistant in John Helmer, as physical director. F. A. Smythe was president of the first Y. M. C. A. official board. In the spring of 1898 the present structure was erected at an approximate cost. of $30,000. The membership that time was 434. Immediately the membership grew, and the scope of the association widened. New features were introduced and an effort made to make the local institution the equal of any of its size. That has been accomplished. The membership enrollment in 1915 was about 750, with prospects of steady increase. The debt on the building has been decreased rapidly. The National Tube Company contributes a substantial amount each month toward running expenses. One of the most interesting features of the association's work is the educational classes. The enrollment in the night school averages over 200 men, a majority of whom are in the English classes. These men are principally employes of the National Tube Company, American Shipbuilding Company and the Thew Automatic Shovel Company. The subjects taught aside from English are : Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mechanical drawing, electricity, steam engineering, and sheet metal drawing. In the physical department there was a total attendance on class nights during the year of nearly 6,000. The work of this department shows up splendidly. Much interest is manifested in tennis, Sunday school, baseball leagues, and the National Tube Industrial Baseball League. The social side of the work is not at all neglected. Receptions, entertainments, dinners, lectures, concerts are all in the yearly curriculum. The Woman's Auxiliary plans and successfully executes many social affairs. Pleasant reading rooms add to this feature. The religious phase of the association is naturally developed extensively. Especially fruitful is the work done among the boys. Home Bible classes have been organized and every effort made to emphasize the importance of character-building. The M. and M. Club, or Mush and Milk Club, is an effective organization, formed of men banded together for the purpose of helping to develop and promote religious work. There are twenty members. Since the opening of the Industrial Department numerous foreign speaking men have been aided in securing naturalization papers. During the year the South Lorain branch of the Public Library circulated nearly 13,000 books. Vol. I-28 354 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY The association building is located on East Twenty-eighth Street near Pearl Avenue. The structure contains twenty-two rooms, including offices, reading rooms, assembly rooms, class rooms, billiard and pool rooms, gymnasium, swimming pool, bath, locker rooms, social rooms, dark rooms and kitchen. The building is built of mottled pressed brick and is of colonial architecture. On entering one finds himself in a reception hall, which is the key to the entire building. This contains the office and library. At one end is a large fireplace, where a cheerful wood fire is kept burning whenever the weather demands it. Off the reception hall opens the public reading room for men, the games, music and boys' room. The reading room is large, well lighted, and supplied with about sixty of the best publications. The gymnasium oceupies an annex in the rear. It is 38 by 58 feet, and 20 feet high. It is well lighted and ventilated. It contains a gallery and running track, and is well equipped. The basement contains the bath and locker rooms. The former is supplied with hot and -cold shower, needle and sponge baths. The swimming pool is one of the finest in the state. It is 40 by 16 feet, and is graduated from four to six feet in depth. It is lined with white tile, and is filled with filtered lake water, which is tempered throughout the year. The locker room contains 200 lockers for the use of the members. The second floor, which is reached from the reception room, contains the assembly hall, seating 200 persons, a committee room, kitchen and pantry. By sliding curtains it is possible to divide the assembly hall into three class rooms for the use of the educational department. The board of trustees in control of the local body is composed of the following members: D. W. Lawrence, president ; Isaac Honecker, vice president; James A. Long, recording secretary ; W. A. Davies, treasurer; Dr. W. S. Baldwin, D. A. Cook, Dr. D. B. Donaldson, E. H. Eddy, A. C. Eldredge, J. H. Evans, W. C. Fisher, H. H. Henes, E. M. Pierce, H. D. Townsend and W. J. Wright. The local executive force comprises the following: W. H. Coleman, general secretary ; H. Darnell Brittin, physical director ; Henry F. Lasch, assistant secretary. The Women's Auxiliary of the Young Men's Christian Association was organized in February, 1911, since which it has been of material assistance in not only conducting social activities but in raising funds for the current expenses of the main body. WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION The women of Lorain, as of the world, have always been foremost in works of relief, charity and social reform. One of their pioneer HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 355 societies, still active, is the local branch of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, which was formed about 1876. An offshoot of the parent body was organized in 1910 in the Steel Plant District of South Lorain. THE SISTERHOOD OF LORAIN It was twenty years after the founding of the W. C. T. U. at Lorain, in February, 1896, that the local 'Sisterhood was formed. From the outset. of its work, the Sisterhood has faithfully followed its prescribed course, although the scope of its activities has broadened and its labors intensified, with the growth of the communities in which its members have become so beloved. The aiding of widows is the primary object of the Sisterhood, although entire families are often assisted when the heads of the households are ill or otherwise helpless. Scores of children are also kept in the public schools by being clothed and properly nourished. The first officers of the organization were: Mrs. E. M. Pierce, president ; Mrs. Samuel Klein, vice president; Mrs. John Root, treasurer ; Mrs. H. J. Barrows, secretary. The membership of the Sisterhood is over 100. SOCIAL SETTLEMENT ASSOCIATION The Lorain Social Settlement Association is an organization more restricted in its work than the Sisterhood. The movement started as a day nursery in the Steel Plant District and several girls' clubs were connected with it. In May, 1910, a visiting nurse was called from Cleveland, and the Social Settlement Association was organized with these officers: Mrs. E. M. Pierce, president ; Mrs. H. C. Burrell, first vice president ; Mrs. N. E. Davis, second vice president ; Mrs. John Cobb, secretary ; Mrs. E. M. Ransom, treasurer. The association has had as many as 150 families on its list at one time, to which it was extending aid in various forms. In the charitable work carried on by these two leading organizations, Mrs. E. M. Pierce and Mrs. H. C. Burrell have been especially prominent. LITERARY CLUBS Lorain has a. number of flourishing literary organizations, devoted to the presentation and discussion of intellectual and social topics. The first of these clubs, which has a successor, was with the Chrysanthemum, formed in 1895, and reorganized in 1902 as Sorosis. Mrs. F. B. Vernam 356 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY was long its president. The Wimodaughsis Club was organized in 1896, and united with the Lakeside Federation in 1901 and with the State Federation in 1905. The Round Table came into existence in 1898, the East Side Literary Club in 1902, and the University Club in 1909 ; and there are doubtless others, as well as fifty or sixty social organizations, such as sewing societies, bridge clubs, girls' clubs, mothers' clubs and afternoon clubs. THE MAKING OF AMERICAN CITIZENS In South Lorain, it is said that there are fully fifty societies, organized entirely by foreigners. Almost every nationality in the city is represented by a society. After being in America a long enough time to become acquainted to some degree with American customs and language, the foreigner, American-like, frequently joins an organization of his own nationality. These societies or clubs, hold regular meetings and entertainments, to which are often invited as guests and speakers many of the English speaking citizens of the city. Many excellent entertainments and musicals have been given in this city through the medium of these societies. Almost every society has its own band. It can be said with truth that the majority of non-Americans desire to become American citizens. Between them and thcir desire stands the process of naturalization, which, however easy of attainment. it may seem to the casual observer, is nevertheless a barrier requiring much honest effort to surmount. Many are surmounting it each year, and many are trying to surmount it year after year. The requirement is an examination, to pass which means months of patient study. Twice each year examinations for prospective citizens are held at the courthouse in Elyria. The examination consists of a list of questions covering the family history of the applicant and the physical history of the United States. Before he can apply for citizenship, a foreigner must have made the United States his home for three years. Classes for instruction in work necessary to pass the tests are conducted throughout the city. The Y. M. C. A. gives instructions and private classes are organized. After obtaining his papers a foreigner is no longer a foreigner, but is authorized to take part in municipal and governmental affairs to as full an extent as a native born American. In coming years, the number of those taking advantage of the privileges will probably increase regularly. MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS Of late years quite a number of musical organizations have been formed in Lorain, among which may be mentioned the Musical Society, HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 357 the Lorain Male Chorus, the Festival Orchestra, the Mendelssohn Trio and the South Lorain Quartette. Among the individuals who have been prominent in the musical development of the place are named Griffith J. Jones, N. E. Fox, Edward Kiefer and Horace Whitehouse. FEDERATION OF WOMEN 'S SOCIETIES in 1914 two organizations were formed at Lorain for the purpose of consolidating the charitable, social and literary activities of the city. In January of that year representatives from thirty-six of the women's societies met at the Board of Commerce rooms and organized the Lorain Federation of Women's Societies; about a score have since been added to the membership. Its aims, as announced through official literature, are stated thus : "As members of the Lorain Federation we aim to use our united strength to obtain better homes, better schools, better surroundings, better citizenship and better laws. To work together for civic health and civic righteousness, and to preserve our heritage, the forests and natural beauties of the land, to procure for our children an education which fits them for life—the training of hand and heart, as well as the head ; to prevent the children of our own being deprived of their birthright of natural childhood ; to obtain conditions and proper safeguards for women who toil." The Federation officers in 1915 were : President, Mrs. Regina Llewellyn; first vice president, Mrs. E. J. Yeamans ; acting vice president, Mrs. Theodore Oehlke ; second vice president, Mrs. Robert Friedman ; recording secretary, Mrs. A. Z. Prescott ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. W. C. Hayes ; auditor, Mrs. Joseph Gould. THE ASSOCIATED CHARITIES In March, 1914, the Associated Charities of Lorain was incorporated as an outgrowth of a small day nursery begun in 1910. The organization is governed by a board of fifteen directors elected annually on the third Monday in January. The officers for 1915 were as follows: President, L. A. Fauver ; secretary, R. B. Patin ; treasurer, E. Pierce. The other members of the board of directors were : Mrs. H. C. Burrell, Mrs. N. M. Eldred, Mrs. Elizabeth Wickens, Mrs. Sam Klein, Mrs. Thomas McGeachie, Mrs. Joseph Gould, Miss Harriet Root. Mrs. John Cobb, George Glitsch, J. H. Gerhart, Custer Snyder and Frank Ayres. In the fall of 1914 the work of the Associated Charities was entirely reorganized. Among other changes, the visiting nursing was discon- 358 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY tinued, as that feature had been assumed by the city. The Settlement House and relief work was placed in charge of Miss Helen M. Wright and the social work intrusted to Miss Winifred Starbird. In the work of investigation, as a precedent to relief ; in the care of girl and juvenile transients, thrown out of work or their homes; in the pensioning of deserving mothers that they may care for their children at home, and in the actual labors incident to material relief, the Associated Charities has been a local blessing, especially in times of industrial depression. It is a well-organized central body, with which the various organizations of the city, whether church or non-sectarian, heartily and generally co-operate. ST. JOSEPH 'S HOSPITAL Although founded and controlled by the Catholic Church, St. Joseph's Hospital, located on Penfield Avenue on a four-acre site between the steel plant and the shipyard, is so generally patronized and its work of relief is so broad, that its character has come to be recognized as semi-public. The hospital was established in 1892 by Rev. J. N. Bihn, now deceased, who also founded the immense St. Francis Orphan Asylum and Home for Aged at Tiffin, Ohio. Facilities were at first necessarily limited, but new equipment and a more extensive service were gradually added. The grounds now occupy an entire city block bounded by Broadway, Twentieth and Twenty-first streets and Reid Avenue. Flanked by the city's principal street car lines, the locality has the advantage of easy accessibility. The hospital buildings consist of main structure of frame constructions, three stories in height, and connected with this, a three story, pressed-brick faced annex. The annex is of comparatively recent erection, the main building having been built at the time the hospital was founded in 1892. In 1903 the St. Joseph's Training School for Nurses was established in connection with the hospital. The course requires three years and includes general, medical and surgical nursing, also ophthalmic and gynecological nursing. The class of graduates from the school has never been less than two, and last year reached seven. The Ladies' Auxiliary of the hospital has been a great instrument of helpfulness. The ladies, who number at present about 100, have regular meetings at which hospital sewing is attended to and assistance rendered in any possible way. To the medical staff of the institution belong many of the city's lead- HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 359 ing physicians. The staff was officially organized in 1901. The various physicians are assigned to different departments, medical, surgical and eye and ear. The object of the staff is to attend to charity patients and to increase the helpfulness of the hospital by the combined professional advice. The present superioress is Sister Mary Pius, her predecessor, for many years, having been Mother Superior Seraphine. About seventy patients are now (1916) in care of the Sisters. LODGES AND FRATERNITIES Lorain is well represented by various lodges and fraternities, outside of the foreign section in South Lorain. A local statistician places the combined membership at fully 10,000. The same authority gives the Masons priority as an order, the combined membership of their seven bodies established at Lorain being over 1,300. The Knights of Pythias, with the Pythian Sisters, come next, nearly 1,000 strong; then the Knights and Ladies of the Maccabees, over 760, and the Odd Fellows (including the Rebekahs), more than 600. The largest individual organizations are Lorain Aerie of Eagles, with a membership of over 700 ; the Lorain Lodge of Masons (No. 552), about 425 ; the Moose Lodge, 400, and Lorain Tent No. 1, Knights of the Maccabees, 370 or more. There are about 500 members connected with the railroad unions and brotherhoods, Knights of Columbus, Royal Neighbors, and the Elks, Woodmen, Red Men, Tribe of Ben Hur, Protected Home Circle, and Royal Arcanum have also growing organizations. CHAPTER XIX PUBLIC AFFAIRS OF ELYRIA THE VILLAGE IN 1833—THE ELYRIA HIGH SCHOOL-FIRST DISTRICT SCHOOLS-BOARD OF EDUCATION FORMED-JASON CANFIELD, FIRST SUPERINTENDENT-PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING ERECTED-COMPLETE CURRICULUM ADOPTED-FIRST HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES-OTHER SCHOOL EVENTS OF THE '60S—BOARD OF EDUCATION SPEAKS ITS MIND-CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS-MANUAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL-THE SOCIAL SETTLEMENT SCHOOL-ENROLLMENT OF PUPILS AND TEACHERS-THE PUBLIC LIBRARY-PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE-INCREASE IN ELYRIA 'S POPULATION-PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS-THE ELYRIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-CIVIC IMPROVEMENT-LEGISLATION-MUNICIPAL SANITATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH. When Elyria was incorporated as a village on the 23d of February, 1833, it had been the county seat of Lorain County since the independent civil organization of the latter in 1824. It had been a postoffice for fifteen years. THE VILLAGE IN 1833 The first little court house and jail graced the public square donated by Heman Ely. He and Artemas Beebe (with his hotel, stage line and general store) were the leading citizens of the place. Quite a number of small business houses were around the square, including the store of Thompson Miles and the harness and saddlery shop of Ezra S. Adams, who was also in partnership with Mr. Beebe in the operation of the line of stage coaches between Cleveland and Sandusky. There were thirty or forty houses scattered over the village site lying between the branches of Black River, and three churches had been organized by the four or five hundred people within the village limits and in the immediate neighborhood. The Presbyterians had been organized for nearly ten years. while the Methodists and Disciples of Christ were in their infancy, but filled - 360 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 361 with zeal and ambition. Although the Masons had formed a lodge as early as 1819, the result of the Morgan agitation was to make it advisable to suspend its operations from 1828 to 1848, so that in the year of the village incorporation (1833) it was in a state of suspended animation. THE ELYRIA. HIGH SCHOOL Among the most flourishing institutions of that day was the Elyria High School. It was under private control and instruction, it is true, but for about twenty years answered some of the best purposes of a public school. From 1827 to 1850 a number of private schools were conducted at Elyria, but the high school was the most notable and drew to itself not a few instructors who afterward became well known in a broader province of education. The Elyria. High School was under the management of a board of trustees. In 1831 Heman Ely had erected a building at the rear of the Methodist Church, between Broad and Second streets, and leased the building and the land to the trustees of the Elyria High School for a term of years. Rev. John Monteith was called to take charge of the first class as organized, being assisted by his wife and Miss Mary Eells. The common branches were taught, as well as advanced studies. J. H. Fairchild and his brother, E. H. Fairchild, long afterward presidents, respect- 362 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY ively, of Oberlin College, Ohio, and Berea College, Kentucky, pursued preparatory courses at the Elyria High School. Mr. and Mrs. Branch, Dr. A. B. Brown and wife, Rev. John P. Cowles (afterward professor in Oberlin College), and Luther NI. Oviatt, successively had the management of the high school. After retiring from the Elyria High School Mr. Monteith, assisted by his wife, opened a school at his own house, and Rev. David A. Grosvenor, of the Presbyterian Church, established a girls' school in a building on East Third Street formerly occupied by that denomination. FIRST DISTRICT SCHOOLS But the tax-payers demanded something more democratic than such private institutions, creditable though they were, and almost a public necessity until the community had reached such a condition of material stability that public schools could be supported on a scale demanded by the intelligence of the place. In the spring of 1846 a meeting of the voters of School District No. 1 was called to vote a tax of $1,000, to be used in the building of a public school for that section of the county. The vote was against the proposition, but as many were dissatisfied with the outcome a bill was passed through the Legislature dividing the school district into Nos. 1 and 9. In the winter of 1846-47 meetings were held in the district named, and each voted a tax of $1,000 for the erection of a public schoolhouse within its own territory. During the following season the stone schoolhouse on the corner of East Avenue and Third Street was erected for No. 1 and a brick building in the west part of the village for No. 9. BOARD OF EDUCATION FORMED The Akron school law of 1847, and the general state law passed February 21, 1849, which incorporated its main provisions and specially provided "for the better regulation of public schools in cities and towns," had a stimulating effect upon the citizens of Elyria. In May, 1850, they were largely represented in the meeting at the courthouse at which they voted to reorganize the local schools under the general law. Under its provisions, an election was held on the 8th of June, 1850, at which the following were chosen the first board of education of Elyria : E. DeWitt and O. Cowles, three years; M. W. Pond and Tabor Wood, two years, and C. S. Goodwin and P. C. Dolley, one year. HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 363 JASON CANFIELD, FIRST SUPERINTENDENT In October, 1850, Jason Canfield was called to take charge of the Elyria union schools, which then consisted of the stone and brick houses erected in 1847, in the east and west parts of the village ; an intermediate, or secondary school, and a high school, both of the latter being taught in the old Elyria High School Building erected by Mr. Ely nearly twenty years previously. Thus was the local system fairly established. In 1853 another department was organized, making three below the high school, which was taught in the old "session room," previously used for religious, judicial and educational purposes. PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING ERECTED The first high school building erected by the village was completed in 1857 and stood between Middle and West avenues. It was first occupied by the high, grammar and secondary grades in the winter of 1858, and the old Ely High School and the "session room" were abandoned. COMPLETE CURRICULUM ADOPTED At a meeting of the board of education held November 17, 1859, a course of study for all the departments was adopted. In the grades 364 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY below the high school provision was made for instruction in reading, spelling, writing, drawing, vocal music, arithmetic, geography, grammar, composition, declamation, physiology, United States history and morals. A regular three years' course of study was arranged for the high school, with an optional fourth year. Upon completing the full course of four years, the pupil was entitled to a diploma, signed by the president and members of the board, the superintendent and examining committee—a document, certainly, which should have been fully binding and weighty. FIRST HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES The first regular class which graduated from the high school consisted of Lydia A. Ball, Beza N. Boynton and Henrietta C. Schaibly, and they went forth in 1863. The four graduates of 1861. who had completed but a partial course, were Cyrus Y. Durand, Thankful D. Boynton, Frances W. Sanford and Louise Terrell. OTHER SCHOOL EVENTS OF THE '60s What were long known as the East and West Side primary schools of the Elyria union schools, were formerly Sub-districts Nos. 2 and 6 of the township system. These were assumed by the Elyria School Board in April, 1864. At a meeting of that body held in September, 1867, the local courses of study were again revised. A set of rules was also adopted regulating the meetings of the board and specifying the duties of its members, as well as those of superintendent, teachers and pupils. BOARD OF EDUCATION SPEAKS ITS MIND The following suggestive message went forth, at the same time, from the board of education as a body : "Public schools are expensive. They cost the young people a great deal of valuable time. They cost teachers and other friends of education a great deal of labor and care. They cost tax-payers a good deal of money. But schools are worth all they cost. No community can afford to do without them. It is cheaper to support schools and churches than penitentiaries and infirmaries. Free public schools are the palladium of liberty. Universal education is the surety for the permanency of free institutions. Every good citizen feels a direct interest in the prosperity and efficiency of schools, and should also feel a personal responsibility therefor. Good schools are not only worth what they cost ; they are worth understanding and HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 365 caring for. The best way to know them is to go and see them. Anyone may learn more about schools by visiting them a few hours, than by much fault-finding with the teachers and the Board of Education." CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS In 1868 the board added a two-story wing to the high school building, to provide for the increasing number of pupils, and in 1870 made another revision of the curriculum. There has never been a time since that the hoards and the superintendents, principals and teachers, have not striven to the limit of their strength and ability for the improvement of the public system of education, with the result that Elyria s standing as an educator is remarkably high. The development of its high school has been especially noteworthy. In 1875 the board commenced the erection of a school building west of that occupied by the high school, fronting on Sixth Street, it being occupied in the fall of 1877. This made the fourteenth school in what was then known as the Union School District. With the incorporation of Elyria as a city in 1892, the local system of public education was reorganized and consolidated. With the exception of the Ridge Street School, which is the oldest building now in use, the structures in Elyria devoted to public education are comparatively new; that is, so many additions have been made to 366 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY the original buildings that most of them have effectually covered old-time features. The old Elyria High School, on Sixth Street and Middle Avenue (the Franklin Building), was burned about twenty years ago, and finally rebuilt as a thirteen-room structure. At first it contained all the public school grades, but the growing attendance at length overflowed into the Lincoln School Building which had been erected on adjacent grounds. MANUAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL In May, 1915, was completed the magnificent three-story building connected by corridors with the earlier structure, known as the Manual Training and Technical High School. It contains thirty rooms, including a fine auditorium and the modern facilities to complete a four years' practical course in wood, pattern and cabinet work; molding, casting and printing; dressmaking and millinery, and the arts and crafts generally. Academic courses are pursued in the older portion of the institution, collectively known as the high school, which also contains lunch rooms, physical and chemical laboratories, and another auditorium. The other schools included in the present system are as follows : The Hamilton School, on Middle Avenue and Thirteenth Street, built fifteen years ago as a four-room house ; four rooms were added in 1907, and another four in 1913. On East River Street is the McKinley School of twelve rooms completed a decade ago. In 1914 the Garford Building, still farther east, provided four rooms for the overflow from the McKinley. In 1914 the Gates Schoolhouse was erected on Lake Avenue, being a handsome three-story building taking the place of an old structure. Its auditorium is large and modern. The Jefferson School, on Jefferson and Foster avenue, farther north, is about a dozen years old, although a large addition was made to it five years ago. It is a ten-room house. The veteran of them all, the Ridge Street Schoolhouse, was originally a little two-room affair, and two years ago four rooms were added, making it quite respectable in size and adequate for the required accommodations. THE SOCIAL SETTLEMENT SCHOOL One of the new schools is that erected on the Western Heights of Elyria for the foreign children who are there quite largely represented ; HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 367 it is generally known as the Social Settlement School. The two-story building representing its many interesting features was erected by the county, but the kindergarten and night classes for the instruction of those too young or too old to pursue the regular day courses provided, are supported by the city board of education. ENROLLMENT OF PUPILS AND TEACHERS Altogether, the enrollment of pupils in the public school system of Elyria numbered about 3,000 late in 1915. Of that number some 600 were high school scholars, who were instructed by a corps of twenty-five teachers, and scattered among the other schools of the city were more than 100 instructors. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY Elyria is indebted for its public library to Charles A. 'Ely, a son of the judge, who was born May 2, 1829, and died September 30, 1864. His early life was spent in his native village, and he became a well known business man, mechanic and manufacturer. He was also a man of unusual mental gifts and high ideals. In 1850 Mr. Ely married Louisa C. Foot, of Cleveland, who was deeply interested in the library project and materially assisted her husband in its furtherance. A codicil to Mr. Ely 's will, added in 1857, contained a bequest which conveyed the site of the present library or Ely Block, with the building then standing upon it, to five trustees named in the instrument. The executor was also directed to pay $5,000 to them as a book fund for immediate use and $10,000 as a permanent fund, the income only of which was to be applied to library purposes. These provisions were carried into effect soon after Mr. Ely's death in 1864. The trustees named in the will were : Dr. Norton S. Townshend, He-man Ely, Harwood M. Redington, George Olmstead and Prof. James Monroe, the last named on the faculty of Oberlin College. As Mr. Monroe could not act, Hon. John C. Hale was appointed to fill the vacancy. The trustees immediately entered upon their work, the building was fitted for library purposes, 2,000 Volumes were purchased and on June 10, 1870, the public was admitted to its privileges. The event was celebrated at the courthouse, the exercises including addresses by Doctor Townshend and other trustees and leading citizens. A disastrous fire occurred on March 15, 1873, by which the building and library were virtually consumed. Only 375 of the 4,000 volumes then in the library were saved. There was a small insurance on the 368 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY building, which, with an additional sum, provided a rebuilding fund. Portions of the block were occupied in May, 1874, but the library was not reopened until July 25th following. It still occupies the second floor of the building and is well patronized. PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE Elyria enjoys adequate protection against fire both through its local department and its large municipal pumping station on Lake Erie, a few miles to the north, where its domestic supply of water is filtered and softened. Several of the large manufactories have also their special systems of protection against fire. Electric light and power are supplied by a private corporation, which, as will be seen by an article elsewhere published, has given Elyria considerable prominence in that field. Although the fire department of Elyria is comparatively small, it has a long history ; for in 1839 the villagers purchased a little hand engine and organized a volunteer company of thirty men under the name of the Aetna Fire Company No. 1. S. W. Baldwin was foreman. The foregoing was the entire department until 1850, when another hand engine was purchased and Phoenix Fire Company No. 2, also thirty men strong, was formed. Then a hook and ladder company was added, and soon after the fire of March, 1873, a steam fire engine was purchased from the famous factory at Seneca Falls. New York. Sufficient hose and two hose carts, with other auxiliaries of what was then considered modern, were also bought, under the stress of the fire panic, until the village authorities had expended $6,750. The first officers of the first fire engine were as follows: John T. Houghton, chief engineer ; John Hufner, assistant engineer ; Charles S. Bird, engineer ; John M. Tite, fireman. The foregoing are the main facts connected with the founding of the Elyria Fire Department. It now comprises three efficient companies with apparatus to meet all requirements. INCREASE IN ELYRIA 'S POPULATION From 1830 to about 1870 Elyria was chiefly known as the seat of justice of Lorain County and a town whose general trade with the surrounding country was large. It grew slowly, but substantially. Until 1860 no census of its population was taken apart from that of the township, but in that year the national enumerators gave it as 1,613. In 1850, the construction of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern (as the Junction Railroad) was commenced and, as completed, furnished Elyria with an east and west outlet, thus greatly expanding the field of HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 369 her actual activities and also her ambition. In 1866 was opened the line to Toledo, via Norwalk and Oberlin, and in 1872, the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railroad gave Elyria access both to Lake Erie and the Ohio River regions. By 1870, under the earlier railroad stimulus, the population of Elyria had increased to 3,038 and in 1880, to 4,777. In 1890 the figures were 5,611 : in 1900, 8,791 : in 1910, 14,825, and the estimate for 1916 is 17,000. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS Especially within the past twenty years has Elyria made great progress in everything which stands for the life of a typical American city. Its streets have been widened and paved ; a complete system of sanitary sewerage established, comprising thirty-five miles of sewers; municipal waterworks founded ; modern business blocks and handsome residences built ; a massive and elegant city hall erected, and a score of large industrial plants established. Many of the city churches have been erected during that period and others improved ; and it is doubtful whether there is any city of its size in the United States which has a more compete Young Men's Christian Association Building than the massive structure completed in Elyria in 1914. The beautiful memorial monument in the public park, erected to the soldiers and sailors of Elyria Township, was completed in the spring of 1888 at a cost of about $8,000. The contractors were Carabelli & Brogeini. of Cleveland, and the township trustees, under whose supervision the work was completed. Edwin C. Griswold, Levi Morse and Lewis D. Boynton. Elyria has the all-pervading atmosphere of home life and stability. In fact, there are few cities of its size in the middle West which have so small a. proportion of that undesirable element known as "the floating population." THE ELYRIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE One of the most influential of those institutions which has greatly contributed to the general advancement of the city is its Chamber of Commerce, its membership of over 600 representing practically every profession, trade, business and industry within the limits of the corporation. The Elyria Chamber of Commerce was chartered under the laws of Ohio on January 9, 1907. As stated by one of its founders: "A small Vol. I-24 370 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY body of men were infused with the idea that Elyria needed some organization which might serve as a clearing house for ideas and as a meeting ground for the business men of the city, where petty differences might be forgotten in zeal for the common interests and the city's welfare. The first record of its membership discloses 187 members." Under the plan of organization, the last five ex-presidents constitute an advisory board or committee, which meets with the directors, but has no voting power. The Board of Directors composed of fifteen members elected annually, is charged with the real administration of the Chamber. And acting under and in connection with the directors there are nine standing committees, composed of from five to nine members, through whom investigation are carried on, recommendations to the directors and the Chamber made, and interest in worthy projects aroused. The best idea of the general work of these committees can be gained from a brief reference to the work being done by a few of them. The Good Roads Committee has been ever alive to the need and demand for improved highways; has been in constant touch with the state and national organizations working toward that end ; and has, for the past few years, exerted an almost daily and ever effective influence upon the county and township officials within whose power it was to do anything for the improvement of the roads. It may be said fairly that the major share of the road improvements in Lorain County are due directly or indirectly to the interest and activity of the Good Roads Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 371 The Industrial Committee of the Chamber of Commerce investigates the merits of industries seeking to locate in Elyria and also seeks to induce desirable plants to establish themselves. Then there are the educational, the transportation and the civic improvement committees. The last named has been especially active in examining and exploiting the relative merits of the various municipal methods of sewage and garbage disposal. Any one who has in any way gained the idea that the Chamber stood primarily for money making need only consider the various organizations or institutions to which it has given and is now giving active support, to learn that such is not the fact. The Chamber was largely instrumental in the organization, and is still active in the support of the Elyria Memorial Hospital ; it was the real starting point of the campaign for the Young Men's Christian Association ; it was responsible for the organization of the Social Settlement Association ; it proposed and effected the organization of the Associated Charities ; while the Chamber in itself and through its members is giving principal support to every civic organization and charitable institution in the city. CIVIC IMPROVEMENT From one of the reports issued by the Chamber the following paragraphs are taken as fairly illustrative of the nature of the work accomplished by this progressive body of citizens : "The beauty of Elyria appeals to the aesthetic eye of the stranger who may come here to visit or with the idea of seeking a location for an industry. As soon as a favorable impression is made, the industrial value of Elyria is enhanced. "Special action has been taken in many individual cases in inducing property owners to clean up their premises. "Influence brought to bear on the telephone and lighting companies to remove all dead or unused poles and to use back lot lines of property owners, instead of the streets for the erection of poles, has brought a fair return, as manifested by the improved conditions. "An ordinance was drafted and submitted to the Council, making it a misdemeanor, subject to fine, to in any way damage, treat or remove any shade trees in the public parks or highways of Elyria. The ordinance as framed by the Chamber was passed by the Council and is now in full force and effect. "Active and continued protests against the smoke nuisance in this city has aroused the attention of the heavy coal users toward pre- 372 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY venting this nuisance and definite results are apparent. All such energy is contributing to the ultimate industrial benefit of Elyria. " Co-operation with the Home Garden Association in having lectures delivered has increased the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers. The floral display in the public park and the distribution of over 9,000 packets of seeds to school children has instilled a greater desire in the community to beautify Elyria. LEGISLATION "To determine the actual benefits derived from the efforts towards proper and effective legislation is not possible. Appeals have been made to our state and national senators and representatives to have them take, what the Chamber deemed proper action towards the enaction or defeat of pending legislation. " Compulsory education ; the employment of minors ; the liability of employers ; the proper disposition of the proceeds of the Dow liquor tax ; the prohibition of deception, misrepresentation and the use of false advertising and false pretenses in the procuring of employees to work in any department of labor are a few of the many subjects of legislation which have had the attention of the Chamber. MUNICIPAL SANITATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH " Various cities throughout the United States have been aroused by statistics which have revealed an alarming number of defects in the faculties of school children. The Elyria Board of Education, through the efforts of the Education Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, had the school children physically examined by a competent physician and plans are being formulated whereby visiting nurses from the Elyria Memorial Hospital may be secured to visit the schools and keep in touch with the children and thus prevent the disastrous results of contagious diseases and to find out where impoverished conditions exist among the school children. "How important this care and attention is, appeals to everyone who has any interest in the present and future welfare of our children and city. "Through the Education Committee a campaign of education along the lines of Municipal Sanitation and Public Health was inaugurated and this committee was successful in securing the services of Mr. Starr Cadwallader, superintendent of the Health Department of Cleveland, to deliver an address before our members upon the above subject. HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 373 Mr. Cadwallader treated the question of the proper disposal of waste, the treatment of sewerage, the importance of public collection of garbage ; also the question of the child and its care in the schools, explaining how the child learns by activity and not by absorption ; recommended organized group games and play for children under a competent play director. His treatment of the question of the care of milk and meat, together with the other subjects mentioned aroused an interest which has made the efforts of the Education Committee effective. " The problem of public playgrounds and the securing of suitable rooms for the young men of Elyria are engrossing the attention of the Education Committee. The character of plays and the question of fires in the electric theaters was investigated which resulted in the sending here of the State Inspector, whose visit contributed to improved conditions. "An appeal was made to the local Board of Health to investigate the condition in public laundries, with the view of preventing the transmission of disease through the contact of clothes." The present officers of the Elyria Chamber of Commerce are : Charles II. Savage, president ; E. J. Crisp, first vice president ; James A. Hewitt, second vice president ; C. W. Phillips, treasurer ; Robert H. Rice, secretary. CHAPTER XX CHURCHES, CHARITIES AND FRATERNITIES PIONEER RELIGIOUS BODIES-METHODISM IN ELYRIA-THE HEAD OF THE CIRCUIT-BECOMES A STATION-PERMANENT CHURCH BULDING—NEW PARSONAGE-PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED-BULDING OF THE PRESENT HOUSE OF WORSHIP-PRESENT STATUS OF THE CHURCH-THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH-THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH-ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH-ST. MARY 'S CHURCH AND PARISH-FIRST RESIDENT CATHOLIC PASTOR-DEATH OF REV. F. A. SULLIVAN—LONG PASTORATE OF REV. LOUIS MOLON-LESSON GIVEN TO A FUTURE PASTOR-DEATH OF FATHER SCHAFFIELD-ST. AGNES PARISH FORMED-ST. JOHN 'S GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH-OTHER CHURCHES-ELYRIA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL-GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS-THE W. N. GATES HOSPITAL-PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE HOSPITAL-ITS FOUNDING DESCRIBED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION-THE YOUNG WOMEN 'S C HRISTIAN ASSOCIATION-THE MASONS AND THEIR TEMPLE-THE MASONIC TEMPLE COMPANY-OTHER FRATERNITIES. The spirit of religion, charity and benevolence has been active and continuous in Elyria ever since it had a history. Like all communities founded essentially by New England men and women, its churches and schools were twin-births. Remembering that dominant note which ran through all of the pioneer settlements of the Western Reserve, and of most of the territory northwest of the Ohio River, it is one of the remarkable traits of American expansion that the dividing line between the administration of the schools and the churches should have been distinctly maintained by the western pioneers in obedience to the provisions of the National Constitution. PIONEER RELIGIOUS BODIES The Methodists, the Baptists, the Presbyterians and the Congregationalists first cultivated the local field of religion, substantially in the - 374 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 375 order named. The Methodist organization has waxed particularly strong with the passage of the years since it was formed and, with nearly a century behind it, the local church is still as zealous as it was in the days of its youth. The interesting paper which follows is by its pastor, Dr. Samuel L. Stewart. METHODISM IN ELYRIA By Samuel L. Stewart, D. D. Methodism began in these parts before there was any settlement of Elyria. In 1812 at the first meeting of the Ohio Conference a preacher, James McMahon by name, was appointed to this territory. In all Northeast Ohio there was no Methodist organization. Here and there were Methodists who had moved in from older settlements. But this preacher with his horse and saddlebags roamed over the territory, seeking out houses where he could preach and finding those whom he could organize into future churches. When the first preaching by Methodists was done in Elyria after its settlement in 1817 is impossible to determine. But in 1823 .a class of Methodists was organized in a little brown schoolhouse that once stood on what is now Cleveland Street by the pastor of the Black River Circuit, Rev. Zarah Coston. It consisted of eight persons of which Hiram Emmons was the first class leader. In 1826 with Henry 0. Sheldon as pastor meetings were held in the old frame courthouse, and here he organized a class with Lewis Ely as leader. These two classes were combined and in 1827 he organized the Methodist Episcopal Church of Elyria. In 1827 Shadrach Ruark was appointed to the Black River Circuit and the place of meeting was changed b the "yellow schoolhouse" that had just been built where now stands the city hall and interurban station. This continued to be the preaching place for several years. Then a Presbyterian Church bought the old courthouse and fitted it up for a "session house" and permitted the Methodists to occupy it for their preaching service on the Sabbath. In 1828, Russell Bigelow, perhaps the most wonderful orator of Western Methodist, became the presiding elder of the Portland (now Sandusky) District of which Elyria was a part. FIRST METHODIST PARSONAGE ON THE WESTERN RESERVE In 1829, Cyrus S. Carpenter and H. Colclazer were the preachers on Black River Circuit. At the first quarterly conference of this year a resolution was adopted declaring that "Seeing that the married preachers who are sent to this circuit suffer many inconveniences and find it 376 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY very inconvenient to procure suitable houses for their families, therefore, a committee shall be appointed which shall select a suitable site and adopt such measures as shall be necessary to secure the place." This committee having selected Elyria, a subscription was started and on August 20, 1831, the deed was acknowledged to the plot of ground where now stands the present parsonage. This was the first parsonage property of the Methodist Church on the Western Reserve and is now the oldest parsonage property of any Protestant church in Northern Ohio. The house was soon built and so from that time there has been a Methodist preacher living almost continuously on that spot. THE HEAD OF THE CIRCUIT In 1831, Elyria was recognized as the head of the circuit and the name of Black River disappears from the minutes. On December 8, 1832, the first Sunday School was organized in connection with the church. In 1837, Elyria was made a station with one hundred members. The "Yellow School house" proving too small, steps were now taken to secure a church building. It was thought wise to erect only a temporary structure and defray the erection of a larger and more permanent edifice until later. Accordingly in March of 1838 a lease was drawn up for town lot 159 on East Second Street signed by the trustees and Mr. Heman Ely. The house built here was of boards, 38x40 feet in size. It was covered with clapboards, three windows on a side, two doors in front and pulpit at the opposite end. Its entire cost was about $700. BECOMES A STATION When the North Ohio Conference was organized at Norwalk in 1840, Elyria Station was again merged into the circuit and two preachers were appointed. But in 1843 Elyria again became a station in which manner it continued until this day. It reported to the conference of 1844, 110 members. PERMANENT CHURCH BUILDING The lease on the lot expiring in 1848 a meeting of the membership was called to decide on building a substantial church. A motion was adopted to proceed at once to build a church, under the direction of an architect. The lot was purchased and the building, a brick structure, 40x70 was erected. It is now used by the Disciple Church. The estimated cost was $4,000 and the total expense was not much over that sum. HISTORY OP LORAIN COUNTY - 377 This church was dedicated on January 29, 1851, by the Rev. Edward Thompson, afterwards bishop, then president of the Ohio Wesleyan University. At this time the church had 110 members, Sunday school scholars, 80, officers and teachers, 10. From this time the church made more rapid growth. In 1852, there were reported 143 full members, 25 probationers, 130 Sunday school scholars and 11 teachers. In 1859 the membership reached 175 full members, 30 probationers, 178 Sunday school scholars and 28 teachers. In 1861 there were reported 196 full members, 216 Sunday school scholars, 27 officers and teachers. In 1867 there were 225 full members, 18 probationers, 265 in Sunday school with 30 officers and teachers with 550 books in library. NEW PARSONAGE June, 1869, at a meeting of the board it was decided that the old parsonage should be sold and a new one built. It was decided to dispose of the old house and the south part of the lot and to build a new house on the remaining portion of the lot. A committee consisting of William Bennington, Levi Morse and J. W. Adams was appointed to complete the sale. Then S. W. Baldwin, Win. Snearer and J. W. Adams were made a building committee and instructed to build such a house as in their judgment was needed. At a meeting in March the committee reported to the board that they had contracted with Joseph McMahon to build the house complete for $2,500. About the first week in October the enterprise was completed, and at a meeting of the board dated October 12, 1870, a vote of thanks was tendered the building committee for their efficient services. PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED The pastors of this charge from its beginning to 1870 are as follows: 1812, Trumbull Circuit, James McMahon ; 1813, New Connecticut, John Colomon and Oliver Carver; 1814, New Connecticut, James McMahon and Lemuel Lane ; 1815, Grand River, Samuel Brown ; 1816, Grand River, Henry Baker; 1817, Huron Circuit, John Brooke ; 1818, Huron Circuit, William Westlake; 1819 and 1820, Huron Circuit, Dennis Goddard ; 1821, Huron Circuit, Philip Green ; 1822, Nathan Walker and John Walker ; 1823, Black River Circuit, Zarah Coston (organization of class at Elyria) ; 1824, Black River Circuit, James Taylor—James McMahon, presiding elder; 1825, Black River Circuit, Elijah H. Field ; 1826, Black River Circuit, Harry O. Sheldon (organization Elyria 378 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY Church) ; 1827-1828, Black River Circuit, Shadrach Ruark ; 1829, Cyrus S. Carpenter, H. Colchester (parsonage project started) ; 1830, Cyrus Carpenter and E. C. Gavitt (parsonage completed) ; 1831, Elyria Circuit, Wm. Runnells, George Elliott ; 1832, Wm. Runnells and J. Kinnear (Sunday school organized) ; 1833, A. Billings, J. Brewster; 1834, A. Billings, J. Wilkinson ; 1835, J. Wheeler, Thomas Barkdull ; 1836, Elyria Circuit, in Norwalk District, became part of the Michigan Conference, with Samuel M. Allen and Jonothan Hudson, preachers; 1837, Elyria Station, J. E. Chapin as preacher in charge ; 1838, John M. Goshorn (first temporary church built) ; 1839, James Brewster; 1840, Elyria merged in circuit at first session of North Ohio Conference, Joseph Jones, John Brookfield ; 1841, Cyrus Sawyer, Samuel Guyberson ; 1842, E. C. Gavitt, Peter Sharp ; 1843, Elyria Station, Wm. Runnells, reappointed in 1844; 1845-1846, Lorenzo Warner ; 1847-1848, William Disbro ; 1849, William C. Pierce (building Second Street Church) ; 1850, M. Rowley (dedication of church building) ; 1851, S. L. Yourtee ; 1852, W. D. God-man ; 1853, James M. Morrow ; 1854, Uri Richards; 1855-1856, M. D. Hard (Elyria in Cleveland District, 1855) ; 1857, Thomas Barkdull ; 1858, James A. Kellam; 1859-1860, C. H. Owens; 1861, W. B. Disbro ; 1862-1863, E. H. Bush ; 1864-1865-1866, G. H. Hartupee ; 1867, J. S. Broadwell ; and 1868-1869-1870, James A. Mudge (parsonage built). In 1871, J. W. Mendenhall became the pastor and remained for two years. He left the membership, 240, probationers, 20, Sunday school scholars, 173. Rev. A. J. Lyon came in 1873 and remained for three years. At the close of his pastorate there were 223 full members, 4 probationers, and 220 Sunday school scholars. His daughter then a young girl is now the wife of Bishop McDowell. BUILDING OF THE PRESENT HOUSE OF WORSHIP In 1876, Isaiah H. McConnell was appointed pastor and in his oldest son Frank, then a boy of six, the Elyria parsonage again held the future inhabitant of an episcopal residence. Doctor McConnell remained for three years which was then the limit of pastoral service. During this time the movement for the present church was inaugurated, most of the money subscribed and the contracts let. In the summer of 1878 about $12,000 having been subscribed mainly through the pastor's efforts, E. E. Myers of Detroit, who drew the plans for the courthouse then being built in Elyria, was employed to furnish plans for a church building the cost of which was not to exceed $15,000. But when the plans were completed and the work done it was found that the entire HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 379 cost of the building and furniture was $20,074. From the first subscription was collected $11,000. The sale of the old property on Second Street realized $3,300, while $5,774 was subscribed on the day of dedication. Doctor McConnell's term expired in September of 1879. On the last week of his pastorate the contract for the new building was signed. At this time there were 250 members of the church. W. G. Ward then became pastor and remained until after the dedication of the church which was on the 31st of January, 1881, Henry B. Ridgway, D. D., of Cincinnati having charge of the dedicatory services. There were then 288 full members, 18 probationers, 230 Sunday school scholars. T. C. Warner, known affectionately as "Tommy Warner," was pastor from 1881 to 1884. In 1884 the Rev. Francis S. Hoyt, D. D., became the presiding elder of the Cleveland District and C. H. Stocking was pastor at Elyria. He remained for two years and a half and was then transferred to another conference and J. S. Youmans filled the pulpit from May until Conference of 1887. E. 0. Buxton became pastor in 1887 and remained for two years when he was transferred to Franklin Avenue, Cleveland. In the fall of 1889 Fred A. Gould became pastor and remained for four years. This was the longest pastorate up to this time, the time limit only having been changed to five years in 18S8. During Doctor Gould's pastorate the parsonage was painted inside and out and the church was re-frescoed and re-carpeted. In the fall of 1892 the North Ohio Conference met in this church with Bishop John P. Newman presiding. The conference had previously been held here in 1857 and in 1865. At the close of his pastorate Doctor Gould reported 408 members. He was followed in 1893 by G. A. Reeder who is the first pastor to have stayed five years. During his pastorate gracious revivals were held each year, one lasting for ten weeks and having many over 100 profess conversion. In 1898 he was removed by the time limit. He left behind him 475 full members and 17 probationers, a Sunday school with 400 members and an average attendance of 240. In 1898 W. C. Endly came from Mt. Vernon where he had spent his full five years. He also remained in Elyria for five years. During his pastorate the parsonage porch was built and many minor repairs made on both church and parsonage. The membership grew until at the close of his pastorate in 1903, 610 members were reported. The Sunday school now had an enrolment of 375 and an average attendance of 245. In 1903 William C. Dawson, D. D., was appointed by Bishop McCabe. Although his health was failing and the illness which led to his death was upon him his four years of pastorate were marked by real prosperity to the charge. His last Sunday was made memorable by the 380 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY reception of a class of thirty probationers into full membership. During his pastorate the subscription was begun for the new Sunday school room. Doctor Dawson died October 24, 1907. Rev. Thomas Wallis Grose was appointed to Elyria at the conference of 1907 from Wellington where he had completed a five year pastorate. At once the improvement of the church was begun. The auditorium was given new windows which greatly increased the light of the church in daytime and new electric fixtures were installed. The auditorium was re-frescoed, carpeted and painted. A new Sunday school department was erected, one of the largest and most convenient in the Conference. A fine basement was provided for dining room, kitchen and parlors. The cost of this improvement was about $25,000. The service of dedication was conducted by Bishop Moore, April 4, 1909. In September of 1909 the North Ohio Conference met in the Elyria Church, Bishop William F. Anderson presiding. The special features were the scholarly and interesting addresses by Prof. Camden M. Coburn of Allegheny College. In September, 1911, Doctor Grose was transferred to First Church, Mansfield. The Rev. Samuel L. Stewart, having completed a six years' pastorate at First Church, Mansfield, was appointed to Elyria at the Conference held in First Church, Mansfield, by Bishop Bristol, September 18, 1911. He preached his first sermon September 24, 1912. PRESENT STATUS OF THE CHURCH Before his family arrived the board had decided to rebuild the parsonage. A temporary home was found for the family and the work was given into the hands of a committee consisting of George H. Chamberlain, R. P. Vaughn, Jenkins Edwards, C. H. Snow, Henry Theman, Charles H. Jackson and William Biggs. Jenkins Edwards was given general oversight of the work. The entire cost of improvement was $4,734.00 and the pastor and his family occupied their new home on February 2, 1912. The membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Elyria in 1915 was about 800 members, and the Sunday school enrolment 710. with an additional 140 credited to the home department and cradle roll. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The First Congregational Church of Elyria was organized under the famous "plan of union'' between the Congregationalists and the Presbyterians, under which the internal affairs of the church were HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 381 regulated by Congregational usages but the church was under the care of the Presbytery, and the ministers belonged to the Presbytery. Soon after 1850 the Congregational churches organized on this plan throughout the West began to sever their connection with the Presbyteries, the church in Elyria doing so some time after 1860. The Congregationalists of Elyria organized in 1824, and have maintained a society ever since. For many years it has been one of the strongest religious bodies in Elyria and has one of the most beautiful homes for worship and for communion in numerous works of charity and benevolence. Through the years during which the church has grown from a small membership to one of nearly 600, the following pastors have served : Daniel W. Lathrop, 1825-30; Rev. John J. Shipherd (founder of Oberlin College), 1831-32 ; Rev. James H. Eells, 1834-36; Rev. Lewis H. Loss, 1837-41 ; Rev. David A. Grosvenor, 1843-52; Rev. Timothy M. Hopkins, 1852-54 ; Rev. Francis A. Wilber, 1855-66 ; Rev. Fergus L. Kenyon, 1867-70 ; Rev. Edwin E. Williams, 1873-96 ; Rev. William E. Cadmus, 1897-1908, and Rev. John H. Grant, 1908, to the present time (1916). The massive building now occupied by the First Congregational Church was edicated in 1900; it has had two predecessors, erected in 1834 and 1848, respectively. The executive body of the society comprises the following: William H. Searles, church clerk ; Ralph B. Fay, parish treasurer ;. George M. Day. church (benevolence) treasurer ; Mrs. M. D. Chapman, assistant treasurer and church visitor ; Cora M. Walton, church secretary. Its present membership is 572 and the church property is valued at $85,000. From the Dedication Souvenir of the First Congregational Church, issued in 1900, it is evident that the Elyria organization was a pioneer of its kind in the Western Reserve. At the time of the first settlement in Elyria in 1817, no Congregational or Presbyterian churches, with one or two exceptions, had been founded in that part of the reserve lying west of the Cuyahoga River. For more than seven years missionaries of the Connecticut Missionary Society ministered to the little company at Elyria. On the 30th of October, 1822, a church was organized in the adjoining Township of Carlisle, consisting of seven members, six of whom, and one who had been admitted, subsequently united with the church. A consolidation of these two religious bodies was effected November 25, 1824, under the name of the Presbyterian Church in Elyria. The union of the two churches continued until August 3, 1833, when the Carlisle members withdrew and resumed their original organization. The copy of the records of this church, commencing November 25, 382 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY 1824, and of the church at Carlisle, commencing October 29, 1822, cease with the meeting of September 4, 1880. It is a monument to the painstaking devotion of Heman Ely, and only ceased when his health would no longer sustain him in such labors. SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH A Second Congregational Church was organized in 1897, and erected its house of worship on the west side. This now has a membership of 204 and numbers 300 families among its constituency. Its pastor is Rev. Alfred J. Barnard, its clerk John E. Hecock, treasurer. M. D. Miller, superintendent of Sunday school, E. J. Taylor, and the value of its church property, $12,000. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Toward the last of June, 1836, Rev. Daniel C. Wait, who had but recently graduated at Hamilton, New York, came West in search of a field for gospel labor. Arriving at Cleveland, he consulted with Rev. Levi Tucker and was directed to Elyria. In July following he visited the village and was allowed the use of the court room for a meeting of his co-religionists. After several rather encouraging gatherings had been held in the courthouse, Mr. Wait's enterprise shifted to the old yellow schoolhouse, then standing on the west side of the public square. On the 26th of November, 1836, the following united to form the First Baptist Church of Elyria : Luther Hartson, Sr., Luther Hartson, Jr., Mrs. Mercy Brooks, Miss Margaret Wright, and Lucius and Sally Andress. Mr. Wait continued as pastor until June, 1837, and during the succeeding three months the pulpit was unoccupied. Rev. Mr. Hillis assumed the pastorate in September of that year and during the following winter steps were taken which led to the building of the first church edifice in 1839. Mr. Hillis had, however, resigned in the spring of 1838, and in June of that year been succeeded by Rev. Silas Tucker. Succeeding Mr. Tucker, from November, 1840, until the fall of 1915, were the following: Rev. Joseph Elliott, November, 1840, to March, 1843; Rev. H. Silliman, October, 1843, to March, 1845; Rev. David Bernard, October, 1845, to February, 1846; Rev. Daniel Eldred, March, 1847, to June, 1849; Rev. N. S. Burton, September, 1850, to July, 1853; Rev. Lewis Ransted, July, 1853, to June, 1854; Rev. Amasa Heath, March, 1855, to May, 1857; Rev. I. W. Hayhurst, June, 1857, to February, 1867; Rev. George E. Leonard, October, 1861, to March, 1866; Rev. H. H. Bawden, September, 1866, to February, 1874; Rev. M. L. HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 383 Bickford, April, 1874, to April, 1876 ; Rev. W. A. DePue, April, 1877, to December, 1878 ; Rev. J. Cyrus Thorns, September, 1885, to May, 1888 ; Rev. W. A. Spinney, October, 1888, to April, 1892 ; Rev. E. E. Knapp, August, 1893, to April, 1902 ; Rev. George W. Johnson, June, 1902, to November, 1915 (pastor at that date). The edifice now occupied by the First Baptist Church was completed in 1884. The membership is 400. L. E. Sutliff is clerk and F. I. Hubbard, treasurer of the church. ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH St. Andrew's Church was organized in the year 1837 and the Rev. Anson Clark was the first rector of the parish. The services were then held in the courthouse, a modest brick structure then standing where the present beautiful stone building stands. In 1840 the parish erected a. church building, a small frame structure, on Cheapside. During the early years of St. Andrew 's the trials were many and for several years after the departure of Mr. Clark the church was practically closed. It was not until the coming of Rev. B. T. Noakes, D. D., in 1857 that a real revival in interest took place. Many were added to the church by baptism and confirmation. A new rectory was purchased and old and standing prejudices were allayed. The Civil war, of course, brought reverses and discouragements in the church's life. Often the church was without a resident rector because of the absence of the rector as chaplain in the army and because of sickness. In 1870 Doctor Noakes again assumed the rectorate of the parish and from that time on there has been steady advance. It was during these years and under the direction of Doctor Noakes that the present beautiful church and rectory were built. There have been seventeen rectors during these eighty years of history. The present rector, Edwin B. Redhead, accepted the rectorship of the parish September 1, 1913. W. J. Tasman is lay reader of St. Andrew's and H. J. Eady and S. S. Rockwood, wardens. Over 350 communicants are on the parish register and the Sunday school has a membership of 100. ST. MARY'S CHURCH AND PARISH Catholic immigrants from Ireland and Germany began to settle in Elyria and the immediate country around it about the year 1845. Previous to that time any Catholic living in Elyria had to go to Avon, or French Creek, or LaPorte for religious services. In 1845 Bishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, made an episcopal visitation of churches and missions in Northern Ohio, for at that time there was only one bishop for all 384 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY Ohio and the diocese of Cleveland, to which Elyria now belongs, was not erected until April 23, 1847. This tour of the saintly and eloquent prelate is especially remarkable and worthy of memory for the Catholics of Elyria and Lorain County, for it was on this occasion that L. C. Boynton, deputy sheriff of Lorain County, invited the bishop to deliver a lecture in the courthouse on any subject he might think most fitting. So pleased were the non-Catholics with this discourse that he was asked to give them the pleasure of hearing him in the Baptist Church of Elyria. This discourse was also received with interest. There were at that time not twenty Catholic households in Elyria and the adjacent country, and Bishop Purcell, having comparatively few priests for his large territory, made arrangements to have mass said in Elyria once a month on week-days. He accordingly directed the Rev. Peter McLaughlin of Cleveland, to perform the good office for the people and to minister as best he could to their spiritual wants. Father McLaughlin thus acted as pastor of Elyria for about one year, when the bishop appointed the Rev. Maurice Howard, who continued to visit Elyria till 1849. From 1849 to 1851 Father DeGoesbriand, vicar general of the Diocese of Cleveland, and afterward bishop of Burlington, Vermont, attended to the Catholics of Elyria, coming regularly from Cleveland. Then for two years the Rev. William O'Connor and the Rev. Jacob Ringeli, a priest of the Congregation of the Precious Blood, made their customary visits to Elyria in the performance of their priestly duties. Up to this time, Elyria was, in church language only a "station." It had not even the dignity of a ." mission," for a " mission" is a congregation with a church, but having no resident pastor, whereas a "station" is a community of Catholics without a resident priest and without a church, who are visited by a priest at stated intervals and hold services in private houses. We can readily understand why Elyria should thus remain so long a "station," if we consider the relatively small number of Catholics living in it and the scarcity of priests. When Bishop Rappe came to Cleveland as its first bishop, in October, 1847, Father Maurice Howard was the only priest stationed in Cleveland, and Elyria was only one of many places in Northern Ohio to which he had to give priestly attention. FIRST RESIDENT CATHOLIC PASTOR The first resident pastor of Elyria was the Rev. Michael Healy, appointed by Bishop Rappe in May, 1853. One year after his appointment he purchased a site on the southwest corner of Middle Avenue and HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 385 Fourth Street in exchange for a property which the Catholics of Elyria had previously secured near the corner where now stands the beautiful Congregational Church. Father Healy at once proceeded to erect a frame church on the new site, and in the summer of 1854 the modest little structure was ready for use and mass was no longer said in private houses. In February, 1859, Father Healy was transferred to the pastorate of St. Mary's Church, Tiffin, Ohio, in which charge he remained for more than forty years, until his death. He was succeeded in Elyria by the Rev. Robert A. Sidley. During his incumbency Father Sidley enlarged the church, because of the growth of the congregation, and built a pastoral residence on the lot next to the church on Middle Avenue. This house built in 1859, at different times enlarged and remodeled, remains today in the old place. Previous to the erection of the parish-house, the pastor of Elyria lived in a rented house on the east side of West Avenue, two doors south of Fourth Street. This house which served as the home of the first pastors of Elyria, was afterward moved to West River Street, where it stands today bearing the street number 117. It was Father Sidley who founded St. Mary's School, which had its humble beginning in a room in the rear of the enlarged church. This room he equipped as a classroom and confided to the care of a lay teacher. The pastorate of Father Sidley in Elyria had lasted a little more than four years, when in April of 1863 he was promoted by Bishop Rappe to the pastoral charge of the English speaking congregation at Sandusky. The removal of Father Sidley was much regretted by the people of Elyria who had come to look upon him not only as a good hard working priest, but also as a very worthy and helpful citizen whose presence was a valuable asset to the community. DEATH OF REV. F. A. SULLIVAN In July, 1863, the Rev. Francis A. Sullivan succeeded Father Sidley as pastor of St. Mary's with charge of Vermillion as a mission, but his pastorate lasted little more than half a year. He gave the little strength he had to his work, being a victim of tuberculosis, and to the ravages of this disease he succumbed on February 3, 1864. He was born in Ireland, August 2, 1837 ; so at the time of his death, he was only twenty-seven years of age. He began his studies for the priesthood in the Cleveland Seminary, but at the request of Bishop Rappe he spent the last three years in the Sulpitian Seminary at Paris. He was ordained in Cleveland on the 2d of December, 1860, being on his ordination day twenty-three years and four months old. The bishop then placed him Vol. I-25 386 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY as professor of philosophy in the seminary. Thinking that it might benefit his health, he later appointed him to Elyria. But nothing could stay the progress of the disease. At the close of the obsequies his body was buried in a vault beneath the church. After the death of Father Sullivan, Bishop Rappe could not see his way to fill the pastorate of Elyria, immediately. He therefore arranged with the clergy of his episcopal city and later with the Rev. T. F. Halley of Norwalk to say mass in St. Mary's Church and to visit the people as occasion demanded. This interregnum continued until February, 1865, when the Rev. Charles Griss was transferred from Perrysburg, Ohio, to Elyria. From boyhood days Father Griss was passionately fond of music, and as a priest he became noted for his love of the sacred chant and his attention to the choir. This joined to the desire to some parishoners who had, before coming to Elyria, been used to the sonorous tones of a pipe-organ in more pretentious churches, was responsible for an elaborate social in the summer of 1865. The proceeds of the social were to go towards the purchase of a new organ. There are some living in this parish today who remember this festival of fifty years ago ; who took active part in its preparation ; who, to save expenses, got all things ready themselves, and who will insist to this day that they were not morally accountable for the mixing of salt with the ice cream. The financial result of the social would be notable enough in our day of greater numbers and fatter purses, but was simply marvelous in those pioneer days. The proceeds netted a sum a little short of $400. LONG PASTORATE OF REV. LOUIS MOLON After receiving the proceeds of the social, Father Griss thought the money might be more fittingly spent for the purchase of new property for church purposes, and the acquisition of a new organ postponed to some future date. In September of 1865, after a short but busy pastorate of seven months, Father Griss left Elyria for his former charge at Perrysburg, which had remained without a regularly appointed pastor since his removal from there the preceding February. He was immediately succeeded in Elyria by the Rev. Louis Molon, who was destined to remain longer as pastor of St. Mary's than any of his predecessors. He was an active and edifying pastor, and during the fifteen years of his incumbency saw a remarkable growth in the number of Catholics in Elyria. This growth of the parish necessitated again the enlarging of the church building and provision for more school room. So under Father Molon's direction the church was made three times its HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 387 original size, measuring after the latest addition, 110 feet in length. Pursuant to the designs of his predecessor, he purchased in 1867, from Jacob Waldeck, the two large lots situated on the northeast corner of Middle Avenue and Fourth Street, diagonally opposite the church, and on this property he moved the old town hall and converted it into a school. Father Molon bought also a bell, which he caused to be placed in the little tower of the enlarged church, and a pipe-organ which was afterward moved to the new church and, with some alterations and additions, does service today. After having given his best to his parish, Father Molon was incapacitated for further work by a stroke of paralysis in the month of March, 1880. He lingered on for several months, able often to move about slowly, but incapable of performing priestly functions. He lived with his successor, assisted at mass frequently, and piously prepared for the end which he knew must be near. On the 16th of November, 1880, he breathed his last. Every available space in the church was filled at his funeral, and during the obsequies the overcrowded gallery gave way, the columns supporting it sinking through the floor. But, after sagging slightly, the gallery seemed to remain as firm in its new position as before. Bishop Gilmour, who presided at the funeral service, ordered the people to leave the organ loft.. Thus this incident, which could so easily have been attended by serious consequences, passed without injury or commotion. The bishop, taking his place by the coffin, preached the funeral sermon, dwelling on the scripture words, "I shall search Jerusalem with lamps." The remains of the dead priest were placed next those of Father Sullivan beneath the floor of the church he had served so well. Their bodies were laid to rest, not under the altar, but under the body of the church on the epistle side, and tablets inscribed to their memory were placed on the wall. BUILDING OF THE PERMANENT CHURCH Father Schaffeld had been ten years pastor of Hubbard, Ohio, when on May 13, 1880, he was appointed by Bishop Gilmour to fill the place left vacant by the sickness of Father Molon. With the energy that characterized him throughout life, he at once began his preparations for the building of a permanent church on the site bought by his predecessors in 1867. On Sunday afternoon, July 22, 1883, the cornerstone of the edifice was laid by Bishop Gilmour. A large concourse of people witnessed the ceremony. The Lake Shore Railroad brought a train of nineteen cars filled with people from Cleveland. Father Thorpe of Cleveland, afterwards Monsignor, preached the sermon in English and Father 388 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY Westerholt, pastor of St. Peter's Church, Cleveland, followed him with a sermon in German. LESSON GIVEN TO A FUTURE PASTOR The day of the blessing of the cornerstone happened to coincide with the birthday of the seventh pastor of Elyria, and his present that day was the privilege of accompanying his father from Cleveland to the ceremony. In the midst of the crowd he stood (that day) a thirteen-year-old boy with his father before the church, right in the middle of Middle Avenue. Father Thorpe's sermon, though eloquent and worthy of the occasion, could hardly be called short, and when Father Westerhold arose and began to preach in German, many began to break away from the audience. The future pastor of Elyria manifested such a want of spirituality that he began to follow suit. But he had made no more than two or three steps when his father pulled him back and made him stand piously in the hot sun all through the German sermon, telling him that people ought to have better manners than to run away when a priest begins to speak, whether they understand him or not. So the boy that was to be pastor of Elyria learned a lesson in manners, but from that day on he could never bring himself to like German sermons. The church was dedicated on Sunday, June 13, 1886, by the same prelate who had officiated at the laying of the cornerstone. Thus it was fully three years from the time work was begun oil the new church till the day of its dedication. CHURCH BUILDINGS AS THEY STAND St. Mary's Church, as it stands today facing Middle Avenue, is a beautiful brick structure 126 feet long, 50 feet wide, with a transept of 62 feet. The records of the parish show that the church cost about $35,000 and that of this sum only $5,000 remained as a debt on the day of the dedication. A short time after the opening of the new church the old church was turned into a school and the old town hall, which had served as a school for many years and which stood on the site of the present parsonage, was torn down. The school was in charge of lay teachers from its foundation by Nathan Sidley in 1859 to the fall of 1886, when Father Schaffeld secured the services of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cleveland. The teachers of this order were succeeded in the conduct of the school by the Sisters of Notre Dame of Cleveland, in September, 1897. The growth and condition of the parish now demanded a larger and HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 389 more modern school building and, with this purpose in view, Father Schaffeld purchased lots in the rear of the church from Jacob Waldeck and William Smith. The present imposing school, a large and commodious brick structure facing Fourth Street east of the church, was built in 1901, Philip Myers, a member of the parish, being the contractor. It cost $18,550 exclusive of plumbing, heating and lighting. Then the old building which had served so long as church and school, and which had become because of associations so dear to the Catholics of Elyria, was sold and taken away, and the remains of the dead pastors, Fathers Sullivan and Molon, were moved to the priests' lot in St. Mary's Cemetery. Edward Smallwood, a member of the parish, a. little later, purchased the old church property and built there a large residence beside the old parsonage. The present priest's house was built under the supervision of Father Schaffeld by John Kaiser, also a member of the parish, at the same time that the school was in process of construction. It is a large thirteen room house built for the accommodation of two priests—pastor and assistant. The last edifice to be erected in the group of parish buildings was the Sisters' House or Convent, built by Contractor John Halpin, in 1907. It is situated on Fourth Street, stands on the lot adjoining the school property, and is of an excellent quality of pressed brick. In 1915 there were ten teachers attached to the school with an enrolment of 410 pupils. The 13th of June of that year was the date of the first graduation from St. Mary's High School, a department which had been added to the school curriculum in September, 1912, consisting of a course of three years after the eighth grade. The exercises took place in the church at 7.30 P. M., the Knights of St. John in uniform acting as escorts to the twelve graduates. DEATH OF FATHER SCHAFFELD A life full of labors and merits ended at half after six on the morning of June 7, 1911, when Father Schaffeld, after forty-one years in the priesthood and thirty-one years in the pastorate of Elyria, breathed forth his soul into the hands of his Maker. He had been in failing health for a long time before the end came, but continued to attend to his pastoral duties almost to the very last. The announcement book shows that he had written out the publications for Sunday, May 28th, the second last Sunday before his death. He died on Wednesday, in the parochial residence, and on the following Sunday afternoon his remains were brought to the church and there lay in state until after the funeral. The obsequies of thc dead pastor on Monday morning, June 390 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY 12th, were attended by Bishop Farrelly of Cleveland and many priests. The ministers of the various churches of the city assisted in a body. Father James Hefferman, formerly an assistant to Father Schaffeld, preached the eulogy. On a monument in the burial lot of the clergy at St. Mary's Cemetery and these few words and figures: "Rev. John T. Schaffeld; Born Oct. 16, 1837; Died June 7, 1911; Pastor of St. Mary 's Church, Elyria, Ohio ; Miserere mei, Deus." After the death of Father Schaffeld, the Rev. Edward F. Burke was at once appointed by Bishop Farrelly to act as administrator of the parish until such time as a pastor could be formally chosen. He remained for three months, and though he knew that his stay in Elyria would be short, he labored with all the zeal and earnestness that might be expected of one who had a formal pastoral appointment. On September 20, 1911, he was appointed assistant at St. John's Cathedral, Cleveland, and the Rev. Jas. B. Mooney was transferred from St. Mary's Church, Conneaut, Ohio, to the pastorate of St. Mary's of Elyria. Father Mooney still holds this office, being St. Mary's seventh pastor. ST. AGNES PARISH FORMED For some time the church had been too small for the accommodation of the growing parish, and that fact, with the consideration of the extensive territory within its limits, moved Bishop Farrelly to erect another parish on the west side in Elyria. This he did on the 17th of June, 1914, placing the new parish under the name and patronage of St. Agnes, and appointing the Rev. Jas. A. McFadden, assistant at St. Agnes' Church, Cleveland, to be its first pastor. St. Agnes Parish, Elyria, takes from the original St. Mary 's all that territory at the same time north of the Lake Shore tracks and west of the west branch of Black River. It had at its formation approximately 200 families, leaving between 400 and 500 families still within the limits of the old parish. The following priests in the order named served as assistants at St. Mary's : The Revs. James Hefferman, Peter E. Dietz, Albert Kishier, John T. Ruffing and M. V. Halter. ST. JOHN'S GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH This was organized in the late '60s by Daniel Haag, Louis Haserodt, Edward Beese, John Duchtler, J. G. Boehm, Henry Rembach and Ernest Schmittgen. The first church building was dedicated in March, 1868. but for some time before that date services had been held in the Presbyterian chapel, courthouse and other places. Among the early pastors HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 391 of St. John's were Revs. H. Juengel, A. Heitmueller, H. W. Lothmann, C. C. Schmidt and J. A. Schmidt. The edifice now occupied as a church home was erected in 1889. Rev. J. A. Schmidt is still in charge of the society, which is a leader in many good local works. ST. PAUL'S UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH The United Evangelical Church (St. Paul's), of which Rev. G. W. Krause is pastor, was founded about 1870, and among his predecessors were Revs. P. Scheliha, J. C. Seybold, G. Schoettle, C. Spathelf, C. W. Locher, Sr., C. W. Locher, Jr., C. C. Gebauer, E. Bettex and N. Lehmann. The present membership of the church is 350. ELYRIA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL A tragedy in the City of Elyria, occurring on Memorial Day of I907, in the shape of a street railway disaster, in which lives were lost and many injured, gave and formulated the definite impulse to the founding of the Elyria Memorial Hospital, which takes its name from that occasion, and which is dedicated to the high ideal of caring for and affording medical or surgical treatment to the sick, injured or disabled persons residing in Elyria or Lorain County. As an institution, it represents the liberal contributions and support of the people of the city and county, rich and poor, and of every station in life, and as. such a project is to relieve suffering and save lives without distinction as to race, nationality, color, sex or religious convictions, neither directly nor indirectly is its management under the control of any religious or sectarian bodies, nor of any particular school of medicine or treatment. Certainly one of the best of the many distinctions connected with this institution is the broad and liberal basis on which it was founded and has been maintained. For several years prior to 1907 a private hospital had been maintained in Elyria, assisted by limited contributions from individuals. In May, 1907, a short time before the tragic accident above mentioned, a movement had been started to organize a hospital association with the co-operation of the Elyria Chamber of Commerce. The plans were hastened in their fruition by the emergency created by the street railway disaster, and the entire community was aroused to the need for adequate hospital facilities. The Elyria Chamber of Commerce took the general supervision of the campaign which in three months netted over $80,000 in popular subscription, to which was added the sum of $25,000 donated HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 393 by the city government in annual payments of $5,000, which was to be applied to the maintenance account. In June, 1907, the Elyria Memorial Hospital Company was organized and incorporated under the laws of Ohio. This company owns and controls all funds and property and is directly responsible for the conduct and management of the institution. The company comprises fifty persons, of whom forty must be residents of Lorain County. Twenty-five of these were originally chosen by the members of the hospital association, and these in turn selected fifteen others. The remaining ten comprised the five members of the advisory board of physicians elected by the physicians' committee of the association, and five who are members of the company by virtue of their official positions, including the mayor of Elyria, the chairman of the commissioners of Lorain County, the senior judge of the Court of Common Pleas, the president of the hospital association and the president of the hospital auxiliary. The active management of the company is vested in a. board of trustees, nine in number, three being elected each year by members of the corporation. GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS During 1907 the company had secured a tract of about three acres of ground on East River Street, and the first real work on the building was begun October 17th of that year, the cornerstone being laid in the following November. The doors of the institution were opened for the reception of patients on October 30, 1908. The main hospital building completed in that year is of modern design and equipment, of the colonial style of architecture, built of red pressed brick and sandstone, with the floors of re-enforced concrete and the entire structure fireproof. Its westerly frontage is 175 feet and its depth is 55 feet. During the first year 408 people were treated as patients of the hospital, and since then the growth and service of the institution have been steady and uniform. During the first year the average daily number of patients cared for was eighteen ; an average number of twenty-two in the second year ; twenty-seven in the third year ; thirty-two in the fourth year ; thirty-seven in the fifth year ; forty-one in the sixth year, and forty-six in the seventh year, which closed in November, 1915. The first important addition to the hospital buildings was the erection of a Nurses' Home, which was begun in the fall of 1910 and was dedicated in the fall of 1911. The quarters formerly occupied by the nurses in the main hospital were then taken to enlarge the facilities of that institution. The first important addition of land was the purchase of about two 394 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY acres adjoining the old tract in the spring of 1914, while about a year later the company secured another strip of land, making a total of practically eight acres in the heart of the city, with an ideal location. THE W. N. GATES HOSPITAL The most recent addition to the buildings and service of this magnificent institution was the opening of the W. N. Gates Hospital for sick, crippled and deformed. children, in the spring of 1915. After the death of her husband, William N. Gates, who had been one of the original trustees of the hospital company, Mrs. Gates donated as a memorial to her husband the entire amount of money necessary for the erection of the building. The site and necessary improvements were furnished by the hospital company, and the cost of equipment was contributed by relatives and friends of Mr. Gates and by the school children of Elyria. This institution is under the management of the Elyria Memorial Hospital Company and is maintained especially for the care of the children of Lorain County. It has been found necessary to emphasize the fact that the Gates Hospital is not an orphan asylum, and only those children are received who need such care and medical or surgical attention as the institution is designed to give. PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE HOSPITAL The future plans of the hospital company contemplate the erection of two more buildings, one of them a combined power house and laundry,, and the other a maternity home. It is noteworthy that the first officers of the Elyria Memorial Hospital Company are still in active service and have been retained year after year in the executive management. The officers are : Judge 'V. W. Boynton, president ; F. A. Smythe, vice president ; E. F. Allen, treasurer ; and Charles E. Tucker, secretary. The original board of trustees under whom the hospital was opened in 1908 were : W. W. Boynton, W. N. Gates, E. F. Allen, A. L. Garford, F. A. Smythe, Albert Kistner, George D. Nicholas, Sr., T. T. Robinson and J. P. Sala. At the present time the trustees, in addition to the president, vice president and treasurer, are : T. T. Robinson, George D. Nicholas, A. L. Garford. W. S. Miller, L. B. Fauver. As the Memorial Hospital is in the best sense of the word a great philanthropy, it requires support from other sources than the receipts from pay patients and other income. One of the organizations which have been formed to aid and assist the company in maintaining the HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 395 hospital and extending its charitable work has been the Elyria Memorial Hospital Association, this being a men's organization, while the Elyria Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is an organization of women formed for the same purpose. There is also an organization of young people known as the Elyria Memorial Hospital Junior Auxiliary. The Elyria Memorial Hospital is one of the few institutions of its kind in the United States run on strictly business principles so far as its management is concerned, without conflicting with the true spirit of philanthropy which governs its service to individual patients. One feature that illustrates the business system that pervades the entire management is the card catalogue, containing a record of the ailments and treatment of the patient, when he was received and discharged, and, in every detail, furnishing a history of his case. For the businesslike efficiency in the management of the fiscal affairs of the institution much credit is given to the treasurer, E. F. Allen, who since the organization of the hospital company has given liberally of his time to its general welfare and particularly to the accurate and systematic conduct of its business affairs. As the usefulness of any institution of this kind must, in the last analysis, depend upon the efficiency of its financial management, it will not be inappropriate to quote a portion of the report of the auditing committee covering the books of the company up to November 7, 1914. This report in part says : "At the request of the officers of the hospital company we are making further examination of the books and records of the company regarding their system of accounting for patients and the general plan in the office adopted by the hospital in reference to its records of patients received and discharged, and we wish to say for the benefit of the general public of Elyria and Lorain County that the system in handling accounts and records is complete and comprehensive, and when the company makes statements that during the past year they have handled nearly fifteen thousand hospital days of service, of which two-thirds, or over ten thousand days, are all or part charity work, that these statements are correct, and we are also glad to state that the figures given for cost of patient, somewhat under two dollars per day, are considered lower than reports given by other institutions of similar character. We feel that the public should know, as we know, that the accounting system in connection with the Elyria Memorial Hospital is more elaborate and complete than we had any idea of, and we recommend to the general public and other institutions of similar nature an examination of same." And the financial report covering the fiscal year ending November 1, 1915, is even more flattering than the foregoing. 396 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY ITS FOUNDING DESCRIBED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE An interesting and illuminating addition to the foregoing picture of the Elyria Memorial Hospital is abstracted from the annual report of the Chamber of Commerce for 1909, as follows : "Repeated efforts failed to provide Elyria with a hospital equal to the demands made upon the old hospital in use and the rapidly growing City of Elyria. A committee from the management of the old hospital met a special committee of the Chamber of Commerce on the 24th day of May, 1907, with the view of formulating plans to provide Elyria with a hospital adequate for the needs of the city and county. "The old hospital association had found it impossible to raise sufficient funds to carry on the work in a proper manner and it was thought that a new organization might insure better support than had been given previously. "The terrible accident on Memorial Day, 1907, awakened our citizens to the fact that Elyria was not supplied with proper 'hospital facilities, for a community of this size and character ; and it was thought best to broaden the scope of the movement. "It was thereupon decided to organize an incorporated company to be known as The Elyria Memorial Hospital Company, 'not for profit, but possessing such powers as will enable proper charges for services rendered to persons able to pay the same ; such proceeds to be ,used only for the maintenance and benefit of the hospital, and further so organized as to permit financial aid in the erection and maintenance of the hospital from the municipal,. county, state or other public sources, as well as the receipt of gifts or bequests from private sources.' "A canvass for funds was immediately started and a most generous response from the people resulted in a fund of over $100,000 to be used in the erection and maintenance of a hospital, which has been a source of great benefit to the residents of Elyria and vicinity. "Beginning the week of October 26, 1908, each day of that week was devoted to the reception of the public and on Saturday, October 31st, the hospital was thrown open for the reception and care of patients. "So much has been written and said of the unselfish devotion of the men and women towards the erection, completion and equipment of this memorial institution, that all is but faint praise compared to what the merits of the work demand. "Elyria is now equipped with a hospital unsurpassed in its completeness of organization, construction and equipment by any other hospital in this country, and the fact of this hospital having been completed during the year 1908 makes that year stand out as an epoch in HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 397 the history of endeavor on the part of The Elyria Chamber of Commerce." THE YOUNG MEN 'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION Not yet five years of age, the Young Men's Christian Association of Elyria is one of its most stalwart institutions working for the protection and advancement of the younger generations of the community. Its massive and elegant four story and basement building, corner of Third and Court streets, is a just pride to those who so fully believe in the organization of the higher forces of society, as well as those which have a business or an industrial bearing. Shortly after this handsome and convenient home for young men was thrown open to the public, the Elyria Telegram published a complete account of the initial movements and the building culmination. It is herewith reproduced, since Arthur L. Hahn, general secretary of the local association and its chief executive officer, considers that it covers the subject fairly and correctly. "Just three years ago (March 25, 1911)," says the article, "a letter was sent out to the citizens of Elyria, putting forth the needs of a city such as this for a modern, every-day, every-man 's Young Men's Christian Association. The citizens made a noble response to that appeal. How nobly they responded is told in the magnificent structure which today stands, four stories high, and seventy-five by one hundred and forty feet broad, in the very heart of Elyria's life. 398 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY "Many will recall the days of the campaign, with the recording clock on Broad Street, whose hands gradually and steadily made the circle and marked off one hundred thousand dollars, and then stopped not, but went on until twenty-six thousand extra dollars had been ticked off and marked up to the credit of Elyria's splendid generosity and fine public spirit. Many will recall the erection of the building and the times when the elements and other delaying causes seemed to be plotting diabolically against the achievement of the goal. "Today the building is complete. It has been operating with a full schedule of activities for over seven months. It stands a monument of public good will and will long emulate the spirit of Elyria's citizenship that plans for large undertakings and does not hesitate until fulfillment has been attained. Built of rough red brick with terra cotta trimmings, it makes a fine appearance which would do credit to any landscape. The building itself was erected at a cost of $95,000, the lot was purchased for $15,000 and the equipment was installed for approximately another $15,000. "In the basement is the men's game room with three pocket and one carrom-billiard tables, three splendid 'continuous' bowling alleys, boys' locker room, men's locker room, business men's club rooms, shower baths and attendant 's office. Also in the basement is the beautiful white-tiled swimming pool, twenty feet wide by sixty feet long, and ranging in depth from four to eight and one-half feet. This pool is filled with filtered water and is kept at a comfortable temperature through out the year. "On the main floor are the executive offices for the senior, the boys' and the physical department respectively. The main lobby of the senior department opens invitingly from the Court street entrance. On either side of the lobby are the Gates' Memorial room and the music alcove. Just inside the Third street entrance is the Boys' Division with cue, rogue and pocket billiard tables, game and reading rooms, etc. In the rear of the building is the gymnasium which has found a permanent place in the development of Elyria. The gymnasium is forty by seventy feet and is surrounded by a thirty-one lap to the mile running track. The equipment is most modern and thorough and was donated by former Mayor Troxel. In connection with the gym proper there is also an auxiliary 'gym' for hand ball and special physical work. "On the second floor is the restaurant, which is operated on the `serve-self' plan and can accommodate upwards of three hundred people. On this floor,. also are class rooms, a director's room, a ladies' rest room and the office of the Secretary of the Lorain county Young Men's Christian Association. The third and fourth floors are devoted to dormitories. Accommodations consisting of sleeping rooms, shower baths, HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 399 etc., are here for sixty-eight men. The rooms are furnished with modern equipment and offer exceptionally comfortable and desirable quarters for men who have no home here. On the roof is a commodious room originally designed for a laundry, but which is now used as an educational class-room. "Every man, woman, or child who contributed in the days of the campaign and the recording clock, out of his or her means, and thus helped in the erection of this great and serviceable building can justly feel proud in having had a share in adding this crowning piece to Elyria's long list of masterly undertakings." The present officers of the Y. M. C. A. at Elyria are : A. L. Garford, president; T. T. Robinson, treasurer ; A. L. Hahn, general secretary ; D. M. Lowery, physical director ; F. W. Henson, boys' work director, and A. J. S. Martin, assistant secretary. Both Mr. Hahn and Mr. Lowery had enjoyed a long experience in their work before assuming their duties at Elyria—the former in the East and the latter in Toledo. The same may be said of the other officials on the active executive force. As to the nature of the work accomplished and under way, it is that which is approved by the most advanced methods applied by the Y. M. C. A. associations everywhere' in the United States. It includes physical culture both for boys and business men ; classes in business science, sign painting, mechanical drawing, etc.; the care of the dormitory quarters and arrangements for board ; the provision of games, aside from athletic sports; in fact, the harmonious combination of amusement, physical training, instruction in practical matters, and, in general, care of body, mind and morals. As stated, the work is not conducted solely to meet the needs of an adult membership. There is a boys' division, adequately and modernly equipped, has its own director, and occupies a prominent and convenient portion of the institution. The boys have their own games and reading rooms, and are housed and manned as carefully and with as much attention as the senior department. Clubs and groups are emphasized in the work with the boys, the younger ones being organized into three clubs, known as the Frats, Rats and Brats, who vie with one another for monthly honors in physical, spiritual and mental prowess. A club known as the Hy Wy Club is conducted for the high school boys and holds weekly meetings on Friday nights. Prominent and interesting speakers address these meetings following an informal supper. Clubs for the study of the wireless, the aeroplane, etc., are also formed. In the summer a camp is conducted for the boys in order to give them an opportunity for a vacation outing under careful supervision and with a good equipment.