400 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY In the physical department regular classes are conducted in which the members are grouped according to their physical development. A thorough physical examination is given an applicant for membership before he is admitted to the gym work and personal supervision is given him after he takes up the physical training. There are three classes for the boys, one for the business men and one for the seniors. In addition to the work on the floor there is also opportunity for splendid exercise in the swimming pool. THE MASONS AND THEIR TEMPLE In December, 1919, King Solomon Lodge No. 56, Free and Accepted Masons, of Elyria, will celebrate the centennial of its organization under dispensation, although there is a break of two decades in its continuous activity, from 1829 to 1849. It was granted a dispensation on Monday, December 13th, of 1819, with Heman Ely as worthy master, Jabez Burrell, senior warden, and John Reading, junior warden. The charter was granted December 11, 1821, and the growth of the lodge was very satisfactory from that time until the outbreak of the Morgan excitement, when it ceased its work and continued inactive for twenty years. On the 26th of September, 1848, a new charter was issued bearing on its face the names of Eber W. Hubbard, worthy master ; Ozias Long, senior warden, and Ansel Keith, junior warden. The extensive conflagration of 1852 destroyed the lodge room, but the records, which were at the house of the secretary, were saved. The lodge was not so fortunate• in the sweeping fire of 1873, which left it only a name and a will to continue. For many years the headquarters of the Masonic fraternity of Elyria were in the Commercial Block. The past masters of King Solomon's Lodge No. 56, Free and Accepted Masons, have been as follows : Heman Ely, Sr., 1821-29 ; Robert McEachon, 1849-52 ; Anson Clark, 1853 ; John W. Hulbert. 1854-59 ; Heman Ely, 1860-72 ; John W. Hulbert, 1873 ; Geo. E. Sloat, 1874-75 ; J. C. Hill, 1876-77 ; D. J. Nye, 1878-82 ; W. F. Burgett, 1883 ; W. F. McLean, 1884-87 ; W. F. Burgett, 1888 ; P. H. Boynton, 1889-91: Chas. F. Lee, 1892-93 ; Chas. R. Flower, 1894-97 ; M. H. Levagood, 1898-1900 ; E. S. Humiston, 1901-02 ; Clayton Chapman, 1903-04 ; S. H. Squire, 1905-06 ; F. O. Williams, 1907 ; C. A. Uber, 1908 ; S. S. Rockwood, 1909 ; Thos. Reese, 1910 ; A. J. Plocher, 1911-12 ; C. W. Tattersall, 1913 ; and G. M. Smart, 1914. In 1915 the lodge had a membership of nearly 450, with the following officers Artemas Beebe, W. M.; F. A. Stetson, S. W. ; I. M. Harrison, J. W.; E. M. Rice, treasurer ; W. J. Tasman, secretary ; Ralph HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 401 Murbach, S. D.; W. B. Kelley, J. D.; K. W. Plocher, S. S. ; II. R. Greenlee, J. S. ; W. C. Bridgett, tyler. Marshal Chapter No. 47, Royal Arch Masons, was granted a dispensation on the 3rd of October, 1851, upon the petition of A. Clark, E. W. Hubbard, Ozias Long, M. Chapman, E. L. Warner, William Hoyle, John Sherman, F. Hubbard and Elijah Parker. Mr. Clark was chosen high priest; Mr. Hubbard, king, and Mr. Long, scribe. The chapter received its charter on the 27th of October, 1851, when it was considered fully established. The present body has a membership of over 300. Following are its chief officers for 1915: James A. Hewitt, M. E. H. P.; Thos. J. Bates, king; H. B. Babcock, scribe ; C. W. Baker, C. of H. ; F. P. Sasse, P. S.; E. G. Jenkins, R. A. C.; A. B. Taylor, treasurer ; S. J. George, secretary. Elyria Council No. 86, Royal and Select Masters, was organized under dispensation February 26, 1902, and chartered September 23d of that year. It has a present membership of over 180, with the following officers: Thos. J. Bates, T. I. M.; A. J. Plocher, D. I. M.; W. H. Murbach, P. C. W.; D. D. Deeds, C. of G. ; D. A. Williams, C. of C. ; G. B. Thomas, steward ; S. H. Squire, treasurer ; S. J. George, recorder ; W. C. Bridgett, sentinel. Elyria Commandery No. 60, Knights Templar, was chartered October 12, 1905, has a membership of more than 190 and is officered as follows : David A. Williams, eminent commander; James A. Hewitt, generalissimo ; Perry G. Worcester, captain general ; John Murbach, senior warden ; Chas. H. Savage, junior warden; Walter H. Watts. prelate ; Alvin J. Plocher, treasurer ; S. Jesse. George, recorder ; Dean D. Deeds, standard bearer ; Walter H. Murbach, sword bearer ; Clarence W. Phillips, warder ; and William C. Bridgett, sentinel. Elyria Chapter No. 165, Order of the Eastern Star, which was instituted in February, 1903, and was chartered in October of that year, has a membership of over 200. Its officers for 1915 were: Edith Wood, W. M.; Geo. Smart, W. P. ; Effie Hecock, A. M. ; Mabel George, secretary ; Hattie , Cone, treasurer ; Pearl Nichols, conductor ; Nellie Dill, A. C.; Mary Emmert, chaplain ; Edith Anspacher, marshal; Bertha Whitney, organist ; Bessie MacDonald, Ada ; Mayme Tite, Ruth; Ella Robertson, Esther ; Georgia Baldauf, Martha ; Jessie Tite, Electa ; Nettie Rust, warder; Florian Johnson, sentinel. THE MASONIC TEMPLE COMPANY On October 29, 1904, H. W. Ingersoll, John Murbach, James C. Smith, J. C. Crisp, H. A. Dykeman, F. C. Wolf and J. C. Hill signed Vol. I-26 402 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY an application for the incorporation of the Masonic Temple Company under the laws of the State of Ohio. The application, among other things, stated that said corporation was formed for the purpose of owning, erecting, equipping and maintaining a home, or Masonic Temple for the Free and Accepted Masons of Elyria and vicinity ; providing them with suitable lodge, club and reception rooms therein ; leasing such portion of said property as they might desire, and doing other necessary acts to carry out the purposes of the incorporation. The first officers of the company were as follows: H. W. Ingersoll, president ; J. C. Smith, vice president ; J. C. Crisp, secretary, and John Murbach, treasurer. The first directorate consisted, in addition to the above mentioned officers, the following gentlemen : Jacob E. Murbach, F. C. Wolf, J. A. Reublin, S. H. Squire and Artemas Beebe. The first meeting of the directors of the Masonic Temple Company was held on December 28, 1904, at which time they proceeded to purchase a site and erect a Masonic Temple thereon ; the result being the erection of a six-story building on Middle Avenue, between Second and Third streets, at a total cost for land and buildings of over $90,000, size 82x106 feet. The first floor is divided into four store rooms, one of which is occupied by the postoffice ; each of the second, third and fourth floors is divided into eighteen office rooms, and the fifth and sixth floors are given HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 403 over exclusively to the use of the Masonic fraternity for the purpose of lodge, club and banquet rooms. The building was completed in 1906. The store rooms and offices are all rented. About one-half of the stock is owned by the Masonic bodies which meet in the temple, and the remainder by members of the fraternity. The officers of the company now serving are : Charles E. Wilson, president ; Judge D. J. Nye, vice president ; A. B. Taylor, treasurer, and Charles E. Tucker, secretary. Following are the additional directors : J. E. Murbach, J. C. Smith, Artemas Beebe, F. A. Smythe and Thomas Howell. The Masonic bodies meeting in the temple are as follows : King Solomon's Lodge, No. 56, Free and Accepted Masons; Marshal Chapter, No. 47, Royal Arch Masons; Elyria Council, No. 86, Royal and Select Masters; Elyria Commandery, No. 60, Knights Templar; and Elyria Chapter, No. 165, Order of the Eastern Star. OTHER FRATERNITIES The Independent Order of Odd Fellows has maintained a lodge (No. 103) in Elyria since March 1, 1848. The late N. B. Gates was its first noble grand. Lorain Encampment No. 81 was instituted in May, 1856. Mr. Gates was also one of its charter members. Star Lodge No. 81, Knights of Pythias, was instituted in January, 1875, with twenty-two charter members. William H. Tucker was its first dictator. Both the Odd Fellows and Knights have temples in Elyria and are growing in strength. The Moose, Elks, Knights of Columbus, Grand Army of the Republic, Sons of Veterans and Royal Arcanum are also represented, Elyria Council No. 57, of the last named fraternity, having been organized in 1878. The railroad men and workmen connected with the various industries of Elyria have numerous unions, brotherhoods and lodges, which constitute essential elements in the higher life of the community. CHAPTER XXI NEWSPAPERS, INDUSTRIES AND BANKS NEWSPAPER AND RAILROAD PARALLEL—THE LORAIN GAZETTE—OHIO ATLAS AND ELYRIA ADVERTISER—THE ELYRIA COURIER—THE INDEPENDENT DEMOCRAT—GEORGE G. WASHBURN—THE ELYRIA REPUBLICAN—THE DAILY TELEGRAM—THE ELYRIA DEMOCRAT—THE LORAIN CONSTITUTIONALIST— FREDERICK S. REEFY—THE ELYRIA CHRONICLE—ELYRIA’S MANUFACTORIES— THE SOUTHWESTERN TRACTION SHOPS—PRIMITIVE INDUSTRIES—THE TOPLIFF & ELY PLANT—WESTERN AUTOMATIC MACHINE SCREW COMPANY—ELYRIA CANNING COMPANY—THE GARFORD MANUFACTURING COMPANY—THE WILLYS-OVERLAND—COLUMBIA STEEL COMPANY—ELYRIA IRON & STEEL COMPANY—TROXEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY—THE AMERICAN LACE MANUFACTURING COMPANY — ELYRIA FOUNDRY COMPANY THE PERRY-FAY COMPANY—WORTHINGTON COMPANY AND MACHINE PARTS COMPANY—OTHER INDUSTRIES—ELYRIA GAS & ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY—THE NATIONAL .BANK OF ELYRIA—THE SAVINGS DEPOSIT BANK—THE ELYRIA SAVINGS & BANKING COMPANY—THE LORAIN COUNTY BANKING COMPANY. There is no modern institution which so deftly combines business and professional activities as the newspaper. It is taken for granted, in these days, that no community can be truly progressive which has not both a newspaper and a railroad. The railroad test is considerably older than that of an established newspaper, and, as the steel rails now thickly vein the country, it is a poor town indeed which has not some kind of railway transportation ; but a certain bulk of population and a standard of progress are still required for substantial newspaper support. NEWSPAPER AND. RAILROAD PARALLEL The railroad and the newspapers have been largely credited with the solid founding and development of Elyria. The newspaper is by far the elder brother, both at Elyria and in the world at large. We hope the - 404 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 405 reader will deem it a striking parallel that in the very year that the first newspaper was founded in Elyria the English "Rocket" of George Stephenson shot out into the mechanical world, the pioneer practicable locomotive of history. That was also the time when the Baltimore & Ohio, the first American railway was born. THE LORAIN GAZETTE The beginning of journalism in Lorain County dates from 1829 when Judge Heman Ely conceived the notion that a journal of some sort would he a good thing for Elyria. This thought was chiefly promoted by interesting Archibald S. Park, a young printer and newspaper man from Ashtabula. As a result of a conference between them, Judge Ely footed a bill for press, type and sundries, and the Lorain Gazette appeared on July 24, 1829, with the name of Archibald S. Park at its head as printer, publisher and proprietor. A copy of the invoice of the first Elyria newspaper plant is still preserved and shows that over $200 was expended in type and composing room sundries and no less than $70 was squandered in the "two pull Super Royal Raniage press" from Whose platen were drawn the first printed sheets produced in Elyria. The Gazette was a five column folio sent by mail for $2.00 a year and delivered by carrier for $2.50. It was set in small pica type, a face considerably larger than those used in latter day prints. A complete file of the Gazette is still in the possession of the heirs of W. H. Park, late city clerk. The latter is a son of Elyria's first printer and bore the distinction of being the oldest resident, who was born in Elyria. Another figure in the Gazette office is worthy of notice and that is Abraham Burrell, who came from the State of New York in 1830 to be a compositor in the Gazette office. He was identified with eight different papers and died in harness on November 23, 1868, while employed by Geo. G. Washburn, of the Independent Democrat. It is said of him that 'he worked more hours in the day and more days in the week than any person who ever made Elyria his home for as long a period. In that early day journalism was not strictly a business enterprise, but was a local institution ; a bulwark of culture and public spirit, but above all of party politics. A newspaper was not supposed to make money, but local politicians were expected to keep it alive, contributing money outright as to any common cause, and having much to say about the policy and editorial matter. OHIO ATLAS AND ELYRIA ADVERTISER For these reasons it is natural that changes of proprietorship came often and with them changes of name. Three years after it was started, 406 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY the Gazette was sold to a man who fancied The Elyria Times as a name for his paper. The Times lasted three months and was transferred back to A. S. Park and Josiah A. Harris. They named it The Ohio Atlas and Elyria Advertiser. The latter sheet was perhaps as thorough a credit to its time as any paper ever published in Elyria. Prominent among its supporters and contributors were A. A. Bliss, Alfred H. Betts, Thomas Tyrrell, D. W. Lathrop, Heman Ely, S. W. Baldwin, William Andrews, Ozias Long, Franklin Wells and Edward S. Hamlin. A few stray copies show it to be a rich repository of the thought and incident of the '30s. Unfortunately for local history, there seems to be no complete file of this paper in existence. THE ELYRIA COURIER When Ezra L. Stevens purchased the Atlas on June 12, 1844, he changed its name to the Buckeye Sentinel, and plunged into the political field as a supporter of Clay. His venture was far from a paying one. and in 1846 the plant and subscription list were sold to Albert A. Bliss. He suspended publication for a few months and resumed under the name of the Elyria Courier. This paper was owned successively by A. A. Bliss, John H. Faxon, Edmund A. West, Jerome Cotton, by an association of Myron R. Keith, Landon Rood and Benjamin C. Perkins, later by George G. Washburn and George T. Smith. THE INDEPENDENT DEMOCRAT Under Mr. West's ownership the paper forsook its Whig traditions and became a supporter of the free soil party. During the later part of its separate existence, it had a free soil rival in the Independent Democrat, which was started by anti-slavery men on August 5, 1852. Eighteen months later the two free soil papers were united under the name of the Independent Democrat and the ownership' of Philemon Bliss and George T. Smith. The former, who is remembered as one of Lorain County's largest men, had furnished much of the money and enthusiasm necessary to launch the Independent Democrat. Another liberal supporter was Dr. Norton S. Townshend. These men held successive terms in Congress and never had the time to devote themselves to the details of newspaper management. Senator Salmon P. Chase, a personal friend of Doctor Townshend, also gave funds to support the enterprise. Among its early managers were John M. Vincent, Joseph H. Dickson and John H. Boynton. HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 407 GEORGE G. WASHBURN In the year following the Courier-Democrat amalgamation (1854), George T. Smith sold his interests to George G. Washburn, and in December, 1856, the latter became sole proprietor of the paper which he managed and edited with marked success for more than thirty-five years. His entrance into local journalism marks an era, for, besides his editorial ability, Mr. Washburn had a keen grasp upon the business side of newspaper work. He was the first man in Lorain County to make a newspaper pay and from the position of a pauper, the press rose to self supporting dignity under his guidance. He was also perhaps the first to b€. worthy of the title of newspaper man. Those previously mentioned in newspaper annals had mostly been men with other interests. They had been lawyers, doctors, clergymen or business men of various sorts. Incidentally they took their turn at keeping the party paper alive, usually at severe financial expense. Mr. Washburn's whole pride and energy was wrapped up in journalistic work. He was an ornament to his chosen profession and the profession in turn helped him to various positions of public trust besides the united esteem of the town and county. THE ELYRIA REPUBLICAN There is another story, concerning the paper's last consolidation and change of name. At the time of the temperance crusade of the middle '70s, It A. Fisher was printing a folio within the zone of Lake Erie's breezes, which he called the Black River Commercial. He was induced on October 24, 1874, to bring his plant to Elyria and publish in the interests of the radical temperance element. James W. Chapman became Mr. Fisher's partner and E. G. Johnson did the editorial work. A. H. Smith shortly bought out Mr. Chapman and the business was continued by Fisher and Smith until the time of its sale to Geo. G. Washburn, on February 1, 1877. The name Independent Democrat had grown obsolete and Mr. Washburn saw the advantage of, adopting the name Republican for the combined enterprises. In August, 1891, the Republican was sold to a stock company, William A. Braman replacing Mr. Washburn in the editorial chair and A. H. Smith taking the business management. The paper at this time was continued as a republican organ but these were days when political feeling ran high and the republican party having been long dominant within the county, vigorous factional differences were constantly arising within the organization. Out of these another paper, started just before this time by H. K. Clock under the name of the Lorain County Reporter, 408 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY was now taken over by a group of citizens prominent in business and political life of the county headed by Hon. E. G. Johnson of Elyria, who had long been the leading lawyer and republican politician of the county and as mentioned above had been editor of the Republican in the early '70s. For a number of years following the Republican had vigorous competition from this quarter, but succeeded in holding its position and prestige through several successive administrations. In November, 1898, Edward L. Clough took charge of the business, being replaced in February of 1900 by Walter Wardrop. During part of this period the Reporter was edited by L. B. Fauver, a well known young attorney but later E. G. Johnson again reassumed the editorial mantle. In July, 1901, Perry S. Williams assumed the management of the Republican having associated with him in the editorial work, Henry P. Boynton, a grandson of John H. Boynton above referred to. In the meantime the rival paper, the Reporter, in 1898 commenced the publication of a daily addition which was successfully published until 1907, when it was absorbed by the Republican Printing Company publishers of the Republican which paper was still under the management of Perry Williams. Mr. Williams at this time, bought for his company the daily and weekly Reporter and its plant at receiver's sale, the publishers having become involved in financial difficulties. The weekly Reporter was immediately merged with the Elyria Republican and the Daily Reporter was continued under the new name of The Evening Telegram. Under Mr. Williams' management the circle of daily readers was largely expanded and the Telegram established upon a substantial basis. THE DAILY TELEGRAM Up to the time of publication of this history the Republican has continued to appear weekly but the establishment of Rural Free Delivery, the development, of the county and. the growth of the company 's daily paper, the Telegram, logically lead to the merging of the Republican with the Telegram and concentration of the energies of the company exclusively upon the daily publication. Mr. Williams continues to act as editor and manager of the Telegram, A. L. Garford being president of the company, Ex-Postmaster I. H. Griswold, Judge D. J. Nye and Ex-County Treasurer H. C. Harris with Messrs. Garford and Williams, making up the board of directors of the company as organized at this date. As with the old Republican weekly, the Telegram has been an inde- HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 409 pendent republican paper, but in 1912 the publications of this company allied themselves With the element supporting Colonel Roosevelt for President. THE ELYRIA DEMOCRAT The Elyria Democrat was edited and controlled by some member or members of the Reefy family, during forty-four years of its existence. At the time of its suspension in 1916 it was conducted by the estate of F. S. Reefy, represented especially by his son, Rollin T. Reefy and the oldest of his four daughters, Miss Eva L. Reefy. In 1875 the name of the Lorain Constitutionalist was changed to the Elyria Constitution, and in 1887 the latter became the Elyria. Democrat. In January, 1916, it suspended publication and was absorbed by the Republican Printing Company. THE LORAIN CONSTITUTIONALIST On the third of October, 1866, L. S. Everett issued the first number of the Lorain Constitutionalist. He was an experienced journalist, who had also launched the Independent Democrat at Elyria in 1852. In July, 1867, a joint stock company was formed consisting of A. A. Crosse, H. H. Poppleton, N. L. Johnson and P. W. Sampsel, which assumed the responsibilities of publication, Mr. Everett retaining the editorship. It was published for a time by that organization, known as .the Lorain Printing Company, and N. L. Johnson, its president, contributed most of the editorial matter when Mr. Everett severed his connection with the enterprise. In June, 1869, James K. Newcomer assumed the editorial and business control of the paper, the proprietary interest remaining in the printing company. The word Lorain was dropped from the title of the paper, which therefore became simply The Constitutionalist. Then came the fire of January, 1870, and the resumption of the old title, Lorain Constitutionalist. In that year Mr. Newcomer withdrew as editor and was succeeded by N. L. Johnson, with F. S. Moore as publisher. Mr. Moore continued to publish it until November, 1871, when J. V. Faith took charge of the editorial and business departments, under an agreement to publish the paper for one year without charge to the proprietors, in consideration of which he was to become its owner.. The year 1872 brought a more permanent state of affairs to the newspaper. In March of that year it adopted patent outsides, with an increase in size to an eight-column folio ; in September, it returned to the home-print plan, and on the 10th of October, F. S. Reefy purchased the entire establishment and entered his long career of local journalism. His 410 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY death occurred June 9, 1911, and an extended biography of him will be found elsewhere. The first steam-power press used in Elyria was introduced by Mr. Reefy in the office of the Constitutionalist, during January, 1873. It was called the Fairhaven cylinder press. The Elyria Volksfreund, an eight-column folio published in German, was issued for about three years by Mr. Reefy from the office of the Constitutionalist. Its first numbed` was dated February 1, 1873. Mr. Reefy sold the paper to Henry Minnig, who published it for about a year, when it was discontinued for want of support. THE ELYRIA CHRONICLE The first issue of The Elyria Chronicle, the oldest daily paper in the city, appeared Saturday, the 6th of July, 1901. It has been continuously published by the same corporation, doing business at first under the style of the Lakeside Printing and Publishing Company, but later changing its name to the Chronicle Printing Company. It was called into being at a time of acute crisis in the affairs of the community. The Chronicle was entered as the champion of a municipal water plant and a Lake Erie supply, in opposition to the system proposed by the old private water company. The Chronicle position was endorsed by the people at the polls and vindicated in the courts and Elyria has since enjoyed the advantages afforded by its unrivalled water supply. Moreover, the Chronicle has ever since maintained a consistent record in supporting the idea of public utilities conducted primarily in the interest of the people. In its very first issue it unfurled the banner of republicanism in the state campaign then pending and which resulted in the election of Governor Nash. It has always been republican in politics. The paper has had its vicissitudes but is now housed in a building of its own at Nos. 307 and 309 East Broad Street in close proximity to the new Federal Building which is now in such near prospect of erection. Since the spring of 1914 the control of the paper has been vested in the Chronicle Printing Company. ELYRIA 'S MANUFACTORIES It is unusual for a city of Elyria's size to have as many manufactories of importance, and of so great a variety, as those which have been founded within its limits, chiefly within the last twenty years. Among its leading industries may he noted those operated by the Western HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 411 Automatic Machine Screw Company, the Elyria Canning Company, the Garford Manufacturing Company, the Troxel Manufacturing Company, the Elyria Iron & Steel Company, the Columbia Steel Company, the Perry-Fay Manufacturing Company, the American Lace Manufacturing Company, the Worthington Company and Machine Parts Company, the Willys-Overland Company, the Elyria Foundry Company and the Fox Furnace Company. Altogether there are about forty industrial plants which produce such varied products as steel tubing, tie-plate and angle iron, furnaces and stoves, hosiery, chemicals, cold-rolled steel, automobiles, lace, enameled tanks, golf goods, tricycles and invalid chairs, gas engines, telephone apparatus, brick and building stone, motorcycle saddles, brass letters and ornaments, metallic packing, canned goods, screw machine products, lumber, paint and belting. THE SOUTHWESTERN TRACTION SHOPS The Cleveland, Southwestern & Columbus Traction Company has also its shops and power house in the southern part of the city, and employs nearly sixty men. While the general offices are located in Cleveland, the superintendent's office is in Elyria, and practically all the rolling stock of the system is turned out of the large shops at that place. The cars are made at Elyria, wheels put on the axles by hydraulic pressure, motors placed, trolley wheels turned and the stock painted. PRIMITIVE INDUSTRIES The primitive industries of Elyria are represented by such as Judge Ely 's saw and grist mills on Main Street, the Lorain Iron Works, and N. B. Gates' ashery and soap manufactory on the west branch of the river. Of a later period, but still among the pioneer plants, were the planing mills of Dickinson, Williams & Faxon and of John W. Hart. The former was originally (from 1852 to 1856) a manufactory of agricultural .implements, and was burned in September, 1856, after which the rebuilt plant was devoted to the making of sash, doors and blinds and general mill work. The foundry and machine shop of James Hollis are also of that period, the products comprising small engines, horse-power machines and the smaller articles usually turned out of an establishment of the kind. THE TOPLIFF & ELY PLANT The period covering the industries of today corresponds to the local era of the railroads. Elyria had one line, and the year before the second 412 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY one was about to be opened Topliff & Ely erected a small wooden building, near the depot of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and commenced the manufacture of hubs and spokes. In 1874 that branch of the business was abandoned, the firm having, two years previously, erected a two-story brick building. I. N. Topliff, a brother of the senior proprietor, had invented a steel tubular bow socket, which, for many years after 1874, was the chief product of the expanding plant. WESTERN AUTOMATIC MACHINE SCREW COMPANY In October, 1874, the Cleveland Screw & Tap Company, which had been incorporated in the city named during the preceding year, transferred its outfit to the large four-story brick building which had been erected for the purpose near the crossing of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and the Cleveland, Tuscarawas Valley & Wheeling railroads. New articles of corporation were issued in November, 1874, and the following officers elected : S. H. Matthews, president ; F. B. Hine, vice president ; C. H. Morgan, superintendent ; W. F. Hulburt, secretary and treasurer. In 1882 the business, was reincorporated under the name by which it has since been known, the Western Automatic Machine Screw Company. The industry, which employs :300 or 400 men and has a pay-roll of a third of a million dollars, manufactures almost everything that can be turned from bar iron, steel or brass, and carries .a full line of set screws, cap screws; such auto parts as cones, cups and studs, and specialties for telegraph, electrical, and optical work. THE ELYRIA CANNING COMPANY The Elyria Canning Company was established in 1883, and is the creation of Charles C. McDonald. He owns and leases a large acreage in Lorain and adjoining counties for the raising of the raw material, which is transformed into canned goods at the rate of some 12,000,000 cans annually. These include maple syrup, rhubarb, asparagus, all kinds of berries and currants, apples, peaches, string beans, tomatoes—in fact, all the products of the orchard and farm. In the busy season, 200 or more people are employed. THE GARFORD MANUFACTURING COMPANY The large business and plant of the Garford Manufacturing Company originated in 1892, when A. L. Garford erected the first brick HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 413 building for the manufacture of bicycle saddles. By 1895 the output of the Garford Saddle had grown to such proportions that the plant was doubled in capacity. Other parts of the bicycle were gradually added to the scope of the industry. Later (about 1904), the interests of the Dean Electric Company were absorbed and the combined business incorporated as the Garford Manufacturing Company, with the founder of the original business as president. Its large plant, at Olive and Taylor streets, turns out everything pertaining to telephone systems ; electric light systems for farm and country homes, operated by gasoline, gas or kerosene engines ; and all the latest auto accessories. THE WILLYS-OVERLAND In 1905 was organized the Garford Company, manufacturers of automobiles and trucks. About eight years afterward the industry was taken over by J. N. Willys, and the Overland car has since been manufactured in Elyria, independent of the Toledo plant, under the corporate title of the Willys-Overland Company. THE COLUMBIA STEEL COMPANY Through the efforts of Arthur L. Garford, who was at the time general manager of the Federal Manufacturing Company, What is now the Columbia Steel Company was removed from Chicago and re-established in Elyria under that corporate name. At the time of this change the plant was laid out on a generous scale with a view to the requirements of a growing business. In 1905 the Federal Manufacturing Company was liquidated and the Columbia Steel Company plant came into the possession of the Pope Manufacturing Company, of Hartford, Connecticut, Mr. Garford retiring to engage in business on his own account. In May of this year the present manager, Mr. Charles E. Lozier, was installed by the Pope interests as manager of the plant, which position he still retains. At this time the automobile industry began to grow very rapidly and the demand for the Columbia Steel Company's product increased proportionately and became profitable. During the money panic of 1907-8 the Pope Manufacturing Company failed and within a year afterward control of the Columbia Steel Company passed into the hands of a Chicago syndicate. With the exception of the few months of business distress peculiar to the financial conditions of 1907-8 the business of the Columbia Steel Company has made a very satisfactory growth. The 414 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY plant is located at the junction of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and the Baltimore & Ohio railways. The product of the Columbia Steel Company consists of steel strips, cold-rolled to accurate gauge and bright finish. These strips are used by manufacturers of light hardware, automobile and telephone parts, who stamp and draw the steel in dies. While a very large proportion of the company's product is of basic open hearth quality suited to deep drawing operations, the Columbia people sell a considerable tonnage of high carbon and alloy strips used in certain lines of manufacture. The plant of the Columbia Steel Company is in reality a "specialty" mill. THE ELYRIA IRON & STEEL COMPANY The Elyria Iron & Steel Company began operations in that city August 20, 1902, and was incorporated under the laws of Ohio the following year. The principal products of the company consist of structural tubing rolled from high carbon steel. These are used in the manufacture of iron beds, agricultural implements, sanitary dairy equipment, wheelbarrow handles, etc. Railroad tie plates and standard railroad track spikes are also made at the plant. The Elyria Iron & Steel Company represents the original manufacturers to commercially roll a tie plate with a shoulder and top and with a flange or short legs on the bottom, running at right, angles to the shoulder. That type revolutionized the tie plate industry. The company employs between 400 and 500 men and maintains a pay-roll of a quarter of a million dollars. THE TROXEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY The company above named was incorporated in 1899 by Ex-Mayor D. S. Troxel, who is still at the head of the industry. Its chief output is the well known Troxel bicycle and motorcycle saddle, and among its specialties are tool bags and a long line of leather goods. THE AMERICAN LACE MANUFACTURING COMPANY In 1907, soon after the rupture at Zion City and the discontinuance of the lace works at that place, the American Lace Manufacturing Company was organized at Elyria and a small plant put in operation under the management of Dowie's former superintendent. The industry has so flourished that its plant has been doubled in capacity, and it employs HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 415 some 250 people, half of whom are women or girls. The company 's specialty is the making of fine laces used in dress goods. THE ELYRIA FOUNDRY COMPANY The above named corporation dates from June, 1905, and its plant, in which are employed over 100 men, is located on the Baltimore & Ohio and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railways. Its products are machinery castings, and it does all kinds of iron, machine and tool work. THE PERRY-FAY COMPANY In 1906 the Perry-Fay Company was incorporated and organized as follows : R. D. Perry, president ; W. W. Fay, secretary-treasurer, and E. F. Allen, vice president. Mr. Fay had previously been the founder and president of the Fay Manufacturing Company, manufacturer of bicycles and tricycles. The Perry-Fay Company, which has a force of nearly 300 men, makes screw machine products of all kinds, special cap and set screws, studs and nuts. THE WORTHINGTON COMPANY AND MACHINE PARTS COMPANY The industry operated by the company named is of comparatively recent origin. Its products include a large line of children's vehicles, bicycles, velocipedes, tricycles, auto coasters, hand cars, biplane flyers and invalid and reed chairs.. They are generally known as the Fairy line. There are about 180 employes. OTHER INDUSTRIES The Elyria Milling & Power Company, organized in 1895, operates the Red Mill at the East Falls in the Black River, and the White Mill, at the west end of the East Bridge. The Worthington Ball Manufacturing Company was organized in 1904, and turns out gold balls. The Harshaw, Fuller & Goodwin Company, one of the growing industries of recent years, manufactures chemicals. The Fay Stocking Company was incorporated in 1898 ; the Wall-head Brick Kilns on West River Street were founded in 1867 ; the Hygienic Ice Company, manufacturers of artificial ice, from filtered and distilled spring water, has been established since 1904; the Enameled Pipe & Engineering Company dates from 1907, and the Purcell Paint 416 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY Manufacturing Company and Superior Metal Products Company are only a few years old. THE ELYRIA GAS & ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY Before the recent unification of the electric properties of Elyria and Lorain, the lighting of the former city was controlled by the Elyria Gas & Electric Light Company, and still earlier, by non-residents of the state. In 1897 that company was formed by home people, the stock holders electing the following officers: President, William G. Sharp ; vice president, A. L. Garford ; secretary, R. T. Reefy ; treasurer, J. C. Hill. It was under that management that the householders and business men of Elyria were so long supplied with electric lighting and gas, both for illuminating, cooking and other purposes. Its business is now confined to the gas supply. THE NATIONAL BANK OF ELYRIA The National Bank of Elyria is nearly seventy years old, and was the pioneer institution of its kind in Lorain County. Down through the years, into its body has been transfused the corporate blood of three other financial organizations, as follows: The Lorain Bank (a branch of the old State Bank of Ohio), which endured from 1847 to 1864; the First National Bank, 1864 to 1883 ; and the National Bank of Elyria. 1883 to 1903. The First National Bank of Elyria was chartered for twenty years, and at the expiration of that period in 1903 was re-chartered and reorganized, with an increase of $100,000 in capital, and $50,000 in surplus. As announced at that time (January 15, 1903), by its management : "The National Bank of Elyria is proud of its ancestry and its record. Though its name has been changed three times, it will be noticed that the first board of directors of The National Bank of Elyria was the last board of The First National Bank with one additional director, and that the first board of The First National Bank was the last board of The Lorain Bank with one additional director. This identifies it as the same hank under its three different names. "It has passed through three national panics, 1857, 1873 and 1893 and paid all obligations on demand and without notice ; and though. on account of the feeling of perfect security on the part of its depositors, there has never been a run on the bank, it has many times paid out in a single day more than its entire capital." It was under the act of February 24, 1845, "to incorporate the State HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 417 Bank of Ohio and other banking companies," that the Lorain Bank of Elyria was established on the 25th of May, 1847, with a capital of $100,000 and a surplus of $20,000. The capital stock was divided into 1,000 shares of $100 each. On June 23d, at the first meeting of the stockholders, Heman Ely was appointed chairman and Elijah DeWitt, secretary. The officers elected were : Heman Ely, president; Artemas Beebe, vice president ; Elijah DeWitt, secretary ; W. A. Adair, cashier, and Levi Burnell, teller and bookkeeper. Having thus effected an organization, a banking house was opened in Room No. 3 of the Beebe House Block, and there the business of the bank was transacted until 1875, when it was moved to more fitting quarters in the Ely Block, first floor of the Library Building. Judge Ely resigned his position as president April 24, 1849, and Artemas Beebe was elected his successor ; but he declined the office, and Elijah DeWitt was elected to the position, remaining at the head of its affairs and of its successor, the First National Bank, until 1883. In other words, he served as president of the two banks during all but three years of their corporate life. Mr. Adair resigned his position as cashier in December, 1849, and in the following month John R. Finn was elected to succeed him. In 1855 Mr. Finn was elected vice president of the State Bank of Ohio, resigning the cashiership of the Lorain Bank to accept it. Heman Ely was appointed cashier pro tem, and served until January, 1856, when John W. Hulbert was elected, and held the position in 1864, at the time of the organization of the First National Bank. On the 2d of April, of that year, a meeting of citizens was held, under the Congressional act of the previous year passed to provide for a national currency, to take the preliminary steps toward organizing the First National Bank of Elyria. The subscribers to the $100,000 stock of the new organization at that time were as follows, each share having a face value of $100: Artemas Beebe, 154 shares; Seymour W. Baldwin, 163 shares: Heman Ely, 142 shares ; George R. Starr, 143 shares; Henry E. Mussey, 145 shares; George G. Washburn, 144 shares, and Elijah DeWitt, 109 shares. The certificate of authorization was issued May 25, 1864; the directors were elected (comprising all the stockholders but Judge Ely) ; Mr. DeWitt was chosen president and John W. Hulbert, cashier. In 1878 the office of vice president was created and Heman Ely was elected to fill the position, serving thus until 1883, or during the remainder of the life of the First National. The surplus of the First National Bank remained at $20,000. The National Bank of Elyria was first organized in 1883, with a Vol. I-27 418 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY capital of $150,000 and a surplus of $50,000, and Heman Ely, who had been president of the First National Bank became its president. He served in that capacity until 1894 ; was succeeded by Henry E. Mussey, 1894-96 ; George H. Ely, 1896-1913, and W. S. Miller, after the year last named. As stated, when the bank was re-chartered, in 1903, its capital was increased to $250,000 and its surplus to $100,000. The present officers of the National Bank of Elyria are as follows : W. S. Miller, president ; R. B. Lersch, vice president ; S. H. Squire, cashier. In the summer of 1915 its financial condition was indicated by the following items: Capital stock, $250,000 ; surplus and undivided profits, $32,500 ; national bank circulation, $150,000 ; deposits, $1,334,000. The largest items covering these liabilities were : Loans, $986,000 ; bonds, securities, etc., $336,000 ; due from banks, $225,500 ; United States bonds, $150,000. THE SAVINGS DEPOSIT BANK The Savings Deposit Bank and Trust Company has a progressive record of nearly forty-five years, and J. C. Hill, who has served as its president for a quarter of a century, was one of the founders of the small private institution from which has been developed the stalwart bank of today. On November 1, 1872, with the late T. L. Nelson, he organized a private banking house in Elyria. Although founded as a copartnership, it was a stock concern and commenced business on that date under the name of the Savings Deposit Bank. The general partners were T. L. Nelson, William A. Braman, S. S. Warner, W. W. Boynton, John C. Hale, I. S. Metcalf, John W. Hart, Lorenzo Clark and J. C. Hill. In 1873 C. W. Horr, S. K. Laundon and R. A. Horr became members of the firm. The bank continued as a copartnership until November 20, 1890, when it took out a charter as the Savings Deposit Bank Company, with capital stock of $200,000. T. L. Nelson served as president, and J. C. Hill, as cashier, from November 1, 1872, to January 1, 1891. J. C. Hill was elected president January 1, 1891, and has remained as such ever since. The name was changed from the Savings Deposit Bank Company to the Savings Deposit Bank & Trust Company, July 16, 1903. The authorized capital stock was increased to $250,000 January 1, 1914. The bank has paid regular dividends from its foundation to date, and has paid interest to its depositors amounting to approximately $1,000,000. The liabilities of the bank, as published in the summer of 1915, in- HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 419 clude capital stock, $219,000 ; surplus, $100,000 ; undivided profits, $16,000 ; deposits, $1,773,000 ; due to banks, $54,217. The precise total was $2,164,492.07, and that sum was covered, in the main, by loans of $1,660,000 ; due from banks, $201,000 ; stocks and bonds, $157,000, and real estate, $80,000. The present officers : J. C. Hill, president ; C. M. Braman and C. E. Blanchard, vice presidents; James B. Seward, cashier. The directors are : W. W. Boynton, C. M. Braman, C. E. Blanchard, Dr. C. H. Cushing, A. L. Garford, J. C. Hill, C. H. Jackson, 0. Root, Judge Lee Stroup, C. H. Savage, H. W. Wurst, H. T. Winckles, H. C. Weil and C. G. Washburn. THE ELYRIA SAVINGS & BANKING COMPANY The financial institution named above has transacted a savings and general banking business in Elyria for fifteen years. It was organized and commenced business April 8, 1901, with William Braman as president. Mr. Braman died in 1905, and was succeeded in office by William Heldmyer. Mr. Heldmyer held the office of president until his death in 1912, the present head of the bank, Theodore T. Robinson, succeeding Mr. Heldmyer. The bank owns its own building, which was completed in 1910. In June, 1915, the liabilities of the Elyria Savings and Banking Company amounted to $2,327,000, in round figures, the main items being : Capital stock, $100,000 ; surplus, $200,000 ; deposits, $2,017,000. Its leading resources were : Loans and discounts, $2,004,000; due from reserve banks, $148,000 ; cash on hand, $99,000, and banking house, lot and vaults, $40,000. In July, of the year named, the surplus of the bank was increased to $210,000. THE LORAIN COUNTY SAVINGS & TRUST COMPANY The Lorain County Banking Company was organized in August, 1895, by the late Hon. Parks Foster. The bank prospered and grew from its beginning and at his death, in 1905, S. B. Day who was then vice president was elected to succeed Mr. Foster. Mr. Day remained as president until his health failed in 1914, at which time Arthur B. Taylor, who had been cashier of the bank for many years, was elected as president. The bank five or six years ago paid a 50 per cent stock dividend out of its undivided profits, and last year changed its name to the Lorain County Savings & Trust Company. The capital stock of the bank is $200,000 ; surplus and undivided profits, $158,000, and average deposits, $2,120,000. Besides President Taylor the officers of the bank are : Richard D. Perry, vice president ; Alvin J. Plocher, secretary, and Herbert A. Daniels, treasurer. CHAPTER XXII OBERLIN AS AN INSPIRATION THE COLLEGE A MODERN UNIVERSITY-COLLEGE AND TOWN FOUNDED TOGETHER-REV. JOHN J. SHIPHERD AND PHILO P. STEWART-T HE HISTORIC ELM-PETER P. PEASE, FIRST OF THE COLONISTS-ERECTION OF OBERLIN AND LADIES' HALLS-FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FOUNDED-THE BIG TENT AND CINCINNATI HALL-REV. ASA MAHAN, FIRST PRESIDENT-THE COLLEGE IN 1845—PRESIDENT FINNEY AND THE MEMORIAL CHAPEL-CONSOLIDATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONSOBERLIN STUDENTS' MONTHLY-PRESIDENTS FAIRCHILD, BALLANTINE AND BARROWS-THE MEMORIAL ARCH-PRESIDENT HENRY C. KING -THE GREAT ENDOWMENT FUNDS-OTHER BUILDINGS OF THE COLLEGE PLANT-CARNEGIE LIBRARY-THE OLNEY ART COLLECTION-WARNER, STURGES AND PETERS HALLS-RICE MEMORIAL HALL-NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING-THE MEN'S BUILDING—THE ACADEMY BUILDINGS-WARNER AND WOMEN'S GYMNASIUMS-OUTDOOR SPORTS AND EXERCISE - LABORATORIES AND MUSEUMS - DORMITORIES FOR WOMEN-THE FACULTY-COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION-MUSICAL AND LITERARY ADVANTAGES-THE STUDENT BODY-GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS-THE COLLEGE ENROLMENT—CHURCHES OF OBERLIN-THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH-CHRIST PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH-FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH-FIRST M. E. CHURCH-THE RUST M. E. CHURCH-CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART-MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH-THE OBERLIN MISSIONARY HOME ASSOCIATION-THE OBERLIN HOSPITAL— WESTWOOD CEMETERY-SOCIAL, LITERARY AN I) BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS-VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT AND SOCIAL BETTERMENT-THE OBERLIN GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. For more than eighty years Oberlin has been the center of a great moral and religious power, radiating primarily from the splendid institution of learning and inspiration through which the community is most widely known and, at a later period than marks the founding of the college, from numerous churches and charities and societies into whose activities has been instilled the prevailing spirit of independence, liber- - 420 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 421 ality, good fellowship, earnestness of purpose and depth and breadth of soul. The foundation of the college and the community was laid so deep in the steadfast zeal of Godly men and women that it has never been shaken by either the storms of war, the ragings of misguided Orientals, or the assaults of skeptics at home. Oberlin—both the college and the community—stands for the high and broad American life, of the past as well as the future. THE COLLEGE A MODERN UNIVERSITY The expansion of Oberlin College into a modern university, buttressed by the best traditions and Christian aggressiveness of the new Western Reserve, has taken place since the commencement of the twentieth century. Warner Hall, Severance Chemical Laboratory, Rice Memorial Hall, Warner Gymnasium for men and the Women's Gymnasium, the Memorial Arch and the Finney Memorial Chapel, the Men's Building and the new Administration and Academy buildings, have all been completed within the past sixteen years. An art building costing $168,000 is in process of construction on the corner of Main and Lorain streets, the lot costing $50,000. The funds were mostly given by Dr. and Mrs. Dudley Allen and John Severance. There are now in use for college purposes thirty buildings. Among the older buildings are Council Hall, containing a chapel and lecture rooms, and private apartments for sixty students; French and Society halls, used for recitation purposes ; Sturges Hall, which contains the rooms of the literary societies of the young women, and a general assembly room for the women's department ; the former Lincoln residence, which was moved north of the Severance Chemical Laboratory in the summer of 1914 and fitted up for the use of the botanical department ; and the former Squire residence, which was fitted up in the summer of 1906 for the use of the geological department. OBERLIN COLLEGE Probably there is no municipality in the United States which is more distinctively and completely a college town than Oberlin. Two sides of the large and splendid public square of the place are occupied by stately and beautiful college buildings. This is also the campus of Oberlin College. The other two sides of the square or campus are given up mostly to business houses. As the college has an attendance of some 1,700 students, and the entire population of the city does not exceed 5,000, it is plain to be seen that the trade and prosperity of the 422 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY community largely depend upon the students of the university. The merchants of the place are therefore deeply interested in the college catalogues, and note with pleasure or disappointment the increase or decrease of the collegiate attendance. COLLEGE AND CITY FOUNDED TOGETHER In view of the fact that the progress of Oberlin City and Oberlin College is so intimately asosciated, a narrative describing the origin of this splendid school of higher learning will also describe the founding of the city itself. The plan of both originated with Rev. John J. Shipherd, who was serving in 1832 as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Elyria. His associate in the educational enterprise was Philo P. Stewart, a former missionary among the Cherokee Indians of Mississippi, but at that time residing with Mr. Shipherd's family. Although Mr. Stewart became the strong business force which eventually resulted in founding Oberlin College, the majority of pioneer residents of the Western Reserve still persist in chiefly remembering him as the inventor of the old fashioned Stewart stove. Messrs. Shipherd and Stewart so laid their enterprise before Messrs. Street and Hughes, of New Haven,. Connecticut, that the eastern capitalists made a pledge of 500 acres of forest land in Russia Township, Lorain County, to establish a foundation fund for the proposed college. In November, 1832, the two enthusiastic young men from Elyria—such close friends, yet so different in habits and temperament—set forth from that place to select a site for the university campus. In addition to fixing upon the 500 acres now covered by the beautiful campus and magnificent buildings of Oberlin College, they purchased a section of land in Russia Township at $1.50 an acre, which was resold at $2.50, thus providing the first fund for the foundation of their school. The origin of its name is thus described : "There had recently been published in this country an account of the self-sacrificing life of John Frederick Oberlin, a German pastor, among the French and German population of a valley on the borders of Alsace and Lorraine. His spirit and achievements seemed so like those which were desired for the new colony that his name was given to it by the founders." The spirit of altruism which was with Shipherd and Stewart in the beginning has continued to this day. People who joined the early colony were asked to sign a covenant which provided first for the removal to Oberlin for the express purpose of glorifying God and doing good to men ; secondly, to hold their property personally, but to pledge its use to community interest ; thirdly, to hold no more property than HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 423 they believed they could profitably manage, as God's faithful stewards ; fourthly, that they would gain as much as possible and all above that used for necessities should be appropriated for the spread of the gospel ; fifthly, that they would eat only plain food, renounce bad habits, in which were included the drinking of liquor, tea or coffee and using tobacco; sixthly, pledge to dress plainly, to refrain from wearing tight clothes and all ornaments ; seventhly, that they would build simple homes and have simple furniture and carriages; eighthly, that from Christian principle would provide for widows, orphans, sick and needy ; tenthly, do all possible for Oberlin Institute ; eleventhly, that they would sustain the gospel at home and among neighbors ; twelfthly, "We will strive to maintain deep-loved and elevated personal piety, to provoke each other to love and good works, to live together in all things as brethren, and to glorify God in our bodies and spirits, which are his." Women, as well as men, signed these articles, and Mrs. Shipherd and Mrs. Stewart were equally anxious for and interested in the success of Oberlin, as were their husbands. THE HISTORIC ELM The founders of Oberlin did not leave their matters in the hands of land agents, but mounted their own good horses, at Elyria, and were soon picking their way carefully through the thick forests which then covered the site of the future college and town. Finally they reached an especially quiet and peaceful portion of the thick woods, tied their horses to a beautiful elm tree, and, with unaffected piety, fell upon their knees and prayed for the Divine blessing upon their project. Arising, they were about to stake out the 500 acres comprising their purchase, when a hunter pushed his way through the forest and informed them that he had just seen a black bear and her two cubs approach the tree to which they had tied their horses, but that after curiously sniffing around them for a few moments the mother had left their steeds unmolested. Messrs. Shipherd and Stewart considered this a good omen for the success of their educational enterprise, and the elm tree beneath which they prayed is generally supposed to still stand on the southeast corner of the college campus. It is carefully fenced, and guarded as almost a sacred object, and is known to everyone far and wide as the Historic Elm. The tablet marking the elm bears the words: "Near this tree the logs were laid for the first dwelling in Oberlin, April 16, 1833." This is all that is certainly known. The radical difference in mental makeup of these two noble Christian men never interfered with their lasting friendship, or the unity of their 424 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY work in the establishment of Oberlin College. The reason for this harmony in all their labors and relations was that each thoroughly understood the other. The following extract of a letter from Mr. Stewart to Mr. Shipherd, written when Oberlin College was in its infantile stage, is illustrative of this statement : "You acknowledge that you are constantly inclined to go too fast, and I acknowledge that I am disposed, from the same cause, to go too slow. If this be true, a word of admonition now and then from each other may be salutary. But after all, I would not have you like me in your temperament, if I could. I think we may balance each other and become mutual helps." FIRST OBERLIN COLONIST In the spring of 1833, the first Oberlin colonist arrived upon the site of the future college and village. The locality at the time was covered HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 425 with heavy beech and maple and such other trees of Northern Ohio as the oak, elm, ash and hickory. The people who took possession of this wild tract, under the leadership of Messrs. Shipherd and Stewart, were a number of Christian families gathered chiefly from the New England states, with a few from New York and Northern Ohio. They came with the double purpose of establishing a colony devoted to the promotion of Christian education and to make desirable homes for themselves and children. The first colonist to arrive upon the ground, who was already a resident of Lorain County, was Peter P. Pease. On April 10, 1833, he pitched his tent on what is now the southeast corner of Oberlin campus, and a few days afterward erected a log cabin a short. distance away. FIRST COLLEGE BUILDING The college as an institution opened on December 3d, with thirty-four students, and until the completion of its first building, Oberlin Hall, a short time afterward, the students were distributed in the homes of the colonists. Its first college structure was a plain two-story frame building, 35x40 feet, nearly opposite the Historic Elm. This pioneer building passed from college ownership about 1860, was afterward used as a carpenter shop and burned in 1886. The first school term covered the winter of 1833-4, ending with an attendance of twenty-nine men and fifteen women. The first Ladies' Hall was completed in 1835, 426 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY and used for thirty years, or until the erection of the second hall in 1865. The old building was then divided into five dwelling houses, some of which are still occupied. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The First Congregational Church was founded April 2, 1834, by Oberlin colonists and Oberlin College, the first regular class from the collegiate department which joined the society being organized in the following October. The church building, which still stands, was completed in August, 1844. THE BIG TENT AND CINCINNATI HALL Another widely known and popular structure connected with Oberlin College was the so-called Big Tent, 100 feet in diameter, which was erected on the campus principally for the holding of religious meetings, and for the gathering of larger college assemblies than could be accommodated by Oberlin Hall. The tent had a seating capacity of 3,000 and among the many gatherings which filled it to overflowing was that of 1841, when three young,women received the degree of A. B.—the first time that such an honor had been conferred upon women in the United States. The Big Tent afterward passed into the ownership of the Anti-Slavery Society, and was the scene of many tumultuous gatherings when Oberlin was such a noted abolitionist center. At an early period, attendance at the college had reached such proportions that it became necessary to provide students with other boarding accommodations than those they could secure from the already crowded homes of Oberlin citizens. For this purpose the college management erected Cincinnati Hall, a rough one-story building 144x24 feet, and because of the material from which it was mostly constructed it was popularly known as Slab Hall. This was occupied by as many male students as could be crowded into it until. about 1840, when more suitable boarding accommodations had been supplied. The home for the president, known as Finney House, was completed in 1835. From 1891 to 1904 it was used for laboratory purposes and torn down in 1905 to make way for that magnificent structure, the Finney Memorial Chapel. What was known as Mahan-Moran House was also completed in 1835, and stood on the site of Warner Hall. Walton Hall, also a men's dormitory, was finished during that year, and was destroyed by fire in 1864. Thus mention has been made of the HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 427 earliest buildings which formed the nucleus of the present splendid array of college buildings. PRESIDENT MAHAN Taking up the general historical thread, it should be stated that the first president of Oberlin College was Rev. Asa Mahan, who was elected January 1, 1835. He assumed his official duties on May 1, being a graduate of the theological seminary at Andover, and coming directly from Cincinnati where lie was pastor of a Presbyterian Church, and trustee of Lane Seminary. He remained at the head of its affairs until August 28, 1850. The month after President Mahan's election the trustees of Oberlin University incorporated what was then a• very radical provision to its constitution, providing for the admission of students irrespective of color. Since that time, in the face of many years of bitter criticism, and opposition, this provision permanently stood. The liberal spirit evinced at this early date has permeated not only the college, but the entire community, and it is one of the interesting features of the town, so noticeable today, that representatives of the colored race are everywhere treated with the utmost courtesy and consideration. The natural result has been mutual respect and politeness, and the teaching of a forcible object lesson to those who still insist that the two races cannot live peaceably in the same community. In May, 1835, the month that President Mahan came to the college, was organized the theological department. This was in full working order by December of that year, with an attendance of thirty-five stu- 428 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY dents. The strength of the other departments was as follows : Collegiate, 37 women's department, 73, and preparatory, 131. The important part to be played by the women of Oberlin College became early evident. In July, 1835, they formed what was known as the Young Ladies' Association of Oberlin Collegiate Institution, afterwards merged into the Ladies' Literary Society, and in February, 1836, the college authorities founded a women board of managers. Other events which marked distinct steps in the progress of Oberlin College during the presidency of Professor Mahan may be mentioned as follows: The first issue of Oberlin Evangelist in January. 1839, and the organization of the Philo Dialectic Society now the Phi Delta, later the Young Men's Lyceum, which was merged into the Phi Kappa Psi; and the organization of the Oberlin Musical Association, in 1847. The latter was changed to the Oberlin Musical Union in May, 1860, and during the sixty-three years of its existence has given 148 public concerts. During this period (on February 17, 1846), the Village of Oberlin was also incorporated. THE COLLEGE IN 1845 It is interesting to pause at this point in the narrative. which has taken the college through its first decade, and learn how this rather unique experiment of coeducation and colonization, the complete erasure of the color line, manual training and the enforcement of prohibition, as well as the insistence of strict morality, was viewed by an outsider. J. A. Harris, editor of the Cleveland Herald, in one of his issues of 1845, furnishes the illustration. "The Oberlin Collegiate Institute.— he says, "is emphatically the people's college, and, although some of its leading characteristics are peculiar to the institution, and are at variance with the general public opinion and prejudices, the college exerts a wide and healthful influence. It places a useful and thoroughly practical education within the reach of indigent and industrious young men and women, as well as those in affluent circumstances ; and many in all ranks of life avail themselves of the rare advantages enjoyed at Oberlin. The average number of students the last five years is five hundred and twenty-eight, and this too, be it remembered, in an institution that has sprung up in what was a dense wilderness but a dozen years ago. To remove all credulity, we give a concise history of its origin and progress. "The Rev. John J. Shipherd was a prominent founder of Oberlin. His enterprising spirit led in the devising and incipient steps. Without any fund in the start, in August, 1832, he rode over the ground for inspection where the village of Oberlin now stands. It was then a dense, HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 429 heavy, unbroken forest, the land level and wet, almost inaccessible by roads and the prospects for a settlement forbidding in the extreme. In November. 1832, Mr. Shipherd, in company with a few others, selected the site. Five hundred acres of land were conditionally pledged by Messrs. Street and Hughes, of New Haven, Connecticut, on which the college buildings now stand. A voluntary board of trustees held their first meeting in the winter of 1832, in a small Indian opening on the site. The Legislature of 1833-34 granted a charter with university privileges. Improvements were commenced, a log house or two erected, people began to locate in the colony, and in 1834 the board of trustees resolved to open the school for the reception of colored persons of both sexes. to be regarded as on an equality with others. In January, 1835, Messrs. Finney and Morgan were appointed as teachers, and in May of that year Mr. Mahan commenced housekeeping in a small log dwelling. "Such was the beginning—and the present result is a striking exemplification of what obstacles can be overcome and what good can be accomplished under our free institutions by the indomitable energy, earnest zeal and unfaltering perseverance of a few men, when they engage heart and soul in a great philanthropic enterprise. "Oberlin is now a pleasant, thriving village of about two thousand souls, with necessary stores and mechanic's' shops, the largest church in the state and a good temperance hotel. It is a community of teetotallers, from the highest to the lowest, the sale of ardent spirits having never been permitted within its borders. The college buildings number seven commodious .edifices. Rev. A. Mahan is president of the College Institute. assisted by fifteen able professors and teachers. Endowments: Eight professorships are supported in part by pledges; 500 acres of land at Oberlin and 10,000 acres in western Virginia. 430 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY OBJECTS OF THE INSTITUTION "1. To educate youths of both sexes, so as to secure the development of a strong mind in a sound body, connected with a permanent, vigorous, progressive piety—all to be aided by a judicious system of manual labor. "2. To beget and to confirm in the process of education the habits of self-denial, patient endurance, a chastened moral courage and a devout consecration of the whole being to God, in seeking the best good of man. "3. To establish universal liberty by the abolition of every form of sin. "4. To avoid the debasing association of the heathen classics and make the Bible a text-book in all the departments of education. "5. To raise up a church and ministers who shall be known and be read of all men in deep sympathy with Christ, in holy living and in efficient action against all which God forbids. "6. To furnish a seminary affording thorough instruction in all the branches of an education for both sexes, and in which colored persons of both sexes shall be freely admitted on terms of equality and brotherhood. "We confess that much prejudice against the Oberlin College has been removed by a visit to the institution. The course of training- and studies pursued there appear admirably calculated to rear a class of healthy, useful, self-educated and self-relying men and women—a class which the poor man's son and daughter may enter on equal terms with others, with an opportunity to outstrip in the race, as they often do. It is the only college in the United States where females enjoy the privileges of males in acquiring an education, and where degrees are conferred on ladies; and this peculiar feature of the instruction has proved highly useful. "By combining manual labor with study, the physical system keeps pace with the mind in strength and development, and the result in most cases is 'sound minds in healthy bodies.' Labor and attention to household duties are made familiar and honorable and, pleased as we were to note the intelligent and healthful countenances of the young ladies seated at the boarding-house dinner table, the gratification was heightened shortly after by observing the same graceful forms clad in tidy, long aprons, and busily engaged in putting the dining-hall in order. And the literary exercises of the same ladies proved that the labor of the hands in the institution had been no hindrance in the acquisition of knowledge. "Young in years as is Oberlin, the institution has sent abroad many HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 431 well qualified and diligent laborers in the great moral field of the world. Her graduates may be found in nearly every missionary clime, and her scholars are active co-workers in many of the philanthropic movements that distinguish the age. It is the people's college, and long may it prove an increasing blessing to the people." PRESIDENT FINNEY Professor Mahan was succeeded in the presidency by Prof. Charles Grandison Finney, on the 25th of August, 1851. President Finney commenced his connection with Oberlin College as its first professor of theology in June, 1835, and was identified with its faculty almost continuously until his resignation as president, August 19, 1865. His most noteworthy absence was in 1849, when he went to England as an Evangelist. He resigned his well-performed duties at the age of seventy-three, and died in 1875. One of his daughters married Hon. J. D. Cox and added greatly to her husband's success, both in his educational and political life. She was a brilliant woman. Another was later married to the Hon. James Monroe. CONSOLIDATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS There was a marked increase in the attendance during the first few years of Professor Finney's administration, and by 1853 the enrolment had reached 1,305, of which number 716 were men. In 1851 the scholarship fund was formed amounting to $85,000, while 1854 was an active year in the formation of men's literary societies, and also marked the establishment of- the Library Association. In 1856 the second women's literary society (the Aeliolan) came into existence, and in 1859 the ladies formed both literary and library associations. The literary and library associations of both men and women were eventually consolidated (in October, 1874), resulting in the formation of the Union Library Association. At that time the number of volumes at the disposal of the association was 3,058. This number had increased to nearly 10,000. in 1898 and in March, 1908, when the Union Library Association formally passed over its collection to the college, the library amounted to nearly 15,000 bound volumes. OBERLIN STUDENTS' MONTHLY In 1858 the Oberlin Students' Monthly was established and advertised to be as a religious, political, and literary magazine in page and 432 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY type after the style of the Atlantic Monthly. This was continued for three years being discontinued during the war, and in it appeared numerous articles from persons who afterwards became more or less distinguished. Among them may be mentioned Emily C. Huntington, E. M. Cravath, G. F. Wright, Judson Smith, E. H. Merrell, S. Jay Buck, P. S. Boyd, P. C. Hayes, H. S. Bennett, J. H. Laird, W. W. Kinsley, W. N. Hudson, J. R. Shipherd, J. B. T. Marsh, A. B. Nettleton, William McCloud Barber, Zenephon Wheeler, Hattie Everson and Mary P. Dascomb. FINNEY MEMORIAL CHAPEL President Finney's administration also included the Civil war period, during which the splendid patriotism exhibited by the student body materially interfered with the growth of the college. A short time after the firing on Fort Sumter more than 430 students applied for enlistment, although eighty-one only were received—the maximum strength of the company formed. President Finney left an enduring mark on the policies and broad usefulness of Oberlin College, and his prominence as one of its builders is also proclaimed in the massive and beautiful memorial chapel which stands at the southwest corner of West Lorain and North Professor streets on the site of his former residence. The college chapel erected in 1854 and remodeled in 1883 was destroyed by fire in January, 1903. It has been replaced by the Finney Memorial Chapel, erected at a cost of $135,000. It is the gift of Mr. Frederick Norton Finney of Milwaukee, Wisconsin : "That the youth of this foundation of learning may daily meet to worship God, and that a son may honor the memory of his father." The Finney Memorial Chapel was opened for college uses in September, 1908. Its dimensions are 117x165 feet ; the building seats about 1,900 and provides standing room for 500 or more. In 1914, Mr. Finney and Charles M. Hall united in a gift of a new organ for the chapel. The installation of this organ was begun in January, 1915, and the dedication exercises occurred March 12, 1915. The organ was built by the E. M. Skinner Company of Boston, Massachusetts, at a cost of $25,000. PRESIDENT FAIRCHILD Succeeding President Finney was Prof. James Hains Fairchild, who became head of Oberlin College June 26, 1866, and resigned his office 434 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY June 24, 1889. In many respects he exerted the strongest and most continuous influence upon the welfare of the university of any one personality, as his connection began almost from the first term and continued until his death, March 19, 1902, or a period of over sixty-seven years. President Fairchild was a native of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, having been born November 25, 1817. In 1818 his parents moved to Brownhelm, Lorain County, and he early began his studies. The family took up a residence in Oberlin in 1840. Nancy Hains Fairchild was determined her boys should have educations. She realized, to study well, that they must be well nourished. At that time the Grahamites were plenty and she did not believe in such meager fare. She was induced to take charge of a boarding hall, so that others might have advantage of her table. She accomplished her desires. Three of her boys became college presidents—one at Oberlin, one at Berea, Kentucky, and one at the State Industrial College of Kansas. She lived to a good old age, and died at her Brownhelm home. At the age of twelve young Fairchild entered a classical school, beginning the study of Latin in the following year. In July, 1832, he graduated from the Elyria High School, then under the presidency of Rev. John Monteith, and there became interested in the project which resulted in the establishment of Oberlin College. In May, 1834, he was enrolled as a member of its first freshman class, consisting of four students—himself, his brother Henry, and two others. Professor Fairchild completed the entire four years' course, and at the age of twenty graduated in the first class ever sent out from Oberlin College. He then completed a theological course in 1841, and taught for several months near his old home in Brownhelm and in Chautauqua County, New York. A short experience as a preacher in Southern Michigan preceded his return to Oberlin College. While still an undergraduate he had become connected with its faculty, teaching Latin, Greek and theology, and upon his permanent return to his alma mater he became a tutor both of theology and Hebrew. In 1842 the languages were added to his other branches, and in 1844 he assumed the chair of mathematics. He continued as professor of the latter until 1858, and in the following year was appointed associate professor of theology and moral philosophy, at a later date assuming the full professorship. For some years before President Finney's resignation, in 1865, Professor Fairchild had assumed most of the burdens connected with the presidency of the college, although his official title was chairman. In June, 1866, he was formally elected to the presidency, being at that time in his forty-ninth year. No man could have been more thoroughly equipped for his official duties, as he had been identified with every department of the college excepting that of chemistry. He con- HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 435 tinued as president of the college until 1889, when advanced age and failing strength forced him to resign, although he retained the chair of theology and ethics until the day of his death. The growth of the college was necessarily slow for a number of years after the Civil war, so that by 1873 its enrolment had only reached 1,371, or slightly greater than that of 1853. There was little change in the actual attendance up to the time of President Fairchild's death, and a few facts remain to be stated which fall within the period covered by his presidency. In July, 1870, the trustees of Oberlin College voted in favor of an alumni representation in their board, and, in pursuance of this decision, one member was selected from the seminary and two from the college departments. These were recognized as corresponding members of the board of trustees, although denied the right to vote. Still later the charter was so changed that one-third of the trustees were elected by the alumni. In the following year, November 15th, at the third meeting of the National Congregational Council at Oberlin, the cornerstone of Council Hall was laid, and since has been occupied by the department of theology. OBERLIN COLLEGE REVIEW FOUNDED The first issue of the Oberlin College Review is dated April 1, 1874. The publication was originally a semi-monthly, but became a weekly in 1889, and later a semi-weekly. The first article of the first issue, by President Fairchild, was entitled "A Visit to Waldbach, the Home of Pastor Oberlin." The other events connected with the development of Oberlin, which fall within the presidency of Professor Fairchild, may be mentioned as follows : The organization of the College Glee Club and the Young Men's Christian Association, in November, 1.881; the establishment of a philosophical course in the curriculum in 1886, which carries with it the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy ; the founding of the Slavic course in theology during 1887, and Talcottletion of Peters and Talcott. halls during the same year. PRESIDENT BALLANTINE Prof. William Gay Ballantine succeeded to the presidency in January, 1891, having for the preceding thirteen years filled the chair of Hebrew of the college faculty. He resigned in June, 1893. During this period the anti-saloon element of Oberlin assumed HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 437 organized form, through the meeting of the Oberlin Temperance Alliance in May, 1893. Upon that date its members gathered in the Spear Library of the college and organized the Anti-Saloon League, whose first public meeting was held in the First Congregational Church on Sunday, June 4, of that year. PRESIDENT BARROWS Rev. John Henry Barrows assumed the presidency in November, 1898, and continued at the head of the college affairs until his death, June 3, 1902. He was the first president of that institution to die in office, his decease occurring about two months after the passing away of his predecessor, President Fairchild. It is probable that no president of Oberlin College enjoyed so cosmopolitan a reputation as Doctor Barrows, his name being honored by scholars and religionists of two hemispheres. He first carne into world notice as president of the great Congress of Religions at the Columbian Exposition, and afterwards extended his fame by the profound lectures in the promotion of religion which he delivered from Calcutta, India, to San Francisco, California. As a preacher, orator, scholar and college executive he had few equals in the United States. THE MEMORIAL ARCH It was during President Barrows' administration that the Oberlin victims of the Boxer uprising fell in China, although the memorial arch erected at the main entrance of the campus from the west, was not completed until May, 1903, nearly a year after his death. During that month Dr. Henry Churchill King was inaugurated as president of the college, succeeding Doctor Barrows. In the autumn of 1902, during the annual meeting of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, the cornerstone of a memorial arch was laid, constituting an entrance to the campus opposite Peters Hall. The arch was dedicated in May, 1903. It has been erected as a memorial for the missionaries of the American Board who suffered martyrdom in China during the insurrection of 1900, most of whom were Oberlin graduates. The arch is built of Indiana buff limestone at a cost of somewhat more than $20,000, which sum was provided by friends of the American Board. Both pride and tenderness go forth from college and city to the memorial arch and it is a shrine to which Protestant missionaries resort with moist eyes and beating hearts. Around the concave cornice looking 438 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY in from the street are the inscriptions : "Neither Count I my Life Dear to Myself," "The Blood of Martyrs the Seed of the Church." Over the outer doorway : "Ye Are Witnesses." The inscription over the doorway of the campus entrance is : "The Lord Reigneth." There are two tablets set into walls to the right and left of the arch. That on the left bears the following : "Masacred : Charles Wesley Price, Eva Jane Price, Ernest Richmond Atwater; children—Florence Price, Clara Ball Atwater, Bertha Bowen ; near Fenchow-Fu, Shansi, China, August 15, 1900. "Ernestine Harriet Atwater, Mary Sanders Atwater ; at Tai-Yuan, Shansi, China, July 9, 1900. "Missionaries of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions." The right tablet records the following as victims of the fanatical massacre : "Dwight Howard Clapp, Mary Jane Clapp, Susan Rowena Bird, Mary Louisa Partridge, George Louis Williams, Francis Ward Davis ; at Taiku Shansi, China, July 31, 1900. "Horace Tracy Pitkin, Mary Susan Morrill, Annie Allender Gould ; at Paoting-Fu, China, July 1, 1900. "Missionaries of the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions." PRESIDENT KING In November, 1902, Prof. Henry Churchill King succeeded Doctor Barrows, being inaugurated May 13, 1903. He first became connected with Oberlin College, as a tutor, having served as professor of philosophy for six years previous to his election as treasurer. He was already widely known as an author, and since becoming the head of Oberlin College has been honored with the presidency of the Religious Educational Association. His record as an educator is given thus : Henry Churchill King, D. D., LL. D., president ; professor of theology and philosophy. On the W. E. Osborn Foundation ; Fairchild Professorship. A. B., Oberlin College, 1879 ; D. B., 1882 ; D. D., 1897 ; A. M., Harvard, 1883 ; D. D., Western Reserve, 1901, Yale, 1904 ; S. T. D., Columbia, 1909 ; LL. D., Illinois, 1908, Miami, 1909. Student, Harvard, 1882-84, Berlin, 1893-94 ; lecturing in India, China, and Japan, 190910. Associate professor of mathematics, Oberlin, 1884-90; associate professor of philosophy, 1890-91; professor of philosophy, 1891-97 ; professor of theology and philosophy, 1897—; dean, 1898-1902 ; president, 1902—. HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 439 NEW DEANS CREATED Among the innovations introduced during the administration of the present incumbent is the creation of the offices, dean of the Seminary in 1903) and dean of the College of Women (in 1904) ; and deans have also been established for the Conservatory of Women and the Academy of Women, who are personally responsible to the college management for the administration of its rules. In 1904 was created the office known as assistant to the president, the special duties of which are to increase and conserve the material equipment of the college. GREAT ENDOWMENT FUND More important than anything which has been mentioned, however, in the establishment of Oberlin College on a broad and liberal educational basis, is the founding of a great endowment fund, which was begun in June, 1900. At that time, during the reunion of the college alumni, pledges were received for the raising of a general endowment fund amounting to $72,000, as well as for the founding of a $10,000 scholarship. Not long afterwards the Oberlin College Living Endowment Union was organized as a medium through which to receive all such contributions. The receipts from friends of the college were so generous that by December, 1901, the funds amounted to $500,000. This sum included $200,000 offered by Mr. Rockefeller, upon the condition that the college raised $300,000. The completion of the second half million endowment fund was announced in June, 1906. To be more exact, the total was $501,608, and included the following items : Andrew Carnegie, for the library building, $125,000 ; fifty-six donors, in behalf of the library endowment, $100,000 ; an anonymous Boston friend, for increase of teachers' salaries in college and seminary, $100,000; Miss Anne Walworth, for the establishment of the Slavic department of the Theological Seminary, $75,000. Other notable bequests since that day are $165,000 from Mrs. Dudley Allen for the erection of the Dudley Peter Memorial Art Building; *37,000 by Mr. John Severance to furnish a site for the building ; $100.000 by Doctor Allen's will for a Mrs. A. A. F. Johnston endowment for instruction in the history and appreciation of art ; $40,000 by an anonymous donor for the endowment of the library ; $500,000 by Mr. Charles Hall's bequest for a great auditorium. and $100,000 for its endowment, together with a gift of $200,000 for the endowment of the campus and other college grounds, and of the arboretum, forest reserve, and park, and $2,000,000 for general endowment purposes. In addition to this HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY - 441 Mr. Hall had purchased and given to the college the Johnson estate with some adjoining properties which were to be made into an arboretum "laid out in a scientific manner with representative trees and shrubs from all over the world so far as the same will grow successfully in the climate of Oberlin." Other lands given by Mr. Hall on the west of Oberlin, the will directs should be "forested with representative and valuable trees, particularly of North American varieties, and perpetually maintained as a. forest or forests in the wild state, with suitable walks and drives." The art objects given to the college include the best four paintings in Mr. Hall's house, his antique Chinese porcelain, and the fifty choicest rugs of his very valuable rug collection. The assets of the college according to the treasurer's report in 1915 were, general endowment and special funds, $2,671,132.28 ; value of buildings and equipment, $1,718,802.29 ; total, $4,389,934.57. To this sum would now be added the value of the bequests for the library and the art building, and those of Mr. Hall, which would increase the sum to nearly $8,000,000. The period from 1900 to 1909, in the general progress of the college, was mainly marked by its great growth in the College of Arts and Sciences, the attendance in this department having more than doubled during this time. The total attendance of the college is now about 2,000, the women outnumbering the men two to one. COLLEGE BUILDINGS Several magnificent buildings, which go to make up what is known as Oberlin College, require special mention before the writer proceeds to a description of its general administration, its distinct departments and courses of instruction. THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY In January, 1905, Andrew J. Carnegie, had made an offer of $125,000 for a library endowment fund, providing the college secured $100,000 to add to his donation. The amount was raised in June, 1906, and in March, 1907, Mr. Carnegie promised $25,000 additional for a building, upon the condition that the college secured $20,000 as a further endowment. Not to trace the steps more in detail which led to the founding of the Carnegie Library of Oberlin College and the erection of its magnificent home, it may be stated that the dedication of the structure occurred on the 23d of June, 1908. The building, which is of Amherst sandstone is on the northeast corner of Professor and Lorain streets, is 442 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY 135x110 feet, and cost $155,000, of which Mr. Carnegie gave all but $5,000. On the first floor are special rooms for readers and wardrobe accommodations ; on the second floor, spacious and convenient reading rooms and the librarian's offices; on the third and fourth floors, the library proper, with various departments connected with the college and seminary ; and on the fifth and sixth floors is temporarily stored the magnificent Olney art collection. Though primarily for the use of students and instructors, the Carnegie Library may be freely consulted by all! The board of education of the Oberlin Union School District has a contract with the board of trustees of Oberlin College for the use of the library, all residents of the district being entitled to draw books free of charge. Besides the large collection of pamphlets, numbering over 131,000, the collection contains about 150,000 bound volumes. As the library has an income of $160,000 yearly to be expended in its enlargement, and that sum is supplemented by gifts and special appropriations, it is increasing at the rate of about 7,000 volumes annually. About 20,000 volumes are available in the building on open shelves. The library has been the recipient of many valuable collections, among which may be mentioned the following : From the library of Prof. J. Henry Thayer, more than 1,000 volumes on the Study and History of the New Testament ; from the late Prof. Albert Allen Wright, 1,200 volumes on Zoology and Geology : from. the family of the late D. W. Gage, Esq., 3,000 volumes on law and theology ; from the Tate Gen. J. D. Cox, his private library of 2,800 volumes, especially strong in military and general history ; from the library of Judge Asher Cook, 1,000 volumes of law and general literature ; from the library of the late President John Henry Barrows, 1,500 volumes of theology and general literature ; from Mr. William K. Bixby of St. Louis, Mo., a collection of privately printed books from manuscripts in Mr. Bixby's possession. THE OLNEY ART COLLECTION Another munificent gift which has fallen to Oberlin College is the bequest made by Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Olney, of Cleveland, known as the Olney Art Collection. During the spring of 1908 this collection was removed from Cleveland to Oberlin, and installed temporarily on the third floor of the new Carnegie Library Building. The collection comprises 290 bronzes and brasses ; 150 copper, gold, silver, and steel objects ; 130 cloisonné, Limoges, Russian, and other enamels ; 235 pieces of pottery and porcelain, two-thirds of which are Japanese and 444 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY Chinese; 175 pieces of woodcarving marquetry, and lacquer ; 283 ivory etchings and carvings; 55 pearl, horn, coral, and cameo-shell carvings; 110 pieces of alabaster, crystal, glass, soapstone, and jade, mostly carved ; 5,000 ornamental and semi-precious stones of about 35 different kinds; 1,200 cameos and intaglios; 15 or 20 mosaics; 30 miniatures; 10 oriental rugs; and 225 oil and water-color paintings, besides valuable museum furniture. The collection comprises a total of more than 7,900 articles, the value being conservatively estimated at $113,000. WARNER AND STURGES HALLS Warner Hall was originally constructed through the generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Lucien C. Warner, of New York, for a conservatory of music. Three years afterward a large wing to the north was added, and in 1903-4 the building was entirely remodeled. A fine organ is the most striking feature of its musical equipment, which was installed in 1902 and is the gift of Harold Kimball, the well-known manufacturer of instruments at Rochester, New York. About $125,000 has been expended on the building. It is four stories high, of buff Amherst stone, and has a frontage of 120 feet on North Professor Street, and 120 feet on West College Street. It contains a concert hall, seating 1.000, in which are two Steinway grand pianos and a large and exceptionally fine organ, of three manuals and forty stops, built by Roosevelt, of New York. There are also lecture rooms, a library, and offices. besides 132 other rooms used for lessons, and for organ and piano practice. It is heated throughout by steam from a central heating plant, and electric power is supplied for running the passenger elevator, pumping the organs, and lighting the building. Sturges Hall, erected in 1884, was designed to provide accommodations for the women's literary societies in the college, and is named for Miss Susan M. Sturges, who is the principal donor. Since 1907 this has been used for recitation purposes by the College of Arts and Sciences. SPEAR ZOOLOGICAL LARORATORY The Spear Zoological Laboratory, erected in 1885, was the gift of Rev. Charles V. Spear, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and for many years was used for college library purposes. Since the completion of the Carnegie Library, in 1908, it has been utilized for the Zoological department. In its main entrance hall is a bronze memorial tablet erected to 446 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY the memory of Prof. Albert A. Wright, who for thirty-one years held the professorship of geology and natural history. PETERS HALL Peters Hall, one of the finest buildings in the college group, was completed in 1887, mainly through a donation of $50,000 from Hon. Richard G. Peters, of Manistee, Michigan. It is a massive two-story building and contains the recitation rooms of the College of Arts and Sciences. The most striking architectural feature is a grand central court, extending two stories into the interior of the building and surrounded by the lecture and recitation rooms. It also contains several beautiful class gifts, such as an ornate fireplace, casts taken from the Parthenon frieze, and a strikingly life-like portrait of Professor Barrows. Peters Hall is occupied by the College of Arts and Sciences and has special accommodations for the departments of physics, astronomy and psychology. RICE MEMORIAL HALL Rice Memorial Hall is located on West College Street, adjoining Warner Hall. It was constructed in the years 1909 and 1910. It is a stone building, four stories in height, containing 111 class and practice rooms. The total cost, including equipment, was about $90,000. It is named Rice Memorial Hall to commemorate the services of Prof. Fenelon B. Rice and Mrs. Helen M. Rice. THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING The new administration building is located directly south of Finney Memorial Chapel. The construction of the building was begun in June, 1913, and the formal opening for college uses occurred February 10, 1915. It is of fire-proof construction throughout. The offices of the treasurer and the secretary occupy the first floor, while those of the president, and assistant to the president, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and the registrar are on the second floor. The Administration Building was erected in memory of Gen. Jacob Dolson Cox by his son, Jacob D. Cox, of Cleveland. The total cost was $70,000. THE MEN'S BUILDING The Men 's Building is the gift of an anonymous donor. It is located on West Lorain Street, west of Finney Memorial Chapel. It was corn- 448 - HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY pleted in January, 1911. It is one of the largest of the college buildings, with a length of 200 feet and a depth of 90 feet. The total cost was $155,000. ACADEMY BUILDINGS The academy occupies three substantial and convenient buildings located on the Johnson property, a quarter of a mile from the College Campus. The property is the gift of an anonymous donor. In the summer of 1912 the three buildings were remodeled and equipped for the uses of the academy through the gift of $25.000 by Mr. Charles M. Hall, of Niagara Falls, New York. WARNER GYMNASIUM The gymnasium for men, the gift of Dr. and Mrs. Lucien C, Warner of New York, has been built in sections. The larger portion, including the front bay and the part lying south of it, was completed in the fall of 1901, at a cost of $45,000. In the summer of 1911 work was begun on the north end, and the cost of this, together with changes in the older portion, raises the total amount expended for construction and equipment to more than $80,000. Its offices and examining rooms, the dressing rooms and lockers, the baths and the arrangements for heating, venilating, lighting, and cleaning, as well as the facilities for exercise of all sorts, are the result of long and careful planning, and are believed to be first-class in every particular. The area of the fields used for out-of-door sports for men is twenty-five acres. The main entrance is located at the north end of Woodland Avenue. The new varsity football field was opened for use in September, 1913. The new cinder track was completed in September, 1913, arid had its first practical use as a running track in the spring of 1914. When the construction of the tennis courts and the practice fields for baseball and football is completed, Oberlin will have available for its men an equipment for play in the open air that can hardly be equaled elsewhere. WOMEN'S GYMNASIUM The Women's Gymnasium is a two-story structure of brick and wood. On the first floor at the right of the entrance hall is the main exercise room, which is 95x50 feet, is 18 feet high at the sides and 28 feet at the center. A visitors' gallery crosses one end. The room is well equipped