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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY - 555
CHAPTER XVI.*
SPENCER TOWNSHIP—PHYSICAL FEATURES—ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT—EARLY CUSTOMS--PIONEER
INDUSTRIES—CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.
IT is natural for a civilized people to inquire into the adventures and exploits of their ancestors ; to note those causes which shape the ends and destinies of great nations, as well as the smallest systems of civilized government ; to mark the varied scenes in the life of the pioneer, his customs, the mode of his operations. and the numerous. incidents which brighten the lonely life of the hardy few who sought and broke the solitude of the mighty forests with ax and rifle.
The history of a township embraces those minor details and events incident to the settlement of a new country; rendered charming by the peculiar character and customs of those men who, by sturdy. industry, lifted like a vail the great forests from the face of our country, substituting grainfields, blooming gardens and bright: firesides, for a primeval and howling wilderness.
Spencer is bounded on the north by Penfield, on the west by Huntington, on the south by Homer, and on the east by Chatham.
The East Branch of Black River and its numerous. branches afford .sufficient drainage and irrigation. This East Branch enters the east side of the township, and follows a. very tortuous course north and west. across the corner of the township. Near the present coarse of the river is to be seen the remains of a large beaver dam, on the farm of Henry Snyder. Along the course of this winding river were beautiful springs of water' which came from so deep under the hills, as to be cold as ice in summer and warm in winter. The principal branch of Black River was situated in the south part of
*Contributed by C J. Aldrich.
the township, and became known as the South Creek. This stream was situated in a narrow defile and when swollen by freshets rushed down the stony ravine with great velocity, at every sharp curve, throwing logs, ice, or whatever debris it bore, high on land. The bottoms of the river were covered with large groves of papaw, and butternut trees, shaded by huge sycamore and black walnut, and, to add to these wild beauties, festoons of wild grapes hung from their twining vines in luxuriant abundance. And these bottom-forests, extending up the hills, blended into dense forests of beech, hickory, graceful elms and gigantic oaks. These forests were cut by many a winding path, trod alone by wild beasts and the soft moccasin of the wily Indian.
Salt springs were numerous in the west half of the township, and, silent as the shades of darkness, the cautious red man with a coal of fire, stole down and hid himself near these "licks," waiting the approach of the graceful deer.
Amid this wild grandeur and savage beauty, the white man came. Little thought the red man that this solitary one was the forerunner of a mighty host that would level their forests, drive the game from their hunting-grounds, and tear the sod from the graves of their fore-fathers.
This first white man and family came in 1823, and settled on the banks of Black River, near where John Stroup now lives. His name was John P. Marsh. He bought the land of Samuel Parkman, of Vermont, who was the original proprietor of the township, for $3 per acre. His nearest neighbor was in Harrisville Town-
556 - HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY
ship, five miles distant Mr. Marsh was born in Vermont His wife, Clarissa. rode from Harrisville on horseback, carrying one child in her arms, while another rode behind her on the same horse. Mrs. Marsh, nee Clarissa Rodgers, was born in Connecticut The house which they occupied was about eighteen feet square, made of notched logs, shake roof, puncheon floors, and stone and times was fastened by a long pole reaching from the door to the opposite side of the house. Very few were the comforts and luxuries of such a home. The table was a large hewn plank with four legs. Their chairs were rude slabs, and their beds were made as follows : Two holes were bored in the floor. and on a line parallel with the wall, far apart enough for the length of the bed. and far enough from the wall for the width, which was frequently wide enough for three or four per-sous. Two upright posts were fitted into these holes. These posts were arranged so as to put pieces of timber from them into holes bored the proper height in the wall. Then a piece of timber was fitted into holes in the posts, so as to form the front rail, and the bedstead was complete. Now all that remained was to weave a bark or splint bottom, place a few skins or a mattress of leaves, grass, or, perhaps, feathers, on the frame, and there was the bed on which our forefathers slept the sleep of the just.
The log cabins generally had a loft or chamber above. This loft was used as a storeroom and sleeping quarters, and was generally reached by a ladder. Although Mr. Marsh was the first settler in the township, a man by the name of Rising, from Huntington. built the first cabin. This cabin was on the river road near where Jacob Mantze's house is now situated. Rising made no purchase of land. and, though building the cabin. did not come to live in it. In the fall of 1823, Phineas Davis and family came. and occupied the unused house of
Rising. Soon after this came other families, among which were the Bizzard, Bissett, Space and Falconer families.
The settlers naturally congregated at one point, which was on the river road where the north-and-south road, which is one mile east of .the parallel center road. crosses. This .ws now known as the River Corners. or Spencer's Mills.
Township .No. 2, Range `17. belonged originally to Medina County and was then attached to Penfield Township. which was also a part of Medina County, along with Huntington and Sullivan. It was afterward, with the fore named townships, set over into Lorain County.
It was generally supposed that this transfer, was made to build or help to build the court house at Elyria. In 1839. the township of Spencer was reinstated in the county of Medina. but the other townships were left to constitute a part of Lorain. The first record found on the duplicate of Medina County, alter the first transfer.. is in 1840.
The township of Spencer was named and organized in 1832. the 18th day of February, when twenty-one votes were cast. The circumstance of naming. as given by the early settlers. is somewhat contradictory. The most authentic history of the event is as follows : The settlers wishing to have their township known by a name, proposed to call it Marshfield or Marshtown. in honor of the first settler, John P. Marsh. But Mr. Marsh told them, though he appreciated the honor' done him, he knew as well as they that the name of Marshfield or Marshtown was not suitable for a township so rolling, and far from what the name implied. So matters stood until Calvin Spencer. who owned the Spencer Mills. proposed to give $50 in lumber to build schoolhouses if they would give his name to the township. , To this the people agreed. and met, as before stated. to organize and name the township and elect officers. whose term should run until the
HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY -557
following 2d of ApriL The officers were as follows : Abel Wood, Clerk ; Henry W. Wood, Treasurer; Gershum Bissett, Fence Viewers: Philip Bizzard. John P. Marsh. Ezekiel Bissett, Trustees ; Linzey Bennett, Overseer of the Poor ; Henry Wood, Supervisor ; Samuel Falconer, Constable.
No Justice was elected. These officers were all qualified. and served until the 2d day of April, 1832. when the voters of Spencer Township and Homer met in the former place and elected the following officers to act as the regular township officials for the two townships : Abel Wood. Clerk ; H. W. Wood, Treasurer ; Samuel Falconer. Constable ; Philip Bizzard, John Marsh and John Park. Trustees ; Gershum Bissett and Linzey Bennett, Fence Viewers ; Linzey Bennett and Philip Bizzard, Overseers of the Poor; Henry Wood, Batchelor Wing and Richard West, Supervisors. This was the first regular township election held in the township. John Park. one of the Trustees, lived in Homer, as did Batchelor Wing, one of the Supervisors. The first election in Spencer was an organizing election, and Homer had no part in it, consequently. the officers served only a short time. when the two townships held the joint , election before mentioned. These elections were held in the old log schoolhouse at Spencer Mills.
For nearly four years after the first settlers came to Spencer, there were no meetings, religions or otherwise. So, in order to pass the Sabbath more pleasantly, the young people would congregate, generally at Mr. Marsh's place. Here they would read the Bible for a time, then some of the boys would get an ax and all would go down on the river for a romp and good time. Some would take the ax and cut a grapevine and make a swing. Some would gather wild flowers and weave garlands and nosegays. or gather bright pebbles and shells, while others searched for birds' nests, chatted of the occurrences of' the week, or someof the rosy maids slyly flirted with their gallants.
Chopping-bees were generally held through the afternoon. The choppers were plentifully supplied with whisky. In fact, it was a breach of manners not to offer whisky to the guests. Then, late in the afternoon, the dance would commence, and the merry revelers forget the flight of time as their light feet kept time to the music. Even when the ladies had a quilting, the sweetened whisky was passed around, and the ministers of the Gospel thought a little " rye" made the tongue glib, and showed more manifestation of the spirit.
In the early days, the mischievous youths were ever contriving some new sensation. " The Chriskingle," a monster improvised from a sheet with red patches sewn on it to represent mouth, nostrils and eyes, and well calculated to inspire the timid. with terror, was gotten-up for Christmas Eve: The " Chriskingle " was put upon the head of one of the boys, who went from house to house opening the doors, and scaring the inmates with the monster. The New England people did not understand the custom of the journey of the Chriskingle ; but, when they went among the Dutch, the Chriskingle was caught. and marched back in triumph, to be treated to cakes, cider and apples. W. E. Sooy once put on the Chriskingle, and went to the window of a wagon-maker at the center of Spencer, who happened to be sitting facing the window, where the terrible head appeared. Sooy scratched on the side of the house to attract the attention of Hayes, the wagon-maker, who, on looking up, saw the red mouth, the glaring eyes, the distended nostrils, and twisting and twirling horns. The sight was too much for the poor man,. who, with a long-drawn “Oh--God, and must I go ?" fainted dead in his chair ! Sooy took to his heels as badly scared as the wagon-maker himself thinking he had scared the poor fellow to death, and. until he heard that the wagon-maker was alive, he was rather uneasy.
558 - HISTORY OF .MEDINA COUNTY.
It was generally conceded by the young folks that a newly married couple could not do well unless they went through the ordeal of a " horning " or " belling." The full paraphernalia of a belling expedition was about ten long tin dinner horns ; eight or ten " horse fiddles ;" any number of cow and dinner bells ; from twenty-five to forty strong male voices, and two gallons of whisky. If the preceding receipt is well filled, we have a crowd that will make considerable noise. The demands of such a crowd was generally a sight of the bride and groom ; an invitation to the house, and a treat to the wedding goodies. One autumn, a young swain from Chatham Township came to the river mills for his bride. After they were married, fearing a belling, they left the home of the bride, thinking to elude their tormentors, and fled to the house of Orson Marsh. Eight o'clock came and went, and all was still, save the occasional blare of a tin-bugle in the distance. Nine came, and they began to congratulate themselves on their seeming successful strategy. But where, all this time, was the regiment from Chatham and Spencer, which was expected ? Forming, silent as shadows in line to march around the house—as they, with help of rye and wind, conferred the hymeneal blessing. The signal blast was blown, and nearly forty men made night hideous with their howls, as they swept in solid phalanx about the house which domiciled the startled bride and groom.
One of the participants in this affair said that it sounded as if the hounds of hell were let loose. This horrible din was kept up for a long time, but no bride or groom appeared. At last, one of the boldest ran up to a window, and, dashing his long tin-horn through one of the lights, blew a terrific blast, and was awarded by a dipper-full of buttermilk thrown into his face by the plucky bride. Near the house was a large pile of great yellow pumpkins, to which - the crowd resorted. Pumpkin after pumpkin
was handed up to waiting hands. on the roof, which deposited them into the top of the great chimney, where they never stopped until they struck the broad hearth below, and rolled to the feet of the startled inmates. It is needless to state that the door was opened, and the belles " bidden to enter. At another time, a large party of young fellows had been at a " kraut cutting" but, not having their spree out, they determined to have some fun with a young fellow who had recently been married. Coming near his cabin, they sent a delegation to call him up and nab him. if possible, but he suspected something. and they could not arouse him. But they laid their heads together, and decided to get him by strategy. Accordingly. two went around near the cabin and talked. loud enough for him to hear, about stealing his chickens. Then two more were stationed near the door to catch him should he appear. The crowd then went around to the hen-roost, and made a great fags with the poultry. Soon, the fellow cautiously opened the door. and peered out into the night, just as the two on guard caught him. and carried him out into the frosty night with loud yells of delight The poor wretch was nearly frightened out of his senses, and piteously begged his tormentors to let him go. But they howled with delight to hear him beg. and see him ran up and down the road between two stout fellows, his only dress, a shirt, flattering in the cool air. After keeping him out in the cold till he was nearly frozen, they allowed him
to return to his waiting spouse. There was a custom in early days, which only exists now in memory. The young people would collect on Christmas Eve, and go from house to house firing guns and bidding the inmates " Merry Christmas ;" they were then asked in, and treated to cakes, apples and sometimes to cider. Christmas Day was spent in feasting, or, at the border shooting-match, where all the difficult tests were used to find who was the best " shot." Through the long winter evenings, the good-natured jest
HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY 559
was passed around, as they cracked nuts by the side of the blazing fireplace ; and the hum of the spinning wheel, or the bang of the loom, was heard in the cabins, as the busy housewives prepared wearing apparel for their families. One industrious young woman prepared her wedding outfit by the light of the fire, to which. was frequently added a pork-rind to make it barn brighter. Her people required her services during the day, and were too poor to afford her candle& But she was too plucky to despair.
The stock of the settlers roamed. at will over the woods.. Each man had his particular mark, which was recorded thus : May 4, 1832, Phineas Davis made returns of his earmark for cattle, hogs and sheep (viz.), a crop on the left ear and a slit in the right. All stock required to be marked before they. were six months old, as all stock found running at large, without marks, which was past that age, could be confiscated by the finder, or he could place his mark on it and call it his own. In winter, when feed was scarce, the men went out and felled trees for the stock to browse the small twigs. Though. cattle got thin on this kind of feed, the settlers managed to keep them through the winter. In the spring, the ground was covered with leeks, which the cattle ate, causing the milk and butter to smell so strong as to compel people to eat onions before attempting to use either. Mosquitoes were so thick, that, before milking, a large smudge must be built to keep them off the cows. Each man had a bell on his stock ; the tones he knew so well as to pick it out from the multitude of bells sounding on every side. .So accustomed to the tones of the bell were some as to tell nearly the spot where the stock were feeding. When a settler wished to raise a crop of wheat, he would cut down the small trees, pile the brush around the large ones, and burn it. The wheat was. sown among the trees and stumps, and dragged in with oxen.
Many of the people believed in witches, and relate incidents which are laughable in the extreme. One family was visited every day by a rabbit, which would play around the yard, and, when shot at with lead bullets, would merely scamper away. All the bad luck in the family was laid to the presence of the witch in the guise of a rabbit So a piece of silver was " chawed " into a bullet and shot at the witch. Though the witch was proof against a leaden bullet, the silver one found a vulnerable part, and the rabbit limped off with a broken leg. And, as the story goes, a certain woman near by had a broken arm. The persecuted or be-witched family were freed from their persecutor. Some kept a horseshoe to heat and burn the witch out of the cream when the butter would not come.
The first white child born in the township was Samuel, a son of John P. Marsh, March 25, 1826. Samuel Marsh is now a resident of California.
The 2d of March, 1824, while crossing Black River on a log, Katy Davis fell into the river and was drowned. Miss Davis was a beautiful girl of sixteen summers, and loved by all. This was the first death in the township. She was buried in Harrisville. Stephen Harrington was the first person buried in the township. He was buried on a piece of land belonging to Linzey Bennett. This piece of land became a regular burial-ground, and was the first in the township.. This first burial was in 1826. The coffin was made of some boards which John P. Marsh brought to the township in 1823. The first couple married in the township was Samuel Falconer to Margaret Bissett, by Ben Merwin, Justice of the Peace of Penfield in 1830.
Spencer seemed to be the common hunting-ground of the Wyandot and Sandusky tribes. Each fall, ten or more families pitched their wigwams along the streams of the township, and hunted until cold weather came, and then, like' Arabs, "folded their tents and silently
560 - HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.
stole away." These Indians were always honest and peaceable, often -exchanging skins or furs for salt and flour. The settlers, in early days, procured their salt in Wooster or Elyria.
Having no fences, the cattle of the settlers used to wander of at times, ten or twelve miles, and often several days elapsed before they could be found. At one time, the cattle of Mr. Marsh wandered off. He sent his son Orson, who, after three 'days search, found them in the township of York. While gone; it stormed. and the river rose to full banks, and Orson began to think how he would cross. But when he came to the place where the cattle generally forded the stream. they did not hesitate, but dashed into the water and swam across, except a large black ox which was behind. Orson. not knowing how else to cross. seized the black ox by the tail as he took to water. and was landed on the other bank in safety.
In the spring of 1833, great flocks of pigeons began to settle in the township and build their nests. Soon the south half of the township was completely filled with them. In the morning. until nearly 9 o'clock. the sun was obscured by them as they rose and flew in a northern direction. They came back at night, as they went obscuring the sun, and bearing small white roots. which they fed to their young. When the young became old enough to fly, people came in wagons from all over the country, and carried the squabs away in bagfuls. It is supposed they flew over into Canada to feed in the morning, and flew back at night, bearing feed for the hens and young.
In this section of the country the wolves were very numerous, and sometimes attacked people in the woods. One afternoon, Mr. Marsh took his gun and started for Harrisville. When he had got part way, the sky became darkened with clouds, and the dense forests were dark as night. But he journeyed on until be saw he was lost ; then he began to search for the path from which he had strayed. With the startling consciousness of being lost in the woods, and the howls of .the wolves echoing in his ears, he became more and more confused, and wandered through the woods for sometime, when. through the gathering gloom, he beheld a leaning tree, which he scrambled up to avoid the wolves, which were gathering around him thick and fast Discharging his gun at the row of shining eyes, he had the satisfaction of hearing one yelp with pain. Be began to shout for help. After being in the tree over an hour, some people heard his shouts and came to his rescue. The wolves stayed about the tree until the light of the torches was shed upon them. On another occasion. Phineas Davis and his daughter were coming through the forests on horseback ; he shot a deer. and hung it up, taking considerable time. which belated him. It grew very dark. and they became lost Giving the horse the rein, and trusting to his sagacity, they listened to the howl of the gathering wolves. Soon they could hear their light footfalls, and hear them snarl and snap their teeth all around them, but too small in number and cowardly in disposition to attack the horse and his burden. Hold on tight, Boxy," said the father. "I know where we are." and, giving the horse a cut with a switch, they were soon out in the clearing, thankful for their escape.
In the early history, we find an interesting incident. detailing the particulars of the falling of pioneer justice upon a man for beating his wife. A large party, dressed in women's garments, with blackened faces, called on the wife-beater and took him from bed and applied a coat of tar and feathers. Then the miserable wretch was put astride of a rail and ridden in solemn procession to a place in the woods, where, by the pale light of the moon, he saw preparations made to hang him. He promised and faithfully swore, never to beat his wife if they would let him go. Seeing how badly scared the poor wretch was. and believing he would do as he said, these black angels of justice let their vietim depart for home, wearing the insignia of his
HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY - 561
rank. He held to his promise. Among the ones who helped do the deed, was a very large, portly man. And the wife-beater, being asked if he knew any of them, said, " No, but there
was one of the biggest nigger wenches I ever
saw.
Although there are many salt springs and wells in the township, there have been no attempts at making salt. There seem to be some other minerals besides salt in some of these wells. There are several gas-wells in the north half of the township, but it has never been utilized. On the farm of Addison Luce is a well 109 feet deep, where the gas came up so plentifully as to burn several days at an improvised burner. Two or three wells on the farm of Solomon Dimock threw up considerable gas.
Phineas Davis kept an accommodation for travelers, not exactly a tavern, at the River Corners, at an early date. Shubael Smith built and kept the first regular public house in the township. This stood on the square at the center. The first saw-mill was built at the River Corners. on Black River, by Calvin Spencer. in 1833. It was a water-power. The dam was built about six months before the mill, and Mr. Spencer began to get out lumber to build a grist-mill soon after.
Phineas Davis built the first grist-mill in Spencer in 1825. It was a log mill, ran by water-power, and the bolter was. run by hand. The mill-stones were made from hard bowlders, the building being logs, and two stories high, and, when grinding, it shook as though it had. the palsy. The water-power of this mill was destroyed when Spencer built his dam, which was a few hundred rods below. The people came a long way to this mill to get their grinding done. Sometimes they could not get it done the day they came, so they would stay and go home the next. The next grist-mill was built by Calvin Spencer. Although began in. 1831, and not entirely finished until 1836,
Spencer concluded to set up a saw-mill and saw out his own lumber. The grist-mill was raised in 1834. One of the men stood up on the ridge-pole and swung the bottle of whisky over his head, and proposed the following toast :
"Slow and easy, sure to come.
Three years at it and just begun."
The toast is too suggestive to need any comment. This mill burned in 1879. It was a good mill. The building was a stanch framed one. These two mills gave the name Spencer Mills" to that part of Spencer. One Buck built a distillery near the Spencer Mills. This was the only distillery in the township. Buck sold out to Sprague, who distilled peas, beans, pumpkins and pumpkin seeds, in fact anything ; that would foment, into whisky. This distillery changed hands several times, and was then conerted into a tannery.
A number of "asheries" were built in early days to manufacture potash and pearl-ash from 1 the great amount of ashes left in the piles where they burned the log-heaps. These ashes were taken care of, raked and piled together, and sold by the bushel to the manufacturers.
There were no very well known Indian trails in the township of Spencer. The earliest road in the township was the Smith road, which is the north boundary of Spencer. This road runs east and west, and was cut out in about 1812, by Capt. Smith, who passed through with a force of men and artillery. Smith cut only enough trees to pass his guns and supply wagons. When the first settlers came to Spencer, the brush was thick on this road, and, where it crossed the Black River, was seen the remains of a log bridge, and evidences of their camping there one night, or longer. When the first settler, John P. Marsh, came to Spencer, he came on a blazed road, and was obliged to cut the underbrush before his wagon could pass through. This was called the Elyria road, and was the first passable road after the township was settled. This road is now called the river
562 - HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY
road, because it follows the course of Black River. The Wooster and Elyria plank Toad was built in 1851 or 1852, by a large company in Elyria, who thought to seems the grain trade of Wayne County. Each town along the route subscribed money and received shares as in a joint-stock company. The road was built of oak and elm plank, laid on oak stringers. It was twelve feet wide, with a pike on the west side. Toll-gates were placed five miles apart This road cut the township into halves, running along the main north-and-south road. There was an immense amount of travel on this road, and, as expected, great quantities of wheat were brought from Wayne County to Elyria.. Besides the pike running alongside of the plank, there were no piked roads in the township. At an early date, a mail route was established which ran from Wooster to Elyria. It was afterward stopped at Lagrange, and then changed,. several years ago, to run from Wooster to Wellington, by the way of Penfield.
There have been several surveys, at different times, for railways through the township, but until the fall of 1880. there was but little work done on any of them. The line for the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad was surveyed through Spencer in 1874 for the 'first line, and work began shortly after. The road was then abandoned for want of funds, after much grading had been done on the southern end of the line. Along in the summer of 1880, a new company having been chartered, the present contractor, C. R. Griggs, W. A. Malk. President, and several other men connected with the road, came to Spencer and soon placed the interest of the road on its old footing. The required subscription was raised by the township before any other place on the line. The whole subscription of Spencer was $15,000. in shares of $50 each. The work on the road was began in the fall, and was energetically prosecuted until cold weather caused them to desist. A contract was taken by C. W. Aldrich and W. D. Orr, both of Spencer, to remove all timber, logs and brush from the line from Wellington to Lodi. This is the only contract taken by any of the citizens of Spencer.
The first 'bridge built in the township was by ()apt Smith. This bridged Black River where the Smith road crosses that stream. The first bridge built in the township sifter it was settled, was framed by C. Tuttle, of Harrisville. This structure bridged the South Creek, where this stream crosses the River road. There were but five men to raise the bents, and, as they were raising one of the heavy ones, it got the advantage .of the men, and threatened to come down and crush them under it ; but there were two women standing near, who. at this critical moment, dropped the babes which they were bolding and assisted the men to raise it to position. The men afterward declared, that, but for the timely assistance of the plucky women, the bent would have come down and probably crushed some one of their number. The streams of. Spencer. are now bridged by elegant iron and wooden structures.
The collection of inhabited houses. generally known as the River Corners, though often spoken of as the River Mills, the Spencer Mills. or Blue Mills, was the first approach to a village in the township. Here the early township business was transacted. The first schoolhouse was built here, and the first burying-ground laid out John P. Marsh and Linzey Bennett were the owners of the land about the Corners. They purchased it of Samuel Parkman, of Vermont, the original proprietor of the township. There is not much of a story connected with its birth, more than it was composed of a few settlers, who desired neighborly intercourse, and was once the largest collection of dwellings which the township afforded. The superior advantages of the good water in any quantity, and the power derived from the river was what attracted the miller and sawyer,
HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY - 563
whose mills named the place and built it. But later, the settlers gravitated toward the center of the township, and Centerville was formed. Abel Wood and Henry Wood, brothers, owned the land' around the Center." Abel Wood built the first cabin in 1832 or 1833, a little north of town. Centerville, although the name of the village and post office, is scarcely ever used by the citizens ; they invariable say Spencer. Soon after the township was organized, the Center was rapidly populated. A schoolhouse was built southwest of the square ; this was a frame building. A log church followed, and Elijah Banning opened the first store here. This was the first store in the township. The first post office was kept by Dr. Emory, on the River road, west of the River Corners, about three-fourths of a mile. Emory was the first practicing physician in the township. At an early date the settlers were obliged to go to Penfield for their mail. Emory kept the post office for some time, when it was moved to the center of Spencer, where it has since remained. Charles Daugherty was the Postmaster, after its removal, for a number of years.
The business interests of Spencer were greatly increased by the Wooster & Elyria Plank Road. J. W. Moore occupies a building south of the square, with the post office and a dry goods and grocery store. John Murray, on the corner, also keeps a dry goods and grocery store. A. T. Vanvalkenburg, opposite Murray, keeps a drug store ; in connection he has a large trade in hardware and groceries, etc. All of these merchants occupy good buildings. F. Griessinger has lately built a neat and commodious building; in which he carries on an extensive business as tinner and hardware dealer. The. town hall is a neat and roomy building of two stories high.
The Granger organization in. Spencer has been strong and lasting. Their purposes are related to economy and agriculture. Their meetings are held in. their storerooms on. thesecond floor of a fine building, owned by Dr. A. G. Willey.
The cemetery at the center of Spencer, was originally a private institution, owned by several men about Spencer, but at last was thrown open to the public. The sexton of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Samuel Fogle, has bestowed much care and taste in laying out and ornamenting this city of the dead. The Trustees have purchased lately the old school lot, and inclosed it as an addition to the cemetery.
The first religious organization in the township was a class of Methodists in 1827. The Rev. H. 0. Sheldon was the organizer of this class, which consisted of seven members : Ruth Bizzard, Z. Harrington, Elizabeth Space, John Space, Phebe Goodwin and Mrs. John P. Marsh ; William Goodwin was the first Class-leader. This class held their meetings at the houses of the members until the log schoolhouse was built, where they assembled to hear the GospeL They had preaching every fourth Sabbath. This class organized and held their meetings at the River Corners. The Methodist organization was always a flourishing society. In 1839, they met to consider and consult in regard. to building a church at the center of Spencer. After a great amount of consideration and deliberation, which occupied the committee until the 27th of August, 1842, they decided to build a church, 35x45 feet, with galleries on two sides and across one end. In 1844 or 1845, the church was built The dimensions were as decided upon two years before.
This church was large and roomy, costing at least $1,500.
In 1876, the society became strong, and desiring a more comely and commodious place of worship, decided to build a new church. Accordingly, a committee was appointed to go and see different contractors, and decide upon the kind of structure and cost to build. They decided to build a brick church with two towers. This was in 1877. The building committee
564 - HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.
contracted with David Myers, of Wayne County, to build a church upon a foundation which they would provide, for which he was to receive $3,000. The church was built according to specifications, and dedicated in the spring of 1878. The church is brick, with large Gothic windows, supported on each side by sandstone-capped buttresses, which reach to the slate-covered roof. The windows are stained .glass, of tasteful coloring. There are two towers, one on each front corner of the church. These towers are square, and present three sides; The other side is entered, at an acute angle, by the corner of the church proper. The tower to the east .is the tallest about one hundred feet in height, and contains a large bell. The ceiling and walls are tastefully frescoed. Two large chandeliers hang from the arched ceiling. The seating is in three parts, two side slips and double body slips. The seats and wainscoting are polished ash, trimmed with English walnut.
The Ladies' Church Society furnished the church very tastefully. Rev. Andrew McCullough was the Pastor, who was in charge of the circuit This new church is situated on the same site as the old one, a short distance east of the square. The entire cost of the church was over $4.000.
The first sermon preached in Spencer Township was on Universalism, by a minister of that denomination. in the house of John P. Marsh. The first hymn at this meeting ran as follows :
" Hear the royal proclamation,
The glad tidings of salvation," etc.
It is said by some that Rev. Tillison, of Huntington, was the minister spoken of
The first Sabbath school in the township was kept by Miss Sophia Tubbs, now the wife of the Rev. Abel Wood. Miss Tubbs was keeping school at the River Corners, in the old schoolhouse in about 1831. and, there being no Sabbath school in the township,. she opened a Sabbath school at the schoolhouse. Miss Tubbs distributed temperance tracts. A Mr. McCormick,from Medina, lectured in the old log church on temperance. As he was speaking, bad eggs were thrown at him ; " Throw them up if ye will, but I will not stop !" Though the ill-mannered roughs abused the heroic man, they could not hush his eloquent warning to those treading the paths of drunkenness.
The anti-slavery sentiment was very strong in Spencer. Several times were negroes fleeing from bondage fed and secreted by the people. Rev. O. E. Aldrich, a Free-Will Baptist minis-ter, was ever bitter against the holding of chattelized humanity, and often from his pulpit were heard eloquent declamations against it
Rev. Benjamin Taggert and Charles Hollinger. his assistant are the Pastors new in charge of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Spencer. -
The second church organization of the town-ship was the Baptist Christian Church.
August 24. 1837, a number of people met at Elder Frederick Freeman's house to-consider the propriety of uniting together as a church." This meeting adjourned to meet at the same place on September 21. They met as decided upon, and agreed to unite and fellowship as a church. After framing a constitution, setting forth their sentiments in a series of articles, it was signed by twenty-one persons. who constituted the original members of the church. But one of the original members of this church is now living in Spencer. Their first regular meeting was held December 9, 1837. The church was addressed by Elder F. Freeman. at this first meeting, from Peter, 17, 18. Theme meetings were held at the residences of the members until the fall of 1843, when they determined to build a church. This church was built of hewn logs. It was situated on the main street, south of the square. The first meeting in the new house was held December 23, 1843. The seats were rude benches at first, and it was not plastered until some time in 1844. The records of this church are extant, and show
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great care in keeping. They also show how strict and orthodox were the members. Their constitution, while terse and orthodox, was a practical wording of a sound doctrine. The hymns were sung by the congregation, and, when the hymn was not very well known, they "lined it." Though once a strong and vigorous organization. it became weak in 1850, and in 1852, it broke up and never again organized in Spencer. The remaining members joined with the church in Huntington.
The Free-Will Baptist Church was organized May 31. 1838. Rev: Cyrus Coulrain was the first Pastor. When this church was first organized, there were five members : John Inman. Stephen. Inman, Sophrona Inman. Amanda In man and Lois Parent. This organization grew in strength very rapidly, under the pastorship of Elders Knight and 0. E. Aldrich. Their meetings were held at the houses of the members, until 1844, when they built a church. This church building is the same one in use now. It is a good. substantial frame building, and was raised on Christmas Day, in 1843, but was not completed until the fall of 1844, when the first Covenant meeting was held September 21. The organization is now existing, though not very strong. The only original members of this church living are Stephen Inman and Sophrona. his wife, who are regular attendants to the church. which is now under the charge of their second son, Rev. C. C. Inman. The Free-Will Baptist Church cost about $700, but has been remodeled several times since it was built. It is now a neat and comfortable place of worship. The interior is much more inviting than the exterior suggests,
In the early settlement of the township, we find the school history intimately connected with the general mass of incidents which make up the early history of the township. As the land along the river road became occupied, the "Corners" became a sort of center, and the people hired William Bishop, for $12 per month, to keep a term of school. The money was raised to pay Bishop by assessing the scholars pro rata. This school was kept in a log cabir belonging to John P. Marsh. Elizabeth Bissett Phineas Davis, Philip Bizzard, John Space Orson Marsh and Sally A. Marsh composed hi; schooL After this school broke up, Clarissa wife of John P. Marsh, told the eager scholars, if they would keep quiet and orderly, she would pronounce words and set copies for them each evening. The interested scholars came each evening, and all thought their time well spent. Shortly after this, the settlers leased a lot of Linzey Bennett, for ninety-nine years. or as long. as used for school purposes, and built a log schoolhouse. This house was built of notched logs with a door and two windows. The windows were spaces made by leaving out logs. Some sticks were placed across the opening, and paper pasted to them ; this paper was then amply greased with hog's-lard. The door was a large blanket hung over the only way of egress and ingress. The first school kept in this house was by Phoebe Goodwin. In 1833. the schoolhouse was burned. It was supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. Some rather rough fellows made a disturbance at a spelling-school one evening, and, when the Directors dispersed them, they made threats against the house. Hence. it is supposed, that some of them fired the building. But the most unfortunate feature of this cowardly incendiarism was the burning of the books, which were so hard to procure. When the house was burned, the term of school was not finished, so John P. Marsh made a journey to Elyria and got books, and the term re-opened in his house, and kept there for six weeks.
Soon after the burning of the old log house, the people claimed the lumber promised by Calvin Spencer to build a new frame building. This building was to stand where the old one stood. It was completed some time in 1834. Charles Daugherty and Abel, Wood went with
566 - HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.
au ox-cart to Elyria after the trimmings, and were gone three days. It was of frequent occurrence that the small children were sent home, the benches taken up, the violin brought in, and the spelling-school changed into a dance. For nearly one winter, the spelling went on until nearly midnight., and then the spellers gayly danced to the sound of the " fiddle " till the wee hours of the morning.
The first schoolhouse built at the center of Spencer was a framed building. This building was situated on a back street, near where Mrs. David Dickson now lives. This building burned down. It was thought to have been the work of an incendiary. The schools kept at the .Center were generally large. Soon after the burning of the old house, another was built on the same site.
The second time it burned to the ground, it was supposed that it took fire from some ashes which were left near the building. The next schoolhouse was built just east of the cemetery. This house was long used, and has been moved away, and converted into a shop.
The Trustees of the township purchased the lot which it stood on, and made it a part of the cemetery.
The next schoolhouse built was south of the town a short distance. This is the one in use today.
The district school system has been one productive of great good in the township.
There are six districts now in the township, and nearly all of these have a good attendance. Most of these houses are neat, painted and new, with improved furniture. About 1849, Rev. 0. E. Aldrich opened a select school in the old log church. There was a good attendance. After Aldrich, were several other schools kept by Pierce, Grey and others. This Mr. Grey was a student of medicine, and he was so absorbed in the study that he taught the scholars in a sort of automatic way—never behind time, never too fast, but always just the same.When he entered the schoolroom with his books in his hand, he walked stiffly up the aisle, looking neither to the right nor to the left. The scholars, becoming curious to know if the thing was alive that walked up the aisle and took its place behind the desk so regularly, pulled the primitive chandelier just low enough for the cup of sand which balanced it to "hit Grey in the bead as he stalked up the aisle. The old clock behind the desk was wound and set so .as to strike twelve at 1 o'clock, just after school called. Grey came in as usual, and received a bump from the cup of sand, amid the tittering scholars. School was called, and he took his book and began his study.. when the old clock solemnly tolled the hour of 12. Although he took the key sway, a jack-knife took its place. and the next day the old clock chimed forth as on the day before. After a few such days, Augustus D. Grey left town; and, when the scholars came to school in the morning. they were as glad that he had gone as he was to get away.
There was a district school teacher kept school at an early date who lisped ; and, one day, be was pronouncing words to be spelled, when he came to the word seam, which he pronounced theme, so the scholars spelled theme. ' Not theme, but stheme—trowthers leg," he excitedly lisped, rubbing his hand on his thigh amid the uncontrollable laughter of the scholars.
William Wallace Ross had a very large select school at the Center, of about one hundred and thirty scholars. These scholars came from long distances to attend the Spencer schools, which gained a high reputation. The schools of Spencer have degenerated, but Ross is now one of the most noted educators of the State.
The first literary society was organized at the river mills. They came according to appointment to the schoolhouse, but forgot to bring candles, and adjourned to the house of
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Phineas Davis, where they debated the following question, " Resolved that man is more happy in a married state than in a single condition." The affirmative won their side (so the judges said) by setting forth the advantages a married man had in coming home drunk to have some one to take care of him.