620 - HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY

CHAPTER XXI.*

SHARON TOWNSHIP—PHYSICAL FEATURES—EARLY SETTLEMENT—PIONEER INDUSTRIES—GROWTH OF CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS—PERSONAL SKETCHES

THIS township is situated on the east line of the county. Until 1840, it was an interior township, but at that time four townships were taken from Medina County to help form the county of Summit, which rendered Sharon a border township. It is bounded on the north by Granger, east by Copley, south by Wadsworth, and west by Montville. The center of the township is eight miles southeast of Medina, twelve miles west of Akron, and thirty miles south of Cleveland.

The surface of the township is undulating.

*Contributed by George A. Root.

Taking the eastern line for a base. where it is crossed by Wolf Creek, the greatest elevation would be near the south line, west of the Center road, as well as the north part of the town near the same road, and reaching the altitude of 15u feet. The township furnishes as many springs as any on the Western Reserve. Its computed number is 127. The streams that go to make up Wolf Creek, the principal stream in the township, are, first, Spruce Run, which rises on Lot No. 32, runs one mile, fed by springs, and forms a junction with the creek fifty rods west of the town line. Minor streams feed the west

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side until it receives the waters of Stone Brook, which rises on Lot No. 15, and runs one mile southwest and empties in the East Branch of Wolf Creek. This East Branch receives a slight start from a swamp in Granger Township, but gets its constant flow from springs south of the north line. Starting from the junction of the two streams called the East and West Branches of Wolf Creek, which occurs on Lot 52, we find the West Branch receives its largest feeder from Jones' Brook. which rises in Wadsworth. runs three miles north to the main stream. The next is the Young or Case Brook, rising on Lot 66 and running northeast. The third is a small stream starting at the paint mines. Another feeder to the West Branch is the Warner Brook, which rises on Lot 78. runs two miles north and empties. This main or West Branch. like its eastern brother. takes its rise in Granger. Yellow Creek rises in Sharon, runs one and a half miles southeast to the township of Copley, thence to the Cuyahoga River. On the west town line there is a tributary of Rocky River, which rises on Lot 21. This, with Yellow Creek. contributes to the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The. other streams mentioned. together with Paint Creek. in the southwest part of the town. flow into the Tuscarawas River, which helps to swell the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and thence to the Gulf of Mexico. Thus there are several buildings in Sharon, whose roofs contribute to both of the great gulfs of North America. Sharon is drained by its natural formation, in the immediate rise of the land from the numerous creeks to the different table- lands. Drainage was provided when the waters receded from this continent..

Sharon shares with Montville in a swamp of seventy-five acres, which was called by the early settlers the Bear Swamp.

She soil of Sharon is varied. The western half is blue clay mixed with small particles of shale, which changes as we go eastward to sand and gravel, mixed with petrified shell of ancient deposit. Is we approach the east line of the township, there is a greater proportion of sand, with occasional gravelly knolls. The valleys are a compound, sand prevailing. Vegetable decomposition is about 33 per cent of its composition. The valleys embrace one-fourth of the tillable land. The timber is variable ; principally beech in the northwest quarter. The middle tier of lots, north and south, were once celebrated for choice sawing timber. Yellow white-wood, black-walnut, white ash, hard and soft maple, beech and white-oak abounded. The few noble oaks that yet remain are mostly in the east part of the township, and indicate that from four to six feet in diameter was not an uncommon size.

Sharon remains as first surveyed, it being in accordance with the rules adopted at the commencement of the survey of the Western Reserve, unless natural objects prevented. It is five miles square, divided into eighty lots varying in size from one hundred and ninety-eight to two hundred and thirty-six acres. rendering in the aggregate 17,200 acres of land. The center is in 41̊ 6' north latitude. The pursuits of the inhabitants are almost entirely agricultural. The soil is adapted to grain and grazing. From 1835 to 1845, it produced a great quantity of wheat. The fields were then visited by destructive insects to such an extent that farmers turned their attention to sheep-raising. This was continued until 1868, when the produce of sheep fell to nominal prices, and this industry gave place to cheese-factories and dairying, and also to wheat-raising, which latter has proved successful for a number of years past.

The principal village of the township is Sharon Center, located, according to the fashion of the times, at the geographical center. It contains about forty dwellings, two dry goods, grocery and hardware stores, post office, two blacksmith and wagon shops, two shoe shops, grist and saw mill, two churches, hotel, town hall and

622 - HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

schoolhouse combined, harness-shop, etc. The population numbers 150 ; the whole township about 1,200. On the north line of the town-ship, near the northeast corner, is the village of Coddingville. This contains a hotel, a grocery, a few dwelling-houses on the Sharon side, and a blacksmith and wagon shop, dwellings, schoolhouse, etc., on the Granger side. Half a mile west is Troy Corners, which contains a store. hotel, dwellings, and the post office known as Smith's Road.

The principal part of Sharon was owned first by the minor heirs of Hart & Mothers, by which name the township was first designated. This was changed, at the suggestion of Peter A. More, to Gask, the name of his native city in Scotland, and was thus known until 1830, when the name was again changed, by act of the Legislature, to that by which it is now known. The name was suggested by the wife of Samuel Hayden, an early settler, in honor of her native town, Sharon, Conn. The formal organization of the township took place in April, 1831. Seventy-five votes were cast, which resulted in the election of Peter A. More, Samuel Hayden and Charles McFarlin, Trustees ; Jacob Rudesill, Clerk ; CoL Luther Fitch, Treasurer ; Jonathan Smith, Justice of the Peace ; Mark' Smith, Constable. Of the above number, but one survives—Jacob Rudesill. At the election in April, 1832, Amos Ritter. Charles McFarlin and John Boydston were chosen Trustees ; David Boydston, Clerk; Luther Fitch, Treasurer.

The lands in Sharon came into market in March, 1829, but there were several squatters as early as 1815. Among these first settlers was one Parmeter, Bridgeman, McConkey, Point, Valland and Green, and, it is supposed, that, as early as 1810, a hunter was living at the forks of Wolf Creek, When the lands were surveyed, in 1827, these squatters, with the exception of David Point and McFarlin, took their departure. They left no available

“Footprints on the sands of time." David Point was a native of Orange County, N. Y.; came to Portage County, Ohio, in 1810, where he married a daughter of John Dunbar, and moved to what was then called "Hart & Mather," now Sharon, in 1816. He was a tanner and currier by trade, and the settlers found him a valuable acquisition. As cattle were scarce. deer were slain for their hides as well as their meat, and Mr. Point proved a good tanner. One old settler declares he had a pair of boots made from deerskin of his tanning that had worn for twenty years. and thought that they would yet outlast several pairs of modern tanning and manufacture. Mr. Point lived to the age of eighty-four years. His widow still survives, aged eighty-six years, in full possession of all her faculties. Strictly adhering to the injunction of the Bible, there were born to them fourteen children. Uncle David looked with disdain upon modern families, with a few children "whining for sweet cake and candy." Instead of this, he would say. " Mother, give them children a supper of roasted potatoes and milk ; put some leeks on the table so the milk won't taste leeky! "

As the actual settlement of the township did not take place until several years after that of the neighboring townships, the settlers were spared much of the privation usually endured by the pioneers of civilization. They were enabled to obtain supplies from earlier settled neighbors in adjoining towns, and their social customs and domestic manners partook of the character of older communities from the first.

The first child born in the township was a son to Stephen Green and wife, who lived on Lot No. 13, in 1819. The 'first female was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Point, born in 1818. The first marriage was that of Joseph Willey to Malinda McFarlin, in 1829. They moved to Porter County, Ind, where Willey died in 1856. The first death was that of a child of David Point, in 1822. As there was

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no graveyard in Sharon at that time, the burial took place in Granger, near Coddingville. A few settlers assembled to console the afflicted parents. The ceremony consisted of a hymn sung and a short petition to God for consolation to those called to mourn.

The necessity of education was recognized by the early settlers in a school meeting held early in the fall of 1822. Among those who thus met were David Point, Abram Valland, Lyman Green and Charles McFarlin. At this meeting, it was resolved to build a schoolhouse, and the site selected was that upon which Link's Tavern now stands. An objection was made to this, however, from the fact that an Indian squaw had been buried there a few years before, and that her spirit had been seen and heard. and the following is what she is supposed to have said : Brothers, I do not want the place where my bones lie disturbed. My braves tell me this is theirs by inheritance. There was a time when our forefathers owned all this land ; now you envy me one small spot. Your forefathers came across the great plains and the Cuyahoga and landed on this our hunting-ground. When they came across the great waters, their number was small. They found friends and not enemies. They told us they had lied from their own country for fear of wicked men, and had come here to enjoy their religion. They asked for a small seat. We took pity on them and gave them corn and meat. They gave us poison (whisky) in return.

Why is my sleep disturbed?

Who is it calls the dead?'

The old squaw's grave did not prevent them from building on the place. Tradition says it was better than the majority of schoolhouses at that time. It had a floor made of split chestnut logs. and benches of the same material, similar to extended milking-stools. Here sat the juvenile lords and ladies of the past, some of whom were endowed with faculties to do honor to the farmer's station, while others stood at the head of their profession, and, in the halls of their native State, stood foremost to beat back the inroads of class legislation. The pedagogue who had the honor of teaching the first school in Sharon was David Holmes. His throne was an elm-bottomed chair. Perched therein, and equipped with a good ferule and plenty of blue-beech " gads," the monarch reigned. The roll of scholars thus assembled in the first school taught in Sharon, in 1822. reached the number of twenty-four. A few of these lived in Granger, but this township furnished the great majority. Their names were William, Polly, Rhoda and Sally Valland, John Orville, Esther, Moses, Reuben, Mervina, Almina and Wilson McFarlin, Jane, Betsy and Marilla Point, Lyman, Orpha, Dexter and Asenath Green, Myron C., Chester and Tracy Hills. Mr. Holmes married a Miss Codding, of Granger, and removed to Michigan. He died in Concord, Jackson County, in that State, in 1837.

No other schools were commenced in the township until 1832. In the meantime, the town had become well settled, nearly all of the lots having been sold. This gave rise to the establishment of the second school, which was located at the center, in a building recently erected for the double purpose of a school and town house. The people could find no authority in law for levying a tax to build a house of that character, and so the enterprise had been carried out by subscription. This building was a small wooden structure, ceiled within, and supplied with a desk and seat extending along three sides. The scholars were thus seated with their faces to the wall, and their backs to the teacher. The first school taught in this house was in the summer of 1832, Elizabeth Hayden, teacher. The winter term of that year was presided over by Dr. Ormsby, followed, the next summer, by Julia Hayden. The other school districts of the township, were formed

624 - HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

during the next five years, and were speedily supplied with scholars, one in 1840, enumerating 117.

The ruling spirits at the center of the town were generally New Englanders, fully alive to the importance of education, and early conceived the idea of a higher school. To this end; a charter was obtained in 1836, for the erection of an academy, which was accomplished (luring that year. This building also served a double purpose, the first floor being used for school purposes, while the upper room was occupied by the Universalist Society as a church. The first seven years of the existence of the academy, was mainly under the direction of John McGregor, a very successful teacher, and under whose supervision the school acquired a widespread reputation. Mr. McGregor was a native of Scotland. and had there become quite a prominent politician, but for the expression of some radical sentiment, he had left old Scotia, and came to Vermont in 1829. Through the intervention of Mrs. Caroline Gibbs, he came with his family to Sharon. and took charge of the academy during the winter of 1836-37. In the spring, he was induced to go to Wadsworth to start a school there. Under his directions, the octagonal building in that village was erected and used by him for two years, when he returned to Sharon and taught five years. His first residence in Sharon was in a log house near the residence of the late Mrs. Graves, one mile north of the Center. He bought a farm on Lot 39, two miles west of the Center, on which he lived a short time. He moved to Wadsworth finally, in 1842, settling on a farm on the diagonal road, near Wilson's Corners. His death took place in 1847, from the bursting of a blood-vessel. He was of an eccentric turn of mind, and zealous in any subject he took hold of.

Rev. Alvin Dinsmore, Universalist, succeeded McGregor as teacher in the academy. He also served as Pastor of the society that assembled to worship in the same building. He was a very studious man, and under his administration, the school flourished greatly. Many students from abroad were in attendance, and classes were formed in the higher mathematics, philosophy, chemistry, languages, etc. His favorite method of punishment of the smaller scholars, was by ducking in the spring at the bottom of the hill, near the academy. He was an extensive reader of history, and appeared to live more in the society of past ages than in the present. This made him seem to be absent-minded, but he was never neglectful of duty. He removed from here to Naperville. Ill., in 1856. but now resides in DeWitt. Iowa.

E. W. Reynolds. a graduate of Western Reserve College, and, perhaps, the most accomplished scholar that ever taught in Sharon, was the next Principal of the academy. The previous interest in this school was fully sustained under him, and many students from abroad came ' here for instruction. Mr. Reynolds married. while living in Sharon, a daughter of Abel Dickenson, of Wadsworth. His courtship and marriage had been conducted so secretly that the family in which he boarded (Col. Barron's) had no suspicion of the true state of affairs until one morning, while they were at the breakfast table, Mr. Dickenson suddenly came into the room somewhat intoxicated, exclaiming, " Mr Reynolds, you can have my horse and buggy to take your wife to Akron today." A thunder-clap would not have produced more astonishment in the family than thus to have learned so suddenly that their supposed bachelor boarder was really a Benedick. Mr. Reynolds removed ' to Cassopolis, Mich., from which place he was elected to the Legislature of that State. An accidental fall from a wagon terminated his life about the year 1860.

The affairs of the academy thus ebbed and flowed until 1851, when the old building was sold to make room for a church the Universalists had resolved to build. Another building

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was fitted up for a high school, just east of the new church, and in this labored for two years, as teachers. Mr. Aldrich and George Rudesill, respectively. The Presbyterian Church had by this time become disused, and was purchased and fitted up for a high school by Isaac R. Henry, and by him used for a few terms: He was succeeded by others, among whom may be mentioned H. H. Mack, W. H. Williams and A. L. Barnard. The number of scholars under the latter's tuition rose as high as one hundred and twelve. After this, the school declined, and the old house was finally sold, and went to help build up a neighboring village.

After the old house went away. there was a lull in high-school interests. but a few embers were still alive, and the townspeople were persuaded to build a house on a plan to serve in a three-fold capacity, so. with school tax, township tax and private subscription. the present house was erected for township, high and common school purposes. The character of the schools throughout the township, however, is not as good as it was in the early days.

The Methodist Church in Sharon was organized in 1832, with James Wilson, Pastor, in charge. The persons that composed the first class in that church were Valentine Waltman (Class-leader), Achsah Waltman, Keziah Waltman. Charles, Irena and Almira McFarlin, George, Susan and Polly Lowerman, Rebecca Smith. Harriet Skinner and Martha More. The church increased in numbers, so that, in 1842, they were enabled to build their present house of worship. The building committee was composed of William Graves and Valentine Waltman. like the schools. this society has ebbed and flowed until the present year, when their number is double what it was at its first organization.

A Presbyterian Church was started in 1833, and served 'by occasional preachers of that school. until Rev. William Johnson was sent as a permanent Pastor, by an Eastern society in Connecticut. He was paid $100 a year by the society, the rest of his salary being made up by his scattered parishioners. The church was continued until 1846, when it commenced to decline in numbers, by deaths, removals, and, perhaps, a type of theology better suited to the tastes of the people.

As early as 1830 or 1831. there were elements at work among the people, that indicated that a more liberal association might be collected. Those of such views, compared notes, and found enough strength to put up a building for church and school purposes. This was the formation of the Universalist Society of Sharon. The building was erected in 1836. The first preacher was a Mr. Hull, of New England extraction. He continued their speaker for three years, and was succeeded by occasional preachers, until the arrival of Rev. Alvin Dinsmore, about the year 1840, who continued to sojourn in Sharon for nearly twenty-five years, preaching and teaching. In 1869, this society sold a half-interest in their church building, to the Lutherans, who now occupy it alternately with them. There are two other churches in the township, one of which, Lutheran, is situated two miles southwest of the Center, and the other in the southeast part of the township. The latter belongs to the United Brethren, and is known as Mount Zwingli Church. Both of these churches have cemeteries attached.

The first mercantile establishment was started at the Center in 1833. It was situated on the southeast corner of the public square. It was soon bought out by W. Woolley, and sold by him to Jehial Jaquith. Amos Ritter, from Pennsylvania, started a store on the present site of the Universalist Church, in 1836. He formed a partnership with Isaac and Israel Beach, but the firm soon broke up, and Ritter removed to Brunswick. The next store opened was by the firm of Patchen & Bentley, which was of short continuance. Allen Howes then

626 - HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

entered on a mercantile career, and was, apshaps, the most successful trader that ever operted in town. He ran an ashery, operated by Jacob Fulmer, had an interest in the harness shop, dealt in lumber and building, and did more than any other man in town, to enliven business generally. He was the subject o very serious domestic difficulties, brought about by the inconstancy of his first wife, who finally left him. He afterward married Miss Abby Warner, and removed to Chicago, to engage in trade. He has been succeeded in the mercantile line in Sharon, by a long line of merchants, among whom may be mentioned Farr, Chandler, Phinney, Chatfield, Rudesill, Barron and many others.

The first mechanical business started in Sharon was a tannery, by James Hall, just south of the Center, in 1831. He worked a year, and left, and was succeeded by John H. Rice, who started a tannery on the present site of Bowes' mill, in 1835. He did considerable of business at tanning and also at one time carrying on the business of shoemaking, Col. Barron working for him in that capacity. Mr. Rice removed to Wisconsin in 1857, in which State his son, Dr. Rice, had achieved distinction as a doctor and politician.

In 1835, James Hazen had a blacksmith-shop at Troy Corners. His shop was built of hickory logs, and, although it had a door, the logs were so far apart that all of the smaller animals were permitted to enter, children included. He was one of the best workmen of that time. Thomas Bender was the blacksmith at the Center in 1846. His insane wife for a long time was the terror of the older people, but a great favorite with the children. They emigrated to Iowa.

Among the early carpenters and joiners were John Burge (also botanical physician), Isaac Beach, Thomas King, Barton Green and William Chapman. Some of their wooden monuments are still standing, in the form of the old academy building, now a wagon-shop ; the old hotel, so long the residence of Mrs. Gibbs ; am a few other buildings throughout the township All of the above are passed away. Mr. Green died in Cleveland, and King in Washington County. Wis.

Until 1833, the people in the south part o: town received their mail at Wadsworth Post Office. and those north of the Center, at Granger. In July of that year, a route was established between those points for a weekly mail ' This was done on condition that the mail should be carried for what the Sharon Center office would bring in. C. McFarlin took the job for 45 cents per trip—a distance of eighteen miles. The office did not pay the first quarter. but did afterward. Luther Fitch, who enjoyed the two apparently contradictory titles of Colonel and , Deacon. was appointed the first Postmaster, iii 1833.

Horace Gibbs was Sharon's first cabinet maker. He made chairs. tables and coffins—the latter at " $1 a foot.” He had a turning-lathe, on a spring brook, near the residence of Valentine Waltman. where he got out his round stuff. He afterward located his shop at the Center. He was elected Justice of the Peace. which office he held for many years. He married a daughter of John McGregor; moved from Sharon to Medina, where he kept a grocery for a year or two, then moved to Michigan. He afterward went to Kansas, where he died in 1874.

A. B. Root came to Sharon and started a harness-shop in 1842. He has worked continuously at this business over since. For many years, Mr. Root devoted the evenings to teaching vocal music in the different parts of Sharon and neighboring townships. He was the pioneer organist for the churches. and owned the first instrument of that kind ever brought to town. He has raised a family of eight children, no death having occurred in the family except that of Mrs. Root, in 1872. He came to Ohio from Malone, Franklin. Co., N. Y.

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The first hotel in Sharon was erected by Milo and Horace Gibbs, in 1835, and kept by them until 1845.

Oliver Ingham came to Sharon in 1834, and put up a shop in which to build fanning-mills. He, together with his father, Judge Oliver Ingham, lived in a dwelling that now forms a part of the Sharon Hotel. Judge Ingham resided in Sharon until 1832. when he went to Montville to pass the remainder of his days with his son, who had preceded him to that township. He died in 1869, aged eighty-five years. He represented his native district in Vermont. in her legislative halls, for a number of years. He was of the old-school politicians ; believed in the infallibility of the Democratic party, and heartily hated the Abolitionists.

There have been erected nine water:saw and grist mills in the township. The first was by J. A. Davis, on Lot 26. This was continued in operation twelve years. The next mill was built by Col. Fitch, near the present residence of William Hopkins, in 1836. The Colonel soon tired of milling, owing to the trouble of keeping his dam in order, and sold out to Myron C. Hills. The mill afterward passed successively into the possession of Joseph Brittain and William Hopkins. The third was built by Millard Wadsworth, on the south branch of Wolf Creek, but did not do much business. and soon left town. He had a log house on the present site of the cemetery. Edward Chandler built a mill on the creek, one mile south of the Center, in 1837. He refused to saw for the usual price, viz., half the lumber, but only for cash, $2.50 to 83 per thousand. The fifth mill was erected on Lot No. 67. The sixth. on the falls, near the residence of Philip Young. Another mill was erected at Spruce Run. about 1850, and one on the East Branch of Wolf Creek, in 1833, by Thomas Smith. Jacob Wade built a grist-mill in 1832, on Spruce Run, two miles east of the center, with an 18 foot overshot wheel. He soon sold out to David Andrews, who ran it for many years. It is still in opera. tion, with steam water and power, as a grist and saw mill. The first steam-mill in town was erected in 1839, by Joseph and Andrew Brown. who afterward sold it to W. Woolley. The next steam-mill was built by Richard Warner in 1852. Other steam-mills have been put up by D. Grill and the Bowes Brothers. The reason of so many mills having been erected in Sharon is from the fact of its excellent early water power, and its having contained within its borders at least 10,000 acres of sawing timber. Probably half of this timber was destroyed by fire simply to get rid of it. Some of the old settlers bewail the labor they once underwent to burn up immense black walnut trees, which now would be worth more than the present value of their farms. However much credit they were entitled to for clearing up the land, the reflection comes that they rather overdid the matter.

A distillery was started in September, 1830, on a small scale, in the east part of town, by Samuel Arnold. His grinding was done at Wellhouse's mill, in Copley, and in Wadsworth.

The early settlers had very indifferent farming tools. The " bull plow" was made from a twisting beech or oak stick for a mold-board, with strips of band-iron to keep it from wearing. The handle was straight, and terminated with an inserted pin or a cow's horn. A rough triangular drag, furnished with nine one-and-a-half inch-square iron teeth, was used. Corn-planting was done by striking the corner of the hoe, or sometimes an old as, in between the roots of the trees and dropping the seed into the incision. After the corn was up, the cultivation consisted of hacking up the fire-weeds with a hoe.

The Cleveland road, running north and south through the township, a mile east of the Center, was cut through in 1829. This work was enlivened by quite a number of adventures with bears, a large one being killed with an as,

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by some of the Wadsworth company, on the present site of the residence of George A. Shook. The north-and-south center road was cut through. and partially cleared, from 1829 to 1832. The east-and-west center road was chopped through west of the Center in 1832. but was found to be impassable on account of swamps, and the old style of log-and-rail roads had to be resorted to. The bridges were made by using the largest logs for abutments, with stringers long enough to span the chasm. covered with poles or puncheons.

In 1834. Jehiel Squire, John Nesmith. Sr.. Leavitt Weeks and William Eyles laid out the road running from the Center east. They commenced to angle just east of the Center. on account of natural obstructions on the center line. and formed a junction with the Copley west-center road one and a half miles west of Copley Center. The survey was continued to that place, the distance being found to be five miles and thirty-nine rods. The other roads were laid out later, as the needs of the settlers required.

The winter of 1832–33 was very severe, snow remaining on the ground until the last of March. Great numbers of wild hogs perished in the rocks. Some two hundred were counted in two places. These animals, about the year 1829, were the most dangerous enemy the early settler had to contend with. and many stories of personal encounter are related. John Clermont, working for Amos Ritter. was treed near where Charles Wall now lives. He was surrounded by scores of these ferocious beasts. and had to remain on his perch nearly half a day. He had a gun, but the hogs were too numerous to destroy, or be driven away, by shooting. Mr. Andrews, the elder, while hunting near Spruce Run, was driven into a tree-top to save himself from wild hogs. The great hunter of Sharon was William Douglas. He came to the township in 1830, with the Joneses. from Sugar Creek, Stark Co., and the stories of his exploits in hunting bears, deer and bees, have been favorite themes in the township ever since. Half the farms in this region have been scenes of his encounters with wild animals, or of thrilling adventures in climbing large trees for bees and honey. He was the acknowledged champion in all athletic games, especially jumping. even after he had become an old man. He reared a large family. and. in 1830. moved to Wood County. His last visit to Sharon was in the spring of 1880. when he related the following story : After he was seventy-five years old. he climbed a bee-tree in Wood County, and. at the height of sixty-five feet. stood on a limb to cut it off: He lost his balance in this operation, and. to save himself from falling. had to jump for the top of a neighboring elm-tree. which he reached in safety. He used to wonder who would raise bread for the next " generation," as mankind were getting " wiser and weaker ; " but that was before the age of reaping machines.

Some remains of the Mound Builders are found on Lot 47. One. quite prominent. was evidently a receptacle for the dead, long prior to the Indians that were here when the continent was discovered by white men.

On Lot 32. is a gorge in the rocks, through which Spruce Creek runs. The west side is sixty-five feet in height. About sixty feet below the gorge. on the right bank, is " Table Rock." This has been detached from the main rock. and is 40x60 feet in area. and thirty feet thick. It is reached by means of a rude bridge, and has always been a favorite resort for picnic and pleasure parties.

The township has afforded a great quantity of bog ore. It is in great abundance on Lots 75 and 76. Coal has been mined to a considerable extent in this township, although the main fields extend beyond the township lines, southeast. into Norton and Wadsworth. The nearest coal to Cleveland. geographically,• is in Sharon.

There is an inexhaustible bed of mineral

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paint in the south part of the township, on Lots 63 and 71. Its value as a paint was first discovered by William Blake. in 1844. since which time hundreds of tons have been shipped to the seaboard. Mr. Blake realized a large fortune in this article.

The only secret societies ever organized in the township were the Sons of Temperance, in 1847, and the Good Templars, in 1833.

Col. Norman Curtis came from Wadsworth. and settled in Sharon in 1833. He occupied a farm adjoining the Center on the south, and was one of the most influential and respected men of the township. He was Clerk of the township for many years. and a leader in all educational and moral movements. His son. Loyal Curtis, died while serving as Warden of the insane asylum at Columbus, and George Curtis, another son. a prominent druggist of .Janesville, Wis.. died a few years ago in the latter city. The Colonel left Sharon in 1858, for Rockford. Ill.. where he still lives (1880). at the advanced age of eighty-eight years.

Mrs. Caroline Gibbs was a prominent personae in the settlement of Sharon. She came from Vermont in 1833, with her husband, Milo Gibbs. In consequence of some domestic trouble, he left her. and she carried on the battle of life alone ; she was a leader in all matters of a political or public nature. and did her full share in developing the township ; she personally helped to clear off the public square ; doffing the dress of the parlor and putting on garments suited to the work. she grappled with the logs and stumps of the new clearing ; she was a great reader.. and well versed in history and_ politics ; she was a Democrat in her proclivities ; she removed to Michigan in 1873. and died there in June, 1880, aged ninety-eight years. Her native State was Connecticut.

The north mile-and-a-quarter road was settled by English people who came from Yorkshire, England. in 1832 and 1833. Their names were William Woodward and son John, John and

Metcalf Bell, William Waters. George Cottingham and Brunskell, and James Pratt. Coming from a mining country, they were unaccustomed to farming, but soon adapted themselves to the necessities of their surroundings. Hard work was the lot for thirty years, of all, except two, who were killed by falling timber. They left fine farms and a goodly number of children.

Jacob and Adam Kucler came from Lancaster County, Penn., in 1834. and bought farms on Lots 23 and 14. They were men celebrated for fair dealing, and did much in the settlement of the township.

Among the earliest settlers on the Cleveland road was a family of four brothers, Wilson, John, Joseph and Lytle. They came from Huntington, Luzerne Co., Penn. Of the four, but one, Wilson Lytle. long survived. He cleared up a farm, and reared a family of sixteen children, a large part of whom are yet residents of Sharon. He died in 1873.

James Reed came to Medina County in 1819 ; settled in Sharon in 1831, on the farm more lately owned by the late R. W. Mills. He also reared a large family of children, some of whom are still resident here. Mr. Reed is yet living.

Capt. Barnabas Crane came to Sharon in 1833. His children consisted of five sons and three daughters. He bought land on the North Center road that had been settled by the Smith brothers. Four of his sons took farms along that road. Their names were Barnabas, Jr., Joseph. George W. and William A. These men have been among the most influential citizens of Sharon. None are now living except George W. Crane. The fate of Joseph Crane and his wife. who were both drowned in Skaneateles Lake, N. Y., at the same time, marked the most tragical and painful incident in the history of the township. William A. Crane removed to Minnesota, where he died. Capt. Crane died in 1856. aged eighty-three years.

Jehiel Squire, the oldest person now living in Sharon. was born in Litchfield, Conn.,

680 - HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

May 1, 1793. When a young man, he re-moved to New Jersey, remaining there four years. He came to Ohio in 1820 ; moved into Wadsworth in 1827, where he taught school and worked at farming until he came to Sharon in 1832. He took an active part in the development of this township, assisting in the surveys, laying out roads, building schoolhouses and churches, and was one of the originators of the Sharon Library and Academy. He moved to Akron in 1842, and returned in 1867.

Samuel Hayden, a true pioneer, was from Litchfield, and his wife from Sharon, Conn. They came to Canfield, Ohio. in 1801, where they were married in 1802. During the war of 1812, they moved to Springfield, Summit Co., and back again to Canfield. From there they came to Wadsworth in 1816, being among the earliest settlers of that township. They came to Sharon in 1830, and bought 200 acres of land one mile south of the Center, for $3.23 per acre. He sold it four years afterward for $10 per acre, and purchased the land now owned by his sou Hiram Hayden. His family consisted of his wife and seven children, three of whom are yet living in Sharon.

Among the other pioneers and early settlers to whom Sharon is indebted for much of her prosperity and development as a township. may be mentioned the names of Chatfield. father and sons. Edward and M. A. Chandler. Peter and Richard Amerman. S. W. Beech, Cyrus E. French, David Dyer, E. B. Bentley, David Loutzenhizer. Jacob Fulmer. Daniel and Abiel Briggs. Charles and Isaac Wall, Joshua Hartman, Samuel Carr. John Turner and sons. and many others. They came into a wilderness to make for themselves homes, and by hard work and deprivations they succeeded. And what a glorious heritage they have left for succeeding generations ! Truly, they builded better than they knew."