HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY. - 303

CHAPTER VI.

MOUNT GILEAD-ITS INCORPORATION-THE CENSUS-MANUFACTURERS-BUSINESS BLOCKS

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-SECRET SOCIETIES-GILEAD STATION.

THE history of Gilead Township and of the town of Mount Gilead, may very properly be divided into two parts-their ancient (if not a misnomer) and modern history. The first part comprises the early settlement, the laying-out of villages, their, growth, pioneer improvements and the introduction and advancement of Christianity and education. This part has been thoroughly and completely written up in the preceding chapter by the Rev. Mr. Shedd, whose residence in the town of half a century has eminently fitted him for the work, and faithfully has he performed it. He has marked the coming of the pioneer; his settlement in an unbroken wilderness among savages and wild beasts, and his hard-fought battle for very existence on the distant frontier of civilization. That period that is veiled in all the romance of pioneer life, he has well and truly portrayed. He has noted the planting of the standard of the Cross, the introduction of the schoolmaster, and the influence for good that religion and education have exercised in the community. He has given the laying-out of the town, and its rise and growth. All of these subjects Mr. Shedd has noticed in a satisfactory manner, and with far more ease than a stranger could have done it. A pioneer himself, he has witnessed the development of the country, and has, been enabled to paint the scenes of real life from personal observation and recollections. With great accuracy he has traced the history of the town and the memory of the In this chapter we shall take up the "modern" history of the town particularly, noting some of

the more important facts that have transpired within the past few years. Its progress in manufactures and trade, the perfecting of its education and religious institutions, together with other subjects that scarcely belonged in the preceding chapter, will be noticed here. These of themselves are sufficient groundwork for a lengthy chapter, but in order not to exceed allotted space must be treated briefly.

The laying-out of the town of Mount Gilead has already been noticed by Mr. Shedd, and its natural growth. followed from a puny village to a substantial town, noted for its prosperity and business enterprise. It was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, passed February 16, 1839. The act embraced a number of towns in the State, and was as follows: "Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Ohio, the several towns hereinafter named be and the same are hereby respectively created bodies corporate and politic, with perpetual succession, as follows, to wit:

'The town of Mount Gilead, in the county of Marion, together with such additions as may from time to time be to them respectively made, and the above-named towns shall be entitled to all the privileges secured by, and shall in all respects be governed by the provisions of an act entitled, An act for the regulation of incorporated towns."' Thus legally constituted, Mount Gilead moved along the "even tenor of its way" for nine years, when, upon the formation of Morrow County, in 1848, it became, almost without opposition, the county seat of the new county. In anticipation of such an event, some little preparation had been made in the laying-out of streets and grading them, and otherwise beautifying the town, that it might, as the seat of justice, present an attractive and inviting appearance. By the census of 1850, the first taken after the formation of the county, Mount Gilead had a population of 646; in 1860, it was 789; in 1870, it had increased to 1,087 ; and at the census just

304 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY.

completed (1880), its population has reached 1,262, showing a steady increase in numbers, as well as in prosperity, during the past thirty years.

The records of the corporation have not been as well kept, and are not as perfect as some towns of our acquaintance, and it is no easy task to extract information from them. We can find none extending back to the incorporation of the town in 1839, but to the beginning of the year 1849 only. We learn, however, that "Samuel Bushfield was the first Mayor; S. J. Cromer the first Recorder," and that the "first Councilmen were John H. Young, James M. Talmadge and others." In 1848, J. S. Christie was Mayor, and Cromer Recorder. In 1850, J. H. Stinchcomb was Mayor, and, in 1852, when the records became somewhat perfect, we find the following Board: Thomas H. Dalrymple, Mayor; Ross Burns, Recorder, and John J. Gurley, E. R. Fally, George D. Cross, Joseph D. Rigour and C. D. Ensign, Councilmen. In 1854, Robert Mitchell was elected Mayor, and Mathew Roben, Recorder. The records, however, are too imperfect to try to trace out the names of the different officers down to the present time, and we shall make no attempt to do so, but merely give the present incumbents, who are as follows: L. K. Powell, Mayor; W. G. Irwin, Recorder; James Carlisle, R. P. Halliday, Bradford Dawson, Allen Levering, Howard Whitby and Valentine Meader, Councilmen.

In the preceding chapter is noticed the laying out of the " Village of Whetstone," the original name of Mount Gilead, and also the laying-out of an addition by Henry Ustick in February, 1832, of " seventy lots, including the north public square." Some of the additions laid out since that of Ustick's are those of Dalrymple, in June, 1854; of Talmadge & Young, in January, 1859; of House, in April, 1867, and Richards' Addition in March, 1874. Besides these additions, J. D. Rigour laid out an addition to the town in an early day of rather peculiar shape, being somewhat that of an "obtuse-angled triangle," extending from Main out between Marion and High streets; narrowing down to a point at the West end. These several additions, together with the original plat, give the town a sufficient area for a much I population than it has at present. There is plenty of room for its people to flourish without getting in each other's way.

Mount Gilead is located in the heart of as rich a farming community as may be found Central Ohio, and in this respect is not surpassed by any of its neighbors. Cut off from all railroad facilities until the building of the Short Line, interfered materially with its prosperity as a manufacturing center. While the building of the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad was a benefit indirectly, yet its great distance from the town did not fulfill the requirements of a manufactuning

community. Hence while many of the surrounding towns have become lively with the hum of machinery, Mount Gilead, for the lack of railroad communication, has been forced to depend chiefly upon her mercantile trade. The few Manu facturing enterprises which have been from time to time started in the town we shall now proceed;, to mention briefly.

One of its largest manufactures, perhaps, was its woolen-mills. The first effort of this kind was made many years ago-far back beyond the beginning a-inning of this chapter. In 1866, a large woolen mill, costing some $25,000 or more, was built by a stock com pany. The stock finally passed mostly,, into the hands of James Meeker, one of the principal men in inaugurating the enterprise. During, his career, he had several different partners, at different times, and did an extensive business. In 1870, a flax-mill was added to the concern by put. ting in machinery adapted to the purpose, and, as a combined woolen and flax mill, its business cor. respondingly increased. On the 5th of April, 1872 it was burned to the ground, entailing a loss of about $17,000, which was but partly covered by insurance-having about $5,000 insurance. This so crippled Meeker financially, that he made no effort to rebuild. and so ended that branch of, business in Mount Gilead.

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A large planing-mill, saw-mill and sash factory in the southwest part of the town, owned by George N. Clarke, J. M. Andrews and Dr. Briggs, after being in operation for a time, doing a flourishing business in its several lines, was burned in September, 1870. The loss to the owners was about $5,000, which so discouraged them that they never rebuilt the establishment, but left it a heap of "smoldering ruins."

In 1846, a grist-mill was built in the south part of the town, by Cooper & Son. This mill. was also burned in the fall of 1862. A sympathizing community rendered them substantial assistance, and in 1863 they were enabled to rebuild. This was much superior to the mill that was burned, and is still in active operation. It has three run of buhrs, and its reputation as a first-class mill is without contradiction. In 1877-78, Cooper'& Son sold out to House & Dawson, who are the present owners. Cooper & Son, before disposing of the mill, erected a foundry (the building now used as a cheese factory), which was run by power from the mill. The foundry was known as the " Mount Gilead Turbine Wheel Manufactory," but as an investment it never paid, and in the end the Coopers lost money, and finally discontinued the business. The foundry building is now used, as we have said, as a cheese factory, which is more I particularly referred to in the general history of the county. The Tabors built a foundry before the war, near the Short Line depot, and for a number of years carried on a large business in repairing machinery and general custom work. They turned out some fence and plow work, but their specialty was custom. The fate of this establishment was that of the woolen-mill and the sash factory; it was burned, and never rebuilt.

Mount Gilead has been singularly unfortunate in her manufacturing enterprises - indeed, a fatality bus seemed to follow almost every enterprise of the kind that has been inaugurated, and but few have escaped destruction by the " fiery element," which so often breaks loose in the town. About all that remains in the way of manufactures are House & Dawson's mill, Carlisle Brothers' carriage-works, and Doty & Co.'s planing-mill. The carriage-works of Carlisle Brothers were established in 1866, and are doing a large and flourishing business. The planing-mill is of recent origin. The Mount Gilead Tile Works, which may also come under the bead of manufacturing enterprises, were established in the summer of 1875 by B. B. McGowen, Smith Thomas and William C. Wilson. In the summer of 18.78, McGowen sold out to the other two partners, and in the spring Of 1879 established the " Stone Tile Works," out near the stone quarries southeast of town, from which the works take their name. W. W. McCracken is a partner in the Stone Tile Works with McGowen, but the business is wholly managed by the latter gentleman. Both these, and the Mount Gilead Tile Works, west of town, do a large business in the way of manufacturing all kinds and sizes of drain tiling. Some of the fires alluded to were, that destroying Meeker's woolen and flax mill, the steam saw and planing mill and sash factory of Clark and others, Cooper & Son's mill, Tabor's foundry, and a fire that burned several business houses on Main street. These frequent fires led to the organization of a fire company, and on the 16th of June, 1870, the Olentangy Fire Company was organized. The company, or town, more properly speaking, purchased an excellent hand engine, which is still in use. It was operated for eighteen months by the "Old Guard " Military Company. The "Old Guards" took charge of it as a fire company in October, 1878, and continued as such until April, 1880. Since that time, the Town Marshal, J. R. McComb, has had charge of the engine as Chief of the Fire Department.

The first tavern-that great place of resort in a country town-was built and kept by John Merrill. It was of the regular pioneer pattern - a small log structure-and the bill of fare was "corn pone" and "wild meat," with coffee occasionally, sweetened with maple sugar. This pioneer tavern was the great resort of the he surrounding

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community, and the news emporium where all the male gossips met to smoke their pipes and exchange their daily experiences. Ali, how few now know the importance of the frontier tavern. It was, of course, the place of rest for the weary traveler, whether on foot or on horse. It was the market-place for all ; the hunter with his venison and turkeys, the trapper with his furs and skins, and the knapsack-peddler here gladdened the hearts of all with his "boughten " wares. At the tavern, too, were all public gatherings called-to arrange for a general hunt, to deal out justice to some transgressor, or to put up the stakes for the horse race. But this pioneer institution is among the things of the past, and as we sit at the well. laden boards of the American and Globe, it is hard to realize the frugal fare of the pioneer tavern. Few towns of the size of Mount Gilead are better supplied with hotel accommodations than it is at the present day, and the American and Globe hotels are very models of excellence in their way.

A few words as to the beauty of the thriving little city and its business blocks, buildings, etc. It is but seldom that in a small town we find as many handsome residences and substantial business houses. The Van Horne Block would be an ornament in a large city. It was built in 1876, and contains three large stores on the ground floor, together with the town hall. The second floor is devoted to offices in the front part, while the rear comprises a very elegantly appointed theater known as " Levering Hall." The Granite Block, the third story of which is a Masonic hall, Union Block and the bank blocks are all substantial and even elegant buildings. Several other business blocks are in course of construction, which will add much to the beauty of the town, and to Main street especially. The court house, more particularly mentioned in the chapter on organization of the county, was built in 1852-53, and is a substantial brick building, possessing, however, little beauty or modern appearance. A few thousand dollars might be spent in adorning and modernizing the ungainly structure. The post office and mail facilities of the town have grown to some extent since the first office was established, with one mail a week, and as Postmaster General Ustick slings around his mail-bags, now he perhaps don't realize that the first -representative of that department in Mount Gilead could carry the week's mail-receipts in his hat.

The first effort made at banking in Mount Gilead was about the year 1854. A bank was established by James Purdy, John Anderson, John Shauck, Beoustock and Sowers, Richard House, A. C. Dunn and W. Smith Irwin. Richard House was President of the institution, and W. Smith Irwin, Cashier. About three years afterward, it wound up its business and became the banking house of Richard House & Co., or the Granite Ink. This finally drifted into the First National Bank of Mount Gilead, and the first bank of issue ever in the county. The First National was organized in 1864, with Dr. J. M. Briggs as President, a position he held from organization up to 1880, with the exception of two years. R. J. House was the first Cashier. At present, W. F. Bartlett is President; Allen Levering, Vice President; R. P. Halliday, Cashiera position held for thirteen years in succession, For the same period, R. P. Miller has been Teller. About the commencement of the banking business, J. D. Rigour opened a small bank or broker's office. J. S. Trimble also did a banking business in connection with an extensive grain business in which he was engaged at West Gilead. He finally took in the business of Rigour, occupying Rigour's banking-house and carrying on a large banking business until his failure, in 1878. The Morrow County National Bank was established in February, 1880, and hence is a young institution. William Marvin is President, George N. Clark, Vice President, and M. B. Talmadge, Cashier.

The town of Mount Gilead has two flourishing newspapers, the Union Register and the Morrow County Sentinel, the latter Republican and the former Democratic in politics. They are both live, wide-awake papers, and faithfully stand up

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for the doctrines of their respective parties. As their history is more particularly given in another chapter, we will not repeat it. A library was established in Mount Gilead some years ago, but it has never amounted to much. The few books it once possessed, we believe are still stowed away in the town, but are of little use to the public, or as a library, and the organization, we are sorry to say. is no longer kept up.

In the educational history of the county, given in another chapter of this work, the introduction of schools and the schoolmaster is noticed at some length, and the pioneer mode of teaching After the town of Mount Gilead became large enough to have a school, Mrs. Mary Shedd, we are told, was the first teacher, and taught a school in 1831. Without going into the early history of the schools of Mount Gilead, which have been noticed in the preceding chapter, we will merely glance at the present school of the town, as we find it today, under the successful management of Prof. T. J. Mitchell, Principal. The town forms a special district, and present the following statistics as reported to the auditor

Balance on hand September 1, 1878 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,343.64

State tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 567.00

Irreducible fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232.39

Local tax for school and schoolhouse purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,498 41

From other sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92.81

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,734 25

Amount paid teachers during the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,610 63

High school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 900.00

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,510 63

Number of schoolhouses, 1-value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35,000.00

Balance on hand September 1, 1879 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,185.34

Number of teachers-male, 1 ; female 5; total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Average wages per month, primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 36.00

Average wages per month, high . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00

Number of pupils enrolled :

Primary, males . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113

Primary, females . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

High, females . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

High, males . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Total enrolled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271

Average daily attendance:

Primary males . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Primary: females . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

High females . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

High: males . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

The church history of Mount Gilead extends back to the early settlement of the town. The organization of the first church society is accredited, in the preceding chapter, to the Methodists. More than half a century ago, the itinerants of this denomination made their appearance and formed classes at the cabins of the early settlers. The official records of this early period, however, are not at hand, so that only general facts can be given of its early history. The present generation can hardly realize the changes that have taken place since those primitive times, when the Methodist "circuit-rider " traveled over the thinly settled country, and proclaimed to the scattered settlers the glad tidings of salvation. The pioneer evangelist, Rev. Russell Bigelow, was one of the first Methodist ministers in this section of the country. From data as reliable as can be found, Mr. Shedd places the erection of the first Methodist Church at Mount Gilead in the year 1832, but societies or classes had been formed several years previous to that date. This edifice was used by the church as a place of worship, we are told, for about twelve years, when it passed into a "tanhouse." The present church building was erected in 1844, at a cost of about $8,000 (as we were informed by Judge House, one of the oldest members now living in the town). The present Pastor is the Rev. Mr. Pollock, and the membership is not far from one hundred and fifty. A large and flourishing Sunday school is maintained throughout the year, of which Mr. Z. B. Plumb is Superintendent. This church, with a history extending back over more than half a century, it is only truth to say, that the most sacred memories and hallowed associations cluster around it. Without being wealthy, it is a church that gives liberally, and its reputation in this regard is well

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known in the county and in the conference to which it belongs.

The first Presbyterian Church* was organized at the house of George D. Cross, in the village of Whetstone, November 2, 1831, and was called "the Presbyterian Church of Morven." Rev. Henry Shedd, assisted by Rev. Eldad Barber, of Marion, organized the church under the authority of the Presbytery of Columbus. The church consisted of twenty-six original members-nine males and seventeen females; seven men and their wives, ten other women and two young men. Three Elders were elected. In October, 1835, the name of the church was changed to the "First Presbyterian Church of Mount Gilead."

During the years 1834-35, by a great effort of the people, a frame church edifice was built, forty feet square. It was erected at the old graveyard on a spot of ground donated to the church by Jacob Young, the original proprietor of the town. Previous to the division, Rev. Henry Shedd was stated supply and Pastor six years, and Rev. William Matthews stated supply one year. The Ruling Elders were James Bennett, John Roy, Thomas Mickey and John Mateer. Other leading active members were Henry Ustick, Joseph Axtell, William N. Mateer, John Hardenbrook, John Ustick, Nathan T. Brown, William Cooper, George D. Cross, Joseph B. Lyon, Ebenezer Brown, Simeon Brown, Jesse Fisher and Lewis Hardenbrook. The division into what was called Old and New School took place in 1838-39. Of the seventy five members of the Mount Gilead Church, forty four went into the New School Branch and thirty-one into the Old School.

The old church building was occupied until October, 1859, receiving a complete course of repairs in 1849. After it was left as a house of worship, it was occupied as a carpenter shop until consumed by fire November 5, 1860. In 1857, the unfinished Baptist Church was purchased by James S. Trimble for $250, and presented to the New School Presbyterians, on condition that it

* Contributed by Rev. H. Shedd.

be moved and fitted up as their house of worship. The condition or proposition of Mr. Trimble was complied with ; the whole cost of the house, and the lot on which it stood, was $1,500. The church was dedicated January 1, 1858, and occupied until the re-union of the two branches of the church, when it was sold to the Disciples, and is now converted into a grain warehouse at the Short Line Depot. The house in which the society now worships, was erected by the Old School Branch in 1851-52. It required great sacrifice on the part of the people to get the house ready for holding public services. It has been repaired from time to time at considerable expense.

The reunion of the two branches was effected in October, 1865. At the time of the reunion, the church had 126 members 75 from the Old School and 5 from the New School, and 8 ruling Elders. Rev. Milton McMillen was Pastor of the reunited church for seven years. - The present Pastor is Rev. William S. Eagleson, six ruling, Elders Joseph B. Lyon, James M. Briggs, John P. Mateer, James S. Trimble, Charles Shedd and John W. Cook, and three Deacons-William Pennyard, Ross N. Mateer and William F. Blaney. The membership is 185. A Sunday school is carried on during the year, and is at present under the superintendence of J. G. Miles. It is in a flourishing condition, with an average attendance of about one hundred.

The Baptists * living, in Mount Gilead and vicinity, by invitation and agreement met on the 10th of December, 1853, at the house of Rev. William Branch, for the purpose of organizing a church. Thirteen Baptists were present, all of whom favored organization. Five of the thirteen had letters of dimission and recommendation, while the eight were not so provided having failed to take recommendations from their respective churches. It was decided that the five should organize under the name of the "Siloam Baptist Church of Mount Gilead." The five constituent members were Rev. William Branch, L.

* Contributed by Rev. A. J. Wiant.

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C. K. Branch, Simeon Werrick, Mary Ann Barton and Mrs. A. B. Gurley. These declared themselves the church as above named, and then the eight following names were received upon their Christian experience: David Auld, Louisa Auld, Charles Carpenter, Eliza Darland, Joseph Waldorf, Martha Waldorf, Esther Harshner and John Smith. This new organization at once made provision for weekly prayer meetings and monthly covenant meetings, and secured the court room in which to hold public service on Sabbath. Erastus Waldorf was the first one baptized into the fellowship of this church. Rev. William Branch was invited to serve as a supply, and also clerk until officers could be elected. David Auld and Joseph Waldorf were chosen the first Deacons, on the 3d of June, 1854, and on the same date Rev. William Branch was chosen the first Pastor.

By request of the society, it was recognized as the "Siloam Baptist Church of Mount Gilead," by the Mount Vernon Baptist Association, and also received into the fellowship of that body, as one of the sisterhood, in communion, in September, 1854. On the 25th of January, 1855, Rev. William Branch closed his pastorate, and in June following Rev. E. D. Thomas became Pastor. In August of the same year the church decided to build a house of worship, and accordingly the trustees were instructed to contract for the same, with D. Auld, for $1.800. The house was dedicated February 1, 1857 ; afterward, it was furnished at an additional cost of $230. Rev. E. D. Thomas closed his service as Pastor, in April, 1858, and was succeeded by Rev. A. Pratt, who took charge in June following. In 1860, the name of the church was changed to the "Baptist Church of Mount Gilead." May 14,1861, Rev. J. G. Bowen became Pastor in place of Rev. A. Pratt, who closed his pastorship in March preceding.

The church, deeming it proper to express her mind on the question of temperance, declared by vote that it was the imperative duty of every member to abstain from the use of liquors as a beverage. Rev. J. G. Bowen did not continue long as Pastor, and the church was without a pastor until March 11, 1864, when Rev. Lyman Whitney took charge, and remained one year, and was succeeded by Rev. Charles Merton. He vacated the field at the end of four months, and was followed by Rev. J. G. Turieson, who supplied the pulpit for three months, closing in January, 1867. Rev. S. J. Bostwick became Pastor in February, 1867, and closed his labors November following. Repairs were now made on the house at a cost of $225. Rev. Watson Clark served the church for seventeen months, ending June, 1869, and was followed by Rev. J. B. Hutton, who remained until May 14, 1871. Rev. Edward Jones supplied the pulpit now for two months. In May, 1872, Rev. D. B. Sim began pastoral labor, and gave his service to the church until September, 1878, when he was succeeded by the present Pastor (the writer) in December following. In 1879, the church was newly painted, and other repairs made, at a cost of $200. Thus, from a small beginning in 1853, the Lord has led us along. With a membership now of two hundred-officered with Deacons and Trustees, and enjoying stated Sabbath preaching, weekly prayer meetings, Sunday school, and co-operative Christian work in education, home and foreign missions, we may take courage and persevere.

The citizens of Mount Gilead are particularly proud of their union school building, which is an ornament to the town. As a matter of interest to many, we give the following description of it, from the Mount Gilead Sentinel of January 30, 1873:

" OUR NEW SCHOOLHOUSE.-To gratify many of our readers, who, though residing remote from the county seat, yet feel a proper interest in the improvement of our town, and particularly in our improved educational facilities, we will here give a brief description of the interior of our new union schoolhouse, which was opened for the reception of its army of little pupils on Monday last. While disclaiming any special reliance on architectural lore to render our description formally

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accurate, we hope for a reasonable degree of success in making it intelligible to our readers.

" Without hazarding the assumption that the external beauty of our school edifice approaches that architectural perfection which Madame de Stael terms "frozen music,' we think it probable that in its interior arrangement, it is not excelled by any similar building in the State. We may describe it as consisting essentially of two buildings, each 66x33 feet, and each including two lofty stories and a basement. These buildings stand side by side eighteen feet apart; and into each end of this central space is recessed a porch 14x18, leading into the ball 18x38, which serves to connect the two buildings, and provides ready access to the upper and basement stories ; the whole, of course, constituting a single building under the same slate roof.

" We thus have, on the first floor, four fine rooms, each about thirty-one feet square in the clear, and each occupying a corner of the building, with ample light from two sides. Each room is wainscoted all around, from the floor to the level of the windows (the wainscoting grained in imitation of alternate panels of walnut and other woods), and above this is the ample blackboard surface, so indispensable in every schoolroom. Each room is also provided with a large ventilating stove, receiving pure air from without, while registers in the floor at each side convey the foul air into the draft. By a peculiarity in their construction, these stoves can also be adjusted, in a moment's time, to warm by radiant heat simply, like an ordinary stove. Every window in the building is weighted, and is provided on the inside with a series of folding blinds, by which the direction and intensity of the light desired is under complete and instant control. It must thus be conceded that, in the highly important matters of heating and lighting, our new school building is not only unexcelled by any, but strikingly surpasses not a few more pretentious edifices.

As we emerge from either of these rooms into the hall, it will be observed how convenient each door is to the main entrance, and to the stairway leading to the second floor. Ascending this broad flight to. the second floor, we find, at the right, two more rooms corresponding in size and finish with the two below; while on the left, or south side of the hall, the entire space on this floor is thrown into a single room, 63x30 feet, which is flooded with light on three sides. This room is designed for the High School Department, while the lower departments of the school, while as at present organized, will occupy the rooms on the lower floor. This leaves the two north rooms above to be used for recitation rooms, for library, or any suitable purpose.

"Descending to the main hall, we pass directly below into the basement. Under the north wing are the two cellars, for the storage of coal, etc., while on the south side the two large rooms with floors will serve as play-rooms.

"The contract for putting up and completing the entire structure was let to Miller & Smith for $24,000, and it is the general impression that these gentlemen have most faithfully acquitted themselves of their important duty. Aside from their wish to honorably fulfill their obligations to the School Board, they have evidently been actuated by a laudable pride to complete a building that should be an honor to the town in which they live. Only the best materials-brick, wood and stone-have been used, and, with the corps of excellent workmen, they have combined these materials in a thoroughly workmanlike manner.

"On Monday last the new schoolhouse received its precious freight of immortal growing minds, which, encouraged and guided by faithful teachers, shall, in the unfolding future, 'shine as stars forever and ever.'

The Universalist Church in Mount Gilead was formed in 1860 by the Rev. H. R. Nye. The following persons united with the church at its organization: J. S. Hurd, Catharine Talmadge, Jane Harris, Smith Thomas, Abram Coe, R. J. House, Sarah Dawson, J. J. Gurley and wife, H. E. Lambert and wife, Frank M. Russell, Hugh

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Thomas, Mary J. Turner, and Charlotte E. Dawson. The church building is a substantial frame, and was built soon after the formation of the society. The Trustees were Smith Thomas, R. J. House, F. M. Russell; and Henry E. Lambert, Treasurer; J. J. Gurley, Clerk. John Hurd and Abram Coe were Deacons. The present Pastor is Rev. H. L. Canwell, and the membership is one hundred and twenty-four. A Sunday school, with an average attendance of about sixty, is maintained under the superintendence of Smith Thomas.

The Disciples or Christians had a church in Mount Gilead at one time, as noticed in the history of the Presbyterian Church, but it eventually became extinct, and their building is now doing duty as a grain warehouse at the Short Line Depot.

The benevolent and charitable institutions follow close in the wake of the Christian churches, and, in their way, exercise as great an influence for good as the churches themselves. Freemasonry, the oldest of all the secret organizations now in existence, is an order of "kingly origin and heavenly aim," and takes for its guide the Holy Bible as its greatest light. To go back to the origin of Masonry would be to go back almost to the beginning of time itself, and our space will not admit of such research. A Masonic Lodge was organized in Mount Gilead more than thirty years ago. Mount Gilead Lodge, No. 206, was chartered in October, 1851. The following are the original members: W. C. Clark, Jas. W. Stinchcomb, A. K. Dunn, John B. Dumble, Andrew Poe, T. P. Glidden, Israel Hite, J. A. Beebe, and S. T, Cunard. W. C. Clark was the first Master, James W. Stinchcomb the first Senior Warden, and A. K. Dunn the first Junior Warden. The charter is signed by Most Worshipful W. B. Hubbard, Grand Master, and B. F. Smith , Grand Secretary. The first meeting was held January 6, 1851, the lodge having been organized under dispensation at that time, and chartered in October following. The following additional officers were elected: T. P. Glidden, Treasurer; Andrew Poe, Secretary John B. Dumble, S. D.; J. A. Beebe, J. D., and Israel Hite, Tiler. W. C. Clark, as stated, was the first Master, A. K. Dunn the next, J. W. Stinchcomb the next, and then A. K. Dunn served as Master for eighteen years in succession. The next Master then was J. E. Smith, who served two years, then Allen Levering two years. J. G. Miles is now serving his second year as Master. The present membership is forty three, and J. G. Miles is Worshipful Master; W. C. Wilson, Senior Warden; W. W. McCracken, Junior Warden - A. K. Dunn, Treasurer; W. G. Irwin, Secretary; Allen Levering, Senior Deacon; James Fulton, Junior Deacon, and S. W. Preston, Tiler.

Gilead Chapter, No. 59, Royal Arch Masons, was organized October 16, 1854, with the following charter members: A. J. Smith, J. A. Beebe, W. C. Clark, J. W. Stinchcomb, A. K. Dunn, J. D. Vore, W. H. McKee, S. M. Hewett, C. P. Shurr and D. L. Swingley. The original officers were W. C. Clark, High Priest; J. W. Stinchcomb, King; A. K. Dunn, Scribe. Grand High Priest H. M. Stokes issued the charter, and it was countersigned by J. D. Caldwell, Grand Secretary. The first meeting was held December 7, 1854, and Dr. I. H. Pennock was the first initiate. There are fifty-two members upon the roll, and the following are the present officers: A. K. Dunn, M. E.; High Priest; B. B. McGowen, E.-. King; Allen Levering, E.; Scribe; W. C. Wilson, Captain of the Host; W. H. Burns, Principal Sojourner; W. W. McCracken, Royal Arch Captain; G. S. Newhouse, J. R. Miles, C. B. Levering, Grand Masters of the Veils; W. W. McCracken, Treasurer; W. Smith Irwin, Secretary, and S. W. Preston, Sentinel. A move was made some years ago toward establishing a Council of Royal and Select Masters, and permission obtained, but from some cause the movement was finally abandoned. There are several Knights Templar among the members of the fraternity, but not a sufficient Dumber to establish a commandery. So, at present, a blue lodge and chapter are all the Masonic bodies in Mount Gilead.

312 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY.

Odd Fellowship, the companion in charity and good works of Freemasonry, is represented here by a lodge and encampment. Mount Gilead Lodge, No. 169, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 20, 1850, by William C. Earl, Grand Master of the Order, and Alex. E. Glenn, Grand Secretary. The charter members were William Johnson, Joseph D. Rigour, James R. West, John W. Place and David Smith. The following were the first officers: John W. Place, N. G.; J. D. Rigour, V. G.; David Smith, Treasurer, and William Robbins, Secretary. The lodge has fifty-six members, and its officers at present are John W. Gallaher, N. G.; John G. Russell, V. G.; George Jago, R. Secretary; E. F. Cooper, P. Secretary, and J. G. Miles, Treasurer.

Morrow Encampment, No. 59, I. O. O. F., was instituted December 29, 1853, by Henry Lamb, D. G. P., and A. K. Foote, Grand Scribe. The following were the original members: J. D. Rigour, D. L. Bartlett, Stephen Casey, Daniel L. Case, Stephen Morehouse, and J. W. Stinchcomb; of whom the first officers were J. D. Rigour, C. P.; J. W. Stinchcomb, S. W.; Stephen Casey, Treasurer, and S. Morehouse, Scribe. The records show twenty-six members, and the following list of officers: H. Campbell, C. P.; J. G. Miles, H. P.; H. M. Whitby, S. W.; George Jago, Scribe, and William Jacobs, Treasurer.

The Short Line Railroad is a Mount Gilead enterprise that should be mentioned in this chapter, although it is noticed at some length in the railroad history of the county. The project was authorized by the Legislature of the State, in what is termed the "Enabling Act," by which a vote was taken for a tax of $18,000, an amount that was supposed to be sufficient to build the road. The sum was found insufficient, however, and an a additional $3,000 was voted afterward. These sums built the road and made it ready for the rolling stock, which was put on by the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, in consideration of a lease given to that road for twenty years by the Board of Trustees (of the Short Line), of which Mr. J. H. Pollock, of Mount Gilead, is President. The grading of the Short Line was done by M. G. Doty & Co., and about 175 tons of iron were used in laying the track, side tracks, switches, etc., which was bought at $36 per ton, a sum much lower than it could have been bought for six months later. The road was completed and opened for travel on the 1st day of May, 1880, and the first two months it was in operation, the passenger traffic alone amounted to about $500. Its construction has been of incalculable advantage to the town of Mount Gilead and the surrounding country.

In the beginning of the war of the rebellion, the young men of the county laid down their work, shouldered their guns and went forth to battle for the Union and the old flag without delay, and without faltering in their duty to the Government. Their deeds of valor, as well as the sufferings they endured, have been chronicled elsewhere, and in this chapter we can but briefly note some of the good deeds of those whom duty called to stay at home. One of the earliest organizations in the State for furnishing comfort and encouragement to the able-bodied men in the field, and delicaeics to the sick, was the "Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society." This society found a ready response among the ladies of Mount Gilead and Morrow County and an organization, in the early part of the war was effected, which, throughout the long and arduous struggle, was productive of great good. Many a ray of comfort, many a blessing upon the fair ones. a and many a prayer for their happiness, pervaded gloomy hospital wards upon the receipt of "good things" from the hands of those "an angels of mercy" furnished through the influence and energy of the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Societies. An auxiliary society was: formed in Mount Gilead, with branches in each township in the county, which joined heartily in those kind ministrations of devoted love and affection that nerved the hearts and upheld the arms of those who were called to bear the brunt of the strife. The ablest orators and the most eloquent pens have sought to pay a fitting

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tribute to woman for the noble part she bore in the war. Some have compared her to the angel of pity and forgiveness, and others to the "seraphim bending in awe and rapt devotion over the mercy seat;" but her devotion and self-sacrificing labor of love to her dear ones away at the "post of honor and danger," will insure her, when she arrives upon the other shore, "a crown, bright with many jewels." Her reward here is an inner consciousness of having done her duty.

Volunteers were easily secured for the army, and, as the fresh recruits were hurried away to the front, As town, realizing that many were illy prepared to leave their families, did all in its power to relieve who were left unprovided for. Large sums were subscribed, and disbursed Cleveland, Columbus, Railroad subscribed $10,000 to the different counties through which the road passes, and Morrow County's portion was divided among the families of soldiers according to their actual wants. But our space will not permit a notice of all the noble acts of the people of the county, and the workings of the Ladies' Aid Society and kindred enterprises for the benefit of the "brave boys in the field; " it would make a volume of itself. With a few words of the local military companies, we will leave the subject.

The warlike spirit that has descended from the old Revolutionary ancestors of the citizens of Mount Gilead, and which caused them to respond so nobly in times of national peril, is still to be found in the military organizations of the town. Mount Gilead has two military companies, which are composed of the flower of her able bodied men. "The Old Guard Military Company " is an independent company, and owns its uniforms and arms. Its organization was suggested as early as May, 1878 , for the purpose of acting as a kind of escort, or guard of honor, on the national Decoration Day, in decorating with flowers the graves of the county's fallen soldiers. The company was uniformed and re-organized on the 30th of October, 1878, with the following list of commissioned officers, which was furnished us by the Orderly Sergeant, J. B. Gatchell: W. W. McCracken, Captain; J. R. McComb, First Lieutenant; and M. B. Talmadge, Second Lieutenant. Many of the members of the company were soldiers of the late war, and, when the organization of such a company was first thought of, it was designed to have none in it but those who had seen service, from which fact it obtained the name of "The Old Guards." The idea, however, was subsequently abandoned, and others admitted members. From October, 1878, until April, 1880, the Old Guards" acted as volunteer firemen.

The "Levering Guards," or Company E, Fourteenth Regiment, Ohio National Guards, was organized in August, 1878, with A. A. Gardner, Captain; R. P. Miller, First Lieutenant; and William H. Scheetz, Second Lieutenant. This company was originally organized as Company I, of the Twelfth Regiment, but subsequently transferred to the Fourteenth Regiment, when it became Company E, as above designated. The muster rolls show fifty-eight names, with the following commissioned officers: R. P. Miller, Captain; W. H. Scheetz, First Lieutenant - and D. P. George, Second Lieutenant.

The Old Guard Band is a sort of attache of the Old Guard Military Company, and was organized in August, 1879. Upon its organization, Prof. James Porter, of Galion, came down and instructed it for about six weeks. Since that time it has been under the leadership of Mr. Thomas Darby, an accomplished musician. The members (twelve in number) are as follows: Thomas Darby, leader; Calvin Cooper, Frank Cooper, Elliott Dumble, William Kinnear, Berwick Barton, Morris Fogle, Carlton Keyser, Roscoe Gallaher, Roy C. Russell, Sanford Early, and Isaac DeWitt. The town has had several bands previous to this, but none of them have survived any great length of time. The present Old Guard Band is an excellent one, well trained and good "blowers" generally. The town council has recently erected a handsome band stand in the public square, and

314 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY.

now when the boys gather upon it of a summer evening, indulging in their sweet discords," all are in ready to agree that

"Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast."

The first cemeteries or burying rounds of Mount Gilead were the old Methodist and Presbyterian Cemeteries, as they were called, and were, east, or southeast, of the town. In 1861, Mount Gilead Cemetery was laid out and incorporated. It comprises an addition of sixteen acres to, the old Methodist burying-ground, which is included in the new cemetery. The first burial in this new addition was that of Mrs. Catharine Wieland, and took place on the 27th of August, 1862. The grounds thus devoted to the "loved and lost" of the town axe well adapted to the purpose for which they were designed, being somewhat rolling in surface, and abounding in sites which are being nicely improved by the planting, of trees and evergreens, and by other artificial means. It is a lovely place, and a stroll amid its flowers and shrubbery is sufficient to inspire such sentiment as is embodied in the following lines:

"Beneath these shades, how sweet to sleep,

And know affection's care

Hath made this home, this resting place,

And laid our bodies there.

These evergreens shall emblems be

Of that bright state above,

Where truth and mercy concentrate

In one eternal love."

West Gilead, as it was originally known, was laid off by Luther Mozier, July 23, 1851, soon after the completion of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad. The character of improvements begun in the place, and which render so many small railroad towns somewhat disreputable, disgusted the proprietor of West Gilead, Mr. Mozier, and he succeeded in having the town discontinued, and bought back the lots he had sold, thus restoring the place to its original condition. April 12, 1876, he again laid out a town, which was known and platted as "Gilead Station," but the name of which has recently been. changed by the railroad company to " Levering Station." The new town occupies the old site of West Gilead, which is the southeast quarter of Section 35, of the fifth township. The necessity for a town here was partly for the accommodation of Mount Gilead, and partly for the benefit, as a shipping point, of a large scope of country surrounding it. Mr. Mozier gave ground for depot purposes, and was for. many years the agent of the railroad. Indeed, with the exception of a short interval, be and his sons have been the agents of the road ever since the establishing of Gilead as a station.

Mr. Mozier built the first house in Gilead, as be owned the land before the town was laid out, and had erected several buildings. The first dry goods store was kept by John Tucker, and the first grocery store by Davenport Rogers. A post office was established in 1877, with I. T. McLain as Postmaster. The present Postmaster is J. S. Tucker. The business of the town may be summed up about as follows: three general stores; one hardware and drug store; two blacksmith-shops; one saw and planing mill; one lumber-yard; one millinery shop and dress-making establishment, and last, but not least, one of the best little hotels in the county, which is kept by that prince of landlords, Seth McCormick. He has a knack of making one feel at home whether or no, and a genial hospitality that will prompt a man to partake heartily at his wellspread table, even if he is not hungry. The schoolhouse is small and rather uncomfortable, but, as the town has succeeded in getting a special district, it is designed to build a new house during the coming year. There is no church in the place, but most of the citizens worship at Mount Gilead. Occasional preaching is had at the school house, and a union Sunday school maintained throughout the year, and has been carried on without break for the past four years. The average attendance is not far from eighty, and the present Superintendent is A. Tucker.

The grain business of West Gilead, Gilead Sta-

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tion, or Levering (our readers can choose which name they like best), is the most extensive business (and has ever been) carried on in the town. Messrs. Young and Harrison built the first grain warehouse, soon after the completion of the railroad. J. D. Rigour and Mr. Mozier built the other, or north warehouse. Mr. Mozier sold out his interest, and Rigour finally failed. The Railroad Company then took the warehouse, which was bought by J. S. Trimble about 1860-61, who did a large grain business here until his failure in 1878. He also traded largely in wool, and also did a banking business, as elsewhere noted.

The most extensive grain-dealers in the county, perhaps, are the Mozier Brothers & Cover, who have a warehouse both at Mount Gilead and at Levering Station. D. C. Mozier was the first of the Mozier boys to go into the grain business, and commenced operations about 1861. J. J. Gurley was interested with him for one year, after which he conducted it alone until 1866, when his brother, W. H. Mozier, went in with him, and continued about a year. He was again alone from that time until 1872, when another brother, George W. Mozier, entered into partnership with him. These two worked together until the admission of Mr. Cover in June, 1880, when the firm became Mozier Brothers & Cover. Several other parties have handled grain at Gilead Station at different times, but of them we have bean unable to learn particulars. Mr. Cover had been dealing in grain for some time previous to his partnership with the Moziers.

It is the railroad facilities that have been the making of Gilead Station ; indeed it is indebted to the railroad for any existence at all, and the town was formed, as we have said, as a shipping point for the surrounding g country. The completion of the Short Line has made it a sort of railroad center, by giving it a connection cast with Mount Gilead. All that is now wanted to make a city, is for some enterprising individual to lay out the space between Mount Gilead and West Gilead into lots and streets; it would soon build up,

An incident which occurred in the vicinity of Gilead Station about forty-five years ago will serve as an interesting finale to this chapter. A couple of neighbors, named Noah Webster (not the Dictionary man) and Ben. Leonard, who were on the most intimate terms with each other, growing weary of the monotony of their family relations, agreed upon an exchange of helpmeet, on the principle, perhaps, that a fair exchange is no robbery. All the preliminaries being arranged the females, entering into the spirit of the scheme, readily consented to transfer their allegiance to a new lord. The prime cause for this change is said to have been owing to the fact that Webster kept a distillery three miles north of Gilead Station, to which his wife was very much opposed, while Mrs. Leonard made no opposition to such a business. How well they were satisfied with the new order of things we do not know, but their contentment was evinced by their living under the new dispensation without further change, so long as they remained in the neighborhood. All parties to this novel proceeding are long since dead.