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CHAPTER XXII.
GARRETTSVILLE TOWNSHIP.
ARRIVAL OF COL. JOHN GARRETT-THE FIRST MILL-SLOW GROWTH-THE DUAL GOVERNMENT- BUSINESS, MANUFACTURING, ETC.-THE FAIR-CHURCHESUNION SCHOOLS-MASONIC BODIES-ODD FELLOWSHIP-YOUNG MEN'S TEMPERANCE COUNCIL-GOOD TEMPLARS-STATISTICS.
GARRETTSVILLE having been carved out of the southwest corner of Nelson and the southeast corner of Hiram, its history may be said, until a comparatively recent date, to belong to those townships, and therefore many facts pertaining to its early settlement will be found recorded in the chapters relating to Hiram and Nelson.
The nucleus around which afterward clustered the village of Garrettsville was established by. Col. John Garrett, who arrived from Delaware in July, 1804 and made the first settlement, He brought with him a man named Dyson, a blacksmith and gun repairer, who was of great use to the surrounding settlements. Shortly after coming Col. Garrett lost a son, who died in
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September following. In January, 1806, the Colonel himself departed this life. He left a widow and four children, the venerable Mrs. Garrett surviving her husband for forty years. The children became distinguished citizens in various walks of life. Col. Garrett lef t provision for a lot upon which to build a Baptist Church, and a plat of ground for a grave-yard. The year following his arrival he built a saw and grist-mill, which was one of the greatest conveniences the dwellers in the northern section of Portage had afforded them, Garrett's Mill being known and patronized by the early settlers for fifteen and twenty miles around.
For many years there was only slight improvement in the settlement established by Col. Garrett, there being scarcely anything more than the mill and a few other buildings, no attempt being made to aspire to the proportions of a village. In fact, till there was talk of a railroad, and even after its construction for a time, Garrettsville was simply a Four Corners. After the war, however, a boom struck the little village, and it has been steadily growing ever since, until now it is the busiest and most progressive town in the county in proportion to population.
In 1864 the village was incorporated, and began to assume some importance as a trade center. The people now could but their own officers and conduct their internal affairs as they pleased, but still being under the wing of the township organization they were hampered somewhat, so they petitioned the County Commissioners in 1874 to set apart their territory, about one mile and a half square, as a separate and independent township. Now this request being granted on July 6, 1874, and still retaining the privileges as an incorporate village, Garrettsville presents the spectacle of what the Greeks would have called a duarchy. They have two sets of officers, having an election for each, held at the same time and same voting place, in separate boxes, and yet there is no clashing of authority. The officers dovetail, as it were, so nicely that, notwithstanding the fact that the territory of the village and the territory of the township are co-extensive, yet all moves on harmoniously with the duplex arrangement. There is said to be but one other combination of the kind in Ohio. There sire 'no Trustees, however, as a Board of Councilmen perform their duties, and the same Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor serve both organizations, yet are elected separately, to fulfill the requirements of the law.
The township was incorporated on petition of ninety-five residents, who signed under date of June 8, 1864. The Mayors and Recorders since that time are named in the following lists:
Mayors.—Isaac Stowell, 1864; C. T. Barton, 1866; M. G. Francis, 1867-68; T. Winans, 1869; 0. L. Hawley, 1870; C. W. Knapp, 1872; 0. S. Ferris, 1874; James Ashald, 1876; Enos C. Smith, 1878-80; James Norton, 1882; R. H. Ober, 1884.
Recorders. —O. A. Taylor, 1864; Edward Knapp, 1866; 0. A. Taylor, 186768; E. Knapp, 1869; Ed. L. Davis, 1870; V. M. Noble, 1872; W. D. Web- ster, 1874; W. D. Webster, 1876; W. D. Webster, 1878-80; a a Ferris, 1882; E. L. Davis, 1884.
The present Councilmen are C. W. Goodsell, James Dunn, 0. J. Bates, 0. Collons, G. D. Smith, A. C. Belden; Solicitor, A. W. Masson; Treasurer, J. S. Tilden; Marshal, 0. F. Hoskins; Justices of the Peace, Charles Thayer and H. M. Merwin. The fire bonds for $2,000 (6 per cent), issued in September, 1884, are outstanding, due in six years.
The Fire Department was organized in the fall of 1884, when E. S. Hutchison was elected Chief. The town supplies engine, hose, hook and ladder and quarters; the men are all volunteers, the Chief alone being a salaried official.
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A Remington fire-engine was purchased in September, 1884, with hook and ladder, hose, etc., for $2,000. There are a number of Babcock extinguishers belonging to the department, which is the pioneer fire department of northern Portage County.
During the present year there have been erected over twenty buildings of various kinds, and there are located here some of the finest stores in the county. The New York, Pennsylvania &Ohio Railroad, which passes through the village, affords the best shipping facilities, and large quantities of produce finds its way to the Eastern markets from this point. In addition to the business houses of all kinds there is a rake factory, a factory for the manufacture of the Success Evaporator, a planing and sash-mill, blind factory, pail factory, basket factory, foundry and machine shops, grist-mill, saw-mill and carriage factory.
The First National Bank is in a very flourishing condition, the President of which is W. B. McConnell; Cashier, J. S. Tilden; Assistant Cashier, W. B. Agler.
There are four physicians and surgeons, two dentists and three lawyers, and a very excellent newspaper, the Garrettsville Journal, edited and conducted by C. B. Webb.
The Highland 'Union Agricultural Association was organized December 28, 1859, with William N. Williams, Henry Beecher, Hiram Pierce, E. W. Williams, W. Chaffee, Jr., S. D. Norton, A. N. Daniels, O. E. Niles, J. L. Hunt and Silas Raymond, and in 1884 it held its twenty-fifth annual fair. Originally it was held exclusively for the exhibition of stock, farm products and women's work, etc., and all races, shows and games were strictly forbidden, but of late years it has dropped all such staid old notions, and has entered into the matter precisely like other exhibitions, having its horse-racing, snide shows and games of chance, just like the county fair.
Prior to 1865, at the time of the incorporation of the village, the school district was composed of District No. 2, Nelson Township, a district in the southeast corner of Hiram and a district in the northeast corner of Freedom; but the act of incorporation merged these three districts into one, under control of a Board of Education of the village, a vote of the people adopting the school law of 1849. May 13, 1867, a vote was taken to authorize the Board to levy a tax of 10 mills for school building purposes, and in 1869 a good brick building, large enough to accommodate 300 pupils, was completed at a cost of $15,000. The success of the above measures was largely due to James Ashald, James Dunn, Rev. Isaac Winans, S. W. Fuller, A. A. Barber. G. P. Udall, C. O. Foote, Charles Tinker and O. A. Taylor. The school opened in the new building in December, 1869, with Will Murdoch as Principal, and an average daily attendance of 112; total attendance, 186. In 1870-71 R. S. Kuhn was Principal, and the average daily attendance was 106; total attendance, 199. In 1872-73 James Norton became Principal; average attendance of 133; total attendance, 207. In 1874 the Board appointed J. Cole and Will Murdoch to prepare a course of study, which was adopted, and C. W. Carroll became Principal, regular graded school work being adopted. H. L. Peck succeeded Mr. Carroll in 1876, and remained in charge till 1882, when John E. Morris took charge, and has successfully conducted the school since. Twenty-three pupils completed their course during the first two years of Mr. Morris' administration. The average attendance is now about 208, and total attendance, 250. In 1880 an elegant brick building was erected on the same lot as the other school, its cost being $6,500. The schools now have five departments, each department having a supply of books, pict-
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ures, paintings and other decorations. There is an organ in every room except one. A set of philosophical apparatus was added in 1882. A library containing nearly 700 volumes, exclusive of public documents, is a principal feature. The library has been formed from two others that existed some years ago, the union being due to the efforts of Principal Peck, 0. S. Ferris and A. J. Smith. The School Board has been the same for three years: A. J. Smith, Presidenti James Norton, Clerk; Warren Pierce, Treasurer; C. M. Crane, S. W. Fuller and James Dunn. The present Board take active, personal interest in all educational affairs, and make it a point to attend all meetings, thereby contributing in large measure to the great success of the schools. The corps of teachers for 1884-85 are John E. Morris, Principal; J. J. Jackson, Assistant in High School; Anor A. Eckert, Grammar Department; Ione S. Wolcott, Intermediate Department; Cora Adams, A Primary Department; Della V. Reed, B Primary Department. The present condition of the schools is shown in the following statistics: Revenue in 1884, $7,508.29; expenditures, $4,642.33; two schoolhouses valued at $20,200; average pay of teachers, $76 and $37; enrollment; 103 boys and 110 girls.
Baptist Church.—Col. Garrett, who died in 1806, bequeathed to the Baptist Church a lot for meeting-house and cemetery. The organization of this society was due mainly to Mrs. Garrett. The first church was built by Edwin Atwood and John Garrett. On June 22, 1881, this old building was blown to pieces by twenty-five pounds of gunpowder, after its restoration in the fall of 1880. The deed was attributed to whisky apologists. The work of building a new house of worship was at once entered upon, and on January 3, 1884, the present church was dedicated. Its cost was $5,000. The original members of this society, formed July 30, 1808, were Mary West, Susan and John Rudolph, and Eliza and John Noah. Rev. Thomas G. Jones, of Sharon, presided, and named the church at Nelson, Bethesda. The clerks of the church were John Rudolph, 1808 to 1824; William Summer, 1824 to 1832; E. Welsh and John Brainerd, 1832 to 1837; A.. Servoss, 1837; William Wilson, 1841 to 1846; Ira Fuller, 1846; William Wilson, 1852; M. F. French, 1861 to 1872; C. W. and J. B. Knapp, 1872-74; C. T. Truesdale, 1874-79; and Mrs. E. E. Truesdale, 1879-85. In January, 1885, the first bell used by the Baptists here was placed in the belfry of the new building.
The Congregational Church was organized as a Union Church February 21, 1834, with seventeen members, of whom Mrs. Eunice P. Baker, of Connewango, N. Y., and Mrs. Delia Peers, of Garrettsville, are still living. Deacon Francis Strong and wife; Sarah Masson; Diana Sprague; Mrs. S. W. Orvis, of Nevinville, Iowa; Whitmore Hazen, of Washington, D. C., a brother of Gen: Hazen, of the Signal Service; J. J. Demarest, Waupaca, Wis.; Deacon Waters and wife; Mrs. M. E. Wales; Mrs. A. B. Gardner, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio; Deacon Wade White and wife; John D. Hazen and wife, who owned the lot and erected the main part of the old church building, were among the original and old, members. In 1836 the society was reorganized under the Congregational form, and has since been conducted as a purely Congregational Church. In May, 1845, John D. Hazen offered to donate the land and building to the society,on condition that they would repair the house, erect a spire, and place therein a bell. Mr. Hazen died before the conditions were fulfilled, and his executor, Robert Payne, of Cleveland, refused to recognize his action. This resulted in a round of litigation, which was favorable to the society. In May, 1847, the society was incorporated. The resolutions adopted by this society, in re the anti-slavery movement, were entirely in consonance with the spirit of the times. The organizing ministers were Joseph Treat and Benjamin Fenn. The orig-
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inal members were John D. Hazen and wife, Wade White and wife, Vienna Norton, Clarissa Eggleston, Harry White and wife, Wealthy White, Mary White, Eunice White and John D. White, Susan Ferry, Polly T. Stevens, Eleanor Hindman, Sophia Smith and Hannah Trask.
Rev. Isaac Winans served this church for a greater number of years than any other pastor. Charles B. Webb has served as Clerk since August, 1880, succeeding W. S. Wight. The Trustees are J. W. Root, N. W. Leezer, G. D. Smith, P. S. Tinan and S. J. Battles. The membership is 130, and the congregation numbers about 300. The average Sunday-school attendance is about 125. R. H. Ober is Superintendent. The house of worship is the same as existed in 1836, and was repaired in 1845. Rev. J. R. Nichols is pastor.
The Disciples Church was reorganized a few years ago with fifty-two members. The old society built a house of worship on Main Street in 1846, which house was sold sixteen or eighteen years ago to Mrs. S. S. Beecher, and is now occupied as a dwelling-house by the purchaser. For many years services have not been held, bat in 1882 the reorganized society purchased a lot and determined to erect a house of worship. N. H. Nichols, James Norton, S. O. Wilbur, Frank Poor and James Ashald, Trustees, with Mr. Norton, Clerk, and Mr. Ashald, Treasurer. ,Of the old society there are about ten members here.
The Methodist Church, Garrettsville, was organized in 1872 with seven charter members, and organized under State law February 10, 1873, with M. Hashman, R. A. Houghton, T. Barton, Albert Gage, William Fox, H. E. Spencer, Joseph C. Ensign and James R. Thorne, Trustees. James Greer was President, and E. M. Sanderson Secretary of the meeting.
The pastors since Garrettsville was created an appointment in September, 1872, were John Brown, 1872; W. H. Haskell, 1874; H. Webb, 1875; H. N. Steadman, 1876; A. S. Morrison, April 13, 1879; Eugene P. Edmonds, 1879; W. H. Rider, 1880; H. B. Edwards, 1881, and Charles Ed. Locke, October, 1883. The record of official members gives the following names: A. D. Hoskin, H. L. Peck, E. M. Sanderson, S. A. Udall, R. T. Ellenwood, William Fox, N. Steele, H. E. Spencer, G. B. Graham, W. C. Dunn, J. R. Thorn, C. V. Francis, E. B. Lewis, J. E. Morris and Oliver Bow. The membership is about 124. The present church building was erected in 1872, at a cost of $10,000. The building is brick, well located, with spire 100 feet high. The bell weighs 1,000 pounds.
Garrettsville Lodge, No. 246, A. F. & A. M. —This lodge was chartered October 19, 1853, and was organized January 10, 1854. The charter was granted by L. V. Bierce, M. W. G. M.; W. B. Dodd, R. W. D. G. M.; Matthew Gaston, R. W. S. G. W.; W. D. Brock, R. W. J. G. W., and the following were the charter officers and members: Reuben Daniels, W. M.; Orin Smith, S. W.; David B. Lee, J. W., and Joshua Finch, John A. Messenger, Charles Slayton, Martin McClinton, James Heath, William Messenger, Ransom Munn, John Udall, W. Hopkins and I. Hubbard. The lodge has a present membership of 124.
December 19, 1860, the hall in which the communications were held was destroyed by fire, and all the lodge fixtures, library, book of records, etc.,were lost.. In 1872 the fine brick building, in the upper portion of which is located fraternity, the lodge rooms, was erected by the aternity, and was dedicated January 15, 1873, the services being conducted by Right Worshipful Grand Master Woodward. The lamented President Garfield was Chaplain of the lodge in 1869.
Silver Creek Chapter, No. 144, R: A. M.—This Chapter was constituted and established May 3, 1879, and worked under dispensation till October 17 of the same year, when a charter was granted by James W. Underhill, Grand High
464 - HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.
Priest of Ohio. The charter officers and members were Alonzo H. Tidball, H. P.; Ezra B. Hopkins, K.; Waldo Webster, S., and Edmund Knapp, Stephen G. Warren, Gordon F. Mattison, Charles D. Hosmer, Ira T. Wilder, Titus B. Hopkins, Leroy H. Payne. The membership is sixty-four. There are also in Garrettsville twenty-one Knights Templar, but no Commandery.
Odd Fellowship.—Portage Lodge, No. 456, I. 0. 0. F.—This lodge was instituted July 25, 1870, by H. Y. Beebe, Grand Master: The charter officers and members were Wolcott Chaffee, Jr., N. G.; E. C. Farley, V. G.; C. W. Knapp, R. S.; J. E. Snow, P. S.; L. N. Moses, T. ; T. M. Hobart and E. M. Talcott. After the first night's work following the institution of the lodge there were fourteen members, and the work has gone on steadily ever since, until at the present time there is a membership of 137. The lodge has cleared off its original debt, and now owns a very fine hall handsomely decorated and furnishelin the third floor of the old Bank Building, where the order is doing good work, its members being among the most influential and respected citizens of Garrettsville. The present officers are C. H. Foster, N. G. ; N. W. Leezer, V. G. ; Wolcott Chaffee, Secretary; E. Is. Davis, Treasurer; Guy Warren, R. S. to N. G.; C. H. Crafts, L. S. to N. G.; S. W. Fuller, R. S. to V. G.; C. B. Webb, L. S. to V. G.; E. Burke, Warden; E. S. Bishop, Conductor; J. C. Hoffman, R. S. S.; B. F. Bush, L. S. S.; Robert Durney, I. G.; L. W. Ahrens, 0. G.
Young Men's Temperance Council.—This organization was formed March 17, 1882, and, as its name implies, is a temperance society, but on a new plan. It had its origin among the young men of Garrettsville, and its ritual was written by E. L. Sanderson, E. B. Lewis and N. W. Leezer. It is a secret order consisting of three degrees, which are concise and free from the defects of some corresponding societies. The members are not only pledged to abstain from all intoxicating drinks, but also from entering a place where liquors are sold, thereby showing by their habits discouragement to the traffic. The lodge affords an attractive place of resort, furnished with good reading matter, and thus handicaps the •saloons and their temptations. The original members forming the organization were E. L. Sanderson, B. G. Daniels, J. D. Cole, N. W. Leezer, G. J. Dunn, E. B. Lewis, A. C. Daniels, W. B. Pike, E. E. Maltby, F. W. Brown, T. W. Esty, W. S. White, K. G. Koons and R. H. Over.
Good Templars.—Garrettsville Lodge, No. 199, L 0. G. T., was instituted in 1883, and has passed through the varied experiences incident to such a society. Its officers for the ensuing term are as follows: W. C. T., John McGill; W. V. T., Mrs. W. B. Pike; P. W. C. T., H. A. Truesdale; W. R. S., Hattie E. White; W.F. S., Will Hoskin; W. T., L. A. Tidball; W. C., Mrs. J. B. Knapp; W. M., Wilber Winfield; G., E. B. Lewis; S., David Goss; W. A. S., Mrs. H. A. Truesdale.
Young Men's Temperance Council.—The members of the Young Men's Temperance Council celebrated their third anniversary with appropriate public exercises at Buckeye Hall. The Council is in good working condition, and since its organization has been the means of doing much good.
The Western Reserve Sugar Makers' Convention was held January 21 and 22, 1885, when the following named officers were elected: President, P. C. Nichols; First Vice-President, E. P. Clark, of Windham; Second Vice- President, S. L. Love, of Warren; Recording Secretary, F. D. Snow, of Windham; Corresponding Secretary, B. H. Udall2 of Garrettsville; Treasurer,
C. F. Cowdrey, of Hiram.
Success Evaporator Works.—The Garrettsville Manufacturing Company was organized March 20, 1872, with L L. Robe, E. C. Smith, Warren Bishop,
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E. B. Lee and James Norton. The capital stock was $30,000. This industry was devoted to the manufacture of nuts and bolts and other hardware. This collapsed a few years later, and the buildings are now used by Wilcox & Son, manufacturers of sugar makers' sundries. Wilcox & Son have just invented and perfected a new syrup tester, also a pan connection which is simple, durable and reliable every time, It has been pronounced by all who have seen it to be the most perfect connection on the market. By its use interchangeable pans can be easily and successfully used to get rid of the silica deposit.
Garrettsville Table Manufacturing Company was established for the manufacture of tables in 1880-81 by John Gottchalk, and conducted by him until the buildings were destroyed by a boiler explosion three years ago. Together with the destruction of buildings, two men lost their lives. The works were rebuilt and operated for some time, when James Davidson purchased them. Recently the buildings and machinery were leased by R. H. Ober from Davidson & Hoskin, and he now conducts a fair business. This industry employs about six men.
Fuller & Hatch, saw and planing-mill, was established twenty-eight years ago by John F. Taylor and Daniel Ellinwood, Jr., as a saw-mill. They con' ducted it for a number of years until purchased by Getter & Letterbrant, who operated it for some time. In 1861 S. W. Fuller purchased an interest, and in conjunction with his partners has operated the saw-mill since that year. The planing-mill machinery was introduced in 1863-64. The capacity of the saw-mill is about 10,000 feet per day. The value of buildings and machinery of both industries is $6,000. The number of men generally employed is eight. This company, in addition to local work, has a large shipping trade. The feed store and warehouse at the depot is operated by this firm; lime, salt, seed and fertilizers are also dealt in extensively.
Udall & Hoskin's pail factory was built by Charles Tinker about twenty years ago for a machine shop, and operated as such until 1868, when Udall & Co. purchased the buildings and established the pail factory. In 1882 A. D. Hoskins purchased the interests of Tinan and Sanderson and now is partner of Mr. Udall. The works turn out about 50,000 pails, well-buckets, butter-tubs and paint-pails annually, and give employment to twelve men. Water-power was used exclusively up to February, 1885, when steam-power. was added. The value of buildings and machinery is $10,000.
W. L. & B. H. Udall's foundry was established thirteen years ago by J. E. Udall & Gregory. Saw-mill and sewing machine machinery, castings and
repairs form the leading work. Buildings and machinery are valued at $5,000. This industry gives employment to thirteen men from October to April, and about eight men during the summer season.
Graham's sash, door and blind factory was established by G. B. Graham in the old woolen-mill buildings, and operated by him down to the present time. This factory gives employment to a large number of hands.
Garrettsville Grist-mill was built by Edwin Atwood and Leman Ferry in 1837, and finished in the fall of that year. They operated it jointly until Mr. Ferry sold out his interest. Mr. Atwood continued to hold his interest in the mill until the beginning of 1884, when it was sold by his guardians to former past owners, the Vanderslices. The property was leased by Goodhue & Nelson in August, 1884. The capacity is thirty barrels of flour and from 150 to 200 bushels chop-feed per day. The mill employs four men throughout the year. The value of machinery and buildings is about $9,000.
W. L. Wilcox, wagon repairer and horse-shoer, established the works in 1882. The building, land, plant and tools are valued at about $2,700. This industry gives employment to two men.
466 - HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.
0. Collins & Co., saw-mill, rake manufacturers and lumber dealers, established their business seven years ago. At that time 0. Collins & W. L. Udall were the owners. The buildings were destroyed by fire on May 1, two years after, and the same year the present buildings and machinery were put up. The company gives employment to about twenty hands.
Garrettsville carriage shops were established in 1849. The shops are now conducted by Charles 0. Foote.
Garrettsville Savings and Loan Association was organized January 30, 1869, with W. C. Thrasher, ft Mills, Charles Tinker, T. Robe, W. R. Knowlton, James Dunn, C. W. Goodsell, James Norton, S. S. Beecher, John K Beecher, L. K. Raymond, H. C. Tilden, L. Ferry, Sr., L. D. Brown and 0. A. Taylor. This company ceased business in 1877.
First National Bank.—The Directors of this banking company are W. B. McConnell, E. C. Smith, and G. E. Crane. J. S. Tilden is Cashier. The resources as published December 20, 1884, are $237,350.42.
The Cannon House, on East State, is the only hotel in the town, and the successor, so to speak, of the old hotel which was destroyed by fire. This building was the residence of. Dr. Manly, and after the Doctor's death was opened as a hotel by Mrs. Manly. Thomas Seymour operated it subsequently as the Washington Hotel;, then in 1878 E. D. Wadsworth bought the house, and conducted it until March, 1879, when S. E. Wadsworth took possession, named the hotel the Cannon House in conjunction with the former Cannon House just south. This hotel is well managed and is certainly one of the most pleasant hostelries in the county.
The statistics for 1884 are as follows: acres of wheat, 16, bushels, 98; oats, 11 acres, bushels, 470; corn, 7 acres, bushels, 20; meadow, 52 acres, hay, 95 tons; potatoes, 10 acres; milk sold for family use, 5,300 gallons; maple sugar, 100 pounds from 500 trees; honey, 20 pounds from 5 hives; orchards, 3 acres; mulch cows, 17; one stallion; 88 dogs; acres cultivated, 27; in pasture, 140; woodland, 35; waste, 62; total, 264 acres. This little township is occupied mainly by the village of Garrettsville. Population in 1870, 658; in 1880, 969; in 1884 (estimated) 1,100.