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MEMBERS OF THE SUMMIT COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY 1927 Akron Paul Risley Adams, B. S., M. D. Melville Darwin Ailes, B. S., LL. B., M. D. Ortho Preston Allen, A. B., M. D. Richards Ellison Amos, B. S., M. D. Clare Raymond Anderson, M. D. Harry Anker, M. D. William Cathcart Arthur, M. D. Charles Wilson Averill, A. B., M. D. Ernest Lincoln Averill, M. D. Carl Henry Bair, M. D. Edward Cleveland Banker, A. B., M. D. Harry Randall Baremore, M. D. Sanford Bundy Barrett, M. D. Charles Llewellyn Baskin, A. B., M. D. Eva Grace Fowler Beck, M. D. Fred Crawford Bissell, M. D. George Edwin Black, M. D. AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY - 503 Harry Ernest Blass, M. D. Oscar Edwin Bloom, M. D. James Girard Blower, M. D. Frank Henry Bly, M. D. Arno Edward Bohm, M. D. Merle Franklin Bossart, M. D. Leslie Lee Bottsford, A. B., M. D. Thomas Harris Boughton, M. S., M.D. Dell Scotland Bowman, M. D. Daniel Clark Brennan, A. B., M. D. Edwin Willis Breyfogle, M. D. John Louis Brickwede, A. B., M. D. Hugh Alan Briscoe, B. S., M. D. Louis Emmitt Brown, M. D., F. A. C. S. Stowell Nelson Brown, M. D. George McIntyre Campbell, M. D. Carl Judd Case, A. B., M. D. Only Jerad Chaney, M. D. William Sabin Chase, A. M., M. D. Charles Milton Clark, B. S., M. D. Edgar Furry Collins, M. D. Sidney Barnett Conger, B. S., M. D. Harold Russell Conn, M. D., F. A. C. S. Floyd Harrison Cook, M. D. Milton Bassett Crafts, Ph. G., M. D. Derwin Dwoid Daniels, M. D. Harry Simpson Davidson, Ph. G., M. D. Adrian Eugene Davis, B. S., M. D. Daniel William Davis, M. D. Paul Arthur Davis, A. M., M. D. Roger Q. Davis, M. D. Andrew Joseph Devany, M. D. Fred Walker Dixon, M. D. Roy Francis Drury, M. D. Frank Victor Dunderman, M. D. Eugene Burdett Dyson, Ph. B., M. D. LeRoy Crockett Eberhard, A. B., M. D. Allison Furney Errington, M. D. Robert Francis Etienne, A. B., M. D. Frank Adams Ewers, B. L., M. D. George Austin Ferguson, M. D. Esgar Bowen Foltz, A. B., M. D. Charles Harold Franks, M. D. Edson Almeron Freeman, A. B., M. D. Ray S. Friedley, M. D. John Pierson Fulton, B. S., M. D. William Everett Fulton, M. D. William Edward Gallagher, M. D. Frederick Valentine Gammage, M. D. Tommaso Nicolas Geracioti, B. Sc., M. D. Meyer Jacob Gibans, M. D. Benjamin Harrison Gillespie, A. B., M. D. Harold Jackson Gordon, B. S., M. D. Stephen Greenfield, M. D. Richard Andrew Gregg, B. S., M. D. James Gordon Griffin, M. D. Horace Ensign Groom, A. B., M. D. Edwin Wakefield Grubb, M. D. William Cordell Harkins, M. D. Kent Howard Harrington, M. D. David Earl Hawthorne, A. B., M. D. Oscar Hayes, M. D. Howard Ray Heckert, M. D. Charles Edward Held, M. D. Carrie Alice Herring, B. S., M. D. Benjamin Harrison Hildreth, M. D. Corwin Thomas Hill, M. D. William LaRue Hogue, B. S., M. D. Thomas Dillon Hollingsworth, M. D. Howard William Hottenstein, B. S., M. D. Ira Luther Houghton, A. B., M. D. Albert Marion Hoyer, M. D. Walter Asahel Hoyt, B. S., M. D., F. A. C. S. Carl Emmett Jelm, Ph. C., M. D., F. A. C. S. Walter Isaac Jenkins, M. D. Festus Augustus Johnson, M. D., C. M. Luther Roscoe Johnson, M. D. William McDowell Johnston, M. D. William McKinley Johnston, B. S., M. D. Roy Francis Jolley, M. D. Alfred Walter Jones, M. D., C. M. Anthony Joseph Keeley, M. D., C. M. Carl Howard Kent, M. D. Warren Paul Kilway, A. B., M. D. Helen Flora Klein, M. D. Alfonso Joseph Knapp, A. B., M. D. Roy Odell Knapp, M. D. Albert Andrew Kohler, A. B., M. D. Esther Kojinsky, M. D. James Gerard Kramer, B. S., M. D., F. A. C. P. Carl Wilhelm Kroeger, M. D. Frank Kunz, M. D. Charles Seymour Lehner, Ph. C., M. D. James Griffith Lemmon, M. D. Robert Mayclim Lemmon, Bs. C., M. D. Charles Robert Lewis, M. D. George Morrison Logan, B. S., M. D. Charles Nevin Long, M. D. Donald Blair Lowe, A. B., M. D., F. A. C. P. Armin Lowen, M. D. Rey Vincent Luce, A. B., M. D., F. A. C. S. Edwin Sydney Lyon, M. D. William Dunsford Lyon, M. D. John Clarence McClelland, M. B. Alexander Stearns McCormick, L. A., M.D. Dan Moore McDonald, B. S., M. D. 504 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY Joseph Leo McEvitt, A. B., M. D. Roy Haymon McKay, M. D., F. A. C. S. Daniel Irving McLean, B. A., M. D., C. M. James Nelson McMaster, M. D. Samuel Emerson McMaster, B. S., M.D. Vincent Cornelius Malloy, B. S., M. D. Roll Harrison Markwith, M. D. Elmer Lincoln Mather, M. D. Daniel Francis Mathias, M. D. Henry G. Meek, M. D. Samuel Joseph Michaels, M. D. Jean Sears Millard, A. B., M. D. Bodo Emanuel Miller, M. D. John Finley Miller, M. D. Myrl Milton Miller, A. B., M. D. Noah Miller, M. D., C. M. Samuel Miller, M. D. John Edward Monnig, A. B., M. D. Thomas Kenny Moore, M. D. David Hervey Morgan, A. M., M. D. Marshall Chalmers Morgan, B. L., M.D. Simon Morgenroth, M. D. Cecilia Katherine Morris, M. D. William Arnett Morton, B. S., M. D. Frank Blair Murphy, M. D. Harvey Huston Musser, A. B., M. D., F. A. C. S. Cyril Edward Myers, B. S., M. D. Rush Carl Newman, Bs. C., M. D. Charles Robert Newton, A. B., M. D. Carl Clyde Nohe, M. D. John Jameson Orton, M. D. George Kenneth Parke, M. D., C. M. William Alvah Parks, S. B., M. D. Roy Gentry Pearce, A. B., M. D., F. A. C. P. Marshall Julius Pierson, M. D. Charles Clifford Pinkerton, M. D., M. S., F. A. C. S. Roger Edmund Pinkerton, A. B., B. S., M. D. F. C. Potter, M. D., F. A. C. P. Fred Martin Rankin, M. D. George Thomas Rankin, M. D. Fayette Edmund Read, M. D. Fred Karl Read, B. S., M. D. Howard William Reed, M. D. Fowler Burdett Roberts, B. S., M. D. Andrew Smith Robinson, A. M., M. D., F. A. C. P. George Ward Rockwell, B. S., Ph. D., M. D. Joseph Cullen Root, B. Sc., M. D. Ronald Leroy Ross, A. B., M. D. Albert Rowland, Ph. G., M. D. Urban Daniel Seidel, M. D. George Ralph Seikel, B. S., M. D. John Henry Seiler, M. D. John Hunter Selby, M. D. Hazel Prentage Simms, M. D. Frederick Agenstein Smith, A. B., M. D. Jay Dicky Smith, M. D., F. A. C. S. Robert Holbrook Smith, A. B., M. D. Burton Osmond Sours, M. D. Alva Reed Spindler, B. Sc., M. D. James Earl Springer, M. D. Arthur Henry Stall, M. D. Gilman Wayne Stauffer, M. D. Fannie Ross Stees, M. D. Wolfgang Farkas Steiner, M. D. Carl Rossow Steinke, M. S., M. D., F. A. C. S. David William Stevenson, M. D., F. A. C. S. Marion Hope Stevenson, M. D. James Edward Stewart, M. D. Wesley Franklin Stoneburner, M. D. Fred Hamilton Strawbridge, M. D. Ralph Booth Tate, M. D. William Clarence Terwilliger, M. D. Robert Frederick Thaw, A. B., M. D. Llewellyn Ivor Thomas, M. D. Arthur Dice Traul, M. D. Morris C. Tuholske, M. D. Joseph Mathias Ulrich, B. S., M. D., F. A. C. P. Charles Earl Updegraff, B. S., A. M., M.D. Judson Arlington Van der Hulse, B. S., M. D. Raoul Lazaar Vioran, B. A., B. S., M. D. George von Vernon, M. D. Elizabeth Marie Weaver, A. B., M. D. John Henry Weber, Ph. B., M. D., F. A. C. S. Edmund Arthur Weeks, M. D. Joseph Perry Weiss, A. B., M. D. Joseph Newton Weller, B. S., M. D. Harry Rupert Werner, M. D. Roy Gillelan Werner, A. B., M. D. William Lewis Werner, M. D. Cloyd Franks Wharton, M. D. Lewis Earl Wharton, M. D. Emmett Burns Whigam, M. D. William Wilson, M. D. Louis Alexander Witzeman, A. B., M. D. Harry Ernest Woodbury, A. B., M. D. Samuel St. John Wright, M. D., A. B. Andonius Skevos Zervos, Ph. G., M. D. Baltimore, Md. Llewellys Franklin Barker, M. D., LL. D., honorary AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY - 505 Barberton Herbert Ausburn Rodenbaugh, M. D. Norman Frederick Rodenbaugh, M. D. Howard Lee Smallman, B. S., M. D. Elmer Robert Stumpf, M. D. George Ross Taylor, B. S., M. D. George Reginald Wellwood, M. B. Rae Hazen Cather, M. D. Harvey Artlin Finefrock, M. D. Germanus Elvery Gardner, M. D. Homer Benton Harper, M. D. Cullen Ward Irish, A. B., M. D. Frederick Lahmers, M. D. Reginald Allen Matthews, M. D. Bedford Loren Gerald Strauss, B. S., M. D. Canal Fulton Paul Arthur Paulson, A. B., M. D Chicago, Ill. Clifford Groselle Grulee, A. M., M. D., LL. D., honorary James Harry Hutton, M. D., honorary Cincinnati Gordon Frank McKim, B. S., M. D., F. A. C. S., honorary Cleveland George Washington Crile, B. S., A. M., M. D., F. R. C. S. E., F. A. C. S., F. R. C. S. I., honorary Henry John Gerstenberger, M. D., honorary J. Leon Jones, M. D. Copley Homer Garrison Long, M. D. Perch Burdett Long, M. D. Cuyahoga Falls Roy Barnwell, M. D. James John Conlon, B. S., M. D. Henry Irving Cozad, Ph. B., M. D. Fred Brown Grosvenor, A. M., M. D. Gale Clevenger Guthrie, M. D. Daniel Casteel Keller, M. D. Howard A. Searl, M. D. Israel Harmon Stevens, M. D. Gerald Dean Tipton, B. S., M. D. John Walter Van Sise, M. D. Ghent Robert Armstrong Smith, M. D., C. M. Hudson Charles Mason Daugherty, M. D. Henry Justus Herrick, A. M., M. D. George Andrew Miller, Phar. D., M. D. Kenmore Earl Zartman Alspach, M. D. Gerald Watson Hamilton, S. B., M. D. John Carter Hanna, M. D. Sydney Joseph Havre, M. D. John Frederick Henderson, B. S., M. D. John Cyril Hewgill, M. B. Claude Franklin Love, A. B., M. D. Walter Ellsworth McCorkle, Ph. B., M. S., M. D. Dallas Pond, M. D. Carl Henry Troeger, M. D. Kent Sloan, Alexander Brown, Ph. B., M. D. London, Ontario John Alexander MacGregor, M. D., F. A. C. P., honorary Ivor Campbell, M. D. Mogadore Joseph Warburton, M. D. New York, N. Y. James Joseph Walsh, Ph. D., M. D., Litt. D., Sc. D., LL. D., honorary 506 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY Peninsula George Corlett Radcliffe, M. D. Ravenna Bernard Henry Nichols, M. D. Springfield Centre (Ellet) William Ellsworth Clymer, M. D. Edward Newport Walker, A. M., M. D. George Adam Lucas, A. B., M. D. Springfield Lake Theodore Gustav Christian Herwig, M. D. Clarence Ludlam Hyde, M. D., F. A. C. P. Frances Victoria Kupperman, B. S., M. D. Stowe Alexander Pierce Ormond, A. B., M. D. Edgar Clark Pickard, B. S., M. D. Twinsburg Robert Burns Chamberlin, D. D. S., M. D. Wadsworth Charles Arthur Bolich, M. D. Melville Frank Miller, A. M., M. D. Robert Lloyd Johnson, M. D. Cletus Thomas McCormish, M. D. Edwin Jay Koontz, M. D. Associate Members 24 David Alexander, B. H., A. B., rabbi of Temple Israel Charles C. Benner, lawyer, president Akron City Hospital Carl Henry Case, D. V. M., veterinary surgeon Rolland David Fox, M. S., director Bacteriological Laboratory, University of Akron Harry Edward Frazier, manager The Peoples Hospital John Edward Good, Ph. B., president Hardware and Supply Company Harry Hutchison Graef, M. E., superintendent Children's Hospital Samuel Hathaway Graham, M. D. Louis Lazarus Greenblum, D. D. S., dentist George Oliver Gundersen, B. S., M. D., B. F. Goodrich Company Arden Ellwood Hardgrove, B. S., superintendent Akron City Hospital Cyril Hyman Jones, D. D. S., dentist Henry Aloysius Lins, druggist William Bishop McIntosh, LL. B., lawyer Edward Cornelius McQueeny, secretary Catholic Service League Roy Henderson Nesbitt, LL. B., lawyer Rev. Joseph Sylvester O'Keefe, A. B., priest of St. Mary's Church John Frank Planz, D. V. M., veterinary surgeon Amon Benton Plowman, S. B., A. M., Ph. D., professor of Biology, University of Akron William James Ream, D. M. D., dentist Roland Dorris Redmond, D. D. S., dentist Franklin Augustus Seiberling, president Seiberling Rubber Company Francis Seiberling, A. B., lawyer, president Peoples Hospital Edwin Coupland Shaw, Ph. B., director Springfield Sanitarium CHAPTER XIV CHURCH GROWTH IS RAPID By Howard S. Mac Ayeal, D. D. Church life in Akron began in organic shape on December 15th, 1831. At that time, Rev. Benson C. Baldwin led in the organization of a Presbyterian congregation in the hamlet of Middlebury, which hamlet has long since been merged into East Akron, and has become a part of the city of today. Some ten or twelve years later, owing to the question of slavery, a split took place in this young church, and several members went out and formed a Congregational society. The two organizations remained apart until 1860, when they reunited as an Independent church, and so continued to function until 1874, when the members decided to return to the Presbyterian fold. For many years this congregation worshipped in a brick edifice on Kent Street. The building still stands and is probably the oldest church edifice in the city. Presbyterianism has grown and prospered, and now possesses three congregations, with strong constituencies and fine properties. In what was Akron proper, the first organized effort put forth to plant the Christian religion was under the auspices of Congregationalism. In the year 1834, Rev. John Pettit found a small group, which had been holding house-to-house meetings, and led them in organizing a church and in the work of providing a place of worship. The result was seen in a small structure on the site now occupied by the courthouse. This building, the first house of worship in Akron proper, was later removed to the corner of High and Quarry streets, and while the original congregation removed to new quarters, continued in use as a church until the year 1877. Congregationalism, like Presbyterianism, had its points of difference, and when the "Millerite," or "end of the world" doctrine, with its concomitant excitement, swept the country about 1840-45 a part of the parish left the parent church and were organized as the Second Congregational Church on January 2nd, 1843, with Harvey B. Spelman, deacon, and Allen Hibbard, clerk. Rev. Isaac Jennings was called as pastor, and to this fact we owe the beginning of certain phases of modern education that originated with Mr. Jennings, and for which Akron has a "Jennings School." Congregationalism has flourished and come to occupy a place of power in the community. It has four churches. The records of Methodism are difficult to verify, but there seems to - 507 - 508 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY have been meetings of people embracing that faith at an early day. Such gatherings were informal and held in private residences. On or before 1835 meetings were held in a schoolhouse on South Broadway. The first church building was erected in 1836 at the corner of Church and Broadway, but the date of organization is unknown. This property was destroyed by fire the winter of 1840-41, and soon after a new and larger church was erected on the same foundation, and remained as the center of activities until 1867, when a new and splendid structure was begun. It was completed and dedicated in 1875. As a matter of local interest, it might be said that the old building was sold to Mr. Ferdinand Schumacher, of oat meal fame, and by him turned into a hotel at the corner of Mill and Broadway, where it still stands as a part of the Windsor Hotel. The new Methodist Church was made possible largely through the efforts of Mr. Lewis Miller, who also planned for it the Sunday school department that proved to be not only an innovation in school work, but also became known as the "Miller plan" and was copied all over the country. In fact, it revolutionized Sunday school work everywhere. Methodists may well be proud of their history in Akron. The denomination has thrived and prospered and today is represented by nineteen congregations, located at strategic points and fairly covering the entire city. The early '30s appear as a favorite time for the organizing of churches, and we find in Akron's first newspaper, the Weekly Post, an advertisement, under date of June 10th, 1836, stating there would be a meeting of Baptists to consider the need of incorporating the church, as authorized by act of Legislature in March of that year. The Baptists had already been officially gathered into a society on April 19th, 1834, under the pastorate of Elder Caleb Greene, and following the act of incorporation, at once started to provide a house of worship at South Broadway and Center Street. In 1853 this property was sold and removal was made to North High Street, where services were kept up until 1889, when the present edifice was started on Broadway, between East Market and Mill. The Baptists have now nineteen organizations in the city and have been especially active in reaching groups of non-English peoples, having not less than six such churches. It was during this same period, or the early '30s, that a few families, including the Crosbys, Spicers, Mathers and Allens, pioneer residents, began to hold religious services to keep together those professing the Universalist faith. This action resulted in an organization the summer of 1837. The infant church, having no edifice of its own, rented an upper room in a building at the corner of South Main and State, where the new M. O'Neil store is located. However, the way being opened, work was started in a short time on a new stone building on North High Street. Like so many other congregations at that time of religious ferment, trouble arose in their midst owing to the prevalence of Spiritualism, which faith was taken up by the pastor, Rev. Z. Baker. Disruption followed, and
510 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY later on, probably about 1853, the property was sold to the Baptists, and the Universalist Church was out of existence for nearly thirty years, or until 1872, when a score of believers, under the leadership of John R. Buchtel, reorganized. For a while services were held in the chapel of Buchtel College, which had just been completed, but increased membership and prosperity led to the erection of the property still used by the Universalists, at the corner of Mill and Broadway. The Protestant Episcopal form of church life began at Stow, migrated to Cuyahoga Falls, and came to Akron through the action of Rev. W. H. Newman, rector at the Falls, in 1836, at which time a few scattered families here were constituted into a parish under the name of St. Paul's Church and Society. Services were held in rented quarters in what was known for many years as the "Old Stone Building" at the corner of Market and Howard. This corner was seriously impaired by a severe storm one Sunday in the year of 1840. Rev. J. T. Davis led at once in an effort to house the new society and it was decided to erect a suitable structure on North Maple Street. While work on this project was going forward an offer was made and accepted to purchase this property, and a new location was secured on South High Street, where the new church was finally built. The dedication was held on June 27th, 1844. From this time on the parish grew steadily, and by 1870 it was necessary to substantially add to the building. Continued growth compelled enlargement again in 1873, and when even these additions proved inadequate, the parishioners purchased the triangular lot on East Market, at Forge and Fir streets. Meanwhile the old property on South High was sold to the Hebrews and a new building was erected on the new site, and dedicated January 6, 1885. Since then a new church has been put up on the same site for exclusive church service ; the old property being retained as a parish house. Episcopacy has developed now to five parishes and has a strong and influential place in the city. Missionary preaching in this general region on the part of the Disciples of Christ date back nearly one hundred years, and as early as 1830 itinerant ministers of that faith had held forth in Akron ; but it was not until 1839 that an organization was effected. The Disciples held houseto-house services until 1845, at which time they purchased the old Congregational Church at Quarry and High streets. For two or three years this place of worship was used, and was then sold to the German Lutherans, after which time services were held in a hall on East Market Street until a permanent location was secured on South High Street in 1863. The Disciples have enjoyed great prosperity, having found it necessary to enlarge their property on South High Street several times, while at the same time sending out colonies to settle in other sections of the city. The denomination is now represented by seven live churches in Akron. In 1842, German Protestants came together under the name of the German Evangelical Protestant Congregation, and housed themselves in AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY - 511 a small stone building on North High Street. On or about this time another organization had arisen known as the German Reformed Church. Differences having become marked, the Lutheran type left the Evangelical group, and the remaining members associated themselves with and were absorbed by the German Reformed Church. In this organization were found both tongues, English and German, and in 1852-53 the English half went out from the mother church and became the present Grace Reformed Church. The original German Reformed group purchased the Baptist property at South Broadway and East Center streets and in the year 1890 erected in its place the present structure of brick. As a matter of interest, it may be related that the 1,200-pound bell in the tower was purchased by money raised by public subscription on condition that the bell should be the "town bell," to be rung for fires and at stated times and as occasion should demand, and for these purposes the officials of Akron were empowered to enter the building at any time. This right of entry and use was to be perpetual. As a matter of fact the bell was rung at morning, noon, and night, and used as a fire alarm for many years. The English-speaking branch of the Reformed faith purchased the old Middlebury Congregational building and moved it to South Broadway, just south of Mill Street. This was in 1863, the congregation having come into existence in the old Universalist Church and being without property of its own from 1852 to 1863. It was not until 1881 that the brick church was put up. This later property was used until the great fire of a year or so ago, when a removal to Bowery Street took place, of which mention is made elsewhere in this resume. It may be said at this place that prosperity has kept pace with passing time and the Reformed churches now have increased to nine vigorous and influential congregations. As with the Reformed, so with the Lutheran faith, the origin is found with the German-speaking group. Following the separation above referred to, the Lutherans formed a society August 6, 1854, and in 1855 purchased the property known as the Congregational Church at South High and Quarry streets, where now stands their brick building, dedicated in September of 1877. A society of believers representing the "Evangelical" form of faith, consisting of fourteen members, came into being in 1866. This little handful of people built at Bartges and Coburn, and steadily grew in numbers and influence, so that enlargement became necessary in a very short time after dedication. The same history has been written again and enlargement has marked each year. The form of faith set forth is now represented by five congregations. The English-speaking Lutherans, like all the remaining branches of Protestant church life in Akron, came into shape in comparatively recent times. Some thirty people constituted the society at first and were recognized and organized as a church in 1870. Two years later they were housed in a brick building on North Prospect Street. For many years following the period herein described nothing new 512 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY took place in the city in the way of new church organizations until the English Lutheran paved the way. However, with this beginning we have following another period of time marked by new establishments. In 1882, a church of twelve members was constituted as a church of the United Brethren, and in 1884 a house of worship had been provided on James Street, near Hill. The United Presbyterians began work in the city with a mission at Spicer and Exchange some fifteen years ago, and have now six flourishing congregations. Perhaps it would be best here to simply give a statistical table of these newer organizations, together with the numerical strength of both the older and the newer groups, the older being marked by the *. CHURCH DIRECTORY Apostolic-3, including German, Hungarian and Apostolic Faith Assembly. *Baptist-19, including Colored, Roumanian, German, First Hungarian, Swedish, Shiloh Baptist, Czecho-Slovak and Israelite Baptist. *Congregational-4, First, West, Welsh and Thomastown. *Disciples of Christ-7. *Episcopal-5. Evangelical-5. United Evangelical-1. Hebrew-7. *Lutheran-11, including Swedish and Slovak. *Methodist-19, including Colored and Scandinavian. *Presbyterian--3. United Presbyterian-6. *Reformed-9, including Hungarian. Roman Catholic-11. Greek Catholic-2. Orthodox Greek Catholic-6, including Russian, Syrian, Roumanian, Greek and Serbian. American Catholic-1. United Brethren-4. *Universalist-1. Brethren-1. Church of God-9. Church of God and Saints of Christ-1. Church of God and House of Jacob-1. Christian and Missionary Alliance-1. Nazarene-2. Seventh Day Adventists-1. Latter Day Saints-1. Christian Science-2. Spiritualists-2. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints-1 (Mormon). The New Church-1, Swedenborgian. First American Protestant Church-1. Missions-9, including Slovak Pentecostal. International Bible Students Association -1 Salvation Army-3, including Main Building, Scandinavian Corps and Social Service Department. Volunteers of America-1. Florence Crittenton Rescue Mission-1. Florence Crittenton Maternity Home-1. Unity Church of Truth-1. Churches (various classifications) - 32 Branches or auxiliaries (including main churches) - 148 Missions - 15 Total missions - 17 In addition to the older churches of the Protestant form of faith, Akron has the Hebrew faith represented in the earlier days. There were Jewish merchants in the city as early as 1845, but no steps were taken to establish formal church life until 1865. Meetings for worship were held in private homes until about 1869, when a room in a business block was rented. This sort of accommodation was used until 1885, when the Episcopal Church on South High Street was purchased and fitted up for a Synagogue. This
514 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY property was disposed of a few years back and a handsome and commodious building was erected on Merriman Road. It will be seen at once that in the early days the various organizations as they came into being purchased the old buildings left by growing congregations as they were compelled to seek new and larger quarters. Growth marked church as well as civic life, and each decade found newer and finer church buildings. It would be impossible to enumerate all these successive enterprises, and it will suffice to touch upon the recent and notable additions to church architecture, especially during the past two decades. The era of church building, featured by thoroughly modern and up-to-date types of architecture, may be said to begin with the erection of St. Bernard's Church on South Broadway. This has been followed by the First Congregational, on East Market Street ; the First Methodist, on Union ; the United Brethren, on Union ; St. Paul's Episcopal, on East Market ; Grace Reformed, on Bowery ; St. Mary's, at Thornton and Bartges ; the Disciples, on East Market ; the Hebrew Synagogue, on Merriman; Trinity Lutheran, on North Prospect, and the Christian Scientist, on Fir, all of which properties can be classed with the best, and are worthy of the city in every way. The growth of Akron has been phenomenal, but the religious life has kept pace with the development of the social and civic life. Akron, as an industrial center, is cosmopolitan, but with nearly two hundred congregations, representing nearly two score phases of religious belief, there is no reason why any should fail to find such spiritual nourishment as may be fitting and desired. The churches and missions are alive, aggressive and strong, and are ministering adequately to the ever-increasing demands of a growing and intelligent population. St. Vincent de Paul parish at West Market and Maple streets, the oldest Catholic parish in Akron, has as its first official date, December 11, 1837, when a baptism was performed. Homes of various members housed the services until 1843, when a site on Green Street was donated. Father Cornelius Daly, the first resident pastor, was appointed in 1845. Father Matthew Scanlon, the next pastor, obtained the present site, using the church for the first time at Christmas services in 1865. Father T. E. Mahony, who was appointed in 1873, furnished the interior and paid off the debt. During the pastorate of Father T. F. Mahar, starting in 1880, the church was enlarged and the school on South Maple Street was built. Father John T. Scullen, the present pastor, took charge in 1914 and has secured the new high school, convent, and rectory. There are now more than three thousand members and the parish maintains a school for upward of eight hundred pupils. St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church on the corner of Coburn and Thornton streets was under the leadership of Rev. Father T. F. Mahar, established as a mission from St. Vincent's parish in 1887. The temporary accommodations proved inadequate and in 1895 a frame structure was built on South Main Street. Rev. Father Francis T. Moran took charge AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY - 515 of St. Mary's as its first pastor December 12, 1896. The parish school opened in October, 1887, with seventy-five pupils. In 1907 several sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary were obtained to care for the school. At present the enrollment is over a thousand. Rev. Father J. S. O'Keefe, who is now in charge, took the office in 1914. Under his direction the present parish buildings were erected. The Roman Bascilica which now houses the congregation of 6,000 people was recently adjudged the most perfect representation in Akron of the Romanesque style in architecture. St. Bernard's was the first German Roman Catholic church in Akron and still has a large membership. Msgr. F. A. Schreiber is the pastor. The third largest Catholic parish is in East Akron where the Rev. R. A. Dowed is pastor of the Church of the Annunciation. The parish of St. Vincent's was divided in 1928 when announcement was made of the establishment of a new parish for members of the church living west of Portage Path. CATHOLIC CHURCHES AND PASTORS IN SUMMIT COUNTY Rt. Rev. Msgr. F. A. Schreiber, 47 E. State St., St. Bernard's. Rev. J. S. O'Keefe, 715 Coburn St., St. Mary's. Rev. R. A. Dowed, 77 Broad St., Annunciation. Rev. J. J. Scullen, 164 W. Market St., St. Vincent's. Rev. J. A. McKeever, 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., St. Martha's. Rev. C. Boeke, 412 Palmetto Ave., St. Paul's. Rev. F. J. Kozlowski (Polish), 215 Glenwood Ave., St. Hedwig's. Rev. G. P. Novak (Slovak), 375 Grant St., St. John's. Rev. F. Pupinsky (Hungarian), 734 Grant St., Sacred Heart. Rev. A. Riashi (Syrian), 467 Locust St., St. Joseph's. Rev. D. Alinskas, 1414 East Ave., St. Peter's. Rev. V. Korytowski (Ukrainian), 185 Able St., Holy Ghost. Rev. J. Sakaley, 1154 Ackley St., St. Michael's. Rev. Henry Muyswen, W. Market St., Our Lady of the Elms. Rev. J. W. Schmitz, 428 Sixth St., Barberton, Ohio, St. Augustine's. Rev. E. J. Stanko, 111 Shannon Ave., Barberton, Ohio, Sts. Cyril and Methodius. Rev. A. L. Bombach, Hopocan and Center, Barberton, Ohio, Sacred Heart. Rev. Kovatch, First and Paige Sts., Barberton, Ohio, Holy Trinity. Rev. A. Knapik (Greek), 431 First St., Barberton, Ohio, St. Nicholas. Rev. J. L. Waldeisen, 112 16th St., Kenmore, Ohio, Immaculate Conception. Rev. J. J. Lillis, 244 Second St., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, St. Joseph's. Rev. J. A. Martin, Hudson, Ohio, St. Mary's. CHAPTER XV FRATERNAL, CIVIC AND BUSINESS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS Like most American communities Akron and Summit County owe much of their progress to the effort and interest of members of the fraternal, civic and business service associations who devote much of their time to the forwarding of their county development through an aroused public in all matters concerning its welfare. An interesting event of the year 1928 was the organization of the Akron Fifty Year Club by the residents of the community who have lived here fifty years or more. Prominent in its organization are W. B. Gamble, former postmaster, T. E. McShaffrey, Charles W. Kempel, and William T. Sawyer, former mayors ; F. A. Seiberling, John A. Botzum, and others. Two meetings were held in 1928, the first at the Akron Armory, in May, and the second at the home of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Seiberling. Nearly 2,000 of the boys and girls of Akron of fifty years ago attended these meetings and lived again, through the medium of story and song, the days of their youth. Another organization including in its membership many of the older residents of the community, is the Summit County Historical Society, of which Attorney Edwin W. Brouse is president. The society meets twice annually and is compiling historical data for the benefit of future generations. Masonic Order Permanently established in one of the most palatial temples in Ohio, members of Akron's Masonic bodies may well turn back the pages of history to the early days of Masonry here. They will read of a small group of determined pioneers in fraternal work, whose struggles gave Masonry its permanent foundation in Akron. Only fifteen years after Akron sprang into existence, the first Masonic meeting was held in a low ceilinged, poorly furnished room, devoid of all emblematic decorations. From this humble beginning has grown a great fraternal body and a building that is more than a temple, a monument to Akron and a tribute to those at that first meeting. ORGANIZED IN 1841 It was on Feb. 29, 1841, that a group of Masons under a dispensation granted by the grand master of Masons of Ohio met about an old wood burning stove and founded Masonry in Akron, the first fraternal order to be established here. - 516 -
518 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY The meeting was in charge of Judge Rufus P. Spalding, Dr. Eliakim Crosby, H. Rhodes, Samuel Edgerly, John W. Stephens and their associates. The name adopted at that meeting was King Solomon's Lodge in Perfection. On Oct. 21, 1841, the grand lodge of Ohio, in session at Lancaster, granted a charter to Rufus P. Spalding, Samuel Edgerly and their associates, a regular and constitutional lodge of Master Masonry the name, style or title of King Solomon's in Perfection, No. 83, and appointed Spalding first master ; Doctor Crosby, first senior warden and Rhodes, first junior warden. BIERCE FIRST MASTER The lodge met on Nov. 26, 1841. Spalding resigned as Worshipful Master and Gen. Lucius V. Bierce was chosen to serve until the annual election. Bierce was elected worshipful master Jan. 25, 1842, and before the end of his work in Masonry was reelected fifteen times, making his term as worshipful master the longest of any of his successors. Because of his long and colorful career, General Bierce was one of the most distinguished citizens of early Akron. A brief sketch of his life for that reason, is included here. Lucius Verus Bierce was born in Cornwall, Conn., on Aug. 4, 1801, and at 15 came to Portage County with his parents. The family settled at Nelson. He attended Ohio university at Athens and took up law. After his graduation he went south and was admitted to the bar in a southern state. He returned to Ravenna where he became prosecuting attorney of Portage County. Always interested in military affairs, he enlisted in the militia and rose to the rank of brigadier-general during the socalled Canada Patriot War of 1837-39 where he won distinction for his military genius. CLOSED HOSTILITIES After several remarkable feats of valor he was promoted to the office of commander in chief of the Patriot army. His guidance brought a speedy close to hostilities. He came to Akron and became mayor during the terms of 1839-41; 1844-49 and 1867-68. He was also president of the first board of education in Akron, 1874, and state senator 1861-63. He also served as assistant adjutant general and other military positions. He died Sept. 15, 1875. Always interested in fraternal work, particularly Masonry, it was he who directed the work as he directed the Patriot army and much credit is due him for success of many enterprises in those early days. With General Bierce the following officers were elected to serve the first year after the first annual election : Edward Sumner, senior warden; John Tucker, junior warden ; John Raymond, treasurer ; John W. Steph- AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY - 519 ens, secretary ; Stephen Robinson, S. D. ; Samuel Edgerly, J. D.; Henry Howe and Elijah Mason, stewards. SATISFY HIGH OFFICERS Satisfaction with the work and proceedings was expressed by grand officers who visited the lodge July 18, 1842, the first official visitation of grand lodge officers. In 1852 the lodge applied to the grand lodge for permission to change its name and the request was granted. The lodge then became Akron lodge, No. 83, the title it has borne ever since. For more than thirty years after its founding in 1841, the meeting place was like the wandering tent in the desert. Records do not give the street and number where early meetings were held, but it is understood among the craft that the first place was in the old Merrill pottery building on St. Main Street, second, the Clarendon Hotel ; third, the Hall Block and fourth, in the Mathews Block. Minutes merely state that meetings were held in the Masonic Hall. Conditions incident to this nomadic existence became so serious that Sept. 7, 1869, a building finance committee of five members was appointed to investigate ways and means for financing a suitable and permanent Masonic home. TEMPLE AT MILL AND HOWARD As a result of the deliberations the first Masonic holdings in a temple was the Melvin Block at Mill and Howard streets. The lodge erected a third story for lodge purposes and later acquired other parts of the block. Akron lodge was sole owner and occupant of the Masonic property from 1871 to 1878 when a charter was granted Adoniram lodge No. 517 and the two lodges jointly occupied the temple. A method of financing was agreed upon by the two lodges in 1896 and the Masonic Holding Co. was organized to extend and improve Masonic property. The new company rebuilt and maintained the Masonic temple until Feb. 26, 1912 when a charter was granted the New Masonic Temple Company. Realizing the need for more commodious quarters for the different Masonic bodies which had come into being, the board of directors began to lay plans for a suitable temple. PURCHASE PRESENT SITE The first step was the purchase on June 1, 1912, of a lot at Mill and High streets. Then followed the appointment of a building committee. Plans were presented to directors April 27, 1916, and on Aug. 26, 1917, the cornerstone was laid with the usual impressive Masonic ceremonies. Today the temple is complete, a palatial home for Masons in Akron and a monument to those who have striven long and zealously that Akron 520 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY Masons might have a home worthy of the highest ideals and loftiest traditions of Masonry. Since founding of Akron lodge in 1841, Adoniram, in 1878 five lodges, two chapters, a council and two commanderies have been organized here. A Masonic club, a Grotto and a Shrine have also been established and the Eastern Star lodges have been active and flourishing. Charters were granted to Henry Perkins lodge, Oct. 19, 1911; Loyalty lodge, Nov. 27, 1918; Coventry lodge, Oct. 21, 1920; Joppa lodge, Jan. 7, 1922; Washington chapter Oct. 25, 1891; Akron chapter, Sept. 1919; Akron council, Sept. 28, 1897; Akron council, Sept. 28, 1897; Akron Cornmandery, Sept. 27, 1871; and Bethany commandery, Sept. 16, 1920. The Masonic club was incorporated on Nov. 27, 1899. AKRON LODGE LEADERS Past masters of Akron lodge No. 83 and the years they served follow: R. P. Spalding, 1841-8; L. V. Bierce, 1842-3-4-5-6-7-8-9; 1852-3-6-7-9; 1860-1-2; S. W. Bartges, 1850-1-4-5; S. Robinson, 1858-1864-5; C. A. Collins, 1863-6-7-8-9-1874-5; M. Joseph, 1870-1-2; T. McEbright, 1873; James Bardlsey, 1876-7-8; S. C. Williamson, 1879-80; R. P. Marvin, 1881-2; M. M. Crumrine, 1883; B. F. Battles, 1884-5; Joseph Hugill, 1886-1894; J. C. McMillen, 1887-8-9; A. P. Baldwin, 1890; J. P. Boyd, 1891; J. A. Wagoner, 1892-3; C. O. Way, 1895; W. E. Waugh, 1896-7; Edward Nall, 1898; J. W. McFerran, 1899; W. E. Langdon, 1900; T. F. Wafters, 1901; R. B. Wilson, 1902; J. W. Cully, 1903; C. W. Wickline, 1904; A. H. Price, 1905; IL T. Budd, 1906; O. W. Groff, 1907; John Crisp, 1908; J. R. Cameron, 1909; M. E. Fassnacht, 1910; W. A. Sackett, 1911; W. A. Boesche, 1912; R. A. Walkup, 1913; F. W. Wolf, 1914; E. V. Carter, 1915; H. F. Rowse, 1916; H. J. Zimmerman, 1917; L. A. Crisp, 1918; W. A. Coupe, 1919; T. J. Edwards, 1920; O. W. Smith, 1921; Robert W. Swan, 1922; William J. Zimmerman, 1923; Frank E. Lecky, 1924 and Louis C. Schellin, present master. ADONIRAM MASTERS Following are past masters of Adoniram lodge No. 517; Thomas McEbright, 1878; Charles S. Farrer, 1879-90; Henry Perkins, 1881-2-3-6; Noah Hodge, 1884-5; Emmon S. Oviatt, 1887; Orin L. Walker, 1888; Charles C. Bates, 1889; Herbert R. Whiteman, 1890; George W. Schick, 1891; Percy W. Leavitt, 1892-3; George Billow, 1894-5; William J. Ellis, 1896-7; William. B. Baldwin, 1898; Richard F. Palmer, 1899-1900; Alfred F. Koons, 1901; William C. Black, Sr., 1902; Francis M. Cooke, 1903; Henry M. Hagelbarger, 1904; J. Asa Palmer, 1905; Durbin W. Holloway, 1906; Harry J. Blackburn, 1907; Lee R. Knight, 1908; John S. Lowman, 1909; Charles A. Dixon, 1910; W. Edwin Palmer, 1911; James Shaw, 1912; Will A. Taggart, 1913; James E. Black, 1914; Albert E. Whitehead, 1915; George W. Rogers, 1916; Chester McTammany, 1917; Charles AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY - 521 H. Stahl, 1918; Roderick W. Fraser, 1919; Robert J. Coleman, 1920; Clarence J. Norris, 1921; Thomas T. Calwallader, 1922; Ray F. Hamlin, 1923; Hesket F. Kuhn, 1924; and William F. Jones, present master. LOYALTY LODGE CHIEFS Past Masters of Loyalty Lodge, No. 645 follow: John W. McFerran, 1918; Charles F. Billow, 1919; R. King Crawford, 1920; Ethan J. Larick, 1921; James A. Dillan, 1922; Arch E. Rearick, 1923; Milton D. Walters, 1924; and Friend A. Graham, present master. Following are the past masters of Henry Perkins lodge No. 611; Geo. Billow, 1911; Daniel C. Rybolt, 1912; Curtis J. Bowman, 1913; Mark W. Roe, 1914; J. Grant Hyde, 1915; J. Ross Huffman, 1916; William E. Bennett, 1917; Frederick C. Garrett, 1918; Harry G. Hodge, 1919; Samuel B. Moul, 1920; Lewis C. McFarland, 1921; William M. Bechler, 1923; Charles W. Aston, 1924, and Milton E. Harpster, present master. Past masters of Coventry lodge No. 665 are: E. C. Vermillion, 1920; P. B. Martens, 1922; K. E. Banks, 1923; E. W. Oldham, 1924, and Paul Ross, present master. Past masters of Joppa lodge No. 666, follow: W. A. Taggart, 1920; R. S. Rowley, 1921; W. S. Huguelet, 1922; A. D. Hartenstein, 1923; H. W. Graham, 1924, and R. W. Griffiths, present master. MOUNT AKRA YOUNGEST The following are the past masters of Mount Akra lodge: Curtis J. Bowman, 1922; William E. Bennett, 1923; Charles E. Sweeny, 1924, and Wade E. Warden, present master. Past high priests of Washington chapter Nov. 25, follow: Benjamin F. Wurtz, 1891; George W. Schick, 1892; James L. Cutler, 1895; George T. Rankin, Sr., 1896; George W. Sieber, 1897; George Billow, 1898-99; William E. Waugh, 1900; Judson Thomas, 1901; Charles W. Wickline, 1905; Ir A. Priset, 1906; Harry T. Budd, 1908; William B. Baldwin, 1909; William A. Sackett, 1910; Charles A. Dixon, 1911; Royal A. Walkup, 1913; George E. Probert, 1914; W. Edwin Palmer, 1915; Fred W. Wolf, 1916; Albert E. Whitehead, 1917; Earl V. Carter, 1918; Fred C. Treat, 1919; Will A. Taggart, 1920; Frederick C. Garrett, 1921; Charles C. Graybill, 1922; Herbert W. Croysdale, 1923; Oliver Smith, 1924, and William Walkup, present high priest. LEADERS OF CHAPTER Following are the past high priests of Akron chapter No. 209: James Dillian, 1919-20; Arch E. Rearick, 1921; Milton E. Fassnaucht, 1922; Fred Glenny, 1923; Kenneth Banks, 1924; and J. Edward Bohn, present high priest. Past thrice illustrious masters of Akron council No. 80, are: John W. Lyder, Sr., 1897; George Billow, 1898; William E. Waugh, 1899; Herbert R. Whiteman, 1900-1; Edward Nail, 1902; Judson Thomas 522 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY 1903-4; Anthony H. Price, 1905; Robert B. Wilson, 1906; Charles W. Wickline, 1907; Harry T. Budd, 1908; William A. Sackett, 1909; Evan E. Morse, 1910; Charles A. Dixon, 1911; Durbin W. Holloway, 1912; Royal A. Walkup, 1913; William B. Baldwin, 1914; Earl V. Carter, 1915; Will A. Taggart, 1916; Fred W. Wolf, 1917; Oliver D. Everhard, 1918; William F. Booth, 1919; J. Griffith Evans, Fr., 1920; Charles C. Graybill, 1921; Verne W. Shear, 1922; William A. Boesche, 1923; Roderick W. Frazer, 1924; and William A. Coupe, present master. PAST COMMANDERS Past commanders of Akron Commandery, No. 24, are: Charles A. Collines, 1871-2-3-4-5-6-7 ; Richard P. Marvin, 1878-9; Martin H. Crumrine, 1880-1 ; Henry Perkins, 1882-3 ; David W. Thomas, 1884-5; Charles Farrar, 1886; Charles E. Sheldon, 1887; Joseph Hays, 1888; Arthur Latham, 1889; Alden W. Parker, 1898; John W. Lyder, Sr., 1891; Albert H. Sargent, 1892; George W. Shick, 1893; Charles C. Bates, 1894; Percy W. Leavitt, 1895; George Billow, 1896; Bela B. Clark, 1897; Edward M. Buell, 1898; William E. Langdon, 1899; J. Asa Palmer, 1900; William F. Laubach, 1900; Oliver S. Hart, 1901; Alfred F. Koons, 1902; William B. Baldwin, 1903; Oscar O. Nelson, 1904; George H. Dunn, 1905; Charles S. Eddy, 1906; Richard F. Palmer, 1907; Charles C. Benner, 1908; Harry J. Blackburn, 1909; Albert A. Kohler, 1910; Charles W. Wickline, 1911; Durbin W. Holloway, 1912; Oliver D. Everhard, 1913; Sumner Gary, 1914; Will A. Taggart, 1915; Charles F. Billow, 1916; W. Edwin Palmer, 1917; Champion N. Belden, 1918; George E. Probert, 1919; Henry M. Hagelbarger, 1920, L. Roy Reifsnider, 1921; L. Griffith Evans, 1922; Roderick W. Frazer, 1923; Earl V. Carter, 1924; and James A. Dillian, present commander. Past grand commanders, Henry Perkins, 1889; William B. Baldwin, 1917. Past commanders of Bethany Commandery, No. 72, are: William A. Sackett, 1920; George W. Rogers, 1921; William A. Boesche, 1922; Verne W. Shear, 1923; James Shaw, 1924; and Charles Stahl, present commander. PRESIDENTS OF CLUB Past presidents of the Masonic club follow: Percy W. Leavitt, 1899; Tober M. Pillmore, 1900; William E. Langdon, 1901; Charles S. Eddy, 1902; Oscar A. Nelson, 1903; William B. Baldwin, 1904; William C. Hall, 1905; John Crisp, 1906; Francis M. Cooke, 1907; Charles W. Wickline, 1908; Harry T. Budd, 1909; Durbin W. Holloway, 1910; Norman G. Nelson, 1911; Charles A. Anderson, 1912; William L. Sewell, 1913 ; Sumner Gary, 1914; Samuel O. McFall, 1915; Henry J. Zimmerman, 1916; George A. Irvin, 1917; Roderick W. Frazer, 1918-19; Mandus M. Hunsicker, 1920; Clarence D. Smith, 1921; William F. Booth, 1922; Lewis C. McFarland, 1923; Robert C. Musson, 1924; and Homer C. Campbell, 1925. Members of the New Masonic Temple Co. are : George W. Schick, AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY - 523 president ; W. Edwin Palmer, vice president; William. Boesche, treasurer, and Harry J. Blackburn, secretary. Official Divan of Tadmor temple and Robert E. Lee, illustrious chief rabban ; William F. Booth, illustrious assistant rabban ; Homer C. Campbell, illustrious high priest and prophet; W. Edwin Palmer, illustrious treasurer, and William A. Taggart, illustrious recorder. The North Akron Masonic Temple located on South Main Street and recently completed, is another fine addition to the Masonic buildings of the community. Expansion kept pace with Akron's rapid growth in the early 1900's, Henry Perkins, No. 611 being organized in 1911, Loyalty, 645, in 1918, and the second chapter of Royal Arch Masons in 1919. The year 1920 saw two new lodges opened, Coventry, 665, and Joppa, 666, also the second Commandery of Knights Templars, Bethany Commandery No. 72; while Mount Akra, 680, the seventh lodge, was instituted in 1922. Akron Council 80 of R. & S. M., was chartered in 1897 and on September 22, 1924, the Tadmor Temple of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine was instituted. The total enrollment of the Masonic lodges in Akron is now 6,110, while the two chapters of the Eastern Star, Elva and Billow chapters, number 1,300 ladies. William B. Baldwin, editor of the Medina Gazette, and former postmaster of Akron, whose home is at Stony Hill, halfway between Medina and Akron, and whose Masonic memberships are all in Akron, was given the 33rd Masonic degree in September, 1928 in Atlantic City. The degree is the highest in the Masonic order, and has been conferred on only seven Akron Masons. Four of the seven, C. A. Collins, David L. King, Henry Perkins and Dr. W. A. Sackett, are dead. The three living are George W. Schick, H. M. Hagelbarger and W. Edwin Palmer. Independent Order of Odd Fellows Following the Masons, the next fraternal order to secure an Akron charter was the Odd Fellows, of which the oldest lodge, Summit No. 50, was organized in September, 1845. The first Akron Encampment was instituted in 1846. Apollo lodge dates from the same year. Akron No. 547 was instituted in 1873, and Nemo in 1886. The Canton Akron No. 2 of Patriarchs Militant was mustered in January, 1886, and this with its Ladies' auxiliary, Corona No. 2, together with Granite Lodge and two Rebekah lodges, completes the organization in Akron, which has a total enrollment of more than 3,000. The old Odd Fellows Temple on Main Street, has been a landmark since the early 1890's. In the year 1918 this was sold, and a new home was purchased on East Mill Street, at the corner of Union, facing Union Park. Among Akron pioneers who have been active Odd Fellows, are found the following: H. G. Canfield, F. A. Wilcox, B. T. Wills, D. F. Berger, A. G. Keck, W. H. Rook, Sr., A. C. Bachtel, and A. W. Hawkins. 524 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY Knights of Pythias The first local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, Aetolia, was organized in 1871. This has grown to be one of the largest subordinate lodges in the state, with 1,100 members. There are now about 2,000 Knights in Akron's four lodges, besides the two Temples of the Pythian Sisters, which are also among the leading temples in Ohio. There are also three uniform rank companies here, Akron being headquarters of the 12th Regiment, known as the best equipped and best drilled military rank unit in the United States. In a competition among eight states at the Pittsburgh encampment in 1924, the Akron companies won the prize of $2,500. The local Knights of Khorassan, composed of Pythians, includes some of Akron's prominent citizens. The new Pythian Temple on High Street, of which the lodges occupy three floors, is equipped and furnished in splendid style, and is a home in which to take pride. Akron Aerie of Eagles Standing well toward the top of the list of aeries of Fraternal Order of Eagles in the United States, Akron Aerie, No. 555, has established itself in the 24th year of its existence here as one of the oustanding lodges in the city. In one of the most modern and completely equipped clubhouses in the city, the Akron Aerie of Eagles is comfortably housed at E. Market and Summit streets. The ground floor of the lodge building is used for business rooms and the upper floors house a dance hall, the clubrooms of the lodge and the lodge rooms. On December 9, the Akron aerie celebrated its 25th birthday anniversary, its growth during that time having been from seventy-five members at the time of its founding, in 1903, to about 3,200 members at the present time. This increase has brought the Akron aerie to 12th in rank among the 2,102 aeries in the United States and among the first of the lodge organizations in this city. With net available assets of about $130,000, the Akron aerie stands twentieth in the entire order. Mortality charts of the Akron aerie show that there have been 283 deaths among the members since the establishment of the lodge in Akron. OUTSTANDING FEATURES The Fraternal Order of Eagles was founded in February, 1898, in Seatt,e, and the Akron aerie was formed only five years after the establishment of the national organization. More than 700,000 Eagles are now members of the F. O. E. in the United States and Canada. The two outstanding features of the order are its beneficial and recreational activities and in both of these fields, the Akron aerie has always been prominent.
526 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY The American eagle is the emblem of the order, which receives into its membership members of the Caucasian race provided they have made application to become American citizens and are ready to complete their naturalization at the earliest possible date. EFFICIENT TEAM During the World war, nearly 50,000 Eagles were enlisted and 1,300 lost their lives, including nine from the Akron aerie. As early as 1905, a degree team was organized by the Akron lodge and it soon became one of the most efficient in the order. When the ritual was later revised by the grand aerie, which offered prizes for the best exemplification of the ritual, Capt. J. M. Straub organized a degree team in 1915, which entered the national competition at Savannah, Ga., in 1917. First national honors were taken during the following year at Buffalo, and the team led all other Ohio teams at all of the grand aerie Sessions except that at Denver in 1922. The Akron Eagle band, which has played a large part in carrying the name of Akron to many other cities throughout the country, has been designated as the Grand Aerie band and has been highly praised by national officers of the order. HELP NEEDY FAMILIES The Eaglettes, an auxiliary to the Eagles, and composed of the wives of members of the Akron aerie, was organized in 1917. They have assisted the members of the aerie in many branches of their work and have alleviated suffering in the families of deceased members. Hundreds of Christmas baskets have been sent to needy families. Recreational activities have been an important part of the work of the Akron aerie. It has held picnics, boxing shows, and entertainments of various kinds for members and their families. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks "Hello, Bill" has become a popular greeting around Akron in the past thirty years since the establishment of the Akron lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. From the watch chain of many a leading Akron citizen dangles the elk tooth which denotes that he belongs to the fraternal order. The Akron lodge of Elks dates back to January 23, 1897, when the local branch of the order was established at Cherry and Howard streets. Among the charter members of the Akron lodge were Frank S. Eblin, H. S. App, C. H. Snodgrass, L. S. Pardee, Osborn Esgate, William G. Good, Dr. E. S. Underwood, Jacob Pfeiffer, G. Edward Wagoner, E. C. Shaw, John Grether, William C. Hale, Frank B. Carr, Edwin S. Voris, L. E. Sisler, L. K. Stone and Frank Motz. "Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity" is the motto of the B. AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY - 527 P. O. E. and, in Akron as elsewhere, the charitable work of the order is outstanding. During the past year, the Akron Elks built and equipped a tubercular laboratory at Springfield Lake Sanitarium at a cost of $12,000 and previously had decorated and furnished a room there. EQUIP SCOUT CAMP Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Elks do a great deal of charitable work among the poor of the city, much of which is done anonymously. Several years ago, the Akron Elks equipped the Girl Scout camp at Crystal lake. From its original location in Akron, the lodge moved to 53 E. Mill Street and later, about ten years ago, it moved into its own building which it erected at 66 S. High Street. It is comfortably housed in its present building, where its 1,000 members find many social and recreational activities in addition to the fraternal business of the order. Each year the Elks in Akron as elsewhere observe with special ceremonies or recognition Flag day on June 14 and "Mother's day." On the first Sunday in December, a memorial service is held each year for the members of the order in Akron who have died during the past year. ENTERTAIN NOTABLES The guest register of the club shows that many noted men of the state and nation have been entertained at the Akron Elks' club. Among them are Theodore Roosevelt, Warren G. Harding, Marcus A. Hanna, George K. Nash, and Senator Charles F. Dick. The Akron lodge of Elks has been honored recently by the selection of one of its members, William E. Cunningham, as district deputy grand exalted ruler for northeastern Ohio. This is the first time that Akron has been honored by an office in the grand lodge, officers of the order say. Moose The Loyal Order of Moose is represented in Akron by one lodge, Akron No. 62 and by Chapter 254 of the Women's Mooseheart Legion. The local was organized in 1908. The home of the Moose was in South Howard Street, until 1911. They were then located successively in the Nantucket Building and at 41 East Mill Street, until in 1920 they occupied their present roomy floors in the Doyle Block. Present enrollment is 1,650 in addition to 150 ladies. W. Oliver Wise was first Dictator. The present Dictator is Lee R. Miller, and George Ault is secretary. The Junior Order of United American Mechanics together with its sister order, the Daughters of America is a popular and influential organization, and the Knights of Maccabees, Modern Woodmen of America, Improved Order of Red Men and others have been active in the community's fraternal life. 528 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY Knights of Columbus The Akron Council No. 547 of Knights of Columbus, received its charter in November, 1900. The late Fr. T. F. Mahar was first Chaplain and A. G. Kaufman first Grand Knight. After occupying quarters for several years in the Doyle Block, in 1920, the Council exchanged property which it owned on Fir Street, for the old Paul E. Werner home at 282 West Market Street, which it has since occupied. Plans are under way for a new auditorium to serve as a Catholic social center. One of the council's memorable activities was the raising of its fund of $104,000 for the Knights of Columbus community fund in the World war. B'nai B'rith The local section of the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith, an important Jewish order, was established in 1912 with H. D. Fuerst as president. There are now about 250 members in Akron, and the local body contributes to the support of the Jewish Orphans' Home in Cleveland, the National Home for Consumptives in Denver and other similar institutions. Other fraternal organizations in Akron include the following: Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Colored Masons; Grand United Order of Odd Fellows; Colored K. of P.; Royal Arcanum; Protected Home Circle; Sons and Daughters of St. George; Scottish Clans; Foresters; Woodmen of the World; Woodmen's Circle; Modern Woodmen of America and Improved Order of Woodmen; Knights of Malta ; United Workers; Sons of Herman; Knights and Ladies of Security; United Commercial Travelers; American Yeomen; Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen; Owls; Orioles; Oaks; American Insurance Union; Tribe of Ben Hur ; Security Benefit Association; Ladies' Catholic Benefit Association; Knights of St. John; Catholic Knights of Ohio; Hibernians; St. Bernard's Society; St. Joseph's Benevolent Society; Association of Letter Carriers; Daughters of Jerusalem; German, Italian, Polish, Hungarian and other foreign societies. The German societies have exerted an important influence during Akron's history in its social and especially its musical life. The Akron Liedertafel was organized in 1855 and has had a varied and successful history. The first saengerfest to be held in Akron was in 1880; a second occurred in 1904 and at this time the German-American Hall, or Music Hall was dedicated. The third saengerfest was held in 1923 in the Armory. The Liedertafel home on East Exchange was dedicated in 1914, but construction is now under way for a new and larger building. The Akron Turnverein dates back over forty years and is a leading German society. Sectional Civic Organizations In different sections of Akron, local bodies have organized to foster the growth, development and special interests of their localities. Among
530 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY these are the following : North Akron Board of Trade, South Akron Board of Trade, Firestone Park Civic Association, Goodyear Heights Civic Association, Margaret Park Civic Association, Spicertown Club, East Akron Board of Trade. Service Clubs Akron has seven service clubs, the oldest of which, the Rotary Club, was organized in February, 1914. M. E. Harpster was the first president and George N. Hawkins, secretary. The roster includes 160 members, and the present officers are : Charles W. Seiberling, president ; C. F. Meese, secretary-treasurer. Under the motto "He profits most who serves best," the Rotary Club has taken a leading part in civic affairs, and is particularly interested in work for the crippled children of the city. The Kiwanis Club is next in seniority, having been organized in April, 1916. The original officers were :—W. L. McCormick, president, and J. T. Blair, secretary. The membership list includes 144 men active in business and professional lines, and George H. Meyers is now president, and Philip P. Gott, secretary. The Kiwanis Club is sponsor for the Florence Crittenton Home for unwed mothers, which it built and equipped. The club has recently made donations of furniture for the children's room at Springfield Lake Sanitarium and recreational equipment for the Summit County Children's Home. The Exchange Club of Akron dates from September, 1918, when the organization was effected with Joseph B. Sieber as first president and Earl E. Cahoon as secretary. Mr. Cahoon's service has been uninterrupted up to the present. Winfred E. Fouse was recently elected president for the year. The membership now totals ninety-six. As one of its main activities the Exchange Club has promoted the continuation school at Perkins Normal, where about fifty subnormal boys from the different grade schools are given special attention and instruction, in lines of study suited to them. The Lions Club, organized in 1920, has ninety-two members. Dow Harter was the first president and W. J. Wettereau, secretary. Carl Angne served as secretary for three succeeding years, and A. G. Knoske was elected in 1923. Hurl J. Albrecht is president at this time. Service to blind adults and sight-saving for school children occupy the attention of the Lions. At the Bowen school where the Board of Education provides quarters, the Lions club with financial assistance from the state, provides teachers and equipment for special instruction to children whose vision is so defective that they can make no progress in the regular grade school classes. The Optimists, one of the younger clubs, was organized in March, 1923, and now has about ninety members. George W. Rogers was first president and Frank O'Neil, secretary. Adam J. Guth was the next president and Harry Levering now holds the chair, with A. F. Summy as secretary. 532 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY The Optimists have been busy promoting a Newsboys' Club with quarters at the Y. M. C. A., where the boys are given opportunities for social life, recreation and physical training they would not otherwise enjoy. The Civitan Club was also organized in 1923, and has a membership of about fifty. W. B. McIntosh, I. S. Myers and W. D. Barnhart have been successively president, and Jack Moore is secretary. "Builders of Good Citizenship" is the slogan of the Civitans, and with this aim in view they have cooperated in establishing and maintaining Camp Manatoc, near Akron, for the local Boy Scouts. The service clubs are correlated through an inter-club council, and with their membership of about 600 they are able to exert a tremendous influence in the community. The Mercator Club, organized two years ago, is the youngest of these. AKRON CITY CLUB The Akron City Club is one of the important institutions of this city. Organized in 1915, it now has 650 local and 150 non-resident members, and occupies the three upper floors of the Ohio Building. Though a social club only, it has performed a unique public service through the affiliation of its members in important civic and community work, and by affording a meeting place for luncheons, committees, and conferences. Sam F. Ziliox was the first president. M. D. Stauffer has been secretary and house manager during the club's history. University Club The University Club, with a membership of about 600, has taken an active place in the city's social, intellectual and community life. It began in 1909 in rooms over Rohleder's store on East Market Street, and after being temporarily housed in the Hilbish home and the Seiberling home, moved in 1918 into its own magnificent home on Fir Street. Harry E. Andress is president of the Club and Frederick Mayer, Jr., secretary. Interest and cooperation in every movement towards a better and greater Akron have marked the club's policy. Country Clubs The oldest of Akron's Country Clubs is the Portage Country Club, which had its origin about thirty years ago, when a group of golf enthusiasts used to play on the old Perkins farm on Maple Street. About 1905 the club was incorporated and the grounds on North Portage Path which now include 115 acres, were purchased. The old club house which burned in 1921, has been replaced by a new and beautiful home. The membership is about 500. Other important country clubs are the Fairlawn Club and Rosemont, on Medina Road. The Silver Lake at Silver Lake and the Brookside at Barberton. AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY - 533 Cemetery Associations The Middlebury Cemetery Association formed in 1853 laid out what is now the East Akron Cemetery. Located in the heart of East Akron, the grounds are well kept, and the community mausoleum located on the knoll at the east end gives it a special dignity. This burial ground superseded the old pioneer ground on Newton Street. Another important early cemetery was the Spicer Cemetery, which occupied part of the present university grounds. In 1871 all of the bodies were removed to Glendale, and the site was made the location of Buchtel College. The Akron Rural Cemetery Association, operating Glendale Cemetery, was incorporated in 1839 by Col. Simon Perkins, Jedediah Commins and others, Col. Perkins serving as first president continuously for forty-one years. The association purchased twenty acres of land and in 1850 the city ceded to them six and one-half acres which it owned on Maple Street. Other additions have increased the area to about seventy acres, beautifully landscaped and containing many noble monuments. The Memorial Chapel, a memorial to Summit County boys who fell in the Civil war, is to be credited largely to the work of Buckley Post. This was dedicated in 1876. The Ladies' Cemetery Association, organized in 1866, has been instrumental in beautifying the cemetery and in the construction of the superintendent's lodge. The ladies' association also built the Gothic bell tower on the knoll above the chapel. Glendale also contains the bodies removed from the old ground north of Furnace Street, in 1873. Adjoining Glendale is the German Catholic Cemetery. Mount Peace Cemetery, owned by the German Reformed Church, is located on Aqueduct Street, overlooking the valley, and is a beautiful tract. St. Vincent's Cemetery lies on West Market Street, opposite Merriman Road. Rose Hill Burial Ground, on Medina Road, was laid out in 1920 and comprises sixty-five acres of land. This is beautifully planned and is the site of the memorial monument erected by the Veterans of Foreign Wars to Akron's war heroes. Holy Cross Cemetery, south of Akron, is another of the Catholic burial places. Mount Hope Cemetery is located on South Main Street. CHAPTER XVI PROGRESSIVE JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS By Maloyn Wachner, Secretary Jewish Social Service Federation In Mr. Lane's "Fifty Years and Over of Akron and Summit County," published in 1892, there appears a short article regarding the Akron Hebrew Congregation. At the time that history was written there were approximately 300 Jewish persons living in Akron and only one other religious organization. Today Akron has about 6,000 Jewish inhabitants and a number of religious, social, philanthropic and educational activities. The Akron Hebrew Congregation is still in existence. The fifteen men who organized this body on April 2, 1865, builded on a solid foundation. From holding religious worship in a small hall to the purchase of the Old St. Paul's Episcopal Church on South High Street took twenty years—years of devotion and sacrifice. In 1909 the congregation called to its pulpit a young energetic graduate of the Hebrew Union College. Louis D. Gross was installed as rabbi of the congregation on October 29, 1909. From his first week in Akron he realized that the building which the congregation occupied was becoming entirely inadequate and the migration of residents from various sections of the city to West Hill was an assured fact. Less than two years after his arrival the congregation sold their Temple to the Elks Club and purchased a lot on Merriman Road opposite Marshall Avenue. Here on Sunday, July 2nd, 1911, with very impressive ceremonies participated in by the Masonic Grand Lodge of Ohio the corner-stone of Temple Israel was laid. The following year on May 3rd, 4th and 5th the temple was dedicated. A number of eminent rabbis assisted in this dedication—among them Rabbi Moses J. Gries, Rev. Dr. Kaufman Kohler, Rabbi Louis Wolsey and Rabbi David Alexander, who was later to become its spiritual leader. On April 26, 1915, the golden jubilee was celebrated at the Portage Hotel. It was the hope of the banquet committee that Moses Joseph, the only surviving charter member, would be able to attend. He was, however, now living in Chicago and the trip was too much of an undertaking. In 1917 Rabbi Gross was invited to take the pulpit of the temple in Wheeling, W. Va., and the Akron congregation called to its service Rabbi Abraham Cronbach, who was at this time affiliated with Dr. Stephen S. Wise. Rabbi Cronbach served the congregation for three years, resigning at the end of that time to do chaplain work in the institutions in Chicago. Rabbi David Alexander, who was then for a number of years at the head of the temple in Toledo, was asked to take the Temple Israel pulpit. Today - 534 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY - 535 the congregation membership numbers 210 heads of families. The Sunday School has an enrollment of 250 children. Mr. Louis Loeb is president of the congregation ; J. H. Vineberg, vice president ; H. 0. Polsky, treasurer, and Henry D. Fuerst, secretary. The second oldest Jewish religious body in Akron is the congregation known as the Sons of Peace. This congregation is somewhat over thirty years old. Mr. Joseph Whitelaw was instrumental in its organization and served the congregation as its first president. The frame structure on Bowery Street near Exchange Street is still used by the congregation as its place of worship. This building has long been too small and inadequate for the needs of its membership. Recently a lot was purchased on Rhodes Avenue near West Exchange Street and work will soon be started on the erection of a new synagogue with modern features including facilities for recreational activities. Rabbi I. M. Wapner is at the head of this congregation. Mr. Ben Rudy is the president. In 1917 a group of men, most of whom were either born in Hungary or descendants of Hungarian parents, founded the Ahaves Zedek Congregation. For several years the group utilized a house at the corner of Bowery Street and Buchtel Avenue for its religious activities but in September, 1926, dedicated their new building at 223 West Buchtel Avenue. The Rev. M. M. Klarman is the cantor of the congregation. Rabbi H. Yood, who has charge of several other synagogues, is also affiliated with this one. Mr. George Schwartz is president. At the corner of Raymond Street and Euclid Avenue stands the Anshe Sfard Synagogue. This building is a modern brick structure and was erected about seven years ago. Mr. Eli Tapper is the president of the congregation. Rabbi Hyman Yood is the spiritual leader. The Edgewood Avenue Synagogue, which is also known as the New Hebrew Congregation, is located at 706 Edgewood Avenue. This congregation is under the supervision of Rabbi H. Yood. Mr. S. N. Bayer is the president. Services in all four of the synagogues mentioned above is in the Orthodox custom. Several years ago a group of men who were affiliated with the Sons of Peace Congregation, wishing to modify their services according to conservative custom, withdrew from that body and founded the Anshe Emeth Congregation. A house was purchased on South Balch Street. This was remodeled into a synagogue and used for the activities of this congregation. About two years ago this property was turned over to the Jewish Center and the adjoining property was purchased. Plans have now been made for the erection of a modern Jewish Center to house educational, recreational and religious activities. Mr. Charles E. Schwartz is the president of the Jewish Center Board. In addition to the Sabbath school work conducted in some of the synagogues a Talmud Torah or Free Hebrew School is maintained at the corner of Wabash and Euclid avenues. The first building was purchased in 1911. This was only a small dwelling which was converted into class- 536 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY rooms. Later the church adjoining was purchased and remodeled into assembly room and class-rooms. Hebrew instruction is given the children every day with the exception of Saturday. The children attend these classes after public school hours. A branch is also maintained at Temple Israel for those children who live nearer to the Temple. The classes are conductd under the best modern methods. Mr. J. B. Fox is the principal of the school. Three other teachers are also employed. Mr. I. Sokol is president of the Board of Directors. The B'nai B'rith, an international men's organization, was founded over eighty years ago. In 1912 the Akron Lodge was organized with Mr. Henry D. Fuerst as president. The various states are organized into districts. Akron belongs to District No. 2. Included in this are the lodges in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, New Mexico, Missouri and Wyoming. This District Lodge founded and maintains the National Hospital for Consumptives at Denver, Colorado, the Jewish Orphan Home at Cleveland, Ohio, and the Leo N. Levi Memorial Hospital at Hot Springs, Arkansas. Mr. M. A. Morris is president of the Akron Lodge. The local lodge has a membership of about two hundred. The Workmen's Circle is a fraternal national organization which was founded twenty-seven years ago. The Akron branch, of which Mr. Meyer Lifschitz is chairman of the Executive Board, was organized in April, 1916. Membership in the lodge carries with it an insurance protection and sick benefit. The local organization owns and maintains a building on Raymond Street for recreational and educational activities. The National Lodge owns and maintains the tuberculosis sanatorium at Liberty, New York, besides assisting in other philanthropic activities. The National Lodge has a membership of 86,000 ; the Akron Lodge 175. The National Workers Alliance, which was organized nationally about ten years ago, is an organization similar to the one mentioned above. The local chapter was organized about three years ago and has two branches, one headed by Mr. David Rosenthal and the other by Mr. Max Goldberg. Both branches have a membership of seventy-five. These two organizations own and maintain a building at 547 Euclid Avenue. About thirty years ago the movement to establish Palestine for a homeland for the Jewish people started as an international movement. Dr. Theodore Herzel, the first president, worked untiringly in behalf of the Zionist movement. After the Balfour declaration in 1917 new impetus was given this work and it was in that year that the Zionists in Akron were organized. Mr. A. H. Alpern was the first president. Mr. J. S. Baer heads the group today, which has a membership of 100. Each year through the United Palestine Appeal funds are raised in the city and turned into the international treasury. A goodly portion of this money is used for the purpose of buying and preparing the land and in assisting the immigrant in settling Palestine. Since it is one of the aims of the Zionistic group to make Palestine a Jewish cultural center some of the funds are given to the Hebrew University, located at Jerusalem. Dr. Chaim Weizmann of England is president of the international organization. AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY - 537 The Criterion Club is a group of young men who promise to be a vital force in Jewish community life. Although this club was only organized in November, 1926, they have already done much to promote the social and educational spirit in Akron. Since the organization is really doing the work of a Y. M. H. A. it has recently voted to have its name changed to conform to this and steps have already been taken to change the name of the Criterion Club to the Y. M. H. A. The club maintains a home at 435 West Market Street which is used for club rooms and dormitory. When the new Jewish center is built this group will have quarters specially designed for them. The membership of 175 is headed by Mr. Barnett Gurwitz as president. Mr. Nathan Koplin was the first president of the club. On June 16, 1920, the Rosemont Country Club with Mr. N. M. Berk as president was organized. About forty acres of beautiful rolling farm land was purchased at Montrose, Ohio. This land was turned into one of the prettiest golf courses in this section of the state. A club-house was also erected and today about sixty-five members and their families wait anxiously for the first signs of spring to take advantage of this popular recreation. Mr. Jerome Dauby is the president of Rosemont. The foregoing organizations have been founded principally by the men in the community but in almost every instance there is an auxiliary to assist and complete the work undertaken. Thus when the Akron Hebrew Congregation was organized in the spring of 1865, in November of the same year the women of the congregation organized into the Schwesterbund with Mrs. Michael Joseph as president. This group undertook to assist in the activities of the congregation and to do such philanthropic work which was found necessary in the community. This society with a membership of thirty-three is still in existence today. It is rather significant that the daughter of the first vice president, Mrs. Herman Moss, should head the organization today, Mrs. Louis Loeb has been an ardent worker of the Schwesterbund and last year was elected president after serving at various other times in this capacity. This organization still continues to assist in philanthropic endeavors. About thirty-eight years ago another group of women feeling the need of assisting in the philanthropic and religious life of the community banded themselves together under the leadership of Mrs. Henry Kraus. Since most of the charter members were born or were descendants of parents who were born in what was then Austria-Hungary, they called themselves the Daughters of Francis Joseph. During the World war, however, they dropped this name and have since been known as the Daughters of Israel. Mrs. M. Nobil is the president. This organization also contributes liberally to philanthropic causes. Another group organized for philanthropic purposes is the Ladies' Aid Society. This organization has been in existence for almost a quarter of a century. Its membership is limited to thirty. Mrs. J. Hershenhaus was the first president ; today Mrs. A. Cohen serves the society in this capacity. 538 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY The Ladies' Aid Society contributes funds to the Talmud Torah, the Shelter House and maintains a loan fund for its members. A similar organization to the one mentioned above is the Ladies' Hebrew Relief Association, which had its inception twenty-seven years ago. This society was also organized to do relief work but since this type of work is now concentrated in the Jewish Social Service Federation the organization confines itself to contributing to charitable institutions and loans. Mrs. R. Dennis is the president of this association. The Temple Sisterhood is the woman's auxiliary of Temple Israel. This organization is affiliated with the National Temple of Sisterhoods. The local association was organized over fifteen years ago with Mrs. N. M. Berk as president. Today the organization has a membership of 200. The purpose of the society is to promote the religious, social and educational life of the temple and Sunday School. Mrs. Maurice Whitelaw is the president of the Sisterhood. The Ahavas Zedek Sisterhood is the woman's auxiliary of the Ahavas Zedek Congregation. This society was organized in April, 1916, to promote the religious, social and educational activities of the synagogue. Mrs. Louis Friedman is the president. The Akron Section of the National Council of Jewish Women was organized eight years ago with Mrs. Louis Loeb as its first president. The council is a constituent body of the National Council of Jewish Women which was founded during the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893 by Mrs. Hannah Solomon. The council is religious, educational, philanthropic and civic in its scope. The Akron section has been active in promoting a recreational and educational program for boys and girls. For the past four years the local section has assisted in conducting a summer camp for them. It also has active committees to cooperate with the civic welfare of the city and an educational program for its own membership. Mrs. Joy Loeb is the president of the council. There are over two hundred members in the section. Another women's organization which has also national and international affiliation is the Hadassah Society. Sixteen years ago Henrietta Szold organized the National Hadassah to combat disease in Palestine, especially malaria and trachoma. The growth of the Hadassah has been tremendous. Today this organization occupies the central place in bringing health and healing to the people of Palestine. It also maintains the only nurses' training school in the East. The local Hadassah was organized by Mrs. Lawrence in January, 1920. Mrs. M. Levy is the present chairman. The National Junior Hadassah was founded in 1920. The local chapter, one of the oldest in the state, was organized in 1921 with Miss Rolinda Lawrence as president. At the conclusion of the World war many orphans were left in Palestine without means of support. The Junior Hadassah were organized for the purpose of caring for these children in institutions and boarding homes. Since these children have now reached the age where they can care for themselves the efforts of this organization have AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY- 539 gone into the support of a school for orphans and poor children. This school has an enrollment of 101. The Junior Hadassah also supports the Nurses' Training School of Palestine. The Junior Hadassah, which is an international organization composed of young women, expends $47,000 a year on these two activities. The local chapter, which is an unusually active one, is headed by Miss Frieda Schlitt. The Regional Conference, composed of all sections of the cities of the state, has as its president Miss Regina Moskovitz of this city. For many years small organizations administered to the Jewish sick and poor, aged and orphan in Akron. Considerable duplication and overlapping existed and though much good was accomplished there was need for sound social service methods and trained social case workers. Besides, national and regional institutions were each year sending their field secretaries to Akron to collect funds in which Jewish people of this city were obligated to maintain their share. Thus it happened that in one year a man might be visited by twelve or more solicitors, each anxious to get as much as he could for the cause in which he was vitally interested. To eliminate indiscriminate forms of solicitations and to collect funds and to distribute these for the best interests of donor and recipient, the Federation of Jewish Charities was founded and received its papers of incorporation on February 12, 1914. Mr. Maurice Krohngold, the first president, together with a small group of men worked unceasingly toward the firm establishment of this organization. During the first three years of its existence the federation had over one hundred subscribers. The maximum subscription was $100. In 1917 due to the efforts of Mr. B. A. Polsky the membership list was increased to over 600 with maximum subscriptions raised to $250. The federation at this time also changed its name to the Jewish Social Service Federation. When the Better Akron Federation was founded the Jewish Social Service Federation became one of its constituent organizations. The Jewish Social Service Federation has since its inception contributed to the following institutions that care for the sick, aged and orphaned from Akron : The Cleveland Jewish Orphan Home ; the Infants' Home of Ohio ; the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives ; the Jewish Consumptive Relief Society ; the Leo N. Levi Memorial Hospital ; the Montefiore Home for the Aged and Orthodox Old Home., It also contributes to the National Farm School located at Doylestown, Pennsylvania —a non-sectarian agricultural school. This school accepts boys at the age of sixteen years and gives them an academic as well as an agricultural education. During the past three years Akron has had three students in attendance. Locally, the federation assists in maintaining a shelter house located at 679 Raymond Street. To assist in its work of rehabilitation of normal family life various committees are appointed, among these the Legal Aid Committee and the Medical Aid Committee are most active. Free service is given by members of both committees. A Free Loan Bureau is also maintained. Through 540 - AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY this branch of service small loans without interest charge are made where this will enable a family to become self-supporting. The federation is the only organization in Akron at the present time which carries on all phases of social service. It is the organization which acts as a clearing house and binds together under one head all Jewish communal activities. The federation employs two full time workers and a part time worker. The local chapter of the Council of Jewish Women assists in giving the service of the latter. The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees of fifteen members. Mr. Ben W. Holub is the president. CHAPTER XVII MILITARY AFFAIRS By WALTER B. WANAMAKER The original American fighting men who sprang from the confines of Summit County consisted of several Indian tribes, known by name as the Hurons, Tobaccos and Eries, all later known as the Wyandots, also the Shawnees, Delawares, Miamis and Mingoes. Little is known of any important part which was played by these original dwellers of Summit County. In fact from a military standpoint Summit County only provided a trail from the north to the south, making the vantage points of the operation of these warsmen accessible to each other. The victory of General Wayne over the Ohio tribes at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794 definitely broke the control of this district by the tribesmen and brought about the new era in the land which is now Summit County, by the domination of the land by the white settlers and the ancestors of the present day society. THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION In the War of the Revolution the settlers of this district played no part of any great importance for the reason that the land was not at any time in those skirmishes considered of any great military advantage. However, following the War of the Revolution when the Continental Congress was being pressed by the men who had served in that conflict for payment of the promises made to them, Summit County, together with most of the lands in the Northwest Territory was parcelled out in full payment of those claims against the Government. Immediately following that provision the land now known as Summit County was settled by several of the veterans of that war and today in the cemeteries of Summit County we find the final resting place of fifty-nine Revolutionary War veterans. THE WAR OF 1812 The common idea that this second war with England, or sometimes known as the Second War of Independence, was fought chiefly by reason of the impressment of sailors on the high seas by the British Crown would seem to be fallacious upon an examination of the events leading up to the final occurrence of a state of war. Historical writers contemporary with those times demonstrate rather conclusively that the New England States were opposed to the war for the reason of the handicap entailed upon
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them in finding a market for their manufactured produce, and that while the most altruistic reason assigned for the war was the one referable to the impressment of American sailors on the high seas, yet the actual motivating cause came from the enthusiasm, desire and insistence of the settlers of the Northwest Territory and those living along the western border of the United States.
The continued enmity and savagery shown by the Indian toward the settlers was, by the western inhabitants, charged against the score of Great Britain, and the feeling among these western settlers, including those living in the district now known as Summit County, was that until the outposts occupied by the British Government were dominated by the United States that a continual source of incitement of the Indian would exist, and the enthusiasm of the West for this war, which was the controlling factor in its commencement, was for the primary purpose of bringing about a peaceful condition in the western settlements and the removal of the constant fear of native uprisings in the adjoining Indian tribes.
It was, therefore, particularly for the West, the Second War of Independence. The black pages, of history during this period excel in cruelty even the occurrences of the Revolutionary war. General Proctor, the English commanding officer at Detroit, in his zeal to gain favor in his cause, enlisted the aid of the Indians, whom he used to the greatest extent to the harrassment of the western settlers.
Although Perry's victory on Lake Erie has been disparaged by some of the more recent historians, it will always live in the hearts of the inhabitants of the Northwest as the first great achievement of the United States of America in securing to this district peace, safety and the pursuit of happiness. It accomplished the submission of the outposts still held by the British in violation of the terms of the treaty recognizing our independence, and the personal element as personified by the valorous conduct of Perry was such as to lend a touch of romance to the horrors of war.
The youthful State of Ohio now was permitted to settle down to the business of statehood and to the formation of its district governments, which ultimately brought about, on March 3, 1840, the political existence of Summit County, which was formed out of parts of Portage, Medina and Stark counties.
MEXICAN WAR
March 1, 1845, the Empire of Texas was admitted to statehood in the Union following the very hectic campaign made by President-elect Polk and the democrats who made that their issue. Relations between Mexico and the United States had been strained ever since Texas had declared itself independent from Mexico and the Union had been definitely apprised of the fact by Mexico that admittance of the State of Texas to the Union would be considered an act of war. With the admittance,
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therefore, diplomatic relations between the United States and Mexico were terminated and the war with Mexico resulted.
Inasmuch as there were opposed to the democrats on this issue the party of the whigs, the war, even after its commencement, continued to be considerably a party and political issue. Summit County at that time was overwhelmingly in the whig political column and there was, therefore, much less interest exhibited in this war than in any other war in the history of the country by the residents and people of Summit County. Also due to the fact that the location of operations was very far removed from Ohio the importance of the situation was not greatly impressed upon the citizenship of this county. There were those, however, who responded to the call and who took part and continued in the service until the final victorious termination of that contest.
CIVIL WAR
During the ensuing years Summit County grew and prospered and was sympathetic to and championing the side of the slaves whose condition was rapidly becoming a national issue, which terminated in the national crisis in April, 1861, with the firing on Fort Sumter and the commencement of the War of Secession.
The political campaign just preceding this demonstration of firing upon the flag of the United States at Fort Sumter was just the reverse of the political situation existing previous to the admittance of Texas to the Union. The newly-born Republican party, which might sectionally be called the Northern party, had, by the immortal Lincoln, made an issue in his campaign requiring a solution of the slave problem and favoring the ultimate abolition of slavery. To all democrats, particularly those of the southern part of the country, the success and election of Abraham ,Lincoln spelled economic disaster by reason of their belief that slavery was to be destroyed and all slaves immediately set free without any recourse on the part of the owners in the South.
Anticipating this action the advocates of States Rights thereupon declared the right of each individual state to secede from the Union for the purpose of the preservation of its statehood and welfare, which in its opinion was essential and, actually at that time, wrapped up in the economic system of slavery then existing.
The issue of this great war, contrary to general public belief, was not primarily for the purpose and intention of freeing the slaves, but was for the preservation of the United States as an entity, as a fixed Union with each state definitely subservient to the welfare of the country as a whole. History definitely records, and the words of Abraham Lincoln himself definitely prove that it was his intention, if he had been permitted to do so, during the years of his administration at Washington, to have worked out some sound economic and humane method for the solution of freeing the slaves and the the extinguishment of human slavery from this nation. However the War of Secession being thrust upon him, he
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had no opportunity to work out a gradual plan to accomplish this purpose and the war continued for a great length of time without anything being done along that line, until the radical step, which he had never before his ascension to Presidency contemplated—that of freeing the slaves at once by proclamation, was made as a war measure for the purpose of weakening the man-power of the army of the Confederacy.
The history of the world is without an equal to this war between the States of the Union. The Civil Wars of England and of other nations were mere guerilla warfare and sporadic expeditions as compared with the great armies and numerous battles occurring in our own country. The struggle of blood against blood tbrought forth the whole-hearted response of those sympathizers for their own side. The division of allegiance was clean cut and terrible.
In this war Summit County played a very important part, filling its quota of men called upon in less time than the date set for their readiness. Very little by way of detailed information can be added to that already given in the histories of this locality. Details of this great war and the part that Summit County played in it are well and ably recorded in glowing words of tribute by those contemporaries of the times who had available to them more accurate information than is now obtainable. The History of Summit County by William Henry Perrin, Fifty Years of Akron and Summit County by Samuel A. Lane and the Centennial History of Summit County by William B. Doyle contain many pages of authentic, interesting and detailed history of this war and the parts played in it by the men and women of Summit County.
The survivors of this war are the earliest survivors of any war of this country to have existing at the time of the writing of this history an ex-service organization, the greatest known ex-service organization to have existed—the Grand Army of the Republic, and in this county known by the name of Buckley Post. Through all the years following the great war they have been the stabilizing hand and influence on the rudders of the Ship of State. As the years have gone on their ranks have been depleted so that today their organization numbers only a small percent of the original number. To these men history credits the rearing, preservation and protection of the greatest nation in the world, and to these men the history of the United States credits the establishment of the most sacred day nationally observed—Memorial Day.
The following is a list of the present Summit County survivors of this great war and the honored members of Buckley Post, Grand Army of the Republic:
J. J. Adams W. Ailing Josiah Brown B. F. Buchtel J. M. Bradford N. V. Burt W. H. Carter J. J. Cormany A. B. Corbin G. C. Dague S. A. Diller J. H. Dellenberger 0. P. Edgar A. C. Ferguson T. L. Firestone M. B. Foster C. R. Grant H. Greer
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F. W. Hayes Wm. Haynes Jonathan Hine E. R. Jones George Jackson Frank R. King F. N. Kellog T. Kellog Jos. Limric George Limric W. H. Limric F. Lewis Geo. W. Markle E. Moore G. A. Moon D. C. Montgomery I. P. Muffly Chas. Myers B. F. Manderback H. W. Manderback W. Mangold A. D. Miller S. A. McCoy Wm. McGrevy J. N. McMasters T. Nash W. H. Norton E. S. Oviett R. D. Potter E. Pontious W. Randall L. A. Redman D. Rittersbach F. L. Robinson Chas. W. Reynolds J. Rhodes R. Rea O. Rockwell S. E. Rideout Chas. Rhodenbaugh L. W. Scheureman E. J. Smith Eli Smith E. J. Spellman M. Stover F. G. Stipe W. H. Shaffer J. Sowers S. Steese D. D. Sheldon J. Sentel D. W. Shumway Chas. Sherbondy Dallas G. Steese E. F. Taggart P. B. Upson E. Valkenberg A. Wagoner Levi Wold J. J. West H. D. Wells
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
The years following the War of Secession were filled with economic troubles and the problems of rehabilitation, but the American nation came forward, established itself soundly and enjoyed prosperity. Ultimately when the governments of Spain and the United States came to loggerheads over numerous issues, most of which in this day and age might have been settled and determined by diplomatic service, but which, due to the humanitarian interest of the individual American of the treatment of the Cuban people, thrust the nation headlong into a conflict, following the explosion of the battleship Maine at San Diego Harbor, when a number of American seamen were killed. This last episode later became the battle cry of the war in the words "Remember the Maine !" and on April 21, 1898, the war with Spain became a reality.
The part played by Summit County was primarily that of the land forces and inasmuch as the conflict was chiefly determined by the navies of the two nations there was not very great opportunity for many army men to play a part in the actual conflict. Summit. County responded immediately, it being the home of Company B, a part of the crack Eighth Regiment, and being a neighbor of Stark County, the home of the President, William McKinley. The men of this county immediately rallied to the call and two companies were immediately put into the field, one captained by H. O. Feederle, Company B, Eighth Infantry, and one captained by Herman Werner, Company F, First Regiment, Light Artillery.
The war of actual campaigns was of comparative short duration and the men of Summit County contributed their lives and their suffering
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of hardship in full measure with those of all other localities of the country.
Charles F. Dick, since that time senator from the State of Ohio, served as lieutenant-colonel of the Eighth Regiment..
The exploits and details of the Spanish war have been related and given to posterity by former historians in a manner for which there need be no apology or addition. William B. Doyle in his "Centennial History of Ohio" and Oscar E. Olin, professor of our own Buchtel College and University of Akron, in the volume "Akron and Environs," have given interesting, authentic and detailed information of the part played by the men and women of Summit County in this war.
Following the return of the men of this army there was established the second ex-soldiers organization, known as the Spanish-American War Veterans and also the organization of Veterans of Foreign Wars, both of which organizations are still in existence, neither of which, however, in deference to the honored position of the members of the Grand Army of the Republic, offered or attempted to take any place in the "sun" that would in any manner detract from the glory of the revered veterans of that great conflict. Not all of those who served in this war became members of ex-service organizations. The records of their service and participation not already detailed in history have been lost by their own willingness to permit their identity to become forgotten.
The following is a list of those who still retain their identity as members of Ward A. Wllford Camp No. 57:
George D. Allison George W. Andrews Harley H. Airhart Chas. R. Bowen John A. Bedel Dr. F. C. Bissell Julius F. Bitter A. A. Beery Chas. H. Burch A. L. Bricker Frank T. Bell Frank T. Burla Frank H. Brown Sam Bensinger Clarence Bensinger Wm. S. Black A. J. Brigger Wm. K. Bess M. J. Byrnes Edward J. Barrick Curtis J. Bowman Ralph W. Barr Richard R. Baird John H. Bair Joe Bauch William K. Beckley Albert J. Baughman Joseph Clark Anthony Corless Charles W. Cox C. H. Cranz T. C. Crislip Claud A. Cass James A. Corey Jerry D. Cline John Cooper Jay W. Converse Frank H. Dalton George S. Daniels Lee M. Day William Dingey Peter P. Donnelly C. W. Gale Charles W. Dick Charles M. Dull Louis H. Dorman Adam Eckler C. E. Foutz C. E. Fuchs S. C. Fiscus Charles A. Collins William H. Fenton C. H. Gebber William C. Garregues George I. Garrison Frank E. Glass Charles Garman Wilmot Goodall Gus Graf Sam. M. Gibson Charles Helbing M. L. Hunt John Hackenburg Charles A. Hines Frank E. Hill Albert C. Holloway
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Frank Heley Vernie Harry Kirk R. Haskins Thom. B. Hinton Richard Haase Herbert C. Hambley Irving Hall Robert H. Hayman John Iglehart Charles J. Jepson William A. Johns Andres Keitel Roy Koch Sam Lewis James A. Lusby Jacob M. Lehman Harvy Lautenschlater Dr. Harry W. Leitz Charles F. Liddle Elmer Lyons William G. Lerch Joe E. McMasters J. B. McFarland John Miller Joe W. Myers Walter Morris Basil Monroe Harley C. Miles L. V. Mockridge Howard C. Miller Charles A. Metzler Frank M. Metzler Henry Metzger Thomas Nichols Neil M. Nealson Charles E. Nye Warren S. Nicodemus F. M. Patrick Thomas G. Patterson Orson Pettijohn Charles J. Petterson Henry A. Ports Dell A. Ports Walter W. Price Walter R. Price A. R. Powell Frank A. Rabe William E. Randall Charles L. Reed William Roddy Chat F. Riddle David T. Rohleder Dan W. Ruttman Walter C. Russell Henry Ruedy Mark B. Snider Arthur E. Snyder Walter T. Smith Charles N. Sparks Ernest H. Speck William A. Spencer Melvin E. Sprinkle Fred G. Staiger John M. Straub C. D. Stoudt George Swope George H. Sunkel Frank Sues Charles E. Strothers Leroy W. Swain James M. Stewart William Seib Andrew Seiler Sam Treadway Alex Thorn David R. Thomas Harry Treen Henry J. Ter-Doese Daniel Thomas John Vernotzky Herman Werner James E. Womersley Fred Winkler Fred M. Warner V. P. Wachter Walter R. Wheeler Allen E. Young A. T. Weaver Fred W. Yoos George E. Yohey A. V. Hicks Gus Herwick Alexander Labo E. S. Longenecker F. J. O'Brien August Schmidt Sam Williamson James Mealy Frank H. Brown Robert Armstong Robert Bernie Charles W. Cooper Charles C. Crumrine John P. Colwell Wilber C. Deeds Adam Herwick A. B. Hanscom William K. Jones Harry Kull J. C. Meier William G. Post George W. Smith A. A. Sullivan R. W. Thurson Roy A. Walkup Dallas D. Whittaker D. L. Hough Clyde B. Phillips Frank Butterworth M. E. Gray Milford Maloney Merle Scrote J. D. Magner Harry Miller Calvin J. Taylor Ezra G. Marks Patrick O'Meara Frank H. Brought Albert H. Fretter Walter I. Kennedy L. H. Randall Dr. H. P. Robinson Arthur O. Schafer Charles J. Wolfe Allen E. Young L. D. Baldwin William G. Siegar Edward Jarrett Andrew Mough Sam Nichols William F. Brunswick
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C. F. Balz C. C. Crawford W. A. Culp John L. Cristlip A. E. Sprague Edward J. Croy P. E. Doyle John M. Dorrance Isaac Foutz Lew. J. Grethers Warren A. Hurd Dr. R. A. Smith Peter Hetchel William A. Hammond C. W. Huffman Fred C. Holden Oliver Bensinger George A. Keifer Andrew Koss George Lawson Carl A. Sitzenstock Thomas N. Showalter
The Spanish-American war was really the first international evidence of the reunion of the states of the North and South. Its most lasting impression was the great assistance it gave to the reestablishment of a united people under the American flag. Following its conclusion the country went forward without the existence of the lines of sectionalism that had existed so markedly following the War of Secession previous to the war with Spain.
WORLD WAR
Great economic strides, great wealth, great man-power, unbelievable development in the years that followed the Spanish-American war brought the United States of America, under the Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, the popular hero and idol of that conflict, to a position of accepted equality among the nations of the world.
The great development of commerce and manufacturing competition followed the Spanish-American war. This was more peculiar to the United States but was true of the whole world as well. Great armies in Europe were built up, jealousies were engendered by competitive commerce, and the year 1914 saw the opening scenes of the greatest war drama the world has ever known.
Europe, with all its dependencies and alliances, became engaged in the titanic struggle to the death. At the commencement of this great struggle, because of the advance of the great German army through the independent Kingdom of Belgium, considerable agitation was fostered by the humanitarians of this country to bring the influences of this country to the side of the Allies, but nothing came of those efforts at that time and the United States maintained and persisted in a neutrality that was diplomatically so, at least.
War raged in all its furors and the Allies, which included England, France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Japan, China, Roumania, and all their colonies and dependencies, were arrayed against the Central Powers, including Germany, Austria, Bulgaria and Turkey.
Nearly all the nations being engaged in the business of war, the United States was the only one engaged in a program of production and thereby became greatly inflated with the profits of foreign sales. These sales required shipments across the Atlantic and the shipment of these goods became the subject of contest between the Central Powers and the Allies, the latter having declared a blockade of the Central Powers by |
