426 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

CHAPTER XIV.*

HUDSON TOWNSHIP—CHARACTER OF THE EARLY COMMUNITY—ORGANIZATION—PIONEER INDUS-TRIES—VILLAGE OF HUDSON—ITS INCORPORATION AND GROWTH—
FOUNDING OF CHURCH AND SCHOOL.

" Non ignara nali, miaeris succurrere disco."

THE early community of Hudson was patriarchal in its characteristics. It originated in the self-sacrificing devotion of its founder ; its first steps were directed by his judgment. and in its maturer years it bears his name and the impress of his character. It is difficult to imagine the early prosperity of this settlement without the material and moral support of Mr. Hudson. He is the central figure in all its early history, and remained so until his death. Coming with ample resources for the prosecution of his enterprise, he allowed no desire for private ends to swerve him from his chosen course. He sought to establish a center of civilizing influence : his was the mission of a public benefactor, and the records of that time bear ample evidence of his faithfulness. The sick and unfortunate found in him a helpful friend ; public enterprises were placed beyond the danger of failure by his efforts : struggling merit never failed for lack of material aid when solicited of him, while his old account books, bearing the names of every member of the settlement in those early days, tell many a tale of his devotion to his people. In the building-up of the influence he sought, Mr. Hudson exercised his power without the aid of compulsion. He laid no restrictions upon the freedom of : thought or action in the sale of his land. The support of church and school was voluntary on the part of each one, but his personal influence—not an unimportant factor in the issue —he put without reserve in favor of these institutions, and in the end he wrought success, where more exacting methods reaped failure. There were two elements here from the first, antagonistic to each other in both politics and religion, but Mr. Hudson, commanding the respect of his contemporaries in years, and the reverence of the young, on the principle of the resolution of forces, though his influence united

*Contributed by J. H. Battle.

them in carrying forward the general principles upon which the settlement was founded. There was in all this, however. no spirit of asceticism. The New England pleasures of the husking-bee and apple-paring were added to the West-ern logging-bees and spinning matches.

"When toil remitting lent its turn to play.

And all the village train. from labor free.

Led up their sports."

Dancing was a common form of amusement. There were plenty of violins and many a hard day's work in the field and cabin was supplemented by a night's scarcely less vigorous exercise in dancing. The first ball in Cleveland was attended from all the surrounding settlements. and among the rest Hudson sent her complement. The occasion was the 4th of July. 1801. and R. H. Blinn, of Hudson. was one of the " managers." An old chronicle says : " Notwithstanding the (lancers had a rough puncheon floor. and no better beverage to enliven their spirits than whisky sweetened with maple sugar, yet it is doubtful if the anniversary of American independence was ever celebrated in Cleveland by a more joyful and harmonious company than those who danced the scamper-down double-shuflie, Western swing. and halfmoon forty-six [eighty] years ago in the log cabin of Maj. Carter." The only record we have of the observance of this day in Hudson was on July 4, 1800. There were then just forty-two souls in the settlement. the most of whom had come in the preceding month. These all sat down at a table of elm bark, in the woods on what is now a part of the public square, a few rods north of the actual center of the township, and a very little west of he north-and-south road. Their fare may be imagined ; their guests were David Hudson. his wife Anna Hudson. their children, Samuel. Ira, William N., Milo L., Timothy and Abigail L. Hudson ; Thaddeus Lacey, his wife Rosanna Lacey, their children, Isaac H., Ann and Susan Lacey ;

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David Kellogg, his wife Mrs. Kellogg, their children, Eleanor, Hiram and an infant ; Samuel Bishop, his wife, Mrs. Bishop, their children, Ruth. David, Luman, Reuben. Joseph, Phoebe, and a maiden sister of Mrs. Bishop, Ruth Gaylord; Elijah Noble. his wife. Anna Noble and child, Ira Noble. Those not having families at that time, or whose families were still in the East, were Joel Gaylord, Heman Oviatt. Dr. Moses Thompson. Stephen Perkins, William Leach, Reuben Parker, George Darrow, Joseph Darrow, Gordon Crandall and John Wood.

The property of the early community was very evenly distributed. and there were none who could he termed wealthy. even by the standard of that day. A few would be. perhaps. accurately placed by that New England term of "fore-handed farmers." The accumulations of a well-advanced life-time invested in the cheap lands of the Reserve made a somewhat imposing show, but all were blessed with large families. among whom the parents sooner or later divided their property, so that there was but little difference in the size of their farms. All fared on the same food. The woods furnished freely to all an abundance of game, berries. honey. and nuts, while none were so poor after a few years' residence that he could not raise his own pork and supply his own table with milk, butter, cheese and flour. The most marked difference perhaps was in the superior comfort of some of the dwellings, and the fact that some wore shoes the year round. But even this difference brought with it the compensating burden of responsibility and risk to its possessor. The first. and perhaps the most pretentious house in the village was the hewed-log cabin built by Mr. Hudson. on Baldwin street. This was supplied with glass windows. and was in its appointments a fitting residence for the principal man of the town. In 1802. his growing family and his duties of hospitality demanded a larger cabin. and he set about putting it up, choosing a site a few feet east of the first one. This he had completed and had-moved a few beds and other things into it, and being in the middle of "moving " the family slept in their new home, the children leaving their clothing in the old one. An arbitration had been held in the old house until quite late at night, and a roaring fire had been maintained on the hearth. A short time after

closing the business and Mr. Hudson had retired to bed in the new building, he was aroused by the flames showing in the chamber of the old cabin. The old " cat-and-clay^" chimney had proved recreant to its trust, and the chamber loft had been set on fire. Mr. Hudson saved his valuable papers, but everything else was lost, including a large stock of supplies intended to provide for his family and such of the settlers as would need them for a full year, and even his children's shoes. His loss was estimated at a $1,000, and was the more serious from the fact that the nearest market was Pittsburgh. which could only be reached by traversing miles of trackless woods. There were others, like Christian Cackler, Jr., who found consolation in that traditional old lady's philosophy, " blessed be nothing." On moving from Hudson in 1816. " our furniture," says he. "proved no inconvenience ; my wife had a bed. I had an ax. I added to this by purchase of Zenas Kent three white cups and saucers costing 75 cents. three knives and forks and a wooden pail. The woman who lived with us gave three wooden plates, and a kettle to cook our victuals in. My wife's father also gave us a table which completed our' set out.' " (In 1870. his property was estimated at $30,000). Such a distinction was obviously too slender a foundation upon which to build a spirit of caste. Indeed, the whole fabric of society rested upon an aristocracy of labor, and none were so high or so low that he did not minister to his necessities with his own hands. The fathers of the community wrought in the fields with their sons, and were not less strong in action than wise in counsel. Their endurance is the marvel of later generations.

In 1802, Mr. Hudson was called to Goshen on business pertaining to the land which he held in company with Mr. Norton. He started out on horseback and alone. carrying his pro-visions with him. It was in July. and after going some fifty miles he found his horse jaded by the journey and used up by the flies which were the scourge of animal life in the new country. He accordingly sold his horse. and slinging his pack upon his shoulder he proceeded on his way on foot. On reaching the Cattaraugus Creek, which was considerably swollen with rains, and finding no one there to aid him, he determined to cross on his own ac-count. It was not far from its mouth and the

428 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

current was dangerously rapid, but taking an old half-rotten sled that chanced to be near, he launched out for the other shore. Unfortunately he had miscalculated the force of the current and he found himself, borne rapidly toward the open lake. To proceed far in this way meant death. and taking advantage of the course of the current he leaped from his raft upon a shifting sandbank which the current was piling up near the bank and after severe effort secured firm ground on the same side of the stream from which he had started, a wet but wiser man. Going some distance up the stream, he forded it in safety, continued his journey to Bloomfield, in New York, where he bought a horse and completed his journey and back to the settlement in safety. This was the exploit of a man over forty years of age.

The matrons were of a not less hardy race, and are no less a marvel to the women of these degenerate days." :: Carpets, or even painted floors. were not then found even in the houses of comparatively well-to-do families. but the floors were kept scoured to a snowy whiteness, and in the best rooms were neatly sanded and then marked into fantastic figures. Crockery. or queensware, as it was then called. was too expensive for the tables of the yeomanry. and the dresser was supplied with pewter platters, which must be kept polished to a silvery whiteness. The thrifty housewife kept her deal tables and benches and unpainted doors washed to immaculate cleanness. The towels. table-linen, bed-linen, and most of the summer clothing of the family were the products of home industry. The mothers and daughters hatchelecl the flax. at a small wheel spun the thread, and afterward their hands threw the shuttle that formed the durable fabrics, the remains of which are held as heir-looms by the descendants of the old families, and proudly shown as proofs of the handiwork of hands long since laid to rest. Spinning, knitting and weaving linen. and braiding straw hats and bonnets, were a large part of the regular work of the winter. Bleaching, cutting, making and fashioning these ready for use was spring work. Then came cleansing, picking and carding the wool into' bats ready for spinning on the large wheel. The yarn was woven into blankets for bedding. Some was made into checked flannel for aprons and dresses for the women. and died red for the children's dresses. Part of the flannel was fulled for clothing for the men and boys. Then there must be many skeins of yarn of divers shades and colors for the hose and mittens and comforters of all. Knitting occupied the evenings of the grandmother and daughters in the family of the olden time, and she was considered a poor knitter who could not show a well-shaped sock or a double mitten as the result of a winter evenings work. Summer gloves or mitts were made of linen thread with a hook similar to the modern crochet needle. Nor were these branches .ot' home industry confined to the families of farmers. No woman was held of much account whose hands laid not hold of the spindle and distaff, and who looked not well to the ways of her household. or could even be suspected of eating the bread of idleness. The strength of these women was equal to their day, and their work did not hurry them so that they could not occasionally make and receive visits of half a day with neighbors and friends. They were able to attend two long services in church on the Sabbath. and to stand through the longest prayer that was ever offered."* There was present in the early society not only the plain virtue of helpfulness, but there were some homes that without losing this, foreshadowed the culture which today is Hudson's crown of glory.

The fathers of the colony werc not men of learning or of courtly demeanor. With tastes formed by the experiences ot New England farm life, and the echoes of that controversial conflict which was characterized more by the power exhibited than by the culture of the combatants, their intellectual tastes preferred "sound common sense'• to the elegant accomplishments. But they brought with them an earnest appreciation of and desire for educational advantages. which attracted those like-minded, and early cast over the community here an air of culture that was to be found i nowhere else on the Reserve. By the permission of Miss Emily Metcalf, we are permitted to look in upon one of these early homes, which ' she has sketched with such a .. tender grace." Mrs. Metcalf came to Hudson in 1814. :: The first ten years of her married life were spent in a house of hewed logs. its four rooms neatly hung with newspapers ; an article only procured

*Memoir of Mrs. Lnry D. Brown, widow of I{arman Hinsdale and Owen Brown.

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in sufficient numbers through the generosity of her ministerial friends and her legal friend, Judge Parkman. Its windows were of glass instead of oiled paper. which ranked the appointments of the house as decidedly superior, nor was it wanting in a certain air of refinement, which could not be absent from a house of which she was mistress. The house stood near the woods. a mile from the nearest neighbor. Wild animals from the forest often ventured near, and Indians frequently called to light the pipe and beg a mug of cider. Her husband's ride in the practice of medicine was over several contiguous counties. * * * At such times the wife, left alone with her small children, had no diversion from intense solicitude except in reading; and, in the scarcity of books and papers of general interest, she resorted to her husband's medical library In the long nights, when anxiety forbade sleep to the defenseless wife and mother. these medical works were read and re-read. until, without aiming at such acquisition. she had gained a very creditable knowledge of medicine. which became of great value to her. both in rearing her own family. and in kindly offices for the sick in other families. when her services were ever esteemed above price." Mrs. Metcalf, before her marriage, had pursued a course of study in the academy at Westfield. Mass. Here her fine mental powers, stimulated by that unquenchable thirst for knowledge which characterized her whole life. ranked her high in every department of study. Especially did the artistic chord in her nature respond rejoicingly to the aesthetic culture of the school, and, after a period of nearly sixty years (1870), she leaves as heirlooms several paintings and pieces of finest ornamental needle-work. executed by herself at that time."*

Dr. Jonathan Metcalf came to Hudson in 1812. After a long tour of inspection on horseback, he came to Aurora. and was about to leave for Pittsburgh. when he was met by David Hudson, who persuaded him to visit the Hudson settlement. The place pleased him, and he took up his abode with Mr. Hudson on the 6th of June. Two weeks later, the little community was startled by the intelligence that war had been declared with Great Britain. The militia which had been formed a few years previous were ordered out. A company formed

* Memoir of Abigail L. Metcalf.

from Hudson and the several adjoining townships, had its headquarters here, and was under the command of Amos Lusk as Captain. A good deal of uneasiness prevailed in this frontier settlement, although there seemed no necessity for any public measure of safety save to remain constantly on the alert. Late one Saturday evening in August, a messenger from Newburg entered Mr. Hudson's house, bringing the news of Hull's surrender, and the further rumor that the British and Indians in great numbers were making their way down the lake in flatboats.

The whole community was thrown at once into a fever of excitement. Preparations were made for placing the women and children in a place of safety, and the company of militia was summoned to their place of rendezvous. On the Sabbath morning following, Capt. Lusk paraded his company on the green, prepared to act upon the first information or order, when a messenger from the Committee of Public Safety at Cleveland announced that the forces approaching were the paroled troops of Gen. Hull. At this juncture, Capt. Lusk called for a volunteer to carry the news to Warren, to which Dr. Metcalf responded. as lie was provided with a good riding horse. "There was then only a bridle path by marked trees to Warren, and no bridges across the streams, and he was an entire stranger to the country. He left Hudson about 11 o'clock with a letter of introduction from Capt. Lusk to Col. Edwards. of Warren. and rode forty miles on a sultry August day, swimming the Mahoning River two or three times, the water coming nearly to the seat of the saddle. He real reached Warren about dark, found Col. Edwards at the house of Gen. Perkins, delivered his communication, and was invited to stay all night at the house of the former. In the morning he found an Eastern acquaintance who was trading in Warren, who informed him that Col. Cotgrave. who was then encamped with his regiment on the common. under marching orders, had raised a great excitement the preceding night. It was alleged that Metcalf was a British officer in disguise, and had brought the message to delay the marching of the regiment and gain time for the British. It was intimated, moreover, that if he had not enjoyed the protection of Col. Edwards, his life would probably have been sacrificed by the excited

430 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

soldiers."* Fortunately, the excitement was allayed by morning, and Mr. Metcalf returned to Hudson in safety. Capt. Lusk's company was ordered a little later to old Portage under Gen. Wadsworth's command. and afterward to Huron and Sandusky. being out some three months, but saw no active service. While in the service. Dr. Metcalf accompanied them as Surgeon in charge. These troops were armed with such weapons as each man owned, and something of their effectiveness may he learned from an incident that occurred at old Portage. A company of some twenty men practicing in firing by platoons found only one gun that did not miss the at the first shot. The peace establishment after the war was entered into with enthusiasm by the Hudson people. A company of light infantry " was organized, which was the pride of the colony and the envy of the regular militia at general musters in Ravenna.

The political organization of Hudson was very early. The settlement here was. at that time. the largest on the Reserve. and the townships of Stow. Boston, Twinsburg. Aurora and Mantua were attached to it for township purposes. It has been agreed among the original proprietors that the township should be named after its founder. and. in 1802. the Commissioners of Trumbull County. sitting at Warren. the county seat. organized this territory with the name of Hudson. On the 5th of April following, twenty electors gathered at the cabin of David Hudson. and elected Thaddeus Lacey. Township Clerk ; Heenan Oviatt, Ebenezer Sheldon and Abraham Thompson, Trustees ; Elias Harmon and. Samuel Bishop. Poormasters ; Aaron Norton. John Oviatt and Jotham Atwater, Fence Viewers ; Joel Gaylord and Elias Harmon. Appraisers of Houses ; George Kilbourne. Moses Pond and Moses Thompson. Supervisors of Highways ; Ebenezer Lister. Aaron Norton and Rufus Edwards, Constables. Of the election. Mr. Hudson was Chairman, and the voters were D. Hudson, J. Darrow, G. Darrow. Dr. Thompson. T. Lacey, William McKinley, A. Norton, H. Oviatt. E. Sheldon (of Aurora), E. Nobles, ' S. Bishop, J. Gaylord, A. Thompson. Deacon S. Thompson. Robert Walker (of Stow), Elias Harmon (of Mantua). Jotham Atwater. Moses Pond. Rufus Edwards and George Kilbourne. In 1801, Gov. St. Clair appointed Mr. Hudson,

* MSS. of Miss Emily Metcalf.

Justice of the Peace, and his first official act bears date of March 21, 1801, with the following entry on his docket " Issued a writ of arrest in favor of Thaddeus Lacey against Thomas and Daniel Judd. to balance book accounts : said Lacey having made oath that, in his opinion, he is in danger of losing the debt due him from said Judds." It is probable, that in his opinion he was mistaken. for there is no further entries upon that subject. or, in fact, in that year. His official services were called into requisition, however. during the latter part of that year. but hardly in a way to call for a docket entry. This was on the occasion of the marriage of George Darrow to Miss Olive Gaylord. which he legalized on the 11th of October. 1801. On the 5th of November following. he performed the same functions for Stephen Perkins and Miss Ruth Bishop. all of Hudson. These marriages were before provision had been made to record such events, and they are found noted upon the fly-leaf of an old laud record book in the Recorders office at Warren. In the first case. Mr. Hudson is said to have been considerably embarrassed. and was obliged to correct himself repeatedly before he could satisfy himself that he had discharged his duty iii the premises. The lady in the case did not exhibit so much trepidation, and showed her housewifely care, by dropping the hand of the groom at a critical point, and proceeding across the room removed a "thief " that was " guttering " the candle. On resuming her position. the ceremonies went on. The story is told of her. that a little later. when the first census taker called on her with his usual bundle of interrogations, her only response was. " George and I live here." and with this the enumerator was forced to satisfy himself. The year previous. log schoolhouse had been erected, and this served for years in the threefold capacity of meeting, town and school house. The early records are in an excellent state of preservation, but they present nothing of any interest to the present generation. There was very little parade made by the governing powers. and. save the recording of ear-marks." and noting the proceedings of each "annual meeting," there was no call for records. The April election was an important event, however, in the township, and was scrupulously attended by the male portion of the community. The business was generally

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opened with prayer, and the day spent as a holiday. After surveying the whole township into one hundred lots, following the plan of New England villages, the proprietors laid out a public square on the geographical center of the township. This consisted of two acres in a square form, taken equally from the converging corners of Lots Nos. 45, 55, 56 and 46. There was, then, according to the record, " laid out to the proprietors of said town of Hudson, of mechanic lots, each lot containing two and a half acres, being 5.00 square, bounded south on the east and west center line ; west on Lot No. 54 ; north on the remaining part of David Hudson's Lot No. 55 ; east on the public green ; said lots taken off 5.00 wide from the south side of said Hudson's Lot, No. 55. Also seven mechanic lots laid off from the south side of Lot No. 56 ; bounded west on the public green ; north on the remaining part of said Hudson's Lot No. 56 ; east on Lot No. 57 ; south on east and west center line ; each lot containing two and one-half acres. being 5.00 square. Also seven mechanic lots taken from the north side of Lot No. 46 ; bounded west on the public green ; north on the east-and-west center line ; east on Lot No. 47 ; south the remaining part of Lot No. 46 ; the above said mechanic lots divided by posts and lines at 5.00 distance. Thaddeus Lacey. surveyor : David Hudson. agent for proprietors." The earliest road which opened this settlement to the outside world was that one leading to the boat landing in Boston on the Cuyahoga. This was the only outlet, and was used for several years. In 1802. Edward Payne laid out what is known under the various titles of Aurora road. Payne road or Old State road. form Painesville to Chillicothe, then the capital of the State. This passed through Kirtland, Chester. Bainbridge, Aurora, Hudson, etc. It entered the latter township where the Aurora road does, and followed its course until it struck the village, when it changed its course and followed the center road south, about a mile from the village, where it branched off to the southwest, touching a little later Cuyahoga Falls and then on to old Portage. About the same time. or perhaps a little earlier, the road from Cleveland to Canton passed through Hudson on the north-and-south center road, which is yet known as the Cleveland road. It was in this year also (1802) that Mr. Hudson, at the request of Capt. Olmsted, the proprietor of Franklin Township, laid out the Ravenna j road. The work was set on foot by petition to the Commissioners in February, and it was the last of December before he was ready to build a bridge where the road crossed the Cuyahoga River. On the 31st of December, he secured 1 nine volunteers—S. Bishop, E. Lindley, W. McKinley, A. Thompson, H. Oviatt, M. Parker, G. Darrow, W. Leach and T. Lacey, to accompany him to construct a bridge across the " Narrows," near the scene of Brady's leap. This was no slight undertaking, poorly provided as they were with tools and machinery. A tree standing on the bank near at hand was first felled across the stream, and with this start, aided by three yoke of cattle and some volunteers from Ravenna, the structure was completed in two days, and was the first bridge constructed in this vicinity. The men took their provisions with them, camping out until their work was accomplished, and though each one thought he was contributing his labor, Mr. Hudson secured them pay at 50 cents per day. The general line of this road is still marked by Ravenna street and its extension. Some years afterward, the east-and-west center road was extended to Warren. The town thus early made accessible, took on a vigorous growth. The road thus laid out brought considerable through travel to Hudson, which could not fail to build up its business interests. A stage route was established from Cleveland to Pittsburgh as early as 1825. passing through Hudson. Jabez Gilbert was the earliest of a long line of stage-drivers who are remembered by the older residents of the place. He drove at first a two-horse vehicle, which with the increase of business was exchanged for one drawn by the regular four-in-hand, with frequently a half-dozen extras " following it. The great drawback to this enterprise here as elsewhere, was the almost impassible condition of the roads during the inclement seasons. These were often in places too muddy to travel at all, and it was a common occurrence for teams passing on the Aurora road to make a detour on the high ground that is found to the north of it.

The first mill in this part of the country was at Newburg, which was erected by W. W. Williams in 1800. The Hudson colonists brought considerable flour with them, and were forced occasionally to go to considerable distances to renew the supply before they secured a harvest,

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Dr. Thompson going at one time to Georgetown on the Ohio River, a distance of eighty miles. The first harvest was derived from the nine acres which Mr. Hudson had sown in 1799. The yield was 183 bushels. one-fourth of which Lacey got for harvesting and threshing. The balance was apportioned among the proprietors as follows : " Birdseye Norton. one-half and one-half a quarter, 85.25 bushels ; Hudson. one-quarter, 34.10 bushels ; Oviatt. Parmele and Baldwin, one-eight, 17.5 bushels." The wheat was all used in the colony, however. and what was not lost was ground at the Newburg mill. " To go to mill " was a three days' task ; two consumed on the journey of twenty miles and return, and one in waiting for the grist. The first load of wheat was taken to mill by Samuel Bishop, in February. 1801. under a bargain of receiving one-half for his trouble. He was obliged to set out shortly after a rain. and arriving at Tinker's Creek he found the stream considerably swollen by the rainfall. He ventured to cross, however, but found the current too strong for him, and he got back to shore. losing his entire load of wheat, and barely saving his oxen and sled. At another time Dr. Thompson and William Leach undertook the task of going to the same mill in the spring of the year. They had three yoke of oxen and a cart. The river was high and the current strong, but they urged their team across. The lead cattle soon began to swim. then the second yoke, and soon the third yoke and cart. Fortunately the first yoke had by this time gained their footing and enabled the others to successively come to the shallower water. But the cart swinging down stream with the current, and not being a seaworthy craft, lost its load of wheat, and barely carried the drivers through in safety. The Doctor was not thus brought to the end of his resources. He bought some wheat for which he gave his note, got it ground. and returned with his flour to find the stream lower and fordable. It was not possible for all to go to this expense for flour. Corn was substituted for wheat and smashed in wooden mortars, i. e., a stump with a hole burned in it with a long wooden pestle attached to a spring pole. More of it was prepared on what was called " blood mills," a tin grater made by punching holes in a piece of old tin, then giving it a curve and nailing it to a piece of board. The community was placed under such disadvantages but a short time. In preparing for the settlement, Mr. Hudson had not forgotten this important feature of frontier life. and in his first bills of articles, mill-stones were prominent items. But who put up the first mill in Hudson is as variously claimed as the killing of "Cock Robin." In 1801, Ezra Wyatt and Aaron Norton commenced building mills on Tinker's Creek. in the northeast part of this township. From evidence gathered from the account-books of Mr. Hudson. though not clear. it is made probable that Mr. Wyatt began this undertaking alone, encouraged and assisted by Mr. Hudson. An entry without date is as follows : " Have been at the expense of furnishing all Wyatt's provisions and laborers. and all things necessary to build one-half of the mills, and to take my payment in boards one, two, three and four years hence, without interest. Also I have engaged to make him a free gift of 100 acres of land to encourage him to go on with the mills after the discovery of quicksand." Notwithstanding this liberal subsidy, Mr. Wyatt became tired of his undertaking. and Mr. Norton took his place, the former going to Cleveland. The saw-mill was completed for business that fall, and the grist-mill so that it would grind, but not bolt, in the spring of 1802. not far from the 18th of April. A distillery was started in connection with the mills soon afterward. and the whole business run in the name of Hudson & Norton. It stood but a year or two. when the whole establishment was destroyed by fire in the latter part of 1803. Norton. in 1806, built mills on Mud Brook in Northampton, and two years later built others in Middlebury. Deacon Thompson built a saw-mill immediately after the destruction of the Norton mill, on the site of the present Holmes mill. This stood until it rotted down, and was then replaced by Augustus Baldwin. and subsequently two others were built upon the same site. Joel Gaylord also erected a mill not far from the same time that Deacon Thompson put up his, which was replaced by George Leach, who at different times built two other mills Breakneck Creek. The coming of Owen Brown in 1805, introduced another industry that was second only to the mills in its usefulness to the new settlement. He was a tanner by trade, and at once set about preparing to ply his trade here. He sank his vats a little west of the village, and made a good market for such skins

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as the settlers derived from the game. A few years afterward, he and his son John, known better to fame in later years through his aggressive opposition to the slave-power, started another northwest of the village near where Morris Johnson now lives. George Kilbourne essayed the same business about a mile and a half south of the town on the Center road. It was not a very extensive affair ; vats were sunk and a well dug. and some sheds erected, but no great amount of business was done. The well and the signs of the vats still mark the spot. Some time afterward, Asahel Kilbourne started a tannery on the run which passes Sherman Thompson's house. choosing a site just across where the railroad now runs. This was a more vigorous institution. and continued for some years. The most successful business in this line, however. was probably clone by William Dobbs. He came here from Canton, and, purchasing the Brown tannery, extended the trade, and carried it on until the development of the country grew beyond his reach. and the business passed into the category of lost arts in this community. Another branch of the manufactturing business. which subserved an excellent purpose in those pioneer times was an ashery, established. and conducted by Hillis & James, early merchants in Hudson. Here the ashes . of the settler's hearth and log-heaps were converted into "potash. pearl-ash and black salts." and made to serve him again in its new form.

The social customs of the time. and the only avenue of foreign trade. made the distilling of liquor an early and profitable business. Oviatt. who commenced trading with Indians as early as 1801. found whisky not only a legal tender for whatever he eared to buy. but a commodity in very lively demand by the natives. He built a distillery on the stream near Sherman Thompson's residence. but probably not until the Hudson & Norton distillery had burned down. This he continued for some years. but the sale of it to the Indians was forbidden by the Government, and he finally abandoned it. though it had proved very profitable to him. George Darrow erected another about 1815, where the Eagle Cheese Factory now stands, and manufactured rye and corn whisky for years, selling it at his place of business to such as wanted it. There was an abundant demand for it for years after the Indians had generally removed. Whisky was found everywhere in the early society, and none were "Puritanic' enough in their sentiments to object to its use. At the stores the customer found it "on tap," to use free of expense ; every social gathering was enlivened by its presence and use ; and even preachers and people drew nearer each other in a social glass. The good judgment of people was not blinded to the evil which was growing up in the shadow of this social custom, and a movement to curtail its use was begun by those who had used it freely for years. It began to be refused at house-raisings, perhaps, as early as 1820 or 1825, to the no small opposition of a considerable portion of the community. At one of these temperance raisings, it is said, the two elements of society met, and the opposition refused to let the building go up. They held on to the frame-work, until, by the redoubled efforts of the temperance men. who were in a majority, they were lifted off' the ground and the structure went up. In 1828 or 1830, the barn of Dr. Everett was raised without whisky and without opposition, the opposition staying away entirely. An incident is related of Rev. Randolph Stone which illustrates how strongly the habitual use of liquor had become fixed in the social intercourse of the time. Mr. Stone had taken a very pronounced position in favor of temperance, going to the extent of advising that all apple-trees should be destroyed to prevent the manufacture of cider. Soon after taking this position, he took some students to board that had come to attend the Western Reserve College, then just opened. and placed upon the table for their use. some "whisky and fennel." of which, however, he did not partake. This was probably from the force of habit and the desire to avoid the appearance of discourtesy, but was very soon abandoned.

The early years of the township did not demand a hotel to dispense its hospitality. Each pioneer entertained strangers as often without pecuniary remuneration as with it. But as the town grew in proportion and the through lines of travel were established through the place, there was a demand for an inn. Heman Oviatt first provided such entertainment at his cabin, a mile south of the village, but, about 1813, he preferred to confine his attention to the more lucrative business of trade, and persuaded Mr. Hudson to open his house to the public in this way, and this was perhaps the first regular inn in the village. This was at the house where

434 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

Mrs. Harvey Baldwin now resides. Mrs. Baldwin, when a girl, often presided at the bar, and the fare dispensed in those days may be inferred from the fact that on one occasion the whole female force of the family was occupied the whole day in baking " corn pones " for the consumption of their guests. In 1816 or thereabouts, George Kilbourne offered "entertainment for man and beast " where Justin Kilbourne now lives ; some years afterward—about 1825—Augustus Baldwin opened a hotel in the house where Mrs. Buss at present resides, and another was kept by George Darrow at the present residence of William Darrow. The "Mansion House," the only survivor of this race of public benefactors, was built in 1830, for Samuel Edgerly. It was afterward put into a lottery by Mr. Hertzell and disposed of, but who the fortunate possessor of the ticket was is not revealed. A long line of hosts have entertained the public here, among whose names appear those of Edgerly, Hertzell. Shields, Wadhain and Houton, the present host. In the palmy days of the stage business, the Mansion House was a place of consequence. and attracted a large crowd of patrons of the stage and idle lookers-on, which of late years has been transferred to the railway station.

Business beginnings found their start with Heman Oviatt a mile south of the center of the township. His trade was at first confined chiefly to the Indians. who, so long as they remained, were his most valuable customers. When he had accumulated skins enough to make two good-sized bales, he would load them on a horse across a pack-saddle. and take them to Pittsburgh, which was his nearest market. His return load was made up of shawls, blankets, powder, lead and whisky. The latter he soon made himself and avoided transportation, and gradually worked into the sale of commodities to the settlers. About 1806, he came to the “Center " and opened up his business, more especially for the patronage of the settlement occupying the front room of the Grosvenor House in later years. He was a keen business man, requiring the last cent in a bargain, but just as ready to pay it when he agreed to do so. A story is told of him which illustrates the former characteristic of his dealings. In the course of some dealing with a member of the settlement he had taken a note for $1.01, which was nothing unusual in those clays of fractionalcents and petty dealings. A short time afterward, the drawer of the note handed Oviatt $l which he accepted with some hesitation, and, after some cogitation, said, I suppose you want this indorsed on your note, don't you, John ? " He was always on the alert for a safe business venture, and, in the fall of 1815, he put in $1,000 into a partnership with Zenas Kent, the latter furnishing $500 more and setting up a store in Ravenna, which proved a " paying " business. He was a partner with Alison Kent in Canfield and with Roswell Kent in Middlebury. He retired from business about 1825, and is remembered as a close bargainer, strictly honest and successful in business. In 1812, the business circle of Hudson received a valuable accession in the Baldwin brothers. Pomeroy Baldwin. after the death of his father, came to Hudson in 1811, to look after the property the family owned here. He remained but a short time, and returned to his home in Goshen in company with Mr. Hudson. The journey was made in a "pung " sleigh. with conveniently shaped roots as runners. In the following year, Augustus and Frederick came to Hudson. arriving on the 12th of June, bringing with them Dudley Humphrey. who had shipped a lot of boots and shoes as a speculation. The Baldwins proposed to open up a business in dry goods, and all the goods were shipped from Buffalo. whither they had brought them with two teams. Seventeen days were consumed in reaching Buffalo from Goshen. The distance from the former place to Cattaraugus Creek, thirty-two miles, was accomplished in a single day, which was considered a remarkable event. Their store was built near the site of C. H. Buss' present store, and, in 1827, they put up that building. The character of the early trade may be imagined ; cotton cloth, three-quarters of a yard wide, sold for 50 cents ; 75 cents for the yard-wide cloth. At that rate, it took three days' work to buy a shirt. The Baldwins built Mechanics' Hall about 1830. This was a frame building, placed in the rear of where Buss' store now stands, and, in accordance win the original plan of the founders of the town, was occupied by the mechanics of the place. Here was the shop of the shoemaker, the tailor and cabinet-maker, " to their majesties," the popular sovereigns of Hudson. This formal arrangement did not last long, and each workman was soon found where

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inclination or favorable circumstances suggested to him. Before this, the tanners were shoe and harness makers as well, and it was the custom to cat whip it " throughout the community,

i. e., the workman went to each family with his kit of tools, and worked up the leather which each provident citizen provided for the family, shoes and such harness as he needed. Among the early blacksmiths were Treat (who afterward went to Aurora), Ruggles, Perley Mansur, and Hinsdale who came here in 1814. The Baldwin brothers changed the members of the firm several times. one brother and another retiring until they were succeeded by J. H. Crawford & Co.. who gave way to Hillis & James, whom Mr. Buss followed in occupying the store. Mr. Augustus Baldwin went to Franklin Mills 1836, to engage in the banking business, and his brother Frederick to farming in Hudson.

In 1830, A. A. Brewster came from Ravenna and opened a store in a building which has since been enlarged and used by Mr. Farwell as a blacksmith-shop. Soon afterward he moved into a building on the corner of Main and Aurora streets, where the present brick building was erected. Mr. Brewster first began business here in partnership with Zenas Kent. of Ravenna, the latter being represented solely by his capital. Mr. Kent came to Hudson in the spring of 1814, and settled on Darrow street. He came. it is said. with his wife, in a one-horse peddling wagon. bringing in some goods. He worked the first summer at the carpenter's trade. and in the winter taught school. In the following fall he went to Ravenna and opened up business with Oviatt. where he amassed considerable property, buying out his partner and conducting the business alone for years. In 1833, he reciprocated the interest of Oviatt, and induced Mr. Brewster to come to Hudson under a similar arrangement. The latter purchased Mr. Kent's interest, and, in 1855, admitted D. D. Beebe as partner, who eventually succeeded to full control and still conducts the business. About the same time with the coming of Kent & Brewster came Hamlin & Dawes, which changed later to firm name of Hamlin & Ellsworth, and then to Ellsworth & Buss, and, finally, to John Buss alone. Mr. Buss came to Hudson in 1833, to attend college, but, his health failing, he went South. Returning, he entered the store of Kent & Brewster, and, about 1841, entered into business with Ellsworth in thepresent old bakery building. While here the firm changed to Buss & Bond ; and, in 1845, Mr. Buss bought the store where his son, C. H. Buss, succeeded him in the business, which he still continues. The only attempt at banking in Hudson was by Mr. Brewster, who furnished facilities for collection and discount of commercial paper in connection with his dry goods business. He continued it only a few years.

Up to 1851, Hudson's only means of communication with the outside world was such as the dirt roads afforded, and these for a large part of the year were nearly impassable for light vehicles, not to mention heavy-ladened wagons. Yet, in spite of these disadvantages incident to an inland town, the village gradually increased in size and importance. and the projected railroad from Cleveland to Pittsburgh, which was agitated some time previous to 1851, did much to increase its prosperity. The first charter granted for this road expired by limitation, because it was not used ; but, in 1846, it was renewed. The people of Hudson took a great interest in this movement, and subscriptions were made to the extent of the people's ability, Judge Sylvester H. Thompson being one of the commissioners appointed on behalf of the State. In 1850, the road was finished to this place, and the people and the members of the Legislature received the first train in Hudson with great rejoicings in 1850. The business men and citizens of all classes became enthusiastic over the future prospects of the village, and an enterprise was at once put on foot to construct another line of railroad, one that should connect New York with Omaha direct. The plan was to combine a number of separate lines through New York and Pennsylvania to the Ohio line. From this point, it was proposed to build the Clinton Air Line along the line surveyed years before for the Clinton Canal, to Hudson. The plan further proposed an extension" west from this village to Toledo, and one to Omaha. During this movement, the " Akron Branch " of the Pittsburgh road was completed to Akron, and Hudson seemed right in the direct line of preferment. The Clinton Air Line was particularly a Hudson enterprise, and some $200,000 were subscribed in stock, and some of the citizens prominent on the Board of Directors. The work was pushed with vigor, and some $18,000 expended on the roadbed in this township.

436 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

This activity in railroad matters stimulated business circles in the little village into a perfect frenzy of speculation. Henry N. Day, who came to Hudson as a Professor in the college, and who had some capital. went into business, and put up the Pentagon at a cost of $18,000, in 1840–50. It was occupied by Sawyer, Ingersoll & Co.. Mr. Day constituting the " company." This firm launched into the publishing business on the broadest scale. The town was known as an intellectual center. and a paper of considerable influence had been published here for years, and the firm proposed to build up a large publishing house. All branches of the business were undertaken. and proved successful so long as they confined their attention to jobbing. Ambitious. however. to gain a reputation as publishers. they began to publish on their own account, and soon found their capital locked up in unprofitable books. The firm then changed hands, and D. Marshall & Co. took the business. The change brought no increase of capital to the concern, and it soon changed to the Hudson Book Company. which finally made an assignment. In the west part of the building. J. W. Smith & Co. opened a dry goods store about the same time. Prof. Day and Jeremiah Day. of New York City, forming the company. This firm. possessed by the same spirit of peculation. expanded their operations to the fullest extent, trusting to the realizations of the future to justify their risks. in the meanwhile. large accessions to the population of the village were attracted, and every house was crowded. Rents and property were high. and the demand was for more houses. At this juncture, a planing mill and lumber company was formed to cater to this demand for more buildings. Smith was the prime mover in this enterprise, and the business was planned on a large scale. A $10,000 stock of lumber was secured, houses were built for everybody on easy terms, and the village bid fair to become a city on the strength of railroad promises. All this business activity exacted a large expenditure of money, and far in excess of what the persons engaged in the operations possessed. But they had friends who were easily convinced that the future of Hudson was assured, and readily advanced large sums of money. In addition to this outlay, the promoters of these projects were also deeply interested in the success of the Clinton Air Line Railroad, and weresubscribers to a large amount, as were most of the moneyed citizens.

All this activity and expenditure was crowded into the space of some five or six years, and. before that time had elapsed, the suspicion began to be entertained that neither the present nor future of the village warranted this extravagant outlay of capital. Public faith in the final completion of the new railroad began to waver, the terrible strain upon the authors of this artificial business activity began to be observed, and the whole commercial fabric of the village, like a great wall tottering to its fall. seemed about to end in a crash. The end soon came. as it might have been foreseen. perhaps, from the beginning. There was one assignment after another, until not only was all of the overestimated business wiped out, but all business received such a shock as to require several years to rally. The lumber company suspended with 835.000 liabilities. and J. W. Smith. who was active in all these enterprises. retired with $100.000 liabilities and $80.000 nominal assets. On the heels of all this came the realization of the worst forebodings of the Clinton Railroad. involving not only a loss of all subscriptions. but a liability for an equal amount in addition. Fortunately. by the misplacement of some records. the Hudson. subscribers escaped from the full penalty of their enterprise in this matter. or the whole business community would have been financially annihilated. Belonging to this period, though in no way connected with the movers in other enterprises. were J. C. Snyder and I. C. Dowd, produce merchants. who, attracted by the business activity of the village, linked their fortunes with the place. The latter built a warehouse near the depot. and both did considerable business, but, in the end. they only served to swell the general disaster. Tallmadge & Jaynes' grist-mill, built on the Brandywine Creek. where the Cleveland & Pittsburgh road crosses the stream, was built in 1852 or 1853. Though suffering in the general depression, it did not cease altogether. It changed into the hands of a Mr. Wilson, and after an existence of some ten or twelve years was destroyed by fire.

Singularly enough, in this prostration of business are found the beginning of some of the largest enterprises of the present. After a tedious litigation, the planing-mill property fell

HUDSON TOWNSHIP - 437

into the hands of Osborne, Dunham & Co., who fitted it up and manufactured the Buckeye Land Roller, and, later, with Benjamin Wheelock, manufactured chairs. The business did not prove successful, and the property came into the hands of Mr. Wheelock alone, and, in the fall of 1873, Jacob Miner put in two run of stone, and fitted it up for milling purposes, taking a share in the whole property. Through Wheelock's business embarrassment, the property once more fell into the hands of the law and the Sheriff. It has finally become the property of A. R. Hurd. It has since been improved by the addition of two new run of stone and otherwise improved to the capacity of fifty barrels per day. It is rented by the Hudson Mill Company, and. does a large custom business, filling any spare time on a light jobbing trade which they have fallen into rather than built up.

On the ruins of the old Pentagon enterprises is now established the flourishing factory business of S. Straight & Son. The senior partner of this firm was, at the time of the Hudson depression, a member of the firm of Straight, Demming & Co., commission merchants of Cincinnati, and had done considerable business with the produce dealers here. One of the the Hudson dealers becoming involved. secured the Cincinnati firm on a part of this property here. which, in the end. was bid in for the Cincinnati house. Subsequently. when Mr. Straight retired from active relations with the Cincinnati business. this property attracted his attention to Hudson. and was influential in determining his locating here. He began the cheese-factory business in Hudson in 1867, by the purchase of two and the building of one factory. He secured the Pentagon building and fitted it up with shelving for 13.000 cheeses for his business, at a cost of about $7,000 ; later, admitted his son to the business. and has enlarged the business from year to year, until now the firm owns and operates thirteen cheese-factories, making the milk of over 6,000 cows into 30,000 cheeses annually. In 1878, the firm erected a large brick curing-house in the rear of the Pentagon, 60x60 feet. with two stories and a basement, at a cost of $10,000. This building is supplied with an engine and boilers, steam elevators, three large exhaust fans, and shelving for 12,000 cheeses. The basement has storage capacity for 230,000pounds of butter. An ice-house, with a storage capacity of 450 tons of ice, is provided with a series of pipes through which the air is drawn by the exhaust fans for the cooling of the curing-house. In addition to the large amount of cheese manufactured by this firm, they buy immense quantities in Illinois and elsewhere, shipping it East or storing it in their buildings in Hudson until the market will warrant its shipment. The firm employs sixty-five hands, and buys all the milk of the farmers, each factory working up the milk of from two hundred and fifty to six hundred cows. The capital invested in fixtures is estimated at $100,000, and the business of the firm is rated among the few large Western firms in this business.

Closely connected, historically, with these enterprises is the Hudson Butter-Tub and Cheese-Box Company. In 1870, Mr. E. A. Osborne, in connection with E. Croy, built a small building and started this business. These gentlemen had a connection with the enterprises that preceded the grist-mill and withdrew to supply the demand which the cheese trade of S. Straight & Son began to make. The business rapidly developed, and seven or eight hands were constantly employed in the manufacture of cheese-boxes. In 1873, the machinery for the manufacture of butter-tubs was added. and the business prosecuted together until 1878. when the partnership was dissolved. The firm is now E. A. Osborne & Sons. They turn out in the busy season about one hundred tubs and two hundred cheese-boxes per day. The timber is taken in the log and worked up with little waste, the parts unsuitable for the boxes and tubs are worked up into staves, heading and spokes. The business demands an outlay of about $300 per month. Their boxes are sold principally to S. Straight & Son; the tubs are sold in Chicago, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Closely adjoining is the saw-mill and cheese-box works of E. Croy, who established an independent business on the dissolution of partnership in 1878. This covers the manufacturing business of the village at present, save the Oviatt Manufacturing Company. This company was organized in January, 1878, for the purpose of manufacturing the " Oviatt Grain-Thresher," the " Common-Sense Wagon," and the " Independent Runner Sled." The patents are held by S. E. Oviatt and it was

438 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

proposed to build up a manufacturing enterprise of considerable extent. The company was composed of eight members, principally mechanics, on the cooperative plan. In a short time, four of the company bought the stock of the other four, but a lack of the necessary capital has greatly restricted the enterprise thus far. Their products have met with abundant encouragement wherever placed upon the market, and the expectation is that at no distant day the necessary capital will be secured and the business developed.

Meanwhile. the "internal improvements" of the de facto village had kept pace with its business enterprise. The earliest frame building was the barn of Mr. Hudson. built almost entirely of black walnut lumber, sawed at Norton's mill. This was followed. in 1806. by the house which Mrs. Baldwin now owns and occupies as a residence. These pioneer frame buildings were soon followed by others as there was neither a dearth of timber nor scarcity of mills. In 1826, the college was established and the buildings, gradually put up, improving the appearance of the town and stimulating its citizens to build more comely structures for dwellings. The soil rendered the supply of brick in-exhaustible and cheap. The brick needed for the spacious hearths and great chimneys of Mr. Hudson's house, were made by a Mr. Lyon on the site now occupied by the Atheneum. the mud being tramped into condition for molding by two yoke of oxen. The first brick dwelling was put up by Julian Lusk. on the site occupied by Farrar's Block, and ante-dated the college buildings some three years, being erected in 1823. An early brick house and perhaps the second one was that erected by Asahel Kilbourne and now occupied by Sherman P. Thompson, situated south of the village. The college brought a large accession to the population of the village, and the village began to expand. It was the design of the founders that the town should gather about the geographical center of the township. but there were several obstacles in the way. The ground toward the south was low and undesirable for dwellings and the owners of these lands were rather reluctant to sell in small parcels. and the village early began to extend northward and eastward to the higher ground. The location of the college buildings, secured by a liberal donation of land by Mr. Hudson, had something to do with the direction in which the expansion of the village took. With all this growth, however, such improvements as municipal government grants to a community, was left to the voluntary action of the people without any very great results, and it was not long before the citizens began to agitate the desirability of securing a village de jure. with its advantages in this respect. On April 1, 1837. an act of the Legislature was signed. incorporating the village to be known thereafter as "The town of Hudson." The boundaries. inclosing an area one mile by one and a half miles. are described in the act as follows : " Beginning at the southwest corner of the herein contemplated corporation limits. at a stake and stones 160 poles west of the north-and-south center road. leading through said township of Hudson. and 240 poles south from the east-and-west center road. running through said township : thence from said southwest corner. running north in a line parallel with said north-and-south center road 480 poles to a stake and stones : thence east in a line parallel with said east-and-west, center road. 320 poles : thence south in a line parallel with the west line. 480 poles to a stake and stones ; thence in a line parallel with the north line. 320 poles to the place of beginning. These limits have not been found to interfere with the metropolitan aspirations of the village. and no extensions have been made. A few u n important additions have been platted on the Aurora road. and somewhat built up. but there has been no positive demand on the part of the owners of this property to he admitted to a, share in the municipal taxes.

The first election under the act of incorporation was held on the first Tuesday in May. 1837. resulting in the choice of Henan Oviatt as Mayor ; Lyman Hall, Recorder ; Frederick Baldwin. John B. Clarke. Jesse Dickenson. Harvey Baldwin. Daniel C. Gaylord. Trustees. The largest number of votes received by any candidate was nineteen. The records of the Board of Trustees. or, in more modern phrase. of the Council. are devoid of any particular interest in the early years. One or two entries, ; however, afford a striking illustration of the vanity of all aspirations for wealth. when they appear on the tax lists. The real estate valuation of the village, in 1837, was placed at $93,967.58. and personal property at $19,474: in 1844, the next entry of the tax list, the real es-

HUDSON TOWNSHIP - 439

tate had shrunk to $30,427, and the personal property to $12,177. The attention of the Council during the first eight or ten years was to sidewalks and streets. The latter had been pretty well provided for by land owners before the incorporation of the village, and needed but little attention in the way of originating highways. The sidewalks was a subject of more portentous proportions, and gave the average Councilman no end of worry. It was first ordained that the sidewalks should by constructed of brick, four feet wide, and curbed with heavy timbers," plank was afterward allowed as a substitute for the brick, and represents the character of nine-tenths of the sidewalks in the town at this day. Stock was " ordered off the streets," and a " pound " provided for, at the first meeting of the Council, but it was a year before the structure was ready to serve the public. and cost about $20 In 1852. the first step was taken to improve the public square. As early as 1812, the tendency of the village to extend northward was observed, and the Township Trustees took steps to modify the " public green" to suit the new or of things. By exchanging portions of the original green. that portion of the green above Church street was secured. Nothing was clone to improve it save to clear it of the timber until 1852. The Council then provided a fence, seventy-four trees and had it plowed, sowed to oats and " seeded down." In 1854. the subject of proper protection from tire came before the Council. Neither the township nor village had suffered severely from fire. if the terrible fatality in connection with the destruction of the cabin of Nathaniel Stone, in 1845. is excepted. Mr. Stone was one of the early settlers. and was then occupying a cabin where his son. Roswell Stone. lives. when it caught fire. A son and daughter occupied the upper chambers. and. when they were aroused. the stairway was in flames, having ignited from the fireplace. The chambers were filled with smoke. but the son. making his way to a window, escaped ; but the daughter, some twenty-two years of age, stifled with smoke and bewildered with fright, was too late, and perished in the flames. Undoubtedly this tragedy made a lasting impression. and the growing village rendered the danger of fires more threatening. A small. rotary engine was bought at Middlebury, but before it was paid for the anthorities desired to " back out." The seller would not accede to their wishes in this matter, and the coffee mill affair was brought to scare the fire fiend away. Reservoirs were constructed from time to time, but the inadequacy of the engine became more and more apparent, and, in 1858, the Council bought the present machine of Button & Blake. The pumps are 9 and 7 inches, 17 1/2 foot brakes, 16-foot suction hose, and wheels of 28 and 35 inches diameter. The cost was $725. The company organized to work the first engine took this in charge, and of this organization the fire department consists today. There is a chief of the department, and the company is allowed a small remuneration for attending the fires that occur. The engine-house is found in the rear of the Congregational Church, to to which it belongs, but is given rent-free to the village so long as it is used as an engine-house and the machine kept there. In 1879, the Council reorganized this department, proposing to pay each member $ 1 each six months, provided that the number should not exceed forty. In 1870, the corporation rose to the dignity of a " lock-up." This was situated upon a corner of the school-lot. and was a wooden affair. with some iron supports about the windows, erected at a cost of some $125. It fell into disrepute with certain citizens, and was set on fire, it is supposed, by some one who had had a more intimate acquaintance with it than he enjoyed. and totally destroyed. An effort was put forth by the Council this year to improve the streets by the use of cinders from the rolling mills at Cleveland. This material was bought at the mills at $1.50 per car. and freighted here by rail at $6 per car load. A part of Main and College streets were treated with a layer of this material. covered with gravel from the vicinity of the village, with very beneficial results. Some portions of other streets have been treated in like manner, with some variation in the price of' materials. In 1877. lamps for lighting the streets were provided. on condition that certain parties who were chiefly benefited would supply the material for the lighting and care for the lights. A year later the Council took the matter into their own hands ; and from a start of thirteen lamps, in 1877, the number has doubled at the present. In 1878. the subject of a town hall began to be agitated. The Council had met in various

440 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

rooms and offices about town, and after the lock-up was burned, there was no provision for municipal criminals, and the demand seemed to be pressing. The Township Trustees took the . proposition in hand, and, after submitting the matter to a vote, made preparation for the erection of such a building. The Council then proposed to join with them and provide for the need of the corporation in the same structure. Such an agreement was made, the Council buying the site of the old Congregational Church for $800, and leasing it to the Township Trustees for ninety-nine years, in consideration of the latter providing a council-room and cells, with an upper hall open alike to both parties. The contract for the building was let in 1878 to Thomas Crisp and Charles W. Stewart, for $4,575, and finally a further allowance of $215 for extra work was paid. The building is a two-story brick, with a large hall on the second floor, neatly seated. and two rooms below for the use of Trustees and Council with two cells in the rear for corporation culprits. The first meeting of the Council in their new quarters was on November 11, 1879. The Council took action in May of this year to support a public reading-room and library. This project had been set on foot by private enterprise, but was likely to fail, and the Council stepped in and has maintained it since. There is no library in connection. although the original plan contemplated such an addition. Another department of the municipal government is the cemetery.

The original cemetery purchased by the Township Trustees was situated on the Brandy-wine Creek, southwest of the village. The first death in the settlement was that of Ira Nobles. a child eight years old, who died Aug. 23, 1801, and, it is supposed, was the first burial here. It was used as a burial-place until 1808, when, on the occasion of the death of Mrs. Owen Brown, it was found too wet, and Mr. Hudson effected an exchange for the ground on College street. Here Mrs. Brown, with a babe resting upon her arm, was the first occupant. This continued to be used until 1855, when Markellie laid out one in the northwest part of the village. At his death in 1869, he willed the ground to the corporation, ! the gift being accepted in the spring of that year. Since then it has been cared for by a regular appropriation. It has been enlarged since then, systematically laid out, and is the only place for burial in the corporation. Burials have been forbidden in the old burial ground on College street, and efforts have been made to remove the remains from that place, but it has been resisted hitherto. There are a number of cemeteries about the township, some private and others for neighborhood purposes. Of the latter, an acre contributed by Mr. O'Brien in the southwest part of the township and Maple Grove Cemetery. on Darrow street, are the more important.

Hudson village, of the present, is pleasantly situated, of some seventeen hundred in habitants, noted for its neat dwellings, its general air of culture, and the seat of the Western Reserve College. The business portion, situated principally on Main street and about the public green. consists of four general stores. four saloons, three hardware stores, three meat markets, five blacksmith-shops, three harness-shops, two groceries. two barber-shops, two drug stores, two wagon-shops, two livery stables. a bakery. millinery store, undertaker's establishment, boot and shoe store, merchant tailor store. jeweler's shop. and one hotel. Of the public buildings, there are three church buildings, the town hall and the Adelphi Hall, or better known as Farrar's Block. This is composed of two large store-rooms below, with offices on the second story, and a fine large hall which occupies the whole of the upper story. The hall has a seating capacity of 900, is provided with commodious dressing rooms, a spacious stage and fine scenery. Such a hall, accessible to an appreciative community, attracts some of the finest entertainments, and Hudson is favored far beyond the average village of its size. This block was erected in 1866 by C. W. Farrar and Dr. A. E. Berbower.

Hudson Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. No. 510, finds a home here. Its lodge room is in the upper part of the old bakery building. The lodge was organized November 25. 1874, and worked under a dispensation until a charter was issued under date of October 18,1876. The first officers were Lewis Lemoin, W. M.; James K. Frost, S. W.; S. E. Judd, J. W. The charter 1 members were J. K. Frost, S. E. Judd. C. H. Buss, and twenty-one others. They have a fine rented hall pleasantly furnished. There was an early lodge established here, of which many of the prominent citizens—D. Hudson,

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Harvey Baldwin and others—were members. During the excitement succeeding the abduction of Morgan, the lodge was abandoned, and an opposition sprung up to this fraternity that lasted for years.

In a settlement founded upon the principles upon which Hudson was established, it would be natural to find the church organization among the earliest institutions of the place. The difficulties in the way of such an organization should not, however, be underrated. Ministers were few, and could not have been adequately supported by the scattered communities then planted in the wilderness, if there had been more. Providentially the demands of the time and place were met by the representative of the Connecticut Missionary Society. Rev. Joseph Badger, whom Congregationalists delight to call the Apostle of the Reserve." From his printed diary, the first inception of the Hudson Congregational Church is learned as follows : He had come from Cleveland to Newburg. "In coming from Cleveland to this place. I fell in company with a man from Hudson. who wanted to know if I was going there to form a church. I replied that if I found suitable characters. I should. Well.' said he. if you admit old Deacon Thompson.' and some others he named. it shall not stand : I will break it down. I will have an Episcopal Church.' I observed to him, You must undertake a dangerous work to break clown the church of Christ; I advise you not to meddle with such an undertaking. I went on to Hudson. preached on the Sabbath, and on Wednesday organized the church in that place. in which Deacon Thompson, Esquire Hudson and others were united." This was on September 4. 1802. the original members being Stephen Thompson and Mary. his wife ; David Hudson : Abraham Thompson and Susanna. his wife; Stephen Thompson. Jr., and Abigail, his wife ; George Kilbourne and Almira, his wife; Heman Oviatt and Eunice, his wife; Amos Lusk and Hannah Lindley. These were all members of the Congregational Church, at Goshen. Conn., save the last two, who were members of the same denomination at Bloomfield. N. Y.

The church thus established depended upon Mr. Badger and other missionaries for what preaching they had. Services were held in the log schoolhouse that was erected in 1801, and

which served for all public gatherings relating to church or State. The absence of a minister did not prevent public worship and it is related with pride that not a single Sabbath since the latter part of June, 1800, has passed without public religious services of some character. The Rev. David Bacon, who had gone in behalf of the Connecticut Missionary Society as a missionary to the Indians in 1801, was recalled to New Connecticut in 1804. "In the month of August he left the isle of Mackinaw, with his wife and two children, the youngest less than six weeks old, and, after a weary and dangerous voyage, some part of which was performed in an open canoe, they arrived safe on the soil of the Western Reserve. About the 1st of October they were at Hudson, where they found a temporary home."* The church proposed then to hire him one-half of his time, provided the society would retain him in their employ for the balance. This arrangement was effected—the first time that the Gospel was administered in any township otherwise than by occasional visits of itinerant missionaries—and continued until 1807, when he moved to Tallmadge. On the 19th of April, 1811. it was voted unanimously by the church that Benjamin Whedon be appointed a committee for us, and in our behalf to procure a minister of the Gospel to dispense the Word and ordinances in this place, and the said Mr. Whedon is hereby requested and authorized to make such negotiations and arrangements on the subject as he shall judge prudent and proper." The result of this action on the part of the church was a vote. February 27, 1815. to call the Rev. William Hanford. The call was issued under date of June 10, 1813, and brought an affirmative response under date of August 10, 1815. followed by the installation of Mr. Hanford by the Grand River Presbytery, on the 17th of August. 1815, the church having come under the care of the Presbytery shortly before this occasion.

It would be interesting to note here that "Plan of Union" which eventually agitated church circles throughout the Reserve, and found in Hudson its main support and exponent. Eventually the church became divided upon this subject, and, in 1826, the article prescribing the form of its prudential committee was erased from its regulations. In 1830, a movement

*Address of Rev. Leonard Bacon.

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was inaugurated to sever the connection of the church with the Presbytery, and, five years later, the Presbytery granted a release. Since that time, it has been what it was originally, a Congregational Church. The organization still retains a large Presbyterian element. which, in connection with the majority. works harmoniously to the end of all church effort. The internal growth of the church has been regular and uninterrupted. Up to the pastorate of Rev. William Hanford twenty-seven members had been admitted. principally by Revs. Joseph Badger and Abraham Scott, both missionaries of the Connecticut Society. During Mr. Hanford's pastorate. from 1815 to 1831. 133 were added ; in the pastorate of Rev. Amri Nichols. from July to December. 1832. nine were added : by Rev. Giles Doolittle. supply, 1832–40. fifty-two were admitted ; by Rev. Josiah Town. July to October. 1840. eight were admitted : Rev. Mason Grosvenor. during his pastorate. 1840-43. admitted fifty-six ; Rev. William Hanford. in October. 1843. admitted two ; Rev. John C. Hart, in his pastorate, 1844-52, admitted 122 ; Rev. N. Barrett. 1853–58. admitted ninety-seven; Rev. G. Darling, 1858–74. admitted 196 ; Rev. E. W. Root. 1874–76. admitted twenty-six ; Rev. J. Towle. 1876. admitted two ; and Rev. T. Y. Gardner, 1876. — : the present pastor has admitted forty-one up to October 6, 1878. There are now about 200 members.

The outward improvement of the church began in 1819. On the 26th of June, 1817. at a : town meeting" held in the "Center Schoolhouse." it was voted that '' there shall be a place selected for the purpose of building a house of public worship. according to a subscription paper now in circulation. provided the different denominations do not unite in building a house together. Voted. that the house shall stand on the west side of the green. the southeast corner to stand where there is now a stake stuck in the ground, and to extend thence north from said stake. and as far back as it shall be necessary to build said house. Voted, that Joel Gaylord. Daniel H. Johnson and Owen Brown shall be a committee for the purpose of adopting some method upon which to unite in building a meeting house for different denominations of Christians." At this time there was a great deal of denominational difference among the members of the community. A church building resulted from this action, and was erected upon the site chosen, but the bond of union in this project trenched too much upon the orthodox notions of such men as Mr. Hudson. Owen Brown, Benjamin Whedon and others. and they decided to build for themselves. Timbers for the frame work were brought upon the ground. but they laid upon the ground near the schoolhouse for nearly two years while the people wrangled over the proper site. In March. ISIS. the Congregational society. having decided to build a place of worship on their own account. selected the site now occupied by the town hall. The building committee consisted of Benjamin Whedon, Moses Thompson and Heman Oviatt. with Augustus Baldwin as Treasurer. Owen Brown was the contractor. and was two years in completing the building. which cost upward of $5.000. It was dedicated on March 1. 1820. and. in the old New England style. was for several years, without the means of warming it during the cold season.* In 1865, this building was abandoned for church purposes, and served. under the name of Thompson's Hall, for public gatherings until 1878. when it gave place to the town hall. The present brick edifice on Aurora street was projected in 1863. and completed some two years later. at an expense of $10.000. in addition to the cost of lot and furniture.

The Union Church building. the result of the effort above mentioned. was used in common by the Universalists. Methodists. and any others that desired to have a hearing. Among others remembered as preaching here. are John ! Campbell and his son Alexander. The Methodists finally built a place of worship on Aurora street. and the ' Free Church was after awhile sold and used for a blacksmith-shop.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1828. with Daniel Gaylord. Moses Draper. Perley Mansur and their wives as early members, with others. In 1846. their building which stands on Aurora street was erected. Mr. F. W. Bunnell being the contractor. What the contract price was is unknown. but the contractor received $1,600 in addition to contributions of labor, etc., on the part of subscribers.

* Ellzur Wright relates an incident of his early going to church which illustrates the difficulties attending the early worship here. He says: "I remember taking my brother-in-law Hanford's old gray horse, and taking my wife upon the horse behind me. She was not used to this way of riding, and when the horse began to flounder in the mud of the bottoms near the green, she became alarmed, and alighting in the mud, lost one of her shoes."

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The first pastors in the new house were Rev. D. Prosser and Rev. Pinney. The church has suffered severely by removals and death. and gradually dwindled in numbers, until there is now no regular service held in this church building on the Sabbath. The last entry upon the church records is as follows : I, Thomas Hickling, came to Hudson from Massillon, in the boundary of the Pittsburgh Conference. on April 4. 1873, to reside and do business, and found the society in a very indifferent condition, without any regular means of grace. and. being an ordained local preacher. volunteered my services and found them appreciated." There were then twenty-seven members.

Early in the year 1840. a few residents of Hudson Township, desiring a place " where the worship of God could be conducted according to the primitive usages." proposed the organization of an Episcopal Church. Henry O'Brien and Frederick Brown were the leaders in this movement, and finally invited T. B. Fairchild. of Cuyahoga Falls, to come to Hudson to preach. The call thus extended was accepted, and Mr. Fairchild held the first services in this year in the Congregational meeting-house. The second service was held in the room over Kent & Brewster's store. and continued there until late in the fall of 1840. when. by the consent of the authorities of the Methodist Church. their services were held there. During the following spring. Mr. Fairchild. with Rev. George S. Davis. of Franklin. conducted services here alternately every two weeks. During the summer. each of the clergy of the Northwest Convocation arranged to give two Sundays to Hudson. The services were then transferred to the "brick academy." and. with a view of forming a regular parish. the following document was circulated for signatures : " We. whose names are here affixed. deeply impressed with the importance of the Christian religion, and wishing to promote its holy influence in the hearts of ourselves, our families and our neighbors, do hereby associate ourselves under the name. style and title of the Parish of Christ Church, Hudson, County of Summit. and State of Ohio. And by so doing. do adopt the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Ohio. in communion with the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America." Thirty-seven names were secured to thispaper, among which were those of Henry O'Brien. A. A. Brewster. Frederick Brown, Arthur Sadler, David O'Brien, Dr. Israel Town and others, nearly all of whom were heads of families. July 11. 1842, an organization was effected and services were regularly held in the old brick academy until it was sold, when services were again held over Kent & Brewster's store. At a meeting of the Vestry on January 6. 1846, discussed the necessity of a church building ; Rev. A. Phelps. the Rector.' offered $100 of his salary toward the object. and a building committee, consisting of A. A. Brewster. David O'Brien and Joshua Hertzell, was finally appointed. A lot on the public square was secured. plans were drawn by S. C. Porter. and the corner-stone laid by Rt. Rev. C. P. Mcllvaine. D. D.. Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio. in April. 1846. It was completed in five months. and the opening services conducted on the 25th of September. 1846, by Bishop Mcllvaine. The church was free from debt : provided with an organ through the exertions of the ladies of the church and the liberality of Mr. Brewster, and a bell as the gift of D. H. Arnold. of New York. In 1847. Mr. Phelps resigned his pastoral charge of the church to engage in the church school. which had been in contemplation some time. preaching one-half the time until August 1. 1848. when Rev. T. B. Fairchild was again invited. and accepted. He continued with the church until 1856. when he again resigned. and removed from town. The pulpit was temporarily supplied by Rev. L. L. Holder until June 1. 1859, when Mr. Fairchild was a third time invited to preach here. He accepted, and continued until 18710. when he resigned to accept a call to St. John's Church in Kewanee. Ill. The succeeding Rectors have been Rev. Robert A. McElhenney. 1871–72 ; Rev. Albert B. Putnam. 1873–74. and Rev. S. W. Garrett, October 4. 1874, and the present incumbent. In 1849. the town dock was presented to the society by Mr. Brewster ; in 1875, a new vestry-room was added. at a cost of $350 ; in the winter of 1876. a cabinet organ was purchased for the Sabbath school at a cost of $100 ; and in May. 1878. a new organ was purchased for the church at a cost of $700. There are about one hundred members at present.

The St. Mary's Catholic Church of Hudson dates to about the year 1858. when the present

444 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

small place of worship was built. Before this date, the Catholics of this section were visited monthly by pastors resident in Cleveland. The first priest to locate in Hudson was Rev. P. H. Brown, who remained five years ministering to the wants of the few scattered and poor people he found professing his faith. Mr. Brown died in Cleveland in 1879. He was succeeded by J. Hannon, who held charge for nine years. when he moved to Youngstown. Rev. A. Paganini succeeded, him but remained only a year. He is at present located at Eagle Harbor. Mich. In July, 1877, the present Pastor, Rev. P. H. O'Mara. took charge of this church. Improvements have been added under each succeeding Pastor, and today the little church building, though not a very imposing structure, is neat and comfortable. Cuyahoga Falls and Peninsula are also attended by the Pastor at Hudson. The members of St. Mary's Church are generally farmers, some of them among the most substantial in the county. The church has recently purchased three acres of land in the corporation for cemetery purposes.

The common school preceded the church in Hudson one year. This project needed no outside assistance, and was established in 1801. The work of the founders was eminently characterized by thoroughness, and Mr. Hudson is found, on his visit to Connecticut, purchasing a library for public use, fashioned upon the old custom of the East. He expended S100. not an inconsiderable sum in that time. and on his return sold shares in his library among the settlers in Hudson. Aurora and Mantua. This library has long since passed away. but its natural successor still occupies its place in the community in a public library for the Union School, which was established in 1871. The first school building was a rude log structure. located on the east side of Main street. on the public green, a little below Mr. Buss' store. A second was built a little south of this, and subsequently a frame building was erected on the other side of the street but in the near vicinity. The first school was taught by George Pease and the second by Miss Patty Fields. The third was taught by Miss Amy Cannon, of Aurora. in the southeast quarter, near John Oviatt's residence. Among the early teachers are remembered Titus Wetmore, Martha Filer and Benjamin Whedon, the latter teaching in 1807. Schoolhouses were erected in various parts of the township, as the convenience of the growing population demanded. until, in 1825, the Township Trustees divided the township into five school districts, the first at the center, second in the northwest, third in the southwest, fourth in the southeast, and the fifth in the northeast. In 1827, another district was added, in 1830 one more, and, in 1838. District No. 1 was divided and others erected, making a total of nine districts in the township. In 1855. the two corporation districts were united, under the law of 1845. and the joint district set off as an independent one. The schools were graded. Misses Sabin and Birge being the first teachers under the new dispensation. In 1857. another school building was erected at the end of the old brick house then in use in the southern portion of the corporation. and a third teacher added. Matters worked harmoniously in this way until 1863. when the north corporation district withdrew from the union arrangement. The State School Commissioner decided against the validity of this action and the two districts reunited. The school facilities did prove satisfactory to a large part of the citizens. and an agitation for a high school began to be made. In 1865, therefore, a lot, No. 13. was bought of Mr. Porter, on which to erect a suitable structure for school purposes. In 1867, $5,000 was voted for a schoolhouse, but. on receiving plans and bids. it was found insufficient for the purpose. and $1,500 more was asked for and granted by the people in 1868. The contract was let to G. W. Church, for $6.225, and completed and accepted by the Board of Education on the 18th of November. 1868. The proceeds of the school-houses and the sale of part of the lot, supplied the board with additional funds for furnishing the schoolrooms. In 1871, the new building was found to be too small for the accommodation of the district. The Seminary building, on Baldwin street, was secured for a part of the scholars, and is still used, though the board is seriously considering the question of building a new house. The question in regard to the removal of the Western Reserve College has suggested the feasibility of securing one of the college buildings in case of their becoming vacant. has caused a delay in taking measures to secure a more suitable building.*

*Among the students of Hudson's County, common schools may be mentioned Rev. Leonard Bacon and John Brown, both of whom have gained a national reputation.

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The intellectual activity occasioned by the presence of a college in the village has given rise to repeated attempts to furnish a school for that class of youth for which the college made no provision. The history of these efforts, and especially that which sought to establish a school for young ladies in Hudson is nearly coextensive with that of the college. In 1827. Mrs. Nutting, wife of tutor, afterward Prof. Nutting, opened a school for young ladies, Mrs. Raymond, sister of Rev. Mr. Hanford, opening the parlor of her residence on what is now Aurora street. for the schoolroom. This was the pioneer effort in the cause of female education in Hudson. Prof. Nutting gave instruction in the higher branches of English study, and Mrs. Nutting in the common branches, embroidery, painting in water colors, etc. Her pupils were from the families of Rev. Messrs. Pitkin and Coe. Dr. Thompson, Esquire Brown. Capt. Ellsworth and others. There was also considerable patronage from neighboring towns. This school was continued with varying success for several years, and was finally superseded by a select school. opened in the building just south of Farrar's Block, by a Miss Eggleston. from Yew York.

About 1832. a small school building was erected by subscription on land which was owned by Rev. Mr. Doolittle. Capt. Oviatt and Judge Humphrey. In 1833. Miss Upham, sister-in-law of Rev. Mr. Doolittle. commenced a school for young ladies in this building. This school numbered thirty or more pupils, and was liberally patronized from abroad.

In 1834, H. H. Gross came from Connecticut and opened a school on Aurora street, which was well patronized and encouraged him to erect in front of his schoolhouse a brick building which has become generally known as the "Brick Academy." This was a two-story-building with a basement. and was erected in 1835 at an expense of $3,000. The basement was designed for a primary school, the first story for a boys' school, and the second story for a young ladies' department. This building was subsequently purchased by a joint-stock company of the citizens of Hudson, and was furnished rent free to the teachers who depended on the receipts from tuition for their salaries. This institution was styled the Hudson Academy. The first teacher in the female department was Miss Smith, who afterward married Lyman Hall, Esq., of Ravenna. In 1840, Miss Eunice Towne was employed in this department, and taught for sometime with great acceptance. Her successor was Miss Rebecca H. Dana, now Mrs. Atwater, of New Haven.

In the spring of 1843, Miss Mary Strong became Principal of the school, and brought to its management such distinguished ability that the school which at first numbered not more than twenty pupils increased in interest and patronage until it often numbered sixty or more pupils. In 1845, Miss Strong erected a two-story frame building on the west side of Main street. In the following year, she opened the spring term of her school in the new edifice and christened it Hudson Female Seminary, the old " Brick Academy " in the meantime falling into the hands of the corporation school board. The seminary remained under Miss Strong's superintendence until the spring of 1854, when her health failed, and the school was suspended. During the continuance of this school there were three female seminaries in Hudson ; the " Hudson Young Ladies Seminary," by Mr. Grosvenor, and the Seminary for Ladies." by Mr. Phelps. in addition to Miss Strong's school. These. save the latter, were boarding and day schools, and, for a time. received a liberal patronage from the towns on the Reserve.

The " Hudson Young Ladies' Seminary " was opened in 1843 by Rev. Mason Grosvenor. in a building on the east side of the public square. Mr. Grosvenor gave instruction in Latin and mathematics, and his sister, Miss Lucy Grosvenor, presided in the schoolroom and gave instruction in the common branches of study, drawing, painting, etc. In 1845, Miss Grosvenor married, and the school was discontinued until the autumn of 1846. when Mr. and Mrs. Skinner, from Massachusetts, reopened it. The next spring Miss Charlotte Lee took charge of the academic department, and Mr. and Mrs. Messer of the boarding-house. The school continued until about 1852. The third of these seminaries was opened under the auspices of the Episcopal Church, in 1849, by Rev. Mr. Phelps. The building occupied as a school-room, is now occupied as a blacksmith-shop by Mr. Farwell, on Aurora street. the boarding-house maintained in connection with the school now being used by Mr. Farwell as his residence. Miss Dever was Principal of the academic de-

446 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

partment until 1851, when the school was discontinued.

In 1853, Mr. J. W. Smith prepared a suite of rooms in the third story of the Pentagon for school purposes, furnished them with improved furniture ordered from Boston, visited the seminary at South Hadley. Mass.. and secured the services of Miss Elizabeth Burt. as Principal, and became personally responsible for the expenses of the school. This seminary was well sustained for about two years. when the general business failure in 1855 closed the school. In the fall of this year. an association of gentlemen, citizens of Hudson. was formed. who purchased the school furniture, rented and repaired the " Hudson Female Seminary " building. and sent to Mount Holyoke Female Seminary for a teacher. In response to this application, a Miss Everett came on and assumed the direction of the school. This lady lacked that "suariter in modo." which is conducive of the highest success, and, at the expiration of the academic year. the association found itself in debt. and the school greatly reduced in numbers. Then came a time chiefly remarkable for the short tenure of office, on the part of the teachers. Not less than five had charge of the school in four years, and, though most of them were competent and efficient teachers. such was the depressed condition of things in Hudson that the school made poor returns for the labor expended upon it.

In 1860. Miss Emily Metcalf assumed the charge. and a few years later purchased the building, and moved it to its present site on Baldwin street. The course of study was enlarged, and the school. for the greater part of thirteen years. received a flattering patronage. The advance of the high school system, the general opening of colleges to women, were causes that began to make an unfavorable effect upon the seminary in Hudson. and in 1873. it was again suspended. After the lapse of an academic year. it was again opened by Rev. B. W. Hosford. whose daughters conducted it for one year, when it finally suspended. The building is now used by the Board of Education of the independent district of Hudson.''