478 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

CHAPTER XVII.*

CUYAHOGA FALLS— EDUCATIONAL- CUYAHOGA FALLS INSTITUTE—CHURCHES5—SKETCHES OF .

THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS—BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES—THE MANU-

FACTURING INTERESTS —GENERAL BUSINESS.

THE subject of education has always held a THE place in the estimation of the people of Cuyahoga Falls. as evinced by the interest manifested by them in their common schools. Previous to the erection of a new township out of the corners of Stow. Talimadge, Northampton and Portage. the village schools were those belonging to these several townships. However, soon after the organization of the township of Cuyahoga Falls and the creation of a Township Board of Education. the whole territory was erected into one school district. as will hereafter be shown. Previous to this time. the history of the schools is that only or ordinary district schools of the country ; but with the new order of things began an increased interest in these " nation's colleges."

The school building located north of St. John's Church edifice was built by the Wesleyans for church purposes. The structure was afterward sold to the School Directors for a high school. In 1872. the new high school building was ready for use and that school was transferred to it. since which time the other house has been used for schools of a lower grade. The two accommodate all the schools of the village. The smaller structures—the district schoolhouses—have all been sold.

In pursuance of an act passed by the Legislature of Ohio. entitled " An act to provide for the reorganization, supervision and maintenance of common schools." the following-named persons—L. L. Holden, Clerk of the Directors of Cuyahoga Falls School District No. 1 ; P. J. Lee, Clerk of Union District No. 8: and Charles Clark, Township Clerk—met at the office of McClure & McKinney and organized a Board of Education for Cuyahoga Falls, by appointing L. L. Holden Chairman, the Township Clerk being by law the Clerk of the Board of Education. This was on the 18th of April, 1853. That portion of School District No. 8

 *Contributed by C. W. Butterfield.

lying in the township of Cuyahoga Falls. and the Cuyahoga Falls School District No 1, were united and formed into one district on the 24th of April, 1854. to be known as the "Cuyahoga Falls School District." On the 26th of June. L. L. Holden was appointed Acting Manager of Schools for the township. On the 15th day of May. 1855. " Mr. Taylor" was "appointed Principal of the Central School" and " Mrs. Taylor" his assistant. Together they were to be paid the sum of $700 "for the year of forty weeks." On that day the Board. That we attach great importance to the good government of a school and the moral instructions which the children receive and the thoroughness with which they are drilled in the primary branches and first principles of education."

On the 23th day of May, 1855. the record of the board says : " This day sold to John Love the schoolhouse near the Widow Gaylord's for the sum of 5100." For the school year ending August 31, 1857, the whole number of pupils enrolled was 482 ; number of teachers employed. 7—one male and six females. Union District No. 10 in Tallmadge and Cuyahoga Falls Townships was discontinued June 18, 1858. H. K. Taylor. Principal, on the 1st day of July, 1861, made a summary report from the high school, showing general improvement in scholarship and deportment for the last month." Seventeen days thereafter, Mr. L. H. Delano was "employed to teach the Central school ; whereupon, on the 1st day of August following, " a petition numerously signed by citizens of Cuyahoga Falls was presented " to the board, asking them " to reconsider their action changing the Principal of the high school or resign ; " but they did neither.

The Board of Education resolved July 2, 1863, " that William I. Chamberlain, of Hudson, be employed to teach as Principal in the high school at a salary of $600 per annum."

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The total number of youth enrolled in the schools at this date was 452. The number of schoolhouses was five ; the number of schools, five—four common schools and one high school. The school library was valued at $300, having on its shelves 755 volumes. June 24, 1864, Mr. Chamberlain's salary was raised to $75 a month.

On the 26th of June, 1865, George McLaughlin was employed to teach the Central school as Principal at a salary of $650 per annum. At this time, besides the central school, there were the southwest primary, southeast primary, northeast primary and northwest primary. The next year, the salary of the Principal was raised to $750. July 18, 1866, W. C. Rogers was employed as Principal of the central or high school at a salary of $75 per month. The successor of Mr. Rogers as Principal was B. B. Tremlin. who was employed in December, 1866.

On the 16th of January, 1867, at a meeting of the electors of the township, it was resolved to move all the schools into one building. On the 16th of February. 1867, at a meeting of the qualified voters of Cuyahoga Falls School District. it was moved and carried that a tax not exceeding three-fourths of one per cent be levied annually for a period not exceeding five years. for the purpose of building a central or union schoolhouse in the village. On the 17th of May. 1867, the qualified electors voted " that the School Directors be authorized to purchase of H. A. Miller for a schoolhouse site, the nine lots north of the hotel lots, between Front and Second streets, and south of Stow street.

Virgil P. Kline was, on July 1, 1867, employed as Principal. At this time, there were five common schools in the district and the high school. The number of pupils enrolled was 456. The total value of schoolhouses and grounds was $2.400. It was voted by the board, on the 5th of November of that year, that, Whereas, it is ascertained that at the last school exhibition a young lady's dress was accidentally damaged seriously, and that there remains unexpended some of the avails of said exhibition, the sum of $3 be paid out of said avails to the owner of said dress." At a meeting of the qualified voters of the district, held January 3, 1868, it was voted that the site of the new central schoolhouse should bethe " Cooke Lot." This lot was deeded by James H. Cooke to the district in consideration of $1. The deed conveyed two acres of land on the south side of the old township line road and forty-eight rods east of Newberry street, conditioned that the building should be commenced within five years. On the 8th of May, 1868, the salary of Mr. Kline was raised to $1,000.

On the 12th of May, 1869, the board determined that the school building to be erected should be three stories high. At the same time A. Koehler, architect, of Cleveland, was employed to prepare necessary plans and specifications for the house. In July, 1869, Miss Booth " agreed to remain in the high school as teacher another year, upon a salary of $1,000," Mr. Kline having. declined to labor any longer as Principal. The pupils of the intermediate school were taken into the high school.

On the 4th day of August, 1869, the board contracted with George Allison, of Tallmadge, for the erection of the basement story of the new Union Schoolhouse, for the sum of $5,200. On the 7th of September following, Edward Sill was engaged as Principal of the high school at a salary of $900. The number of schoolhouses was four frame and one brick; total, five. On the 29th of November an additional tax was voted by the qualified voters of the district to erect the school building, of three-fourths of one per cent. An agreement was entered into by the board with George Allison, on the 1st day of March, 1870, to do the mason work for the school building, except the plastering, for $11,701.51. They agreed with Dunn & Witt, of Cincinnati, for $2,630; to have the roofing and galvanized iron work done. The Board engaged George Thomas & Son. of Akron, for the residue of the work, including joiner work, painting, plastering, etc., for the sum of $12,400. The original contract price, therefore, for the building amounted to $31,931.51. This, of course, was exclusive of heating the building. This cost an additional $3,000. There was also paid Mr. Allison for extra work $617.37. The contract for seating the building was made on the 21st of June, 18 71. There was allowed Thomas & Son $1,698 for extra work.

Miss A. A. Booth was engaged as Superintendent of the public schools at a salary of

480 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

$1,200, on the 12th of July. 1871. It was voted at an election held April 8, 1872, by the qualified voters of the district. to sell the Central schoolhouse and the four primary school-houses and their lots. The northwest primary school building was sold for $800. The expense of seating the new high school building was 81,773.50. The northeast primary school-house and lot was sold for $400.

The Board of Education was reorganized under the school law of 1873. on the 20th of April. 1874, by the election of L. J. Germain. President; G. W. Rice. Clerk. and W. M. Griswold. Treasurer. The supervision of the schools was assigned to Mr. Germain. On the 1st of August of that year the board passed a resolution to " advertise for a competent and experienced teacher as Principal of our Union Schools." George L. McMillan was the successful applicant. at a salary of $1.000. The number of schoolhouses in the district at this time was one union and one not used ; the number of rooms, exclusive of rooms used only for recitation, high school. one ; primary. three ; total, four. The value of school property was $36.000. The number of teachers employed, six. On the 4th of November. the clergymen of the village were requested to act as a visiting board of the schools. On the 26th of' April. 1875. the President of the Board was authorized to employ Mr. A. N. Bernard as Superintendent and Master of the Union School for the balance of the present school term," at a salary not exceeding 81.200 per annum. His services were continued at the rate of $120 a month salary. There were this year enrolled in the school 401 pupils.

On the 17th of February, 1876, the board ordered that " any scholars who have been suspended from the public school of this district on account of exposure to the small-pox, shall furnish the Superintendent, before they shall be reinstated, with proof that they have been vaccinated." Four days after this, an order passed that " hereafter no pupil shall be admitted to the schools of this village until they have furnished the Superintendent with proofs of vaccination." Besides this, the schools were " suspended until further notice." They were not opened until the second Monday of April following. Previous to this, at an election of the qualified voters of the district, it was deter-mined to increase the board from three to six-members. The following resolution was passe( unanimously April 24. 1876 : " Resolved. The Dr. Heath be requested to furnish Mr. Bernard School Superintendent, with a list of such families as should, for the present. be held . bad from sending their children to school ; that al least thirty days should elapse after any case shall have terminated before any family shall be allowed to send their children to school, an( that all school books be destroyed that max have been exposed in families who have had the small-pox.'

On the 6th of May, 1878, it was stated at a meeting of the board that it was the opinion of many that the population of our village way more than 2.500 ; if so, then by law it is on' privilege to have our own Board of Examiners of Teachers." And they had them On the 28th of June. 1878. Mr. Bernard was continued was continued perintendent. at a salary of 81.1(10. The number of pupils enrolled during this year was 502, The Union School building was fitted up with a steam-heating apparatus (luring the year 1871). at a cost of about $1.500. On the 21st of June. 1880, the board passed a resolution " that Joanna Cutler, Lizzie M. Richardson, Mary A. Clark. Jessie Knox. Grace E. Sykes, Rial Smith. Otto C. Richardson and Albert Kingsbury. the members of the class of the high school of 1880. be graduated on Friday evening. June 25."

The branches now taught in the Union School in Cuyahoga Falls are reading, spelling. writing, arithmetic, geography. English grammar, oral lessons, composition, drawing, vocal music, United States history, physical geography, natural philosophy. German, algebra and Latin. The schools are in a high state of efficiency, owing to the interest taken by the parents of the district ; to the intelligent labors of the Board of Education. and the wisdom and zeal of the Superintendent and teachers.

One of the first efforts in the promotion of education, outside the common school, was the organization and charter of the Cuyahoga Falls Institute, under the management of the Rev. Mr. Brooks and Charles Clark. The school was started and kept in operation some time. but the hard times which came in 1837 made it necessary to abandon the project. After the building of St. John's Church, a seminary for girls was kept in the schoolroom adjoining, by Miss Sarah Carpenter. She was succeeded by

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Miss Frances C. Barron, the last named by Miss Eliza Deaver.

Churches were early established in the village of Cuyahoga Falls ; but, instead of comfortable church buildings, those who came first were obliged to meet in schoolhouses and other inconvenient places. As a consequence, church services were irregular and infrequent.

In giving the history of St. John's Church, in Cuyahoga Falls, it is necessary to go back to the time when stately forests covered the landscape, and over the fertile fields where now the eye rests with delight upon the evidences of civilization, but few marks of improvement were anywhere to be seen. Log cabins dotted it here and there. and some clearings were begun. but the roads went winding through the forest. and communication between points was slow and tedious. The Cuyahoga River sang its merry song in freedom. fettered only by the rocks which gave it voice. Its waters had not been forced to turn the busy wheels, and few sounds had been heard upon its banks, except the song of the birds, the howl of the wild beasts. or the more savage yell of the wild Indian. Akron had not been thought of. and Cleveland was known as a little village six miles from Newburg. Here and there a farm was opened. and the busy settlers were making the wide forests ring with the sound of' their axes. which were letting in the light where long had brooded only the somber shade of its matted woods. The first settlement at Stow Corners was made by a few families from the same Eastern home. most of them relatives. Just south of Gross' Tavern. it will be remembered. there is an orchard. but. in 1818. there was a log cabin standing in that lot. which disappeared many years ago. and in it lived Josiah Wetmore, with his wife and children. No sooner were they settled than Mrs. Wetmore. who was a devout member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, gathered in her neighbors for worship, which she continued to do for three years. There was no other service held in the settlement. and they came with ox teams and on horseback from all the region around. After they had met in that way for about a year, Mrs. Wetmore reading the service and her husband the sermon, the Rev. Roger Searle, who lived at Medina, and officiated in many places on the Western Reserve, paid a visit to the place. and preached in Mrs. Wetmore's house. This was in 1819, and was the first sermon preached and the first service held by an Episcopal clergyman in all the region.

The people who came to these services in Mrs. Wetmore's house increased in numbers, and soon filled her house, and in warm weather the yard about it. They had no boards of which to make seats, but split logs, and hewed them into what was called puncheons, and putting them upon legs, raised them high enough to be used for seats for the assembled worshipers. They had no carriages to convey them to the place of worship, but came upon sleds drawn by oxen, and on horseback, and many on foot. Thus they gathered, and there can be no doubt that as acceptable worship was offered in that humble cabin as ever went up among the fretted arches of a cathedral; and there in that humble cabin was the first step taken, which twelve years afterward culminated in the organization of St. John's Church.

After three years' residence there, Mr. Wetmore went back to New England with his family to give them such advantages of education as they could not get in this new state of society. After they left, the services were held in different places, centering, however, about the Corners. After some years they came back to Cuyahoga Falls. where Mrs. Wetmore lived until 1865. esteemed by all who knew her for her virtues. when she fell asleep in Jesus, and was buried in the cemetery. where she awaits a glorious resurrection. Mr. Wetmore lived until 186T. when he was laid beside his wife, at the age of eighty-four years.

Along the center line of Stow there were many families settled by this time who had been reared in the Episcopal Church. On the western end of that line lived Orin Gilbert, and a little way north of him was Arthur Sadler and Henry O'Brien. East of Mr. Gilbert was Frederick Sanford, and striking southeast were the Wetmores and Frederick Wolcott (who had become attached to the service since its establishment), Roland Clapp, and some families of Gaylords. In Tallmadge there were also several families ; and up the river, in the western part of Franklin, were Col. Stanley, Mr. Furber, the Furgesons and some others. Some of these were young men, who with their wives ! had come to make their homes in the then far West, and some of them were in middle age, with half-grown children, who had reached this

482 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

distant point after long and painful journeys ; but all were of slender means, and depended upon the blessings of a kind Providence on their labor, and the returns of strenuous effort from a generous soil.

These scattered families, spreading over not less than ten miles square. and others about them. as we have seen, had been accustomed to meet on Sundays for divine service in the use of the Book of Common Prayer, and hearing a sermon read from such collections as they had brought from their Eastern homes. These services, after the first three years, were held in different places. and were participated in by persons coming from parts of Stow, Hudson Tallmadge, Franklin, and parts adjacent. with great labor and inconvenience, to worship God as they had been taught in the homes from which they came.

Like most of the emigrants from New England, they were of decided opinions and firm convictions, and the principles they had imbibed in early life were clung to with a tenacity which showed their fitness to be founders of new societies, and to transmit to their successors the institutions under which they were reared. in their integrity. Those who had been reared in the Episcopal Church could not be satisfied to give up the church of their fathers, and showed how deeply they were attached to its ordinances by the pains they took to enjoy those ordinances. with no other than lay services.

The first step toward organization was to obtain, from Bishop Chase. licenses for Roland Clapp, a young man from Vermont, and Col. Stanley, of Franklin. as lay readers, who were authorized to gather the people together and hold regular service, with the reading of such sermons as were specified by the Bishop. Thus their love for the church was fostered, and some were led to unite with them who were reared under other influences. But ministers were very scarce in those days, and those who loved the church were obliged to content themselves with lay services for a long time after they were accustomed to meet for social worship.

The next minister of the church who officiated for them was Rev. William N. Lyster, who was acting as a missionary in Trinity Church, Cleveland, then a small village upon the lake shore. He came on foot, and preached in Hudson and Stow on the first Sunday in February,1830. He came again on the first Sunday of the following month, and preached in Franklin (now Kent) in the morning, and in Stow in the afternoon. Two months after this, he preached in the morning in Hudson, and at Stow, in the tavern, in the afternoon. During that visit, the first steps were taken toward the organization of a parish. Their lay service was continued by uniting from all parts within reach, till the following winter, when Rev. James McElroy. who had succeeded Mr. Lyster in his missionary work at Cleveland. paid them a visit. He preached in Hudson in the morning, and in Stow in the evening, and. before they separated, they organized the parish of " St. John's Church. Stow." This was in 1830. The organization of the parish of Christ Church. Franklin, was effected some time afterward. but the prospect of establishing the church in Hudson was not thought encouraging enough to warrant any further effort there. and all the members in HUdSOn Township were enrolled in St. John's Church.

After the organization of the parish. lay services were held regularly until 1834. A dam had been built near the present railroad bridge. and a mill had been erected upon it. and several houses were built in the neighborhood ; and, among others. a log schoolhouse. The services were held in this house. which stood in the south part of what was long known as the "' old village." It was supposed that the town would be built at this point. After a time. a building was erected for a store further north ; it stood on the west side of the present railroad, between the two crossings. The services were then removed to that building, but Stow Corners was most convenient for the worshipers. and larger numbers could be gathered there, and, as the services were first begun there, they were taken back, and continued to be held there until the present edifice was ready for use.

But the water-power at this point had been brought into use, and the town had been rapidly filling up with a busy population, and it was manifest that there was to be an important village lower down the stream than they first began to build ; and when the society was ready to build, they resolved. after long debate. to have the church at Cuyahoga, Falls. In 1834, Rev. C. V. Kelley was appointed a missionary at Ohio City, with instructions to give every

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alternate Sunday to the parish at Stow. He had not been officiating long under this arrangement, before it was thought best that he should go to New York to solicit aid for these feeble churchmen in building their church ; and after a protracted absence he returned, and paid over for this purpose $ 00, which was used in the erection of this church. He then returned to New York and took charge of St. Bartholomew's Church. and St. John's was without a minister.

In the spring of 1835 they chose this site, and began the work of building. The town had grown very much, and manufactures of many kinds were introduced, and it was thought that a very large population would soon be gathered ; and it was seen that here was the place for the church. But the services were still held at the Corners. While they were building it was thought best also to secure the services of the minister, and they proceeded to secure the services of a minister, and they proceeded to call Rev. William H. Newman, of Bristol. R. I.. who accepted the rectorship ou the 10th of November. and continued in charge of the parish till June 18. 1837. when he re-signed and removed to Newark. Licking Co.. Ohio.

The church edifice was completed in 1836 and consecrated to the worship of Almighty God by Bishop Mcllvaine on the 10th of July of that year. It is the oldest church within a very large area, unless it be the Congregational Church at Tallmadge. which stands today as it was originally built. The plan adopted was the same essentially as that of old Trinity Church. Cleveland. except that the front of the building was more showy, and the chancel more elaborate and expensive. But such as it was at first it remains to this day, except the change in the chancel made last year. There were present at the consecration, Rev. Abraham Bronson, of Peninsula. and Rev. Thomas Barrow, missionary at Akron. and the Rector.

The first Sunday school was organized the same month, and has continued till the present day without intermission. After the removal of Mr. Newman. the Rev. Zachariah Mead, of Virginia. was called to the rectorship, but he was not pleased with the people of the North, and after spending three or four weeks in the parish, he returned to Virginia.

After him the Rev. Mr. Cushman was called, but he remained only a short time, and nothing is found upon the records as done by him.

In 1837, Rev. Albert T. Bledsoe, who was one of the converts at West Point, under Bishop Mcllvaine's chaplaincy, and was ordained by him, was called ; but, after about four months, he became dissatisfied with his profession, and resigned both the rectorship and the ministry, and went to Virginia, where he has long held a professorship in the University of Virginia.

After his removal, the parish was vacant until the 10th of April, 1839. when a call was given to Rev. James Bonnar, Deacon, of Utica, Licking Co., Ohio. He accepted the call, and was ordained Presbyter, together with Rev. Charles C. Townsend, in this church. He remained less than a year, and, resigning, went to Marietta, Muskingum County.

In February, 1840, Rev. Thomas B. Fairchild, of Grafton, was called to the vacant rectorship, and entered upon his duties immediately. In the meantime, a parish had been organized in Franklin. called Christ Church. which took several members who had been enrolled in St. John's Church ; but he found upon the list the names of forty persons. In 1842. he organized the parish of Christ Church. Hudson, which took several prominent members. He remained until 1844. when he resigned, and went to Wooster, Wayne County, leaving upon the record sixty-four resident members.

He was succeeded by Rev. Alvah Guion. who stayed not over a year. Rev. David J. Burger was called to fill his place in the summer ; but died suddenly, after a few months in charge here, while on a visit to Toledo, where he had previously lived.

Upon his death, a call was given to Rev. Levi L. Holden. of Grafton. who removed to the parish in July. 1847. He held the rectorship till 1867. twenty years, when he resigned, and went to Wooster, leaving a large circle of friends, both out of the church and in it, who remember and speak of him with esteem and affection.

Services were held at irregular intervals, by Rev. Mr. Fairchild, then at Hudson, and Rev. E. B. Kellogg, of Gambier, until the next summer, when Rev. George Bosley, Deacon, was sent by the Bishop to fill the parish. The next year, he was advanced to the Priesthood, and continued in charge till 1871, when he resigned, and went to Marion, Ohio.

484 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

In March, 1871, Rev. T. B. Fairchild, Rector, in charge of St. John's Church, Kewanee, Ill., was called back to his old charge, and, on the first Sunday of April. began his labors. He continued in charge until March 8. 1879, when he died. His successor was Rev. George W. Williams, the present Rector.

When Mr. Newman left the parish, there were forty-nine members upon the record. Of these. only two remain—Roland Clapp. Mrs. Lucy Rice. The rest have died or removed ; probably most of them have passed away from earth. " There were no entries made in the church record from his removal,'' writes Mr. Fairchild in 1875. " until my residence. but there were forty communicants when I came. During my first rector ship, fifty-three were added to the number. The organization of. the parish in Hudson took several valuable members ; but. of those added during the four years and three months, there are now twenty members upon the list. After my removal. I was present at the visitation of the Bishop, and presented ten persons for confirmation, who had been prepared for it before I left. Of those ten. not one is left. Nine were added by Mr. Burger. but they are all gone. During Mr. Holden's rectorship, I find 72 names entered in his hand-writing, but of these only 20 are members today. After his removal, your present Rector held services for a while in the afternoon. and, as the fruit of that labor, 14 were confirmed. and 10 of those are members still. During Mr. Bosley's residence, 50 names were added. but only 23 of these are members now. Since my return. 24 have been added, and 6 of these have died or removed, leaving 87 resident members. The whole number, from the beginning, being 305 members.

" Upon the record of baptisms. I find recorded by Mr. Newman 22, Mr. Bonnar 8, Mr. Guion 4, Mr. Holden 94, Mr. Bosley 50. and by myself 90, making 279 persons since the organization of the parish. But I am persuaded that there were many baptisms in its earlier days which have not been recorded, as there were no entries made until Mr. Newman's time.

" The first confirmation recorded was held by Bishop McIlvaine, but there are several persons whom I know to have been confirmed before this, whose names are not recorded. There are, however, 154 names upon the record; and may safely be reckoned at nearly two hundred.showing that at least two-thirds of all the members who have lived here, first made their profession in this church.

"Of marriages. Mr. Newman solemnized 2, Mr. Guion 4, Mr. Holden 75. Mr. Bosley 15, and myself 23. making 119 couples in all.

" Upon the record of burials I find eleven by Mr. Newman. On the 21st of October. 1837, when the parish was vacant. that terrible tornado passed over Stow, and Rev. Ebenezer Boyden. of Cleveland, was called to lay its four victims in one grave. Mr. Guion buried 4. Mr. Holden 112, Mr. Bosley 26. buried by myself 72. by other persons 22, making in all 242 persons, of whom 136 were adults and the rest children and youths. Of those committed to the ground. I think hardly a family connected with the parish has failed to furnish a part, while in some cases. whole families have joined the great congregation. The consolation of its funeral rites has been given freely to all. and few in this region have not shared them. I have myself in all these years. preached 5.579 times : baptized 296 : married 149 couples. 'and buried 302 persons."

As will be seen by these statements. the hindrance to the growth of St. John's Church has been its continual losses by removals. which have been very heavy from the first. The additions by removal from other parishes have been comparatively small ; and the great proportion of the members we have lost from this cause, has been of those who first became communicants here, and then removed to other parishes.

The history of the Methodist Episcopal church is this : The " Twinsburg Circuit " was organized November 1. 1832. The society in Stow Township, now Cuyahoga Falls, was one of the appointments. The members met in a storehouse at the " old village." as it is now known. The first Presiding Elder was W. B. Mack. The circuit preachers were Thomas Carr and John E. Akin. They preached once in two weeks alternately. Carr was reappointed for 1833, and L. D. Prosser as his colleague. The preachers for the next year (1834) were Ira Eddy and A. Reaves. At this date, William Stevens was Presiding Elder. In 1835, E. H. Taylor and J. L. Holmes were sent to the circuit. The meetings were then held in the basement of the church building, at the Falls. The circuit preachers, in 1836, were E.

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H. Taylor and Horatio N. Stearns. In 1837 and 1838, Rev. E. T. Kinney was in charge. Arthur M. Brown was preacher in 1839, and Wesley Maltby was his assistant. The Falls then became a station. Rev. Timothy Goodwin was station preacher for the next two years—1840 and 1841. He was succeeded, for 1842, by Rev. W. French, and the latter, in 1843, by A. Calendar. The successor to Mr. Calendar was Rev. D. Prosser. This was for the year 1844. The latter was reappointed for the next year, 1845. B. W. Hager was the preacher for 1846. For the next two years (1847 and 1848), Rev. A. M. Brown. The following Pastors have since had charge ; 1849, A. Hall ; 1850, A. Hall ; 1851, A. Rogers ; 1852, A. Rogers : 1853, Thomas Stubbs; 1854, John Tribb; 1855. John Tribby ; 1856. D. C. Wright ; 1'837. D. C. Wright ; 1858, E. J. L. Baker ; 1859, G. W. Chesbrough ; 1860. G. W. Chesbrough ; 1861, E. S. Gillet ; 1862. E. S. Gillet ; 1863, J. E. Chapin ; 1864, J. E. Chapin ; 1865, C. T. Kingsbury ; 1866, C. T. Kingsbury ; 1867, J. R. Lyon; 1868. J. R. Lyon; 1869, R. M. Bear; 1870. R. M. Bear ; 1871. E. A. Squire ; 1872, E. A. Squire : 1873, E. A. Squire ; 1874, 1875 and 1876, G. W. Gray ; 1877, 1878 and 1879, Dr. S. M. Hickman ; 1880. Dr. W. A. Davidson.

The church edifice was commenced on the lot deeded to the society. on the public square, about 1834 ; meetings were held in the basement until the structure was completed. This was in 1840. the dedication of the building being on the last day of that year. The house was enlarged in 1864. and the inside materially changed. The edifice will seat comfortably 500 persons. The organization has been from the beginning very prosperous. The members number at present 200. The only town clock in the village is in the steeple of this church. The organ cost $1,600.

The following are the officers of the church : Trustees, Israel James, Jacob Weidner. Hiram Gaylord, Alexander J. Billman, Orin James. Mathew Crawford, Hiram W. Carter, Arthur Lewis and Isaac Reid ; Stewards, Israel James, Edgar Inskeep. Henry Plum, William Hill. Isaac Reid, Richard Blood, Jacob Weidner and Simeon Dickerman ; Class-leaders, Richard Blood. A. R. Knox, L. D. Williams and H. W. Carter.

There is one supernumerary preacher. J. C. Castle ; and one local preacher, Richard Blood.

In connection with the church there is a well-organized and efficient Sunday school, having an average attendance of 150. Officers—Superintendent, Dr. H. W. Carter ; First Assistant, Arthur Lewis ; Second Assistant, Mrs. Mathew Crawford ; Secretary, Mrs. David Brown ; Treasurer, Mathew Crawford ; Librarians, Isaac Reid and Mary C. Weidner.

" The Congregational Church of Cuyahoga Falls," wrote Birdsey Booth in 1861, " was organized February 14, 1834, by Rev. B. C. Baldwin (then residing at Middlebury), and Rev. J. C. Parmelee, of Tallmadge. Ten persons, five male and five female (five by letter, and five by profession), united in the organization. Of the ten thus uniting, one removed his connection ; six are no more, for God has taken them, they having died in the faith ; and three remain to this day. The whole number which have been received into-connection with the church, is 287, of whom 188 were received on certificate, and 99 on profession (about one-third by profession).

" Of the 287 which are, or have been, members, 41 have died ; 123 have removed their connection ; 23 dismissed for prolonged absence ; 14 have been excommunicated ; leaving present number 86, of whom some 14 are probably permanently absent.

" Twenty four adults and twenty infants have been baptized since April, 1841, previous to which there is no record of any.

" From the organization to January 1, 1835, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. B. C. Baldwin, preaching every alternate Sabbath. From January 1, 1835, to October of the same year, by Prof. Long, of Western Reserve College ; from October. 1835, to May. 1836, by Prof. Gregg, of Western Reserve College ; from May, 1836, to November 23, same year. by various individuals; from November 23, 1836, to May, 1838, by Rev. Joel Byington ; from May, 1838, to October, same year, by various individuals. October 24, 1838, Rev. William C. Clark was ordained and installed Pastor of the church. Mr. Clark continued his services with the church clown to April 5, 1847, about eight and a halt' years, when, on account of ill health, he requested to' be released from his pastoral labors, which, the church acceding to, was dissolved by action of Portage Presbytery called for that purpose. (It should be remarked here, that the church was organized in connection with Port-

486 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

age Presbytery, and until the meeting above referred to, had been regularly represented in that body. On this occasion, the church presented to Presbytery a resolution previously adopted. requesting a dissolution of its connection with that body, which was granted at the meeting aforesaid. Since then. the church has been an independent Congregational body. except as it has entered into mutual relations with other Congregational Churches.)

"From April 5.1847, to October 12 of the same year, the pulpit was supplied by various individuals. but chiefly by Rev. William C. Foster. whom the church and society invited to become their pastor, and was ordained and installed by Council, October 12. 1847.. The relation thus entered into continued until May 28,. 1849 (a little more than a year and seven months). when the relation terminated by his request. acquiesced in by the church and action of Council, called for the purpose. A few Sabbaths after, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. S. P. Leeds. who. having supplied the pulpit for two years, accepted the call of the church and society. and was ordained by Council June 18. 1851. Mr. Leeds continued the relation thus entered into. until June 23, 1855 ( four years). when it was terminated by his request, reluctantly acquiesced in by the church and Council. From the termination of Mr. Leeds' labors. June 23. 1855, down to May 2. 1858, the pulpit was supplied by many different ministers—for several months by Prof. H. B. Hosford. of Western Reserve College, and for one year by Rev. J. L. Tomlinson ; subsequently, by Prof H. N. Day. of Western Reserve College. for several months to May 2, 1858, when Rev. Dr. T. S. Clark. who is still with us, commenced his labors.

"January 1, 1838, Jabez Hamlin and Ogden Wetmore were chosen Deacons of the church. On the 8th day of June, 1841, Deacon Wetmore died, and, on the 24th of November following. B. Booth was chosen his successor. January 7, 1858, Deacon Hamlin, by reason of the infirmities of age, requested a discharge from further duties of the office and a successor chosen. Whereupon Mr. Charles Clark was chosen his successor.

" Mr. E. N. Sill was the first Clerk of the church, and held the office to May 24. 1841, when Mr. Charles Clark was chosen Clerk. Mr. Clark held the office to October 5. 1842, when B. Booth was chosen.

" The church was organized in a schoolhouse standing on the same lot or near where the present church edifice stands. The next year a building was erected on an adjoining lot by the citizens of the village. for public assemblies. called the Lyceum. which was. however. under the control of our church for religious purposes. In this house the church worshiped until the spring of 1847. when the present church edifice was dedicated.

“There was a revival in the spring of 1840. while Rev. W. C. Clark was Pastor, the fruits of which were added to the church by profession, at the communions in April and July. twenty-five persons. One in the spring of 184. under Rev. W. C. Foster's pastoral labors. whereby there were added to the church in April and July. thirteen by profession. One under the pastoral labor of Rev. P. Leeds. in 1854. when in July seventeen were added to the church by profession."

Since that time. 215 have been added to the church. 137 by profession. The present number of members is 165-male. 50 : female. 115. Hon. E. N. Sill is the only remaining one of the original ten members.

Dr. Clarke's labors terminated June 8. 18 ;2. During the two years following. the pulpit was supplied by various individuals—from June la. 1864. to April l. 1866. by Rev. D. M. Rankin. October 28.1866. Rev. E. V. H. Thinner commenced his labors : was ordained and installed January 3. 1867. and is still the Pastor. In 1870. the church edifice was enlarged and improved. at an expense of 86.121.56. The Sunday school was organized in 1838. and has been held uninterruptedly since then. Organizations under the management of the ladies of the church, sewing societies. or dime societies. have existed almost from the organization of the church. and have proved very efficient aids in raising funds for the church. In March. 1875. two ladies' missionary societies (one for young people) were organized, and are still active. Annual contributions are made by the church to the American Bible Society. the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions. the American Home Missionary Society, the American Missionary Association, the Education Society, and the Congregational Union. During the pastorate of Rev. S. P. Leeds. this church and Pastor were active in the formation of the Puritan Conference.

CUYAHOGA FALLS TOWNSHIP. - 487

The Church of Christ is the youngest of the church organizations at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, its existence as an independent church body dating from the 27th day of March, A. D. 1881. The history of the efforts made by the disciple that led to the organization of the church, covers a period of about two years.

In the month of January, 1879. upon the invitation of the Ohio Christian Missionary Society, District No. 15, and the church at Stow, Elder T. D. Garvin, of Columbus, Ohio, visited Cuyahoga Falls to hold a series of meetings. James' Hall (now called Apollo Hall). was obtained for this purpose. The weather during these meetings—which continued nearly four weeks—was excellent. and the members of the church at Stow attended nearly all the meetings. James' Hall was filled night after night to the close. Rev. T. D. Garvin's labors on this occasion were rewarded by quite a number of additions to the church. The expenses of the meeting were borne jointly by the missionary society and the Stow church.

In the spring of 1879. the members of the Stow church. who were living at the Falls, organized a mission, rented the hall over J. L'Hommedieu's store, and held regular meetings, for social worship. preaching and communion.

These meetings were continued during the year with rather indifferent success. A. S. Wheeler. Elder of the Stow church, had charge of the mission, and the money necessary to sustain it was contributed by the missionary society and the members of the church resident at the Falls.

In December. 1879, Elder T. D. Garvin held a second series of meetings in Apollo Hall, which continued till January 12. 1880. Like the meetings of the previous winter. these were largely attended, and resulted in some thirty additions to the church at Stow. The expense of the meetings, which was about 88 per day. was paid in equal parts by the missionary society and by the brethren and friends of the mission.

In February, perhaps, of 1880. the mission rented the hall over Giles L'Hommedieu's store. where it has since held its meetings. In April of the same year. William Southmayd, an El-der of the Stow church, moved to the Falls and took an active part in the work of the mission. A Sunday school was organized in connectionwith the mission on May 1, 1880, and William Southmayd was chosen Superintendent. A good corps of teachers was secured, and with an enrollment of about twenty-five (which at this writing, May 28, 1880, has grown to nearly fifty), the Sunday-school work of the mission was begun.

About April 15, of the same year, Leonard Southmayd was employed to preach regularly for the mission. He preached regularly from the time of his employment up to the date of the organization of the church, every Lord's Day morning, with one exception. The expense incident to this period of the mission's life was borne by the members of the mission. the missionary society and the church at Stow.

In December, 1880, Elder C. C. Smith, of Akron, held a protracted meeting in G. L'Hommedieu's hall, which resulted in a few accessions to the church. The church at Akron gave Elder Smith's time, Elder Southmayd supplying the Akron pulpit during Elder Smith's labors here. A pleasant feature of the close of this meeting was the presentation to the Mission Sunday School by Elder Smith, in behalf of the Akron Sunday School, of the beautifully framed mottoes which now adorn the walls of the Sunday-school room.

On February 7, 1881, at the request of members of the mission, the State Evangelist. Elder R. Moffat, called a conference to take into consideration the propriety and practicability of organizing a church. At this conference which met at William Southmayd's. there were present from Stow, Ulysses Marvin, Eli Gaylord, L. Hartle. C. B. Wetmore, Josiah Wetmore, J. O. Williiamson. Joseph Whittlesey. L. Southmayd and A. B. Griffith ; from the Falls, A. S. Wheeler, William Southmayd, John Jones. 0. M. Hart, Zeno Culver, J. T. Ream. In addition to these there were present R. Moffat, State Evangelist of the Ohio Christian Missionary Society, Linus Rogers. C. C. Smith and A. E. Myers, State Evangelist of West Virginia.

The unanimous conclusion of the conference was that a church be organized at the Falls, provided such act met the approval of the brethren of the mission.

The Elders of the Stow Church gave their consent to the transfer of some fifty-seven names from their church record to the record of the church at the Falls whenever organized.

488 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

Subsequently the members of the mission concluded to effect an organization. With that end in view, the State Evangelist, Elder Moffatt was invited to hold a series of meetings at the hall of the mission, which he did beginning on Saturday evening, March 18, 1881, and closing on Sunday evening, March 27, 1881. On March 27, 1881, by appropriate exercises, the church was formally organized, though not legally incorporated as the Church of Christ, of Cuyahoga Falls. Ohio, and the following officers were chosen : A. S. Wheeler and William Southmayd, Elders ; O. M. Hart. John Jones and T. J. Ream. Deacons ; W. M. Griswold, Treasurer, and Charles Fillius, Clerk.

There are in Cuyahoga Falls but few secret societies. Howard Lodge, No. 62, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 12, 1846. by O. P. Stidger, D. D. G. M., of Canton, Ohio. The charter members were Philemon Bliss. Richard Creighton, George Rouse, Augustus Binger and Daniel M. Curtiss. Their charter was surrendered August 27, 1862. The lodge, however. was reinstituted August 1, 1872, by H. Y. Beebe, P. G. M., of Ravenna, Ohio. The new charter members were John Grimm, D. H. Jones. William Daugherty, Andrew Schmidt. W. H. Dailey, A. M. Musson, John Little. E. L. Babcock and C. Kittleberger. The present officers of the lodge are : I. N. Reid, N. G.; George Williams, V. G.; George W. Rice, Secretary ; W. H. Dailey, Recording Secretary ; W. M. Griswold, Treasurer. The Trustees are George J. Parks, George W. Rice. A. C. Goble, Humphrey Parkin, W. I. Clarkson. The names of the Past Grands now connected with the lodge are D. H. Jones, John Grimm. William Daugherty, Andrew Schmidt. E. L. Babcock, W. H. Dailey, George W. Rice, Nelson Holcomb, E. A. Inskeep, A. C. Goble, Thomas Garrety, C. Kittleberger, George J. Parks, W. Hough, George F. Patterson, W. I. Clarkson. John D. Thomas, David Forbes and Joseph Jones. The present number of members is seventy-three. Their night of meeting is Tuesday ; their place, Loomis Block, northeast corner of Front and Portage streets.

Letters of dispensation were granted to Star Lodge, F. & A. M., by the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio January 9, 1850. The first officers of the lodge were : Richard Creighton. W. M.; H. N. Gillett, S. W.; H. Dowd, J. W.; G. L'Hommedieu, Treasurer ; John Davis.j Secretary ; A. M. Manchester, S. D.; I. Lewis, J. D.; William Wright. Tiler. The lodge received their charter from the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio the 17th day of October, 1850.

The following were charter members of the Lodge : Richard Creighton. Harrison M. Gillett. Henry Dowd, Charles W. Whetmore, Giles L'Hommedieu, John Davis. Alonzo N. Manchester, Isaac Lewis, William Wright, Timothy Brainard, George Allen and Robert Peebles.

The following members were Past Masters of the lodge : R. Creighton, J. Chamberlain, A. M. Manchester, C. W. Whetmore, P. V. Curch, S. Comstock, John Hinde. R. Peebles,

James. M. Crawford and E. L. Babcock.

The lodge holds two regular communications a month in the Buck Block, on the corner of Front and Portage streets.

The present officers of the lodge are : William Sidwell. W. M.; William Belong. S. W.: M. Crafts. J. W.; C. Kittleberger. Treasurer ; C. A. Hall, Secretary ; D. Forbes. S. D.: ' C. Clarke. J. D.; H. M. Stanley. Tiler : J. H. Insande and J. I. Reid, Stewards.

Royal Arcanum, Enterprise Council. No. 234. was organized January 3, 1879. The charter members were E. L. Babcock. W. S. Hough. John I. Jones, P. H. Standish, T. F. Heath. J. J. Moore. George Paul, Thomas Garrety. George F. Patterson. E. A. Inskeep. W. A. Taylor. W. A. Harrington, A. J. Vaughn, T. J. Francisco, E. A. Chamberlin. W. O. Beebe. W. M. Griswold. J. C. Reid, H. E. Howard. George J. Parks. The first officers were E. L. Babcock. Past Regent ; T. F. Heath, Regent ; A. J. Vaughn, Vice Regent ; W. O. Beebe, Collector ; W. M. Griswold. Secretary ; John I. Jones, Treasurer. The Lodge meets twice a mouth in G. A. R. Hall, in the James Block. The present officers are : W. S. Hough, Past Regent ; Thomas Garrety. Regent ; W. S. Hough, Collector ; W. M. Griswold, Secretary ; E. A. Chamberlin, Treasurer.

The Council is one of many similar councils of secret organization, extending nearly all over the United States, organized for the purpose of mutual insurance on the assessment plan, each member paying, according to age. Upon the death of a member in good standing, the heirs are paid from the fund raised by the assessmeat the sum of 83.000.

It also has a social interest for which pro-

CUYAHOGA FALLS TOWNSHIP - 489

motion its stated council meetings are held. Besides its assessments, each council collects its quarterly dues for defraying its running expenses and creating a fund from which each member is entitled to not less than $1 per week in case of sickness.

On the 8th day of June, 1867, the following citizens of Cuyahoga Falls—L. W. Loomis, I. N. Reid, G. M. Patterson, Amos Wills, W. H. Shaffer, D. Shumway, M. V. Burt, R. M. Hinman, W. H. Carloss and B. B. Tremblin—former soidiers of the late war, met for the purpose of organizing a Post of the Grand Army, and signed an application for a charter which was forwarded to the headquarters of the then Eighteenth District, at Cleveland. On the evening of July 5, 1867, they met and were regularly mustered in by Col. George L. Childs, District Commander. The names of Josiah Brown, A. S. Emerson, J. H. Shewey were added to the charter list.

The officers elected at this meeting for one year were A. S. Emerson, Post Commander ; R. H. Hinman, Senior Vice Commander ; D. Shumway, Junior Vice Commander ; B. B. Tremblin. Post Adjt. ; L. W. Loomis, Post Quartermaster ; W. H. Shaffer, Surgeon ; G. M. Patterson, Chaplain.

The name chosen for the Post was Eadie (Post No. 232). in honor of the Eadie boys—John, James and Henry—who lost their lives as soldiers during the rebellion. The number was afterward changed to No. 37.

The first meetings were held in the old Temperance Hall, but in a few weeks the Post made arrangements to occupy the hall in the Loomis Block with the I. O. G. T.

The organization grew rapidly during the years up to 1870. In that year the Post had increased from fourteen members to over one hundred and twenty-five. But in the year 1869, it pleased the National Headquarters to introduce a new system known as the " Three Grades "—(1st) recruit ; (2d) soldier ; (3d) veteran. For soldiers, this system did not work well. In consequence, recruiting about stopped, 1 members became delinquent, and, finally, in December, 1873, the old Post ceased to exist. While it flourished, no member that belonged to it need be ashamed of its work. They collected, outside of the regular fees and dues, from the years 1867 to 18; 3, about $1.200, and used the same for charitable purposes. They tookcare of their own sick and poor ; they buried their own dead, and helped to establish the Soldiers' Orphan Home. Many a strange soldier was sent on his way rejoicing through the kindness of the comrades of Eadie Post. The last work they did was one of practical benefit to Cuyahoga Falls, the donating of the last $100 in the treasury to establish the free reading room, which is an honor to Cuyahoga Falls.

In March, 1880, there met in the office of George Paul, a number of the old members of the G. A. R. and old soldiers, and signed an application for a new charter. The meeting for organization was held March 17, 1880, in the old Temperance Hall, and the Post was duly organized by Judge L. C. Williamson and comrades from Buckley, of Akron. Twenty-six members were regularly mustered in.

The officers elected from the charter list for the first year ending January 1, 1881, were W. O. Beebe, P. C.; J. A. Ramp, Sr. V. C.; H. Ingals, Jr. V. C.; C. T. Parks, Adjt. ; J. C. Reid, Q. M.; G. M. Patterson, O. D.; M. H. Diffendorf, O. G.; W. S. Hough, Surg.; J. A. Craffts, Chaplain ; H. Steele, Sgt. M.; M. C. Tuft, Q. M. Sgt.; George Paul, Dept. Aid de Camp.

The old name and old number was adopted, "Eadie Post, No. 37, Department of Ohio."

Since April 1, 1880, the Post has occupied a lodge-room in Apollo Hall block. The Post has steadily increased in the last year, having now about fifty members, good and efficient officers, and well-attended meetings. In fact its future never was brighter than at present. There is but one grade ; the object is fraternity, charity and loyalty. Since the reorganization, the Post has lost by death one of our most valued members, Adjt. W. J. Patterson, a brave soldier, and the most efficient Adjutant that has occupied that office since the Post was established in Cuyahoga Falls. The death roll as near as is known since 1877. of the Post is John Williams, Christopher Post, Frederick Bethel, Frank Brainard, William Cooper, A. H. Goble and William J. Patterson.

In 1812, Kelsey & Wilcox built a dam across the Cuyahoga River at the place in Cuyahoga Falls where the railroad bridge crosses it. At this point they erected a grist-mill and a saw-mill. These were the first in the village. After the war with Great Britain of 1812-15, the property was purchased by Stow & Wetmore, and an oil-mill built.

490 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

It is well known that, at an early day, there was a portage or carrying-place between the waters of the Cuyahoga and those of the Tuscarawas used by the Indians and traders to transport their canoes and peltries within the present Summit County. This portage was an important path, even after the country was occupied by the whites. At a point on this carrying-place was erected by the United States Government a military post, and what was called a " navy yard," and supplies were gathered here for their maintenance. These were drawn from as far south as Chillicothe, being brought up to the head-waters of the Muskingum and conveyed overland to the Cuyahoga. William Wetmore was appointed Commissary of this post, and all the lumber necessary to supply the wants of the Government at the station was supplied by the saw-mill at the "old village," near, as we have seen. where the railroad bridge crosses the river.

In the course of time it was discovered that a " power " existed farther down the river much to be preferred to the one which had thus been improved ; so the last named gentlemen commenced in April, 1825, to make improvements at the latter place. William Wetmore, Jr., acting for Stow & Wetmore. gathered thirty men from the surrounding country, who were set to work to construct a dam where the upper one now stands. This was finished in June following. Here was erected a grist-mill, also a saw-mill and an oil-mill. As the erection of this dam flooded the one above, the mills first built were taken down.

In 1830, Stow & Wetmores (the father of the latter was then dead) built a paper-mill upon the east side of the river. The first sheet of paper was run off on the 8th of December of that year. Previous to this, the tannery, now occupied by C. Kittleberger, was erected.

"On the 1st day of April, 1825," writes Henry Wetmore, " Brother William and I came to what is now the village of Cuyahoga Falls from the banks of Silver Lake, in the township of Stow. We cut away the alders on the bank of the river, where .Israel James' flouring-mill was afterward erected, to take a look at the river, and the wild scenery on each side. The next day Father came to line out the 210 acres which were subsequently the Stow Township part of the village, and to take a level of the fall of the river, to ascertain the height of thedam he was to build. All around was an unbroken forest. On the 30th of April we had a house up, and a goodly number of men employed in cutting and hewing timber for our dam and saw-mill. flour and linseed oil mill, all of which were built in the year 1825-26.

"In December we completed our paper-mill, it being the first mill in the State to make paper by the method of gathering the pulp on a cylinder. There were three or four small hand mills in Ohio which made paper with seives by dipping up the pulp and shaking it. Joshua Stow, of Middletown, Conn., was our partner, under the firm name of Stow & Wetmores. In March. 1837. I sold out my interest in the firm to Mr. Stow. Since then the destroying hand of time and decay wore out the paper-mill frame and timbers. and it was pulled down. Some fiend burned the flouring-mill. and the oil-mill was discontinued for want of seed to stock it.

"I n 1836. a gentleman came to Cuyahoga Falls to locate in business. He liked the place much, but he had heard of a place called Chicago. and he would go and see it before locating. On his return, he said Cuyahoga Falls was doing the most business, and would always continue to do so : so he located here !"

While Stow & Wetmores. in 1825, were constructing their dam and building their mills as before mentioned, Henry Newberry was engaged in making improvements in the lower part of the present village. What is now Turner. Parks & Co.'s dam was built by him during that year. The next year he erected on the west side of the river a saw-mill. and on the east side an oil-mill. The latter was carried away by a flood in 1832, but a new mill was immediately put up, and was used by E. N. Sill and Ogden Wetmore. It was afterward sold to John Rumrill, who disposed of it to Prentiss Dow, the latter converting it into a paper-mill. Dow ran it in company with Rum-rill, under the firm name of Dow, Rumrill & Co. This partnership was closed after a time. and then run by P. & G. Dow. The building was finally removed.

The first woolen factory in Cuyahoga Falls was erected near where are now the shops of Turner, Vaughn & Taylor. This factory was burned—the incendiary was spontaneous combustion. There was an oil-mill which was run by Penfield & Starr, adjoining the woolen fac-

CUYAHOGA FALLS TOWNSHIP -491

tory at the time of its destruction, which was saved ; but this has "gone where the woodbine twineth." In 1834, a foundry and trip-hammer shop was built by Mr. Vaughn, on the south side of what is now the stone bridge, where the saw-mill stands ; but this was burned and never rebuilt. Just south of this was a carriage-shop carried on by Isaac Lewis. The building was afterward changed to a paper-mill, and run by George E. Clarke in company with his nephew, Seymour ; but like others of its class, it, too, has passed away. In 1834, Ogden Wetmore and B. R. Manchester built a foundry and machine-shop near where the brick paper-mill now stands. They ran the foundry for about two years, when Manchester's place was taken by L. W. Butler. In 1835, the machine-shop was leased by the Messrs. Bill, who afterward purchased the property and used it until 1843, when it was destroyed by fire.

n 1845. the Messrs. Bill put up a brick building for a foundry and machine-shop, but, for the purpose of renting it to J. M. Smith & Co. for a paper-mill, they erected a small shop on the other side of the street for their own use. The lease of this company was for ten years. but. before its expiration. they were succeeded by Harrison & Hanford, who purchased the property and added to it till it became what was known as the Empire Mill. This came into the hands of Hanford Brothers, who ran it until 1872, when it burned down. The Messrs. Bill took into copartnership James Chamberlain, and their shops were run for several years under the firm name of Bill & Chamberlain. To accommodate their increasing business they removed the shops first built, and put up large buildings opposite the Empire Mill. There were some changes in the proprietorship from time to time, but the shops were kept running until the fire of 1872. when they disappeared with all their contents. A paper-mill, built by T. L. Miller, once stood on the east side of the canal. This was run by steam. It was subsequently occupied by Caleb Howard, but fell into decay and was taken down. Among the " ancient institutions of Cuyahoga Falls was a distillery. A portion of the buildings connected with it afterward were appropriated by the Taylor Wire Cloth Company. The deadly worm " has long since disappeared.

A lard oil and candle factory was started inCuyahoga Falls in 1842, by George A. Stanley and Henry Holbrook, in the first building north of what is now the covered bridge on the west side ; but the enterprise was soon abandoned. Among other early industries undertaken, but which was of short continuance, was a starch factory, by Birdsey Booth, at the spring on the bank of the river, near the present mill of Mr. Hinde. Another one was by G. & I. L'Hommedieu, near the depot, a sandpaper and glue factory, under the management of Mr. Smith. Still another was a pump factory, on the east side, carried on by R. S. Williams. In 1852, there were in the village three paper-mills, two oil-mills, two forges, one webbing factory, one fork, hoe and tool factory, three machine-shops one saw-mill, one fork and hoe factory, two grist-mills, one flax factory and one shovel factory.

In 1854, Cuyahoga Falls had three paper-mills in operation, and another in process of erection. They consumed 675 tons of the raw material, making 525 tons of paper annually. n them were employed eighty persons. They consumed $9,000 worth of chemicals and colors annually. There were two oil-mills. consuming 16,000 bushels of seed annually, making 30,000 gallons of oil. There was one forge for manufacturing car-axles, consuming from six to seven hundred tons of pig-metal, and making about five hundred and fifty tons of axles annually. The establishment employed from twenty to twenty-five men. There were three foundries and machine-shops. One of them consumed from 300 to 400 tons of stock. manufacturing about $75.000 worth of machinery annually. and affording constant employment to about thirty men. There was also a steel-fork manufactory. which turned out. on an average. 100,000 forks annually. consuming twenty tons of cast-steel, and employing from fifteen to twenty hands ; one shovel-factory, which made six dozen shovels daily ; one grist-mill, one tool-factory, two tanneries, one ashery, two flax-mills, and one distillery, as previously mentioned. This last-mentioned " institution " consumed 75,000 bushels of grain annually. making 30,000 gallons of high-wines. It furnished food for 3,000 hogs. "and drink for ten times that number."

In 1876. there were in operation within the corporation one foundry, one rolling-mill, two grist-mills, two saw-mills, a rivet-factory and

492 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

clay-mill, a wire-factory, wire-weaving works, a large foundry and machine-shop, a small machine-shop and town-clock factory, two paper-mills, another partly erected, an extensive sewer-pipe factory, two potteries, a planing-mill, a tannery, a tow-bagging mill and a tile-factory.

Having thus briefly outlined the rise and progress of the manufacturing industries of Cuyahoga Falls, many of which " were, but are not," the attention of the reader is asked while we recount the story of such as are now in existence.

The buildings of the Variety Iron Works of Turner, Vaughn & Taylor consist of the main building, 36x74 feet ; an L-shaped attachment, 32x76 feet ; and a wing, 36x72 feet—each containing two stories and a basement. The first shop upon the place where these buildings stand was used by a man by the name of Kelley as a chairfactory. Mr. Lawson used it for the same purpose for some time afterward. This was replaced by one built by Vaughn, Hunt & Co.. which was removed to give place to the Variety Iron Works, founded in 1856, bn the firm of Turner, Parks & Co. Mr. Parks and Mr. Wetmore afterward retired. The remaining members were succeeded by Turner. Parks & Taylor, and the latter. in 1879, by Turner, Vaughn Sr Taylor, the present proprietors. The buildings of this firm are equipped with the most perfect machinery known in all the departments of iron and wood working, operated by water, aggregating seventy-five-horse power. The specialties of this house are improved steam engines. grain-cleaning machinery, mill-gearing, wire-working machinery and clay-grinding machines, which latter article is patented by this firm. They constructed all the wire-drawing machinery of the extensive Cleveland Rolling-Mills, and have made machinery for every wire-mill in the United States. with but a single exception, and are now super-intending the erection of similar machinery in England. n addition to the leading products enumerated above, they also manufacture steam, hydraulic and screw presses for sewer-pipe. paper-mill, flour-mill and clay-mill machinery, iron and brass castings in great variety to order ; Russia, sheet and galvanized iron and zinc screens, light cast-iron pipe for heating by steam, flange-pipe. etc. They have also facilities for sawing every description of lumber toorder, and for grinding flour, feed, etc., for customers as required.

The Falls Wire Manufacturing Company are located in Cuyahoga Falls, on the bank of the Cuyahoga River. The main building is of brick, 40x85 feet, three stories and a basement, with a wing 30x55 feet, well supplied with improved modern machinery and appurtenances for the production of every grade of iron and steel wire. The production of this article, in all its forms and sizes, furnishes an interesting sight to the curiosity-seeker. Regarded as a prominent article of commerce, entering largely as it does into a variety of industrial pursuits, its manufacture forms no insignificant item in the manufactures of the village. The works were first known as the Falls Wire Mill. operated by the Falls Wire Company. a ,stock company organized in 1873, for the manufacture of iron wire. This company was succeeded by the Falls Wire Manufacturing Company, organized in 1879. with an authorized capital stock of $100,000. The waters of the Cuyahoga River furnish the power (65-horse-power). to turn the machinery. There is here produced annually over one thousand tons of the various sizes of finished wire. The trade of this company is principally in the West. They make a specialty of wire for fine purposes, such as spring-wire for woven-wire mattresses. the extra grades of tinned wire, and broom and binder wire. On the evening of March M, 1881, since the fore-going was written, these works were largely destroyed by fire. They will, however, be immediately rebuilt, with but a few weeks' interruption of the business of the company.

The peculiar adaptability of the clay deposits of Summit County for the manufacture of pottery has been spoken of in another chapter. Ohio stoneware has acquired an extensive reputation. The Cuyahoga Falls Stoneware Factory was founded about eighteen years ago by the firm of Thomas & Harris. Thomas Brothers are the present proprietors. The building occupied by this company is a two-story structure, 36x120 feet in size, and is furnished with a complete and thorough outfit of machinery especially adapted to the manufacture of the line of articles turned out, consisting of churns, butters, pans, Dutch pots, jugs, preserve jars, fruit jars with label tops, covers, stove tubes, etc. The capacity of the factory is upward of 300,000 gallons per annum, valued at not less

CUYAHOGA FALLS TOWNSHIP. - 493

than $15,000, the demand for which is principally in the States of Michigan, Illinois and Indians. Their manufactory is on the corner of Main and Broad streets.

At the corner of Front and Portage streets is the business house of L. W. Loomis. It was founded in 1864, under the firm name of Loomis & Co., with L. W. Loomis, H. E. Loomis. and Smith & Harington, of New York, as partners. Since 1868, it has been under the sole control and management of L. W. Loomis. A specialty of this house is the manufacture of tinware, for which purpose a large force is employed. A number of wagons are kept on the road disposing of the manufactured stock.

The clay banks of Summit County are universally acknowledged to be superior to any in the United States for the manufacture of sewer pipe and similar articles, and the class of goods manufactured here have a national reputation. The value of these immense deposits of clay is estimated at nearly $2,000,000 a year, and. as the variety and extent of these important articles of commerce is continually on the increase, without any perceptible diminution of the raw material, there can scarcely be a limit to this great and important source of wealth and prosperity. At Cuyahoga Falls, the manufacture of sewer pipe is extensively carried on by George C. Germain. The works now conducted by him were founded in 1865, by Lewis. Fosdick & Camp, and. after passing through a number of changes in proprietorship, came into the possession of James H. Cooke in 1877. Mr. Cooke has since died. The trade has considerably increased, and now extends all over the United States from Maine to Minnesota. Mr. Germain occupies a spacious and commodious building four stories in height. covering an area of 40x180 feet. with convenient yards adjacent. The works are located on the banks of the Cuyahoga River, where they have water-power equivalent to eighty horses, using one sixty horse-power and one twenty horse-power wheel. The works are supplied with the most approved and latest styles of machinery, and appliances especially adapted to this branch of industry, and for capacity, extent and general excellence of appointments, as well as for superiority of productions, will compare favorably with any similar establishment in the State. He turns out every variety of straight, bent, elbow. slant and branch pipe, with elbows, which renders it impervious to the action of steam, gas and acids, and is particularly notice-able for fine finish, durability and uniformity. On the site of these works there once stood an oil-mill, built by Cyrus Prentiss. It was afterward used by Henry Wetmore to make linseed oil, till 1863, when it gave place to the works before mentioned.

The Cuyahoga Paper Company was organized in 1875. Their first building occupied was the one built for a grist-mill by Yockey, Vantine & Co. This mill was run for the manufacture of flour for some years ; but was finally purchased by J. M. Smith & Co.. and changed to a paper mill. Soon after, it was burned down. Another mill was immediately erected in its place, which was run by Harrison & Hanford, until that one was also burned to the ground. Again it was built, and used by the gentlemen last mentioned, until bought by the Cuyahoga Paper Company. This company went into possession in 1875. The last-named firm was organized by Robert R. Peebles. George Dow and George Sacket, for the purpose of manufacturing wrapping and colored papers, the latter article being used for posters, handbills and tobacco labels principally. In 1879, Mr. Dow and Mr. Sacket retired, and J. M. Loeser. A. S. Deutsch and S. Levi entered the firm. They occupy a number of buildings on the banks of the river, which are supplied with improved machinery, especially adapted to this branch of business. The capacity of the mills are 8,000 pounds a day. The motive power of the works is supplied by steam, and the water of the river.

One of the largest and most complete manufacturing establishments of its kind in the United States, is that of P. H. Standish, devoted to the production of chains and chain machinery, and wrought saddlery hardware of every description. These works were established at this place in 1878. and comprise at the lower works one main building 30x50 feet, three stories in height ; one blacksmith-shop 30x75 feet, and one 20xl00 feet ; a building 16x35 feet, used as a japanning and trimming department, and a coke shed 28x30 feet. The upper works consist of one main building 50x200 feet, with two additions, one 50x30 feet, the other 20x50 feet. All of the buildings are thoroughly

494 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

equipped with most perfect and complete machinery, much of which is of Mr. Standish's own invention, and protected by letters patent from the United States Government. Water-power, equivalent to 100 horses, supplies the motive power required. The leading productions of these works are every description of harness coil, agricultural and wagon chains and chain machinery, patent wrought swivels, rings, hooks. lap rings, lap links, S-hooks, dees, tees, staples, snaps, clips, finch buckles, japanned harness rings, buckles, etc. The demand for these articles is principally in New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago. St. Louis, Baltimore. Fort Wayne. Evansville. and in fact all over the United States. Mr. Standish came to Cuyahoga Falls from St. Louis.

The attention of farmers throughout the country has of late years been called to the importance and the advantages of a thorough system of underdrainage by means of drain tile, and it has been demonstrated that for sloughs and swampy places this system is no longer an experiment, but an absolute necessity for profitable and practical agricultural and horticultural purposes. Underdrainage, when good tile are used, is a permanent and valuable imment, and the old adage that "Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well," is as applicable to this case as to any other. The Cuyahoga Falls Drain Tile are made from a very superior quality of potters' clay, the same which has obtained a national reputation in the manufacture of the celebreted Akron Sewer Pipe, and it is admitted to be the best clay in the United States for this and similar purposes. The tile are smooth, strong, well made and well burned. The firm of Camp & Babb first engaged in the manufacture of these tile, but the works are now owned by H. B. Camp. They occupy two spacious buildings, one 42x70, and one 24x60, supplied with all the requisite machinery, operated by a 120-horse-power engine. They manufacture, in addition to a superior quality of drain tile, roofing tile, building ; blocks and a variety of other products of a similar description. The building blocks are a recent innovation and invention, and a specialty manufactured by no other house. They are ; square blocks made hollow, and possess many advantages for building purposes over the ordinary brick. They are made from the same material as the drain tile. The demand forroofing tile is principally in the East, and for drain tile at the present time principally in Northern Ohio, although as its merits and advantages become known, the demand is extending through other States. The yearly products of these works are about $10,000 in value.

The planing-mill and factory of Snyder & Blood occupies two spacious and conveniently-arranged buildings—one 36x70, and one 80x36. furnished with planing machines. door, sash and blind machinery of the most approved styles and designs, and all the tools, appliances and machinery pertaining to this branch of industry. The power used at their factories is one thirty-five-horse-power engine and boiler ; and their yearly business. which amounts to not less than $30.000. is principally derived from Summit and adjoining counties. The house was founded in 1876. by the present proprietors.

The manufacture of rivets is becoming quite an important industry in this country. and has grown very rapidly within the last few years. especially in the West, where manufacturing of every description is constantly assuming greater proportions, thus bringing into active and augmenting demand the thousand and one items in the shape of material entering into the construction of mechanical appliances and apparatus. One of these items of importance—as necessary to manufacturers generally as nails to the house-builder—is the article of rivets. There are in the United States several large establishments engaged in this branch of industry, but in no one of them are goods turned out superior to those produced by the Falls Rivet Company.

This concern went into operation in the year 1873. The works, first used as a flouring-mill and sash, door and blind factory, are fully provided with ingeniously devised labor-saving machinery of the most approved mechanism, and thus they are enabled to produce first-class goods with the utmost economy practicable. They use the best Norway iron exclusively in their manufactures, and employ thoroughly experienced workmen. Their marked success in this enterprise is measurably attributable to the high standard of excellence attained by their product, and they are determined to allow none to surpass them in the style, finish and quality of their work. Among their manifest advantages is that of favorable location, as regards

CUYAHOGA FALLS TOWNSHIP - 495

supplying the Western trade, inasmuch as they can reach the Western markets six days in advance of Boston. Their rivets are regarded as " standard " throughout the West, and are shipped as far East as Syracuse, N. Y. There are several large users of these goods in Akron, such as the Whitman & Barnes Manufacturing Company, and Aultman, Miller & Company.

The Falls Rivet Company was recently incorporated under the State law, with a capital of $100,000. They are working a full force of men, in the manufacture of all kinds and styles of iron rivets, both block and tinned, including carriage, block, machine, tire, hame, belt, coopers` and wagon box, riveting burrs, wagon and hinge nails. They guarantee every pound of their goods to be of the best quality. Special-sized or shaped goods in their line of manufacture are made to order on short notice, and at the lowest prices.

The factory of this company is a commodious two-story building, situated on the east side of the river, and is supplied with abundant water and steam power, together with every requisite convenience and appliance for the rapid production of the goods made here.

C. Kittleberger's tannery was established a number of years ago by the present proprietor. whose business since that time has steadily increased. The tannery building proper, is 60x50 feet in size, containing two floors ; and the currying building, which is also two stories, covers an area of 24x48. Both buildings are thoroughly equipped with all the necessary machinery and appliances. and one sixteen-horse-power engine supplies the motive power required. Mr. Kittleberger manufactures and carries in stock every variety of calf, kip, upper and harness leather. making a specialty of the latter article, in which line he has established a wide-spread reputation. He is at all times prepared to pay cash for hides and pelts at the very highest market rates. His trade, which amounts to nearly $20,000 per annum, extends both East and West, and the products of this tannery meet with a ready sale in all parts of the United States.

The flouring-mill of Turner, Vaughn & Taylor, was first built for a planing-mill by Henry Newberry, and was run by him in company with Henry A. Sill. It was soon after leased by Penfield & Starr, who changed it into a paper-mill. It afterward passed into the handsof Henry Wetmore, who, in company with a man named Wright, ran it for a time. But it passed again into Mr. Newberry's hands, who removed the paper machinery and changed it to a grist-mill, for which purpose it is still occupied. It does custom work.

Buildings were first erected upon the clam of what is known as the Chuckery Company, in the south part of the village, for making shovels, forks, etc. These buildings were slight and soon went to decay. They came, finally, into the hands of John Hinde, who rebuilt them and employed them in making rope and twine. He afterward changed them into a mill for making coarse bagging. The manufactory is now closed.

The Improved Barber and Dental Chair Company, of Cuyahoga Falls, manufactures L. W. Boys' improved quadruple motion revolving barber and dental chairs. The President of the company is H. M. Stanley ; the Secretary and Treasurer, C. H. Reeve ; the Superintendent, L. W. Boys. The last named, after several years of close application to the matter of inventing a barber and dental chair, at length produced the one now being manufactured by this company.

The Blakeslee Manufacturing Company has works on the west side of the river. The company manufactures machine-forged nuts, bridge and tank rivets, forged nut machines, heading machines for heading rivets, track bolts, plow bolts and square or hexagon head bolts.

The grist-mill known as James' Mill, was built for and run as an oil-mill. It is now owned by B. F. Thompson, and stands on the west side of the river. Mr. James, many years ago, purchased the mill and repaired it. He ran it until July, 1880, when it passed into the hands of the present proprietor. The mill does custom work and has two run of stone.

The rolling-mill and forge near by were long the property of Israel James. They are now run by Robert Turner.

The Taylor Wire Cloth Company which manufactured, for several years, all kinds of wire cloth, riddles, seives and wire goods generally, was incorporated under the Ohio laws, in February, 1874. It is not now operating as a manufacturing company. The pottery of Holloway & Hoots, formerly a glue factory, is no longer engaged in the manufacture of stone-ware.

496 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

In concluding this sketch of the manufactures of Cuyahoga Falls, it may be said that although its romantic and beautiful surroundings have given to this locality a widespread reputation as a pleasure resort, its various industrial and manufacturing establishments, have contributed in a more practical manner to its fame.

There are many industries in the village esides its manufactures, deserving mention, t least, in a sketch of the " Cuyahoga Falls of today." The following may be noted :

Agricultural Implements—Jones & Howe.

Attorneys at Law—J. C. Castle, Charles Fillins, E. C. Ruggles.

Bakers—F. Link, Fred Ikins. Bank—International Bank.

Billiards—Hoyt & James, M. Deafendorf. Book Binders—A. R. Knox. John H. Brainerd.

Books and Stationery—F. S. Heath & Co., H. F. Bannard.

Boots and Shoes—John Cook, George Hanson, Henry Plum.

Builders—Harvey Snyder.

Carriage Makers—W. A. Allen & Co., Clayton & Reid.

Cigar Manufacturers—T. J. Francisco. Clothing—H. E. Howard.

Coal and Wood—W. M. Griswold, Phillip Thomas, Thomas Brothers.

Dentist—A. B. Curtiss.

Dress Making—Mrs. Charles Dow, Mrs. Alice Dow, Miss Hurley.

Druggists—F. S. Heath & Co., H. F. Bannard.

Dry Goods—I. A. Mather, O. B. Beebe & Co., Groves, Quilty & Co.

Furniture—S. Brown.

Grocers—A. Patterson, J. H. Byrne, P. L. Norton, Isaac Lewis & Son, L. D. Williams,

Jones Brothers, G. L'Hommedieu, J. L'Hommedieu.

Harness and Saddles—Ezra Saxe, H. Avery. Job Printing—E. O. Knox, F. H. Duffy. Livery Stables—C. H. & W. Moon, A. L.

Gilbert, Jr., W. M. Post.

Lumber—Harvey Snyder.

Marble Works—Wiemer Brothers.

Meat Markets—S. D. Tiift, Andrew Porter. Briese & Martin.

Restaurant—G. Bitterman.

Merchant Tailor—Augustus Seidshlag.

Millinery—George A. Brock, Annie Donnelly.

Photographer—Henry L. Shumway.

Physicians—T. F. Heath, G. C. Upson, W. S. Hough, A. H. Bill, H. W. Carter. Undertaker—S. Brown.

Wagon Makers—Clayton & Reid. Allen & Co.

Watches, Clocks and Jewelry—O. B. Carr, C. M. Hibbard.

House and Sign Painters—Alfred Letts, Sames Hogarth.

Insurance Agents—William Southmayd, W. A Hanford. Dr. T. F. Heath. A. H. Bill.

Village Express—W. M. Griswold.

Barbers—David Berkhimer, L. W. Boys. H. W. Johns, F. Ransom.

Blacksmiths—Joseph Jones, S. Loveland, H. McKay.

Crockery and Glass Ware—L. W. Loomis. Stoves and Tinware—G. J. Parks, L. W. Loomis.

Coopers—Jacob Weidner, Andrew Schmidt, David Hawn.

Hardware—G. J. Parks.

Hotels—Perry House, Bouys House, Glen House.