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CHAPTER XXVIII.*

BATH TOWNSHIP—DESCRIPTIVE—THE PINERY—SQUATTERS AND EARLY SETTLERS—PIONEER
HARDSHIPS—ERECTION OF MILLS—AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENTS
—VILLAGES—SCHOOLS—CHURCHES.

THE greater share of Bath Township is extremely rough and precipitous. Its central and northern portions, though far from being level, are not as rough and irregular as the balance of the township. The eastern third, and all the land along the valley of Yellow Creek are cut, divided and subdivided into innumerable bluffs and hills of all shapes, sizes and altitudes. Deep gorges wind around the bases of the bluffs, and in some cases are fully 300 feet below the summits of the conical knobs, which appear almost mountainous, when viewed from below. On account of the extreme roughness of Bath, the land was not considered desirable ; so that, in early years, settlers passed on, and it was only after the lapse of time, that large additions were made to the original pioneers. The principal and only stream of note is Yellow Creek. In many respects, it probably has no equal in the county. It is reported that, either from actual measurement or careful estimation, this stream, in flowing across the township (five miles), has a fall of 400 feet. While the stream does not afford any noticeable natural falls, almost its entire course is characterized y a succession of rapids, rendering the creation of first-class water-power an undertaking at once easy and permanent. Since the earliest settlement, these facts have been well known, and this will account for the large number of saw and grist mills that have been located along the stream. During the warmer months of dry seasons, the water becomes almost or quite insufficient for milling purposes ; but, in ordinary years, and especially during the rainy months, the creek is a rushing torrent, which sweeps noisily down the valley over its bed of rocks. One of the finest natural views in the county is in this valley, in the eastern part of the township. At a place where the creek takes a sudden turn toward the north, a basin of two or three acres is formed on the western side of the

* Contributed by W. A. Goodspeed.

creek bottom. Looking southward from the northern part of this basin, the beholder sees an attractive picture. The bluffs, which extend upward at an angle of forty-five degrees, form a graceful curve, and are covered with a fine forest of pine trees. These trees are found nowhere else along the creek, and form a beautiful contrast with the neighboring oaks and maples, which greets the eye of the spectator ' with pleasure. They are the white pine (Pinus strobus), and extend along the creek, mostly on the south side, for a distance of about eighty rods. The larger ones have been cut down and sawed into lumber, several of which measured almost four feet in diameter, though at present they are largely of a smaller growth. Numerous springs of pure water are found in various parts of the township. A small stream, in the northeast part, drains that portion of the township, and flows directly into the Cuyahoga. Another interesting creek rises near the northwest corner, and takes a southeasterly course, flowing into Yellow Creek at Ghent. On the northwest corner of Lot 37 is quite a large pond, drained by the last named creek, which, so far as the writer knows, is nameless.

Yellow Creek flows across Lots 80, 79, 78, 83, 77, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 and 70. Its bed is stony, and the stream, through an unknown period of years, has cut its way deeply into the soil. This is rendered apparent by the steep, high bluffs, bordering the creek and the rapid flow of the water. The surface soil is largely clay, mingled in many places with pebbles, rendering tillage unpleasant and difficult. In basin-like portions of the township, the soil contains considerable decaying vegetation, and these portions are valued highly by the agriculturist. An abundance of excellent sandstone is easily obtained. The eastern half of the township is rich in mineral and fossiliferous remains. There is, unquestionably, a large percentage of iron oxides, or perhaps bog iron ore.

618 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

in the soil, as is proved by the character of the water and the peculiar coloring of earth when newly turned up. The most of the water is strongly ferriferous, and even the streams deposit along the banks a reddish precipitate, or, perhaps, this peculiar coloring is produced by the action of the iron held in solution in the water, upon the clay along the banks. At any rate, the soil along the banks is discolored, and iron is the agent. Col. Riall McArthur, who originally surveyed the township, made the following entry in his note-book : " The attraction of the needle on these lines (in the eastern part of Bath), is on account of the vast quantity of iron ore that lies in the earth. under where the lines pass or near them. There is all the appearance of ore in the rivulets. Small pieces lifted and held toward the needle had particular influence on it. and by passing through the deep hollows has had particular influence on the lines." Upon examination the stones. even on the surface, are found to contain a large percentage of iron, and the swampy portions of the township are usually underlain with a thick bed of bog-iron ore. Swampy tracts of land that have been drained are found to contain this ore. t is utterly improbable. however, that smelting works and iron manufactories will ever be erected in Bath. The iron ore is much too scanty and impure to ever be profitably mined, although it is possible that future years may reach some vein of the requisite richness. In portions of the eastern part, there are also found large quantities of fossiliferous limestone. So far as the writer knows. this has not been classed, by those who have examined it. with any known group of rocks. On the contrary, the formation seems to have been placed there by local causes, the nature of which is difficult to determine. The rock seems to be made up almost wholly of the casts of animals that must have existed under the surface of water. A more detailed description of this rock will be found in the chapter on geology. The rock is covered with many feet of earth. It has been used for making lime, and is excellent for that purpose. It would pay the owners of the land where it is found to burn it and ship the lime by rail to distant points. Large quantities of coral of the honeycomb and sponge varieties are also found, not only on the surface but far under the soil.

Bath Township was not owned by the Government until after the treaty of Fort Industry in 1805. If any persons other than the Indians, and, perhaps, French. lived upon the soil, they were squatters, and only held a " squatter sovereignty " in the land. The township is No. 3 in Range 12. and was originally called Wheatfield. and is so named in the field-book of Rial McArthur and R. Warden, who surveyed the township into lots in 1808. The name is said to have been given by these men from the fact that the soil looked as though it would raise excellent wheat. How long the name was used is not definitely known. but it went out of use in two or three years. and then the township became popularly known as Hammondsburg, named thus for one of the earliest and most prominent settlers. Letters from Connecticut with this address were received. They also came directed to Township 3. Range 12. Western Reserve. Ohio. In fact. this was the ordinary way of addressing letters that were sent to this section of country.

Bath was not settled as early as some of the neighboring townships, at least by those who owned the soil. When the squatters first entered cannot be known with any degree of certainty. It may be that wandering hunters built their rude cabins immediately after the treaty at Fort Industry. At least. it is well known that when the first permanent settlers. who were owners of the land. appeared in 1810, there were then living in the township some six or eight squatters, several of whom had made no little improvement. It was not customary. however. for squatters to bother themselves much about the clearing of the land or other improvements. All they wanted was a small garden. wherein their half-clothed. half-starved wives and children could raise a few potatoes and other vegetables. Many of these squatters lived in the rudest and most primitive fashion. They apparently copied the customs of the Indians, and many of them existed in about the same miserable pligh'

The Indians got so they built small bark shanties, but little better than deer-skin wigwams. and many of the squatters erected and inhabited the same kind of dwellings. The meat was largely venison, but this was extremely dry, so that the earliest settlers, when they could procure a piece of fat pork, thought they

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had secured a luxury indeed. Wild turkeys were abundant, and were so fat, it is said, that sometimes when they fell to the earth after being shot from the top of high trees, the skin upon their backs burst open like a ripe pod. Wolves were very troublesome, and gave the settlers any amount of annoyance if sheep and other domestic animals were to he protected. Sheep brought into the backwoods had a sorry time of it, and usually died either under the sharp fangs of wolves or bears, or on account of the peculiarities of' the food upon which they were necessarily compelled to subsist. Even cattle and horses suffered greatly on the latter account. The poor oxen were annoyed by swarms of flies and gnats that thirsted for their blood. It is even asserted that oxen were killed by these flies, so great was the annoyance. Bears seemed to relish pork better than any other kind of meat, and woe unto the porker that fell into their hands (or rather claws). A bear would attack a hog in the woods, would mount upon its back. burying the sharp teeth in the neck. and tearing the sides of the fated swine with its powerful claws. Piercing squeals would reecho through the forest. sometimes reaching the ears of the owner, who would seize his rifle and rush to the rescue. and then it often fared hard with Mr. Bruin. Sometimes the owner would be glad to give up the swine and call the account square ; but. in a case of this kind, they always changed their minds soon afterward. and vowed future vengeance upon all members of the genus Ursus. The bears were usually so well satisfied with the terms of settlement that they afterward undertook to obtain a renewal of the account. that a similar settlement might be enjoyed. Sometimes they succeeded ; sometimes they died.

Prior to 1810, there lived in the township the following squatters : Aaron Miller. Gibson Gates, Hezekiah Burdit. Aaron and Moses Decker and Moses Latta. When these men first entered the township has not been ascertained, and probably never will be. Two or more of them, at least. came in during the spring of 1810, but the date of the arrival of the others is missing. These men had erected rude shanties in different parts of the township. and were busily engaged in hunting and. possibly, trapping, and some of them had begun to make improvements. The township was owned

by several proprietors in Connecticut, among whom were Ezekiel Williams and Thomas Bull, of Hartford. In the Bull tract, Jason Hammond had first choice, and Jonathan Hale second. Moses Latta had squatted near Ellis' Corners, and Aaron Miller had performed the same act on Lot 11. Mr. Hammond's lots were 26, 27, 28. 29 and 30. Jonathan Hale's were 11, 12, 13 and part of 14. The other squatters named above located mostly in the southeastern part. Abel Vallen also located in that portion, though whether as a squatter or an owner is not stated. A few years later, this man was living on the Cuyahoga. in Northampton. where be opened a distillery. These and a few others were the first settlers. and for a number of years they were alone in the township. West of them was an unsettled wilderness of indefinite extent, while east of them various settlements had been made. some of them ten years previous. William Cogswell. one of the most expert hunters ever in this part of the county. lived in the township for a number of years. and there is scarcely a hill or vale that has not echoed with the sharp report of his rifle. He became celebrated as a bear hunter. and subsequent generations have listened with interest to his recital of daring acts. that, beyond doubt, actually transpired. On one occasion. he started. late in the evening, from Granger to go to the cabin of Aaron Miller. in northeastern Bath. Night came on, and Cogswell. not wishing to proceed any farther at that time. prepared a couch of branches. and. stripping the bark from a large tree. covered himself with it and lay down to sleep. At daylight he awoke, and, throwing off his coverlet, arose to his feet. when he found that, during the night, about three inches of snow had fallen. covering him completely, and rendering his situation warm and comfortable. He started on toward the cabin of Miller, where he soon arrived with an excellent appetite for breakfast. Mrs. Miller furnished him with a quantity of cold boiled hominy, which he devoured with relish and satisfaction, apparently thinking his breakfast fit for a king. Indeed, it was no uncommon occurrence for settlers to live for weeks upon a single article of food. Sometimes venison was all the cabin could furnish ; at other times, especially in the dwellings of those settlers who were inferior hunters, meat would be lacking for many days. Hunters fared better as re-

620 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

gards meat. while those who devoted more attention to gardening enjoyed eating the greater number of vegetables.

The settlement and improvement of Bath were at first slow. The war of 1812 no doubt had something to do with this state of things. A few came in during the war, but no extensive improvements were made until a short time prior to 1820. As near as can be remembered. the following arrivals, at about the dates mentioned. took place : Old man Jourdan and his sous James, Moses. Joseph and John, 1813 ; old man Dunbar and his sons Lewis, Thomas and two or three others. 1814 ; Isaac Hopkins. 1813 ; Salmon Skinner and Eleazur Rice. 1816 ; Hopkin Nash, 1817 ; Theodore and Calvin Hammond. 1814 : Phineas Nash. 1819 ; and besides these. there came in during the same years. or perhaps later. the following well-known men : George W. Story, the first blacksmith in the township. William Jones. Junius Darrow. Lemuel Hoadley. James Root. Nathan Green. David Willey, Elijah Jacox, Joseph and Samuel Hawkins. Benjamin Bishop. James P. Baldwin. Mr. Heater. Mr. Boughton. Mr. Bradford, Mr. Seakons. Mr. Frost. John McFarland, William Williamson. Orville and William McFarland. Deacon Crosby, Simeon Crosby, John Kent. Manville Thorp. E. W. Simmons. Noble Simmons, Asa Jackson. Mr. Collins, Mr. Hatch. George Phillips. a large family of Shaws, the father's name being Constant, and some of his sons, Sylvester, Samuel and Phillip, Mr. Doolittle, Levi Bissell. Asa Hurd, Adam Vance, Seymour Ganyard. Benjamin Damon. Dr. Henry Hutson, two or three Whitcrafts. some of whom became prominent in the township. Henry Vansickle, Mr. Fowler, Lyman Nash, John Duryea, William Davis ; after 1830. Deacon Smith. Abin Sage, Mr. Lloyd. and many others whose names have passed out of recollection. It may be said that the greater number of these men were Connecticut Yankees, and almost all came directly from that State to the Western Reserve. Several came from the settlements a few miles east. and undoubtedly a great many came in who afterward became dissatisfied and removed farther west, or went back to the East. The The settlers were usually industrious, and it was not long before cabins could be seen in great numbers over the township, and the busy hum of human life took the place of the wolf's dismal howl and the Indian's wild whoop. Inevery direction forests could be seen going down. that were afterward burned in great conflagrations, that rivaled the sweeping prairie fires of the West. Small fields of corn and wheat waved their green plumage in the summer air ; deer bounded past within easy rifle shot ; the peculiar howl of wolves could be heard ; the ring and echo of as and rifle awoke the sleeping voices of the hills ; snakes, innumerable and venomous, wound their slow length along, and a multitude of circumstances, unknown to the present generation, presented themselves. And yet the early settlers were happy, or thought themselves so, which is much the same. They made enjoyment from their surroundings. But the cultivation of the higher qualities of mind and heart were omitted from the forest curriculum, and it may be wisely doubted whether the early settlers enjoyed themselves so well after all.

The township was organized in 1818, and, when that is said. about all the tale is unfolded. Where the first election was held. who were the first officers, what action was taken on that interesting occasion. and many other important things, have been locked forever in the jeweled casket of the Muse of history. Some other historian will be allowed the privilege of prowling through the township to quicken into life the dying embers of the fires of recollection. Until then, many events will remain in the gloom of forgetfulness. Success to the patient worker ! As was before remarked. the township was first called Wheatfield. and then Hammondsburg. At the time of the organization of the township. the settlers were called upon to select a name by which said township should be known in the future. Various names were suggested, but none seemed to give satisfaction. A few insisted on its being called Hammondsburg, whereupon Jonathan Hall called out, " Oh, call it Jerusalem, or Jericho, or Bath—anything but Hammondsburg." Bath was immediately selected and bestowed upon the township. Dr. Henry Hutson (or Hudson) was the first Justice of the Peace, if the writer is correctly informed, while Eleazer Rice was the first Constable. Rice was a small man, and was not very well liked. One Sunday, Lewis Hammond and Isaiah Fowler, in sport. tipped over Rice's sled. and to ! it was broken. Rice entered complaint before Squire Hutson, for a violation of the Sabbath, and as he was the

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only Constable, the warrant was placed in his hands for service. The two men went willingly before the Squire to answer to the charge ; but, just as they got there, instigated by a little of the spirit that Jesus once cast out of a Syro-Phenician woman's daughter, they both started and ran in opposite directions. The Constable was in a dilemma. He finally started in pursuit, unfortunately, of the larger man. How the trial " terminated, the writer has not been informed. This was the first "case" in the township. Abner Robinson, the poet, mentioned elsewhere in this work. lived in Bath for a time. He had a peculiar manner of speaking, which Gen. Bierce characterizes as " crawfish." Robinson one day said of Jacob Morter : Jake says. ` Abner, come and look at my pigs.' I went, and they were fine ones. Jake says, ' The youngest is the oldest—no—I mean the biggest is the littlest—no-o—I talk like a d—d fool ! Any how, they look so much apart you can't tell 'em alike.' " A petition for a road leading from Boston to Old Portage, was presented in 1811, to the Commissioners at Ravenna. This was the first authorized road that touched Bath. Perhaps the next was the one on the southern line of the township, called the Smith road. This was well traveled in early years, and numerous taverns for the accommodation of travelers were erected. one or two of them in Bath. Moses Latta opened his house for a public tavern as early as 1818. He took in a great many shillings from travelers, and made considerable money.

By 1820, the township was quite well populated. Improvements were pushed rapidly, and industries began to arise as the demand for various articles nearer home was created. In 1818, Maj. Hoadley built a sawmill at Ghent. Excellent water-power was obtained. and the enterprise promised success. The following year the mill was purchased y James Root, but was sold again in two or three years to James Myers. The mill was located so far from the dam. that, on account of the great fall of the stream, the lower part of the race was a wooden trough, resting on posts. The wheel was overshot. A few years later, Mr. Root built a new sawmill about a quarter of of a mile west of Ghent. This, in after years, proved a valuable mill. David Parker built one about the same time, locating it down Yellow Creek. not far from the eastern boundaryof the township. An enormous dam, built on the " beaver principle," was constructed ; but some time afterward this was washed away by a sudden freshet. James Root built a distillery at an early day. It was at the height of its prosperity when the great temperance revival swept over the county. Some of the citizens asked him to stop his distillery, whereupon he turned suddenly upon them with the pointed question, " Stop ! what am I to live on ? cow-slips ? I can't stop the distillery." And he did not stop, but whisky flowed from it at the rate of about two barrels per day. Much of this was shipped off and sold at the rate of from 12 to 18 cents per gallon. James P. . Baldwin did more in early years to improve the township than any other man. He built many mills, both for sawing lumber and grinding grain, and filled every enterprise that he touched with life. James Root built several mills. and was quite a wealthy man. but he did not put the energy into his undertakings that was necessary to make them highly successful and useful. He is said to have remarked in later years, I have ruined the township;" meaning thereby that most of his enterprises had been of no use to the township. Yet this is not doing Mr. Root credit. It is certain that his improvements drew intelligent and enterprising citizens to the township. Many mills were built in early years, and very likely errors will occur in attempting their description. In about 1826, J. P. Baldwin built the Miller grist-mill. It was a frame building. three stories in height. about thirty-five by seventy feet. and in it were placed four sets of stone. It was one of the best mills ever in the township. In addition to custom grinding, it did a large amount of merchant work. sending, during its best years. about three hundred and fifty barrels of flour each day to Cleveland. by canal. After a number of years. the mill was purchased by Henry Harris ; but a few years later it was destroyed by fire. The present one was built on the same site in about 1846. It is a large frame building, and has done good work. It is at present owned by W. C. R. Miller. Baldwin also built a sawmill the same time his grist-mill was built. It was connected by shafting, or otherwise. with the machinery of the grist-mill. This was also destroyed by fire. In 1859, Henry Harris, Jr., built a sawmill on the same site. This is yet in operation. Baldwin built

622 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

another sawmill a short distance down the creek from this mill. It did good work for a few years. Jason Hammond and his sons built a sawmill, as early as 1820, on a branch of Yellow Creek, west of the center. The dam was so situated that thirty or forty acres of woodland was Hooded with water. The trees many of them, fell down and began to decay. and soon this dam was regarded as a breeder of malaria and pestilence. At last proceedings were begun in law to abate the whole thing as a nuisance. The proceedings were successful. and the water was let off much to the relief of families living in the neighborhood. A Mr. Beach built a sawmill near where William Barker lives. in about the year 1838. It was operated some eight or ten years. and then was abandoned. William Barker built one near the same place. in 1859. This mill has furnished considerable material. which has been shipped away, among which are railroad ties. three-inch plank and flitch. A year or two ago. the dam was washed away. and the mill is not running at present. Just after the last war. Hemmingway. Hopkins . Burris and William Barker erected a hub, spoke and felloe factory within a few rods of Mr. Barker's dwelling. The company and Mr. Barker each owned a half interest in the business. A planing-mill was connected with the factory. and for a number of years a good business was done. but the destruction of the dam caused it to stop. William Jones conducted a distillery for a number of years. It was located back on his farm some distance from the road. It is said that the bears, on several successive nights, had carried off his hogs, and he determined to watch. He summoned a few convivial spirits, and with those already at the distillery, had a loud time of it during the night. No bears were seen. The Ghent Champion Mill was built by James Root at an early day. It was operated by him until 1853, when Manson Barker assumed control, but a year later William Barker became owner, and remained so until 1871, when the mill went to Edward Heller, who now owns it. The mill has done a great deal of good work; not only custom, but merchant. Mr. Root also built and operated a sawmill. near the gristmill, at an early day. Peter and John Marshall erected a woolen factory about a quarter of a mile east of the Harris gristmill. It was probably built in about 1840. A limited quantity of light clot] was manufactured, but in about ten or twelve years the Marshalls retired from the pursuit and the building was transformed into a lath factory. The grist-mill west of Ghent was erected early, and has been one of the best it the township. It has changed owners various times. and has done considerable merchant work. Several other mills have been built an( operated along Yellow Creek and its branches and it may be said that on no other stream iii the county, of the same size. has there been so many mills and so good ones. Dams are easily built from the stone and timber along the creek, and owing to the narrow bed of the stream and the narrow valley. short dams. strongly built, furnish splendid water-power. We will now leave the imperfectly treated subject of mills and notice the growth of villages.

Unlike other townships. Bath's Center never grew to the dignity of a village. A small shoeshop, opened there at quite at an early day, was about the only attempt toward village-making. Shoes were taken to this shop for repairs, but probably before this was opened, the following circumstance occurred : One day, Alonzo Coffin, his little sister and another girl of about her age. none of whom were older than ten years. were sent to Brandywine to have their shoes mended. The families lived near there at that time. The shoes were mended, but by this time darkness had thrown her sable curtain over the earth. Just as the children were about to start for home, the wolves were heard howling dismally in the woods, through which they must pass, and Mr. McClellan, the cobbler, declared he would not go through the woods at that time for anything, and told the children they had better stay all night. But Alonzo said he was not afraid, and told Mr. McClellan to get me a torch, and I'll go." A large torch of hickory bark was procured and lighted, and the three little children started out through the darkness for home. They had no sooner reached the woods than the wolves surrounded them with angry howls, but kept at a respectful distance on account of the fire. The children hurried on, keeping close together, and the wolves continued to follow them until they were within a few rods of home, when the savage animals, disappointed at not getting the expected feast, ran off through the dark forest. It was custo-

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mary, in early years, for cobblers to travel around from house to house to ply their craft, often furnishing everything and making shoes for the whole family. Three villages proper have arisen in Bath—Hammond's Corners, Ghent and Ellis' Corners. The Hammonds were probably the first residents at the former. It is thought that Royal and Horatio Hammond brought the first stock of goods to the village, but the date is indefinite. If there at all, they probably opened up before 1830. John Rhodes was there with a small stock soon after 1833. Reison Randolph sold goods there for many years. Joseph Whitcraft is there at present, and has been doing a good country storetrade for quite a number of years. Himself and store are highly spoken of. A few others have sold goods in the village. Among other industries may be mentioned the wagonworks of Clem Jagger. This man has followed the occupation for many years. A post office was secured at the Corners in about 1838. Prior to that date, the office had been at the Center, where Phineas Nash, Theodore King, and probably Lewis F. Lane and others, had served as Postmaster. Various parties have held the office at the Corners. the present one being Mr. Whitcraft. Dr. Hutson, who came to the township in about 1819, was the first practicing physician in the township. His residence and office were a short distance north of the Center. He was a kind old man, and would preach to the settlers in their dwellings, or in the schoolhouses. Some time after 1833, Dr. H. A. Robinson came to the township, and for many years he prescribed for the temporal disorders of the citizens. He was quite skillful with ague and the typhus fevers, and secured a lucrative practice. Ghent has had a different experience and a different growth. In 1818, there were three or four families living at what is now Ghent. Mr. Boughton opened a small store about the same time, placing his goods in a small, rough, frame building that is yet standing, though altered and remodeled, on the east side of the Center road, near the bridge. This man had considerable money, which was invested in young cattle. The animals were herded in cue woods and along one open spaces near the streams. The forests furnished abundant food for the cattle. The rich browse was abundant, and was eaten in large quantities with excellent results, as the animals gained rapidly in weight, until at last they were driven to the Eastern markets. Others engaged successfully in the same pursuit, Mr. Boughton did not continue his store but for about four years. As near as can be ascertained, the village, after he left, was without a store for a number of years. Moses McFarland was in with a stock of goods in 1844, and had probably begun as early as 1840. Mr. Leggitt was connected with him in business, and, in about 1848, bought McFarland's interest in the stock and store. A few years later, he sold to Francis Husong, who probably had about $1,500 worth of goods. Finney & Fairchild succeeded Husong, but closed their store after a few years. Thomas Pierson sold groceries about thirtyfive years ago. Henry Pardee opened a store during the last war. This he conducted until 1881. when he sold out to James Greenleese, the present storekeeper. Mr. Pardee kept a good store, and has been an energetic and respected citizen. The oldest woolen factory in the State is located in the village. It was first started in 1832, by Allen & Bloom, but, three years later, was sold to Alpheus Babcock, and soon after this to Spafford Brothers. These men failed in business, and the property fell into the ownership of Johnson & Fuller. In 1861, the factory was purchased by its present owner, Alonzo Coffin, who has conducted it, with the exception of five years, ever since. As high as 10,000 pounds of wool have been bought in one year. Yarns, flannels, satinets, fulledcloth, cassimeres and other kinds of cloth, have been manufactured. Five or six years ago, Mr. Coffin removed to Akron, and the factory was idle. It is now in operation again. Soon after 1850, Thomas Pierson began making barrels, buckets, kegs, etc., and doing a general cooperwook, which he continued some twelve or fifteen years. James Myers conducted a small gristmill (or peppermill," as it was significantly called) in the village, in about 1828. Whether he built the mill is not stated. It was finally destroyed by fire. McFarland & Leggitt were conducting an ashery at Ghent in 1858. Archibald Hubbard owned and conducted it before them. How early he began is not, remembered, James Root is said. to have built the first house in Ghent. This was the Boughton storebuilding. In 1846, there were about twelve families living in the village. It may be stated that Mr. Pardee was

624 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

connected with the woolen factory for a few years, perhaps about 1858. He is now engaged in manufacturing waterproof goods, according to some new and valuable recipe. Thomas Pierson was very likely the first Postmaster at this point. Mr. Pardee assumed control of the office about the time Mr. Lincoln went into the White House. The mantle of Government position looked well on Mr. Pardee. However, he did not become afflicted with aristocracy on that account. nor did he believe himself a prospective candidate for said White House, because he had been honored(?) with an humble position under Uncle Sam. James Root is thought to have laid out the original survey of lots at Ghent. The date is indefinite. Some say that James Myers named the village, but why the particular name Ghent was selected is not known. Dr. Cooley lived and practiced in the township before 1820. Dr. Darling and Dr. Chaffee were in the township at an early day.

Mr. Latta's tavern was the center around which the citizens of Latta's Corners congregated in early years. This man probably erected the first building in the village. Other tavernkeepers were Mr. Ellis, Parvin Delong. Milo Fuller, Moses McFarland. James Moore. Carter Smith, and others. Orrin Walker was selling goods in about 1835. After him were Frank Smith. Mr. Doolittle. Archibald Hubbard. Fred Nash, N. D. Hanson, A. R. Damon and Albert Beach. All these, except Walker, were east of the hotel, and some of them kept excellent stores. Morris Lyon is the present merchant. The village was at first Latta's Corners, but when Mr. Ellis became the central figure it gradually assumed the name, Ellis' Corners. Dr. Humphrey Robinson located at the village not far from 1830. He continued to practice until his death, about thirty years ago. He was succeeded by Dr. Robert McNeil, who also died a short time before the last war. Dr. Sales was the resident physician just before the war, as was also Dr. Merriman. Dr. E. King Nash located permanently in the village, and began to practice his profession in 1865. HP served the country during the war in the capacity of As

Assistant-Surgeon of the One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment, but at the close of the war came out as Surgeon. Dr. Merriman practiced in the village after the war, and until four years ago. Among the industries that have been conducted was an ashery at an early day by Mr. Ellis. Also a wagon-shop Burris & Son. This, in outline, has been the growth and decay of business Indus tries. A post office was secured at an early ! day, and letters came directed to Montrose.

Schools are the offspring of civilization. They are unknown among barbarous people, and are found numerous and perfect in the degree of the removal from the savage state. The ignorant, those who willfully and persistently remain unlettered, triumphantly quote, or rather misquote, "Ignorance is bliss ; 'tis folly to be wise." They assert that extended education only opens the eyes and heart to disappointments and defeats, and that nothing but absolute ignorance of the great majority of surrounding circumstances can give satisfaction and the resulting happiness. That mode of conduct. carried into effect by actual experiment, would reduce man to the savage state, and lead to the utter extinction of the race. Knowledge does not end with a revelation of cares and defeats. It reveals countless paths of happiness to be traversed, and points to the cultured a ready means to avoid those spots on the journey of life. over which the dark clouds of sorrow and sin pass. Knowledge is the shield that wards off the strokes of unpropitious surroundings. At the same time it protects the shrinking form of humanity from the bitter blasts of adversity. t amplifies the vision of the intellect, widens the moral and social capabilities, and elevates the enchanted observer to mountainous heights, from which countless glittering domes of beauty and excellence are seen. It multiplies the sources of enjoyment, divides those of sorrow, and adds to the happiness of human life. It is highly necessary for the preservation of the American Government that the people should foster and protect schools as they would their jewels. The nature of the government and the peculiarities of its institutions should be taught in every school. Too many young men, and even those in maturer years, know comparatively nothing of the aim of the government as outlined in the constitution. There is seen the a strande paradox of citizens voting for officals to administer laws, the nature of which, though vitally important to them, is almost wholly unknown. The wonderfully rapid growth of educational advantages insures to the masses

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of the people a speedy and practically perfect knowledge of the fundamental principles of the government. Millions in money are annually expended in rearing that unpretending temple of learning—the schoolhouse. The standard of scholarship is steadily rising in the United States among the great body of the people. This is the only salvation for our government, but the people must learn to control their excesses, or the nation we all love so well will go down in darkness like Rome. The morals must be educated, the appetites must be controlled, the passions must be checked. the desires must be directed to proper objects, pursuits and practices must be elevating in their tendencies. and together with all these people must acquire wisdom.

The first school in Bath was taught in the northeastern corner. in a log house that had been built in 1810. by Aaron Miller. one of the few first settlers in the township. The building was about sixteen feet square, and the first teacher's name was Maria Lusk. The first term was in 1811, and after that date schools were held quite regularly in the neighborhood. sometimes in one house and sometimes in another, depending for location on their proximity to the homes of the greater number of children. In truth. the schools for many years continued to follow the scholars, going as near as possible to where the greater number lived. Alfred Wolcott was one of the early teachers. It is related that on one occasion. that genius of mischief, the schoolboy. in the absence of the teacher at intermission, fortified the chair of the latter with pins bent in a fiendish manner. The result was a sudden bound. and the following reverent exclamation : " Who, in heaven's name, has been meddling with this chair ? " Such questions were often asked in early years. but seldom answered. So far as known. Mr. Wolcott shared the same fate as other early teachers. There were several years when no school was taught in northeastern Bath. but the scholars were sent to a wellattended school in northwestern Northampton. A very early school was taught in Mr. Hammond's house. Mr. Lucas was one of the first teachers in that neighborhood. Schools were usually taught by subscription, and at stated times teachers were accustomed to send in their bills for collection or settlement. Although it seems unaccountable. yet it is asserted thatthe first schoolhouse in the northeastern part was not erected until after 1830, but that schools continued to be held in dwellings and abandoned houses. This house was a frame, about 16x16 feet, and the first teacher, as near as can be ascertained, was Edward Brown, a nephew of John Brown. whose soul is yet supposed to be marching on. This house was used for some twentyfive years, when the present one was built. A school was taught very early at Mr. Vallen's residence in the southeastern part, but unfortunately nothing definite could be learned of it. It may be said, in general, that all schools, prior to 1820, were held in buildings that were temporarily devoted to that use. It is probable that the first building erected for a schoolhouse was either near Hammond's Corners or at Ghent. although both the dates and the facts are uncertain. School was taught as early as 1816. at Latta's Corners, and at Ghent a few years later. In 1820, the citizens living at Ghent sent their children to school in a log house that had been built about thirty rods from the present residence of Mr. Spitzer, by William Wood. Mr. Wood had abandoned the house. which was then devoted to educational purposes. Henry Root was one of the first teachers in this house, and the following circumstance is related of him by Benjamin Bishop : The teacher started one cold morning for his schoolhouse, and while on his way through the woods was confronted by a large, gaunt, hungrylooking wolf. The animal, evidently rendered desperate by hunger. advanced with open mouth and glaring eyes upon the apprehensive teacher. who, having no weapons save a jackknife. caught up a heavy club, and backed against a rail fence as the wolf continued to approach. When the animal was within reach, Mr. Root struck at its head, but only succeeded in giving it a partial stroke. The wolf caught the end of the club in its teeth, and for some moments Mr. Root was unable to withdraw it for the purpose of delivering another blow. Several blows were struck, all of which the wolf avoided, but finally a fortunate stroke disabled the animal, which was then quickly dispatched y repeated blows on the head. How many teachers would now enjoy such an encounter ? Do not all speak at once. Mr. Root then dragged the dead wolf to the schoolhouse, where it remained during the day. The historian is also compelled to record that the

626 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

teacher complained of the confusion and whispering in the schoolroom, and of the almost universally imperfect lessons on that day. A young lady named Eveline Hall taught in this same building as early as 1818. School was early taught in Mr. Rice's house. There have been three different schoolhouses at Ghent, the last one being built a few years ago. In the Hurd neighborhood, in a building that had been vacated by Mr. Banks, school was taught as early as 1828. The next year a schoolhouse was erected near by, and one of the first teachers was Robert McNeil. The building was used as a meetinghouse, but after a number of years it took fire and burned to the ground. Two other houses in the neighborhood have succeeded it. The township was first divided off into two school districts, and some alterations were made in these annually, until, at last, another one or two were added. Many disputes arose in consequence of the shifting of' the districts. All desired schools within a few rods of their own dwellings, and when this was found to be impossible, the vials of their wrath were freely poured upon the naked heads of all opposers. The districts continued to be divided and subdivided, until they at present number ten.

Religious societies took root in the township in early days. It is always the case in a newly settled country, that the citizens, many of them, are members of churches in the laud whence they came, and having experienced the blessings and reality of religion, are desirous of renewing their devotions. This state of affairs would result in numerous meetings at the settlers' homes, where either a local preacher or an itinerant one would be called upon to preside. The Presbyterians and Congregationalists built a log meetinghouse on the " accommodation plan," at the Center, in about the year 1818. This building afterward became famous for its revivals. It saw continual use until about 1834, when a frame building was erected in its stead. The frame was used until 1870, and was then remodeled and converted into " town hall. The following is quoted from the church records : At a meeting previously appointed to be held at Bath, November 24, 1823, present Caleb Pitkin, John Seward and Israel Shaler, missionaries, the meeting was opened with prayer by Brother Seward, after which Robert Bell and Mary, his wife, from thechurch in Stow ; William Jones, from the church in Randolph ; William and Hannah Smith, from the church in Sandsfield, Mass.; Mrs. Mary Heater, from the church in Canfield ; Mrs. Mercy Hall, from the church in Glastonbury, Conn.; Laura, wife of William Jones, and Samuel Peters and Esther, his wife, from the world, presented themselves with the request to be organized into a Church of Christ. As a preparatory step, the council proceeded to an examination of these persons respecting their doctrinal and experimental knowledge of the Christian religion, and their views of the duties and privileges of a Christian Church. Being satisfied on these subjects, the council proceeded to organize the church. Brother Pitken preached from the text, "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world,' " etc.. after which Brother Seward read the confession of faith and covenant to the persons above named, and proceeded to constitute them a church, regularly organized and entitled to all the privileges and ordinances of the Gospel, and solemnly charged them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to work worthy of the high calling. Being thus organized. the church was put under the care of the Presbytery of Huron, as the First Congregational Church of Bath. Their confession of faith, covenant and articles of practice are the same that have been prepared and presented by the Presbytery in this section of the county (signed) Caleb Pitkin, Clerk of Organizing Committee." Although not so stated in the report of the meeting, the session was held in the old log house at the center of the township. The following persons joined the church June 30. 1832 : Ward K. Hammond. and wife, Royal Hammond, Robert McNeil, Nancy Smith, Aurora Piper, Elisha and Ann McNeil, Mary and Jane Fulton, Sarah Nash, wife of Phineas Nash, and Lavina Banks. Phineas Nash joined in December. 1823. It is stated that James Root gave nearly $3,000 as a permanent fund for the use of this church. The truth of this is left to the reader. The church since its organization has not always been in good working order. Although there is no church building at Ellis' Corners at present, the United Brethren have a society there. Among the members are William Reed, Abraham Spitzer, Lot Watson, Morris Lyon. Samuel Briggs and N. D. Hauser. This society purchased a Methodist Church,

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located at Stony Hill, and moved it to the Corners a short time after the last war. This was used y the society for a number of years ; but the building was subsequently sold f'or $50, and is now devoted to other uses, and the members assemble in the schoolhouse. Rev. William Whitney is prominent among the membership. A Methodist society was instituted at Ghent as early as 1818. some of the members being Messrs. Hoadley. Bradford. Seakins. Rice and Frost. They assembled in dwellings for a few years, and finally the organization was dissolved. or. perhaps. as some say, it finally started up again, and became the foundation of the present Methodist Church in the northern part. Their building was erected many years ago, and is known as "Moore's Chapel." It cost some 83,000. and is the best building of the kind in the township. This church is well attended and prosperous. There are many Germans living in the eastern part. and this section of the township is familiarly known as Germany." Many years ago, an Evangelical society was organized, and soon afterward a small church was built in "Germany." Here this industrious class of citizens meet to conduct their religious ceremonies in their characteristic way. The United Brethren started up at an early day, and first began holding meetings in the schoolhouse near Hurd's Corners. Here they assembled for some time, shifting their location, finally, to neighboring schoolhouses, to be as near as possible to the greater number of members. After a few years, this state of things became somewhat obnoxious, and the propriety of erecting a small comfortable church was discussed. Several objected, saying that the tax was greater than they desired to sustain. At last the voice of majority was in favor of building such a church, which was accordingly done, at what is known as Hurd's Corners. Although there are but four churches in the township, the religious element is not confined to these alone ; for at Ellis' Corners is a society, and a large portion of the citizens in the western part belong to a Disciples' Church, which is located in Granger Township, Medina County. The churches and schools throughout Bath are up to the standard of those in the country townships in the county.