Ashland County, Ohio - The whole text, 1909 (part 8 of 26)

The difficulties that today so persistently face our city superintendents may, perhaps, find solution in the careful study of the educational difficulties and differences of that older day. With this very interesting and important problem we have, here, nothing to do. Before the state was admitted into the Union, schools were opened at Athens, perhaps the first in Ohio, based upon the charter issued by the territorial government between 1790 and 1800. When, in 1802, state government came into existence, this charter was repealed, and a charter issued by the new government, in 1804, fixing a state university at Athens. From this institution, the first college degree of A. B., granted in the northwest, was issued in 1815, to John Hunter and Thomas Ewing. Burton Academy at Burton in Cuyahoga county, so near as the writer can ascertain, was the first of, sinee then, nearly or altogether three hundred academies and seminaries that have flourished in our state and passed away. Of all these there are not likely more than eight or ten in healthy condition today. | We do not wish to more than note the faet of their existence; their history would fill volumes; but we do wish to emphasize the influence which these educational institutions of the second class exerted. through all classes of society, and over all social and civil interests.

Unlike the colleges. academie influence is chiefly local, reaching every elass of society within the range of its patronage. With the colleges, they were, for more than fifty years, the only hope of anything worthy the name of intellectual culture. In many places in the state, from 1830 to 1840, graded schools were started. There was one high school opened in 1840, but until 1850, except in Cincinnati, graded schools, such as are now found in every village, were unknown. The graded course had no prominence until in the '60s. This very imperfect sketch of Ohio's school condition at the beginning of, and up to the middle of the nineteenth century. shows the influence the academy exerted of state educational interest; further. that without the academy, Ohio's educational status could not be at all what it is today. The story of these academies told, as it should be. would be one of the most interesting and instructive chapters in our history. The character and personnel of the men engaged in the work; their equipment for that work: their environment; the influence they exerted wpon it; the results attained through the rude and meager resourees at their command - all this wonld form one of the most pleasing and attractive views in our fast fading but pieturesyue past. Said one of the old leading southern Presbyterian divines to the writer a couple of years ago: ''IJad it not been for the small country academy of the south. the Confederacy could not have withstood the north a single year. They. really. fwanished the army with such leaders as the Jacksons and the Johnstons. Hood, Bragg. ete. They officered the line and field. They supplied the people with their doctors. attorneys, their teachers. often their preachers. and were always a power for good. The character of the old south was framed and built in her old academies. | How was it in this regard with you northern people?'' To answer the Doctor's query look back for a moment over the history of our glorious Buckeye state - its school and civil history. Dr. Waldon says ''The character of the old south was framed and built in our old academies. They furnished our field and line.''

Ohio has supplied, within fifty years, six presidents to the United States. It is the highest, the most powerful, the most honorable position in the world. Of these at least three owe the ''framing and building'' of their character directly to the academies of Ohio - all were cast in their mould. The greatest military leader of modern times; more than the peer of Gustavus Adolphus ; Turrene; Marlborough, Blutcher; Wellington; Von Moltke - Grant stands out upon the page of history, and will so stand for all time, a veritable thunderbolt of war; his two great lieutenants, Sherman and Sheridan, on the ''red blast of battle's lightning whirlwind,'' riding out to immortality - Ohio's academy boys. These three men in turn have won the highest military title known under our government. Their professional training was obtained in the military academy at West Point - their preparatory training in the eastern schools of Ohio. Of the nineteen major generals of the army of Ohio, thirteen were born and brought up under the same influences. Of the fifty-three brigadiers she supplied, fortyfive were born and brought up under Ohio influence. Read over their names; Grant; Sherman, the Ney; Sheridan, the Murat of American story; Custer; Garfield; Buell; Hayes; Harrison; Stanley; the McCooks; Wetzel; the poet soldier, Wallace; the Ewing brothers; what words shall we find strong enough with which to wreathe the name of Lincoln's leonine war secretary, Edwin M. Stanton ; to crown the head of his great treasure-finder, Jay Cook? We need not continue this Roll Call of Glory; to us they are household words, familiar and almost as dear as the sacred terms ''father'' and ''mother.'' It is a Roll great enough and grand enough to grace the ''throne-room'' of the proudest emperor. A roll of Glory for an Empire. Ohio wraps these names as a laurel chaplet immortal, round her queenly brows - her academy boys of sixty years ago. Her roll of statesmen; John Sherman; William 'Dennison; William Allen; William McKinley; John Brough; David Todd; Benjamin Wade; Joshua R. Giddings; Thurman; Woods; Mathews; Taft. Who at the Bar or in the Forum has ever surpassed the incomparable Thomas Ewing? When shall we hear again, equalled, the brilliant wit and entrancing eloquence of the immortal Thomas Corwin, a greater than whom, as wit or orator, the continent has not produced? Who in absorbing intensity, on the stump, on the platform, or in the pulpit, the glorious preacher soldier W. H. Gibson? Who shall more eloquently trace the course of the starry galaxy than our professor General, O. M. Mitchell? Who better translate the hieroglyphics traced by the finger of God in the shifting sands, or the mysterious history carved in the bosom of the rocks than our own Norton and Newberry. It is a son of Ohio who has harnessed the lightning. In Divinity; in sculpture; in painting; in literature, who are they to whom the children of Ohio, during all the first half of the nineteenth century, are not peer? Yet these results incalculable in their force and sweep, are chiefly the fruits of a system that apparently has almost passed away - the academy and college of share. Within her limits she has liberally supported six of these institutions and during the greater part of their existence usually three were successfully supported at the same time. ''Ashland Academy,'' founded in 1836, under the control of the late Lorin Andrews, gained a fame wide as it was deserved. When he resigned to assume the presidency of Kenyon College at Gambier, Ohio, the Academy was changed into the '' Ashland High School'' and until the present has been so maintained. The next academy established was the Savannah Academy, at Savannah, in a village in the northern part of the county. It was founded in 1858. After varying fortunes in the spring of 1865, Captain Elias Frauenfelter just returned from the army, was elected professor of mathematics and at once assumed his duties there. Under the influence of his inspiring enthusiasm the school almost immediately assumed a commanding and important character. In 1875, he resigned to take the chair of mathematics in Buchtel College, Akron, Ohio. This place, in a few years, he resigned to become superintendent of the Akron City schools, which place he filled with marked ability until his decease.

'Vermillion Institute'' located at Hayesville, was first organized as a Baptist institution, but not proving satisfactory, it passed into the control of Wooster Presbytery. Dr. Diefendorf, then pastor of a church at Nashville, Ohio, was elected president of the school, and it soon became not only one of the most flourishing and successful denominational private schools in Ohio, but one of the largest and best Presbyterial schools in the country. Its term attendance sometimes reaching beyond six hundred students.. Dr. Diefendorf resigned in a few years, but the school not succeeding, he was reelected. He again resigned in 1868 to assume the presidency of Otto University at Nebraska City, Nebraska, and Professor John A. Simpson was by the Presbytery appointed his successor, but the institute not proving satisfactory under his care, he resigned at the close of his second or third year, and his successors failing, in 1873, Dr. Diefendorf was recalled, but died before he succeeded in restoring it to its former reputation. Dr. Diefendorf may doubtless be regarded as one of the greatest educational forces of his day throughout this part of the state, though his rivals were such superb institutions as Oberlin, Kenyon and Dennison. His pupils were not limited to Ohio alone.

The old catalogue of ''Vermillion'' will show a strong clientage drawn from twelve or fifteen different states. Its influence is still widely felt, though thirty years have passed away since death called the Doctor from his work. It is likely there is not a county in Ohio, in which his ''Boys'' will not be found leading in their professions; this influence reaches throughout the United States and extends into foreign lands. It would indeed be a pleasant task to record names of such men as Sheldon Jackson, the great modern apostle of the Indian; Hon. J. K. Cowan, late president of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad; Rev. D. K. Nesbit, D. D., late pastor of the First Congregational church, Peoria, Illinois; Rev. M. N. Cornelius, D. D., late of the old South Presbyterian church, Washington, D. C.; Rev. John H. Hartman, D. D., late pastor of Euclid Avenue Baptist church, Cleveland, Ohio.; Judge Thomas Beer of Bucyrus, Ohio - all men of much more that state wide reputation, and all of whom owe their uplift, their victorious enthusiasm, to his wise, sympathetic, inspiring care. Men, such as these, may be numbered by the score, running into the hundreds, who look back to the old Hayesville Academy - to Dr. Saunders Diefendorf, with inexpressible gratitude.

Before it be too late, another, more capable, than he who pens these defective broken lines, should record the honorable story of his great work.

Each of these three academy principals won more than state fame, by their ability, their attainments and their devotion to their high calling. Two of them, Professors Andrews and Frauenfelter, won positions somewhat commensurate with their worth. Dr. Diefendorf died at his post.

Haskell Academy located at Loudonville, was built and generously devoted to the cause of education by the late N. Haskell, esquire, a public spirited banker of that enterprising little city. It had a very successful career while under the care of the late Dr. A. J. Scott, M. D., but after he resigned to follow in his chosen profession, the academy was closed,

We omit from this outline of Ashland county schools, special reference to the German Baptist College, located at Ashland. It is a most important member of this local group of institutions, showing healthy and vigorous growth, and giving flattering promise of future and continued usefulness. Its origin; the course it has pursued within church lines; its educational influence has imparted to it a character of more than local or state interest. Within its own church organization, the college is, we believe, esteemed one of the chief educational forces at its command, and therefore passes the limit of our article. To its very able representative on the Advisory Board of this work, the Rev. A. lL. Garber, we cheerfully and confidentially commend the full report of its history.

Green Town Academy, located at Perrysville, was one of the last of these school enterprises in Ashland county. We offer here the merest outlines of its history. Indeed to write the history of each one of the hundreds of Ohio academies is simply impossible. Their real history lies buried in the dust of quiet village graveyards - hidden away in hearts long since at rest. Parental love for ''Little Jim, who was never contented except with his books."' "*Molly,'' ''Bill,"' ''Jenny'' - gray haired grandsires and grandmothers now - the ceaseless longing, tugging at parental heart strings for broader and more generous opportunity for these than their present narrow limits and more narrow surroundings could possibly afford - these were the resistlessly eloquent orators that officiated when the corner stones of these old academy buildings were laid.

We think it was this holy consecration of love that lifted these schools, so cramped and limited in means to such beneficient and far reaching influence, and to which the history of our great state, and of our incomparably broader national history, bears testimony. For several years before the enterprise in Perrysville was undertaken the need of a school of high character, which, at the same time should impart to the social life of the village healthful intellectual and moral impulse, was seriously felt. In September of 1865 a public meeting was called by T. W. Coulter, Esquire. By a previous careful canvass of the community, he had interested such sufficient number of citizens in the movement, as to warrant the opening of a select school for the coming winter; but before the appointed meeting Mr. Coulter died. He had, however, so aroused public spirit to the importance of the subject, that, at the meeting it was resolved to carry on the enterprise, and Miss Rosella Rice, Drs. J. W. Griffith and J. F. Johnston were appointed a committee to employ a teacher and secure a speaker to address a meeting set for the following October. Eugene Pardee of Wooster was present and addressed the October meeting. Mr. James F. McCreedy of Hayesville, visiting with his sister, Mrs. J. F. Johnston, recommended J. C. Sample, at that time a student of Hayesville, for teacher. The opening of the school was set for the 14th of November, to be continued for a term of four months, and Mr. Sample was employed. The school opened at the appointed time with eleven students in attendance, but, during the term, forty-five names were enrolled. School was continued during the spring term. At a meeting of the citizens, shortly after the close of the spring term, a board of directors, constituted of Messrs. J. F. Johnston, J. W. Griffith, Judge John Taylor, A. N. Quick and S. B. Coulter, were elected and instructed to continue the school. The board organized by appointing Judge Taylor president and 8. B. Coulter secretary and treasurer and Mr. Sample was employed for a period of two years at a salary of one thousand dollars per year. Through the two following years, 1867-68, the school grew rapidly in importance, enrolling at their close between seventy and eighty students per term.

At the close of the two years Mr. Sample resigned and G. W. Mays A. B., of Mahoning town, Pennsylvania, was chosen to succeed him. At the close of the year, Mr. Mays resigned, and Professor Sample was recalled to the principalship, and remained in charge until 1893, when he resigned in favor of Rev. E. Schultz of Hagerstown, Maryland. Rev. Schultz took charge, but at the end of the year he abandoned the school, and it was finally closed. The life of the school, thus passes over a period of thirty years. The greater portion of this time the yearly enrollment was from one hundred and fifty to two hundred students, assuring a term attendance of from twenty to thirty for the winter term and often from seventy to one hundred for spring and fall. The school opened November 14, 1865, in the old Presbyterian church building, a house erected in 1836, but abandoned by the church to the school, in the spring of 1866. When Professor Sample resumed control in the fall of 1869, plans were prepared by the board looking to the erection of a building commensurate with the aims and character of the school. Elias Groff and A. N. Quick, the committee appointed to select a site, chose a block of five lots on the western limit of the village. Professor Sample purchased this location, and on it was erected the building at an approximate cost of four thousand dollars. When Professor Sample resigned, the building was occupied by the Lutheran congregation of the village as their place of worship. After a service held in it on a November Sabbath in 1895. the building took fire and was totally consumed. The academy had completed its work.

During its existence between eight and nine hundred young men and women had come under its influence. The purpose of Professor Sample had been to establish and conduct a first class school of the second rank. He succeeded. Students from Perrysville Academy entered a number of the strongest colleges of Ohio in the advanced years and maintained their places with honor.

They also entered such eastern institutions as Lafayette at Easton, Pennsylvania, Harvard in Connecticut, Cornell in New York, with students from the best academies of the east, such as Philips Exeter Academy and Fort Edwards, and fairly divided the honors with their classmates. The college catalogue of Lafayette directly states: ''Greentown Academy, located at Perrysville, Ashland county, Ohio, does work equal to the very best academies in the country."' From among its own students were chosen the assistant teachers, ''foreigners"' being but twice employed.

W. H. Pritchard was teacher and assistant principal for years; C. C. Wolf and his brother N. M. Wolf were teachers in mathematics; A. A. Douglass, R. B. Rice, S. P. Baughman, 8S. F. Griffith, Miss Jennie E. Ayres, were valuable and efficient assistants along with others whose names we do not recall, all of whom in business or in the professions on which they entered have made honorable mark. Of its assistant teachers, one died a full college professor. Two were academy principals; two have since served, each eight years as judges of court. One, after graduating at Harvard, died while serving his second term as county superintendent of schools for Brown county, Kansas. One, a graduate in the school of mining and engineering, Lafayette, Pennsylvania, has been for many years employed on government surveys in the west. Its students are honored members of all the professions. Among them, it numbers one college president; two foreign missionaries; seven ministers of the Gospel; from twenty-five to thirty attorneys; at least as many physicans; fourteen village and school principals; six judges of court; between four and five hundred of its young men and women have been or are school teachers, and how many have passed through college we cannot tell. Young men, from its class rooms, have, in this and neighboring counties, filled all the county offices from coroner and school examiner to the state legislature.

This purports to be a mere outline of the organization, the progress, the results of a single academy. At least eight thousand young men and women have come under the moulding influence of these five Ashland county institutions. Who shall measure this greater force. What an army must have passed out into society during the seventy-five years of the healthy existence of the three hundred Ohio academies to influence with their youthful enthusiasm and ambition the advancing tide of civilization! Again, who shall measure the effect.

Ashland county has from the first participated in the benefits arising from the liberal grants of land made for purposes of education within the limits of Ohio, and from the many acts passed by the general assembly to facilitate and direct the development of a uniform system of schools throughout the state. A more exhaustive history of these matters than is given in the preceding pages would not be profitable to the general reader; yet, as the foundation of all education in the state, no history of the schools of Ashland county should in the absence of authority to tax, schools were supported by the voluntary contributions of the people. Rude schooihouses followed the erection of dwellings quite as rude, and no visions of the grander structures of the coming days wrought in the pupils' mind discontent with the mud-chinked cabin and its rough slab bench, - that glorious seat of learning!

Often the schoolhouse was delayed by the pressing needs of those who had yet to clear the way for Ohio's advancing civilization. The boy and his sire wrought side by side until a clearing was made, when the hght of the schoolmaster's face shone into it with a clear yet fitful ray, not quite so brilliant as those of the sun.

The teachers of Ashland county probably occupied a medial position, as to worth and intellect, between the Yankee teachers of the Western Reserve and those of southwestern Ohio. While the former were often men of culture, it is said of the latter that they '' were selected more on account of their unfitness to perform manual labor than by reason of their intellectual worth,'' and were often ''cripples, wornout old men, and women physically unable or constitutionally too lazy to scotch hemp or spm flax.'' It was a common custom throughout the state to employ male teachers for a winter term and females for a summer term.

It was not to be expected that moral suasion would be a dominant instrumentality in securing discipline in the earlier times, when the near forests supplied sprouts which seemed divinely appointed to meet the ends sought in any well-ordered school. '' Hickory oil was known to be a good lubricator for the mental friction of a schoolboy, and its use in liberal quantities by the master or mistress was rarely the subject of complaint or criticism on the part of parents."'

The teacher, as in other parts of the country, sometimes ''boarded round,"' an ingenious way of converting tuition into sustenance without the intervention of any other circulatory medium than the schoolmaster himself, or schoolmistress, as the case might be.

To the average schoolmaster of this portion of Ohio, in the days when cultivated intellects were as rare as cultivated fields, no words apply more fittingly, perhaps, than those of Goldsmith:

The village all declared how much he knew: "Twas certain he could write and cipher too; Lands he could measure, terms and tides presage, And e'en the story ran that he could gauge.

For, e'en though vanquished, he could argue still; While words of learned length and thundering sound Amazed the gazing rustics ranged around;

In these primitive schools Dilworth's, Webster's, and the United States spelling books were used; for reading books, the Bible, Testament, and the English reader. Some were so stupid as to think that any book they possessed would do for a school reader. Dahboll's, Jess', and Tike's were the arithmetics used, all of which were superseded, about the year 1827, by the Western Calculator. It and Kirkham's grammar were the standards in these branches for many years. In writing metallic pens were unknown; it was an important item for a teacher to make a good quill pen. This will soon be one of the lost arts. The writing exercises were first a straight mark between ruled lines, next a single curve, then a double curve, and the letters taken singly, beginning with ''o'' and following with the simpler ones. Large hand was first taught, and then small hand. The teachers made pens and set copy. For the latter quaint precepts were used: ''A Man of Words, and not of Deeds, is like a Garden full of Weeds.'' ''Command you may your Mind from Play.'' ''Desire Wisdom from Experience,'' ete. _ Windows were made in the old schoolhouses by having the space between the logs cut wider and a narrow sash inserted. This was made to extend to nearly the whole length of one side. Before glass had become plenty, oiled paper was used in place of it. On it the roguish boys marked in letters and hieroglyphics some of the vulgar ideas that were uppermost in their minds.

As time advanced the log schoolhouse gave way to a frame or brick structure, with an improved style of benches and desks. Progress was also made in the theory and practice of teaching. A session in a rural school becomes an important session. Before the free-school system was established, schools were made up by subscription. The teacher first went around with an article of agreement, promising to teach a quarter provided enough pupils could be obtained. Each subscriber agreed to send and pay for the tuition of the number affixed to his name. The usual rate was one dollar and a half per quarter for each pupil.

Many persons in this county have used teaching as a step to something that they considered higher. After a few terms of teaching they betook themselves to a business that appeared more permanent and lucrative.

About the year 1870 an interest in higher education developed among the adherents of the Tunker or German Baptist faith in Ashland and vicinity. There were prosperous farmers who desired to exert some influence in the educational sphere and it crystalized in the erection of Ashland College in 1878, clear of debt. Among the interested parties were H. K. Myers, Austin Moherman, I. D. Parker, George Irvin, Elder Saddler, Cyrus Hoover and Josiah Keim. The doors were opened to students in September, 1879, with S. Z. Sharp as president. The first terms were favored with fair success. A boarding hall was urged upon the trustees, and upon certain promises made by the president, one was erected at a cost of over nineteen thousand dollars, and no means were in hand to pay it. This became a burden and the development of divisions in the church let the institution in the hands of the promoters.

In 1882 the fraternity separated into three branches, and the one known as the Progressives embraced the interests of the trustees who built the college as private parties with the purpose of educating the young of the church. The institution hung in the balance for six years, and was sold by the court in 1888. Members of the Progressive Tunkard or Brethren church bought the buildings, and former trustees of the Conservative Tunkard church purchased a part of the land. The debt on the college was cleared in 1908.

The building is located on a beautiful site in south Ashland, high and dry on Bank street. The college building is one hundred by one hundred feet, three stories and cellar, and was erected at a cost of about fifty thousand dollars. It will accommodate five hundred students. The dormitory is forty by one hundred and ten and will house one hundred and twenty roomers, and is well equipped for convenience and comfort. A commodious gymniasium was built in recent years.

In 1888 it was incorporated as Ashland University. New life entered into the work of the institution as the old debt passed, and recent years were filled with success, cheer and promising prospects.

The courses maintained are the regular classical, scientific, philosiphical, preparatory, normal, divinity, music, fine art, and commercial.

The. college year is divided into three sessions. Students are admitted without regard to ereeds and the highest moral and religious influences are exerted. The accessory societies, associations, ete., of well ordered colleges, are maintained. The work done testifies in the highest praise for thoroughness, practicability and usefulness. Dr. J. Allen Miller, Professor Levi L. Garber and Professor John R. Beal have been the staying strength of the faculty for ten to fifteen years. Other names, well woven in the history of the college are, H. K. Myers, David Bailey, A. L. Garber, Josiah Keim, John Keim, I. D. Bowman, H. R. Holsinger, Eli Yoder and J. L. Gillin.

Written By Aaron L. Garber, Editor Ashland Sun

The introduction and development of the religious and spiritual interests of the people of Ashland, partook of the common practice of pioneer life and primitive christianity. The places of congregating were private residences, barns, and in later years schoolhouses, until it became practical to build churches, and public buildings became available. The courthouse of Ashland, a relic of pioneer methods, yet standing in Ashland, is sacred to the religious memory of many as a meeting place in the development of churches. The pioneer religious teachers were of the Presbyterian, Baptist and Tunker (Brethren) faiths; the last being confined to the country until recent years, and no record of their early activity has been made.

The Presbyterian Church

The first organization of Christians in the locality of Ashland was Presbyterian. Several Scotch-Irish families who located as early as 1814-1816, among whom were Robert Nelson, Abraham Doty, David McKinney, David Pollock and Abel Montgomery. Near the end of 1816, these people were visited by Rev. Joshua Beer, and soon after by Rev. William Matthews, who were candidates for settlement in the locality. In 1817 a society was formed under the name of ''Montgomery,'' the Lord's Supper observed by an assembly of twenty-two persons holding certifiicates of membership and twelve who were received on examination. The organization was completed by the choice of two elders, Robert Nelson and Abraham Doty. A log-cabin church was erected in 1819, one mile west of Ashland, then called Uniontown. In 1820, the name of the assembly was changed to ''Hopeweli.'' The next record of the church May 22, 1822, has Rev. Robert Lee in charge and later Rev. Matthews succeeded, in 1826, for a period of eight prosperous years.

On July 1, 1833, twenty-one members were dismissed to form a church at Clear Creek, seven miles north, and on August 5th, nineteen to establish a church at Orange, five miles northeast; on April 21, 1834, thirty-nine to begin a congregation at Olivesburg, six miles west. Rev. James Robinson succeeded as pastor until 1838. During these years the membership developed in Ashland, and in 1836, a house of worship was erected in the village.

A spirit of opposition began to arise about this time between the country and village membership. The introduction of a choir in the service and abandonment of the practice of lining hymns for singing were made issues, and steps for the organization of a new church were taken, and in 1841 the Hopewell organization was declared dissolved by an authorized committee, and on the 29th day of July, 1841, the membership accepting the purposes of the committee, were organized under the name of The First Presbyterian Society of Ashland, Ohio. The opposition carried a complaint to the Presbytery, and the name of Hopewell was restored to them, and they continued as a separate church for

The first church of Ashland was organized with a membership of fortythree and the elders appointed were Joseph Wasson, Thomas Smith and Samuel Fulton. Rev. James Polland, and Revs. Robert and Samuel Fulton ministered to the church. On June 21, 1844, Rev. James Robinson was installed pastor, receiving five hundred dollars per annum. He continued the relation forty years, his compensation being raised from time to time. He resigned and closed his pastorate January 27, 1884.

A call was extended to Rev. D. B. Duncan and he began his pastoral relation April 8, 1884, and closed it October 26, 1892, nineteen years; he continued to fill the pulpit most of the time for several months afterward.

The Hopewell Presbyterian building erected in 1836, was sold to the Catholic church of Ashland, soon after the death of Rev. Samuel Moody in 1856.

The original building of the First Presbyterian church cost two thousand two hundred dollars. It was enlarged twice, in 1851 and 1858. The present building on the corner of Third and Church streets was completed in 1883, and cost about twenty-two thousand dollars.

In 1887-89, the church passed through much trouble. Some time before a spirit of rivalry arose among leaders of the republican party. The membership of the church became divided in feeling and sentiment; a rival republican paper was established, the Gazette and the church seemed to have been made one of the places of trouble, until those opposed to the course of the pastor, withdrew to the number of sixty, in 1889 and more followed later. These entered into the organization of a Congregational church.

The First Presbyterian Society of Ashland was incorporated by special act of the legislature February 26, 1842, but no organization was effected under the charter. August 1,1882, the matter of incorporation was taken up by J. O. Jennings, R. D. Freer, E. W. Wallack, S. W. Beer, E. S. Briggs and Alax. McDowell as trustees and an organization completed under the articles of incorporation as The First Presbyterian church of Ashland. This sketch was compiled from the church records written by Pastors Robinson and Duncan, orginal papers in possession of J. W. Patterson and county histories.

The Methodist Episcopal Church

This class was organized, in 1823, according to Hills' County History and was composed of seventeen members, eight males and nine females. James Swaney was the first class leader. The organization was effected by Reys. James Hazard and James Haney, at the residence of John Smith, in Ashland then called Uniontown. Services were held at his residence, in his barn during the summer, in a log building used as a schoolhouse.

About the year 1828 the trustees of the class purchased a lot of William Anderson, now a part of the courthouse square, and erected thereon a stone building and occupied it until 1846, when Ashland became the county seat of Ashland county, and the church house was sold and occupied as a courthouse about seven years.

On March 31, 1847, the trustees, William Hough, William Mellington, John Mason, Aron Binckard, John Proudfit, Robert McMurry, Holiday Ames and J. D. Stubbs as trustees, purchased one fourth of an acre, corner of Church and Fourth streets, and in 1848 began services in a new house of worship and used it ten years before it was completed; it was remodeled twice during an occupancy of forty years. The lot was bought for one hundred dollars and sold for one thousand three hundred and fifty dollars, the house being destroyed by fire.

In 1886, steps were taken to build a new house, and a lot was purchased west of the courthouse, a very desirable location.. The new house was dedicated Sunday, June 10, 1888. The new building cost about twenty-four thousand dollars and on the day of dedication eight thousand dollars was subscribed to cover the indebtedness remaining.

This work was done during the labors of pastor G. W. Pepper, a patriotic son of Ireland, who gave the front window, bearing his own and also the names of Parnell, Emmet and Gladstone, defenders of the rights of Ireland. Through the generous gift of Mrs. Mary Free, Ashland was favored with a town clock in the steeple of this church.

The M. E. Church has been an important factor in the religious interests of Ashland, and its record indicates a healthy and uniform development. I. H. Good, long an official member is largely responsible for the facts of this sketch.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church

The history of this church began in 1820, by a minister known as Father Stough, who preached to the Lutheran families scattered in the locality of Ashland for about ten years. He was followed by F. J. Ruth, who was active in pioneer ministry in the locality and filled his calling with much good work and large success for about eight years. During his ministry David Schuh organized an assembly of German Lutherans north of Ashland, which later became a part of the Ashland congregation.

In 1839, Rev. W. J. Sloan came to Ashland and established a regular Synod Lutheran church. He was a brilliant speaker, a determined temperance advocate, and an energetic revivalist. The Methodist church was opened for a revival service, with the fruit of forty-four conversions, who were equally divided between the two. With these twenty-two members and the ten or twelve constituting his following, he organized late in 1839. In the record of members appears the familiar names of McClellan, Maxwell, Grosscup, Imhoff, Frazee, Young, Ruth, etc. The first deacons were W. Imhoff and Weber, and the elders were, A. McClellan and Father Young. The first house of worship involves a bit of moral romance. The burning temperance principles of Rev. Sloan rested upon the brewery on the southwest corner of Orange and Second streets with covetous desire. The pastor, supported by his congregation, boldly made a proposition of purchase; it was accepted, and the result is agreeably expressed by the pastor in 1909, Rev. A. H. Smith, as follows: The mault tubs, the barley mill, the fermenting vats, beer kegs, and beer drinkers too, were rolled out. The building was disinfected and thoroughly sanctified by washing and scrubbing; the partitions were torn out, the walls plastered, and all duly arranged for a holy purpose, when the noble band of Christain men and women entered with seats, pulpit, Bible, hymnbook and catechism to preach and worshiped Jesus Christ after the faith of their fathers.

Great revivals were held:in 1847 and the house became too small, and a new one was erected on the north side of Second street, at a cost of three thousand dollars. This building was destroyed by a disastrous fire which swept the street in 1884. Preparation was at once made to erect a new house, and it was located on the corner of Church and Third streets, east of the court-house square, at a cost of seventeen thousand dollars.

In 1908 contracts were let for additions and improvements at a cost of twenty-three thousand dollars, making it the most elaborate church edifice in the city of Ashland. The dedication services of the rebuilt church were held May 23, 1909.

The Baptist Church

A Baptist congregation was organized in Ashland, Rev. John Rigdon was the regular minister. A few years later he embraced the teaching of Alexander

Campbell, and became an active minister in the Church of the Disciples of Christ. The congregation continued to worship in a church house near Ashland until about 1849, when it ceased to exist. Later Baptist families located in the town and near, under the leadership of Rev. I. N. Carman, built a church house on Walnut street. The congregation was not able to maintain regular service, and the building was disposed of some years ago.

The Christian Church

The history of this organization began about 1829 when John Rigdon and Michael Riddle, a resident in the vicinity of Ashland, organized a congregation of twenty or twenty-one members.

Rev. Rigdon was active as a Baptist minister, but passed under censure at a Baptist Association held in Mifflin township. He was present and heard the announcement of his suspension on a charge of heresy in embracing certain teachings of the Disciples and Alexander Campbell. He there announced that he would preach from a stump nearby at an hour announced. The congregation followed him except his brother ministers and a local elder, and nine were baptized as a result of his preaching. His labors continued to be fruitful. In 1836 a new organization was entered into, which embraced some of the membership of the first organization, and they met in the Whiting house, corner of Orange and Third streets in Ashland, where James Porter preached the first sermon. Meetings were held at the homes of Michael Riddle, John Mykrantz, F. Selcers, ete., until a house of worship was erected on Orange and Fourth streets, in 1843.

The church has enjoyed seasons of great success and occasional difficulties that checked its progress. The old house of worship was replaced by a commodious structure of modern design, and dedicated December 30, 1888. The cost .was eight thousand dollars. The membership in recent years ranged between three hundred and three hundred and seventy. The following pastors have served the church:

The Emanuel Church Of The Evangelical Association

During about thirty-six years previous to the organization of this church, ministers of the association preached in and about Ashland to the scattered families of that faith. In the '40s and '50s, Bishop John Seybert, in his missionary tours, frequently stopped at the home of Joseph Heltman, west of Ashland, and preached to the scattered believers, and the pastors of the Richland circuit continued this ministering up to about 1860. About this time the membership was placed under the control of the Wayne circuit and its pastors who preached in the Ashland courthouse and in private homes. A church house was completed in 1874 and dedicated by Bishop Dubbs. The lot and house on Third street cost about six thousand dollars.

The United Brethren Church

The history of this society begins in 1867. Rev. R. Watson was serving a charge in the Western Reserve Conference and organized a class of eighteen members in Ashland. Jacob Stem was the first class leader, and William Binkard, Joseph Moore and Joseph Bechtel were the first trustees. The cirenit minister preached in the Baptist church, courthouse, the Disciple church and wherever opportunity opened the way. A church building became a necessity and in January, 1870, a house of worship was dedicated on east Walnut street. The development of the organization was constant with the exception of some agitation on the subject of secret societies and the withdrawal of nearly one hundred members in 1887. In 1894 a new church edifice was commenced and completed in about three years. The sisters of the society purchased a lot on the southeast corner of Center and Washington streets, and their enterprise inspired the whole congregation to determined effort. The trustees then were, H. T. Imhoff, J. L. Corts, J. P. Michael, S. Stauffer, and C. A. MclIlrain. The new church was dedicated on November 15, 1896. The cost was eight thousand five hundred and ninety-six dollars.

The architecture is modern and_ tasty. Further improvements and additions were made in 1908, and rededicated February 14, 1909. In 1905 a handsome parsonage was built on a lot just east of the church, with modern equipment at a cost of twenty-four hundred dollars without cost of lot. The membership in 1909 was two hundred and seventy. : encouraged by his predecessors, and urged that all such methods be abandoned on the ground that they were not of the Lord. He proposed that pledges be taken to pay a sum equal to one cent per day. This plan was adopted and from that time suppers and socials for moneymaking were a thing of the past, and the society has prospered as never before, and rapidly discharged its financial obligations.

The Brethren Church

This faith is known in many localities as the progressive Tunkers or German Baptists. During the years of 1878-82 there was great agitation among leaders of the German Baptist congregations over rules of dress and the authority of elders. A division into three independent conferences was the result, in 1882. In the summer of 1879, after the completion of Ashland College, a society was organized in Ashland, and worshiped in the chapel of the college. The majority of the membes of this organization decided to cast their lot with the progressive element in the divide. The heavy debt on the college made it an undesirable property for adoption by the main body of the Tunkers, and it was espoused by the progressive people, who continued to use the chapel as a place of worship, with the exception of a short period, to the present.

The rule of the Tunker churches was to elect from its membership men whose lives were exemplary and who were apt to teach as elders, and the ministerial responsibility was frequently divided between two or three. Before the division, the Ashland Brethren church was served by S. Z. Sharp, S. H. Bashar, John Worst, and Edward Mason. After the change, S. H. Bashar, John Worst, Edward Mason, H. R. Holsinger, Ei Yoder. About 1886 W. C. Perry took the work and Isaac Kilhefner succeeded for a brief period. A. L. Garber became minister and continued in the service until 1894. §S. H. Harrison followed. The work was associated with the college by the church conference soon after and J. Allen Miller became pastor and remained in charge to the present, with the exception of two years absence in which Zed H. Copp served, and another year by John L. Gillin. The membership is about one hundred and fifty, and the society is in a prosperous state.

St. Edwards Catholic Church

As early as 1853, Father Brennan, of Wooster visited Ashland and said mass in private homes, and he was followed by Fathers O'Neil, Maloney, and Rev. J. F. Gallagher. In 1863 the Hopewell Presbyterian church dissolved and sold their building to the Catholic church for six hundred dollars. This is the proper date of the organization. In 1865 Rev. J. Khun, of Mansfield, visited the church about once a month. The church was repaired at an expense of about five hundred dollars.

In 1867 Rev. A. Magenhann took charge and during his ministry the old church burnt and a substantial brick, thirty-six by fifty feet, was erected in 1870.. Im 1872, Rev. M. Schmidt, of Loudonville, took charge. He was

The German Lutheran Church

This congregation stands in association with the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio and other states. It was organized in 1865 and in 1868, a good brick building was erected on the corner of Broad and Main streets. The first minister was Rev. Schmidt. The interests of this organization has taken on new life. The inevitable dissolution was coming upon the society as a result of clinging to the German language in its service, in the midst of a developing English community. In recent years the services were conducted in both languages, and a new era of progress has entered its history.

The first pastor was called in 1867, Rev. Schmidt; 1872, Rev. Muller; 1880, Rev. Graubner; 1881, H. Hunsicker; 1884, G. A. Harter; 1886, J. A. Shulze; 1894, E. Mack; 1895, E. Ahl; 1897, A. Benzine. The pulpit was vacant for several years. In 1904 Rev. L. M. Mohrhoff became pastor, and continues in charge to date. The church was remodeled about 1906 at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars.

The First German Evangelical Reform Church

On Monday, November 20, 1865, twelve persons assembled at the home of Louis Scherff, in Ashland, to unite themselves into a church society, and adopted the foregoing name. 'Trustees were elected as follows: Louis Scherff, Louis Call, Jacob Kreichbaum; clerk, Charles W. Harmany. A frame church was erected on Sandusky street in the year 1867. The continued use of the German language alienated the young people and the strength of the society diminished, and on January 1, 1909, the property was sold and the proceeds devoted to general mission work, and the organization ceased to exist.

The First Congregational Church

This organization was effected in 1889. On account of difficulty in the First Presbyterian church of Ashland, sixty members withdrew; and after due consideration, they decided to form themselves into a Congregational church.

A delegation was sent to Mansfield to confer with Dr. Hubbell, pastor of the Congregational church. On May 14, the committee made its report, and a motion carried to form a Congregational church. At a meeting, June 4, officers were elected as follows: J. O. Jennings, Martin Mason, J. C. Sloan, U. S. Shelly, G. W. Urie, and G. H. Topping, deacons; R. C. Kinnaman, R. M. Campbell, E. S. Briggs, G. W. Ryall, E. A. Potter and E. P. Smith, trustees. A. G. Damp was chosen clerk and J. O. Jennings, treasurer.

Services were held in the opera house for some time, the first regular services of the organized church occurred June 7, conducted by Dr. Hubbell. Rey. J. M. Merrell was called as pastor.

Presbyterian Church- Aghland-O Lutheran Church, Ashland Evangelical Church, Ashland

Steps were taken to erect a church home. In November, 1890, the new building, a heavy. and elegant brick structure of Gallatian architecture, was occupied, and large suecess has attended the wrok. In 1895 Rev. S. B. Hershey became pastor; 1897, W. G. Schoppe; 1901, C. W. Wilson ; 1905, Roy E. Bowers; 1908, William Smith.

The Church Of Jesus

A small society organized a few years. past which recognizes no denominational lines in the Christian faith; and no rules of discipline outside of the Bible. A. L. Garber is one of the active workers.

The Salvation Army

The Army opened its work in Ashland in 1885, and for years the second story hall, corner of Orange and Second streets, opposite the postoffice, was used for a meeting place, and was begun by Captain and Mrs. Garner. Its forces held up for some years, then weakened, and services were abandoned for a period.

In 1902 or 1903, Captain Holygrefe took up the work, full of determination and superior power, and succeeded in recruiting a large following. In 1904 a convenient frame building was erected on East Main street for a meeting hall and officers' quarters. Soon after the dedication of the hall, the captain fell, dying amidst his successful work and ''in the harness.'' His remains were lovingly laid to rest in the Ashland cemetery, a lasting inspiration to his comrades to press the battle on. The workers die but the work goes on. The living rooms are nicely furnished; and in 1909, Captain Baddy is in charge; the Army is prospering.

No Protestant Episcopal church parish was ever founded in Ashland county, but services of the church have frequently been held there, usually at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Clark. Notwithstanding their isolation, they have ever remained steadfast and loyal to the faith once delivered to the saints.

The Press And The Legal And Medical Professions

Long before its career as a separate and distinct part of the commonwealth began, Ashland county recognized the vital importance of having newspapers to dissemmate its news, mould public opinion and to promote its growth and prosperity. Many able men have been connected with its journalistic enterprises, men of influence and power, who have given to their papers prestige that

The first newspaper established in the county was the Mohican Advocate and Hanover Journal, started at Loudonville in October, 1834. The first paper published in Ashland - ''The Herald'' - appeared a few months later, in December of the same year. It was édited by J. C. Gilkinson and had a brief existence of eight months. Its successor was the Ohio Globe, published by Joshua Ruth, a veteran printer who for many years was employed on the Ashland Times. The Globe continued to revolve only one year.

The Western Phoenix, which preceded the Ashland Times was the first Whig paper in Ashland county. It was established in the presidential campaign of 1836 and was edited by Samuel McClue. It continued to soar about one year.

The Ashland Standard was the first paper established after the organization of the county in 1846. It represented the bank currency ring of the democratic party and in the same year another democratic paper, The Ashland Democrat, was established, to represent the hard money wing of the party. The rivalry between the two papers closed with their consolidation in 1848, under the name of The Ohio Union, with H. S. Knapp as editor. In 1855 this paper was sold to Collins W. Bushnell, whe changed its name to Ashland Union. In 1857 Mr. Knapp repurchased the paper and continued its publication until 1860, when it was sold to John Jacobs. The Union then passed through the successive ownerships of B. F. Nelson and John M. Landis, then to Landis Brothers. In 1868 the paper was purchased by Dr. George Hill, who became state representative. He changed its.name to the States and Union. In 1887 the paper was sold to B. F. Nelson and W. H. Gates, the latter of whom is now its owner. Its name was then changed to ''The Ashland Press.'"' William T. Allerson and William G. Heltman then succeeded to its ownership. Then W. T. Allerson became its sole owner, and under his able management it became a power. Later W. H. Gates entered into partnership and in turn became sole owner of the Press, and is its owner today, having long and faithfully served his county as a newspaper man and public official. Its editorial management is in charge of Hon. A. P. Black, state representative, and its city editor is Edgar Koehl. It is strongly and ably edited and is recognized as one of the best weekly papers in the state.

The Ashlander which followed the Phoenix as a whig paper was established in 1850 by William B. McCarty. At the close of the presidential campaign of 1852 it was purchased by L. Jeff Sprengle, who changed its name to that carried today, ''The Ashland Times,'' which is the oldest of any paper in the county under one name. The Times has seen Ashland county grow from a village of twelve hundred people to a prosperous and enterprising city of seven thousand, and has had a part in that history. It was founded by L. Jeff Sprengle, a sturdy whig patriot. Its first editor was William Osborn an honored citizen afterwards elevated to judicial position. Under his management the paper began a term in the councils of the whig party. Mr. Osborn retired in 1855 to devote himself to the practice of the law. Josiah Locke had editorial charge of the paper a short time and then Mr. Sprengle took upon himself the editorial duties of the paper as well as its management. At the birth of the republican party the Times espoused its principles and in the dark days of the rebellion struck sturdy blows for the cause of union and liberty. During his adminis- tration Mr. Sprengle was assisted by Mrs. Sprengle, J. L. Sanborn, J. J. Ashenhurst and Henry Robinson. In.1876 the paper was purchased by Joseph E. Stubbs, now president of Nevada State University. He was succeeded by his brother, William G. Stubbs, who ably managed the paper. In 1883 the paper passed into the possession of W. H. Reynolds and George Hildebrand. This partnership continued up to October 29, 1887. When in a justice court at Nankin, where he had gone to protect a poor man from fraud and oppression, W. H. Reynolds was cut down by an assassin's bullet. The tragic death of this fearless and outspoken soldier threw the management upon its present editor, George Hildebrand, who had entered the office as an apprentice in 1877, and has filled every position in it, being absent only from his post when he served as state senator from 1889 to 1893.

In 1887 the Ashland Gazette was started by Thomas M. Beer, who owned it up to his death. It was managed and edited by his sons, Frank R. Beer and Harry C. Beer, who later started a daily. This paper continued up to August, 1893, when it was consolidated with the Ashland Times, under the ownership of the Ashland Printing Company. George Hildebrand continued in the editorial and business management, and this position he holds today in addition to his duties as postmaster. The publication of the daily has continued and it occupies a leading place in the newspaper field of the state. Charles L. Bowman is city editor and the foreman of its work room is A. A. Kerr, who has been continuously with the paper for thirty-four years.

In the southern part of the county there are two strong and ably managed papers, the Loudonville Democrat, owned and edited by John P. Bowman and the Loudonville Advocate, owned and edited by H. E. Zimmerman.

William A. Duff

William A. Duff, newspaper man and short story writer, resides in Ashland, in the old fashioned brick residence at the corner of Center and Walnut streets, built by Jonas Freer more than sixty years ago, and in which Mr. Duff was born. He is the son of Captain John W. Duff, who at the outbreak of the Civil war was one of the few loyal people in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Captain Duff served four years as captain of Company M, Sixth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. While he was away at the war, Confederate troops destroyed his carriage factory which was full of finished work. Mr. Duff's maternal grandfather, Lafayette Markley, was a soldier in the Mexican war. Mr. Duff's mother died when he was three years old and he was reared by Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Freer, noble people whose memory will be cherished. Mrs. Freer gave a ninety-three acre farm for the Ashland County Children's Home, a soldiers' monument, a town clock and various other, gifts.

Mr. Duff, on account of ill health, did not finish his college course at Ohio Wesleyan University, but went into newspaper work, and was editor of the Ashland Daily News, the first daily paper published in the town. Afterward for over eight years he was on the Mansfield Daily News reportorial staff and for three and one-half years was city editor of the Mansfield Daily Shield. For

He has devoted considerable time to historical research in the preparation of special articles and dialect stories. | He was united in marriage June 12, 1894, with Carrie C. Cowan, daugkter of Dr. Frank Cowan and granddaughter of former United States Congressman Jacob P. Cowan. The children are Helen Elizabeth, born June 3, 1903, and John William, born September 26, 1905.

The Legal Profession

Before the erection of Ashland county, there were but few regularly admitted attorneys in Ashland. Elias Slocum, Sterling G. Bushnell, Silas Robbins, Jr., Erastus N. Gates and J. W. Smith, of Ashland, and Nicholas M. Donaldson. of Loudonville, attended to the legal business of the county, which was principally before the justices of the peace, but occasionally they conducted trials in the court of common pleas at Mansfield. |

Since Ashland became the seat of justice for this county, the resident attorneys have been: Erastus N. Gates, James W. Smith, John S. Fulton, Bolivar W. Kellogg, John H. McCombs, William A. Hunter, Jonathan Moffitt, James Sloan, John W. Rankin, John Clark, Harvey H. Johnson, Ohio F. Jones, Willard Slocum, S. W. Shaw, J. Vincent, A. M. Fulton, Albert L. Curtis, Alexander Porter, Thomas J. Kenney, William Osborn, John W. Fry, Almer R. Campbell, A. V. Watts, S. D. Gault, J. S. Wertman, F. C. Semple, T. J. Smilie, Geo. W. Geddes, Nicholas M. Donaldson, of Loudonville; Wm. Henry, of Savannah; and subsequently, Thomas J. Bull, of Loudonville; Amos Norris, of Orange; George W. Carey, of Rowsburgh; John J. Gurley, of Hayesville; William Cowan, of Green; Francis Kenyon, of Savannah, and John Scott, Jr., of Hayésville, became practicing attorneys.

About the year 1849, William B. Allison, T. J. Kenny, George W. Hill, George H. Parker, William B. McCart, and Robert Beer were admitted, and, shortly after, the list was enlarged by the names of John J. Jacobs, Robert M. Campbell, C. S. Van Arnam, J. D. Stubbs, and William T. Johnston; and has since been increased by the addition of the names of George B. Smith, H. S. Knapp, H. 8. Lee, J. P. Devor, John D. Jones, D. S. Sampsell, J. Hahn, John McCray, Henry McCray, Byron Stilwell, William O. Porter, Peter S. Grosscup, and Charles Dorland.

The Medical Profession Miscellaneous

There is much of interest concerning events which have left their impress upon the annals of the county that has been presented in the meetings of the Historical Society, the Pioneer Society and on other occasions of similar nature. From these we have culled various items.

Meeting Of Ashland Historical Society

The seventh annual meeting of the Ashland County Pioneer Society was held at the courthouse in Ashland, August 18, 1881, President Hugh Burns, presiding. Colonel B. Burns, of Mansfield, made the address of the occasion, from which the following notes were taken: He gave a succinct account of the poverty and trials of the early settlers, their habits and customs, their toils and amusements, and concluded by summing up their great achievements. He said sixty-one years ago last June, a hatless, shoeless, little boy passed up the streets of Ashland (then Uniontown) with his father and family and went on to the place since known as the Kelly farm. We were then an unbroken family of seven, but now all the links are broken save your president, the oldest, and myself, the youngest of the family. We came on to the Kelly place in 1820 and moved on to the Hazlett farm in 1821. After several removals finally settled on the place known as the Burns farm, which my father occupied until he died.

Among the earliest history of events, pioneers were spoken of and the very first was Cain, who pioneered into the land 'of Nod, and found a wife. Noah was the pioneer ship builder. Abraham was a pioneer, going out not knowing whither he went. Jacob was also a pioneer. He came to a well, met his cousin Rachel, kissed her, and lifted up his voice and wept. John the Baptist, preceding the Messiah, was a pioneer in the wilderness. Christopher Columbus conceived the idea that there was a western continent and he became a pioneer.

Washington was a pioneer. Benjamin Franklin was also a pioneer in drawing lightning from the clouds. Thomas Paine was a pioneer. Robert Fulton, the man who first applied the power of steam as a propelling power to vessels was a pioneer. Morse was a pioneer 'in utilizing electricity and giving to it the capacity of speech. The speaker here gave an anecdote, to wit, when Morse visited Washington to obtain an appropriation to assist in putting up the wire for his telegraph he consulted John Spencer, then one of the members of Tyler's cabinet, who inquired how much it would cost the government to send a ''package'' by telegraph to New York? Like the Irishman who kissed the telegraph pole because he wanted to send a kiss to his wife.

The speaker said that the village of Ashland was laid out in 1815, and then called Uniontown, but was changed to Ashland at the request of Francis Graham, who was obliged to have another name for the postoffice. He then gave a tribute to the memory of Father Graham who has recently died.

Prominent Persows And Families

Of the many prominent men who have lived in Ashland county the late Senator William B. Allison should be first mentioned. He was born in Perry township Ashland county, in 1829. After receiving a common school and other preparatory training, he entered Western Reserve College, and after graduation commenced the study of law. In 1857 he removed to the state of Iowa and took up his residence in Dubuque. After a-short residence there, he was elected to congress and. after serving a term or two in the house of repesentatives, he was elected to the United States senate in 1873, where he served for over thirty years and until his death. His public record is unblemished, and bears unequivocal evidence of conscientious devotion to his work as a United States senator.

Another distinguished former citizen of Ashland county is Judge P. S. Grosscup of Chicago. He is a native of Milton township, Ashland county, and graduated from Wittenberg College in 1872, and from the law department of the Boston University in 1873. Upon his return to Ashland, he entered the practice of law as a partner of Judge William Osborn. Later he removed to Chicago and is now a United States judge.

A prominent family in Ashland county was that of Thomas Beer, who located there in 1859. He was at one time pastor of the Presbyterian church at Jeromeville. He was the father of thirteen children, two of whom died in childhood. One of his sons was the late Senator Beer of Ashland county, another is Judge Thomas Beer, of Bucyrus. His children, upon arriving at the age of maturity, entered upon the business of life with energy, and attracted the good opinion of the public because of their ability and integrity.

Prior to 1845, farmers grew but little clover on account of the difficulty they experienced in getting the seed hulled, as no machinery for that purpose had prior been invented. But, as with other things, an invention came at last, and the inventor's name, in this case, was Martin Henry Mansfield, a native of the city of New York. At the time of his invention of the clover huller, he was a resident of Juniata county, Pennsylvania. He later came to Ohio, where his huller seemed to be more appreciated. Still later he became a resident of Ashland and erected shops in which he manufactured his hullers. The success of his machine caused clover to be generally raised by farmers. It was Mr. Mansfield's pride, not only to be a successful inventor but to aid the farmer in producing a valuable crop, as ''He that causes one blade of grass to grow, where it had not previously .grown,'' he is surely a benefactor of his race. After having accomplished much, Mr. Mansfield died April 4, 1880. Mrs. S. G. Weist, a daughter of Mr. Mansfield's, and a gifted lady, is now engaged in writing a history of the town of Ashland, in which undertaking she has the best wishes of the author of this volume.

Among others prominent in the business interests of Ashland in former years are: Sheets, Markley, Croft, Montgomery, Kuykendall, Doty, Urie, Smith, Clark, Nelson, Graham, Davis, Jones, Burns, Riddle, Miller, McNulty, Gates, Shaffer, Gamble; Smith, Hull, Croft, Antibus, Knapp, Winbigler, Sprengle, Brubaker, Skillings, Slocum, Swineford, Maize, Andrews, Clarke, Cowan, Freer, Kenny, Crall, Jennings, and others not now recalled.

The Copus-Zeimer Monuments

At a meeting of the Ashland County Historical Society held Saturday September 10, 1881, a movement was inaugurated to erect monuments to Martin Ruffner, James Copus and the Zeimers, killed by the Indians, September 15, 1812. <A committee was appointed to solicit funds for that purpose and succeeded in getting a sum sufficient to purchase two monuments, one of which was placed at the graves of Martin Ruffner and the Zeimers, the other at the burial place of James Copus and the soldiers who were killed defending his home. At the suggestion of the late Rosella Rice a cenotaph was inscribed on the latter monument to Johnny Appleseed.

These monuments were unveiled with appropriate ceremony on Friday, September 15, 1882, in the presence of over six thousand people. The day of the unveiling was pleasant and everything passed as pleasantly as the committee could have desired. All present seemed satisfied with the ceremonies and appreciated the purpose of the meeting - that of doing honor to those who had suffered death at the hands of the cruel savages. The exercises were held on the Copus hill and were opened with music by the Mt. Zion band, prior to the unveiling. After the announcement of the program by Dr. S. Riddle, the foliowing resolution was offered by A. J. Baughman, of Mansfield, and unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That a vote of thanks be tendered on the part of the citizens of Ashland and Richland counties, to Dr. Riddle, who first offered the resolution to erect these monuments; alse to Daniel Kauffman, Benjamin Croninger, Solomon Vail and Major G. W. Urie who have taken such an active part in carrying out

The following address was delivered by the Hon. Henry C. Hedges, of Mansfield at the unveilng of the Ruffner-Zeimer monument, September 15, 1882.

Address By Henry C. Hedges

The exercises held this forenoon at the Copus farm as well as the program for this afternoon, remind us that an essential quality of the remarks by any one person must needs be brevity - even at the expense of sentiment.

Martin Ruffner over whose dust and in whose memory we here and now unveil this monument at the distance of seventy years from the date of his tragic death in his heroic, but hopeless defense of the Zeimer family, was no common man, no ordinary personage. It is said to contemplate what possibilities of good to and for all the settlers of the valleys of the Mohican in the early days of perplexity, distress and danger were forever lost by his death.

We have no authentic account of his ancestors, but he was of a German-saxon blood and this strain of blood coursing his veins gave assurance of tireless energy, calm courage and unquestioned fortitude.

His was a nature free from the uneasy or painful emotion produced by an apprehension of danger, on the contrary he was fearless and bold. This much we know of him. He emigrated from Shenandoah county, Virginia, in 1807, to Fairfield county, Ohio, and thence in 1812 to this immediate locality, then a part of the unorganized county of Richland. A man of wonderful physical strength, endurance and activity, of large kind heart and generous soul, in every fact such an one as we would look for if we were seeking for a pioneer, one who goes before to remove obstructions and prepare the way for others.

There was nothing of rudeness or roughness in Martin Ruffner. There was in him the strength and courage of a man, but there was also in him the gentleness and heart of a woman. I make mention in this public way of these dominant traits in his character, as I have learned them from the fathers of some of you - the generations now gone - because there is with me an apprehension, a conviction, that by reason of some poetic license or liberty taken by writers of our own day, touching the lives and achievements of our first settlers, free rein has been given the imagination, and invention has been resorted to, so that unless we are exceedingly cautious and careful, we may wholly misapprehend the true worth, the genuine character of Martin Ruffner. .

He never degenerated in his conversation, or musings into recklessness of statement, or impiety of thought. True, he was unlearned and artless, and did not understand the cause and effect, and never could have framed in words such beautiful description of the brilliantly colored arch spanning the regions of the heavens, opposite to the sun, as Ralph Waldo Emerson, when he apostrophised the rainbow ''as the beautiful daughter of the morning, springing from the invisible.'' But the eyes of Martin Ruffner's soul, as he looked up and into the sky, as he gazed through the bright sunlight and through the pearl drops, on the bow of promise, saw all the same beauty, and grandeur, and glory, so beautifully and exactly described by the philosopher of Concord.

I shall have no care of my friends to recite to you the incidents in the early history of this locality, which led to, and became a part of the tragic events, which were enacted in September, 1812, in and about the cabin home erected on the spot where we are now assembled. I shall not undertake to picture to you the untamed savage and his remorseless cruelties nor shall I more than state the fact, that then as now, not all of cruelty nor all of barbarity was perpetrated by the Indian. There were some white men then.

The story in detail, as well as in the main is familiar to you all. What 1 do want to do in the presence of this unnumbered multitude of the sons and daughters of men is to emphasize that seventy years ago in the sparse settlements, in the homes of the pioneers, all the offices of love and humanity were promptly, lovingly performed and that our fathers before us failed and we who today live on the active theatre of life, have long delayed to do justice, to worthily mark the ground where rests, and for years has reposed, the mortal part of an heroic man. Tardily have we done our duty, yet better late than never. Not so Martin Ruffner, you will recall readily in your memories the immediate antecedents of his death, and from them we may learn with what alacrity he ran, though danger and death were about him, to the help and succor of his neighbor.

There was not the slightest hesitation. It was enough for Martin Ruffner that there was a possibility, a probability, of harm overtaking and empoweting weakness and innocence - the weakness of old age and the helplessness of youth, the innocence of venerable gray hairs, and the security of maidenly modesty and beauty. Then the fact was made known to him that the red man of the forest had drawn tight the strings of his bow, and refilled his quiver with death-dealing arrows, he took no thought of his personal safety, but his eye traveled over hill and valley and rested upon the cabin home of the venerable Zeimer. To think with him was to act. His presence might save the father from torture and death, and the daughter from a fate far worse. He reached it, and life and safety seemed secured with his coming. The foe came also, but Ruffner's presence was proof against direct open attack. Like the Greeks of old, bearing gifts, they gain admittance, they accept the proffered hospitality, they are about to eat the bread and salt of the white man prepared by his daughter, when at a signal, instead they commence the bloody butchery! For once Ruffner was deceived and taken unawares. His trusty rifle was near, but time was too precious to bring it to the shoulder, the tomahawk was casting its shadow as it flashed above the gray grown Zeimer. Ruffner discharged his rifle at the foremost Indian, who fell, a bleeding corpse, at his feet; and instantly clubbing his rifle he dealt out several blows on the savages, and another Indian lay prostrate upon the floor; but in the act of raising his rifle for another assault, it struck a joist above his head, the blow was arrested. The Indians, taking advantage of this mishap, fired upon him, and the gallant Ruffner fell to rise no

Brave, courageous soul, today we hail you! Many, many moons have waxed and waned since you and death here held the dark encounter. Seventy times have the several seasons made their circling rounds since your strong arm was raised to protect, and itself struck down; but the memory of your unselfish life has not and shall not perish from the earth. Today we cut it on the enduring granite, engrave it on the imperishable bronze - aye, more, it is indelibly written on the tablets of the hearts of a vast multitude of men and women whose homes and hearthstones are on the hillsides and in the valleys of the Mohican.

Friends, when the granite has crumbled into dust, when the bronze has perished by the elements, kind words, good and great deeds shall still survive. So Martin Ruffner - Pioneer, Hero, Man.

Ossian says: The ''memories of the' past are pleasing but mournful to the soul.''? Such memories are mournful because they are significant of the mausoleum or perhaps the casket in which are entombed so many buried memories of hopes of friends, of happy hours, of nearly everything we hold dear, on the other hand they are pleasing because the hand of time has thrown the dark pall of forgetfulness over the faults of lost friends, and has preserved their virtues and good deeds, which are ever present. Now while standing around the graves of the murdered victims of savage hate and barbarian revenge, memories of the mighty past, may well pass before our vision like the panorama with its thousand changing views, while each and all have no perspective but sorrow and gloom. Sorrow and regrets that noble, hardy and self-sacrificing pioneers, song and daughters of toil, should have been the victims to have suffered vicarious punishment at the hands of blood-thirsty savages for the wrongs they had received from others, regrets that the Greentown Indians should have endured wrongs so deep and lasting, that they deemed nothing but white men's blood could ever be received in atonement. Regrets and sorrow that these Indians should have beer torn from their homes, marched off under guard,-their town burned, their property confiscated and destroyed, sacred pledges and obligations made them wantonly violated, when they had never committed a single overt act. All this was done for fear that one might be perpetrated. Because Tecumseh had entered into a league with the British to harass and destroy our western people, it was feared these friendly and hitherto harmless Indians might join his forces in the work of destruction; therefore they must be placed where they could be kept under strict and continued surveillance. Who ever heard of a court-martial] being convoked for the trial of soldiers for the incendiary act of burning down a village when its legitimate owners, men, women and children were prisoners' Or who ever heard of an investigation being held to even ascertain who wer« the guilty offenders engaged in the dastardly and cowardly act of the destruction of everything they held dear, and in wantonly violating sacred obligations? Can any one tell us who ever made restitution for these multiplied wrongs to the value of a cent? When the forces came to remove them they begged and plead to be allowed to remain in peace and quietude in their homes, and as an earnest of their intentions offered to surrender their guns and other implements of Indian warfare, together with their ponies. But no! the edict had gone forth and go they must, and for fear they might return, all must be destroyed. Seventy years ago last Sunday came the last installment of vengeance and as usual innocent parties were the unconscious victims.

Look on this monument just unveiled, you will read Martin Ruffner, Frederick Zeimer, his wife and daughter Kate, killed by the Indians September 15, 1812. One cannot even read the account in the various histories given of this infamous deed without having his blood congeal with horror at the magnitude of its sanguinary atrocity. Even poor Kate, after having set the table and furnishing her murderers a meal, must have the tomahawk buried in her brain. Five days elapsed when the second installment of vengeance followed which féll like a thunderbolt on the already bowed heads of the pioneers.

On the monument unveiled this morning you read: James Copus, and three soldiers, George Shipley, John Tedrick and Mr. Warnock, killed by the Indians, September 15, 1812. The first we know to have been an innocent victim, for he had been friendly with them and strenuously argued against their removal. We have no right to suppose the others as being guilty of wrongs, and have a right to believe them innocent. If vengeance slept thereafter, it was because there was no material left, for nearly every pioneer went to the blockhouse for safety, or fled from this portion of the state; some to return in after years, others to stay away forever, let us retrospect a moment. When the first Ohio pioneer set foot upon the virgin soil of our now blessed state, they found an unbroken forest that had no metes nor bounds, vast and boundless as the ocean. We have no forests nor woods now in the state that can be found for comparison. The soil had become so rich, containing as it did all the elements of a producing character, that the trees grew so large and their branches so wide spread, and in many places it was nearly dark at midday, the annual fall of leaves and the decay of fallen timber continuing for a multitude of ages, no man can even dream how long, accumulating year by year, layer after layer of material containing all the elements essential to the production of such a monstrous growth of timber.

A man could often travel for miles through these mighty forests without searcely seeing a blade of grass, or a weed except in the swales or low grounds. All were decayed leaves under foot and mighty trees with famous branches as far as the eye could see overhead. These branches were interwoven and intertwined in endless variety and profusion. Inhabiting these forésts were denizens of great variety and character. Savage beasts and still more savage and blood-thirsty men roamed through them at pleasure. Loathsome and venemous reptiles, ''with sting of head and sting of tail'' were under and about nearly every decayed log. The fearful quilled porcupine, and the never dying opossum had each their favorite haunts. The chattering squirrel and the sly raccoon were everywhere. The screaming panther and the sneaking wolf fought for the mastership. The cunning fox and the perfumed polecat, each contested his rights with the wildcat and the lynx. The ponderous bear roamed at will, fearing nothing but his more savage master, the red Indian. The timid deer with its trembling fawn were the denizens of every thicket and glade.

At times in these wonderful groves the utter silence was litterly painful. Again the wildwoods resounded on every hand with the most discordant jargon of unearthly sounds ever heard by mortal ear. The screams of the panther commingled with the howls of the wolf and the shriek of the blood-chilling screech owl would wake up the slumbering echoes in these grand old forest aisles, until it would seem to mortal ears as though pandemonium were let loose. Again these aisles would seem to be alive with nature's sweetest harmonies of music wonderously beautiful. The wind whispering gently through the branches and the soft rustling of the millions of leaves became enrapt with the soul of sentiment and unconscious dreams were evolved; dreams formed of the evanescent intonations of harmony found nowhere save in the realms of peace. The tapping of the woodpecker on the deadened limb of an old tree, the soft barking of the squirrel, the solemn hoot of the owl, the hardly distinguishable drum of the partridge in the distance, the gentle hum of the wild bee, the chirp of the wood cricket, the whippoorwill's song in the distant thicket, all attuned to the whispering breeze, gave unisonant vibrations of harmony at once ravishingly sweet and beautiful. Nature's dream songs know no discordant elements. From the heart throb scarcely perceptible m sound to the bellowing thunder, are but gradient ranges of the selfsame intoned elements of harmony. Such was the condition of the present vast state of Ohio, when those great moral heroes, the earliest pioneers, began the work of subduing these great forests, and their denizens, whether wild beasts or the still wilder Indian. The task must be accomplished without either moral or material resources, amid dangers and privations enough to paralyze the strongest arm and blanch the ruddiest cheek.

The Israelites murmured because they were obliged to make brick without straw, but these pioneers with all the elements of heroism as one of their chief characteristics, made no sigh. A spot must be cleared in these primeval forests that a little corn might be raised to keep the wolf from the door and to sustain life while clearing more ground.

The man who has cleared an acre in our present woods with all the resources that art and the civilization of today has placed in his hands, can have but little idea of the physical labor required to clear an acre then, as his only material resources were an axe and a gun. But as soon as he has provided game meat sufficient to last a few days, then he must start to the back settlements to the mill, and pack on his back corn meal and salt to supply family necessities. In time his acre was cleared and his corn planted, birds would scratch it up, and squirrels would dig it out; when replanted and watched and the corn in the milk, .birds would pick it, squirrels would strip the husks and eat and waste it, the raccoon would tear it down and eat it, the wily opossum also loved it, and the black bear would tear down and eat a square rod of it at a meal, so that when he harvested his corn, if he got a third part for his share he was lucky thus far. Thus with no resources except a ready will, a stout heart, and the brawny arm, the earliest pioneer began the great work of laying the foundation, the base, the superstructure, of which is now the great state of Ohio, teeming with wealth and all the resources that wealth and art can produce, is at her command. Our murdered pioneers, over whose renrains we have placed these monuments, had passed that critical period when starvation had stared them in the face. They had their little patches of ground cleared and comfortable cabins built and were just emerging into a condition to be able to apply vigorous efforts in improving their farms, when the red handed murderers sent them to these untimely graves; it is fitting that these memorial stones should be obtained and erected, under the auspices of our Pioneer Association and Historical Society, although the means were obtained by individual effort. These granite monuments are imperishable and they will stand here notifying future generations of their object, as long as Cleopatra's needle stood in the Nile valley.

In conclusion let us hope that every stranger who reads these inscriptions in the unknown future, will be able to say with us today '' rest in peace. ''

Prediction Fulfilled

The: Rev. J. F. McGaw, in his interesting, but misleading romance of Philip Seymour, makes the following prediction, that monuments in time would be erected commemorative of Martin Ruffner, James Copus, the Zeimer family and the soldiers who had been killed on Copus hill in 1812, which has been appropriately fulfilled. The prediction was: ''And future generations will mark the sacred spot where the gallant Dutchman fell. A monument will yet be erected to his memory and posterity will visit his grave and read the history of his untimely fate.''

The late Dr. S. Riddle, secretary of the Ashland County Pioneer Society, sometime after the meeting on Copus hill wrote interestingly of that gathering and gave a list of quite a number of those who had attended, from which we take the following:

One of the most remarkable events that has occurred in the history of our country for a long time past, was the meeting on Copus hill on Friday, the 15th day of September, 1822, a memorial day, the day on which the Copus tragedy took place being just seventy years ago. The day was calm and serene. The large concourse of people who gathered there - about six thousand - and the circumstances connected with the history of the place, made it, to me, one of the most solemn of my life; to see so many people both old and young convened together perhaps for the first time in life, and most certainly for the last time, that all will meet again on earth. Oh! what a sad thought when so many said their last farewell to each other on that day - a day long to be remembered by all. And another strange but solemn thought that when the next seventy years shall roll around, who will be left of that vast crowd to tell the story. Alas, a few little boys and girls it may be. It was to me more like a great funeral occasion, than like a gala day. As far as I can recollect, their ages ranged from forty to ninety years. First those of Mansfield and Richland county.

Dr. William Bushnell, a man of sterling worth and fine abilities, who made the remark to the writer that he did not believe that this country would, in the next thousand years to come, produce a race of men and women, who, for intelligence, as well as muscle and nerve and strength of character, equal to our pioneer fathers and mothers.

A. J. Baughman, editor of the Call, with his dear old mother on his arm, she, whose maiden name was Cunningham, daughter of Captain Cunningham, who assisted in burying the' dead Copus, and the soldiers on that fearful day, September 15, 1812.

Reuben Evarts, of Bellville, once a hard working boy, but now a man in good circumstances, having been justice of the peace some thirty-six years, dating from 1843 to 1879, is an old pioneer and worthy citizen.

Major G. W. Urie, tall and straight as an arrow, about seventy-six years of age, who had just passed through a severe attack of spasmodic disease, in which he came very near death's door, but whose gentle and stately form and familiar face was seen by many; whose father, Solomon Urie, it was, who passed quietly down to the Copus place, and with tomahawk in hand, cut out of that door, and honeycombed logs, a handful of the redskin's bullets that had fallen short of their deadly aim. The Major says he remembers well of seeing them, as they were kept a long time in the family as relics.

Dr. Daniel Eckley, of Ashland county, now mayor of Minerva, Ohio, and brother of E. R., brought to the stand by Thomas Bushnell, an old schoolmate.

J. H. McCombs, Esquire, who first commenced the practice of law in Newville, Richland county, in an humble way, who passed up and down your valleys, over hills, and along your streams, and died an honored citizen of Ashland and counsellor at law.

Thomas Bushnell, of Hayesville, that most industrious of all men, one of the best judges of fruit in the state, and a lover and collector of relics and curiosities.

Mr. Birely and Mr. Carnahan, both good citizens and good farmers; Sebastian Culler, a wealthy farmer and one of the prime movers in putting up the monuments.

Isaac Gates, sheriff of Ashland county, that man who was sheriff thirty years ago, and hung Charles Stiengraver, on Friday, the 30th day of January, 1852, and Horn and Gribben, on Friday, May 16, 1884.

Lewis Oliver, eighty-nine years of age, whose father, Allen Oliver, was one of the first pioneers in the county, and at whose house the Indians often called. It was there that Billy Dowdee, the tame Indian, traded a large buckskin for a pot of mush and milk for his hungry wife and children, who himself ate to perfect satisfaction.

Mrs. Kauffman, a daughter of Leonard Croninger, one of the first settlers of Mifflin township, and wife of our venerable president, Daniel Kauffman. She is one of the excellent of the earth.

Mrs. Sarah Vail is eighty-three years of age, and daughter of James Copus, and the only surviving one of the family in this county, who a few days before met the writer and J. I. Dorland, builder of the monuments. When approaching the place, who with faltering steps, and weeping eyes, where the cherished dead of long ago were still sleeping, said: ''There drive your stake and I am satisfied."'

'But what more can I say, for the time would fail me to tell of your Dotys, your Charles, your Cullers and your Lambrights; the Petersons, the Jones, the Vangilders, the Shambaughs, the Hossingers, the Wilsons, the Weiricks, the Kings, the Rices, the Gladdens, the Coulters, the Olivers and the Tannehills, who, if they have not subdued kingdoms and stopped the mouths of lions, have most certainly subdued the mighty forests and wrought righteousness; have made the wilderness and solitary places to bud and blossom as the rose, and chased the red man and the wild deer, the wolf and the bear, far, far away.

And now I come to speak of him who had toiled long to see a clear historic account made out, and whose whole heart and soul was in the work, and whose greatest earthly joy would have been to have mingled in the exercises of the day at the unveiling of the monuments on that most interesting occasion; the ever memorable day, the 15th of September, 1882. But alas, the poor man's eye is too dim to see, and his palzied tongue too feeble to utter a distinctive sound, and his physical strength too weak to perform such a task as this. Nevertheless long will his memory be cherished in the minds of the true pioneers. Soon will it be said of him, ''my brother fare thee well,'' Dr. George Hill.

thoughts? A kind of second Johnny Appleseed, although not barefoot like he, yet almost always on foot; not with a golden chain about his neck, but carrying with him the golden elixir of life to soothe the aching head, and calm the palpitating heart; has traveled up and down your valleys, along your beautiful streams, and over your rugged hills, lo, these many years. But it will soon be said of him, that slender form which we so frequently saw, recognized, and welcomed to our firesides, and who shared our hospitalities and greeted us with a friendly how-do-you-do, will soon be seen by us no more. Dr. S. Rippues, Historian, Ashland County Pioneer Society. A. J. Baughman, of Mansfield, introduced a resolution tendering the thanks of the people of Ashland and Richland counties to Dr. Riddle, the organizer of the monument movement and the rest of the committee who had so faithfully and successfully carried into effect the resolution of the Ashland Pioneer Association to erect the Copus and Ruffner monuments. Adopted unanimously.

Sources Of Local Knowledge

Prof. E. O. Randall, of Columbus, and A. J. Baughman, of Mansfield, represented the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society at the annual meeting of The American Historical Association, held in Chicago, during holiday week, 1904. Mr. Baughman was on the program for a paper on '' Methods of Collecting Historical Material,'' which he presented at the Round Table session, held at the Chicago University. The following is a copy of the paper:

The collection of material for historical purposes covering what in Ohio is ealled the ''pioneer period'' has been a difficult task. That was not an age of literature, but of work - of clearing the forests and of building homes. The pioneers made history, but they had no time to write it. A few of the first settlers may have kept chronicles and annals, but after the country was somewhat improved, the same impulse that brought them to Ohio, impelled some of them to again take their places in the line of the march of civilization to the still farther west, and while enroute, their records were lost. And when the historian came to write of the early settlements of the country, the information obtained was largely of the traditionalykind, and it has been difficult often to discriminate between facts and fiction. There were state and county records, but the woof of events which the pioneers wove into the warp of time had to be sought in part outside of official records to make the web of history.

To state what I consider the best method of collecting material, I take the liberty to give my own experience, prefaced with some personal history. My grandparents were pioneers of Richland county, Ohio. They settled there in 1808, the year the city of Mansfield was founded. When a boy I heard my parents narrate pioneer tales, as we sat winter evenings around the family hearth, in the warmth and glow of the log fire of our cabin home. Their stories interested me, and that interest grew with my years, and I endeavored to extend my information upon pioneer history as opportunities were afforded. But it takes years to get an adequate knowledge and an accurate history of any locality.