Cuyahoga County, Ohio - Middleburg, 1870

Middleburg

Its Proprietor - Jared Hickox the First Settler - His Death - The Vaughns - Abram Fowls - The First Marriage - The War - A Fortress in Columbia - Phvsical Cha:acteristics of the Township - Religious Matters - Solomon Lovejoy - Township Organization - The First Record - Road Distriets - First Full List of Officers - John Baldwin - Heads of Families in 1827 - Circumstances Concerning Them- - Counterfeiters in the Swamp - Beginning of the Grindstone Business - Invention of Machine to Make Grindstones - The First Tavern - First Temperance Society - H. O. Sheldon and James Gilruth - The Community - The Twelve Apostles - They Fail at Farming - Break-up of the Community - Origin of ''Berea" - First Post Office - Berea Lyceum - Lyceum Village - The Globe Factory - Wolves in 1838 - The last Killed in 1843 - Deer - Turkeys and Wild Cats - Baldwin Institute - The Railroad - Rapid Increase of Berea - An Ox-Railroad - Progress - The Onion Business - The Stone Quarries in Operation - A Grindstone Factory - Berea Stone Company - Baldwin Quarry Company - Russell & Forche - Empire Stone Company - J. McDermott & Co. - Principal Township Officers - Methodist Church - German Methodist Church - First Congregational Church - st. Mary's Church - St. Thomas' Church - St, Paul's Church - St. Adelbert's Church - Berea Lodge F. and A. M. - Berea Chapter F. and A. M. - Other Societies - Berea Village Corpora tion - Town Hall - Business Places, etc. - Physicians - Street Railway - Union School - Board of Education - First National Bank - Savings and Loan Association.

On the division of the western part of the Western Reserve in 1807, township number six in the fourteenth range, now known as Middleburg, fell to the share of Ifon. Gideon Granger, then postmaster-general under President Jefferson.

The first permanent white settler in the township was Jared Hickox, grandfather of Mrs. Roxana Fowls, who located in 1809 on what is now known as the IIepburn place, on the Bagley road, about half way between Berea village and the old turnpike. We say the first permanent settler, for it is believed by some that Abram Hickox, long a well-known resident of Cleveland, moved into Middleburg in response to an offer of fifty acres of land to the first settler, made by Mr. Granger, and giving his name to the pond known as Lake Abram. According to the best information we can obtain from old settlers, however, Mr. Jared Ilickox was the one who received the fifty acres, and Mr. Abram Hickox never lived in Middleburg. He was a relative of Jared Hickox, however, and the latter may have named '' Lake Abram" after him.

The next year after making his settlement, Mr. Jared Hickox, who had already passed middle age, was returning from Cleveland to his home, when he died suddenly and alone upon the road - probably of heart disease. He left a large family, among whom were his sons Nathaniel, Jared, Eri and Azel, and his daughter, Rachel Ann, the mother of Mrs. Fowls, before mentioned.

Lewis A. Fowls and Mrs. Roxana Fowls) came through the woods on foot, with his younger brother John, and selected him a home near where the Hickox family was located. '' Near," at this time, meant anywhere within two or three miles. At all events young Abram was near enough so that he soon made the intimate acquaintance and gained the favor of Miss Rachel Ann Hickox. Although he had arrived in Middleburg with only two dollars and a half in his pocket, he was ready to take the responsibilities of a family on his shoulders, and the two were accordingly married in 1812, this being the first wedding in the township. The young couple were quite justified in their self-confidence, too, for before the death of Abram Fowls, which occurred in 1850, the two dollars and a half with which he had arrived in Middleburg had grown into a handsome fortune, including five hundred acres of land and other property in proportion, besides which Mr. and Mrs. Fowls had reared a family of ten children.

Meanwhile Jonathan Vaughn put up a sawmill on Rocky river, near the site of the depot, and Ephraim Vaughn erected a log gristmill farther up the stream and near the village. Silas Becket and his son Elias also settled in that vicinity. Those who have been named, with their families, were nearly or quite all the residents which township number six had before the war of 1812.

That war came with most depressing effect upon the few residents of Middleburg, for down to the time of Perry's victory on Lake Erie and Harrison's triumph in Canada, the people were in almost daily apprehension of an attack by Indians upon the almost helpless settlers. Soon after Hull's surrender a blockhouse was erected in Columbia (now in Lorain county, but then in Cuyahoga), where there was a rather larger population than in Middleburg, and whenever there seemed to be especial danger, all the able-bodied men were called out by Captain Hoadley, of Columbia, to defend the little fortress, while the women and children were offered a refuge in the same narrow quarters. Mr. Fowls took his family there for a week, but when he was called out a second time his wife remained at home with only his young brother to protect her. All the other inhabitants in the township went to Columbia. The young wife was sadly frightenced at times, but fortunately no Indians appeared.

It was during such times as these that the first white child was bern in the township of Middleburg - Lucy, oldest daughter of Abram and Rachel Ann Fowls, whose birth took place on the 22d day of May, 1813. Lucy Fowls married Nathan Gardner, and died in 1877.

After Perry's victory there was little more fear of Indians, and in the forepart of 1815 the close of the war left the pathway again open to emigration. Before, however, we undertake to trace the subsequent course of events, we will glance at the natural characteristics of township number six.

Like the other townships of the Reserve it was five miles square. Entering it near the center of its southern boundary was the east branch of Rocky river, which followed a meandering course northward, receiving the west branch, and passing out inte township number seven (now Rockport). 'The river banks plainly showed good reasons for the name which had been given to it; reasons which cropped out on either side along its whole course through the township. Near the river the ground was generally broken, the soil being formed of mingled clay and gravel, and covered with the usual Ohio forest growth of beech, maple, elm, oak, etc. But to the eastward the surface soil was nearly level, somewhat wet, and composed of a clayey loam; while northeast of the center was a large swamp, densely occupied by hemlock, birches, ete., into which the wolves and panthers retreated from the constantly increasing improvements of man. Of the pond which very early received the name of Lake Abram, we have spoken before. Its waters found their way, though very slowly, into Kucky river. ~

Though the strong, clay soil of Middleburg, when drained and subdued, has proved as valuable as any in the county, yet at an early day its general dampness and stubbornness, the presence of swamps, and the consequent fear of ague, caused many emigrants to press on to the more healthful hills of Strongsyille or the more manageable lands of Columbia. So that, even after the close of the war in 1815, emigration to Middleburg was still slow. One of the first families to come, after the war, was that of Ephraim Meeker, who settled at the outlet of Lake Abram. Another was that of Thaddeus Lathrop, who came in 1816. His daughter, now Mrs. Susan Tuttle, of Albion, who was then nine years old, can recollect only the Vaughns, the Fowles, the Hickoxes and the Meekers, as being in the township when she went there, though probably there were the Beckets and afew more. The only road from Cleveland was a path designated by marked trees.

Down to this time there had been no organized church or public worship. About 1816, however, a Methodist camp meeting near the Cuyahoga river was attended by some Middleburg people who returned deeply impressed with the importance gfefeligion. They began holding neighborhood meetings, where the attendants prayed, sang and exhorted among themselves, and at which quite a number were conyerted. Then Jacob Ward, a preacher from Brunswick, came and formed a Methodist society; being the first religious organization in the township. 'The interest increased, the society was embraced in a Methodist circuit, and meetings were held every two weeks, generally on week-days, besides prayer-meetings, etc., on the Sabbath. But is was many years before there was a resident minister and regular preaching on Sunday.

Enoch G. Watrous and Silas Gardner, with their families, settled in 1817 or 718, on the river, near the Strongsville line. Paul Gardner came somewhat later. Wheeler Wellman came in 1818, settling south of Abram Fowls'. The next year Mr. Wellman's fatherin-law, Solomon Lovejoy, located himself near where his son's tavern now is. Among his children were Edwin, then seventeen, and Ammy, then twelve, the latter of whom now keeps the tavern referred to, and both of whom reside there. They mention the families before referred to and there seem to have been very few others in the township.

Notwithstanding the scarcity of inhabitants, however, there was a township organization formed as early as 1820. Ephraim Vaughn had been a justice of the peace for several years previous, having been commissioned by the governor, and having presided at the organization of Strongsville in 1818. The only records of Middleburg are very defective; the first one preserved is dated June 29, 1820. Itis signed by Jared Hickox, township clerk, and notes the reception in May, 1819, of a eommission as justice of the peace by William Vaughn, dated in February, 1819. It then included not only township six in range fourteen, but also township six in range fifteen, now Olmstead. Another record of the same date (June 22, 1820,) states that Solomon 8. Doty had duly qualified as constable for the ensuing year, and had given the necessary bail. In March, 1821, the trustees (names unknown) divided the two survey-townships of which the civil township of Middleburg was composed, into two highway districts each. The present Middleburg was divided so that all east of the highway "running from Strongsville to Rockport," should form one district, while that road and all west of it should compose the other. The road running from Strongsville to Rockport was evidently the main road running through the present Berea, along the east side of Rocky river. This road and the one which afterward became the turnpike, were all the highways of any consequence in the township, and these were just being cut ont so as to be passable.

In April, 1823, it was voted to divide the township into school-districts; the record being signed by Wheeler Wellman, clerk. The first full list of township officers which can be found is that of those elected in April, 1823; viz: David Harrington, Abraham Fowls and Richard Vaughn, trustees; Wheeler Wellman, township clerk; Jared Hickox and Ephraim owls, overseers of the poor; Eli Wellman and Ephraim Fowls, constables; Jared Hickox, lister; Ephraim Vaughn, appraiser; Silas Gardner, treasurer; Solomon Lovejoy, supervisor of first district; Wheeler Wellman, supervisor of second district; Abram Fowls, Owen Wellman and Silas Becket, fence viewers,

From 1820 to 1827 there was but little immigration, but the number of adults was considerably increased by the growing up of those who came as youths and children, and there were plenty more children to take their places. Immigrants were repelled principally by the wet soil, and the more pleasantly located settlers in township number five said that if Middleburg was not fastened on to Strongsville it would sink. Since that time a wonderful change has come over the prospects of this ''sinking" township.

Meanwhile the main road from Cleveland through the eastern part of the towvship was put in tolerable condition and a line of stages had been put on it.

John Baldwin

We present to our readers an excellent portrait of Mr. Baldwin, a representative of the self-made American, and a Christian whose life has been characterized by the consecration of all its efforts to the service of God. He was born in Branford, Conn., Oct. 13, 1799. His grandfather, who was a deacon of the Presbyterian Church and of Puritan descent, wis a blacksmith, and worked at the anvil in New Haven, making axes and hoes with the father of Lyman Beecher. When the war of 1776 broke out he shouldered his gun and in the service won the rank of captain, by which title he was called to the day of his death.

John Baldwin's mother was the only daughter of Edward Melay, of New Haven, who before the war of the Revolution was a wealthy merchant, and gave to his daughter as good an education as it was then believed daughters were capable of receiving.

Young John's school privileges were of the humblest kind, as neither geography, grammar, nor arithmetic were allowed to be taught in his day. At an early age he began to take care of himself, and thus learned to properly value the fruits of industry. At the age of eighteen he became a member of the Methodist Church. By his own unaided efforts he gathered from books the rudiments of an education, attended school later, and then engaged in teaching, first in Fishkill, N. Y., afterwardsin Maryland, and in Litchfield, Conn. After five years so spent, he married in 1828. The next spring he moved to where Berea now is, and soon built the first frame house in the place, assisted in the first Sabbath-school, opened the first quarry, turned the first grindstone, laid out or helped to lay out the first building lot, and built the first seminary. At first his efforts were not successful financially, but the discovery of the value of the rock underlying Berea gave to him the means of retrieving his fallen fortunes. Consecrated education became his battle-cry, and to this object he has devoted himself for years.

Mr. Baldwin has been a devoted friend of female education. He has always owed Yale College a grudge for not giving his mother equal. privileges with his uncles. His theory is that sons and daughters should be trained side by side to pursue the studies and labors that should fit them alike for life's responsibilities, its usefulness, and its honors, and when the Baldwin Institute (since University) was opened it was eligible alike to sons and daughters. To this institution he has given pert worth at present one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. His devotion to the cause of education has extended beyond his own village to embrace wider fields and other races. His heart has become deeply interested in the educational wants of the South, and, with his characteristic generosity, he has become a liberal patron of the Thomson Biblical Institute. His own letter to Dr. Newman, of New Orleans, announcing what he has done, is characteristic: 'I have bought for twenty thousand dollars the Darby plantation, of seventeen hundred acres (which has since been increased to four thousand acres), in St. Mary's Parish, La. There is a fine site of thirty or forty acres on the bank of .the river, containing some fifteen or twenty buildings, which the brethren of the Mississippi Mission Conference can occupy for religivus education as soon as they choose, provided no distinction is made on account of color or sex. When acorporate body is organized by said Conference I will deed the above-named site, and secure to said corporation enough capital to make twenty thousand dollars' worth."

In personal appearance Mr. Baldwin is plain, in outward adornment, and in earlier times it was to him a matter of keen enjoyment to be mistaken for some unfortunate wanderer. As is usually the case with persons who give largely, he has been the object of unsparing criticism and abuse, and it would be easy to find those (themselves not to be persuaded to give a dime to any good cause) who stand ready to charge upon him meanness unlimited. He will survive all suchattacks. As a business man heis shrewd and far-seeing, judging wisely when to buy and when to sell; and, while perfectly honorable in all his dealings, he must be shrewd indeed who gets any great advantage of him. To the poor and needy he is a kind and generous friend, one who bestows liberally to such cases of necessity as come to his knowledge.

He is a great admirer of John Wesley. The sincere singlemindedness, the lofty, patriarchal faith, the active, self-denying zeal in doing good, and the large-hearted benevolence for which the founder of Methodism was distinguished, has made a deep impression upon Mr. Baldwin's mind. Like him, he cherishes a deep love of truth, despises glory and fortune, or values them only as they are the means of doing

: He has resolved to make all he can by industry, to save all he can by strict economy, and give all he can in justice to himself and family. In accordance with this principle, he lives under a solemn vow to devote his all toGod. When asked in what manner this is done, he replied, '' By a resolution I formed, based on the Bible as explained by Mr. Wesley, I determined to appropriate my entire income, aside from the necessaries of life for myself and family, to the cause of benevolence, a resolution which I have s.en no reason to change.'' This last expression gives us the result of his experience for fifteen or twenty years, in which light it becomes. a beautiful illustration of the power of faith and goodness.

In 1827 Mr. John Baldwin, who has long been one of the best known citizens of the township, made his first entrance into it. He purchased the old Vaughn farm and in May, 1828, he took possession of it. Mrs. Fowls mentions having seen him and his young wife at that time, stepping briskly along, past her father's residence; having come as far as they could by stage on the main road, whence they were making their way on foot to their new home, four or five miles distant.

Mr. Baldwin has given the names of the heads of families residing in the township when he came; Viz: Silas Gardner, Enoch G. Watrous, Benjamin Colby, Silas Becket, Elias Becket, Ephraim Vaughn, Richard Vaughn, Jonathan Vaughn, Eli Osborn, Zina Osborn, Charles Green, Aruna Phelps, Ephraim Meeker, - "Tracy, Nathan Gardner, Benjamin Tuttle, Abraham Fowls, David Fowls, Ephraim Fowls, Daniel Fairchild, Pan] Gardner, Amos Gardner, Valentine Gardner, Abijah Bagley, and himself, John Baldwin - twenty-six, all told. Mr. Baldwin has estimated the total population at a hundred, but there must have been more than that, unless Middleburg families were much smaller than pioneer families generally were.

he only roads he considers worth mentioning in 1827 were the one up-and down the river and the one from the corner of Columbia northeast to the old bridge on the site of the iron bridge at Berea, and thence easterly to the main road from Clevelaud to Strongsville. A company had just begun making a turnpike of this last-named road. It was completed the next year, and used as a turnpike over thirty years. The other roads are described as being then only mud-paths, partly cleared of timber, in which a sled or a mud-boat would get along better than a vehicle on wheels.

Mr. Baldwin, in a manuscript on file in the records of the Historical Society, has also mentioned various circumstances connected with the residents before named. Benjamin Colby, besides cultivating his farm, used to burn lime, which was found. in small amounts in various parts of the township. When Mr. Baldwin built his house, four years later, he exchanged apples for lime with Colby, bushel for bushel. Silas and Elias Becket owned the farm (afterward sold to Baldwin) which covered most of the quarries on the river. Aruna Phelps had a small house and shop a little south of the site of the Berea depot, where he made chairs and turned bed-posts. Abram Fowls, as Mr. Baldwin says, 'made money by attending to his business." Abijah Bagley occupied the first fifty acres settled by old Jared Hickox, as before mentioned. The Bagley road was named from him. The Vaughns had been obliged to give up their land, but had saved their mills which they were running in 1827. About this time Ephraim Vaughn bought twenty acres covering the ground where the main part of Berea village now stands. This, too, was bought in 1836 by Mr. Baldwin.

mill on the river near the site of the railroad bridge. He used to dress cloth, survey land, act as justice of the peace, conduct religious meetings and sometimes preach. Benjamin Tuttle had a small shop on Rocky river, near the mouth of the creek at Berea, in which he ground bark, tanned leather and made shoes. He soon sold to Valentine Gardner, who carried on the business successfully many years. Charles Green, who came in about this time, took up a small piece of land, and also acted as pettifogger before the justices of the day; being in fact the first legal practitioner, though in a very humble way, in Middleburg township. Daniel Fairchild had a dish-factory on the falls at Berea, and supplied all the people around with wooden dishes.

The central, northern and northeastern parts of the township were still mostly inhabited by bears, wolves, wild cats, etc., their chief stronghold being the swamp before mentioned. But there was a certain class of men who maintained a successful rivalry with these animals in the occupancy of the swamp. On a small island, or piece of firm ground, in the midst of the morass (as mentioned in the general history) a band of counterfeiters had established a shop and supplied it with tools, and there for many years they manufactured large quantities of bogus silver, commonly called Podunk money. 'They do notseem to have been disturbed by the officers of the law, at least for a long time, but they finally abandoned the location, leaving their factory behind them, probably for fear of discovery on account of the constantly increasing number of inhabitants.

Even before Mr. Baldwin's arrival - probably soon after Vaughn's log gristmill was built - his customers from Middleburg, Strongsville, Brunswick, etc., observed that the flat rocks about four inches thick, which lay in the bottom of the river, had all the qualities of first class grindstones. So they broke off pieces, carried them home with their grists, trimmed off the edges as best they could, punched a square hole through the centre of each with an old chisel, set up a rude frame and used them for grinding their axes, scythes, etc. It took time to get the edges smooth, but when that was done they had better grindstones than those brought at great expense from Nova Scotia. :

Soon after Mr. Baldwin occupied the Vaughn place in 1828, he began breaking up the rocks into suitable sizes, trimming and perforating them with mallet and chisel, and selling them in the neighboring townships. The business increased, and in the winter of 1832 Mr. Baldwin hired a couple of stone-cutters to cut grindstones at the halves, he furnishing their board and the rough stone, and they contributing their labor. In the spring Mr. Baldwin bought the workmen's share, and soon after sold the whole to a trader from Canada. He shipped them by way of Cleveland; this being the first Berea stone sent to either Cleveland or Canada.

Baldwin, the next year (1833), set his Yankee wits to work to invent some easier method of cutting the stone than that with mallet and chisel. Taking a piece of whitewood scantling to a lathe in the neighborhood, he shaped it to the right form for a pattern, and then walked with it on his shoulder one moonlight night to Cleveland, where he had a "'mandrel " cast according to the whitewood pattern. This mandrel or shaft was taken back to Middleburg, where it was fastened to the end of a water-wheel, which was hung under a sawmill. A square hole was made in an incipient grindstone with a chisel, the stone was placed on the mandrel and fastened with a key, and the wheelsct in motion. 'I'he end of an iron bar was then held against the edges and sides of the stone, a storm of sparks and a cloud of dust flew forth, and in a few moments a perfect grindstone was turned out. This was the first grindstone ever turned by machinery in this part of the country, and the invention was Mr. Baldwin's own, though possibly something of the kind may have been previously done in distant regions. So far as we can learn, however, this was the first instance anywhere in the world.

For several years only a moderate, though steadily increasing, quantity of stones was turned out by the new process, but their fame gradually widened, and the foundation of a far larger business was laid. Of the subsequent development of that business we will speak farther on.

In 1833 thé first tavern was opened in the township, in the new framed house then built by Solomon Lovejoy, on the turnpike - the same which his son now employs for the like purpose.

Another event of this period was the formation of the first temperance society in the township, and one of the first in northern Ohio, in 1832 or 1833. The use of whisky had previously been very prevalent in that region, and it was by no means entirely stopped thereafter, yet a temperance sentiment was then ini- - tiated in the community, which has since, in spite of many adyerse influences, done much to. restrain the curse of drunkenness.

Immigration was still slow, and the north part of the township still remained a wolf-haunted wilderness. Along and near the turnpike, however, there was considerable settlement - by Messrs. Pomeroy, Smith, Bassett, Pebles, the Fullers and others, who, with those who had already located in that vicinity, gaye that part of the township quite a cultivated appearance. Very few came to the west part of the township. . Caleb Patterson who came to the vicinity of Berea with his father, Jonathan Patterson, in 1831, at the age of sixteen, describes the country as being almost entirely a wilderness at that period, in which the wolves howled nightly, close to the scattered farms of the settlers.

Meanwhile the great paper-moncy inflation of 1834, 1835 and 1836 caused what was called the " flush times," when all sorts of speculative schemes were eagerly entered on by a sanguine public. Possibly this general excitement had something to do with the scheme about to be mentioned, though its salient features were religious and social rather than financial. In the autumn of 1836 Rev. Henry O. Sheldon, a Methodist minister, and Mr. James Gilruth, came to reside in Middleburg on Rocky river. Mr. Sheldon was the first resident minister in the township. AlIthough water power along the river had been utilized to a considerable extent, there was still nothing like a village there; there was no store and no physician in the township, and no hotel except the Lovejoy place over on the trrnpike.

Messrs. Sheldon and Gilruth were the principal agents in establishing a ''community" on Rocky river near the site of the depot, the members of which intended to hold their property and transact all their business in common. About twenty families moyed in that year (1836), and over a thousand acres of land were purchased of the Grangers. By the death of Hon, Gideon Granger, the ownership of the unsold lands of Middleburg had passed to Francis Granger, the celebrated New York politician (postmaster-general under President Harrison), and the other heirs of the deceased. Some houses were bought, others were built, and the '"'community " speedily began its career; somewhat to the astonishment of the staid citizens of Middleburg. Only three resident families joimed the association. Although the property of the society was owned in common, yet the residences and families of the members were entirely separate. Their business was directed by a board of twelve, known as the Apostles. They bought and repaired a sawmill and gristmill, put in erops the following spring, and for a brief time it seemed to some as if anew era had begun in modern eivilization.

The ''community" was the more fayorably regarded by the people at large as the members manifested none of the scepticism often manifested by social reformers. On the contrary they were zealous in the observance of their religious duties, and for the first time in Middleburg there was regular preaching every Sabbath.

Nevertheless, the experiment was a very brief one. When it came to the active operations of 1837, it was found that farming under the direction of twelve apostles would not do at all. Difficulties occurred incessantly, much bitterness of fecling was manifested, and in the course of a few months the whole scheme was given up. Most of the families concerned in the experiment moved away, and the '"'community," which was to inaugurate a new era of Christian co-operation, passed out of existence, leaving scarcely a trace behind.

During this season Messrs. Sheldon and Gilruth' procured the establishment of a new post office. The former wanted it called Berea; the latter Tabor. So they threw up a jhalf-dollar, (heads, Berea; tails, Tabor), and as Mr. Sheldon won, the first post office in the township received the name of Berea, which has since been extended not only to a thriving village

After the failure of the ''community," Messrs. Sheldon and Gilruth remained and established a high school, which they called 'Berea Lyceum." In connection therewith a. village was laid out which was originally called ''Lyceum Village." It retained that naine, at least on the plats (one of which is now in possession of Mr. Patterson) as late as 1841. There was a Lyceum Village stock company, in the name of which the enterprise was carried on, and which gave deeds of the lots. As, however, the post office was named Berea, which was a much more convenient designation than Lyceum Village, the former appellation gained, ground on the latter, and was generally adopted by the people of the township: as the name of the village. Alfred Holbrook was invited by Mr. Sheldon to take charge of the lyceum, and conducted it several years. It went down, however, before 1845.

A somewhat peculiar institution - to be established almost in the woods - was the ''globe-factory" of Josiah Ifolbrook. In it was manufactured all kinds of school apparatus, such as globes, cubes, cabinets for specimens, ete. Mr. Holbrook built up a large business, and at one time employed ten or twelve men. The factory remained until 1852.

Turning to other quarters, we find that while "communities," lyeceums, ete., attracted attention on the banks of Rocky river, there was-still a flourishing community of wild cats, and a nightly lyceum of wolves, in the northern part of the township. As late as 1838, Mrs. Fowls mentions being awakened by the awful bleating of a pet calf only a short distance from the house. Her father went out and fired his gun, when the bleating ceased. A lantern being lighted, the calf was found badly mangled by wolves, which had audaciously ventured into the immediate vicinity of a house in search of prey.

- It was about the same time that the last bear was killed in the township, according to Mr. S. A. Fowls, the slayer being a man named Doty, who lived on the turnpike. Wolves were occasionally seen still later, and in 1842 three large timber-wolves came into the Middleburg swamp from the west. They remained there and in the adjoining woods a year and a half, defying all attempts to destroy them, and killing many sheep for the neighboring farmers. At length, in 1843, young Lewis Fowls and Jerome Raymond undertook in earnest the job of capturing them. The State and county together were then giving ten dollars for each wolf-scalp. The farmers also subscribed some twenty dollars more to encourage the destruction of these particular enemies. Fowls and Raymond penctrated into the accustomed haunts of the marauders, baited stcel traps with tempting mor- _sels of sheep and cow, and after various attempts, succeeding in catching all three of them alive. 'They were promptly despatched, to the great joy of the

Deer, however, were frequently seen until after the railroad was built, when they speedily disappeared. Wild turkies were also numerous and of great. size. Young Fowls killed eighteen in one winter, weighing from fifteen to twenty pounds each. Wild cats were also numerous and ''ugly," but the last one was killed in a small swamp on the Bagley road, about 1845 or a little later.

Meanwhile, notwithstanding the various enterprises which have already been mentioned, from lyceums to grindstone factories there were but twelve families in Berea in 1845, and half of these, as Mr. Baldwin says, were talking about moving away. Dr. Henry Parker also says that there were then but about a dozen houses in the village. The village store was then owned by Mr. Case. Holbrook's school apparatus factory was in operation, and two small woolen factories had also been established; one by James and Augustus Northrop and one by John Baldwin. At this time, the Berea lyceum having gone down, Mr. Baldwin who had been fortunate in his business operations, determined to establish, if possible, the cause of high and thorough education at Berea on asolid basis.

There was then an institution under the auspices of the North Ohio Conference of the Methodist Church, at Norwalk, Huron county, which was painfully maintaining a feeble existence. Mr. Baldwin, as early as September, 1849, proposed that that establishment, at least so far as the patronage of the church was concerned, should be transferred to Berea, and offered to give fifty acres of land, including most of the grindstone quarries and an abundant water-power, for the support of the institution. The offer was accepted, and a brick building, thirty-six feet by seventy-two, was erected on the west, or rather soutuwest side of the river, during the summer of 1845. In June of that year Mr. Baldwin madea further gift of fifty lots, of a quarter acre each, with the requisite streets and alleys, for the benefit of the institution. A charter was obtained in December, 1845, the school being called the Baldwin Institute. It was opened on the 9th of April, 1846, with the Reverend H. Dwight, A. M., as principal, and having just a hundred students, sixty-one males and thirty-nine females.

The school soon became a decided success, and people began to settle in Berea, in order to obtain the advantages of it. The change was not very great, however, for several years more. The surface devoted to farming was steadily but slowly increased, as people began to learn that there was a good basis to the damp-looking soil of Middleburg, and that when properly treated it could be relied on to produce good crops. It was not until 1848, nearly forty years after the first settlement of the township, that a physician deemed it worth while to locate there. This was Dr. Alexander McBride, who began a practice at Berea

At length, in 1849, the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati Railroad (which now has another city attached to its top-heavy title) was built through the township. After this there was a marked improvement, both in Berea village and the rest of Middleburg. Even the deer took warning from the shrick of the Jocomotive and the too numerous rifles of the settlers, and abandoned the ground they had so long maintained. Mr. L. A. Fowls, whose skill as a hunter causes him to be frequently mentioned in our sketch, says that he killed five deer the year after the construction of the railroad, which were the last that were heard of in the township.

Since 1849 the increase of Berea has been rapid and permanent, and the township outside has also greatly improved. Soon after that time Mr. Baldwin built a railroad, on which to freight stone from his quarry, running along the main road from Berea to the railroad about a mile distant, using the old-fashioned flat rail, over which he hauled cars loaded with stone by means of ox-teams. As business increased, and the track became crowded with cars, '' pony" engines were employed in place of oxen. Mr. Baldwin maintained the road about ten years, when the railroad company built a new track, nearer the river, on which steam alone is used.

Meanwhile the Berea grindstones had been introduced into New York City, and had been found equal or superior to those previously imported at great expense. Meanwhile, too, Berea stone had begun to be largely employed for building purposes. As early as 1846 David E. Stearns had begun running asaw with which the huge blocks of stone could be cut into slabs of convenient size for use in architecture. The building stone business, like the grindstone business, increased immensely, and now Berea stone is used in enormous quantities in nearly all parts of the United States, not only for solid walls, but for cornices, - mouldings and similar architectural purposes. Some of the facts regarding this important business are given farther on. The situation and extent of the great mass of rock, of which the Berea stone is an outcrop, as well as the constituents of which it is formed, are-shown in the chapter of the general history devoted to geology.

By the side of these material interests, the higher mental and moral welfare of the community was not neglected. In 1855 Baldwin Institute was transferred into Baldwin University, of which a full account is given on page two hundred and two in the general history of the county. At a later day the German Wallace College was established, which is described in the same chapter as the university. The temperance sentiment, which, as before stated, had been awakened as early as 1832, continued to increase, and even the presence of a large number of miners, working in the quarries, has failed to overcome it. A clause has been put in most of the original deeds of lots in Berea, forbidding the sale of intoxicating liquors upon them, and very few if any places for the sale of such liquors have ever been allowed in the village. Undoubtedly considerable liquor has been sold and drank in underhanded ways, but it is believed that Berea will compare favorably in this respect with any other village of its size in the State.

In the township at large the signs of material improvement were everywhere seen. The log houses of the pioneers, many of which remained to a later date than in any other township in the county, gave place to neat framed buildings; the wet lands were drained, and ample crops rewarded the enterprise of the farmers.

When the life of the nation was assailed the sons of Middleburg showed that material prosperity had not demoralized their courage nor benumbed their vigor. The names of the Middleburg soldiers will be found with the sketches of the regiments in which they served.

Since the war the progress of the township has been equally marked, although of course the financial crisis of 1873 seriously decreased the demand for Berea stone. A peculiar industry of the last few years has been the raising of onions and other vegetables in the vicinity of Lake Abram. The ''muck," of which the shores of that lake are composed, was found to be especially adapted to this kind of culture, and large tracts were thus employed. In 1876 the outlet was enlarged and a portion of the lake was drained, the ground thus obtained having since been devoted principally tothe culture of onions. Immense quantities are raised; being shipped to Cleveland and numerous other cities of Ohio, and to the principal places along * the lower Mississippi, including many large shipments - to New Orleans. Of the '' Red Wethersfield" onions eight hundred bushels per acre are sometimes produced.

Before giving the separate sketches of churches, ete., with which our township histories usually close, we turn once more to the quarries and stone mills at Berea. Notwithstanding the financial depression of the last few years (from which, however, this industry, with others, is already recovering) there are few more lively scenes to be observed than that which enlivens the banks of Rocky river. Hundreds of laborers are at work, removing the earth and shale from above the sandstone, '' trenching," or cutting a face against which to work, and ''capping," which is channeling into the rock with picks. .When the stone is thus cut into blocks weighing from one ton upwards, these are seized by mighty steam derricks, which lift their spectral arms amid the muddy desolation around, and are swung gently to a stone-mill or to a truck on one of the little railroads which wind in and out beside the river. Blocks of near a thousand tons have been - moved a short distance by wedges.

In the mill the block is placed on a frame when it is sliced up by a gang of saws very much as a big pine log is managed in a sawmill, though somewhat more slowly. But the "'saws" are not like any others - being merely straight, thin pieces of steel, without teeth which work their way through the

The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch is descended from one of the old New England families. His grandfather, Benjamin, was a resident of Connecticut ; was born May 25, 1755, and was married June 27, 1778, his wife having been born Sept. 9, 1755. They lived to a good old age, the former dying Feb. 22, 1828, the latter April 19, 1841.

Henry Parker's father, Henry, was born at Wallingford, Conn., June 4, 1792, where he remained till 1815, when he emigrated West and settled in the town of Brunswick, Medina Co., Obio. During the trip from Connecticut, which was accomplished by teams across the country, he became acquainted with his future wife, Miss Melinda Harvey, and on March 16 of the following year they were married, being the first white couple to wed in the town of Brunswick. She was born in Tyringham, Mass., April 9,1796. Their family consisted of four children, the subject of our sketch being the youngest child and only son. He was born in Brunswick, April 28, 1824. His father, who was engaged in agricultural pursuits, died when Henry was only two years old. Some years after his mother was married to Abraham Conyne, of Strongs- _yville, Cuyahoga Co., a miller by trade, and removed her family to that point in 1830.

Dr. Parker's early life was passed in assisting his stepfather in his grist- and saw-mill, and he had therefore a poor opportunity of receiving an education, which was limited to what could be procured at tle common schools in the district. He remained in Strongsville till 1844, when he journeyed West and located at Laporte, Ind., where he followed the trade of painting. He remained there tiil the following year, when he removed to Berea, Ohio, and was employed in a woolen-mill at seven dollars and tvard per month. In 1846 he commenced the study of medicine, and was graduated from the American Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1854. He has always practiced at Berea, but his business has extended into the five adjoining towns. He has been since 1871 a member of the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association, and is the present

He was married, Nov. 23, 1847, to Elizabeth, daughter of Sullivan and Aurilla Sherwood, of Royalston, Cuyahoga Co. Her parents were among the early settlers of that town, her father having driven the first ox-team into the township, where she was born Aug. 18, 1824. By this union he had four children, one of whom died in infancy ; the others are as follows: Henry E., born Nov. 20, 1851, married, and a partner with his father in the practice of medicine; James M., born Oct. 18, 1858, at Attica, Seneca Co., Ohio; and Charles W., born Aug. 26, 1860, secretary and treasurer of the Beren Savings Loan Association, of which institution Dr. Parker was one of the original founders and incorporators, and of which he has been the president since its organization. A Republican in politics. Dr. Parker was formerly a Free-Soiler, and between 1840 and 1843 was instrumental in helping many a runaway to Canada. He has never been an aspirant for political honors, but has represented his fellow-citizens at different times in the various village and township offices, and has performed his duties with satisfaction to his constituency. During the year 1862, while the war of the Rebellion was in progress, he was appointed by Dr. J. S. Newberry, of Cleveland (who was general manager of the Western Sanitary Commission), and received a commission from Edwin M. Stanton, secretary of war, and Surg.-Gen. Hammond to perform the duties of camp and hospital inspector. In this capacity he served two years and a half, giving satisfaction to the general government and his fellow-soldiers. While in the service he was located in Western Virginia; was with the army of the Cumberland, and with the 14th Army Corps, under Gen. Sherman. Dr. Parker, in allowing his portrait and biography to appear in this work, is simply showing to coming generations an example of what industry, energy, and perseverance can accomplish. He is emphatically a selfmade man, and in his varied career as a citizen, neighbor, or physician merits the respect and honor of all.

But it is in the grindstone factories that a stranger sees the most interesting processes carried on. The method of operation has not been materially changed in principle since John Baldwin fastened his iron shaft to the old water-wheel forty-seven years ago, keyed a rough grindstone to the shaft, and then held a bar against its sides and edge; but the process has been much facilitated by practice. The mills are operated by steam, and the shafts whirl with lightning like rapidity. A stone is placed upon one of them, and in an instant is flying around at the rate of several hundred revolutions per minute. Two sturdy men stand beside it, with heavy iron bars, which they apply to the revolving stone. Crash - crash - crash - a blaze shoots from eyery one of a thousand angles - the dust rolls out in clouds, but is quickly borne away by the patent "blower" which is one of the principal improvements lately adopted - crash - crash - the sparks grow finer as the stone becomes smoother - and at the end of from two to five minutes, according to size, the stone is flung from the shaft, finished.

The blower in question was invented by John Baldwin, Jr., and has been of the greatest benefit to the laborers. Formerly many died of what was called '' grindstone consumption;" their lungs being found, after death, to be filled with the fine, flourlike dust, with which the air was impregnated during the turning process. The disease has now disappeared.

The Berea Stone Company

In February, 1871, the interests of Lyman Baker & Co., F. M. Stearns, W. R. Wood & Co., George W. Whitney and C. W. Stearns were consolidated, and the persons named organized a joint-stock company to be known as the Berea Stone Company, with a capital of $500,000. Lyman Baker was chosen president and F. M. Stearns, vice president, secretary and treasurer. F. M. Stearns is now the president and Lyman Baker the secretary and treasurer, and they, with Robert Wallace, George Nokes and C. W. Stearns, hundred men. Its productions include building-stone, grindstones scythe-stones, etc., etc, The building stone is marketed from the Atlantic to the Mississippi, and even west of that stream. The grindstones have a still wider market; three thousand tons, of which are manufactured yearly, and shipped to all' parts of the world.

This company was chartered in 1873, with a capital of $160,000. Its quarries occupy about ten acres, yielding building-stone, flagging,- curbing, grindstones, etc., and employing from forty to sixty men. John Baldwin, Jr., is the president, and J.. Le Duke, secretary and treasurer, as they have been since the organization of the company. They, with James Dunn and J. B. Kramer, compose the board of directors,

RussELt & ForcueE succeeded in 1878 to the Diamond Quarry Company. They now work about four acres of quarries and employ fifteen men. They get out nothing but building-stone and flagging. Their quarries are claimed to have produced thirty thousand tons of stone in 1878.

THe EMPIRE STONE CoMPANY, represented by the firm of Stearns & Wallace, began business in 1874. It has three acres of quarries and employs ten men. It ships about three hundred tons of grindstones yearly, and from forty to one hundred tons of building-stone daily.

J. McDermorr & Co., whose operations at Berea date from 1853, became a chartered corporation in 1873, with a capital of $250,000. They employ one hundred and fifty men, their quarries cover from thirty to forty acres, and they ship daily four hundred tons of building-stone, grindstones, etc. They forward large quantities of building-stone to Canada, while their grindstones are sent to Europe, Australia and other foreign regions. The officers of the corporation are Wm. McDermott, president; E. C. Pope, secretary and treasurer; M. McDermott is the superintendent.

So Far As They Can Be Obtained From The Records

1824. Trustees, D. Harrington, E. Vaughn, Thaddeus Ball; overseers of the poor, Benj. Colby, Silas Gardner; lister, J. Vaughn; appraiser, E. Fowls; treasurer, A. Fowls.

- 1825. Trustees, Buel Peck, Silas Becket, Elias C, Frost; clerk, John Barnum; overseers of the poor, Elliot Smith, A. Fowls; lister and ap praiser, J. Vaughn; treasurer, Isaac Frost. i

1827. Trustees, A. Fowls, J. Vaughn, Valentine Gardner; clerk, Benj. Tuttle; overseers of the poor, S. Gardner, S. Becket; treasurer, Amos Gardner; justice of the peace, Eli Osborn.

1831. Trustees, E. Fowls, E. Vaughn, Patrick Humaston; clerk, Merritt Osborn; overseers of the poor, John Baldwin, Abijah Bagley ; treasurer, S. Gardner.

1832. Trustees, Major Bassett, Merritt Osborn, A. V. Green; clerk, P. Humaston; overseers of the poor, A. Fowls, S. Becket; treasurer, Philo Fowls.

1834, Trustees, A. Fowls, J. Vaughn, Chas. Green; clerk, Russell Gardner; overszers of the poor, D. Fowls, 8. Gardner; treasurer, P. Gardner,

1836. Trustees, A. Fowls, C. Goss, J. Baldwin; clerk, J. Baldwin;- overseers of the poor, P. Gardner, S. Gardner; treasurer, V. Gardner; justices, Benj. Colby, Jere. Fuller.

1840. Trustees, M. Cousins, Amasa B. Andrews, Jerome Raymond; clerk, George R. Whitney; overseers of the poor, David Smith, Silas Becket; treasurer, Isaac Meacham.

1841, Trustees, M. Cousins, Justus Sheldon, Nelson Pomeroy; clerk, Philemon Barber; overseers of the poor, J. Sheldon, S. Gardner; treasurer, L. Pomeroy; justice, P. Barber.

1843, 'Trustees, M. Cousins, J. Sheldon, M. Bassett; clerk, P. Barber; overseers of the poor, W. Sheldon, J. Fuller; treasurer, G. R. Whitney; assessor, Daniel Fairehild.

1844. Trustees A. Fowls, C. Goss, N. Pomeroy; clerk, Morris Hepburn; overseers of the poor, J. Baldwin, S. Gardner; treasurer, David Goss; assessor, W. Sheldon.

1845. Trustees, M. Cousins, Lawson Brown, David Smith; clerk, J, McB. Lewis; overseers of the poor, A. Fowls, J. Sheldon; treasurer, D. Goss.

Methodist Church Of Berea

As already stated, there was a Methodist society formed at Berea, soon after the war of 1812, which was supplied by circuit preachers. The congregation was small, however, and no record remains of its oftchanging pastors. Rev. Henry O. Sheldon, as has also been mentioned, was the first resident minister; coming in 1836, and officiating more or less for several years. The first authentic record is that of 1846, when Rey. William C. Pierce was the pastor. The Berea station had previously been a part of Brooklyn circuit, but was now united with Olmstead and Hoadley's Mills; the whole becoming Berea circut. A substantial stone church was begun as early as 1856, but was not dedicated until the last of 1858. It is on the east side of Rocky river near the university. The following is a list of the pastors since 1846, with their years of service:

Nearly twenty-five years ago it was observed that there were a number of Germans at Berea, who could not well understand English, and who seemed to be as sheep without a shepherd. Presiding Elder Rothweiler, of the German Methodist Church, was asked to send them a preacher, which he accordingly did. A little over twenty years ago a society was formed, and services were regularly held, though in temporary quarters. Since the erection of German Wallace College the services have always been held in the college-chapel; the church owning no real estute.

Only in rare instances has it had a pastor who was not in some way connected with the college. Generally one of the professors has officiated as the pastor. At present Rey. P. F. Schneider is the preacher in The total number of full members is now

In 1835, William Knowlton, a physician and a native of Massachusetts, removed with his wife and children from New York to Ohio, locating first. at Olmsted Falls, and subsequently in Brecksville, where he died in 1855. Of one of his sons, A. P., who was born in Mina, Chautauqua Co., N.Y., thissketch treats.

Somewhat favored by circumstances beyond the common lot of the youth of his time, young Knowlton received the valuable benefits of a thorough educational course at ar academy of high repute, and following the beni of his inclination entered the Cleveland Medical College, where he was graduated in 1857. Earnest in his chosen calling, and zealous in urging his skill forward to a state of high de- physician and surgeon, and pursuing his practice in various parts of the State,- located eventually and permanently in Berea, where he now resides.

To his duties as family physician he has frequently added his services in broader capacities, incidental to which it may be observed that he was at one period assistant physician at the Northern Ohio Lunatic Asylum, and. has for some time been an active and honored member of the Cuyahoga Medical Society

His political faith has always attached him to the Democracy, and on two occasions he has been put forward as the nominee of that party for the State Senate from his district, which being, however, overwhelmingly Republican, in both instances declared for his opponents.

He was married Nov. 10, 1863, to Miss Augusta Snow, whom he lost by death Dec. 14, 1864. His second wife was Hannah H., daughter of Capt. C. P. Dryden, of Olmsted, whom he married Jan. 16, 1868. Two children blessed his second union, - Constance A., born Aug. 30, 1872, and Louis G., born Jan. 30, 1876.

During the war of the Rebellion Dr. Knowlton was connected with an army medical corps, and was attached to the Sixth Ohio Cavalry, but becoming seriously disabled by a sunstroke at the battle of Gettysburg, he was compelled to resign his place in the serviee.

As a skillful member of his profession he enjoys deserved high repute not only at his own home, but in the county at large; and especially in the science of surgery, to which he has devoted his particular care, he stands confessedly one of its best exponents in Cuyahoga.

one hundred and fifty-seven; a portion of them being individuals belonging to the college and orphan asylum. Services are held twice every, Sunday, all in German.

First Congregational Church Of Berea

This church was organized on the 9th day of June, 1855, the first members being Caleb and Myra Proctor, David and Isabella Wylin, John and Nancy Watson and Mary J. Crane. Ten more members were added in the following September. The first pastor was Rey. Stephen Cook. The first deacons were James 8. Smedley and Caleb Proctor; the first trustees, James S. Smedley, James L. Crane, B. F. Cogswell, Isaac Kneeland and Caleb Proctor. The' same year a small brick house of worship was built on the lot occupied by the present church edifice, it being dedicated on the 6th of March, 1856. This was the first meeting-house completed in the township.

The church grew but slowly, and when the troubles and depression incident to the great war for the Union came, it was obliged in November, 1862, to suspend its services.

In September, 1868, the church was reorganized. It soon entered on a flourishing career, and increased rapidly in numbers and vigor. The present large and commodious edifice was dedicated in 1872. In the spring of 1873 there was a most fruitful revival, and no less than thirty-seven were added on the 27th day of April alone, under the ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Westervelt. The church still continues in a most flourishing condition. The following is a list of the pastors with their terms of service:

This church was formed in 1855. The first resident priest was Father Louis J. Filiere. Although he officiated at Berea he resided at Olmstead Falls until 1866. A small framed house of worship was erected soon after the formation of the society on the same site as the present one. It 1866 it was removed and the present édifice was begun. It isa hundred feet long by forty-eight wide, built of dressed Berea stone, and costing about twenty thousand dollars.

Father John Hannan, and he in 1879 by Father T. J. Carroll, the present incumbent. The councilmen are Thomas Donovan, Joseph Buling and James Barrett. The congregation now numbers about one hundred and twenty families.

St. Thomas' Church was originally organized at Berea on the 9th of October, 1864. P. Harley was the senior warden and T. McCroden the junior warden. Rey. George B. Sturgis preached two years, but the number of Episcopalians at Berea was so small that in 1866 they were obliged to abandon the organization.

In the autumn of 1873 St. Thomas' was reorganized and consolidated with St. Philip's, formerly of Albion, and St. Luke's, of Columbia. The first officers under the new organization were George Johnson, senior warden; Joseph Nichols, junior warden; William James, W. W. Goodwin, E. F. Benedict, M. McDermott, C. W. Stearns, Thomas Churchward and J. 8. Ashley, vestrymen. A framed building was moved from the west to the east side of the river and fitted up as a church in 1873, and is still occupied as such; the congregation numbering about fifty members.

Religious meetings begau to be held among the Germans in the north part. of the township as early as 1866. On the 28th of July, 1867, a church was organized by Rev. G. H. Fuehr, called the Evangelical Lutheran congregation of St. Paul. A framed church edifice had been built the same spring. There were. then but fourteen members. Rey. Mr. Fuehr remained in charge of the church until 1875, when he was succeeded by Rev. F. Schmeltz, the present incumbent.

There are now about seventy-five families belonging to the church, with nearly two hundred members over fourteen years of age. The trustees are M. Holtzworth, F. Steller and L. Schultz. A school is connected with the church, which is taught by the pastor and numbers fifty scholars. There is also a Sabbath school of sixty or seventy scholars.

This church was organized early in 1874 by Rev. Victor Zarecznyi, its present and only pastor. A large church building was erected the same year about half.way between the main part of Berea village and the depot. It is eighty feet by forty-two and cost six thousand dollars. ''The Sisters of Humility of Mary" teach a school in the church edifice, having from ninety to a hundred scholars. There are now about eighty families connected with the church.

Berea Lodge, No. 382, F. And A. M.

The charter of this chapter was granted October 2, 1872; the charter members being F. R. Van Tyne, D. R. Watson, W. W. Noble, Edward Christian, W. L. Stearns, G. M. Barber, Robert W. Henry, Theodore M. Fowl, 8. E. Meacham, H. D. Chapin, Aaron Schuyler, Samuel Hittel. F. R. Van Tyne was the first high priest; R. W. Henry, the first king; and W. L. Stearns the first scribe.

Other Societies Berea Village Corporation

Berea was incorporated asa village, March 23, 1850. The first mayor was Hon. John Baldwin. We have not been able to find the earliest records. ~ The number of votes in 1858 was one hundred and forty; the number in 1878 was three hundred and twenty-seven - showing a probable population of about two thousand. Since 1857 the mayors of the village have been as follows:

Berea Town Hall

Few villages of the size of Berea can boast of a more creditable building belonging to the public than this. It was erected in 1874, Jacob Smith being. the superintendent. It is sixty feet long by forty wide, and is built of brick; the two sides on the streets, however, being faced with stone in "ashlar" or rough form. It contains on the first floor a councilroom. mayor's room, engine room, and three cells for prisoners; the second floor is occupied entirely by a very fine public hall.

Business Places, Shops, Etc

The list of these in Berea now includes the following: Hotel, one; dry goods stores, five; hardware stores, two; grocery and provision stores, seven; drugstores, three; harness shops, two; shoe shops, four; blacksmith shops, three; wagon shops, two; jeweler's shops, three; millinery shops, four; tin shop, one; merchant tailors, four; undertaker's shops, two; barber's shops, two; saloons, six.

Berea Street Railway

This work was begun in May, 1876, and completed in 1878. It runs from the depot to the central part of the village, isa mile and twenty rods long, and cost six thousand dollars. It is owned by a joint stock company, of which Joseph Nichols is the president, and C. A. Moley, the secretary and treasurer.

Berea Union School

Great attention has always been paid to education in this village. The old "' Lyceum," the Baldwin Institute, the Baldwin University and German Wallace College are spoken of elsewhere. As early as 1851 or 1852, when graded schools and boards of education were extremely rare, outside of the large cities, a board of education and a Union school was established at Berea. James 8. Smedley was the first teacher (that is, in the Union school), remaining three years, Subsequent principals in the old building were Messrs. Goddard, Milton Baldwin, Israel Snyder, Bassett, Eastman, Goodrich, Kendall, Huck ins, Pope and Hoadley.

The present large and commodious brick schoolbuilding was erected in 1869. Subsequently Mr. B.. B. Hall acted as principal for a year, and Mr. Millets for another year. In 1872 Mr. M. A. Sprague became principal and superintendent, and the school has ever since remained under his able management. There three grades - high-school, grammar and primary. There were about twenty scholars in the high-school grade, a little over a hundred in the grammar grade, and the remainder in the primary. The high-school teaches the higher English branches, the grammar grade the ordinary English studies, and the primary grade the elementary ones. }

Board Of Education First National Bank Of Berea

This institution was organized July 1, 1872, with acapital of $50,000. The first board of directors was composed of 'I'. Churchward (president), Jacob Kuntz (vice president), Alanson Pomeroy, W. L.Stearns, and A. P. Hinman. H. C. Johnson was chosen cashier at the organization, and was succeeded in 1874 by A. Pomeroy, the present incumbent.

The bank has now_a deposit account of $30,000; a loan account of $45,000, and acirculation of $45,000. The directors are T. Churchward (president), W. C. Peirce (vice president), O. D. Pomeroy, Anson Goodwin and A. J. Campbell.

Berea Savings And Loan Association

Although organized on the 27th of November, 1874, this association did not begin business till the 12th of April, 1875. It has.a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, of which twenty-five thousand is paid. There is now between sixty and seventy thousand dollars of deposits, and about eight hundred depositors. The trustces are Henry Parker, president; Sydney Lawrence, vice-president; Wm. Lunn, V.. C. Stone, C. C. Bennett, Jacob Bailey, F. M. Stearns. ©. W. Parker is the secretary and treasurer.