Medina County, Ohio - Chapter 1 (2 of 2 so headed), 1881 (part 2 of 2)

The factory system in this county, dates from 1866, in Litchfield Township. Cheese factories originated, it is said, in Herkimer County, N. Y. The dairy business began on a considerable scale there, as early as 1800, and, by 1830, a trade had been established with England for the product of this industry. From there it spread to the Western Reserve, beginning in the northeastern part, and coming to Medina, as above indicated. The Litchfield Factory was built by Benedict & Brooker, and A. D. Hall, of Geauga County, was secured to initiate them in the mysteries of combined action in the dairy business. "Cheese mectings" became a common thing at once all over the county. Mr. Hall was an enthusiast upon the subject, and he and his wife were paid high wages for their instruction and assistance in placing the factory system on its feet here, some private cheese-makers employing thern to give instructions in the factory system of manufacture. In 1867, Chamberlin & McDowell erected a factory in Medina, and about the same time, similar enterprises were inaugurated in most of the northern and northeastern townships. Since, the dairy business has been an important interest, forming one of the most profitable sources of revenue. These factories have more than doubled the manufacture ; have lessened the labor to the farmer, and increased the price of the manufactured article. Factories have not found encouragement in the southeastern part of the county, or in localities where the German element is predominant. They are generally given to wheat culture, and are not to be diverted from this sort of husbandry. There are some fourteen factories now in the county, though all have not been in operation during the past season. The season of 1879 was very poor for cheese makers, and the farmers made haste to dispose of their cows and put on sheep. Last season the price of cheese greatly improved, but the patronage was so poor that many factories could not afford to continue business on the percentage plan, and closed their operations. The ayerage capacity of these factories is from thirty to forty cheeses per day, receiving the milk of some 400 cows. Few have, of late years, worked up to their full capacity, though some have received the milk from 500 to 600 cows attimes. Private dairying is still continued, in some instances on so large a scale as, perhaps, to be properly classed as a private factory.

The principal market for this product of late years has been at Wellington, where, by a system of partnership with factory men, the interest has been built up into immense proportions. The springtide in this business was from 1860 to 1874. During the war, Mr. F. B. Clark, one year, realized $90 per cow, selling his homemade cheese at an average of 163 cents per pound. Mr. C. B. Chamberlin was not only earliest in the dairying business, but for a number of years foremost in the factory business. Selling the first factory in Medina to his partner, he fitted up the old mill for the business, which was burned about 1874 with some thousand cheeses. He at once put up another factory in the village, which is considered the model establishment of the county. He has three others in various parts of the county. In 1875, he engaged in purchasing the product for the Eastern markets, wintering some 12,000 boxes that year in New York City. In 1876, he bought 25,000 boxes, and 30,000 boxes in the following year, all of which he shipped to Philadelphia. The larger proportion of the cheese made here of late has been marketed at Wellington, though not an inconsiderable amount is sent elsewhere on private account.

A noticeable and favorable feature of the agriculture of the county is the moderate size of the farms. By the census of 1870, it appears that there were then 2,722 farms, of which over 2,000 were less than one hundred acres each, and of the latter number, a few more than half were farms of less than fifty acres each. The census of the present year (1880) shows the number of farms at present to be 3,086, and, at the same time, a falling-off in the population. The natural inference from the imperfect returns as yet received would seem to be that families were generally smaller, and that the larger farms had been divided, the average farm now not reaching over eighty-five acres. These farms are well tilled, the buildings well improved, the grade of stock equal to the best in the State, and a general well-to-do air of neatness and comfort prevails everywhere throughout the farming community. Improved agricultural implements are found everywhere, the farmers readily perceiving the advantage to be gained by thorough equipment for their work. In the matter of markets, the railroad facilities provided within the last decade have solved the problem that for years vexed the farming community of Morrow County. The question of highways is yet an unfathomed mystery. Like most of the Western Reserve, Medina is at the merey of its clay roads. Sand and gravel in suitable quantities cannot be found here, and the great inquiry is, as to how these roads shall be constructed to absorb the least moisture. In the State Agricultural Report of 1876, ten miles of graveled road was reported, but it would probably puzzle the oldest inhabitant to locate the road. The "river road" is the one probably referred to, where, in places, the gravel of the river has ben put on to the highway. It is lost sight of, however, at every muddy season. The bridging of the county is not an important item of expense. The Rocky River and the Black River are the principal streams of the county, which can be easily spanned anywhere in one hundred fect. The old covered bridges of the earlier days still continue to be favorites with the people, though of late iron bridges have been introduced to some extent.

Agricultural societies grew up very naturally in this community. They were a prominent feature of the farming communities of Connecticut, and, some years before any regularly organized effort was put forth to this end, the people, anxious to transfer the customs and traditions of their early home to this land, spontaneously came together to show their stock and compare their respective merits. On June 3, 1833, the County Commissioners directed the Auditor to call a meeting of the farmers of the county, for the purpose of forming an Agricultural Society. For some reason, there was no adequate result from this effort A great many of the farmers had early become interested in horses and cattle, and for some years, on a certain day, they met at the publie square, where an impromptu organization of committees was had, who passed their judgment upon the respective merits of the animals present, without regard to entries. This custom gradually grew in importance until the farmers' wives brought the results of their handiwork, and the whole farming community joined in a sort of * harvest home " holiday. An important feature of these gatherings was the array of yoked oxen, and it was not uncommon to see, at these times, twenty or thirty yoke in "a string." This practice was continued after the regular organization of a society, and premiums were offered to the township that should send the longest " string" of yoked cattle. In 1845, a permanent organization was formed, and, in spite of a vigorous opposition on the part of the minority, leased, rather than bought, seven acres of Mr. Bronson, just east of the foundry. The contract was for ten years at $70 per year, during which time a large building which served as floral, domestic, art and mechanical halls, was built. At the expiration of the lease, the Society found itself in debt to the extent of $100. A spirited meeting of the society at the Court House canvassed the subject, and the old-time minority carried considerable weight with their *I-told-you-so " argument. Mr. W. H. Witter, a prominent advocate of the purchasing policy, was made President, and a director from each township, who should solicit the farmers from their respective localities to take stock at $5 per share, the funds to be devoted to the purchase of grounds for holding the fair. This bid fair to fail, when, later, a meeting of the directors revealed that but little or no stock had been subscribed. Mr. Witter was appointed as a soliciting committee, and in a few months' time succeeded in raising $1,200 in this way. Eighteen acres were at once purchased of the Selkirk estate, and fitted up for the use of the society. The building of the Cleveland, Tuscarawas Valley & Wheeling Railroad, cut off an acre and a half of their grounds, and,in 1877, A. I. Root, desiring a place to put his growing business, made overtures to the society, and bought their land at $100 peracre. The society at once secured 21 acres of land, a little southwest, paying the same price per acre. The society has had a vigorous growth, and is in prosperous circumstances. A large frame building combines the accommodations, sometimes divided among several halls. Accommodations for stock, in the way of sheds, stalls and pens, are abundant, and an eating-hall. provides means for the refreshment of the society's guests and members. The track is a half-mile circle, which was constructed at a cost of $1,000, and is commanded by a comfortably arranged grand stand.

cloth thirty-three by fifty-six inches, painted with the usual number of stripes and stars, emblazoned with a device consisting of a jollylooking human face with thumb on nose, which, as interpreted, meant, "Take me if you can." This was offered to the county which would bring in the largest delegation to the county fair of 1878, and was awarded to the Summit County delegation.

The origin and historic value of this flag is connected with one of the greatest sleighrides ever known in Medina, and one to which the older people of the county revert with unusual satisfaction. In 1856, there was an unprecedented amount of sleighing, and sometime in February of.that year, the people of Solon Township, Cuyahoga County, got up a sleighing party consisting of seven four-horse teams, and among other decorations carrying the flag in question. The.people of Twinsburg, Summit County, through which the Solon party passed, made up their minds to go to Solon and take the flag. They harnessed up fourteen fourhorse teams, went to Solon, and brought the flag home. Royalton, Cuyahoga County, then rallied thirty-eight four-horse teams, and took back the flag ; and thus, like the knight-errants of old, it traveled from one township to another, with an increased number of four-horse teams each time. It soon became a county matter - Cuyahoga, Medina and Summit Counties were to try their strength, and the county mustcring the largest number of fonr-horse teams was to bear away the flag. On the 14th of March, the parties met at West Richfield, with alt the teams they could muster. Medina County had 140 four-horse sleighs, Cuyahoga had 151 four-horse teams, and Summit, 171, a total of 462 four-horse sleighs--each sleigh containing an average of fourteen persons - 1,848 horses, 6,468 persons, besides a large number of one and two horse sleighs.

Summit County, of course, took the flag. The Medina delegation, on their return home, immediately called a meeting to make arrangements for another trial. It came off on the 18th, at Akron. The procession was fitted out with devices, banners, bands of music, etc., and entered Akron about noon, amid the firing of cannon, the ringing of bells, and the shouts of the people, who extended to them a most hearty weleome. The teams were counted, and Medina rolled up 182 four-horse teams, besides one four-mule team, hitched up with ropes, which was thrown out by the committee, because not horses. The teams filed through the city, and the result was telegraphed from one to the other with shouts of victory - the citizens of Akron joining heartily in the same - until the whole city was in one deafening roar. President Pierce of Hudson College presented the flag to the county of Medina, with some appropriate remarks, which were responded to by Charles E. Bostwick, Chief Marshal of the Medina delegation ; after which, two songs were sung, composed for the occasion. After refreshments, the Medina delegation returned home with the flag, the happiest company, doubtless, that were ever brought together. Another fair association exists in the county known as the 'District Agricultural Society of Wayne and Medina Counties, Ohio." This grew out of a desire to aid in building up the village of Seville, where the fairs are held, and some little dissatisfaction with the county association. A meeting of the citizens of Seville and vicinity was called for the 5th of June, 1860. There was a good attendance, a general expression of opinion was had, and committees appointed to forward the project. On the 11th of the same month, another meeting was held, and subsequently an association was formed with the following officers: S. G. Foote, President; D. D. Dowd, Vice President ; J. A. Bell, Secretary; Cornelius Welsh, Treasurer ; Charles Eddy, O. S. Owen, John Coolman, Jacob Knuff, Joseph MeGlennen, J. C. Johnson and J. T. McDowell, Directors. Twelve acres just north of Seville was leased of L. A. Parker, fenced, necessary buildings erected, a one-third-of-amile track laid out and graded, and the first exhibition held on the 11th, 12th and 15th of October, 1860. "The enterprise proved highly successful for several years in succession ; the grounds were enlarged, more commodious buildings were erected, and a good half raile track constructed. The fair is still liberally patronized, and bids fair to be one of the institutions of the county for years to come.