Portage County, Ohio - Aa&b£tt8vill£ Township, 1885

Aa&b£tt8vill£ Township

ARUivAfc OF Col. John Garuett - The First Mill - Slow Growth - The Dual GovERXMEN I - HrstNEs.s. M A \ T K A( iH lu.N* trc - The Fair - Churches- Union Schools - Masonic Bodies - Odd Fellowship - Young Men's TempnuLHOs OouMotb - Good TsMPL^Ba-^ATUTioa.

GARRETTSVILLE having been carved out of the aonthwost corner of Nelson and the southeast corner of Hiram, its history may be said, until a oomparatiToly veoant data^ to belong to tfaoae townahipa, and tharefora mmj facts pertaining to its early aatUeoMnt will ba found reeoidad in the diaptera relating to Hiram acd N elson.

The nucleus around which afterward clustered the villhge of Garrettsville waa aatabliahed bj Ool. John QasnM, who aniTed from Delaware in July, 1804» and made the first aelllaDiani fla brooght with him a man named Dyson, a blacksmith and gun repairer, who was of great use to the surronnding settlements. Shortly after coming CoL Garrett lost a son, who died in

September following. In January, 1806, the Colonel himself departed fhia life. He left a widow and four children, the venerable Mrs. Garrett surviving her husband for fort}' years. The children became distinguishetl citizens in variooB walks of life. QoL Garrett left provision for a ^ot upon which to build a Baptist Ohnroh, and a plat of gxmutd fw a Hie year following hia arrival he built a saw and grist-mill, wliidi was one of the greatest conveniences the dwellers in the northern section of Portat^e had aflTorded them, Garrett's Mill being known and patronized by the early settlers for Mteen and twenty miles aroond.

For many years there was only slight improvement in the settlement established by Col. Garrett, there being scarcely anything more than the mill and a few other buildings, no attempt being made to aspire to the proportions of a village. In fact, till there was talk of a railroad, and even after its oonstrootion for a time, Garrettsville was simply a Four Comers. After the war, however, a boom struck the little village, and it hap been steadily growing ever since, until now it is the busiest and most progressive town in the county in proportion to population.

In 1864 the village was ineorporated, and began to assome soma impoT' tanco as a trade router. The people now could elect their own officers and conduct their internal affairs as they pleased, but still being under the wing of the township organization they were hampered somewhat, so they petitioned the County Oommissionera in 1874 to set apart their territory, about one mile and a half Rqnare, as a separate and independent township. Now this request being granted on July 6, 1874, and still retaining the privileges as an incorporate village, Garrettsville presents the spectacle o£ what the Greeks would have oalled a doarehy. They have two sets of offiosca, having an eleo> tion for each, held at the same time and same voting place, in separate bc Teg, and yet there is no clashing of authority. The officers dovotjiil, as it were, so nicely that, notwithstanding the £act that the territory of the village and the tsfritory of the township are co-eacteosive» yet all movea on hanDoniously with the duplex arrangement. There is said to be but one other combination of the kind in Ohio. There are no Trustoes, however, as a Board of Councilraen perform their duties, and the same Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor serve both organizations, yet are elected separately, to fulfill the requirements of the law.

The township was incorporated on petition of ninety-five residents, who signed under date of June 1^04. The Mayors and Beoorders since that time are named in the following lists:

The Fire Department was organised itt the fall of 1884, whenE. S. Hutchison was elected Chief. The town PuppHes engine, hose, hook and ladder and quarters; the men are ail volunteers, the Chief alone being a salaried ofiSoial.

ladder, hose, etc, for $2,000. There are a number of Babcock extingaishera belong! nt; to the department^ whioh ia the pioneer fire department of norUiem

Daring the preeent year there have been eraeled over twenty buildings of iwarioBfl kinda, and there are located here Home of the finest storos in the county. The New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad, which passes through the Tillage, aH'ords the beet shipping facilitiea, and large quantities of prodnce fin& its mj to the Eastern marketo from this point In addition to the business housus of all kinds there is a rake faotccy, a factory for the manufacture of the Success Evaporator, a plaiiiQg and sash mill, blind factory, pail factory, basket factory, foundry and machine shops, grist-mill, saw-mill and eanriage factory.

The First National Bank is in a very flonrishing condition, the PresicLmt of which is W. a MoOonneil; Gashier, J. S. Tildea; Aasiatant Oaahier, W. B. Agler.

The Highland Union Agricultural Association was organized December 28« 1869, with WilHam K. WiUiama, Henry Beeeher, Hiram Fieroe, B. W. WiU.

iams, W. Chaffee, Jr., S. D. Norton, A. N, Daniels, O. E. Niles, J. L. Hant and Silas Raymond, and in 1884 it hold its twenty-fifth annual fair. Originally it was hold exclusively for the exhibition of stock, farm products and women's work, etc., and all races, shows and gamea were striotlj torbidden, but of late years it has droppi»d all such staid old notions, and has entered into the matter precisely like other exhibitions, having its horse-SWdngi snide showa and games of chance, just like the county fair.

Prior to 1865, at the time of the incorporation of the village, the soliool distriet was composed of District No. 2, Nelson Township, a district in the southeast comer of Hiram and a district in the northeast corner of Freedom; bnt the act of incorporation merged these three districts into one, under control of a Board of Education of the village, a vote of the people adopting the school law of 1849. May 18, 1867, a vote was taken to authorize the Board to levy a tax of 10 mills for school building purposes, and in 1869 a * good brick building, large enough to accommodate 300 pupils, was completed at a cost of $15,000. The success of the above measures was largely dae to James Ashald, James Dunn, Rev. Isaac Winana, S. W. Fuller, A. A. Barber. G. P. Udall, C. O. Foote, Charles Tinker and O. A. Taylor. The school opened in the new building in December, 1869, with Will Murdoch as Principal, and an average daily attendance of 112; total attendance, 186u In 1870-71 B. 3. Kohn was Principal, and the average daily attendance was 106; total attendance, 199. In 1872-73 James Norton became Principal; average attendance of 133; total att<?ndance, 207. In 1874 the Board appointed J. Cole and Will Murdoch to prepare a course of study, which was adopted, and C. W. Carroll became Principal, regular graded school work being adopted. H. L. Peck succeeded Mr. Carroll in 1876, and remained in charge till 1882, when John E. Morris took charge, and has suoc^fully conducted the school since. Twenty -three pupils completed their course during the first two years of Ifr. Movris' administration. The average attendance ia now about 208, and total attendance. 250. In 1880 an elegant brick building was erected on the same lot as the other school, its cost being $6,500. Theschoola now have live departments, each department having a supply of books, piot- ures, paintings and other deoorations. There is an organ Id every room Mcoept one. A set of philosopbieal spparatns was added in 1882. A library containing noarly 700 valnmea, exclnaive of public documents, is a principal feature. The library has been formed from two others that existed some years ago, the union being due to the efforts of Principal Feck, O. S. Ferris and A. J. Smith. Hie Sehool Board has been the same for three years: A. J. Smith, President; JaraPH Nnrton, Clerk; Warren Pierce. Treasurer; C. M. Crane, S. W. Fuller and James Dunn The present Board take active, pereonal interest in all edacational atlairs, aud make it a point to attend ail meetings, thereby contribntini; in large measare to the great eneoess of the eehools. l^e corps of toachnrs for 1884-85 are John E. Morris, Principal; J. J. Jackson, Assistant in High School; Anor A. Eckort, Grammar Department; lone S. Wolcott, Intermediate Department; Cora Adams, A Primary Department ^ Delia v. Beed, B Primary Department. The present condition of the schoole is shown in tho following statistics: Revenue in 1884, $7,508.29; expenditures, $4,^Vi2.38; two Bchoolhousos vnhiod at $20,200; average pay of teachers, $7d and $37; enrollment, 103 boys aud 110 girls.

Baptist Ohnnih. - OoL Oarrett, who died in 1806, bequeathed to the Baptist Church a lot for meeting houso and conietorv. Tho organization of this Rociety was due mainly to Mrs. (xarrett. The tirst church was built bv Edwin Atwood and John (iarrett. On June 22, 1881, this old building was blown to pieces by twenty'five pounds of ganpowder, after its restoration in the fall of 18S0. The deed was attributed to irhi.tkt/ apolngists. The work of building a new house of wor.Hhip was at once entered upon, and on January 3, 1884. the present church was dedicated. Its cost was i|5,000. The original members of this society, formed Jnly 80, 1809, were Mary West, Snsan and John Rudolph, and Eliza and John Noah. Rev. Thomas G. Jones, of Sharon, presided, and named the church at Nelson, Hrthptda. Tho clerks of the church were John Rudolph, 1808 to 1824; VViiiiam £>ammor, 1824 to 1832; E. Welsh and John Braineid, 1832 to 1887; A. Serross. 1887; William Wilson. 1841 to 1840; Ira Fuller, iSiH; William Wilson, 1852; M. F. French, 1861 to 1872; C. W. aud J. B. Knapp. 1872-74; C. T. Truesdale, 1874-79; and Mrs. E. E. Trueedale, 187U-85. In January, 1885, the tirst bell used by the Baptists here was plaoed in the belfry of the new bnilding.

The Congregational Church was^ ort^anized as a Union Church February 21, 1834, with seventooa members, of whom Mrs. Eunice P. Baker, of Counewango, N. Y., and Mrs. Delia Peilers, of Grarrettsville, are still living. Deacon Francia Stron^f and wife; Sarah Mamon; Diana 8pragne; Mrs. S. W. Orvis, of Nerinville, Iowa; Whitmore Hazen, of Washinr^ton. D. C. . a brother of Gen. Hazen, of the Siffnal Service; J. J. Demarest, W au[mca, Wis.; Deacon Waters and wife; Mrs. M. E. Wales; Mrs. A. B. Gardner, uf Chagrin Falls, Ohio; Deacon Wade White and wife; John D. Hamn and wife, who owned the lot and ersoted ' the main part of thp old church building, were among tho oric^inal and old mt^rnhers. In 1830 the society was reorganized under the Congregation ul form, aud has since been conducted as a purely Congregational Church, iu May, 1845, John D. Haaen offered to donate the land and baildini; to the eoeiety,on OOndition that they would repair the house, erect a spire, and place therein a bell. Mr. Hazen died before the conditions were fulfilled, and his e.xecutor, Robert Payne, of Cleveland, refused to recognize his action. This resulted in a ronnd of litigation, which was favorable to the soeiety. In May, 1847, the society was incorporated. The resolutions adopted by this society, in re the anti -slavery movprnont, were entirely iu eousunance with the spirit of the times. The organizing ministers were Joseph Treat and Benjamin Fenn. The orig.

Qaerettsville I0Wk8Hip

inal members were John D. Hazen and wife, Wade White and wife, Vienna Norton, Clarissa E^j^leeton^ Harry White and wife, Wealthy White, Mary White^ Eunice White and John D. White, Susan Ferry, Folly T. Qb&WDB, -Bluanor Hindman, Sophia Smith and HauDah Trask.

The Disciples Church was reorganized a few years ago with fifty two mem bers. The old society built a house of worship on Main Street iu 184(), which house was sold sixteen or eighteen years ago to Mrs. S. S. Beecher, and is now oceopied aa a dweUing-honse by the pnrdiaser. For many years services have not been held, bat in 1882 the reorganized society purchased a lot and determined to erect a house of worship. N. H. Nichols, James Norton, S. O. Wilbur, Frank Poor and James Ashald, Trustees, with Mr. Norton, Clerk, and Mr. Aahald, Treasurer, Of the old aoeiefy there are abont ten members hme.

The Methodist Church, Garrettsville, was organized in 1872 with seven charter members, and organized under State law Februar}' 10, 1S73. with M. Hashman, B. A. Houghton, T. Barton, Albert Gage, William Fox, H. E. Spenoer, Joseph 0. Ensign and James B. Thome, Thuteea. Jamee Greer was President, and E. M. Sanderson Secretary of the meeting.

December 19, 1800, the hall in which the comrannicationR were held was destroyed by fire, and all the lodge tixtures, library, book of records, etc, were lost In 1«72 the fine briok boilding, in the upper portion of whioh is located the lodge rooms, was erected by the fraternity, aud \vas dedicated January 15,

1873, the Hervices beinp; conducted by Right Worshipful Grand Master Woodward. The lamented Fresident Gariield was Chaplain of the lodge in 1809.

Silver Greek Chanter, No. 144, B. A. M. - This Chapter was oonatitnted and eatabliahod May 8, 1879, and WCUrked under dispensation till October 17 of the aanie year, when a charter waa granted by Jamca W. Underbill, Grand High

Priest of Ohio. The charter officers and members were Alonzo H Tidball, H. F. i Ezra B. Hopkins, E. ; AValdo Webeter, S., and Edmund Knapp, Stephen O. Wanren, Gordon F. If attieon. Charles D. Hoemer, Ira T. Wilder, Titos B. HopkiiiB, Leroy H. Payne. The membership is sixty-four. Thsm are also in Garrettsville twenty -one Knights Templar, but no Commandorv

Young Men's Temperance Council. - This orsfnnization was formed ^^iFireh 17, 1SS2, and, as its name implies, is a temperance society, but on a new plan. It had its origin among the young men of Qarrettsfille» and its ritaal was written by E. Ll Sanderson, E. B. Lewis and N. W. Leeaer. It is a seeret orfl(!r consisting of three degrees, which are concise and free from the defects of some corresponding societies. The members are not only pledged to abstain from all intoxioating drinks, but also from entering a place where liquors are sold, thereby showing by their habits discouragement to the traffic. The lodge afford*^ an attractive place of resort, furnished with good reading matter, and thus handicaps the saloons and their iemptationa The original members forming the organization were B. L. Sanderson, B. G. Daniels, J. D. Col.', N. W. Leezer, G. J. Duun, E. B. Lewis, A. C. Daniels, W.

Young Men's Temperance Council - The members of the Young Men's Temperance Council celebrated their third anniversary with appropriate public exercises at Buckeye Hall. The Council is in good working conditioui and since its organization has been the means of doinr^ much r^ood.

The Western Reserve Sugar Makers' Convention was held January 21 and 22, 1885, when the following named officers were elected: President, P. C. Nichols; First Vice-President, E. P. Clark, of Windham; Second Yiee- Prosidont, S. L. Love, of Warren; Reoordinrr Secretary, F. D. Snow, of Wiiitlhain; Corresponding Secretary, B. H. Udali, of Garrettsville; Treasurer,

E. B. Lee and James Norton. The capital stock wa3 f 30,000. This iodnatry waa devoted to the manafactore of nutia and bolts and other hardware. This eoUapeed a few years later, and the bnildiiun ace now need bj Wilooz & Son, mannfacturers of aogar makers' eundriea. Wileox A Son have joat invented and perfected a new syrup tester, also a pan connection which is simple, durable and reliable evw/ time. It has been pronounced by all who have seen it to be Uie most perfect eonneotfon on the nuurlni By its nee interehaugeable pans can be ca^^ily and successfally used to get tid of the silica deposit.

Garrettsville Table Manufacturing Company was established for the manufacture of tables in 1880-81 by John Uottchalk, and conducted by him until Uie bnildingB were destroyed by a boiler esploeion three yeaxa ago. Together with the destruction of bnildinge, two men loet their lives. The works were rebuilt and operated for some time, wh^n Tamos Davidson purchased thpm. Recently the buildings and machinery were leased by B. H. Ober from Davideon & Hoskin, and he now condnots a hit bii8ine8& *Shi» industry employs atbut six men.

Fnllpr vfc Hatch, saw and planing-mill, was established twenty-eight years ago by John F. Taylor and Daniel Ellinwood, Jr., as a saw-miil. They con- . dnoted it for a number of years until pnrohaaed by Getter A Letterbrant, who operated it for some time. In 1861 S. W. Fuller purohased an interest, and in conjunction with his partners has operated the Baw-mill since that year. The planing mill machinery was introduced in 180S-64. The capacity of the saw-mill is about 10,000 feet per day. The valne of bnildingB and maehinery of both indnatriea is $6,000. The number of men generally employed is eight. This company, in addition to local work, has n large shipping trade. The feed store and warehouse at the depot is operated by this ^rm; lime^ salt, seed and fertilizers are also dealt in extensively.

Udall & Hbskin's pail faotoiy waa built by Charles Tinker about twenty years ago for n machine shop, and opfratod m such until 1808, when Udall & Co. purohased the buildings and established the pail factory. In 1882 A. D. Hoskins purchased the interests of Tinan and Sandwson and now is partner of Mr. Udall. The works turn out abont 50,000 pails, well bnekets, butter*tnba and paint-pails annually, and give employment to twelve men. Water-power was used exclusively up to February, 1885, when steam-power was added. The value of buildings and machinery is 110,000.

W. L. &. B. H. Udell's foundry was established thirteen yean ago by J. E. TMall ifc Gropfory. Saw-mill and sewing machine machinery, castings and repairs form the loading work. Buildings and machinery are valued at $5,000. ^ This industry gives employment to thirteen men from October to April, and about eight men during the summer season.

Graham's sash, door and blind factory was established by G. B. Graham in the old woolen-mill buildings, and operated by him down to the present time. This factory gives employment to a large number of hands.

Garrettsville Grist-mill was built by Edwin Atwood and Lenian Ferry in 1837, and finished in the fall of that year. They operated it jointly until Mr. Ferry sold out his interest. Mr. Atwood continued to hold his interest in the mill until the beginning of 1884, when it was sold by hie guardians to former past owners, the Vanderslices. The property was leaaed by Goodhue & Nelson in August, ISS L The capacity is thirty barrels of flour and from 150 to 200 bushels chop-foed per day. The mill employs four men throughout the year. The value of machinery and buildings is about 19,000.

W. L. Wilcox, wagon repairer and horse-shoer, established the works in 1SS2. The buildin^^r, land, plant and tools are Talned at abont $2,700. This industry gives employment to two men.

O. Collins 6i Co., snw-mill, rake manufacturers and lumber dealers, established iheir bosiikMB seven yean ago. At that time O. Oollins & W. L. Udall were tho owners. The buildinffs were deetroyed by fire on May 1, two years after, and the same year the {>rc«ent buildings and machineiy were put up. The company gives employment to about twenty hands.

Garrettsvillo Saving and Loan Association was organized January 30, 18G9, with W. C. Thrasher, H. Mills, Charles Tinker, T. Robe, W. ii. Kuowiton, James Dunn, O. W. Ooodsdl, Jaatiea Norton, & & Beecher, John H. Beecher, L. K. Raymond, H. C. Tilden, L. Ferry, Sr., L. D. BfOWtt and O. A. Taylor. This company ceased business in 1877.

First Jsaiional Bank. - The Directors of this banking company are W. B. MoConnell, E. a Smith, and O. £. Crane. J. S. TUden is Cashier. The reeonrce*^ as published December 20, 1884, are 1237,350.42,

The Canuon House, on East State, is the only hotel in the town, and the successor, so to speak, of the old hotel which was destroyed by fire. This building was the reridenee of Dr. Manly, and after the Doctor's death was opened as a hotel by Mrs. Manly. Thomas Seymour operated it subsequently as the Washington Hotel; then in 1S7S E. D. Wadsworth lx>nfjht the house, and conducted it until March, 1879, when B. E. Wadsworth took poeseesion, named the liotel iheOannon Bow in oon junction with the fonner Cannon Hoose jut aouth. This hotel is well managed and is certainly one of the moat pleaaant hostelries in the county.

The statistics for lo84 are as follows: acres of wheat, 16, bushels, US; oats, 11 acres, buahela, 470; com, 7 aerea, bushels, 20; meadow, 52 acres, hay, 95 tons; potatoefl, 10 acres; milk sold for family use, 5,300 gallons; maple sugar, 10<^ pounds from 500 trees; honey, 20 pounds from 5 hives; orchards, 3 acres; milch cows, 17 i one stallion; 88 dogs; acres cultivated, 27; in pasture, 140; woodland, 85; waste, 62; total, 264 aerea. This little townahip ia oocnpied mainW by tho vi 11 acre of GariettsTille. Popolatlon in 1870, 658j in 1880| 969; in 1884 (estimated) 1,100.