Summit County, Ohio - Chapter 3 (2 of 2 so headed), 1881

Chapter 3

ences of the hardy, enterprising and patriotic pioneers by whom the several townships composing the county were originally settled. is sufficient for the present purpose to say that the first known settlement of whites, within the

Tallmadge in 1807; Green in 1809; Norton and Richfield in 1810; Portage 1811; Copley and Franklin in 1814; and Twinsburg in 1817; and that to the indomi- ton, Hudson, Northampton, Stow, Portage. Tallmadge, Coventry and Springfield - originally belonged to Portage County ; four - viz., Rithfield, Bath, Copley and Norton - to Medina to Stark County. Interesting and appropriate sketches of the several townships here enumerated, with biographical sketches of the pioneer settlers and other citizens thereof, will be found elsewhere, under their appropriate titles.

facilities for travel and transportation which it afforded. not only were the agricultural interests of the State, along its entire line. very largely stimulated, but avery marked impetus was thereby given to commercial and manufacturing interests. also. Thus, while the very considerable business operations previously existing at Middlebury, and one or two other points in the Cuyahoga Valley. were materially increased thereby. the completion of the canal was immediately followed by the utmost activity at Akron and Cuyahoga Falls. then just springing into existence as manufacturing villages. both being largely supplied with water-power - at that early day the great desideratum in all manufacturing enterprises.

So rapid was the development of these villages. and the several townships contiguous to the great "thoroughfare." that the people soon began to feel that their respective seats of justice. Ravenna. Medina and Canton. where they were compelled to go to serve as jurors and witnesses. and for the paymentof their taxes. were too far from their business centers. and. as early as 1835. began to talk "new county." The proposition was not at all kindly received by the county officials, and the people of the more remote portions of Portage, Medina and Stark.

it was proposed to detach from Portage County. Rufus P. Spalding, Esq.. then practicing law in Ravenna. and Ephraim B. Hubbard. an influential farmer of Deerfield Township. were elected as Representatives to the State Legislature. _ both of those gentlemen being Democrats. but _ pledged to the new county project. thus being elected over the regular Whig nominees, Portage County at that time, particularly the west ern portion, being largely Whig, on strict party issues ; Simon Perkins, Jr., then as now a resident of Portage Township, a member of the mittee on new counties, reported to the house 'a bill to erect the county of Summit," which The Stark County Representatives, Hons. John Smith and James Welch, the Medina County Representative, Hon. James S. Carpenter and the Lorain County Representative. Hon. Albert A. Bliss, all directly and vigorously opposed the movement ; moved to recommit the bill to the Committee on New Counties, with instructions to report the number of petitioners and remonstrants for and against the project - which was agreed to.

their respective counties, in providing the requisite territory for the proposed new county, © and the last hecause of the proposition to trans- ' fer the townships of Spencer and Homer from ,

Lorain to Medina. to keep the territory of the latter up to the constitutional requirement, after being shorn of her eastern tier of townships. Representatives of several other counties in different portions of the State. in danger of being dismembered by similar new county projects. also earnestly opposed the measure, so that it had to be fought through inch by inch, passing the House by a majority of three only, on the 6th day of February. 1840.

In the Senate. also. the struggle was equally determined and severe, Senators Hostetter, of Stark, Birch, of Lorain, Nash, of Meigs. and Thomas. of Miami, actively and energetically opposing the bill. Active and influential ~lobbyists," both for and against the measure. were also in attendance in full force, and the various tactics and devices resorted, to in promoting the measure on the one hand, and retarding it on the other, would make a good-sized volume of "mighty interesting reading" if it could be correctly written up. The progress of the bill through the House and Senate, as briefly recorded in the proceedings of the two Houses. will give the reader a pretty fair idea of the bitterness of the fight. though by no means conveying to the mind anything like an adequate conception of the vast amount of argument, eloquence. repartee, vituperation, ridicule ,

The bill, as received from the House, was read for the first time in the Senate February 7. and February 27, Mr. Hostetter, of Stark. moved to strike out of the bill that part of the territory belonging to Stark County. Lost - yeas, 15; nays, 18.

Mr. Nash, of Meigs. moved to strike out that portion of the bill exempting the people resident in the Stark County townships from taxation for the erection of the public buildings for the proposed new county. Lost - yeas. 14; nays. 19.

On being read the third time. February 23. Mr. Thomas, of Miami, moved to recommit the bill to the Committee on New Counties, with instructions to so amend as to strike out that part exempting Green and Franklin Townships from taxation for public buildings. Lost - yeas, 13; nays, 21.

Mr. Hostetter then moved that the further consideration of the bill be postponed until the first Monday of December next. Lost - yeas. PP onays, 20:

Mr. Hostetter moved to amend so as to leave the matter to the voters of the proposed new county, at the next October election. Lost - yeas, 10; nays, 24.

The question then recurring on the final passage of the bill, Mr. Hostetter demanded the yeas and nays, which were ordered, and were as follows: yeas, 19; nays, 15. The bill as passed is as follows :

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That so much of the counties of Portage, Medina and Stark, as comes within the following boundaries, be, and the same is hereby erected into a separate county, which shall be known by the name of Summit. to wit: Beginning at the northwest corner of the county of Portage: thence 'ast on the county line to the northeast corner of the township of Twinsburg, in said county of Port- - age ; thence south on the line between the ninth and tenth ranges of townships of the Western Reserve to the southeast corner of the township of Sprinzfield, in said county ; thence west on the line between the counties of Portage and Stark to the northeast corner of the township of Green, in said Stark County : thence south on the east line of sail township of Green, to the southeast corner of the same : thence west on the south line of the townships of Green and Franklin, in said county of Stark, to the southwest corner of said township of Franklin: thence north on the line between the counties of Stark and Wayne to the south line of the county of Medina: thence west on the south line of the county of Medina to the southwest corner of the township of Norton, in said county; thence north on the line between the twelfth and thirteenth ranges of townships of the Western Reserve to the northwest corner of the township of Richtield. in said county ; thence east on the north line of said county to the southwest corner of the township of Northfield, in Portage County ; thence north on the west line of said Portage County to the place of | beginning; and for the purpose of restoring the county of Medina to its constitutional limits: the townships of Spencer and Homer, in the county of , Lorain, be, and the same are hereby. attached to, and | made a part of, the suid county of Medina.

Sec. 2. That all suits, whether of a civil-or criminal nature, which shall be pending within the limits of those parts of the counties of Portage, Medina and Stark, so to be set off and erected into a new county previous to the organization of said county of Summit; and all suits pending within the | limits of said townships of Spencer and Homer, pre- | vious to the taking effect of this act, shall be prosecuted to final judgment and execution within the counties of Portage, Medina, Stark and Lorain, respectively, in the same manner they would have been if said county of Summit had not been erected, | and the said townships of Spencer and Homer had not been attached to and made a part of said Medina County ; and the Sheriffs. Coroners and Consta- the collectors of the taxes for said counties, respectively, shall collect all taxes that shall be levied and unpaid within the parts of the aforesaid counties, previous to the taking effect of this act. ;

Sec. 3. That all Justices of the Peace within those parts of the counties of Portage, Medina and Stark, which by this act are erected into a new county; and also within said townships of Spenccr and Homer, shall continue to exercise the duties of their offices until their times of service shall expire. in the same manner as if they had been commissioned for the counties of Summit and Medina, respectively.

Sec. +. That on the first Monday of April next. the legal voters residing within the county of Summit shall assemble within their respective township-~ at the usual places of holding elections. and proceed to elect their different county officers, who shall hold their offices until the next annual election. and until their successors are elected and qualified.

Sec. 5. That the Courts of Common Pleas and Supreme Court of said county shall be holden at some convenient house in the town of Akron until the permanent seat of justice for said county shail he established.

Sec. 6. That Commissioners shall be appointed agreeably to the act entitled, ** An act for the estahlishment of seats of justice."' to fix upon a permanent seat of justice for said county of Summit. agreeably to the provisions of the above-recited act: and the Commissioners aforesaid shall receive a compensation for their services out of the treasury of said county of Summit: and said Commissioners shall be authorized to receive propositions for the erection of suitable county buildings by the citizens of such towns and villages as may desire to have the seat of justice of said county established within their respective limits: and in no event shall any tax for the erection of county buildings for said county of Summit be imposed upon the citizens of the townships of Franklin and Green, which townships are taken from the county of Stark, for and during thc term of fifty years from and after the passage of this act.

The next thing in order was the passage of a joint resolution appointing Commissioners to locate the county seat, which was adopted by th. louse, February 7, and concurred in by the Senate, February 10, as follows:

Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives, that Jacob J. Williard. of Columbiana County, James McConnell. of Holmes County, and Warren Sabin, of Clinton County, be, and they are hereby appointed Commissioners to establish the seat of justice for Summit County, pursuant to an act entitled ''An act establishing seats of justice," passed February 23, 1824. THomas J. BUCHANAN, Speaker of the House of Representatives. WILuiaM McLavuesim, Speaker of the Senate. The next stage in the proceedings, was the passage of a bill to organize the new county, which passed the House without opposition,

Sec. 1. Bet enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio: That the county of Summit be, and the same is hereby organized into a separate and distinct county.

Sec. 2. All Justices of the Peace and Constables within the territory taken from Portage, Medina and Stark Counties, shall continue to discharge the duties of their respective offices until their commissions or terms of office shall expire, and until their successors shall be chosen and qualified; and suits commenced before the taking effect of this act. shall proceed and be prosecuted as though this nxet had not been passed. Provided, That all writs und other legal process to be issued after the tirst sec. 3.) That on the first Monday of April next, the legal voters residing within the limits of the County of Summit, shall assemble in their respective townships. at the usual places of holding elections, and proveed to clect their different county officers in the same manner poinied out in the act to rerulate elections, who shall hold their offices

Sec. 4. Tt shall be the duty of the Comunissioners of said county of Summit. on or before the first day of June next. to take charge of all paupers, idiots and insane persons belonging to either ot the townships included in said county of Summit, and now supported by either of the counties of Portage, Medina or Stark. and the same to maintain thereafter at the proper expense of said Summit County.

Sec. 5. The county of Summit. for judicial purvoses, is hereby attached to the Third Judicial Circuit. and the first Court of Common Pleas to be holden in said county, shall commence its session in the town of Akron, on the segond day of July next, and the second term of said court shall commence on the cighth day of December next.

Sec. 6. That the Auditor of State in the re-apapportionment of the surplus revenue received from the General Government. according to the cnumeration of the year 1839, shall apportion to the county of Summit that amount. which according to the enumeration of the several townships taken from the Counties of Portage, Medina and Stark, said county will be entitled to receive, which revenue shall be paid to the order of the Fund Commis- | spread the "glad tidings "as widely as possisioners of said county on the first day of January, 1841. Provided, If within three months from said first day of January, 1841, said Fund Commission-- ers do not draw for said revenue, the Auditor of State shall be governed in the disposition of the same by the first section of the act to provide for the distribution and investment of the State's propores of the surplus revenue, passed March 28,

Sec. 7. That in all elections for members of Conee the county of Summit shall be attached to the ifteenth Congressional District. Tuomas J. BUCHANAN, Speaker of the House of Representatives. WiLiiamM McLavucauin, Speaker of the Senate.

As soon as the news of the final passage of | the bill erecting the new county reached Akron, by the arrival of the overland mail from Co- | lumbus, on Monday evening, March 2, 1840, a bill having passed the Senate the previous

' until March 3), there being no railroads or telegraphs in those days, an impromptu jollification took place, which is thus graphically described in one of the local journals of the day : " With the rapidity of lightning, the news was spread from house to house, and in less than half an hour the whole town was in motion. Cheers, congratulations. bonfires and illuminations were the order of the day, while the deeptoned thunder of our cannon continued to proclaim the birth of the new county to all the surrounding country. Such a spontaneous and universal burst of feeling has seldom been witnessed under any circumstances. It was a scene to be looked upon, but cannot be deseribed ; such a noise as the shrouds make at sea in a stiff tempest. as loud, and to as many tunes. Hats, caps and cloaks, I think. flew up, and. had their faces then been loose. this night had lost them." In fact, the recollection of the writer is to-day vivid and distinct, looking back through the dim vista of the forty-one intervening years, that through the entire night, "until broad daylight in the morning," both solid and /iguid jollity and happiness prevailed. Nor did the citizens of Akron confine the rejoicing over the glorious result to themselves alone. but immediately took the initiatory steps for a general new county celebration on Wednesday, March +. A committee of twelve citizens of Akron and one from each township was appointed. and measures taken to

Col. Justus Gale and Jacob Brown, Esq., of Akron, and Col. Frederick A. Sprague and Benjamin Rouse, Esq., of Richfield, and Col. Solomon Markham, of Green, Vice Presidents ; Gen. Lucius V. Bierce, of Akron, was constituted Chief Marshal, with Col. Erastus Torrey and Maj. Ithiel Mills, of Akron, as assistants. A national salute was fired from the high ground between the two villages, North and South Akron (the present court house site) at sunrise. The military display was very fine, being participated in by the Summit Guards, the Akron Light Infantry and Cavalry. the the leadership of Mr. Henry S. Abbey, and the Military Band, under the lead of Capt. Cleveland. The procession of several thousand men and boys, after marching through several

' streets, was joined by a large curtege of ladies. . dressed uniformly alike and carrying parasols. | who took their position between the Committee of Arrangements and the military. and marched the balance of the route to the place of feasting, on the present court house grounds. After dinner (abundant and toothsome), the following to by the firing of cannon, music and cheers : 1. The Legislature of Ohio - They have at length done justice to themselves and us. Better late than never! 2. Owr Senator und Rep- have excelled them all! 3. The County of Summit - An infant Hercules. Give him a wide berth, for hell be a whopper! 4. Our Struggle - Almost another Trojan siege. The

5. dkron - Look at her as she was, as she is, and as she will be! 6. Our Young County - The pride of our affections ; unsurpassed in the elements of future greatness ; already populous and wealthy. If such 'is its childhood, what will it be when it becomes a man? 7. Portage, Stark and Medina - Among them they have hatched a young eagle, fullfleuged and on the wing. She will soar above them all! 8. The Buckeye State - A germ of future empire, marching right ahead in the road of prosperity. She will not be turned aside from the high destiny that awaits her. 9%. Our Canals and Public Improvements - If such things be done in the green tree, what will be done in the dry? 10. The Late Meeting at

At the conclusion of the regular toasts, volunteer toasts were offered by Benjamin Rouse, Esq.. of Richfield ; Gen. Samuel D. Harris, of Ravenna; Hiram Bowen. Esq., editor of the Beacon. Akron ; Dr. Joseph Cole, Akron : Col. Justus (vale. Akron ; Maj. Ithiel Mills. Akron ; Col. Erastus Torrey. Akron; Capt. Philo Chamberlin, Akron ; John Hunsberger. Esq.. of (rreen : Dr. Jedediah D. Commins. Akron ; Julius A. Sumner. of Springfield : Robert K. Dubois, Akron ; Col. James W. Phillips, Akron: Dr. Asa Field, Akron. and others. These sentiments" would, no doubt. be interesting to the readers of these pages, but are altogether in this chapter. In the evening, a convivial party partook of a very fine supper at the Ohio Exchange (present site of Woods Block. corner of Main and Market streets), and, says the local reporter, 'the day was closed without accident or other untoward circumstance to mar the festivities. amid bonfires and every demonstration of joy. The 4th of March, 1840. will long be remembered in Akron!"

In accordance with the provisions of the bill to organize the new county. an election for county officers was held on the first Monday of April. 1840. both Whigs and Democrats placing tickets in the field. the Whigs securing the ascendency, and electing their entire ticket as follows :

The Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas. was at that time appointed by the Judges of the Court ; the Judges, in turn, being appointees of the Legislature. The offices of Probate known among the County officials of Ohio. Having given the requisite notice, the Commissioners elect, Messrs Hoy. Starr and Foote. met, according to the record. at " McDonald's Tavern," northeast corner of Main and Exchange streets (a portion of the same building still remains standing in the same site), on the the county offices. The Commissioners having had the usual oath of office administered to thera by the one of Justices of the Peace of Portage Township, one of their number administered a similar oath to the other officers elect, and the organization of the county was complete.

justice. and the erection of county buildings. were received from Jacob Brown. Esq.. for May's Block, corner of Main and Exchange streets. now the Clarendon Hotel. owned by F. Schumacher. Esy.: Benjamin W. Stephens. Esq.. for his three-story brick block on South Main street, now part ot Merrill's Pottery, and from Hiram Payne. Esq.. the large three-story stone block. corner Howard and Market streets. on the site now occupied by the fine brick stores of M. W. Henry. Esq.. and Major FE. Steinbacher.

At a subsequent meeting of the Commissioners, held on the 11th day of May. the propositionof Mr. Payne was accepted the large room in the third story. afterward for several years known as " Military Hall." being used as a court-room,. with entrance from Market street. the southeast corner of the hall being partitioned off for a jail. the county ottices being located in other portions of the second and third stories of the building.

poses, but also to be considerably nearer "to the geographical center of the county than Akron was ; and also claiming for that village superior healthfulness, and a more advantageous location for the building-up of a large manufacturing town or city, while the completion of the Pennsylvania & Qhio Canal, then about to be opened through from Akron to the Ohio

At that time. too, " The Portage Canal and Manutacturing Company." of 3500.000, was in the full tide of " prospective" prosperity. The managers of that corporation claimed that on the consummation of their project of bringing the entire waters of the Big Cuyahoga River. through the race they were then constructing, to "Summit City," now known under the chaste and classical name of the * Chuckery." just north of the present limits of the city of Akron, and one of its most pleasant suburbs. a great manufacturing town a second Lowell - would immediately spring into existence. As © compromise, therefore, between Akron and Cuyahoga Falls. as well as in its own behalf. and in the interests of the people of the county at large, the ~ Chuckery " put in its claim tor the location of the seat of justice of the new county within its borders. and. through its officers. urged the advantages of the location upon the attention of the Commissioners.

After visiting and tully exumining the several localities named. and patiently listening to the arguments of the several claimants. pro and con. the Commissioners clecided unanimously in favor of Akron, and accordingly proceeded. in the presence of a large concourse of interested the county buildings upon the * gore' (where they still stand). then a wedge- shaped piece of unplatted land between North and South Akron, belonging to Gen. Simon Perkins. of Warren, the father of our present venerable fellow- citizen. Col. Simon Perkins. of Akron.

in their favor, and as the buildings had been located upon neutral ground. about as inconvenient to the one as to the other, local jealousies were for the time being subordinated to the common weal, and the people of the two the gore-y chasm." set themselves vigorously and unanimously at work to raise the necessary amount of money and materials to construct the public buildings. which, together with the grounds, were to be provided free of expense to the tax-payers of the county. The land was donated by Gen. Perkins, by deed received by the Commissioners, July 14, 1840. and the building fund was raised by voluntary

Perkins. Jr., and others. as Trustees, on the 24th day of September, 1840. The sub-contractors. Maj. [thiel Mills. of Akron, upon the court house, and Sebbens Saxton. of Norton. upon the jail. commenced work at once, the fight for the location of the seat of justice within the limits of that enterprising village, there was very little if any opposition made to his nomination and election by the people of Akron. for the reason that it was supposed that, the location having been legally and fairly made, and the public buildings commenced, a ;finality could not be disturbed. of Senator Sill, however. aided largely by the same interests. if not the same men, that had opposed the erection of the new county the year before, the question of location was reopened, during the winter of 1840-41, Summit County's Representative in the House, Hon. Henry G. Weaver. of Springfield, making a vigorous but unsuccessful opposition against the scheme. The following is the new act in relation to the matter :

Highland County. Valentine Winters, of Montgomery County, and William Kendall, of Scioto County, be, and they are. hereby appointed Commissioners to review the seat of justice of Summit County; and if. in their opinion, the public interest requires It, t» relocate said seat of justice at such point in said j illages, cordially ~ ; | county of Summit as they may deem most in ac- " " g | : . . . ee! pcordially slaking bands across | cordance with the public interest and convenience;

Sec. 2. That if the above-named Commissioners shall. upon review. change the location of said county seat. all subscriptions of money and land, and all bonds shall be void which have been made to the County Commissioners of said Summit County. and which were conditioned upon the location of the county seat at its present location: and all sums of money or other property, if any, which may have been paid on account of said subscriptions to the Commissioners of said Summit County, shall be repaid by the Commissioners to the said subscribers having so paid the same: or if said money or other property has been expended by said Commissioners according to law. the same shall be repaid, as above, out of the subscriptions provided for in the third section of this act: and the property for which said expenditures may have been made shall be appropriated by said Commissioners toward erecting the county buildings of said county where the county seat shall be relocated.

erecting county buildings for said Summit County, and said Committee of review, hereby appointed. shall relocate said county seat only upon condition that said county buildings xhall be erected by such subscriptions at the place where said committee shall so relocate.

Sec. 4. That each of said Commissioners shall receive the sum of $3 for each day he may be employed in the discharge of his duties under this act. and 33 for each twenty miles travel in going to and returning from the seat of justice of said county. to be paid out of the treasury of said county.

The reviewing Commissioners. Messrs. Hoagland, Winters and Kendall. came upon the ground early in the summer of 1841. After examining the several localities named. they resolved themselves into a high court of inquiry, at the stone church - then Universalist. now Baptist - on North High street, when the claims of the different points were exhaustively argued before them by the following gentlemen. viz.: Hon. R. P. Spalding. for Akron; Hon. B. N. Sill, for Cuyahoga Falls, and Dr. E. W. Crittenden, for Summit City: the church, throughout, being crowded to its utmost capacity by the anxious, and, at times, demonstrative, backers of the respective speakers. After : listening to the able and eloquent addresses | from the gentlemen named, and "sleeping over | it" during an intervening night, the committee | proceeded the next morning to the " chuckery," and, upon the first narrow bench of level land north of the Little Cuyahoga River, at a point about where the house of Mr. R. A. Grimwood now stands, commenced measuring off the ground and formally sticking the stakes for the county buildings, in the presence of a large crowd of interested, as well as indignant spectators. While thus engaged. Dr. Daniel Upson, of Tallmadge, who, though living and having large property interests somewhat nearer to Cuyahoga Falls than Akron. rather favored the latter place. rode up from the direction of Bettes' Corners. After watching the proceedings for a

The bluff old Doctor's indignant remark so aroused the ire of the majority of the Commissioners, already probally somewhat prejudiced against Akron. that they forthwith gathered up their locating paraphernalia and drove straighv to Cuyahoga Falls, where they struck the stakes for the county buildings. on the very handsome site now occupied by the Congregational Church, on the south side of Broad street, ane between Broad and Second streets east and west.

sioners appointed by the Legislature to review and locate the seat of justice of Summit County, having returned-to the office of the Clerk of this Court their joint report, and William Kendali, the other Commissioner, having returned to the Clerk of this Court his separate report. this day George Kirkum. Esq., a citizen and Prosecuting Attorney for said county, presented the same reports to the Court, and moved that the report of said Hoagland and Winters be filed and entered of record. Whereupon, the Commissioners of said county of Summit appear by their attorney and object to the filing and entering of said reports of record, for various reasons by them set forth, and the parties were heard by counsel, and the Court, being equally divided in opinion: It is ordered that the said George Kirkum, Esq,, take nothing by his said motion.

The Court being thus divided as to the legality of the proceedings, and the County Commissioners also being divided in opinion on the same subject, Commissioner Foote favoring the majority report, and Messrs. Starr and Hoy the minority report, the county officers also assuming the prerogative of deciding, each for himself, where his office should be kept, Auditor

Booth establishing his headquarters at Cuyahoga Falls, and Treasurer O'Brien having his main office at the Falls, though maintaining a branch office in Akron, no further action was had in regard to the public buildings, the work already commenced in Akron remaining tn statu quo until the following year.

At the October election, in 1841. the countyseat question being the issue, Rufus P. Spalding and Simon Perkins, Jr.. were elected to the Legislature, Summit County that year being entitled to two members of the House, Representatives, under the old constitution, being elected annually. instead of biennially, as now. Senators. then, as now, being elected for two years. Mr. Sill of course held his position during the session of 1841-42. Messrs. Spalding and Perkins, the following pill, submitting the question to popular vote. was enacted, the filibustering tactics to retard and defeat it being much less determined and persistent in the House than upon the original bill for the erection of the new county, but vigorously opposed in the Senate, the vote standing, in the House. yeas, 45: nays, 19; and in the Senate. yeas. 20; nays. 16, on the final passage of the bill. as follows :

An Act To Establish Permanently The Seat Of

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio: That the qualitied electors of Suminit County shall be authorized to express their preference for cither Akron. or Cuyahoga Falls, as the seat of justice for said county, by placing on their tickets. at the township elections, to be held on the first Monday of April next, the words: "Seat of Justice at Akron." or. "Seat of Justice at Cuyahoga Falls."' as their choice may he: and it shall be the duty of the Trustees or Judges of the Election. in the several townships in said county, to make return of the said votes in regard to the seat of justice within three days thereafter to the Clerk of the thenceforward the permanent seat of justice for said county of Summit; but if neither shall receive such majority, then, and in that case, the subject shall remain open for the future action of the General Assembly.

to the Court of Common Pleas of said county. next to be held after the said election, an abstract of said votes, duly certitied, that the same may be entered upon the journal of said court.

Sec. +. Nothing herein contained shall be so construed, as to release, or in any way discharge any subscription of land. money, or materials heretofore made, for the purpose of erecting a court house and as the permanent seat of justice for said county.

James J. Faran

eering campaign immediately commenced. the different parties in interest holding meetings. making speeches, circulating documents, etc.. in every portion of the county. the activity and bitterness of a modern political campaign being moderation and mildness itself compared |

To the THonoruble, the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Summit, next to be holden in and for said connty: Ido hereby certify that the following is the abstract of votes given for the seat of justice of xaid county. at the election held on the tirst Monday of April. 1842. pursuant to an act of the General Assembly entitled "an act to establish permanently the seat of Justice for Summit County," passed March 2, 1842, as the same were returned to me by the township authorities, respectively, and as the same were canvassed: ax witness my band and seal of office, this sixth day of April A. D. 1822.

passed by the Fortieth General Assembly of the State of Ohio, entitled 'An act to establish permanently the seat of justice of Summit County'' there were two thousand, nine hundred and seventy-eight votes given for the ''seat of justice at Akron;'' one thousand, three hundred and eighty-four votes given for the "seat of justice at Cuyahoga Falls;'' one hundred and one votes given for the "'seat of justice at Summit,"' two votes "North Akron'' and twenty-two blanks. ~ H. H. Jonnson, Justice of the Peace. L. L. Howard. Justice of the Peace. Lecran SwiFt, Clerk of Court of Common Pleazs for Summit County. Apri. 6, A. D. 1842:

Abstract Of Votes

The 'vexed question " of location being now dletinitely settled, the public buildings were again proceeded with; though, building operations not being conducted as rapidly then as now, they were not completed until late in the following year, as will be seen by the following extract from the proceedings of the County Commissioners, under date December 5, 1843:

Dec. 5, 1848. Simon Perkins, Jr., Jedediah D. Commins and Richard Howe, the trustees for building the court house and jail, and Ithiel Mills, the court house contractor, submitted the court house for inspection of the board for their acceptance.

Dec. 6. Having examined the court house, the board proposed, as an offset to the general bad character of the work. which the building trustees ton, having died in August, 1841, on the final settlement of the question of location the contract was assumed by his younger brother, Mr. Harvey Saxton, and the structure completed by him. Though the jail was accepted by the Commissioners, and though, at the time, it was regarded as well built, and as really a model institution of its kind, it did not prove to be remarkably safe, as the very first batch of prisoners, some eight or nine in number, confined therein, made their escape the very first night, by pushing from the wall one of the blocks of stone of which it was composed. This defect was subsequently remedied by the improvements. Though the doweling of the walls has prevented the prisoners from pushing out the blocks of stone, as in the instance named, at least a score of escapes have since been effected through other weak spots. and. from the experience which the writer has had therewith, he unhesitatingly affirms that both in a sanitary point of view, as well as in the matter of safety and convenience, a new jail structure is an immediate and pressing public necessity. -

The court house, however, has been very materially changed. The two wings, with the porch and sustaining columns in front, have been added upon the west end. and the smaller porch upon the east end, while the court-room and public offices have been correspondingly

_ the north side of the hall, upon the ground ' floor. is now occupied by the County Treasurer, : greatly to the convenience of that officer, as

- having originally been divided up into a grand _ jury room upon the west, the Sheriff's office upon the east, with the Treasurer's office in the

On the south side of the hall the Probate Judge formerly occupied the room upon the east end, now occupied by the Sheriff, the entire space now occupied by the Auditor's and Commissioner's offices having been originally about equally divided between the Auditor, Clerk and Recorder. On the upper floor, a stairway, ante-room and jury-room, occupying about twelve feet of the east end of the building, have been thrown into the court-room, greatly to the convenience of the court and bar and all persons having business therein. The upper floor of the north wing is devoted toa jury-room and a consultation-room, and the lower floor to the joint use of the Recorder and Surveyor, while the upper floor of the south wing is occupied by the County Clerk, and the lower floor by the Probate Judge. Notwithstanding these improvements, taking increase of population and a corresponding increase of the public business, the present structure - to say nothing of its yearly increasing condition of dilapidation - is wholly inadequate to the public requirements, and Summit County cannot do itself a more important service than by immediately inaugurating a movement for the erection of a new court house - one that will not only be commensurate with the public necessities, but a credit, also, to the proverbial good taste and public spirit of its people.

On the 5th day of March. 1851, Hosea Paul and others presented to the County Commissioners a numerously signed petition for the creation of the township of Cuyahoga Falls, and the board, being satisfied that the proper preliminary steps had been taken, unanimously

The township of Middlebury was also, in like manner. erected in March, 1857, the necessary territory being taken from Portage, Tallmadge, Springfield and Coventry. Subsequently, the township of Middlebury became, by legal annexation, the Sixth Ward of the city of Akron. though still retaining a distinctive township organization, to the extent of electing twelve counties, with three Associate Judges for . each county, all of whom were appointed by | the Legislature, their respective terms of office .

being seven years, "if so long they behave cell." All Probate business was at that time transacted by Common Pleas Courts. one or more of the Associate Judges officiating for that purpose, as occasion required, during vacation. Summit County on its organization became a part of the Third Judicial Circuit, embracing, as reconstructed under the act of April 11, Ashtabula, Trumbull, Portage and Summit. Hon. Van R. Humphrey. ot Hudson, was the Presiding Judge of the Circuit on the accession of Summit thereto. Hon. Eben Newton. of Canfield, then in Trum-

Humphrey at the expiration of his term in 1844. Judge Newton resigned his position on the bench in the winter of 1846-47, and was succeeded by Hon. Benjamin F. Wade, of Jefferson, Ashtabula County, who in turn resigned on being elected to the United States Senate March 15.

' 1851, Gov. Reuben Wood filling the vacancy by ' the appointment of Hon. George Bliss. of Akron, ' who held the position only until the ee _ effect of the new constitution in Februar vy. 1852

The first term of the Court of Common Pleas for the new county of Summit, convened in Akron on the 2d day of July, 1840, presided over by Hon. Van R. Humphrey. with Hon. Robert K. Dubois, of Akron, Hon. Charles Sumner. of Middlebury, and Hon. Hugh R. Caldwell, of Franklin. as Associate Judges : though considerable probate and other business, proper to be transacted in vacation, had previously been done by one or the other of the Associate Judges.

In 1845, Judges Sumner and Dubois deceased, the former June 19 and the latter October 14. B. Clark, of Hudson. and Hon. James R. Ford, of Akron ; Hon. Sylvester H. Thompson, of Hudson, in turn succeeding Judge Clark, on the resignation of the latter in 1846.

Hoy, of Franklin, in April, 1847. Hon. Samuel A. Wheeler, of Akron, also succeeding Judge Ford on the death of the latter gentleman. at the April term in 1849.

Judge Wheeler resigning his position on leaving for California in the spring of 1850, Hon. Peter Voris, of Bath. was appointed his successor ; Judges Thompson, Hoy and Voris serving thenceforth until the taking effect of the new constitution in February. 1852. Though none of the Associate Judges named were bred lawyers, their duties, often delicate and intricate, were discharged to the general satisfaction ot the people of the county during their respective terms of service.

On the taking effect of the new constitution. in 1852, Summit County was attached to the Second Subdivision of the Fourth Judicial District of the State. this subdivision embracing Summit, Medina and Lorain Counties. Hon. Samuel Humphreville, of Medina, was elected Common Pleas Judge.in October. 1851, for five years, serving his tul term. Hon. James &. Carpenter, of Akron, was elected Judge in October. 1856, also serving his full term of five years.

There appearing to be an excess of business upon the dockets of the several counties of the subdistrict, on petition of the members of the bar of said counties, an extra judgeship was created for said subdistrict, by an act passed by the Legislature in April. 1858. Hon. William H. Canfield, ot Medina. was elected to said extra Judgeship in October, 1858, for five years. Legal business becoming largely diminished, in the earlier years of the war. the extra judgeship was abolished, at the close of Judge Canfield's term. by an act of the Legislature, passed April 16, 1862. Hon. Stephenson Burke, uf Elyria, was elected as Judge Carpenter's successor in October, 1861, and re-elected in 1866, but resigned the position and retired from the bench, about two years before the expiration of his second term.

fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge Burke, and at the expiration 'of the time for which he was appointed, in October, 1871, was elected for five years. from May, 1872, serving, besides the fraction of Judge to this new Judgeship, in October, 1870, serving to the end of his term, and declining to be a candidate for a second term. Hon. Newell D. Tibbals, of Akron. as Judge McClure's successor,

: was elected in October, 1875, for five years, from May, 1876. and re-elected for a second term in | October, 1880. Hon. John C. Hale. of Elyria. | as Judge Boynton's successor, on the latter's accession to the Supreme Bench, was elected in October, 1876. taking his seat upon the bench in May, 1877, for the term of five years.

generally, and particularly. a very great improvement over the old system, though still very far from perfect. the manner in which its functions have been performed by the several successive Judges of the Second Subdivision of the Fourth Judicial District. hold a commanding rank in the judicial proceedings of Ohio. or any sister State.

As heretofore mentioned, up to the adoption of the new constitution. in 1851, the probate business of the State had been done by the Common Pleas Courts. Charles G. Ladd. of Akron, was elected Probate Judge of Summit County, in October 1851. for the term of three years. Judge Ladd's health failing soon after his election to the office. Alvin C. Voris, Esq., was appointed as his Deputy Clerk, and. for the most part. performed the functions of the office until the next annual election, and until his successor was elected and qualified. Constant Bryan, of Akron, was electec in October, 1852, for the balance of Judge Ladd's term. two years. Noah M. Humphrey, of Richfield, was elected in 1854, and re-elected in 1857. holding the position two full terms, of three yearseach. William M. Dodge. of Akron, was elected in October, ° was, on the 24th day of July, 1861, appointed and commissioned as Judge Dodge's successor, by Gov. William Dennison, but declined to accept the honor Asahel H. Lewis, of Akron, on petition of himself and friends, was then appointed to fill the vacancy until the next general election. Stephen H. Pitkin, of Hudson, was elected in October, 1861, for the balance of Judge Dodge's term, two years ; re-elected in 1863, and again in 1866, holding the office elected in October, 1869, and re-elected in 1872, serving two full terms of three years each. Samuel C. Williamson, of Akron, elected in October. 1875, and re-elected in 1878.

and was re-appointed at the first regular session of said court, July 2, 1840; Clerks at that time being appointed by the Judges of the courts in which they were to serve, instead of being elected by the people, as now. Mr. Spalding held the office, his brother-in-law, Mr. Lucian Swift. acting as his deputy, until December 14. 1840, when, tendering his resignation as Clerk pro tem., Mr. Swift was appointed Clerk for the term of seven years, resigning his office ten days before the expiration of his term. on the 3d day of December, 1847. Lueius 8. Peck, of Akron, appointed to fill the only. OstOber 1854. and re-elected in 1857, serving two full terms. John A. Means, of Northfield, was elected in October, 1860, for three years. In 1861. Clerk Means entered the army, the duties of the office being performed by his son, Mr. Nathan A. Means, during the remainder of the term. Charles Rinehart, of Franklin, elected in October, 1863, and _ reelected in 1866, serving two full terms of three years each. Capt. John A. Means was again elected in October, 1864, serving a single term | only. George W. Weeks,-of Copley, was elected in October, 1872, and re-elected in 1875, serv- ' ing two full terms. Sumner Nash, of Akron, | elected in October, 1878, for three years from ! February, 1879. William M. Dodge, of Akron, was elected | Prosecuting Attorney at the first election for | county officers held in the new county, in | April, 1840, and re-elected in October of the same year for two years. George Kirkum, of | Akron, was elected in October, 1842, serving a | single term of two years only. William S. C. | Otis, of Akron, was elected in October, 1844, also serving but one term. Samuel W. Mc- Clure, of Cuyahoga Falls, was elected in October, 1846, serving but a single term. William H. Upson, of Akron, was elected in October, 1848. holding the position but two years. Harvey Wheedon, of Hudson, was elected in October. 1850, also retiring at the end of two years. Sidney Edgerton, of Akron. was elected in October, 1852, and re-elected in 1854, holding the office four years. Henry McKinney. of Cuyahoga Falls, was elected in October. 1856. and re-elected in 1858. N. D. Tibbals. of Akron, was elected in October, 1860. and reelected in 1862. Mr. Tibbals going into the 100-days service in 1864. E. P. Green was appointed, and served as Prosecuting Attorney

'ad interim. Edward Oviatt. of Akron. was ; elected in October, 1864. and re-elected in 1866. , Jacob A. Kohler. of Akron, was elected in Oc-

Henry C. Sanford, of Akron, was elected in October. 1872, retaining the office but a single term. James M. Poulson, of Akron. was elected in . October, 1874, holding the position but a single term. Hdward W. Stuart, of Akron. was elected in October, 1876, and re-elected in 1878. serv- Charles Baird. of Akron, | was elected in October, 1S8v.

Thomas Wilson, of Northfield. was elected Sheriff in April, 1840. to serve until the next annual election; was re-elected in October. 1840, and again in 1842, serving. in all, four years and seven months, notwithstanding the constitutional provision that no Sheriff shall serve more than four years, in any consecutive in 1846. William L. Clarke, of Middlebury, elected in October, 1848; re-elected in 1850. Dudley Seward, of Tallmadge, elected in October, 1852; re-elected in 1854. Samuel A. Lane, of Akron, elected in October, 1856, and possession of their offices on the first Monday of January instead of the first Monday of November, after their election, so that the constitution was again "fractured" by this incumbent holding the office four years and two months, though supposed to have been mended

1860 ; re-elected in 1862. James Burlison. of Middlebury, elected in October. 184 ; re-elected in 1866. in October, 1868. and re-elected Levi J. McMurray, of Franklin. elected in October. 1872; and re-elected in 1874. A. Lane, after an interregnum of sixteen years. then sixty-one years of age. was again elected Sheriff in October. 1876. and re-elected in 1878, holding the position, in all. eight years. a distinction accorded to no other incumbent of the office in the history of the county. William McKinney. of Twinsburg. elected in October. 1880.

until the next annual election. and re-elected in October. 1840. for the term of two years. Theron A. Noble, of Middlebury. elected in October. 1842; re-elected in 1844 and again in 1546. serving in all six years. Nathaniel W.

the County Commissioners appointed Mr. Crouse to fill the vacancy. to serve trom the 16th of February, 1863, till the first Monaay of the following September, Mr. Crouse resigning his position as Auditor on his accession to the treasurership. Sanford M. Burnham. of Akron, elected in October. 1862. Two weeks before the time fixed by law for taking possession. Mr. Burn-

(reorge W. Crouse. of Akron. elected in | _ October. 1858. and re-elected in 1860. Treasurer, Sullivan 8. Wilson, having resigned his office, sioners to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Auditor Crouse to take the treasurership. Mr. Burnham was successively | re-elected in 1864, 1866 and 1868. By act of | the Legislature, passed April 18, 1870, the time | for taking possession of the office was changed | from the first of March to the second Monday | of November, the then incumbents holding over

Hosea Paul, of Cuyahoga Falls, was appointed by the Commissioners to fill the va- | cancy occasioned by the resignation of Auditor ! Burnham, from October 9 until the second Tuesday in November, 1871; Mr. Burnham, the last time for three years, an act changing the term of service from two to three years. having been passed March 28. 1877, being in continuous service nine years: Aaron Wagoner, of Akron, elected in October. 1880. William O'Brien. of Hudson, was elected County Treasurer, April. 1840. to serve until years in October, 1840. dying before the expiration of his term. in February. 1842: George Y. Wallace. of Northfield. was appointed by the County Commissioners. February 15, 1842. to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Treasurer O'Brien; Milton Arthur, of Northfield. elected in October, 1842. re-elected in is44, and again in 1846: William H. Dewey, ot Akron, elected in October. 1848. holding the ottice for one term only ; Frederick Wadsworth. ot Akron, elected in October. 1850. also serving but a single term: Chester W. Rice, of Cuyahoga Falls, elected in October, 1852, one in October, 1854. and re-elected in 1856: Sul- S. Wilson. of Northampton, elected in October, 1858, and re-elected in 1860, resigning his office in February, 1503; Treasurers under the law. not taking possession of their offices until the first Monday in September (nearly a year) after their election ; (reorge W.

Crouse, of Akron, appointed by the Commissioners to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Treasurer Wilson, to serve from February 16, 1863, till the first Monday of the following September, a little over seven months; Israel E. Carter, of Akron, elected in October, 1862, and re-elected in 1864; Arthur L. Con-

[Norr. - Under the present State Constitution, County Treasurers, like Sheriffs, are prohibited from serving more than four years in any consecutive six years, a provision for which in October, 1843, and re-elected in 1846; Jared Jennings, of New Portage, was elected in October, 1849, serving one term only; Henry Purdy, of Springfield. was elected in October. 1852, and re-elected in 1855; Philip P. Bock, of Akron, elected in October, 1858, and _ reelected in 1861; James A. Lantz. of Akron. | elected in October, 1864, and re-elected in 1867 ; Grenville Thorp, of Bath, elected in October, 1870, and died before the expiration of his first term in February. 1872; Henry C. Viele. of Akron. appointed by the County Cominissioners to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death ot Recorder Thorp, to serve until the next annual election; George H. Payne, of Akron. elected in October, 1872, and re-elected in 1875; Albert A. Bartlett, of Akron, elected in October. 1878.

Russell H. Ashmun, of Tallmadge. was elected County Surveyor. in April. 1840, and again elected for a full term of three years, the following October: Peter Voris, of Bath, elected in October, 1843. serving one term only; Frederick also holding the office but one term; Dwight | Newton. of Akron. elected in October, 1849. for | one term only; Schuyler R. Oviatt, of Rich- | field. elected in October, 1852, for a single term |

1858, 1861, 1864 and 1867, dying in June, 1870, after continuously holding the office for nearly fifteen years ; Robert S. Paul, of Akron, appointed by the Commissioners to fill the

Hosea Paul, in June, 1870, and elected to the office in October of the same year; Jacob Mishler, of Springfield, elected in October, 1873, after qualifying, resigned without entering upon the duties of the office; Robert 8S. Paul. appointed by the Commissioners, February 3, 1874, to fill the vacancy, until the next annual election; John W. Seward, of Tallmadge, elected in October, 1874, serving a | single term of three years only ; Robert S. Paul, of Akron. elected in October, 1877, and reelected in 1880.

Elisha Hinsdale, of Norton. was elected ' County Coroner in April. 1840. and again in the following October for a full term of two _ years, and re-elected in 1842; Ithiel Mills. of - Akron. elected in October 1844, and re-elected _ in 1846; Joseph T. Holloway, of Cuyahoga Falls, elected in October, 1848. holding a single term only ; John Nash. of Middlebury. elected in October. 1850. re-elected in 1852. died September 7, 1853; Oliver E. Gross of Stow, elected in October I853. serving a single term only; | William L. Clarke. of Akron. elected in Octo- | ber, 1855, serving but one term; Noah Inger- | soll, of Coventry. elected in October. 1857. and | re-elected in 1859: Joseph T. Holloway. of Cuyahoga Falls. elected in October, 1861. holding as before. but a single term: Porter G. | Somers, of Cuyahoga Falls, elected in October, 1863, re-elected in 1865, and by reason of a lapse in the election of that officer, in 1867. holding over until the election of his successor in 1868 ; | Oliver E. Gross. of Stow. elected in October. 1868, and re-elected in 1870: Middlebury. elected in October. 1872. and successively re-elected in 1874. 1876. 1878, arid 1880.

The following gentlemen have served as County Commissioners - Augustus KE. Foote, | of Twinsburg, from April. 1840, to December, 1843 ; Jonathan Starr, of Copley. 1840, 'to December, 1844 ; John Hoy. of Franklin, from April, 18.0, to December, 1845; Mills Thompson, of Hudson. from December, 1843. to December, 1849; James W. Weld, of Richfield, from December, 1844, to December, 1853 ; Henry G. Weaver, of Springfield. from Decem-

| ber, 1845, to December, 1851 ; Edwin Wetmore, of Stow, from December, 1849, to December, 1858 ; Hiram Weston, of Middlebury, from December, 1851, to December, 1854; James <A. Metlin. of Norton, from December, 1853: to December, 1856; Ambrose W. Bliss, of Northfield. from December, 1854, to December, 1860 : ber. 1856. to December, 1862 ; John McFarlin, of Bath. from December, 1858. to December. 1861 : cember. 1860. to March, 1866. when he resigned ; George Buel. of Akron. from December, 1861, to May. 1864. when he resigned : David E. Hill. of Middlebury. from December. December. 1868 ; (reorge D. Bates. of Akron. appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Buel. from May. December. 186+: Sidney P. Conger. of Boston. appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Nelson Upson. from May. 1864, to December. 1866: John McFarlin. of from December. 1864. to December. 1867 ; John C. Johnston. ot Northampton. from December.

Cuyahoga Falls. from December. 1867. cember. 1870: Orson M. Oviatt. of Richfield. from December. 1862. John Hill, of Norton. trom December. 187). to December. 1879 ; (zeorge W. Crouse. of Akron, from December. 1872. to December. 1875 : Giles L''Hommedieu, of Cuyahoga Falls. from December. 1874. to December, 1877 : William Sisler, of Akron. elected in October. 1875. reelected in October, Stow, elected in October, 1877. and re-elected in October. 1880: Hiram Hart. of Richfield, elected in October. 1879.

field. elected October. 1840. term, one year ; Rufus P. Spalding and Simon Perkins, of Akron, elect-' in October. 1841, for one year ; Amos Seward. of Tallmadge, elected in October, 1842, for one year : Middlebury. and Augustus EK. Foote. of Twinsburg, elected in October, 1843. for one year: (reorge Kirkum, of Akron, elected in October. 1844. for one vear: Hiram Bowen, of Akron, elected in October, 1845. for one year; Alex-

' James A. Garfield, of Portage County, elected ' in October, 1859, for two years; Lucius V. Harvey B. Spelman, of Akron, elected in Octo- -

1867, for two years; Alfred Wolcott, of Boston, elected in October, 1869. for two years ; Sanford M. Burnham. of Akron. elected in October. 1871.

but died before the expiration of his term, in 1877: Hiram H. Mack, of Bath, again elected in October. 1877, for two years; John Hill, of Norton. and Leonidas 8. Ebright, of Akron, elected in October, 1879, for two years.

County. in the winter of 1839-40; Elisha N. Sill. of Cuyahoga Falls, elected in October, 1840, for two years ; John E. Jackson, of Portage County, elected in October, 1842, for two

October, 1844, for two years ; Asahel H. Lewis, of Portage County, elected in October, 1846, for two years ; Lucian Swift, of Akron, elected

Bierce, of Akron, elected in October, 1861, for two years; Luther Day, of Portage County, elected in October, 1863, but, being placed in nomination as a Judge of the Supreme Court, in 1864, resigned his position as State Senator ; Alphonso Hart, of Portage County, elected in October, 1864, for one year, to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Senator Day ; Newell for two years; Philo B. Conant, of Portage County, elected in October, 1867, for two years, but resigned after serving one year; William Stedman, of Portage County, elected in Octo- | ber, 1868, for one year, to fill vacancy ; Henry | McKinney, of Akron, elected in October, 1869, for two years; Alphonso Hart, of Portage | County, elected in October, 1871, for two years ; | Nathaniel W. Goodhue, of Akron, elected in October, 1873, for two years ; Marvin Kent, of Portage County, elected in October, 1875, for | two years; David Duncan Beebe, of Hudson, © elected in October. 1877, and re-elected in Oc- | tober, 1879 - the first successive re-election of - an incumbent of that office in the district. Following the county officers and Representa- | tives, it is not inappropriate to mention the | names of those who have been called to repre- | sent our county ina still higher stations of the public service. Of these higher dignitaries, we . wili notice, first, our Representatives in Congress. Summit County has been represented in the | Lower House of the National Legislature. in - common with other counties associated with her in Congressional Districts, as follows: In | 1840, Fifteenth District, composed of Cuya- | hoga, Portage, Summit, Medina and Lorain - | Hon. Sherlock J. Andrews, of Cuyahoga, Whig, | oneterm. In 1842-44, Nineteenth District,com- | posed of Trumbull, pari of Mahoning, Portage and Summit - Hon. Daniel R. Tilden, of Portage. | Whig, two terms. In 1846-48, Nineteenth Dis- | trict, same counties as above - Hon. John Crow. | ell, of Trumbull, Whig, two terms. In 1850, | Nineteenth District, same as above - Hon. Eben | Newton, of Mahoning, Whig, one term. In | | {

/ terms. In 1858-60, Eighteenth District, same dent. In 1860. Eighteenth District, same as as above - Hon. Sidney Edgerton, of Summit. above, Hon. William K. Upham. of Stark, Re-

_ Republican, twoterms. In 1862-64-66. Eight- publican - voted for Abraham Lincoln. of Illieenth District. composed of Lake, Cuyahoga nois. for President, and Hannibal Hamlin. of and Summit - Hon. Rufus P. Spalding, of Cuy- Maine. for Vice President. In 1864. Eightahoga, Republican, three terms. In 1868-70. centh District. composed of Cuyahoga, Lake Eighteenth District. same as above - Hon. Will- and Summit Counties. Hon. Seth Marshall. of iam H. Upson. of Summit, Republican. two Lake. Republican - yvoted for Abraham Lincoln. terms. In 1872-74-76-78. Eighteenth District. of Illinois. for President. and Andrew Johnson. composed of Lorain, Medina. 'Warne and Sum- of Tennessee. for Vice President. In 1868. Eighmit - Hon. James Monroe. of Lorain. Repub- teenth District. same as above. Hon. Stephen H. lican, four terms. In 1880. Eighteenth Dis- Pitkin. of Summit, Republican - voted for Ulystrict, same as above - Hon. Addison 8. Me- ses S. Grant. of Illinois. for President. anc Clure. of Wayne. Republican. Schuyler Colfax. of Indiana. for Vice President.

Since the organization. in April. 1840. Sum- In 1872. Fighteenth District. composed of Summit County has been associated. Congression- mit. Wayne. Medina and Lorain Counties. Hon. ally, in various combinations. with Cuyahoga. John R. Buchtel. of Summit. Republican - Lake. Portage. Trumbull. part of Mahoning. voted for Ulysses 8. Grant for President. and Stark. Wayne. Medina and Lorain Counties. Henry Wilson. of Massachusetts. for Vice Presand in Districts Fifteen. Eighteen and Nine- ident. In 1876. Eighteenth District. same as teen. In each of the twelve Presidential elec- above. Hon. Samuel (+. Barnard. of Medina. Retions which have been held. the district to publican - voted for Rutherford B. Hayes. of which Summit County was for the time being Ohio. for President. and William A. Wheeler. attached. was represented in the Electoral Col- of New York. tor Vice President. In 1880v. lege by the following-named gentlemen. the po- Eighteenth District. same as above. Hon. Nalitical party by which thev were elected. and thaniel W. (roodhue. of Summit. Republican - the candidates for President and Vice President yoted tor Jaines A. (rarfield. of Ohio. for Prestor whom they severally voted. also being des- ident. and Chester \. Arthur. of New York. tor ignated: In 1840, Fitteenth District. composed Vice President. of Cuyahoga. Portage. Summit. Medina and William =. C. Otis. Esq.. of Akron. was Summit Lorain. Hon. David King. of Medina. Whig - County's representative to the State Constituvoted for William Henry Harrison, of Ohio. for tional Convention of 1850. The convention President. and John Tyler. of Virginia. for Vice met on the 6th day of May. 1850, in Columbus. President. In 1844. Nineteenth District.com- July 9, adjourned to meet in Cincinnati on the posed of Trumbull. part of Mahoning. Portage first Monday in December. The convention and Summit Counties. Hon. Jacob H. Baldwin. of completed its labors and adjourned sine die Trumbull, Whig - voted for Henry Clay. of Ken? Mareh 10,1851. The constitution was adopted tucky, forPresident. and Theodore Frelinghuy- for twenty vears at a special election held on sen. of New York, for Vice President. In 1848. the 21st day of June. 1851. the vote of Sum- Nineteenth District.same counties asabove,Hon. mit County standing 2,025 "for" and 2.013 John Caldwell, of Trumbull, Demo .t - voted against." being a majority of twelve only in

; for Lewis Cass, of Michigan, for President, and its favor. (Gen. Alvin C. Voris, of Akron, was William O. Butler, of Kentucky. for Vice Pres- the Summit County member of the Ohio Constiident. In 1852, Eighteenth District. composed = stitutional Convention of 1873. The convention of Portage, Snmmit and Stark Counties. Hon. met in the House of Representatives, in Colum- business, the convention adjourned on the 3d day of February, 1874. The new constitution, as presented by the convention, though regarded by many of the most intelligent people of the State as a great improvement upon the constitution of 1850, was rejected by the people of Ohio at a special election held August 18, 1874, the vote of Summit County standing 2.112 " for' and 2,774 "against," being a negative majority of 662.

county had been provided for in the temporary quarters leased for the purpose. but altogether inadequate for the proper accommodation and care of that unfortunate portion of our population. On the 12th day of January. 1849. the County Commissioners, Messrs. Mills Thompson. of Hudson, James W. Weld, of Richfield, and Henry (+. Weaver, of Springfield. purchased the McCune farm. one mile west of the corporate limits of Akron. consisting of 147 49-100 -

On the 21st day of January. 1849. the County Commissioners contracted with Myr. Leander Starr. of Hudson, tor the erection of the necessary buildings for the accommodation of the poor of the county for the sum of 31.- 958. the work to be completed by the Ist day of July of the same year. the dwelling-house already upon the premises being devoted to the use of the Superintendent of the Infirmary and his assistants. Mr. Starr's job was finished on time. and formally accepted July 10. 1849. with an allowance. in addition to the contract price. of 38 for extra labor.

On the 11th day of July, 1849. the Comnmissioners appointed Messrs. Roswell Kent. of Middlebury. Avery Spicer, of Coventry. and Lucius V. Bierce. of Akron. as the first regularly constituted Board of Directors tor the management of the farm and the care of the poor of the county. to hold their offices until the next ensuing Wctober election. The board organized by electing Roswell Kent. President. and L. V. Bierce. Clerk. and by the appointment of Abraham Sichley as Superintendent. Under the fostering care of these four gentlemen, aided by the County Commissioners, the | foundation was laid firm and broad for the sys- | tematic and liberal care of our poor, which, steadily growing and improving from year to i year, has made the Summit County Infirmary one of the very best local charitable institutions in the State.

The buildings originally provided, as above | stated. with sundry additions which had been made from time to time as necessity required, becoming considerably dilapidated and. as our population increased, altogether too straitened for the accommodation of the inmates, the County Commissioners and Infirmary Direct-

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio: That the County Commissioners of Summit County be. and they are hereby, authorized to build a County Infirmary for the use

_ of said county. at a cost not exceeding 816.000. upon such plan and in such manner as. in their opinion. will be conducive to the best interests of the county, und mike all contracts necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.

sec. 2. To anticipate the receipts which may come into the County Treasury by virtue of the tax levied under the authority of this act, said Commissioners are hereby authorized to temporarily transfer from moneys in the treasury of said county belonging to the railroad fund. not exceeding $5,000, and may also use, in the construction of said building, any unexpended money heretofore levied for building purposes in said county.

Sec. 3. That forthe purpose of providing money to defray the expenses of building said infirmary. and to re-imburse the money transferred from the railroad fund, so provided in Section 2 of this act, ~aid Commissioners are hereby authorized to increase the tax levy upon the taxable property of said county one half mill on the dollar in each of the vears 1864 and 1865. ; labor, was employed in the manufacture of brick, not only for the buildings in question, but to a considerable extent for market, several hundred thousand having been sold in and hauled to the city during 'the progress of the work, thus bringing the material for the work within comparatively low figures. The stone for the foundations, of a most durable quality, were quarried in the neighborhood, and bought by the perch, delivered upon the ground. The mechanical labor upon the foundation and walls was done gentleman being constituted general superintendent of the work by a vote of the board. January +, 1855. The building, being constructed upon the economical plan indicated.

the act authorizing its construction. though, by the application of home labor and material, the actual cost was in reality several thousand dollars more. It is of the following general description and dimensions: The main or central building, two stories high. exclusive of basement and attic. is 26x40 feet in size, fronting end to the north; two wings on either side. same height as main building. are each 25x32 feet. with a rear wing 30x32 feet. and a still further rear extension 30x36 feet, for the use of insane patients, and connected with the main rear wing by a covered hall. or archway. eight feet in width. The style of architecture is of a mixed order, approximating to Gothic. with brackets and five large dormer windows in the roof to light the capacious garret. The main building is entered from the north by a flight porch. The front hall is seven feet in width, with stairs leading to the second story and basement. un the right of the hall, on the ground floor, is the parlor. 15x20 feet, with bedroom, 10x12 feet, and store-room. 8x12 fect. On the left of the hall is the sitting-room. 15x20 feet, with bed-room, 12x12 feet, and two closets. each about six feet square.

seven foot hall and stairs, similar to the front hall. Each wing (first floor), contains two bedrooms, each 9x12 feet, on the north side of hall, and each a sitting-room, 12x2+ feet. for the use of the inmates on the south side of halls. The rear wing has, on the main floor, a dining-room, 14x16 feet, two bed-rooms, 8x9 feet ; pantry y;

6x9 feet, and kitchen. 15x18 feet, besides a | stairway 'extending from the basement to garret. In the basement of the entire structure. besides several commodious cellars for the storage of vegetables, fruits and other supplies. there are two dining-rooms, 12x36 feet each, kitchen, including pantry, , 16x28 feet, and washroom, 15x18 fect. In the second story. on either side of the hall, in main part. are sickrooms. each 15x20 feet : and in rear. extending into rear wing. two wards, each 13x20 feet. back of which are two 7x9-bed-rooms. with a 6x? feet linen closet. hall. stairway. ete. On the second floor of each side wing, there are five 9x12 feet bed-rooms, besides halls. stairways. etc. The attic is mainiy devoted to storage. drying clothes, etc., though within a few years past. an apartment has been partitioned! off andl fitted up therein for the use of ~ tramps" and other transient applicants for food and lodying. In the insane department. at the extreme rer, there are six cells, 5x8 feet. substantially buiit with heavily grated doors. The corridor. on either side. is lighted by three large windews. one oppusite each cell. the whole well ventilated, and as well supplied with sanitary conveniences as the insane habits of the inmates will adunit of.

The new infirmary building was not otficially accepted by the County Commissioners until the oth day of Mareh, 1366. though it was occupied and formally opened on the evening of

February 3 by a public supper. under the auspices of the Directors and Superintendent Frank T. Husong. A large number of invited guests - representative men and women - from every portion of the county were present. and all expressed themselves as greatly pleased with the building and its appointments, and the investment which had thus been made by them and their fellow-citizens, in the interest of h»onevolence and humanity. At the close of the supper, the guests organized by appointing George D. Bates, Esq.. Chairman. wien short approbatory speeches were made by Gen. A. C. Voris. William T. Allen. 8. A. Lane. Dr. E. W

Resolved, That the County Commissioners and Directors of the County Infirmary, together with those who have so faithfully aided ther in the undertaking, are entitled to the thanks of the citizens of Summit County, for the able manner in which they have planned and prosecuted to completion, the erection of an infirmary edifice, which is at once an ornament and an honor to the county, and a mark of the exalted humanity and liberality of its people.

Director Spicer and Commissioner Hill, duly appreciating the advantages of having an abundance of pure water in and about the infirmary buildings and grounds, entered into negotiations with Mr. James McAllister for the use of the surplus waters from the large spring in front of his residence on the Medina road. and directly north of the infirmary farm. The Directors proposed to properly inclose and protect the spring by a substantial stone house, with conveniences for using the water both by Mr. McAllister and the public, and to convey the surplus water by iron or leaden pipes across the furm of Mr. McAllister to the infirmary grounds and into the basement of the infirmary building. On visiting Mr. McAllister for the purpose of legally perfecting the arrangement, that gentleman receded from the terms that had been named. and seemingly acceded to, and | demanded a bonus of 3500 before signing any papers - a larger sum of money than Messrs. Hill and Spicer felt justified in paying for the privilege in question, especially in view of the large outlay that would be required in building the spring-house, and excavating for and laying the pipes for so long a distance, and the project was abandoned. In the meantime Mr. Spicer made a thorough examination of the infirmary farm itself, and on a high knoll some thirty or forty rods southeast of the new building. by digging a few feet only. struck a large spring of pure soft water, not only of sufficient abundance for the wants of the institution, but with sufficient head to carry the water one story higher in the building, while costing far less to fit it up and put in the pipes and fixtures, than the McAllister project would have done.

The Directors have from time to time, as their resources would admit of, besides erecting commodious barns and other outbuildings, beautified the grounds. laying them out into suitable inmates and attractive to visitors, while the farm, from the largely wild and uncultivated condition in which it was purchased, has be- | come one of the most tidy and productive farms in the county, and very largely profitable in the way of giving employment to that portion of its unfortunate inmates mentally and physically | able to perform manual labor, and through its annual products, rendering the institution |

As commodious and as ample as the infirm- | ary buildings erected in 1864-65-66 were supposed to be, they were found at the end of ten - years inadequate to the necessities of the county. | Accordingly, at the instance of the Board of Directors and the County Commissioners, Senator N. W. Goodhue and Representative | Hiram H. Mack, secured the passage of a special law authorizing the building of an addition to said infirmary buildings, the bill becoming a law on the 30th day of March, 18735, and reading as follows:

Infirmary, And To Borrow Money And Issue Bonds Therefor

SecTIon 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio: That the County Commissioners of Summit County be, and they hereby are, empowered and authorized to levy a tax of any amount they may deem necessary, not exceeding 310.000, upon the taxable property of said county, for the purpose of constructing and furnishing an addition to the County Infirmary of said county, to be collected by the County Treasurer upon the grand duplicate as other taxes, and to be paid out upon the order of the County Commissioners.

Sec. 2. That for the purpose of anticipating the collection of taxes provided for in the first section of this act, the said County Commissioners be, and they are hereby. authorized to borrow any sum. not exceeding $10,000, at a rate of interest not exceeding eight per cent, and to issue bonds therefor, pay able at. any time not exceeding two years from the date thereof, and to be sold for not less than their par value.

In accordance with the provisions of this law, a contract was entered into, on the 27th day of July, 1875, with Messrs. Derhamer, | Steese & Co., to erect a building upon the west | side, and attached to the west wing transversely, corresponding in general appearance to the © central building, for the sum of $7,294.37, with Jacob Snyder, Esq., as architect, at 34 per cent on the contract price, for his services in fur- according to contract, ina style and finish corresponding to the original structure, and is of ' the following dimensions: Entire size, 32x42 | feet. First floor divided as follows: Hall, 6x30 | feet ; hall for stairs, 7 feet 6 inches by 14 feet | feet 6 inches; bed-room. 12x13 feet 6 inches. and hall 6x30 feet. The completion of this fine improvement has enabled the Directors and Superintendent not only to more comfortably arrange and care for the ordinary number nificent public charity. In addition, the Directors last year (1880). caused to be erected a separate building for laundry and storage purposes,a few rods east of the rear wing. It is a substantial brick structure. 20x30 feet in size. First floor: Store-room. 10x16 feet ; washroom, 17 feet 6 inches by 18 feet, with boiler and other improved washing conveniences. Drying and laundry room, 18 The average number of inmates during the year 1880, was eighty-seven, though as usual, a large amount of outside assistance was afforded to the needy during inclement portions of the year.

After the purchase of the infirmary farm, the County Commissioners, as before stated, on the 11th day of July, 1849, appointed Roswell Kent, of Middlebury, Avery Spicer of Coventry, and Lucius V. Bierce, of Akron, as Infirmary Directors, to hold their offices until the next ensuing October election. The board organized by the election of Roswell Kent as President and Lucius V. Bierce as Clerk. From among the several applicants for the situation, Abraham Sichley, of Portage, was appointed Superintendent.

In October, 1849. the people of the county elected Timothy L. Miller, of Cuyahoga Falls. Roswell Kent, of Middlebury. and Gibbons J. Ackley, of Akron, Infirmary Directors for one, two and three years, respectively. Mr. Miller declining to serve, Avery Spicer, of Coventry. was appointed by the County Commissioners to fill the vacancy. President of the Board. Roswell Kent: Clerk. Gibbons J. Ackley : Abraham Sichley continued as Superintendent.

In October, 1850, Avery Spicer was elected for three years. Organization as before. Mr. Gibbons J. Ackley having died before the expiration of his term of office. Mr. Joseph E. Wesener. of Akron. was. on the 9th day of August, 1851, appointed by the Commissioners to fill the vacancy until the ensuing October election, Mr. Wesener also. by vote of the board. filling Mr. Ackley's position as Clerk of the Board. In October. 1851, Ira Hawkins. of Portage. was elected for three years. and (yeorge D. Bates, of Akron. for one year - the balance of the unexpired term of Mr. Ackley. deceased - Messrs. Kent and Wesener retiring Spicer. President: Bates. Clerk ; Sichley. Superintendent. In October. 1852. George D Bates, of Akron. was re-elected for three years. Organization same as before. In October. 1853. George Sherbondy. of Portage. was elected for three years. Mr. Spicer. retiring. Hawkins, President ; Bates, Clerk: Sichley. Superintendent. In October, 1854. Ira Hawkins. of Portage. was re-elected. Organization same as before. In March, 1855, Mr. William Chandler. of Akron, by vote of the board. succeeded Mr. Sichley as Superintendent of the Infirmary. In October, 1855. Charles Hanscom. of Akron. was elected for three years, Mr. Bates retiring. Hawkins, President; Hanscom. Clerk; Chandler, Superintendent. In October, 1856, David A. Scott. of Akron, was elected for three years, Mr. Sherbondy retiring. Organization as before. Avery Spicer, of Akron, was elected for three years, Mr. Hawkins retiring. Scott, President ; Hanscom. Clerk ; Chandler, Superintendent.

Chandler, Superintendent. In October. 1859, Richard B. Walker, of Akron, was elected for three years, Mr. Scott retiring. Spicer, President; Walker, Clerk ; Chandler, Superintend- ent. In October. 1860. Mr. Spicer was re- | elected for three years. Organization as before. In January, 1861, Mr. Francis T. Husong, of Copley. succeeded Mr. Chandler as Superintendent of the Intirmary. In October, 1861, Alfred R. Townsend. of Akron, was elected Director for three years. Mr. Johnston | retiring. Spicer, President ; Walker. Clerk: - Husong. Superintendent. In October. 1862. Mr. Walker was re-elected tor three years. Organization as before. In October. 1863. Mr. Spicer was re-elected for three years. Organization as before. In October. 1864. Mr. Townsend was re-elected for three years. Organization as before. In October. 1865. Mr. Walker | was re-elected for three years. dent ; Townsend. Clerk : Husong. Superintendent. In October. 1866. Jonathan H. Brewster, of Coventry. was elected for three years. Mr. Spicer retiring. Walker. President; Townsend. Clerk : Husong. Superintendent. In October. 1867. William M. Cunningham, of Ak- | ron, was elected for three years. Mr. Townsend retiring. Walker. President: Cunningham, Clerk: Husong, Superintendent. In April. 1868. George W. Glines. of (zates' Mills. Cuyahoga County, by appointment of the Directors. superseded Mr. Husong as Superintendent of the Infirmary. In October. 1868. Francis T. Husong. of Akron. was elected Director for was re-elected for three years. Organization same as before. ningham was re-elected tor three vears. Organization same as before. In October, 1871. , Webster B. Storer. of Portage. was elected for © three years, Mr. Husong retiring. Organization same as before. In October, 1872. Mr. Brewster was re-elected for three vears. Storer, President ; Cunningham. Clerk ; Glines. Superintendent. In October, 1873, A. R. | Townsend, of Akron, was again elected for ; three years. Mr. Cunningham retiring. Storer. President ; Townsend, Clerk : Glines, Superintendent. In October, 1874. Levi S. Herrold. of | Akron. was elected tor three years. Mr. Storer | retiring. Herrold. President; Townsend. | Clerk; Glines, Superintendent. In October. | 1875. Clement J. Kolb. of Akron. was elected for three years, Mr. Brewster retiring. Organ- . ization same as before. In October. 1876. ,

President ; Kolb, Clerk ; Glines, Superintendent. In October. 1877, A. R. Townsend was again elected for three years, Mr. Herrold retiring. Frederick, President; Kolb, Clerk ; Glines, Superintendent. Mr. Glines, whose health had been failing for several years, dying March +, 1878, his assistant, Mr. George Feichter. was, on the Ist day of April, 1878, temporarily appointed Superintendent by the Directors. Mrs. Glines still continuing in charge as In October, 1878. Mr. Kolb was re-elected for three years. Organization same as before. March 1. 1879, the resignation of Mr. Feichter. as Superintendent. was accepted, and Mrs. Julia F. Glines was appointed to the position. and it is safe to say thac the institution has never been more ably conducted than during the past two years incumbency of Mrs. Glines. In 1879, by reason of his.removal from the county, Mr. Townsend resigned his position as Director.

for one year, Mr. Frederick also being reelected for three vears. Frederick. President ; Kolb. Clerk: Mrs. Glines. Superintendent. In October. 1880. Mr. Southmayd was re-elected for three years. Southmayd, President ; Frederick, Clerk : Mrs. (rlines. Superintendent. Looking to the future necessities and convenience of the institution, in the latter part of 1879, the County Commissioners contracted with Mr. James McAllister for the purchase of 37,4; acres off the southwesi corner of his farm, and adjoining the western portion of the Infirmary farm upon the north. The price stipulated to be paid was $112.50 per acre, and

_on the 9th day of March, 1880, the administrator of Mr. McAllister executed a deed therefor, the total cost of the addition being $4,223.25. Though the cost per acre was more than fourfold the original purchase, it is still regarded as a highly desirable investment. adding to the farm precisely the quality of land, and in the precise locality where an addition was needed, so they can at any time dispose of ten or twelve acres off from the east end, the site of the original infirmary buildings. at a figure equal to, if as well as one of the smaller counties of the State, occupy an exalted position, not only physically and altitudinally, but for the extent and excellence of the provision which she has made for the support and care of the indigent and unfortunate portion of her population.

At the date of its erection and organization, in 1840, Summit County had a total population of 22,469, distributed as follows: Bath, 1,425; Boston, 845; Copley, 1,439; Coventry, 1,308:

Northampton, 963 ; Northfield, 1,031 ; Norton, 1,497 ; Portage (including Akron, then containing 1,664 inhabitants) 2,382 ; Richfield, 1.108 ; Stow (including Cuyahoga Falls), 1.533 ; Springfield.(including part of Middlebury). 1,573 ; Tallmadge (including part of Middlebury). 2.134; |

Twinsburg, 1,039. The census of 1880 makes the total population of the county 43,788, a gain in forty years of 21,319. about two-thirds of the increase being in Akron alone.

State, territorially, Summit County is more di- | versified in its productions, and more nearly | independent of the *' outside world" than, per- | to, and noted for, their dairy products, and, besides producing large quantities of the finest butter and cheese in the world, and many fine cattle in excess of home requirements, are nearly, if not quite, fully self-sustaining in the poses, there is, perhaps, as little waste land in Summit County as in the same area of contiguous territory in any other portion of the State.

But, besides these varied and excellent agricultural advantages, Summit County possesses mineral and manufacturing resources superior to those of any other county in Ohio. Nearly the entire area of at least five townships in the county are underlaid with the very best bituminous coal, large quantities of which are mined finest building-stone in the State - both coarse | and fine grained sandstones - are largely quar- | ried in the middle and northern townships of the - are fabricated yearly, underlie the surface of | _ several of the townships of the county. the | , same localities furnishing the material from which has grown that immense manufacturing interest that is supplying the vitrified sewerpipe, from one to thirty inches in diameter, with which the cities of both the East and the mense quantities now being used by the farmers of the country in underdraining their lands, and in the construction of gutters and sluices The materials for dering upon the river, are somewhat broken, and a few hundred acres in the southern townships are covered by the waters of the lakes and reservoirs which feed the Ohio Canal and supply water for milling and manufacturing purfire-brick and the roofing-tile manufactured

WAR HISTORY - THE REVOLUTIONARY STRUGGLE - SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND - THE MEXICAN WAR - THE GREAT REBELLION - SUMMIT COUNTY TROOPS - SOLDIERS' MONUMENTS - AID SOCIETIES, ETC., ETC.

and without representation in the home Government. This led to what is known in American history as the "Revolutionary war," a long and sanguinary struggle, which resulted in the colonies throwing off forever the galling yoke of the haughty Briton, and of achieving their liberty and independence. Liberty and Independence! Often as the wheels of time roll on the anniversary of American Independence, so liberty blaze out from one end of the Union to the other. in commemoration of those brave. war-worn veterans '«____who fell In Trenton's morning fight, Who crossed the freezing Delaware, That cold December night; When, as the columnsonward marched With firm, unbroken ranks, The blood-marked footprints thick were left Upon the wintry banks," and the thousands and thousands of others who fought and bled for the liberty we, their descendants. enjoy to-day. When the war was over, and our independence acknowledged by the mother country, our patriot soldiery were paid off in valueless paper or in Western lands.

tion for the long service of her patriotic sol- Ciers. This brought many of these old Revolutionary heroes to the Ohio Territory. How many came to what is now Summit County we are unable to say, but as settlements were made here in less than a score of years after the close of the Revolution, it is more than probable that